Rules for Kings, AND Good Counsel for Subjects: Being a collection of certain places of holy Scripture, directing the one to Govern, and the other to obey. Most necessary for all men that are desirous to square their actions according to the Rule of God's Law. Whereunto is added a Prayer for the KING In these times of Contradictions. classical scene with two people LONDON, Printed, for T. Paibody, and E. Dobson, and are to be sold in Queens-head-Alley in Pater noster-row, 1642. To the Reader. IN a time when humane learning, and the discipline and precepts of men are so much despised, as in these our days; I thought it not labour lost to spend some minutes in collecting a few Texts of Scripture, which may be supposed the men of this age have either never read, or totally forgotten. To which short sentence, I have added none of mine own, lest to the Zealots it should appear Apocryphal, or myself seem to arrogate the wisdom of the son of Sirach. But according to the times, with as little learning and discretion as may be, I have in a very disorderly order patch them up under several heads; The first two being of commands, that we should reverence our Prince, which I hope will be obeyed, though he were a Tyrant. For the third, that the King loveth judgement: Those that think he fulfils not the Scripture in that, let them fulfil it themselves in praying for him, which if done in faith no doubt they shall obtain that blessing, and (according to the two next points) will follow God's care of his anointed and a punishment on his advarsaries: that we may receive him again with triumph and thanksgiving. Lastly, if it be acknowledged to be an office Jure Divine, (by all good Christians I am sure it is) the last point, an exhortation to obedience will not be unseasonable, concluding with a Prayer, that under him we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty, and that we may so do: God of his Mercy grant us for his son Christ Jesus sake our Saviour and Redeemer. Thine E. B. Rules for Kings, and good Counsel for Subjects. Speak not evil of the King. ACts 23.5. Thou shalt not speak evil of the Ruler of thy people. Eccles. 10.20. Curse not the King, no not in thy thought, for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall carry the matter. Prov. 30.32. If thou hast thought evil of the King, jay thine hand upon thy mouth. Judas 8. These filthy dreamers despise dominion, & speak evil of dignities. V 10. But these speak evil of those things which they know not, but what they know naturally. V 11. Not unto them, for they shall perish in the gainsaying of Core. 2 Pet. 2.9. The Lord knoweth how to reserve the unjust to the day of judgement to be punished. V 10. But chief them that despise government, presumptions are they, self willed, they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. V 12. But these are natural bruit beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they understand not, and shall utterly perish in their own corruption. V 13. And shall receive the reward of righteousness. 2 Sam. 19.21. Shall not Shemei be put to death for this, because he cursed the Lords anointed. 1 King. 2.9. Now therefore hold him not guiltless, for thou art a wise man, and knowest what thou oughtest to do unto him, but his whore head bring thou down to the grave with blood. Exod. 22.28. Thou shalt not revile the judges, not curse the Ruler of thy people. Exalt not thyself against the King. ECcles. 8.3. Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing for he doth whatsoever pleaseth him. V 4. Where the word of a King is, there is power; and who may say unto him what dost thou? Prov. 16.14. The wrath of a King is as messengers of death; but a wise man will pacify it. Chap. 19.12. The King's wrath is as the roaring of a Lion, but his favour is as due upon the grass. V 10. Delight is not seemly for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over Princes. Cham 17.26. To punish the Justice is not good, not to strike Princes for equity. Cham 25.6. Put not forth thyself in the presence of the King, and stand not in the place of great men. V 7. For better is it that it be said unto thee, come up hither, than that thou shouldst be put lower in the presence of the Prince whom thine eyes have seen. Cham 30.31. Against a King there is no rising up. V 32. If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. Cham 20.2. The fear of a King is as the roaring of a Lion, who so provoketh him to anger, sinneth against his own soul. The King loveth judgement. Prov. 16.10. A Divine sentence is in the lips of the King, his mouth transgresseth not in judgement. V 12. It is an abomination to Kings to commit wickedness, for the throne is established by righteousness. V 13. Righteous lips are the delight of Kings, and they love him that speaketh right. Cham 20 8. A King that sitteth in the throne of judgement scattereth away all evil with his eyes V 20. A wise King scattereth the wicked, and bringeth the wheel over them. V 28. Mercy and truth, preserve the King, and his throne is upholden by mercy. Cham 22.11. He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips, the King shall be his friend. V 29. Seest thou a man diligent in his business? he shall stand before Kings, he shall not stand before mean men. Cham 29 4. The King by judgement established the land. V 14. The King that faithfully judgeth the poor, his throne shall be established for ever. Rom. 13.3. Rulers are not a terror to good works but to the evil, wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same. V 4. For he is the Minister of God to thee for good, but if thou do that which is evil, be afraid: For he beareth not the sword in vain, ●or he is the Minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doth evil. Psa. 72 4. The King shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. 