THE Universities and Seminaries of Learning have so great and peculiar a share in the happy consequence of the publick peace and Tranquillity, not only their flou­rishing and increase, and your life and being, have such a singular Dependance on the Supream Authority, that it cannot be justly either vanity or flattery when they endea­vour to make their Gratitude as remarkable as their Advantages and Obligation; And we in this place do humbly offer to your Ma­jesty at this time, our most dutiful sense and acknowledgments of the security, Peace, and Quiet we enjoy under the Wisdom and Pater­nal care of your Gracious and Happy Government.

It was King James the first of that name, that founded this Uni­versity the first in this Kingdom, and gave us these priviledges and immunities, which have been continued and enlarged by his Roy­al Successors; And we find by the frequent and signal marks of your Majesties Princely care and concern for us, that you inherit with the Crown and Dignity of your Ancestors the affection they bore to this University: And as we reflect on this gracious Tract of the Royal Favour to us, with the most grateful remembrance; so we cannot but also glory, that from the just notions of our duty and happiness we have at all occasions, and in the face of what ever hazards mantained an immoveable and affectionat Loyalty to the Government and adherance to the Royal Family.

When by a happy providence this Nation was honored & refreshed with your Royal presence, we chearfully concurred in the Land and Lively Joy and Acclamations of all Ranks of people in the univer­sal [Page 4]Admiration of your Vertues that were so eminent, that your Enemies finding nothing else were forced to make Objections of them, and with our most ardent and sincere wishes, for your com­ing to the peaceable possession of the Throne and Empyre, to which (after your Royal Brother whom we ever remember with due re­verence and honour) the Laws of GOD, of Nature, and of these Kingdoms had established your Right.

And we owe the most profound and thankful Reverence to Heaven, which has been so favourable to the wishes of honest hearts, that we have a Prince of the Native and Royal Blood, to reign o­ver us, who has given the most sincere and solid demonstrations of his love to these Kingdoms, by encounting the greatest hazards for their Honour and Safety, who hath filled the World with the great and immortal Fame of his singular Accomplishments in all the Acts and weighty concerns both of War and Peace, who suc­ceeding to that Gentle Innate Goodness, which has been very re­markable in his predecessors of this Royal Family, and having got (while he went himself through the roughest and most hazardous conditions of a Subject) a most tender sense and feeling of our in­firmities, does by the admirable effect of an incomparable Cle­mency, to whatsoever offenders in principles or practices give the greatest assurance of his being utterly averse from the least violence or severity, even to the worst of his Enemies, until it be extorted from his Royal Justice, and Magnanimity by obstinate and insufferable abuses of his Benignity and Goodness; so that we cannot fancie what more is requisite to the full and solid happiness of people, but our just sense of what we enjoy, and our firm relyance on your Majesties faithfulness and generosity to preserve it inviolable.

And we are sure that your Majesties loving Subjects who in the eye of the World, and the midst not only of the noise and clamour of your Enemies, but also of your own reasonable expectations, peaceably submitted themselves to your just possession of your Crown, and Dominion, with solemn expressions of the greatest joy and satisfaction, will never be guilty of a Levity, so absurdly inconsequential to suffer themselves to be diverted from their love and obedience, until they have shaken off all Tyes and Principles as well of Honour as of Duty.

The sad experience of our late Miseries and convulsions has left [Page 5]us sufficient marks and indications what rocks to shune, and has so disgraced the Artifice and Delusion of fears and jealousies, that till we have lost our Memories with our Judgements, it cannot be ex­pected that the most Vulgar credulity can be wrought by that im­posture. These alone were the noysome Vapours raised by wick­edness and ambition; and gathered into these clouds which dark­ned the Wisdom and Glory of these Kingdoms, and ended in that fatal and dreadful storm, which brought upon us all the heavy dis­mal calamities of Blood & Confusion. The pretended Fears of Ar­bitrary Government made us fight our selves Slaves to Arbitrary violence and oppression, jealousies created by malice, or blind and sick imaginations of the hazard and change of Religion, produced the highest contempt of all that is Sacred, banished all the vital and essential Characters of our peaceable and humble and most holy Faith, raised the most execrable Villanes on the ruines of One of the best and most Religious Kings, and made these King­doms the schene of the most attrocious Villanies, and most disho­nourable monstruous barbarities that Hell could conspire. And it is morally impossible Men can ever be sure of any better conse­quence then disorder and certain ruine from such corrupt and dan­gerous causes, those Visions and Phantastick creatures of Sedition and Distempered Minds.

