432 ADVICE TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS. 



15. From Scotland we have had in former times 

 some alarms, and inroads into the northern parts of 

 this kingdom ; but that happy union of both king 

 doms under one sovereign, our gracious king, I hope, 

 hath taken away all occasions of breach between the 

 two nations. Let not the cause arise from England, 

 and I hope the Scots will not adventure it ; or if 

 they do, I hope they will find, that although to our 

 king they were his first-born subjects, yet to Eng 

 land belongs the birthright : but this should not be 

 any cause to offer any injury to them, nor to suffer 

 any from them. 



16. There remains then no danger, by the bless 

 ing of God, but a civil war, from which God of his 

 mercy defend us, as that which is most desperate of 

 all others. The king s wisdom and justice must 

 prevent it, if it may be ; or if it should happen, &quot; quod 

 absit,&quot; he must quench that wild-fire with all the dili 

 gence that possibly can be. 



17. Competition to the crown there is none, nor 

 can be, therefore it must be a fire within the bowels, 

 or nothing ; the cures whereof are these, &quot; reme- 

 dium praeveniens,&quot; which is the best physic, either to 

 a natural body, or to a state, by just and equal go 

 vernment to take away the occasion ; and &quot; reme- 

 dium puniens,&quot; if the other prevail not : the service 

 and vigilancy of the deputy lieutenants in every 

 county, and of the high sheriff, will contribute much 

 herein to our security. 



1 8. But if that should not prevail, by a wise and 



