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Title: A sermon preach'd before the Right Honourable the Lord-Mayor : the aldermen and citizens of London - at the Cathedral-Church of St. Paul on Monday the 30th of - Jan. 1709/10 being the anniversary fast for the Martyrdom - of King Charles
Author: Snape, Andrew
Language: English
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*** Start of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "A sermon preach'd before the Right Honourable the Lord-Mayor : the aldermen and citizens of London - at the Cathedral-Church of St. Paul on Monday the 30th of - Jan. 1709/10 being the anniversary fast for the Martyrdom - of King Charles" ***
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A
SERMON
PREACH'D
Before the Right Honourable
THE
LORD-MAYOR,
THE
Aldermen and Citizens of _London_,
AT THE
_CATHEDRAL_ Church of St. _Paul_,
On _Monday_ the 30th of _Jan._ 1709/10.
BEING
The ANNIVERSARY FAST for the _Martyrdom_
of King CHARLES the First.
By _ANDREW SNAPE_, D. D.
Chaplain to his Grace the Duke of _Somerset_,
and Rector of St. _Mary at Hill_.
_LONDON_: Printed for JONAH BOWYER, at
the Sign of the _Rose_ in _Ludgate-Street_. 1710.
_Garrard_, Mayor.
_Martis_ vii. _die Februarii, 1709. Annoq; Regni Reginæ Annæ,
Magnæ Britanniæ, &c. Octavo._
This Court doth desire Dr. _Snape_ to Print his Sermon, Preach'd at the
Cathedral Church of St. _Paul_, before the Lord-Mayor, Aldermen and
Citizens of this City, on _Monday_ the Thirtieth of _January_ last,
being the Day of Humiliation for the Martyrdom of King _Charles_ the
First.
_GIBSON._
1 KINGS, XXI. 9, 10.
_Proclaim a Fast, and set_ Naboth _on high among the People_:
_And set Two Men, Sons of _Belial_, before him, to bear Witness
against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the King:
and then carry him out and stone him, that he may die._
There is scarce any one Instance of the shedding innocent Blood
recorded in Holy Scripture which has not at some time or other been
apply'd to the Occasion of this Day's Solemnity, even that of our
blessed Saviour not excepted, whose Steps we have with one Voice
declar'd in the Service of the Church the blessed Martyr cheerfully to
have follow'd. [Note: _2d Collect for the day._] But here indeed it
concerns us to tread warily. We can only affirm of the greatest Saints
and brightest Luminaries of the Church that they have made some faint
Approaches toward that great Exemplar, without presuming to equal
either the Merits or the Sufferings of any meer Man to those of our
crucify'd Redeemer: in all other Parallels there is less Danger of
Excess, since most of 'em will be found, in many Circumstances, to fall
short of the Fact committed on this Day.
Now altho' in such a comparative way of arguing, where we single out
some remarkable Passage from the Records of past Ages, and adapt it,
as far as it will naturally bear, to some After-Occurrence that has
fall'n out nearer our own Times, it cannot be expected that both
the Cases should be in all Respects exactly the same, without the
least Variation, yet when we can point out some of the principal
and Master-Strokes of each of 'em which have a near Resemblance of
one another, when the Methods and Ways of Acting, the Motives and
Inducements to it, with other concurrent Circumstances, are the same;
this may be enough to justify the Choice of the Subject, and make it
serve at least as a fair Introduction to the Matter in Debate.
I mention this, because of one remarkable Disagreement, which you
must needs have been before-hand with me in observing, between the
Case of _Naboth_, and that of this Day's _Royal Sufferer_, who as he
had Liv'd the Ornament, so Died the _Martyr_ of the _English_ Church
and Monarchy: And that is, that in the former of 'em, an innocent
Subject was Murder'd by a wicked King (or at least by his Instruments
and Agents, not without his Approbation and Consent, as appear'd by
his subsequent Behaviour, in seizing his Inheritance, as well as by
his own Confession, when he submitted to the Prophet's Charge, and
humbled himself for it) whereas in the latter, a just and pious King
was depriv'd at once of his Crown and Life by wicked and rebellious
Subjects. But there are other Resemblances between 'em, that will make
Amends for this Disparity. And therefore I shall proceed.
I. To draw a Parallel between the two Cases, and shew what is
common to 'em both.
II. To consider the Nature and Consequences of the Fact
committed on this Day. And
III. I shall conclude with one or two Moral Reflections.
I. I am to draw a Parallel between the two Cases, and show what
is common to 'em both. Here then we may observe, that the Persons
compar'd were both good Men: Both were Murder'd with a pretended Show
of Justice, and with Religious Solemnities: Both for the same Cause,
because they would not part with _the Inheritance of their Fathers_:
Neither of 'em suffer'd singly; but the Enemies of each extended their
Malice to the whole Race of 'em.
