that I should stretch forth mine hand against the Lords anointed David had 1 Sam. 24. 6. now King Saul in his power but yet he spareth him and why so alas if David had killed Saul being his enemy it had been cruelty and yet that David sparâ—d him being the King it was not mercy but Loyalty and Iustice The text tells us that when David cut off the skirt of his Soveraigne's garment his heart smote him you will say why then did he do it Surely to evidence that although King Saul was a persecutour indeed yet Subiect David would be no Traytâ—ur sure it is when David cut off Saul's skirt he might as easily have cut off his head as we have done but the Lord forbid saith David if David took up armes he used them not to destroy the life of his Prince but to defend his own David well understood that for him to murder Saul would be a Treason against his Soveraign a sin against his God a wound to his own soul 2. Use of Exhortation Is there indeed a great respect reverence honour due to Kings Princes is it that which God himself requires O then be exhorted 1. To mourn over and beg pardon for the sad miscarriages of England towards the Lords anointed ones We are bound to honour our Kings and Princes well and how have we done it Murder the Father banish the Son is this the honour we owe them are our solemne oaths and covenants come to this we sware to preserve his Majesties Sacred person and yet we have killed him when we sware to make him a Glorious Prince did we intend to make him a Glorious Martyr too surely Martyrdâ—m it was upon his account though murder upon Ours Alas to bring a Prince from a Palace to a scaffold from a Throne to a block is this the duty that God requires from Subiects shall I shew you the foulnesse of that act in 4 Particulars 1. T was an act of high Iniustice You will say against whom I answer against God and Man 1. Against God Kings are Gods Deputies and is it just with man to remove them Kings are God's Vice-gerâ—nts and is it just for man to pull them down O surely Kings are accountable to none but God who gives them their commission Reges in ipsos Imperium est Iovis saith Hâ—race that God alone who exalts the Prince hath power to degrade him for men to depose and execute Princes is boldly to invade the right of God the Prerogative of Heaven 2. Against man I mean both King and Subiect 1. T was an act of high Injustice against the King himselfe Alas our King lost his pretious bloud as no Subject can ordinarily lose a penny what a subject loseth he loseth by law he must lose by the judgment of his Peers well and by what law did our King lose his life not by the law of heaven that commands an honour not by the law of England that requires obedience well but was he judged by his Peeres surely Kings have no Peeres at all but however was he judged by his Nobles surely no of all the Nobles Barons Earles Marquesses Dukes of England I think there was not so much as one among the Iudges of the King O no those stars hid their faces and would not see their Sun eclypsed It was the Shrub that pull'd our Câ—dar down they were but whelps that tore out our Lyons throat it was the dirty foot that kickt off England's royall head Our Gracious Prince that died without a law without a Legall Iury died with as much injustice as innocence 2. T was an act of high injustice against the Subiect when England lost her King subiects as children lost their father wee have smarted under the lash of step fathers ever since when England lost her Prince subiects as sheep lost their sheepheard and have not the wolves devoured us ever since when England lost her Soveraigne subiects as members lost their head well suppose England deserved this losse yet what have our nâ—ighbour-nations done had it been just for English men to kill the King of England yet was it iust for us to kill the King of Ireland the King of Scotland too if we must needs behead our selves yet must we behead our neighbâ—urs too O dismall stroke O act of injustice an act that renders three nations fatherlesse at one blow But 2. T was an act of the greatest cruelty imaginable Had the death of the King been just yet it had been cruell too indeed Judges must be just but still Judges must not be cruell as to the act it selfe Iustice was but pretended but as to the circumstances of the act the Cruelty was Reall t is resolved the King must die but when and where 1. Whâ—n must he dy why the third day after his sentence A short time you will say for a King to set his house in order to dispose of three Kingdomes but as to that his enemies resolve to do it for him hee needs no longer time on that account well but the King must die the third day alas a short time of repentance for so notoriâ—us a sinner as his enemies made him had not the Kings innocence been greater then the mercy of Rebels they took the speediest