therefore to doe this let not your height and greatnesse alwayes appeare but s ometimes shrowded in obscurity Starres twinkle most in their greatest height Thus The Mount was a good example For the Glory of the Lord abode on it and yet a Cloud covered it sixe dayes Ex. 24. 16. POLICIE LXXIV Princes when they should appeare terrible MAgistrates and Princes in place and occasion should appeare awfull and terrible offences are often put out of countenance and confidence when the eyes of Justice shoote lightening and revenge in the face of them Thus In the eyes of the Children of Israel the sight of the Glory of the Lord was like devouring Fire on the top of the Mount Ex. 24. 17. POLICIE LXXV princes in their absence are to substitute sit persons in their places IF you bee in authority and by chance importuned to remove be wise in the disposing and packing up your affaires I meane leave not things disordered and confused but doe as God did with Moses take part of your spirit of authority and put it upon some that are resident Thus When Moses was called from the people into the Mount hee said Aaron and Hur are with you if any man have any matters to doe Ex. 24. 14. POLICIE LXXVI To send good intelligence abroad IN the charge and advise for intelligence be very acurate and punctuall and the relations which are returned accordingly shall doe your Designe more service Balles come backe as they are racketted from you Thus When Moses sent out his Spies for Canaan See sayes hee the land and the people whether they be strong or weake few or many what cities they dwell in whether in tents or strong holds Numb 1. 18 19. POLICIE LXXVII How to becalme a mutiny IN any commotion or mutiny labour to becalme it with faire deprecations and plausible reasons which may superinduce a contrary opinion to that they are perswaded on this is to stroke a fury and fawne upon a frowne and smile a discontent into favour Thus when the people mutined because of the false report Moses and Aaron fell downe upon their faces before all the Assembly saying the Land is an exceeding good Land Numb 14. 5. 7. POLICIE LXXVIII Innovation dangerous FAll not into any humour of Innovation or Change too suddenly neither recant from any thing you interest your selfe in too in considerately in these actions let your motion bee like the shadow upon Ahaz Diall and goe backe by degrees Thus When God pretended hee would mite the people that instant for murmuring and make a greater Nation Moses perswaded him the action would bee scandalous to the Heathen the Nations will speake c. Numb 14 15. POLICIE LXXIX Discontent a kind of plurisie which must be speedily remedied IN universall murmurings and mutinies labour the remedy and supply without delay common people are suddaine and impatient in their passions and their discontent is a kinde of Plurisie which must have speedy redresse or the disease is mortall Thus When the people complained in the Desart for water Moses and Aaron without stay went and fell downe on their faces to God and he bid them Strike the Rocke for water Numb 20. 6. 11. POLICIE LXXX How to behave ones selfe in a strange Country WHen you are to make use of any thing where another hath property seeke to contract faire quarter for your present advantage and let your arguments for persuasion bee pertinent and materiall and inducing hee that rides other circuits for execution of his designe is out of his way or else goes a farther way about Thus Moses being to passe by the king of Edom sent to him saying God hath heard our voice and brought us from Egypt let us passe through thy country wee will not drinke of thy water nor turne to the right hand nor left Numb 20. 16 17. POLICIE LXXXI Places of Authority not to be long vacant WHen Places of Authority are likely to bee vacant bee ready in project with a successour long inter-reynums or interstices in government is the Winter and ill Season of a State where the nights are long and the dayes short Thus Aaron being ready to die Moses even then tooke Eleazar and stripped Aaron of his garment and put them upon Eleazar his Sonne Numb 20. 28. POLICIE LXXXII Praises and promises great inducements IF you would prevaile with any for some experiments of the faculty they excell in you may induce themby promises and advancing the report of their skill and ability and this is a kind of tuning an instrument for your hand or with Moses a blowing into the Silver Trumpet to make it sound Thus Balak though a wicked Prince did well in his act upon Balaam he sent him rewards and Come now sayes hee for I wote he whom thou blessest is blessed Numb 22. 6. 7. POLICIE LXXXIII Apply thy selfe to God on adesigne for successe I know no better Policy in the preface or entrance upon a designe then to apply your selfe to God for successe and direction or for declining your heart from it if it be not convenient This is to goe to the first Mover for a motion Thus Wicked Balaam was imitable in this action Tarry ye sayes he that I may know what the Lord will say Numb 22. 