A97353:607
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their…
The second part of The nonconformists plea for peace being an account of their principles about civil and ecclesiastical authority and obedience ... : mostly written many years past, and now published to save our lives and the kingdoms peace, from the false and bloody plotters ... / by Richard Baxter.
London: printed for John Hancock, 1680
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
II. His Image of a bad Prince.
If you would represent to the eye a bad Prince, paint some wild and cruel beast, made up of a Dragon, a Wolf, a Lyon, a Viper, a Bear, and such strange things, armed every way with six hundred eyes; on every side toothed; on every side to be feared, with crooked fangs, an insatiable belly; fatted with mans bowels; drunk with mans blood; which sleepeth not, that he may prey upon the fortunes and lives of all; hurtful to all, but especially to the good; a certain fatal mischief of the whole world; whom all men curse and hate, who wish well to the Common-wealth; who for his cruelty cannot be endured, and yet cannot be taken away without great ruin of the world, because his malice is armed with guards and wealth].
Or as Tacitus (de Tiberio) describeth him (cited by Alsted. p. 253.)
The signs of one that will be a Tyrant and cruel Prince are; If when he hath got the Empire, he accuse mens countenances as criminal; and require unmeasurable flatteries; and catch at the words of his public Councillors; and open his ears to accusing delators; and take mens judgement of him whatever, and their free speeches of the Common-wealth for a crime; and lastly, if good men are suspected by him.