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Of the present Tyranny. That it is from humane Nature or Malice. Oppres∣sions external and internal were here∣tofore.
LAstly, you complain of the Ty∣ranny that is now adayes, and the oppressions at once both of our Bodies and Souls. My purpose is not (at this time) to applaud, or condemn our own age; for to what end were it? My business is to compare only. I ask you therefore when ever those
evils vvere not; and where that place was. Assign me any one Age, any one Nation, without a remarkable Ty∣ranny in it; and (for I'le run the haz∣zard) I will then confess, that we are the most wretched do all that are miserable. Why do you not reply? I see that old Sarcasme is true; all the good Princes may be registred in a Ring. For it is natural to Man to use authority insolently, and hardly to keep a mean in that which it self is above it. Even we our selves who complain of Tyranny, do yet carry the feeds of it inclosed in our bosoms: Nor is there a Will wanting in most of us to discover them, but the power. A Serpent vvhen he is benummed with cold, hath poyson within him, though he do not exert it; 'Tis the same in us, whom only weakness keeps inno∣cent, and a kind of Winter in our For∣tunes. Give but power, give means, and I fear that the most of those that accuse would transcend the example of
their superiours. This is every dayes instance; see that Father stern with his Children, that Master with his Servants, and that School-Master with his Scholars. Each of them is a Phalaris in his kind, and raise the same waves in their Brooks, as Kings do in their greater Seas. The same Na∣ture is discernible in other creatures; most of which prey upon their own kind, both in the Air, the Earth, and the Water:
So greater Fish devaour the smaller fry, And weaker Fowle under the Goshauks die.sayes Varro truly; but you will say these are the oppressions of Bodies only: But this is the peculiar of our age, that ours are of the Soul also. Take heed you speak not this with more malice than truth. That Man seems to me to be little skilled in the knowledge of himself, and the heavenly nature of the Soul; that thinks it can be forced or
compelled. For no outward violence whatsoever can make you will, that which you do not will; or to yield to that which you do not assent to. Some have power over the bond and tye of the Soul; but none over it self. A ty∣rant may loose it from the Body, but he cannot dissolve the nature of it, which being pure, eternal, fiery, dis∣pises every external or violent attempt. But we may not speak our own thoughts. Be it so. The bridle then curbs your Tongue only, not your Mind; your Actions, but not your Judgment. But even this is new, and unheard of. Good Man! how are you mistaken? How many can I point you out, who have suffered under Tyrants, for their o∣pinions? through the heedlesness of their tongues? How many of those Tyrants have endeavoured to compel mens Judgements, and their Judge∣ments too in matters of Religion? It vvas the common custom of the Per∣sians and the Eastern Nations to adore
their Kings, and we know that Alexan∣der challenged to himself that divine a∣doration, with the ill will of his ruder Macedonians. Amongst the Romans that good and moderate Emperour Au∣gustus had in the Provinces, yes in every house, Flamens and Priests as a God. Caligula cutting off the Heads from the Statues of the Gods, with a ridiculous impiety, caused his own to be placed upon them. The same instituted a Temple, Priests and chosen Sacrifices to his own deity. Nero would be taken for Apollo, and the most illustrious of the City were slain, under this accusa∣tion; that they had never sacrificed to the heavenly voice. Domitian was o∣penly called our Lord and God. Which vanity or impiety if it were found at this day, in any of our Kings; what would you then say Lipsius? I vvill sail no nearer this Scylla, into which no vvinds of ambition shall either betray or force me: For a secure old age is the reward of silence. I will bring in
only one testimony of the ancient sla∣very, in this respect; and that shall be out of an Author you are well acquaint∣ed vvith, and I vvould have you to at∣tend him. 'Tis Tacitus in the reign of Domitian: We read (sayes he) that when Petus Thrasea was praised by Arulenus Rusticus, and Priscus Helvidius by He∣rennius Senecio; it was capital to them both. Nor did the cruelty extend it self only to the Authors, but also to their Works. Charge being given to the Tri∣umvirs, that the monuments of those ex∣cellent wits should be burnt in the Forum and Comitium, supposing by that one fire, to have suppressed the voice of the people of Rome; the liberty of the Senate, and the conscience of Mankind. The professours also of Wisdom were banished; and all in∣genious arts proscribed, lest there should any where appear the least footsteps of ho∣nesty. We gave certainly a grand ex∣ample of our patience; and as the forego∣ing ages saw the utmost height of liberty, so did we of slavery, the commerce of hear∣ing
and speaking being barred; and in danger by informers. VVe had certainly lost our memories together vvith our speech if it had been as much in our power to for∣get, as it was to be silent.