When iniquity runnes in a line , transgression downe a whole blood ; in some generations you shall scarce finde any good of all the name : Herod the son of Antipater slew all the yonger innocents when Christ was borne ; and would have murdered our Saviour too ; if providence had not prevented it by a saving dreame . Herod , his sonne , Tetrarch of Galilee , slew Iohn the Baptist Mar. 6. and most despitefully used our Saviour at his death : Luke 23. and this third Herod in the text slew Iames the Apostle , emprisoned Peter , drew his own Traine-band to execution ; and now is in a quartan ague of choler and melancholy mixt with sordid blood , untill he have laid the Tyrians dishonorably at his feet . Among Ieroboams race , one yong man was found , 1 Kings . 14.13 . that had pious intentions toward God : and it was but onely one : But among the Herods none .

In mariage then be carefull with what race yee interveine : Fortes creantur fortibus , Gracious men of gracious parents come ; and cruell impes from bloody loynes : if otherwise , it is by chance : Lois was good , Eunice good , Timotheus good ; S. Paul brings downe the line : Grand-parents , parents , children , all good : 2 Tim. 1.5 . Aristotle can sit yee with a contrary tale ; wherein the grandfather was evill , the father evill , and the sonne evill : A plea being entred against a man for beating of his own father , he thus answers to defend himselfe ; Most honourable Judges , in regard my father beate my Grandfather before he dyed , and mine owne son hath likewise beaten me , let it not seeme so heynous a crime unto your sacred eares , if I have beaten my father also ; est enim hoc generi nostro proprium : For it is the property of all our generation to beate their fathers , sometime or other , before they die . A goodly property .

Another drawing his father by the head unto the utmost doore , his Father intreated him there to rest ; for so far he drew his Father , and left him there : Arist. lib. 7. Eth. cap. 6. a chapter and examples suting with these Herods best of any next unto the word of God : for they were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 angry men by nature ; and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quickly angry by inheritance ; and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 deeply , and bitterly angry unto warre , and blood and death it selfe : Men full of revenge , and of greater mischiefe full : This was the property of all their generation : Heavens blesse women from such husbands , men from such a Prince , as Herod was : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a man suddenly inflamed with anger ; meditating nothing but war and death upon every light suspition of offence : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 .

Yet was not he the chiefe Commander of the State ; but an underling deputie , or Lieutenant only : Regunculus ; a vassall-King : Claudius Caesar was the chiefe Emperour of all Judaea , and the world besides : Herod a contemptible man in comparison of him ; of an obscure fortune in Caligulaes time , cast into prison but a while agoe ; and now his bolts being newly knockt off , and the fury tost into such honour , as you see ; he swells & domineeres over all ; as if he were the supreme Governour himselfe .

There is nothing more terrible then a Humble-bee ; if it could but get a sting . Set servants on horseback once , they will quickly make their maisters go on foot . A sporting feast in was among the Thessalians and the Romans themselves at their Saturnalian feastes , for the Masters once a yeare to serve their men ; and the Roman Matrons to wayte upon their maides ; obeying each command as they did theirs the day before : Macrob. lib. 1. cap. 7.10.12 . Seneca epist. 4.7 . Whether a wanton , or a wiser order ; to acknowledge fortunes chance , the charity of nature , or the change of times , I do not know : But sure I am , King Solomon speakes it in a serious crime , amongst the many vanities of this World , that he had seene this absurdity for one , Servants riding on horseback and Princes walking beneath on foot : Eccles. 7.10 . A vanity for slaves to be seen above their betters ; those on horseback , these on foote : but an absurdity of vanities to see them higher in their owne imaginations , then they were upon the saddle : For he saw them not on Asses , or on mules as Princes of that Country rode ; But on horses ; the proudest , fiercest , swiftest executioner of state : to signifie their superstately pride . And such this Herod was . For out of prison did he come to reigne : and therefore should have considered , saith Solomon , Eccles. 4.14 . that from his reigne he might returne to prison againe : God can emprison Kings , as easily as they can other men : and therefore Herod needed not have been so too too outragiously forward for a war .

