Selected quad for the lemma: lord_n
Text snippets containing the quad
|
ID |
Title |
Author |
Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) |
STC |
Words |
Pages |
|
A41032
|
The fanatick in his colours, or, The rise, heighth, and fall of faction and rebellion, from 1648 unto 1661 with an appendix concerning allegiance, government and order / by T.F.
|
T. F.
|
1661
(1661)
|
Wing F61; ESTC R7145
|
34,435
|
112
|
By an immediate nomination from God 2. An election of the People the former is ceas'd the later hath been found dangerous 3. A succession of Blood as when this Honour comes of Blood and one Prince is born of another this is more usuall and in appearance Lips Pol. l. 2. c. 4. Tacitus 2. Hist the better because there is less danger in acceptation then in the election of a Prince and it hinders commotions when the change of things gives opportunity to great and strange attempts and disheartens the hopes of ambitious persons In corrupt Monarchy there can be but one Tyrant when they are assured they cannot succeed and as Kingly government is best so this is the best and safest way For Aristocracy In Aristocracy more then one which is the government by the Nobility as in the Signory of Venice and Democracy which is In Democracy many popular and consists of many as of Genoa and Cantons of the Switzers have their inconveniencies and those no small ones the former through covetuousness ambition cruelty of the persons turns In Anarchy all are Tyrants to Tyranny for as Maecenas saith the State of a few Lords is the State of Tyrants The other is converted into a licentious liberty and is much subject to alterations through its inconstancy the truth of this we have lately seen by sad experience so that Kingly government is the best more the Authority greater the obedience fewer their determinations firmer their Councels speedier their resolutitions and more prompt the execution of their designs It is best first because the most ancient all Nations of former Ages did first Cic. 3. deleg Salus Cat. yeild obedience unto Kings and this government was first spread on the earth in the beginning of things the dominion of Countries and Nations was in the hands of Justin l. 1. Kings 2. Most agreeable to nature and this other living creatures teach in whom we may behold this Image of government Amongst the Cranes there is Dux a Captain in a flock of Sheep a Leader amongst Birds the Eagle amongst Beasts the Lion amongst Serpents the Basilisk amongst Fishes the Whale amongst Bees the master Bee the Pismires have their governours the Grashoppers go forth by bands and hath not God who hath made an order in nature made a chief Supreme amongst men without doubt and it concerns the common quiet of all Lips Pol. l. 2. c. 2. that all Authority be given to one the power of many and concord can never long dwell together and there is no better remedie to appease discords and dissentions then by men submitting to the govenment of one 3. It consenteth most with reason the body is ruled by one soul and cometh neerest to unity and hath similitude with what is divine Per me Reges regnant per me Principes imperant by me Kings rule and Princes decree justice 4. It is most lasting and durable freest from faction confusion and tyranny for whereas no Aristocraticall or popular State hath lasted longer then six hundred years and few so long many Monarchys have continued twice as long in the same estate I mean not an absolute Monarchy for command is a mad man and power lunatique but such as must be tyed to the Laws as far forth as it is comprehended under the Law have the advice of sound Judgments in their undertakings therefore this Kingdom is happy in its constitution not shufled into a popular government nor cut in pieces by a headless head-strong Aristocracy 5. T' is the most flourishing for never came Rome to be Mistress of the world till she was reduced to a Monarchy in the times of Aug. Caesar And now for answer to some 2. Object Answ Fanatick spirits let me tell them First that the spirituall Kingdom Christs kingdom and Caesars distinct of the Church and the civil kingdom of Caesar are distinct and separate each of them being included in his bounds may not enter upon the borders of the other the Scripture shews evidently that The one abrogates not the other the Kingdom of Christ abrogates not the kingdom of Caesar but that the Gospel is a good friend to kingdoms teaching Princes how to govern and the people how to be subject It was a question propounded to our Saviour Mat. 22. 17. Is it lawfull to give tribute unto Caesar or no he replies v. 21. Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars and unto God the things that are Gods This I adde to confute their madness that say We own no King but Jesus whether this be more impotence or impudence I will not dispute the best conviction is the Magistrates power who bears not the sword in vain Others say Kings stand not 2. Ob. with the peoples liberty thus did Corah and his Complices Num. 16. The language of some men amongst us Kings stand with liberty 3. they said unto Moses and Aaron you take too much upon you seeing all the Congregation are holy every one of them and the Lord is amongst them wherefore then lift ye up your selves above the congregation of the Lord But how is this act esteemed to be a gathering together against the Lord a murmuring against God v. 11. as it was not ordinary they did not dye an ordinary death 29 30 31. The Argument here used is sottish and seditious must one that is holy have none to be over him may there be no Magistrate where the people are all Saints Vaine men St. Peter saith omnis anima let every Soul be subject not all Saints onely but all Souls must be subject to the higher powers he that will say with the sons of Belial who is Saul that we should serve him will ask also with the Atheists who is the Almighty that Jobe 26. we should serve him Libertines plead Christian liberty it frees them from this bondage of obeying Kings Foolish men Kings crave not bondage but ingenuous Then liberty and obedience to Kings are consistent subjection not servitude but obedience Good subjects are not Tributaryes but contributaryes their taxes not forced exactions but ingenuous grants Not constrained but of conscience Rom. 13. 5. Away then with those discontented and Rebellious spirits that grudge him his outward rights whether tributes of money or Attributes of supremacy And fly off in a rage what Portion have we in Charles Let such enemies perish and upon his owne head let his Crowne flourish May not the Scepter depart from Jacob nor a seed from his loynes till Shiloh come againe let his Posterity have a Crowne on Earth when himselfe hath a Crowne in Heaven It is not the name of a King a nominal King that I commend unto you like those sometimes in France who had nothing but the bare name preter nomen nihil Nor like the King of Samaria who was no more but paululum Spumae a frothy bubble I speake of one who is great in name in
