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A

SERMON

PREACH'D Before

The Lords Spiritual and Temporal In PARLIAMENT Affenibled,

I N T H E

AEBET-CHURCH of Westminster.

O N

Monday JANUARY the ^i^- 170^

THE

FAST-DAY

FOR THE

MARTYRDOM KING CHARLES the I

ft.

^Y GEORGE Lord Bifliop of St. Asaph.

LONDON, W\nx^^\h\J.Lejke, {or Walter Kettilh, at the Bi\hof\ Head ill St. Paurs Chnrch-Tard. M DCC IV.

'*'?'. t f ;r u' Y « ■ f-j'^V

THE

BISHOP of St. ASAPH'S

SERMON

PREACHED Before the

HOUSE of PEERS,

O N

Monday the 31^ of January, 170I

\

Die Marti s V Februarijy 1703;

IT is Ordered by the Lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament Affem- bled, That the Thanks of this Houfe Ihall be, and are hereby, Given to the Lord Bifhop of St Afaph, for his Sermon Preach'd before this Houfe, in the Abbey-Church at Wefimwjier, Yefterday ; And he is hereby Defired to Print and Publifh the fame.

Mdtth, Johnfofj^ Cr Parliamentor'

Dtjore im nuusiiorrEERSi 2

Poffeis'd of a Fairer Territon-^ and which lies better for our Convenience.

Its Enemies are not Men^, but Vices and Paflions ^ fuch Lu^s as^ according to Saint James ^ are the Common Caufes of Other Wars : and thofe too chieflv^ as they are lodged in our Breafts^ in the fame Bodv wherewith we are encompafs'd. With thele dwelling in the midft of us^ (for Others we are to overcome by Perfuafion only) we ought to live in perpetual Hoitility^ fub- duing them to Reafon^ and bringing them into Captivity to the Law of Chriit.

And as the Enemies are Different^ fo is the Defign of the War : not a Foot of Earth is to be the Purchafe of the Victory : the Aim is not to gain a Name^ by being a Peft and Terrour to the Neighbourhood ; by Ruine and Slaughter ^ to be Talk'd of by One part pf the World^ for having Defiroy'cl Another.

The Intention of our Leader was^ not to Conquer this Worlds but to Conduft us* through it to Another ^ not to Deftroy^ but to Save ^ not to Take away Lives^ but to give his Ovon a Random for Many,

According to the Enemies^ and to the DeTign of the Warfare -^ lo are its Orders :

B 2 not

Jl O il K iVl U IN I ' ^u^tJ u-

not to refift Evil with Evil;, but to overcome Evil with Good., to turn the Other Cheeky to give up the Coat^ to go the Other Mile ^ ^ rather than be engaged in Revenge^ or any '^ Uncharitable Retaliation -, or but Imitate the fame Violence or Injuftice : On the con- trar}"^ to forgive our E?iemies •, to blefs them that curje us , to do good to them that hate us 'y atid^ray for them that defpitefuUy ufe vs^ and Ferfecute us.

This is the Known Method and Duty of our Warfare. Thofe that obferve not thefe Rules^ walk Diforderly^ tranfgrels againit the Difcipline of their General^ are not re- puted the Soldiers^ but the Enemies of Him and his Crofs • and though under his Name^ they jfight againft Him.

To the Manner of the War^ the Weapons are fuited^ they are not Carnal : none of thofe of Offence or Defence which the Flefh ufes. The Covering is neither by Shield or Helmet^ nor by falfe Pretences^ and Hypo- * critical Difguites , the Attack neither by Sword^ or Spear ^ nor by Malicious Falfe Tongues^, Poifoned Calumnies^ and Mur- dering Accufations : all theAmbufliments of Falfe Promifes^ and Enfnaring Allure- ments^ are againit the Law of thefe Arm%.

The

utiurti lut JHL u u :i n ui i £ E RS.

