Downame - Puritan-02038 v2

Of nobilitie. CHAP. XII. Of t he vanitie of worldly nobilitie. Nd thus much concerning the vanitie of 4 Secs. r. worldly power and authoritie. The fecond tt'hntaobi!itre kind ofprefcrment or aduácement is world- ie,and the Aner 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 the vanitie ofrhar,which being worldly and wicked,is to be dcípited and contemned.And firft we arc to know that nobilide generally confidered ,is nothing elk, but that ho- norable greatnes, fame and reputation, which men haue de- riued vino them from their progenitors, both by reafon of their famous vertues, and notable deferts, and alto their ad- vancement to places ofdignitie and greatnes of eflate, con- ferred vpon them for their worth by their Prince and coun- trey :the which togetherwith their fame and great efteeme, is derived fucceifuely from them to their pofleritie. The fignes ofwhich ncbilitie are diuers,as a memorable defcent, and famous genealogie,deriued a far off from their fiat we1- deferuingand advanced ancelior, or firft founder of their houfe, vnto their next parent; 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 which we may adde thole flames and images,which in ancient times were vied to continue a glorious memorie of their progenitors. The which order ofnobilitie is good and warrantable,as 4.Sa%z. may appeareb y theft rea(9ns. Firfi, becaufe in rho firíl. wel- That nobilitie ordered common-wealrh,the kingdome oflfi ael,euenwhi- in it kite 4 good left the Lord himfelte did hold in his owne hand the right of and 1"fr.ü, royaltie,gouerning them byhisownelaw, and ruling over ttkarexaita. them as theirçhiefe Soucraignc; this fupetioritie of nobility wasctlablifhed, there being fet;ouereuerytribe their Prin- y3 ces 325