I WAS , I assure you ( moste noble Princesse ) here to fore sufficientlie prouoked to the loue of youre Maiestie and highnes , when I herd say howe muche you dyd preuaile in witte , how greately you had profited in Greke and Latten , and howe you did ioyne youre Princely dignity with liberalle learning and knowledge : But after that certaine men brought me worde , that you willingly did reade my workes , Hys booke intituled De vera nobilitate . my former good will was so muche increased towarde you , as in wordes I am not able to vtter . Whether thei tolde me that vnfaynedly , or that they ment to curry fauor with me , I am not able to say , but this I am assured of , that I toke greate pleasure at theire sayinges , and bethought my selffe howe in writing I might wytnesse my moste louing and moste lowly hart toward you . For I mistruste not , but with the same fauoure with which you reade my workes ( if it be true , that you be not a littell delighted in reading them ) you will interteine these my letters .

Specially , seing those other my workes doe concerne the common profit of all men , but these my letters intend cheifely the mayntenaunce of youre estate , and the auauncement of youre Royall Maiestie . The whiche thing , thoughe I shall not be able to compasse , yet my good will is not to be displeasantly taken of you . For why ? mightie Princes are wont not so much to haue an eye to the worth of the thing which is presented to them , as to weygh the hart and the good meaning of the presenter . For seing the suerest defence and furnyture of Princelye renome , dothe stay vppon the frendeshipp and trustines of men , howe can that be mistaken of them , which thei perceaue to procede of a hartie loue and speciall fidelitie ? and that here I may make an entraunce to my writing , I am wont many tymes to merueil with my self at the prouidence of God in appointing kinges , The merueilous prouidence of God in kyngly regiment . that to a multitude of people al most innumerable , made of so sondry natures , greatly disagreing one with an other , he hathe gyuen suche a mynde , that it will haue an eye cheifely to one , that it will be kept in awe at the commaundment of one , that it will suffer it self as it were to be tyed short with the lawes and procedinges of one . In so muche that whereas men often tymes aboute other thinges , with deadlye hatred do warr among them selues , and outeragiously disagree , yet in this one pointe ( for the moste parte ) with greate consent of myndes , they cleaue and holde together . And as I greatly wunder at this , so I accompt those kinges , which at the appointment of that highe and euerlasting king , do execute so worthie and paynefull an office , The preeminence of kynges aboue other persones . to be men farr surmounting in all kinde of vertue , and all together indued with godly perfection . For there is nothing greater or more honorable , nothing so hard and paynefull to attchyue , as to brydell the affections of men , to cutt a way filthie desires , to mainteine innocentie , with rewardes to encorage vertue , with punishment to discorage syn , and fynallie in establishing peace and quietnes , to make the hole common wealthe to florishe and abounde with all commodities . Seing no man is able to performe those thinges , but he which is indued with heauenly grace , surely they which worthily behaue them selues in theire kingly vocation , are to be accompted in the number of the heauenly citezins , and worthie to be reuerensed as certeine godes among men . If so be notable men , when they gyue them selues wholy to preserue the common wealthe , and do vprightly , wisely and discretly rule their kingdome , A woman wysely ruling is more to be merueiled at then a man . be muche merueiled at , surely when a woman shall do the like , she shall gyue men greater occasion to merueile . For what is more to be wondred at , then to beholde in a woman a manly constantie , in a virgin an horehedded prudence , in greate aboundance of richesse , greate praise of temperaunce and modesty ? What can soner astonish a man , then to see the tendre and deintie nature of a woman to be trimmed and decked with so many vertues , that she is able to vpholde the burden of the whole realme , and to be haue her selfe in that office with greate commendation , which is scantly brought to passe withe the aduise , prouesse , fidelity and autority of many excellent men ? Wherfore ( as it is to be hoped ) if you will so ordre the common wealthe , that you will not swarue from the vertue of youre auncetoures , who only embraced godlynes , you shal so farre go beyond them in greatnes of renome , as it is a greater