THE Felicitie of a Kingdome is placed in the Prosperitie of the Prince; and the welfare of a Prince, either made or mangled in his Matching: But neuer was Kingdome more happie in a Prince, neuer Prince more for­tunate in his Choyce, than the Treasure and Store-house of our hopes, the Summe and Sub­stance of our future blisse, the high and mightie Prince Charles, in obtaining this Princesse, who vnparalell'd for perfections, both externall of her bodie, and internall of her minde, stands as a matchlesse Mirrour to all her Sex, if not to [Page 2]be adored, yet at the least admired, hath made a Contract between three Kingdomes and happi­nesse, which were a long time diuorced from it; being like the house of Abraham, troubled vntill their Isaak had found out a Rebecca.

Oh Peerelesse Prince! fortunate beyond the imagination of mans minde, then surely more transcending the limits of my pens relation; could you but pry into the hearts of millions of people, you should see all the veines & streets of those Metropolitan Cities of those little worlds, swell'd and full with ioy, who formerly found no tranquillitie of minde, though in the peace of the State; because your Royall Selfe had not found out a Second Selfe, whereby their poste­ritie might shroud and refresh themselues here­after, vnder the shadow of your Branches, and that from your Issue, fountaines of fortunate ioy might flow to succeeding ages. How many Kingdomes doe bathe themselues in the sunne­shine of solace, and finde more than earthly hap­pinesse, in those resplendent beames, which shine from this blessed Contract: conceiuing no leffe ioy in your relinquishing of the Ladie Maria of Spaine, and matching and vniting your Soule (which is the Court of the Highest, [Page]and King of Kings, the Temple of the Holy Ghost) vnto the heart of that vnparalell'd Prin­cesse, the Ladie Henrette Maria of France, which is a rich Cabinet, fill'd with the Gemms and vn­ualuable Iewels, of morall vertues and diuine graces.

If it please your hopefull Highnesse to retire a little from home, and to cast an eye of conside­ration vpon France, there may be seene such an infinite ineffable measure of mirth, and an in­comparable treasure of true ioy, found by them in this Coniunction, and from the highest to the lowest, from the Peere to the poore, nothing but applause and triumph. For can they chuse but reioyce, to see that Vertues Paramour and Dar­ling of Venus, whose vertue ennobleth her birth, whose birth doth make her vertues eminent, whose countenance and whose conditions doe mutually grace and adome each other, so wor­thily bestowed; and their perfectly accomplisht Princesse, vnited to so glorious, so gracious a Head, as who is the Ioy of his Friends, the Ter­rour of his Enemies, the Comfort and Hope of his Country, the Patterne of Princes, the Admi­ration of the world, the mightie Prince Charles? For what Countrey could haue beene the Emis­sarie [Page 4]of such a Prince; or what Prince the Posses­sour of such a Countrey, as Great Brittaine of Charles, or Charles of Great Brittaine? the which, as Hee is blest with all graces, so it aboundeth with all blessings, that He might be happie in it, and it fortunate in Him; that as He blesseth that with peace, so it might satisfie Him with plenty. Had she forsaken a fat fruitfull soile to come in­to a barren Countrey, it might somewhat haue impaired her happinesse, and beene a wound to her welfare; but this is a Paradise of pleasure, a Land like Canaan, flowing with milke and ho­nie. Had she found such a fertile Kingdome de­stitute of so royall a Prince, shee could not haue had so much ioy in the one, without enioying the other: if the ring be void of a precious stone, it is not so much esteemed; neither hath a Dia­mond set in lead, such store of luster: But our Prince, seated and planted in such a pleasant place, is like a Diamond set in Gold, the one of which makes the other of more estimation.

Oh fortunate France! if thou doest not vn­dervalue thy happinesse, that art linked in the bond of amitie with faire Albion, whose climate is temperate, whose aire serene and cleare; here is not heat so excessiuely parching in Summer, [Page 5]but that any constitution may endure it, nor the cold so piercing in Winter, but that the most ten­der may withstand it. How many Crystall fountaines and running streames bee there, like so many veines in this bodie of our Kingdome? and to the intent that none of the elements might be defectiue, but that all might concurre to make vs happie, wee are sufficiently stored with all kinde of fuell and firing; neither is the wombe of our earth barren, but most fit for conception, multiplies the seed committed to it, so that our fields doe laugh with store of graine, and Autumne crams our barnes with full increase; so that our Countrey-mans life is crowned with contentment. And whereas in other Nations they haue no want, here they haue no feare of want; for what commoditie haue wee not, either to comfort our selues, or helpe our neighbours? What blessings doe we not enioy, either necessarie to our subsistence, or requisite to our well-being? no surely, and I may well say, The Lord hath not dealt so with any Nation; for how doe wee abound with store of corne and cattle, and all other commo­dities? or if we should want any thing for festi­uitie (although we haue all indeed for necessitie) [Page 6]yet how fitly is it seated for all kinde of traffique, and as (who should say) it were the onely Dar­ling of the Sea, it is lullabide in the lap of Thetis, and hugged in with the Ocean, who doth so enwrap her in her armes, as she doth not onely permit her trading and commerce with all peo­ple, but doth promise to saue and secure her from her enemies. Them who can prescribe bounds vnto the ioy of the French Nation, who see their Princesse, the Glorie of her Sex, so well and worthily matched, that it is to be expected from her wombe shall issue mightie Monarchs, who shall bee the most happie Princes in the world in their inheritance; whose lot is like to fall in so faire a Land, the which is a Treasurie and Store-house fraught with all blessings, which denies no kinde of sustenance to her inhabitants.

But if you leaue the Citie, and examine but the Citizens, forsake the suruey of the Conti­nent, and looke vpon the Contents; and you shall haue ioyfull experience, that the place is not so pleasant, but the people as pleasing; and from him that is seated in the royall throne of dignitie, to him that lieth groueling in the deepe abysse of miserie, all full of affabilitie and [Page]courtesie. If you inquire into the dispostion of the sacred Maiestie of our most mightie and inuict Monarch, vnder the wings of whose wisdome we his subiects take most quiet repose and rest; you shall finde him to be repleat with all graces requisite for so great, so gracious a Soueraigne: within whose countenance like two heauenly lamps shine both Maiestie and Mercy, that the one might win from his sub­iects a reuerent feare, the other obtaine a reli­gious loue; whose minde is fraught with hu­mane knowledge, and furnisht with diuine, in such a measure and manner, as he may not be more truly stiled The King of Great Britaine, than The Salomon of Kings: whose passions are subiect to reason, whose reasons Pilot is Reli­gion; who will not iniure himselfe by suffering excesse, nor offend any in offering the least wrong vnto them; who though he truly de­serues the stile of a Peace-maker, yet hee doth not respect peace so much as to neglect a iust occasion of warre; who as he is not like a raw wound, too sensible or apprehensiue of iniu­ries, so he is not like dead flesh, void of all fee­ling; who as he is so conscionable not to tyran­nize, so he is so couragious not to permit a Ty­rant [Page]to vsurpe his owne or his friends domini­ons: for though his anger did a long time sleepe, yet being awaked out of slumber, Hee will not easily be stilled. The running rough streames which be soone disturbed, are most shallow; but the deepe places which are not so speedily moued, are more profound. The shrubs, brush and stubble, though they be kin­dled in an instant, yet they are extinct in a mo­ment; when heart of Oake and stout Timber, though it be not so soone accended, yet as it is more solid, so it is of longer continuance. To be soone inflamed, is a signe of Rashnesse; but alwayes to beare iniuries, is want of Valour: Therefore this our royall religious King, to the end that he might be as well void of temeritie as timiditie, of follie as of feare, will not be stir­red but vpon iust occasion, nor stilled without due recompence.

Suppose that Wisdome for a long time kept his sword in his sheath, yet Iustice hath now drawne it: He knowes that Rashnesse is the ab­ortiue fruit of Passion, and the bloud of his subiects precious; therefore He poiseth all his proiects in the balance of discretion, Hee weigheth all his iniuries with his reuenge; and [Page 9]to shew the ripenesse of his iudgement, he will not suffer his hand to be the author of any raw action, which is not thorowly disgested with due premeditation; whom though none can conquer in loue, yet he doth loue in wisdome; who though he did seeme a while to winke at his childrens misfortunes, yet Lion-like he did obdormire apertis oculis, and saw the iniurie done by others, and the miserie endured by them; of the which since peace cannot be the Physi­tian to preuent a iust warre, he will make an ex­periment if a warre can beget a iust peace; who hath shewed more magnanimitie in dangerlesse despising, than many in dangerous affecting others kingdomes, being very loth to hazzard the losse of guiltlesse soules, or to build vpon his neighbours ruines, but like a wise Pilot to gouerne the ship well in which God had pla­ced him, and not to seeke to be a head to ano­thers body. Neither was this for the defect of any fortitude; oh no, there are like to be enow bleeding witnesses of his kingly courage, and he is most wise to see what is best, and most iust to performe what he sees. Indeed our potent King doth measure his greatnesse by his goodnesse, and only affecteth greatnesse that he may haue [Page 10]meanes to exercise his goodnesse; the grauitie of whose head is adorned with the grace of his heart, for he hath not only the name, but the nature of a King, and vseth not his Kingdome as Tenants at will doe their houses, who care not how they be ruinated, because each day they expect a departure out of them; but as if he had an eternall lease, he seeketh the perpetu­all welfare of it; for his sword is at enmitie with those which are foes to vertue, and his purse at peace with them which are enemies to vice. His Subiects taste not the bitter fruits of grie­uous taxation; neither are Lawes with vs so much made to finde faults, as to preuent and punish them: Our Court is not a priuiledged place of vnlawfull actions and licenciousnesse, but is the resident and abiding place of Him, which as Hee is the Father of his Countrey, so He giueth it good example: and who is most bountifull in rewarding the well-deseruing, and in requiting courtesies; for Hee knowes sufficiently, that to be indebted, is to be an infe­riour: and hath a most diligent care, and care­full diligence, in his words and his works, to instruct his people, hauing life in his doctrine, and doctrine in his life; for He appeares to his [Page]Subiects vertuous, as He would haue them be, and labours to be such as He appeareth, that as his Lawes giue life vnto his people, so he giueth life to his Lawes; for they be but as Maximes, deriued & collected out of his life; for it is as a great Volume, in which they may reade whole Lectures of wholesome Precepts. Neither doth He driue his Subiects on the path of Vertue, so much with the Rod of Law, as He doth draw them with the Adamant of Loue; for, can they chuse, but dearely and nearely affect Him, who, as Hee is aboue them in place, so Hee exceeds them in loue? who, being the Head, cannot see one of the members hurt, but Hee doth sympa­thize in sorrow with it, not placing his gaines in their paines, or esteeming Himselfe most a King, when they are most basely subiected.

Neither is his Estate with the peoples welfare, as it were in an vniust ballance, so that his goes highest, when theirs goes lowest; but the seat of all his happinesse is situated in their good fortunes. Neither doth Hee rule them with a Rod of Iron, but a Scepter of Gold, neuer re­straining their libertie, vnlesse it tended to li­cenciousnesse; nor pulling goods from any particular, vnlesse it were for a generall good. [Page 12]In fine, Hee hath brought all his Subiects to such a passe, that though He takes nothing by force, yet He hath all by loue; for who would not venture, either his purse or his person, to performe his pleasure? which of his Subiects would not entertaine his death with sweet em­bracement, so that his Princes, or Soueraignes Successours and Posterities welfare, might haue birth from his death, and spring out of his ashes? Certes, there is none but would willing­ly shake hands with life, libertie, or estate, in a gratefull requitall of those blessings we here en­ioy, by the meanes of his Maiesties most graci­ous gouernment. Indeed they are so vnited vnto him, by the inviolable bonds of feare and loue, that all his Subiects, as his Pulses, doe beat according to the motion of his heart: For ought not they willingly to performe his will, who denieth to grant none of their wishes; for hath his Kingdomes desired peace? how long haue they possest it? yea, in such a turbu­lent time, when almost all Europe hath had warre in her owne bowels. But doe our people thirst for reuenge vpon those which haue iniu­red their Soueraignes Issue, and wronged the Princely Branches sprung from their Royall [Page]Stocke, for feare they should not be deliuered of that which they trauell of, but lose their lon­ging? Hee assumeth Armes for the restauration of his Sonne, to doe that by force, which Hee could not purchase by fauour.

And sithence He findeth his Enemies not to be like Flints, which may be broken vpon the feather-bed of perswasions; but as Nettles, the which, by how much more they are easily handled, by so much the more violently they sting; He resolues to handle them more rough­ly, lest they as much hurt him, as they iniured his Neighbours. Then surely, what vnspeaka­ble ioy ought this to be, to that matchlesse Prin­cesse of France and all her Nation, She not more reioycing, that Shee hath found such a royall, wise, and euerie way accomplisht Father, than they, that they haue found such a noble wor­thie Friend? She may exult that She is ingrafted into such a Stocke, they of such Alliance; for He is not onely potent in men, but powerfull in money and munition, that as his money wants not men, so his men want not money. Howsoeuer, indeed, some may suggest and ob­iect, that his bountie hath almost exhaust his Treasurie: Yet, as the candle, though it giues [Page 14]another light, yet it selfe is not darkened: So, though our Soueraigne hath enricht many of his Subiects, yet Hee hath not impouerisht Himselfe; for Hee hath so bestowed it vpon such persons, as were not so willing to receiue it, but they will be as well content to surrender it vp into his hands againe, if either their Kings pleasure, or their Countries profit, giue them summons to make such a redeliuerie. Then surely, not onely the Throne, but the Foot­stoole, not onely the French Prince, but the People may swimme (I had almost said) surfet with delight in this Blessed Vnion; for what hindrance is there, whereby that most Christian King, Lewis the thirteenth, may expect, but that as our Princes Highnesse ioynes hands with his Sister, so our Kings Maiestie will ioyne Armes with him, for the regaining of those King­domes, which vniustly an vsurping hand detai­neth from him? for, Vis vnitafortior, and (that I may vse our Prouerbe) Many hands make light worke; Diuerse threds twisted together, as they doe more strongly binde, so they are not so ea­sily broken of an enemie. It was King Richards comparison, A bundle of arrowes bound toge­ther could not be broken; but disseuered, with [Page 15]much facilitie they may be cracked: and I may make application to these Kingdomes, as Hee did to that his Kingly Issue. It is not to bee doubted, but that since Iames and Lewis, two Kings so valiant; Great Brittaine and France, two Kingdomes so potent; are vnited and ioy­ned in this bond, as well of affection as affinitie; their enemies shall not bee of power to pre­iudice them, nor of strength to withstand them. And howsoeuer the whole world is an eie-wit­nesse of the beautie and bountie of both their mindes, which is so great, that each of them doe esteeme it a greater honour, to giue a King­dome, than to get it; yet where there is wrong offered them and their Allies, all the might of their foes shall be as a stone dasht against steele, which shall rebound in their owne faces, to their owne disgrace and ruine.

Neither let their enemies thinke, but that howsoeuer they doe not loue to seeke others Dominions, yet they will not lose their owne without stirring: For will our dread Soue­raigne, when both amitie and equitie, religion and affection doe giue him loud summons to restore his children to their inheritance, detaine his helping hand from his hopefull issue? Will [Page 16]He or can He see without sorrow (and by con­sequence, labour to redresse it) that his posteri­ties Countrey, which formerly was the garden of the world, vnpeopled, ruinated, and made a desolate Desart; his Issue to be exiled from their inheritance, and hope banished from them; his childrens children forced to flie before they were taught to goe; Can he, I say, see this, and not sorrow at it? Can he sorrow at it, and yet suffer it? Can he haue power, and yet want will to reuenge it? Oh no, his hand is full of vigour, and hee is fraught with valour; his subiects soules doe thirst for reuenge, and all his foes shall haue wofull experience, that he is as va­liant to maintaine a warre, as wise to entertaine a peace, and he can as well sacrifice at the altars of Mars as Ceres, and is as well Achilles for his courage, as Vlysses for his counsell. Then who can impose a period to the endlesse ioy of the French Nation, who haue found a way to ioyne themselues with such a powerful Prince, who doth not only make them happy in his alliance, but is likely to make them also fortu­nate in conquests and victories, when these two mighty Monarchs shall mutually aid each other to right themselues, their wronged [Page 17]neighbours, and affinitie? Thus farre haue I proceeded in the narration of the neuer suf­ficiently extolled perfections of our mightie Monarch, in so much as my penne is per­swaded shee hath wronged them in the rela­tion, and made but an imperfect draught of them, being vnable to limme them to the life. From whence France may vnderstand, that her happinesse is higher ascended, in regard their Princesse is ioyned in wedlocke with one which is so worthily descended from one who is the most potent, most prudent, most wise, most valiant, most magnanimous, magnifi­cent Monarch that euer blest the aire with a breath, or these kingdomes with a peaceable, yet prosperous gouernment, as if he had beene only sent from Heauen to increase Gods wor­ship and this Kingdomes welfare.

But as if God had not onely intended to blesse that illustrious Princesse with such a royall Father who doth grace the fruit which is borne of him, he hath also prouided a Prince to be her husband, which doth adorne the stocke he comes of, who heires his Father not only in his royall rich powerfull kingdomes, but in his rare perfect accomplisht qualities; at [Page 18]whose birth the Senate-house of the Planets did ioyntly consent and determine to conferre both vpon his body and minde all the perfections that can accompany a corporall essence, or in­habit in a mortall mansion place; at whose Birth-day Dame Nature brought her richest ornaments to decke him withall, and all the Grace tooke possession of him for their habita­tion: and to the intent good education might nourish and cherish those seeds so sowne, hee was not nusled and nursed in the night of ig­norance, nor weaned ouer-soone from the paps of knowledge: But the good instructions of faithfull Tutors, the godly example of our reli­gious King, did continually so blow the sparks, of vertue that Dame Nature had kindled in him, as in small time they gaue forth their vt­most heat, setting on fire, and inflaming the af­fections of all that knew him: Whose bodie, as it was composed of the purest mold that lod­ged in the bosome of Nature, so it was built vp in the stateliest frame and fashion that can bee imagined, wanting nothing that the Heauenly Influences could infuse into it; so that indeed he seemeth the Master-peece of Nature, as if she had aimed at a reach aboue herselfe, and when [Page 19]she produced him, intended to frame and com­pose an Angell.

