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CHAP. XLVIII.
He that would not have a Magistracy given to one that is base and lewd, let him cause it to be de∣manded either by one that is very base and lewd, or by one that is noble and very good.
WHen the Senate was afraid that the Tribuns with Consular authority would be chosen out of the Plebeyans, they held one of these two courses to prevent it: either they made some of the best reputed men of Rome stand for the magistracy, or they used fit means to corrupt some forbid Plebeyan and of the basest condition, who crept in to be competitor with the Plebeyans that usually of the best quality stood for it. This last way made the people asham'd to bestow it, and the first asham'd to refuse it, all which turnes to the purpose of our former discourse: where its shewed, though the people be de∣ceived in generals, yet is it not in particulars.