like is said of Jeroboam Hee gat the Kingdome of Israel by a faction (d) 1 King 12. 19. yet the Lord saith he exalted him and made him prince over the people Israel (e) 1 Kin. 14. 7. And Zimri conspired against Ela the son of Baasha and reigned in his stead (f) 1 King 16. 10. of whom it is said that he destroyed al the house of Baasha according to the word of the Lord (g) 1 King 16. Ob. Some may happily say that I am no friend to Kingly Government R. I am a friend and will be a friend to Government to what Government so ever the Lord is and shall bee pleased to set up 1. If he set up Kingly Government again as I have been so I shall be subject to it 2. And now that he hath set up another Government I dare not make resistance The visible power for the present is that which I shall eie with reverence and respect 1. If good then have I cause to joy with the people of God 2. If bad I must reflect upon the cause which is sin However therefore Paul in my text biddeth me be subject And what I have now spoken as in mine owne person I doe entreat all Subjects to apply it to themselves because my text saith Let every Soule be subject to the Higher Powers I had thought here to have made an end but I am necessitated to enlarge my selfe to free my self from imputations which might be cast upon mee for some things which I delivered in the beginning of our unhappy Distractions viz. Concerning the Hostility the Arms which were taken up by the Parliament for the security of the State And then I said and so I say still That Armes were first taken up by the counsell and advice of an adverse disaffected party 1. To deprive the Kingdome of its undoubted rights 2. To invade Religion 3. And to suppresse all Parliamentary power for the time to come Notwithstanding the many humble addresses and large proffers of both Houses then sitting of augmentation of Honour and Revenew And therefore Armes were reassumed by the best affected for the Kingdomes safety and to defend what the Law of Natures and the Laws of this Nation had made our owne And what He by whom Kings reign had given unto us To clear this we must remember that Arms were first taken up by the instigation of a discontented party 1. To force conditions upon the Parliament and thereby to bring the Kingdome into a miserable slavery under Prerogatives lawlesse and unlimitted power 2. And to protect and keep notorious incendiaries from the hand of Justice And consider withall 1. Both what Proclamations were procured to render the Parliament and Parliamentary proceedings odious to the people 2. And what attempts were made to Quash Quell Suppresse the present Parliament notwithstanding its establishment by a Law to which his Majesty then was a party and thereby to deprive the Kingdom of all hope of benefit by Parliaments for the time to come Let all indifferent men judge if the Parliament had not cause to stand up in the Kingdomes and its own defence And if the Kingdome was not concerned as the case then stood to stand up with and for the Parliament the Kingdomes Trustees and to Covenant with them in the presence of the King of Kings 1. The Laws were violated 2. The State distracted and distempered by factious Spirits 3. Religion the joy of our lives the very life of our souls was in danger 4. The Subjects Priviledges and Proprieties were invaded 5. Notorious Delinquents stood up and were protected from Law against all Law 1. The Cause was common 2. The Faction great 3. Their violence insufferable 4. And every ones Interest was concerned in it By which means the Kingdom lay bleeding and weltering in its bloud Consider these things and judge righteously For Armes were not taken up against the King directly but against his and the Kingdomes enemies Against those that had set the Nations in Combustion Ob. But that was the Kings party And was it the part of Subjects to take up Arms against him in his party R. The Kings party was two wayes to be considered 1. Either as his person was engaged by meere sur prizall onely 2. Or as he might engage himselfe by voluntary consent whereby hee may bee said to bee surprised in his judgement also 1. For the first the case is clear that Armes might bee taken up to disingage his person howsoever or by whomsoever it might be in danger of surprizing or if it had been actually surprized To this purpose we have the example of Abishai his reskuing Davids person from Ishbi-Benob when slaughter or surprizall was justly to be feared (h) 2 Sam. 21. 16. and Abrahams example in reskuing of Lot is (i) Gen. 14. 16. not altogether impertinent And if none can be be excused if he help not the innocent when hee is in danger as Solomon saith If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn to death and those that are ready to be slaine c. (k) Pro. 24. 