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ground_n apostle_n doctrine_n faith_n 1,496 5 5.4771 4 false
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ID Title Author Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication) STC Words Pages
A16616 A plaine and pithy exposition of the second Epistle to the Thessalonians. By that learned & judicious diuine Mr William Bradshaw, sometime fellow of Sidney Colledge in Cambridge. Published since his deceasse by Thomas Gataker B. of D. and paster of Rotherhith Bradshaw, William, 1571-1618.; Gataker, Thomas, 1574-1654. 1620 (1620) STC 3523; ESTC S106386 110,550 220

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profane_v by_o the_o enemy_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o how_o they_o insult_v and_o triumph_v over_o christ_n and_o his_o holy_a ordinance_n it_o grieve_v their_o soul_n and_o humble_v they_o often_o unto_o the_o very_a dust_n that_o christ_n will_v no_o more_o show_v himself_o in_o his_o own_o cause_n also_o the_o consideration_n of_o their_o own_o weakness_n and_o infirmity_n which_o in_o such_o time_n they_o can_v hide_v whereby_o they_o be_v often_o a_o reproach_n and_o dishonour_n to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o a_o mean_n of_o triumph_n and_o glory_n to_o the_o enemy_n of_o christ_n do_v much_o dismay_v they_o but_o the_o more_o christ_n suffer_v himself_o to_o be_v reproach_v and_o dishonour_v in_o his_o saint_n in_o this_o life_n and_o the_o more_o the_o wicked_a do_v glory_n and_o triumph_v over_o their_o baseness_n and_o infirmity_n the_o more_o will_v he_o to_o the_o wonderment_n of_o all_o the_o world_n glorify_v they_o and_o glorify_v himself_o in_o they_o that_o which_o he_o 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sound_a in_o their_o doctrine_n and_o teach_v otherwise_o nor_o the_o mean_n they_o shall_v pretend_v for_o the_o ground_n of_o such_o their_o doctrine_n be_v it_o revelation_n or_o tradition_n or_o authority_n of_o other_o learned_a or_o counterfeit_a write_n or_o the_o like_a prevail_v so_o far_o with_o they_o as_o to_o cause_v they_o to_o give_v credit_n to_o any_o erroneous_a doctrine_n contrary_a to_o that_o that_o the_o apostle_n have_v before_o deliver_v unto_o they_o and_o do_v now_o further_o inform_v they_o of_o whence_o we_o learn_v as_o in_o hear_v to_o respect_n and_o regard_n not_o so_o much_o who_o it_o be_v that_o speak_v as_o what_o it_o be_v that_o be_v deliver_v so_o withal_o to_o be_v careful_a to_o examine_v whatsoever_o doctrine_n shall_v be_v deliver_v of_o any_o upon_o any_o ground_n or_o term_n whatsoever_o with_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o prophet_n &_o apostle_n in_o the_o holy_a scripture_n record_v and_o take_v heed_n how_o we_o admit_v any_o whatsoever_o the_o bringer_n of_o it_o be_v or_o whatsoever_o plausible_a pretence_n shall_v be_v allege_v for_o it_o that_o we_o shall_v find_v upon_o due_a examination_n to_o dissent_v and_o swerve_v from_o the_o write_a word_n or_o not_o to_o have_v sure_a foot_n and_o foundation_n from_o thence_o for_o that_o day_n shall_v not_o come_v except_o there_o come_v a_o apostasy_n first_o the_o apostle_n have_v in_o the_o two_o former_a verse_n admonish_v the_o church_n to_o beware_v of_o a_o dangerous_a error_n that_o some_o go_v about_o to_o corrupt_v their_o mind_n withal_o concern_v the_o come_n of_o our_o saviour_n christ_n as_o if_o it_o be_v instant_a for_o the_o further_a strengthen_v of_o they_o against_o the_o same_o error_n be_v take_v occasion_n by_o way_n of_o prophecy_n to_o foretell_v of_o great_a matter_n