The sinner a traitor to his king and country in a sermon preach'd in the Cathedral-Church of Winchester, at the assizes held there, July 24, 1700 / by Robert Eyre ...

1 SAM. XII. 25.

But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your King.

THese are the Words of Samuel, which he spake to the Children of Israel at Gilgal: and the Occasion of them was this. The Israelites, according to that wonted Inconstancy of Temper which was so very remarkable in their Character, being now weary of their former Go∣vernment, had requested of Samuel to set a King over them: which Request of theirs although we find branded in Scripture as sinful and a great Wickedness in them, we must not from thence conclude, as some have unwarily done, that Monarchy, as such, is a Form of Government which of all others is the most displeasing to Al∣mighty God; for 'tis plain, that God himself had long before this decreed a Sceptre to Judah: and in pursuance of that Decree we are expresly told by Moses (Deut. 17.) what sort of King he was to be, whom the Lord their God should chuse for them. So that it was not so much the matter of their Request, as the peevish manner

of addressing it, and the undue Motives from whence it proceeded, whereby they offended. And it cannot well escape the Observation of any one, who rightly weighs all the Circum∣stances of the Story, that it was their seditious Humour of Innovation, their Distrust of God's Providence, and their foolish itch of Conformi∣ty to other Nations, which made them chiefly criminal in this case. But to pass by this Re∣mark.

Being now gratify'd according to their own hearts Lust, and having a King appointed over them, to judge them, to go out before them, and to fight their Battels for them, as they themselves had desired; lest they should from hence too confidently presume upon their present Esta∣blishment, they are advised by Samuel what Course they ought to take in order to their fu∣ture Security. For this purpose, he exhorts them in this Chapter, To obey the Voice of the Lord, and not to rebel against his Commandments; but to fear him and to serve him in truth with all their heart: for this (says he, ver. 23.) is the good and the right way: this is the only means whereby ye can secure to your selves, and to your King, in whom ye now so greatly rejoyce, the Favour and Protection of that God who hath already done so great things for you. Whereas,

on the contrary, if you withdraw your Obedi∣ence from him, and continue to follow your for∣mer sinful and rebellious Courses, If ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your King.

This is the full Scope and Design of the Words, as they lie before us in the Text, and as they more immediately relate to the State and Condition of the Jewish Nation, to which they were originally apply'd. But if we take them out of their History, they will be altogether as instructive to any other People, or Nation, or Kingdom whatsoever: And without that Spirit of Prophecy, wherewith the Inspired Author of them was endued, we may safely resolve them into this General Proposition; viz.

That Sin and Wickedness is the certain Cause of Publick Calamities to a Nation, and effectu∣ally conduceth to the final Ruin and Destruction thereof.

The Truth of which Proposition hath been so universally acknowledged, and so long experi∣enc'd in the World, that I need not much labour the Proof of it. But because there are several Truths of this nature, which although they can∣not be contested, are yet for the sake of bad Me∣mories fit sometimes to be inculcated, give me

leave, in a few words, to remind you of the Certainty of it,

1. From matter of Fact:

2. From the Reasons upon which it is founded.

And 1. To shew the Truth of this Observation in point of Experience, we need only appeal to the History of all the Nations that were ever yet in the World. For, If we ask of the Days that are past, which were before us since the Day that God created Man upon the Earth; if we ask from the one side of Heaven unto the other; we shall find Evidence sufficient to convince us, that Na∣tional Sins were always the Forerunners of Nati∣onal Judgments: and that, accordingly as the Iniquity of a People did abound, and waxed worse and worse, so in proportion to that, did their Calamities encrease upon them, even to the final Ruin and Dissolution of their Government.

There are very notable Remarks to this pur∣pose to be met with amongst the Heathen Histo∣rians themselves: but because they, for the most part, consider'd the outward Means and visible Causes only, whereby the Decay and Fall of States and Empires was effected, without taking the Justice of God's Providence into their ac∣count; let us confine our Observation, in this point, to the Jewish History. And from thence

we are so often and so clearly inform'd of the Truth of what is here asserted, that we read of no Judg∣ments denounc'd or executed upon any City, or People, or Nation, throughout the whole Bible, but it was always on the account of those Sins and Wickednesses which they were guilty of.