matter for a young woman to rule a Realme wyselie and stoutelye , then for men whiche are strengthned with rype yeares and experience . If there were euer any woman of excellent vertue , which with a noble corage hathe bent her selfe to the care of the common wealthe , and by that carefulnes and gouernement , A wyder wyndowe of winnyng immortal fame opened to oure Quene of Englande then to any Prince here to fore . hathe wonne great commendation , youre Kingdome hathe happened to you in suche a tyme , and you haue gotten suche a matter to worke on , that if you will constantly take in hand those affaires , which well become that princelie disposition which glistreth in you , with the brightnes of youre noble prayse and worthie doinges , you shall ouershadowe and darcken the greate actes of moste mighty princesses . And that we may boldly warrant the whole Christian common wealth , thus muche of your grace , Causes of good hope in oure noble Quene . many causes do moue vs . For you are indued with a singular wytte . You are learned in the preceptes of moste noble sciences : you are praysed aboue all others for gentlenes and mekenes , which well beseme youre comelye bewtie : and as for those prayses which are due to constancie , you well think , that you ought not to denye them , or put them from you . Therefore if you will not neglect and forget youre selfe , you shall set a good stay in the common weale , you shall bring all those mischeifes , which disquiet it , Greate danger in vnskilful ruling the ship of the Englishe common weale . to an end : and you shall purchase youre selfe euerlasting commendation . But on the other syde , if in suche stormes and hurly burlies , you shall go any thing a wrye , and shall vnskillfully rule the stearne of youre charge ▪ it is an hundred to one ( which God forbid ) but that the shyp of this youre common wealthe , dashing against hidden and secret rockes , shal be all to broken : and the passingers which be committed to youre charge , shall vtterlye perishe and be cast awaye . Therefore seing you be in that taking , that either you must wyn greate honour with the safety of your whole realme , or become a laughing stock with the ouerthrowe of your common wealthe , I thinke that no riches nor treasures ought to be so deare vnto you , No riches to be prefered before faithfull councell that you sholde prefer them before faithfull councell , which intendeth the staying and assuring of your kyngdome . But perchaunce you will saye to me , An obiection . doe you thinke me so ill bestead of frendes and councelloures , that you neede nowe to tell me what I sholde doe ? or haue you so muche vacant tyme from the affaires of Portugale ▪ that you can intend to take care for the matters of England ? I thinke verily , The aunswer . there be in England many wyse men , greately to be commended for theyr vertue and godlynes , to whome if you will gyue eare , you shall prouide verye well for youre self and youre realme , and trimlye mayntayne youre princelye porte and estate . A goodly similitude . But like as thei which be muche gyuen to gather goodes , allthoughe they haue greate riches layed vp in store at home , yet for all that do not refuse golde and siluer , which is brought vnto them from other places , and loke howe rycher they wax , so muche the more they couet to haue theire good heaped and encreased : euen so wyse Kinges , whose treasure ought rather to consist in the prudent aduise & faythfulnes of good men , then in the aboundaunce of money , although they haue store of councell . Yet if those riches , which they esteme aboue all other , by any meanes be augmented , they ought not to sett it light , or despise it . Nether neade they to care , whether he which councelleth them , be a countrie man borne , or a straunger , but of what intent he taketh suche an office vpon hym . Beside this , councells gyuen of forenners , many tymes are least to be suspected . For many treasons are wrought against Princes of theire howseholde seruauntes , Inimici hominis domestici eius . Matth. 10. many craftie fetches are attempted in the court for loue of lucre , many thinges are couered with the cloke of dissimulation , partly to curry fauoure , and partly for feare of falling in to daungerouse displeasure : so that there be very fewe , whiche dare frelye speake their mynde to Princes : last of al , I adde this , that I think no Christian Prince a forrener or a straunger , but I professe my selfe to be beholding to all , but cheifelye to you , whome afore all other for the hope which I haue conceaued of your gentlenes , I haue sett before myne eyes only to be worshipped and reuerensed .

