NICHOLAS
MACHIAVEL'S
LETTER
TO
ZANOBIUS
BUONDELMONTIUS
In
VINDICATION
of
himself
and
his
WRITINGS
.
THE
Discourse
we
had
lately
(
dear
Zenobio
)
in
the
delightful
Gardens
of
our
old
deceased
Friend
Cosimo
Rucellai
,
and
the
pressing
importunity
of
Guilio
Silviati
,
that
I
would
use
some
means
to
wipe
off
the
many
Aspersions
cast
upon
my
Writings
,
gives
you
the
present
trouble
of
reading
this
Letter
,
and
me
the
pleasure
of
writing
it
;
which
last
would
be
infinitely
greater
,
if
I
were
not
at
this
day
too
old
,
and
too
inconsiderable
,
and
by
the
change
of
our
Government
wholly
uncapable
of
performing
,
either
with
my
brain
or
my
hand
,
any
further
service
to
my
Countrey
;
for
it
hath
ever
been
my
opinion
,
that
whosoever
goes
about
to
make
men
publickly
acquainted
with
his
actions
,
or
apologize
to
the
World
for
imputations
laid
upon
him
,
cannot
be
excused
from
vanity
and
impertinence
,
except
his
parts
and
opportunities
be
such
,
as
may
enable
him
to
be
instrumental
for
the
good
of
others
,
and
that
he
cannot
atchieve
that
excellent
end
,
without
justifying
himself
from
having
any
indirect
and
base
ones
,
and
procuring
trust
from
men
,
by
clearing
the
repute
of
his
justice
and
integrity
to
them
.
But
although
this
be
far
from
my
case
;
yet
I
have
yeelded
(
you
see
)
to
the
entreaty
of
Guilio
and
the
rest
of
that
Company
,
not
only
because
I
am
sufficiently
(
both
by
the
restraint
of
our
Press
.
and
the
discretion
of
the
person
I
write
to
)
assured
that
this
Letter
will
never
be
made
publick
;
but
for
that
I
esteem
it
a
Duty
to
clear
that
excellent
Society
,
from
the
Scandal
of
having
so
dangerous
and
pernicious
a
person
to
be
a
member
of
their
conversation
;
for
by
reason
of
my
Age
,
and
since
the
loss
of
our
Liberty
,
and
my
sufferings
under
that
Monster
of
lust
and
cruelty
Alexander
de
Medeci
,
set
over
us
by
the
Divine
vengeance
for
our
sins
,
I
can
be
capable
of
no
other
design
or
enjoyment
,
than
to
delight
and
be
delighted
in
the
company
of
so
many
choise
and
virtuous
persons
,
who
now
assemble
themselves
with
all
security
,
under
the
happy
and
hopeful
Reign
of
our
new
Prince
,
Cosimo
;
and
we
may
say
,
that
though
our
Common-wealth
be
not
restored
,
our
slavery
is
at
an
end
,
and
that
he
coming
in
by
our
own
choice
,
may
prove
(
if
I
have
as
good
skill
in
Prophesying
as
I
have
had
formerlie
)
Ancestor
to
many
renowned
Princes
,
who
will
govern
this
State
in
great
quietness
,
and
with
great
Clemencie
;
so
that
our
Posteritie
is
like
to
enjoy
ease
and
securitie
,
though
not
that
greatness
,
wealth
,
and
glorie
,
by
which
our
City
hath
for
some
years
past
(
even
in
the
most
factious
and
tumultuous
times
of
our
Democracie
)
given
Law
to
Italy
,
and
bridled
the
ambition
of
foreign
Princes
.
But
,
that
I
may
avoid
the
Loquacitie
incident
to
old
men
,
I
will
come
to
the
business
.
If
I
remember
well
,
the
exceptions
that
are
taken
to
these
poor
things
I
have
published
,
are
reducible
to
three
.
-
First
,
That
in
all
my
Writings
,
I
insinuate
my
great
affection
to
the
Democratical
Government
,
even
so
much
as
to
undervalue
that
of
Monarchy
in
respect
of
it
,
which
last
I
do
,
not
obscurely
in
many
passages
,
teach
,
and
as
it
were
,
perswade
the
People
to
throw
off
.
-
Next
,
That
in
some
places
I
vent
very
great
impieties
,
slighting
and
vellifying
the
Church
,
as
Author
of
all
the
misgovernment
in
the
World
,
and
by
such
contempt
make
way
for
Atheism
and
Prophaneness
.
-
And
lastly
,
That
in
my
●ook
of
the
Prince
,
I
teach
Monarchs
all
the
execrable
villananies
that
can
be
invented
,
and
instruct
them
how
to
break
faith
,
and
to
oppress
and
enslave
their
Subjects
.
I
shall
answer
something
to
every
one
of
these
;
and
that
I
may
observe
a
right
method
,
will
begin
with
the
first
.
Having
lived
in
an
Age
when
our
poor
Countrie
and
Government
have
suffered
more
changes
and
revolutions
,
than
ever
did
perhaps
befall
any
people
in
so
short
a
time
,
and
having
had
till
the
taking
of
Florence
,
may
share
in
the
managing
of
affairs
,
during
almost
all
these
alterations
;
sometimes
in
the
qualitie
of
Secretary
of
our
City
,
and
sometimes
employed
in
Embassages
abroad
,
I
set
my self
to
read
the
Historie
of
Ancient
and
Modern
times
,
that
I
might
by
that
means
find
out
whether
there
had
not
been
in
all
Ages
the
like
vicissitudes
and
accidents
in
State
affairs
,
and
to
search
out
the
causes
of
them
,
and
having
in
some
sort
satisfied
my self
therein
,
I
could
not
abstain
from
scribling
something
of
the
two
chief
kinds
of
Government
,
Monarchy
and
Democracy
;
of
which
all
other
formes
are
but
mixtures
,
and
since
neither
my
Parts
nor
Learning
could
arrive
to
follow
the
steps
of
the
Ancients
,
by
writing
according
to
Method
and
Art
,
as
Plato
,
Aristotle
,
and
many
others
have
done
upon
this
subject
;
I
did
content
my self
to
make
slight
observations
upon
both
;
by
giving
a
bare
character
of
a
Prince
,
as
to
the
Monarchical
frame
,
and
as
to
the
Popular
chusing
the
perfectest
and
most
successful
of
all
Governments
of
that
kind
upon
Earth
,
and
in
my
Discourses
upon
it
,
following
the
order
of
my
Author
,
without
ever
taking
upon
me
to
argue
problematicallie
,
much
less
to
dicide
which
of
these
two
Governments
is
the
best
:
if
from
my
way
of
handling
matters
in
my
discourses
upon
Livy
,
and
from
those
incomparable
Virtues
,
and
great
Actions
we
read
of
in
that
History
;
and
from
the
observations
I
make
,
men
will
conclude
(
which
is
,
I
must
confess
my
opinion
)
that
the
excellencie
of
those
Counsels
and
Atchievements
,
and
the
improvement
which
Mankind
,
and
as
I
may
so
say
,
Humane
Nature
it self
obtained
amongst
the
Romans
,
did
proceed
naturally
from
their
Government
;
and
was
but
a
plain
effect
and
consequence
of
the
perfection
of
their
Common-wealth
:
I
say
if
Readers
will
thus
judge
,
how
can
I
in
reason
be
accused
for
that
;
it
would
become
those
who
lay
this
blame
upon
me
to
undeceive
them
whom
my
Papers
have
misled
,
and
to
shew
the
World
to
what
other
causes
we
may
impute
those
admirable
effects
,
those
Heroick
qualities
and
performances
,
that
integrity
and
purity
of
manners
,
that
scorning
of
riches
and
life
it self
,
when
the
publick
was
concerned
:
If
they
please
to
do
this
,
they
will
oblidge
my
Readers
,
who
will
owe
to
such
the
rectifying
their
Judgements
,
and
not
at
all
offend
me
,
who
have
reasoned
this
matter
impartially
and
without
passion
;
nor
have
possitively
affirmed
any
thing
.
