Ofthe vanitieofraorldypowerand anthoritie. 3 r9 the iut} cariage and denneanureoftheir fubie&s: neither do they defire to be fearedofill liuers as theyare men, but as they behaue themfelueslike beafls ouercaried with fcnfuali- tie : and when there is novice to punifh,theydonor reioyce in the excellencie oftheir power,but in theequalitieoftheir condition, and are fo farre from def.-king tobetoomuch fea- red, that theyrefufe to be toomuchhonored. But the moil part through the corruption ofour nature, are apt to abLife their power and authoritie unto prideand tyrannie, imagi- ning that theyexceed all that are fubie& vnto them, as much in vertue,as they do in titles, in worthand defert, asthey do in dignitieand power; and meafuringthemfelues not by the ruleofGods word,norby the teflimonieof their owne con- fciences,but according to the hyperbolicall, or rather lying praifes and commendations ofpalpable flatterers; and be- Ieeuing that they are fuchas thefe falfe glaffes would feeme to make them, they waxproud oftheir greatnes, cfleeming their inferiours asbafe and contemptible, and thinking that they aregood fornothing but for their vfe, and that likecy- phers theyonly fettle to make vp the fumme of their great- nefí'e:and therefore they rule themnot according to law and equitie,butaccording to their will and pleafure, neuer con- fderingwhat they ought to do, but what by their power theyare able todo;nor think what is goodfor theirinferiors but for thcmfelues,as though it were their fummumbonum and chiefehappineffe, ifby their labours, wealth,lands and hues, they canprocure vnto them the leaf} pleafureor profit, or giue them the leaf}cafe ofany trouble. So that it isa mat- ter ofgreatetl djfljcultje tocxcell inauthoritie, and tobeate downe pride; to haue great power,andnotto thiuke it grea- ter then it is;to rule over inferiours, and not to infult ouer defaRicus. andcontemne them asbafe and abie6}. And therefore great Ec potentates had need to haue that laying founding in their 4Se1l`.7 cares : Thegreater thou art, the more humble thy [eelfe in all That marldly things; andfo!balt thoufindfauour before the Lord. . assbaritievia The other fin into whichpower andauthoritie common- ally is attempt. lyplungethmen, is vniuf}ice, violence and.oppreflion; for Hied roiihvr- theythathauepowertodomorethenisfit ,commonly haavelfo P eeJ xday jio
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