The danger of the errors of the rulers a sermon preached upon the tenth day of March 1661 at the Assizes for Staffordshire held at Wolver-Hampton / by Edward Powel.

The Danger of the Errors of the Rulers . ECCLESIAST . Ch. 10. V. 5. 6. 7.

5. There is an evill , which I have seen under the Sunne , as an-errror which proceedeth from the Ruler .

6. Folly is set in great dignity , and the rich sit in low place .

7. I have seen Servants upon Horses , and Princes walking as Servants upon the earth .

HUgo de Sancto Victore observeth , that King Solomon had three Names . 1. Solomon signifying Peace . 2. Jedidiah signifying Beloved . 3. Ecclesiastes signifying a Preacher . And according to these three names to have written three books . 1. See Dr. Jermin upon the Proverbs . As Solomon to have written the book of the Proverbs , which are called the Proverbs of Solomon , where in the peace of love he instructs the people in vertue and holiness . 2. As Jedidiah , the book of the Canticles , ( which may well be called the book of the Beloved , wherein we have the songs of the beloved to his and her beloved . ) 3. As Ecclesiastes , the book of Ecclesiastes , or the Preacher , wherin he preacheth the vanity of worldly things . But I read also of another name , viz. Lemuell , Prov. 31.1 . perhaps a name by which his Mother call'd him , or which happily his Mother gave him at his Circumcision ; or else according to the notation of it , signifying taught by God ; according to which name perhaps he wrote his naturall History of the Plants , from the Cedar to the Shrub . But this is but conjecture . To hasten therefore to my Text as neer as I can .

In the precedent verse we find deliver'd an excellent and usefull point of Christian policy to containe every loyall soul within the limits of Duty , which if it had been put in practice twenty years fince and upwards , we should not have had cause to complaine .

O my bowels , Jer . 4.19 , 20. my bowels , I am pained at my very heart , because thou hast heard , O my soul , the voice of the Trumpet , the Alarme of Warre , destruction upon destruction , the whole land is spoyled .

The Iliaca passio of civil wars had never rent the bowels of the Kingdome , nor ever such a Government heard of in England as a Stratocracy .

The effect of those words is this , that no unkindnesse , displeasure or injury should tempt us to the breach of our Fidelity and Allegiance , but rather that we should make use of our passive obedience , than to set so high rate upon our opinions as to maintain them by opposing lawful Authority . If the spirit of the Ruler rise up against thee , leave not thy place ; that is , be still a subject , remit nothing of thy duty and service . For yielding pacifieth great offences . ver . the 4. In the 5.6 . and 7. verses of my Text , we have an instance of a particular grievance , many times offer'd , and among ingenious spirits ill resented , when wisedome is kept under ( for in relation to wisedome , this word Rich is set as appears by the Antithesis ) and Folly advanc'd When men of desert are promoted , and deserts are rewarded with disgraces , many times with punishment . Such was the Grecian Ostracisme , and such was the Roman Proscription . Such was the Guerdon of Bellizarius , who for all his service to the Emperour had his Eyes put out , and reduc't to that extremity of poverty , that he sate by the way side begging Date Obolum Bellizario

And thus Demetrius Phalerius , that once had the Government of Athens , after Library keeper to Ptolomy Philadelphus , had his statues of marble formerly rays'd to his honour by the Athenians , Diog . La●●t . in vita Demet . throw'n down to the ground even by the same men ; which ill usage had no other reply from him than this . At virtutem meam non everterunt .

This is commonly acted upon the stage of the world . Solomon observ'd it . There is an evill , which I have seen . That witlesse , worthlesse fooles find respect and countenance , wise and well-deserving labours draw either scorn or jealousie upon the performers .

So that in this we may behold the blind world scattering her doal at random ; to some favour , to some frownes . To wise men want , and wealth to fooles . For the better view of which Ataxy or disorder as it is here propos'd in my Text , observe with me in the words these three circumstances .

1. The place where this disorder is to be seen . An evill which I have seen under the Sunne . 2. The fault where it lies , or the cause from whence it proceeds . It is an Error , which proceeds from the Ruler . 3. The disorder it self , what it is . Folly set in great dignity , and the rich in great place .

