XXIV. ALIKE, BUT CONTRARY.

I OBSERVE in Scripture, that power to do some deeds is a sufficient authority to do them. Thus Samson’s power to pluck down the two fundamental pillars of the Dagon’s temple, was authority enough for him to do it.

Elijah’s power to make fire to come at his call on the two captains was authority enough to do it, because such deeds were above the strength, stature, and standard of human proportion.

However, hence it doth not follow that it is lawful for a private man with axes and hammers to beat down a Christian church, because Samson plucked down Dagon’s temple; nor doth it follow that men may burn their brethren with fagot and fire, because Elijah called for fire from heaven; these being acts not miraculous but mischievous, and no might from heaven, but 211mere malice from hell, required for the achieving thereof.

Here it is hard to say which of these two things have done most mischief in England; public persons having private souls and narrow hearts consulting their own ease and advantage, or private persons having vast designs to invade public employments. This is most sure, that betwixt them both they have almost undone the most flourishing church and state in the Christian world.