HORACE in his Ars Poetica says, Rem bene provisam, &c. Fit Words necessa­rily follow a Subject well Laid and Founded: So I on the contrary Presume, Ʋbi mens male disposita est, where ill will hath its design, agreeable Expres­sions are never lacking, to Vent its Meaning and Malice.

Apparent (till 1 [...]73.) hath ever been, among us English Men, a fit Par­ticiple (or Word Adjective) to Express one, between whom and the Succe­ssion to a present Possessours Estate, no third Person Intervenes or Appears.

Such was and is, his R. Highness, [Suffering no Ecclipse, in his Modest Fair and Just Pretensi­ons, till the time before recited, and then Natus est Haeres Praesumendus (or Praesumptivus as French Latinists would Term it,) et denatus est Apparens, inter Hominum Genus Novum: Presumtive comes into the World, and Apparent dies among a new Sect, &c.

No Man can doubt this, to be an Artifice (we live in the days wherein they abound) to Dimi­nish among the Vulgar, the Opinion of the Validity of the foresaid Pretentions: And it hath gone so very far, that the Plow Man in the Country, (as well as the Pitiful Vicar,) that Groans under the Detention of his Tithes, and is to be Commiserated,) Argue it and Distinguish by it, and to say the Truth, one Understands it as well as the other.

Nay the more refin'd Wits: (and Men of great Learning and Parts have the Expression in Ho­nour and Esteem. As Mr. Smith in his late Narrative. p. 13. (26 Bis. 27, &c.

Every Nation have Proper and Peculiar Idioms and Expressions, which by a long use, are become their own, and are not so proper for other Countries and Concernments.

These be the Diets of Germany, (the Parliaments of England, (the General Estates of the Netherlands, (the Senate or Great Council of Venice, (and the Cardinalate or Conclave of Rome [...]; (these two are Terms of Government and Council.

But Secondly as to Expressions of meanet consequence and circumstances, (in vulgar occasi­ons and occurrences.

The Scots Term being a Sleep, Quiet: The Irish, Shall for Will: as, Such a man shall die, meaning that he cannot hold out long, is past recovery or at least in exceeding danger.

We English, understand by knocking on the Head, (no Bugbear expression if genuinely considered: (nor of more danger than John Hopkins's fearful Imprecation, Psal. 74. Para­graph the last: (I say we understand by it down right murdering and killng.

So the Latines have their e medio tollere, just of the very same stamp: (again instead of de­manding what hour it is, we ask what's a clock;) Significans pro Significato.

Learned Selden thought it no Solecism, to quote the old Ballade of the Tanner of Tamworth, (recited by Mr. Ashmole in his Garter, p. 225. Why may not I quote the merry Legend of the Frier and the Boy, to bring in a very common and usual Angliscism, p. 1.

This Ʋnhappy translated in the sense of Ʋnfortunate, quite marrs the intended sense; (which siignifies waggish and full of Roguish Tricks.

We say, the Wing of a Rabbet, (which notwithstanding is no flying Animal, but a four footed Creature; So after the same manner, the Scots have the fore Leg of a Capon.

The Dutch express I drink to you, uk brenght, (which is no other than I bring to you, or make you the Offer of drinking.

They say Gen Schip ghebleven, is (a Ship is staid), meaning it is cast away and lost.

The French say prendre sur, (gainer Sur, (take a Town upon, gain a victory upon; where as we say take a Town from, gain or get a victory, over or against, such a King or Prince: they say l' heure a sonnee, the Hour has strook, instead of the Clock, (Significatum pro Significante)

To come to the point, then Presumptive Heir is a Galliscism, a French Term, an Idioma­tical Expression of that Nation, borrowed from the Latine word Praesumo, (in its Derivative) And let us see what Hottoman saies of it in the Substantive, Presumptio apud juridicos dicitur, ex­istimatio, quae ex verissimilibus argumentis et conjecturis ducitur; a judgment, esteem or opinion of things, which is drawn from credible and veritable arguments and conjectures; (see Thomas, Thomasius in the word: The French use it to express a next Heir, (as the two Brethren St Marthes all along in their Genealogick History of France.

P. 719. Isabel de Bourbon fut accordeè avec le Prince Olaus fils uni (que) et presomptif Heritier de Danemerc &c. She was affianced with Prince Olaus only Son and presumptive Heir of Denmark.