That every Ataxy , all disorder is an evill , I need not , I will not spend time to prove .

Something of the place , where this evill is to be seen . Under the Sunne .

This is Solomons usual Phrase ; A phrase no where more used than here in Ecclesiastes .

And there may be a two-fold reason alleag'd for the use of it . 1. To denote the quality of the things whereof he speaks . 2. To declare their large extent .

1. The quality , that this his discourse is onely about sublunary affairs , not heavenly matters , of things under the Sunne not above the Sunne .

2. Their large extent . A disorder to be seen not in one place onely , or under one climate , but every where Under the Sunne .

Ground we it upon the first reason , then this is the Observation .

Above the Sunne there is no such evill . Hereafter when we shall be exalted through grace and mercy , we shall meet with no such Ataxy or Confusion . There is no failing of a Christians hope , no disappointment of a Christians Faith . No ; There our faith shall be turn'd into a manifest vision of God . Now we see through a glasse darkly , then face to face .

There our hope shall be turned into enjoyment . They shall hunger no more , Rev. 7.16 , 17. neither ●●irst any more , neither shall the Sunne light on them nor any heat : for the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them , and lead them unto living fountaines of waters , &c. There our imperfect love shall be turn'd into the perfect love of God , love that shall abide for ever . 1 Cor . 13.8 . Prophecies shall fail , and tongues shall cease , but charity never faileth .

As none comes thither by desert , so none shall be dignifyed , that is of no desert . Heaven a place more glorious then the Sunne , much more spacious then the prospect of the Sunne , admits of no praeposterous placing , No uncleane thing shall enter therein Base wretched , Rev. 21.27 . faithlesse creatures shall be excluded thence . They who fear God , that are rich in spirituall wisdome , servants of righteousnesse , that have forsaken all to follow Christ , shall then and there not be deceived of their expectation , nor frustrated of their hopes , nor fore-stalled of their happinesse . They who follow Christ here in Troubles , shall there sit with him on Thrones . Dan . 12.3 . They shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament , and glitter as the starrs . Such honour have all his Saints .

Who would not then contemne this world in respect of Heaven ? who would not rather live above ? Hear what Africanus an Heathen could tell Scipio in his dream . Ii vivunt , qui e corporum ergastulis tanquam e carcere evolaverunt , vestra vero quae dicitur vita , Mors est . While we live here we shall see many vanities , hear many follies , taste of many sorrowes , and have experience of many miseries . But when we shall be above the Sunne , we shall be like the Hill Olympus above wind and weather .

Yet while we do live here under the Sunne , we must possesse our soules with patience , Psal . 47.1 . Fret not thy self because of evill doers , &c.

Do others rise and thou fall ? are others promoted and thou still in silent obscurity ? Alas ! these are sublunary changes , worldly changes .

Nay in our spiritual state , when we have done all we can here , we shall have many gloomy dayes , many feares , many distractions of Conscience , that our God is not yet reconciled fully to us . The spiritual Sunne is but halfe fac'd in our Horizon , for our happinesse here is onely in fieri and not in facto esse . We are still under the Hammer . As well the temper as the distemper of all things here below consists in contrarieties .

As we ground it upon the second reason of the Phrase , for the large extent , then the Observation is this ,

Deserts unrewarded are every where common in the practise of this world . When Mordecay had served the King to the saving of his life , the question was asked , Hest . 6.3 . what honour had been done to Mordecay for this ; his servants answer'd , nothing is done for him . Joab complain'd of it before among the Jewes , Trismegistus among the Aegyptians , Aristides among the Athenians , Scipio among the Romans , and how many thousand discontented persons are amongst us ? But I hasten from the place where , to the person from whence . It proceeds from the Ruler .

All Ataxyes , confusions , disorders in a state , are the products of the Error of the Ruler .

Solomon said it , and Solomon found it . He said it when he found it by the experience of his own error in Government in his latter time ( for then 't is conceiv'd he wrote this book ) doubtlesse fore-seeing what he could not prevent , the great and dangerous revolt , that would come to pass in the time of his sonne Rehoboam . 't was smartly said of him , if not bitterly .

