seeing he is the Anointed of the Lord. JUlius Caesar being brutishly murthered in the Senate house Marcus Antonius brought forth his bloody Coat to the people of Rome saying behold the bloody Coate of your Emperour who at the sight hereof so Condoled his death that they fell into a furious rage against the murderers so King Charles the first being inhumanely murdered at the Gate of his Palace I am this day to revive the memory and Represent the barbarousnesse of this doleful Tragedy and as it were to hang forth his bloody Robes before your eyes that all your hearts may be stirred up to Godly humiliation for this horrid murther of our sacred Sovereign the breath of our Nostrils the Anointed of the Lord and therein the beheading of three Kingdomes For the Wish of Nero which was That all the Citizens of Rome had but one Neck that so he might kill them all at one blow was fulfilled to and executed by our English Neroes who at once severed the Royal Head of King Charles from his own Body natural and our body Politick leaving England Scotland and Ireland in a bleeding dying condition on that fatall birth-day of Englands misery Jan. 30. 1648. This dreadful dooms-day if I may so call it among all the daies since the creation next to that wherein Christ was crucified were it not vain to curse a day irrevocably past Gen. 1.3 4 5 31. Job 3.3 to 10. and sinfull to curse a day that God hath made doth chiefly deserve to have such Anathema's thundred out against it as Job pronounced upon the day of his Nativity We may affix such a motto unto it as David unto the day of Abners murder Know ye not that a Prince and a great man is faln this day in our Israel 2 Sam. 3.38 Wherefore Pious and Christian is our turning it into an Anniversary Fast that the Nation by solemn and sorrowful lamentation may discharge it self from the guilt and avert the punishment of this Royal blood which was shed in the midst of it That I may contribute something thereunto I have chosen this Text to be the foundation of my ensuing discourse which being so suitabe to the season and occasion may challenge the honour that Solomon gives to a word fitly spoken Prov. 25.11 namely to be like Apples of Gold in pictures of silver These Golden Apples require little paring by explication my chief work will be in the doctrinal and Applicatory parts to cut and quarter them forth unto you for your edification in Loyalty The words are Historical being a part of the Chronicle and Narrative of the persecution of David by Saul the sum whereof is briefly this Heroical David having out of zeal for the weal of his country through his Wisdom prowess the blessing of God crowning his enterprises with successe performed many glorious exploits particularly that famous victory over Goliah the great gyant of Gath Who defied the armies of Israel and of the living God with many more honourable atchievements against the Philistines was Admired and Renouned among the people Inthroned in their affections and applauded with Superlative acclamations yea through the indiscretion of the vulgar 1 Sam. 18.7 above the King himself Saul hath slain his Thousands and David his ten thousands Saul seeing his own glory thus extenuated and eclipsed while Davids shined forth so brightly envieth Davida praise fearâ—ch his person is jealous of his fidelity least by reason of his popularity he should carry on some ambitious designe for his own accession to the Kingdome and therefore pursueth after his life knowing that mortui non mordent thereby to prevent the peoples revolt and Davids heading them So dangerous is honour that it often proves the snare and ruine of the persons dignified therewith Though this act of Saul may seem a necessary piece of state-policy to a Machivilian eye yet certainly to the eye of a Christian it will appear a grosse violation of Piety For David had given many demonstrations of his unfeigned loyalty but never any ground of suspicion of intended Rebellion by abusing his interest in the affections of the Israelites The imitation of Davids integrity by our late popular Absoloms would have been Englands happinesses as their deviation from his footsteps was our misery The persecuted having escaped many ambushes laid for his life at length findeth his perseoutor at a great advantage in a Cave at Engedy but spareth his life cutting off only the Skirt of his garment Thus having taken a survey of the Suburbs of the Text I am now arrived at the words themselves which contain First Davids Cordial contrition for cutting off the Royal Robe of King Saul ver 5. where consider 1. The great degree of his sorrow His heart smote him 2. The slight nature of the Act considered materially for which he mourned It was his cutting off the Robe not the Head of Saul Secondly Davids Loyal Detestation of outting off the Royal head of the Lords Anointed manifested in a succinct and excellent Oration ver 6. wherein may be considered First The occasion thereof which was twofold I. The fit oportunity he had to slay Saul being in a Cave II. The great Importunity wherewith his Souldiers perswaded him thereunto Secondly The Orator He i. e. David said unto his men 1. David a Subject 2. David a General of an Army 3. The Auditours he said unto his men i. e. his Souldiers 4. The Oration it self which may be Analyzed into 4. parts I. A vehement detestation The Lord forbid II. The Act detested That I should do this thing to stretch forth my hand against my Master III. The person detesting this Act that I i. e. David should do this thing IIII. The reasons of his Detestation which are deduced from Sauls Relation First To himself My Master Secondly To God the Lords Anointed 1. I shall begin with Davids Cordial Contrition for cutting off the Royal Robe of Saul And from the greatnesse of his sorrow and the slightnesse of the Act which was the ground thereof compared together Observ Observe That the least disloyal action the smallest injury and slightest indignity committed against and offered unto a King ought by Godly sorrow and true Repentance greatly to be lamented Davids heart smote him because his hand smote Sauls garment Though David being himself surprised with his sudden and unexpected surprisal of Saul in such a place of advantage did through incogitancy and inadvertency not thinking there had been any evil in spoiling the garment seeing he spared the life of Saul And likewise out of zeal for the vindication of his innocency adventure on an Act unbeseeming the Majesty of a King and the Duty of a Subject yet as soon as he recollected his thoughts and considered that not only the persons but the Robes of Princes which are the Ensignes and Badges of authority ought to remain untouched and found his action criminal and himself culpable his heart smote him As
a Nation forbearance is no acquirtance The Lord avenged the slaughter of the Gibeonites by Saul many years after the commission thereof 2 Sam. 21.1 2. 2 Chron. 35.25 even in the Reign of David with three years famine on Israel Those words They spake of Josiah in their lamentations unto this day do denote the continuation of their sorrow for him a long time after his death Secondly notwithstanding this sin was contrived and actually committed but by few and detested by the majority of the Nation yet I fear mosst of the people of England have contracted the guilt thereof upon these two grounds 1. Because they did not rise up as one man with an unanimous resolution to rescue their captived Sovereign out of the hands of those roaring Lyons and destroying Bears which devoured him even as all Israel did to rescue their beloved Jonathan who cried out shall Jonathan Dy God forbid as the Lord liveth there shall not one hair of his head fall to the ground This should have been Englands voice resolution and indeavour in behalf of their King Causae non impedientes are numbered by Phylosophers among moral efficient causes Qui non prohibet quod potest jubet 2. For defect of sufficient humiliation General insensiblenesse renders a sin national as well as common practice I doubt Eng. sorrow hath not been proportionable to the degree of Englands sin Sins that have been buried a long time in the grave of oblivion may revive in their punishment It was a pious desire of a Reverend Divine that a National fast might be solemnly observed for the innocent blood of Holy Martyrs shed in Queen Maryes Reign Achan only took of the accursed thing and yet it is said Josh 7. ve 6. 