But
,
what
if
this
part
of
my
accusation
had
been
true
?
Why
should
I
be
condemned
of
Heresie
,
or
indiscretion
of
preferring
a
Common-wealth
before
a
Monarchy
?
Was
I
not
Born
,
Bred
,
and
imployed
in
a
City
,
which
being
at
the
time
I
write
,
under
that
form
of
Government
,
did
owe
all
wealth
and
greatness
,
and
all
prosperity
to
it
?
If
I
had
not
very
designedly
avoided
all
dogmaticalness
in
my
observations
(
being
not
willing
to
imitate
young
Scholars
in
their
Declamations
)
I
might
easily
have
concluded
from
the
premisses
I
lay
down
,
that
a
Democracy
founded
upon
good
orders
is
the
best
and
most
excellent
Government
,
and
this
without
the
least
fear
of
confutation
;
for
I
firmly
believe
,
that
there
are
none
but
Flatterers
and
Sophisters
would
oppose
me
,
such
as
will
rest
Aristotle
,
and
even
Plato
himself
,
to
make
them
write
for
Monarchy
,
by
misapplying
some
loose
passages
in
those
great
Authors
;
nay
,
will
tell
their
Readers
,
that
what
is
most
like
the
Government
of
the
World
by
GOD
is
the
best
,
which
wholly
depends
upon
his
absolute
Power
;
to
make
this
comparison
,
run
with
four
feet
,
these
Sycophants
must
give
the
poor
Prince
they
intend
to
Diefie
,
a
better
and
superior
Nature
to
Humanity
,
must
Creat
a
necessary
dependance
of
all
Creatures
upon
him
,
must
endue
him
with
infinite
wisdom
and
goodness
,
and
even
with
Omnipotency
it self
.
It
will
be
hard
for
any
man
to
be
misled
in
this
Argument
by
proofs
wrested
from
Theology
,
since
whosoever
reads
attentively
the
Historical
part
of
the
Old
Testament
,
shall
find
that
GOD
himself
never
made
but
one
Government
for
men
,
that
this
Government
was
a
Common-wealth
(
wherein
the
Sanchadrim
or
Senate
,
and
the
Congregation
or
popular
Assembly
had
their
share
)
and
that
he
manifested
his
high
displeasure
when
the
rebellious
people
would
turn
it
into
a
Monarchy
;
but
that
I
may
not
stricke
upon
the
rock
I
profess
to
shun
,
I
shall
pass
to
that
which
is
fit
indeed
to
be
wip'd
off
,
and
which
if
it
were
true
,
would
not
only
justly
expose
me
to
the
hatred
and
vengeance
of
GOD
,
and
all
good
men
,
but
even
destroy
the
design
and
purpose
of
all
my
Writings
,
which
is
to
treat
in
some
sort
(
as
well
as
one
of
my
small
parts
can
hope
to
do
)
of
the
Politicks
.
And
how
can
any
man
pretend
to
write
concerning
Policy
,
who
destroyes
the
most
essential
part
of
it
,
which
is
obedience
to
all
Governments
.
It
will
be
very
easie
then
for
Guilio
Salviati
,
or
any
other
member
of
our
Society
,
to
believe
the
Protestation
I
make
,
that
the
animating
of
private
men
either
directly
or
indirectly
to
disobey
,
much
less
to
shake
off
,
any
government
how
dispotical
soever
,
was
never
in
my
Thoughts
or
Writings
;
those
who
are
unwilling
to
give
credit
to
this
,
may
take
the
pains
to
assign
in
any
of
my
Books
,
the
passages
they
imagine
to
tend
that
way
,
(
for
I
can
think
of
none
my self
)
that
so
I
may
give
such
persons
more
particular
satisfaction
;
I
must
confess
I
have
a
discourse
in
one
of
my
Books
,
to
encourage
the
Italian
Nation
,
to
assume
their
ancient
valour
,
and
to
expel
the
Barbarians
,
meaning
(
as
the
ancient
Romans
used
the
word
)
all
Strangers
from
amongst
us
;
but
that
was
before
the
Kings
of
Spain
had
quiet
possession
of
the
Kingdom
of
Naples
,
or
the
Emperour
of
the
Dutchy
of
Milan
;
so
that
I
could
not
be
interpreted
to
mean
that
the
people
of
those
two
Dominions
should
be
stir'd
up
to
shake
off
their
Princes
,
because
they
were
Forreigners
,
since
at
that
time
Lodovie
Sforza
was
in
possession
of
the
one
,
and
K.
Frederick
restored
to
the
other
,
both
Natives
of
Italy
;
but
my
design
was
to
exhort
our
Countrey-men
not
to
suffer
this
Province
to
be
the
Scene
of
the
Arms
and
ambition
of
Charles
the
8th
.
or
K.
Lewis
his
Successour
who
when
they
had
a
mind
to
renew
the
old
Title
of
the
House
of
Anjou
to
the
Kingdom
of
Naples
,
came
with
such
force
into
Italy
,
that
not
only
our
goods
were
plundered
,
and
our
Lands
wasted
,
but
even
the
liberty
of
our
Cities
and
Governments
endangered
,
but
to
unite
and
oppose
them
,
and
to
keep
this
Province
in
the
hands
of
Princes
of
our
own
Nation
,
this
my
intention
is
so
visible
in
the
Chapter
it self
,
that
I
need
but
refer
you
to
it
.
Yet
that
I
may
not
answer
this
imputation
barely
by
denying
,
I
shall
assert
in
this
place
what
my
principles
are
in
that
which
the
World
calls
Rebellion
,
which
I
believe
to
be
not
only
rising
in
Arms
against
any
government
we
live
under
,
but
to
acknowledge
that
word
to
extend
to
all
clandestine
Conspiracies
too
,
by
which
the
peace
and
quiet
of
any
Countrey
may
be
interrupted
,
and
by
consequence
the
Lives
and
Estates
of
innocent
Persons
endangered
.
Rebellion
then
so
described
,
I
hold
to
be
the
greatest
crime
that
can
be
committed
amongst
men
,
both
against
Policy
,
Morality
,
and
in
foro
Conscientiae
;
but
notwithstanding
all
this
,
it
is
an
offence
which
will
be
commited
whilst
the
World
lasts
,
as
often
as
Princes
tyrannize
,
and
by
enslaving
and
oppressing
their
Subjects
,
make
Magistracy
,
which
was
intended
for
the
benefit
of
Mankind
,
prove
a
Plague
and
Destruction
to
it
;
for
let
the
terrour
and
the
guilt
be
never
so
great
,
it
is
impossible
that
Humane
Nature
,
which
consists
of
Passion
as
well
as
Virtue
can
support
with
patience
and
submission
the
greatest
cruelty
and
injustice
,
when
ever
either
the
weakness
of
their
Princes
,
the
unamity
of
the
People
,
or
any
other
favourable
accident
,
shall
give
them
reasonable
hopes
to
mend
their
condition
,
and
provide
better
for
their
own
interest
by
insurrection
.
So
that
Princes
and
States
ought
in
the
Conduct
of
their
Affairs
,
not
only
to
consider
what
their
people
are
bound
to
submit
to
;
if
they
were
inspired
from
Heaven
,
or
were
all
Moral
Philosophers
;
but
to
weigh
likewise
what
is
probable
de
facto
to
fall
out
,
in
this
corrupt
age
of
the
World
,
and
to
reflect
upon
those
dangerous
Tumults
,
which
have
happened
frequently
not
only
upon
oppression
,
but
even
by
reason
of
Malversation
,
and
how
some
Monarchies
have
been
wholly
subverted
and
changed
into
Democracies
by
the
Tyranny
of
Princes
;
as
we
see
(
to
say
nothing
of
Rome
)
the
powerful
Cantons
of
Swisserland
brought
by
that
means
a
little
before
the
last
age
,
to
a
considerable
Common-wealth
,
courted
and
sought
to
by
all
the
Potentats
in
Christendom
.
