The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods Saints Part 2, Part 2 · Chapter 6 (1 of 2)

The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods Saints Part 2 · Part 2 · Chapter 6 (1 of 2)

p. 2CHAP. VI.

Anno 156 THe very firſt Chriſtian King, profeſſing the Chriſtian Religion under the Goſpel, mentioned in Hiſtory, is Lucius, King of the Britons, reigning in this our Iſland; this King aaUſſerius De B…itan. Ecclefiarum Primordiis p. 49. and the Authors there quoted.Anno Chriſti 156. (as …adulphus Baldoc, the Chronicle of Gisburn, the antient Manuſcript D… primo ſtatu Landavenſis Eccleſiae, and Biſhop Ʋſher out of them relate) ſending two Embaſſadors to Pope Elutherius, moſt earneſtly and devoutly intreating him, That by his command and will he might be made a Chriſtian; This Pope thereupon granting his requeſt, Gratias agens Deo ſud, &c. giving thanks to his God, and ſinging, Glory be to p. 3God on high, for joy that this King and Nation, who had continued Gentiles from the first peopling of the Iſland by Brute, did ſo ardently hasten to the faith of Chriſt, ſending Eluan, and Meduin to convert them. After which this bbLambardi Archaion, Antiquit. Eccl. Brit. p. 5, 6. Spelman. Concil p. 32, to 38 Biſhop Jewels Reply againſt Harding, Art. 3. diviſ. 24. p. 141, 142. Fox Acts and Monuments, vol. 1. Ha…riſons Deſcription of England, … 1. c. 9. Biſhop uſher De Eccl. Brit. Primordiis, p. 3, 4, 5.King Lucius in the year 179. or ſooner, as ſome, or in the year 185. or later, as others think it; writing a Letter to Pope Elutherius, to ſend him a Copy of the Imperial Laws to govern his Nation by them; this Pope in the concluſion of his Epiſtle (in Anſwer to the Kings Letter) inſerted this devout Prayer unto God in his behalf. Det vobis omnipotens Deus, &c. Almighty God grant you ſo to rule the Kingdom of Britain, that you may reign for ever with him, whoſe Vicar you are in the Realm aforeſaid. If this Pope, (though a forein Prelate) thus prayed to God for this firſt Chriſtian King, no doubt his own Chriſtian Biſhops & Miniſters, (whom he endowed with ample poſſeſſions and maintenance) and his Chriſtian Subjects, in their private and publick Prayers, and Devotions to God, and in their Epiſtles and Addreſſes to him, did much more imitate his example, in purſuit of the Apoſtles precept, 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. as all the Primitive Chriſtians did even for their Pagan Kings and Emperors, (as I have evidenced in the precedent Chapters) though we find no expreſſe mention thereof in our Britiſh Hiſtories.

ccEutropius, Hiſt. l. 10. Oroſius. l. 7. c. 25, 28. Socrat. Eccl. Hiſt. l. 1. c. 1. …umenius Panegyr. 9. Cambdens Brit. Eſſex, p. 325. Vſſerius De Brit. Eccl. Primordiis, c. 8.The firſt Chriſtian Queen in the world was Helena, Daughter of King Coel; whoſe Son Constantine the Great, born and firſt created Emperor in our Iſland of Britain, was the firſt Roman Emperor, who publickly profeſſed the Chriſtian faith, and inſtituted publick Prayers to be made unto God by his Souldiers, People and Subjects, whether Chriſtians or Ethnicks, for himſelf, his Sons, and his Poſterity; who conſtantly powred forth their Supplications, Prayers, Interceſſions and Thankſgivings▪ unto God for his life, health, ſafety, victories, and ſucceſſes, as well in this our Iſland, as in all other places of his Empire; as theſe paſſages of Euſebius, who lived in his Court, and flouriſhed under him, will aboundantly evide…ce.

p. 4This Godly Chriſtian Emperor ccEuſebius de vita Conſtantini, l. 2. c. 12, 13, 14, 19.Conſtantine, before his Battel with the perſecuting Tyrant Licinius, dedicated a certain vacant time to powr forth Prayers to our Saviour Chriſt in the tabernacle of the Croſſe, which he fixed far remote from his Camp: where afflicting his body with faſting and abſtinence, he powred out Prayers & Supplications to God to reconcile him to himſelf, and become his gracious Protector: In which Duty he imployed certain Perſons, whom he reputed eminent both for faith and piety, to joyn with and aſsiſt him in the performance thereof, as he uſually did upon other occaſions before every battel with the enemy. After which having vanquiſhed Licinius, and by his death obtained the ſole power, and government over the Roman Empire; Omnes ubique victorem hymnis celebrabant, Tum choreis & hymnis primum Deum, ſummum omnium regem eſſe praedicarunt: deindè victorem Conſtantinum, ejuſque filios modeſtiſſimos, Deoque charos Caeſares, acclamationibus continuis extulerunt. After which this Godly Emperor to excite his Subjects to Prayers, was ddEuſeb. de vita Conſtantini, l. 4. c 14, 15.portrayed in all his Coyns & Statues ſtanding upright with his eyes looking up, and his hands ſtretched forth and elevated towards Heaven, as if he were praying, & preſcribed all his Legions, and Soldiers, as well Pagans as Chriſtians, this ſet form of Prayer in the Roman tongue, which they were to uſe and recite every Lords day, & in their daily prayers, with their hands and eyes lifted up to Heaven unto God the Giver of all good things, and Author of victory. eeEuſeb. de vita Conſtant. l. 4. c. 19, 20.Te ſolum Deum agnoſcimus, &c. We acknowledge thee to be God alone; we profeſſe thee to be King; we invocate thee our helper: by thee we have obtained victories; by thee we have overcome Enemies: from thee we confeſſe we have received preſent, & hope that we ſhall obtain future felicity. Tui omnes ſupplices ſumus, abs te petimus, ut Conſtantinum Imperatorem noſtrum, unà cum piis ejus liberis quàm diutiſſimè nobis ſalvum & victorem conſerves: We are all Supplicants unto thee. We all requeſt from thee, that thou wouldeſt conſerve our Emperor Conſtantine, together with his pious Children, ſafe and victorious to us, p. 5for many generations, or, as long as poſſible may be, or for ever. Ejuſmodi ferè Sanciebat a Militibus ſolis die fieri, taleſque ab eis voces in diurnis Precibus adhiberi. Which prayers no doubt were uſed in this our Iſland of Britain, (where he was born and crowned) by his Soldiers, and other Subjects, for him and his royal poſterity, as well as in other places: the Churches and Chriſtians then in Britain, concurring both in their Doctrine and Practice, with the Churches in Rome, Italy, Aphrick, Aegypt, Spain, France, Lybia, Greece, Aſia, Pontus and Cilicia, as ffNi…ephorus Eccleſ Hiſt. l. 8. c. 25. Spelman. Concil. p. 43, 44▪ 45.Constantine himſelf records in his Epiſtle to all Churches concerning the affairs of the Council of Nice, Anno 330. But of this more in the next Chapter.

Anno 313 It is the Obſervation of Thomas Rudburne, the Hiſtory of Winton Church, and Biſhop Ʋſher out of them, ggMa…ore Chronico, l. 1. c. 6. Wintoni…nſis Eccleſiae, Hiſt, c. 7, 8. Uſſerius De Brit. Eccleſ. Primordiis, c. 8. p. 19….Orationes ac deprecationes juſtorum aſſiduae cum multum valeant apud juſtum judicem Deum; aſcenderunt lacrymae ſuorum fidelium in conſpectu conditoris altiſſimi; & ſedatum eſt graviſſimae perſecutoris ac percuſsionis jaculum fulminoſum, completo videlicet ſpatio viginti duorum annorum: undè Christiani qui priùs in ſylvis opaciſsimiſque locis ſe poſuerant (within this our Iſland of Britain, as well as in other places, during the reigns of Diocleſian, Maximinian and Licinius, who grievouſly perſecuted them) in publicum ſe oſtendentes (under Conſtantine the Great) renovant Eccleſias quae uſque ad ſolum undique erant destructae. Quo in tempore aedificata eſt Eccleſia Wintonienſis ſecundò ab Christi fidelium oblationibus. The Chriſtians daily Prayers and tears to God in this our Iſland, being the principal means to ceaſe their former perſecutions under their cruel Pagan Emperours, and to procure them peace and proſperity under this firſt Chriſtian Emperor Conſtantine, for whoſe long life, and proſperous reign they daily Prayed unto God in the Churches they re-edified and repaired during his pious Reign.

Anno 435 **Mat. Weſtm. Anno 435. p▪ 143, 149.Guithelin, Archbiſhop of London, in the the year of our Lord 455. being ſent by the Chriſtian Britons of our Iſland, into Britain in France, to crave ayde againſt p. 6the barbarous Nations, who invaded, murdered, ſpoyled, and miſerably oppreſſed them; thereupon Androenus King of the French Britons ſent his Brother Conſtantine with 2000. men unto them, upon condition they ſhould elect and crown him for their King. Which expedition Conſtantine undertaking, Guithelin thereupon brake out into theſe gratulatory Acclamations and Prayers unto Chriſt for him. Chriſtus vincit, Christus regnat, Chriſtus imperat. Aſſit igitur gratia Chriſti Regi Britanniae qui eſt defenſio noſtra, ut inſulam miſerimam ad priſtinam reducat libertatem. Chriſt overcommeth, Chriſt reigneth, Chriſt commandeth. Therefore let the grace of Chriſt be preſent and aſſiſtant to the King of Britain, who is our defence, that he may reduce the miſerable Iſland to its priſtine liberty. A Prayer as ſuitable for our miſerable exiled King and Iſland now, as for this their new Britiſh King, and Island in that Age, wherein the other Biſhops, and Chriſtian Britons made the like Prayers for him both at and after his Coronation, as Guithelin did before it.

Anno 488 Our famous Britiſh King Aurelius Ambroſius, after he had deſtroyed and burnt the bloody Regicide and Uſurper i Mat. Weſtm. An. 488. p. 173, 174.Vortigern, and conquered and exiled the Pagan Saxons, in the year of Chriſt 488. repaired and new built the Churches they had demoliſhed, placed Prieſts and Clerks in them, reſtored divine ſervice to its due ſtate, conferred many Gifts, Rents and Revenues upon Churchmen; Et orare pro Regno et Eccleſiae ſtatu omnibus imperavit: And he commanded all men, to pray for the Realm, and state of the Church; which no doubt they performed accordingly in their Churches, not forgetting to pray likewiſe for this good King, who repaired them, and reſtored Chriſtianity.

Anno 490 To pretermit Saint kkMa…. Weſtm. Anno 491. p. 177. Uſleri…s De Brit. Eccl. Primo…diis, p. 854, 865.Patricks Prayers and Petitions to God, for the ſeven Kings he baptized, and the Iriſh he converted to the Faith, with his aſcending into a Mount, and there faſting forty daies, ut oraret pro eis, that he might pray for them.

p. 7Anno 600 **Epiſt. l. 9. Ep…ſt. 59. Spelmanni Concilia, p. 85.Pope Gregory the 1. in his Epiſtle to Aldeberga (or rather Bertha) wife to King Edilbert before his converſion to the faith of Chriſt, (who after her converſion was very inſtrumental to help convert the King and his ſubjects to the faith;) uſeth this thankſgiving, and prayer to God on her behalf. Omnipotentem Deum Benediximus, qui converſionem Gentis Anglorum mercedi veſtrae dignatus est propitius reſervare, &c. Bona veſtra non ſolum jam apud Romanos qui pro vita veſtra fortius oraverunt; ſed etiam per diverſa loca, et uſque Conſtantinopolim, ad Sereniſſimum Principem pervenerunt: ut ſicut nobis de Chriſtianitatis vestrae ſolatiis laetitia facta eſt, ita quoque de perfect a operatione veſtra Angelis fiat gaudium in coelis, &c. Ʋt et hîc foelicitèr cum glorioſo filio noſtro conjuge vestro regnetis, et poſt longa Annorum tempora futurae quoque vitae gaudia, quae finem habere neſciunt, capiatis. Oramus autem Omnipotentem Deum, ut gloriae veſtrae cor, et ad operanda quae diximus, gratiae ſuae igne ſuccendat, et aeternae mercedis fructum vobis de placita ſibi operatione concedat.

Anno 601 The ſame Pope Gregory in his **Epiſt. l. 9. Epiſt. 60. Beda Eccleſ. Hiſt. l. 1. c. 32. Spelmanni Concilia, p. 86Epiſtle to Edilbert King of Kent, exhorted him, willingly to hear, devoutly to perform, and studiouſly to keep in memory what Auguſtin, then his Biſhop ſhould admoniſh him, for this reaſon; Quia ſi vos eum in eo quod pro omnipotenti Deo loquitur auditis, idem Omnipotens Deus hunc pro vobis exorantem celerius exaudiet. Si enim (quod abſit) verba ejus poſtponitis, quomodo eum omnipotens Deus poterit audire pro vobis, quem vos negligitis audire pro Deo? (A clear evidence, that Auguſtin and other Biſhops and Chriſtians in that age devoutly and conſtantly prayed to God for King Edilbert) Tota igitur mente cum eo vos in fervore fidei ſtringite, atque adniſum illius virtute quam vobis divinitas tribuit adjuvate, ut regni ſui vos ipſe faciat participes, cujus vos fidem in regno veſtro recipi facitis, et cuſtodiri. After which he concludes his Epiſtle with this prayer for this Kings ſpiritual, temporal, and eternal ſafety, long life, felicity and ſalvation. Omnipotens itaque Deus in vobis gratiam quam coepit, perficiat, atque vitam p. 8**Hen…i…i Huntindon, Hiſt. l. 3 p. 323.veſtram et hic per multorum annorum curricula extendat, et poſt longa tempora in caeleſtis vos Patriae congregatione recip…at. Incolumem excellentiam veſtram gra…ia ſuprema cuſtodiat Domine fili, 10 Julii, Anno 19. Mauritii Tiberii Auguſti.

