The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods True Saints Part 1 and 2, Part 2 · Chapter 7

The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods True Saints Part 1 and 2 · Part 2 · Chapter 7

p. 97CHAP. VII.

I Have heretofore (in the 4th. Chapter) presented you with sundry Presidents of the Primitive Christains sigual Loyaltie and Pietie to their very persecuting Heathen Emperors, in making fervent publick and private Prayers, Supplications and Intercessions unto God for their long life, health and prosperitie. To which I shall adde two Presidents more.

p. 98The first out of the Annals of Eutychius Patriarch of Alexandria Anno 180.(translated out of Arabick into Latin by learned Mr. Po…ock) printed Oxoniae 1656. who relates this of the Christians under(aaEutychii Annales, p. 360.) Marcus Antonius Severus, (a great Persecutor of them) Magnae hic calamitatis & tristitiae diuturnae Christianis author fuit, multis sub illo Martyrium passis. Ejus tempore magna fuit fames, siccitasque & pestis, dum per biennium non plueret, adeo ut parum abesset, quin Rex & populus Imperio ipsius subdi…s fame & peste perirent; Qui ergo Christianos rogar…nt, ut Precibus a Domino suo pluviam impetrarent:**See part 1. P. 50, 51. illis igitur Preces ad Dominum nostrum fundentibus magnam pluviae copiam demisit, quo pacto sublata est et fames, et pestis, both from this persecuting Emperor and his Subjects.

The second is the memorable storie of the EmperorAnno 304. Maximinianus, who was smitten by God with several Diseasesb Eutychii Annal. p. 411, 412, 427. Eus…s Eccl. Hist l. 8. c. 27, 28. Niceph. Eccl…s. Hist. l. 7, c. …0, 22, 23. for persecuting the Christians, so that his flesh did rot away, and worms crept out of his Bowels, and he lay prostrate on the earth, stinking in such sort that no man could come nigh unto him; All his Companions admiring, and his very Enemies pitying him for what had thus befallen him. Whereupon Ipse verò ad se reversus; Hoc forsan quod patior (inquit) inde mihi accidit, quod Christianos interfecerim. Liter as ergò ad omnes provincias suas dedit, ut Christianos quicunque in carceribus essent, dimitterent, eosque honore afficerent, nec ullum … damnum inserrent; Rogarent autem ut inter precandum pro Imperatore vota …underent; orantibus ergo pro Imperatore Christianis ac preces fundentibus, Deus ipsi sanitatem restituit, adeo …t viribus et sanitate melius quam antca gauderet, as Eutichyus: or, (ccNicephorus …cl Hist. l. 7. e. 22, 23. Addit … à mandatum, ut statas solitasque pro Imperatore pre…s ad Deum funderemus: Christianos Christiana sua templa exaedifieare, rem maturare, consueta Officia in illis facere, Preces pro Imperii statu fundere, he publishing 2. Edicts in the Christians behalf. (ddE…bius Eccl. H…st l 8. c. 28, 29 l. 9. c. 1, 6, 7, 8, 9.) Undè Christiani hac indulgenti… concessa devincti, Debent Deo suo obnixe supplicare pro nostra, pro Reipublicae, pro sua ipsorum salute, ut quovi… modo cum public…s rerum stotus integer & incolumis retineatur, p. 99tum ipsi in suis familiis absque c…ra & sollicitud…e vitam traducere queant, as Eusebius & Nicepborus, record the story. Lo here this persecuting bloodie Pagan Emperor restored to his perfect health, by the Prayers of the Christians whom he slew, imprisoned, persecuted in his health; yet behold his desperate ingratitude both to God and them. Ille verò ubi sanitati restitutus convaluisset, ad majorem impietatis gradum quàm antea prolapsus, in omnes ditiones su… scribens, Christianos occidi jussit, & ne professionis ejus quispiam in Imperio ejus relinqueretur, neve urbem aut oppidum incolere sinerentur, sed penitus extirparentur. Interfecti sunt ergo è Christianis, qua viri, qua feminae, qua pueri, plures quàm numer ari possint, adeo vt prae occisorum multitudine Plaustris delati in mari, & in deserto projicerentur. But God soon after smote him with an ulcer in his Bowels, which tortured him extremely, corroded and eat out his Bowels, caused his verie eyes to fall out of his head upon the ground, burnt up his Flesh which was severed from his bones, so as he perished by a most miserable death, confessing that God had deservedlie punished him in this sort, for his madnesse and rashness against Christ and his Members.

Constantine the GreateeSee Archbishop Vsher, De Brit. Eccl. Primordiis, c. 8. Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 9. c. 8. Niceph Eccl. Hist. l. 7. c. 36, 39. (born and declared EmperorAnno 310. first of all in this our Island of Britain, the first professed Christian of all the Roman or other Emperors in the World) about the year of our Lord 310. having conquered this Tyrant M…ximinianus in the field, he and the Christians sang prayses unto God for his great victorie, in the words of Moses and the Israelites after Pharaoh his overthrow, Exodus 15. 1, to 22. After which entring into Rome in tryumph with great pomp, he was there received by all the people, both men, women and children, Senators and other Noble persons running out by Troops to meet him with joyfull countenances, willing minds, happy acclamations, and unsatiable joy, as their Deliverer, the Conservatour of their Countrie, and most benign Patron. But he as one having the fear of God naturally residing in his mind, not p…ed up with these triumphant acclamations and popular applauses, nor yet with p. 100the Proclamation of his prayses, yet very conscious of the ayd given him from God, commanded immediatelie, that the Banner of our Saviours passion should be …et in the hand of his statue. Which being set up in the most famous place in Rome, holding the sign of the Crosse in his right hand, he commanded this following Inscription to be engraven thereon in Roman Letters; In this wholsom sign, the true cognisance of Fortitude, I have delivered the City from under the Tyrants yoke, and set the Senate and People of Rome at liberty, and restored them unto their pristine Greatnesse and Splendor.

After (ffEusebius Ecel Hist. l. 9. c. 9. Niceph. …. c. 39.) Maximinianus the Tyrants death, an utter Enemy to all Pietie and Godliness, through the Grace of Almighty God Churches were re-edified, and erected from …he Foundations, the Gospel of Jesus Christ freely preached, professed and propagated; Maximinianus by publick Edicts, proclaimed the chiefest and most deadly Enemy, the most impious, wicked, pernicious and malicious Tyrant, and most execrable hater of God. All Tables and Inscriptions set up in every City to his and his Childrens honour, were either thrown down from aloft to the ground, or obliterated, or blotted out with a deformed & black colour: In like manner all Statues erected to his honour being tumbled down, were broken in piece…, and exposed to the laughter and derision of such who would abuse them. All his persecuting Instruments, Favorers and Partisans, were in like manner disgraced, disofficed, and some of them slain. The Christian Bishops, Ministers, and Prosessors of the Gospel, made and sang special Songs of Prayse and Thanksgiving unto God Almighty, the King and Governour of all things, and to Jesus Christ his Son, the Redeemer of their Souls, and Author of their internal and external peace, enjoyed under thei… Christian Emperor; whose Prayses they extolled, as you may read at large in Eusebius, Ecles. Hist. 1. 10. c. 1, 3, 4, 6, 9 And De Uita Constantini, 1 2, 3, & 4. After which Cons…antine (iiEusebius de Vita …. …. 9 c. 18, 19, ….) pre…cribed to all his Soldiers and Subjects p. 101as well Pagans as Christians, a set form of Prayer to God for …imself and his Sons, to be said every day, or Lords Day at least; recited in the (kkHere p. 4.) former Chapter. This first Christian Emperor, in the first General **Euseb. de vita Constant. l. 3. c. 20.Council of Nice, Anno 325. when he dismissed the many Bishops there assembled by him from all parts (whereof 3. came from our Isle of Anno 325.(llBishop Vsher de Eccles. Brit. Primordiis, P. 195.) Britain) with a grave exhortation, to pres…rve mutual concord; added this request to them in the close thereof, Ut pro ipso ad Deum preces obnixe funderent, That they would earnestly powre forth Prayers for him unto God. (mmDe vita Constant. l. 4. c. 14.) Eusebius further records of him, That whereas he esteemed that the Prayers of Pious men, were of great moment to him, and to the safety and preservation of the whole Common-wealth, towards which seeing he reputed them necessary, he did not only upon all occasions throw himself down as a Supplicant unto God, Uerum etiam ut pro se ab Ecclesiae Praesidibus supplicaretur, mandabit, but likewise commanded that Supplications should be made for him by the Rectors of the Church; which they accordinglie performed.

In the 30th. year of his reign, (nn…useb De vi…a Constant. l 4 c. 43.) when a certain PriestAnno 336. praysed him to his face, as worthy to enjoy the chief Power of all things in this life, & to reign together with the Son of God in the life to come; He signifying his dislike therof, exhorted him, not to use such flattering words concerning him for time to come; but rather to contend for him with Prayers from God, that he might seem worthy to be the servant of God both in this life, and that which is to come. The same year this Emperor having assembled a very great Synod of * Euseb. Ibid. l. 4. c. 45.Bishops and Priests to Ierusalem to the Dedication of the Temple he had there built; some of them adorned that solemnity with Prayers and Disputations, others with elegant Orations, Sermons and Interpretations of obscure places of Scripture: others who could do none of these, Supplie…es Deopreces, &c. Offered up humble Prayers and Supplications unto God for common peace, for the C…urch of God, and for the Emperor himself, the Author of these most excellent things, and for his Chi…dren who were dear to God.

p. 102In his (nnEusdbius de vita Constant. l. 4. c. 56.) Expedition against the Persians, communicating his design unto the Bishops, and desiring some of them to be alwaies present with him who were most fit to discharge the Duties of Piety, they readilie promised to follow and not to depart one step from him, but to go on warfare with him, Et apud Deum supplicibus vovotis se pugnaturos, and that they would fight with God for him against his Enemies with Supplications and Prayers: whereupon being greatly delighted with this expression of their Wills and Endeavours, he caused a magnificent Tabernacle to be made in form of a Church, in quo Deo victoriarum datori ipse cum Episcopis supplicaret. Wherein he with his Bishops might make Supplications to God the giver of Victories.

When he lay upon his Death-bed, his Centurions, andAnno 337. Captains of the Army coming to his Chamber, deploring… Euseb. de vita Constant. l. 4. c. 63, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69. his Condition, Longioremque et vitam optarent, and wishing him a longer life: he answered them, He had now obtained true life, (after his Baptism) and that he only understood of what felicity he was made partaker; and therefore he would hasten and not procrastinate his migration unto God. Upon the tydings of his death, all his Gards renting their Cloaths, casting their Bodies upon the Ground, and knocking their Heads against it, sending forth mournfull Voyces with great sorrow and clamours, calling him their Lord, Prince, Emperor, and in the interim bewayling him not as a Lord and Tyrant, but as pious and natural Children do their Father. The Centurions and other Officers and Souldiers predicated him their Saviour, Keeper, Benefactor; the whole Army with all reverence desired him as Flocks of Sheep their Shepheard; all the People throughout every City running up and down manifested the secret wound and grief of their minds by outcries and clamours, and the rest walked with dejected Countenances as if they were astonished; every one reputing that this calamity had principally hapned to himself, and miserably afflicting themselves, as bereaved of the common safety of human life. All the Dukes, Earls, and p. 103Assembly of Princes, who were formerly accustomed to reverence and bow down unto him, observing their pristine use and custom, going in at set times saluted the Emperor lying in his Herse, as if he were alive even after his death, bowing themselves to the ground; the Senate, with all the rest of the Magistrates and People doing the like reverence to him. Upon which Eusebius hath this memorable Observation, Solus vero iste beatus Imperator etiam mortuus regnavit, cum ei soli post hominum memoriam, vel ipso Deo authore, omnes qui solebant, honores tanquàm superstiti tribuerentur. Nam …um is solus ex omnibus Imperatoribus, Regemomnium Deum & Christum ejus omnibus vitae actionibus, piè sanctèque col…erit, jure sanè etiam hunc honor…m solus adeptus est, ut Dei voluntate, quod in eo morte sepultum erat, tamen apud homines regnaret, ut ista scilicet ratione nobis Deus significaret, animarum Regnum, his qui non prorsus obduruerunt, nunqu…m consenescere, nunquàm emori. His two Sons being absent when he died, there were some select Captains out of the whole Army, eminent for their Fidelitie, sent to acquaint them with his death, the News whereof being spread throughout all the Legions, they all with one mind and consent presently resolved, as if great Constantine himself were alive, Neminem praeter ejus Filios Romani Imperi… Principem agnituros; and soon after all resolved, that they should not only be called Caesars, but likewise Augusti, which being a Title of the greatest Dignity of all sorts, is the Proper note of the greatest Empire. The Senate, People, and whole City of Rome exceedingly lamented this Emperors death, did the same reverence to his Pictures, as to himself whiles living; and painting the Effigies of Heaven in its proper colours, pictured him above the Coelestial Orbs, resting in the Heavenly Assembly. At his Funeral the Souldiers, P…iests and People standing round about his Herse expressed their Affections and Devotions towards him in every kind they could: … quibus Divinus per Preces cultus exhibitus est. Whose Prayses when they gloriously predicated; Jam populus frequens p. 104… cum Saverdotibus non sine lachrymis, et sane magno cum gemitu, preces pro anima Imperatoris fundebant (to wit, **See Bishop Ushers Answer to the Jesuites Challenge: Sec…on praying for the Dead.that it might speedily be united to his body again at last by a most joyfull resurrection, not delivered out of purgatorie) in quo & illi gratum atque optatum pro Principe offici…m praestabant: & Deus ipse singularem benevolentia… ergà famulum suum ostendit, Quod post mortem charis e… jus ac Germanis Filiis, Patris sui Successoribus… Imperium donasset. This was the signal loyalty, piety and devotion of the Christian Bishops, Priests, Nobles, Senators, Souldiers and People of all sorts, in that Age, to this first Christian Emperor Constantine, both living and after his decease, and to his royal Posterity after him, worthy our imitation.

