IF there be any that be desirous with Enoch to walk with God, and to please him: Or with Abraham the father of the faith­full, to walk before God and to be upright: Or with Zacha­rias and Elizabeth the righteous servants of the Lord, to walk in the Commandements and ordinances of the Lord blamelesse:

Then with the Prophet Micah 4.2. Let them go to the moun­tain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. And he will teach them of his wayes, if they will walk in his paths.

And with the Prophet Jeremiah 6.16. Let them stand in the way and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and they shall find rest for their souls.

And as many as walke according to this rule, peace be upon them and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. Gal. 6.16.

And let us now hear what God the Lord speaks, Psal. 85.8. As by the mouth of all his holy Prophets which have been since the world began. Luke 1.70. For if they will not beleeve Moses and the Prophets, neither will they beleeve though one arose from the dead. Luk. 16.31. And first what they speake for The Kings AUTHORITY.

ANd let us now begin our work in the name of the Lord, and intreat his blessing upon it: and hear what the Lord God himself saith, who is the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers.

Numb. 12.8. Wherefore then were ye not afraid Aaron and Miriam, to speak against my servant Moses ( marrying an Ethio­pian woman) vers. 10. Miriam became Leprous white as snow.

• 1. Observation. That neither high nor low ought to speak against Supreame Authority, no not Aaron though the high Priest: Eccles. 8.4. Who may say unto him, what dost thou? [Page 2]They are the Lords servants.
• 2. Obs. That a Leprosie, or some other judgement shall be­fall them that speak against supream authority, though in marriage; S. Jude cals them filthy dreamers, that despise dominion and speak evill of dignities, v. 8.

Judges. 17.5. Micah had an house of gods, and consecrated one of his sons to be his priest. And in those dayes there was no King in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.

• 1. Obs. That where no King is to rule a Nation, that Nation and people is ready to consecrate priests to themselves. Heb. 4.5. No man ought to take this honour to himself, but he that is called of God as was Aaron, to be an high priest.
• 2. Obs. That where there is no King in a Nation though Gods own people Israel, yet Israel walks according to their own wayes, and contrary to the wayes of God. Lev. 26.21. If ye walk contrary unto me, I will walk contrary unto you, and bring seven more judgements upon you, for my wayes are not your wayes, nor my thoughts your thoughts, saith the Lord. Isay 55.8.

1 Sam. 8.4. When the Elders of Israel perceived that the sons of Samuel though Judges, walked not aright, but followed lucre and perverted judgement. They came to Samuel and said unto him, make us a King to judge us like all the Nations.

• 1. Obs. That the Elders, and rulers, the heads of the Tribes of Israel, desire to have a King, for to rule them and judge them.
• 2. Obs. That no Elder or ruler ought to dis-throne a King from ruling or judging.

1 Sam. 10.24. And Samuel said unto the Elders and to all the people; See ye him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him amongst the people: And all the people shouted: and said, God save the King.

• [Page 3]1. Obs. That Kings have their originall choice from the Lord.
• 2. Obs. That no man ought to be compared to the King.
• 3. Obs. That no man ought to think slightly of the King, but to rejoyce in their King.
• 4. Obs. That its the peoples duty to pray for the King, God save the King.

2 Sam. 16.16. Hushai being sent from David, said unto Abso­lon, God save the King. God save the King.

• 1. Obs. That dissimulation hath a cloak for every action.
• 2. Obs. That prayer is made a cloak for dissimulation.
• 3. Obs. That fair speeches and the stronger party, is made a maine cloak for dissemblers. 18.19.

1. Kings 1.39. And Zadok the priest Anointed Solomon King, and they blew the trumpet, and all the people said, God save King Solomon.

• 1. Obs. That Kings are the Lords Anointed.
• 2. Obs. That great triumph ought to be made at the Anointing of Kings.
• 3. Obs. That its the peoples duty to pray for their King by name. King Solomon. King Charls.

1 Kings 20.31. And Benadads servants said, the Kings of the house of Israel are mercifull Kings, let us put sackcloth on our loyns, and ropes upon our heads, and go out to the King of Israel, perad­venture he will save our lives.

