King Iames his iudgement of a king and of a tyrant extrated out of his own speech at VVhite-hall to the Lords and Commons in Parliament 1609 : with certaine notations anent the same : also 28 questions worthy due consideration and solution in these dangerous times of England.

KING IAMES His Iudgement of a KING and of a TYRANT. Extracted out of His own Speech at VVhite-Hall, to the Lords and Commons in Parliament, 1609. With certaine Notations anent the same.

Also 28 Questions, worthy due consideration and solution, in these dangerous times of England.

Ecclesiastes 4. 13.

Better is a poore and wise Child, then an old and foolish King, who will no more be admonished.

A KING (saith King JAMES) in a settled Kingdome, binds himselfe to a double Oath; to the observation of the fundamentall Laws of His Kingdome, Tacitly; as by being a King, and so bound to protect, as well the People, as the Laws of his King∣dome: and expresly, by his Oath at his Coronation. So as every just King in a settled Kingdome is bound to observe that Paction (or Covenant) made to his People by his Laws, in framing his government agreeable thereunto, according to that Paction made with Noah after the Deluge (Gen. 9. 22.) And therefore a King governing in a settled Kingdome, leaves to be a King, and degenerates into a Tyrant, as soone as he leaves off to rule according to his Laws. Therfore all Kings that are not Tyrants, or perjured, wilbe glad to bound themselves within the limits of their Laws; and they that perswade them the contrary, are Vipers and Pests, both against them and the Common-weale: This was the opinion of our geud King JAMES.

Whence I Observe, in the first place, the occasion whereupon the King spake these words: for in the beginning of the Parliament (as the custome in England is) a Bishop preaching, in his Sermon he treated at large of the Prerogative of Kings, how boundlesse it was, labouring to prove it out of Gods word. Whereat great offence being taken by the Parliament: the King to pacifie them, made this Speech, blaming the Bishop in this, that he did not distinguish between a King at large, and the King of England, which is a settled Kingdome, of which his forementioned words are spoken. So as the occasion gives much strength to his words.

And sithence they are the Kings own words, I advise every wise man in England to take the better notice of them, and to Observe these particulars.

1. That though the King of England at his Coronation did take no Oath at all: yet his very being a King implyes as much as an Oath, and is instead of an Oath to oblige him to protect as well the People, as the Laws of his Kingdome. Seeing the

Office of a King binds him, even by the very law of nature, to be a Protector, as an Observator lately well observed. So farre is it, that any pretended, swelling exube∣rant and boundlesse Prerogative should assume to it selfe a right of power to over∣turn the law of nature by destroying both his People and Laws at his pleasure, and exposing the Kingdome to ruine, in stead of protecting and defending it.

2. That every King of England is bound expresly by his Oath at his Coronation to be a just King, in observing his solemne Covenant made with his People.

3. That this his paction is by the Law of the Land agreeable to that whereunto he is to frame his Government.

4. That this his Covenant ought to be as firme and inviolable, as that Covenant which God made with Noah after the Deluge, which was never yet broken, nor ever shalbe.

5. That a King governing in a settled Kingdome, as the Kingdome of England is, leavs to be a King so soon as he leaves off and failes to rule according to his Laws. And so leaving off to be a King, the Covenant on his part is infringed, so as the People are no longer his Subjects to obey him in his lawlesse Government, then he is their King governing them according to his Laws.

6. Such an one leaving to be a King and degenerating into a Tyrant, doth ther∣b•• alt••r ••he whole frame of the State, as turning the Kingdome into a Tyranny, which are two opposite forms of Government, the one excluding the other, as being inconsistent together: seeing a Kings Function is to protect and preserve safe and sound the Laws and Subjects of the Kingdome: but a Tyrant overthrows and de∣stroyes all Laws of the Kingdome, and all the Rights, liberties, and Priviledges of the true naturall leige people.

