expresse our unspeakable Joyes That immediately upon the dissolution and decease of Elizabeth late Queen of England the Imperial Crown of the Realm of England and of all the Kingdoms Dominions and Rights belonging to the same did by inherent Birthright and lawfull and undoubted Successâ—en descend and come to your most Excellent Majestie as being Lineally Justly and Lawfully next and sole Heir of the Blood Royal of this Realm as is aforesaid And that by the goodnesse of God Almighty and lawfull Right of descent under one Imperial Crown your Majestie is of the Realms and Kingdoms of England Scotland France and Ireland the most Potent and mighty King and by Gods goodnesse more able to protect and govern us your loving Subjects in all Peace and Plentie than any of your noble Progenitors And thereunto we most humbly and faithfully do submit and oblige our selves our heirs and posterities for ever until the last drop of our Bloods be spent And do beseech your Majestie to accept the same as the first fruits in this high Court of Parliament of our Loyalty and faith to your Majestie and your Royal Progenie and posterity for ever Which if your Majestie shall be pleased as an argument of your gracious acceptation to adorn with your Majesties Royal Assent without which it can neither be complete and perfect nor remain to all posteritie according to our most humble desire as a memorial of your Princely and tender affection towards us we shall adde this also to the rest of your Majesties unspeakable and inestimable benefits In which Act there are these particulars very seasonable and observable in respect of the present posture of our publike affairs 1. That the happy union and conjunction of our divided Kingdoms formenly torn and wasted with long and miserable dissentions and bloody civil wars between Competitors for the Crown and the King and Subjects is a great and unspeakable benefit and blessing to the Kingdom and Nation bestowed on them by God himself 2. That the re-uniting not only of the two but three mighty famous and antient Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland under one Imperial Crown and Heredirary King is a far more inestimable and unspeakable blessing to all 3. Kingdoms and Nations 3. That there is no Interregnum in Law in the Realm and Crown of England but that immediately upon the decease of the King thereof the Imperial Crown of the Realm of England and of all the Kingdoms Dominions and Rights belonging to the same do by inherent birth-right and lawfull and undoubted Succession Lineally Justly and lawfully descend to the next heir of the blood Royal before he be publikely crowned King As this Act in direct Terms declares and all the Judges of England unanimously adjudged in the case of Watson and Cleark 2. Popish Priests who held King James no lawfull King before he was Crowned and thereupon conspired to imprison him in the Tower c. for which they were both condemned and executed as Traytors Hill 1. Jacobi as had been oft adjudged before in the first 7. years of King H. 6. and in the cases of Queen Jane the Dukes of Northumberland and Suffolk the Lord Rochford Sir John Gates Sir Thomas Palmer and others condemned in levying War against her and executed 1 Mariae for Treason against Qu. Mary before she was Crowned to deprive her of the Crown which both the Peers and Judges of the Realm and the Parliament of 1 Mariae ch 16. adjudged Treason within 25 E. 3. against the mistaken Doctrine of Mr. Thomas Scot and some temporizing Lawyers of late years 4. That it is the duty and practice of all loyal and faithfull Subjects of all estates and degrees with all possible publike joyes unspeakable general rejoycings acclamations applauses affectionate desires by other means to proclaim acknowledge and Crown their lawfull hereditary Kings after the decease of their Ancestors and to make all possible demonstrations of their cordial loyalty love zeal and affection to them both in and out of Parliment being obliged thereunto both by the Laws of God and Man 5. That this Act of Parliament and the Oathes of Supremacy and Allegiance do both in point of Law Loyalty Justice Conscience oblige the whole English Nation their heirs and posterities for ever to be true faithfull loyal and obedient to King James his heirs and posteritie for ever and so to our present King till the last drop of their blood be spent as to their undoubted lawfull and hereditary Kings and Soveraigns 6. That a numerous hopefull royal Progeny likely to continue and perpetuate the hereditarie succession of the Crown in the true Regal line is an extraordinarie blessing and happinesse to the Kingdom for which they are all bound both in and out of Parliament to render all humble thanks and praises unto God To this I shall subjoyn the Statute of 3 Iacobi ch 1. entituled An Act for a publick Thanksgiving to Almighty God every year on the fifth day of November FOrasmuch as Almightie God hath in all ages shewed his power and mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverance of his Church and in the protection of religious Kings and States And that no Nation of the earth hath been blessed with greater benefits than this Kingdom now enjoyeth having the true and free profession of the Gospel under our most gracious Soveraign Lord King Iames the most great learned and religious King that ever reigned therein enriched with a most hopefull and plentifull Progeny proceeding out of his Royal loyns promising continuance of this happinesse and profession to all posterity the which many malignant and devillish Papists Jesuites and Seminary Priests much envying and fearing Conspired most horribly when the Kings most Excellent Majesty the Queen the Prince and all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and Commons should have been assembled in the Upper House of Parliament upon the fifth day of November in the year of our Lord 1605. suddenlie to have blown up the said whole House with Gunpowder An invention so inhuman barbarous and cruel as the like was never before heard of and was as some of the principal Conspirators thereof confesse purposely devised and concluded to be done in the said House that where the sundry necessarie and Religious Laws for preservation of the Church and State were made which they falsly and slanderously term cruel Laws enacted against them and their Religion both place and persons should be all destroyed and blown up at once which would have turned to the utter ruine of this whole Kingdom had it not pleased Almighty God by inspiring the Kings most Excellent Majestie with a Divine spirit to interpret some dark phrases of a Letter shewed to his Majestie above and beyond all ordinarie construction thereby miraculously discovering this hidden Treason not many hours before the appointed time for the execution thereof Therefore the Kings most Excellent Majestie the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and all his Majesties Faithfull and loving
Servants in their daily Prayer afore all other to remember that most worthy Minister of God King Edward the sixth which hath so sore wounded the Beast that he may throw all his Superstition into the bottomlesse lake again from whence they have comen to the comfort of his People Our learned Thomas Beacon in his Preface to The Flower of Godly Prayers dedicated to Anne Dutchesse of Somerset as he doth exceedingly blesse God for the extraordinary zeal and piety of King Edward the 6th in delivering his Realm from Antichristian Tyranny and Popery reforming the Church propagating true religion and in giving us this most worthy Prince to be our King So he hath this particular Prayer for the King to be used by all private Christians daily in their respective Families and Closets with zeal and devotion Almighty God King of Kings and Lord of Lords which by thy divine ordinance hast appointed Temporal Rulers to govern thy People according to equity and justice and to live among them as a loving Father among his natural Children unto the advancement of the good and punishment of the evil we most humbly beseech thee favourably to behold Edward thy Servant our King and Governour and to breath into his heart through thy holy Spirit that Wisdom that is ever about the Throne of thy Majesty whereby he may be provoked moved and stirred to love fear and serve thee to seek thy glory to banish Idolatry Superstition and Hypocrisy out of this his Realm and unfeignedly to avance thy holy and pure Religion among us his Subjects unto the example of other forein Nations O Lord defend him from his enemies send him long and prosperous life among us and give him grace not only in his own Person godly and justly to rule but also to appoint such Magistrates under him as may be likewise affected both toward thy holy Word and toward the Common-weal that his Subjects living under his Dominion in all godlinesse peace and wealth may passe the time of this our short pilgrimage in thy fear and service unto the glory of thy blessed name which alone is worthy all honour for ever and ever Amen Next after this follows one Prayer for the Kings Council And after that a Prayer for the common peace and quietnesse of all Realms very seasonable for our times And in his Pomaunder of Prayer he hath this Prayer of Subjects or Commons As it is thy godly appointment O Lord God That some should bear rule in the world to see thy Glory set forth and the common peace kept so is it thy pleasure again that some should be Subjects and Inferiours to others in their vocation although before thee there is no respect of Persons And for as much as it is thy good will to appoint me in the number of Subjects I beseech thee to give me a faithfull and an obedient heart unto the High Powers that there may be found in me no Disobedience no Vnfaithfullnesse no Treason no Falsehood no Dissimulation no Insurrection no Commotion no Conspiracy nor any kind of Rebelâ—ion in Word or Deed against the Civil Magistrates But all Faithfulnesse Quietnesse Subjection Humility and whatsoever else becommeth a Subject That I living here in all lowlynesse of mind may at the last day through thy favour be lifted up into everlasting Glory where thou with the Father and the Holy Ghost livâ—st and reignest very God for ever Amen These were the Godly Loyal fervent daily publick and private Prayers of Protestant Ministers and Subjects for King Edward the 6th in that Age. Queen Mary a Popish Prince succeeding King Edward set aside the Book of Common-prayer and introduced Popish Mâ—ssals Processionals Howers Primers and Popery again wherein they publickly prayed for her in the forecited manner under our Popish Kings her zealous Protestant Bishops Ministers and Subjects likewise making fervent constant Prayers for her But some over-zealous Anabaptistical Fanaticks using some unchristian expressions in their Prayers against her That God would cut her off and shorten her daies of which there was complaint made in Parliament Whereupon there was this special Act made against such Prayers Anno 1555. 