The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods True Saints Part 1 and 2, Chapter 5

The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods True Saints Part 1 and 2 · Chapter 5

p. 62CHAP. V.

BEfore I proceed to the practice of the Primitive Christians, and their successors in all Empires, Kingdoms, in praying, interceding, supplicating and giving thanks to God for their Emperors, Kings, and their royal Progeny, whether Orthodox or Heterodox, after they became Christians, I thought fit to subjoyn the practice even of Pagan Idolatrous Subjects, in praying and sacrificing to their Idol Gods, for the long life, prosperity, happy reigns and succession of their Pagan Idolatrous Kings and Emperors, and their posterity over them, both at their solemn inaugurations, their ordinary Addresses to them, and upon other occasions, and that as well for vitious, tyrannical, oppressive Kings and Emperors, as those who were most just, gracious, good, bountifull and beneficial to the publick.

I have hinted before, p. 14. That the Israelites borrowed their acclamations to, and prayers for their first King Saul, at his inauguration to the Kingdom, from the Heathen Nations round about them, who used to cry, God save the King; O King live for ever, at their Coronations, and addresses to them; and likewise to offer sacrifices, and prayers to their Gods for them and their Sons, as is evident by Ezra 6. 9, 10. c. 7. 21, 22, 23. compared with Jer. 29. 7. Baruck 1. 10, 11, 12. which I formerly insisted on. To p. 63which I shall adde, Dan. 2. 4. Where King Nebuchadnezzar sending for all the Magicians, Astrologers, Sorcerers, and Caldeans, to interpret his dream; when they came and stood before the King, and heard his demand, they spake thus to the King in Syriack, O King live for ever: tell thy servants the dream, and we will shew the interpretation. Dan. 3. 8, 9. When King Nebuchadnezzar after this had erected a golden Image, and commanded all to fall down and worship it, under pain of being cast into the midst of a fiery furnace: Certain Caldeans came near and accused the Jews before the King, for not worshiping his Gods, and the Golden Image he had set up, which accusation they thus prefaced; They spake and said to the King Nebuchadnezzar: O King live for ever: Dan. 5. 10. When King Belshazzar was very much terrified with the hand-writing in the wall, in the midst of his impious feast, which none of his Astrologers, Magicians, South-sayers and wise men could read or interpret, the Queen thereupon came into the Banquethouse, and spake and said: O King live for ever, let not thy thoughts trouble thee, nor let not thy countenance be changed, &c. So Dan. 6. 6. when the Presidents of the Kingdoms, Princes, Governors, Counsellors and Captains of King Darius, conspired against Daniel, and urged him to make an impious royal Statute; that whosoever shall ask a Petition of any God or man, for thirty days, save only of thee, O King, he shall be cast into the den of Lions; these Presidents and Princes assembled together to the King, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. And v. 20, 21. When the King came to the Lions den, after Daniel was cast into it, to inquire of his safety: Then said Daniel unto the King: O King live for ever. From all which texts it is irrefragable, that it was the constant practice of the Persians, Babylonians, Assyrians and Caldeans, and of all their Princes, Governors, Officers, Astrologers, South-sayers Queens, Wisemen, Courtiers, Subjects, People in all their addresses & speeches to their Kings, to use this salutation to, and prayer for them, O King live for ever; and therefore much more to pray thus for them in their Temples, and to use this acclamation p. 64and the like, at all their Coronations and publick triumphs. Hence Theodoret in his Interpretation on Dan. 5. 10. on these words, Rex in saecula, or, in aeternum vive: thus comments: Haec autem er at praefatio, qua subjecti Kegibus e…s …unc salutabant, et ad hoc usque tempus hic mos invaluit: Quidam enim imperiti, Reges eos qui nunc sunt, ae…ernos vocare consueverunt; in syngraphis quoque commerciorum hoc quidam ascribunt, stultitiae magis quàm impietatis damnandi. And on Dan. 6 21. He addes, Usitatam praefationem (Daniel) suis ser monibus praeponit, videlieet, liceat tibi … diui…me vivere: Etenim in praesenti eti…m … Reges in commerciorum scriptu… is quidā appellare cons…everunt. Junius, C…lvin and others on Dan. 2 & 3. & 5. & 6. observe …hat, O King live for ever, was a common salutation, and p…ayer, used amongst the Cald…ans; for fu…ther proof whereof, I shall only adde one memorable president which Aelianus, Variae Hist. l. 3. c. 32. records, It being the cnstom of the Persians alwaies to present their Kings with gifts when they travelled abroad, a certain Persian named Sinaeta, meeting King Artaxerxes Mnemon far from his House, being much troubled in mind, that he had nothing to present him with, according to the law & custom of the Persians; he therupon ran to the river Cyru…, and taking up a little water in the palms of his hands, came and presented it to the King, saying, O King Artaxerxes live for ever, O Rex Artaxerxes regnes in ae…rnum, Nunc te prout poss…m, & quomodo possum, te munere dono, ut non indonatus, quantum ad me attinct, & quantum in me est, praetereas. Honoro autem te Cyri aquis, &c. Wherewith the King being greatly delighted, sent him an honorable and rich reward.

To passe from the Persians, Babylonians, and Chaldeans to the Romans.

It is evident by the Testimonies of sundry (aaTacitus, Aelius Lamprid. Flavius Vopiscus, Eutropius, Aelius spartianus, Josephus, Suetonius, Dion Cassius, Grimstons Imperial History, p 15. 41. T…tull. ad Scapnlam & Apolog Ar nobius ad…ersus Gentes, Cent. Magd. 1, 2, 3, 4 c 15. de Gentilisimo: La Cerda Annotationes in Tertulliani Apologiam.) Historians and Fathers, that the Idolatrous Pagan Romans did not only erect Altars, Temple…, and Statues to Julius Caesar, Augustus, Heliogabalus, and others of their Pagan Emperors (wheras Tyberius only prohibited the Senate to build p. 65any Temple for him) and likewise swear by their Names, Altars, Genius, & offer Oblations to them, as if they were Gods, which was most palpable flattery and idolatry: but also prayed and offered Vows and Sacrifices to their Gods for their welfare and prosperity; which was but loyalty and their bounden duty.

I shall present you with some few instances of special Vowes, Acclamations, and prayers for them, instead of many more which might be added.

The wanton Poet Ovid, banished into Pontus for his lascivious Love-Poems by Augustus Caesar, prayed thus for his long life and prosperity during his very exile under his Imperial indignation.

(bbDe ponto, l. 1. Elegia 6.) Dii faciant igitur (quorum justissimus ipse est)

Alma nihil majus Caesare terra ferat.

Utque biu su… eo, sic sit sub Caesare terra,See l. 2. Eleg. 1.

P…rque manus hujus tr…dit a gentis eat.