First I say they were both good Men. That _Naboth_ was so, we may very
fairly conjecture from his Behaviour in the Matter of the Vineyard;
and from the Severity of God's Wrath toward _Ahab_ and his Family, for
unjustly putting him to Death. For altho' the Murder even of a wicked
Man, either by false Accusation, or secret Treachery, is a very heinous
and detestable Thing; (and that Life that is Forfeited to Justice by a
thousand real Crimes, yet if innocent _quoad hoc_, and taken away by
wicked Subornation, on weak and insufficient Evidence, for that which
is not a Crime, or which was not committed, will derive a Sentence of
Blood-guiltiness, nay of the Shedding innocent Blood, on the Contrivers
and Actors in such an Execution;) yet we cannot suppose, that this is,
in so excessive a Degree, provoking, or that it entails the Divine
Vengeance on so many Generations, as when the Person Condemn'd is
eminent for Piety and Vertue.
If indeed we were to judge of Things by their first Appearance, the
Carriage of _Naboth_ toward _Ahab_, in denying him his Vineyard, might
seem to have been very Churlish and Undutiful, especially when offer'd
a _better Vineyard_ in Exchange for it, or an equivolent in _Mony_.
And the Kings condescending way of Address, when he thus expresses
himself, _If it shall seem good to thee_, and _if it please thee_;
might be thought to have deserv'd a better Answer than, _I will not
give thee my Vineyard_.
But we must consider on the other Hand, that the Thing which the
King desir'd, was absolutely Unlawful, and expressly forbid by the
Command of God; the smallest Ceremony of whose Appointment could not
be dispens'd with. We may learn from _Lev._ 25. and _Num._ 36. how
straitly the _Jews_ were enjoyn'd to look upon the Inheritance of their
Fathers as Sacred: The very numerical Lands and Possessions were to be
continually preserv'd in the respective Families to which they were
allotted, and the present Occupants had no Power of totally alienating
'em, but only till they could be redeem'd by one of their Kin, and not
so long as that, if a Year of _Jubilee_ should first happen, when all
Things were to be restor'd as at the beginning: And even that temporary
Alienation was not to be made, but under the Pressure of extreme
Necessity, which it seems was not _Naboth_'s Case. So that he look'd
on the Proposal, as a Thing he could not with a safe Conscience comply
with, and therefore speaks, you see, with some Abhorrence of it, (tho'
not altogether so bluntly as _Ahab_ repeated it to his Wife) _The Lord
forbid it me, that I shou'd give the Inheritance of my Fathers unto
thee_. From this I say, and the other Consideration before-mention'd,
we may reasonably infer that _Naboth_ was a Man of Uprightness and
Integrity; tho' the Scripture has distinguish'd him by no other Title,
but that of _Naboth the Jesraelite_.
But we have better Arguments than bare Conjectures and remote
Conclusions to induce us to believe that our _Martyr'd Sovereign_ was
highly deserving of this Character, of which we have all the Proof and
Demonstration that 'tis possible for one Man to have of the Integrity
of another.
'Tis true, God alone is an infallible Judge and Discerner of the Heart;
_he_ only beholds with an unerring Eye the Uprightness or Obliquity of
Human Thoughts and Intentions; and therefore none but he can absolutely
and decisively pronounce of any Person, that he is either Holy and
Sincere, or Wicked and Prophane.
But we Men must form our Judgment from the outward Actions, and
wheresoever we find a regular Conduct, where all the Duties to God and
Man, as far as we can observe, are exactly and punctually discharg'd,
where there are no visible Infractions of Divine or Human Laws, or none
but such as may be imputed to Human Frailty; we are to look upon a
Person so qualified as a Man of Probity and Vertue.
This is no more than is due in _common Justice_. But _Christian
Charity_ will oblige us yet farther, even where there are some
suspicious Appearances, if the Character of the Person be in other
Respects unblemish'd; to err (if we must err) on the better Side, and
make a favourable Construction.
This is Spoken at large, and not that there is any Occasion for this
last Supposal, with Regard to the Subject I am upon: There being
nothing in the Behaviour of that _excellent Prince_, that has so much
as an indirect Aspect, nothing I mean that can affect his general
Character.
When I affirm this I consider him chiefly as a private Christian,
for in his _Royal Capacity_ indeed, as we find him represented, by
the designing Artifice of his malicious and restless Enemies, there
are faulty Appearances enough. And yet the very Persons, who thus
industriously blackned and defam'd him, and loaded him with so many
unjust Reproaches on the Account of his _Regal Administration_; (which
can never be so Excellent, as to give no Handle to the _Factious_,
the _Guilty_, and the _Disappointed_, to censure and malign it, and
will be always liable to Misconstruction, the Reasons of State being
so Mysterious) yet cou'd never charge on him any gross Misbehaviour
in Point of Moral Duty, any one habitual Vice, or indulg'd Passion,
tho' they wanted not Means of prying into his most secret Commerce and
private Correspondence, and nothing, we know, is so quick-sighted as
Malice.
