Som Reasons why Venice hath lasted so long in the same condition of Liberty .

NOw , how this longliv'd Republic came to do those notable atchievments abroad , and conserve her self from all popular tumults and revolutions at home so many Ages , may be imputed , ( besides the politic frame of her goverment in generall , which shall be treated of hereafter ) to these particular reasons following .

1. SHE hath bin allwayes constant to her self , and to her first fundamentalls & principles , for She hath bin allwayes an enemy to change , holding it to be a wholsom caveat that Ipsa mutatio consuetudinis magis perturbat novitate quàm adjuvat utilitate , viz. The change of custom useth to perturb a State more by it's noveltie , than advantage it by it's utilitie ; She hath a rule allso that malè positum saepiùs mutatur in pejus , This makes her decrees irrevocable ; As one of her Ambassadors answer'd Henry the fourth of France when he interceded for the abrogation of a Decree of Hers , Serenissime Rex , Senatus Venetus diu deliberat , antequam decernat , sed quod seriò decrevit revocat nunquam ; Most gracious King , the Venetian Senat doth deliberat a long time before it decrees any thing , but when it is once seriously decreed 't is never revoked . Whereunto he added further , gli Decreti di Venetia non sono comme ligridi di Parigi , The Decrees of Venice are not like the cryes of Paris ( meaning the French edicts ) proclam'd to day , and repeal'd to morrow . To this maturity of deliberation , may be added , the gravity of her Senators , and the exact reverence the younger sort bear , not only to the persons , but opinions of their Elders ; It is not there as in other places , where young men make lawes for old men to observe , they abhorre that inversion of the Law of Nature , but gray heads sway , and green heads obey ; so provident they are of the future , when they consult of a busines to day , they think what may befall 100 ▪ yeers after . Nor is ther any admitted to their superior Councells till he be somwhat stricken in yeers , untill he hath pass'd employments of public trust within her own Territories , or Embassies abroad . Touching this second service they have certain degrees which they observe in the removall of their Ambassadors , for commonly one passeth from the Cantons of Swisserland to be Ambassador in Holland , thence he is transmitted to England , thence to France , so to Spain , and thence either to the Emperour or to be ●…ailio of Constantinople , where he lives in great height , and is not accountable for his expences as all other Ambassadors are , nor ever after employed in any Legation .

But though She be so constant to her self at home in Her primitive constitutions , and intrinsique goverment , yet in her correspondency , leagues and confederacies abroad She often varies , and casts her cours of policy into new moulds , as the Fortune of other Princes or States do rise or decline ; her principall aym being to keep not only the State of Italy , but allso Spain and France , which are the two poles whereon Europe may be sayed to move , in Aequilibrio , To keep them in a counterpoize .

2. Another cause of the longaevity of this Republic may be allegd to be , that She hath allwayes bin more inclind to peace than war , and chosen rather to be a Spectatrix or Umpresse , than a Gamestresse , Her chief motto being , Pax tibi Marce ; Insomuch that no Christian Prince or State , except the Popedom , hath labourd more by costly Legations to reconcile the quarrells of Europe , and quench the fyre that issued out of them to the disturbance of the public peace , as allso for preventing the advantages which the Common Enemy the Turk ( one of her next neighbours ) might take therby : which hath bin the cause that for the sagacity of her men , and maturenes of her Counsells , She hath bin oftentimes desird to be Mediatrix of differences 'twixt the greatest Potentates , which She hath don with that addresse and diligence as is admirable , so that Thuanus gives her this character , to be Civilis prudentiae officina , the shop of civill prudence .

3. A third reason for the continuance of this Republic in such a prosperous condition may be sayed to be the rare temper of her peeple , who with exact obedience and promptitud execut what is enjoynd them by their Superiours ; so that it may be sayed of Venice what a grave Historian speaks of Sparta , when he pass'd his judgment of Her , Sparta diu stetit , non quod Rex benè imperabat , sed quia populus benè parebat , Sparta lasted so long , not as much that the Prince did command well , as that the peeple did obey well . Nor , is the Venetian of so volatil an humor ; and so greedy of change as other Italians , he is not so fickle as the Florentine , Milaneze , or they of Naples , who , as the History relates , hath had eight and twenty revolutions ( with this last ) in lesse then 300. yeers , in which time the Napolitan Courser threw off his Rider five times .

