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(5.) The not Declaring a Successor, is Dangerous to the Person of the King and his House; of which we need not look on any other Example than Alexander the Great, of whom Justin, Lib. 15. relates, That he being desired to Declare a Successor, though he had a Son called Hercules, and though his Wife Roxana were Great with Child, yet would he Declare neither; but Will'd, That he who was most worthy, should Succeed; which was the same in effect, as if he had Will'd they should after his Death destroy one another with Civil Wars, and his own House amongst them; for so they did: And Cas∣sander, one of his mean and not Chief Officers destroyed his Mother Olympias, and all his Kindred: Such was the Fate of so great a Monarch, who while alive thought the World too little; yet was he himself Poison'd, and when Dead, nor he, nor his Mother, nor his Children, nor any of his Kindred re∣tained any Spot, but their Graves being all destroyed with him; of which there appears no second Cause, but his Neg∣lect to Declare his Son Hercules his Successor, who might have been a Preservative to him, according to Tacitus, Pravas aliorum spes cohiberi si Successor non in incerto. The wicked hopes of Plots against the Possessor are Checkt if the Suc∣cessor is not incertain.

Notes

• * 1.1

  5. Danger to the King's Person, Line, and House.