Duty and Interest in Prayer and Praise for Kings and All in Authority, Part 2

Duty and Interest in Prayer and Praise for Kings and All in Authority · Part 2

p. 14II. The Application.

We have heard, that a Religious People can never want just reasons to pray to, and praise God for Kings and all that are in Authority. Hearken then to the Apostles Exhortation: He exhorts, and 'tis in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ that he does so; he exhorts, that this be done first of all, that it may have a precedency of all our little private interests; and that we postpone not so important a duty to the adjusting of lesser matters.

Would we give our selves leave and leisure to think, what a sad generation of Emperors they were, for whom the Apostle enjoyns the Primitive Christians to pray and give thanks; it would shame our consciences and make us blush, that they could pray better, and praise God more, for a Tiberius, a Claudius, a Caligula, a Nero, than we for a Prince so tender of his Subjects, so far from the sanguinary spirit of persecution, which filled all the veins, and the whole mass of blood of those Plagues of the World, those Monsters of Men, the Roman Emperors; such, as 'tis a wonder the earth could bear, or the patience of God endure such Wretches to tyrannize over so vast numbers of rational creatures, as the Empire did contain: I can look upon them under no other notion, than the Ministers of divine wrath to plague a generation of men, who had not only shut, but put out their eyes, that neither natural nor p. 15gospel light might shine into them; for such as these, better men had been much too good; and much worse, if possible, not too bad to avenge the affronted Deity upon their Immoralities. But yet as to the Christians, who were converted out of them, and dwelt among them, and were a part of them, they were not so bad, but faith could pick up something for which to bless God; and the worse they were, the more need still to ply the throne with humble prayer either to make them better, or to keep them from being worse.

I would be understood to speak this of those that were Heathens. For if any in after times should be found professing the Christian Religion, and wearing the Heathen, or perhaps the Atheist under that disguise; if when a flattering juncture should tempt him, he should throw off the viz…rd, and appear an Apostate, a foreign, the greatest indication of the unpardonable sin; the Apostle would not, durst not say, that they should pray for such a one, 1 Job. 5. 16.

And we have good assurance, that a Nazianzene would not pray for a I…lian, unless it were to confound him.

Tertullian, who liv'd under a set of Emperors of a fairer character, has given us a Glass in which we may see the true face, and natural complexion of the Christian Religion in his days, as to their behaviour towards their Emperors.

Illuc suspicientes Christiani, manibus expansis, quia innocui; undato capite, quia non erubescimus; sine Monitore, quia de pectore; Oramus proomnibus Imperatoribus, Vitam illis prolixam, Imperium securum, Domum tutam, Exercitûs fortes, Senatum fidelem, Populum probum, Orbem quietum, & quaecun que hominis & Caesaris vota sunt.

We Christians (says he) lifting up our eyes to Heaven, with our hands stretcht out, to shew that we are innocent; with our heads uncovered, to shew we are not ashamed; and without a Moniror because we pray from our very heart, do beseech God for all Emperors, that he would grant them a long life, a secure government, a safe house, valiant armies, a faithful Senate, a reformed people, a quiet world, and whatever else either as men, or Emperors they can pray for themselves.

Compare now the matter of right, whom the Apostle commands the Primitive Christians to pray for; and the matter of fact, whom the Primitive Christians did pray for, and we shall be convinced, that the best will need our Prayers, and the worst may challenge our Thanksgivings to God, that he has kept his p. 16poor Church alive, and in being under them. As the skill of the Pilot is more magnified, that he steers the Vessel steady in a storm so is the power, wisdom, and faithfulness of Christ more glorious, that he could secure his Church under such barbarous Tyrants.

How utterly inexcusable then are we, who being posited under more favourable circumstances, instead of praising God for gracious Princes, are murmuring at them upon any little trip, or wry step that they make or take, and perhaps are first creating causes to murmur at, and then justifying our murmurings by those imaginary causes; who instead of praising God for them, are cursing them, and that not in the Bed-chamber, but the open streets; being uneasie under their Scepters, and rendring them uneasy upon the Throne; and instead of strengthning their hands against the common enemy, are weakening them, either to oppose their Enemies, or protect their Loyal Subjects.

I would willingly hope, that there are not many of this bran and leaven amongst us, considerable either for numbers, for power, or interest; especially since such vast throngs of them have of late been converted; converted I say, to their own secular interest, perhaps to the Kings; tho whether really converted to God, their own inconsistent conversations give us some cause to doubt. I speak of those Secular and State-converts, of whom his Majesties Victories in Ireland converted thousands, his late Successes in Flanders ten thousands; and Non-jurors are converted to Jurors; tho happier it had been … them, if of S…earers, they had been Non-swearers, and learned to fear an O…th. Our mischief then is, that all these State Proselytes upon the least temptation will become Apostates.

