A SERMON Preached at the COLLEGIATE CHURCH AT MANCHESTER On Tuesday the 23. of April 1661. Being the CORONATION-DAY OF HIS Royal Majestie CHARLES II. By RICHARD HEYRICK Warden of the said Colledge LONDON Printed for RALPH SHELMERDINE Bookseller in Manchester 1661. To the Reverend RICHARD HEYRICK Warden of Christs Colledge in Manchester REVEREND SIR OF those Truths you have frequently delivered to us this one which you preached to our eares upon that happy and joyous day of his MAJESTIES Coronation which is not of the smallest concernment a Truth which with the KING hath been an Exile and banisht both the Pulpit and the Presse in this Land for many yeares together but since both are returned together home the one to the Throne the other to the Pulpit the one Crowned the other preached both on a day we judged it worthy the Press whereby it might better manifest it self to the world that as at the Presence and Sight of his Maiesties Sacred Person all his enemies flie and fall before him so at the approach of this light the grosse mists of errors and contrary tenents which have possessed this Island of late yeares might be dispelled and utterly confounded Necessary also we judged it in respect of us sonnes of the Church of England to vindicate our selves that though darkness might cover the surface of our Church and seize upon some persons yet we still kept this light within us unextinct the doctrine of our Church we still retain and we who are souldiers will fight for his Majestie in defence thereof to the last drop of our blood nor was it fit the Herauld and Proclaimer of this doctrine should be concealed and unknown therefore passeth it under your name Pardon us wherein we have acted without full directions from you it was our love and zeal to the Truth and to you the Preacher of it that caused this forwardnesse in us Sir the Town ingeneral we more particularly who were further Actors in the solemnization of the day are obliged to you for your great paines And to testifie our gratitude for so great a favour thought good to send them both together abroad into the World your paines with our unfeined thanks affixed thereto who in the name of our selves and the rest of our souldiers under our Command do subscribe ourselves SIR Your affectionate Neighbours and well-Wishers John Byrom Major of the Trained Band. John Cawsey Lieut. Hugh Johnson Ensign Nicholas Mosley Captain of the Auxiliaries William Heawood Lieut. William Byrom Ensigne Manchester May 11. 1661. 2 KINGS 11.12 And he brought forth the Kings Son and put the Crowne upon him and gave him the testimony and they made him KING and anointed him and they clapt their hands and said God save the KING HE that reads the Text and knowes the occasion of this great and solemn assembly and he is a stranger in our Israel that knowes it not will presently acknowledge the suitableness and fitness of it The Text speaks of the Coronation of a King of a King the Son of a King of a Kings Son whose Father was treacherously and traiterously murdered of a King who by force and violence was kept from the exercise of his Kingly Office his Royaltie and Dignitie of a King who for severall years lay hid in darkness and obscuritie yet afterward beyond all expectation probabilitie by divine Providence yea almost possibilitie restored to his Crown and Dignitie without the sheding of blood but of the Usurper the grand Conspirator and Traytor The History is briefly thus Ahaziah the Kings Father King of Judah was by the hand of Jehu a furious Zealot yet a great Politician a notorious close Hypocrite yet a gallant Commander shott to death He being dead Athaliah his mother like a Beare rob'd of her whelps like a shee Tyger full of rage and madness a furie and friend of hell destroyed all the Seed Royal. Jehosaba sister to Athaliah stole Joash the Son of Ahaziah from amongst the Kings Sons that were slaine she hid him in the house of the Lord six years Jehoiada in the seventh year brings him forth to the people puts the Crown upon him gave him the testimony they made him King and anointed him they clapt their hands and said God save the KING There is no difficultie in the words he that runs may read and he that reads will understand there is no diversity nor varietie in them In the Text there are three parties and the parts they performed in this restauration Jehoiada the high Priest Joash the King and the People I name them not according to their excellency and worth but as they are presented in the Text. 1. Jehoiada he shews himself upon this great and glorious Theatre and he acts four things 1. He brings forth the Kings Son 2. He puts the Crown upon him 3. He gives him the testimony 4. He anointed him The second Person is Joash the King and the parts that he performes answerable to the parts of Jehoiada are likewise four 1. He publickly shews himself to the people in his Royaltie and Majestie 2. He weares the Crown on his Head 3. He takes the testimony in his Hand 4. He hath the sacred Oyle on his breast The third partie that appears the People the parts that they performe are three 1. They made him King 2. They clapt their hands 3. They said God save the KING these are the parts and parcells of the text Of these in their order briefly and plainly and first of the First Jehoiada brought forth the Kings Son In the book of Judges it is four several times recorded there was no King in Israel and it is very observable that every time it is recorded is occasioned by some notorious villany some horrid impietie that was then committed The first time we read these words that there