When _God-Almighty_ first engrav’d in stone His holy _Law_; He did not give the same As if some common Act had then beene done; For, arm’d with _Fires_ and _Thunders_, forth it came. By which, that great _Law-maker_, might inferre What dreadfull _Vengeance_ would on those attend, Who did against those holy _Precepts_ erre; And, that, his _Power_, well-doers could defend. Thereto, this _Emblem_, also doth agree; For, loe, before the _Tables_ of the _Lawe_, A naked _Sword_ is borne, whose use may bee As well to keepe in _Safety_, as in _Awe_. Whence, _Princes_ (if they please) this note may take, (And it shall make them happily to raigne) That, many good and wholsome _Lawes_ to make Without an _Executioner_, is vaine. It likewise intimates, that such as are In _Soveraigne place_, as well obliged be Their zeale for true _Religion_ to declare, As, what concerneth _Manners_, to foresee. It, lastly, showes that _Princes_ should affect Not onely, over others to _Command_, But _Swords_ to weare, their _Subjects_ to protect; And, for their _Guard_, extend a willing hand. For, _Lawes_, or _Peace_ to boast of; and, the whiles, The _Publique-weale_, to weaken or disarme, Is nor the way to hinder _Civill-Broyles_, Nor to secure it from a _Forraigne-harme_. For, As by _Lawes_ a Land is kept in frame; So, _Armes_ is that, which must protect the same. _=Occasions-past= are sought in vaine; But, oft, they =wheele-about= again._ [Illustration: NE TENEAR ILLVSTR. IV. _Book. 1._]