If
Princes
will
seriously
consider
this
matter
,
I
make
no
question
but
they
will
Rule
with
Clemency
and
Moderation
,
and
return
to
that
excellent
Maxim
of
the
Ancients
(
almost
exploded
in
this
Age
)
that
the
interest
of
Kings
,
and
of
their
People
is
the
same
,
which
truth
it
hath
been
the
whole
desin
of
my
Writings
to
convince
them
of
.
I
am
charged
then
,
in
the
second
place
,
with
impiety
,
and
villifying
the
Church
,
and
so
to
make
way
for
Atheism
.
I
do
not
deny
but
that
I
have
very
frequently
in
my
Writings
,
laid
the
blame
upon
the
Church
of
Rome
,
not
only
for
all
the
misgovernment
of
Christendom
;
but
even
for
the
depravation
and
almost
total
destruction
of
Christian
Religion
it self
in
this
Province
;
but
that
this
discourse
of
mine
doth
,
or
can
tend
to
teach
men
impiety
;
or
to
make
way
for
Atheism
,
I
preremptorily
deny
:
and
although
for
proof
of
my
innocence
herein
.
,
I
need
but
refer
you
and
all
others
to
my
Papers
themselves
,
as
they
are
now
published
(
where
you
will
find
all
my
reasons
drawn
from
experience
,
and
frequent
examples
cited
,
which
is
ever
my
way
of
arguing
)
yet
since
I
am
put
upon
it
,
I
shall
in
a
few
lines
make
that
matter
possibly
a
little
clearer
;
and
shall
first
make
protestation
,
That
as
I
do
undoubtedly
hope
,
by
the
Merits
of
CHRIST
,
and
by
Faith
in
Him
,
to
attain
Eternal
Salvation
;
so
I
do
firmly
believe
the
Christian
Profession
to
be
the
only
true
Religion
now
in
the
World
:
Next
,
I
am
fully
perswaded
,
that
all
Divine
Verities
,
which
GOD
then
designed
to
teach
the
World
,
are
contained
in
the
Books
of
holy
Scripture
,
as
they
are
now
extant
and
received
amongst
us
.
From
them
I
understand
that
GOD
created
Man
in
purity
and
innocence
,
and
that
the
first
of
that
Species
,
by
their
frailty
,
lost
at
once
their
integrity
and
their
Paradise
,
and
intail'd
sin
and
misery
upon
their
Posterity
;
that
Almighty
GOD
to
repair
this
loss
,
did
out
of
his
infinite
Mercy
,
and
with
unparallel'd
grace
and
goodness
,
send
his
only
begotten
Son
into
the
World
,
to
teach
us
new
truths
,
to
be
a
perfect
example
of
virtue
,
goodness
,
and
obedience
,
to
restore
true
Religion
,
degenerated
amongst
the
Jews
into
Superstition
,
Formality
,
and
Hypocrisie
,
to
die
for
the
Salvation
of
Mankind
;
and
in
fine
,
to
give
to
us
the
holy
Spirit
,
to
regenerate
our
Hearts
,
support
our
Faith
,
and
lead
us
into
all
truth
.
Now
If
it
shall
appear
,
that
as
the
lusts
of
our
first
Parents
did
at
that
time
disappoint
the
good
intention
of
GOD
,
in
making
a
pure
World
,
and
brought
in
by
their
disobedience
the
corruptions
that
are
now
in
it
.
So
that
since
likewise
the
Bishops
of
Rome
,
by
their
insatiable
ambition
and
avarice
,
have
designedly
,
as
much
as
in
them
lies
,
frustrated
the
merciful
purpose
he
had
,
in
the
happy
Restauration
He
intended
the
World
by
his
Son
,
and
in
the
renewing
and
reforming
of
Humane
Nature
,
and
have
wholly
defaced
and
spoil'd
Christian
Religion
,
and
made
it
a
Worldly
and
a
Heathenish
thing
;
and
altogether
uncapable
,
as
it
is
practised
amongst
them
,
either
of
directing
the
wayes
of
its
Professors
to
virtue
and
good
life
,
or
of
saving
their
Souls
hereafter
.
If
,
I
say
,
this
do
appear
I
know
no
reason
why
I
,
for
detecting
thus
much
,
and
for
giving
warning
to
the
World
to
take
heed
of
their
wayes
,
should
be
accused
of
Impiety
or
Atheism
;
or
why
his
Holiness
should
be
so
inraged
against
the
poor
Inhabitants
of
the
Valleys
in
Savoy
,
and
against
the
Albigesi
for
calling
him
Antichrist
:
but
to
find
that
it
is
an
undoubted
truth
,
I
mean
that
the
Popes
have
corrupted
Christian
Religion
,
we
need
but
read
the
New
Testament
(
acknowledged
by
themselves
to
be
of
infallible
truth
)
and
there
we
shall
see
,
that
the
Faith
and
Religion
preached
by
Christ
,
and
setled
afterwards
by
his
Apostles
,
and
cultivated
by
their
Sacred
Epistles
,
is
so
different
a
thing
from
the
Chirstianity
that
is
now
profess'd
and
taught
at
Rome
,
that
we
should
be
convinc'd
,
that
if
those
Holy
Men
should
be
sent
by
GOD
again
into
the
World
,
they
would
take
more
pains
to
confute
this
Gallimufry
,
than
ever
they
did
to
preach
down
the
Tradition
of
the
Pharisees
,
or
the
Fables
and
Idolatry
of
the
Gentiles
;
and
would
in
probability
suffer
a
new
Martyrdom
in
that
City
under
the
Vicar
of
CHRIST
,
for
the
same
Doctrine
which
once
animated
the
Heathen
Tyrants
against
them
.
Nay
,
we
have
something
more
to
say
against
these
Sacrilegious
pretenders
to
GODS
power
;
for
whereas
all
other
false
worships
have
been
set
up
by
some
politick
Legislators
,
for
the
support
and
preservation
of
Government
,
this
false
,
this
spurious
Religion
brought
in
upon
the
ruines
of
Christianity
by
the
Popes
,
hath
deformed
the
face
of
Government
in
Europe
;
destroying
all
the
good
principles
,
and
Morality
left
us
by
the
Heathen
themselves
;
and
introduced
in
stead
thereof
,
Sordid
,
Cowardly
,
and
impolitick
Notions
,
whereby
they
have
subjected
Mankind
,
and
even
great
Princes
and
States
,
to
their
own
Empire
,
and
never
suffered
any
Orders
or
Maxims
to
take
place
where
they
have
power
,
that
might
make
a
Nation
Wise
,
Honest
,
Great
or
Wealthy
:
This
I
have
set
down
so
plainly
in
those
passages
of
my
Book
which
are
complained
of
,
that
I
shall
say
nothing
at
all
for
the
proof
of
it
in
this
place
,
but
refer
you
thither
,
and
come
to
speak
a
little
more
particularly
of
my
first
assertion
;
that
the
Pope
and
his
Clergy
have
destroyed
Christian
Religion
.
Upon
this
subject
I
could
infinitely
wish
,
new
Letters
begin
to
revive
again
,
that
some
Learned
Pen
would
employ
it self
,
and
that
some
person
vers'd
in
the
Chronoligy
of
the
Church
(
as
they
call
it
)
would
deduce
out
of
the
Ecclesiastical
Writers
,
the
time
and
manner
how
these
abuses
crept
in
;
and
by
what
Arts
and
Steps
this
Babel
that
reaches
at
Heaven
,
was
built
by
these
Sons
of
the
Earth
;
but
this
matter
as
unsuitable
to
the
brevity
of
a
Letter
,
and
indeed
more
to
my
small
Parts
and
Learning
,
I
shall
not
pretend
to
,
being
one
who
never
hitherto
studied
or
write
of
Theology
,
further
than
it
did
naturally
concern
he
Politicks
;
therefore
I
shall
only
deal
by
the
New
Testament
as
I
have
done
formerly
by
Titus
Livius
,
that
is
,
make
observations
or
reflections
upon●t
,
and
leave
you
and
Mr.