was no King in Israel Iudg. 17.16 is Micah had a house of gods and made an Ephod and Teraphim and consecrated one of his Sons to be his Priest Idols were erected Idolatry was committed an abomination that Gods soule hateth The second time we read the words is and then we read of robing and spoyling Iudg. 18.1 plundring and rifling of houses murdering and massacring man woman and child and burning the City The tribe of Dan every one with their sword girt about them march't to Laish unto a people that were quiet and secure with a rage reaching up to heaven they destroyed all before them a wickedness not to be paralleld The third time we read the words in the men of Gibeon offered force and violence to a Levite a wafareing man they ravished his wife Iudg. 19.1 they forced her to death a greater wickedness they attempted a wickedness not once to be named Iudg. 21.25 The fourth time we read the words Judg. 21.25 And there we read of an unnaturall war a civil uncivil war a bloody and cruel war amongst the Tribes themselves thousands were slain and almost a whole
Tribe destroyed in Israel the Book of Judges closeth it with these words In those daies there was no King in Israel intimating and implying that all the impieties the wickednesses the villanies that were then committed vvas upon this account because there was no King in Israel Alas what a woful Commonvvealth there vvas when there was no King in Israel then Idols vvere erected Idolatry committed Errours Heresies Blasphemies false Religion false VVorship connived at tollerated robbing rifeling and plundering of houses rapes and murthers bloody and cruel vvars all vvas out of course in State in Church Micah vvas a private man Gibeon a City Dan a Tribe Tribes Cities Families all in disorder and confusion Nor was this in secret corners but all the Land of Israel over Micah dwelt at Mount Ephraim in the midst of Canaan Gibeah was at one end Dan at the other so in the midst and both ends all were wraped up in darkness and blackness You see what misery comes by want of a King what a masse of mischief disorder upon disorder the holy Ghost doth not charge them with a flat Anarchy that there was no Estate no kinde of Government among them there were both Priests and Judges there was a millitary Government but there wanted a King and God hath assigned this for the only cause and we will not be wiser then God to search for other reasons I could easily paralel all that I have said in our English Israel but the King and Parliament hath made it forbiden fruit and have passed an Act of free and generall pardon Indempnity and Oblivion may God and all the people of the Land seale to it You see what the want of a King is and by that you will the better judg of the blessedness of happiness of that people that have a King Kingly Government is the best Government for order peace strength so saith the Philosopher and he proves them all one by one the best without controversie for had there been a better God would not at last have resolved on this for his own people This is the most perfect most like the Government of Heaven God changed the Government from Joshua the Captain to the Judges from the Judges to Eli and Samuel Priests but when he set a King over his people he changed that Government no more Jehotada did a great and glorious vvork when he brought forth the King a vvork pleasing to God and acceptable to the people this was the first work Jehoiada did He brought forth the King 2. He put the Crown upon him He Jehoiada not the people Chr 23.11 Consult The Crowne doth not make the King it shews him to be King it addes nothing to the truth and being though much to the honour and glory the putting the Crown upon him is an external right and ceremonie nothing intrinsecal essential to the constitution of a King The Crown is an ornament of renown and glory proper and peculiar to the wearing of Kings alone The Crown crowns the head the head the highest member of the body naturall the Crown on the head of the King speaks the King the highest member of the body politick honour glory dignity is originally from the Crown where there is no Crown there honours are not confer'd Dukes Marquesses Earles Viscounts Barons Knights they have their dignity derived from the Crown streame greater and lesse flowing from this Fountaine rivers rivolets coming from this Sea and returning to this Sea again Jehoiada he puts the Crown upon him but it is God that reacheth the Crown to Jehoiada to put it upon the head of the King Ps 21.3 Thou settest a Crown of pure gold on his head as David acknowledgeth on the triumphant day of victory yea not King David only but King Jesus the King of Saints the King of Nations the king of kings hath said it Pro. 8.15 by me Kings reigne we have Gods word for it his deed his best deed his guift I have given you a King kings are placed in their thrones by God vested with their Robes by God girt with their Swords by God anointed by God crowned by God so saith the Scripture had I time to quote the texts God hath imparted his Name to kings I have said you are Gods Sons of the most high Kings have their descent from God king of kings is upon his thigh and Melchizedeck his first king and his tipe is brought in without father and mother to shew that Kings are the generation of God This made the Emperours to stamp their coyne with an hand coming out of the Cloudes houlding a Crown and putting it on their heads and accordingly to stile themselves crowned of God 3. He gave him the testimony a Book wherein the Law of God was registred the Book of Deutronomy saies the