To the extent possible under law, the Text Creation Partnership has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above, according to the terms of the CC0 1.0 Public Domain Dedication (http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/). This waiver does not extend to any page images or other supplementary files associated with this work, which may be protected by copyright or other license restrictions. Please go to http://www.textcreationpartnership.org/ for more information.
I Have heretofore (in the 4th. Chapter) presented you with sundry Presidents of the Primitive Chri∣stians signal Loyaltie and Pietie to their very per∣secuting Heathen Emperors, in making fervent publick and private Prayers, Supplications and Intercessions unto God for their long life, health and prosperitie. To which I shall adde two Presidents more.
[Anno 180] The first out of the Annals of Eutychius Patriarch of A∣lexandria (translated out of Arabick into Latin by learned Mr. Pokock) printed Oxoniae 1656. who relates this of the Christians under a 1.1 Marcus Antonius Severus, (a great Persecutor of them) Magnae hic calamitatis & tristitiae diu∣turnae Christianis author fuit, multis sub illo Martyrium passis. Ejus tempore magna fuit fames, siccitasque & pestis, dum per biennium non plueret, adeo ut par••m abesset, quin Rex & popu∣lus Imperio ipsius subditus fame & peste perirent; Qui ergo Christianos rogarunt, ut Precibus a Domino suo pluvi∣am impetrarent: * 1.2 illis igitur Preces ad Dominum no∣strum fundentibus magnam pluviae copiam demisit, quo pacto sublata est et fames, et pestis, both from this perse∣cuting Emperor and his Subjects.
[Anno 304] The second is the memorable storie of the Emperor Maximinianus, who was smitten by God with several Dis∣cases for persecuting the Christians, so that his flesh did * 1.3 rot away, and worms crept out of his Bowels, and he lay prostrate on the earth, stinking in such sort that no man could come nigh unto him; All his Companions admiring, and his very Enemies pitying him for what had thus befallen him. Whereupon Ipse verò ad se re∣versus; Hoc forsan quod patior (inquit) inde mihi accidit, quod Christianos interfecerim. Literas ergò ad omnes provin∣cias suas dedit, ut Christianos quicunque in carceribus essent, dimitterent, eosque honore afficerent, nec ullum iis damnum inferrent; Rogarent autem ut inter precan∣dum pro Imperatore vota funderent; orantibus ergo pro Imperatore Christianis ac preces fundentibus, Deus ipsi sanitatem restituit, adeo ut viribus et sanitate meli∣us quam antea gauderet, as Eutichyus: or, c 1.4 Addit prae∣tereà mandatum, ut statas solitasque pro Imperatore pre∣ces ad Deum funderemus: Christianos Christiana sua tem∣pla exaedificare, rem maturare, consueta Officia in illis facere, Preces pro Imperii statu fundere, he publishing 2. Edicts in the Christians behalf. d 1.5 Ʋndè Christiani hac indulgentia concessa devincti, Debent Deo suo obnixe supplicare pro nostra, pro Reipublicae, pro sua ipsorum salute, ut quovis modo cum publicus rerum status integer & incolumis retinea∣tur,
tum ipsi in suis familiis absque cura & sollicitudiue vitam traducere queant, as Eusebius & Nicepborus, record the story. Lo here this persecuting bloodie Pagan Empe∣ror restored to his perfect health, by the Prayers of the Christians whom he slew, imprisoned, persecuted in his health; yet behold his desperate ing••atitude both to God and them. Ille verò ubi sanitati restitutus convaluisset, ad majorem impietatis gradum quàm antea prolapsus, in om∣nes ditiones suas scribens, Christianos occidi jussit, & ne pro∣fessionis ejus quispiam in Imperio ejus relinqueretur, neve urbem aut oppidum incolere sinerentur, sed penitus extirparentur. Interfecti sunt ergo è Christianis, qua viri, qua feminae, qua pueri, plures quàm numerari possint, adeo ut prae occisorum multitudine Plaustris delati in mari, & in de∣serto projicerentur. But God soon after smote him with an ulcer in his Bowels, which tortured him extremely, corroded and eat out his Bowels, caused his verie eyes to fall out of his head upon the ground, burnt up his Flesh which was severed from his bones, so as he perished by a most miserable death, confessing that God had deservedlie punished him in this sort, for his madnesse and rashness against Christ and his Members.
[Anno 310] Constantine the Great e 1.6 (born and declared Empe∣ror first of all in this our Island of Britain, the first profes∣sed Christian of all the Roman or other Emperors in the World) about the year of our Lord 310. having con∣quered this Tyrant Maximinianus in the field, he and the Christians sang prayses unto God for his great victorie, in the words of Moses and the Israelites after Pharaoh his overthrow, Exodus 15. 1, to 22. After which entring into Rom•• in tryumph with great pomp, he was there recei∣ved by all the people, both men, women and children, Senators and other Noble persons running out by Troops to meet him with joyfull countenances, willing minds, happy acclamations, and unsatiable joy, as their De∣liverer, the Conservatour of their Countrie, and most be∣nign Patron. But he as one having the fear of God natu∣rally residing in his mind, not puffed up with these trium∣phant acclamations and popular applauses, nor yet with
the Proclamation of his prayses, yet very conscious of the ayd given him from God, commanded immediatelie, that the Banner of our Saviours passion should be fet in the hand of his statue. Which being set up in the most famous place in Rome, holding the sign of the Crosse in his right hand, he commanded this following Insc••iption to be engraven thereon in Roman Letters; In this whol∣som sign, the true cognisance of Fortitude, I have delivered the City from under the Tyrants yoke, and set the Senate and People of Rome at liberty, and resto∣red them unto their pristi••e Greatnesse and Splen∣dor.
After f 1.7 Maximinianus the Tyrants death, an utter Enemy to all Pietie and Godliness, through the Grace of Almigh∣ty God Churches were re-edified, and erected from the Foundations, the Gospel of Jesus Christ freely preached, professed and propagated; Maximinianus by publick E∣dicts, proclaimed the chiefest and most deadly Enemy, the most impious, wicked, pernicious and malicious Ty∣rant, and most excerable hater of God. All Tables and Inscriptions set up in every City to his and his Chil∣drens honour, were either thrown down from aloft to the ground, or obliterated, or blotted out with a defor∣med & black colour: In like manner all Statues erected to his honour being tumbled down, were broken in pieces, and exposed to the laughter and derifion of such who would abuse them. All his persecuting Instruments, Fa∣vorers and Partisans, were in like manner disgraced, dis∣officed, and some of them slain. The Christian Bishops, Ministers, and Professors of the Gospel, made and sang special Songs of Prayse and Thanksgiving unto God Almighty, the King and Governour of all things, and to Jesus Christ his Son, the Redeemer of their Souls, and Author of their internal and external peace, enjoyed under their Christian Emperor; whose Prayses they ex∣tolled, as you may read at large in Eusebius, Ecles. Hist. l. 10. c. 1, 3, 4, 6, 9. And De Ʋita Constantini, l 2, 3, & 4. After which Constantine i 1.8 prescribed to all his Soldiers and Sub∣jects
as well Pagans as Christians, a set form of Prayer to God for himself and his Sons, to be said ev••ry day, or Lords Day at least; recited in the k 1.9 former Chapter. [Anno 325] This first Christian Emperor, in the first General * 1.10 Council of Nice, Anno 325. when he dismissed the many Bishops there assembled by him from all parts (whereof 3. came from our Isle of l 1.11 Britain) with a grave exhortation, to pres••rve mutual concord; added this request to them in the close thereof, Ut pro ipso ad Deum preces obnixe funderent, That they would earnestly powre forth Prayers for him unto God. m 1.12 Eu∣sebius further records of him, That whereas he esteemed that the Prayers of Pious men, were of great moment to him, and to the safety and preservation of the whole Common-wealth, towards which seeing he reputed them necessary, he did not only upon all occasions throw him∣self down as a Supplicant unto God, Uerum etiam ut pro se ab Ecclesiae Praes••dibus supplicaretur, mandavit, but likewise commanded that Supplications should be made for him by the Rectors of the Church; which they accordinglie per∣formed.
[Anno 336] In the 30th. year of his reign, n 1.13 when a certain Priest praysed him to his face, as worthy to enjoy the chief Power of all things in this life, & to reign together with the Son of God in the life to come; He signifying his dislike therof, exhorted him, not to use such flattering words concerning him for time to come; but rather to contend for him with Pray∣ers from God, that he might seem worthy to be the servant of God both in this life, and that which is to come. The same year this Emperor having assembled a very great Synod of * 1.14 Bishops and Priests to Ierusalem to the Dedication of the Temple he had there built; some of them adorned that solemnity with Prayers and Disputations, others with elegant Orations, Sermons and Interpretations of obscure places of Scripture: others who could do none of these, Supplices Deo preces, &c. Offered up humble Prayers and Supplications unto God for common peace, for the Church of God, and for the Emperor himself, the Author of these most excellent things, and for his Children who were dear to God.
In his n 1.15 Expedition against the Persians, communica∣ting his design unto the Bishops, and desiring some of them to be alwaies present with him who were most fit to discharge the Duties of Piety, they readilie promised to follow and not to depart one step from him, but to go on warfare with him, Et apud Deum supplicibus vo∣votis se pugnaturos, and that they would fight with God for him against his Enemies with Supplications and Prayers: whereupon being greatly delighted with this expression of their Wills and Endeavours, he caused a magnificent Tabernacle to be made in form of a Church, in quo Deo victoriarum datori ipse cum Episcopis suppli∣caret. Wherein he with his Bishops might make Supplications to God the giver of Victories.
[Anno 337] When he lay upon his Death-bed, his Centurions, and Captains of the Army coming to his Chamber, deploring his Condition, Longioremque ei vitam optarent, and * 1.16 wishing him a longer life: he answered them, He had now ob∣tained true life, (after his Baptism) and that he only un∣derstood of what felicity he was made partaker; and therefore he would hasten and not procrastinate his migration unto God. Upon the tydings of his death, all his Gards renting their Cloaths, casting their Bodies upon the Ground, and knocking their Heads against it, sending forth mournfull Voyces with great sorrow and clamours, calling him their Lord, Prince, Emperor and in the interim bewayling him not as a Lord and Tyrant, but as pious and natural Children do their Father. The Centurions and other Officers and Souldiers predicated him their Saviour, Keeper, Benefactor; the whole Army with all reverence desired him as Flocks of Sheep their Shepheard; all the People throughout every City running up and down ma∣nifested the secret wound and grief of their minds by outcries and clamours, and the rest walked with dejected Countenances as if they were astonished; every one reputing that this calamity had principally hapned to himself, and miserably afflicting themselves, as bereaved of the common safety of human life. All the Dukes, Earls, and
Assembly of Princes, who were formerly accustomed to reverence and bow down unto him, observing their pri∣stine use and custom, going in at set times saluted the Emperor lying in his Herse, as if he were alive even af∣ter his death, bowing themselves to the ground; the Se∣na••e, with all the rest of the Magistrates and People do∣ing the like reverence to him. Upon which Eusebius hath this memorable Observation, Solus vero iste bea∣tus Imperator etiam mortuus regnavit, cum ei soli post homi∣num memoriam, vel ipso Deo authore, omnes qui solebant, ho∣nores tanquàm superstiti tribuerentur. Nam cum is solus ex omnibus Imperatoribus, Regem omnium Deum & Christum ejus omnibus vitae actionibus, piè sanctèque coluerit, jure sanè etiam hunc honorem solus adeptus est, ut Dei voluntate, quod in eo morte sepultum erat, tamen apud homines regnaret, ut ista sci∣licet ratione nobis Deus significaret, animarum Regnum, his qui non prorsus obduruerunt, nunquàm consenescere, nunquàm entori. His two Sons being absent when he died, there were some select Captains out of the whole Army, eminent for their Fidelitie, sent to acquaint them with his death, the News whereof being spread throughout all the Legi∣ons, they all with one mind and consent presently resol∣ved, as if great Constantine himself were alive, Neminem praeter ejus Filios Romani Imperii Principem agni∣turos; and soon after all resolved, that they should not only be called Caesars, but likewise Augusti, which be∣ing a Title of the greatest Dignity of all sorts, is the Pro∣per note of the greatest Empire. The Senate, People, and whole City of Rome exceedingly lamented this Em∣perors death, did the same reverence to his Pictures, as to himself whiles living; and painting the Effigies of Heaven in its proper colours, pictured him above the Coelestial Orbs, resting in the Heavenly Assembly. At his Funeral the Souldiers, Priests and People standing round about his Herse expressed their Affections and De∣votions towards him in every kind they could: •• quibus Divinus per Preces cultus exhibitus est. Whose Prayses when they gloriously predicated; Jam populus frequens
unà cum Saverdotibus non sinc lachrymis, et sane magno cum gemitu, pre••es pro anima Imperatoris fundebant (to wit, * 1.17 that it might speedily b•• united to his body again at last by a most joyfull resurrection, not delivered out of purgatorie) in quo & illi gratum atque optatum pro Princi∣pe officium praestabant: & Deus ipse singularem benevolentiam ergà famulum suum ostendit, Quod post mortem charis e∣jus ac Germanis Filiis, Patris sui Successoribus, Imperium donasset. This was the signal loyalty, piety and devotion of the Christian Bishops, Priests, Nobles, Senators, Souldiers and People of all sorts, in that Age, to this first Christian Emperor Constantine, both living and after his decease, and to his royal Posterity after him, worthy our imitation.
