Here are two maxims in politics, which carry their own evidence with
them:--1. That it is much for the honour of a king to have a populous
kingdom; it is a sign that he rules well, since strangers are hereby
invited to come and settle under his protection and his own subjects
live comfortably; it is a sign that he and his kingdom are under the
blessing of God, the effect of which is being fruitful and multiplying.
It is his strength, and makes him considerable and formidable; happy is
the king, the father of his country, who has his quiver full of arrows;
he shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with his enemy in the gate,
Ps. cxxvii. 4, 5. It is therefore the wisdom of princes, by a mild and
gentle government, by encouraging trade and husbandry, and by making
all easy under them, to promote the increase of their people. And let
all that wish well to the kingdom of Christ, and to his honour, do what
they can in their places that many may be added to his church. 2. That
when the people are lessened the prince is weakened: In the want of
people is the leanness of the prince (so some read it); trade lies
dead, the ground lies untilled, the army wants to be recruited, the
navy to be manned, and all because there are not hands sufficient. See
how much the honour and safety of kings depend upon their people, which
is a reason why they should rule by love, and not with rigour. Princes
are corrected by those judgments which abate the number of the people,
as we find, 2 Sam. xxiv. 13.