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cause_n	good_a	great_a	people_n	3,792	5	4.4298	3	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A89274	Mercies for man. Prepared in, and by Christ, even for such as neither know them, nor him. Discovered, that they might know, and enjoy them. Or a discourse of the interest there is for all men in, and by Christ in the end, and usefulmesse of the beleevers peculiar priviledges and service. In which is also some information about that service to which the grace of God, that bringeth salvation to all men, instructeth, and obligeth the beleever for the good of them all, according to capacity, and opportunity given him. Likewise some directions for, and concerning Christian magistrates. In the opening some instructions arising from the Apostles exhortation to Timothy, 1 Tim. 2.1, 2. Delivered in November 1653. at the Munday meetings at Black-Friers: and because what then was spoken, met with some publick opposition, this is now published for further satisfaction. Written by Thomas Moor, Junior.	Moore, Thomas, Junior.	1654 (1654)	Wing M2605; Thomason E744_1; ESTC R207022	135,708	156

me shall come to me even such as now will not come to him that they might have life though graciously drawn by the Father as vers 35 36. Them will he bring to be slain for ever before his face because they would not that he should reign over them who is their lawfull Lord and unto whom they were all given that through him they might have been saved But then it follows as another part of the Fathers will concerning him That whosoever seeth the Son and believeth in him or as v. 37. he that cometh to him speaking in the present tense for as the same verse saith All shall come either here or hereafter but he that now in this day of Gods grace and patience cometh in the Fathers drawings which answers the Fathers giving to Christ Joh. 17. 2. or at least is that in which they are made capable subjects of such giving It is the will of the Father concerning Christ that he should give unto such eternal life For God so loved the world that he gave his onely begotten Son the Saviour of it 1 Joh. 4. 14. That whosoever of the world so loved by him and to whom love is so testified in and through the Son doth through this grace beleeve in him implying that all so loved by him do not so answer his love again that they should not perish but have everlasting life Joh. 3. 16. And this is the reason that such prayers for the peculiar blessings of eternal life to be conferred on persons are only to be prayed for for those on the behalf of whom there is also such peculiar matter of Thanksgivings to be made And such and of like nature are those Thanksgivings to be joyned with prayers of the first sort as already mentioned and is to be seen in the Scriptures quoted and although in them there be many things acknowledged and commemorated to Gods glory and for our encouragement to pray those prayers unto him which are peculiar priviledges of the Saints for whom such further things are directly desired as they only are capable of yet for as much as those peculiar mercies acknowledged as well as those desired are in respect of their end and tendency for the good of all men as we see in that example of our Saviour Joh. 17. 18 21 23. and those of like nature Psal 4. 1 2. c. 56. 9-13 116. 16-18 even these Thanksgivings also in a like sense as the prayers of this sort forementioned may be truly said to be made for all men According to that of our Saviour Joh. 11. 41 42. Father I thanke thee that thou hast heard me And I know that thou hearest me alwayes but because of the people that stand by I said it That they may believe that thou hast sent me Therefore his praise is of him in the great Congregation because of Gods furnishing and upholding and hearing him for their good Psal 22. 22 25. And for this cause he will confesse to him among the Gentiles and sing unto his name Again he saith Rejoyce yee Gentiles with his people and laud him all ye Nations Rom. 15. 8 9 10. there also is further to be considered That the bottome matter of all Thanksgivings the foundation and root of all those things for which thanks is to be given to the Father by Jesus Christ That from which all the other springs is nothing else but that which is true in Christ for all men namely Gods so loving the world as not to spare his only begotten Son But to deliver him to death for us all That he by the grace of God should taste of death for every man and give himselfe a ransome for All A Testimony in due time This being true and cordially done and the ends and vertues of this with the Father is the only cause and reason That with him in and through him he gives all things pertaining to life and godlinesse Rom. 8. 32. with 2 Pet. 1. 1 3. So as whosoever believeth in him and so receiveth and closeth with him in the knowledge and faith of what he hath done and is become for all men and the love of God in him to Man-ward doth therein receive and is made capable of further receiving that eternall life in him by faith of it in him for them and with him to be given them and so in a first fruits of spirituall enjoyment Joh. 3. 16. and 1. 12. 1 Joh. 5. 11 12. Rom. 5. 6-11 Therefore this is made the bottome matter of all the Thanksgiving and acknowledgement as being the foundation root and cause of all the rest Col. 1. 14. In whom we have redemption through his bloud even the forgivenesse of sins So Eph. 1. 7. Psal 130. yea this the bottome of the rejoycing song to Eternity Thou wast slain and out of the bowels and vertues of this and of the love of God to Man-ward and that was so to us even when we were dead in sins and trespasses through Christ Jesus it issued And in the discoveries and presentation of this was effected That they were redeemed from among men c. Rev. 5. 