And as to the State and Condition of the Jewish Nation it self, 'tis notoriously evident, how that all along suffer'd and sunk under the weight of its own Iniquity; till at length, by reason of the crying Guilt and many heinous Provocations thereof, it became an utter Desola∣tion, a Curse, and a Reproach, a Hissing and an Astonishment, to all the World: And so it con∣tinues to this very Day; the once famous fenced City of Jerusalem having not now one stone left upon another, nor any thing remaining of all the ancient Bulwarks and Towers thereof, but the ve∣ry Rubbish of them only, to be a lasting Monu∣ment of the just Vengeance of God against a sinful Nation, a People laden with Iniquity, and a seed of evil-doers.

And if the Holy one of Israel spared not his own chosen and peculiar People upon this ac∣count, what then have we or any other People to learn from hence, but to tremble under the Consideration of so terrible an Example? but to hear and fear, and do no more presumptuously?

For what happen'd to the Jewish Nation in this case, may be very justly expected by every o∣ther sinful Community whatsoever, under the like guilty Circumstances; and that upon these two accounts:

1. Because the Justice of God's Providence is more especially concern'd herein.

2. Because Sin and Wickedness, as such, hath a natural tendency in it towards the Ruin and Destruction of any Government wherein it is suffer'd to abound.

First then let it be consider'd, that the Justice of God's Providence is more especially concern'd in the present temporal Punishment of a wicked and rebellious Nation. As to particular Persons indeed, we cannot so certainly conclude that they shall be always punished for their Sins in this Life, because God hath appointed a more solemn Day wherein he will call them to an account for what they have done: And if he sometimes per∣mits them to go unpunished here, the Equity of his Proceeding will be sufficiently accounted for before his just Tribunal hereafter. But God cannot deal thus with Nations and Publick So∣cieties as such, because they (as hath been usu∣ally observed upon this occasion) are not made to be immortal; but shall all be dissolved before the great Day of Retribution comes. Since

therefore they are not capable of any future Ac∣count, 'tis reasonable to expect that the Judge of all the Earth will do himself Right by punish∣ing them in this World, and vindicate the Ho∣nour of his Justice by bringing those Publick Judgments and Calamities upon them which by their Publick crying Sins they have deserved.

How long a patient and long-suffering God may sometimes defer the Execution of his fierce Anger in such a case; or how far he may think it most suitable to the wise ends of his Provi∣dence, to reserve one wicked Nation to be the Scourge and Punishment of another, is not for us to determine: but that God, to whom Vengeance belongeth, will sooner or later avenge himself upon a sinful Nation for the Wickedness of them that dwell therein; and when the measure of their Iniquities is full, will plague them for their Offen∣ces, and make the power of his Wrath to be known amongst them; is as infallibly certain, as it is that he governs the World in righteousness, and ruleth over all the Kingdoms of the Earth.

And let not any stiff-necked and rebellious People harden themselves in their Wickedness by reason of their present Impunity, and fully set their hearts to do evil because Sentence is not speedily executed upon them; for the Divine Ven∣geance will most certainly overtake them at one

time or other: and if it lingereth for a season, 'tis generally with this great Disadvantage on their side, that it falls the heavier when it comes.

But abstracting from the Justice of God's Pro∣vidence in this case, 'tis apparently evident,

2. That Sin and Wickedness, as such, is na∣turally destructive of Humane Society; and by a proper Efficiency directly tends to the Decay and Ruin of a Government.

To be just to this Argument, I might here detail the several publick Inconveniences which each particular Vice brings along with it; and shew, for instance, how Pride and Ambition, and Worldly-mindedness, are apt to whet up the angry Passions of Men, to ingender Strife and Envying amongst them; and in consequence thereof, to bring on Confusion (as St. James ob∣serves) and every evil work; how Luxury and Idleness are the certain Causes of Poverty and Want; and how that generally prompts Men to Acts of Oppression and Injustice, to Rapines, Murthers, Thefts, and all sorts of Violence; and how Intemperance and Lust naturally tend to make a Sin-sick and unsound Nation, even without a Metaphor; and to propagate those Diseases, and Infirmities, and putrified Sores, which are commonly observed to debilitate the

Genius, and corrupt the very Strain of a stout and warlike People, till at length they become weak and defenceless, and fall an easie Prey to every the next Invader.

