Of the Emperour .

WE come now to wait on the Emperour , who retains still the Title of Caesar , and Semper Augustus : He also is stil'd Numen , Divus ; and his Edicts are call'd Sancita Divalia , God-like Decrees . For many Descents the Empire continued in the Race of Iulius Caesar , until Domitius Nero's time ; then the Name of Caesar grew to be Accidental , and given by way of Adoption to the Heir apparent of the Empire , whereas before he was call'd Princeps Iuventutis : and when the Western Empire came to be reviv'd in Charlemain , the next to succeed was term'd King of Italy , but now he is created King of the Romanes ; which Institution was made by Charles the Fifth .

Iulius Caesar was the first who rais'd Rome to an Empire , though it cost him dear : for the Foundation thereof was cimented with his own blood , being assassinated in the Senat by his nearest Confidents in compassing that great work : whereby 't is observable what an extraordinary kinde of Fate did betide that City : for as the first Foundation thereof was sprinkled with Blood when Romulus caus'd his Brother Rhemus to be put to death , when the first Walls thereof were erecting ; so the Roman Empire was afterwards first raised by Caesar's Blood . And the Spiritual Empire she enjoys since , may also be said to have been raised by the Blood of Christian Martyrs , among whom above thirty of the first Bishops of Rome were of the number .

Now , if one should compare the present Roman Empire with the Old when it was at the highest flourish , the Parallel would bear no more proportion then a Wren ( who yet is call'd in Latine Regulus , a little King ) doth hold with an Eagle : for the Roman Monarchy when she was at the greatest pitch of Sublimity and Altitude of Puissance and Glory , may be said to have no Horizon , no Termination ( as the Author hath it elsewhere ) while she sate upon her seven Hills , she may be said to have overlooked the World . The City of Rome was then fifty Miles in circuit ; five hundred thousand Free Citizens were computed to sleep within her Walls , by that famous Cense which Vopiscus speaks of . The Roman Eagle fixed his Talents upon the banks of Euphrates Eastward ; on the Nile , and the Mountains of the Moon , South ; on the Danube and Rhin Northward ; and West , as far as the British and German Ocean . Her annual Revenues were computed at 150 Millions , whereof the Salary of her Legionary Soldiers amounted yearly to above 20 Millions , &c. But that high-soaring Eagle , who with full-summ'd Wing flew so far , and may be said to have the Sun himself for her Companion , now with a few broken and tatter'd flaggy Plumes flies onely twixt Danube and the Rhin ; and were she not impd with Austrian Fethers , she wold be as bald as a new-pluck'd Capon .

Yet for all this Fatal Stoop , had the Emperour at present all Germany entirely subject to himself , as he precedes in Title and Place , so he might haply compare in Power with any one Christian Prince : for Almaine or Teutony is a Continent of such a vast Expansion , that it might give the Law to any one single Kingdome in Europe were it subject to one Head . But the Emperour in statu quo nunc , may be said to be but Titulary Emperour of Germany : for of those Ten Circles where into it is divided , viz. Austria High and Low , Franconia , Bavaria , Saxonia , Westphalia , the Lower Circle of Saxony , the two Palatinats , and Burgundy , he hath no absolute Authority but onely in Austria , which is his Patrimonial Inheritance . The Government of the rest , though it be principally in the Emperour , 't is diffusedly in the Dier or Imperial Parlement , but contractedly and actually in the seven Electors , who have a kinde of Ius Regale in them , as power of Life and Death , Coyning of Moneys , Levying of Men , and settling what Religion they please ; it being a Rule and Prerogative among them , That Quilibet Imperii Status tantum possit in suo Territorio , quantum Imperator in toto Imperio : Every State of the Empire hath as much power in his own Territory , as the Emperour hath in the whole Empire . Yet they cannot make any League or Confederacy with any other Prince , but with this Reservation , That it be not prejudicial to the common Peace of the Empire .

