The holy court in five tomes, the first treating of motives which should excite men of qualitie to Christian perfection, the second of the prelate, souldier, states-man, and ladie, the third of maxims of Christianitie against prophanesse ..., the fourth containing the command of reason over the passions, the fifth now first published in English and much augemented according to the last edition of the authour containing the lives of the most famous and illustrious courtiers taken out of the Old and New Testament and other modern authours / written in French by Nicholas Caussin ; translated into English by Sr. T.H. and others.

The Angel of Peace to all Christian Princes.

IF it be lawfull (greatest Princes) to inter∣rupt your Highnesses, I will appear for the Cause of God, the Angel of Peace, the Minister of Concord and Union, the In∣terpreter of Truth, the Mean and Solicitour of Salva∣tion. I am not that terrible and dreadfull messenger who injected terrours and scourges into David, asto∣nished with Divine Prodigies. I am not listed in that number which utterly overwhelmed the City of Pen∣tapolis, almost drowned before in the inundation of their impieties. I rain nor sulphur, I do not brandish flames, I dart no thunderbolts; but with a mild, tem∣perate, and gentle amenity, I exhibit those olive∣branches which the direfull contagion of Warres hath not yet blasted. I come from the conversation of those who at the Nativity of our Jesus sang Anthems of Peace to Good-willing men. Despise not the Augur of Glad-tydings, contemne not the Hyperaspist of Truth, who speaketh unto you before God in Christ.

It is the concernment of the whole Christian world, most pious Princes, which I addresse unto you; it is your interest which I urge and inculcate both by wishes and writings; it is the Profession of God which I re∣quire; and indeed of great importance, as having di∣verse times summoned, yea enforced the Priests from the Altars, the Virgins from the Monasteries, and the Anachoretes from the Woods, that of the mute it might make Oratours and Agitatours of the retired. God the Arbitratour and Accomplisher of all things, who calleth those things which are not as if they were; he formeth and prepareth the mouths of infants, giveth wisdome to the impudent; to yield to him is victory, to contest with him is succeslesse opposition. Appetite infuseth Eloquence, and necessity not seldome makes a souldier. To be silent amidst the articulated movings of the oppressed is unlawfull, and to sit still amidst the wounds of Military men as unconcerned, is highly and justly reproveable. That hand that is not officious to the suffering world deserves an amputation.

I shall not disoblige the supplicated engagement of your patience (excelient Princes) with unimporting reasons. I shall not abuse your senses with unapper∣taining figments, but by a pleasant prospect I shall shew you that Glory which you aim at thorow fields flowing with bloud, thorow the flames of collucent Cities, and thorow many doubtfull circulations and diverticles. Condescend therefore to give me an allow∣ance of discourse concerning the nature of Warre and Peace, and of the Right of Christian Princes in each of them. For upon this foundation I conceive I can build firm and satisfactory Arguments whereby to secure your Dignity, and to settle the Peoples safety.

It was a speech well becoming the wisdome of the Ancients, that this world, in whose circumference all things are contained, is as it were a great volumn of the Deity, wherein life and death are as the beginning and the end: but the middle Pages are perpetually turned over backwards and forwards. That which Life and Death bring to passe in the nature of things, the same doth Peace and Warre in the Nation of all Kingdomes and Empires. And indeed Life is a cer∣tain portion of the Divine Eternity, which being first diffused in the Divine Nature, and afterwards stream∣ing into the sea, and penetrating into the earth and our world, doth contemperate by an espousall and con∣nexion of bodies and souls wonderfull and almost Di∣vine Agreements. But when there is a solution of this undervalued continuity, when this harmony is disturb∣ed and broken, it suddenly vanisheth by the irresistible necessity of death, greedily depopulating all things un∣der his dominion.

In like manner Peace, the greatest and most excel∣lent gift of the Divine indulgence, reconciles and ap∣portions ap∣portions a kind of temperature in the wills of men, from whence floweth the most active vigour of all functions in the Body Politick; as, the alacrity of minds, the rewarded sedulity of Provinces, the faith∣full plenty of the Countrey, the security of travelling, the opulency of Kingdomes, and the accumulation of all temporall blessings. But when Concord is dissipa∣ted, and the alarms of Warre besiege mens ears, pre∣sently there insueth a convulsion and direfull decay of all the members, and Audacity finding it self disin∣gaged from the mulcts and penalties of the Laws, run∣neth headlong into all variety of mischief; the most Sacred things are violenced, and the most Profane are licenced, the nocent and the innocent are involved in the expectation of a sad and promiscuous catastrophe, and bonefires are made of cities not to be quenched but with the bloud of miserable Christians.

He that will tax his own leisure but with the cheap expence of considering our mortality, will so much scru∣ple these effects to be the actions of men, that he may be easily seduced to believe that Hell hath lost some prisoners, or that some troops of Furies have broken the chains of darknesse, and in a humane shape deluded men with such enormous villanies.

My highest obedience (most excellent Princes) is due to truth, and that obligation prompts me to proclaim this judgement, That Contentions and Warre have not had any ingresse into the Church of God, but by clandestine and undermining Policies, Discipline re∣sisting, and Conscience standing agast at the monstrous object. And indeed Paul exclaimeth against conten∣tions; Brother (saith he) goeth to law with brother, and that under Infidels: Now therefore there is alto∣gether an infirmity in you, in that you go to law one with another. Why rather suffer you not wrong? Why rather sustain you not fraud? But ye your selves do wrong and exercise fraud and that to your brethren.

What do we hear? an Edict published by an Apo∣stle invested with thunder and lightning. I beseech the revisitation of your thoughts, what would he imagine were he lent again unto the world by providence, that then wanted patience to see a controversie about a field perhaps, or a house, and should now behold, among those that claim the title of the Faithful, Ensigne against Ensigne, Nation against Nation, and not a House, not a city, not a Province, but the whole Christian world precipitated into slaughters, rapes, and priviledged plunders; would he countenance such an inhumane spe∣ctacle with a Declaration of allowance? or would he perswade men to the violations of the Law of Nature, and dictate encourgement to ruine and rapine?

But Tertullian also is very strict in this point, and peradventure too rigid, whilst he saith that our Lord, by that injunction to Peter to sheath his sword, dis∣armed all Christian Souldiers. This in my judge∣ment deserves a censure of extream severity, if he con∣clude all warfare to be criminall: this were to destroy the innocent in a detestation of the guilty, should we perpetrate corrupt actions upon the order of the cruel, and the petulancy of luxuriant villains. What would Christianity then be, but a prey to the insatiable, and a laughing-stock to the insolent? if it were not lawfull

to revenge unfaithfull injuries with a just retaliation? If it were not lawfull to defend Churches from Sacri∣ledge, Widows and Orphans from oppressions, and disinteressed persons from ruine? 'Tis a rash determi∣nation that bloweth off the victorious laurels of so ma∣ny Christian Kings with such a blind and precipitate whirlwind of words. Justly therefore are the Mani∣chees obnoxious to a spirituall Outlawry from the Church, whilst I know not whether they more impu∣dently assert innocence, or more blameably dis∣arm it.

All Ages concurre in the justification of Warre against Infidels, but the intermingled contentions of the Faithfull have been alwayes reprehended, and never impartially tolerated. Be pleased to take a review of an old instrument; There were many and bitter dis∣cords among the Jews, many tumults, many warres, but ever against those that had abandoned the true Re∣ligion, and collapsed into foul Idolatry, and the wor∣ship of the Gentiles. The Israelites indeed upon the division of the Tribes fought against the Benjamites with a fierce warre, and an infinite destruction, but this was rather the fury of grief, rushing into arms for the revenge of a woman violated with prodigious lust, then any destinated opposition, or just controversie for the enlargement of their territories. The magnanimity of David could scarce be induced to a just resistance of his sonne Absolon, forcing his way unto his Fa∣thers Throne thorow the bloud and carkasses of many Citizens, till Joab had obstinately dissipated that lan∣guidnesse of his gentle mind, so detestable an under∣taking was it for those who were brethren by the bonds of Nature and Religion to forfeit all civill re∣spects to the rage of warre.

If you please to consult the first times of the Chri∣stian Emperours, you shall find Constantine opposing his forces against Julian, but not till he became the de∣sertour of Christ, and the Standard-bearer of impiety. You shall also find Theodosius the Great levying his utmost strength against Maximus, Eugenius, and Ar∣bogastus: but his quarrel was with most perfidious Tyrants, who under the veil of Religion laboured to hide flagitious and damnable excesses. You shall scarce meet with any Prince in the more innocent times, who took up arms to be embrewed in Christian bloud but upon the most deliberate and important causes. And indeed Baronius doth excellently observe, that the Crosse was first opposed to the Crosse in arms in the Warre which Constantius raised against Magnen∣tius. A horrible wickednesse (saith he) and not to be attempted but by a Christian Tyrant, a dissembler of Religion, and an Hereticall Emperour.

I am not ignorant that Augustine hath handled this subject and question against Faustus, and that he hath established the equity of Christian arms upon the foundation of the Gospel, because John in so exemplary a rigour of life perswaded not the souldiers, enqui∣ring after the means of their salvation, to cast away their weapons, but to be contented with their pay, and to strike no man. Because also the Apostle not with∣out cause saith, That Princes bear not the sword in vain. But if it be lawfull to yield our assent to the approba∣tion of his judgement, we shall find that all those darts were ejaculated against the mad phrensies of the Mani∣chees, who would have Christians to abstain from the sword, and to bear the most cruel injuries of treacherous Infidels unrepelled, unrevenged. He would not there∣fore either cherish the severity, or irritate the power of Christian Princes in an unlawfull Warre against their brethren; for in the same place he exclaimeth: a defire of doing violence, a cruel preparation of mind to revenge, an implacable mind, a barbarous lust to re∣bel, a secret speculation of Lordly dominion, and other such as these are the causes which are justly cul∣pable in the Warres.