The Courage too^ is not from Blood fer- mented with Anger or Revenge ^ not from any Impetuous^ Unruly Paflions ; all thefe it reftrains and fupprejGTes. Its Conftancyand Refolution is founded upon Faith in God^ animated by the Hope of Heaven^ and difplays it lelf in Charity towards Men. Whatever Terrors or Temptations areoffer'd^ they are repelFd by the Shield of Faith ^ the Helmet of Hope^ and the Breaji-plate of RighUpufnefs, Whatever Objedlions and Arguments are urg d^ they are cut afunder hy tht Sword of the Spirit ^ the Word of God. This is the Armour of Proof with which we may be abh to Jtafid^ evenagainftPr/;/cip^- litiesy mid Powers ^ and the Rulers of the Darknefs of this World,

This Wiwfare is not the Carnal : fo far Different^ that it has been reputed not con- fiftent • but that Swords were to be beat into Plough'Jhares J and Spears into PruTWJg" hooks ^ and the Noife of the Battle was to be heard no more. It has been prefum'd that thefe two Ibrts of Armours could never fit the fame Perlon ^ and that the Soldier Enga- ged in the one Service^ muft Defert the other. This has been the Pious Error^ even oflome Well-meanine Harmlefs Chriftians ; expref-

fing

A b ERMON rreacbd

fmg their Good Wiihes^ and Peaceful Difpo- fitions ; not their Knowledge of Mankind^ or of the Precept of our Saviour : an Error which may expofe the Miitaken to Rapin and Murder ^ but is Dangerous only to the Followers of it : It felf making no Widows, or Orphans • and laying no Cities walte.

However^ fo much is certain^ that all Wars undertaken by Chriftians^ are to be under the Direftion of the Spiritual War- fare^ and fubje6l to its Orders. W^tever other Arms we put on^ thele. of the Spirit are never to be put off : they are ftill to be next us. He that fhall be found fighting without them^ engages his Perfon raflily to infinite Danger^ and expofes himlelf to Eternal Death : runs a greater hazard than his Enemy intends thn. For want of the one ikrmour^ the Blow that wounds through the other^ may be too Mortal^ pierce to the Soul^ and not only diilodge it^ but difpatch it to Hell.

This likewife is certain^that as Our Saviour came not to Dilband Armies^ fo He gave out no new Commiffions :He Licensed War^ and Permitted a Prolecution of Right^ which the Violence and Injuftice of Man might continue to m.ake neceffary ^ but He Com- manded

(I )

2 C O R. X. 3, 4.

Though we Walk in the Fle/h^ we do not

War after the Flejh : For the Weapons of our Warfare are not

Carnalj but Mighty —

- rTpHE Unity, Order, Difcipline, and

^ I Force of a Company of Men im-

JL bodied in an Army, have given

f^ frequent Occafion to the Holy Spirit

'^^ for Aliiifions that way : And lb, not to

mention the Old Teftament, a Hiftory of

commanded Wars under Cod the Lord of

Hofis ^ in the New, the Chriftjan Life is

called a Warfare.-^ we are Soldiers ^ and

ri ididi to Fight '^ in the Epiftle to th^Ephe-

"^ fioJtSj we are Armed at all Points ^ we have

our Leader whom we are to follow, Jeftis

Chrifty thtCaptain of our Salvation • under

^ whofe Banner we were, as it were. Lilted at

^ our Admiflion into the Catholick Church.

^ So does the Chriltian Religion enter the

V World, under a Phrafe that is very Military

5 in the Sound ^ as if fome new Conqueror

was to over-run the Earth, and a Fifth

Temporal Monarchy to be advanced.

B But

A o E K M U IN iicatua

But we know all this to be hut Figure of Speech^ and that there is no other Ufe or mention in the New Teftament of the one Warfare^ but only to help to Exprefs the other : For as the Tenour of the Golpel^ and this Text informs us^ they areof perfedlly Different Natures^ and almoft Oppofite one to the other.

Though we walk m the Tlett)^ we do not war after the Flejh : For the Weapons of our Warfare are not Carnal ^^ but Mighty

That is^ The War that is w^aged^ is of ano- ther Kind ', and the Weapons of another Make. They are too of greater Power^ and more certain Succefs. And thefe are the Two General Confideratipns which I defire firft to prefent to you^ intending afterwards to apply them to the particular Occafion for which we are now Affembled.

To Begin with the Diff]?rence of THE Warfare^ the FIRST Confide- ration. This Warfare^ in the firft place^ declares none for its Enemies^ whom God permits to dwell upon his Earth : not for being Wicked^ or Infidel ; much lels for beine too Rich, or too Near, for being

Poffefs'd

before ^^^ H o u s E of P e E r s.