[Anno 3.0.] Constantine the 2d. Son of Constantine the Great, degene∣rating from his Fathers Faith and Pietie, favoured the Ar∣rian Heresy, and very much persecuted the Orthodox Bishops, who maintained the Deity of our Saviour Jesus Christ; yet they and the Orthodox Christians ceased not to make constant servent publick and private Prayers unto God for his long life, health and prosperous reign. Among others Athanasius Bishop Alexandria, (the chiefest Champion against the Arrians) though exceedingly perse∣cuted, injured, deprived and banished by him, merely for his zeal in defending the Orthordox Faith, and the God∣ly Christians under his charge, were very loyal and consci∣encious in discharge of this Duty, as is evident by these notable passages in his Apologia ad Constantinum Impera∣torem, against the Arrians calumnies, who falsely accu∣sed him, for holding intelligence with Magnentius (the Murtherer of his Brother Constans) who wipes off that Calumny by this Argument, That he made Prayers for this Prince in the open Assembly of the People, and likewise for the Emperors safety, q 1.18 Pro salute tua vota facio. Quapropter dum te contemplatus fuissem in illo (Constante Imperatore) illumque in te, quî fieri potuisset ut illi malidieere sustinerem, aut hosti illius literas mittere, ac non potius pro tua salute voces precesque funders, quod et feei. Hujus rei testis
est praecipuus Dominus, qui exaudivit te, & largitus tibi est integrum à majoribus tuis relictum Imperium: Testesque sunt qui tam affuerunt Philicesumus qui fuit Dux Aegypti, Ruffinus, item & Stephanus, (and four more there na∣med) agentes in rebus. Nihil enim aliud dixi, quàm prece∣mur pro salute religiosissimi Imperatoris Censtantii; & statim, universus Populus una voce acclamavit, Chri∣ste auriliare Constantio, et magna cum perseverantia has preces continuavit. After which excusing the Peo∣ples meeting in the great Church of Theona built by the Emperor, before it was consecrated by his Order, be∣cause the multitude of the people was so great, that the other Churches could not hold them; he addes, Festum erat Paschae, & tanta vis populorum aderat, quantum Chri∣stianorum in urbe esse Christicola Principes optarunt. Cum igitur & Ecclesiae paucae parvaeque essent, magnoque tumultu posce∣retur ut in magna Ecclesia conventus celebrarentur, atque ibi∣dem Preces pro tua salute fierent, quod et factum est, egone adhortationibus, &c. Nec tamen celebrata sunt à nobis Encaenia, sed tantummodo precationum Synaxis habita est. Tu autem religiosissime Imperator, ubinam malles populum ma∣nus extendere, et pro te orare, ibine, ubi Ethnici oberrabant? an in loco tuum nomen titulumque referrente? quem cum in praesenti Dominicum universi appellarent, &c. Ecce Domi∣ne Jesu Christe Rex Regum, veri Fili Dei unigeniti, verbum & sapientia Patris reus agor. Quia tuam misericordiam Populus suis orationibus convenit, & per te, Patrem Deum omnium imprecavit, idque pro salute Famuli tui pientissi∣mi Constantii. Sed tamen gratiae sunt tuae lenitati, quod de precibus Populi & de tuis ritibus in crimen vocari. Tu tamen interim Deo dilectissime Auguste vivas per multos Annorum recursus, & solemnia dedicationis perficias. Pre∣ces enim omnium pro tua salute factae nihil impediunt En∣caeniorum festum, &c.
If then this Godly Orthodox Bishop, and all other Or∣thodox Bishops and Christians thus constantly prayed to God for this cruel persecuting Arrian Emperor, that Christ would be propicious to him, that he might continually live in
safety, and reign in peace, and live many years; and stiled him, most religious and gracious Emperor, and Prince; I shall thence infer, with our learned Doctor Thomas Bilson against the Jesuites, in The true Difference between Christian Subjection, and Unchristian Rebellion part 1. p. 378, 379.
Hear you deaf of ears, and dull of hearts: The Church of Christ prayed for Heretical Princes in the midst of their Impiety and Tyranny: And when it was objected to Athanasius, that he and others wrote Letters to one that rebelled and took Arms against the Prince, he made Answer, Ʋincat quaeso apud te veritas, &c.I beseech you let truth take place with you▪ and leave not this suspition upon the Catholick Church, as though any such things were written or thought of by Christians, and especially by Bishops.
How far then were these men from your humours, which professe to depose (yea murder) Princes, and not only li∣cense Subjects to rebel, but intice them to kill their So∣veraigns, as you did lately Parry, with pardon, praise, and recompence both here and in Heaven?
[Anno 356] [Anno 359] St. Hilary Bishop of Poyctiers wrote thus to this Ar∣rian Emperor Constantius, not long after Athanasius, in * 1.19 the Orthodox Christians behalf. We beseech your clemen∣cy to permit, that the people may have such Teachers as they like, such as they think well of, such as they chuse, and let them solemnize the divine mysteries, and make Prayers for your safety and prosperity.
The godly Western Bishops assembled by this Arrian Em∣peror * 1.20 Constantius to the Council of Ariminum, and there long detained by him from their Cures, writ two Epistles to him from thence, to dismisse them to their Bishop-pricks before the cold winter approached. In the first they w••ite thus. We beseech you that you cause us not to be banished, nor stayd from our Churches, but that the Bishops, together with the people may live in peace and tranquil••ity, and may humb••y pray for your Health, Kingdom and sa••ety, in which the Divine Majesty long preserve you: ••ro. tua s••lute, Imperio, & pace orantes, quam tibi Divinum
numen largiri dignetur prolixam; so Nicephorus renders it; but others thus, Supplicantes Deo pro pace tui Imperii pa∣riter & salutis, quam tibi Dominu•• in perpetuum largiatur. They conclude their second Letter to him in these words. * 1.21 For this cause we beseech your clemency the second time, most religious Lord and Emperor, that you command us to de∣part to our Churches, if it so please your Godlinesse, before the sharpnesse of Winter come, That we may make our ac∣customed Prayors together with the People, to the Al∣mighty God, and our Lord and Saviour Christ for your Empire (or Reign) as we have alwaies accustomed in times past, and yet cease not to do, and now wish to continue. Here we have a most pregnant double Testi∣mony of all these Godly Bishops assembled in full Coun∣cil, of their own and the Peoples constant and continual Custom, both for time past, present, and to come, to powre forth fervent publick Prayers, Supplications and Thanks givings to God, for the Health, Reign, Safety and Prosperity of their Christian Emperors, though Arri∣ans and Persecutors of them; much more then was it their constant usage when Orthodox and Protectors of them, thus to do.
[Anno 370] St. Cyril Bishop of Hier••s••lem thus recites the pra∣ctise of the Christians in his Age in this particular: We * 1.22 pray to God for the common peace of the Church throughout the world, For our Kings, their Forces and Adherents.
[Anno 370] St. Ambrose Bishop of Millain flourishing in the year of Christ 370. in his Book, De Ʋocatione Gentium, l. 1. c. 4. reciting the 1 Tim. 2, 1, 2, 3. thus descants upon it. De hac ergo doctrinae Apostolicae regula qua Ecclesia universalis imbuitur ne in diversum intellectum nostro evagemur arbitrio, quid in ipsa universalis Ecclesia s••ntiat, requiramus, quia nihil dubium esse poterit in praecepto si obedientia concordat in studio. Praecepit itaque Apostolus, imò per Apostolum Dominus qui loquebatur in Apostolo, Fieri obsecrationes, & postu∣lationes, gratiarum actiones pro omnibus hominibus, pro Regibus, ac pro iis qui in sublimitate sunt. Quem legem supplicationis ita omnium Sacerdotum et omnium
Fidelium devotio concorditer tenet, ut nulla pars mundi sit, in qua hujusmodi Orationes non celebrantur a popu∣lis Christianis: Supplicat ergo ubique Ecclesia Deo non solum pro sanctis, & in Christo jam regeneratis, sed etiam pro omnibus infidelibus, & inimicis crucis Christi; pro omni∣bus Idolorum cultoribus, pro omnibus qui Christum in membris suis perfequuntur; pro Judaeis, quorum caecitati lum••n Evan∣gelii non refulget; pro haereticis & Schismaticis qui ab unitat•• fidei & charitatis alieni sunt. Quid autem pro istis petat, nisi ut relictis erroribus suis convertentur ad Deum, accipiant fidem, accipiant charitatem, & de ignorantiae tenebris liberati in agnitionem veniant veritatis, &c. Which he thus pro∣secutes in his Commentary on 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3.
Haec re∣gula Ecclesiastica est tradita a Magistro Gentium, qua utuntur Sacerdotes nostri, ut pro omnibus suppli∣cent; Deprocantes pro Regibus huius seculi, ut subje∣ctas habeant Gentes, ut in pace positi, in tranquillitate mentis & quietè Deo Domino servire possumus. Oran∣tes etiam pro ••is quibus sublimis potestas est credita, ut in justitia & veritate gubernent Rempublicam, sup∣peditante rerum abundantia, & amota perturbatione seditionis succedat laetitia, &c. ut sepositis omnibus quae huic Imperio infesta & inimica sunt, in affectu pieta∣tis & castitatis Deo servire possumus. Perturbatio enim & captivitas nec pietatem servat, nec castitatem. Unde enim pius qui invidus est? & unde castitas ubi po∣testatis suae non est? In his Epistolarum, l. 5. Epist. 26. ad Gratianum Augustum, he thus expresseth his servent Prayers for him. Et nocte & die in tuis castris cura & censu locatus, Orationum excubias praetendebam, & si invalidus merito, sed affectu sedulus. Et haec quidem pro tua salute deferebamus, pro nobis facieba∣mus. Nihil hic adulationis est si scit ipse arbiter quem fateris & in quem piè credis, me non solum officio publico debitas pendere preces, sed etiam amore pri∣vato. Which Epistle he concludes with this Prayer for this Emperor. 'Beatissimum te & florentissimum Deus Omnipotens Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi
tueri aetate prolixa, et Regnum tuum in summa glo∣ria et pace perpetua, confirmare dignetur, Domine Imperator Auguste, Divino electe judicio, Princi∣pum gloriosissimo. In his Epist. l. 4 Epistola 28. Ad Theodosium Imperatorem, he concludes with this Pray∣er. Beatissimus & florentissimus cum sanctis pignoribus fruaris tranquillitate perpetua Imperator Auguste.To pretermit all other passages of this kind, in his Fune∣ral Oration,
De obitu Valentiniani Imperatoris, he hath this passionat expression, Nulla inhonoratos vos mea transibit Orati••: Nulla nox non donatus aliqua precum mearum contexione transcurret. Omnibus Oblationi∣bus frequentabo, &c. Quam nostrae vitae temporibus fulcire curaremus, ut de nostris Annis viveret, qui fungi non potuit suis: Which he thus concludes. Te¦quaeso summe Deus ut clarissimos juvenes matura re∣surrectione suscites & resuscites, ut immaturum hunc vitae istius cursum matura resurrectione compenses; to which this other passage in his Oration, De obitu Theodo∣sii Imperatoris, might be added, * 1.23 Da requiem perfe∣ctam servo tuo Theodosio, Requiem quam praeparasti sanctis tuis.
This Godly Emperor Theodosius (as * 1.24 Eutychius Patri∣arch of Alexandria records) was by the joynt and ser∣vent Prayers of the Christians in Constantinople (who spent the whole night in Supplications, and beseeched God and our Lord Jesus Christ, ut nobis Regem eligat, & quem••un∣que ipse elegerit nobis Regem praeficiamus) miraculously elected and chosen Emperor, beyond all human expectati∣on, being of a very poor and mean condition, as he there relates.
[Anno 380] Gregory Bishop of Nyssa in his excellent Book De Ora∣tione, p. 6. hath this memorable passage. Oratio corporum robur est, abundantia domus, recta Iuris ac Legum in Ci∣vitate constitutio, Regni vires, belli Trophaeum, pacis securitas, dissidentium conciliatio, conjunctorum con∣servatio, &c. Therefore it was certainly used by all Christians, Churches, Bishops, Ministers, Subjects, for their
Kings and Kingdoms to effect these publick ends, especi∣ally in times of war and danger.
[Anno 381] The 150. Godly u 1.25 Bishops assembled together in the first General Council of Constautinople, Anno 381. in their Epistle to the Emperor Theodosius, not only render pub∣lick Thanks to God for advancing him to the Empire for the peace of the Church, and maintenance of the Ortho∣dox Faith, but likewise pray to God for the establish∣ment of his Empire in peace and righteousnesse for many Generations, and his temporal and eternal joy and be∣atitude, in these ensuing words, Initio quidem nostri ad tuam Poetatem scripti, Gratias agamus Deo, qui tuae Pietatis Imperium constituit ad communem pacem Ecclesi∣arum, & sanae fidei confirmationem; agentes autem DEO DEBITAS GRATIAS, necessaria quo∣que ea, quae acta sunt in sancto Concilio, ad tuam referrimus pietatem, &c. Dominus autem Imperium tuum in pace et Iustitia stabiliat, transmittatque et producat in mul∣tas et infinitas usque generationes, atque ad terrenam potentiam caelestis quoque Regni gaudium et fructum adjiciat. Gratificetur Deus orbiterrarum, ut te, qui ré∣verà pietatis studiosissimus, Deique amantissimus Imperator es, valentem, omnibusque praeclaris rebus Florentem et ex∣cellentem videat, id quod sancti etiam ab illo praecibus et votis petunt et orant. This being the general usual Pray∣er of all Bishops, Saints and Christians for him under his Empire, both in their Churches, Closets & Epistles to him.
[Anno 383] The Bishops assembled in the Council of Aquileia, where∣of St. Ambrose was one, in their Epistle to Gratian, Valen∣tinian * 1.26 and Theodosius the Emperors, use this Benediction and thanksgiving for their advancement to the Empire. Benedictus Deus Pater Domini nostri Jesu Christi qui vobis Romanum Imperium dedit; Et Benedictus Dominus noster Jesus Christus, Ʋnigenitus Dei Filius, Qui Regnum v••st∣rum sua pietate eustodit, apud quem gratias agimus vo∣bis clemencissimi Principes quod & fidei vestrae studium probavistis, &c. concluding with this prayer and option for them, Ʋt vos, Deo Praestante, triumphetis, qui paci Ecclesi∣arum quietique consulitis.
[Anno 390] St. Jerom in his Commentary (and Caelius S••dulius too in his Exposition on the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3.) presse the duty of Praying for Kings, though Pagans, and persecutors; in the same words and manner almost, as St Ambrose, & Chry∣sostom, Theodoret, Primasius and Rhemigius (hereafter cited) And Comment. in Danielem c. 6. v. 21. Tom. 4. p. 509. upon Daniels words to King Nebuchadnezzar; Rex in aeter∣num vive; he thus paraphraseth: Honorat honorantem se, et ei vitam Impreca••ur aeternam, though cast into the Lions den by his command.