But the bare hint only of these things may be sufficient for our present Observation: although if any farther Evidence were required in this point, it is obvious to be met with from the common Sense and Experience of all Mankind: from whence it hath pass'd into a standing poli∣tick Maxim amongst all wise Nations whatsoever, to restrain the Growth of Wickedness and Vice amongst them; and that not so much upon ac∣count of the Guilt and moral Turpitude there∣of, as because of the fatal Influence which it is always known to have upon the Peace and Welfare of the State.

For the mischievous Consequences hereof are so very visible, that the Florentine Politician him∣self could not but take notice of them, and ac∣cordingly direct his Prince to provide against them; and yet 'tis plain that his celebrated Scheme of Policy was far enough from being founded upon any Religious Principle: nay, that very Atheistical Objection, whereby it hath been suggested, that Religion is nothing else but a piece of State-Policy, in order to awe Men into good Manners, and to prevent those

Extravagancies which the unbridled Lusts and Vices of Men would otherwise lead them into; is a clear Acknowledgment of the Humane Wis∣dom, and Publick Usefulness at least of this sup∣posed Project. And thus much we may learn to our present purpose, even from the Confes∣sion of Atheistical and wicked Men themselves, That the Wickedness of a People is always found to be of such pernicious Consequence, that no Government can long subsist under the licentious and avowed Practice of it.

A Toleration of Religion is what we have heard pleaded for, and approved of as a Poli∣tick Expedient for quieting the Minds of Men, and for uniting the divided Interests of a Nati∣on, in order to its greater and more confirm'd Strength and Security: but a Toleration of Ir∣religion, a Toleration of Vice and Debauchery, and all sorts of Immorality, was never yet per∣mitted in any Kingdom whatsoever, that we read of, unless in the Kingdom of Satan only: and yet even there also there are, it seems, some Vices and Irregularities which the Devil himself cannot safely allow, without the utmost hazard of Ruin and Confusion to his Govern∣ment.

So that whether we call to remembrance the Times that are past, and from thence reflect

upon the usual Justice of God's Providence in this case; or whether we consider the bare Ten∣dency of the thing it self; the Proposition a∣bovemention'd will still be found true and un∣deniable, (viz.) That Sin and Wickedness is the certain Cause of Publick Calamities to a Na∣tion, and effectually conduceth to the final Ru∣in and Destruction thereof.

This therefore being laid down as a standing and establish'd Truth, let us now apply the se∣rious consideration hereof to the present melan∣cholly Circumstances of that sinful Nation where∣unto we belong.

And what a black and dismal Prospect, both of Sin and Ruin, have we here before us, whilst we contemplate that lewd, profligate, and pro∣fane Spirit that now worketh in the Children of Disobedience! by means whereof, our National Guilt is become so very clamorous and provo∣king, that we seem just ripe for Judgment, and the very Vessels of Wrath, fitted for Destru∣ction.

O Tempora! O Mores! hath, I confess, been a constant Theme of Declamation in all Ages of the World; and even that Life and Immor∣tality which is brought to light through the Gospel hath not been able to prevail so far against the Power of Satan, and the Rulers of the Darkness of

this World, but that there have been still many unrighteous, unholy, and ungodly men, walking after their own Lusts, and such as were Enemies to the Cross of Christ, at all times and in all pla∣ces of the Christian Church. Nay this is no more than what our Blessed Saviour and his Apo∣stles prophesied aforetime; and if we find the unhappy effects of this Prophecy in a great mea∣sure fulfill'd in our Days, we have been long since forewarn'd not to look upon it as if some strange thing had happen'd unto us. Yet this how∣ever seems somewhat strange and surprizing in the Observation, that Iniquity should so univer∣sally abound amongst us, at this time especial∣ly; and that a Nation should lie under the Guilt and Reproach of so general a Corruption both of Faith and Manners, wherein the most pure and undefiled Religion, and the very best Christian Church in the World is established.