P. 873. Tom. 2d. (Jean de Albret fille uni (que) et presumptive Heritiere du Roy de Navarre, only Daughter and Presumptive Heir to the King of Navarre.

P. 1052. Speaking of Jean Wife of K. Phillip the Tall; He calls her Presumptive Heir of Artois.

P. 1331. twice) I will mention both Circumstances.

1st. The Agreement between Anne of Britain, and Charles the 8 of France afterward her Husband, La Princesse ne convoleroit en autres nopces; fors avec le Roy futur (Si il plaift et luy faire ce peut) et autre Heretier prochain et prefomptif de la couronne, she not to contract 2d. Marriage ex­cept with the future King, (if it so pleased him and he could do it (and other next Heir and Presumptive of the Crown.

2dly. The Prince of Orange is termed there, the next Kinsman and presumptive Heir of the said Princess.

So again p. 1528. and 1537. (The first of which saies Edw. K. of Portugal, was the first who or­dained Que le fils aisnee, presumptif Heritier de la Couronne, &c. That the Eldest Son Presumptive Heir of the Crown, should carry the Title of Prince of Portugal, being before only stiled Infant,

The latter Pag. saies, John of Portugal was joyned in Marriage with Charlot de Lusignan) Daughter of John the 2d. of the name, King of Cypress, (and of his Queen Helene Paleologue, adds, she was presumptive Heiress of the Kingdoms of Cypress and Jerusalem.

But finally the Bishop of Rhodes,) who so elegantly wrote the Life of H. 4. of France, and is so well translated by Mr. Dancer, stiles the said King no other way than Presumptive Heir, (although already declared Successor by H. 3. and so taken by all, (except those of the Ligue. who carried on a long war against him, and whom at length he uttterly ruined.

Pray mark all these Expressions.

• * (inverted †)* 1st. Olaus, only Son and presumptive Heir.
• 2dly. only Daughter and presumptive Heire, (in Jean De. Albret.
• 3dly. In the Case of Anne of Britain; he does not say next or presumptive Heir, but 'tis a Conjunction Copulative, and makes Next and Presumptive all one.

And so in the Prince of Orange, (next Kinsman and presumptive Heir; (if so, what diffe­rence then from Apparent? (and the French they have no other Phrase for it.

* (inverted †)* But the next of all is so clear, that he saies Eldest Son presumptive Heir to (a Grama­tical Apposition:) and no man did ever deny to an Eldest Son the Title of Apparent.

It is clear then from these two Bretheren eminent for their Learning and Learned Descent: (see their own Dedication at the end of their work; (as also from the Bishop of Rhodes That Heir Presumptive is nothing else than Apparent.

So you see (the Authors of this new Term) have made good that of the Poet.

I'le english it,

But indeed Reason will tell us, (without the Head-ache of Philosophical Argumentation) that that is nearest the mark or object matter, where nothing at present intervenes.

Nothing more certain than against which at present not the least objection; and nothing can be more apparent, than that which nothing appears at present to obumbrate and obscure.

I compare then these interjected upstart Expressions of presumptive and expectant Heir, to the Moons being in opposition under the Eccliptick Line, which indeed darkens the Sun, but he af­terwards appears more glorious.

And indeed, as to the Term of Heir Expectant, 'tis worse than Presumptive, and hath some what more of malice in it; the word importing a looking for with desire, (ex spe instare) to be instant after any thing, with impetuous Hope (making his R. H. as it were, Imaginars Regis Mortem (a Trick to cause Jealousies and Variances. (and learnt from Del Rio, and Contzen: (for 'tis not to be doubted there be some Protestant Phanatical Polititians, as bad as any Jesuit can be thought to be. Hudibras in his 3d. Book plainly describes them, part 3d. p. 114

I could wish the Prophesy of Hor. were accomplisht, Ars Poetica p. 3.

Let Heir Expectant and Presumptive be no more heard; Let Apparent be in Vogue.

Augustus Caesar adopts Tiberius. Joan the first of Naples, adopts Louis Duke of Anjou: so also Joan the second, adopts the same Family: no Friend of Caesars, or of these Neopolitane Majesties, but acknowledg the Adoptes for Heirs Apparent.

Right of Adoption hath great force in Sacred Writ, as Rom. 8.23, Rom. 9.4.. Gal. 4.5 Eph. 1.5. But on the Duke's Side, is successive Propinquity and Proximity.

