“Even such is Time, that takes in trust
Our youth, our joys, our all we have,
And pays us but with age and dust;
Who in the dark and silent grave,
When we have wandered all our ways,
Shuts up the story of our days. 
Buy from this earth, this grave, this dust,
My God shall raise me up, I trust!”

427.  Death of James.

James died suddenly a few years later, a victim of sloth, drunkenness, and gluttony.  He had taught his son, Prince Charles, to believe that the highest power on earth was the royal will.  It was a terrible inheritance for the young man, for just as he was coming to the throne, the people were beginning to insist that their will should be respected.

428.  Summary.

Three chief events demand our attention in this reign.  First, the increased power and determined attitude of the House of Commons.  Secondly, the growth of the Puritan and Independent parties in religion.  Thirdly, the establishment of permanent, self-governing colonies in Virginia and New England, destined in time to unite with others and become a new and independent nation,—­the American Republic.

Charles I—­1625-1649

429.  Accession of Charles; Result of the Doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings.

The doctrine of the Divine Right of Kings, which had been so zealously put forth by James (S419), bore its full and fatal fruit in the career of his son.  Unlike his father, Charles was by nature a gentleman.  In his private and personal relations he was conscientious and irreproachable; in public matters he was exactly the reverse.

This singular contrast—­this double character, as it were—­arose from the fact that, as a man, Charles felt himself bound by truth and honor, but, as a sovereign, he considered himself superior to such obligations.  In all his dealings with the nation he seems to have acted on the principle that the people had no rights which kings were bound to respect.

430.  The King’s Two Mistakes at the Outset.

Charles I began his reign with two mistakes.  First, he insisted on retaining the Duke of Buckingham, his father’s favorite (S419), as his chief adviser, though the Duke was, for good reasons, generally distrusted and disliked.  Next, shortly after his accession, Charles married Henrietta Maria, a French Catholic princess.  The majority of the English people hated her religion, and her extravagant habits soon got the King into trouble.

To meet her incessant demands for money, and to carry on a petty war with Spain, and later with France, he was obliged to ask Parliament for funds.  Parliament declined to grant him the supply he demanded unless he would redress certain grievances of long standing.  Charles refused and dissolved that body.

431.  The Second Parliament (1626); the King extorts Loans.