to butt at and beate one the other where held both together in like yoke one cannot easily offend or force the other Sic enim immensa multitudo authoritatis quasi spiritu regitur And where it is of the nature of man not to endure all servitude nor all liberty but to strive to shake off the one and to be weary of the other it is certaine that equity and equability of like lawes to a divers people united in one will make them which otherwise feare servitude to enjoy freedome and those which seeme most free by former priviledges immunities to feare servitude if they transgresse their bounds for such Vnion and equity is communis custodia principatus reipublicae But faction and ambition are the father and mother of intestine calamity Civill war and deadly feud Who so loveth this will never like that neither is he of the body but of the toes and feet of that image which Nebuchadnesar dreamed of Dan. 2. whose head was of fine gold whose breast and armes of silver whose belly and thighes of brasse whose legs of Iron and whose feet part of Iron and part of Clay Silver Brasse and Iron are metals easily mixed but Iron and Clay will not by any meanes melt and joyne together Kingdomes divided are prefigured in the Iron and Clay they are partly warlike and well governed partly weak factious and seditious they agree not to the King their golden head and though they as the Text saith verse 43. mingle themselves with the seed of men yet joyn not one with another but are as Iron and Clay which will not be mixed together The Poets call this latter age Ferrea let us which live in it prove them Poets and not Prophets that so being joyned to our golden head in all obedience and duty in all love and zeale to our Countrie and in Vnitie among our selves God may still showre down his wonted favours upon Church and Common-wealth and that wee may still bee thankfull returning him the glory FINIS A SECOND PART to the precedent TREATISE THE State of England and Scotland may bee resembled to the condition of Israel and Iuda not only for emulation who have most right to the Royall person of the Kings Majesty for their defence and government but also for that the two kingdomes were at first both but one Besides God as he speaketh by his Prophet Hosea Chapter 11. did also at first alike leade both them and us With Cords of a man even with Bands of love And as it pleased God for sinne of people to breake those Bands even both the Staffe of bands and of beauty to dissolve the brotherhood of Israel and Iuda as saith the Prophet Zach. 11. so for the iniquity of our forefathers God brake the Staffe of bands signifying mutuall love and also Staffe of beauty signifying order of government and brought in upon them and upon their posterity even to these our later daies as Esay saith Chapter 9. A staffe of division and yoke of burden upon theirs and our shoulders which now for all that out of the riches of his mercy he hath also broken in pieces making all one againe as hee spake by his Prophet Ezekiel concerning Israel and Iuda Chapter 37. saying I will make them one people in the land upon the mountaines of Israel and one King shall be King to them all and they shall be no more two peoples neither be divided any more henceforth into two Kingdomes This foundation laid as project of our whole purpose The truth sheweth it self how two kingdoms severed in place not much differing in lawes nor dissonant in language but only disagreeing heretofore in neighbourhood may be comprehended under notion of one name specially seeing when one ruleth both and both become Subject to one they are no more two but one body linked in like duty and knit together in one band of obedience To doubt this is in Strangers ignorance but in Subjects a great offence For who so considereth that many Shires with the principality of Wales heretofore made one England cannot but confesse that likewise England and Scotland with all their territories Islands Shires and Countries make now one great Britaine and all the people of both the mighty Nations Britaines and that the Kings Majesty hath done as princely an Act in uniting both the kingdomes into one name as he did in uniting the Armes of both the Realmes into one Scutchion having a like right in both For all great Britaine being his Majesties inheritance all his Subjects within that continent are Brittaines Iust and reasonable was the demand of Annius chiefe Governour of Latines in uniting Romanes and Latines saying Ex utraque gente unum oportet esse populum unam fieri rempub eandem imperiisedem idemque omnibus nomen And albeit the Latines were content for sake of Weale publike to prefer Romanes before themselves and be called by their names as the History there farther reporteth Quoniam ab alter utra parte concedi necesse est quod utrisque benè vertat sit haec sanè patria potior Romani omnes vocemur neverthelesse the case not standing so with us that Scottish should be called by our name nor we by theirs methinkes a third name of great Britaine might easily and equally please both otherwise as King Deiotarus cut off all his children saving one because he would leave the kingdome but to one so should English swallowing up name of Scottish or Scottish drowning name of English prove such a Vine which to bring but one grape to ripenesse is content that all branches be cut off but one But the question here is not which of the branches should best prosper but how all the branches may flourish which abide in the Vine and verily the question carrieth in it selfe his answer Abide in the Vine This Vine is but one though of many branches and much fruit And thankes be given to God that his Majesty K. Iames of blessed memory by publique Proclamation divulged the inserting and fast grafting of each branch and all fruit into his owne Royall person as into a fruitfull and flourishing Vine even into the head of the whole body of how many soever parts consisting Wherein his Highnesse laid the first stone as he was the true and only foundation of happy union and yet as yet like Apelles fashioning only the exquisite and most excellent beauty of Venus in the head but I hope also and will pray for perfection in the rest that the saying may be true Rex velit honesta nemo non eadem volet◠and that an universall union may be as happy in successu as it is most just by Proclamation in inceptu That the head going before the whole body may follow after in imitation to worke out perfection of the desired happy union That it may be verified quod diu parturivit tandem peperit and what God had in his providence long purposed is fulfilled
English fashion eveâ—â—gainst their former cuâ—tomes and conditions â—t is then a matter not only of utility and neâ—essity but also of reaâ—on and justice that a King in right of blood â—olding two Kingâ—omes or States doe â—nite contract them â—nto one name and naâ—ure specially Kingdomes of one continent and which in ancient times were but one till ambition and contention divided them And this maâ— stand for answer to the Objectors first main head of matter of Estaâ—â— inward Now where it is faâ—ther alleaged that the alteration of the namâ— of the King doth inâ—vitably and infalliblâ— draw on an erection oâ— a new Kingdome and dissolution and extinguishment of the olde herein verily I think the matter is much mistaken for the change oâ—â—â—me is not so rightly 〈◊〉 be tearmed alteration 〈◊〉 new erection as reâ—â—â—tution and reparation â—oth of name and hoâ—or for divers his â—ajesties most noble â—ogenitors have hereâ—â—fore been entituled as â—hronicles tell us â—â—ings of all Britaine as â—enry the second King 〈◊〉 all Britaine Duke of â—ascoine Guien and â—ormandy whose son â—â—hn had also in his â—oine stamped as is to be shewed Johanâ— Rex Britonum And before the conquest of tâ— Saxons it is certaiâ— that the whole I le wâ— called by the name 〈◊〉 Britain But Saxons eâ—tring at disadvantageâ— that mighty Natioâ— consumed by death aâ— famine conquering tâ— remnant of people of â—mous Britain enforcâ— them to distinguish aâ— divide themselves 〈◊〉 flying into mountain and fortified placâ—â—d afterward King â—bert utterly to roote â—t the remembrance 〈◊〉 great Britaine comâ—nded that the Land â—ould be called no â—ore by that name â—t England and the â—ople Englishmen â—t Egbert is dead his â—wer weake nay â—ne at all let none â—erefore feare to reâ—re his Country to 〈◊〉 olde name and anâ—nt honour for Egâ—rt I say is dead and King CHARLES â—veth Et vivat vinâ— Rex Carolus This I say and eâ—force againe is a matâ— also reasonable juâ—utile and necessary sâ—ing the Soveraign briâ—geth in no innovatioâ— of a new name but â—stitution of the old 〈◊〉 dissolution but fortiâ—cation whereto I knoâ— none will subscribâ— which either envy tâ— Kings greatnesse 〈◊〉 kingdomes happinessâ— But let none marâ—ll why it hath not â—is long time been reâ—uced into his former â—ame for the diversity â—f kingdomes being made divers by war â—nd conquest and haâ—ing heretofore divers â—ings could not in reaâ—on or justice endure it â—or under any colour of â—tility or necessity unâ—ergoe or conclude it But now seeing our soveraigne Lord the King being rightfully descended of all the Kings Princes whiâ— heretofore raigned aâ— ruled in England Scâ—land or Wales as 〈◊〉 only hath power to â—â—store