unanimitas Erasm Paraph. in Act. 1. being conjoyned together in one Communion and Fellowship in the mystical Body of Christ And we can't be joyned to Christ our Head except we be glued with charity one to another For he that is not of this Unity is not of the Church of Christ which is a Congregation or Unity together and not a Division The Churches unity which is by one Spirit from one Head is but one in all and though many Members Eph. 4.15 16. yet but one Body As Gregory ‖ Gregor Mor. l. 19. c. 14. speaks Sancta Ecclesia sic consistit in unitate fidelium sicut corpus nostrum unitum est compage membrorum In the structure of the natural Body all its parts conspire for the good and benefit of the whole There 's such a Symmetry and proportion as that the Members are joyn'd by Nerves Veins Arteries and Ligaments to their Head from whence they receive strength and sensation and by virtue of this union to the Head retain a Fellowship and Community among themselves So it is in the Body Politick the King's Majesty the Golden Head of our Land the Honourable Council the Eyes of it the Nobles Lords and Barons the Shields and Shoulders thereof the Reverend Bishops and Clergy the Chariots and Horsmen of Israel the Tongues of the Land the Judges those grave Sages the Hands of our Land for the Execution of Justice the flower of our Gentry and Commons the Feet of our Land Head Eyes Tongues Shoulders Hands Feet all even all should concur for the general good and publick safety and in both for Gods Glory and Worship that we may lead peaceable and quiet lives in all godliness and honesty because peace is the foundation of happiness and lustre of any Government and the fiercest Enemy of peace is dissention in Religion therefore unanimity is a work worthy of every ones best endeavours and of absolute necessity to the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the bene esse of the Church it is the Life and Soul of it Ecclesia nomen est consensûs concordiae And that multiplication of Unities Eph. 4.6 one Spirit one Hope one Lord one Faith one Baptism one God and Father of us all declare that we should be all of one mind in the Lord all keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace It is a good thing when Unity and Concord Peace and Religion go hand in hand two gentle Companions as full of love as they are of innocence and it is a great pity that two of so near alliance should suffer ever an injury of a Divorce examine their descent the root of both signifies to bind Religion is a bond between God and man Peace is a tye between man and man Christian and Christian And one would think the very name of Christian should have a greater efficacy and power to still and suppress disorders in the Church than that of Quirites was presently to hush and allay the commotions in Caesars Army because the Church is a spiritual Building made up of Souls cemented with love 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as S. Chrysostome speaks It is a Body compact and knit together in one and the same Orthodoxal Verity which was once given to the Saints in the holy Apostles days and in all Substantials maintained by the holy primitive Fathers for which we ought as S. Jude tell us 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to contend earnestly even all that owne and profess the same Faith in sincerity The irrational prejudice of many Schismatical Sectaries against the present Discipline would soon be removed if they do impartially weigh the purity and simplicity of the Doctrine of the Church of England A Church that teaches no other Doctrine but what Christ and his Apostles delivered derives none of its Principles from the impure Fountain of vain and uncertain Tradition but a sure word of Prophecy is that Spring that sends forth all her Doctrines So that all her Articles all the parts of her Worship all her Canons and Constitutions are by derivation pure and holy Add unto this the innocency and decency of her Ceremonies the regularity and Decorum in her Offices and Administrations the integrity and candour of her Manners and Principles It holds no Tenets nor teaches * Lib. Can. discip Eccl. Angl. injunct Regin Eliz. Anno Domin 1571. Can. de Concionatoribus any thing pernicious to Salvation or dissentaneous to the rule of Faith in purity of life and holiness of conversation every way consonant to the Doctrine and Discipline of primitive times in the first and purest Ages of the Church And what Faith can be the foundation of a more solid peace the surer Ligaments of Catholick Communion or the firmer Basis of a