[Anno 400] St. Chrysostom Archbishop of Constantinople, though very much persecuted by the Emperor and Empresse for his zeal and piety, yet zealously presseth the duty of Pray∣er for Kings, and all in Authority, though Infidels, and wicked, Homilia 33. in Epistolam ad Corinthios 1. c. 13. Quod oporteat orare pro Infideli, audi quid dicat Pau∣lus. Obsecro primum omnium fieri obsecrationes, ora∣tiones, postulationes, gratiarum actiones pro omni∣bus hominibus. Quod autem non essent omnes fideles est cuivis perspicuum. Et rursus, pro Regibus, & omnibus qui in sublimitate constituti sunt. Quod autem ii essent impii & iniqui, hoc quoque est perspicuum. Deinde causā quoque orationis dicens, subjung it. Hoc enim bonum est & acceptum coram Deo Salvatore, qui omnes homines vult salvos fieri, & ad agnitionem veritatis venire. In his Homi∣lia 6. in Epist. 1. ad Timotheum, c. 2. he thus comments on these words of Paul. Quasi communis quidam toti∣us orbis Pater, Sacerdos est: dignum igitur est ut omnium euram agat, omnibusque provideat, sicut et Deus cujus Ministerio servit & fungitur vice; ideircoait, obsecro igitur primum omnium fieri obsecrationes & orationes, &c. Quid autem sibi vult quod ait, primum omnium? In obsequio scilicet quotidiano, perpetuoque divinae religionis ritu. Atque id noberunt Fideles quomodo diebus singulis mane et vespere Orationes sunduntur ad Dominum pro omni mundo et Regibus, et omnibus qui in sublimitate sunt positi, obsecrationes ab Ecclesia fiant. Sed fortè quis dixerit, pro omnibus quod ait, tantum fi∣deles intelligi voluisse. At id verum non esse, quae se∣quuntur
ostendunt. Denique ait, pro Regibus: Neque enim tunc Reges Deum colebant, verum multis postea temporibus in infidelitate quàm per seriem successioni▪ acceperant, perstiterunt. Deinde ut omnis assentatio∣nis suspicio tolleretur, cum praemisisset, pro omnibus, tunc demum, pro Regibus, addidit: si enim tantum pro Re∣gibus dixisset, fortassis non deessent qui adulationis gra∣tia illum ita scripsisse putarent. Quoniam vero consequens esse cernebat, ut Christiani animus ad ista torpesceret, neque hujusmodi admitteret monita, siquidem pro Gen∣tili Sacramentorum tempore Preces oporteret offerre, vide quid secutus adjunxit, ut ex consideratione lucri admonitionem facilius, libentiusque susciperent; ut quie∣tam inquit & tranquillam degamus vitam. Ac si dice∣ret, in eorum salute securitas vestra consistit. Deus enim pro utilitate communi hujusmodi Principatus institue∣rit. Quàm igitur absurdum est, cum illi idcirco mili∣tant, & arma circumferant, ut nos in tranquillitate at∣que ocio simus, nos pro periclitantibus, ac nostri causa labores suscipientibus Preces effundere detrectemus? Non igitur assentandi gratia hujusmodi mandatum de∣dit, verum * 1.27 Iustitiae lervavit Leges: nifi enim illi ser∣varentur, atque inter bella & hostes prosperè agerent, necessariò & nostra omnia turbis tumultibusque plena essent. Nam nos aut militare opus fuisset, ac per nos∣met eadem subire pericula concisis illis, aut fugere va∣gosque per orbem terrarum ferri. Sunt enim, inquit, hu∣jusmodi veluti obices quidam hostibus oppositi per quos nos in pace serven••ur. Bellorum tria sunt genera, unum quòd à Barbaris excitatur. Bellum quod a Barbaris in∣gruit, Regum industria atque virtus sedat; quibus et nos orationibus succurrere opus est, &c. Deprecationes inquit, orationes, interpellationes, gratiarum actiones. Deo quippè oportet referre gratias etiam pro sucessio∣nibus aliorum; quod scilicet * 1.28 solem oriri faciat super malos & bonos, & pluit super justos & injustos. Vides ut ille non modo per orationis studium, verum etiam per gratiarum actiones nos conjungat atque conglutinat? Qui enim necessariò cogitur Deo referre gratias pro feli∣cibus
proximorum successibus, ipsum quoque amore compellitur sibique samiliarius jungi. He addes much more in the Moral or use, to like effect. In his Homilia 5. De incompraehensibili Dei natura, he hath this memo∣rable passage touching Prayer in general, & for a sick King in special. Minimè igitur agendum & pro his (insanis & haereticis) Preces agamus supplicemusque Domino. Aptissima enim arma oratio est, thesaurus cert•• perpetu∣us, divitiae inexhaustae, portus quietus, occa••••o tranquil∣litatis, denique author, parens, fons, & radix bonorum omnium & innumerabilium oratio est, atque etiam Re∣gia ipsa facultate potior & superior. Saepius itaque eve∣nit, ut cum Rex ipse aegrotet, cubet, fcbriat, ardore la∣boret, & adsint medici, adsint clientes familiares, Pro∣ceres, Milites, Duces; non ars medicorum, non ami∣corum praesentia, non familiarium administratio, non medicamentorum copia, non apparatus magnificentia, non pecuniarum facultas, non aliud quicquam rerum humanarum possit reddere infestantem morbum levio∣rem. At si quis valens familiaritate apud Deum accesse∣rit, ac corpus languidum duntaxat tetigerit, et syncere pro eo oraverit, languorem omnem expellet; & quod non divitiae, non numerus Ministrorum magnus, non me∣decinalis scientia, non Regius fastus efficere possit, hoc unius pauperis atque egeni oratio potuit. Oratiouem dico, non tamen illam & desidiosam, sed eam quae intenta ex amino dolente, & corde contrito proficiscatur. Haec enim est quae in coelum scandere valeat. To pre∣termit all passages to this effect in his 15, 17, & 20. Ho∣milies Ad Populum Antiochiae, and in his two Homilies De Davide & Saul, I shall conclude with these set forms of Prayers for Kings in the Liturgy or Masse, which is attributed to * 1.29 Chrysostom, and printed with his works. Memento Domine Augustissimorum et Dei observanti∣um * 1.30 Regum nostrorum. Diaconus. Pro Augustissimis et Deo deditis Regibus nostris, toto palatio, et exer∣citu illorum Dominum rogemus. Populus. Domine mi∣serere. Diaconus. Ut illos in bello adjuvet, & subjici∣at
pedibus illorum omnem hostem & inimicum. Domi∣num rogamus. Populus. Domine miserere. Adhuc te invocamus pro fidelissimis et Christum amantibus no∣stris Regibus, omni palatio et exercitu illorum. Da illis Domine pacificum robur, ut & nos in tranquillitate illorum pacatam & quietam vitam agamus in omni pie∣tate & religione. Pacem mundo tuo da, Ecclesiis tuis, Sacerdotibus, Regibus nostris, exercitui, & omni po∣pulo tuo, &c. Amen.
St. Augustin de Civitate Dei l. 19. c. 26. thus presseth this duty, and the reasons of it. Quoniam quamdiu per∣mixtae * 1.31 sunt ambae Civitates, utimur & nos pace Babylonis. Ex qua ita per fidem Dei populus liberatur, ut apud hanc interim peregrinetur. Propter quod & Apostolus admo∣nuit Ecclesiam, ut oraret pro Regibus ejus atque sublimi∣bus, addens, & dicens, ut quietam & tranquillam vitam * 1.32 agamus cum omni pietate & charitate. Et Propheta Jere∣mias quum populo veteri Dei venturam praenunciaret cap∣tivitatem, * 1.33 & divinitus imperaret, ut obedienter in Baby∣loniam irent, Deo suo etiam ista patientia servientes, monu∣it & ipse, ut oraretur pro illis, dicens, Quia in pace ejus erit pax vestra; utique interim temporalis, quae bonis malisque communis est. Pax autem nostra propria, & hic est cum Deo per fidem, & in aeternum erit cum illo per¦speciem. In his book De Catechezandis rudibus, He pro∣secutes this more largely. Extiterunt Reges Babyloniae sub¦quibus illi serviebant, qui ex eorum occasione commoti quibusdam miraculis cognoscerent & colerent & coli ju∣berent unum verum Deum, qui condidit universam cre∣aturam. Jussi sunt autem pro cis orare, a quibus captivi tenebantnr, & eorum pace pacem sperare ad gignendos filios, & domos aedificandas, & plantandos hortos & vinea••. Post septuaginta autem anos promittitur eis ab illa capti∣vitate liberatio. Hoc autem totum figurat•• significat Ec∣clesiam Christi in omnibus sanctis ejus qui sunt cives Hieru∣salem coelestis servituram fuisse sub Regibus hujus seculi: Dicit enim & Apostolica doctrina; ut omnis anima sub∣limioribus * 1.34 potestatibus subdita sit, & ut reddantur omni∣bus
omnia, cui tributum tuibutum, cui vectigal vectigal, &c. Quae salvo Domini nost••i cultu constitutionis humanae Principibus ••edditur. Quando & ipse Dominus, ut nobis hujus sanae doctrinae praebe et exemplum, pro capite ho∣minis quo erat indutus, tributum luere non dedignatus est. Jubentur autem etiam servi Christiani & boni fideles, Dominis suis temporalibus aequammiter fideliterque ser∣vire, quos judicaturi sunt, si usque in sinem iniquos inve∣nerint, aut cum quibus aequalicer regnaturi sunt, si & illi ad verum Deum conversi fuerint. Omnibus autem praeci∣pitur servire humanis potestatibus atque ter••enis quous∣que post tempus praefiuitum, ab istius saeculi confusione tan∣quam de captivitate Babyloniae sicut Hierusalem liberetur Ecclesia. Ex cujus captivitatis occasione, ipsi etiam terre∣ni Reges relictis idolis, pro quibus persequebautur Chri∣stianos, unum verum Deum & Christum Dominum cog∣noverunt & colunt. Pro quibus Apostolus Paulus jubet orare, etiam cum persequerentur ecclesiam. Sic enim di∣cit (1 Tim 2. 1, 2, 3.) Obsecro, &c. Itaque per ipsos da∣ta est Pax Ecclesiae, quamvis temporalis tranquillitas tem∣poris ad aedificandas spiritualiter domos, & plantandos hortos & vineas. Nam ecce modo per istum sermonem aedisicamus atque plantamus, & hoc fit per totum orbem * 1.35 terrarum, cum pace Regum Christianorum, sicut idem dicit Apostolus: Dei agricultura, Dei Ecclesia estis. In his Book Ad Paulum Episcopum, paraphrasing upon the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. shewing the differences between Supplications, Prayers, Intercessions and Thanksgivings, He addes, Pro om∣nibus hominibus, pro Regibus, &c. ne quisquam sicut se habet humanae cogitationis infirmitas existimaret ista non esse facienda pro his à quibus persecutionem patieba∣tur Ecclesia, cum membra Christi ex eorum essent homi∣num genere colligenda. Unde addit & adjungit, Hoc enim bonum est & acceptum coram Salvatore nostro Deo; qui omnes homines vult salvos fieri, & in agnitionem verita∣tis venire.
[Anno 430] Theodoret Bishop of Cyrene, in his Interpretation in 1 Tim. 1. 2, 3. pro Regibus, omnibus qui in sublimi∣tate
sunt: thus descants, Valdè sapienter hominum com∣mune p••aeposuit, ne quis orationem pro Regibus assenta∣tionem existimaret. Quia enim erant Impii, qui tunc Dominatum obtinebant, & pietatis aperti hostes, docet Iustam esse causam cur pro eis oretur. Vt quietam & t••anquillam vitam agamus in omni pietate & castitate. Si enim illi in pace degant nos quoque sumus tranquilli∣tatis participes, ac in quiete ac silentio leges pietatis ad∣implemus Ita e••iam captivi Judaei qui erant Babyloniae, * 1.36 ad eos qui in Judaea relicti erant, scripserunt, ut pro Na∣buchodonosor et Baltasar ejus filio Deo preces funde∣rent. Dominus autem Apostolus non solum ubi est causa praecipit pro eis fieri orationes, sed etiam ut ab impieta∣te cessantes, ediscant pietatem: as he proves by the sub∣sequent words. * 1.37 Sanctorum enim deprecatio est commu∣ne omnium malorum remedium: non solum autem me∣detur aegritudinibus corporis, sed etiam animis conve∣nientem exhibet curationem; as he addes in the life of Maco. In his Interpretation upon Daniel, c. 5. 10. And the Queen said, O King live for ever: Rex in secula vive, Rex in ae••ernum vive. He writes, Haec autem erat prae∣fatio qua subjecti Regibus, eos tunc salutabant, & ad hoc usque tempus mos invalu••t: quid••m enim imperiti, Reges eos, qui nunc sunt ae••••rnos vocare consueverunt: in syngraphis quoque commerciorum hoc quidam ascribunt, stulti∣tiae magis quàm impietatis damnandi. And c. 6. v. 21. Da••••el respondet, dicens, Rex in secula vive, &c. usitatam praefationem sermonibus praeponit, videlicet, Licet et t••bi Rex diutissime vivere.
[Anno 432] The Bishops assembled in the Great * 1.38 Synod of Ephesus▪ held about the year 432. in their 4th. Epistle, Pientissimis ac Deo dilectissim is Theodosio & Valentiniano Victoribus, triumphatoribus & semper Augustis, made this prayer for them: Deus autem omnium, Reguum vestrum mult••s anno∣rum Revo utionibus cus••odiat pientissimi Victores ac semper Augusti. And in their 6. Epistle to these Empe∣rors, the businesse being ended for which they were convened, they prayed the Emperors to dismisse them
from Ephesus. Ʋt ordinationi futuri Episcopi incumbamus, & in fide jam & pietate confirmata nos obl••ctemus, purasque et synceras pro Dominatione vestra preces Domino Christo destinemus.
Primasius Bishop of Ʋtica in Africa, in his Commentary, on 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. comments thus, Obsecratio firmior oratione est. Ʋ••l aliter. Obsecrationes sunt pro peccatis praete∣ri••is vel prae, entibus; Orationes, pro adipiscendis quae spera∣mus; Postulationes cum pro aliis intervenimus; Gratiarum actiones, cum ea quae poss••mus, impetramus, velc••rt••, pro universis Dei beneficiis gratias laudesque referimus. Gratia∣rum actiones, Gratias agamus ei qui nos dignos fecit pro aliis impetrare. Pro omnibus hominibus, etiam pro persecutoribus. Pro Regibus omnibus qui in sublimitate sunt, ut quietam & tranquillam vitam agamus in omni pietate & castitate. Ʋt cognoscant Deum, sive ut subjectas habeant gentes: in eorum enim pace nostra consistit: si enim Christiani sunt c••ssabit per∣secutionis impetus.
[Anno 450] Pope Leo the 1. flourishing about the year of Christ, 450. in his 24. Epistle to the Emperor Theodosius, writes thus: Ecce ego Christianissime Imperator cum Consacerdoti∣bus meis implens erga reverentiam elementiae vestrae synceri amoris ••fficium, cupiensque vos per omnia placere Deo, cui pro vob••s ab Ecclesia supplicatur: & Epistola 25. to the same Emperor, he hath the same passage. In his 59. Epistle to the Emperor Martian he writes thus, Ʋnde ineffabiliter Deo gratias ago, qui eo tempore quo oboritura Haereticorum scandala praesciebat, in Imperii fastigio c••llocavit; in quibus ad totius mundi salutem, & regia potentia, & Sa∣••erdotalis vigeret industria. Epist. 60. to the Empresse Pulc••eria, he thus expresseth himself: Per quam significa∣tionem clementiae vestrae, absolutè me gaudere, & incessabi∣libus a Deo precibus postulare; ut vos et Romanae Reipublicae, et Catholicae Ecclesiae in omni prosperita∣te conservet. In his Epist. 74. to the Emperor Leo, he writes, Non d••sinimus gratias agere, & providentiam Dei in fidei vestrae fervore Benedicere, qui sancto & Catholico Spiritu, ita Haereticor••m impudentiae restitistis, &c. His Epi∣stola
78. to the same Emperor, begins thus, ••ulto gau∣dio mens mea exultat in Domino, & magna mihi est ratio glo∣riandi, cum clementiae vestrae excellentissimam fidem ingeri per omnia donis gratiae caelestis agnosco, &c. And Epist. 99. to the same Emperor Leo, he informs him, Sciat igitur cle∣mentia vestra omnes Ecclesias Dei cum laude vestra ex∣u••tare pariter et laetari. Inveniemur impares in gratiarum actione, s•• nostri tantum oris angustiis universalis Ecclesiae gaudia celebremus, &c.