11. Then much lesse can Subjects bee excused if they see their King in apparent danger and withdraw from him 2. For the second grant it was so yet where his voluntary consent was not regulated in the judgement of the Grand Councell of the Kingdome which ought to be Iudge next under God and his word of all State Queries and in this case Armes might bee taken up by the advice and Authority of that Grand Councell rather then the whole should wrack and come to ruine And this maketh the case clear that Armes were not taken up 1. Against the person of the late King 2. Nor against his Politick power 3. Nor against a Legall party But against a discontented a perfidious party to their country that had Captivated his Majesties person or his judgment or both by force or flattery for their own pernicious ends Thus was King Charles abused and made resolute to the ruine of himselfe and of his Posterity Besides the King in one of his Messages to the Parliament or in one of his Declarations confessed that the Parliament had power sufficient to take up Armes 1. In their just defence 2. For the Kingdomes safety 3. And to bring Delinquents unto Justice Which is an unanswerable argument to prove the Legality of the Defensive Warre it being concluded directly from his grants Obj. Some say that hee was driven from the Parliament R. I demand Who drove him Not the Parliament for they used no force nor any thing that might terrifie and affright him If it were clamours of discontented people I dare say if he would been pleased to stay they would have provided for his safety before their own The truth is he was drawn away by the adverse party for Destructive ends But let me demand Did not many petitions follow him from place to place To Newmarket and almost if not altogether to York
may be protected and the refractory restrained and the evill punished And above all to have a speciall care of Religion 1. To advance the true 2. And to suppresse all forms of false worship In which regard Princes are and ought to be Nursing fathers (c) Esa 49. 23. 2. So on the other side Subjection implyeth three things 1. The first is Honour Their persons are to be honoured Saul required it of Samuel Honour me saith he now before the people (d) 1 Sam. 15 Nathan bowed himself before David (e) 1 King 1. 23. Honor thy Father and thy Mother saith God (f) Exo. 20. 12. Under which terms of Father and Mother all sorts of Superiours are comprehended As Fathers of Countries of families and fathers in Christ The Apostle saith Honour all men (g) 1 Pet. 2. 17. Superiours Equalls and Inferiors are to be honoured but every one as his place requireth Superiours must be reverenced Inferiors supported Equalls regarded 2. The second is Obedience Obedience I say to their Laws and Commands Either to doe them if lawfull and possible Or to submit to punishment for not doing them if impossible or unlawfull For what is commanded by full authority of the Power obedience is to be shewed either active obedience to do the same or passive making no resistance And yet in this passive obedience there must be retained 1. Both fidelity to the Power no acting no complotting For this we have Davids Example He would not avenge himself upon Saul when he had him at advantage (h) 1 Sam. 26. 8. c. And Jeremiah perswaded the Jewes to seek the peace of the King and Kingdome where they were held in captivity (i) Jer. 29. 7. 2. And Piety to pray for oppressing and tyrannicall Rulers As Daniel did who prayed for the life of Darius (k) Dan. 6. 21. Q. But here it will be said If Active or Passive obedience is to bee yeelded to all the commands of Superiors how came it to passe that against the late King and against his commands there was made open resistance R. I answer you must remember what I said even now when I spake of the commands of the full authority of the Power For though the late King was a Monarch yet his Kingdome was not an absolute but a mixed Monarchy which is of all Monarchies the best For an absolute Monarchy doth easily degenerate into a Tyranny but so cannot a mixed Monarchy because the People in their Trustees have some reall and appendent power And that this was a mixed Monarchy it appeareth in this that though the late King and his Predecessors were to keep and defend the Laws yet they were not the sole Makers of the Laws They could neither make new Laws nor repeal the old of themselves that is by their absolute and sole authority The People by their Representatives in Parliament had a power with the Kings They to contrive and frame such Laws as were for the benefit of the Subject the Kings to ratifie and confirm those Laws for the good of his people To the King and Parliament this belonged as is evident in all former Parliaments by the disanulling of Patents and the punishing Monopolists which have been burthensome and prejudiciall to the Common-wealth And if all power in these things had been in the King then had he been absolute of himself and by consequent there ought to have been no resistance but passive obedience or a submission to punishment where active obedience could not with a safe conscience be yeelded For this we have the case of the three Children Nebuchaddezzar's command was unlawfull yet they made no resistance but submitted themselves to the censure and sentence of the King (l) Dan. 3. 