9. with 1 Pet. 1. 18. Eph. 2. 4 5 8. Joh. 3. 16. Tit. 3. 4 5. And for this namely That done and perfect in Christ and that cordially to this end That the other might be done in them as 2 Cor. 5. 14 15. 21. And the furniture and faithfulnesse of Christ in the name of the Father for being a testimony to men in due time affording means and therein inlightning reproving teaching according to mens needs and capacity for the bringing them back to God All men have cause to praise the Lord for his goodnesse and for his wonderfull works to the children of men And if they will not yet let the Redeemed of the Lord whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy do it for themselves and them Psal 107. 1 2 8 15 16. c. For he hath broken the Gates of brasse in peeces and cut the Bars of Iron asunder slaine the enmity in himselfe that was between God and mankind that he might reconcile man to God Eph. 2. 16. So that There is great Thanksgiving to be made directly for all men to the glory and praise of God and the incouragement of his people to pray in faith for those good things in their behalf and for the good of them and for good things to be directly bestowed on them according to their needs and capacities that may tend to the furtherance of the great Designe of God for the good of all men And that not onely for the great love of God in the gift of his Son and the redemption wrought in him for them But also for all those mercies and accommodations of the naturall life means leading to repentance and forbearance hitherto extended and his good Spirit accompanying the same inlightning reproving c. And all to bring men to God That they might seek him and live as

before in the whore they shall establish and give into the hands of the beast the wordly power and magistracy which is a power ordained of God until the words of God shall be fulfilled which will not be by and by There is some time for the spirit of Antichrist to be revealed and lifted up and that may be promoted by those powers that destroyed his flesh or grosser part which yet if it should be so yet we know we have cause to acknowledge and thank God for his great goodness wisdom and power manifested and exercised towards his people and for the good of all in occasioning such enlargement and freedom from under bodily persecution and restraint by means of these wars and commotions though they in themselves be evil and not to be desired by us on any people being indeed at least the beginning of his judgements and plagues for contempt of his Gospel and despising his people yet out of these evils they being but the beginnings of his judgements God that is infinite in wisdom and wonderful in working hath brought forth much good and that for the good benefit of these Nations we may say Gods people have had more enlargement outwardly in divers considerations to lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty then is probable they could have enjoyed without these wars and commotions God having begun here to make use of them for burning the flesh of the whore We may say God hath made them and yet doth as the Earth opening her mouth and drinking up the floud that the Dragon sent out of his mouth to destroy the woman the despised Church of God here on Earth Rev. 12. 16. Even as when Saul was at the heels of David the Philistines invading the Land occasioned his sudden taking off from his pursuit 1 Sam. 23. 26 28. so we have seen when in one generation of men that assumed the titles of Lords over Gods heritage the Dragon had sent out a great floud of persecutions and Laws to compel to commit fornication with the Whore The beginning of these wars and commotions in our Nations tended to the drinking up the floud and so helped the woman And likewise when in another generation of men that laid aside the titles but would have had and exercised the same power and more binding over the consciences of men the Dragon had prepared to send out a floud of like and more dangerous consequence then the former the continuance and oft renewing of the same wars hath been opening the mouth of the earth to the drinking up or obstructing the issuing out of that hitherto and what they would yet do if they could be setled by Authority in the power desired by them or what may issue forth by a third sort or generation of men whose eyes are lofty and their eye-lids are lifted up when ever things come to a settlement and as they get leisure and opportunity we yet know not or do not determine though cause enough to suspect that Satan being angry with the Woman because he cannot have his will otherwise over her will by them be making such war as he can and finde out new engines not so discernable to be for that purpose and therefore more dangerous for the wearing out the poor remnant of her Seed that keep the Commandments of God and have the Testimony of Jesus as some hinderance to which we see God makes use of the remaining wars and commotions and not onely of them but of the changes of his providences with us pouring us from vessel to vessel and from these considerations we cannot but see Gods great wisdom and goodness to admire it even in his terrible and strange works towards the children of men and may further learn with thankfulness and without murmuring to submit to his Government and wil. Yet for all this the grace of God and the instructions of the Gospel do lead us not to desire the continuance of war and blood to our own or other Nations or people any more then the same grace would have directed David to have desired the continuance of or the renewing the Philistines war upon Israel because God made it an occasion of good to him but on the other hand to desire the welfare of all and not the woful day to any though sometimes we are to pray for Gods ashaming confounding and blasting them in their enterprizes yet that so as may tend to their good to the good of every of them until any be wholly given up of God as before we have noted in our discourse about prayers and as may be seen in Jer. 17. 