Strong Scripture Proofs in Defence of MONARCHY, &c.
THE Islraelites were brought from Egypt's Land,
Unto Mount Sinai, at the Lord's Command.
There Moses did the Law of God display;
Curst them that from's Commands should go astray.
Above the rest, this was the chiefest thing,
To fear the Lord, and to obey the King.
But at this time no King they have, we find;
Yet Kingly aw was then in Moses mind:
He did foresee, a King should Rule and Reign,
Read his own words, for they are full and plain.
DEUTERONOMY, Chap. 17. Vers. 14, 15. Thou shalt in any wise set him King over thee, whom the Lord thy God shall chuse, &c.
And,
EXODUS, Chap. 22. Vers. 28. Thou shalt not revile the Gods, nor curse the Ruler of thy People.
As Moses prophesy'd, so now we find
The Israelites, according to their mind,
Procure a King; to Samuel they pray,
That they may have a Sacred King t'obey.
The Prophet pray'd, that they may have a King.
God granted one; with one consent they sing.
Here God himself ordained, that King Saul
Should be the King and Ruler of them all.
I SAMUEL, Chap. 10. Vers. 1. Then Samuel took a Vial of Oil, and poured it upon his head, [Page 3] and kissed him, and said, Is it not because the LORD hath anointed thee to be Captain over his Inheritance?
Vers. 24. And Samuel said to all the People, See ye him whom the LORD hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the People? and all the People shouted, and said, GOD SAVE the KING.
God gave King Saul, a wise and godly heart,
Fitted him for to act his Kingly part.
Now gen'ral Acclamations fill the Sky,
God save King Saul, and may he never die.
These were his Subjects Pray'rs, they all seem'd glad,
That such a pious prudent King they had.
But wicked Men their King did soon despise,
And impiously did murmur in this wise;
Can this Man save us from our Enemies?
Shall Saul Reign over us? Shall he be King?
Shall we be shelter'd underneath his Wing?
But they were soon convinc'd of this great Evil,
And known to be but Servants of the Devil?
And had not Saul been merciful, they'd dy'd,
For in some measure they their King defy'd.
I. SAMUEL, Chap. 2. Vers. 12. And the People said unto Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? bring the Men that we may put them to death.
Here the King's Mercy wrought a happy change;
From their Obedience they no longer range.
Whilst the King liv'd, they always liv'd in awe,
And study'd due Allegiance to his Law.
They were not like the Rebels in the West;
Who when they were with gracious Pardons blest;
Turn'd tail to their Obedience, and became
The just Promoters of their lasting Shame.
WHEN Saul was settl'd on his Glorious Throne,
And was, for Pomp, inferiour unto none;
He did neglect to serve the God of Heav'n,
By whom his Honour and his Power was giv'n.
Beneath his Feet the Lord's Commands he trod,
Did not obey Jehovah as his God:
Therefore another King the Lord did chuse;
And Saul, for his transgression, did refuse.
When Saul perceiv'd that David shou'd succeed,
He us'd all means to obstruct what God decreed.
He made him fly, we find, from place to place;
And David durst not look King Saul i'th Face.
He fear'd his Wrath, yet wou'd not throw him down,
Tho he were sure thereby to gain a Crown.
He often cou'd have kill'd him, but forbore
To dye the Earth with Royal Purple Gore.
His Servants often tempted him to slay him;
And yet he rather study'd to obey him.
Said he (when he had pow'r to kill the King)
The Lord forbid that I should do this thing.
I. SAMUEL, Chap. 24. Vers. 4. Then David arose, and cut off the Skirt of Saul's Robe privily.
Vers. 5. And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's Skirt.
Vers. 6. And he said unto his Men, The LORD forbid that I should do this thing unto my Master, the LORD's Anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the Anointed of the LORD.
CHAP. 26. Vers. 9, 11. And David said to Abishai, Destroy him not; for who can stretch forth his hand against the LORD's Anointed, and be guiltless?—But I pray thee, take now the Spear that is at his Bolster, and the Cruse of Water, and let us go.