His Devotion to God was regular and constant both in publick and in
private, and that, not cold and formal, but with an ardent Zeal and
enflam'd Affection. In the midst of the perplexing Cares that encompass
a Throne, and with which _his_ Throne was peculiarly beset; he always
found Leisure for the Exercises of Religion: He was never so dazl'd
with the Splendor of an _Earthly_ Crown, as not to prefer before it
a _Heavenly_ and _Immortal_ One: Nor was he ever unmindful of this
important Truth, that as _his_ Subjects were accountable to _him_;
(tho' in the End they quite inverted that Order) so was he himself to
render an Account of _his_ Actions at a greater Tribunal before the
King of Kings.
In the midst of the highest Plenty, and all the Means of gratifying
a sensual Appetite that _Royal Affluence_ cou'd Administer, he was
remarkably Temperate, Chast and Sober. His Conjugal Affection has
been even imputed as a _Crime_. He was an inviolable Observer of his
Matrimonial Vow, a Vertue not _too common_ in the World, a very rare
one indeed in _Princes_. Nor was he less eminent for Clemency and
Justice, and a tender Regard for the Welfare of his Subjects.
And if we consider him in the last Scene of his Life, in his Behaviour
both before, and at the Scaffold; we may observe an admirable
Composition of Christian Meekness, and Royal Grandeur, how under the
extremest Pressures he wou'd never be prevail'd with, to do any thing
unbecoming either the _Christian_ or the _King_.
As he had Liv'd, he Died a true Professor of the purest reform'd Faith:
And his Character has this Advantage, even from the _reproachful_
manner of his Death; that his last Declaration so publickly made in the
Face of the World, was not capable of being denied, or misrepresented.
Whereas had they dispatch'd him by Poyson or Assassination, or any
other way of Murder, that had carried less of Pomp and Ostentation; the
Accusation had been obvious, that he Died a _Papist_, which his Enemies
would not have fail'd to have reported, and his Friends could not so
convincingly have disprov'd.
His admirable and instructing Legacy to his Children, his Praying for
his Murderers, his patient Resignation to the Will of God, and indeed
all the several Parts of his Deportment at that dismal Juncture; do
conspire to raise in us the highest Esteem and Veneration for his
Memory. And sure we may allow to one who was endu'd with so large a
Share of Vertues, with so inconsiderable a Mixture of Defects, the
Character and Denomination of a good Man. I mean, in a qualified Sense,
for, in an absolute Sense, we know who has told us, there is none good
but God. And this is one Point in which _Naboth_ and he agree.
The next is, that they both were Murder'd with a pretended Show of
Justice, and with Religious Solemnities.
In order to _Naboth_'s Murder there was a _Fast Proclaim'd_, _a solemn
Assembly call'd_, a formal Accusation forg'd, and suborn'd Witnesses
produc'd. The principally intended Wickedness was thus usher'd in
with a preparatory Combination of other Crimes; thus closely was the
Train of Mischeif laid, by the Contrivance of wicked _Jezebel_; that
_Hypocrisy_, _Perjury_ and _false Judgment_ should be the Prelude and
Introduction to _Murder_.
And was not this exactly the Case of our _Royal Sufferer_? Was there
not a Day of _Humiliation_ appointed? Was not the nefarious Business in
Agitation dignified with the specious Title of _the Lord's Work_? Did
not the cheif Authors of that Cruelty pretend to be _seeking the Lord_,
whilst their Instruments were embruing their Hands in the Blood of the
_Lord's Anointed_.
How horribly did they profane the Name of God, whilst they invok'd
him, as Accessary to their Bloody Machinations, and besought him to
strengthen their Hands in that diabolical Work! How wretchedly did they
pervert his Word, which teaches all Obedience and Reverence to Princes;
whilst even from those sacred Writings they would pretend to justify
not only the highest Insolence and Contempt, but even the actual Murder
of his _Lawful Vice-gerent_! To how base Purposes were the Ordinances
of Religion prostituted, whilst they fasted for the Success of that
impious Act, which it requires a perpetual Fast to deprecate the Guilt
of: And _made long Prayers_ only _for a Pretense_, when they were
making a Royal Widow, and devouring Houses and Lands, stately Palaces,
and Princely Revenues with insatiable Greediness! How ill did it accord
with their profest Purity and Godliness, after they had strain'd at so
many Gnats, to swallow such a Camel!
Could they, in Reality, have been held by any Religious Ties, they
would have paid some Regard, if not to the general Precepts of
Obedience, if not to the former Oaths of Allegiance they had taken;
yet at least to their own _Solemn League and Covenant_, that precious
Test of Disloyalty, they so eagerly contended for, and which they had
contriv'd as a Snare for others, whilst, thro' the Deadness of their
Consciences, they were unrestrain'd themselves.
Even _that Engagement_, rebellious as it was, provided for the Security
of the King's Person, which they were bound, by all that was Sacred, to
protect and defend; and consequently the putting him to Death, besides
all the other bad Circumstances, was an Act of the most _deliberate
Perjury_ that ever was committed.