4. Add herunto that the Venetians are mighty good Patriotts , and love their Country in an intense degree , every Gallie that goes in cours thinks she hath Venice her self aboard of her ; as if the print of that old Roman rule were stil fresh in their hearts , Dulce & decorum pro patria mori : And as in this particular , so in many qualities besides , the soul of Rome seems to have transmigrated into Venice , as shall be shewn herafter . They are equally studious and eager to conserve the glory and greatnes of the Republic , for which they have bin ever ready to part with their bloud and fortunes ; There are many examples how the women have bin ready to part with their braceletts , earings and necklaces in time of extremity , nay they have offered their very hair to make ropes for their gallies , &c. But though they continue still such great Zelotts to their own Country , and goverment thereof , they are not so to the Church of late years , as it is observ'd ; and were it not for those confusions that ensued therby in other Countreys , and the hatred they shold heap upon themselfs from their neighbours , som think the Republic by this time would have drawn her neck from the Roman yoak , which made Cardinall Ossat say , that Venice hath now no more devotion to Rome than needs .

5. A fi●…t reason that Venice hath continued a mayd so many Centuries of yeers , is , her advantagious site and position , being seated in an arm or Estuary of the Adriatic Sea upon an Assembly of small Ilands to the nomber of above threescore consociated and leagud together by 800. and odd bridges ; so that sitting thus securely on Thetis lapp , She need not fear any invasion by land , or any approaches to her from sea without knowing Pilotts : She hath as it were cutt the Ocean into so many aqueducts through her streets , as we read Cyrus causd the River Pindes to be draind into 360. channels , which he did out of a revenge because she had drownd one of his horses , but Venice clean contrary doth this out of affection to Neptun , that therby She might embosom her self the more easily between his armes . This rare situation of the City of Venice induc'd divers to be of opinion That som superior power to man , That som heavenly Intelligence had a hand in founding and tracing Her out .

6. Sixtly , This rare perpetuity of the Republic of Venice may be ascrib'd allso to her Tresure , and Arsenal , wherof the one is grown to be a proverb for riches , the other for strength , being stord with such huge Magazins of both : The first could never be yet exhausted or estimated ; The other can , in case of necessity , put so many Gallies to the sea as ther be daies in the yeer , having 3000. persons perpetually at work , with other advantages , as will appeer when we com to describe it , with the Tresury , for these are but prolegomena , and generall Ideas of things .

7. Seventhly , The counterpoise of rewards and punishments may be sayed to have bin the plummetts which have made the great clock of this Commonwealth to go tru so many ages : In this government whosoever is detected to have the least attempt or thought of conspiring any thing against the Republic , dies without mercy ; On the other side , whosoever finds out or invents any thing that may tend either to her advantage or honor , shall be as sure of his reward , as the other of punishment .

8. Another reason why Venice hath lasted so long at such a constant stand , is her wonderfull sagacity in discovering any privat conspiracy against Her self , her cautions to prevent it , and ready means to suppresse it ; for there is allwayes a privat Armory ( besides the great Arsenall ) wherin ther are choice armes ready for 1500. men , the musketts , and arquibuzes chargd , match ready , and every thing fitted for a present execution in case of a sudden surprize or uprore . This Armory is very secretly kept nere the Dukes Palace , and not to be shown without 3. Gentlemen of the great Councell , being reserv'd meerly for the use and safety of the Senat , in case they shold be assaulted by any ill-favour'd commotion , or privat outrage while they are consulting about the affaires of the Republic : It is closely and curiously kept , and hath many new divises of armes , as steel-bowes which shoot needles or small darts , and hitt unseen , ther be musketts and pistolls that will go off 6. times together , halbards with pistolls in them one at each end , strange kinds of polaxes , with other sorts of defensive and destructive armes , if occasion should require . Besides this means of suppressing all violence , she hath many cautions besides to prevent them : It is death without mercy for any of her Senators , Officers or Gentlemen to receave pensions from any other Prince or State ; nor is it permitted that they have any privat conversation with their Ambassadors or public Agents ; Her own Ambassadors must not conceal the presents and gifts they receav'd from other Princes where they are employ'd , but at their return they must present them to Saint Mark 's Tresury , which hath much multiplied the wealth of it .

