The Christian Warfare Part 2, Book 2 · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII.
Of kingdomes and monarchies.
ANd thus much concerning the vanitie of§. Sect. 1. That kingly and supreme authority is in it selfe good and to bee reuerenced and respected. worldly nobilitie. The last and highest degree of worldly aduancement and preferment, is kingdome and soueraignty, empire and supreame dominion, whereby men being exalted into the royall throne, doe rule and gouerne whole common-wealths. Of which I shall neede to speake the lesse, because much of that which hath beene spoken concerning power, authoritie, and nobilitie, may easily by the discreet reader bee fitted and applied hereunto. And therefore I will adde onelyonly some things which may seeme more peculiar to this royall and soueraigne aduancement. Where first wee are to know that the following discourse is not intended to shew the vanity, or perswade the contempt of cruell and barbarous tyrannie, which being odious to God and men, n…ds no reasons to moue all to hauehave it in detestation and base esteeme; but of lawful monarchies and kingdomes, abused either by ouerualuing their worth, or through the corruption and saultinesse of gouernment. The contempt whereof as it ought not to be absolute in any but onelyonly in respect of abuse: for it is a thing of as great esteeme as any else in the world, when as a good king ruleth well, and not according to his owne lusts and vnlimited pleasure, but according to the law of God, the law of nations, and the particular lawes of his owne kingdome: so ought it not to be in all, but in those onelyonly who are either possessed, or in possibility of this supreame soueraignetie; vnlesse it be as we vnderstand it comparatiuely in respect either of spirituall graces, or heauenly ioyes. For as for those who are in subiection, they are to honour and esteeme their soueraignes in the next place to God himselfe: seeing this rule and authoritie is Gods ordinance, and kings are his deputiesPsal. 82. 1. 6. and lieuetenants, and as it were the great stewards of his familie, whom hee hath dignified by giuing them his owne name and titles, and hath bound vsus by his word to owe and yeeld vntounto them all honour, louelove and dutie. So the Apostle saith, Let eueryevery soule be subiect to the higher powers, for there is Rom. 13. 1. 2. 1: Pet. 2. 13.no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordained of God, &c. And as it is to be highly esteemed of the people, as being an ordinance of God in it selfe good; so also because it is so necessarie to the wel-being of a commonwealth, that it is impossible without it that it should stand, much lesse flourish and prosper. For look what the shepheard is to the sheep, the pilote to the ship, the captaine to the souldier, yea the head and heart to the body; and such is the king to the common-wealth.
And in the same regard this preserment of soueraigne and§. Sect. 2. That royalty and supreame authority is the gift and blessing of God. transcendent power is to bee duely valued and esteemed of those, who are by Gods prouidence aduanced to this royaltie; seeing it is a great gift and royall prerogatiue, wherewith the Lord hath inriched them aboue all their brethren, requiring a proportionable thankfulnes, which they can neuer yeeld, vnlesse they know and esteeme the benefit: yea it is not only a gift, but a blessing, expressed in that maine blessing, wherewith God blessed Abraham, the great Patriarch and Father of the faithfull: I will make thee (saith he) exceeding Genes. 17. 6.fruitfull, and will make nations of thee, yea Kings shall proceed of thee. VntoUnto which who so are aduanced, they seeme to be preferred aboue the estate and condition of meer men, in respect of their place and office, in regard whereof they hauehave Gods name and titles imparted vntounto them: and this alsoPsalm. 82. 2. 6. the Lord seemeth to imply by his Prophet, where hauing giuen charge that no man should enter by the East-gate of the Sanctuary, because the Lord had entred by it: in the next words he saith, that it shall appertaine to the Prince, both toEzech. 44. 2. 3. take therein his repast, and to make it the way of his passage, to come in and go out thereby. Neuerthelesse howsoeuer kingdomes are the chiefest of worldly preferments; yet are they not to take vp the chiefest place in our iudgements and affections, seeing they are but of meane worth, being compared with Gods spirituall graces, or the eternall ioyes of his kingdome. In respect whereof they are to be meanely valuedNec abnuendum est, si dat imperium Deus, nec adpetendum. and moderately desired; that is, neither to be refused when God giueth them, nor to be affected when as he denieth them, not giuing vntounto vsus lawfull means of attaining to them: yea they are directly to be contemned and reiected, when as they come in competition for our louelove with those other excellencies, as being in comparison of them worthlesse andMaius regno contemnere regnum. vnprofitable, and when they are thus abused, hurtful and pernicious: which who so do, they shew greater and more Christian magnanimity in this contempt, then others in affecting or hauing obtained by raigning in all their royalty. An example whereof we hauehave in Gedeon, who was more enobledIudg. 8. 23. for denying a kingdome when it was offered vntounto him; then his son Abimilech who with cruell and vnnaturall ambition aspired vntounto it.
