A TREATISE IN JUSTIFICATION OF THE KING.  
OXFORD, Printed by Leonard Lichfield, Printer to the University. 1642.   

A justification of the KING.  
TIBERIUS the third Emperor of Rome was not only killed, and drawn through the streets by the Romans; but the Priests of all the Temples prayed unto the gods not to receive him unto them; and prayed the Infernal Furies that they would grievously torment him, saying it was justly required, that the Tyrant which troubleth the good in this life, should have no place amongst the good after his death: And Tully speaking of a Tyrant saith, non est naturae dispar. illum spoliare, quem honestum ect necar●; nay, the same Author saith, non se obstruxit scelere, si quis Tyrannum occidit, quamvis familiarem, that is, 'tis no wickedness to kill a Tyrant: now from that saying of Tully, I infer, that to kill a King is impious; nay, so crying is the blood of a murdered King, that the particular agent bears not all the ensuing misery though he only gave the stroke, as you may see in the 49. of Genesis, the sixth and seventh verses, Into their secret let not my soul come, for in their wrath they slew a man (now who that King was, you may see in the 34. Chapter) Cursed be their wrath for it was fierce, and their rage, for it was cruel, I will divide them in Jacob and scatter them in Israel, verse 7. And are there not some in these times as guilty as Simeon and Levi in their desires, though by Gods preventing grace they want their opportunities, witness that unchristian like traitorous and disloyal prayer of him that wished he might wash his hands in His Majesty's blood; or what can be thought of that Declaration of the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, for the raising of all power and force, as well Trained Bands as others, to fight with, kill, and slay, by force of arms all such as shall oppose them, and shall raise or conduct any forces against them which are employed in this service by either or both Houses of Parliament; and whereas they know that the King doth raise forces, and notwithstanding that, they give power to kill and slay such as raise or conduct forces against their forces; and never so much as except the King in that Declaration, as His Majesty himself hath observed: Perhaps that may be a neglect in the Clerk that delivered the Copy, or else in the Printer; for certainly the Parliament have a greater care of the Kings own Person; but however that neglect breeds ill affections and disloyalty in the ruder fort of people, and therefore it deserves to be amended and corrected by the House, that the Malignants (as they are called) might have nothing to object against them.  
Another thing worth their consideration, is that which Saint Paul mentions to the Romans in the 16. Chapter, 17 and 18. verses, I beseech you Brethren mark them diligently which cause division, & offences contrary to the Doctrine which you have learned, and avoid them: And let any man judge whether there are not such in these times: the Parliament is the only means we have to redress those grievances which are and will be (if suffered) far worse than that of Shipmoney, or any other that hath been remedied: Are there not like wise such as the Apostle mentions in his Epistle to Timothy? Truce-breakers, false Accusers, Intemperate men, fierce, and Despisers of such as are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, Lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, having a show of godliness, but denying the power thereof, from such turn away, saith the Apostle, for of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead away simple women laden with sins, and led aways with divers lusts: 2 Tim. 3. and 3, 4, 5, 6, verses; certainly we have some pestilent fellows amongst us (I name none) such as are movers of sedition amongst us throughout the world, and chief maintainers of the Sect of the Nazarites, Acts 24. 5. Nay, are there not such in these times that give private information of things which they cannot prove, according to that in the Acts, They cannot prove the things whereof they now accuse me, Acts 24. 13.  