Se the Determination of the Holy Ghost (Deut. 17.8.9.) Sans any objection.

Moses that great Prophet, Penman (nay Prince) who delivered to us that former Law of Succession, saies Gen. 1 16. That God made two great Lights, the greater to rule the day, &c.

And our Saviour himself (the Light of the world (John 8.12. Tells us his father,) who is the Father of Righteousness,) causes his Sun, (the greater of the two Lights afore-mentioned, (to arise on the evil and the good, and sendeth Rain on the just and on the unjust, Mat. 5.45. which in the opinion of all Divines admits, that all manner of men are to expect their Rights and Dues in communicative and distributive Justice: and I believe that none of these new Sect of Presumptivists would be willing to loose any the least Pretention, though but to one hundred Pound per Annum! Let them do then as they would be done by, laying aside all far-fetcht (equivocating) dubious, (malicious Phrases and Expressions, contenting themselves with those of our own Nation, giving Caesars Relations their due) and so become just.

This new Order of Men, have erred not knowing the Scriptures. St. Peters advice is, (1.4.15.) not to be too busie. They have erred as not being Philosophers; (not observing the Ethicks) I mean the morality of Moderation.

Hor. Lib. 1st. concludes his second Epistle with.

An admirable Lore and Document for moderation: It may be rendred Proverbially, (soft fires make sweet Mault) a Commoditie we in England cannot live without; Let's have a care of [Page 4]the making o'nt —Solomon teaches us not to be righteous over much, Eccl. 7.18. (as also to be wise for our selves it we pretend to wisdom Pro. 9.12. ver.

It were heartily to be wished an Act of Pacification might pass, such as that sub H. 3. call'd Dictum de Kenelworth, (so that no reflection might be made upon forepassed Jealousies, to promote and foment new ones.

That the Duke might retire, near his only Royal Brother.

The present separation, is a matter of ill aspect and consequence; the sacred Scripture de­clares against them which cause it, (Prov. 6.4. and 19. ver. (The Heathen Poet charms wise­ly against it. Ho. Lib. 1. Ep. 3d

Moreover that the Kings wants might be supplied towards the paiment of his Debts; (a matter much importing his Reputation and Credit.)

Old Fabian tells us of wonderful monitions and warnings were given to H. 2d. but especi­cially from one Sir William Chestreby, whose advice was Seavenfold.

The 6th Clause was, that he should take care his Subjects should be satisfied, for any thing taken or received from them, for his use; and that he should pay his Servants and Souldiers their wages; I shall make but short Paraphrase upon it▪ only observe, that such as are averse to Aids and Subsidies, (the Ancient Rights of our Kings) are such as are deficient in Loyalty and Charitie. The first as to their Sovereign. The second as to their Fellow Subjects.

That again, Preparation might be made for the Defence of the Nation, La politique Fran­coise. p. 192. advises the Fr. King to place the Knights of Mal [...]a in the Isle of Rhee, (Isle de Dieu, and Belle Isle, to ruine our Trade.

Mr. Smith in his late Narrrtive, (p. 13.) tells us the said great Kings Encouragements and De­signs: and the Friendly Conference; (plainly tells us his pretentions upon England; and that they are printed and exposed to publick View and Censure.

His Medals (lately uttered to the world) demonstrate the greatness of his mind, and the Nebucadnezar ▪ like Conceit he hath of himself.

Neither doth his Nativity (published both in Latine and English by two several Astrologi­ans) add any thing but Fewel to his Martial Mind apt for great undertakings.

But I say, could he seise upon the South, and South-west parts of Ireland, lying opposite to Britain▪ he would become Mr. of our Seas; and then farewell Trade and Traffick, under the warm Sun.

Ireland hath left Hope and Dependance upon Spain, (and have betaken themselves to France,) in every Village of Connacht, and the South-west of that Kingdom, are such as have been Trained up to French Military Discipline.

And whilst the Fewds of Papistical and Presbyterian, (or Antimonarchical Plots, (for cer­tainly there is a Party in England that aim at a Hollandsche Government, (make a noise in the world, The French Plot, not a Religious one, but Political one; such as Germany and the Ne­therlands have felt the effects of. (silently gets growth, and they come and take away your Name and Nation.)