Certain Sermons or Homilies (First Book of Homilies)

Here is evidently proved, that we may not resist, nor in any ways hurt, an anointed king, which is Gods lieutenant, vicegerent, and highest minister in that country,¹ where he is king. But peradventure, some here would say, that David in his own defence, might have killed king Saul lawfully, & with a safe conscience.² But holy David did know, that he might in no wise resist, hurt, or kill, his sovereign lord & king: he did know, that he was but ⟨image 68⟩king Sauls subject, though he were in great favour with God, & his enemy king Saul out of gods favour. Therefore, though he were never so much provoked, yet he refused utterly to hurt the lords anointed. He durst not, for offending God, & his own con science, (although he had occasion & opportunity) once lay his hands upon Gods high officer the king, whom he did know to be a person reserved (for his office sake) only to Gods punishment and judgement. Therefore he prayeth so oft, & so earnestly, that he lay not his hands upon the Lords anointed. And by these .ii. examples s. David (being named in scripture a man after Gods own hart) giveth a general rule and lesson, to all subjects in the world,³ not to resist their liege lord & king, not to take a sword by their private authority, against their king, gods anointed, who only beareth the sword, by gods authority, for the maintenance of the good, & for the punishment of the evil: who only by Gods law, hath the use of the sword at his commandment, & also hath all power, jurisdiction, regiment, & coercion, as supreme governor of all his realms & dominions, and that, even by the authority of god, & by gods ordinances. Yet another notable story & doctrine, is in the second book of the kings, that maketh also for this purpose. When an Amalekite, by king Sauls own consent & commandment, had killed king Saul,⁴ he went to David, supposing to have had great than ke for his message, that he had killed Davids mortal enemy, and therefore he made great hast, to tell to David the chance: bringing with him king Sauls crown, that was upon his head and his bracelet ⟨image 69⟩