course to turne his body into the Grave and his soul into Hell the same moment tell me what though Iustice must be done â—â— the body yet is there no charity to be shewed the soul if the King be unfit for earth yet let him have a little longer time to prepare for Heaven O no there is no reprieve no not for a day though the Saints of God beg'd it with Teares But blessed be God our King was fit to die and upon that account had no more need to desire then his enemies had will to grant the least delay 2. Where must he dye alas at his own door When he was dead he might not be buried in his own proper grave but when he is to dy that is to be done at his own gate Poor Prince the place of his Royalty must be the place of his Execution Well and was there no place could serve but this Surely t is that which must needs imbittâ—r his death the more at one view he is forced to behold his fâ—rmer Glory and his present Calamity did not the very place minister an occasion to the King of such thoughts as these alas I was once a King there stands my Palace I am now a condemned prisoner lo here is my Scaffold I â—nce lived as a Prince yonder is my Throne I must now die as a Malefactâ—ur lo here is my blâ—ck I once lived as Englands lawfull Sovâ—raigne yonder my Nâ—bles were then about me I must now dye like a Tyrant behold my Executiâ—ner Alas Poor Prince but O cruell Subiects before he shall dy he must be minded in what Pâ—mp â—e had lived at â—nce he must see the axe and the Scepter to make him a
his own His own Army though consisting of some thousands yet compared with the Rebels army looked but as an handfull of men Poor Prince he is encompassed round with men and malice with strength and hatred and yet behold he scapes 2. Our Kings own army was quite broken to pieces his men generally routed and taken Alas what humane helpe had our King that day but his Army under God his defence lay only in his men about him but alas his strength is quickly gone his Army scattered the King left as a lamb in the midst of Wâ—lvâ—s and yet secure 3. Multitudes of men were slaine round about the King It is said many hundreds of subjects fell that day and yet the King who ventured himselfe in the battel as well as others must surely scape doubtlesse God who is the Lord of Hoasts had given the sword a charge concerning his Sacred person the bullets had no Commission to touch him who was the Lords anointed 4. There were but a few pâ—rsons of Quality escaped that day besides the King When others are slain the King is alive when others are taken the King escapes God preserveth his Person from the violence of men his life from the stroke of Death his Majesty becomes a Prisoner neither to a Gaol nor to a grave 5. It was the Kings person that was chiefely aymed at Subjects slain and taken were but a petty booty the great prey desired was the King to overthrow his whole Army and to misse of his own Person was not counted halfe a victory His great Enemy aimed at the Kingdome and consequently at the King but surely the Kings Personall escape was a great Allay to the overthrow of his Army it was but a cold conquest to get the day and misse their prey to win the field and lose the King but however as the Kings escape did lessen the joy of his enemies so it doth magnifie the mercy and providence of his God t is next to a wonder that he almost alone should escape who almost alone was struck at doubtlesse had the King that day been a conquerour God had been lesse seen in his victory then in his escape lesse seen in the field then in the wood It was a more wonderfull Providence for God to secure him in a defeat then to save him by a Conquest 2. God did wonderfully preserve the life of our King after that fatall day of battel Indeed through mercy the King quickly scaped from Worcester yea but he could not so quickly scape from England he had scaped the sword of open enemies yea but he might easily have fel into the hand of treacherous friends one man might have done him that mischiefe which an whole army could not do an army could not kil him yet a single Person might have betrayed him Poor prince go whether he will dangers attend him stil but now here is the Providence of God he that saved him upon the Mount faved him in the vally too that God who preserved him in the field preserved him in the city too and surely the Providence of God was seen as much in preserving the King in the day of his retirement as in the day of battâ—ls See why in four Particulars 1. Consider how hard a thing it is for a King to be concealed Alas Kings and Princes are Publique Persons more Generally known especially in a time of warre then other men 'T is an easy matter for the low shrub to lie hid but the tall Oak will be visible you may pull off the lâ—aves of a Cedar yet it s own height will discover what tree it is so here