The corrupt Principles and Practices of Men in former Ages might be in a great measure ow∣ing to the many gross Superstitions and loose Doctrines of the Romish Church; and the Mad∣ness and Confusion of the late Times hath been pleaded as some sort of Apology for the Wick∣edness of the Men of that Generation. But God be thanked, we are now left without any manner of Excuse of this kind; we have now no

cloak for our Sin upon either of these Accounts: and yet, to our shame, it may be observ'd, that Irreligion and Profaneness, and a profess'd Con∣tempt of Christianity and its Divine Author, was perhaps never so openly countenanc'd, never so fashionably abetted in any one Baptized Nation under Heaven, as it seems to be with us at this very Day: nor was the Seat of the Scornful ever more highly advanced in any one Age of the Church, from the very time that the Mystery of Iniquity first began to work in it. For, not to mention those many gross Immoralities, and that horrid Lewdness and Debauchery of Manners which betrays so great a Neglect of Religion a∣mongst us; that which yet aggravates our Guilt, and heightens the Horror of our Prospect, is our insolent and avow'd Contempt of it: for how is our most holy Religion it self, which is the Wis∣dom of God, now become the Scorn of Fools, and the very Derision of such as put it to an open shame, and impudently revile it all the day long! How is that worthy Name by which we are called publickly affronted and blasphemed amongst us! and that not only by those ungodly Deeds which ungodly Sinners do commit, but by the many hard Speeches and profane Raillery likewise of those who seem to glory in their Shame, and take a pride in being thought the Reproach of their

Maker, and the Scandal of their Times.

Now were such Monsters of Impiety as these as rare as Monsters use to be; were they either few in number, or inconsiderable for their Qua∣lity and Station in the World; we might then hope to have their Sin confined to their own doors only, and that there would be still righ∣teous Persons enough found amongst us to atone the heavy Wrath of God, and to incline his Long-suffering and Forbearance towards us. But the unhappy prospect of our present Case is, that as the Wickedness of these Men is great, so is the Contagion of it likewise; and the Danger wherewith it threatens us is so much the more formidable, because of the spreading Infection and malignant Influence thereof.

For those profane Scoffers of whom I am now speaking, are not content to foam out their own Shame, and to open their mouths in Blasphemy themselves; but they are profess'd Advocates for the Cause: they seem zealously concern'd to gain Proselytes to it; and plainly shew, that they are industriously forming a Party (as much as in them lieth) to laugh the Christian Religi∣on quite out of the World.

And indeed, 'tis very lamentable to observe what great Advances they are likely to make in the prosecution of their Project: for, besides

that the Minds and Manners of our Youth are so generally corrupted by the contagious Example and Encouragement of these Men, 'tis too noto∣rious to be conceal'd, that many, too too many of our very Children also (lest the hopeful Breed of this Generation of Vipers should be lost amongst us) are now train'd up without any manner of sense of their Baptismal Vow, and with so little Knowledge of God in the World, that we can rarely pass our Streets, and places of publick Concourse, without observing how ear∣ly they have learn'd to affront their Maker, by stammering out their Oaths and Blasphemies a∣gainst him.

Now if this be the wretched state of that wicked and profane Age wherein we live; if such Horrible Impiety as this be so openly and so universally committed in our Land; What shall we do in the end thereof? for, Will not God visit us for these things? Will not his Soul be avenged on such a Nation as this? And when he doth vi∣sit us for these things, when his wrathful Indig∣nation is fully kindled, so that he suffers his whole Displeasure to arise against us; what shall we be able to say in the day of our Calamity, unless it be with Shame and Confusion of Face to acknow∣ledge thus much only, Just and righteous art thou, O Lord, in all that is brought upon us. Thou hast

done right, but we have done wickedly: and after all that is come upon us for our evil Deeds, and for our great Trespasses, yet thou our God hast pu∣nished us much less than our Iniquities have de∣served.

But this is too sad and melancholly a Refle∣xion for our Thoughts to dwell any longer upon. And it being my main Design at present, not so much to represent the crying Guilt and heinous Provocation of our National Wickedness, as to forewarn you of the Danger, and to prevent the unhappy Consequences thereof, I will direct the remaining part of my Discourse as usefully as I can to this purpose.