Constantine the 2d. Son of Constantine the Great, degenerating from his Fathers Faith and Pietie, favoured the Arrian Heresy, and very much persecuted the Orthodox Bishops, who maintained the Deity of our Saviour Jesus Christ; yet they and the Orthodox Christians ceased not to make constant fervent publick and private Prayers unto God for his long life, health and prosperous reign. Among others Athanasius Bishop Alexandria, (the chiefestAnno 350. Champion against the Arrians) though exceedingly persecuted, injured, deprived and banished by him, merely for his zeal in defending the Orthordox Faith, and the Godly Christians under his charge, were very loyal and consciencious in discharge of this Duty, as is evident by these notable passages in his Apologia ad Constantinum Imperatorem, against the Arrians calumnies, who falsely accused him, for holding intelligence with Magnentius (the Murtherer of his Brother Constans) who wipes off that Calumny by this Argument, That he made Prayers for this Prince in the open Assembly of the People, and likewise for the Emperors safety, (qqOperum … …. 1627. …om. … … 679, 6…0, …82, ….) Pro salute tua vota facio. Quapropter dum te contemplatus fuissem in illo (Constante Imperatore) illumque in te, quî fieri potuisset ut illi malidicere sustinerem, aut hosti illius literas mittere, ac no… potius pro tua salute … precesque funders, quod et feci. Hujus rei testis p. 105est praecipuus Dominus, qui exaudivit te, & largitus tibi est integrum à majoribus tuis relictum Imperium: Testesque sunt qui tam affuerunt Philicesumus qui fuit Dux Aegypti, Ruffinus, item & Stephanus, (and four more there named) agentes in rebus. Nihil enim aliud dixi, quàm precemur pro salute … Imperatoris Censtantii; & statim, universus Populus una voce acclamavit, Christe auxiliare Constantio, et magna cum perseverantia has preces continuavit. After which excusing the Peoples meeting in the great Church of Theona built by the Emperor, before it was consecrated by his Order, because the multitude of the people was so great, that the other Churches could not hold them; he addes, Festum erat Paschae, & tanta vis populorum aderat, quantum Christianorum in urbe esse Christicola Principes optarunt. Cum igitur & Ecclesiae paucae parvaeque essent, magnoque tumultu posceretur ut in magna Ecclesia conventus celebrarentur, atque ibidem Preces pro tua salute fierent, quod et factum est, egone adhortationibus, &c. Nec tamen celebrata sunt à nobis Encaenia, sed tantummodo precationum Synaxis habita est. Tu autem religiosissime Imperator, ubinam malles populum manus extendere, et pro te orare, ibine, ubi Ethnici oberrabant? an in loco tuum nomen titulumque referrente? quem cum in praesenti Dominicum universi appellarent, &c. Ecce Domine Jesu Christe Rex Regum, veri Fili Dei unigeniti, verbum & sapientia Patris reus agor. Quia tuam misericordiam Populus suis orationibus convenit, & per te, Patrem Deum omnium imprecavit, idque pro salute Famuli tui pientissimi Constantii. Sed tamen gratiae sunt tuae lenitati, quod de precibus Populi & de tuis ritibus in crimen vocari. Tu tamen interim Deo dilectissime Auguste vivas per multos Annorum recursus, & solemnia dedicationis perficias. Preces enim omnium pro tua salute factae nihil impediunt Encaeniorum festum &c.

If then this Godly Orthodox Bishop, and all other Orthodox Bishops and Christians thus constantly prayed to God for this cruel persecuting Arrian Emperor, that Christ would be propicious to him, that he might continually live in p. 106safety, and reign in peace, and live many years; and stiled him, most religious and gracious Empenor, and Prince; I shall thence infer, with our learned Doctor Thomas Bilson against the Jesuites, in The true Difference between Christian Subjection, and Unchristian Rebellion part 1. p. 378, 379. Hear you deaf of ears, and dull of hearts: The Church of Christ prayed for Heretical Princes in the midst of their Impiety and Tyranny: And when it was objected to Athanasius, that he and others wrote Letters to one that rebelled and took Arms against the Prince, he made Answer, Uincat quaeso apud te veritas, &c. I bese…ch you let truth take place with you, and leave not this suspition upon the Catholick Church, as though any such things were written or thought of by hristians, and especially by Bishops. How far then were these men from your humours, which pro…esse to depose (yea murder) Princes, and not only license Subjects to rebel, but intice them to kill their Soveraigns, as you did lately Parr…, with pardon, praise, and recompence both here and in Heaven?Anno 356.

St. Hilary Bishop of Poyctiers wrote thus to this Arrian * Hi…arius ad Constanti…m, l. 2. See Bilsons True difference, p. …78.Emperor Constantius, not long after Athanasius, in the Orthodox Christians behalf. We beseech your clemey…y to permit, that the people may have such Teachers as they like, such as they think well of, such as they chuse, and let them solemnize the divine mysteries, and make Prayers for yourAnno 359. safety and prosperity.* socrates Scholastic…s Eccles …ist. l. 2 c 37. Cassi dorus, Tri… pa…t. Hist. l. 5. c 22. Sozomen, Eccl. Hist. l. 2. c. …. Nicephorus, Eccl Hist l. 9. c. 41. Bilsons True …, P 378.

The godly Western Bishops assembled by this Arrian Emperor Consta…tius to the Council of Ariminum, and there long detained by him from their Cures, writ two Epistles to him from thence, to dismisse them to their Bishoppricks before the cold winter approached. In the first they write thus. We beseech you that you cause us not to be …anished, nor stayd from our Churches, but that the Bishops, together with the people may live in peace and tranquillity, and may humb…y pray for your Health, Kingdom and sa…ety, in which the Divine Majesty long preserve you: Pro tua salute, Imperio, & pace orantes, quam tibi Divinum p. 107largiri dignetur prolixam; so Nicephorus renders it; but others thus, Supplicantes Deo pro pace tui Imperii pariter & salutis, quam tibi Dominus in perpetuum largiatur. They conclude their second Letter to him in these words. **Socrates Scholas…icus lb. Theodo…er Eccles. Hist. l. 2. c 20. Quo possumus &c. pro tuo Regno consuetas pr…eces cum populo …, sicut ante semper fecimus & adhu… facere non ….For this cause we b…seech your clemency the second time, most religious Lord and Emperor, that you command us to depart to …ur Churches, if it so please your Godlinesse, before the sharpnesse of Winter come, That we may make our … Prayers together with the People, to the Almigh…y God, and our Lord and Saviour Christ for your Empire (or Reign) as we have alwaies accustomed in times past, and yet cease not to do, and now wish to continue. Here we have a most pregnant double Testimony of all these Godly Bishops assembled in full Council, of their own and the Peoples constant and continual Custom, both for time past, present, and to come, to powre forth …ervent publick Prayers, Supplications and Thanksgivings to God, for the Health, Reign, Safety and Prosperity of their Christian Emperors, though Arrians and Persecutors of them; much more then was it their constant usage when Orthodox and Protectors of them, thus to d….

St. Cyril Bishop of Hierusalem thus recites the practiseAnno 370. of the Christian… in his Age in this particular: We * Careches. 10. Dr. Hamonds Annotations on 1 Tim. 2.1 Tim 2pray to God for the common peace of the Church throughout the world, For our Kings, their Forces and Adherents.

St. Ambrose Bishop of Millain flourishing in the year of Christ 370. in his Book, De Uocatione Gentium, l. 1. c. 4.Anno 37…. reciting the 1 Tim. 2, 1, 2, 3. thus descants upon it. De hac ergo doctrinae Apostolicae regula qua Ecclesia universalis imbuitur ne in diversum intellectum nostro evagemur arbitrio, quid in ipsa universalis Ecclesia sentiat, requiramus, quia nihil dubium esse poterit in praecepto si obedientia concordat in studi…. Praecepit itaque Apostolus, … per Apostolum Dominus qui loquebatur in Apostolo, Fieri obsecrationes, & postulationes, gratiarum actiones pro omnibus hominibus, pro …egibus, ac pro iis qui in sublimitate sunt. Quem …egem supplication is ita omnium … et omnium p. 108Fidelium devotio concorditer tenet, ut nulla pars mundi sit, in qua hujusmodi Orationes non celebrantur a populis Christianis: Supplicat ergo ubique Ecclesia Deo non solum pro sanctis, & in Christo jam regeneratis, sed etiam pro omnibus infidelibus, & inimicis crucis Christi; pro omnibus Idolorum cultoribus, pro omni…us qui Christum in membris suis persequ…ntur; pro Judaeis, quorum caecitati lumen Evangelii non refulget; pro haereticis & Schismaticis qui ab unitate fidei & charitatis alieni sunt. Quid autem pro istis petat, nisi ut … relictis erroribus suis convertentur ad Deum, accipiant fidem, accipiant charitatem, & de ignor antiae tenebris liberati in a gnitionem veniant veritatis, &c. Which he thus prosecutes in his Commentary on 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. Haec regula Ecclefiastica est tradita a Magistro Gentium, qua utuntur Sacerdotes nostri, ut pro omnibus supplicent; Deprecantes pro Regibus … seculi, ut subjectas habeant Gentes, ut in pace positi, in tranquillitate mentis & quietè Deo Domino servire possumus. Orantes etiam pro … quibus sublimis potestas est credita, …t in justitia & veritate gubernent Rempublicam, suppeditante rerum abundantia, & amota perturbatione seditionis succedat laetitia, &c. ut sepositis omnibus quae huic Imperio infesta & inimica sunt, in affectu pietatis & castitatis Deo servi…e possumus. Perturbatio enim & captivitas nec pietatem servat, nec castitatem. Unde enim pius qui invidus est? & unde …astitas ubi potestatis suae non est? In his Epistolarum, l. 5. Epist. 26. ad Gratianum Augustum, he thus expresseth his fervent Prayers for him. Et nocte & die in tuis castris cura & censu locatus, Orationum excubias praetendebam, & si invalidus merito, sed affectu sedulus. Et haec quidem pro tua salute deferebamus, pro nobis faciebamus. Nihil hic adulationis est si scit ipse arbiter quem fateris & in quem piè credis, me non solum officio publico debitas pend…re preces, sed etiam amore privato. Which Epistle he concludes with this Prayer for this Emperor. 'Beatissimum te & florentissimum Deus Omnipotens Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi p. 109tueri aetate prolixa, et Regnum tuum in summa gloria et pace perpetua, confirmare dignetur, Domine Imperator Auguste, Divino electe judicio, Princiyum gloriosissimo. In his Epist. l. 4 Epistola 28. Ad Theodosium Imperatorem, he concludes with this Prayer. Beatissimus & florentissimus cum sanctis pignoribus fruaris tranquillitate perpetua Imperator Auguste. To pretermit all other passages of this kind, in his Funeral Oration, De obitu Valentiniani Imperatoris, he hath this passionat expression, Nulla inhonoratos vos mea transibit Oratio: Nulla nox non donatus aliqua precum mearum contexione transcurret. Omnibus Oblationibus frequentabo, &c. Q…am nostrae vitae temporibus fulcire curaremus, ut de nostris Annis viveret, qui fungi non potuit suis: Which he thus concludes. Te quaeso summe Deus ut clarissimos juvenes matura resurrectione suscites & resuscites, ut immaturum hunc vitae istius cursum matura resurrectione compenses; to which this other passage in his Oration, De obitu Theodosii Imperatoris, might be added,**See Bishop Vshers Answer to the Jesuites Challenge, p. 199, 200. Da requiem perfectam servo tuo Theodosio, Requiem quam praeparasti sanctis tuis.

This Godly Emperor Theodosius (as **Annales, Oxoniae, 1656. p. 495, 496, 507, 508.Eutychius Patriarch of Alexandria records) was by the joynt and fervent Prayers of the Christians in Constantinople (who spent the whole night in Supplications, and beseeched God and our Lord Jesus Christ, ut nobis Regem eligat, & quemcunque ipse elegerit nobis Regem praeficiamus) miraculously elected and chosen Emperor, beyond all human expectation, being of a very poor and mean condition, as he there relates.

Gregory Bishop of N…ssa in his excellent Book De Oratione, Anno 380.p. 6. hath this memorable passage. Oratio corporum robur est, abundantia domus, recta Iuris ac Legum in Civitate constitutio, Regni vires, belli Trophaeum, pacis securitas, dissidentium conciliatio, conjunctorum conservatio, &c. Therefore it was certainly used by all Christians, Churches, Bishops, Ministers, Subjects, for their p. 110Kings and Kingdoms to effect these publick ends, especially in times of war and danger.

The 150. Godly (uu…, Eccles. Hist. l. 4. c. 1… … Concil. Tom. 1. p. 617. Centur. Magd. 4. col. ….) Bishops assembled together in theAnno 381. first General Council of Constantinople, Anno 381. in their Epistle to the Emperor Theodosius, not only render publick Thanks to God for advancing him to the Empire for the peace of the Church, and maintenance of the Orthodox Faith, but likewise pray to God for the establishment of his Empire in peace and righteousnesse for many Generations, and his temporal and eternal joy and beatitude, in these ensuing words, Initio quidem nostri ad tuam Poetatem scripti, Gratias agamus Deo, qui … Pietatis Imperium constituit ad communem pacem Ecclesiarum, & sanae fidei confirmationem; agentes autem DEO DEBITAS GRATIAS, necessaria quoque ea, quae acta sunt in sancto Concilio, ad tuam referri…us pietatem, &c. Dominus autem Imperium tuum in pace et Iustitia stabiliat, transmittatque et producat in multas et infinitas usque generationes, atque ad terrenam potentiam caelestis quoque Regni gaudium et fructum adjiciat. Gratificetur Deus orbiterrarum, ut te, qui reverà pietatis studiosissimus, Deique amantissimus Imperator es, valentem, omnibusque … rebus Florentem et excellentem …, id quod sancti etiam ab illo praecibus et votis petunt et orant. This being the general usual Prayer of all Bishops, Saints and Christians for him under his Empire, both in their Churches, Closets & Epistles to him.