Vers. 14. And David cried to the People, and to Abner the Son of Ner, saying, Answerest thou not, Abner? Then Abner answered and said, Who art thou that criest to the KING?
Vers. 15. And David said to Abner, Art not thou a valiant Man? and who is like to thee in Israel? wherefore then hast thou not kept thy Lord the King? for there came one of the People to destroy the KING thy LORD.
Vers. 16. This thing is not good that thou hast done: as the LORD liveth, ye are worthy to die, because ye have not kept your Master the LORD's Anointed.
Wou'd ev'ry Subject were a David now;
Wou'd ev'ry Subjects heart and knee wou'd bow
To our most gracious King, whom God has sent
To give three Kingdoms Plenty and Content.
Those who have trait'rous Hearts, rebellious Minds,
Who to act Mischief are as swift as Hinds.
Such who disturb our happy peaceful King,
May they on any Country Gallows swing.
David durst do no ill unto King Saul;
Yet David's rise must not be till his Fall.
David's Heart smote him when his Skirt was cut:
He soon drew back, he soon withdrew his foot
From doing further mischief, and he cry'd,
That Saul's great Gen'ral should by right have dy'd,
Because he did no better guard his King.
Curs't Ferguson wou'd scarce have done this thing:
This wicked Viper scarce slept Night or Day,
He was so greedy of a Royal Prey:
He had no time to read this Text, I fear,
Some other Texts rung oftner in his ear.
He was for binding our blest King in Chains,
Hoping Rebellion would requite his pains.
But God, I hope, our King will long preserve,
And give such Rebels what they do deserve.
Rebellion, Treason, Murder, these great Crimes,
Being too oft repeated in our Times.
God will not let them go unpunish'd here,
Ev'n in this Life, they pay for them full dear.
They pierce the Heav'ns, and for Vengeance cry.
On such vile Wretches God has still an eye;
A watchful eye, to give them their desert,
Scaffold and Ax, or else a Rope and Cart.
Those who go yet unpunish'd now, I hope,
Will fear their God and King, for fear a Rope
Make them repent too late: Let God arise,
And thro' his Mercy give them flowing eyes;
Make them repent, before it be too late,
Lest they fall under their deserved Fate.
AFTER King Saul, King David's Life had sought,
He and his Men with the Philistines fought.
But Israel fled, and three of's Sons were slain,
And he lay wounded, very full of pain.
Upon the Mountains of Gilboa, then
In great distress, he call'd to one of's Men
To fall upon him: he had only breath
To beg a Wound, and strength to crave a death.
The young Man saw him, then to David went,
Told him the News (thinking to give content).
But David rent his Cloaths; and mourn'd for Saul,
And griev'd extreamly for his hasty fall.
The Man that brought the News, was forthwith slain,
David esteem'd him but a Second Cain.
How, wast thou not afraid, said he, to slay
Him that in Israel bare so great a sway?
II. SAMUEL, Chap. 1. Vers. 14, 15, 16. And David said unto him,—Thy Blood be upon thy Head; for thy Mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the LORD's Anointed.
You that disturb our Peace, our King and State,
Want you a Patern now to imitate,
That leads to Loyalty? Then read this Text,
And, without doubt, your hearts wil be perplext.
Tho Saul was David's Foe, kept him from's Crown;
Tho he had just pretence to cast him down,
He durst not entertain a thought to slay him,
But rather sought to please, and to obey him.
Much more ought we our peaceful King to love,
Who is establish'd by the God above.
He that sweet England's golden Scepter sways,
Shou'd be the subject of our constant praise;
We shou'd his Fame, high as Gilboa, raise.
Yet like, accursed Men, we'in ambush lie,
To spill his Blood, and bring that Sacred Dye
Upon our Souls, a stain that still will last,
When all the Glory of the World is past:
Much Soap and Niter cannot make us clean,
If once this stain upon our Souls is seen.