• 1. Obs. That the councell of servants ought not to be rejected.
• 2. Obs. That Kings ought to be mercifull.
• 3. Obs. That its the duty of the people to be humbled and sub­mit their lives to the Kings mercy.
• 4. Obs. That where there is no humiliation, there ought to be no mercy.
• [Page 4]5. Obs. That Kings have power in themselves to pardon great offenders.

1 Kings 21.13. Children of Belial witnessed against Naboth, Naboth did blaspheme God and the King: And they stoned him with stones that he died.

• 1. Obs. That blasphemers of God and the King, ought to suf­fer death.
• 2. Obs. That we ought not to have an evil thought of the King: Eccles. 10.20. Curse not the King, no not in thy thoughts. Exod. 22.28. Thou shalt not curse the ruler of thy people.

1 Chro. 28.4.29.1. And David the King said unto all the congregation, Solomon my son whom alone God hath chosen, is yet young and tender.

• 1. Obs. That God alone chuses Kings.
• 2. Obs. That God may chuse Kings when they are young and tender.
• 3. Obs. That it is not in the power and will of man to chuse Kings: Prov. 8.15. By me Kings reigne.
• 4. Obs. That the congregation ought to take notice, how the Lord alone chuses Kings.

2 Chro. 30.12. King Hezekiah and his Princes, tooke counsell together to keep the passeover: And the hand of God was to give them one heart, to do the commandment of the King and the Prin­ces, by the word of the Lord.

• 1. Obs. That Kings and Princes are to councell together.
• 2. That Kings and Princes ought to councell together, for the establishing of Gods worship, the Church Government.
• 3. That it is God that unites the hearts of the people to do the Kings Commandement.
• 4. Obs. That the King and his Princes ought not to establish any worship, but according to the word of the Lord.

Ezra. 6.10. King Darius made a decree, and gave to the priests to offer sacrifices of sweet savour unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the King, and his sons.

• 1. Obs. That all sacrifices are to be offered up unto the Lord.
• 2. Obs. That in all our spirituall sacrifices, we ought to offer up our prayers to the God of heaven, for the life of the King and his sons.

Ezra. 7.26. Artaxerxes King of Kings, said unto Ezra the priest, And whosoever will not do the law of thy God, and the law of thy King, let judgement be executed upon him speedily, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to im­prisonment.

• 1. Obs. That we all ought to be obedient to the laws of God.
• 2. Obs. That all we ought to be obedient to the laws of the King.
• 3. Obs. That punishment ought to be inflicted upon the trans­gressors of the laws, both of God and the King, whether death, banishment, confiscation, imprisonment, according to the Kings mercy.

Ezra 7.27. Blessed be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the Kings heart, to beautifie the house of the Lord, which is at Jerusalem.

• 1. Obs. That the priests and the scribes of the law of the God of heaven, ought to blesse the Lord for the house of the Lord.
• 2. Obs. That the Lord ought to have his house at Jerusalem, the Metropolis.
• 3. Obs. That the Lords house ought to be sought unto, and to be beautified. Micah 4.2.
• 4. Obs. That they ought to be punished, that goe about to deface the house of the Lord.
• 5. Obs. That its the Kings duty, to see that the house of the Lord be beautified.

Neh. 2.3. Nehemiah who was the Kings cupbearer said unto the King, Let the King live for ever.

• 1. Obs. That Godly rulers ought to pray for their King.
• 2. Obs. That Godly rulers ought to pray for the long life of their King.
• 3. Obs. That Godly rulers ought not to think slightly of their King, but pray.

Neh. 2.6. And the King said unto me, the Queen sitting by him, for how long shall thy journy be?

• 1. Obs. That there hath been Kings and Queens to rule and govern the nations.
• 2. Obs. That no man ought to seperate those that God hath joyned together.

Esther 7.5. King Ahashuerus said unto Queen Esther, who is he, and where is he that durst presume in his heart to do so?

• 1. Obs. That Kings ought to maintain their Queens, and make enquiry after those that oppose them.
• 2. Obs. That all those that oppose Queens, ought to have the wrath of the King stirred up against them.
• 3. Obs. That all those that provoke the King, sin against their own souls. Prov. 20.2.

Job 34.18. Is it fit to say to a King, thou art wicked, and to Prin­ces, ye are ungodly?

• 1. Obs. That no man ought to speak evil of the King.
• 2. Obs. That all men ought to strive to maintain the Kings ho­nour, and the Princes innocency.