1 2 Phil. Mar. ch 9. Forasmuch as now of late diverse noughty seditious malicious and heretical persons not having the fear of God before their eyes who in a divellish sort contrary to the duty of their Allegiance congregated themselves together in Conventicles in divers and sundry prophane places within the City of London esteeming themselves to be in the true Faith where indeed they are in Errors and Heresies and out of the true trade of Christs Catholick Religion and in the same places at several times using their phantastical and schismatical services have of their most malicious and wicked Stomachs prayed against the Queens Majesty That God would turn her Heart from Idolatry to the true Faith which was good and Christian or else to shorten her daies or take her quickly out of the way Which Prayer was never heard or read to have been used by any good Christian man against any Prince though he were a Pagan and Infidel and much lesse against any Christian Prince and especially so virtuous a Princess as our Soveraign Lady that now is is known to be c. For reformation whereof it is enacted That every such person and persons which since the beginning of this Parliament have by expresse words and sayings prayed required or desired or hereafter shall pray by express words or sayings That God would shorten her daies or take her out of the way whose life Almighty God long preserve or any such like malicious Prayer amounting to the same effect their Promoters Abetters therein shall be taken reputed and judged Traytors and every such praying requiring and destring shall be judged taken and reputed High Treason And the Offendors therein their Procurours and Abetters being thereof lawfully convict according to the Laws of this Realm shall have suffer and forfeit as in Cases of High Treason Provided alwaies and be it enacted that if any Person or Persons shall be indicted for any the offences aforesaid done and perpetrated during this Session of this present Parliament and upon his or their arraignment shall shew him or themselves penitent for their offence and submit him or themselves to the Kings and Queens mercy and humbly desire the same before such Justices or Commissioners before whom he or they shall be arraigned that then no judgement of conviction or attaindour of Treason shall be given against any such Person or Persons so being penitent and submitting themselves And in every such case the Justices or Commissioners before whom such Person or Persons shall be arraigned shall have authority by virtue of this Act to prescribe adjudge and appoint such corporal punishment other than death to such offender and offenders as to them by their discretion shall seem convenient and upon that penance prescribed and done
who prayed for the person and family of the King under whom he lived and sojourned that so his example might be obligatory and presidential to all other faithful people servants and saints of God in all ages and places as well Gentiles as Jewes who ought to follow his steps herein 3ly That he thus prayed for Abimelech and his family though as most conceive a heathen idolatrous King and no worshipper of the true God as Abrahams words to Abimelech v. 11. Because I thought surely the fear of God is not in this place and they will slay me for my wives sake and Gen. 21. 32 34. import Therefore the Saints and people of God ought to pray to God for their Kings and their Families though Pagans Infidels Papists Hereticks much more then when they are worshippers professors of the true God and Religion yea Christians and Patrons of the Gospel of Jesus Christ 4ly That Abraham here prayed for Abimelech his wife family not of his own voluntary accord but by special direction and command from God Therefore prayer for Kings their families is no human arbitrary invention action which may be omitted or performed at mens pleasure but a divine institution precept duty which must be constantly performed out of conscience in obedience to Gods command 5ly That this prayer of Abraham was not confined only to King Abimelechs own person but extended to his wife maid-servants and posterity and was principally that God would open their wombs which he had fast â—â—sed that they might bear children which they bare after Abraham prayed for them unto God v. 17 18. that so there might be an hereditary succession of his children after him in the kingdom Therefore Subjects especially in hereditary kingdoms are obliged not only to pray for their Kings own persons but also for their Queens families the multiplication and continuance of their royal posterity to sway the scepter and succeed them in the throne even by this original president of Abrahams prayer Which compared with Abrahams Oath and Covenant to Abimelech who sware unto him by God That he would not lie unto nor deal falsly with Abimelech nor with his Son nor with his Sons Son but according to the kindness he had done unto Abraham that he should do unto him and to the land wherein he had sojourned Gen. 21 22 23 24 27 31 32. is a most pregnant argument not only of the lawfulness of Subjects Oaths of Fealty Homage Allegiance and Supremacy to their Kings their heirs and successors but likewise of the antiquity and inviolable obligation of such Oathes which ought to be conscienciously observed without lying falshood or the least violation by all who swear them in the sacred name of the true everlasting God 6ly That all Subjects are then most principally obliged to pray for their Kings and their families when they lie under any judgements or afflictions of God for their sins because then they most need their prayers as a special means prescribed by God to remove his judgements restore his favour blessings to them preserve lengthen their lives and make them fruitfull in posterity The 2. President I shall insist on is this related Gen. 47. 7 10. And Joseph brought in Jacob his Father after his coming down into Aegypt and set him before Pharaoh and Jacob blessed Pharaoh so soon as hee came before him After some discourse between them at his departure from him it is recorded again And Joseph blessed Pharaoh the second time and went out from before Pharaoh Now this his double blessing of Pharaoh both at his coming in to and departing from him was nothing else but a double prayer to God to bestow all kinds of blessings on King Pharaoh and his posterity as is evident by Gen. 24. 60. c. 27. 1 to 41. c. 28. 1 3 4. c. 48. 8. to the end and ch 49. 1 to 29. compared with this Text. From whence it is remarkable 1. That as Abraham the Father of the faithfull was the first so Jacob his Grandson the father of the 12. Patriarks was the 2d person recorded in sacred Story who prayed for and blessed the King in whose kingdom he resided whose example is very presidential for all others and worthy their imitation 2ly That Jacob was no natural born Subject to Pharaoh but only a stranger and sojourner in Aegypt yet he thus blessed and prayed for him Therefore his and all other Kings genuine Subjects were much more obliged by duty and allegiance to pray for and blesse them 3ly That he thus prayed for and blessed him twice at his first accesse to and recesse from his presence which should instruct all loyal Saints and Christian Subjects frequently to blesse and pray for their Kings and Princes both in their accesses to and recesses from them and upon all other just occasions as well in private as publike 4ly That he thus blessed and prayed for Pharaoh though a Pagan King under whom and his Successors he and his posterity were assured they should be made bond-man and forely oppressed for 400. years till God should rescue and bring them out of Aegypt by a strong hand Gen. 15. 13 14 15 16. Exod. 12. 40. 41. Acts 7. 6. 7. To teach us that all loyal Subjects Saints Christians ought to blesse pray for not only their godly christian orthodox Religious Kings who protect preserve them in their Religion Laws Liberties but even for their Pagan Heretical Kings and such who afflict oppresse persecute them and not to curse depose murder destroy or rebell against them Mat. 5 43 44 45. Luke 6. 27 28 29. c. 23 24. Acts 8. 60. Rom. 13. 1 2 3. c. 12. 19 20 21. 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 3. 1 Pet. 2. 18 to 25. contrary to the practice tenents of the Saints subjects of this degenerate apostate treacherous and perfidious age 5ly That one part of Gods and mens blessing of Kings is that they may have a numerous continuing progeny permanent House and royal issue to succeed them in the throne and reign over their Nations and Kingdoms in happinesse peace safety prosperity for many generations Gen. 17. 5 6 7. 16. 2 Sam. 7. 10. to the end 2 Chron. 6. 4 to 18. 1 Kings 8. 18 to 27. c. 11. 36 37 38. 2 Kings 10. 31. Ps 132. 11 12. compared with Psal 128. 3 4 5 6. Gen. 24. 60. Which no doubt was one chief part of Jacobs blessing of and prayer for King Pharaoh being one principle branch of the blessings he bestowed on and wished to his own Sons and Grandsons when he blessed them before his death Gen. 48. 15 16 19 23. c. 49. 10. 22 25 28. Whence it inevitably followes that it is the property duty of all loyal pious Saints Christians people cordially to pray for and desire God to blesse their Kings with a numerous permanent royal issue and posterity to succeed them in their royal thrones and reign over them with all peace safety felicity not to disinherit banish
a Quaker apprehended by a company of Souldiers and kept Prisoner for a time only for praying in general for all Christian Kings Princes and Governors according to this Text when George Whitehead and George Fox two Quakers blasphemously railed and disputed against Jesus Christ the two other Persons the blessed Trinity and the word of God an whole hour together in the Maiors presence and sundry others without check or punishment such are the atheistical antimonarchical times wherein we live In this text consider 1. The Pen-man of it by divine inspiration S. Paul the Apostle of Jesus Christ specially delegated by him to the Gentiles uncircumcision to open their cies to turn them from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God And to bear Christs name before the Gentiles and Kings Acts 9. 15. c. 26. 16 17 18. Gal. 2. 2 7 8 9. Eph. 3. 1 to 12. Acts 13. 46 47. c. 15. 7. c. 18. 6. c. 21. 19 20. c. 22 21. c. 28. 28. Rom. 11. 13. c. 15. 15 to 25. Col. 1. 27 28. 2 Tim. 1. 11. c. 4. 17. Therefore these Duties are specially recommended and prescribed to them 2ly The person to whom this Epistle and exhortation was principally particularly directed even Timothy his dearly beloved Son and Fellow Minister in preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles then residing at Ephesus 1 Tim. 1 3. a City and Church of the Gentiles where he exercised his Ministry and was to perform these Duties publickly in his own person as a Minister to excite all others thereunto Therefore these Duties of making publick Supplications Prayers Intercessions and Thanksgivings for Kings both in publick and private do principally belong and are carefully to be performed by all Ministers and Preachers of the Gospel to and amongst the Gentiles 3ly The manner of pressing these Duties the Apostle doth most earnestly and zealously urge their performance as the words I exhort or earnestly desire import Exhortings being the most passionate pathetical fervent pressing of men to duties Lu. 3. 18. Act. 11. 23. c. 13. 15. c. 2. 40. c. 15. 32. c. 20. 2. Rom. 12. 8. 1 Thes 2. 11 12. c. 4. 1. c. 5. 14. 2 Thes 3. 12. 1 Tim. 4. 13. c. 6. 2. 2 Tim. 4. 2. Tit. 1. 9. c. 2. 6 15. Heb. 3. 13. c. 12. 5. c. 13. 22. 1 Pet. 5. 1. Jude 3. 