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The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods True Saints Part 1 and 2 · William Prynne

The Signal Loyalty and Devotion of Gods True Saints Part 1 and 2, Chapter 2

CHAP. II.

I Shall in the next place proceed to Presidents of Gods Servants and people under the Law, from the first erection of the Israelites into a kingdom, till our Saviours Nativity, intermixed with some examples of this kind in Pagan Idolators within that circle of time.

The first Prayer and President of this nature recorded in sacred Story, by Gods own Spirit, is that which was …ed at the anointing and inauguration of Saul, the very first King, * elected, ordained by God himself over his ow… 1 Sam. 8. 22. c. 9. 16, 17 c 12. 12, 13. c. 15. 1. 19. Jo-s…phus … … 1. 6. c. 5, 6, 7.people of Israel: when Saul being chosen by lot, and fetched from among the …ff where he had hid himself, 1 Sam. 11. 23, 24. The Prophet Samuel said to all the people, See yee him whom the Lord hath chosen, that there is none like him among all the people: And all the people thereupon shouted, and said, God save the King, or Let the King live, as the Hebrew Phrase renders it: which no doubt they o…t times repeated, according to the usual practice at all Kings inaugurations and coronations ever since; which probably they …ned from the custom of other Nations round about them, who had Kings and kingly Government before them, as the 1 Sam. 8. 5, 19, 20. Make us a King to judge us like all the Nations; Nay, but we will have a King over us, that we also may be like all the Nations; compared with Deut. 17. 19. And shall say, I will set a King over me like as all the Nations that are about me; more than intimate. Now these words, *Josephus Antiq Judaic. 1. 6. c. 5. 6.Vivat Rex, Let the King live, or God save the King,, are not only a most royal, loyal Salutation and Acclamation of all the People, as directed to King Sauls person, and inauguration; but a direct Prayer unto God for his long life, happiness, and prosperous Reign over them as their King, as the words themselves, and the use of them in succeeding Ages import; compared with Psal. 72. 15. Ps. 21. 4, 5. Ps. 34. 12. Ps. 61. 6, 7. Gen. 17. 18. Not long after, when Saul had totally routed Nahash the Ammonite and his great Army, and rescued Jabesh Gilead from them which they had encamped against, 1 Sam. 11. 11. thereupon after this Salvation which the Lord had wrought by him for Israel, v. 14, 15. Samuel said to the pecple, Come and let us go up to Gilgal and renew the kingdom there: and all the people went to Gilgal, and there they made Saul King before the Lord: and there they sacrificed Sacrifices of Peace-offerings before the Lord, and there Saul and the men of Israel rejoyced greatly. Which words imply, that both Samuel and the people by making Saul King the second time before the Lord, and offering PeaceOff…rings offering, and rejoycing greatly before the Lord, did make special Prayers and Thanksgivings unto God for his life, prosperity, and victorious success over his and their Enemies, according to the subsequent Gospel-text grounded on this Pre…dent, 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. And Samuels subsequent words to the people at this meeting, ch. 12. 13, 14, 23, 25. Now therefore behold the King whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired, and behold the Lord hath set a King over you: if you will fear the Lord, and serve him, and obey his Voyce, and not rebel against the Commandement of the Lord, then shall both ye, and also the King that reigneth over you, continue following the Lord your God; But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be destroyed, both you and your King. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord, in ceasing to pray for you: compared with the 1 Sam. 15. 35. where it is recorded, that after Gods rejection of Saul, and repenting he had made him King, for disobeying his command in sparing Agag, and the best of the Amalekites spoyles; Nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul, and ch. 16. v. 1. And the Lord said to Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from being King over Israel? All these do clearly evidence, that Samuel the Prophet, and no doubt all other his loyal pious Subjects, Priests and Levites did constantly make Prayers, Supplications, and Intercessions to God for Saul, and bewail and moan for his Sins, even after God had rejected him, much more then did they perform this Duty before Gods rejection during all his Reign, as well as at his inauguration.

The next King over Gods people by divine election and designation was David, in whose House, Seed, and Royal Progeny God established the hereditary succession of the Crown and kingdom, both by his Promise, Covenant and Oath, 2 Sam. 7. 10, to the end. 1 Chron. 28. 4, to 10. 1 Kings 18. 25, 26. 2 Chron. 7. 17, 8. c. 23. 3. Ps. 89. 3, 4, 28, 29. Ps. 132. 11, 12, 13, 14. Jer. 33. 20, 21. What particular Prayers and Acclamations were made at his Instalment in the Royal Throne over the Tribes of Israel, I find not recorded in Scripture or Josephus: only I read in general, 2 Sam. 5. 3. All the Tribes of Israel came to David to Hebron, and King David made a League with them in Hebron before the Lord, and they anointed David King over Israel; no doubt with many Prayers to God for his life and prosperous Reign, and reiterated shouts, Let the King live, as at Sauls precedent, and Solomons and other kings subsequent inaugurations, though omitted for brevity in sacred History. During Davids Reign, I shall observe several particulars pertinent to my purpose.