Guilio
,
and
the
rest
of
our
Society
to
make
the
judgement
,
not
citing
like
Preache's
,
the
Chapter
or
Verse
;
because
the
reading
of
Holy
Scripture
is
little
us'd
,
and
indeed
hardly
permitted
amongst
us
.
To
begin
at
the
top
,
I
would
have
any
reasonable
man
tell
me
,
whence
this
unmeasurable
power
,
long
claim'd
,
and
now
possess'd
by
the
Bishop
of
Rome
,
is
derived
,
first
of
being
CHRISTS
Vi●ar
,
and
by
that
(
as
I
may
so
say
)
pretending
to
a
Monopoly
of
the
Holy
Spirit
(
which
was
〈◊〉
and
given
to
the
whole
Church
,
that
is
,
to
the
Elect
or
Saints
)
as
is
plain
by
a
cl●●se
in
St.
Peters
Serinon
,
made
the
very
same
time
that
the
miraculous
gifts
of
the
Spirit
of
GOD
were
first
given
to
the
Apostles
,
who
sayes
to
the
Jews
and
Gentiles
,
Repent
and
be
Baptized
every
one
of
you
in
the
name
of
Jesus
Christ
for
the
remission
of
sins
,
and
ye
shall
receive
the
gift
of
the
Holy
Ghost
,
for
this
promise
is
to
you
and
your
Children
,
and
to
all
that
are
afar
off
,
even
as
many
as
the
LORD
our
GOD
shall
call
.
Next
,
to
judge
infallibly
of
Divine
Truth
,
and
to
forgive
sins
as
CHRIST
did
.
Then
to
be
the
Head
of
all
Ecclesiastical
Persons
and
Causes
in
the
World
;
to
be
so
far
above
Kings
and
Princes
,
as
to
Judge
,
Depose
,
and
Deprive
them
,
and
to
have
an
absolute
Jurisdiction
over
all
the
affairs
in
Christendom
,
in
Ordine
ad
Spiritualia
;
yet
all
this
the
Canonists
allow
him
,
and
he
makes
no
scruple
to
assume
,
whilst
it
is
plain
that
in
the
whole
New
Testament
there
is
no
description
made
of
such
an
Officer
to
be
at
any
time
in
the
Church
,
except
it
be
in
the
Prophecy
of
the
Apocalyps
,
or
in
one
of
St.
Paul's
Epistles
,
where
he
sayes
,
Who
it
is
that
shall
sit
in
the
Temple
of
GOD
,
shewing
himself
that
he
is
GOD.
CHRIST
tells
us
,
his
Kingdom
is
not
of
this
World
;
And
,
if
any
will
be
the
greatest
amongst
his
Disciples
,
that
he
must
be
servant
to
the
rest
,
which
shews
that
his
Followers
were
to
be
great
in
Sanctity
and
Humility
,
and
not
in
worldly
power
.
The
Apostle
Paul
writting
to
the
Christians
of
those
times
,
almost
in
every
Epistle
commands
them
to
be
obedient
to
the
Higher
Powers
.
or
Magistrates
set
over
them
;
and
St.
Peter
himself
(
from
whom
this
extravagant
Empire
is
pretended
to
be
derived
)
in
his
first
Epistle
,
bids
us
submit
our selves
to
every
ordinance
of
man
for
the
LORDS
sake
,
whether
it
be
to
the
King
,
or
,
&c.
and
this
is
enjoyn'd
although
it
is
plain
,
that
they
who
govern'd
the
World
in
those
days
,
were
both
Heathens
,
Tyrants
,
and
Usurpers
,
and
in
this
submission
there
is
no
exception
or
proviso
for
Ecclesiastical
immunity
The
practice
as
well
as
precepts
of
those
Holy
Men
shews
plainly
that
they
had
no
intention
to
leave
Successors
,
who
should
deprive
Hereditary
Princes
from
their
right
of
Reigning
for
differing
in
Religion
,
who
without
all
doubt
are
by
the
appointment
of
the
Apostle
,
and
by
the
principles
of
Christianity
,
to
be
obeyed
and
submitted
to
(
in
things
wherein
the
fundamental
Laws
of
the
Government
give
them
power
)
though
they
were
Jews
or
Gentiles
.
If
I
should
tell
you
by
what
Texts
in
Scripture
the
Popes
claim
the
powers
before
mentioned
,
it
would
stir
up
your
laughter
,
and
prove
too
light
for
so
serious
a
matter
;
yet
because
possibly
you
have
never
heard
so
much
of
this
subject
before
,
I
shall
instance
in
a
few
:
They
tell
you
therefore
that
the
Jurisdiction
they
pretend
over
the
Church
,
and
the
power
of
pardoning
sins
,
comes
from
CHRIST
to
St.
Peter
,
and
from
him
to
them
.
Thou
art
Peter
,
and
upon
this
Rock
I
will
build
my
Church
,
I
will
give
thee
the
Keys
of
the
Kingdom
of
Heaven
;
whatsoever
thou
shalt
bind
on
Earth
shall
be
bound
in
Heaven
,
and
whatsoever
thou
shalt
loose
on
Earth
,
&c.
From
these
two
Texts
ridiculously
applyed
,
comes
this
great
Tree
which
hath
with
its
branches
over-spread
the
whole
Earth
,
and
kill'd
all
the
good
and
wholsome
Plants
growing
upon
it
;
The
first
Text
will
never
by
any
man
of
sence
be
understood
to
say
more
,
than
that
the
Preaching
,
Suffering
,
and
Ministry
of
Peter
,
was
like
to
be
a
great
foundation
and
Pillar
of
the
Doctrine
of
Christ
;
the
other
Text
(
as
also
another
spoken
by
our
Saviour
,
to
all
his
Apostles
,
whose
sins
ye
remit
they
are
remitted
,
and
whose
sins
ye
retain
they
are
retained
)
are
all
by
the
primitive
Fathers
interpreted
in
this
manner
,
wheresoever
you
shall
effectually
preach
the
Gospel
,
you
shall
carry
with
you
Grace
,
and
Remission
of
sins
to
them
which
shall
follow
your
instructions
;
but
the
people
who
shal
not
have
these
joyful
Tidings
communicated
by
you
to
them
,
shall
remain
in
darkness
,
and
in
their
sins
.
But
if
any
will
contest
,
that
by
some
of
these
last
Texts
,
that
Evangelical
Excommunication
,
which
was
afterwards
brought
into
the
Church
by
the
Apostles
,
was
here
praesignified
by
our
great
Master
,
how
unlike
were
those
censures
to
those
now
thundered
out
(
as
he
calls
it
)
by
the
Pope
?
these
were
for
edification
,
and
not
destruction
,
to
afflict
the
flesh
for
the
salvation
of
the
Soul
;
that
the
Apostolical
Ordinance
was
pronounced
for
some
notorious
Scandal
or
Apostacy
from
the
Faith
,
and
first
decreed
by
the
Church
;
that
is
,
the
whole
Congregation
present
,
and
then
denounced
by
the
Pastor
,
and
reached
only
to
debar
such
persons
from
partaking
of
the
Communion
or
fellowship
of
that
Church
,
till
Repentance
should
re-admit
him
,
but
was
followed
by
no
other
prosecution
or
chastisement
,
as
is
now
practised
.
But
suppose
all
these
Texts
had
been
as
they
would
have
them
,
how
does
this
make
for
the
Successors
of
St.
Peter
or
the
rest
?
Or
how
can
this
prove
the
Bishops
of
Rome
to
have
right
to
such
Succession
?