Suetonius Tranquil'us in the life of the Emperor Augustus Caesar, c. 57, 58, 59, 60. thus relates the extraordinary acclamations, g…lations, thanksgivings, prayers and snpplications of the People, Senate, and Provinces for Aug…stus the Emperor (under whose Government Christ was born.) Pro quibus … quantopere dilectus sit, facile est aestima…e. Omitto Senatus consulta, quae possunt videri vel necessitate expressa, vel verecundia. Equites Romani natalem ejus sponte atque consensu biduo semper celebraru…. Omnes ordines in lacum Curtii, quotannis ex voto pro …lute ejus, stirpem jaciebant: Item calendis Januariis Strenam in Capitolio, etiam absenti, ex qua summa, pretiocissima Deorum simulacra mercatus, Vicatim dedical… &c. Re…ertentem ex Provincia, non solum faustis … nibus, sed et modulatis carminibus prosequ…, Observatū etiam est, ne quoties introiret urbem, … cium de quoquam sumeretur. Patris pat… … universi repentino maximoque cons… … … p. 66Prima plebs, legatione Antium missa: Dein, quia non recipiebat, in…unti Romae spectacula frequens & laureata, mox in curia Senatus, neque decreto, neque acclamatione, sed per Ualerium M…ssalum, … mandantibus cunctis. Quod bonū, inquit, sanctum que sit tibi, Domui que tuae, Caesar Auguste (sic enim nos perpetuam felicitatem Reipub. et laeta huic precari existimamus) Senatus, te consentiente, cum populo Romano consalutat, Patriae patrem. Cui lacry mans respondit Augustus. Patres C. quid habeo aliud, Deos immortales precari, quam ut hunc consensum vestrum ad-ultimum vitae finem miht perferre liceat? Medico Antonio Musae, cujus opera ex ancipiti morbo convaluerat, statuam, aere collato, juxta signum Aesculapii, statuerunt. Nonnulli patrum familiarum, testamento caverunt, ut ab haeredibus suis, praelato victimae titulo, in Capitolium ducerentur, votum que pro se persolveretur, quod superstitem Augustum reliquissent. Quaedam Italiae civitates, diem, quo primum ad se venisset, initium anni fecerunt. Provinciarum pleraeque super Templa & Aras, ludos quoque quinquennales, paenè oppidatim constituerunt. Reges amici & socii, & singuli in suo quisque regno, Caesareas urbes condiderunt, & cuncti simul aedem Jovis Olympici, Athenis antiquitus inchoatam, perficere communi sumptu destinaverunt, GENIOQUE EJUS DEDICARE. Such was their Devotion, Loyalty and Affection towards him.

(ccAnnal. l. 4. c. 3. see Alexander ab Alexandro Gen. Dierum, l. 3. …. 22.) Cornelius Tacitus records, Anno ab urbe condita, 777. Pontifices, eorumque exemplo caeteri Sacerdotes, cnm pro incolnmitate Principis vota susciperent, Neronem quoque & Drusium Iisdem Diis commendavere, non tam caritate juvenum, quàm adulatione. Which Tyberius the Emperor took very ill, as equallizing these youngsters to himself who was aged, and checked the high Priests for it. Not long after, the (ddIbid e. 5.) furthest parts of Spain, sent Messengers to the Senate, to desire leave to build a Temple to Tyberius, as Asia had done. Whereupon he made a speech in the Senate, refusing this addresse and adoration, p. 67concluding his oration in these words, Proinde socios, cives, et De…s, et Deas ipsas precor hoc, ut mihi usque finem vitae, quietam et Intelligentem humani Divinique juris mentem duint; illos, ut quandocunque conc…ss…ro, cum laude & bonis recordationibus, facta atque famam nominis mei prosequantur. In lib. 4. Hist. c. 3. Tacitus brings in Marcellus, thus speaking in the Senate: se meminisse temporum quibus natus est, quam civitatis formam patres avi que constituerint, ulteriora mirari, praesentia sequi, vonos Imperatores voto expetere, qualescunque tolerare. And Annalium l. 16. c. 6. he records; that Thraseus Peto a Noble Senator, was accused, and afterwards adjudged to death by the Tyrant Nero; amongst other things objected against him by Capito; Principio anni vitare Thraseum jusjurandum solenne, nuncupationibus Uotorum non adesse (for the Emperors life, health and prosperity) quamvis Quindecim virali Sacerdotio praeditum: nunquam pro salute Principis, aut caelesti voce immolavisse. His daughter being produced and interrogated to give in evidence against him, answered, Nullos (inquit) Impios Deos, nullas Devotiones, nec aliud infelicibus precibus invocavi, quam ut hunc optimum Patrem tu Caesar, et vos patres servaretis incolumem: On which Passages, Lipsius in his Commentary, p. 298. & in Excursu. p. 540, 541. proves (out of Suetonius in Nerone, c. 46. & Augustus, c. 97. Plinies Epistles and Panegyric, Ennapius in vita Maximi, Dio. l. 59 Tertulliani Apologeticus, Caius Jurisconsultus, de verborum signif. & Paulus Jurisconsultus cited by Lipsius in his Commentaries, in C. Plinii Panegyricum Trajano dictum p. 133.) that it was a received custom amongst the Pagan Romans, quod post Kalendas Januarias, die tertio, pro salute Principis Uota suscipiuntur; as also, pro Imperii et populi.

**suetonii Tranquilli Caliguli c. 14. Pedro Mexia & Grimston … his life.Caius Caligula, being elected Emperor, and entring Rome, was received, Tanta publica laetitia, ut tribus proximis mensibus, ac ne totis quidem, supra sexaginta millia victimarum caesa tradantur, to the Gods for his happiness and prosperity, Cum deinde paucos post dies in proximas p. 68Campaniae Insulas trajecisset, Uota pro reditu suscepta sunt: ne minimam quidem occasionem quoquam omittente in testificanda solicitudine et cura de incolumitate ejus: ut vero in adversam valetudinem incidit, pernoctantibus cunctis circa Palatium, non defuernnt qui depugnaturos se armis pro salute a gri, quique capita sua titulo proposito voverunt.

When this Emperor Claudius was poisoned and very sick; Vocabatur interim Senatus, Uotaque pro incolumitate Principis, Consules et Sacerdotes nuncupabant, as**Annalium l. 13. Sect. 14. Cornelius Tacitus relates.

