difference of their humours and ages, was
somewhat surprizing. But whether indeed, in times of heat and
faction, the most temperate spirits may sometimes chance to take
delight in one that is spightful, and make some use of him; or
whether it be that even the most grave and serious persons do for
relaxation divert themselves willingly by whiles with a creature that
is unlucky, inimical, and gamesome,--so it was. And thenceforward the
nimble gentleman danced upon bell-ropes, vaulted from steeple to
steeple, and cut capers out of one dignity to another. Having thus
dexterously stuck his groat in Lambeth wainscot, it may easily be
conceived he would be unwilling to lose it; and therefore he
concern'd himself highly, and even to jealousie, in upholding now
that palace, which, if falling, he would out of instinct be the first
should leave it. His Majesty about that time labouring to effect his
constant promises of Indulgence to his people, the Author therefore
walking with his own shadow in the evening, took a great fright lest
all were agoe. And in this conceit being resolv'd to make good his
figure, and that one government should not last any longer than the
other, he set himself to write those dangerous Books which I have now
to do with; wherein he first makes all that he will to be Law, and
then whatsoever is Law to be Divinity."[176:1]

The Second Part is not all raillery. There is much wisdom in it and a
trace of Machiavelli:--

"But because you are subject to misconstrue even true English, I will
explain my self as distinctly as I can, and as close as possible,
what is mine own opinion in this matter of the magistrate and
government; that, seeing I have blamed you where I thought you
blame-worthy, you may have as fair hold of me too, if you can find
where to fix your accusation.

"The power of the magistrate does most certainly issue from the
divine authority. The obedience due to that power is by divine
command; and subjects are bound, both as men and as Christians, to
obey the magistrate actively in all things where their duty to God
intercedes not, and however passively, that is, either by leaving
their countrey, or if they cannot do that (the magistrate, or the
reason of their own occasions hindring them), then by suffering
patiently at home, without giving the least publick disturbance. But
the dispute con