The danger of Drawing Strangers into a Kingdom.
IT is very dangerous to call strangers into a State, in hopes to support a revolt by their means. No doubt they will be ready to foment any discontent, and to incourage any attempt▪ but it is wisdom to mistrust them. Is it not a mad∣ness to hope for men and miracles from a Prince who hath enough to do to defend himself? If there be any Libertines uncapable of civil society, any disorder∣ly irreligious persons, any Plunderers, such as take all they meet, these are the men with whom they shall be furnished; Now were it not (I pray) a folly to build hopes and designs upon men so qualified? To say the truth, such men as they can∣not affectionately ingage themselves, so will they not readily endanger themselves, but behave themselves most couragiously in rifling and robbing naked and poor people, until they come to fight, and then nothing is so pittiful and backward. Now if it be weakness to trust in strange Souldiers, it is more folly to confide in their Commanders, who if persons of no courage, what reasonable expectations can be hoped from them? And if they be persons well qualified, and fit to command, there is then more cause to fear then trust them, for doubtless they will hardly for∣sake any Hold they once take in a Country, but will do their utmost to surprize some place of Importance; which if it be not suddenly to be effected, yet certainly they will designe it, and bring it to pass, when opportunity inviteth them. The Carthaginians (according as Polybius relateth) saw their affairs run from bad to worse, when their Army became full of Strangers, Gauls, Spaniards, Greeks and Fugitives, and Tacitus tells us the true cause, why Armies compos'd of Strangers subsist no longer then Fortune smileth upon them, but disband upon the least blow or loss, because they want affection. Th' Emperour of Constantinople having call∣ed ten thousand Turks unto his assistance, soon perceived his own folly; because they finding themselves the strongest party, would not return back again, but laid the foundation of those miseries under which they now hold that Empire. But that we go no further then France it self, which hath more indangered it, then the calling in of the English and Spaniards; and doth not every one know, that when Ci∣vil Wars have opened the Gates of a Kingdom unto Strangers, they soon fortifie themselves so strongly, that they are hardly to be removed, but after long and sad Wars? It is great prudence in a Prince, not to engage in any revolt, but if he be so ill