State, and as absolute enemies of Monarchy as the Romans;
in the Continuation of which enmity, they placed a kinde of
an Heroick bravery.
Nor is it onely a meer gallantry of Spirit that excites men
to the love of Freedom; but experience assures it to be the
most Commodious and profitable way of Government, conducing
every way to the inlargement of a People in wealth
and Dominion. It is incredible to be spoken (faith Salust)
how exceedingly the Roman Commonwealth increased in a
short time, after they had obtained Liberty. And Guicciardin
affirms, that Free States must needs be more pleasing to
God than any other Form; because that in them more regard
is had to the common good, more care for the impartiall
distribution of Justice, and the minds of men are more
inflamed thereby to the love of glory and vertue, and become
much more Zealous in the love of Religion than in any other
Government Whatsoever.
It is wonderfull to consider, how mightily the Athenians
were augmented in a few years, both in wealth and power,
after they had freed themselves from the Tyranny of Pisistratus;
But the Romans arrived to such a height as was beyond
all imagination, after the expulsion of their Kings. Nor
do these things happen without special reason, for as much
as it is usuall in Free-States to be more tender of the Publique
in all their decrees, than of particular interests; whereas
the case is otherwise in a Monarchy, because in this Form
the Princes pleasure usually weighs down all considerations
of the Common good. And hence it is, that a Nation hath
no sooner lost its Liberty, and stoopt under the Yoak of a
single Tyrant, but it immediately loseth its former Lusture:
The bodie fills with ill humors, and may swell in Title, but
cannot thrive either in Power or Riches, according to that
proportion which it formerly enjoyed; because all new acquisitions
are appropriated as the Princes peculiar, and in no
wise conduce to the case and benefit of the Publique.