But let vsus consider of some reasons which may shew the worthlesse vanity of worldly kingdomes, in comparison ofand incumbrances which a kingdom bringeth with it. Gods spirituall graces or heauenly ioyes: the first may be taken from the manifold troubles and incumbrances which a kingdome bringeth with it, euen to those who iustly come by it, and wisely manage it; the which are so innumerable, irksome and burthensome; that if men were not more supported with ambition, then with reason, they would be readie for wearines to sincke vnderunder the waight, and to vnload themselues of this intolerable greatnes, to find ease in a more priuate life. Of this the Heathen Monarch hauing experience, said vntounto one who admired his happines, and measured his inward comfort and contentment by his outward rule; If (saith he) thou diddest know with how many euils this DiademAntigonus apud Stobaeum. Serm. 49. were replenished, thou wouldest not take it vp, though thou foundest it vponupon a dunghill. The truth hereof may be more euident, if we cōsider but some few particulars: for first, vntounto what wearying and wasting care is euen a good King subiect vntounto, whilest he desireth and studieth to act well his kingly part, so as he may hauehave the applause of God and his Angels, and that both in respect of himselfe, and also that which he taketh for his subiects? And for himselfe, both in regard of his person and priuate actions, and also in regard of his place and publike gouernment. For the first, …his …re …s extraordinary, that he may become a paterne and president vntounto his people, whom they may imitate; and to this end …e desireth to shine before them by a good example, making his owne life both the exposition and example of his lawes, and appearing both without substance or semblance of euill, to be also as good as he appeareth. For he considereth that the Princes life and manners, are the square and rule according to which his subiects frame themselues in their whole course and conuersation: and therefore he seeth how much it behooueth him that the square be straight, lest the worke be crooked, and the whole common-wealth brought out ofSi vis tibi omnia subijcere subijce te rationi: multos regis, si te ratio regat. Senec. epist. 34. frame: he knoweth that he ruleth ouer reasonable creatures, and therefore studieth first to conforme himselfe to the rule of reason in all his actions, that so they may the better subiect themselues vntounto his gouernment, and may suffer him to rule as well in their hearts as in their outward actions. He findeth by experience that Princes examples are most effectuall exhortations, either to good or euill, and that their liues are more powerfull then his lawes to incline and moue, to the better or worser part: and therefore he spendeth himselfe in studying this diuine oratorie, that his life and example may speak good things vntounto his people. He considereth that Kings errors are like the …clipses of the Sun, which though they be soone past ouer, yet bring damage and hurt to all sublunary and inferiour bodies: and therefore he is alwaies watchfull and heedfull ouer his waies, that his brightnes be not blemished by any vice or sin, which might stop and hinder the influence of his good parts, from being profitable to his subiects and inferiours.
