Transcriber's Note: Every effort has been made to reproduce theoriginal text as printed.
The Religious and Loyal Subject's Duty considered, withregard to the present Government and the Revolution.
A
SERMON
Preached in the
Cathedral Church
OF
CANTERBURY,
ON
Wednesday, January 30. 1722-3.
Being the
Anniversary Fast
Of the Martyrdom of
K. CHARLES I.
Published at the Request of the Prebendaries then present.
LONDON:
Printed for R. Knaplock, at the Bishop's-Head in
St. Paul's Church-Yard. 1723.
Prov. xxiv. 21.
My son, fear thou the Lord, and the King: and meddle notwith them that are given to change.
THERE is no need that I should acquaint any who are herepresent with the sad occasion of this anniversary solemnity; nor needI, I suppose, use many words to raise in you a just abhorrence of thatmost execrable parricide, which we are now bewailing. To be sure we doall of us, from the very bottom of our hearts, detest and abominate[2]it; unless we have been all this while in this holy place prevaricatingwith God and man, and adding a feigned humiliation to the number of ourformer provocations.
As it ought to be the earnest prayer and endeavour of allgood men and loyal subjects, that no such wickedness may hereafterbe committed among us, to the reproach of our nation, and of theholy Religion which we profess: so is it particularly incumbent onthe ministers of the Gospel, to press upon men the due observationof those laws, which the most high hath enacted for the security andsupport of his vice-gerents on earth; and to caution men against thosepernicious principles and practices, which in the last age brought amost excellent and gracious Monarch to the block; and quite overthrewour constitution in church and state: and which in all ages, if atimely stop be not put to them, will produce the like tragical effects,as having a natural tendency to subvert government, and to introduceanarchy and confusion amongst mankind.
[3]For which reason I have chosen for the subject of my followingdiscourse, this solemn charge of the wise King Solomon to his Son;My son, fear thou the Lord and the King: and meddle not with them thatare given to change. In which words are bound upon us three rules oflife, very necessary to be observed by all who would not be deemedenemies to the publick peace and tranquility.
The first is, To fear the Lord.
The second is, To fear the King.
The third is, Not to meddle w