The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods True Saints Part 1 and 2, Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
THE first Presidents I meet with of Frayers made to God for Kings, are such as are recorded in Scripture, before the Law was given in Mount Sinai, or any King instituted by God among his own people of Israel, of which there are 3. remarkable Instances, seldom taken notice of, which I shall recite, explicate and apply in order as I find them.
The 1. is that of Abraham, *Rom. 4. 11, 12, 16, 17.the Father of all faithfull believers, thus registred to posterity, Gen. 20. Abraham and his wife Sarah sojourning at Gerar, Abimelech KING of Gerar sent and took Sarah: but God came to him by night in a dream, and said, Thou art but a dead man, for the woman thou hast taken, for she is maried to an husband: And God said unto him in a dream, v. 7. Now therefore restore the man his wife, for he is a Prophet, and he shall pray for thes, and thou shalt live: and if thou restore her not, know thou, that thou shalt surely die, thou and all that are thine. Therefore Abimelech rose early in the morning, and called Abraham, and after some expostulations with him, restored him his wife, and gave him sheep and oxen, men servants and women servants; profering him to dwell in the land where he pleased. So Abraham prayed unto God, and God healed Abimelech and his wife, and his maid-servants, and they bare children; for the Lord had fast closed up all the wombs of the house of Abimelech, because of Sarah Abrahams wife, v. 17, 18.
In which History there are 6. observable particulars worthy our consideration: 1. That those who are but meer sojourners under Kings in any part of their kingdoms, though not their natural born subjects (as Abraham was here at Gerar under K. Abimelech)*See Cooks 7 Rep. Calvins case, f. 6, 7. 1 Instit. f. 68 b Spelmanni Glossarium, Tit. Fidelitas, & Ligeantia. owe local allegiance to them, and are bound to pray unto God for their health, life, prosperity, especially upon extraordinary occasions, as Abraham did here; Therefore à multo fortiori, their own natural Subjects and Lieges, are much more obliged thereunto by the bond of duty, loyalty, and Laws of God and Nature. 2ly. That Abraham, the Father of all the faithfull, is the very first president recorded in sacred writ, or other History, who prayed for the person and family of the King under whom he lived and sojourned: that so‖See Rom. 4. 1, 10 25. Heb. 7. 4, 10 10. his example might be obligatory and presidential to all other faithful people, servants and saints of God in all ages and places, as well Gentiles as Jewes, who ought to follow his steps herein. 3ly. That he thus prayed for Abimelech and his family, though (as most conceive) a heathen idolatrous King, and no worshipper of the true God; as Abrahams words to Abimelech v. 11. (Because I thought, surely the fear of God is not in this place, and they will stay me for my wives sake, and Gen. 21. 32, 34.) import. Therefore the Saints and people of God, ought to pray to God for their Kings and their Families, though Pagans, Infidels, Papists, Hereticks, much more then when they are worshippers, professors of the true God and Religion; yea Christians and Patrons of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 4ly. That Abraham here prayed for Abimelech, his wife, family, not of his own voluntary accord, but by special direction and command from God: Therefore prayer for Kings, & their families, is no human, arbitrary invention, action, which may be omitted or performed at mens pleasure; but a divine institution, precept, duty, which must be constantly performed out of conscience, in obedience to Gods command. 5ly. That this prayer of Abraham was not confined only to King Abimelechs own person, but extended to his wife, maid-servants, and posterity; and was principally, that God would open their wombs, which he had fast closed, that they might bear children; which they bare after Abraham prayed for them unto God, v. 17, 18. that so there might be an hereditary succession of his children after him in the kingdom. Therefore Subjects (especially in hereditary kingdoms) are obliged not only to pray for their Kings own persons, but also for their Queens, families, the multiplication and continuance of their royal posterity, to sway the scepter, and succeed them in the throne; even by this original president of Abrahams prayer. Which compared with Abrahams Oath and Covenant to Abimelech, who sware unto him by God; That he would not lie unto, nor deal falsly with Abimelech, nor with his Son, nor with his Sons Son; but according to the kindness he had done unto Abraham, that he should do unto him, and to the land wherein he had sojourned, Gen. 21, 22, 23, 24, 27, 31, 32. is a most pregnant argument not only of the lawfulness of Subjects Oaths of Fealty, Homage, Allegiance and Supremacy to their Kings, their heirs and successors, but likewise of the antiquity, and inviolable obligation of such Oathes, which ought to be conscienciously observed without lying, falshood, or the least violation, by all who swear them, in the sacred name of the true everlasting God. 6ly. That all Subjects are then most principally obliged to pray for their Kings and their families, when they lie under any judgements or afflictions of God for their sins, because then they most need their prayers, as a special means prescribed by God to remove his judgements, restore his favour, blessings to them, preserve, lengthen their lives, and make them fruitfull in posterity.
