The Arraignment of Covetousness and Ambition, Chapter 21 – Chapter 22
CHAP. 21.
I Seldome heare any man speak of Taxes or Governours; but I perceive in them a kinde of enmity against both: which to me is not a little strange, at least it makes me suspect, that they do not wisely consider of things and circumstances. Yea (if I shall speak my conscience, as it is informed from Gods Word, and common reason) when I consider how mad many men are about what they pay to their Governours: as parting with it like so much bloud from their hearts: which makes them so far as they dare, flie in the face of Authority, and grumble out no less then treason; though in such a deformed silence, as Witches raise their spirits, which God takes as done to himself; though they want eyes to see it. It makes me conclude, that they are more guided by the god of this World, then by rectified reason, or the written Word, witness those many precepts and prohibitions, Exod. 22.28. Acts 23.5. Eccles. 10.20. Matth. 15.4. Prov. 24.21, 22. 1 Tim. 2.1, 2, 3. Jude 8, 9, to 17. 2 Pet. 2.9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 18. 1 Sam. 10. 24, 27. Rom. 13.1, to 8. Titus 3.1. 1 Pet. 2.13, 14, 15. which men should do well to read and lay to heart, for I intend not to speak much of the point, nor to answer all those Objections, that men (blinded with prejudice) are over-forward to make. It is sufficient if I speak enough, and that out of a desire to do others good, I am content to forfeit my discretion, and hazard the loss of my reputation. For I am not ignorant, how I shall be censured, hated and calumniated for speaking this, so necessary and seasonable a truth But hear it, and let come on what will: so long as I have the Word for my warrant, and the glory of God (the which we are bound to redeem with our lives) for my end. Certainly he that for the common good, is not willing to contribute according to his ability, to the publick charge, or that feigneth himself poor, to avoid a Tax or Seasment, Prov. 13.7. is worthy to be made as poor, as the summe of money he is allotted to pay, because he grudgeth the State a part, by means of whom he enjoys all. For without Rulers and good Laws: none could say this is mine. Nor would Cheapside be safer then Salisbury Plain. We could not eat our own meat, nor sleep in our beds, nor meet one another in the Congregation: if every man might do what were good in his own eyes. Judg. 17.6. Yea, then, thou that art so unwilling to pay five shillings; wouldest be glad to parr with all thy wealth, to save thy skin, and wouldest thou have it so? If not confess, that Governours are the light of our eyes, the breath of our nostrils: yea, under God (and to speak it with reverence) even the life of our lives. And what man will not hazard a joynt, much more part with a little pelf to preserve his life, and all else he does enjoy? Nor are they followers of Christ, that refuse to pay unto Caesar, that which is his due, Matth. 22.21. For if he by whom Kings reign, sorbore not to pay tribute to an Heathen Prince, Matthew 17.24, to 28. what power under Him can deny it unto those that rule for him, and the good of his Church and People?
A man feeds the stomach, that it may nourish and preserve his whole body: if he did not, what should he gain by it? but starving. We read in the Fable, that the other members mutining against the belly complained; that all their industrious care and service was for the good and satisfying of the belly, where as it alone was idle, lazie, and quiet in the midst, and did nothing at all: whereupon they conspired, that neither the eyes should spy out, nor the feet fetch in, nor the hands reach, nor the mouth receive, nor the teeth chew meat for it: but in pining it with hunger, they brought also themselves into extream, and almost irrecoverable consumption; until they fell again to perform their several offices. A body can no more be preserved without sinnews, then a Common-wealth without tribute. A common interest challenges an universal aid. Reason would, that every man should be burthened about the upholding of that, vvherein every man hath an interest, that a publick charge, should be defrayed by a publick purse: every man his share according to his means. Many hands vvill make light work. Only there are some so base, ignorant, or envious; that to spight and mischief others; they will undo themselves like Samson, Iudges 16.29, 30. or those Israelites Iudges 21.15, to 24. or him in the Fable; Men not worthy to live amongst men: most unworthy to enjoy those priviledges they do, in this happy though unthankful Christian Common-wealth. I bless God, I never thought much to pay whatsoever I have been demanded, all these twelve yeers past, but have exceedingly admired the goodness of God; that by parting with a part; the whole, or residue hath been preserved. Whereas if those Royallists and Cavalliers might have had their wills: I should have lost all, yea, not a good man, should have been the better for what ever he had; vvere it the Inheritance of his Ancestors.