1. Davids Soul-ravishing Prayer and Thanksgiving made to God himself upon Gods message, and promise to him by Nathan the Prophet, to set up his Seed after him, and to establish his House, Kingdom, and Throne for ever, recorded at large, 2 Sam 7. In which Prayer David used these expressions amongst other, v. 25. &c. And now O Lord God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy Servant, and concerning his House, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said: And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The Lord of Hosts is the God over Israel, and let the House of thy Servant David be established before thee, &c. And now O Lord God thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodnesse unto thy Servant; therefore now let it please thee to bless the House of thy Servant, that it may continue for ever before thee; for thou O Lord hast spoken it, and with thy Blessing let the House of thy Servant be blessed for ever. Here we have David the first hereditary king over Gods people, upon the first tidings of Gods promise to settle the Inheritance and Succession of the kingdom of Israel in his House and seed for ever; making a most zealous, fervent pathetical Thanksgiving and Prayer to God for the accomplishmeut of this promise, in establishing and blessing his House for ever. Which being afterwards put in writing, and particularly recorded in sacred Story, no doubt was constantly used both in private and publick by himself, and all his loyal devout Subjects, whether Priests. Levites, or people all his Reign, and registred as a sacred President for all hereditary pious Kings and Subjects future imitation.

2ly. Davids publick Prayers, Psalms, and Thanksgivings to God for himself as King, and for his Royal Son and his Posterity that should succeed him in the Throne, recorded in sacred writ, prescribed to the Church and people of God during his Reign, and succeeding Ages, and constantly used by them, and all Churches of God to this very day, at the inauguration of their Kings, and upon other royal Solemnities, Victories, Triumphs and Installments, or mariages of their Sons and heirs to the Crown. I shall instance only in Psal: 18. I will love thee, O Lord my strength, &c. Therefore will I give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto thy name; Great deliverance giveth he to his King, and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David and to his séed for evermore, Psal. 21. The King shall joy in thy strength, O Lord; and in thy Salvatian how greatly shall he rejoyce! For thou hast given him his hearts desire, thou hast not withholden the request of his lips: for thou preventest him with the blessings of goodness, thou settest a Crown of pure gold on his head. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of dayes for ever and ever, his glory is great in thy salvation, glory and majesty hast thou laid upon him; for thou hast made him most blessed for ever, &c. Which Psalm, though it be mystically applied to Christ the King of his Church and Saints by*Basil, Augustin, Arnobius, Mercer, & others. many, yet doubtless it was literally meant of King David himself who compiled it. Psal. 45. My heart is indicting a good matter, I will speak of the things which I have made touching the King: literally intended of Solomon, but mystically of Christ his kingdom and Church. Psal. 61. Hear my cry, O God, attend unto my Prayer, &c. Thou wilt prolong the Kings life, and his years as many generations; He shall abide before God for ever, O prepare mercy and truth which may preserve him. Psal. 72. 1, 2, &c. Give the King thy Judgements, O God, and thy Righteousness unto the Kings Son; Then shall he judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgement, &c. He shall save the souls of the needy: He shall redeem their Soul from deceit and violence, and precious shall their bloud be in his sight: He shall live, and unto him shall be given of the Gold of Sheba, Praye… also shall be made for him continually, and daily shall he be praised. Which Psalm, though mystically meant of Jesus Christ the Son of David, as all accord; yet it was first literally made, used in and by the Church and people of God, and prescribed to them as a publike Prayer for King David and his Son Solomon, who was to succeed him in the throne; as most accord, and the Contents in our Bibles resolve; Or for King Solomon (whom some make the penman thereof) and his Son Rehoboam: However it is a direct form and divine precept for the people of God in all hereditary kingdoms, to make continual daily publike and private Prayers, intercessions, supplications and thanksgivings unto God for their hereditary kings, their heirs apparent and successors to the crown and royal posterity, according to the 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2. grounded on this Psalm. I shall conclude with Psal. 89. and Psal. 132. of like nature with the former; wherein not only the Psalmist, but the Churches & Congregations of the Saints in that and succeeding ages, do sing of the mercies of the Lord, and make known his faithfulness to all generations for making this Covenant with David and his seed; I have made a Covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant; Thy séed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations, &c. My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my Covenant shall stand fast with him: His séed also will I make to endure for ever, and his Throne as the dayes of Heaven. If his children forsake my Laws, and walk not in my judgements; if they break my statutes, and keep not my commandements; then will I visit their transgressions with the rod, and their sin with scourges. Nevertheless my loving kindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail. My Covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips; Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David: his séed shall endure for ever, and his Throne as the Sun before me. It shall be established for ever as the Moon, and as the faithfull witnesse in Heaven: Selah. … thy children will keep my covenant and my testimonies that I shall teach them, their children also shall sit upon t…e Throne for evermore; For the Lord hath chosen Zion, he hath desired it for his habitation: This is my rest for ever, there will I dwell, for I have desired it, &c. There will I make the horn of David to bud; I have ordained a lamp for mine anointed: His Enemies will I cloath with shame, but upon himself shall his crown flourish. From all these Psalms which you may read at large, these irrefragable Conclusions may be clearly deduced.

1. That it was the constant practise, duty, not only of King David himself, but of the Church and people of God under him and his royal posteritie, to make incessant prayers, supplications, intercessions and thanksgivings to God both publikely and privately for him, his royal house and posterity.

2ly. That they did in their publike and private devotions, prayers, psalms, and thanksgivings, take special notice and make particular mention of Gods promise to King David, his House, and Royal seed, that they should inherit the Throne and kingdom over his people by succession for ever; and rejoyce therein, yea pray for its accomplishment, and Gods grace and blessing on his House, seed, as their own and the Churches greatest blessing, happinesse, and fafety.