Meanenesse of beginning , or breach of greater Fortune , if once it come unto the prison , or neere the pit ; it should teach more gentlenesse to men and more obedience unto God : as it did Manasseh in 2 Chron. 33. v. 12 : then God takes off their fetters , forgives their sinnes , and will prolong their lives : But if they despise the punishment of God , remaine as obdurate as they were , sudden destruction shall seize upon them , saith Iob most prophetically in his 36. chap. v , 8 : 9. &c. as here on Herod most unexpectedly it did ; because hee was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a man of a bloudy and an hostile minde : upon every light occasion meditating a warre : a man so meanely descended , and yet so highly ascended againe in his owne conceit . And such are usually more fierce then antient blood : Asperius nihil est humili , quum surgit in altum : their ignorance makes them more savage then the rest : Or else their not partaking with the native blood : cuncta ferit , dum cuncta timet ; desaevit in omnes , ut se posse putent : as Claudianus goes on : he strikes at all , where ever he feares ; and rages against all , that all may thinke him alone to be the mighty man : whereas , love is the best preserver of a State ; feare is but a doubtfull band : ac multos metuat oportet , quem metuunt multi : Plut: and he must needs feare many , whom so many feare : meekenesse becomes the start of honour best , so shall he be the sooner pittied and befriended if he fall : but unskilfull tyrants thinke pride and fiercenesse the onely two , can make them seeme to be egregious men : Besides these privitive there are ma●●y positive causes , why such as these may incline to vehement affections ; especially arising from a meane estate ; and yet made forgetfull from whence they did arise ; For as coursest corne affords the hardest crust ; so coursest blood the most malignant choler : their unusuall dyet makes them insolently mad ; their company much more : inraged with fuming wines , and swolne venemously big with the flatteries of many men , having prospered in a cruelty or two . What dares not he now enterprise ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was highly displeased to the very point of death it selfe .

Foolish men succeeding well twice or thrice in the shedding of blood are presently drunke with everlasting hope , that they shall ever prosper in it to their dying day . Iames he beheaded , Peter emprisoned , executed his trayne-band ; and faring well in that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he was bloodily and hostilely intended for any occasion that should next accrew : But wise men know Gods patience doth invite them to repentance or their greater fall : it was Herods imperfection to gather flesh , and take degrees in blood ; yet never feare a fall ; untill it was too late .

Some deputies are fiercer then supreme governors themselves , onely to demonstrate their officiousnesse of place : others to satisfie the vengeance of their spleene : King David would have Abner saved 2 Sam. 3. But Ioab the Captaine of the Army would have him slaine : Herod did destroy the innocent young children which Caesar the chiefe Emperor would not have done : and therefore thus reproacht him for it , when he heard the newes : Herod thou art kinder to thy swine , then to thy sonne : Thou killst not them , because thou art a Jew ; but children all ; thou dost not spare thine owne ; for feare of usurpation , whilst thou art alive .

The Divell brought our Saviour to the Temples top ; yet would not throw him downe : his owne Countrey men brought him to their steepest hill , and there they would have thrust him headlong downe : Luke 4. v. 29. No fire would our Saviour have from heaven to destroy the Samaritans ; but his Disciples would . Luke 9. as in the text : No warre would Caesar have with them of Tyre ; but his Lieutenant Herod hath a minde unto it : Whether in folly of too much officiousnesse , or in blood and covetisme , as more likely it was : what ever pretenses are , the cause is alwaies fowle ; when under-officers are more fierce and bloody , then the supreme governours themselves .

But what ayleth this tempestuous wolfe , that speakes not a syllable lesse then death ? thinkes not a thought inferiour to warre ? A warre spends both the blood and treasure of a State : and therefore the State should be consulted with , before he enterprize a warre : Ph. Com. lib. 10. especially the chiefe Moderator of the State : Caesar , the imputation will be yours ; whatever your under-officers do offend : Herod , you may rule their treasure , but not their hearts ; if thus you estrange them by unnecessary warres : your chronicles Herod can informe you well by King Amasiahs and Iosiahs reigne , what maine dammages do still accompany such unnecessary warres .

Unluckie progresse then ! For what ? Herod comming downe to celebrate the Playes of Caesars health , some cunning braines at Caesarea have found meanes to accuse the Tyrians to him : what will you say , if Blastus himselfe subornd the men that did accuse , & now the same become a suitor for their peace ? I say that Blastus was too good a man to do so bad an act : but if he should ; the cryme was Herods still : For as he is worse that doth infect his minde , then he that doth corrupt his blood : so it is his fault , that doth not looke to both : the greater crime with greater care avoid : the height of danger lyes in war : the height both of sin & of disgrace in blood : the angry waspes and bees are full of stings ; the King of Bees , saith Seneca , hath none : solus ipse rex aculeo caret : No more should Herod have .

