... Sir, your _snare_ has been that thing, the _hatred_
whereof is most expressly required of the _ruler_, namely COVETOUSNESS.
When a governour shall make his government more an engine to enrich
himself, than to _befriend his country_, and shall by the unhallowed
hunger of riches be prevailed withal to do many wrong, base, dishonourable
things; it is a covetousness which will shut out from the kingdom of
heaven; and sometimes the _loss of a government on earth_ also is the
punishment of it.... The main channel of that covetousness has been the
reign of bribery, which you, sir, have set up in the land, where it was
hardly known, till you brought it in fashion.... And there lie affidavits
before the queen and council, which affirm that you have been guilty of it
in very many instances. I do also know that you have....
Sir, you are sensible that there is a judgment to come, wherein the
glorious Lord will demand, how far you aimed at serving him in your
government; ... how far you did in your government encourage those that
had most of his image upon them, or place your eyes on the wicked of the
land. Your _age_ and _health_, as well as other circumstances, greatly
invite you, sir, to entertain _awful thoughts_ of this matter, and
solicit the divine mercy through the only sacrifice.... Yet if the
troubles you brought on yourself should procure your abdication and recess
unto a more private condition, and your present _parasites_ forsake
you, as you _may be sure they will_, I should think it my duty to do
you all the good offices imaginable.
Pages:
452
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476