and the next successours to the Empire, he acquainted the Senate with it, as also the Priests, and briskly told them he was offended at it. The same Emperour see∣ing the Senatours prepare great Honours for his own Mother, did he not make them apprehend by a very neat discourse, that those Honours which were given to Wo∣men, should be moderate, and that he himself too would use the same modesty, in those which were offered to him? When he beheld Macron the Captain of his Guards, courting Caligula, did he not rattle him up with high language, for that he forsook the Sun setting, to adore him Rising:
Kings are so sensible in this particular, that it is not without trouble, that they permit Courtship to be used to their own Children: Thus, though Philip of Ma∣cedon, did intirely love Demetrius his son, yet he was much offended, when the Macedonians followed him in Troops, and shewed an earnest desire to insinnuate themselves into his good favour. But admit this jealousie do not spring up, how∣ever such like actions ought not to be allowed, seeing infallibly it will breed broyls in the State. It is also true, that (men not being less capable to quit their wic∣ked designs, then to hatch and contrive them) it were dangerous to drive things to extremity, and to ruine them at the same instant, they were discovered. That Physician hath but a small portion of discretion, who makes use of violent reme∣dies, upon the first beginning of a sicknesse, without staying to expect what Na∣ture might do of her own self, and that Minister is too severe, who discovering some designs against his Masters service, presently destroys the Authors of it, with∣out giving time, that they might repent themselves. Cecinna is much blamed by Tacitus, for taking a barbarous revenge upon some disorders, before he had given leisure to those who were guilty, to repent: But on the contrary, Julius Agrico∣la, is much commended, in that he was most commonly satisfied with acknowledg∣ment of a fault, and did not cruelly chastise any, when there was the least hopes of amendment; above all, a Minister is the more obliged to this moderation, when he is newly admitted into affairs, and it is conducing to his Masters service, in regard it is a means to render himself beloved. The Sun at his Rising never appears bur∣ning hot, his heat is welcome and favourable, and he seems like Roses and Pearl to the World; and a discreet Minister conforms himself to so agreeable an example, and ought to take it for granted, that whatsoever favours he shall do at the begin∣ning of his Conduct, will gain him the affection of the People, and in prosecution will heap up upon him, as much Happinesse as Glory.