Moreouer, seeing it is not fitting, that a poore man of meane estate should inhabit the Court of a King; for so the roomes might bee ruined for want of imployment, and it would seeme like a painted Sepulcher, God put in an Inhabitant, answerable to that statelinesse of the building, and rarenesse of the edifice; and lest it might seem to be nothing but wals with­out furniture, God put such a soule into it, so adorned and beautified with all perfect graces, and gracious perfections, that the one might bee correspondent to the other, in eminencie and dignitie, whose minde is of sufficient power to informe each part and organ of his bodie; so his bodie is able to performe whatsoeuer no­ble action his minde shall incite and moue him to it, being both of abilitie and agilitie, to put in execution the Soules directions. Hee which hath a weake bodie and strong minde, which pricks him forward to valiant actions, is like a woman, which hath not strength to be deliue­red of that which shee hath conceiued: But on the contrarie, corporall strength without men­tall courage, is as a seruant which wants a ma­ster [Page 20]to set him on worke: But our noble Prince hath both stoutnesse of stomach and strength of bodie to put in execution euerie valiant en­terprise his minde pricks him forward to, so that no man which sucketh in this vitall aire, is able to performe any warlike action, either on horse or on foot more strongly, or deliuer that strength more nimbly, or become that deliuerie more gracefully, than our hopefull valiant Prince. His stature of bodie is neither a Giant or a Pigmie, but placed in the golden in cane, to each eyes censure He seemeth an obiect of plea­sure. In a word, each particle of euerie part of his bodie, is so voyd of deformitie, and so full of the best workmanship of Nature, that Hee may seeme a Prince of all, as well for his beauty as his birth: And had he nothing but a body, it were sufficient to command the best mans approbation and affection; for his countenance is an Epitome of Ethicks, in which Modestie and Maiestie doe fight for superioritie, and Mars and Venus to bee in contention for the higher places, yet striuing in such fashion, as nei­ther of them, or their Dominions, are dimini­shed, but inlarged by these their warres: But if you make a further search, &c leauing his counte­nance, [Page 21]looke into his [...], you shall finde the former, compared to this, to be but as an Index of a great Volome of Vertue, in the which Center they all rest in their highest perfection: and howsoever in most men hu­militie doth sildo me accompanie honour, and lowlinesse of minde highnesse of estate; [...] in Him it is farre other way to: for though He be aduanced to the highest pitch of honour, yet He scorneth to scorne any thing but [...], or to disdaine ought but basenesse▪

Moreouer, it is alwayed his [...], rather to comfort than to contemne the poore; and as He is full of humilitie, for He is void of pride, aspiring to nothing but goodnesse: and lest that He, being a Prince to so many, should be a slaue to Himselfe, He continually subdues his passions, and gets the conquest of them, Hee knowes that anger is a short madnesse, & mad­nesse a long anger; and therefore Hee resolues to lodge no furie in his bosome, and is neuer sicke of this frenzie, onely indeed Hee may be somtimes transported with a god by zeale, whin either Hee seem his Countrey iniured, or his God dishonoured▪ for Hee accounted [...] his chiefe [...] [Page 22]and reuerence the other. It is a rare thing to see a Prince that hath all store of delicates (for wee are readie to rot our selues with ryot, being put into a delightsome great pasture of plentie) not subiect to surfets: but He doth neuer drinke, but to allay the heat and thirst of Nature; nor eate, but to satisfie and mortifie hunger; from which temperancie of diet, his matchlesse spot­lesse chastitie hath birth: For, whereas that man which is superfluous in his diet, is lasciui­ous in his thought, because Vncleannesse is al­waies the childe of Ryot; Hee therefore, that He might not be stained with the one, abstains from the other, to the end that his Heart (which is Gods Temple) might not be made a Den of theeues; for when the Body fasteth the Soule feasteth, and the earthly members being morti­fied, the faculties of the Soule doe grow more liuely and powerfull.

Thus being Master of his owne lusts, Hee scornes to be a seruant to his substance; but at his pleasure can part from it, and turne it out of his seruice, yet neuer but vpon a iust occasion; for that were to haue too little and light respect of his seruant, being a meere prodigalitie; but when Hee seeth it requisite, for the reward of [Page 23]Vertue, or the maintenance of Honour, to part from it, the Sunne is not more liberall of his light at high noone-day, than He of his meanes: for Hee loues not money like your couetous man (whose eyes are out, and he can neuer see when he hath sufficient, who like a Danaïdum dolium is neuer fill'd or satisfied,) but onely for necessitie, like a wife Mariner prouiding in a calme against the comming of a storme, and in the sunne-shine of peace, preparing to welcome the turbulent tempestuous time of warre. And for his wisdome (as who should say, it were likely Hee should bee in nothing vnlike to his father) He outrunneth his age, and leaueth all those of his yeeres behinde Him in knowledge; for Hee sitteth in counsell like a sage Senatour, and a Law-making Lycurgus, that it seemeth a wonder (but wonders are no wonders in a wondrous subiect) how in the blossome of his yeeres He should haue such ripenesse and matu­ritie of Iudgement, and in his greene youth bee such a graue Counsellour: For did not his Gra­cious Highnesse, in the last Parliament, not only in appearance, but in truth, so well prouide for the safetie and securitie, both of his Friends and Countrey, that Hee was generally applauded [Page 24]both of Counsellours and Commons, as being the most wise and watchfull Prince, for the welfare of his people: First, shewing his ardent zeale to Gods Glorie and Religion, to make wholsome salutiferous Lawes, for the suppres­sing of the Sowers of Sedition, and the Inter­minglers of the tares of their owne inuentions, amongst the pure graine of Gods Word. And thus hauing exprest his loue to God (aboue all vnder God) He prouides for his Peoples prospe­ritie, enacts Lawes, as Antidotes against former exactions, so customarily and vnconscionably practised in this our Common-wealth; as if He were soly and wholly happie in making his people fortunate, and in easing them of the hea­uie burthens of oppression imposed vpon them, bound vpon their backs, and laid vpon their shoulders. And indeed there neuer was Prince in Christendome, more commended by mor­tall men in speeches, or commended to the im­mortall God in prayers, than is our mightie in­uict Prince; whose worth is such, that if I should liue to the age of Nestor, and in the whole course of my life doe nought but praise Him; praise Him in nothing but that which He is worthie of: vtter his worth compendiously, [Page 25]yet my pen would still bee a debter to his de­serts; for He is not like the vulgar sort (as the vulgar Prouerbe tels vs) Constant in nothing but inconstancie; but his minde once fixed on a worthie obiect, is like a Starre which moueth not out of her orbe; but is euer the same in her motion. The little shrubs are shaken with eue­ric little puffe of winde, but the stately Cedar, which is firmely rooted and fastned in the ground, as it is more noble, so it is more stable. Many Feathers and Weather-cocks in our daies, who are not resolute in any determinations, or determinate in any resolution, doe in an instant loathe that which they haue loued: but our Prince, as He doth not lightly settle affection, so He will not easily remoue it; for He deemes the one a defect of wisdome, the other an ex­cesse of wauering, and an ouer-plus of incon­stancie.

Therefore, Hee being alwayes balanced and counterpoysed with due premeditation in affe­cting, cannot be induced in an instant to relin­quish and distaste that which Hee affecteth. Then hath not France great reason and cause of ioy and exultation, who hath found out such a Mate for their incomparable Princesse? [Page 26]who is one which hath stoutnesse and courage of minde, ioyned to the strength of his bodie, wisdome accompanying his valour, vertue his soule; who is a Prince as well in worth as birth, excelling in bountie and beautie, and in all his actions obseruing the golden meane; who is constant in his loue, firme in his resolu­tions, whose worth few can conceiue, no man vtter, all men may admire; the descent of whose bloud doth ennoble his birth, the excellencie of whose birth doth enthronize and dignifie his vertues; whose vertues (as I may so say) doe almost Deifie his Soule; the inestimable price of whose Soule doth adorne his bodie, by in­habiting in it; the rare temper of whose bodie doth blesse his soule, by being the Mansion-place of it. And thus Hee which hath all ver­tues, is to be all Hers, and that Princesse to bee blest with the admirable constitution of his bodie, and the incomparable condition of his minde. Had his body been of vnequall vnpro­portionable mixture by the elements, the soule might haue loathed such a muddie building, & would soone haue forsaken her habitation; or hath the minde beene corrupt and filthie, it would soone haue ruinated the rare bodie, in [Page 27]regard it would haue employed it to such ryo­tous ruinous courses, as it would soone haue produced her ouerthrow, and demolisht this mortall Edifice of Nature; by which meanes and likelyhood, the shortnesse of the Princes life, might haue made an abridgement of her happinesse, and haue cut short the continuance of her ioyes; but Nature hath so tempered and framed Him, of such an equall proportion of heat and moysture, that the excessiue heat of the one doth not threaten a Combustion, nor the abundance of the other a Deluge: but for his complexion Hee may bee another Methuselah, and She most superlatiue of her Sex in all felici­tie, in the possession of so louing a Husband, so long a time, as He is like to inioy this vital tran­sitorie vncertaine breath. Had He beene like a Rose, or a Flower De-luce, which though they bee faire things, yet they are of short continu­ance: (for the one is no sooner blowne, but it sheddeth; & the other fadeth in the bud) her ioy might haue found sorrow in the fear of the losse of her Ioy; but He alreadie is growne to ripe­nesse, and we hope (as may be coniectured, both by the temper of his bodie, & temperance of his minde) is not onely pleasing to the eye, but is [Page 28]also likely to be a lasting fruit. It is the office of an husband to liue with his wife as a man of knowledge, and what Prince wiser than his Highnesse, who squares out all his actions ac­cording to the Rule of Gods Word? who is so verst in each verse of Scripture, so well read in Diuinitie, as Hee is not onely a Prince to com­mand, but (for his learning) might be a Priest to enstruct his people. Feare not then (oh re­nowned France) but He hath taken your Prin­cesse by the hand, not onely to leade Her to all happinesse on earth, but to bring Her felicitie; For what aduise can She (who is so well vnder­standing the dutie of a royall louing Spouse) re­fuse, which distilleth like Nectar from his lips? Or what counsell shall proceed from Him, but that which tendeth to the welfare of her bodie, & the sauing of her soule & body hereafter? Oh no, neuer was Princesse blest with a more holy, happie, heauenly Head, than She, in being vni­ted to his Highnesse; who, as Hee hath know­ledge, so He hath loue to direct Her to an hap­pie end. Had his heart beene the harbourer of loue onely without knowledge, it had beene but as a blinde Guide; and knowledge, with­out loue to put it in practife, had been but as a [Page 29]fruitlesse plant, or power without a will; but our mighty Prince, as He hath no small measure of wisdome, so He hath an infinite abundance of affection, affection so great, as indeed Hee is nothing but loue, loue to his God, loue to his Princesse, loue to his people; all of which are in Him so exceeding, that none of any of those three particulars can be in any one person more eminent, than they bee ioyntly found in Him: For He loueth God aboue Himselfe, Hee loueth Her as Himselfe, because She is halfe Himselfe, and He loueth his People almost as Hee loueth Her. He loueth God, because Hee is maried to Him mystically; He loueth Her, as being knit vnto Him in mariage really; Hee loueth his People, as being wedded vnto them representa­tiuely indeed; He is so much loue, as none that liues but loues Him.

The Lord of Heauen hath manifested his loue to Him in his mercie; for when Hee vn­dertooke that dangerous voyage out of his Countrey, Great Brittaine, into Spaine, dange­rous in the iourney, dangerous in the end of it indeed, nothing but danger, both for his pas­sage thither, his arriuall there, his departure from thence, being full of feare, and composed [Page 30]of nothing but danger; for the waues, being proud of such a Burthen, did swell with ambi­tion, and the surges soared aboue the ship, as if the sea had longed to haue her wombe the Tombe of such a Worthie, and had intended to haue erected her honour vpon his ruine.

But God, to whom the windes and the seas obey, did still the rage of Neptune, and closed vp the mouth of Aeolus, in so much, as his peo­ple were all made fortunate in his happie re­turne, reioycing that they had Him any waies, but more ioyous that they had Him single; but now most exulting that He is vnited, by the sa­cred bond of wedlocke, to your Princesse of France, and wee by that meanes conioyned to you. Thus hath the Lord, to the comfort of all well-disposed people, deliuered our best affe­cted Prince, and in bringing Him from Spaine, hath brought Him to France, that howsoeuer his loue began in the other, yet it might end in this; in which Hee hath giuen most infinite content vnto his Kingdomes, who distasted the likelyhood of the former, as much as they ap­plaud the certaintie of this new Contract.

Surely, God hath manifested his infinite loue and respect to our noble Prince, in so infi­nitely [Page 31]blessing his proper Selfe in Himselfe, and his people in Him, in respect of his deliuerance. Yea, God and man, your Highnesse and all the world, may see the happinesse we conceiue of this Mariage, and hope for from this Contract: And what was the efficient cause of this? but the loue of God to his Highnesse, thus worthily disposed to the content and happinesse of his people.

Here was the loue of God manifestly and miraculously exprest to Him and all this Nati­on, in this one particular: but if I should pro­ceed to make a whole discourse of Gods mer­cies as well towards his Bodie as his Soule, my taske would be as infinite as his blessings. But to leaue our mightie Prince, whose actions doe more commend Himselfe, let France but as no­bly conceiue of our Nobles as they deserue, and they shall finde a most ineffable cause of most vnspeakable Ioy in this Confederation; for their brests are the lodges of loyaltie. For in­deed, howsoeuer some of our naturall Coun­try men haue lifted vp vnnaturally their hands against their Leige & Soueraigne, neuerthelesse it was their religion, not their disposition, which moued them to it. And how long time, [Page 32]hath our King rested free from danger, begot and nurst vp by his Nobles? No, such, I dare say, is (or at least ought to bee) their loue to their gracious King, that they deeme it more li­bertie to be his Seruant, than anies Soueraigne. For whereas generally great Kings weare Crownes like our Sauiours, made of thornes, composed of cares, which makes their eyes as Sentinels, to watch continually, lest treason should surprize and ouerthrow; and feares en­ioyne the minde to keepe diligent watch, lest treason should euert both Person and people: their pettie Crownes are crowned with con­tentment, they are not affrighted with danger, neither doth feare make their night of rest, a day of trauell vnto them; and all by their meanes, who like a stately Cedar to the adioyning trees, shelters them from tempests, and drops downe the honie of peace vpon them. This labour on his part begets the childe of loue in them, and they deeme no iniurie so great, nor apprehend any wrong so grieuous, as that which is done to their Prince: neither doe they coniecture any greater indignitie can bee done to them, than when He is not dignified; they count that glorie lest which doth not redound to Him, [Page 33]and that honour to be as nothing, with which He is not graced; and therefore like so many pil­lars, they doe support Him vpon the shoulders of their obedience, who is their Roofe, their Couer & Protector. To the grauer sort of the which Nobilitie, our King stands as a Patterne for them to imitate, in soundnesse of iudge­ment, depth of learning, and other vertues: and to the younger, our Prince serues as a Tutor, to teach them, and instruct them what way leadeth to the perfection of honour and true glorie; and indeed none can bee more willing to set them an example, than He; and none more desirous to follow such a Leader, than they; they being proud in such a Patterne, and Hee ioyfull in them.

Oh who can measure the happinesse of that Kingdome, where the Prince is so accomplisht in the parts of his bodie and endowments of minde? in whose actions all his followers may reade whole Lectures of Ethicks and Mo­ralitie; And thrice fortunate is that Prince, all whose Nobles striue to be his pictures, and eue­rie one desireth and striueth to haue neerest re­semblance, and to be drawne to the life, accor­ding to his pourtraicture: each of them reioy­ceth [Page 34]to be the shadow of such a substance, and to bee like the creature which is is so like the Creator.

Here is no treason plotted, no insurrections made by them, but all those which doe truely feare & loue God, doe truly feare & loue their Soueraigne. Haply indeed, afore they were ac­quainted with his vertues, and the light of his royall worth shined amongst them, they might attempt some thing vnworthie of themselues, nay base in the highest degree, as to be the death of Him which gaue life to so many, and with the pulling downe of the Primus Motor, ruine all the inferiour orbes of our Kingdome; but when they saw that his vertues made God his Friend, it was in vaine for them to bee his ene­mies; for all their treacherous attempts were but as sowing the shoare, or washing a Black­moore, labour in vaine.

It is folly for Balaam to curse Israel, when God blesseth him; and for them to ruine, when God preserueth; in so much, as now his go­uernment pleaseth the Romish Catholiques, whom formerly their palates distasted; and all our Nobles (if their bad consciences doe not in­fringe that title) doe honour Him, and beare a [Page 35]most affectionate respect to all his Posteritie, especially our royall Prince, whom all our No­bles labour in all their actions to please and imitate.

Oh blessed Kingdome, where the Nobilitie doth so affect the Prince, and the Prince doth so much respect the Nobilite, and both of them are in loue with vertue; where the Peeres are so peerelesse in their courtesie, loue to their King­dome, and loyaltie to their King; who are ne­uer more happie, than when they vndertake some enterprise for the happinesse of both; who are not seruants to seruile feare, but Master-pee­ces of valour; so that they are as much feared abroad, as fauoured and honoured at home: and how can they want honour, so long as our King and Prince, to whom true honour is due, honour them? Or haply, if they should (as they neuer doe) neglect to respect them, yet then owne vertues would, in silence, speake them worthie; who are so wisely valiant, that they will not refuse to hazard their liues, for the safe­tie of their Countrey; their estate, for the pre­seruation of a limbe; nor the cutting off of a limbe, for the welfare of the whole bodie, who, though they can actiuely suffer prines, to pre­uent [Page 36]other dangers which would passiuely fall vpon them, yet they will not submit them­selues to any base kinde of miserie. No surely, they know valour is vertue, and vertue hath euer more her limits: and therefore, as the Ea­gle preyeth not vpon flies, so they which are nobly bred, and haue their great birth seconded with good education, scorne to aime at at­chieuements of small import; but shoot at high marks of great consequence. Some of them valiantly defend the walls (as I may so terme them) of their Countrey, lest their ene­mies too neere approach, might make their Countrey too neere a ruine. Others, like Her­cules, doe not sticke to forsake their natiue soile; their wiues, their children, their lands and their possessions, to seeke for honour in a foraigne Countrey, and restore the wronged to their right; to reuenge a Prince, great in his vertues, though meane in his fortunes, his fortunes not so meane by birth, but by oppression; oppres­sion of a Tyrant vsurping his Dominions; Do­minions, the which I cannot name, nay not so much as thinke on, but it forceth brinish teares, forced and banisht from a grieued heart, to see Religion so defaced, a Countrey so dispeopled, [Page 37]the people so massacred and murdred. Then on, braue Brittaines Heroes, runne in your in­tended course, and being prickt on with va­lour, continue vntill you come to your iour­nies end; that so future ages may erect Tro­phees to the eternall memories of your famous names, that children yet vnborne may say; These were the Worthies, by whose meanes a desolate Countrey was repeopled, a wronged Prince releeued, an oppressing Tyrant discom­fited. Consider, oh yee truly ennobled, the cause of the war, the iustnesse of the cause, the vertue of the Prince, the rare perfections of his Spouse, the hopefulnesse of their Issue, the neere affinitie they haue with your Soueraigne, being deriued and propagated from his loines; the consanguinitie with your Prince: and surely, these motiues cannot chuse but inflame you with courage, and accend your furie to make you fight valiantly, and conquer victoriously, the enemies of him, who is a fauourer and fol­lower of your true religion, a Sonne to your Soueraigne, a Brother to your Prince, a friend to you all.