that_o must_v come_v to_o pass_v before_o that_o day_n which_o can_v not_o within_o the_o compass_n of_o one_o or_o of_o sundry_a age_n follow_v be_v fulfil_v the_o matter_n of_o this_o prophecy_n be_v concern_v antichrist_n the_o most_o pestilent_a and_o cruel_a enemy_n of_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n a_o matter_n of_o great_a use_n and_o consequence_n to_o all_o the_o faithful_a people_n of_o god_n the_o part_n of_o it_o be_v three_o for_o 1._o he_o foretell_v a_o apostasy_n 2._o he_o foreshow_v a_o effect_n thereof_o 3._o he_o lay_v down_o the_o mean_n and_o the_o cause_n thereof_o and_o this_o he_o do_v to_o the_o end_n that_o all_o god_n people_n that_o have_v understanding_n may_v take_v heed_n both_o of_o the_o one_o and_o of_o the_o other_o for_o the_o first_o he_o affirm_v that_o before_o that_o that_o day_n shall_v come_v there_o must_v be_v a_o apostasy_n a_o apostasy_n general_o signify_v a_o revolt_a or_o fall_v away_o from_o he_o who_o we_o be_v bind_v &_o have_v undertake_v to_o serve_v and_o a_o betake_v of_o ourselves_o to_o the_o service_n of_o his_o enemy_n as_o when_o soldier_n in_o the_o field_n forsake_v their_o own_o captain_n or_o 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question_n that_o the_o apostasy_n of_o the_o great_a antichrist_n must_v needs_o be_v from_o christ._n 2._o that_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o apostasy_n from_o christ_n wherein_o antichrist_n work_v and_o by_o which_o he_o grow_v to_o his_o height_n 3._o this_o apostasy_n be_v afterward_o in_o the_o 7._o verse_n call_v the_o mystery_n of_o iniquity_n which_o must_v needs_o be_v opposite_a to_o the_o mystery_n of_o godliness_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o so_o by_o consequent_a it_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o departure_n from_o christ._n neither_o can_v it_o be_v show_v that_o the_o scripture_n any_o where_o take_v this_o word_n in_o any_o other_o sense_n where_o it_o use_v it_o indefinite_o 4._o the_o use_n that_o the_o apostle_n make_v of_o this_o in_o the_o 15._o verse_n manifest_v the_o same_o therefore_o say_v he_o brethren_z stand_v fast_o and_o keep_v the_o instruction_n you_o have_v be_v teach_v what_o do_v he_o herein_o move_v they_o to_o stand_v fast_o to_o the_o roman_a emperor_n and_o empire_n no_o but_o jesus_n christ_n of_o who_o he_o have_v speak_v before_o this_o stand_v fast_o be_v opposite_a to_o fall_v away_o which_o therefore_o the_o apostle_n express_v elsewhere_o by_o a_o word_n that_o signify_v to_o fall_v 〈◊〉_d look_v therefore_o what_o the_o apostle_n will_v they_o to_o stand_v fast_o to_o be_v this_o departure_n to_o be_v make_v from_o this_o point_n than_o be_v clear_a that_o christ_n be_v the_o person_n from_o who_o this_o apostasy_n shall_v be_v make_v and_o yet_o suppose_v it_o be_v from_o the_o emperor_n what_o good_a get_v the_o jesuite_n or_o his_o master_n or_o his_o church_n by_o that_o surely_n none_o at_o all_o for_o they_o be_v all_o of_o they_o apostate_n from_o the_o empire_n of_o rome_n they_o have_v thrust_v the_o emperor_n from_o rome_n they_o have_v take_v his_o authority_n from_o he_o and_o the_o loyalty_n and_o homage_n that_o they_o owe_v to_o he_o do_v they_o give_v to_o a_o proud_a usurp_a prelate_n who_o out_o of_o this_o 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have_v be_v baptize_v into_o his_o name_n this_o be_v plain_a for_o none_o can_v revolt_v or_o fall_v from_o christ_n but_o he_o that_o be_v the_o profess_a servant_n and_o follower_n of_o christ._n 4._o this_o apostasy_n be_v to_o be_v a_o general_a or_o universal_a departure_n of_o the_o whole_a christian_a world_n though_o not_o of_o every_o particular_a christian_a in_o the_o world_n this_o be_v manifest_a 1._o by_o the_o indefinite_a speech_n of_o the_o apostle_n for_o if_o he_o have_v mean_v otherwise_o then_o of_o a_o general_a defection_n he_o will_v some_o way_n or_o other_o have_v limit_v his_o speech_n 18.8_o 2._o our_o saviour_n speak_v of_o the_o latter_a time_n say_v when_o the_o son_n of_o man_n come_v shall_v he_o find_v faith_n upon_o earth_n 3._o many_o of_o