4ly The grounds of his enforcing these Duties so earnestly implyed in the word therefore relating to the close of the precedent Chapter v. 18 19 20. This charge I commit unto thee Son Timothy according to the Prophecies that went before on thee that thou by them mightest war a good warfare holding Faith and a good Conscience which he could not do or perform unless he discharged these Duties he thus exhorted him to being a part of his spiritual good warfare and both a means and evidence of his holding Faith and a good Conscience and his neglect or contempt of them a ready way to make shipwrack of them as Hymeneus and Alexander had done whom he had dilivered to Satan Antimonarchical and Antimagistratical Ministers or Christians will soon turn Apostates and Blasphemers yea put away and make shipwrack of their Faith and good Conscience towards God when they became disloyal and rebellious to their Kings and give over Supplications Prayers Intercessions and Thanksgivings for them as we have found by late sad experiments 5ly The primacy and excellency of these Duties before all others expressed in the clause I exhort therefore that first of all that is in the first place before and above all other Duties parts of Ministry or Christianity they are carefully conscienciously cordially to be performed without the least omission or neglect 6ly The variety of the Duties set forth by these various expressions That Supplications Prayers Intercessions and Thanksgivings all in the plural number be made for Kings Which pluralities imply 1. A universality of their several kinds to wit That all sorts of Supplications Prayers Intercessions and Thanksgivings whatsoever ought to be made for them 2ly A multiplicity of each of them not a single Supplication Prayer Intercession Thanksgiving and no more but many and manifold Supplications Prayers and Thanksgivings 3ly A frequency fervency constancy perpetuity in the performance of them both in publick and private all our lives long without ceasing or flagging as the marginal Scriptures evidence 4ly An universality in respect of persons and places thus expressed in the verse following I will therefore that men pray every where lifting up holy hands 5ly An universality of things Mercies Blessings c. for which Supplications Prayers Intercessions and Thanksgivings ought at any time ordinarily or extraordinarily publickly or privately to be made to God in behalf of Kings 6ly Supplications for the pardon and remission of all their sins errors miscariages frailties iniquities whatsoever for converting diverting or keeping them from all evil and destructive waies errors counsels designs undertakings whatsoever dishonourable to God scandalous to Religion hurtfull to the Church fatal to their Kingdoms People Royal persons families and posteritie and for removing all inflicted threatned or feared judgements evils from their Persons Families Kingdoms Relations Prayers for all sorts of corporal temporal spiritual eternal Blessings Mercies which they at any time stand in need of and the continuance increase and sanctified use of all they doe enjoy for themselves their Families Kingdoms Counsellors Officers People Allies Intercessions against all machinations dangers conspiracies of spiritual or temporal Enemies Traytors Conspirators against their precious souls bodies lives Crowns Kingdoms Posterities Forces publike undertakings Councils to divert Gods wrath and judgements from and impetrate his gracious love and favour to them upon all occasions Thanksgivings for their births coronations health lives wisdom power justice graces preservations issues posterity all sorts of mercies blessings favors victories successes deliverances from evils sicknesses dangers enemies conspiracies of all kinde conferred on them their Kingdoms Families Posterities Relations for all blessings received from or enjoyed under them and their Government as the free use exercise enjoyment of the Word Sacraments with all other parts of Gods Worship Peace Health Wealth Safety Liberty Prosperity Laws Privileges Parliaments exemptions from Oppressions Rapines Murders Rapes extortions Illegal Taxes Excises Executions Imprisonments banishments wars for all particular benefits and royal favors conferred by them on their own persons or relations All these and what ever else are or may be included in Supplications prayers intercessions thanksgivings are here prescribed to all Ministers and Christians under the Gospel in behalf of their Kings 7ly The primacy and precedence of Kings above all other Governors and persons in authority both in all our supplications prayers intercessions thanksgivings and likewise in their Civil dignity and Authority For although the Apostle to avoid all suspition of flatterie as the Fathers observe exhorts in the first place that Prayers c. should be made for
have found true by late sad experiments Upon which ground the Apostle Paul thus describes the deportment of himself and the other Apostles and Christians under their Persecutors 1 Cor. 12 13. being reviled we bless being persecuted we suffer being defamed we intreat according to our Saviours forecited Precept Mat. 5. 44 45. seconded with his own example and Stephens who prayed for their murdering Persecutors at their very deaths Luke 23. 34. Acts 7. 60. leaving us an example that we should follow their steps herein 1 Pet. 2. 20 21 22 23. Jam. 5. 6 to 12. 10ly The motive God here used to excite Timothy and all other Christians to make Supplications Prayers Intercessions and Thanksgivings for Kings and all in Authority under them whether good or bad Pagans or Christians Persecutors or Protectors of Religion for this is good and acceptable in the fight of God our Saviour as well as beneficial to themselves their Kings and Governours in the last recited respects And if so then the neglecting rejecting inhibiting of these Duties in publick or private must questionless be very evil sinfull displeasing in the fight of God our Saviour who will severely punish it yea a means to hinder us from enjoying and leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty or any Settlement or Tranquillity in Church and State which we have long expected endeavoured desired and prayed for but never enjoyed since we neglected and rejected this duty of making Supplications Prayers Intercessions Thanksgivings for our Kings and casting off their Persons and Kingly Government and are never likely to enjoy till we Loyally and Conscientiously restore both them and these duties for them prescribed in and by this Gospel Text which I have opened and pressed to the full upon this consideration and the Apostles Resolutions Acts 4. 19. c. 5. 29. We ought to obey God rather than Men. 11ly This exhortation of Paul was practiced by himself when he was brought as a Prisoner and pleaded his cause before King Agrippa Acts 26. 28 29. Who saying to Paul almost thou perswadest me to be a Christian Thereupon Paul said I would to God not only thou but also all that hear me this day were both almost and altogether such as I am except these bonds A direct prayer to God for this Kings and his other Auditors Conversion to Christianity Thus much for scripture Presidents and Precepts warranting and commanding this duty both before and under the Law and Gospel I now proceed to other Testimonies in the Primitive Church as well for Pagan Arrian and heretical persecuting Emperors Kings Princes as for Christian Orthodox and such who were Protectors of Christianity and Christians CHAP. IV. FOr the practice of the Primitive Church and Christians touching their publike private prayers intercessions supplications for Kings and Emperors though Pagans and Persecutors as then they were no doubt it is as antient as the Apostles themselves as is evident by the 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. and practiced by them in their publike Liturgies if we believe the Liturgies fathered upon St. Peter and St. Mark to be genuine In the Masse of St. Peter published by William Lindan Bishop of Gaunt printed in Bibliotheca Patrum Coloniae Agrip. 1618. Tom. 1. p. 210. E. I find the Deacon saying In pace Rogemus Dominum pro Religiosissimis Augustis ut una propugnent c. But this Masse twice mentioning the mediation and intercession beatorum Apostolorum Petri Pauli Cornelii Cypriani Laurentii c. some of them not living till 200. years after Peters death and speaking of Peter only as a Saint and Martyr departed and this prayer being not for any Pagan but most religious Christian Emperors This Masse is certainly a gross Popish forgery fathered upon Peter some hundreds of years after his death yet I thought meet to mention this passage in it The Liturgie attributed to St. Mark the Evangelist Peters Disciple as it is but a Popish forgery as well as Peters yet because it contains some set observable Prayers for Kings I shall here insert them as translated out of the Greek Copy Biblioth Patrum Coloniae Agrip. Tom. 1. p. 21. C. Sacerdos hunc in modum orat Dominator Domine Deus omnipotens Pater Domini Dei Servatoris nostri Jesu Christi precamur obsecramus te ut Regem nostrum in pace et fortitudine justitiaque conserves Subjicito ei o Deus omnem inimicum adversarium Apprehende arma scutum exurge in adjutorium ejus Da ei o Deus victorias ut animum ad ea intendat quae nobis pacifica sunt ad nomen sanctum tuum Ut nos in tranquillitate dierum ejus quietam et tranquillam vitam degamus in omni pietate honestate gratia commiserationibus benignitate unigeniti filii tui c. Unto which Prayer all the People are to say Amen After which p. 23. follow these two Prayers Regem Legiones Principes Senatus Concilia Populos nostros in omni pace disponito Rex Regum et Domine dominantium Regnum servi tui othodoxi et Christum amantis Regis nostri quem super â—erram regnare justum censuisti in pace et fortitudine et justitia et tranquillitate conserva Subjicito ei Deus omnem hostem et adversarium tam nostratem quam externum Apprehende arma et scutum exurge in adjutorium ei Obumbra super caput ejus in die belli fac ut de fructu lumbi ejus sedeat super sedem ejus Loquere ad cor ejus bona pro sancta tua Catholica Apostolica Ecclesia omni Christum amante populo ut nos in tranquillitate ejus tranquillam quietam vitam degamus in omni pietate sanctitate Which latter Prayer is only for Christian Kings the former for Pagan as well as Christian both founded on the 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. But to omit these spurious I shall proceed to true genuine Antiquities Polycarpus the Disciple of St. John and the Elders with him about 120. years after Christs Nativity in their Epistle to the Church of God at Philippi precisely enjoyn them to pray for Kings Potentates and Princes then all Pagans and likewise for their Persecutors Haters and Enemies to Christs Crosse that their fruit may be made manifest in all things and that they might be made perfect in Christ Justin Martyr in his 2d Apology for the Christians to Aelius Adrianus and Antoninus pius the Emperors and the Senate of Rome about the year of Christ 150. thus relates the loyalty of the Christians to them both in paying Tributes and praying to God for them though Pagans and Persecutors of Christianity Tributa vero census iis qui à vobis constituti sunt ubique in primis conamur pendere quemadmodum ab eâ— Christo instituti sumus cum enim ad eum quidam adâ—â—ssent quaererentque num tributum pendendum
all or most of those Army-Officers and Souldiers who first created them a Parliament without a King or House of Lords and restored them to their present power in May last and engaging others of them in such displeasing services as do render them odious for the present and infamous to posterity Their exasperating the generality of the Nobility Gentry Ministers and Commons of our three Kingdoms against them by their peremptory denyal to admit and forcible seclusion and voting out the old secluded Members the Majority of the House to monopolize all Parliamentary power and Offices into their own hands and refusing the convening of a free and full Parliament without prelimitations to settle our Distractions according to the general Desires and Addresses of most Counties and Cities of the Kingdom and imprisoning some worthy Gentlemen Swordmen only for presenting at their Counties requests these their Desires in Letters directed to their Speaker and unjustly refusing to bayl them upon Habeas Corporaes in Courts where they sit both as Members and Judges and Parties which none ever did before thereby leaving the subjects in greater Vassalage than ever they sustained under the late King whom they branded and beheaded as the worst of all Tyrants And yet doubling and trebling their Taxes in their exhausted condition and losse of all Trade for those very 6 Months space for which they were taxed and forced to pay in before hand by them without their Common consent in Parl during their Representatives forcible seclusion against their own Act Oct. 11. 