11. all Israel sinned and committed a trespasse before the Lord And all Israel suffered for the sin of Achan Beloved the murder of King Charles may be an Achan in England to bring down the curse of God upon it unlesse we acquit our selves by serious humiliation from the guilt thereof All the righteous blood shed upon the earth from the blood of Righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias the son of Barachias slain between the Temple and the Altar is charged by Christ on the Pharisees If the blood of Abel might justly be imputed to a people that never had finger in it 4000. years after it was shed Much more may that innocent Royal blood which was shed but 12 years since be a Moth and a Canker to England unlesse we offer up the Sacrifice of a broken and contrite heart unto the Lord. Wherefore let us hang our harps upon the Willowes and mourn when we remember King Charles the first as the Israelites sate down by the rivers of Babylon Psa 137.1 2. and wept when they remembred Zion Let us breath out our sorrow in the words of the Prophet Jeremiahs Lamentations for the captivity of Zedechiah The breath of our nostrels the anointed of the Lord was taken in their pits Lam. 4.20 of whom we said under the shadow of his wings we shall live and flourish Naturalists relate that the hard Adamant it self being bathed in the blood of a Goat will be softned and dissolved So were your hearts of a Rock-like Flint-like Adamantine nature yet methinks being bathed in the blood of a King they should be dissolved into tears of Godly sorrow O cursed Ax that at one blow cut off the head of three Kingdomes and left them as Dead carkasses O Glorious Prince with what Kisses of dissimulation did English Judasses betray thee How was thy sacred person in imitation of our blessed Saviour who was crowned with Thorns spit on scourged buffeted reviled exposed to scorn and ignomy How were thy Nobles and Peeres who were wont to attend thy royal Person Exchanged for Jaylors thy Palace for a prison thy Throne for a scaffold and a Block Did not the adversaries of King Charles cry out Execution Execution as the Jews against Christ Crucifie him Crucifie him Finally his royal head was cut off with a cruel Ax as the blessed heart of Christ was pierced with a cruel Spear Was not this the most monstrous and barbarous act the most bloody tragedy of all tragedies that ever were acted since the crucifying of the Son of God for a company of abjects not only to abuse vilifie their Sovereign with the opprobrious names of malefactor Traytor and the like but also to arraigne condemn and execute him Had they touched only his royall robes it had been a violation of their duty but they devested themselves of christianity Loyalty yea Humanity it self and cut off his royall head Hear O Heavens give Ear O Earth gather blacknesse and be astonished for a great evil hath been committed amongst us O Sun in thy race throughout the whole world even the most barbarous corners thereof didst thou ever take notice of a more inhumane murder O that we had some Jeremiah with Eyes as water and an head as a fountain of teares to lament the death and sing the obsequies of our Mattyred King yea to write a book of lamentations for him as he did for the captivity of King Zedechiah Again from Davide humiliation for and intention in smiting Sauls Robe compared together Observe That a good intention doth not justify an evil Observ and disloyal action Davids designe was to procure a testimony of his innocency that Saul beholding the skirt of his robe in Davids hand might be fully convinced that David had no design against his life then which he could never have proposed a better end to himself next to the glory of God and salvation of his soul and yet being conscious of ataxy in his action his heart smites him for it An Act for the matter and substance thereof Lawfull may for Defect of a right modification a good end be but splendidum peccatum but it is impossible that an act materially evil should be rectified by the best end aimed at therein A garment of good cloath may be marred in the making but a good garment can never be made of bad cloath The prevention of evil doth not justify the commission of evil in order thereunto Lots desire to prevent Sodomy did not authorize him to permit Adultery by prostituting his daughters to the lust of the Sodomites Herod was not to be excused when he rushed on the Rock of murther in beheading John the Baptist at the request of his Dancing minion to avoid the sands of perjury Math. 14.10 Neither doth the attainment of the greatest good change the nature of an evil action The preservation of Lots posterity did not excuse his Daughters incest nor the procurement of the blessing Rebekahs treachery and Jacobs lying The Lord smote Uzzah that he died for touching the Ark though out of an in ention to keep it from falling when the Oxen stumbled 1 Chro. 13.9.10 Joh. 16.2 Phil. 3. Christ tells his Disciples that the time
should come that some should think they did God good service in killing them Paul during his Pharisaism persecuted the Church of God out of zeal Men may give their bodies to be burned and yet die not as Martyrs but as malefactors An Heretick may seal his heresy with his Blood as Servetus at Geneva I Doubt not but many Mahumetans would Dy rather then renounce their religion The glory of Martyrdom requires a just and righteous cause to be suffered for as well as a good intent in them that suffer Martial law excuseth not a Captain exceeding his commission notwithstanding he did it out of a good intention and with good successe Subjects should not be injurious to their Prince either for the sake of Religion or civill Liberty Davids intention smiting Sauls Skirt was Honourable yet the Act it self is Condemned by himself I come now to the Second part of the Text. Davids Loyal detestation of cutting off the Royall head of the Lords Anointed manifested in his excellent Oration Part. II. 1. The Occasion whereof first presents it self to our consideration which was two-fold First the fit Opportunity Secondly The great Importunity he had to slay Saul from whence note these two fundamentall principles of loyalty 1. That the fittest opportunity wherein to offer violence to a Prince is to be rejected 2. That the greatest importunity thereunto is to be resisted First Obs 1. That the fittest opportunity wherein to offer violence to a King is to be rejected Opportunity is the Touchstone of Loyalty David might have effected the death of Saul with the greatest certainty and with the greatest security 1. 1 Sam. 24.4 With the greatest certainty David and his men had so incompassed Saul in the Cave that his men cryed out unto him behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand that thou mayest do to him as shall seem good unto thee Saul being asleep in the Trench Abishai said unto David 1 Sam. 26.8 let me smite him I pray thee with the spear even to the Earth at once and I will not smite him the second time David finding Saul in the Cave might have smote off his Head as well as the Skirt of his Robe and turned the Cave into his Grave And finding him asleep in the Trench he might have took away instead of the Cruise of water from his Bolster so much blood from his Heart and made it his last sleep courting him with that Complement wherewith a Captain once courted his Souldier whom he found asleep on the watch when he thrust his Sword into his bowels saying Dead I found thee and dead I leave thee But this was the Crown and Glory of Davids loyalty that he was Opportunity-proof As the Salamander remaineth unscorched in the Fire and as a man in a Pest-house escapeth the infection of the Plague so David preserves his loyal breast untainted with these temptations instead of improving opportunityes for the acting of murther he converts them into Trophyes of his fidelity had David abstained from an attempt on Sauls life only while the Successe was Dubious it would have been an argument of his Policy But to forbear it when he had such an opportune season at one blow to make this Royal Lyon that was so rampant not only couchant but also a Dead Carkasse was a Monument of his Loyalty 2. With the greatest security Had David been the Object of the Peoples Envy a desire of self-preservation was enough to restrain him from the Murder of Saul lest the Noise of such a Fact should have given an Alarm to the People to rise up as one man to avenge the bloud of their King and like Lions robbed of their Whelps to tear him into pieces as a destroyer of their Countrey But David was so far from the danger of being exposed to the rage and fury of the Israelites that he was even their Idol Insomuch that Saul being slain he might have expected their Acclamations rather than Exclamations their Congratulations for his Safety rather than their condoling of Sauls death Peruse the History and it will appear what great interest he had in the Affections and what great applause from the mouths of the Children of Israel 1 Sam. 18.5 He behaved himself so wisely that he was accepted of all the people and of Sauls Servants And v. 6 7. VVith Tabrets and with Harps they sang Saul hath slain his thousands and David his ten thousands How willingly did the men of Judah anoint him King after Sauls death 2 Sam. 3.4 Deservedly was David thus esteemed of his Countrey-men For never did any gallant Romans not Regulus or Cato themselves merit better of their Countrey than David of his Now how different was Loyal