Or , what will you say , if Herod never meant , yet did pretend a warre : to uncrest the Tyrians pride , and so inrich himself ? But the text sayes not , that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as a man intending warre ; but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a man really meditating a warre indeed : and I say , both safety and honour it is for Kings to bee contented with their owne : to bee Kings over themselves as well as other men ; that is truely to be a King indeed .

Or , if any man say , the warre was intended because tribute was not paid ; that defence is false : for such their speedy petitioning of peace with cost ; shewes either Tribute was not due from them , or if due , then it never was denyed .

Or what ? if the Tyrians did receive S. Peter and his doctrine with triumphant joy , who so lately had displeased Herod , might he not therefore justly threaten them a warre ? what if they did ? so did the Caesareans receive S. Peter too : why then should he meditate a warre against those , more then these ? these under his Empire were , those not so : if therefore against the Caesareans he did not move a war for interteining of S. Peters faith ; much lesse against the Tyrians ought it to be done : as learnedly Zanchius and Lorinus against Baronius prove : What Prince did ever move a warre against those that were not under his command meerely & only for religion sake ? for other things they may : but meerely and only for religion sake , Lorinus in his conscience thinkes they may not . Lor. de fide & Bello . So thinke our Church ; who never do destroy an heretick meerely for religion sake ; but for some other additament of cause . No : no : their owne faire Chronicler Iosephus , who describes this very progresse of Herod to his death , reports no cause at all : and an unworthy warre it needs must be , that is not worthy of a cause . Nor do the Fathers give him any : but as S. Chrysostome sayes , because he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. In 〈◊〉 . facile irascens & vanae gloriae cupidus : a vaine glorious man ; proud and ambitious ; of a fierce & overconfident mind ; unsatiable both in wealth and honour : and where such natures be ; if no other cause be found , it is reason enough to move a warre upon you , meerely because you are next neighbour to them : si ob nullam aliam causam , tamen propter vicinitatem : ô the miserable condition of evill neighbourhood : it is the common infelicity of every age ; that neighbours seldome doe agree : and the potenter they be , the greater still the fewd : because mighty men would ever dwell alone , saith Esa. ch. 5.3 . and being willing to fall out ; though cause be wanting yet pretense is easie to be found : 't is il to neighbour next unto a covetous man ; but worse to border next unto an ambitious Prince : for as covetous men adde house to house ; so tyrants realme to realme : no other kingdome is so great , but their appetite is as great , as it : still thirstingly extending their line over others though they have not so much as any just colour of a warre : that s the tyrants case : never contented prudently to rule their owne ; though that bee greater charge then well they can performe : be their own dominions never so large , yet the next territory would make a sweet addition to it : If Herod could but adde Tyre and Sidon to his kingdome of Judaea ! for which hee is now 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a man meditating of a war .

And is this thy meditation Herod ? thou knowst the law ; if a meane man remove the marke of his Neighbours Land ; he shall bee accursed for it ; much more a Prince if he , Hosea 5.10 . the World it selfe is transitory : why then do you not enlarge your vertues rather then your lands ? in coveting others goods , why will yee lose your owne ? your owne good conscience , which ten thousand times more pretious is , then all the gold of Tyre : know then to be contented whensoever yee have enough : know then yee have enough whensoever yee are contented with it : though ye shed no blood , nor any combat wage ; yet if you meditate or pretend a strife to procure conditions of advantage to your selves by ruine of other men , that neither did offend God nor you the Caelestiall spirit will brand you for it , as he doth this Herod in the text ; that he was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a man intending war or blood or any thing to procure unlawfull conditions of advantage to himselfe .

And is this thy meditation still O Herod ? and dost thou prosper in it , after such abundance of sanctified blood as thou hast shed ? one would have thought , some thunderbolt might have dasht out thy braines , the earth have opened , and so the bloody wretch dropt downe at once , as Satan did , from heaven to hell , or that some potent enemy might have invaded well his land , and put him to the inglorious halter , or to the revengefull sword . But loe prosperity in conditions of gain and peace ! The wicked in their seasons may have good successe , be free from troubles others doe receive Psal. 73. Ier. 12. Conjecture not the worse of holinesse , because unholy men doe prosper in the world : they have their heaven here : till suddenly the oracles of God take place ; and then in a moment they tumble to the ground , ingloriously , as Herod did , consumed of wormes : proud wormes-meat that we are , threatning a finall destruction unto others when we our selves are the very next to be destroied : Meteors , that blaze by night , and perish the next faire morning with the rising sunne ; vaine glorious fury , boile on , boile on , your blood is not yet hot enough , is it ? set your heart on fire then , the very wilde fire of revenge . But is this a royall passion fitting for a King ? to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 upon every light occasion the fomente of a warre ? the dismall issue shewes how vile it is with God : The wormes within a moneth encounter him to death : Though just warres be necessary to represse bold sinnes , yet unjust are odious both to God and men : Dij talem terris avertite pestens : God in his good time take all such Herods away from troubling of quiet men .