Let none think that self-interest, makes me partial: for it is well known, I never gained groat since the Parliament: nor did I ever personally act in the least, either on the one side or the other.
But this is not all, for they will murmur against, and speak evil of Christian Magistrates. Yea, in their hearts curse them (as Shimei did David) who are the Ministers of God for our wealth: which is to come neer to God, whose Vicegerents they are, for the Magistrate is the Garment, in which God apparelleth himself: And what does the Murmurer but wound Christ through the sides of his Deputies.
Where men command with God, we must obey men for God, and God in men: when against him, the best obedience is to deny obedience; and to turn our backs upon Herod, Matth. 2.12. Again, there is an active obedience, and a passive: I may not execute a Magistrates impious commands, I must suffer his unjust punishments.
One may desire other Magistrates, but we must obey those we have: and haply it is more commendable to obey the wicked, then the good observing the former caution. And I wish men, (yea, Ministers unless it be in their presence) would trouble themselves less with the Magistrates duty, & look more to their own. However for private persons to question the lawfulness of that Government, under which they desire protection is insolent, stupid and intolerable. But sure I am, when Moses is praying, Ioshua leading, Israel obeying, and God blessing and prospering all. O happy are the people that be in such a case, Psal. 144.15. But if men cannot have their wills, to invade the Inheritance which the right heir keeps from them: Or suppose they be injuried, and may not have redress in that manner, and measure themselves prescribe: presently maledicunt Principibus, they murmur against the Magistrate. Yea, what can a Magistrate do acceptable to the good; but lewd men will misinterpret it? Every tongue is ready to speak partially, according to the interest he hath in the cause, or patient; or according to the wickedness that is in his own heart.
CHAP. 22.
ANd so they would do, had we the rarest and uprightest Governours, that ever the World could boast of. As what Magistrate can hope to be free from their malice and murmurings: when Moses himself could not escape the same, nor faithful Samuel, as observe how the Israelites dealt with Moses! They no sooner want water to quench their thirst, but they murmur against him; and say to his face, (being ready to stone him) wherefore hast thou brought us out of Egypt, to kill us, and our children and cattel with thirst? Exod. 17.3, 4. As if Moses had been a God: yea not long after, they gather themselves together, and are agreed to cast off both him and his government, and why forsooth? What's the matter? (he never had done them the least wrong) he stays a little longer with God in the Mount, then they expected, Exod. 3….1. But fools as they were, hovv could they finde out a better Governour? among all their twelve Tribes? Had they been asked this question, it would have shewn them their folly. As Pacuvius at Capua: when the people would have had their Magistrates massacred; desired them first to agree upon the election of new Officers: then they nominated divers, but could agree upon none; whereupon the Massacre was delayed, and after forgot.
We have too many such fools, when the Duke of Buckingham reigned ô if he were taken away all would be well! when he was dispatcht, and sent to his long-home: they murmured as much, and no less complained of their oppression under the King, Prelats, Council-Table, Star-Chamber, High-Commission, and Court of Honour: now they are all removed, and God hath given us since better Governours then (I am sure) we deserved: they thought themselves worse then ever. Yea, they did not spare to curse their Governours, and could have eaten their very hearts, (as they gnawed their own tongues) for spight. And how could better be expected from such sons of Belial? 1 Sam. 19.24, 27. that have more rage then reason: For their words are but the light froth of an impotent anger: wherein they accuse others unrighteousness, and profess their own.
An end of the second Part or Division.
End of the text · Richard Younge, The Arraignment of Covetousness and Ambition (1653)