Psal. 18.50. Great deliverance giveth he to his King, and sheweth mercy to his Anointed, to David and his seed for evermore.

• 1. Obs. That we ought to pray for deliverance for our King.
• [Page 7]2. Obs. That we ought not to imprison our King.
• 3. Obs. That Kings are the Lords Anointed.
• 4. Obs. That we ought to pray for the King by his name, Da­vid, Charls.
• 5. Obs. That we ought to pray for the Kings seed for evermore.

Psal. 72.1. Give the King thy judgements O God: and thy righ­teousnesse unto the Kings son.

• 1. Obs. That we ought to pray to God for the King.
• 2. Obs. That we ought to pray to God, that judgement, and wisdome, and understanding, may be given to the King for government.
• 3. Obs. That we ought to pray that the Kings seed may be en­dued with righteousnesse.
• 4. Obs. That we must all strive to maintain the King in judge­ment, and his seed in righteousnesse.

Psal. 84.9. Behold O God our sheild, and looke upon the face of thine Anointed.

• 1. Obs. That its the duty of Kings, to rely upon God; and make him their shield.
• 2. Obs. That its the duty of Kings to pray to God for them­selves.
• 3. Obs. That Kings in their prayers, may set out their preroga­tives before God: [Anointed.]

Psal. 89.18. For the Lord is our defence, the holy one of Israel is our king: I have exalted one chosen out of the people. I have found David my servant, with my holy oyle have I Anointed him.

• 1. Obs. That Kings ought to rely upon the Lord for defence.
• 2. Obs. That Kings must not put confidence in man for defence, but in the Lord.
• 3. Obs. That Kings are the holy ones of God.
• 4. Obs. That Kings are exalted and set up by God.
• [Page 8]5. Obs. That Kings are chosen out of the people by God.
• 6. Obs. That Kings are the Lords servants.
• 7. Obs. That the oyle wherewith Kings are Anointed is an ho­ly oyle.

Prov. 8.15. By me kings reigne and princes decree justice.

• 1. Obs. That the reigne of Kings is by the power of God, and their authority is from the Lord.
• 2. Obs. That no man hath power to subdue the King in his reigne.
• 3. Obs. That Princes ought to decree nothing, but that which is just.
• 4. Obs. That Kings and Princes ought to make no law, nor de­cree, but that which is according to justice, according to the word of God.

Prov. 16.10. A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgement.

• 1. Obs. That the sentences of Kings, ought to be highly estee­med, as the oracles of God.
• 2. Obs. That in the judgement of a King is no transgression.
• 3. Obs. That we are to yeeld to the Kings judgement, and not stand upon our own judgement.

Prov. 16.15. In the light of the kings countenance is life, and his favour is as a cloud of the latter raine.

• 1. Obs. That the life of a good subject is the chearfull counte­nance of the King.
• 2. Obs. That the favour of the King, is like the former and the latter raine upon the ground in his due season.
• 3. Obs. That Kings ought to shew their respects to their good subjects.
• 4. Obs. That no subject ought to provoke the King to make him frown.

Prov. 20.2. The feare of a King is as the roaring of a Lion, who so provoketh him to anger, sinneth against his own soul.

• 1. Obs. That men ought to be afraid and tremble, for fear of the Kings anger.
• 2. Obs. That no man ought to vex the King, or provoke him to anger.
• 3. Obs. That subject sins against his own soul, that provokes the King to anger.
• 4. Obs. That we must use all our power and industry, to preserve the King in his integrity.

Prov. 20.28. Mercy and truth preserve the King: and his Throne is upholden by mercy.

• 1. Obs. That the preservation of Kings, is upheld by upholding the attributes of God.
• 2. Obs. That the thrones of Kings are upholden, by hol­ding forth the word of truth, and the works of mercy.
• 3. Obs. That the Kings care ought to be to shew mercy.
• 4. Obs. That Kings are made glorious, both in the eies of their subjects, and to other Nations, by holding forth the works of mercy: And here see King Charls glorious.