But
I
make
haste
from
this
subject
,
and
shal
urge
but
one
Text
more
;
which
is
,
the
spiritual
man
judgeth
all
men
,
but
is
himself
judged
of
none
;
from
whence
is
inferred
by
the
Canonists
,
that
first
,
the
Pope
is
the
Spiritual
man
;
and
then
that
he
is
to
be
Judge
of
all
the
World
;
and
last
,
that
he
is
never
to
belyable
to
any
judgment
himself
;
whereas
it
is
obvious
to
the
meanest
understanding
:
St.
Paul
in
this
text
means
to
distinguish
between
a
person
inspired
with
the
Spirit
of
God
,
and
one
remaining
in
the
state
of
Nature
,
which
latter
he
sayes
cannot
judge
of
those
Heavenly
gifts
and
graces
,
as
he
explains
himself
when
he
sayes
,
The
Natural
man
cannot
discern
the
things
of
the
Spirit
,
because
they
are
foolishness
unto
him
.
To
take
my
leave
of
this
matter
wholly
out
of
the
way
of
my
Studies
,
I
shall
beg
of
you
Zenobio
and
of
Guilio
,
and
the
rest
of
our
Society
to
read
over
carefully
the
New
Testament
,
and
then
to
see
what
ground
there
is
for
Purgatory
(
by
which
all
the
wealth
and
greatness
hath
accrew'd
to
these
men
)
what
colour
for
the
Idolatrous
worship
of
Saints
,
and
their
Images
,
and
particularly
for
speaking
in
their
hymes
and
prayers
to
a
peice
of
wood
(
the
Cross
Imean
)
Salve
Lignum
,
&c.
and
then
fac
nos
dignos
beneficiorum
Christi
,
as
you
may
read
in
that
Office
,
what
colour
,
or
rather
what
excuse
for
that
horrid
unchristian
,
and
barbarous
Engine
called
the
inquisition
,
brought
in
by
the
command
and
authority
of
the
Pope
,
the
inventor
of
which
,
Peter
a
Dominican
Fryer
having
been
slain
amongst
the
Albigesi
,
as
he
well
deserved
,
is
now
Cannoniz'd
for
a
Saint
,
and
stil'd
,
San
Pietro
Martine
:
In
the
dreadfull
Prisons
of
this
Inquisition
,
many
faithfull
and
pious
Christians
(
to
say
nothing
of
honest
Moral
Moors
or
Mahometans
)
are
tormented
and
famish'd
,
or
,
if
they
out-live
their
sufferings
burnt
quickly
to
death
,
and
that
only
for
differing
in
Religion
from
the
Pope
,
without
having
any
crime
,
or
the
least
misdemeanor
proved
or
alledged
against
them
,
and
this
is
inflicted
upon
these
poor
Creatures
,
by
those
who
profess
to
believe
the
Scripture
,
which
tells
us
,
that
faith
is
the
gift
of
God
,
without
whose
speciall
illumination
no
man
can
obtain
it
;
and
therefore
is
not
in
reason
or
humanity
to
be
punished
for
wanting
it
:
And
Christ
himself
hath
so
clearly
decided
that
point
in
bidding
us
let
the
tares
and
the
wheat
grow
together
till
the
Harvest
,
that
I
shall
never
make
any
difficulty
to
call
him
Antichrist
,
who
shall
use
the
least
persecution
whatsoever
agianst
any
differing
in
matters
of
faith
from
himself
,
whether
the
person
so
dissenting
,
be
Heretick
,
Jew
,
Gentile
,
or
Mahometan
:
Next
,
I
beseech
you
to
observe
in
reading
that
Holy
Book
(
though
Christian
fasts
are
doubtless
of
Divine
right
)
what
ground
there
is
for
enjoying
fish
to
be
eaten
(
at
least
flesh
to
be
abstained
from
)
for
one
third
part
of
the
year
,
by
which
they
put
the
poor
to
great
hardship
,
who
not
having
purses
to
buy
wholsom
fish
,
are
subjected
to
all
the
miseries
and
diseases
incident
to
a
bad
and
unhealthful
dyet
,
whilst
the
rich
,
and
chiefly
themselves
and
their
Cardinals
,
exceed
Lucullus
in
their
Luxury
,
of
Oysters
,
Turbats
,
tender
Crabs
,
and
Carpioni
brought
some
hundreds
of
miles
to
feed
their
gluttony
,
upon
these
penetential
days
of
abstinence
from
Beeff
and
Pork
.
It
may
be
it
will
lye
in
the
way
of
those
who
observe
this
,
to
enquire
what
St.
Paul
means
when
he
says
,
That
in
the
latter
days
some
shall
depart
from
the
faith
,
forbidding
to
marry
,
and
commanding
to
abstain
from
meats
which
God
hath
created
to
be
received
with
thanksgiving
;
but
all
these
things
,
and
many
other
abuses
brought
in
by
these
Perverters
of
Christianity
,
will
I
hope
e're
long
be
enquired
into
by
some
of
the
Disciples
of
that
bold
Fryer
,
who
the
very
same
year
in
which
I
profecied
that
the
scourge
of
the
Church
was
not
far
off
,
began
to
thunder
against
their
Indulgencies
,
and
since
hath
questioned
many
tenets
long
received
and
imposed
upon
the
world
.
I
shal
conclude
this
discourse
after
I
have
said
a
word
of
the
most
Hellish
of
all
the
innovations
brought
in
by
the
Popes
,
which
is
the
Clergy
;
these
are
a
sort
of
men
under
pretence
of
ministring
to
the
people
in
holy
things
,
set
a
part
and
separated
from
the
rest
of
mankind
(
from
whom
they
have
a
very
distinct
,
and
a
very
opposite
interest
)
by
a
humane
Ceremony
called
by
a
divine
name
,
viz.
Ordination
,
these
wherever
they
are
found
(
with
the
whole
body
of
the
Monks
and
Fryers
,
who
are
called
the
regular
Clargy
)
make
a
Band
which
may
be
called
the
Janizaries
of
the
Papacy
;
these
have
been
the
causers
of
all
the
Soloecisms
and
immortalities
in
Government
,
and
of
all
the
impieties
and
abominations
in
Religion
,
and
by
consequence
of
all
the
disorder
,
villany
,
and
corruption
we
suffer
under
in
this
detestable
Age
;
these
men
by
the
Bishop
of
Rome's
help
,
have
crept
into
all
the
Governments
in
Christendom
,
where
there
is
any
mixture
of
Monarchy
,
and
made
themselves
a
third
estate
;
that
is
,
have
,
by
their
temporalities
(
which
are
almost
a
third
part
of
all
the
Lands
in
Europe
given
them
by
the
blind
zeal
,
or
rather
folly
of
the
Northern
people
,
who
over-ran
this
part
of
the
world
)
stept
into
the
throne
,
and
what
they
cannot
perform
by
these
secular
helps
,
and
by
the
dependancy
their
vassals
have
upon
them
,
they
fail
not
to
claim
and
to
usurp
,
by
the
power
they
pretend
to
have
from
God
and
his
Vicegerent
at
Rome
.
They
exempt
themselves
,
their
Lands
and
Goods
,
from
all
secular
jurisdiction
;
that
is
,
from
all
Courts
of
Justice
and
Magistracy
,
and
will
be
Judges
in
their
own
Causes
,
as
in
matters
of
tithe
,
&c.
and
not
content
with
this
,
will
appoint
Courts
of
their
own
to
decide
Soveraignly
in
testamentary
matters
,
and
many
other
causes
;
and
take
upon
them
to
be
sole
Punishers
of
many
great
Crimes
,
as
Witchcraft
,
Sorcery
,
Adultery
,
and
all
uncleanness
;
to
say
nothing
of
the
fore-mentioned
judicatory
of
the
Inquisition
:
in
these
last
cases
they
turn
the
offenders
over
to
be
punish'd
(
when
they
have
given
Sentence
)
by
the
secular
arm
,
so
they
call
the
Magistrate
,
who
is
blindly
to
execute
their
decrees
under
pain
of
Hell-fire
;
as
if
Christian
Princes
and
Governours
were
appointed
only
by
God
to
be
their
Bravo's
or
Hangmen
.