unto_o it_o and_o embrace_v it_o this_o faith_n and_o sanctification_n go_v hand_n in_o hand_n together_o the_o motion_n of_o a_o sanctify_a spirit_n go_v no_o further_o than_o the_o light_n of_o this_o truth_n and_o this_o eye_n of_o faith_n do_v direct_v and_o what_o need_v they_o fear_v to_o be_v seduce_v or_o draw_v out_o of_o the_o way_n that_o have_v such_o a_o spirit_n to_o move_v they_o such_o a_o eye_n and_o light_n and_o rule_v to_o direct_v they_o vers._n 14._o whereunto_o he_o have_v call_v you_o by_o our_o gospel_n to_o obtain_v the_o glory_n of_o our_o lord_n jesus_n christ._n the_o outward_a mean_n whereby_o the_o inward_a mean_n be_v wrought_v be_v the_o ministry_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n which_o he_o call_v their_o gospel_n whereby_o he_o declare_v that_o whatsoever_o they_o minister_v to_o the_o people_n it_o be_v the_o gospel_n and_o therefore_o that_o we_o that_o be_v minister_n shall_v tread_v in_o their_o step_n and_o minister_v that_o only_a to_o god_n people_n that_o we_o may_v avow_v to_o be_v gospel_n by_o this_o ministry_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n be_v they_o call_v say_v the_o apostle_n to_o sanctification_n and_o faith_n in_o the_o truth_n the_o gospel_n then_o yea_o our_o gospel_n i_o the_o ministry_n of_o the_o gospel_n practise_v and_o institute_v by_o the_o apostle_n be_v god_n own_o consecrate_a instrument_n whereby_o the_o spirit_n work_v sanctification_n &_o faith_n thus_o do_v the_o lord_n honour_v his_o ministry_n so_o that_o they_o which_o be_v the_o despiser_n thereof_o never_o have_v any_o true_a faith_n or_o sanctification_n and_o therefore_o be_v a_o prey_n to_o antichrist_n and_o sure_o who_o be_v they_o that_o he_o prevail_v against_o in_o our_o kingdom_n be_v they_o not_o manifest_a despiser_n of_o this_o ordinance_n for_o as_o for_o those_o that_o be_v call_v by_o the_o same_o unto_o sanctification_n and_o faith_n they_o can_v but_o honour_v it_o as_o the_o bless_a instrument_n of_o their_o conversion_n and_o eternal_a salvation_n he_o show_v further_a wherein_o the_o end_n of_o this_o their_o ministry_n consist_v in_o call_v of_o they_o to_o the_o obtain_n of_o the_o glory_n of_o christ._n i._n of_o that_o everlasting_a glory_n and_o happiness_n by_o christ_n which_o christ_n our_o head_n himself_o in_o heaven_n now_o enjoy_v so_o that_o this_o be_v a_o notable_a mean_n to_o debase_v the_o glory_n of_o antichrist_n to_o fix_v our_o eye_n on_o the_o glory_n that_o christ_n have_v purchase_v for_o we_o and_o be_v enter_v into_o heaven_n to_o take_v seizin_n and_o possession_n of_o in_o our_o behalf_n and_o sure_o one_o main_a cause_n why_o a_o many_o be_v so_o carry_v away_o with_o the_o glitter_a show_n of_o antichrist_n pompous_a estate_n be_v because_o they_o have_v not_o their_o mind_n set_v nor_o the_o eye_n of_o their_o soul_n fix_v on_o that_o wonderful_a and_o unutterable_a and_o inconceivable_a glory_n that_o for_o all_o christ_n faithful_a follower_n be_v prepare_v in_o heaven_n all_o the_o glory_n of_o antichrist_n will_v be_v vile_a