Great Sir, We hope that this sure and lasting Wisdom which comes from the Observation of former misfortunes, that the Sa­cred tyes of our Religion and Reason with the love of our truest in­terest will for ever produce the just and peaceable effects in the minds and endeavours of all your loving Subjects, and particular­ly of the Societies of Learning and Education who by their professi­ons and opportunities are the Searchers of Truth, and are so closly knit to the publick safety, that in the time of intestine com­motions they perish, or are overcomed with Ignorance and barbari­ties, and who therefore are guilty of an inexcusable neglect and in­gratitude, if they slight or abuse the Advantages they have of knowing and propagating the reasonable principles of Love and O­bedience to your Majesties sacred person and Authority.

The fundamental Rights of Government and Supremacy are so stronge and plain in Reason, and Divine Revelation, that they need not the weak and indecent assistance of Flattery, to support or mag­nifie them; They are also so Equable and Constant, and hold so [Page 6]unexchangeable under all lawful Soveraignes, never altering with Times and Circumstances, and with all are of so great and gene­ral importance, that it can never be unreasonable, and so often necessary for honest Men to Declare and Assert them, and there may be as much indutyful malignity in affected and disintended silence, as in malicious Grievances and Clamour.

Sir, For these and the like considerations, it appears to us, your Majesties Servants, in this your Ancient and Honourable Universi­ty, a necessary part of our duty, humbly to beg your Majesties par­don, and allowance, that we publish and Declare to the World, these clear distinct and certain Verities, which exact and deliberate Examination has fixed in our minds, concerning the Natural and perpetual Foundations of Society, Government, and Subjection, & we reduce them shortly to these plain Proposals & Observations

First, As the Being, Nature, and whole Perfection of Mankind, are from GOD the Infinitely Perfect Being, and the Supream Au­thor of all things; so there are some certain and fixed Methods and Means by which He will have these preserved, and which He has given us sufficient light to discover, and therefore whatsoever means are thus found to be absolutely requisire, for the Being and preservation of Mankind, are for that reason of Divine Right, and Original, and are the Ordinance of GOD.

Secondly, Of such means it is evident that Society, and conse­quently Government, are the chiefest, for besides that, the natural Order in which GOD has designed the preservation of Mankind, is by the Posterity and Succession of one Generation to another, which it is hard to conceive possible, without Society the infirmi­ties of Humane Nature, and the necessities of our Life, are such, that there are many things without which we cannot live; Which, ne­vertheless, no Man that is alone and separate from all others, can procure to himself. And as the Author of our Being, hath made this Society so necessar for preserving us, He has also in several re­spects fitted us for it, by implanting in our Nature a strong inclina­tion to preserve ourselves; and in our Posterity an earnest desire of Knowledge and Information, (not to speak of the appetire of some) and which is most remarkable by affording us these Organs and Instruments of speech & Conversation, from all which put together, it is that the generality of Philosophers, and Wryters concerning Government in all Ages, having called Man a Sociable Creature.

Thirdly, And as Mankind cannot subsist without Society, so neither can Society without Government, this is not only true in the matter of fact, and certain experience of all the World; but who ever considers humane nature, will necessarly see that it most be so. And that as man is partly fit, he is also partly unfit for Society, if every one were left to his own Liberty and Govern­ment; the furious vehemency of contrare passions, the indelible love and esteem of our selves above others: the unbanded desires of many towards the same things, the weakness and pusilaminity of some compared with the strength and ability of others; should produce nothing better then unavoidable violence, rapine, fear, mur­der, and dissolation: The very Speculative Supposition of which state illuminates us fully to understand the absolute necessity & un­speakable usefulness of a power and authority, Superiour to every man and every faction of men, in the Society which may consti­tute and regulate every Mans Rights, Circumscribe the Licentious Extensions of mens Passions, and desires to defend the Weak from the Injuries and Invasions of the Stronger, punish the Transgressors of these Bands set on them. And in a word, may deliberate and do what ever may Contribute to the good and security of the whole Society, and of the whole parts of it, and it is the Power we call Government or Soveraignity.

