George Withers' Emblemes

The Law ugiyen to dived: ;
The Sword, to punifh W protect.
Illvstr. III.
Book. I
Hen God-Almighty fird engrav'd in (lone
His holy Law He did nor give the fame
-^
As if fome common Act had then beene done 5
For, arwi'd with Fires and Thunders, forth k came.
By which, that great Law-maker, might inferre
What di eadf ull Vengeance would on thofe attend,
Who did againft thofe holy Preceptscne •
And, that, his Power, well doers could defend.
Thereto, this Emblem, a!fo doth agree ;
For, loe, before the Tables of the Lawe,
A naked Sword is borne, whofe ufe may bee
As well to keepe in Safety, m in Awe,
Whence, Princes (if they pleafe) this note may take 3
(And it (hall make them happily to raignc)
That, many good and whoHome Lams to make
Without an Executioner, is vaine.
It likewife intimates,that fuch as are
In Soveraigne place, as well obliged be
Their zeale for true Religion to declare.
As, what concerneth -Manners, to forefec.
It laftly, fhowes that Princes fhould afhdl
Not onely, over others to Command,
Bur Swords to weat c, their Snivels to protect ;
And, for their Guard, extend a willing hand.
F >r, Lawcs, or Peace to boa't of- and, the whiles,
The Pabl/que-wealc, to weaken or difarme,
Is nor the way to hinder CivtU Hroy/es,
Nor to fecurc it from a Fnnaigne.harme.
For, As by Lanes a. I/and is kept in frame j
So, Annes is that, which mutt protect the fame.
K 2 OccafJnui