The Nature Parts and Kinds of Prayer, Chapter 10

The Nature Parts and Kinds of Prayer · Chapter 10

p. 133CHAP. X. Sheweth, for whom we are to pray.

Sect. 1.

NOw come we to conſider the perſons, for whom we are to pray. And to this purpoſe, S^t Paul exhorteth, That firſt of all ſupplications, prayers, interceſſions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 1 Tim. 2.1. Calvin tells us, That therefore the Apoſtle uſed ſo many ſeveral words to the ſame purpoſe, the more to provoke us to diligence in the duty, and to condemn our negligence, if we are ſlack and ſlow therein. Now for the extent of our prayers, it is to all men; that is, to all ſorts of men, but not to every particular and ſingular man. p. 134Philo the Jew diſcourſing of Aaron Ephod,Joh. Plant a vit. Florid. Rabbinic. which he put on when h… went to pray, ſaith, it was foreign, a repreſentation o… the whole world, having in it a colours to repreſent the conditio… of all eſtates of all people whatſoever; this was Aarons practice: An… a learned Divine of ours ſaith We erre not more groſly in any thing,Joh. Whites Serm. An. 1616 than in wiping mens name and conditions out of our prayer… as if our private affections wer… the Calendar of every mans ſalvation. Now

1. We muſt pray for all the faithfull, ſo Paul exhorts the Epheſian… to pray for all Saints, and for him all Epheſ. 6.18, 19. we muſt begin a them with whom we are joyne in the bond of faith, and in th… obedience of the Goſpel. We ar… commanded James 5.16. to pray … for another. And the Apoſtle Ephe 1.16. ſaith, I ceaſe not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in … prayers: He being but one praye… for all the Saints: therefore in th… Lords Prayer, we do not ſay, A… p. 135Father, but our Father; nor give me, but give us, becauſe the maſter of Chriſtianity would that prayers ſhould be made for others, as well …s for our ſelves. Neceſſity compels every man to pray for himſelf, but brotherly love exhorts him to pray for others.Non mi pater, ſed pater noſter: nec da mihi, ſed da nobis, quia Chriſtianitatis magiſter noluit privatim preces fieri, ut ſc. quis pro ſe tantum precetur, pro ſe orare neceſſitas quemlibet cogit, pro aliis autem charitas fraternitatis hortatur: Dulcior autem apud Deum eſt illa oratio, nòn quam neceſſitas tranſmittit, ſed quam charitas fraternitatis commendat. Chryſoſt. ſup. Matth. Si pro te tantum rogas, pro te tantum rogabis: ſin pro omnibus rogas, omnes itidèm pro te rogabnut. Ambroſ. That prayer is more acceptable with God, not which neceſſity tranſmitteth, but which brotherly love commendeth, ſaith Chryſoſtome. If thou prayeſt onelyonly for thy ſelf, thou ſhalt onelyonly have the benefit of thine own prayers, but if thou prayeſt for all the faithfull, they alſo will pray for thee, ſaith Ambroſe.

It hath been uſual in all ages, for men of the beſt rank to crave and call for the prayers of their brethren. Thus Hezekiah ſends to Iſaiah, when Rabſhakeh blaſphemed; Wherefore lift p. 136up thy prayer for the remnant that … left, Iſa. 37.4. So Daniel about th… interpreting of King Nebuchadnezzars dream, deſired Hananiah, Miſhael, and Azariah his companion… That they would deſire mercies of h… God of Heaven, concerning this ſecre… Daniel. 2.17, 18. Is any man ſe… among you, let him call for the elde… of the Church, and let them pray ou… him, &c. and the prayer of faith ſha… ſave the ſick, and the Lord ſhall raiſ… him up, James 5.14, 15. As th… members of the body are ready t… do all good offices one for another ſo the members of the myſtical body muſt perform all offices of lo… one to another, of which prayin… one for another is not the lea… Be a man of never ſo excellent part yet this doth not exclude him fro… the Communion of Saints, as th… beauty and comelineſſe of any pa… of the body doth not exclude it fro… the fellowſhip of other membe… now prayer one for another is … part of this communion: Beſide if a man be enricht with excelle… gifts, and be eminent in grace, p. 137hath a treaſure hard to be kept; and therefore ſaith Baſil, Baſil. exhort. ad Bapt.A man had need to be the more watchfull, and he adviſeth to take three adjutors, Jejunium, Pſalmodiam, Orationem, Faſting, ſinging of Pſalms and Prayer; and not onelyonly our own prayers, but the prayers of others alſo.

Some there are indeed (and they …o be reproved) that think they …ave no need of the prayers of others; their own private prayer is ſufficient. Of ſuch S^t Jerome ſpeaketh, That ſome think they need not publick teaching, they can inſtruct themſelves well enough, with reading good books at home; and ſome regard not the Churches prayers; of themſelves they can prevail with God. But the beſt men have …ver deſired the aſſiſtance of others with them in prayer: as Moſes took Anon and Hur when he went to …ay againſt Amalek, being conſci…s to himſelf of his own infirmi…ies. The benefit is not ſmall, O Lord, …hat thou ſhouldſt be praiſed by many …f us, and prayed unto by many for us, p. 138ſaith Auſtin. Aug. confeſ. lib. 10. c. 4.For a man ſhall re… benefit by the prayers not of a few but of many hundreds and thou…ſands; and if one faithfull ma… prayer prevail much, James 5.1… how much more of many? So ſha… a man have an intereſt in the fellowſhip of the Saints, whereever they are, and his graces the better flo… riſh, and the better keep what h… hath; for the beſt Chriſtian her muſt not imagine himſelf to be already a burning and ſhining ligh… within the houſe of Heaven,Sic ardens & lucens nondùm in domo, ſe confidat, ubi ſine omni tempore ventorum accenſum lumen deportatur, ſed meminerit ſe eſſe ſubdio, & utraque manu ſtudeat operire quod portat, nec credat aeri, etiamſi videat eſſe tranquillum. Repentè enim, & … quâ nòn putârunt, murabitur, & ſi vel modicum mu…remiſerit, lumen extinguetur. Bern. Serm. 3. in Vigil. N… Dom. 1. whe… once kindled, there is no danger o… any wind to blow it out; but ma… remember, that he is yet in the ope… air, and muſt cover and defend th… light he carrieth with both hand… nor be confident, though the a… ſeem to be calme, for ſooner tha… he is aware, if he take awa… his hand, his light may be pa… out.

p. 139We muſt pray for all the Elect, whether thoſe that be now actually converted, and called to Faith and Repentance, or thoſe that ſhall be thereafter. Our Saviour Chriſt did ſo, I pray for them, &c. And ver. 20. I pray not for them alone, but for all them that ſhall believe through their word.

Sect. 2.

2. WE are alſo to pray for every particular perſon, that ſhall ſtand in need of our prayers;Some ſay that S. Stephens prayer procured S. Pauls converſion: Si Stephanus nòn oraſſet, Eccleſia Paulum è Saulo nòn habuiſſet. Aug. Thus we are to pray for Papiſts, Hereticks, Schiſmaticks, that God would convert them; though we are not to pray with them, as perſons out of the Communion of Saints; yet are we to pray for them, being of our own fleſh: we know not how God hath decreed concerning them.