The like care he taketh for the well demeaning of himselfe§. Sect. 4. The cares which accompany a kingdome in respect of him that raigneth. in his publike gouernment, hauing alwaies in his mind, that he ruleth ouer men, that he is to gouerne them by law and reason, not according to his lusts: that he shall not alwaies gouerne, but that the time shal come when Prince and subiects shall be both alike: and finally, that he must giuegive an account of his gouernment before the supreame King of heauen and earth, who respecteth not the person of Princes, nor Iob 34. 19.regardeth the rich more then the poore. In regard whereof, his care is great and continuall, not how he may rule according to his will, but according to reason and law, making louelove and awefull maiestie, seuerity and sweetnes, merciemercy and iustice, to striue which shall hauehave the preheminence, or rather neuer to striue, because he tempereth them with true iudgement and wisdome in a heauenly harmonie. He considereth that as he is a King, so also he is the father of his countrey: for what is a common-wealth but a great familie, ouer which God hath set Princes as parents, not only to rule, but also to prouide for, preserue and defend them? and therefore how great his care must needs be, to nourish and protect so great a charge, let priuate fathers iudge, who find enough to do, to order and prouide for their small company. Yea he discerneth plainly, that a King in the common-wealth is like the soule in the body, which howsoeuer it be not directly & immediately touched and affected, either with the delights it casteth, or with the griefes and miseries which it indureth; yet doth it communicate in both, by sympathie and fellowfeeling: and therefore he doth not lay vponupon his subiects heauie burthens, because he also is pinched with that waight which oppresseth them; he enuieth not, but greatly reioiceth in their prosperity, because he communicates with them in their contentment; and if for the good of the whole body of the common-wealth, he find it necessary to receiue, rather then take of their goods, that they may inioy the rest with peace and comfort, he only croppeth them, or rather pruneth them, that they may grow the better, and doth not stockeB…ni pastoris est tondere pecus, non deglubere. Tiberius apud Suetonium. them vp by the roots: and as the Heathen Prince saith, he doth like a good shepheard, only fleece them in seasonable time, and not pull off skin and all; knowing that the chiefe treasure of a Prince is the riches of his subiects, and their coffers his best exchequer. Finally, good princes remember that they are Gods deputies, and therefore their care is that they may be like him, not hauing their greatnes to exceed their goodnes, but as their power inableth them to do what they will, so their goodnes limiteth them to the doing of that which is profitable for their subiects: the which their care is so much more vigilant, because they know that there will be an end of their Lieutenantship, when as they shall be called to an account of their gouernment, and receiue either the reward of their iustice, or the punishment of their corruptions, and ill-deseruing.
Finally, as the good Prince is continually troubled with§. Sect. 5. The care which a King taketh in respect of his. subiects. care about himselfe, that he may performe his dutie: so he taketh no lesse care, that these duties performed may procure the good and welfare of his subiects: as for example, that by his wisdome and prouidence, they may hauehave both necessaries and sufficient plentie, that by his discreet gouernment they may be kept in good order, that by his administration of iustice, eueryevery one may possesse his owne right, and be preserued from wrongs and iniuries: and finally, that by his circumspection and power, his subiects may be protected from forren forces, and inioy secure peace. For being the father of his countrey, he is with a fatherly affection to care for the good of his children, as well as his owne, he is the skilfull pilot in this great ship of the common-wealth, who sitteth at the sterne, and ordereth all for the preseruation, not only of himselfe, but also the whole ship, and all the passengers who hauehave committed themselues to his care and prouidence. And as it is not enough for the rule or square to be straight it selfe, but it must also serue as the instrument to make other things conformable to it owne straightnesse, and to leuell and make euen the whole worke: so it is not enough for a good prince that he be in himselfe vpright, iust, and furnished with al vertues which become a priuate man; but his care must also bee that those that are committed to his charge and gouernment, may communicate with him in all vertue and goodnesse, because he is a publicke person, and the head of this great body which must gouerne and direct his members, as shall be most honorable for himselfe and profitable for them. Now although this necessitie of taking extraordinarie care for his owne person, and all the rest of his subiects be an happie necessitie, because it forceth to that which is good; and howsoeuer hee may hauehave comfort in the fruits thereof, yet who knoweth not that in it selfe it is vnpleasant and troublesome; and so bitter and distastefull that it may well weane any from the louelove of greatnes?
