The Arraignment of Covetousness and Ambition, Chapter 16
CHAP. 16.
SO demean your self, that the good may love, and the wicked fear you. When Rome was in her great prosperity; no service was left unrewarded, nor crime unpunished. And of the two, seem with Domitian, rather cruel in punishing, then dissolute in sparing offenders. It was a commendable, and impartial severity in Seleucus: who rather then the Law should be violated, in favour of his sons two eyes; would lose one of his own. And so in that godly Bishop, who excommunicated Marcian his own son, having committed whoredom.
We read that Solomons Tribunal was underpropt with Lions, to shew what mettle a Magistrate should be made of, not that they should be like Lions or Bears, as too often they are; as that wise King makes the resemblance, Pro. 28. As a roaring Lion & an hungry Bear: so is a wicked Ruler over the poor people, v. 15, 16. And the Prophet Micah, Chap. 3. They eat also the flesh of my people, and flay off their skin from them; they break their bones, &c. Vers. 3. But to shew that they should be of an undaunted courage, in discharge of their places; though otherwise most meek. No man could have given more proofs of his courage; then Moses, he slue the Egyptian, he confronted Pharaoh in his own Court, he beat the Midianite Shepherds, he feared not the troupes of Egypt, he did look God in the face, amidst all the terrours of Sinai: and yet that Spirit which made and knew his heart, sayes, He was the mildest, and meekest man upon earth. Mildness and Fortitude, may wel lodge together in one brest; to correct the mis-conceits of those men, who think none valiant, but those that are fierce and cruel.
Magistrates must not be cruel, subjects are their sons; and such should be their corrections, such the provisions of Governours as for their children: as the obedience and love of subjects should be filial. Severity should never be but by compulsion. Christianity abhors cruelty, and rather wishes with that happy Queen; that it knew not how to write, then sign a sentence of condemnation.
Do nothing of moment without counsel, for without it purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of Counsellours there is stedfastness, Proverbs 15.22. and let them be such Counsellours, as will counsel you for the peoples good, as well as your own, should you be never so unwilling to hear it. Resembling Ionathan, who spake good of David to Saul his father: though he incurred the Kings displeasure, and hazarded his own life. And as Saul thereupon, hearkened unto the voice of Ionathan, and sware, As the Lord liveth he shall not die ▪ so Noble Prince, not only heare, but follow such counsel, if you will have the Land flourish, and your government established.
But in no case hearken to Flatterers, for they will perswade great ones, that they are more then men, that they may do what they list, and that they are accountable to none but God himself; how destructive soever they are to their Countrey. Yea, Alexander's Flatterers, would perswade him, that he was a God. Dionysius his Parasites would lick up his spittle, and boast that it was sweeter then Nectar, or Ambrosia. It is well observed, that flattery and treachery are but two names of one vice; two sundry sutes of the same mischief: for flattery is but gilded treason, poison in an enamel'd cup. It is an evil more tame, not less dangerous; and it had been better for many Princes not to have been, then to have been in their conceits, of a more divine mettle then other men; as they shall be (and not seldom) told.
Nor are any fit, or worthy to be of your Counsel; but such as fear God: In vain shall you hope that a carnal heart, can prefer the care of his soul, or the good of his Countrey; to the care of his own safety and honour, God to Caesar. Hope of preferment, or fear of punishment, makes them like Spaniels: which ever hunt that way, their Master looks. Or like weathercocks, that will look which way soever the winde blowes. But your Highness hath long since learned of King Solomon, that as the Northwinde driveth away the rain, so does an angry countenance the flattering tongue Prov. 25.23.
But because it is not easie to meet with such Counsellours, as will alwayes counsel you for the common good, and according to their consciences: which occasioned Dionysius the Tyrant, being retired to Athens, after he was deprived of his Kingdom: to bewail the state of Princes, especially in that men never spake freely unto them, and the truth was ever hid, and concealed from them. And likewise Alphonsus King of Spain and Naples a good Prince, to bewail the case of Kings: for that they hearing with other mens ears, could seldom hear truth. And therefore he held it a great happiness, that he might consult with his Books, especially the Bible; which he is reported to have read over fourteen times in course, together with Lyra, and other mens notes upon the Text. And indeed dead men are the best Counsellors: Books will speak, when Counsellors blanch, as the Lord Bacon hath well noted. Yea, Conscience is also Gods Monitor to speak to great men; when others either cannot, or dare not speak, as Divines well note; and therefore would be hearkened unto and obeyed.
In the last place, as your Highness would have Christ to maintain and continue, bless and prosper you in all your undertakings, as hitherto he hath, even to the astonishment of all both friends and enemies: so let it be your principal care, to maintain the purity of his worship, and the true Religion; together with a godly, able, orthodox Ministery: without which the former cannot possibly subsist. Yea, take away the Ministery, or their maintenance: and you pluck up Religion by the roots, as Satan, together with his instruments (those new-start-up white Devils, that have a long time made it the main of their business; to plot and contrive their downfal, and indeed to extirpate the very Nurseries of all Learning, that so they may with Ieroboam, make Priests of the lowest of the people) know. Your Highness hath done God and his Church much service many ways: but never more, nor more opportunely, then in this last, of breaking their deep & devillish design about the Ministery, & their maintenance; and in frustrating their imaginary, but most mischievous and malicious hopes, the which wil one day, add weight to your Crown. That days work made many to rejoyce: but when with the news, this ensuing passage came into my minde; it made me no less thankful, then joyful. The which was this: Philip of Macedon besieging Athens, sent Legates to the City, conditioning with them; that if they would deliver into his hands ten of their Oratours, such as he should chuse, whom he pretended to be the disturbers of their Common-wealth, he would raise his siege, and be at peace with them. But Demosthenes smelt out his plot; and with the consent of the Athenians, returned him this apological answer. The Wolves came to treat of a league with the Shepherds; and told them thus: All the feud and discord betwixt you and us, ariseth from a certain generation of Dogs which you maintain amongst you: Deliver us up those Dogs, and we will be good friends with you, neither will we any wayes wrong you. The Dogs were delivered up, the Peace was concluded, the Shepherds secure: but Oh the woful Massacre that was presently made amongst the poor Lambs: they were all devoured, the Shepherds undone; and all by parting with their Dogs. If the Autinomian and Anabaptistical faction could once get the Ministers of the Gospel to hold their peace, or procure them to be muzzled by Authority, or to be delivered over to their Wolvish cruelty; wo were to our souls. Errour would then play Rex, Darkness triumph, Hell make play-day, Truth would languish, and all goodness fall flat to the earth. As little as men now regard them, they would then miss them; and wish for them, and say, Blessed is he that commeth to us in the Name of the Lord.