manded none^ nor will have any Levied in His Name. ' And therefore^ that Dominion is founded in Grace^ that the molt Godly- Man has the greateft Title to this World and its Empire • is a wide Miftake of Earth for Heaven ^ is the Doctrine of the Frhice of this World ^ and whoever advances it^has as fmall a pretence to Grace^ as he has to Dominion ^ and is no more a Chriftian^ than he is a King. In like manner^ that Heathen or Heretick Princes and Countries mav be given up to the next Orthodox^ and moft Chriftian^ Occupant ^ that then a Saint is to put on a Sword^ and if he falls in the Quarrel he dies a Martyr ; this is a Dodtrine of the Crdfs never taught by Our Saviour^ nor thought of by his Apoitles^ fmce Saint Peter put his Sword up hi its Sheath ^ it needs Indulgence and Remiflion ^ a greater Herefie than any it goes to extirpate^ and more becoming the Followers of Mahomet^ than ofChriJl. War indeed has been levied upon fiich Pretences ; the Wooden Crofs carry 'd in the Front of the Battle^ and the Counterfeit of it borne in the Arms and Enfigns • but He that was Crucified^ could not own the Caufe ^ it was a Holy War, againft the Defign of his Holy Religion.

Wlien-

8 ^Sermon Preached

Whenever Religion is pretended by One Nation^ for the Title of an Oftenfive War againit Another^ it is only put for the Co- lours : but Ambition^ or Covetoufnefs^ or Cruelty^ has the chief Command. It may indeed be the Lawful Pretext of a Defenfive War : but Occafionally only^ and as it is a Poffeflion in which we ought not to be Diiturb'd. Religion it felf is of too Pure a Nature for the Jrin ofFIeJh to reach it ^ that Vtoleiice 'cannot come near to Hurt it : when it is pferfecuted it improves^ purifies in the fire^ and is PerfeBed by Suffering. But the free Profeffion of this Religion^, as it mav be Impeach'd^ lb it is capable of being a Right and a Propriety ^ and a War againft an Invading Neighbour^ Juft and NecefTary in its Defence. But as a Propriety only^ and to which we have a Civil Title^ it gives an Occafion for War : it makes of it felf no new, nor feparate. Pretence. And therefore in all thofe Cafes, where the Laws of the Country prohibit the taking up of Arms ge- nerally ,on the account of any Poffeflion • there Religion underftands her Title to be inclu- ded too, throws down her foreign Weapons^ trufts only to her own, and praftifes her prpper Warfare. In fuch a Cafe, for a Chri-

ftian

oefore roe nu u.^ e or j' Ji £ r s.

ftian to be found Refifting^ for the fake of the Gofpel j would be as incongruous^ as for a Subjed: to Rebell^ in defence of a Statute againit Treafon.

Where-ever the Humane Law hasEftab- lifh'd Non-Refiftance^ the Divine does hy no means Relax it : and where the Humane Law abfolves or releafes,, the Divine does does not tie up or reltrain. TheChriftian Religion encourages Faffive-Obcdience^ and enforces it^ where it is due • as it muft be thought due to the Legiflative Authority : but what meafure of Obedience is due to the Regent part^ that the Law of the Coun- try muft prefcribe ^ for wbo ^tays OurLord^ wade me a Judge and a Divider over you ? As we are alfo left to underftand^ not only that all Nations have not in this Matter the fame Law^ but that the fame Nation is not alwaj'^s Govern'd by the Same ^ that even the Rules^ fometimes reputed Funda- mental^ are Mutable ^ and it is in the Power of Men^ and Time^ to introduce and eftablifh others : though this will be always true^ That the Bcft Policy is not the Loofelt ; and that in Any^ a Good Patriot^ as well as a Good Chriftian, will be the leaft for- ward to Refift with Carnal Weapons.

C Such

lo ii Sermon rreactid

Such is the True Warfare oi aChriltian^ and thefe his Weapons : but Man would ra- ther engage in the Carnal, He is ready to be Aligns and Revengeful^ in the Caufe of God ^ would be glad to have a Commiffion from Heaven to Kill;, Wafte^ and Deftroy. Such a Licenfe drew thofe vaft Numbers to Mahoviefs New Se6t : all thofe Lawlefs Pilfering SaraceJis were ready to receive a Religion, that would make it their Duty to Rob^ and accept of their Zeal to Murder. When too we read of thofe great Bodies of Men that marched from Chriltendom^ on that their Jewijh Expedition^ for the Holy Land ^ we may imagine^ the greateft part of them would not have went an unarmed Pilgrimage fo far^ to Weep and Repent ; nor would have ftay'd at Home and forfaken their Sins^taking upon them the True Crofs^ and the Apoftles Holy War. Had not In- temperance^ Licentioufnels^ Rapine^ Difcon- tent^ Anger^ and the reft of that train^ been admitted to the Muiter ^ fewer poffibly wou'd have went Out^ than ever us'd to Return.