That which will employ the remainder of my time must be to enqu…e

1. What matter of prayer Providence has afforded us to offer … to God for the King, and all that are in Authority?

2. What reasons we have to return thanks to God for our King, and those that are in Authority?

3. What ought to be the frame and temper of our hearts, while … are praising God for them.

In all which I will endeavour to evidence, that when we are mest humble in our Prayers, yet still we may find cause of Thanks… when we are raised and enlarged in our Praises, yet we … not want cause to lie low at the footstool, and look up p. 17to the throne in most earnest supplications upon their account.

Let us then narrowly enquire what matter of Prayer Providence has afforded us, to offer up for our King, and all that are in Authority.

§ 1. The first thing that recommends itself to us, is, that God will, yet more abundantly, pour upon our King the spirit of government, that he may so govern the people, whom God, and their own choice, have committed to his charge; that he may give his account with joy. 2 Chron. 1. 7. God gave Solomon his Option, Ask what I shall give thee! A large Charter! And the same God that gave him his choice, gave him wisdom to chuse, Thus he answers, v. 10. Give me now wisdom and knowledge, that I may go out and come in before this people; for who can judge this thy people which is so great? In which choice he discovered, that he was already possessed of much of that wisdom that he askt of God: For 1. It was a wise consideration, that he lookt upon the people to be the Lords people; more the Lords than his. He durst not therefore arrogate any such propriety in them, or such dominion over them, as might prejudice Gods title to them, or disseize God of his Soveraignty over them. It is thy People. 2. It was a wise thought, that a great people are better governed by wisdom and prudence than force: A principle, which could he have insused into the thick skull of Rehoboam, he had saved him the ten Tribes, which his own rash folly rent from him. 3. He was wise, that he understood that it must be the wisdom that comes from above, that is pure, and of an aetherial temper, like the fire that came down upon the Altar, that would prove the true wisdom to rule Gods people: when all conclusions have been tried, all experiments made, yet it will be found that Piety is the best Policy.

Now this Prayer of Solomon was so acceptable to God, that he gives him both that he asked, and that he asked not, v. 11. Because this was in thy heart; and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the lives of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life, but hast asked knowledge for thy self, that thou mayest judge my people over whom I have made the King; wisdom and knowledge is granted thee, and I will give thee riches, wealth, and honour, &c.

1. Let us therefore earnestly pray, that God would grant to our King, and in their proportion to all his Ministers, a large measure of the Fear of the Lord, that it may be the foundation of all his Counsels, all his Administrations, all his Undertakings.

p. 18David and Solomon both agreed in this maxim, Psal. 111. 10. Prov. 9. 10. That the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: And tho David in some few instances had departed from his own avowed Rule, yet when he came to die, and look death in the face, and to … his Conscience for the errors of his reign, he … in the fear of …. And … Lord Jesus Christ himself, to who … all power was given in h…ven and earth, Mat. 28. under whose … the father hath put all things: and given him to be head over all things … the Church. Yet was he to be qualified for the executing of that great trust, with the spirit of wisdom, and with a quick understanding in the fear of the Lord, Isa. 11. 2, 3.

And not only is this qualification necessary for our King, but for all that are in Authori…y: This was the reason of that excellent advice given by Jethro to Moses, Exod. 18. 21. Provide out of all the people able men; such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness.

2. Let us further pray that God would endue our King and his Ministers, with the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge, that they may not judge by the sight of their eyes nor reprove by the hearing of the ears: which, as it was promis'd and given to our blessed Saviour, Isa. 11. 2. and that without measure, Joh. 3. 34. So has he the residue of the Spirit to dispence to all those whom he has placed in publick stations, that they may answer the ends of government: Then may we prognosticate and promise to our selves happy days, and our selves to be a happy people; when all that are in Authority, shall not hearken to the insinuations of Sycophants, nor lend an …ar to false Accusers, nor listen to the whispers of offered Bribes to pervert ju…gment, and to blind their eyes, but shall administer impartial justice; consider the cause, and not respect persons; when Justice shall run down like a stream, and Righteousness like a mighty flood; when the oppressed shall berelieved, the Orphan and the fatherless vindicated.

Nor do we want matter of Thanksgiving upon this account; when we seriously consider how the Courts of Judicature are filled with persons of great Learning and Knowledge in the Laws of the Land, and above all with men of great Integrity in the administration; such as fear not the faces of the mighty, such as no … can corrupt; and when we have seen of late a notable example p. 19amade of one, that without any temptation, but of his covetous heart; dared to receive a Bribe, under the colour of a Gratuity, to betray his trust, and pervert justice and judgment in the Fountain.

§ 2. It will be proper matter for our Prayers too, that God would single out and bestow upon our King, wise and … Counsellors, such as stood before Solomon; not the green heads, and unexperienced rash young men, that soothed up Rehoboam to his own ruine.