16 18. compared with Psal 83. 15 16 17. And so we may and are to desire with submission to his will for peace in our dayes and in our land and more especially where his name is and with other Nations also though happily when we have it that which is for our welfare may become a snare through mens abuse of it as before yet seeing the thing is good in it self and a mercy to good ends given it 's therefore to be desired and pursued by us though with submission to his Appointment and Government and Christian Magistrates or Rulers not to be provoked or stirred up to war with any other Nation or People when they may have peace with them on any honest and just terms but rather counselled by the wisdom of God In the multitude of people is the Kings honor but the want of people is the destruction of the Prince he that is slow to anger is of great understanding he is an imitator of God and like to him to which his grace that brings salvation to all men now especially obligeth since the appearance or coming forth of it by Jesus Christ For the Son of man came not to destroy m●ns lives but to save them Luke 9. 56. but he that is hasty of Spirit exalteth folly Prov. 14. 28 29. The Scriptures written aforetime are written for our instruction on whom the ends of the World are come and so these general Gospel-instructions proper to our time and so proper that though these battels and wars of the latter dayes be of the Lords permission and accomplishments of his word and he brings much good out of them and gives gracious warning to all people in them intending much good to the survivers by them yet seeing they are in themselves evil things he hath not appointed his people to be desirers and hastners of them or delighters in them but it may be and is truly said by himself of the battels of the latter days Rev. 16. 13 14. John saw three unclean spirits like frogges come out of the mouth of the Dragon and out of the mouth of the Beast and out of the mouth of the false Prophet there are evil instruments enow to be imployed in such services good Angels need not 1 Kings 22. 19 20 22. For they are the Spirits of Devils working miracles which

c. Chap. 4. 1. 5. To keep it without spot unrebukeable unto the appearing of Jesus Christ 1 Tim. 6. 13 14. And to that purpose To charge some that they did teach no other Doctrine nor give heed to fables c. And to abide or stay long at Ephesus for the doing this That so such charges might be insinuated and charged home not by rash and hasty censures and restraints by a compulsive Law as the Kings of the Gentiles exercise Lordship over them Mat. 20. 25. 28. and 23. 8. 11. But by holding forth the faithful word amongst them and that with long-suffering and doctrine as hath been taught and going before others therein in all things shewing himselfe a patterne c. as 2 Tim. 4. 1 2 5. and 2. 24 25. Tit. 1. 9 11. and 2. 1. 7. The Apostle having I say committed this Commandement and charge to Timothy Chap. 1. 3 4 15 18. That according to the Prophesies that went before on him and by that furniture of Instruction Gifts and Grace conferred on him he might war a good warfare holding faith and a good conscience c. this service to which he was furnished and appointed being weighty and that it might be blessed and succesful He doth therefore in these two verses that we have read exhort that first of All in the first place alwayes and in order of nature as the first thing in and unto All his service not onely himselfe but All his Brethren with him that have their faces Sion-ward whose hearts joyne in the promoting and furtherance of such service should have their eye or heart directed unto God for Accommodation Preservation Blessing in and unto such service as he appoints them too Even as the eyes of a servant are to the hand of his master and of a maid to the hand of her mistresse Psal 123. 1 2. And that this is the occasion end and scope of this exhortation appears not onely by considering the word therefore as it hath relation to the latter end of the foregoing Chapter but also by comparing herewith the 7. and 8. verses of this Chapter which also clearly shew the word Therefore in the first verse to have relation especially and directly to the 18. and the beginning of the 19 verses of the first Chapter In that 7. and 8. verses of this second Chapter the Apostle declaring his owne Ordination Appointment and Furniture to be one of the prime Apostles and Teachers of the Gentiles in the faith and verity of the Testimony of God concerning Christ mentioned in the 4 5 and 6. verses as now come forth and committed to them he Therefore on this occasion and to the end his ministration may be blessed profitable and succesfull doth will or desire that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting So here having commit ted this Commandement and Charge unto Timothy as one of those secondary Ministers who having beleeved and been reconciled and received the word of reconciliation in believing by Jesus Christ and mediately through their word as Joh. 17. 20. with 2 Cor. 5. 17 18 19 20. were to carry on the same work holding fast the platform of sound Doctrine which they had received from them and so building upon and according to the foundation of Doctrine as laid by them who as wise master-builders had laid the foundation 2 Tim. 1. 13 14. Tit. 1. 11. 15. 1 Cor. 3. 