For instance, in 1590 Botero added a chapter that advocates all European states join the Republic of Venice in a campaign to oust the Ottoman Empire from Europe.

[12] To Macchiavelli's instrumental, amoral principles, Botero presents an opposing Christian reason of state, in which statesmen are responsible before God and their conscience.

[3] In stark contrast to Machiavelli, Botero embraces Christianity and the Roman Catholic Church: The prince must prostrate himself in all humility before the Divine Majesty and acknowledge that from Him proceed the power of a ruler and the obedience of his subjects ... A Christian prince [should not] close the door of his secret council-chamber against Christ and the Gospels and set up a reason of State contrary to God's law, as though it were a rival altar ...

[15] Botero believes that a political regime's religious heterogeneity will lead to civil war, as occurred in many European countries of his day.

He suggests that Christian rulers promote uniformity of belief by levying special taxes upon religious dissenters and new denominations, and prohibiting them from public speaking and assembly, or bearing arms.

"[20] The king, for his part, must not exceed these given powers, and "must not oppress his subjects with new taxes disproportionate to their means nor permit greedy ministers to increase the amount of ordinary taxation or to extort it by cruel methods.

"[20] Echoing early Jesuit monarchomach arguments, Botero maintains that "when a people is burdened beyond its resources, either they leave the country or turn against the ruler or go over to an enemy power.