Politique discourses, treating of the differences and inequalities of vocations, as well publique, as priuate with the scopes or endes wherevnto they are directed. Translated out of French, by Ægremont Ratcliffe Esquire.

CHAPTER. XVI. That men may sometimes intrude themselues into offices.

ALthough this rule be moste true and certeine, that no man ought to enter of his owne head into any Publique vocation: yet for all that, such neces∣sitie may sometimes happen, that it ought to haue no place. As for example, in the Com∣mon gouernment, although the Publique reuenge & defence apperteine onely vnto Magistrates: yet, if in place, out of the presence and succour of Magistrates, any man be assailed by robbers or théeues, so that power and resistance be required, he may, and ought without feare, to helpe and defende him selfe, & vse the force and authoritie of the sworde, whiche otherwise apperteineth to Magistrates onely. As the Diuines

say likewise in the Ecclesiasticall estate, if it so hap∣pen that there be néede and want of Church men, and in al other like cases, led by the necessitie of brotherly charitie, y^t then the same is permitted to euerie one, whiche belongeth to the Ecclesiasticall duetie and of∣fice, although that otherwise it be prohibited.