The Excellencie of a Free-State: Or, The Right Constitution of a Commonwealth

Appendix C. Corresponding Passages of Mercurius Politicus

133 appendix c Corresponding Passages of Mercurius Politicus the endnotes The endnotes that follow are signaled in the text of this edition (see p. cvii). They reproduce the words and passages of Mercurius Politicus (MP) that were altered in the 1656 edition of The Excellencie (E). (Politicus does not have the headings of the sections into which The Excellencie is divided.) In the cause of intelligibility, all the English-language material from Politicus is given in roman type, even though much of the original is in italic.The print of Politicus is not always clear, and occasionally the transcription of the text has to be conjectural. [MP 71, 9–16 Oct. 1651] 1. E omits: We hear not of many Nations in this latter Age, wherein the People have been solemnly acknowledged and declared to be the Original and Fountain of Supremacy, or that they have been made thus to understand it; But whereever it hath been so presented to vulgar Apprehensions ,it takes such deep Impression,that all the Arts under heaven can never wear it out of memory; nor will they ever rest,till they have sipt and tasted all of the sweets of Soveraignty. 134  Appendix C 2. the 3. Characters 4. this 5.The Observation then which naturally ariseth hence, is,That 6. E substitutes this paragraph for: Liberty declared or possest, is like the Golden fleece, or the Hesperian fruit, watcht by Argus his hundred eyes, or by ever-waking Dragons. [MP 73, 23–30 Oct. 1651] 7. In MP the paragraph begins: Liberty is the most precious Jewel under the Sun; And therefore when 8. old Roman 9. Bounds 10. lost it: they 11. a 12. they indeed 13. bonds 14. Vassals 15. Influence 16. Councell [MP 72, 16–23 Oct. 1651] 17. It is observed, that when 18. in regard that 19. Country that moved him to take Arms 20. secure 21. practises 22. Canuleius 23. perswasions 24. of Government [MP 70, 2–9 Oct. 1651] 25. When Rome was once declared 26. especiall 27. hatefull 28. Emperor, &c. 29. that Mercurius Politicus  135 30. bound 31. Importunity 32. the 33. so that it seemes the People 34. the Senate. The People without the Senatick Councell were like Sulphur and Mercury, ever in motion or combustion, (as appears by the Story:) but the Senate were as Salt to season, fix and fasten the body of the people. Nevertheless it is very observable, that this Commonwealth ever 35. irregular and unruly [MP 68, 18–25 Sep. 1651] 36. is 37. Epaminondas 38. were 39. it having been 40. E omits this passage, which MP takes from The Case of the Commonwealth (Knachel, pp. 117–18): In our own Countrey here, before that Caesars Tyranny took place, there was no such thing as Monarchy: For, the same Caesar tels us how the Britains were divided into so many severall States;relates how Cassevellanus was by the Common Councell of the Nation, elected in that their publique danger to have the principall Administration of State, with the business of War; And afterward how the severall Cities sent their Hostages unto him; whereby we perceive, it was of no old Monarchy, but like to the Gauls (with whom it was then one also in Religion) divided into Provinciall Regiments, without any entire Rule or Combination; onely in case of common peril by Invasion, &c. they were wont to chuse a Commander in Chief, much like the Dictator chosen by the Romans upon the like occasion. And now we see all the Western world (lately discovered) to be, as generally all Other Countries are in puris naturalibus , in their first and most innocent condition, setled in the same Form, before they came to be inslaved,either by some predominant Power from abroad, or some one among themselves, more potent and ambitious then his neighbours. Such also was the State heretofore, not onely of our Nation , but of France, Spain, Germany, and all the West parts of Europe, 136  Appendix C before the Romans did by strength and cunning unlock their Liberties: And such as were then termed Kings,were but as Generalls in War,without any other great Jurisdiction. If we reflect likewise upon the antient State of Italy, we finde no other forms of Government but those of Free States and Commonweals, as the Tuscans, Romans, Samnits, and many others; nor is there any mention made...