Tantum ingenium marcuit cum maturuit ; Emanuel Thes . Ut nescias utrum magis mirere , Senium in infante an infantiam in sene .

And if Rehoboam when he came to the Crown , had been as wise as his Father at that Age , he might have disappointed Jeroboams popularity , and have sent him back to Aegypt from whence he came . But the weaknesse of the Ruler is alwayes followed by the wickednesse of the people . Pro . 29.12 If a Ruler hearken to lies , all his Servants are wicked saith Solomon himself . As the House of Saul grew weaker and weaker , so the House of David grew stronger & stronger . The errors of Sauls Government casting a beauty and lustre upon David though in distraction and persecution ; so that Davids shifts and evasions lookt like victories , and the pursuits of Saul a disorder'd march . And doubtlesse ( if I may digresse so farre ) Our Sauls that invaded this Government , had so weakned the hands of all Loyall Subjects , so strengthned themselves by Allyes abroad and their numerous Forces at home , that , in the eye of humane judgement , they stood like a rock not to be pusht at , and they might say ( as perhaps they did ) in our prosperity we shall never be moved ; had not the loosenesse and variablenesse of their Councels ( the greatest error in Government ) made room for our Royall David to sit upon his Fathers Throne .

Hear what David himself said , when he came to the Crown , and Saul had almost ruin'd the Kingdome . The Land is weak , Psal . 75.3 . and all the Inhabitants thereof are spoiled , I bear up the pillars thereof .

Hence doubtlesse was it that the Royall Scepter was banded from Family to Family after the revolt from David , till all Israell was led away into Captivity . Hence was it that the power and glory of the Assyrians was arrested by the valour of the Persians , and the Persians could not keep what they had got , but through their Luxury made rendition of it to the Grecians , and the Grecians through their dividing and cantoning the Empire made way for the Roman name to be eterniz'd to posterity . And hence was it , that barbarous unletter'd Nations dissolv'd that learned Empire . And why the Gothes and Vandals over ran Germany , France , Italy , the greatest part of Europe , and the flourishing Churches of Affrica ; 't was an error that had it 's rise from the Rulers : For though as Salvian tells us ( who liv'd in those times ) the disorders were Epidemical , yet they grew so for want of restraint in the Rulers .

I need not go so farre to shew you the dire effects , that have proceeded from the errors of Rulers ; our own Chronicles will furnish us with examples , as one of the Edwards , and one of the Richard . Cic . Sed in re tali externa libentius quam domestica recordor .

Yet sure 't was more horrible impiety for the Judge in his Circuit to justifie the bloody butchering of his Majesty of Blessed Memory , Anno 1. reip . Aug. by urging them for precedents ( not a loquor ) the Murthering of which Princes , no impious Pen was yet extant so bold , that durst maintaine or justifie .

Nay there is reason that the Rulers errors must needs produce these sad effects . They are like the Planets above , according to their aspects and influences so fares it with Creatures of all kinds here below . They are the Vena Porta that convey the life-blood of peace and order into all the Members ; nay they are the Originall of nerves , the fountaine of all the Animal spirits , that give strength and motion to all the Limbes . Omnis nervorum paralysis a capite . Nay this error is like the first mans , many times it leaves a universal taint . And therefore the expiatory sacrifices were greater for the sinnes of the Rulers in Church and State , then for the rest of the people . The finne of the Priest was in the estimate of God , as the sinne of the whole Congregation , Lev 4.3 . v. 23. v. 28. v. 32. and the offering for his sinne was a young Bullock without blemish . If the Ruler sinned he was to offer a Kid of the Goates , a Male without blemish . If an ordinary man offended , a Female serv'd the turn . Whether it were of Goats or of Lambs .

And now ( beloved ) as the confideration of the excellency of the glory prepared for the Saints to all eternity , 2 Cor . 4.17 . made the Apostle Paul to use that Metaphor {αβγδ} . O the weight of Glory !

