The Arraignment of Covetousness and Ambition, Chapter 3 – Chapter 8
CHAP. 3.
OR if he likes not such a course, lest it should keep him from ever rising higher: He will venture all he hath, and what more he can procure; to purchase some office: As well knowing this the speediest way to wealth. And indeed how many by getting Office, upon Office; Or stepping from one degree of greatnesse, to another: have rolled themselves up like a snow ball; from base beggery, to infinite wealth. Together with right worshipful, and right Honourable Titles; by unjustly sc…ring themselves, into honours and offices. And Offices were usually conferred, upon the worst men: because the worst are forwardest to sue for them. As in Iothams Parable; The Olives, Vines, and Figtrees refused the honour of governing; but the Bramble, will catch hold of the sleeve for preferment, Iudg. 9.15. They that be worthy must be sued to: as thinking it better to be worthy of honour, then to have honour: and resolving they will so be honourable, as they may still be honest. Whereas the unworthy, study more to be advanced, and grow rich; then to be worthy of that advancement, or wealth; by doing good in their places. Whence they are as industrious in climing; as Briarius: who even clambered to reach at the Heavens: and speed thereafter. Haman was alwayes aspiring, and lifting up his head: till it was lifted up fifty cubits higher, then he would have had it, Ester 7▪ And Saul you know in seeking Asses, found a Kingdome: But Absalom in seeking a Kingdom, found a Gallowes: And indeed how many have we known, like the Frog in AEsop? who thinking to swell till he was as big as an Ox; burst before he came half way to it. Or if not so; they have resembled Caninus, who was Consul of Rome but seven hours. Or the stones on the top of a Pinnacle ▪ which are the last erected, and the first that fall.
Secondly; the worst men get the best places, and offices; because they are better verst in the way that leads thereto: And have liberty to use such means; (viz. flattery, bribery and bloodshed: the usual stayers of the covetous, and ambitious,) as the deserving dare not. Of the first, Absalom may serve for an example, 2 Sam. 15.5, 6. Of the second, that Chief Captain, Acts 22.28. Of the third, Hazael, 2 King. 8.15.
Offices should be given freely, to the most fit and deserving; (As the Stern is committed to him, that is most expert, and skilful in Navigation,) that is, to men of courage, fearing God, dealing truly, and hating Covetousnesse, Exod. 18.21. who will neither grow great by buying offices; nor rich by selling them: Neither grow rich by others bribes, nor honourable by their own. Nor can an honest man, buy such bargains: For how can he sell cheap, that buyes dear? Only a Simon Magus; who makes preferment his god, and Mammon his Mediatour, can afford to buy an Apostleship: that he may sell the Holy Ghost, and so get money by him. And Offices have usually been sold, to such as would give most for them: whereby all gainfull places throughout the Land; were sold to such, as made prey of the people. And from hence springs all our miseries: For whereas that Common Wealth is most happy, and best governed; in which wicked men may bear no sway, nor have any authority; as Pittacus observes. So on the contrary, that Common wealth is most unhappy; and worst governed; in which wicked men do bear all the sway, and have the chief authority.
I might heap up instances from the Word, Histories, and Experience of all Ages of such, as have attained great places; by means of cruelty, and intrusion. And therein make manifest, that none are so Marble hearted, and savage minded as the Covetous, and Ambitious. As not caring on whom they tread, so they may rise. Yea woe to them that lye in the way of their aspiring: Though they be brothers; yea Fathers (as in the case of Absalom,) they shall bleed: and the nearer they are, the more sure is their ruine.
CHAP. 4.
AS for the discharge of his place, or office being obtained; it is this. First he resembles Boniface the ninth: of whom nothing could be demanded, were it never so unjust, or absurd; but he would grant it for money. But in case no money comes; He will imitate Caligula: who would deny all mens requests, were they never so modest, just, and reasonable. For like Felix, when he had to do with Paul, Acts 24.26, 27, 28. He looks that money should be given him by each Party. As who will not give him bribes? rather then venture the losse of all: as the Traveller his purse to the Theef… rather then venture his life, or limbs.
Or if either Plaintiffs, or Defendants cause be too light, in the Ballance of equity: It is but throwing in a Bribe heavy enough; and that Scale shall weigh down the other▪ for as a ballance stoopeth to that side, whence it receiveth most weight: so he favours that party most, that giveth most. And what Court was there almost, in the Land? where Iustice was not bought and sold. Might not the worst cause? Or the foulest crime find favour? if the parties would be at the cost to purchase it. As it fared with Claudius, who defiling the fair Matron Obelina, as he found her praying in the Temple of Minerva: being condemned for sacriledge, escaped punishment by bribes.
Nor is he any whit ashamed, or afraid to take bribes: For as Custome hath brought that into credit, which otherwise would be set in the Pillory and stigmatized: so in case any dare question him; he can answer the Supream Magistrate in the words of that chief Captain, Acts 22.28. with agreat sum obtained I this Office, as thou very well knowest; which is enough. For the one but sells that by retail, which the other sold him in grosse: And so making the case his own, conscience tells him, that he who hath bought his place dear; cannot sell cheap, Or afford the Clyent a reasonable peniworth of Iustice. Unlesse he means to live by the losse; and he that so buyes, hath no such meaning.