Fourthly, As any Society should quickly be destroyed, if every man in it were his own absolute Governour, the same Reasons de­monstrate, that in one and the same Society, there cannot be a Plu­rality of distinct and Co-ordinate Governments for the ends above mentioned. For these should be as absurdlie lyable to the same inconveniencies, if not more and greater and as unpracticable as the single Governments of every Man by himself: and tho in e­very well ordered Society, their may and must be for the conveni­encies both of the Soveraign and the Subject some Inferiour sub­ordinate Powers, yet all these (that there be not a confused and endless Series of Subordination) most originally derive their be­ing and duration from one that is Supream, and seeing there can be no Society preserved, unless every man have his own will in it, and pleasure absolutely subjected to be Governed and Regulated by the Supreme and Soveraign, in all things which concern him, as a Member of that civil Corporation, then who ever goes about to plead Immunity from this Universal and Absolute Subjection, [Page 8]does upon the matter please the Society to be dissolved, and so mankind to be destroyed, and consequently he is to be considered as an enemy to Mankind, from all which it follows by the clear­est light of Reason, that the Government and Soveraignity of e­very formed State, and civil Society, is in its nature One indivisible Supreme and Absolute.

Fifthly, There is nothing serves more to free us of the prejudices that arise in the Ignorant, or Inadvertent from the sound of these Words, then distinctly to reflect and consider, that this Suprema­cie of which we speak, has been and is actually in all constituted Societies whatsoever: The distinctions of Monarchical and Po­pular Authority, are not from the Nature of the Power it self, but from the diversities of the form, Subject or administration of it. The bigot Re-publicans cannot deny, but that the Plurality of Go­vernours, or the Major part of them, in the Ancient Athenian, or such other popular Estates, were all as Supream, Absolute and in­controllable, as the Persian, Assyrian, or whatsoever other Monar­chie in the World; and every single Athenian as Absolutly subject as any single Person or other Asiatick. So that the Liberty of the Subject, is a meer empty name to amuse and delude the Turbu­lent and Unthinking Rable: and they needed no less then the highest Airie flourishes of the Roman or Grecian Rhetorick (which was ordinarly imployed in managnifing themselves in every thing above all the World) to set of so manifest a contradiction, and who ever seriously considers the substantial grounds of all the un­happy contentions that have been in the World about Govern­ment, shall find that too many among them who know what they say, the question is not if there is, or most be a Supreme and ab­solute Authority in every State, and civil Society; for that as it is necessary and unavoidable, so it is highly convenient, but in whose hands the Supremacie is (which is a thing the Seditious ever La­bour to perplex and obscure) or with whom it may be left intrusted whither with one; or with a multitude, or Plurality, which are the differences of Form, we are in the natural Order to compare and examine in this place; it is fit to observe, that not only is the Supreme Power (as hath been said) in it's own nature, One and Indivisible, but in all States and civil Societies, it is lodged in one Person, either in a Natural or Moral sense: For even in the more Popular parts, these many who are said to have a share in the Go­vernment, [Page 9]have this power properly Lodged in them (according to the principles of the highst Re-publicans) no otherwayes then as they are Morally, Civilly, or Virtually one, that is, as they aggree in one Mind, Will, or Determination. And therefore when we speak of Government in the general, they as well as Monarchs, they may be called by one single Name the Soveraign.