The Emperor Claudius Nero, succeeded Caligula in the Empire, whose (aaGrimstons Imperial History, p. 62.) beginnings were so just, wise, mild, as all men said, that a God was sent from heaven to govern Rome: but degenerating at la…t into a Monster of Vice and Tyranny, among others, he banished his incomparable Tutor Seneca, and used him very ungratefully, who notwithstanding in his Book, De Consolatione ad Polybium, cap. 28. 31, 32 makes this honorable mention of, and prayer for him and his progeny. Superstitem Caesarem omnemque ejus prolem, superstitem te cum omnibus habes fratribus. Non desinam totiens tibi …ffere Caesarem. Illo m… derante terras, & ostendente, quanto melius beneficiis imperium custodiatur, quam armis, illo rebus humanis praesidente, non est periculum, ne quid perdidisse te sentias, in hoc uno tibi satis praesidii, satis solatii est. Attolle te, & quotiens lachrymae suboriuntur ceulis tuis, totiens illos ad Caesarem dirige: Siccabuntur maximi et clarissimi conspectu numinis. Fulgur ejus illos, ut nihil aliud possint aspicere, praestringet, in se haerentes detinebit. Hic tibi, quem tu diebus intueris et nectibus, a quo nunquam sic…is animum, cogitandus est, hic contra fortunam advocandus: nec dubito, cum tanta illi adversus omnes suos sit mansuetudo, tantaque indulgentia, quin multis jam solaciis tuum illud …ulnus obduxerit, nonnulla quae doliri obstarent tuo ingesserit. Quid parco? ut nihil horum fecerit, nonne parcius ipse conspectus, per se tantummodo … CAeSAR maximo solatio tibi est? Dii illum, Deaeque omnes terris diu commodent, Acta hic D. Augusti, et annos vincat, ac, quamdiu mortalis p. 69est, nihil ex domo sua mortale esse sentiat. Rectorem R…mano Imperio filium longa …ide approbet, et ante illum Consortem Patris, quam Successorem accipiat. Sera, et … demum nostris dies nota sit, qua illum Gens sua … …. Abstine ab h…e manus …ua fortuna, nec in illo … tuam, nisi ex parte qua prodes, ostenderis: Patere illum generi humano … aegro et affecto …ederi: Patere quicquid prioris Principis furor concussit in locum suum restituere, et reponere. Sidus hoc, quod praecipitato in profundum et demerso in …enebras orbi refulsit, semper …uceat. Hic Germaniam pacet, Britanni…m apereat, et Patris triump …os ducat, et notos, quorum me quoque spectatorem futurum, quae primum obtinet locum, ex virtutibus ejus promittit Clementia. Nec enim sic me dejecit ut nollet erigere: imo ne dejecit quid…m, sed impulsum a fortuna, et cadentem sustinuit, et in Praeceps euntem leviter divinae manus usus moderatione deposuit. Deprecatus est pro me Senatum, & votum mihi non tantum dedit, sed etiam petiit. Viderit qual…m volet aestimari caussam meam, vel justitia ejus bonam perspiciet, vel clementia facieti utrumque in aequo mihi ejus beneficium erit, sive innocentem me scierit esse, sive voluerit; Interim m…gnum miseriarum mearum solatium est, videre **See his Book De Clementia, … … c. 1. l. 2. e. 1, 2.misericordiam ejus totum orbem pervagantem; quae cum ex ipso angulo in quo ego defossus sum, complures jam multorum annorum ruina obrutos effoderit, et in luc…m reduxerit, non vereor ne me unum transeat. Ipse autem optime novit tempus quo cuique debeat succurrere; ego omnem operam dabo, ne pervenire ad me erubescat O felicem … tuam Caesar! quae efficit ut quietiorem sub te agant vitam exsules, quam nuper sub Caio …gere Principes. Non trepidant, nec per singulas horas gladium exspectant, nec ad omnem navium conspectum pavent. Per te habent ut fortunae saevientis mod…m, it a spem quoque … ejusdem, ac praesentis quietem. Scias licet ea demum fulmina esse justissima, **Quae…qui etiam percussi colunt.

In this passage which I have at large transcribed, we have a most excellent Prayer of Seneca, even while he p. 70was in exile under Nero to all the Gods and Goddesses, for his long life, happiness, prosperity, and his families too: the hereditary succession of his Son after him, the happinesse of his Government, the peace and inlargement of his Empire, and triumph over his enemies: together with a large Encomium of his clemency and his Princely virtues towards others, and a benign interpretation of his severity towards himself: so as we might hereby conjecture, what some write of him to be a truth; that he had read Pauls Epistles, (especially the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2 3. Tit. 3. 1. Rom. 13. he putting them here in practise) and that there passed Epistles between Paul and him. There are some other passages in his works, wherein he makes short**Vincat mortalia tempora vitae. Ludus de morte Claudii Caesaris. ejaculatory Prayers for Nero, which I shall pretermit, this being the most observable and pathetical. Only I shall insert one memorable Discourse of his, d…claring the grounds and reasons why Subjects ought not only to pray for their Kings, but to honour, love, yea hazard all their lives for their safety and defence upon all occasions, to set home the natural Equity and Justice of this duty of constant, fervent, publick and private Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions and Thanksgivings unto God for them.De Clementia, lib. 1. (dedicated to the Emp. Nero) c. 3, 4.**See …. Lipsii Dissertatiu… cula. thereon. Illius demum Principis magnitudo stabilis fundataque est, quem omnes tam supra se esse, quàm pro se sciunt: cujus curam excubare pro salute singulorum atque universorum cottidie experiuntur; quo procedentenon tanquam malum aliquod aut noxium animal è cubili prosilierit, diffugiunt; sed tanquam ad clarum ac beneficum sidus certatim advolant, objicere se pro illo mucronibus insidiantium paratissimi, et substernere corpora sua, si per stragem illi humanam iter ad salutem sternendum sit. Somnum ejus nocturnis excubiis muniunt, latera objecti circumfusique defendunt, incurrentibus periculis se opponunt: Neque hic est sine ratione populis urbibusque consensus sic protegendi amandique Reges et se suaque jactandi quocunque desideraverit imperantis salus. p. 71Nec haec vilitas sui est, aut dementia, pro uno capite tot millia excipere serrum, ac multis mortibus unam animam redimere, … senis et invalidi. Quemadmodum totum corpus animo deservit, & cum hoc tanto majus, tantoque speciosus fit, ille in occulto …aneat tenuis, & in qua sede latitet incertus; tamen manus, pedes, oculi negotium illi gerunt: illum haec cutis munit, illius jussu jacemus, aut inquieti discur…imus; cum ille imperavit, sive avarus Dominus est, mare lucri caussa scrutamur; sive ambitiosus, jamdud…m dexteram fiammis objecimus, aut voluntarie subsiluimus; Sic haec immensa multitudo, unius anima circumdata, illius spiritu regitur, illius ratione …, pressura se ac …ractura viribus suis, nisi consilio sustineretur. Suam itaque incolumitatem amant, cum pro uno homine denas legiones in aciem ducunt, cum in prima fronte procurrunt, et adversa vulneribus pectora feriunt, ne Imperatoris sui signa vertantur Ille est enim vinculum per quod Respublica coh…ret; Ille spiritus vitalis quem haec tot millia trahunt; nihil ipsa per se futura, nisi onus et praeda, si mens illa Imperii subtrahatur. —Rege incolumi mens omnibus una, Amisso rupere fidem.**Virgil-Geor. lib. 2.