But alasse, what a needlesse thing it is to cast a drop into the Ocean? or to adde a sparke [Page 38]to the fierie region? My words are but as wind, to blow the fire which is sufficiently kindled; for I, and all this Realme and Dominion with me, are verily and really perswaded, that your valour is at so high a pitch, it cannot bee raised higher; such be our Nobles, and therefore fit obiects for such a Princesse, who thogh her sex will not permit her to be an actor, yet her no­ble minde doth incite her: and no doubt shee cannot chuse but delight to see her Court com­posed of nothing but such vndaunted and cou­ragious Captaines, who though they bee most affable & courteous in Court, yet they are most terrible & couragious in combat. I doubt not, but it is a delectable spectacle to see your braue Martiallists, as Caesar, Pompey, Alexander, and such like, though painted, & that not vnto the life; for time hath wasted and worne out the true pictures of them. But in these your Nobles, most illustrious Princesse, you may see them all liuing: for if vertue can make one like, there is none suruiuing hath a neerer resemblance to them, than your noble Seruants, and obseruant Nobles haue of them. Is it the care of their Countrey, which wee should make the subiect of our comparison? the Publique good hath [Page 39]beene respected of them, more than their pri­uate commoditie; They know they are not borne to themselues onely, but to the benefit of the place in w ^ch they haue had birth and being. This is their resolution in generall, but giue me leaue: As the whole Kingdom is bound by du­tie and gratitude, to nominate some particulars, as he, who is the Fauourite of God, his King, Prince, and Countrey, the Duke of Bucking­ham, who is not so stiled vnworthily, for hee doth truely deserue it: Hath he not beene loy­all to our Soueraigne? And wheras other sub­iects, which haue beene (though neuer thus) aduanced, haue sought to flie too high vpon the waxen wings of ambition, higher than either modestie or his Maiestie permitted; hee neuer rose higher than it pleased the King to lift him: so that he hath gained more honour by his ho­nestie and vertue, than the King could giue him by his meanes; for goods may bee giuen by an earthly Soueraigne, but grace is an effect of a higher power, comming immediately from God; the King might preferre him, but it was God onely could make him humble in his performances, the which hee hath alwaies beene, shewing no lesse loyall affection to the [Page 40]King, than louing affection to his kinred. But looke into his loue which hee beareth to our Prince, and you shall finde him to be as a faith­full Ionathan vnto our righteous Dauid; in all his trauell and troubles, how constantly did he attend on Him, being almost as inseparable an Adiunct to his Highnesse, as heat to the fire, or light to the Sunne? being as Ruth to Nahomi, readie to goe whither soeuer He went. Neither did his person onely, but his care accompanie Him, watching continually lest any treason might bee plotted against Him, lest any trap might be laid to ensnare Him, lest any subtill Serpents (as those hot Countries are full of them) might sting Him. It was hee that tooke the least disgrace done vnto the Prince, more heauily and hainously, than the greatest indig­nitie could be offered vnto himselfe. It was he which discerned all the politique proceedings of Spaine; and it is hee (vnder God) to whom wee owe eternall gratitude, for the welfare of this our Kingdome, and the people are perpe­tually bound for this their prosperitie: and I doubt not, but those, who are not like Swine, (which eate the acornes vnder the tree, but ne­uer looke vp to the tree from whence they fall) [Page 41]doe most worthily acknowledge, and heartily affect that most Illustrious Duke, for his tender and zealous loue, both of his Princes safetie, and Countries good.

Truth it selfe speaketh it, and therefore who but the enemies of Truth can oppose it? that promotion neither commeth from the East, nor the West, but onely from the Lord. More­ouer, the hearts of Kings are in the hands of God, to turne them at his pleasure: and it is as farre from doubt, as Heauen from Hell, that in­deed our King hath honoured you, but it was by Gods appointment; He hath preferred you, but it was by Gods directions, and God dire­cted Him to aduance you, that you might be­nefit this Countrey, in being an Instrument, to finde out the intendments of Spaine, as also to further this blessed Contract with France; and I dare say, or (if my word may not be taken) I can produce millions of witnesses, to testifie and depose, that the gaping earth, after a long parching drought, did neuer more acceptably entertaine a liuely showre, than the Brittish Na­tion this Vnion. Neither was euer the dew of Hermon, distilling vpon the Hill of Sion, more welcome to it, than this happie and hopefull [Page 42]Coniunction to vs. Neither let me omit to ren­der, in the behalfe of our Countrey-men, all possible thanks to my Noble Lord of Donca­ster, who hath so well and worthily behaued, and carried himselfe, in the effecting of this blessed Confederation, as in making this Match, and effecting this Contract, hee hath robbed multitudes of their soules, and won the hearts of all the people; for should hee liue neuer so long, and all his life time studie, and euer studie effectually, and all his studies should be wholly to benefit his Countrey, hee could neuer haue excogitated a meanes more likely, to bring whole showres of all kinde of Blessings vpon these Kingdomes, than this, whereby England is ioyned to France, and France to England; the most fertile Countries of the world are ioyned together, with the kisses of peace and amitie. To you therfore, most Noble Lord, as the Con­duit by which meanes God hath conueyed this happines, we present our well wishes. For who is it, but you, most Honoured Lord, to whom we are more indebted, than to your care, for the finishing of this Vnion? It was the eyes of your Indgement, which foresaw what prosperitie it would bring to the Prince, and what happi­nesse [Page 43]it would bring to England, to haue (her Lyons adorned with Frances Lillies, and the Flower-Deluce and the Rose bound vp, and conioyned. What bed so sweet, as that which is composed of Lillies and Roses? What kisses more delightfull, than when they are linked to­gether? And what Contract could haue been more consolatorie, than this of France and Eng­land? To you therfore, Great Britaine sendeth the best of her wishes, to attend you, and most powerfull prayers to guard you, and preserue you from all perils, that you may liue to doe God glorie, and your Countrey good, in perfor­ming many profitable offices vnto it.

Here then, if it please France and this most Royall Ladie, to take but a suruey of the in­comparable excellencie of the Peeres and No­bles, by whom She shall bee attended in Great Btittaine, Shee shall happily, and to her great comfort and content, vnderstand, that She shall shine like Phoebe in this our Orbe, enuironed round about with these glorious starres and resplendent lights, the Nobles of our King­dome.

But to the end they may conceiue and con­sider of their happinesse, Capape (as I may so [Page 44]say) and weigh but the worth of our Com­mons and vulgar sort of people, in this our Iland, it will soone, appeare, that euen in the lowest sort of people, they shall finde highest degrees of happinesse: First, in regard of the mutuall affection which is likely to be between Her and our Nation, whether it bee for ne [...] ­nesse of bloud, or aequiparancie of conditions.

Moses, when he saw the two Iewes at dissen­tion one with another, hee could excogitate no meanes more forcible to moue them to recon­cilement, than reducing their affinitie to their remembrance, telling them they were bre­then: then surely, ought there not to be great affection betweene the two famous Nations of the Brittish and the French, since there is so much affinitie? Yes surely; and to the end that there may bee (as there ought to bee) eternall concord, let vs remember we are brethren, and of the same bloud.

For there be verie few in England, who ei­ther directly from their Fathers and Progeni­tours, or indirectly by some contract, haue not some of the French bloud lodged in their bo­somes. And if we examine the dispositions of either Nation, wee shall finde them not like [Page 45] Iacob and Esau, or Caine and Abel, of opposite qualities; but wee shall see an absolute agree­ment betweene them, in their vertuous incli­nation and conditions.

Doe we seeke for valour? who of more per­fect prowesse, than the French and the English? Who haue been so often Combatants and Con­querours, both for their Countrey and consci­ence, as France and England?

The French are true-hearted, neuer carrying two faces vnder one hood; but deeming it ra­ther cowardice, than true valour, to ouercome by deceit and policie, for the most part carrying their hearts at their tongues-end; and though they speake not euerie thing which they know, yet they speake nothing with their tongues, but that which they thinke in their hearts.

Our English are not deceitfull and hypocri­ticall, cooling their pottage and warming their hands with the same breath; but their speeches are the mirrours of their mindes, in which you may see their intentions, and by their words you may attaine to the science of their con­science.

The French are vpright and iust, deeming it the losse of their worth not to keep their word, [Page 46]and the most base seruility not to be their words Masters, scorning fraud and truce-breaking, not seeking to rush vpon another mans posses­sions, or to encroach vpon others Dominions.

The English are performers of that which they promise, prouing the truth of their words by the triall of their deeds, accounting it a deep wound to their reputation, not to performe their promises; and that the lie deserues (more than is in the Prouerbe) not onely a stab, but damnation; they are content with that which the Lord hath allotted to them, and doe not so much seeke to offend their neighbours, as to defend themselues.

In a word: Are the French affable, sober, wise, modest, temperate, pious, prudent, coura­gious, constant, magnanimous, mercifull, iust? The English doe answer them in all these wor­thie qualities, and are full of courtesie in their carriage, of sobrietie in their countenances, of modestie in their behauiours, of temperance in their diets, of pietie in their religion, of pru­dence in their practises, of courage in their combats and controuersies, of constancie and stayednesse in their affections, of magnanimi­tie in their enterprises, of mercie in pardoning [Page 47]those offences which may possibly be forgiuen, and of Iustice in punishing those offences, which may not be permitted.

Therefore of a certaintie, no earthly blessing is able to counteruaile your happinesse, whose Princesse is combined and conioyned with our Prince; whose people is so worthie, that Hee doth not seeme like a Royall Golden Pillar built vpon a Base of Lead, but a worthie Prince set ouer a worthie people. Happie therefore is France in her companie, happie the Princesse in her command: They extraordinarily fortunate, that they shall haue commerce with a Nation, who will not be to them as a strange people, of a differing disposition; but will bee of a corre­spondencie of condition with them: and hap­pie She, that shall haue such subiects, so wise, so worthie, so iust, so honest, that Shee may well thinke this her Kingdome, to be a little Heauen, in which She sits as Queene, and her Subiects as so many Saints.

Neither doe the sweet-pleasing streames of ioy and solace, flow onely to France from this fountaine; but as the stomacke, though it bee the proper resident place and receptacle of the meat, yet doth not only feed and satisfie it selfe; [Page 48]but likewise doth nourish and content all the parts about it; so this blessed Vnion, and sweet Coniunction, doth not onely benefit the par­ticular Countries, betweene whom it is made; but doth likewise reioyce the neighboring Na­tions, and the rest of the League & Confedera­cie. Cast but an eye vpon Venice, and there, euen of one halfe blinde, may bee discerned, how all in generall applaud and laud it, infinite­ly reioycing, that their Friends and Confede­rates should be so fortunate; that England and France should bee so ioyned together, in the knot of true loue and amitie. From this Con­tractariseth a hope of the vanquishing of their foes, and that by this meanes a happie successe shall accompany all their iust enterprises against their enemies: also, being mounted vpon the wings of glorie, they shall bee seated vpon the necks of their subdued aduersaries; and that such conquests shall follow this Contract, and such victories these Nuptialls, and the poste­rities of men now liuing, and succeeding ages, shall see and say, It was the mariage of the mightie Prince Charles, and the Ladie Henrette Maria, which were the Parents and Producers of Religions comfort, of the restoring of the [Page 49]wronged to their right; for God, or the verie day, in which Hymens Rites were solemnized betweene Them, did matchall good people to happinesse, crowned Them with victorie, to the consolation of all true Christian Princes, friends to equitie, enemies of ambition, fauourers and followers of vertue.

But if our intelligence trauell a little lower, and you make recourse into the Low-Coun­tries, no tongue is able to vtter what they con­ceiue, nor any pen almost to write the ioyous speeches they vtter, for the confirmation of this Contract, than which nothing could haue been more desired, no newes better accepted: And whereas the speeches of the former Match did seeme vnto them as hideous as Hell, and as ter­rible as Thunder, this is a lightning vnto their hearts; for now in stead of feares, they haue friends on all sides, Allies and Confederates, which are of will and power to assist them, and to make resistance against their enemies. The former Match did seeme vnto them as a storme of warre, threatning to demolish the Architect of their welfare; this, as a Calme of peace, pro­mising securitie to their prosperitie. Oh happie Brittaine! in such a blessed Prince, who is by so [Page 50]much more fortunate, by how much more He is a meanes to make others happie; and from whom can more happinesse bee deriued, than from our Prince? who cloathes so many King­domes at his Mariage-day, in robes of comfort, and giues to so many Common-wealths such great fauours, as neuer did any Potentate in for­mer, nor is likely to doe in following time: who hath lifted out of the mire of miserie, so many drooping hearts and discontented soules. Indeed, neuer was Mariage more hopefull than this of these two most hopefull Princes, by the coniunction of which two propitious Planets, in this our firmament of Christendom, it presa­geth the sweet distillation of the drops of hap­pinesse, vpon so many, especially the Low-Countries, whose Inhabitants are filled with heaped measure of mirth, for this consolatorie, most ioyfull, and happie Coniunction. The fa­mous Prince of Orange, Graue as well naturally as nominally, as well really as titularly, who is not onely graue and to bee honoured for his yeeres, but graue and to be imitated for his ver­tues, being not onely adorned with the graui­tie of his head, but with the grace of his heart, doth heartily praise the God of Heauen, by [Page 51]whom all marriages, especially of Princes, bee made, for constituting and appointing this Contract, and crossing that which was preten­ded with Spaine; For that had laid his brest open to his enemies, it had beene a way which had led to the wasting of his Countrey; had it proceeded, he might haue saluted it, and said, as Ahab spoke to Eliah, Hast thou found me, ob mine enemie? But hee may welcome this with the speech of Dauid to Ahiah, He is a good man, and bringeth glad tydings. Neither can it minister any small ioy to the most illustrious, Sonne of our most gracious Soueraigne, the King of Bo­hemia, who hath along time beene rackt vpon the racke of hard misfortunes, and endured the grimme looks of aduersitie; but now he hopes safely to saile in the Ocean of pleasure, and to see the smiling countenance of Ioy and Solace. He doubteth not, but now his noble affectio­nate Father, is not onely powerfull in his owne proper forces, but strong in Alliance, with that mightie potent French King, who both of them being so puissant in meanes, men, mo­ney, and munition, so sufficiently stored with wise graue Counsellours to aduise, with young able men to act, and put their counsell in exe­cution; [Page 52]They will ioyne forces to reioyne his detained Diadem to his head, and to restore Him to his Countrey and Dignitie.

This was the day likewise, which the onely Sister of our prosperous mightie Prince, and Daughter of the Imperiall Maiestie of our mightie Soueraigne, so long looked for, and so much longed for, in which Shee might haue a Sister by mariage, though not by birth, with whom She might make a mutuall exchange of intire affection, that She might finde one true friend, that might bee her Sister, both in deed and vertue; that hauing found one so neere Herselfe, so like Herselfe, her ioy might euen almost exceed Herselfe; and who more fit to be Sisters, than those who are so concording in vertuous conditions; the least of whose rare exquisite perfections cannot bee imitated by any, but by one another; for who so modest, so bountifull, so beautifull, so chaste, so con­stant, so wise, and euerie waies so worthie, as Elizabeth, but Henrette Maria? all that they differ is in that which notwithstanding in ei­ther of Them is a vertue; for the one is a chaste Matron, the other a pure Virgin; the one the Mother, as well of many children, as of many [Page 53]holy deeds; the other, the mother onely of vertuous actions. The Almightie of his mer­cie grant, that as Shee is her perfect Patterne in the one, so Shee may truely resemble Her, that so Shee may bee the happie Mother of many children, and Hee the fortunate Fa­ther and Progenitour of many Princes, that Shee being like a fruitfull Vine vpon the wall-side, his children may bee like Oliue Branches round about his table; and that in his Posteritie, not onely his Highnesse, but all the world may bee happie; so also the Pfaltz-graues Princely Babes and hopefull Issue re­ioyce, in regard all their Friends are not likely to decease with their Parents, but that from their mightie Vncle Prince Charles his loynes, shall spring such Princely Sprigs, who will take their parts against all those, which with an enuious eye and a malicious minde behold their persons. For euer therefore let this Contract bee chroni­cled in the Register of Fame, which hath thus imposed an Epilogue to the dolefull Tragedie, so passionately acted in the bosomes of the Royll King and Queene of Bohemia, and hath begun a Prologue to a ioyfull Comedie, the be­ginning of which shall bee warre and bloudie [Page 54]dissention, but the last act containeth the peace of the Church, the releefe of the oppressed, the ruine of Antichrist, and the aduancement of Christian Religion.

Thus from these two most excellent Princes, spring tides of happinesse, ouerflowing many Countries; and good fortune, of which they are the Authours, crownes many forraigne Na­tions, but most especially this our Iland, and all his Maiesties of Great Brittaines Domi­nions.