Greek the five Books of Moses saies the Jewes Deut. 17.18.19 And it shall be when he sitteth upon the Throne of his Kingdome that he shall write him a copy of this Law in a Book out of that which is before the Priests the Levites and it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the dayes of his life that he may learn to feare the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these Statutes to do them The Hebrews record it thus when the king sitteth upon the Throne of his kingdome he hath a Book of the Law that his Father had given unto him and he was to write with his own hand a second Book of the Law and ever to carry this Book about with him the original Book was kept in the Sanctuary and out of that Book was the kings copy written that it might be most exact and perfect This testimony was given to him that he might know what the Law required of him in reference to God to himself to his people and what he might expect from God and the people At this day Christian Kings have the Bible put into their hands which requires wisedome understanding integrity courage the feare of God love of the truth hating of covetousness having no respect of persons the two last properties Heathens themselves required whence the Thebans painted Justice without hands without eyes to intimate they should receive no guifts nor be sway'd with sight of persons He gave him the testimony that he might be the keeper the revenger of both Tables The king is a mixt person he hath the Crown upon his head and the testimony in his hand which speaks him in all causes and over all persons within his Dominions supreme Head and Governour they steal from the kings Crown the most precious jewel that exempt persons and causes from him whilst the king hath a Crown upon his head and the testimony in his hand God and the people will love and honour him the Crown honours him in the sight of the people and the testimony in the sight of God and may the king have ever this honour and love
themselves Some Kings were anointed with oyle out of the Violl some out of the Cruse The Lord Jesus had this oyle naturally flowing from the Olive tree Those Kings whose succession was long to continue were anointed with oyle out of the Viol those Kings whose heirs presently failed were anointed out of the Cruse Kings beare this sacred oyle upon their breast to shew that they are to have grace in their hearts While Kings have this oyle on their brests the testimony in their hand the Crown on their head and live amongst their people that King cannot but be glorious that people a blessed a happy people Once it was said to one of our Kings by a voice from Heaven in deep thoughts who should succeed him the kingdome is the Lords and he will take care of it Joash was anointed and this is the second party and the fourth and last part he performed The third partie was the people and of them it is said they made him King they clapt their hands they said God save the King let the King live First they made him King he was King before but they acknowledg him then to be King he had the right before but now they give him the possession In kingdoms where Kings are by succession there is no Interregnum but no sooner is the King dead but his heir is immediatly King the King never dyes The Proclamations that are proclaimed throughout the Kingdome and the Coronation of him do but publish him King and make it known to the people It is not the representative of the people not in Senates nor Parliaments it is not in the collective body to make Kings Kings are Kings though the whole people oppose it but it adds much to the honour to the glory to the renowne to the peace to the strength to the comfort of the King when all the people owns him acknowledgeth him submits swears obedience to him This was the first part they made him King 2. They clapt their hands this was a visible expression of their great joy See Ps 47.1 Oh clap your hands all ye people shout unto God with the voice of a triumph So Ezek. 25.6 It is said of the Jews at this day that as often as they read the Book of Hester and mention is made of Haman his name is so much in detestation and execration amongst them that they suddainly start up as it were in a rage and fury they bend their browâ— they spit on the ground they hisse they stampe with their feet Every Nation hath their several Rites and Ceremonies their external and outward expression of joy Yea they did not only clap their hands when the Crown was put upon him they sounded the Trumpets they had singing men and instruments of Musick Consult 2 Chro. 23.13 Nor was this the act of a partie of a faction but of all the people of the Land But the Captains of hundreds the Nobles and the Governours of the people and all the people of the Land In Ezek. 8.14 We read of women weeping for Tammuz Interpreters say by Tammuz is understood the Sun who for some months departed from them but when the Sun returned again and they had his light his heart his influence they rejoyced with great joy When the wise men recovered the sight of the Star that they had lost before they rejoyced with exceeding great joy Some say it was no new Star then created but a Star not appearing before but then shewing it self Joash the King was as the Sun departed as the bright morning Star eclipsed and darkned when he appeared the Sun returned the Star shewed it self The people rejoyced they clapt their hands this was the second thing 3. They said God save the King In other places we read they shouted they shouted with a great shout they shouted with a loud shout they shouted that