in_o their_o eye_n if_o they_o so_o do_v vers._n 15._o therefore_o brethren_n stand_v fast_o and_o keep_v the_o instruction_n which_o you_o have_v be_v teach_v either_o by_o word_n or_o by_o our_o epistle_n the_o use_n and_o application_n follow_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v see_v you_o have_v so_o great_a matter_n of_o comfort_n brethren_n stand_v fast_o etc._n etc._n wherein_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v these_o 3._o thing_n 1._o the_o duty_n that_o he_o exhort_v they_o unto_o 2._o the_o ground_n of_o the_o duty_n 3._o the_o mean_n of_o perform_v of_o the_o duty_n the_o duty_n be_v that_o they_o stand_v fast_o it_o be_v a_o metaphor_n borrow_v from_o soldier_n who_o in_o brunt_n of_o battle_n gather_v their_o strength_n together_o that_o they_o may_v not_o be_v overthrow_v so_o he_o will_v have_v they_o to_o do_v to_o gather_v together_o all_o the_o strength_n they_o can_v that_o they_o may_v stand_v against_o the_o brunt_n and_o storm_n of_o antichrist_n whence_o we_o may_v learn_v 1._o the_o belove_a and_o elect_a of_o god_n shall_v be_v powerful_o and_o strong_o assault_v by_o the_o man_n of_o sin_n and_o in_o great_a danger_n to_o fall_v into_o the_o apostasy_n aforesaid_a if_o they_o look_v not_o unto_o themselves_o 2._o that_o they_o must_v therefore_o gather_v all_o their_o force_n and_o strength_n together_o to_o stand_v strong_o to_o the_o defence_n of_o the_o true_a faith_n and_o religion_n that_o no_o tempest_n and_o storm_n may_v remove_v they_o from_o it_o 2._o the_o ground_n of_o this_o duty_n be_v imply_v in_o the_o word_n therefore_o i._n see_v that_o the_o lord_n have_v elect_v you_o &c_n &c_n therefore_o stand_v fast_o the_o doctrine_n then_o of_o the_o certainty_n of_o our_o salvation_n and_o of_o our_o election_n be_v not_o a_o doctrine_n of_o security_n but_o it_o have_v this_o nature_n in_o whosoever_o it_o be_v find_v to_o stir_v up_o man_n so_o much_o the_o more_o to_o stand_v to_o the_o truth_n so_o that_o the_o more_o that_o a_o man_n be_v assure_v of_o his_o salvation_n the_o more_o he_o will_v strive_v to_o keep_v the_o faith_n so_o that_o if_o he_o shall_v see_v his_o name_n write_v in_o the_o book_n of_o life_n yet_o will_v not_o this_o make_v he_o wax_v secure_a but_o so_o much_o the_o more_o careful_a to_o please_v god_n and_o so_o much_o the_o more_o resolute_a against_o the_o enemy_n of_o god_n if_o a_o man_n shall_v know_v that_o his_o body_n be_v in_o that_o case_n that_o he_o can_v not_o be_v slay_v in_o battle_n howsoever_o he_o may_v be_v wound_v maim_a and_o hurt_v will_v that_o make_v he_o to_o yield_v himself_o to_o his_o enemy_n or_o to_o suffer_v they_o to_o wound_n and_o hurt_v he_o will_v it_o not_o rather_o make_v he_o fight_v so_o much_o the_o more_o courageous_o 3._o the_o mean_n follow_v of_o perform_v this_o duty_n whereby_o they_o and_o all_o other_o may_v stand_v fast_o the_o first_o be_v that_o they_o hold_v fast_o or_o lay_v a_o sure_a hand_n as_o the_o word_n signify_v upon_o the_o apostle_n tradition_n these_o tradition_n be_v all_o such_o ordinance_n of_o religion_n and_o divine_a worship_n as_o be_v teach_v and_o establish_v by_o the_o apostle_n and_o evangelist_n whether_o by_o word_n or_o by_o epistle_n for_o unto_o they_o who_o the_o apostle_n with_o their_o own_o mouth_n preach_v their_o word_n be_v of_o equal_a authority_n with_o their_o write_n but_o with_o we_o to_o who_o they_o never_o speak_v their_o write_n only_o be_v authentical_a and_o not_o their_o word_n because_o we_o know_v not_o what_o they_o speak_v more_o than_o they_o write_v 1._o the_o dutil_a