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

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

p. 62CHAP. V.

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

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

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

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

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

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

bbDe ponto, l. 1. Elegia 6. See l. 2. Eleg. 1.Dii faciant igitur (quorum juſtiſſimus ipſe eſt)

Alma nihil majus Caeſare terra ferat.

Ʋtque diu ſub eo, ſic ſit ſub Caeſare terra,

Perque manus hujus tradit a gentis eat.

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

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

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

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

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

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

**Virgil. Geor. lib. 2.—Rege incolumi mens omnibus una,

Amiſſo rupere fidem.

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

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

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

Caeſaris alma dies, et luce ſacratior illa,

Conſcia Dictaeum, qua tulit Ida Jovem.

Longa precor, Pyleoque veni numeroſior aevo,

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

Hic colat Albano Tritonida cultus in auro,

Perque manus tantas plurima quercus eat,

Hic colat ingenti Redeuntia ſecula luſtro,

Et quae Romuleus ſacra Terentus habet.

Magna quidem Superi petimus ſed debita terris,

Pro tanto quae ſunt improba vota Deo?

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

Nil pro me mihi Juppiter petenti,

Ne ſuccenſueris, velut ſuperbus.

Le pro Caeſare debeo rogare,

Pro me debeo Caeſarem rogare.

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

Di tibi dent quicquid, Princeps Trajane mereris,

Et rata perpetuo quae tribuêre, velint.

Quiſua reſtituis ſpoliato jura patrono, &c.

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

Sacra, Lareſque Phrygum, quos Trojae maluit haeres

Quam rapere arſuras Laomedontis opes;

Scriptus & aeterno nunc primùm Juppiter auro,

Et ſoror & ſummi filia tot… patris.

Et qui purpureis jam tertia nomina …aſtis

Jane refers, Nervae, vos precor ore pio;

Nunc omnes ſervate Ducem, ſervate Senatum,

Moribus hic vivat Principis, ille ſuis.

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

Recta fides, hilaris Clementia, cauta potestas,

Jam redeunt; longiterga dedère metus.