The Bishops assembled in the Council of Aquileia, whereofAnno 383. St. Ambrose was one, in their Epistle to Gratian, Valentinian See Centur. Magd. 4. col. 864 … …. Tom. …. p …. … l. …. c 9.and Theodosius the Emperors, use this Benediction and thanksgiving for their advancement to the Empi…e. B…nedictus Deus Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi qui vobis Romanum Imperium dedit; Et Benedictus Dominus noster Jesus Christus, Unigenitus Dei Filius, Qui Regnum v…strum sua pietate custodit, apud quem gratias agimu… vobis … Principes quod & fidei vestrae studium probavistis, &c. concluding with this prayer and option for them, Ut vos, Deo Praestante, triumphetis, qui paci Ecclesiarum quietique ….

p. 111St. Jerom in his Commentary (and Caelius Sedulius too inAnno 390. his Exposition on the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3.) presse the duty of Praying for Kings, though Pagans, and persecutors; in the same words and manner almost, as St Ambrose, & Chrysostom, Theodoret, Primasius and Rhemigius (hereafter cited) And Comment. in Danielem c. 6. v. 21. Tom. 4. p. 509. upon Daniels words to King Nebuchadnezzar; Rex in aeternum vive; he thus paraphraseth: Honorat honorantem se, et … vitam Impreca…ur ee…ernam, though cast into the Lions den by his command.

St. Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople, though veryAnno 400. much persecuted by the Emperor and Empresse for his zeal and piety, yet zealously presseth the duty of Prayer for Kings, and all in Authority, though Infidels, and wicked, Homilia 33. in Epistolam ad Corinthios 1. c. 13. Quod oporteat orare pro Infideli, audi quid dicat Paulus. Obsecro primum omnium fieri obsecrationes, orationes, postulationes, gratiarum actiones pro omnibus hominibus. Quod autem non essent omnes fideles est cuivis perspicuum. Et rursus, pro Regibus, & omnibus qui in sublimitate constituti sunt. Quod autem ii essent impii & iniqui, hoc quoque est perspicuum. Deinde causā quoque orationis dicens, subjungit. Hoc enim bonum est & acceptum coram Deo Salvatore, qui omnes homines vult salvos fieri, & ad agnitionem veritatis venire. In his Homilia 6. in Epist. 1. ad Timotheum, c. 2. he thus comments on these words of Paul. Quasi communis quidam totius orbis Pater, Sacerdos est: dignum igitur est ut omnium curam agat, omnibusque provideat, sicut et Deus cujus Ministerio servit & fungitur vice; idcirco ait, obsecro igitur primum omnium fieri obsecrationes & orationes, &c. Quid autem sibi vult quod ait, primum omnium? In obsequio scilicet quotidiano, perpetuoque divinae religionis ritu. Atque id noverunt Fideles quomodo diebus singulis mane et vespere Orationes … ad Dominum pro omni mundo et Regibus; et omnibus qui in sublimitate sunt positi, obsecrationes ab Ecclesia fiant. Sed fortè quis dixerit, pro omnibus quod ait, tantum fideles intelligi voluisse. At id verum non esse, quae sequuntur p. 112ostendunt. Denique ait, pro Regibus: Neque enim tunc Reges Deum colebant, verum multis postea temporibus in infidelitate quàm per seriem successionis acceperant, perstiterunt. Deinde ut omnis assentationis suspicio tolleretur, cum …, pro omnibus, tunc demum, pro Regibus, addidit: si enim tantum pro Regibus dixisset, … non deessent qui adulationis gratia illum ita scripsisse putarent. Quoniam vero consequens esse cernebat, ut Christiani animus ad ista torpesceret, neque hujusmodi admitteret monita, siquidem pro Gentili Sacramentorum tempore Preces oporteret offerre, vide quid secutus adjunxit, ut ex consideratione lucri admonitionem facilius, libentiusque susciperent; ut quietam inquit & tranquillam degamus vitam. Ac si diceret, in eorum salute securitas vestra consistit. Deus enim pro utilitate communi hujusmodi Principatus instituerit. Quàm igitur absurdum est, cum illi idcirco militant, & arma circumferant, ut nos in tranquillitate atque ocio simus, nos pro periclitantibus, ac nostri causa labores suscipientibus Preces effundere detrectemus? Non igitur assentandi gratia hujusmodi mandatum dedit, verum**Rom. 13. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.Rom 13:1Rom 13:2Rom 13:3Rom 13:4Rom 13:5Rom 13:6 Iustitiae servavit Leges: nisi enim illi servarentur, atque inter bella & hostes prosperè agerent, necessariò & nostra omnia turbis tumultibusque plena essent. Nam nos aut militare opus fuisset, ac per nosmet eadem subire pericula concisis illis, aut fugere vagosque per orbem terrarum ferri. Sunt enim, inquit, hujusmodi veluti obices quidam hostibus oppositi per quos nos in pace servemur. Bellorum tria sunt genera, unum quòd à Barbaris excitatur. Bellum quod a Barbaris ingruit, Regum industria atque virtus sedat; quibus et nos orationibus succurrere opus est, &c. Deprecationes inquit, orationes, interpellationes, gratiarum actiones. Deo quippè oportet referre gratias etiam pro sucessionibus aliorum; quod scilicet**Mat. 5.Matt 5 solem oriri faciat super malos & bonos, & pluit super justos & injustos. Vides ut ille non modo per orationis studium, verum etiam per gratiarum actiones nos conjungat atque conglutinat? Qui enim necessariò cogitur Deo referre gratias pro felicibus p. 113proximorum successibus, ipsum quoque amore compellitur sibique familiarius jungi. He addes much more in the Moral or use, to like effect. In his Homilia 5. De incompraehensibili Dei natura, he hath this memo* Tom. 5. Operum Parisiis, 1588, col. 998. rable passage touching Prayer in general, & for a sick King in special. Minimè igitur agendum & pro his (insanis & haereticis) Preces agamus supplicemusque Domino. Aptissima enim arma oratio est, thesaurus certe perpetuus, divitiae inexhaustae, portus quietus, occasio tranquillitatis, denique author, parens, fons, & radix bonorum omnium & innumerabilium oratio est, atque etiam Regia ipsa facultate potior & superior. Saepius itaque evenit, ut cum Rex ipse aegrotet, cubet, febriat, ardore laboret, & adsint medici, adsint clientes familiares, Proceres, Milites, Duces; non ars medicorum, non amicorum praesentia, non familiarium administratio, non medicamentorum copia, non apparatus magnificentia, non pecuniarum facultas, non aliud quicquam rerum humanarum possit reddere infestantem morbum leviorem. At si quis valens familiaritate apud Deum accesserit, ac corpus languidum duntaxat tetigerit, et syncere pro eo oraverit, languorem omnem expellet; & quod non divitiae, non numerus Ministrorum magnus, non medecinalis scientia, non Regius fastus efficere possit, hoc unius pauperis atque egeni oratio potuit. Oratiouem dico, non tamen illam & defidiosam, sed eam quae intenta examino dolente, & corde contrito proficiscatur. Haec enim est quae in coelum scandere valeat. To … all passages to this effect in his 15, 17, & 20. Homilies Ad Populum Antiochiae, and in his two Homilies De Davide & Saul, I shall conclude with these set forms of Prayers for Kings in the Liturgy or Masse, which is attributed to**Tom. 5. Col 1145. A. B. 1153. C. 1156. C. Chrysostom, and printed with his works. Memento Domine Augustissimorum et Dei observantium Regum nostrorum. Diaconus. Pro Augustissimis et Deo deditis Regibus nostris, toto palatio, et exercitu illorum Dominum rogemus. Populus. Domine miserere. Diaconus. Ut illos in bello adjuvet, & subjiciat p. 114pedibus illorum omnem hostem & inimicum. Dominum rogamus. Populus. Domine miserere. Adhucte invocamus pro … et Christum amantibus nostris Regibus, omni palatio et exercitu illorum. Da illis Domine pacificum robur, ut & nos in tranquillitate illorum pacatam & quietam vitam agamus in omni pietate & religione. Pacem mundo tuo da, Ecclesiis tuis, Sacerdotibus, Regibus nostris, exercitui, & omni populo tuo, &c. Amen.

St. Augustin de Civitate Dei l. 19. c. 26. thus pressethAnno 410. this duty, and the reasons of it. Quoniam quamdiu permixtae sunt ambae Civitates, utimur & nos pace Babylonis. Ex qua ita per fidem Dei populus liberatur, ut apud hanc interim peregrinetur. Propter quod & Apostolus … Ecclesiam, ut oraret pro Regibus ejus atque sublimibus, 1 Tim. 1. 2.1 Tim 1:2addens, & dicens, ut quietam & tranquillam vitam agamus cum omni pietate & charitate. Et Propheta Jeremias Jer. 29. 7.Jer 29:7quum populo veteri Dei venturam praenunciaret captivitatem, & divinitus imperaret, ut obedienter in Babyloniam irent, Deo suo etiam ista patientia servientes, monuit & ipse, ut oraretur pro illis, dicens, Quia in pace ejus erit pax vestra; utique interim temporalis, quae bonis malisque communis est. Pax autem nostra propria, & hic est cum Deo per fidem, & in aeternum erit cum illo per speciem. In his book De Catechezandis rudibus, He prosecutes this more largely. Extiterunt Reges Babyloniae sub quibus illi serviebant, qui ex eorum occasione commoti quibusdam miraculis cognoscerent & colerent & coli juberent unum verum Deum, qui condidit universam creaturam. Jussi sunt autem pro eis orare, a quibus captivi …, & eorum pace pacem sperare ad gignendos filios, & domos aedificandas, & plantandos hortos & vinea…. Post septuaginta autem anos promittitur eis ab illa captivitate liberatio. Hoc autem totum figuratè significat Ecclesiam Christi in omnibus sanctis ejus qui sunt cives Hi…rusalem coelestis servituram fuisse sub Regibus hujus seculi: Dicit enim & Apostolica doctrina; ut omnis anima sublimioribusRom. 13.Rom 13 potestatibus subdita sit, & ut reddantur omnibus p. 115omnia, cui tributum t…ibutum, cui vectigal vectigal, &c. Quae salvo Domini nost…i cultu constitutionis humanae Principibus …edditur. Quando & ipse Dominus, ut nobis hujus sanae doctrinae praebe et exemplum, pro capite hominis quo erat indutus, tributum luere non dedignatus est. Jubentur autem etiam servi Christiani & boni fideles, Dominis suis temporalibus aequanimiter…fideliterque servire, quos judicaturi sunt, si usque in finem iniquos invenerint, aut cum quibus aequalicer regnaturi sunt, si & illi ad verum Deum conversi fuerint. Omnibus autem praecipitur servire humanis potestatibus atque terrenis quousque post tempus praefinitum, ab istius saeculi confusione tanquam de captivitate Babyloniae sicut Hierusalem liberetur Ecclesia. Ex cujus captivitatis occasione, ipsi etiam terreni Reges relictis idolis, pro quibus persequebantur Christianos, unum verum Deum & Christum Dominum cognoverunt & colunt. Pro quibus Apostolus Paulus jubet orare, etiam cum persequerentur ecclesiam. Sic enim dicit (1 Tim 2. 1, 2, 3.) Obsecro, &c. Itaque per ipsos data est Pax Ecclesiae, quamvis temporalis tranquillitas temporis ad aedificandas spiritualiter domos, & plantandos ho…tos & vineas. Nam ecce modo per i…tum sermonem aedificamus atque plantamus, & hoc fit per totum orbem1 Cor. 13.1 Cor 13 terrarum, cum pace Regum Christianorum, sicut idem dicit Apostolus: Dei agricultura, Dei Ecclesia estis. In his Book Ad Paulum Episcopum, paraphrasing upon the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. shewing the differences between Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions and Thanksgivings, He addes, Pro omnibus hominibus, pro Regibus, &c. ne quisquam sicut se habet humanae cogitationis infirmitas existimaret ista non esse facienda pro his à quibus persecutionem patiebatur Ecclesia, cum membra Christi ex eorum essent hominum genere colligenda. Unde addit & adjung it, Hoc enim bonum est & acceptum coram Salvatore nostro Deo; qui omnes homines vult salvos fieri, & in agnitionem veritatis venire.

Theodoret Bishop of Cyrene, in his Interpretation inAnno 430. 1 Tim. 1. 2, 3. pro Regibus, & omnibus qui in sublimitate p. 116sunt: thus descants, Valdè sapienter hominum commune p…aeposuit, ne quis orationem pro Regibus assentationem existimaret. Quia enim e…ant Impii, qui tunc Dominatum obtinebant, & pietatis aperti hostes, docet Iustam esse causam cur pro cis oretur. Vt quietam & tranquillam vitam agamus in omni pietate & castitate. Si enim illi in pace degant nos quoque sumus tranquillitatis participes, ac in quiete ac silentio leges pietatis adimplemu…. Ita e…iam captivi Judaei qui erant Babyloniae, 1 Esth. 6.Esth 6ad eos qui in Juda… …elicti erant, scripserunt, ut pro Nabuchodono…or et … ejus filio Deo preces funderent. Dominus autem Apostolus non solum ubi est causa … pro eis fieri orationes, sed etiam ut ab impietate cessantes, ediscant pietatem: as he proves by the subsequent words.**H…storia … Pa… trum, p. 324. Sanctorum enim deprecatio est commune omnium malorum remedium: non solum autem medetur aegritudinibus corporis, sed etiam animis convenientem exhibet cu…ationem; as he addes in the life of Maco. In his Interpretation upon Daniel, c. 5. 10. And the Queen said, O King live for ever: Rex in secula vive, Rex in secula vive. He writes, Haec autem erat praefatio qua subjecti Regibus, eos tunc salutabant, & ad hoc usque tempus mos invaluit: quidem enim imperiti, Reges eos, qui nunc sunt … vocare consueverunt: in syngraphis quoque commerciorum hoc quidam ascribunt, stultitiae magis qu…m impietatis damnandi. And c. 6. v. 21. Da…iel respondet, dicens, Rex in secula vive, &c. usitatam praefationem sermonibus praeponit, videlicet, Licet et tibi Rex diutissime vivere.

The Bishops assembled in the Great**… … Tom. 1. p. 689, 691. Synod of …, Anno 432.held about the year 432. in their 4th. Epistle, Pientissimis ac Deo dilectissin is Theod…sio & Valentiniano Victoribus, triumphatoribus & semper Augustis, made this prayer for them: Deus autem omnium, Regnum vestrum multis annorum Revo utionibus custodiat pientissimi Uictores ac …emper Augusit. And in their 6. Epistle to these Emperors, the businesse being ended for which they were convened, they prayed the Emperors to dismisse them p. 117from Ephesus. Ut ordinationi futuri Episcopi incumbamus, & in fide jam & pietate confirmata nos oblectemus, purasque et synceras pro Dominatione vestra preces Domino Christo destinemus.