Now who are they according to the opinion of S. Austin, that consociate themselves and their adhe∣rents in an unjust Warre? First, they that are hurried into Arms by a blind violence of spirit, not so much for love of Justice, as a greedinesse of revenge. Who be∣ing provoked by some injury, inhumanely and unmea∣surably rave and rage, abhorring all attonement, and refusing by the authority of an incensed reason to chide out their Passions, those petulant and contentious in∣mates: In the second place, they who endeavour a Re∣bellion against their lawfull Sovereigne, and casting off the yoke of their Allegiance, precipitate themselves into all licencious enormities. Finally, they who out of a sole desire of Ruling involve and mingle the Kingdomes of their neighbours in commotions and in∣testine discords, and that they may extend their Em∣pire, open a passage to their ambitious expectations by all designes either violent or fraudulent.

Consider now (best Princes) what a proclivity there is in such to boil with indignation and displeasure, to burn with paroxisms of envy and exacerbations of re∣venge; yea, and to be tickled with an apprehension of purchasing or amplifying a Kingdome. How obvious it is the reins being let loose to transcend the just limits, how easie a matter to counterfeit Justice, to pretend necessity, and now to trample upon those Laws which before were so much outwardly reverenced; you will undoubtedly find it true, that it is more easie to take up, then to moderate and temper Arms.

But that I may not detain you long, Aquinas requi∣reth three things to the justification or legitimation of a Warre: the Authority of the Prince, a just Cause, and a right Intention, whereunto other Divines have added warrantable Reasons to obtain the end; it is ab∣solutely unlawfull therefore for private men to appear in Arms for the prosecution of their own right though in judgement. This God hath delegated unto Princes, that that might happen seldome which must needs be violent. To the Lords of the earth we may say with Seneca, I am he that God hath chosen out of so many men that I might be his Vicegerent upon earth. I am the supreme Arbiter of life and death unto the Nati∣ons. It is in the hand of my power to dispose the lot of their conditions to all my people. These millions of swords that guard my peace, shall at the lest intimati∣on of my pleasure be all unsheathed. What Cities shall perish, and which shall flourish, is my ju∣risdiction.

To be able to put all these things in execution is in∣deed a great matter, but to forbear the pursuance of them, unlesse necessity require it, is farre more divine. It is a lawfull wish, that he to whom all things are lawfull, would confine his will to the practice onely of lawfull things. The right of the Sword is not extend∣ed, when it devolveth into the Protection of one, but is rather restrained. One hand is stretched forth, that all may be bound; affairs are managed by the wis∣dome of a paucity, lest the temerity of the whole mul∣titude should precipitate them into a promiscuous de∣struction. The parsimony even of the meanest bloud is to be praised. No man is more unjustly invested with a superiority over others, then he that is prodigall of their lives though in a just emergence. Those thun∣derbolts must be slowly shot, which the wounded per∣sons can reverence. Let Kings therefore beware lest they glorifie themselves by that faculty where∣with God hath entrusted them, and abuse it to outward pomp, rather then exercise it to the advantage of good men. Let the fear of misdemeanours and ob∣liquities

banish all fiercenesse from them, and let them esteem it the greatest impotence to boast a Priviledge of Injustice, or a Power to hurt.

The cause of the Warre must first be balanced by an accurate examination, lest the affections obtain pre∣cedence over Equity and Reason, lest iniquity be pre∣dominant in the better part, and force and fury comply to cheat the world under the specious title of Injustice. I am both sad and ashamed to consider with my self what frivolous occasions have prevailed with many whereon to ground a Warre. The Trojan Warre that common Sepulchre of Asia and Europe flamed out from the impetuous flagrancies of a noble Whore. By a thousand ships she was re-demanded, and for her that had lost all modesty, vast numbers of gallant He∣ro's lost their neglected lives. So many chaste lay open to the lust of the enemies, that an unchaste might be restored. Alexander being yet a child, was repre∣hended by his Tutour for his profusion of Frankincense in his Sacrifices to the Gods, but being arrived to mans estate, that he might wash away this admonition of his master, he invadeth Arabia, and there the second time offereth up Sacrifice for the conquest of the Coun∣trey. The Egyptians for a slain Cat rose up in arms against the Romans, and fourty destroyed many thou∣sand men. Caligula with a mighty noise of armed men, and a great preparation of all Military orna∣ments hasteneth to the Ocean, there to gather cockles. The Romans being contumeliously upbraided with this ridiculous Expedition, conspired, and almost ef∣fected the utter ruine of the scoffing Tarentians. The people of Alexandria rebelled against Galienus because of a sottish contention between the Master and the Ser∣vant concerning the elegancy and neatnesse of a pair of shoes. And to omit many examples which I could commemorate, William of England sirnamed the Conquerour, who was victorious over all men but himself, revenged a pleasant conceit of Maximus the Prince with innumerable destructions. The Conque∣rour was of a corpulent habit, and his belly was some∣what prominent thorow a plenty of Hydropick hu∣mours, wherefore when Philip the King of France heard of the nature of his disease, We will allow him time (saith he) to provide for his lying in, which by the bulk of his belly appeareth to be near at hand. The Conquerour being mad with fury replyed, That he would rise up after his delivery and kindle five hun∣dred fires in France to adorn his up-sitting. Nor was he unmindfull of his resolution, for presently upon his re∣covery he entred France with a stupendious army, wholly addicting himself by fire, famine, and horrible slaughters, to the satisfaction of his revenge. Shall we suppose that he playes and trifles with the bloud of men, who upon such slight provocations can enterprize such mournfull Tragedies? May we suppose those people miserable with whom the scoffs of furious men must be expiated with such a direfull destruction?

No man ought to believe himself or another con∣cerning the cause of a Warre, but let him weigh it with the exquisite prudence of the principall men, whose advices are the more fruitfull of truth, the lesse they are espoused to affection. A right intention must ne∣cessarily be coveted to a just Cause, and all these things are estimated by a sober and moderate conclu∣sion, or a justifiable end. Be such a thought eternally banished from the head and heart of a Christian Prince, that he should array himself in a Military po∣sture to oblige some light affections of a luxuriant mind; that he should run on slaughters, command the burning of towns, prosecute and seem to rejoyce in de∣vastations, that he should destroy, he should extinguish and bury his own glory in the overthrow of others. This is the indelible ignominy of Centaures and the Lapathae, who in warring seek nothing but Warre. The wisest Kings thorow tumults and intestine jarres have made a progresse unto Justice, Equity, and Con∣cord, and being themselves in Arms have sacrificed un∣defeigning vows to Peace. They think of an Enemy as a Physician sometimes of his Patient, that he must be recovered by corrosives and sharp remedies. Oh that he would have been cured with a diet, or asswaged with fomentations! But when against the Law and Right of Nations he hath persisted in his obstinacy, and contemned the reiterated offers of composing the present differences, then you must bind, then you must cut, then you must burn him, yet all this to restore, not to exterminate him.

And all things composed, behold like the scourge of a deadly and destructive Warre, a Northern tempest rageth in the miseries of Germany, there they wallow in bloud, and in their night-marches they are conduct∣ed by the hideous light of burning Cities, some few making a resistance, and all men being astonished at the ferall prodigy. The Altars are polluted with sa∣crifice, Virgins with rapes, the chains of Church-men are heard louder and further then the drums of their persecutours; holy things are profaned, and the abomi∣nation of desolation is consummated, their very King who had appointed them thither being either ignorant of those outrages, or unconsenting.

Now can any man conceive that this was devised by a Christian mind? Can it be imagined that he who hath any reverence unto, or sense of Religion can give such directions? It is not credible: such a monster could not have been brought forth had not hell con∣ceived, the bottomelesse-pit exhaling the fuliginous va∣pours, and the devils themselves torturing mens minds into such uncouth diversities. All things cannot pro∣perly have a reflected reference unto men. The Priva∣do's and Ministers of Princes are not at all times to be accused, as though they had cast off all humaniry, and covered themselves with brutish cruelty. There are certain vagabond and deceitfull spirits destinated to re∣venge, who being themselves lost in misery, cease not to comfort their malice by driving others into a partici∣pation of those miseries, which reason (greatest Prin∣ces) ought so much the more to invite, yea to admonish you to leagues of Peace, because our Omnipotent God in his secret counsel hath determined to subdue Sa∣tan by your hands, and to cast him under your feet.

The highest circumspection and vigilancy are there∣fore requisite, least matter be suppeditated to the De∣vil who altogether watcheth for destruction from the affections and vices of men. Jealousie, that tinder of Kingdomes and Nations easily taketh fire, if it be fo∣mented onely with an animal wisdome, and be not mix∣ed with the prudence of the Saints. They who are ad∣dicted to one part, say, that the Spaniards do too much expose their power to Envy, that it is hatefull unto equalls, terrible to inferiours, and if not prevented, de∣structive unto all. There is amongst them (say they) such an epidemicall itch after domination, such inten∣tive and indefatigable cares of their ambition, such a luxurious wit to enlarge their Empire, so vast a cata∣logue of Kingdomes and Titles as provokes the emu∣lous, terrifieth their neighbours, and pricketh even those that are removed from them by intervals of distance. They apprehend the Dignity of one to presage the dan∣ger of all. They conjecture that the extent of his ju∣risdiction bodeth an unattempted servitude to all King∣domes: they fear whatsoever the land provideth, and whatsoever monsters the sea nourisheth. Greedy Do∣mination that could never yet overcome it self, when it

hath once been cherished by Fortune, it unlearneth na∣ture, and forgetteth moderation. Moreover, the tem∣perature of the Nations, as they report, is fiery, hot and dry, swelling with pride, patient of hunger and well enduring labour, thirsty after glory, prone to ad∣mire it self, and apt to continue the virtue and valour of other Nations. I produce not these things as the emanations of my own judgement, which for the pre∣sent is addicted to no Nation but comprehendeth all in Christ, but I commemorate the vulgar reports, and such things as are openly bruted by many, which if they were supprest by a removall of their Causes, it could cut off the occasions of many controversies.

