The first discourse from whence Counsels doe proceede , and of the execution of that which is determined in counsels .

THE holie ghost , who is light vnto them that follow him , mercie vnto them that feare him , ioy vnto them that loue him , visiteth our soules , ( as the Prophet Esay Esay . 11. 2. saith ) with seuen diuine gifts , which are : The spirit of wisedom : of vnderstanding : of counsell : of fortitude : of knowledge : of pietie : and of the feare of the Lord . These seuen gifts of the holie Ghost , are the seuen eyes , which the Prophet Zacharie saw Zacharie . 3. 9. set vpon a stone . The stone whereon Zacharie sawe the seuen eyes placed , is our Redéemer , and Lord Jesus Christ , as the glorious Saint Ierome declareth . For in the holie Scripture , the stone signifieth our Redéemer and Lord , as he himselfe Matth. 21. 42 taught , when he declared that which king Dauid said : That Psalme . 118. 22. the stone which the builders refused , is become the head stone of the corner : which closeth all the whole worke , and giueth perfection to the building . Saint Paule following this interpretation , 1. Corin. 10. 4. Exodus . 17. saith : That the stone out of the which the Water did spring , of the which the people of Israell did drinke in the desert , signified our Redéemer and Lord . The Prophet Zacharie Zacharie . 3. saith , that he saw seuen eyes placed in a stone , for to shew , that the blessed soule of our Redéemer and Lord Jesus Christ , was most perfectlie indued with the seuen gifts of the holie Ghost , as well in the morrall vertues as intellectuall , and in all the other graces , which through the vnion with the diuine Nic. de lira . supra . 3. Zacha. essence , are communicated with the soule of our Redéemer and Lord , as I more at large haue shewed in the Treatise which I wrote vpon the Créede of the Apostles .

2 Among those gifts with which the holie Ghost doth lighten our soules , the Prophet Esay putteth the spirit of Counsell and Fortitude . The spirit of Counsell ( as Saint Thomas declareth it ) is a certaine light , wherewith the holie ghost illuminateth our vnderstanding , that so we may be able to choose that which we ought to doo in humane affaires . For the wisedome of man faileth in manie things , which it cannot reache nor attaine vnto : especially if they be particular things , which in sundrie places , & at diuers times may fall out diuerslie ; and when we folow our own humane wisdom , we run into great danger of our life . And therefore Salomon saith : That the discourses of men are weake , and their prouidence verie vncertaine , Wisdom . 9. and that to assure our selues in this life wherein we liue so full of danger and darknes , we ought in no case to trust vnto our owne wisedome , but desire God to lighten our vnderstanding . For ( as the Prophet Esay saith ) GOD is a meruailous Esay , 3. Prouerb . 3. Counseller . This dooth king Salomon teach vs when he saith : Trust in the Lord with all thy hart , and trust not to thine own wisedome : and set God before thee in all thy waies , and he wil direct thy steps , &c. And because the wisedom of man is not sufficient , to attaine to the truth of each thing in matters concerning counsell , it is commonlie said that God is he which sheweth that which is to be doone .

