Honor the King, Introduction
Honour the KING.
LET no man wonder to see a Minister of the Presbyterian perswasion stand in a Desk this day, to preach a Sermon upon occasion of this sad Solemnity: to call my self a Minister is no presumption, to be of the Presbyterian perswasion, I take it for no disparagement, to stand here upon this day to preach, is no way excentrick to the motion of Presbyterians.
Presbyterians are as willing to observe the commands of Authority as other men, in matters indubitable; and where I have lived, it hath been the practice to obey Authority in the observation of this day. I grudge no man the Honour of his Loyalty, but I cannot but look upon it as a heavy grievan…e, for any sort of men to monopolize the style and opinion of Loyalty to themselves, as if other …en of different perswasions in some other matters, must needs have forfeited their Loyalty because of this difference. It hath been the sad fate of the Presbyterians to lie under this odium; when men have had nothing else to charge them with, to make the World believe that they wanted Loyal hearts to their Prince. But if to pray for the Lords Anointed, and those that are sent by him; if to preach subjection to their Authority as God's ordinance, if to obey and submit for conscience sake to their just and lawful commands, if to pay tribute and custome to them according to Law, if to endeavour to preserve, to rescue, to vindicate and engage for them, if t… disown unjust and usurped Power, and to suffer upon such an account, may be accepted for a testimony, these men do not, will not want their Vouchers. And as to the sad occasion of this days Solemnity, let it offend no man if I say (not to make comparisons) they were not behind most, if any, in their cordial, stren… endeavours, upon the suspition of the design, to have prevented that Barbarous Bloody Stroak; and when it was given. were as true and sad Mourners, did carry as heavy hearts, and moyst-eyes, for the loss of their Sovereign, and the sin against God, as others that would fain blemish their Loyalty: And blessed be God His Majesty, our dread Sovereign, being possessed of the truth, hath honoured with His testimony, when the envy of other men would have blasted their reputation. Loyalty terminative is a Flower of the Crown; blame us not if we be unwilling to be excluded from bearing a part in adding to those Ornaments that must Crown the Royal Brow. And if any will yet question their Integrity, let them shew us a fairer testimony then the R…monstrance of the Presbyterian Ministers of London, sent in a Letter from them to the General and Councel of War, Jan. 18. 1648. when they were upon the Trial of His Majesty in the High Court of Iustice; in which they deal most plainly, convincingly, and very clearly, though to the hazard of their lives, with which they were threatned. Besides their representation to the General, and Councel of War, they published their Vindications from the unjust Aspersions cast upon them by Malevolent Spirits; let me give you one passage in their Vindication, it is this: We hold our selves bound in duty to God, Religion, the King, Parliament and Kingdom, to profess before God, Angels, and Men▪ That we verily believe, that which is so much feared to be now in agitation, viz. The taking away the Life of the King, in the present way of Trial, to be not only not agreeable to any Word of God, the Principles of the Protestant Religion, (never yet stained with the least drop of the Blood of a King) or the fundamental constitution and Government of this Kingdom, but contrary to them, as also the Oathes of Allegiance, the Protestation of May 5. 1641. and the Solemn League and Covenant, from all or any of which Engagements, we know not of any Power on Earth able to absolve u… or others.