1659. contrary to all their former late Declarations no Kings of England having been so extravagant arbitrary unjust oppressive in their Governments and proceedings as they have been and that in the very midst of their own private fears and unsettlement and our publick dangers after all the late vast expences of blood and treasure to maintain our Laws Liberties Propertys against all arbitrary and tyrannical powers nor yet daring to attempt against their Subjects what they have boldly acted against their fellow Members and the People whom they once voted the Sovereign power of the Nation whose servants not Lords they pretend themselves which desperate violences oppressions and extravagances without any hopes of ease peace liberty or settlement will render our Kings and Kingship more amiable and desirable than ever and more promote and accelerate their restitution than all Royallists Counsels and endeavours whatsoever in wise mens Judgements Cum duplicantur lateres Venit Moyses 1 Tim. 1. 17. Now unto the King eternal immortal invisible the only wise God be Honor and Glory for ever and ever Amen FINIS ERRATA P. 4. l. 24. last r. middle p. 43. l. 19. 500 r. 300. p. 68. l. 31. disciâ— r. dejicis l. 34. r. dolori p. 77. l. 32. dele si p. 78. l. 1. r. orationis l. 19. nuncupari l. 34. Antoninus Margin p. 78. l. 9. Antoninus l. 10. p. 10 r. 49. THE SECOND PART OF THE Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods true Saints and pious Christians towards their KINGS HAving lately presented the world with the first part of the Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods true Saints and Pious Christians as likewise of Idolatrous Pagans towards their Kings and Emperors both before and under the Law and also under the Gospel whiles their Emperors and Kings were Idolaters and Ethnicks expressed both by their private and publick Supplications Prayers Intercessions and Thanksgivings unto God by their Votes Acclamations unto themselves others for their health safety long-life temporal spiritual and eternal felicity whether they were Good or Bad Orthodox or Heterodox Protectors or Persecutors in 5. distinct Chapters I shall now by Gods assistance proceed to the constant practice of Christians under the Gospel in this kind after their Kings and Emperors became Christians professing the Gospel of Jesus Christ whether their Kings and Emperors were gracious and Religious vitious or impious Orthodox or Erronious beginning with the Kings of our own Island and presenting you with presidents of this kind both in forein Prelates and Clergy-men as well as in their Domestick Christian Subjects of all sorts our British Island producing the first Christian King Queen and Emperor in the world and the first presidents of private and publick Supplications Prayers Intercessions and thanksgivings for them unto God and Votes Acclamations for their safety health life and prosperity as they were Christian CHAP. VI. THe very first Christian King professing the Christian Religion under the Gospel mentioned in History is Lucius King of the Britons reigning in this our Island this King Anno Christi 156. as Radulphus Baldoc the Chronicle of Gisâ—urn the antient Manuscript De primo statu Landavensis Ecclesiae and Bishop Vsher out of them relate sending two Embassadors to Pope Elutherius most earnestly and devoutly intreating him That by his command and will he might be made a Christian This Pope thereupon granting his request Gratias agens Deo suo c. giving thanks to his God and singing Glory be to God on high for joy that this King and Nation who had continued Gentiles from the first peopling of the Island by Brute did so ardently hasten to the faith of Christ sending Eluan and Meduin to convert them After which this King Lucius in the year 179. or sooner as some or in the year 185. or later as others think it writing a Letter to Pope Elutherius to send him a Copy of the Imperial Laws to govern his Nation by them this Pope in the conclusion of his Epistle in Answer to the Kings Letter inserted this devout Prayer unto God in his behalf Det vobis omnipotens Deus c. Almighty God grant you so to rule the Kingdom of Britain that you may reign for ever with him whose Vicar you are in the Realm aforesaid If this Pope though a forein Prelate thus prayed to God for this first Christian King no doubt his own Christian Bishops Ministers whom he endowed with ample possessions and maintenance and his Christian Subjects in their private and publick Prayers and Devotions to God and in their Epistles and Addresses to him did much more imitate his example in pursuit of the Apostles precept 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 3. as all the Primitive Christians did even for their Pagan Kings and Emperors as I have evidenced in the precedent Chapters though we find no expresse mention thereof in our British Histories The first Christian Queen in the world was Helena Daughter of King Coel whose Son Constantine the Great born and first created Emperor in our Island of Britain was the first Roman Emperor who publickly professed the Christian faith and instituted publick Prayers to be made unto God by his Souldiers People and Subjects whether Christians or Ethnicks for himself his Sons and his Posterity who constantly powred forth their Supplications Prayers Intercessions and Thanksgivings unto God for his life health safety victories and successes
Potterspiry and Eggemond to the Priory and Covent of St. Anne by Coventre founded by his Ancestors Ut iidem Prior Conventus Pro beno statu nostro ac Consortis nostrae liberorumque nostrorum ac carissimae matris nâ—strae Deum altissimum deprecentur indies et exorent ac missam de Spiritu sancto pro Nobis semel in ebdomade durante vita nâ—stra faciant celebrari et quendam solempnem annualem obitum pro anima nostra cum ab hac luce migraverimus custodiant et observent In the Book entituled Horae beatissimae Mariae ad ligituum Ecclesiae Salisburiensis ritum printed Parisiis 1519. the 10. year of King Henry the 8th but generally used throughout England some hundreds of years before f. 12. there is this set form of Prayer for the King of England for the time being Deus regnorum et Christiani maximè Protector Imperii Da Servo tuo H. Regi nostro de Hoste triumphum ut qui tua providentia extitit Coronatus tuo semper munimine tutus sit et securus per Christum Dominum nostrum And in Processiâ—ale ad usus insignis Ecclesiae Sarum Parisiis 1545. f. 6. 124 208. I meet with these short Prayers ejaculations then and formerly publickly used in all Processions for our successive Kings Domine salvum fac Regem Regem nostrum ac Principes c. in omni sanctitate custodi Salvum fac Regem nostrum Famuium tuum Et exaudi nos in die quo invocavâ—rimus â—te All our antient Missals Offices Howers Primers in times of Popery containing the like Prayers and such as I have formerly recited out of Cassander his Preces Ecclesiasticae together with Prayers for their Souls after their deaths which according to the modern use of the Church of Rome are popish vain sinfull superstitious implying and presupposing a Purgatory but according to their primitive use and institution pious and religious importing no purgatory at all as learned Bishop Vsher proves at large in his Answer to the Jesuites Challenge of Prayers for the Dead p. 194. to 264. to which I refer the Reader for fuller satisfaction herein and concerning the forementioned Prayers for and Charters of our Kings to Monasteries to pray for their own their Ancestors Successors Heirs and others Souls when departed out of this World I could adde many Prayers made for King Henry the 8th in sundry Epistles and Dedications of Books unto him but for brevity I shall omit all but 3. The 1. is Pope Leo the 10th his Bull to him in the 22. year of his Reign subscribed with all the Cardinals Hands wherein he conferred on him the Title of Defender of the Faith for writing a Book against Luther in defence of Pardous the Papacy and 7. Sacraments which Bull begins thus Leo Episcopus Servus servorum Dei Charissimo in Christo filio Henrico Angliae Regi Fidei defensori salutem et Apostolicam benedictionem And is closed with this Benediction and Prayer for him and his Posterity Perpetuum hoc immortale gloriae tuae monumentum Posteris tuis relinquere illisque viam ostendere ut si tali titulo ipsi quoque insigniri optabunt talia etiam opera efficere praeclaraqâ—e Majestatis tuae vestigia sequi studeant quam prout de Nobis dicta sede optimè merita est unâ cum uxore filiis ac omnibus qui à te ab illis nascentur Nostra Benedictione in nomine illius à quo illam concedendi potestas Nobis data est larga liberali manu benedicentes Altissimum illum qui dixit Per me Reges regnant Principes imperant in manu sua corda sunt Regum rogamus et obsecramus ut eam in suo sancto proposito confirmet ejusque devotionem multiplicet ac praeclaris prosancta fide gestis ita illustret ac toti Orbi terrarum conspicuam reddat ut judicium quod de ipsa fecimus eam tà m insigni titulo decorantes à nemine falsum aut vanum judicari possit Demum mortat is hujus vitae â—â—uito curriculo sempiternae illius gloriae consortem atque participem reddat The 2 is William Wraghton an acute Protestant Writer who in his Epistles to King Henry the 8th before his two Books intituled The Hunting of the Romish Fox printed at Basyl 1543. And his Rescuing of the Romish Fox against Stephen Gardner printed 1545. Wisheth him prosperity both of Body and Soul closing his last Epistle to him with this Prayer God grant you health both of Body and Soul victory over your Enemies and Grace to do in this our matter of Religion as shall be most to the Glory of God and the profit of the Common-wealth Amen And he closeth his last Treatise with this Prayer God save the King The third is our learned Protestant Divine Thomas Beacon who in his Path-way unto Prayer dedicated to the Lady Anne Grey ch 55. hath this Godly exhortation to all private Christians Let us flee to God at all times with humble Obsecrations and hearty Requests Let our Prayers be continual Let us in all our Prayers seek the glory of God the advancement of his most blessed word and the health of our own Souls Let us pray for the preservation of the Kings most excellent Majesty H. 8. and for the prosperous successe of his intirely-beloved Son Edward our Prince that most Angel-like Impe. Let us pray for all the Lords Spiritual and Temporal specially for those that have the regiment of the Publick-weal under the Kings Graces Highness Let us pray for the Ministers of Gods Word that they may freely speak the truth of Christs Gospel as it becommeth them Let us pray for all men universally chiefly for the Inhabitants of this Realm of England That they may all bear a faithfull heart both towards God and our King Upon the Reformation of Religion and abolishing of Popish Missals Psalters Howers Processionals and Portuasses by King Edward the sixth in his Parliament 2 3 Edw. 6. ch 10. the King by advice of his Convocation and Parliament commanded A Book of Common-prayer and Administeration of the Sacraments in the English Tongue to be used in all Churches and Chapels throughout the Realm by the Statutes of 2 E. 6 c. 1. 5 6 E. 6. c. 1. Wherein there was not only a Prayer for the King in the Letany but in a special Collect agreeing in substance with those in our later Books of Common-Prayer hereafter cited In this pious Kings reign the Bishops and Ministers in their Epistles and Dedications to him and in their Prayers before after their Sermons usually prayed most heartily and particularly for his long life religious and prosperous reign and spiritual temporal and eternal felicity And John Bale Bishop of Ossery in his Image of both Churches or Paraphrase upon St. Johns Revelation printed 1550. in the last page thereof exhorts all Gods meek-spirited