3 Well did king Dauid vnderstand this , when in the war which he waged against his sonne Absolon , he praied to God , that the counsell of Achitophel might not be beléeued . Achitophel 2. Regum . 15. was so wise in those counsels which he gaue , ( as wel when he serued Dauid as when he folowed Absolon ) that they rather séemed to be prophecies reuealed by GOD then humane counsels . And for this cause , king Dauid much more feared the counsels of Achitophel , then the battails and ambushes of Absolon . ● . Regum . 16. And to the end he might make frustrate the counsel which Achitophel gaue to Absolon , he said vnto Chusai the Archite ( who came to serue him ) that he should folow Absolon , and say vnto him : I will be thy seruant O king , and I will serue thée as in times past I haue serued thy father : that if Absolon did admit him to his counsaile , he should crosse all that euer Achitophel counsailed Absolon . By the meanes of the Priestes who were called Sadoch and Abiathar , Chusai did the same which king Dauid commaunded him , and presented himselfe before Absolon , who asking him why he folowed not his friend Dauid : he answered , Lord I folow thée , and will serue thee , because GOD and the people haue chosen thée to be the King . Absolon beléeued that to be true which Chusai said . And wheras Achitophel counselled that he might be suffered to choose out twelue thousand men , and so set vpon king Dauid , and easilie ouercome him , and those who folowed him , because they were all of them very wearie and full of feare : Chusai crossed his counsel , and vrged Absolon to the contrarie . So that Absolon and those that were with him , liked and approoued Chusai his counsell . Then Achitophel séeing that Absolon would not follow the counsell that he gaue him , hanged himselfe . Héerein is it manifestlie séene , that it is an ordinarie rule of Gods prouidence , alwaies when through his secret iudgments , he will punish the faults and sinnes of men : that first they loose their vnderstanding , to the end that they may not vnderstand nor iudge of the truth : and besides ( to make those whom he will correct and punish , the more miserable and wretched ) he suffereth ( as Velleyus Paterculus saith ) the ill successe of the matter , to be attributed and imputed vnto the fault and error of those whom he will punish : and he blindeth the vnderstanding of men , to the end they should not oppose themselues against him : and séeketh all meanes that are necessarilie required , to bring that to passe which he will haue . And as it is commonlie said , to shun that which fortune and chance will haue , is the readie waie to Gene. 41. find it : as it is séene in that which hapened to Ioseph and his brethren .

4 The Prophet Esay did not without great cause ioyne the spirit of Fortitude , with the spirit of Counsel : for litle profiteth counsell , if vertue and strength be wanting , to execute that which by counsell is determined . And because of those that neither can , nor know how to execute , Cornelius Tacitus saith : That when matters goe to wracke , euerie man commaunds , but no man taketh in hand to bring that to effect which is commaunded . Polienus s●ratage . 19. Iphicrates béeing asked why he would not encounter with the enemie : he answered , because he saw many commaund , but few obey . And because of these that cannot tel how to bring such matters to effect , as is by counsell concluded : the holie Scripture saith : That the time of child-bedde draweth néere , and the ▪ mother hath no strength to be brought to bedde . And this is vnderstood by the Fable of the Rats , which were in counsell , which of them should hang the bell on the Cat. And by our Spanish prouerbe . Qui en da el conseio , de el vencerio . He that doth counsell giue to anie thing , Meanes let him shew compasse the same to bring .

Salust saith , that first we ought to consult of matters , and afterward In proaemio Catelin . execute the same , which is decréed with a sesonable and ripe haste . He would haue that those things which are counsailed , should be executed after such an order , that the execution be done in due time and place . And this is it that Salust calleth Mature facere , to wit : that it be neither greene nor rotten . And after this order , doo Aulus Gellius and Macrobius declare that Lib. 10. cap. 11. Saturnal . lib. 6 Lib. 1. Aeneid . of Virgil , Maturate fugam : as if Neptune had said to the winds , that they should so get them gone : that neither rushing awaie with too much haste , nor with too much slownes , staying on the Seas too long , they should not hurt or indomage the Troyan ships . The Emperour Charles the fift vsed to say , that the affaires of Princes , did consist in two things : in counsell and execution . Sansouinus de dictis & fac . Imprat . Car. 5. Whereof the first required good iudgment , but the latter , great fidelitie : and that slownes was the soule of counsell , and haste the soule of execution : and that both of them together , were the Quintessence of wise Princes . And that counsell required a singuler wit and rare iudgment , and the putting of matters in execution , demaunded fit oportunitie , with occasion proportionable , and much fidelitie .

