pleaseth without controlement There is no man able alone to governe all The kingdome should not lay that upon one man who may easilie miscarrie The Estates of the Land are bound in this Contract to beare a burthen with him These men who have flattered kinges to take unto themselves an absolute power to doe what they please have wronged kinges and kingdomes It had been good that kinges of late had carried themselves so as this question of kings power might never have come in debate For they have been great loosers thereby Kings are verie desyrous to have thinges spoken and written to holde up their Arbitrarie and unlimited power but that way doeth exceedinglie wrong them There is one a learned man I confesse who hath written a booke for the mayntenance of the absolute power of kinges called DEFENSIO REGIA whereby hee hath wronged himselfe in his reputation and the king in his government As for the fact in taking away the lyfe of the late King what ever was GODS justice in it I doe agree with him to condemne it as a most injust and horrid fact upon their part who did it But when hee commeth to speake of the power of kinges in giving unto them an absolute and illimited power urging the damnable Maxime QUOD LIBET LICET hee will have a king to doe what he pleaseth impunè and without controlement In this I can not but dislent from him In regard of Subordination some say That a king is comptable to none but GOD Doe what hee will let GOD take order with it this leadeth kinges to Atheisme let them doe what they please and take GOD in their owne hand In regard of Lawes they teach nothing to kinges but Tyrannie And in regard of governement they teach a king to take an Arbitrarie power to himselfe to doe what hee pleaseth without controlement How dangerous this hath been to kinges is cleare by sad experience Abuse of Power and Arbitrarie Governement hath been one of GODS Great Controversies with our Kinges Praedecessoures GOD in His justice because Power hath been abused hath throwne it out of their handes And I may confidentlie say That GODS Controversie with the kinges of the earth is for their Arbitrarie and Tyrannicall Governement It is good for our King to learne to bee wyse in tyme and know that hee receaveth this day a power to governe but a power limited by contract and these conditions hee is bound by Oath to stand to Kinges are deceaved who thinke that the people are ordayned for the king and not the king for the people The SCRIPTURE showeth the contrarie ROM. 13. 4. The King is the MINISTER OF GOD FOR THE PEOPLES good GOD will not have a king in an arbitrarie way to encroach upon the possessions of Subjects EZEH 45. 7. 8. A portion is appoynted for the Prince And it is sayd My Princes shall no more oppresse my people and the rest of the Land shall hee give vnto the house of Israell according to their Tribes The king hath his distinct Possessiions and Revenewes from the people hee must not oppresse and doe what hee pleaseth there must bee no Tyrannie upon the Throne I desyre not to speake much of this subject Men have been verie tender in medling with the power of kinges yet seeing these dayes have brought forth debates concerning the power of kinges it will bee necessarie to bee cleare in the matter Extremities would bee shunned A King should keepe within the boundes of the Covenant made with the people in the exercyse of his power And Subjectes would keepe within the bounds of this Covenant in regulating that power Concerning the last I shall propound these three to your consideration 1. A King abusing his power to the over-throw of Religion Lawes and Liberties which are the verie Fundamentalls of this Contract and Covenant may bee controled and opposed And if hee set himselfe to over-throw all these by Armes then they who have power as the Estates of a Land may and ought to resist by Armes Because hee doeth by that opposition breake the verie bondes and over-throweth all the essentialls of this Contract and Covenant This may serve to justifie the proceedinges of this kingdome agaynst the late King who in an Hostile way set himselfe to over-throw Religion Parliaments Lawes and Liberties 2. Everie breach of Covenant wherein a king falleth after hee hath entered in Covenant doeth not dissolve the bond of the Covenant Neither should Subjectes lay asyde a king for everie breach except the breaches bee such as over-throw the fundamentalls of the Covenant with the people Manie exemples of this may bee brought from Scripture I shall give but one King ASA entered solemnelie in Covenant with GOD and the people 2. CHRON. 15. After that hee falleth in grosse transgressions and breaches 2. CHRON. 16. Hee associate himselfe and entered in League with Benhadad king of Syria an Idolater Hee imprisoned HANANI the LORDS Prophet who reproved him threatened judgement agaynst that association And at that same tyme hee oppressed some of the people And yet for all this they neither lay him asyde nor compt him an hypocrite 3. Private persons should bee verie circumspect about that which they doe in relation to the authoritie of kinges It is very dangerous for private men to meddle with the power of kinges and the suspending of them from the exercyse thereof I doe ingenuouslie confesse that I fynd no exemple of it The Prophets taught not such doctrine to their people Nor the Apostles Nor the Reformed Kirkes Have ever private men Pastoures or Professoures given in to the Estates of a Land as their judgement unto which they resolve to adhere That a king should bee suspended from the exercise of his power And if wee looke upon those godlie Pastoures who lived in KING IAMES his tyme of whom one may truelie say more faythfull Men lived not in these last tymes For they spared not to tell the king his Faultes to his face Yea some of them suffered