David from the mind of his Son Absalom The Son by fair Speeches and courteous behaviour stole away the hearts of the Israelites and then employed them in rebellion 2 Sam. 15.2 to 7. But the Father not only abstained from all subtil Insinuations and horrid Calumniations of Sauls Person and Government but when his Deserts like the Sun drew all eyes and affections unto him yet disdained to pervert his popular interest and favour to any rebellious Design This Self-denial condemneth our English Absaloms who by Machivilian dissimulation and slandering the Footsteps of the Lords Anointed sought to render his Person odious and his Restauration impossible themselves amiable and their Usurped Power impregnable Likewise it admonisheth all Persons of Renown and Interest in their Countrey to employ themselves in extinguishing rather than fomenting that Turbulency which is a Chronical disease in the Vulgar Now Davids abhorrence of Revenge when he might so certainly and so securely have dispatched his Enemy sets such an Emphasis on his Loyalty 1 Sam. 24.17 18 19. that it struck Saul himself into an admiration and adoration of it It is nothing for a Beggar who hath not sufficient for necessity to abstain from supersluity but to fit at a Rulers Table swimming with all manner of Dainties and to put a Knife to the throat to be temperate with Timothy among luxurious Asians enhaunceth the worth of Tempetance As it was the Glory of Joseph that he rejected a fair opportunity and great importunity to commit adultery Gen. 39.7 8 9. As it was the Honour of Joseph afterward in Pharoah's Court of Obadiah in Ahabs of Daniel in Nebuchadnezzars of Nehemiah when Cup-bearer to Artaxerxes of Lot in Sodom and of the Saints in Nero's House a monster of men Phil. 4.22 that they retained their Piety notwithstanding the manifold Temptations and opportunities unto sin wherewith they were assaulted so like a Diamond in a Ring it sets a great price on Davids Loyalty that at the Cave he did not violate it Not to seek an opportunity for revenge is honourable but to reject it when offered is double honour Many are not disloyal because they cannot rather then because they would not As Tully saith
of a Nation and the offence of its Enemies yet if the military insolence of the Souldiers be not allayed by godly and Loyal Instruction it will be poyson in stead of Physick to the Body Politick If the hearts of Souldiers be not seasoned with Loyalty they will grow so insolent and be so Pinacle high in Pride that they will endewour to turn their Belts into Robes their Head-pieces into Crowns and advance their swords above the Scepter of their Soveraign as England hath found by sad Experience Wherefore John the Baptist catechiseth the Souldiers that came unto him Luke 3.14 after this manner Do violence to no man accuse no man falsly and be content with your wages And David in the Text teacheth his Souldiers to cause their Swords to do Homage to Sauls Scepter as the Sheaves of Josephs Brethren made Obeysance to his in a Lecture of Loyalty which leads me to the Fourth Particular 4. The Oration it self wherein is expressed 1. A Vehement Detestation The Lord forbid This Expression denoteth the greatest Abhorrence of an Act. When the Ten Patriarchs would manifest their Indignation against stealing Josephs Silver Cup Gen. 44.7 they say The Lord forbid that thy Servants should do this thing The Israelites protesting against the death of their beloved Jonathan 1 Sam. 14.45 Rom. 9.14.6 Rom. 2. cry out Shall Jonathan die who hath wrought so great salvation in Israel God forbid Is there unrighteousness with God God forbid Shall we continue in sin that Grace may abound God forbid Paul's detestation of Blasphemy and Davids of the murder of his King are set forth by like expressions to shew the affinity between these two sins There ought to be not only a reluctancy against an averseness from a forbearance of and a resolution against injuriousness to the Sacred persons of Princes but also a fixed resolution joyned with the greatest Antipathy against it an Abolition of disloyal and an introduction of Loyal Principles to denominate Subjects eminently Loyal Many who have Rebellious hearts yet stretch forth no Rebellious hands but 't is for want of a temptation rather than of an inclination thereunto Methinks I hear the hearts and tongues of all faithful Subjects ecchoing forth a reply to all Suggestors of Treason in such a Dialect as Balaam did to Balak desiring him to curse Israel If Balak would give me his house-full of Gold and silver I cannot go beyond the Command of the Lord to do this thing and as Hazael to Elisha Is thy Servant a Dog that he should do this great thing I cannot consent unto the Effusion of Royal Blood unless I should renounce Religion Reason and Humanity it self and Nebuchadnezzar-like be transformed into some Bruit Beast some Tyger Wolf Bear or Lion Yea unless I could exchange my humane for a Diabolical Nature because it is such a barbarous and prodigious wickedness which shall be demonstrated under the next Head 2. The Act Detested which is expressed with an Emphasis in these words that I should do this thing i. e. this Horrid this abominable thing to stretch forth my hand against the Lords Anointed 2 Kin. 8.13 It sounds as high as the like Expression of Hazael That I should do this great thing i. e. this Inhumane Villany to rip up women with child and to dash out the Brains of Children Stretching forth the hand against a Person is an usual Periphrasis of murder in Scripture-Dialect David schooling the Amalekite for slaying Saul saith How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thy hand against the Lords Anointed 2 Sam. 1.14 That the Murder of a King may appear in its bloody colours consider it under the Notion 1. Of Homicide 2. Of Regicide Which is capable of a triple Aggravation being 1. Paricide 2. Sacricide 3. Deicide 1. Of Homicide I take not this Word in a Juridical and Forensical sense as it is distinguished from Wilful Murder but as in its genuine signification it imports the Murder of a man as a reasonable Creature and abstracted from any extrinsecal denomination arising from superadded Honour This Scarlet and Crimson sin being died in Blood was one of the first Crimes against which God enacted a penal Law and for which he allotted a Capital punishment Gen. 9.6 Pro. 28.13 Psal 35.23 He that sheddeth mans Blood by man shall his bloud be shed for in the Image of God made he man He that sheddeth the Bloud of any Person hasteth to the Grave let no man hinder him Bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their daies Murder is so contrary to the Light of Nature and so destructive to Humane Society that the Barbarians seeing a Viper on Pauls hand said no doubt this man is a Murderer whom though he hath escaped the Sea yet divine vengeance will not suffer him to live Acts 28.4 It were easin to recite many Dreadful Examples of Gods judgments inflicted on Murderers How often have Murders concealed for many years been at length even miraculously revealed Murderers have somtimes been struck dead by the immediate hand of God from Heaven and somtimes been their own executioners by hanging stabbing or drowning themselves And as God rained fire and brimstone Hell out of Heaven on Sodom and Gomorrah so hath he often caused some sparks of Hell-fire to fly into the Consciences of Murderers and tormented them in a kind of Hell upon Earth with a continual sense of Blood-guiltiness Bloud lieth heavy on the Stomack but more heavy on the Conscience 2. If Homicide be such a capital Crime much more is Regicide If that like Cain shall be avenged seven fold this like Lamech shall be avenged seventy and seven fold Nothing but the bloud of Zebah and Zalmunna would pacifie Gideon because they slew his brethren Iudges 8.18.19 2 Kin. 9.31 though they only resembled the Sons of a King Judgment hath alwaies pursued King-killers Had Zimri peace who slew his Master The bowels of the Earth became the Habitation of Korah and his Complices Num. 19. 2 Sa. 20.22 for conspiring against Moses King in Jesurun The Head of Rebellious Sheba became a just Sacrifice to pacifie the fury of Joab The Life of a King is equivalent to the Lives of ten thousand Subjects The King said 2 Sam. 18.2 3. I will surely go forth with you my self But the people answered thou shalt not go forth for if we flee away they will not care for us neither if half of us die will they care for us but thou art worth ten thousand of us therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the City Sacred History is full of the Noble Examples of Loyal Subjects who have been even prodigal of their Lives for the sake of their Soveraign What Volunteers were the People of Israel in jeoparding their Lives for the sake of David in Absaloms and Sheba's Rebellions You may find a Catalogue of such Heroes in 2 Sam. 23. 2 Sam. 20.2 Amongst