Subjects do most justly acknowledge this great and infinite Blessing to have proceeded merely from God his Great Mercy and to his most holy Name do ascribe all the Honour Glory and Praise And to the end this unfeigned Thankfulnesse may never be forgotten but be had in perpetual Remembrance that all Ages to come may yield praise to his Divine Majesty for the same and have in memorie THIS IOYFULL DAY OF DELIVERANCE Be it therefore enacted by the Kings most Excellent Majestie the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authoritie of the same That all and singular Ministers in everie Cathedral and Parish-church or other usual place of Common prayer within this Realm of England and the Dominions of the same shall alwaies upon the fifth day of November say Morning Prayer and give unto Almighty God thanks for this most happy Deliverance And that all and everie person and persons inhabiting within this Realm of England and the Dominions of the same shall alwaies upon that day diligentlie and faithfullie resort to the Parish Church or Chapel accustomed or to some usual Church or Chapel where the said Morning prayer preaching or other service of God shall be used and then and there to abide orderlie and soberlie during the time of the said prayers preaching or other service of God there to be used and ministred And because all and everie person may be put in mind of this Dutie and be the better prepared to the said holy service Be it enacted by Authoritie aforesaid That every Minister shall give warning to his Parishioners publikelie in the Church at morning prayer the Sunday before everie such fifth day of November for the due observation of the said day And that after morning Prayer or preaching upon the said fifth day of November they read publicklie distinctlie and plainlie this present Act. Upon this occasion there was a special Book of Prayers and Thanksgivings compiled by the Bishops and Clergy prescribed by Authority to be annually read in all Churches and Chapels on the 5th of November wherein amongst others there were four remarkable prayers and thanksgivings relating to the King Queen Prince all the Royal posterity Nobility and Magistrates which I shall here insert I. ALmighty God who hast in all Ages shewed thy power and mercy in the miraculous and gracious deliverances of thy Church and in the protection of righteous and religious Kings and States professing thy Holy and Eternal Truth against the wicked conspiracies and malicious practises of all the enemies thereof We yield unto thee from the very ground of our hearts all possible praise and thanks for the wonderfull and mighty Deliverance of our gracious Soveraign King Iames the Queen the Prince and all the Royal branches with the Nobility Clergy and Commons of this Realm assembled together in Parliament by popish treachery appointed as sheep to the slaughter and that in most barbarous and savage manner no age yielding example of the like cruelty intended towards the Lords anointed and his people Can this thy goodness O Lord be forgotten worthy to be written in a pillar of Marble that we may ever remember to praise thee for the same as the fact is worthy a lasting monument that all posteritie may learn to detest it From this unnatural conspiracy not our merit but thy mercy not our foresight but thy providence hath delivered us not our love to thee but thy love to thy anointed servant and thy poor Church with whom thou hast promised to be present to the end of the world And therefore not unto us not unto us Lord but to thy Name be ascribed all honour and glorie in all Churches of the Saints throughout all generations for thou Lord hast discovered the snares of death thou hast broken them and we are delivered be thou still our mighty Protector and scatter our cruel Enemies which delight in blood infatuate their Counsel and root out their Babylonish and Antichristian sect which say of Ierusalem down with it even to the ground And to that end strengthen the hands of our gracious King the Nobles and Magistrates of the Land with Iudgement and Justice to cut off these Workers of Iniquity whose Religion is Rebellion whose Faith is Faction whose Practise is murthering of Souls and Bodies and to root them out of the confines and limits of this Kingdom that they may never prevail against us and triumph in the ruine of thy Church and give us grace by true and serious repentance to avert these and the like Judgements from us This Lord we earnestlie crave at thy mercifull hands together with the countenance of thy powerfull protection over our dread Soveraign the whole Church and these Realms and the speedie confusion of our implacable Enemies and that for thy dear Sons sake our onlie mediator and advocate II. ALmighty God and heavenly Father which of thy everlasting providence and tender mercy towards us hast prevented the extreme malice and mischievous imagination of our ensmies revealing and confounding their horrible and devilish enterprise plotted against our Soveraign Lord the King his Royal House and the whole State of this Realm for the subversion thereof together with the truth of thy Gospel and pure Religion amongst us and for the reducing of Popish Superstition and tyranny into this Church and land we most humbly prayse and magnifie thy glorious name for thine infinite gracious goodnesse in this our marvellous Deliverance we confesse it was and is thy mercy thy mercy alone most mercifull Father that we are not consumed that their snare is broken and our Soul is escaped For our sins cryed to Heaven against us and our iniquities justly called for judgement upon us but thy great mercy towards us hath exalted it self above judgement not to deal with us after our sins to give us over as we deserved to be a prey to our enemies but taking our correction into thine own hands to deliver us from their blood-thirsty malice and preserve from death and destruction our King and State with thy Gospel and true Religion amongst us Good Lord give us true repentance and unfeigned conversion unto thee to prevent further judgements increase us more and more in lively Faith and fruitfull love in all obedience that thou mayest continue thy loving favour with the light of thy Gospol to us and our Posterity for evermore Make us now and alwaies truely thankfull in heart word and deed for all thy gracious mercies and this our special deliverance Protect and defend our Soveraign Lord the King with the Queen and all the Royal Progeny from all treasons and conspiracies preserve them in thy faith fear and love under the shadow of thy wings against all evil and wickednesse prosper their reign with long happinesse on earth and everlasting glory following in the Kingdom of Heaven Bless the whole State and Realm with grace and peace that with one heart and mouth we may praise
thee in thy Church and alwaies sing joyfully that thy mercifull kindness is ever more and more towards us and the truth of the Lord endureth for ever through Jesus Christ our only Saviour and Redeemer Amen III. ETernal God and our most mighty Protector we thy people of this Land confesse our selves above all the Nations of the earth infinitely bound unto thy heavenly Majesty for thy many unspeakable benefits conferred and heaped upon us especially for planting thy Gospel among us and placing over us a most gracious King a faithfull Professor and Defendor of the same both which exasperate the enemies of true Religion and enrage their thoughts to the invention of most dreadfull designs all which notwithstanding it hath pleased thee hitherto either to prevent or overthrow at this time principally thou hast most strangely discovered an horrible and cruel plot and device for the massacring as well of thy dear Servant and our dread Soveraign as of the chief States assembled in thy fear for the continuance of thy truth and good of this Realm We humbly present our selves at thy feet admiring thy might and wisedom and acknowledging thy grace and favour in preserving them and the whole Realm by their safety beseeching thee for thy Son Jesus Christ his sake to continue still thy care over us and to shield our gracious King under the shadow of thy wings that no mischievous attempt may come near nor the Sons of wickednesse may hurt him but that under him we may still enioy this his peaceable Government with the profession of the Gospel of thy Son Jesus Christ to whom with thee and the holy Ghost c. IV. O God infinit in power and of endless mercy we give thee all possible thanks since it hath pleased thee so miraculously to discover and defeat the mischievous plots of thine and our Enemies thou hast delivered our dread Soveraign from the snares of the Fowler and his Nobles from the fire of the fury of the wicked he shall rejoyce in thy Salvation and we his People shall tryumph in this thy wonderfull Deliverance thy Gospel shall prosper and thine Adversaries shall be confounded And multiply good Lord we beseech thee thy great goodnesse towards our gracious King and his Kingdoms from this time forth through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen After this Deliverance from this horrid Powder-plot there were these 2. forms of Prayers used in the Commons House by the Speakers during the Parliaments session very seasonable for our times wherein they expressed their Loyalty and Devotion to the King and his Royal Progeny A Prayer used by the Speaker of the Commons House of Parliament I. O GOD most great and glorious which dwellest in the Heavens over all yet humblest thy self to behold the things that are done upon the earth we the people and sheep of thy pasture assembled by thy providence to the performance of this high service whereupon the honour of thy name the beauty of thy Church amongst us the glory of the King and wealth of our State doth depend knowing that without thee we can do nothing do at this time with fear and reverence in the beginning of our consultations first look up unto thee from whom wisedom and happie successe doth come praying thee to look down upon us who first look up unto thee from whom wisdom and happie successe doth come praying thee to look down from Heaven upon us with the eye of thy mercy to draw near unto us with the presence of thy grace to prepare us all with counsel and understanding and to be President and Director of all our conferences that those things may be propounded conceived allowed and confirmed which may best please thee and most directlie and soundly uphold the honour of thy Name the sinceritie of thy worship the safety of our King and peace of thy people even for thy Son our Lords sake And that we may not our selves be any hinderance to the obtaining of these our desires either by means of any sin formerly committed or of any corruption yet remaining in us we humblie pray thee to forgive our sins and blot out all our iniquities and to stand reconciled unto us in an everlasting covenant of peace as if we had never sinned against thee And because our hearts by nature are not fit for good cogitations create a new heart and renew a right spirit in us remove far from us all vain-glorious humour of advancing our private profit all envious humour of disgracing other mens gifts all malicious humour of hurting anie mans person and finally all froward humour of opposing our selves against just needfull and godly things by whomsoever propounded Furnish us with knowledge wisedom and zeal by sending down thy spirit into our hearts that we may understand discern prefer and set forward all things tending to the advancement of thy glorie and such as may be thought worthie our assent and furtherance And because all good things are not of equal goodness nor all needfull things of equal necessitie let our care and zeal be equallie proportioned to the degrees of things in goodnesse and necessitie different And therefore first make us carefull of the glory of thy Name which is the high end of all thy counsels and works and ought to be the last and first respect of all our purposes and doings And therein let our especial care be to provide for the continuance of thy word and religious practice of thy worship by the Ministery and means that Christ hath planted in his Church next let the good of this whole Island move our care and zeal which consisting in the safety and honour of the King and the enacting and executing of good Laws let us be wisely carefull and faithfully zealous for the Person of our King whom thou the King of Kings hast in mercy set over us And because no Law can be good that is not agreeable to thy Law which containeth the Fundamental equity of all Laws in making Laws to govern thy people let us alwaies have an eye unto thy Law not digressing from the holy equity thereof and what through thy mercy we shall here profitably enact we pray thee through the whole Kingdom it may be truly executed that our great labour may not be disgraced with little fruit And forasmuch as we all and every one of us have in this place with wonder and astonishment and without any merit of ours found a most evident assurance of thy mercy and goodnesse in a miraculous deliverance from the greatest danger by Popish treachery that ever was attempted or threatned towards our King our State and Vs give us good Lord hearts above the hearts of men to offer unto thee in the same place a daily sacrifice of thanksgiving in the highest measure together with a servent and incessant zeal care and diligence in all our proceedings for the setling of the peace and happy estate of thy Church amongst us the preservation of our King his royal
