Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

Of the vanitie of raorldly pewer and authoritie, 3 a Y from the other, it bringeth foorth no other fruites then cru- eltie,rage,opprellion, and all manner ofhurt and mifchiefe, and that both to thofe who are vnder it, and to thofe allo who thus abufe it. For as for them, they are not mailers of any thing which they enjoy, all their goods and fubilance being daily endangered to their fpoyle and rapine; the which their injuries they muff indure not only with Clence and patience, but at leall with outward cheerelulnes and thankfulnes : for if they feeme but to take notice that they are wronged, they doe make way fora new mifchiefe, and put them in minde to redouble the iniurie. And therefore the bell way for thefe inferiours, is willingly to offer that to Minorapotenti- thefr powerful! tyrants which they (cane to afle &; for to b negate erg denie vnto them leffer things, is to promife vnto them grea_ ere ra prom- ter, and by withholding from them force things, to make them mailers ofall.Yea oftentimes by crofling theirdeliires they doe not only expofe their goods to the fpoile,but their hues allo to danger, as wee may fee in the example of Na_ oth,who labouring to hold his vineyard,loil his life and his vineyard too. Neither is this abufed power and authoritie lefiepernicious to thofe that haue it; for making themfelues hereby odious to all, they twifl fnares to catch themfelues, and fall into their owne pit,whilefl either they expofe them - felues to popular rage, or purfuing the weake doe fall into the power of thofe who are llronger; like the wolfe,who "'. obbocin_ ouer recdil following the lambe doth himfelfe fall into turtam Tacit g y , quiapoteft,citò the lions paw. So that it is truly Paid, that he who therefore delinee gxia fc. doth injurie becaufe he is able,will notlong be able becaufe cit. hee hath done it. And wifely did the Heathen man aduife thofe who defiredtovie their power long, that they fhould cateapud see- vie it fparingly whileft they haue it; for they who doeall beset, fermate they can,will notlongbe able to doe what they will. Nazi/iraru. But as this abufed power and authoritie plungeth men §. Sdi.8. into finne,fo it fubie&eth them to the euili of punilh vent: That worldly for depriving them of the chicle humane flrength and de- p b mén teen. fence,na a eiy the Ioue and good will ofthofe that are about vie <ndmany them,it cxpo(es them to the enuie and hatred of all, fo that dangers. thofe who flatter them with their mouth,threatei their ru- y ine