holy Life and of the hopes of Heaven hereafter than the measures which the holy primitive Church did hold and we after them Therefore we may conclude the Religion of our Church certainly Primitive and Apostolick and the best Transcript and Original Copy of Christianity that is left in the World And there needs no better demonstration for bringing of men into the unity of Faith and the knowledge of the Son of God or establishing a Community among us than purity of Doctrine and of Worship in the Service of God by Prayers * The Liturgy of the Church of England or publick Form of Divine Worship though contemned and depraved by its malicious Adversaries out of a Spirit of contradiction and singularity who do preach or speak perverse things against the Discipline and Government of our Church out of their own Fanatical asseverations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith S. Basil and the novel imaginations of their own brains yet it is notwithstanding religious and holy and recommends to us the wisdom and simplicity purity and spirituality of Christian devotion It is a compound of Texts of Scripture exhortations to repentance Psalms Hymns Doxologies Lessons and Creeds Forms for the Administrations of the holy Sacraments Comminations against impenitent sinners all mixed and diversified with great care to quicken attention and stir up devotion Praises and Sacramental Celebrations which are the great characters and confirmation of true Christians Communion with the blessed and glorious Trinity with God with their Saviour and the holy Spirit and by the Grace of these with one another for the holy Word of God the Scripture of the Old and New Testament which stream from the Fountain of our Saviour is the only Standard * The Authority of the holy Scripture for which it ought to be believed and obeyed dependeth not upon the Testimony of any man or Church but wholly upon God 2 Pet. 1.19 21. 2 Tim. 3.16 1 Joh. 5.9 1 Thess 2.13 who is Truth it self the Author thereof and consequently the Supreme Judge by which all Controversies of Religion are to be determined and all Decrees of Councils Opinions of ancient Writers Doctrines of men and private Spirits are to
igni remedium 't was this fire of holy Zeal and Christian Loyalty or Charity which out-burn'd that of Malice and Envy And in the midst of the fiercest flames that Barbarism and Cruelty could invent paid the Tribute of a peaceable subjection to their Murderers and made unforced acknowledgments of the Right they had to their obedience And the Church of England teaches no other Doctrine than what was taught by the Prophets and Apostles themselves i. e. Obedience and Submission to Kings and Governours In the Prophecy of Obadiah they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Saviours or Deliverers In Ezekiel's language they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Shepherds to feed and rule the People In S. Paul's they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God's Ministers nay Elohim Exod. 22.28 Gods by Office and Deputation to govern the affairs of men on Earth The Apostles also charged those whom they employ'd in setling of the Churches to put them in mind to be subject to Principalities and Powers Tit. 3.1 and to obey Magistrates And S. Peter's Exhortation is Submit your selves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake 1 Pet. 2.13 not only unto the King 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as supreme but unto Governours 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as being sent by him Rebellion then is as the sin of Witchcraft and Disobedience as the iniquity of Idolatry 1 Sam. 15.23 For whosoever disobeys the Viceroy affronts the Soveraign they fight against God and attempt to cross the Decrees of Heaven and frustrate the Counsel of the most High who says Prov. 8.15 By me Kings reign And it is the assertion of Plato That a Kingdom is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Divine Good which imprints on our minds a double instruction to Fear God and Honour the King 1 Pet. 2.17 First to adorn the Christian Religion with holiness and piety of life It is Religion that ennobles man erects his affections and estates him in a happiness above Nature alters his very being and puts him in opposition to what he was before Religion is the most effectual instrument to reform mens lives and bring them into an hatred of their vices which all Moralists especially the Pythagoreans after all their industry despaired of What Reports Diogenes Laertius and Valerius Maximus make of Polemus the