10. He exhorts that first of all prayers be made c. And in this exhortation to the making Prayers and Thanksgivings thus occasioned and to this end he exhorts that the said Prayers and Thanksgivings be made for All men Now in That the Apostle in such an exhortation to Prayers and Thanksgivings thus occasioned and to such an end That the servants of Christ in the Gospel might war a good warfare c. as foreshewed doth exhort That Supplications Prayers Intercessions and giving of Thanks be made for All men It doth fully imply and signifie to us this note of Instruction That the service or warfare not onely of the first Apostles but that also to which Timothy and so the succeeding secondary Ministers in the Gospel of Christ are furnished and appointed It was and is to be exercised Amongst and for the good of All men indefinitely and generally where ever by Gods providence they are set Like as John the forerunner of Christ was sent for a witness to beare witness of the light That all men through him that light witnessed by him might beleeve Joh. 1. 7. And our Saviour himselfe in his owne personal Ministration while he was in the world was so the light of the world Joh. 9. 5. Though in respect of that his personal Ministration he was primely sent to the lost or scattered sheep of the house of Israel Mat. 15. 24. and yet to All of them Act. 3. 26. And therefore limited his Disciples Commission while he was on earth Mat. 10. 6. yet he was therefore a Minister of the Circumcision not onely therein to confirme the promises of God made to the Fathers but also that thereby the Gentiles might glorifie God for his mercy as it is written For this cause I will confesse to thee among the Gentiles or Heathen I will sing unto thy name Againe he saith Rejoyce yee Gentiles with his people and land him all ye Nations Rom. 15. 8 9 10 11. So those his first Apostles or Messengers were by him sent into the world as the Father sent him in respect of his Mission for Ministration of the Gospel Joh. 17. 18. And after his Resurrection as his Ambassadors their Commission was enlarged by him on the Account of his owne as to the extent of his Ministration or plaine preaching the peace he had made being enlarged by the Father Mat. 28. 18 19. They were to goe into All the world and preach the Gospel to every creature To preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable Riches of Christ in such manner as before it had not been named to which they were immediately furnished and commissionated and to make All men see c. Mark 16. 15. with Eph. 3. 8 9. and Rom. 15. 15 21. And this grace and Apostleship they received for obedience to the Faith among all Nations for his name Rom. 1. 5. And therefore according to the Commandement of the everlasting God they were to make known the mystery as so revealed and that out of the Scriptures of the former Prophets unto them All that they might beleeve Rom. 16. 25 26. And that they might make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery which had been hid from generations past As they were to baptize the Nations with their word or doctrine as the first and maine part of the work to which they were sent 1 Cor. 1. 17. sprinkling or dropping that on them as Isa 52. 15. Deut. 32. 1 2 3. with Rom. 15. 21. So also together there with as an outward seale of the

and furnished yee that are the Lords remembrancers give him not rest pray without ceasing aske him concerning the workes of his hands even all the ends of the earth and instruct and invite them also whosoever will to look to him with you and be saved to seek him in a time of finding assuring them that his House his dwelling-place in his Sonne and with his people is a House of Prayer for all people and God shal make you and them together joyful therein and for your further instruction and direction herein minde wel that which followes 3 What are those Supplications Prayers and Intercessions that are to be made for all men we may say in some sense and after divers considerations All manner of prayers and supplications are to be made for all men according to the signification of the severall expressions or termes in which we are instructed to it Supplications Prayers and Intercessions though also the severall termes doe signifie the same things and are oft put one for another and oft put together and the same expressions doubled for more vehement urging the matter exhorted to as Ephes 5. 18. yet there may also be considered some distinct signification in the termes for directing us what and in what manner prayers are to be made for all men and so first by Supplications and Prayers may be signified generally all those petitions for good things for them or in the behalfe of them that may tend to their greatest good and those to be made with humility and being abased before him in the sight and acknowledgement of our owne vilenesse and the sinfulnesse and iniquity of our selves and others for whom good things are desired and yet with earnestnesse and boldnesse in review and acknowledgement of Gods great goodnesse and readinesse to pardon and doe us good and especially such humble and earnest petitioning of good things for them or in the behalfe of them as are in order of Nature to be the first things in our prayers for them and distinct from and before those signified distinctly by Intercessions which properly and distinctly note to us an appearing as a Third or middle Person for an offending Person to the party offended and so direct us unto prayers or entreaties to be made not onely in their behalfe and for good things for them but also more directly for some present favour sparing or mercy in pardoning Iniquity or reversing judgement that might tend to their destruction or cutting off to be at present conferred on them according to their needs and capacities The need of which Intercessions or stepping in between God and men and for the obtaining forbearance and mercies of that nature directly for them or to them is occasioned by their abuse of the goodnesse of God in answering the forementioned Supplications and Prayers in providing so well and doing things