They
give
Protection
and
Sanctuary
,
to
all
execrable
offenders
,
even
to
Murderers
themselves
,
(
whom
God
commanded
to
be
indispensably
punish'd
with
death
)
if
they
come
within
their
Churches
,
Cloysters
,
or
any
other
place
,
which
they
will
please
to
call
holy
ground
;
and
if
the
ordinary
justice
,
nay
,
the
Soveraign
power
,
do
proceed
against
such
offenders
,
they
thunder
out
their
Excommunication
;
that
is
,
cut
off
from
the
body
of
Christ
,
not
the
Prince
only
,
but
the
whole
Nation
and
People
,
shutting
the
Church
doors
,
and
commanding
divine
offices
to
cease
,
and
sometimes
even
authorizing
the
people
to
rise
up
in
Arms
,
and
constrain
their
Governours
to
a
submission
,
as
happened
to
this
poor
City
in
the
time
of
our
Ancestors
,
when
for
but
forbidding
the
servant
of
a
poor
Carmelite
Fryer
(
who
had
vowed
poverty
,
and
should
have
kept
none
)
to
go
arm'd
,
and
punishing
his
disobedience
with
imprisonment
,
our
whole
Senate
with
their
Gonfalonier
were
constrained
to
go
to
Avignon
for
absolution
,
and
in
case
of
refusal
,
had
been
massacred
by
the
people
.
It
would
almost
astonish
a
wise
man
to
imagine
how
these
folks
should
acquire
an
Empire
so
distructive
to
Christian
religion
,
and
so
pernicious
to
the
interests
of
men
,
but
it
will
not
seem
so
miraculous
to
them
who
shall
seriously
consider
,
that
the
Clergy
hath
been
more
than
these
thousand
years
upon
the
catch
,
and
a
form'd
united
corporation
against
the
purity
of
Religion
,
and
the
interest
of
mankind
,
and
have
not
only
wrested
the
Holy
Scripture
to
their
own
advantage
(
which
they
have
kept
from
the
Laity
in
unknown
languages
,
and
by
prohibiting
the
reading
thereof
)
but
made
use
likewise
first
of
the
blind
devotion
and
ignorance
of
the
Goths
,
Vandls
,
Huns
,
&c.
and
since
of
the
ambition
and
avarice
of
Christian
Princes
,
stirring
them
up
one
against
another
,
and
sending
them
upon
foolish
errands
to
the
Holy
Land
,
to
lose
their
Lives
,
and
to
leave
their
Dominions
,
in
the
mean
time
,
exposed
to
themselves
and
their
Complices
.
They
have
besides
kept
Learning
and
Knowledge
among
themselves
,
stiffling
the
light
of
the
Gospel
,
crying
down
Moral
vertues
as
splendid
sins
,
defacing
humane
policy
,
destroying
the
purity
of
the
Christian
faith
and
profession
,
and
all
that
was
vertuous
,
prudent
,
regular
and
orderly
upon
earth
;
so
that
whoever
would
do
good
,
and
good
men
service
,
get
himself
immortal
honour
in
this
life
,
and
eternal
glory
in
the
next
,
would
restore
the
good
police
(
I
had
almost
said
with
my
Author
Livy
the
sanctuary
too
)
of
the
Heathens
,
with
all
their
valour
,
and
other
glorious
endowments
;
I
say
,
whoever
would
do
this
,
must
make
himself
powerfull
enough
to
extirpate
this
cursed
and
apostate
race
out
of
the
world
,
and
that
you
may
see
this
is
lawfull
as
well
as
necessary
,
I
shall
say
but
one
word
of
their
calling
and
original
,
and
then
leave
this
subject
.
The
word
Clergy
is
a
term
,
wholly
unknown
to
the
Scriptures
,
otherwise
than
in
this
sence
;
a
peculiar
People
or
Gods
lot
,
used
often
for
the
whole
Jewish
Nation
,
who
are
likewise
called
a
Kingdom
of
Priests
in
some
places
.
In
the
New
Testament
the
word
Cleros
is
taken
for
the
true
Believers
,
who
are
also
called
the
Elect
,
and
often
the
Church
,
which
is
the
Assembly
of
the
faithful
met
together
,
as
is
easily
seen
by
reading
the
beginning
of
St.
Paul's
Epistles
,
where
writting
to
the
Church
of
Churches
,
he
usually
explains
himself
,
To
all
the
Saints
in
Christ
;
sometimes
,
To
all
who
have
obtained
like
faith
with
us
;
sometimes
,
To
all
who
in
all
places
call
upon
the
Name
of
the
Lord
Jesus
,
&c.
by
which
it
appears
,
that
neither
the
word
Church
nor
Clergy
was
in
those
dayes
ever
appropriated
to
the
Pastors
or
Elders
of
the
flock
;
but
did
signifie
indifferently
all
the
people
assembled
together
;
which
is
likewise
the
literal
construction
of
the
word
Ecclesia
,
which
is
an
assembly
or
meeting
;
in
these
Congregations
of
Churches
was
performed
their
Ordination
,
which
properly
signifies
no
more
than
a
decree
of
such
Assembly
;
but
is
particularly
used
for
an
Election
of
any
into
the
Ministry
.
The
manner
was
this
,
sometimes
the
Apostles
themselves
in
their
Perigrinations
,
and
sometimes
any
other
eminent
Member
of
the
Church
,
did
propose
to
the
Society
(
upon
vacancy
,
or
other
necessity
of
a
Pastor
,
Elder
,
or
Deacon
)
some
good
Holy
man
to
be
Elected
,
which
person
if
he
had
parts
or
gifts
,
such
as
the
Church
could
edifie
by
,
was
chosen
by
the
lifting
up
of
hands
,
that
is
by
suffrage
,
and
oftentimes
hands
were
laid
upon
him
,
and
Prayer
made
for
him
.
These
men
so
set
apart
did
not
pretend
to
any
consecration
,
or
sacredness
more
than
they
had
before
,
much
less
to
become
a
distinct
thing
from
the
rest
of
mankind
,
as
if
they
had
been
metemorphos'd
,
but
did
attend
to
perform
the
several
functions
of
their
calling
,
as
prophecying
;
that
is
,
Preaching
the
Gospel
,
visiting
the
sick
,
&c.
and
never
intermitted
the
ordinary
business
of
their
Trade
or
Profession
,
unless
their
Church
or
Congregation
was
very
numerous
,
in
which
case
they
were
maintained
by
alms
or
contribution
,
which
was
laid
aside
by
every
member
,
and
collected
the
first
day
of
the
week
by
the
Deacons
,
this
was
said
to
be
given
the
Church
,
and
was
imployed
by
suffrage
of
the
whole
Collective
Body
to
the
poor
,
and
to
other
incidencies
,
so
far
was
it
from
Sacriledge
in
those
days
to
employ
Church
goods
to
Layuses
.