Convert of Zeno are but mean and low things if compared with the Acts and glorious Success of Christianity whose virtue and influence upon mens Consciences inables them to subdue Self overcome their Vices check the impetuous force of their Passions and withstand their own carnal and sensual Inclinations the greatest and most noble Conquest As the Lustre of Christianity was thus bright and glorious in the Primitive Constitution so was the honour of its Professors that they were of such piety and integrity that their Adversaries confessed that their Religion was their only ruine Let us therefore be so stedfast in our Religion unshaken in our Faith so constant in our Devotion and holy and unspotted in our Lives that Wisdom may be justified not only of her Children but Enemies also which lays the greatest obligation on us to live the most holy and religious life towards God For were we more holy and righteous in our ways and did we walk in newness of life we should more convince the World of the Truth of our Religion Psal 93.5 Holiness saith the Psalmist becomes O Lord thine house for ever No garment becomes the Church so well as the garment of Holiness It is Sanctity that is the Churches Glory It is the Ephod of Purity that is the Churches Excellency Our first Creation set before us as Hieroglyphicks before the Egyptians whose very Shapes and Figures were Doctrinal and by a kind of Oratory preach'd the Spectators Duty What else means the Image of God in the Soul but that it might continually act and work according to the Pattern viz. Godliness after whose Likeness it was created according to Holiness and Perfection which it brought down from Heaven that reflecting still upon the same Image it might be holy as he is holy 1 Pet. 1.15 For a holy life and Christian works are the very way to the glorious Vision and Fruition of the great God in an everlasting blessed Life Therefore Fear God Rom. 6.22 and honour the King which is the best Christian practice and brings me to the next gradation in our Discourse viz. to crown our Zeal with Loyalty to the King for he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 wears Gods Image and beautifies the World * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Plut. ad Praefect indoct Dei enim imaginem habet Rex sicut Christi Episcopus S. Aug. Vet. Test quaest 35. with Order and Government whereby so many millions of men do breathe the life of peace and comfort For sooner might a heap of Ants be brought to an uniformity in motion and those little bodies that play up and down the Air in a careless posture to a regularity than the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or popular sort if they were not held in by the reins of Government whither would the fury of mens passions lead them if they were not bounded with Authority if the rapacity of these Orbs were not slack'd by the course of the higher Spheres and subdu'd to an awful subjection Religion would quickly feel a heavy Destiny and the World be drown'd in blood as it was once in water The Sword of Authority is put into the hand of the King by Almighty God To the like sense also is that of Nestor to Agamemnon 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Jove lent thee thy Scepter and Jurisdiction On this account speaks Themistius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God sent Regal Power from Heaven Holy Athanasius also confesseth the Power of Kings to be of God and their impiety not to be punish'd by man Ad Antioch quaest 55. Sicut in toto mundo Deus Rex est Imperator potestatem exercet in omnibus As God is King and Emperour over all the World and exerciseth his Power in all Creatures so the King and Prince is over all earthly men The Lord saith Athanasius Athanas apud Epiphan Haeres 68. to Constantine judge between thee and me since thou givest way to my false accusers against me Let us send our prayers and tears saith S. Cyprian * Mittamus precâ—s lachrymas cordis ad Deum legatos S. Cypr. lib. 4. Epist 4. to the persecuted Christians as Messengers and Ambassadours of our hearts unto God Lactantius speaking of Obedience to Princes says They are to be defended not by killing but by dying not by cruelty but by patience Gregory Nazianzen lived under five Emperours Constantius Julianus Valens Valentinianus and Theodosius in all which time he could find no remedy against the Tyranny Heresie and Apostasie of Princes besides prayers and tears speaking of Julian's * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Greg. Nazian in Julian