persecution for their honestie and feeedome Yet wee never read nor have heard that anie of these godlie Pastoures joyned with other private men did ever remonstrate to Parliament or Estate as their judgement That the king should bee suspended from the exercyse of his Royall power II. It is cleare from this COVENANT That people should obey their King in the LORD For as the King is bound by the COVENANT to make use of his power to their good So they are bound to obey him in the LORD in the exercyse of that power About the peoples duetie to the king take these foure Observations 1. That the obedience of the people is in subordination to GOD For the COVENANT is first with GOD and then with the King If a King command anie thing contrarie to the will of GOD in this case PETER sayeth It is better to obey GOD then man There is a lyne drawne from GOD to the people they are lowest the lyne
So all are not meet for places of trust in armies Mē wold be chosen who are godly able for the charge But there are some who are not meet for trust 1. They who are godly out have no Skill nor ability for the place A man may be a truely godly mā who is not fit for such place no wrong is done to him nor to godlynes whē the placae is denyed to him I wonder how a godly man can take upon him a place whereof hee hath no Skill 2. They who have neither Skill nor cowrage are verie unmeet for if it bee a place of never so great moment faint-heartednesse will make them qayte it 3. They who are both Skilfull and stout yet are not honest but perfidious and treacherous should have no trust at all Of all these we have sad experience which should not move You to make choise of prophane and godlesse men by whom a blessing is not to bee expected but it should move You to bee warie in Your choise I am confident such may bee had who will bee faythfull for Religion King and kingdome 5. There hath been much debate about the exercise of the kings power yet He is put in the exercise of his power and this day put in a better capacity to exercise it by his Coronation Many are affrayed that the exercise of his power shall prove dangerous to the Cause indeed I confesse there is ground of fear when we consider how this power hath been abused by former kings Therefore Sir make good use of this power see that You rather keep within bounds then exceed in the exercise of it I may very well give such a Counsell as an old Counsellour gave to a king of France He having spent many years at Court desired to retire into the countrey for enjoying privacie fit for his age having obtained leave The king his master required him to sit down and write some advise of government to leave behind him which he out of modesty declyned The king would not be denyed but left with him pen ink and a sheet of paper He being alone after some thoughts wrote with faire and legible Characters in the head of the sheet Modus in the middle of the sheet Modus in the foot of the sheet Modus wrote no more in all the paper which he wrapped up and delivered to the king Meaning that the best Counsell he could give him was That he should keep temper in all things Nothing more fit for a young king then to keep temper in all things Take this Counsell Sir and be moderate in the use of your power The best way to keep power is moderation in the use of it 6. The king hath many enemies even such as are enemies to his Family to all kingly government and are now in the bowels of this kingdom wasting destroying Bestirre Your selfe according to vowes oathes that are upon You to be active for the reliefe of CHRISTS kingdom born down by thē in all the three kingdoms and for the reliefe of this kingdom grievously oppressed by them We shall earnestly desyre that GOD would put that Spirit upō our king now entered upon publick government which he hath put upon the Delyverers of his people from their cruell oppressours In speaking of the kings behaviour to enemies One thing I can not passe There is much spoken of a treatie with this enemie I am not of the judgement of some who distinguish a treatie before invasion after invasion and say Treating is very lawfull before invasion because it is supposed that there is little wrong done but after invasion when a kingdom is wronged put to infinit losses then they say a treaty is to be shunned But in my judgemēt a treaty may be lawful after invasion wrongs sustained The end of war is peace neither should desire of revenge obstruct it providing it be such a treatie peace as is not prejudiciall to Religion nor to the safety of the kingdom nor to the undoubted right of the king not to the League Covenant wherunto we are so solemnly engaged But I must break off this treaty with a story related in Plutarch The City of Athens was in a great strait wherin they knew not what to doe Themistocles in this strait said he had something wherein to give his opinion for the behoofe of the State but he thought it not fit to deliver himselfe publickly Aristides a man of great trust is appointed to hear him privatly to make an accompt as he thought meet When Aristides came to make his report to the Senate He told them that Themistocles his advice was indeed profitable but not honest Whereupon the people would not so much as hear it There is much whispering of a treaty they are not willing to speak publikly of it Hear them in private it may be the best advice shall be profitable but not honest If a treatie should be let it be both profitable and honest and no lover of peace will be agaynst it 7. Seing the king is now upon the renewing of the Covenants It would be remembered that we enter into Covenant according to our profession therein with reality sincerity constancy which are the qualifications of good Covenāters Many doubt of your realitie in the Covenant Let Your sinceritie and realitie be evidenced by Your steadfastnesse and constancie For manie have begun well but have not been constant In the sacred history of Kings we find a note put upon kings according to their carriages One of three sentences is written upon them 1. Some kings have this writtē on them He did evil in the sight of the LORD They neither begin wel nor end wel Such an one was Ahaz king of Iudah diverse others in that history 2. Others have this writtē of thē He did that which was right in the sight of the LORD but not with a perfect heart Such an one was Amaziah king of Iudah 2. Chr. 25. 