I mention this, because of one remarkable Disagreement, which you must needs have been before-hand with me in observing, between the Case of Naboth, and that of this Day's Royal Sufferer, who as he had Liv'd the Ornament, so Died the Martyr of the English Church and Monarchy: And that is, that in the former of 'em,
an innocent Subject was Murder'd by a wicked King (or at least by his Instruments and Agents, not without his Approbation and Consent, as appear'd by his subsequent Behaviour, in seizing his Inheritance, as well as by his own Confession, when he submitted to the Prophet's Charge, and humbled himself for it) whereas in the latter, a just and pious King was depriv'd at once of his Crown and Life by wicked and rebellious Subjects. But there are other Resemblances between 'em, that will make Amends for this Disparity. And therefore I shall proceed.
I. To draw a Parallel between the two Cases, and shew what is common to 'em both.
II. To consider the Nature and Consequences of the Fact committed on this Day. And
III. I shall conclude with one or two Moral Reflections.
I. I am to draw a Parallel between the two Cases, and show what is common to 'em both. Here then we may observe, that the Persons compar'd were both good Men: Both were Murder'd with a pretended Show of Justice, and with Religious Solemnities: Both for the same Cause, because they would not part with the Inheritance of their Fathers: Neither of 'em
suffer'd singly; but the Enemies of each extended their Malice to the whole Race of 'em.
First I say they were both good Men. That Naboth was so, we may very fairly conjecture from his Behaviour in the Matter of the Vineyard; and from the Severity of God's Wrath toward Ahab and his Family, for unjustly putting him to Death. For altho' the Murder even of a wicked Man, either by false Accusation, or secret Treachery, is a very heinous and detestable Thing; (and that Life that is Forfeited to Justice by a thousand real Crimes, yet if innocent quoad hoc, and taken away by wicked Subornation, on weak and insufficient Evidence, for that which is not a Crime, or which was not committed, will derive a Sentence of Blood-guiltiness, nay of the Shedding innocent Blood, on the Contrivers and Actors in such an Execution;) yet we cannot suppose, that this is, in so excessive a Degree, provoking, or that it entails the Divine Vengeance on so many Generations, as when the Person Condemn'd is eminent for Piety and Vertue.
If indeed we were to judge of Things by their first Appearance, the Carriage of Naboth toward Ahab, in denying him his Vineyard, might seem to have been very Churlish and Undutiful, especially when offer'd a better Vineyard in Exchange for it, or an equivolent in Mony. And the Kings condescending way of Address, when
he thus expresses himself, If it shall seem good to thee, and if it please thee; might be thought to have deserv'd a better Answer than, I will not give thee my Vineyard.