From
these
words
,
Church
,
Clergy
,
Ordination
,
Pastor
,
(
which
last
hath
been
translated
of
late
years
Bishop
)
you
see
what
conclusions
these
men
have
deduced
,
and
how
immense
a
structure
they
have
raised
,
upon
so
little
a
foundation
,
and
how
easily
it
will
fall
to
the
ground
,
when
GOD
shall
inspire
Christian
Princes
and
States
to
redeem
his
truths
,
and
his
poor
enslaved
Members
out
of
their
clutches
,
to
bring
back
again
into
the
World
,
the
true
Original
Christian
Faith
,
with
the
Apostolical
Churches
,
Pastors
,
and
Ordination
,
so
consistent
with
Moral
virtue
and
integrity
,
so
helpful
and
conducing
to
the
best
and
most
prudent
Policy
,
so
fitted
for
Obedience
to
Magistracy
and
Government
,
all
which
the
World
hath
for
many
years
been
deprived
of
,
by
the
execrable
and
innate
ill
quality
,
which
is
inseparable
from
Priest-craft
,
and
the
conjuration
or
spell
of
their
new
invented
Ordination
;
by
which
they
cry
with
the
Poet
,
Jam
furor
humanum
nostro
de
pectore
sensum
Expulit
&
totum
spirant
praecordia
Phoebum
.
which
makes
them
so
Sacred
,
and
Holy
,
that
they
have
nothing
of
integrity
,
or
indeed
of
Humanity
left
in
them
.
I
hope
I
shall
not
be
thought
impious
any
longer
,
upon
this
point
,
I
mean
for
vindicating
Christian
Religion
from
the
assaults
of
these
men
,
who
having
the
confidence
to
believe
,
or
at
least
profess
themselves
the
only
instruments
which
GOD
hath
chosen
or
can
choose
to
teach
and
reform
the
World
(
though
they
have
neither
Moral
virtues
,
or
Natural
parts
equal
to
other
men
for
the
most
part
)
have
by
this
pretence
prevail'd
so
far
upon
the
common
sort
of
people
,
and
upon
some
too
of
a
better
quality
,
that
they
are
perswaded
their
Salvation
or
Eternal
Damnation
depends
upon
believing
or
not
believing
of
what
they
say
.
I
would
not
be
understood
,
to
disswade
any
from
honoring
the
true
Apostolical
Teachers
,
when
they
shall
be
re-established
amongst
us
,
or
from
allowing
them
(
even
of
right
,
and
not
of
alms
or
curtesie
)
such
Emoluments
as
may
enable
them
cheerfully
to
perform
the
duties
of
their
charge
,
to
provide
for
their
Children
,
and
even
to
use
Hospitality
as
they
are
commanded
by
Saint
Paul
.
But
this
I
will
prophesie
before
I
conclude
,
that
if
Princes
shall
perform
this
business
by
halves
,
and
leave
any
root
of
this
Clergy
or
Priest-craft
,
as
it
now
is
,
in
the
ground
;
or
if
that
famous
Reformer
,
fled
some
years
since
out
of
Picardy
to
Geneva
,
who
is
of
so
great
renown
for
learning
and
parts
,
and
who
promises
us
so
perfect
a
reformation
,
shall
not
in
his
model
wholly
extirpate
this
sort
of
men
,
then
I
say
I
must
foretel
,
that
as
well
the
Magistrate
as
this
Workman
,
will
find
themselves
deceived
in
their
expectation
,
and
that
the
least
fibra
of
this
plant
will
over-run
again
the
whole
Vineyard
of
the
Lord
,
and
turn
to
a
diffusive
Papacy
in
every
Diocess
,
perhaps
in
every
Parish
:
So
that
God
in
his
mercy
inspire
them
to
cut
out
the
core
of
the
Ulcer
,
and
the
bag
of
this
imposture
,
that
it
may
never
rankle
or
fester
any
more
,
nor
break
out
hereafter
,
to
diffusive
new
corruption
and
putrifaction
through
the
body
of
Christ
,
which
is
his
Holy
Church
,
nor
to
vitiate
and
infect
the
good
order
and
true
policy
of
Government
.
I
come
now
to
the
last
branch
of
my
charge
,
which
is
,
That
I
teach
Princes
villany
,
and
how
to
enslave
and
oppress
their
Subjects
,
In
which
accusation
I
am
dealt
with
as
poor
Agnollo
Canini
was
,
who
,
as
they
report
,
being
a
very
learned
Practiser
of
the
Laws
,
and
left
the
only
man
of
this
profession
(
one
Autumn
)
in
our
City
,
the
rest
of
the
Advocates
being
fled
into
the
countrey
for
fear
of
a
contagious
Disease
which
then
reigned
,
was
commanded
by
our
Judges
to
assist
with
his
counsel
both
parties
,
and
to
draw
Pleas
as
well
for
the
Defendant
as
the
Plantiff
,
else
the
Courts
of
Justice
must
have
been
shut
up
.
In
the
same
manner
my
accusers
handle
me
,
and
make
me
first
exhort
and
teach
Subjects
to
throw
off
their
Princes
,
and
then
to
instruct
Monarchs
how
to
enslave
and
oppress
them
;
but
I
did
not
expect
such
ingratitude
from
mine
own
Citizens
,
or
to
be
served
as
Moses
was
,
when
he
was
upbraided
for
killing
the
Egyptian
,
by
one
of
his
own
people
for
whose
sake
he
had
done
it
,
whereas
he
believed
they
would
have
understood
by
that
action
,
that
he
was
the
person
whom
God
intended
to
make
use
of
in
delivering
them
from
the
horrid
slavery
they
were
then
under
.
If
any
man
will
read
over
my
Book
of
the
Prince
with
impartiality
and
ordinary
charity
,
he
will
easily
perceive
,
that
it
is
not
my
intention
therein
to
recommend
that
Government
,
or
those
men
there
discribed
,
to
the
world
;
much
less
to
teach
them
to
trample
upon
good
men
,
and
all
that
is
Sacred
and
Venerable
upon
earth
,
Laws
,
Religion
,
Honesty
,
and
what
not
;
if
I
have
been
a
little
too
punctual
in
designing
these
Monsters
,
and
drawn
them
to
the
life
in
all
their
lineaments
and
colours
,
I
hope
mankind
will
know
them
the
better
to
avoid
them
,
my
Treatise
being
both
a
Satyr
against
them
,
and
a
true
Character
of
them
:
I
speak
nothing
of
great
and
honourable
Princes
,
as
the
Kings
of
England
,
France
,
and
others
;
who
have
the
States
and
Orders
of
their
Kingdoms
with
excellent
Laws
,
and
Constitution
,
to
found
and
maintain
their
Government
;
and
who
reign
over
the
hearts
as
well
as
the
persons
of
their
subjects
;
I
treat
only
of
those
vermin
bred
out
of
the
corruption
of
our
own
small
Common-wealths
and
Cities
,
or
engender'd
by
the
ill
blasts
that
come
from
Rome
,
Olivaretto
da
Fermo
,
Borgia
,
the
Baglioni
,
the
Bentivoglii
,
and
a
hundred
others
;
who
having
had
neither
right
nor
honorable
means
to
bring
them
to
their
power
,
use
it
with
more
violence
,
rapine
,
and
cruelty
upon
the
poor
people
,
than
those
other
renowned
Princes
shew
to
the
Boars
,
the
Wolves
,
the
Foxes
,
and
other
savage
beasts
which
are
the
objects
of
their
chase
and
hunting
:
whosoever
in
his
Empire
over
men
is
ty'd
to
no
other
rules
than
those
of
his
own
will
and
lust
,
must
either
be
a
Saint
to
moderate
his
passions
,
or
else
a
very
Devil
incarnate
;
or
if
he
be
neither
of
these
,
both
his
life
and
reign
are
like
to
be
very
short
;
for
whosoever
takes
upon
him
so
execrable
an
employment
as
to
rule
men
against
the
Laws
of
nature
and
of
reason
,
must
turn
all
topsie turvy
,
and
never
stick
at
any
thing
,
for
if
once
he
halt
,
he
will
fall
and
never
rise
again
:
I
hope
after
this
I
need
say
little
to
justifie
my self
from
the
calumny
of
advising
these
Monsters
to
break
their
faith
,
since
to
keep
it
is
to
lose
their
Empire
,
faithfulness
and
sincerity
being
their
mortal
enemies
,
an
Vgucceone
della
Faggivola
to
one
who
upbraided
him
,
that
he
never
employed
honest
men
;
answered
,
Honest
men
will
cut
my
throat
,
let
the
King
use
honest
men
,
meaning
the
King
of
Naples
,
who
was
established
in
his
Throne
,
and
had
right
to
it
.
