CERTAINE OBSERVATIONS UPON Some Texts of SCRIPTURE GATHERED TOGETHER FOR THE SETTING FORTH THE KINGS AVTHORITY AND THE PEOPLES DVTY Col. 3.16 And now brethren let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdome teaching and admonishing one another John 5.39 Search the Scriptures for in them ye thinke ye have eternall life and they are they that testifie these things Printed in the year 1648. To the READER GEntle Reader J finding the worke hereof to be very beneficiall for the publike it being a publike worke durst not wrong mine owne conscience so much as to conceal it for mine owne use wrap up my talent in a napkin without imparting it to the good of others J desire therefore nothing more then your Christian patience because you must not expect the ensuing matter as a discourse from the learned but accept of it as a poor gift freely bestowed upon the Kingdome from a weake Lay-man who had rather speake five words with understanding then ten thousand in an unknown tongue And whose wisedome was not able to dive into any further discourse but to take up and gather together severall Scriptures and from thence plain truths as are revealed in the Scriptures by the Prophets and Apostles in the Old and New Testament that so they may be more fully made known to this end that we may all in this Kingdome more speedily put them into practice which is the prayer and desire of Your friend and servant T. M. IF there be any that be desirous with Enoch to walk with God and to please him Or with Abraham the father of the faithfull to walk before God and to be upright Or with Zacharias and Elizabeth the righteous servants of the Lord to walk in the Commandements and ordinances of the Lord blamelesse Then with the Prophet Micah 4.2 Let them go to the mountain of the Lord to the house of the God of Jacob. And he will teach them of his wayes if they will walk in his paths And with the Prophet Jeremiah 6.16 Let them stand in the way and see and ask for the old paths where is the good way and walk therein and they shall find rest for their souls And as many as walke according to this rule peace be upon them and mercy and upon the Israel of God Gal. 6.16 And let us now hear what God the Lord speaks Psal 85.8 As by the mouth of all his holy Prophets which have been since the world began Luke 1.70 For if they will not beleeve Moses and the Prophets neither will they beleeve though one arose from the dead Luk. 16.31 And first what they speake for The Kings AUTHORITY ANd let us now begin our work in the name of the Lord and intreat his blessing upon it and hear what the Lord God himself saith who is the God of Abraham of Isaac and of Jacob the God of our fathers Numb 12.8 Wherefore then were ye not afraid Aaron and Miriam to speak against my servant Moses marrying an Ethiopian woman vers 10. Miriam became Leprous white as snow 1. Observation That neither high nor low ought to speak against Supreame Authority no not Aaron though the high Priest Eccles 8.4 Who may say unto him what dost thou They are the Lords servants 2. Obs That a Leprosie or some other judgement shall befall them that speak against supream authority though in marriage S. Jude cals them filthy dreamers that despise dominion and speak evill of dignities v. 8. Judges 17.5 Micah had an house of gods and consecrated one of his sons to be his priest And in those dayes there was no King in Israel but every man did that which was right in his own eyes 1. Obs That where no King is to rule a Nation that Nation and people is ready to consecrate priests to themselves Heb. 4.5 No man ought to take this honour to himself but he that is called of God as was Aaron to be an high priest 2. Obs That where there is no King in a Nation though Gods own people Israel yet Israel walks according to their own wayes and contrary to the wayes of God Lev. 26.21 If ye walk contrary unto me I will walk contrary unto you and bring seven more judgements upon you for my wayes are not your wayes nor my thoughts your thoughts saith the Lord. Isay 55.8 1 Sam. 8.4 When the Elders of Israel perceived that the sons of Samuel though Judges walked not aright but followed lucre and perverted judgement They came to Samuel and said unto him make us a King to judge us like all the Nations 1. Obs That the Elders and rulers the heads of the Tribes of Israel desire to have a King for to rule them and judge them 2. Obs That no Elder or ruler ought to dis-throne a King from ruling or judging 1 Sam. 10.24 And Samuel said unto the Elders and to all the people See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen that there is none like him amongst the people And all the people shouted and said God save the King 1. Obs That Kings have their originall choice from the Lord. 2. Obs That no man ought to be