Primasius Bishop of Utica in Africa, in his Commentary, on 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. comments thus, Obsecratio firmior eratione est. … alit…r. Obsecrationes sunt pro peccatis … is vel prae entilus; Orationes, pro adipiscendis que sp…ramus; Postulationes cum pro aliis intervenimus; Gratiarum actiones, cum ea quae possimus, impetramus, velcerte, pro universis Dei beneficiis gratias laudesque referimus. Gratiarum actiones, Gratias agamus ei qui nos dignos fecit pro aliis impetrare. Pro omnibus hominil us, etiam pro persecutoril us. Pro Regibus omnil us qui in sublimitate sunt, ut quietam & tranquillam vitam agamus in omni pietate & castitate. Ut cognoscant Deum, sive ut subjectas habeant gentes: in eorum enim pace nostra consistit: si enim Christiani sunt … persecutionis impetus.

Pope Leo the 1. flourishing about the year of Christ,Anno 450. 450. in his 24. Epistle to the Emperor Theodosius, writes thus: Ecce ego Christianissime Imperator cum Consacerdotitus meis implens erga reverentiam elementiae vestrae synceri … officium, cupiensque vos per omnia placere Deo, cui pro vob…s ab Ecclesia supplicatur: & Epistola 25. to the same Emperor, he hath the same passage. In his 59. Epistle to the Emperor Martian he writes thus, Unde ineffabiliter Deo gratias ago, qui eo tempore quo oboritura Haereticorum scandala praesciebat, in Imperii fastigio collocavit; in quibus ad totius mundi salutem, & regia potentia, & Sacerdotalis vigeret industria. Epist. 60. to the Empresse Pulcheria, he thus expresseth himself: Per quam significationem clementiae vestrae, absolutè me gaudere, & incessabilibus a Deo precibus postulare; ut vos et Romanae Reipublicae, et Catholicae Ecclesiae in omni prosperitate conservet. In his Epist. 74. to the Emperor Leo, he writes, Non desinimus gratias agere, & providentiam Dei in fidei vestrae fervore Benedicere, qui sancto & Catholico Spiritu, ita Haereticorum impudentiae restitistis, &c. His Epistola p. 11978. to the same Emperor, begins thus, Multo gaudio mens mea exultat in Domino, & magna mihi est ratio gloriandi, cum clementiae vestrae excellentissimam fidem ingeri per omnia donis gratiae caelestis agnosco, &c. And Epist. 99. to the same Emperor Leo, he informs him, Sciat igitur clementia vestra omnes Ecclesias Dei cum laude vestra exu…tare pariter et laetari: Inveniemur impares in gratiarum actione, s… nostri tantum oris angustiis universalis Ecclesiae gaudia celebremus, &c.

In the General Council of Chalcedon, Anno 451. consistingAnno 451. of no lesse than 630. Bishops and Fathers of the Church, they all unanimously cried out several times with this acclamation, Multi anni Imperatoribus, Multi Anni Augustae (Placidiae) Multi Anni Imperatoribus; Multi Anni Imperatoribus; Deus qui hoc fecit; Multi Anni Imperatorum; Magnorum Imperatorum Multi Anni; Multi Anni Senatus; Multi Anni Judicum; Orthodoxorum multi anni. Haec integra adunitio, haec pax Ecclesiarum. Piissimis & Christi amantibus nostris, nostris Imperatoribus, Flavio Valentiniano & Flavio …, victoribus ac triumphatoribus semper Augustis, Multi Anni. After which divers Archimandratae (or Abbots) in their Epistle to the Emper…r Martianus, pray thus for him, Ut iterum per sanctos Patres sancta fide confirmata, poss…mus reliquum tempus vitae nostrae caste & pie vivere, & in pace incessanter consue…as orationes offerre Domino nostro Christo pro diuturnitate aeterni vestri Imperii, qui et sua bona voluntate invisibiliter nobis donavit Imperium divinissimi Augusti. After this Actio 6. Martianus the Emperor making 2. Orations to the Council, the one in Latin, the other in Greek, recorded in the Acts thereof, All the whole**Surius Concil. Tom. 2. p. 142, 145, 197, 158, 162. Council at the end of both his Orations cryed out, Omnes clamaverunt; Multi Anni Imperatori;… Concil. Tom. 2. p. 142, 145, 197, 1…8, 162. Multi Anni Augustae; Orthodoxis Multos Annos; Martiano novo Constantino Multos Annos; Imperatori Multos Annos; Augustae Orthodoxae Multos Annos; Martiano amatore Christi, vestrum nobis duret Imp…rium, sempex nobis Imperatis, digne ex Orthodexa p. 118fide. Amatoribus Christi procul invidia. After this having tendered a Confession of their Faith to the Emperor, Omnes clamaverunt. Omnes sic credimus, &c. Martiano novo Constantino, novo Paulo, novo David multos Annos. David Imperatori pro Domino vitam ci. Novo Constantino, novo Martiano. Uos es…is pax orb…s, pie Domine. Dominus vitam e… conservet. Vos, fides nostra. Christus quem honoras, ipse te custodiet. Orthodoxam fidem tu roborasti. Sicut Apostolici ità creditis. Augustae mu tos Annos. Uos lumina Orthodoxae fidei. Propter haec ubique pax est. Lumina pacis, Domine tu custodi. Luminaria mundi, Domine tu custodi. Perpetua memoria novo Constantino. Quae ex genere Orthodoxa est, Deus eam custodiat. Eam quae semper p…a est Deus custodiat. Pia Orthodoxa, quae contraria est Haereticis, Deus eam rustodiat. Omnes Haereticos tu fugasti, Nestorium & Eutichen tu persecuta es. Absit invidia a vestco Imperio. Fideles Imperatores sic honorantur. Deus custodiat Potestatem vestram. Deus pacificet Imperium vestrum. Martianus novus Constantinus. Pulcheria nova Helena. Zelum Helenae tu sectaris. Uestra vita, muninem cunctorum est, vestra fides, Ecclesiarum gloria est. After which the Emperor rendring publick thanks to God for composing the manifold discords of those who had erred concerning the Faith, and that now, in unam eandemque Religionem omnes nunc una voluntate convenerimus, sperantes celerimam vestris ad Divinitatem Precibus, & curae omnia pacem Nobis a Deo donari. Omnes clamaverunt. Haec digna vestro Imperio. Haec propria vestri Regni, &c. Coelestis Rex, terrenum custodi. Per te firmata fides est. Coelestis Rex Augustam custodi. Per te fides firmata est. Unus Deus qui hoc fecit. Coelestis Rex Augustam custodi, dignam paci, &c. Per vos fides, per vos pax. Haec oratio Ecclesiarum: Haec oratio Pastorum. After this again, Omnes clamaverunt, multos Annos Imperatori; Multos Annos Augusto pio et Christiano, Augustae Orthodoxae multi Anni. Multos Annos piae et matricae Christi. Imperium vestrum Deus custodiat, &c. In p. 120perpetuum maneat vestrum Imperium. After which in this Council, Actio xi. Bassianus Bishop of Ephesus humbly petitioned the Emperors Valentinian and Martian to be restored to his Bishoprick, & Goods, of which he was forcibly dispossessed by Soldiers without hearing,**S…ius Concil. Tom 2. p. 180, 181. ut iis potitus, consuetas orationes r…feram incessanter Deo pro vestrae Potestatis Imperio. It being the custom of that and former Ages for Bishops and People to make Supplications, Prayers and Intercessions for the Emperors in all their publick Churches and Assemblies.

Rhemigius Bishop of Rhemes in his**Bib…iotheca Patrum, T…m. …. pa…s 3. p. 937. Explanatio, in Epist.Anno 490. 1. ad Tim. c. 2. 1, 2, 3. makes this abridgement of the Contents of this Chapter, Vult pro Regibus & Magistratibus, fieri orationes, et gratiarum actiones. Then explaining the Precept, Obsecro, &c. Beatus Apostolns dirigens haec verba Timotheo, in illo tradidit omnibus Episcopis & Presbyteris, omnique Ecclesiae formam, quomodo debent Missarum solemnia celebrare, & pro omnibus hominibus orare: Quam formam, id est, Exemplum omnis Ecclesia modo tenet, &c. Ne fortè diceret aliquis; Non debemus orare pro Regibus infidelibus, Jer. 29. 7.Jer 29:7& Judicibus ac Ducibus, …uia Pagani sunt; praecepit Apostolus pro omnibus hominibus orare: eodem spi…itu aff…atus quo & Hieremias Propheta; qui milit Epistolam Judaeis, qui erant in Babylone, ut orarent pro vita Regis Nebuchadonozor Filiorumque e…us, & pro pace Civitatis, ad quam ducti erant Captivi; inquiens, Ideo debetis orare pro eis, quia in pace eorum erit pax vestra: similiter & Apostolus reddit causam quare talia praecipiat: ut tranquillam & quietam, id est Pacificam, vitam agamus in omni pietate & castitate. Pietas est cultus, & Religio Omnipotentis Dei. Ideò ergo orandum est se…vis Dei, Pro vita Regis, et pace …, ut ipst liberius possint dedi. i esse in cultu et Religione Dei. Quia plerumque dum hostes fugant servos Dei à propriis sedibus, & discurrerent bella & seditiones per Regna, ut non possint in cultura Dei esse intenti per omnia sicut tempo…e pacis. Pietas etiam est miserico…, quàm debemus p. 121impendere pauperibus & indigentibus. Si erg… depraedamur ab hostibus, non possumus opus misericordiae exercere, quia non valet impendere alteri, qui non habet undè semetipsum sustentet. Sed ut habeamus, unde eleemosynam tribuamus, Orand… est pro vita Regis ac Principum, et pro pace Regni, & ut agamus vitam nostram in omni castitate corporis tempore pacis; utcumque & nimia difficultate servari potest castitas. Quando verò depraedatur Regnum à praedonibus & hostibus, nequaquam potest servari, quia Domini qui depraedati sunt captivos, expleant voluntatem & immunditiam suam cum eis, ut libet, nec valent resistere. Quapropter orandum est pro salute et vita Fidelium Regum et Principum, ut longo tempore conservati pacem habeat Regnum, et magis ac magis proficiant in melius. Pro infidelibus quoque orandum est ut proficiant in melius et transeant ad fidem, &c.

