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"The brightest jewel of his crown": an 1809 jubilee sermon on the religious influence of George III

As in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen, words from an 1809 sermon by Edward Nares - a representative of the Orthodox party (i.e. the Old High mainstream of the pre-1833 Church of England) - to mark the Golden Jubilee of George III. Noting how the British Crown was limited by law and constitution, Nares rejoiced in the religious example and influence of George III.  This is an aspect of the reign of the Elizabeth II that should be given much more serious consideration by Anglicans:

But I have reserved for the last, that trait of his character, which must still give the greatest lustre to his names and will forever shine as the brightest jewel of his crown, I mean, his constant and exemplary discharge of RELIGIOUS duties. I say exemplary, because in this consists the great worth of his character. I must maintain that a King of this country is so limited and restrained by the laws of the Empire, and so impeded often by the perverse opposition of both foreign and domestic foes, that as he can personally do no wrong, so is he not always able to do so much good as he wishes. He bears the sword of justice, and often has to adjust the differences and contentions of adverse and rival parties; "To him belongs not only the dispensation of honours and rewards , but the infliction of ignominies and corrections". He cannot therefore be expected to please everybody at all times.

But there is one way in which a British Sovereign may do good to all. Let him set a good example to his subjects in religion and morals. Let him shew them that neither the splendors of royalty, nor the greatness of majesty can so dazzle his eyes as to make him forget that there is a God who ruleth above, and to whom the prince and the peasant are alike responsible. Let him shew them that in comparison with the hopes of a christian, all the pomps and vanities of this wicked world, rank low in his estimation, and that instead of glorying in his might or in his riches, he glories in nothing so much as in understanding what the will of the Lord is, in obeying his commandments and in keeping a conscience void of offence before God and man ...

Every Lord's-day has been to him so sacred, that no pressure of business, much less any idle attraction of pleasure has ever been able to withdraw him from the duties incumbent on him; and I have it in my own power to testify that whenever any circumstances have found him at a distance from his palace on a Sunday, he has been eager to offer up his prayers in any parish church within his reach.

(The picture of George III's Royal Coat of Arms is from St. Margaret's Church, Felbrigg, Norfolk.)

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