For if wee shall but behold France with the eye of mature iudgement, wee shall finde it sto­red with all kinde of commodities fit for com­merce and traffique, being (as it were) Gods garden, in which Hee had planted all his bles­sings and benefits; for what rare blessing is it not richly furnished with? as corne, cattell, fish, fowle, and all manner of fruit, either plea­sing to the eye, or delightfull to the taste? whose soyle is cloathed in a greene mantle, dec­ked and adorned with all kinde of various, de­lectable, sense-delighting, odoriferous flowers. Indeed no Kingdomes soyle hath more beautie and bountie than France, no Countrey better situated, more abounding with excellent wits, [Page 55]both in the time of warre and peace, than France: there is no Kingdome established with godlier Lawes, no Monarchie more mightie, of authoritie more absolute Soueraigne, being a Kingdome so well fortified with power, and so well qualified with pietie: Indeed, neuer was the foundation of any Empire laid with more wisdome; and being built, vpheld, and the ruines repaired with more discretion than France. Doe you inquire after the greatnesse of her Prouinces? They are like so many King­domes, yet all vnited in one Neuer were there any Soueraignes of any Kingdomes, which haue more constantly laboured for the propa­gation of the Gospell, and the planting of Reli­gion, than the French Kings, who haue made cleane the floore of Christen dome, swept away so much filthinesse, and diuerted that great De­luge of Infidels, which threatned shipwracke to the French Nation; from whence they haue their deserued titles of most Christian Kings. What worthie men, yea and most excellent Kings, hath France produced? of whom wee may truely report, that they were most valiant in warre, most wise in counsell, carrying them­selues not insultingly in their prosperitie, nor [Page 56]yet deiectedly in their aduersitie; but being al­most conquered in shew, they became Con­querours in effect; and when they were most in despaire, yet neuer despaired of the Common­weale; who, as they manifested great loue to their subiects, so their subiects expressed great loue and affection to them.

Doe you search who were the Ancestours of the French, and inquire after the originall of that Nation, you shall finde them neither in the ruines and ashes of Troy, neither in the Fens of Moolides, but were principally descended from them in Germany, a Nation mighty in strength and valour, who by defending themselues, and succouring others, came to be a people power­full in Armes, who still maintained their liberty with their sword, from whence they were cal­led by the other Germanes Fraunce, which sig­nifies free, or reiecting seruitude and bondage.

And it may bee spoken truely and without flatterie, that neuer Kingdome might better boast of so many worthie Princes as this may; As Pharamond, the first Layer of the Foundati­on of this Monarchie; Clodion his Successour in this building; Meroued the Continuer, and Augmenter of the Edifice; Clouis, whose me­morie [Page 57]is to bee reuerenced of all posteritie, and whose worthie deeds are to bee had in an euer­lasting remembrance, as being the first that ad­ded Christian religion to others conquests, and adorned that rare foundation with the faith of Christ, the primest ornament of any Principa­litie, by which meanes the hearts of the Gaules (who for the most part embraced the Gospell) were as much vnited to him by fauour, as his was to God by faith; who by this meanes ob­tained from them voluntarie obedience, and was made assured possessour of the others vi­ctories, who likewise receiued the name of his new Dominions, and were called by the name of France.

To omit that renowned Prince, Charle­maigne who being inriched with singular gifts, both of bodie and minde, repaired the ruine of the Empire, & was confirmed King of France, and Emperour of Rome, to the great aduance­ment of Religion, and comfort of the Com­mon-wealth; whose issue, although it did not alwaies inherit, either their Fathers valour or his honour; yet God, who though He may al­ter the persons, yet still guardeth and guideth the state of Monarchies, did raise vp a worthie [Page 58]Successour of that Race, to wit, Hugh Capet, a Prince adorned both with wisdome and mo­destie, ioyning wholsome Lawes to his force of armes, and well-gouerned equitie to his autho­ritie, did so ouercast this erected Kingdome with such, both godly and goodly Ordinan­ces, as it withstood the stormes of many mise­rable ages.

And of late yeeres, Henrie the fourth, the prime Prince of the bloud, and first King of the Royall Race of Burbon, a Prince endowed with all gifts and rare qualities, requisite for the restoring of a Kingdoms sicke and languishing estate, to the former health and happinesse: who succeeding Henrie the third, the last of the Royall Race of Valois, who was slaine by a Ia­cobine, in the Crowne and Dignitie of a King, found the Kingdome pestered with so many pestilent euils, which was like a bodie surfet­ted and weakned with all kinde of diuersitie of diseases, surcharged with melancholy, and diuers other bad humours, which did so con­tend for predominancie, as it was full of inte­stine broyles and ciuill dissentions, the which being fed with choller of the people, did daily threaten the ouerthrow and destruction of the [Page 59]whole Continent, if God had not in time sent that good Physitian, Henrie the fourth, whose might and mildnesse composed such whol­some medicines and rare remedies, for the reco­uerie of his Kingdomes welfare, that by his va­lour hee encountred his enemies, and reduced his distracted and almost destroyed subiects, to their dutifull obedience; in so much; as his most gracious gouernment was likely to haue brought that Kingdome to a most peaceable and prosperous estate, if a cursed cruell murthe­rer had not imposed an vntimely end by an vn­fortunate stab to his life, and by consequence to his gouernment, with whose life the present prosperitie of the Kingdome was ended, in re­gard He left none to weild his Scepter, but his Sonne, then Daulphine, now King, Lewis, whose tender yeeres, though they promised much, yet they could performe verie little in the ruling of such a mightie Nation: But God, who is euermore a Father of the fatherlesse, and a Husband to the Widow, became a mightie Protectour of this fatherlesse Countrey, still preseruing it from all perills, guarding the Daulphine from all dangers, till at length, Hee attaining to the ripenesse of yeeres and vertues, [Page 60]was fit to bee the Gouernour of such a King­dome; in so much, as now it may bee truely stiled, The most flourishing and fortunate Common-wealth in Christendome: Then what better or fitter amitie, than betweene Na­tions and People so faithfull, and two Coun­tries so fruitfull, as France and Brittaine? What greater likelyhood can there be of loue, than between men so like in qualities, as the French and English, and two Countries so rich as France and England?

It is an ancient approued Maxime in Philosophie. Simile simili gaudet, The like reioyceth in the like; and it is as receiued an axiom in Mo­ralitie, Amicitia debet esse inter aequales: For if a rich man be in the bond of friendship with a poore man, their loue is not likely to bee of any long continuance; for the want of the one will wearie the good will of the other, and like Pharaohs kine, the leane ones will eat vp the fat.

But when two fertile Kingdome, which are the Palaces of Ceres, and Temples of Bacchus, shall ioyne together, it is not onely likely to bee great for the quantitie, but durable for the time, when as they shall not onely haue the inter­changes [Page 61]of peace, but also of plentie, when as neither of them shall impouerish, but both of them ioyntly enrich each other.

This is the ioy of our most mightie, wise, in­uict Monarch, King Iames, who is as well the father of his Countrey England, as of his Sonne Prince Charles, who cannot chuse but reioyce to see his Countrey so well matched to a King­dome so commodious and profitable. There is no father but desireth and ioyeth to see his daughter wealthily bestowed vpon one of e­quall worth and meanes; then well may his Royall Person reioyce at this Mariage of his Kingdom, which hath found a Mate so power­full, so plentifull, so abounding with all riches, so enriched with all benefits, as France.

Doth He desire peace? it is able in the time of peace to send Him rich commodities out of her store-house. Doth He desire warre? what is wanting there to maintaine it? It is populous for men, powerfull for money, plentifull for prouision; there are men to bee procured for money, money for men, & sustenance to be had for money, that nothing might be wanting, re­quisite for the vpholding, for the beginning or continuance of a iust warre: Then how is [Page 62]England for euer obliged to the Almightie, who hath thus directed our King, thus affected our Prince to chuse and select so blessed a Prin­cesse, in so happie a Countrey, which is the fer­tile Mother of such excellent wits, which is the Continent of such affable, debonaire, and cour­teous people, a rich Fountaine From whence all necessarie benefits flow to neighbouring Nati­ons, which wanteth neither a fat fruitfull soyle to yeeld increase, nor laborious, painfull, indu­strious men to till it, which hath beene the seat of so many mightie, wise, valiant, vnconquered Monarchs.

Oh happie Brittaine! which though thou wert most happie in thy selfe, yet (if it be possi­ble) art more than most happie in such a Sister, which is the Palace of pleasure, & the Mansion-place of delight, which sendeth all rare deli­cates, as gifts vnto thy People; and the rarest Gemme of Nature, the most exquisite Fruit that euer that Countrey could make it selfe or other Countries happie in, The Ladie Henrette Maria, to thy Prince, whose vertues shew them­selues to the life, more to the eyes of all, than the most perfect eloquence is able to declare them to the eares of any; who, in her virginitie, [Page 63]was wedded to Vertue, and is now marched with the most vertuous Prince that euer liued; who for vertue, parentage, education, propor­tion, and portion, stands as a matchlesse Mir­rour to all her sex, and no whit vnworthie of such a Husband.

Consider but her vertues, and you will say, and yet speake nothing but that which you thinke, that Shee is rather an Angell sent from Heauen, for to bee a Miracle and Oracle of her time, for all to admire, than borne of mortall seed, for any to imitate; in whom wisdome sits in her perfection, and all to make Her perfect, whose words are all weighed in the balance of consideration in her minde, afore they be vented by her lips; for Shee knowes words are like time, once past, they cannot be recalled, and howsoeuer the tongue bee an vnruly euill, and that euill most predominant in a woman; yet Shee deeming it most vnworthie to com­mand others, and not to command Her selfe, alwaies premeditating of whom, to whom, where and what She speakes; and as Shee suf­fers not her tongue to be the key of her mindes closet, where silence is a vertue; so Shee will not neglect to let her tongue bee the testament [Page 64]of her minde, where necessitie enforceth Thrice happie Kingdome at this instant, in which there is such a Princesse extant, so fully accomplisht with such rare vertuous qualities: It is She, whose chastitie doth challenge the su­perioritie of all her Ancestours, and stands as a Patterne to future ages, whose heart neuer har­boured the least thought of vncleannesse, whose Iuorie Alablaster Soule hath not beene toucht or tainted with the least impuritie can be imagined; but, from her infancie, hath been the vndefiled Temple of Diana; whose harme­lesse heart hath euermore walked cloathed in a white spotlesse robe of matchlesse innocence, and hath beene hurtfull to none, except it hath beene in being too mercifull; and if She hath done any iniurie, it hath beene in doing good to those which neuer deserued it: Shee is free from the oppression of the fatherlesse, or wron­ging the widow, free from the effusion and pouring out of innocent bloud; her hands were neuer imbrued in the purple die of infants gore. And thus being guarded with the armour of proofe of innocence, She walkes secure, dread­lesse of danger; for neither doe needlesse feares in the time of her watching, surprize Her; nor [Page 65]horrid dreames of danger, in her sleepe, affright Her; for her innocence doth euermore secure Her.

Neither may her patience bee passed ouer in silence, who heiring her Father in his spirit (as if Hee had left Her his good Genius, as part of her Dowrie) is resolute beyond her sex, in bea­ring aduersities; and all afflictions, which time in the whole course of her life hath inflicted vpon Her, haue beene entertained like snow vpon the ground, without any noyse or mur­muring; Religion and Discretion did informe Her, that the more patiently She tooke her pu­nishment of her Heauenly Father, the more gently He would correct Her; and She deemes it meere madnesse, with the fish, to leape out of the pan of miserie, into the fire of impatience; or to seeke to withstand that which She could not auoid: therefore in all those sicknesses and afflictions, which God either for triall, or other­wise, hath inflicted vpon Her, Shee hath beha­ued Herselfe with such meeknesse, such mild­nesse, and yet such courage of Spirit, as we may truely say, Shee hath beene Gods Patient in all her miseries: if She were sicke in the highest de­gree, yet her comfort was, Shee could not bee [Page]sicker: and thus, though potions could not helpe her bodie, yet patience did cure her soule, and (like a rare extraordinarie Bird) She sung in a stormie tempest, being not onely thankfull and praising God for his blessings on the right hand, but her afflictions on the left, and wel­comming all her crosses with such sweet em­bracements, as they had not the heart to stay long with such a friend, that gaue them such kinde entertainment, and good welcome.

Neither may her humilitie be forgotten, who makes it Gentleman-Vsher for her Honour, esteeming that honour cannot follow except humilitie goes afore; She knowes it is the Basis vpon which all other vertues are erected, and that pride is a great disgrace, euen in the greatest Potentates: To see a poore deiected miserable man, which is low and cast downe in estate, low in minde, it is no wonder; but to see one high in honours and preferment, humble in spirit, it is a strange raritie: And it is most true, that as there is nothing more odious in the sight of God, than a poore man proud; so there is no sight more acceptable to his All-seeing Eye, than to see one which is mightie, meane in his owne opinion: But such is this honoured, yet [Page 67]humble Ladie, who though She be laden with honours, riches, and vertues, yet like a fertile Plant, by how much more it is inriched with fruit, by so much neerer it bowes to the ground: So this Illustrious Princesse, by how much more God hath aduanced Her to dignities, by so much more Shee doth honour Him by hu­militie.

And to the end that Shee might walke safely betweene two extremes, and absolutely attaine to the golden meane; as Shee is not prone to pride, so She is void of basenesse; She doth not altogether forget the greatnesse of her birth, but through the remembrance of it, is incited to goodnesse of life; Shee holds it the highest indignitie, and the greatest vnworthinesse that may be, to be superiour to any in birth or place, and to be inferiour to them in grace and vertue. And thus striuing to exceed, Shee is beyond compare, and good in the superlatiue, the which (howsoeuer Herselfe doth more looke on the defects in her labouring to mend them, than those perfections which cannot bee bet­tered, whiles her diuine soule is shadowed with this veile of mortalitie, and depriued of the freedome in this prison of flesh) yet Shee [Page 68]would haue others see her vertues, not in a foo­lish vaine-glorie, but a religious pietie, that o­thers by her good example might bee the more stirred to the practise of vertuous actions, and that men seeing her good works, might glorifie her Father which is in Heauen, and as She doth holily desire that they might see her vertuous disposition and pious qualities, so Shee doth wisely labour to couer her infirmities, and to burie in obliuion her (if there bee any in Her) imperfections. She considers Shee is set vpon a hill, and hath many eyes vpon Her, and that which is but a moat in anothers eye, is a beame in hers; that infirmitie which is but a scratch to anothers credit, is a wound to her reputation; She obserues also, that as her weaknesses are eminent, so they are dangerous: For if the King holds his necke awry, all the Subiects will imitate Him; if the Tutour stammers, the Scholler will scarce speake plaine, and vulgar people thinke it their greatest perfection to imitate their Prince, although it be in their im­perfections; Shee therefore, to preuent that which might bee anywayes preiudiciall to her vnderlings, endeuours to be as perfect as may bee, and to hide that in which Shee is im­perfect. [Page]But that I may be constant in her prai­ses, let me likewise commend her constancie; for whereas other women are like the Moone, euer changing, and in one instant loathing that which they loued, hauing the eyes of their affe­ction not fixed vpon one certaine obiect, but hauing their mindes drunke with the varietie of affections, they reele here and there, and their heads being sicke of the staggers of inconstan­cie, they are indeterminate in all their procee­dings. Shee, on the contrarie, being sober and stayd in her fancie, loueth onely One, and will neuer leaue to loue Him: Light substances, as feathers, shittle-cocks, and such like, are moued with euerie puffe, or the least blast of winde; but creatures more ponderous and precious, as your Diamond, Rubie, Carbuncle, and Saphyr, are not remoued out of the place where they rest, but by violence; and howsoeuer they bee harder to find, yet it is not so easie to lose them. Some women doe loue ad libitum, and can finde no center of their desires; but, like your straw, are so accendible, as the least puffe will set their affections on flaming, and kindle their desires; but alas, as they are soone in, so they are soone out: It is an easie matter, in euerie [Page 70]place, to meet with such light stuffe, but it is difficult to finde Diamonds, whose affections are well balanced, and whose fancies are of long continuance: But such is this Princesse, so stayd, so sober, so constant, so Penelope-like, whom many may wooe, but none can winne from Vlysses, who though She may haue many pleaders for Her, yet non-suites them all but One; being so diuine a Creature, as in her affe­ction, Shee resembleth her Creatour; who, whom He loueth, He loueth to the end. The beames of her loue, as they bee most bright, so they are of long continuance, being no wayes wauering, nor speedily fading, but constant and durable. Neither is Shee constant in her affections onely, but also in her vertuous acti­ons; for what vertue more naturall or neces­sarie in a Prince, than liberalitie? and who more liberall than Shee? Her bountie, like the Sunne, shines vpon all She sees; She knoweth none are more miserable, than they which are miserably couetous, who starue in a Cookes shop, pine in the midst of plentie, who, Tantalus-like, haue golden apples aboue, and Crystall Fountaines beneath his chin; but yet, can nei­ther taste the apples, to satisfie his hunger, nor [Page 71]touch the water, to allay his thirst. She there­fore, holding it a thing inconuenient, to com­mand others, and not to command her passi­ons and her purse; Shee therefore esteeming ri­ches, but the exiles of Fortune, the which Shee can keepe no longer, because Shee must part from them, doth liberally and freely giue to such, whose either earnest petitions, or silent deserts, doe plead for them: For reason teach­eth Her, that they are giuen Her onely to giue to others; therefore, with most incomparable bountie, and yet discretion, Shee doth bestow them; and like the Heauens, being full, Shee powreth and showreth downe the dew of her pitie, vpon the gaping necessitie of poore peo­ple: She well remembreth, that the faithfullest friends She can make, are her charitable deeds; for her goods leaue Her at her death, nothing we brought, and nothing we must carrie away: Her Friends and Allies forsake Her at her graue, they may accompanie Her to her tombe, but they will not dwell with her in darknesse; but her almesdeeds and pious actions follow Her, saying vnto her soule, as Ruth to Nahomi, Whi­thersoeuer thou goest, Ile follow thee. It is that which moues Her to shew such pietie in her [Page 72]pitie, that makes Her a Prop to the poore, a Staffe to the needie: It is from hence, that the blessings of the Lord doe still accompanie Her, She is so much fauoured of Him, because ver­tue is so much fauoured in Her; and it is as far from doubt, as truth from falshood, that Shee shall be the most fortunate, most blissefull and happie Princesse, that euer was extant in this Christian world.

Thus haue you seene her vertues in some part deciphered, though not to the full descri­bed; for that were as impossible to containe her praises (who, though Shee bee young in yeeres, yet is old in Grace) in this small volume, as to confine the boundlesse Ocean to a ce­sterne.

