Historie & policie re-viewed, in the heroick transactions of His Most Serene Highnesse, Oliver, late Lord Protector; from his cradle, to his tomb: declaring his steps to princely perfection; as they are drawn in lively parallels to the ascents of the great patriarch Moses, in thirty degrees, to the height of honour. / By H.D. Esq.

The sixteenth Ascent. (Book 16)

MOses was most faithful, and careful, in providing able and honest Officers for the Civil Government,* 1.1 as well Mini∣sters of State, as Justice. For his father-in law Jethro, coming to see him, and finding him to sit alone, to Judge the people, which stood about him from the morning until evening, was much troubled at it, and gave him a true fatherly counsel indeed; which was to di∣vide the burden of the Government, between some sufficient persons, amongst the people,* 1.2 that were accomplisht for so great a work: So Moses chose out Men of Courage, fearing God, men dealing truly, hating covetousnesse,* 1.3 and appointed them to be Rulers over Thou∣sands, and over Hundreds, and over Fifties, and over Tens. Then upon those whom he appointed Judges, he presseth the point of in∣corruption, thus; Wrest not the Law, nor re∣spect any person, neither take reward;* 1.4 for re∣ward blindeth the eyes of the wise, and perverteth the words of the just: That which is just and right shalt thou follow, that thou mayst live, and possesse the Land, which the Lord thy God giveth

thee. So our Moses cannot but be acknow∣ledged as careful a Father of his people, as he was a faithful Deliverer, and glorious Con∣ductor, or Captain-General.

The Parallel.

This was a Noble Ascent indeed, and not onely becoming a man of State, but so high∣ly necessary, that our Master Moses himself, stood in need of an Admonitor to it, and probably had not mounted it, but by the sage advice of his good father-in-law Jethro, as we have seen in the Ascent: which as in all the rest, our second Moses, his late Highnesse, has so exactly pattern'd, that he is to be drawn into example by all succeeding Princes, and his prudence to be adored by all Posterity, as well as the present Age,

There is none, I believe, will doubt, but that it is a Soveraign and Supreme Piece of Politick vertue, to make diligent search, and inquiry into the abilities, and integrities, of all such as are to be employed, as Ministers of State, or Justice; and this, I say, concerns not onely the Chief, but all inferiour Magi∣strates; for let the person in government be never so great, and absolute a Master in all State matters himself, if he be disserved by those, whom he does employ, his vertues will be but betrayed by the crimes of others, and

expose the people to multiplied injuries. This point therefore of Politick prudence, in a Prince, is much beyond any other personal perfections,* 1.5 that may be called accomplish∣ments in a Statesman, as the Learned Aquinas tells us, and gives the reason, Quia bonum com∣mune praeeminet omni bono singulari; This politick vertue exceeds all others, as much as the publick good surpasseth any particular; for he that it contented to draw himself with∣in the guard of his own vertues onely, and neglect the looking into the manners of others, that are to be his instruments of State, will of necessity be ensnared in his own goodnesse, and will signifie no more to the publick bene∣fit, than those foolish Musicians, that made all their harmony within themselves, and were content to see all the World besides out of Tune.

This horrid negligence, has made many good Kings odious to their Subjects, and though excellent persons in themselves, yet tamely suffering themselves to be lead by their Favourites, have fallen not onely into the re∣putation, but ruin of Tyrants, and stink still in the nostrils of the people. Some great Secre∣taries of Nature, as Theophrastus de Plantis, and that excellent Naturalist, Joannes Roellus,* 1.6 assure us, That there is a very goodly, and profitable Plant, called Affodil, or Scepter-Royal, which breeds very bad little worms about it, that gnaw out the very heart, and perish the whole, substance of it, hiding them∣selves

under the leaves, and shadow of it, till such time, that getting wing, they become a kind of Butter-flie, all speckled over with gay flowers, and brave it over men in the air, whom they durst hardly not long before, be∣hold upon the earth. Just so, do carelesse Kings and Princes, like this pitiful, though Rbyal Plant, cover under their fair verdure, creatures which gnaw like worms in the be∣ginning, upon the substance of their Master, and afterwards frame themselves wings, all enamell'd with glory, at the charge of the Publick, to take their flights over the heads of so many Mortals, whom they look upon as scornfully as if they had forgot the earth that bore them; but sometime, they meet with a fall, proportionable to their flight, and their Royal Masters and Makers, are alwayes invol∣ved in inevitable ruin.

