But if the king err, he causeth injury to the whole realm. Therefore,
as one that shall render strict account, if thou neglect aught of thy
duty, guard thyself with all diligence in that which is good. Hate all
pleasure that draweth into sin: for, saith the Apostle, 'Follow peace
with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.'
Consider the wheel of men's affairs, how it runneth round and round,
turning and whirling them now up, now down: and amid all its sudden
changes, keep thou unchanged a pious mind. To change with every change
of affairs betokeneth an unstable heart. But be thou steadfast, wholly
established upon that which is good. Be not lifted and vainly puffed up
because of temporal honour; but, with purified reason, understand the
nothingness of thine own nature, and the span-length and swift flight
of life here, and death the yoke-fellow of the flesh. If thou consider
these things, thou shalt not be cast into the pit of arrogance, but
shalt fear God, the true and heavenly King, and verily thou shalt be
blessed. For he saith, 'Blessed are all they that fear the Lord, and
walk in his ways,' and 'Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he
shall have great delight in his commandments.' And which commandments
above all shouldest thou observe? 'Blessed are the merciful, for they
shall obtain mercy,' and 'Be ye merciful, as your heavenly Father is
merciful.' For the fulfilment of this commandment, above all, is
required of them that are in high authority. And, soothly, the holder
of great authority ought to imitate the giver of that authority to the
best of his ability. And herein shall he best imitate God, by
considering that nothing is to be preferred before showing mercy. Nay,
further, nothing so surely draweth the subject to loyalty toward his
Sovereign as the grace of charity bestowed on such as need it. For the
service that cometh from fear is flattery in disguise, with the
pretence of respect cozening them that pay heed to it; and the
unwilling subject rebelleth when he findeth occasion. Whereas he that
is held by the ties of loyalty is steadfast in his obedience to the
ruling power. Wherefore be thou easy of access to all and open thine
ears unto the poor, that thou mayest find the ear of God open unto
thee. For as we are to our fellow-servants, such shall we find our
Master to us-ward. And, like as we do hear others, so shall we be
heard ourselves: and, as we see, so sha