Ghost of which there is no pardon to be obtayned Math. 12 32. In such a case though wee cry never so much for his forgivenes yet the Lord will not heare us As for the Saints praying against some we must note that they were such as they have had spetiall information of them by the motion of the Spirit that they deserved to be prayed against And for that of our Saviour Christ that he saith I pray for them meaning his elect and not for the world that is the wicked reprobates we must understand that speech with vers 11. where our Saviour noteth what it is he seeketh for them namely to keep them through his owne name that they might be one as the father and son are one c. Now to pray thus for the wicked and damned hypocrites which are only knowen to God were a plaine resisting of his will and labor in vaine For to what purpose should we seeke salvation and eternall life to them who are ordayned unto eternall destruction from the presence of God and the glory of his power To what purpose were it for us to seeke the conversion of those that have nothing to doe to n Psa 50 16. take the ordinances of God in their lips becaus they hate to be reformed But those things being secret are only knowen unto God and we being ignorant who it is by name that is reprobate and who not but knowen unto God are all his workes we are therfore to followe his revealed will which o Deut. 29 29. belongeth unto us and to our children and therein we are taught to pray for all men that is for all sortes estates and conditions of men high and low rich and poore Kings and subjects Jewes and gentiles and that becaus God will have all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of his truth That this is the meaning of this word the scripture otherwhere teacheth Mat. 4 23. Luc. 11 42. Eph 1 3. 1 Cor. 10 25. The Apostle useth a generall terme becaus it might containe and include all particulers Exceptis excipiendis and teaching us thus much that there is no condition or degree of men whatsoever whom we may or can conscionably exclude or debarre from having benefit by our prayers so long as they doe not as Julian the Apostate manifest a resolute and malitious forsaking of God and resisting of his truth So long as men are in ignorance though their malice seeme to be great and their wicked zeale outragious yet there is hope for ought we know and therfore we must not desist the manifesting of our love in seeking the salvation of their soules or any other good they stand in need of Wherfore let us put in practise this duty according to the Apostle's exhortation God sheweth himself to be no p Acts. 10 34. respecter of persons nor to desire q Ezek. 18 32. the death of him that dyeth but hath offered the manifestation of his grace to all let us then imitate God herein by offering up our prayers and thanks for all as occasion doth require And in particuler for Kinges and those that are in authority c which is the 3d point here commended by the Apostle to wit the persons whom in an espetiall manner we are bound to pray for What the Apostle Paul meaneth here by Kings and all that are in authoritie is expounded by the Apostle Peter in these wordes r 1 Pet. 2 13. 14. whither it be to the King as supreame or unto governors as unto them that are sent by him c. By King then the Apostle intendeth the supream and chief magistrate of the land where wee live and by all that are in authoritie he meaneth all other civile officers into whose hand the sword of justice or any power of goverment is committed or deputed according to lawe Under which is comprehended all civile parliaments counsels Judges justices Majors baylifs and whatsoever other courts or persons they be that are orderly appointed and set for to rule or governe the Kingdome Countrie city shire or corporation in which we inhabite From whence this note ariseth clearly That it is the duty of every Doctrine Christians are to pray for the civile governors true Christian both in his publike and private prayers to commend unto God all persons that are in civile authority in the Common wealth both superiour and inferiour both King and other magistrates And good reason too for the very Reasons titles which the Apostle here giveth unto them calleth for it For kings he useth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which some learned in the greek tongue interpret as if he were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the * Therfore Kings should be the supporters not destroyers of their people basis or foundation of the people being he that excelleth among the mortall rulers of this world wherefore Christ is called ſ Rev. 17 14. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King of Kings becaus he is above all the Kings and princes of the earth and his Kingdome shall stand when all theirs have an end and they themselves are become like other men their honour being layd in the dust for t Luc. 1 33. he shall raigne over the house of Iacob for ever and of his kingdome there shal be none end It cometh of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which signifieth to raigne to be in authority to be a King to beare rule and sway to be governor of to beare a great or chief stroke in a matter or thing In latine they are called Reges of rego to governe or rule upon which title or denomination Eleutherius bb of Rome writeth thus if my * Acts and mon. Pa. 96. Col. 2. author faile me not unto Lucius king of Brittaine about the yere 169. viz A King hath his name of ruling and not of having a realme Ye shal be a King while ye rule well but if you doe otherwise the name of a King shall not remaine with you and you shall loose it which God forbid The Almighty God grant you so to rule the realme of Brittaine that you may raigne with him for ever whose vicar you be in the realme The word which is here used for those in authority signifieth those that are set in excelencyes high dignities or preheminences to goe before others or to have charge of others All which serveth to shew that lawfull civile governors of what name or title soever are set in great place and authority and our prayers to God for them may doe much in helping them in the administration of their charge and governement Secondly they are ministers of God for the good of those that doe well and to execute wrath upon him that doth evill Rom. 13. wherfore they stand in need of our prayers that God would fill them with wisdome and understanding to discerne between good evill between right wrong to administer justice to the oppressed to punish the
same and are such as doe neither plot or countenance the plotting of any evill or sowe any seed of rebellion against the higher powers but doe owe and acknowledge them all due reverence as also the law requireth and their carriage doth witnes for them in the place where they dwell and performe all dutyes of honour and office without complaint I have therefore cumbered the presse herewith fearing least any should either be discouraged by these rumorâ— and slaunders which are and have biâ— hitherto cast upon us from imbracing the truth and walking in the right way or should through misse-reports condemne the righteous with the guilty and also to stop the mouthes of gainsayers who if notwithstanding theâ— shall see this defence they doe still persist in their opprobrious calumniations shal be left without excuse before the face of God f Rom. 2 â— whose judgment is according to truth against those that commit such things I have sought herein nothing but the glory of God and the vindication of the truth from unjust contempt which if it shall notwithstanding suffer I shall desire of God that I may be accounted worthy to suffer with it And for a conclusion it is myne heartie desire that all people whatsoever which doe make any profession of the truth may approve themselves such in their conversations as g Pro. 24 21. feare God and honour the King and meddle not with them that are given to change but h Heb. 12 14 follow peace with all men and holynes without which no man can see the Lord medling w th their own callings and be not busy bodies in other mens matters that those which i 1 Pet. 3 16. speak evill of them may be ashamed who falsly accuse their good conversation in Christ But if any of them doe under colour of religion or Conscience resist the lawfull commands of their prince or governour and doe suffer for it let them thanke themselves and confesse the justice of God upon them for k Rom. 13 4. they are his ministers appointed to execute vengeance on them that doe evill and they beare not the sword in vaine 2 Tim. 2 7. Consider what I say and the Lord givâ— thee understanding in all things 1 Thess 5 21. Prove all things hold fast that which iâ— good An exhortation to pray for Princes 1. Ep. to Timotheus Cap. 2. vers 1. 2. 3. I exhort therfore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thankes be made for all men for Kinges and for all that are in authority that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godlines and honestie For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour c. THis exhortation as also the whole epistle was written and sent by Paul the blessed Apostle of Iesus Christ to l 1 Tim. 1 1. 3. Timothy the Euangelist whom he besought when he went to Macedonia to abide at Ephesus a renowned city of Asia wherein the Lord had planted a famous m Rev. 1. 11. and 2 1. Church of Saints and true worshippers of his name notwithstanding the heathenish service of that great goddesse Diana and the image which fell downe from Iupiter did there so greatly flourish Act. 19 24. 27. 28. 