Secondly, though a crowne may seeme to make a glorious§. Sect. 6. The waightie burthen and painefull labour which accompanieth soueraignty. shew, yet it weigheth so heauie, and sitteth so vneasie vponupon the head, that those that hauehave it can take little delight in wearing it, and those that want it, if they louelove their owne ease, would if they once felt the waight, be well content that they are not aduanced vntounto the honour, because also they are not pressed with the waight. For what doth hee else who is aduanced to this height of greatnesse but Atlas-like beare vponupon his shoulders the waight of the whole commonwealth; and whilest he is lifted vp into the seate of honour, is pressed downe againe with his waighti… burthen? What doth he else but toile with the greatest labour of all, euen the labour of the mind, continually studying how hee may either preserue or aduance his owne glory, and his subiects good: and what is hee better that sinketh vnderunder the burthen of gold then he who is oppressed with the waight of earth; what ease hath he more that toileth in the golden mines, then he who laboureth in the …lay pit, or quarrey of stones. They are aduanced indeed with the glorious titles of monarches, kings and soueraignes; but what are they in truth but the great seruants of the common-wealth, who labour and take paines for the generall good? What are they butAntigonus apud Aelian. var. hist. lib. 2. stewards of this great familie, who whilest they hauehave the rule and disposing of all, hauehave also the care and burthen of all laid vponupon them? and what is their reigne, but as one of them spake by experience, a glorious seruitude? Wee know that the pilote as hee hath the greatest rule in the ship, so hee hath the greatest part in the paines and labour; for his mind is exercised whilest others are at rest, and watcheth at the sterne whilest the passengers securely sleepe. The captaine likewise as hee hath most honour, so hee carieth the greatest burthen; for whilest the common souldiers take care, and prouide onelyonly for themselues, he also extends his care, prouidence, and labour for the good & preseruation of the whole companie. Now if the rule of a ship, or of a small troupe bee so burthensome and laborious, what shall wee thinke of the gouernment of a whole countrie and common-wealth?
Thirdly, these great potentates are much more turmoyled§. Sect. 7. That princes are much troubled with the violence of their vnrulie affections. with the violence of their affections then priuate men, their greatnes adding strength to their passions, and making them furious and vnresistable, or themselues more impatient if they be resisted, their anger is more easilie inflamed, because their greatnesse maketh them impatient of bearing the least iniurie, although it exposeth them also to more then any other. Being incensed, they burne inwardly with a desire, and burst outwardly into the act of more furious reuenge, measuring the punishment which they take of the partie offending rather according to their owne greatnesse, then to the fault which is committed; and hauing herein power in their hands to doe what they will, they often doe more then they should. Their hopes are greater both in respect of the obiect and things hoped for, and in respect of the affection it selfe, their great power making them beleeue that they can compasse whatsoeuer they desire; and the more strong their expectation was, the greater is their impatiencie when as it appeares frustrate; not so much oft times for missing the thing, as for not hauing their will; or because it doth appeare that their power is limited and not omnipotent. Their griefes are more in number, and more piercing and sharpe in their operation then other mens; both because of the manifold causes thereof, which must needs happen often in the multitudeNon tam rerum natura quam patientium dispositio magna vel parua videri facit incumbentia mala. Chrysost. ad pop. Antioch. homil. 18. Multos timere debet quem▪ multi timent. of their affaires; and also because the greatnesse of their spirits doth make them much to aggrauate them through their impatiencie, and gauleth their minds the more through their much strugling. But of all other passions they are most troubled and perplexed with feare, it being a thing necessarie, that they whom many feare, should also themselues feare many; and that they who intermeddle with manifold businesses of great nature, and that oft times betweene aduerse parties, must needs incurre the hatred of many, and together with hatred perill and danger. Neither doth the multitude of enemies so much amate them as because they are secret and vnknowne, nor their force so much as their hidden treacherie. For as the bullet is more dangerous then the sword, because killing before it is discouered, there is no ward for it: so these vnexpected blowes of traitours, being giuen secretly and at vnawares, are much more to be feared then the violence of professed enemies, because they wound & giuegive no warning. Now these secret foes are much more common to princes then open enemies; seeing their greatnes is no more apt to stir vp enmitie against them, then to worke a care in those in whom it is bred to hide and conceale it, because here especially professed hatred taketh away opportunitie of reuenge, and turneth the mischiefe vponupon his head that threatneth it. In regard whereof princes, whilest they know not whom to feare, are apt to feare all, and vponupon small occasionsMultò peius est regibus quam seruientibus, quia isti singulos, illi vniuersos timēt. to hauehave euen those whom they hauehave chosen to guard them in iealousie and suspition. Wherein (as one saith) they are in worse estate then seruants, seeing these feare but one, and they all.