16 Now Nebuchadnezzar was an absolute Monarch he had indeed Counsellours but none to correct or contradict his extravagances But so it was not with the late Kings of England for Patents and Monopolies have been disanulled and Patentees Monopolists and Projectors have been censured by former and later Parliaments And therefore the full authority of the Power was not in the King alone but in King and Parliament conjunctim Object But it will be said that the King was above Law for hee could pardon trespasses against Law Reply I answer that all that can be said is that the Kings of England had a dispensing power by vertue of Prerogative 1. Yet not simply of the Law it self 2. But in regard of the execution of the right of the Law They could extend Royall favour if they pleased yet the vertue of the Law was no whit abated thereby Put the case Two persons under the same doome of Law for one and the same offence the one suffereth for the same the other hath his pardon There is power enough in the Law for execution with which the King for some causes doth dispense And properly to be above Law is to have absolute and independent power 1. To make Lawes 2. To alter Lawes 3. And to take them away at pleasure which was not in the sole power of any of the Kings of England If otherwise Parliaments were Nul and needlesse of no use of no necessity of no benefit 3. The third duty implied in Subjection is Maintenance by Tribute Poll money (m) Matth. 17. 24. and by other lawfull taxes and Impositions Give to every one his due Tribute to whom Tribute c. (n) Rom. 13. 7. Christ paid tribute (o) Mat. 17. â—0 And exhorted to give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars (p) Mat. 22. 17. And maintenance is due to the Magistrate by a fourfold right 1. First as a sign and testimony of subjection 2. Secondly as a reward for his pains 3. Thirdly for the honour of his Person and Court 4. Fourthly for the safety of State or Common wealth And so much for the duty be subject 2. Now secondly the strict injunction of the duty the Emphasis is in the word Let. Let be subject which enjoineth the strict performance of the thing Let all things be done decently and in order saith Paul (q) 1 Cor. 14. 40. Let the Elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour (r) 1 Tim 5. Let your women keep silence in the Churches (Å¿) 1 Cor. 14. 34. Let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself (t) Ephe. 5. 33 So here Let every Soul be subject That is Let every one submit or yeeld himself to authority And this implieth a threefold necessity 1. The first is Duty to which we are obliged 2. The second is Benefit that will redound to us by doing our duty 3. The third is Danger which will follow upon denying to doe our duty 3. Now thirdly to whom subjection must be yeelded To the Powers To the Higher Powers 1. All Powers even the inferior and subordinate must bee submitted to 2. Much more the Superior Powers to which the other
of them that do well (i) 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. 3. And Jude faults them that despise Government and speak evill of them that are in authority (k) Jude 8. to whom also the Apostle Peter doth agree (l) 2 Pet. 2. 10. And because there is so much grumbling and heart-burning at this time by reason of the overtures in Civill government I shall take occasion to speak of that subjection which is due to those that are now in place of eminency and the Visible power at present both to promote vertue and to punish vice We were not long since and for a long time before under Monarchicall Government under the Power of famous Princes But now we are altered into another form This the Lords doing He foundeth and confoundeth Kingdomes By him Kings reign (m) Prov. 8. 15. and by him they come to ruine If ye do wickedly ye shall perish both ye and your King (n) 1 Sam. 12. 25. The Lord it is that putteth down one and setteth up another (o) Psal 75. 7. And it is said in Daniel that the most High ruleth in the Kingdom of men and giveth it to whomsoever he will and setteth over it the basest of men (p) Dan. 4. 17. And what is of Gods doing man may admire it is in vain for him to resist For as Gamaliel said to the Councell concerning the Apostles so say I in behalf of the Power Refrain from these men and let them alone for if this councell or work be of men it will come to nought but if it be of God ye cannot overthrow it lest happily ye be found to fight even against God (q) Acts 5. 38. Come and see faith the Psalmist the works of the Lord hee is terrible in his doings toward the children of men (r) Psal 66. 5. Hee doth cut off the spirit of Princes hee is terrible to the Kings of the earth (s) Psal 76. 12. Come I say see and admire Few men look higher then on secondary causes They complain of this thing or that of this man or that if it were not for this or that things would have been otherwise But a wise man looketh up to God as the authour of all alterations The chief men of Israel rejected Christ to reign over them of whom Peter saith to whom coming as to a living stone disallowed indeed of men but chosen of God and precious (t) 1 Pet. 2. 4. And David spake of him Prophetically The stone which the Builders rejected is become the head stone of the corner This is the Lords doing saith he and it is marvellous in our eyes (u) Psal 118. 22. which text of David is alledged by Christ (w) Mat. 21. 42. and by Peter (x) Acts 4. 11. 1 Pet. 2. 7. and hence I conclude That the Lord hath an hand in all Alterations Civill and Ecclesiasticall Politicall and Oeconomicall Personall and Publike And if a sparrow lighteth not upon the ground but God hath a finger a Providentiall finger in it (y) Mat. 10. 29 Then in all alterations and altercations Providence must be prevalent 1. The Lord gave the Israelites a King at their foolish importunity (z) 1 Sam. 8. 5. in which regard the Lord saith he gave them a King in his anger (a) Hos 13. 11. 2. And the Lord taketh away a King in his displeasure Josiah was a good King He did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of David his father and turned not aside to the right hand nor to the left (b) 2 Kin. 22. 