A treatise of civil policy

But observe I pray you, 1. That M. Symmons, and this poor Prelate, ¹do so extol Monarchy, that there is not a government save Monarchy only, all other governments are deviations; and therefore M. Symmons saith, pag. 8. If I should affect another government then Monarchy, I should neither fear God, nor the King, but associate my self with the seditious: and so the question of Monarchy is, 1. Which is the choicest government in it self; or, which is the choicest government in policy, and in the condition of man fallen in the state of sin. 2. Which is the best government, that is, the most profitable, or the² most pleasant, or the most honest? For we know that there be these three kinds of good things; things useful and profitable, bona, utilia; things pleasant, jucunda; things honest, honesta; and the question may be of every one of the three. 3. The question may be, which of these governments be most agreeable to nature? that is, either to nature in it self, as it agreeth. communiter, to all natures of elements, birds, beasts, Angels, Men, to lead them, as a governor doth, to their last end, or which government is most agreeable to men, to sinful men, to sinful men of this, or this Nation; for some Nations are more ambitious, some more factious; some are better ruled by one, some better ruled by many, some by most and by the people. 4. The question may be in regard of the facility or difficulty of loving, fearing, obeying and serving; and so it may be thought easier to love, fear and obey one Monarch then many Rulers, in respect that our Lord saith, it is difficult to serve two Masters, and possibly more difficult to serve twenty or an hundred. 5. The question may be in regard of the power of commanding, or ⟨p. 385⟩of the justice and equity of commanding; hence from this last I shall set down the first Thesis.

But observe I pray you, 1. That M. Symmons, and this poore Prelate, ¹do so extoll Monarchy, that there is not a government save Monarchy onely, all other governments are deviations; and therefore M. Symmons saith, pag. 8. If I should affect another government then Monarchy, I should neither feare God, nor the King, but associate my selfe with the seditious: and so the question of Monarchy is, 1. Which is the choisest government in it selfe; or, which is the choisest government in policie, and in the condition of man falne in the state of sinne. 2. Which is the best government, that is, the most profitable, or the