1 Pet. 2.14. He is sent for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well. God's care of his Anointed. PSal 105.15. Touch not mine Anointed, and do my Prophets no harm. 2 Sam. 22.49. It is God that bringeth me forth from mine enemies, thou hast delivered me from the violent man. V 51. He is the tower of Salvation for his King, and sheweth mercy to his Anointed. Psa. 18.50. Great deliverance giveth he to his King, and sheweth mercy to his anointed. Psa. 28.8. The Lord is his strength, he is the saving strength of his anointed. Psa 20.6. Now know that the Lord saveth his anointed, he will hear him from his holy heaven, with the saving strength of his right hand. Psa. 21.3. Thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness, thou settest a crown of pure gold upon his head. V 5. Honour and Majesty hast thou laid upon him. V 6. For thou hast made him blessed for ever, thou hast made him exceeding glad with thy countenance. Psal. 61.6. Thou wilt prolong the King's life, and his years, as many generations. V 7. He shall abide before God for ever. The punishment of his Adversaries. 1 SAm. 11.12. 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. Jos. 1.18. Whosoever he be that doth rebel against thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all things that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death. Psa. 45.5. Thine arrows are sharp in the heart of the King's enemies, whereby the people fall under thee. Psa. 89.23. I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him. Psa. 132 18. His enemies will I clothe with shame, but upon himself shall his crown flourish. His Triumph and Thanksgiving. PSal. 144.1. Blessed be the Lord my strength, which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to fight. V 2. My goodness and my fortress, my high tower and my deliverer, my shield and he in whom I trust, who subdued my people under me. V 10. It is he that giveth salvation to Kings, who delivereth David his servant from the hurtful sword. Psa. 21.2. Thou hast given him his hearts desire, and hast not withholden the request of his lips. 1 Sam. 2.10. The adversaries of the Lord shall be broken to pieces, out of heaven shall be thunder upon them: The Lord shall judge the ends of the earth, & he shall give strength unto his K. & exalt the horn of his Anointed 2 Sam. 22.40. Thou hast guided me with strength to battle, them that risen up against me, hast thou subdued under me. V 44. Thou hast delivered me from the strive of my people. V 47. The Lord liveth and blessed be my rock, and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation. V 48. It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me. V 49. Thou also hast lifted me up on high, above them that risen up against me, thou hast delivered me from the violent man, V 50. Therefore will I give thanks to there, O Lord, among the heather and will sing praises unto thy Name. Exhortation to Odedience. 1 PEt. 2.13. Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lords sake, whether it be to the King as Supreme. V 14. O▪ unto Governors, as unto them as are sent by him. V 17. Fear God, honour the King. Tit. 3.1. Put them in mind to be subject unto the higher powers, to obey Magistrates, to be ready to every good work. Rom. 13.1. Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers: for there is no power but of God, the powers that be are ordained of God. V 2. Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist, shall receive to themselves damnation. V 5. Wherefore ye must needs be subject not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. V 6. For this cause pay you tribute also, for they are Gods Ministers attending continually upon this very thing. V 7. Render therefore to all their deuce, tribute to whom tribute is due, custom to whom custom, fear to whom fear, honour to whom honour. Mark. 12.17. Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are Gods. Eccles. 8.2. I counsel thee to keep the King's command, and that in regard of the oath of God. Pray for the King. 1 Tim. 2.1. I exhort therefore that first of all supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men. V 2. For Kings and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty. V 3. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour. A Prayer for the King. GIve the King thy judgements, O God, and thy righteousness unto the King's son, Psal 72.1.4. That he may judge the poor of the people, and save the children of the needy, and break in pieces the oppressor, Prov. 25.5. Take away the wicked, O God, from before the King, that his throne may be established in righteousness, Psal. 89.44. But, O Lord, how hast thou made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground, Prov. 28.2. Even for the transgression of our land, many are the Princes thereof. It is for our manifold sins and offences, O God, that Psal. 89.38. thou hast cast off and abhorred, that thou hast been wroth with thine anointed, V 42. Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries: thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice: Lam. 3.14. He hath been a derision to all his people, and their song all the day. Ezek. 7.27. o God, thou hast caused the King to mourn, and the Prince hast thou clothed with desolation, & the hands of the people of the land are troubled; 2 Sam. 3.39. He is now weak o Lord, though anointed King and these men the sons of Zerviah, be too hard for him, thou, o Lord, shall reward the doers of evil according to their wickedness: Eze. 11.2. These o Lord, are the men that devise mischief, and give wicked council in this City. Eccles. 