So DOES THE Christian Warfare feem to the Carnal Man^ Bafe and Ignoble^ Degenerous and Effeminate : He would not

wiih

before ;f^^ H o a s E of Pe E R s. 1 1

wifh a Weaker Enemy^ and an Eafier Con- queft : If the War be not after the Flejh^ it is Contemptible : and if the Weapons are not Carnal^ they are Feeble. But this Imagi- nation the Holy Apoftle prevents in a Word^ and diredis to the contrary Conclufion^ which we are now in the Second Place to Confider. TheWeapons^ fays he^ of our Warfare are 7wt Carnal ^ but Mighty : were they Carnal^ they ought to be defpiied^^ and would be weak • but they are Mighty : As the Flefli is Heav}^^ and Una6live ^ all Force^ and Power^, is from the Spiritual Part.

For Firft^ The Spiritual Warfare is of it felf attended with a Courage^ that does not deferve to be Contemn d ^ that is, highly efteem'd on other Occafions : a Courage not Furious and Brutal^ that fomes and rages^ but calm and ledate^ founded upon true Re- folution, and accompany 'd with Prefence of Mind ^ that bears the Choque^ and re- ceives the Charge^ unconcern'd and un- mov'd -^ keeps its Poit againft tlie Af- faulr 5 and againft the Provocation of the Enemy ^ needs not to be heated^, and chafed- can bear and endure^ expole itsLife m cool undiftemper d Bloody and die vrith- out the Satisfaction of a Revenge. This is

C 2 the

12 yi S E R M o N Preached

the Chriltian^ this is the True Fortitude ; not alwa}^s fafely Infulted^ Dreaded rather than Defpis*d by a Wile Enemy.

When fuch a Chriftian has Leave to put on Humane Arms^ in Defence of his Coun- try or Religion ^ it will not be found that his Saviour's Doftrine has Enervatd^ or In- timidated his Natural Courage : Non We pro caris Amkis^ aut Vatr'tk^ tinndiis Ferire, His Real Concern for his Religion^ will out-do all Pretended Zeal- and his True Charity for his Friends and Countrymen^ will make him not unwilling to be (in St. PauV^ Senfe) an Anathema for them ^ little valuing This Life^ which he fball exchange for Life Eternal.

So Powerful will the Spiritual Weapons be in a Carnal Warfare : but they are of them- felves and in their own Paflive Nature Migh- ty : Powerful againlt thofe that are not Bar- barous^ Obdurate^ and Infenfible • Power- ful over all that are Noble and Generous : Mighty to affwage Anger^ and to reconcile Enmity ; they are powerful over God him- feif^ and Appeafe his Juft Indignation.

Through God they are often fnightywpon the Earth : He comes down to their Suc- cour^ and frequently in their Aid engages

his

before /•/?d' H o u s E or F E E R s. 13

his Almighty Arms : interpofmg in the De- fence of thofe that obey his Word, and de- pend upon his Pleafure. Thtj jta?id jHH^ s,ndfee the falvatmi of God: they hold their Peace ^ and he Fights for them.

But whatever the Fate of this Warfare be in this World, however it mav be made Paflive here by the Contumelies and Inju- ries cf Men ^ }^et then in that State ^ it fhmes Brightelt towards Heaven^ and finds the greateft Favour there.

The Court of Heaven^ whofe Princes and Nobles are thole who have been Afflidled and Tormented^ ftript and Murder'd • has thofe in greateft regard^ who are engag'd in the fame Warfare. The Great G o d^ the Fountain of True Honour^ whofe King- dom Hands not by the Arm of Flefb^ nor by the falle Bravery of Humane Strength ; requires of his the Courage to Suffer^ the Da- ring to undergo Afflidlion and Dilgrace^ for his Sake : the Poor in Spirit^ the Meek^ the Defam'd^ and the Perfecuted^ they are by God himfelf deciar'd Bleffed^ and proclaim'd Noble • theirs is the K'lngdojn of God^ and their Title the Children ofthemojl High.

For fo Mighty are the Honourable Wea- pons of this Warfare^ that they mult pre^

vail.

14- A bERMON rreacDd

vail^ and cannot be defeated of their De- fign : after a little Oppofiti on here below^ which too only increafes the Reward and Glor}^ of the Arms^ a Vidtory will certain- ly be obtain'd^ and Crown given. For voho fhaU feparate us from the Love of Chr'ifij Ihall Tribiilat'ion^ or Diftrefs^ or Perfecu- Uon^ or Fajnme^ or Nakeclnefs ^ or Feril^ or the Sword ? Nay in all thefe things we are more than Conquerors.