5 It chanceth verie seldome , that both wit to discourse of those things which are in counsell , & iudgment to put the same in execution which is decréed , doo both together concurre in one person . Captaine Picinino was of verie weak & smal iudgment Garim prob . 99. in counselling , but verie readie in executing of those things which in the counsels were determined : and seemed rather to be caried with force and furie , then moued by reason or iudgment . He was also most fortunate in all things which he tooke in hand . Frauncis the first of that name , king of Fraunce , in counsailing went beyond all his Counsellers , especially in matters touching warre : but in executing was nothing comparable vnto them . Clement the seuenth Pope , excéeded euerie one in counsel , but in execution was inferior to al those that were of his Counsell . The holie Scripture mentioneth , that king Dauid ● . Regum . ●● . was wise in that he spake , and strong in that which he did , and that he was faire , and that God fauoured him . To be able to discourse well vpon matters which are in counsell , and not to know how to put the same in execution , procéedeth from a braue wit , but simple wisedom . And execution without counsell Garim . prob . 99. or iudgment , commeth of great wisedom and smal wit : because he that putteth any thing in execution , ought to be indued with singuler wisedom , to execute the same wel which is determined . There haue béene manie Princes , who ( as I haue written more at large in the Treatise which I intituled , Of the institution of Princes . ) were verie apt and wittie , in all Artes and Sciences , but yet of small iudgment in gouerning their kingdoms : and albeit they were verie ingenious and prompt , yet were they nothing wise . And many because they cannot tell how to resolue themselues in such things as they consult vppon : they conclude not , but ( as Cornelius Tacitus saith ) Lib. 5. con●ilium cui impar est , ●ato permittere . they leaue such things as they cannot nor know not how to resolue themselues in , vnto Fortune , staying and expecting the successe and euent of them .

6 Because the holie Ghost is he that guideth and helpeth vs in our counsels , God saith by the Prophet Esay , meaning to Cap. 3. punish the people of Israell , that they should haue no Counsellers to counsell them . When Iudith went about to deliuer the Cittie of Bethulia from the imminent danger in which it was when Olophernes besieged it , she said vnto those that were Iudith . 8. besieged , that they should humbly with praying & fasting , desire of God that it wold please him to confirme the same which she had resolued and determined . Tobias said vnto his Sonne , Tob. 3. that his counsell was not in the power of men , but of God . And the Captaine Nehemias saith , that God destroyeth the counsell Esdras . 4. of men : and the Prophet Dauid , that God ouerthroweth the P●●l●● . 32. counsell of the Heathen , and reprooueth that which the people imagineth , and the counsels of Princes . After the same manner , as God deuideth the waters , so enclineth he the harts of Pro●●rb . 21. kings to doo the same which he will haue , & bringeth to naught the counsels of the wicked . And because counsels depend vpon Esay ▪ 8. ●●b . 5 ▪ Tob. 4. Psalme ▪ 54. the diuine prouidence , it is necessarilie required , that we should guide and direct them vnto the seruice of God , as Tobias counselled his Son : because God maintaineth and vpholdeth them , that put all their trust in him . We ought also not to trust to that litle which we know and vnderstand , that we commit not an infinite number of faults , falling out of one rigor into another , and so at the length into extreame miserie : and ( as the holie Scripture mentioneth ) till the measure of the Amorites Genesis . 15. be filled .

7 They that consult vpon anie matter , must put that counsell Franciscus Lotimus . Considerat . 319. in execution , which seemeth to be lesse dangerous , and to haue fewer inconueniences : for it is well néere a thing impossible , to be deliuered from all the inconueniences and dangers which hap to fall out in the execution of matters , and especiallie in great enterprises . And therfore it is commonly said , that Cornelius Tacit. Lib. 18. Publius Mimius : nunquam periculum sine periculo vincitur . he that ventureth not , neither looseth nor winneth . And one danger is saued by the other , and after the danger commeth the profit . If any man thinke that he can put anie thing which in counsell is concluded , in execution without aduenture , he shall neuer be able to bring that to passe which he wisheth . For it is the propertie of Fortune , to crosse , not onelie great and heroicall enterprises , but also small and particular things . They ought not then to linger , but straight-waies to put the same which in the counsell is concluded , in practise , though there be danger in the execution of it : if so be that the profit which is to folow the execution , be greater then the danger which is incurred in not executing it .