The French on the other side, as they write who have had knowledge of them, although they are for∣ward to dart reproaches against others, unable to en∣dure them, and most impatient of contempt, yet they know they are of that Nation whereof it was said,

—Animóqūe supersunt Jam propè post animam.

They boast that they filled the world with the fame of their Arms, before the Spaniards could redeem them∣selves from the diuturnall servitude of the Goths and Vandals. That they have managed the Empire of the East and West, that they have vanquished Con∣stantinople by assault, restored Jerusalem to Christ, and Rome to the Pope seven times deprived of it by his enemies. They affirm that the Gospel was first preached unto them, that the primigeniall adoption of the Sonnes of God was given to them, that they have advanced Learning in all Christian Kingdomes, the whole world almost becoming Students of our Aca∣demy at their Paris; in a word, they think they have nothing to be contemned; they are more apt to desire admirers, then able to dispence with contemners. From hence it comes to passe, that both the Nations being prodigall in the accumulations of their own, and envi∣ous of the others glory; such flames have of late been kindled, as will, it may be feared, become unquench∣able. Would to God that that Charity which is dif∣fused in us by the spirit, would suffocate these super∣seminated tares of contentions; Oh that it would cut off the occasions of these inhumane strivings! then should we have fewer anxieties, and more supportable labours of heart, knowing by what remedies we might resist so pestilent an evil.

This is frequently augmented by the servants and favourites of Princes, whilst with a familiar, but a direfull glory to the greatest Empires; they desire to boast the power of their Lords; they display all their offensive strength and ability to hurt; they presse a secret beneficence, and whilst they proceed in these am∣bitious circulations, nay, whilst they bewray a fear, and discover in themselves a caution, by that very sedulity and caution they provoke things not to be feared, and act things not to be tolerated.

Here I appeal to you great Masters of Policy and Participatours of hidden Councels. I speak more wil∣lingly to you then to your Fortunes. Consider how much God hath given you, and how much he requi∣reth of you. You sit as Gods among men the Arbi∣ters of mankind; what shall be each mans lot is the verdict of your Dispensations. What good things Fe∣licity intendeth to each individuall person, she pro∣nounceth by your mouths; what Navies must be pre∣pared, what Warres must be prosecured, what Cities destroyed, what Nations depopulated, are the ambi∣guous effects of your opinions. You are judges of the fortunes and bloud of men, and of your behaviours and existimation men are judges. God the discerner of all things judgeth of your head at the terrible and inevitable audit. Every one beholdeth many things by the deception of his own sense, uttereth many things from the dictates of affection. I cannot believe what is reported, that so eminent persons blest with such ad∣mirable wits, adorned with the glorious gift of pru∣dence, and conscious of this frailty of humane affairs▪ can think themselves seated in that heighth, to measure all things by the circle of their own advantage, that publick plenty should quit the preheminence to their private profit, that all things should be serviceable to their amplitude, that they should dispose their trust according to the level coyl of love, hatred, and ambi∣tion, and that they should sacrifice the bloud of the people to their Fortunes: that they therefore love Warres, and are affected with Divisions and Confusi∣on, hoping thereby to purchase to themselves more be∣neficiall or honourable commands, to close with an op∣portunity of treasuring up large summes of money, and by the necessity of their Ministration to wed themselves to a more faithfull office, or to leap into an Authority of a more hopefull permanency; but goodnesse forbid that such sordid, earthly, and narrow cares should be the dishonourable employment of such capacious souls.

I rather believe that you are incited by emulous anhe∣lations after your Masters glory, whereof you have ever been most zealous; ever prepared to retaliate his inju∣ries, to assert his Majesty, and to dilate his Empire, but I beseech you by the immortall God, and by so many beloved pledges of your Kingdomes, to take heed and diligently to beware, lest a supervehement appetite of Glory make them averse from the right pursuit of Glo∣ry. You follow Glory by a muddy search, but now all mortall men desire it by a clear acquist. Consider where there is the greatest splendour of celestiall vir∣tues, either in the loud cracks of thunder possessing all men with sudden fear, and when fires and thunderbolts are promiscuously hurl'd about; or in a fair day the air being defecated and serene, and the pleasure of the light dispelling sadnesse from mens hearts? hitherto you have made the power of your Lords sufficiently fear∣full, now render it sweet and make it amiable, for therein onely it is invincible. This is not the greatnesse of Princes to be alwayes encompassed with the ter∣rours of his armed men, and busied in warlike prepara∣tions, with a fiery mouth to be alwayes denouncing the cruelties of torments and tortures, to condemne these men to fetters, those to the sword, perpetually to carry about him fire and darts, to make his progresse thorow smoaking Cities, over the trampled bodies of half dead men, and to exhaust all things lest they should be ex∣hausted. How much more glorious is it like a fortu∣nate Cornet to prevent and exceed the hopes of all men with causes of rejoycing? To repair things ruinous and disordered, to conveigh glad tydings of consolation to the pensive soul, to recollect things scattered, and to reunite things divided. By this heavenly solicitude many Kings lending their succour, not sending their ter∣rour unto the labouring world, have attained unto so∣lid and unshaken honour. What forbiddeth you to follow? what retardeth your emulation? There is one rock which is often to be feared, unto which the cares and cogitations of some Politick men, who differ much from your Piety, do cleave. They think if the admi∣nistrations of the Publick should be regulated by the law of God, and the judgement of pious men, they would become base, low, and unesteemed; they would be exposed to prey and direption, and is he penitent, I insult not; doth he crave audience, I grant accesse; doth he submit his neck, my mercy shall meet his sub∣mission. At the destruction of Cannae, Hannibal was heard to say, Miles parce ferro: Marcellus wished he could quench the flames of burning Syracusa with his tears: Titus with erected hands and eyes to heaven

wept over the prostrate carcasses of the Jews. What should be then the most decent and laudable behaviour of a Christian King towards a subdued and almost sup∣pliant Enemy? Should he strut with pride? Should he inebriate himself with passion? Or should he strength∣en his fury to an utter desolation? The more generous beasts abhorre this practice. Vast and inexorable wraths should not cohabit with royall mind; many things are to be pardoned to humane frailty, many things to ignorance, something truly to affection, but all things to repentance. It behoves him to preserve many, even to the prejudice of their obstinate or erro∣neous wit, neither are all those to be heard that are re∣solved to perish. Errour illaqueates some men, and Opinion sets the complection upon the procedures of most men; others are ensnared by the counsels of a treacherous vigilancy, and some there are who have no fault but their fortune. His pardon he will extend and communicate to many, whosoever can really de∣sire to obtain from God his own pardon.

Further I adde, that those reasons which are pro∣duced as subservient to the attainment of a just end, ought themselves also to be legitimate, otherwise the foundations may be firm, yet the superstructures may totter. That is not good which is not well done, the means we use must be as innocent and unreproveable as our meaning. That which knoweth no mediocrity, I know not how to term a virtue. A depraved intention by a kind of contageous force ever infected the most austere and sacred conduct of affairs; subdolous inven∣tions also and crafty artificers shade and eclipse the beauty of sincere intentions. Grosse and scandalous is their errour, who having proposed to themselves some laudable mark, are little sollicitous of the arrows they shoot. They who have trusted to this footing have (many of them) slipt, and dasht themselves against such a rock of absurdities as hath endangered their brains. I shall instance in those who have thought that health might be innocently purchased from the Devils themselves by the virtue of Magicall forms, and that this is the safety which the Divine Oracles pronounce we may acquire from our enemies. But Paul is pe∣remptory in the confutation hereof, saying, That evil must not be done that good may come thereof. No man is mercifull by thefts, nor charitable by surrepti∣tious gains; no innocent person seeketh convalescence by wicked accommodations. To go to War is lawfull, to kill is lawfull when you are backt with the Autho∣rity of your Prince, and seconded with a just Cause; but on the contrary, to do injustice is never not unlaw∣full. We may incline and bow the ears of the Deity to a condescendence, but we may not sollicit hell for Auxiliaries: we may not contemerate things sacred, nor violate the Divine Charters of the Church; we may not subvert Religion, nor contaminate Chastity; we must not attempt facinorous art, nor invade the lives of Princes with poniards or venomous potions; we ought not to destroy Military Discipline by trans∣gressing the Rights of Warfare, nor adventure upon certain villains to promote a desperate ambition. That Warre ceaseth to be just (however pretended to have a just beginning) when the future events are intermixed with palpable injustice, and being well begun if they degenerate into evil progressions, they ought speedily to have an end.

We are faln by degrees (greatest Princes) upon the matter intended, of which it is your part to judge, and from sound deliberations to provide for the felicity of Christians both Temporall and Eternall. Your Au∣thority is, or ought to be unquestioned, and your dis∣posednesse of mind and intentions, what can they be in good Princes, but unsuspected: but the Cause is per∣plexed and involved, yet the Reasons that seem to con∣spire the end are violent. A fierce and cruel Warre is carried on among you, exercised in the besieging of Ci∣ties, acquainted with destructions, terrible for its mon∣strous spreadings: under which the Church laboureth, the wishes of the oppressed evaporate into sighs, and the convulsed world mourneth; it hath not proceeded in an ordinary way, nor is it continued after a humane manner. Sift out (if you please) the causes, and weigh diligently with your selves the occasions of such an amazing tumult.