2. like him there was no King before him that turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might according to the Law of Moses neither after him arose there any like him (c) 2 King 23. 25. Yet he was taken away in the flower of his age in Gods anger to Judah (d) 2 King 23. 26. And Jeremiah and all Judah lamented the loss of him (e) 2 Chr. 35. 25. We had a King but our sins have taken him away and the Government from his The State is now the visible power they have taken the Government upon them They make Laws they order the Coinage they do all things and we must be subject God hath set them up and there is no strugling against the dispensations of his over-ruling Providence lest like a fish in the net or a beast in the mire we bring our selves into a worse condition For my text saith There is no power but of God Therefore 1. How ever the Power had advanced it self 2. Or however it shall manage matters Yet wee must be subject either doing things that shall bee commanded if lawfull or submitting to censure or to punishment yea though the cause deserve it not Q. But will some man say Is the State incontrollable may there be no resistance in case of Tyranny or oppression It is a rule that from whom Kings have their Precedency by the same they may be resisted and as case may require deposed but this must be by the whole State not by any private or particular power So the Parliament being the Kingdomes Trustees for the Kingdomes good may not the Kingdome rise against them if they falsifie the trust reposed in them A. The case seemeth to be alike But it is a captious question therefore I shall not determine it Yet this I say there is some difference for the Parliament are the Kingdome Representative and what they doe the Kingdome doth it And can the Kingdome have two Representatives at once or by what authority shall they make a new Election while the former are in being This passeth my understanding But to proceed 1. Kings are not simply necessary unto Government though a King may be an ornament a beauty a benefit and a blessing The Israelites had no King for a long time yet were well governed 2. There may be Governours that may exercise Kingly authority and not have the title which made Peter require subjection unto Governors as well as to Kings (f) 1 Pet. 2. 13 14. We had a King but now we have none in Esse nay not so much as in Posse so far as we can see with the eye of worldly possibility I say nothing of the Right I leave that to Statists who are versed in the fundamentall laws of this Nation But to the visible face of things as they now stand God hath transferred the Government and we must wait upon God making no disturbance Let him alone with his work and let us mind our own which is Subjection These things I have spoken by way of preface not for any evill will that I have to Kingly Government but to presse subjection to the Powers My intents are known to God only to whom I must be accomptable Q. But what say you to the posterity of the late King as relating to the
were not many proffers made to him of increase of honor and revenue And yet all would not prevaile Obj. But did not the Parliament or their Forces or the Parliament by their Forces seek his life R. Yes the preservation not the destruction of it For justification whereof consider 1. The Protestation 2. All Declarations 3. The Nationall Covenant Shew me any thing in any one of them that soundeth that way by any construction that can be made of them or any of them and then I am convinced Ob. But did they not detain his revenue from him who so detaineth that which should preserve life do they not in effect what in them lieth to take away the life it self I am sure it is within the compasse of the Sixt Commandement R. It was not simply detained from him but rather reserved for him lest it should be employed contrary to the originall uses or uses for which it was conferred upon him For that vast maintenance was at first annexed to the Crowne both for the Honour of the King and for the welfare of the Kingdome And the Parliament did declare to be responsall for it whensoever the King should be pleased to return to his place and duty In the mean time it was reserved lest the enemies of King and Kingdome should have been enabled therewith to manage their cruell and destructive ends Obj. But you said that Religion was in danger Did not the King in his manifold Declarations and that with deepest Protestations and bitter Execrations on himselfe and his Declare for the Protestant Religion what would men have had more A. I confesse I saw those Declarations and stood amazed when I considered withall 1. A Proclamation in Popish parts for the advancement of the Catholick Religion in England 2. The Irish Rebells professed Papists invited and called to his assistance 3. A Popes Nuncio entertained here 4. Papists licensed to arm themselves and admitted into his Armies 5. A Bull from Rome 6. And Letters that were intercepted for an Ecclesiasticall Hierarchy to be confirmed by the Pope There was some poison under this Plantain But the Parliament declared for more then the Generall Name of Protestancy And I would fain know whether 1. Be better in it self 2. Or more be desired the Protestant Religion in generall or the perfection of it by Reformation Obj. But where is your Glorious Reformation Is not all turned to confusion under pretence of Reformation R. The Reformation hath so far proceeded as to out the Pope and Popery and to free us from Prelaticall Impositions Inquisitions Innovations This is more then could have been expected if the other party had prevailed Yet it grieveth my heart that it sticketh there the cause I know not I dare not judg yet in my Prayers I shall not be a wanting to the cause of Religion Obj. But you said that the Parliament or their Forces did not seek the Kings life how cometh it then to passe that they took away his life R. He is dead and that by the hand of Violence a violent death but not without the hand of Justice And for my part I doe often lament over him as David did over Abner Died Abner as a fool (l) 2 Sam. 3. 