the example Agamemnon in Euripides, to ex∣press
a greater desire of rest and retirement,
then of honor or imployment. And many
have found this a singular remedy, to divert
the wiles of those that would oppose them,
and to escape the disgrace which attends
those fierce pretenders; nay, they have had
hereby the glory, to have it often thought,
That this honor or imployment was cast upon
them, meerly for their merits, and not ob∣tained
by begging or buying of voices, as it
too often falls out.
Last of all, in our pretences we must take
heed, that we clash with no rival, that is
greater or more powerful in Friends and
Dependants, then our selves. In this case we
must imitate Marcus Lepidus, a man in Taci∣tus
his opinion, of great wisdom; who being
drawn, as it were, into the Senate by Tiberius,
to stand with Junius Blaesus, Sejanus his Un∣cle,
whether of them should be chosen
Pr••consul of Africk, pretended presently
against himself, want of health, the tender
years of most of his Children, and the mar∣riage
of a Daughter, that he was to take care
of; fearing doubtlesly to make Sejanus his
Enemy, if he carried away the Province
from Blaesus. Neither must we obstinately
contend with him, whom some great man
is about to advance, although the Law favor
us against him; for without doubt, Favor