for them about them and in behalfe of them that had such reall tendencie to their good for some more particular opening these distinct sorts of praying and the manner of their being for all men we may put them into these two heads First The petitioning of good things in the behalfe of them that are not directly for them or for mercies and blessings to be conferred on them but for them in respect of their end or tendencie Secondly The intreating supplicating or making intercession directly for them and for mercies and good things to be given to them or conferred on them according to their needs and capacities 1 The petitioning of good things in the behalfe of them that in respect of their end and tendency may be for the good of them that yet are not directly for them or for blessings to be personally conferred on them that prayers of this sort may be called prayers made for them because the end and tendencie of the things desired are for the good of them and so also the doing those things desired are as testimonies of respect and love towards them is like to that language of the Scripture where Gods giving to Solomon great furniture of Wisdome and Blessing and strengthning him to the building an house to his name is called Great things done for David his servant and for Israel his people 1 King 8. 66. And when Pauls sufferings are said to be for them by whom or for whom they were not directly occasioned Col. 1. 24. for they had never seen his face in the flesh Col. 2. 1. because the end and tendencie of his Ministration which occasioned his sufferings and so the issue and fruit of them was for their good and where the great works God did directly for his people Israel and to them in gathering them out of the lands and preserving and delivering them out of their distresses in the Wildernesse and leading them to a City of habitation is called Gods great goodnesse and wonderful works towards or for the children of men in general because the end and tendencie of his blessing and causing the light of his countenance to shine upon them herein was for the good of other people and Nations That his way might be known upon earth and his saving health among all Nations Psal 107. 2. 8. with 67 1-3 and so also all the Gentiles have cause to glorifie God for his great goodnesse towards them and wonderfull works for them in sending Jesus Christ a Minister of the Circumcision to confirm the promises of God made unto the Fathers Rom. 15. 8 9 10. So those Supplications and Prayers for good things or for things that may have a good end and tendencie towards them may be truly said to be for them in respect of that their end and tendencie though not directly or in the first place for them or for blessings to be given to or conferred on them Such are First Those Prayers that are directly made for others that live among them and yet are distinguished from the generality of all men even all Saints that are not of the world but a people chosen out of the world for their peculiar blessing sanctifying and furniture to and in all their service of Christ and suffering for him in the world which are such blessings as they onely are capable of The end of these things desired directly for them according to their capacity being for the preserving and furnishing them to do good to others That they may shine as lights in the world holding forth the word of life Phil. 2. 15 16. That men seeing their good works may glorifie their Father Mat. 5. 15. 1 Pet. 2. 12. These prayers are in the sense first mentioned for all men Though the things directly petitioned for are not desired so for them as to be conferred upon them they being not yet capable subjects thereof Yet for as much as one main and great end of their being desired to be conferred on the Saints as they are capable of receiving them is for the good of others these prayers I say in respect of their end and

tendencie are for all men Of this nature is that prayer of our Saviour Joh. 17. 9. he saith He doth not pray for the world that is directly and in the first place in these Petitions or for these Blessings to be conferred on them they being not capable subjects of them But for them that the Father had given him through the prevalency of the heavenly Call out of the world not that they might be taken out of the world but still a seed or generation of them preserved in the world and therein kept from the evill of it verse 15. And that they might be sanctified through the truth to peculiar service of him in the world as he had sent them into the world even as the Father sent him in respect of his Ministration to be the light of the world verse 17 18. with Joh. 9. 5 Mat. 5. 14. And this not onely for the first Apostles but also for all those that should after believe through their word that they may be one with him and his Father in their Design love and endeavour for the good of the world All this saith he vers 21. 23. he prayes for for them That the world may know that thou hast sent me and hast loved them namely all such as through grace receive this word as thou hast loved me so that all these prayers in respect of their end and tendency were for all men And with this agrees Psal 67. God be mercifull to us and blesse us and cause the light of thy countenance to shine upon us That thy way may be known upon earth and thy saving health among all Nations The first verse we may take either as a prayer especially and more peculiarly for all the Israel of God but then for all of them not onely of the Jewes but of the Gentiles also even all such as in his calling are perswaded to come to him to receive him according to the manifestations afforded them to know the grace of God in truth in every Nation for such there are even children of the Kingdome as good seed sown all over the world And then compared with the next