If at any time we behold things natural acting within the limits of their prescriptions, this doth not elevate our considerations to a wonder: but when we see them irritated by some vehement impetuosity, or the deter∣mined confinements of Natures Law to be perverted, we suspect some hidden force within, which suddenly bursteth forth and is circumfused, from whence such va∣rious motions do arise. As often as we see the winds to be ordinarily stirred, we either judge it to be some breath or exhalation, or we conjecture that the air hath a naturall faculty to move it self, lest it should become dull and torpid in an inagitable Globe; but as often as we behold boisterous tempests to arise by the sharp and violent conflicts of the winds, which compell vast trees from their roots, and level strong built houses with the ground, which devour whole navies, and shake the foundations of the world, we ascribe these to the aiery Principalities dissipated through the regions of the Earth. In like mnaner, when Warres are managed among men in their accustomed forms, we attri∣bute these to the ambitious designs of men, to cholerick temperaments, and to the easie impatience of an obje∣cted contumely: but if they exceed proportion and ex∣ample also, we suspect that there is some undiscovered origin of evils transcending our understandings and astonishing our senses.

He that will duly and sadly weigh the matter, will confesse this of such a cruel Warre; for it is not actua∣ted with a civil mind, neither hath it those decencies and Military ornaments which are wont to accompany great minds, but it is tainted with a virulent malignity which devoureth both parts, and creeping as it were with a slow contabescence, it eats up all things; the Countreys are in a mourning estate, the Cities are de∣jected, the Bloud of gallant men is prodigally wasted, the choicest flowers of the Nobility are destinated to butchery and the shambles of prevailing Rebels, pri∣vate Gentlemen are despoiled of almost all their goods, complaints are universall and daily multiplied against Taxes and Exactions, which are the aliment that pampers this prodigious pastime. But no force of treasure is comparable to the greedinesse of the ex∣actours themselves, those gluttons of oppression. The riches of a few men causeth a penury amongst all men; the odious rejoycings of the unjust are saginated with the tears of the miserable. Who is the Architect, the Contriver, the Artizan of all these evils? King Lewis (say they) is the Authour of the Warre. But can a Prince so pious, so chaste, so perpetually cloathed with the fear of God, raise such storms, cause such tempests? Whilst he lived, he daily lifted up undefiled hands to Heaven, was frequently conversant in holy Mysteries, and a common Father of such an exemplary and cha∣stised Conscience, that he could not forgive himself the least contamination, till he had craved mercy from his God and washt away his pollution with the Sacramentall Bloud: he fought by necessity, he over∣came by valour; he was magnanimous in Resolution, famous in Warre, and forward in Peace. Who there∣fore can conceive that horrid and bloudy Councels tending to the destruction of the whole Christian world,

could have had either a conception in, or a welcome into that religious sacrary of his heart? Who can ima∣gine that hatred and grudges, that displeasures and re∣venge could find an entertainment in his breast. But perhaps the Emperour delights in dissentions, and nou∣risheth his fancy with the turbulency of Christian af∣fairs. Judgement forbid that any man should believe this; for he is a Prince accomplished with the best en∣dowments, and compounded of equity and ingenuity, vivacity of spirit, and solidity of wisdome. What can be more agreeable to him then with the gentle hand of a Pacificatour to quiet his Germany shaken with such a dreadfull inundation of Warres?

What? Is the King of Spain then the disturber? No man can prove that who hath the most intimate acquaintance with the sense and apprehensions of that great King. For (he if any other) hath a Christian mind, a pleasant wit, more prone to love and concord, then disposed to quarrels and controversies. There is nothing of fiercenesse or immoderation in him, no∣thing of malevolence and despight; he is carefull to enjoy his own greatnesse, carelesse to exercise an unjust domination.

From whence then floweth all this sea of bloud, if no anger lodgeth in celestiall minds? Who seeth not, that it happens not by humane designment, but that it was hatcht in Tophet, and the Mali Genii of the Na∣tions have cherisht it to this formidable growth, that they might blast our flourishing estate, abate our plen∣ty, and undermine our happinesse. The Affairs of Christendome were too potent, when the Factions of Hereticks were overthrown: it was their machination to turn our swords reaking with the bloud of our ene∣mies into our own bowels. They raised the commo∣tions in Italy at Mantua, and they broached all the Warres in Germany; they have engaged by a ma∣lignant enmity, the principall Crowns of Christian Fame in an implacable Warre, raging with ineffable destructions, the Church mourning, Infidels and car∣nall men rejoycing, and hell it self triumphing.

In the great vicissitudes of things there hath often intervened a bad mind, which vitiateth the counsels, or retardeth the good determinations of Princes, and di∣verteth them from taking a right aim at Glory. Scarce had they saluted the skirts of his Dominions, but, being exagitated by factious whirlwinds, the good King recrowned with triumphant Laurels is called into Ita∣ly; the Alpes must be penetrated in the depth of win∣ter, a journey must be forced thorow rocks, concealed with now and lined with armed men, the opposite for∣ces must be intermingled, and battels fought upon all disadvantages; which difficulties being conquered by a wonderfull courage, and an equall felicity, and there∣fore they devise and trust to other ar••s of gubernation then God hath prescribed, as if he saw not enough or were carelesse of his people. They excogitate new, subtil, and crafty wayes of procedure, whereby to augment their own, and entangle the estates of others, and if they can to intermingle and endanger all. They conceive it to be the part of a King to mind themselves alone, to guard and watch the safety of themselves alone, to referre all things to themselves, and to make their way to ample and royall profits, if any oppositi∣on come in their way, over the carcasses of their sub∣jects. That truth and falshood know no distinction but with reference to our profit, unto which all the lives of all our actions must be concentrick, and that whatsoever is profitable is onely unlawfull among fools, that an humble and timorous conscience is too importunate in the method of high Counsels. That subjects should be taught to exercise Religion with a scrupulous tendernesse, that Princes must practise it, or upon it for advantage. That solid virtue is an hinder∣ance if not lawfull, 'tis the shadow and resemblance of it that is commodious; that honesty is praised, yet freezeth; that nothing is unlawfull to Kings, that is magnificent for the Kingdomes.

This is not, that I may use the words of the Apostle, This is not that wisdom which descendeth from above, but earthy, carnall, diabolicall, which imposeth upon minds bewitched, and involveth Kingdomes in a mise∣rable destruction. Farre different (Excellent Princes) is your reiglement, and vastly opposite is your under∣standing to these infernall notions. For were it commit∣ted to your care to manage the Affairs not of a Chri∣stian Empire, but to govern the Kingdome of the Sa∣razens; yet this Doctrine would occurre from the very Books and Institutes of Heathenish Legislatours, that craft is pernicious to those that turn the globe of Go∣vernment: that this is humble, and base, and alwayes hatefull, seldome, and never long together advantage∣ous. Whereupon Thucydides the most scientificall Po∣lititian, saith, That a Common-wealth is better go∣verned and more prosperously by moderate men, and such as have an indifferent wit, then by the acute and such as are superabundantly industrious. But yer should you act the parts of men exiled from God, and law∣lesse in the world, yet according to humane sense and as is believed, no unprofitable craft, excuse were due to them who have the overseeing of many things, which concern all men. But now seeing that you perceive that your Empires are continued to you chiefly by those things by which they began, who seeth not that Chri∣stian Kingdomes are established in Faith, Justice, and Lenity, and that they are subverted by Impiety, Inju∣stice, and Cruelty? Who observes not that those men who stray from the Canons of heavenly Wisdome precipitate themselves into devious enormities and cali∣ginous observations?

Consult if you please the whole body of History, and consider what have been the exits of Tiberians and Herodians, you shall sind this to be the pedigree of their everlasting reproach; first, a subdolous and wily mind, a life full of thorny cares and dawning jealou∣sies, brittle and fugitive hopes, certain fears, uncertain counsels, deaths full of calamity, long punishments, fleeting pleasures, posterity, either none, or of no con∣tinuance. But on the other side if you please to con∣template the Records of Christian Princes, who have governed their Kingdomes with sincerity of mind, with gentlenesse of hand, with a prudent moderation, and an invincible integrity, thorow so many crosse accidents, temptations, and discouragements of humane affairs, you may behold Hero's beloved of their own, feared by their enemies, to have lived safe in felicity and ac∣cumulated glories, and to have left behind them ac∣ceptable pledges of their own virtues for many genera∣tions. Therefore casting away the counsels of such an impious and execrable Warre, overcoming the charges of ambition with the comforts of a valiant modesty, and repressing irregular desires by charity, let us make our adresses to God the founder of Safety, and the re∣conciler of Divisions; for when we despair he can re∣pair, our extremity is the crisis of his opportunity.

But what is it that hath disobliged the desires, fru∣strated the expectations of all men, and almost tired out the oppressive sighs of the mourning Church with such tedious disappointments? Is it Honour? Is it Wealth? Truly if Honour, it is that which hath mini∣stred not the weakest influence unto the vehement in∣ducements of this Warre; an opinion of contempt should now be cashiered, when the fierce oppositions of two potent Kingdomes are engaged. What afflu∣ence can out-age the plenty which either of them may

justly boast? What is more admirable then their Pow∣er? What more undaunted then their Valour? Forti∣tude, in a cause so miserable, is inded rather to be la∣mented then desired; worthy the compelled praises of an Enemy, or the dolefull experience of a Sarazen; but being exercised in a mutuall discord among Chri∣stians, most undervalued when best extolled, a Spaniard hath no reason to contemne a French-man, nor a French-man to despise a Spaniard; yet either of them hath his advantages whereon to build a wish, that their united strength might be exhibited in a more just con∣testation, and a better fate.

