then it must be a prudent king, such as is able to grind 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 business imparted himself to none, except it were to Morton[1] and Fox.[2]
For weakening of authority; the fable[3] showeth the remedy. Nay, the majesty of kings is rather exalted than diminished when they are in the chair of counsel; neither was there ever prince bereaved of his dependences by his counsel; except where there hath been either an over-greatness in one counsellor or an over-strict combination in divers;[4] which are things soon found and holpen.
For the last inconvenience, that men will counsel with an eye to themselves; certainly, non inveniet fidem super terram[5] is meant of the nature of times, and not of all particular persons. There be that are in nature faithful, and sincere, and plain, 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 counsellor keepeth sentinel over another; so that if any do counsel out of faction or private ends, it commonly
- ↑ John Morton, 1420(?)–1500, bishop of Ely and archbishop of Canterbury.
- ↑ Richard Foxe, or Fox, 1448(?)–1528, successively bishop of Exeter, of Bath and Wells, of Durham, and of Winchester.
- ↑ That is, the fable of Jupiter and Metis. S.
- ↑ Divers. Various, several, sundry. "And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying." II. Samuel xiii. 19.
- ↑ He will not find faith upon the earth. Luke xviii. 8. Notice this same verse quoted in the last sentence of the Essay, Of Truth.