Sixthly, We do the more fully comprehend the Nature of the Supreme Power and Soveraignity, by taking a distinct view of some of the most Considerable and Essential things that belong to it. And first, whoever has the Supreme Authority, is the Author and Pountain of all Civil Law and Justice: For to have the trust and care of preserving the Unity and Peace and Society of the whole and every part of the Society necessarly includes a Power of de­liberating, and judging what is fittest for these ends, of prescribing these Rules, Measures, and directions, by which the Subjects (whose Wills as to these things that concern the Society, are submitted to the Supreme) are in their several Capacities to Regulat their Acti­ons, as also of fortefying these Laws against all contempt and disobe­dience, and of punishing the Transgressors, seeing the most per­fect Laws without being armed with the Coactive Strength and Authority should be Naked, Ridicoulous, and Ineffectual: And whoever is the Supreme giver of the Laws, is for the same Reasons Vested with a Power to Interpret, Correct and change them as ne­cessitie requires; Strict Riged, and Litteral Laws, is the Severest and Bloodiest Master in the World: And therefore it belongs to the Supreme Power (in which is the Paternal care of the Subject) to Interpret and Mitigate the severity of the Law, or suspend its Exe­cution, as may best agree with the end of the publick safety, and the wholsome intention of all Laws whatsoever: The perpetual mul­titude of new Actions, and qualities of Actions, which cannot be foreseen: is so vast, that no Laws can be made so general, and ex­tensive as expresly to comprehend them, and therefore it belongs to the Universal trust & care of the Supreme Power; there immediatly, or by inferior deputed Judges and Ministrators, not only to declare these Actions about which the Laws were directly intended, but al­so to apply the general and material Justice of the Laws; to the va­rieties of Actions and Emergencies, which they cannot explicitly comprehend, the condition of Humane Affairs, the Tempers and Inclinations of the People, the means of advancing the most ge­neral ease and conveniences of the Government, and the Subject [Page 10]care remarkably Various & Mutable; not only in different Nations and Societies, but at different times in one and the same; There­fore the wisest and celebrated Law Givers have acknowledged that their Laws were not the best they could have framed, but only the best the condition of their People could bear at the time of their making; and were therefore, with the alteration of their condi­tion and circumstances to be Rectified or Improven: Yea, even these Laws which the Sacred History tells us, were conveyed by Moses from GOD himself to the Jewish Nation, cannot be said to be the most compleat and perfect Directions that could be given to Man­kind: otherways all the World, at least such as heard of them, should indispensably be oblidged to their Observation, but their perfection consisted in their being Proportionated and adopted to the Capacity, Temper, and Circumstances of that Rude, Ignorant, Supperstitious, Unthankful and Sensual People, for whole Benefit they were given. Aand when the Observation of these Laws and Ce­remonies were designed, to separate and distinguish from the Luxu­rious and corrupted Nations. And so for the alteration of Times and Circumstances, and the Diminution of the Hazards against which they were intended: Some of the most Considerable of them, were innocently dispensed with, and is continued: and at last, the whole or Genetality abrogated and loused their Obligation from all which it is evident, that generally speaking an immutable Hu­mane Law, is an absurdity or contradiction, and when ever former Laws and Constitutions appear to the Supreme Power, (who is the only Judge in such Cases) to fail of their Subserviencie to the more general Happiness and Conveniencies of the Society; the Soveraign has not only unquestionable Right, but is found by the nature of supream Power and Trust, which is from the Gracious and the bountiful Governour of the World, to Alter, Correct, or Ab­rogate them as may be most expedient. 2dly. The Soveraign to whom belongs the Care, not only of the Internal Order and Hap­piness of the Society, but also of the securing of it from External Violence, and preserving its Ballance and Proportion with the Neighbouring States and Societies, has the undoubted power of making War and Peace; and consequently of the raising and dis­posing of Forces, making Confederacies, sending Ambassadours, keeping Correspondences, and prescribing the necessar Expences, affoorded by the Subjects, for these and other Necessities of the Government; and for the supporting the Strength, Honour and [Page 11]Interest of the Nation. 3dly. And it belongs to the Soveraign on­ly, (in whom is the Supremacie and Original Jurisdiction, and whose it is to Judge of the Qulifications and Fitness of such as may be imployed in any inferiour Administration) to Errect and Re­gulate the Freedoms and Priviledges of all inferiour Corporations, to Constitute Magistrates, to Appoint and Nominate all publick Mi­nisters, Officers of State, Judges, Counsellours; and in a word, all that serve in any Publick Civil Trust, & Capacity whatsoever.

Seventhly, These are the Foundamental and Vital Prerogatives of Government and Supremacy, to which all the other Particulars by Consequence and Connexion are easily Reduceable: And now from what has been said in the General concern of Government, the inference is Natural and Obvious, that whosoever murmurs against the Being or Exercise of the Supream Au­thority, who absurdly pretends to limit it, for some seeming present advantage endeavour to incroach upon the Prerogative of the right­ful Soveraign, is guilty not only of the greatest wickedness, by con­temning the Power, and resisting the Ordinance of God, but also of the greatest Folly, by doing what in him lyes, to subvert the Foun­dations of all Peace and Tranquillity, and to shake and unsettle that surest Rock on which his own, and his posterities perpetual securi­ty and happiness is built.

Eightly, As to the different Forms of Government, it may be ob­served: first, that seeing no man denyes, but that it is possible in any Society, to have it sufficiently known, and publickly acknow­ledged, what is their form of Government, or in whose hands the Soveraignity is Lodged; it is certain that that Society, is in so far the happiest of all others in which this is most Distinctly and Uni­versally known. 2dly. When we are inquiring into the best form of Government, is not to be expected that any one can be found which is absolutly perfect, for in this our frame and imperfect State, it is impossible to find any humane Administration that is attended with no inconveniencie or imperfection, but by the most perfect Government in this State of things, we are to understand that which is lyable to the fewest inconveniencies, and from which the most advantage and the more solid, and permanent can be justly expected to the Society.