Anno 615 **Will. Malmes…urienfis, De Geſtis Pontif. Angl. l. 1. p, 208.Pope Boniface in his Epiſtle to King Ethelbert (ſent by Mellitus Biſhop of Lond…n) Anno Dom. 615. prayes thus for him, In Chriſto valeas Domine Fili.

Anno 616 Anno 628 Edwin King of Northumberland promiſed to renounce his Idolatry, and to ſerve Chriſt, becauſe Edelburga his Queen (being a Chriſtian) by the prayers of Paulinus Biſhop of the Northumberlanders was delivered without much pain of a child; Wherupon mmBeda Eccleſiaſt Hiſt. l. 2. c. 9. 11. Mat. Weſt. …. 626.Epiſcopus gratias caepit agere Domino Chriſto, Regique aſtruer…, Quod ille precibus ſuis apud illum obtinuerit, ut Regina ſoſpes abſque dolore nnIdem, l. 2. c. 11.gravi, ſobolem procrearet. But this King deferring his Converſion to Chriſtianity contrary to his promiſe; Thereupon Pope Boniface writ to Queen Edelburga to uſe all poſſible means for her Kings converſion, and amongſt others, to make fervent Prayers to God for his illumination and ſalvation, Unde orationi continuò inſiſtens, a longanimitate coeleſtis clementiae illuminationis illius beneficia impetrare non definas. Ut videlicet quos copulatio carnalis affectus unum quodammodo corpus exhibuiſſe miniſtratur, hos quoque unitas fidei etiam poſt hujus vitae tranſitum in perpetua ſoci…tate conſervet. Ad hoc enim miſericordiam Dominicae pietatis conſecuta es, ut fructum fidei, creditorumque tibi beneficiorum redemptori tuo multiplicem reſignares. Quod equidem ſuffragante praeſidio benignitatis ipſius, ut explere valeas, aſſiduis non deſiſtimus precibus poſtul…re. After this nnBeda Eccl. Hiſt. l. 2 c. 17. Spelman. Concil. p. 237, 139. Hen Huntindon. Hiſt. l 3. p. 327.King Edwin being converted to the Chriſtian Faith, Pope Honorius Succeſſor to Boniface writ an Epiſtle to this King, in the cloſe whereof there is this Prayer for his ſafety, Incolumem excellentiam veſtram gratia ſuperna cuſtodiat.

Anno 635 Some few years after cruel King Penda invading Northumberland, and beſieging Bebba the royal City; when p. 9he could neither take it by arms nor ſiege, he reſolved to fire it, and laying great ſtore of combuſtible matter to the walls ſet it on fire, the flames mounting above the walls, being carried into the City with furious winds, nnBeda Eccl. Hiſt. l. 3. c 16.Biſhop Aidan beholding it from the Iſland of Farne, whether he retired ſecretly to pray, fertur elevatis ad coelum oc…lis manibuſque cum lacrymis dixiſſe, Domine, quanta mala facit Penda! Quo dicto ſtatim mutati ab urbe venti, in eos qui accenderant flammam incendia retorſerunt, ita ut aliqui laeſi, omnes territi, impugnare ultra urbem ceſſarunt, quam divinitus juvari cognoverunt. ooMat. Weſtm. p. 221.Anno 635 About the ſame time (Anno 635.) Penda King of Mercians being ſent by Cadwallin King of the Britons with a great army into Northumberland, to ſlay Oſwald King thereof; hee aſſaulted him in a place called Hetenfield: whereupon King …ſwald erecting the ſign of the Croſſe with his own hands, commanded all his Souldiers with a loud voyce to cry unto God for him, and themſelves in theſe words. Flectamus genua ad Deum univerſi, Ipſumque in communi deprecemus, ut Nos ab Exercitu ſuperbi Regis Britanni et ejuſdem nephandi Du…is Pendae defendat. Scit enim ipſe quia justa pro ſalute gentis nostrae bella ſuſcipiamus. Fecerunt ergo omnes ut juſſerat, & ſic in hostes progreſsi juxtà fidei ſuae meritum victoria potiti ſunt.

Anno 650 ppBeda Eccl. Hiſt. l. 3 c. 2.After King Oſwald his murder in the year 642. the Freers of the Church of Hexam every year, the day before the ſaid King was ſlain, uſed for a long time, Vigilias proſalute animae ejus facere, plurim aque Pſalmorum laude celebrata, victimam pro eo manè ſacrae oblationis offerre. And if they were thus devout in keèping annual Vigils, and offering Prayers, Pſalms, and Sacrifices to God for the ſalvation of this King and his ſoul, after his death: (according to the ſuperſtition of that and after ages) no doubt they were as loyal and devout in praying and prayſing God for him during his life.

Anno 655 qqBeda Eccl. Hiſt. l. 3. c. 24.King Oſwi after his great victory over Penda, and his 30. old Colonels and Army, (all ſlain in battel) in performance of his vow, conſecrated his daughte… Elfleda (ſcarce one year old) to perpetual virginity, donatis inſuper duodecim p. 10poſſeſsiunculis terrarum, in quibus ablato ſtudio militiae terreſtris, ad exercendam militiam coelestem, ſupplicandumque pro pace Gentis ejus aeterna, devotioni ſedulae Monachorum locus facultaſque ſuppeteret. About which year & time (after the unjuſt martyrdom of K. Oſwi by the Pagans) Qu. Eanfled ob caſtigationem necis ejus injustae poſtulàvit à Reg… Oſwi ut donaret ibi locum quod dicitur Ingethling, monaſterio construendo Deifamulo Tumhere, quia propinquus ipſe erat Regis occiſi. In quo videlicet Monaſterio orationes aſſiduae pro utriuſque Regis, id est, occiſi, et ejus qui occidere juſſit, aeterna ſalute ſierent. A clear evidence, that Monaſteries were then purpoſely inſtituted to make daily prayers and ſupplications for the Kings ſafety, and eternal ſalvation, and the peace of the Nation.

Anno 680 aaGulielmus Malm. DeGeſt. Pontif. Angl. l. 1. p. 265.Theodorus Archbiſhop of Canterbury about the year of Chriſt 680. thus inſcribes his Epiſtle to Ethelred King of Mercians, touching W…lfrid, Archbiſhop of York. Ethelredo glorioſiſsimo & excellentiſs…mo Regi Merciorum, Theodorus, &c. In Domino perennem ſalutem, &c. Then ſubjoyns; Oculi mei jucundam faciem tuam videant, & Benedicat tibi anima mea antequam moriar, &c. Praying for his perpetual health in the Lord; and bleſſing him with his Soul before his death.

Anno 680 bbSpelmanni. Concil. p. 164.Pope Agatho begins his Epiſtle to Aethelred King of M…rcians, Anno 680. thus. Agatho, &c. Aethelredo glorioſo Merciorum Regi, ſalutem a Deo, et Benedictionem noſtram. And this King the very ſame and the next year in ccMonaſticon Angl. p…rs 1. p▪ 51. Londini 1655.his Charters of Lands to th… Church of St. Peter of Canterbury, gives Lands; tàm pro ſalute animae m…ae, ac pro oratione Fratrum; that the Freers therein might pray for him, and for the ſalvation of his ſoul.

Anno 697 Anno 704 The dd…pelmanni Concil p. 194.Synod of Berghamſted under Withred King of Kent, Anno 697. Can. 1. made this decree. Pro Rege preces fiant, mandatiſque ejus non urgente neceſsitate, ſed ex ſponte obediunto. Let prayers be made for the King, and let his commands be obeyed, not from compelling neceſſity, but from a voluntary minde.

eeMonaſt. Ang. pars 1. p. 12.King Ina in his Charter, Anno 7…4. by the Decree and p. 11Counſel of his Prelat Adelm, the ſuggeſtion of all his Prieſts, and upon the Petition of all the Monks in the Province of the Weſt-Saxons, granted this Privilege to the Monks of Glaſtonbury Abby, ut ſine impedimento ſecularium rerum abſque tributo fiſcalium negotiorum, liberis mentibus ſub Deo ſerviant, & monaſticam diſciplinam, Chriſto ſ…ffragium largiente, regulariter exerceant, et pro ſtatu et proſperitate Regni noſtri, et Indulgentia commiſſorum criminum ante conſpectum Divinae Majeſtatis Preces fundere dignentur, et orationum officia frequentantes, in Eccleſ…is pro noſtri fragilitate interpellare nitantur: Moſt antient Monaſteries, as well as this, being ſpecially founded and endowed by our Kings and their Succeſſors for this purpoſe, that they might pray for them and their Realms, their Parents, Children, and Succeſſors temporal, ſpiritual, and eternal felicity; as the Charters of their foundations and endowments, in Monasticon Anglicanum, pars 1. & 2. and other Authors atteſt.

Anno 714 About the year 714. Abbot **Beda Eccl. Hiſt l. 5. c. 22. Spelmanni Concil. p. 220, 226.Ceolfrid writ a large Epiſtle to Naitan King of Picts, concerning Easter and the Tonſure of Clerks, beginning thus, Domino excellentiſſimo & glorioſiſſimo Regi Naitano, Ceolfridus Abbas, In Domino ſalutem: and ending with this Prayer for him; Gratia te Regis aeterni longiori tempore regnantem ad noſtram omnium pacem cuſtodiat incolumem, dilectiſſime in Chriſto fili. And if Abbots & Clergy-men then thus prayed for their health, ſafety, long-life, and the publike peace of the Nation, in their Epiſtles to Kings; much more did they thus pray for them in their private and publike Devotions.

Anno 716 **Ingulphi Hiſt. p. 851, 852, 853.Ethelred King of M…rcians in the year of Chriſt, 716. in the preſence of his Biſhops and Nobles, by his Charter gave and granted the whole Iſland of Croyland to God, the Virgin Mary, and St. Barthollomew, to found an Abby therein for the black Monks, ſubmitting himſelf wholy to the mercy and piety of Chriſt, and commending himſelf, Sanctae matris Eccleſiae precibus, to the Prayers of his holy Mother the Church: and particularly to the Prayers of St. Guthlac the Confeſſor and Anchorite. p. 12Whence a Poet thus writ of him. Ethelbaldus, &c.

Oret pro nobis ſanctiſſimus iſte Sacerdos, (Guthlacus.)

Ad tumbam cujus haec mea dona dedi.

A clear evidence that the Churches and Miniſters of Chriſt in England did then conſtantly pray for their Chriſtian Kings, who ſpecially recommended themſelves to their prayers.

Anno 720 Our venerable and moſt learned Beda, doth very much p…eſſe this Duty of Prayer for Kings, (though Pagans and Perſecutors,) from ſundry Texts of Scripture, on which he comments. In his **Operum Coloniae Agrip. 1612. Tom 5. Col. 379, 380.Expoſitiones allegoricae in Ezram, l. 2. c. 7. Et offerant oblationes Deo Coeli, Orentque pro vita Regis et Filiorum ejus; He thus comments, Offerunt autem ea Sacerdotes iidem pro vita Regis, et Filiorum ejus, juxta illud Ap…ſtoli, 1 Tim. 2. Obſecro igitur primò omnium fieri obſecrationes, orationes, poſtulationes, & gratiarum actiones pro omnibus hominibus, pro Regibus & omnibus qui in ſublimitate ſunt, ut quietam & tranquillam vitam agamus, &c. And in his Expoſition on the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. Tom. 7. p. 708, 709, 710. he recites and approves the paſſages of St. Auguſtin at large (recited in the next Chapter) commanding Prayers, Supplications, Interceſſions and Thankſgivings to be made, not only for Chriſtian and pious Kings, but even for Pagans and Idolaters, though vitious, though Perſecutors of the Goſpel and ſincere Profeſſors thereof.

Anno 747 Our famous **Spelmanni Concil p. 243, 254, 255.Council of Cloveſho under Archbiſhop Cuthbert, Anno Dom. 747. cap. 30. De orando pro Rege, decreed; Ʋt deinceps per canonicas Orationum horas non ſolum pro ſe Eccleſiaſtici, ſive Monaſteriales, ſed etiam pro Regibus ac Ducibus, totiuſque populi Chriſtiani incolumitate, Divinam inceſſan…èr exorent clementiam, quatenus Quietam et Tranquillam Vitam ſub eorum pia defenſione mereantur agere. Et ut ita poſt haec unanimes exiſterent in Deum, fide, ſpe & caritate, & ſeipſos invicem diligerent, & etiam post hujus peregrinationis pericula, ad ſupernam p. 13pervenire pariter mereanter patriam.

The reaſon of making this Canon for inceſſant Prayers for Kings, Dukes and Princes, is thus expreſſed in the preceding part thereof, that there was a ſcandal and ſuſpition raiſed amongſt the Prieſts of God & inferiour Clergy, that they had an ill opinion of Kings, Dukes and Princes (as too many have now.) Hoc eſt, quod Reges cum Ducibus & Principibus ſuis, ac deindè minoris poteteſtatis, perſuaſi plurimi de eis dicere ſoleant, quod non tantum ſincero eos non diligant affectu, ſed inſuper eorum bonis praeſentibus, ac proſperitatibus quibuſque foelicioribus magis invideant, animo nimis infeſto quàm devoto ſatis congaudeant corde, eorumque converſationis ſtatum Odibili quadam detractatione dilacerare non deſinant. A very good ground to revive and re-enforce this Duty both on Miniſters and people now; Ʋt horis canonicis Preces fiant pro Regibus, as the Margin of this Canon preſcribes, as well as the body thereof.