7. If a King, so soon as he leaves off to rule according to his Laws, leaves off, and ceases ••o be a King, and degenerates into a Tyrant, then much more He, that not only hath begun to leave off to rule according to his Laws, but obstinately, perversly, wilfully, wittingly, yea and palpably holds on, and continues, yea stifly maintaines under the Title of Prerogative, a most boundlesse, swelling, exuberant and lawlesse Tyranny; yea moreover (which is one infallible marke and property of all Tyrants) doth take up Armes against the faithfullest, honestest and godlyest liege people of his Land; yea against the whole body of the Land, when assembled in Parliament, s••tting for the good of the Kirke and State, to preserve and vindicate the Laws of the Land, with the Rights, Liberties and Priviledges of the freeborne liege people from Tyranny, and so from perpetuall bondage and Slavery, both of Soule and Body, and Estate▪ which Tyrannicall Government (but ever under the counterfeit colour and vizard of maintaining the Laws and Liberties of the Subject, with Priviledges of Parliament, and what not? and all this bound in with solemne Prote∣stations, Declarati••ns, and calling God and the world to witnesse, when they can witnesse nothing, but that of all this, there is hardly a word true and all this, to seduce and blind not only the simple and well minded people, but even those that are prudent, saving that they have not observed the manifold juglings of the Court) will of ne∣cessity bring upon the Kingdome, if they can but come once to open the sluces of the Sea to let in Forraigne auxiliarie Forces, as some second Spanish Fleet. For this is a constant maxime and practise of Tyrants, to call in Forraigne power, as confiding more in them then in the native liege people, which being freeborne, do naturally hate and abhorre to become the vild vassalls and slaves to lawlesse Ty∣rants,

to which if they cannot be wonne by flattery, faire words, and big promises, (but all as false as the Father of lyes) then desperate and down-right force must do it, as we have both seene wofull proofe in Ireland; and (but that Gods never fayl∣ing mighty Providence had not so many times prevented) both our Brethren in England, and we also in Scotland, had before this day felt.

Againe, these twe last Notations following from our geud departed Kings said Speech do easilie inferre thus much, That if Kings cease to be Kings, setting up an absolute Tyranny over the people, to governe them no longer by the Laws as free∣borne liege people but lawlesly as vassalls and slaves; then on the other side the peo∣ple leaving to be Subjects do owne them no more obedience, as being none of their Kings, but usurping Tyrants. For as a King turning Tyrant, practising Tyranny under the name of Prerogative, hath broken the bonds of the Kingdome: so the Subjects owe him no more duty of liege people, except they will avow themselves his Slaves, and so betrayers of their own and the publike Liberties, which ought to be more precious unto them then their lives and lands.

8. A King so degenerating into a Tyrant, is by the verdict of our geud K. Iames departed, a perjured Man, seeing he leaves off to bound himselfe within the circle of his Laws, which he hath solemnly sworne and vowed to keep, with many Pro∣testations, as afore spoken. And perjured men as they are odious to God, so they bring an Execration upon a Land, zach. 5.

9. Such as Councell the King so to turne Tyrant, are Vipers and Pests, both against Him, the Kirke and Common wealth. And therefore though the Tyrant will needs in despight of the Body of the Kingdome maintaine and nourish such Vipers and Plagues in his bosome to the ruine both of Himselfe, the Kirke and Common∣wealth: yet it stands not with the safety of the State to suffer such Vipers and Plagues, but to spue them out. According to that Counsell of K. Salomon, Take away the wicked from before the King, and his Throne shalbe established in righteousnes. Pro. 25. 5. I will conclude this with a scruple or case of Conscience, which is this▪ * 1.1 Many in these dayes dare not out of the softnesse of their Conscience, put to their helping hand by affording part of their estate, or hazarding their per∣sons for the defence of the Common weale, though they have both seen the blee∣ding example of Ireland, and have and do see the sanguineous attempts of a crew of wash-bucklers and cut-throats, to make England a second Stage whereon to Act their bloody Tragedy, in sacrificing the lives of all those that will not lay downe their crages under the yoake of perpetuted vassilage and tyranny over their goods, liberties, lives and lawes, yea soules and all. And their reasons are twe especially.

First, because they thinke they cannot use defensive meanes for the Common∣weale, but they must prove offensive to their King, as the case now stands.