all into one 〈◊〉 former title and digâ—ty so let none thinâ— this his Princely aâ— just pleasure a neâ— erection but restitutioâ— of olde where it is moâ— reasonable and just 〈◊〉 extinguish the name lesser continuance the the name which hâ—â—ntinued and been faâ—ous by the space of â—37 yeares before â—hrist and 688. after â—s Incarnation which â—hole computation â—ommeth to 1825 years â—nd where it is most â—onourable by just deâ—ent in right of blood â—ot only to change but 〈◊〉 abolish the name â—mposed by a Conâ—uerour to the dishoâ—our of a Nation â—nd where for â—ught I understand the matter is not so dâ—â—ficult nor of that incoâ—â—venience and dangeâ— but may with muâ— ease and safety be doâ— with salvo jure or othâ— reservation and explâ—â—nation as the wise anâ— learned in the lawâ— can at large devise when they list five noâ— excogitent sive antiqâ— restituant But for example 〈◊〉 bring the uniting 〈◊〉 Dane-Lex and Merciâ— Lex by Edward thâ—â—onfessor which was â—ot prejudiciall to any â—at ever I could reade â—ut profitable and â—eedfull to all in the â—olishing of divers old â—wes and ordaining â—vers new and maâ—ng Lawes to all all â—ne done no doubt with due respect to â—eale publike with â—eedfull limitation and â—ue consideration of â—en matter time place â—nd other circumstance Neither doth any new erection and extiâ—â—guishment of olde 〈◊〉 necessarily conclude 〈◊〉 convenience full of â—â—pugnancy danger 〈◊〉 construction and coâ—â—fusion as is pretendeâ— but may in this case 〈◊〉 beata omnium vita moâ—â—ratori est proposita as eâ—â—sily bee cleared and â—â—voided as it was whâ— the principality aâ— Country of Wales wâ— by Parliament incorpâ—â—rated and united unâ— the Kingdome of Enâ—â—â—nd and all the Inhaâ—â—tants thereof made â—â—uall in freedomes â—â—berties rights priviâ—â—dges lawes and in all â—â—her respects to the naâ—â—rall subjects of Engâ—â—nd and all inheritanâ—â—s made of English teâ—â—re to descend withâ—ut division or partitiâ—n after the manner of â—ngland and the â—awes Statutes and â—rdinances of the realm â—f England commanâ—ed to bee executed and put in practâ— within the country aâ— Principality of Walâ— So as now in this neâ— erection and dissoluâ—â—â—on of the old 〈◊〉 Welshmen with us aâ— we with them aâ—â—knowledge joyfullâ— one only Governoâ— and one only goverâ—ment where the mâ—â—jesty of the Governoâ— is equally supra nos aâ— the justice and equity 〈◊〉 the government equâ—ly pro nobis whereâ— â—ertus ordo in jubendo â—arendo Which certain â—nd the same course and â—rder of commanding â—y the King and by his Lawes and of obediâ—nce in subjects is a â—trong tye and as it were a vitall spirit â—olding in one infinite â—housands where Reâ—ere as the Philosopher speaketh is reckoned â—nter necessaria and Regi inter utilia Againe could seven kingdomes of Saxons bee reduced into one and in good time all their divers Lawes 〈◊〉 whereby the diversâ— subjects of those seveâ— divers kingdomes werâ— diversly governed beâ— brought into one formâ— of civill governmenâ— without repugnancy 〈◊〉 ambiguity or dangers and shall we thinke it 〈◊〉 matter of such difficulâ—ty to unite onely two kingdomes which doâ— not much differ in manners lawes and customes saving such laws customes as were formerly ordained on each part one against anoâ—her when they were enemies or scarce friends one to the other Which â—aws doubtlesse all will say must bee abrogated â—hat in further proceedâ—ng to union wise men with grave consideration may conclude it for good of both Nations without offeÌ„ce as in former times much more hath bin done with less 〈◊〉 doe An Empire of many kingdomes thus reduced into one is not unlike the Firmament oâ— heaven which God hath adorned with the two great lights the Sunne and Moone and other Starres even the whole army and haâ— mony of the heavens in one Firmament Whâ— so throweth a stonâ— against heaven saith the Wise man it will faâ— upon his owne head And if any one standing alone from the rest speaketh against and oppugneth this Vnion better it were saving my charity that Vnus ille periret quam Vnitas Touching the enumeration and recitall of the speciall or severall confusions incongruities
this tree breake off his branches shake off his leaves scatter his fruit that both beasts and fowles may be put from him neverthelesse leave the stump of his rootes still in the earth So was the ancient honour and glory of great Britaine great and mighty high to heaven faire and fruitfull and of power over the whole Land from one end to the other but the highest who hath power over all did for the sin of the inhabitants hew downe this goodly tree yet left the stumpe of the rootes in the earth And out of it the tree is growne up againe to former beauty that we might learn to magnifie the K. of heaven as did Nebuchadnesar restored to the honor of his kingdome to his glory and beauty againe to his Counsellors and Princes and to the establishment of his Throne with augmented glory And here let us now consecrate to all eternity the ancient name of famous great Britaine as a Pantheon of all blessings in peace prosperity and honour for as Pantheon was a Temple at Rome round and like to the capacitie of heaven wherein were put all the images of their gods So I say in the name and stile of great Britaine as in a Pantheon are placed all worldly blessings like Stars shining from heaven and having their influence into the whole body of common weale even perfection of beauty in Sion Superstitious antiquity framed false Gods one indued with this vertue and another with that this a wise that a warlike and another a just God yea for so many vertues they framed so many goddesses where one Temple might not be consecrated to two goddesses but distinct vertues must be worshipped with distinct worship So as Marcellus dedicating one and the same Temple to Honour and Vertue was thought to offend against religion But our happy and better instructed age reducing all to one truly to worship one true and only God so in civill things and government it offereth only one above and for all that whatsoever is separate and distracted from it may bee counted as anathema excommunicate divorced or as a barren handmaid to bee sold to the Vsurer unprofitable imperfect or as it were not at all And now as union into the name of great Britaine is like a Pantheon and bringeth manifold abundant blessings meeting together and concurring in one so let us account our selves most blessed in our Soveraigne unitor King Iames in whose Royall and princely Successor our gracious K. Charles and his noble Progeny is laid up all our obedience and dwelleth all our happinesse even as that worthy Scipio is said therefore to be borne that there might be one in whom all vertue should shew it selfe effectually and absolutely perfect Hic est Scipio quem dii immortales nasci voluerunt ut esset in quo se virtus per omnes numeros efficaciter ostenderet This is the voice of truth it selfe England and Scotland are so naturally united in the name of great Britain that the one nearely allyed to the other can no longer bee an alien or stranger one to the other except it may bee said that Quia meus est non est meus ipsaque damno est mihi proximitas So this naturall conjunction should bee no union because it is both naturall in the Soile and reall in the Subject But albeit the Romanes put into the Temple called Pantheon that precious gem named Vnio divided and cut in two yet we with all our goods and geare ought willingly be borne into the bosome of great Britaine quae fundit in omnes imperium not distributing union into parts but knitting up all parts into one as Cicero's Oratour all sciences and Aristotles good man all vertues as Cato was counted like perfect in all vertues or as the divine Plato sealed up in man the lesser world whatsoever vertue was in the whole world or rather as Eden the plentifull garden of God sealing up the summe of all perfection and glory Ezek. 28. was freight and deckt with all manner of precious stones the Ruby the Tapaze and the Diamond the Chrysolice the Onix and the Iasper the Saphir the Emerande and the Carbuncle and gold Even now may it be said of this universall name of Britaine as it was said of Rome Imperii virtutumque omnium lar and virtutum omnium latissimum templum In ancient time it was counted ominous if a stone fell or a dog came among brethren And Socrates was wont to curse those who by self-conceits and head-strong opinion attempted to set asunder those things which nature coupled together And now if any factious Tribune of the people interpose himselfe to divide us and to disturbe the peace of Israel thinking there is good fishing in troubled waters and that the honours and benefits they hunt after are attained in Perturbata Republica whereof they utterly despaire in a peaceable State Quia in concordia ordinum nullos se usquam esse vident verily such are not unlike Medea who so dispersed her brothers limmes that they could not be gathered againe Cujus etiam vultu laeditu pietas as the Mariners at Sea well observe in the two Stars Castor and Pollux that if one without the other appeare they foresee a troubled Sea but peaceable and quiet without storme and without danger in the sight of both together The principality of Wales shall witnesse this truth which