But
that
I
may
have
occasion
to
justifie
my self
against
a
little
more
then
I
am
accused
of
,
I
will
confess
,
that
in
a
work
where
AI
desired
to
be
a
little
more
serious
,
than
I
was
in
this
Book
of
the
Prince
,
I
did
affirm
,
that
in
what
way
soever
men
defended
their
Country
,
whether
by
breaking
or
keeping
their
faith
,
it
was
ever
well
defended
,
not
meaning
in
a
strick
moral
sence
,
or
point
of
honour
,
but
explaining
my self
that
de
facto
the
infamy
of
the
breach
of
word
,
would
quickly
be
forgotten
and
pardoned
by
the
world
,
which
is
very
true
.
Nay
,
what
if
I
had
said
that
good
success
in
any
interprize
A
(
a
far
less
consideration
than
piety
to
our
Country
)
would
have
cancell'd
the
bleame
of
such
perfidy
as
Caesar
(
whom
I
compare
to
Cataline
)
us'd
towards
his
fellow-Citizen
,
not
only
nor
detested
by
posterity
,
but
even
crown'd
with
renown
and
immortal
fame
;
insomuch
as
Princes
to
this
day
(
as
I
have
observed
elsewhere
)
think
it
an
honour
to
be
compared
to
him
,
and
the
highest
pitch
of
veneration
their
flatterers
can
arrive
at
,
is
to
call
them
by
the
names
of
one
who
violated
his
faith
,
and
enslav'd
his
Country
.
I
hope
that
in
shewing
as
well
these
Tyrants
as
the
poor
people
who
are
forced
to
live
under
them
,
their
danger
,
that
is
by
laying
before
the
former
,
the
hellish
and
precipitous
courses
they
must
use
to
mantain
their
power
,
by
representing
to
the
latter
;
what
they
must
suffer
,
I
may
be
instrumental
,
first
,
to
deter
private
Citizens
from
attempting
upon
the
liberties
of
their
Country
,
or
if
they
have
done
it
,
to
make
them
lay
down
their
ill
gotten
authority
;
and
then
to
warn
the
rest
of
the
Nobility
and
people
,
from
these
factions
and
malignancies
in
their
several
common-wealths
and
Governments
,
which
might
give
hope
and
opportunity
to
those
who
are
ambitious
amongst
them
,
to
aspire
to
an
Empire
over
them
.
However
it
prove
,
I
hope
I
am
no
more
to
be
blamed
for
my
attempt
,
then
that
excellent
Physician
of
our
Nation
is
,
who
hath
lately
taken
so
much
pains
to
compose
an
excellent
Treatise
,
of
that
foul
Disease
which
was
,
not
long
since
,
brought
from
the
new
world
into
these
parts
;
wherein
though
he
be
forced
to
use
such
expressions
as
are
almost
able
to
nauseate
his
Readers
,
and
talk
of
such
Ulcers
,
Boyles
,
Nodes
,
Botches
,
Cankers
,
&c.
that
are
scarce
fit
to
be
repeated
,
especially
when
he
handles
the
causes
of
those
effects
,
yet
he
did
not
intend
to
teach
or
exhort
men
to
get
this
Disease
;
much
less
did
he
bring
this
lamentable
infirmity
into
the
world
,
but
discribes
it
faithfully
as
it
is
,
to
the
end
men
may
be
bettered
,
and
avoid
the
being
infected
with
it
,
and
may
discern
and
oure
it
,
whenever
their
incontinence
and
folly
shall
procure
it
them
.
I
shall
say
no
more
in
this
matter
;
but
to
conclude
all
make
a
protestation
,
that
as
well
in
this
Book
,
as
in
all
my
other
Writing
,
my
only
scope
and
design
is
to
promote
the
interest
and
welfare
of
mankind
,
and
the
peace
and
quiet
of
the
world
,
both
which
I
am
so
vain
as
to
believe
,
would
be
better
obtained
and
provided
for
,
if
the
principles
I
lay
down
were
followed
and
observed
by
Princes
and
people
,
that
they
are
like
to
be
by
those
Maxims
which
are
in
this
Age
most
inavogue
.
For
my self
I
shall
only
say
(
and
call
you
all
to
witness
for
the
truth
of
it
)
that
as
by
my
Birth
I
am
a
Gentleman
,
Piero
de
Medici
,
and
the
horrid
Parricide
committed
by
Clement
the
7th
.
upon
his
indulgent
Mother
,
joyning
with
his
greatest
enemies
,
and
uniting
himself
with
those
who
had
used
the
most
transcendent
insolence
to
his
own
person
,
and
the
highest
violence
and
fury
the
Sun
ever
saw
to
his
poor
Courtiers
and
Subjects
,
and
so
accompained
he
might
sheath
his
Sword
in
the
bowels
o●
his
own
desolate
Country
.
At
that
time
,
that
during
that
whole
Seige
,
I
must
confess
I
did
break
the
confines
of
my
Naturality
,
and
not
only
acted
as
I
was
commanded
barely
but
rouz'd
my self
,
and
stir'd
up
others
haraunging
(
in
the
Streets
and
places
of
the
City
the
People
to
defend
with
the
last
drop
of
their
blood
,
the
Walls
of
their
Country
,
and
the
Liberty
of
their
Government
;
taking
very
hazardous
Journeys
to
Ferruccio
,
and
then
into
the
Mugello
and
other
parts
,
to
bring
in
Succours
and
Provisions
to
our
languishin●
City
,
and
acting
as
a
Souldier
(
which
was
a
new
profession
to
me
)
at
the
age
of
above
sixty
,
when
others
are
despensed
from
it
.
For
all
which
,
I
had
so
entire
a
satisfaction
in
my
mind
and
conscience
,
that
I
am
perswaded
this
cordial
made
me
able
to
support
the
sufferings
which
befell
me
after
our
Catastrophe
,
and
to
rejoice
in
them
so
far
,
that
all
the
malice
and
cruelties
of
our
enemies
,
could
never
draw
one
word
from
me
unsutable
to
the
honour
I
thought
I
merited
,
and
did
in
some
sort
enjoy
,
for
being
instrumental
to
defend
(
as
long
as
it
was
possible
)
our
Altars
and
our
Hearths
.
But
all
that
I
have
undergone
hath
been
abundantly
recompenced
to
me
by
the
favour
and
courtesie
of
the
most
excelle●
Signior
Cosimo
,
who
hath
been
pleased
to
offer
me
all
the
preferments
the
greatest
ambition
could
aspire
too
,
which
I
did
not
refuse
out
of
any
scruple
to
serve
so
incomparable
a
Prince
,
whose
early
years
manifest
so
much
Courage
,
Humanity
,
and
Prudence
,
and
so
Fatherly
a
care
of
the
publick
good
,
but
because
I
was
very
desirous
not
to
accept
of
a
charge
which
I
was
notable
to
perform
,
my
years
and
my
infirmities
having
now
brought
me
to
a
condition
in
which
I
am
fitter
to
live
in
a
Cloyster
than
a
Palace
,
and
made
me
good
for
nothing
but
to
talk
of
past
times
,
the
common
vice
of
old
Age
:
So
that
I
did
not
think
it
just
or
gratefull
to
reward
this
excellent
person
so
ill
for
his
kindness
,
as
to
give
him
a
useless
Servant
,
and
to
fill
up
the
place
of
a
far
better
.
This
is
all
I
think
fit
to
say
of
this
matter
,
I
chuse
to
address
it
to
you
Zenobio
,
for
the
constant
friendship
I
have
ever
entertained
with
you
,
and
formerly
with
your
deceased
Father
,
the
companion
of
my
Studies
,
and
ornament
of
our
City
.
And
so
I
bid
you
farewell
.
The
first
of
April
,
1537.