A DECLARATION FROM Divers Well-affected Subjects within the City of LONDON TO The Free-born People of England; Concerning the Kings Majesty, and his Great and Representative Councell of this Kingdome.
WHereas in naturall things, the Head being cut off, the rest cannot be called a Body; no more can in politique things, a Multitude or Communality without a Head, be incorporate: Therefore if a People desiring to live in Society, and willing to erect either a politique Body or a Kingdom, must of necessity chuse one to govern that Body, who [Page 2] in a Kingdom of Regendo, is called Rex, and so by the people is established a Kingdome: which Government is absolutely the best.
And as the Head of the Physical body cannot change the reyns and the sinews thereof, nor deny the members of their proper strength and necessary nutriture: no more can a King who is Head of the politick Body, alter or change the Laws of that Body, or take from the people their goods or substance against their wils; for a King is chosen & bound to maintain the Laws of His Subjects, and to defend their bodies and goods; So Brute arriving in this Island with his Trojans, elected here a gallant and politick Government, which hath for the most part continued ever since: For, though wee have had many changes, within this his Majesties Realm of England, as first the Romans, then the Saxons, then the Danes; and lastly, the Normans, yet in the time of all these Nations and during their Ra [...]gns, the Kingdom was for the most part governed in the same manner as now it is, Plutarch saith, that all at first that governed were called Tyrants, but afterwards the good Governours called Kings.
For though a man by force do subdue Cities and Countries, yet he ought to rule according to reason; and if hee know God, according to the Law of God: but when he is admitted King by the people, and hath his power from them He may not subject the people to any other power, and therefore ought not (as a party hath formerly alleadged) to use his great and prerogative at his Majesties owne will and pleasure.
And here I think it not amisse to set down some few laws and Customes of other Common-wealths, whereby their good Government may appeare, they not being Christians, Ptolomeus King of Egypt feasted one day seven Ambassadours, which at his request shewed unto him three of their [Page 3] principal Laws and Customes, expressing themselves in this manner, viz.
The Ambassadour of Rome's Speech to Ptolomeus King of Egyyt, in these words, We have the Temples in great reverence, we are very obedient to our Governours, and we do punish wicked men severely.
2. The Carthagenian Ambassadour his Speech, viz. Our Noble men nover left fighting, the Artificers never left labouring, &c.
The Cicilian Ambassador's Speech, In our Commonwealth justice is exactly kept, and Marchandize is exercized [...]ith truth.
The Rodian Ambassador said, That at Rodes old men were honest, young men shame fac't, and women use very few words.
The Athenians said, In our Common-wealth rich men are not suffered to be divided into factions, nor poor men to be idle, nor the Governours to be ignorant.
The Lacedemonians said, In Sparta envy reigneth not, for all men are equall, nor covetousnesse, for all goods are common, nor sloth, for all men labour.
The Siconian Ambassador said, In our Common-wealth voyages are not permitted, because they should not bring home new factions, Physitians are not suffered least they should kill the sound, nor Lawyers to take upon them the defence of causes and suits, &c.
The Kings of England ought to be just in their sentence according to the words of Solomon, Wisd. 1. saying, Love justice you that judge the Earth, for a just King doth advance his Countrey, and the King that judgeth the poor rightly, his throne shall be exalted.
Now to shew what manner of man is fittest to govern, I read in Livie, that men borne in armes, great in deeds, and ready in eloquence, ought to be chosen Councellours, and that men of quicke spirits, sharpe wits, learn'd [Page 4] in the Law, and eloquence, should be for the City, for a Prince ought to be a Martiall man, stout and couragious to defend his Subjects, and offend his enemies, not to be curious to speak eloquently, but to deliver his mind plainly, and wisely, it being more necessary for a Prince to do well, then to speak wel. Poucinus saith, those are to be hated, who in their acts are fools, and in their words phylosophers; for wise words are not commendable, if the deeds be not answerable; they therefore, saith Plato, that will have glory in this life, and attain to glory after death, and be beloved of many, and feared of all, let him be vertuous in good works, and deceive no man, with vain words.
All good and worthy Princes have laboured to attaine to this wisdome, and to exact Jvstice most exactly; insomuch, that some have not spared their owne children, so sacred a thing they euer held justice to be; as for example. King Edgar of England, had diligent care to do justice, as in Winter time he would ride up and down the Country, and make enquiry of his Officers and Governours, and punished them severely that offended the Law.
And as the followers of Justice shall not only be glorious on earth, but live in eternal glory; so the Princes that minister injustice, and do not judge rightly shall reap infamyon earth, and undergo the high displeasure of God; for the royall Prophet saith, that God is terrible to the Kings of the earth, Psal. 75.
Seldred a Saxon King of England, not executing Justice, was killed by the Divell, as he was banquetting with his Nobility.
Divers other Kings for their injustice have lost their Kingdoms, being tran ferred from Nation to Nation for injustice and injur [...]es; therefore it behoveth a Prince to take special care hereunto.
And it is requisite, that a Prince be true of His word, both towards God and Man, for Soloman saith, that a lying lip doth not become a Prince, Prov. 17.
Many examples might be given touching several Princes who have been punished for breach of Faith, as for example.
Charles the 70. King of France, when Hee was Dolphin, made Iohn Duke of Burgundy believe that He would make peace with Him, whereupon they met at a place appointed where Charles caused the Duke to be killed; but Charlos after this, was forced to aske Philip forgivenesse openly by his Embassadors.
Charles the last Duke of Burgundy having given safe conduct to the Earle of St. Paul Constable of France took [...] him prisoner, and delivered him to the French King, who put him to death for his treachery, and set the said Earl free.
Thus you may see how honourable it is for a King to [...]eep His word and promise with His Subjects, and what they deserve that falsifie their faith; for, a faithless Prince is beloued of none, but hated of all. Therefore, a Prince ought to be very carefull in making choice of His Councellors; for Plato saith, that many Princes are vndone for want of faithfull frionds and servants to councell them; therefore, Alfrea King of England sought out the wisest and most learnedst men to be of his Councell.
The Emperour Constantius to make proof of his friends, made shew to abandon Christian Religion, and to turne to Idolatry, He was instantly applauded by a great number, whom presently he banished the Country, for a Prince shal never want followero, I wish that our gracious Soveraigne would make this president, but to my former discourse. Councellours, saith Julius Caesar, in one of his Orations to the Senate, should not be lead by malice, friendship, anger nor mercie, [Page 6] and if they concur in one lawfull opinion, though the Prince be opposite; yet it is fittest he should yeeld to them, for so did the Emperour Mercus Antonius, saying, It must be as you will, for it is greater reason, I being one, should follow your opinion, then you being many, wise, and learned, should yeeld to mine.
For if a Prince take ayd of a stranger stronger then himself, he may thereby endanger his State, as for example, Heruls, Goths, and Lumberds came into Italy for succour, but at the last became Lords thereof, so did they of Franconia with their King, and France and the Saxons did the like to England.
Therefore it is expedient, that a Prince be both vigilant and careful in preservation of his Crown and Kingdoms, and not to require any ayd or assistance from forraign Nations, but endeavour to preserve the liberty and freedome of his Subjects, and that he be careful of shedding innocent bloud either by tyranny, malice, ambition, policy, or false reports and informations, for to be a tyrant is odious to God and Man, and in great hazard and danger of bringing himselfe to an evill end.