2. He was neither sincere nor constant whē GOD blessed him with victory against the Edomites he fel fouly frō the true worship of GOD set up the gods of Edom. 3. A third sentence is writtē upon the godly kings of Iudah He did right in the sight of the LORD with a perfect heart As Asa Hezekiah Iehoshaphat and Iosiah They were both sincere constant Let us neither have the first nor the second but the third writtē upon our King He did right in the sight of the LORD with a perfect heart Begin well and continue constant Before I close I shal seek leave to lay before our young king two exemples to beware of One to follow The two warning exemples One of them is in the Text another in our own Historie The first exemple is of Ioash He began wel went on in a godly reformation all the dayes of Iehojada but it is observed 2. Chrō 24. 17.
THE FORM AND ORDER OF THE CORONATION OF CHARLES THE SECOND King of Scotland England France and Ireland As it was acted and done at SCOONE The first day of Ianuarie 1651. 1. CHRON 29. 23. Then Solomon sate on the Throne of the Lord as King in stead of David his father and prospered and all Israel obeyed him PROV. 20. 8. A King that sitteth in the Throne of Judgement scattereth away all evill with his eyes PROV. 25. 5. Take away the wicked from before the King and his Throne shall bee established in Righteousneâ—â—… ABERDENE Imprinted by James Brown 1651. Hollars Habits or the Nobility in their Creation Robes The Original Plates Engrav'd by W. Hollar 1664. The Creation Robe of the Prince of Wales Printed for John Beâ—lâ—â—… at 〈◊〉 in Cernhill CAROLUS Secundus Dei Gratia Anglioe Scotioe Francioe et Hibernioe Rex Fidei Defensor etc. Aspice â—uem Reducem Pictas Patientia Pâ—â—sum DAVIDI CAROLUM fecit 〈◊〉 parem Regius en etiam Psaltes cui Musica Temple Et Châ—rus Câ—â—tus sic placuere Secri Hujus ut auspiâ—iâ—s merito jungantur in â—â—um Hymnus Iessiadae Maeonidaeq Meles A Herâ—â—â—â—â—… CORONATION OF CHARLES THE SECOND King of Scotland England France and Ireland Done at SCOONE The first day of Ianuarie 1651. FIrst the Kings Majestie in a Princes Robe was conducted from his Bed-chamber by the Constable on his right hand and the Marishall on his left hand to the Chamber of Presence and there was placed in a Chaire under a cloath of State by the Lord of Angus Chamberlaine appointed by the King for that day and there after a little repose the Noble-men with the Commissioners of Barons and Burroughes entered the Hall and presented themselves before his Majestie There-after the Lord Chancellour spoke to the King to this purpose Sir Your good Subjects desyre You may bee crowned as the righteous and lawfull Heire of the Crowne of this Kingdome that You would maintain Religion as it is presently professed and established conforme to the Nationall Covenant League Covenant and according to Your Declaration at Dumfermling in August last Also that You would bee Graciouslie pleased to receave them vnder Your Highnesse Protection to governe them by the lawes of the Kingdome and to defend them in their Rights Liberties by Your Royall Power offering themselves in most humble manner to Your Majestie with their Vowes to bestow Land Lyfe and what else is in their power for the maintenance of Religion for the safetie of Your Majesties Sacred Person and maintenance of Your Crowne which they intreate Your Majestie to accept and pray ALMIGHTIE GOD that for many years You may happilie enjoy the same The King made this answer I doe esteeme the affections of my good People more then the Crownes of manie Kingdomes and shall bee readies by GODS Assistance to bestow my Lyfe in their Defence Wishing to live no longer then I may see Religion and this Kingdome flowrish in all happinesse There-after the Commissioners of Burroughes and of Barones and the Noble-men accompanied his Majestie to the Kirk of Scoone in order rank according to their qualitie two and two The Spurres being carried by the Earle of Eglinton Next The Sword by the Earle of Rothes Then the Scepter by the Earle of Craufurd and Lindesay And the Crown by the Marques of Argyle immediately before the King Then came the King with the great Constable on his right haÌ„d and the great Marishall on his left hand his train being carried by the Lord Ereskine The Lord Montgomery The Lord Newbottle and the Lord Machlene four Earles eldest sonnes under a Canopie of Crimson Velvet supported by six Earls sonnes to wit The Lord Drummond The Lord Carnegie The Lord Ramsay The Lord Iohnston The Lord Brechin The Lord Yester and the six carriers supported by six Noble-mens sonnes Thus the Kings Majestie entereth the Kirk The Kirk being fitted and prepared with a Table Whereupon the Honours were layed and a Chaire set in a fitting place for his Majesties hearing of Sermon over against the Minister another Chaire on the other syde where hee sat when hee receaved the Crown before which there was a Bench decently covered as also Seats about for Noble-men Barons and Burgesses And there being also a Stage in a fit place erected of 24 foot square about four foot high from the ground covered with Carpets with two stairs one from the West and another to the East upon which great Stage there was another little Stage erected some two foot high ascending by two steps on which the Throne or Chaire of State was set The Kirk thus fittingly prepared The Kings Majesty entereth the same accompanied as aforesayd and first setteth himselfe in his Chaire for hearing of Sermon All being quyetlie composed unto attention Master ROBERT DOWGLAS Moderator of the Commission of the Generall Assemblie after incalling upon GOD by Prayer preached the following SERMON SERMON Preached at Scoone Jan. first 1651. At the CORONATION of CHARLES the SECOND King of Scotland England France and Ireland By Master ROBERT DOWGLAS Minister of Edinburgh Moderator of the Commission of the Generall Assemblie 2. KING 11. vers. 12. 