• 1. In his shewing mercy to his enemies.
• 2. In preserving the truth from errour.
• 3. In praying for his persecutors.
• 4. In his desiring of peace in all these wars.
• 5. In his joy in all his afflictions.
• 6. In his patience, in the want and injoyment of his desired Consort, and comforts.
• 7. In his manifesting all the fruits of the spirit to be in him: his love to God, to the Kingdome, to his Subjects: his joy in tribulations, his desire of peace, his long-suffering, his gentle­nesse, his goodnesse, his faith, his meekenesse, his temperance, these have made him glorious: and this is his joy and crowne of rejoycing, and by these his Crowne is upholden.

Prov. 24.21. My son fear thou the Lord, and the King, and meddle not with them that are given to change.

• 1 Obs. That none can fear the Lord, but he that fears the King.
• 2 Obs. That unlesse we honour the King, we cannot truely fear the Lord.
• 3 Obs. That changelings are not to be trusted unto, nor to have any dealing withall.

Prov. 30.31. And a King against whom there is no rising up.

• 1 Obs. That no man ought to rise up against the King, not by thoughts to thinke evill of him, not by words to curse him, nor by weapons to war against him.
• 2 Obs. That we all ought to lay down our evill thoughts, our wicked words, our ungodly weapons, and to submit unto him.
• 3 Obs. That we all ought to labour in our thoughts, words, and weapons, to preserve and defend the King, and his seed after him for evermore.

Eccles. 8.2. I councell thee to keep the Kings Commandement, and that in regard of the oath of God.

• 1 Obs. That wherein the King Commands the people are to obey.
• 2 Obs. That the Kings Cammands ought to be according to the oath of God.
• 3 Obs. That the oath of God, and the Kings Commands are to be kept.

Eccles. 8.4. Where the word of a King is, there is power, and who may say unto him, What doest thou?

• 1 Obs. That the words of Kings, ought to be powerfull words.
• 2 Obs. That no man is to controle the King, nor to speake against him.
• 3 Obs. That the works of Kings, ought all to be righteous works.

Eccles. 10.20 Curse not the King, no not in thy thoughts, and curse not the rich in thy bed-chamber, for a bird of the aire shall car­ry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.

• 1 Obs. That we ought not so much as in our thoughts, to think evill, or to curse the King.
• 2 Obs. That we ought with our lives and estates, in our thoughts, words, and works, to maintaine and uphold the Honour of the King.
• 3 Obs. That no man in Authority ought to be cursed.
• 4 Obs. That we ought to pray for Kings, and for all in Autho­rity.
• 5 Obs. That the Lord will reveale the secrets of mens hearts, even of those that curse the King, or any in Authority.

Isaiah 49.23. Kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and Queens thy nursing mothers.

• 1 Obs. That its the duty of Kings and Queenes, to be tenderly affected towards their subjects.
• 2 Obs. That its the subjects duty, to preserve and maintaine their Kings and Queens, with all fitting maintenance for their places.
• 3 Obs. That Kings and Queens ought to live together, to be ai­ding and assisting one to the other: As fathers and mothers.

Jer. 27.8. It shall come to passe that the Nation and Kingdom which will not serve Nebuchadnezzar King of Babylon, will I punish with the sword, with the famine, and with the pestilence, and hearken not to your Prophets, for they prophesie a lye unto you, bringing your neckes under the yoak of the King of Babylon, and serve him and his people and live, why will ye die, thou and thy people, by the sword, by the famine, and by the pestilence, as the Lord hath spoken against the Nation that will not serve the King of Babylon?

• 1 Obs. That Nations and Kingdomes are to be governed by Kings.
• [Page 12]2. Obs. That though a King be a wicked King, yet he must be served.
• 3. Obs. That the punishment of a Nation or Kingdome, whe­ther by sword, famine, or pestilence, follows the disloyalty to the Kings commands.
• 4. Obs. That if Prophets prophesie disloyalty to the Kings com­mands, we are not to hearken unto them: they prophesie a lie.
• 5. Obs. That its the subjects speciall duty, to obey the Kings command.
• 6. Obs. That all those that disobey the Kings commands shall be punished by death: with sword, by famine, by pestilence.
• 7. Obs. That its the Lord that brings his punishments, and in­flicts them upon a disloyall Nation, or Kingdome, where he pleaseth.

Jer. 30.9. But they shall serve the Lord their God, and David their King, whom I will raise up unto them.

