Page:The Works of the Famous Nicholas Machiavel.djvu/563

Rh bers out of their Clutches, to bring back again into the world the true original Christian faith, with the Apostolical Churches, Pasters, and Ordination, so consistent with mo- ral virtue and integrity, so helpful and conducing to the best and most prudent Poli- cy, 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 inseper- able from Priest craft, and the conjuration or spell of their new invented ordination; by which they cry with the Poet,

"Jam furor humanum nosto de pectore sensum Expulit & totum spirant præcordis Phœbum."

which makes them so Sacred, and Holy, that they have nothing of integrity, or in- deed 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 asssaults 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, nor 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 honouring the true Apostolical Teachers, when they shall be re- stablished amongst us, or from allowing them (even of right, and not of alms or courtesie) 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 command- ed by St. Paul. But this I will prophesie before I conclude, that if Princes shall per- form this business by halves, and leave any root or this Clergy or Priest-craft, as it now is, in the ground; or if that famous reformer, fled some years fince 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 deceiv- ed 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 diffuse 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 Practser 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 Country 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 whode dake 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 cha- rity, he will easily perceive, that it is not my intention to recommend that Govern- ment, or those men there described, 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 puctual in designing these Mon- sters, and drawn them to the life in all their lineaments and colours, I hope mankind will know them the better to avoid them, ray 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 France, England, and others, who have the States and Orders of their Kingdoms with excellent Laws and Constitution to found and maintain their Govern- ment, 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 Coromon-wealths and Cities, or engender'd by the ill blasts that come from Rome, Olivaretto da Fermo,