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IT is very dangerous for a States-man, who hath any share in the Government of affairs under the conduct of the Chief Minister, to be too much wedded to his own opinions: All the Orbes follow the motion of the Primum Mobile, and as we should soon see the World revolve into it's first Chaos, if they should clash, so can there follow nothing but confusion in Kingdomes, when the inferior Ministers
would carry on affairs by wayes contrary to those of the Chief. He wants Judg∣ment who doth not accomodate himself to the principal Genius, which hath the or∣dering of all affairs, and deserves as much blame, as Fabius Maximus, who almost overthrew the Commonwealth of Rome, by opposing himself with too much vio∣lence against Scipios expedition into Affrique. It is good to conform ones self to the opinion of those who guide the Stern, and though it be permitted us to give some Place to our own thoughts, neverthelesse it never ought to arrive to that height, as to hinder us from following their resolutions, or paying them our respects and endeavours. It is true, the Prudence of a States-man is too remisse, who makes himself indifferent to all; he ought to resemble a skilful musician, who sometimes sets up one string, and lets down the others. But however, if he depend upon ano∣ther, he is obliged to follow rather his then his own Judgment, not forgetting that his degree is in••eriour, and that in diversity of opinions, submission, and to know to how to yeild, are Marks of a wel-tempered soul, and that the most generous spirits are the most universal, and the readiest disposed to all that another would have. This condiscending not being an effect of debility, but of Respect; whereas obstinacy and perverseness in maintaining ones opinion, is a dangerous sickness of the mind, and more proper to Pedants then to persons of affairs.