whom Abishai deserves an eminent Character for his Loyalty When Ishbi-benob thought to have slain David he enters into a Combate with him though a Giant a second Goliah and slew him Yea how ready was he to adventure his Life 2 Sa. 21.17 that he might wound the heart of Shime◠because he wounded the good name of his Soveraign The Life of David was so precious in the eyes of all his Subjects that they sware unto him saying 2 Sam. 16.9 Thou shalt no more go forth with us to battel lest thou quench the light of Israel 2 Sa. 21.17 How sharply doth David rebuke Abner for Life-guarding Saul no better As the Lord liveth ye are worthy to dye 1 Sam. 26.15 16. because you have not kept your Master the Lords Anointed He that is not with me is against me saith Christ So he that defendeth not a Prince destroyeth him Christ alledgeth the duty of Subjects to defend their Soveraign as a Principle ingrafted in the hearts of all men If my Kingdom were of this world then would my Subjects fight for me John 18.36 that I should not be delivered into the hands of the Jews Christianity engageth us to lay down our lives for the sake of Christ So Loyalty obligeth us to adventure them for the safety of our King Wherefore how do such degenerate from the nature not only of Christians but also of men who are so impious and so impudent as to attempt the Destruction of Kings for the Preservation of whose Persons they ought to sacrifice their own Bloud That the Murder of a King may appear to be a detestable impiety consider it 1. As Paricide Kings are stiled Nursing Fathers and Queens Nursing Mothers The same Compellation David used to Saul Isa 49.23 1 Sa. 24.11 My Father see the skirt of thy Robe in my hand Not only Natural Oeconomical and Ecclesiastical Fathers but also Political Fathers are included in the Fifth Commandment If Fratricide caused Cain to be a Vagabond and a Fugitive on the Earth and Absalom to be banished out of Jerusalem how great guilt is contracted and how great punishment deserved by Paricide This is such an unnatural Act that the Ancient Romans would enact no Law against it because they thought none would be so barbarous as to commit it It is a complicated sin for hereby a man destroyeth him that begat him that loved and educated him c. So that to kill a King who is Pater Patriae is by Analogy as if a man should cut the throat of his Father that begat him and rip up the bowels of his Mother that conceived him What became of Trayterous Absalom who sought the Life and Kingdom of his Natural and Political Father Was he not deservedly hanged between the boughs of an Oak VVere not Joabs darts fit Chyrurgical Instruments by a just kind of Phlebotomy to let out his unnatural blood 2. Regicide is Sacricide As it is Sacriledge to prophane holy and consecrated things so it is Sacricide to murder the Anointed and Sacred Persons of Kings 3. Regicide is with reverence be it spoken Deicide a kind of God-Murder Methinks now I hear some Melancholy illiterate Sectarian exclaiming against me as the High Priest against Christ Mat. 26.65 This man hath spoken Blasphemy for God is not like man that he should be subject unto death That I may vindicate my Assertion from this hainous Charge know that it is to be understood not Properly but Analogically It is spoken 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and must be interpreted 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 God forbid that I should assert any possibility of Mutation in the Divine Essence which is altogether impassible Our Righteousness cannot profit him nor our Sins hurt him Job 22.2 3. Iob. 35.6 7 8. It was the Heresie of the Anthropomorphites that they ascribed unto God humane Members and an Organical Body because the Scripture attributeth Eyes Ears Hands and Bowels unto him thus they transformed the incorruptible God into an Image made like unto corruptible man Rom. 1.23 Whereas such Speeches do only denote that whatsoever Perfection accreweth unto the body by the use of such Members is in an eminent and infinite degree found in Gods thus Eyes and Ears denote Gods Omniscience Hands his Omnipotence Bowels his infinite Mercy and Compassion Now without bordering on this Heresie the Murdering of supream Magstrates may be called God-murder though not actually and preperly yet interpretatively The Lord accounts it as such The Jews though they murdered only the Body of Christ yet shed the Blood of God Acts 20.28 because there is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a Communication of Properties arising from the hypostatical Union between the Divine and Humane Natures of Christ whereby whatsoever doth agree to one Nature may be spoken of the whole Person Christ accounteth the Persecution of his Members Acts 9.4 Heb. 6.6 Mat. 25.45 Luke 10.16 to be a Persecution of himself by reason of the Mystical Union between them In like manner God appropriates the Murder and Contempt of Magistrates unto himself because they receive their Commissions from him stand in his stead represent his Person are called by his Name and are his Deputies and Vicegerents Eph. 4.30 Isa 63.10 Isa 43.24 Amos 2.13 Ezek. 6.9 Ezek. 16.43 1 Sam. 8.7 As the Lord is said to be grieved vexed wearied and made to serve pressed as a Cart with sheaves and broken and fretted with mens Iniquities and Transgressions so to be rejected and despised in the rejection and contempt of Magistrates Saith the Lord to Samuel they have not rejected thee but they have rejected me that I should not reign over them Affronts offered to Ambassadors redound to the dishonour of the King that sent them David furiously revenged the abuse of his Ambassadors when the Ammonites shaved off their Beards 2 Sam. 10. and cut off their garments in the middle Kings are the extraordinary Ambassadors which the great Jehovah hath sent into the world he will plead their cause and avenge their quarrels against all rebellious Subjects Wherefore let all men refrain from offering violence to Kings lest as Gamaliel spake in another case they be found to fight against God And let us lament this day Acts 5.39 the horrid monstrous barbarous inhumane abominable and detestable Murder of King Charles the First because it was repugnant and contrary to Humanity as it was Homicide to Nature as Paricide to Loyalty as Regicide to Piety as Deicide because it was at once the Murder of a man a King a Father a God Ps 82.6 I have said ye are gods i. e. gods in Office though not in Essence 3. Consider the Person detesting this Act God forbid that I i. e. David should do this thing And Davids heart smote him V. 5. There are many Circumstances relating to the Person of David that do very much amplisie his Loyalty 1. He was Injured 2. Anointed 1. Injured
David mourns for cutting off the skirt and abhorreth cutting off the Head of Saul From whence note That Injuries received by Subjects from their Soveraign Observ are not to be accounted a sufficient Charter to absolve and discharge them from their Allegiance nor a sufficient Patent to authorize and commissionate them to exercise revenge rebellion and violence against him but ought to be swallowed down and passed by with a meek and patient spirit Or thus Subjects oppressed by their King by reason of his false and groundless suspitions concerning them ought to be the more solicitous to clear up their innocency and vindicate their Loyalty 1. David deserved as well of his King and Countrey as ever any Roman Generals riding in triumph through the streets of Rome with Captives bound to their Chariot wheels did of theirs 2. He received not only an inadequate and insufficient reward but no reward yea he was not only non-rewarded but evilly intreated Saul sought after his Life 3. Yet his carriage is so meek and Heroical that it scarce admits of an Hyperbole or Parallel For never was a Subjects Integrity more groundlesly suspected his Morits more unsutably rewarded his Injuries more wrongfully received and yet his behaviour more gallantly Loyal than Davids He revenged the Injures received from Saul by studying to approve himself innocent by redoubled courage against the Philistines As Paul saith where sin did abound Grace did much more abound so Davids Loyalty did exceed Sauls tyranny Saul would have smote David to the wall with a Javelin though he could not but David though he could have smote Saul to the Cave with a Sword yet would not As the Oak is more strongly rooted by the winds and the fire burneth most fiercely in winter by reason of the Antiperistasis of cold so Davids undeserved Persecution was rather like Oyl to increase than water to extinguish that Loyal Fire that was in his breast Davids design in cutting off Sauls skirt was no other than as Goliahs sword was laid up behind the Ephod to be a Monument of Davids victory over him to obtain a Trophy and Monument of his Loyalty 1 Sam. 24.9 10. Wherefore hearest thou mens words saying behold David seeketh thy hurt Behold this day thine eyes have seen how that the Lord had delivered thee into my hands in the Cave and I said I will