Yea we are to pray for our very enemies: Our Saviour hath commanded us, That we ſhould love our enemies, and bleſſe them that curſe us, … do good to them that hate us, and pray for them which deſpightfully uſe p. 140us, and perſecute us, Matth. 5.44 David faſted and prayed for his enemies, Pſalm 35.13. So did Stephen, Acts 7. ult. That God would not lay that ſinne of theirs in murdering him to their charge. So did Chriſt pray for his perſecutors, Father forgive them, they know not what they du, Luke 23.34. and he prayeth for the forgiveneſſe of their ſins, one of the choiceſt and moſt needfull bleſſings in the world, for in it ſtandeth true bleſſedneſſe, Pſalm 32.1. Hence it appeareth, that he prayed not for them that perſecuted him maliciouſly, Ex odia & invidia contra conſcientias, Stella in Luc. 23. Veriſimlle eſt, Chriſtum nòn oraſſe pro omnibus promiſcuè, ſed tantùm promiſerâ plebe, quam zelus inconſideratus, nòn autem deliberata impietas rapiebat. Calvin. ad loc.Luke 23out of hatred and envy againſt their conſciences, as Stella noteth; but for ſuch ignorant ſouls as being ſeduced, and miſled by their blind guides, the Scribes and Phariſees, of blind zeal thought they did well in crucifying him the Lord of glory, which was the caſe of S^t Paul, Acts 9. and was converted (as 'tis thought) by S^t Stephens prayer. So, ſaith Calvin, very probable it is, that Chriſt did not pray for all promiſcuouſly, but onelyonly for the miſerable people, p. 141who were carried away more by inconſiderate zeal, than deliberate impiety: Such were ſome both of the rulers and people, Acts 3 17. and that this prayer of his was available, appeareth both by the converſion of the thief on the croſſe, as alſo by that company converted at S^t Peters Sermon, Acts 2.41. Pendebat, & tamen petebat, as Auſtin ſpeaks; Chriſt prayed when he hung upon the croſſe, and by that prayer procured of God his Father, that within fifty five dayes, eight thouſand of his enemies ſhould be converted: Of whom Chryſoſtome ſaith thus;Chriſti ſanguinem quem anteà ſaeviendo fundebant, tùm demùm credendo bibebant. Chryſ. They at length drunk that bloud of Chriſt by believing, which by raging againſt Chriſt they had before poured out. Our prayers alſo for our enemies may be a means of their converſion; much good comes to us many times by enemies. One ſaith, That enemies are the workmen that fit and ſquare us for Gods building, they are the rods that beat off the duſt from our ſouls, were it not for enemies, how could we exerciſe thoſe excellent graces p. 142of love and charity, of patience and brotherly-kindneſſe? Had it not been for enemies, where had been the crown of Martyrdome? Yea, enemies are the fire that purifieth; the water that cleanſeth the droſſe and filthineſſe of our hearts,Petrar. Dialog. much good cometh to us every way by enemies, therefore it is advantagious to pray for them. And this I ſhall adde, that the praying for our enemies fits us the better to pray for our ſelves.

Sect. 3.

Queſt. HEre now cometh a queſtion to be anſwered, viz. Whether we are at no time to pray againſt our enemies?

Reſp. 1. We may pray againſt the ſins of wicked enemies; as David doth; O let the wickedneſſe of the wicked come to an end, Pſal. 7.9. 2. We may pray againſt the plots, counſels, and enterprizes of the wicked: thus David prayes, that God would turn the counſell of Achitophel into fooliſhneſſe, 2 Sam. 15.31. and the Apoſtles, p. 143Acts 4.29. who pray that God would behold the threatnings of their enemies. And David Pſal. 5 10. prayes, that God would deſtroy his enemies, and let them fall by their own counſels: that God would ſcatter them by his power and take them in their own pride, Pſal. 59.11, 12.

Object. But we read that David prayeth for the confuſion of his enemies, Pſal. 109.7, 8. praying that his enemies may be condemned, and that their prayer become ſin, and that their dayes be few, &c. and Pſa. 59.13. he prayes thus; Conſume them in thy wrath, conſume them that they may not be.

Reſp. 1. This kind of prayer of David here, and of Jeremiah, Chap. 18.21. ſavoureth of a peculiar zeal which they had, but are not to be imitated by every Chriſtian now: and therefore our Saviour (to them that in all haſt would have fire come down from Heaven, to conſume the Samaritans that refuſed him, and pleaded Elias his example to that purpoſe) ſaith, ye know not of what manner of spirit ye are, for the Sonne of p. 144man is not come to deſtroy mens lives, but to ſave them, Luk. 9.55. and yet David, Jeremiah, and S. Paul, 1 Cor. 16.22. pronounced not thoſe curſes, vindictae livore, Greg. Moral. lib. 4. cap. 5.ſed judicio juſticiae, upon a ſpleen to be revenged, but in judgment and juſtice, for that they had a diſcerning ſpirit, and knew by the holy Ghoſt, that thoſe perſons on whom they pronounced thoſe curſes, were rejected of God, as one of the Fathers ſpeaketh. 2. S. Auguſtine takes thoſe words to be rather propheſies than prayers, as elſewhere he ſpeakes of Davids curſe in particular, that they were not, ſtomacatio maledicentis, ſed praedictio prophetantis. Of the Prophets in generall he ſaith thus; By the imprecations they made againſt the enemies of God,Per imprecarionem quid eſſe… futurum cecinerunt, nòn op…antis voto, ſed ſpiritu praevidentis. Aug. de Tempore. Serm. 50. Goſſen's Trumpet of War. they ſhewed what was to come, not by way of wiſhing, but by the ſpirit of prophecying: the perſecuting Heathen Emperors, were great mountains, that ſtood very high and ſtiff in the Churches way, but the faith and prayers of the Church, according to the Promiſes of the word, p. 145hath removed them, as a good Divine hath noted.

Sect. 4.

NOw let us ſpeak more particularly concerning the perſons for whom prayers in ſpeciall are to be made; and firſt of all for Kings, and all that are in authority over us, 1 Tim. 2.…. both for ſupreame and ſubordinate; and great reaſon there is …ereof.