9. Another reason of her so constant subsistence may be the sundry restraints She putts to the power of the Prince , which are such , that 't is impossible for Him to be a Tyrant , or able to attempt any thing against her liberty and government ; He may be sayed to be but a Collegue to the rest of the Senators , diffring from them only in the hinmost part of his Capp , which riseth up like a Cornet . Besides , though Maydens commonly love young Men , yet she never chooseth any to be her Prince or Duke till he be stricken in yeers , and season'd with the experience of the world , untill he be half mortified , having shaken hands with those extravagant humors , appetits and passions that attend humane Nature .

Hereunto may be added the limitations She putts to the wealth of the Nobles , that none of them grow over rich , but to such a proportion , in regard that it is a quality ever inhaerent and hereditary in the nature of man , that excesse of riches puffs up the mind , and incites it to ambitious and high attempts , nor is there a more catching bayt for one to take vulgar affections , and draw them after him , than Wealth : therfore one of her prime principles of State is to keep any man , though having deserv'd never so well by good successe or service , from being too popular ; Therfore when forren Ambassadors are employed to Her , they have it among their privat instructions not to magnifie any of her subjects in particular , for She cannot endure to hear of it , though She can be allways very well contented to hear Her self extoll'd , and tickled with complements in the generall .

10. Add herunto , that one of her policies is to exempt her Cittizens from going to the warrs , but She hires others in their places , by whose death she sustaineth the lesse losse , for She hath bin allwayes observ'd to be parsimonious of her own bloud : Moreover , She entertaines som forren Prince for Her Generall , whom , the warrs being ended , and the game played , She presently discards ; by which cours She avoyds not only superfluous expence , but likewise all matters of faction , and apprehensions of danger , which might well happen if She shold employ any of her own peeple in so high an employment , which might elevat his spiritts to too great an altitud . She hath allso another politic law that permitts not the younger sonnes of the Nobility and Gentry to marry , lest the nomber encreasing so exceedingly it should diminish the dignity , and her great Councell shold be too much pester'd , and this may be one reason why she connives at so many Courtisans for the use of the Cadett-gentlemen .

11. Eleventhly , the rare secrecie She injoynes in her chiefest Councells , may be a reason that no forren Prince could come nere her privy parts all this while ; for it is there an irremissible crime , and such a mortall sin that drawes upon it death without mercy , to reveale the privat transactions , and secretts of her Councell of State ; In so much that the designes of this close Mayd may be sayed to be mysteries till they be put in execution .

12. Lastly , the cause of her continuance may be imputed to another reach of policy She hath , not to admitt Churchmen to any of her secular Councells ( nor was She ever subject to the authority of Women ) And the reason why the Clergy is made incapable to sit in the Senat is , because ( as it was touch'd before ) they have relation to another goverment , viz. the Pontificiall . Moreover , She hath had a speciall care of the Pulpit ( and Presse ) that no Churchman from the meanest Priest to the Patriarch dare tamper in their Sermons with temporall and State-affairs , or the transactions and designes os the Senat ; It being too well known that Churchmen are the most perilous and pernicious Instruments in a State , if they misapply their talent , and employ it to poyson the hearts of the peeple , to intoxicat their brains , and suscitat them to sedition , and a mislike of the government ; and now Churchmen have more power to do this in regard they have the sway on the noblest part of the rationall Creature , over the soul and the intellectualls ; Therfore if any intermeddle with matters of State in the Pulpitt , they are punish'd in an extraordinary severe manner . Yet they bear a very high respect unto the Church ( as long as she keeps within her own sphere , and breaks not out into ceccentricall and irregular motions . ) They suffer Her to this day to enjoy above 2. millions of crowns in yeerly revenue , holding it for a maxime , that reverence , riches , decency and splendor are the greatest pillers that support Religion . She hath allso two very eminent men , the one a sound Divine , the other a learned Casuist , that have a pension from the Republic , who are allwayes ready in case She have any contestation with Rome , to defend and vindicat Her by public writing , and to satisfy the world of her proceeding , as Paolo Servita did .