And as we have matter for Prayer, so for Thanksgiving too, that God has blessed the King with wise Senators, who considering the present necessities under which his Majesty now is, ha… supported him with great indeed, bat absolutely necessary Supplies: They judged in their great wisdoms, that it was better to breathe a vein, than to cut off the head; to prune the tree, and lop off some useful b…anches, than to have it cut up by the roots: That it's better we should complain once than always. It was wisely considered, that it was more eligible at any rates to keep the War at a distance in foreign parts, than by unseasonable sparing to invite it to our own doors, nay into our own bowels. The little finger of a foreign Enemy invading, had been heavier than the loyns of our Representatives.

And let us heartily and chearfully praise our God, that our cost has not been in vain; nor let us ever grudge, that something of the lading is thrown over-board to save the Vessel, in which all our most precious concerns civil and religious are imbarked.

§ 3. Let us again send up our most earnest supplications, that God would preserve the life of his Majesty: It was … somewhat a rude Remonstrance that the Army made to David, 2 Sam. 18. 3. Thou shalt not go forth to battle; and yet there was love at the bottom, loyalty and fidelity in the …, and the reason of it. Thou art worth ten thousand of us. It … David preferred loyal rudeness to … treach…ry. The Life of our King is an invaluable mercy; but yet if after the … of Lords and Commo…s, … the many from all parts of three … humoly beseeching him to take care of his royal person, the King his seen cause, by an unparallelled example of courage, to inspire his … wit …n extraordinary spirit of … what reason have we to … He ven to wrestle with the … for the preservation of the life … generously exposed ab…oad for p. 20our security at home; when Joshua was engaged against Amalek in the field, Moses with Aaron and Hur were striving with God in the Mount; well knowing the ready way to prevail over the enemy in battle, is first to prevail with God in prayer.

Let us therefore repeat our prayers; That God would compass him him with his favour as with a sheild, Psal. 5. 12. That God would bind up his soul in the bundle of life with the Lord his God, but the souls of his enemies he would sling out, as from the middle of a sling, 1 Sam. 25. 29.

And in this particular how mercifully has God prevented our prayers? Before we called God has answered us; and while we were yet speaking God did hear, Isa. 65. 24.

Let us therefore convert this great mercy into Thanksgiving, and that Thanksgiving into Prayer, that both may run in a perpetual circle which knows no beginning, and knows no end.

§ 4. We have great cause to pray, that God would bless our King with a loyal, quiet people, disposed to obedience. The same power that stills the noise of the Sea, must also still the tumult of the People, Psal. 85. 7. And the Psalmist, who understood this secret of government with an admiring heart, blessed God, Psal. 144. 1, 2. not only that he had taught his hands to war and his fingers to fight, but that he subdued his People under him. The waters would be always smooth, if the unruly winds did not ruffle them into billows: And the multitude love their ease so well, that they would enjoy the sweets of peace with contentment, did not some politick Achitophels ferment the humour, and then influence them to disorders; first throw in a spark of discontent, and then blow it up into flames of Mutinies and Rebellions. An evidence that government is of God, who composes the minds of so many millions to a calm submission and willing obedience to one man.

Let it be here remembred, that God has given our King a people, who tho they may sometimes be practised upon to run into uproars, yet Loyalty is so inlaid in their tempers, and annealed to their souls, that the secret enemies of our King and Peace could never yet make their earnings out of them: They are like the West Wind, that for a while may be troublesome, but commonly goes to bed at night; mutable indeed like the Moon, yet as they know the time of rising, yet they know their going down. Those commotions, which in some popular States would overturn, have amongst us hardly shaken the Government; and p. 21what has been elsewhere an Earthquake, we have scarcely felt so much as a Trembling.

Nay, we have great cause to joyn our Thanksgiving with our Prayer, that he has converted our danger into our security; that he has made the people not the terror of the governmen…, but of its enemies: And what was once the preservation of Christ, is now of the King; some ill men have an ill and envious eye upon the Throne, but they fear the people.

§ 5. Let us continue our Prayers, that the Reign of his Majesty may not be famous to after ages by any notable judgment; that no devouring fires, desolating pestilence, bloody mass…cres, ruining earthquakes, or inundation, may signalize his government to posterity.

It was a Speech becoming the Monster Caligula, who heavily complained of the unhappiness of his Reign, that it was not marked with any notable calamities; as if a greater Plague could have befallen the Empire than himself.

We have had some of our late Reigns that have fallen under another character; the Massacre in Ireland, the Civil Wars in England, the dreadful Fire of London, and the horrid Plague that ushered it, will secure them against an inglorious Record in our Chronicles for ever.

But let us bless that merciful Providence, that has hitherto preserved the present government from being known in History by such tokens of divine wrath and vengeance; and again pray, that a firm peace, sanctified plenty, prosperous trade, and universal prosperity, may be the glory of it; and that the black brand of universal debauchery, which stigmatized the former age, may be worn out in this, by a blessed Reformation.