there is that Grandour that Majesty in a Prince that is apt to betray him even under a disguise If a Gentleman may be known by his face much more may a Prince be known by his Majesty 2. Consider how strict a search was made after the King when he had escaped It is true the prey was now got out of sight yea but how many packs of bloud-hounds were immediately sent to pursue there is no safety for the King in England but alas how shall he get beyond the Seas it seemes a thing almost impossible and why so why surely because there is a search in the City a search in the Country not a port-town in England but a trap is set to catch him tell me then how can that Prince scape for whom it seemes as Impossible to be safe upon the land as to get to Sea surely our resolve must needs be this it was digitus Dei the finger of God was in it But 3. Consider how dangerous it was for any mâ—n to entertaine and conceale the King It is true to entertain the King in his low estate was every man's duty yea but it was every man's danger too to conceale the King was then an high act of Loyalty and yet not to betray him was proclaimed an high act of Treason a subject could not do his duty without the Imputation of sin we could not endeavour the Preservation of the King without the hazard of running upon our own ruine and yet notwithstanding all this Persons there are of Gods Provision who to save the Kings life resolve to vâ—nture their own now here is the Providence of God God saves both King and them both are in danger yet both escape 4. Consider what a reward was promised to him who should Discover the King Surely considerable summes of money are strong temptations especially to persons whose spirits are as base as their estates are low Iudas betrayeth the son of God for thirty pieces of Silver and might not the bloud of our Gracious Soveraigne have been sold for a thousand pounds surely men that would not refuse to conceale him for fear might yet have been tempted to betray him for gaine by undoing the King a man might have made himsâ—lfe and yet behold the King is saved and if so wonderfull is the Providence of God in his preservation the King shall not dye by the sword of enemies nor miscarry through the Treachery of friends But 2. God hath now wonderfully owned our King in his restitution Surely that Argument which some men lately pleaded against the King may now upon better grounds be pleaded for him If the crâ—sse Providences of God which once befell our King might be looked upon as so many Frownes from heaven why may not the successefull Providences of God that now attend him be looked upon as smiles it was lately said surely God disowneth the King because he is banisht and why then may it not now be said surely God owneth the King because he is restored if former overthrowes were an Argument oâ— wrath why then should not present successe be an argument of love and the rather because the present restitution of our King hath in it much of wonder whereas his former defeats and banishment had none at all surely that the weaker army and such was our Kings should be beaten by
of sinners God hath given us a King a mercy wee hope that will prevent the ruine of our Nation yea but God hath given us wee trust a pious King a Mercy that will prevent the ruine of our Religion Gentlemen if you are for the King be also for God O remember to Render unto Câ—sar the things that are Cesars but O forget not that which followeth Render to God thâ— things that are God's Be Loyall but be not prophane Honour thâ— King but withall Feare God Why should man part asunder what God himself hath joyned together But 2. To His Gracious Majâ—sty himselfe a word 1. of Apologie 2. of Request 1. A word of Apology for my selfe Who am I that I should speak unto the King but O my Dread Sovâ—raigne I am one though the meanest of those that love your Majestie 's Sacred Person and shall to death obey Your Sacred commands I have a soul as well as a Sermon to welcome You to Your Throne nay I can yet with modesty say a little more I ever owned Your Majesty as my King and Father even then when your Majesty seemed far enough from recovering your Kingdome Indeed I had not an hand able to fight for your Majesty nor an estate able to contribute yet I had an hâ—art to pray a Tongue to Speak and a Pen to write that which was then my hazard is now my comfort and I hope a sure Testimony of my Loyalty too Sureâ—y Respect to a Prince when attended with danger needs no witnessâ— to prove it selfe to be right Allegiance Indeed duty when done with safety may seeme to lose it's Nature and Name but duty when done in danger seemes to be done out of Duty indeed Allegiance to a King when it is surely safe and possibly may be adâ—antagâ—ous too may be interpreted as a bare compliance onely but Allegiance void of hope and full of