Rulers, Magistrates, &c. to be Men of publique spirits. [ 1924]
IT is written of Augustus Caesar,* 1.1 (in whose time Christ was born) that he car∣ried such an entire and Fatherly affection to the Common-wealth, that he called it Filiam suam, his own daughter; and for that cause refused to be cal∣led Dominus Patriae, the Lord or Master of his Country,* 1.2 because he ruled not by fear, but by love, so that at the time of his death, the People were very much troubled, and, much lamenting his losse, said; Utinam aut non nasceretur, &c. Would he had never been born, or never dyed; And such were Titus and Aristides, and many others both in* 1.3 divine and humane story, that have been famous in their generations for prefering the publick good before their own pri∣vate advantage.* 1.4 And it were heartily to be wished, that all Rulers, Magistrates, &c. may be so spirited by God, that they may be willing to be any thing, to be nothing, to empty and deny themselves, and to trample their sinfull selves under foot in order to the honour of God, and the publique good; that so neither