8 It is the propertie of wise men , to consult vpon all matters which they take in hand , with great deliberation : and Salust in Catelin . then ( as Salust saith ) spéedilie with a proportioned diligence , to execute the same which is concluded : and not imitate that which is said of the Maquedana , who spake without consideration of the time and place , where and with whom she spake . Therefore it is conuenient to consider well of euery thing : for by how much the more things be déepelie pondered , by so much the more profitable are the counsels vnto the Common wealth , not onely in matters of peace , but also of war . And therfore in ancient Polidorus Virgilius in adagiis . times past , it was wont to be said , that the Romaines did ouercome sitting : and that counsell is taken on the pillow , and that many counsels amend all matters .

9 It falleth out very sildome , that they which haue determined to doo any thing , leaue and giue ouer the dooing of it , Prouerb . 11. though the execution thereof be difficult and dangerous : and manie because they would not be hindered , and kept from putting the same in execution which they purpose to doe , wil aske no aduise , nor admit any one to counsell them : who ( as they know ) will not allow that which they will haue . For it seemeth Lotimus considerat . 330. vnto them , that their minds that should helpe them to execute the same which they pretend , saint : and they feare , that if they should consult with them , vpon that which they haue before alreadie determined , it would be an occasion to them , not to execute the same which they wish . Such men are very hurtful vnto the Common-wealth . And if that before they had determined with themselues to folow theyr pretences , they had consulted vpon that which they ought to doe : they might easily be brought from dooing that , which they pretended : dashing ( as the royall Prophet saith ) the children of Babilon on the stones , not suffering naughty and peruerse pretences to grow . These be the children of Babilon , which the kingly Prophet saith , that Psalme . 136. they ought to be broken on the stone . The stone whereon they should be broken , is our Redéemer and Lord Jesus Christ , by whose fauour and grace , all naughtie and wicked imaginations are broken .

10 After that the same is begun to be executed , which in Lotimus considerat . 331. the counsell was determined , the Counsellers must not remember or think of that counsell , which they forsooke , that the execution of the same be not hindered , which is already determined . For they must hold that firme and stable , which in counsell is agréed vpon , and thinke it to be most profitable to the Common-wealth : for it is very hurtfull to the execution , to thinke that those counsels which they would not folow , were better then those which they approoued . And indéed it is the propertie of vnfortunate persons , ( as Cornelius Tacitus saith ) Cornelius Tacitus . Lib. 1. to thinke that , that counsell which they folowed not , was better and safer then that which they alowed and approoued .

11 When the matters which are in counsell , are of such condition and qualitie , that they may be redressed at all times , then may the Counsellers spend much time in deliberating what may be doone : for that thing is not said to be doone out of time , which may be doone in any time . But contrariwise , if the matters require hast , and a spéedie conclusion , then ought the Counsellers to make much of the time , and with as great celeritie and spéed as may be , conclude and determine . For it is very hurtfull to those things which the Counsellers sit vpon , Lucan . Lib. 1. Cor. Tacitus . Liber . 17. to wast time : and sit long in consultation , when the danger is at hand . For whilst the Counsellers are consulting what is to be doone , the occasion passeth which was offered , to put the same in execution which was determined . Titus Liuius saith , Dec. 3. lib. 3. that in meane space , while the Romaines consulted what succor they should send , to the Towne Saguntia beeing besieged with Hanibals Armie : it might haue béene taken , destroied , and rased to the ground . And in a certaine Cittie in Spaine , whilst they were long consulting , what super-scription they should write on a Letter , which they sent vnto those of whom they asked aide : the Cittie was taken by the enemies , and spoyled . In ancient Frasmus in adag●s . times past , the Image of opportunitie was set vp in many places , that men might remember to let no occasion slip , which might be to their commoditie when opportunitie was offered . And that all men might vnderstand , of how great importance it was , to let occasion passe , they painted her on a whéele , because she neuer standeth still , nor remaineth in one place , with wings on her féete , because she passeth away swiftly , her face couered with the haire of her fore-head , because she lets none know her , but such as be verie attentine to looke on her : with a raser in her hande , because shee cuts of their hope that take no heede of her but let her passe : with the hinder part of her head balde , because if she once be gone , no man can catth hold on her , and with a Maid that waits vpon her which is called Poenitentia , for repentance doth accompanie them that cannot tell how to reape profit by occasion . This which we say of execution holds , vnlesse the matters are such as require no hast , but may rather be delaid without danger then done . For in the dispatch of them , they may be done with deliberation , & though they be deferred , yet they may be doone to good purpose : and Hernam . de Pulga . Epist. 2. therefore in such things much is doone , though some thing be left vndoone . For time it selfe healeth many diseases without any medicines , whereas the Phisition with a medicine often times cannot . And many things in mans life are mard , not for that they ought not to be doone , but because they be not doone in Antonius de Gauara . 1. part . Epistol. time and place . Therefore euery thing should be throughly sifted , that in due season it may be dispatched , as the Garden which is to be sowed .