verse it instructs that peculiar and special particular blessings as before protections in and preservations from the evill of the world sanctification and furniture through his truth according to the manifestations given them the light of his countenance shining upon them in more abundant opening his glorious grace as appearing in or through his Son unto them And in and with all this his mercifull pardoning and passing by their iniquities that otherwise might keep these good things from them they being of a higher nature and deeper dye than other mens sinner That these things are to be desired and prayed for onely for the Israel of God to be directly conferred upon them according to their needs and capacities But to this end these prayers are to be prayed for them that in Gods gracious answering and so by them as they are by Gods providence sent to or scattered among all Nations His way may be known upon earth and his saving health among all Nations to the end that all men even all the people may praise him Or Secondly we may take the first verse as a Prayer generally for all Israel after the flesh for the whole Nation as a Nation to whom God had made known his Word his Statutes and Judgements as he had not done to other Nations and upon whom his Name was called that by them it might be proclamed and known to other Nations a Prayer for such peculiar National blessings protections and Salvations among other Nations and more abundant manifesting himselfe amongst them as a people called by his Name but then in such a sense it was a prayer peculiarly and only for that Nation so Numb 6. 23 24 c. The blessing where-with the whole House of Israel was to be blessed and so compared with the next verse it instructs us That peculiar or special general or National blessings such as by which among other Nations they may be known as a People whom God hath respect unto for his Name-sake are to be prayed for for such Nations as upon which the name of God in Christ is called that have his Word Ordinances and hold the profession and acknowledgement of him though too generally not in truth nor in righteousnesse and so to be more abundantly and especially desired for upon such as on whom his Name is more abundantly or more rightly called but to this end they are so to be prayed for and blessed in his Name that so by means of or through them His way may be known upon earth and his saving health among all Nations to the end that al the people may praise him And such is that prayer of Solomon 1 King 8. 59 60. which is much of the end and summe of all the former Petitions that he may maintaine the cause of his Servant and of his people Israel at all times That all the people of the earth may know that the Lord is God and there is none else which is that which being known by all or any of the ends of the earth wil move them to look to him and be saved Isa 45. 22. so that even these prayers for peculiar Nationall blessings though directly only for those Nations on whom his name is called as wel as also those fore-mentioned prayers for peculiar particular and personal blessings though directly only for the Saints and Servants of God in the world yet and upon a like account the one and the other are prayers made for all men for as much as one maine and last end of the things desired and of the desiring of them is for the good of all men even for their best good Of this nature are those prayers for all Saints exhorted to Eph. 6. 18 19. Praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints and for me that utterance may be given me to what end that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mysterie of the Gospel which is equivalent with this 1 Tim. 2. 7 8. Paul being appointed and furnished a Herauld or Cryer of this Message to the Gentiles he wils therefore that men pray every where namely that he and others with and after him may be ever furnished to preserved and blessed in this service for the good of all those Gentiles amongst whom they are sent And that this is the first sort of Prayers and first sense in which prayers are to bee made for all men that is meant in this text also appears by the scope of the text as fore-considered 2 Those prayers that are made directly against them in their evil purposes and wayes against his Name his Gospel and people or against some particular persons and whole Nations of them in such their evil enterprises are yet for them in respect of their end

of others which was so far beyond what men would have required as their reasonable service or judged to have been but their honesty that they would rather watch for advantages against them to blame them as if their zeal and forwardness in freely and abundantly administring such as they had for the good of others did hinder them from looking well to themselves or their own house or relations or made them uncapable of walking justly in all their dealings They could not they thought do so much and be so free in spending themselves in such services if they did not defraud or wrong some body But this blame or all just cause of it is avoided by us says the Apostle in providing things honest also in the sight of all men even in such cases as aforementioned the mercies of God as Rom. 12. 1. even that grace that brings salvation to all men teacheth and requireth of us as our reasonable service as that which on the account of that grace is due from us to all men as hath been shewed before even as we would not be unjust or injurious in withholding good from them to whom its due so to hold forth the faithful word in the midst of a crooked generation according to all that capacity and opportunity for the same he is pleased to furnish us with and whatever we may lose or suffer therein and to do this cordially and fervently for the good of others that they may be saved and therefore in simplicity and godly sincerity renouncing the hidden things of dishonesty in such our service nor cloaking covetousness over with it or desire of glory from men or the like such is the Apostles demonstration of their honesty or living honestly 2 Cor. 1. 