But as if something was still wanting to fill up the Measure of their
complicated Impiety; they added Hypocrisy to the rest, gave a Religious
Turn to their execrable Proceedings, and in the Depth of all this
Mischeif, pretended a Zeal for God's Glory, and to have nothing so
much at Heart, as promoting the Purity of his Worship.
Nor was _Piety_ the only false Pretence, they wou'd make a show of
_Justice_ too: They would seem to do that by _Law_, which was an open
Violation of all the Laws both of God and Man. To this End was erected
a Mock-Tribunal of Self-created Judges, who by Vertue of that usurp'd
and imaginary Authority, presum'd to set before 'em as a Criminal,
their unquestionably rightful Sovereign. They had false Witnesses,
_Sons of Belial_, ready at hand to have born their Testimony against
him, and to have charg'd him with such Things, as he not only, in Fact,
was clear of, but which he was not capable of committing.
_Naboth_ indeed might, 'tho' he did not, have Curs'd _God and the
King_. [Note: So the Hebrew Verb should be rendred here, as it is
elsewhere. The _Arabick_ and _Chaldee_ express it by two different
Words. Thou didst _Blaspheme_ God, and _Curse_ the King.] There were
really such Offences, tho' there was no such Offender. Whereas in the
Case of our Martyr'd Prince, the Crime its self was as Fictitious as
the Personal Charge. He not only was not, but cou'd not be guilty of
that Treason they accus'd him of, since by our known Constitution, it
was against himself only that any Treason cou'd be committed. We find
in no Records the mention of such a Crime, as the _Lese-Majesty of the
People_, nor that the cruellest Tyrants were ever tax'd with being
_Rebels_ to their own Subjects. 'Tis possible for 'em to Misgovern, to
subvert Fundamentals, to abuse their Trust, or to forsake it, and drive
the People to a Necessity of transferring their Allegiance (of which
our own Times have furnish'd us with an Instance:) But they can never
be guilty of _Treason_, nor suffer the Punishment of _Traytors_.
When therefore the good King disown'd this illegal Judicature, and
refus'd (as he well might) to Plead his Cause before 'em; they still
went on with a Mask of Justice, and in Mock-Representation of a legal
Process, to Sentence and Condemn him, and Sign a Bloody Warrant for his
Execution.
Another Thing in which his Case does nearly resemble that of _Naboth_
is, that they both were Murder'd for the same Cause, because they wou'd
not part with the _Inheritance of their Fathers_.
_Naboth_ might have compounded for his _Life_, by relinquishing
his _Vineyard_, nay he might have had an equivalent too. But as he
conceiv'd himself bound in Conscience, religiously to preserve his
original Patrimony, he was under an unhappy Necessity of making such a
Refusal, as brought him to that untimely End.
And the Desire of his _Inheritance_ was the Motive that induc'd our
unnatural Country-men, to take away the Life of their Lawful King.
The Inherent-Rights and Prerogtiaves of the Crown, which his Royal
Predecessors had uncontestably enjoy'd, thro' a Succession of many
Ages, were one after another disputed with _him_, and in the End
violently extorted. What he cou'd depart from, with safety to his
Conscience and Honour, he gave 'em, by a voluntary Consent, to preserve
the Quiet of his Kingdom; but when he perceiv'd that nothing wou'd
content 'em; (their Demands still rising, as his Concessions were
larger) he adher'd with a steddy Resolution to those Branches of Power,
which he judg'd to be inseparable from the Royal Dignity, and parted
with them and his Life together.
Before they had thus compass'd their wicked Ends, and were become
Masters of all without Controul, whilst there was yet the Appearance
and Shadow of Kingly Government, and nothing cou'd be valid without
the Royal Sanction; even then, tho' they left him the _Name_, they
arrogated to themselves the _Power_. With what repeated Importunities
did they Daily tear from him his most trusted and faithful Servants,
under the Character of _Evil Counsellors_, and thrust into his Presence
and Councils, their own Mercenary Creatures, Men of notorious Faction
and Disloyalty, the profest Haters both of his Person and Authority,
as the only Men to be _confided_ in! How justly might he have answer'd
their haughty and unreasonable Demands (for such in Effect were their
_humble Petitions_) in the Words of the wisest of Princes (when a
very improper Application was made to him, in behalf of one, who had
so little Pretension to _Favour_, that _Impunity_ was more than he had
deserv'd) _Ask for him the Kingdom also_. [Note: _1 Kings_ 2. 22.]
They wanted, in short, such a Power as should create Dependencies on
_them_, and tie fast to their Service such Instruments of Mischeif as
they should have Occasion to make use of. And not to descend to all
the several Branches of Royalty, 'twas Dominion and Government they
aim'd at; an Affectation of Lording and Ruling it, was the real Ground
of their seditious Outcries (as the Event sufficiently show'd) however
they varnish'd over their Designs with more plausible Pretences.
