A. That they may be freely and purely exercised. Pray (saith the Apostle) that the word of the Lord may RUN; (that is have a free and a speedy passage) and be glorified, 1that is, be purely and powerfully preached. That which he applieth to the Word, may also be extended to other holy ordinances of God; which that they may be freely and purely exercised,2 we are to pray both for Ministers, & also for Magistrates. For Ministers especially,3 that the Lord would send forth labourers into his harvest: 4and give them utterance, that they may open their mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the Gospel: so as Ability, Liberty, and Integrity, are to be prayed for in the behalf of Ministers. Of all other functions none more needful, none more useful for the Church: none can less be spared then Ministers. Wherefore more instant Prayer is to be made for them.5 Magistrates also,6 who are promised to be given as nourishers & nurses of the Church, may by their good government procure much good to the Church, as Mordecai did. We ought therefore to pray for them:7 that God would raise up men of worth, that may feed his people according to the integrity of their heart, and guide them by the skilfulness of their hands, 8as David did. Where ⟨p. 59⟩there are none to bear rule,9 every man doth that which is good in his own eyes: whence must needs follow much confusion. And where there are evil Magistrates, people are oft drawn to follow their evil courses: witness this stile given to the first King of Israel, Jeroboam which made Israel to sin. 10If they will not follow their evil courses, they shall be sure to be oppressed. For when the wicked beareth rule, 11the people mourn.
A. That they may bee freely and purely exercised. Pray (saith the Apostle) that the word of the Lord may RVNNE; (that is haue a free and a speedie passage) and be glorified, 1that is, be purely and powerfully preached. That which hee applyeth to the Word, may also be extended to other holy ordinances of God; which that they may be freely and purely exercised,2 we are to pray both for Ministers, & also for Magistrates. For Ministers especially,3 that the Lord would send forth labourers into his haruest: 4and giue them vtterance, that they may open their mouth boldly to make known the mysterie of the Gospel: so as Abilitie, Libertie, and Integritie, are to be prayed for in the behalfe of Ministers. Of all other functions none more needful, none more vsefull for the Church: none can lesse be spared then Ministers. Wherefore more instant Prayer is to be made for them.5 Magistrates also,6 who are promised to be giuen as nourishers & nurses of the Church, may by their good gouernment procure much good to the Church, as Mordecai did. Wee ought therefore to pray for them:7 that God would raise vp men of worth, that may feede his people according to the integritie of their heart, and guide them by the skilfulnesse of their hands, 8as Dauid did. Where ⟨p. 59⟩there are none to beare rule,9 euery man doth that which is good in his owne eyes: whence must needs follow much confusion. And where there are euill Magistrates, people are oft drawne to follow their euill courses: witnesse this stile giuen to the first King of Israel, Ieroboam which made Israel to sinne. 10If they will not follow their euill courses, they shall bee sure to be oppressed. For when the wicked beareth rule,
- 12. Thes. 3. 1. [Greek or Hebrew]2. Thes. 3. 1. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉
- 2Pray for Ministers.
- 3Mat. 9. 38.
- 4Ephes. 6. 19.
- 5Pray for Magistrates.
- 6Psal. 49. 23. [Greek or Hebrew]Psal. 49. 23. 〈non-Latin alphabet〉
- 7Est. 10. 3.
- 8Psal 78. 72.
- 9Judg. 21. 25.Iudg. 21. 25.
- 102 King. 10. 31.
- 11Pro. 29. 2.