• 1. Obs. That the Lord God is to be served.
• 2. Obs. That David their King is to be served.
• 3. Obs. That they are joyned together to serve the Lord God, & David their King: so serve the Lord God, & Charls their King.
• 4. Obs. That the Lord raises up Kings, and commands all their subjects to serve them.

Ezek. 37.24. David my servant shall be King over them, and they all shall have one shepheard, and they shall walke in my judge­ments, and observe my statutes and do them.

• 1. Obs. That all Godly Kings are the Lords immediate servants.
• 2. Obs. That where a Godly King Rules, there they have all one Godly ministry, one Godly government, one faith, one bap­tisme.
• 3. Obs. That no liberty ought to be given to tender consciences, to walke contrary to Gods statutes.
• 4. Obs. That the judgements, and statutes, and commandments of God, ought to be the rule and the way, wherein every man ought to walke.
• [Page 13]5. Obs. That no command of man bindes the Conscience to be observed, that is contrary to the statutes and command­ments of God.

Hosea 10.3. For now they shall say we have no King, because we feared not the Lord, what then should a King do to us?

• 1. Obs. That where a people or a Nation begin to cast off the fear of the Lord, that people or Nation desires no King.
• 2. Obs. That if England fear the Lord, then England desires a King.
• 3. Obs. That people feare not the Lord, that doe not highly esteeme of, and honour their King.

Hosea 13.10. O Israel, I will be thy King, thou saidst, give me a King and Princes: I gave thee a King in mine anger, and tooke him away in my wrath.

• 1. Obs. That God takes the title and name of a King to him­selfe.
• 2. Obs. That the people of God, hath God to be their King.
• 3. Obs. That Kings are given, and taken away by God.
• 4. Obs. That no man hath power to place, or displace the King, but God himselfe.

Mat. 17.12. Jesus asked Peter, what thinkest thou Simon? of whom doe the Kings of the earth take custome? of strangers, or of their own children? yet lest we should offend, goe to the sea, cast an hooke, take a fish, open his mouth, take a piece of money, and pay for thee and me.

• 1. Obs. That Christ allows of Kings to be on the earth.
• 2. Obs. That Christ will pay custome to Caesar, rather then of­fend Caesar.
• 3. Obs. That Christ will work a miracle, to pay custome to the Kings of the earth, rather then offend.
• [Page 14]4 Obs. That by Christs Example all men must submit to the customes and priviledges of Kings.
• 5 Obs. That free children ought rather to submit to the customes of their Kings, then offend.

Mat. 22.20. Mar. 12.17. Luke 20.25. Whose is this Image and Superscription? Cesars. Render to Cesar the things that be Cesars, and to God the things that be Gods.

• 1 Obs. That the Authority of Kings may be enquired after.
• 2 Obs. That when the Kings Authority is made known, it pre­sently must be obeyed.
• 3 Obs. That its the command of God, to give Kings their due.
• 4 Obs. That no man ought to hinder the King of his customes, and his dues, but render them to him.

Rom. 13.1.2.7. Let every soul be subject to the higher powers, for there is no power but of God, and the powers that be are ordained of God: Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordi­nance of God: And they that resist, shall receive to themselves dam­nation.

• 1 Obs. That every man ought to submit himselfe to that Au­thority that is set over him by God.
• 2 Obs. That where God sets not Authority, that soul ought not to be subject.
• 3 Obs. That where Authority commands things contrary to God, that Authority ought not to be obeyed, by active obedi­ence.
• 4 Obs. That no man ought to resist that Authority that is or­dained of God.
• 5 Obs. That the Authority of Kings is ordained of God, and no man ought to resist them.
• 6 Obs. That damnation is the reward of disloyalty, to the Kings Authority.

1 Tim. 2.1.2. I exhort therefore, that first of all, supplications, [Page 15]prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men, for Kings and all that are in Authority. That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty, for this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.

• 1 Obs. That all manner of prayers ought to be made for Kings, and all in Authority.
• 2 Obs. That no quiet and peaceable living can be in any King­dome, where Kings and Magistrates are not prayed for.
• 3 Obs. That it is a good and acceptable sacrifice to God our Sa­viour, to offer up prayers and thankes for Kings, and all in Au­thority.

Titus 3.1. Put them in minde to be subject to principalities, and powers, to obey Magistrates, to be ready to every good worke.