But because howsoeuer Vertue is true Nobi­litie, yet Nobilitie is an ornament to Vertue; examine but her Princely Parentage, which is lineally descended from so many Kings and Emperours, neuer was Branch sprung from a more Regall, Imperiall, and Royall Stocke, than She; therefore not to make any troublesome search into ancient Chronicles, but to looke in­to those later moderne times, it will appeare, that neuer had childe greater cause to ioy in a [Page 73]father, than this Princesse in hers, whose Father Henrie the fourth, of the royall Race of Burbon, a Prince so truely, fully, and nobly accomplisht, as Hee deserueth to bee stiled the Worthiest of the French Monarchie; for finding the King­dome fraught with hatred, rebellion, infideli­tie, treason, and such like; but Hee, by his mo­derate and discreet gouernment, like a wise Husband-man of that his vineyard, rooted out those enormious weeds, planting in stead of them, loue to his Person, submission to his So­ueraigntie, faithfulnesse to his Crowne, and loyaltie to his Gouernment; and howsoeuer some did so farre oppose Him, as they sought to depose Him, yet He being directed and pro­tected by a Higher Power, in spight of all hu­mane violent oppositions, did triumph, both ouer domestique & forraigne foes, and France may confesse truely, and without flatterie, that she languished with the want of such a Prince, vntill He, like another Hercules, did ruine and root out those hideous monsters, which did seeme prodigious to her owne proper proge­nie, and restored France to her former reputati­on, and crowned her with her pristine beautie. It is He whose acts may stand to instruct Cap­taines [Page 74]their duties in succeeding ages. It is Hee that was like Dauid in his reigne, full of afflicti­ons and blessings, that resembled Him in his zeale of pietie and iustice (the prime and princi­pall pillers of a Royaltie) who ruled his people happily, to the glorie of God, the good of his Subiects, and the consolation of his owne Soule. Indeed, infinite were the vertues of this royall Prince, who succeeded his famons Ance­stours, who were so worthie, as they may adde glorie to his immortall fame and memorie: For He was lineally descended, in direct masculine and lawfull line of Lewis, for his singular pietie, sirnamed Saint, the 44 ^th. French King, whose quiuer was full of such arrowes, as Dauid calleth blessings, to wit children, as Philip the Hardie, his Successour in the Crowne, Peter Earle of Alancon, Robert Earle of Alancon, through Pe­ters vntimely decease, and also Robert the eldest and the youngest, were fortunate in leauing Issue, in whom they might liue after their deaths; the other died without heires sprung from their owne loynes. The Issue of the fore­named Philip the Hardie succeeded lineally, vn­till Henrie the third, King of France & Poland, in whom the name and family of the Valor [Page 75]being extinct, the Crowne fell to the Race of Robert Earle of Cleremont, who by Beautrix, sole heire and daughter of Archibald Earle of Burbon, had Lewis afterwards created Duke: The which Lewis Duke of Burbon, had Issue by Marie, daughter to Iohn the eighteenth Earle of Hainhault, had Peter Duke of Burbon, and Iames Earle of Ponthieu, Constable of France: Peter had by Isabel, daughter of Charles Earle of Valois, Lewis and Iames; Lewis sirnamed the Good Duke of Burbon, had by Anne, Coun­tesse of Auergne, Lewis Earle of Cleremont (deceasing without Issue) Iohn and Iames; Iohn had by Bonne, Dutchesse of Auergne & Coun­tesse of Montpensiere, Charles, and Lewis of Montpensiere, father of Gilbert, of whom issued Charles the last Duke of Burbon; the which Charles Duke of Burbon, had by Agnes daugh­ter of Iohn Duke of Burgoigne, Iohn and Peter; Iohn the second of that name was linked in ma­riage with Ioane of France, daughter to Charles the seuenth, who dying without lawfull Issue, the name and armes of Duke went to Peter his younger brother: Peter the second of that name Duke of Burbon, maried Anne of France, daughter to Lewis the deuenth, and had Issue [Page 76]by her, one onely daughter, Susan the generall heire of Bourbon, who was wife to the aboue­named Charles the youngest sonne of Lewis abouenamed, Earle of Montpensiere, and bro­ther to Charles Duke of Burbon; but no chil­dren issuing from this mariage, the branch of the eldest sonne of Lewis Duke of Burbon was broken off, and ended in this Charles Duke of Bourbon and Constable of France, who died at the siege of Rome. Now the Dutchie of Bourbonois being incorporated into the Crowne of France, it fell to the line of Iames of Ponthieu Constable of France, they youngest son of Lewis Duke of Bourbon, the which Iames had by Ioane daughter of the Earle of S ^t. Paul, Iohn his Successour Earle of La March; Iohn had of Catherine, the onely daughter and heire of Iohn Earle of Vendosme, Iames King of Na­ples, who leauing no Issue Male, the right of in­heritance was transported to Lewis the younger brother; Lewis had no Issue by Iane of Russy his first wife, but by his second mariage he had Iohn his Successour and Earle of Vendosme: Iohn the second had by Iean of Beauire, Francis his Successour and Earle of Vendosme, and Lewis Prince of La Roch Syr-you, who of [Page 77] Louise of Bourbon, the daughter of Gilbert of Bourbon, left Lewis of Bourbon Earle of Mont­pensiere, you was father to Francis Duke of Bourbon, and Earle of Montpensiere, who was father to Henrie last Duke of Montpensiere, Prince of Dombos, Daulphine of Auergne, Lieutenant Generall for the King in Norman­die, and husband to Catherine Henrette of Ioy­euze, a Prince so famous for all vertues, as hee was admired of all. To Francis were borne, by Marie of Luxenburg, Countesse of S ^t. Paul, and daughter of Peter of Luxenburg, Charles, Earle; but created Duke of Vendosme, by King Fran­cis the first. Francis Earle of S ^t. Paul, who by Adrian Dutchesse of Esterhout ville, had Fran­cis, who died young, Lewis Cardinall of Bour­bon, Antoniette wife to Claude of Lorraine Duke of Guise, also Louis Abbas of Fonteuaraux. Charles the first Duke of Vendosme, had by Louis the daughter of Rene Duke of Alancon, Lewis, who died at the age of seuen yeeres; An­thonie, who succeeded in his right, and was af­terwards King of Nauarre; Francis Earle of Anghien; Charles, Cardinall Arch-Bishop of Rouan; Iohn, who lost his life at the battell of S ^t. Quintin; and Lewis Prince of Conde. An­thonie [Page 78]the Successour of Charles first Duke of Vendosme, and King of Nauarre, had by Ioane of Albret Queen of Nauarre (daughter to Hen­rie the second of that name, King of Nauarre) Henrie the fourth of that name French King, as his Fathers Successour, and the third of that name King of Nauarre, by the right of his Mo­ther. This is the Royall Root from whence this Princely Branch is sprung, which shewes the noblenesse of her descent: so that as Shee graceth her parentage by her vertues, so They grace Her by her birth: For howsoeuer wine be good out of a woodden dish, yet we esteeme it better, if we drinke it out of a golden vessell: So howsoeuer vertuous noble personages, though ignobly borne, ought to bee respected, yet those which haue vertue ioyned with their nobilitie of birth, are worthie of double ho­nour: Then who more to bereuerenced in our hearts, extolled in our speeches, than this noble, and neuer-enough to bee honoured Ladie? who is descended by the fathers side, from Henrie the fourth, French King, who no whit vnworthie of his famous renowned Ancestors, added luster to their former glorie, who respe­cting the Common-wealth more than Him­selfe, [Page 79]indeed onely louing Himselfe, because He loued the Common-wealth, was not onely the Father of his Countrey, but also of the peace and tranquillitie of his Kingdome.

But perhaps some will say, the childe is not alwayes the inheritour of the fathers worth: For neither the soule nor the vertues of it come by propagation, and the onely iuyce wee draw from our parents loynes, is their infirmities. Moreouer, though the childe hath not often the fathers wisdome, yet for the most part it hath the mothers wit, will, and affections. Doe but search Chronicles and Histories for her mo­thers vertues, and you shall finde Her afore her mariage, the most vertuous Virgin; after her mariage, so worthie a Matron, as Heauen could ioy in, or earth be proud of: To speake her ver­tues in particular, were a burthen heauier than Aetna; to passe them ouer in generall, were a wrong to her perfections; to vndertake to write of them seuerally, were pride in my pen; and to speake of them, but ioyntly and briefly, were an argument of pouertie of inuention. To auoyd therefore both these enormities, let it be my ambition, to vse that commendations of Her, at her entertainment and arriuall in [Page 80]France, formerly vttered by Monsieur du Varais, who making an Oration to Her, in which hee seemed to build the whole felicitie of France, vpon her mariage with the King, hee praiseth her perfections in these words.

Seeing in you so many graces, wherewith Nature hath endowed you, admiring the beau­tie wherewith shee hath adorned you, conside­ring that naturall sweetnesse wherewith shee hath tempered your royall grauitie, and hea­ring with our eares the voice renowned by fame, which proclaimes the quicknesse of your spirit, the soundnesse of your iudgement, the eloquence of your discourse, and that which exceeds all, the incomparable commendation of your holy and religious disposition; wee perswade our selues that you are Shee, whom the Heauens had appointed by your pleasing companie, to mollifie the life of the King, to prolong his dayes by his content, and to make his reigne perpetuall, by the continuance of a great and happie posteritie. Wee beleeue that you are onely She vpon earth, worthie to make the life of the most triumphant King in the world, to rest in your chaste bosome; and that He, aboue all others, did merit to embrace the [Page 81]most vertuous and pleasing Princesse in his vi­ctorious armes. Whereby we presage we shall soone see a number of goodly children carry­ing in their fore-heads their fathers valour, their mothers vertue, the greatnesse and abili­tie of the house of France, whereunto you are allied, the happinesse and power of the house of Austria, from whence you are issued, and the wisdom of Florence, in which you were borne. To the beleefe of this presage all things seem to inuite vs, but cheefly the Heauen & the Sea for we see at the arriuall of your Maiestie, the Sea full of stormes is growne calme, & the Heauen ouercast with clouds is cleere, as if they woud, with a pleasing eye, celebrate with vs the mag­nificence of your reception. For in good time then, oh great Queene, are you come into our coasts, long may you liue happie in France, and to France, that the age in which wee liue, may terme you a happie wife to a King, and future ages, a happie mother of Kings.

Here then you may discerne the most excel­lent perfections of this most excellent Prin­cesses mother, who caried herselfe so submissiue­ly to her Lord the King, that nothing was more deere or neere vnto Him, than Herselfe, so lo­uingly [Page 82]and royally to her Subiects, that Shee won the hearts of all those, whose soules and affections were sealed and deliuered to her Ma­iestie; so worthily to her children, that not onely by her instructions, but her example (which children are most apt and readie to ob­serue) She incited them to goodnesse, hauing a diligent care, that good education might water those good seeds of vertue and blest endow­ments, which Nature had planted in them: For howsoeuer the Root, from whence this royall Stem sprang, and the Father of this Prin­cesse, had verie short continuance in the weari­some pilgrimage of this world (as who should say, the Heauens saw it not conuenient, that he should any longer liue, when another came to be an Inheritrix of his vertues, and Posses­sour of his perfections) whereby Shoe might seeme to haue some want of her Progenitours care, to see Her brought vp in all vertuous lore, necessarie or requisite for the accomplishment of so great a Princesse, yet her mother, and not onely her mother, but her mothers care, still suruiuing and outliuing her father, hath so edu­cated and nourished vp this Princely Sprig (al­though indeed of Herselfe, Shee was declining [Page 83]from all euill, and enclining to all goodnesse) that She wanted nothing to make Her most ex­cellent in all rare vertues and qualities; for her religion hauing a principall care (as She suppo­sed that Shee should bee instructed in the truth and Christian faith, the which this mightie Queene professed, as Catholique and vniuersall) in the which howsoeuer there bee some positi­ons, like the Coloquintida in the Iewes pot, which spoileth all the pottage, as Iustification by merits; Adoration of Images, which cannot heare vs; Prayer to Saints, which cannot helpe vs; for the dead, which cannot be helped; Pur­gatorie, Masse, Absolution of sinnes to any, though impenitent; yet notwithstanding there be many practises allowable, as holy pious acti­ons, in which She was taught to be abounding, as satisfaction, if it may, be for offences commit­ted against our brethren, as frequent and fer­uent prayer to God, to beautifie our soules reli­gious fasting, to mortifie our bodies; as conti­nencie (which many of the Romish Religion professe, but few of their Friers, Monks, Nuns, or Iesuites practise) And truely She hath beene wise hearted, and chosen the better part; for although by her mothers, supposed good, [Page 84]though truely misconceiued opinion, She hath beene brought vp in the Romish Religion, yet like the industrious Bee. And howsoeuer Shee might erre in some things, for want of true iudgement, which cannot be expected in such tender yeeres, especially the semall sex, who are most readie to be seduced, and to walke as their, leaders guide them, being most credulous, and the weaker vessells, yet reason and charitie may depose, that a Princesse of such ripenesse of wit, and incomparable vnderstanding, may easily be brought from giuing any internall worship with her heart, though She may externall with her bodie to anie Image. Oh no; Shee scornes to worship a thing more base than any of her basest seruants; nay, of a lower condition than any of the meanest liuing creatures; for the trees grow, and are clad in varietie of garments, hauing their summer and their winter suit, put­ting on in the Spring a vesture of greene, and in Autumne their gray cloathing. Morcouer, the flowers of the field are the work manship of God; and therefore certes, more excellent than the childe of mans industrie and inuention: but an Image hath not power to cloath in selfe, as the plants and, flowers, but is the effect of [Page 85]mans labour, and is onely clad in that array, the which the Painter hath giuen it; the trees en­crease and bring forth fruit for our sustenance, but an Image hath onely the figure according to which the Caruer cut it, neither yeeldeth it any profit, but dishonour to God, and destru­ction to them that honour it.

And if it bee thus, much lesse then a vegeta­tiue, by how much lesse to bee esteemed than a sensitiue creature; for they moue, see, heare, taste, smell, and feele; but an Image is voyd of motion, and without the helpe of others, con­fined to the same mansion-place, blinde and like Iacob, cannot see when Ioseph doth him re­uerence, deafe cannot heare what thou speakest, and in euerie respect senslesse: But how much inferiour is it to man, yea euen to the poorest miserable mortall; for looke vpon his soule, it the Image of God his Maker; looke vpon his bodie, and euerie organ performes its office, the eye sees, the eare heares, the palat tafteth, the palme toucheth, the nose senteth, the foot walketh, the hand worketh, and that which is more, the heart vnderstandeth.

And surely, if any thing but God were to be worshipped, it were this little world, and [Page 86]yet great world of wonders, this master-peece of Gods workmanship, called Man. And sure­ly, I deeme it a lesse errour with the ignorant Indians, to worship the Sun and the Moone, for they are heauenly creatures; a smaller fault in the Aegyptians, to adore an onion, for that was their chiefest sustenance; in the people of Israel, for he was a King, nay a God on earth, for so God stiles Princes, than to prostrate and cast downe ones selfe to an Image: Farre bee it therefore to commit such sacriledge to her san­ctitie, or that our imaginations should rob Her of so much sense and sauing knowledge, to sup­pose that Shee will not bee brought from the adoration of Images, if now Shee doth, or euer will adore a senslesse blocke, a stocke, or it may be indeed, She may doe it some outward reue­rence, as one may doe to a picture, in the re­membrance of his friend, or in the respect they beare to him whom it represents. Neither is it possible, but She will be instructed, that who­soeuer doth trust to his owne merits, doth relye vpon a broken reed, and buildeth the houle of his saluation, vpon the sands of his own works, which is readie each moment to bee ruined with euerie stormie tempest of the Deuils [Page 87]temptations; but hee that doth build vpon the Corner-stone and Rocke Christ Iesus, his foun­dation being fast and firme, his building is per­petuall and euerlasting: Shee, without doubt, will consider, that the best of our deeds is sin, and the best of our deserts damnation, that all our works are but as a menstruous cloth, stai­ned with impuritie; that when wee haue done all wee can, wee are but vnprofitable seruants; and that although good works iustifie the faith, yet faith iustifies the man, that though works proue faith to bee liuing in the man, yet faith proueth the man to be liuing in Christ; that as faith without works is like the barren fig tree, or like the wombes oi Sarah and Elizabeth, fruitlesse; so works without faith are of no con­sequence.

Moreouer, it is not to bee beleeued, but that She will be brought to beleeue, that prayers to Saints cannot ought auaile Her, that whe She prayes vnto them, they haue no eares to heare Her, or if they haue eares to heare Her, yet it may be they want hearts to pitie Her; or if they haue hearts to pitie Her, yet they want hands to helpe Her: Shee will easily therefore vnder­stand. that her prayers ought to bee directed to [Page 88]the Fountaine of all goodnesse, the Giuer of all good gifts, that as He is her Lord for power, so Hee is her God for pitie, whose will is not fru­strate for want of power, nor his abilitie vnexer­cised for want of will, but being omnipotent, He is omniuolent to helpe Her in all her neces­sities: It is He which hath commanded Her to call vpon Him, which hath promised to heare and to helpe Her: and surely, She will not for­sake the fountaine of liuing water, to seeke the puddles which were digged by humane inuen­tions, which are as drie as the barren Arabian Desert, in which is no comfort.

Neither is it to be despaired of, that She will vnderstand, that each Christian soule hath its purgatorie in this life; for he runneth thorow a world of miseries and afflictions, that his soule is purged and cleansed by the bloud of Christ, from all our sinnes; that our Sauiour Christ maketh mention but of two waves, the straight and narrow, leading to euerlasting blisse; the other broad, bringing vs to the pit of destruction: and if there bee but two wayes, there be but two homes, to wit, Diues his infer­nall, and Lazarus his resting place, Abrahams bosome. It may be indeed some Deuill, in the [Page 89]shape of an Angell of light, may perswade Her of a third place, alledging Scripture, wrested from the proper sense, for their positions, viz. that of S ^t. Peter, Christ hath once suffered for our sinnes, the Iust for the vniust, that He might bring vs to God, and was put to death concerning the flesh, but quickned in the Spirit, by the which Spirit He went and preached vnto the spirits which are in prison, which were sometimes disobedient in the dayes of Noah, while the Arke was preparing; wherein few, that is eight soules, were saued in the water. But how can they from hence proue Purgatorie; for was not Christs Spirit from the beginning? Hath not his Spirit from the begin­ning beene in the mouths of his Ministers, Pro­phets, and Preachers? And is not Noah, in the second Chapter of the next Epistle, termed a Pracher of righteousnesse? Did not also Noah preach faithfully to that incredulous and im­pious people, which stopt their eares & would not bee reformed? Therefore the Text saith, were then drowned, and are now in pri­son, and without Gods Spirit did preach vnto them, as it doth now by his Ministers. There is also great hope, that She will be won neither to feare the Popes Bull, or esteeme his pardons; [Page 90]for who can forgiue the offence, but he which is offended? Can the Subiect remit any fault committed against the Soueraigne? We know Gods Ministers haue a great prerogatiue, and that whatsoeuer they binde or loose on earth, shall be bound or loosed in Heauen: and wee reade that Balaams blessing was of great estima­tion, yet Balaam must haue a care, not to blesse those whom God curseth, nor to curse those whom God blesseth; for then it is in vaine, and shall light vpon his owne head. Neither hath the Pope, or any Priest, power to absolue any absolutely, but only such as God doth pardon, and conditionally vpon faith and repentance: I doe confesse, that sinnes vnconfessed, are as winde in the earth, the which if not vented, will cause an earthquake in the conscience; and it is a great ease to acknowledge our sinnes to Gods Minister, and absolution from his lips, is as a kinde of confirmation and seale of the par­don of them, in regard he is Gods Angell; for so God termes the Ministers of the seuen Chur­ches in the Reuelation, they are his Messengers and Embassadours sent vnto mortalls, to bring vnto them glad tydings of peace, and to preach unto them remission of sinnes: but when his [Page 91]pardon fals where there is no penetecie,& his absolution on a soule which is not broken, and on an vncontrite heart, it is like drops of raine and timely showers distilled vpon a slintie rocke, the which in regard it is denied entrance, it makes no abode vpon it; for is any man so mad, to thinke his sinnes to be forgiuen, which is giuen ouer to worke vncleannesse? Or any man to beleeue, that he is a holy vessell, when hee is filled with the dregs of Satan, and his owne corruptions? Is any man so mad, to thinke his sinnes are pardoned, when hee hath not wept for those sinnes which hee hath com­mitted, and doth still commit sinnes, and that willingly, which he ought to weepe for? And therefore She will be, and is truely penitent, that She may be truely absolued; She is abstinent, that She might be continent; and temperate, that She might not be brought or wrought vn­to vnchastitie. And me thinkes She speakes to our Prince, as the Church to Christ in the Can­ticles, Draw me, and I will follow after thee: such is her conscience.