WHEN News was brought to David, Saul was dead;
David was then in Ziklag, where he fled
From Saul's pursuit. The Men of Judah came,
And did King David in the Streets proclaim.
II. SAMUEL, Chap. 2. Vers. 4. And the Men of Judah came, and there they anointed David KING over the House of Judah, &c.
Thus David being setled in his Throne,
Prized by all, and envy'd now by none.
When he perceiv'd that he was fully blest,
With peaceful Subjects, and with quiet rest;
He studied thankfulness to God above;
Advis'd with Nathan to express his Love.
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II. SAMUEL, Chap. 7. Vers. 1.
And it came to pass when the KING sate in his House, and the LORD had given him rest round abo [...]t from all his Enemies,Vers▪ [...] ▪ the KING said unto Nathan the Prophet▪ See now, I dwell in an House of Cedar, but the Ark of GOD dwelleth within Curtains, &c.
Now, good King David, makes it his chief care,
To build the Lord a glorious House of Pray'r;
That he, his God, may for his Mercy's praise,
And magnify him for his wond'rous Ways.
God was well pleas'd, sent Nathan to the King,
Who did this joyful Message to him bring.
II. SAMUEL, Chap. 7. Vers. 11. Also the LORD telleth thee, that he will make thee an House.
Vers. 12. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy Fathers, I will set up thy Seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy [Page 17] Bowels, and I will establish his Kingdom, &c.
Vers. 13, 14, 15, 16. And thine House, and thy Kingdom shall be established for ever before thee; thy Throne shall be established for ever.
Here David's thankfulness is well repay'd;
New blessings on his Royal Head is lay'd.
The Crown's secur'd to David and his Heirs;
This was the fruit of David's Zeal and Pray'rs.
God was a Father to him, and his Race,
He gave them Honour, Wisdom, Wealth, and Grace.
If God so highly prizes Kings, then we
Shou'd all, with great submission, bend the knee.
If Heav'n doth put such value upon Kings,
That it doth mount their Fame on Cherubs Wings.
Then how much more ought we to love and fear'm!
With what a sacred aw shou'd we come near'm!
This may reprove ev'ry rebellious Creature,
Who harbours Treason in his cursed Nature.
And this shou'd lay the Western Rebels low,
Who did the Coals of a Rebellion blow.
PEACE crowns King David now on ev'ry side;
Tho his Dominions were both large and wide.
His God was pleased highly with his Duty,
In Holiness he saw the greatest beauty.
His Subjects underneath their Vines do sing,
Lord, long preserve our Soveraign Lord the King;
The hand of God guides him in ev'ry thing.
But as the Water damm'd up in a place;
And long debarr'd from running on its Race,
At last with greater violence breaks out:
Ev'n so his Peace for War begins to shout.
The Viper which he long had warm'd in's Breast,
Crawls out, and now begins to break his Rest.
Absalom sneaks about from place to place,
And try's to bring the King into disgrace.
He fawns and cringes now to all he meets,
Kisses the meanest Rascals in the Streets;
And all to bring his wicked Ends about,
To gain the Crown, and turn his Father out.
But this unnatural Youth must have some help;
Achitophel, that old and wicked Whelp,
Helps him with counsel: now the Plot goes on,
Which good King David little thinks upon.
They get the Herd together, and prepare
Things ready for this most unnatural War.
David thinks more upon his dying Day,
Than that his Son's in a rebellious way.
They find him unprovided, hugging Peace,
He thinks it's time that he from Wars should cease.
His Armour now grows rusty; but behold,
His Crown and Kingdom now is bought and sold.
Absalom's mounted, dos in's Armour rattle;
But David's unprovided for the Battle.
Now all his Friends about him loudly cry,
Prepare your Horses; for unless you fly,
The best of Kings by th'worst of Rogues must die.
David, and's trusty Friends, forsake the City,
Finding them void of Grace, and void of pity.
He passes Kidron's Brook, and flys by guess,
Still aiming to come at the Wilderness.
Those that are with him, weep to see his State,
And only wish they cou'd subdue his Fate.
