THE POWER COMMUNICATED BY GOD ΤΟ THE PRINCE, AND THE OBEDIENCE REQUIRED OF THE SUBJECT; BRIEFLY LAID DOWN AND CONFIRMED OUT OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES, THE TESTIMONY OF THE PRIMITIVE CHURCH, THE DICTATES OF RIGHT REASON, AND THE OPINION OF THE WISEST AMONG THE HEATHEN WRITERS. TO THE KING'S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, CHARLES II. BY THE GRACE OF GOD KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, FRANCE AND IRELAND, &c. &c. MY MOST DREAD SOVEREIGN, THE law of nature obliging all men to advance the honour and reputation of their ancestors, I could not render a more signal obedience thereto, than by dedicating this treatise (composed purposely for the rights both of princes and subjects) to your sacred Majesty, to whom it doth most properly appertain: seeing it was at first compiled for the service and satisfaction of your royal father, of blessed memory, and by his deep judgment and singular pru VOL. XI. U dence thought worthy the publishing to the world. But those cross occurrences, which then and since have obstructed it, have given it the happier opportunity of appearing in the more peaceful and prosperous reign of your excellent Majesty, and, I hope, for the confirmation of staggering loyalty in the hearts of many in these your dominions. Therefore as your Majesty's right to the patronage of this book may be termed a right of succession, so the book itself may almost challenge this noble privilege, that, being composed for, and presented to, the greatest and best of kings, it should not without a kind of diminution be dedicated to any prince in Christendom, except your Majesty's royal self. I shall now make this my most humble suit to your Majesty, That, as the reverend author in his lifetime publicly professed his loyalty to his sovereign, and constantly prayed for your Majesty's happy and glorious return to these your kingdoms, and in all things shewed himself your loyal subject; so you would be pleased to own him as such by affording your gracious countenance to this his posthumous work; which will eternize the me |