Ninthly, And so, tho we are not rashly or dogmaticaly, to condemn the ancient and established Government of any Nation by which [Page 12]it has enjoyed its security, yet we cannot be so blind, as not to un­derstand that of all the several forms of Government which the witt or subtility of man can imagine the Monarchical, that is, where the Soveraiguty is lodged in one single person, in the natural sense is evidently lyable to the fewest and smallest inconveniencies and is most exactly proportionated for the attaining and preserving the Peace and Security, and all the other ends of Society and Govern­ment, when we consider; first, that it is the most natural Being, the Modal and Draught of the Paternal or Patriarchicall Power, from which it has its Original. In the constituted Order of the World, Men are not dropt down from the clouds, but Born and Educated in some Family, and Society, which thing is enough to destroy the vain presence of the natural Liberty, and equality of all men, from the subjection of the Children to their Parents, from whom they have their Being & by whom they are Preserv­ed and Educated, is so clear by the light of Nature, and has been so uni­versally acknowledged by all Nations and People; that it were but a loss of time to prove it in the particulars. And it being also certain from the most Ancient Authors that all the Primitive Governours were Paternal and Monarchical; Kingdoms then being nothing else but larger, and more extended Families has given oc­casion to the later Authors to observe, that all Governments by plu­rality, as they are in themselves unnatural, so they appear from the Historie to have had their Beginning from some odd and mutable change, or from most unjust usurpation and violence. But then, 2dly, not to insist in resembling Monarchy to the Supreame Providence and Go­vernment of the World, or in illustrating the Argument of most part of all Divines, to prove the unity of the Deitie from Its Being, uncon­ceiveable, how there can be two or moe supream Governours of all things; there seems to be in all pluralities of Humane Governours a fatal necessity and perpetual natural occasion of Faction and Division, things directly opposite to all the good Designs of Laws, Govern­ment and Society, it being next too impossible, but that among many equal sharers of Authority, there will be always some who are acted by partial Interest, some by Ambition, and the Emola­tion of their Rivals, some by a vanity of shewing their Parts, some by an uneasie pride and singularity, and tho there were no thing else, the diversity of Opinions which is unavoidable, is able to produce Jealousies, Envy, and Animosities; and these are able to weaken, embroyl, or disturb any Society. 3dly, In a plurality any [Page 13]one that is disaffected to a Design, if he have sense or a little popu­larity, can create more difficulties and delayes then many are able to answer or overcome; & the just opportunity of doing publick affairs are often lost by their contentions & tedious consultations, and even when they come to a conclusion, it happens frequently that (as some of the Ancients were wont to rail the Athenian Councils, tho wise men consult and deliberat, fools and mad men determine. 4hly, In a multitude of Governours the publick is neglected fre­quently, whiles any single man thinks himself but little concern­ed, and that he will be blamed for the Errors of the Government; and these who are more active, and have been esteemed the wisest men in such Governments, have alwayes endeavoured to gain Reputation to their Councils, by being supported by the popular favour: And by what mean and unworthy Arts that is procured, and when attainted, how light and inconstant it is all the World knows. 5ly, Secrecie which is a thing undoubtedly requisite, for the safety and expedition of publick Councils, is very rare, and al­most impossible in a Plurality. 6ly, A Monarchical Government, be cause it is free of these, and the like heavy inconveniencies, be­cause it is casier to find a good and wiseman, then many, because the Vulgar which is always the greatest part of any multitude or plurality, is ever ignorant, rash, and untractable, and because of the manifold advantages of this Government, it has been always thought in all Ages and Nations, absolutely necessar in Armies; and the same reasons hold as naturaly, and clearly in Civil Societies. And therefore it is no wonder that Monarchs have been more solid, and permanent, and of far longer duration then Popular Governments, and their Subjects more universally pleased under the exercise of their Authority.

Tenthly, That those inconveniencies of Government by plurality are not airly speculations will be clear to any who seriously con­siders the miserable face of that Republick, which by the Admirers of Popular Government was set up as the greatest beloved Idol, for when we see that after the most unjust expulsion of the Roman Kings, the Consuls usurped their Authority, and carried it higher than ever they did, that the Tribunies these Incendiaries of the Rable, when they had got their Being, and a little footing, managed a continual de­sign, sparing no Artifice or violence to diminish the consular Autho­rity, as being to Arbitrary and Tyrannical; and to get it into their own [Page 14]hands (in which they became by desires more and more succesful) on pretence of giving it to the People, that during the more seem­ingly Popular form of Government, never were their greater roar­ings and complaints of Oppression, in any state of the World, that the constant Discentions betwixt the Nobility and the People pro­duced perpetual Tumults, where the Streets were filled with the Blood and Gore of their Citizens, and all places with the sad Ca­lamities of Civil War and Confusion. And when we consider that in all their greatest hazards and difficulties, they were found to run to the expedient of a Monarchical Dictator; And that (as all their Authors Confesses) they had been at last utterly destroyed and sunk under their civil Calamities, if they had not again fallen under a lasting Monarchical Government: These are sufficient demonstrati­ons, when People Sacrilegiously encroach on the Right of their lawful Superiours. It is hard for them ever to fix on any thing of solid duration, that the famous Roman Libertie, was properly but an Impunity for cutting one anothers Throats, that Faction and Disorder, which all the wisdom & strength of that people could not prevent, all the natural effects of such Governments; and that the happiness of a State consists, not in the Greatness and Extent of its Bounds and Empire, but in its Internal order and Tranquillity.