[Anno 451] In the General Council of Chalcedon, Anno 451. con∣sisting of no lesse than 630. Bishops and Fathers of the Church, they all unanimously cried out several times with this acclamation, Multi anni Imperatoribus, Multi Anni Augustae (Placidiae) Multi Anni Imperatoribus; Multi Anni Imperatoribus; Deus qui hoc fecit; Multi Anni Imperatorum; Magnorum Imperatorum Multi Anni; Multi Anni Senatus; Multi Anni Judicum; Or∣thodoxorum multi anni. Haec integra adunitio, haec pax Ecclesiarum. P••iss••••is & Christi amantibus nostris, nostris Imperatoribus, Flavio Valentiniano & Flavio Martiano, vi∣ctoribus ac triumphatoribus semper Augustis, Multi Anni. After which divers Archimandratae (or Abbots) in their Epistle to the Emper••r Martianus, pray thus for him, Ʋt iterum per sanctos Patres sancta fi••le confirmata, poss••mus reliquum tempus vitae nostrae caste & pie vivere, & in pace incessanter con••ue••as orationes offerre Domino nostro Christo pro diutur••ita••e aeterni vestri Imperii, qui et sua bona voluntate invisibiliter nobis donavit Imperi∣um divinissimi Augusti. After this Actio 6. Martianus the Emperor making 2. Orations to the Council, the one in Latin, the other in Greek, recorded in the Acts there∣of, All the whole * 1.39 Council at the end of both his Orations cryed out, Omnes clamaverunt; Multi Anni Imperato∣ri; Multi Anni Augustae; Orthodoxis Multos Annos; * 1.40 Martiano novo Constantino Multos Annos; Impera∣tori. Multos Annos; Augustae Orthodoxae Multos An∣nos; Martiano amatore Christi, vestrum nobis duret Imperium, semper nobis Imperatis, digne ex Or∣thodoxa
fide. Amatoribus Christi pr••cul invidia. After this having tendered a Confession of their Faith to the Emperor, Omnes clamaverunt. Omnes sic credimus, &c. Martiano novo Constantino, novo Paulo, novo David multos Annos. David Imperatori pro Domino vitam ci. Novo Constantino, novo Martiano. Vos estis pax orbis, pie Domine. Dominus vitam ei conservet. Vos, fides nostra. Christus quem honoras, ipse te custodiet. Orthodoxam fidem tu roborasti. Sicut Apostolici ità creditis. Augu∣stae mu tos Annos. Ʋos lumina Orthodoxae fidei. Propter haec ubique pax est. Linnina pacis, Domine tu custodi. Lùminaria mundi, Domine tu custodi. Perpetua me∣moria novo Constantino. Quae ex genere Orthodoxa est, Deus eam custodiat. Eam quae semper pia est De∣us custodiat. Pia Orthodoxa, quae contraria est Haere∣ticis, Deus eam rustodiat. Omnes Haereticos tu fugasti, Nestorium & Eutichen tu persecuta es. Absit invidia a vestco Imperio. Fideles Imperatores sic honorantur. Deus custodiat Potestatem vestram. Deus paci••icet Impe∣rium vestrum. Martianus novus Constantinus. Pulcheria nova Helena. Z••lum Helenae tu sectaris. Vestra vita, muninem cunctorum est, vestra fides, Ecclesiarum gloria est. After which the Emperor rendring publick thanks to God for composing the manifold discords of those who had erred concerning the Faith, and that now, in unam eandemque Religionem omnes nunc una voluntate convenerimus, sperantes celerimam vestris ad Divinitatem Precibus, & curae omnia pacem Nobis a Deo donari. Omnes clamave∣runt. Haec digna vestro Imperio. Haec propria vestri Regni, &c. Coelestis Rex, terrenum custodi. Per te firmata fides est. Coelestis Rex Augustam custodi. Per te fides firmata est. Ʋnus Deus qui hoc fecit. Coelestis Rex Augustam custodi, dignam paci, &c. Per vos fides, per vos pax. Haec oratio Ecclesiarum: Haec oratio Pastorum. After this again, Omnes clamaverunt, multos Annos Impera∣tori; Multos Annos Augusto pio et Christiano, Augu∣stae Orthodoxae multi Anni. Multos Annos piae et matri∣•••• Christi. Imperium vestrum Deus custodiat, &c. In
perpetuum maneat vestrum Imperium. After which in this Council, Actio xi. Bassianus Bishop of Ephesus humbly petitioned the Emperors Valentinian and Martian to be restored to his Bishop••ick, & Goods, of which he was forcibly dispossessed by Soldiers without hearing, * 1.41 ut iis potitus, consuetas orationes referam incessanter Deo pro vestrae Potestatis Imperio. It being the custom of that and former Ages for Bishops and People to make Supplications, Prayers and Intercessions for the Emperors in all their publick Churches and Assemblies.
[Anno 490] Rhemigius Bishop of Rhemes in his * 1.42 Explanatio, in Epist. 1. ad Tim. c. 2. 1, 2, 3. makes this abridgement of the Contents of this Chapter, Vult pro Regibus & Magi∣stratibus, fleri orationes, et gratiarum actiones. Then explaining the Precept, Obsecro, &c. Beatus Aposto∣lus dirigens haec verba Timotheo, in illo tradidit omni∣bus Episcopis & Presbyteris, omnique Ecclesiae for∣mam, quomodo debent Missarum solemnia celebrare, & pro omnibus hominibus orare: Quam formam, id est, Exemplum omnis Ecclesia modo tenet, &c. Ne fortè diceret aliquis, Non debemus orare pro Regibus infi∣delibus, & Judicibus ac Ducibus, Quia Pagani s••nt; * 1.43 praecepit Apostolus pro omnibus hominibus orare: eo∣dem spiritu afflatus quo & Hieremias Propheta; qui misit Epistolam Judaeis, qui erant in Babylone, ut orarent pro vita Regis Nebuchadonozor Filiorumque e••us, & pro pace Civitatis, ad quam ducti erant Captivi; inquiens, Ideo debetis orare pro eis, quia in pace eorum erit pax vestra: similiter & Apostolus reddit causam quare talia praecipiat: ut tranquillam & quietam, id est Pacificam, vitam agamus in omni pietate & castitate. Pietas est cultus, & Religio Omnipotentis Dei. Ideò ergo oran∣dum est se••vi•• Dei, Pro vita Regis, et pace Regni, ut ipsi liberius possint dedi••i esse in cultu et Religione Dei. Quia plerumque dum hostes fugant servos Dei à propriis sedibus, & discurrerent bella & seditiones per Regna, ut non possint in cultura Dei esse intenti per omnia sicut tem∣pore pacis. Pietas etiam est mise••icordia, quàm debe∣mus
impendere pauperibus & indigentibus. Si ergo depraedamur ab hostibus, non possumus opus misericordiae exercere, quia non valet impendere alteri, qui non habet undè semetipsum sustentet. Sed ut habeamus, unde ele∣emosynam tribuamus, Orandum est pro vita Regis ac Principum, et pro pace Regni, & ut agamus vitam no∣stram in omni castitate corporis tempore pacis; utcum∣que & nimia difficultate servari potest castitas. Quando verò depraedatur Regnum à p••aedonibus & hostibus, ne∣quaquam potest servari, quia Domini qui depraedati sunt captivos, expleant voluntatem & immunditiam suam cum eis, ut libet, nec valent resistere. Quapropter oran∣dum est pro salute et vita Fidelium Regum et Princi∣pum, ut longo tempore conservati pacem habeat Reg∣num, et magis ac magis proficiant in melius. Pro infi∣delibus quoque orandum est ut proficiant in melius et transeant ad fidem, &c.
Pope Gregory the 1. in his Epistles writen to Emperors * 1.44 Kings and Queens, hath many Prayers unto God for them, some of them recited in the * 1.45 precedent Chapter, relating to England, I shall insist only upon some others, Epist. l. 4 Epist. 62 Mauricio Augusto, he hath this passage. Tunc magis Dominorum exercitus contra hostes crescit, quanto Dei exercitus ad orationem creverit; by their Prayers, Tears and Fastings for the Emperor, Epist. l. 4. Epist. 31. Mauricio Augusto, he concludes with this Prayer for him. Inter haec ergò omnia incerta ad solas lachrymas redeo, petens, ut idem Omnipotens Deus piiss••••um Dominum nostrum et sua hic manu regat, et in illo judicio liberum ab omnibus delictis inveniat. Epist. l. 4. Epist. 34. Constantinae Augustae: he hath this passage. Et in Redemptoris nostri largitate confido, quia bonum hoc in serenissimo Domino (Mauritio) & pi∣issimis filiis in Coelestis quoque patriae retributione reci∣pietis. In omnipotenti autem Domino confido, quia longam piissimis Dominis vitam tribuet; Lib. 5. Epist. 16. Mauritio Augusto, he concludes thus. Quatenus Deus omnipotens, qui placitam sibi Catholicae rectitu∣dinis
integritatem clementiam vestram amare cernit atque defendere, Et hic devictis hostibus pacatae vos Imperare Reipublicae, et cum sanctis in aeterna faciat vita regnare. The like expressions he useth Epist. 59. Brunichildae Reginae Francorum. He begins his 63. Epistle Mauricio Augusto, with, Inter annorum curas, & innu∣merabiles sollicitudines quas indefesso studio pro Christi∣anae Reipublicae regimine sustmetis, magna mihi cum universo mundo Laetitiae causa est, quod pietas vestra custodiae fidei, quà Dominorum fulget Imperium, prae∣cipua solicitudine semper invigilat. Unde omninò confido quia sicut vos Dei causas religiosae mentis amore tuemini, Ita Deus vestras Majestates sua gratia iue∣tur et adjuvat. Lib. 6. Epist. 6. Mauricio August••; he begins thus. Omnipotens Deus, qui pietatem vestram pacis Ecclesiasticae fecit esse custodem, ipsa vos fide servat, &c. Pro qua re totis Precibus deprecamur, ut bonum hoc Omnipotens Deus serenitati Dominorum, piaeque eorum soboli, et in praesenti s••culo, atque in perpetua remunera∣tione retribuat. Epist. 31. Mauritio Augusto, he concludes with this Prayer for him. Omnipotens autem Deus serenissimi Domini nostri vitam, et ad pacem sanctae Ec∣clesiae, et ad utilitatem Reipublicae Romanae per tempora longa custodiat. Certi enim sumus quia si vos vivitis, qui Coeli Dominum timetis, nulla contra veritatem su∣perbia praevalere permittetis, Lib. 7. Epist. 5. Brunichildae Reginae Francorum: he ends with this Prayer for her. Om∣nipotens Deus sua vos protections custodiet, atque a per∣fidis Gentibus Regnum vestrum sui Brachii extensione defendat. Vosque post longa Annorum curricula ad gaudia aeterna perducat. The like prayer he makes E∣pist. 42. Theodelindae Longobardarum Reginae, videli∣cet, Dei nostri misericordiam deprecamur, ut bonorum vicem & retributionem in corpore & in anima, hîc & in futuro compenset, &c. Epist. 102. Theoderico & Theoberto Regibus Franciae, he begins and ends thus: Summum in Regibus bonum est, justiciam colere, ac
sua cuique jura servare, & subjectis non sinere quod pote∣statis est fieri, sed quod aequum est custodire, &c. Quate∣nus per hoc aequitatem Sacerdotibus custoditis, Eorunt Precibus ante Dei semper occulos florcatis. Epistola 128. Richaredo Regi Wisigothorum, he is verie copious in rendering Thanks to God for him, as being a chief in∣strument in converting the Goths to the Christian Faith, concluding with this Prayer for him. Omnipotens Deus in cunctis Actibus vestris, Coelestis Brachii extensione vos protegat, vobisque et praesentis vitae prospera, et post multa annorum curricula gaudia concedat aeterna. Lib. 8. Epist. 2. Mauritio Augusto; he and the Clergy thus pray∣ed for him. Pro qua re lachrymabili Prece omnes deposcimus, ut omnipotens Deus qui Clementiae vestiae corda compunxit, incolume in amoris sui constantia Do∣minorum servet Imperium, ut victorias eorum in cunctis Gentibus auxilio suae Majestatis extendat. See his Epistola 53, 54, 55, 56, 59, 60, 64. to several Kings and Queens, wherein he renders thanks and makes Prayers for them unto God, Lib. 11. Epist. 1. he recites the murther of the Emperor Mauritius, with all his 5. Sons, Brother, and some of his Nobles by Phocas; after which Phocas who usurped the Empire, and Leontia his Empresse send∣ing their Statues to Rome, 7 Kal. Maij, Acclamatum est eis in Lateranis in Basilica Julii, Ab omni clero vel Senatu, Exaudi Christe, Phocae Augusto et Leontiae Augustae vita: So much did they flatter this bloody Murderer of his Soveraign Lord and his Royal Issue, and Invader of his Crown. And Epist. 45. Phocae Augusto, Pope Gregory himself thus courts and prayes for him. Considerare cum gaudiis & magnis gratiarum actioni∣bus libet, quantas Omnipotenti Domino laudes debe∣mus, quod remoto jugo tristitiae ad libertatis tempora sub Imperialis benignitatis vestrae pietate pervenimus, &c. Sancta itaque Trinitas vitam vestram per longa tempora custodiat, ut de bono vestrae pietatis quod tar∣dè suscepimus, Diutius gaudeamus. Lib. 11. Epist. 8. Brundechildae Reginae Francorum; He concludes with this
Prayer for her, Omnipotens Deus excellentiam ve∣stram in suo timore semper custodiat, atque ita vestra vota ad filiorum Excellentissimorum Regum nepotum vestrorum sospitate adimpleat, ut stabile vobis gaudi∣um de eorum semper incolumitate sicut cupitis, habere con••••dat. And Epist. 9. Theodorico Regi Francorum, De pace in republica facienda, (fit for our Age and Conditi∣on) he prays thus for him. Sancta Trinitas in suo sem∣per faciat vos timore proficere, & ita cor vestrum pla∣cita sibi moderatione disponat, ut & subjectis vestris de vobis, & postmodum vobis de se gaudium sine fine con∣cedat. I shall conclude with his Epist. l. 11. Epist. 46. Le∣ontiae Augustae f••aught with Thanksgivings, Gratulations and Prayers for her Quae lingua loqui, quis animus cogitare sufficiat, quanta de serenitate vest••i Imperii Omnipotenti Deo gratias debemus, quod tam dura longo tempore pondera cervicibus nostris amota sunt, & Impe••ialis culminis leve jugum subiit, quod libeat por∣tare subjectis. Reddatur ergò creatori omnium ab Hym∣nidicis Angelorum choris gloria in coelo, persolva∣tur ab hominibus gratiarum actio in terra, quia univer∣sa Respublica quae multa maeroris pertulit vulnera, nunc consolationis vestrae juvenit fomenta. Vnde nobis necesse est Omnipotentis Dei misericordiam enixius exorare, ut cor v••strae pietatis sua semper dextera tene∣at, ejusque cogitationes Coelestis gratiae ope dispenset; Quatenus tranquillitas vestra tantò rectius valeat sibi servientes regere, quantò dominatori omnium noverit, minus deservi••e. In amore Catholicae Fidei faciat De∣sensores suos, quos f••cit ex benigno opere Imperatores nostros. In undat in vestris mentibus zelum simul et mansuctudin••m, ut semper pro fervore valeatis, et quidquid in Deo exceditur non inultum relinquere, et si quid vobis delinquitur parcendo tolerare. Det vobis in vestra pie••ate P••lcheriae Augustae clementiam, quae pro zelo Catholicae Fidei in sacta Synodo H••lena nova vocata est. Omnipotens Dei misericordia largiora vo∣bis cum piissimo Domino spacia vivendi concedat, ut
quo vestra longius vita extenditur, subjectorum omnium, consolatio validius confirmetur, &c. Ipse ergo sit vestri custos Imperii, sit vobis Protector in terra, sit pro vo∣bis Intercessor in Coelo; ut per hoc quod relevatis du∣ris ponderibus in vestro Imperio subjectos gaudere faci∣tis, post multa Annorum tempora in Caelesti Regno gaudeatis.