3ly. That as the sins of Davids royal seed and progeny, did not cause God himself, the king of kings, who conferred the kingdom and throne upon them, to break his Oath and Covenant with them, nor to deprive them of their kingly Government, Throne, or totally to withdraw his loving kindness and mercy towards them, but only to chastize them with his rod, and scourge them for their amendment: So it did neither withdraw the allegeance, loyaltie, dutie, prayers, supplications, intercessions, or thanksgivings of the Church and their pious subjects from them, but rather intend and augment them, as is evident by Psal. 89. 38, to 59. and Psal. 132. All which particulars do apparently check and reprehend the contrary late practice of the Subjects and Saints within our three kingdoms and Churches of England, Scotland and Ireland.

4ly. The pietie and loyaltie of Davids Great Officers, and Subjects in praying for him and his people in their conferences with and addresses to him, I shall instance only in 3. presidents. The 1. is that of Joab his chief Captain and General, when David commanded him to number the people, much against his judgement and disswasions from it, 2 Sam. 24. 3. And Joab said unto the King, The Lord thy God adde uuto the People, how many soever they be, and that the eyes of my Lord the King may sée it. The 2. is that of Araunah, when king David after the three dayes of Pestilence inflicted for his numbring the People, came to buy the threshing-floor of him to build an Altar to the Lord, that the plague might be stayed from the people, 2 Sam. 24. 21, 22, 23. And Araunah said unto the King, The Lord thy God accept thée. Both these are direct prayers to God for King David by these two loyal Subjects. The 3. president is the gratulatory salutation and prayer of Hushai, when he sent him, under a pretended revolt from him, to his son Absolom (who usurped his throne and forced him to flie) to undermine Achitophels craftie counsel against him: thus recorded, 2 Sam. 16. 16. And it came to pass, that when Hushai the Archite Davids friend, was come unto Absolom, he said, God save the King, God save the King, or, Let the King live; doubling this salutation of and praier for him. Whence I inferr these 2. probable, if not undeniable Conclusions:

1. That this salutation and praier was usual amongst the Israelites, not only at their kings Coronations, but upon their Officers and Subjects accesses and addresses to them, even in king Davids daies, as well as in all succeeding ages.

2ly. That if Hushai thus used it to Absolom a king only by Traterous usurpation of his Fathers Throne; he and other loyal Officers, subjects, used it much more at the inauguration of, and their addresses to their lawfull pious king David, a man after Gods own heart.

