THE repeated Practices of Rebel­lion in this our Land, and our continual dread of Imminent Judgments, do add a new Seaso­nableness to this days Humiliation. And let us add a new vigour to our Intercedings with the Almighty, to prevent those Punishments which we so highly deserve.

For we are this day met to bewail the greatest National sin, except that which the Jews committed in Crucifying the Lord of Life. A sin which hath made us a Scandal and a Proverb of Reproach to other Kingdoms, a miserable and divi­ded [Page 2]people within our selves, and a dread­ful Theatre of the continual Judgements of God.

There was doubtless a general corrup­tion of Life and Manners that disposed this Nation to enter into such horrid Coun­sels, and to engage in such furious attempts: Luxury, Wantonness, neglect of Religi­on and wise Discipline, first forfeited the protection of Providence, and then God delivered up an infatuated people to their own Passions and false Zeals, and let them follow their own Imaginations.

It is indeed to no good purpose (at least in this place) to lay the whole Guilt upon any particular Party amongst us: That may be the business of an Historian, but not of a Divine: That may serve to awaken Governours, but will not contri­bute towards the attonement of our God: That may give Men Rules of worldly Po­licy, but will never work in us a true and Spiritul Compunction.

Sharp and eager Reflections may pro­mote Revenge and Malice, but will hard­ly produce a general Humiliation and Re­pentance. Whatever Designs our Ad­versaries formed, we may be sure it was our Sins that gave them their Success.

The Tragedy is acted, the Murder com­pleated, the anger of the Almighty is pro­voked, the Nation has sinn'd, and the Na­tion must repent; or else there is no­thing but a fearful looking for of swift and final Destruction. But O! Remember not against us, former Iniquities!

It is not requisite at this time to engage in any exact method of Discourse, the Sub­ject of this days Meditation being some­what too big for the common Rules of Art: 'Tis the property of great Passions to know but little Order.

The sudden effusions of a pious and Loyal Heart, with some general remarks on the more fatal Springs and Principles of [Page 4]Faction and Rebellion, are more suitable to this Solemnity, than the smoother com­positions of a mind at leisure.

Let such as please, study to be Elegant under the Indignation of God, and the Infamy of a Kingdom; all that I shall at present attempt, shall be onely to mani­fest an humble and an Holy concern in eve­ry period I pronounce.

The English Nation had been long held in singular repute for their Noble, their good-Natur'd, and Loyal Courage; and not onely the Neighbouring King­doms, but the remoter parts of the Earth, had been Witnesses of their unalterable Affection to their Kings, whom they cheer­fully followed in their Expeditions, with constant and unwearied Duty.

But the abomination of this day has almost silenced all our former Praise; and the stain of this days Murder has cast a blemish on our ancient Glory.

How must we blush to think that it shall be always read in story, How that English men stood round a Scaffold with their Muskets and Javelins to guard and forward the Murder of their own King.

Surely the strangeness of the Fact will make men suspect the truth of the History, they will abhor the Record that shews them such a Villany! But yet does not this days Assembly, does not this pre­sent Generation too truly attest it? but can they, can all Posterity attone for it?

The favour of Providence, and the Ho­nour of our Country, which we have lost by our Rebellions, we must recover by our Humiliations: The Victories of the Field must be turned into the Repentances of the Temple; and the active Nobleness of Ex­ploits, into meekness and sufferings for Truth and Holiness, if ever we expect that the Lord should forget the Iniquity of this day.

Pontius Pilate, willing to give some check to the importunate malice of the Jews, who so tumultuously demanded the Cru­cifixion of our Lord and Saviour, put this harsh and dishonourable Question to them; Shall I Crucifie your King? He cannot be crucified, but your Name also must be cru­cified with him, in the Superscription of his Titles; for he shall be crucified the King of the Jews.

So might it this day have been put to the English Rebels, Will you murder your King? the Father of your Country, the Vice-gerent of God, the Fountain of Ju­stice, the preserver of your Laws, and the Guardian of your publick Peace and Or­der? Will you murder your own most just and [...]al King? so Wise, so Meek, so Pious, and so Devout a King? whom Providence & Succ [...]sion, your own Laws, and your Con­s [...]n [...] have established in the Throne, and of which his own Vertues had made him [...] worthy? Will you murder that King who has parted with so much of his [Page 7]Prerogative for your satisfaction? who has delivered up a most able Counsellor to your importunate and unjust Petitions, and wounded his Conscience for your peace and safety? who has undergone the rude­ness of your Victories, your Prisons, and your Mockeries of Justice, with the same mildness and constancy which he shewed in the fulness of his Empire! who has gi­ven up every thing to your implacable de­mands, but your truest Liberties, your Laws and Rights, and your established Worship?