Hic casus Romani populi exitium erit, hic tanti fortunam populi in ruinas aget. Tamdiu ab isto periculo aberit hic populus, quamdi… sciet ferre fraenos: quos si quando abruperit, vel aliquo casu discussos, reponiNo…a. sibi passus non erit, haec unitas, et haec maximi Imperii contextus in partes multas dissiliet; Idemque huic Urbi dominandi finis erit, qui parendi fuerit. Ideo Principes, Regesque, et quocunque alio nomine sunt Tutores status publici, non est mirum amari ultra privatas … necessitudines: Nam si sanis hominibns publica privatis potiora sunt; sequitur, ut is quoque carior sit in quem se Respublica convertit. p. 72Ollm enim ita se induit Reipublicae Caesar, ut didu…i a…terum non possit, sine utriusque pernic…e: nam ut illi viribus opus est, ita et huic capiti. All which we have found true by sad experience. He addes, c. 19. Quid pulchri…s est (…egi) quam vivere optantibus cunctis, et vota non sub custode nuncupantibus? Si paulo valetudo titubavit, non spem hominum excitari, sed metum. Nihil est cuiquam tam pretiosum, quod non pro salute Praesidis sui commutatum velit? Omne quod illi continget, fibi quoque evenire deputet? And should not Christians, Protestants, and our three distressed, distracted Protestant Kingdoms, Nations, Churches, upon these very grounds & reasons, shew as much cordial affection, loyalty, duty to their undoubted Christian Protestant Kings and Princes, as these Pagans did to their Heathen Kings and Emperors? yea shall they not rise up in judgement against them before all Tribunals of God and men, if they do it not? Con…ider well of it, and declare your judgements herein.

When the Emperor Titus was sick.gg… …, c. 8. 11. Medendae valetudini leniendisque morbis, NULLAM DIVINAM humanamque opem non adhibuit, INQUISITO OMNE SACRIFICIORUM remediorumque GENERE; the priests & people praying and sacrificing for his health. When his death was known: non secus atque in domestico luctu MAeRENTIBUS PUBLICE CUNCTIS, Senatus prius quam edicto convocatus, ad Curiam cucurrit; obseratisque adhuc foribus, deinde apertis, Tantas mortuo gratias egit laudesque, quantas congessit ne vivo quidem unquam atque praesenti.

The Heathen Epigramatist and Poet Martial, flourishing under the Pagan Emperors, Domitian and Trajan, (to whom he inscribes many of his Epigrams) hath these prayers for them. l. 4. Epig. 1. De Natali Domitiani.

Caesaris alma dies, et luce sacratior illa,

Conscia Dictaeum, qua tulit Ida Jovem.

Longa precor, Pyleoque veni numerosior aevo,

p. 73Semper et hoc vultu, vel meliore nite.

Hic colat Albano Tritonida cultus in auro,

Perque manus tantas plurima quercus eat,

Hic colat ingenti Redeuntia secula lustro,

Et quae Romuleus sac…a Terentus habet.

Magna quidem Superi petimus sed debita terris,

Pro tanto quae sunt improba vota Deo?

Epig. l. 7. Epig. 51. ad Jovem.

Nil pro me mihi Juppiter petenti,

Ne succensueris, velut superbus.

…e pro Caesare debeo rogare,

Pro me debeo Caesarem rogare.

He begins his dedication of his 8. Book, to Domitia… thus. Imperatori Domitiano Caesa…i, Augusto, Germanico, Dacico, Valerius Martialis, salutem. And Epig. l. 10. Epig. 32. ad Trajanum. he prayes thus for him,

Di tibi dent quicquid, Princeps …rajane mereris,

Et rata perpetuo quae tribuêre, velint.

Qui…sua restituis spoliato jura patrono, &c.

Epig. l. 11. Epig. 4. Precatur Deos pro Nerva Trajano, in this form.

Sacra, Laresque Phrygum, quos Trojae maluit …aeres

Q…am rapere arsur as Laomedontis opes;

Scriptus & aeterno nunc primùm Juppiter auro,

Et soror & summi filia tot… patris.

Et qui purpureis jam tertia nomina f astis

Jane refers, Nervae, vos precor ore pio;

Nunc omnes servate Ducem, servate Senatum,

Moribus hic vivat Principis, ille suis.

And Epig. l. 12. Epig. 6. in commendationem Nervae.

Recta fides, hilaris Clementia, cauta potestas,

Jam redeunt; longiterga dedère metus.

Hoc populi gentesque tuaepia Roma precantur,

Dux tibi sit semper talis, et iste diu, &c.

C. Plini…s secundus, in his Epistles and Panegyrick to the Emperor Trajan, hath many excellent Prayers, Vows, Supplications, Gratulations, and thanksgivings to the p. 74Gods for his long life, health, prosperity, Government, Empire, in his own, the Senates, Souldiers, and Provinces names, which are very pertinent and observable. Epistolarum l. 10. Epist. 1. C. Plinius, Trajano Imperatori Salutem (the usual inscription of all his Epistles to him) he prayes thus for him. Prec…r …rgo ut tibi et per te generi humano prospera omnia, id est digna seculo tuo, contingant: Fortem te et hilar…m Imperator optime, et privatim et publice opto. Lib. 10. Epist: 44. C. Plin. Tra. Imp. Salutem, Solemnia vota pro Incolumi…ate tua, qua publica salus continetur, et suscipimus. Domine, pariter et solvimus; precati Deos, ut velint ea semper solvi, semperque signari. To which Trajan returned this Answer, Epist. 45. Et soluisse vos cum provincialibus Diis Immortalibus vota, pro mea salute et incolumitate nuncupasse, liventer, mi Secunde charissime, cognovi ex literis tuis, Epist. 60. he thus mentions the publick joy & prayers made for him, and the Oath of Allegiance sworn to him, both by the Souldiers, and people on the day of his inauguration. Diem, Domine, quo servasti Imperium, dum suscipis, quanta mereris lae…itia celebravimus, precati Deos, ut te generi humano, cujus tutela & securitas saluti tuae invisa est, incolumem florentemque praestarent. **Praebu…us.Praeiimus & commilitonibus jusjurandum more solenni praesrantibus, et provincialibus, qui eadem certarunt pietate, juvantibus. To which the Emperor returns this answer. Epist. 61. Quanta Religione ac laetitia commilitones cum provincialibus to praeennte, diem Imperii mei celebraverint libenter mi Secunde charissime, cognovi literis tuis. Epist. 89. Opto Domine et hunc natalem, et plurimes alios quam felicissimos agas, aeternaque laude florentem virtutis tuae gloriam, et Incolumis et fortis aliis super a…ta operibus Augeas. To which Trajan returned th…s answer to Pliny Epist. 90. Agnosco vota tua mi Secunde charissime, quibus precaris, ut plurimos et felicissimos natales, florente statu Reip. nostrae, agam. Epist. 101. C. Plin. Tr. Imp. S. Uota, Domine, priorum annorum nuncupata, alacres, laetique persolvimus, novaque rursus, …urante commilitonum et provincialium p. 75pietate suscepimus, precati Deos, ut te remque …ublicam florentem et Incolumem ea benignitate servarent, quam super magnas plurimasque virtutes praecipua sanctitate consequi Deorum Honore meruisti. Which Trajan thus answers, Epist. 102. Solvisse vota Di…s Immortalibus, te praeeunte, pro mea Incolumitate, et commilitones cum provincialibus laetissimo consensu, in futu…mque nuncupasse, libenter, mi Secunde charissime, cognovi literis tuis.