12 They therfore that giue not their resolutions in euery thing at the first , are not to be found fault with all , if the matrers which are in consultation be harde & difficult and require long deliberation . But if they deferre their resolution , because they will not aduenture a little , to obtaine a great deale , or because by the sharpnes of their wits , they can alledge and bring reasons to contrarie euerie thing that is proposed : then may Franciscus Lotinus 336. consideratione . they wel be blamed : for such fellowes wil neuer conclude , vnlesse they be forced vnto it . Because they haue no hart , to doe according to the reasons which they inuent : and yet they neuer want reasons , to hide and cloake their naturall weakenes , which at all times preuaileth more with them , then reason or experience . Which neuerthelesse oftentimes sheweth thr̄ , that they had no cause to feare . Heereby may cléerelie he séene● that subtiltie and wit make not a valiant man , neither is he to be thought so well of , that can see farre into a matter , but rather he that hath a hart to execute the same , which the subtitle of his wit sheweth vnto him . Yet because men most commonlie folow their owne inclmacion ▪ it is conuenient that he which is to giue counsell vnto others , haue wit to inuent , and iudgment to dispose , as wel as hart , to performe that which is counselled . And for because that these thrée things , are verie seldome found together in one person , there ought to be many Counsellers , and so some to supply the same which is wanting in others . This ment Homer , when he said that Vlisses and Diomedes In illiad . Ouid. in Metamorph. Libro . 1. A●ncid . went together to do that which king A gamemnon commaunded them . And Virgil when he said , that Achates accompanied Aeneas , vnderstanding by Achates counsel , & by Aeneas execution .

The second discourse what counsell is and vpon what matters men ought to consult .

COunsell ( as the priuate Lawes of Spayne say ) is Lib. 1. & ● . tit. 2. p●●ti . 3. good aduise , which a man taketh vpon doubtfull things , to the end he might not fall into any error . Besides , this ought to be considered , what he is of whom men aske counsell , whether he be a man sufficient to giue counsell to the purpose , and such as he néedeth who demaundeth it : lastly , counsell ought so be asked before the thing be done . ●●●●lerious Furius saith ; that the counsell In tractatu de 〈…〉 princip●… . Cap. 1. of Princes , is a congregation , or an assemblie of elected and chosen persons , to consult vpon all accidents both of peace and warre . By which meanes , they better and more easily remember the same which is pa●● , vnderstand that which is present , and prouide for that which is to come : and so in all their enterprises , obtaine good successe , and shunne all inconueniences , or at least wise if they cannot , yet they find meanes whereby the danger is made lesse . And this assembly is of manie called the counsell , taking the name of the ende for which it was inuented . And the companie or congregation of the Counsellers , is 〈…〉 the councell . Where ●●●ent difference betwixt counsell and councell as Fran●… saith for counsell is where Eth. 3. & m●gnorum morahum . Lib. 2. Lib. 5. cap. 13. Histor. Rom. honorable men , and the chéese of the Realme méete together , to treate of matters 〈…〉 and the councell is , when men of meane condition make ●n assembly . This difference betwixt councell , and councell ; is not commonly obserued ( as Bruides saith . In annotationibus add . cap. 13.

