I. Concerning the Honour of the King, by the Unity of his Subjects one with another.

VVERE All (or the major part) of the King's Subjects so in Unity one with another, that every man sought each others good as much as his own, and so fulfilled the law of God therein, by each man's loving his Neigh­bor as himself, and doing unto all (and at all times) as they would be done unto; having the Bond of Peace up­on their hearts, by the Power of his Spirit, who com­manded the Christians, not only to love one another, but also their Enemies; whereby they are so far from De­fraud or coveting other mens Goods, or wronging any [Page 4]man in Person or Estate, that Covetousness is not named among them, neither could be by any justly charged upon them; but rather the things they possess are ac­knowledged to be the Lord's, and themselves to be but Stewards thereof, and therefore durst not be un­faithfull towards God or man, in the Unrighteous Mam­mon, lest the Lord should refuse to commit unto them the greater Riches: And were they brought to have a certain knowledge one of another herein, that they durst with boldness confide one in anothers Constan­cy in those things, without the least fear of being any way wronged, oppressed, or injured by each other; with what abundance of satisfaction would such live upon the Earth? and how desirable and amiable would this be for Christians, and Brethren, to live thus in Unity?

And were they brought not to turn away their fa­ces from their own flesh, nor to slight the Cry of the Poor; but with an Eye of Pitty still to be commise­rating the Needy, and much caring how to have Op­pression removed, that so with the more chearfulness the Necessities of their poor Brethren might the easier be relieved, and such continual Care to be taken herein, until all Oppressions were brought to an end, and all the Poor kept from want (there being suffi­cient within the King's Dominions to do it) that what is spent in Vanity might be forborn; and what is wa­sted in Oppression might be withheld, and other wayes found out (as something hath been prescribed by Tho­mas Lawrence of Marleborough) untill there were not one poor Member of all the Body of the King's Do­minions to be found, that had need to ask for Food or [Page 5]Rayment, by reason of the Brotherly Care, Love and Unity in the foresaid Subjects.

And all Jealousies and Heart-burnings one against another, and fear one of another, as to be hurt in Per­son or Estate, or destroyed one of another, to be as clearly removed out of all minds, as if such things had never been; all being contented with the things (and places) that they have, and no man seek another's Goods, or House, or Lands, or Place, or Worldly Honour from him, nor any strive to be greater than another therein; but if any strive, then so to strive, as to excel in Vertue, and in his service of love to his Bre­thren, and People of his Nation, until Love, Unity, and lasting Peace and Concord spread over all, and all the contrary removed: which would be much for the Honour of the KING, not onely all the dayes of his Life, but would reach unto the Ages to come.

II. Concerning the King's Honour, by his Subjects submis­sion ( actively or passively) unto all his Laws.

VVEre the King's Subjects (or the major part thereof) brought to be as ready to observe and keep all his Laws, Edicts and Commands, which are according unto, and grounded upon good Reason, the Holy Scriptures, and according to God's Witness in their Consciences, as he is to require it; and as free­ly willing to walk according to all such his good and wholesom Laws, Statutes and Ordinances, as he is to impose such upon them. And moreover, that they could not be constrained to break them by any For­reign [Page 6]Prince, or evil Member at home, but at all times, and in all Cases, standing so faithful, that the King be never dishonoured by their transgression of his Just and Righteous Laws, and that for Conscience sake, out of Love, and not for Fear. And moreover, did the King make such Laws and Orders, or suffer such to remain in force, which his Subjects aforesaid did certainly know were contrary to good Reason, and not according to the Scriptures or Law of God, but quite contrary also to God's Witness in their own Con­sciences; and that such Laws also were well known to them to be destructive to the King's Subjects, and much hurtful to their Estates, and danger of ruinating their Families; or, if it should reach to Death or Ba­nishment, yet they not to rebel against the King, nor raise Arms to defend themselves, though they are tru­ly satisfied that such Laws are unreasonable; yet for Conscience sake not to oppose, but submit unto every Ordinance of man, whether unto the King, or such as are set in Authority under him: and so, though they can­not actively obey those Laws which are contrary to God's Righteous Law, written in their Hearts; yet passively to fulfill those Laws also, by a passive suffer­ing the Penalties which those Laws require of such as actively keep them not; and so therein again are those Laws fulfilled also by them: that so it might be said of him, That his Subjects are alwayes ready to fulfil, or submit unto all his Laws and Orders, either by active or passive obedience, whether they be reasonable or unreasonable. And a People being brought thus to submit to the King in all things, would be very much for his Honour in Truth and Righteousness.