not stretch forth my hand against my Lord for he is the Lords Anointed Moreover he said yea see the skirt of thy Robe in my hand For in that I cut off the skirt of thy Robe and did not kill thee know thou and see that there is neither evil nor transgression in my hands and I have not sinned against thee yet thou huntest my soul to take it If you consider Davids consequent contrition of spirit for but the shadow of disloyalty in smiting Sauls garment and his vehement antipathy against destroying his Life it will appear that God hath stamped such inviolable authority on all Kings as well the evil as the good that they are exempted from the Lashes of their Subjects and the Offices of both to be had in equal respect though the vertues of the one sort be to be preferred before the vices of the other 1. Protection is not the ground of Subjection That speech salus populi suprema lex doth not detract from the Supremacy of Kings nor justifie the contumacy of Subjects but the genuine sense thereof is this that the safety of the people should be the scope of Legislators whose Laws should conduce thereunto 2. A Simili If a Master exercise too much rigour toward his Servants shall they therefore cast off the yoke of Subjection The Apostle Peter exhortech otherwise Be subject to your Masters 1 Pet. 2.18 not only to the good and to the gentle but to the froward If a Father provoke his children to wrath and give them immoderate and undeserved Correction shall they therefore break the Bond of Filial Subjection disown his Paternal Jurisdiction and Absalom-like rise up in Rebellion against him God forbid In like manner a Political Fathers violation of his trust is no ground for Subjects violation of their duty 3. There is a general good attained by the Government of the worst Princes which doth over-ballance all their Personal Failings Zedekiah an evil King is called by Jeremiah the Breath of the Israelites Nostrils Lam. 4.20 Without Government men would be like wild beasts in the wilderness and like Fishes in the Sea the stronger devouring the weaker Praestat sub male Principe esse quam sub nullo Corn. Tac. Lib. 1. Hist Wherefore to endeavour the redress of Irregularities and male-administrations of Government by dismounting or destroying the Governour is a Remedy worse then the Disease it is to cure a distemper in the Head by cutting it off 4. The Providence of God is often judicially exercised in setting evil Kings over a Nation as a punishment of the sins thereof Isa 3.4 Compared with Ec. 10.16 Hos 13.11 God threatneth wo to a Land by giving Children to be their Princes and Babes to rule over them i. e. Foolish and Froward Governours I gave them a King in mine anger These words do not argue Gods displeasure against Monarchy for he gave Israel David and Solomon and other Kings not in Anger but in Love and Mercy 1 Kin. 10.9 Because the Lord loved Israel therefore made he thee King saith the Queen of Sheba to Solomon But the scope of them is to shew that for the sins of the Israelites the Lord set over them Saul a fierce man that handled them in such a rigorous manner as is expressed in 1 Sam. 8.10 to 18. Persons groaning under Oppression and revenging themselves on their Rulers and not looking to the Judicial Providence of God are like Dogs that snarle at the stone but look not to the hand that threw it 5. God hath reserved Kings for his own Tribunal and not exposed them to the tumultuous rage of the Common people Against thee Ps 51.4 and thee only have I sinned and done evil in thy sight David had sinned against Uriah by depriving him of his wife and life but because he was above the jurisdiction of his Subjects and his offence came under the Cognizance of God alone therefore he saith against thee only have I sinned The Lord shall smite him 1 Sa. 24.12 or his day shall come mine hand shall not be upon him 6. The unanimous Suffrage of Holy Patriarchs Prophets Apostles Primitive Christians and of Jesus Christ himself may be produced against Subjects Rebellion against their King under pretence of Tyranny Abraham prayeth for Abimelech King of Gerar. Jacob blesseth Pharaoh King of Aegypt Gen. 20.17 notwithstanding they were both Heathens Jeremiah and Daniel assert the Authority of Nebuchadnezzar an Idolater a Tyrant and a destroyer and depopulator of Countries Thou Dan. 2.37 O King art a King of Kings for the God of Heaven
resolved to omit the prosecution of this Point as useless to a People living under such a Gracious Soveraign But considering that the best managed Governments have been from the beginning and will be to the end of the world obnoxious to some Imperfections that there will be alwaies some detracting Absaloms who will calumniate and exclaim against the most righteous Rulers that the prohibition of Rebellion against Tyrannical Governours doth a fortiori conclude for Englands Subjection to our present Gracious Soveraign and lastly that this Crown-Jewel hath been much blemished and sullied of late I was for these Reasons unwilling to leave it altogether unpolished 2. Consider David as Anointed Then Samuel took an horn of Oyl and anointed him in the midst of his Brethren 1. 1 Sa. 16.13 To a Prophetical 2. To a Kingly Office 1. To a Prophetical Office That Clause the Spirit of the Lord came upon him from that day forward 1 Sam. 16.13 denoteth the Gift of Prophesie as appeareth by comparing it with 1 Sam. 19.20 23. Where the like Expression is used to set forth the Gift of Prophesie in Saul and his Messengers when they sought David at Naioth in Ramah Davids Psalmes were endited by a Prophetical Spirit And he is expresly called a Prophet It was usual Acts 2.30 for Prophets as well as Priests to be consecrated unto their Office by Anointing The Lord saith unto Elias 1 Kings 19.16 Elisha the Son of Shaphat shalt thou anoint to be Prophet in thy room Now forasmuch as David a Prophet saith God forbid that I should stretch forth my hand against my Master Observe 1. That Ecclesiastical persons are not priviledged nor exempted from Subjection to the Civil Magistrate 2. That such of all men should be chiefly solicitous to maintain Loyalty in themselves and to propagate it in others 1. That Ecclesiastical Persons are not priviledged nor exempted from Subjection to the Civil Magistrate Let every soul be subject to the higher Power Rom. 13.1 Every soul is emphatically put for every man as Exod. 1.5 All the souls that came out of Jacobs Loyns were seventy souls i. e. seventy persons Is not the Command general Let every soul whether rich or poor Noble or Ignoble Patritian or Plebeian Political or Ecclesiastical be subject to the higher Powers Non distinguendum est ubi Scriptura non distinguit We sind no place of Scripture that doth except the Pope and his Cardinals out of this general Precept except they disclaim humane nature and avouch themselves to be Angels Cherubims or Seraphims as a Popish Postiller out of Exod. 30.31 hath done where it is said of the holy Oyl Upon mans flesh it shall not be poured thou shalt anoint Aaron and his Sons from hence he ridiculously inferreth that Priests are Angels not having humane flesh Aaron the High Priest acknowledged the Jurisdiction of Moses over him when he was reproved for making the Golden Calf Aaron said Ex. 32.22 Let not the Anger of my Lord wax hot King Solomon deposed Abiathar from the Priesthood for conspiring with Adonijah 1 Kings 2.26 35. What Antipodes do the Popes tread hereunto in presuming to depose Kings The Kings of Judah exercised their Authority in spiritualibus as well as in temporalibus Asa Hezekiah Jehosaphat Josiah reformed Religion destroyed the high places 2 Chron. 17. 2 Kings 18. 1 Chron. 13.1 2 3. 2 Chr. 29.4 2 Chron. 