26 Many doe seeke the face of the ruler: but euerie mans iudgement commeth from the Lord.
The Kinges, Princes, Rulers and Superiours of the earth, are of a great Maiestie: as wee ought to vnderstande, when God placeth them in his throne, and that hee calleth them Gods, and sonnes of the most highest. And therefore we must take good heede from ma∣king the rest of men his companions: for besides this, that we shuld sport and iest with God (the which is in no wise lawful, but ought chiefly to be auoided) we should be in danger to be consumed. For as a litle whelpe thinking to playe with a Lyon, would at the last an∣ger him, hee should be deuoured by him: euen so, a King or a Ruler wil not long delight to haue a person of a meane and lowe state to be his familiar, and as it were his companion. Yea also, though for a certaine time a King hath counted a man for his father, and shal so haue called him, at the last hee wil be grieued, and cause him to be taken: as we haue seene in our time the example therof. The Kings and great Lordes of this worlde, are like vnto wilde beastes, and are compared vnto Lyons, and vnto such as bring the message of death. But albeit they are such, and that there is but too much experiences thereof, yet forasmuche as they counterfaite the magnifical and li∣beral, in giuing great giftes & presents vnto their whores, bawdes, flatterers, and tale bringers, and where there is no neede: for this cause many desiring to goe forwarde and make their profite, and to waxe riche, labour to come neere vnto them, and to please them. And as wee haue seene, many doe bowe before the face of the Prince: and euerie man is friend to him that giueth. And according hereunto Solomon saieth nowe,