3ly. The third king over Gods own people was Solomon, the first who enjoyed the Crown by inheritance from David his Father by Gods special appointment, and crowned king in his Fathers life time, to prevent the usurpations of his Brother Adonijah, thus recorded in sacred writ, 1 kings 1. 30, to 49. When David was old, his son Adonijah to defeat Solomon of the Crown, making a strong partie caused himself to be proclamed king; which David being informed of by Bathsheba, Solomons mother, he thereupon by the advice of the Prophet Nathan, out of a conscientious performance of the Oath he formerly swore in the name of the Lord to Bathsheba, that Solomon her son should reign after him, which Oath he then renewed: commanded Zadock the Priest, Nathan, and Benaiah, to take his servants, to cause Solomon his son to ride upon his own mu…, and bring him down to Gihon, and there to anoint him King over Israel; and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save King Solomon: Then ye shall come up after him, that he may come and sit upon my throne: for he shall be King in my stead; and I have appointed him to be …uler over Israel and over Judah. Whereupon Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, answered the King, and said, Amen. The Lord God of my Lord the King say so too. As the Lord hath been with my Lord the King, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my Lord King David. So Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiadah, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon king Davids Mule, and they brought him to Gibeon. And Zadok …he Priest took an horn of oyle out of the Taberna…le and anointed Solomon, and they blew the Trumpet, and all the people said, God save King Solomon. And all the people came up after him, and the people piped with pipes, and rejoyced with great joy, so that the earth rent with the sound of them, and the City rang again. VponUpon this Jonathan the Son of Abiathar the Priest came in to Adonijah, and related the premises to him, and all the Ghests that were with him; a…ding, also Solomon sitteth on the Throne of the kingdom, and moreover, the Kings Servants came to bless our Lord King David, saying, God make the name of Solomon better than thy Name, and make his Throne greater than thy Throne: and the King bowed himself upon his Bed. And also thus said the king, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which hath given me one to … … my Throne this day, mine eyes even séeing it. After which *1 Kings 2. 1, to 23. 1 Chron. c. 28. & 29.David assembled all the Princes of Israel, the Princes of the Tribes, the Captains of the Companies that ministred to the King by course, the Captains over the thousands and over the hundreds, the Stewards over all the sub…nce and possessions of the king and of his Sons, with the Officers and mighty men, and with all the valiant men unto Jerusalem: Where standing upon hisfeet, he declared to them Gods election of his son Solomon to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the Lord over Israel; and that he should build God an house; then giving the Congregation and Solomon a charge, to keep and seek all the commandements of God, and to serve him with a perfect heart and willing mind, &c. he gave Solomon a pattern of the form, materials, vessels, chambers, treasuries of the Temple, and courses of the Priests: After which, relating to them the quantity of Gold, silver, pretious stones, brasse and other materials he had provided and dedicated towards the building of the Temple, by his example and exhortation, he caused both the Princes and people to offer bountifully and willingly both gold, silver, brasse, iron and precious stones for the service of the House of God. Whereupon David made a most heavenly thanksgiving and prayer unto God before all the Congregation, who joyned with him therein: In which praier he and the Congregation used this expression relating to Solomon, 2 Chron. 29. 18, 19. O Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel our fath…rs, Give unto Solomon my Son a perfect heart to kéep thy Commandements, thy Testimonies, and thy Statuteo, and to do all these things, and to build the Palace for which I have made provision; After which all the Congregation blessed the Lord God of their Fathers, and bowed down their heads, and worshipped the Lord and the king. And the morrow after they sacrificed sacrifices and offered burnt-offerings unto the Lord, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink-…ffrings, and sacrifices in abundance for all the people: and did eat and drink that day before the Lord with gladness, and they made Solomon the son of David King the second time, and anointed him unto the Lord to be Chief Governor, &c. v. 20, 21. Fro… all which premises it is apparent, 1. That the Priests, Prophets, Prince…, Captains, Officers, and all the people of God at the coronation of Solomon (and so at their other hereditarie Kings inaugurations who succeeded him, by like practice and custom) did blow with Trumpets, pipe with Flutes, rejoice with exceeding joy, and cry out with united shouts, prayers, acclamacions, God save the King, Let the King live; so that the Earth did rent, and the City ring again with the sound thereof. 2ly. That besides this usual short prayer and ejaculation unto God for him and their following Kings; the greatest, devoutest of the Officers and people did break forth into other most affectionate, pathetical expressions, & praiers for them, as Benaiah, and other of Davids servants did here in the case of Solomon saying, The Lord God of my Lord the king say Amen too. As the Lord hath been with my Lord the king David, so let him bee with Solomon, and make his name better than thy name, and make his throne greater than thy throne. 3ly. That they joyned in publike prayers to God for their Kings, after their installments in the kingdom, as the whole Congregation did here with David for Solomon, O Lord God of Abraham, &c. give unto my son Solomon a perfect heart to keep thy Commandements, &c. & Ps. 132. 1, &c. 4ly. That in their usual addresses to their Kings, they bless them, by wishing them spiritual and temporal blessings, long life and prosperity to them, and bless God for their advancement to the Throne and Government over them, as is evident by the 1 Kings 1. 27. 43. compared with the 2Sam. 10. 16. and other subsequent texts. 5ly. I shall adde to the premises this passage in Huram king of Tyre his letter to Solomon, 2 Chron. 2. 12. Huram said moreover, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel that hath made heaven and earth, who hath given to David a wise Son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the Lord, and an house for his kingdom: And these words of the Queen of Sheba to Solomon, 2 Chron. 9. 7, 8. 1 Kings 10. 7, 8. Happy are thy men, and happy are these thy servants which stand continually before thee, and hear thy wisdom; Blessed be the Lord thy God which delighted in thée, to set thée on his throne, to be King for the Lord thy God; because thy God loved Israel to establish them for ever, therefore made hee thee King over them, to do judgement and justice. Now if King Huram and the Queen of Sheba meer foreiners, Princes, not subjects, thus blessed God for Solomons kingdom, justice, reign, and advancement to his fathers throne, for the establishment and welfare of his subjects; then much more were the Israelites themselves, his own subjects and servants, obliged to blesse him, and blesse God for his reign, wisdom, and good government over them; which no doubt they did constantly perform in their publike and private Devotions, and all their addresses to him, as also to their other Kings succeeding him; (though not particularly recorded in the books of Kings and Chronicles, which are but short Epitomes of his and their reigns.) 3ly. When King Solomon had finished the Temple, *1 Kings c. 7. & 8. 2 Chron. c. 5. & 5.he assembled all the Elders, heads of the Tribes, and chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, with the Priests and Levites to Jerusalem to bring up the Ark and dedicate the Temple; where ‖1 Kings 8. 14, to 22. 2 Chron. 6. 4, to 12.Solomon having first bl…ssed all the Congregation, he (with the whole Congregation of Israel, standing before, and joyning with him) Blessed the Lord God of Israel, who had with his hands fulfilled that which he spake with his mouth to his father David, That his Son which should come out of his loyns should build an House to the name of the Lord God of Israel. The Lord therefore hath performed his word that he hath spoken, for I am risen up in the room of David my Father, and am set on the Throne of Israel as the Lord promised, and have built the House for the Lord God of Israel, &c. After which *1 Kings 8. 22, to 27. 2 Chron. 6. 12, to 18. 42.he stood before the Altar of the Lord upon a brazen scaffold, and kneeled upon his knees before all the Congregation of Israel, and spred forth his hands towards heaven, and said; O Lord God of Israel, there is none like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth, which keepest Covenant and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts. Thou which hast kept with thy servant David my father, that which thou hast promised him, and spakest with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thy hand, as it is this day: Now therefore, O Lord God of Israel kéep with thy servant David my Father that which thou hast promised him, saying, There shall not fail thée a Man in my sight to sit upon the Throne of Israel; yet so, that thy children take heed to their way, to walk in my Law, as thou hast walked before me. Now then, O Lord God of Israel, let thy word (I pray thée) be verified, which thou hast spoken unto thy servant David, &c. O Lord God turn not away the face of thine anointed; Remember the Mercies of David thy servant. When *1 Kings 8. 34, to 62. 66.Solomon had ended all his prayer and supplication to the Lord, he arose from kneeling on his knees, with his hands spread up to heaven: and he stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying; Blessed be the Lord God that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he hath promised, there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The Lord our God be with us as he was with our Fathers: Let him not leave us nor forsake us: that he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his wayes, and to keep his Commandements, and his Statutes, and his Iudgements, which he commanded our Fathers. And let these my words wherewith I have made supplication before the Lord, be nigh unto the Lord day & night, that he may maintain the cause of his servant, & the cause of his people Israel, the thing of a day in his day, (or, at all times, as the matter shall require) that all the People of the Earth may know, that the Lord is God, and there is none else, &c. After all the Dedications, sacrifices, offerings and feasts were fully ended, *1 Kings 8. 66. 2 Chron. 7. 10.Solomon sent the people away, and they blessed the King, and went unto their tents Ioyfull and glad of heart for all the goodnesse that the Lord had shewed unto David his servant, to Solomon, and to Israel his people. In these remarkable passages we have King Solomon blessing all his Princes, Elders, people, and they blessing him again; and both of them joyning together in blessings, thanksgivings, and prayers to God for his blessings, mercies, and fulfilling of Promises, Covenants to each other and their ancestors, especially to King David and his royal posterity, in relation to their spiritual and temporal welfare, and exceedingly rejoycing for Gods goodness mutually bestowed on each other; but more especially for Gods promise made and fulfilled to David, Solomon and their royal posterity, That they should not want a man of their seed to sit upon the throne of Israel for ever, for the real performance whereof they all most earnestly prayed, as well as for David and Solomon; as the only means under God of their perpetual unity, safety, felicity. Now these Prayers, Blessings, and Thanksgivings of Solomon thus made at the dedication of the Temple, registred by the Dictate of Gods Spirit, inserted into the History and Canon of the Scriptures, as patterns of imitation for the Israelites and all Gods people in succeeding generations; we cannot but conceive and acknowledge they were frequently recited and imitated, at least by the godly Israelites upon all occasions, both publikely and privatly.