17. And hee brought foorth the Kinges sonne and put the Crowne vpon him and gave him the Testimonie and they made him King anointed him they clapt their hands said God save the King And Jehojada made a Covenant betweene the Lord and the King and the people that they should bee the Lordes people betweene the King also and the people IN this TEXT of SCRIPTURE you have the solemne enthroning of Ioash a young King and that in a very troublesome tyme for Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah had cruelly murthered the Royall seed and usurped the Kingdome by the space of sixe yeares Only this young Prince was preserved by Jâ—hâ—sheba the sister of Ahaziah and wyfe to Jehojada the high Priest being hid with her in the house of the LORD all that tyme Good Interpreters doe conjecture though Joash bee called the sonne of Ahaziah that hee was not his sonne by nature but by succession to the Crowne They say that the race of Solomon ceassed here and the Kingdome came to the posteritie of Nathan the sonne of David Because 2. Chron. 22. 9. It is sayd The house of Ahaziah had no power to keep the Kingdome which they conceave to bee for the want of children in that house And because of the absurditie and unnaturallnesse of the fact That Athaliah the Grand-mother should have cut off her sonnes children I shall not stand upon the matter Onlie I may say if they were Ahaziah his own children it was a most unnaturall and cruell fact for Athaliah to cut off her owne posteritie For the usurpation there might have been two motives 1. It seemeth that when Ahaziah went to battell Athaliah was left to governe the Kingdome and her sonne Ahaziah being slaine before his returne shee thought the
who sayeth of them Is 62. 3. Thou shalt bee a Crowne of glorie in the hand of the LORD and a Royall Diademe in the hand of thy GOD CHRIST accounteth His people his Crowne and Diademe So should a king esteeme the people of the LORD over whom hee ruleth to bee his Crowne and Diademe Take away the people and a Crowne is but an emptie symbole 3. A king when hee getteth his crowne on his head should thinke at the best it is but a fading crowne All the crownes of kinges are but fading crownes Therefore they should have an eye upon that Crowne of glorie that fadeth not away 1. Pet. 5. 4. And upon a Kingdome that cannot bee shaken Hebr. 12. 28. That crowne and kingdome belongeth not to kinges as kinges but unto believers and a believing king hath this comfort that when hee hath endured a whyle and been tryed hee shall receave the Crowne of Lyfe which the LORD hath promised to them that love Him The second thing in this Solemnity is the Testimonie by this is meant the Law of GOD so called because it testifieth of the Mynde and Will of GOD It was commanded Deut. 17. 18. 19. When the king shall sit upon the Throne of his kingdome hee shall wryte him a copie of the Book of the Law and it shall bee with him that hee may reade therein all the dayes of his lyfe The king should have the TESTIMONIE for these three maine uses 1. For his information in the wayes of GOD Deut. 17. 19. This use of the kinges having the Book of the Law is expressed that hee may lèarne to feare the LORD his GOD The reading of other books may doe a king good for governement but no book will teach him the way to salvation but the Booke of GOD CHRIST biddeth Search the Scriptures for in thom yee thinke to have aeternall lyfe and they testifie of Mee John 5. 39. Hee is a Blessed man who meditateth in the Law of the LORD day and night Psal. 1. 1. 2. King DAVID was well acquainted here-with as appeareth Ps. 119. Kinges should bee well exercised in Scripture It is reported of Alphonsus king of Arragon that hee did reade the BIBLE fourteene tymes with glosses there-upon I recommend to the king to take some houres for reading holie Scripture It will bee a good meane to make him acquaynt with GODS Mynd and with CHRIST a Saviour 2. For his direction in governement kinges reade bookes that they may learne to governe well which I condemne not but all the bookes a king can reade will not make him governe to please GOD as this Booke I know nothing that is good in governement but a king may learne it out of the Booke of GOD For this cause IOSHUA is commanded IOS. 1. 8. That the Booke of the Law shall not depart out of his mouth and hee is commanded to Doe according to all that is written there-in Hee should not onlie doe himselfe that which is written in it but doe and governe his people according to all that is written in it King DAVID knew this use of the Testimonie who sayd Psal. 119. 