12 13. Our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity we have had our conversation c. which is thus shewed for we write none other things unto you then what you read c. we intend not to signifie in our writing any other thing then what we plainly express in our words So 2 Cor. 4. 1 2. Seeing we have this ministery as we have received mercy so in the former by the grace of God minded by us the instructions and operations thereof we have thus had our conversation according to that Rom. 12. 1. By these mercies give up your bodies c. As we have received mercy sayes he we faint not but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending declaring and committing our selves our minde or meaning and principles to every man in our words so as in the sight of God who otherwise would charge us with dishonesty though men could not if we did either for fear or shame hide any thing that he hath made known to us that may tend to the good of others and was made known to us to be made known to them or if in administring it we used fleshly wisdom or policy reserving much of that which might most expose us to sufferings though most material needful to be most plainly uttered or for other causes reserving the inside of our thoughts and meaning to our selves so handling the word of God deceitfully happily to such ends following cunningly-devised fables as 2 Pet. 1. 16. But this saies he we have renounced and thus they lived honestly among their neighbours and thus have they by the mercies of God charged and exhorted every one of us so to live amongst men according to what capacity and opportunity God gives us See 1 Thess 2. 3 11 12. When he hath told them their Exhortation was not of deceit nor of uncle anness nor in guile but as they were allowed of God so they spake not as pleasing men but God which tryeth the hearts and further addes and appeals to their consciences for testimony They had not used flattering words nor a cloke of covetousness nor had sought glory of men or been burthensome when and as they might as the Apostles of Christ and herein walked holily justly unblameably he then addes this As also you know how we exhorted every one of you even as a father his child c. like that Phil. 2. 13 15 16. and Rom. 12. 1 2. Yea this grace teaches that as our reasonable service to hold forth this faithful word in conversation that they that will not be won by the word and it may be not to hear it as holden forth by believers under reproach yet may be allured and overcome by the chaste and honest conversation coupled with fear When they see our good works they may glorifie our Father which is in Heaven Therefore to shew forth his vertues in all chastity or honesty as opposed to fornication and all uncleanness filthiness or foolish talking or jesting Eph. 5. 2 3. 1 Thess 4. 3. 4 5. 1 Pet. 2. 11 12. and so as opposed to covetousness which is idolatry and the fruits thereof fraudulency or endeavouring to go beyond or circumvent any in buying selling or the like as in the forecited Scriptures and so in all sobriety and moderation in the use and enjoyment of any thing of this world as strangers and pilgrims or in lusting and pursuing after them fleeing from such things yea in all goodness righteonsness and truth which is and as it is the fruit of the Spirit bringing and opening the instructions and grace of the Gospel leading and moving thereto And this cordially also in simplicity and godly sincerity and for the profit of others that they may be saved All this is but out reasonable service by the mercies of God even towards all men though they will neither challenge the greatest part of this debt of us nor any of it upon such an account nor will they respect or look upon our service as such yet as that man that is betrusted with much treasure or the tidings discoveries and patterns of it that belongs and is to be shewed to others of purpose to let them know of it and where and how they may come to enjoy it though they to whom such treasures and the tidings or patterns of it belong and ought to be shewed by him being ignorant though happily wilfully so do not desire or expect any such thing from him nor happily will easily be perswaded to accept or regard the same though matter of greatest concernment to them yet seeing he knows of what concernment it is and to what end he is furnished with the knowledge experience and patterns of it as a Steward for them he is not an honest man or faithful Steward if he conceal the same but very injurious 'T is required of Stewards that a man be found faithful 1 Cor. 4. 2. Even so those that are called out of darkness into his marvellous light that they should shew forth the praises of him that hath called them and that amongst and for the

