against the illustrious family, which had long swayed the scepter of these kingdoms: but all possible regard was shewn to it. The King himself had render'd the setting of the crown upon a person who now pretends to it impracticable; tho' the nation had been ever so well satisfied concerning his birth. But it was immediately settled upon the King's undoubted issue then in the kingdom, and upon a grandson of the Royal Martyr; and afterwards, in default of the issue from them, upon the next branch of the royal family professing the Protestant Religion; with whom alone our constitution could with any prospect of security be entrusted. Nor was there any invasion of the royal prerogative; but the same government in church and state was chearfully submitted to by the people; as on the other hand the liberties of the people were faithfully defended by the crown. In short, of two changes, one of which

was at that time unavoidable, the nation preferred the less to the greater, and that which was safe and advantageous to that which would have been very disadvantageous and destructive.

Which things considered, no man should offer to draw a parallel betwixt the late Revolution and the great rebellion, till he is able to demonstrate, That there is no difference between the doing no manner of hurt to the person of the King, and the executing him publickly as a malefactor; between the settling the crown upon his undoubted issue, and excluding the whole royal family from it without any other necessity than what arose from the guilt of those who excluded them; between the peoples asserting their own undoubted rights, and their invading the undoubted rights of their soveraign; between insisting upon the regular observation and execution of the established laws, and fighting for an alteration of them; between preserving the ancient constitution and utterly overthrowing it from the foundations; or in

other words, between just and unjust; between right and wrong.

Wherefore, Brethren, let us stop our ears against those, whose doctrines open a door to disobedience and rebellion against lawful authority; and no less against those also who would insinuate that our present governours have no claim to the submission, which they acknowledge to be due to lawful magistrates. The powers which now are, are ordained of God; and ordained in mercy to us, for the security of our lives and properties and liberties, and of what we ought to value above all the rest, our most holy Religion. And heavy will be the condemnation of those, who shall refuse to submit to him who is the minister of God to them for good.

Let us therefore, laying aside all pride and contentions, all jealousies and discontents, set our selves to perform what we know to be our duty to him who is vested with the authority of God: not with eye-service as men-pleasers, not with murmurings as of necessity, but in

singleness of heart and with a ready mind, as in the sight of God, as having his fear before our eyes, and remembring that he will bring us to a strict account not only for the sins committed immediately against himself, but for every offence against his substitute, who by him reigns and decrees justice.

If we dread not the penalties of human laws; yet let us revere the ordinance of God. Let us consider by whom we have sworn; and let destruction from him be a terror to us. If there be any who dare bid defiance to that; let us mark such and turn away from them. Let us not be so weak as to imagine that they can have any real concern for religion, or the interest of their country, who can prevail with themselves, or would prevail with others, to violate the oath of God. We cannot surely be at a loss to conclude, what kind of spirits have taken possession of those men, who are not to be bound, no not with chains; who break in sunder the strongest bonds of

government, and cast away its cords from them.

Let our behaviour be suitable to our professions on this solemn day of humiliation. If we do indeed detest the crimes of those cruel and unreasonable men who gave occasion for the observance of it; if we would not for the world be the authors of such dreadful calamities as they by a long train of wickedness brought upon their nation; if we are sincere in imploring the mercy of God, that he would not visit their guilt upon us or our posterity: let us take heed that we do not fill up the measure of their iniquities by a repetition of them: let us not cherish the seeds which are apt to produce such bitter and deadly fruits: let us not enter upon courses, which, for ought we know, may end in the crimes we detest.

To conclude, let us not separate what God hath joyned together, religion and loyalty, the fear of God and of the King. Let us esteem loyalty as a necessary part

of Religion, and assure ourselves that we are doing God acceptable service while we are serving his representative. Let loyalty to the King mingle itself with our most solemn acts of divine worship. In our thanksgivings let us devoutly acknowledge the many blessings we enjoy under his Government: and in return let us by our prayers draw down the choicest blessings of heaven upon him; most earnestly beseeching the Almighty to enrich him plenteously with grace here, and crown him with everlasting glory hereafter; to prolong his life in health and wealth, and to perpetuate his seed as the days of heaven; to guide him with his spirit of councel, and to strengthen him with his mighty arm, for the establishment of truth, and the maintenance of justice, both at home and abroad; to hide him in time of danger under the covert of his wings, and to shield him with his strong salvation; that the conspiracies formed against him may not prosper, and the devices of wicked men may be

turned backwards and light upon their own heads; that all the people may hear and fear to do wickedly, and the crown may flourish upon the head of the Lord's Anointed.

FINIS.