Pope Gregory the 1. in his Epistles writen to Emperors,Annno 600… Kings and Queens, hath many Prayers unto God for them, some of them recited in the**Here p. 7. 8. precedent Chapter, relating to England, I shall insist only upon some others, Epist. l. 4. Epist. 62 Mauricio Augusto, he hath this passage. Tunc magis Dominorum exercitus contra hostes crescit, quanto Dei exercitus ad orationem creverit; by their Prayers, Tears and Fastings for the Emperor, Epist. l. 4. Epist. 31. Mauricio Augusto, he concludes with this Prayer for him. Inter haec ergò omnia incerta ad solas lachrymas redeo, petens, ut idem Omnipotens Deus piissimum Dominum nostrum et sua hic manu regat, et in illo judicio liberum ab omnibus delictis inveniat. Epist. l. 4. Epist. 34. Constantinae Augustae: he hath this passage. Et in Redemptoris nostri largitate confido, quia bonum hoc in serenissimo Domino (Mauritio) & pi…mis filiis in Coelestis quoque patriae retributione recipietis. In omnipotenti autem Domino confido, quia longam piissimis Dominis vitam tribuet; Lib. 5. Epist. 16. Mauritio Augusto, he concludes thus. Quatenus Deus omnipotens, qui placitam sibi Catholicae rectitudini… p. 122integritatem clementiam vestram amare cernit atque defendere, Et hic devictis hostribus pacatae vos Imperare Reipublicae, et cum sanctis in aeterna faciat vita r…gnare. The like expressions he useth Epist. 59. Brunichildae Reginae Francorum. He begins his 63 Epistle Mauricio Augusto, with, Inter annorum curas, & innumerabiles sollicitudines quas indefesso studio pro Christianae Reipublicae regimine sustmetis, magna mihi cum universo mundo Laetitiae causa est, quod pietas vestra custodiae fidei, quà Dominorum fulget Imperium, p…aecipua solicitudine semper invigilat. Unde omninò confido quia sicut vos Dei causas religiosae mentis amore tuemini, Ita Deus vestras Majestates sua gratia sue…ur et adjuvat. Lib. 6 Epist. 6. Mauricio August…; he begins thus. Omnipotens Deus, qui pietatem vestram pacis Ecclesiasticae fecit esse custodem, ipsa vos fide servat, &c. Pro qua re totis Precibus deprecamur, ut bonum hoc Omnipotens Deus serenitati Dominorum, piaeque eorum soboli, et in praesenti seculo, atque in perpetua remuneratione retribuat. Epist. 31. Mauritio Aug…sto, he concludes with this Prayer for him. Omnipotens autem Deus serenissimi Domini nostri vitam, et ad pacem sanctae Ecclesiae, et ad utilitatem Reipublicae Romarae per tempora longa custodiat. Certi enim sumus quia si vos vivitis, qui Coeli Dominum timetis, nulla contra veritatem superbia praevalere permittetis, Lib. 7. Epist. 5. Brunichildae Reginae Francorum: he ends with this Prayer for her. Omnipotens Deus sua vos protectione custodiet, atque a per…dis Gentibus Regnum vestrum sui Brachii extensione defendat. Uosque post longa Annorum …urricula ad gaudia aeterna perducat. The like prayer he makes Epist 42. Theodelindae Longobardarum Reginae, videlicet, Dei nostri misericordiam deprecamur, ut bonorum vicem & retributionem in corpore & in anima, hîc & in futuro compenset, &c. Epist. 102. Theoderico & Theoberto Regibus Franciae, he begins and ends thus: Summum in Regibus bonum est, justiciam colere, ac p. 123sua cuique jura servare, & subjectis non sinere quod potestatis est fieri, sed quod aequum est custodire, &c. Q…atenus per hoc aequitatem Sacerdoti…us custoditis, Eorum Precibus an…e Dei semper occul…s floreatis. Epistola 128. Richaredo Regi Wisigothorum, he is verie copious in rendering Thanks to God for him, as being a chief instrument in converting the Goths to the Christian Faith, concluding with this Prayer for him. Omnipotens Deus in cunctis A…ibus vestris, Coelestis Brachi… extensione vos protegat, vobisque et praesentis vi…ae prospera, et post multa annorum curr…cula gaudia concedat aeterna. Lib. 8. Epist. 2. Mauri…io Augusto; he and the Clergy thus prayed for him. Pro quare lachrymabili Prece omnes deposcimus, ut omnipotens Deus qui Clementiae vest…ae corda compunxit, incolume in amoris sui constantia Dominorum servet Imperium, ut victorias eorum in cunctis Gentibus auxilio suae Majestatis extendat. See his Epistola 53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 60, 64. to several Kings and Queens, wherein he renders t…anks and makes Prayers for them unto God, Lib. 11. Epist. 1. he recites the murther of the Emperor Mauritius, with all his 5. Sons, Brother, and some of his Nobles by Phocas; after which Phocas who usurped the Empire, and Leontia his Empresse sending their Statues to Rome, 7 Kal. Maij, Acclamatum est eis in Lateranis in Basilica Julii, Ab omni clero vel Senatu, Exaudi Christe, Phocae Augusto et Leontiae Augustae vita: So much did they flatter this bloody Murderer of his Soveraign Lord and his Royal Issue, and Invader of his Crown. And Epist. 45. Phocae Augusto, Pope Gregory him…elf thus courts and prayes for him. Considerare cum gaudiis & magnis gratiarum actionibus libet, quantas Omnipotenti Domino laudes debemus, quod remoto jugo tristitiae ad libertatis tempora sub Imperialis benignitatis vest…ae pietate pervenimus, &c. San…a itaque Trinitas vitam vestram per longa tempora custodiat, ut de bono vestrae pietatis quod tardè suscepimus, …iutius gaudeamus. Lib. 11. Epist. 8. Brundechildae Reginae Francorum; He concludes with this p. 124Prayer for her, Omnipotens Deus excellentiam vestram in suo timore semper cu…todiat, atque ita vestra vota ad filiorum Excellentislimorum Regum nepotum vestrorum sospitate adimpleat, ut stabile vobis gaudium de eorum semper incolumitate sicut cupitis, habere concedat. And Epist. 9. Theodorico Regi Francorum, De pace in republica facienda, (fit for our Age and Condition) he prays thus for him. Sancta Trinitas in suo semper faciat vos timore proficere, & ita cor vestrum placita sibi moderatione disponat, ut & subjectis vestris de vobis, & postmodum vobis de se gaudium fine fine concedat. I shall conclude with his Epist. l. 11. Epist. 46. Leontiae Augustae fraught with Thanksgivings, Gratulations and Prayers for her. Quae lingua loqui, quis animus cogitare sufficiat, quanta de serenitate vestri Imperii Omnipotenti Deo gratias debemus, quod tam dura longo tempore pondera cervicibus nostris amota sunt, & Imperialis culminis leve jugum subiit, quod libeat portare subjectis. Reddatur ergò creatori omnium ab Hymnidicis Angelorum choris gloria in coelo, persolvatur ab hominibus gratiarum actio in terra, quia universa Respublica quae multa maeroris pertulit vulnera, nunc consolationis vestrae invenit fomenta. Unde nobis necesse est Omnipotentis Dei misericordiam enixius exorare, ut cor v…strae pietatis sua semper dextera teneat, ejusque cogitationes Coelestis gratiae ope dispenset; Quatenus tranquillitas vestra tantò rectius valeat sibi servientes regere, quantò dominatori omnium noverit, minus deservire. In amore Catholicae Fidei faciat Defensores suos, quos fecit ex benigno opere Imperatores nostros. In…undat in vestris mentibus zelum simul et mansu…m, ut semper pro fervore valeatis, et quidquid in Deo exceditur non inultum relinquere, et si quid vobis delinquitur parcendo tolerare. Det vobis in vestra pietate P…lcheriae Augustae clementiam, quae pro zelo Catholicae Fidei in sacta Synodo Helena nova vocata est. Omnipotens Dei misericordia largiora vobis cum prissimo Domino spacia vivendi concedat, ut p. 125quo vestra longius vita extenditur, subjectorum omnium, consolatio validius confirmetur, &c. Ipse ergo sit vestri custos Imperii, sit vobis Protector in terra, sit pro vobis Intercessor in Coelo; ut per hoc quod relevatis duris ponderibus in vestro Imperio subjectos gaudere facitis, post multa Annorum tempora in Caelesti Regno gaudeatis.

The 1. Council of Toledo Anno 600 under King Reccaredus, Anno 600.thus extoll and pray for him. Cui à Deo aeternum * Snrius Concil. Tom. 1. p. 600.meritum; Cui aeterna corona; Cui praesens gloria & aeterna nisi verè Catholico, Orthodoxo Reccaredo Regi? Ipse sit Deo & hominibus amabilis, qui tàm mirabiliter glorificavit Deum in terris.

Mareulfus a Monk flourishing about the year of ourAnno 610. Lord, 610. in his **Bibliotheca Pat. um Tom. p. 566, 572.Formularum, l. 1. c. 2. Concessio Regis ad Privilegium granted to an Abby: makes this the only usual form in that Age of Kings Confirmations of Lands, and Privileges to Monasteries, expressed in their Charters: Ut pro aeterna salute, vel faelicitate Regis, constanster delectet ipsis Monachis, immensam Domini pietatem jugiter implorare. And c. 35. Confirmatio Regis, de omni corpore facultatis Monasterii: Ut vos & successores vestri, uti necessitas fuerit, in conditionibus ipsius Monasterii, Pro salute nostra crebrius exorare valeant. And cap. 5. Praeceptum de Episcopatu: There is this clause in the usual form of Kings Grants of any vacant Bishoprick: Quatenus dum Ecclesiam sibi à dispensatione divina commissam, strenuè regere atque guberna…e videtur, Nobis apud aeternum retributorem mercedem suffragia largiantur, & ille pro peccatorum nostrorum mole, indesinenter immensum Dominum debeat deprecari. This being one principal end of Kings erecting and endowing Monasteries, Bishopricks and Churches, that the Abbots, Monks, Bishops, Priests and People might therein constantly pray for the safety, prosperity and felicity of them, their Royal Families, Posterity,Anno 681. and Realms; as all their Charters, Confirmations,* Surius Concil. Tom. 2. p. 337, 338. and Instruments evidence.

The 2. Council of Toledo, Anno 681. under King Sisenandus: p. 126as it denounced this solemn Excommunication thrice one after another, against all Traytors who should attempt to m…der or dethrone the King, or us…p his Crown, against their Oath of Allegiance to him. Quicunque ergo ex nobis, vel totius Hispaniae populis qualibet conjuratione, tractatu vel studio, Sacramentum sidei suae quo pro Patriae Gentisque Gothorum statu vel conservatione Regiae salutis pollicitus est, teme…erit, aut Regem nece attractaverit, aut potestate Regni exuerit, aut p…aesumpsione tyrannica Regni fastigium usurpaverit, anathema sit in conspectu Dei Patris & Angelorum, atque ab Ecclesia Catholica, quam perjurio prophanaverit, efficiatur extraneus, & ab omni Coetu Christianorum alienus, cum omnibus impietatis suae sociis. Anathema Maranatha hoc est, perditio in adventu Domini sint, & cum Juda Scarioth pa…tem habeant ipsi & socii eorum. Amen. So also they made this devout Prayer for this King. Pax, & Salus, et Diuturni…as piissimo & amatori Christi Domino nostro Sisenando Regi. Corroboret ergo Christi gratia Regnum illius Gentisque Gothorum in Fide Catholica Annis et meritis, protegat illum usque ad ultimam senectutem summi Dei gratia, & post praesentis Regni gloriam ad aeternum Regnum transeat, sine fine regnet, qui in seculo feliciter imperat, ipso praestante, qui est Rex Regum et Dominus Dominorum, cum Patre & Spiritu sancto in secula seculorum. Amen.

The 5th Council of Toledo under King Chintilla, AnnoAnno 684. 684 as it provides for the safety of the Kings person, the * Surius Concil. Tom. 2. p. 739, 740.Royal Issue, and their possessions; prohibiting all calculation of their Nativities, or aspiring after their Crowns, and reviling of them, under pain of Excommunication: So all the Bishops and Nobles in it concluded with this Prayer for their King. Donet ei Dominus & de inimicis triumphum, & de beatudine gaudium: Custodiat eum protectione assidua, muniat bonae voluntatis suae circumspectione tutissima, cujus Regnum manet in Secula Seculorum.

p. 127The 6. Council of Toledo under King Suintilla, AnnoAnno 684. 684. as it provides for the safety of the Kings person, and * Surius Concil. Tom. 2. p. 743, 744.of the Royal Posterity: with a Quis ferat, aut quis Christianus toleranter videat Regiam sobol…m aut potestatem expoliari rebus, aut privari dignitatibus, &c? cap. 16, 18. So it concludes with this Prayer for the King, cap. 19. Donet ei Dominus optimo Principi Diu…urnum in saeculo praesenti triumphum, & in parte Justorum perpetuum Regn…m, felicibusque Annis felix ipse in longa felicitate fruatur, et divinae dexterae protectione ubique muniatur.

In the 6. general Council of Constantinople under Constantinus Anno 686.Pogonatus, Pope Agatho, and the Synode of Rome * Surius Concil. p. 922, 925, 926.consisting of 125. Bishops, prayed thus for him in their several Epistles to him, Pro incolumitate atque exaltatione fortissimi vestri Imperii unanimiter incessabiles Domino preces effundentes. Dei majestatem fideliter obsecrare pro longe vitate atque perfecta prosperitate vestrae fortitudinis Imperio divinitus concedenda, &c. And this whole general Council thus unanimously cryed out with loud joyfull Voyces, and prayed to God for him (qqIbid p. 10…, 1024.) Sancta Synodus exclamavit: Multos Annos Imperatori: Christo dilecto Imperatori multos Annos. Pium & Christianum Imperatorem Damine conserva; aeternum permaneat vestrum Imperium. Orthodoxam fidem tu confirmasti. After which this whole Council in their Gratulatory Oration to him, pray thus for him, Omnes unanimiter atque consonanter acclamamus; Domine Salvum fac Regem nostrum, qui post te corroboravit fidei fundamentum: benedicito vitam ejus, dirige gressus cogitationum ejus, conterat virtutem inimicorum suorum, et resistentes ei continuo corruant, quia fecit judicium & justitiam sempiternam, &c. This Emperor dying before this General Council dissolved, and Justinian succeeding in the Empire,, all the Fathers assembled therein in their (rrIbid. p. 1039.) Oration to him, close it with this Prayer for him, Dominus Imperium tuum stabiliat ac confirmet in pace et justitia, et generationum generationibus transmittat, et terrenae quoque potentiae adjiciat, et etiam coelesti regnofruaris.

p. 128aaSu…ius …om 2. p. 762.The 7. Council of Toledo under King Chindasiundus, Anno 690.and the 38. Bishops in it, make this Prayer for him. Ut memorato Principi cum prosperitate praesentis regni, futuri etiam largiant…r praemia gaudii, ipso praestante qui in Trinitate unus Deus vivit et gloriatur in saecula saeculorum.

bbSurius Ibid. p. 855.In the 8. Council of Toledo K. Recesuinthus presentedAnno 693 himself amongst the Prelates, Abbots, Priors, Earls the… present, that they might commend him in their Prayers to Almighty God, which they did.

ccSu…ius, Tom. 2. p. 869.The 9. Council of Toledo held in the 7th. year of hisAnno 694. Reign, made this Prayer for him, Obsecrantes ejus misericordiam largam ut serenissimo Domino et amabili Christo Recesuintho Principi glorioso, ita praesentis vitae felicitatem impe…dat, ut Angelicae beatitudinis gloriam, post longaeva tempora concedat: atque ita nos ejusdem felicitate laetos semper efficiat, ut in terra viventium remunerandos attollat.

ddSurius, Tom. 2. p. 871, 872.The 11 Council of Toledo in the 8. year of King Recesuinthus, Anno 713.as it provides for the safety of his Person, and Crown in subjecting all Clergymen and Monks, who shall wittingly violate their general Oaths made for the safety of his Royal Person and Realm, to deprivation, and the Kings Justice, c. 2. So. c. 6. all present in it pray thus to God for him. A quo petimus et optamus, ut porrecta in longitudine felicium Dierum sacratissimi Principis vita, eam omni gloriarum decore perpetua faciat pollere salute.

eeSurins Ibid. p. 875.The Council of Cavailon under King Clodoveus Anno 713.assembled in the Church of St Vincent, pray the intercession of this holy Martyr, ut longaevitatem supradicti Principis suo suffragio mereamur.

ffSurius Concil. Tom. 2. p. 891.The 11. Council of Toledo in the 8th. year ofAnno 723. King Uuambanus (or Bamba) made this Prayer for him, Det ergo eidem Principi Dominus, et cursum praesentis vitae in pace transire, et post diuturna tempora, ad se in pace, rem…ssis iniquitatibus pervenire: qualiter et hîe …elicia tempora ducat, et felix cum omnibus, quibus principatur, ad Christum sine confusione perveniat: ut, quia per eum corona nostri ordinis in melius restauratur, coronam futuri regni p. 129capiat ex hoc in regione vivorum regnans cum Christo insaecula saeculorum. Amen.

The Council of**Surius Concil. Tom. 2. p. 922, 925, 926. Bracara in the same year, concludesAnno 686. with this prayer for King Bamba, Sit pax, salus et diuturnitas, piissimo & amatori Christi Domino nostro Uuambano Regi: Divinam postulantes clementiam, ut gloria Christi Regnum ejus corroberet usque ad ultimam senectutem, praestante ipso qui cum Patre & Spiritu sancto vivit & gloriatur in Trinitate D…us, in saecula saeculorum. Amen.

The 12. Council of Toledo under King Evingius, c. 13.Anno 719. is closed up with this Prayer for him:**Surius Ibid. Tom. 3. p. 8. Sanctae Trinitatis poscimus inenarrabile numen & gloriosam in…ffabilis potentiae Majestatem, ut det amatori Christi serenissimo Domino nostro atque amantissimo Evingio Principi, imperare clementer, Regnare feliciter, habere de elementis fructum, obtinere de Justitia praemium, de pietate trophaeum, quò & hic invictus victor hostium semper appareat; & post diuturna hujus seculi curricula, ad Regnum aeternum cum suis omnibus coronandus pervenire, praestante Deo & salvatore nostro Jesu Christo Domino nostro, qui cum Patre & Spiritu sancto in Trinitate vivit & regnat Deus, in secula seculorum. Amen.