shall have good cause to say Let us abide here for this is our rest to which we were called by the Gospel yea and we shall be ever together with the Lord. Such I say is the excellency in the things themselves as well as also there is every way so much suitable instruction to instruct us and give us reason to the matter of the exhortation of which we may not here particularly treat that the consideration thereof may and will frame us to willingness to wait till then patiently for our sitting down and for the accomplishment of the Prophesies and Promises as to the reward of all our service and suffering for him yea not to part with that hope for any fancy or shadow or whatever we are capable of enjoying in this day Therefore comfort one another with these words saith this Apostle 1 Thess 4. 14 17. and here by these things he thus earnestly admonisheth and beseecheth them as before and for further instruction about it as well as especially to give us a reason why he so earnestly beseecheth them he further saith Let no man deceive you by any means for there shall be a great falling away first and the man of sin revealed c. as if he should say as our Saviour doth Therefore I so earnestly admonish you to take heed that no man by any means deceive you because the latter dayes will be so perilous through the abounding of the mystery of iniquity under high forms and pretences of godliness that verily there will many be deceived by them yea such will be the tribulations of divers sorts though that the most eminent trying and dangerous that if those evil dayes which will be by most pretending godliness accounted glorious dayes should not be shortened no flesh could be saved but for the elects sake they shall and this understanding of the latter instruction as a reason of the Apostles earnestness in pressing the admonition as aforesaid is suitable not onely to that of our Saviour forementioned but likewise to other Scriptures which to mention the sum of many do therefore exhort and beseech us with much earnestness to redeem the time and improve all present opportunities and advantages for being well furnished with wisdom in the knowledge of him and so with the Armour of God on the right hand and on the left to be therefore sober and vigilant and watch unto prayer because the dayes are evil and like to be perilous still as they grow nigher the end in temptations tending to the deceiving and corrupting the believer from the simplicity that is in Jesus and patient waiting for his coming and because Satans rage is greater as his time waxeth shorther Eph. 5. 14 16 18. and 6. 10 16. 1 Pet. 5. 8. with Rev. 12. 12. 2 Tim. 3. and 4. 2 Pet. 1. 12 16. and 2 1 2. If any do think that we have not a great or the greatest part of that defection or the overspreading of the spirit of Antichrist the mystery of iniquity there especially spoken of yet behinde though it doth now already begin to reveal it self and not onely secretly to work as then yet in respect of the more full revelation of him and overspreading of abomination by him even to the further making desolate the holy place as before in his body or grosser part to the desolating the outward Court as among us Gentiles to be more abundantly and fully verified If any I say to this do think or say Not so I could be glad to say Amen if I could finde it suitable to the instructions and fore-warnings of the Gospel however we may pray the Lord in mercy to cut short those dayes for methinks the beginnings of them begin shrewdly to make desolate what will be the issue especially if Christ ans will not minde timely admonitions but put far away the evil day certainly these warnings are given that we may take heed that no man deceive us And were the premises considered as it would be profitable to all Christians so particularly to Christian Magistrates for their help and direction in observing the forementioned counsels in every part of them for were not the heart haughty or the eyes lofty lifted up and transported with the apprehensions and desires of setting Christ on his Throne which is a thing done already by the Father or of laying the whole administration of Government upon his shoulders which is a thing they are wholly uncapable of neither is it required of them or like things they would then be contented and better qualified to exercise themselves in things within their compass and might do many things for the good of the Nation and People under their Authority which either they slight and neglect as things too mean or too much beneath their spirits and apprehensions as to the work they aim at and propose to themselves or else they do refuse whatever appearance of legality and justice might be in it because it seems to cross or clash against such their apprehensions and proposals to themselves of what they have to do I shall say no more to this nor to this point In which we have shewed what those things are in general that being equally observed and done by those in Authority will tend much to the believers enlargement and futherance in leading a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty 4. We come now to the fourth and last consideration What that is that will especially furnish them to these things and so is especially to be desired for them and that is wisdom in the knowledge of God in Christ as declared in the Gospel as now come forth to us to have the heart well seasoned with the believing apprehension and tastes of the sweetness of the infinite graciousness of God to man-ward as revealed in the face of Christ bringing salvation to all men according to the manifestation and capacity afforded us This is that one thing of absolute necessity to us all without which our souls cannot be good or reconciled to God Prov. 19. 2. 1 Pet. 1. 22. nor can we rightly worship God or serve him acceptably and profitably in our generation Wherefore let us hold fast grace Heb. 12. 28. whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear Hence the Apostle to Titus exhorting all believers and in the last place servants to minde as the main end of their whole conversation The adorning the doctrine of our God and Saviour in all things he propounds to them to be diligently heeded for their instruction and direction hereto The grace of God that brings salvation to all men as it hath now appeared teaching us more fully and plainly then ever in any former appearance which is suitable to that Heb. 12. 17 18 22 25 28. that denying all ungodliness and worldly lusts we should live soberly righteously and godly in this present w●orld looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearance of the mighty God our Saviour