24. Thy Testimonies are my delight and my Counsellours The best Counsells that ever a king getteth are in the Booke of GOD Yea the Testimonies are the best surest Counsellours Because although a kinges Counsellours bee never so wyse and trustie yet they use not to bee so free with a king as they ought But the Scriptures will tell kinges verie freelie both their sinne and their duetie 3. For preservation and custodie The king is Custos vtriusque Tabulae The keeper of both Tables Not that hee should take upon him the power either to dispense the Word of GOD or to dispense with it But that hee should preserve the Word of GOD and true Religion according to the Word of GOD pure intier and uncorrupted within his Dominions and transmit them so to posteritie And also bee carefull to see his Subjectes observe both Tables and to punish the transgressours of the same The third thing in this Solemnitie is the anoynting of the king The anoynting of kings was not absolutelie necessarie under the Old Testament for wee reade not that all the kinges of IUDAH and ISRAEL were anoynted The HEBREWES observe that anoynting of kinges was used in three cases 1. When the first of a Familie was made king as SAUL DAVID 2. When there was a question for the Crowne as in the case of SOLOMON and ADONIâ—AH 3. When there was an interruption of the lawfull succession by usurpation as in the case of IOASH there is an interruption by the usurpation of ATHALIAH therefore hee is anoynted If this Observation holde as it is probable then it was not absolutelie necessarie under the OLD TESTAMENT and therefore farre lesse under the NEW Because it may bee sayd That in our case there is an interruption by usurpation Let it bee considered That the Anoynting under the OLD TESTAMENT was typicall Although all kinges were not types of CHRIST yet the Anoynting of kinges Priests and Prophets was typicall of CHRIST and His Offices But CHRIST being now come all these Ceremonies ceasse And therefore the Anoynting of kinges ought not to bee used in the NEW TESTAMENT If it bee sayd Anoynting of kinges hath been in use amongst Christians not onlie Papistes but PROTESTANTS as in the kingdome of ENGLAND and our late king was anoynted withoyle It may bee replyed They who used it under the NEW TESTAMENT tooke it from the Jewes without warrand It was most in use with the Bishops of Rome who to keepe Kinges and Emperoures subject to themselves did sweare them to the Pope when they were anoynted and yet the Jewish priests did never sweare kinges to themselves As for ENGLAND although the Pope was casten off yet the subjection of kings to Bishops was still retayned for they anoynted the king and sware him to the mayntenance of their praelaticall dignitie They are here who were witnesses at the CORONATION of the late king The Bishops behoved to performe that rite and the king behoved to bee sworne to them But now by the Blessing of GOD Poperie and Praelacie are removed The Bishops as limmes of Antichrist are put to the doore Let the Anoynting of kinges with oyle goe to the doore with them and let them never come in agayne The anoynting with materiall oyle maketh not a king the Anoynted of the LORD for hee is so without it Hee is the ANOYNTED of the LORD who by Divine Ordinance and appoyntment is a King Is 45. 1. GOD calleth CYRUS His anoynted yet wee reade not that hee was anoynted with oyle Kinges are the Anoynted of the LORD because by the Ordinance of the LORD their authoritie is sacred and inviolable It is enough for us to have the thing though wee want the Ceremonie which being layd asyde I will give some Observations of the thing 1. A King being the LORDS anoynted should bee thinking upon a better
multiplicitie of effaires and will meet with manie diversions But SIR You must not bee diverted Take houres and set them aparte for that exercyse Men being once acquaynted with Your way will not darre to divert You. PRAYER to GOD will make Your effaires easie all the day I read of a King of whom his courtiours sayd Hee spoke oftener with GOD then with men If You bee frequent in Prayer You may expect the Blessing of the most high upon your selfe upon Your Governement 2. A King must bee carefull of the Kingdome which hee hath sworne to mayntayne Wee have had manie of too private a spirit by whom selfe interest hath been preferred to the publick It becommeth a King well to bee of a publick spirit to care more for the publick then his owne interest SENATES and STATES have had Motto's written over the doores of their meeting places Over the Senate House of ROME was written NE QUID RESPUBLICA DETRIMENTI CAPIAT I shall wish this may bee written over Your Assemblie Houses But there is another that I would have written with it NE QUID ECCLESIA DETRIMENTI CAPIAT Bee carefull of both Let neither KIRK nor STATE suffer hurt Let them goe together The best way for standing of a Kingdome is a well constitute KIRK They deceave kinges who make them believe that the governemnt of the KIRK I meane Presbyteriall governement can not sute with MONARCHIE They sute well it being the Ordinance of CHRIST rendering to GOD what is GODS and to Caesar what is Caesars SIR Kinges who have a tender care of the Kirk Is. 41. 3. are called Nursing Fathers You would bee carefull that the GOSPELL may have a free passage through the kingdome and that the governement of the Kirk may bee preserved intiere according to Your Solemne Engagement The Kirk hath met with manie enemies as Papists Praelates Malignants which I passe as knowne enemies But there are two sorts more who at this tyme would be carefullie looked on 1. Sectaries great enemies to the Kirk and to all the Ordinances of CHRIST and more particularlie to Preshyteriall governement which they have and would have altogether destroyed A king should set himselfe agaynst these because they are enemies as well to the king as to the kirk and stryve to make both fall together 2. Erastians more dangerous snares to kinges then Sectaeries because kinges can looke well enough to these who are agaynst themselves and their power as Sectaries who will have no king But Erastians give more power to kinges then they should have and are great enemies to Presbyteriall governement For they would make kinges believe that there is no governement but the Civill and deryved from thence which is a great wrong to the Sonne of GOD who hath the governement of