Progeny our selves and our Posterity and for the preventing suppressing and final rooting out of the spring issue and fruit of all such hellish and popish hearts intentions and practices to the everlasting praise and glory of thy blessed name Hear us we pray thee O Father of mercy in these our most humble and needfull petitions forgive and answer us according to thy fatherly and great goodnesse for Jesus Christ his sake to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost three Persons and one God be all praise glory and power now and for ever Amen A Prayer for the Parliament used also in the House II. ALmighty God which by thy holy Prophet David art most truly said to stand in the Congregation of Princes and givest judgement in the midst of the mighty men of the world and through whom Princes do reign Law-makers do discern just things Lords bear rule and all Judges of the earth execute judgement and for that cometh of thee all Counsel and equity all understanding and strength grant unto us here gathered together in thy name that wisdom which is alwaies assistant to thy seat to give knowledge to our feeble and ignorant minds Send down we beseech thee the same wisdom out of thy holy heavens and from the throne of thy Majesty that is may be now with us and labour with us whereby we surely knowing what is acceptable unto thee may be led through it to the debating weighing and final determining of those matters by the which thy blessed Name may be glorified thy Catholick Church of England confirmed and increased the Kings assurance established the common tranquillity of this Realm safely maintained and last of all all estates and people thereof in true obedience and charity united and knit together Grant this O God for thy only Sons sake Jesus Christ our Lord Amen In the Lords House the Collects and Prayers in the Common Prayer Book and Letany for the King Queen Prince and Royal Posterity with other prayers were daily used by the Bishops and Peers during their Session To mention all the particular Prayers for the King Queen and Royal posterity comprised in Books of private Prayers and Devotion as the Practice of Piety and the like and Epistles Dedicatory perfixed to hundreds of Books and Sermons dedicated to King James by Bishops Ministers and others of all sorts and in usual Graces before and after meals would be both infinite and nauseous being commonly known and obvious to all and therefore I shall wholy pretermit them the substance of them being comprised in those Prayers already mentioned I shall now proceed to the reign of our late King Charles who as he had constant Supplications and Prayers made for him in all Cathedral and Parish Churches Chapels Colledges most private families and in our Parliaments themselves by name during all King James his reign as Duke of York and Prince of Wales so after his comming to the Crown March 27. 1645. till January 1648. he had the like publike and private Prayers Intercessions and Supplications made for him throughout his 3. Realms as King and for his Queen and royal Posteritie not only by our preaching Ministers in their prayers before their Sermons and by most others in their morning and evening family and closet prayers Graces before or after meales as our own experience attests but likewise these special set Prayers Petitions and Collects in our Letany and common Prayer Book which I shall here transcribe because almost quite forgotten by above 12. whole years discontinuance in most Churches Families too In the publike Letany ordered to be read thrice every week or oftener upon occasion there are these several Prayers and Petitions to God That it would please thee to keep and strengthen in the true worshipping of thee in righteousnesse and holinesse of life thy servant Charles our most gracious King and Governor That it may please thee to rule his heart in thy faith fear and love and that he may evermore have affiance in thee and ever seek thy honour and glory That it may please thee to be his defender and keeper giving him the victory over all his Enemies That it may please thee to blesse and preserve our gratious Queen Mary Prince Charles and the rest of the Royal Issue After every of which several Prayers and Supplications all the People severally answered We beseech thee to hear us good Lord. After which followed these two Prayers for the Kings Majestie the Queen Prince and Royal Issue and read twice every day in most places O God our heavenly Father high and mighty King of Kings and Lord of Lords the only Ruler of Princes which dost from thy throne behold all the dwellers upon earth most heartily we beseech thee with thy favour to behold our most Gracious Soveraign Lord King Charles and so replenish him with the grace of thy holy Spirit that he may alwaies incline to thy will and walk in thy way endue him plentifully with heavenly gifts Grant him in health and wealth long to live strengthen him that he may vanquish and overcome all his Enemies and finally after this life he may attain everlasting joy and felicity through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen Almighty God the Father of thine elect and of their seed which Bishop Laud changed into the fountain of all goodnesse we humbly beseech thee to blesse our gracious Queen Mary Prince Charles and the rest of the royal issue Endue them with thy holy Spirit enrich them with thy Heavenly grace prosper them with all happinesse and bring them to thine everlasting Kingdom through Jesus Christ our Lord Amen In the Prayer for the whole Estate of Christs Church there is this Clause relating to Kings in general and King Charles in particular We beseech thee also to save and defend all Christian Kings Princes and Governors and Specially thy servant Charles our King that under him we may be godly and quietly Governed When these Prayers and Collects with the Book of Common-Prayer were suspended by the Directory of the publike worship of God in most places throughout the 3 Kingdoms of England Scotland and Ireland Printed by order of both Houses 13 Martii 1644. yet the substance of them was still continued by the very Directory it self during the heat of the late Wars between the King and Parliament witnesse p. 10 11. of publike Prayer before the Sermon wherein all Ministers are directed To pray for all in Authority especially for the Kings Majesty that God would make him rich in blessings both in Person and Government establish his Throne in Religion and righteousnesse save him from all evil Counsel and make him a blessed and glorious Instrument for the Conservation and Propagation of the Gospel for the Encouragement and Protection of those that do well and the terror of all that do evil and the great good of the whole Church and of all his Kingdoms for the Conversion of the Queen the Religious education of the
THE Signal Loyalty and Devotion OF GOD's True Saints and Pious Christians Especially in this our Island towards their KINGS As also of some Idolatrous Pagans Both before and under the Law and Gospel expressed by their private and publick Prayers Supplications Intercessions Thanksgivings well-wishes for the Health Safety Long Life Prosperity Temporal Spiritual Eternal Felicity of the Kings and Emperours under whom they lived whether Pagan or Christian Bad or Good Heterodox or Orthodox Papists or Protestants Persecutors or Protectors of them and likewise for their Royal Issue Posterity Realms and by their dutiful conscientious Obedience and Subjection to them with the true Reasons thereof from Scripture and Policy Evidenced by Presidents and Testimonies in all Ages worthy the Knowledg Imitation and serious Consideration of our present Degenerated Disloyal Antimonarchical Generation In TWO PARTS By William Prynne Esq late Bencher and Reader of Lincolns-Inne Psal 72. 1 2. Give the King thy Judgments O Lord and thy Righteousness unto the King's Son Then shall he judge thy people with Righteousness and thy poor with Judgment Tertulliani Apollogia adversus Gentes c. 32. Hoc agite boni Praesides extorquete animam Deo supplicantem pro Imperatore Hoc erit crimen ubi veritas Dei devotio est LONDON Printed for Edward Thomas at the Adam and Eve in Little-Britain 1680. Where you may be furnished with most of this Learned Authors Works and a Printed Catalogue To his most Illustrious over-long Exterminated but now happily Restored Soveraign CHARLS the SECOND By the Miraculous Grace of God and indubitable Hereditary Birthright and Succession of ENGLAND SCOTLAND FRANCE and IRELAND KING the invincible constant Professor and DEFENDOR of the truly Antient Catholick and Apostolick FAITH in the midst of manifold Persecutions Provocations Solicitations Temptations and Fiery Tryals the Magazin of all Christian and Royal Virtues and Miracle of Gods preserving and restoring Mercies Most gracious Soveraign THe only potentate and KING OF KINGS who removeth Kings and SETTETH UP KINGS and ruleth in the KINGDOM OF MEN TO GIVE IT TO WHOMSOEVER HE PLEASETH having by his own Omnipotent out-stretched arm and successive Miraculous Providences unexpectedly cut off cast down subverted dissipated without hands or bloodshed the most Execrable Persidious Trayterous Murderers of your Royal Father KING CHARLS the first of Glorious Memory and Unjust disinheriters and proscribers of your Sacred Majestie out of all your own Hereditary Kingdoms and some forein States by Violence War and inhumane Tyranny enforcing your Majesty oft to cry out with the Exiled Kingly Prophet Wo is me that I am constrained to dwell in Mesech and to have my habitation among the tents of Kedar c. who by rigorous Edicts debarred your Majestie not only of the Charitable Relief of your own Protestant Subjects but likewise of the Christian Aid and Evangelical Tribute due to all Pagan as well as Christian KINGS by divine and common natural Right of their daily Supplications Prayers and Intercessions to God for your Personal Preservation and Restitution under severest Penalties imposed many insupportable new Yoaks of Bondage on all your Subjects necks and worse than Aegyptian Burdens upon their galled backs for sundry yeares almost to their Irrecoverable ruine it pleased this Soveraign King over all the earth and God of the Spirits of all flesh by strange Miracles of mercy through the preparatory loyal Endeavours of some of your Majesties most inconsiderable faithfull Subjects upon the very first Reception and reading of your Majesties most gracious Letters and Declarations to the Lords Commons City of London Army and Navy immediately to bow the hearts and spirits of both your Houses of Parliament and all your Subjects yea of the very Military Officers Forces by Land and Sea formerly raised