35. where the Lord wrought by the hands of Paul many miracles Acts 19 11. where the Apostle fought with beasts in the manner of men 1 Cor. 15 32. and wherein there was a great doore and effectuall opened to him though there were manie adversaries 1 Cor. 16 9. The end of the abiding of Timothy at Ephesus in the Apostle his absence was to supply that service which the Apostle himself should have done if he had bin present namely a 1 Tim. 1 3. to charge some that they should teach no other doctrine than that which the Apostle had taught them or than was agreable to b 2 Tim. 1 13. sound and wholsome wordes of faith and love which is in Christ Iesus Now as persons of greater place and authority leaving others more inferior in wisdome and power to discharge some duty for them in their necessary absence or to attend upon a service which they themselves are called from by occasions elswhere doe give them not only commission but also direction how the same should be done So the Apostle Paul the master builder of the Churches of the gentiles 1 Cor. 3 10. not onlie giveth Timothy commission to tarry in his stead but also counselleth and directeth him how to behave himselfe in the house of God which is the Church of the living God the pillar and ground of truth 1 Tim. 3 16. And amongst the many most excellent divine infallible rules of direction which he giveth him we are now called upon to consider and attend unto one of the chiefest and principallest thinges which he gave him in charge the which he doth not in commanding and lordly termes but with meeknesse and love saying I exhort therfore that first of all c. The Apostle's intent and purpose in this exhortation is not to Timothy alone that he should performe this but that he should teach it to the Church of God as the mynd of the Apostle which was the c 1 Cor. 7 40. mynd of God himselfe wherfore the Apostle saith I exhort therfore c. as if he should say If any man shall resist or refuse thy exhortation to or example in the performance of this duty let them know that it is the exhortation of me Paul the Apostle of Christ who have with power and demonstration of the Spirit approved my self among them by signes and wonders to be no fabler or leight fellowe to be no seducer and deceitfull worker but the minister legate and messenger of God himselfe who hath put his word in my mouth which if they obey not they may have cause to repent it As this exhortation was at the first intended and penned by the Apostle for the instruction of the church of God and the substance of this treatise thereupon delivered to a congregation of Believers as is noted in the preface So the intent now of publishing it is not to exhort wicked and worldly men to make prayers and supplications unto God or to assure them of any benefit by so doeing for the scripture saith that the sacrifices of the wicked are abomination to the Lord Prov. 15 8. and 21 27. and 28 9. and those that call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved but how shall they call upon him in whom they have not believed c. Rom. 10 13. 14. And if they say they doe believe then the scripture saith againe that faith without works is dead Jam. 2 17. 20. 26. and they that professe they know God and in d Tit. 1 16. workes deny him and are abominable and disobedient and unto every good worke reprobate they have the e 2 Tim. 3 5. forme of godlinesse but denie
last point which I shal be able at this time to handle as the end wherfore Christians are bound to pray for those in authority or the good fruit which we may by God's blessing reape if we be not sparing in sowing the powerfull seed of our prayers for them In which clause as there is plainly set downe a suffitient argument to enduce us to pray for Kings c So there seemeth to be included what is the duty of magistrates in the common wealth or where to God hath ordained them and what he requireth of them viz to see to the maintainance of 1 peace and quietnes 2. godlines and 3ly honestie Peace is the profit and increase of the Duty of princes common wealth whereas warre is the overthrow and ruine of it as may be seen in great kingdomes and Countries which have bin utterly wasted and depopulated by having the seat of warre within their borders So that there is great reason that those in supream authority should have a care to preserve peace for in so doeing they preserve their owne and the Country's riches and safety Happie therfore and renowned among men is that King or supreame magistrate who beareth not only in his Chrest but also in his breast this divine Mottoe Blessed are Math. 5 9. the peacemakers but sad thoughts can not but be of those princes who like unnaturall and hard hearted parents shall not only with dry cheeks behold their children their subjects sheathing their swords in each others bowels but also countenance and defend the ringleaders and abettors of such bloodie enterprizes Surely such if such there be are farre from being sons of peace Should not the shedding of their owne blood touch them and make them withdraw their hand yea