If the question be concerning your Propriety, it is a businesse so perplexed, that Archesilaus hath long agone determined, that it can never be determined; so that if we contend about the Rights of Kingdomes, Cities, and Families, we shall prove his words to be full of truth, who called it the confusion of things and fortunes, necessarily teeming with eternall jarres, and endlesse disagreements about the assertions. And if all things should be transacted according to the rigour of Justice, we should neither have a King, nor a rich man remaining. If any man therefore were possessed of whatsoever the sagacity of his wit could suggest unto his wishes; whatsoever opinion could fancy, or appe∣tite imagine, let him plead that immense and perplexed Charter of Kingdomes from Nembrotus who first im∣posed the yoke upon free necks, let him derive it down∣wards thorow the labyrinthed Successions of so many Ages, or let him calculate upwards digging up his grandfather and great-grandfathers great-grandfather, till by the search of so many Sepulchres he hath wea∣ried the tenacious memory of the desirous, and con∣founded the prudence of the skilfull: what will he meet with at length but a suppeditation of fresh discord, and fuell for new fires of tumult? Who can be the arbitra∣tour, who the judge to compose such great differences as will result from such involved causes?

The Lord would not divide the inheritance between the Brethren: he that appointed measure to the Hea∣vens, set bounds to the sea, and prescribed a proportion to all the Elements, even he refused to divide the Lamb between the kinsmen, being confirmed, that the avarice of men was contentious and implacable. Therefore if Christ himself should now descend from heaven, nei∣ther would he judge and determine your wealth, your interest, your propriety, and fortunes; neither if he would, should he by the umpirage of his impartiall equity define all things according to your sense and will.

What remaineth therefore, but that all Ages be worn out and wasted by infamous and degenerate Warre, the parts and factions being not unequally matched, and both sides most desirous of their ends and interests? But is it so glorious and worthy an enter∣prise for such great Princes, so pious, so majesticall, and such potent Lords of sea and land, to contend about one city, nay perhaps one castle, and that too al∣most battered down by the thunder-bolts of warre; nay about the very dust and rubbage, and all this with deadly enmity which can be profitable to none, but hurtfull to many?

I understand, O ye wise and intelligent Counsellours to Princes, what answer you will return to this, that your Interest is herein concerned, and your Honour en∣gaged, lest the propriety of your Masters should be di∣minished by that League which the whole world ex∣pecteth. But I now leave that to be discussed by your prudence and equity, whether the whole Christian world should be endangered in their fortunes, lives, bloud, salvation, and destruction of all things, to give a minister of State, a Kings servant an assurance of some fethery and airy fame and perhaps deepest routed in his own opinion? What should such elevated souls as yours have for the object of their wishes, but that all things should have a sweet and peaceable compo∣sure to the advantage both of Kings and Kingdomes? But if you please, ponder this choice, whether it be not farre better for the Princes Honour, and the utility of his State, to remit somewhat of that tenacity of spirit, and indeclinable rigour of mind, then to subject and expose all things to the violence of fire, and to the advantage of plunderers and murthering thieves? But perhaps you imagine that it is better for Kingdomes to suffer direptions and devastations, then ruine: but what else is devastation then a direfull perdition? 'Tis a misera∣ble comfort to destroy, that you may not be destroyed, and to take the burning of Cities to be felicities com∣pared with rapine; as if you should suppose it to be some goodly thing to die, to avoid death. That body is not lost that may be preserved by the sparing of a single nail. In a great and flourishing Kingdome, nothing doth perish if a small town or a castle be sur∣rendred thereby to purchase a generall peace and lasting tranquillity. Ministers of State lose nothing of their fame if they be reputed the fortunate Peace-makers of the world, rather then the Fire-brands of a Kingdome, and State-barrettours. How many of this tenacious ob∣stinacy and destructive circumspection have the unfor∣tunate people blasted with execrations and defamed with reproaches, because by litigious juglings they had deluded the world into an universall equipage of sor∣row and complaint, rather conniving at the destruction of all things, then that they, in the most speechlesse calamity, would part with a toy of Honour to revive a perishing State.

But if any among you shall lend an ear of favour∣able regard to the complaints of the whole Christian world, and shall stretch out a protecting hand, and shall immolate the resignation of a narrow interest to the Divinity of a generall preservation, doubtlesse heaven it self shall be besieged for an accumulation of blessings upon him. The present Age shall pay tri∣butes of Benevolence to his Person, and posterity shall refresh the memory of his virtues with a reverentiall gratitude. The people will celebrate his praises, and look upon him as the saviour of their Countrey, a be∣neficent Patriot, and will flock to behold him as the sa∣lutary and propitious Planet of their felicity.

This glorious burthen (Greatest Princes) lieth upon your shoulders, you must command, act, enact, and perfect; you must use your servants as the instruments of their publick good. Truly, if you are at Ieisure to hear that, which without an indelible stain of negligence you cannot refuse to hear, I shall make it evident that the substance of my perswasions is but the Eccho of the voyce of God, indeed the Law and Commandment of God; that your preservation and propriety is compre∣hended in it, and that the edicts of heaven and the conflicts of all good mens hearts do wonderfully con∣spier & point to it. And first consider, whether you that have so long resisted Christ the Peace-maker, may not seem to warre against God, rather then to contend with men. For he is our Peace, and hath made of both one; in him he was pleased that all the fulnesse of the God-head should inhabit, and that all things should be reconciled to himself by him, and that through the Bloud of his Crosse our peace should be purchased. Upon his ingresse into the world he brought Peace, by his egresse out of the world he bought Peace. His flesh he suffered to be direfully and inhumanely rent and wounded, but his bones which by so many hidden and intricate connexions represent the Church, he would have untouched; intimating his most vehement desires

thereby, that his Elect should be consociated in an in∣dissollubletie of concord. And indeed in the Old Te∣stament the high Priest went not into the Sanctum Sanctorum but with pomegranates fastned to the skirts of his garments, which insinuateth unto us that strict society and agreement of the Saints one among another.

When Christ had triumphed over Death he salu∣teth his Disciples with that sweet and amiable name of Peace; with this the Apostles beautifie the entrance into their Epistles; with this the just are delighted; this lapsed men implore, and by this the Angels tri∣umph. For (saith S. Austin) Peace is the serenity of the mind, the tranquillity of the soul, the glue of con∣cord, the cement of affection, the fellowship of cha∣rity: this is it which taketh away contentions, putteth an end to warres, trampleth down the proud, affecteth the humble, reconcileth the litigant, is delightsome un∣to all, full of benignity to all, cannot be extolled, can∣not be puffed up, seeketh no unjust possession, vendica∣teth no propriety, teacheth to love that which it know∣eth not how to heal. And saith Nazianzen, Ʋbi non est pax, non est mundus: It is not a world without peace. For according to Simeon it consisteth in three things, or to say better, subsisteth by three things, Ve∣rity, Justice, and Peace. Blessed are the Peacemakers, for they shall be called the sons of God, saith the voyce of Truth. Behold the Adoption and the Name of the Sons of God, whereof so many Kings and Empe∣rours have been competitours in desire, is not promised to subdued Nations, not bequeated to stormed and burnt Cities, not legacied to a desolate world, but to such as reverence Peace and compose the variances of Princes by leagues and Treaties.

Are you not sometimes possessed (Best Princes) with a trembling fear, when you reach out your hands at the Altar, when you appear at and participate those holy Mysteries, lest if you put not a period to these Wars; the Angels of Peace bitterly weeping should divert their eyes from you, lest the voyce of Christ should cry aloud to you from the Temple, and as often as you ask Peace and pardon with the Church, so often he should answer, What hast thou to do with Peace? Thou kissest my Head and kickest my Members. You flatter me with Prayers and persecute me with swords. You have the voyce of Jacob, but you have the hands of Esau. While you kindle bonefires of outward con∣gratulation and thankfulnesse to me, you make bone∣fires of Cities, and exhibit sad emblemes of your en∣flamed minds to the world. You smell of incense, and by your means whole towns are turned into smoak, and whilst you present your self a suppliant before me, you play the warriour before the world. Your weapons reak not with the bloud of Turks but Brethren. So ma∣ny miserable men are slaughtered by thy command, and the bloud of those is shed by thee for whom I shed my bloud. Whilst you cry to me, thousands of widows and orphans cry to behold those carcasses which now can no more answer to the names of hus∣band and father. Whilst you here erect Altars to me, you elsewhere offer your vowes to your own lusts; you do not sacrifice but sinne; whilst these things are acted by your command, or tolerated by your connivence. Bend your mind and not your knees, deceive not the world with a laborious hypocrisie, and make no false boastings of the portion of my spirit, but manacle your own passions, and tame your own deceitfull spirits, and if you will have pardon, pardon.

Many things (Great Princes) at the beginning are to be pardoned to errour, and many things to a mind agitated with a shew or a guesse of injury. If some Warres be just, if some be necessary, yet whilst they are protracted, they cease to be what they were, they lose their innocence by the very diuturnity, and whilst they increase in fury, they decrease in cause and repu∣tation. Take heed lest our most merciful Lord be offen∣ded with the long continuance and the lasting malignity of your undertakings. You are not ignorant with what security our Saviour enjoyned, a removall of all scan∣dalls from his Kingdome, dooming the authours of them to have a milstone tied about their necks and their bodies cast into the sea. I shall not indeed be a rigid interpreter of Princes actions, or passe a speedy condemnation upon them. But yet we must beware lest so many calamities and funerals spread further by the very contagion of the hatred, lest the minds of all pious people be offended, and the scoffing tongues of the wicked be sharpened against our Religion. The Gentiles in time past were amazed at the Charity of the Christians to see how they loved one another, to see how they had a mutuall contention of desires to die for one another. They who wanted the advantage of Faith were allured with the admiration of their virtues. They expected not any profane mixtures nor base designes from him who had devoted himself to brotherly kindnesse. But now should the Heathen be∣hold brother against brother, what else could be the sad harmony of their jubilations, but, see how they destroy one another; see how they butcher one another; see how they prosecute and persecute one another with endlesse hatred. Either they are without Christ or Christ is without Peace. It is a hard saying, yet hath it more of truth then wonder. The Cause of God suf∣fereth diminution in these discords; the Church mourn∣eth for many and horrid things, either the Religion we professe accuseth our errours, or we the Professours ac∣cuse our Religion. By us Infidels insult over the Elect, the Profane over the godly, the Jews over Christ, and Barbarians over the Church. If our honour be cheap in our own valuation, why do we betray the Honour of God? why do we batter his inheritance?