never received any thing any more beneficiall for the people there then uniting that Countrey to the crown kingdome of England For whilest it was alone without his brother it was subject to storme full of contentions war and shedding of blood but joyned with his brother it florished with peace and at this day is blessed in the uniformity of government there established And in mine opinion it is well observed in the Chronicle of Wales how God was not pleased with the first change of the name of Britaine into the name of England for presently followed the terrible and cruell invasion of the Danes and after that the conquest of the Normans But memorable is it that the Britaines ruled all the whole Isle together with the out Isles of Wight Men in English Anglisee Manaw in English Man Orkney and Ewyst 1137. yeares before Christ and after the yeare of his incarnation 688. even to the death of Cadwallader the last King of Britaines and of the noble race of Trojans Which when in succeeding age many mighty and famous Kings of England considered they laboured by all meanes to recover and resume the name and stile of Kings of great Britaine acccounting it dishonorable to leese any jot of the honour of their most princely progenitors And therefore K. Knute King of England mighty in his dominions of Swethen from Germany to the North poles with Norway and Denmarke having obtained prosperous success in warring against Scotland is recorded after his death the mightiest Prince in the West parts of the world and of all the noble Isle of
A DISCOVRSE SHEWING THE GREAT HAPPINESSE that hath and may still accrue to his Majesties Kingdomes of ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND BY RE-VNITING them into one Great Britain In two parts BY JOHN BRISTOL LONDON Printed by R. H. for CHARLES DUNCOMB dwelling in Little-Britain 1641. TO THE RIGHT HONOVRABLE the ESTATES now assembled in both houses of the high Court of Parliament THE sacred Mottoes upon the Coins of our late Soveraigne and Solomon King James Faciam eos in gentem unam and Quae Deus coâ— junxit nemo separetâ— might have deterreâ— some turbulent spiâ—rits of England and Scotland from vioâ—lating their peace cutting off the bridâ— from Twede and hindering that inâ—tercourse of amity which to Heavens and Britaines glory we no lesse happily than long enjoyed but Tongues and Pens I wish I could not say Swords have beene too busily imployed to untie that Gordian-knot which a good God and a pious King had made so firme Some in these Earth-quakes of State have laboured to underprop the houses of both Realmes others to pull them downe saying as of Jerusalem Downe with it downe with it even to the ground Nay I feare the same hand that hath held a Spade pretending to build a Wall hath held a Sword to kill a Subiect Wee need not send to Ireland for poyson to kill two kingdomes we have too much within our selves Poetry and Oratory such is the corruption of wit can make Candida de nigris de candentibus atra like Dogs they can either bite the sore or licke it or like Knives that can both spread a plaister for a wound and make a wound for a plaister The Poet Juvenal speaking of Alexander the great comming to see Diogenes Sensit Alexander testa cum vidit in illa Magnum habitatorem c. takes away the title of Magnus from the King and gives it to the Cynicke and have not we those that strive to make great Britaine Little putting Alexander from his Bucephalus and setting beggars on horse-backe I feare we have There are too many Empiricks among us whose delight is rather to kill than cure but You who are the Colledge of Physitians for the preservation of the body Politicke will make no Anatomies but of condemned persons by Law executed and by inquiry into the bad labour for the safety of the good Let it not be said that this day a Tribe is wanting in our Israel What though as judicious Weemes saith the Scots and English be as Samaritans and Jewes We have no Rehoboam why should we have a Jeroboam We have no rigor why should we have a revolt There may bee a good Samaritan which may take charge of the wounded man when a Priest and Levite may passe by on the other side Let not the Union of Britaine be cut off if it may bee preserved binde up the bones that are broken and make them whole so shall God binde up your souls in the Rowle of the living I doubt not but much good may bee gotten by a serious perusall of this ensuing Tractate Sure I am it will not be wholly uselesse to candid pious unprejudiced mindes who shall finde it as fit as necessary for these times I say no more but with heart and hands lift up to heaven pray that as you are Treasurers of the Weale-publique God will be pleased to crowne your publique endeavours to the everlasting peace and welfare of this Church and Common-wealth that his sacred Majesty and Royall Off-spring may ever bee glorious and that all his Kingdoms and Provinces may flourish to the terror of Foes and the endlesse comfort of all true loving Subjects THE EPISTLE to the READER IT was no blessing but a curse when the ten Tribes revolâ—ed from Rehoboam Division is good iâ— Musicke ill in Kingdomes and if confusion of Tongues ruinâ— a Babel confusion 〈◊〉 Hearts will ruine Bethel Scotland maâ— say to England 〈◊〉 Lot to Abraham We are brothers yeâ— when love cannot continue except their bodies discontinue the â—e of necessity must â—e to Sodome a 〈◊〉 and destinated for â—ire and Brimstone â—ingle Kingdomes â—ke fooles bolts are one shot away but â—njoyned as in a â—eafe not easily broâ—en It was the hapâ—inesse of our late Soâ—eraigne King James 〈◊〉 blessed memory to a bridge oveâ— the Tweed not 〈◊〉 Wood or Stone bâ— of English and Scoâ—â—tish hearts cementeâ— with strong affection It was indeed a haâ—â—pinesse to make twâ— spots of Earth twâ— little Kingdomes oâ— Great Britain the in building a secoâ— story makes a Hov◠〈◊〉 House though there â—e neither painted â—or carved Image in â—t no fretted roofe no â—old nor ivory Caâ—or and Polluxâ—rung from one Egge â—nd their signe is one Gemini Thus is â—e Vnity of Brethren â—xalted even to a â—onstellation That â—hich some years since was a motion breâ— some few moneth since a commotion namely a necessity 〈◊〉 separation between England and Scoâ—â—land which diffâ—â—rence might betteâ— have beene decidâ— with an Olive branâ— than a Sword as 〈◊〉 hope time ere long wiâ— make manifest Whâ— happinesse hath the Vnion of two Houses brought forth in this â—ne Kingdome and â—f there bee such hapâ—inesse in the Vnion of Houses what will there be in the Vnion of Kingdomes a thing which might bee â—s easily continued as compassed if some turbulent spirits did not disturbe the peacâ— of Sion This ensuing Treatise I could not bâ— publish as knowing to be so soveraigne Medicine for the Maladies of these Times Wherein Gentle Reader â— thou finde as much benefit as I delightâ— Thanke God and the Author I have my reward Farewell SVNDRY OBIECTIONS against this ensuing Treatise THE Objections pretended against this Treatise are divided into foure severall natures or kindes The first objection iâ— matter of generality 〈◊〉 common reason The second is matter of Estate domestique anâ— inward or matter â— Law The third is matter 〈◊〉 Estate forreine or maâ—â—ter of intercourse 〈◊〉 commerce The fourth is matter 〈◊〉 Honor or reputation The matter of generaâ—lity or common reason as concerning all in generall is also divided into two parts First that there is nor can be pretended no cause â—f the change Secondly that there is â—o president of like change neither ancient nor moderne forreigne or domestique The first Objection therefore is that in constituting or ordaining of any innovation or change here ought to bee considered either a generall necessity or evident utility but that we finde no grief in our present estate anâ— foresee no advancemenâ— to a better condition by this change and desire that it may be shewed untoâ— us The second Objection that we finde no presidenâ— at home nor abroad oâ— uniting or contracting of the names of two several Kingdomes or States intâ— one name where the Vnion hath growne by marriage or blood And that those examples which may be alleadged as far as wee can finde or understand are but in the ease of Conquest Matter of