They grieve for this Rebellion, but, alass!
With pensive Hearts the King & they must pass,
'Till God finds out a way to bring relief,
And ease they'r heavy sighs, & matchless grief.
And now the time is come, God sees, and hears
The Pray'rs of David, usher'd in with Tears.
God smote the Rebells Hearts, away they fly
From those who drew them to th'Conspiracy.
And his good Subjects follow'd their good King,
Resolv'd to live and die beneath his Wing;
So that his Loyal Army did encrease:
Now have at those who did disturb his Peace.
The Battl's pitch'd; it's by the King appointed,
And who shall lead them but the Lord's Anointed.
He itches to be foremost, I will go.
But his good Subjects kindly answer, No;
It matters not for us, if thousands die,
Thou'rt better than ten thousand, is the cry.
II. SAMUEL, Chap. 18. Vers. 3. But the People answered, Thou shalt not go forth: for if we flee away, they will not care for us; neither if half of us die, will they care for us: but now thou art worth ten thousand of us; therefore now it is better that thou succour us out of the City.
This is the Language of good Subjects still,
They're always ready their own Blood to spill:
Provided Royal Blood may not be shed,
They do not care how many Men lie dead.
The King's intreated, and he stays behind,
The rest go on the Trayt'rous Rogues to find.
Mark now, what comes of the rebellious Crew,
How every Traitor has his proper due.
Absalom is pursu'd (when forc'd to fly);
He's taken up between the Earth and Sky;
A Tree secures him, holds him by the Hair,
Till Joab did to Absalom repair;
Who carry'd in his hand a fatal Dart,
By which he stab'd the Traitor to the Heart.
Bad was this Death, Achitophel's was worse,
He hang'd himself, and without doubt the Curse
Of the Almighty follow'd to his Grave;
Such Deaths as these may all such Traitors have.
These Rebels were like ours, who rose i'th West;
Nay, ours were worse, and truly bad's the best.
For David's Son, we find, was lawful Heir:
But what Pretence had our late Young Man there?
He cou'd not lay a Claim to any Crown,
Unless that he had dropt five Shillings down.
Well, but the Wapping Lads, they made a noise.
And he was puft up by some Western Boys,
To a Conceit, that he was Prince of Wales.
And fool'd by Shipton's, & such old Wives Tales.
Ferguson acts Achitophel's ill Part,
In the same way, with the same Mind & Heart.
But God defeated all these bloody Knaves;
Sent some, with shame, unto their dusty Graves.
It's true, Achitophel escapes a vvhile,
And has not smarted for his matchless Guile.
But he, vvith sorrovv, vvill go to his Grave;
Till then, a troubled Conscience let him have.
May he be mark't, like Cain, vvhen he is found,
For Ferguson's a greater Vagabond.
But, God be prais'd, his Counsel's brought to nought,
And some their Enterprize have dearly bought.
Whilst our good King, rides on the Wings of Fame,
He sees his Enemies are cloth'd vvith shame.
May his Crovvn flourish on his Royal Head,
When ev'ry trait'rous Enemy is dead.
WHEN all King David's Rebells were supprest,
He waxed old, and did prepare for rest.
Then Adonijah did usurp the Crown,
But David found a way to cast him down.
He caus'd young Solomon to be proclaim'd;
And when they heard that he their King was nam'd:
Then Adonijah's Heart was fill'd with fear,
Ran to the Altar; and the King did swear,
If he wou'd but be Loyal, he'd forgive
His Brother's Crime, and suffer him to live.
I KINGS, Chap. 1. Vers. 28. Then King David answered, and said, Call me Bath-sheba: and she came into the King's Presence, and stood before the King.
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Vers. 29.
And the King sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my Soul out of all distress,Vers. 30. Even as I sware unto thee by the Lord God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy Son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my Throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day, &c. Vers. 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38.
