There are many presidents recorded in sacred page upon great and notable occasions, with strange success. When good magistrates are busy in the work of reformation, 1let them imitate Nehemiah when redressing the profanation of the Sabbath, Remember me O my God concerning this, &c. When Generals and Captains go forth to war,2 observe Israel's apprecation to God, rather than acclamations to men, The Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses. In time of battles or pursuit of the enemy, valiant Joshua darts up such a prayer as this, O that the Lord would lengthen this triumphant day, and the(c) Lord heard his voice. The tribes beyond Jordan in a(d) battle with the Hagarites, Jehoshaphat in a sore strait(e) at Ramoth Gilead, Sampson ready to perish at Lehi (f)with thirst, and when blind, exposed to contempt in the Temple of Dagon. David near(g) stoning at Ziglag, and when flying from Absalom in the ascent of(h) Mount Olivet. Elisha at Dothan compassed with a Syrian host(i) Lord open the young man's eyes. In the midst of lawful and laborious callings, Boaz to the reapers,(k) the Lord be with ⟨p. 291⟩you, we may pray that our Oxen(l) may be strong to labour; no breaking in or going out, nor no complaining in our streets. It sanctifies the plough as Jerome said of the fields of Bethlehem [quocunque te verteris, 12arator stivam teneus, Alleluia decantat, &c. The tillers of the field and the dressers of vineyards, sang David's psalms, it keeps the shop and inclines the hearts of customers, it bars the doors, it quenches fire, it blesseth thy children(m) within thee, it preserves thy going out and coming in(n). Jacob found it to rest upon his children going a journey(a) to Egypt, it closes the eyes with(b) sweet sleep, it(c) given Songs in the night and wakens the soul in the arms of mercy. It sits at the helm when a(d) storm rises at sea it gives strength to Anchors in roads and prosperous gales to the venturous Merchant. When in the palace at dinner Nehemiah presents the cup to his prince, he presents also a Michtam a golden(e) prayer to the King of Heaven, at the reading of the law Josiah was heard as to some secret cries to Heaven. At a holy conference in a journey the Disciples occasionally pray, Lord increase our faith. Jacob on his dying pillow predicting future events to his children, falls into a holy rapture, I have wait ed for thy salvation O Lord.
There are many presidents recorded in sacred page upon great and notable occasions, with strange success. When good magistrates are busie in the work of reformation, 1let them imitate Nehemiah when redressing the profanation of the Sabbath, Remember me O my God concerning this, &c. When Generals and Captains go forth to war,2 observe Israel's apprecation to God, rather than acclamations to men, The Lord thy God be with thee as he was with Moses. In time of battels or pursuit of the enemy, valiant Joshuah darts up such a prayer as this, O that the Lord would lengthen this triumphant day, and the(c) Lord heard his voice. The tribes beyond Jordan in a(d) battel with the Hagarites, Jehoshaphat in a sore strait(e) at Ramoth Gilead, Sampson ready to perish at Lehi (f)with thirst, and when blind, exposed to contempt in the Temple of Dagon. David near(g) stoning at Ziglag, and when flying from Absalom in the ascent of(h) Mount Olivet. Elisha at Dothan compast with a Syrian host(i) Lord open the young man's eyes. In the midst of lawful and laborious callings, Boaz to the reapers,(k) the Lord be with ⟨p. 291⟩you, we may pray that our Oxen(l) may be strong to labour; no breaking in or going out, nor no complaining in our streets. It sanctifies the plow as Jerom said of the fields of Bethlehem [quocunque te verteris, 12arator stivam teneus, Alleluja decantat, &c. The tillers of the field and the dressers of vineyards, sang David's psalms, it keeps the shop and inclines the hearts of customers, it bars the doors, it quenches fire, it blesseth thy children
- 1Neh. 13.14.22
- 2Josh. 1.17.
- (c)Jos. 10.12.
- (d)2 Chr. 5 23.
- (e)18.31.
- (f)Judg. 15.18, 16, 28.
- (g)1 Sam. 30.6.
- (h)2 Sam. 15.31.
- (i)2 King. 6.17.
- (k)Ruth. 2.4.
- (l)Psal. 129.8.
- 12Psal. 144.14. ad Marcellum p. 129 T. 1.
- (m)Psal. 147.13.
- (n)128.1.
- (a)Gen. 43.14.
- (b)Psal. 3.5.4 8.
- (c)
