180 A DRAUGHT OF A PROCLAMATION 



and violence, or by pact and submission, but by the 

 law of nature and hereditary descent. For in con 

 quest it is commonly seen, although the bulk and 

 quantity of territory be increased, yet the strength 

 of kingdoms is diminished, as well by the wasting 

 of the forces of both parts in the conflict, as by 

 the evil coherence of the nation conquering and 

 conquered, the one being apt to be insolent, and the 

 other discontent ; and so both full of jealousies and 

 discord. And where countries are annexed only by 

 act of estates and submissions, such submissions are 

 commonly grounded upon fear, which is no good au 

 thor of continuance, besides the quarrels and revolts 

 which do ensue upon conditional and articulate sub 

 jections : but when the lines of two kingdoms do 

 meet in the person of one monarch, as in a true point 

 or perfect angle ; and that from marriage, which is 

 the first conjunction in human society, there shall 

 proceed one inheritor in blood to several kingdoms, 

 whereby they are actually united and incorporate 

 under one head ; it is the work of God and nature, 

 whereunto the works of force and policy cannot 

 attain ; and it is that which hath not in itself any 

 manner of seeds of discord or disunion, other than 

 such as envy and malignity shall sow, and which 

 groundeth an union, not only indissoluble, but also 

 most comfortable and happy amongst the people. 



We therefore in all humbleness acknowledge, 

 that it is the great and blessed work of Almighty 

 God, that these two ancient and mighty realms of 

 England and Scotland, which by nature have no 



