noble accomplishments O what a pitiful dull thing is this rebellious malice how base and weak is it in its attempts how happily is it defeated and disappointed what have they done but to raise us higher by our fall and to lift themselves up on high that they might fall with a greater more dreadful ruine What do you think now you that us'd to talk so much of Providence where was your consideration of God's eternity I speak this not to reproach you but to undeceive you Did you think that God would never come and appear again because he hid his face from us for a time 2 Pet. 3.9 The Lord is not slack as some men count slackness for a thousand years in his sight are but as one day He hath now appeared again sooner than we could expect and much sooner than we deserv'd The stone which the builders Psal 118.22 23. not of Jerusalem but of Babel refused is now become the head of the corner This is the Lord 's doing and it is marvellous in our eyes The other was the Lord's doing too in exercising his just judgment upon a sinful Nation But this is his work of mercy the benefit whereof we hope will endure to all succeeding ages 'T is our comfort that we have remaining an illustrious branch of that ROYAL STEMME from which we hope to enjoy the fruits of Justice Goodness and Clemency Uno avulso non deficit alter Aureus simili frondescit virga metallo God and Nature his undoubted right and his Princely vertues have made him our King long since though we have wanted the comfort of his presence If any of his enemies should impertinently ask where his Kingdom hath been all this time 'T is easily answer'd where their 's never was He hath reign'd in the hearts and affections of his loving and faithful subjects which is a Kingdom farre more great and glorious than the proudest and most insolent Usurpers can ever hope to obtain Our Bodies only the worser part of us were under their power but our Minds which are most truly and properly our selves were at his dispose They bound our Hands but our Hearts were knit and oblig'd to him They possess'd the Cabinet but they could never come at the Jewel In the worst of times duty and allegiance were farre from suffering a totall defection and I dare confidently affirm that there are more than seven times seven thousand in England that never bow'd their knees to Baal If you could have then discover'd the hearts of many that were faithful in the Land there might you have discern'd a constant and immoveable Allegiance there might you have beheld the brightest flames of unextinguish'd love and Loyalty And now since the danger of owning him is taken away and the obstruction is removed behold how those hidden flames break out and make a glorious appearance Your eyes have seen and your ears have heard with how great a chearfulness with what expressions of unexpressible joy he is every where acknowledged I know no rejoycing that can so well be compared with ours as that of the Israelites at the proclaiming and crowning of Solomon 1 Kings 1. 39 40. They blew the trumpet and all the people said God save King Solomon And all the people came up after him and the people piped with pipes and rejoyced with great joy so that the earth rent with the sound of them And yet they had not so great reason to rejoyce as we Their change was but from a David to a Solomon immediately from a righteous KING and a great warriour to a wise and peaceful Prince But we I need not tell you the difference What shall we say now to those impostours that endeavour'd to put out our eyes by their frequent boasting of the consent of the people by pretending that their advancement was the Nation 's interest 'T is a sign they were farre from true Nobility that could so impudently practise that base and slavish vice of lying to maintain their ill-gotten authority I confess the late Tyrant in one or two instances seem'd to be somewhat modest but I attribute that rather to the over-ruling hand of Providence than to any goodness of his He styled himself Protectour of England Scotland and Ireland This was a notorious untruth for he was the ruiner and destroyer of these flourishing Kingdoms But here his impudence fail'd him that he durst not adventure to write himself By the Grace of God Again you know time was when he would and would not be King when he refus'd and yet hop'd that his refusal would have gain'd him that honour But in conclusion he miss'd of that which he had sought with so much ambition This again I ascribe to Divine Providence whose admirable contrivance it was that the Crown the sacred Embleme of Divine Power and Majesty should never touch that villanous and polluted head I need not tell you your own experience may abundantly inform you how dangerous it is to be under the dominion of ignoble and unworthy persons Whereas he that is of Royal birth and is a King by the appointment of God and Nature can maintain his dignity without those