then_o be_v this_o to_o lay_v hold_n with_o both_o hand_n on_o the_o doctrine_n of_o the_o apostle_n and_o not_o to_o suffer_v any_o part_n or_o parcel_n thereof_o to_o be_v wring_v forth_o of_o our_o hand_n 2._o this_o show_v the_o mean_n whereby_o antichrist_n have_v so_o much_o prevail_v for_o that_o man_n have_v not_o hold_v fast_o the_o apostle_n tradition_n but_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n have_v suffer_v now_o one_o ordinance_n and_o then_o a_o other_o to_o be_v wring_v out_o of_o their_o hand_n vers._n 16._o now_o the_o same_o jesus_n christ_n our_o lord_n and_o our_o god_n even_o the_o father_n which_o have_v love_v we_o and_o have_v give_v we_o everlasting_a consolation_n and_o good_a hope_n through_o grace_n 17._o comfort_v your_o heart_n and_o establish_v you_o in_o every_o word_n and_o good_a work_n the_o second_o mean_n of_o stand_v fast_o be_v in_o the_o hand_n of_o god_n and_o it_o be_v twofold_a 1._o consolation_n of_o the_o heart_n except_o the_o lord_n from_o heaven_n send_v a_o comfortable_a and_o cheerful_a heart_n that_o it_o be_v not_o daunt_v and_o terrify_v one_o shall_v hardly_o hold_v fast_o whereas_o so_o long_o as_o the_o lord_n comfort_v the_o heart_n so_o long_o we_o shall_v uphold_v and_o maintain_v the_o faith_n 2._o god_n must_v also_o establish_v we_o and_o confirm_v we_o in_o every_o word_n and_o good_a work_n that_o we_o may_v so_o carry_v ourselves_o in_o word_n and_o deed_n that_o we_o give_v no_o advantage_n to_o the_o adversary_n for_o if_o antichrist_n can_v trip_v we_o in_o either_o he_o will_v give_v we_o a_o dangerous_a blow_n the_o apostle_n therefore_o conclude_v this_o matter_n with_o a_o prayer_n to_o jesus_n christ_n and_o to_o god_n the_o father_n stir_v he_o thereunto_o by_o mention_n of_o that_o free_a favour_n of_o he_o towards_o they_o whereby_o in_o christ_n he_o have_v love_v they_o and_o give_v they_o everlasting_a consolation_n by_o put_v they_o in_o good_a hope_n of_o eternal_a salvation_n through_o grace_n thereby_o teach_v we_o that_o the_o main_a ground_n of_o our_o assurance_n of_o future_a
and_o further_a mercy_n from_o god_n arise_v from_o the_o consideration_n of_o his_o former_a favour_n and_o love_n towards_o us._n and_o that_o therefore_o we_o must_v labour_v to_o get_v assurance_n of_o the_o one_o if_o we_o desire_v to_o have_v our_o faith_n confirm_v and_o strengthen_v in_o the_o hopeful_a expectation_n of_o the_o other_o and_o thus_o much_o of_o the_o four_o part_n of_o this_o epistle_n the_o three_o chapter_n vers._n 1._o furthermore_o brethren_n pray_v for_o we_o that_o the_o word_n of_o the_o lord_n may_v have_v free_a passage_n and_o be_v glorify_v as_o it_o be_v with_o you_o the_o five_o part_n of_o this_o epistle_n follow_v which_o be_v a_o petition_n wherein_o the_o apostle_n become_v a_o earnest_a suitor_n unto_o the_o church_n that_o he_o write_v unto_o and_o what_o do_v he_o sue_v for_o for_o their_o prayer_n he_o entreat_v they_o that_o they_o will_v pray_v for_o he_o &_o for_o syluanus_n and_o timothy_n his_o fellow-labourer_n and_o to_o the_o end_n that_o he_o may_v obtain_v his_o desire_n he_o call_v upon_o they_o by_o the_o name_n of_o brethren_n as_o he_o have_v do_v twice_o or_o thrice_o in_o this_o epistle_n already_o wherein_o we_o must_v not_o think_v that_o the_o apostle_n according_a to_o the_o common_a usage_n of_o this_o age_n do_v it_o only_o for_o courtly_a compliment_n a_o thing_n far_o from_o the_o disposition_n of_o that_o spirit_n by_o which_o he_o write_v this_o epistle_n but_o he_o do_v unfeigned_o desire_v this_o office_n at_o their_o hand_n