compared to the King 3. Obs That no man ought to think slightly of the King but to rejoyce in their King 4. Obs That its the peoples duty to pray for the King God save the King 2 Sam. 16.16 Hushai being sent from David said unto Absolon God save the King God save the King 1. Obs That dissimulation hath a cloak for every action 2. Obs That prayer is made a cloak for dissimulation 3. Obs That fair speeches and the stronger party is made a maine cloak for dissemblers 18.19 1. Kings 1.39 And Zadok the priest Anointed Solomon King and they blew the trumpet and all the people said God save King Solomon 1. Obs That Kings are the Lords Anointed 2. Obs That great triumph ought to be made at the Anointing of Kings 3. Obs That its the peoples duty to pray for their King by name King Solomon King Charls 1 Kings 20.31 And Benadads servants said the Kings of the house of Israel are mercifull Kings let us put sackcloth on our loyns and ropes upon our heads and go out to the King of Israel peradventure he will save our lives 1. Obs That the councell of servants ought not to be rejected 2. Obs That Kings ought to be mercifull 3. Obs That its the duty of the people to be humbled and submit their lives to the Kings mercy 4. Obs That where there is no humiliation there ought to be no mercy 5. Obs That Kings have power in themselves to pardon great offenders 1 Kings 21.13 Children of Belial witnessed against Naboth Naboth did blaspheme God and the King And they stoned him with stones that he died 1. Obs That blasphemers of God and the King ought to suffer death 2. Obs That we ought not to have an evil thought of the King Eccles 10.20 Curse not the King no not in
thy thoughts Exod. 22.28 Thou shalt not curse the ruler of thy people 1 Chro. 28.4.29.1 And David the King said unto all the congregation Solomon my son whom alone God hath chosen is yet young and tender 1. Obs That God alone chuses Kings 2. Obs That God may chuse Kings when they are young and tender 3. Obs That it is not in the power and will of man to chuse Kings Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reigne 4. Obs That the congregation ought to take notice how the Lord alone chuses Kings 2 Chro. 30.12 King Hezekiah and his Princes tooke counsell together to keep the passeover And the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the King and the Princes by the word of the Lord. 1. Obs That Kings and Princes are to councell together 2. That Kings and Princes ought to councell together for the establishing of Gods worship the Church Government 3. That it is God that unites the hearts of the people to do the Kings Commandement 4. Obs That the King and his Princes ought not to establish any worship but according to the word of the Lord. Ezra 6.10 King Darius made a decree and gave to the priests to offer sacrifices of sweet savour unto the God of heaven and pray for the life of the King and his sons 1. Obs That all sacrifices are to be offered up unto the Lord. 2. Obs That in all our spirituall sacrifices we ought to offer up our prayers to the God of heaven for the life of the King and his sons Ezra 7.26 Artaxerxes King of Kings said unto Ezra the priest And whosoever will not do the law of thy God and the law of thy King let judgement be executed upon him speedily whether it be unto death or to banishment or to confiscation of goods or to imprisonment 1. Obs That we all ought to be obedient to the laws of God 2. Obs That all we ought to be obedient to the laws of the King 3. Obs That punishment ought to be inflicted upon the transgressors of the laws both of God and the King whether death banishment confiscation imprisonment according to the Kings mercy Ezra 7.27 Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers which hath put such a thing as this in the Kings heart to beautifie the house of the Lord which is at Jerusalem 1. Obs That the priests and the scribes of the law of the God of heaven ought to blesse the Lord for the house of the Lord. 2. Obs That the Lord ought to have his house at Jerusalem the Metropolis 3. Obs That the Lords house ought to be sought unto and to be beautified Micah 4.2 4. Obs That they ought to be punished that goe about to deface the house of the Lord. 5. Obs That its the Kings duty to see that the house of the Lord be beautified Neh. 2.3 Nehemiah who was the Kings cupbearer said unto the King Let the King live for ever 1. Obs That Godly rulers ought to pray for their King 2. Obs That Godly rulers ought to pray for the long life of their King 3. Obs That Godly rulers ought not to think slightly of their King but pray Neh. 2.6 And the King said unto me the Queen sitting by him for how long shall thy journy be 1. Obs That there hath been Kings and Queens to rule and govern the nations 2. Obs That no man ought to seperate