Another Thing in which his Case does nearly resemble that of Naboth is, that they both were Murder'd for the same Cause, because they wou'd not part with the Inheritance of their Fathers.
Naboth might have compounded for his Life, by relinquishing his Vineyard, nay he might have had an equivalent too. But as he conceiv'd himself bound in Conscience, religiously to preserve his original Patrimony, he was under an unhappy Necessity of making such a Refusal, as brought him to that untimely End.
And the Desire of his Inheritance was the Motive that induc'd our unnatural Country-men, to take away the Life of their Lawful King. The Inherent-Rights and Prerogtiaves of the
Crown, which his Royal Predecessors had uncontestably enjoy'd, thro' a Succession of many Ages, were one after another disputed with him, and in the End violently extorted. What he cou'd depart from, with safety to his Conscience and Honour, he gave 'em, by a voluntary Consent, to preserve the Quiet of his Kingdom; but when he perceiv'd that nothing wou'd content 'em; (their Demands still rising, as his Concessions were larger) he adher'd with a steddy Resolution to those Branches of Power, which he judg'd to be inseparable from the Royal Dignity, and parted with them and his Life together.
Before they had thus compass'd their wicked Ends, and were become Masters of all without Controul, whilst there was yet the Appearance and Shadow of Kingly Government, and nothing cou'd be valid without the Royal Sanction; even then, tho' they left him the Name, they arrogated to themselves the Power. With what repeated Importunities did they Daily tear from him his most trusted and faithful Servants, under the Character of Evil Counsellors, and thrust into his Presence and Councils, their own Mercenary Creatures, Men of notorious Faction and Disloyalty, the profest Haters both of his Person and Authority, as the only Men to be confided in! How justly might he have answer'd their haughty and unreasonable Demands (for such in Effect were their humble
Petitions) in the Words of the wisest of Princes (when a very improper Application was made to him, in behalf of one, who had so little Pretension to Favour, that Impunity was more than he had deserv'd) Ask for him the Kingdom also. [Note: 1 Kings 2. 22.]
They wanted, in short, such a Power as should create Dependencies on them, and tie fast to their Service such Instruments of Mischeif as they should have Occasion to make use of. And not to descend to all the several Branches of Royalty, 'twas Dominion and Government they aim'd at; an Affectation of Lording and Ruling it, was the real Ground of their seditious Outcries (as the Event sufficiently show'd) however they varnish'd over their Designs with more plausible Pretences.
Once more, we may observe another Resemblance between these two Innocent Persons, in that neither of 'em suffer'd singly, but the Enemies of each extended their Malice to the whole Race of 'em. Tho' the History now before us is silent as to Naboth's Family, and only relates what befel him in his own Person; yet we may learn from 2 Kings 9. 26. what became of 'em. Surely I have seen Yesterday the Blood of Naboth, and the Blood of his Sons, saith the Lord, and I will requite thee in this Plat.
It cannot, I confess, be equally affirm'd, with relation to our Martyr'd Sovereign, that the Blood of his Sons too calls for Vengeance, that only Stream of Royal Blood having been Spilt,
that ran within his own Veins. But tho' they escap'd with Life, (no Thanks to the Usurpers of their Inheritance that they did so) yet were they devested of their just Rights, which none of 'em had then done any thing to forfeit, driven into Exile, branded with Names of Infamy and Reproach, and declar'd Traytors and Rebels themselves, as well as their Abettors and Adherents.