Thirteenth Dialogue

Summary

Twelfth Court Maxim: Spain, Germany, Italy, and the catholic Princes are nothing to our court

Philalethes: in our last conference we discussed, as far as was requisite, the maxims and interests of our court, as they related to France and the United Provinces. It is hardly worth our pains to consider how the king and his ministers stand affected to other states, being little important to us. We only shall make use of them as occasion is offered. We look on Spain as decaying, fear it not, and hope for nothing but money to our chief ministers, that we may do them no hurt on Portugal's side. Denmark is our friend, but cannot help us. Sweden, we suspect, is ill-affected to us, but cannot hurt us. The princes of Germany are considerable only to such as attempt something in their country, which is far from our thoughts. We know the king, by interesting himself for the businesses of that country, might gain advantages to the nation, and easily unite all the Protestants of the world into one body and make himself their head. And that great | and good work might be a foundation for effecting others, pleasing to God and man. But for the attaining ^*of^* such ends, we must have a frugal court, justice must be administered, men of virtue and valour advanced and employed, military discipline restored to subjects; and then we, who by our court get money enough to live in the height of splendour and pleasure, must apply ourselves to such as are very contrary to our complexion, requiring much sweat and blood.