is the selfe same as if we feared that without Vnion the king would hold personall Courts in Cornwall or as if we doubted that such Courts when our former Kings were personally in France were not for all that kept a◠Westminster The sea◠of judgement is the sea◠of the house of David thither the Tribes goe up and there the peoples feet stand even in the gates of Ierusalem which Ierusalem is a City that is at unity in it selfe at unity concerning matters of religion at unity in matters touching publike justice and government therefore the King began his Psalme 122. I was glad when they said to me We will goe c. Lastly the exception taken against Vnion because of the Kings oath at his Coronation which is never iterated is grounded on the selfe same reason as if it were also alleadged that because his Majestie sweareth to maintaine ancient and fundamentall lawes therefore upon circumstance of time and occasion he might not alter any Law but let it be remembred that the Kings oath concerneth the Lawes and not the title and we know the Lawes may be preserved though the title be altered And as for Subjects I doubt not but they may without danger at the pleasure of the King sweare their allegeance and doe homage and obedience after restitution of title reformation of law and Vnion of Kingdomes And ancient Records doe no more leese their force by the change of England into Britaine then by change of King IAMES into King CHARLES And there is no more incertainty of pleadings instruments and writs than when a plaintife deceaseth after seven yeares suite his heire is put to begin commence his suite anew in other name The heart of objections against Vnion being halfe broken let us enter into the third consideration of matter of State inward where is objected a possibility of alienation of the Crowne of England to the Crowne of Scotland in case his Majesties Line should determine But blessed bee God our gracious Soveraigne King is blessed with a plentifull issue and hath yet much farther hope And I hope for which I pray night and day that his Majesties royall Issue shall not faile so long as the Sun and Moone endureth Neverthelesse if some will not labour of the common bane of good wits which is rather to dispute than obey and rather to reason beyond reason than yeeld to reason more magis quà m judicio they may herein also easily answer themselves that in uniting the two kingdomes the second place in stile may be rather drawne to the next of blood in our Land than the kingdome of England bee transferred to one farther off frō the Seem Which thing neither Henry the seventh nor Henry the eighth doubted the one seeking to marry his eldest daughter Lady Margaret to King Iames the fourth of Scotland hoping if his heire male failed by that meanes to unite Scotland to England And the other having his whole drift to match his Sonne Prince Edward to Queen Mary foreseeing in his providence the inestimable benefit of uniting the two kingdomes for which cause many of the Nobles of Scotland gave faith to doe their best endeavours But it is a strange doubt and cast beyond the Moone to imagine that Vnion of the two kingdomes doth so confound the State and change the tenure to bring it so into case of purchase as it will necessarily subject England to Scotland especially if his most excellent Majesty of his singular tenderness and love to this his Realme of England be pleased to effect and establish that in case his Royall Issue which Almighty God of his infinite mercy defend should faile that then by this happy intended Vnion the Realme of Scotland should for ever be and continue indissolubly united and annexed to the lawfull and rightfull inheritance and succession of the Crowne of England in the blood royall of the same Now touching matter of State forreine in answer to the first objection I am well assured that our forreine affaires were at worst in the opinion of all at the decease of our late Queen and our entercourse utterly decaied with many Princes so as we need a kind of present renewing which may be cōcluded as wel under title of King of all Britain as of England To the second it is easily answered that the King loseth no precedency of place as is imagined specially antiquity as in the Objections is alleadged guiding it and not greatnesse For the Successor to King Arthur of Britaine will bee worthy in the opinion of the whole world of better place then King Egbert of England To the third that if the name of England as is imagined be obscured the name of famous and great Britain will be illustrate memorable in times past to all the then knowne Nations of the earth Touching matter of Honour it is certaine and evident that the name of England though it hath beene worthily most famous and great yet is not equall to the title of great Britaine when England and Scotland are reunited either by reason of honor or of power All Histories remembring unto us that the Britaines long time resisted the mighty force of Romaines Lords and Conquerours of the world And albeit some fathers can be content to disinherite their own daughters to continue their names as is inferred in the objections and therfore inforced shold be much more in States specially where the name hath beene famous yet for my part I account such parents unkind and unnaturall where self-love of their name maketh them forget themselves and forsake their owne flesh I will not urge here the law of God of nature and of most nations where daughters inherite names grow extinguished But this is a vaine respect only of name wherof is spokē to get a name on earth and to think their name should never be put out whereas so many countries so many people so many persons have either lost or left their former name and most willingly have been called by another name Gaudet cognomine terra Virgil Eneid lib. 6. That countrey rejoyced to be called by a new name how much more should our Land imbrace this name of Britaine and yet not new but indeed his old proper name renewed and as it were redivived and restored from the dead Or be it simply losse only of a bare transitory name yet as the Prophet Esay speaketh Chapter 56. ver. 3. Let not the Eunuch say Behold I am a dry tree my name shall perish with mee Let us rather regard that name which God promiseth to them that serve him saying Esay 65. ver. 5. Even unto them will I give in my house and within my pallaces a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters I will give them an everlasting name which shall not be put out The argument of Oblivion deserveth no answer but silence and forgetfulnesse and yet I doubt not but famous acts of Noble English men will as well
by Chronicle bee remembred to posterity as the glory of renowned Britaine Record remaineth to this day neither will either be forgotten to the worlds end The Stile of England now placed before Scotland doth no way prejudice the Vnion by losse of precedency for when all is one there is no subsequence onely Honor is due to him who is to be honoured and much honour to him that is much to be honored which thing in the Vnion may easily bee provided for and other pretended inconveniences prevented Lastly the Prejudicating the popular opinion to whom as is objected change of name will be harsh and unpleasing is in mine opinion a wrong done and imputation laid upon the people who I know for the most part being a wise nation and I am sure most loving subjects to the Kings Majesty have learned obedience and duty and will therefore rather joy in the content of their good and gacious King then any way murmure at his demand knowing that the Empire as Livie speaketh is firmissimum when eo gaudent obedientes who doubtlesse with one voice and heart submit themselves and say to their Soveraigne Esto nobis solus arbiter rerum jure nomine regio And as for Harshnesse of the strange name use will easily make it familiar As Horace saith Multa renascentur quae jam cecidere cademque Quae nunc sunt in honore vocabula si volet usus This pretended unpleasing harshnesse is no more than the nicenesse of a Virgin who is as loth and maketh it dainty to leave her fathers name yet afterward married to a husband taketh greatest comfort in the name of her husband in whom shee glorieth and by whom shee enjoyeth all her worldly joy And yet need not England be so nice as if she were a virgin who like a widdow hath so oftē changed her name but may take pride as widows do to bee called by her most honourable and most glorious name Thus having briefly run over the objections and withall carried in open view in mine answer due consideration both of evident utility and urgent necessity I will be bold with additions of more reasons yet a little farther to proceed in the perswasion of this desired happy Vnion God alwaies blessed and to be honoured for evermore who is Trinity in Vnity and Vnity in Trinity three persons and but one God doth by influence of his holy Spirit give divers gifts and graces to beleevers of what country or condtion soever they be governes them by holy Law and uniteth them in the same faith though diversly scattered among all the Nations of the Christian world that hereby the gods on earth whom he hath placed to rule over many and divers kingdomes upon earth might learne by the same Lawes in things humane and same religion in matters divine to preserve Weale publike and Christian Society among men But the ambition and frowardnesse of many desirous rather to be distracted into divers names and countries and to be ruled by divers lawes and customes doe oft times hazard the Common good and peace of the Weale publike where two kingdomes so divided under one Soveraigne are not unlike the rich treasures of pearle and gold laid up in one Ship by contrarieties of divers windes to be driven upon rocks with extreamest danger as is said in Tully of dividing and distinguishing desires into severall parts and members in such diversities and differences Hoc est dissipare non distinguere frangere non dividere Which thing is to be feared by not uniting but keeping the two kingdomes still in parts when upon every discontent in Scotland as at a backe doore passage may be given for a forreine enemy soone to weaken a divided power as Cyrus the Persian soone emptied that great and deep river otherwise unpassable for his soldiers by drawing it into divers channels And why should not we feare