This is the Warfare of the Chriitian Churchy and thefe its Weapons : nor fhall they by the Grace of God be ever wrefted out of our hands : we in all things appro- ving our f elves as the Followers of Chriit, hy PureJiefsy hy Knowledge ^ by Long-fuffer- ing^ by Kindnefs^ by the Holy Ghofi^ by Love Unfeigned^ by the Word of Truth ^ by the Power of Godyby theAr?nour ofRighteoufnefs on the right hand^ and on the left^ in Ho- 7!our and Dijhonour^ in Evil Report and Good Report \ ftill maintaining our Ground and our Duty^ and fullering no Man to take this Glory from us.

This was the Warfare of the Roy- al Sufferer of this Day^ next under Chrift the Supreme Governour of our Churchy its foremoit and moft Valiant Leader and moft

Illuftricus

before the House 01 Peeks, 15

IlMtrioi-is Example : who Excell'd as much in Chriltian Graces^ as in Tem.poral Dig- nity ; in his Life and by his Death^ the Defender of the Faith.

On This Day the Carnal Arins received their Difgrace ^ and the Honour and Ad- vantage of the Spiritual Warfare appear'd. The Carnal profper d on the Wrong Side ; The Weapons of the Flefh were the Weapons of the Rebels^ and prevail'd in their hands ^ they faird the righteous^ the Royal Caufe^ and gave it up treacheroufly to the Iffue we now lament. But the Other Arinour^ which this Pious King receiv'd by fpecial Grace from the immediate Hand of God^ and in vohkh He Trufied., of that he could never be defpoil'd :, The Enemy could no more take it^ than he would wear it : It remain'd all along with his Sacred Perfon^ protedled him from all the Harms of Earth and Hell^ and brought him off fafe to his Heavenly Country and Eternal Manfion. The Sword of the Spirit^ the Word of God ^ was always Succefsful in His Hand^ in all Encounters againft the Heretical and Schifmatical Ad- verlaries of our Church. Truth and Inno- cence were Mighty on his Side, againft all the Frauds and Calumnies of his Enemies :

and

i6 ^Sermon Preactd

and his Faith in God and Hope of Heaven feciir d Him againft their Terrors : His Pa- tience Itood firm^ and unfhaken • and his Charity was abfolutely Invincible.

The very Show and Appearance of this Spiritual Warfare^ how Powerful it is even among Men, was too vifible from the Fa- vour the Rebels found by the Pretence^ and from the Friends they drew in^ deceiv'd by falle Colours and borrowed Armour. But the True Weapons how Mighty they were^ appear d on this truly Chriftian Prince. They were able to reclaim many of his Enemies to their Duty to a lolt Caufe^ and fubdue them to Right and Reafon : but they were indeed Mighty with God ; pre- vailing with him to confound the Councils of the Irreclaimable ^ to break their Force and open a way through their Bloody Com- binations as through the Red Sea^ for the Return of Peace and the Royal Family : Cod being pleas'd all along to difappoint the moft Likely Attempts of Loyal Men^ the moft Probable Humane Defigns^ to make Way for a Miracle^ with which He intended to Honour the Royal Caufe^ and eminently to own his Martyr.

For

before Z-/?^ H o u s E of P E E r s. 17

For the lame Reafon too^ ma}'- the fame Divine Providence be prefum'd to have de- feated the Carnal Auxiliary^ Force of his Servant^ that He might This Day Sght alone His Own Battle for Religion and the Laws, He fought This Day alone fuccefsflilly^ againit all the Conqiiefts of his Enemies : moreHappv^ and more Vi6lorious^ than if He had Trod them under his Feet in the Firft Battle.

They were able indeed often to Hinder his Paflage to his Forts^ and Accels to his Royal City : but the Correfpondence be- tween Him and Heaven could not be fo barr'd^ nor his Progrefs that way obftrudled. But as the fame Soldiers^ by the Wonderful Providence of God, williniilv afterwards Guarded his Son to the Throne ^ fo did they now unwittingly Attend the Royal Father to a Nobler Triumph^ and put him in Poffeilion of an hmnarcefjible Croivn : making Him^ effecStually^ by God's fecret Over-ruling Will^ a more Glorious Prince^ than the ftrain'dPhrafe of their Hypocritical Leaders had ever prom is'd or pretended to make Him.