Anno 750 Boniface Archbiſhop of Mentz, an Engliſhman by birth, thus inſcribes and begins his 19. Epiſtle to our King Ethilbald. Domino chariſsimo & in Chriſti amore caeteris Regibus Bibliotheca …atrum, Tom. 8. p. 74, 83. Malm. De Geſtis Regum Angl. l. 1. c. 4. p. 28.praeferendo inclyta Anglorum imperii ſceptra gubernanti Ethilbaldo Regi, Bonifacius, &c. & Wera, & Burckart, & Warbeth, & Abel, & Wilibald Coepiſcopi, Perennem in Chriſto charitatis ſalutem. Confitemur coram Deo & ſanctis Angelis, quia quamcumque proſperitatem veſtram video, & opera bona, Deo coram & hominilus, per nuncios fidelos audivimus, quod inter gaudentes, et pro vobis orantes, gratias agimus Deo; poſtulantes et obſecrantes Salvatorem noſtrum▪ ut vos ſoſpites et in ſide ſtabiles, et in operibus coram Deo rectos in Principatu Chriſtiani populi longo tempore cuſtodiat. And King Ethilbert thus cloſeth his Epiſtle to Boniface the Archbiſhop, who prayed for him in thoſe times, Orantem pro Nobis, beatitudinem tuam longaevam divina pietas faciat. **Bibl. Patrum, Tom. 8. p. 111.His 14. Epiſtle to Pippin King of France, begins thus. Colſitudinis veſtrae clementiae magnas gratias agamus et Dominum Ieſum Chriſtum precantes ut vobis in regno p. 14Coelorum aeternam mercedem retribuat. Moſt of his and Lullus (his Succeſſors) Epiſtles conclude with Prayers.

**Bibl. Patrum Tom. 8. p. 114, 115.Cenewlphus King of the Eaſt-Saxons, with his Biſhops Anno 760.and Nobles in their Epiſtle to Lullus, Succeſſor to this Boniface, as they pray for him, ſo they likewiſe entreat him, and his Clerks to pray to God for them in their Congregation, Ʋt pro noſtra parvitate, proque pace congregationis noſtrae Domino ſupplicare cum eis qui tecum invocant nomen Domini Ieſu, memineris. Omnipotens Deus, qui diſperſa congregat & congregata custodit, ipſe vos ſua gratia protegat, et veſtri laboris fructum in aeterna patria nos videre concedat.

The renowned Council of Calchuth held in the year Anno 787.787. under Alfwold King of Northumberlanders, and Offa * Spelmanni Concil. p. 296, 297.King of Mercians, their Prelates and Nobles, and Pope Adrians two Legates, Gregory and Theophyla…t, c. 12. De Ordinatione & honore Regum, amongſt other things, preſcribed conſtant Prayers for, and ſubjection to Kings, prohibiting all Treaſons and Conſpiracies againſt them, in theſe words, and from theſe Scriptures. aaDan 2. 21. c. 4. 25. c. 5. 21.Dan 2:21Scitote quia Dominus dominator eſt in regno hominum, & ipſius est regnum, & cuicunque voluerit, dabit illud. Ideo Omnes generaliter admonuimus, ut conſona voc… et corde Dominum rogent, ut qui eum eligi… in Regnum, ipſe ei tribuat regimen Diſciplinae ſanctae ſuae, ad regendam plebem ſuam. Honor quoque eis ab omnibus impendatur, dicente Apoſtolo; bb1 Pet. 2. 17, 13.1 Pet 2:171 Pet 2:13Regem honoroficate: & alibi; five Regi quafi praecellenti, five Ducibus, tanquam ab eo… miſſis ad vindictam maleſactorum, laudem verò bonorum. Item Apoſtolus, ccRom. 13. 1, 2, 3.Rom 13:1Rom 13:2Rom 13:3Omnis anima ſublimioribus poteſtatibus ſubdita ſit, quia non eſt poteſtas data niſi à Deo. Quae autem ſunt, à Deo ordinata ſunt. Igitur qui reſiſtit poteſtati, Dei ordinationi reſiſtit, qui autem reſiſtunt, ipſi ſibi damnationem acquirunt. Nullus Regi detrahat, dicente ddEccleſ. 10. 20.Eccl 10:20Salomone, in ore tuo ne detraxeris Regi, & in corde tuo ne maledixe… is Principi; quia aves Coeli portant illud, & p. 15qui habet pennam annuntiabit verbum. In n…cem Regis Nemo communicare audeat, quia Chriſtus Domini eſt. Et ſi quis tali ſceleri adhaeſerit, ſi Epiſcopus eſt, aut ullus ex Sacerdotali gradu, ex ipſo detrudatur, et â ſancta haereditate dejiciatur, ſicut J…das ex Apoſtolico gradu ejectus eſt: & omnis quiſquis tali ſacrilegio aſſenſerit, aeterno anathematis vinculo interibit, & Judae traditori ſociatus, ſempiternis cremabitur incendiis, ut ſcriptum eſt; aaRom. 1. 32.Rom 1:32Non ſolum qui faciunt, ſed & qui conſentiunt facientibus, judicium Dei non effugiunt. bbEſther 2. 21, 22, 23. c. 6. 2.Esth 2:21Esth 2:22Esth 2:23Duo namque Eunuchi Aſuerum Regem interficere cupieutes, in patibulum ſuſpenſi ſunt. Animadvertite quid fecerit David praefecto, cum ei Dominus dixerit, cc1 Kings 24. 5, 7.Ego tradam Saul in manus tuas; dum inveniet dormientem. Et hortatus à milite ut occideret eum, dixit: Abſit à me hoc peccatum, ut extendam manum meam in Chriſtum Domini. Illum autem militem qui poſt mortem ejus venit ad eum, proteſtans, dd2 Sam. 1. &c. 4. 10.2 Sam 1quod ipſe occiderat Saul, capite truncavit; & reputatum eſt ei ad juſtitiam, et ſemini ejus poſt eum. Exemplis namque apud vos ſaepè probatum eſt, quod quicunque internecionis Dominorum fuêre (culpabiles) in ſpacio vitam inierunt, et utroque jure caruerunt. This was the Practiſe, Doctrine, and Loyalty of our Anceſtors in this National Great Council and primitive age, fit to be revived by our preſent Generation.

Anno 790 Our famous Country-man Flaccus Alchuvinus, (eeSee Balaeus Scriptorum Brit. Cent. 2. c. 17. Scholar to our venerable Beda, Tutor to the Emperor Charles the Great, and the learnedeſt Engliſh-man in that ag…) hath many memorable rare paſſages and prayers for Kings and Emperors in his Works and Epiſtles, not vulgarly known, which I ſhall trauſcribe at large. In his Book De Pſa…morum …ſu. Operum Lutetiae Pariſ. 1617. col. 152. d. he writes thus, Septem praeterea ſunt Pſalmi ex quibus, f…unum corpus efficimus, pro omni prorſus corpore oramus Eccleſiae; in his namque memoria Sacerdotum, REGUM-que et Potentatum; populi quoque et plebis ſimul. Memento Domine David, &c. O…t of which Pſalms he frames a Prayer, col. 153. Propitiare Domine, quaeſo univerſae p. 16tuae Cacholicae Eccleſiae toto orbe terrarum diffu…ae, &c. Propitiare famulo ſuo, N Regi, cunctiſque Chriſtianis Principibus, & univerſo exercitui eorum. In his 31. Epiſtle to Offa King of Mercians, col. 1554. he concludes with this Prayer, for Gods Grace and Benediction upon him and his Realm. Divina te, tumnque Regnum coeleſti benedictione, comitetur gratia, Domine excellentiſſime. And Epiſtle. 84. (written by him to Offa in the name of Charles the Emperor) he thus cloſeth it, col. 1614. Ʋita, ſalus, & proſperitas tibi tuiſque fidelibus a Deo Chriſto detur in aeternum. In his 29. Epiſtle to Aedilred King of Northumberland, (deſcribing at large the Office of good Kings and Princes) col. 1540. he hath this paſſage. Eccleſiarum Chriſti ſint defenſores & tutores, ut Servorum Dei orationibus, longa vivant proſperitate: And he cloſeth his 79. Epiſtle to King Aedilred, with this prayer for him, col. 1554. Deus omnipotens Regni felicitate, morum dignitate, longaeva proſperitate te florere faciat, dilectiſſime fili. His 48. Epiſtle to moſt noble King Egfrid King of Merciaus concludes thus, col. 1562. E. Divina te in omni bonitate pietas florere faciat, fili chariſſime. But of all his Prayers and Thankſgivings, thoſe in his Epiſtles to the Chriſtian Emperor Charles the Great, his Scholar, written to him for the moſt part, under the name of David Rex) are moſt obſervable. I ſhall inſtance in ſome of the chiefeſt. In his Epiſtle to him, De Ratione Septuageſimae, &c. col. 1142. he begins thus, Benedictus ſit Deus Pater omnipotens, quite creavit & honoravit: & benedictus ſit Dominus noſter Jeſus Chriſtus filius Dei ve…i, qui te redemit & elegit. Benedictus ſit Spiritus ſanctus paracletus qui te illuminavit, & dilatavit cor tuum in omni ſapientia & ſcientia charitatis dilectiſſime D. D. & dulciſſime Domine. Et benedicta ſit ſancta Trinitas, unus Deus omnipotens, Pater & Filius & Spiritus ſanctus, qui mihi ſerviculo ſuo, licet indigno, talem conceſſit Dominum, amicum, & adjutorem gratiae ſuae. Et benedicta ſit poteſtas et Regnum tuum, et Filii tui, et Filii Filiorum tuorum, uſque in generationes ſecuti ſempiternas: p. 17et veniat ſuper te et ſuper tuam Generationem benedictio ſanctorum in die Domini noſtri Ieſu Chriſti; utque ſanctiſsima ſua voluntas vigeat floreat & creſcat in corde tuo, clariſſime Eccleſiae Chriſti rector & defenſor. His 2d. Epiſtle to him Col. 1465. runs in the ſame words. His firſt Epiſtle to him is thus directed, Col. 1462. Domino piiſſimo, & praeſtantiſſimo & omni honore digniſſimo David Regi, Flaccus Albinus, verae beatitudinis aeternam in Chriſto ſalutem: After his particular Thankſgiving to God for him, he thus proceeds, Non ſolum ego ultimus ſervulus Salvatoris noſtri, congaudere debeo proſperitati & exaltatione clariſſi… ae poteſtatis veſtrae, ſed tota ſancta Dei Eccleſia unanimo caritatis concentu gratias agere Domino Deo omnipotenti debebit; qui tam pium, prudentem & juſtum his noviſſimis mundi & periculoſiſſimis temporibus populo Chriſtiano perdonavit clementiſſimo munere Rectorem atque Defenſorem; qui prava corrigere, & recta corroborare, & ſancta ſublimare omni intentione ſtudeat, & nomen Domini Dei eccelſi per multa terrarum ſpacia dilatere gaudeat, & Catholicae fidei lumen in extremis mundi partibus incendere conetur, &c. In qua Dominus noſter Jeſus Chriſtus, qui eſt virtus & ſapientia Dei, te cuſtodiat & exaltet, et ad gloriam perennis viſionis ſuae pervenire faciat.

His **Epiſt. 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, to 24. & 106.Epiſtles to this Emperor, begin for the moſt part with wiſhing him perpetuae pacis & gloriae ſalutem, perpetuam ſalutem, &c. His 4. Epiſtle to him, col. 1476. ends thus, Deprecantes quoque Domini Dei noſtri clementiam, qui te undique regat et cuſtodiat, et victorem faciat omnium Inimicorum tuorum, ſeu viſibilium ſeu inviſibilium, quatenus cum corona gloriae, multis feliciter regnaturum annis, ad regnum perpetuae beatitudinis pervenire, cum fidelibus ſuis concedat. In his 6. Epiſtle, col. 1480 he and his Monks prayed thus for him, Totum cordis mei affectum, in gratiarum actiones Christo clementiſſimo Regi effudi; illius Sedula oratione deprecans pie…atem, cum omnibus noſtrae Devotionis cooperatoribus, p. 18quatenus vestram Pacificam & amabilem potentiam, ad exaltationem ſanctae ſuae Eccleſiae, & ſacratiſſimi gubernacula Imperii, longaeva proſperitate cuſtodire, regere et dilatare dignetur. His 7. Epiſtle to him begins thus, col. 1487. Gloria & laus Deo Patri, & Dom. noſtro Jeſu Chriſto, quia in gratia ſancti Spiritus, per devotion…m et miniſterium ſanctae fidei, & bonae voluntatis vestrae, Chriſtianitatis Regnum atque agnitionem veri Dei dilatavit, & plurimos longè latéque populos ab erroribus impietatis in viam veritatis deduxit, &c. His 9. Epiſtle ends with Prayers and Thankſgivings; His 10. to him begins thus, col. 1499.

D…t tibi perpetuam Clemens in ſede ſalutem,

Et Decus Imperii, David amate, Deus.

Totum me in gratiarum actiones Domino Deo Jeſu Chriſto contuli, felicia Chriſtiano populo tempora in vestra felicitate, exalt atione & ſalute certiſſimè ſcieus; pro qua ſemper Dominum deprecari gaudeo, eandem ſemper audire deſidero, & quaſi optatum, à Deoque deſtinatum munus, omni gaudio veſtram incolumitatem cupiens ſemper audire. Quis enim est qui non gaudeat ſui capitis perfecta integritate, niſi forte furibundus, vel inſanus, quem arctiſſimis Hippocratis vinculis all…gandum eſſe cenſero? Et ſi juxta Apost…li ſententiam **Epheſ. 5.Eph 5Nemo carnem ſuam odio habet; fed etiam fovet & nutrit: Quanto magis in capitis ſanitate, in quo eſt totius corporis perfectio et gloria, omnis membrorum compago gaudere debet? which Epiſtle he concludes thus,

Veſtra prccor, Christus coeleſtil us inclyta donis

Illuſtret, repleat pectora pacis amor,

Dulcis amor vitae, dulcis laus, gloria dulcis,

Sit tibi perpe…ua, David amate, ſalus.

Epiſtola 11. col. 1502. he writes, Continuis precibus Domini nostri Jeſu Christi clementiam deprecor, quatenus tibi optima quaeque in terrena felicitate conc…ſſit, longè meliora aeternae▪ beatitudinis regna tibi aeternaliter concedere dignetur. Concluding it thus,

p. 19Mitis ab aethereo clementer Chriſtus Olympo,

Te regat, exaltet, protegat, ornat, amet, &c.

He concludes his 12. Epiſtle to him thus, col. 1505.

Det tibi conſilium pacis, ſimul atque ſalutis

David, amor populi, Chriſtus ubique pius.

Omnipotens cujus defendat deoctera ſemper,

Victorom faciens, teque tuoſque ſimul, &c.

In his 13. Epiſtle to him, col. 1507. he aſſures him, Nos precibus iter veſtrum continuis proſequintur, divinam humiliter obſecrantes clementiam, quatenus vos, Veſtroſque ſimul cum omni proſperitate ſanos ducat & reducat gaudentes: cloſing it with this diſtick,

Tempora concedat Christus felicia Regni

Hujus & aeterni, David amate, tibi.

In his 14. Epiſtle to him, col. 1508. he writes, Felix populus qui tali Principe gaudet, in cujus proſperitate ſalus cunctorum conſiſtit, &c. concluding it with a Prayer, and theſe Verſes,

Augeat, exaltet veſtram benedictio vitam

Aeternae Regis, David amate Deo.

He cloſeth his 15. Epiſtle to him thus, col. 1511.

Floreat aeternis tecum ſapientia donis,

Ʋt tibi permaneat laus, honor, imperium, &c.

The front of his 17. Epiſtle to him, col. 1513. begins with an option of perpetuam aeternae gloriae ſalutem; and ends thus,

Alm… Dei Chriſti tribuat tibi regna poteſtas

Aurea, cum ſanctis, David, in arcepoli.

p. 20In his 18. Epiſtle to him, he hath this clauſe, col. 1514. Nec meas Preces pro veftra ſtabilitate et ſalute caſſatas in conſpectu Dei credo, quia libenter divina ſuſcipit gratia Lacrymas quae ex charitatis fonte profluunt. He thus concludes it.

Perpetuam Chriſti tribuat tibi gratia lucem,

Cum ſanctis pariter, David amate Deo.

In his 19. Epiſtle, excuſing his non-viſiting the Emperor by reaſon of his infirmity, he intreats him; pia compaſſione feſſum concedat requieſcere, orationibuſque pro vobis inſtare, cloſing it with theſe verſes.

David in aeternum tecum ſit gratia Christi,

Ʋt vigeas, valeas, victor in orbe potens;

Poſt haec, et teneas coeleſtia regna beatus

Cum ſanctis pariter ſemper in arce poli, &c.

Inclytus aeternis David feliciter annis,

In Christi meritis vivat ubique ſacris.

In his 20. Epiſtle to him, col. 1517. he informs him. Sed & lacrymarum munuſcula mearum in orationibus apud S. Martinum, pro deſiderantiſſima authoritatis veſtrae proſperitate vobis fideli tranſmitto ſponſione. Ego orabo pro Domino dilectiſſimo, quomodo ſancti ſpiritus viſitatio cor m… um inluminare dignabitur.

He winds up his 22. Epiſtle to him thus, col. 1521. Ad hujus verò ſummae b…atitudinis, & indeficientis gloriae, post labores hujus vitae felicitatem, Deus Jeſus te pervenire faciat Domine deſiderantiſſime, & omni honore digniſſime.

Divitias tribuat veras tibi, David amate,

Cum ſanctis pariter Chriſtus in arce poli.

In the Inſcription of his 23. Epiſtle to him, col. 1512. he prayeth for and wiſheth to him praeſentis & futurae beatitudinis ſalutem: and begins it with this Thankſgiving. Benedictus Dominus Deus, et benedicta perpetua illius miſericordia ſuper p. 21ſervos ſuos: pro quorum proſperitate et ſalute v…s, dulciſſime David, proſperè duxit, et pacificè reduxit, conſervavit, honoravit et exaltavit, atque in omni loco adventus veſtri lumen juſtitiae pietatiſque ante faciem veſtrae beatitudinis ſplendeſcere fecit, &c. Which he thus concludes, Hocque Deum aſſiduis precibus obſecro, ut praeſens vita Excellentiae veſtrae ejuſdem ſancti interceſſionibus adjuvetur, protegatur & conſiſtat. Et poſt hanc aeterna cum eodem beatitudine perfrui merearis Domine dilectiſſime & deſideratiſſime David. His 90. Epiſtle to him, col. 1618. begins thus. Domine mi dilect…ſſime, et dulciſſime, et omnium deſiderantiſſime mi David, triſtis eſt Flaccus veſter propter infirmitatem veſtram. Opto et toto corde Deum deprecor, ut cito convaleatis, ut gaudium noſtrum ſit pl… num in vobis, et ſanitas veſtra ſit plena anima et corpore. I ſhall cloſe with his 24. Epiſtle to him, which hath this Exordium. Gloria & laus D…o omnipotenti, pro ſalute et proſperitate veſtra, dulciſſime mi David, atque pro omni honore et ſapientia in quil us te ſpeciali gratia omnibus ſupercellere fecit. Perpetua gratiarum actio reſonet, et aſſidua ſanctarum Interceſſio orationum ad Deum dirigatur, quatenus longaeva proſperitate feliciter vivas, valeas et Regnes ad correctionem et exaltationem ſanctae ſuae Eccleſiae, ut ſub protectione tuae venerandae poteſtatis ſecura quiete Deo deſerviat, &c. And this memorable concluſion. Tu, proſperitas Regni. Tu ſalus populi. Tu decus Eccleſiae. Tu omnium protectio fidelium Chriſti. Nobis igitur ſub umbra potentiae, et ſub regimine pietatis tuae, divina conceſſet gratia Religioſam ducere vitam, atque ſumma quiete Deo Christo deſervire. Ideo ſolicita mente, et pia intentione, pro tua proſperitate et falute curam habere et intercedere juſtum et neceſſarium habemus, Domine deſiderantiſſime, atque omni honore digniſſime David Rex. I have at large tranſcribed theſe ſalutations, options, ſupplications, Prayers, Interceſſions and thankſgivings of our famous Engliſh-man. Abbot Alchuvinus for 6. reaſons. 1. Becauſe they are a moſt full pregnant evidence of his conſcientious obſervation of the Apoſtles Exhortation and precept, 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. and of all other Abbots, Prelates, p. 22and Clergy-men in that age. 2ly. Becauſe they are a moſt exact practical commentary upon that Text. 3ly. An excellent preſident for our imitation, and notable cenſure of the Apoſtacy, Diſloyalty, and Indevotion of ſundry Autimonarchical new Saints, in this degenerate age. 4ly. A moſt clear demonſtration of the Excellency of Kingly Government, of the happineſs that Chriſtian Churches, Realms, Subjects injoy under Pious, Religious Kings & Emperors; and what extraordinary cauſe they have to pray unto, and to praiſe and bleſſe God for them. 5ly. Becauſe they are full of Excellent variety, unknown to moſt, and little taken notice of even by our learnedeſt Divines. 6ly Becauſe they contain the ſubſtance of moſt other Abbots, Biſhops and Clergy-mens ſalutations, Benedictions, Prayers, Thankſgivings of this kind in their Epiſtles to our own and other Kings and Emperors, in that and ſucceeding ages, moſt of which I ſhall for brevity pretermit, ſince preſidented in and by theſe Epiſtles.

Anno 794 About the year of Chriſt 794. **Mat. Paris in Vita Offae, ſecundi, p. 16. M…t. Weſtm. An. 794.K. Offa praying to God to give him Grace, according to his former Vow, to find out a place wherein, and a Saint to whom he might dedicate a Monaſtery; thereupon turning about to Archbiſhop Humbert, of Canterbury, Ʋnwona Biſhop of Winton, and other juſt & wiſe men by whom he was governed, he intreated them with tears, and hands joyned together, with all earneſtneſſe, quatenus ſinceramente, totaque devotione Deum …mnipotentem deprecemini, ut ad beneplacitum ſuum, honorem et gloriam ad effectum meum perducat d…fiderium. Et cum omnes hoc gaudentes conceſſiſſ…nt, they with other Clerks whom they had called together, entred into an Oratory that was near, Super hoc propenſius Oraturi. Et praemiſſo hymno, Veni Creator Spiritus, Oraverunt devotiſſioni ut Dominus Iuſtum Regis deſiderium ad effectum duceret glorioſum. Et cum prolixius oraſſent, eccè lux …miſſa caelitus totam cellulam illam à ſummo tecti ſaſtigio …ſque ad pavimentum perluſtravit. In quafavor Dei manifeſtè ſignificabatur. After which by the revelation of an angel, whiles this King lodged in the City of Ba…h, the place p. 23of St. Alban the Martyr his interment was revealed unto him; where he built a Monaſtery to him.

Anno 820 Pope aaWil. Malmeſburienſ. de Geſtis Regum, l. 1. c. 4.Leo the 3d. in his Epiſtle to Kenulphus King of M…rcians, concerning the reſtitution of the ſee of Canterb. to its antient Metropolitical Juriſdiction, hath this thanſgiving to God for him; Omnipotenti Deo referimus grates qui veſtram prudentiſſimam Excellenciam in omnibus exornavit et decoravit, &c

Anno 821 bbEx Regiſtro de Ab…ndon cap. 23. Monaſticon Angl. p. 100.Cenulſus King of the Mercians Anno 821▪ by his Charter granted and confirmed ſundry Privileges to the Abby of Abbendune; Maximè ut ipſi diebus Dominicis 7. Miſſas pro Nobis ſaluberrime offerant, et armis Spiritualibus centum Pſalteriis contra inviſibiles hoſtes dimicare non ceſſant.

Anno 833 ccIngulphi Hiſt. p. 855.W…laſius King of Mercians being enforced to hide himſelf 4. months ſpace from King Egberts Captains, who ſought his, life in St. Ethildritha the Anchorites cell wit…n the Abby of Croyland▪ till by the mediation of Abbot Siward he had made his peace with Egbert; thereupon in the year 833. of our ſaviours incarnation, he by his Charter confirmed and enlarged the Lands and Privileges of this Monaſtery, and moſt holy Church of Croyland; wherein he ſtiles it; Turris ad coelum aſcendens, quae viligiis et orationibus▪ Pſalmis & lectionibus, diſciplinis & afflictionibus, la…hrymis et ſingultibus, eleemoſynis et innumeris aliis Devotionibus, pietatiſque operibus pro ſeculo peccatore fortiſſimam violentiam Regno coelorum ingerit Die et Nocte. And by whoſe Prayers and tears, God who had in his wrath humbled him for his Sins even to the earth, and levelled him to the duſt, iterum in miſericordia ſua ſuſcitans de pulvere egenum, & destercore erigens pauperem, ut ſedeam cum Principibus et ſolium gloriae teneam.

Anno 841 As King ddMonaſticon Angl. p. 214.Offa King of Mercians in the year 780. by his Charter gave ſundry Lands to St. Peters Church of Worceſter built by his G…andfather, (as he did to other Monaſteries) Sciens cum his tranſitoriis aeterna mercari poſſe, pro mea, meorum que priorum & propin…uiorum perpetua animae ſalute, So King Bertwulf his Succeſſor in the year 841▪ by p. 24his Charter, exempting this Monaſtery as long as the Catholick faith and baptiſm of Chriſt ſhould continue in Britain, from ſome ſecular ſervices; thereupon Abbot Edmond and his Congregation of Breodune (by way of retaliation) decantaverunt duodecim vicibus C. Pſulteria, & 120. Miſſas pro Rege Bertwolſo, et pro illius charis amicis, et pro omni Gente Merciorum, ut eorum libertas firmior ac ſtabilior permaneat in aevum, et ut illius Regis memoria et amicorum ejus, qui hanc pietatem in eleemoſynam ſempiternam omnibus Mercils illis, in Congregatione Breodune donaverat, in eorum ſacris Orationibus jugiter permaneat uſque in a vum.

Anno 844 Pope ffMat. Weſtm. Ann. 854. p. 306, 307. Mal…ſb: de Geſtis Regum, l. 2. c. 2 Ingulphus, p. 862. Spelmanni Concilia, p. 350, 351. Mr. Seldens Hiſtory of Tithes, c. 8. p. 204. &c.Sergius the 2. cloſeth his Epiſtle to Ethelred, Alfred and Adulfus, Kings of the Engliſh, with this option and * Will Malmſbury de Geſt. Pontif. Angl. l. 1. p. 209.prayer. Optamus ergo, quo miſericordia ſolita Dominus noſter Ieſus Chriſtus faciat Vos ineſtabiliter Miniſterii ac Regi culminis Honore ſublimari, et in examine futuri Iudicii reſervari.

Anno 854 ‖ King Aethelulph, Anno 854. granted the Tenth part of his Realm (that is, the Tithe of the profits of all Lands, as Mr. Selden rightly expounds it) to God, the Clergy and Monks, free from all exactions, tributes and ſecular ſervices: ut eo diligentius pro Nobis preces ad Deum ſine ceſſatione fundant; that thereupon they might the more diligently powre forth prayers unto God for him without ceaſing. Whereupon Elhſtan Biſhop of Salisbury, and Swithin Biſhop of Wincheſter, with the Abbots, Prieſts, Monks and Nonns under them, decreed; Omni Hebdomade die Mercurii in unaquaque Eccleſia cantent Pſalmos 50. et unuſquiſque Presbyter duas Miſſas pro Rege, et aliam pro Ducibus ejus, in hunc modum conſentientibus, pro ſalute et refrigerio Delictorum ſuorum; (whiles they lived:) poſtquàm autem defuncti fuerimus, pro Rege deſuncto ſingulariter, & pro Ducibus communiter. Et hoc ſit firmiter conſtitutum omnibus diebus Chriſtianitatis quemadmodum libertas conſtituta est, quamdiu fides creſcit in gente Anglorum: The end of this gift being thus expreſſed by the King in the hhMr. Seldens Hiſtory of Tithes, c. 8. p. 209.Chartularies of the Abbot of Abingdon, Vt Deus omnipotens p. 25nobis, et noſtris poſteris propitiari dignetur, by the Biſhops, Prieſts, and Monks Prayers and Interceſſions for him in every Church.

Burgred King of Mercians confirmed all the Lands given Anno▪ 298by former Kings to the Church of Gloceſter: Et cum Ch…on. Glo…eſtr. Caenobii, Monaſt. Angl. p. 110.conſenſu, Concilio, et licentia omnium Optimatum ſuorum, fecit eandem Eccleſiam liberam & quietam, et omnia Monaſteria et loca quae eidem Eccleſiae obediunt, et pertinent, ab omni terreno negocio et ſervicio, ea duntaxat conditione ſtatuta, ut orationes illorum, deprecationeſque pro ipſo, et pro juſtis haeredibus ſuis, jugiter in illa Eccleſia nocte et die memoriter ſervarentur. This being the principal end of our Kings in founding and endowing Churches and Monaſteries, and exempting them from all ſecular buſineſſes and ſervices, that they might continually powre out Prayers, Supplications, Deprecations and Interceſſions unto God for themſelves, their juſt Heirs, Poſterities, Queens, Succeſſors and Realms, day and night without ceaſing.

To pretermit the Charter of▪ **Monaſt. Angl. pars 1.King Edward the elder Anno 906.of Husbourn to the Church of Peter and Paul in Wincheſter, pro aeterna libertate animae meae, et omnis ſucceſsive poſteritatis meae, Adulfi Regis, et Alfredi Regis, necnon et Anteceſſorum ſuorum, by the Prayers of the Monks and Clergy of that Church.

At the Coronation of King Aethelſton Anno 924. the Anno 924.joyes, acclamations, prayers and well-wiſhes of the Nobles, Malmesbur. l. 2. c. 6. p. 49, 50.Prelates and People towards him, are thus poetically expreſſed

Tunc juvenis nomen, regno clamatur in omen,

Vt fauſto patrias titulo moderetur habenas.

Conveniunt Proceros, et componunt Diadema,

Pontifices pariter dant infidis Anathema;

Emicat in populis ſolito feſtivior ignis,

Et produnt variis animi penetralia ſignis.

Ardet quiſque ſuum Regi monſtrare favorem.

Ille ſtrepit Cythera, decertat plauſibus iſte,

p. 18In commune ſonat, tibi laus, tibi Gloria Chriſte.

Anno 928 The aaChron. Ioh. Brompt. col. 850. Spelman. Concil. p. 405.Council of Exeter▪ under King Aethelston, and his Laws made Anno 928. c. 12. preſcribed in purſuance of the Clergies recited decree An. 854. Singulis quoque diebus Veneris decantent Omnes Dei Miniſtri in omnibus Caenobiis, 50. Pſalmos pro ipſo Rege: which was accordingly executed.

Anno 941 King bbMonaſticon Angl. 214.Edmund by his Charter An. 941. gave to Aedric and his Succeſſors, two tenements in Stocke, Quat…nus temporalium rerum mobili praeſentia utens, Fidelem obedientiam ac pacem laudabilem erga Regni ſceptra noſtri et regale noſtrum ſolium a…ternabiliter impetret et benigni…er ſervet: et post praeſentis vitae exceſſum illis quibuſcunque voluerit ſubſequentibus hoc donum commendet, ut in omnibus Paternae obedientiae exemplis circa Regiam dignitatem fideles invenianiur.

Anno 981 The ccMonaſt. Angl. p. 996, 997.Abby of Taviſtoc founded in time of the Daniſh wars, which long interrupted it, in the Regn of K. Edgar, was finiſhed & confirmed in the reign of K. Ethelred, Anno Christi 981. Quando omnipotentis gr…tia it miſericord… Angl▪ patria, Sanctorum in ea degentium meritis et precibus pacificata eſt, qui die et nocte clamaverunt ad Dominum in proſperis et in adverſis cum iribularentur, et de neceſſitatibus eorum libertavit eos, The Abbot and Monks of this Monaſtery of Tavistoc giving themſelves to reading and prayer for the ſafety of the Souls, and Bodies of our Kings, and good of the Kingdom, as their Charters enjoyned them.

Anno 996 ddMatthae… Pa…iſienſis Auctuarium Additamentorum, p. 240.King Ethelred, Anno 996. by his Charter gave certain Lands to the Monaſtery of St. Alban, and confirmed the Lands and Privileges formerly granted them by King Offa, ut inili Deo famulantes, tàm pro meis, quàm pro omnibus Praedeceſſorum meorum deliquiis ſine ulla terreni poteſtatis molestia, Quotidie ſaluberrima Miſſarum ſolennia omnipotenti Deo celebrent, et dulciſsimas Pſalmorum modulationes ore et corde decantantes, armis ſpiritualibus, contra viſibiles et inviſibiles hoſtes pro Nobis et pro omni Populo. Chriſtiano dimicare non ceſſent, Quatenus ejuſdem p. 19beati Martyris intercedentibus meritis, ſive in praeſenti, ſive in futura; ſive in utraque vita, Christo pro Nobis virtutem facienti, Anno 1009 victoriam quandoque de Inimicis noſtris, voti compotes adipiſci mereamur.

Anno 1030 aaMonaſticon Angl. p. 228. …87.King Cnute in the year 1009. by his Charter, exempted the Church of St. Mary and All Saints in Exceſter, and the Lands thereof: Ab omni regali et ſeculari gravedine majori aut minori, exceptis aſſiduis orationibus (which they were daily to make for him and his Realm) niſi ſola expeditione et pontis conſtructione. Anno 1012 This King about the ſame year by his Charter, granted to the Monks of the Monaſtery of St. Edmunds, that they ſhould be exempted from all Epiſcopal domination, Ʋt in eo Domino ſervientes Monachi ſine ulla inquietudine pro ſtatu Regni Dominum prevaleant precari: and that he by their and St Edmunds prayers, might obtain a portion of his beatitude after this life was ended.

The bbChro. Johannis Br…mpton Col. 902. Spelm. Conſilia p. 541.Council of Habam, An. Dom. 1012. decreed, Vt in omni Congregatione eantetur quotidie communiter pro Rege una miſſa, ad matutinalem miſſam, quae inſcripta eſt, contra Paganos. Et in omni caenobio celebret omnis Presbyter Sigillatim 30. Miſſas pro Rege et Populo, et omnis Monachus dicat 30. Pſalmos: By virtue whereof in every Monaſtery there were Maſſes, and Pſalms ſung, and prayers made both commonly and ſpecially for our Kings, which every Prieſt and Monk uſed every day, without Intermiſſion throughout the Realm, and in all pariſh Churches, during the times of Popery and Monaſteries, by vertue of theſe recited Canons; as all our antient Miſſals and Pſalters evidence.

ccAilredus Abbas, de vita & miraculis Edwardi Confeſſoris, Col. 37…. Malmeſb. De geſtis Regum, l. 2 c. 13. de Geſtis Pontiſ. Angl. l. 2. p. 294. Mat. Weſtm. Anno 1055. p. 422. Hen. Huntindon Hiſt. l. 6. Simeon Dunelmenſis Hiſt. Col. 836. Chron. John Brompton, Col 909. 955. Hen. Knyghton de eventibus Angl. l. 1. c. 3. Antiq. Eccleſ. Brit. p. 88, 89. Ribadenira & Capgrave in the life of Edward the Confeſſor, Speeds Hiſt. p. 410.Our Historians record, that about the year 1030. Bryghtwold a monk of Glaſtonbury, (firſt Biſhop of Wilton…) when King Cnute had baniſhed and almoſt extirpated the whole royal Progeny of the Engliſh race, to eſtabliſh himſelf and his poſterity in the Throne, ſo as there ſeemed little probability of their reſtitution; this Biſhop falling into a ſerious meditation of the forlorn condition of the Royal race, and the Engliſh Nation under the Daniſh uſurpers, entred into Glaſtenbury Abby, where (as Abbot Ailred relates) p. 28for the reſtitution of the exiled King and royal iſſue, and deliverance of his Native Country from Daniſh Tyranny, maerens et tristis, orationibus vacabat et Pſalmis. Qui cum aliquando pro Regis, plebiſque liberatione preces lacrymaſqus profunderet, quaſi in haec verba prorumpens. Et tu, inquit, Domine uſque quo? uſque quo avertis faciem tuam, obliviſcens inopiae noſtrae & tribulationis noſtrae? Sanctos tuos occiderunt, altaria tua ſuffoderunt, & non eſt qui redimat, neque qui ſalvum faciat. Scio Domine, ſcio, quia omnia quae feciſti nobis, in vero judicio feciſti: ſed nunquid in aeternum projiciet Deus, & non opponet & complacitus ſit adhuc? erit ne Domine Deus meus, erit ne finis horum mirabilium? aut in aeternum tuus in nos mucro deſaeviet, & percutias uſque ad intern…cionem? Inter preces tandem & la…brymas fatigatum ſopor ſuavis excepit; viditque per ſomnium caeleſtem chorum cum lumine, beatiſſimumque Petrum in eminenti loco conſtitutum, dignum tantae majeſtati habitum praeferentem. Videbatur ante eum vir praeclari vultus in forma decenti, regalibus amictus inſigniis, quem cum propriis manibus Apoſtolus conſecraſſet & unxiſſet in Regem, monita ſalutis adjecit, praecipuèque caelibom vitam commendans, quot eſſet annos regnaturus aperuit. Obſtupefactus Praeſul tanti novitate miraculi, petit ſibi à ſancto viſionis hujus myſterium revelari: de ſtatu inſuper regni & instantis fine periculi apostolicum exegit oraculum. Tun… ſanctus vultu placido intuens intuentem. Domini, inquit, o Praeſul, Domini eſt regnum, ipſe dominatur in filiis hominum. Ipſe transfert regna, & mutat imperia, & propter peccata populi regnare facit hypocritam. Peccatum peccavit populus tuus Domino, & tradidit eos in manus Gentium▪ & dominati ſunt etiam qui oderunt eos. Sed non obliviſcitur miſereri Deus, nec continebit in ira ſua miſericordias ſuas. Erit enim, cum dormis cum patribus tuis ſepultus in ſenectute bona, viſitabit Dominus populum ſuum, & faciet redemtionem plebis ſuae. Eliget enim ſibi virum ſecundum cor fuum qui faciet omnes voluntates ſuas; qui me opitulante regnum adeptus Anglorum, Danico furori finem imponet. Erit enim acceptus Deo & gratus p. 29hominibus, amabilis civibus, terribilis hoſtibus, utilis Eccleſiae. Qui cum praeſcriptum terminum regnandi in juſticia & pace compleverit, laudabilem vitam ſancto fine concludet. Quae omnia in beato Edwardo completa rei exitus comprobavit; Expergefactus Pontifex rurſus ad preces lacrymaſque convertitur, et licet faelicita tem ſuae gentis non eſſet ipſe viſurus, de malorum tamen fine certus effectus, gratias agens Deo plurimum gratulabitur: Factus igitur animaequior, populis poenitentiam praedicabat, quibus Deus miſericordiam non defuturam conſtantiſsimè pollicebatur.

Moſt of our Hiſtorians record, That St. Peter in this viſion ſhewed Edward the Confeſſor to Bryghtwold whiles he was an exile in Normandy, and anointed him King in his ſight, declaring to him the honeſty of his life and peaceableneſſe of his Reign, which ſhould continue for 22. years ſpace. After which he inquiring of St. Peter who ſhould ſucceed him? received this comfortable Anſwer from him worthy our confideration, REGNƲM ANGLIAE EST REGNƲMDEI, & IPSE SIBI REGES PROVIDEBIT: as he hath done ever ſince; and that eſpecially by the conſtant Prayers, Supplications and Interceſsions of the Miniſters, Clergy, and people of the Realm in all Ages.

Anno 1050 **Antiqu. Eccleſiae Brit. p. 74, 75, 76. Monaſt. Angl. P. 35.Queen Emma (Mother of King Edward the Confeſſor) being falſly accuſed of Incontinency with Aldwin Biſhop of Wincheſter, and other crimes, and enforced to make her purgation in Winchester Church, by going barefoot over 9. plough-ſhares red hot; the King her Son, Nobles, Biſhops, and People reſorting thither upon this occaſion. When the Queen was led to this torment between 2. Biſhops only, Totius populi, clerique quaſi una voce ululantis, S. Swithinum invocantis & exclamantis, S. Swithine libera eam: maximus fletus paene ad coelos elatus eſt, tantuſque clamoris ſonitus vocibus viribuſque omnium factus est, ut S. Swithinus vel ilico ſine mora, vel nunquam occurreret, ut tonitrua reboantia ſuperavit, credebant enim illa ſua vociferatione Deum ipſum vim pati, coactumque ſervum ſuum Suithinum quaſi violenter extractum è coelo, ad liberandam Reginam p. 22dimiſſurum. After which ſtrong fervent united Prayers and cries of the People and Clergy to God for her, the Queen miraculouſly paſſed over all theſe Plough-ſhares, which ſhe preſſed with the weight of her whole Body, without ſeeing the Iron, or feeling the burning, or receiving the leaſt hurt thereby.

Anno 1066 **Spelmanni▪ Concilia, p. 630, 632, 633. Ailredns de vira & miraculis Edw. Confeſſ col. 387, 388.King Edw. the Confeſſor, having founded and endowed the Church of St. Peter of Weſtminſter with ſundry Lands and privileges amongſt other ends, pro animabus Regum tam Succeſſorum quam Praedeceſſorum meorum, & omnium parentum meorum, et pro pace ac tranquillitate Regni mei, et proſperitate totius Anglorum Populi; for all which the Monks thereof were to make continual Prayers, Supplications, and Interceſſions unto God: Pope Nicholas thereupon confirmed by his Bull, the privileges which the King had granted to this Church by his Charters; which Bull begins with this Salutation, and proceeds with this Thankſgiving and Prayer for him unto God.

Nicholaus Epiſcopus, ſervus ſervorum Dei, glorioſiſſimo & piiſſimo, omnique honore digniſſimo, ſpeciali quoque filio noſtro Edwardo Anglorum Regi, viſitationem omnimodam, ſalutem mellifluam, et benedictionem Apoſtolicam. Omnipotenti Deo referrimus grates, qui veſtram prudentiſſimam Excellentiam in omnibus ornavit ac decoravit erga beatum Petrum, &c. Orantes miſericordiam illius qui eſt Dominus omnium et Rex ſuper omnia ſolus, ut ipſe participem vos faciat ex omnibus ſi qua ſunt coram Deo bonis operibus noſtris, & fratres nos & ſocios in dilectione conſtituat in omni tempore amplius, ac non minorem partem noſtri obſequii reconſignet in ſuo regno quàm nobiſmetipſis provenire optamus. Crimus etiam drinceps pro vobis ſine dubio orantes aſſidue, ut ipſe Deus vobis ſubjiciat Hoſtes et Inimicos qui contra vos voluerint inſurgere, et confirmet vos in paterno ſolio ac propria Haereditate (a moſt ſeaſonable Prayer for our preſent exiled hereditary King, as well as for King Edward the Confeſſor, who after above bbSpelm. Concil. p. 628. Ail…edus Abbas: De vita et miraculis Edw. Confeſſ. p. 379, &c. The 3d. part of my Seaſonable and Legal Hiſtorical Vindication, p. 265, 166, &c. 281, to 291. Ibid. p. 387.25. years diſpoſſeſſion of the Crown by the p. 23tyrannical invading Daniſh Uſurpers, was by their deaths reſtored to the Crown in peace by his Subjects, without the least …ffuſion of blood, for which mercy he repaired and re-founded this Abby, as his firſt Charter to it recites) Ʋeſtro deſiderio & voluntati Omnipotens Deus praeſtet effectum, et confirmet vobis paterni Regni Imperium, et tribuat Incrementum, et poſt praeſentis vitae Decurſum, perducat ad aeternum permanentis Gloriae Imperium.

This King in his Epiſtle to this Pope, to confirm theſe privileges (recorded by **Col. 378.Ailredus) hath this paſſage concerning Peter-pence, which engaged the Pop… particularly to pray for him and his Realm. Ego quoque pro modulo meo, augeo & confi…mo donationes & conſuetudines peouniarum quas ſanctus Petrus habet in Anglia, & ipſas pecunias collectas cum Regalibus donis mitto vobis, ut oretis pro me, et pro pace Regni mei, et continuam et ſollempnem memoriam iuſti…uatis totius Gentis Anglicae coram corporibus ſanctorum Apoſtolorum: And if the Pope thus prayed continually for this King, his Realm and People, upon this account, no doubt his own Biſhops, Clergy, and other Subjects did much more do it.

Anno 1096 rrMonaſt. Angl. p. 547.King William the firſt in his Charter of confirmation of Lands and Liberties to the Church of Derherſt, Anno 1069. granted them by King Edward the Confeſſor his Predeceſſor, that they might pray, pro ſalute animae meae, omniumque liberorum noſtrorum, Quatenus Nos & Soboles noſtri ipſius ſancti (Dionyſii) precibus, ſociorumque ejus, adipiſci mereamur proſperum praeſentis vitae ſtatum & aeternae ſtationis portum.

Anno 1096, &c. King ssMonaſticon Angl. p. 642, 997, 1024.William Ruſus by ſeveral Charters granted and confirmed Lands and Liberties to the Abbies and Priories of Bermondeſey, Tavyſtock, and Saint Mary Magdalen in Barneſtable, pro ſalute animae meae, et Anteceſſorum meorum, pro anima Patris mei Willielmi Regis, et matris meae, ipſiuſque mei; to be obtained by the Prayers of the Monks, and religious perſons in theſe Houſes.

Anno 1100, &c.King ttIbid. p. 366, 437, 642, 643, 648, 686, 669, 670, 682, 684, 645, 646.Henry the firſt by ſundry Charters during his p. 32reign granted and confirmed ſundry Lands and Liberties to the Abbi…s, Priories, and Churches of Malverne, Colum, Bermondſey, Lenton, Thetford, Mountacute, St. Andrews, Northampton, Barnſtaple, and others beſides, to pray, pro ſalute & redemptione animae meae, pro animabus Patris mei Willielmi Regis Anglorum, matris et fratris mei, Willielmi Regis, et pro Succeſſorum meorum ſalute, pro pace et ſtabtlitate Regni, et pro ſalute et incolumitate filii mei Gulielmi, pro ſalute et incolumitate mei ipſius, et ſtatu Regni mei; pro animabus Anteceſſorū meorum. To which end they conſtantly made Prayers for them. And William Peverel, one of his Subjects, pro divini cultus amore & communi remedio animarum Dominorum meorum Willielmi Regis, et uxoris ejus Matildis Reginae, et filii eorum Willielmi Regis, et omnium parentum ſuorum et meorum; Necnon et pro ſalute Domini mei Henrici Regis, et uxoris ejus Matildae Reginae, et filii eorum Willielmi, et …liae eorum Matildis, pro ſtatu quo que Regni ſui; Necnon et pro ſalute animae meae et uxoris meae, et filii mei Willielmi, et omnium liberorum meorum, pia devotione et devota largitione, …ffero Deo et Eccleſiae Cluniacenſi, &c. It being uſual both in tha… and ſucceeding Ages for Subjects and Officers to our Kings, to endow Monaſteries and Churches with Lands, to pray for the ſpiritual and temporal proſperity of the Perſons, Souls, and Realms of their Kings, Queens, their Sons, Children and Succeſſors in the firſt place, as well as for their own Souls, Wives, Childrens, and Poſterities, mentioned only in the ſecond and laſt place in their Charters and Endowments, of which there are many Preſidents in the firſt and ſecond parts of Monaſticon Anglieanum, collected by Mr. Roger Dodſworth and Mr. William Dugdale, to whom I refer the Reader for fuller ſatisfaction.

Anno 1108 * Pope Paſcal the firſt, in his Epiſtle to K. Henry the 1. touching the Liberties of the Church of Ely, as he begins Hiſt. Elienſis Eccl. lib. 3. f. 1, 2. Monaſt. Angl. p. 91.his Epiſtle with, Salutem et Apoſtolicam benedic. ſo he thus ends it, Omnipotens Deus Apoſtoiorum ſuorum precibus et vos et prolem veſtram cuſtodiat, et caeleſte poſt terrenum p. 33vobis regnum concedat. The like he doth in his **Eadmerus Hiſt. Novorum, l. 2. p. 49, 51, 69, 72, 9, 113, 114, 7 121.Epiſtles to him concerning Archbiſhop Anſelme: concluding one of them in theſe words, Ipſe Omnipotens Deus in cujus manu corda ſunt Regum, aſſit hortatui noſtro, aſſit auditui tuo; ut juxta praecepta ejus tuas diſpoſueris actiones, ipſe Regnum tuum pacis et honoris ſui ſtabilitate ac ſubliminatione diſponant. Amen. He cloſeth other of his Epiſtle to him thus, Dominus te miſericordia ſua in potentia et probitate cuſtodiat, et a terre… ad coeleſte (regnum) perducat. Amen. Again, Haec ſi feceris, pro te Dominum, ipſo adjuvante exorars curabimus, et de peccatis tam tui, quàm conjugis tuae ſanctorum Apoſtolorum meritis abſolvimus.

Anno 1100 Goffridus Abbas Vindocinenſis in France, in his Epiſtola…um l. 5. Epiſt. 17. to King Henry the 1. of England, hath this prayer for, and profeſſion of his conſtant fidelity to him. hhBibliotheca Patrum, Tom. 1…. pars 1. p. 254.Clariſſimo Duci Normannorum, et praecelleutiſſimo Regi Anglorum Henrico, cariſſimo Domino & praecordiali amico, Frater Goffridus Vindocinenſis Abbas, in praeſenti proſpere ſemper et feliciter vivere, et in ſuturo manere cum Rege Angelorum. V…strae magnitudini, dulciſſime Pater et Domine, ſignificavi iter noſtrum; Et quia vobis ſenſi eſſe contrarium, itineris ſtatim mutavi propoſitum. Veſter itaque ſervus, testis eſt mihi Deus, in veſtra Fidelitate remaneo; in qua, quandiu vixero, Indeſinenter permanebo. Quod quando et quomodo Excellentiae veſtrae placuerit, ſecundum meum poſſe, operibus compr…bab…. Valeat Dominus meus Rex et vigeat; quem omnipotens Deus ab omni adverſ…tate defendat, et tribuat ei quod bene deſiderat.

Anſelme Archbiſhop of Canterbury begins his Epiſtles Eadmerus Hiſt. Nov. l. 3▪ p. 76, 85, 86.to this King Henry during his exile thus, Suo reverendo Domino Henrico Regi Anglorum Anſelm. Cantuarienſis Archiepiſcopus, fidele Servicium, cum orationibus: & fideles orationes cum fideli ſervicio. And concludes them thus; Omnipotens Deus ſic regnet in corde veſtro ut vos per …undem regnetis in gratia ejus. Omnipotens Deus ſic in …oc et in aliis actibus vestris dirigat a… veſtrum ſecundum voluntatem ſuam, ut poſt hanc vitam perducat Vos ad gloriam ſuam. Amen. In his Commentary and Expoſition on p. 34the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. He preſſeth the Duty of praying for Kings, though Pagans and Perſecutors, in theſe words, Hujuſmodi preces fiant pro omnibus hominibus, &c. Et pro illis etiam de quibus minus videbatur, id eſt, Pro Regibus, licet ſint mali et ſanctis infeſti: pro omnibus qui in ſublimitate ſecularium poteſtatum poſiti ſunt, ficut Conſules et Duces, quia de omni genere hominum convertentur ad religionem, et perveniant ad ſalutem, et de eis qui faſtu et elatione ſecularis potentiae fidem et humilitatem videntur abhorrere; ſicut cernimus, Quod ipſt Reges, deſertis Idolis, pro quibus perſequebantur Chriſtianos, unum verum Deum cognoverunt et colunt, et ideo pro illis orandum fuit, cum etiam perſequerentur Eccleſ…am; ad hoc etiam orandum eſt pro Principibus, ut nos qui ſub illis ſumus vitam agamus quietam a perſecutione, ut converſts Principibus Gentiles non andeant inquietare nos movendo perſecutiones pro impietate idolatriae, nec haeretici tranquillitatem noſtram turbare praeſumant volentes corrumpere caſtitatem fidei quorundam. In pace Principum quie… et regnum ſervatur Eccleſiarum. Nam in bellis et diſcordiis eorum diſſipatur tranquillitas, tepeſcit pietas, ſolvitur Diſciplina vel diſtrictio. Qua ſoluta, infirmiorum caſtitas violatur. Et ideo pro his orandum eſt, ne eveniant haec per diſſentionem Principum: Unde et per Jeremiam Dominus Judaeis qui in Babylone captivi tenebantur, praecepit dicens, Quaerite pacem civitatis ad quam tranſmigrare vos fecit, et orate pro ea ad Dom. quia in pace illius erit pax vobis. Babylon vero (quae dicitur confufio) Societatē iniquorum ſignificat, Judaei autē cives ſupernae Jeruſalem qui in hoc ſeculo peregrinantur inter malos, et Regibus atque Principibus tributa▪ xeddunt, et caetera quae ſalvo Dei cultu conſtitutio ſecularis exigit. Idcirco debet orate pro pace eorum, quia in pace eorum erit illis pax: utique interim temporalis, quae b…nis maliſque communis eſt. Ʋtimur ergo et nos pace Babylonis, ex qua per fidem et coelestis patriae deſiderium ità populus D…i laetabitur, ut apud hanc interim peregrinetur. Pax antem noſtra propria et hîc cum p. 35Deo eſt per fidem, & in aeternum cum illo per ſpeciem. Orate (inguit) pro pace Principum, et pro ſalute omnium, quia hoc agere eſt bonum, id est, utile Eccleſiae, & acceptum, id est, gratum atque placitum coram Deo ſalvatore noſtro: qui ſicut nos ſalvat, ita & omnes homines vult ſalvos fieri, & ad agnitionem veritatis venire, &c. Omne genus hominum intelligamus per quaſcunque differentias diſtributum, Reges▪ Principes, Nobiles, ignobiles, ſublimes, humiles, &c. Hoc enim bonum eſt coram Salvatore, id eſt, ut pro talibus oretur. Hoc quipp… Deus bonum judicavit, ut oratione humilium dignaretur ſalutem praeſtare ſublimibus. This was the received Doctrine of this great learned Arch-biſhop of Canterbury, Anſelme, both under King W…ll. Rufus, and H. the I.

Anno 1140 Queen Maud his daughter and heir to the Crown, by her aaMonaſticon Angl. p. 803, 812, 820, 822, 984. P…t. 12. R. 2. pars 2. n. 24. Ch. 19 E. 2. n. 20. Pat. 5. H. 5. m. 3.Charter, founded and granted to the Abby of Bardeſley, ſundry Lands, Pro Dei amore, & pro anima H. Regis Patris mei, Et M. Reginae, Matris meae, & parentum & anteceſſorum meorum; & pro ſalute G. Comitis Andegaviae Domini mei, & mea, & H. Haeredis mei, et aliorum filiorum meorum; et pro pace et ſtabilitate Regni Angliae. In her Charters of confirmation and grant to the Abbyes of Kingeſwood, Stoneley, Cogeſhale, and St. Frideſwide in Oxford, ſhe hath the like expreſſions: for all which the Monks there were obliged to pray.

Anno 1142 Anno 1154 King Stephen by his reſpective bbMonaſticon Angl. p. 687, 688, 779, 866, 868. c. 9. E. 2. n. 48.Charters, of grant and confirmation to the Monaſteries of Feverſham, Billewas, Sibeton and other Abbies, gave and confirmed Lands and Liberties to them, pro ſalute animae meae, & Mathildis Reginae uxoris meae, & E. filii mei, et aliorum puerorum meorum, et anteceſſorum meorum Regum Angliae, et nominatim pro anima Regis Henrici et fratrum meorum; by prayers to be made in them by the Monks therein for that purpoſe.

King Henry the II. by his ccMonaſticon▪ Angl. p. 387, 519, 605, 687, 689, 760, 773, 774, 782, 830, 884, 914, 959, 1002. ch. 10. …. 2. n. 47. Ch. 15. H. 3. m. 9. Ch. 10. R. 2. n. 48. Ch. 19 E. 2. n▪ 9.Charters of grant and conſirmation of Lands and Liberties to the Abbies and Monaſteries of St. Maryes in York, Eton, Abberbury, Feverſham, Quarrera, St. Maryes, near Dublin in Ireland, Miraval, Flexley, Croxden, Witteham and Tavyſtock, granted ſundry Lands and Franchiſes to them, Pro Dei amore, pro ſalute animae meae et reginae meae, et haeredum meorum, et pro anima Regis Henrici avi, & pro animabus anteceſſorum noſtrorum, et omnium p. 36parentum majorum, et anteceſſorum meorum Regum Angliae, et Succeſſorum noſtrorum, et matris meae Imperatricis, et puerorum meorum: to be obtained by their Prayers, inſerting this Clauſe into his Charter of Confirmation to St. Maries in York, Ne aliquis baeres vel ſucceſſor quaerat relevamen vel aliquod Dominium praeter orationes et preces, et eleemoſynam animae ſuae de beneficiis vel eleemoſynis quas aliquis dedit praedictae Abbathiae.

Anno 1154 King aaHuntingdon Hiſt. l. 6. p. 398, 399.Henry the 2d. comming into England to be crowned after King Stephens death, ut decebat tantum & tàm beatum virum, cum ſumma laetitia et multis prae gaudio lachrymantibus, in Regem benedictus eſt, in throno Regni ſplendidiffimè collocatus est. De cujus temporis beatitudine ſic diximus heroicè: writes Henry Huntingdon.

Anglia lethali jamdudum frigore torpens,

Nunc ſolis fervore novi rediviva caleſcens,

Erigis impreſſum terrae caput, & vacuatis

Triſtitiae lachrymis, pro laetitia lachrymaris

Cum lachrymis haec verba tuo profundis alumno,

Spiritus es, caro ſum: Tu nunc intrante revixi.

Anno 1166 Anno 1171 Anno 1166. ttRoger Hoveden, Annal. poſterior pars, p. 500, 501, 503, 504, 515.there falling out a difference between this King and Thomas Becket Archbiſhop of Canterbury, Pope Alexander thus begins all his Epiſtles to the King on Beckets behalf. Alexander, &c. Dilecto filio Henrico illuſtri Regi Anglorum, Salutem et Apoſtolicam benedictionem. Adviſing him ſo to govern his Realm to the honour of God, and tranquillity and peace of his Church, Ʋt Regnum temporale conſervet, et p…ſt illud det tibi Deus ſine fine manſuram. And Archbiſhop Becket, though in exile, begins his Epiſtle to the King the ſame year in theſe words: Reverendiſſimo Domino ſuo Henrico Dei gratia, illuſtri Anglorum Regi, &c. Salutem, et utinam per omnia benefacere. And ends it thus, Bene valeat ſemel et ſemper Dominus meus, Anno 1171. **Hoveden, p. 526, 527, 538, 554, 628, 643, 645. 647Robert Abbot of Wallatia, and 4. other Ambaſſadors of King Henry ſent to Rome about Reckets Buſineſſe, began their Epiſtle to the King with Chariſſimo Domino Henrico illuſtr. Angliae Regi, &c. Salutem, & facile in omnibus et ubique ſervitium. Cloſing it thus, Valeat et vigeat ſublimitas veſtra, confortamini in Domino, & exultet cor veſtrum. Reginald elect p. 37Biſhop of Bath begins his Epiſtle from Rome to this King, with Salutem in eo qui dat ſalutem Regibus. And Manuel Emperor of Conſtantinople, thus ſalutes him in the beginning of his Epiſtle to him. Salutem et omne bonum. Pope Lucius in his Epiſtle to him, Anno 1185. wiſheth him, Salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem. The Pat…iark of Antioch begins his Epiſtle to him with this option, in illo regnare per quem Reges regnant. The Maſter of the Temple Tricius, in his Epiſtle wiſheth him, Salutem in eo qui dat ſalutem Regibus. bbBibli…theca Pat…um, Tom. 12. pars 2. p. 512. c.Stephanus Tornacenſis Epiſcopus inſcribes his firſt Epiſtle to this King, thus. Hen…ico Regi Anglorum cum omni proſperitate gloriam ſempiternam. ccIbidem p. 701, 702, 733, 737, 754, 779, 827, 828.Petrus Bleſenſis Arch-deacon of Bath, thus begins his 12, 41, 42, 62, and 153. Epiſtles to him. Henrico Dei gratia, illuſtriſsimo Anglorum Regi, &c. Salutem in eo per quem Reges regnant. His 41. Epiſtle to him is thus concluded. Bene valeat chariſſimus Dominus meus, diuque ac faeliciter vivat et regnet Richard Archbiſhop of Canterbury Anno 1189, &c.his Epiſtle to him begins with Salutem, et in Regno temporali, Regni Coeleſtis memoriam et am… xem. Monaſt. Angl. p. 443, 531, 571, 799, 804, 824, 827, 885▪ ch. 12 E. 3. n. 22. Pat. 9 R. 2. p…t. 2. m. 25. ch. 37 H. 3 n 9.And the Archbiſhop of Rhoane (the 153. Epiſtle of Petrus Bleſenſis beginning with the Salutation uſed in his 1. Epiſtle) ends with this Prayer. Bene valeat altiſſimus Dominus, et Deus qui ſe contra eum in ſuperbia et abuſione erigunt, reportet in virtute altiſſimi gloriam et triumphum.Anno 1200, &c.

King Richard the 1. by his reſpective Charters granted and confirmed ſeveral Lands, Liberties, and Privileges to the Monaſteries and Churches of Stratford, Haliwel, Frampton, Wells, Budeſley, Revefly, Boxele and Homecoltram, pro amore Dei, et pro ſalute noſtra, et A. Reginae matris noſtrae, in liberam et perpetuam elemoſynam; for which the Monks were to pray.

King aaMonaſt Angl. p. 502, 503, 529, 719, 863, 926, 983, 992, ch. 1 Joh. m. 2 n. 60 ch. 5. Ioh. m 12. n. 98. Pat. 1 E. 1. m. 20. ch 9. Ioh. m. 2 n. 30. ch 10 E. 3 n. 42. ch. 53 H. 3. m. 13. ch. 7. Ioh. n. 115. ch. 6. Ioh. n. 100.John by ſeveral Charters granted and confirmed ſeveral Lands and Liberties to the reſpective Monaſteries of …oſſa, St. Katherine near Fxeter, Thik…hued, St. N…th D…re, Farendon, Shaftesbury, and Wolfraughauton, pro ſalute animae H. Regis avi Patris noſtri, pro ſalute noſtra et Haeredum noſtrorum et omnium anceceſſorum et ſucceſſorum noſtrorum, & pro ſalute animae H. Regis patris noſtri, et matris ſui Imperatricis, et anteceſſorum et haeredum noſtrorum: p. 38Which the Monks in all theſe Monſteries were obliged conſtantly to pray for, in all their publike and private Maſſes and Devotions.

Anno 1218, &c. King ‖‖Monaſticon Angl. p. 501, 502, 503, 512. 525, 529, 5…9, 587, 801, 805, 826, 879, 880, 886, 887, 911, 933, 960. Ch. 9 H. 3. m. 5. Pat. 5. E. …. m. 3. part. 1. m. 1. Ch. 12. H. 3. m. 6 Ch. 12. H. 3. m. 12. Pat. 50. H. 3. m. 25. Ch. 16. H. 3. m. 6. Ch. 12. H. 3. m. 9, 10. Rot. Fin. 50. H. 3. m. 8.Henry the 3d. granted and confirmed ſeveral Lands and Privileges to the Abbies and Monaſteries of Danington, Foſsa, Flamsted, Ceſthont, Wilburtoſſe, Lillichurch, Wotton, New-Minſter near Morpeth, Parcolude, Kemmer, Jorevall, Holmcoltram, Bynedone, Letſelege, Lenton and Tarente, pro ſalute animae nostrae, et H. Regis et haeredum noſtrorum et omnium Regum Angliae, et omnium fidelium, et animarum anteceſſorum noſtrorum, et patris mei, et matris meae, et pro totius noſtri progen. in remiſ…ionem peccatorum et ſalvationem, et pro statu Regni mei. Which the Abbots, Priors and Monks in theſe reſpective Churches, were conſtantly to pray for both in publike and private.

Anno 1235 The Prior and Covent of aaMat. Paris vitae 23. ſancti. Albani Abbat. p. 136, 137.St. Alba…, in their Letters to King Henry the 3d. touching the Election and preſentation of a New Abbot, Anno 1235. uſed this ſtile and prayer. Excellentiſſimo Domino ſuo & in Chriſto Reverendiſſimo, Henrico Dei gratia Regi Angliae, &c. E. Prior Sancti Albani & ejuſdem loci Cenventus, cum omni humilitate & devotione, aeternam in Domino ſalutem.

Anno 1242 The Prior and Covent of Bath, bbIn the Leger Book of the Priory of Bath.Anno 1242. begin and end their Letters to King Henry the 3d. and his Queen, concerning the Election of the Biſhop of Bath and Wells, in this form, and with theſe Prayers for them. Sereniſſimo Domino Henrico Dei gratia Regi Angliae, &c. devoti ſui humilis Th. Prior & conventus Bathoniae, Salutem et debitam cum orationibus aſſiduis reverentiam et fidelitatem, &c. In omnibus quae noſtrae erunt poſsibilitatis veſtris parati ſumus affectuoſe parere mandatis. Valeat et vigeat Dominatio veſtra per tempora longa. Valeat Regia Excellenti… veſtra ſemper in Domino. Conſervet vos Eccleſiae et populo ſuo Altiſſimus per tempora longiora. Valeat et vigeat Serenitas veſtra et filiorum veſtrorum per tempora longa. Valeat Serenitas veſtra ſemper in Domino. Which were their daily prayers for the, in their publike and private Devotions, in their Churches and Cells as well as in their Letters. And likewiſe for King Adelſtan, Edward, Edgar, Ethelred, Kenulphus, Henry the I. and King p. 39Stephen, Benefactors to the Priory of Bath, whoſe Anniverſaries they ſolemnized every year, with Solemn prayers and Alms, as the Leger book records.

Anno 1247 In the Vigil o… ‖‖Mat. Pa…is Hiſt. Angl. p. 735. Edit. Londini.St. Matthew, Anno 1247. when Prince Edward eldeſt ſon and heir of King Henry the 3. was ſick, the ſaid King writ to all the religious perſons remaining within the circuit of London, where the ſaid Edward lay ſick, ut devote orarent pro Pueri incolumitate; that they ſhould devoutly pray for the recovery and health of the child. Whereupon, amongſt others, he writ ſpecially to the Abbot and Covent of St. Alban, ut pro ipſo orantes, that praying for him, all the Monks ſhould ſolemnly ſing a Maſſe, whoſe firſt Collect ſhould be of St. Alban, but the ſecond for the ſick Prince: namely, Omnipotens & ſempiternè Deus ſalus aeterna credentium, &c Which being done, per Dei gratiam, puero ſanitas eſt reſtituta. Haec idcircò dixerim (writes the Hiſtorian) propter murmur populi dicentis eccelaici orant Dominum et exaudiuntur; et quare non orat Papa & facit pro cauſa ſua, imò noſtra & univerſalis Eccleſiae Orare: imò rapinis inbiat pecuniae indefeſſus. Dictumque eſt & affirmatum, quod non ſine lachrymis ſcribo; plus confidit in pecuniae theſauris, quam fidelium precibus vel Eleemoſynis.

Anno 1249 The **Mat. Weſtm. Anno 1249. p. 239.Abbots of the Order of Black Monks, aſſembling at the Abby of Bermond…ſhie, in the year 1249. Ordained by Common-Council, Quod ipſe Dominus Rex ab ipſis omnibus impetravit, ut pro ipſo et Regina dicatur quotidie in miſſa quae in veneratione beatae Virginis canitur in eorum Eccleſiis, Collecta eelebis, Deus in eujus manu; For the preſervation and welfare of the King and Queen.

Anno 1270 King ‖‖Mat. Weſtm. p. 350, 351.Henry the 3d. being very ſick at Weſtminſter in the Lent, Anno 1270. and deſpairing of his recovery, ſe orationibus Eccleſiae commendavit, recommended himſelf to the Prayers of the Church. Whereupon the Monks of Weſtminſter fearing to loſe ſuch a Patriot, went in Pilgrimage bare-foot, in a rainy ſeaſon to the new Temple, and there ſinging a Maſſe for the King, and returning thence in the ſame manner as they went, it was told them, that the king had recovered of his ſickneſſe. Whereupon he commanded the Monks by his Mandates, that they ſhould ſing Gandeat in coelis, quod convaluit precibus monachorum.

p. 40George Caſſandar in his ^h Preces Eccleſiaſticae, hath ſundry forms of Georgii Caſſandri Opera, Paryſiis, 1616. p. 373, 374. Pro Imp. Rege, vel Principe.Prayers for Chriſtian King…, Emperors, Princes, and Kingdoms, collected out of ſeveral antient Liturgies, Miſſals, Letanies, and Canonical Houres (uſed antiently in moſt Monaſteries and Churches as well in England as in other Kingdoms., during the reign of King Henry the 3^d. and in the Kings reigns preceding and ſucceeding him) which I ſhall here inſert.

Deus qui populis tuis virtute conſulis, & amore dominaris, da huic f…mul… tuo ſpiritum ſapientiae cum regimine diſciplinae, ut tibi toto corde devotus, in Regni regimine maneat ſemper idoneus; tuoque munere ipſius temporibus ſecuritas Eccleſiae dirigatur, ut in tranquillitate devotio Chriſtiana permaneat, ut in bonis operibus perſeverans, ad aeternum Regnum te duce valeat pervenire, per eundem Dominum.

Omnipotens ſempiterne Deus qui famulum tuum Regni faſtigio dignatus es ſublimare, tribue ei quaeſumus ut ita in hujus ſeculi curſu in commune ſalutem diſponat, quatenus a tuae veritatis tramite non recedat. Per eundem Dominum noſtrum.

Deus qui ſcis humanum genus nulla virtute poſſe ſubſiſtere, concede propicius, Ʋt famulus tuus N quem populo tuo voluisti praeferri, ita tuo ſulciatur adjutorio quatenus quibus potuit praeeſſe, valeat & prodeſſe Per Dominum.

Om…ipotens ſempiterne Deus coeleſtium terreſtrium que moderator, qui famulum tuum N. ad Regni faſtigium dignatus es provehere, concede propitius, ut a cunctis adverſitatibus libertatus, & Eccleſiaſticae pacis dono muniatur, & ad aeternae pacis gaudia te donante pervenire mereatur. Per Dominum noſtrum.

Quaeſumus Omnipotens Deus, ut famulus tuus N. qui tu… miſeratione ſuſcepit Regni gubernacula, virtutum etiam omnium à re percipiat increment…, quibus decenter armatus, & vi…iorum monſtra devitare, & hoſtem ſuperare, & ad te qui via, veritas & vita e…, gratioſus valeat pervenire. Per Dominum noſtrum.

Deus in cujus manu corda ſunt Regum, inclina ad preces humilitatis noſtrae aures miſericordiae tuae, & famulo tuo Imperatori noſtro regimen tuae appone ſapientia, ut …auſtis de tuo fonte …onfiliis, & tibi placeat, & ſuper omnia Regna praecellat. Per Dominum noſtrum.

D…us cujus Regnum eſt omnium ſeculorum, ſupplicationes noſtras clementer exaudi, & Christianorum Regnum tibi ſubditum protege, ut in tua virtute fidentes, & tibi placeant, & ſuper omnia Regna praecellant. Per eundem Dominum noſtrum.

Deus qui providentia tua coeleſtia ſimul & terrena moderaris, propiciare Chriſtianorum rebus & Regibus; ut omnis hostium fortitudo te pro nobis pugnante frangatur. Per eundem Dominum noſtrum.

Propiciare Domine precibus famulorum tuorum: & propter Nomen tuum Chriſtiani nominis defende Rectores: ut ſalus ſer vientium tibi Principum, pax tuorum poſſit eſſe populorum. Per eundem Dominum.

Deus Regnorum omnium Regumque Dominator, qui nos & percutiendo ſanas, & ignoſcendo conſervas, praetende miſericordiam tuam, ut tranquillitate pacis tua poteſtate fi…mata, ad remedia correctionis utamur. Per Dom. noſtrum.

Theſe were the conſtant publick and private Prayers and Devotions of the Clergy and people for their Kings, Princes, and their Kingdoms heretofore, not unſeaſonable for our preſent …mes.

p. 41In my peruſal of the Clauſe Rolls in the Tower of London, I have obſerved ſundry Memorable Writs and Mandates iſſued by King Edward the 1, 2, 3. Richard the 2. and other of our Kings, to their Biſhops, Clergy, Abbots, Freers Predicants, Minors, and other Religious Orders, upon ſundry emergent occaſions, requiring and commanding them, to make frequent and fervent Supplications, Prayers, Interceſsions, and Thanksgivings unto God alone, (not Saints, or Angels) in times of War, danger, Treaties, and the like, for his ſpecial aſsiſtance, direction, protection, bleſsing, and favour, upon the King, Queen, Prince of Wales, the Royal iſſue, kingdom, Nobles, Armies, the Kings Counſels, Treaties, affairs of all ſorts, and for publike peace and proſperity: Which Writs, becauſe very rare, pious, pertinent to my preſent Theme, ſuitable to the ſtate of our affairs, and never hitherto publiſhed in print, I ſhall here inſert the chiefeſt of them at large, pretermitting all others of like nature for brevitie ſake, thoſe here tranſcribed comprehending in them the form and ſubſtance of the reſidue, except only Writs for Maſſes, Dirgees, and Prayers for deceaſed Kings, Queens, and Princes, of which there are aaCl. 19 E. 1. dorſ. 1. 0. Cl. 24 E. 1 dorſ. 8. Cl. 28 E. 1. dorſ. 4. Cl. 29. E. 1. d. 16. Cl. 32 H. 1▪ dorſ. 6. Cl. 33. E 1. dorſ. 11. Cl. 35 E. 1. dorſ. 9.many Preſidents (heterogeneal to my Subject matter) which I ſhall totally paſſe by.

Clauſ. 22 E. 1. m. 11. dorſo. Rex Archiepiſcopo Eborum, &c. ſalutem. Cum inter magnificum Principem Dominum Pro Rege de precibus.Regem Franciae illuſtrem Conſanguineum noſtrum, et Nos, aliqua ſint exorta propter quae ad partes intendimus tranſmarinas perſonaliter Nos conferre, cum dicto Rege ſuper hiis habituri colloquium et tractatum. Credentes firmiter et ſperantes, quod felicior votis nostris effectus adveniret ſi devotorum interceſsionibus adjuvemur, Paternitatem veſtiam affectuosè requirimus et rogamus, quatenus apud Deum preces devotas ſuppliciter effundatis, et à vestris Subditis illud idem fieri injungatis, ut in hujuſmodi negotio proſequendo, tractando ac etiam ordinando, ſic Deus & Dominus regat et dirigat actus noſtros, quod cooperante unigenito Dei filio Jeſu Chriſto, labor noſter in hac parte ita poſſit fructuoſus haberi, quod cedat ad laudem ſui nominis, ac ſtatum quietum & proſperum Regni noſtri pariter & honorem, necnon ad totius Chriſtianitatis commodum p. 42& profectum. T. R. apud Sanctum Albanum, decimo die Febr.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur A. Dunolm. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur J. Epo. Karli…l.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur O. Line. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur W. Elyen. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur R. Norwyc. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur J. Wynton. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur G. Cicestr. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur J. Roffen. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur Th. Exon. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur N. Sarum. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur R. London. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur W. Bath. & Well. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur R. Coventr. & Lichf. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur G. Wygorn. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur. Aſſavin. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur Th. Heref. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur Bangor. Epo.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur Cuſtod. Spiritualitatis Archiepiſcopatus Cant. ſede vacante, mutatis tamen mutandis, viz. ubi paternitatem, &c. ibi devotionem, &c.

Conſimiles literae Cuſtodi Epiſcopatus Landaven. ſede vacante diriguntur.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur M. Meneven. electo.

Clauſ. 24 E. 1. dorſo m. 10. Rex Venerabili in Chriſto Patri R. eadem gratia Cant. Archiepo. totius Angli… Primati ſalutem. Evidentem Cauſae noſt…ae juſticiam quam vos latere non credimus, ferventi ſtudio hactenus proſecuti, et adhuc ſummo opere proſequentes, pro recuperatione et defenſione terrae noſtrae Vaſcon. tanquam Coronae Regiae et honori Regni noſt…i Angliae hereditario jure annexae, de qua Rex …ranciae nos injuſtè exhaeredare conatur, ad partes ipſ…s Ducatus, gentes noſtras nuper cum potentia quam tunc commode potuimus, et nunc demum Edmundum frat…em noſtrum cum honorabili comitiva Nobilium dicti Regni duximus deſtinand. Sanè cum in homine non ſit auxilium ſed è coelo, ac propter hoc, oporteat p. 43impotentiam noſtram divinae manus praeſidiis ſuſtentari, Paternitatem vestram requirimus & rog…m…s, quatenus non ſolum noſtram ſet veſtram juſtitiam intuentes, & c…rda veſtra ſurſum habentes ad Dominum, apud eum, ut haec & alia quae negotio expedire cognoveritis antedicto, procedant ſalubriter & in manibus nostris proſperè dirigantur, devotis ſupplicationibus inſiſtatis. Cumque ob reverentiam ſedi… Apoſtolicae, et ad venerabilium Patrum S. Albanem & S. Peneſtren. Epiſcoporum Sanctae Romanae Eccleſiae Cardinalium requiſitionem inſtantem, ad tractandum de tre…gis et pace cum Rege praedicto ſuper guerris, diſſenſionibus & diſcordiis quibuſcun que inter ipſum & Nos exortis & motis, ſollempnes Nuncios noſtros ad partes miſerimus tranſmarinas ad praeſentiam Cardinaſium praedictorum, piam affectionem veſtram excitet quaeſumus debitum caritatis, ad divinam miſericordiam veſtris interceſsionibus implor. ut praeſentis temporis tempeſtuoſo …rocellarum turbine quieſcente, uberiora tempora ſubtranquillioris aur ae ſerenitate ſuccedant, quod que ad feliciter haec & alia peragenda, quae cepimus, dextera Regis Regum potenter adjuti, ea ad laudem ipſius et honorem nostrum, ac commodum regni noſtri ad optatum …ffectum deducere valeamus, Praemiſsa vero omnibus veſtris Subditis in veſtra Dioc. conſtitutis ſpecialibus orationibus facienda, per vos injungi petimus & mandari. T. R. apud Sanctum Albanum primo die Januarii.

Conſimiles literae diriguntur J. Eborum, Archiepo. Angl. Primati, et Epiſcopis ſubſcriptis, videlicet,

J. Epiſcopo Roffen.

R. Epo. London.

O. Epo. Lincoln.

R. Epo. Norwycen.

W. Epo. Elyen.

G Epo. Ciceſtr.

J. Epo. Wynton.

Th. Exon. Epo.

N. Epo. Sarum.

W. Bathon. & Wellen. Epo.

G. Wygorn. Epo.

R. Hereford. Epo.

A. Epo. Bangor. Aſſaven. Epo.

J. Electo Landaven.

J. Karleolen. Epo.

A. Epo. Dunolmen.

Cuſtod. Spiritualit. Covent. & Lychf. ſede vacante.

Electo Meneven. vel ejus Vices gerenti, ipſo agente in partibus tranſmarinis.

p. 44Clauſ. 24 E. 1. m. 10. dorſo. Rex dilecto ſibi in Chriſto Abbati ſancti Augustini Cantuar. ſalutem. Evidentem Cauſae noſtrae juſticiam, &c. ut ſupra uſque ibi praeſidiis ſuſtentari: et tunc dicitur, Vos requirimus & rogamus quatenus, &c. ut ſupra. Praemiſſa vero omnibus vestris ſubditis ſpecialibus orationibus facionda, per vos injungi petimus & mandari. T. Rege apud Crucem Roes vij. die Januar.