Testamentum nuncupant qui mortem Testatoris negant Quomodo libertatem usurpant qui negant sanguinem quo redempti sunt * Ambros ep 73. lib. 9. S. Ambrose says That he who receives the Mystery otherwise than Christ appointed i. e. in one kind when Christ has appointed two is unworthy of the Lord and he cannot have devotion It s innovation and novelty is clearly manifest if we look into the Glass of Antiquity but from the beginning it was not so ‖ Mat. 19.8 See the Reverend Dr. Pierce in his primitive Rule of Reformation as our Saviour said of Divorce which is a sufficient confutation Cassander * Ecclesia Orientalis in hunc usque diem Occidentalis verò sive Romana mille amplius annis continuis non aliter quà m sub duplici specie in conventu Ecclesiae Sacramentum hoc Dominici corporis sanguinis administrasse legitur c. Consult de utraque Spec. says That the Eastern Church to this day and the Western or Roman Church for more than a thousand years did exhibit the Sacrament in both Elements to all the Members of Christs Church S. Chrysostome 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 one Body and one Cup is given to all Pope Calixtus * Peractâ consecratione omnes communicent qui noluerint Ecclesiasticis carere hominibus sic autem etiam Apostoli statuerunt Sancta Romana tenet Ecclesia De Consecrat dist cap. 2. speaks fully When the Consecration is finish'd let all communicate that will not be thrust from the bounds of the Church for so the Apostles appointed and so the holy Church of Rome does hold Pope Gelasius ‖ Comperimus quòd quidam sumptâ tantummodo corporis sacri portione à calice sacri cruoris abstineant Qui pro culdubio quoniam nescio quâ superstitione docentur astricti aut integra Sacramenta percipiant aut ab integris arceantur quod divisio unius ejusdemque mysterii sine grandi non sit sacrilegio De Cons dist cap. 2. Some taking saith he a portion only of the sacred Body do abstain from the Chalice of the sacred Blood I know not by what Superstition they are obliged let them either receive the intire Sacrament or be kept from the whole because the division of one and the same Mystery cannot be without grand Sacriledge Nothing can be a greater cause of wonder and amazement in the consideration of it than that the Church of Rome should seek to obscure the light of Truth shining as clearly as the Sun in its Meridian beauty and splendor arrogating to themselves a Dominion over our Faith and introducing such Doctrines and Practices as are contrary to the Rules of Christ and his Apostles and the purest Ages of the Church As Lawgivers setting themselves down in S. Peters Chair as they pretend and magisterially decree * Si quis dixerit ex Dei praecepto vel de necessitate salutis esse omnes singulos Christi fideles utramque speciem Eucharistiae sumere debere Anathema sit Concil Trident Sess 5. Can 1. Laws and Constitutions diametrically opposite to the Divine command and Christs holy Institution When the Lamp of Reason is darkened and obscured the Soul presently embraces a cloud and courts a shadow the blackest errours and most palpable wickedness must needs cover the face of those Souls that start back and apostatize from their God and their Reason To preserve therefore its lustre and integrity in the memories of all those who bear any true love to substantial Truth the ancient Light establish'd and receiv'd in the Church of England is a secure Guide to direct us not to be weary of old Truths forsaking the ancient paths to espouse new and fond Opinions that we neither incline to the cunningly composed Charms of Popery on one hand or ignorant ‖ The Separatists and Papists have been playing at Tennis and the Government and Hierarchy are the Balls they toss The Separatist strikes them into the Popes Hazard calling them Antichristian Prelacy The Papist with vehemence rackets them back again as Schismatical but the Roman Church are the Schismaticks in renouncing alâ— communion with all Christian Churches in the World except their oâ—â—â— and iâ—l it is with us which soever wins the game The one bâ—â—â—â—s down the wall of Sion by disturbing the peace of the Reformed Câ—â—â—ch â—he other builds up the ruines of Babylon in superstitious Vanitâ—â— And they are so fast linked and tied together like Samsons Fâ—â—â—â— with Fire-brands of Sedition that if they be not quenched by thâ—â—â— wâ—r of Majesty they can't chuse when the means are fitted to thâ—â— Plot but sâ—t the Church on fire and the State in an uproar Sectarians and men of unstable minds on the other who crumbling into Conventicles are ready to joyn with every Enthusiastick Sect and so making Gods Israel