Thus have you in part som reasons ( which will be enforced in the following description of her Goverment ) how Venice came to last so many centuries a pure unspotted Virgin , and free not only from all forren ravishments and assaults , but allso from all intestin commotions and tumults . 'T is true that som short combustions have happen'd in Her , but by Her wisedom and providence they prov'd but as fyres of flax or stubble , which no sooner flash'd out but they suddenly extinguish'd of themselfs . And this is the more to be wondred at , because it is observ'd , that as rank excuberant grounds use to be more subject to bear weeds of all sorts , than other soyles , so rich luxurious Citties are more expos'd to corrupt superfluous humors , which use to break out into strange distempers , and high feavers . 'T is well known that Venice hath bin allwayes such a Cittie , yet by Her extraordinary prudence She hath and doth still preserve her self from such distempers , notwithstanding that She swimms in wealth and wantones as well as she doth in the waters , notwithstanding that She melts in softnes and sensualitie as much as any other whatsoever ; for , 't is too well known , ther is no place where ther is lesse Religion from the girdle downward : yet She suffers not those frayl vessels of plesure to mingle with her other Daughters in Church-Communion .

But now we will proceed to the Originall of her Republic , and the frame of her Goverment , wherby She hath endur'd so many hundreds of hard winters , and hott sommers .

Of the Originall of the Signorie of Venice , and of her Government .

ITalie hath bin allwayes accounted the Eye of Europe , the Mirrour of policy , and once , Mistresse of the World ; Although , putting all dimensions together , and taking her length to peece out her latitude , She be scarce as big as England , yet hath She a Kingdom 450. miles long , and 112. in breadth , ( for Naples and Calabria are so ) which containes 2700. Townes , 20. Archbishopricks , sixcore and seven Bishops , 13. Princes , 24. Dukes , 25. Marquises , and 800. Barons : She hath a Popedom which extends its Territories 300. miles long , and is situated 'twixt two Seas , viz. the Adriatic , and Tyrrhene Seas , and so runs through the midst of Her ; which makes the Pope to be more proper ct capable to be an Umpire or Enemy upon any occasion of difference that side the Alps ; For besides his navall strength he can put into the field an Army of 50000. well arm'd men in case of necessity , being a mixt Prince 'twixt spirituall and temporall .

She hath allso divers other Principalities ; The Dutchie of Milan is little inferior to the Popedom in point of strength ; The gran Duke of Toscany hath 20000. arm'd men inroll'd , train'd up and in perpetuall pay , with 400. light horse , and 100. gendarmes , all which are quarter'd in so narrow a compasse that he can command them all to his Court at Florence in fower and twenty howers ; The Duke of Savoy , who is accounted allso one of her Princes , is far beyond the Florentine in power ; There be allso in Her the Dukes of Parma , of Urbin and Mantoua , who are Soverain Princes . Besides all these , Italie hath three Republiques , viz. that of Venice , that of Genoa , and that of Luca , which may be sayed to differ one from the other as the three degrees of comparison , wherof Venice is the superlatif ; and indeed she may be term'd so , being compar'd to any Republic on earth , take her power by sea and land together . It is well known that Kingdomes take their denomination diversly ; som take their names from the whole bulk of Earth and Countrey it self which they possesse , as the Kingdom of Spain , the Kingdom of Denmark , &c. Som are denominated ab eminentiori , from the chief Metropolis , as Rome in times pass'd had the glory to denominat the whole Empire , and after her Constantinople , and as now Morocco names that Kingdom , and Naples christneth Hers , though I must confesse the King of Spain now adaies termes not himself King of Naples , but Utriusque Siciliae , of both Siciles , and it may be thought he doth this to displease the Pope the lesse , who still claymes title to it . Thus is it with Kingdoms , but touching Common-wealths , They for the most part take allways their denomination from the principall Cittie , as Athens of old , with divers others , and now Venice , Genoa , &c. But I find that Venice takes the state upon Her to be nam'd still in the plurall nomber Venetiae ; which strain of statelines , doubtles with other things she borrowed from the Greeks , who nam'd sundry of their Citties only in the plurall , as Thebae , Athenae , &c. but more of this hereafter : Now to her government .

Of the Government , constitution , and frame of the Signorie of Venice .