[Anno 600] The 1. Council of Toledo Anno 600 under King Recca∣redus; thus extoll and pray for him. Cui à Deo aeternum meritum; Cui aeterna corona; Cui praesens gloria & aeterna nisi verè Catholico, Orthodoxo Reccaredo Regi? Ipse sit Deo & hominibus amabilis, qui tàm mirabiliter glorificavit Deum in terris.
[Anno 610] [Anno 681] Marculfus a Monk flourishing about the yeat of our Lord, 610. in his * 1.46 Formularum, l. 1. c. 2. Con••essio Regis * 1.47 ad Privilegium granted to an Abby: makes this the only usual form in that Age of Kings Confirmations of Lands, and Privileges to Monasteries, expressed in their Char∣ters: Ʋt pro aeterna salute, vel faelicitate Regis, constan∣ster delectet ipsis Monachis, immensam Domini pieta∣tem jugiter implorare. And c. 35. Confirmatio Regis, de omni corpore facultatis Monasterii: Ʋt vos & successores ve∣stri, uti necessitas fuerit, in conditionibus ipsius Monasterii, Pro salute nostra crebrius exorare valeant. And cap. 5. Praeceptum de Episcopatu: There is this clause in the usual form of Kings Grants of any vacant Bishopprick: Qua∣tenus dum Ecclesiam sibi à dispensatione divina commissam, strenuè regere atque gubernare videtur, Nobis apud aeternum retrilutor••m mercedem suffragia largiantur, & ille pro pec∣catorum nostrorum mole, indesinenter immensum Do∣minum debeat deprecari. This being one principle end of Kings erecting and endowing Monasteries, Bishopricks and Churches, that the Abbots, Monks, Bishops, Priests and People might therein constantly pray for the safety, prosperity and felicity of them, their Royal Families, Po∣sterity, and Realms; as all their Charters, Confirmations, and Instruments evidence. * 1.48
The 2. Council of Toledo, Anno 681. under King Sise∣nandus:
as it denounced this solemn Excommunication thrice one after another, against all Traytors who should attempt to murder or dethrone the King, or usurp his Crown, against their Oath of Allegiance to him. Qui∣cunque ergo ex nobis, vel totius Hispaniae populis qua∣libet conjuratione, tractatu vel studio, Sacramentum sidei suae quo pro Patriae Gentisque Gothorum statu vel conservatione Regiae salutis pollicitus est, temeraverit, aut Regem nece attractaverit, aut potestate Regni exuerit, aut praesumpsione tyrannica Regni fastigium usurpaverit, anathema sit in conspectu Dei Patris & Ange∣lorum, atque ab Ecclesia Catholica, quam perjurio prophanaverit, efficiatur ex traneus, & ab omni Coe∣tu Christianorum alienus, cum omnibus impietatis suae so∣ciis. Anachema Maranatha, hoc est, perditio in adventu Domini sint, & cum Juda Scarioth partem habeant ipsi & socii eorum. Amen. So also they made this devout Pray∣er for this King. Pax, & Salus, et Diuturnitas piissimo & amatori Christi Domino nostro Sisenando Regi. Cor∣roboret ergo Christi gratia Regnum illius Gentisque Gothorum in Fide Catholica Annis et meritis, prote∣gat illum usque ad ultimam senectutem summi Dei gra∣tia, & post praesentis Regni gloriam ad aeternum Reg∣num transeat, sin•• fine regnet, qui in seculo feliciter im∣perat, ipso praestante, qui est Rex Regum et Dominus Dominorum, cum Patre & Spiritu sancto in secula secu∣lorum. Amen.
[Anno 684] The 5th Council of Toledo under King Chintilla, Anno 684 as it provides for the safety of the Kings person, the * 1.49 Royal Issue, and their possessions; prohibiting all calculation of their Nativities, or aspiring after their Crowns, and revi∣ling of them, under pain of Excommunication: So all the Bi∣shops and Nobles in it concluded with this Prayer for their King. Donet ei Dominus & de inimicis triumphum, & de beatudine gaudium: Custodiat eum protectione assidua, muniat bonae voluntatis suae circumspectio∣ne tutissima, cujus Regnum manet in Secula Seculo∣rum.
[Anno 684] The 6. Council of Toledo under King Suintilla, Anno 684. as it provides for the safety of the Kings person, and * 1.50 of the Royal Posterity: with a Quis ferat, aut quis Christia∣nus toleranter videat Regiam sobolem aut potestatem expoliari rebus, aut privari dignitatibus, &c? cap. 16, 18. So it con∣cludes with this Prayer for the King, cap. 19. Donet ei Dominus optimo Principi Diuturnum in saeculo praesenti triumphum, & in parte Justorum perpetuum Regnum, felicibusque Annis felix ipse in longa felicitate fruatur, et divinae dexterae protectione ubique muniatur.
[Anno 686] In the 6. general Council of Constantinople under Con∣stantinus Pogonatus, Pope Agatho, and the Synode of Rome * 1.51 consisting of 125. Bishops, prayed thus for him in their se∣veral Epistles to him, Pro incolumitate atque exaltatio∣ne fortissimi vestri Imperii unanimiter incessabiles Domi∣no preces effundentes. Dei majestatem fideliter obsecrare pro longevitate atque perfecta prosperitate vestrae fortitudi∣nis Imperio divinitus concedenda, &c. And this whole general Council thus unanimously cryed out with loud joyfull Voyces, and prayed to God for him q 1.52 Sancta Synodus exclamavit: Multos Annos Imperatori: Christo dil••cto Imperatori multos Annos. Pium & Christianum Impera∣torem Domine conserva; aeternum permaneat vestrum Imperium. Orthodoxam fidem tu confirmasti. After which this whole Council in their Gratulatory Oration to him, pray thus for him, Omnes unanimi••er atque consonanter ac∣clamamus; Domine Salvum fac Regem nostrum, cui post te corroboravit fidei fundamentum: benedicito vitam ejus, di∣rige gressus cogitationum ejus, conterat virtutem inimicorum suorum, et resistentes ei continuo corruant, quia fecit ju∣dicium & justitiam sempiternam, &c. This Emperor dy∣ing before this General Council dissolved, and Justinian succeeding in the Empire, all the Fathers assembled therein in their r 1.53 Oration to him, close it with this Prayer for him, Dominus Imperium tuum stabiliat ac con∣firmet in pace et justitia, et generationum generationibus transmittat, et terrenae quoque potentiae adjiciat, et etiam coelesti r••gno fruaris.
[Anno 690] a 1.54 The 7. Council of Toledo under King Chindasiun∣dus, and the 38. Bishops in it, make this Prayer for him. Ʋt memorato Principi cum prosperitate praesentis reg∣ni, futuri etiam largiant••r praemia gaudii, ipso praestante qui in Trinitate unus Deus vivit et gloriatur in saecula saeculo∣rum.
[Anno 693] b 1.55 In the 8 Council of Toledo K. Recesuinthus presented him••elf amongst the Prelates, Abbots, Priors, Earls then present, that they they might commend him in their Prayers to Almighty God, which they did.
[Anno 694] c 1.56 The 9. Council of Toledo held in the 7th. year of his Reign, made this Prayer for him, Obsecrantes ejus mise∣ricordiam largam ut serenissimo Domino et amabili Christo Recesuintho Principi glorioso, ita praesentis vitae felicitatem impeudat, ut Angelicae beatitudinis gloriam, post longae∣va tempora concedat: atque ita nos ejusdem felicitate laetos semper efficiat, ut in terra viventium remunerandos attollat.
[Anno 713] d 1.57 The 11 Council of Toledo in the 8. year of King Rece∣suinthus, as it provides for the safety of his Person, an Crown in subjecting all Clergymen and Monks, who shall wittingly violate their general Oaths made for the safety of his Royal Person and Realm, to deprivation, and the Kings Justice, c. 2. So. c. 6. all present in it pray thus to God for him. A quo petimus et optamus, ut porrecta in longi∣tudine felicium Dierum sacratissimi Principis vita, eam ••mni gloriarum decore perpetua faciat pollere salute.
[Anno 713] e 1.58 The Council of Cavailon under King Clodoveus assembled in the Church of St Vincent, pray the in∣tercession of this holy Martyr, ut longaevitatem supradi∣cti Principis suo suffragio mereamur.
[Anno 723] f 1.59 The 11. Council of Toledo in the 8th. year of King Ʋuambanus (or Bamba) made this Prayer for him, Det ergo eidem Principi D••minus, et cursum praesentis vitae in pace transire, et post diuturna tempora, ad se in pace, remissis iniquitatibus pervenire: qualiter et hîc felicia tempo∣ra ducat, et felix cum omnibus, quibus principatur, ad Chri∣stum sine confusione perveniat: ut, quia per eum corona no∣s••ri ordinis in melius restauratur, coronam futuri regni
capiat ex hoc in regione vivorum regnans cum Christo insae∣cula saeculorum. Amen.
[Anno 686] The Council of * 1.60 Bracara in the same year, concludes with this prayer for King Bamba, Sit pax, salus et diu∣turnitas, piissimo & amatori Christi Domino nostro Vuam∣bano Regi: Divinam postulantes clementiam, ut gloria Chri∣sti Regnum ejus corroberet usque ad ultimam senectu∣tem, praestante ipso qui cum Patre & Spiritu sancto vi∣vit & gloriatur in Trinitate Deus, in saecula saeculorum. Amen.
[Anno 719] The 12. Council of Toledo under King Evingius, c. 13. is closed up with this Prayer for him: * 1.61 Sanctae Trini∣tatis poscimus inenarrabile numen & gloriosam ineffabilis poten∣tiae Majestatem, ut det amatori Christi serenissimo Domino no∣stro atque amantissimo Evingio Principi, imperare clemen∣ter, Regnare feliciter, habere de elementis fructum, obtinere de Justitia praemium, de pietate trop••aeum, quò & hic invictus victor hostium semper appareat; & post diuturna hujus secu∣li curricula, ad Regnum aeternum cum suis omnibus coronan∣dus pervenire, praestante Deo & salvatore nostro Jesu Christo Domino nostro, qui cum Patre & Spiritu sancto in Trinitate vivit & regnat Deus, in secula seculorum. Amen.
[Anno 794] The Synode of Frankford on the Mene under Charles the Great, thus prayed for him. Catholicum atque * 1.62 clementissimum semperque inclytum Dominum Caro∣lum Regem, Omnipotens & sancta Trinitas sua cum gratia circumcingat, suaque dextra semper protegat et defendat, ut faciat semper quae illi sunt placita, quate∣nus coelestibus fretus armis inimicos nominis Christi aux∣ilio fultus de caelo, ad terram prosternat. Barbaras etiam Nationes, infinita Deus Omnipotens ditioni ejus po∣tentia subdat, ut ex hac occasione ad agnitionem perve∣niant veritatis, et cognoscant verum et unum Deum Cre∣atorem suum, &c. Multipliceter pax in diebus ejus, ut sit sancta Ecclesia libera, et ab omni strepitu mundi secura qua libertate Christus eam liberavit, &c. in∣dulgeat miseratus captivis, subveniat oppressis, dissolvat fasciculos deprimentes: sit consolatio vidua∣arum,
miserorum refrigerium: sit Dominus et Pater; sit Rex et Sacerdos, fit omnium Christianorum moderantis∣simus gubernator, auxiliante Domino nostro Jesu Chri∣sto, qui cum Patre et Spiritu sancto vivit et regnat Deus in Trinitate perfecta per omnia secula seculorum. Amen.
The judgements and practices of this kinde of our ve∣nerable Beda; Of Boniface Archbishop of Mentz, and Lullus his Successor; Of the Council of Clovesho and Cal∣chuth; and of Abbat Alchuvinus and others: from the year 714, to 796. you have already cited in the * 1.63 precedent Chapter.
[Anno 813] The Synod of * 1.64 Towers in France, under Charles the Great, c. 1. decreed: Primò omnium admonuimus generaliter cun∣ctos, qui nostri conventui interfuêre, ut obedientes sint Domino excellentissimo Imperatori nostro, et fidem quam ei promissam habent inviolabiliter conservare studeant. Orationes quoque assiduas intentè fundere pro ejus sta∣bilitate ac incolumitate omnes se velle secundum. no∣stram admonitionem unanimiter professi sunt, ut miseri∣cordia divina longiori aevo illius mansuetudinem conser∣vare dignetur, &c.
[Anno 813] The Council of * 1.65 Mentz about the same time under Charles the Great, c. 1, &c. made this Prayer for him and his Posterity: In nomine Patris et Filii, et Spiritus sancti; Gloriosissimo et Christianissimo Imperatori Carolo Augusto, verae Religionis Rectori, ac Defensori Dei Ecclesiae, una cum prole sua, ejusque Fidelibus, vita et salus, honor et benedictio, cum victoria sine fiue mansura.
[Anno 813] The Council of * 1.66 Cavailon the same year under this Charles the Great, thus decreed: Omnis iste Conventus gratissima deliberatione decrevit, ut ab omnibus indesi∣nenter orationes fiant pro vita et incolumitate, pro sa∣lute animae et corporis Domini Imperatoris prolisque ejus; pro statu Regni, &c.
The Synod of * 1.67 Rhemes the same year under the same Emperor decreed: Ut pro Domino Imperatore suaque Nobilissima prole, Orationes et Oblationes, quae pro ipsis hactenus Deo Omnipotenti oblatae sunt augeantur,
ut eos suis temporibus in praesenti seculo cum omni saeli∣citate custodiat, et in futuro cum sanctis Angelis suis pia miseratione gaudentes efficiat.
