[ 1683] Men seeking after high Preferment, not fit to be entertained therein.
SCipio being made General of the Romane Army, was to name his Questor, or ••r••asurer for the Wars,* 1.1 whom he thought fit, it being a place in those daies, as is now in these, of great importance; One that looked upon himself to have a special interest in Scipio's favour, becomes an earnest suiter for it, but by the delay mistrusting he should be answered in the Negative, importun'd him one day for an answer; Think not unkindnesse in me, said Scipio, that I de∣lay you thus; For I have been as earnest with a friend of mine to take it, and cannot as yet prevail with him; Intimating hereby that high preferments, offices of charge and Conscience are fittest for such as shun them modestly,* 1.2 rather then such as seek them greedily: And without all doubt, he that hunteth after any place or dignity, whether in Church or Commonweal, that doth omnem movere lapi∣dem, leave no stone unmoved, no means unattempted, no Friend unsolicited, doth but declare himself as one byass'd to his own, not the publique Interest, and so a Man unfitting; whereas he that lyes dormant, till Preferment awaken him, that humbly carrieth an inferiour condition, till he hear the Governours voice, Friend sit up higher, Luk. 14. 10. is the onely Man fit to be entrusted.