such and greater evils if as Virgil laid infamy upon us calling us toto divisos orbe Britannos so we be content to adde greater infamy to our selves and become toto in orbe divisi divided within our selves in the sight and view of the whole world But I hope and wish for better things that by Vnion in name of Britaines we may leave to be any longer divided into English and Scottish as rivers of divers names meeting in the Sea receive one and the same name the rather because the elements of fire and water of earth and aire being of repugnant qualities yet joyned in one body doe agree in one forme as in a Medium uniting and mixing them together much more divers kingdomes oft times heretofore at war and discord yet now being united into one body of one name and nature qualified by equall mixture of Law Manners Honors Marriages and such like may be made perfect in one forme and have a beeing not as English and Scottish but as Britains knit together in that third and renowned name that the Maxime may be verified in us Qua in aliquo tertio conveniunt optime conveniunt I confesse that some lawes of ours may bee thought too streight for them and some liberties of theirs unfitting us but let all be wrested alike pulling some up and letting some downe and in pleasing harmony we shall find as Tully saith Commune aequabile inter omnes jus where will be no strife as was betweene Esau and Jacob undermining and deceiving one the other of blessing and patrimony but all love and unity and concord and content as if all were not twins but one man even one heart in one body And now if Iphicrates that valiant Leader were againe living and asked whether he were under the now imperiall Majesty this or that English or Scottish or among or over them an horseman an archer or a Leader he might truly answer as sometimes he did in like case No not any of these but I am he who knoweth under him whom I serve to command and governe all these as if they were but one man Vnius Ducis imperium simul sentiunt omnes copiae Thus in warre and tumult much more in quiet peace may it be said Divers subjects ad nutum unius Regis ejusdem legis omnes simul respondent So powerfull is the force of Vnion that una Via being director for law and Cor unum performer for obedience the law enjoyning obedience and obedience executing Law the Prince cannot command what the people will not obey and the people will obey what the Prince commands and Vnity among them will uphold all Vnum imperii corpus unius animo regendum videtur so likewise Ejusdem juris esse debent qui sub eodem Rege victuri sunt But rule of two kingdomes without uniting them is to give occasion to either part to look backe for an olde grudge Vbi antiqui odii pertinacia in publicum stimulat exitium which I feare would be as the going backe of two Rammes more fiercely
and government of consanguinity to her her selfe still holding primacy over all as England and Scotland are chearefully looking one towards the other in the name of great Britaine and as the two Cherubins did looke one towards the other in one propitiatory And thy royall state O great Britaine is as the anointed Cherub Ezek. 28. And as in the heart of man is placed fortitude in his liver temperance and in his minde Iustice and yet all these with all other vertues are annexed to Prudence the common ligament of all so is great Britaine by uniting all his kingdomes principalities countries and honours the compleat proportioned forme of all and all in it both universally and particularly are fashioned and made fit on every side for happy conjunction and mutuall correspondence For this renowned name of great Britaine standeth in stead of a Loadstone drawing all into one chaining them together with links of love as Lisippus made an image of foure mettals mixed together gold silver brasse and iron expressing hereby absolute perfection of vertue putting in gold to signifie Prudence silver Iustice brasse Fortitude and iron Temperance whereof they are altogether ignorant as if they had never seene vertue so much as painted who to overthrow union in the name of great Britain bring no union of vertues even excellencies of many Countries to this so excellent worke But skilfull Zeuxes going about to depaint an absolute worke of a perfect virgin took not only view of one womans beauty but had variety of many the fairest to accomplish out of all these a more excellent and consummate forme of body Shall we not thinke the Kingdome of France containing Pickardy Normandy the Isle of France Champaigne Averne Dalpheny Bry Bloys Turin the Dutchy of Anâ—ow Xantoâ—n Burgundy and uniting â—o it little Britaine to be more glorious in all these being made one then if but one only of all these were that Kingdome Doe we not see that the enlarging of the dominions of Spaine in uniting and establishing divers kingdomes and territories as those of Aragons Castile and that of Portugal with others hath so enlarged that Kingdome as that the like hath not befallen other Christian Potentates Hath not the King of Denmarke beside the Cimbrian Chersonese where Holsatia Theutomartia the Dukedome of Sletia Flensburgh Friesland and Iuthland doe lie other spacious Islands fifteen in number all comprehended under the name Denmarke and united to that Crowne Did not Iagello taking to wife in the yeare 1380. the Princesse Hedingee the last of the blood Royall of Polonia after he was enstalled King there unite all his owne principalities of Lithuania and Samotgathia Provinces of Russia to the Kingdome and Crowne of Poland Did not Ahasuerus Esther 1. raigne from India to Ethiopia over an hundred twenty and seven divers Provinces And was not he so mighty by reason of this variety subjected and united to his sole government that he was an hundreth and fourescore daies shewing the riches and glory of his Greatnesse to all his Princes and to the mighty men of Persia and Media But to take example of one only Rome for all How hath it been renowned through the whole world by joyning all Nations of the world into one even to it selfe Herehence it was called Terrarum dea gentiumque Roma communis patria mundâ— compendium As Propertius Omnia Romanae cedant miracula terrae Natura hic posuit quicquid in orbe fuit But the Majesty of this Empire grew so great by adjoyning other nations and bringing them all into one Haec est in gremium quae victos sola recepit Humanumque genus communi nomine fovit Matris non dominae ritu civesque â—ocavit Quoâ— domini nexuque prâ— longinqua revinxit And againe Fecisti patri em diversis gentibus unam Dumque offers victis proprii consortia juris Vrbem fecisti quod prius orbis erat And so may we say of this renowned name of great Britaine comprehending us all of divers nations in one under our gracious King Hujus pacificis debemus moribus omnes Quod cunctigens una sumus I could set forth and confirme by sundry examples this uniting of many into one and thereby shew that the enlarging of dominion consisteth in uniting all together into one name and establishing divers Territories under one Soveraignty and government and that the greater States and Imperiall powers of larger extent and far spreading domination are the more durable and that the Monarchy of great Britaine is like to bee hereafter of more durance strength and honor as partly comming under our Kings government without conquest or constraint Nam errat longe mea qui dem sententia qui credat imperium stabilius aut firmius quod viâ— adjungitur quam quod facilitate clementia so now especially it being united in the whole then heretofore divided in parts his contexture being of a greater frame than before holding by more then one naile anâ— upholding its owne greatnesse even as great buildâ—ings endure and subsist by their owne weight as the Poet speaketh Pondere tâ— suo est But I thinke it here as needfull to lay open the great fault imputed to Conâ—stantine dividing the Emâ—pire among his Children whereby of one Empire he made three and withall a memorable diminution of of his authority and forces which part Brutus also played dividing this whole Empire of great Britain among his three Sons of which though two parts afterward namely England Wales were againe in good time united yet Scotland stood till now divided from the rest and the rest from it till God in speciall goodnesse restored to former name and government all into one againe for which Kings Iames may challenge more glory by uniting all into one then Brutus or Constantine dividing it from one and though Constantine the great was counted the glory of Britaine as being borne and made Emperour here yet may that commendation better fit King Iames than Constantine Tu nobiles fecisti Britanias quod illic ortâ— factusque es imperator The Platan tree hath many goodly Branches and boughes and leaves in one body and therefore Xerxes in Herodotus crowned him with a golden Garland doubtlesse there is a deserved glorious garland due to the name of great Britaine bringing forth many goodly boughes and branches like to the faire and well spread Platan tree or rather for the height of his honour like the â—all and goodly Cedar in whom the dreame of Nebuchodonosor hath been verified for he saw a tree in the middest of the earth great and strong whose height reached unto the heaven and the sight thereof to the end of the earth whose leaves were faire and the fruit thereof much Dan. 4. in which was meat for all yea the beasts of the field had shadow under it the fowles of the aire dwell in the boughes thereof and all flesh fed of it But Nebuchodonosor heard also a watch crying out mightily hew downe