§ 6. Let us associate our Prayers, that the God of Peace, who makes men to be of one mind in one house, would continue, and encrease that good understanding that has hitherto been between the King and his People; and let not evil men be able to foment jealousies between them, to weaken our hands at home, that our enemies may have the easier work to destroy us abroad:

There are a sort of wretched tools, that are always whispering in the ears of Princes, that the Peoples Privileges and Franchises will undermine and blow up the Royal Prerogative; and then fly-blowing the Peoples Heads, that Prerogative will eat up the Peoples Liberties and Properties. Now this being a tender p. 22point, wherein each is infinitely jealous, produces a continual parrying, and fencing, and counterworking between them: for where the Sea is eating and working into the shore, the maritime People will be raising Mounds and Piles not only to secure themselves that they lose no more, but by way of Reprisal, encroaching upon the Main for what they have lost.

But let all that wish well to the King and his People pray, and add all just endeavours to their Prayers, that no perverse spirit may mix it self with their respective interests, no jealousies creep into their counsels, but that they may mutually conspire for the publick welfare.

I have read of the meeting of two poor men, the one blind, the other lame; the blind man had good limbs, the lame had good eyes. It was mutually agreed that the blind man should carry the lame upon his shoulders; and thus the lame man was eyes to the blind, the blind was limbs to the lame. I'll venture to apply it: The people have strength, but they want conduct; our governours have conduct, but they want the peoples strength: Be it agreed, that we lend the King all our power, and that he govern us with his wisdom and skill.

Acceptis oculis, praebuit Ille pedes.

Surely we have great reason to bless our God upon this head; that God has graciously preserved a mutual confidence between the King and his people; that they who have sought occasions for our disturbance upon this subject, have found none; that wicked men have been unsuccessful in their insinuations; that the tares they have sown have yielded 'em no harvest.

§ 7. Let us yet pray and not faint, and pour out our souls in supplications to the Almighty, the Lord of Hosts, the God of Battel, that his Majesties forces by Sea and Land may be crowned with glorious success; that he may at length … to Reason that mighty Nimrod, who has taught us what we may expect from his prevailing Arms, by the treatment he has given to his own too Loyal Subjects. That Monarch is of the nat…e of fluid bodies; quae difficulter suis, facile alienis termi…is contine…tur: If then his own temper will not restrain him, let God send out a powerful hand that can.

p. 23Let us therefore pray, that the end of this bloody and expensive War may be an honourable and just Peace; in which the Interest of the Allies may be secured, the Interest of our own Nation in Trade recovered, the Dominion of the seas vindicated: but God deliver us from a Peace patcht up of plausible expedients; palliated with fair pretences, to cover the enemies secret purposes to violate it, when he has filled his empty Coffers; when he has recruited his exhausted strength by taking breath, to build his Alliances upon the ruines of the dissolved Confederacy; which like an old Ulcer ill healed, and skin'd over, waits only a flattering juncture to break out again, with more threatning symptomes; But let our Prayer and Peace be that of Hezekiah, Isa. 39. 8. God is the word of the Lord, for he said, there shall be peace and truth in my days. Nor do we want matter of thanksgiving for the successful and hopeful issue of this Summers Campaign: Wherein the late boasted invincible Prince is proved to be conquerable; and as we hope, so we pray, that this may be but an earnest of what God will further do for a Repenting, Reforming, Praying and Thankful People.

§ 8. Lastly, Let us keep up our Prayers in vigor, that God will make our King a glorious instrument in the hand of his gracious power to suppress that daring wickedness, that impudent profaneness, which the Enemy sowed, water'd, and gave increase to, in the late Reigns of unhappy memory: That, at least, iniquity may stop its mouth, and hide its deformed face, that deeds of darkness may not defie the Sun; that if men will sin, they may however creep into those corners, whither they had once driven much of Religion.

We must confess and lament that we have sins enow in the Armies to rout them without an Enemy; Sins enow in the Fleets to sink them without a Tempest, and sins enow on shoar to make us like to Sodom and Gomorrha; but the more need we have to beseech heaven that he would not deal with us after our sins, nor reward us according to our iniquities: And that he would put upon our King the Honour of the famous Hercules, who cleansed the Augaean Stables, with turning the stream of the River through it; a labour justly numbred amongst the twelve.

We look upon his Majesty as bearing a double Sword, that of War, and that of Justice; we pray that he may bear neither in p. 24vain: We have seen how wisely and strongly he has wielded the former; we now pray for a Peace, that he may have a Theatre whereon to wield the other: And when God shall command him to sheath that of War, he will invite him to draw the other: To defend the innocent, to plead the cause of the Orphan and Widow; and to punish those wretches whose effrontery has dared both the Sword of God and the King.

