Ofthe vanitie of priaritie andprefermentr. 307 rather that we mayhaue fotneplace in Gods kingdome;and thinke vrith our (clues what (haine and confufion it will bring, to thofe who hauing in this life had the higher} places among men, (hall in the life to come manger their pride, be thru(ldowne intoone ofthe loweflplaces ofhell, and haue the Diuels: and wicked fpirits iufültiug oiler them. The fourth branch of worldly honour is aduancement 4.Sei.I I. and preferment,the which either refpeaethperfons, or pla- ofthevanieie ces and dignities : the former is, when as men areextraordi- ofPrincesfa- narilyaduanced into the fauour and eflimationof Princes nears and great Potentates ofthe world; which howfoeuer it is to be efleemed in it fclfgood,when as it isobtained bylaw- full andhoncfi meanes, yet it degenerateth and becommeth euill vnto thofe who afpircvnto it as theirchicle goodneffe; in their iudgements preferring, in their affe6iions defiring, and in their pra6lifeleeking,the fauourofmortal and earth. lyPrinces,before the fauour and loneofthe immortali and heauenlyKing :which is the cafe ofal thofewho vfe wicked and vnlawfullcourtes, either to gaine,or retaine their lone; as lying,diffembling,hypocrifre, fycophancie, fanning, flat- terie,and other filchdiuelli(h arts and policies.But howfoe- uerChrifiians are muchto account of the loueoftheirPrin- cesand rulers,when as hauing it, they may alto retainethe loue and fauour ofGod, becaufe they are hisDeputies and Lieutenants vpon earth : yet when there is fuch oppofition betweenethem, that bothwill not Hand together,(as it al- waies hapneth when either it cannot be gottenor kept but by finfull and wicked meanes) then is this fauour ofgreat Potentates tobe lightly eileemed,yeato be contemnedand reieaed,that wee mayretaine the fauour and loueofGod; according totheexample ofthe three children, who how- foeuerthey were in chiefe fauour and etlimation withNe- bwchadnezer, yet when they could notenioy it Bill,vnleife theywould offend God, by committing idolatrie, in wor- (hipping his image,thçyfithis fauour at nought,and regar- dednot hisdifpleafure and fierce wrath: asalfo inlohnthe Baptifi, who thoughheewere ingood accountwith Herod, X 2 yet
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