Now we finde that there were many fatal Causes which concurred to bring the Roman Empire to so low an ebb : The first was the Translation of the Imperial Court from Rome to Bizantium or Constantinople , whereby the Eagle grew to be a Monster with two heads , the one looking Eastward , the other West : yet he of the East stil'd himself still for about 400 years The Roman Emperour , governing the West by Deputies ; during which time , a world of tough Northern Nations broke into Italy to draw nearer the Sun ; and there as well as in other places , took firm footing , until Charlemain chac'd them away , who first stil'd himself Emperour of the West by an Agreement made with Nicephorus at Constantinople : which Western Empire also received soon after a fatal Blow by the Partition that his Son Lewis the Debonnaire made to finde Portions for his three Sons ; insomuch that the Roman Empire came to be coop'd up at last within the German Pale : and since that time it stands upon Historical Records , how from the Raign of Rodolph the first , above 200 Princes , States , and Imperial Cities , have dismembred and emancipated themselfs from the Empire ; some by working upon the Emperours Necessities , and furnishing him with Tresure to support his Wars ; and for their Moneys they had Immunities granted them equivalent to a Releasement from Subjection . Moreover , as the Popes Temporal Dominions most of them were Plumes taken from the Roman Eagle , so the change of Religion by the Lutherans did much weaken him , for many since revolted quite from him without paying any thing . the last were the Lituanians , the Swisses , and Geneva ; the first fell from Charles the Fifth , who summoning them to their Obedience , and threatning else to reduce them by Arms , they returned this jeering Answer , That they believed his Horse wold tire before he could reach the Skirts of Lituania . And the Swisse falling from their Spiritual Obedience to the Pope , fell also from their Temporal Allegiance to the Emperour , and to have any thing to do with the Chamber of Spire .

Thus we see in part the Degrees and Causes of the Declination ●…f the Roman Monarchy at first , and of the German Empire afterwards , which may be said to have shrunk from a great Lyon into a Cat-skin . But to know the principal cause , we must cast our eyes upward , and attribut all to the Will and high Plesure of the All-disposing Emperour of the Universe , who as he puts bounds to the raging Billows of the great Ocean , so he sers Boundaries and Periods to all Earthly Grandeurs .

Nevertheless , though in point of Power and Territories the Emperour be grown so weak and naked in comparison of what he was , yet in point of Precedence and Dignity he bears up still the same , being accounted the prime Potentat , and Prince paramount of Christendome . And well may all Christian Kings esteem him so , in regard that their Territories may be said to be but Branches of the great Roman Tree , which falling off , and taking new Roots , they began to taper up , and grow to be Regal Trees of themselfs . Great Britain , as she was the last that was reduced under the Roman Yoak , so she was the first who shook it off , and enfranchiz'd her self : which is no mean honour and advantage to her King in point of Precedence , as will appeer more at large in the ensuing Discourse .

Nor is the Emperour and his Ministers thus esteem'd among Christian Kings onely , but also by the Turk , who stiles him still the Roman Emperour , and next himself the greatest Monarch ; reputing his Ambassadours accordingly , by allowing them to have Palaces in Constantinople the same side the Seraglio is on ; and they go always concomitant with the Ottoman Court wheresoever it removes . They have the Precedence given them of the Ambassadors both of the Persian and Tartar , notwithstanding that the first holds himself the greatest Potentat upon Earth , having a custome duely observed , that after Dinner an Officer winds a Trumpet at his Court-gate towards the four parts of the world , to give notice to all other Princes that he hath Dined already , and so they may go now all to Dinner . And concerning the Persian , the example of the Lo. David Ungnadius shall serve , who being Ambassador in the Turks Court for the Emperour , and coming for Audience to the Duana , the Persian Ambassador had come before , and got the Chair ; but Ungnadius offering to go away , the Gran Visier caus'd an upper Chair to be put for him . Another time at Mahomet the thirds Circumcision , which lasted 40 days , there being then in Constantinople the Ambassadors of the greatest Monarchs upon Earth , yet the Ambassador of Rodulphus the Emperour had the Precedence of them all .

All this is but Collateral to the main Designe of the intended Discourse , which aims chiefly at Kings , whereunto we now hasten ; but we will first give a few Hints or Prolegomenas of the Original of Kingly Government .

Of Royalty , or Kingly Government .

THere is a Saying in France , Pape par voix , Empereur par Force , Roy par Nature : Pope by Choice , Emperour by Might , King by Nature , viz. Successive , and Hereditary Kings who ought to have the Precedence of Elective . Whence may be inferred , That Kingly Government is most agreeable to Nature . Now 't is a tru and elegant Principle , That Naturam sequi est Deo obsequi ; To follow Nature is to obey God .