The Synode of Frankford on the Mene under Charles Anno 794the Great, thus prayed for him. Catholicum atque* Surius Ibid Tom. 3 p. 238 clementissimum semperque inclytum Dominum Carolum Regem, Omnipotens & sancta Trinitas sua cum gratia circumcingat, suaque dextra semper protegat et defendat, ut faciat semper quae illi sunt placita, quatenus coelestibus fretus armis inimicos nominis Christi auxilio fultus de caelo, ad terram prosternat. Barbaras etiam Nationes, infinita Deus Omnipotens ditioni ejus potentia subdat, ut ex hac occasione ad agnitionem perveniant veritatis, et cognoscant verum et unum Deum Creatorem suum, &c. Multipliceter pax in diebus ejus, ut sit sancta Ecclefia libera, et ab omni strepitu mundi secura qua libertate Christus eam liberavit, &c. indulgeat miseratus captivis, subveniat oppressis, dissolvat fasciculos deprimentes: sit consolatio viduaarum, p. 130miserorum refrigerium: sit Dominus et Pater; sit Rex et Sacerdos, fit omnium Christianorum moderantissimus gubernator, auxiliante Domino nostro Jesu Christo, qui cum Patre et Spiritu sancto vivit et regnat Deus in Trinitate perfecta per omnia secula seculorum. Amen.

The judgements and practices of this kinde of our venerable Beda; Of Boniface Archbishop of Mentz, and Lullus his Successor; Of the Council of Glovesho and Calchuth; and of Abbat Alchuvinus and others: from the year 714, to 796. you have already cited in the **Here p. 7, to 24precedent Chapter.

The Synod of **Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 274, &c.Towers in France, under Charles the Great,Anno 813. c. 1. decreed: Primò omnium admonuimus generaliter cunctos, qui nostri conventui interfuêre, ut obedientes sint Domino excellentissimo Imperatori nostro, et fidem quam ei promissam habent inviolabiliter conservare studeant.Bochellus Decret. Eccles. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 1. c. 1. p. 696.Titus 1 Orationes quoque assiduas intentè fundere pro ejus stabilitate ac incolumitate omnes se velle secundum nostram admonitionem unanimiter professi sunt, ut misericordia divina longiori aevo illius m…nsuetudinem conservare dignetur, &c.

The Council of **Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 285.Mentz about the same time underAnno 813. Charles the Great, c. 1, &c. made this Prayer for him and his Posterity: In nomine Patris et Filii, et Spiritus sancti; Gloriosissimo et Christianissimo Imperatori Carolo Augusto, verae Religionis Rectori, ac Defensori Dei Ecclesiae, una cum prole sua, ejusque Fidelibus, vita et salus, honor et benedictio, cum victoria fine fine mansura.

The Council of **Surius Concil Tom 3 p. 279.Cavailon the same year under thisAnno 813. Charles the Great, thus decreed: Omnis iste Conventus gratissima deliberatione decrevit, ut ab omnibus indes… nenterBochellus Dec…et. Eccl. Gal. p. 1369. orationes fiant pro vita et incolumitate, pro salute animae et corporis Domini Imperatoris prolisque ejus; pro statu Regni, &c.Anno 813.

The Synod of **Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 293.Rhemes the same year under the same Emperor decreed: Ut pro Domino Imperatore s…aque Bochellus Decret. Eccl. Gal. p. 1369.Nobilissima prole, Orationes et Oblationes, quae pro ipsis hactenus Deo Omnipotenti oblatae sunt augeantur, p. 131ut eos suis temporibus in praesenti seculo cum omni saelicitate custodiat, et in futuro cum sanctis Angelis suis pia miseratione gaudentes efficiat.

The like is decreed in Capitularia Caroli Magni & Ludovici, Anno 823.l. 7. c. 7. Fredericus Lindebrogus Codex Legum Antiqu. p. 1663. The **Bochellus Decret. Eccl. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 1. c. 3. p, 697.Titus 1Synod of Paris under Lewis & Lotharius, Anno 829. l. 1. c. 8. as it presseth all Obedience, Subjection, and Loyalty to Kings, so it prescribes constant Prayers for them, from the 1 Tim. 2. concluding thus: Si enim Hieremias Propheta Dei, pro vita Idololatrae Regis Nebuchadonozor orare admonet, quantò magis pro salute Christianorum Regum do omnibus ordinibus Deo est humiliter supplicandum?

The **Idem.Synod of Paris under Bishop Odo made this Decree: Praecipitur districtè omnibus Presbyteris ut pro Domino Rege faciant specialem commemorationem quando poterunt.

aaBibl. Patru… Tom. 9. pars 1. p. 641. H. 643.Theodulphus Abbas Floriacensis, et Aurelianensis EpiscopusAnno 830. in his Poems to Ludovicus the Emperor thus prays for him.

Inclite Caesar ave, Ludovice serene, valeque,

Et tibi cun…ipotens det bona cuncta Deus.

Orbis te totus laudat, veneratur, amatque,

Et monitis paret, sedulus undè tuis, &c.

Grates pro vestrâ summa pietate rependam.

Aeterno Patri, qui vos regnare potenter,

Et mores sanctos servare salubriter egit,

Prospera multigenis concedens cuncta triumphis, &c:

Uos pater, et gnatus, Sanctus quoque Spiritus omni

Tempore concedat Domino praestan…e valere.

In his Poem, (bbIbid. p. 643.) In Adventu Caroli filii Augustorum, he hath this Salutation, and Prayer for him.

Salve Regum sancta proles.

Nullus ordo, nulla rerum,

Mens & lingua, cor, voluntas,

Salve Regum sancta proles,

p. 132Dicat omnis plebis agmen,

Dives, pauper, sospes, aeger,

Salve Regum sancta proles,

Chare Christo Carole.

Nunc silescat vastitas,

Laudem dando personet.

Chare Christo Carole, &c.

Clerus ipse primitus,

Consonent in laudibus.

Chare Christo Carole, &c.

Which Salve is 7. times more repeated in that Poem, with other Prayers for Prince Charles.

In his Poem, eeIbid. 643. &c.In adventu Lotharii Imperatoris, he useth the…e Prayers for and Acclamations to him.

Imperator magne vivas.

Gaudeat totum tuorum,

Omnis aetas, omnis ordo,

Imperator magne vivas,

Sancta Lothari, Maria virgo,

Et simul eum Patre magno,

Imperator magne vivas,

Et Valens junctis beatis,

Uestra pax in pace cunctos,

Intus, extra, longe, juxta,

Britto cedat, atque Bulgar

Uita, virtus et potestas,

Fama felix te sequatur

Summa summae Trinitati,

Quae gubernet et coronet,

Imperator magne vivas.

Semper et feliciter, which

is ten times repeated.

Agmen hic fidelium,

Corde dicens intimo,

Semper et feliciter,

Te cum Fratribus,

Servet, armet, protegat,

Semper et feliciter.

Hoc Precetur omnibus,

Firmet apta subditos,

Fulgeat concordia,

Omnis ardor Hostium,

Robur et victoria,

Atque vitae praemia,

Sit per aevum Gloria,

Te per omne seculum,

Semper et feliciter.

**Bibliotheca Patru…, Tom 9. pars 1. p. 991.Walafridus Strabus Abbot of St. Gall, in his Poem toAnno 840. Ludovicus the Emperor makes this expression of his Loyalty to, and prayes thus for him.

Vilia pro meritis sunt haec munuscula vestris,

Sed tamen ex pleno quae dat amore fides.

Quam vobis servare diu, totumque per aevum,

Hanc animam veluti nitar ad usque obitum.

Quid mihi, quid possit consistere clarius unquam,

Gloria quàm Domini continuata pii, &c.

**Deus.Ipse pio vires, divinaque munera Regi,

Et clarum aeterno tempore det columen.

p. 133Pacem consilio faciet retinere salubri,

Quem paci aeternae muneribusque parat,

Haec vos cum vestris repetitus saepius Annis,

Haec ad festa Deus provehat incolumes.

In his Verses to the aaIbid. p. 991… G.Empresse Judeth, he prayes thus for her, and hers.

— Orabo quod ipse

Hactenus orabam, quaeque petenda reor.

Uita, praesidio, pace et solamine Christi,

Uos vestrosque simul tempus in omne frui.

Proxima sanctorum quod nos per festa dierum,

Plenius acturos credimus et volumus.

In another (b) Poem to her, in reference to her nameIbid. p. 990… F. Judeth, he prays thus for her.

Nomine quem sequitur, factis da Christe sequatu…,

Pace, fide, pietate, animo, sermonibus, ausis,

Dogmate, consiliis, successu, et prole fideli, &c.

Laeta cubans, sit laeta sedens, sit laeta resurgens,

Laetetur que poli faelix in sede locata.

In his other ccIbid. p. 991. C.Verses to her, he prays thus.

Uos vestrosque Dei semper miserata potestas,

Protegat, exaltet, ffrmet, regat, armet, adornet.

And in his ddIbid. p. 992. B.Poem to Charles the Emperors Son by Judeth, he prays thus for him.

Majestas tibi cuncta Dei det prospera semper,

Et vitae aeternae dulcia dona seret.

Haymo Bishop of Halberstat in Germany, Interpretatio. inAnno 840. 1 Epist. Tim. c. 2. v. 1, 2, 3. hath the self-same Commentary, and Words, pressing the duty of praying for Kings, as Remigius forecited.

p. 134Hincmarus Archbishop of Rhemes in France, flourishingAnno 810. under Charles the Great, and Lewis his sonne, one of the learnedest Scholars in that age, in his**Bibl. Patrum Tom. 9. p. 42, 43. Epistola 1. ad Ludovicum Balbum Regem, who desired his advice, how hee might settle and govern his distracted Kingdom in peace, in such a time of confusion, as we now are in; returns him this answer, in an Epistle thus directed. Domino Ludovico Regiglorioso, Sit semper Salus et Uita. 1. That he should elect good Counsellers of State, quia boni Reges constituti bonos sibi Consiliarios adhibuerunt, & per bonos Reges & bonos Consiliarios regimen populi multa bona habuerunt. 2ly. Ut Seniores et Regni su… Primores convocaret, ut omnes Communi Concilio de Communi Necessitate et Utilitate tractetis: (the best means of publike peace and settlement, as he proves by sundry former presidents;) nec in exordio Regni vestri inter Primores Regni de vestro Regimine oriatur discordia, quae non sine impedimento possit esse sedata. Et Regni Primores qui vobiscum sunt, sic seipsos & suas voluntates contemperent, ne alios istius Regni Primores ad scandalum per suam cupiditatem, aut negligentiam provocent. 3ly. That when this Great Parliamentary Council of the Nobles, and Great men of the Realm should assemble, they should treat of these 6. Heads, very pertinent and seasonable for our times.

Primò, qualiter vos in regimine Regni cum honore & salvamento, ac supplemento de his quae necessaria sunt, cum Regno ac domo vestro possitis insis…ere. Secundò, ut Capitulum, de honore sanctae Ecclesiae & Sacerdotum & Servorum Dei debito privilegio ad effectum perduci possit; ut & Ecclesiae in isto Regno per occasionabiles cicadas & per indeletas consuetudinarias exactiones, quae tempore Pipini, Caroli & Ludovici non fuerunt, ante annos viginti impositas, non affligantur. Tertio, qualiter Regni Primores cum debita sereniate & honore ergà vos consistere possint, & caeteri Nobiles homines in Regno securitatem habeant, ne per diversa ingenia a suis opibus, quas habere potuerint, despolientur: quia postquam radix omnium malorum cupiditas in Regno isto p. 135exarfit, ut nullus, aut poenè nullus honorem, aut aliquod bonum …ine precio possit adquirere, aut tenere, aut securitatem habere; pax, & consilium & justicia, atque judicium, sicut necesse fuerat, locum in isto Regno non habuerunt. Quartò, ut inveniatis cum Deo & vestris fidelibus, qualiter istae rapinae & depraedationes in isto regno cessent, & miser iste populus, qui jam per plures annos perde praedationes diversas & continuas & per exactiones ad Normannos repellandos affligitur, aliquod**remissum. remedium habeat, & justitia & judicium quae quafi emortua apud nos sunt, reviviscant: quia usque modo, jam ante plures annos locum in isto regno defensio non habent, sed redemptio & tributum, & non solum pauperes homines, sed & Ecclefias quondam divites tàm emarciatas habent. Quintò, ut concordiam quae secundum Deum est, inter fideles Dei & vestros haberi, & vigere quantum potueritis, satagatis; & vos talem ergà eos pr… paretis, ut verum con…ilium vobis dare possint & audeant, &c. Sexto, ut inveniatis cum Deo & ve…tris fidelibus, qualiter pacem & amicitiam secundum Deum cum vestris sobrinis, patrui vestri filiis, & juvenum adjutorium vobis ad Dei voluntatem, & sanctae Eccle…ae ac vestrum honorem, at communem fidelium vestrorum Salvationem exhibeatis. Caeterum qualiter haee ad effectum perveniant, et caetera necessaria inveniantur, et assequautur, Deus est exorandus, &c. Faciendum est judicium pro iniquorum correctione, et pro injuriam sustinentium directione, non pro malevolentiae ultione, nec pro justam causam habentium oppressione, &c. Sollicitè unicuique ambulandum est cum Deo suo, et Regi precipuè, qui sub tantis erit in poenis in futuro seculo, si malus fuerit, super quantos fuerit in isto seculo, in quo se à malitia non correxit, et non fecit judicium et justitiam, et non ambulavit sollicitè cum Deo suo.