Moreover, to what short consideration is it not evi∣dent that Christian dissentions have been alwayes the occasion of Heathenish rejoycings? Whilst our own Armies are conflicting one with the other, the Turks have taken Rhodes from us, and usurped Constantino∣ple. May we not think it a miraculous indulgence of our mercifull God, to divert so potent and cruel an enemy from our destruction by engaging him in the Persian Warre? But this is much to be feared, lest if such whirlwinds of wrath continue among us, he should flie upon the torn and scattered remainder of our Kingdomes with fury and violence. It is also to be feared lest the Providence being so often provoked by our renewed injuries should cast us out as a prey to the roaring and the ravenous lion. The greatest Em∣pires have been often lost in ruine for the same causes, and the same offences, and the wicked Kings have been subjected to a forreign domination, their posterity hath been cut off, and all their glories have vanished into a reproachfull scoffe. What constant glories have they possessed, what dry deaths hath the check of Provi∣dence allowed them, by whose means it hath come to passe, that the Kingdome of Christ hath devolved into the hands and power of the Sarazens?

Adde to these things (O you Princes!) the unre∣garded grievances of your Subjects, and the laborious servitude of your people. Necessity compels you to de∣vour your own members, that you get into your grasp the members of another. Such a numerous people as the omnipotent God hath delegated to your care and piety, that they should be kneaded and compounded into one substantiall felicity by Peace and concord, by holy laws and religious adoration of the Deity, are

either exposed as unfortunate and succourlesse oblations to the fury of their enemies, or groan under the pres∣sures of taxations, and are tilted in their fortunes by the unappeased and insatiable avarice of exactours. Those who have escaped the Sword, Famine depopulates by lingring deaths, or else they live oppressed under some tyrannous calamity. They are sequestred from light and conversation; they have neither countrey, nor ha∣bitation, neither rest, nor food. Fecundity, the most desired blessing of their former hopes, is now both ha∣ted and feared, because they cannot leave an inheritance of good things to their children, they would not pro∣pagate them to become heirs of misery. That life which they have been carefull to preserve amidst so many dangers, they now detest, as unprofitable to you, uncomfortable to themselves. To be plundred of all things at once is their deliberate wish, lest every day they should be plundred. But in the mean time they are infested with a diversity of evils, the amission of all things, and the capitation of each particular thing: an Excise upon every thing, an undoubted property in nothing. They fall under the cruel command of neces∣sity, where they are neither permitted to live with the honest, nor to die with the quiet: they are made gazing-stocks to others, and are formidable to themselves, whilst their estates perish to themselves, their affections are lessened to you, which formerly adorned and con∣firmed your Crowns with a loyall valour.

Consider (Greatest Princes) that next to the Ho∣nour and Worship of God, the most supreme Law that binds you, is the safety of the People. It was once the speech of a valiant Emperour, Non mihi sed exercitui sitis: You are not so much born for your selves as for your subjects. Their cares if you be wise must be your crosses, their oppressions your burdens, their miseries your infelicities, and their discourage∣ments your complaints. What doth it advantage dis∣consolate men, to be defended from the expectations of a greedy enemy by being rifled and impoverished by those of his own Nation; He is a miserable Pastour from whom the tutelary Gods of the flock require more things then wolves can devour.

But this is the soul of misfortune, the estate being exhausted, the mind is dejected, and the virtues are disheartned; the Laws are silent among Swords, the Blasphemer and the Hypocrite have the uncontrolled liberty of speaking; Sword-men licenciously swagger, Robbers and Plunderers are the onely Ranters; Mur∣derers are the merry-men, and all variety of lust is pre∣dominant; the beauty of Churches is disgraced and sullied with Sacrilegious hands; Altars are over∣thrown; Justice is vilipended, and Injustice blusheth in scarlet robes; Religion fainteth▪ Piety languisheth, Charity is counted scandalous; and not onely all things are perverted, but perverse things are neglected, as if it were expedient that things should be so, necessity that fruitfull mother of impieties so commanding.

And if you will reflect upon your own affairs, I beseech you (Princes) among so many funeralls of Warre, what can be pleasant to you? You must stirre the earth, adde disquiet to the sea, and by many dan∣gers you must arrive at greater danger. Death that is obvious to every person must be sought for by hard la∣bours; no erroneous or reproveable course indeed if a happy Peace were unfeignedly pursued. Many things are unfaithfull at home, infested abroad; great Armies are hard to raise, costly to maintain, easie to be destroy∣ed; the fate of Battels is common, and the chance of Warre uncertain. Prosperity doth not satisfie, adver∣sity striketh with a steep wounding dart, and pierceth the very heart. Many times victories themselves are the seeds of new contentions, the brooding of new sor∣rows. It is not lawfull for them that are up to keep their station, nor for those that were overcome to lie still. Discords increase with a prodigious fertility being once begun, and many times the conquered draw the Conquerours, and an inconcocted excesse of fortune obstructeth all their glories; all things are intermixt with fear that depend upon expectation. Many times fallacious events delude well-grounded hopes, and hor∣rid Catastrophe's befall the desperate. The ingresses of Warre are troublesome, the progresses doubtfull, the egresses commonly deplorable. Many is exhausted to make good the baffles of force by underming fraud; lost Commanders are lamented, to whom nothing was wanting but immortality. Cyprus disappoints the Laurel, and Funerals are distinguished by Palms. The Conquerours stand over the ruines of the oppressed, be∣ing themselves wasted by the expence of bloud and strength, and nearer to their Tombs then, Triumphs. You would believe that a Kingdome were destroyed, did you not believe that the enemies were destroyed. How much better were it for Peace-makers to make use of the indulgence of Fortune, rather then so often to provoke the departures of the Fates against your selves.

Certainly, if there be any consideration of the va∣lue of a Christian Title, if there be any commiseration of humanity, the afflicted condition of all Nations that fight for Christ ought to move you. And it must needs be an object full of bitter anguish to see a Nation worried to ruine by fraternall discords, which Christ hath espoused to himself by a peculiar Election. Ger∣many, that mother of fruitfulnesse, that advancer of Learning, and shop of Warre, is now full of mourn∣ing, the countrey being unmanured, many gallant cities being to be sought where the cities themselnes flourish∣ed, so many men being slain, so much wealth consumed, so many Churches demolished, is now the miserable mirth of Fortune dancing in her ashes. Lotharingia overcame Jerusalem with calamities, and brought upon her more then all barbarity could execute, or all misery could undergo. The Low-Countreys are alarm'd with an anniversary contention, and is drawing on among the slow Funerals. A hidden poison hath invaded England, and engaged her in a blind and unexpected Warre. Spain so long victorious, so long free from jarres and tumult, alwayes impatient of slavery, and a stranger to want, is assaulted to the very throat. Fear hath journied over the Alps and possessed Rome. Fury had disordered Italy, and unlesse the Princes by prudent Counsels and sagacity of wit had re-composed the distractions, it was justly to be feared that when they had made a solitude, they would have called that Peace what is undisturbed? what is not miserable? Si tu victrix provincia ploras: If thou O France mourn∣est which hast so often triumphed over thine enemies, and in a deep sense of misery groanest to feel the darts pulled out of thine own bowels which must be thrown against others. What do barren Laurels profit such as are sick and languishing among the rapines of their goods and estates? To what purpose is it to hold flow∣ers to the nostrils when the body is wasted and parched with such violent fevers? It is a malignant kind of so∣lace for one man to compute his felicity by the increase of anothers grief. Nothing is safe, nothing pleasant amidst such calamities, where the worst of evils is the rejoycing. The whole head is sick, and the whole heart is heavy, from the sole of the foot unto the crown of the head, there is nothing whole therein, but wounds, and swelling, and sores full of corruption, they have not been wrapped, nor bound up, nor mollified with oil.

On that same man who is powerfull in the conduct

of this worlds affairs, and can dive into the secret of these controversies, could in a clear prospective behold the Christian world gasping under so many direfull perplexities, doubtlesse it would pierce his soul, and he would condemne himself of cruelty did he not procure her restauration. Hard are those ears that bow not at these considerations; harder are those eyes that can be∣hold them without some moist testimonies of sorrow.

I shall tell you (Best Princes) that which chiefly concerneth your interest, I shall shew you that which comprehendeth both the augmentation and the glory of your Dignity. I wish your Kingdomes setled upon foundations as firm as rocks: I wish your Cities may continue obedient; all your Subjects obsequious; and all things calm and even in your domesticall negotiati∣ons. * 1.1 Yet it is well worth a serious fear, lest those peo∣ple who are apprehensive of their hard condition under Kings, and see the neighbouring Common-wealths en∣joy so much lenity and freedome, do begin to hate Mo∣narchy, and (which is absolutely unlawfull) conspire to withdraw their Obedience, that they may acquire a redemption from their evils by the temptation of Liberty.

Certainly it is very unequall and unjust that at this day Common-wealths alone should inherit peace and plenty, and Christian Kingdomes should labour under generall convulsions, and be wasted with unheard of lacerations. The rigorous strictnesse of Empire, the tuning of the strings too high in Government doth sometimes crack them and dissolve great Empires, a hard servitude hath not seldome instructed a Nation in∣to Liberty. When the inquinated times of the Hebrew Kings were past, and the Jews were now returned from a long Captivity, there arose in them an aversation to Kingly Government; and almost for five hundred years no man durst think of a Diadem before Aristo∣bulus, who rather usurped then received it; neither was it established upon a firm basis, for his unfortunate po∣sterity did not long enjoy it.