For looke into her education for her cariage, and you shall see that Shee is enstructed in all manner of courtly and courteous behauiour, [Page 92]carying Herselfe humbly to her inferiors, yet honourably amongst her equals; that her ouer­stately cariage to the one might not make them deiected, nor her too much submissiue behaui­our to the other, make them too high concei­ted; for as her excellencies put all pride out of her countenance, so She is not voyd of pride, by being ignorant of her excellencies, but by making all her excellencies voyd of pride; and howsoeuer Nature hath so framed her heauenly lights, that there appeares a Parisetene when her eyes be open, yet the two more shining guests of meeknesse and Maiestie, like two good Inha­bitants, beautifie and adorne that lodging. And howsoeuer her breath is more sweet, than gentle Zephyrus creeping vpon the bosome of Flora, yet the sweet delightfull Philomels stay­ing tunes, caried in that breath, are more plea­sing: And as Grace hath taught Her to rule the passions of her minde, so Art hath enstru­structed Her to rule the parts of her bodie, and like a well-framed Engine, each part obserues the due and true motion. Indeed, what can be that is worthie in a Princesse, which is not in Her? What rarenesse of education and behaui­our, either for the captiuating, or the keeping a [Page 93]Princes affections; for though indeed vertue is the greatest beautie, yet had She nothing but her beautie, yet no mortall (whose ambitious eye durst soare at so high an obiect) could con­sider of it, but hee must confesse, nor confesse, but admire, nor admire, but loue so rare perfe­ctions, as are pourtrayed in her beautifull coun­tenance, and amiable proportion. A creature so faire, as except Fame it selfe will be infamous, it dares not stile any fairer; and that which makes an addition to her fairenesse, is that her beautifull bodie is but the cloathing of a more beautifull minde, a minde fraught and full of wit, more readie to censure, than to shew it selfe; her words being as rare as precious: who is silent, but not sullen; modest, without affectation; shamefaste, without ignorance: whose eyes are like the palaces of Cupid, and yet sets reason vpon the desires of all the beholders, and teacheth the spectatours chastitie; whose face being the true frontispice of her minde, is the seat of sweetnesse and soueraigntie; whose cheekes are like gardens of Roses and Lillies, and Alablaster besprinckled with Vermilion: both of which are the ineffable ornaments of Nature.

Alas, what should I say more of the rare composure of her Angell-like celestiall counte­nance, in the framing of which, Nature hath shewed herselfe no step-mother, but hath ma­nifested the perfection of her affection vnto that sex in Her, whose praises since I cannot vt­ter in speeches, let it be sufficient to admire in si­lence. Not to omit the proportion of her bo­die, in the discourse of which the most eloquent Oratour might finde a most spacious field to walke in; the which is like her minde, neither too loftie, nor too excessiue low; but her stature is indifferent, and in the meane, as if Nature in framing of Her, had beene the Ape of Vertue, and intended to dwell in the meane, and shame both extremes; each ligament and lineament of her bodie is so strongly, and yet so sweetly framed, as indeed they claime the admiration of all, and the affections of the most Peerelesse Prince in the world.

As for the portion, which indeed is in the last and least place to be respected; what Prin­cesse can equall Her? For what greater portion than happinesse? and what greater happinesse, than that which Shee will bring tome King­dome, into which She shall match, and in the [Page 95]which She shall be resident? whose Allies shall bee as strong Bulwarks to the place, to whose Prince She shall be conioyned in wedlocke, in the time of warre; and in the time of peace, the meanes of the transporting of all necessarie and requisite benefits to that Kingdome.

Thus her vertue, her parentage, her educati­on, proportion, and portion, proue Her wor­thie to be linked with the Worthiest in mariage, these make Her fit to bee a Wife; but the intire affection which Shee beareth to our Prince, proue Her worthie to bee his Wife; and no doubt, but as there is the highest degree of loue betwixt Them, so no doubt they shall haue the pledges of true loue, and shall liue and giue life to this Kingdome hereafter by their posteritie.

Thus it appeareth, that as now She is euerie wayes a most excellent Virgin; so if vertue, edu­cation, parentage, portion, proportion, loue, all these, or any of these, may make a happie Spouse, She is likely to make a most blessed Yoake­fellow; these make Her fit to be a Wise, but her loue to Prince Charles, his Wife; her vertues ioy the world in generall, but her loue to Him, doth solace Him in particular; and who is able to describe her loue? not man, for they are not [Page 96]so violent in their passions; not women, for few or none of them are so vertuous, to loue so chastely affectionate: no surely, neither man nor woman can relate it to the measure, althogh they may vtter some part of the manner of it; for her loue is euen like her vertues, infinite, Oh the incomprehensible wisdome of the Deitie! which euen afore our birth, doth not onely foreknow, but doth also predetermine all the actions and affections or vs mortals, effecting things, and that for our welfare, euen by almost seeming impossible meanes, beyond our hope or imagination: Who would haue thought that Saul should haue found a Kingdome, when he went to looke his fathers Asses? Or Dauid a Crowne, when hee went to carie releefe to his brethren? God oftentimes shewes vs our home in the midst of our iour­ney; for so did Hee deale with our mightie Prince, who manifesting a high degree of wis­dome, in looking afore He leapt; and shewed no lesse religion than discretion, in vndertaking though a tedious iourney, to view the Cabinet into which Hee was to put his Soule, and to place his perpetuall welfare, before He trusted it with the custodie of it, most fortunately met [Page 97]with the Center of his affections, euen in the mid way; Hee aimed, but God directed the ar­row of his loue at a more happie marke, more happie and lesse dangerous for Himselfe, more happie & more prosperous for his Countries; In so much, me thinkes, that so soone as the louely pourtraicture of this Peerelesse Prince (though by his picture) should bee conucyed thorow those Crystall Casements of her affections, into the closet of her secrecies, it should cause her in­tellectuall facultie thus to rationate with it selfe in silence: Whither wanderest thou, sweet Prince, so far from thy home? Thou art lodged in my heart: Oh let it be thy perpetuall habi­tation: Why doest thou carrie my heart so far from my bodie? It is thou which doest now possesse it; for I am no more Mistresse of that which was mine owne: Why shouldest thou seeke far for that which isneerer home? Expose not thy selfe to the dangers & troubles of trauel: saile not into an Ocean of sorrowes, when thou mayst lie at roade in a more quiet Harbour. Oh let my loue be the load-stone of thy person, & the Remora of thy affections: But if thou wilt needs trauell into the Westerne parts, and make a night of sorrow in our Hemisphere; yet re­turne [Page 98]turne to vs againe, and let the brightnesse of thy beames expell the darknesse of our dolour. No doubt but our Prince was inflamed, before He saw the smoake of her desire: her lookes were the messengers of loue, and his heart was open to entertaine the embassage: They were the darts of Cupid, and his heart was ioyous in being wounded with such weapons: Thus did they meet in their affections, and the Almightie seeing (if mortals can merit any thing) that The deserued what They desired, will ioyne their hands as well as their harts, & make Them one really, as they are mentally. Happie there. fore (oh royall King) which shall liue to see your childrens children flourishing in your Palaces, & these Kingdoms eternally conferred & con­firmed vpon your posteritie. Happie, ô Prince, who shall be linked to one which is the Golden Chaine of Vertue, this Diamond of the world, whom Nature hath so preciously set in the eyes of men, to bee the chiefe worke of her work­manship, and the Ornament of the world. Oh happie Princesse, so happie in finding such a Head, whose welfare shall be guarded by such a Prince, that you shall seeme like sweet Rose­water kept in a crystall glasse: Who when you [Page 99]reioyce, shall see your ioy shine in an other; and when you grieue, shall see the face of your sor­row in anothers melting liquid heart. Oh hap­pie both of you, when like two heauenly Strings conioyned together, you shall make a sweeter harmonie: Oh how delightfull will the name of Parents bee vnto you, when they shall see your Children flourish, in whom they are. Oh what an ineffable blisse it will bee, when they shall see their children with awfull loue runne about them, and like little modells of them­selues, carrie themselues about them. Oh hap­pie pie England! which art like neuer to bee like a flocke of sheepe without a Shepherd, or an ar­mie discomfited without a Leader; but hast more than hopes, neuer to want one of thy blessed Kings Race to sit vpon thy Throne, so long as the Sunne and Moone endureth which hast likewise the number of thy friends increa­sed, more than the multitudes of thine enemies is augmented. Oh happie France! who gauest birth to a Princesse, which giueth life to thee, & promiseth safetie to thy Confines, which is the Ornament of thee, as thou art the Ornament of the world, which mayst ioy in each benefit thou affoordest, yet in nothing more than Her.

Happie in this Contract is Christendome; for although now it may for a time endure the corrosiue of war, yet it shall be healed with the plaster of peace; and a wrangling mother shall beget a quiet daughter; and the purifying of the aire shall bee the issue of storme and light­ning. Happie in this Contract are Christians; for they see the bow of the wicked broken, and the horne of the righteous exalted; the woman in trauaile shall forsake the desert; the Church shall put off her mourning weeds, and put on the robes of comfort; the name of Christ and the Gospell shall bee exalted, and the man of sinne and perdition cast into euerlasting de­struction.

But still me thinks there be some sicke quea­sie stomackt people, who distaste all sweet deli­cates, and onely delight in sowre and vnsauory sallets, who haue such timorous tender consci­ences, as they feare where there is no danger, making that, which otherwayes (well applied) should be the cause of their rest, the mother of disquiet, fearing lest this Contract should bring an innouation of religion. For (say they) was not, I pray you, Salomon seduced and brought to idolatrie, by marying? Did not Abraham for­bid [Page 101] Eleazar his seruant, nay bound him by an oath, not to take his sonne a wise amongst the Canaanites, but his owne kinred? and were not the Iewes forbidden to match with the Hea­then? Tis true; but it is a question, whether this was any otherwayes ceremonially enioy­ned to the Iewes, and not necessarily imposed vpon the Gentiles.

Moreouer, if the seruant of Abraham could not haue found a woman for Isaak, that would haue come with him, hee had beene discharged of his oath: Likewise Prince also are publique persons, and ought to be Supporters of the pub­lique welfare; and therefore that mariage may be lawfull for Him, which seemeth inconueni­ent for a priuate man, in regard that Hee is not so much to respect that which may bee for his owne, but his peoples welfare; No doubt, could Ioseph haue well forsake Aegypt, with­out the preiudice of the Country, & inferring a generall discommoditie, he would haue dispo­sed himselfe, it may be, with more ioy and con­tentment; but God had allotted, that by his meanes Aegypt should be preserued; nay, and I may well say, not so much Aegypt as Israel might haue safetie, therefore Ioseph must bee [Page 102]brought into Aegypt by a strange meanes mat­ched with a strange women: and what was all this to intimate, but that Ioseph was sold to Ae­gypt, that Israel might be preserued frō famine: and no doubt Gods wisedome doth oftentimes see beyond the reach of mans apprehension, and may match a diuersity of Religion to make an vniformity of faith, to the end that there may bee one Shepherd, one sheepefold, one Christ, one Christian faith.

For is not in her brest the whole globe of this worlds worth contained? is not her bosome a stately Theater in which each seuerall vertue a­cteth a liuely part? is not the Iuory compared to her whitenes, and Aurora pale being ioyned to her blushes; her blushes, the which modesty doth alwayes dye, which notwithstanding doth alwayes liue in her countenance, whose matchlesse vertue is not like a Pearle found in a dunghill, but dwelling in so faire a lodging: It is she only whose beautiful form is such rare phy­sicke, as it is able to make an old Prince young, and to make a young Prince liue till he be aged. True, but it is an ancient position, that stately buildings must haue great meanes to main­taine them, and such rare beauties, rich reuenues [Page]to vphold their luster, for the whitest cloth doth soonest take soyle, the richest vesture soo­nest spoyled, if not well looked to, and the fai­rest creature most subiect to be deformed, and wrinckled with want, pouerty, and afflictions. It is requisite therefore that your most curious workemanships should be most curiously kept, that pictures excellently drawne, should be ex­cellently preserued. God therefore, with whom all things past, and to come, are present, foresee­ing the excellency of this modell of true per­fections, gaue her beautie to her vertues, and meanes to her beauty; for what Princesse in Europe shall haue a richer dowry? The treasure which followes her as a seruant whithersoeuer shee goeth is in finite; and as shee wanteth no wealth her selfe, so that Kingdome shall want no riches which doth enioy her; for what grea­ter riches than happinesse, and what greater happinesse than that which she bringeth to the place shee shall inhabit? Is it worth or same which they thirst after? what greater fame than her beauty? and yet her beauty lesse than her least vertue: Surely, that Kingdome shall need no sunne, in which her vertue shineth; that Hemisphere no light, in which such a light is [Page]resplendent; no riches in which is such a Iewel Neither is she meanely powerfull in her migh­ty Allies, for as she is neere to all men in affecti­on, (for what heart can hate so harmlesse a crea­ture) so she is deare to many Princes by affinity, as to her brother in vertues, as well as by birth, Lewis the 13, King of the French and Nauarre, a Prince so vertuous, so valiant, that the one might make him prosperous in peace, the other trium­phant in victories, for hee is not onely his Fa­thers heire in his Kingdome, but is like to be his successour in his conquests; for though his face as yet doth scarce shew his sex, yet his for­titude prooues him a man, a man of such in­uict courage, and incredible force, that few can equall, none exceed him; for though time as yet hath not much outstript him, in regard of his tender yeares, yet hee hath outstript time, who indeed so farre goes beyond all his time and yeares, that whereas others seeme to watch and catch time, which alwaies stealeth away with a gliding slie pace, yet hee seemeth to flie from time, & time to run after to catch him; in so much, as when following times shall reade the storie (or rather the beginning) of his life, they shall admire to see one so young in yeares [Page 105]and courage, so old in wisdome and experience, and shall thinke by his president, that discretion hath shaked hands with the gray head, & hoarie haires, as an house ouerweake and vnworthy of such an inhabitant, and taken the Castle to defend her selfe against her enemies, intempe­rance and vnchastitie, rage, fury, and diuers o­ther such like troopes of aduerse enemies, and enuious aduersaries, for though in­temperance and vnchastitie are vsuall (I had almost said, for so they are accounted, veniall) sinnes; yet He is a rider and ruler of his affe­ctions, reyneth in his lusts with the bridle of wisedome: others, if they be distasted in the strength of their youth, haue such heat of bloud, and doe boyle in anger, that they seeme to haue enough fury to furnish all the furies in hell, and yet notwithstanding themselues still haue heaped measure, throwing themselues vp­on each apparent danger, without consideratiō or feare, doing any iniury without conscience and religion, but wisely foresees a danger, and seekes to preuent it, and is so valiant, that Hee dares not fight but vpon iust occasion. This is the royall Brother of so vertuous a Sister; this is that mighty Monarch, with whom England [Page 106]shakes not only the hands of friendship, but fra­ternity. And who is it but the most Illustrious Princesse the Lady Henrette Maria which puts the hands together? It is She whose twinne was happinesse, and whose birth brought in fe­licity to all this part; nay, to all the world, espe­cially to France and England; to France, for God (no doubt) foresaw that he had sufficient­ly stored it with Sonnes issued from that foun­taine of goodnesse Henrie the fourth, whereby that blessed Countrey might seeme sufficiently strengthned and fortified in it selfe. God there­fore in due time sent it a daughter, so excelling and transcending in vertue & beauty, to make it strong without it selfe, and to make walls of friendship about it to England, for it was not obscured from the All, and al wayes All-seeing eye of God, before the beginning of the world, much more Her being, what need England should haue to helpe her Allies and Neighbours, though not her selfe; and therefore ordained two such Potentates as K. Lewis of France, & Prince Charles of England; and likewise sent this worthy Princesse to ioyne these two toge­ther, and to make them Brothers who are so like one another in vertuous conditions, who [Page 107]are both magnanimous, both wife, both vali­ant, and no doubt both of them shall be fortu­nate; they will draw their swords in Iustice, handle them with such courage, as each blow shall seeme to be the postilion of death vnto their enemie; so that they shall satisfie their thirstie blades with the bloud of Tyrants, and die their swords with the death of the enemies to truth and equitie.

And who is the foundation vpon whom these hopes are erected, but vpon this gracious Princesse, who hath not onely vertue in Her­selfe, highnesse of birth and good education in and from her Ancestours greatnesse of estate; but also hath beautie to moue loue, wit to ap­prehend to loue, and excellent bodie to content it, and a gratefull minde to reward it: For had She all these rare endowments and aptitudes of mariage, and yet had no inclination to wed­locke, her rare gifts would be like precious iew­els, which lose their luster for want of wearing, like fragrant flowers in a most delightfull gar­den, which are neuer gathered, but sinde their tombe where they had their birth, like a root buried vp in the ground, which neuer bran­cheth: if She were resolued not to make an ex­change [Page 108]change of virginall for coniugall chastitie, She should doe the world too much iniurie, in cloy­stering vp Christendomes ioyes, whose hopes are chiefly in Her, with Herselfe.