2 Counsell is taken ( saith Aristotle ) vpon things which are not in mans power , but may fall out 〈…〉 . And not vppon matters which are not doubted o● , whether they ought to be doone or no ▪ for these haue more neéd to be put in execution , then to be had in counsell . Neither is counsell to be demaunded for things which are most certaine , as whether the Sun will Plat●r . de virtut. mor. rise to morow , or no ▪ nor for things that are impossible , nor for things belonging to al the world , nor for things present , nor for things past , for such things cannot be amended : because those things that are present , or already past , stand vpon no aduise , as I In tract●● conditionum impossibilium , ●at quasi . declare more at large in another place . And if happily counsel be taken vpon some matter which is present or past , that is done , to séeke some remedie , least it should doe harme hereafter in time to come . Iodocus Clichtoreus saith , that these be the properties In tract . Epit. mor. Iacob . Fabr. i● 〈…〉 Arist. lib. in cap. de pradentia . of Counsellers . First , they ought to haue iudgment & vnderstanding : Secondly , when they assemble & méet together to consult , they ought to premeditate vpon that , of which they are to consult : as they that trauell cast with themselues , which way thy will take to come to their iourneyes end . For vnlesse they doo premeditate , their counsell shall be in vaine . Thirdly , they ought not to consult vpon matters that are present . Fourthly , Arist. bb. 1. Rhet. & 3. Eth. lodoc . Cli. vbi sup. Arist vbis●p . that they ought not to consult vpon matters that are impossible . Sixtly , they ought not to consult vpon such thinges , which necessarily must happen , and cannot be shunned or declined . Seuenthly , they ought in theyr counsels , to seeke cut meanes , how to bring the same to passe which they pretende . Eightly , they ought to consult of things which are limitted , and are not infinite . Ninthly , vpon things that both may be , and may not be . Tenthly , vpon things that be doubtfull , and may fall out diuersly . Those things which concerne the Common-wealth , Arist. Eth. 3. Author 40. cantronum ponit●o . regulas quas sequi debet qui sit futurus prudens . P. 2. cant . 4. are to be considered of with long deliberation : because there lieth more vpon the venturing of them , then of priuate and particular matters , which euerie one can more easily , and with lesse hurt iudge of , and choose that which he best liketh .

The third discourse , how needfull and necessary it is , that Princes should , haue in their seruice , such Counsellers , as freelie would tell them what they thinke to be profitable to the Common-wealth .

OF how great importance it is vnto all Common wealths that are , that Princes should haue such Counsellers , who freely would let them vnderstand what they thinke to be most conuenient : the Poets in their works sufficientlie declare vnto vs . Who ( as Plato . saith ) write , that Princes are vnd●one , Plato . Epist. 1. because they want faithfull freends to counsell them . Cornelius Tacitus agréeing with them , saith : that a Prince Lib. 20. ● can haue no greater , better , nor fitter instrument , to kéepe and conserue his estate , then good freends . The Emperour Augustus Seneca de beneficiis . lib. 6. ca. 13 Caesar , said : into these troubles had I not fallen , if Moecenas and Agrippa had liued , whose counsell I was went to enioy . Augustus Caesar did much misse them , and marked that he bad no fréends to counsell him . For Princes haue néede of nothing more , then of freends that may giue them counsell . The greatest and best guarde that a Prince can haue ( as Aristeus Lib. 10. interpre . saith ) is to be accompanied with a great number of iust and expart Counselle who through 〈…〉 , sefting their own commodity aside , regard the profit and welfare of the Common wealth . For no Armies , no battailes , no squadrons of fighting men , and no treasures that a Prince hath , can so wel conserue and defend the Prince his estate , as good and loyall Freends , who would fréely shew him , what they take to be most profitable for the Common wealth . And as a certaine Poet saith : Plutarchus in libro , quo pacto possis adulatorem ab amito cognoseere . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 O that some poore man Irus like there were , That all my faults mislike waied without feare , And true freend-like tell how my selfe I beare .

Merope in the Tragedie doth admonish vs , saying . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Take those to freends , that from thy will in words do disagree , But all such as with flatterie , thy humor seeke to feede , That none such e●●tor 〈…〉 dore , see that thou take good heed .