Our first, and second Moses, we see, full-well understood that danger, and have taken course accordingly, to prevent it, by employ∣ing none in Publick Charges, but men of piety, as well as parts, known integrity, as well as ability; knowing nothing to be so perillous to Princely greatnesse, as wicked Ministers, and that good Officers, must make great Statesmen, as well as Captain-Generals. Has not, I say, our second Moses, made out his Parallel in this, to its perfection? Was there ever such a choice, since that of the first Moses, as he has made of men of Courage, fearing God, deal∣ing truly, and hating covetousnesse, whom he

has adopted into all the Offices about his Per∣son, Estate, Army, or Justice? Look back upon his Highnesse sitting in his Family, and then, how can you but phansie, the beautiful Rose surrounded with the fair attendance of its elegant leaves, all in a Livery? Consider him in his Council, what can you say lesse of him, than that he was a Princely Palme, en∣compast with most stately Cedars, and but re∣flect upon him, in his warlike equipage, and with his Martial men about him; he will then shine forth like the Sun, when glorified with his most illustrious rayes. And last of all, if we but look upon him in his power representa∣tive, and Courts of Judicature, there is not a Poet sure, but would say, that his Highnesse had Courted, Reconciled, and Reduced, Astraea to the earth again. Philostratus tells us, in Vita Herodis Attici,* 1.7 how that Athenian Herod, appointed four and twenty Pages for his son, every one of whom, bore the Title of a Greek letter, which was written on their breasts, that so he might soon learn his Al∣phabet, by onely calling of his servants. But our Princely Protector, and second Moses, would have all his Officers, and Instruments about him, to appear to his people, like those ancient Statues of Polycletes, Phydias, and Si∣sippus, of which there was not a Lineament, but was said to speak. But I am too general in the application of this Parallel, and may be pardoned, I hope, if I shall reduce it nearer home, by particulars: though I am sure to

incur the censure of flattery, for it amongst fools: And Ile begin, with his chief Mini∣ster, or Secretary of State, the intelligence of his Counsels, and as it were, the Angel-Guardian of his Government, who was so pre∣sent with his great Master, our second Moses, in all his actions, counsells, interests, and de∣signs, as certain flowers are said to wait on the Sun, and penetrated to the very Center of his great Soul; so could not but contract many of his most Mosaical perfections: He is certainly known to be, what his name renders him by Anagramm, a True Holy one, that is, a Statesman after Moses his manner: viz. fear∣ing God, and dealing truly, &c. a person of most incomparable piety and parts; Prudent as a Serpent, and yet pure as a Seraphim, vertues so rare in a Statesman, that we may justly call him, the true holy Phoenix Poli∣titian of the Age.

I have not time, nor paper to insist so par∣ticularly, upon every one of his Highnesse most honourable Privy Council; but this I can affirm, that never was a more compleat body of Council, or more exquisite compo∣sition, of so many excellent Tempers together in the World; insomuch, that we see noto∣riously in every dayes dispatches, how they are that perfectly, what the old Historian Vel∣leius sayes of Sejanus flatteringly, That he was, Actu otiosis simillimus, (in earnest, a most excellent character, howsoever of a Statesman) that he seemed in the middest of his greatst

employments, as if he were idle. My Lords likewise of his Highnesse Council, are so exact∣ly knowing in affairs, that it was never heard, that any of those six common obstacles, did ever obstruct their dispatches, which are, dis∣order, confusion, passion, sollicitude, irreso∣lution, and precipitation, so they have done all things warily, fully, and peaceably, with∣out shewing the least anxiety. They have by their great piety and prudence, kept this State so well united within the bands of con∣cord, and charity, that it cannot but appear to forreigners themselves, as it were a little Temple of Peace, though in the very heat and hurry of War, embracing all affairs, & govern∣ing them, with that sweet temper, and equality of spirit, that they resemble those active spi∣rits, which move the whole Heavens, not using in themselves, the least agitation.