next to God yet nulli secundus not inferiour to Tert. any for his admirable parts and abilities and undaunted resolution and constancy in the faith truly meriting the name and title Defender of the Faith Lastly you may be encouraged that he will be a glorious instrument of Reformation both in Church state he is a good pious King and may avow boldly with Nerva se nihil fecisse quo minus possit Christi Phili in vit Nervae imperio deposito privatum tuto vivere And glory with Samuel whose Oxe 1 Sam. 12. 3. whose Ass have I taken or to whom have I done wrong or whom have I hurt His enemyes being Judges cannot justly accuse him his life is so strict and austere that wicked Endued with piety men can draw no patterne from him much less can they hope that he will let loose the reines to sin Vertue necessary saith Lips pol. l. 2. c. 8. and give countenance to the impudent fury of prophanenesse Greatnesse is a copy which every Their actions are instructions 1 K. 15. 30. and 16. 19. action every affection strives to write after Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis The son of Nebat is never without this brand he made Israel to sin For the most part every man emulates the manners of his Sovereigne mobile mutatur Claudia Confessor Papa Confessor populus semper cum principe vulgus When Leo lived because he stood well affected to the stage all Rome swarmed with Juglers Singers Players The Common People are like tempered Wax wheron the vitious Seal of greatness makes easy impression no such thing may be feared to proceed from him being a pious King himselfe and therefore Kings beget a likenes of manners Bonas omnium mensura will be a happy father to his Country and take no part with the enemys of his Heavenly Father Can you think that he who hath swept his owne heart will suffer the weeds of impiety so to be nourished in the hearts of his subjects he is not ignorant that God hath said If ye walke contrary unto me I will bring your sanctuaries unto desolation Lev. 26. 31. God hath doubtless ordained him for the punishment of evill 1 Pet. 2. 14 doers and prayse of them that do well And that we may live quiet and peaceable lives in all godlines and honesty 1 Tim. 2. 2. Those that lately Usurped the Throne might bee as indeed they were instruments of Gods Justice but not of Reformation Wasters not builders of Gods Temple It was in my mind saith David to build an House to the name of the Lord my God not to pul it downe but to build 1 Chron. 22. 7. but saith he the word of the Lord came to me saying thou hast shed blood abundantly and hast made great warrs thou shalt David must not and why not build an House to my name because thou hast shed much blood but Solomon thy son shall doe it who Solomon shall shall be a man of rest he shall build an house for my name I dare affirm that there is no King in the Christian World except our Gratious King Charles the second that hath not caus'd war nor occasion'd the spilling of their subjects blood and therefore he amongst all the fittest and most suitable for the work of a glorious Reformation and truly I speak it without flattery Loyalty a duty for I expect nothing where no more is done out duty that if Plutarch were now living to write Lives by parallels he would be troubled exceedingly to finde a There was no King like unto him 2 K. 23. 25. A right comparison betwixt them parallel for our Josias both in respect of his Majesties morall endowments and Princely virtues Doubtlesse God would never have preserved him from so many Plots such eminent dangers witnesse his wonderfull escape from the Fight at Worcester which Victory seem'd to have no life because it wanted his death and was In everie mercy a wonder not completed with the Sacrifice of his Sacred blood his wonderfull protection in the Land of Captivity being tost from Post to Piller hurld from one Kingdome to another exposed to penury and misery yet sustain'd by a wonderfull providence living at Gods immediate finding and expecting his morrows breakfast from his bountifull hand wonderfully restor'd beyond the thoughts and expectations of man and after such a manner as may be admired and all conclude it is the hand of God All these are strong arguments to perswade us that God hath designed him for his glory and will make him instrumentall for a glorious reformation What now remains but 1. That we pray for him every important action requires prayer much more that which concerns three Kingdoms Moses prayed for the choyce of his successor Let the Lord the God of the spirits of all Numb 27. 16. flesh set a man over the Congregation It is not fit that he who is chosen for God should be chosen without God those which in a due proportion must represent God to the world ought to be consecrated to that Majesty which they represent pray for Gods presence to go along with him to be a cloud in the day for direction and a pillar of fire in the night for consolation to defend him from all implacable enemies and fit him with all sutable graces for the discharge of his weighty employment and besides let us bless God for him and hold our selves blessed in him 2. If there be occasion fight for him spend your dearest blood to preserve the breath of your nostrils 3. Rejoyce heartily that you see this day that Israel hath crossed the Sea with dry feet and the returning waters drown'd their pursuing enemies 4. Beware lest your sins and provocations rob you of blessings and once more turn your flourishing kingdom into an Akeldema or field of blood Impietas ad arma vocat if we fight against God we provoke God to fight against us If we lift up the hand of wickedness we shall meet with the hand of Justice if transgression beat the Drum destruction will begin the Fiat justitia halebis pacem Aust march Live righteously and live peaceably the Lord fix all our hearts upon himself that neither our selves our children nor their generations may ever see warr in Psal 147. England strengthen the bars of our gates and establish peace in our borders we beseech thee O Lord. 5. Study to be loyall Treason is a fearfull and prodigious evil they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation Remember Corah Dathan and Abiram If murther be a crying sin Treason may be term'd a roaring sin To conclude the time commands a period be once more perswaded to be instant in prayer for his sacred Majesty that God would be pleased to give him Vitam longam regnum prosperum prolem faelicem vitam eternam a long life a prosperous raign a