as_o a_o principal_a fruit_n of_o their_o brotherly_a love_n and_o affection_n towards_o he_o and_o as_o a_o matter_n whereby_o he_o expect_v a_o special_a blessing_n from_o god_n whence_o we_o may_v learn_v these_o lesson_n 1._o that_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o christian_a brethren_n mutual_o to_o pray_v one_o for_o a_o other_o unto_o god_n their_o father_n paul_n he_o pray_v for_o the_o thessalonian_n and_o he_o pray_v they_o to_o pray_v for_o he_o the_o brethren_n in_o christ_n do_v mutual_o merit_v one_o a_o other_o prayer_n when_o they_o pray_v one_o for_o a_o other_o do_v i_o pray_v unto_o god_n for_o thou_o i_o have_v therein_o deserve_v that_o thou_o shall_v pray_v for_o i_o the_o wage_n of_o a_o hire_a labourer_n be_v no_o more_o due_a to_o he_o than_o thy_o prayer_n be_v due_a unto_o i_o and_o thou_o shall_v answer_v at_o god_n tribunal_n upon_o a_o action_n of_o debt_n and_o default_n of_o payment_n if_o thou_o answer_v not_o the_o same_o though_o i_o shall_v not_o pray_v for_o thou_o yet_o be_v thou_o bind_v to_o pray_v for_o i_o the_o lord_n have_v lay_v this_o law_n upon_o we_o to_o pray_v even_o for_o they_o that_o persecute_v we_o and_o to_o bless_v they_o that_o curse_v we_o how_o much_o more_o be_v we_o then_o to_o pray_v for_o they_o that_o pray_v for_o we_o and_o to_o bless_v they_o that_o bless_v we_o and_o as_o this_o be_v a_o mutual_a duty_n and_o debt_n that_o one_o christian_n owe_v to_o a_o other_o so_o ought_v all_o christian_n to_o make_v that_o reckon_n of_o this_o debt_n as_o that_o they_o shall_v upon_o all_o occasion_n demand_v and_o require_v it_o and_o not_o remit_v or_o forgive_v it_o we_o can_v demand_v our_o temporal_a debt_n and_o will_v think_v much_o to_o remit_v a_o penny_n in_o the_o payment_n of_o a_o great_a sum_n but_o for_o this_o spiritual_a debt_n we_o can_v be_v content_a to_o let_v it_o go_v and_o never_o demand_v it_o or_o if_o we_o do_v at_o any_o time_n demand_v it_o it_o be_v but_o for_o ceremony_n and_o fashion_n we_o care_v not_o whither_o man_n pay_v it_o or_o no._n this_o show_v belove_v that_o we_o make_v no_o reckon_v or_o account_n of_o a_o other_o prayer_n for_o if_o we_o do_v we_o will_v often_o demand_v they_o then_o we_o do_v and_o the_o rather_o because_o the_o debt_n be_v of_o that_o nature_n that_o the_o more_o we_o urge_v the_o payment_n thereof_o the_o more_o we_o favour_v the_o person_n indebt_v &_o the_o more_o we_o neglect_v to_o urge_v the_o same_o the_o more_o wrong_n we_o do_v unto_o he_o for_o there_o be_v no_o prayer_n that_o he_o make_v for_o we_o but_o he_o obtain_v thereby_o as_o great_a a_o blessing_n for_o himself_o as_o for_o us._n 2._o if_o we_o desire_v that_o other_o shall_v pray_v effectual_o unto_o god_n for_o we_o let_v they_o see_v that_o we_o esteem_v they_o as_o brethren_n and_o let_v we_o so_o demean_v ourselves_o towards_o they_o as_o they_o may_v esteem_v of_o we_o as_o brethren_n for_o howsoever_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o faithful_a may_v do_v good_a to_o they_o that_o as_o yet_o be_v not_o brethren_n in_o christ_n yet_o be_v there_o a_o more_o lively_a feel_n of_o the_o efficacy_n and_o power_n of_o prayer_n and_o of_o the_o sweet_a influence_n of_o god_n grace_n obtain_v by_o they_o when_o profess_a brethren_n pray_v one_o for_o a_o other_o and_o only_o by_o their_o prayer_n can_v we_o look_v to_o get_v good_a that_o be_v our_o brethren_n for_o otherwise_o their_o prayer_n be_v a_o abomination_n to_o god_n and_o their_o blessing_n in_o themselves_o but_o so_o many_o curse_n 3._o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o