King's are Gods anointed, and therefore sacred, and not to be touched with rude hands; though their demeanour in Government be never so wicked and never so unjust, yet the Divine character of Authority enstampt upon them, giveth him an inviolable immunity from humane hands. Hence it was that David, though himself anointed also by God's appointment, durst not injure Saul, But his heart smote him for renting but the lap of saul's garment; when God had delivered Saul into David's hands: and shall we applaud ourselves without remorse of conscience, when we lay violent hands upon the fairest jewel of the Crown of our Lords Anointed, and when we pluck the fairest flower of His Garland from his head? was Saul more sacred, more holy, more virtuous than our Charles? or have we more liberty, more privilege to disobey and to dis-robe Kings of their Honour than the Jews had? or hath this Parliament a more wise and understanding heart, or a more sincere zeal to Reformation, or a more sacred and Divine calling than David had? Oh then be wise ye sons of men, be learned, you that take upon you to judge the earth; lest the King of kings laugh at your folly, and crush you in pieces with a rod of iron. Let it be a badge of antichristianity and of that Man of sin; and odious let it be to all true zealots, to exalt themselves against all that is called God, let us fear to separate that which God hath conjoined: Hath not he taught both in the Old and New Testament, to fear God and honour the King? and shall we now imagine that the dishonouring the King, must be the chief evidence of our fearing God? God forbidden, let us know that Rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft; most odious to God, most bewitching and enticing in itself: shall we wonder it should appear masked with Religion, and ushered in with pretence of Reformation? behold the father or lies the Devil, when he would have tempted our Saviour to Rebellion against his Father, came with scriptum est for a Preface, though he knew his mischievous design of heart could not lie hid from the Allseeing eyes of our Lord. How did Absalon court the hearts of the Israelites, when he was hatching his odious Rebellion against ●is Father? was it not with pretence of Reformatio●●●…ying, Behold thy matter is good and just, but there is no●●●●…uted of the King to hear it; oh that I were made Governor over this land, how would I do justice to all that came unto me: And shall this policy of dazzling our purblind mortal eyes seem now strange unto us? nay certainly, were not the face of all these present distempers masked with a pretence of Reformation, and vizarded with a seeming hatred of Superstition; though aiming at more horrid intentions; how could we so soon have lost and torn the unity of the Faith from the bond of Peace? do we not all believe in one God, worship one Trinity, and rely upon one Mediator, and acknowledge one way to Heaven? and shall the garb and apparel wherewith we walk this voyage, the gesture whereby we worship this God, the Dialect wherein we pray to this Mediator, set us at a greater distance of affections, than if we were Turks, Infidels, and Pagans? doth God more delight in contentions about Ceremonies, Gestures, words, than in the peace of his Church? or shall the wearing of a Surplice, signing with a Cross, or bowing with a knee, be able to divorce Christ from his Spouse? God forbidden; Oh than I charge you ye Daughters of Jerusalem, and you that wish well unto Zion, by the Roes and by the Hinds of the Forests, That ye awake not this his Spouse, this his Beloved, until she please; let us not like the dog in Esops-Fables, quarrel for the shadow, and lose the bone where the marrow is; while we seek to purify the Ceremony, let not the substance perish, while we would settle the Church, let us not cut the throat of the State, which is the guard of the Church, who will pour a Vessel of pure Oil upon the flower, because the out side of the Cask is not eye-pleasing? or who will cast away jewels, because the Cabinet wherein they are suits not with his fancy? Oh then let as bind up the breaches of Zion, lest the Cloud departed from between the Chernbins, and the Ark fall into the hands of the uncircumcised. King's are Magistrates, and let it be our Religion to obey those Magistrates, God hath not given them the sword in vain, and let not us feel the power thereof for our disobedience: Thus shall we follow the steps of our forefathers, the Apostles and Fathers in the Primitive Church, who chose rather to glorify their faith by suffering under, than resisting the power of Magistracy, though Tyrannical: It is not the height of your zeal, if not guided with knowledge, can excuse you; for then the Jews might have had a fair plea for their crucifying Christ, the Apostle testifying they did it through ignorance; and yet we, what a curse hath dogged them and their Posterity to this day.  
If the King were a Tyrant, the case might be otherwise, but 'tis a thing known to all the world, that His Majesty hath given abundant satisfaction for the past unhappy accidents in this government; and so solemnly protested for the future, to be guided by the known Laws of the Land, and to defend the truth of Religion, the Liberty of the Subject, and the privilege of Parliament: What shall any man plead for himself at the high Tribunal of the Almighty, that shall dare to take Weapons in his hands against his Anointed, let him flatter himself how he please with his zeal, dote as he will upon his imaginary fancy, and think his infidelity in and to his Prince, an argument of his faith to God; yet miserable will his end be who shall perish in such an attempt, and into the Congregation of suchlet not my soul come.  