But that I may come to that , which I haue taken in hande , two thinges specially are to be considered of all Kinges , 2. thinges of Kynges to be considered . first the worthines of the office which thei beare , and secondly the weightynes and paynefulnes in fullfilling that office . As for the worthynes of it , it is so greate , The worthines of kingly office . as greater can not be imagined in this lyfe . For all Kynges for theyr owne parte , are the Vicares of God his authority , for it is as it were the office and roume of a God , that one man among all the rest , sholde so farr excell , that all with one agrement of mynde , sholde yelde them selues to be ledd and defended of hym , and that they sholde beleue , that the strongest bulwarkes of theyr life , welfare , and worshyp , doe rest in his wysdome , manhode ; and honestie . Now , as touching the difficultie of theyr office , The difficulte of Kyngly office . it is vnspeakable . For if it be an hard matter to rule al affections , to brydle vnhonest desires , to subdue the vnruly motions of the mynd , and to keepe the whole state of the mynde in suche a frame , that nothing arise , which with any boysterouse blast may shake or disquiet it , then what ado is it for one not only to wayne hym selffe from his owne wyll , but also to tame and qualifie the affections of the whole people , after suche a sorte , that no oute rage or vprore burst oute of theyr vnruly myndes , which may set the whole common wealthe oute of ordre ?

Therefore he which is charged with such an office , as requireth first that he sholde kepe hym selfe in ordre , ( for it ☜ can not be , that he sholde assuage other mens lustes , which can not tempre his owne , ) and secondly , that with reason he sholde alay the trobles of the whole common wealthe , that as muche as in hym lyeth , he sholde make all his subiectes sober and discrete , and that he sholde warde them with the defence of all vertues , I saye , suche a man is to be aided and socored with the helpe , not only of man , but also of God , to the intent , that the thing which he hath lustyly purposed , he may luckyly performe . But that I may first intreate of man his helpe ( which neuerthelesse is conteined in the ayde and assistaunce of God ) I think , How necessary good men be for Kynges . that all the riches & possessions of Kinges , which with greate indeuoure are to bee sought after , ought to staye vpon the wysdome and honestie of good men . For no Prince is able by any meanes , either in warr to get the victory , or in peace to mayntaine his honoure , either in his affaires to behaue hymself politikely , or in his leasure continewe quietlye , which is not as it were walled with the company of good men . For howe shall he be able with his owne eyes to see to all thinges , which Kinges ought to looke to ? Or howe with his owne eares can he heare the complaintes of all clientes ? Or with his owne mynde and consideration , studie for so many thinges , as be requisite to preserue the common weale ?

Therefore many are to be called to take parte in the ordring of the kyngdome , what manner of men kynges sholde call to theire councell . whiche be men bewtified with the iewells of kyngly qualities , that is to say , iustice , temperance , manhode , sagenes , stedfastnes , liberality , and wysdome , in which one vertue , all thinges which are prayse worthie be conteyned . Yea these men must be of suche wysdome , wise men . that thei be able to trye oute all thinges narrowly , and by former causes long before to prouide , for thinges which may ensue afterwarde .