1. By reaſon of the weight and …urthen that lies upon them,People are to pray for Kings and Rulers, that God would give them judgement and righteouſneſſe, Pſalm 72.1. for juſtice is ſo neceſſary in them, that Auſtin ſaith, juſtice being removed, what are Kingdoms but great robberies. Tertullian ſaith, we pray alwayes for all Emperours, that th…y may have a long life, a peaceable government, a ſafe family, strong armies, a faithfull Councell, an honeſt people, a quiet country, and whatſ…ever is deſired of men and Ceſar. Tertul. apolog. l. 30.Ps 72:1 if they be carefull and conſcionable to do their duties, as appeareth, Exod. 18.13. where it is ſaid of Moſes, that be ſat to judg the people, the people ſtanding by him, from the morning unto the coming: and ſo great was his burthen, that he profeſſeth, that he was not able to bear them himſelf alone, Deut. 1.9. What the government of … Kingdom is, Solomon was very ſenſible, when coming to ſit on his fathers throne, he thus ſpeaks unto God; and now O Lord my God thou haſt made thy ſervant God, &c. and I am p. 146but a little child, I know not how to g… out nor come in, and thy ſervant is in the midſt of a great people that cannot be numbred; give therefore thy ſervant a… underſtanding heart to judg thy people, that I may diſcern between good and bad: for who is able to judg this thy ſo great a people? 1 King. 3.6, 7, 8, 9. This even ſome of the heathen have confeſſed; and therefore one ſaid, That a King from the day he cometh to his Kingdom, he begins to live to others, and die to himſelf, laying down as it were his own perſon, and aſſuming the perſon of the Common-wealth: This Epaminondas knew right well, therefore he would many times watch and walk about the walls of the City, when his ſouldiers and ſubjects ſlept: ſo likewiſe, Pelopidas another worthy Generall, going to the wars, and being admoniſhed and adviſed by his wiſe to look to himſelf, gave her no other anſwer but this, that, that belonged to private perſons, but it was the duty of an Emperour, and part of a Prince, to look well to his ſouldiers: the conſideration hereof p. 147happily might make Saul to hide himſelf among the ſtuff, 1 Sam. 10.11. when he was called to be King of Iſrael. Seeing therefore their burden is great, there is great reaſon they ſhould be aſſiſted with the prayers of many, that they may be en…bled to bear it.

2. Becauſe they are moſt in danger, and moſt aſſaulted by enemies both temporall and ſpirituall. 1. For …emporall enemies: the Philiſtines …end and ſpend the brunt of their …tell upon Saul and his ſons, 1 Sam. Chap. ult. and the King of Syria commanded his thirty two Captains, to fight neither with ſmall nor great, but with the King of Iſrael, 1 King. Chap. 22.31. the reaſon ſurely was, becauſe they knew, that if they could vanquiſh Saul and Ahab that were the leaders, the reſt of the people would quickly yeeld. 2. Satan, the arch enemy of all mankind, and our ſpirituall adverſary, as he laboureth the deſtruction of all, ſo eſpecially of the chiefeſt: he knoweth, that if he can make Jeroboam an Idolater, and he ſet up two Calves, the one at p. 148Dan, the other at Bethel, all Iſra… will run after the commandement o… the King, and quickly worſhip them, Hoſe. 5.12. he knoweth by long experience, that

Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbi…

—& mobile mutat

ſemper cum principe vulg…,

As the King is, ſo the Court will be▪ as the Court is ſo the country will follow; therefore they being in mo… danger, have moſt need of defence, and prayer is a principall one, it is one of the pieces of the ſpirituall armour, mentioned Eph. 6.

3. Becauſe upon their ſafety dependeth the good of the whole Kingdom, both Church and Commonwealth;Iſai. 49.23.Isa 49:23 for its their part and duty to be nurſing fathers for the Church and to enact good laws for the peaceable government of their people. S. Auguſtine tells us, that every King and governour hath two callings; one private, whereby …e is bound to ſerve God as a Chriſtian; and another publique wherein he muſt ſerve God as King, whereof he ſaith; p. 149Reges tùnc ſerviunt Deo, ut Reges,Auguſt. quando ita ſerviunt, ut ſervire nòn poſsent, niſi Reges.

This is by making of good Laws, and making their power a means to advance Chriſt's Kingdom in their Kingdoms: to this they be …xhorted, Pſal. 2.10, 11. theſe things …e Apoſtle coucheth together, ſay…g when he exhorts us to pray for Kings, that we under them may lead a …uceable and quiet life in all godlineſſe …d honeſty: this cannot be done but …y the help of Magiſtrates, and Ma…ſtrates ſhall not do it without God's bleſſing, and they cannot ex…ect that, without their own and their people's prayers, as Calvin …heweth, by the ſimilitude of the …rth, not bringing forth fruit without rain, and the rain ordinarily not …alling, but being procured by prayer.

Sect. 5.

Queſt. IT will eaſily be granted, that Chriſtian Princes muſt be prayed for; but all the doubt is, that ſhall be done if they be hereticks, p. 148duplicate page p. 149duplicate page p. 150and infidels, and Tyrants, and prof… enemies of the Church, muſt ſuch … prayed for?

Resp. Surely they muſt: for ſu… a one was Nebuchadnezzar, yet … muſt be prayed for, and his wellfar… God commandeth the children of I… rael that were carried away captive… from Jeruſalem to Babylon: Seek … the peace of the City, whither I ha… cauſed you to be carried away captiv… and pray unto the Lord for it, for in th… peace thereof, ye ſhall have peace, Jerem… 29.7. and Paul ſaith, that the Heathen Emperors muſt be prayed for for ſuch they were in his time: a… great reaſon,Si mali ſint, rogandus eſt Deus, ut bonos faciat. Calvin. for if they are evi… we are to intreat God to ma… them good, ſaith Calvin: y… though themſelves be bad & vitiou… both hereticall for matter of judgment, & wicked and profane for li… yet they may make good Laws for the government of others, as dive… wicked Emperours and bad Princes have done, and as our own Chronicle… do report of Richard the third King … England, that he was a bad man, b… a good Prince; making good a… p. 151wholeſome Laws for the good of the Nation: it is a miſery to live in a …yranny, under an evil governour, …ut it is thrice more miſerable to live … an Anarchy where there is no…ing at all: for without Laws and government, neither houſe nor vil…age, nor Town, nor City, nor any …tate can ſtand or continue: there is …o judgment like no government.

Now if Kings and Princes muſt be …tayed for, then ſurely the Papiſts …old a falſe poſition, viz. that Pro…eſtant Princes that in Eccleſiaſticall …atters will not put their hands un…er the Popes girdle, may be forſaken …f their ſubjects, expoſed to dangers, …e anathematized, yea depoſed from …heir Crowns and Kingdoms: this …s the deviliſh doctrine of new Rome, much degenerated from the ancient doctrine of old Rome in S… Pauls and Peters time, yea in Elutherius his time, who lived about two hundred yeers after Chriſt, no ſuch matter was hatcht or heard of: for thus …iteth he to Lucius King of England, that beins Cuſtos utriuſ que Tabulae, and having both the old and p. 152new Teſtaments for his directio… he might out of them by the a… vice of his learned Councell, a… help of his own Clergy, make Law for the good and pious gover… ment of his Kingdom, witho… any approbation of them fro… Rome: and Gregory ſometime B… ſhop of Rome, confeſſeth, that Maritius the Emperour had power ov… the ſouls of his ſubjects, and that n… only over ſouldiers, but Biſhops a… Prieſts alſo: and S. Bernard writi… to an Archbiſhop of France, tel… him, that if every ſoul muſt b… ſubject to the higher Powers; the… if he and his Clergy had ſouls, the… muſt be ſubject to the Emperou… by S^t Paul's authority, Rom. 13.1.

Sect. 6.

