Selected quad for the lemma: friend_n
Text snippets containing the quad
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A42953
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The demeanour of a good subject in order to the acquiring and establishing peace
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Goodwin, Thomas, 1586 or 7-1642.
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1681
(1681)
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Wing G975; ESTC R22752
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33,660
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45
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depressed and that so just a fear is cause enough for trouble of mind and that trouble no way discommendable yet this least afflicteth any good Subjects thoughts For should such as move towards our Soveraign's Disquiet never so plausibly and largely promise the same freedom in Spirituals and as full enjoyment of our Liberties and Properties as we either do or can desire to obtain nay could they give us caution and security sufficient to prevent all fears of non-performance of thse promises when it should be in the power of their hands to perform or change yet could none of these promises or offered securities remove a good Subjects sorrow For in the first place Vsurpers account all that they leave in the possession of those over whom they have assumed Authority to be matter of Courtesy not of Right and Justice And the subversion of the fundamental Right the alteration of Property although the thing be retained doth so much abate the pleasures of fruition that it rather appeareth a gently protracted misery But then by a nearer inspection into things good and wise Men see an impossibility of performing these promises although the Promisers would be what Rebells never are exact in these their Covenants For not to be disquieted in gathering in and eating our own Bread and of our own Flocks and Herds or sitting and drinking our own Labours under our own Vine is not Peace nor a Blessing but a Curse Every morsel we swallow goeth down with dread and menaces and our drink chilleth our very Spirits as at Death's approach For in the midst of all plenty looking up in stead of that glorious and auspicious Star which God hath alway graciously appointed to influence and be the blessing of our Fortunes we see black and prodigious Clouds and wandring Stars with flaming denunnciations of Wrath which cause to vanish whatsoever pretendeth to joy God will have his Work done his own way and his Blessings administred by Sacred Hands Men of impudence riots and lusts who are uncapable of well using a private Fortune although too large for them yet rapaciously extend their desires to the State which is above subjection cannot at the same time be the Publick Scourges and Blessings They never appear but for humane punishment the sight of them admonish us repentance and sorrow which when we religiously abound with they are designed for the Fire CHAP. VI. A Good Subject is so studiously careful and mindful of his Princes Welfare that in his Princes Danger he becometh unmindful of many of his own nearest private Concerns OUr Nation at this time aboundeth with men who please themselves with Religious Discourses and this inviteth me to head this part of my Discourse with a Scripture Example Mephibosheth being the Son of Jonathan David's admired Friend was after David's Coronation called to Court made to eat daily at the King's Table and all the Lands of King Saul restored unto him After a long prosperous Reign King David's Son Absalom conspired against him the Conspiracy was so strong and sudden that the King had no time to prepare himself for Defence scarce enough to fly But among all the true-hearted Subjects which lamented the Kings distress that of Mephibosheth is most remarkable who being lame in his Feet yet had not dressed his Feet nor trimmed his Beard nor washed his Cloaths from the day the King departed until the day he came again in peace There was a rare Divine Soul in a weak and informe body and the grief of the mind was exceedingly the greater because disabled of corporal assistance in his Princes necessity But he would not be deficient wherein he was able therefore he produceth a powerful supply of prayers and tears instead of Arms and Sinews of War Neither was he afraid in dangerous times to shew his dislike of the publick joy at Jerusalem or to be a mourner amidst Absalom's Triumphs To shew fear had been to cast out love and was beneath his large Gratitude and incomparable Loyalty These rendred him fearless and regardless of all other misfortunes after the King's departure He so much saw his Master's danger that he saw not his own beyond him he had no hopes without him no pleasure Which is easily discerned seeing his lameness being from his infancy and needing a continual care yet his sorrow and cares for his exiled King afforded no time for cure or refreshment He could not mind ease and decency when the Kingdom was in disorder nor let his thoughts that were high in consultation and suspence for the sick Head and faint Heart descend so low as to be employed about his Feet Self preservation would have been the first of most mens thoughts but it was none of his at all the weightiest concerns taking deepest impression in his great and capacious mind Mean Spirits would have thought of nothing else but how to preserve themselves and their Fortunes let David or Absalom or whosoever could get the Throne much alike to them so long as they could find ways to Ingratiate and Fawn no matter by what hand they were fed But Generous and Divine Souls reject those despicable politicks which certainly ruine Conscience and Fame and run greater hazards of Temporals then they who firmly adhere to their Loyalty and Integrity For Rebellions are seldom prosperous or not long so And although constant Fidelity doth willingly adventure all yet it never hath need to Apologize for Desertion or supplicate a returning Princes Mercy and Pardon His Peaceable Restauration is the Faithful Subjects Prayer and Fortune this he chiefly desireth and aimeth at and if other Fortunes sink in the acquiring he esteemeth the purchase cheap enough Those other men of mean Spirits like Ratts and such contemptible Vermine if the Building wherein they are threaten a downfal presently shift for themselves not caring what becometh of any thing provided they are far enough from the danger whether it stand or fall But Good Men put their Shoulders as props to Sustain the Fabrick of the State and never move from their undertaken Charge so long as they have any Hopes of benefiting it by their Endeavours And rather had they be opprest in the ruine then not to have endeavoured the utmost when need so required And this is certainly the greatest Policy to them who make any Professions of Religion or think justly of God I add this last Or think justly of God because it is too well known that they who in Later times and in these days make loudest Professions of Religion are the first in Seditious and Rebellious practices But this sheweth their Professions insincere and that in Truth they do but make a mock of the name of Conscience and think of God as that Royal Prophet expresseth it that he is altogether such an oxe as themselves or rather Do say in their hearts there is no God The better sort of Moralists have in all times outdone these Christians believing their Allegiance to their Prince to exceed