CIVIL A\D MORAL. 



execrable actions of murthcring princes, butchery of people, and sub 

 version of states and governments ? Surely, this is to bring down the 

 Holy Ghost, instead of the likeness of a dove, in the shape of a 

 vulture or raven: and to set, out of the bark of a Christian Church, a 

 flag of a bark of pirates and assassins. Therefore it is most necessary, 

 that the Church by doctrine and decree ; princes by their sword ; and 

 all learnings, both Christian and moral, as by their mercury rod : do 

 damn and send to hell for ever those facts and opinions, tending to 

 the support of the same ; as hath been already in good part done. 

 Surely in counsels concerning religion, that counsel of the apostle 

 Would be prefixed; &quot; Ira hominis non implet justitiam Dei.&quot; And it 

 was a notable observation of a wise father, and no less ingeniously 

 confessed ; That those which held and persuaded pressure of con 

 sciences, were commonly interested therein themselves for their own 

 ends 



IV. OF REVENGE. 



Revenge is a hind of wild justice, which the more a man s nature 

 runs to, the more ought law to weed it out. For as for the first wrong, 

 it doth but offend the law ; but the revenge of that wrong putteth the 

 law out of office. Certainly in taking revenge, a man is but even with 

 his enemy ; but in passing it over, he is superior : for it is a prince s 

 part to pardon. And Solomon, I am sure, saith, &quot; It is the glory of a 

 man to pass by an offence.&quot; That which is past is gone and irrevoc 

 able, and wise men have enough to do with things present and to come: 

 therefore they do but trifle with themselves that labour in past 

 matters. There is no man doth a wrong for the wrong s sake ; but 

 thereby to purchase himself profit, or pleasure, or honour, or the like. 

 Therefore why should I be angry with a man for loving himself better 

 than me ? And if any man should do wrong, merely out of ill-nature, 

 why, yet it is but like the thorn or brier, which prick or scratch, 

 because they can do no other. The most tolerable sort of revenge is 

 for those wrongs which there is no law to remedy : but then let a man 

 take heed the revenge be such as there is no law to punish ; else a 

 man s enemy is still beforehand, and it is two for one. Some, when 

 they take revenge, are desirous the party should know whence it 

 comcth : this is the more generous. For the delight seemeth to be 

 not so much in doing the hurt, as in making the party repent : but 

 base and crafty cowards are like the arrow that flieth in the dark. 

 Cosrnus, duke of Florence, had a desperate saying against perfidious 

 or neglecting friends, as if those wrongs were unpardonable. &quot; You 

 shall read,&quot; saith he, &quot; that we are commanded to forgive our enemies; 

 but you never read, that we are commanded to forgive our friends.&quot; 

 But yet the spirit of Job was in a better tune ; &quot; Shall we,&quot; saith he, 

 take good at God s hands, and not be content to take evil also?&quot; 

 so of friends in a proportion. This is certain, that a man that 

 cth revenge, keeps his own wounds green, which otherwise would 

 heal and do well. Public revenges are for the most part fortunate : as 

 that for the death of C;esar ; lor the death of Pertinax ; for the death 