Vers. 39. And Zadock the Priest took an Horn of Oil out of the Tabernacle, and anointed Solomon; and they blew the Trumpet, and all the People said, God save King Solomon, &c. Vers. 40, 47. and so to the end of this Chapter.
Solomon being seated on his Throne,
And David's Crown and Scepter now his own.
David instructed him, and he obey'd;
He was a glorious King by's Counsel made.
II SAMUEL, Chap. 23. Vers. 1. Now these be the last words of David: David the Son of Jesse said; and the Man who was raised up on high, the Anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet Psalmist of Israel, said, &c. Vers. 2, 3, 4, 5.
And,‘[Page 29] I CHRON. Chap. 28. Vers. 4, 5, 6, 7, 9. And thou, Solomon my Son, know thou the GOD of thy Father, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: If thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.’
Solomon's ways were pleasing unto God,
For he the Paths of his good Father trod.
His Zeal was great, his Wisdom did excel;
No King before was this King's parallel.
I KINGS, Chap. 3. Vers. 5. In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and GOD said, Ask what I shall give thee, &c. Vers. 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
Solomon pray'd: it was but ask, and have;
For whatsoe're he askt, Jehovah gave.
He begg'd a wise and understanding Heart:
God his great Wisdom to him did impart.
He gave him Wealth, and Honour too, we find;
To any King, God never was more kind:
And promis'd him, if he wou'd sound his praise,
That he wou'd likewise give him length of days.
All Nations were at peace with him; thus blest,
With Wisdom, Honour, Wealth, and Peace, and rest.
I KINGS, Chap. 3. Vers. 10. And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing.
Vers. 11. And GOD said unto him, &c. Vers. 12, 13, 14.
Solomon's Fame now reaches ev'ry Ear,
And he fills every Heart with Love and Fear.
The Queen of Sheba hears the great Report;
She, in an instant, quits her Pomp at Court;
Hastens to see him: When she saw his State,
And that he liv'd at such a glorious Rate.
Her Spirits fail'd her, she had nought to say,
But for a certain time she speechless lay.
At last her silence broke, and then she said,
She's happy that may be the King's Handmaid.
Blessed are they who in thy presence wait,
That may behold thy Wisdom, and thy State.
I KINGS, Chap. 10. Vers. 6, 7, 8. Happy are thy Men, happy are these thy Servants which stand continually before thee: and that hear thy Wisdom.
Vers. 9. Blessed be the LORD thy GOD which delighted in thee, &c.
Thus happy are the Kings whom God doth love,
He sends them Guardian Angels from Above.
He makes their Riches swell, their Wars to cease;
He makes their Enemies to be at Peace.
He keeps them as the Apple of his Eye,
When wicked Traitors do in ambush lie.
He makes them famous unto after Story,
When he has brought them to himself in Glory.
BY God's appointment, we have plainly found,
That Kings by him have all along been crown'd:
And finding good King David so Divine,
Settl'd th' Succession in his Royal Line,
Whilst Judah was a Kingdom so't remain'd,
And still the Son after the Father Reign'd.
The Kingly Prophet David did foresee,
That this Succession wou'd hereafter be.
Therefore his Royal Voice he often raises,
And gives the Great Jehovah his due Praises.
In Psalm the twenty first, read, how the King
Has tun'd his Instruments, God's praise to sing.
The hundred and fifth Psalm, may us convince,
How we're oblig'd to due obedience.
The Psalms, indeed, are very full of Beauty,
In chalking forth the ways to Kingly Duty.
PSALMS.
PSAL. 21. Vers. 1. The King shall joy in thy strength, O LORD: and in thy Salvation how greatly shall he rejoice? Ver. 2, 3, 4.
Vers. 5. His Glory is great in thy Salvation: Honour and Majesty hast thou laid upon him. Ver. 6.
Vers. 7. For the King trusteth in the LORD: and through the Mercy of the most High, he shall not be moved.
Psal. 18. Vers. 47, 50.
Psal. 61. Vers. 6, 7.
Psal. 89. Vers. 3, 4, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 28, 29, 34, 35, 36, 37.
