them; his superstition was but a trifle, I say, when compared with "his bigotry, of the grooms, or any other, could possibly light it, the door being locked with a spring within. This busying the wonder of both for the present, the king afterwards, when he saw the malice of his enemies press hard upon his life and ruin, reflecting upon this occurrence, drew it into this presage, that though God would permit his light to be extinguished for a time, yet he would at last light it again1.” Mr. Aubrey, on the authority of Fabian Philips, relates that Charles, after he was condemned, told Col. Tomlinson," that he believed the English monarchy was now at an end: about half an hour after, he told the colonel, that now he had an assurance, by a strong impulse on his spirit, that his son should reign after him "." These are the facts on which I found the assertion of the superstition of this monarch; a superstition which was attended with a bigotry remarkable, as we shall soon see. 16 His bigotry was most excessive.] Charles had religious prejudices deeply implanted in him, which were heightened greatly by the superstition of his temper, the influence of ecclesiastics, and political considerations. He viewed those who differed from him, in the important points of ceremonies and churchgovernment, as weak and mean, as dangerous and odious, and worthy his utmost zeal to reclaim or punish; for superstition is generally attended with bigotry, and bigotry is the bane of charity and benevolence. For the bigot is inspired with fervent zeal; he views himself as employed in God's work, and intitled * Life of Charles I. p. 72. See also Wood's Fasti, c. 84. cellanies, p. 89. 8vo. Lond. 1696. b Mis which was most excessive. We are not to his favour and protection, and consequently that the more he labours in it, the greater will his reward be. Whence it comes to pass, that no considerations will stop the hands of such a one; but he will sacrifice every sentiment of humanity, regard to his country, and even his own ease and peace, in order to make men renounce their own sentiments, profess a belief of like sound, and practise rites of the same sort: nor will he be easy himself, or let others have any quiet, if he cannot accomplish it.-Whether Charles was of this character, will be best of all judged from the following authorities.-"The king was always the most punctual observer of all decency in his devotion, and the strictest promoter of the ceremonies of the church, as believing, in his soul, the church of England to be instituted the nearest to the practice of the apostles, and the best for the propagation and advancement of the Christian religion, of any church in the world. And, on the other side, he had the highest dislike and prejudice to that part of his own subjects, who were against the government established; and did always look upon them as a very dangerous and seditious people, who would, under pretence of conscience, which kept them from submitting to the spiritual jurisdiction, take the first opportunity they could find, or make, to withdraw themselves from their temporal subjection: and therefore he had, with the utmost vigilance, caused that temper and disposition to be watched and provided against in England; and, if it were then in truth there, it lurked with wonderful secrecy." "When he was pressed by the parliament ministers to give way for a small catechism for children, I will Clarendon, vol. I. p. 81. therefore to wonder at his attention to little not,' says he, take upon me to determine all these texts you quote are rightly applied, and have their true sense given them; and I assure you, gentlemen, - I would license a catechism, at a venture, sooner for men than I would for children, because they can judge for themselves: and I make a great conscience to permit, that children should be corrupted in their first principles.'-I remember," says the same author, "one evening his majesty told me, that he should be like a captain that had defended a place well, and his superiors not being able to relieve him, he had leave to surrender it: 'but, (he replied) though they cannot relieve me in the time I demanded it, let them relieve me when they can; else, I will hold it out, till I make some stone in this building my tombstone; and so will I do', says he, 'by the church of England." -And as for the divines or chaplains, who attended on the commissioners from the parliament to the king, when at Holmby-house, we are told, "that the king used them civilly, and conversed with them friendly as private men; but would not let them so much as say grace to him, since they refused to officiate to him. by the Liturgy b The same spirit he retained to the last, according to the author I have so frequently cited in this note. After his condemnation, some ministers, who had adhered to the parliament, came to offer their service to pray with him. His majesty being informed of it by Dr. Juxon, replied, "Thank them from me for the tender of themselves; but tell them plainly, that they that have so often and causelessly prayed against me, shall never pray with me in this agony. They may, a Warwick's Memoirs, p. 327. Athenæ Oxonienses, vol. II. c. 688. b Idem, p. 297, and Wood's things, his busying himself about them, and if they please, (and I'll thank them for it) pray for me." This answer is related by Mr. Herbert in a softer as well as a different manner. "At this time," (Jan. 30.) says he," came to St. James's Ed. Calamy, Rich. Vines, Jos. Caryl, Will. Dell, and some other London ministers, who presented their duty to the king, with their humble desires to pray with him, and perform other offices of service, if his majesty would please to accept of them. The king returned them thanks for their love to his soul, hoping they and all other good subjects would, in their addresses to God, be mindful of him; but in regard he had made choice of Dr. Juxon, whom for many years he had known to be a pious and learned divine, and able to administer ghostly comfort to his soul, suitable to his present condition, he would have none other." I will conclude my authorities with a few passages from Dr. Perinchief.— "He [Charles] was careful of uniformity, both because he knew the power of just and lawful princes consisted in the union of their subjects, who never are cemented stronger than by an unity of religion. Besides, he saw that there was no greater impediment to a sincere piety, because that time and those parts that might improve godliness to a growth, were all wasted and corrupted in malice and slanders, betwixt the dissenters, about forms. He was more tender in preserving the truths of Christianity, than the rights of his throne. Thus," adds this writer, "though he could not infuse spiritual graces into the minds of his subjects, yet he would manage their reason by pious arts: and what the example of a king could not do, that his law should, and he would restrain those vices which he could not * Wood's Athenæ Oxonienses, vol. II. c. 699. fol. Lond. 1721. 17 employing himself in works, which, though extirpate."-Here we see zeal for uniformity in rites and modes, a stiff adherence to particular forms, a settled resolution to maintain and impose them, arising from a belief of their being most acceptable to the Deity, and conducive to men's salvation; and also the highest dislike and prejudice against such as were of different sentiments, and endeavours to suppress them: I say, all this we here see, and consequently the bigotry of Charles, which led him to allow of and encourage such severities, on the account of religious opinions, as raised in the minds of his subjects dislike and aversion, and contributed to his ruin, as in the course of this work will appear. 17 Employing himself in works unworthy of his elevated rank, &c.] A king should act like himself. He should attend to those matters which relate to the welfare and happiness of his people; he should study their genius and manners, and employ his thoughts in devising ways for promoting their grandeur and felicity. Modest merit he should inquire after, arts and sciences he should encourage, useful inventions he should reward, attend to the complaints of his subjects, and readily redress their grievances. In a word, his care should be to distribute equal and impartial justice to those under his rule, and defend them from the insults and oppressions of the nations around them. This, I say, is the duty of a king; and he who would discharge it well, had need give it his time and pains. As for lesser matters, though they may be useful or ornamental in private life, it is not expected a prince should excel in them; much less contend with such as professedly addict themselves to them, and reap emolument from them. What in these is praiseworthy, in a A a Life of King Charles, p. 62. |