Once more, we may observe another Resemblance between these two
Innocent Persons, in that neither of 'em suffer'd _singly_, but the
Enemies of each extended their Malice to the _whole Race_ of 'em. Tho'
the History now before us is silent as to _Naboth_'s _Family_, and only
relates what befel him in his own _Person_; yet we may learn from _2
Kings_ 9. 26. what became of 'em. _Surely I have seen Yesterday the
Blood of _Naboth_, and the Blood of his Sons, saith the Lord, and I will
requite thee in this Plat._
It cannot, I confess, be equally affirm'd, with relation to our
Martyr'd Sovereign, that the Blood of _his Sons_ too calls for
Vengeance, _that_ only Stream of Royal Blood having been Spilt, that
ran within his own Veins. But tho' they escap'd with Life, (no Thanks
to the Usurpers of their Inheritance that they did so) yet were they
devested of their just Rights, which none of 'em had then done any
thing to forfeit, driven into Exile, branded with Names of Infamy and
Reproach, and declar'd _Traytors_ and _Rebels_ themselves, as well as
their Abettors and Adherents.
Having said thus much by way of Parallel, give me leave to conclude
the Comparison between these two Innocents, as I first introduc'd it,
with taking Notice of one other material Difference between the two
Histories. _Naboth_'s Murderer, tho' _above_ the Reach of _human_
Justice, saw, and confess'd, and bewail'd his Guilt, and humbled
himself so effectually before God, that the Vengeance he requir'd for
that _innocent Blood_ (for _innocent Blood_ will be aveng'd, nor is it
any Security to us, that it was not shed by _us_, or in _our Days_) was
not immediately taken, but postpon'd till another Generation.
But the _Royal Murderers_ show'd _no_ Remorse. The _Regicides_ of
_this Day_ continu'd to the last Inflexible and Obdurate: Their Hearts
were so hardned by the just Judgment of God for their accumulated
Wickedness; that even those of 'em who, by his peculiar Providence,
were reserv'd for _publick Justice_, were so far from any Signs of
Repentance, that they even _Gloried_ in the inhuman Deed. I come now in
the
II. Place to consider the _Nature and Consequences_ of the Fact
committed on this Day. The _Nature_ of it may be in a great Measure
judg'd, from what has been already said. But farther to convince us
of the enormous Guilt of it, let us take it, as attended with the
following Circumstances.
For a Sovereign and _Hereditary Monarch_ (it was then an _Hereditary
Monarchy_ sure) after many other previous Outrages and Affronts, to
be brought to the Bar, as a _common Malefactor_, and that before a
pretended _High-Court_ compos'd of his own _Subjects_, surrounded with
a Guard of his own _Soldiers_, to be Arraign'd of _Treason_, to be
Sentenc'd to _Death_, and Executed on a _Scaffold_, in his _Capital
City_, and before the Walls of his own _Palace_: And all this to
gratify the Ambition or Revenge of a few turbulent Spirits, whilst a
far greater Number, who disapprov'd of that rigorous Extremity, cou'd
yet be contented to stand by as unconcern'd Spectators, and suffer the
bloody Tragedy to be Acted, without offering to interpose, or stirring
to the Rescue of their Prince: The Fact I say thus circumstantiated, is
not to be equal'd in any History, by which Majesty its self, as well as
the Person of the King, was so outragiously insulted.
And that all this should be done in a Kingdom, _by the undoubted
and fundamental Laws_ whereof (I speak in the very Words of a Law,
made indeed since the horrid Fact, but made, not to constitute, but
recognize this _Essential Prerogative_, as antecedently inherent in
the Crown, that) _neither the Peers of the Realm, nor the Commons, nor
both together, in Parliament, or out of Parliament, nor the People
Collectively, nor Representatively, nor any other Persons whatsoever,
ever had, have, or ought to have any coercive Power over the Persons of
the Kings of the Realm_. [Note: Stat. 12. _Car._ 2. Ch. 30. §. 7.]
And if no such Authority was lodg'd with the _whole Body_ of Subjects,
how much less cou'd it be claim'd by that _inconsiderable Remnant_ of
one House, which without the Concurrence of the other, and whilst the
far greater Part of its own Members were kept out by Force of Arms; had
the Confidence to usurp the venerable Name of _Parliament_.
Never was that _happy Part_ of our _Constitution_, that _Necessary
Fence_ against _Arbitrary Rule_, and Bulwark of English Laws and
Liberties, so reproachfully perverted. Never were the People of
_England_ so untruly said to be represented: which they no more were,
by the corrupt Refuse of that Assembly; than the _Catholic Church_ was
fairly represented in the pretended _Council_ of _Trent_, where only
those cou'd be admitted, who were the known Favorers of the _Pope's
Supremacy_, and who wou'd be sure to do his Work effectually.
But let us suppose they had a Power over his Person, and withal that
he had misemploy'd his Regal Administration as much as some have
represented him to have done; let us take all for Truth that inveterate
Malice, or factious Prejudice has endeavour'd to fasten on him; even
these Provocations were far from sufficient to justify so extravagant a
Remedy as the shedding of his Blood.