Psal. 105. Vers. 15. Touch not mine Anointed: and do my Prophets no harm.
Psal. 132. Vers. 17, 18.
Why shou'd not ev'ry Subject imitate
King David's Precepts, tho of former date?
His Ways were Sacred, Counsel always pure,
By his Examples, let him then allure
Us, in these days, to reverence our King,
That Peace and Wealth may make the Subjects sing.
Wou'd you but read, how disobedient Slaves,
Have been, with shame, soon hurried to their Graves.
Wou'd you but mind whither their Paths do lead;
What Inconveniences this Crime doth breed.
Wou'd you the sad Examples often read;
Certainly it wou'd make your hearts to bleed.
But some seem hardned in their Impudence,
For lack of Wisdom, Piety, and Sense.
Let those bad Men, that don't deserve to live,
Have Patience whilst [* I this Example give].
The Earls of Airly always lov'd their King,
And due Obedience shew'd in ev'ry thing.
In Prison, out of Prison, they were true
And faithful to their Kings, (give them their due;)
They speak, and acted, suffer'd for them too.
He that now is, was sometime in the Tower,
Nol's Friends oft aim'd his Honour to devour.
He had prepar'd for Death, and did not doubt,
But they would quickly come to fetch him out,
To lose his Head. Phanatick Preachers came,
Who did the Earl of Airly highly blame,
For being Loyal. He was not afraid
Of them, nor Death, but soon this Answer made;
Read, said the Earl, K. David's Psalms with care,
And you will find your Arguments are bare,
Sensless, and sinful, and they spring from Hell,
Where now too many such curst Zealots dwell.
The wicked Presbyter reply'd with speed,
To what you offer, must not be agree'd.
David did Preach Obedience to his Law,
And strove to keep his Subjects all in aw;
With Doctrines like to these: The reason see,
'Cause he upon his Throne in Peace shou'd be.
This was his Policy, as he was King;
It's not our Duty to preach such a Thing.
Surely this Villain was a second Cain,
He never preach'd for God, but still for Gain.
When David was a Subject unto Saul,
How loth was he to see his Master's fall.
Tho by his Death he was to gain the Crown,
Yet he ne're hast'nd forward his Renown;
But out of fear to God, and love to's King,
Liv'd in Obedience underneath his Wing.
See these false Prophets, how they wrest God's Writ,
For their own profit: Want of Grace and Wit,
Emboldens them for to expound God's Word,
To please their curst Designs. And Cromwel's Sword
Must side with them: And thus the Lord's Anointed,
For useless things, by this vile Brood's appointed.
But hold, can this curst Presbyter prevail,
To sham the Earl with this his wicked Tale?
He left his Slime behind him like a Snail.
The Earl remains unshaken by his Wind;
It's Loyalty alone contents his Mind.
A Goal, and Loyalty, doth him content,
He doth not loss of Liberty repent.
He values not his Life, nor his Estate,
His Heart shall still upon his Soveraign wait;
As (God be praised) at this day it doth;
And still he lives in Peace and Honour both.
He made's escape from th'Tower, whenas his Fate
Was gaping to devour him at the Gate.
Long may such truly loyal Lords as he,
The Corner Stones of these three Kingdoms be.
May all disloyal Men, who hate a King,
Be judg'd by Airly, early for to swing.
SOLOMON, as you read, by God was blest;
On him the Mercies of the Lord did rest.
In token of his Thankfulness, the King,
To God's great Glory, improv'd ev'ry thing.
His Wisdom he so highly did improve,
That he gain'd God's, and ev'ry Mortal's love.
Three thousand witty Proverbs he exprest,
A thousand and five Songs he made at least.
In all these things, much Loyalty is found;
He was the wisest King that e're was crown'd.
Read but his Works, and you will quickly find,
That God himself to Kings was always kind.
They give account to none but God alone;
Man's greatest Pow'r can never reach the Throne.
PROVERBS.
Chap. 14. Vers. 28, 35.
