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

VII.

It hath afforded me sometimes matter of no small admiration, to find in my self, and others, lovers of freedom, a desire (and not without some violence) of being in a state of height and greatness, exacting a course no ways squaring with our natural inclinati∣ons, and such as for that only cause would become an eternal springing fountain of vexa∣tion to us. I take this to be Vanity in the highest degree, and one of the scourges of the most High. The folly of it may appear in this, that our so much prized freedom would be ut∣terly lost in such a way; outward freedom by a continual obtrusion of business, even at times most unseasonable to us in point of health and otherwise, and inward freedom by an inforcement of compliance in things no way to be approved of by a judicious and in∣genuous

spirit. It may be said that indepen∣dent greatness hath an exemption from such inward and outward molestations, or at least inforcements, but such independency is an herb that groweth not in the garden of Na∣ture; for no greatness, how despotical soever, can be supported but by the affections and ends of others, which must be complied with and served, or else the Sceptre toucheth ground. There is a testimony given to this truth by the frequent changes of Governments and Go∣vernours in all ages, but most abundantly (as an evidence more than sufficient) in the History of the Roman Emperours, where the least discontent or misunderstanding in the Souldiery, did for the most part set a period to the Prince's life and Empire. But perhaps free∣dom may be found in a course of subordinate Magistracy, or of absolute Privacy. With me it is hard to determine, which is more de∣prived of it, Magistracy or an immediate Ser∣vile condition. The latter wants it absolutely in the outward way, but it is seldom afflicted with that self-condemnation, which for the most part accompanieth the former. But for an estate of Privacy, could it be such as were exempt from imposing and being imposed upon, it were much to be envied, but yet it must not (cannot) enjoy that means of serving God and good men, by the exercise of many mo∣ral Vertues, which a more eminent condition affordeth. And I must acknowledge that this

last consideration doth in a manner shake the whole frame of my Discourse, for we are not born onely for our selves; and therefore though for some reasons relating to the pre∣sent 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or conjuncture, I my self forbear to exercise the Magistracy whereto I stand cal∣led, yet I dare not condemn a desire of power and greatness in others, but onely when it ari∣seth from the vanity of self-love upon misun∣derstanding. And this desire (like envy) will still be the greater punishment to it self the more it increaseth, but the misery attains not its full perfection, till the desire comes to be drowned in the fruition which was mista∣ken for happiness.