We are ready to wonder what temptations these vile ones can pretend to their abominations: The cheap swearer sells his soul for nothing: The blasphemer makes bold to defile the sacred na…e of God with his unhaliowed lips; and w…at wrong has his Creator done him? The profuse drunkard se…ls his health for a pleasure that perishes in the using.

And here we would gladly find more matter of thanksgiving, for what our King, and those in authority under him, have done to vindicate the name of God against these Agressors: We thankfully own that some Remedies have been prescribed and applied, but slight medicines do but i…ritate the disease: some good Laws we have, and some Proclamations for their execution, against the Profanation of the Lords day, against Cursing and Swearing; but seeing execution is the life of the Law, without which the Law is but a dead Letter; and that there are so few men of Courage, Zealous for the glory of God, and the repute of our holy Religion, to give life to those Laws by an impartial execution; there is work still for earnest Prayer, that God would take the work into his own hand, and effect that by the Sword of his Mouth, which the Mouth of the Sword cannot, or they that manage it will not.

Forget we not however to return our humble thanks to God, who has stirred up some from the Press and Pulpit to bear their testimony against the Iniquity of the day; and for those zealous Magistrates, especially in the City of London, who have dared to punish, where any have dared to offend, and have been zealous for the honour of God, against all the discouragements they have encountred in the way of their Duty.

(2.) Proceed we now to our Second Inquiry; what proper matter for thanksgiving to God we can find on the behalf of the King, and those that are in authority.

p. 25§ 1. And first let us begin our thanks to God, that he has given us such a Prince to govern us: A mercy for which we could neither pretend merit, nor meetness: A Prince that can shew that Title in reality, which some others had only in formality, our own deliberate consent and free choice. I know, Succession in the right line has made a mighty noise amongst us; but surely ra…ional creatures have their reason allotted them to know, and chuse what's best for themselves, or let them quit their pretended superiority above the brutes. And if there be any such thing, the Election of the People gives the clearest Jus Divinum, both to the kind or form of government, and the person that must support and administer it.

Deut. 17. 15 That shalt in any wise set him over thee whom the Lord thy God shall chuse. Where we cannot but observe, 1. The act of the People. Setting a King over them. And this 2. In pursuance of the act of God, chusing or pointing out the person, whom the People ought to set up.

Now this manifestation of Gods choice, in either is a way extraordinary, and thus he pointed to David, as the person whom in due season the People were to set over themselves. For tho God had designed the person, and anointed him by Samuel, in token of that Designation, yet the Right of the People was left entire unto them. 2 Sam. 2. 4. The men of Judah came, and there they anointed David King over the house of Judah, Which Title as David owned, so he asse…ts, pleads, and adheres to it in his controversy with the house of Saul, v. 7. The house of Judah have anointed me King over them. And there's no doubt but if a People wanted a King, they would thankfully own the condesention of God, that he would direct them to a fit person whom they might advance to the Throne.

But in ordinary cases, when we cannot expect an immediate Revelation to de…ermine the point, we must look upon the person to be of the divine Designation, whom, all circumstances considered, God has qualified for gove…nment in general, and adapted to the genius, and temper of the Nation in particular, over whom he is to reign: Now what could he more articulately the voice of God in our case than this: He was a Prince and Protestant born, such a one the Nation gr…aned for; train'd up to War from his youth; such a one we wanted, to revive p. 26the Military Courage of the Nation, almost choaked with luxury and riot, through the effeminacy of the two last reigns; one whose Interest led him to espouse the betrayed Cause and Interest of the Land, against a haughty Prince, who had swallow'd up a considerable part of Europe, and daily gap'd to devour the rest: Now it being clear that we wanted a Prince, and as clear that we wanted such a Prince, and still as clear that God offered us such a one as we wanted, what could the Nation do in their general Convention, but set up such a one as the Lord did choose.

Let us therefore return our thanks to our God, who graciously offered; who disposed the hearts of the people unanimously to accept the offer of God, and then so powerfully inclined the Princes heart to accept our offer; tho he foresaw the Crown of England was alternately flowred with Lillies and Crosses; and he that would wear our Crown of Gold, must also wear one of Thorns.

But as we have cause of Praise, so have we of Prayer too. In the grand Charter of Israel to set a King over them, there are some special clauses to which both King and People will do well to attend.

1. That the person whom they should set over them, be one of their Brethren, v. 15. Thou mayst not set a stranger over thee. To this Proviso our Convention had a religious respect; judging him that is of a strange Religion, that has espoused a foreign int…rest, and whose heart is an Alien to the good and prosperity of the People, and who had introduced a foreign power, to be really a stranger, tho locally born within the King…om; and him that shall own the Cause of our Religion, the true Interest of the People, to be a Denizon, tho he had been born in the remotest parts of the earth.