10.7. O God we have seen servants upon horses, and I rinces walking as servants upon the earth: Lam. 5.8. Servants have ruled over us, o Lord, and there is none that doth deliver us out of their hand: Cham 4.20. The anointed of thee, o Lord, hath been taken in their pits, of whom we said, under his shadow we shall live among the heathen, Chro. 21.17. Even we it is that have sinned, and done evil indeed, but as for thine anointed what hath he done? Lot thine hand we pray thee, o Lord our God, be on us, but not on thine anointed that he should be plagued, 2 Sam. 18 3. for he is worth ten thousand of us: Psal. 89.46. Lord, how long wilt thou hid thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire? V 50. Remember Lord, the reproach of thy servant, how he doth bear in his bosom the reproach of all the mighty people: V. 51. Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, o Lord, wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed. 2 Sam. 20.21. If there be any son of Bichri that shall lift up his hand against the King, Deliver him, o Lord, and let the people cut off his head, that the trumpet may sound a retreat of peace in our land: Numb. 16.32. Thou that didst cause the earth to swallow up the congregation of Korah, V 35. and cons●…medst with sire those 250 Princes of the Assembly, that were famous in the Congregation, for rebelling aghast Moses, V 5. Protect and defend him, o Lord, whom thou hast chosen from the outrage of his people, and cause him to come near unto thee, Chap. 17.10 and let his rod bud and blossom to be kept for a taken, against those Rebels that rise up against him, 1 Sam. 24.8. and let them stoop with their face to the earth, and bow themselves before thine anointed: V 10. Let their eyes spare him, o Lord, and let not them put forth their hand against our Lord the King, for he is thine anointed: V. 5. Let their hearts (mite them, yea do thou smite those, o Lord, that shall cut off his skirt, or d●vest him of his Royal robe and authority. Chap. 26 9 And let none that stretch forth their hands against thine anointed be guiltless. judges 17.6. Let us not see such days, o God, as when there was no King in Israel, lest every man do that which is right in his own eyes: V. 5. and make himself Gods, and consecrate his sons for his priests, or take to himself Priests without consecration. O Lord God, put an end to these days of trouble and confusion, and thou having given us a just King, not in thine anger, but in thy mercy, give us joy of our King, and Psalm 63.11. let the King rejoice in thee, o God, and let the mouth of those that speak lies be stopped, V 9 and those that seek his soul to destroy it, let them go into the lower parts of the earth; Vers. 10. and let them fall by the sword, and be a portion for Foxes: Psal. 18. 47 ●●de thou, o God, his avenger, and subdue the people under him. Isaiah 45.1. Thou, o Lord God that didst anoint Cyrus, whose hand thou didst strengthen to subdue Nations before him, before whom thou didst open the two leaved gates; Verse ●. b●fore whom thou didst go, to make the crooked places strait, and to break in pieces the gates of brass: V. 3. To whom thou gavest the hidden riches of secret places, V 4 that didst call him by his name, though he knew thee not; Verse 5. That didst gird him, though thou wert unkown unto him; preserve thou thy servant our gracious King, and 2 Sam. 22.40. gird him, o Lord, with strength in battle th●● those that rise against him, may be subdued under him, Ver. 44. and deliver him, o God▪ from the strive of his people: Let the servants of our Lord the King be no longer a reproach and a byword, let them not be called evil counsellors and enemies to the state that endeavour to do him service: Proverbs 19.6 But let many entreat the favour of our good Prince, Chap. 16.15. and in the light of the King's countenance, let there be life, and let his favour be as a cloud of the latter rain. Ester 6.7. And for the man whom the King delighteth to honour, V 9 let him be clothed in Royal apparel, and let him be brought on horseback through the City, and proclaimed before him, thus shall it be done to the man whom the King delighteth to honour; and we beseech thee, o God, Isaiah 33.17. Let our eyes see the King in his beauty, and Psalm. 28.8. be thou his strength, o Lord, and the wholesome defence of his anointed: Psalm 21.1. Let the King joy in thy strength, o Lord, and in thy salvation, let him greatly rejoice, Verse 2. Give him his hearts desire, and withhold not the request of his lips, V 7. Let the King trust in thee, o Lord, & through the mercy of thou, the most highest, let him not be moved; V. 5. Let his glory be great in thy salvation; Psalm 89.26. Let him cry unto thee, thou art his Father, his God and the Rock of his Salvation. Psal 61.6. O prolong thou the King's life, and his years as many generations: V. 7. Let him abide before thee, o God, for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him: 2 Sam. 18.32. And let the enemies of our Lord the King, and all that rise up against him, be as was that young man Absolom. Chap. 7.29. Therefore now Lord let it please thee to bless the houses of thine anointed, that it may continue for ever before thee: For thou, o Lord God hast spoken it, and with thy blessing, let the house of thy servant be blessed for ever: And this for the merits of Jesus Christ our only Saviour and Redeemer. Amen. FINIS.