Ofnobilitie. CHAP. XII. Oft he vanitie ofworldly nobilitie. Nd thus much concerning the vanitie of 4 Secs. r. worldly power and authoritie. The fecond tt'hntaobi!itre kind ofprefcrment oraduácement is world- ie,and theAner ly nobilitie, which we will firft diftinguifh thereof. from that nobilitie which being good and lawfuli, is to bee approued and relpe&ed; and afterwards Phew thevanitie ofrhar,which being worldly and wicked,is to bedcípited andcontemned.And firft wearc to know that nobilidegenerally confidered,is nothingelk, but that ho- norable greatnes, fame and reputation, which men haue de- riued vino themfrom their progenitors, both by reafon of their famous vertues, and notable deferts, and alto their ad- vancement to placesofdignitie andgreatnesof eflate, con- ferred vpon them for their worth by their Prince and coun- trey :thewhich togetherwith theirfame andgreat efteeme, is derived fucceifuely from them to their pofleritie. The fignes ofwhich ncbilitie are diuers,asamemorabledefcent, andfamous genealogie,deriued a far offfrom theirfiat we1- deferuingand advanced ancelior, or firft founder of their houfe, vnto their nextparent; honorable titles, wherewith the race from time to time bath been enobled, armes and coates granted vino them, for their worth and feruice of fiato, as a perpetual) remembrance of their wel-deferuing : veto whichwe may adde thole flames and images,which in ancient times were vied to continue aglorious memorie of their progenitors. Thewhich order ofnobilitie is goodand warrantable,as 4.Sa%z. may appeareby theft rea(9ns. Firfi, becaufe in rho firíl. wel- That nobilitie ordered common-wealrh,the kingdomeoflfi ael,euenwhi- in it kite 4 good left the Lord himfeltedid hold inhis ownehand the right of and1"fr.ü, royaltie,gouerning thembyhisownelaw, and ruling over ttkarexaita. them as theirçhiefe Soucraignc;thisfupetioritie ofnobility wasctlablifhed, there being fet;ouereuerytribe their Prin- y3 ces 325
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