Theire trustines muste be suche , Trustie men . that no bribes , or aduauntage , may leade them a syde from doing their duty , and maintayning the truthe . They ought to be of so valyaunt a corage , Stoute men . that nothing may dismay them from sayng that playnely , whiche may be healthfull to the common weale . A trim similitude . For like as sick men often tymes lothe and abhorre holsom medicyns , if thei be bitter and vntothesome , and long after those thinges which be enemies to theire healthe , euen so nowe and then Princes being sore sick and diseased in theire sowles , refuse the phisick of true councell , and are delighted with counterfet fynes of lying , and deceaueable lickersomnes of flatterie . So it cometh to passe , that all be it in the beginning they take a pleasure , yet in the end , they bye theyr rashnes , and folly , with hartbreake and sorowfulnes : and as nothyng is more godly then truthe , so nothing is more healthfull for the common weale . For what other difference is there betwene wyse men and fooles , Difference betwene wyse men and fooles . but that wyse men with ernest trauaile , purchase to them selues thinges which are good in dede : but foles being beguyled with false appearaunces , hunt after thinges which haue a shewe of goodnes , and in dede be very vaine trifles , and mockeries : and so at length whilst they couet false worship , and seke after deceiptfully pleasures , they be branded with the marck of fowle shame , and be tormented contynually with the worme of theire wicked conscience . Therefor all the trade of a blessed life consisteth in truthe , and all wretchednes standeth vpon lying and dissimulation . For which consyderation , all Princes which doo wishe the safetie of theyr common weale , and desire to continewe and vpholde theyr honour , ought all wayes to pretend this , bothe in worde and worcke to wytnesse this , that nothing is more deare vnto than , then the bright beames of veritie . So they shall set all good men free from feare , and holde shameles flaterers noses to the grynstone . The which thing that they may more easely compasse , what Kynd of men Princes sholde banishe from them . it is neadefull that they enriche and highely aduaunce good and true meaning men , but as for nawghtiepackes , coyners of lyes , and forgers of flearing tales , thei ought to abandon them farre from theyr acquaynetaunce , and to think them vnworthie of any preferment . For all flatterers be sworne enemies to the truth , back frendes to all good men , verie poison of Princes , and not only deadly foes to the whole c̄munaltie , but also malishiously mynded against God hym selffe . For he which wrastleth against the truth , wrastleth against the mightie ruler of all thinges , who is the only and euerlasting veritie . Therefore these naughtie and pestilent persones , are to be put out of all conceipt , to be kept a loofe from climing to honoure , to be excluded from all companie and familiaritie , yea to be banished as farre as there is any land , lest the infectyon of theire myschefe , sholde spreade it selffe to the vtter vndoing of Kinges , and waste the whole common wealthe , with a remedilesse consumption . But on the other syde , thei which euer speake the truthe , neuer double or dissemble , but esteme true vertue more then worldly ryches ▪ and drawe the lyne of theire whole lyfe , by the square of wysdome and honestie , they I say , if they kepe them selues secrete , be to be pulled oute of theire prime closettes , will they nill they , drawe they back neuer so muche , they are to be brought acquaynted with kinges , and to haue whole heapes of ryches bestowed vpon them . For those ryches of Kynges , Fidelitie the suerest treasure howse of Princes . be in better assuraunce , which be laied vp in the fidelitie of good men , then those which be horded and couched vp in theire cofers . For beyng layd vp in the treasure howse , thei breede the cancker of enuye , but being sette a broade to the vse of good men , they make the Kyng to be well spoken of , and fortifie his estate , with the faithful hartes of good men . Beside this , riches closed and chested vp , may ether be caried away of theues , or be lasht oute and made hauock of , through the falshode of the kepers . But the remembraunce of a good turne , is rooted for euer in thankfull myndes , & can not be plucked out by any mans pilfrie . More ouer , it is to be consydered , that they which by no false or sowle fetches ; but by true vertue and fayre conditions , cam to be familiar with their Kinges , doe thinck that of duetie they ought to bestowe those riches which they receaued of theyr Kynges ▪ to the profit of them by whome they enioye them . But they , whiche by hypocrisy , The properte of hypocriticall honor hunters . haue obteyned great wealthe of Kinges , for so muche as they gape al for gaines , as sone as they spy , where more aduauntage is to be gotten , they forsake theyr kinges , yea they betray them , and some tyme byd them battayle . Whereby we may gather , howe mad all Princes be , which not regarding good men , bestowe riches and promotions vpon wicked persones , and put all theyr honoure in the credit of them , whome couetousnes will not suffer to be trusty & faithfull . But they which be of suche wysedome , that displacyng naughtie men , doo call good menne vnto them , and make them partakers of theyr councels and charge , doe prouide very well for theyr honoure and safetie . For it can not be , that the Safegarde of Prynces shoulde be betrayed of them , who holde fidelitie more deare , then all the wealthe of the world : nether can theyr honour be stayned with anie spotte of reproche , when it shall appeare , that they be fastned in the frendshippe and familiaritie of vnculpable men . For as nothing bringeth more shame to Kinges , then the companie and familiaritye of rakehells , so the frendshippe of good men , doth greatly increase theire glory and renome .