doubtles otherwise they bewray themselves to be unfit to governe for he that ruleth over men must be just 2 Sam. 23 3. but how farr such demeanour is from Justice a tender capacitie may soone determine Civile peace is also the tranquillity of the Churches of the Saints who in the dayes of rest and quiet doe flourish as a green baytree in the garden of God spread abroad over nations and kingdomes but in the daies of trouble and persecution is driven into the wildernes to hide herself from the rage of the wicked where yet the Lord nourisheth her maketh her to yeild her savour like the Camemal which the more it is troden upon and depressed the sweeter smell it sendeth forth In the daies of peace and quietnes the people of God sit under their vines and figtrees eating and drinking and making melodie in their hearts unto God flocking like doves to their windowes like Eagles to the carkase in multitudes to the celebration of God's ordinances Whereas the times of trouble and persecution make them to sit downe in mourning and hang by their harpes as not able to * Psal 137. sing the song of Sion but remembring the Lord a farre off as one that turneth his back upon them which maketh them to sigh and groan and to cloth themselves in sackcloth and to have ashes for their meat and mingle their wine with weeping Their meetings togither then if at all are in feare and sorrowe stil looking for their enemy to come upon them to make a prey of their lives Let then every true Christian-like heart never cease praying for Kings and those in authority that under them we may live a peaceable and quiet life Godlinesse is the pillar of the common wealth for where that is cherished upheld and maintayned by the higher powers that kingdom is doubtlesse stable and firme and so shall continue For there is neither treacherie or rebellion at home or open invasion from abroad that shall anie way distract that prince who maketh the Lord his hope and serveth him continually nor hurt that people that walke in his feare Wherfore it is a principall thing which God requireth in princes that they be men c Exod. 18 21. 22. fearing God and the sweet singer of Israel saith that they must d 2 Sam. 23 3. rule in the feare of God I can not here omit something that I have lately read written by one * Iosua de la Cave of our times in an Epistle to the states of Holland and West-Frisia to this effect e Vbi religio est locum habent bonae leges ac bona disciplina ex quibus fortunati felicesque eventus in expeditionibus praecipuâ— bellicis nascuntur sieut â— contra etiam sublata religione corruere rempublicam oportet quoniaâ— sublata Dei timore sequitur impietas ruins Imperiorum where religion is good lawes and good discipline have place by which come prosperous and happie events espetially in warlike expeditions as on the contrary religion being taken away the common wealth must faile becaus when the feare of God is taken away ungodlines followeth and the ruine of Empires And againe * Duo fundamenta tâ— tius bonae societatis sunt religio Iustitia ubi câ—ptum ab illis declinari pro modulo minuitur felicitas Reipublicae subditos rebellare in se sentit ordinario Iure qui Deo rebellis est Religion and Justice are the two only props of a good society when once men begin to declyne from them the happines also of the common wealth doth diminish he ordinarily feeleth the rebellion of his subjects against him that is himself a rebell against God And afterwards ‡ Cum pura manet religio tum bene ordinata stat politia a Deo conservata incolumis when Religion remayneth pure then the civile state is well ordered is kept in safety by God Now princes may be said to maintaine godlines first by abolishing and rooting out of their kingdome as much as in them is all false wayes invented and feigned religions all Idols and superstitious vanities But if they be on the other hand seekers to root out godlines and the feare of God from among them by persecuting the Saints forbiding preaching suffering Idol-service tollerating the blaspheming of the name of God and breach of his sabaths they shall never be able to hold up their heads when the King of Kings shall call them to an accompt Secondly by upholding and maintayning the true Christian religion defending the Churches of Christ from the abusing hands and tongues of wicked persecutors But if they themselves be persecutors of the godly restrayning them of their liberty of publike service of God inflicting fines amercements imprisonments and other corporall punishments upon men that make conscience of the way of Gods service the true religion what will they say when God shall visite their iniquity with a rod their sin with scourges This is the principall charge and duty of princes if they did but know their duty namely to further the honour of God and his worship and service First becaus it is from him they have their office charge