those that God hath joyned together Esther 7.5 King Ahashuerus said unto Queen Esther who is he and where is he that durst presume in his heart to do so 1. Obs That Kings ought to maintain their Queens and make enquiry after those that oppose them 2. Obs That all those that oppose Queens ought to have the wrath of the King stirred up against them 3. Obs That all those that provoke the King sin against their own souls Prov. 20.2 Job 34.18 Is it fit to say to a King thou art wicked and to Princes ye are ungodly 1. Obs That no man ought to speak evil of the King 2. Obs That all men ought to strive to maintain the Kings honour and the Princes innocency Psal 18.50 Great deliverance giveth he to his King and sheweth mercy to his Anointed to David and his seed for evermore 1. Obs That we ought to pray for deliverance for our King 2. Obs That we ought not to imprison our King 3. Obs That Kings are the Lords Anointed 4. Obs That we ought to pray for the King by his name David Charls 5. Obs That we ought to pray for the Kings seed for evermore Psal 72.1 Give the King thy judgements O God and thy righteousnesse unto the Kings son 1. Obs That we ought to pray to God for the King 2. Obs That we ought to pray to God that judgement and wisdome and understanding may be given to the King for government 3. Obs That we ought to pray that the Kings seed may be endued with righteousnesse 4. Obs That we must all strive to maintain the King in judgement and his seed in righteousnesse Psal 84.9 Behold O God our sheild and looke upon the face of thine Anointed 1. Obs That its the duty of Kings to rely upon God and make him their shield 2. Obs That its the duty of Kings to pray to God for themselves 3. Obs That Kings in their prayers may set out their prerogatives before God Anointed Psal 89.18 For the Lord is our defence the holy one of Israel is our king I have exalted one chosen out of the people I have found David my servant with my holy oyle have I Anointed him 1. Obs That Kings ought to rely upon the Lord for defence 2. Obs That Kings must not put confidence in man for defence but in the Lord. 3. Obs That Kings are the holy ones of God 4. Obs That Kings are exalted and set up by God 5. Obs That Kings are chosen out of the people by God 6. Obs That Kings are the Lords servants 7. Obs That the oyle wherewith Kings are Anointed is an holy oyle Prov. 8.15 By me kings reigne and princes decree justice 1. Obs That the reigne of Kings is by the power of God and their authority is from the Lord. 2. Obs That no man hath power to subdue the King in his reigne 3. Obs That Princes ought to decree nothing but that which is just 4. Obs That Kings and Princes ought to make no law nor decree but that which is according to justice according to the word of God Prov. 16.10 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king his mouth transgresseth not in judgement 1. Obs That the sentences of Kings ought to be highly esteemed as the oracles of God 2. Obs That in the judgement of a King is no transgression 3. Obs That we are to yeeld to the Kings judgement and not stand upon our own judgement Prov. 16.15 In the light of the kings countenance is life and his favour is as a cloud
of the latter raine 1. Obs That the life of a good subject is the chearfull countenance of the King 2. Obs That the favour of the King is like the former and the latter raine upon the ground in his due season 3. Obs That Kings ought to shew their respects to their good subjects 4. Obs That no subject ought to provoke the King to make him frown Prov. 20.2 The feare of a King is as the roaring of a Lion who so provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul 1. Obs That men ought to be afraid and tremble for fear of the Kings anger 2. Obs That no man ought to vex the King or provoke him to anger 3. Obs That subject sins against his own soul that provokes the King to anger 4. Obs That we must use all our power and industry to preserve the King in his integrity Prov. 20.28 Mercy and truth preserve the King and his Throne is upholden by mercy 1. Obs That the preservation of Kings is upheld by upholding the attributes of God 2. Obs That the thrones of Kings are upholden by holding forth the word of truth and the works of mercy 3. Obs That the Kings care ought to be to shew mercy 4. Obs That Kings are made glorious both in the eies of their subjects and to other Nations by holding forth the works of mercy And here see King Charls glorious 1. In his shewing mercy to his enemies 2. In preserving the truth from errour 3. In praying for his persecutors 4. In his desiring of peace in all these wars 5. In his joy in all his afflictions 6. In his patience in the want and injoyment of his desired Consort and comforts 7. In his manifesting all the fruits of the spirit