Concerning the Character or Title of King , it is of a more ancient date then that of Emperour . For they who grope at Government before the Floud , speak of Kings in Chaldee and Egypt . Rome began with Kings , and it may be said , that it was more the Peeples Wantonness then Tarquin's which put them down . Afterwards the Name of Emperour was given to that person who was Commander in chief of the Army or Praetorian Bands , and Legionary Soldiers : it was not a Title of that Sublimity and Transcendence as it proved afterward . Among the Greek Authors the Names of Monarchs , Kings and Emperours are taken promiscuously : But all Writers that pretend to Policy , acknowledge that Kingly Government of all other as it is the most ancient , ( and may be said to begin with Adam ) so it hath most conformity with that of Heaven , whence the best patterns for all Humane Actions are to be fetch'd , and 't is no presumption to do it . Moreover , of all kinde of Ruling Powers , Royalty is the prime ; for in it , as the Civilians say , there is formalis , & completa gubernandi ratio , the most formal , and compleat Essence of Government . Royalty also hath the easiest , the fewest , and certainst Principles , ( if any certain can be found ) for there is no Knowledge so subject to confusion and incertitudes , as the Art for Man to govern Men ; It could never yet be brought to a Science , which consists of general and tru Apodictical Demonstrations . The Reason may be , the various Inclinations , Caprichio's , and Humours of Peeple , proceeding from the diversity of Climes , and Coelestial Influences ; as also , from that World of Contingencies which attend Human Negotiations ; likewise from the diffring Positions of Earth , for those Laws and kinds of Government which may be proper for the Continent , will not fit an Insulary Peeple ; nor those Laws of a Maritime Country can sute with meer Inland , or Mediterranean Territories : Therefore , that Gran Senior of all Knowledge , the Stagirite , whereas he useth to be constant to himself while he gives Maximes for other Sciences , when in his Politiques he comes to Human Government , and beats his Brain how to prescribe certain Rules conducing thereunto , He is not found onely at a loss , and wavering to himself , but he wraps his Scholars here and there in Clouds of Ambiguities . Nor can we blame him and others to rove up and down in that manner upon this subject , it being beyond the compass of Human Brain to enact such Laws may fit all times , prevent all accidents , and quadrat with the Genius of all Nations . Some Peeple are so fiery-mouth'd that they must be rid with a Bit , Curb , and Martingale ; but a snaf●…le and gentle hand will serve to manage others : Now 't is observ'd , that they who inhabit hard and barren Countries , are more easily govern'd then those who live in fat and luxurious Soyls , where being pamper'd with Plenty and Wealth , they are apt to grow wanton , and kick at , or overthrow their Riders .

Yet it may be said , that there is one certain and Universal Rule for Government , and to keep a Peeple in a constant and exact Obedience ; and that Rule is , For the Soveraign Prince to have always a standing and visible actual Power in motion , as well to conserve as to curb a Peeple in case of any Commotion ; And 't is consentaneous to good Reason , that the Subject shold contribut for this general Protection , according to the saying , Defend me , and spend me ; that so evry one may rest under his own Roofs , and sit at his own Fires in quietness and safety . In sum , All Statists concur in this , That there is an Awe due to a King , as well as Affection ; He must be a Dread Soverain , as well as a Gracious ; and that Goverment●…s best temper'd where a few Drams of Fear are blended with the Peeples Love . But now to our main Work .

Of the Antiquity of the King , and particularly of the Christian Kings in Great Britain , whereby we take A Jove Principium . —

IT is observed by most Annalists who write of Countries and Nations , that the Britains who were the Aborigenes , the Primitive Inhabitants , and may be said to be Connatural with this Iland it self , were by a special instinct much devoted to the contemplation of heavenly things : For the ancient Druydes that were the first Divines or Professors of Religion , ( who in lieu of Monasteries or Colleges , were used to retire themselfs to Woods and solitary places to speculat the Works of God and Nature ) were renowned far and near beyond the Seas ; and the Emperour Iulius Caesar writes , that the Gaules ( now French ) were wont to come over to be instructed by the British Druydes , who , as he saith elsewhere , and is seconded by Cornelius Tacitus , ( which spent part of his life here ) had more pregnant capacities then the Gaules . Now , in those times ther were divers Martial Kings here , whereas they scarce make mention of any in Gallia . To avoid prolixity , we will instance onely in Boadicia that admired Virago , and Cataractus , who having maintain'd for many years this Kingdom from the Romanes more by the Bodies of Men , and pure Natural Valour , then by Arms , was at last carried Prisoner to Rome , where being not a whit daunted , he reproach'd the Romanes , ( yet with a kind of complement ) That he wondred how they having such stately Palaces at Rome , wold take such long hazardous Journeys to dwell in homely Houses of Clay , as those of Britain were in those days . Before the Romans raigned here , there had been very many Kings of this Iland , for Cassibelan whom Caesar speaks of , was the sixty third British King thereof ; when it pleased the Father of Light to display the early Beams of Christianity in this Iland , which was very betimes : for , as Gregory the 15th says in his Letter to his late Majesty at that time in Spain , ( which he was to receive in common civility as the Pope is also a Temporal Prince ) No sooner did the Roman Eagle fly over hither , but the Standard of the Cross was inarborated and set up : I say , that then , which may be said to be in the nonage of the Church , Lucius Surius , call'd in British , Llei vab Coel Lucius , the Son of Coel , ( who was King before him ) sent to Eleutherius for his Laws to govern the Church by , who returned him this answer : Vicarius Dei estis in Regno vestro , Gentes vestri Regni pulli vestri sunt , &c. Habetis penes vos legem , & Fidem Christi ; Habetis utramque paginam , &c. You are Gods Vicar in your Kingdome , your Peeple are your Chickins ; you have the Law , and Faith of Christ ; you have both the Testaments , &c. This King Lucius afterwards having frequent symptomes and fits of extraordinary Devotion , forsook all earthly Pomp and Plesure , and went on Pilgrimage to Rome , where he employed the remnant of his life in the Theory of holy things , and to study the Art of Mortification , as Venerable Bede and Baronius , with all Authors both Old and New , do affirm .

