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IN this place followeth the sixt abuse: namely, a Lord or Master that is without vertue. For it profiteth nothing to have power and authority, or to rule, if the Master have not in himselfe, the direct and order∣ly sway of vertue. But this ver∣tue consisteth not so much in the externe and outward
strength of the body, which is very requisite and necessary for such as are worldly Rulers, as it is to be exercised in the in∣ward strength, in good and vertuous manners. For often times a man doth lose the might and power to rule, through the negligence of the inward part: as it appeared by Eli the Priest, who while he punished not his children with the rigorous and strait rod of justice, when they did sinne: God, (as one that would be revenged for their wickednesse upon him) sharpely punished him, as one that consented to their naughtinesse.
Therefore it is necessary,
that Rulers have these three things in them, that is to say: terror to be feared, good go∣vernance, and love. For except the Governour be feared and loved, his ordinance and rule cannot stand. Therfore through his goodnesse and honest fami∣liar conditions, let him procure to get the love of them which are under him, and also by just and discreet punishment. Not that he would or should appear to revenge his owne quarrell or injurie: but that the trans∣gression or breaking of the Law of God, might be punished, and so to be had in feare.
Wherefore, while many per∣sons doe depend and hang up∣on
him, he himselfe must alto∣gether depend and hang upon God, and cleave onely to him: who hath set him in that rule: who hath established him, and made him to be a stronger man, whereby to beare the burdens of many. For except a beame be laid fast and sure, upon a stronger thing which is able to beare it, all that is laid upon it shall fall downe: yea and it selfe also, through the very bignesse and weight of it selfe, shall fall to the ground with the burden thereof. So a Prince or Ruler, except he sticke fast to his ma∣ker, both he himselfe, and all that is with him doth quickly perish.
There be some, who after they be set in authority, doe become better men, and doe cleave more neere to God, than they did before: and some are contrariwise thereby made the worse.
For Moses after he was made Governour of the people, he had communication with God more familiarly than he had before. But Saul the sonne of Cis, after he was King, through his pride and disobedience, highly sinned and offended a∣gainst God.
King Salomon, after he sate in the seate of his Lord and fa∣ther King David, God increa∣sed and made him rich with
the gift of wisedome, to go∣verne over innumerable peo∣ple. And contrariwise, after that Ieroboam the servant of Sa∣lomon, had usurped part of the kingdome of the house of Da∣vid, he turned tenne Tribes of the people of Israell, which were in the part of Samaria, from the true and right worship of God, to the wicked and di∣vellish worshiping of Idols.
By which examples, it is ap∣parant and manifest, that some men when they doe come to dignity, doe grow more per∣fect and better: and some a∣gaine, through pride of their advancement and rising up, doe fall and waxe worse. By both
the which is to be understood, that they which increase in goodnesse, doe it by the vertue and godly disposition of the minde, even by the onely help of God: and the other, that they doe fall by the weakenesse of the minde, through the neg∣ligence and small regard they have to vertue, which no man can have without the helpe of God.
The man that hath many things under him, whereof he hath charge, and hath not the strength and vertue of the minde, is no way able to fulfill or performe what he should doe. For many things do bring with them many troubles and vexations.
Therefore let every man that is a Ruler, procure first with all industry of his minde, that in all things he may be sure of the helpe of God. For if in his do∣ings he have the Lord and go∣vernour of all Lords and Go∣vernours to his helper, no man can set light or despise his or∣dinance and rule, because there is no power but of God. He lif∣teth up the poore and needy out of the very dunghill, and maketh him to sit with the Princes of his people. Likewise he casteth downe the mighty from their seate, exalting them which are meeke and lowly: that all the world might be o∣bedient unto God, & his glory only exalted.