Hoc populi genteſque tuae pia Roma precantur,

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

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

In his**An…u…rpiae, Cum Juui Lipſi perpetuo Commentario, Anno 1600, p. 18, 21, 25, 49, 52, 59. Panegyricus Trajano dictus, by the Senates command, he begins thus. Benè ac ſapienter Patres Conſcripti, majores inſtituerunt, ut rerum agendarum, ita dicendi initium, & precationibus capere: quod nihil ritè, nihilque providenter homines, ſine Deorum immortalium ope, conſilio, honore, auſpicarentur. Qui mos, cui potius, quam Conſuli? aut quando magis uſurpandus, colenduſque eſt, quàm cum imperio Senatus, auctoritate Reip: ad agendas optimo Principi gratias excitamur? Quod enim praeſtabilius eſt, aut pulchrius munus Deorum, quam caſtus, et ſanctus, et Diis ſimillimus Princeps? Ac ſi adhuc dubium fuiſſet, fortè, caſuque Rectores terris, an aliquo Numine darentur, Principem tamen noſtrum liqueret divinitus conſtitutum. Non enim occulta poteſtate fatorum, ſed ab ipſo Iove coram ac palam repertus, electus eſt, quippe inter aras et altaria, eodemque loci, quem Deus ille tàm manifeſtus ac praeſens, quàm coelum et ſydera inſedit. Quo magis aptum piumque eſt, te Iuppiter Optime maxime, anteà conditorem, nunc conſervatorem Imperii noſtri, precari, ut mihi digna Conſule, digna Senatu, digna Principe contingat Oratio: utque omnibus, quae dicentur a me, libertas, fides, veritas, conſtet. Talem, non bella civilia, nee armis oppreſſa R. P. ſed pax, et adoptio, et tandem exorata terris Numina, dediſſent. Confugit in ſinum, tuum concuſſa Reſpub: ruenſque Imperium ſuper Imperatorem, Imperatoris tibi voce delatum eſt, &c. Nec judicium hominum, ſed Deorum etiam in conſilium aſſumpſit. Itaque non tua in cubiculo, ſed In Templo, p. 76nec ante genialem torum, ſed ante pulvinar Iovis Opt. Max. adoptio peracta eſt: quâ tandem non ſervitus noſtra, ſed libertas, et ſalus, et ſecuritas fundabatur. Sibi enim Dii gloriam illam vindicaverunt: Horum opus, horum illud Imperium; Nerva tantum Miniſter fuit, &c. Ergo non aetas quemquam, non valetudo, non ſexus retardavit, quò minus oculos inſolito ſpectaculo impleret. Te parvuli noſcere, oſtentare juvenes, mirari ſenes; aegri quoque neglecti medentium imperio, ad conſpectum tui, quaſi ad ſalutem ſanitatem que prorepere. Inde alii ſe ſatis vixiſſe te viſo, te recepto; alii nunc magis eſſe vivendum, praedicabant. Feminas etiam tunc foecunditatis ſuae maxima voluptas ſubiit, cum cernerent cui Principi cives, cui Imperatori milites peperiſſent. Videres referta tecta, ac laborantia, ac ne eum quidem vacantem locum, qui non niſi ſuſpenſum et inſtabile veſtigium caperet; oppletas undique vias anguſtamque tramitem relictum tibi; alacrem hinc atque inde populum: Vbique par Gaudium, paremque clamorem: Tam aequalis ab omnibus ex adventu tuo laetitia accepta eſt, quam omnibus veniſti: quae tamen ipſa cum ingreſſu tuo crevit, ac propè in ſingulos gradus adaucta eſt. Gratum erat cunctis, quod Senatum oſculo exciperes, ut dimiſſus oſculo fueras, &c. Quae cirumſtantium gaudia? quam recens clamor? quam ſimilis illi dies, qui hanc genuit diem? Vt plena Altaribus▪ auguſta victimis cuncta? ut in unius ſalutem collata omnium vota? cum ſivi ſe et liberis ſuis intelligerent precari, quae pro te precarentur, &c. Dent tibi Caeſar aetatem Dii, quam mereris, ſerventque animum quem dederunt. Quae ubique feruntur, quaeque expetuntur, omnes gentes invicem capiant & diſcant, quantò libertate diſcordi ſervientibus ſit utilius, unum eſſe, cui ſerviant. Quippe diſcretis quidem bonis omnium, ſua cujuſque ad ſingulos mala: ſociatis autem atque permixtis, ſingulorum mala ad neminem, ad omnes omnia bona pertinent, &c. Simili reverentia Caeſar, non apud Genium tuum bonitati tuae, gratias agere, ſed apud numen Iovi Opt. Max. pateris: illi debere Nos quicquid debe amus, illius quod bene p. 77facias muneris eſſe, qui te dedit. **Ibidem, p. 131, 132.&c: Nuncupare Vota, et pro ae…ernitate Imperii, et pro ſalute Civium, imò pro ſalu…e Principum, ac propter illos pro aeternitate Imperii ſolebamus. Haec pro Imperio noſtro, in quae ſint verba ſuſcepta, operae pretium eſt, adnotare: Si benè Remp. et ex utilitate omnium rexeris. Digna vota quae ſemper ſuſcipiantur, ſemperque ſolvantur. Egit cum Diis, ipſe te auctore Caeſar Reſp: ut te ſoſpit…m, Incolumemque praeſtarent, ſi tu caeteros praeſti…ſſes: ſi contra, illi quoque a cuſtodia tui corporis oculos dimoverent, teque relinquerent votis, quae non palam ſuſciperentur. Alii ſe ſuperſtites Reip: optabant, faciebantque: tibi ſalus tua inviſa eſt, ſi non ſit cum Reip: ſalute conjuncta. Nihil pro te pateris optari niſi expediat optantibus; omnibuſque annis in conſilium de te Deos mittis, exigiſque ut ſententiam ſuam mutent, ſi talis eſſe deſieris, qualis electus es. Sed ingenti conſcientia Caeſar, paciſceris cum Diis, ut te ſi mereberis ſervent, cum ſcias an merearis, neminem magis, quàm Deos ſcire, &c. Capis ergo Caeſar ſalutis tuae glorioſiſſimum fructum ex conſenſu Deorum: nam cum excipias, ut ita demum te Dii ſervent ſi bene Remp: et ex utilitate omnium rexeris, certus es te bene remp: gerere dum ſervent, &c. Scis tibi ubique Iurari, cum ipſe ſuraveris omnibus. Nemo hoc ſibi non praeſtat: amamus quidem te in quantum mereris; iſtud tamen non tui facimus amore, ſed noſtri: nec unquam illuceſcat Dies, quo pro te nuncupet vota, non utilitas noſtra, ſed fides, Caeſar. **Page 142.Super h…c precati ſumus, ut ſic te amarent Dii, quemadmodum tu nos: quis hoc aut de ſe, aut Principi diceret mediocriter amanti? Pro nobis ipſis quidem haec fuit ſumma votorum, ut nos ſic amarent Dii, quomodo tuſi-Eſtne verum quod inter iſta clamavimus, O NOS FELICES! Quid enim felicius nobis, quibus non jam illud optandum eſt, ut nos diligat Princeps▪ ſed Dii quemadmodum Princeps? Civitas religionibus dedita,* Page 167, 168. ſemperque Deorum indulgentiam pie merita, nihil felicitati ſuae putat aſtrui poſſe, niſi ut Dii Caeſarem imitentur. After which paſſages, he clozeth p. 78his Panegyrick, with this prayer: In fine Orationi Praefides, cuſtodesque Imperii Deos, ego Conſul pro rebus humanis, ac te praecipue Capitoline Iupiter precor, ut beneficiis tuis faveas, tantiſque muneribus addas perpetuitatem. Audiſti quae malo Principi praecabamur, Exaudi quae pro diſſimiliſſimo optamus. Non te diſtringimus Votis▪ non enim pacem, non concordiam, non ſec uritatem, non opes …mus, non honores: ſimplex, cunctaque iſta complexum unum omnium votum eſt, ſalus Principis. Nec enim nova tibi injungimus, tu enim jam tunc illum in tutelam recipiſti, cum praedonis avidiſsimi faucibus …ripuiſti: neque enim ſineauxilio tuo, cum altiſsima quaeque quaterentur, hic, qui omnibus excelſior, inconcuſſus ſtetit: praeterritus eſt a peſſimo Principe, qui praeteriri ab optimo non potuit. Tu elara judicii tui ſigna miſiſti cum proficiſcenti ad exercitum tuo nomine, tuo honore ceſſiſti. Tu voce Imperatoris quid ſentiris locutus, filium illi, nobis Parentem, tibi Pontificem maximum elegiſti. Qu… majore fiducia, Iiſdem illis votis quae ipſe pro ſe nunxupari jubet, oro et obteſtor, ſi bene Remp. ſi ex utilitate omnium Regis, primum ut illum nepotibus noſtris ac pronepotibus ſerves; deinde ut quandoque et tribuas quem genuerit, quem formaverit, ſimilemque fecerit adoptato; aut ſi hoc Fato negatur, in conſilio ſis eligenti, monſtreſque aliquem adoptari in Capitolio deceat.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Auguſti vitam laetis clamoribus optant;

Post ſenium dicunt ſeſe juveneſcere: mundus

Gaudet, & antiquae repetit primordia formae.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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