Neither in truth are their feares causelesse, or greater then§. Sect. 8. The dangers which are incident to those that are in supreame authoritie. A…s prima regni est posse inuidiam pati. Senec. in Here. furen. Reg…are non vult esse qui in…isus timet, Simul ista mundi conditor posuit Deus, odium atque regnum. Senec. in Thebaide. Qui regit aut dijs aut subditis infestus. Odium qui nimiùm timet, regnare nescit. Senec. in O Edipo. 1. King. 22. 31. their dangers; for their might and glory exposes them to the enuie of all that are ambitious, who though they hauehave not their greatnesse of state, yet are they no lesse hautie in heart; and therfore are euer ready to vndermine and supplant them by their treacherous plots and conspiracies, when as they conceiue the least hope of aduancing themselues by their ruine. And as they are much endangered through enuie, so no lesse by the hatred of their inferiours; for if they should find no other fault in them to prouoke their malice; euen their goodnes is a sufficient argument to make them hated of the wicked, and their vpright administring of iustice is enough to make them abhorred of the lewde and licencious; in which regard princes must make account either by doing of their dutie to be hated of men, or by neglecting it to bee hated of God; to sit still and doe nothing worth the doing, or by atchieuing worthie actions fit for their greatnesse, to indanger themselues to the treacherous practises of the malicious. Besides these dangers; vntounto which enuie and malice exposes them at home, they are more endangered then others in respect of open enemies and forraine forces: for it is not to supplant priuate men that armies are leuied, but the king is the marke at which they leuell; whose life to them is more then the destruction of ten thousand subiects, because it is no lesse mortall to the common-wealth when the head is cut off, then if the whole body were mangled in peeces. Neither are they more endangered by enemies then by false friends, seeing experience teacheth that many who hauehave escaped safe from all the attempts and forces of their professed foes, hauehave beene catched in the priuie snares, and secret treacheries, which those whom they accounted their dearest friends hauehave laid and plotted against them. For it is impossible for these great potentates to satisfie the desires of all that depend vponupon them, and by preferring some before others, they procure the secret hatred of the rest, whom pride2. King. 19. 37. and selfeloue maketh beleeue that they aswell deserued to be aduanced; and this maketh them ioyne with their enemies when as they promise to satisfie their hopes, and to repaire their ruined estates. Now these dangers are more dangerous and more deepely, and that iustly apprehended of Kings, then of subiects, not only for that they hauehave more to lose then the ordinarie sort, but also because they extend to the no lesse hurt of the common-wealth, then of themselues, which good Princes louelove better then their owne liues: for when the Prince is hurt the whole countrie bleedeth at his wounds; and when this great shepheard is smitten, then the silly sheepe are scattered and indangered to the rapine of the rauenous wolfe.
Fourthly, Princes are no little vexed with the ingratitude§. Sect. 9. Of the vngratitude of the people towards their gouernors. of their people; for when they hauehave taken all their care, and indured all that labour, and hazarded themselues to all those dangers, whilest they indeauour to gouerne their subiects with iustice, and to preserue them in peace and plenty; all their paines is rewarded with vngratitude, their good deeds with euill words, their doubtfull actions with sinister censuresRegium est malè audire, cum benefacias. Alexander. apud Plutarch. in Apothegm. Si quis malè rexerit dijs poenas dabit; si bene odio à ciuibus habetur. Chrysippus apud Stob. Serm. 43. and malicious interpretations; the common people being naturally apt to condemne that in superiours, which being aboue their reach, they are not able to vnderstand, and to mislike the present gouernment, be it neuer so vnblameable. Neither is it possible for any man to please all that ruleth many, or to do that which is acceptable vntounto God, and to gaine the applause of the vulgar people; seeing they are diuided into as many phantasies as they hauehave heads, the which are not only diuers, but expresly contrary to one another; this man louing what that man hateth, and one admiring what another despiseth, and desiring which another loatheth and abhorreth: so that it is as possible to reconcile truth and falshood, and light with darknes, as to accord this dissenting multitude, or to vnite their opinions and affections to the approuing and desiring of the same thing. Now vponupon these often mislikes of the passages of gouernment, followeth also a mislike of the gouernour, and a wearines of being vnderunder his rule, ioyned with a desire of the successours aduancement; whom when they hauehave, they serue with the same sauce, being as readie to traduce his gouernment, maligne his person, and to censure all his actions, as they were his predecessors.