Cecrops reigned in Athens in the dayes of Moses, whom seventeen Kings succeeded; some grew insolent, some negligent, and these perpetuall Governours were dethroned: for when it was observed that the diutur∣nity of Regall Power flattered them into a security of their excesses, the Government was reduced to ten years continuance.

The Kings of Sparta also luxuriating in their glories, and made wanton by felicity, were soon dismantled of them both. Lycurgus tempered the Scepter by a wise * 1.2 institution of twenty eight men called Senatours. Af∣terwards to this number of the Senatours there was ad∣ded the Ephori with too much priviledge against Kings, and hatefull to all men.

Rome from the beginning was governed by Kings, the last whereof (which were the two Tarquins) ruling that warlike Nation with pride and petulancy, by great force and perpetuall disgrace they were expelled from their Magistracy, leaving almost an everlasting odium against the Regiment of Kings.

It would be too impertinent to reckon up the Anti∣ent times, we our selves have seen in our dayes how ma∣ny a rigid domination hath sacrificed to the Peoples fury, who having endured all things, have learned from thence to dare to attempt all things, and those King∣domes which for a long time they suffered under, they have at length usurped by cruel and lasting Warres. Farre be it from your Subjects to entertain any such perversity of thought, and farre from you also be con∣tempt and rigour, lest the Divine hand bring to passe that which few fear, none dare attempt, and all abhor. Transmit therefore (O ye Princes!) comfort to the wearisome, and Peace to the troubled, upon which all wishes are bent, in which all people are blessed.

Behold at length there is given unto us by the singu∣lar gift of God a good Pope, a man of blamelesse life, of consummated understanding, of a great mind, and extremely zealous, he is as the Wise-man said as the rain-bowe that is bright in the fair clouds. This is he, whom after so many storms, so many tempests, and such a deluge of Christian bloud, God seems to exhi∣bit as a restorer of things, a Peace-maker to the world, an avenger of evils, and a bestower of blessings. And indeed this is not done by humane counsel, but by the gubernative reason of God which is his Providence, that he might demonstrate to the world by no vain au∣guries, that to this man as to the Patriarch Noah the tops of the mountains should appear, the waters of strife and the flouds of contention being dried up. This I suppose is that dove with silver wings, and whose hinder parts glittered as the purest gold, whereof the Prophet spake.

Innocentius hath ever shined brighter then silver by the candour and uprightnesse of his mind, but now the latter parts of his life promise a golden Age unto the world. He doth not sit idle amidst the complaints and mournings of the Church, he doth not revel in an un∣circumspect and lazy greatnesse, but with unwearied pains and a mind alwayes vigilant, he is intent upon il∣lustrious cares for Christ and aimeth at the consolation of mankind, The amiable name of Pamphilius is de∣lightfull unto all men, and delightfull is the name of Innocentius so often consecrated to the salvation of men.

Innocentius the first extinguished Alaricus boast∣ing himself in the prey of the Roman Empire with his prayers, and by his splendour re-beautified the face of the eternall City when it was infuscated with the sooty vapours of a brutish Warre.

Innocentius the second dissipated the Schism of the counterfeit Anacletus, and with the co-assistance of S. Bernard, composed the Christian world when it was disunited with great discords.

A pure white dove fore-shewed the inauguration of Innocent the third by flying to his side; without doubt designing the solicitous endeavours whereby he labour∣ed to consociate all Christian Princes by firm Leagues one with another. and to exasperate them against the common enemy of Religion.

Innocentius the fourth came to Lyons, that he might reconcile the irregular tumults in the Church, and that by his authority he might remove Frederick the Em∣perour that fomented many things and disturbed all things.

Innocentius the fifth was no sooner crowned, but presently he addicteth his mind to pacifie the Cities of Italy, and being by such pious determinations immor∣tall in glory, he spent his short Pontificate in a father∣ly care of his people.

Innocentius the sixth when the flame of a destructive warre devoured France and England, stood stoutly for the House of God, and with a great spirit laboured for Peace with John and Edward at that time the Kings of the Nations.

Innocentius the seventh mounted not otherwise to this pitch of supreme Dignity, but by a faithfull en∣deavour constantly transacted to reconcile the Princes and appease the cities of Italy, which a malignant force of discord had precipitated into imminent destruction.

Innocentius the eighth was most desirous of Peace among Christian Princes, and could not without some motions of impatience see any go to warre but upon the most important and importunate causes.

Innocentius the ninth when before his Pontificate he was the Aposticall Nuntio of Gregory the fourteenth, staying six years among the Venetians, conjoyned

them both in Arms and Armies with the Pope, and Philip the second King of Spain, and irritated them against the Turk; whereupon that most famous victo∣ry of Naupactus broke the boldnesse of the Sarazens, and after a wonderfull manner improved the conduct of Christian Affairs.

Oh how is the name of the Innocents born and con∣secrated unto Peace! Oh joyful appellation unto Chri∣stians! The Tenth will accomplish what the nine have attempted, so much the greater, as this number is the more noble.

Go on thou dove of Innocence, display thy silver wings, flie over both earth and sea, view the world, shew forth in all places the celestiall olive, give Peace so ambitiously desired, and by such constant expectati∣ons wished, give Peace I say so often called for, and to be implored of thee the Anointed of the Lord, or else at this time it must be despaired of.

What remaineth (Greatest Princes) but that you grant that to our Petitions which you have hitherto denied to our Reasons: Whatsoever restraineth passi∣on, whatsoever can appease an armed man in fury, doth now run towards you in one troop, that so it may be honourable for you to be thus intreated, and shamefull for you not to yield to these intreaties.

Behold the Pope the Pastour and Parent of the whole Church stretcheth out friendly hands unto you, and when he might command, intreats you; almost forgetting that he is the Pope, he becomes an humble suppliant: A man dear to heaven, and born for great enterprises: Worthy in all places to bear the felicities of the world about him, amidst all his exalted prospe∣rities is your Petitioner, that Divine wit equall to his heighth, feels a colluctation with these burdens, and in a vigorous and circumspect old age is grieved by you. The bowels of a Father are urged, who is as often fruitfull in the generation of children, as he desires those children to be reconciled to Peace. Be ashamed not to hear him, whose predecessour Attila would hear. He is full of dayes, honour his grey hairs; he is a Father, acknowledge his Charity; he is the Pope, be observant of his Dignity. God forbid that he like meek Jacob should be compelled to say, Simeon and Levi are brethren in iniquity; Let not my soul parti∣cipate of their counsels, and in their company let not my glory come: Cursed be their fury because it is obsti∣nate, and their indignation because it is cruel.

The whole Church lamenteth with her Pope, in times past triumphing, now deformed, full of filth, now bedewed and almost drowned in tears, and tired under cares and sorrows. He beseecheth you, that you would not suffer the Ammorites and the Mo∣abites to insult in your destructions. Prevent the petulancy of such an objection, that even Barbarians did reverence him, and yet he had Parricides to his sonnes. How often have we seen the Priests at Jubilees prostrate in the Sanctuary with ejulations? How of∣ten have we beheld Religious persons wearying the Altars with unwearied prayers? How often have we seen the well-disposed Virgins imploring the aid of heaven by frequent sighs? How often have we gladly beheld the Devout multitude crouding the Church to pour forth their wishes? Of what quality and com∣plexion is that rigour, that, which God a vert, will not hear the whole world? How is the metall of their souls compounded, that would make heaven iron unto us, and almost noxious, whilst it either seemeth not to hear, or what it heareth to contemne.

To be never free from Warres they think is either for the publick profit or for their own: if for the pub∣lick, let them hear S. Augustine crying out, That felicity acquired by Martiall exploits is alwayes a brittle perishable beauty, and whether it receive the tincture and complexion from Civil or Hostil bloud, yet it is the bloud of man, which is alwayes mixt with a benighting palenesse, or darksome fear, and a cruel desire. And again, that all humane Affairs are then seated in the best station of felicity, when small Kingdomes are joyfull in Concord, Piety, and Unity of Religion. And in a third place he hath this excellent saying, Without doubt it is better to have the friendship of a good neighbour, then to subdue a contentious bad neighbour. They are evil wishes to desire to have whom you hate, or whom you fear, as he may prove whom you overcome. If they judge it profitable for themselves to prolong the Warre, truly they are most unjust, who place the tears of a torn and ragged world amongst their felicities; most miserable of all men are they, who cannot be happy but by the miseries of other men.

He must needs be (saith Homer) without friend, without affinity, without law, and without God who is a lover of Warre rather by choice then chance, ra∣ther by will then necessity. He is the most poor also who is rich by the calamity of all men. How many who have alwayes been of a froward, contentious, and fighting wit, have themselves been tortured with those pains and furies which they raised against others? Achitophel, that busie contriver of the Jewish warre between the Father and the Sonne, paid himself the just wages of his traiterous counsels with an infamous halter. The revenging hand of God fell upon Alcimus that traitour and fire-brand, and counterfeit Priest among the Jews. Alexander of Macedon whilst he makes the end of one Warre the beginning of another, being impatient of rest, and ever greedy after new bloud, whilst he thrusts his Souldiers into battels beyond the progresse of the sunne and the limits of the sea, he perished by poi∣son given by his domesticks, to whom he began to grow odious for his excessive appetite to Warre. He was taken away (as they say) a green God, lest he should further vex the world with arms, who should have obliged it by benefits. Hannibal whilst he wea∣veth inextricable webs of Warre, a dishonourable old age surpriseth him, solitude rejected him, society shunn'd him, therefore to shorten the date of these contempts, he ends his dayes by voluntary poison. The Romans that were Conquerours of the world, alwayes full, yet alwayes covetous, whilst they re∣move the Temple of Peace without their gates, they felt the hands of all men conspiring against them, and seven times was this Mistresse of Cities taken whereof Sybil had said, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Rome shall be made a Village.