4ly. When idolatrous*1 Kings 13. 1, to 7. King Jeroboam put forth his hand to lay hold on the Prophet and man of God, who prophecied against his Altar at Bethel, and God thereupon immediately dryed up his hand he stretched out, so that he could not pull it in again to him; Thereupon the King said to the man of God, Intr…at 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 besought the face of the Lord, and the Kings hand was restored again, and became as it was before. Here we have a Prophet and man of God praying for an Idolater and persecuting king, to restore that very hand he then stretched out against him, to apprehend and imprison him for prophecying against his idolatrous Altar by Gods special command. How much more then would he have prayed for king David, Solomon, and other pious Kings to restore and preserve their lives?

5ly. When‖2 Kings 11, 4, &c. 2 Chron. 23. Athaliah had slain all the seed royal of the house of David but Joash, an infant of an year old, and usurped the Crown above six years, Jehoiada the High Priest called the Rulers of the hundreds, and Captains of the guard, and all the chief fathers of Israel and the Levites, and brought them into the House of the Lord, and made a Covenant with them, and took an Oath of them, and …ewed them Joash the kings son (whom he hid, being but 7. years old) and said unto them; Behold the kings son shall reign, as the Lord hath said of the sons of David. Then disposing the Captains, Guards and Levites in the Temple, with their weapons in their hands round about Joash, they thereupon brought out the Kings Son, and put upon him the Crown, and gave him the Testimony, and made him King; and Jehoiadah and his sons anointed him, and they clapt their hands, and said, God save the King And all the people of the Land rejoyced and sounded with Trumpets, also the Singers with Iustruments of Musick, and such as taught to sing praise; praysing the King. And Jehoiada took the Captains of hundreds, and the Nobles, and the Governours of the people, and all the people of the land, and brought down the king from the House of the Lord, and set the king upon the throne of the kingdom. And all the people of the Land rejoyced, and the City was quiet after they had slain Athaliah with the sword. Here we have the self-same acclamation and prayer, Let the King live, or, God save the King, made by Jehoiada the High-Priest and his Sons, the Captains of the Army, the Princes, Officers, Priests, with all the City and people present at the coronation of Joash, right heir to the Crown by descent from the House of King David, as was used at the Inaugurations of Saul and Solomon, and no doubt was practised at the coronations of all other Kings of Judah and Israel, though not particularly recorded in the Sacred History of their lives and reigns, being a thing so vulgarly known, for brevity sake, it being the received practice, custom of all other Nations at the Coronations of their Kings and Emperors till this very day, as is evident by Dan. 2. 4. c. 3. 9. c. 6. 6. 21. as well as among the Israelites.