is Saxons nation Redit ad authores genus generosa in ortus exurgunt semina suos And verily names and titles are matters of great consideration unlesse like Varro not caring for name we should also say that the God whom the Iews worshipped was but the same Iupiter and common God of other countries though otherwise called Nihil interesse censens quo nomine nuncupetur dum eadem res intelligatur But in the union of the Sahins and Romanes as Eutropius reporteth this was especially agreed upon that the Sabins and Romanes should assume one anothers name promiscuously so that by no meanes they should be distinguished by name And albeit among us custome hath begotten prescription yet we may remember what is well said in the Comedy Nunquam ita quisquam benè subducta ratione fuit quin res aetas usu◠aliquid apportet novi ut quae prima putes post in experiendo repudias As in the Romane story when it was objected that innovations were dangerous to the state and nothing was to be done whereof formerly there was no president saith Canuleius Quid postea nullane res nova institui debet quod nondum est factum multa enim nondum sunt facta in novo populo ea ne si utilia quidem sint fieri oportet Whilest we of England were put apart from Scotland it was reason we should have a name divided and distinguished from them and retaine that name and condition as pleased fortune to impose as Andromache saith to her Son Sume quod casus dedit but being restored in integrum and every part knit together it is a like reason we returne to our old name and say as in the Prophet I will goe and returne to my former husband for at that time it was better for me than now Hos. 2. And no man when he hath tasted the new wine but saith the old is better So that as the Romane Empire first was a Monarchy afterwards governed by two Consuls and so a long passing through divers kindes of governments till it returned to his former state of Monarchy to be as it was at first even so the state of great Britaine first was as a Monarchy all governed by one since it was divided but now it returneth to his Monarchy againe Moribus antiquis res stat Romana virisque For men waxe weary in time of their present condition and Rome mole laboravit sua or rather and more truly God setteth bounds to all things which they cannot passe even the mightiest powers have their periods And all worldly kingdomes thus changing after long experience say the first is best and so likewise Vt rerum ita verborum interit usus quem penes est rerum vis norma loquendi But in this case neither the thing nor the name being changed but we lawfully recovering that which was lost renuing the title of great Britain enjoying our country as we did before calling all Britaines and holding all things in the same safety and security under name of great Britaine as before under names of England and Scotland say all and each to other Pascite ut ante boves pueri submittite tauros It is a good and gracious deed to provide for reall agreement in all equall conjunction and mutuall participation But in my simple opinion it had beene Verbo tollere reipsa relinquere only in shew to take away difference but not in deed without uniting both kingdomes into the name and stile of great Britaine for as he complained Tirannus occidit Tirannis vivit So if the old enmity of English and Scottish be removed and yet the names still remaine I feare that the very names would ever put ill men in minde of olde grudge and incite new variance as is said of one that he was Romani nominis inimicus at deadly hatred with the very name where the name is taken for the very cause of hatred As Eo nomine hostis for that cause even for name sake he is an enemy even as in Rome when all things were accorded and all parties pleased only a name which was in dislike among them was thought hinderance to their mutuall concord and content saying Non placere nomen id periculo sum esse id officere id obstare libertati and therefore the Sanate perswaded Lucius Tarquinius Collatinus otherwise in all respects approved and beloved of all even for his names sake to forsake his office saying Absolve beneficium amicus abi exonera civitatem vano forsan metu This I speake lest retaining former name of English and Scottish which heretofore hath been offensive to each other we call as before is spoken the ill disposed to former opposition as between fire and water even to Kindle such a fire in Iacob as will devoure in Israel and no water shall be able to quench it in Bethel Where it may be thought more fit to set aside all difference of former names Vt exoneremus rempub. vano forsan metu as it is said of one Quod nihil est metuit metuit sine corpore nomen And if any account the feare of name nothing bee it also say I nothing yet a man cannot be too carefull or fearefull of that which is counted even nothing seeing it is said Qui cavet vix etiam cavet dum cavet Let former destructions be present instructions Offensive distinction of names hath bred much woe In Italy faction of Guelphs and Gibelines arose for name sake In England much blood for the white and red Rose In Iustinians time fearefull division betweene the Veneti and Parsini about colours blew and greene In which grievous contentions arising first of small or no cause but only of difference in name and diversity of colours deadly hatred is oft times kindled among former friends as against sworne enemies After Phalarides death the Agrigentini made a decree that none should use glauca veste because the Tirants did use glaucis subligaculis for they hated whatsoever might remember them of former Tiranny And the Romanes publiquely ordained that no Romane should be ever called after the name of Manlius for because his remembrance was displeasing they would have his name utterly perish I wish that nomen or mentio ipsa the names English and Scottish borders former feud wars and bloodshed between the two nations were not once mentioned within our lips but as nomen Pelopidarum utterly put out abolished and never heard of as that which is laid up in silence in the Grave even now that not the least occasion be left no not in sport or inter ludicra certamina as we have a name of play amongst us called prison base one part striving for England and another for Scotland representing unto us the variance betwixt both nations lest it prove as that betwixt them two brethren Demetrius and Perseus King Phillips sons who in ludicio certamine opposite one to the other with their companies divided
take example from the Romane Common Weale and surely for our instruction may it be said Nulla unquam respublica nec major nec sanctior nec bonis exemplis ditior fuit where Dyonisius Halicarnasseus giveth us a strange shew of two Consuls Largius and Claelius who both strove to give precedence one to the other preferring each other before himselfe and reckoning one anothers worth before his owne and this done two or three severall times neither presuming to goe before the other but still refusing and could by no meanes either be perswaded to take the preheminence one before the other But is any mans eye evill because the Kings eye in speciall and gracious aspect is good Doubtlesse when a King doth not all things ad voluntatem sed ad utilitatem omnium they which mislike and yet seeme of the same league and society with others doe notwithstanding like Nahaz the Ammonite 1 Sam. 11. joyne in common covenant with others but on condition onely that they may thrust out the others right eyes Hoccine in commune honores vocare quaenam ista societas quaenam consortio est But whosoever intendeth truely the common good let him remember that Solon said The onely way to keep subjects in unity is to maintaine an equality for all for motus as Plato saith is in inequalitate but status and quies in aequalitate which thing is spoken not to breed or maintaine parity in condition of men for that equality were true inequality nay iniquity so to confound the world But these things are alleadged to shew that our gracious Soveraign may herein I speake under favour be resembled to IANVS who had two faces to looke forward to looke backward for so his Majesty is set in the middest sole Soveraigne of all great Britaine to looke on England to looke back to Scotland and with princely and favourable aspect to countenance both Tros Rutulusve fuat nullo discrimine habebo where both being made one common Countrey that saying may well befit our common Emperour Hostem qui feriet mihi erit Carthaginensis quisquis erit And there is that equality before mentioned distilling from his Grace and Majesty in honouring and defending both alike lusta pari premitur veluti cum pondere libra prona nec hac plus parte sedet nec surgit ab illa where none ought strive contentiously lest they seeme to offer violence to the Kings Grace or to his honour or to both as the Mid-wife charged Pharez in making the breach betweene him and his brother by forcing his birth before his brothers through strife in his mothers womb whose name therefore was called Pharez