feare lookes like it selfe and deserveth it 's owne name That wee who evâ—r continued your Majesties Loyall Subjects did not do our whole duty argueth the weaknes of our courage yet that wee did do a little argueth the sincerity of our Obedience and if so if our former Respects to your Majesty in your sufferings must be acknowledged to flow from Conscience I hope our present respect can not reasonably be judged to proceed from flattery I dare not thinke that the Allegiance of Loyall Subjects shall lose it's name because our King hath recovered His Crowne But I should not at all have mentioned what we have done were it not my onely argument to prevaile for your Majesty's Pardon for what I have now to say and that in two words of Request 1. A word of request for my selfe and my fellow subjects Dread Soveraign we have all more or lesse had our miscarriages towards your Majesty I am Bold in the name of all to beg your Majesty's Pardon to presse your Majesty with Arguments were to distrust your forwardnesse to mercy were not your mercy easily obtained I should intreat some better Oratour to beg it I cannot more highly magnifie the mercy of our King then by saying that it seems as great as the miscarriages of his subjects surely England stands guilty of a thousand miscarriages and yet I understand there is with our King as with our God But one sin unpardonable and why that one Surely there is mercy enough in our God and in our King to pardon even this sin also but there is not a Capacity in the sin it selfe to be pardoned it might be pardoned but cannot Dread Sir As to the Death of your Royall Father now with God I think this discourse doth sufficiently evidence that my soule abhorres the act as abominable and the Grand Contrivers of it as Notorious I do not become their Advocate nor plead for them who I hope have nothing but repentance and shame to plead for themselves But Sir there are some petty Traytours some Vnder-Rebels who as they now need so I hope in time by teares and obedience may deserve your Majesty's mercy There are some persons amongst us I dare not say men of more religion then Lâ—yalty but I am perswaded men of more Conscience then Knowledg persons whose blame lieth more in their heads then in their hearts persons indeed who have acted against your Majesty yet what they have done they have rather done by other men's heads then their own hands It is far from me to excuse the sin yet would I fain interpose for the Person when I consider what these men have done indeed they look like objects of justice but when I consider what they have been and are persons indeed drawn away but easily reducible to their Obedience I would fain recommend them to your Majesty as objects of mercy But why do I beat the air Why do I plead for that which seems already granted I should rather thankfully acknowledg then humbly beg your Majesty's mercy onely thus we beg a Pardon an act of Oblivion that may be passed not only in a Parliament House but in your Majesty's bosome 2. A word of Request for God and his Church Dread Soveraign I have often pleaded with God for your Majesty's Interest pardon me if I now plead with your Majesty for the Interest of God I need not mind your Majesty of that which I know you can never forget Onely thus God hath now done great and Glorious things for your Maiesty and surely God doth now expect that your Maiesty in the sense of his Mercy your kingdomes necessity and your own duty should do great things for God and his Church God hath now we trust established your Maiesty upon your Throne And O may your Maiesty exalt Christ upon His God hath made your Majesty the Protectour of your own subiects and O may your Maiesty be the Protectour of his Saints and Servants the Church of England hath now too much need of a Prince and therefore of your Maiesty that may not only be stiled but bee a Defâ—nder of the Faith God hath now restored your Maiesty to the Government of Our State And O may your Majesty restore and settle a righteous Government in Gods Church the want of a Government hath bred Confusions in our State and distractions in our Church for want of a fence the boar and the fox have got into the Vineyard of Christ the Bore strikes at the Vine the Fox eates up the Grapes For want of hirdles the poor sheep of Christ have wandred and fell among devouring Wolves Now the Lord make your Maiesty more and more sensible of his Merciâ—s and his Church's Miseries the Lord make you a Nursing Father to Sion but a Step-Father to Babylon As your Maiesty hath been a King of Prayers so may you be a King of Prayses too The Lord increase the honour of your Temporall Crown on Earth but above all the Good Lord prepare your Maiesty for the Weight of an immortall Crown in Heaven In the mean time O may your Maiesty be the love of Saints the fear of Sinners FINIS