The multitude is an unruly monster. It was a true saying of that brutish Emperor Tiberius, to one that applauded his felicity in attaining the power of so large an Empire;1 O said he, you know not what a Beast the Empire is, how unruly and untoward, how head-strong and hard to be tamed. The multitude is a Beast with many heads saith another: cut off one, nay many, yet there will millions remain still. Now that one should keep millions in awe, how could it be, if there were not a divine ⟨p. 211⟩constitution in an humane person. The Devil is such an enemy to mans peace and welfare; and every mans nature so opposite to rule and restraint, that if there were not somewhat more then humane in Magistracy, one man would be a Beast, nay a Devil to another, and be no whit kept under by the higher Powers. But we see clearly God hath put such a Majesty on Princes, that their people are afraid of their fury; reverence their persons, and submit to their authority. He that readeth the wonderful strength of the Horse, how his neck is clothed with thunder; how the glory of his nostrils is terrible; how he paweth in the Valley, and goeth out to meet the armed men; how he mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, nor turneth back from the sword, Job 39.19. to 26. He that considereth the power of the Elephant, how he moveth his tail like a Cedar; how his bones are like strong pieces of brass, and like bars of Iron. &c. Job 40.15. to 24. when he observeth how these strong fierce creatures are ridden and ruled by weak man, and turned about at his pleasure, will presently conclude the reason to be this, because God hath put the fear and dread of man upon every beast of the field, Gen. 6.2. So truly he that beholdeth many millions of men subject to the word, to the command of one, when they have strength enough to overthrow thousands, must needs acknowledge that it is the Lords doing, and it ought to be marvellous in their eyes.
The multitude is an unruly monster. It was a true saying of that brutish Emperour Tiberius, to one that applauded his felicity in attaining the power of so large an Empire;1 O said he, you know not what a Beast the Empire is, how unruly and untoward, how head-strong and hard to be tamed. The multitude is a Beast with many heads saith another: cut off one, nay many, yet there will millions remain still. Now that one should keep millions in awe, how could it be, if there were not a divine ⟨p. 211⟩constitution in an humane person. The Devil is such an enemy to mans peace and welfare; and every mans nature so opposite to rule and restraint, that if there were not somewhat more then humane in Magistracy, one man would be a Beast, nay a Devil to another, and be no whit kept under by the higher Powers. But we see clearly God hath put such a Majesty on Princes, that their people are afraid of their fury; reverence their persons, and submit to their authority. He that readeth the wonderful strength of the Horse, how his neck is cloathed with thunder; how the glory of his nosthrils is terrible; how he paweth in the Valley, and goeth out to meet the armed men; how he mocketh at fear, and is not affrighted, nor turneth back from the sword, Job 39.19. to 26. He that considereth the power of the Elephant, how he moveth his tail like a Cedar; how his bones are like strong pieces of brass, and like bars of Iron. &c. Job 40.15. to 24. when he observeth how these strong fierce creatures are ridden and ruled by weak man, and turned about at his pleasure, will presently conclude the reason to be this, because God hath put the fear and dread of man upon every beast of the field, Gen. 6.2. So truly he that beholdeth many millions of men subject to the word, to the command of one, when they have strength enough to overthrow thousands, must needs acknowledge that it is the Lords doing, and it ought to be marvellous in their eyes.
- 1Sueton.