In his **A…rpiae, Cum … Li…si perpe… Co…entario, … 1600, p. 1…, 21, 25, 49, 52, 59.Panegyricus Trajano dictus, by the Senates command, he begins thus. Benè ac sapienter Patres Conscripti, majores instituerunt, ut rerum agendarum, ita dicendi initium, … precationibus capere: qnod nihil ritè, nihilque providenter homines, sine Deorum immortalium ope, consilio, honore, auspicarentur. Qui mos, cui potius, quam Consuli? aut quando magis usurpandus, colendusque est, quàm cum imperio Senatus, auctoritate Reip: ad agendas optimo Principi gratias excitamur? Quod enim praestabilius est, aut pulchrius munus Deorum, quam castus, et sanctus, et Diis simillimus Princeps? Ac si adhuc dubium fuisset, fortè, casuque Rectores terris, an aliquo Numine darentur, Principem tamen nostrum liqueret divinitus constitutum. Non enim occulta potestate fatorum, sed ab ipso Iove coram ac palam repertus, electus est, quippe inter aras et alta…ia, eodemque loci, quem Deus ille tàm manifestus ac praesens, quàm coelum et sydera insedit. Quo magis aptum piumque est, te Iuppiter Optime maxime, anteà conditorem, nunc conservatorem Imperii nostri, precari, ut mihi digna Con…ule, digna Senatu, digna Principe contingat Oratio: utque omnibus, quae dicentur a me, libertas, fides, veritas, constet. Talem, non bella civilia, …ec armis oppressa R. P. sed pax, et adoptio, et tandem exorata terris Numina, dedissent. Confugit in sinum, …um concussa Respub: ruensque Imperium super Imperatorem, Imperatoris tibi voce delatum est, &c. Nec judicium hominum, sed Deorum etiam in confilium assumpsit, Itaque non tua in cubiculo, sed In Templo, p. 76nec ante genialem torum, sed ante pulvina… Iovis Opt. Max. adoptio peracta est: quâ tandem non servitus nostra, sed libertas, et salus, et …securitas fundabatur. Sibi enim Dii gloriam illam vindica verunt: Horum opus, horum illud Imperium; Nerva tantum Minister fuit, &c. Ergo non aetas quemquam, non valetudo, non sexus retardavit, quò minus oculos insolito spectaculo impleret. Te parvuli noscere, ostentare juvenes, mirari senes; aegri quoque neglecti medentium imperio, ad conspectum tui, quasi ad salutem sanitatem que prorepere. Inde alii se satis vixisse te viso, te recepto; alii nunc magis esse vivendum, praedicabant. Feminas etiam tunc foecunditatis suae maxima voluptas subiit, cum cernerent cui Principi cives, cui Imperatori milites peperissent. Videres referta tecta, ac laborantia, ac ne eum quidem vacantem locum, qui non nisi suspensum et instabile vestigium caperet; oppletas undique vias angustamque tramitem relictum tibi; alacrem hinc atque inde populum: Ubique par Gaudium, paremque clamorem: Tam aequalis ab omnibus ex adventu tuo laetitia accepta est, quam omnibus venisti: quae tamen ipsa cum ingressu tuo crevit, a… propè in singu…os gradus adaucta est. Gratum erat cunctis, quod Senatum osculo exciperes, ut dimissus osculo fueras, &c. Quae cirumstantium gaudia? quam recens clamor? quam similis illi dies, qui hanc genuit diem? Ut plena Altaribus, augusta victimis cuncta? ut in unius salutem collata omnium vota? cum sibi se et liberis suis intelligerent precari, quae pro te precarentur, &c. Dent tibi Caesar aetatem Dii, quam mereris, serventque animum quem dederunt. Quae ubique feruntur, quaeque expetuntur, omnes gentes invicem capiant & discant, quantò libertate discordi servientibus sit utilius, unum esse, cui serviant. Quippe discretis quidem bonis omnium, sua cujusque ad singulos mala: sociatis autem atque permixtis, singulorum mala ad neminem, ad omnes omnia bona pertinent, &c. Simili reverentia Caesar, non apud Genium tuum bonitati tuae, gratias agere, sed apud numen Iovi Opt. Max. pateris: illi debere Nos qufcquid debeamus, illius quod be…e p. 77facias muneris esse, quite dedit. **Ibidem, p. 131, 132.&c: Nuncupare Vota, et pro ae…ernitate Imperii, et pro salute Civium, imò pro salute Principum, a… propter illos pro aeternitate Amperii solebamus. Haec pro Imperio nostro, in quae sint verba suscepta, operae pretium est, adnotare: Si benè Remp. et ex utilitate omnium rexeris. Digna vota quae semper suscipiantur, semperque solvantur. Egit cum Diis, ipse te auctore Caesar Resp: ut te sospitem, Incolumemque praestarent, si tu caeteros praestitisses: si contra, illi quoque a custodia tui corporis oculos dimoverent, teque relinquerent votis, quae non palam susciperentur. Alii se superstites Reip: optabant, faciebantque: tibi salus tua invisa est, si non sit cum Reip: salute conjuncta. Nihil pro te pateris optari nisi expediat optantibus; omnibusque annis in consilium de te Deos mittis, exigisque ut sententiam suam mutent, si talis esse desieris, qualis electus es. Sed ingenti conscientia Caesar, pacisceris cum Diis, ut te si mereberis servent, cum scias an merearis, neminem magis, quàm Deos scire, &c. Capis ergo Caesar salutis tuae gloriosissimum fructum ex consensu Deorum: nam cum ex…ipias, ut ita demum te Dii servent si bene Remp: et ex utilitate omnium rexeris, certus es te bene remp: gerere dum servent, &c. Scis tibi ubique Iurari, cum ipse …uraveris omnibus. Nemo hoc sibi non praestat: amamus quidem te, in quantum mereris; ist…d tamen non tui facimus amore, sed nostri: nec unquam illucescat D…es, quo pro te nuncupet vota, non utilitas nostra, sed fides, Caesar. **page 14….Super h…c precati sumus, ut sic te amarent Dii, quemadmodum tu nos: quis hoc aut de se, aut Principi diceret mediocriter amanti? Pro nobis ipsis quidem haec fuit summa votorum, ut nos sic amarent Dii, quomodo t…si. Estne verum quod inter ista clamavimus, O NOS FELICES! Quid enim felicius nobis, quibus non jam illud optandum est, ut nos diligat Princeps, sed Dii quemadmodum Princeps? Civitas religionibus dedita, semperque Deorum indulgentiam**page 167, 168. pie merita, nihil felicitati suae putat astrui posse, ni…i ut Dii Caesarem imitentur. After which passages, he clozeth p. 78his Panegyrick, with this prayer: In fine Orationi Praefides, custodesque I…perii Deos, ego Consul pro re bus humanis, ac te praecipue Capitoline Jupiter precor, ut beneficiis tuis faveas, tantisque muneribus add…s perpetuitatem. Audisti quae malo Principi praecabamur, Exa…di quae pro dissimilissimo optamus. Non te distringimus Votis, non enim pacem, non concordiam, non securitatem, non opes oramus, non bonores: simplex, cunctaque i…a complexum unum omnium votum est, salus Principis. Nec enim nova tibi injungimus, tu enim jam tunc illum in tutelam recipisti, cum praedonis avidissimi faucibus eripuisti: neque enim sineauxilio tuo, cum altissima quaeque quaterentur, hic, qui omnibus excelsior, inconcussus stetit: praeterritus est a pessimo Principe, qui praet…riri ab optimo non potuit. Tu elara judicii tui signa misisti cum proficiscenti ad exercitum tuo nomine, tuo honore cessisti. Tu voce Imperatoris quid sentir … locutus, filium illi, nobis Parentem, tibi Pontificem maximum elegisti. Qu… majore fiducia, Iisdem illis votis quae ipse pro se nunxupari jubet, oro et obtestor, si bene Remp. si ex utilitate omnium Regis, primum ut illum nepotibus nostris ac pronepotibus serves; deinde ut quandoque et tribuas quem genuerit, quem formaverit, slmilemque fecerit adoptato; aut si hoc Fato negatur, in consilio sis eligenti, monstresque aliquem adoptari in Capitolio deceat.