33. There is a Prince a great man fallen in Israel (m) 2 Sam. 3. 38. And as David did over Saul and over Jonathan his son How are the mighty overthrown (n) 2 Sam. 1. 19. How were the mighty slain (o) 2 Sam. 1. 25. The beauty of Israel is slain (p.) 2 Sam. 1. 19. And for the death of the King I have already answered so far as concernneth Declarations Protestation Covenant at which time I am confident there was no such intent what ever others conceit to the contrary How the case altered I know not unlesse his 1. Willfull adhering to the adverse party 2. His not complying for the good of the Kingdome 3. His rejecting all tenders and addresses made to him did render him liable to further suspicion as not to bee confided in any longer but to be stripped of his honour which hee had prostituted to others base designes And therefore by the fundamentall Laws of the Kingdome wherewith I am not acquainted to be deprived of his life as well as his Honor and Livelyhood And therefore I leave it to be further answered by those that are versed in the Fundamental Law and are able to give an account of all their proceedings against him and his Obj. And what say you to Davids words Touch not mine Anointed (q) Ps 105. 15. R. I answer that text speaketh to Kings not of Kings It was a restraint to Kings to warn them not to oppresse nor resist Gods people who are called Gods anointed ones because they have an unction from the Holy one (r) 1 Joh. 2. 20. This appeareth to be so by the context He reproved Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine Anointed 1. This did literally concern the Israelites in their progress to the promised land 2. And it reflecteth upon Christians in all the time of their pilgrimage towards the Heavenly Canaan Jerusalem above which is the Mother of us all (s) Gal. 4. 26. The Israelites were not to be hindred in their journey nor Christians to be discouraged in their Christian course Obj. But what say you to Davids Example 1. His heart smote him when he had cut off Sauls skirt (t) 1 Sam. 24. 5. 2. He stayed his servants from doing any hurt to Sauls person (u) 1 Sam. 24. 7. 3. He excused his innocency in not taking away Sauls life For said he He is the Lords anointed (w) 1 Sam. 24. 10. 4. And when the Amalekite accused himself as guilty of the death of Saul he answered Wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand against the Lords Anointed (x) 2 Sam. 1. 14. King Charles was the Lords anointed and yet the Parliament was not afraid to resist affront attach condemn and to put him to death A. The answer hereunto hath divers particulars 1. First that David was a private person for though hee was anointed to be King yet he was not to succeed till the Lord had made Sauls place void This appeareth by Davids words to Abishai As the Lord liveth 1. The Lord shall smite him 2. Or his daies shall come to die 3. Or he shall descend into battell and perish The Lord forbid that I should stretch out my hand against the Lords anointed (y) 2 Sam. 26. 10. By which it appeareth that David was an ordinary subject though he was anointed and therefore resolved to be faithfull to Saul all the days that Saul should live 2. Again Saul was nominated by God and actually anointed at Gods command (z) 1 Sam. 9. 17. 10. 1. Therefore he was to reign till God did take him away But Kings now are not named by God nor actually anointed They are only said so to bee in a
of all Civill Engagements for unlimitted obedience is due to God only as is shewed before p. 27 28. Obj. But it will be said that this Engagement doth crosse and contradict 1. Both the Protestation made in Anno 1641. 2. And the Covenant made in Anno 1643. 3. And a Declaration of the House of Commons made in Anno 1646. 1. In the first we did Protest according to our duty of allegiance to maintain and defend his Majesties Royall person honour and estate Where was a full stop as not relating to any conditions 2. In the second we did covenant to preserve the Kings Majesties person and authority in the preservation and defence of the true Religion and the Liberties of the Kingdome That the world may bear witnesse with our consciences of our Loyalty and that we have no thoughts and intentions to diminish his Majesties just power and greatnesse 3. In the last it was declared by the House of Commons which Declaration was published in every Church and was commanded to be fastned up in every Church and is to be seen still in many Churches that their intentions were not to alter the Government by King Lords and Commons These things being protested covenanted and declared now to subscribe a Government