But what Arguments shall I here urge? What Motives of Persuasion shall I make use of upon this Occasion? If I should take up the Words of Solomon, and tell them, that Sin is a Reproach to any People; if to the great Scandal which ac∣crues from it, I should add the Folly and Unrea∣sonableness, and base Ingratitude thereof; and if to this I should likewise subjoin the Conside∣ration of that Indignation and Wrath, that Tribu∣lation and Anguish, which is so severely threatned to it in the Gospel: all this perhaps might be rallied by some as the Common-place only of the Pulpit. For to talk at this rate, say they, is the business of our Trade, and what we have

our Tythes for, &c. not considering, in the mean time, that severe Censure which we incur if we preach not the Gospel of Christ according to all the reveal'd Terms and Conditions of it, and declare the whole mind of the Lord concer∣ning it. However, for the present, to avoid all manner of Exception of this kind, and to di∣vest my Character of those Prejudices which the very Name, and Nature, and Design of our sa∣cred Function is so unhappily found to lie un∣der (especially amongst those against whom the main drift of my Discourse is here directed) I beg leave to be heard upon this Occasion, as a true Englishman only, and a hearty Well-wisher to my King and Country: for, a due and sincere regard to the Welfare and Preservation of both these, is what is now chiefly offer'd to our Con∣sideration from the Words of the Text. From whence it is plainly intimated to us, what those Temporal Calamities are, which by our continu∣ed Wickedness we shall bring upon us; We shall be consumed, both we and our King.

The Judgment here threatned is very terrible, and such as ought to be throughly considered, and laid to heart, even by the most Atheistical and Profane Member of our establish'd Govern∣ment.

First then let it be consider'd to what an im∣minent and apparent Danger the Honour and Safety of our King, the Anointed of the Lord, the Breath of our Nostrils, and the Guardian of our Peace, is hereby exposed.

It was not long since that we solemnly thank'd God for him as our Great Deliverer, and the happy Instrument of his Providence, whereby we were rescu'd from the danger of all those ma∣licious Designs which the declared Enemies both of our Church and State had formed against us: And we have since that pretended at least to so grateful a sense of what he hath undergone and wrought for us, that we have not only offer'd up our constant Prayers and Intercessions to Heaven for his Preservation, but we have moreover devo∣ted our Hearts and Hands, our Treasure and our Blood also, as a Tribute, which we thought but justly due to the Merits of a Prince, under the auspicious Influence of whose Courage and Con∣duct we have been hitherto protected, and who still continues both the Honour and Defence of our Nation. And shall we now, after all this, treacherously betray him by our own Wicked∣ness? and by means thereof draw down upon his sacred Head those heavy Judgments which yet we have so often, with Fasting and Prayer, hum∣bly beg'd of Almighty God to avert? Shall he

who hath so gloriously fought our Battels, wast∣ed his Strength, and jeoparded his Life for our sakes, be nevertheless ungratefully consumed up∣on our account? And shall it be said, to our Re∣proach, that a Prince who hath so often braved the King of Terrors himself, and against whom all the most formidable Power and Malice of his Enemies was never able to prevail, did at last unworthily fall by the Sins of his own People? Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the Streets of Askalon; and let not so foul a Reproach as this be cast upon us, lest the Enemies of our Peace rejoyce at it; lest those who have evil Will against us Triumph over us.

We may talk of our Loyalty, and make what outward Professions of it we please; but as long as we so openly contemn the Authority, and rebel against the Commandments of God, and will not suffer him to reign over us, all our pretended Faith, and true Allegiance to our Sovereign Lord the King, is mere Complement, and can but lit∣tle avail him; for we are Enemies not to God on∣ly (as St. Paul observes) but to his Vicegerent also, by our wicked Works: and by reason of the provoking Guilt thereof, we become Traitors to the Peace and Welfare of his Government, and form a kind of spiritual Conspiracy against it, in order to diminish the Glory of his Crown,

and to shake the very Throne upon which he sits.