hhRerum Romanorum, l. 10. p. 116. Imperial Hist. J. Lipsii Commentarius in Panegy…. Trajano dict.Eutropius, Pedro Mexia, Grimston in the life of Trajan, and others record, that after Trajans death, it was a usual Custom in Rome, conti…ing til Eutropius his time, & after, that when they powred out their Blessings upon their new elected Emperors, they would pray, that they might be as fortunate as Augustus, and as good as Trajan, accounting the one to have attained the heighth o… Happiness, and the other of all Goodness.

iiAntonius Pins, p. 10.Julius Capitolinus records, that whiles Antonius Pius governed Italy, and ascended the Tribunal, the people used this amongst other Acclamations, Auguste, Dii te servent, Augustus, the Gods preserve thee. (kkIn the life of Avidius Cassius, p. 126.) Uulcanus Gallicanus relates, that when the Letter of Marcus Antoninus, p. 79Pius, the Emperor to the Senate of Rome, was read in the Senate-House; the Senate prosecuted his clemency therin expressed, with these Acclamations and Prayers, Antonine Pie, Dii te servent. Antonine clemens, Dii te servent, Antonine Clemens, Dii te servent. Vincis inimicos, hostes …xuper as, Dii te tuentur.

When (llHerodi …. Pedro Mexia, Grimston, and others in his life.) Commodus, after his Election to be Emperor was comming towards Rome, he was received with incredible joy and solemnity in all Cities through which he passed, for the great love to his Father M. Aurelius Antoninus, and the hopes they conceived of him, that he would prove a good Prince. In Rome it self he was received with exceeding great joy, triumph, and Blessings generally of all men, who strowed the way he went with flowers, making all the Demonstratioas of Joy that was possible, though he proved most cruel and vicious afterwards.

(mmAnto…inu; Diadumenus, p. 280, 281.) Aelius Lampridius stories, tha… Macrinus the Emperor, understanding how acceptable the name of Antoninus was to the Souldiers and people, presented his Son Diadumenus to the Captains and Souldiers by the name of Antoninus. Whereupon they made these Acclamations, Macrine Imperator, Dii te servent. Antonine Diadumene, Dii te servent. Antoninum divum omnes rogamus. Jupiter optime maxime Macrino et Antonino vitam. Tu scis Jupiter Macrinus vinci non potest. All prayers for them.

(nnAlexander Severus, p. 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338.) Aelius Lamprid. informs us, when Alexander Severus was elected and enstalled Emperor by the whole Senate of Rome in the House and Temple of Concord, after his com…g thither, acclamatum est, Auguste innocens, Dii te servent. Alexander Imperator, Dii te servent, Dii te nobis dederunt, Dii conservent, Dii te ex manibus impuri eripuerunt. Impurum tyrannum (Heliogabalum) et tu perpessus es: Impurum et Obscoenum et tu vivere doluisti. Dii illum irradicaverunt, Dii te servent. Infamis Imperator ritè damnatus. Felices nos Imperio tuo; felicem Rempublicam. Infamis unco, tractus est ad exemplum timoris: luxuriosus Imperator jure punitus est. Contaminator honorum jure punitus est. DII IMMORTALES ALEXANDRO p. 80VIT AM. Judicia Deorum hinc apparent. Et cum egisset gratias Alexander, acclamatum est, Antonine Alexander, DII TE SER VENT. Antonine Aureli DII TE SERVENT. Antonine Pie, DII TE SERVENT. Antonini nomen suscipias rogamus, &c. In te salus, in te vita, ut vivere delectet. Antoninorum Alexandro vitam ut vivere delectet, et Antoninus vocetur. Antoninorum templa Antoninus dedicet. Parthos et Persas Antoninus vin…at, Sacrum nomen sacratus accipiat. Antonini nemen, Antonin…rum nomen DII CONSERVENT. In te omnia, per te omnia, Antonine …bemus. Et post acclamationes, Aurelius Caesar A…gustus, made this speech to them, Grati a… vobis, Patres Conscripti, non nunc primum, sed et de Caesareo nomine, & de vita servata & Augusti nomine addito, & de Pontificatu maximo, & de Tribunitia potestate & Proconsulari Imperio, quae omnia novo exemplo uno die in me contulistis. Et cum dicere… acclamatum. Haec suscepisti, Antoninum nomen tu sus…ipe: Mereatur Senatus, mereantur Antonini, An…onine Auguste Dii te servent, Dii te Antoninum conservent. Monetae nomen Antonini reddatur. Templa Antoninorum, Antoninus conservet. Which name of Antoninus he by two modest Speeches refusing to accept: Twice acclamatum est ut supra. Upon his 3d. Speech to put it off, acclamatum est, Dii mala prohibeant: haec te imperante non timemus: de his te duce securi sumus, &c. Upon his 4th. Speech, acclamatum est ut supra. Upon his 6th. Speech to excuse the accepting of this name, ac…amatum est, Alexander Auguste, Dii te servent. Vere…undiae t…ae, prudentiae tuae, castitati tuae, hinc intelligimus qualis futurus sis, hinc probamus, &c. Alexander Auguste, Dii te servent. Templa Antoninorum Alexander Augustus dedicet. Caesar noster, Augustus noster, Imperator noster, Dii te servent, vincas, valeas, multis annis Imperes. After his 8th. Speech to them, acclamatum est, magne Alexandre, Dii te servent. And when by a 9th. Speech he refused this Title of Magni Alexandri, acclamatum est, Aureli Alexander Auguste, Dii te servent. As you may read more at large in Lampridius. Which done, the Senate p. 81being dismissed, he returned to his House in triumph.**Grimstons Imperial History, p. 161. & pedro, Mexia. Unspeakable was the Joy, and infinite were the Prayers and Blessings, that by the Senate and People were powred out upon him that day.