[Anno 823] The like is decreed in Capitularia Caroli Magni & Lu∣dovici, l. 7. c. 7. Fredericus Lindebrogus Codex Legum An∣tiqu. p. 1663. The * 1.68 Synod of Paris under Lewis & Lotharius, Anno 829. l. 1. c. 8. as it presseth all Obedience, Subjecti∣on, and Loyalty to Kings, so it prescribes constant Pray∣ers * 1.69 for them, from the 1 Tim. 2. concluding thus: Si enim Hieremias Propheta Dei, pro vita Idololatrae Regis Nebu∣chadonozor orare admonet, quantò magis pro salute Christianorum Regum de omnibus ordinibus Deo est humiliter supplicandum?
The * 1.70 Synod of Paris under Bishop Odo made this De∣cree: Praecipitur districtè omnibus Presbyteris ut pro Do∣mino Rege faciant specialem commemorationem quan∣do poterunt.
[Anno 830] a 1.71 Theodulphus Abbas Floriacensis, et Aurelianensis Episcopus in his Poems to Ludovicus the Emperor thus prays for him. Inclite Caesar ave, Ludovice serene, valeque,
Et tibi cunctipotens det bona cuncta Deus.
Orbis te totus laudat, veneratur, amatque,
Et monitis paret, sedulus undè tuis, &c.
Grates pro vestrâ summa pietate rependam.
Aeterno Patri, qui vos regnare potenter,
Et mores sanctos servare salubriter egit,
Prospera multigenis concedens cuncta triumphis, &c.
Vos pater, et gnatus, Sanctus quoque Spiritus omni
Tempore concedat Domino praestante valere.
In his Poem, b 1.72 In Adventu Caroli filii Augustorum, he hath this Salutation, and Prayer for him.
| Salve Regum sancta pro∣les. | Salve Regum sancta pro∣les, |
| Nullus ordo, nulla rerum, | Chare Christo Carole. |
| Mens & lingua, cor, vo∣luntas, | Nunc silescat vastitas, |
| Laudem dando personet. | |
| Salve Regum sancta pro∣les, | Chare Christo Carole, &c. |
| Clerus ipse primitus, |
| Dicat omnis plebis agmen, | Consonent in laudibus. |
| Dives, pauper, sospes, aeger, | Chare Christo Carole, &c. |
Which Salve is 7. times more repeated in that Poem, with other Prayers for Prince Charles.
In his Poem, e 1.73 In adventu Lotharii Imperatoris, he useth these Prayers for and Acclamations to him.
[Anno 840] * 1.74 Walafridus Strabus Abbot of St. Gall, in his Poem to Ludovicus the Emperor makes this expression of his Loy∣alty to, and prayes thus for him.
Vilia pro meritis sunt haec munuscula vestris, Sed tamen ex pleno quae dat amore fides. Quam vobis servare diu, totumque per aevum, Hanc animam veluti nitar ad usque obitum. Quid mihi, quid possit consistere clarius unquam, Gloria quàm Domini continuata pii, &c. * 1.75 Ipse pio vires, divinaque munera Regi, Et clarum aeterno tempore det columen.
Pacem consilio faciet retinere salubri, Quem paci aeternae muneribusque parat, Haec vos cum vestris repetitus saepius Annis, Haec ad ••esta Deus provehat incolumes.
In his Verses to the a 1.76 Empresse Judeth, he prayes thus for her, and hers.
—Orabo quod ipse Hactenus orabam, quaeque petenda reor. Vita, praesidio, pace et solamine Christi, Vos vestrosque simul tempus in omne frui. Proxima sanctorum quod nos per festa dierum, Plenius acturos credimus et volumus.
In another (b) Poem to her, in reference to her name Judeth, he prays thus for her. * 1.77
Nomine quem sequitur, factis da Christe sequatur, Pace, fide, pietate, animo, sermonibus, ausis, Dogmate, consiliis, successu, et prole fideli, &c. Laeta cubans, sit laeta sedens, sit laeta resurgens, Laeteturque poli faelix in sede locata.
In his other c 1.78 Verses to her, he prays thus.
Vos vestrosque Dei semper miserata potestas, Protegat, exaltet, ffrmet, regat, armet, adornet.
And in his d 1.79 Poem to Charles the Emperors Son by Judeth, he prays thus for him.
Majestas tibi cuncta Dei det prospera semper, Et vitae aeternae dulcia dona seret.
[Anno 840] Haymo Bishop of Halberstat in Germany, Interpretatio. in 1 Epist. Tim. c. 2. v. 1, 2, 3. hath the self-same Commen∣tary, and Words, pressing the duty of praying for Kings, as Remigius forecited.
[Anno 810] Hincmarus Archbishop of Rhemes in France, flourishing under Charles the Great, and Lewis his sonne, one of the learnedest Scholars in that age, in his * 1.80 Epistola 1. ad Lu∣dovic••m Balbum Regem, who desired his advice, how hee might settle and govern his distracted Kingdom in peace, in such a time of confusion, as we now are in; returns him this answer, in an Epistle thus directed. Domino Ludovico Regi glorioso, Sit semper Salus et Vita. 1. That he should elect good Counsellers of State, quia boni Reges constituti bonos sibi Consiliarios adhibuerunt, & per bonos Reges & bonos Consiliarios regimen populi multa bona habuerunt. 2ly. Vt Seniores et Regni sui Primores convocaret, ut omnes Communi Concilio de Communi Necessitate et Vtili∣tate tractetis: (the best means of publike peace and settlement, as he proves by sundry former presidents;) nec in exordio Regni vestri inter Primores Regni de vestro Regimine oriatur•• discordia, quae non sine impedimento possit esse sedata. Et Regni Primores qui vobiscum sunt, sic seipsos & suas voluntates contemperent, ne alios istius Regni Primores ad scandalum per suam cupiditatem, aut negligenti∣am provocent. 3ly That when this Great Parliamentary Council of the Nobles, and Great men of the Realm should assemble, they should treat of these 6. Heads, very pertinent and seasonable for our times.
Primò, qualiter vos in regimine Regni cum honore & salvamento, ac supplemento de his quae necessaria sunt, cum Regno ac domo vestro possitis insistere. Secundò▪ ut Capitulum, de honor•• sanctae Ecclesiae & Sacerdotum & Servorum Dei debito privilegio ad effectum perduci possit; ut & Ecclesiae in isto Regno per occasionabiles ci∣cadas & per indeletas consuetudinarias exactiones, quae tempore Pipini, Caroli & Ludovici non fuerunt, ante annos viginti impositas, non affligantur. Tertio, quali∣ter Regni Primores cum debita sereniate & honore ergà vos consistere possint, & caeteri Nobiles homines in Reg∣no securitatem habeant, ne per diversa ingenia a suis opi∣bus, quas habere potuerint, despolientur: quia post∣quam radix omnium malorum cupiditas in Regno isto
exarsit, ut nullus, aut poenè nullus honorem, aut aliquod bonum sine precio possit adquirere, aut tenere, aut securi∣tatem habere; pax, & consilium & justicia, atque judici∣um, sicut necesse fuerat, locum in isto Regno non habu∣erunt. Quartò, ut inveniatis cum Deo & vestris fide∣libus, qualiter istae rapinae & depraedationes in isto reg∣no cessent, & miser iste populus, qui jam per plures an∣nos perde praedationes diversas & continuas & per exacti∣ones ad Normannos repellandos affligitur, aliquod * 1.81 reme∣dium habeat, & justitia & judicium quae quasi emortua apud nos sunt, reviviscant: quia usque modo, jam ante plures annos locum in isto regno defensio non habent, sed redemptio & tributum, & non solum pauperes homines, sed & Ecclesias quondam divites tàm emarciatas ha∣bent. Quintò, ut concordiam quae secundum Deum est, inter fideles Dei & vestros haberi, & vigere quan∣tum potueritis, satagatis; & vos talem ergà eos prae∣paretis, ut verum consilium vobis dare possint & au∣deant, &c. Sexto, ut inveniatis cum Deo & vestris side∣libus, qualiter pacem & amicitiam secundum Deum cum vestris sobrinis, patrui vestri filiis & juvenum adju∣torium vobis ad Dei voluntatem, & sanctae Eccles••ae ac vestrum honorem, at communem fidelium vestro∣rum Salvationem exhibeatis. Caeterum qualiter haec ad effectum perveniant, et caetera necessaria inveniantur, et assequautur, Deus est exorandus, &c. Faciendum est judicium pro iniquorum correctione, et pro injuriam sustinentium directione, non pro malevolentiae ultione, nec pro justam causam habentium oppressione, &c. Solli∣citè unicuique ambulandum est cum Deo suo, et Regi precipuè, qui sub tantis erit in poenis in futuro seculo, si malus fuerit, super quantos fuerit in isto seculo, in quo se à malitia non correxit, et non fecit judicium et justitiam, et non ambulavit sollicitè cum Deo suo.
‖ 1.82 In the front of his 2d. Epistle to the Emperor Charles the Gresse, Praesentem et futuram optat prosperitatem et gloriam; advising him: Ut Ecclesiam Gallicanam poenè collapsam restituat, Regni dissidia tollat, Justitiae leges apud Primores aequè ac subditos sartas tectas conservare,
Divinum auxilium per preces crebro imperare, impios et sceleratos coercere; orphanorum et pupillorum patro∣cinium suscipere; humilitatem, caritatem, mansuetudi∣nem erga omnes sectari, improborumque societatem et samiliaritatem defugere: as the readiest way to publick peace, unity and prosperity. His 3d. and 4th. Epistles are full of excellent instructions for young Kings: and his 5th. very pertinent to our Condition. The Emperor Lewes the 2d. being dead, Charles the Bald King of France went into Italy to obtain the Imperial Crown from the Pope: which his Brother Lewes, King of Germany, ta∣king in ill part, attempted in his absence to invade the Realm of France. Whereupon divers Bishops and Nobles of France being doubtfull what to do in this difficult Cause, craved the advice of their Metropolitan, Hincm••rus Archbishop of Rhemes; who in this Epistle advi∣seth them at large: In tanta discrimine, confugiendum esse ad arma spiritualia orationum, jejuniorum, aliorumque id genus p••aesidiorum; et in fide proprii Regis Caroli, li∣cet absit, forti••er persistendum; nec oves ulla ratione, quantum vis Ludovicus vi invadat regnum, deserendas, Ip∣sosque Reges libere de suis erratis commone faciendos, ac si parere nolint, etiam à corpore Christi abscindendos; quod multorum S. Patrum exemplis fusè probat. After his debate of the difficulties and dangers on both sides in resisting the unjust Invador of his Brothers Realm, and deserting Charles their absent lawfull King, he resolves thus: Nos Episcopi Domini nostri Caroli, si acciderit ut * 1.83 consulere ei non possimus, sicuti cupimus in temporali sui Regni defensione atque tuitione, et consulamus ei in debitae Fidei ob••ervatione. Consulamus et Nobis Dei cooperatione in pia Dei erga illum, observatione, et continua mentis devotione atque pro eo apud Deum et Sanctos ejus obsecratione, &c. Consulamus et nobis ne pro quacunque cupiditate vel temporali emolumento ab illi∣us debita fide exorbitantes, quenquam in illius regnum missis Episcopis, vel quibuscunque internunciis, invi∣temus, nec pro Abbatiis, vel hono••ibus temporalibus, atque rebus, vel facultatibus nos venundemus, Iudae si∣miles
effecti, qui abiens ad Iudaeos dixit; Quid vultis mihi dare, & ego vobis eum tradam? Est etiam, quo∣niam ab alio quocunque justè & rationabiliter credi non poterimus neque debemus, si quocunque terreno lucro vel illata injuria, salva in Deum fide, seniori nostro (Regi) Fidem non servaverimus, &c. Consula∣mus etiam quantum adjuvante Domino poterimus, Sociis & commilitonibus nostris, exhortantes eos, ut fidem debitam apud eum observent, &c. Consula∣mus etiam ei, si sortè quis fuerit, qui in absentia ejus Regnum ipsius moliatur subripere, ut moneamus eum de Sacramentis inter se, et Seniorem nostrum factis, quae Rex noster se servare velle fatetur, et proponemus ei sententiam Domini prolatam per Jeremiam Prophe∣tam contra Sedechiam, qui juravit Nebuchadonozor Gentili Regi in Nomine Domini Ezech. 17. & Hierom. ibid. (whose severe) judgement on him for this Perjury he recites at large out of 4 King 25. together with the danger of Perjury out of St. Augustin, Epist. 89. who stiles it, Gra∣vissimum peccatum) Si autem & contra Praepositum su∣um agentibus consulere non potuerimus; secundum ver∣ba a 1.84 sancti Ambrosii, consulamus Nobis, ne faciamus quacunque cupiditate, vel adulatione, vel deceptione, vel communicatione undè vituperetur Ministerium no∣strum, & perdamus nomen bonum, &c. Et non solum in vectigalibus stipendiariis militiae, & Ecclesiis debitis, et Regibus deservire jubemur, verum et in Orationi∣bus, sicut Augustinus in libro b 1.85 De Civitate Dei ostendit, (whose words he recites at large.) After which he thus winds up this most learned and seasonable Epistle, wor∣thy reading. Si denique Rex noster fuerit, annuente Deo reversus, recipiamus eum cum ga••dio, & de sibi ac Ecclesiae atque Regni necessariis in postmodum procu∣rare Episcopaliter illum commoneamus, et prosperi∣tati suae congaudeamus; si vero, quod non optamus, aliter judicio Dei contigerit, Devotionem ac fidem debitam erga illum sinceriter custodientes, sicut scrip∣tum est, dicamus corde, dicamus & ore Domino, exulta∣verunt
filiae Iudae, id est, confessionis humillimae, in omni∣bus judiciis tuis Domine. This was the advice of that learned loyal Bishop in that Age upon this occasion.
[Anno 1000] Gerbertus Archbishop of Rhemes, afterwards Pope Sylvester the 2d. as he hath this expression of his Loyalty to the Emperor Otho, Epist. 1. Non dicatur reus, cui pro * 1.86 Caesare stare semper fuit gloria, contra Caesarem ignominia. So in his his 20. Epistle, Adelaidi Imperatrici, he con∣cludes thus: M••asententia haec est, quam fidem filio Dominae meae (Imperatori) asservavi, eam matriservabo; si nequeo praesens, saltem absens, benè loquendo, bene optando, bene orando. He begins his 154. Epistle Othoni Imperatori thus. Domino & glorioso Othono semper Augusto Gerbertus gratia Domini Remorum Episcopus, quicquid tanto Impera∣tori dignum. And in his 31. Epistle to Diedericus the Bi∣shop, in the person of Prince Charles the Emperors Ne∣phew, * 1.87 he thus brands him for his perjury and treache∣ry to the Emperor, and the Republick. Diederico Hy∣pocritarum ideae, Imperatorum infidelissimo, prolisque parri∣cidae, ac in communi hosti Reipublicae. Tu divina & humana confundisti jura. Cur pastorali officio mi••as intendis? quasi verò tu pastor, & non lupus rapax, & non potius alter Judas Apostolus, qui Dominum suum 30. perdidit argenteis, & tu Episcopus qui Dominum tuum Regem Haeredem Regni Regno privasti spe famostssimi quaestus, &c.
