London's lamentation, or, A serious discourse concerning the late fiery dispensation that turned our…

My Lord, several Philosophers have made excellent and ¹legant Orations in the praise of justice: they say that all Ver••es are comprehended in the distribution of justice. Justice, saith Aristotle, is a Synopsis and Epitome of all Virtues. All I shall say is this, the world is a Ring, and justice is the Diamond in that Ring; the world is a body, and justice is the soul •f that body. It is well known that the constitution of a mans body is best known by his pulse; if it stir not at all, then we know he is dead; if it stir violently, then we know him to be in a Fever; if it keep an equal stroke, then we know he is sound, well, and whole: So the estate and constitution of a City, Kingdom, or Common-weal is best known by the manner of executing justice therein; for justice is the pulse of a City, Kingdom, or Common-weal; if justice be violent, then the City, Kingdom, or Common-weal is in a Fever, in a very bad estate; if it stir not at all, then the City, Kingdom, or Common-wealth is dead: but if it hath an equal stroke, if it be justly and duly administered, then the City, Kingdom, or Common-weal is in a good, a safe, and a sound condition. When Vespasian asked Apollonius what was the cause of Nero's ruin, he answered, that Nero could tune the Harp well, but in Government he did always wind up the strings too high, or let them down too low. Extremes in Government are the ready way to ruin all. The Ro••ns had their Rods for lesser faults, and their Axe for capital crimes. Extreme right often proves extreme wrong: he that will always go to the utmost of what the Law allows, will too too often do more than the Law requires. A rigid severity often mars all: Equity is still to be preferred before extremity. To inflict great penalties and heavy censures for light offences, this is to kill a fly upon a mans forehead with a Beetle. The great God hath put his own Name upon Magistrates, Psal. 82. 6. I said that ye are gods Yet it must be granted that you are gods in a smaller letter, mortal gods, gods that must dye like men; all the sons of Ish are sons of Adam. Magistrates must do justice impartially; for as they are called Gods, so in this they must be like to God, who is no accepter of persons, Deur. 1. 17. Levi•. 19. 15. ⟨image 4⟩