faithful_a be_v the_o common_a good_n of_o the_o church_n and_o there_o be_v none_o so_o high_a and_o great_a in_o favour_n with_o god_n but_o they_o stand_v in_o need_n of_o the_o prayer_n of_o other_o even_o of_o their_o inferior_n behold_v here_o paul_n a_o great_a apostle_n of_o jesus_n christ_n that_o have_v be_v rapt_v up_o into_o the_o three_o heaven_n and_o there_o hear_v thing_n unutterable_a he_o that_o have_v the_o spirit_n of_o prophecy_n and_o the_o gift_n of_o work_a miracle_n and_o who_o be_v in_o a_o singular_a manner_n illuminate_v in_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o inspire_v to_o be_v a_o penman_n of_o holy_a scripture_n desire_v the_o prayer_n of_o this_o poor_a church_n will_v that_o spirit_n by_o which_o he_o write_v this_o epistle_n have_v suffer_v he_o so_o to_o have_v do_v but_o that_o through_o the_o same_o spirit_n he_o have_v a_o lively_a sense_n of_o his_o own_o need_n and_o a_o confidence_n that_o he_o shall_v be_v the_o better_a bless_a by_o mean_n of_o they_o and_o that_o god_n will_v for_o their_o sake_n show_v the_o more_o favour_n unto_o he_o there_o be_v none_o therefore_o so_o low_a &_o mean_a in_o god_n church_n but_o the_o high_a may_v be_v behold_v to_o they_o for_o their_o prayer_n paul_n here_o desire_v the_o thessalonian_n to_o speak_v to_o and_o entreat_v god_n for_o he_o and_o his_o fellow_n this_o shall_v teach_v we_o to_o stir_v up_o this_o gift_n in_o ourselves_o and_o high_o to_o esteem_v the_o prayer_n even_o of_o the_o mean_a of_o god_n servant_n for_o if_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n teach_v paul_n to_o make_v that_o reckon_n of_o they_o much_o more_o ought_v we_o even_o the_o minister_n who_o as_o we_o be_v many_o degree_n inferior_a to_o paul_n so_o do_v we_o by_o so_o many_o degree_n more_o need_v the_o help_n of_o the_o prayer_n of_o the_o mean_a of_o god_n people_n even_o we_o i_o say_v that_o be_v minister_n do_v need_v the_o prayer_n of_o our_o people_n and_o the_o people_n need_v to_o pray_v for_o their_o minister_n yea_o the_o mean_a of_o they_o must_v learn_v to_o be_v orator_n unto_o god_n for_o he_o if_o they_o look_v to_o reap_v fruit_n by_o his_o labour_n and_o this_o no_o doubt_n be_v one_o main_a cause_n that_o the_o lord_n do_v no_o more_o bless_v our_o labour_n unto_o you_o because_o you_o never_o pray_v for_o we_o nay_o because_o many_o of_o you_o can_v pray_v for_o us._n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o only_o in_o general_n require_v this_o church_n prayer_n but_o he_o give_v they_o special_a direction_n concern_v the_o matter_n of_o those_o prayer_n which_o he_o will_v have_v they_o to_o make_v for_o he_o wherein_o in_o general_a and_o by_o the_o way_n he_o teach_v that_o if_o minister_n will_v look_v to_o reap_v fruit_n from_o the_o prayer_n of_o their_o church_n they_o must_v teach_v and_o direct_v they_o how_o to_o pray_v and_o inform_v they_o in_o the_o special_a matter_n of_o their_o prayer_n we_o must_v not_o only_o call_v upon_o man_n to_o pray_v but_o we_o must_v teach_v they_o how_o to_o pray_v 1._o as_o both_o christ_n and_o john_n teach_v their_o disciple_n it_o be_v very_o fit_v and_o necessary_a that_o christian_n shall_v have_v direction_n for_o prayer_n yea_o and_o for_o the_o further_a help_n of_o their_o weakness_n set_v form_n of_o prayer_n also_o though_o they_o be_v not_o to_o be_v tie_v only_o unto_o they_o and_o stint_v &_o straighten_v so_o as_o they_o may_v not_o use_v any_o other_o prayer_n but_o according_a to_o the_o practice_n of_o our_o church_n that_o prescribe_v and_o use_v set_v form_n