6. I shall evidence the truth of the Israelites practice in praying for their kings whiles they lived, by what the Scripture records touching their lamentation and publike mourning for their pious and good kings when they died. It is recorded 2 Chron. 35. 24, 25. that when good King Josiah died o… his wounds received in battel, and was buried, all Iudah and Ierusalem mourned for him: and all the singing men and singing women spake of Iosiah in their Lamentations unto this day, and made them an Ordinance in Israel, and behold they are written in the Lamentations, writ upon this occasion amongst others, as is evident by Lam. 4. 20. c. 5. 16. The breath of our nostrils the anointed of the Lord, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the Heathen. The Crown of our head is fallen. Wo unto us that we have sinned. If all Judah and Jerusalem, the singing men and singing women, and Jeremiah the Prophet thus mourned for, and lamented the death of Josiah, and their other good Kings, at and after their funerals; no doubt they constantly prayed for their health, long life, and prosperous reigns whiles they were living, (as the premises evidence) though not particularly recorded in the Abridgement of their reigns, in the Books of Kings, and Chronicles.

7. Ezra, c. 9. 7. in his prayer, Nehemiah, c. 9. 32, 34. in his prayer, Jeremiah, Lam. 2. 9. and Daniel, c. 9. 6, 8. in his prayer confessed, lamented the sins of their Kings and Princes, and bewailed their deliverance into the hands of the Kings of the Lands, to the Sword, to Captivity, to a spoyl and Confusion of face; and prayed, not to let all the trouble that had come upon them seem little, &c. Therefore no doubt they constantly prayed for their kings, during their reigns and prosperity, who thus lamented their captivity and misery.

8. The Prophet Ezekiels injunction by God, c. 19. 10, &c. to take up a Lamentation for the Princes of Israel because they were cut off and caried away captives, the strong rod (of the royal progeny) broken and withered; so as Israel had no strong rod left to be a Seepter to rule: concluding thus, this is a Lamentation, and shall be for a Lamentation. with that of the Prophet Hosea, c. 10. 3. In that day, Israel shall say (by way of Lamentation and grief) we have no King, because we fear…d not the Lord: what then should a King do to us? Are convincing Arguments, that these Prophets and all fearing God, did constantly pray for the life and continuance of their kings and kingly Government, and Posterity, whiles they enjoyed them, as their principal earthly blessing and security, since they thus sadly lamented the want and Captivity of their kings, and Princes of the royal bloud, to rule over them, as their greatest misery, and infelicity, both for the present and future, till restored to the throne again to rule over them.

9. The Israelites, whiles they were bondmen and Captives under the Babylonians, Assyrians, Persians, having no kings nor Princes of Davids royal posterity to rule over thē, did make prayers, & offer Sacrifices to God for the lives & prosperity of these Pagan kings, & their sons too; therefore no doubt they did it much more out of loyalty and duty for their own hereditary kings, and their sons, whiles they reigned over them. For their practice in relation to those forein kings, under whom they were Captives, though Pagans, Idolaters, and Enemies to their Nation, We have one memorable Precept, and at least three Presidents in Scripture.

The 1. is that of Jer. 29. 1, to 9. where Jeremiah the Prophet, (by Gods direction and command) writ thus in his letter sent from Jerusalem to the Elders, Priests, Prophets, and all the people of Israel, when Nebuchodonosor had caried them away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. Thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, uuto all who are caried away captive from Jerusalem to Babylon: Build ye houses, plant vineyards, take ye Wives, and beget Sons and Daughters, &c. And seek ye the peace of the City, whither I have caused you to be carried away captive, and pray unto the Lord for it (to which*Rhemigius Haymo. some Antients adde) and pray for the life of Nebuchodonosor and his sons, virtually included in the former clause at least, for in the peace thereof ye shall have peace. If all the Elders, Priests, Prophets and people of Israel, were thus specially commanded by God himself, to pray for the Peace, and Prosperity of this Idolatrous City of Babylon, their*Ps. 137. Jer. 50, & 51. greatest Enemies and persecutors wherein they lived in captivity and bondage, and for King Nebuchodonosor and his sons lives, who burnt their City and Temple at Jerusalem, destroyed, captivated their Kings, Princes, kingdom, Nation, and sent them captives to Babylon; because in their Peace and prosperity themselves should enjoy peace and tranquillity even in and under their bondage; Then doubtlesse were they much more obliged in duty, piety, prudence, to pray for the peace, life, health and felicity of their own Kings, kingdom, and royal City of Jerusalem, whiles they there lived under their royal Government. I shall compare this with Baruch, 1. where we read the Jews in Babylon, upon reading of Baruchs book, made a collection of mony, and sent it to Jerusalem unto Joachim the High Priest, and to the Priests and all the people which were found at Jerusalem. And they (the Jews who brought it) said, Behold we have sent you mony to buy Burnt-offerings, and Sin-offerings, and Incense, and prepare ye Meat-offerings, and offer upon the Altar of the Lord our God: And pray for the life of Nebuchodonosor K. of Babylon, and for the life of Balthasar his Son, that their daies may be upon Earth as the dayes of Heaven. And the Lord will give us strength, and lighten our eyes, and we shall live under the shadow of Nebuchodonosor King of Babylon, and under the shadow of Balthasar his Son, and we shall serve them many daies, and find favour in their sight. Pray for us also unto the Lord our God, for we have sinned against the Lord our God; and unto this day the fury of the Lord and his wrath is not turned from us. From which passage (though it be Apocryphal) it is apparent, that the Iews during their captivity both at Babylon and Ierusalem did constantly pray to God for the long life, welfare, and prosperous reign of Nebuchodonosor, and his Son after him, though Pagan-Idolators, and Enemies who destroyed their Country, City, Temple, led most of them away Captives out of their own Land, and made them Tributaries and Bondmen to them… Therefore much more did they and were they bound in duty, loyalty, allegiance, and prudence, to pray for their own hereditary, natural, rightfull kings of Davids royal Family whiles they reigned over them.

