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54
HISTORY OF THE ROSICRUC1ANS,
in vice. To bereave a powerful prince of a kingdome is a
weighty business which is not to be done by
.
one man
alone. To effect so foul an intent they muster a multitude
of men, who, that they may not fear the shame of stealing
their neighbours' goods, of murthering men, and of firing
cities, change the name of base thief into that of gallant
souldier and valliant commander. And that which aggravates
this evil is that even good princes are forced to run
upon the same rocks to defend their own estates from the
ravenousness of these harpyes, and to regain what they have
lost, and to revenge themselves of those that have injured
them, have in reprizal got possession of their dominions, till,
lured on by gain, they betake themselves to the same shame-
ful trade. Thus the method of plundering others of their
kingdomes is become a reputable art, and humane wit,
made to admire and contemplate the miracles of Heaven
and the wonders of the earth, is wholly turned to invent
stratagems and to plot treasons, while the hands, which were
made to cultivate the earth that feeds us, are employed in
the exercise of arms that we may
kill.one another. This
is the wound which hath brought our age to its last gasp,
and the true way to remedy it is for princes who use such
dealings to amend themselves, and to be content with their
own fortunes, for, certainly, it appears very strange that there
should be any king who cannot satisfie his ambition with the
absolute command over twenty millions of men. Princes,
as you all know, were ordained by God on earth for the
good of mankind ; therefore, it would do well not onely to
Lridle their ambitious lust after the possessions of others,
but I think it necessary that the peculiar engagement which
some men pretend their swords have over all estates, be
cut up by the root, and I advise above all things that the