The Arraignment of Covetousness and Ambition, Chapter 14
CHAP, 14.
THese being cast out, provision would be made (if I may be worthy to advise) that none come in their places, but such as fear God, hate covetousness, love godliness, and deal uprightly. Alexander Severus, Adrian, and other Emperours of Rome, would call to their Counsel, and put in places of Iudicature not their Favourites; but men learned, grave, experienced, of good conscience and known integrity.
Aurelianus the Emperour, was so fearful of placing an unworthy man in the Seat of Iudicature, that he never admitted any to the dignity of Senator, but such as none could justly except against, and then with the consent of the whole Senate.
Then that they may continue so, and discharge the trust they are put in; His Highness may please to follow the example of these ensuing presidents: (I am bold, though much unworthy to advize) Antiochus had that care, to have justice administred, that he writ to all the Cities in his Kingdom, that they should not execute any thing he commanded, if it were contrary to Law. And the Emperonr Iustinian, commanded the Lawyers to swear; they should not plead in an evil or unjust cause. That Law, which was made in the ninth Parliament of James the First, King of Scotland; did enjoyn all Counsellours and Advocates, before they pleaded any temporal cause; to take oath and swear, that they thought the Cause to be good they pleaded. Antoninus, never sent any Praetor or other Officer of State, to govern any Province, but who were free from pride and covetousness. And withall caused them first, to give up an Inventory of their own proper goods; to the end, that when their charge was finished, the increase of their wealth should be considered: telling them, that he sent them to administer justice, and not by fraud to rob his people. The Emperour Valentinian, and Theodosius; made all Iudges, and Govenours of Provinces at their entring upon their charg, to swear that they had not given, nor promised any thing to procure their places. And also that they would take nothing, but their just fee: And if it were proved that they had taken any thing (it being lawful for every man to accuse them) they should pay four times as much; besides the infamy of their Perjury. And lastly, Moses, (who is a president beyond all exceptions) charged the Iudges to hear all Controversies between their Brethren, and to judge righteously between every man and his Brother, and also the stranger that was with them. Further charging them, that they should have no respect of persons in judgement; but hear the small as well as the great, not fearing the fac…s of men. Yielding this as a reason, for the judgment is Gods, Deut. ….16, 17. Briefly, let not sin be connived at, but see that justice be executed impartially; for good Laws without execution, are like the Picture of George on horsback; with his hand alwayes up, but never striking. Let no mans greatness protect him; It is the impartial execution of noble Delinquents, that wins credit to Government. And the want of it cuts the sinnews of any State. If there sins have made them base, let there be no favour in their penalty: Or else the wickedness that is done by them, shal be reckoned unto you, the permitter, for your own; for Governours make themselves guilty of those sins they punish not. So that to be merciful to offenders in this case; is to be unmerciful to your self: yea, to the party offending, and the whole Nation, as I could easily demonstrate, could I stand upon it.
The best friends to a State, are the impartial Ministers of judgement: Nor do the prayers of them that sit still and do nothing: so much pacifie Gods wrath against us: as their just retribution, be the delinquent never so mighty. Obedience is better then sacrifice, as Samuel told Saul, for sparing of King Agag. Yea, the Prophet compares that pity and merciemercy of his; to witchcraft and idolatry. And tells him that for his so doing, God had cast him off from being King, 1 Sam. 15.22, 23. So that the summe of all is, Let them that sit at the Helm discharge their parts; and all will soon be mended: Let them that govern in chief be men of courage, fearing God, and hating covetousness, Exod. 18.21. A King by judgement, maintaineth the Countrey: bnt a man receiving gifts, destroyeth it. Prou. 29.4.
And now, blessed be God, his Highness hath leave and opportunity to redress all: let our earnest and incessant prayers be, that he may well improve the same; to Gods glory, the Nations good, and his own eternal renown and comfort: that so his Government may be found like the reign of godly Constantine: who succeeding immediately Dioclesian, and other persecuting Emperours, was a notable nourishing Father unto the Church; under whose shadow the Christians dwelt, and prospered a long time. And sure I am, we have far more hope of compleating Reformation, both in Church and Common-wealth, then we had formerly; when the Delinquents themselves had all the power in their own hands, and when the commonness of offenders, had benummed the sense of offending.
Now the way for his Highness to effect it, will be, not to imitate our former Governours, who measured their right by their power; and that would therefore do injury, because they could do it. Yea, if I may be so bold, were they not Heads under which the whole body groaned? and most of the members were ill affected. Did they not make their greatness? a Supersedeas to sin, and a Protection against the arrest of judgement? Did they not think, that because they were great on earth; they might be bold with heaven? Did they not make it lawful to prophane the Lords Day? and justle out Gods honour (which should be more deer to Princes then their Crowns and lives) with their own? and chink to bear off the judgements of God, by vertue of their high places? Was not vice countenanced, aud vertue discouraged? until God resisted their pride, and made them to know; that be they never so great, even Kings, Monarchs, Emperours; though they are gods among men, and many made gods of them; yet they are but men with God: who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Psal. 82.6, 7. Revel. 19.16. And scarce so do the good esteem themselves; Constantinus, Volentinianus, and Theodosius three Emperours: called themselves Christs vassals: Such is the distance between him and the greatest Potentates on earth.