which signifieth division But our brotherhood is not in strife as that of Cain and Abel Esau and Iacob Ismael and Isaac nor as that of Geta and Antoninus sonnes to the Emperour Severus after whose death their mother Iulia was forced to divide the Empire betwixt her sonnes severing and setting them asunder into separate governments with a sea betwixt them because of their hot contentions and implacable hatred And God forbid that we should by opposite contentions one against another provoke the common parent of both our Nations as those two brethren did their parent Iulia to cry out against us as she did against them O my sons you have found the way how to be severed and divided by sea and land into distinct regiments and ' as you say the water divides you one from the other but how will you divide me your mother How shall I bee divided between you both Will you dissect mee into parts also As them two lovers mentioned by Plutarke striving for their love Dum uterque ad se certatim rapere conatur rent her in pieces Let our strife rather be like that of Ephestion and Craterus who contended whether should love their King Alexander most in so much that Alexander was enforced to decide the controversie adjudging that Ephestion loved the King best and Craterus Alexander best So it pleased the King in his sentence equally to divide his love and so did they both equally strive to love and after this manner did the Iones and Chiâ— contend in love to Hercules and Iuda and Israel for David And so I doubt not but our contention is of the like love and duty towards our Soveraigne but as for hatred and malice amongst our selves so separating us that we cannot be mixed together Dii talia Graiis erroremque hostibus illum Seeing as he said no greater hurt can be wished to our enemies then to be disunited among themselves and if they will not bee at one with us that they may be at odds betweene themselves Maneat quaeso duretque gentibus si non amor nostri at certe odium sui Quando nihil jam praestare fortuna majus potest quam hostium discordiam And now farther to enforce this union into both Nations the rather because we are both alike under one head and governour hath not his Majesty two eyes to respect both kingdomes two eares to heare alike the cause of both two shoulders to beare alike the burden and care of both two hands to distribute honours alike to both and two feet to goe one before the other yet both alike to support but one body The inequality only is if we are not alike dutifull and thankfull neither doe we as the Apostle exhorteth Rom. 12. Carry like mindes one towards another nor make our selves in our owne conceits equall to them of the lower sort And where Xenophon calleth Magistrates and mighty men the Kings eyes the Kings eares the Kings shoulders yea also his hands and his feete it is not thereby meant that they should thinke they also had two eyes to envy one the other two eares to listen after advantages or offences one against the other two shoulders to shove at and shoulder out one the other two feet to out-runne and prevent one the other two hands to catch and snatch one from the other or to carry fire in one hand and water in the other or to build with the one and to pull downe with the other or with the one to offer a gift and with the other a stab Altera manu panem altera lapidem but that their eyes eares shoulders feete and hands are or should be mutuall helpers one to the other for the common good and publique service of the whole State And I perswade my selfe that all Magistrates under his Majestie of the one or other Nation united now in one common name of Britaines will for publique Administration of the common-Weale so see with their eyes heare with their eares beare up the head with their shoulders and walke uprightly Having pure and cleane hands that as the fingers in the hand are distinctly divided and yet do clap and clasp themselves together for more strength so all of command and in authority within great Britain though they have distinct offices yet will so concur and agree
great Britaine should be raised even the self same Britaine as the Phenix living and dying est eadem sed non eadem quia ipsa nec ipsa est O admirable Metamorphosis happy changel England and Scotland have left though not lost their names both being preserved in the Bosome of great Britaine Non duo sunt nec forma duplex but neuâ—runque utrunque videtur and of both us English and Scottish being now Britaines may it be said as of them two brethren alteruter uterque alteruter est uterque utâ—rque autem neuter Which I againe call that faire Phoenix dying and living eadem non eadem quia ipsa nec ipsa est In which excellent and vyonderfull work the rather and better to bring to passe the good purpose of uniting the two kingdomes and people into one it hath seemed best to the godly wisedome of divine providence first and long since to knit all our hearts in one holy religion and in the same service and godly worship to make us all like Citizens with the Saints and of the houshold of God renewed in Christ and reconciled into one body acknowledging but one God and professing but one faith and religion the hope of our vocation Whereby we learne and cannot but confesse if as Ciprian saith consiliorum gubernaculum lex sit divina that that Common Weale best pleaseth God which commeth neerest to the Church of God that wisest PolititiaÌ„s are best Christians that best governments have correspondence with Gods lawes and that those kingdomes are best ruled and the more blessed which are of one heart and one obedience even as all are one in Christ who is the head and all under his government are by one spirit but one body Wherefore the good Emperors Theodosius and Valentinianus writing to Ciprian Bishop of Alexandria were bold to commend their government according to the platforme before described saying A pietate quae in deum est Reipublicae nostrae constitutio pendet multa utrinque est cognatio societas c. Which most excellent patterne and forme of government is after the example of Christ uniting all into one and this the Psalmist resembleth to that precious ointment powred on the head of Aaron and running downe his heard even to the skirts of his cloathing for so doth sweet and precious union rest chiefly in the head which is but one and from thence run all along and alike to all the parts of the people which are but one But shame on Schisme whither it be civill or ecclesiasticall for it renteth the seamlesse Coat of Christ both in the Church and in the Civill state even in the doctrine and ceremonies of the one against the truth of God and in christian charity and common civility of the other against the peace of men Wherefore whosoever opposeth himselfe against the one or other is more unreasonable and may be thought more cruell than the souldiers which would not divide Christs seamelesse Coat but cast lots whose it should be saying Sortiamur cujus sit For it cannot bee denied but that they which divide Great Britaine to have it divided within and against it selfe divide that for which they cannot say sortiamur seeing cujus is known and sit cannot be denied but sortiamur and cujus and sit should wholly and only be left to his Majestie and to his royall succession for ever Only let our contention be as was that of Israel and Iudah who should be forwardest not only in bringing our King unto the seate of his kingdome but also now to preserve the possession of his kingdome Sartum rectum inseparably united to the King and joyntly united and undivided within it selfe Vnus rex una lex unus pater una communis patria unum caput unum corpus Let not private respects hinder a common good let every man be as one man of one heart and one soule united to his Majesties gracious intentions which are for the everlasting good of every one If the King had commanded thee a great thing wouldest not thou have done it How much more then when he saith bee you all of one minde to live agreeably together in one uniforme government for your owne undoubted good Cedat jus proprium regi patriaeque remittat And to conclude in nomine omine Concerdiae to consummate this structure of union and to consecrate it to all eternity as the Romanes did their Temple of concord Behold now is the time of establishing the unity of both Nations together as he said Si quando unquam consociandi imperii tempus optastis en hoc tempus adest virtute vestra deûm benignitate vobis datum Heretofore as C. Marius said he could not audire juâ— prae strepitu armorum so by reason of civill discord betwixt both Nations the name of unity was but as a pleasant song touching the eare but not entring into the heart or serious consideration of either part And so for many yeares this cogitation crept in every where The name of Britain seemed as a brutish name all commixtion betwixt us seemed confusion any mutation for union sake an utter subversion of all the state But now the matter is come Extra Rubiconem jacta est alea the matter is proceeded in Aut nunquam tentes aut perfice Such a matter of state is not slightly to be intended And I know that all the honourable Commissioners on both sides thinke every one of themselves not to be imployed in this so great businesse only as pro Consule and in his owne person but pro Consulibus in commune omnium