to become a speckled Bird of several colours Jer. 12.9 of all varieties of Religion S. Paul has a term for them 2 Tim. 3.8 if they like it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 men of sick brains as well as of corrupt minds And such is the arrogant disposition of some transported humors being under the torrid Zone of unruly passion that rather than they will acknowledge their errours though never so apparent the very State and Law it self must be condemn'd and condescend to their distempers being led more by their own pleasing Fancies than right Reason or the sacred Rules of Piety and Truth who have laboured to sow the Tares of Dissention in the Vineyard of the Lord disquieting the Unity of Gods Church Division is the only musical note that sounds harmoniously in the ears of our Zimries And it is a Truth undeniable That these later times have produced a doleful Scene of various transactions and consequently discover'd and brought to light the unparalell'd designs and execrable intentions of Fanatical zeal or Democratical fury for the Dissenters in this Age have conspir'd together to untye the knot of Christian Charity and produce an unhappy Schism in the Church what else mean those strange whispers mysterious workings and grand plotting who would not only uncover the roof and take down the Pyramids and Battlements of venerable Episcopacy but like the rough Sons of Edom raze it even to the ground And under hypocritical disguises contrive the sad prodigy of Treason whereby we see that Apostates to Atheism and Revolters to Schism are Monsters of ingratitude or Fiends incarnate who could imagine mischief against so much Mercy and sin against so great Goodness requiting the Protection of a gracious Prince with traiterous Machinations * See His Majesties Declaration concerning the Treasonable Conspiracy against his Sacred Person and Government read in all Churches and Chappels within this Kingdom Septemb 9. 1683. and under the mask and specious pretences of Religion bring to ruine the Government of the Kingdom as it is by Law establish'd in Church and State Loyalty like fresh and
a perfum'd breath and richness of Language as if they were made with the first Adam speak of the Dictates of the Patriarchs and Testimonies of the Prophets but in vain do any boast they are descended from Abraham since he is not a Jew who is one outward in the flesh bur inward in the Spirit as our Saviour told the Pharisees vaunting of Antiquity Joh. 8. except they did the works of Abraham and abide in the Truth Truth then is the Child of Time and as there is Antiquity of Time so also of Truth and Doctrine And so long as the Romish Church continued in the profession and practice of Apostolical purity i. e. of Faith and Doctrine which was once given to the Saints all other Christian Churches held Communion with her for the Church of Rome did not anciently in former Ages hold all these Doctrines which now she owns The ancient Church of Rome was but a Member of the Catholick Church of God of which Jesus Christ was Head But the now Roman Church does at this day what S. Augustine * De Vnit Eccles cap. 6. told to the Donatists inclose the Catholick Church within their own circuits and usurps it wholly to her self of which the Pope is Head And the Papacy will have their Pope by reason of the Kingdom of Christ to be the Head and King of the Church in ordine ad Spiritualia and consequently the Supreme Civil Power over the Monarchs of the Earth in ordine ad Temporalia to be the Head and King of the Church Such a Church was never in Rome for many hundred years after our Saviour no Bishop ‖ Gregory Bishop of Rome Ego fidenter dico quia quisquis se universalem Sacerdotem vocat vel vocari desiderat in elatione sâ—â Antichristum praecurrit Pope Pelagius distinct 99. Vniversalis autem nec etiam Romanus Pontifex appelletur Cyril Patriarch of Constantinople 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 did assume Christs Title to be the Head of the Church till Boniface the Third who not contenting himself with his Jurisdiction Ecclesiastical and fulness of Spiritual Power but his towring Ambition aspires yet higher and with much contention obtained of the Rebel Phocas about the year 604. who murder'd Maurice the Emperour the Title of Universal The Pope looking for Primacy on Earth is very unlike his heavenly Master whose Vicar he pretends to be Christ paid Tribute unto Caesar Luke 20.25 but the Pope that Prevaricator of the Apostolick See exacts it from them and Caesar pays unto him Our Saviour wash'd his Disciples feet but the