Magistra••es, Ministers, &c. to be Men of courage. [ 1204]
ELvidius Priscus being commanded by Vespasian,* 1.1 either not to come into the Senate, or being there to speak nothing but what he directed; made an∣swer, That being a Senator, it was sit he should go into the Senate, and being there, it was his duty, to speak in his Conscience what he thought to be true; and then being threatned, if he did so, he should die, further added; That he never as yet told him that he was immortal; and therefore, said he, Do what you will, I will do what I ought;* 1.2 And as it it in your power to put me unjustly to death, so it is in my power to die resolvedly for the Truth: Here now was a brave spirited Heathen, sit for Chri∣stian imitation; For he can never be a Faithfull Man, that is afraid to speak his mind: Men of publique employment for the Peoples good, must and ought to stand up for the Truth, to be Men of courage, Men of resolution, not fearing the frowns of any whatsoever; not ecchoing out the dictates of others, but freely speaking their own thoughts without any fear at all.