and therefore will be assembled like wise Romanes who after long dissention and part takings made full reconcilement and concord perpetuall for all matters in Aede Concordiae And I doubt not but all Subjects will in all places as the Graecians did after long variance embrace that joyfull {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} agreed on for good of all not for fashion sake as among heathen but for conscience sake as among such which truly know and feare God who is author of Vnity and but one God that so there bee henceforth a perfect and perpetuall establishment according to the lawes of Medes and Persians which may not nor cannot be altered remembering inimicitâ—as mortales amicitias immortales esse debere Only yet I would set before all mens eyes that worthy speech of the renowned Tullus Hostilius King of Romanes in the reconcilement of Rome and Alba and represented unto us in uniting England and Scotland by our two gracious Soveraignes Quod bonum faustum foelixque sit populo Romano ac mihi vobisque Albani populum omnem Albanum Romam traducere in animo est Civitatem dare plebi primores in patres legere unam urbem unam remupb facere ut ex uno quondam in duos populos diversa Albana res est sic nunc in unum redeat And now also concerning the name I recite only a Poeticall fable yet moralized no fable That when Neptune and Pallas did strive whether of them should give name to Athens it was agreed that he or she should name the City who could bring the best gift for common good Wherefore Neptune did strike the Shore and it brought forth an horse fore-shewing that Athens should bee warlike but Pullas gave the City an Olive signifying peace and that the City should flourish by peace whereupon peace being more profitable than war Neptune was enforced to yeeld his interest and Pallas gave the name Oh how blessed are the peace-makers How beautifull are their feete How glorious and joyfull the light of their countenance pax optima rerum Quas homini novisse datum est pax una triumphis Innumeris potio K. Iames first Dove-like brought the Olive branch shewing that the waters were abated anger appeased dangers escaped sorrows fled and that salvation and joy entered the Arke of Great Britaine And it is and hath long been his most sacred Majesties desire to encrease and establish the Vnity of both Nations happily begun by his father King Iames of blessed memory wherefore let it be the daily prayers of all true Subjects that God in mercy will still continue the sâ—me to his Majesty and his posterity for ever FINIS
Britaine And so William the Conqueror for the good successe he likewise had in Scotland is recorded King of all Britaine and Henry the second surnamed Curtmantle is also for like successe recorded King of all Britaine And if they be renowned and honoured with name and stile of Britaine which by rightfull descent or by conquest were inheritours but to one part only though by their fortunes in war they also claimed the other what rightfull title must we then acknowledge most justly now to belong to his most excellent Majesty in the imperiall crowne of both who by lineall descent inheriteth both Here I wish I had as many eyes as Argos to looke into their devises who seeke to divide England from Scotland and Scotland from England renouncing the name of great Britaine lest joyned in one they might as the forenamed stars appeare together shine together and bring joy together I would then not spare to lay open as Cneius Flavius did reveal to the world the tricks and misteries of Lawyers of that time and therefore was said to put out their eyes and to cut their purses how also these Adamants hinder the naturall power and vertue of the Load-stone whom I call Adamants aswell for repugnant qualities as that they be truly Adamants even Sons of Adam practising rather in disobedience dissention and ruine of all to lay hands upon that is forbidden then to draw the Iron nay golden chaine of linkes of love in obedience to the King and for common peace and preservation of men But herein such imitate the devise of Q. Fabius Labeo seeking to have the ship of common weale divided in parts as when by compact of league with Antiochus he ought to receive halfe part of Antiochus ships cut them all in the middest craftily so to defraud Antiochus of his whole Navy or else imitate they Cyrus dividing great Rivers into many little Brookes till they be not only passable but even dryed up for so these seek to stay the maine and mighty Streame of great Britaine by dividing it and in dividing to make it of sundry kindes unlike it selfe Such dividing into parts is disjoyning of the parts by disjoyning dismembring and by dismembring spoiling making the stone Scyros which whole and firmely compacted doth swim and floate above the waters to sinke and be drowned because it is divided But our two famous kingdomes with all their provinces shires and countries united into the name of great Britaine are like the goodly and pleasant river Danubius which passing by many Countries keepeth his name till it enter into Illiricum where receiving into it sixty other rivers of divers other names leeseth not only his owne and all their other names of parts but is called Ister one for all containing all Here I require both of English and Scottish is either of them now as a people disjoynted one from the other Or as Sand without Lime Or scattered straw without binding Or as Sampsons Foxes running divers and contrary waies with fire brands of dissention among them Nay here in the glory of great Britaine is renowned that King Iames with our gracious King Charles and his Royall issue doe gather together that which was scattered and unite that which was divided and restore that which was lost and save that which was endangered even by this meanes uniting all in one name of Britaine as it was said of Rome uniting so many Countries into it selfe all parts which disagreed heretofore are now well agreeing Hereupon Rome was said to be anchora fluctuanti mundo and as he saith in Tacitus regna bellaque per Gallias semper fuere donec in nostrum jus concederetis So happily doth this universall conjunction of all under one head take away all discord and maintaine conjunction of love for everlasting continuance Only they which will be alone and not contained under one name of great Britaine are not bound up with the sheaves nor carried home into the Barne and therefore are like gleanings after harvest left behinde in the field subject to storme they come not two and two into this Arke and whatsoever remaineth alone Extra arcam perit Such are not unlike that Captaine whom Xerxes rewarded with a garland for escaping alive when all other souldiers were slaine and yet because he came alone without the rest he hanged him and as the the Athenians in the warre with the Aeginetae when one returned without his fellowes ranne upon him and killed him asking where were the rest And what can such I pray you as separate themselves from the happy union of all Britaines answer for themselves if they be called to account Can any be English and not Scottish can any be Scottish and not English Let that outcry against the Romans be ingeminated against such saying Quintilius Varus restore us our Legions where are our Souldiers what is become of them Where are the English where are the Scottish let all restore themselves and each one the other to the name of Britaines And so I say to all and every one of both nations Cedo alterum For I feare lest this name Cedo alterum mentioned in Taciâ—us be in scarely found among many but I call aloud where art thou Cedo alterum give us thy selfe bring in thy friend yea yet another and another bee not wanting to the weale publique una navis bonorum omnium all good Subjects are contained in one Ship of common Weal numeruÌ„ non habet illa suuÌ„ one is not perfit without the other for Britaines Subject ought maintaine mutuall society for common good As for others disclaiming us and disjoyning themselves only I wish they may all be of the same consort and society with us for victrix causa dii placuit though victa Catoni And albeit many great and mighty Potentates on earth make a great shew of Copia verborum by copious recitall of many Provinces and Kingdomes as if his Majesty should entitle himselfe by all the severall shires under his dominions and not by one honourable Title of great Britaine comprehending all to shew how this misliked some it is recorded when the Emperours Embassador comming to the French King rehearsed the Emperours stile at large which consisted of many dominions and names of countries the French King willed his Herauld to repeate and say over the name of France as many times as the other had rehearsed the severall titles of his Masters dominions intimating that one name of France well compacted and united of many particulars into one generall name was better then divers particular names of many countries And when Quintius Flaminius heard how his army was terrified at the recitall of many his enemies forces of their diversity of names of countries of Armour and of multitudes Dahae Medi Cadusij Elemei Cataphracti c. Spearemen Horsemen Footmen Archers c. Oh saith he what a doe is here with numbers and diversity of numbers all these are but onely Syrians and make a great shew like