Bishop of Rome in these days with imaginary Supremacy causes the greatest Princes and mightiest Emperors do him Homage and swear Allegiance * Clement the Fifth call'd a Council at Vienna An. 1311. in which it was ordained and decreed That the Emperour his Lord should give his Oath of Allegiance to the Pope for being not content with his Primacy abused Religion into Policy and casting off all moderation the Pope devoured the Emperour Thus the Head of the Church degenerated into a Monster and in reaching at Temporal Soveraignty he broke the Spiritual Unity contrary to the Divine Authority and Majesty of the Scripture Let every Soul be subject to the higher powers Rom. 13. and to the King as Supreme 1 Pet. 2.13 As Heathen Rome under the Emperours Domitian and others would be adored as Gods though never so impious so Rome Christian falls under the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of the Apostle Sitting in the Temple of God as God 2 Thess 2.4 and exalting himself above all that is called God * Zacharias Papa ex authoritate Sancti Petri Apostoli mandat populo Francorum ut Pepinus qui potestate Regiâ utebatur etiam nominis dignitate frueretur Ita Hildericus ultimus Merovingorum qui Francis imperabat depositus est in monasterio missus est Marian. Scot. Hist lib. 3. Lambertus Danaeus in his Response to Bellarmine the great Master of Controversie contending that Childerick was lawfully deposed by Pope Zacharias Can Zachary saith he have Authority in France being a Stranger Can he depose the publick Magistrate being but a private person though he were Bishop of Rome or transfer that Principality to Pepin that he hath no Right unto and commit so many Sacriledges and Impieties stealing from Childerick and giving to Pepin another mans Right Authorizing Subjects to violate their Oaths which they had sworn to their King Transposing Kingdoms from one man to another whereas it doth only belong to God to depose Kings and dispose of Kingdoms Thou mayest see Bellarmine how many outrages this thy Zachary hath committed Resp Danae ad Bellar. lib. 2. cap. 17. pag. 316. in a superlative Greatness and that not of order and precedency only as to Ecclesiastical Regency stretching his Diocese over all Bishops and Churches in the Christian World but of absolute Authority claiming universal Jurisdiction in a Monarchiâ—al Superintendency or Regality over all Christendom with a Power to depose Kings and dispose of Crowns and Kingdoms for the benefit of the Church is a Title only of Usurpation without any ground of Scripture or Antiquity First Christ was no Temporal Monarch but an Eternal King to rescue us from the thraldom of sin the sorcery of the flesh and the Curse of the Law Christ was no earthly King and left no Regal Power to S. Peter therefore the Pope can have no Civil Power or Temporal Dominion as the Vicegerent of Christ and consequently overturns and destroys the Doctrine of Supremacy The Lawgiver himself even Ipse Ille that bare rule in Heaven the incarnate and crucified Messias Joh. 12.36 saith My Kingdom is not of this World Whereas that Sect of Politicians the Romanists turns the Kingdom of Christ into outward Pomp and Bravery and they to have the Managery and Government of it as if the now See of Rome should be known to be the most Christian Bishop not in having with Christ no Temporalties but an absolute Soveraignty to depose Kings and dispose of Kingdoms which is nothing less than a strange Usurpation for the Son of God did never impose such a hard duty and condition to Kings that were to become Christians as to forsake their Imperial Crowns and Diadems except in their hearts and affections and in comparison of the Kingdom of God O Eternal Word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Light of Truth inspire the Universal Church with the Spirit of Truth Unity and Concord and grant that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the Truth of thy holy Word and live in unity and godly love Secondly View it in relation to the Apostles who were the Patriarchs of the Church And the Evangelists make special mention of their Names as those to whom we owe great honour and veneration being conversant with Christ and daily instructed by him who continued with him unto his Passion and Crucifixion and after his Resurrection