Eleventhly, As to the great publick inconveniencies of a Monarchs turning a Tyrant. It is observable, First, That the marks of a Tyrant are so variously and dubiously given by the enemies of Monarchy, that it is very hard for the most Ingenious, much more for the Vulgar to determine, where any Governour deserves this odious Character. 2dly, If every man would industriously imploy himself in the proper business of his own calling and capa­city, there would be little time and less occasion, for these unpro­fitable Inquiries into the Councils and Actions of Princes; which of necessity, must be kept more closs and mysterious then these of private men: And yet we see how lyable these are to be often and greatly misrepresented. 3dly, Tho there is no shadow of true rea­son, to imagine that Monarchs are accomptable to their Subjects for their Administration, which is an Errour no less absurd (an accomptable Monarch, being an inferior Supreme,) then it is perni­cious both in Government and Religion; Yet Princes cannot but remember, that as Subjects are accountable to their Soveraign, and Superior: So Monarchs are to theirs, the Great GOD and [Page 15]Governour of the World, by whom Kings reign; and against whom only they sin. 4ly, We cannot fancy very few Monarchs so void of common sense, as not to understand that their Honour and safty does depend on the happiness and prosperity of their Subjects, so it is next too impossible that they can design their general hurt and oppression. 5ly, When some Severities actually happen which are generally lookt upon as excesses of Government, they are never so heavy in Nature, nor so Universal in their Extent and Duration, as the dreadful Calamities of Civil War, which is the common cause of the frailtie and mortality of Empires; and which is thus always so unluckie as to produce the same, and more, and greater Evils then are pretended to be feared or suffered from the Lawful Superior; and whoever by his fears, discontents, and grie­vances, will needs disturb the Government or would circumscribe it must asurdly suspect himself to a power which he must acknow­ledge, to be greater, otherways he cannot dream how he can set Limits to the former. But lastly, which is a sufficient answer, when it is asked what if a Monatch abuse the Power, neglect the dictates, or Laws of his Kingdom; we ask the enemies of Monar­chie, what if in their forms of Government, the Major part or Respresentatives and Trusties of the People do the same? If they say, that these can be resisted or judged by the rest, then it seems very evident, that there can be no Government at all, or at least none that can be promised to be of a weeks continuance, if these cannot be justly opposed or resisted, then it is clear that the difficultie pro­posed, is at least equal in all forms of Government; but that it is greater on the Re-publicans side, we are able to bring from impartial History, many more example of Popular Governments, generaly vitiated, or in which avaritious, irreligious, and licentious Men, have had the whole swey, then can be produced of wicked Monarchs: And this one matter of Fact being true, is enough to destroy all the empty Objections of the Enemies of Monarchie; as to that case of the Alteration of Civil Laws, besides that these have no force, nor obligation, but what they intirely derive from the Soveraign. And we are by all the Rules of Discretion and Charity, to suppose that when ever there happens any change in any of them, it is in­tended for the better, and for the more general convenience, of which the Soveraign always is Judge; who ever thinks the perpe­tuity of Laws an advantage to a State or Society, most have the less esteem of Popular Government, when after examination ye [Page 16]shall find that never was there a greater number of partial and ridi­culous constitutions, never more frequent abrogations, vicissrudes, and changes of Laws, then in the Roman, Athenian, and such other Republicks, which has given occasion to that remark of some La­wyers: That any considerable alteration in the Civil Laws cannot be expected in Monarchies, in less then the Revolution of 30 years, generally speaking, but in the Popular Governments, with every Callends of January.