29. and Monuments of Idolatry and convocated Synods So Christian Emperors Constantine Theodosius and others have convented General Councils Hezekiah laid injunctions on the Priests and Levites to perform their duties Paul being arraigned before Festus Felix and Agrippa pleadeth not an exemption from the Jurisdiction of their Courts by vertue of his Apostolical Office His free and voluntary Appeal to Cesar argueth his acknowledgment of subjection to earthly Rulers Jesus Christ paied tribute for himself and Peter that he might not incourage the Jews to deny it nor the Romans to defie the Gospel as destructive to Magistracy Mat. 17.27 That Expression then are the Children free doth shew the Prerogative of Christ as he was the Eternal Son of God but not the exemption of Gods adopted Children from secular Powers For then Lay-men also many of them being the children of God must be exempted as well as the Clergy The Reservation of the Lands of the Aegyptian Priests from sale doth shew the Munificence of their King in that he assigned to them a portion at his own Table but their superiority above or coordination unto Civil Magistrates cannot in any wise be concluded from thence Though some munificent Princes out of their Indulgenoe have granted large immunities unto the Church yet let us do as Christ in the case of Divorce reduce Magistracy to its Original and Primitive Institution and we shall find that from the beginning it had Jurisdiction over the Clergy as well as the Laity How is the Arrogance of the Pope of Rome that man of sin and Son of perdition to be condemned for that he exalteth himself 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 above all that is called god or August i. e. above Kings and Emperots The Papists hold 2 Thes 24. that the Ecclesiastical State is as much more excellent than the Civil as the Sun than the Moon and that as the Moon borroweth its Light from the Sun so the Emperors receive their power from the Pope who employeth the Jesuites his slaughter-slaves to murder those Princes that deny his Supremacy or affront his Greatness Witness the Murder of Henry the 4th King of France by Ravilliack and the Gunpowder-plot contrived by Garnet the Jesuite and others his Complices for the destruction of King James The Popes Affronts unto Excommunications of Incroachments on and imperious Domination over Princes are so notorious that I need not recite Examples thereof Sed exorto Evangelii jubare sagaciores ut spero Princepes ad nutum Romani Orbilii non solvent subligaoula History affords manifold Instances of the Arrogance of Popes how they have trampled on the Necks of Kings kicked off their Crowns and crowned them with their Feet forced them to hold their Stirrups and to dance attendance at their gates excommunicated deposed them Mat. 4. and in imitation of the Devil disposed of their Kingdoms absolved their Subjects from obedience and chained their Ambassadors like Dogs under their Tables How do they herein deviate from the Example of Saint Peter whose Successors they pretend to be and of the holy Prophet David who calleth King Saul his Master That Ministers of all men Observ 2. should chiefly be solicitous to maintain Loyalty in themselves and to propagate it in others David a Prophet preacheth a Sermon of Loyalty to his Souldiers Ministers have great opportunity to expelseditious and instil loyal Principles into the hearts of their Auditors The Reverence that people bear unto their holy Function will facilitate the entertainment of their Instructions The benevolence of Christian
unto Jeremiah Jer. 1.10 I have set thee over Nations and Kingdoms to root out and to pluck down and to destroy These words are to be understood of the denunciation of Gods Judgments by the mouth of Jeremiah against wicked Nations Kings shall bow down to thee with their Faces toward the earth and lick up the dust of thy Feet Isa 49.23 These Metaphorical Expressions do not signifie the subordination of Civil Power unto Ecclesiastical but only that Princes shall submit unto the Laws of God and account it their honour to be Patrons of Religion and Nursing Fathers and Nursing Mothers unto the Church The two-edged sword in the hands of the Saints Psal 139.9 to bind Kings in Chains and Nobles in Fetters of Iron is to be understood not of a Weapon of War or Instrument of violence but of the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God which is said to be quick and powerful Heb. 4.12 sharper than any two-edged sword It is a Spiritual not a Martial a Theological not a Polemical sword that is given to the Church to bind Kings in Chains and Nobles in Fetters of Iron What by corporal Imprisonment God forbid but by awakening their Consciences and convincing them of the evil guilt and danger of sin which in Scripture is set forth by spiritual Captivity Isa 61.1 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me because he hath anointed me to proclaim Liberty to the Captives and the opening of the Prison doors to them that are bound that is to file asunder the Fetters and to knock off the Chains of the guilt of sins from the Conscience by the promulgation of Gospel-Grace and pardoning Mercy 2. The Second Reason of Davids detestation against stretching forth his hand against Saul is taken from Sauls Relation to God the Lords Anointed Which is ingeminated in the Text. Ingeminations do augment the force and signification of expressions In blessing I will bless thee Gen. 22.17 and in multiplying I will multiply thee that is I will certainly and greatly bless and multiply thee As David by the frequent Iteration of Absaloms name 2 Sa. 18.33 O my Son Absalom my Son my Son Absalom would God I had died for thee O Absalom my Son my Son did signifie his great sorrow for his death So by his duplication of these words the Lords Anointed he doth shew the great and awful reverence due to Saul by reason of his Relation unto God This expression the Lords Anointed may be considered in a threefold respect 1. As it is a Title of Honour 2. As it signifieth Gods Qualification of Saul for this Office 3. As it imports the Divine Original and Institution of his Office 1. As it is a Title of Honour It is an Epithere which is given to Jesus Christ himself Psalm 2. Christ is a word that signifieth Anointed David doth not exclaim against Saul as a Tyrant a Persecutor as a devouring Lion and a destroying Bear though he received as much Injury from him as ever any Subject did from a Prince but maketh mention of him in a very reverent and honourable manner He was so far from wounding Sanls heart with the Sword of violence that he would not wound his good Name with the Sword of his Tongue From whence note That the Language of Subjects of and to their Soveraign Observ ought not to savour of Contempt and Insolency but of honour and reverence toward his Person and Office Thou shalt not revile the gods nor curse the Ruler of thy people Ex. 22.28 The August Names of Kings ought not to be besooted with the opprobrions and ignominious Titles of Traytors Tyrants and Usurpers Is it sit to say to a King thou art wicked or to Princes Job 34.18 ye are ungodly Take heed of painting such in the shape of the Devil who wear the Livery of God I have said ye are gods Psalm 82. Isa 49. Ezek. 34.23 Psal 78.71 72. Rom. 13. Ps 82.6 Jude v. 8. 2 Sa. 21.17 Lam. 4.20 With what honourable Titles hath the Holy Ghost adorned Rulers They are called Fathers yea and Nursing Fathers and Nursing Mothers to a Nation Pastors and Shepherds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Sons of the most High Dignities the Light of Israel or the Lamp or Candle of Israel As the Sun is to the world so is a King to his Kingdom even the Fountain of Light and Life The Breath of our Nostrils And here in my Text the Lords Anointed The Lord hath purposely dignified Princes with these Names betokening Majesty and Preheminence as with so many orient Pearls and shining Diamonds and Jewels to beget a reverence in us toward them and to guard them from the virulent and insolent Tongues of cursing Shimei's Wherefore take heed that ye slander not the Footsteps of the Lords Anointed nor reproach the Father of your Nation For the eye that mocketh his Father and despiseth to obey his Mother the Ravens of the Valleys shall pick it out and the young Eagles shall eat it Beware of reviling those sacred persons on whom God hath accumulated so many Titles of Honour Yea the Lord foreseeing how many Malicious Doegs and blasphemous Rabshekahs Kings would meet withal Exod. 21.6 Ex. 22.28 Psal 82.1 Ps 138.1 2 Thes 2.4 hath baptized them with his own most Reverent and Glorious Name The Lord standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty he judgeth among the gods Before the gods will I sing praise unto thee This venerable Appellation given to Magistrates should teach the Cynical Quaker and the morose Anabaptist with all other ejusdem farinae not to scruple at expressions of reverence such as His Maâ—esty Dread Soveraign and the like toward them and instruct them in better Manners Breeding and Civility than to court the Lords Vicegerents and Deputies with such blunt and rustical Language as if they were their Equals or Inferiours Piety is no enemy to Civility not Christianity to Humanity Religion doth not forbid good Manners The Apostle Paul accounted it nothing unbeseeming his Apostolical Office to use some Courtship in his Apologetical Oration before King Agrippa Murder may be committed by the Tongue as well as by the Hand As the Seventh Commandment doth forbid not only the gross act of Adultery but also 1. Heart-adultery as unclean Thoughts 2. Eye-adultery as wanton Glances 3. Ear-adulterie as hearkening to obscene discourse 4. Hand-adultery wanton Dalliances 5. Lip-adultery as unholy Kisses 6. Tongue-adultery Lascivious speech and uttering Ribaldry So the Sixth Commandment Thou shalt not kill doth extend not only to the actual embruing the hands in the bloud of men but also 1. Mat. 5.22 1 John 3.15 To Heart-murder rash anger envy hatred and all inordinate passions and degrees of Murder Wherefore saith Solomon curse not the King in thy thought for a Bird of the Air shall carry the voice Eccl. 10.20 and that which hath wings shall tell the Matter 2.