In a Remonstrance bearing date the 15. day of Decem: 1641. The dissolution of the Parliament in 4. Caroli is mentioned, and the imprisoning of divers Members of the House after it was dissolved, not permitting their wives to come unto them, even in their time of their sickness, enforcing some to put in security of good behaviour before they were released, still continuing the imprisonment of those which refused to be bound; which might have been perpetual, if necessity had not brought another Parliament to relieve them; of whom one died by the cruelty, and harshness of his imprisonment, and his blood still cries either for vengeance or repentance of those Ministers of State, who at once obstructed the course both of His Majesty's justice and mercy.  
And to speak truth without Faction or any Seditious intent, are there not many at this time imprisoned in the same manner as is complained of in that Remonstrance, being consigned to that unwholesome air which the merciful narrow grate can afford them, and that no sooner received, but corrupted with the filthy stenches of those nasty prisons? nay, are there not some in these times committed, and their wives (according to the words of that Remonstrance) not permitted to come unto them? nay, is not Sir George Whittmore an aged man, and of equality, sent to Yarmouth or some other prison fare distant from this place, and from his wife and children? and if his estate should miscarry through his absence, or his aged self, by reason of that cold and hard passage he may meet with before his arrival, would not that cry for vengeance or repentance of those Ministers of State that sent him or caused it? I accuse not the Parliament, neither can I harbour the least suspicion of their justice, but sure I am that it is possible they may lend some of their authority to those that may abuse it: For that Alderman's offence I question it not; but I am confident an Imprisonment nearer home would have been more merciful: nay, to speak farther, are not now many prisoners denied to be bailed according to Law? I speak not this invectively against the Parliament, but rather declare it to them (for peradventure they may not know it) that they may remedy it: and though convenience cannot be offered for a speedy trial of some that are accused, because there are now such urgent occasions; yet for those that are bailable by Law, for safety of their estates and their security that they must then give, would be as cautious and as much awed by that as they are by being in prison: I know not what the rules of State policy are, but I know it was the saying of a good man, that policy may govern the World, and nature policy; but Religion should govern both, policy and nature may be her councillors, but she is the Sovereign; they may be used at some time with commendation, but she at all times with necessity and approbation: I speak not this either to persuade any man to desert the Parliament cause, or to incense the KING against them; neither will I take upon me to acquitt either side from errors, but consider them to be all Mortals, and will ever pray that both King and People may remember their duties one to the other, and that either one side or other may be so sensible of whose duty it is to give the first stoop, that so by some divine assistance there may be an utter cessation of arms in this cause: 'tis said in the English-Gentleman, pag. 36. that such is the misery of ambitious spirits whose ends are without end, limiting their desires to no other period then sole Sovereignty, that they flatter themselves in their vanity, as Pygmalion with his Image, or Narcissus with his shadow; reposing more confidence in their own valour (Themistocles or Parsanias like) then on all the information of friends, or the persuasions of a loyal and uncorrupted heart▪ And 'twas a Rule much observed among the Romans, that 'twas impossible for them to have a victory of that War who begin it with pride, and with fierceness pursue it. Dial. Prim. lib. prim. cap. 8.  
I shall not stand to examine who began. this war, lest I should inveigh against either side; but since 'tis unfortunately now raging, I must needs commend them that are careful to appease it; but for those that never think termed honourable enough for a peace, let them remember that counters which some time stand for a thousand pound, may before the account be past, stand but for a farthing: 'tis probable that those who are against peace which hath been offered on both sides, may have good grounds why either's propositions should not be accepted; but woe be to those, who like Tiberius, glory in nothing so much as in cunningly cloaking their purposes with fair pretences, going invisible, and deluding Subjects resolutions with a seeming good.  