‖‖Ibid. p. 44, 54, 55, &c.In the front of his 2d. Epistle to the Emperor Charles the Grosse, Praesentem et futuram optat prosperitatem et gloriam; advising him: Ut Ecclesiam Gallicanam poenè collapsam restituat, Regni dissidia tollat, Justitiae leges apud Primores aequè ac subditos sartas tectas conservare, p. 136Divinum aux…lium per preces crebro imperare, impios et sceleratos coercere; orphanorum et pupillorum patrocinium suscipere; humilitatem, caritatem, mansuetudinem erga omnes sectari, improborumque societatem et …itatem defugere: as the readiest way to publick peace, unity and prosperity. His 3d. and 4th. Epistles are full of excellent instructions for young Kings: and his 5th. very pertinent to our Condition. The Emperor Lewes the 2d. being dead, Charles the Bald King of France went into Italy to obtain the Imperial Crown from the Pope: which his Brother Lewes, King of Germany, taking in ill part, attempted in his absence to invade the Realm of France. Whereupon divers Bishops and Nobles of France being doubtfull what to do in this difficult Cause, craved the advice of their Metropolitan, Hin…rus Archbishop of Rhemes; who in this Epistle adviseth them at large: In tanta discrimine, confug…endum esse ad arma spiritua…ta orationum, jejuniorum, aliorumque id genus p…aesidiorum; et in fide proprii Regis Caroli, licet absit, fort…r persistendum; nec oves ulla ratione, quantum vis Ludovicus vi invadat regnum, deserendas, Ipsasque Reges libere de suis erratis commonefaciendos, … …i parere nolint, etiam à corpore Christi abscindendos; quod multorum S. Patrum exemplis fusè probat. After his debate of the difficulties and dangers on both sides in resisting the unjust Invador of his Brothers Realm, and deserting Charles their absent lawfull King, he resolves* Ibid. p. 60, 61. thus: Nos Episcopi Domini nostri Caroli, si acciderit ut consulere ei non possimus, ficuti cupimus in temporali sui Regni defensione atque tuitione, et consulamus ei in debitae Fide… observatione. Consulamus et Nobis Dei cooperatione in pia Dei erga illum observatione, et continua mentis devotione atque pro eo apud Deum …t Sanctos ejus obsecratione, &c. Consulamus et nobis ne pro quacunque cupiditate vel temporali emolumento ab illius debita fide exorbitantes, quenquam in illius regnum missis Episcopis, vel quibuscunque internunciis, invitemus, nec pro Abbatiis, vel hono…ibus temporalibus, atque rebus, vel facultatibus nos venundemus, Iudae similes p. 137effecti, qui abiens ad Iudaeos dixit; Quid vultis mihi dare, & ego vobis eum tradam? Est etiam, quoniam ab alio quocunque justè & rationabiliter credi non poterimus neque debemus, si quocunque terreno lucro vel illata injuria, salva in Deum fide, seniori nostr… (Regi) Fidem non servaverimus, &c. Consulamus etiam quantum adjuvante Domino poterimus, Sociis & commilitonibus nostris, exhortantes eos, ut fidem debitam apud eum observent, &c. Consulamus etiam ei, si fortè quis fuerit, qui in absentia ejus Regnum ipsius moliatur subripere, ut moneamus emn de Sacramentis inter se, et Seniorem nostrum factis, quae Rex noster se servare velle fatetur, et proponemus ei sententiam Domini prolatam per Jeremiam Prophetam contra Sedechiam, qui juravit Nebu…hadonozor Gentili Regi in Nomine Domini Ezech. 17. & Hierom. ibid. (whose severe judgement on him for this Perjury he recites at large out of 4 King 25. together with the danger of Perjury out of St. Augustin, Epist. 89. who stiles it, Gravissimum peccatum) Si autem & contra Praepofitum suum agentibus consulere non potuerimus; secundum verba (aaIn 1 Epist. ad Tim. Epist. 26. 1 Tim. 3.1 Tim 3) sancti Ambrosii, consulamus Nobis, ne faciamus quacunque cupiditate, vel adulatione, vel deceptione, vel communicatione undè vituperetur Ministerium nostrum, & perdamus nomen bonum, &c. Et non solum in vectigalibus stipendiariis militiae, & Ecclesiis debitis, et Regibus deservire jubemur, verum et in Orationibus, sicut Augustinus in libro (bbLib. 19. …. 26, 27.) De Civitate Dei ostendir, (whose words he recites at large.) After which he thus winds up this most learned and seasonable Epistle, worthy reading. Si denique Rex noster fuerit, annuente Deo reversus, recipiamus eum cum gaudio, & de sibi ac Ecclesiae atque Regni necessariis in postmodum procurare Episcopaliter illum commoneamus, et prosperitati suae congaudeamus; si vero, quod non optamus, aliter judicio Dei contigerit, Devotionem ac fidem debitam erga illum sinceriter custodientes, …icut scriptum est, dicamus corde, dicamus & ore Domino, exultaverunt p. 138filiae Iudae, id est, confessionis humillimae, in omnibus judiciis tuis Domine. This was the advice of that le…rned loyal Bishop in that Age upon this occasion.

Gerbertus Archbishop of Rhemes, afterwards PopeAnno 1000. Sylveste… the 2d. as he hath this expression of his Loyalty* Bibliothec… Patrum, Tom 10. p. 616 A. 617. H. 634. C. to the Emperor Otho, Epist. 1. Non dicatur reus, cui pro Caesare stare semper fuit gloria, contra Caesarem ignominia. So in his his 20. Epistle, Adelaidi Imperatriei, he concludes thus: M…a sententia haec est, quam fidem filio Dominae meae … Imperatori) asservavi, eam matri servabo; si nequeo praesens, saltem absens, benè loquendo, bene optando, bene orando. He begins his 154. Epistle Othoni Imperatori thus. Domino & glorioso Othono semper Augusto Gerbertus gratia Domini Remorum Episcopus, quicquid tanto Imperatori dignum. And in his 31. Epistle to Diedericus the Bishop,Ibid… p. 619. in the person of Prince Charles the Emperors Nephew, he thus brands him for his perjury and treachery to the Emperor, and the Republick. Diederico Hypocritarum ideae, Imperatorum infidelissimo, prolisque parricidae, ac in communi hosti Reipublicae. Tu divina & humana confundisti jura. Cur pastor ali officio minas intendis? quasi verò tu pastor, & non lupus rapax, & non potius alter Judas Apostolus, qui Dominum suum 30. perdidit argenteis, & tu Episcopus qui Dominum tuum Regem Haeredem Regni Regno privasti spe famosissimi quaestus, &c.

(bbBibliotheca Patrum, Tom. 11. p. 6. F. p. 7. A. p. 9. 8. p. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.) Fulbertus Carnotensis Episcopus, inscribes his 3, 4,Anno 1010. & 13, & 93. Epistles to Robert King of France thus. Domino suo Regi Roberto lenignissimo, Fulbertus Dei & sui gratia Carnotensis Episcopus, in gratia Regis Regum s…mper manere; statu plenae felicitatis; in perpetuum regnare. Cursum honesti continuum ad beatitudinem finis. He concludes his 76, 77, 78, & 92 Epistles to this King, with Valeteregaliter; Vale nunc & semper. Vigeat excellentia vestra. He inscribes his 96. Epistle with this option: Aeterni Regis consortium; and ends it thus: Omnipotens Deus dilatet Imperium vestrum, et dextra vos semper protegat ad pacem sanctae Ecclesiae; Uitam vobis longae…am tribuat, et sua vos benedictione in omnibns exornet. p. 139His 97. Epistle is thus directed: Nobilissimo Regi Danemarchiae Cnuto, Fulbert. Dei gratia Carnotensium Episcopus, cum suis Clericis et Monachis Orationis suffrag…um. In which he writes: Te non modo Christianum, verum etiam erga Ecclesias atque Dei servos benignissimum largitorem agnoscimus. Unde gratias agentes Regi Regum, ex cujus dispositione talia descendunt; Rogamus ut ipse Regnum tuum in vobis prosperari faciat, et animam tuam a peccatis absolvat, per aeternum & consubstantialem sibi unigenitum Christum Dominum nostrum in unitate Spiritus sancti. Amen. And his 150 Epist. is thus directed, Dilectissimo Domino suo Roberto, Regi ac Reginae Constantiae, Verum in Domino constantissimo Fulbertus humilis Carnot. Episcopus Fidelitatis obsequium et orationum suffragium, quantum scit et potest. I preterm it his other prayers and options of this kind, Epist. 89, 90, 91, &c.

Oecumenius in his Enarratio in 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. useth theAnno 1050. self-same words and passages touching prayers, intercessions and supplications for Kings, as St. Chrysostom and Theodoret, forcited, p. 111, 112, 116, &c.

The like doth Theophylact, upon the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2.Anno 1070. whom they both follow.

St. Bernard Abbot of Clarevall thus begins and proceedsAnno 1130. in his Epistola 45. ad Ludovicum Regem Francorum (written in the name of all the Cistercian Abbots and Monks) Eximio Regi Francorum Ludovico, Stephanus Abbas Cisterciensis, totusque Conventus Abbatum et Fratrum Cisterciensium, salutem, sospitatem et pacem in Christo Iesu. Rex coeli et terrae regnum vobis in terra donavit, donaturus et in coelo, si quod accepistis justè & sapienter amministrare studueritis. Hoc est quod Uobis optamus, et pro Uobis oramus, ut et hic fideliter, et illic feliciter regnetis. Caeterum vos quonam consilio, Eisdem Nostris pro Uobis orationibus, quas, si recolitis, olim tàm humiliter requisistis, modo tàm acriter repugnatis? Qua enim fiducia manus pro Vobis levare possumus ad sponsum Ecclesiae, quam ita et sine causa, ut putamus, ausu inconsulto contristaris? Gravem siquidem adversum vos apud eundem sponsum, et Dominum suum p. 140querimoniam deponit, dum quem acceperat defensorem, sustinet oppugnatorem, &c. Alioquin si non meremur exaudiri, sed contemnimur, et nos, fratres et amici vestri, et qui quotidie oramus pro Uobis, et Filiis Uestris, et Regno; ex hac jam noveritis parvitatem nostram, &c. He begins his 170 Epistle, ad Ludovicum Juniorem Regem Francorum, with this loyal preface, and seconds it with his constant prayers day and night. Si totus orbis adversum me conjuraret, **See Epistola …2.ut quippiam molirem adversus regiam Majestatem, ego tamen Deum timerem, & ordinatum ab eo Regem offendere temerè non auderem. Nec enim ignoro ubi legerim; Qui potestati resistit, Dei ordinationi resistit, &c. Non contristabit per illum & de illo Ecclesiam suam, in quem et de quo in tantis plura laetificavit: Quem suo munere contulit, sua longanimitate servabit; et si quid aliter sapitis, et hoc ipsum vobis revelabit, et erudiet corda in sapientia. Hoc optamus, hoc oramus die et nocte. He begins his 220 Epistle to this King thus, Libentèr quidem sicut ipse fateri dignamini, etiam propria testante conscientia, quae ad honorem vestrnm et regni vestri utilitatem spectant, pro nostro exiguo posse et quaerimus & quaeremus: though he sharply reprehends him therein: In his 221 Epistle to this King (who oppugned the Church) he writes thus. Profectò stabimus & pugnabimus usque ad mortem, si it a oportuerit, pro matre nostra, armis quibus licet, non scutis et gladiis, sed precibus fletibusque ad Deum. Et ego quidem qui me memini praeter Quotidianas preces, quas pro Pace et Salute vestra, atque Regno coram Domino suppler ipso teste fundebam. And why so? Insuper et fratri vestro, ejusque militibus balastariisque Domos Episcopales contra jus et phas inhabitandas, et res Ecclesiae in hujusmodi nefarios usus profligandas audacter nimium exponitis. Dico vobis non erit diu inultum, si haec it a facere pergitis, &c. His 255 Episile begins thus, Ludovico Dei gratia excellentissimo Regi Francorum, Bernardus Clarevallis vocatus Abbas, fidelis suus, salutem à Rege Regum, & Domino dominantium Ipsi, et Dilectae ejus, et Filiis ejus. Regn… terrae & jura Regnorum tune sanè sana suis Dominis atque illaesa persistunt, si divinis ordinationibus ac dispositionibus non p. 141resistunt, &c. He addes, Colligitur Concilium. Quid in hoc detrahitur Regiae gloriae, regni utilitatibus? Ibi Un…versae Ecclesiae commendabitur ac rememorabitur Excellenciae vestrae prompta et specialis Devotio, qui Regum primus, aut certè inter primos rabiei persequentium eandem matrem vestram strenuissimè, et christianissimè defendendo obviastis. Ibi gloriosè ab ingenti illa multitudine debitae gratiae referentur vobis: Ibi a Millibus Sanctorum orabitur pro vobis et vestris. He begins his 138 Epistle, thus. Henrico illustrissimo Regi Anglorum, B. Abbas dictus de Clarevalle, honorem, sospitatem & pacem. And his 139 Epistle, thus. Lothario Dei gratia Imperatori Augusto, B. Abbas de Clarevalle. Si quid potest peccatoris Oratio, Benedictus Deus, qui vos elegit, et erexit cornu salutis Nobis ad Laudem et Cloriam Nominis sui, et reparandum Imperii decus, ad subveniendum Ecclesiae suae in tempore malo, Postremo, ad operandum etiam nunc salutem in medio terrae. From all which passages it is most apparent, that this devout Abbot, with all the Abbots, Monks, Clergy, and Councils in that age, did constantly pray for their own Christian Kings, their Queens, Sons, Posteritie, and other Kings & Emperors, wishing all health, safety, happinesse, prosperity to them, and their Realms, for the Churches happinesse, and did blesse God for their reigns, exaltations, successes, Piety, Zeal, and Government.