ANd as Magiſtrates, ſo Miniſter alſo are to be pray'd for: T… like the Apoſtle begs of the Hebr… Heb. 13.18. and of the Theſſaloni… 1 Theſſ. 5.25. Brethren, pray for … See what arguments he uſeth to i… treat the Romans to pray for hi… p. 153…m 15.30. I beſeech you brethren, for the …nd Jeſus ſake, and for the love of …e Spirit, that you ſtrive together in …r prayers to God for me. If you …ve any love to Jeſus Chriſt, and as …ver you felt Chriſt to do good unto …ou, and felt the efficacy and working …f the Spirit in you, ſtrive and wre…e with God in prayer for me; and … in every Epiſtle he begs their …nyers. This hath been the pra…ice of the people of God of old for …e faithfull Miniſters. When Peter …s in priſon, earneſt prayer was made … the Church of God for him, Acts ….5. And when Paul and Silas …ent forth to preach, They were …mended of the brethren to the …eace of God, namely by prayer, Acts …5.40.

Now where a people want a faith…ll Miniſter, they are to pray for …e. Thus did Chriſt give in charge, Math. 9.38. Pray ye the Lord of the …rveſt, that he would ſend forth la…rers into his harveſt. That it is …eceſſary to pray for able Mini…ers, may appear by the Titles …herewith the Scripture ſtileth …em.

p. 1541. They are called Seers, 1 Samu… 9 9. and therefore they muſt ſee t… themſelves, and for others, ſeekin… out the will of God, and making … known to them.

2. They are called Speculators Watchmen, Ezek. 3.1. they mu… therefore keep Sentinel, and ſta… upon their Watch-tower, to admoniſh the people of dangers approaching, unleſſe they prevent them b… forſaking their ſins.

John 21.15.John 21:153. They are called Shepherds, E… 34.2. they muſt therefore feed Go… reaſonable ſheep committed to thei… charge, in the green paſtures of h… Word, and lead them forth by th… wholeſome waters of ſpiritual co… fort.

4. They be Husbandmen, the… muſt not thetefore be loiterers, b… labourers, painfully plowing up t… fallow-ground of mens hearts, an… ſowing the immortal ſeed of Go… Word in the furrows thereof.

5. They be Gods Gardeners an… Vine-dreſſers, therefore they mu… pluck up the briars, thorns a… thiſtles, prune and lop away all … p. 155…erfluous branches of ſinne and im…iety, and plant, ſet and ſow in the …om thereof the ſeeds of Vertue, Religion and Honeſty.

6. They be Gods Factors: There…ore they muſt not wrap up their …aſters money in a napkin, and bu… it in the earth with the unprofita…le ſervant, Matth. 25.18. but im…oy and improve to the uttermoſt …hoſe gifts of Nature and Grace, …herewith God hath endewed …hem to his Glory, and the Churches good.

7. They be Stewards of Gods houſe; and it behoves them to be faithfull …d wiſe, that they may have both …ill and skill, to give every one of …heir fellows their portion, and proportion of their maſters proviſion, and that in due ſeaſon, as our Saviour ſaith, Luke 12.42. And hereby, …all Interpreters obſerve,Tritici menſuram vetus Interpres: inos olîm erat, ut cuiliber ſerio quolibet menſe quaterni modii tritici admetiebantur, viz. Somewhat leſſe than four pecks, as the Notes on the Geneva Bible tell us. he underſtandeth, that heavenly incorruptible food of the ſoul, whereof he ſpeaketh by his Prophet Iſaiah 55.1. p. 156This is the food that muſt be given … our fellow-ſervants, and it mùſt … given them in due ſeaſon: We mu… fit both our Texts, and the manne… of handling them, to every circumſtance of Place, Time and Perſo… and the Auditories capacity: Som… muſt be fed with milk, ſome with ſtrong meat; to ſome we muſt b… like James and John, Boanerges, denouncing the threatnings of the Law againſt the obſtinate; and ſometim… again, like Barnabas and Barjona th… ſonnes of conſolation, to comfor… Jeruſalem at the heart, and pronounce the ſweet promiſes of the Goſpel to penitent ſinners. Sometim… we may handle points of Controverſie among the Learned, and ſometime we muſt handle points o… Catechiſm among the unlearned, and we muſt evermore be guided by a good conſcience in both: Sometime truth muſt be confirmed, ſometime falſhood muſt be confuted: Some muſt mildly be admoniſhed, as the weak Corinthians; others muſt ſharply be reproved, as the frowar… and fooliſh Galatians. This wa… p. 157S^t Pauls courſe, as he teſtifieth of himſelf, 1 Cor. 9.22. not that he …ecame Apolypus, Protaeus, or Came…m, turning with the tide and time …o ſerve his own turn, but he did …heſe things in godly wiſdome and diſ…tion, for the advantage of the …uſe, and furthering his Maſters bu…neſſe.

8. They be alſo called Fathers, … Cor. 4.14, 15. S^t Paul tells them, …hat he wrote not thoſe things (viz. …e baſe account and mean eſteem …imſelf and his fellow-labourers, …ere had in of the world, as ap…ars by the Context) to ſhame them: …t (ſaith he) as my beloved ſonnes I …rne you, to beware of running into …e ſame fault; then he renders them …is reaſon, For though ye have a thou…d inſtructors in Chriſt, yet have ye …t many fathers, for in Chriſt Jeſus … have begotten you through the Gospel. To the ſame purpoſe he ſpeaketh …ſo to the Galatians, Chap. 4.19. Thus likewiſe S^t Ambroſe was wont …o call the faithfull of Millain his …hildren, and other godly Biſhops …ave done the like. What reaſon p. 158then have we to pray for our Miniſters? For if Alexander could confeſſe himſelf more indebted to Ariſtotle his maſter for his breeding and making him a civil man and a Scholar (which he calls his bene eſſe) than to Philip his father for his birth, making him a natural man, leaving him a Kingdom, all which he calls but his …ſſe; What would he have ſaid (think we) had he lived in a time where he might have had means to become religious, and a Chriſtian man? Miniſters ought to tender their people more than Parents do their children, becauſe they have the ſoul, the more principa… part to care for, which moſt Paren… (though falſly) think themſelve… diſcharged of. Poſsidonius Poſſidon. in vit. Aug.reporte… of Valerius the good old Biſhop o… Hippo, that being a Graecian, and ſ… not able roundly to ſpeak Latine c… the benefit of his people, and perceiving Auſtin to be a towardly youn… man of good hope, he made him hi… Coadjutor in the execution of h… office, and in proceſſe of time, perceiving him to be faithfull and pai… full, p. 159and that the people profited well by him,There were many in S^t Gregories time, of whom he ſaith, Ecce mundus ſacerdotibus plenus eſt, & tamen in meſſe Domini rarus inveni…ur operarius: then he renders the reaſon of it, ſaying: Officium ſacerdotale omnes ſuſcipimus; opus autem nòn implemus: Multi curati ſunt, ſed pauci rem Domini curant; & pauci precari quidèm inveniuntur, qui habent ſanctam vitam cum ſana doctrina conjunctam. Gregor. he reſigned his Biſhoprick to him: hereby as a good ſpiritual Father, he ſhewed the care that he had of his peoples ſouls: A good preſident for ſuch as are able to live without a Church, and unable or unwilling to preach in a Church; let ſuch (at leaſt) both for conſcience towards God, and their credit …owards men, get them ſufficient aſſiſtants to help eaſe them of that burthen, which otherwiſe cannot chuſe but ſit heavy upon them. Now that Miniſters may be able in good meaſure to perform the duties which thoſe titles and relations call for, they have need of peoples prayers.