Much less when they liv'd under so mild a Government, and a Prince so
tender of the Rights and Liberties of his Subjects as he naturally was
in his own Temper.
I pretend not to deny that, even in _his_ Reign, there were some
just Causes of Complaint, some real Grievances, some unwarrantable
Impositions and unjustifiable Demands. Princes are but Men, and
fallible like other Men, nor is it any great Wonder if the best of 'em
mistake the Extent of their Prerogative, when persuaded into an undue
Opinion of it, by those that shou'd advise 'em better.
But how easily might those Greivances have been set right in Time, had
not the rough and undutiful Manner in which the Redress of 'em was
sought, made him believe for a time there were none that needed it.
But when once he was convinc'd of their Reality, how willingly did he
redress 'em all, and more than all, that cou'd with any show of Justice
be complain'd of, or be thought to deserve the Name of Hardships!
How often might Things have been brought to a better Temper, and the
unhappy Breach accommodated, had not their own Obstinacy prevented
it, whom no Degree of Royal Condescension would satisfie or appease;
but his Blood they _would have_, and his Blood they _had_: The Guilt
whereof has ever since lay heavy on this sinful Nation, and even now
calls for our deepest Humiliation, to deprecate that Vengeance of
Almighty God, which might justly be inflicted on the _remote Posterity_
of the Actors in that _unnatural Parricide_.
He has abundantly testified his Displeasure at it, by many bad and
mischeivous _Consequences_ it has produc'd, some of which we still
smart under, tho' not the first I am going to mention, which is
The Confusion of those Times that immediately ensu'd. The miserable
State of _Anarchy_ to which this unhappy Country was reduc'd, after
the Extirpation of the _Royal Family_, may be a Warning to all
querulous Innovators, who are never contented with the present State
of Things. They compass'd their Wish at last, and had the Satisfaction
of seeing both _Kingly and Episcopal Government_ at once abolish'd,
and themselves, (as they suppos'd) in a State of _religious and civil
Liberty_.
But did they enjoy that _Liberty_ any otherwise than in Name? Did
it not cost 'em much dearer to maintain their _new Lords_ in their
ill-gotten _Tyranny_, than ever it had done to supply the Exigencies
of their _lawful Prince_? Was the Freedom of _Parliament_, and Right
of _Elections_ more inviolably kept? Were they less under the Terror
of an _armed Force_? Were there fewer _Executions_, _Fines_ and
_Imprisonments_? Was the Course of the _Law_ more free and undisturb'd,
or _Justice_ more equitably and impartially Administer'd? Were the
_Taxes_ more moderate, the _Loans_ of Money less constrain'd, or the
_Public Faith_ (when no Body knew what or where the _Public_ was) a
better Security for what was lent, than before this violent Convulsion
of the State.
No. The Reverse of all this is notoriously true, if there be any Truth
in History. They dream't and rav'd of Oppression before, but they were
then opprest in Earnest. They were before chastis'd with imaginary
Whips, but then with real Scorpions. And surely it was a just Judgment
of God upon 'em for their Inconstancy of Temper, and Eagerness for a
Change, that when once they had shaken off their just Allegiance, and
chose new Masters for themselves, they were afterwards forc'd to be
perpetually changing, and cou'd find no Power that was able to protect
'em long, but saw more Turns and Revolutions in the Compass of a few
Months, than had happen'd in a Thousand Years before.
New Schemes and Models of Government were daily Fashion'd, some of
which died in _Embryo_, others made a Blaze for a short Time, but no
sooner had they turn'd themselves to the new-started Light, in hopes to
be warm'd and directed by it, but the Airy Meteor disappear'd.
'Twas a common Thing then to see Servants on Horseback, whilst Princes
walk'd on Foot, to see the meanest of the People in the highest
Places; and one might have seen _Jotham_'s Parable exactly verified,
when instead of the _Fatness of the Olive_, and the _Fruitfulness of
the Vine_; the Supreme Dominion was invested in the despicable, the
useless, the hurtful _Brambles_.
Then as to _Spirituals_. Did the _Authors_ of those Troubles find their
Account in 'em? Were they able at last quietly to Establish their own
Way of Worship, and had they not many contending Rivals? Were not
their own Complaints against the Hierarchy, of _taking too much upon
'em_, _imposing_ on the _Lord's People_, and depriving 'em of their
_Christian Liberty_, return'd upon themselves? Was there a greater
Advancement of Piety, whilst the _Sacrament_ was rarely Administer'd,
the Catechizing of Youth exceedingly neglected, and almost all Religion
resolv'd into _Hearing_? Was there a greater _Liberty of Conscience_,
when the prevailing Sect for the Time Condemn'd the _Toleration_ of the
rest as _Anti-christian_?
----_En quo Discordia Cives
Perduxit miseros!_
_These_ were the _Blessed_ Fruits of _Discord_ and _Rebellion_.
_This_ was the Price of over-turning a legally and peacably settled
Constitution.
