* 1.1It exposes Succession to Counterfeit Wills and Testa∣ments.
Though the Law is sufficiently clear, That Kingdoms which are Publick Offices of Trust, are not devisable by last Will and Testament, as private Inheritances are; yet because the Pa∣pist Power of the Sword may pretend to any thing unless the Protestant Subjects have an Act of Parliament declaring a Pro∣testant Successor, as a Sheild under God to defend themselves against it, the same will be necessary to prevent even this Dan∣ger likewise. For what Monarch or Emperor is so great, as when sickness hath arrested and bound him with the fatal Cords of his Death-Bed (where every Woman, every Priest, every Doctor are his Gaolers) can promise himself Liberty to make a free Will? Yea, that he shall not have less than a private Subject, when his Keepers shall make use of his own Publick Name and Authority against himself, to exclude from him those faithful Friends, who will force their way through to relieve a private Person from those Furies of his Bed which Torment him: Or how can he promise himself, though he make his Will in his perfect Health, that as soon as he is dead it shall not be destroyed? For did not H. 8. use all the Caution possible to se∣cure his Will after his Death? Had he not an Act of Parliament which gave him Power to Nominate Successors by his Will, and made it High Treason for any to prejudice the Titles of the Persons so Nominated? Did he not solemnly inrole it in Chancery? yet when before the Death of Queen Elizabeth, an inquisition was made after the Will of H. 8. to see whom he had Nominated to succeed,* 1.2 in case she should happen to dye without Issue, they found the same to be taken by Bribe, or Stoln off the Cursitors File by some who intended to advance their own Title; for there were Sixteen Titles then on foot, Osborn. Tit. Queen Eliz. 99.
Plotina the Empress, Wife of the Emperor Trajan who was with him at his Decease,* 1.3 in regard she had a great favour for young Adrian, Plotted with him to help him to the Empire;