Chap. 16. Vers. 10. A Divine Sentence is in the Lips of the King; his Mouth transgresseth not in Judgment, &c. Vers. 12, 13, 14, 15.
Chap. 19. Vers. 12.
Chap. 20. Vers. 2. The fear of a King, is as the roaring of a Lion: whoso provoketh him to Anger, sinneth against his own Soul, &c. Vers. 8, 26, 28.
Chap. 21. Vers. 1.
Chap. 22. Vers. 29.
Chap. 24. Vers. 21. My Son, fear thou the LORD, and the King: and meddle not with them that are given to change.
Chap. 25. Vers. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7.
Chap. 28. Vers. 2.
Chap. 29. Vers. 4.
Yet to our grief, the curst Phanaticks try'd;
The best of Kings by those Usurpers dy'd.
They made a Law, contrary to all Reason,
To paint, or colour, their most hellish Treason.
Now, at this day, God seeks revenge on those,
Who side with such as were King Charles his Foes.
The Western Blades, I mean, for what are they,
But such as did pursue the self-same way?
They were for killing Kings, as well as th'rest;
Sure they were Birds of prey of the same Nest.
But now their Wings are clipt, they cannot fly:
In some dark Cages may they always lie:
And may the God of Heav'n bless the King in's Royal Line,
That they, like th'Sun, may always on their Loyal Subjects shine.
Where they one Mercy now enjoy, may there be added ten:
Let ev'ry Loyal Subject say, AMEN, Ev'n so, AMEN.
E'RE I have done with good King Solomon's Reign,
Reader, I think, it may not be in vain,
To give a hint, to shew he was more wise,
Than has been yet apparent to your eyes.
Besides, the Proverbs, and the Songs he teaches,
We find that Solomon himself here preaches.
Ecclesiastes shews you his great Parts,
By which the King takes captive most Mens Hearts.
You do not find the King doth preach alone,
Unto his Subjects, from his splendid Throne;
But to succeeding Ages, his Truths reach,
Ev'n unto us this day that King doth preach;
And nothing more than Loyalty's exprest,
For only this will make a Kingdom blest.
ECCLESIASTES.
Chap. 8. Vers. 2. I counsel thee to keep the King's Commandment, and that in regard of the Oath of GOD.
Vers. 3. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing, for he doth whatsoever pleaseth him.
Vers. 4. Where the Word of a King is, there is Power: and who may say unto him, What dost thou?
Chap. 10. Vers. 16, 17, 20. Curse not the King, no not in thy thought; and, &c.
Solomon had God's Spirit, and foresaw,
Some Fergusons wo'd make a breach in's Law,
He knew that Herd wou'd not be kept in aw.
For ought I know, this mov'd him thus to teach,
That made him this most Sacred Doctrine preach.
You that have been misled, read o're his Works;
If you have Hearts as hard as Jews, or Turks,
Yet you will see something will find an Art,
To touch your Conscience, and to prick your Heart:
Something will meet with you, to make you leave
The ways of Ferguson, amd make you grieve
That he, or Satan, has so long deluded
Your Understandings, and so long intruded
His hatred Doctrine on you. Do but read
This good King's Works, and you no Preacher need.
His Texts are plain and powerful, you'l find;
Then to your selves, and to your Souls be kind.
Up, and be doing, e're it be too late,
Before you'r thrust within the Traitor's Gate;
Before Iack Ketch doth catch you, and before
Your God shall say, that you shall be no more.
The fatal Day draws near; let not that Sect,
Make you your Duty, and your Time neglect.
Read, and consider, and you'l find much beauty,
In the performance of your Sacred Duty.
The King is God's Vicegerent, fear t'offend:
Who dare, with God, or with his King contend?
You'd better wake a drouzy Lion far,
Than he that is made bright by God's own Star.
If you run on in disobedient Ways,
You gain but Hell, whilst others gain much Praise,
And by their Loyalty their Fortunes raise.
FORTY full Years King Solomon had Reign'd;
The praise of all his Subjects he had gain'd.