For there is so near a Relation betwixt a King and his People, that the Sins of the one are of∣tentimes punished by the Fall of the other. And if this should happen to be our Case (which God avert) we must thank our selves for it, and put it upon the score of our own sinful Ingrati∣tude; whereby we provoked God to quench the Light of our Nation, and to withdraw that Bles∣sing which we no longer deserved to have con∣tinued to us.

But if the Honour and Safety of our King be not sufficient to move our regard in this case, let us in the next place reflect upon those sad Calamities which our Sins are likely to bring up∣on our Selves and our Country; for the Judg∣ment here threatned extends to the Ruin and Destruction of That also.

Notwithstanding the many different Principles and Opinions of Men amongst us in other re∣spects, 'tis observable nevertheless, that we would be all thought very zealous Patriots, and highly concern'd for the Good of the Publick, the last∣ing Welfare and Prosperity of our dear Nation, carries so much charm along with it, that it seems to be the Darling Object of All our good Wishes.

But how, alas! can this dear Nation of ours be well thought so dear to us as is pretended, when 'tis plain that our Lusts are so much dear∣er to us than That, that for the sake of the one we can be content to hazard the Ruin and De∣solation of the other! How can we be truly said to love our Country as we ought, when at the same time we so openly correspond with its greatest Enemies? and cherish those Sins, which, if the former part of my Discourse holds true, must in the end lay it waste, and utterly con∣sume it?

We All pretend to wish well to the Happi∣ness and Prosperity of our Nation; we argue, and debate, and earnestly contend for it; we are bravely resolved, upon any just occasion, to fight for it, and to die for it: but why, amidst all this pretended Zeal for its Defence, should we not be prevail'd upon to live for it also? so to live for it, I mean, as that we may not by the Wickedness of our Lives and Conversations forfeit our Title to the continued Favour and Protection of Almighty God towards it; for without That, all other Ways and Means for its Preservation will be found vain and ineffectual: without That the Wisdom of our Councils will be defeated, the Strength of our Armies subdu∣ed, and all our vain Confidence in the Arm of

Flesh will be confounded and brought to nought. And when once we are made the Objects of the Divine Vengeance, and miserably abandon'd to that just recompense of Reward which our an∣gry and offended God shall inflict upon us, what then will become of all those endearing native Rights and Privileges which we now seem so fond of? How will our admired Liberties be then enslaved? our beloved Properties invaded? our dear Religion violated and oppress'd? and all our ancient English Constitution, both in Church and State, quite dissolved, and given up as a Prey to those that hate us? who when this evil Day is come upon us, will insolently shake their heads at us, and laugh us to scorn, saying, God hath forsaken them, persecute them, and take them, for there is none to deliver them.

This then being the sad and dismal Prospect of those National Calamities which by our manifold and great Provocations we so justly deserve, and which, without our Repentance and Amendment, we have too much reason to fear; how should the serious Consideration hereof rouze up our true English Zeal for the Good of our Nation? and effectually persuade us to forsake our Sins, reform our Manners, and turn unto the Lord our God with all our heart, that so our Iniquity may not prove its Ruin? for to apply the Words of

Moses upon a like occasion (Deut. 32. 47.) to our present Case. That which is here offer'd to our Consideration, is not a vain thing for us; 'tis not a trivial matter, or a thing of Indifference, to be slighted and neglected by us; for it is our life: 'tis that wherein the Publick Safety and Prosperity of our Kingdom, as well as our own Private Happiness, and that of our Posterity af∣ter us, is principally concern'd: the Fate of our whole Government, together with all our Eccle∣siastical and Civil Rights thereunto belonging, depend upon it.

So that if those more engaging Motives which our Religion offers cannot work upon us; if we will not be reclaim'd, neither for God's sake, nor for our own Soul's sake; let us at least, for our King and Country's sake, be prevail'd upon to turn from our present evil ways, and to do no more wickedly: for if we do, their Calamity may rise suddenly, and who knoweth the Ruin of them both! May God, of his infinite Mercy, avert the Judgment! and give us All Grace in this our day to know and to mind the things that belong unto our Peace, before they are hid from our eyes!

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

As it was in the Beginning, is now, and ever shall be, World without End. Amen.

FINIS.