base and ignoble arts without those ambitious shifts and contrivances which are the only support of those that have no right and as little merit Again he that is a King by birth must needs look upon his people as his own natural possession and is thereby engag'd to provide more affectionately for their good and welfare and to regard them with a more tender and paternal care Lastly He that is such will be more sensible of honour and is likely to propound more noble ends in all his designs and counsels Therefore whether we look back upon what we have suffer'd or forward upon what we hope to enjoy in both respects we have reason to acknowledge this blessing of the Text Blessed art thou O Land when thy King is the son of Nobles And we may well take up those words of the Queen of Sheba Blessed he the Lord our God which delighted in him to set him on the throne of this our Israel 1 Kings 10.9 Because the Lord our God loved Israel for ever therefore he hath made him King to doe justice and judgement 'T has been our very great unhappiness to know him yet but little by experience But all the fame and the report of those that know him speaks him to be a rare and most accomplish'd Prince And yet I hope that his wisdome and goodness will hereafter so much exceed our present expectations that we shall say 1 King 10.6 7. as the fore-mentioned Queen did to Solomon It was a true report which we heard but the half was not told us In the mean time I shall give you two ample and honourable testimonies of him when he was nine or ten years younger than now he is from two dying Lords who being persons of honour and at the point of death are
GentÃsque Togatae Gloria grande decus Magni Ciceronis Alumne Quantus in exiguo luces GODMANNE Libellus Audiat hicce DEO summo CAROLÓ que Secundo Votivae tabulae subjungas Viva Parentis Effigies nam te pingis qui jure voceris Et Civis Probus suavi Chrysostomus ore Ne metuas Navem pelago committe pusillam Navigat incolumis CAROLUS tibi Caesare major Omina laeta dabit Tanto Duce Numine tanto Auspice ridebis fremitus murmura volgi JO. FELTON Col. Gon. -Caii S. In elegantissimam pientissimámque concionem viri optimi mihi suprà quam dici potest charissimi G. GODMAN QUO tandem igne calescis insolente Quo demum raperis furore linguam Quaenam suada tibi diserta labra Melle nectare dulciore reptet Quis vires melior Deus ministrat Quò nos attonitos trahis rapÃsque O quà m dulcè canis quid hoc negotî Non inter reliquos magìs solebas Elucere priùs stupende Rhetor Quà m laetus celebrans diem beatum Id quod nemo alius potest vel ipsum Te longè superas antecedis Sed quorsum tamen ista miror annon Dudum novi animum pium fideles Sensus tempora namque iniquiora Infaustósque dies dies pudendos Questi saepe sumus miserrimámque Sortem flevimus graves ruinas Collapsae patriae quot execrati Diris consilia impia atque iniqua Arma immania foedera rebellûm Vesanam rabiem nefas triumphans Et felix scelus nefanda vilis CROMWELLI putridissimaeque Caudae Ausa quot lachrymis dolore quanto Quo luctu attonito stupore fata Indignissima Martyris beati Aerumnásque malas necémque iniquam Moesti planximus diem nefastum Irati odimus atque abominati Infensè quoties sumus tenebrae Foedae perpetuaeque noctis umbrae Ut Solem occulerent ei imprecati Votis ominibus prece frequente Et desiderio admodum fideli Te nunquam sumus exulem vocare Obliti CAROLE ô diu cupite Ast olim tamen ista mussitare Aut saltem ambiguè loqui licebat Solúm Non etenim palà m dolere Nec lugere forìs minúsque apertè Quicquid mens pia suggerebat aut quae Effari libuit frequente coraem Confusáque referre concione Nobis fas erat hoc enim negabant Infames malè conscii latrones Tandem liberiùs piae recessus Mentis pandere pectorÃsque fidi Claustra effringere cùm potes sinúsque Integros aperire fusiúsque Quae jamcunque placent tuo arbitratu Enarrare palámque praedicare Spe quantâ erigimur repenté quid non De te polliciti sumus stupendum Celsum grande aliquid rogamus omnes Nec frustrà fuimus speÃve falsi Quin tu vota licèt superbiora Magnis passibus antecelluisti Nedum encomia nostra conticescam J. BOULT C.G.C.S. A SERMON PREACHED at S. Mary's in Cambridge before the University on Thursday the 24th of May 1660. being the day of solemn Thanksgiving for the Deliverance and Settlement of our Nation ECCLES 10.17 Blessed art thou O Land when thy King is the son of Nobles THat it may appear there is no prerogative of excellency but what may be joyned with Kingly power we have heard of some that have been both Kings and Priests David was both King and Prophet and here we have Solomon his son that was both King and Preacher Again that it may be evident what a neer connexion there is between Loyalty and Religion I have chosen this part of his Royall Sermon to be the subject of mine For 't is easily observable that most of this Chapter relates to the duty of Subjects and authority of Sovereigns and