The Arraignment of Covetousness and Ambition, Chapter 9
CHAP. 9.
NOw what is the reason of all? but Covetousnesse. I must do as my Soveraign, Or such great men will have me, or I shall lose my Place, which I bought so dear: and so undo my self, and all mine. But the King of kings will one day, condemn you both: him for commanding, and thee for yeelding: And recompence your obedience with Fire, and brimstone. And not seldom have such, their deserved recompence; sooner then they expect it. Ferdinando the fourth, adjudged two Knights to death; more through malice, then out of justice: but one of them cryed out, O unjust King! we cite thee to appear within thirty dayes, before the Tribunal feat of Iesus Christ; to receive recompense for thine injustice: upon the last of which dayes; he dyed, as Paulus Diaconus testifies. Demetrius having received many requests, and supplications of his subjects; threw them all into the water, as he went over the Bridge: whereupon, his subjects conceived such an hatred against him; that his Army forsook him, and yeelded to Pyrrhus: who drave him out of his Kingdom as Diodorus sets it down. I confesse it is a miserable thing, to fall into such times: in which men must both speak what they think not, and do what they approve not. As Tacitus that great States-man speaks. Yea as wise Plato could say, that Common wealth is like to go to wrack: where Magistrates rule the Lawes, and not the Lawes rule Magistrates. To which accords that of the Oracle: The Sibarites desirous to know from Apollo, how long their prosperity should last? were answered; that so soon as they began to prefer men, before God; their state should be destroyed. And to speak the truth in plain English: (as now we may do blessed be God.) He is not a King, but a Tyrant: whose will swayes, and not the Law. as wise States men have been bold to affirm. But what of all this? An honest man will do nothing to please any, whereby he shall displease God. He will answer the King, you bound me by oath at my first entrance; that I should in all cases give judgment, according to law. Agesilaus being requested by his Father, to give a sentence against equity: gratiously denyed him, saying: You have taught me, O Father, from my youth, to obey the Lawes: and therefore I will now obey you therein, in judging nothing against the Lawes. And Benevolus, when Iustina the Arian Empresse proffered him great preferments, to have him instrumental in a service; which could not be done with a good conscience, answered: What do you promising mean higher degree of preferment, for a reward of impiety; yea even take this from me, which already I have; so I may keep a good conscience; And forthwith gave her his Girdle, the Ensign of his Honour. And of such a spirit, was Sir Thomas Moor: who made great suit to the King, to be discharged his Lord Chancelorship; that so he might not against his conscience; speak, nor act any thing, about the Kings marriage with Queen Anne.
A Iudge truly fearing God, is in Justice and piety, as immoveable as a Rock: Like Fabricius, of whom Pyrrhus (though his enemy) gave this praise, that a man might as soon turn the Sun out of his course; as him from truth and honesty. as Plutarch, and Eutropius report. Or like Aristides, who feared not the King, nor would favour his own Father; and for his impartial dealing in all matters: was sirnamed the Just. Or Epaminondas, whom all the riches of the world, could not withdraw from the least duty to his Countrey. as AElian reports. Or the Midwives, who (though weak Women) would not do as the King of Egypt commanded them: but preserved alive the men Children, Exod. 1.17, 20, 21. Or the wise men, Matth. 2. 1. to 13. who turned their backs upon Herod; when in his command he intended mischief. Or the Martyrs, who would burn, rather then turn. Vertue, and piety is such a thing: that neither power can force her, nor wealth win her, nor any thing in the whole World corrupt her. One that feares God, and hath a good conscience; is like Fire, that cannot be forced downwards. When Pyrrhus tempted Fabricius, with money and promises of honour: And seeing that would not do, threatned him with Elephants and strange things, he answered: I fear not thy force, and I am too wise for thy fraud. The Prince of Conde being taken prisoner, by Charles the ninth of France: and put to his choyce, whether he would go to Masse, or be put to death, or suffer perpetual imprisonment? answered: the former I will never do by Gods grace; as for the two latter, let the King do with me what he pleaseth; For God I assure my self will turn all to the best. When Modestus the Emperours Lievtenant, threatned to kill Bazil, he answered: if that be all I fear not, yea your Master cannot more pleasure me, then in sending me unto my heavenly Father; to whom I now live, and to whom I desire to hasten. And another time being threatned with bonds, banishment, Confiscation, cruel torture, death, &c. he bad him fright babies with such bugb…ares; his life might be taken away, but not his comfort; his head, but not his crown. Yea quoth he, had I a thousand lives, I would lay them all down for my Saviours sake; who hath done abundantly more for me. And when they offered him money and preferments, to tempt him, he answered: can ye give me money that can last for ever, and glory that shall eternally flourish? Iohn Ardely profest to Bonner, when he told him of burning; and how ill he could indure it: that if he had as many lives, as he had haires on his head; he would lose them all in the fire, before he would lose his Christ. Ierom writes of a brave Woman, that being upon the wrack; had her persecutours do their worst, she was resolved rather to dye, then lye. They will never fear to be killed, who by killing are sure to be crowned. Here he that reads, will take occasion to censure me; (perhaps count me a Fool▪) for putting so many plums in the pot of one kind: But thou mayest rather think thy self worthy of censure, for I do it onelyonly to shew thee thy folly: for ask thee which example thou wouldest have left out? thou knowest not. Yea thou wouldest rather have more put in, that thou never yet heardest. If so, learn to be more wise, or at least more charitable: or rather confesse, that Sloth sits and censures, what the industrious teach: Foxes love to dispraise the Grapes, they cannot reach.
I desire to imitate those Authors that I like best, and find most efficacious: And (since nothing will please all) I would please them that are of my own dyet: And those I guesse to be the most, and to have the greatest need of such discourses, as inform the judgment; and are likeliest to work upon the affections, and save the soul. And to confesse that, which some will say is an errour, I would rather (if God so please) be an instrument to convert one soul, then to build up many: and I wish more of the Ministry, were of my mind. But go we on: