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

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

p. 97CHAP. VII.

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

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

Anno 304 The ſecond is the memorable ſtorie of the Emperor Maximinianus, who was ſmitten by God with ſeveral Diſcaſes for perſecuting the Chriſtians, ſo that his fleſh did b Eutychii Annal. p. 411, 412, 427. Euſ…bius Eccl. Hiſt l. 8. c. 27, 28. Niceph. Eccleſ. Hiſt. l. 7. c. 20, 22, 23.rot away, and worms crept out of his Bowels, and he lay proſtrate on the earth, ſtinking in ſuch ſort that no man could come nigh unto him; All his Companions admiring, and his very Enemies pitying him for what had thus befallen him. Whereupon Ipſe verò ad ſe reverſus; Hoc forſan quod patior (inquit) inde mihi accidit, quod Chriſtianos interfecerim. Literas ergò ad omnes provincias ſuas dedit, ut Chriſtianos quicunque in carceribus eſſent, dimitterent, eoſque honore afficerent, nec ullum iis damnum inferrent; Rogarent autem ut inter precandum pro Imperatore vota funderent; orantibus ergo pro Imperatore Chriſtianis ac preces fundentibus, Deus ipſi ſanitatem reſtituit, adeo ut viribus et ſanitate melius quam antea gauderet, as Eutichyus: or, ccNicephorus Eccl Hiſt. l. 7. …. 22, 23.Addit praetereà mandatum, ut ſtatas ſolitaſque pro Imperatore preces ad Deum funderemus: Christianos Chriſtiana ſua templa exaedificare, rem maturare, conſueta Officia in illis facere, Preces pro Imperii ſtatu fundere, he publiſhing 2. Edicts in the Chriſtians behalf. ddEuſebius Eccl. Hiſt l. 8. c. 28, 29 l. 9. c. 1, 6, 7, 8, 9.Ʋndè Chriſtiani hac indulgentia conceſſa devincti, Debent Deo ſuo obnixe ſupplicare pro noſtra, pro Reipublicae, pro ſua ipſorum ſalute, ut quovis modo cum publicus rerum ſtatus integer & incolumis retineatur, p. 99tum ipſi in ſuis familiis abſque cura & ſollicitudiue vitam traducere queant, as Euſebius & Nicepborus, record the ſtory. Lo here this perſecuting bloodie Pagan Emperor reſtored to his perfect health, by the Prayers of the Chriſtians whom he ſlew, impriſoned, perſecuted in his health; yet behold his deſperate ing…atitude both to God and them. Ille verò ubi ſanitati reſtitutus convaluiſſet, ad majorem impietatis gradum quàm antea prolapſus, in omnes ditiones ſuas ſcribens, Chriſtianos occidi juſſit, & ne profeſſionis ejus quiſpiam in Imperio ejus relinqueretur, neve urbem aut oppidum incolere ſinerentur, ſed penitus extirparentur. Interfecti ſunt ergo è Chriſtianis, qua viri, qua feminae, qua pueri, plures quàm numerari poſſint, adeo ut prae occiſorum multitudine Plauſtris delati in mari, & in deſerto projicerentur. But God ſoon after ſmote him with an ulcer in his Bowels, which tortured him extremely, corroded and eat out his Bowels, cauſed his verie eyes to fall out of his head upon the ground, burnt up his Fleſh which was ſevered from his bones, ſo as he periſhed by a moſt miſerable death, confeſſing that God had deſervedlie puniſhed him in this ſort, for his madneſſe and raſhneſs againſt Chriſt and his Members.

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

After ffEuſebius Eccl. Hiſt. l. 9. c. 9. Niceph. l. 7. c. 39.Maximinianus the Tyrants death, an utter Enemy to all Pietie and Godlineſs, through the Grace of Almighty God Churches were re-edified, and erected from the Foundations, the Goſpel of Jeſus Chriſt freely preached, profeſſed and propagated; Maximinianus by publick Edicts, proclaimed the chiefeſt and moſt deadly Enemy, the moſt impious, wicked, pernicious and malicious Tyrant, and moſt excerable hater of God. All Tables and Inſcriptions ſet up in every City to his and his Childrens honour, were either thrown down from aloft to the ground, or obliterated, or blotted out with a deformed & black colour: In like manner all Statues erected to his honour being tumbled down, were broken in pieces, and expoſed to the laughter and derifion of ſuch who would abuſe them. All his perſecuting Inſtruments, Favorers and Partiſans, were in like manner diſgraced, diſofficed, and ſome of them slain. The Chriſtian Biſhops, Miniſters, and Profeſſors of the Goſpel, made and ſang ſpecial Songs of Prayſe and Thankſgiving unto God Almighty, the King and Governour of all things, and to Jeſus Chriſt his Son, the Redeemer of their Souls, and Author of their internal and external peace, enjoyed under their Chriſtian Emperor; whoſe Prayſes they extolled, as you may read at large in Euſebius, Ecleſ. Hiſt. l. 10. c. 1, 3, 4, 6, 9. And De Ʋita Conſtantini, l 2, 3, & 4. After which Conſtantine iiEuſebius de Vita Conſtan…. l. 9 c. 18, 19, 20.preſcribed to all his Soldiers and Subjects p. 101as well Pagans as Christians, a ſet form of Prayer to God for himſelf and his Sons, to be ſaid ev…ry day, or Lords Day at leaſt; recited in the kkHere p. 4.former Chapter. Anno 325 This firſt Chriſtian Emperor, in the firſt General **…uſeb. de vita Conſtant. l. 3. c. 20.Council of Nice, Anno 325. when he diſmiſſed the many Biſhops there aſſembled by him from all parts (whereof 3. came from our Iſle of llBiſhop Vſher de Eccleſ. Brit. Primordiis, p. 195.Britain) with a grave exhortation, to preſ…rve mutual concord; added this requeſt to them in the cloſe thereof, Ut pro ipſo ad Deum preces obnixe funderent, That they would earneſtly powre forth Prayers for him unto God. mmDe vita Conſtant. l. 4. c. 14.Euſebius further records of him, That whereas he eſteemed that the Prayers of Pious men, were of great moment to him, and to the ſafety and preſervation of the whole Common-wealth, towards which ſeeing he reputed them neceſſary, he did not only upon all occaſions throw himſelf down as a Supplicant unto God, Uerum etiam ut pro ſe ab Eccleſiae Praeſ…dibus ſupplicaretur, mandavit, but likewiſe commanded that Supplications ſhould be made for him by the Rectors of the Church; which they accordinglie performed.

Anno 336 In the 30th. year of his reign, nn…uſ…b De vita Conſtant. l 4 c. …8.when a certain Prieſt prayſed him to his face, as worthy to enjoy the chief Power of all things in this life, & to reign together with the Son of God in the life to come; He ſignifying his diſlike therof, exhorted him, not to uſe ſuch flattering words concerning him for time to come; but rather to contend for him with Prayers from God, that he might ſeem worthy to be the ſervant of God both in this life, and that which is to come. The ſame year this Emperor having aſſembled a very great Synod of * Euſeb. Ibid. l. 4. c. 45.Biſhops and Priests to Ieruſalem to the Dedication of the Temple he had there built; ſome of them adorned that ſolemnity with Prayers and Diſputations, others with elegant Orations, Sermons and Interpretations of obſcure places of Scripture: others who could do none of theſe, Supplices Deo preces, &c. Offered up humble Prayers and Supplications unto God for common peace, for the Church of God, and for the Emperor himſelf, the Author of theſe moſt excellent things, and for his Children who were dear to God.

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

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

Anno 3.0. Constantine the 2d. Son of Conſtantine the Great, degenerating from his Fathers Faith and Pietie, favoured the Arrian Hereſy, and very much perſecuted the Orthodox Biſhops, who maintained the Deity of our Saviour Jeſus Chriſt; yet they and the Orthodox Chriſtians ceaſed not to make conſtant ſervent publick and private Prayers unto God for his long life, health and proſperous reign. Among others Athanaſius Biſhop Alexandria, (the chiefeſt Champion againſt the Arrians) though exceedingly perſecuted, injured, deprived and baniſhed by him, merely for his zeal in defending the Orthordox Faith, and the Godly Chriſtians under his charge, were very loyal and conſciencious in diſcharge of this Duty, as is evident by theſe notable paſſages in his Apologia ad Conſtantinum Imperatorem, againſt the Arrians calumnies, who falſely accuſed him, for holding intelligence with Magnentius (the Murtherer of his Brother Conſtans) who wipes off that Calumny by this Argument, That he made Prayers for this Prince in the open Aſſembly of the People, and likewiſe for the Emperors ſafety, qqOperum Graecolatin. Pa…iſiis, 1627. Tom. 1 p 679, 680, 68…, 683.Pro ſalute tua vota facio. Quapropter dum te contemplatus fuiſſem in illo (Constante Imperatore) illumque in te, quî fieri potuiſſet ut illi malidieere ſustinerem, aut hoſti illius literas mittere, ac non potius pro tua ſalute voces preceſque funders, quod et feei. Hujus rei teſtis p. 105est praecipuus Dominus, qui exaudivit te, & largitus tibi eſt integrum à majoribus tuis relictum Imperium: Teſteſque ſunt qui tam affuerunt Philiceſumus qui fuit Dux Aegypti, Ruffinus, item & Stephanus, (and four more there named) agentes in rebus. Nihil enim aliud dixi, quàm precemur pro ſalute religioſiſſimi Imperatoris Cenſtantii; & ſtatim, univerſus Populus una voce acclamavit, Chriſte auriliare Conſtantio, et magna cum perſeverantia has preces continuavit. After which excuſing the Peoples meeting in the great Church of Theona built by the Emperor, before it was conſecrated by his Order, becauſe the multitude of the people was ſo great, that the other Churches could not hold them; he addes, Feſtum erat Paſchae, & tanta vis populorum aderat, quantum Chriſtianorum in urbe eſſe Christicola Principes optarunt. Cum igitur & Eccleſiae paucae parvaeque eſſent, magnoque tumultu poſceretur ut in magna Eccleſia conventus celebrarentur, atque ibidem Preces pro tua ſalute fierent, quod et factum eſt, egone adhortationibus, &c. Nec tamen celebrata ſunt à nobis Encaenia, ſed tantummodo precationum Synaxis habita eſt. Tu autem religioſiſſime Imperator, ubinam malles populum manus extendere, et pro te orare, ibine, ubi Ethnici oberrabant? an in loco tuum nomen titulumque referrente? quem cum in praeſenti Dominicum univerſi appellarent, &c. Ecce Domine Jeſu Christe Rex Regum, veri Fili Dei unigeniti, verbum & ſapientia Patris reus agor. Quia tuam miſericordiam Populus ſuis orationibus convenit, & per te, Patrem Deum omnium imprecavit, idque pro ſalute Famuli tui pientiſſimi Conſtantii. Sed tamen gratiae ſunt tuae lenitati, quod de precibus Populi & de tuis ritibus in crimen vocari. Tu tamen interim Deo dilectiſſime Auguſte vivas per multos Annorum recurſus, & ſolemnia dedicationis perficias. Preces enim omnium pro tua ſalute factae nihil impediunt Encaeniorum feſtum, &c.

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

Anno 356 Anno 359 St. Hilary Biſhop of Poyctiers wrote thus to this Arrian Emperor Constantius, not long after Athanaſius, in * Hilarius ad Conſtantium, l. 2. See Bilſons True difference, p. 378.the Orthodox Chriſtians behalf. We beſeech your clemency to permit, that the people may have ſuch Teachers as they like, ſuch as they think well of, ſuch as they chuſe, and let them ſolemnize the divine myſteries, and make Prayers for your ſafety and proſperity.

The godly Weſtern Biſhops aſſembled by this Arrian Emperor * Socrates Scholaſticus Eccleſ …iſt. l. 2 c 37. Caſſidorus, Tripa…t. Hiſt. l. 5. c 22. Sozomen, Eccl. Hiſt. l. 2. c. 1…. Nicephorus, Eccl Hiſt l. 9. c. 41. Bi…ſons …ue diffe…ence, p 378.Conſtantius to the Council of Ariminum, and there long detained by him from their Cures, writ two Epiſtles to him from thence, to diſmiſſe them to their Biſhop-pricks before the cold winter approached. In the firſt they w…ite thus. We beſeech you that you cauſe us not to be baniſhed, nor ſtayd from our Churches, but that the Biſhops, together with the people may live in peace and tranquil…ity, and may humb…y pray for your Health, Kingdom and ſa…ety, in which the Divine Majeſty long preſerve you: …ro. tua ſ…lute, Imperio, & pace orantes, quam tibi Divinum p. 107numen largiri dignetur prolixam; ſo Nicephorus renders it; but others thus, Supplicantes Deo pro pace tui Imperii pariter & ſalutis, quam tibi Dominu… in perpetuum largiatur. They conclude their ſecond Letter to him in theſe words. **Socrates Scholaſticus Ib. Theodoret Eccleſ. Hiſt. l. 2. c 20. Quo poſſumus &c pro tuo Regno conſuetas p…eces cum populo funde…e, ſicut ante ſemper fecimus & adhuc facere non deſiſtemus.For this cauſe we beſeech your clemency the ſecond time, moſt religious Lord and Emperor, that you command us to depart to our Churches, if it ſo pleaſe your Godlineſſe, before the ſharpneſſe of Winter come, That we may make our accuſtomed Prayors together with the People, to the Almighty God, and our Lord and Saviour Chriſt for your Empire (or Reign) as we have alwaies accuſtomed in times paſt, and yet ceaſe not to do, and now wiſh to continue. Here we have a moſt pregnant double Teſtimony of all theſe Godly Biſhops aſſembled in full Council, of their own and the Peoples conſtant and continual Cuſtom, both for time paſt, preſent, and to come, to powre forth fervent publick Prayers, Supplications and Thanks givings to God, for the Health, Reign, Safety and Proſperity of their Chriſtian Emperors, though Arrians and Perſecutors of them; much more then was it their conſtant uſage when Orthodox and Protectors of them, thus to do.

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

Anno 370 St. Ambroſe Biſhop of Millain flouriſhing in the year of Chriſt 370. in his Book, De Ʋocatione Gentium, l. 1. c. 4. reciting the 1 Tim. 2, 1, 2, 3. thus deſcants upon it. De hac ergo doctrinae Apostolicae regula qua Eccleſia univerſalis imbuitur ne in diverſum intellectum noſtro evagemur arbitrio, quid in ipſa univerſalis Eccleſia ſ…ntiat, requiramus, quia nihil dubium eſſe poterit in praecepto ſi obedientia concordat in ſtudio. Praecepit itaque Apoſtolus, imò per Apoſtolum Dominus qui loquebatur in Apoſtolo, Fieri obſecrationes, & poſtulationes, gratiarum actiones pro omnibus hominibus, pro Regibus, ac pro iis qui in ſublimitate ſunt. Quem legem ſupplicationis ita omnium Sacerdotum et omnium p. 108Fidelium devotio concorditer tenet, ut nulla pars mundi ſit, in qua hujuſmodi Orationes non celebrantur a populis Chriſtianis: Supplicat ergo ubique Eccleſia Deo non ſolum pro ſanctis, & in Chriſto jam regeneratis, ſed etiam pro omnibus infidelibus, & inimicis crucis Chriſti; pro omnibus Idolorum cultoribus, pro omnibus qui Chriſtum in membris ſuis perfequuntur; pro Judaeis, quorum caecitati lum…n Evangelii non refulget; pro haereticis & Schiſmaticis qui ab unitat… fidei & charitatis alieni ſunt. Quid autem pro iſtis petat, niſi ut relictis erroribus ſuis convertentur ad Deum, accipiant fidem, accipiant charitatem, & de ignorantiae tenebris liberati in agnitionem veniant veritatis, &c. Which he thus proſecutes in his Commentary on 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. Haec regula Eccleſiaſtica eſt tradita a Magiſtro Gentium, qua utuntur Sacerdotes noſtri, ut pro omnibus ſupplicent; Deprocantes pro Regibus huius ſeculi, ut ſubjectas habeant Gentes, ut in pace poſiti, in tranquillitate mentis & quietè Deo Domino ſervire poſſumus. Orantes etiam pro …is quibus ſublimis poteſtas eſt credita, ut in juſtitia & veritate gubernent Rempublicam, ſuppeditante rerum abundantia, & amota perturbatione ſeditionis ſuccedat laetitia, &c. ut ſepoſitis omnibus quae huic Imperio infeſta & inimica ſunt, in affectu pietatis & caſtitatis Deo ſervire poſſumus. Perturbatio enim & captivitas nec pietatem ſervat, nec caſtitatem. Unde enim pius qui invidus eſt? & unde caſtitas ubi poteſtatis ſuae non eſt? In his Epiſtolarum, l. 5. Epiſt. 26. ad Gratianum Auguſtum, he thus expreſſeth his ſervent Prayers for him. Et nocte & die in tuis caſtris cura & cenſu locatus, Orationum excubias praetendebam, & ſi invalidus merito, ſed affectu ſedulus. Et haec quidem pro tua ſalute deferebamus, pro nobis faciebamus. Nihil hic adulationis eſt ſi ſcit ipſe arbiter quem fateris & in quem piè credis, me non ſolum officio publico debitas pendere preces, ſed etiam amore privato. Which Epiſtle he concludes with this Prayer for this Emperor. 'Beatiſſimum te & florentiſſimum Deus Omnipotens Pater Domini noſtri Jeſu Chriſti p. 109tueri aetate prolixa, et Regnum tuum in ſumma gloria et pace perpetua, confirmare dignetur, Domine Imperator Auguſte, Divino electe judicio, Principum glorioſiſſimo. In his Epiſt. l. 4 Epiſtola 28. Ad Theodoſium Imperatorem, he concludes with this Prayer. Beatiſſimus & florentiſſimus cum ſanctis pignoribus fruaris tranquillitate perpetua Imperator Auguste. To pretermit all other paſſages of this kind, in his Funeral Oration, De obitu Valentiniani Imperatoris, he hath this paſſionat expreſſion, Nulla inhonoratos vos mea tranſibit Orati…: Nulla nox non donatus aliqua precum mearum contexione tranſcurret. Omnibus Oblationibus frequentabo, &c. Quam noſtrae vitae temporibus fulcire curaremus, ut de noſtris Annis viveret, qui fungi non potuit ſuis: Which he thus concludes. Tequaeſo ſumme Deus ut clariſſimos juvenes matura reſurrectione ſuſcites & reſuſcites, ut immaturum hunc vitae iſtius curſum matura reſurrectione compenſes; to which this other paſſage in his Oration, De obitu Theodoſii Imperatoris, might be added, **See Biſhop Vſhers Anſwer to the Jeſuites Challenge, p. 199, 200.Da requiem perfectam ſervo tuo Theodoſio, Requiem quam praeparaſti ſanctis tuis.

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

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

Anno 381 The 150. Godly uuSozomen, Eccleſ. Hiſt. l. 4. c. 13 Surius Concil. Tom. 1. p. 617. Centur. Magd. 4. col. 851.Biſhops aſſembled together in the firſt General Council of Constautinople, Anno 381. in their Epiſtle to the Emperor Theodoſius, not only render publick Thanks to God for advancing him to the Empire for the peace of the Church, and maintenance of the Orthodox Faith, but likewiſe pray to God for the eſtabliſhment of his Empire in peace and righteouſneſſe for many Generations, and his temporal and eternal joy and beatitude, in theſe enſuing words, Initio quidem noſtri ad tuam Poetatem ſcripti, Gratias agamus Deo, qui tuae Pietatis Imperium conſtituit ad communem pacem Eccleſiarum, & ſanae fidei confirmationem; agentes autem DEO DEBITAS GRATIAS, neceſſaria quoque ea, quae acta ſunt in ſancto Concilio, ad tuam referrimus pietatem, &c. Dominus autem Imperium tuum in pace et Iuſtitia ſtabiliat, tranſmittatque et producat in multas et infinitas uſque generationes, atque ad terrenam potentiam caeleſtis quoque Regni gaudium et fructum adjiciat. Gratificetur Deus orbiterrarum, ut te, qui réverà pietatis studioſiſſimus, Deique amantiſſimus Imperator es, valentem, omnibuſque praeclaris rebus Florentem et excellentem videat, id quod ſancti etiam ab illo praecibus et votis petunt et orant. This being the general uſual Prayer of all Biſhops, Saints and Chriſtians for him under his Empire, both in their Churches, Cloſets & Epiſtles to him.

Anno 383 The Biſhops aſſembled in the Council of Aquileia, whereof St. Ambroſe was one, in their Epiſtle to Gratian, Valentinian See Centu…. M…gd. 4. col. 864 surius Co…ci…. Tom. 1. p 4…2. Th… od…is l. 5. c 9.and Theodoſius the Emperors, uſe this Benediction and thankſgiving for their advancement to the Empire. Benedictus Deus Pater Domini noſtri Jeſu Christi qui vobis Romanum Imperium dedit; Et Benedictus Dominus noſter Jeſus Chriſtus, Ʋnigenitus Dei Filius, Qui Regnum v…ſtrum ſua pietate euſtodit, apud quem gratias agimus vobis clemenciſſimi Principes quod & fidei veſtrae ſtudium probaviſtis, &c. concluding with this prayer and option for them, Ʋt vos, Deo Praestante, triumphetis, qui paci Eccleſiarum quietique conſulitis.

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

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

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

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

Anno 432 The Biſhops aſſembled in the Great **Su…ius Concil Tom. 1. p. 689, 691.Synod of Epheſus▪ held about the year 432. in their 4th. Epiſtle, Pientiſſimis ac Deo dilectiſſim is Theodoſio & Valentiniano Victoribus, triumphatoribus & ſemper Auguſtis, made this prayer for them: Deus autem omnium, Reguum veſtrum mult…s annorum Revo utionibus cuſ…odiat pientiſſimi Victores ac ſemper Auguſti. And in their 6. Epiſtle to theſe Emperors, the buſineſſe being ended for which they were convened, they prayed the Emperors to diſmiſſe them p. 117from Epheſus. Ʋt ordinationi futuri Epiſcopi incumbamus, & in fide jam & pietate confirmata nos obl…ctemus, puraſque et ſynceras pro Dominatione veſtra preces Domino Chriſto deſtinemus.

Primaſius Biſhop of Ʋtica in Africa, in his Commentary, on 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. comments thus, Obſecratio firmior oratione eſt. Ʋ …l aliter. Obſecrationes ſunt pro peccatis praeteri…is vel prae, entibus; Orationes, pro adipiſcendis quae ſperamus; Poſtulationes cum pro aliis intervenimus; Gratiarum actiones, cum ea quae poſſ…mus, impetramus, velc…rt…, pro univerſis Dei beneficiis gratias laudeſque referimus. Gratiarum actiones, Gratias agamus ei qui nos dignos fecit pro aliis impetrare. Pro omnibus hominibus, etiam pro perſecutoribus. Pro Regibus omnibus qui in ſublimitate ſunt, ut quietam & tranquillam vitam agamus in omni pietate & caſtitate. Ʋt cognoſcant Deum, ſive ut ſubjectas habeant gentes: in eorum enim pace nostra conſiſtit: ſi enim Chriſtiani ſunt c…ſſabit perſecutionis impetus.

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

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

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

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

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

Anno 610 Anno 681 Marculfus a Monk flouriſhing about the yeat of our Lord, 610. in his **S…ius Concil. Tom. 1. p. 6…0.Formularum, l. 1. c. 2. Con…eſſio Regis *Bibliotheca Pat…um Tom. 7 p. 566, 572▪ad Privilegium granted to an Abby: makes this the only uſual form in that Age of Kings Confirmations of Lands, and Privileges to Monaſteries, expreſſed in their Charters: Ʋt pro aeterna ſalute, vel faelicitate Regis, conſtanſter delectet ipſis Monachis, immenſam Domini pietatem jugiter implorare. And c. 35. Confirmatio Regis, de omni corpore facultatis Monaſterii: Ʋt vos & ſucceſſores veſtri, uti neceſſitas fuerit, in conditionibus ipſius Monaſterii, Pro ſalute noſtra crebrius exorare valeant. And cap. 5. Praeceptum de Epiſcopatu: There is this clauſe in the uſual form of Kings Grants of any vacant Biſhopprick: Quatenus dum Eccleſiam ſibi à diſpenſatione divina commiſſam, strenuè regere atque gubernare videtur, Nobis apud aeternum retrilutor…m mercedem ſuffragia largiantur, & ille pro peccatorum noſtrorum mole, indeſinenter immenſum Dominum debeat deprecari. This being one principle end of Kings erecting and endowing Monaſteries, Biſhopricks and Churches, that the Abbots, Monks, Biſhops, Prieſts and People might therein conſtantly pray for the ſafety, proſperity and felicity of them, their Royal Families, Poſterity, and Realms; as all their Charters, Confirmations, and Inſtruments evidence.* Surius Concil. Tom. 2. p. 337, 338.

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

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

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

Anno 686 In the 6. general Council of Conſtantinople under Conſtantinus Pogonatus, Pope Agatho, and the Synode of Rome * Surius Concil. p. 922, 925, 926.conſiſting of 125. Biſhops, prayed thus for him in their ſeveral Epiſtles to him, Pro incolumitate atque exaltatione fortiſsimi vestri Imperii unanimiter inceſſabiles Domino preces effundentes. Dei majestatem fideliter obſecrare pro longevitate atque perfecta proſperitate veſtrae fortitudinis Imperio divinitus concedenda, &c. And this whole general Council thus unanimouſly cryed out with loud joyfull Voyces, and prayed to God for him qqIbid p. 1022, 1024.Sancta Synodus exclamavit: Multos Annos Imperatori: Chriſto dil…cto Imperatori multos Annos. Pium & Christianum Imperatorem Domine conſerva; aeternum permaneat veſtrum Imperium. Orthodoxam fidem tu confirmasti. After which this whole Council in their Gratulatory Oration to him, pray thus for him, Omnes unanimi…er atque conſonanter acclamamus; Domine Salvum fac Regem noſtrum, cui poſt te corroboravit fidei fundamentum: benedicito vitam ejus, dirige greſſus cogitationum ejus, conterat virtutem inimicorum ſuorum, et reſiſtentes ei continuo corruant, quia fecit judicium & juſtitiam ſempiternam, &c. This Emperor dying before this General Council diſſolved, and Justinian ſucceeding in the Empire, all the Fathers aſſembled therein in their rrIbid. p. 1039.Oration to him, cloſe it with this Prayer for him, Dominus Imperium tuum ſtabiliat ac confirmet in pace et juſtitia, et generationum generationibus tranſmittat, et terrenae quoque potentiae adjiciat, et etiam coeleſti r…gno fruaris.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anno 813 The Council of **Surius Concil Tom 3 p. 279. Bochellus Dec…et. Eccl. Gal. p. 1…69. Anno 813.Cavailon the ſame year under this Charles the Great, thus decreed: Omnis iſte Conventus gratiſſima deliberatione decrevit, ut ab omnibus indeſinenter orationes fiant pro vita et incolumitate, pro ſalute animae et corporis Domini Imperatoris proliſque ejus; pro ſtatu Regni, &c.

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

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

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

Anno 830 aaBibl. Patrum Tom. 9. pars. 1. p. 641. H. 643.Theodulphus Abbas Floriacenſis, et Aurelianenſis Epiſcopus in his Poems to Ludovicus the Emperor thus prays for him. Inclite Caeſar ave, Ludovice ſerene, valeque,

Et tibi cunctipotens det bona cuncta Deus.

Orbis te totus laudat, veneratur, amatque,

Et monitis paret, ſedulus undè tuis, &c.

Grates pro veſtrâ ſumma pietate rependam.

Aeterno Patri, qui vos regnare potenter,

Et mores ſanctos ſervare ſalubriter egit,

Proſpera multigenis concedens cuncta triumphis, &c.

Vos pater, et gnatus, Sanctus quoque Spiritus omni

Tempore concedat Domino praeſtante valere.

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

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

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

Imperator magne vivas.

Gaudeat totum tuorum,

Omnis aetas, omnis ordo,

Imperator magne vivas,

Sancta Lothari, Maria virgo,

Et ſimul cum Patre magno,

Imperator magne vivas,

Et Valens junctis beatis,

Veſtra pax in pace cunctos,

Intus, extra, longe, juxta,

Britto cedat, atque Bulgar

Vita, virtus et poteſtas,

Fama felix te ſequatur

Summa ſummae Trinitati,

Quae gubernet et coronet,

Imperator magne vivas.

Semper et feliciter, which is ten times repeated.

Agmen hic fidelium,

Corde dicens intimo,

Semper et feliciter,

Te cum Fratribus,

Servet, armet, protegat,

Semper et feliciter.

Hoc Precetur omnibus,

Firmet apta ſubditos,

Fulgeat concordia,

Omnis ardor Hoſtium,

Robur et victoria,

Atqu… vitae praemia,

Sit per oevum Gloria,

Te per omne ſeculum,

Semper et feliciter.

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

Vilia pro meritis ſunt haec munuſcula vestris,

Sed tamen ex pleno quae dat amore fides.

Quam vobis ſervare diu, totumque per aevum,

Hanc animam veluti nitar ad uſque obitum.

Quid mihi, quid poſſit conſiſtere clarius unquam,

Gloria quàm Domini continuata pii, &c.

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

Et clarum aeterno tempore det columen.

p. 133Pacem conſilio faciet retinere ſalubri,

Quem paci aeternae muneribuſque parat,

Haec vos cum veſtris repetitus ſaepius Annis,

Haec ad …eſta Deus provehat incolumes.

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

—Orabo quod ipſe

Hactenus orabam, quaeque petenda reor.

Vita, praeſidio, pace et ſolamine Chriſti,

Vos veſtroſque ſimul tempus in omne frui.

Proxima ſanctorum quod nos per feſta dierum,

Plenius acturos credimus et volumus.

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

Nomine quem ſequitur, factis da Chriſte ſequatur,

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

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

Laeta cubans, ſit laeta ſedens, ſit laeta reſurgens,

Laeteturque poli faelix in ſede locata.

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

Vos veſtroſque Dei ſemper miſerata poteſtas,

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

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

Majeſtas tibi cuncta Dei det proſpera ſemper,

Et vitae aeternae dulcia dona ſeret.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Anno 1130 St. Bernard Abbot of Clarevall thus begins and proceeds in his Epiſtola 45. ad Ludovicum Regem Francorum (written in the name of all the Ciſtercian Abbots and Monks) Eximio Regi Francorum Ludovico, Stephanus Abbas Ciſtercienſis, totuſque Conventus Abbatum et Fratrum Ciſtercienſ…um, ſalutem, ſoſpitatem et pacem in Chriſto Ieſu. Rex coeli et terrae regnum vobis in terra donavit, donaturus et in coelo, ſi quod accepiſtis juſtè & ſapienter amminiſtrare ſtudueritis. Hoc eſt quod Vobis optamus, et pro Vobis oramus, ut et hic fideliter, et illic feliciter regnetis. Caeterum vos quonam conſilio, Eiſdem Noſtris pro Vobis orationibus, quas, ſi recolitis, olim tàm humiliter requiſistis, modo tàm acriter repugnatis? Qua enim fidueia manus pr… Vobis levare poſſumus ad ſponſum Eccleſiae, quam ita et fine cauſa, ut putamus, auſu inconſulto contriſtaris? Gravem ſiquidem adverſum vos apud eundem ſponſum, et Dominum ſuum p. 140querimoniam deponit, dum quem acceperat defenſorem, ſuſtinet oppugnatorem, &c. Alioquin ſi non meremur exaudiri, ſed contemnimur, et nos, fratres et amici vestri, et qui quotidie oramus pro Vobis, et Filiis Veſtris, et Regno; ex hac jam noveritis parvitatem noſtram, &c. He begins his 170 Epiſtle, ad Ludovicum Juniorem Regem Francorum, with this loyal preface, and ſeconds it with his conſtant prayers day and night. Si totus orbis adverſum me conjuraret, **See Epiſtola 272.ut quippiam molirem adverſus regiam Majeſtatem, ego tamen Deum timerem, & ordinatum ab eo Regem offendere temerè non auderem. Nec enim ignoro ubi legerim; Qui poteſtati reſiſtit, Dei ordinationi reſiſtit, &c. Non contriſtabit per illum & de illo Eccleſiam ſuam, in quem et de quo in tantis plura laetificavit: Quem ſuo munere contulit, ſua longanimitate ſervabit; et ſi quid aliter ſapitis, et hoc ipſum vobis revelabit, et erudiet corda in ſapientia. Hoc optamus, hoc oramus die et nocte. He begins his 220 Epiſtle to this King thus, Libentèr quidem ſicut ipſe fateri dignamini, etiam propria teſtante conſcientia, quae ad honorem veſtrum et regni vestri utilitatem ſpectant, pro nostro exiguo poſſe et quaerimus & quaeremus: though he ſharply reprehends him therein: In his 221 Epiſtle to this King (who oppugned the Church) he writes thus. Profectò ſtabimus & pugnabimus uſque ad mortem, ſi ita oportuerit, pro matre noſtra, armis quibus licet, non ſcutis et gladiis, ſed precibus fletibuſque ad Deum. Et ego quidem qui me memini praeter Quotidianas preces, quas pro Pace et Salute veſtra, atque Regno coram Domino ſupplex ipſo teſte fundebam. And why ſo? Inſuper et fratri veſtro, ejuſque militibus balaſtariiſque Domos Epiſcopales contra jus et phas inhabitandas, et res Eccleſiae in hujuſmodi nefarios uſus profligandas audacter nimium exponitis. Dico vobis non erit diu inultum, ſi haec ita facere pergitis, &c. His 255 Epiſtle begins thus, Ludovico Dei gratia excellentiſſimo Regi Francorum, Bernardus Clarevallis vocatus Abbas, fidelis ſuus, ſalutem à Rege Regum, & Domino dominantium Ipſi, et Dilectae ejus, et Filiis ejus. Regna terrae & jura Regnorum tun… ſanè ſana ſuis Dominis atque illaeſa perſiſtunt, ſi divinis ordinationibus ac diſpoſitionibus non p. 141reſiſtunt, &c. He addes, Colligitur Concilium. Quid in hoc detrahitur Regiae gloriae, regni utilitatibus? Ibi Vniverſae Eccleſiae commendabitur ac rememorabitur Excellentiae veſtrae prompta et ſpecialis Devotio, qui Regum primus, aut certè inter primos rabiei perſequentium eandem matrem veſtram strenuiſſimè, et christianiſſimè defendendo obviaſtis. I…i gloriosè ab ingenti illa multitudine debitae gratiae referentur vobis: Ibi a Millibus Sanctorum orabitur pro vobis et veſtris. He begins his 138 Epiſtle, thus. Henrico illuſtriſſimo Regi Anglorum, B. Abbas dictus de Clarevalle, honorem, ſoſpitatem & pacem. And his 139 Epiſtle, thus. Lothario Dei gratia Imperatori Augusto, B. Abbas de Clarevalle. Si quid potest peccatoris Oratio, Benedictus Deus, qui vos elegit, et erexit cornu ſalutis Nobis ad Laudem et Cloriam Nominis ſui, et reparandum Imperii decus, ad ſubveniendum Eccleſiae ſuae in tempore malo, Poſtremo, ad operandum etiam nunc ſalutem in medio terrae. From all which paſſages it is moſt apparent, that this devout Abbot, with all the Abbots, Monks, Clergy, and Councils in that age, did conſtantly pray for their own Chriſtian Kings, their Queens, Sons, Poſteritie, and other Kings & Emperors, wiſhing all health, ſafety, happineſſe, proſperity to them, and their Realms, for the Churches happineſſe, and did bleſſe God for their reigns, exaltations, ſucceſſes, Piety, Zeal, and Government.

Anno 1140 Petrus Abbas Cluniacenſis, Epiſt. l. 2. Epiſt. 7. Sigivardo Norwegiorum Regi, prefaceth his Epiſtle with this ſalutation; h Bibliotheca Patrum, Tom. 12. pars 2. p. 53. 74, 77, 80, 81, 108, 109, 128.in praeſenti faeliciter, in futuro, faeliciſſimè cum Chriſto regnare: & begins it with this Thankſgiving to God: Omnipotenti et aeterno Regi toto cordis affectu gratias agimus, qui menti veſtrae favorem et amorem ſuum inſpirare dignatus, in vobis amorem coeleſtium terrenis affectibus praevaluiſſe oſtendit, &c. And thus cloſeth it, Ipſi omnium bonorum largitori grates quas poſſumus agimus; et ut hoc ad effectum perducere ſatagatis, votis omnibus exoramus. Epist. 39. Glorioſo Principi et magnifico Conſtantinopolitanae urbis Imperatori, Ioan ui Calo, he wiſheth, Salutem ab eo qui dat ſalutem Regibus: beginning p. 142with this Thankſgiving. Gratias omnipotenti Regi Regum, cujus Regnum Regnum eſt omnium ſeculorum, qui Imperatoriam Majeſtatem veſtram ſuper omnes Chriſtiani nominis Principes exaltavit, et ad tenendam toto orbe Eccleſiam ſuam, velut in medio Orientis, Occiedentis, Aquilonis conſtituit, &c. Et ut aliquid beneficii ſpiritualis vobis iſtud facientibus, rependamus, ſicut Praedeceſſores noſtri ac nos ipſi, Reges Francorum, Reges Anglorum, Reges Hiſpanorum, Reges Romanorum, ipſos Imperatores, ac vicinos vobis Reges Ʋngarorum confratres et comparticipes omnium beneficiorum Cluniacenſis congregationis fecimus (by their daily Prayers for them) it à ſublimitatem veſtram, ex parte omnipotentis Dei, &c. in eiſdem et ſpiritualibus beneficiis, plenè et perfectè, in quantum licet, ſuſcipimus: ut omnipotens Salvator et hîc temporale Regnum vobis adaugeat et conſervet, et in futuro, cum ſanctis Regibus vos ad ſempiternum perducat. Amen. He begins his 46. Epiſtle to the King of …ruſalem with the like Salutation and Thankſgiving to God. Epiſtola l. 3. Epiſt. 3. Illuſtri et religioſo Regi Siciliae, Domino et amico Rotgerio, he uſeth the very ſame Salutation, bleſſeth God for him, and ends with this prayer for him: Inde laetamur, inde in domino gloriamur, inde Celſitudinem veſtram, etſi vultu incognitam, verae dilectionis brachiis amplectimur: et ut ad honorem nominis ſui, et ad ſalutem populi ſui omnipotens Salvator veſtram regalem potentiam magnificet et con…ervet, humiliter et frequenter precamur. Epiſt. l. 4. Epist. 37. to the ſame King Rotgerio: he wiſheth, Bonorum Regum dignitatem et honorem: beginning it with Gratias omnipotenti Regi Regum, qui ſublimitatem veſtram inter univerſos Chriſtiani orbis Reges ac Principes quadam ſpecialis magnificentiae gloria inſignivit, quadam glorioſi nominis fama ſingulariter exaltavit. Adding, Perſonam veſtram Regnumque Omnipotenti Deo, Religioſiſque tam noſtris, quam aliis congregationibus, ſtudicſiſſime commendavi. Epiſtola 36 Illuſtri ac magnifico Principi, Domino Ludovico Regi Francorum, is prefaced p. 143with this option: Feliciter hic regnare, Regemque Regum in Regno ac decore ſuo videre: and begins with, Licet Regis aeterni militiam, quam per te Regem terrenum contra inimicos crucis ſuae armare diſpoſuit, ad peregrina euntem comitari non valeam: Devotione tamen, oratione, conſilio, et auxilio, quali quantoque potero, proſequi concupiſco, &c. I ſhall only adde, Epiſt. l. 6. Epiſt. 16. Magnifico Principi, domino Rotgero, Regi Siciliae, Frater Petrus humilis Cluniacenſium Abbas, Salutem praeſencem et Regnum ſempiternum. Audientes obitum …iliorum, veſtrorum valdè doluimus, et t…m pro ſoſyitate veſtra, quàm pro omnibus illorum, Miſſas celebrari, orationes ad Deum ſundi, eleemoſynas fieri, in conventu noſtro praecepimus. Non ſolum autem nunc ſed et ſaepe diebus ſolempnibus et majoribus capitulis noſtris, inter alios Reges amicos et Benefactores noſtros, veſtri memoriam frequentamus.

Anno 1160 Stephanus Tornacenfis Epiſcopus, thus ends his Epiſtola 39. Illuſtri, R. Hungariae Regi: Valeat ſanctitas veſtra et Regnum veſtrum coram Domino. And he inſcribes Bibliotheca Patrum. Tom. 12. part 1. p. 502, 527.his 170 Epiſtle thus. Canuto Illustri Dacorum Regi, Salutem, vitam et victoriam, and concludes it in this manner, Valeat et creſcat in dies ſemper Magnificentia veſtra.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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