For however the Profpedl might appear, to his Rebels, that look'd through aViZiird

D of

iS yfSERMON Preach d

of Religion ^ or to a Carnal Eye^that feesno farther than the Shadows and Pageantry of this World : a Chriitian will not doubt to affirm^ That this his Laft Day was the moft Glorious of his Reign -^ and that He w^as more Happy when he afcended the Scaftbld^ than A\ hen he frit mounted the Royal Throne.

For Ave are not to let our Carnal Imagina- tion fo much deceive us^ as toeftimate the Glory of the Day by its Outward Appear- ance. Every Battle of the Warrkr is with confiis'dNoife^ and Garments roWdinBIcod, The Vi6tor is covered over with Sweaty and Dult^ and Gore • and hardly to be difcern'd from his Conquer d Prifoner. Ifv>^evv^ill take a View of the Conqueror^ we muft fol- io w him to his Triumph : not fee Our Saint only mingled with the Enemy^ and as he fights his Way out of This World • but as he is received into the Other : what Glories he then puts on^ and what his Triumphant Entry into Heaven : How Bright he Riles^ the Morning after his Bloody Setting.

Other Conquerors^ that have made the Earth to tremble^ and Imye Jhaken King- doms^ that have made the World as a Wilder- ness^ and de fir oyd the Cities thereof \ when they receive their Irrecoverable f nal Over- throw^

before /^d* House of Peers. ly

throw, and go at kit to thofe miferable Men^ that thev have lent with Complaints and Accufations^beforethem : HeUfromheueath is moved to meet them at their coining • // Jlirs up its Dead for them J to receive them into the fame Milery^ and infiilt over their Darknefs and Chains. Whereas the Viftors of our Warfare afcend to Mount Sion^ to the City of the Hea'cenly King ^ to the Inmnne- vable Company of Angels • to the Armv of Martyrs^ Joy^i^g ^^ their Society, and Con- gratulating their Succefs ^ to the Blefied Jefii the Firft and the Great Sufterer^ fitting ready with Lawrels and Crowns^ to beftow them on the Glorious Companions of the fame Arms.

The Seat of Honour in Heaven^ at the Right-hand of God, is PoiTeffed by Our Rlef- fed Saviour^ as the Purchafe of his Paflion : and nearHim^ in Order^, theChriftian Sol- dier is Advanc'd : according to the Propor- tion of the Hardfhips they have Overcome^ the Recompence of Reward is Affign'd^ and the Rank is Given.

This View, the Faith of the Chriftian Church has always had ^ has Itill Congra- tulated the Deaths of its Mart}Ts ^ iook'd upon theDavs of their Pailion as their Birth-

D 2 Days,

20 ^Sermon Preached

Davs^ as the Days of the Birth of Princes^ and made them Times of Jo7;> and their chiefeft Fcltivals.

Our Church is not Infenfible of the Glo- ries of this Saint, and of theLuftre thence retiedted on Her Self : She Congratulates to the Royal Blood that Portion of it fo Di- vinely Shed/and the Addition of a Martyr., to Our Kings. Had He fell by Pagan^or by Foreign Hands • had He fell by theXreafon of his Other Kingdoms only ^ had Our Na- tion not had the Guilty as well as the Honour^ of the Martyrdom : this had been a Corona- tion-Day, in the Ecclefiaftical Calendar^ a Perpetual Memorial of an Eternal Crown.

Such a Day of Glory this was to that Royal Sufferer • of Honour to God^ and to His Church among us : but to the Nation it was a Day of Guilt and Ignominy . for which they were then co'oercd wit/j Cmi- fufion ^ Afliamed before Men^and Humbled hefore God ^ as We now profels to be.

In the Stroke of ThisDay^ the Guilt of the Carnal Arms^ employ'd lo many Years againft the Laws and the Pri nee, was Summ'd up and Compleated. All the preceding Thoufands of Murders^ were accompli fn'd

in

before f^d' H o u s E of P E e r s. 21

in This ^ and the Whole Kingdom^ as it were^ at once Beheaded b}^ that Blo\v^.

The Spiritual Wickednefs too of that War- fare^ the falfe zealous Profeffion for the Caufc of God^. and Laws of the Coiintrf^ was liiitably concluded with that folemn Mockerv of Tuftice : which rendering; the Affaflination more Criminal and Inexcuia- ble^ than if it had been done in private by Poifon or Dagger • Expos'd openl}^ to the World, in their High Court^ and on the IScaffold^ the H)^pocrifie of all their former Pretences.