Sect. 7.

NOw let us conſider, what are the things we are to pray for in the behalf of our Miniſters.

1. Pray that your Miniſters may be men of ability, that they may be p. 160men fitted and furniſhed for the diſcharge of their duties, and that God would give a bleſſing to their labours, One obſerveth, That Caleb ſaid to his men,Joſh. 15.18. Jacob. Marchantii hortus paſtorum.Josh 15:18 I will beſtow my daughter upon one of you, but he that wil have her, muſt firſt winne Kiriath-Sepher, that is, a City of Books, he muſt quit himſelf like a man indeed; and he that will be a true Miniſter of Gods word, muſt not runne before he is ſent; he muſt not be a man of zeal without knowledge to guide it; but one that is furniſht by God, that hath lain long before Kiriath-Sepher, and been train'd up in the Schools of the Prophets; ſuch a one is a f… diſpencer of Gods Word and Sacraments. All ſufficiency in every kind comes from God, 2 Corinth. 3.5, 6. There is no man fit to preach the Word of God,Nullus aptus ad praedication…m verbi divini niſi per ejus gratiam, & qui ab eo miſſus, & aliquo modo aptatus, licet nòn immediatè, media… tamen. Lyra in Luc. 10.Luke 10 but by the grace of God, ſaith Lyra, and although a man be not ſent from God immediately, yet if God fit him p. 161by any meanes for the work of the Miniſtry, he is one ſent of God.

2. Pray that they may have a …oor of utterance, and that they may have liberty of ſpeech to ſpeak the myſtery of Chriſt, Coloſ. 4.3. For there are many things that uſually ſtop the mouths of Miniſters. 1. Ignorance and preſumptuous ſinnes in a Miniſter; for polluted lips be no lips of utterance; a Miniſters lips muſt be toucht with a coal from the Altar, and he muſt have his infirmity taken away, and his ſinne purged, Iſai. 6.6, 7. 2. Sometime the ſins of the people do ſtop the Preachers mouth, and make him dumb, as Ezek. 3.25, 26. God oftentimes gives words to the teacher for the grace of the hearer,Propter malum populum, etiam bonis tollitur ſermo doctoribus. Gregor. and ſometime for the fault of the hearer, ſpeech is taken away from the teacher; by reaſon of an evil people, ſpeech is taken away from good teachers, ſaith Gregory.

3. Ye are to pray that with all courage and boldneſſe your Miniſters may deliver the Word of God, that p. 162couragiouſly they may reprove ſins and rebuke ſinners, and reveal God counſel without fear of any man face, Jerem. 1.8. Lifting up thei… voices like Trumpets, and ſhewin… Gods people their ſinnes, Iſa. 58.1 When men are like the deaf Adder, that will not hear the voice o… the Charmer, Iſa. 58.5. Yea whe… they are dead aſleep in ſinne, they had need be rouzed up with th… Trumpet of the Word. Mitio hi… mildneſſe, and Eli's ſoftneſſe wil… not reclaim children paſt grace Miniſters muſt not alwayes ſpea… in a ſoft and ſtill voice, as God to Elias, … Reg, 19.12, 13.but they may and muſt ſometime uſe the rod, Jerem. 23.13, 2… There was to be uſed among the Sacrifices ſalt and vinegar. In … word, a Miniſter muſt reſembl… the Cock, who alters his tone an… crowing according to the time of the night.

4. Pray that they may delive… the pure word of God; and nothing elſe, putting nothing to Gods word and taking nothing from it. Th… chopping and changing the Wo… p. 163of God, Chryſoſtome compareth to falſifying the Kings coyn, which is done, either by mingling baſer metal among it, or elſe by clipping and …aring away part of it, and ſo im…airing the weight and worth of it; …e leaſt of which faults is treaſon …gainſt the King, and is deſervedly made death, by the Lawes of our …and: And ſaith that Father, the mingling of the Scriptures, and the mangling of our own devices with …hem, is no leſſe than high treaſon …gainſt God; and how ill he takes …t, and ſeverely puniſheth it, we may read Revel. 22.18, 19. I would not be miſtaken, as if I thought it to be unlawfull, to make uſe of humane learning, or alledge humane Authors in Sermons by way of illuſtration and amplification, or the like. Let Hagar take her place, and at…nd on Sarah her Miſtreſſe; why …all not the Iſraelites uſe and wear the ſpoils of Aegypt, that God hath given them? But that which I ſay, … this, that nothing is of force to …ove any point either dogmatical or moral, but what is either expreſly p. 164contained in the Scriptures, or may by neceſſary conſequence be collected from them.

5. Pray likewiſe that all faithfull Miniſters may have a free exerciſe of their Miniſtry; that the Goſpel may have a free and full paſſage, 2 Theſſ. 3.1. notwithſtanding the rubs and impediments which the Devil and his Inſtruments oppoſe to the ſame, Paul was in priſon when he makes his requeſt to the Coloſſians to pray for him, Col. 4.3, 4. either it was at Epheſus, as ſome think, or at Rome, as Cajetan Bifield in Col. Cajetan.and others, and is moſt probable, by the Poſtſcript: And when Peter was in priſon, the Church prayed for him, and God ſent an Angel that enlarged him, Acts 12, 5. the want of liberty in regard of his Miniſtry, and the exerciſe thereof, to a good Miniſter, is more troubleſome than his bodily reſtraint, or to be in bonds: and if Miniſters be at any time cauſleſly impriſoned or perſecuted, it's a peoples duty to pray for them, that they may be delivered from abſurd and unreaſonable men, 2 Theſ. 3.1, 2.

p. 1656. We are to pray, that Miniſters may preach profitably to their hearers, that they make the Goſpel manifeſt, as …t becomes them, Coloſ. 4.4.Sanctum nòn eſt, quod ſanctum geritur, niſi quod ſanctè peragatur. Cyprian. Luther ſaith, God loves Adverbs better than Verbs: For as in naturall things, their excellency dependeth upon the forme, and the forme is preferred before the matter: So in moral things, the manner of doing the thing is better than the thing done. So Cyprian ſaith, That thing is not holy which is accounted holy, but that which is done holily, as in praying, reading, meditating, conference, &c.