CHAP. 5.
ANd to speak rightly, who but the Supream Magistrate hath been the cause of all? in selling Offices to such, as would give most. and filling all gainful places in the Land with such, as sought not the peoples good; but the peoples goods, Ezek. 22.27. The Common wealth (as Plato well observes) like a Fish, commonly first putrifies, and rots at the head: for as the Governour of the people is, so are his Officers; and what manner of man the Ruler of the City is; such are they that dwell therein, Eccl. 10.2. Subjects follow the example of their Princes, as certain flowers turn according to the Sun. And as all subordinate greatnesse flowes from the head: so do commonly also their dispositions. Augustus a learned Prince, fill'd Rome with Schollers. Tiberius filled it with dissemblers. Constantine with Christians. Iulian with Atheists. A sick head, makes a distempered body. Of a Prince that hearkeneth to lyes, all his servants are wicked, Prov. 29.12. And for the most part, they that should lead the way to all vertuous actions: are the Ringleaders of all mischief, and dissolute courses. Indeed the Kings of the Earth, should be nursing Fathers to the Church: but both the Word, and experience of most ages shew; that they band themselves, and the Princes assemble together against the Lord, and against his Christ, Psal. 2.2. God is so far, from making every one good whom he makes great: that Not many Noble are called, as Paul speakes, 1 Cor 1.26, 27. and the Scripture hath left it upon Record; that of twenty Kings of Iudah, six onelyonly were godly: and of eighteen Kings of Israel, all but two were wicked. and yet this nation was Gods peculiar, and chosen people out of all the world.
O that they who fit at the Helm! would discharge their parts: and then things would soon be mended. The way to purge the streams, is to begin at the Fountain. Let them that govern in chief fear God, and be free from Covetousnesse. A King by judgment maintaineth the Country: but a man receiving gifts, destroyeth it. Prov. 29 4. Nor would it be any disparagement to their greatnesse; but a geat honour; to follow the examples of Samuel. 1 Sam. 12.3, 4. And Moses Numb. 16.15. And indeed it is too base and sordid for honour to be covetous. But return we to the Miserly Muckworm; for I may seem to have left him, and be gone quite out of my way.
CHAP. 6.
THese base, and servile spirits; that love money better then themselves: will do any thing to please Princes. They will sooner follow the command of their Lord, or Prince: then the precept of their God. Let Saul but command Doeg, to murther the Priests: he will run upon them, and quickly dispatch them. 1 Sam. 22.18. Let Iehu but command the Rulers, Elders, and great men of Samaria, to slay seventy of their Masters sons, off goes their heads, so soon as they receive the Letter, 2 Kings 10.6, 7. If Nebuchadnezzar charge the Princes, and Officers, to adore his new erected Idol; when the musick gives warning: they instantly fall down upon their knees. Dan. 3.1. to 8. Iohn shall not want a Deaths-man; if Herod but send for his head: so not long since, if the King would have wickednesse established for a Law: his Iudges, and Officers, (some of them) were as ready to do it, as he to have them. Cowards, and Covetous men; are slaves to those above them, Sicophants to those equal with them, Tyrants to those under them. When the Hart is made Iudge, between the Woolf and the Lambs; as in the Fable: it must needs go on the Wolves side. Cambyses falling in love with his Sister, asked the Iudges; whether it were lawful for him to marry her? They answered, they had no such law: but they had another, that the King might do whatsoever liked him; whereupon he married her. Our times have been blest with many such Iudges, and other Officers.
Nor would these, be swayed by his Majesty onelyonly: For when in justice they could not but punish a malefactor: might not the Protection of some great Lord, be procured to deliver him? so that the Law might put up his dagger: For by this means a lewd person needed not fear to offend; that had a great man to his friend; or had not a great man to his enemy. The Robber rifles a passenger, is apprehended and indited: the booty he giveth to some mighty one, to procure his pardon and escapes. Thus the poor traveller is robbed doubly; both of his money, and all relief of the Law; and the protector of the lewd person is become the greater thief. A poor sheep-stealer is hanged, for stealing of victuals; compelled peradventure by necessity of that intollerable cold, hunger, and thirst, to save himself from starving. But a great man in office, may securely rob whole Provinces, undo thousands, pill and poll, oppresse, flea, grind, tyrannize, inrich himself by spoyles of the Commons; be uncontroleable in all his actions, and after all be recompensed with turgent Titles, honoured for his good service, and no man dare find fault with him, or mutter at the matter. much like the justice of Domitius, who alwayes punished the poor, and those that were of no power: but the rich and mighty he pardoned. These are theeves, not for taking purses by the high way, but bribes in their chambers. Hosea 4.18. Their language is give; and the theeves is but deliver: now what is the difference, betwixt give, and deliver? yet often (give) walks in Chains of gold, while deliver lyes in chains of Iron. These are theeves in folio; Cathedral, and Metropolitan theeves: loving gifts, and taking bribes to undo the widow, and fatherlesse. yea many whole Families, and their posterity. This made Socrates laugh to see, a Iudge severely to punish others; and do worse himself: to see little theeves, riding in Carts to the Gallowes; and great theeves in Coaches to condemn them. Minuta puniuntur, magna in triumphis feruntur.
