Augustus. There are found therein 8. differences of States:
Husbandmen, Trades-men, Merchants, Souldiers, Iudges
Cleargie-men, the Nobility, and the King, which (to speake
more properly, and, as in diuers places it is deliuered by the
blessed Apostle S. Paul) is a Misticall Body, which we call a
Kingdome with it's Head. For a king, is the supreme Lord,
subiect onely vnto God.
That in S. Augustines, and Diuus Thomas his opinion, as also
sundry other Authors of diuers faculties, amongst which are
Aristotle, and Plato; the most excellent gouernment, is that,
which acknowledgeth a Superior, one King, and one Head.
For all naturall, and good gouernment proceedeth from
One, and that which comes neerest vnto Vnitie, hath most
similitude, with that which is diuine, and is by much the
most perfect. By God, Kings reigne, according to that of the
wise man. Per me, reges regnant; Per me, Principes imperant.
By me Kings reigne, and Princes decree iustice. And God be∣ing
one, and most simple in his Being; and Nature the Head
of all the whole Vniuerse; by Whom, and Which all is go∣uerned
with admirable and ineffable prouidence, and is the
Idea of all good and perfect gouernment, it is not a thing to
be doubted, but that that shall be amongst vs the best, which
is most agreeable, with his. And if the Members of the body,
being many, and bearing different Offices therein, admit to
be gouerned by a Head, and that God and Nature, hath so
ordained it, Why should not a Monarchicall gouernment be
the best? Most certaine therefore is it, that it is mainely to
be preferred before the other two. Some will haue this Monar∣chicall
gouernment to be the most ancient, and that it had it's
beginning from Cain, Adams eldest sonne, who was the
first, that did gather people together, built Cities, and did
shut them vp, and fortifie them with walls. After the stood,
Nimrod, the sonne of Chus, and nephew vnto Cham, a man of
valour, and amongst those of those times, the most able, and
strongest man, was the first, that reduced men to liue in a