Amber-Greece is nothing so sweet, in it self, as when it is compounded with other things, so these Godly, Wise, Couragious, and, every way, Excellent Counsellours: improve themselves by the communication of their counsells together, and do, (even as Flint∣stones, which by their proximity, do make their sparkles to flie) by a holy emulation which they use, in the pursuite of God, not onely enlighten others, but enkindle in each others hearts, a more sensible, and pious ap∣prehension of God, and all good things, by a mutual reverberation: But I must hasten; for when I have said all, that can Be said, it

will fall short of their most Mosaical merits; So I shall conclude with them, in saying onely, that they are all persons, composed accor∣ding to Jethro's character, and that when our second Moses adopted them into his secret counsells, we could none of us deny, nor can yet, but that it seemed his late Highnesse had drawn so many Angels from Heaven, to fix them at the stern of his Estate; for they are all of them, as unlike their Predecessors, as all the World can wish them. Then, if we but consider a little, the excellent choice, his High∣nesse has made of Commissioners, and Keepers of his Great Seal, we cannot but acknowledge that they are persons, without any exception, fitted, for so great a work, that carry a con∣stant Court of Chancery engraven in their breasts, and bear, jus aequum & bonum, written in their very foreheads.

For the Lords Commissioners of his High∣nesse Treasury, they cannot be questioned to be of as exact a choice, and equal disposition for the great Trust, still men of our Mosaical temper, fearing God, and dealing-truly; and so we may safely affirm, that our second Moses, selected Persons for that employment, as well as other, to whom he might as safely have re∣posed his conscience, as he did his purse: Men all as honourable in their breedings, as Noble by their births, of as profound Learn∣ing, and ability in the Laws, as of sublime honesty and fidelity to their Country; and of a most unspotted integrity, both towards God,

and his Highnesse, their late Mosaical Master.

I should be infinite, to insist upon all the par∣ticular men of Honour, employed by his High∣nesse: So I shall speak onely something to our Parallel of Mosaical Judges, to which our pre∣sent Ascent naturally leads us, and leave the rest, to be made out, by ingenuous Readers themselves.

And first, for that incomparable pair of my Lords the Chief Justices, with the several Sets of ingenious and godly Judges, Attor∣ny, and Solicitor-General, all his Highnesse's Council at Law, with other Officers, and Ap∣pendices, to each Court: They are all such select and eminent Persons, and indeed, the plurality of Lawyers, from the Purple, to the Sable Robe, of this present Age, so accomp∣plisht with piety, and parts, that the Divine Themis her self, will not be ashamed to call her self a prostitute in former Ages, and acknow∣ledge this production of hers, to be onely genuin, and their generation onely own to be Legitimate; and all this we must attribute to his late Highnesse his most Mosaical influence. Their Lordships, I mean, those excellent per∣sons in supreme Judicature, are known to live the Laws, as well as to see them put in execu∣tion: Evecti in excelsum, inde magis vitia de∣spiciunt, as the wise Cassiodorus well expresseth it: They know that God, and his Highnesse,* 1.8 have set them on high, for no other cause, but to behold vices beneath them, which who∣soever does exalt, will find himself quickly

trampled underfoot, by them, and made to drink the greatest part of the poison, which he mingles for others, and he that breakes down the hedge,* 1.9 as the Scripture threatens, the Snake shall sting him first. Their Lord∣ships, I say, have given sufficient evidence to the World, that they know all this, and pra∣ctice the contrary course; They know them∣selves to be lookt upon, as Stars in the firma∣ment; and Philosophy tells us, that the more light a body has, the more it ought to have of participation, and favourable influences, for objects, that are in a lower degree than it. Nihil vile,* 1.10 nihil cupidum, judices decet, claras suas maculas reddunt, si illi ad quos multi respi∣ciunt, aliquâ reprehensione sordescant, sayes the same excellent Cassiodorus, Nothing vile or covetous, becomes Judges; the spots of per∣sons in power, are quickly spyed; for they being aloft, every eye dwells upon them. We have seen in forreign parts, and heretofore here in England, Judges enough neglectful of their duty, and Courts of Justice resembling rather old Cyclopean Cavernes, than Temples of peace; for which we have seen the very fields themselves weeping; nay, filled with large pools, and standing waters, gathered to∣gether from the teares of Orphans, and Wi∣dows, and an infinity of other persons, under oppression; and this by the wickednesse of some, who take delight to stretch out suites of Law with their tongues, as Shooe-makers do their leather, with their teeth; which