CHAP. 7.
LEt these things be considered, and then tell me, whether we might not complain of our times, as the Prophets of former times, and say? In their hands is wickednesse, and their right hand is full of bribes. Psal. 26.10. They are turned aside after lucre, and take rewards to pervert judgment. 1 Sam. 8.3. Ye passe over judgment, and the love of God, Luke 11.42. The Prince asketh, and the Iudge judgeth for a reward: therefore the great man speaketh out the corruption of his soul, so they wrap it up. Micha 3.11. & 7.3. Zeph. 1.12. Thy Princes are rebellious, and companions of theeves: every one loveth gifts, and followeth after rewards. They judge not the fatherlesse, neither doth the widowes cause come before them. Esay 1.23. Her Princes in the midst of her, are like Wolves, ravening the prey, to shed blood, and to destroy soules for their own covetous lucre. Ezek. 22.27. The best of them is as a bryer, and the most righteous of them is sharper, then a thorny hedge. Micha 7.4. yea they were so frozen in their dregs, Zeph. 1.12. that if one were found either in Parliament, at Councel Table, in Star-Chamber, High Commission Court, any office in the Kingdom; or ordinary Court of Iudicature; that in the worst and most desperate times; durst keep a good conscience, and not do as the rest, that would not upon all occasions speak good of evil, and evil of good, prostitute their tongues, and pens, and wits, and wills, and consciences, and soules, all that they had to serve the times, and turnes of Princes: That would honour greatnesse, but imitate goodnesse, onelyonly: like the Lord Cook, Sir Randal Crue, Sir Iohn Elliot, and many others: he was wondered at as an Owl among the rest of the birds. as it fared with those three worthies, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when they refused to do, as the rest of the Princes, Governours, Captains, Iudges, Treasurers, Counsellors, Sheriffes, and all the Rulers of the Provinces under Nebuchadnezzar. Dan. 3. Or as it fared with Daniel single; when of all the hundred and twenty Princes, he refused to obey the King in his wicked command. Dan. 6. Or as it did with Micha, amongst those four hundred false Prophets: when he would not speak against his conscience, and flatter the King to his destruction, as the rest did. 1 King. 22.
But might not our Senators before spoken of, have said to their Soveraign… ; as Socrates said once to this unjust Iudges? Surely we deserve recompence, instead of rage. Yea and I think, we may make application to some Officers, and Iudges, of later times; of what Comincus speaks of the Battel of Montlehery: viz. that some lost their places, and offices for running away; which were bestowed upon others, that fled ten Leagues further, for as they say, Never so much bribery in all sorts of Officers, as now: which is a horrible shame, in such reforming times.
CHAP. 8.
NOr did their wickednesse, confine it self within their own bosomes: but by their examples, all the people of the Land (except some few despised ones) were infected: for doth not experience shew? that the faithful are failed, from among the children of men. Psal. 12.1. that none calleth for justice, none contendeth for truth; they conceive mischief, and bring forth iniquity. Isa. 59.4. That all seek their own, and not that which is Iesus Christs. Phil. 2.21. That all are gone out of the way, they are all corrupt, and have done abominable wickednesse; there is not one that doth good, Psal 14.1, 2, 3. & 53.1. So that if ever that Counsel of Ieremy, and Micha, Let every one take heed of his neighbour, and trust ye not in any brother: for every brother will use deceit, and every friend will deal deceitfully ▪ Jer. the 9.4. Trust ye not in a friend, neither put ye confidence in a Counsellour; keep the doores of thy mouth, from her that lyeth in thy bosome. Micha 7.5.) were duly to be observed; it is in our dayes. For is not the City, and Country, become as a common prison of cheates? swarving as much from justice, honesty, and Religion; as a picture does from a man? though some are worse then others.
And what care men, so they get money, and great places? though they lose their soules. As these bribe-takers, multiply unjust gain, and grow rich above measure: even their houses are full, and they are thereby become great, and waxen rich; they are grown fat and shining; they do overpasse the deeds of the wicked, they execute no judgment, no not the judgment of the poor and fatherlesse: yet they prosper, Jer. 5.27, 28. But what followes in the next verse? Shall I not visite for these things, saith the Lord? Or shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? vers. 29. Yes: the day of their visitation cometh, now shall be their perplexity, saith God. Micha 7.4. I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies. Isai 1.24. And I think God hath been as good as his word. Our very eyes have seen it, or our eares heard of it; both in England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. True, wilful and wicked men will not see, what they do and cannot choose but see: How when God hath any exploit to perform, and intends successe: he raiseth up the hearts of some chosen Instruments, with heroical motions, and resolutions of courage, with contempt of all danger for atchievement. When all hearts are cold, and dead; it is a sign of intended destruction. But to leave such, untill time and experience hath taught them more.