• 1 Obs. That people must be put in mind of their duty, they are apt to forget it.
• 2 Obs. That its the ministers duty to preach subjection to su­preame Authority.
• 3 Obs. That its the peoples duty, willingly to yeild obedience to all Authority.
• 4 Obs. That by our good works we shew forth our obedience to supreame Authority, and power of the Magistrate.

1 Pet. 2.13, 17. Submit your selves therefore to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake, whether it be to the King as supreame, or 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: honour all men, love the Brotherhood, fear God, Honour the King.

• 1 Obs. That the ordinances of man, that are made agreeable to the word of the Lord, ought to be obeyed.
• 2 Obs. That the King is the supreame Governour, and his Au­thority is supreame Authority, and his commands are supream­ly [Page 16]to be obeyed.
• 3. Obs. That governours are sent by the King, and have their authority from the King.
• 4. Obs. That the authority of governours, is to punish evil do­ers, and to praise them that do well.
• 5. Obs. That its Gods will that the King is supreame gover­nour, and he commands: his commands are supreamly to be obeyed.
• 6. Obs. That no government ought to be set up, neither in Church nor state, that is not according to the word and will of God.
• 7. Obs. That all men ought to be honoured in that place of au­thority, whereunto God hath called them.
• 8. Obs. That the Saints of God upon earth ought to be loved.
• 9. Obs. That high and low, rich and poor, ought to fear God.
• 10. Obs. That all men, high and low, rich and poor, noble and ignoble, young and old, it is their duty to honour the King: God save the King, God save King Charls.

Thus gentle Reader, have we run through these places and texts of Scripture, which hath sufficiently to satifie every mans soule, proved unto us painly, the worke we have taken in hand to set forth The Kings AUTHORITY. And lest any should with the Atheist deny there is a God, or a King; we will gather up these fragments again, that nothing be lost. And now view and behold the The Kings AUTHORITY, and the Subjects DUTY.

And so here we may plainly see and observe, That the Lord alone hath chosen Kings (not man.) And he hath chosen them to Rule over and to Govern his own people Israel. And Kings are the Lords immediate servants, his holy ones. The Lords A­nointed for that purpose to Govern his people, & their Thrones are upholden by the Lord, & their AUTHORITY is from the Lord, and their AUTHORITY is supreame AUTHORITY over ALL.

• [Page 17]1 To see that the house of the Lord be beautified.
• 2 To maintain their Queens, against all that shall oppose them.
• 3 To pray to God for themselves, and to make God their de­fence and shield, and not put confidence in man.
• 4 To make all their Lawes, and decrees, and ordinances, ac­cording to the Lawes of God, and their sentences and words, to be as the Oracles of God.
• 5 To shew a cheerfull countenance, and their due respects to their good subjects: And to hold forth the Attributes of God according to the word of truth, and to shew mercy, and to do righteous works.
• 6 To endeavour to have all one godly Ministry, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptisme, one union in Religion and Church Go­vernment, and no liberty if they walke contrary to God.
• 7 To appoint Governours, and to Authorize them to punish evill doers, and to praise them that do well.

• 1 GOdly Rulers and Elders, must desire to have a King, to Rule them and to Govern them.
• 2 Godly Rulers have no power to chuse a King, to dis-throne a King, or to imprison a King.
• 3 Godly Rulers ought to pray for the King, to pray for the long life of the King, and not compare themselves to the King, nor thinke slightly of the King.
• 4 Godly Rulers ought to strive to maintain the Kings Honour, the Princes innocency, and not to seperate the King and the Queene.
• 5 Godly Rulers ought to punish evill doers, and to praise them that do well.

• 1 ANd they are to Prophesie Loyalty, and Obedience to the Kings commands.
• [Page 18]2 They are to offer Sacrifice, to pray for the King and his Sons.
• 3 They are to preach to the people subjection, to supreame Authority.

And because we will have compassion on the multitude, and not let them depart without a blessing, we will shew them their duty.

