Light in the way to Paradise with other occasionals / by Dvdley the 2d late Ld. North.

X.

I have read in an Italian Writer of some estimation to this effect, That a desire and endeavour of attaining fulness of power over others, is very commendable, because it gi∣veth men some measure of likeness unto God, the fountain of all perfection, one of whose chief attributes is his Omnipotence. The as∣sertion admits of some justification, as I con∣ceive, but not the reason, for though we may take God for our pattern, in respect of his Ethical or Intellectual excellences (if I may so call them,) yet it savours too much of the Luciferian presumption, to bear an emulating eye in the least measure, either towards his glory or his power. And as to the desire of power, the edge of it may be somewhat abated in the lovers of Vertue and Goodness, when they take into consideration, that a state of mor∣tality shall always want that infinite wisedom,

and purity of intention, which resideth in the Deity, and which makes power to consist in∣abusively only there, as in its proper sphere. For that power which men enjoy, is none of their own, and they must yield an account to the true Proprietary, not only of the use, but of the very having of it. And as among men, he who in a way of violence and illegality, possesseth himself of that which is the proper∣ty of another, (though his equal or inferiour) becomes an offender against the Civil Ma∣gistrate; so it is, but much more unpardon∣able in relation to the Deity so infinitely tran∣scending our capacity, with those who assume Power to themselves in an unwarrantable manner. I doubt not but Divines will step in further, and assert, that a mere desire of Power, with a sinister intention, is no small sin; and what may it then be to desire, assume, and use Power corruptly? The true end of all external power can be no more than this, To propagate the peace and happiness of Man∣kind, and every individual person, as far as may be done without a more publique preju∣dice: and from hence it comes, that a desire of rewarding becomes more natural to a noble nature, than of punishing, (though an approach may be made even to the latter with chear∣fulness of Spirit,) for Remunerations answer to both parts of the above-mentioned end; whereas Punitive Justice for the present fatis∣sieth only, the former bringing with it always

harm to the offending person, and sometimes ruine total and final; yet as I said, this may be proceeded in with comfort, because the ex∣tirpation of one may be a means of reforming many; and sometime there is no other way to save them from destruction, and that not only by terrour in the example, but by pre∣vention of ruinous and destructive designs in∣herent in (or affixed to) the person of him who is cut off. But that Magistrate, who useth severity to torment or destroy the offender with any intention whatsoever, other than those above-specified, either with Pilate sells the indolence and safety of others for favour and particular advantage, or out of a mere Satanical spirit, takes delight in the sufferings of others, and at the best, makes the hand of Justice to become (upon personal provoca∣tion) an instrument of Revenge, which is the peculiar of him, who hath said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or Vengeance is mine; so as men can have no other part in it than to become instru∣ments, and are no otherwise justified in being so, than either by the rules of God's revealed Will exprest in the written Word, or by some immediate and miraculous Precept from him. For my part, though I conceive it to be the strongest of temptations to an active and knowing Spirit, to be courted by an oppor∣tunity of having great power over others; Yet I shall rather choose to become the mark (or Anvile, if you will) of injurious power,

than to exasperate my Creator either by an usurpation, or by the revengefull use of so dangerous a weapon.