7. Pray that Miniſters may be holy perſons, and be cloathed with righteouſneſſe, Pſalm 132.9. Pray that thoſe that teach you well may live well themſelves, that they may be burning and ſhining lights, not only in their doctrines, but alſo in their converſations: Pray that they nay be men of fervent ſpirits. A Miniſter ſhould be the beſt pattern of …al that a people can have. What Nazianzen reporteth of Baſil, is a fit emblem for a true Miniſter, a pillar p. 166of fire with this motto, Talis eſt Baſilius, ſuch a one is Baſil. Pray that your Miniſters may be men of induſtrious ſpirits, willing to take pains among you, and may endure hardneſſe (as good ſouldiers of Jeſus Chriſt) if they are called unto it, i… is but equity that you ſhould pray for your Miniſters, ſeeing they pray for you; nay they ſhould account it their ſinne, if they ſhould not pray for you, 1 Samuel 12.23. Beſides, all the good that cometh by a peoples prayer for their Miniſters, it is returned into the common treaſury of the Goſpel, 2 Theſſ. 3.1. The Goſpel it ſelf fares the better by ſuch prayers, the current of the Goſpel is opened, it runnes ſtrongly, and the Goſpel is glorified; it is like the falling of abundance of rain from the hils into the vallies, that makes the riversſwell and runne over. And to this I ſhall adde, That all your prayers for Gods Miniſters, ſhall return into your own boſomes with advantage: As it is with a mans ſonne that worketh abroad, and earns ſo much money by the week, he brings p. 167…ome his money at the weeks end to his parents; but in effect, he worketh for himſelf: for when his father …ies, or gives over his trade, he poſſeſeth all that his father hath: So when you pray for Gods Miniſters, your prayers do fill up the bag, and when the bag is opened, it ſhall return to your own advantage; therefore God doth endew his Miniſters with ſo much learning and knowledge, it is for their peoples ſake, —and in that people are to pray for their Miniſters, and that Miniſters have ſo much deſired their peoples prayers; yea S^t Paul himſelf, though an extraordinary man: Hence we may note, That the greateſt in the Church may need the prayers of the meaneſt, and that God is no accepter of perſons,Orat Apoſtolus pro plebe, plebs pro Apoſtolo: proſe omnia membra orant; capur pro omnibus interpellat. Aug. but heareth the prayers of the meaneſt Chriſtian, as of the greateſt Apoſtle. The Apoſtle prayes for the people, the people for the Apoſtle or Miniſter; all the members pray for themſelves, and the Head prayeth for them all, ſaith Auſtin.

p. 168Sect. 8.

ANd as people muſt pray for their Miniſters; ſo likewiſe muſt Miniſters pray for their people: Thus the Prieſts of old were commanded of God, to bleſſe the people, and pray for them, Numb. 6.23, 24. And in the New Teſtament, Paul prayes for the Epheſians, Epheſ. 3.14, 16. That they might be ſtrengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man: So likewiſe for the Philippians, he ſaith, That in every prayer of his for them all, he made request with joy, for their fellowſhip in the Goſpel, Phil. 1.4, 5. So likewiſe he prayes for the Theſſalonians, That the God of peace would ſanctifie them thoroughout, 1 Theſſal. 5.23. Likewiſe he prayeth for the Romans, That God would grant them to be like-minded one to another, and that with one mind and mouth they might glorifie God, Rom. 15.5. So Eli prayes for H… nah, The Lord God of Iſrael grant thy requeſt, 1 Sam. 1.17. and ſhe preſently found her prayer anſwered. And p. 169as they are to pray for all manner of bleſſings upon a people, ſo are they to pray againſt approaching judgements ready to fall upon them: So did Moſes beſeech God with ſtrong arguments to forgive Iſraels ſinne, and to turn away his wrath, and spare their lives, Exod. 32.11, 12, 13, 32. and after the people had worſhipped the Calves, he prayes earneſtly for them, That God would forgive their …nne. So Joſhua and the Elders of Iſrael, lie upon their faces, put duſt …pon their heads, and pray earneſtly to God, not to deliver them into the hands …f the Amorites, and to remember his great name, Joſhua 7.6, 7, 9. This …s commanded as a duty to be done …y the Miniſters: Let the Prieſts, the Miniſters of the Lord, weep between the Porch and the Altar, and let them ſay, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the Heathen ſhould rule over them, &c. I…el 2.14.

But eſpecially Miniſters are to pray for the people, that their Miniſtry may be bleſt to them: For …aul may plant, and Apollos water, p. 170but it is God that giveth the increaſe. Miniſters are not only to exhort, reprove, admoniſh and beſeech a people, and not onelyonly to propound good wholeſome doctrines and inſtructions to holy duties, but alſo earneſtly to beſeech God to give his bleſſing thereunto, that God would enable them to underſtand, embrace and practice what they teach them: and good reaſon there is for this;

1. Becauſe every thing and perſon is ſanctified by the word of God and prayer; I mean not onelyonly i… publick, but alſo in private. To the publick preaching and prayers, Miniſters muſt joyn private prayer alſo for a people: When they ceaſe to preach to them, yet they are not t… ceaſe praying for them; when th… work of preaching is done, the wor… of prayer is not done: God forbid that I ſhould ceaſe to pray for you… ſaith Samuel for the people, 1 Sam 12.23. This is the ſtile of Moſes Aaron, Samuel, Job and D… niel, that they were ſuch as ca… led upon Gods Name, ſtandi… p. 171up, and pleading with God, for the people, with whom they did converſe.

2. It is one great part of the office Reaſ. 2 of the Miniſtry, Acts 6.4. when the queſtion was put about the relief of the widows in the daily miniſtration, the twelve Apoſtles would not leave their work to intend that, but bid the Church look out men of good report, that might intend that buſineſſe: For, ſay they, we will give …ur ſelves continually to prayer, and to …he miniſtry of the Word. One Chri…tian ought in charity to pray for another, and doing it they do it ex …haritate, from that love that they mutually bear one to another; but a Miniſter doth it ex officio: it's part of his Miniſtry: for as Miniſters are the mouth of God to ſpeak to the people, ſo they are the mouth of the people to ſpeak to God; and lay open the wants and neceſſities of the people committed to their charge. Hence we find them in Scripture ſtiled the lords remembrancers, and watchmen upon the walls of Jeruſalem, Iſai. 62.

p. 172Reaſ. 3 3. Becauſe moſt people are very negligent to pray for themſelves. O… how many houſes, families and perſons are there that call not upon Gods Name, that never look into the ſtate of their own hearts, that are no… ſenſible of their ſinnes, and of their ſpiritual wants, they ſee not their diſeaſe, and therefore ſeek not to the Phyſician to heal their ſoul-maladies; therefore Miniſters muſt pity them, and pray for them.

Reaſ. 4 4. Becauſe when Miniſters find little ſucceſſe by their preaching and labours, yet they find relief by their prayers, and obtain that by them which they could not effect by their preaching. A Miniſter preacheth long among a people, and hath frequent cauſe to complain with the Prophet Iſai. 49.4. I have laboured i… vain, I have spent my ſtrength for nought, and in vain; but they that ſeek the face of the Lord, ſhall not ſeek his face in vain: Therefore God doth not give ſucceſſe to many Miniſters in their labours, becauſe their labours are not ſteeped i… prayers.

p. 1735. Becauſe the Devil doth make Reaſ. 5 it his maſter deſign to hinder Miniſters in the preaching of the Goſpel, or to make their labours ineffectual, therefore they had need to be more inſtant in prayer for their people. Satan ſeeth that faithfull Miniſters are Gods ſtandard-bearers, the Captains in Gods army, and therefore if they ſtand, they ſtand not alone, if they fall, they fall not alone, many fall with them: and there is no calling under Heaven by which God conveyes ſo much grace, and ſo much good to a people, as by this ordinance, therefore they had need …o be mighty in praier.