And these are the euils which accompany kingdomes§. Sect. 10. The great account that Princes hauehave to make at the day of iudgement. in this life, euen when the Prince affects and desires to gouerne wel. But that which may more weane mens harts from the louelove of soueraignty aboue al these euils & inconuenieces, respects the life to come: namely, that great reckoning and account which Princes are to make at the day of iudgement; for howsoeuer in this life they are priuiledged from giuing a reason of their actions vntounto men, yet the great King of heauen and earth, from whom they hauehave receiued their EmpireWisdome 6. 3. and dominion, will audit all their accounts, and hauehave a reckoning of al those rich talents which he lent vntounto them: then must they yeeld an account how they hauehave spent their great riches and reuenewes, how they hauehave imployed all their supreame power and authority, for the executing of iustice and iudgement, and for the rewarding of the good, and punishment of the euill: how they hauehave spent that precious time allotted vntounto them for the gouernment of the people, whether they hauehave improued it to the best aduantage for the glory of their Lord and good of their subiects, or else hauehave consumed it in carnall pleasures, and prophane riotousnes. Then must they giuegive a reckoning of their owne life, whether they hauehave shined as lights before their people, and led them in the waies of godlines by their good example; or contrariwise hauehave scandalized them by their euill liues, and mislead them into the by-paths of sinne as presidents of wickednes. Finally, they must be accountable at that day, for not only all those sinnes which themselues hauehave committed, but also for all those committed by their subiects, vntounto which they hauehave been either principals, by their commandement, or accessaries through their conniuencie, and neglect of the execution of iustice. Now if a mans owne sins shall be a burthen intollerable, then what shall become of them who must giuegive an account also of the sins of many thousands, which through their default hauehave bin committed?
But besides these manifold euils which attend vponupon kingdomes,§. Sect. 11. That worldly kingdomes …bused, are the causes of many sins. euen when they are well gouerned, there are innumerable others which do accompany them when they are abused: vntounto which abuse man through naturall corruption is most prone; for this highest worldly prosperity puffing men vp with pride, doth make them forgetfull of God, negligent in all good duties, and to contemne all vertue, as befitting rather priuate men then themselues, who are so powerfull, potentSanctitas, pictas, sides | priuata bona sunt, qua iuuat rege… cant. Senec. in Thyeste. Exc… aula qui volet esse pius | Virtus & summa potestas non cocunt. Lucan. lib. 8. and glorious, that they need not the helpe of vertue to commend them: or if at all it be of any vse, they thinke that only a colour or shadow of vertue may serue the turne, to grace them to the deceiued eyes of the common people, though they hauehave no substance thereof, but are vtterly destitute of it in deed and truth. And as this greatnesse of estate vsually hindereth men in the course of vertue, so doth it as commonly cast them headlong into all maner of sin; as contempt of religion, prophanenes, and vtter neglect of all holy duties, pride, insolencie, cruelty, oppression, vnbrideled reuenge, and the rest, making eueryevery thing lawful which liketh, and to seeme good in their iudgement, which they hauehave an appetite vntounto in their loose and vnlimitted affections? But especially through their transcendent and ouer-topping power they are prone to the sinnes of iniustice, oppression, wrongs and iniuries, as the Lord describeth their manners1. Sam. 8. 11. 12. 13. and course of carriage, when he would discourage his people from affecting their gouernment; of which sins few Rulers can with good Samuel and Moses acquite themselues, and1. Sam. 12. 3. plead not guiltie, if the Lord should summon them to iudgement. Now what are kingdomes to be esteemed if they beRemota iustitia regna sunt magna latrocinia: vnde Socrates ridebat, & causam quaerenti respondebat, vide… magnos lat…ones ad supplicium duci sacere paru…s. August. Serm. 31. Tom. 10. void of iustice, and full of wrong, cruelty and oppression? Surely (as one saith) where this sacred iustice is not admitted, great kingdomes are but great theeueries; and as the wise Philosopher accounted them, great monarches are but great theeues, if they rule by iniustice and cruell tyranny. Finally, of what worth or profit are the royalties of a kingdome, if ruling inferiours, they become slaues to their owne vices, and whilest they command others, are themselues at the command of their base affections and corrupt passions? For when this royalty and seruitude of vice are ioyned together, it maketh (as one compareth it) such a Prince, like vntounto a King takenChrysost. in 1. Tim. 6. Hom. 18. prisoner of the Barbarians, who suffer him still to weare his crowne, and to keepe on his royall apparell, but yet force him therein to performe all base offices; as to carrie water, to grind in the mill, and drudge in the skullery; in which case his goodly ornaments do but serue with more despite, to put him in mind of his misery, and (as it were) the more to vpbraid and cast in his teeth the greatnesse of his fall, and the basenes of his seruitude: and surely this similitude doth most liuely set foorth the abiect condition of wicked Kings; for there is no seruitude so vile and base as this of sinne, which may well disgrace all royalty and soueraignety, but can neuer be graced by it.