So the consideration of the Anxieties , the Cars and Fears , Jealousies and Dangers , which attend upon the dignity of the Rulers , may well bring me to the same Metaphor to cry out {αβγδ} . O the weight of humane heigth and honour .

The Rulers are indeed like heavenly bodies , they have much veneration but little rest .

Nay the Ruler is a Kingdome himself , and he is his own Subject , to rule his Actions , his Affections , his Words , his Thoughts , they are the people , which inhabit him . And then hear Solow on again . Prov. 25.28 . He that hath no rule over his own spirit , is like a City without walls . And then in relation to others . What providing for without , what providing for within Ut insidiis nil liceat , nil pateat dolis

Providing against those without , for and against those within .

1. Providing for , taking care for all degrees of people . The Kings heart is as the Rivers of waters . Pro . 21.1 . In their overflowing what good to the grounds , sometimes what danger ?

Sometimes providing against those within , even those whom they have rais'd .

Nay 't will be requisite sometimes to provide against the Holy Order , that they rise not too high to the checking of the civil power . It could not be but a great error in Justinian , See Dr. Cracan thorp upon the Council . when he had summoned the Fifth General council at Constanstinople for the suppression of the Nestorian Heresie , to suffer Pope Viglius in the same City at the same time with an Assembly of his own to brave it with the Emperiall Convocation . In our own Kingdome Anselmus and Thomas Becket both Arch bishops of Canterbury , with their Crosier staves , did almost try it with the Kings sword , and yet they had to do with stout and haughty Kings ; namely , William Rufus . Henry the First and Henry the Second . It were more then the businesse of a Sermon , to recount those Disorders and Confusions , which ranne through all Christendome through the errors of the Rulers in permitting the Sea of Rome to tread upon the Neck of civill Authority . Here the folly ( which Solomon speaks of ) might have been conspicuous ; nay as if it had been a divine vision of the future Tyranny of the Popes . I have seen servants upon Horses , and Princes walking as servants upon the Earth .

And who knows not how a blast from the Scotch Horn has shaken the Crownes of England and Scotland .

Providing against men of the Holy Order , especially against such spirits , as dare Print and Publish such a Thesis as this .

If a people that by Oath and Duty are obliged to a Soveraigne , shall sinfully dispossesse him , and contrary to their Covenant , choose and Covenant with Another , they may be obliged by their latter Covenant notwithstanding their former .

Videtis sub hoc uno cespite quod latent colubri .

But he was overthrown by the Learned Bishop of Worcester , as David overthrew the Assyrians in the valley of Salt .

Stultitiam immoderati saporis detegens & extinguens . 2 Sam . 8.13 .

And a● providing against so also providing for the Holy Order , that it be not kept too low , lest God depart from between the Cherubins , and so come down to the Threshold , and then fly away into the Mountaines .

I know their are Hanuns , that would curtayle and shave the Messengers of God even to their shame . The Church is called Gods Husbandry , and there are Lay-patrons , that would make {αβγδ} Gods Husbandmen worse then their own . But this is not the Error of our Gracious Ruler , witnesse his Royal Letter full of Grace and Love to the poor Ministry . I pray God it be not the error of Clergy Rulers .

Well , thus ye see the Pin of Government must neither be wound up too High , nor let down too Low ; and then that which makes the {αβγδ} , The people that understand only the noise will censure the Art and Musick of Government .

If the errors of the Rulers be so dangerous , their callings so weighty ; O what prayers and supplications should be put up to Almighty God , especially for those that are in Authority . This is the great duty that lies upon the Subject . Let us look to it . If the spirit of error should fall the Ruler ( quod avertat Deus Opt. Max. ) plectentur Achivi . Deliro à lirâ vel sulco aberrare . Erasm . The east swerving from the line or track of Justice in Government , will fall heavy upon the Governed .

O then for our own sakes we should be constant in our duty of praying for them , not making tumultuary addresses to them with seditious petitions upon the heads of Pikes . Farre from the custome of the Persians in Xenophon , who when they came into the presence of their King , pluckt their hands into their sleeves : no , praying for them ; while their hands are busie for you , let your hearts be busie for them with the Lord God , especially at this time of their great and weighty consultations for the settling the Church and State . See what reason .