So much of Herod and his passionate intention of a warre : now come to the people against whom : the Tyrians and Sidonians : of them and their actions : Then Herod was hostilely intended against the Tyrians and Sidonians .

Tyre and Sidon two ancient townes upon the Sirian sea , lay sixe Germane miles apart , not far from Herods jurisdiction , Tyras the sonne of Iaphet built the one : and Sidon , Hams grandchi●d , did found the other , if Divines may be beleeved : So that Tyre in likelihood might be the antienter : both mentioned Gen. 10. ver. 2. and ver . 15. But if heathens credit have , the Phaenicians built Sidon , then Tyre , and both before the Trojan warre : Iustin . lib. 18. Curtius sayes , Agenor built them both : No matter which were the antienter 〈◊〉 both famous townes of merchandise they we●● ; the Sidonians Homer celebrates for many-a●ted , many-crafted , and cunning-crafted men : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and Virgill for the verses or the kindreds sake , Sidonia Dido : though Iustin say shee was born at Tyre : Famous Queene Dido , discontented at her hushands death , fled into Africk ; there built Carthage , and so renowned her sexe , aswell as name , that once a woman gat the third part of the world , Iustin . lib. 18. & lib. 2. at Tyre was Cadmus borne , that did build Thebes : and , for ought we know , our selves might come from Tyre ; at Tyre the art of navigation , and of making glasse ; the siderall science , and martiall discipline , with many other learned arts , their first invention had . The freedome and incomparable commodity of the sea gave them variety of fame and fortune too : their youth they did diffuse throughout all the world , and who but Tyre and Sidon , in all the Colonies of Africk and Europe did beare the name ? as Iustin , Curtius , Plinij , Mela , and others report at large .

But what need heathen authors ? the sacred text is full : and gives praecedency perpetually to Tyre : From Tyre did David and Solomon fetch their Caedar for sumptuous building of a Temple to the omnipotent God . 2 Chron. 2.3 . Tyre was the Mart and fare for all the world : Fine wheat and spices ; Unicornes hornes and Elephants teeth ; lead iron and tynne , they were no traffick with them : But silk and purple ; silver gold and pearle ; the sardius , topaze , and the diamond ; the Chrysolite and the onix ; the jasper sapphire and the emeraude , with every other pretions stone : their shops and garments were as rich below , as if they would compare with the pavement of the new Hierusalem above the starres : Read the 27. and 28 Chap. of Ezekiel , and wonder , whether ever there were a statelyer City in the world ; then was this purple Tyre ; this golden Tyre , nay , that is not enough , but this crowning Tyre : Queene of the seas , nay goddesse of the seas , whose merchants were princes and their chapmen the Nobles of the world . Thou great creator of new Princes , where , and when thou pleasest ! Thou , whose very servants can susteine such losse of ponderous summes , without any sensible decay : as would make a Noble man of other Countryes shrink into his prime originall againe ! As the Prophet Esay doth describe thine honour in termes as rich , as thou art proud , Esay 23. Thou that fearest Neptune more then God , or Alexander the great ; hast thou not yet beene often enough destroyed ? Once did Nebuchadnezar ruine all thy state : another time Alexander the great : Those Monarchs honoured thee in attempting such a prize : And had the Romane Monarch Caesar been thy foe ; thou hadst againe beene honoured here . But now t is Herod a vassall King . What is the cause between yee ? or if not so ; the pretense , what is it ?

Monarchs and free Cities seldome doe agree , these to preserve and magnifie their owne , invite the neighbour subjects to like freedome with themselves : those to maintaine their ambition and their lust , strive to enslave the others like unto their owne : Embassadors , Agents and Merchants whosoever you be , that traffique into other common wealths , whose forme peradventure may differ from your owne ; your licence is from God to preserve each other , in exchanging friendshipps , wealth , and wares : but no authority have you to destroy each others forme . The stately melancholy comes aswell from God , as doth the sanguine mirth : Monarchs as lawfull as free cities are , free cities as legitimate as they : I speake for servants faith , that they be not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 medlers in other Princely governments , where they have nothing to doe : Preserve your owne then ; let others look to theirs , preserving is good , but over-magnifying ruines all , as Tyre and Sidon here were like to do : For which Herod was hostilely intended against the Tyrians and Sidonians .