the kirk distinct from the Civill yet no wayes prejudiciall to it being spirituall and of another nature CHRIST did put the Magistrate out of suspition that his kingdome was prejudiciall to Civill government affirming My Kingdome is not of this world This Governement CHRIST hath not committed to kinges but to the Office-Bearers of his house who in regard of Civill subjection are under the Civill power as well as others but in their spirituall administration they are under CHRIST who hath not given unto anie king upon earth the dispensation of spirituall thinges to his people SIR You are in Covenant with GOD and His people and are obliedged to mayntayne Presbyteriall Governement as well agaynst Erastians as Sectaries I know this Erastian humour aboundeth at Court It may bee some endevour to make You encroach upon that for which GOD hath punished Your Predecessoures Bee who hee will that meddleth with this Governement to overturne it it shall be as heavie to him as the burthen some stone to the enemies of the Kirk They are cut in pieces who burthē themselves with it Zach 12. 3. A KING in COVENANT with the People of GOD should make much of these who are in COVENANT with him having in high estimation the Faythfull Servants of CHRIST and the Godlie People of the Land It is rare to fynd kings lovers of Faythfull Ministers Pious People It hath been the fault of our own kings to persecute the godly 1. Let the king love the Servants of CHRIST who speak the Trueth Evill kinges are branded with this that they contemned the PROPHETS 2. CHRON. 25. When Amaziah had taken the gods of Seir and set them up for his gods a Prophet came to him and reproved him unto whom the king sayd Who made thee of the Kinges Counsell forbeare lest thou bee smitten This contempt of the Prophets warning is a fore-runner of following destruction Bee a carefull hearer of GODS WORD take with reproofe esteeme of it as DAVID did PSAL. 141. 5. An excellent oyle which shall not breake the head To make much of the faithfull Servants of CHRIST will be an evidence of reality 2. Let the king esteem well of Godly PROFESSOURS Let Pietie bee in accompt It is a fault verie common that Pious Men because of their conscientious and strict walking are hated by the Prophane who love to live looselie It is usuall with prophane men to labour to bring kinges unto a distaste of the Godlie especiallie when men who have professed Pietie become scandalous whereupon they are readie to judge all Pious Men to bee lyke them and take occasion to speake evill of Pietie I feare at this tyme when men who have been commended for Pietie have fallen foulelie and betrayed their trust that men will take advantage to speake agaynst the Godlie of the Land Beware of this for it is Sathans policie to put Pietie out of request Let not this move anie Fall who will Pietie is still the same and Pious Men will make conscience both of their wayes and trust Remember they are precious in GODS Eyes who will not suffer men to despyse them without their reward SIR Let not your heart be from the godly in the Land whatever hath fallen out at this time I dare affirm there are very many really godly men who by their prayers are supporting your Throne 4. A King should bee carefull whom hee putteth in Places of Trust as a maine thing for the good of the kingdome It is a Maxime That Trust should not bee put in their handes who haue oppressed the people or have betrayed their Trust There is a passage in Storie meet for this purpose One SEPTIMIUS ARABINUS a man famous or rather infamous for Oppression was put out of the SENATE but re-admitted About this tyme ALEXANDER SEVERUS being chosen to the Empyre the SENATOURS did entertain him with publick salutations congratulations Severus espying Arabinus amongst the Senators cryed out O Numina Arabinus non solum vivit sed in Senatum venit Ah! Arabinus not only liveth but hee is in the Senate Out of just indignation he could not endure to see him As all are not meet for places of trust in judicatories
that after the dayes of Iehojada the princes of Iudah came did obeysance to the king he hearkened unto them vers. 18. It appeareth they had been lying at waite till the death of Iehojada took that opportunity to destroy the true worship of GOD set up false worship flattering the king for that effect For it is said They left the house of the LORD served groves Idoles were so far from being reclaimed by the Prophet of the LORD that was sent unto them that they cōspired against Zechariah the son of Iehojada who reproved them mildly for their Idolatry and stoned him with stones and slew him at the kings commandement And vers. 22. it is sayd Ioash remembered not the kindnesse that Iehojada his father had done to him but slew his sonne SIR Take this exemple for a warning You are obliedged by the COVENANT to goe on in the Work of Reformation It may be some great ones are wayting their tyme not having opportunitie to work for the present till afterward they may make obeysance and perswade You to destroy all that hath been done in the Work of GOD these diverse years Beware of it Let no allurement or perswasion prevayle with You to fall from that which this day You bynd Your selfe to mayntayn Another exemple I give You yet in recent memorie of Your grand-father king IAMES He fell to be very young in a time full of difficulties yet there was a godly party in the land who did put the Crown upon his head And when he came to some years He his people entered in a Covenant with GOD He was much cōmended by godly faithfull men comparing him to young Iosiah standing at the Altar renewing a Covenant with GOD And he himselfe did thank GOD that he was born in a Reformed Kirk better reformed then England for they retained many popish ceremonies yea better reformed then Geneva for they kept some