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Politique Observation.
ALthough a People never hath any lawful reason to become, disloyal to their Prince, or to cast themselves into the Arms of the Enemy of his Country; yet it is a thing easily resolved on, when there are no other means to secure them from the fears which they apprehend, and which have engaged them in their re∣volts. In Philosophy it is held for a Maxim, That granting one absurdity, a thousand others will follow by consequence; It is no lesse certain among Polititians, that a people carried into one fault, which is the taking up Arms against their Prince, will be exposed to great extremities, and every day augment the number of their Crimes. Their Custome is to promise to themselves great matters, in despe∣rate affairs from strangers, and such means as are without all apparence of reason, probable wayes, or ordinary instruments: They are great lovers of Novelties and with a little wind carried to extremities; and new thoughts, if they find their for∣mer resolutions and designs not come to the accompt they expected. They easily follow those, who put them in hopes of liberty; If any seditious person in credit with them, do but tickle them in the eare, with telling them that they do not enjoy their full and perfect liberties under their lawful Prince, nothing is then more easily perswaded then to revolt, nay to throw themselves, into the Armes of their very worst enemy, never considering whether the remedie be not worse then the disease. Being once revolted they never return to their duties, but by force of Armes, and the fear they have of paying the punishments they have justly deserved, inviteth them rather to run, and hazard, then that of confessing their errour, and repen∣ting. An Ancient Authour said very wisely when he likened them to day-labou∣rers, who are at every ones service, that will make use of them; ready they are to subvert all things, not for the publique good, but in order to their own design, and under pretence of liberty. The greatest part of such Revolts are commonly accom∣panied with some Intelligences and encouragements from strangers who offer their assistance, not for any love to them, but themselves, that they may make advan∣tuge out of their divisions, discord is their Musique.
The History of Italy furnisheth us with a notable example of this particular in that of the Pisan's, who having been perswaded by one of our Kings and Lewis Forza, to withdraw themselves from the obedience of the Florentines, presently banish their Officers, gain'd many rich Merchants and began to live as free peo∣ple; but finding themselves too weak to hold out, at that rate, they emplored the ayd of their neighbour Princes, which was not denied to them, by reason of the jealousie which all those States are in, of one another. Ge••••oua, sent them men and Munitions, Lucqua mony, and Sienna which was in hopes of great advantages from them, sent both one and t'other. Neither is this the last degree of a muti∣nous people, for if they cannot attain unto their desiers by a Forraign protection, they will rather totally deliver up and sell themselves▪ the return to their Princes power especially if they be but a little perswaded, of being hardly dealt with, and that they shall be reduced to a slavish subjection; such difficulty will they find to stoop under their former yoak, after a tast of licentiousness and impunity.