Jethros Justice of Peace, Title page – Dedication
IETHRO'S IVSTICE OF PEACE.
A SERMON PREAched at a generall Assises held at BVRY St. EDMVNDS, for the Countie of Suffolke.
By SAMVEL WARD Batchelour of Diuinitie.
LONDON, Printed by Edw. Griffin for Iohn Marriot, and are to bee sold at his shop, at the signe of the white Flower-de-luce neere Fetter-lane end in Fleet-street. 1618.
TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE Sr. FRANCIS BACON Knight, Lord Chancelor of England, &c.
WHen wee see one goe or doe amisse, though his feet or hands bee the next actors and instruments of his error: yet wee say not, Are you lame? but, HaueHave you no eyes? or, Can you not see? What euer sweruings or stumblings any part of the body politique makes, the blame lights not vponupon the Gentry or Comminalty, the immediate delinquents, but on the principall lights in Magistracy or Ministery, which being as Guardians and Tutors of the rest, should either preuent or reforme their aberrations. And herein miserable is the condition of these two opticke peeces, that they are more subiect, and that to more distempers then other inferiour parts: yet heerein more, that being hurt, they are more impatient of cure; not only of searching acrimonious waters (which yet oft are needefull) but shie of the most soft and lawny touches: but most of all in this, that being once extinct, they leaue a voyd darknesse to the whole body, exposing it to the pits of destruction. As exceeding great on the other hand, is the happines, honor & vse of them, if cleere and single. For this our Nationall body, it will little boot either to applaud the one, or to bewaile the other: I rather wish and looke about mee for some eye-salue, which may help to descry and redresse, if any thing bee amisse. And behold heere (Right Honourable) a confection poomising something thereto: It was prescribed first by Iethro, whom Moses calls the eyes of Israel, Num. 10. 31. And newly compounded by an Oculist, of whom as I may not, so I need not say any thing at all. Next vnderunder the sacred Fountaine of light (the light of our Israel) I worthily accompt your Lordship most sufficient in law to accept, to make vse, to iudge, to patronize it. The subiect of the booke is the principall obiect of your office, to elect, direct and correct inferiour Magistracy. To which purposes, Nature, Literature and Grace hauehave inabled you, that if you should faile the worlds expectation, they will hardly trust any other in hasle. Many in rising hauehave followed the stirrop, pampered and ietting honor not standing the ground, but once seated hauehave done renownedly. But your Lordship had neuer any other greeces then your birth and desert; to which, hereditary dignity hath so gently tendred it selfe, that you hauehave not let fal your name of religion in getting vp. Therefore now you are in the top of honour, all that know you, looke you will bee exactly honourable. For my part, bounden to your Lordship for a fauour formerly receiued, greater then your Honour knowes of, or I can expresse: I shall leaue Iethro to be your Montoir, and my self remain euer an humble suitor to God, who hath made you a Iudge of conscience, that hee would make you continue a conscionable Iudge, improouing your place and abilities to the best aduantage belonging to it, the furtherance of your reckoning at the last day.
Your Honours daily Beadsman, NATH. WARD.