The 2. is the observable president of the Prophet Daniel himself, Dan. 6. who did accordingly perform this duty: he being a captive under Darius, though a Pagan King, an Idolater, an Enemy to the whole Jewish Nation, a Foreiner, of the Persian, not Israelitish race, an impious Tyrant, Persecutor, if not Enemy to himself and the true God, making, establishing, and signing this royal Decree at the sollicitation of his Princes, on purpose to insnare Daniel, That whosoever shall ask a Petition of any God or Man for thirty dayes, save of King Darius himself, should be cast into the Lions den; for breach of which impious dec…ee by praying to God, Daniel was cast by the Kings commandement, through the Princes malice against him, into the Lions den, and a stone laid at the mouth of the den, which the K. sealed with his own signet and the signet of his Lords, that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel: Yet, notwithstanding all these circumstances, which might in the judgement of flesh and bloud disoblige Daniel from his dutifull alle…iance to and prayer for Darius his life and happinesse; No sooner did King Darius come to the Lions den the next morning, early, crying with a lamentable voice, and saying, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God whom thou servest continually able to deliver th…e from the Lions? but Daniel, the very first words he used, brake forth into this most loyal salutation of, and prayer for him, v. 20, 21. O King live for ever. My God hath sent his Angel, and hath shut up the Lions mouths, that they have not hurt me; for as much as before him innocency was sound in me, and also before thee O King have I done no hurt: calling him King no less than twice together, no… Tyrant, Infidel, Persecutor, Enemy of God, and his people (as some degenerate Saints of this Age would have done, without any such injustice as he suffered from and by his decree) and using the self-same Salutation to and Prayer for him, and other idolatrous persecuting Kings, as their natural born Subjects & Princes used, as is evident by comparing this Text with Dan. 2. 4. c. 3. 9. c. 5. 10. c. 6. 6. Therefore questionless he and other godly Israelites did, and would have manifested the like loyalty, piety, and reverence towards their own hereditary Kings of Davids posterity in their own Country, though Idolaters, Persecutors, Tyrants, much more when just, upright, mercifull, bountifull, and religious.

The 3. is the memorable Decree of King Darius, concerning the building, repairing, expences and oblations of the House of the Lord in Jerusalem, and the chief end thereof, recorded Ezra 6. 3, to 14. Moreover I make a Decree, that you shall do for the Elders of these Jews, for the building of the House of God, that of the Kings Goods, even of the Tribute beyond the River, forthwith expences be given to these men, that they be not hindred. And that which they have need of, both young bullocks, and rams, and lambs, for the Burnt-offerings of the God of Heaven, wheat, salt, wine and oyle, according to the appointment of the Priests which are at Ierusalem, let it be given them day by day without fail, that they may offer *Iosephus Antiqu. Iudae. l. 11. c. 4. … n…n desinentes quotidie sacrificare, TAM PRO ME, quam pro Persarum gente Deum deprecantur.Sacrifices of sweet savors unto the God of heaven, and pray for the life of the King, and of his Sons. Also I have made a Decree, that whosoever shall alter this word, let timber be pulled down from his house, and being set up, let him be hanged thereon, and let his house be made a dunghill for this, &c By this Decree it is most apparent, 1. That the Priests and people of God at Ierusalem, living as Tributaries under this pagan Persian King, were specially enjoyned and required by his royal decree, day by day to offer Sacrifices, and pray unto the God of Heaven for the life of the King, and of his Sons, of which there could be but these two probable grounds: either, that they used thus daily to offer Sac…ifices and prayers to the God of heaven for their own hereditary Kings and their Sons in the old Temple at Ierusalem, by Davids and Solomons injunction, before it was demolished; as they were now ordered after its rebuilding and repair; which is most probable, since their antient usual daily Sacrifices and prayers for the King and his Sons are here conjoyned. Or, because their own pagan Priests used to do so in Persia, Babylon, and their own antient Dominions. 2. That this Decree in all its part…, specially in this last, was so peremptory and penal, that whosoever should alter or disobey it, was to have the Timber pulled from his house, and hanged thereon, and his house to be made a Dunghill for this. Therefore this Duty was no doubt constantly performed by the Priests and Elders of the Jews in whose favour it was made. If then those Priests and Subjects demerited such a severe punishment as this, for refu…ing or neglecting to make daily sacrifices and prayers to the God of Heaven for this forein Pagan King and his Sons, to whom they were only Captives and Tributaries; what penalties, executions do those undutifull disloyal Christian Subjects and Ministers deserve, who wilfully neglect, refuse, nay prohibit under grievous penalties, daily Prayers and Intercessions to be made to the God of heaven for their own undoubted natural hereditary Christian Protestant Kings and their Sons, against the purport of this Decree, and the express injunction of God himself in the New Testament, 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2, 3? No doubt hanging, and demolishing their Houses is too good for them, if this Pagan King may be Umpire.