2 For Princes loose not their authoritie at all , in folowing that which their Counsellers aduise them , but rather increase and augment it : for if Counsellers deminished it , then would no Princes haue any Counsellers , of whom they might learne what were most profitable for the Common-wealth . In the war which the Grecians waged against the Troyans , the counsels of Nestor and Vlisses , were farre more profitable then the forces of Achilles and Aiax : as Agamemnon shewed , when he sayd , that if he had had tenne Nestors to haue giuen him counsel , the siege of Troy should not haue continued so long . Henrie the third Gariuai . lib. 15. Capit. 4. of that name , king of Castile , said : that the counsels of wise men , did the Princes more good then the Armes of valiant soldiers , Because brauer and more notable acts are wrought by men of counsell then by Armes . He was also wont to alledge that which Tullie said , to this purpose : to wit , that the counsels of Solon Lib. 1. Officio . had béene no lesse profitable vnto the Cittie of Athens , then the victorie of Themissocles . Salust affirmeth ; that counsell is not Salust in principio Catelin . onely profitable for the consernation and maintenance of peace , but also for the atchiuing of victory : because good counsel alway preuaileth much in warre .

3 And Princes to the ende they may be well counselled , should commaund their Counsellers to speake freelie in theyr consultations , and shew their minds what they thinke ought to be determined to doo the Common-wealth good . For ( as Artabanus said to king Xerxes ) if there be not diuers minds and Herodorus . lib. 7. opinions in their consultations , how can the Prince choose that which is best . After the same order as we know which is the better gold , by laying of one péece of gold to the other : euen so , comparing one counsell with the other , the Princes discerne which of them is most profitable for the Common-wealth . And ( as Paulus de Castro saith ) euen as persumes , the better they Consilio 13. lib. 1 Consilio . be beaten , the sweeter they smell : so likewise , the sentences , minds , and opinions of Counsellers , the more they be debated and discussed , the surer and better they be . True it is , that the rarest and greatest wits , béeing of singular iudgment , are able to enter déeper into matters , then they that are not so wittie , but of the simple sort . And they that are fullie experienced , can better discerne what is necessaire in euery matter , then they which haue no skill in it . Yet neuerthelesse , it is the dutie of euerie wise man , to heare the minds of many , for one man onelie , cannot see and know all things . And oftentimes one of simple Saepe est olitor opportuna loquutus . Lib. 3. de institut . princip. learning and small knowledge , aduiseth a wiser person , of such things which he neuer did heare or sée before . Dion saith , that a Prince séeth with as manie eyes , and heareth with as many eares , as he hath freends that counsell him sincerelie .

4 It is a thing very hurtfull to the Common-wealth , that the Counsellers before hand should knowe their Princes inclination , for then they séeke all means possible how to find out reasons , which may iustifie and prooue that which their King or Prince desireth . And for this cause , of all hurtfull Counsellers , Franciscus Sansouinus . de dictis & fact . Car. v. looper . learned men are most noyous to the Common-wealth , if they abuse their learning . The Emperor Charles the fift , was wont to say , that it became Princes very well , to be accompanied with learned men : and that the societie and vse of learned men , was very expedient and profitable vnto vertuous Princes : and contrarilie , very dangerous and hurtful to wicked and lewde Princes . For to euevy thing which the Prince will doo , they find either n Law or an History to allow and approoue the same . And if so be that the Prince be of weake iudgment , he will not be able to determine and choose , what is most profitable to the Common-wealth . It is manifest , that the Emperor said true , séeing that there neuer wanted men of great learning , who contrarie to all reason and iustice , iustified and approoued that which their Prince purposed and appointed to doo . As also the Emperors which persecuted our Christian Religion , wanted not learned Counsellers to allow and approoue their wicked enterprises . Vlpian the Lawyer , wrote the manner how Lactantius Tirmianus lib. 5. cap. 10. they should torment and punish the Christians . Neither wanted the Emperor Frederick , & the other Emperors which persecuted Baldouinus ad edicta principium de Christianis . the Catholicke Church , learned men to iustifie theyr pretences , though they were vniust and erronious . Moreouer , many learned men did iustifie vnto Don Pedro king of Castile , that he might marrie with Ladie Marie of Castro , though notwithstanding Marsilius Patauinus & alii quibus respondit Albertus Tigurius lib. Hierar . Ecclesiast. his lawfull wife and Quéene , Ladie Blanch was yet liuing . Such Counsellers are not to be termed Iurisperiti , and Jurisconsulti , but rather Jureperditi , and Iurestulti . Certes , they that glorie , and vant that they be Christians , ought to be ashamed to doe that which Papinian being a Pagan would not Cagnolus in procemio digastorum , 9 , Itaque . in 131. doe , although he was commaunded by the Emperor Caracalla , ( whose Steward and familiar he was ) to doo it : which was , to defend an vniust cause . Wherefore by the Emperours commaund , he was slaine and put to death . Rather would he die , Aelius Spattianus in vita Antoni . ( though he was not a Christian ) then defend an vniust cause . And he esteemed more ( as our Lord and Sauiour Christ Jesus Matth. 10. teacheth vs ) not to offend God , then he did of those that kil the bodie , but not the soule . Those learned men that iustifie false things vnto their Princes , discharge not their dueties as they are bound to doe : for they perswade them to doo many thinges that redound to the Common-wealths vtter destruction .