it could not be that Solomon's interest should oblige him to express so much both here and elswhere concerning the power and advantages of Princes for certainly he as well as other Pen-men of holy Scripture spake as he was moved by the holy Ghost 2 Pet. 1.21 Now since those noble and worthy Patriots whose authority we have reason to bless as well as to obey have commanded us to render publick and solemn thanks this day to Almighty God for the settlement and deliverance of our Countrey I thought I could not finde a Text more suitable to this joyfull occasion for all our deliverance and establishment is comprehended in this and all our joy and happiness is herein compleated That we have a King and not onely so but likewise one who is the son of Nobles For 't is possible that an inferiour person may usurp a Crown which if he doth 't is both his infamy and the Kingdomes misery And that verse in the Greek Epigram may very well be applied to such a one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 That the coming down from his usurped height is his rise but the climbing up is his fall This was it which Q. Elizabeth in her great prudence was carefull to prevent for being importun'd on her death-bed by her Councell to declare her Successour she thus express'd her self I have said My throne is the throne of Kings I will not that a vile person succeed me And when the Secretary asked her what she meant by those words she answered I will that a King be my successour and who but my nearest kinsman the King of Scotland Now therefore thanks be to God for this unspeakable benefit that this Scripture is fulfilled in our ears and in relation to our selves that we can now again securely and solemnly apply this beatitude to our own Nation and Country Blessed art thou O Land when thy King is the son of Nobles In which words there are these three particulars contained First a King Secondly his Character The son of Nobles and Thirdly the blessedness that results from both This last I shall involve in the Application intending in the mean time to speak something in general to the two former And to begin with the first I shall not think it necessary to entertain your thoughts with any large discourse concerning KINGLY power I shall only put you in mind that the greatest part of mankind hath been in all times governed by Monarchs and that Monarchy is the best and noblest form of Civil Government as most resembling the Empire of the Divine Majesty the most firm and durable as being most at unity within it self the most serviceable to the ends of Government as containing the greatest and most effectual Authority And I can but mention the admirable frame and temper of the English Monarchy which is so beautified with all the ornaments and splendour of a Kingdome that it withall includes all the advantages and conveniences that can be imagined in a free State Wherein the Law hath exactly joyned and united the King's Prerogative the Priviledge of Parliament and the Liberty of the people Where the Soveraign hath enough to maintain his Authority and Majesty and the Subject hath sufficient for his encouragement comfort support and dignity but not wherewithall
It cuts off those mischiefs that commonly happen in the intervals of Government 'T is necessary that such a great and important affair should be transacted by something that is clear manifest and beyond dispute The excess of merit is uncertain the effects of violence are dangerous and dreadful as we have found by woful experience and I hope that now our eyes are open to discover that the consent of the people may be fallaciously and fraudulently pretended or perfidiously and impudently challenged when 't was never given Therefore let the judgement of nature carry it which is clear and determinate and seems to be the judgement of God himself Though here in our own case we have the voice of the people too declared in a most eminent and evident manner and this is commonly said to be the voice of God For 't is he that puts one in subjection and exalts another that fixeth an especial mark of respect and veneration upon Nobility 'T is the prerogative Royal of the King of Heaven to be the fountain of honour to give order as well as being to his creatures and to dispose of as seems best unto himself all the services both of Men and Angels When he hath herein declared his will and pleasure what remains for us to doe but to honour those whom he hath honoured 'T is our duty not to fight against him by setting up those on high whom he hath placed in a lower sphere and depressing those whom he hath exalted And 't is wisedome not to venture the danger of such an improvident change For to what purpose should Jotham's bramble be promoted over the trees unless that fire should come out of it and devour the Cedars of Lebanon Jud. 9.15 And if the thistle pretends to an equality with the Cedar what is like to be