ad not hung in the
other's light, might have gained it, yet could neither of them have held
it; not Athens, through the manner of her propagation, which, being
by downright tyranny, could not preserve what she had, nor Lacedaemon,
because she was overthrown by the weight of a less conquest. The
facility then of this great enterprise being peculiar to popular
government, I shall consider it, first, in gaining, and secondly, in
holding.

"For the former, volenti non fit injuria. It is said of the people under
Eumenes, that they would not have changed them no their subjection for
liberty; wherefore the Romans gave disturbance. If a people be contented
with their government, it is a certain sign that it is good, and much
good do them with it. The sword of your magistracy is for a terror to
them that do evil. Eumenes had the fear of God, or of the Romans, before
his eyes; concerning such he has given you no commission.

"But till we can say, here are the Romans, where is Eumenes? do not
think that the late appearances of God to you have been altogether for
yourselves; 'He has surely seen the affliction of your brethren,
and heard their cry by reason of their task masters.' For to believe
otherwise is not only to be mindless of his ways, but altogether deaf.
If you have ears to hear, this is the way in which you will certainly be
called upon; for if, while there is no stock of liberty no sanctuary
of the afflicted, it be a common object to behold a people casting
themselves out of the pan of one prince into the fire of another, what
can you think, but if the world should see the Roman 'eagle again, she
would renew her age and her flight? Nor did ever she spread her wings
with better omen than will be read in your ensigns; which if, called in
by an oppressed people they interpose between them and their yoke, the
people themselves must either do nothing in the meantime or have no more
pains to take for their wished fruit than to gather it, if that be not
likewise done for them. Wherefore this must needs be easy, and yet you
have a greater facility than is in the arm of flesh; for if the cause of
mankind be the cause of God, the Lord of Hosts will be your captain, and
you shall be a praise to the whole earth.

"The facility of holding is in the way of your propagation; if you take
that of Athens and Lacedemon, you shall rain snares, but either catch or
hold nothing. Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord: if setting up
for