XXV. Whether the Son may be so exhereda∣ted, that he shall not suc∣ceed in his Fathers Kingdom.
And in the first place, this Question ariseth, Whether a Father may exheredate his Son, so that he shall not succeed in his Kingdom? Where we must distinguish between Patrimonial Kingdoms which are Alienable, and such as are not Alienable. In the for∣mer there is no doubt, but that exheredation is lawful; for such Kingdoms differ nothing from other Goods: and therefore in such places, where by Law or Custome Exhe∣redation is in force, it is practicable even in the case of Kingdoms: yea, though there were no Law or Custome to warrant it, yet naturally it is lawful for a Father to exclude his Son from all but bare Alimony; yea, and from that also, if he have committed any Crime worthy of death,* 1.1 or have been otherwise notoriously wicked, and have of his own whereby otherwise to subsist. Thus was Reuben punished by Jacob with the loss of his Birth-right, and Adonija by David with the loss of his Kingdom: For David's King∣dom was in a manner Patrimonial, though not by the right of War, yet by special