A discourse concerning supreme power and common right at first calculated for the year 1641, and now thought fit to be published / by a person of quality.

TO THE READER.

THIS little following Trea∣tise, concerning the Origi∣nation of Paternal Power, and the Derivation of all others from it, with Reflections upon Regal Government, and the Relative Duties both of King and People to each other, is, for Substance, only a Summary Collection, from the best Authorities, of such necessary and Practical Notions, as might have steer'd us in the most benight∣ed and tempestuous times of the late unhappy (and almost unparallel'd) Rebellion, and keep us within the Bounds of Duty and Allegiance, both

to God and our King. But it lost its usefulness (being calculated for the high Distempers of that Age only) by miscarrying in the Press, and for some years irrecoverably concealed, and kept from its designed end by one (since dead) who communicated to me the following Discourse, which hath for some years layn in my hands as buried, unless something of the like Contagion should break out again, and give it a new Resur∣rection, as an Antidote against the spreading of so popular an Infection. But now I am prevailed with, upon the sad Prospect of things that threaten a relapsing into the like Dangers, by Popish Plots, and those many Sects, Distractions and Di∣visions amongst us, (some of whose Principles agree with the rigid Scotch Presbyters, and Jesuits, in their Tenents concerning the deposing of Kings, and the forfeiture of their

Regal Power into the People and their Representatives,) to shew both from Scripture, Antiquity, the Do∣ctrine, Articles, Canons, Homi∣lies, and Liturgy of the Church of England, which all agree with our ancient Laws and many late Acts of Parliament, That our Kings are on∣ly submitted by God to the direction, not coaction of Humane Laws: (as Mr. Faulkner in his Treatise upon that Subject hath lately and most learnedly made appear:) Yet Kings are not unconfined by the Laws of God and our Kingdom, which set just bounds both to King and People, to regulate their Actions by (as a middle thing between Supreme Power and Com∣mon Interest:) And our Municipal Laws may be straiten'd or enlarg∣ed in regard of the Soveraign's Ex∣ercise of Power, but cannot influence or affect the Power it self (which is of God) to alter or enervate the na∣ture

of it: Nor can it oblige to a∣ny thing, foro divino, but what is just in the means, as well as good in the end, and safe in regard of Hu∣mane Prudence: by which Rules we have much reason to believe our Superiours (as they yet have done) will take their measures, and neither countenance nor indulge the least evil of sin, to avoid the greatest evil of punishment: Yet if God (for our almost unpardonable provocation and abuse of those many Miracles of Mercy he hath hitherto preserved us by) should submit us to the impla∣cable malice of our common Ene∣mies the Papists at home and abroad, or to Civil Commotions within our selves, to bring us again into Chaos and Disorder, in which we may need some assistance for our Conscientious Comportments, both with Prudence and Innocency; the ensuing Trea∣tise may be of great use, there being

things casuistically proposed and re∣solved, (with modesty and submissi∣on to others Judgments) in Relation to the late Rebellion, which may some way help us in other difficul∣ties, if we fall under any; which that God in Mercy would avert, is the Prayer of,

Your unknown Servant, &c.