Moreouer, her vertues would returne to the King of Heauen, of whom they all hold in ca­pite, for want of heires, and could onely finde life after her death in the mouth of Fame; her nobilitie of bloud would die in Herselfe, for want of posteritie to whom it might still be de­riued; Shee would lose the worth of her educa­tion, in not teaching that to others, which She hath beene taught Herselfe, all that Shee could well dispose of would be her Dowrie, to the w ^ch the poore would be rightfull heires, and as for her beautie, it would perish without blessing any but a multitude of wounded admiring spe­ctators: And howsoeuer indeed it may bee Death could not take it away with her soule, yet the graue would consume it with her bo­die: She therefore, as Shee was the childe of a mother, so desireth to be the mother of a childe.

Moreouer, let no man bee guiltie of such a foolish suspition, once to doubt or imagine, that our Princes wisdome should be ouercome by a womans weaknesse; that the eye of his rea­son [Page 109]and religion should bee put out with the eye of affection; Or farre be it to commit such blasphemie against his Highnesse, either so much to diminish his constancie in the truth, or derogate from the soundnesse of his know­ledge and iudgement, that euer Hee should bee brought to forsake that, in the defense of which He would deeme the losse of his life and bloud precious: Will Hee relinquish that which is built vpon the ground of Gods word, which is disagreeing in nothing, agreeing in euerie thing with the holy Scriptures, to be the Follower of mens traditions, and an Obseruer and Seruer of the foolish inuentions of humane fancie, to re­uerence that termed Holines, which is but true Insanctitie; to relye vpon any thing but the merits of Christ; to trust to his owne workes, or deeme them meritorious, and so to make Himselfe his owne Sauiour, and by conse­quence, the comming of Christ of no necessitie; to forsake that faith which was founded by Christ and his Apostles, vpheld and followed by the Fathers, whose antiquitie is such, that it was preached by our Heuenly Father to our earthly parent in Paradise, by the which all for­mer and future ages must bee saued, to follow [Page 110]that which is but an vpstart Irreligion; which was set vp by Couetousnesse and Ambition, which is to bring gold to the Popes coffers, not God to the peoples consciences, which is only to hide the light of the Gospell vnder the bu­shell of an vnknowne tongue, to starue the soules of poore people, which makes Ignorance the mother of Deuotion, which is Author of destruction; which maketh people thinke it nothing to sinne, because they thinke them­selues sure of a pardon; which maketh adultery, Sodomie, fornication more honourable, than marriage allowable; which maketh Moses infe­riour to Aaron, which bringeth the neckes of Princes and Kings vnder the foot and follies of Antichrist, which is the Nurse of rebellion in Subiects against their Soueraigne, and maketh him a God which is but a deuill incarnate, who Lucifer-like prefumeth to sit in the seat of God.

Or what heart can be such a detractor from Her vertue, to thinke that this Phoenix of her age, this noble Princesse, whose brest is the Cottage of humility, and the quiet harbour of lowly thoughts, will offer to seeke to guide Him by whom She is to be directed, to be the sterne [Page 111]when She is but the vessell of which Hee is the Pilot; to be the Sun, when she is but the Moone, which must borrow light frō his knowledge? can She which esteemes him to be all worth, thinke that the greatest ornament in him is vn­worthy? No surely, She knowes that She may be the crowne of the head, but She will not pre­sume to be the head of the body; She desires not to metamorphise water into oyle. It is not hid­den from Her, that Nature and Grace hath gi­uen man the superiority, that the strength of his body, the stoutnesse and courage of his minde, the stayednesse of his affections, the wisedome of his soule, the pregnancy of his wit, the do­minion of his will, the soundnesse of his iudge­ment, the ripenesse of his vnderstanding, in a word, all the powers of his soule, and the per­fections of his body, doe pleade for and claime a Diadem of dominion and gouernment ouer women, which are the weaker sex; She desires but to rest in his bosome, to be his heart, and not his head; She knowes that is his peculiar, and therefore She will not challenge it; She is the heart, and He is the head, the head in which is the eye of knowledge, the eare of vnderstan­ding, the gift of discretion; and will not the [Page 112]heart thinke as the eye informes it, as the eare certifies it, as discretion tels it? Yes surely, and She will do as her Prince instructs her; for will not She which loued himselfe for himselfe, loue God for him, and for herselfe also? may not He which hath drawne her heart to loue him, per­swade her soule to embrace God? Yes surely, there is small doubt, great hope, nay almost as­surance, that not onely She, but many millions will be brought and wrought to embrace the Christian faith, to fauour and follow the true Religion, by the meanes of this happy vnion and blessed contract.

Neither are these all the euidences for this ground of our happinesse, but wee haue more mighty motiues to induce and perswade vs that She will open her brest to entertaine the truth, and vnfold Her armes to embrace affe­ctionately this our ancient Catholicke, Aposto­licke, and reformed Religion. For can She call to remembrance her Grandmother Ioanna Al­brettana Q. of Nauarre, the louing, chaste, mo­dest, sober, discreet wife of Anthony Duke of Burbon her Grandfather; can She (I say) retaine in her mind that delight of Heauen, and light of earth her Grandmother, and yet forget her [Page 113]Religion, in the profession of which She was constant and vnmoueable? And what was it, but that which wee now professe, to wit, the faith which is according to knowledge, and not ignorance; for, how can they be good which know not what goodnesse is? as the Layty of the Romish Church which is nurst and nusled vp in blindnesse, the faith which teacheth vs to put on the roabe of Christs righteousnesse, to relye wholly and solely vpon his merits, to a­bandon our selues, and our owne actions, as death and darknesse, vnlesse Christ giue life and light to vs and them. Thus was she in practise pious, in profession a Protestant, in which shee liued, in which she dyed, by which now she resteth in peace, shall rise in power, and reape a crowne of immortall glory.

Was not likewise that Royall King Henrie the fourth, the great late French King, in edu­cation and profession a Protestant, and though he might afterwards (to preuent ciuill broiles, and intestine and vnnaturall warres in his Do­minions, for the peace of the Kingdome, for the safety of his Subiects) let policy a little get the vpper hand of Piety, and did somewhat conniue and fauour the Romish Religion; yet [Page 114]no doubt hee did neuer truly affect it. And howsoeuer some blacke-mouthed monsters are not ashamed to say, that he was like the Church of Laodicea, neither hot nor cold, yet charity and equity may depose, that he did not like to the Church of Ephesus, which forsooke her first loue.

No surely, but though in externall shew he might countenance the Popes Prelates, in re­gard most of the Princes of his Countrey were of that factiō; yet we may say of him, as it is said of Dauid, his heart was with God; & no doubt his soule soared vpon the wings of the Prote­stants profession vnto the hill of God, Mount Sion; In so much, as that cursed murtherer Raui­lack, though he might wound him mortally, yet could not kill him eternally, but God did turne the hate of that monster of men, or rather Furie of hell, to the well-fare of this mighty Monarch, who did but leaue a crowne of thornes to gaine a Crowne of glory, who did but lose a king­dome subiect to so many alterations (by time and troubles) to finde a Monarchy subiect to no mutability.

Oh happy Henrie, if thou hadst neuer beene the nourisher of such a viperous brood, which [Page 115]haue eaten out the bowels of thee which was thy foster-Father. Oh, had the valour of thy soule beene equall to the courage of thy minde, thy Countrey had neuer beene wounded so much by thy losse, nor thou by that monster; but thou hadst blessed it with a longer life, and a more timely death. Oh happy, if thou hadst laboured to haue purged Gods floore, and rooted out these tares out of Gods field; for had not these tares stood, the teares of sor­row had not so ouerflowne thy Kingdomes, whiles thou didst valiantly professe and main­taine the Gospell of Christ. How secure and free thou wert from danger: How secure in thy estate, and how did all things fall out pros­perous to thee? How vainely did these King-killing Caitiffes attempt to hurt thee? No sure­ly, the loue of God did shield thee from all thy enemies, but when thou shewedst too little loue to God, in throwing too many fauours vpon them, then the Lord did shew thee, that the effects of thy loue to them was their hate to thee.

For the father doth not alwayes beget a childe like himselfe; no more hath loue alwaies birth from affection: God did take away the [Page 116]guard of his protection and the bulwarke of his defense, exposing thy brest to an open ene­mie, both to himselfe and thee. Wheras Queene Elizabeth, who beyond the valour and con­stancie of her sex, maintained and continued the Christian Religion: How many dangerous treasons did the hand of the Lord conduct Her thorow, and still Shee was preserued? For the Deuill and his instruments are like the Croco­dile, which flyes if a man pursues it, but pursues if a man persist not in his pursuit; Or as a sha­dow, the which if a man flies will follow him, but if hee run after it, will run from him. In a word, God no doubt brought that famous pi­ous King, Henrie the fourth, to eternall durable life, through the purgatorie of a sharpe and sud­den death: So doth the Physitian giue bitter potions, to procure the better health: So doth the Chyrurgian launce the wound, to heale the sore; so are sharpe copperas waters giuen to salue sore blinded eyes; so is the ground har­rowed to make it fruitfull; and so no doubt God suffered this affliction of sudden death, to be effected by that cursed hand, that He might be more sound in his soules resolution, that his eyes might be opened, to see the sorditie of the [Page 117]Popish Iesuiticall Sect, and that Hee might bee better instructed by their crueltie in his death, than He could by their flatterie his life, who shewed themselues true Absolons, who the more Dauid did respect him, the more hee rebelled against him: Is it possible then that her minde can euer lose the impression of her fathers re­membrance? And can Shee remember Him, and yet forget his death? Or can reminiscence retaine his death, and not thinke of the instru­ment of it? Or can the instrument of that mur­ther be in her memorie, and the setters on work of that wicked Instrument, the Instigatours of that bloudie Butcher, to that beastly, cursed, cruell fact, be out of her minde? And can Shee remember them, and not abhorre them? And can She abhorre them, and not relinquish their religion, which hold that lawfull, which Gods Law hath forbidden? For God prohibiteth the murther of any priuate person; but these Doctors maintaine it to be lawfull to kill Kings, which are publique persons. Neither doe they permit it as a worke not impious, but perswade men to it, as a deed meritorious: For Rauilack had no sooner playd his part in that bloudie Scene, but hee was so confident in the blessed­nesse [Page 118]of the act, as hee thought immediately to haue flowne to Heauen, and beene crowned a Saint by God, as well as canonized a Saint by the Pope: Such is the leauen of the Popish Do­ctrine, that sowres all the subiects of the Prince which doth professe it. For what treacherous attempt against any King, either Protestant or Papist, hath beene made by a Protestant in our memories? Oh no, we are taught to feare God, to honour the King; wee must follow Dauids example to Saul, not lift vp our hands against the Lords Anointed; wee know Hee is Gods Vice-Gerent, placed there by God, and therfore to be displaced by none but Him: But on the contrarie, what plots haue beene laid? What treasons haue beene committed, either for the destruction of a King, or subuersion of a King­dome, in which the Papists haue not only been Parties, but principall Agents? Who were they which plotted so many treasons against the Person of Queene Elizabeth, but Papists? But what treasons were plotted against Queene Ma­rie by any Protestant, notwithstanding shee was a cruell persecutor of that Profession? What was Gowrie that conspired the ouerthrow of the Sacred Maiestie of King Iames, but a Pa­pist? [Page]What were the plotters of that horrid Gun-powder Treason, who sought with one puffe to blow away both the Prince and Peeres of our Kingdome, but all professors of the Romish Religion? What was hee which mur­thered King Henrie the third of France, but a Papist Iacobin? In a word, what treasons haue beene committed, which are contained in the Register-booke of mans memorie, which haue not beene plotted and performed by them? And no maruell the Priests and people practise it, since they preach it; and it is an orthodoxall opinion and position amongst them, that the Pope hath power both to dispose of King­domes, and depose Kings, and that King-killing is not onely a lawfull, but a holy and honoura­ble calling. Who then can suspect, that a Prin­cesse of her peerelesse part, of her pious dispo­sition, of her matchlesse vnderstanding and discretion, doth affect truly that religion, which doth infect the hearts of Princes subiects, which doth teach men to be monsters in gouernment, and not to subiect themselues to higher pow­ers, but to rebell against the rule and authoritie of the Regall Scepter? How can those Princes haue any peace with God, that doe so little re­spect, [Page]and much hazard their liues, as to har­bour and foster such murtherous rebellious minded men in their Kingdomes? How can Princes haue any peace with men, when they suffer men which are so wicked, to preach such doctrine, and practise such villanie? How can they haue any peace within thē, when they may iustly feare that each one which smiles in their face, may smite their heart? when they nourish vp such vipers in their bosome, as are readie each moment to eat out their bowels? How can then this Royall Princesse affect that reli­gion, or the professors of it, which was the death of her Father and his Predecessor? which may be a disturbance to the peace of her Prince, and the safetie of his person, if it be tolerated? which may impaire the securitie of her posteri­tie, who are neuer like to possesse their Prince­domes in peace, vnlesse such vermine bee hun­ted out of their Territories; for peace and such people cannot inhabit in one Kingdome, or dwell together, no more than wine and poyson in a crystall glasse, but the glasse will bee broke, and the wine spilt and spoiled: If then a Prince will possesse his soule and soueraigntie in peace, he must banish these breakers and disturbers of [Page 121]it. Neither is it a strange or vnheard of matter, for France and England to shake hands of ami­tie and vnitie in those blessed Contracts; for since almost the beginning of either Monar­chie, there haue beene continually these friend­ly and fortunate interchanges of mariage: For it was not concealed from our Ancestors, how beneficiall peace was betweene France and England; therefore Steuen Earle of Bloys was linked in the bond of mariage w ^th Adela, daugh­ter to William the Conquerour. And on the other side, William Waren Earle of Surrey, sonne of Gunred, daughter to William the Conqueror, maried the daughter of Hugh Vermandoys, bro­ther to the King of France. For in like manner, William Duke of Normandie did marrie Marie, daughter to Foulke Earle of Anjou; Maud the Empresse was linked in mariage with Iefferie Plantaginet Earle of Anjou. And for the happi­nesse of his Kingdome, the tranquillitie of his Countrey, and felicitie of his Countrey-men, Steuen King of England maried Constance, daughter to the King of France. Henrie the se­cond maried Elenor, sole heire to William Duke of Aquitaine. Henrie, sonne to King Henrie the second, maried Margaret, daughter to Lewis the [Page 122]French King. Richard Cordelion maried Beren­ger, daughter to Sanches King of Nauarre. Iohn King of England maried Isabel, daughter and heire of Amorie Earle of Angoulesme. Arthur, nephew to King Iohn, maried the daughter of Philip King of France. Edward the second ma­ried the daughter of Philip King of France. Isa­bel, daughter to Edward the third, maried Ingel­ram de Guisnes, Earle of Soysson and Bedford. Richard the second maried Isabel, daughter to Charles the French King. Henrie the fourth ma­ried Iane, the daughter of Philip the third King of Nauarre. Henrie the fifth maried Catherine, daughter to Charles the French King. Henrie the sixth maried Margaret, the daughter of Reiner Valois Duke of Anjou. Marie daughter to Henry the seuenth, maried Lewis the twelfth, French King. Charles Prince of Great Britaine, betrothed to Maria Henrette, daughter to Hen­rie the fourth, and sister to Lewis the thirteenth, Kings of France.

Thus hath there been a long and sweet con­tinuance of blessed Contracts between France and England, fortunate in each mariage, pro­ducing peace and plentie to each Dominion: so haue these matches beene prosperous to for­mer, [Page 123]so is this like to bee to future ages, that all happinesse to either Kingdom shall be the issue of this most longed for and liked Vnion: For who can bee made more happie in themselues, more blessed in their people, than this Prince and Princesse, who are so like in themselues, and their Countries, their people, their loues, & their vertues, as this rare Ladie and her Prince? who by his supreme vertues, might seeme only to challenge Her; and Shee, for her exquisite qualities, to enioy Him: So that from this Match may be deriued all happinesse, and all fe­licitie; as also all vertues ioyne in them; for hath his greatest indignation and choler beene euer made a crime against them, whom Hee hath hated? No, no, but his royall Soule, which had nothing in it but courage, seemed to faile in his reuenge, and though that with the eyes of his minde He may apprehend offences, yet his mercie is as readie to forget them, as his wis­dome to apprehend them. And for his valour, I doubt not, but hereafter as well as in times past, the eyes of all men shall see it, and eares conceiue it, and succeeding ages shall publish his present valour; and it is not to bee feared that this assertion shall need confirmation, since [Page 124]there is hope it is not only without contestatiō, but comparison, who hath also clemency ioy­ned with his courage, & hath as much pleasure in pardoning, as glory in vanquishing: so that it is to be expected, that as the acts of the one shall be signed with bloud, so the other shall be sea­led with teares.

And for his pious life, the world knowes that he hath no superiors, few equals, but mul­titudes of inferiours; who as if he made it his onely happinesse to serue God, doth only please himselfe in pleasing him, esteeming his seruices his greatest freedome, and deeming it a thing most vnworthy, to bee a Soueraigne of men, and not a seruant of God. And a thing most requisite in a Prince to be as eminent in grace, as in place; and in vertue, as in dignity; than the which there cannot be a greater honour, nor a­ny thing which doth more proue or improue the stocke He came of, who is like pure pearly water flowing from a Crystall fountaine; or like an Apple of gold hanging vpon a goodly Cedar, which brancheth it selfe into all the parts of Christendome.