Hadadrimmon Sive Threnodia Anglicana ob Regicidium A SERMON ON DAVIDS HUMILIATION For Cutting off the ROYAL ROBE AND DETESTATION of Cutting off the ROYAL HEAD Of the LORDS ANOINTED Preached Jan. 30 1660. Being a Solemn Fast for the Horrid Murther of KING CHARLES I. Of Glorious Memory At WESTBVRY in the County of WILTS By JOHN PARADISE Preacher of the Word there London Printed by J. H. for Nathanael Webb at the Sign of the Kings Head in St. Pauls Church-yard 1661. TO THE Right Reverend Father in God HUMPHREY By the Providence of God LORD BISHOP of SARVM Right Reverend Father in God MEmorable if not Miraculous is the Story concerning the Dumb Son of Croesus how that seeing an Assassine about to kill his Father though he never spoke before yet then cried out 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So our Political Father Cor Sol Anima Regni the Heart Sun and Soul of the Kingdom being translated from us in a Fiery Chariot Who can but cry out with Elisha My Father My Father the Chariot of Israel and the Horsemen thereof Should Subjects neglect to sing the Obsequies of their Murdered King the Wals of the Royal Palace would be monuments of their shame even as the Stones would have supplied the defect of the Childrens Hosanna's to the Son of God the dust of the ground where the bloudy Tragedy was acted would testifie against them as the dust of the Apostles Feet against the unbelieving Jews Seeing Rebels have been so industrious in forming Cyclopical Weapons in anvelling out Diabolical Machinations against Monarchy and have published so many bitter Invectives and Satyrical Libels against the Sacred Persons of Kings to enchant and intoxicate the English Nation and to seduce us from our Allegiance God forbid that we should omit the Confection of Antidotes and Counter-medicines against this Poyson Wherefore I have attempted to vindicate the Royal Prerogative of Kingâ— wherewith they are invested by a Divine Charter and which is a Jewel fixed in their Crownes by the King of Kings to wit Their exemption from the violence of Subjects and likewise though indeed the Acts and Monuments of our Royal Martyr deserve rather to be registred by the Golden Pen of some Able Martyrologer another Fox to commemorate that Fatal Blow which caused an Earth-quake of Desolation in England and as it were unhinged the Earth from its Center The Lord grant that it may now produce an heart-quake of Lamentation and prove d Lymbeck to distil our hearts into tears to extract the Quintessence of our spirits and to sublimate our Affections and Faculties into the height of Sorrow Now my Lord the Beams of your Favour accented and enamelled with manifold Amplifications have so influent â—â—ally shined on me that they cannot but work indelible Impressions of Gratitude in my heart unless it were petrefied and most strenuous endeavours after testification thereof Wherefore I present unto your Lordship this ensuing Book of Lamentations as a Pepper-corn by way of acknowledgment of my great Obligations unto you Humbly imploring your candid Acceptance and Patronage of this unpolished piece in imitation of the Divine Majesty who accepted of Badgers Skins Goats hair a Cup of cold water and the Widows Mite as well as more magnificent Oblations As I am conscious of many Imperfections which your judicious eye will discern herein so I am confident of your Indulgence I have endeavoured more to manifest the Affection of my heart then the Affectation of Art Sackcloath and Ashes is a fitter Garb for Mourners then Gorgeous Attire Who can be eloquent on such a doleful Theam as the Murder of a Christian Protestant King which like Opium is enough to stupifie the the Faculties of all that study on it and at the Tidings whereof as David wished for Absalom O my Son Absalom my Son my Son Absalom Would God I had died for thee O Absalom my Son my Son Your Lordship with many more English Hero's could I believe have cried out O my King Charles my King my King Charles Would God I had died for thee O Charles my King my King I think it Honour enough to be vouchsafed to bring but one Pin to the decking of Christs Spouse while others adorn her with more costly Jewels and rich Medals said a Reverend Bishop So I account my self superabundantly honoured if this Threnodia may be accepted by my Dread Sovereign through your Lordships Intercession as the smallest Testimony of my Cordial Lamentation for the barbarous Decollation of his Royal Father though but like the casting a Branch of Rosemary into a Grave while others erect more Glorious Tombes and Statues and as a pledge of my great exultation for his own Happy Restauration and Coronation My Lord it is my Intention to write an Eucharistical not a Panegyrical Epistle because I know that Flattery as it is abhorred by my self so it would be nauseated by your Modesty However without contracting any such guilt or censure I may record it for your perpetual Renown That while so many have proved Erratick Stars somtimes Prograde somtimes Retrograde never Stationary you have been a fixed Star in the Firmament of the Church of England And while others have courted their Sovereign with Parasitical Friendship for saking him in Adversity as Rats and Mice do a Barn when the Corn is spent your Soul hath cleaved like Jonathan Ittai Barzillai and Zadok to distressed David to an afflicted Prince that you have reverenced the Setting Sun of Martyâ—ed Majesty King Charles the First and the clouded Sun of exiled Majesty King Charles the Second I have read concerning Agrippa that being imprisoned for wishing the Empire unto Caius he was afterwards gratified by Caius with a Chain of Gold as heavy as that of Iron wherewith he was loaded in Prison So that your Lordship who have magnanimously endured the Malignant Influences of Blazing Comets during the dismal Eclipse of the Proper Light may as a Blessing unto the Church of God long sit under the vivifical and salutiferous Beams of our Royal Sun now Triumphant in his Noon-day Glory is the Prayer of Your Lordships most Humble Servant JOHN PARADISE Errata Pag. 2. Line 37. read Renowned p. 3. l. 18. r. Engedi p. 3. l. 14. r. Absaloms p. â— l. 29. r. ingenuous p. 6. l. 3. r. connivence p. 6. l. 13. r. worn p. 8. l. 22 r. Bloud of Charles ib. l. ult r. Isaac p. 12. l. 32. r. edge of your humiliation p. 15. l. 33. r. Martial p. 20 l. 31. r. There can be no Adulterer without an Adulteress p. 23. l. 21. dele of after Glory THRENODIA Anglicana ob Regicidium OR THE LAMENTATION Of Loyall Subjects for the DECOLLATION of their Royall Sovereign 2 Sam. 24.5 6. And it came to passe afterward Davids heart smote him because he cut off Sauls Skirt And he said unto his men The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my Master the Lords Anointed to stretch forth my hand against him
Ephraims repentance is set forth by his smiting on the thigh Jer. 31.19 Luke 18.13 Mat. 26.57 Act. 2.37 The Publicans by smiting on the Brest Peters by weeping bitterly The sorrow of the converted Jews for their crucifying Christ by being pricked at the heart So Davids Remorse for wounding the robe of his Sovereign is expressed by his Hearts smiting him Compunction of spirit for the least disloyal actions should alwaies follow the commission of them A Loyal subject being overcome by a violent temptation may be induced to Act some things Derogatory to his Kings Honour and his own Loyalty yet when by deliberate reflection thereon he discerneth his crime he will expiate the guilt by true repentance Even as water though it be hot whilst set over the fire yet when removed from thence returns to its pristine coldnesse and as an heâ—â—ie Body violently detained from its center Remoto prohibâ—nte naturally and immediately descends thereunto Loyalty may be sullied but cannot be obliterated smothered for a time but never totally exstinguished It may be wounded but cannot be Killed fall asleep but will awake again and like the Sun breaking forth out of a Cloud appears in its brightnesse and glory-David being conscious of his clemency towards the life of Saul might have excused his cruelty towards his garment but so pure and Christalline was his Loyalty that he seems to forget his imparallel compensation of good for evil and wholly Dwels on this Punctillio Thus S. Austine in his confessions saith that he was troubled in conscience for stealing Apples in his youth Moderation in disloyal actions is no sufficient Apology for them Had David urged this plea he might have rather justified himself for doing no more then accused himself for acting so little He might have expected to have been Commended rather then Condemned saying Saul hath no reason to be offended with me for cutting off his garment but much reason to reward me for not cutting off his Head Should a Thief finding a Thousand pounds in Gold in a travellers purse take away only six pence leaving all the rest untouched yea and afterward be troubled in his minde for those six pence it would argue eminent honesty This is the nearest Embleme and resemblance of Davids Heroical innocency which yet did surmount this instance The Law alloweth no Accessaries in the case of treason all are principals The Law of God adjudgeth them guilty whose hands were only inch-deep as well as those whose hands were Elbow-deep in the blood of King Charles Men viewing their failings in the Crack't glasse of selfe-love and through the false Spectacles of self-justifying pride account little Sins no sins and great sins little sins David was of a more ingenious and impartiall Spirit choosing rather to aggravate then extenuate to magnifie then to mince the violation of his Allegiance A Thief if he leave mony enough in the traveller purse to carry him to his journies end thinks himself to deserve praise rather then dispraise but an honest mans conscience wil smite him should he wrong a man in the smallest matter though he did it ignorantly David knew that Disloyalty is of an incroaching nature that little sins are gradual approaches toward greater that if he could have dispenced with wounding the Royal Robe he might at length have adventured to wound the Royal heart of his Sovereign Though Treason appear