The right of primogeniture, in succession to the kingdoms of England, Scotland, and Ireland as declared by the statutes of 24 E.3 cap 2. De Proditionibus, King of England, and of Kenneth the third, and Malcolm Mackenneth the second, Kings of Scotland : as likewise of 10 H.7 made by a Parliament of Ireland : with all objections answered, and clear probation made : that to compass or imagine the death, exile, or disinheriting of the King's eldest son, is high treason : to which is added, an answer to all objections against declaring him a Protestant successor, with reasons shewing the fatal dangers of neglecting the same.

* 1.1(1.) The first Danger is to the Conscience of a Prince, when he shall give Account to God of the Neglect of so great a Duty to him, and so great a Trust reposed in him by the People; as to which, There is none doubts but every private Father is by his Duty to God bound, while it shall please God to lend him Life and Health, and before Death with a sudden Arrest hurry him hence, to give an account of his Stewardship, to make Provision according to his Power for the leaving his Family in Peace after his Decease; much more it is the Duty of all Princes who ought to be the Publick Father of their Countries, who have so great Account to Give; not only for their own Families, but for Nations and Kingdoms, and all the Wars, Murders, Mas∣sacres and Devastations which by their default shall happen af∣ter their Death. To provide, while God gives them Life and Health, for prevention of such Calamities amongst their Peo∣ple, and for the Peace of Succession in the Government over them. And in the Statute of 35 H. 8. cap. 1. This great Trust Reposed in the King by the People, is exprest a Chief Conside∣ration of Declaring a Successor; and setling the Succession of the Crown by King and Parliament, in these words in the Pre∣amble of the Act, viz.

Forasmuch as our most Dread Soveraign Lord the King, upon good and just Grounds and Causes, Intendeth by God's Grace to make a Voyage Royal in his most Royal Person into the Realm of France against his ancient Enemy the French King, his Highness most Pru∣dently and Wisely Considering and Calling to his Remembrance how this Realm standeth at this present time in the Case of Succession, and poising and weighing further in himself the great Trust and Confidence that his Loving Subjects have had, and have in him, &c. And to the Intent his Majestie's Disposition and Mind therein should

be openly Declared and manifestly known and Notified, as well to the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, as to all other his Loving and Obe∣dient Subjects of this Realm, to the Intent of their Assent and Con∣sent, might appear to Concur with thus far as followeth, of his Ma∣jestie's Declaration in the behalf, and thereupon makes Provision for the Succession of the Crown in the same Act.

In like manner it is provided by the Law of Persia, as saith Herod. Lib. 7. That whensoever the King goeth to War abroad, he ought first to Declare his Successor, that he may leave Peace at home.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1. Danger to the Conscience of a Prince.