This Emperor (mmAelius Lamprid…us, Alex, Sev. p. 388.) Severus having conquered the Persians, and made a brave triumph, and speech to the Senate in Rome, concerning this Conquest, on the 8. of Octob. he concluded his Oration with these words. Vestrum est supplicationem decernere, ne Diis videamur ingrati: Whereupon it follows, Acclamatio Senatus: Alexander Auguste, Dii te servent. Persice maxime, Dii te servent. Verè Parthicus, verè Persicus. Trophaea tua & nos videmus, victorias & nos videmus. Juveni Imperatori, Patri Patriae, Pontifici maximo: per te victoriam per Germaniam speramus; per te victoriam undique praesumimus: ille vincit, qui milites regit: dives Senatus, dives miles, dives populus Romanus, &c.

**Lib. 3. See La Cerda Annot: in Tertull. Apolog.Corippus thus relates and Poetically describes the acclamations and the prayers of Pagan Romans, at the inaugurations of their Emperors.

Augusti vitam laetis clamoribus optant;

Post senium dicunt sese juvenescere: mundus

Gaudet, & antiquae repetit primordia formae.

The Pagan Idolatrous Romans accused and prosecuted the Primitive Christians as Traytors and Enemies to these Pagan Emperors, not only because they did not swear by their Genius, nor adore, nor honour them as Gods, as they did out of flattery; but likewise because they refused to offer Sacrifices, and prayers for them to their Idol-Gods, as they used to do: as Justin Martyr, Athenagoras, Tertullian, in their Apologies for the Christians, Origen in his 8. book against Celsus, St. Cyprian and Arnobius record in their forecited passages, wherein they answered and refuted this calumny as false. (ff… … … …) Tertullian, in answering it, informs us, that when the Roman Emperors besto… any Gift of mony or corn, amongst the common peop… p. 82in congiario dividundo, etiam illa h…ra qua acolamant, De annis nostris augeat tibi Iupiter annos, notwithstanding these expressions of Loyalty to and Prayers for the Emperor, they did yet secretly in their hearts wish for a new Emperor. Jam si pectoribus, ad translucendum quandam specularem materiam natura obduxisset, cujus non praecordia insculpta apparerent novi ac novi Caesaris scena in congiario dividundo praesentis? And not only the vulgar, but planè caeteri ordines pro autoritate RELIGIOSI, ex fide nihil hosticum de ipso Senatu, de equite, de castris, de palatiis ipsis spirant. This he proves by the **See Ae…ii, Spartiani, Severus, piscenias Niger, & Claudius Al binus, Vulcatii Gallicani Avi dius Cassius, & La Cerda in Tertul. Apo log.Cassii, Nigri et Albini, (and other Conspirators against the Emperor Severus, who notwithstanding this, conspired against and murdered the Emperor,) omnes illi sub i…sa usque impietatis eruptione, et sacra faciebant pro salute Imperatoris, et genium ejus dejerabant, aliiforis, alii intus. So that they usually prayed and sacrificed for their Pagan Emperors, though they were treacherous and perfidious to them, which no Christians under them ever were.

The Emperor nnJulii Capitolini Maximini duo, p. 412, 413. 423, 424.Maximinus and his Son, being declared Enemies by the Senate, and after that slain by Gordianus and his Brother, who were thereupon declared Emperors by the Senate: Upon the receiving and reading his Letters to the Senate, referring himself wholy to their determination. Lectis literis, statim Sen…us acclamavit, Gordiane Auguste, Dit te servent. Felix imperes, tu nos liberasti, Sal…us imperes, tu nos liberasti. Per te salv… Respublica, omnes tibi gratias agimus. After some questions propounded, concerning Maximinus and his friends, Ita a…clamatum est, Inimicus Senatus in crucem tollatur. Hostis Senatus ubicunque feriatur. Inimici Senatus vivi exur antur. Gordiani Augusti, Dii vos servent. Ambo feliciter agatis, ambo felicit…r imperetis, &c. After this there being a Decree of the Senate passed. Recitatis in Senatu, per Balbinum Augustum literis, acclamavit Senatus. Hostes populi Romani Dii persequuntur. Iupiter optime tibi gratias. Apollo venerabilis tibi gratias. Maxime Auguste tibi gratias. Balbine Auguste tibi gratias. Tibi gratias p. 83Gordiane Auguste. Divis Gordianis templa decernimus, &c. Sanctis…mi Imperatores gratias vobis agimus. Maxime, Balbine, Gordiane, Dii vos servent. Victores hostium omnes desider amus: praese…tiam Maximi omnes desideramus. Balbine Auguste, Dii te servent, &c.

When ooJulii Capitolini Gordiani duo p. 439, 440.Maruricius an Af…ican, had made an Oration to the people at Tysdrum, giving thanks to the Gods, for giving them a necessary occasion to proceed against the Tyranny of Maximinus by proclaiming the Gordians Emperors: Thereupon the people made this acclamation. Aequum est, justum est. Gordiane Auguste, Dii te servent. Feliciter Imperator es. Cum filio imperes. After which the Consul informing the Senate, that both the Gordians were nominated Emperors in the great Counsel of the Africans, and thanking the Gods, and them for delivering them from the monster Maximinus. Post haec liter as legit Gordianorum, ad Senatum, & ad se miss…s. Tunc clamavit Senatus, Dii vobis gratias. Liberati ad hostibus sumus, si penitus liberemur. Maximinum cum filio Diis inferis devovemus. Gordianos Augustos appellamus, G…dianos, Principes agnoscimus. Imperatores de Senatu Dii conservent. Imperatores nobiles victores Videamus. Imperatores nostros Roma videat. Hostes publicos qui occiderit, praemium …erebitur.

ppJulii Capitolini Gordianus tertius p. 459, 460.Misitheus, in his Letter to the Emperor Gordianus tertius, his son in Law, hath this passage Diis ig…tur gratias, quod …olente teipso emendata Respublica est, &c, To which he answered. Nisi Dii omnipotentes Romanum tuerentur imperium, etiam nunc per emptos spadones velut in hasta positi venderemur.