Now , this was a long tract of time before ther was any Christian King in France or Spain , or indeed any where else . 'T is true , that St. Iames the Apostle was in Spain , but as the Story says , there were but nine persons that were converted ; but in Great Britain it may be said , that as the Sun when he begins to appear and culminat in the East , doth as it were in a moment enlighten the whole Hemisphere ; so the Rays of the Son of Righteousnes did with marvellous celerity and success ( leaping over as it were many other Countries ) illuminat this Western Iland first , insomuch that when Austin ( whom many call The Apostle of the Saxons or English ) arrived here some Ages after , ther were then in Bangor and elsewhere above 2000 Monks . He found the Pentateuch of Moses & the New Testament translated into British , as also a Form of Divine Service , which stand yet upon record . The huge Continent of Germany , with Norway and Denmark , with divers other Countries , acknowledg to have receiv'd the first light of Learning and of the Gospel from hence by Winfrid and Willebrod , as an ingenious German-Poet confesseth in these Numbers :

Haec tamen Arctois laus est aeterna Britannis , Quòd post Pannonicis vastatum incursibus Orbem Illa bonas Artes , & Graiae munera Linguae , Stellarumque vias , & magni sydera Coeli Observans , iterum turbatis intulit oris , Quin se Religio multùm debere Britannis Servata , & latè circum dispersa fatetur ; Quis nomen Winfride tuum , quis munera nescit ! Te Duce Germanis pietas se vera , Fidesque Insinuans coepit ritus abolere prophanos ; Quid non Alcuino facunda Lutetia debet ? &c.

And as it is the consentient Opinion of all Antiquaries , That the first Christian King who ever raign'd in Europe was of this I le , so the first Christian Emperour ( Constantin the Great ) came from her Bowels , being Son to Helena that renowned British Lady , who bears one of the first places in the Catalogue of Saints , and is called Elen luyddiog ( the Warlike Helen ) in Welc●… to this day .

These Premises being well weigh'd , this Conclusion may be deduc'd , That the King of Great Britain may well claim de Iure the title of The first Son of the Church . Therefore , under favor , it may be justly question'd why the next King Eastward shold assume it ; for Clouis the first Christian King in France was neer upon 400 years after King Lucius , as all Historians do assert .

Moreover , t is well known that besides the title of Defendor of the Faith , ( whereof we will speak hereafter ) the title of Christianissimus was sent to Hen. 8. with much solemnity by Pope Iulius the second , accompanied with a Cap of Maintenance , and a Sword ; which title was confirmed by Authority of the Lateran Council : which great transaction was solemnly publish'd in the Cathedral Church of St. Paul , and seconded with Justs and Tournements ; yet this was but the renewing of an old Title , for among the Saxon Kings some were call'd so , and ther are Records yet extant that King Oswald and Edward the third were stil'd so .

We will conclude this Paragraph with this Observation , That Great Britain was the first Country in Europe who shook off the Roman Yoak , and rais'd some of the former old British Blood to be Kings again for many Descents , insomuch that the Romans here made but an Interregnum : And this was before any absolut King was elsewhere in Europe upon the declinings of the Empire , specially in France and Spain , who continued but Roman Provinces many years after . We will now to the second Paragraph .