The 4. is the Decree of King Artaxerxes to Ezra the Priest, and Scribe of the Law of the God of Heaven, for monies to buy Bullocks, Rams, Lambs, with their Meat-offerings and Drink-offerings, and to offer them upon the Alter of the house of God which was at Jerusalem, Ezra 7. 11, to 25. in which Decree, though there be no such express clause as in the former, to offer Sacrifices and Prayers to the God of Heaven for the King and his Sons; yet it is comprised therein in the general, being but a confirmation of the Decree of Darius, and it is clearly intimated and expressed in the reason of this Decree at the close thereof. Whatsoever is commanded by the God of Heaven, let it be diligently done for the house of the God of Heaven, for why should there be wrath against the Realm of the King and his Sons? which wrath Ezra, the Priests and people of Israel, worshipping the God of Heaven, were to deprecate and stave off by their daily publick Sacrifices and prayers to the God of Heaven, in the behalf of this King, his Sons and Realm, and praying for their welfare and prosperity; which no doubt they constantly performed, as is evident by Ezraes special Thanksgiving to God, v. 27, 28. Blessed be the Lord God of our Fathers which hath put such a thing as this into the Kings heart, to beautifie the House of the Lord which is at Jerusalem, and hath extended mercy unto me before the King and his Counsellors, and before the Kings mighty Princes, & ch. 9. 8, 9, 10. And now for a little space Grace hath been shewed from the Lord our God to leave us a remnant to escape, and to give us a Nayl in his holy place, that our God may lighten our eyes, and give us a little reviving in our bondage. For we were Bondmen, yet our God hath not forsaken us in our Bondage, but hath extended mercy to us in the sight of the King of Persia, to give us a reviving, to set up the House of our God, and to repair the desolations thereof, and to give us a wall in Judah and Jerusalem. And now, O our God, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandement, &c. The recital of which mercy in Ezra his solemn Thanksgiving, and also in his publick humiliation, was a most effectual prayer for this King and his Sons, and praysing God for the benefits extented to his people by their means and favour.

To these 4. Precepts and Presidents in sacred writ, I shall annex a 5th. out of the Jewish History, *Josephus Antiqu. Jud. l. 18. c. 10, 11. philo de legatione ad Caium. Eusebius Eccles. Hist. l. 2. c. 5. Nicephorus, l 2. c. 9. Dr. Hamonds Annotations on 1 Tim. 2. 1, 2.Apion accused the Jews to the Emperor Caius Caligula (who usurped to himself divine honour) that when all other Nations throughout the Roman Empire, dedicated Temples and Altars to him, and erected his Statue in their Temples, and sware by his name; that the Jews would do neither, nor permit his Statue to be set up in the Temple of their God; whereupon he commanded Petronius with two Legions to make war upon the Jews, unless they would erect his Statue in the Temple; which they peremptorily opposed, as being contrary to the law of their God, and custom of their Ancestors, choosing rather all to dye, and offering their Necks to the Block, than to permit such a transgression against their Gods law. Hereupon they sent Embassadors to Caius, whereof Philo was chief, to satisfie him; who informed him, that though they could not erect his Statue, nor adore him as a God, being contrary to their Religion, yet such was their loyalty towards him, That they did twice every day offer Sacrifices & prayers unto their God for him in the Temple. Therfore no doubt they did the like for Darius, Artaxerxes, Nebuchadnezzar, and other Kings to whom they were Tributaries, and much more for their own natural Kings and their Sons of the House of David.

Xly. God himself gave this express prohibition to the Israelites, Exod. 22. 26. Thou shalt not revile the Gods, nor curse the Ruler of thy People: repeated Acts 23. 3. and thus seconded Eccles. 10. 20. Curse not the King, no not in thy thoughts, for a bird of the Ayr shall carry the voyce, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter: Therefore it is clear by the rule of contraries, yea by Christs and Pauls own expositions, resolutions, Mat. 5. 44. Lu. 6. 28. Rom. 12. 14. that they were to bless and pray for them, yea though they persecuted, and despitefully used them. Shimei for violating these divine Precepts in cursing and rayling against King David, and stiling him a Man of blood, &c … when he fled from his usurping Son Absolom, was thought worthy to lose his head by A…ishai, who would have cut it off, bad not David for the present forbad his execution, 2 Sam. 16. 7, to 10. c. 19. 21. For which crime Solomon by Davids order, afterwards put him to death, 2 Kings 2. 8. 44, 45, 46. using this speech unto him, Thou knowest all the wickedness which thy heart is privy to, that thou didst to David my Father: therefore the Lord shall return thy wickedness upon thine own head; and King Solomon shall be blessed, and the Throne of David shall be established before the Lord for ever; whereas Shimei said, the Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned, and the Lord hath delivered thy Kingdom into the hand of Absolom thy Son, and behold thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. Now if this sin of his in cursing and rayling against David his King was a capital crime and treason deserving death … and God himself reputes it an heinous offence in the idolatrous Israelites and others, when vexed with famine, oppression, and other judgements by evil Kings, to curse their King and look upwards, Isay 8. 21. Then questionless, it is a grievous sin, and capital offence for Subjects to give over, & prohibit all publick and private Prayers for their Kings, or curse thē though wicked, oppressive, idolatrous, tyrannical, much more when just, good, pious, christian, orthodox, and not only to curse, but dethrone, murder them, eject, banish and disinherit their royal posterities, and abolish their Kingly Government, for which they can expect nought else but exemplary punishments, and the reward of Shimei both from God and men, being contrary to all the recited Presidents of Gods Saints and people under the law.