Cardinall Baronius cites a little Book witten by Carolus Crassus the Emperour, of a Vision pre∣sented unto him three years before he reigned, where∣in he declareth that he beheld in the infernall places many souls of Princes and Bishops, who had fo∣mented controversies and fed the rage of Warres, to be tormented with most dreadfull pains. At the same time, as this most learned Cardinall writeth, Italy and France were agitated and afflicted with direfull factions, but what was worse, and indeed mon∣strous, the Bishops and Abbats went forth armed to the battels, which execrable custome when it long prevailed in France, from thence it came to passe that the most flourishing Provinces were all laid waste with externall and Civil Warres. But what was most detestable of all, these Churches warriours are commended by the Writers of those times for this Ecclesiasticall gallantry and Spirituall valour, when indeed they were rather to be abhorred as the vio∣latours

of the sacred Canons, despisers of their Or∣der, and desertours of their Pastorall duty: thus Baronius.

Likewise Julian a Clergy-man was the authour and promotour of that Varvensian slaughter, which of all other was the most to be lamented by the Chri∣stian world, who when he had contributed his per∣swasions for a countenance of the Warre against the League, he exposed infinite companies of our side to the insulting fury of the Turks, he himself being also slain with the young King of the Sarazens. Thus Nemesis pursueth bloud-thirsty and contentious souls, not suffering those to be at rest, who sollicited others into disorder who would have been at rest. A watch∣full eye abides in heaven, ever active, never weary, who perpetually contemplates the deeds of men, and equally dispenseth to every one his deservings. They that were long happy receive their portion, and they who seem to be dismissed are onely dilated. These things being put in so illustrious an example will they nothing move? will they effect nothing?

Will brethren suffer themselves again to rush upon one anothers weapons? Or will you O Princes! and ye O Clergy-men! encourage brethren to pull down tottering Kingdomes with more destructions? Wo and alas! Will brethren forgetfull of their covenant, forgetfull of their name, and unmindfull of their re∣lations thus rage beyond the world, and kill those they cannot hate? But some will say, this reason of bloud and alliance is inconsiderable, and very unapt to pro∣cure a Peace: for Kings have Subjects, but kinsmen and consanguinity they have none. O cruel speech! O enemy of mankind! O parricide of nature! there must needs be a heap of grosse impieties, where there is an oblivion of the greatest Charities. Where Christ is banished, and love finds no habitation, there is either no Government, or such as borders up∣on ruine. The Turkish Empire that is established up∣on wickednesse and cemented with bloud, may for a time subsist with wickednesse. God appointing them to be the rods of his fury for our chastisement: Chri∣stian Empires which were rooted in Faith and Piety, and wanting the sap of Religion and Justice to nou∣rish them, have abandoned themselves to the infamous counsels of Machiavilians, must unavoidably perish, so preposterous a mind lodgeth not in pious Princes; the voyce of nature sometime or other will be heard, Christ will have a resurrection in the minds of all men, Charity will revive, and at length some Peace-maker will arise and at one the labouring world.

Now there hath shined round about us a most for∣tunate King and a most sweet Infant born for the Peace of Kingdomes, and the worlds advantage. By how many Prayers was he obtained? and with what vehe∣mence of soul was he sollicited? how often hath he provoked our desires? how often hath he raised our hopes, and wasted them with delay when they were raised, and renewed them when they were wasted? Great things move slowly: He had done lesse, had he made more haste. He lay concealed from the in∣habitants of the earth in the secret Majesty of the Fates, but now by the Dictates of heaven he is known unto us. He was fore-shewed unto us long before he was, and not being yet conceived he filled the world with Prophecies, and designed his approaches by a prevolant fame. At length the desired Infant came for••h in that moneth which they call the moneth of the Valiant, by the prerogative of a great mind. He was born when the Sun obtained the middle part of Virgo, or Astraea, for he was to govern the world with the moderation of Laws. He ascended with Lyra, being to make a harmony and consort of publick tranquil∣lity. And if Scorpio did at the same time shew forth his sting, he threatned the Sarazens, and promised the Idumean Palms to him that should be born, so often dignified by the Valour of his Ancestours. The heavenly habitations rejoyced at his birth, and the whole world welcomed the new-born Babe with joy. Now no man thought himself miserable at this happy birth; now no man thought himself happy whom that birth did not make so. Upon that day France wiped away all the foot of Warre, and shined clearly with refulgent ensignes of Peace. We had that day as ma∣ny prosperities as bone-fires, and as many bone-fires as there are starres.

O Lewis, beloved of God, whom he seemeth to have regenerated in his sonne that very moneth where∣in he was born! O Anne! late indeed the mother of a sonne, yet alwayes a fortunate mother, in bring∣ing forth a sonne not onely to her self, nor so much to her self as to all France. He hath much of his Fa∣ther, and much of his Mother, and by this very con∣fusion he maketh the image of them both more grate∣full and more amiable.

This new Isaac will make thee laugh O France! and whom thou canst scarce hear speaking, hereafter thou shalt see comforting. How many chains will those tender hands burst asunder? How many prisons will they open? How many obscurities will those little eyes enlighten? How many monsters will the feet of this Infant subdue and trample on? Be silent ye waves, be silent ye tempests and rages of the sea at the beck of such a gentle Prince, and restore unto the world that serenrty whereof you have deprived it. Ye heaven∣ly Powers lend him long unto the earth, and whom you have made so healthfull to the Nation, make him also lasting. Ye Fates keep off your hands, and touch not this child but to assist him. Let him tran∣scend the years and actions of his Ancestours, and be∣ing born mortall may he apprehend nothing but what is immortall. May he love, and desire to be beloved, ever fearing to be feared. Let the oppressed find him a deliverer; may the unjust feel him an avenger; may his enemies know him to be of a warlike spirit, and may his Subjects attest him to be of a peaceable mind. This Nativity ravisheth all my senses which I foretell shall be the beginning of an eternall Peace unto us. Look down from above, O Lewis upon such a sonne! Look upon him all ye Christian Kings as your little Nephew; give rest to wearied things, let arms be silent at the command of so great a Prince, so potent an Oratour, nor let the tumults of Warre rock this royall cradle.

To you again, (Great Princes) I wholly turn my self, by whatsoever is dear, I ask, by whatsoever is holy, I beseech you, give peace to them that beg it, or must beg without it; give tranquillity to the world sighing under so many feverish miseries. Make it appear unto us that you chose rather to be the Pacifi∣catours of the world, then the Subverters of your own Kingdomes. There is a story how in that fatall War between the English and the French, continued with lasting contentions and horrible slaughters, a pious Anachoret instigated thereunto by God, came unto the Courts of the two Princes, that he might compose these ferall discords between them. But being slighted in the English Court and negligently repulsed, this despised but not despicable Augur, pronounced many direfull accidents that should befall that Nation. But travelling to Charles of France, and finding him to be a prince of a gentle wit, and inclined to conditions of Peace, he foretold, that the Kingdome being recovered he should have the Dolphin to be his successour, who, as he was the child of many hearty desires, so he should

prove the instrument of many joyfull enterprises. The prophecy is inpartpart fulfilled with a prosperous event, so tenderly God loves the sons of Peace ac∣cumulated with affluence of all good things.

Whoe're he be, let him beware that shall resist and strive against the peaceable wishes of all men: some grievous hand will fall upon him and his from heaven: he shall meet with unhappy events in all his undertakings, his life shall be cer-tainly troublesome, his death doubtfull. Best and greatest Princes, con∣sider and think with your selves that what losse soever can be pretended to happen by this league of Peace, whatsoever can detract from your Honour or your Empire, is recompenced unto you in the most fortu∣nate advantages of the whole Chri-stian world. This is rich indeed, this is magnificent, this truly Royal and to be propagated to the memory of all Ages.

Remember that you are Christians and govern Christians: be you propitious like Gods unto men, if you desire that God should be propitious unto you. Whatsoever you enjoy of life is slippery and uncer∣tain, and your Dignities are full of frailty; it is your Justice that hath reference to your Felicity, and it is your Virtue that links you to Eternity. There is a great and conspicuous Tribunall that expects you, there sits a Judge cloathed with purestlight to sum∣mon you, unto whom the most secret things are re∣vealed, whom the most involved and disguised acti∣ons cannot deceive, no can he be overcome by perver∣sities. Before him must appear the souls of Kings devested of body, fortunes, Empires, and be they just or unjust they must be examined by a most clear light. There you shall hear the Edicts of the su∣preme Deity, and the King of kings thundering in your ears: the groans of the oppressed shall cry against you; the tears of the poor shall speak a∣gainst you; the tutelary Gods will plead for their Altars which you have broken down, and all the hea∣venly Militia will rise together against the contuma∣cious. Endeavour ye pious, and alwayes invinci∣ble Princes▪ that those things which have been com∣mitted in prejudice of your wills by the uncon∣troulable licence of War, may be corrected by your Equity, that they may leave no aspersion upon your Reignes, no stain upon Reputations, no blot upon your Persons. Bring to passe that Justice and Peace may meet in mutuall embracements, let them be carried with triumphall pomp thorow your King∣domes, and thorow your Cities, let them be born upon the shoulders of the whole world un∣to fixed and eternall seat, that it perpetually may be lawfull for us to worship and reverence them at the monuments of your goodnesse, and the pledges of our felicity.

Pax super Israel Dei.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  These things were written long since, which of late have been verifi∣ed by many sad events.
• * 1.2

  These were Magistrates in office like unto the Tribunes a∣mong the Roman, and the Spartans and Lace∣demonians used to ap∣peal from the King to them, as did the Romans from the Consuls to the Tri∣banes. At the first they were chosen like o••r Parlia¦ment men to be advi∣sers about affairs and assistants to the King, but in a short time their autho∣rity over∣topped the K••ngs power.