engaged against your Majesties Cause and Kingship as the heart of one man as he bowed the hearts of the men of Judah after rebellious usurping Absoloms death in the case of exterminated King David so that they immediately and unanimously voted your Majesties speedy return dispatched their several Letters Votes Messengers Fleet and Monies to your Majesty without one dissenting voice to hasten your Majesties return and transport you with honour and safety to enjoy your KINGLY AUTHORITY and PATRIMONY contending with a most cordial aemulation who should be first and forwardest to bring back and conduct your Majesty together with your Princely Brothers and Followers from your long most deplorable exile to your Royal City and Palace with all possible demonstrations of their publike joy and dutifull Allegeance to your Majesty and farr greater Magnificence Solemnity Triumph and multitudes of Conductors than any of your most Victorious Royal Progenitors enjoyed when they returned into England from their greatest Forein Conquests And that which crowned this Miracle of Mercies was its celerity and season it having both its inception and perfection within the limits of one Month and its completion on Your Majesties Birth-day May 29. whereon as You were first born a Prince You were now reâ—born A MOST GLORIOUS KING and most magnificently invested in the possession of Your Royal Throne at Whitehall in the presence of all your Majesties Lords Commons and thousands of your People there assembled who with their united Shouts Prayers Praises Acclamations Benedictions and Panegyricks congratulated your Maties Natural and Political Nativity thereon both as a Man and Monarch together with the new Birth and Resurrection of Your three United Kingdoms and Churches of ENGLAND SCOTLAND and IRELAND and their respective Dominions being all raised from their Graves of Death and Misery wherein they had for some years space before been interred and were new born AS KINGDOMS and Churches too on that joyful day worthy to be celebrated by them in all succeeding Generations and to have this Divine motto engraven thereon The stone which the builders refused is this day become the Head of the corner This is the Lords doing and it is marvellous in our eyes THIS IS THE DAY WHICH THE LORD HATH MADE WEE WILL REJOYCE AND BE GLAD THEREIN What the elegant Prophet Isaiah records of Gods miraculous Mercies towards his Church and people Before she travelled she brought forth before her pain came she was delivered of a man-child Who hath heard such a thing WHO HATH SEEN SUCH THINGS Shall the Earth be made to bring forth in ONE DAY OR SHALL A NATION BE BORN AT ONCE For as soon as ZION travelled she brought forth her children Was now verified both of your Majesty and your three whole Kingdoms Churches all brought forth and born together in this one DAY Wherefore Rejoyce ye with Jerusalem with England and be glad with her all ye that love her rejoyce for joy with her all ye that mourned for her It hath been the antient cavill of our Romish Adversaries against our Reformed Protestant Churches Religion that they are false and spurious because they have no
miracles wrought in them And they have daily upbraided your sacred Majesty your followers yea pierced your souls during your Exile among them with this soul-piercing Quaere Where is now the God of the Protestants He can neither preserve nor restore You to your Crowns and Kingdoms Unless you renounce your Protestant God Church Heresie embrace our Roman Catholike God Church Religion there is no hope nor possibility of your restitution and that only by the Arms of your Catholike Allyes and Subjects But blessed and for ever magnified be the glorious Name of our great God who hath now vindicated his own Glorie and Omnipotencie against their reproaches wrought so many Miracles in your Maties restitution to justifie both the Truth of the Protestant Religion Churches your Subjects that all their spurious Miracles and Impostures wherewith they abuse their over-credulous Proselytes and fraught their Legends even to nauseousnesse are no more to be compared with them than a Glo-worm to the Noon-day Sun And their God and rock is not as our God and rock our Enemies themselves being now Judges Verily your Majesty with all your Protestant Subjects after such a stupendious glorious deliverance from their late usurping Pharaohs worse than Aegyptian Tax-masters Burdens and servitude have just cause to sing aloud to the God of their Salvation this triumphant song of Moses and the Children of Israel and King David after them Who is like unto thee O Lord amongst the Gods who is like unto thee glorious in holynesse fearfull in prayses doing wonders Thou stretchest out thy right hand the earth swallowed them Thou in thy mercy hast led forth thy people which thou hast redeemed Sing ye unto the Lord for he hath triumphed gloriously The King shall joy in thy strength O Lord and in thy salvation how greatly shall he rejoyce for thou hast now given him his hearts desire thou hast not with-holden the request of his lips For thou preventest him with the blessings of goodnesse thou settest a Crown of pure gold on his head His glory is great in thy salvation Honor and Majesty hast thou laid upon him Thou hast made him most Blessed for ever thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy Countenance For the King trusteth in the Lord and through the mercy of the most High he shall not miscarry Blessed be the Lord God of England from everlasting to everlasting for this unexpressible mercy and let all the people say Amen Praise ye the Lord. Yea they all now joyntly and severally apply to your Majestie the blessing and words of the Queen of Sheba to King Solomon after she beheld his transcendent Wisdom Virtues and Magnificence which far exceeded the report thereof as your Majesties royal wisdom and graces of all kinds much transcend their fame Blessed be the Lord thy God who delighted in thee to set thee upon his Throne to be King for the Lord thy God Because the Lord thy God loved Israel England Scotland and Ireland TO ESTABLISH THEM FOR EVER THEREFORE MADE HE THEE KING OVER THEM TO DO JUSTICE AND JUDGEMENT yea to restore them to their pristine Liberty Peace Plenty Traffick Renown Prosperity and make them the happiest of all Subjects in the world In the contemplation of which inchoated common Felicity I humbly presume to dedicate to your Majesty this now compleated Treatise of The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods true Saints and pious Christians in all ages and likewise of Pagans to their KINGS both before and under the Law and Gospel more especially within this your first Christian Realm of Britain wherein I have most expatiated expressed both by their publike and private Prayers Supplications and Intercessions unto God for their long life health safety victory prosperity temporal spiritual and eternal felicity and all sorts of blessings both on their Royal Persons Queens Progenies Families Government Kingdoms Armies Counsâ—ls by their Thanksgivings to God for their advancement to their Royal Thrones Victories Successes Deliverances Piety Justice and Gratious reigns over them by their loyal Acclamations Salutations Addresses Panegyricks Epistles to them and their dutiful Subjection and Obedience under them which I have evidenc'd by presidents and Testimonies in all ages never formerly collected into one Manual To which I have super-added the antient and modern Forms of the Coronations of Christian Emperors Kings and Queens and of some Pagans with the Ceremonies Solemnities Prayers Collects and Benedictions used at them especially those relating to England and Scotland not hitherto published as a President in and Prologue to your Majesties much desired and expected Coronation The first Part of this Treatise I lately Printed for Your Majesties service in January last to inthrone You in the Hearts cordial Prayers and Supplications of all Your loyal Subjects and to prepare the way for Your Majestyes speedy Restauration to Your Hereditary Crowns and Kingdoms which blessed be God you now actually enjoy to their unspeakable comfort of the accomplishment whereof without Armes or Blood I had such full assurance then and since in my own apprehensions from the Observation of Gods admirable Providences of Your Majesties Opposites intollerable Extravagances and Infatuations of late Your Subjects dutiful Inclinations tending thereunto through the loyal Endeavour of some Faithfull Friends to your Majestie and your People that I committed the Second Part of this Treatise and all that concerns Your Coronation to the Presse in the beginning of April last before any visible appearances thereof to the eyes or thoughts of others And I repute it an extraordinary Blessing and Honour from God and your Majesty that any of my Paper Arms and Publications in your Majesties and others apprehensions have been instrumental to promote this your happy Unbloody most joyfull Restitution to your Throne and Kingship maugre all Ire Ingagements Oaths of Abjurations to debar your Majestie and all your Royal line for ever from them I humbly beseech your Royal Majestie graciously to accept this Unpolish'd work compiled in the midst of many publike distracting Imployments bring your Highnesses peculiar by all Rights and Circumstances as a Publick Testimony of my Loyalty to your Majestie and a lasting Monument of my Thankfullnesse to Almighty God for hearing my many years constant Prayers and blessing my impotent Paper Artillery and endeavors for your Majesties long-desired and now happily accomplished Investitute not only in your Royal Throne but like a 〈◊〉 in the Hearts Consciences publike private Devotions and Supplications of all your People Whom this Treatise seconded with my Healths Sicknesse dedicated to your Royal Father many years past and your Majesties most Pious fresh Proclamation will instruct and excite most devoutly to pray for your Majesties Health and Happiness in their Churches Chapels Families Closets rather than heathenishly to prophane abuse your Sacred Name in drinking your Majesties Health to the Hazard of their own and their fools to boot through Drunkennesse and Intemperance in Taverns