III. Concerning the King's Honour, by the Faithfulnesse of his Subjects unto him.

VVEre all the King's Subjects brought unto such Faithfulness unto him, that he him­self could with good Confidence trust them, or him­self with them; and, without any doubting, believe and know that they would not harm him in the least, nor in the least contrive the shortning of his dayes; but all desiring his long life, to govern in Righteousness: and were they all of such a Principle, and unalterable therein, as not to destroy any man's Life, though their Enemies, much less a Friend, a Neighbour, or a Chri­stian; that the King might be well perswaded of them, that they would never harm him, nor plot, nor con­spire against him, nor ever offer or intend Violence to­wards him, though he had none to guard him; so that if he please, he might even with boldness and confi­dence at any time trust himself with them, or amongst them, without the least danger or fear in himself; know­ing all his Subjects to be as careful of his Life, as his Life-Guard; so that if he please he might not need alwayes to keep one Company of his Subjects to guard him; for fear of any other of his Subjects; but rather for fear of such as are not his Subjects. And were [...] his Subjects brought in such Faithfulness, and the King west and truly satisfied therein, would it not ease him and his Council of much Care and sometimes Fear too? and to be so well satisfied in himself concerning his Subjects Faithfulness to him herein, that he could [Page 8]take their Word for it, without Oath, Bond, or Surety; Or, if he had no Word or Promise at all from them, yet could believe and trust them, that they would ne­ver plot or rise against him, nor do him harm, but re­main as firm, steadfast, and true to him, as any other Prince's Subjects in the whole World, by any of their Oaths, Bonds, or other Engagements whatsoever, if not more constant and steadfast: which, were all the King's Subjects brought unto, would be such an Honour un­to the King therein, as would hardly be found belong­ing unto any Prince in the whole World again.

IV. Concerning the Honour that the King might have by the Uprightnesse of his Subjects in their Traffick with other Nations.

VVEre all the King's Subjects (or most part of them) brought into Truth, Plainness, and Righteousness, so that their Yea was Yea, and their Nay, Nay; that so all Merchants and Factors could take their Words, and trust to their Words to be of more value than the Oaths of most Princes Sub­jects in the World; and that in what Nation or King­dom soever they come in the World, as soon as it was heard they were such a Prince's Subjects, that then both the King of those Dominions, with Princes, Judges, Merchants, Factors and People, might all conclude they were true men of their Words; and that any man might deal with them, and none be afraid to traffick with them, because they abhor Deceit, Defraud and Lying, and all manner of Cozening or Dishonesty: [Page 9]and would not this also promote Trading, and so en­rich the Kingdom, and be some means to relieve the Poor? And is not the enriching of the Kingdom for the King's Honour? And what Man or Nation is it, but would desire to deal with Just Men? And would not the Fame of such a Prince, and such his Subjects as deal justly and truly where-ever they come, soon sound over all the World? And would it not be for his Honour, that had such a People as did neither seek nor ask but a Just Prince where-ever they come amongst all Nations in the World? And if such Honour before­mentioned be esteemed, what part of it is beyond this, which might cause a King's Name to be renown­ed over the whole World, having such upright, true, just, honest-hearted men in all things, to his Subjects, as not any other Emperour or Prince could produce the like?

V. Concerning the King's Honour, by his Subjects departing from that which dishonoureth (both God and) the King, and themselves.

VVEre all the King's Subjects brought to leave and utterly to forsake the Devil and all his Works, the Pomp and Vanities of this wicked World, and all the sinfull Lusts of the flesh, and the carnal desires of the same; and so to leave and utterly forsake all man­ner of Evil in word and deed, and to bear no Malice or Hatred in their Hearts; to keep their Tongues from Lying and Evil-speaking, seeing it is the evil words that corrupts the good manners; and so not to speak proud­ly, [Page 10]nor contemptuously, no not of the meanest Mem­ber in the Nation; but to abhor and leave Arrogan­cy, with all manner of Voluptuousness, knowing, that God resisteth the Proud; and so not one such prophane person as Lord Esau to be found amongst them; nor one Swearer, nor Lyar, nor Thief, nor Murderer a­mongst them; neither yet a Drunkard, nor a Glutton, nor a Whoremonger, nor a Covetous Person (which is Idolatry) to be found amongst them; nor any that spend their dayes in Vanity, nor that abuse or waste the good Creatures of God in any of the King's Domi­nions, whereby any of his Subjects may come to want, to his dishnour. And were they all brought to forsake the very Appearance of Evil, and so never to transgress any of his good Laws, to his dishonour: herein also would this be for the Honour of the King.

And thus might his Fame ring over all the World, and be of great Renown among all the Upright-heart­ed in all Nations: for what is a King without his Subjects? and when is a King more honoured by his Subjects, than when his Subjects themselves are most honourable, and act most noble and honourably? And what is more honourable and more noble in the out­ward practice among the sons of men, whereby a King might be honoured, than the things aforesaid? Nay, doth not the Principles, Qualities and Practices afore­said, make men more noble and honou­rable than the Titles of For Esau was called Lord, & Edom had ma­ny Dukes, and Ishmael had twelve Princes. Lord Esau, or Dukes of Edom, or Princes of Ishmael, seeing Abraham was a Wanderer, and Jacob a Pilgrim, and Israel dwelled in Tents; who obtained a good Report [Page 11]through Faith, and whom God hath renowned with an everlasting Honour.