5 A Prince then ought to select such Counsellers , as doe not approoue all that which be saith : for that is the cheefe and principall tricke of flatterie , to allow all that is said , and still to sing , Et cum spiritu tuo . Such men ( as the Italians say ) iourney still betwixt Lodi & Placentia : they neuer goe to Verona . They rehearse continually the Psalme of Placebo Domino , but they Psalme . 114. reach not ( as Gerson saith ) to the verse In regione vi●orum ! because their sinne is deadlie , in deceiuing their Princes with flatterie : counterfeyting and masking those counsails which they giue , with a false shew of Religion and iustice , regarding more their owne particular profit , then the common welfare . These counsels haue no iustice at all in them , but onely the name of iustice , which they giue them to colour and maske the vniustice and wickednes which in them lurketh . And when such Counsellers come with shew of iustice and Religion , the harme which they doe vnto the Common-wealth , cannot be repaired : because in their owne defence they make a shew of iustice , with which otherwise they might haue béene suppressed . Capi. 4. de inre in●ando . These are rather ( as Innocentius the third Pope saith ) cosenners then Counsellers of Princes .

6 That Counsellers may freelie speake their mindes in their consultations , Princes ought to imitate the Emperour Augustus Caesar , who ( as Seneca saith ) béeing desired by Tacitus Lib. 1. de Clementia . cap. 16. to come to his house , to iudge of the offence which one of his Sonnes had committed , did as Tacitus requested him : and because he should not mooue them that shold heare the matter debated to folow that which he said , and say as Princes Counsellers commonly doo , Et cum spiritu tuo : he commaunded that euerie one that was to determine of the matter , should set down his mind in writing , and when as euery man had said what he thought best to be doone , the Emperour told them his opinion and liking . The Emperor Caesar Augustus neuer asked hys Suetonius Tran. in vita Augusti . Counsellers after the order as they sate , but here one , and there another , that they should all of them be attentiue and readie to answer , and shew their mindes what they thought was to be done , without addicting themselues vnto that which the others said . In ancient times past , when they proposed Lawes vnto the people of Rome , concerning the Common-wealth : they began Dion . Lib. 3. to propose the ordinances to them which bare no Offices , to the end that they might boldly shew their minds , what they thought to be most profitable to the Common-wealth : and not kéep back their opinions , for feare least they should offend those that bare office in the Common-wealth , if they earst had said to the contrary . Aulus Gellius saith , that in the Senate house sometimes Aulus Gellius lib. 4. cap. 11. In titulo de controuersia ●e●●h apud par. cap. 1. Eccle. cap. 3● . they asked him that was chosen to be the head of the Senate , & somtimes those that were elected to be Consuls . And Baldus saith , that the most ancient men , ought to be asked first , conformable to the which king Salomon saith : speak the elder first .