the event but that the wild beast that passeth by should tread it down Therefore it can never be well 2 Kings 14. ◠but when the Government is on his shoulder whose right it is I should have discoursed more at large on these particulars But I consider that Application coming neerer to mens affections works more effectually and powerfully on them than a loose and general discourse And therefore having much to say and not willing to be tedious I will no longer withhold my self from looking toward that illustrious mercy which this day celebrates for which we bless and praise the infinite and eternal Goodness I doubt not but ye all know that this Kingdome flourish'd in peace plenty and prosperity for many years before the beginning of these late unhappy troubles The source and original whereof I shall not curiously search into as wishing rather that it may be buried in the grave of eternal oblivion But this we may with truth and charity say That we have felt the indignation of God because we have sinned against him He prevented us with his loving-kindness he compass'd us with blessings on every side he heap'd his benefits upon us What could he have done more for his vineyard that he did not in it Isa 5.4 But Jesurun waxed fat and kicked when we had eaten and were full then we forgat the Lord that had done so great things for us and we lightly esteemed the rock of our salvation What wonder is it then that our greater rebellion against God was justly punish'd with first an eclipse and diminution and at last with the most deplorable loss of a just pious and merciful SOVERAIGN There were some that cried out We will not have this man to reign over us They were too stout and obstinate to submit to a lamb-like innocence and meekness and so we were delivered up not so much to be governed as destroyed by foxes wolves and tigres There is no doubt but sin hath brought upon us all those evils that we have suffered all our changes of Government and all those destructive consequences that have attended such vain and ambitious contrivances all that violence and rapine whereby this Kingdome is almost exhausted all that sacrilege whereby our Churches have been ruined and our Clergy discouraged all those odious cheats and impostures by which this poor afflicted Nation hath been most wretchedly deceived Time was when we were the envy but of late we have been the scorn and reproach of all the Nations that are round about us 'T is easy to conjecture from whence have proceeded all those varieties of government that have been I cannot say whether more perniciously or ridiculously attempted for there was as much of the Comedy in the impertinent contrivance as of the Tragedy in the sad effects all that inconstancy and uncertainty that hath of late exercised these weather-beaten Kingdomes For the transgression of a land saith Solomon many are the Princes thereof Prov. 28.2 But there 's comfort in the words that follow But by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged Our State hath as much need of a wise and excellent Prince as once that of Rome had when it had been sorely shaken with the miseries and distractions of civil Warres 'T was then the onely safety of that Empire to be devolved upon Augustus Caesar Flor. lib. 4. Qui sapientiâ suâ atque solertiâ perculsum undique perturbatum ordinavit imperii corpus quod ità haud dubiè nunquam coire consentire potuisset nisi unius praesidis nutu quasi animâ mente regeretur I hope by this time we have learnt the same wisedome to know from whence we may expect our safety and happiness We have tried long enough what it is to be ruled with a rod of iron in the hands of our insulting and merciless fellow-Subjects If the sense of that shame and reproach that vexation and misery doth not yet awaken us we must be concluded to be possess'd with a more than Lethargick stupidity But we have great reason on the contrary to believe that now all men discern how safe how necessary how honourable it is for them to commit themselves to the Government of a most excellent and indulgent Prince whom God and Nature have design'd to be the Father of his Country I hope that now those happy times are come which his late Majesty foretold wherein the Subjects of these Nations have learnt by their miseries 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ch 27. That Religion to their God and Loyalty to their King cannot be parted without both their sin and their infelicity If we have any sense of our long-continued calamities we must needs confess that God hath blessed our Land since he hath laid help upon one that is mighty since he hath exalted the son of NOBLES for such is our most gracious SOVERATION LORD who is worth ten thousand of us 2 Sam. 18.3 To make this evident I shall not think my self obliged to enumerate all his noble and Royal Progenitours or to declare how he is related to many of the greatest and noblest