[Anno 1010] b 1.88 Fulbertus Carnotensis Episcopus, inscribes his 3, 4, & 13, & 93. Epistles to Robert King of France thus. Do∣mino suo Regi Roberto lonignissimo, Fulbertus Dei & sui gratia Carnotensis Episcopus, in gratia Regis Regum semper manere; statu plenae felicitatis; in perpetuum regnare. Cursum honesti continuum ad beatitudinem finis. He concludes his 76, 77, 78, & 92 Epistles to this King, with Valete regaliter; Vale nunc & semper. Vigeat excellen∣tia vestra. He inscribes his 96. Epistle with this option: Aeterni Regis consortium; and ends it thus: Omnipotens Deus dilatet Imperium vestrum, et dextra vos semper protegat ad pacem sanctae Ecclesiae; Vitam vobis longae∣••am tribuat, et sua vos benedictione in omnibus exor∣net.
His 97. Epistle is thus directed: Nobilissimo Regi Danemarchiae Cnuto, Fulbert. Dei gratia Carnotensium Episcopus, cum suis Clericis et Monachis Orationis suffragium. In which he writes: Te non modo Chri∣stianum, verum etiam erga Ecclesias atque Dei servos benignissi∣mum largitorem agnoscimus. Ʋnde gratias agentes Regi Regum, ex cujus dispositione talia descendunt; Roga∣mus ut ipse Regnum tuum in vobis prosperari faciat, et animam tuam a peccatis absolvat, per aeternum & consub∣stantialem sibi unigenitum Christum Dominum nostrum in uni∣tate Spiritus sancti. Amen. And his 150 Epist. is thus direct∣ed, Dilectissimo Domino suo Roberto, Regi ac Reginae Con∣stantiae, Verum in Domino constantissimo Fulbertus humilis Carnot. Episcopus Fidelitatis obsequium et orationum suffragium, quantum scit et potest. I pretermit his other prayers and options of this kind, Epist. 89, 90, 91, &c.
[Anno 1050] Oecumenius in his Enarratio in 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. useth the self-same words and passages touching prayers, interces∣sions and supplications for Kings, as St. Chrysostom and Theodoret, forcited, p. 111, 112, 116, &c.
[Anno 1070] The like doth Theophylact, upon the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. whom they both follow.
[Anno 1130] St. Bernard Abbot of Clarevall thus begins and proceeds in his Epistola 45. ad Ludovicum Regem Francorum (writ∣ten in the name of all the Cistercian Abbots and Monks) Eximio Regi Francorum Ludovico, Stephanus Abbas Ci∣sterciensis, totusque Conventus Abbatum et Fratrum Cisterciens••um, salutem, sospitatem et pacem in Christo Iesu. Rex coeli et terrae regnum vobis in terra donavit, donatu∣rus et in coelo, si quod accepistis justè & sapienter amministrare studueritis. Hoc est quod Vobis optamus, et pro Vobis oramus, ut et hic fideliter, et illic feliciter regnetis. Caeterum vos quonam consilio, Eisdem Nostris pro Vobis orationibus, quas, si recolitis, olim tàm humiliter requisistis, modo tàm acriter repugnatis? Qua enim fidueia manus pr•• Vobis levare possumus ad sponsum Ecclesiae, quam ita et fine causa, ut putamus, ausu inconsulto contristaris? Gravem siqui∣dem adversum vos apud eundem sponsum, et Dominum suum
querimoniam deponit, dum quem acceperat defensorem, sustinet oppugnatorem, &c. Alioquin si non meremur exaudiri, sed contemnimur, et nos, fratres et amici vestri, et qui quotidie oramus pro Vobis, et Filiis Vestris, et Regno; ex hac jam noveritis parvitatem nostram, &c. He begins his 170 Epistle, ad Ludovicum Juniorem Regem Francorum, with this loyal preface, and seconds it with his constant pray∣ers day and night. Si totus orbis adversum me conjuraret, * 1.89 ut quippiam molirem adversus regiam Majestatem, ego tamen Deum timerem, & ordinatum ab eo Regem offendere temerè non auderem. Nec enim ignoro ubi legerim; Qui potestati resistit, Dei ordinationi resistit, &c. Non contristabit per illum & de illo Ecclesiam suam, in quem et de quo in tantis plu∣ra laetificavit: Quem suo munere contulit, sua longanimitate servabit; et si quid aliter sapitis, et hoc ipsum vobis revelabit, et erudiet corda in sapientia. Hoc optamus, hoc oramus die et nocte. He begins his 220 Epistle to this King thus, Libentèr quidem sicut ipse fateri dignamini, etiam propria te∣stante conscientia, quae ad honorem vestrum et regni vestri uti∣litatem spectant, pro nostro exiguo posse et quaerimus & quaeremus: though he sharply reprehends him therein: In his 221 Epistle to this King (who oppugned the Church) he writes thus. Profectò stabimus & pugnabimus usque ad mortem, si ita oportuerit, pro matre nostra, armis quibus licet, non scutis et gladiis, sed precibus fletibusque ad Deum. Et ego quidem qui me memini praeter Quotidianas preces, quas pro Pace et Salute vestra, atque Regno coram Domino supplex ipso teste fundebam. And why so? Insuper et fratri ves∣tro, ejusque militibus balastariisque Domos Episcopales contra jus et phas inhabitandas, et res Ecclesiae in hu∣jusmodi nefarios usus profligandas audacter nimium ex∣ponitis. Dico vobis non erit diu inultum, si haec ita facere per∣gitis, &c. His 255 Epistle begins thus, Ludovico Dei gra∣tia excellentissimo Regi Francorum, Bernardus Clarevallis vocatus Abbas, fidelis suus, salutem à Rege Regum, & Domino dominantium Ipsi, et Dilectae ejus, et Filiis ejus. Regna terrae & jura Regnorum tun•• sanè sana suis Dominis atque il∣laesa persistunt, si divinis ordinationibus ac dispositionibus non
resistunt, &c. He addes, Colligitur Concilium. Quid in hoc detrahitur Regiae gloriae, regni utilitatibus? Ibi Vniversae Ecclesiae commendabitur ac rememorabitur Excellentiae vestrae prompta et specialis Devotio, qui Regum primus, aut certè inter primos rabiei persequentium eandem matrem vestram strenuissimè, et christianissimè defendendo obviastis. I••i gloriosè ab ingenti illa multitudine debitae gratiae referentur vo∣bis: Ibi a Millibus Sanctorum orabitur pro vobis et vestris. He begins his 138 Epistle, thus. Henrico illus∣trissimo Regi Anglorum, B. Abbas dictus de Clarevalle, ho∣norem, sospitatem & pacem. And his 139 Epistle, thus. Lothario Dei gratia Imperatori Augusto, B. Abbas de Cla∣revalle. Si quid potest peccatoris Oratio, Benedictus De∣us, qui vos elegit, et erexit cornu salutis Nobis ad Lau∣dem et Cloriam Nominis sui, et reparandum Imperii decus, ad subveniendum Ecclesiae suae in tempore malo, Postremo, ad operandum etiam nunc salutem in medio terrae. From all which passages it is most apparent, that this devout Abbot, with all the Abbots, Monks, Clergy, and Councils in that age, did constantly pray for their own Christian Kings, their Queens, Sons, Posteritie, and other Kings & Emperors, wishing all health, safety, happi∣nesse, prosperity to them, and their Realms, for the Chur∣ches happinesse, and did blesse God for their reigns, ex∣altations, successes, Piety, Zeal, and Government.
[Anno 1140] Petrus Abbas Cluniacensis, Epist. l. 2. Epist. 7. Sigivardo Norwegiorum Regi, prefaceth his Epistle with this salutati∣on; * 1.90 in praesenti faeliciter, in futuro, faelicissimè cum Christo regnare: & begins it with this Thanksgiving to God: Om∣nipotenti et aeterno Regi toto cordis affectu gratias agi∣mus, qui menti vestrae favorem et amorem suum inspi∣rare dignatus, in vobis amorem coelestium terrenis affe∣ctibus praevaluisse ostendit, &c. And thus closeth it, Ip∣si omnium bonorum largitori grates quas possumus agi∣mus; et ut hoc ad effectum perducere satagatis, votis omnibus exoramus. Epist. 39. Glorioso Principi et mag∣nifico Constantinopolitanae urbis Imperatori, Ioan ui Calo, he wisheth, Salutem ab eo qui dat salutem Regibus: begin∣ning
with this Thanksgiving. Gratias omnipotenti Regi Regum, cujus Regnum Regnum est omnium seculorum, qui Imperatoriam Majestatem vestram super omnes Christiani nominis Principes exaltavit, et ad tenendam toto orbe Ecclesiam suam, velut in medio Orientis, Oc∣ciedentis, Aquilonis constituit, &c. Et ut aliquid bene∣ficii spiritualis vobis istud facientibus, rependamus, sicut Praedecessores nostri ac nos ipsi, Reges Francorum, Reges Anglorum, Reges Hispanorum, Reges Romanorum, ipsos Im∣peratores, ac vicinos vobis Reges Ʋngarorum confratres et comparticipes omnium beneficiorum Cluniacensis congre∣gationis fecimus (by their daily Prayers for them) it à sublimitatem vestram, ex parte omnipotentis Dei, &c. in eisdem et spiritualibus beneficiis, plenè et perfectè, in quantum licet, suscipimus: ut omnipotens Salvator et hîc temporale Regnum vobis adaugeat et conservet, et in futuro, cum sanctis Regibus vos ad sempiternum per∣ducat. Amen. He begins his 46. Epistle to the King of ••rusalem with the like Salutation and Thanksgiving to God. Epistola l. 3. Epist. 3. Illustri et religioso Re∣gi Siciliae, Domino et amico Rotgerio, he useth the very same Salutation, blesseth God for him, and ends with this prayer for him: Inde laetamur, inde in domino gloriamur, inde Celsitudinem vestram, etsi vultu incog∣nitam, verae dilectionis brachiis amplectimur: et ut ad honorem nominis sui, et ad salutem populi sui omnipo∣tens Salvator vestram regalem potentiam magnificet et con••ervet, humiliter et frequenter precamur. Epist. l. 4. Epist. 37. to the same King Rotgerio: he wisheth, Bo∣norum Regum dignitatem et honorem: beginning it with Gratias omnipotenti Regi Regum, qui sublimitatem ve∣stram inter universos Christiani orbis Reges ac Principes quadam specialis magnificentiae gloria insignivit, quadam gloriosi nominis fama singulariter exaltavit. Adding, Personam vestram Regnumque Omnipotenti Deo, Religiosisque tam nostris, quam aliis congregationibus, studicsissime commendavi. Epistola 36 Illustri ac mag∣nifico Principi, Domino Ludovico Regi Francorum, is pre∣faced
with this option: Feliciter hic regnare, Regemque Regum in Regno ac decore suo videre: and begins with, Licet Regis aeterni militiam, quam per te Regem terrenum contra inimicos crucis suae armare disposuit, ad peregrina euntem comitari non valeam: Devotione tamen, oratione, consilio, et auxilio, quali quantoque po∣tero, prosequi concupisco, &c. I shall only adde, Epist. l. 6. Epist. 16. Magnifico Principi, domino Rotgero, Regi Siciliae, Frater Petrus humilis Cluniacensium Abbas, Salutem prae∣sencem et Regnum sempiternum. Audientes obitum ••iliorum, vestrorum valdè doluimus, et t••m pro sosyitate vestra, quàm pro omnibus illorum, Missas celebrari, orationes ad Deum sundi, eleemosynas fieri, in conven∣tu nostro praecepimus. Non solum autem nunc sed et saepe diebus solempnibus et majoribus capitulis nostris, inter alios Reges amicos et Benefactores nostros, vestri memoriam frequentamus.
[Anno 1160] Stephanus Tornacenfis Episcopus, thus ends his Epistola 39. Illustri, R. Hungariae Regi: Valeat sanctitas vestra et Regnum vestrum coram Domino. And he inscribes * 1.91 his 170 Epistle thus. Canuto Illustri Dacorum Regi, Sa∣lutem, vitam et victoriam, and concludes it in this man∣ner, Valeat et crescat in dies semper Magnificentia vestra.
I could draw down a continual series of Authorities almost every year, from the year of our Lord 1200. till this present, pressing and practicing this duty of Prayer for Kings, in publick and private, in their Commentaries, Epistles, and other writings; but to avoid Prolixity, I shall refer the Readers to Hugo de sancto victore, Petru•• Lombardus, Nicholaus Gorrhan, Anselmus Laudensis, Pe∣trus Commestor, Hugo Cardinalis, Dion. Carth••sianus, Ni∣cholaus Lyranus, Hugo de sancto victore, Isiodor Clarius, Vitus Theodorus, Johannis Sarisburiensis, Alexander Alesius, Jo. Arbor••us, Jo. Bradmyllerus, Tho. de Vio Cajetanus, Calvin, Bulinger, Gualther, Hemmingius, Arrias Montanus, Nic. Hemingius, And. Hyperius, And. Scaynus, Nic. Selnec∣cerus,
Dan. Tossanus, Fran. Titeburamus, Jo. Brand myllerus, Jo. Faber, Egidius Hunnius, Jo. Miyer, Alf. Salmeron, Guil. Estius, Jo. Gagneius, Claud. Guilliandus, Cornelius a Lapide, Junius, Beza, Marlorat, Lamb. Danaeus, Cl. Espencae∣us, Ant. Fayus, Phil. Melancthon, Wolf. Musculus, Jo. Piscator, Frid. Balduinus, Deodatus, Georg. Dibuadius, Georg. Weniri∣chius, Adam. Sasbout, Pet. Steuartius, Jodoc. Willichius, Hugo Grotius, Dr. Hamond, and others in their Commentaries, Explanations, and Annotations on the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. the Harmony of Confessions, Chapter of the Civil Magistrate, who all presse this duty in point of precept and prac∣tice, as well for Pagan as Christian, vitious and tyran∣nical, as Virtuous and Gracious, Heretical and Popish, as well as Orthodox and Protestant Kings and Emperors. As for the Forms of publick and private Prayers for them, I shall refer you to all antient and modern Missals, Processionals, Pontificals, Ceremonials, Psalters, Primers, Le∣tanies, Manuals, Books of Prayers and Devotions, which are almost infinite in all Popish and Protestant Kingdoms throughout the World. I shall only recite a few publick Prayers of this Nature, for Example sake.
