Choice observations of all the kings of England from the Saxons to the death of King Charles the First collected out of the best Latine and English writers, who have treated of that argument / by Edward Leigh ...

TO HIS SACRED MAJESTY CHARLES the Second, King of Great-B••ittain, France and Ireland.

Most Gracious Soveraigne;

I Hope this Dedication of these my Collections con∣cerning all the Kings of England to your Sacred Majesty, from the first of them (of whom there is any thing credible in story) to the decease of your Royall Father, will not be interpreted either a fruit of ambition or over-bold presumption. I have had the honour for∣merly to dedicate Books to very eminent Societies and Persons, but never to any so signally eminent and publike a Person as your Majesty. And should not have taken the confidence to have begun now, but that (in regard of the Argument I treat of) I thought there was an obligation upon me; and that of right such a Work was to be presented onely to Him, who is the just

and unquestionable Successour to all those Kings I here mention.* 1.1 I finde it usuall with those who either wrote Chronicles in ge∣nerall, or the reigns of some particular Prin∣ces, to inscribe the Name of the King or Prince then living to their Works.* 1.2 I wish my Observations were as choice, as the subject is sutable. Since Cadwallader, the last King of the Britains, there was none born Prince of Great-Britain but your Majesty. Hactenus Anglorum nulli was there∣fore the Motto on the Medals made in me∣mory of your Birth-day the 29^th of May 1630, with three Laurels upon them be∣tokening three Kingdoms. May your raign be as prosperous and happy, as your birth was glorious and* 1.3 illustrious; your deli∣verance by Sea at your entrance into Scot∣land, and your escape by Land at Worcester-fight, and after in England; and your hap∣py restitution to your Kingdom, was won∣derfull and conspicuous. Kings have their regal Titles and Ornaments. To the Kings of Spain from the time of Alphonsus King of Castile, about 800 years agoe, for expelling the Arians, was given the Title of Catholike, as Michael Ritius a Neapoli∣tan writeth. To the French King the Title

of most Christian from the time of Philip the Emperour, about 400 years since,* 1.4 as recordeth Nicol, Gillius. To our King Henry the 8^th of England for his Book of the Sacraments against Luther, Pope Leo the 10^th gave the Title, Defender of the Faitha 1.5, which his Successors have since enjoyed, though in another sense than it was first intended. Henry the 5^th reigning amongst us, his Subjects gave him the Ti∣tle ofb 1.6 Grace. Under Henry the Saint, the 6^th, Excellent was added to Grace: Under Henry the 8^th the acclamation of Majesty began; a little after excellent Majesty, most excellent, and at last Sacred Majesty, which now is generally used.

C 1.7 Kings are crowned, enthronized, and anointed; the Crown was a sign of a Mili∣tary dominion; the Throne of sedentary or judiciall; the Oyl of Religious and sa∣cred power.

A King by vertue of his Kingly Office hath two things to perform;

• 1. To govern,
• 2. To defend.

His Governing also divideth it self into two branches;

• First, To direct,
• ...

• Secondly, To recompence.

He directeth, by appointing what shall be done and forborn of all his subjects in his Jurisdiction.

He recompenceth or requiteth, by pu∣nishing those which disobey the Laws, with such punishments as himself thinketh good to appoint, and to signifie to them in his penalties by which he ratifieth his Laws; and by rewarding those which keep the Laws, with such rewards as he seeth fit to specifie in his Statutes, and in generall, by making them partakers of the wealth, peace, quietness and happiness of his go∣vernment.

He defendeth his subjects against the hostility of open enemies, and the injuries of their fellow-subjects.

It was an excellent speech of Henry the Great, King of France, your Grand-father by the Mothers side; When I was born there were a thousand other souls more born, what have I done for God more than they? Learn∣ed King Iames your Grand-father by the Father, in his Book dedicated to Prince Henry, would have him to remember, that he differed not in stuff, but in use, from the rest of the people; and that by Gods Or∣dinance.

Kings as well as others are bound to read the Scriptures,* 1.8 Deut. 17. 18, 19, 20. and some think that Book of the Kings and Chronicles especially worthy their di∣ligent perusall: others would have them study well the 101 Psalm. Next the Scri∣ptures, Ecclesiasticall History is to be pre∣ferred;* 1.9 some highly commend Polybius as usefull for Kings to read; and Causabon dedicating it to Henry the 4^th King of France, much magnifieth that Book, and likewise the reading of History in gene∣rall. The Chronicles and Annals of their own Predecessors, surely must needs be both delightfull and profitable for them. Your Majesty may observe many things in them well worthy imitation: in Learn∣ed and valiant Alfred, how thriftily he spent his time, how he encouraged Learn∣ing and Learned men; in little Edgar, great Canutus; William the Conquerour; the many worthy Henries and* 1.10 Edwards; your own wise Grand-father and Father of happy memory. Yet in the whole se∣ries of the Kings and Queens of England (as others have made severall parallels of some of our English Kings) I have not found a fitter parallel in every respect for