our charity and unity but can't discern those greater lines of Duty Subjection and Loyalty And as the Scribes and Pharisees of old cry'd up every where The Temple of the Lord the Temple of the Lord so we have many such now a-days who are seemingly great Champions for the Church and take great care of the Duties of the first Table and yet can freely indulge themselves in the violation of the second proving annoyances to the State by seditious Insurrections though the Christian Religion doth firmly oblige men to peace obedience and due submission unto Secular Governours there are many persons that owne that Name and yet entertain Positions wholly inconsistent with the Precepts of that Religion and the safety of Princes and their Kingdoms swallowing REBELLION * There was a time which is a precaution to posterity when men pretended a Call from God to do the work of the Devil viz. rebelling and then murdering the best of Kings erecting him a Scaffold for a Throne and for a Diadem of Gold gave him a Crown of Thorns and instead of a glorious Prince made him a glorious Martyr without regret which opens the floud-gates of impiety and lets in upon us a Chaos of Anarchy Libertinism and popular Confusion bringing a kind of present damnation on the World They that are Authors or Abetters of Sedition saith S. Chrysostome can neither avoid shame on Earth nor escape eternal Damnation Though God the great Judge do sometimes permit Rebels in his Justice to prevail against Kings for the contempt of the Law of the highest and neglect of their own duty the reward of Rebellion shall be no better than the recompence of Satan who is the Instrument of the Lords wrath for the punishment of all disobedience The Kings Power is from God and for any private person or any Club of Subjects to wrest it out is a double Usurpation First They invade Gods Soveraignty Rom. 12.19 who saith Vengeance is mine Secondly The Princes Prerogative whose Office is to protect and punish to defend the innocent and correct the Spirit of Contumacy and Rebellion relieve the oppressed and support the vertuous rewards to Merit as well as punishment to Sin and Vice are dispensed A terrour to evil doers 1 Pet. 2.14 saith the Text and praise to them that do well Therefore honour the King Secondly As the goodness of Heaven shines in the preservation of our Royal Soveraign from the Usurpation of cruel Enemies at home so likewise Divine Providence hath guarded him from Foreign Attempts of unreasonable men abroad and made the Plots and Conspiracies of these worse than Heathens of none effect and deliver'd our King and our Princes our Nobles and the Heads of our Tribes the Governours of our Church and Judges of our Land nay the whole Commons of this Realm from a fearful destruction that would have swallowed them up For when the Ax is laid to the root of the Tree to cut off Soveraignty and destroy the Lord 's Anointed the rest of the people who are the Branches must expect lopping The restless Emissaries of the Church of Rome whether Priests Jesuits or Colledge of Cardinals give daily proof of their inveterate malice against the King the Government and Protestant Religion thinking that new Massacres are the most effectual course to stop the cry of the old and that the readiest way to silence their Adversaries is to make them instances of the Truth of the Accusation If the great God of Heaven who refrains the Spirits of men that delight in Blood had not been gracious to our King and Kingdom you had not this Day been Auditors nor I Speaker of this Theme but all of us miserable Spectators of the contrary And the Pope's Triple Crown would have been set with many red Roses of great Triumphs in a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nothing less than utter extirpation of us and Memorial from under Heaven The Rivers of Rome may seem to run smooth their Sea is Blood the extracted Spirits of things work more forcibly than concrete Bodies take heed of an Elixir an Extraction of Malice sublimated spiritualized into a Religion The cruel Massacres of Primitive Christians * If we reflect on ancient times and look back to the course of the World in general in the first Monarchy we find a fiery Furnace in the second a Den of Lions in the third the madness and fury of Antiochus when to believe in one God was to be put on the Rack and to abhor Idolatry involved the Votary in cruel Tortures In the fourth Monarchy the ten Persecutions more bloody and grievous than all that went before for not to sacrifice to Idols and to offer Incense to Heathen Gods was cause enough to be torn in pieces by wild Beasts and be exposed to all manner of terrible Torments when bloody Tumults affrighted Christ's Members and chased them from their Devotions when the Priest became the Sacrifice and his Books in disdain were made a Burnt-offering will teach us the price of