The 2. President I shall insist on is this, related Gen. 47. 7, 10. And Joseph brought in Jacob his Father (after his coming down into Aegypt) and set him before Pharaoh, and Jacob blessed Pharaoh, so soon as hee came before him: After some discourse between them, at his departure from him, it is recorded again: And Joseph blessed Pharaoh (the second time) and went out from before Pharaoh. Now this his double blessing of Pharaoh, both at his coming in to, and departing from him, was nothing else, but a double prayer to God to bestow all kinds of blessings on King Pharaoh, and his posterity; as is evident by Gen. 24. 60. c. 27. 1, to 41. c. 28. 1, 3, 4. c. 48. 8. to the end, and ch. 49. 1, to 29. compared with this Text.
From whence it is remarkable, 1. That as Abraham the Father of the faithfull, was the first; so Jacob his Grandson, the father of the 12. Patriarks, was the 2d. person recorded in sacred Story, who prayed for and blessed the King in whose kingdom he resided; whose example is very presidential for all others, and worthy their imitation. 2ly. That Jacob was no natural born Subject to Pharaoh, but only a stranger and sojourner in Aegypt; yet he thus blessed and prayed for him: Therefore his and all other Kings genuine Subjects, were much more obliged by duty and allegiance to pray for and blesse them. 3ly. That he thus prayed for and blessed him twice, at his first accesse to, and recesse from his presence; which should instruct all loyal Saints and Christian Subjects frequently to blesse and pray for their Kings and Princes, both in their accesses to, and recesses from them, and upon all other just occasions, as well in private a… publike. 4ly. That he thus blessed and prayed for Pharaoh though a Pagan King, und… whom and his Successors he and his posterity were assured, th…y should be made b…nd-men, and sorely oppr…ssed for 400. years, till G…d should rescue and bring them out of Aegypt by a strong hand, Gen. 15. 13, 14, 15, 16. Exod. 12. 40. 41. Acts 7. 6. 7. To teach us, that all loyal Subjects, Saints, Christians ought to blesse, pray for, not only their godly, christian, orthodox, Religious Kings, who protect, preserve them in their Religion, Laws, Liberties; but even for their Pagan, Heretical Kings, and such who afflict, oppresse, persecute them; and not to curse, depose, murder, destroy, or rebell against them, Mat. 5. 43, 44, 45. Luke 6. 27, 28, 29. c. 23, 24. Acts 8. 60. Rom. 13. 1, 2, 3. c. 12. 19, 20, 21. 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3. 1 Pet. 2. 18, to 25. contrary to the practice, tenents of the Saints, subjects of this degenerate, apostate, treacherous, and perfidious age. 5ly. That one part of Gods and mens blessing of Kings, is, that they may have a numerous, continuing progeny, permanent House, and royal issue to succeed them in the throne, and reign over their Nations and Kingdoms, in happinesse, peace, safety, prosperity for many generations, Gen. 17. 5, 6, 7. 16. 2 Sam. 7. 10. to the end 2 Chron. 6. 4, to 18. 1 Kings 8. 18, to 27. c. 11. 36, 37, 38. 2 Kings 10. 31. Ps. 132. 11, 12. compared with Psal. 128. 3 4, 5, 6. Gen. 24. 60. Which no doubt was one chief part of Jacobs blessing of and prayer for King Pharaoh; being one principle br…nch of the blessings he bestowed on and wished to his own Sons and Grandsons, when he blessed them before his death, Gen. 48. 15, 16, 19, …3. c. 49. 10. 22, 25, 28. Whence it inevitably followe…, that it is the property, duty of all loyal, pious Saint…, Christians, people, cordially to pray for and desire God to blesse their Kings with a numerous permanent royal issue and posterity to succeed them in their royal thrones, and reign over them with all peace, safety, felicity; not to difinherit, banish, abjure, extirpate their posterities, and deprive them of their hereditary Crowns; which some now deem their Saintship; piety, honour, felicity to accomplish.