holy dayes Charging his people to be constant promising himselfe to continue in that Reformation to maintain the same Notwithstanding of all this he made a foule defection He remembered not the kindnesse of them who had held the crown upon his head yea he persecuted faithfull Ministers for opposing that course of defection He never rested till hee had undone Presbyteriall Governement and Kirk Assemblies setting up Bishops and bringing in Ceremonies agaynst which formerly hee had given large testimonie In a word hee layd the foundation whereupon his sonne our late king did build much mischiefe to Religion all the dayes of his lyfe SIR I lay this exemple before You the rather because it is so near You that the guiltines of the transgression lyeth upō the Throne Family it is one of the sinnes for which You have professed humiliation very lately Let it be laid to heart take warning requite not faithfull mens kindnes with persecution yea requite not the LORD so who hath preserved You to this tyme and is setting a Crown upon Your head Requite not the LORD with Apostasie and Defection from a sworn Covenant But bee steadfast in the Covevant as You would give Testimonie of Your True Humiliation for the Defection of these that went before You. I have set vp these two exemples before You as beacons to warne You to keep off such dāgerous courses shal add one for imitation which if followed may happily bring with it the blessing of that godly mans adherēce to God The exemple is of Hezekiah who did that which was right in the sight of the Lord 2. king 18. 5. 6. It is said of him He trustea in the Lord God of Israel and he clave vnto the Lord and departed not from following him but kept his Cōmandements And vers. 7. The LORD was with him and he prospered whither soever he went forth Sir follow this exemple cleave unto the LORD and depart not frō following him the LORD will be with You prosper You whithersoever You go To this LORD frō whom we expect a blessing upon this dayes workm be glory and praise for ever Amen SERMON beeing ended Prayer was made for a Blessing upon the doctrine delyvered The King being to renew the COVENANTS first the Nationall Covenant then the Solemn League and Covenant were distinctlie read After the reading of these COVENANTS The MINISTER prayed for grace to perform the contents of the Covenants and for faythfull steadfastnesse in the Oath of GOD And then the Ministers Commissioners of the Generall Assemblie desyred to bee present standing before the Pulpit hee ministred the Oath unto the King who kneeling and lifting up his right hand did swear in the words following I CHARLES King of Great Britane France and Ireland doe assure and declare by my Solemn Oath in the Presence of Almightie GOD the Searcher of Hearts my allowance and approbation of the Nationall Covenant and of the Solemn League and Covenant above-written and faythfullie obliedge my selfe to prosecute the ends thereof in my Station and Calling and that I for my selfe and successours shall consent and agree to all Acts of Parliament enjoyning the Nationall Covenant and the Solemn League and Covenant and fullie establishing Presbyteriall Government The Directorie of Worship Confession of Fayth and Catechismes in the Kingdom ōf Scotland as they are approven by the Generall Assemblies of this Kirk and Parliament of this Kingdom And that I shall give my Royall Assent to Acts and Ordinances of Parliament passed or to bee passed enioyning the same in my other Dominions And that I shall observe these in my own practice and Familie and shall never make opposition to anie of these or endevour any change thereof After the King had thus Solemnlie sworne The Nationall Covenant the League Covenant and the Kings Oath subjoyned unto both being drawne up in a fayre Parchment The King did subscrybe the same in presence of all Thereafter the King ascendeth the Stage and sitteth down in the Chaire of State Then the Lords Great Constable and Marishall went to the four corners of the Stage with the Lyon going before them who spoke to the people these wordes Sirs I doe present vnto you the King CHARLES The Rightfull and Vndoubted Heire of the Crowne and Dignitie of this Realme This day is by the Parliament of this Kingdome appoynted for his Coronation And are you not willing to have him for your King and become subject to his Commandements In which action the Kinges Majestie stood up showing himselfe to the people in each corner And the people expressed their willingnesse by chearfull acclamations in these wordes GOD SAVE THE KING CHARLES THE SECOND Thereafter the Kinges Majestie supported by the Constable and Marishall commeth downe from the Stage and sitteth downe in the Chaire where hee heard the SERMON The Minister accompanied with the Ministers before mentioned cometh from the Pulpit toward the King requyreth If hee was willing to take the Oath appoynted to bee taken at
the Coronation The King answered hee was most willing Then the Oath of Coronation as it is contayned in the eight Act of the first Parliament of King IAMES being read by the Lyon The Tenour whereof followeth Because that the increase of Vertue and suppressing of Idolatrie craveth That the Prince and the people bee of one perfect Religion which of GODS Mercie is now presentlie professed within this Realme Therefore it is statuted and ordayned by our Soveraigne Lord my Lord Regent and three Estates of this present Parliament That all Kinges Princes and Magistrats whatsoever holding their place which here-after at any tyme shall happen to Reigne and beare rule over this Realme at the tyme of their Coronation and reâ—eat of their Princelie Authoritie make their faythfull promise in presence of the Eternall GOD That enduring the whole course of their lyves they shall serve the same Eternall GOD to the