Secondarily, because their King hath used so many solemne Protestations with execrations and imprecations, upon himself and his off-spring (as in his by-past an∣swer, pag. 5.) invoking God to witnesse oft times, if ev••r he intend to alter the Pro∣testant Religion, or the forme of the re-publike established upon good Lawes, or to gather Forces, save onely for the Guard of His Person, and no way to make Warre against the Parliament, and the like.

Now anent the former of these twe reasons, it is sufficiently solved from what is gathered by necessary consequence from King Iames his owne words as afore. For a King ceasing to governe according to his lawes, to which he is obliged by

oath, and acording to which hee is by solemne Covenant with his liege people taken for their King, he ceaseth to be a King and degenerates into a Tyrant. Now never any of the Subjects of England, not their Parliament, not any of those that now stand up to defend the Kings boundlesse Prerogative in England, which he in∣tends to be no lesse then an absolute Tyrannie, ever gave their assents (for ought that ever I could yet read or observe in their government) or made a Covenant; that they would bee slaves under a Tyrannicall, or Arbitrary Lawlesse Govern∣ment. So that whosoever doth stand for the Kings lawlesse Prerogative (for such hee understands it to be, as plainly appeareth by all his anti-Parliamentary cour∣ses, tending to the utter ruine and desolation of the fice-borne Liege people of Eng∣land, together with their Rights, Lawes and Liberties, as hath beene unanimously Voted by both their Houses of Parliament, the highest and most unpartiall Judge, for the declaring of the laws of their Land) whosoever (I say) doth so stand up in defence of the Kings boundlesse and swelling Prerogative against the Parliament is a most notorious enemy of the Kirke and Common-weale, of the Laws, and Li∣berties of their Native Country, and so of themselves, their families, and posteri∣ties for ever. And this is a maxime in nature, that the whole is to bee ••nte▪poned before any part: and herefore every member ought to collate its whole strength for the con∣servation of the whole state. Sundry heathens have willingly perished to save their Country. And so much the rather, when it stands, even with rationall prudence, that the relinquishing of a part, yea the one halfe, preserves that which remaines, which otherwise, with the owner himselfe, and all his would necessarily perish. And in such a case of necessitie, all persons, or Members of the Common-weale ought to bee forced (if otherwise unwilling) to contribute liberally, according to their severallabilities, to the preservation of it. And above all, when we see the true Religion struck at, and so Christs Kirke or Kingdom openly invaden, that so both it, and the Common-weale might fall and perish together. And shall we doe no∣thing for Christ, and for the salvation of our soules?

To the second Reason I answer, that all the Kings solemne oaths, vowes, pro∣testations▪ Declarations Imprecations and Execrations upon himselfe and Poste∣ritie, calling God to witnesse, and the like, should bee examined what truth is in them by comparing therewith his ordinary and daily practises, and that even from the first entrance of H••s Reigne, ever since he wrote that letter of his to the Pape of Rome, lately published in English▪ with the Papes letter to him In which let∣ter▪ he professeth and voweth to the Pape (whom hee stiles, most holy Father) his ser∣vice and zeale to imitate his Progenitors and Ancestors, as who exposed their estates and lives▪ (as hee writes) for the exaltation of the holy Chaire, or See of Rome. This he accounts his greatest honour, that he is descended of such Progeni∣tors. He commends his father for endeavouring unity with Rome, and other her confederates: and the Pape his holines for his Wisdom in contriving & designing the match with the Infanta of Spaine, thereby to reduce all to one Religion, which he cals the true Religion▪ and that hee expresseth to bee the Catholicke Apostolicke, Roman Religion, for the maintenance whereof (saith hee) I have resolved to spare nothing that I have in the World, but will hazard estate and life, and suffer all incommodities for a thing so pleasing to God, and for the Protestant Religion, he saith, I intreat your holinesse to beleeve, that I have beene alwaies very farre from incouraging novelties, or to be a part of any faction a∣gainst the Catholicke, Apostolicke, Roman Religion: but on the contrary, I have sought all oc∣casions