Twelfthly, From what has been said in the general concerning Monarchy it is easie to observe, that these Monarchies are most perfect which are Hereditary, Being in their Nature, of the most equable Stability, for seeing every Successor in such a Series, has a full right to the intire Soveraignity: This Right can never pre­scribe or be diminished. And tho the Wisdom of the most Abso­lute Monarchies, is in all Ages, thought to use several Methods and Forms of Consulting their Subjects in the great and weighty Affairs of the Government, yet no Concession whatsoever to sub­jects, no custom be it never so long of imploying them, or any num­ber of them, for private or more solemn Counsels, or in administra­tion of Justice, can Allienat any part, or making any shares of the Supreme Authority, the Society may also Reasonably expect the greatest care and sincerest love from Hereditary Princes, who con­sidering the Government and Society, as their Property and Inhe­ritance will watch over it, with the more dilligent and circumspect exactness, that they may transmit it in the more secure and flou­rishing condition to their posterity.

Thriteenthly, And now in the last place, what is the fixed and e­stablished Government of this ancient Kingdom, we cannot ex­plain or assert in words more clear and comprehensive then these. In which at several times and different occasions, the Subjects of this Realm have solemnly sworn, either inviolable fidelity and allegiance, and in which the Representatives of the Body of this Na­tion, in their most solemn and lawful Convocations, have openly declared to the World the unquestionable Rights of this Monorchical Government; in these it is solemnly owned and acknowledged, (for Subjects give no Prerogative but assert them) in several publick Oaths and Declarations, that the Kings Majesty is the alone Su­preme Governour of this Kingdom, and above all Persons in it whatsomever; that he is a free Prince of a Soveraign Power, hav­ing [Page 17]as great Liberties and Prerogatives as any other King, Prince, or Potentate whatsomever; that his Majesty is a Soveraign Mo­narch, Absolute Prince, Judge and Governour over all Persons, Estates and Causes, in this Realm: That the Kings sacred Majesty and his Heirs, and Successors, for ever, hold the Royal Power from God Almighty over this Kingdom. And that there are great Obli­gations from the Laws of GOD, the Laws of Nations, the Munici­pal Laws of the Land, and Oath of Allegiance to maintain and de­fend the Soveraign Power and Authoritie of the Kings Majesty, and that sad consequences do accompany any incroachments upon or diminitions thereof; they acknowledge the great happiness that this Kingdom hath for many Ages enjoyed under the Princely Govern­ment of their Royal Kings, who by the special blessing of Almighty God have reigned over them, in so long and unparalelled a Se­ries of Royal Discents, and the Obligations thereby lying on them in Conscience, Honour and Gratitude, to own and assert the Roy­al Prerogatives of the Imperial Crown of this Kingdom, which the Kings Majesty holds from God Almighty alone; and to vindicate the same from all Invasions made upon it, that all Government and Jurisdiction within his Majesties Ancient Kingdom, does Ori­ginally recide in his Sacred Majestys Lawful Heirs & Successors, and it being impossible to invent any surer way of knowing the Govern­ment of any Kingdom, who e're impartially considers these with many such other Declarations, whereof, some have been made when any doubt arose concerning any particular of the Royal Prerogatives; and some after a sad experience of the fatal consequences of Sacrile­gious Invasions upon them, and all to express the publick sense of the Nation, concerning the rights of their Sacred Soveraign: Who ever, take notice, that our Kings have ever been the Fountain of Civil Justice, making Laws of Universal unquestioned Obliga­tion on all the Subjects; sometimes by themselves alone, some­time by the Advice and consent of their Barrons; sometimes of their Earls; sometimes of their Prelats; and sometimes of their Repre­sentatives of the Generality of their Subjects, which have been as­sembled by their Authority; and are in these Laws frequently called their great Council or Parliament. And in a Word, who ever considers the whole threed of our free and unbaysed History, can­not but be convinced, how clear and certain it is (if it be possible for words clearly to express any thing) That this ancient Go­vernment [Page 18]is properly Monarchical. And that in the Sacred Person of our King is lodged, the Supreme Power and Authority; with all these inviolable Rights and Prerogatives, which belongs to the in­tire Soveraignity.

Fourtenthly, In Buchannan (who has been justly called a reproach, as well as any Ornament of our Country,) we admire the empty loosnes of his reasoning, no less then we do the purity of his Latine, his frothie Dialogue, is an instance how farr Malice, Passion, and mistaken interest, can lead men out of the common Rod of sense and reason; his Characters of a King, and of a Tyrant, are so Chimerical and Imaginarie, and with all, so nyce and possitive, that according to his discriptions, there were never King or Ty­rant in the World. But in short, if his intended paralel of a King and Physician, be in many things impertinent, if it be inconsistant that his King be sometimes the perfectest thing in the World, or o­therways to be resisted or expelled, and sometimes very imperfect, that he may get Laws to govern him, just as the Latine, and the Rapture takes the Author, if he is blindly in Love with the word Laws, without considering the thing who shall make them; if it do not follow that because some Kings have been Ill men, therefore there should be no King: Or if the same reason hold in the Popular Government, and if there have been at least as many and great cor­ruptions in Popular Governments as in Monarchies, which are things any can demonstrate, who are not strangers to Reason and History: Then all these Rhetorical Florishes which makes up this Authors Book about Government, (which hath abused some whose considerati­ons go not beyond the surfice of things,) do conclude nothing but that if he had bestowed a little of that time which he spent in ac­quiring of Language, on the study either of Law or Geometry, he might have Learned to pursue this malicious design, a little more closly, while as now he hath only made it appear that he was cap­able to write a Play; but not either Law or Reason concerning Government.

