The spirit of the martyrs revived in a brief compendious collection of the most remarkable passages and living testimonies of the true church, seed of God, and faithful martyrs in all ages: contained in several ecclesiastical histories & chronological accounts of the succession of the true church from the creation, the times of the fathers, patriarchs, prophets, Christ and the Apostles.

SECT. IX.

Several Sayings collected from the Speeches, and Writings of King Charles the First.

ANd we find asserted by King Charles the ••••rst, in his Book known by the Name of ΕΙΚΩΝ ΒΑΣΙΛΙΚΗ, as followeth.

Pag. 67. In his Prayer to God, he said, Thou seeft how much Cruelty among Christians is acted, under the colour of Religi∣on; as if we could not be Christians, unless we crucific one ano∣ther.

Pag. 28. Make them at length seriously to consider, that nothing violent and injurious can be religious.

Pag. 70. Nor is it so proper to hew out religious Reformations by the Sword, as to pollish them by fair and equal Disputations, among those that are most concerned in the Differences, whom, not Force, but Reason ought to convince.

Sure in Matters of Religion, those Truths gain most upon mens Judgments and Consciences, which are least urg'd with Secular Vio∣lence, which weakens Truth with Perjudices.

Pag. 115. It being an Office, not only of Humanity, rather to use Reason then Force, but also of Christianity to seek Peace, and en∣sue it.

Pag. 91, 92, In point of true conscientious tenderness, I have often declared, how little I desire my Laws and Scepter should in∣trench on God's Soveraignty, which is the only King of mens Consci∣ences.

Pag. 123. Nor do I desire any man should be further subject unto me, then all of us may be subject unto God.

Concerning Oaths.

P. 76. The injoyning of Oaths, upon People, must needs in things doubtful be Dangerous, as in things unlawful Damnable.

Some words of Advice from CHARLES the First, to the then Prince of Wales, now King of England, &c.

Pag. 165. My Counsel and Charge to you is, That you seriously consider the former real or objected Miscariages, which might occasi∣on my Troubles, that you may avoid them, &c.

Beware of Exasperating any Factions, by the Crosness and Aspe∣rity of some mens Passions, Humors, and private Opinions, im∣ployed by you, grounded only upon differences in lesser matters, which are but the Skirts and Subburbs of Religion, wherein a Cha∣ritable Connivance, and Christian Toleration often Dissipates their strength, when rougher Opposition Fortifies, and puts the despised and oppressed party into such Combinations, as may most enable them to get a full revenge on those they count their Persecutors, who are commonly assisted by that vulgar commisseration, which attends all that are said to suffer under the notion of Religion.

Pag. 166. Take heed that outward Circumstances and Formali∣ties of Religion devour not all.

Pag. 164. Your Prerogative is best shewed and exercised in re∣mitting, rather then exacting the rigour of the Laws, there being no∣thing worse then Legal Tyranny.

To these Sayings we add more, as Collected out of the same Book in Duodecimo.

IN his Prayer, Pag. 1. O never suffer me for any reason of State to go against the Reason of Conscience, which is highly to sight against thee▪ the God of Reason, and Judge of our Consciences.

Page 121. Break in sunder, Oh Lord, all violent Confederations to do wickedly and injuriously.

Pag. 136. Thou, Oh Lord, shalt destroy them that speak Lyes; the Lord will abhor both the Blood thirsty and Deceitful men.

P. 164. Church Affairs should be mannaged neither with Tyran∣ny, Parity, nor Popularity—neither people oppressed.

P. 168. He declares his willingness for fair satisfaction unto all, and against Covetousness, and Superstition.

Pag. 171. Oh thou that art the God of Reason and Peace, soften our hearts — and perswade us to accept of Peace with thy self, and both to secure and preserve Peace among our selves as men and Christians—Condemn us not to our passions, which are destructive both of our selves and others; Clear up our Understandings to see thy Truth, both in Reason as men, and in Religion as Christians.

Page 180. Stir up all parties Pious Ambitions to overcome each

other with Reason, Moderation, and such Self-denial as becomes, &c.

P. 200. O thou Soveraign of our Souls, the only Commander of our Consciences.

And further, in his Advice to the Prince of Wales now KING, &c.

Pag. 234. The best Government and highest Soveraignity you can attain unto, is, To be subject to God, that the Scepter of his Word, and Spirit may rule in your heart.

P. 239. He pleads for better Arguments for Convincement, then Tumults, Armies, and Prisons.

Pag. 241. Alwayes keep up sollid Piety, and those Fundamental Truths, which mend both hearts and lives of men with impartial Fa∣vour and Justice.

Pag. 242. My Charge and Counsel to you is, that as you need no palliations for any design, so that you studdy really to exceed in true and constant Demonstrations of Goodness, Piety and Vertue (towards the people) even all these men that make the greatest noise and osten∣tations of Religion, so you shall neither fear any detection, (as they do who have but the Mask of Goodness) nor shall you frustrate the just Expectations of your people.

Pag. 243. Use all Princely Arts and Clemency to heal the Wounds, that the Smart of the Cure may not equal the Anguish of the hurt.

Pag. 244. As your quality sets you beyond any Duel with any Subject, so the nobleness of your mind must raise you above the meditating any revenge, or executing your Anger upon the many.

Pag. 248. Keep you to true Principles of Piety, Vertue, and Hon∣our; you shall never want a Kingdom.

In his Meditations on his Death; p. 346. It is indeed a sad fate for any man to have his Enemies to be Accuser, Parties and Judge.