Ships ordain'd to be toft, but not for Houses that are to stand firm.

THE Parts and Signs of GOODNESS are many. If a Man be Kind and Courteous to Strangers and Foreigners, he proves himself a Citizen of the World, and that his Heart is not like an Island, cut off from other Lands, but like a Continent that joins to them.

IF he be Compaffionate to the Af flicted, he fhews a noble Heart, and is like the celebrated Tree, that is wounded it felf when it gives the Balm.

If he easily remits Offences, and pardons Faults, it fhews his Mind is planted on High above the Shot of Injuries. If he be Thankful for small Benefits, it is an Argument that he values Men's Minds more than their Trinkets. But above all, if he has attain'd the highest pitch of Perfection, that of St. Paul the Apostle, of devoting and anathematizing himself from CHRIST for the Salvation of his Brethren, it fhews the nearest Approach to the Divine Nature, and a kind of Conformity with CHRIST himself.

XIV.

XIV. Of NOBILITY.

ET us fpeak of NOBILITY, firft

LE as it is a Part of a State; next as

it is a Condition of PARTICULAR PERSONS. A Monarchy where there is no NOBILITY at all, is ever a pure and absolute Tyranny, as that of the Turks. For NOBILITY attempers Sovereignty, and draws the Eyes of the People fomewhat afide from the Line Royal. But in a Democracy there is no need of NOBLES; nay that Popular State is much more quiet, and lefs subject to Factions and Seditions, where there are no Stocks of NOBLES. For there Men's Fyes are upon the Bufinefs, not upon the Perfons; or if upon the Perfons, it is for the Bufinefs Sake, as being fittest for it, and not out of any Regard to Flags or Images of Anceftors.

THE Switzers, we fee, are a flourishing People enough, notwithstanding

their Diversity of Religion, and of Cantons. For Utility is their Bond, and not Refpects. The Form of Government used in the United Provinces of the Low Countries is furely excellent: For where there is an Equality, both the Confultations are more indifferent, and the Payments and Tributes more chearful.

A great and potent NOBILITY in a Monarchy, addeth Majefty to the Prince, but diminisheth his Power; and putteth Life and Spirit into the People, but depreffeth their Fortune. It is well when the NOBLES are not too great for Sovereignty nor for Justice; and yet maintain'd in that Height, that the Infolency of the Multitude may be blunted by their Reverence of them, as by a Bar in the Way, before it pour it felf forth upon the Majefty of Kings. On the other hand, a numerous NOBILITY causes Poverty and Inconvenience in a State; for it occafions a vaft Expence: And befides, it being a Thing of Neceffity, that many of the NOBILITY fhould

in

in Course of Time fall to Poverty, there follows a kind of Divorce or Difproportion between Honour and Estate..

As for NOBILITY in PARTICU LAR PERSONS, it is certainly a Venerable Thing to fee an antient Castle or Building not in the least Decay; or an aged tall Timber-Tree found and perfect: How much more to behold an Antient NOBLE Family uninjur'd by the Waves and Storms of Time? For New NOBILITY is the Act of Royal Power; but Antient NOBILITY is the pure Act of Time.

THOSE that are first rais'd to a high Pitch of NOBILITY, generally excel their Defcendants in the Brightness of their Virtues, but by no Means in Innocence. For there is rarely any Rifing to Honours but by a Mixture of good and evil Arts. But it were reasonable, that the Memory of their Virtues thould pafs down to their Pofterity; and That of their Vices dye with themselves.

No

NOBILITY of Birth commonly abates Industry; and he that is not induftrious, envies another's Diligence. Befides, NOBLE Perfons, can't be advanc'd much further; and he that stands at a Stay whilst others rise, can hardly avoid Motions of Envy. On the other fide, NOBILITY very much allays the Envy of others towards them; for this Reason, becaufe NOBLE Men feem born in the Poffeffion of Honours.

CERTAINLY Kings that have" a Wife and Able NOBILITY about them, fhall find an easier Slide in their Bufinefs by employing THEM principally: For People naturally bend to them, as born in fome Sort to Command.

XV. Of SEDITIONS and TROUBLE S.

IT greatly concerns the Shepherds of

People to know the Prognofticks of State-Tempests; which are then great

eft,