Finally, vntounto this euill of sinne, into which kingdomes§. Sect. 12 Of the punishments which God afflicteth on euill Kings. through abuse do mislead the great potentates of the world, we may adde also the euill of punishment, which as an inseparable companion, still waiteth vponupon it; for howsoeuer the Monarches of the earth hauing the law in their owne hands, are priuiledged from comming to the barre, and exempted from the iudgement seate of earthly men, yet can they not escape the iudgement seate of God, but of necessity they must come to their answere, and vndergo deserued punishment when the Lord commeth in visitation. A notable place to this purpose we hauehave in the sixth chapter of the booke of Wisdome, vntounto which for breuitie sake I referre the Reader.Wisd. chap. 6. vers. 1. to the tenth. Iob 12. 18. 19. 21. So also Iob saith, that the Lord looseth the colar of Kings, and leadeth Princes as a prey, and ouerthroweth the mightie; he powreth contempt vponupon Princes, and maketh the strength of the mightie weake. Now the punishments which more especially the Lord inflicteth vponupon euil Princes are for the time of their raigne terrible feares, and affrighting horrors: and secondly he allotteth to their tyrannie but a very short time, and then bringeth vponupon them sudden destruction. In the former respect tyrants and wicked Kings are most miserable in the middest of all their royaltie and maiestie, being continually haunted with these feares, as with hellish furies, and so affrighted through the guilt of their owne consciences, that they are neuer at rest, nor hauehave any peace or true ioy in their hearts, in the middest of all their outward mirth and iollity, they feare company alike and solitarines; that for feare of assault, and this for want of helpe. In the day time they seldome looke straight forward for feare of being surprised at vnawares, but commonly they looke askew with many sudden turnings, as though they were in a crowd of enemies, and looked who should giuegive the first stab. Neither hauehave they more rest in the night; for hearing the least noise waking, they suspect a conspiracie; and being asleepe, they are affrighted with terrible dreames, and fearefull visions. They are so much in feare of their enemies that they are neuer quiet till hauing contriued their ruine, they hauehave also brought them to destruction. And of their friends so iealous and suspitious, that the least occasion turneth the confidence which they hauehave of their fidelity into doubting and distrust, which being a little nourished with selfe-guiltinesse, their friendship is turned into enmitie, and their louelove into mortall hatred. So that a tyrant is neuer in safety, no not when hee is compassed with his strongest guard: for a king cannotNon tutus ibi rex est, vbi a rege nihil tutum est. Necesse est multos timeat quem multi timent. Senec. lib. 2. de ira. cap. 11. Metui capiunt, metuique timent. Senec. in Agamem. 73. there be safe, where nothing is in safety from the king; or though he should be sometime safe, yet can he neuer bee secure, for it is of necessitie, that he whom many feare, should also himselfe feare many, eueryevery one desiring his destruction whom he seruilely feareth; and that his owne danger may be preuented with the others ruine. And heereof it is that howsoeuer tyrants desire rather to be feared then loued, yet they are ready againe to feare this feare, lest what they threaten against others be retorted vponupon their owne heads. In regard of which terrors and continuall feares many tyrants and wicked kings could desire to be vnburthened of their greatnesse, that they might also bee deliuered from these dangers and expected euils; but that they hold their kingdome as a ban-dog by the eares, there being neither safety in keeping nor forgoing it; for howsoeuer at first it was in the tyrants choice whether he would lay claime vntounto it or no; yet hauing taken it vponupon him, he hath not the like liberty and safetie to desist from his gouernment when he will, in regard of the many outrages which hee hath committed, and iniuries which hee hath offered, which would bee punished and reuenged, if hee were not still armed with soueraigne power.