2. We have here a Law prescribed to the King himself, v. 18. That when he sits upon the throne of the kingdom, he (shall write him a Copy of this Law in a Book; and it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life; that he may learn to fear the Lord his God; to keep all the words of this Law—that his heart be not lifted up above his brethren He must still remember, that as the people have lifted him up above them, yet he is under God still.

p. 27Regum timendorum in proprios Greges,

Reg…s in ipsos Imperium est Iovis.

This Law of the Lord in which the King is commanded to read, and walk, afford, us a Distinction which some men tinctured with an arbitrary spirit, either will not understand, or would confound. 1. There is the Law of all Kings. 2. The way of some Kings.

1. There is the Law of all Kings; o… that Law which the King of Kings has prescribed subor…i…ate Kings to govern themselves, and their people by: That they trust in God, and not to an arm of flesh; that they make the Word of God their Rule; that their hearts be not lifted up above their brethren. And unto this divine Law we pray that our King, that all Kings, and all that are in Authority may give deference.

2. There is the way of some Kings; not that in which they ought to walk, but which some of them, too many, are persuaded to tread, 1 S…m. 8. 11, This will be the manner of your King, &c. Not what righteously he ought to be, but what eventually may be.

Blessed therefore be our God, that we have known Laws, that we know what we may ex…ect from our King; that he knows what he may expect fr…m us, that there may be a mutual confidence between us; that the King bre…k not in upon our Properties, that we … not in upon his …; that the Laws of the Land are to determine and … all matters between us; that the King may rule, and we obey, in the Fear of the Lord; and God, even our God, shall give us his b…ssing.

§ 2. … our most enlarged Praises be offered unto God on the … that in the mid…t of those many dangers to … he has …een exposed, yet the Divine Providence has … over his …. Ballets are imp…tial things; the Sword … one as well as a…other; the C…non is no Respecter of … and …et, when many have fallen on his right hand, many on the left, the fatal stroke has no… come nigh him.

W… cannot forget what a wound God gave us this last year, in the pe…son of o…r most excellent, most gracious Queen: none can touch that tender point but o…r wounds bleed afresh. Tears p. 28may be wiped from our eyes, but the Fountain flows grief to this day; we cannot reflect upon that dreadful stroke which astonisht three Kingdoms, but our hearts tremble at the thought, that if the blow had been repeated in the person of his Majesty, and our wound opened before it was well healed, we must have bled to death.

Bless we God therefore, that Providence in preserving our King, has not preserved only three Kingdoms, but almost all Europe. And let us mingle our Prayers with our Thanksgivings, that the same watchful and faithful eye of Providence would superintend his person still, that Praises may succeed Prayers, and Prayers follow Praises in an uninterrupted succession, which that the one may be successful, and the other acceptable, let us be advised that we mix not our sins with either.

§ 3. We have special matter of Thanksgiving administred to us, that God has attended the Arms of the Confederates with unexpected, sure with undeserved successes, this Summer. This i… the duty of the Text, and of the Day; which we have the more reason to ad…ire, and recognize, in that the word and and works of God have had such lean success upon our hearts, and lives at home: we may well wonder that the Kings Sword should cut so deep in the field, when the Sword of God does so little execution upon our lusts; would we be persuaded to lay down our Arms and submit to God, how soon would our enemies weapons drop out of their hands, and they be found prostra…e at our feet.

Upon what confidence is it, that we who so desperately fight against God, should hope to prevail over our enemies. Are we so vain as to think our selves fit m…tches for Heaven and Earth? It had been our wisdom, when grappling with so potent an enemy, to have made our Peace with the Almighty! Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy, are we stronger than he? Let us therefore before we enter upon further acts of hostility, hearken to the Advice of our Saviour, Luk. 14. 3…. to deliberate and cons…lt, whether we are able with our ten thousands of sins, to meet him, who can meet us with twenty thousands of judgments; and if not, to send Emb…ss…d…rs of Peace, or rather to close with those overtures, which he by his own Embassadors of Peace has offered unto us.

p. 29But let us join our Supplications to our Thanksgivings, that the grace of God may turn us from our iniquities, that God may turn from his just displeasure, and that we repenting of the evil of sin, he may also of the evil of punishment, which he hath threatned, and we have deserved.

§ 4. We have yet plenteous matter to fill up and furnish our Thanksgivings, that we could sit at home, every man under his own vine and fig-tree, eating the good of the Land, when our Lord the King, with his Nobles and Commanders were in Tents. I am afraid, we have not du…y weighed the Mercy, that our Native Country has not been made …he … of War, which tho it has been supported with the Nations Purse, … not at the cost of our Blood. God and the King have kept the War from our doors. The cruel enemy does not Lord … our houses. We live out of the noise of the Cannon, … sound of the Trumpet, the groans of the D…ing. Our Cities are not first plundered, and then fired. The enemy has not reaped what we sowed. Our Virgins are not torn from under the Wings of their tender Parents; our Wives from the Arms of their beloved Husbands. How little impression has this made upon our hearts, if a Mercy of so great imp…nce escapes our most serious Consideration, our highest Thanksgiving.