• 1. THe peoples duty is, to pray for wisdome and understand­ing for the King.
• 2. The peoples duty is, to pray for the King by his name, God save King Solomon: God save King Charls.
• 3. The peoples duty is, to pray for the King, and his seed for evermore.
• 4. The peoples duty is, not to compare themselves to the King, nor thinke slightly of the King, nor curse the King.
• 5. The peoples duty is, to maintain and uphold with their lives and estates the Kings honour: and to humble themselves, and submit their lives to the Kings mercy.
• 6. The peoples duty is, to obey all the Laws and commands of the King.
• 7. The peoples duty is, not to provoke the King to anger, nor to controle the King, nor to rise up against the King, by thought, by word, or by weapon.
• 8. The peoples duty is, to serve and obey the King, lest the pu­nishment of disloyaltie to the Kings commands befall them, as sword, famine, pestilence.
• 9. The peoples duty is, to pay customes or tributes to their King, Caesar.
• 10. The peoples duty is to observe the duty for fear of a greater punishment: damnation is the reward of all those that resist the Kings supreame AUTHORITY: blessednesse is the re­ward of all those that submit unto, and obey the Kings su­preame AUTHORITY.

And thus having laid ten commands upon the people, to which they must all submit and obey: Let us againe view and behold En­gland.

And here by these commands of God by his servant Moses, and by all his holy Prophets: by the practice of Jesus Christ, and by the commands of his holy Apostles.

Let us now with Moses the servant of the Lord, call Israel to a reckoning, and with Israel, England: and see what God could have done more for Israel England then he hath done. Deut. 10.12.

And now O Israel, O England: What doth the Lord thy God require of thee? to fear the Lord thy God, to walke in all his wayes, to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul: and to keep the commandments of the Lord and his statutes, and to doe that which is good and right in the sight of the Lord thy God. Deut. 12.28. for it is true which S. Luke saith, Luke 12.47. He that knows his Masters will and doth it not, shall be beaten with many stripes. And to this Christ himselfe saith, Mat. 7.21. Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdome of heaven: but he that doth the will of my father which is in heaven.

Therefore I shall desire you with the Noble Bereans, Acts 17.11. to search the Scriptures daily whether these things be so or no, that ye may beleeve, and in beleeving have everlasting life.

But withall I must admonish you according to that of 1 Jo. 4.1. Beleeve not every spirit, but trie the spirits whether they be of God or no: for false Prophets are gone out into the world. And behold they come unto you in sheeps cloathing, but inwardly they are rave­ning wolves, and if it were possible, they would deceive the very elect. Mat. 24.24. But by their fruits you shall know them.

And if you desire to know them, then I shall exhort you as 2 Chro. 20.20. Beleeve in the Lord your God, so shall ye be establi­shed, beleeve his Prophets, as Jam. 5.10. that have spoken to you in the name of the Lord, so shall ye prosper.

1 John 3.23. And this is his commandement, that we should be­leeve on the name of his son Jesus Christ, and love one another, for there is no Name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, but the name of the Lord Jesus, Acts 4.12.

Thinke not to say within your selves we have Abraham to our fa­ther, Mat. 3.9. or we are great, or rich, or have this priviledge or other, God is greater, and able of these stones to raise up chil­dren unto Abraham. But now the ax is laid to the root of the tree: Therefore every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen down and cast into the fire. By their fruits therefore ye shall know them: for now is the time of envying, strife and division, 1 Cor. 3.3. Now is the time of confusion, and every evil work. Jam. 3.16.

Now then this is the time, as Jam. 5.16. That the fervent pray­er of the righteous man should availe much with the Lord.

And therefore shall we with Abraham the father of the faith­full, shall we follow his example, Gen. 18.23. stand and draw neere before the Lod, and intercede for Sodom: for England: and pray, peradventure, there be fifty righteous within England; wilt thou also destroy, and not spare the Kingdome for the fifty righteous that are therein?

Shall we follow the example of Moses the servant of the Lord, Exod. 32.30. Goe up unto the Lord, and make an attonement for the Kingdome, and say, this people have sinned a great sin: They have denied the Kings AUTHORITY: Yet now, if thou wilt, for­give their sin; and if not, blot me, I pray thee, out of the Book thou hast written.

And likewise shall we follow his example againe, for a good example cannot be too much followed. As Deut. 9.25. Shall we fall downe on our knees, and pray unto the Lord, and say, Oh Lord God, destroy not this Kingdome, this people, thine inheritance, which thou hast redeemed, through thy greatnesse, and brought out of E­gypts darknesse, with a mighty hand, and an out-stretched arme. Re­member thy servants Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and look not upon the stubbornnesse of this people, nor to their sin.