When qqJulii Capitoli…i Maximus & Balbinus p. 473, 474, 475.Vectius Sabinus, had in his Oration to the Senate, declared the necessity of their Electing and making Maximus and Balbinus Emperors. Post haec acclamatum est uno consensu, Aequum est, justum est, sententiae Sabini omnes consentimus. Maxime & Balbine Augusti, Dii vos servent, Dii vos Principes fecerunt, Dii vos conservent. Vos Senatum a latronibus vindicate, vobis bel…um contra latro…s mandamus. Hostis publicus Maximinus cum filio pereat: p. 84hostem publicum vos persequimini. Felices vos judicio Senatus: felicem Rempublicam vestro imperio. Quod vobis Senatus detulit, fortiter agite: quod vobis Senatus detulit, libenter aocipite. His atque aliis acclamationibus Imperatores facti sunt Maximus & Balbinus. (rrIbid. P. 490, 491, 492.) Claudius Julianus, concludes his Letter to the Emperor Maximus (whom he stiles Pupienus) and Balbinus, with this prayer, Dii pr… stent, praestabuntque, hanc orbi Romano faelicitatem Nam cum ad vos respicio, aliud nihil optare possum quàm quod apud Deos dicitur victor Carthaginis precatus, …t scilicet in eo statu Rempublicam servarent in quo tunc ess…t, quod nullus melior inveniretur. I…a ego precor, ut in eo statu vobis Rempublicam servent, in quo …am vos adhuc nutantem collocavistis.

(ssDivus Claudius p. 589, 590.) Trebellius Pollio relates, that when the Senate was informed on the 9th. of March, that Claudius was made Emperor, the Senate went to the Temple of Apollo, to celebrate divine rites, Et lectis literis Claudii Principis, haec in Claudium dicta sunt. Aug. Claudi, Dii te nobis praestent (dictum sexagies) Claudi Auguste, Principem te aut qualis tues, semper optavimus (dictum quadragies) Claudi Auguste, te Respub. requirebat, tu frater, tu pater, tu amicus, tu bonus Senator, tu verè Princeps, (dictum octuagies.) At (ttIbid. p. 605.) another time, acclamavit Senatus, Claudi Dux fortissimè, habeas virtutibus tuis, devotioni tuae, Claudio statuam omnes dicamus, &c. Felicem, te Claudi judicio Principum, felicem et virtutibus tuis, Consulem te, te Praefectum, VIVAS VALERIE, AMERIS A PRINCIPE.

The Emperor (uu…lavii Vo p…sci Aurel… nus, p. 624, 625, 626.) Aurelianus in his wars against the M…comanni, writ to the Senate, ut inspiciantur fatales libri, quibus spes belli terminandi, SACRATA DEORUM IMPERIA TERMINANTUR. And by his Letters, ROGAVIT OPEM DEORVM, quae nunquam cuiquam turpis est ut vir fortissimus admiretur. Whereupou by the Decree of the Senate, the High-Priests, Senate and People went to the Temple, and offered Sacrifices, Devotions, and solemnities to the Gods for his good success and victory over his and their enemies.

When (xxFlav. Vo. pisci Tacitus, p. 860, 861, 862, 863, 864, 865.) Tacitus was nominated Emperor by the Senate, p. 85Omnis Senatus acclamavit, Tacite Auguste, D… TE SERVENT: te diligimus, te Principem facimus, tibi …ram Reipublicae orbisque mandamus; suscipe Imperium ex Senatus auctoritate, &c. And when he refu…ed to accept the Dignity by reason of his Age, acclamationes Senatus fuerunt, Et Trajanus ad Imperium senex venit (dixerunt decies,) &c. Antoninum tamen, non corpus eligimus (dixerunt vicies) TACITE AUGUSTEDII TE SERVENT. Statimque acclamatum est, Omnes, omnes. After this Itum est ad campum Martium: comitiale tribunal ascendit: ibi Praefectus urbis Aelius Caesenanus sic locutus est. Vos sanctisimi milites et sacratissimi vos Quirites, habetis Principem, quem de sententia omnium exercituum Senatus elegit: Tacitum dico, augustissimum virum, ut qui hactenus sententiis suis Rempublicam juv…, nunc juvit jussis atque cons…ltis. Acclamatum est a populo, felicissime Tacite Auguste, Dii te servent, et reliqua quae solent dici.

Probus comming to the Army when there wanted any Flavii Vopi…i Probus, p. 689, 690, 691, 692. Emperor, Quasi divino nutu undique AB OMNIBUS ACCLAMATUM EST, PROBE AUGUSTE, DII TE SERVENT. Deinde concursus, cespititium tribunal: appellatusque Imperator, ornatus etiam pa…io purpureo, quod de statua templi ornatum est: atque inde ad Palatium reductus, invitus et retrectans, et saepe dic…ns. Non vobis expedit milites, non mecum bene agitis. Ego enim vobis blandiri non possum. After his Letters read in the Senat, their Opinions being demanded, accl matumest, PROBE AUGUSTE, D…I TE SERVENT. Olim dignus, et fortis, et justus, bonus ductor, bonus Imperator. Exemplum militis, exemplum Imperii, DII TE SERVENT. A…rtor Reipublicae FELIX IMPERES. Magister militis FELIX IMPERES; TE CUM TUIS DII CUSTODIANT, &c. After which Manlius Statianus the President made an Oration beginning thus, Diis Immortalibus gratias, et prae caeteris Patres conscripti, Iovi optimo, qui nobis Principem talem qualem semper optabamus dederunt. Si recte cogitemus non nobis Aurelianus, non Alexander, non Antonini, non Trajanus, non Claudius requirendi sunt: omnia p. 86in uno Principe constituta sunt, &c. Decerno igitur, Patres conscripti, votis omnium concinnentibus, nomen Caesareum, nomen Augustum, addo Proconsulare imperium, Patris patriae reverentiam, Pontificatum maximum, jus tertiae relationis, tribuniciam potestatem. Post haec acclamatum est, Omnes, omnes.

To pretermit all other Presidents of this kind in Histories, and in Panegyrical Orations, Poems, Epistles, and Inscriptions by the Pagan Romans to their Heathen Emperors, expressing their Prayers, Supplications, Intercessious, Thanksgivings, Acclamations, Vows, Applauses in behalf of their Emperors both at their elections, inaugurations, confirmations, triumphs, congiaries, and all other occasions; I shall conclude with these already cited, being full, punctual, and rarely taken notice of; these Pagans by the light of Nature, punctually pursuing the Apostles exhortation, 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. to the shame of those Christians who neglect it.