vttermost of their power according as hee hath requyred in His Most Holy Word revealed and contayned in the New and Old Testaments And according to the same Word shall mayntayne the True Religion of CHRIST IESVS the preaching of His Holy Word and due and right ministration of the Sacraments now receaved and preached within this Realme And shall abolish and gaynst and all false religions contrary to the same And shall rule the people committed to their charge according to the will and command of GOD revealed in His foresayd Word and according to the Loveable Lawes and Constitutions receaved in this Realme no wayes repugnant to the sayd Word of the Eternall GOD And shall procure to the vttermost of their power to the Kirk of GOD and whole Christian people true and perfect peace in tyme comming The Rights and Rents with all just Priviledges of the Crowne of Scotland to preserve and keepe inviolated Neither shall they transfer nor alienate the same They shall forbid and represse in all Eâ—ates and degrees reafe oppression and all kynd of wrong In all judgementes they shall command and procure that justice and equitie bee keeped to all creatures without exception as the LORD and Father of Mercies bee mercifull vnto them And out of their Landes and Empyre they shall bee carefull to roote out all Hereticks and enemies to the True Worship of GOD that shall bee convict by the True Kirk of GOD of the foresayd crymes And that they shall faythfullie affirme the things above written by their Solemne Oath The Minister tendered the Oath unto the King who kneeling and holding up his right hand sware in these wordes By the Eternall and Almightie GOD Who liveth and reigneth for ever I shall observe and keepe all that is contayned in this Oath This done the Kinges Majestie sitteth downe in his Chaire and reposeth himselfe a little Then the King aryseth from his Chaire and is disrobed by the Lord Great Chamberlaine of the Princelie Robe Where-with hee entered the Kirk and is invested by the sayd Chamberlaine in his Royall Robes There-after the King being brought to the Chaire on the North syde of the Kirk supported as formerlie the Sword was brought by Sir William Cockburne of Langtown Gentleman Usher from the Table and delyvered to Lyon king of Armes Who giveth it to the Lord Great Constable who putteth the same in the Kinges hand saying SIR Receave this kinglie Sword for the Defence of the Fayth of CHRIST and protection of His Kirk and of the True Religion as it is presentlie professed within this kingdome and according to the Nationall Covenant and League and Covenant and for executing Equitie and Justice and for punishment of all iniquitie and injustice This done the Great Constable receaveth the Sword from the King and girdeth the same about his syde There-after the King sitteth downe in his Chaire and then the Spurres were put on him by the Earle Matishall There-after Archibald Marquis of Argyle having taken the Crown in his handes the Minister prayed to this purpose That the LORD would purge the Crowne from the sinnes and transgressions of them that did reigne before Him That it might bee a pure Crowne That GOD would settle the Crowne vpon the Kinges head And since men that set it on were not able to settle it That the LORD would put it on and preserve it And then the sayd Marquis put the Crown on the Kings head Which done the Lyon king of Armes The Great Constable standing by him causeth an Herauld to call the whole Noble men one by one according to their rankes who comming before the King kneeling and with their hand touching the Crowne on the Kinges head sware these wordes By the Eternall and Almightie GOD who liveth and reigneth for ever I shall support thee to my vttermost And when they had done then all the Nobilitie held up their handes and sware to bee loyall and true subjects and faythfull to the Crown The Earle Marishall with the Lyon going to the four corners of the Stage The Lyon proclaymeth the Obligatorie Oath of the People And the People holding up their handes all the tyme did sweare By the Eternall and Almightie GOD who liveth and reigneth for ever wee become your liedge men and Trueth and Fayth shall beare vnto you and live and die with you against all manner of folkes what-so-ever in your service according to the Nationall Covenant and solemn League and Covenant Then did the Earls and Vicounts put on their crowns and the Lyon lykewayes put on his Then did the Lord Chamberlayne loose the Sword where-with the King was girded and draw it and delyver it drawne into the Kinges handes and the King put it in the hands of the Great Constable to carrie it naked before him Then Iohn Earle of Craufurd Lindsay took the Scepter and put it in the Kinges right hand saying SIR Receave this Scepter the sign of Royall Power of the Kingdom that you may govern your selfe right and defend all the Christian People committed by GOD to your Charge punishing the wicked protecting the just Then did the King ascend the Stage attended by the Officers of the Crown and Nobilitie was installed in the Royall Throne by Archibald Marquis of Argyle saying Stand hold fast from henceforth the place whereof you are the lawfull righteous Heir by a long and lineall succession of your fathers which is now delyvered vnto you by authoritie of Almightie GOD When the King was set down upon the Throne the Minister spoke to him a word of Exhortation as followeth SIR You are set down vpon the Throne in a verie difficill tyme I shall therefore put you in mind of a Scripturall expression of a Throne 1. Chron. 29. 23. it is sayd Solomon sate on the Throne of the LORD Sir you are a king and a king in Covenant with the LORD If you would have the LORD to own you to be his king your Throne to be his Throne I desire you may have some thoughts of this expression 1. It is