Then with his Fathers this good King did sleep,
Now Rehoboam doth his Scepter keep.
So the Succession lasted many Years,
As by the Texts of Holy Writ appears.
The Son succeeds the Father, and one Brother,
By the same Method, doth succeed another.
A Sacred aw for Kings was then required;
And now, what is there more or less desired?
We have a Gracious King, by God appointed,
Let's love, and fear, and serve the Lord's Anointed.
Solomon's Wisdom, Hezekiah's Zeal,
Are both in James the Second. I appeal,
Ev'n to Phanatick Foes, if Truth they'l speak,
They'l say, he's wise, he's zealous, just and meek.
Since we're so happy in our Sacred King,
Vive le Roy with one consent we'll sing.
THE Jews sinning; to Babylon were sent,
There Slaves to be until they did repent.
Now God takes pity of the Jews again,
In the beginning of King Cyrus's Reign,
He gave command to Cyrus, to restore
The large Dominions which were theirs before.
He, tho a Heathen King, did not deny
The great Commands of him that sits on High.
EZRA,
Chap. 1. Vers. 1, 2. Thus saith Cyrus King of Persia, The LORD God of Heaven hath given me all the Kingdoms of the Earth, &c. Vers. 3.
Chap. 6. Vers. 8, 10, 11.
Chap. 7. Vers. 26. And whosoever will not do the Law of thy God, and the Law of the King, [Page 52] let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto Death, or to Banishment, or to Confiscation of Goods, or to Imprisonment.
God turns the Hearts of Kings as pleaseth him;
And as the Brooks of Water, so they swim
Round this vast Orb. Who is't that can resist
Him that contains the Winds within his Fist?
If Heathens did obey the God of Heav'n;
How shall then our Phanaticks be forgiv'n?
Who do pretend to greater Light than they,
Yet have not learn'd the Voice of God t'obey.
And if that Cyrus was by all obey'd,
When he his great and mighty Scepter sway'd:
Then how much more shou'd our Angelick Prince,
Expect that we shou'd shew Obedience?
He that defends our Faith, supports our Peace,
That makes our Wars and Controversies cease.
He who preserves the Church of England pure!
How can we fancy that he shou'd endure
To see his Subjects act such horrid Treason,
Against his Sacred Person, without reason?
Solomon's Wisdom he hath shown of late,
In the subduing of his bloody Fate.
And David's valour on the Seas we've seen,
Before he marry'd this our Royal Queen.
King Hezekiah's Zeal to him belongs,
If we on all his Vertues make our Songs.
Then Moses meekness in him, let's proclaim,
And let some Angel's Pen his Vertues name.
He is, it's hard for me to tell you what,
Sum all Perfections up, and He is that!
If so, then they must be of hellish Breed,
The worst of the despised Serpent's Seed,
Who think him ill; much worse are they who Act
That thing which may his peaceful Reign protract.
Yet he was hardly setled on his Throne,
When cursed Treason in the Land was known.
Rebels of blackest hue crept to the West,
Each sharping Swords and Syths to pierce his Breast.
Can God behold this Wickedness? Can he,
With his pure Eyes, this horrid Treason see,
And not reveal it? No, a Trumpet's sounded,
And they're no sooner met than they're confounded.
The Great Jehovah has a watchful eye,
For some small time, Traitors securely lie,
And hatch their Treason, but at last they die;
Before they bring it up unto perfection,
God finds them out, and gives them due correction.
They often die, like Birds upon a Tree,
It's seldom they from God's great Wrath can flee.
The Vulture Ferguson escapes a while;
I fancy he can hardly go a mile
In any Land, but Conscience bids him Hark,
To hear the cry of Bloodhounds, how they bark,
And howl for Justice; ev'ry noise he hears,
He does imagine that some ravenous Bears
Dog him at's Heels, his filthy Flesh to tear.
And, oh! Who can a wounded Conscience bear?
He does but linger out his hateful Life,
Which Justice will cut off with his keen Knife.