In the Guilt of this Blow^ all thofe too were to Confefs their Share^ who had but once lifted up their Hands againft their now^ Dying King. And many of thole who had Strove for the julter Side^ but not Lawfully^ (in the Apoltle's Phrafe • ) and fought un^ der the Colours^ but not after the Example^ of their Prince^ might refledl upon them^ felves alfo as not wholly Guiltlefs^ and remembring now their Diforders, and breach of theRules of the Christian W^irfaie^ adore the Juftice of God^ in the Defeat of .-their Carnal Strength. They might with Trouble reHeft^ how much, by their Irregu- lar Conduft^ they had Diilionoured and

Enfeebled

11--^- ■ — . 1. — I ■ » ■

22 ^Sermon Treachd

Enteeblei the Royal Caiiie : recommending the Hvpocrifie of the Enemy to the Un- diicerning People^ by tlie contrary too vifi- i ble appearance of Profanenefs and Intern- \ perance upon themfelves ^ and fighting for their King^ in the Breach of his Laws^ and Spoil of his Subjeds.

For all thefe Reafons, the Nation at that time wasEffedbually Afflidled^ and very Sen- fibly Humbled before the Almighty : the far Greater, and much Better part of it^ conti- nuing alfo^ for many Years^ to groan under the Oppreflive Confequences of that Fatal Blow. And when afterwards God was gracioully pleas'd to hear their Cry^ and to take from their Necks that Intolerable and Shameful Yoke ^ as they could not poffibly forget thofe Great^ and Long Miferies , fo they could not but think it neceffary to fet afide One Day^ that iliould reprefent thole many paft Years^ and be to them an Annual Sad Memorial of thole Calamities^ and cxprefs Their Pious Senie of the Guilty CaufeS;, This was a Juft and Humble Ac- knowledgment^ Due for their Paft Delive- rance • and their Sureft and Wifeft Preierva* tive, for the Future : that their Ingratitude might not bePunilli'd by fouie NewWorle

Miferies ;

before f^^ H o u s E of P e E r s, 23

Mileries ^ or that thev misjlit not^ at leaft^ be again Abandon'd to the Delufion of inch Deftru6live Impoftures.

This Retnembrance therefore they Re- ligioufly Inftiuited^ a National FAST^ for National Crhnes : alwa^^s Senfibly Ob- ferv'd by thofe who are of Age to Remem- ber thole palt Calamities ; but jtt more Devoutly to be Kept by them^ when they hear again the Sound of the Fore-runners of the Carnal Battle • and fee thofe Prin- ciples unhappily Reviv'd^ and audaciouflv Own'd^ which brought on the now Lamen- ted Excifion. The Same Wicked Rejtlefs Spirit^ returning to a Land once frvcpt and garnijh'd^ may well bring into its Remembrance in what manner it was for- merly Pojlefs'd : and will not fuflrer a Time^ no further Diftant^ to be forgot^ by thofe who have but heard or read the Story. I may iay^ That^ had this Tearly Memorial Expir'd with the laft Century^ fuch Endeavours as Thefe would have call'd loudly for the Revival and Re-eitablifhment of it : as the too open Contempt^ which fome have had the Boldnefs to exprefs for this Religious Duty^ may give the Lovers of their Country and Church a new Canle

for

2 A ..Sermon Vreachd

^^foTa yet Strider F A S T ^ to Atone for the Plagiie of fo great a Guilt, freili breaking- out, and to Supplicate againft its Direful Contagion. But^

idly, T H I s D A Y, as it Religioufly exprefs'd before our God, a Detellation of thofe feveral Sins which provoked bis Righ- teous Judgment -^ fo was it defign d to be further Serviceable, to keep-up this Abhor- rence in the Minds of the Coming Genera- tion ^ that they might not be unawares engag'd in the fame Warfare, and perijh hi the Gain-faying of Corah ^ that they might not, by the like Pradlices renew'd, have another Occafion for fuch a Fa'ti.^ and be forc'd then Always to Keep it in Private, ( as their Predeceffors Long did ) for want of another Kef oration of the Crown and the Church.