THere is not any thing that discovers the prudence of a peeple more than the manner and method of their Government ; Government is that great hinge wheron all Kingdoms and Commonwealths do move : But in this Aequorean Republic , for she may not improperly be call'd so , in regard She commands , secures , and scowres all the yeer long above 700. miles of Sea , for that is the extent of the Adriatic Gulph from the Cittie of Venice , to Otranto in Calabria , I say Government in Her may be call'd the r●…dder that steers the great vessell of State ; Her constitutions and lawes are the ligaments and cables ; felicity , wealth and glory are the sayls , and the breath of her Senators the wind that blowes them : The common good is the pole wherat the needle or lillie of the compas allways points ; Religion the main mast which bears the colours of her Saint , though the chief Pilot or Master of this vessell ( the Doge ) be of himself but as a head of wood , a Testa di legno ( set up in the forecastle of the stern ) without the coadvice of som of the Masters mates , wherof there are many , because she wold not be subject to the infirmities and faylings of one , who might haply erre , and be mistaken in the use of the compasse , or transported with irregular passions .

Now , there is nothing so uncertain and difficult as the Art of Goverment , Hominem homini imperare difficillimum , and those who from Apprentices have bin bredd up Iourneymen , and Masters in this art , and have spent their youth , manhood , and a long time of old age therein , yet when they left the world they profess'd themselfs still but Novices therin ; And this may be imputed to those various events and contingencies which attend humane negotiations , together with the discrepant fancies of men , specially of the common multitud , who in lightnes match the winds , and outgoe the waves of the Sea in fury oftentimes . Ther is a certain way to break , guide , and keep in aw all other Animalls , though never so savage and strong ; but there is no such certain way to govern a swarm of men , in regard of such frequent turbulencys of spirit , and variety of opinions proceeding from the Rationall faculty , which other cretures , that are contented only with sense are not subject unto : and this may be sayed to be one of the inconveniences that attend Reason .

But if ever any hath brought humane government and policy to a science which consists of certitudes , the Venetian Republic is She , who is as dextrous in ruling men as in rowing of a gallie or gondola , otherwise She could never have lasted so long , and kept in such an exact obedience 3. millions of men , for therabouts by frequent censes that have bin made is the nomber of her subjects .

We are going now to describe the method this Republic hath allwayes us'd in Her goverment , which is the most materiall thing in point of knowledg : For to stand raking the ashes of times pass'd to find out the pedigree of a Peeple , Countrey or Cittie ; or to know their power and wealth , their exploits and extent of territory , affoords only matter of discours ; but to pry into the policy and soul of a State , wheron her goverment and whole incolumity depends , is a knowledg far more advantagious and usefull , for therin ther may be things for imitation : Therfore in treating of this Republic , I will begin with the most necessary part , viz. the form of her Goverment .

THe Venetian Goverment is a compounded thing , for it is a mixture of all kinds of goverments , if the division of the Philosopher into Monarchy , Aristocracy and Democracy be allowed to be perfect : This goverment may be sayed to have a grain of Monarchy , a dose of Democracy , and a dramm if not an ounce of Optimacy .

The Duke , Doge or Prince hath something of a Monarch in him , as will further appeer .

The Senat which consists of 120. Counsellors , of Decemvirs whose Colledg consists of 17. Senators , and of Sages or Praeconsultors , which make a nomber of 16. choice men .

The great Councell which is composd of a generall convention of Cittizens , and this hath much of Democracy in it .

Of the Duke or Prince of Venice .

ALL things to whom the God of Nature hath given an entity , prop●…nd to unity ; wherin Earth comes to the nearest resemblance with Heaven ; for nothing conduceth more to regularity and order , no strength is so operative as the united : therfore the Venetian peeple having tryed for som hundred yeers the goverment of Consulls , and afterwards of Tribunes , they found it an inconvenience , or deformity rather , to have two heads upon one body , and so thought it at last a better policy to sett upp one head : but the miscarriage and exorbitancies of the Tribunes were the cause that they fell upon this alteration . Whereupon a Generall Assembly being convokd , wherin the Bishop of Grada presided , divers Speeches were made , That ther was no more hope of the Venetian Commonwealth and public liberty , which had bin preservd and purchasd by their noble Progenitors with such heroic resolution , unlesse the tyranny of the Tribunes might be suppressd ; otherwise they might be sayed to have left the firm land , to find out slavery among the waters , &c.

Many high acrimoniall Orations were pronouncd at this Convention of that nature ; wherof ther was one more notable than the rest , which is inserted before the legend of Paulutio Anafesto , the first Duke or Prince of Venice , as will appeer herafter in the Historicall part of this Work .