For we so iudge of them , lyke loueth lyke . as they be , with whome they be moste familiar & conuersant . Whereby we may conclude , that those Kynges be not to be counted riche and puissant , which possesse greate pyles of golde and syluer , what Kinges are to be counted riche . pretiouse stones gloriously glystring , great store of yuorie , many mynes of metall , and be Lordes ouer manye landes : but those rather , which be assisted with a numbre of men excelling in honestie and trustines , which be lincked in league , and frendshippe of all good men , so farre as shall become their Princely person and Royall maiestie . For all those thinges afore sayde , be seldome obteined withoute vertue , Vertue with oute riches is sufficient . but thei be neuer reteined withoute the succoure of vertue . But turne vertue naked oute of all the robes of riches , yet she will holde her owne , and make her bright beames , be sene a great waye of . Beside this , Riches with oute vertue be impotent . if riches haue not the ayde of vertue , they can help nothing , but rather stirr vp and kyndle the cole of couetousnes in the hartes of many , to worke treason agaynst them , whome they see pufft vp with plentie of possessions .

But vertue alone , many tymes without reskue of ryches , preserueth the Prince hys estate , and doth auoyde the daunger , which hangeth ouer the common wealthe . But this may suffice , which we haue spoken , as concerning the healpe of man : now it followeth in ordre , that we sholde intreate of the ayde and assistaunce of God .

Therefore , if the honestie and faithfullnes of good men be of suche force , that withoute theyr healpe , no Kyngdome or common weale can long endure , then I praye you , what shall we think of the healpe of God ? For God is he by whose Deitie , councell , wyll , kingdomes doo begyn , God is first to be sought for . be enlarged , & mayntayned : by whose wisdome they be kept in ordre , by whose helpe they be vpholden , and finally , by whose displeasure they decay , ouerwhelme , and vtterly come to naught . Therefore a Prince , which will acquite hym selfe well in his office , and comlyly handle the rule committed to his charge , before all thinges must kepe religion purely and vndefyledly , and in his daylye prayers desire God to prosper hym , accompting al the happy successe in rulyng the realme , to stay vpon the seruice and pleasing of God . For first , if wisdome be so necessarie for Kinges , that without it , they can not haue so muche as a pece of a common wealthe , but they shall leaue all thinges topp feturuy , and seing wisdome borroweth her light of none other , then of that passing and vnspeakeable clearenes of the wysdome and spirit of God , by the which all thinges are led in the right way , and lightned , vpon what thinges sholde kinges more bestowe their studie , then in ernest bendyng themselues to religion , & purely praying for God his healpe and assistaunce ? which thing if they doo , The effect which Kinges haue by seruing of God . suche clearenes of Godly wisdome , suche a brightnes of wonderfull vertue shall shoote oute of their myndes , that they shall not onlye discerne what is right , honest , and profitable , and knowe to trye what difference is betwene counterfet and currant , but looke what so euer they perceaue to be right , that same they shall stedfastlye put in practyse . For the mercy and goodnes of God , worketh bothe these thynges in vs . For first it sheweth a moste cleare light to man his mynde , and armeth hym with inuincible valiantnes , so that by meanes of the one , he neuer trippes or treades a wrye , & by reason of the other , is not abashed of the daunger or troble , that the executing of his office bringeth with it .

For there is nothing so hard to come by , nothing so coūtregarded with ingynes , which he shall not easely batter and beate downe , which is indued with Godly vertue . He must therefore speadily asuage all the brutishe mocyons of the mynde , what a Prince shold do which seketh for god his help he must wayne hymselfe of his owne wyll , he must scrape oute all the blottes and blemishes of vices , and so lighten all the state of his mynde with the brightnes of honestie , that a meruaillouse amiablenes , bewtie , and liuely image of God his holye spyrit , may clearely appeare in it . For it can not be , but he whiche in this lyfe so muche as is in man hys powre ▪ with cleare eyes doth behold God , & dayly doth vewe that pearlesse fayrenes and bewtie , sholde be raueshed with the loue of it , and force hym selfe ernestly to be lyke vnto it : specially , seing he can not attaine to resemble and be like vnto it so muche by his owne labour and trauaile , as by the goodnes and graciousnes of God . And loe , oute of this likelyhood of mens myndes , The effect of the likely hood of mans mynd with god with the spirit of God , there springeth an euerlasting band of amitye , which causeth God so to cleaue to mans sowle , that he will vouchsafe a gyltles and deuoutly disposed mynde , plentifull to partake of his Godly treasures . Therefore suche a mynde , he enformeth with councell , he wardeth with vertue , he compasseth with conforte , and in all hasard doth defend it with his godly presence . Therefore they which be kyndled with the loue of true vertue , Vertue is ful of good hope . being hartned with this hope , though all the worlde be togeather by the eares , thoughe the grounde open with earthe quakes , yet they be not dismayed , but then most of all they trust God wyll succoure them : and when in mans iudgement all hope is past , they stand styffly in this belefe , that God will saue them harmeles .