to be in him his love to God to the Kingdome to his Subjects his joy in tribulations his desire of peace his long-suffering his gentlenesse his goodnesse his faith his meekenesse his temperance these have made him glorious and this is his joy and crowne of rejoycing and by these his Crowne is upholden Prov. 24.21 My son fear thou the Lord and the King and meddle not with them that are given to change 1 Obs That none can fear the Lord but he that fears the King 2 Obs That unlesse we honour the King we cannot truely fear the Lord. 3 Obs That changelings are not to be trusted unto nor to have any dealing withall Prov. 30.31 And a King against whom there is no rising up 1 Obs That no man ought to rise up against the King not by thoughts to thinke evill of him not by words to curse him nor by weapons to war against him 2 Obs That we all ought to lay down our evill thoughts our wicked words our ungodly weapons and to submit unto him 3 Obs That we all ought to labour in our thoughts words and weapons to preserve and defend the King and his seed after him for evermore Eccles. 8.2 I councell thee to keep the Kings Commandement and that in regard of the oath of God 1 Obs That wherein the King Commands the people are to obey 2 Obs That the Kings Cammands ought to be according to the oath of God 3 Obs That the oath of God and the Kings Commands are to be kept Eccles. 8.4 Where the word of a King is there is power and who may say unto him What doest thou 1 Obs That the words of Kings ought to be powerfull words 2 Obs That no man is to controle the King nor to speake against him 3 Obs That the works of Kings ought all to be righteous works Eccles. 10.20 Curse not the King no not in thy thoughts and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber for a bird of the aire shall carry the voice and that which hath wings shall tell the matter 1 Obs That we ought not so much as in our thoughts to think evill or to curse the King 2 Obs That we ought with our lives and estates in our thoughts words and works to maintaine and uphold the Honour of the King 3 Obs That no man in Authority ought to be cursed 4 Obs That we ought to pray for Kings and for all in Authority 5 Obs That the Lord will reveale the secrets of mens hearts even of those that curse the King or any in Authority Isaiah 49.23 Kings shall be thy nursing fathers and Queens thy nursing mothers 1 Obs That its the duty of Kings and Queenes to be tenderly affected towards their subjects 2 Obs That its the subjects duty to preserve and maintaine their Kings and Queens with all fitting maintenance for their places 3 Obs That Kings and Queens ought to live together to be aiding and assisting one to the other As fathers and mothers Jer. 27.8 It shall come to passe that the Nation and Kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon will I punish with the sword with the famine and with the pestilence and hearken not to your Prophets for they prophesie a lye unto you bringing your neckes under the yoak of the King of Babylon and serve him and his people and live why will ye die thou and thy people by the sword by the famine and by the pestilence as the Lord hath spoken against the Nation that will not serve the King of Babylon 1 Obs That Nations and Kingdomes are to be governed by Kings 2. Obs That though a King be a wicked King yet he must be served 3. Obs That the punishment of a Nation or Kingdome whether by sword famine or pestilence follows the disloyalty to the Kings commands 4. Obs That if Prophets prophesie disloyalty to the Kings commands we are not to hearken unto them they prophesie a lie 5. Obs That its the subjects speciall duty to obey the Kings command 6. Obs That all those that disobey the Kings commands shall be punished by death with sword by famine by pestilence 7. Obs That its the Lord that brings his punishments and inflicts them upon a disloyall Nation or Kingdome where he pleaseth Jer. 30.9 But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their King whom I will raise up unto them 1. Obs That the Lord God is to be served 2. Obs That David their King is to be served 3. Obs That they are joyned together to serve the Lord God David their King so serve the Lord God Charls their King 4. Obs That the Lord raises up Kings and commands all their subjects to serve them Ezek. 37.24 David my servant shall be King over them and they all shall have one shepheard and they shall walke in my judgements and observe my statutes and do them 1. Obs That all Godly Kings are the Lords immediate servants 2. Obs That where a Godly King Rules there they have all one Godly ministry one Godly government one faith one baptisme 3. Obs That no liberty ought to be given to tender consciences to walke contrary to Gods statutes 4. Obs That the judgements and statutes