The greater riches are the greater prey : by armes that cannot , by submission must defend themselves : Your riches , Tyre , and want of armes are your destruction now ; unlesse you doe submit : it is better to want wealth then government of wealth : For which Herod was hostilely intended against the Tyrian and Sidonian Townes .

There is a truer God of Tyre then they themselves : their pride and covetousnesse , their falsehood in their wares ; the true God of Tyre doth justly punish now , in suffering Herod to be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a denouncer of warre against the Tyrian and Sidonian pride .

Remember Tyre , you long agoe were given of God for your Idolatry to Asers tribe , Iosh. 19. v. 29. your Idolatry doth still remaine , for which God suffers Herod now to threaten warre upon you .

Remember Tyre and Sidon , how that our Saviour Christ vouchsafed to come to you : Mat. 15. when never a Tyrian nor Sidonian would vouchsafe to come to him : but only a Syro-phenician , dwelling neere ; whose daughter was so piteously perplexed with a devill . Now therefore hee hath delivered you into Herods hands , Deus impios per impios punit , God punisheth sinners by sinners greater then themselves ; the Idolatrous Israelites by more Idolatrous Nebuchadnezer : the proud mercilesse Tyrians by Herod , that was more mercilesse then they .

They that are prime in Gods favour , shall bee prime in punishment too , if they prove unthankfull unto God : the Tyrians have praeheminence in both , and therefore in the method of Gods revenge , the warre is principally against the Tyrian towne ; against the Tyrians and Sidonians and principally against the Tyrians Herod caries a most bloody minde .

Nay Tyre , you shall have judgement to a scruple now , you boasted that your chapmen were as rich as Noble men in other countryes were : By what men sinne , they shall be punisht by the same : by chapmen did you sinne , by chapmen shall you be punisht ; here is a chapman for you , but in a Nobler kinde ; if ye will joyne all together to make a good reward , Blastus shall mediate your peace unto the King . _____ So much of the Tyrians and Sidonians . Now of their action .

But who acquaints them with the displeasure of the King ? Likely some messenger did advertise them of the Kings designe , some summons or some pretensive claime there was . A Kings wrath is like the roaring of a lyon , saith Solomon . Prov. 19.12 . Now a lyons roaring is but a proem to the devouring of the next good prey he meets : and the wider he roares , the greater is the preparation of his stomack to devoure : So is the fury of a King . Inferiours therefore must not looke for much discussion of the cause , but presently appease the displeasure that 's begunne : and therefore they came all with one accord unto him : They came , and they came all ; and they came all with one accord unto him .

Unanimity is the Kingdomes wall and weale . Not like a heard of furious bulles that turne their heads one against another ; but like the musick of the Lute , where all the strings harmoniously agree : so come they now with one accord .

It seemes it was a popular estate ; and that the Citizens had all their voices in matters of so great a consequence , as was the consultation of peace and warre , such was the custome of Aristotles time , Lib. 4. politic . cap. 14. and here , some hundreds of yeares after that . They came with one accord .

And yet the cities came not all abroad , but men selected for the embassie of peace ; The whole Kingdome may be said to doe , whatsoever is done by eligible men .

Embassadors and agents are of antient right : and must be able to perswade or to discusse a cause , and they by their embassadors came with one accord and perswaded Blastus . They are come then , but not yet admitted into the presence of the King .

Kings live in greater state then Free Cities doe : there is no treating with them , unlesse some great Internuncio be made your friend : therefore they perswade Blastus . Arch-Prophet Nathan himselfe of old did not enter into Davids presence , untill some great attendant had preinformed the King : 1 Kings 1.23 . Nor here the Embassadors of Tyre ( to preserve the ancient honor of the Jewes Court : ) dare once presume without the mediation of Blastus to enter the presence of the King : But they came with one accord , and having perswaded Blastus , the Kings Chamberlaine , one of , or one over the Kings Bebchamber .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in greeke , in Latin Germen , is a branch or yong twigge in our English tongue : it skills not greatly what the name , but what the nature and office of the man imports : his office was 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 either one of the Kings bedchamber , or one over the Kings bedchamber , either Provost over the whole chamber ( as the Imperiall order is ) or else one of the Chamber to his sacred person : it is uncertaine which , for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in office will beare both ingreek : But certaine it is , that he was very neare and very deare unto the King himselfe : some prime bedchamber man , at least , it may be of his secret Councell too : such as Aristotle calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the 2. of his Polit. and 5. chap. men surpassing others in qualities laudable , and fit for Courts : Some streine it to the Treasurer or Secretary of State , because they have alwayes free accesse to the presence of the King : but that cannot so properly be here , for they are neither of them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 neither directly over , nor directly of the Kings bedchamber ; as here Blastus was : sayes my learned councell of interpreters upon the text :