VI. Concerning the Honour of the King, and also his great Be­nefit, by his Subjects being the Peculiar Chosen People of God, and their having the Spirit of the Lord to counsel Him.

WEre many of the King's Subjects the true Ser­vants and Children of the Invisible God of Hea­ven and Earth, by true Mortification, Sanctification, and Regeneration, and truly led, moved, and guided by the Spirit of God; and many of them so grown in­to the Power and Wisdom of God really, and abso­lately so having the Spirit of the Lord poured forth upon them in these latter dayes, according to the Pro­mise of God, which must be and is already fulfilled, so that at a needfull time One of them having (as it was said of Daniel, chap. 5. v. 11.) the Spirit, Light, Understanding and Wisdom being found in him, could shew unto the King such a thing or things, or secret Determination of God, which all others (the King's Wise-men) whomsoever could not; and to discover the lurking of the King's Enemies unto him, and their secret purposes against him, though they were far re­mote; as Elisha discovered unto the King of Israel, [...] which the King of Syria in his Bed-chamber con­trived against him, whereby the King of Israel escaped his Plots, not once or twice, 2 King. 6.10. And that they could and did at any time, and often times (as moved of the Lord) declare and shew unto the King, [Page 12]the Counsel of God concerning himself and his King­dom, and what would come to pass concerning both: and how he might avoid the Evil, and choose the Good, like as Samuel and other Prophets, who had the Spi­rit, were wont to do unto the Kings of Israel in the dayes of old, that so his Throne might be established in Righteousness; which would be more than an ordi­nary Honour for the King; and God might blesse and prosper him for their sakes, as He did Pharaoh for the sake of that one faithful man, Joseph, after the King had released him out of Bonds.

But by this time many might say unto me, as a Lord said unto the Prophet, when he spake of things much unlike to come to passe, How can these things be, though God should make Windows in Heaven?

To which I answer, That though I do not affirm, that all those things shall come to passe concerning him; yet I say, that many are already, and many more may come to the state aforesaid; And it would be his Happiness, and more for his Honour than men can yet receive, to be Chief Magistrate among or over such a People, and to have most of his Subjects so qualified, and great would be his Peace thereby.

And thus further I say, That the God of Heaven and Earth hath promised that a People shall be all Righ­teous, and that Iniquity shall cease, and the Nations shall learn War no more, but every one shall rest under his own Vine, and none shall make them afraid: And they shall be in league with the stones of the field; and the Beasts of the field shall be at peace with them. And the Lord God hath brought many into the entrance of these things, that with Christ in the Prophet, they can [Page 13]give their Backs to the smiter, and their Cheeks to him [...] plucketh off the hair. And if it were well if that all the King's Subjects were come to the things afore­said, and to live in that upright state; Then it is not [...] that some are come unto that state already. And if the Little that is begun towards this Work were che­rished, might it not grow and increase towards that state hinted at in the former brief Particulars, touch­ing the Honour of the King? though there is an Honour which exceeds all this.

And certainly the Word of the Lord will stand for ever, though men and their Powers, and Heaven and Earth may passe away: And assuredly the God of Righteousness hath begun his Work in this Nation, and in the Hearts of many of his Little Ones; and a Little One (he hath said) shall become a Thousand, and a Small One, a strong Nation; and the Kingdoms of this World shall become the Kingdom of our God and of his Christ. And what if a Nation be born at once, and She bring forth before her travel, and the Lord an­swer before his People call, and hear while they are yet speaking, and multiply the Seed of Abraham as the Stars of Heaven, and increase the Innocent Flock of his Fold as the innumerable Plants upon the face of the Earth, that Sin and Iniquity may have an end, and Righteousness reign for evermore?

And if it be further enquired, How the King might have his Subjects truly principled and qualified as afore­said; or, have such Subjects generally thus for his great Honour?

I answer further (to the Everlasting Praise of God) That there are many (which may well be called some [Page 14]of his truest Subjects in his Dominions) that are alrea­dy truly principled, and qualified as aforesaid; and more are entering and growing up into the same Faith­fulness, Love, Unity and Peace with all men, and God will encrease them; and it might be much for the Ho­nour of (God and) the King to encourage them there­in; and much for the dishonour of God, and dishonour and great disadvantage of the King divers wayes, if he seek, or should be perswaded to seek the hinderance of these things, or of his Subjects, who are thus already qualified, or the Increase of their number therein, or their Increasing in the Honest, Noble, Honourable, Upright things aforesaid: which things might make for the Honour of the King; and will certainly be for the Glory of God.

And this is written by one that desireth the Peace of all the Nations, and Unity amongst all men; and that many more may come into the Righteous Things aforesaid; which would be for the Glory of God, the Honour of the Chief Magistrate, the great Benefit of the Nations, and much Comfort to themselves. And that desireth the In­crease of Love, Truth and Vertue, which brings into the true Honourable Nobility; for the which this is written, That men may come into the true Noble and Honourable Estate in the sight of God and all Just men, among whom I am a true Friend to them all in Love,