19. POLICIE LXXXIV A threefold cord is not easily broken HE that would draw any into assistance or other complot shall obtaine soonest by offers of interest in the cause and by propounding such respects as you thinke may sute the disposition of the parties or agents and by solliciting by persons of fame and quality and such a threefold cord is not easily broken Thus The methode of Balaks policy was good and sound for hee sent to Balaam Princes more honourable with this Language I will promote thee Numb 22. 15 17. POLICIE LXXXV Not to be too importunate IF you observe any obstruction or aversenesse or stopping in your businesse presse not forward with too much violence but take time to spruce the feathers of your industry that you may flie more roundly to the marke Thus Balaam did unwisely to spurre on his Asse when his Asse made a stand for the Angell said I went out to withstand thee and had shee not turned I had slaine thee Numb 22. 32 33. POLICIE LXXXVI Severall wayes to be tried in a businesse IN the thing you would have to succeed make triall of all the severall advantages you see open for there are more wayes than one into a City and some Posternes may be open though the foregates be shut Thus Balak had his action beene lawfull tooke a wise course for he said to the Prophet Come I pray thee unto another place Num. 23. 13 27 POLICIE LXXXVII Publique grace is to be shewne unto Successours IF you would have your successour inherit your eminency and respect after you derive to him betimes some publique grace which may bee a kinde of initiation or pre-instalment these whom wee would have members of a Visible Church
and therefore GOD set him in the way to Gaza Thus Ruth had a desire to be knowne to Boaz and shee went to gleane eares of Corne after him so I shall finde grace sayes she Ruth 2. 2. POLICY CXXVI Bestow favours with a gracious neglect IF you have to deale with modest parties who perhaps would blush to be thought guilty of desert wanting the boldnesse to manage their owne worth bestow your favours with a gracious neglect yet let your neglect be such as may make a signe it was done on purpose looke like Christ who though hee would stay at Emans yet set his countenance to goe further Thus When Boaz saw Ruth gleaning hee said to his young men Let her gleane and let fall some of the handâ—â—ls on purpose for her Ruth 2. 15 16. POLICIE CXXVII How to dispatch a businesse WHen you have a businesse you would dispatch with any with whom you feare put-offs and shifts apprehend him suddainly and unexpected when hee is least provided to objest and draw some into the conference for men are desirous in publike to discharge themselves fairely of that which in private they will shift for they say in their hearts then as the wicked man in the psalme God will never see it Thus When Boaz had businesse with Naomies kinsman hee called him to sit downe and he tooke ten men of the Elders and said sit ye downe and then he said unto the kinsman Ruth 4. 1 2. 3. POLICIE CXXVIII An attempt of comquest in a provident way IN attempts of conquest spie out and informe your selfe first whether they be such as are well lawed and disciplined or carelesse and disordered and whether secure or provident if you observe these defects you may Promise better successe the Enemy came with his â—ares in the Gospell when all were asleepe Thus The Spies of Dan found them at Laish how they dwelt carelesse quit and secure and there was no Magistrate Judg. 18. 2. 7. POLICY CXXIX Bribery in a Magistrate scandalous IF you would live honoured and obeyed in your Magistracy forbeare corruption and bribery which betraies you to scandall and dislike with the people and hee that is guilty of offence in his place can never proceed with that cleare confidence which is required in Authority therefore Salomon sayes of the righteous they are bold as a Lion Thus When Samuels Sonnes turned after lucre and tooke bribes the Elders of Israel said to Samuel Thy Sonnes walke not in thy wayes 1 Sam. 8 3 4. POLICIE CXXX Resist not a popular opinion with violence WHere you see a popular opinion forward and violent resist it not with violence but decline it with faire and sweet perswasion Bees are best tinckled together when they rise and a little musicke from David will soonest perswade the evill spirit in Saul Thus When the people were earnest with Samuel for a King God bid him hearken to them yet to tell them what a King he shall be that will take their Sonnes for his chariots 1 Sam. 8. 7 9 11. POLICIE CXXXI How to predispose a man to favour him WHen you sollicit any of honorable parts or place for some curtesie or favour present something which may predispose him better towards you A mans gift saies Solomon maketh roome for him Prov. 18. 16. Thus When Saul and his Servant were to intreat direction of the man of God What sayes hee shall wee bring the man what have wee 1 Sam. 9. 