Politique Observation.
IN all Treaties of great Importance. It is more material to adhere to the sub∣stances then the formalities of conditions. Formalities are indeed, necessary as means to abtain that end which is proposed, and there is great reason to rest satis∣fied when that same end is once obtained. What sence is there not to accept of that which is aymed at when occasion doeth present, but to leave it off to the ha∣zard of time and Fortune, and all to finish it, with certain Ceremonies, which at last cast do not at all advantage the thing doing? The end say the Philosophers, hath this propertie, That it terminateth all motion; and so a stone resteth when once arrived at the center of the Earth, the end which the Creator of Nature hath a∣scribed unto it.
So the Artificer, when once he hath perfected his workmanship, forbeareth any further labour about it; and it is most certain that all causes whether natural or ar∣tificial, do prefer rest before motion, if it were not necessary to admit of Actions for the attaining that end whereunto it tendeth.
Who knoweth not that Publique peace is the end of a wise Prince, and the very thing too for which he doth attempt any war, and that he would never design war but only for the obtayning of a quiet sure rest? The sick person would never have any recourse to the Phisitian, if he had no need of putting his distempered body into a good order.
And what Reason could there be for continuation of the war, when there is an over∣ture offered for accepting of an honorable and advantageous peace? to do so were point blanck against the prescribed rule of Justice, of which both art & nature giveth us examples. Admit there be some formalities wanting in the Treaty, they ought to be considered in the order of negotiation, in the same manner, as the motions of nature; and as no one maketh any esteem of motion when as the pretended end is once obtained: So the wisest Polititians doe lay by the considerations of all for∣malities, when once they are arrived at that pitch which they propose to them∣selves.