without a King or House of Lords This is that which sticketh most and with many that are very moderate and truly conscientious R. This is thought to bee hard to bee answered But let us consider how things then stood And distinguish of the times 1. As things then stood all was really intended 2. But the Kings non-compliance and some miscarriage in the House of Lords have been the cause of the alteration of things both really intended Solemnly protested and Publikely declared 2. And though the Protestation was larger then the Covenant there being a full stop as not relating to any Conditions as I said before 2. Now his late Majesty continuing wilfully in his wayes which threatned ruine by his Forces to Religion and to Liberties Therefore the Covenant was upon second thoughts framed which was an addition to and an exposition of that clause of Defence as to his Majesties Person and Authority Shewing 1. Both wherein 2. And how far we should manage that Defence namely to the good of Religion and to the safety of the Commonwealth with all its just Rights and Priviledges and not to the prejudice of either So long as the King did shew himself a Father a foster Father of the Church and State the Kingdome was bound by its manifold engagements to defend his Person and his Power And had the King done his part timely and effectually it had been somewhat But consider 1. What Petitions were presented to him 2. What large proffers were made to him 3. What Delayes that I say nothing of Denyals were made by him 4. What Sinister Successes the many Addresses had from him 5. How fruitlesse all the Treaties have been since those engagements 6. What under-hand Dealings by his Party and not without his Privity there have been even during the times of those Treaties Whosoever shall but read that Declaration which setteth forth the reasons of the Resolves of both Houses then sitting for no more Addresses to be made to him shall see enough to make his heart relent in him even in both regards viz. of Religion and of Liberties I speak the truth in Christ Jesus I lie not my Conscience bearing mee witnesse in the Holy Ghost (r) Rom. 9. 1. That I cannot read it but my very Soul resolveth into teares at many things therein Declared which were of dangerous consequence both to Church and State And I hope no man can justly brand that Declaration with the imputation 1. Either of flattery on the one side 2. Or of falshood on the other If so it were ten thousand pities it is not published for generall satisfaction What passed in the Isle of Wight I cannot fully relate but somewhat there was which savoured not well as to security of Religion or Liberties which was the main cord of Obligation in all the Solemn Engagements both by Protestation and by Covenant 1. If any Commissions were then given underhand 2. If any Plottings by the Royall Party by vertue of any new or old Commissions to make that Treaty fruitlesse and Invalid even during the time of that Treaty 3. If any Combinations by the Royalists to attempt their owne ends by making Factions and Parties As who for King who for Parliament Of which the best affected had great Jealousies and not without just cause and many fears Then consider how farre that clause of Defence did oblige The ends being despaired of for to which those Engagements did relate Ob. Now some say that the whole Kingdome hath broken Covenant in not rising but sitting still till the King was put to death R. No the Covenant it self is not broken because the ends could not be secured And besides private men by private authority may not manage a rising against Authority The power of the Commons is in their trustees to them it belongs to Legitimate all publick Force Hee that taketh the Sword shall perish with the Sword saith Christ to Peter (s) Mat. 26. 52. that is he that taketh the sword of private revenge shall perish by the Sword of Publike Justice Well dead he is and not without the disposing hand of God It cannot be denyed but he was a personage of Rare and Royall parts And had he not been seduced by evil Counsels to his own ruine as Ahaziah was of whom it is said his Counsellors were the cause of his destruction (t) 2 Chron. 22. 4. Hee might still have been 1. A Glorious King 2. Over a most faithfull people 3. In a most flourishing Island But he is translated though by an untimely death to a more glorious company And now sits in a more glorious estate then ever he did on earth It was his Destiny laid on him by God and therefore while we lament as reflecting on his sad fate here let us rejoice in contemplation of his Glory in Heaven among the blessed Saints and Angels And now let us cast our eyes upon the Power now in being and since God hath set it up it is not in man to pull it down Subjection to the power is commanded by the Apostle And for my part since God hath set up this power and by it the Government I shall Subscribe freely resolving to be subject to the present Power because it is of God Ob. Here again some take offence Do you not see say they what a Confusion is crept in amongst us 1. All things 2. And almost all persons out of order Call you this a Reformation according to the Covenant R. I doe both see and mourn And it much dejects the hearts of many precious Saints to see 1. The Churches almost empty and the People running into Corners 2. The Publike Worship neglected 3. The Sacraments that of the Supper in