our own happiness and the slaughter of our Forefathers may upbraid our unthankfulness with the benefits of our peace 'T were good that we their surviving Off-spring would learn to make use of their happy Martyrdom In their crimson steps we may trace the way to our Saviour's Cross and read in the living memory of their Torments the sad Tragedy of his Sufferings The World at this day is well mended with us we know not the meaning of Rack or Faggot of Sword and Gridiron the Instruments of Romish Cruelty Let three Kingdoms therefore bow themselves as the heart of one man and praise God for his mercy unto his Servants under the Protection of our gracious and religious King Charles Heaven hath preserved our Church from ruine and confusion from the spreadings and prevailings of Errours Heresies and Schisms Superstition and Idolatry which strive to oppress us and to eclipse the truth and purity of Doctrine which is our Churche's Glory and so much offends the Eyes of Rome and makes them clip wash and new-coyn the Gold of the Sanctuary Lastly As Divine Providence and Goodness did this Day bring into the World our gracious Soveraign and hath hitherto preserv'd him from all Enemies Domestick and Foreign So the same special grace and favour of God did this Day bring home and restore to us our King a Prince of so much Clemency and Mercy that he is inferiour to none that sways a Scepter or sits upon a Throne His Restauration was wonderful without any Effusion of Blood The Voice of War is changed into Proclamations of Peace the Clattering of Swords and Spears is turned into the sweet Melody of Harps and the harsh Tones of Death into a Psalm of Thanksgiving O Lord thou art become gracious unto thy Land and hast turn'd away the Captivity of Jacob Praise therefore waits on thee in Zion and unto thee shall the Vow be perform'd in Jerusalem We celebrate the Memory of this thy Mercy in restoring our King and with him the free Profession of true Religion and Worship What doth God require now both from Prince and People but the acknowledgment of his favour He that will not glorifie God as the Father of Mercies in the rigour of Justice God may glorifie himself in his eternal ruine If we prove not the Heralds of his Glory Examples shall we be of his just indignation All tasting Mercy all should be thankful and though all have not Frankincense yet every one mâ—y have Praise Let us praise God for his miraculous preservation of our King and Kingdom Church and People and let it sound so â—oud this day as it may reach Heavens gates and meet with Hallelujahs which the bright Morning-Stars in their Orbs pay to their Creator 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the Angels Liturgy is singing of Hymns of Glory And shall not the Militant Church say We praise thee O God our Souls do magnifie the Lord The Stork pays Tribute of her young the Trees of their fruits the Earth of her flowers and shall we be 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without natural affection 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 without God in the world not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 return blessing and praise to the Divine Majesty for his infinite Blessing unto us We praise God in his Sanctuary and in the Firmament of his Power for his mighty Acts and according to his excellent Greatness Praise him with the Sound of the Trumpet with Psaltery and Harp with stringed Instruments and Organs shew your selves joyful before the Lord the King Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Let us now direct our Prayers and Supplications to the Glorious and Eternal Trinity that all Blessings Divine and Humane Spiritual and Temporal like the precious Oyntment of Aaron's may be pour'd out on the Head of ouâ— Royal Soveraign length of days on hiâ— right hand on his left Riches and Honour that his Reign may be glorious and his Regal Vertues after this Life crowned with immortal Glory And we with the residue of God's holy Church may rise to that incomprehensible endless Felicity where the Blessings of the Trinity in Unity and Unity in Trinity will gloriously shine upon our Souls for evermore Which God of his infinite Mercy vouchsafe unto us for the Mercies of his Eternal Son our blessed Saviour To whom with the Father and Holy Ghost three Persons one God be ascribed as most due is all Honour Glory Power Praise Might Majesty and Dominion the residue of our lives and for ever Amen FINIS ERRATA Pag. 56. line 13. for then read there p. 62. l. 10. fo Reershaba r. Beersheba p. 74. l. 16. for fair this read this fair