Politique Observation.

HAppy is that State where the Laws are strictly observed, was the saying of an Antient: and it •ay truly be called Happy indeed, because the Laws inhibit any thing repugnant to the Publike good, cherish what-ever is conducing to the advantage thereof; for that the true happiness of a State consisteth in the privation of those evils which may afflict it, and in the enjoyment of those things which con∣tribute to its advantage. When the Laws are despised, then are the people oppres∣sed, then the Usurpation of another's Right, Disobediences, Revolts, Violences, and all the crimes which are the plague and ruine of a State are in agitation; where∣as Page  484as Justice on the other side, consisting only in the due observation of Law, cutteth off these enormities, and secureth every one in th'enjoyment of those goods which Fortune hath bestowed upon him Th' Emperour Justinian writ very fully and well unto the Pretor of Lacaoni•, as is to be seen in his Institutions: A sentence indeed it is deserving to be set up where-ever Kings make their usual residence, whereby they may be out in mind of the advantages which happen to a State by the due observa∣tion of the Law: All things (saith he) which pertain to the well government of a State, we ordered by the Constitutions of Kings; whereupon who so would walk wise∣ly, shall never fail, if he propose them for the Rule of his Actions. A King is called the living Law of his Country; implying the lise he infuseth into the Laws, and that his commands do chiefly rend to inforce the observation of them. Whatever severity he useth in this particular, is commendable, because it is a means to secure his State from those disorders which are repugnant to the publike good; and though he should be severe, he cannot possibly be though violent, because it is only in conformity to the Laws, unto which violence is absolutely contrary. It were to be wished, that a Prince would be careful to reward the services done either to his Person or State; but on the other side, he never ought to let the Laws fall into dis-esteem, especially those which keep the people in obedience, and which serve to secure them from oppression. Indeed to what purpose do the Laws command and injoyn punishments to be inflicted on such who infringe them, unless Justice putteth them in execution? Were not this to put Arrows into a Quiver from whence they can never be drawn. It were to make the Magistrate an immoveable Statue, a Chimera, which only serveth to fright people in Ballads, or to still little children, but vanish at a time of need, without effecting that for which they were established in the world.