but as a sparke of fire at first yet if not quenched with the tears of repentance it will soone flams forth into open Rebellâ—â—s and spread over the whole body Politick as the Gangren creeps from joint to joint over the whole body naturall Should indulgence connivance and Impunity be afforded to an indignity though never so diminutive against a King it would animate imbolden men to Act superlative enormisies Petty-larceny is a preparative to felony it is felony in its infancy He that can without remorse smite a King with the sword of his tongue will when opportunity serveth smite him with a sword of steel As smal brush-wood is first laid on the fire to kindle the great Blocks afterwards laid upon it and as the lesser wedges make way for greater so little sins are but shooing-horns to draw on greater and Dwarf-like crimes but stirrups and footstoolls whereby to mount up on Gigantick ones Garments when the Hems are wore off will soon unravel Despising of Kings will grow to Deposing of them and contemning of them to condemning of them if not checked betimes either by the Magistrates sword or the Offenders own conscience even as the Cockatrices egg will grow to a Serpent if not crashed in the Shell For contempt of a Prince is Regicide in the Bud in the shell and actuall Regicide is but Contempt full-blown and hatched Wherefore laudable was Davids relenting for so small an injury offered to his Prince But let me correct my self why do I speak of small injuries offered to Kings when the slightest indignities in themselves yet when committed against such sacred persons become hainous flagitious and inexpiable The transcendent and incomprehensible greatnesse of God causeth the least offence against his infinite Majesty to be of an infinite guilt so that dignity which the supream Jehovah hath conferred on his deputed subordinate Deittes doth cause the most inconsiderable offences against them to swel up into high Treason There can be no little sin because there is no little God to sin against So there can be no Diminutive Treason because the object thereof is the sacred and honourable Person of a King An Act receives its specification Denomination and aggravation from the nature of its Object Use This Doctrine doth conclude a fortiâ—ri for our lamentation this day for that fatal and mortal blow that was given to our Royall Sovereign If the wounding of King Sauls Robe the smiting of his skirt cast David into such pangs of sorrow much more should the cutting off King Charles his head the 〈◊〉 of his heart cause England to mourn â—n Sackclotheand Ashes How should the memory of this murder bedew English checkes with teares fill our hearts with sorrow and over-shadow us with mourning as the Departing Sun doth the night with Darknesse and the Declining Sun the Winter with Cold and Frost In Ramah there was a voice heard weeping and mourning and great lamentation Rachel weeping for her Children and would not be comforted because they were not Mat. 2.18 And all by reason of the cruel infaticide acted by Herod So in England was there a voice heard weeping and Mourning and great Lamentation Subjects weeping for their King and would not be comforted because he was not and all by reason of the bloody Regicide committed by cruel Herods We find in sacred History that subjects have bewailed all disasters bef illing their Kings especially their violent death 2 Chron. 35.4 5. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah And all the singing men and singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations
hath given thee a Kingdom Those Nations that will not serve Jer. 27.6 8 9. and put their necks under the yoke of the King of Babylon shall be punished with the Sword and with Famine and with Pestilence until they be consumed Therefore hearken not to your Diviners nor to your Dreamers nor to your Enchanters nor to your Sorcerers which say unto you ye shall not serve the King of Babylon The holy Apostles Peter and Paul command Subjection to heathen Emperors Rom. 13.1 2 3. 1 Pet. 2.13 17. For it was about 300 years after Christ and consequently a long time after the death of the Apostles before any Magistrates became Christians The Primitive Christians were wont to pray for Pagan Princes Exoptantes ipsis vitam prolixam imperium securum domum tutam exercitus fortes Senatum fidelem populum probum orbem quietum Tertul. Apologet. Cap. 30. Eminent was the example of Mephibosheths Loyal deportment toward David notwithstanding he 〈◊〉 unjustly sequestred half his estate The King said 2 Sam. 19.29 30. why speakest thou any more of thy matters I have said thou and Ziba divide the Land And Mephibosheth saith yea let him take all forasmuch as my Lord the King is come again to his House in peace Our Saviour Jesus Christ commandeth the payment of Tribute unto Caesar Give unto Caesar the things that are Caesars Mat. 22.21 And acknowledgeth that Pilate an unjust Judge had his Commission from Heaven Thou couldest have no power against me John 19.11 unless it were given thee of God The barbarous Jews themselves who crucified the Lord of Life being asked by Pilate whether they would have their King to be crucified answered we have no King but Caesar intimating that if they had believed that Christ was their King no violence should have been offered unto him Rehoboam threatned Tyranny unto Israel saying my little finger shall be thicker than my Fathers Loyns my Father chastised you with whips but I will chastise you with Scorpions yet the Revolt of the ten Tribes from him is called Rebellion 2 Chron. 13.4 5 7. and the Promoters thereof Sons of Belial Ahab and Jezebel were as great Oppressors and as bloody Persecutors of the Prophets as ever held Scepter yet God threatneth to punish Jehn for destroying them and their Posterity Hos 1.4 I will avenge the bloud of Jezreel on the House of Jehu and will cause the Kingdom to cease from the House of Israel Though the defection of the ten Tribes from the House of David was the punishment of Solomons Idolatry and the destruction of Ahab and Iezebel 1 Kin. 11.11 the Judgment of God on them for their Cruelty to Naboth Yet this did no more excuse the Treason of the ten Tribes and Jehu 1 Kings 21.19 21. who out of rebellions minds executed these Judgments than Gods predetermination of the death of Christ did justifie Judas betraying him or the Jews crucifying him So then we conclude that in case of private and personal or publick and National Injuries received from a King Subjects ought to lay aside all Malice Guile Envy Evil Speakings 1 Pet. 2.1 and all weapons of War and Instruments of death Jesus saith to one of his Disciples resisting the Officers of the Chief Priests and Elders of the Jews that were sent to apprehend him Put up thy sword into its place for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword Mat. 26.52 Preces Lachrima were the only Arms that the Primitive Christians used when they were oppressed and persecuted Humiliation Refâ—â—â—â—ion and Supplication unto God who judgeth among the gods and in whose hands are the hearts of Kings Prov. 21.1 who turneth them as Rivers of water are better Expedients for the removal of Pressures from a Nation than Rebellion Samuel having in the precedent verses foretold to the Israelites the rigorous carriage of their King towards them 1 Sam. 8.18 he saith ye shall cry out in that day because of your King but the Lord will not hear you he doth not say ye shall rise up and depose your King but ye shall cry unto the Lord for Relief A provoked Prince ought to be pacified by Submission not irritated by Revenge which is not lawful against a Private Person much less against the Head of a Nation For a Subject lying under groundless suspitions to infer from thence that it is better to be suspected for somthing than nothing is the Devils Logick and to exercise Rebellion correspondent to such a Principle is a diabolical Fact Mens submissive deportment and sedulous endeavours to remove even the causless Jealousies of their Prince is the most probable means to stir up the Embers of Ingenuity in his heart A Flint will break upon a Featherbed No heart can be so Adamantine as to withstand the force of an Argument drawn from doing good for evil This like a Sun-beam melted the spirit of Saul himself Saul said is this thy voice my Son David and he lift up his voice and wept 1 Sam. 24.16 17 18 19. And said to David thou art more righteous than I for thou hast rewarded me good whereas I have rewarded thee evil and thou hast shewed this day that thou hast dealt well with me forasmuch as when the Lord delivered me into thy hands thou killedst me not For if a man find his enemy will he let him go free 1 Sa. 26.21 Again I have sinned return my Son David for I will no more do thee harm because my soul was precious in thine eyes Behold I have played the fool and erred exceedingly Herein the words of Solomon are verified By long for bearing a Prince is best perswaded Prov. 25.15 But a revengeful retaliation of Injuries will exasperate the Spirits of Princes who being Cedars in Lebanon will disdain to receive affronts from Thistles in Lebanon Wherefore that Admonition in Eccles 10.4 is not only most pious and Christian but also most prudential If the spirit of a Ruler rise up against thee leave not thy place i. e. flee not away in rage and passion for yielding pacifieth great offences Now this Prerogative of Princes to wit their exemption from the violence of their Subjects should be a golden Bridle to restrain them from all actions exorbitant and excentrical from Justice and equity and a golden spur to quicken them to such Heroical actions for the publick good that may argue them to be of Noble and Prince-like spirits as well as of Noble and Princely Blood and Dignity But blessed be the Lord who hath set over England not a Scratching Bramble but a Royal Olive whose Fatness and Sweetness doth rejoyce and exhilerate our hearts A Prince that is as it was said of Titus the Roman Emperor Deliciae generis humani the delight of mankind in whom Clemency Wisdom and all other Royal endowments and Princely vertues are concentricated Upon this account I had almost