Illustrious Princes have many noble servants , wise in the worlds esteeme , and gracious in their masters eyes : of this sort Blastus was . The matter they propound was faire , and advantageous to the King , as well as to themselves : So Blastus . hee becomes the mediator of their peace .

The Courtier justified against all his adversaries ; English , Greek and Latin . But O noble Blastus I finde thee much accused : a Jury of interpreters have condemned thee for a corrupted man , I am ashamed to name them , there are so many of them : wel oyled with gifts thou undertak●●st the cause , they say , or else thou wouldst not speake a word . But which of them can prove it to be so ? Why might not Blastus , being great in office , noble in disposition of nature , ( as his very name imports ) and prudently foreseeing , that the matter might be wel accorded both for the Kings purpose & the Tyrians future good , of his meere goodness , rather than of covetousness undertake the cause ? Or if he had a large reward , yet should not their words be larger than his fee ! if he had a large reward ; yet it is excusable , because the laborer is worthy of his hire ; especially in so good a cause as peace ! If he had a large reward ; yet the more excusable it is because the Tyrians and Sidonians were very rich , & very well able to bestow it upon him : rapacious Merchants , and proud inhabitants of Tyre ; long had their unrighteous riches audaciously offended God : yet Blastus doth take none , but what they doe most affectionately perswade him to accept : and therefore still the more laudable it was ; for they perswaded Blastus saith the text : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and they perswading Blastus of the Kings Bed-Chamber .

So that he was neither pragmaticall nor corrupt : not pragmaticall ; to undertake the cause till he was perswaded to it : nor yet corrupt ; to undertake it for any thing so much as for perswasion , when once he saw the goodnesse of the cause ! and therefore to argue more strongly still from the plaine text it selfe ; which is the end of all controversie : if really and indeed Blastus had a large reward ; yet ought not any living man to say it was so : because the Scripture useth a more mollifying phrase ; and only saith ; he was perswaded to it . The most sacred Spirit of the text thus teaching the rudenesse of the world not to defame a Court : ( the derogation doth redound to the Prince himselfe : ) but to ingratiate their manners with all candidnesse of speech ; he sayes not , that they corrupted , but they perswaded Blastus . What then the very language of the holy Ghost names a meere perswasion , how dares the rudenesse or the envy of inferiour men call that very same thing corruption ? And they perswading Blastus .

You know that honour may invite , justice may require , yea want of safety may necessitate a man to have a suite at Court : For woe to the oppressed if they might not have recourse unto their King ! yet more then woe if their mediators be ignobleminded men : Miserable is he , that dealeth with a grype : twice miserable that with a propitious foole : but thrice lamentable , that meets with both in one : if ●●ch vices creepe into a Court , the Court creeps out of honour by it : But God be thanked here is no such cause of Blastus to complaine : in Artaxerxes evill Court Nehemiah he was good : in Ahashuerus evill Court Mordecay he was good : & in Herods evill court why might not Blastus here be good ? Doth not our Saviour say ? Blessed are the peace makers . Mat. 5. thrice blessed then thou Blastus art : thy feet more beautifull , then others faces are ; because thou bringest tidings of glad peace : that by thee the Tyrians dare to move , what by themselves they never durst to doe , conditions of peace : And perswading Blastus , who was of the Kings Chamber , they desired peace .

A friend at Court is worth a Kingdome at ones neede ; the Kingdome of Tyre and Sidon : and more then that ; he is worth the saving of ten thousand soules : rivers of blood and most abhorred death had likely been the end of all ; if Blastus had not interceded for them !

How much more good may Courtiers do then men of meaner place ; if they would imploy their utmost power ! The Tyrians , they had lost their lives ; and Herod , he had been the more condemned if Blastus had not beene !

Blastus their friend ; Patron both of their goods and lives ! by his breath now they live ! _____ And having perswaded Blastus , they desired peace .

〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 postulabant pace●● : So much of their mediator ; now to the substance of their petition it selfe ; which was peace : they desired peace .