For as It admonifhes the Government not to Exceed the Meafures of the Law, nor to give the leaft reafonable Occafion to the Subjecl: of any Juft Complaint ^ fo it lets the Subjeil know the Bleffings and Advantages of an Ancient Regular Go- vernment, and of a Stated Fix'd Succef- fion : that it is not to be Dilturb'd, with- out

before ^^^ H o u s E of P e E r s. 25

out Abfolute Evident Neceffity • and that as the Prince is for the Sake of the People^ fo are They^ for their Ov/n Sakes^ to Guard his Perfon^ and Maintain his Rights : That all Governments have their Inconvenience, and all Mankind their Imperfe61"ions ^ that Subjedls are not free from inordinate Defire of Dominion and Riches^ from Envy and Ambition ^ and that Thofe often molt ve- hemently Exclaim againft Arbitrary Pro- ceedings in Others^ who would be the moft Arbitrary Themfelves : That They whofe Dilcourles pretend to teach the Sub- je6ls of any Lawful^ not wholly Intolerable^ Government^ in what Cafes they may Refiit ; are no better Catechifts^, than thole who Ihould make it their chief Bufi- nefs to Initrudt Children of Good Parents in what Cafe they may lawfully Difobey their Fathers^, and lay Violent Hands on their Perfons : that fuch Cafes^ as they are not to be prefum'd^ lo are not to be fup- pos'd 3 and cannot be put without Imper- tinence^ unlefs with this Implication^ that they are likely to take Place^ and of Prefent Ufe : Laftly, That a Civil War is the utmoft Ablurdity in Humane Policy^ to be Prevented with all poflibleCare by the whole

E Com-

26 ^Sermon Vreachd

Commimtts^ \ and that it is no more a State of Nature, than it is of Grace.

So will This Day^ in order to teach the following, remember us of thofe that Pre- ceded ; and put us upon refledling^by what Arts^ and under what Popular Pretences, that Furious "War was rais'd • how Unma- nageable and Ungovernable it prov'd^ to Thofe that firft promoted it ^ how much They fail'd of their Defigns^ and the People of Their Promifes : many at laft as much Stripp'd^and all as much atMercy^ as their Sovereign on the Scaffold.

But^ Laftly^ Whether This Day inftrufts us^ or no^ in this Ufeful^ and notForeign^ Leflbn ^ warning us againft fuch Principles and Seeds of Mifchief, as in this one Pro- perty are unhappily like the Good Seed of the Gofpel^ that though /w^// in the Grahjy they may quickly take Root and grow a Tree • and like the little Leaven^ may lie negledted;, till they fowre and fwell up the whole Mafs • however the Day^ through our own Heedlefnefs^ may fail of that good Efteft : yet let it teach us that which is moft proper to it^ and which it fpeaks-out Direcftly • what little Certainty there is in

the

before /"^^ H o u s E of P E E r s. 27

the Poffeffion^ Authority^ and Force of This World -• and where our Chief Truft and Main Confidence is to be plac'd.

If any One might have prefum'd himfelf Free from all Calamitous Events^ this Prince well might: Indifputably Rightful Lord of a Great^ Flourifhing^ and then Peaceful Country ^ himfelf of Unbyafs'd Redtitude^ and Exemplary Piety : and yet was God pleas'd to fufter that Profound Quiet to be broke-up and harrafs'd^ and not to fpare the Vertues of his Servant.

The Great Men of the Kingdom were then in the heighth of Honour and Power ; by an undifturb'd Prefcription of many Reigns^ poiTefs'd of the Reverence and Obe- dience of the People : no Enemy from Abroad^ or Rebellion at Home^ had inter- rupted that longCourfe of Authority and Profperity. But in a little time They were brought Low ^ their Noble Blood mingled on the Earth with the Common -, their Eftates Confifcated^ their Authority levell'd, and They diftinguiih'd only by the Rude- nefs and Contempt of their New Equals. This was then the Portion of Princes^ and Nobles : and now They have no greater Se- curity againft the Arm of Flefh^, They have

rather

28 y^ Sermon Preached, &c.

rather the Prefident of the laft Age a^ainft Them : and will therefore have the Exam- ple fo far at leaft before their Eyes^ as to know the Armes of the Chriftian Warfare to be the MightieH^ and that Defence the Sureft.

Menof allRanks^ the lefs Precaution they are able to take agamft the Warfare accord- ing to the Flejhy the more they are to Arm themfelves with the Weapons of the Spirit, And thofe that areforwara to have Recourfe to Carnal Arms, are to know^ they mult mt hoafi o/that Harnefs till they put it off-^ that thofe Weapons are Frail and Treache- rous ; a Spear^ Brittle like the Reed ofjEgyt^ and Wounding .the Hand of him that Leans too much upon it. Our Obfervance of the Orders of Our Lord^ and Exercifmg our felves by His Difcipline^ will beft Secure our Prefent Safety -, but will molt certainly AfTurc us of -Everlafting Salvation. For That^ we ought to be reitlefsly Sollicitous; And That may the Good God grant us^ through his Son Jesus Christ -

Towbom^ with the lA oi.\ Ghost^ (Sc.

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