to take away the suspicion that might rest upon me, and that I will imploy, my selfe for the time to come, to have but one Religion, and one faith. And againe It is very cer∣taine, I shall never be so extreamely affectionate to any thing in the World, as to endeavour alliance with a Prince, that hath the same apprehension of the true Religion with my selfe. Thus it is expressed in the letter, signed (as the Story shewes) with Charles Steward. Thus we see a precontract made the with Pape of Rome, which nulls & makes voyd and of none effect all other vowes, promises, Protestations &c. contrariwise, con∣sidering also, that though hee married not the Infanta, but the daughter of France, all is one in point of Religion, this having the same conditions, and articles with that of Spaine, which (I hope) doe in nothing crosse the contents of the said letter, neither hath hee renounced either those articles, or the said Letter for ought that can yet bee discerned. And therefore I thinke England hath no reason to con∣fide in such Protestations, as are so palpably contradicted both by such a league and by so many practises ever since that letter was written, and that match made, to this very day. And for such Protestations, though they seeme to reach as farre as Heaven and are such▪ as the worst of the Heathen would detest; yet the most holy Father, the Pape, giving a dispensation thereunto, it is a warrant sufficient both to God dishonour to delude men, and to injure their own consciences, yea and withour repentance to damne their owne soules, and yet for all this, bee innocent Catholicke men of Rome, in the Papes esteeme.

The example of David in sparing King Saul, his heart also smiting him for having cut off the skirt of his garment in the cave, is objected as an argument, to prove the unlawfullnesse of taking up armes against the King in these dayes.

Whereto I answer: 1. It is confessed, and the Scripture disalows it not, as be∣ing the law of nature, that David got together an Army of 600. valiant men, for his and their defence against Sauls tyrannie, who sought to kill David, whom God had designed and anointed for the Kingdome of Israel. And if one particular man, (though as yet a private person in comparison) might lawfully defend himselfe a∣gainst a Tyrant, that sought his life: then much more a whole state, or body re∣presentative of a Kingdome, may use meanes to defend themselves, and the King∣dome, by whom they are put in trust, even by force of armes in a Military way, when a King goes about to overthrow their Laws, Liberties, and livelyhood, and to bring them and their posterity being free-borne liege people under the tyranni∣call yoake of perpetuall slavery.

2. Againe, tis a different case for a private man to lay violent hands upon the person of a Tyrannicall King, to take away his life, (which I utterly disallow) and for a whole state to stand up to defend themselves against tyrannicall usurpation. David would not, nor durst doe the former: but he and his men did the latter, so farre as concerned them and theirs, for their safety.

3. I answer from an other example in Scripture: when the 10. Tribes complai∣ned of their unjust burthens to the young King Rehoboam, and petitioned to him, (like Englands petition of right) that he would ease their yoke &c. and the King rejecting the Counsell of his grave Senators, who had been the Councellors of King Sal••mon his Father, and following the unsound counsell of his younkers and mad Cavaliers: they thereupon (and that by (1 Ki. 12.) Gods own approbation) set up a new King over them, and so became a distinct Kingdom from Iuda. And this I say) God himselfe confirmed; so that if the new King Ieroboam, had not in his foo∣lish

policy led the Ringdome away to Idolatry, God would have made it a con∣stant and a happy Kingdome to him and his. And when at the first parting, Reho∣boam would have with an Army recovered his losse, 1 Kings 12. the Lord would not allow of it. And according to the Proverb. Vox populi, Vox Dei: when there is a generall Vote and agreement of the people, or of the whole body of the State re∣presentative concerning the safe-guarding and defending of the Civill Govern∣ment when invaded by Tyrannicall violence, and usurpation, threatning confu∣sion of the whole State; then surely the God of order and not of confusion, and the greatest preserver of Kingdomes and States, and the most wise Governor and dis∣poser of them to whom he will, doth clearely appeare in such publicke unanimity of the people to restraine and regulate unjust, usurpers & unsationable, cruell, and bloody Tyrants▪ whose lusts nothing can satisfie, but the ruine of all, rather then their proud tyranny shall fall to ground.

Notes

• * 1.1

  A case of Conscience.