the Earth rang again God sometimes calls upon his people to shout The Jews upon several occasions of joy they expressed their joy by shouting but when ever they shouted they gave the greatest shout at the Coronation of a King hence it is said by way of eminency Numb 23.21 The shout of a King is amongst them and what did they shout these words God save the King or as it is in the Hebrew let the King live As they praised God for their King before so now they pray to God for their King according to the Canon of Scripture 1 Tim. 2.1 2. I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authority that we may lead a godly and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty They prayed let the King live maugre all the opposition and contradiction of men and divels Let the King live that the sons of violence may not prevaile against Him that conspiracies confederacies treacheries treasons may never prosper Let the King live in Gods love and his peoples that he may live gloriously and prosperously that he may live long here and eternally hereafter In their greatest joy and triumph they prayed God save the king They do not drink healths to the life of the king or to the confusion of his enemies Hest 1.8 Great Ahasuerus the Heathen king in his greatest festivalls expresly forbad it nor hath the Church of God any such custome yea they did not only pray let the king live but they took out of the way what might shorten the life of the king that might make God an adversarie to Him they rooted out Idolatrie they brake down the Altars and Image of Baal in pieces they slew Mattan the chief Priest of Baal yea more Jehoiada made a Covenant before the Lord and the king and the people that they should be the Lords people that the king should give protection to them and they obedience to Him I have done with the parts and parcels of the Text I have considâ—red them severally by themselves they all joyne their forces together and commend unto us this reasonabe Observation The Restauration and Coronation of a king is matter of great joy and rejoycing to a Loyal and Religious people or thus The kings Restauration and Coronation is the Peoples Triumph and Glory I shall not spend time in the confirmation and illustration of this Doctrine I shal make some application and that in one Use of Exhortation not to Joash the king not to Jehoiada the Priest but to the People you have heard what the People did when the king was restored and crowned they clapt their hands said God save the king besides what is said in the Text I find two things more the people did they praised God for the kings Restauration and Coronation and they praised the king 1. They praised God Be exhorted on this day of the Kings Coronation to praise God to give God the honour and glory of it 1. Blesse God that we have a king the shout of a king is a joyfull shout better any than an Anarchy better any one a king than every one a king I remember the cry of the Beasts in the Fable when they were in consultation to submit themselves to the Lyon as to their king some alledged he would do what he pleased they all cried better one Lyon do so than all the Beares and Wolves and wilde Beasts of the Forrest 2. Blesse God that our King is not by Election but by Succession no Invader no Vsurper no Conquerour no Alien or Stranger not one whose speech we understand not but a king lineally descended from kings of the race Royal for many hundreds of years who hath an undoubted right to be king Ec. 10.17 Blessed art thou O Land when thy king is the Sonne of Nobles the Sonne of kings 3. Blesse God that our king is peaceably restored to us that the people generally and universally receive him for King There were great thoughts of heart because of the division of king and subjects It was given out concerning Queen Elizabeth when shee should die clouds of blood did hang in the ayre but God brought in king James peaceably and made him a peace maker It was above our faith above our hopes yet in duty we praied that our king might peaceably be restored unto us It is observed no lesse then miraculous when God brought his people Israel out of Egypt that no dogg opened his mouth It was in the dark time of night there was great noise and tumult yet no dogg barked When the king was restored unto us it was as it was in Heaven for a time great silence all mens mouths were stopped and the king peaceably and joyfully restored 4. Blesse God that we have not only a king but a race and succession of kings God preserved the Royal Family as the three children in the fiery fornace so that no haire of their head was singed you see what great cause we have to praise God Not unto us O Lord not unto us but unto thy Name be the glory Not by might not by power but by my Spirit saith the Lord of Hosts 5. They praised the king give the king the praisses due unto him praise him for his invincible patience and forbearance praise him for his Act of Indempnity and Pardon praise him for restoring the rights the liberties of the Church praise him for establishing truth and judgment never had king greater provocation greater temptation yet he hath conquered himself which is more than if with Alexander he had conquered the whole world He is more then a conquerour a triumpher not over mens bodies but over their hearts their soules their spirits Shout and cry aloud let Heaven and Earth Eccho it back again God save the king Let the king live God save the king they are the last words of my Text and they shall be the last of my Sermon and let all the People shout it out with a loud shout GOD SAVE THE KING FINIS