Whereby we maye gather , that for so muche as mans nature is so feble , and that there ys no holde to be had in these transitorie and glyding goodes of the worlde , and that all oure lyfe standeth in the gunshot of daungers , couragiousnes of mynd , and confidence of vnprenable strengthe to be founde in them only , which consyder that they haue God on theyr syde . Therefore seing no man can take vpon hym the office of a Kyng , without wonderfull wysdome , without a speciall token of worthynes , without the stay of an vnconquerable stoutenes , and none of all these laudable vertues , grow oute of the grounde , but descend downe from heauen by God hys inspyration , it is playne that Kinges ought to employ all theyr care and office , to be of an holy and blameles religion . For they and none other , are to be reckned wyse , dyscrete , and stronge , which are knyt with the knot of right religion to God , who is the author , and cheifetayne of all wysdome , honestie , and valiantnes .

But what shall we now say of iustice ? can any man ministre it , onles he cast all his mynde vpon the rule of the euerlasting lawe , and conceaue in his mynde , the wel spring of righteousnes , and diligently marcke the ordre and semelynes , with the which that cheife ruler setteth all thinges in frame ? and last of all , onlesse he gyue hym selfe wholy to the studie of God his lawe ? surely it is impossible . For God only is the pythe , wisdome , and rule of the lawe : he is the beginning and rote of vpright dealing , and father of all iustice . By whose grace , all holsome and profitable lawes be enacted , by whose procurement they be kept and preserued . Hereby it followeth , that they only glystre with the brightnes of iustice , which fix theyr eye vpon that hyghe and euerlasting light . Verily oute of this agrement of mynde , by the which men resemble the iustice of God , and stretch all the stringes of theyr studie to profit the common wealthe , the loue and hartie good wyll of men dothe growe , oute of this doth issue the commendation of myldenes and curtesie , oute of this ( to be short ) doth procede all the swetenes of most true pleasure and delight . For no bodyly pleasure is in any poynt to be compared with the pleasure which cometh of vnfayned honestie . For the pleasure of the bodye many tymes in a madnes is desired , The difference betwene the pleasure of the body & the mynde and in twinkling of an eye vanisheth away , and afterward seareth the mynde with sadnes , and leaueth a print of shame behynde it . But that pleasure which true vertue doth breed , is chosen oute wisely , and is inioyed continually , not able to be defyled with any lewde affection , or defaced with any villany , because it is farre from all infectiue filthines , and ioyned with excellent honestie and comlynes , by reason of which , it cometh to passe , that theyr lyfe , which be lincked in loue with God , is not only adorned with Godly vertue , indued with greate ryches , and put in sure hope of euerlasting glorie , but also is replenished with stedfast and vnspeakeable ioy and conforte , so that they may lawfully crie with that most fayntely Kyng , how greate is the plenty of thy swete comforte , o Lorde , which thou haste layed vp for them which loue the ? Therefor the loue and carefulnes of religion , doth conteyne all these benefytes , with the which the laboures susteyned in vertuouse practise , are made more tolerable and easie , and requited with a certeyne exceding swetenes , and without the which , the Kyngdome can not be wel ordred . More ouer what a notable thing is that ? that all the subiectes , except suche which through myschefe are growne to a monstrouse madnes and crueltye , Subiectes do loue & wyllingly obey religious Princes . will greatly loue those Kinges , and vse muche fidelitie towarde them , if they se them deuoutely to embrace religion ? For it must neades be , that the picture of diuine fayrenes set before mennes eyes , sholde make them greately inamored , and cause euery bodye to be much delighted with it : and there is no man which wyll let this sinck in his mynde , that he which feareth God and casteth all to please hym , will once forsake his fayth or shrinck from his seruice . Therefore partely because they perceaue hym learned in the preceptes and conncels of God , and to be ernestly bent to care for the common wealth , partly because thei mistrust not his goodnes , and stand not in dought that he wil forget publike profit , whilst he licketh his owne fyngers , they willingly obey hym , & in no wyse grudge to bee vnder hym . Nowe then , if no Realme , no Citie , yea no house can be vpholden without it be ruled , and the manner of ruling well , standeth in pure and perfect religion , surely nothing may be inuented more profitable or holsome then religion , to kepe a multitude of men in awe , and good ordre . For what can more strengthen a ruler , then that all men may know and perceaue , that all his delight and studie is , to profit the common weale ? for so it cometh to passe , that the common wealth hath him in admiration , loueth him , and with hartie good wil dothe yeld to his procedinges . Otherwise they wil not long leade in his lyne , but as much as lyeth in them , they will striue to cut or snap it a sundre : for no regiment can long continew , which is rather established with feare of punishment , then with loue of vertue . If so be that agreement doth preserue and encrease the common weale , but drawing diuerse wayes , doth teare it and minsse it all to māmockes , and the right religion of the Prince doth as it were glue his subiectes together with this concorde , ( for all with one consent do shewe obeisaunce to a religiouse Prince , and be redie at his commaundement ) then without peraduenture , all the saffegarde and suretie of the common wealthe doth beare it selfe vpon religion . Moreouer , that is not to be lightly weyghed , that vntrue subiectes will not be so bold to worke treason against theyr Prince , on whose syde they thincke God to be . Neither doe his enemyes ventre so sone to bid hym battell , whom they see to be wayted on with the trayne and garde of God his healpe . For if they go aboute to worke wyles , or offre warre , they do it fayntly and fearefully , so that naughtye subiectes being taken with the manner , may suffer for their offence , or for feare be reclamed from theyr naughtienes , & enemies also may easily leaue of to moue warre and disquietnes .