1. The Churches Enemies , and so the Kingdomes are numerous , and powerfull , if there were opportunity .

Midian was two hard for Israel , Numb . 25.18 . nay they out-witted them ; They vext them with their wiles .

2. They are wealthy , and not only of their own , but what they have got from others in the turn of State .

— Quibus una Quiritem Vertigo facit . —

3. In diligence very active . While the good man sleeps they sow Tares . Very much and very strongly united in their designes , as if they were all ated by one spirit , and that workes strongly in the Sonnes of Rebellion . Let us pray then that they be not like the Sonnes of Zerviah , too hard for David .

An error , which proceeds from the Ruler . Rulers have their errors , and good Rulers too . I beseech you that are Rulers of our County , that ye suffer the reflexion upon these grounds .

1. It will make you more carefull . 2. More humble . 3. More merciful .

1. More careful in correcting your own errors , and in suppressing the errors of the Rulers under you . Though Asa did that which was right in the sight of the Lord , yet he had a disease in his feet . The streame of Justice ranne without obstruction through the higher Courts , while in the mean time the lower petty Courts may like a Stagnum contract a situs , a filth which may stink in the nostrils of all good men : where the petit poor trespasses of transgressors inrich and swell up the purses of covetous Officers . Let me describe many of them in Scripture language . They give their mouths to evil , and their tongue frames deceit . Ps. 50.19 . Ps. 84.20 . Jer . 5.26 . They frame mischief by a Law .

Among my people are found wicked men , they lay wait as he that setteth snares , they set a trap , they catch men .

2. As it will make ye more carefull in respect of your selves and others , so again it will make ye more humble in your selves ; for it will teach ye not to over-rate your own excellencies . When ye read of Caius murther , Senacheribs blasphemy , Judas his not to be paraleld treason , and the fearfull Apostacy of Julian ; when ye hear ( as ye cannot choose but hear every day ) ( so sad is the condition of England ) those horrid murthers , both roberies , treasons perjuries , blasphemies and other horrid sins committed , then by this reflection ye will bless God for his preventing grace : for you also have the same root , from whence spring all these impieties .

3. As this reflection will make ye more humble in your selves , so it will make ye more merciful to others . Certainly this made Them in ancient times never to give Sentence nisi priùs obductis velis , till they had drawn a curtain between themselves and the Prisoner .

This reflection will tell ye , that the Prisoner is of the same nature with you , that the soul cost equal price , equally capable of eternal happinesse to through mercy in Christ . — And therefore 't is a sad thing to see a Judge in the gravity of his smiles to throw scorn upon the Prisoner at the Bar , and instead of gently reproving , bitterly to taunt the Malefactor .

Well yet something remains , that I should lay down rules , give directions for the avoiding of these errors , which I shall neither fetch out of Tacitus nor Polybius , much lesse out of Machiavil ; I shall onely therefore humbly advise ye , that ye apply your selves and all your Actions to that rule , where there is no obliquity ; and that rule is the sacred Word of God .

Let that holy and happy Ruler David be your Example ; study him , read him in the 101 Psalm , what excellent directions he lays down for all Rulers . I will sing of mercy and judgement , unto thee O Lord will I sing , ver . 1. Indeed the whole Psalme is nothing else , but a Judges Directory . Read him in the 119 Psalm , and see , if he do not make the Word of God his Rule . 't is a long Psalme yet there are few nay very few Verses in a I that Psalm where God's Commandments , Judgements , Statutes , Ordinances or something equivalent are not mention'd : with most passionate , happy tautologies his tongue stayes , dwells upon them , as if he were afraid of an untimely losse .

Mountains and Vallies cause some unevennesse in the Earth , yet in respect of the Universe , they make but one plain and even Globe . So this Wise Ruler knew that he was plac'd above others , yet he also knew , that he was equally subject in respect of God .

Sure our Royal and Holy David , that was so barbarously , so bloodily taken from us , kept his eye steady upon this Rule , that he had read , that he had studied David , especially in his book of Psalms , let his {αβγδ} bear witnesse .