But 'tis too late now to ask the Que­stion, and I shall forbear to continue the Figure any longer. They have acted the Crime; they have brought an Eternal Infamy upon the Nation, an indelible blot upon Religion, and I fear an Hereditary Curse upon this miserable Land.

But why should those be concerned in the trouble and confusion of this day, who had no share in the guilt of it? for are there not many now living who may justly boast [Page 8]of their extraordinary service to that Excel­lent Prince, and of the honour they had of suffering with him? And were not many of us unborn when this accursed thing was committed? Yet however this was most properly a National Guilt, because so ma­ny of all Orders, Ranks, and Callings a­mongst us were engaged in that Rebellion which brought forth this execrable Fact; and in sins of this nature the Children must either inherit the Curse, or attone for the Iniquities of their Fathers.

None of us, how innocent soever, ei­ther in our own actions, or those of our progenitors; None of us, though never so Loyal, either in our Principles or our Parentage, are above the reach of this days amazement, are beyond the necessity of this days Humiliation: For publick sins, of such example, such scandal and contagion as this, like the first Rebellion of Man, remain a debt upon Posterity, and involve more in their unhappy consequen­ces, than the immediate Instruments them­selves, or the Off-spring of those who [Page 9]first acted them: For when God upon such a provocation as this, comes to reckon with a Kingdom, who can escape the terrible Vi­sitation, who can abide the Almighty Wrath?

They were but few in comparison with the whole Body of the Jewish Nation, that were immediately concerned in putting our Blessed Saviour to death; they were not many, perhaps onely a mercenary Rabble, who petitioned for his Crucifixion, and un­dertook to answer all the Appeales of his Bloud at their own and their Childrens pe­ril: Yet when the time of their Visitation came (which was not till Forty years after the killing of their King, when perhaps most of his Murderers were dead and rot­ten) every Age, Sex, and Family that were in Jerusalem, shared alike in the common Calamity; the Famine, the Pestilence, and the Swords of the Romans had no commis­sion to distinguish.

When the Divine Vengeance for the Bloud of our Martyr will more signally [Page 10]break out, we know not; and we beseech the infinite Mercy it may never. Our For­ty years have not yet expired, neither have the Romans as yet prevailed against us, or the Inundation of Sects overwhelmed us: How soon they may, he alone can tell, who alone can hinder; we have no better se­curity left us, than strong Cries, deep Re­pentance, passionate Deprecations, O re­member not against us former iniquities!

But are we fit persons to intercede? are we fit to stand in the gap, to turn away the anger of the Lord, and to stop the destroying Angel? Do not our continued provocations, our daily repeated personal sins call for new Indignation on us? What attonement therefore can we make, or wherewithal shall we come before the Lord? Can Intemperance satisfie for Hy­pocrisie, or Prophaness expiate for Murder? Is Sedition and Rebellion a repenting for the barbarous outrages of a Civil War, or of this days Crime? Will Oaths, and Cur­ses, and Blasphemies drown the noise of our crying Sins? Or will the contempt of [Page 11]the Bloud of Christ, be a propitiation for the Bloud of the Martyr.

When our late Gracious Soveraign and the Royal Line, were restored by an ex­traordinary Providence, by a secret and won­derful hand; was our gratitude returned to God with that sobriety of Christian Joy as became a redeemed people? Or were the unquiet Zelots of our Land less obstinate in their Opinions, more forward to remit their Scruples, or more modest in their Demands? And have we not already undergone some remarkable instances of Gods displeasure for the Murder of our King, and the Prophanation of his restoring Mercy? such as a Forreign War, a raging Pestilence, a dreadful Fire, and an actual Rebellion.

As the Jews were wont to say, that in every Calamity that befel them, there was an ounce of the Golden Calf in it, of that shameful and Idolatrous revolt; so may we also affirm, that in every Judgment that o'retakes us, there is an ounce of the Bloud [Page 12]of the Martyr in it: or else why are we like that stubborn Generation, such a for­lorn people, as to be Hardned under every Calamity, and to turn our most signal Mer­cies into the greatest Provocations? Why are we continually murmuring, often Plot­ting, sometimes Rebelling! Why do we shew so little remorse for our present, for our former Iniquities; for the Iniquities of this day?