made holy Cyprian cry out,* 1.11 Inter leges ipsas delinquitur, inter jura peccatur. Innocency is seldom so ill treated any where, as in those places, where profession is most made to de∣fend it: The Serpents of the Desart, have lesse gall and spleen, than such Serpents that make the house of Justice to eccho with their clamours, loud as the waves, which are heard to roare, upon the shore of the Aegean Sea, and flourish in the World, as Cato tells us,* 1.12 like Princely Theives, Fures privatorum furtorunt in compendibus, Publici in auro vitam agunt, saith he, Gibbits, nay Wheels and Racks, are prepared for some miserable Criminals, be∣cause they were yet but little Theives, who had they grown to be greater, it may be their Crimes had rather been Crowned, than cha∣stised.

Plutarch very aptly compares those Courts,* 1.13 and Cities, where these raging injustices are committed, to the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, those ne∣fast and fatal Portals, ill boading Doors, whereof Histories make mention, that were never opened, but to passe away bodies of condemned persons, all villany, carrion, and stinking ordure. How much are we indebted in the mean time, to his late Highnesse his pious care, and Princely provision for us, to ad∣vance onely to his Tribunals, such glorious Judges, who are themselves, speaking Laws, and do more right to the Publick, by their words, and examples, that all the written La∣bells in the World could propagate? Men

so much of Moses his make, Couragious, fear∣ing God, dealing truly, and hating covetous∣nesse, not wresting the Law, nor respecting persons, neither taking reward; that we may boldly affirm, that they have already put on incorruption, bearing alwayes in their minds, That great Dignities are oblgations of con∣science, binding more than the chains of Me∣dea to give a perfect luster of Divinity: Happy are the people who have the Lord for their God, and such Judges and Governours set over them: and this happinesse we owe to his late Highnesse, his most Mosaical care over us, placing over us such persons in power, that he might as well answer for, to God, as for himself; by which means we must needs be sensible how he has left us a government so sweetly still establisht, that we can compare it more properly to nothing, than to the Hal∣cyons nest, which calmes the browe of Hea∣ven.

I shall conclude this Parallel therefore, with an exclamation of a most ingenuous Scotch∣man,* 1.14 against a sort of Kings, meaning, it may be, some of his own Country: 0 strange and silly providence of Princes, saith he, to keep then but a few Hawks, to have their stables full of Ca∣preoling Horses, as in an army of Sybarits, or not speedily to repair the losse of a Hound, if a wild Boar happen to kill one of them! These things, I say, not more for the use, and plea∣sure of Princes, than for meer ostentation and shew of Majesty, they hold a sin to

be omitted; nay, they can waste their Gold, and spend their whole Treasure, upon pitiful and base fellows: But O, it is too too charge∣able, to have a choice of brave mindes about them, here their Parsimony is remembred, here their Exchecquer fails: and so very judiciously proceeds to shew, what choice of brave men should be about the Person of a Prince, and indeed very congruous to our Mosaical character, which our great second Moses has so strictly observed, in those brave spirits, which he has pickt out, and preferred to have power over us; that we may safely say, he has by that, as by any other of his glorious Actions, outgone the condition of mortal men; by that, he sees himself alive still, and in health, much better than by perfumes, and an Eagle escaping from his Funeral Pile, does he see himself likewise to be deified: By this, he shall triumph over time, with the applause of all men; These Persons likewise shall be his Pageants to all eternity; these his rich spoiles of Nations, of whose flowers, as it were, he has so made himself a glorious Garland.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Exod. 18.14.
• * 1.2

  Ver. 19.
• * 1.3

  Ver. 22.
• * 1.4

  Deut. 16.19.
• * 1.5

  Tho. A∣quin. 2.2. q. 58.
• * 1.6

  Theoph. de Plantis. Jo. Roel∣lins.
• * 1.7

  Philost. in vita He∣rod. Att.
• * 1.8

  Cassiod.
• * 1.9

  Eccles. 10.8.
• * 1.10

  Cass.
• * 1.11

  Cyprian. Epist. ad Donatum.
• * 1.12

  Cato.
• * 1.13

  Plut. de Curiosit.
• * 1.14

  Parcl. Arg.