The 1. is Missa Aethiopum, Or the usual Forms of Com∣mon * 1.92 Prayers used in all the Aethiopian Churches: where∣in there are these, Preces pr•• Rege Da Domine pacem, Re∣gi nostro Claudio, et Principibus ejus, & Judicibus ejus, & subditis ejus, orna eos omni genere pacis, Rex pacis pacem da Nobis, quoniam omnia dedisti Nobis.
The 2. is the antient Prayers used for the Roman Em∣perors in Churches Deus Regnorum omnium & Christiani maximè Protector Imperii: Da servo tuo Imperatori nostro R. triumphum virtutis tuae scienter excolere, ut qui tua constituti∣one est Princeps, tuo munere sit Potens, Per eundem Dominum nostrum.
Deus qui ad praedicandum aeterni Regis Evangelium, Ro∣manorum * 1.93 Imperium praeparasti, praetende famulo tuo Impe∣ratori nostro R. arma coelestia, ut pax Ecclesiarum nulla tur∣betur tempestate bellorum, Per eundem Dominum nostrum.
These two Forms of publick Prayers are still retained
in Missale Romanum ex decreto Concilii Tridentini, Prin∣ced Salamanticae, 1588. Orationes ad diversa, p. 81, 82. and Missale Romanum ex decreto Pii quinti Antuerpiae 1630. Orationes ad diversa, p. 76, 77. to which there are these two Prayers, pro Rege subjoyned.
Quaesumus omnipotens Deus ut famulus tuus, N. Rex nos∣ter, qui tui miseratione suscepit Regni gubernacula, virtutum etiam omnium percipiat incrementa: quibus decenter ornatus, & vitiorum monstra devitare, & ad te qui via, veritas & vi∣ta es, gratiosus valeat pervenire. Per Dominum.
Munera quaesumus Domine, o••lata sanctifica, ut & nobis Vnigeniti tui corpus fiant, Et Regi nostro ad optinendam animae corporisque salutem; et ad peragendum injunc∣tum officium, te largiente, usquequaque proficiant. Per¦eundem Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum.
What other Prayers have been used for them, I have before transcribed, p. 40. To which I shall adde, that in most * 1.94 Litanies, there is this Prayer inserted. Et Regi∣bus, et Principibus Christianis pacem et veram concor∣diam donare digneris; te rogamus. Never more sea∣sonable to be used than now.
In the Pontificale Romanum, restored and published by command of Pope Clement the 8. printed Antuerpiae 1627. p. 486, 487. There is this set Form of receiving the Em∣peror, when he comes to any City, or notable Town, by the Clergy thereof in way of Procession, intituled, Ordo ad Recipiendum Processionaliter Imperatorem. Quando Impe∣rator venit ad aliquam urbem vel oppidum insigue, Clerus ur••is o••viam venit ei Processionaliter, extrà portam, &c. Imperator, ex equo descendens, &c. sub baldachino duci∣tur usque ad Ecclesiam. Processio praecedit immediatè Imperatorem, &c. Whiles they go in procession towards the Church, divers Anthems and Hymes are sung; and when the Emperor enters into the Church, the Bishop or chief Minister, turning towards the Emperor, saith, Deum * 1.95 judicium tuum Regi da: and the Chorus answer, Et justi∣tiam tuam filio Regis, V. salvum fac N. Imperatorem nostrum Domine. R. Deus meus sperantem in te. V. mitte
ei auxilium Domine de sancto. R. Et de Sion tueri eum. V. Nihil proficiat Inimicus in eo. R. Et filius iniquita∣tis non opponat nocere ei. Ʋ. Fiat pax in virtute tua. R. Et abundantia in turribus ejus. Ʋ. Dominus exaudiorationem meam. R. Et clamor meus ad te veniat. Ʋ. Dominus vobis∣cum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. Oremus.
Deus in cujus manu sunt corda Regum, inclina ad preces humilitatis nostrae aures misericordiae tuae, Et Impera∣tori nostro famulo tuo N. Regimen tuae sapientiae appo∣ne, ut haustis de tuo fonte consiliis, et tibi placeat, et su∣per omnia regna praecellat.
Praetende Domine quaesumus, famulo tuo N. Imperatori nostro dexteram caelestis auxilii, ut te toto corde perqui∣ret, et quae digne postulat assequi mereatur. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
After which follows p. 487, 488. Ordo ad recipiendum processionaliter Regem; almost in the self-same words with some variation only in the Anthem; and this Prayer.
Deus, cui omnis potestas & dignitas famulatur, da huic fa∣mulo tuo Regi nostro N. prosperum suae dignitatis effec∣tum, in qua te semper timeat, tibique jugiter placere contendat. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
Ibidem p. 489. follows, Ordo ad recipiendum processiona∣liter Principem magnae potentiae, little different from that of Kings. And p. 491. Ordo ad recipiendum processionaliter Im∣peratricem vel Reginam. Where the responsory is fitted to these Persons; and then this Prayer ensues. Oremus.
Deus, cujus providentia insua dispositione n••n fallitur, inef∣fabilem clementiam tuam supplices exoramus, ut sicut Esther Reginam, Israeliticae plebis causa salutis, ad Regis Assueri thalaemum, regnique sui consortium transire fecisti: ità hanc famulam tuam Christianae plebis salutis gratia, ad gra∣tiam tuam transire facias; ut tibi super omnia jugiter placere desideret, et te inspirante, quae tibi placita sunt, toto corde perficiat, et dextera tuae potentiae illam semper hic et ubique circumdet. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.
I shall cloze up this Chapter with the Decree of the
* 1.96 Synod of Towers in France, Anno 1584. Imprimis, Deo optimo maximo haec Synodus referendas gratias cenfuit, (prout refert) Quod divini ejus spiritus afflatu, Christia∣nissimus Rex noster, Ecclesiae Dei statum ac ordinem modis omnibus Roborare disponens; Conciliorum Pro∣vincia lium in universo Galliae regno celebrationem gratam non solum habuerit, sed eam etiam indici procuraverit: hinc futurum sperans, ut quae summo nostro malo diutius grassatae sunt Haereses, radicitus extirpentur, & quibus turpiter Eccle∣sia deformatur, prorsus abo••eantur abusus, ac toti Galliae mul••is jamdudum seditionibus, ac perturbationibus afflictae, omnium bonorum votis desiderata pax plenissime restituatur. Id∣circò summopere exoptat, et humilibus a Deo precibus obnixe contendit haec Synodus, ut Regem tam pium, tamque Religiosum fidei suae conservatione stabiliat, ae∣qua justitiae rogatione muniat, pacem ei locupletem red∣dat, misericordiae fulciat affectibus, virium fortitudine ro∣boret, commissa sibi Regni Gubernacula discreto mode∣ramine tenere concedat, ut commissos sibi populos be∣nigne regat, aeque judicet, et ad pietatis jura modifice∣tur, illum et piissimam Religiosamque ejus sponsam vi∣rili prole fructuosoque Regni successore locupletet, ejus∣que optimam matrem, quam diutissime conservet. Ita∣que cum sancta sit et Augusta Regum Majestas, sitque ut Sacrilegus et parricida, qui vel re vel verbo tenus Regem violat; Quod priscis cautum est Conciliis, quodque praesertim in Synodo apud Lauriacum pagum Andegavensem habita pridem fuit constitutum, renovans haec Synodus statuit. Quandoquidem Religioni inimicum, & hominibus constat esse perniciosum, futura curiosius perscrutari, & fata Principum eorumque casus inquirere, cum scriptum sit; Non est vestrum nosse momenta, vel tempora, quae Pater posuit in sua potestate: hoc Decreto censemns, ut quisquis inventus fu∣erit talia perquisivisse, et vivente Principe de alio Reg∣ni successore habendo consilium intisse, sibique hac in re socios conciliasse, a conventu Catholicorum excom∣municationis sententia expellatur.
Quin etiam pro perversis hominum moribus emendandis sa∣lubri
deliberatione c••ns••mus, Ne quis in Principem ma∣ledicta congerat: Scriptum est enim a Legislatore; Principem populi tui ne maledi••eris. Quod si quis fecerit, excommu∣nicatione Ecclesiastica plectatur. Nam si maledici Reg∣num Dei non possidebunt; Quantò magis talis ab Ecclesia necessariò pellitur, qui divinae sententiae violator, atque in Principem peccans, invenitur?
Si quis contra Regiam dignitatem dolose, callide et perniciose machinari comprobatus fuerit, nisi dignissi∣me satisfecerit, anathematizetur.
Si quis potestati Regiae (quae non est nisi a Deo) con∣tumaci ac inflato Spiritu, contra anthoritatem et ratio∣nem pertinaciter contradicere praesumpserit, et ejus justis Imper••is obtemperare noluerit, anathema sit.
Eutychii An∣nales, p. 360.
See part 1. P. 50, 51.
b Eutychii Annal. p. 411, 412, 427. Eus••bius Eccl. Hist l. 8. c. 27, 28. Niceph. Eccles. Hist. l. 7. c. 20, 22, 23.
Nicephorus Eccl Hist. l. 7. ••. 22, 23.
Eusebius Eccl. Hist l. 8. c. 28, 29 l. 9. c. 1, 6, 7, 8, 9.
See Arch∣bishop Vsher, De Brit. Eccl. Primordiis, c. 8. Euseb. Eccl. Hist. l. 9. c. 8. Niceph Eccl. Hist. l. 7. c. 36, 39.
Eusebius Eccl. Hist. l. 9. c. 9. Niceph. l. 7. c. 39.
Eusebius de Vita Constan••. l. 9 c. 18, 19, 20.
Here p. 4.
••useb. de vi∣ta Constant. l. 3. c. 20.
Bishop Vsher de Eccles. Brit. Primordiis, p. 195.
De vita Con∣stant. l. 4. c. 14.
••us••b De vita Constant. l 4 c. ••8.
* Euseb. I∣bid. l. 4. c. 45.
Eusdbius de vita Constant. l. 4. c. 56.
o Euseb. de vita Constant. l. 4. c. 63, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69.
See Bishop Ushers An∣swer to the Jesuites Chal∣lenge: Secton praying for the Dead.
Operum Graecolatin. Pa••isiis, 1627. Tom. 1 p 679, 680, 68••, 683.
* Hilarius ad Constanti∣um, l. 2. See Bilsons True difference, p. 378.
* Socrates Scholasticus Eccles ••ist. l. 2 c 37. Cassi¦dorus, Tri∣pa••t. Hist. l. 5. c 22. Sozo∣men, Eccl. Hist. l. 2. c. 1••. Nicephorus, Eccl Hist l. 9. c. 41. Bi••sons ••••ue diffe∣••ence, p 378.
Socrates Scholasticus Ib. Theodoret Eccles. Hist. l. 2. c 20. Quo possumus &c pro tuo Regno consue∣tas p••eces cum populo funde∣••e, sicut ante semper feci∣mus & adhuc facere non desistemus.
* Cateches. 10. Dr. Ha∣monds Anno∣tations on 1 Tim. 2.
See Bishop Vshers Answer to the Jesuites Challenge, p. 199, 200.
Annales, Ox∣oniae, 1656. p. 495, 496, 507, 508.
Sozomen, Eccles. Hist. l. 4. c. 13 Su∣rius Concil. Tom. 1. p. 617. Centur. Magd. 4. col. 851.
See Centu••. M••gd. 4. col. 864 surius Co••ci••. Tom. 1. p 4••2. Th••∣od••••is l. 5. c 9.
Rom. 13. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Mat. 5.
Tom. 5. Operum Pa∣risiis, 1588, col. 998.
* Tom. 5. Col 1145. A. B. 1153. C. 1156▪ C.
Anno 410.
1 Tim. 1. 2.
Jer. 29. 7.
Rom. 13.
1 Cor. 13.
1 Esth. 6.
H••storia San∣ctorum Pa∣t••um, p. 324.
Su••ius Con∣cil Tom. 1. p. 689, 691.
Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 2. p. 142, 145, 197, 158, 162.
Surius Concil. Tom. 2. p. 142, 145, 197, 1••8, 162.
Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 2. p. 180, 181.
Bibliotheca Patrum, Tom. ••. pa••s 3. p. 937.
Jer. 29. 7.
Aunno 600.
Here p. 7, 8.
S••••ius Con∣cil. Tom. 1. p. 6••0.
*Bibliotheca Pat••um Tom. 7 p. 566, 572▪
* Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 2. p. 337, 338.
* Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 2. p. 739, 740.
* Surius Con∣cil. Tom 2. p. 743, 744.
* Surius Con∣cil. p. 922, 925, 926.
Ibid p. 1022, 1024.
Ibid. p. 1039.
Su••iu•• Tom 2. p. 762.
Surius Ibid. p. 855.
Surius, Tom 2. p. 869.
Surius, Tom. 2. p. 871, 872.
Surius Ibid. p. 875.
Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 2. p. 891.
Surius Con∣cil. Tom. 2. p. 922, 925, 926.
Surius Ibid. Tom. 3. p. 8.
* Surius Ibid Tom. 3 p. 238
Here p. 7, to 24
Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 274, &c. Bochellus Decret. Eccles. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 1. c. 1. p. 696.
Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 285.
Surius Concil Tom 3 p. 279. Bochellus Dec••et. Eccl. Gal. p. 1••69. Anno 813.
Surius Concil. Tom. 3. p. 293. Bochellus De∣cret. Eccl. Gal. p. 1369.
Bochellus Decret.
Eccl. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 1. c. 3. p, 697.
Idem.
Bibl. Patrum Tom. 9. pars. 1. p. 641. H. 643.
Ibid. p. 643.
Ibid. 643. &c.
Bibliotheca Patrum, Tom. 9. pars 1. p. 991.
Deus.
Ibid. p. 991. G.
Ibid. p. 990. •• F.
Ibid. p. 991. C.
Ibid. p. 992. B.
Bibl. Patrum Tom. 9. p. 42, 43.
remissum.
Ibid. p. 44, 54, 55, &c.
* Ibid. p. 60, 61.
In 1 Epist. ad Tim. E∣pist. 26. 1 Tim. 3.
Lib. 19. c. 26, 27.
* Bibliotheca Patrum, Tom 10. p. 616 A. 617. H 634. C.
Ibid. p. 619.
Bibliotheca Patrum, Tom. 11. p. 6. F. p. 7. A. p. 9. 8. p. 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.
See Epistola 272.
h Bibliotheca Patrum, Tom. 12. pars 2. p. 53. 74, 77, 80, 81, 108, 109, 128.
Bibliotheca Patrum. Tom. 12. part 1. p. 502, 527.
b Bibliotheca Patrum, Tom. 15. p. 750 A.
Georgii Cas∣sandri Preces Ecclesiasticae p. 373.
See Sac••ae Litaniae Variae Antuerpiae 1629. p. 217.
Psal. 7••.
Laur enrius Boche••lus Decre••. Eccl. Gal. l. 5. Tit. 1. de Rege c. 2. p. 696.