The Lord does often defer and put off the extremity of Temporal Judgments, to see if the next Generation will amend; but if they go on in the same ways, if they fol­low their Fathers steps, imitate their bad Examples, and revive their sins, then he ex­ecutes his Vengeance for both together; and most justly punishes a people for Of­fences committed many years ago, because they renew them, because they act them over again, against greater conviction, and with more obstinacy and malice; as all must do, who continue Schismatical in the Church, or Factious in the State, after so great a light and knowledge of Truth and [Page 13]Duty, and having had so long a time, so merciful a season to understand and to a­mend their Errours.

There were three things that were more especially active and fatal in our late Di­stractions, concerning which some did wil­fully mistake, though others were undoub­tedly deluded.

They were Popery, Zeal, and the extent of Subjection.

The notions of these were strangely dis­guised both in mens Writings and Appre­hensions, the effects of these most violent and impious: But since our Restoration and settlement, since mens Spirits have been in some disposition and capacity to receive a rational instruction; all these things have been so plainly declared according to their true nature, so fully stated as to their measure and extent, so frequently incul­cated as to their just and sober use, that there is left no further pretence for Igno­rance or Mistake; that the Seditious have now no cloak for their Rebellion.

For First in respect to Popery. Men have been seriously advised not to measure the Protestant Religion by any peevish oppo­sition to the Papists; nor to account every thing Popery that is practised in the Church of Rome; but to allow of such a judicious distinction between them, as Wise men may know what to Write for, and good men may know what to Die for.

Men have been often told, that our Re­formation was no new Religion, but onely a necessary and discreet removal of some in­tolerable corruptions, and an establishing of the old Christianity taught us plainly in the Scriptures, and interpreted, where du­bious, by the ancient Fathers.

They have been told, that in the Refor­ming of this Church, all things were acted not by way of Anabaptistical Tumult and Rebellion, not out of a spirit of contradi­ction and furious Zeal, but by the consul­tation and authority of the lawful Pow­ers, and according to the just Liberties of a National Church.

What fiery turbulency did men shew against the moderate and perpetual Episcopa­cy of this Land, as if it had been the prin­cipal abomination of Antichrist? And yet the voting down of that so dreaded Order was received with a Triumph at Rome.

What Outcries were there made, and with what confidence was it asserted, that the chief of our Bishops and Clergy were driving on a Popish Interest, when it was manifest that they were the greatest, nay the onely true Champions against it?

As for some of the more eminent of them, when they could no longer remain with any safety in this Kingdom, where-ever they travelled they gallantly maintained the fight against the Subtleties and Corruptions of that Church, and like Hannibal when he was banished from Carthage, where-e're they came, they justly raised up Enemies to the Romans.

Thus the renowned Brumhall, Cosins, [Page 16]and Morley, &c. carried the War into the Enemies Country, were victorious abroad, though contemned at home; defended our Church against the strength and power of Rome, whilst their Adversaries went de­stroying of all Christianity here, by con­tending with the shadow of Errour, by mistaking the Controversie, by shewing great violence, little Learning, no Arguments. By cherishing those Distractions both in Church and State, which gave the greatest blow to the Protestant Cause, and the su­rest advantage to the Popish Interest, which staggered the Religious, confirmed the A­theist, and made the Enthusiast mad.

Secondly, As to Zeal: That was made such an Engine of War, that Cromwel thought it the onely Expedient by which he could match the bravery and spirit of the Kings Cavalry; considering with himself, that the Fury of that Principle would as much inspire the Multitude, as Honour and Loyalty did the Nobles. This was his pe­culiar Policy, and to effect this was his sin­gular Art, and this was the chief Strata­gem [Page 17]by which he prevailed and Ruled; for he was forced to make the Army pure­ly Phanatick, before he could make it tru­ly serviceable to his purpose, and intirely His; still supplying it with Zealots of an Old Testament-Valour, and perswading e­very Captain, that he was a chosen Jehu to fight the Battels of the Lord.

Sowre Passions, Censoriousness, and Ma­lice; Emulations, Wrath, Strife and Envy­ings, were the black Ingredients of their Zeal; whereas the true Zeal of the Go­spel is that which is guided by Prudence, sweetned with Charity, tempered by Meek­ness.