For they willingly seke to be at one with them whose strengthe in warre they feare , whose fidelitye in peace they loue , and whome they know to be suche , that they neade not mystrust , leaste they shoulde breake the truce , which they haue well agreed vpon .

Laste of all , seing euery common wealthe dothe frame it self to the Princes fashions , if the Prince be a worthy worshipper of godlynes and religion , the whole common wealthe muste neades lay fast holde vpon the same religion . The effect of true religion . And religion trulye dothe restrayne naughtye desyres , it dothe kepe wantones vnder , it abateth pryde , it staieth rashenes and folishe hardynes , it maketh men discrete , and obedient , bothe to the lawes , and also to them which execute the lawes . For there is nothing of more powre then the feare of God , to pull back out ragiouse desyres , to cutt the combt of bragging and lightnes . For when we call to mynde , howe muche we be bounde to oure highe and most holy father for his benefites bestowed vpon vs , and what paynes be ordeined for them which defyle the bewtie of their sowle with syn and vncleanes , and when we conceaue in oure vnderstandyng , that there be no lurkyng holes whiche can hyndre the sight of God , seing those thinges , whiche Iye hyd vnder the yearth : yea euen very hell it selfe , which is wrapped with continuall darcknes , appeare brightly in his sight , I saye , when we weygh all these thinges with oure selues we breake & disapointe our owne will , partly least we sholde offend hys eyes with fylthines , or shewe owre selues vnthankfull towarde hym ( then the which nothing is more greuouse ) partely leaste we sholde shame oure selues , and worke owre euerlasting wo , throughe owre owne abhominatyon : and so being reskewed by the healpe of God , we beare away the victorie vanquishing and putting to flyght all kynd of wickednes , for they whiche stand in awe of God his iudgementes , and feare to displease hym , be neuer forsaken of him , or left to shyft for them selues . Therefor being assured of his conforte , they easely kepe of the assaulte of concupiscens , from scaling and inuading the mayne towre of reason . So then , it is an easie matter , to lyue ordrely , to doo as a man ought to doo , and to practyse all thinges which vertue dothe prescribe , when dyuellyshe desyres be quenched and subdued .