Hence people when they have any weighty caſe and important buſineſſe, they ſhould commend it to the prayers of Gods faithfull Miniſters. So Hezekiah (when Sennacherib had invaded Judah, and ſent to Hezekiah to Jeruſalem, &c.) he ſendeth Eliakim, Shebnah and the Elders of the Prieſts, covered with ſackcloth, unto Iſaiah the Prophet, ſaying unto him, Lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left, Iſai. 37.4. p. 174So S^t James exhorteth, Jam. 5.14. Is any ſick among you, let him call for the elders of the Church, and let them pray over him, and the prayer of faith ſhall ſave the ſick, and the Lord ſhall raiſe him up. And we find in Scripture, that men notoriouſly wicked have been mindfull of this duty: How often did wicked Pharaoh ſend to Moſes and Aaron to pray for him, Exod. 9.28. when the plagues of thunder, fire, and hail came upon Aegypt, then he ſent to them (confeſſing his ſinne and acknowledging Gods juſtice) that they would intreat the Lord that there might be no more mighty thundrings and hail, promiſing to let Iſrael go; and when after this, he yet hardened his heart, and the Lord brought other judgements upon him; upon the plague of the Locuſts, he ſends for Moſes and Aaron again, Exod. 10.17. and ſaith unto them, I have ſinned againſt the Lord your God and you; now therefore forgive I pray thee my ſinne onelyonly thi… once, and intreat the Lord your God that he may take from me this deat… alſo: And Moſes went from Phara… p. 175and intreated the Lord. So Jeroboam, 1 Kings 13.6. when he ſtretcht out his hand againſt the Prophet that prophecied againſt the Altar, and his hand withered; the King ſpeaks to the man of God to pray for him; Intreat now the face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me that my hand may be reſtored me again; and the man of God did ſo, and the Kings hand was reſtored, and became as it was before. So likewiſe Simon Magus, when Peter curſed him in the …ame of the Lord (Thy money periſh …ith thee) and tels him, That he was …n the gall of bitterneſſe, &c. Then anſwered Simon, and ſaid, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of theſe things which you have ſpoken come upon me, Acts 8.24. How much more then ſhould the people of God make conſcience of this duty, to beg the prayers of Gods Miniſters for them.

Sect. 9.

THis duty of prayer alſo belongeth unto Parents, who are to pray for their children. Thus Noah p. 176prayes for Shem and Japhet his ſonnes, Gen. 9.26. that God would bleſſe them and enlarge them. Thus Iſaac prayes for Jacob his ſonne; God give thee of the dew of Heaven, and the fatneſſe of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine, let people ſerve thee, and Nations bow down to thee; be Lord over thy brethren, &c. Gen. 27.28, 29. Thus Jacob bleſſed Joſeph his ſonne, and ſaid, God before whom my fathers Abraham and Iſaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long to this day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bleſs the lads, and let my name be named upon them, &c. Geneſ. 48.15, 16. So David beſought God for his ſick child, and faſted and went in, and lay all night upon the earth, 2 Samuel 12.16. So David prayes for Solomon his ſonne, That God would give unto him a perfect heart to keep the commandments and ſtatutes of God, and to build the palace for which he had made proviſion, 1 Chron. 29.19. So Job, After the dayes of his children feaſting were gone about, he ſent an… ſanctified them, and roſe up early p. 177in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job ſaid, It may be my ſonnes have ſinned, and curſed God in their heart: thus did Job continually, Job 1.5. Nor is it ſufficient for Parents to pray in general, but they ought to pray particularly for them: As Parents who have many children, provide meat, drink and cloathing according to the number of them all, and have a particular eye and are over every one of them, and provide portions for them all: So they ought to put up particular requeſts to God for every one of them, ſuing out ſome ſpeciall bleſſings to come down upon the head of each of them. Thus doubtleſſe Job did, when the Sacrifice for every ſonne was made, he ſent up a prayer to God, for the pardon and acceptance of every ſonne,Caryls expoſ. on Job 1.5.Job 1:5 as a judicious Divine hath noted. This even Heathens have done for their children; we read, that Cornelia viſited the Temples for her ſonnes Tiberius and Caius, and offered Sacrifices to their gods for them, p. 178when they were in the warres of Africk; for thus ſhe ſaith in an Epiſtle ſhe wrote to them: Your Father bequeathed you nothing but weapons, Jo. Benthams Chriſtian conflict.and from me you ſhall inherit nothing but books; for I had rather leave my children good doctrine, whereby they may live, than evil riches whereby they may periſh: I doe not ceaſe to viſit the Temples to pray for your health, nor yet to offer Sacrifice to the gods for your honour. Mark this all ye Chriſtian Parents; and be tender of the good of your childrens ſouls, and be carefull of bringing them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and in praying to God daily for them, elſe even Heathens will one day riſe up in judgement againſt you.

Moreover, Maſters of Families, and Houſholders are to pray with, and for their Families. King Hezekiah prayeth for the people, That the Lord would pardon every one that prepared his heart to ſeek God, though he were not cleanſed according to the purification of the Sanctuary, 2 Chron p. 17930.19. Firſt, God commandeth that …en ſhould pray every where, lifting …p pure hands, 1 Tim. 2.8. therefore … the family. When God promiſeth to pour out the ſpirit of grace and …upplication upon his people, he ſaith, That every family ſhall mourn for their …imes apart; the family of the houſe …f David apart, and their wives apart; … family of the houſe of Levi apart, …nd the family of Shimei apart, and …eir wives apart, Zech. 12.10, …2, 13.

Secondly, It is ſet down as one …eaſon why Husbands ſhould dwell with their Wives, ſc. that their do…eſtical prayers be not hindred, 1 Pet. 3.7.

Thirdly, Adam ſet up the worſhip of God in his family, how elſe could Abel know what to ſacrifice, and in what manner, Geneſ. 4.4. This practice was alſo renewed by the care of Seth, being decayed, and corrupted by the poſterity of Cain; in his …ime and by his means, Men began to call on the Name of the Lord, Geneſ. 4.26.

Fourthly, Our Lord Jeſus himſelf, p. 180when he was on earth, praye… with his Diſciples which were hi… family: we reade, That he was alon… praying, and his Diſciples were with him, Luke 9.18.

Object. How could he be alone, and yet have his Diſciples with him?

Reſp. He was not ſimply alone, but in compariſon; the multitude being now diſmiſſed, and ſent away: So a great man may be ſaid to be private and retired, when he hath onelyonly his own family about him; from which practice of our Saviour Chriſt we have a good precedent and pattern for prayer in, and with our families. It is ſaid of David, That morning and evening, and at noon-day he prayed, and praiſed the Lord. And of Cornelius we reade, That he was a devout man, one that feared God with all his houſe, and prayed to God alway, Act. 10.2.