and refutation thereof the very day of its publication in my Printed Speech and finding it by the stile texture and close to be collected by some other Author out of my Royal Popish Favourite and other Books as he pretends therein purposely to traduce me hath discovered his undemerited malice as well as his injudiciousness disingenuity in fathering that Bastard upon me in such a confident scurrilous invective manner as he hath done for which I demand publick reparations from him by a Printed Retraction and obliteration of it out of his History which it doth much disparage defile and discredit as well as himself and the late King whose life and death he hath recorded to Posterity His Readers may observe that a great part of his History is borrowed from Mr. Clement Walker his History of Independency wherein he finds his my joint Protestation under both our hands then published to the world against the Kings impeachment and Triall together with the joint Protestation and disswasion of all the secured and secluded Members against it in their Vindication Jan. 20. 1648. to which I was a subscriber whereby his malice and want of ingenuity herein appear most plainly but more particularly by this that himself immediately after this feigned Charge in the same page of his History mentions and misrecites my MEMENTO to traduce and abuse me willingly concealing the Title Argument and scope thereof which would have convicted him both of Calumny and Forgery in fathering this pretended Charge against the King upon me and making me the prime Actor in the Kings Trial and Tragedy when as the whole House of Commons and most then living knew I was the very first of all others who spake writ and protested publickly against it as my Printed Speech and Memento with other Publications both before and since abundantly evidence Let the Title and Argument of my Memento alone and one Foreiners Testimony of special Note concerning it to omit others display both the malice and falsity of this Historians calumny The Title of it is A brief Memento to the present Unparliamentary Juncto touching Their present Intentions and Proceedings to depose and execute CHARLES STUART their Lawful King By William Prynne Esquire a Member of the House of Commons and Prisoner under the Armies Tyranny Jan. 1. 1648. The subject and scope thereof was this that being debarred by my imprisonment under the Army from speaking to those then sitting in the House I sent them ten Reasons in Print drawn from our Laws the Declarations and Remonstrances of Parliament the Oaths of Supremacy Allegiance Protestation Solemn National League and Covenant Scriptures the practice of Gods own people of Israel of all Protestant Realms and Subjects the Relations of the late King to Scotland Ireland and Forein Princes the Unlawfulnesse Treasonableness and dangerous Consequences of the Kings Trial and Execution and other Topicks to disswade them from their intended Charge and Proceedings against him onely to satisfie the Army-Officers under whose force they sate Which 10. Reasons as they were highly approved by most and never yet answered by any at home so they satisfied the Protestant Ministers Churches and States abroad being translated into several Languages Among others Samuel Bochartus one of the eminentest and learnedest Protestant Divines in France in his Latin Epistle to Dr. Morley one of the Kings Chaplains Printed Parifiâ—s 1650. sect 3. De jure potestate Regum p. 145. having proved the unlawfulness of the Trial Proceedings Sentence and Execution of the King by Scripture Fathers and other Authorities and manifested the English Presbyterian Ministers and Members professed opposition against and dislike thereof subjoins Ex hoc numero PRYNNIUS vir multis nominibus insignis PARLIAMENTI DELEGATORUM UNUS è carcere in quo cum pluribus aliis detenebatur Libellum composuit Parliamento oblatum to wit my Memento in quo decem rationibus eisque validissimis contendit eos rem illicitam attentari in impeaching and proceeding capitally against the King reciting the heads of my ten Reasons then concluding Haec ille multo plura Scriptor mire nervosus cujus verba sunt stimuli clavi in altum defiri Therefore that Mr. Saunderson should brand me for my Memento imprisonment by the Army and forcible seclusion from the House and make it a Divine Judgement inflicted on me for this forged charge against the King though this Memento was written professedly against the Kings charge trial and Execution as UNLAWFUL and UNCHRISTIAN as Bochartus a Foreiner thus signally attests must be the extremity of malice and calumny subjecting him to his own friends Mr. James Howels censure in his Epistle to him prefixed to this History That A FALSE ERRONEOUS CHRONOLOGER is one of the WORST MEMBERS that can be in a COMMON-WEALTH and INDEED OF MANKIND IN GENERAL for he wrongs the time post the time present and the time to come as he hath done by fathering this Charge upon me and his misrelation of my Censure too p. 218 219. after it was nulled by both Houses of Parliaments unanimous Vote as Causelesse and Illegal All which I pray God to give him grace to repent and retract Having thus vindicated my Innocency from his false calumnies I shall onely recommend the consideration of the duties pressed in this Treatise to the daily practice of every Reader of what party soever in these divided factious times Art thou a professed Enemy to the exiled King and Royal Family conceiving them to be Enemies or opposites unto thee thy Interest or party or such who probably may prove enemies or persecutors to thee and them if restored to their Rights and Powers then pray for them under this Notion according to Christs own precepts and example Mat. 5. 43. to 48. Luke 6. 27. c. 23. 34. Acts 7. 62. Rom. 12. 20 21. the Presidents of the Primitive Christians here ch 4. and in the Liturgie of our Church That it would please thee to forgive our enemies persecutors and slanderers and to turn their hearts And the Collect on Saint Stephens day Grant us O Lord to learn to love our enemies by the example of thy Martyr Saint Stephen who prayed for his Persecutors Dost thou repute them persons of little or no real affection to the Protestant Religion and the sincere Professors thereof as Nedham represents them or as bad as Turks Pagans or Infidels and some I hear esteem them because themselves are such yet since thou art commanded by God to make supplications prayers and intercessions for ALLMEN yea for the very worst of Turks Jews Idolaters Pagans Infidels as our Church doth on Good Fryday that they may be converted Reformed saved becom Members of or Nursing-Fathers to the Church if Kings let them have as large a share in thy prayers as any of these have or ought to have by Gods Command And if thou esteem them as thy lawful Hereditary Kings Princes Superiors professing the true Reformed
Religion and Members of the true visible Church of Christ let them enjoy thy daily fervent prayers intercessions supplications and thanksgivings to God for them especially when they need them most during their exiled afflicted and distressed condition amidst Papists and seducers and let me have a share in thy devotions for a blessing on this Treatise and me William Prynne Lincolns Inne Jan. 30. 1659. The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods true Saints and Pious Christians towards their KINGS in all ages c. WHat was once the false malicious Calumny cast by Pagan Idolaters upon the Primitive Professors of Christianity living under persecuting Heathen Emperors to exasperate their fury against them as the worst of Traytors and publike Enemies unworthy to live within their Dominions That they did neither pray nor offer sacrifices publikely to the Gods for their health and safety nor celebrate their solemnities with that outward pomp and oftentation as others did is of late years become the just Accusation and Treasonable Impeachment of many degenerate Saints and Apostate Christians within our Realms who have not only totally discontinued but finally abandoned prohibited under pain of High Treason all publike if not private Solemn Prayers Supplications Intercessions and Thanksgivings not for persecuting Pagan or Popish Emperors Princes but even for their own undoubted Hereditarie Protestant Kings and their Royal Posterity in direct contradiction to Gods own Evangelical precepts 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 3. Rom. 13. 1 to 9. Mat. 22. 21. Mar. 12. 17. And not only falsified that excellent large Apology which Tertullian made for the transcendent Loyalty of the Christians in his age towards their persecuting Pagan Emperors by their publike and private Zealous Prayers and Petitions to God on their behalfs and freedom from the least Conspiracies rebellions attempts against their Persons Crowns or Dignities of which none but those who were not Christians gave Christians the name of publike Enemies were then guilty but quite inverted this elegant passage of his and translated it both from the Pagan and antichristian Romans on those who pretend themselves the most transcendent Christians Unde Cascii Nigri Albini Unde qui inter duos lauros obsident Caesarem Unde qui faucibus ejus exprimendis palestricam exercent Unde qui armati palatium irrumpunt omnibus Stephanis atque Partheniis audaciores de Romanis ni fallor id est de non Christianis Atque adeo omnes illi sub ipsa usque impietatis eruptione et sacra faciebant pro salute Imperatoris et genium ejus dejerabant alii foris alii intus Et utique publicorum hostium nomen Christianis dabant Sed et qui nunc scelestarum partium socii aut plausores quotidie revelantur post vindemiam parricidarum racematio superstes quam recentissimis et ramosissimis laureis postes praestruebant Quam elatissimis clarissimis lucernis vestibula enubilabant quam cultissimis et superbissimis thoris forum sibi dividebant non ut gaudia publica celebrarent sed ut vota propria fam ediscerent et in aliena solennitate exemplum atque imaginem spei suae inaugurarent nomen Principis in corde imitantes c. And that which is most detestable the generality both of our people and Ministers under our Republican Tyrants have not only wholly laid aside all publike and private Prayers for their own and other Christian Protestant Kings against Gods positive precepts and the practice of Christians Saints in all former ages Churches but some Ministers in their very Sermons themselves have out of base carnal fear of men and unchristian compliance with our late Usurpers not dared to read or mention the word King or Kings in the very Texts of Scripture which they have quoted but skipped over it as dangerous or superfluous for fear of incurring the guilt of high treason or displeasure of some formidable new Grandees Whereof I shall relate one memorable instance in perpetuam rei infamiam the principal occasion of these Collections When I was removed by John Bradshaw's and his Whitehall Associates Order from my close imprisonment at Taunton to Pendennis Castle in Cornwal without any cause examination hearing and conducted thitherwards by several Troops on the first Lords day in July 1651. resting at Lanceston in Cornwall I repaired to the Church there with 6. Troopers of Major Blackmores troop who conducted me in the morning where the Minister of the Town Mr. Hull an antient man formerly in New England preaching upon the 1 Pet. 2. 8. A stone of stumbling and a rock of offence handled the Common place of Scandals raising this Proposition from the words That it is the duty of all Christians to be very carefull to avoyd scandals In the prosecution whereof he prescribed certain rules how Christians might avoyd and prevent scandals the first whereof was chearfully to submit to all Lawful Powers and Governours under whom they lived Particularly prescribed by the Apostle Peter in the 12 13 14 verses which he read thus Have your conversation honest among the Gentiles that whereas they speak against you as evil doers they may by your good works which they shall behold glorifie God in the day of visitation Submit your selves therefore to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake unto Governours as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers and for the praise of them that do well for so is the will of God that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men c. Omitting the very first and principal clause in the Text which he durst or would not read Whether it be to the king as Supreme and the disjunctive Or unto Governours which not only mangled but marred the words and sence of the place After which he immediately added that the self-same rule was prescribed by the Apostle Paul 1 Tim. 2. 1 2 3. which he thus read maimed as he did the former text I will therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and thanksgivings be made for all men skipping over the principal words For kings and reading only the next words All that are in Authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty for that is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour Which double omission and preterition of these two chief clauses in both these quotations one after another in this very Doctrine to avoyd scandals did so much scandalize me that I presently said to the Soldiers sitting in the same seat with me This old temporizing unworthy Minister in mangling and perverting both these Texts one after another in this strange manner by omitting and not reading the principal clauses in them in the very Pulpit and presence of God himself and directions to his Auditors hath given me greater scandal and juster offence than any Minister I ever yet heard preach in all my life not only by