As another bad Effect (but God be prais'd that's over too) of this
Day's Cruelty, may be reckon'd the imminent Danger we were in, not many
Years since, of the Return of _Popish Superstition_ into this Nation,
to which, in all human Probability, the greatest Part of it had in a
little time relaps'd, had not Providence defeated the Designs that were
form'd against our Holy Religion, by the late _Happy Revolution_.
That very Danger, I say, of _Popery_, may be imputed, in its Original,
to those who, by Banishing the _Royal Progeny_, and obliging 'em to
fly for shelter to the Court of a _Popish Prince_, expos'd 'em to the
utmost Temptation of changing the Religion of the Country they had
left, for that of the Place where they were Entertain'd. It did, in
Fact, so happen, that they were earnestly solicited to that Effect, and
one of 'em, we know, (and we had like to have known it at too dear a
Rate) unhappily complied with the Temptation.
But there are some ill Consequences of that great Rebellion, that still
affect us, and particularly the unhappy Divisions that reign among us.
'Tis a sad and deplorable Thing indeed, that Men who are Professors of
the same Religion, who have the same Political Obligations, who are
bound by all the Ties both of Interest and Duty to direct their Designs
and Actions to the same End, should notwithstanding, fly into such
opposite Extremes, and brand each other with such opprobrious Names.
Such Jealousies and Surmises, such _Names of Distinction_, and forming
of _Parties_, were the fatal Beginnings of that _Intestine War_, which
depopulated and laid Wast this flourishing Kingdom, and ended in the
_Murder_ of the _Sovereign_, and the total overthrow of all orderly
Government both in Church and State. And that Spirit of Division which
then began to Reign has never since been totally ejected.
Add to this, that many loose Principles as to _Government_, were then
imbib'd, of which it were much to be wish'd, there were no Tincture
still remaining.
And (which is worst of all) it is too certain that the Pretences to
a more than ordinary Sanctity, and the great Apperance of Godliness
in such Numbers of Men, who yet, when the Mask was off, were found to
be wicked to the last Degree, and to have acted by no Principles but
_Iuterest_ and _Ambition_; gave an unhappy Disgust to many Observers
of their Conduct, against all that favor'd of Piety and Goodness, and
rais'd an unjust suspicion in 'em, that all Religion was counterfeit,
that whoever went under the Character of a _devout Person_, was only
acting a Part, in order to deceive. Thus were the Seeds of _Atheism_
and _Irreligion_ sown, which have since thriven but too well, and
yielded a very ungracious Encrease.
1. To the same Cause too we may ascribe almost all our Differences in
Religion. We can call upon all the Persuasions but one, who enjoy the
Benefit of the _Toleration_, (and may it ever be enjoy'd by Consciences
truly tender) to look back to those unhappy Times for their first
Original, and see, in the midst of how much Licenciousness and Disorder
they were propagated, and began to spread.
I shall only crave your farther Patience, while I apply what has been
said in two short moral Reflections, both which I shall take from the
concluding Prayer in the Service for the Day, where we beseech God,
_that neither the splendor of any thing that is great, nor the Conceit
of any thing that is good in us, may any ways withdraw our Eyes from
looking on our selves as sinful Dust and Ashes_.
1. Then, from the tragical Event of this Day, we may observe the
_Uncertainty_ of all _Human State and Grandeur_. Of how short
Continuance, and consequently of how little Value is the most
glittering Pomp, that attracts our vain Eyes, and strikes us with
Admiration! Of how slippery a Tenure must _lesser_ Dignities and
Honours be, if _Majesty_ it self be so insecure! How little is the
Condition of Princes to be envied, who have often Occasion to envy
the Quiet and Repose of the meanest of their Subjects, who can Sleep
securely, whilst _they_ are waking and caring for 'em! They are equally
expos'd to Pain and Sickness, to Infirmity and Diseases; they lye as
open to a natural, and much _more_ open to a violent Death. _Plots_
and _Conspiracies_, _Assassinations_ and _Poysonings_ are Accidents
peculiar to the _Royal List_ of Mortality, and seldom bring a Subject
to his End.
Nor is the _Fame_ of Princes less liable to Injury, than their
_Persons_. Calumny dares even assault the _Throne_, and fears not to
trample on _Regal Sepulchers_. There is none so great and inaccessible,
as to be out of the Reach of that intruding Monster; who will blacken
and sully the clearest Fame, turn the brightest Ornaments and Beauties
into Deformities, detract from the most Heroical and Princely Vertues,
and transform, to the Appearance of such as see by her Glass, a
good _Josiah_ into a wicked _Jeroboam_. And as the most conspicuous
_Greatness_ is no Preservative against the common Calamities of the
World, so neither
2. Is the most eminent _Goodness_. Tryals and Afflictions are the
common Lot of Mortality, and every Man, more or less must sustain his
Share of 'em. In this, the Righteous and Wicked fare alike, nor can a
Man judge of Love or Hatred by all that is before him.