Fifthly, Becauſe the families of the godly are called Churches, Rom. 16.5. therefore they ſhould be as the Temple, where morning and evening Sacrifice was offered up to God every day; therefore every p. 181mans houſe ſhould be a houſe of prai… to that family.

Sixthly, Every family is ſubject … particular wants, and prayer is …e means God hath appointed us to …ave theſe wants ſupplied.

Seventhly, In our families we …ay be moſt free from diſtractions in …ur devotions; therefore Chriſt will …ot ſo much pray among the mul…tude, as with his Diſciples, leſt … might be diſturbed and inter…pted.

Laſtly, God curſeth ſuch families …s call not upon his name, Jer. 10.25. …very family is to offer up the Sacri…ce of prayer day by day.

Sect. 10.

YEt there are ſome perſons that are not to be pray'd for:

1. Not all men in general are to …e pray'd for, that are, or ſhall be: …. Becauſe it is not the will of God, …at all mankind ſhould be ſaved: for thoſe we may not pray, concerning whom we have Gods re…ealed will that they ſhall not be p. 182ſaved: If we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us, 1 Joh. 5.14▪ Now his will is not that all me… ſhould be ſaved, therefore it is no… his will that we ſhould pray for al… men.

Object. But the Apoſtle tells us, That it is the will of God, that all men ſhould be ſaved. The Apoſtle exhorteth 1 Tim. 2.1. That prayers, ſupplications and interceſſions be made for all men; and give… the reaſon of it, ver. 4. That God would have all men to be ſaved.

Resp. St. Paul's meaning is not, that God's will is to ſave every particular man, but that all men (now in the time of the Goſpel) ſhould have the means of ſalvation offered to them, as the next words do explain it, and come to the knowledge of the truth. 2. Our Lord Jeſus Chriſt would not pray for all mankind, therefore we may not: I pray not for the world, ſaith he, John 17.9. now his example muſt be our warrant and direction. 3. The Prophets are forbidden to pray for certain men, whom they knew by p. 183revelation from God to be rejected … the Lord. God is offended with …muel for praying for Saul, 1 Sam. ….1. And the Prophet Jeremiah is …bidden to pray for the Iſraelites, …r. 7.16 Pray not thou for this peo…, neither lift up a cry nor prayer … them, neither make interceſſion to …, for I will not hear thee, Jerem. ….16.

2. We are not to pray for ſuch …s we know do ſinne againſt the …oly Ghoſt, whether wicked An…s or men, 1 Iohn 5.16. There is … ſinne that is unto death, I ſay not …t a man ſhould pray for it: And …ccording to this direction, the Church prayed not for the conver…on of Julian the Apoſtate, but …r his confuſion, becauſe they knew that out of meer malice he perſe…ted known truths unto his death. Every ſinne is mortal, and no ſinne is venial, Rom. 6.23. Every ſinne deſerveth death; but yet there is a ſ…ne not unto death, that is, there is …o ordinary ſinne but may be forgiven; but that is a ſin unto death, …hat not onelyonly deſerveth death, but p. 184that doth certainly and inevitably procure death. The Phariſees ſinned this ſinne, Mark 3.28, 30 where it appears that this ſin againſ… the holy Ghoſt is a malicious reviling, and wilfull oppoſition o… Chriſt, and of the known truths … God. The Phariſees out of envy and malice againſt our Saviour contrary to the knowledge they ha… of him, ſaid, He had an unclea… spirit; and though they knew th… miracles he wrought were don… by the finger of God, and by hi… Spirit, yet they attributed thoſ… miracles of his, not to the holy Spirit of God, but to the Devi… that unclean ſpirit. Now if w… know any to commit this ſinne, w… are not to pray for them. M^r Cotton Cottons expoſ. in 1 John chap. 5.1 John 5gives divers reaſons why ſuc… perſons are not to be prayed for.

Reaſ. 1 1. From the ſpight ſuch perſon… do to the chief means and help o… prayer, one is the Spirit of grace an… ſupplication. Now theſe men ſinn… in deſpight of the Spirit of grace Heb. 10.29. and the Spirit is … grieved, that it will not aſſiſt … p. 185…n any praier made for ſuch men. 2. From the like deſpight they of…er to Chriſt, in whoſe name we are …o pray. Upon theſe two wings our …rayers flie up to Heaven, the mediation of Chriſt, and the Spirit of grace, and with theſe two they do …revail: Now thoſe that commit …his ſin, they make a ſcorn of Chriſt, …hey trample under foot his bloud, …nd put him to open ſhame and …uniſhment, as the moſt notorious …alefactour, as one that ſuffered …ot for other men's ſins, but for his …wn.

2. Where Chriſt is not a Sa…rifice Reaſ. 2 of Propitiation for ſinnes, …here he cannot be expected to be … Interceſſour for ſuch, if the Sa…ifice of Chriſt reach not to ſuch, then will he never make Interceſ…on for them; and if Chriſt will …ot intercede for ſuch, then may not we pray for them that commit this ſinne unto death, Hebr. …0.27.

3. We are not to pray for the dead: For,

1. In Scripture, there are neither p. 186Commands nor Promiſes, no… approved Examples to warran… prayer for the dead: As for tha… place in Macchabees, where Jud… is commended for praying for th… dead, which died in the ſinne o… Idolatry, it is not Canonical Scr… pture, and to be excepted againſt▪ Yea, the Papiſts themſelves a… low not prayers to be made fo… ſuch.

2. It is vain to pray for th… dead, whoſe ſpirits the Lord hat… diſpoſed of, and their judgeme… is paſt; For after death cometh judgement: Prayer after death then is like a pardon after death, an… pleading after ſentence,D. Willet in Levit. 16.Lev 16 ſaith … learned man And as Chryſoſto… ſaith, Nequè gubernator poſtqua… navis ſubmerſa eſt, nequè medic… poſtquam aegrotus obiit, quicquam pr… deſſe poteſt: Chryſoſt. hom. 75. ſup. Matth.Neither the Pilot afte… the Ship is drowned, nor a Phyſ… cian when a man is dead, can profit any thing: So when men ar… dead, if their ſouls be in Heave… they cannot be in a better eſtate our prayers can adde nothing t… p. 187their happineſſe; if in Hell,Look but on one that playes at bowls, who no ſooner than he hath delivered his bowl, he ſcreweth his …ly this way, and that way, calling after it, that it may be either ſhort nor over, nor wide on either ſide; but all in vain; … bowl keepeth on his courſe, and reacheth to the place, not where …e mind, but the ſtrength of the bowler ſent it: Thus it is with …ſe that pray for the dead, they pray and call unto God, ſing …iems and diriges for the ſouls of men departed, that they may …e ſent to purgatory, not hell: a courſe unwarrantable, unavailable: … as the body is laid down in the duſt, ſo the ſoul is gone to God … gave it, there to receive according to the deeds done here in … fleſh, whether good or evil. D^r Wincop Serm. Anno 1627. they …annot redeem them, nor aſſwage …heir torments, therefore no way …arrantable, becauſe no way avail…ble.