Upon the pronouncing of these Speeches , they gave an unanimous shout and suffrage , that a Duke or Prince should be elected , who might represent the whole honor and Majesty of the State , but with such cauteles and reservations that might consist with the public Liberty . And this mutation happend , according to the approvedst Authors , in the yeer after the incarnation 697.

This Duke ever since hath had the prime place in the Republic ; He hath a kind of Regall , though dependent , power ; He hath the representation and gravity of a Soverain Governor ; He is allwaies stild , Serenissime Princeps , and reverence is don to him accordingly ; He goes allwayes cladd in silk and purple , somtimes he shewes himself to the public in a robe of cloth of gold , and a white mantle ; He hath his head coverd with a thinn coyf , and on his forhead upward he weares a crimson kind of mitre with a gold border , and behind , it turns up in form of a horn ; On his sholders he carries Ermin skinns to the middle , which is still a badg of the Consulls habit ; On his feet he weares embroderd Sandalls tied with gold buttons , and about his middle a most rich Belt embroderd with costly jewells ; In so much that the habit of the Duke , when at festivalls he shewes himself in the highest state , is valued at above 100000. crownes : He hath a place elevated like a Throne in the Senat. Besides public , he hath peculiar Officers and Ministers of his own , dignified with sundry titles , who have their salary from the Republic : He hath a Chancelor , a Knight Major , who is by particular appellation calld the Dukes Knight ; He hath divers Chaplaines and Churchmen to attend him , commonly calld Donzelli , who wayt on him when he goes abroad ; All Magistrats and Cittizens whatsoever speak to him standing , and bare-headed , but he doth not rise up to any ; All public Letters go forth in his name being seald with lead , a particular priviledg which Pope Alexander the third gave him , for the high favors that Venice did the said Pope when he was forcd to fly thither for Sanctuary against the rage of the Emperour Frederic Barbarossa ; All Decrees , Lawes , and public instruments are promulgd in his name ; All coines , as well gold as sylver , bear his stamp ; All Letters from forren Princes are addressd to him , and answers returnd under his hand , and whether he be present or no yet all Speeches are directed to him , being stild allwayes by Ambassadors and others , Serenissimo Principe , Most gracious Prince , in the concret , and Serenità , in the abstract .

The office of the Duke was of larger extent at first , but now the principall duties of it are , That he preside in all Councells , as well the great Councell , as other Colleges of Senators ; That he have care that every Magistrat acquit himself of his duty ; That every Wensday he visit all the Courts , and put every one in remembrance of his office , that privat causes be not neglected , or public delayed : He is not capable of any other inferior office ; if he find that any one neglects his duty , he is to convent him before the whole Colledg , and give him sharp reprehensions , but he never useth to do so in privat , and if the offence require it he transmitts him over to the Judges ; He is often to grace with his presence the Courts of Justice , wher he hath a suffrage ; but He can passe no public Instrument , nor dispatch any busines of himself without the adjunction of other Senators ; nor can he leave the Cittie , or marry any forrener without the knowledg and consent of the Senat ; Insomuch that we read of Duke Falerio that was putt to death for marrying a Stranger without the suffrage of the Senat : In fine , this high politicall Magistrat hath only the presence of a Soverain Prince , but nothing of the power .

In the old records of Venice the reasons are yet extant which inducd the Republic to elect this formall Prince for her Head , wherof these are the remarkablest , We have observd that in this vast Universitie of the World bodies according to their severall natures have multiplicity of motions , yet they receave vertu and vigor but from one , which is the Sun ; All causes derive their originalls from one supreme cause ; We see that in one Creture ther are many differing members , and faculties who have various functions , yet they are all guided by one soul , &c.

The Duke for his Salary hath 100. Zecchins ( which coin wants above twelvepence of ten shillings English ) brought him every Wensday to his Palace .

Among all these restraints which keep him from trenching upon the Common Liberty , and doing injustice , ther is another , and that a shrewd one ; which is that Lex repetundarum may be executed upon his Heir after his death , for there is a Iunta appointed to make a scrutiny of the actions of the deceased Duke , and if any can prove he was wrongd by him , he shall have reparation out of the Heirs estate .