There are indeed many Passages of Scripture, that encourage a good Man
to expect even the Blessings of this Life, and ordinarily Speaking,
he does actually enjoy 'em, at least in a contented Mind and quiet
Conscience, which comprehends 'em all. But we are to look upon these
Passages, as moral Observations, not as absolute Promises: That
according to the most rational, most probable, most natural Event,
such temporal Blessings would be allotted to good Men, not that each
particular good Man should be possess'd of every one of 'em, for that
would be in some Measure, to have his Portion here.
All this is beside our Contract with God. The Reward there stipulated,
is the _Kingdom of Heaven_, and if he does think fit to _add these
Things unto us_, and to enlarge our Portion, by the Accession of some
external good Things, 'tis over and above our covenanted Recompence.
But whatever the Lot may be of a righteous Man here on _Earth_, he
will be sure of his Reward in a _better Place_, in those Regions of
endless Bliss and Glory, where the _Blessed Martyr_, whom we this Day
Commemorate, we may Charitably presume, is now adorn'd with that _Crown
of Life_, which he Purchas'd by his constant _Perseverance unto Death_.
_FINIS._
_BOOKS Printed for, and sold by_ Jonah Bowyer, _at the Rose
in_ Ludgate-street, _near the West-End of St._ Paul_'s
Church._
Fourteen Sermons, preach'd on several Occaosins, together with a large
Vindication of the Doctrine contain'd in the Sermon preach'd at the
Funeral of Mr. _Thomas Bennet_. By _Francis Atterbury_, D. D. Dean of
Dean of _Carlisle_, Preacher at the _Rolls_, and Chaplain in Ordinary
to her Majesty.
Not included in the said Volume; a Spittal Sermon preach'd at St.
_Bridget_'s Church, before the Right Honourable the Lord-Mayor, _&c._
_Concio ad Clerum Londinensem, habita in Ecclesia S. Elphegi, Maij 17.
1709._ _A Francisco Atterbury_, S. T. P. _Carliolensis Ecclesiæ Decano,
& Regiæ Majestati a Sacris Domesticis._
_Sancti Patris nostri Joannis Chrysostomi Archiepiscopi Constantinopolitani
de Sercerdotio Libri_ VI. _accessere Dissertationes quædam Promiales
de Dignitate Sacerdotali, item S. Chrysostomi Vita e Celeber. Cavij
Historia Litteraria desumpta. Adornavit, Præfationemq; adjecit Joannes
Hughes_, A. M. _Collegij Jesu apud Cantabrigienses Socius. Cantabrigiæ
Typis Academicis._
Instructions for the Education of a Daughter, by the Author of
_Temelachus_. To which is added a small Tract of Instructions for the
Conduct of young Ladies of the highest Rank, with suitable Devotions
annex'd. Done into _English_, and revis'd by Dr. _Geo. Hicks_: The
second Edition.
The glorious Descent, or the Blessings of the Holy Ghost, represented
in thre Discourses on St. _John_, vi. 7. Lately preach'd at _Triploe_
near _Cambridge_. To which are added, three other Sermons, Two on the
Feast of _Easter_; and, one on the Nativity of our Lord. By _Edmund
Brome_, B. D. and Fellow of St. _John_'s College in _Cambridge_, being
improv'd with Notes and Enlargements.
An Account of the Earl of _Peterboroughs_ Conduct in _Spain_, chiefly
since the Raising the Seige of _Barcelona_, 1706. To which is added
the Campagne of _Valencia_. With Original Papers. The second Edition
corrected.
_Epicteti Enchiridion_, made _English_, in a Poetical Phrase. By _Ellis
Walker_, M. A.
A Sermon preach'd at the Anniversary Meeting of the Sons of the Clergy,
in the Cathedral Church of St. _Paul_, on _Thursday, Dec. 2. 1708_. By
_Phillip Basse_, D. D.
A Sermon Preach'd before the Sons of the Clergy, at their
_Anniversary-Meeting_ in the Church of St. _Paul_, _Dec. 6. 1709_. By
_Francis Atterbury_, D. D. Preacher at the _Rolls_, Dean of _Carlisle_,
and Chaplain in Ordinary to Her Majesty. To which are annex'd, An
_Abstract_ of the _Charter_, erecting the _Corporation_; and a True
Account of the _Sums_, distributed sinee its Erection.
_Just Publish'd_
A True State of the Case of the Reverend Mr. _Greenshields_, now
Prisoner in the _Tolbooth_ in _Edenburgh_, For Reading _Common-Prayer_,
in an _Episcopal Congregation_ there; tho' qualify'd by taking the
_Oaths_, and praying for the _Queen_ and Princess _Sophia_. With Copies
of several Original Papers relating to his _Accusation_, _Defense_,
_Imprisonment_, and _Appeal_, first to the Lords of the Session in
_North-Britain_, and since to the House of Lords.
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "A sermon preach'd before the Right Honourable the Lord-Mayor : the aldermen and citizens of London - at the Cathedral-Church of St. Paul on Monday the 30th of - Jan. 1709/10 being the anniversary fast for the Martyrdom - of King Charles" ***
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