Petrus Abbas Cluniacensis, Epist. l. 2. Epist. 7. SigivardoAnno 1140. Norwegiorum Regi, prefaceth his Epistle with this salutation;h Bobliotheca Patrum, Tom. 12. pars 2. p. 53. 74, …7, 80, 81, 108, 109, 128. in praesenti faeliciter, in futuro, faelicissimè cvm Christo regnare: & begins it with this Thanksgiving to God: Omnipotenti et aeterno Regi toto cordis affectu gratias agimus, qui menti vestrae favorem et amorem suum inspirare dignatus, in vobis amorem coelestium terrenis affectibus praevaluisse ostendit, &c. And thus closeth it, Ipsi omnium bonorum largitori grates quas possumus agimus; et ut hoc ad effectum perducere satagatis, votis omnibus exoramus. Epist. 39. Glorioso Principi et magnisico Constantinopolitanae urbis Imperatori, Ioan ni Cale, he wisheth, Salutem ab eo qui dat salutem Regibus: beginning p. 142with this Thanksgiving. Gratias omnipotenti Regi Regum, cujus Regnum Regnum est omnium seculorum, qui Imperatoriam Majestatem vestram super omnes Christiani nominis Principes exaltavit, et ad tenendam toto orbe Ecclesiam suam, velut in medio Orientis, Occiedentis, Aquilonis constituit, &c. Et ut aliquid beneficii spiritualis vo…is istud facientibus, rependamus, ficut Praedecessores nostri ac nos ipsi, Reges Francorum, Reges Anglorum, Reges Hispanorum, Reges Roman…rum, ipsos Impera…ores, ac vicinos vobis Reges Ungarorum confratres et comparticipes omnium beneficiorum Cluniacensis congregationis fecimus (by their daily Prayers for them) ità sublimitatem vestiam, ex parte omnipotentis Dei, &c. in eisdem et spi…itualibus benesiciis, plen… et perfectè, in quantum licet, suscipimus: ut omnipotens Salvator et hîc temporale Regn…m vobis adaugeat et conservet, et in futuro, cum sanctis Regibus vos ad sempiternum perducat. Amen. He begins his 46. Epistle to the King of I…rusalem with the like Salutation and Thanksgiving to God. Epist…la l. 3. Epist. 3. Illustri et religioso Regi Siciliae, Domino et amico R…tgerio, he useth the very same Salutation, blesseth God for him, and ends with this prayer for him: Inde laetamur, inde in domino gloriamur, inde Celsitudinem vestram, etsi vultu incognitam, verae dilectionis brachiis amplectimur: et ut ad honorem nominis sui, et ad s…lutem populi sui omnipotens Salvator vestram regalem potentiam magnificet et con…ervet, humiliter et frequenter precamur. Epist. l. 4. Epist. 37. to the same King Rotgerio: he wisheth, Bonorum Regum dignitatem et honorem: beginning it with Gratias omnipotenti Regi Regum, qui sublimitatem vest…am inter universos Christiani orbis Reges ac Principes quadam specialis magnificentiae gloria insignivit, quadam gloriosi nominis fama singulariter exaltavit. Adding, Personam vestram Regnumque Omnipotenti Deo, Religiosisque tam nostris, quam aliis congregationibus, studiosissime commendavi. Epistola 36 Illustri ac magnifico Principi, Domino Ludovico Regi Francor…m, is prefaced p. 143with this option: Feliciter hîc regnare, Regemque Regum in Regno ac decore fuo videre: and begins with, Licet Regis aeterni militiam, quam per te Regem terrenum contra inimicos crucis suae armare disposuit, ad peregrina euntem comitari non valeam: Devotione tamen, oratione, consilio, et auxilio, quali quantoque potero, prosequi concupisco, &c. I shall only adde, Epist. l. 6. Epist. 16. Magnifico Principi, domino Rotgero, Regi Siciliae, Frater Petrus humilis Cluniacensium Abbas, Salutem praesencem et Regnum sempiternum. Audientes obitum …liorum, vestrorum valdè doluimus, et t…m pro sospitate vestra, quàm pro omnibus illorum, Missas celebrari, orationes ad Deum fundi, eleemosynas fieri, in conventu nostro praecepimus. Non solum autem nunc sed et saepe diebus solempnibus et majoribus capitulis nostris, inter alios Reges amicos et Benefactores nostros, vestri memoriam frequentamus.

Stephanus Tornacensis Episcopus, thus ends his EpistolaAnno 1160. 39. Illustri, R. Hungariae Regi: Ualeat sanctitas vestraBiblio…heca Patrum. Tom. 12. part 2 p. 502, 5…7. et Regnum vestrum coram Domino. And he inscribes his 170 Epistle thus. Canuto Illustri Dacorum Regi, Salutem, vitam et victoriam, and concludes it in this manner, Ualeat et crescat in dies semper Magnificentia vestra.

I could draw down a continual series of Authorities almost every year, from the year of our Lord 1200. till this present, pressing and practicing this duty of Prayer for Kings, in publick and private, in their Commentaries, Epistles, and other writings; but to avoid Prolixity, I shall refer the Readers to Hugo de sancto victore, Petrus Lombardus, Nicholaus Gorrhan, Anselmus Laudensis, Petrus Commestor, Hugo Cardinalis, Dion. Carth…sianus, Nicholaus Lyranus, Hugo de sancto victore, Isiodor Clarius, Vitus Theodorus, Johannis Sarisburiensis, Alexander Alesius, Jo. Arboreus, Jo. Bradmyllerus, Tho. de Vio Cajetanus, Calvin, Bulinger, Gualther, Hemmingius, Arrias Montanus, Nic. Hemingius, And. Hyperius, And. Scaynus, Nic. Selneccerus, p. 144Dan. Tossanus, Fran. Titeburamus, Jo. Brandmyllerus, Jo. Faber, Egidius Hunnius, Jo. Miyer, Alf. Salmeron, Guil. Estius, Jo. Gagneius, Claud. Guilliandus, Cornelius a Lapide, Junius, Beza, Marlorat, Lamb. Danaeus, Cl. Espencaeus, Ant. Fayus, Phil. Melancthon, Wolf. Musculus, Jo. Piscator, Frid. Balduinus, Deodatus, Georg. Dibuadius, Georg. Wenirichius, Adam. Sasbout, Pet. Steuartius, Jodoc. Willichius, Hug… Grotius, Dr. Hamond, and others in their Commentaries, Explanations, and Annotations on the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. the Harmony of Conf…ssions, Chapter of the Civil Magistrate, who all presse this duty in point of precept and practice, as well for Pagan as Christian, vitious and tyrannical, as Virtuous and Gracious, Heretical and Popish, as well as Orthodox and Protestant Kings and Emperors. As for the Forms of publick and private Prayers for them, I shall refer you to all antient and modern Missals, Processionals, Pontificals, Ceremonials, Psalters, Primers, Letanies, Manuals, Books of Prayers and Devotions, which are almost infinite in all Popish and Protestant Kingdoms throughout the World. I shall only recite a few publick Prayers of this Nature, for Example sake.

The 1. is M…ssa Aethiopum, Or the usual Forms of Commonb Bibliotheca Patrum, Tom. 15. p. 750 A. Prayers used in all the Aethiopian Churches: wherein there are these, Preces pro Rege Da Domine pacem, Regi nostro Claudio, et Principibus ejus, & Judicibus ejus, & subditis ejus, orna eos omni genere pacis, Rex pacis pa…em da Nobis, quoniam omnia dedisti Nobis.

The 2. is the antient Prayers used for the Roman Emperors in Churches: Deus Regnorum omnium & Christiani maximè Protector Imperii: Da servo tuo Imperatori nostro R. triumphum virtutis tuae scienter excolere, ut qui tua constitutione est Princeps, tuo munere sit Potens, Per eundem Dominum nostrum.

Deus qui ad praedicandum aeterni Regis Evangelium, RomanorumGeorgii Cassaudri Preces …cclesiasticae p. 373. Imperium praeparasti, praetende famulo tuo Imperatori nostro R. arma coelestia, ut pax Ecclesiarum nulla turbetur tempestate bellorum, Per eundem Dominum nostrum.

These two Forms of publick Prayers are still retained p. 145in Missale Romanum ex decreto Concilii Tridentini, Printed Salamanticae, 1588. Orationes ad diversa, p. 81, 82. and Missale Romanum ex decreto Pii quinti Antuerpiae 1630. Orationes ad diversa, p. 76, 77. to which there are these two Prayers, pro Rege subjoyned.

Quaesumus omnipotens Deus ut famulus tuus, N. Rex noster, qui tui miseratione suscepit Regni gubernacula, virtutum etiam omnium percipiat incrementa: quibus decenter ornatus, & vitiorum monstra devitare, & ad…te qui via, veritas & vita es, gratiosus valeat pervenire. Per Dominum.

Munera quaesumus Domine, o…lata sanctifica, ut & nobis Vnigeniti tui corpus fiant, Et Regi nostro ad optiennda… animae corporisque salutem; et ad peragendum injunctum officium, te largiente, usquequaque proficiant. Per eundem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum.

What other Prayers have been used for them, I have before transcribed, p. 40. To which I shall adde, that in most**See Sacrae Litaniae Variae Antuerpiae 1629. p. 217. Litanies, there is this Prayer inserted. Et Regibus, et Principibus Christianis pacem et veram concordiam donare digneris; te rogamus. Never more seasonable to be used than now.

In the Pontificale Romanum, restored and published by command of Pope Clement the 8. printed Antuerpiae 1627. p. 486, 487. There is this set Form of receiving the Emperor, when he comes to any City, or notable Towu, by the Clergy thereof in way of Procession, intituled, Ordo ad Recipiendum Processionaliter Imperatorem. Quando Imperator venit ad aliquam urbem vel oppidum insigne, Clerus urbis obviam venit ei Processionaliter, extrà portam, &c. Imperator, ex equo descendens, &c. sub baldachino ducitur usque ad Ecclesiam. Processio praecedit immediatè Imperatorem, &c. Whiles they go in procession towards the Church, divers Anthems and Hymes are sung; and when the Emperor enters into the Church, the Bishop orPsal. 7….Ps 7 chief Minister, turning towards the Emperor, saith, Deum judicium tuum Regi da: and the Chorus answer, Et justitiam tuam filio Regis, U. salvum sac N. Imperatorem nostrum Domine. R. Deus meus sperantem in te. U. mitte p. 146ei auxilium Domine de sancto. R. Et de Sion tueri eum. U. Nihil proficiat Inimicus in eo. R. Et filius iniquitatis non opponat nocere ei. U. Fiat pax in virtute tua. R. Et abundantia in turribus ejus. U. Dominus exaudi orationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. U. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Dremus.

Deus in cujus manu sunt corda Regum, inclina ad preces humilitatis nostrae aures misericordiae tuae, Et Imperatori nostro famulo tuo N. Regimen tuae sapientiae appone, ut haustis de tuo fonte consiliis, et tibi placeat, et super omnia regna praecellat.

Praetende Domine quaesumus, famulo tuo N. Imperatori nostro dexteram caelestis auxilii, ut te toto corde perquiret, et quae digne postulat assequi mereatur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

After which follows p. 487, 488. Ordo ad recipiendum processionaliter Regem; almost in the self-same words with some variation only in the Anthem; and this Prayer.

Deus, cui omnis potestas & dignitas famulatur, da huic famul… tuo Regi nostro N. prosperum suae dignitatis effectum, in qua te semper timeat, tibique …ugiter placere contendat. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

Ibidem p. 489. follows, Ordo ad recipiendum processionaliter Principem magnae potentiae, little different from that of Kings. And p. 491. Ordo ad recipiendum processionaliter Imperatricem vel Reginam. Where the responsory is fitted to these Persons; and then this Prayer ensues. Oremus.

Deus, cujus providentia insua dispositione non fallitur, ineffabilem clementiam tuam supplices exoramus, ut sicut Esther Reginam, Israeliticae plebis causa salutis, ad Regis Assueri thalaemum, regnique sui consortium transire fecisti: ità hanc famulam tuam Christianae p…ebis salutis gratia, ad gratiam tuam transire facias; …ut tibi super omnia …ugiter placere desideret, et te inspirante, quae tibi placita sunt, toto corde perficiat, et dextera tuae potentiae illam semper hic et ubique circumdet. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.

I shall cloze up this Chapter with the Decree of the p. 147**Laur enrius Boche …us Decret. Eccl. Gal. l. 5. Ti…. 1. de Rege c. 2. P. 696.Synod of Towers in France, Anno 1584. Imprimis, Deo optimo maximo haec Synodus referendas gratias censuit, (prout refert) Quod divini ejus spiritus affl…tu, Christianissimus Rex noster, Ecclesiae Dei statum ac ordinem modis omnibus Roborare disponens; Conciliorum Provincia lium in universo Galliae regno celebrationem gratam non solum habuerit, sed eam etiam indici procuraverit: hi…c futurum sperans, ut quae summo nostro malo diutius gr…ssatae sunt Haereses, radicitus extirpentur, & quibus turpiter Ecclesia deformatur, prorsus aboleantur abusus, ac toti Galliae mult is jamdudum seditionibus, ac perturbationibus afflictae, omnium bonorum votis desiderata pax plenissime restituatur. Idcircò summopere exoptat, et humilibus a Deo precibus obnixe contendit haec Synodus, ut Regem tam pium, tamque Religiosum fidei suae conservatione stabiliat, aequa justitiae rogatione muniat, pacem et locupletem reddat, misericordiae fulciat affectibus, virium fortitudine roboret, commissa sibi Regni Gubernacula discreto moderamine tenere concedat, ut commissos sibi populos benigne regat, aeque judicet, et ad pietatis jura modificetur, illum et piissimam Religiosamque ejus sponsam virili prole fructuosoque Regni successore locupletet, ejusque optimam matrem, quam diutissime conservet. Itaque cum sancta sit et Augusta Regum Majestas, sitque ut Sacrilegus et parricida, qui vel re vel verbo tenus Regem violet; Quod priscis cautum est Conciliis, quodque praesertim in Synodo apud Lauriacum pagum Andegavensem habita pridem fuit constitutum, renovans haec Synodus statuit. Quandoquidem Religioni inimicum, & hominibus constat esse perniciosum, futura curiosius perscrutari, & fata Principum eorumque casus inquirere, cum seriptum sit; Non est vestrum nosse momenta, vel tempora, quae Pater posuit in sua potestate: hoc Decreto censemns, ut quisquis inventus fuerit talia perquisivisse, et vivente Principe de alio Regni successore habendo confilium in…sse, sibique hac in re socios conciliasse, a conventu Catholicorum excommunicationis sententia expellatur.

Quin etiam pro perversis hominum moribus emendandis salubri p. 148deliberatione censemus, Ne quis in Principem maledicta congerat: Scriptum est enim a Legislatore; Principem populi tui ne maledixeris. Quod si quis fecerit, excommunicatione Ecclesiastica plectatur. Nam si maledici Regnum Dei non possidebunt; Quantò magis talis ab Ecclesia necessariò pellitur, qui divinae sententiae violator, atque i… Principem peccans, invenitur?

Si quis contra Regiam dignitatem dolose, callide et perniciose machinari comprobatus fuerit, nisi dignissime satisfecerit, anathematizetur.

Si quis potestati Regiae (quae non est nisi a Deo) contuinaci ac inflato Spiritu, contra anthoritatem et rationem pertinaciter contradicere praesumpserit, et ejus justis Imperi…s obtemperare noluerit, anathema sit.