The 3d. are the several prayers and supplications that Moses made for King Pharaoh, the grand oppre…or, enthraller, afflicter of the Israelites, (when *Exod. 1. 6, to the end. c. 2. 23, 24, 25. c. 3. 7, 8, 9, 10. Acts 7. 18, to 35.God sent him to rescue them from their intollerable bondage …nder him and his Officers) to remove those very plagues which God himself inflicted on Pharaoh and his Aegyptians, thereby to deliver them from their vassallage and bring them out thence to the promised Land: thus recorded by Moses himself, Exod. 8. 8. to 14. When the frogs came up and covered the land of Aegypt; then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the Lord that he may take away the Frogs from me and from my people, and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice to the Lord. And Moses said to Pharaoh, Glory over me; against when shall I intreat for thée and for thy Servants, and for thy People, to destroy the frogs from thee, and thy houses, that they may remain in the river only? And he said, to morrow. And Moses said, be it according to thy word, that thou mayst know that there is none like unto the Lord our God: and the frogs shall depart from thee, and from thy houses, and from thy servants, and from thy people, they shall remain in the River only. And Moses and Aaron went out from Pharaoh. And Moses cryed unto the Lord because of the frogs which he had brought against Pharaoh: And the Lord did according to the word of Moses, and the frogs dyed out of the Houses, out of the Villages, and out of the Field, v. 29, 30, 31. Moses intreated the Lord, that the swarms of frogs he sent might depart from Pharaoh, from his Servants, and from his Pople. And the Lord did according to the word of Moses, and he removed the frogs at Pharaohs request, there remained not one. After this Moses intreated the Lord to remove the mighty Thunder and Hail he had sent, spreadiug abroad his hands unto the Lord in prayer for that end, and they ceased, Exod. 9. 28, 29, 33. The like he did at his Intreaty, to remove the plague of Locusts, Exod. 10. 7, 18, 19.
From these Presidents and practice of Moses, I shall deduce these genuine seasonable Observations. 1. That eExod. 1 8. c. 2. 1, to 16. Act. 7. 20, to 32. H…. 11 23, 24, 25.Moses being born in Egypt, and bred …p in Pharaohs Court, was rather a Native subject to King Pharaoh, than a mere Sojourner and Foreiner, as Abraham and Jacob were to Abimelech and Pharaoh; (though he had been absent thence about forty years;) it thence follows from the premises, That Subjects as well as Sojourners, are bound by duty and allegeance to pray for their Kings and people. 2ly. Moses was enforced to fExod …. 11, to 16. Acts 7. 24, to 30.fly out of Egypt to save his life, because Pharaoh sought to … him for killing an Egyptian, who smote and oppr… an Hebrew, one of his Brethren: and this Pharaoh to whom God sent him, and for whom he thus prayed four times after each other, was not only a Pagan-Idolater, but in all probability the Kings Son, or Grand-son, who sought to slay him, Aegypt being an her… ditary Kingdom, as Isay 19. 11. and all Historians record. Yea both these Pharaohs, with two or more of their Ancestors, and their Officers, did gExod 1 8, to 22 c. 2. 1, to 23. c 3. 6, to 11. Acts 7. 18, to 35 …. 105 25.extraordinarily oppress the Israelites, ca…sing all their Male-children they could meet with to be drowned in the River, but such as the Midwives preserved against their commands, afflicting them by their Task-masters, heavy burdens, rigor…us service, and hard bondage, which made their lives bitter, and caused them to sigh, groan, and cry unto the Lord by reason of the bondage, who thereupon heard their cry, and saw their oppression, and remembred his Covenant made with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to rescue them from their Thraldom. yet notwithstanding Moses prayed four times to remove the Plagues God had inflicted on Pharaoh, his Servants and people; and no waies endeavoured to deprive, or disinherit them either of their Lives, Crowns, or Succession, though hNumb. 12. …. ps. 90. 1. Ps. 106. 23.a chosen Servant, Man, and Saint of God, iExod. 3, & 4, to …. 15 Acts 7. 30, to 37. …. 105. 26, to 30.commissioned, and sent by God himself to deliver the Israelites from their bondage under Pharaoh, and bring them out of Egypt. Whence I shall irrefragably infer, That the eminentest chosen Saints, Men and Servants of God, yea all other loyal Subjects ought chearfully to obey and pray for, not only their Pagan, Idolatrous, but persecuting and oppressing Kings, and their royal Posterity; and though they may use all lawfull means to deliver themselves and fellowsubjects from their unjust tyranny, bondage, oppressions; yet they neither lawfully can, nor ought forcibly to dethrone, disinherit them, or their Posterities of their Crowns, nor rebel against, or deprive them of their lives by tumultuous Insurrections, Assassinations, and High Courts of Justice.
3ly. That Godly persecuted, oppressed Subjects, mayMa…. …. 43, 44, … … page …. and ought to pray for the removal of those Judgements which God himself inflicts upon their oppressive, persecuting Kings, their Servants, People, successively one after another, for those persecutions, tyrannies, oppressions, under which they groan and cry, of purpose to bring them to repentance, and deliver them from their bondage, pressures, vexations under them; as Moses did in this case of Pharaoh, his Officers and the Egyptians for the removal of 4 grievous Plagues inflicted upon them one after another by God himself, and Moses and Aaron as his Instruments.
Thus much concerning these most memorable, antient Presidents, before the Law and Kings of Israel, which none have hitherto pressed or insisted on in this kind, to my knowledge, as I have done.