I have observed, when the issues of affairs upon the Wheel were dubious, how impatient we were, how fretful that we could no sooner hear the Events of Sieges, Battles; when had we had understood our selves, we had more reason to admire the disposal of wise Providence, that these matters were transacted at such a distance, that we could be informed no sooner. Had this War been acted upon the bloody Theater of our Native Country, our own eyes would have been the Expresses to tell of the burning of Towns, our ears the Intelligencers, that would soon have brought the tidings, that our Country was laid waste and desolate.

And now let fervent Prayers accompany our Praises, that our base ingratitude, our sordid murmurings, may not bring this War over Seas, to avenge the quarrel of provoked goodness upon us; we who have no more sympathized with our Brethren and fellow Subjects, that have hazarded or sacrificed p. 30their Lives to keep Fire and Sword at a distance from us, may justly be taught at dearer rate, to prize that Mercy, when God shall his for Armies of enemies to invade the Land of our Nativity.

§ 5. Proceed we to yet further cause of Thanksgiving to God, that has made our King his Servant in delivering us from those Twin-plagues of P…pery and Slavery, and therefore do we offer to him the Twin-duties of Prayer and Praise.

May we never imitate the Israelites who cried importunately for Mercies one day, which they scornfully threw away the next. We cannot but remember, sure I am God remembers, how we sighed, and groaned under the apprehensions of Papal Tyranny; how we fasted, how we prayed, that God would prevent what we feared, divert what threatned us, and remove what we felt, with prodigal vows what we would be, what we would do, what we would return, if God would deliver, and save us that one time.

As Israel was in a wretched frame to praise God for Manna, when they were murmuring, and longing again for the Flesh-pots of Egypt; in such a sorry case … we to bless God for our Deliverances, when we are … upon our old Bondage, and have forgot the evils we were f…eed from, the ends we were delivered for, and the present freedom we are delivered unto.

…

§ 6. We have infinite matter of Thanksgiving to God▪ but I will refresh your Memories with one more. Let our Souls p. 31and all that it within us bless his Name, that under his Majesties benign and tender government we may be as holy as we will, we may pray in our Fa…ilies, worship our God in our Congregations, reform our own persons, and none dist…rbs us, none m…kes us afraid. Who hinders our Religi…us observation of the Lords day? Who persecutes us for acting, walking, worshipping according to our Consciences, provided our Consciences be instructed, and guided by the word of God.

The King has broken the rod of the oppresso…; it lies no longer upon the lot of the righteous, as a pressing temptation to put forth their hand to … The fury of the violent man is restrai…ed; the prey pluck… … of the Teeth of the Lyon; in …hort, the snare is broken, and we are delivered.

But yet we have cause to pray, that Men may not be as wicked as they will; that the swinish D…unkard, the vain Swearer, the impudent Blasphemer, the Sabbath breaker and filthy Adulterer may be restrained and ashamed; and that at least it may be as Criminal to be Atheistic…l and Irreligious, as it has sometimes been rep…ted to serve and worship God the Father, through the Son, by the Spirit.

I have now dispatcht my two first enquiries: It remains,

(3.) That we enquire, What ought to be the frame of our hearts whilst we are making supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks for Kings and all that are in authority? For satisfaction in this point, I must only leave these few Directions, and then Conclude.

Direction 1. Conscienciously beware that we pull …ot down, by prof…ning the Lords day, all that we build up by a Thanksgiving day; we have cause to fear, lest we provoke God more than we praise him: Praise him in words, and dishono…r him in our wor…s. As God expostulated with his People when they were Fasting, Isa. 58. 5. Is it such a Fast that I have chosen? May he not plead with us; Is this such a Thanksgiving-day p. 32as I have chosen? Let us fear lest God make us keep a day of Fasting for our day of Thanksgiving: Profaning Gods day is an odd way of praising him. I will readily grant,

1. That Thanksgiving is a duty proper to the Lords day. Nor can we more suitably, and seasonably fill up that holy day, than with a thankful Commemoration of the triumphant Resurre…ion of our Lord Jesus Christ; and let us throw in too, all the particular Victories, which our Redeemer has won ove… the Kingdom of Satan, and Antichrist.

2. I readily grant, that holy Joy is an individual Companion of holy Praise, and well suited to that holy day.

3. Nor can it be denied, that some sort of rejoycing, or outward signs, expressions, and testimonies of the inward Joy in God, and Praise unto God, are agreeable to that day, and the duties of it; such are Psalms, and Hymns, and spiritual Songs, …inging with grace in our hearts unto the Lord, Gal. 3. 16.

4. And there are other lawful expressions of our joy and rejoycing, which the usage and custom of several Nations have found out, and applied to this end; such as may be Illuminations, Bone fires, Ringing of Bells, Fireworks, the disloding of Guns, and whatever other innocent expressions of joy may be in practice.