Shall we follow the example of Joshuah, a Ruler full of the spirit of wisdome, Ioshua 7.10. Unto whom the Lord said, Get thee up, wherefore lyest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them, for they have even taken of the accursed thing, and they have also stolne, and dissembled also: and they have put it even among their own stuffe. A goodly Babylonish garment, & two hundred she­kels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels weight. A goodly thing to destroy the soule: England be warned by this; for what will it profit a man to gain the whole world, and lose his owne soule?

Shall we follow the example of David, a man after Gods own heart, who exhorts us, Psal. 95.6. O come let us worship and bow downe, and kneele before the Lord our Maker, lest he be grieved with us forty yeeres, as he was with that generation, and sware unto us in his wrath, we should not enter into his rest?

Shall we follow the example of Solomon, who, 1 Kings 8.22. stood before the Altar of the Lord, and kneeled upon his knees, and spread forth his hands towards heaven, and said, If Israel sinned, [if England] and they would turne againe, and confesse their sin, and make supplication, then he would heare in heaven, and forgive their sin, and heale the Land.

Shall we follow the example of Daniel, Dan. 9.3. who set his face unto the Lord God, to seek by prayer and supplications, with fast­ing, and sackcloth, and ashes, and prayed unto the Lord, and made confession, saying, We have sinned, and have committed ini­quity, and have rebelled, and departed from thy precepts, and from thy judgements: And have not harkned to thy servants the Prophets which spake in thy name to our Kings, our Princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land: Hearken now and be no more rebellious.

Shall we now take the example of all examples, and follow Jesus Christ, who in Mat. 26.39. fell on his face and prayed, Mar. 1.35. Who departed into a solitary place and there prayed [Page 22] Luke 22.41. Who withdrew himself from them about a stones cast, and kneeled down and prayed. Joh. 17.1. Who lift up his eyes to heaven and said, Heb. 5.7. Who in the dayes of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications, with strong crying and teares, unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared.

And withall take a caveat here with you, not to follow the example of the hypocrites, who Mat. 6.5. love to pray standing in the Synagoges, and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. And Mat. 23.14. Who devour widdowes houses, and for a pretence make long prayers, but these shall receive greater damnation.

Having thus finished our course, and now brethren being thus compassed about with such a cloud of examples of witnesses, that shall all in the last day rise up in judgement against us, for heaven and earth shall passe away, but not one tittle of the word of God shall faile.

Let us follow Jesus preaching, and saying, Repent, for the kingdome of heaven is at hand. Mat. 4.17. And Luk. 13.3. Ex­cept ye repent ye shall all likewise perish. And Luke 21.36. Watch ye therefore and pray alwayes, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all those things that shall come to passe, and to stand before the Son of man.

And let us follow S. Peters rule, 1 Pet. 5.8. Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the divel, as a roaring lion wal­keth about, seeking whom he may devour.

And with the author to the Heb. 12.1. let us now look about us, Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily be­set us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.

We have a good example, Looking up unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him, en­dured the crosse, despised the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God, from whence he shall come in the glory of his father, with all his holy Angels, and he shall reward every man [Page 23]according to his works, according to that he hath done in his body, whether it be good or bad, (no shifting from him in that day.)

For before him all nations shall be gathered together, and he shall separate them one from another, as a sheepheard divideth the sheep from the goates. Mat. 25.32. And he shall set the sheepe on his right hand, but the goates on the left.

Then shall the king say unto them on the right hand, Come ye bles­sed of my father, inherit the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For ye are they that have obeyed my word, my servant Moses, my holy Prophets and Apostles, and have obeyed the Kings AUTHORITY delivered by them.

But unto the goates on the left hand, Depart from me ye cur­sed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels, for ye are they that are disobedient, and rebellious against the word of the Lord, against the holy Prophets and holy Apostles, and against the example and commands of Jesus Christ himself, who commands obedience to Caesar: Submission to the Kings Supreame AUTHORITY.

Now these things have I written unto you according to the pow­er which the Lord hath given me for edification, 2 Cor. 13.10. In hopes the better learned will amend it. And brethren be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, fear God, honour the King: Live in peace, and the God of love and peace shall be with you.

And the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.