7. POLICIE CXXXII Disasters are to bee delivered with Prudence IN your relation of any businesse or disaster of sad and great equality doe not deliver it in too suddaine and plaine narâ—acion for so a misfortune is presented too like it selfe and becomes more dangerous and desperate to the auditour or him it concernes and such a messenger is like one of Iobs Servants I also am escaped to tell thee Thus When the Messengers told Eli abruptly that his two Sonnes were dead and the Arke of God taken he fell from his seat and died 1 Sam â—1 17 18 POLICIE CXXXIII Honour Gods mercy with a memoriall IT is divine Policie to observe any notable favour or mercy GOD bestowes on you and to honour it with a memoriall which is the thankfulnesse or recognition of the creature to the Creatour God stickes most benefits there where hee sees them fixt you know he set most starres in the Firmament Thus When Samuel had got a victory over the Philistines he tooke a stone and set it up saying Hitherto hath the Lord helped us 1 Sam. 7. 12. POLICIE CXXXIV To prepare a man with a preface to receive good newes IF you bee to discharge a relation which conteines some unexpected and happy conditions to an inferiour and dejected person first let fall such language as may a little dispose his spirits for dilation and diffusion and so prepare him that hee receive it moderately and safely That cloud does well that shootes a bright admonition of lightening before a thunder-clap Thus When Samuel was to annoint Saul Ring of Israel first hee scatters this On whom is all the desire of Israel is it not on thee then he places him above all his Guests 1 Sam. 9. 20 21. POLICIE CXXXV A preface in matter of disswasion WHen you are bound to performe any thing you see inconvenient use some preface of dehortation and disswasion at the very moment of Performance in making these often experiments you may by chance soften them thus into a recantation non vi sed saepe cadendo Thus When Samuel had bound himselfe to annoint them a King yet at the very time of solemnity hee sayes yee have rejected God and said nay but set a King over us 1 Sam. 10. 19. POLICIE CXXXVI Not to take notice of every neglect and injury WHen you are entered into any popular grace and credit take not any notice of every neglect and injury for so you discover your selfe too tender and apprehensive of your honour you enjoy which thing will soone create you contempt in your lookers on those thoughts are troublesome and vexing to their owners which like briers catch at every thing which touches them and like the thicket on mount Moriah which held that Ramme by the hornes which pushed it Thus When Saul was annointed King the children of Belial despâ—sed him but he wisely held his peace 1 Sam. 10. 26. POLICY CXXXVII How to make Subjects feare their King IF you would worke upon the affection of the people and superinduce a passion of feare you may doe it by similitude and representation GOD made his prophet carry forth his stuffe and eate his meate with trembling in the fight of the people to signifie the misery hee would bring upon them Thus When Saul would feare the men of Iabesh he tooke a yoke of Oxen and he wed them in pieces and sent them thus shall it bee done to his Oxen who will not come 1 Sam. 11. 7. POLICY CXXXVIII If a King will not spare his Sonne much
you shall not bee found unarmed and unprovided when they befall and overtake you but you shall be found like Peter who had his sword girt when they came out to take his Master Thus When great multitudes crouded after Christ to see his Miracles hee spake to his Disciples that a small Ship should wait on him least they should throng him Mark 3. 9. POLICIE CCXI. In imparting secrets when to use parables IN communicating and imparting secrets observe your best and most opportune times so you shall not wrong the businesse with any unseasonable relation Thus Christ spoke in parables to the multitude but when he and his Disciples were alone he expounded all things Marke 4. 34. POLICIE CCXII. The time fit to discover ones selfe WHen suspitions are entertained by others on you and you thinke they may prove of dangerous consequence if they continue so give as present and plaine resolution as you can for this is an untying of the knot and unlocking the chaine which kept their opinions bound Thus When Christs Disciples was on the Sea by night and saw Christ passing by them they feared it had beene a Spirit but immediately hee talked with them and said It is I be not afraid Marke 6. 