The second vsuall punishment which God inflicteth vponupon§. Sect. 13. That God bringeth vponupon euill kings hastie destruction. tyrants and euill kings, is hasty and vnexpected destruction; which is so common and ordinarie, that a man shall hardly find a king that reigneth long which ruleth wickedly: insomuch that the wise man of Greece being demanded what hee had seldomest seene; answered, a tyrant liuing toThales a…ud Plutarch. in conuiu. 252. Violenta nemo imperia continuit diu, moderata durant. Senec. in Troade 2…0. old age. The which as it is chiefly brought to passe through the iust iudgement of God, who when there is none to iudge and punish, doth himselfe goe the circuit, and sit vponupon the bench; so in respect of second causes it standeth with reason, that he for whom eueryevery one layeth snares should at length be catched of some, though hee hauehave escaped many. And well were it with tyrants if this were all their punishment to hauehave a shamefull death after a sinfull life: but this is but the beginning of their miserie; for after this first punishment of bodilie destruction, inflicted vponupon them as it were at the quarter sessions; there is a farre greater reserued for the time of Gods generall assises, euen the eternall death and condemnation both of their bodies and soules, as a iust recompence of all their oppressions, iniuries, cruelties and outrages which they hauehave offered against their brethren, for whose good and preseruation al their power of gouernment was by God committed to them.
And thus hauehave I briefly shewed the manifold euils which§. Sect. 14. Of the spirituall kingdome which eueryevery one should labour after. accompanie kingdoms, whether they be wel vsed or abused; al which may serue as reasons to shew their worthlesnes, and to incite all, that if they will needs be ambicious, they would aspire to kingdomes of greater value and excellencie; namely, that soueraignty and regiment which is spiritual and heauenly. And first, that they spiritually raigne whilest they continue on earth, that so they may continually raigne in the kingdome of heauen. So the authour of the booke of Wisedome exhorteth: If your delight (saith hee) bee in thrones Wisd. 6. 21.and scepters, O kings of the people, honour wisedome, that ye may raigne for euer. Now this regiment is chiefly exercised in our selues, when as deposing sinne from raigning in our mortall bodies, we doe erect in vsus the kingdome of Iesus Christ, suffering him to raigne in vsus by his word and holy spirit. And when by vertue hereof our reason being sanctified and assisted, doth raigne and rule ouer our corrupt affections and vnrulie passions, reforming some which may be seruiceable, and subduing, mortifying, and slaughtering others which are vnprofitable and vnamendable; especially when as weeRex est qui metuit nihil Rex est qui cupit nihil hoc regnū sibi quisque dat. Senec. in Thyeste. crucifie our carnall concupiscence, our greedie auarice and proud ambition, and set vp in our minds true contentation, which maketh vsus truly kings, inioying all, and needing nothing, and neither hoping after that we hauehave not, nor fearing to forgoe that we hauehave. Which kingdome eueryevery one may hauehave, and none can take away.
Finally, if we will needs raigne as kings, let vsus not affect§. Sect. 15. That we are to labour after the kingdome of heauen. 2. Tim. 2. 12. and set our hearts vponupon earthly kingdomes, but rather let vsus bee content here in this vale of teares to suffer with Iesus Christ, that we may eternally raigne with him. Let vsus not aspire vntounto worldly monarchies, where the impossibility of obtaining may iustly free vsus from affecting and hoping; for as the world hath but one sunne, so a kingdome admits but of one soueraigne; but let vsus seate our affections in heauen, where we shall all raigne as kings, and yet one not any whitApoc. 22. 5. lessen anothers dominions; but the greater the number is, the greater is the royalty and glory of all, the greater also is their ioy and happinesse. Finally, let vsus not much affect this earthly soueraignty, which is accompanied with so many cares, troubles, labours, feares and dangers; but rather let vsus set our harts vponupon that kingdome of peace and glory, where there is no care to disturbe our quietnesse, no trouble to hinder our happinesse, no griefe to distast our ioyes, no feares nor dangers to disquiet our minds; but secure rest, vnspeakeable happinesse, glory without measure, and ioyes without end; which whosoeuer seeke shall surely find, and hauing attained to it, shall neither bee disturbed in it, nor depriued of it.