Page:Bacons Essays 1908 West.djvu/85

Rh must be a Prudent King, such as is able to Grinde with a Hand-Mill; And those Inward Counsellors had need also be Wise Men, and especially true and trusty to the King's Ends; As it was with King Henry the Seventh of England, who in his greatest Businesse imparted himself to none, except it were to Morton and Fox.

For Weakening of Authority; The Fable sheweth the Remedy. Nay, the Maiesty of Kings is rather exalted then diminished, when they are in the Chaire of Counsell: Neither was there ever Prince bereaved of his Dependances by his Counsell, Except where there hath beene either an Overgreatnesse in one Counsellour, Or an Overstrict Combination in Divers; which are Things soone found and holpen.

For the last Inconvenience, that Men will Counsell with an Eye to themselves; Certainly, Non inveniet Fidem super terram is meant of the Nature of Times, and not of all particular Persons. There be that are in Nature Faithfull and Sincere, and Plaine and Direct, Not Crafty and Involved: Let Princes, above all, draw to themselves such Natures. Besides, Counsellors are not Commonly so united, but that one Counsellour keepeth Centinell over Another; So that if any do Counsell out of Faction, or private Ends, it commonly comes to the King's Eare. But the best Remedy is, if Princes know their Counsellours as well as their Counsellours know Them:

And on the other side, Counsellours should not be too Speculative into their Soveraigne's Person. The true Composition of a Counsellour is rather to be skilfull in their Master's Businesse then in his Nature; For then he