30. POLICIE CCXIII. When it is fitting to demand the resolution of a question IF there bee any difficulties which vexe you and keepe you in suspence demand the resolution of them in private else you betray your owne weaknesse while you desire to be strengthened in opinion Thus When Christs Disciples saw they could not dâ—spâ—ssesse one of an evill Spirit when he was come into the house they asked him privately Why could not wee cast him out Marke 9 28. POLICY CCXIV. In society bee discoursing of eminent actions IN the society you conversewith be remembring some of them in a modest fashion of that thing in which they have been famous and eminent thus you shall endeare their favours and delight them in the memory this is to hold a looking-glasse before a good face Thus Peter comming by the Fig-tree Christ cursed Master sayes hee Behold the Fig-tree and Christ was pleased with the notice he took of thâ— Miraclâ— and answered What things ye desire when you pray beleeving yee shall have them Marke 11. 20 21 22 23. POLICY CCXV The Iewes envy Christs true Titles IF you would not countenance any thing you thinke is not true and reall but in pretence and imposture doe not allow the imâ—osture by way of any ironicall indulgence for the least shadow is made use of for gracing it and it is dangerous to be too acting and jesting with the vulgar Thus When the Iewes did not believe Christ to be the true Messiah they advised Pilate Write not say they The King of the Iewes but that hee said I am King of the Iewes John 19 21. POLICIE CCXVI The spirit of contradiction in an ill counselled People WHen you see peoples affections carried in a tide and current one way doe not at that time speake and expostulate for it stirres and disquiets more and it is like a little water cast it burne brighter a wise forbearance will compose and settle them better and as a Physitian advises the Patient upon bloud-letting not to stirre much so it is policy when a multitude hath had some issue for discontent not to move them much after it Thus When the people cried out for the suffering of Jesus Pilate said what will ye I shall doe to him and they cried out againe Crucifie him and then he said Why and they cried out the more Crucifie him Luke 24. 20. 21 22 23. POLICY CCXVII Show not your selfe abroad before there be maturity and fitnesse SHew not your selfe abroad nor make open profession till you observe your maturity and fitnesse for else you hazard the good successe of that by untimely publication which a later season would cherish and advance and it is certaine that former failings cast backe and put too farre behinde for recovery for expectations come with an appetite and will bee then satisfied or else they depart repining neither doe they measure your action by your present ability but their owne satisfactions Thus The Prophet John being destined to a great businesse to goe before the Lord to prepare his wayes it is said that he grew and waxed strong and was in the Desarts till the time of his shewing unto Israel Luke 1. 80. POLICIE CCXVIII Bee harmelesse as Doves wise as Serpents WHen you thinke you are much envied and spited forbeare and bee not too prodigall of your presence there for when an hated object is present it stirres up the passion in your â—dversary absence may secure you and bee a cause their rancour and malice may waste and be exhaled hee that comes thus before his enemy is as sure of raising him against himselfe as hee that lookes in a glasse is sure to create an opposite face Thus Jesus went and walked in Galilce for he would not walke in Iury because the Iewes sought to kill him John 7. 1. POLICIE CCXIX. When to absent and when to shew ones selfe VVHen you would shew your self to the world for fame and popularity let your approaches bee private and in secret elsewhere there is too much expectation and preamble of worth people are halfe wearied and spent in their fore-conceits and it is but a kinde of after-gaine of credit which is so won Thus When Christs Brethren bid him goe up to the Feast saying There is no man that doth any thing in secret and he himself desires to be knowne openly Goe ye up sayes he I goe not up yet but when his Brethren were gone up then went hee not openly sayes the Text but as it were in secret John 7. from 3. to 11. POLICY CCXX When not to discover ones intentions IF you would have these you advise with to give faithfull and impartiall counsell doe not discover your owne resolution or intention but propose onely by way of consultation else it is as if you should aske what way shall wee goe and yet leade the company downe a path of your owne liking Thus When Christ intended to feed the multitude with a miracle he said to Philip What shall we doe to buy Bread for these this he said to prove him for he himselfe knew what he would doe Joh. 6. 6. POLICIE CCXXI In matters of false accusation how to behave ones selfe IN imputations and false accusations doe not too much insist upon contradiction but alleage your most materiall circumstance which is the most probable to vindicate you by this though perhaps you blow not suspitions quite away yet you scatter and in a manner disperse them Thus When the Apostles spoke in severall tongues some mocked and said They are full of new wine Peter answered These are not drunken as you suppose seeing it is but the third houre of the day Acts 2. 11 12 13 14 POLICIE CCXXII How to resolve a doubt IF you observe a