False Zeal is the very Gall of bitter­ness; but that which is true, is the very Top and Flower of Divine Love: The one rages and Rebels; the other suffers and Dies: The one calls for Fire from Heaven; the other sends up Incense thi­ther: The one is factiously busie in refor­ming of the State; the other is humbly imployed in the due regulation of private Life and Manners.

If men would be truly zealous, let them shew it for Holiness and Righteousness, for Humility, and the decency of Publick Wor­ship. Let them shew it against Sacriledge, Perjury, Covetousness, Hypocrisie, Rapine, and gross Superstition: Not by railing a­gainst Ceremonies, censuring the Clergy, cursing the Papists, moving of Sedition, and encouraging Rebellion; but by bro­therly Admonitions, sound Reasonings, ex­cellent Examples, singular Modesty, due Reverence, and Attention in our publick Assemblies, by Praises, Prayers, and fre­quent Communions; by Intreaties, Tears, and solemn Humiliations, by interceding with the Almighty in strict Fastings, and fervency of Devotion, and by averting publick Judgements by an extraordinary Holiness of Life. This is the Zeal which is kindled from above, which is first Pure, then Peaceable; the other is kindled from below and is earthly, sensual, devilish.

Thirdly, The last thing I mentioned, was the extent of Subjection. What was [Page 19]more tampered with in our late times, than the Doctrine of Obedience? What more disguised? what Proposition was accounted more contemptible than Subje­ction for Conscience sake? Every conceited Politician sent forth his new System of Ci­vil Government: Every illuminated Bro­ther, his new Models of Christs Kingdom: every one was for erecting an Empire for himself, and a Platform wherein his own Imaginations might rule.

Yet when they had tried all the several kinds and species of disorder, Govern­ment would fall back to its old Form; it could no where rest, but upon the Basis of ancient Monarchy, and primitive Episcopa­cy.

Surely the Protectors of our Liberties, and the Reformers of our Religion, had a most wonderful prospect of a lasting Peace in the State, and a Godly Discipline in the Church; when the ignorance of the Multitude was guided by the Crafty, their ungovernable Passions inflamed by the Re­vengeful, [Page 20]and their intolerable obstinacy permitted to dictate their own Ecclesiastical Censures.

But now the Essential Properties of So­vereign Power, the Fundamental Laws of the English Monarchy, the unalterable Right of Succession in this Hereditary Kingdom, and the just Priviledges of the Christian Church, have been so clearly stated by wise and able heads; that they have left no room for Cavil, no plea for Ignorance, and no pardon for a malicious Opposition.

More especially the unlawfulness of Re­sistance in any case, and upon any pretence whatsoever, either Popish or Phanatick, has been so strongly asserted, and so fully evi­denced through all the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, through the Hi­stories, Examples and Apologies of the Primitive times; by unanswerable positive Reasons, by a removal of all imaginable Objections, and by the Convictions of for­mer and late Experience; that no man [Page 21]for the future can be a Rebel in this Na­tion, without being either an Hypocrite or an Atheist.

Thus you see with what Conscience, Learning, Endustry and Perswasion, the Church of England has endeavoured to dis­pel all the mists of former Darkness, to take away all materials for Sedition, and to make all her Members Religious, Wise, and Peaceable!

Especially Religious, for the truly Pious will undoubtedly be truly Loyal; they will find sufficient business with their own Souls, to keep them from a Factious enqui­ry into the miscarriages of the State; by studying their own Infirmities, they will be more tenderly sensible of the Tempta­tions of an higher station; they will weep and mourn for those defects, which God, when we deserve it, will amend.

The Lord deliver our most Gracious Soveraign and his good Subjects, from that corrupt Brood of pretended Loyalists, who [Page 22]blaspheme God, swagger for the King, curse his Enemies, and damn themselves! This is not Loyalty, but phrensie; either the voice of Flattery high-fed, or the Ra­vings of a feavered Valour.

Loyalty is a Virtue as calm as any of the Duties of Religion; 'Tis Brave, Mo­dest, and Invincible; 'tis seated more in the Judgement and Conscience, than in the Imagination and heat of Bloud: 'Tis the highest degree of Humane gratitude tem­pered with great awe and reverence: 'Tis that which would make a man Pious, Just, and Sober, were it onely to bring down a Blessing on his King, and on his Nation.

