ADVICE TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS. 409 



and confidently I shall say, it is fittest for monarchy 

 of all others. I will use no other authority to you, 

 than that excellent proclamation set out by the king 

 himself in the first year of his reign, and annexed 

 before the book of Common-prayer, which I desire 

 you to read ; and if at any time there shall be the 

 least motion made for innovation, to put the king in 

 mind to read it himself : it is most dangerous in a 

 state, to give ear to the least alterations in government. 

 [If any attempt be made to alter the discipline 

 of our Church, although it be not an essential part of 

 our religion, yet it is so necessary not to be rashly 

 altered, as the very substance of religion will be 

 interested in it : therefore I desire you before any 

 attempt be made of an innovation by your means, or 

 by any intercession to your master, that you will first 

 read over, and his majesty call to mind that wise and 

 weighty proclamation, which himself penned, and 

 caused to be published in the first year of his reign, 

 and is prefixed in print before the book of Common- 

 prayer, of that impression, in which you will find so 

 prudent, so weighty reasons, not to hearken to inno 

 vations, as will fully satisfy you, that it is dangerous 

 to give the least ear to such innovators ; but it is 

 desperate to be misled by them : and to settle your 

 judgment, mark but the admonition of the wisest of 

 men, king Solomon, Prov. xxiv. 21. &quot; My son, fear 

 God and the king, and meddle not with those who 

 are given to change.&quot;] 



4. Take heed, I beseech you, that you be not an 

 instrument to countenance the Romish catholics. I 