5. But yet great care, caution and conscience, ought to be app…i…d in the u…ing of these arbitrary expressions of our joy; as whether they be not … with, and destructive of the solemn worship of the Lords day: If they shall divert us from holy meditation upon that holy word, which we have he…rd upon that holy day; if they shall interfere with that worship we owe to God in our Families, and in our more secret retiren…ents.

6. There are some expressions of Rejoycing which upon any other day be sinful, or become so, as they are ordinarily practised; p. 33wherein the lusts of men are apparently gratified excited, and inflamed; and to which no Rules of Moderation were ever yet effectually prescribed.

7. And there are some which seem to be the contrivance of the Devil to advance his Kingdom and Interest; such as drinking of Healths: in which tho some critical Divines can divide the sin, from the things in the notion and speculation; yet as the custom has obtained upon ti…es of profuse indulgence to rejoycing we see that in fact, God is dishonoured, the creatures are shamefully abused, the souls of men are brutified.

Let therefore all that fear God be cautious; our Bonefires may kindle such a fie…ce fire of wrath, that all our tears cannot quench it; and whilst we are ri…ging our Bells so unseasonably, God can make us ting 'em backwards. Retire we therefore to our Families, and there bless and praise God for his great mercies, and let us not be partakers of other mens sins, lest incensed Justice turn our thanksgivings into mournings, and we prepare work for days of Humiliation by our carnal, vain, and unsanctified Rejoycing.

2. Direction. Let us well understand, and keep fixt in our eye, the true reasons of our thanksgivings to God on the behalf of our Kings, and all that are in Authority; and there are two great ones mention'd.

1. That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, foreign. The former word denotes a Mind disposed to peace, composedness, and rest; for all the world will be stormy without us, if we be not of a calm temper within. The other denotes, a posture and state of things secure from disturbances abroad: Bless we therefore our God that in any degree we are, and pray that we still more may be, Delivered out of the hands of our enemies, that we may serve him without fear all the days of our lives, Luke 1. 74. The less cause we have slavishly to fear men, the more reason we have religiously to fear our God.

2. That this quiet and peaceable life may be spent in all go…liness and honesty. The end of a just War is an honourable Peace; the p. 34end of that Peace is Godliness. Shall we make a war with heaven, because God has indulged us a Peace on earth? Are we therefore worse to our God, because he's better to us? Do we thus requi…e the Lord? Peace without godliness is but a confederacy against the Almighty. As therefore we may sit down under our own Vine, lets also sit down under the shadow of Christ, that his fruit may be sweet to us: Let not therefore our Peace, when ever God shall restore it, prove the Mother of Luxury, Riot, and Carnal Security, nor the Nurse of Idleness; but let it teach us to live righteously, soberly, and godly in this present world, Tit. 2.

3. Direction. Let us endeavour to get all our deliverances, all our mercies so rooted and fixt in our hearts, that our praises may not be the work of a day, but the business of our lives. It was recorded as the great reproach of Israel, Psal. 106. 12, 13. They sang his Praise. They soon forgot his Works! The words refer evidently to their deliverance at the Red Sea, E…od. 15. 1. where, while the mercies were recent and fresh upon their minds and …, they were lifted up in Praises at that …ate, that had we seen and heard them, we must have concluded their Rejoycings reacht heaven, and would terminate there; and yet they had … but two or three days in the Wilderness, but the sense of the Mercy was worn out, and they are murmuring, repining, and provoking their God. Such are we prone to be! To sing the praise of God one day, and curse him the next. And that not because fresher calamities have overtaken us, to obliterate the sence, and … the impressions of late salvations, but from a strange frame of spirit, that cools, and dies over the mercies, that we cannot without special grace watch unto prayer, and praise one hour.

O pray therefore, that the same God who has given us cause, would also give us hearts to praise him; and that in an abiding sense of his never …ailing goodness may live, as well as speak his praises for ever.

4. Direction. Whilst we are enjoying the comforts of these selvations God has vouchsafed to us, and are giving doe honour to the instruments which the Soveraign Goodness has used, or p. 35shall use in procuring them, let us not rob God of his peculia and deserved glory: Let our King, and all under him, have their due, but be sure that God have his! How easily does … dispense his favours to those that diligently seek him, but … he reserves the glory to himself, and will not part with it to … …ther.

Nor can we doubt but that the King, and all that have fought under him, will chearfully join with us whilst we pray.

Psal. 115. 1. Not unto us O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy Name give glory, for thy Mercy and Truths sake!

Let it therefore abide upon the imagination of the thoughts of all our hearts, to maintain our prayer in vigor for the King and all that are in Authority, with affectionate thanksgivings to the God who has served his gracious counsels of them, in working our deliverance for us, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, Amen.

FINIS.

End of the text · Vincent Alsop, Duty and Interest in Prayer and Praise for Kings and All in Authority (1695)