Neither is it a Scheme of Policy in the Brain that will make a Christian-Statesman; but 'tis the Oracle of Truth and Righte­ousness in the Breast, that will make his Counsel prosper and his Wisdom shine. He alone is best able to give his Prince a sound Advice, and he alone has the best courage so to do, who has first begg'd it himself on his Knees of God: He who [Page 23]has lain prostrate before the Almighty in Humility and Contrition, is the sittest to stand up against the Torrent of a Faction, or the Insinuations of a slier Party. That Magistrate who converses most with God, will like Moses, have most Divine Autho­rity in his looks; he will be the most pro­per person to stand in the gap, and to turn away the destroying Angel.

But still give me leave to ask that Hum­bling Question: Is this Nation likely to atone for former Iniquities, that is scarce sen­sible of their daily Transgressions? What solemn Humiliation can be expected from those who confess their present sins with­out Contrition? who pray without Devo­tion? Who praise God without Affection? And read the Scriptures without Faith and Obedience?

When our sins have separated between us and our God, and our Iniquities have hid his Face from us that he will not hear, because our hands are defiled with Bloud; then 'tis not a melancholy look, the abate­ment [Page 24]of a Meal, and a formal attendance on divine Offices, that will break our Cords asunder, and appease an Almighty Reven­ger. An extraordinary affliction of Soul can onely wash out an extraordinary guilt.

Is not this the Fast which I have chosen? saith the Lord by his Prophet Isaiah, Chap. 58. v. 6, 7. to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burthens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? but that of Government: Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house? When thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thy self from thine own flesh? Is it not to be­waile those Divisions which this Church lies under, and those continual Discontents which disorder this State and Government? Is it not to forsake those reigning Sins which call down heavy Judgements on us; or which perhaps is worse, withdraw the Mercy of an afflicting Hand, and make us most unworthy of them! Is it not to practise that sincere Piety towards God, [Page 25]that religious Loyalty to our King, that Charity to our Neighbour, that Tempe­rance, Moderation, and Contentedness to­wards our selves, as alone can make us the Objects of Gods pardoning Mercy? Is it not that the Priests of the Lord should weep between the Porch and the Altar, and with incessant Supplications cry, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine Heritage to reproach? Be not wrath very sore, O Lord, neither remember this days Iniquity for ever!

Behold, see, we beseech thee; we are all thy people! how long wilt thou be an­gry with thy people that prayeth? We are that ungrateful Remnant which thou hast made remarkable throughout the world by thy Mercies and thy Judgements!

Thou hast rescued us from Superstition and Enthusiasm, and hast established the purest part of thy Religion amongst us! thou hast confirmed it to us, not onely by the Bloud of its first professors, but by that of a most meek and glorious King.

Behold, O Lord, see, see, how we are this day united to implore thy Mercy; and not as once to call down thy wrath and In­dignation upon us! we are engaged in no other Conspiracy now, but that of besieg­ing thy Throne of Grace!

Thou hadst continually a truly Religi­ous and Loyal people in this Land, who utterly abhorred the bloudy Act of this day, and all the accursed tendencies to­wards it! And as for the deluded Multi­tude, O pardon them Lord, pardon them, for whom our Saviour prayed; for whom our Martyr prayed; O pardon them, be­cause they knew not what they did!

Though our Kalender is red with this days Action, yet our Chronicle shines with this days Example: there Meekness, Humi­lity, Patience, Charity and Constancy set triumphant.

It was the honour of Constantine's Reign, that he was converted to the Christian [Page 27]Faith. Renowned were those Emperours who afterwards protected it by their whole­some Laws and Edicts: Blessed and thrice blessed were those Princes who gave Au­thority to it by their admirable Lives and Examples: But for a King to fall a Sacri­fice for it; to Live in all its active Duties, and Die in all its passive Graces; this is onely to be met with in the English An­nals; this is onely to be read in the Pro­testant Dypticks; this is the peculiar Tri­umph of our Church, and the Universal glory of Christianity at large.

Let us therefore deeply Repent for this days sad occasion, and then praise the Al­mighty for this days glorious Event! Let our Humiliations wear out the black guilt of this days Crime, and our Lives copy out the Example of this days Martyr.

Then may we recover the favour of Heaven, and either cancel all the commis­sioned Judgements against us, or improve them into Mercies!

Then may we become an united people in Church and State; a Royal Priesthood, an holy Nation: then may we spread our Fame to the uttermost parts of the Earth, and the purity of Christs Religion with it! then may we remain a standing Bulwork against the Policy of Rome, and teach some Protestant Churches a Doctrine which they have not yet compleatly learnt, The true and Catholick Subjection to the Soveraign Powers.