Valerius Conqueror of the Gauls, denied the honour that was gotten by war, quia magis dolor civibus amissis, quam gaudium fusts hostibus praevala ●t; and saith Seneca, quaeritur belli exitus, non causa; and 'twas the saying of one of the Garamants in his Speech to Alexander, that to win true honour in this life, and a perpetual memory after death, is to lead his life not in Wars, but to take his death in peace: and if they will but hearken to Tully, he'll tell them that multi fuerunt qui tranquillitatem ex●etentes, à negotijs se publici● removerunt, & ad otium perfugerunt; imo principes hominesque quidem severi & graves▪ nay, we ought to have peace with all men as much as in us lies, Rom: 12: 18. Ephe: 4 2. Heb: 1●. 14. And Abraham to buy peace, resigned his right to his Nephew, Gen: 13. 8. A good pattern were it now followed, but with the loss of no right▪ but for those that rather than embrace● hopeful Proposition of peace, will freely hazard their persons in a civil War, let me tell them, that if their lives were all they hazard, I should think as light of it as they because I am sure the Kingdom is not endangered by such men's death.  
Or were it against a Foreign Force, where the Cause were publicly known, the encouragement would be the greater; but it being a civil War, Father against Son, Brother against Brother, and both pretending the same Cause, and both making deep protestation: shall we fight and kill one another for we know not what, unless it be whose Protestations shall first be believed? Absist, nay see the effects which incredulity hath produced, which are set forth partly in His Majesty's first Speech in this Parliament the third of November 1640. In which Speech, I find nothing promised, but what hath been performed as much as in Him lay, and that every one may judge whether it hath or not, I have penned His Majesty's Speech, to the end you may consider of the performance upon the reading of the promise: viz.  
The knowledge I had of the desire of my Scottish Subjects, was the cause of My calling the last Parliament; wherein had I been believed, I sincerely think that things had not fallen out as now we see: But now My Lords, and Gentlemen, The honour and safety of this Kingdom lying so nearly at stake; I am resolved to put myself freely and clearly on the love and affections of My English subjects, as those of my Lords that did wait on me at York, very well remember I there Declared. Therefore My Lords I shall not mention My own Interest, or that support I might justly expect from you, till the common safety be secured; though I must tell you, I am not ashamed to say, those charges I have been at, have been merely for the security and good of this Kingdom, though the success hath not been answerable to My desires. Therefore I shall only desire you to consider the best way, both for the safety and security of this Kingdom, wherein there are two parts chief considerable: First the chase out of the Rebels, and secondly, the satisfying your grievances; wherein I shall promise you, to concur so hearty and freely with you, that all the World may see My intentions have ever been, and shall be, to make this a glorious and flourishing Kingdom: There are only two things that I shall mention to you; the one is, to tell you that the loan of money which I lately had from the City of London, wherein the Lords that waited on Me at York assisted me, will only maintain My Army for two Months, from the beginning of that time it was granted. Now My Lords and Gentlemen I leave it to your Considerations, what dishonour and mischief it might be, in case that for want of money My Army be disbanded, before the Rebels be put out of this Kingdom; Secondly, the securing the Northern people from those calamities they at this time endure, so long as the Treaty is on foot: and in this I may say, not only they, but all this whole Kingdom will suffer the harm: Therefore I leave this also to your consideration, for the ordering of these great affairs, whereof you are to treat at this time. I am so confident of your love to Me, and that your care is for the honour and safety of the Kingdom, that I shall freely and willingly leave to you where to begin; only this, That you may the better know the state of all the affairs, I have Commanded my Lord Keeper to give you a short and free Account of these things that have happened in this interim, with this Protestation; That if this Account be not satisfactory as it ought to be, I shall whensoever you desire, give you a full and perfect Account of every particular. One thing more I desire of you, as one of the greatest means to make this a happy Parliament; That you on your parts, as I on mine, lay aside all suspicion one of another, and as I promised my Lords at York, it shall not be my fault if this be not a happy and good Parliament.  
And if all this Speech promiseth be not performed, let the whole World judge; Witness His passing a Bill for the Bishop's Votes, the Star-chamber, and High-Commission Court, the laying down of Shipmoney, the signing the warrant against Strafford, and the referring the execution of the now condemned Priest, to the will and pleasure of the Parliament (though contrary to His desire of showing Mercy) rather than hinder the desired Reformation. What then, shall we be thought a yet faithless Nation, surely here is reason sufficient whereon we may ground our belief.  
And thus with a modest zeal, I have discharged my conscience, without care of pleasing or fear of punishment; for that Court of Parliament being always impartial, is ready to heave and remedy the abuses of either side, and to fear them, were to suspect their Justice.  
FINIS.