But behold a greater than David . Let me propose the {αβγδ} to you for an Example , who took not upon him onely the honour of ruling his people but the work also .

So 't was prophecyed of him : The Government shall be upon his shoulders . Esay 9.6 .

And so the same Prophet though many hundred years before , Esay 49.4 foretold what he should doe . I have labour'd in vain , I have spent my strength for nought , and in vain ; yet surely my judgement is with the Lord .

The word signifies cum anhelatione & defatigatione laborare . {αβγδ} say the Septuagint , that is , I have laboured with weariness .

The second word signifies as if the radical moisture were dried up and spent .

According to him that was the type . Ps. 22.15 . My strength is dried up like a potsheard .

Thus ye see Judici non tantum commissa est Potestas sed Fides . Cic .

And while I presse the Word of God to be your Rule , I cannot but take notice of those , that walk contrary and against this Rule : Insomuch , that it looks rather like the design of providence than convenience , that this Town is made the Seat of justice , where so many with open face walk obnoxious to the Lawes of God and the King .

Sure our dissenting Brethren will leave rayling against Protestant Bishops , when they see the Popes interest carried on , in a place that is almost in the middle of a County , and almost in the middle of a Kingdom .

There are of that Religion , whom I must never speak of but with honourable mention for their eminent and never to be forgotten service in the preservation of his Majesty .

And I am most confident , that the modesty of those Gentlemen will not give them leave to scandalize that Person whom they endeavoured to preserve with the hazard of their lives and fortunes .

But there are more Recusants than Papists , that absent themselves from our Congregations , preferring h●●●condriacal devotion before grave and well temper'd prayers .

These begin to murmure as Israel in their Tents , saying , because the Lord hated us , he hath brought us forth out of Aegypt to deliver us into the hands of the Amorites . So They . God has restor'd us our King , our Lawes and Liberties , and deliver'd us from Anarchy to deliver us up into the hands of Papists .

I am afraid the practise of the former helps on to the grumbling of the latter .

Though the publique Service and Ceremonies be the grand Pretext , Men will be lovers of themselves to the worlds end , and consequently of their own opinions : but the Law is made for a Curb to fancy , and to keep distemper'd spirits within the hedge of obedience .

And while I go on to presse you to the observance of the Sacred Rule as your Rule , let me beg that the Day of Publique Worship may have more publique honour , that there may not be such travelling up and down that day upon needlesse , and I fear too much upon sinful occasions ; that the bells of Pack-horses may not be louder than those of the Churches . 't is a sad Sabbath when the beasts may not rest from Labour , nor their Masters from sin .

I do not argue for a Christian Sabbath from Jewish Principles ; but if it be {αβγδ} the Lords Day , let it be kept Holy to the Lord .

't was a good and wholesome Act ( with submission let me speak it ) to prohibit Arrests on that Day , that men might not be haled to Prison on that Day , when their Saviour arose from the Prison of the Grave , and gave plenary satisfaction for the Debts of mankind to God the Father .

I know 't was an act made in the time of Rebellion , yet if it be a good one , let us keep it as we doe the Lands they got for us beyond Sea . The Acts of Richard the Third , A Protector and an Usurper , the Greatest but One , were good and are observ'd ; and though my Lord Bacon in his Henry the seventh tells us , such Good Lawes are but the brokage of usurpation ; yet seeing God hath restor'd us the Principal , Our King , let us not lose the Use and Interest .

There are many other things , which I might touch upon , as The Jewry , that some one more crafty than the rest might not lead his fellows , and so They like Sheep , go Quà itur non quà eundum , following their Fore-man , and never observing what the Evidence points at , or directs to . But this is extra sphaeram .

May the word of God be your Rule according to which you may walk , and the Spirit of God your Guide to enable you to walk according to that Rule ; and then — Ye will not be {αβγδ} as Homer terms them , nor {αβγδ} as Hesiod ; but it will be according to the Orator .

Patrocinium Angliae potiùs quam Imperium .

FINIS .