your Majesty than Queen Elizabeth. I will not speak of her skill in the modern Lan∣guages, and how she often answered Em∣bassadors her self, nor how gracious and gentle a Princess she was to her very ene∣mies; wherein your Majesty is not un∣like to Her. What troubles and hazards did she undergo, before she came to the Crown? with what joyfull and generall acclamations was she received into this Me∣tropolis? I need not apply this to your Majesty, its sufficiently obvious to every vulgar capacity how you agree herein. Af∣ter her Coronation,* 1.11 being presented with a Bible, as she passed by the little Con∣duit in Cheapside, she received the same with both her hands, and kissing it said; That it had ever been her chief delight, and should be the rule by which she meant to frame her Government. Your Majesty in your entring into the City, at the presentment of the Bible to you by the Reverend London Ministers, used this speech, worthy to be written in Gold; I thank you for this Book above all other gifts, and assure you, I shall make it my first care to set up Gods Worship and service; this is the Book must guide us all; and I will make

it the rule of my Life and reign. Queen Eli∣zabeth was a couragious and stout spirited Princess. In 88, when the Spaniard was coming, she went to the Army at Tilbury-Camp, riding with a Truncheon or baston in her hand to the severall Companies, and by her presence and speech encouraged both Commanders and souldiers, saying to them as I have heard; If her brother Philip came, she would give fire to the first Piece against him: I might alledge the testi∣mony of your greatest enemy, in confirma∣tion of your Majesties valour at Worcester-battle.

Kings bear a double image of God, as they are men and as they are Magistrates. The Scripture saith;* 1.12 Those which rule over men should be just, ruling in the fear of God. Onea 1.13 saith; They should labour to be more religious and pious toward God than ordinary persons, because of the great need they have of his illumination in their counsels, of his conduct in their en∣terprises, of his force in their executions, and of his provident care in their va∣rious occurrents, dangers & difficulties. The Kings seat was so set in the Temple, that all might see him there, Ezek. 46. 10.

2 Chron. 6. 12, 13.* 1.14 2 King. 11. 14. & 23. 3. that by his example the devotion of his people might be stirred up. God ha∣ving done such great things both abroad and at home for your Majesty, ex∣pecteth great things from you. I shall humbly implore the Almighty, that he would so guide you in all your wayes, that you may make his Interest your great interest, by reforming what is a∣miss in Court and Kingdom, by pro∣moting his pure worship, encouraging the power of godliness, and all such as walk according to Scripture-rule, are peace∣able, and hold the Fundamentals; by discountenancing Atheisme, errour, and profaneness, the fruits of abused peace and prosperity, altering the old speech for the better,

—Exeat aula Qui vult esse pius; into impius.

So shall White-Hall answer its name, and

your Majesty approve your self to be, what your Father desired, Charles the Good, which is the earnest prayer of

Your Majesties most humbly devoted and Loyall subject Edward Leigh

Notes

• * 1.1

  Beda to King Ceolwolph. Speed his Hi∣story of Great∣brittain to King Iames.
• * 1.2

  Howe his An∣nals, or Conti∣nuation of Stow and Ba∣cons Henry the 7^th to your Father when Prince.
• * 1.3

  It was illu∣strious both in respect of the bright Star which then appeared at high-noon in the presence and sight of all, (See Stella meridiana) & also in respect of your near alliance to the greatest ••rin∣ces of Chri∣stendom.
• * 1.4

  Doway Notes on Iosh. 3. 8.
• a 1.5

  See D^r Basire of Sacriledge.
• b 1.6

  Montacu••ii Antidiatribae ad Diat. 1. Bulengeri.
• C 1.7

  Hookers Ec∣clesiasticall Policy. l. 8. It is by di∣vers Charters granted to the Church of Westminster, to be locus Coro∣nationis Regis, & repositorium Regalium. Li∣ber Regalis. The Sword presents the Princes pow∣er, the Crown their glory. B. Bilson in his Sermon be∣fore K. Iames at his Coro∣nation.
• * 1.8

  See the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Worcester 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sermon at the Coronation.
• * 1.9

  King Iames comm••ndeth Caesar above all pro••••e Writers, both for the sweet slowing of th•• style, and the worthiness of the maner it self.
• * 1.10

  Henry the first, the fifth, the seventh, the eighth. Edward the first, the third, the sixth, e∣specially, who first began our happy Reformation in Religion.
• * 1.11

  At the Coro∣nation of King Ioash, the High-Priest delivered him the Testimo∣ny, not only that he might know and do it himself, but take care (as much as lie in him) that it might be known and observed by the people. D^r Hardy his Apostolicall Ly∣turgy revived, on 2 King. 11. 12. Read the Scriptures di∣ligently, and with an hum∣ble spirit, and in it observe what is plain, and believe & live according∣ly. D^r Ier. Tay∣lors Letter to a person newly converted to the Church.
• * 1.12

  2 Sam. 23. 3.
• a 1.13

  Molinier in his Essay••••.
• * 1.14

  All that we beg at the hands of our Superiors, is a liberty to wor∣ship God ac∣cording to his word, that we may have no thing imposed upon us, but what we may be directed in our compli∣ance with, by the rule of Scripture; we desire that men may not command where God is silent. The Ex∣aminat. of D^r Heylins History of the Refor∣mar. of the Church of Eng∣land. Those of the Presbyterian judgement, that out of a reall tenderness cannot comply in all particulars, will beyond doubt receive from his Majesty such savour and indulgence, as may abundantly suffice to their relief. M^r L'estrange his Holy Cheat. p. 78. of the 2^d Edition.