SIR, These Assertions and Observations are owned by the whole Body of this University, since they seem to be founded on clear Methedical and Permanent Reasons. If they do not displease your Majesty, we shall be carefull to insert them in our most Solemn Records, to remain as a perpetual Monument of the unalterable Principles of this Society.

We do not offer to your Majesty, without the special Approba­tion of the most Reverend Chancellor of this University, the great and happy Influence of whose Example and Council, on the Loyalty & Order of this Place, is sutable to the geeatness of his Trust & In­terest in it: We shall rejoyce in our happiness, if what we have said, can do any service to Dissipate the clouds of Ignorance or Prejudice, that are on the minds of any who have not leasure or advantages of long and Laborious Inquiries, into the Reasonable Foundation of their Allegience; there being nothing dearer to us, then the Fidelity and Affection we bear to the most Ancient and Royal Government of this Kingdom, and to your Majesties sacred Per­son, who is the breath of our Nostirls, and who has been graciously pleased, to take the State of your Universities among the first and principal Concerns of Your Government, and who, we do not doubt, will continue, to confirm and enlarge with Your Empire the Learned Glory of Your Kingdoms. And we dare with the sin­cerest boldness of our honest Hearts, assure Your Majesty, that the just and never unfashionable Notions of our Duty, with the intire Trust and Confidence, we repose in Your Majesty, shall ever pre­serve us from being diverted, or frighted from our Love and Obe­dience, and shall excite from Your Majesty, and Kingdoms happiness, the perpetual Prayers of, &c.

WE prostrate our selves to pay our most Devoute Thanks and Adoration to the Soveraign Majesty of Heaven and Earth, for preserving Your Sacred Life and Person, so frequently exposed to the greatest hazards, and as often [Page 20]delivered, and you miraculonsly prospered with Glory and Victory, in the De­fence of the Rights and Honour of Your Majesties August Brother, and of these Kingdoms; and that by his Merciful Goodness, the Ragings of the Sea, and madness of unreasonable Men, have been stilled and calmed; Your Ma­jesty as the Darling of Heaven, peaceably seated on the Thrones of Your Royal Ancestors, whose Long, Flustrious, and Ʋnparallelled Line, is the greatest glory of this Your Ancient Kingdom.

We pay our most humble gratitude to Your Majesty, for the Repeating Assu­rances of Rour Yoyal Protection to our National Church and Religion, as the Laws have Established them; Which are very suitable to the Gracious Coun­tenance, Encouragement and protection, Your Majesty was pleased to afford to our Church and Order, whilst we were happy in Your presence amongst us.

We Magnifie the Divine Mercy in blessing Your Majesty with a SON, and us with a PRINCE, whom we pray Heaven may bless and preserve to sway Your Royal Seepters after you, and that he may Inherit with Your Dominions, the Illustrious and Heroick Vertues of his August and most Serene parents.

We are amazed to hear of the Danger of an Invasion from Holland, which excites our prayers for an universal repentance to all Orders of Men, that God may yet spare his people, preserve your Royal person, and prevent the Effusion of Christian Bloods, and to give such success to your Majesties Arms, that all who Invade your Majesties Just and Ʋndoubted Rights, and Disturb or inter­rupt the peace of your Realms, may be Disappointed and clothed with shame, so that on your Royal Head the Crown may still flourish.

As by the Grace of God we shall preserve in our selves a firm and unshaken Loyalty, so we shall be careful and zealous to promote in all your Subjects: an Intemerable and stedfast Allegiance to your Majesty, as an Essential Part of their Religion, and of the Glory of our Holy profession; not doubting but that God in his great mercy, who hath so often preserved and delivered your Majesty, will still preserve and deliver You by giving You the Hearts of your Subjects, and the Necks of your Enemies. So pray we, who in all Humility, are,

May it please your most Sacred Majesty, your Majesties most Humble, most Faithful, and most Obedient Subjects and Servants,