For how royally descended, and neerely alli­ed is He; for how frequent haue the interchan­ges [Page 125]of Mariages with England, and other the chiefest and noblest Families of Christendome, being the onely sonne of Iames the sixt of that name, King of Great-Britaine, France, and Ire­land, lineally descended from multitudes of most mighty Monarchs, the vndoubted Heire of the said Dominions, being issued from Marie Queene of Scotland, and Dowager of Francis of Valoys the second French King, who depar­ted this life 1586, marrying Henrie Steward Lord Darnely her second Husband, eldest Son to Mathew created Duke of Albany, in an. 1565, and slaine in the yeare 1566: the which Q. Mary was the daughter of Iames Steward the 5. king of Scotland, whose first wife was Magdalen daughter of Francis the 1. French king, who dy­ed in the yeare 1541: The which Iames the 5. was descended from Iames the 4. king of Scot­land, who married Margaret eldest daughter of king Henrie the 7, and sister to king Henrie the eighth, in the 11. yeare of her Fathers reigne, 1489. and was slaine in battle at Flowden, anno 1514, in the sixt yeare of king Henrie the 8. his reigne. The which Iames 4. was issued from Iames the 3. king of Scotland, who maried Mar­garet daughter of Christian the 1. king of Den­marke, [Page 126]marke, who was descended from Iames Steward the 2. King of Scotland, who maried Marie daughter of Arnold Duke of Gelders, and was slaine anno 1460, who was sprung from the loynes of Iames Steward the first king of Scot­land, who maried Ioane daughter of Iohn Earle of Summerset: In the which England and Scot­land in those times also gaue the kisses of peace in mariage; for the said Ioane was descended from Iohn Plantagenet, sirnamed of Gaunt, Earle of Richmond, Duke of Lancaster, called king of Castile, who maried three wiues, and died in anno 1398. being issued from the royall stocke of Edward Plantagenet the 3. king of England and France, who quartered the Armes, erected the Order of the Garter, maried Philip of He­nault, and deceased anno 1377.

But to returne vnto our former discourse, this Iames the first was issued from the loynes of Robert Steward the third king of Scotland, sometimes called Iohn, maried Annibell daugh­ter to Iohn Drummond, and dyed in anno 1406, who was descended from Robert Steward the 2, who after Dauid Bruise 1370. was king of Scot­land, whose second wife was Elizabeth daugh­ter of Adam Marre knight, who dyed 1309. [Page]was descended from Gualter Steward Lord Steward of Scotland, who maried Margerie daughter of Robert Bruise, sister and heire to Dauid-Bruise, both kings of Scotland, by which meanes the royall name of the Stewards was matcht into the bloud royall, and made appa­rant heires of the Crowne; in which worthy and noble Name it doth still vnto this present day continue. Which honourable and e­uer to be reuerenced Name, was first aduanced to the dignity of Lord Stewardship by king Malchol the 3. who conferred that honour vp­on Walter borne in Wales, at his returne in­to Scotland, for some memorable and wor­thy seruices which hee performed. But they were intituled in the Crowne by the mari­age of the abouesaid Margerie, daughter to Ro­bert Bruise Earle of Carrick, the first king of Scotland, who maried Elizabeth sister to the Earle of Marre, and died in anno 1329. Whose Ancestour Robert Bruise Lord of the Valley of Anandie in Scotland, and Cunnington in Eng­land, maried Martha daughter to the Earle of Carrick. Hee also married Isabel the sister and co-heire of Iohn the Scot, Earle of Chester, who brought vnto him Cunnington in England for [Page]her Dowry, being of the stocke of Dauid Earle of Angus and Huntingdon, the 3. sonne of Hen­rie Prince of Scotland, who married Margaret daughter and coheire of the Earle of Chester, and dyed in anno 12 19. William king of Scot­land (sirnamed the Lion) second Son of Prince Henrie, succeeded his brother king Malchol in anno 1160, and dyed without issue. Henrie Earle of Huntingdon married Ada the daughter of William Earle of Werren, hauing a period prefixt to his daies by the Almighty, afore the expiration of his Fathers life anno 1152. Dauid the first king of Scotland, sonne of Malchol, married Maud daughter and heire of Waltheof Earle of Huntingdon, and dyed in anno 1153. in the 19. yeare of the Reigne of king Steuen; so Maud Queene of England, daughter of Malchol, and brother to Dauid the first king of Scotland, was espoused to Henrie the first king of Eng­land, sonne to William the Conquerour, who dyed anno 1119, from whose loynes sprung the famous race of the Brittish Kings, who haue for their valour, and their fortunes beene famous, and admired throughout the world.

Neither was here a beginning of the loue and amitie betweene them, who now by one are [Page 129]for euer made one: For likewise before the Con­quest there was a mutual exchange of these con­tracts, & betweene the ancient famous Saxons, and our pious Kings & Princes ancestors, haue bin famous matches for the good & benefit of both Kingdomes, for both the Lines of Egbert the Saxon K. of England, & Alphin K. of Scot­land, met in the mariage of Malchol the 3, and Margaret sister of Edgar Ehelin right heire to the Crowne of England, who died an. 1093. Which Malchol was the son of Duncan, who vanquisht Mackboth in fight, yet afterwards himselfe was slaine in anno 1092, whose Father Dunken the 1. king of Scotland, (& heire of Beatrix who suc­ceeded Malchol) was slaine by Makbeth in anno 1046. Beatrix eldest daughter, and co-heire of king Malchol the 2, was maried to Abineth Crinathany of the West Ilands of Scotland. Mal­chol the second king of Scotland, sonne of Ken­neth the 3, subdued king Trim, was slaine in an­no 1034. Kenneth the third king of Scotland, succeeded king Culen, became a tyrant, and was murthered 994. Malchol the first sonne of king Donald, was the successour of Constantine the 3, and was murthered in the yeare 958. Do­nald the sixt king of Scotland, next after king [Page 130] Gregory was his predecessour, who died anno 904. Constantine the second, king of Scotland, after the death of Donald his Vnckle, was slaine in anno 874. Keneth the second, king of Scot­land, called the great, succeeded his Father king Alphen, and died in anno 894. Alphin sonne of K. Achai, who made the first league w ^th France, after the death of king Dongallies, hee likewise recouered the kingdome of Scotland anno 830, and was afterwards slaine in anno 834.

This is the royall descent of our renowned Prince by the Fathers side, being sprung by the Fathers and Grandfathers side, from so many glorious stemmes of the kings of Scotland. By the Grandmother from the renowned race of the Kings of England, to whom Scotland hath beene often lincked by the performance of Hymens rites, and the celebration of happie nuptials; but now it hath found (by the meanes of our gracious Soueraigne) a more blessed and assured vnion. Whose ancestours (the true ob­iects of admiration) haue euer beene famous for vertuous actions, for what haue they beene defectiue in which sauoured of perfection? what worth haue they wanted, that might make them esteemed to bee the most noble [Page 131]worthies that euer liued? For he hath beeneal­lyed to so many mighty Kings of England and Scotland; and in fine, doth heire rightfully the vertues and renownes of both Kings and king­domes; for who can be silent but dumbe men in his praises? or can any be tongue-tide whose heart is lincked to him by the bond of obedi­ence? and can any one which is a true subiect but make such a Soueraigne the subiect of his praises, and obiect of his duty? But to the intent that all may know the highnesse of this Princes birth, as well as the goodnesse of his minde, ex­amine but the greatnesse of his ancestours and allyes of the mothers side, whose remembrance to vs is like Myrrhe vnto the body which it embalmeth, incorruptible, but wonderous bit­ter; for how can it bee better then bitter vnto vs, seeing it reduceth into our reminiscence her Name which was so delightfull, seeing that put­ting vs in minde of her perfections, the which making vs see how necessary she was for vs, manifests vnto vs how miserable we are for her. Oh no, it is impossible for vs to remember her, and to forget her vertues; or to retaine the losse of them in our minds, and to forget sorrow, but to haue weeping eies and bleeding hearts; con­sidering [Page 132]that the perpetual welfare of England required that she had bin immortall, frō whose death our griefe hath birth, and from whose tombe floweth our sorrow. But why should I thus produce this mournful dish at this mariage feast, vnlesse it should be like sowre sawces to­beget vs better stomackes to our sweeter dain­ties, and to make the beautie of our solace more amorous and excellent by the propo­sing of the palenesse of our sorrow: So doth a faire stately Steede seeme most to bee estee­med being amongst a number of ill-fauoured Iades. So doth it serue as well as a painting for a faire Lady to haue a foule Chamber­maid; so doth a passionate speech delight in a pleasant Comedie, and a sorrowfull passage thrust in amongst a company of merrie scenes. And no doubt this serues like the face of a blacke-Moore to his teeth, makes them seeme more white and comely.

This sorrow, for the losse of our Queene Anne, makes our ioy, for the enioying of this Princesse, the greater; who is like her for per­fections, as She seemeth most fortunate, in be­ing the wife of such a Prince, descended from such a mother, who although dead, yet liue in [Page 133]Her, as being the true Mirrour of her most gra­cious qualities; He also most happie in Her, in finding a kinde of a mother in a wife, so like Her, who may serue Him for his mothers pi­cture, all times to looke on, with a respectiue, louing, ioyfull remembrance, to see his mother liuing in Her: For surely, her beautie and ver­tue cannot die, so long as this famous Prince­sse shall liue. And thus, like Isaak with Rebecca, Hee shall bee comforted after the death of his mother, who for the goodnesse and the great­nesse of her bloud, was almost vnparalleld; For how many royall Kings, which weilded their regall Scepters with policie, power, and pietie, is Shee descended from? How neerely allied was She to multitudes of potent Princes? in so much, as walls of friendship were erected by her meanes, round about these Kingdomes, as the King of Denmarke, who for his place and person, is both wealthie and worthie, and able, both for men and money, to raise a friend, or ruine an enemie; but howsoeuer, to defend an Allie, who was the naturall and most affectio­nate brother of our most royall Queene, who by this most happie Contract, is vnited to France, as we to Him, who will be alwayes in [Page 134]readinesse to doe any office of friendship and fraternitie vnto it.

What should I speake of the Ancestors of our Queene, as Fredericke the second, King of Den­marke, Norway, Goths, and Vandalls, sonne to Christian the third, who died in that menacing memorable yeere 1588. and the 32. of the reigne of Queene Elizabeth, of neuer-dying fame and memorie, who maried Sophia (not vn­worthily so called, in respect her disposition did answer her denomination; for indeed Shee was all wisdome, as her name importeth) Queene of Denmarke, sole heire to Vlrick Duke of Meckleburg, in anno 1572. from whose bles­sed loynes and fruitfull, as from a fertile Soyle, hath flowed such a noble Progenie, as see­med to promise to people the world with Princes, as that Princely, royall, religious, pious, prudent Queen Anne, the mostrespected, chaste, meeke, mercifull, Maiestique Wife of the Sa­cred Maiestie of our most mightie Monarch, Iames the first; and the most happie Mother of our most promising Prince Charles, the Felicitie of his Father, and the Pledge of our succeeding Peace, & the Propagation of Religion; & also the fortunate Mother of many hopefull Chil­dren, [Page]the most Gracious Queene Elizabeth, hath borne vnto Frederick King of Bohemia. Also the aforenamed Christian the fourth, the now King of Denmarke, who maried Anne Cathe­rine Queene of Denmarke, daughter to Ioachim Frederick Marquisse of Brandenburg, borne in anno 1575. who hath now reaped the fruits and pledges of his mariage-bed, the most war­like and worthie Prince, Frederick Christian Heire of Norway, Duke of Holst and Sleswick, and is still suruiuing, a most prosperous, hope­full, and honourable Prince: As also Vlrick, Heire of Norway, Duke of Holst, Knight of the noble order, Brother to Queene Anne, and Vnckle to Prince Charles, second sonne of King Frederick the second: And in like man­ner Iohn Duke of Holst and Sleswick, Brother to Queene Anne, and Vnckle to Prince Charles, who was borne 1583. and died vnmaried in Muscouia. Also Elizabeth, eldest Daughter of King Frederick the second, Sister to Queene Anne, and Aunt to Prince Charles, who was espoused to Henrie Iulio Duke of Brunswicke and Luneburg, father of two brothers, the el­der Duke of Brunswicke and Luneburg, and Christian Duke of Brunswicke and Bishop of [Page 136]Halberstadt, who hath manifested his infinite loue and courage, for the defense of the true re­ligion and his Allies, exposing his brest to open dangers and infinite perils, hazarding his sub­stance and himselfe, beyond ordinarie valour or vertue, for the restoring of his so much beloued, and so much worthie to bee beloued kinswo­man, Q. Elizabeth. O worthie Prince! neuer enough to be commended by the weaknesse of a humane pen; for I thinke no Tullian, no surely, nor Tertullian eloquence, could sufficiently compile thy commendations: and I doubt not, but thy vertues haue engrauen more no­ble thoughts on Thee, in the hearts of all, than can be expressed by the hands of any. But to re­turne to the famous Off-spring of this happie King Frederick the second: and not to forget Augusta, third daughter to King Frederick the second, and Sister to Queene Anne, and Aunt to our worthie Prince Charles, borne in the yeere of Christ 1580. Hedwige, fourth and youngest daughter to King Frederick the se­cond, Sister to Queen Anne, and Aunt to Prince Charles, maried to Christian Duke Elector of Saxonie, Marquisse of Mismia; all which Prin­ces issued from the loynes, and are the posteritie [Page 137]of the famous King Frederick the second, and Sophia his chaste Spouse and worthie Wife. Christian the third, King of Denmarke, &c. sonne to Frederick the first, King of Denmarke, who maried Dorothie Queene of Denmarke, daughter to Magnes the second, Duke of Saxo­nie, Angry, and Westphaly. Frederick the first, King of Denmarke, maried Sophia of Pomer­land, Queene of Denmarke, his second wife, daughter to Bugslane the tenth, by Anne of Po­land. Christian the first, King of Denmarke, &c. maried Dorothie Queene of Denmarke, daugh­ter to Iohn Marquisse of Brandenburg, widow of Christopher Palatine of Rhine. Theodore the fortunate, Earle of Holdenburg, maried Hed­wige his second wife, daughter of Gerard Duke of Sleswicke. Henrie the elder, Duke of Bruns­wicke and Lunenburg, was maried to Catherine of Pomerland, Dutchesse of Brunswick. Albert, sirnamed the Achilles of Germanie, Marquisse of Brandenburg, maried Margaret Marchionesse of Brandenburg, youngest daughter of Iames Marquisse of Baden. Fredericke Earle of Zo­lern, Burgraue of Norrenburg, maried Elizabeth of Bauaria, daughter of the Duke of Bauaria, who died in the yeere 1457. Fredericke the [Page 138]Hardie, Landtgraue of Thurin, maried the daughter of Henrie Earle of Henneburg. Iames Marquisse of Baden, Earle of Spanheim, maried Catherine the daughter of Charles Duke of Lo­raine. Henrie the first, Earle of Holst and Scaumburg, maried Agnes daughter of Florence Earle of Bronchersteine. Albert of Habsburg, Arch-Duke of Austria and Emperour, maried Elizabeth of Carinthia, who was murthered 1308. Otho the first, Palatine Elector of Rhine, Duke of Bauaria, maried Agnes daughter of Henrie, sonne of Henrie Leo. Lewis Duke of Bauaria maried Lowisa, daughter of Primislay King of Bohemia, widdow of Albert Boggai, and died in 1231. Henrie Bureuen, Prince of the Obotrites & Meckel, maried Maud daugh­ter of Henrie Leo, Elector of Saxonie. Otho the Rich, Earle of Ascanie, Marquisse of Salisque­tie, maried Helica daughter of Beling the Great, Elector of Saxonie. So likewise Squantiber the first, Prince of Vandalls, Sclauonie, Duke of Pomerand and Stetin, one of the prime Proge­nitors and Roots of these royall Branches, died in the yeere of Christ 1107. being the first yeere of the reigne of Henrie the first of England.

Here then the blindest man may see the fa­mous [Page 139]Genealogie of our mightie Prince, the which I haue related in a compendious man­ner, fearing to be tedious or troublesome; yet not so briefly, but it is void of obscuritie; so that the most ignorant may conceiue the most illu­strious mariages, betweene the Ancestors of this Royall Prince, and all parts of Christen­dome. For the Progenitors of his deere Father, and our dread Soueraigne, haue matched into the most famous Families of the house of Bur­bon, French King, and of Nauarre, Arragon, Castile, Loraine, and Hapsburg, now called Austria, of the Emperour, and King of Spaine.

Also by the way, the houses of Luxenburgh, Gelders, and Dowglasse, all the which manifest vnto thee how often they haue beene graced with the participation and ioyning in the Im­periall stemme of his sacred Maiesty, the King of Great-Britaine.

Also the noble Line out of which sprung the Kings of Denmarke, as Saxonie, Pommerland, Brunswicke, Plantagenet, Oldenburg, Sham­burg, Holst, and Sleswicke, Zelerne, and being descended from the Electors of Brandenburg, Bauare, and Mackleburg, in former times the Kings of the Orbotrites. Also you may see Au­stria, [Page 140]Baden, Oldenburg, Thurin, Bohemia. Also the house of Austria springeth forth from Poland, that her branch might be inoculated into Pomerland, and so be grafted into Den­markes stocke. This is the neuer-enough to be illustrated descent of our most royall Prince, whose famous Predecessours and Allies doe, like so many burning Lamps, shine to keepe his vertues from obscurity; but that being so high of birth all men might looke vpon and loue his worthy disposition and pious inclination, the which, if I should offer to produce vpon the Theater & Stage of these my labours, it would be too little to be contained in it, and I could not tell where to make a Prologue or an Epi­logue to my storie. Oh no, let such ambition be as remote once to thinke, or vndertake to penne his praises to the full, which desires no praise, but deserues all: Let it only be my com­fort that I haue payd some duty to him, vnto whose perfections my affections are deuoted, and whose I am. Millions of times more then my owne, of whose worth I am an admirer, vn­to whose Highnesse it is my onely desire to ex­presse my seruice, and manifest my duty; and likewise to that high borne Royall Princesse, [Page 141]his intended and contracted Spouse, whose Royall Person includes all high beatitudes: for her birth is most excellent, and yet her fortune exceeds her birth, and also her vertues her for­tunes, whose beauty darkens the beames of mundane luster, & draweth all humane lights to it, to behold it with admiration.

Alas, what shall I say? If I should vnder­take such an endlesse enterprise, as to expresse her vertues to the full, which are aboue mea­sure, except I should take in hand a taske infinit; for her praises must bee infinite, because her worth is such, and sure I am my worke is infi­nite in nothing but weaknesse; let me therfore haue leaue to make that the Omega which was the Alpha of my worke, and end with that with the which I did begin, humbly besseeching the Giuer of all good gifts, and Father of lights, in whom is no variablenes or shadow of turning, to blesse this Vnion with a happy processe, which he hath happily begunne, to make their vertues permanent which now are peerelesse, and (howsoeuer man can scarcely conceiue how they should be more vertuous) yet that they may still increase and grow in goodnesse, in which there is euermore a plus vltra. Long [Page 142]may they liue and loue together, and bring forth such golden Apples of Posterity, and haue such a happy off-spring, that they may be iustly ioyous, and all the world fortunate in it, that they may haue length and prosperity of dayes here, Peace at the time of their passage out of this world, and a happy resurrection to eternall life; the which, that it may be, let all good Sub­iects say as I pray, Amen.