Heâ—rews concerning Patience Hebr. 10.36 Ye have need of Patience may truly be said of Kings and Princes concerning Prayers they have need of them great need yea greater need then others So they have and that both in respect of their Persons and Government 1. For their Persons they are exposed to greater dangers than others So they are and that both in their Bodies and Souls 1. In their Bodies Besides those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 those tryals common to men Infirmities Diseases Casualties which they are subject to as well as others they have many Enemies As Paul saith it was with him that he had 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 many Adversaries 1 Cor. 16.9 So must they if they be good Kings and Governours make account to meet with many Enemies some open others secret some out of envy others out of malice some envying their greatness others maligning their goodnesse Upon these accounts they may have more Enemies then others of inferior rank And that so much the more by how much the better they are Being such as are truly vertuous and pious such as will own God's Religion and his People such as will countenance vertue and piety and discountenance vice and impiety now they shall want no Waspes no Eâ—emies And those it may be some of them cruel and deadly who will not onely speak evil of them but be ready to act all kind of mischief against them Such was David's Condition whom we may hear frequently complaining of his Enemies Of the multitude of them They compassed me about like Bees Psal. 118.12 Of the malice of them how they hated him without a cause They that hate me without a Cause are more then the hairs of my Head Psal. 69.4 Yea and they hated him with a cruell hatred Psal. 25.19 Not only reproaching him and speaking evil of him As with a sword in my bones my Enemies reproach me Psal. 42. 10. But wishing evil to him wishing his Death Mine Enemies speak evil of me When shall he dye and his Namâ— perish Psal. 41.5 And wiâ—hing it they designed it laying snares for him They also that seek after my life lay snares for me Psal. 38.12 Attempting his destruction They that would destroy me being mine Enemies wrongfully are mighty Psal. 69. 4. And the like must pious Kings and Princes look for being such as David was men after God's own heart they will want no Enemies nor their Enemies malice So as upon this account their dangers are more and greater then others They are so as to their Bodies 2. And secondly as to their Souls Being exposed to more and greater Temptations then others So it is high Towers feel more of the Wind and Weather than lower Cottages And so it is with men of high Place they are exposed to more and greater Temptations than those of lower condition The Devil never thought he had our Saviour at so gâ—eat an advantage as when he had got him upon the Pinacle of the Temple And surely of all other none are more exposed to Satans Temptations than those who are set in places of Eminency High places are slippery places Thus have Supream Governours great need of prayers greater then others in respect of their Persons being subject to more and greater dangers then others and that both in their Bodies and Souls 2. And secondly as they have need hereof in respect of their Persons so of their Government which lyeth as a heâ—vy weight upon their Shoulder So the Government of Christ is said to do upon his Esay 9.6 The Government shall be upon his Shoulder And so doth the Government of Temporal Kings and Princeâ— The Government lyeth upon their Shoulders The Shoulder is the ordinary part of the Body that is used for the bearing of heavy and weighty burden Leight burdens are carried in the hand but weâ—ghty ones upon the Shoulder And such is the Government which is committed to Kings and Princes though it be an honourable burden yet a burden it is and that a weighty one So it is where the trust which is reposed in them is faithfully discharged However some there are and that too many who divide these two which God hath joyned together the Honâ—s and the Onus As for the Honor of Government with all the Profits and Revenueâ— belonging thereunto that they greedily grasp but as for the burden that they cast off Yet so is it not with good and gracious Soveraigns their Crowns sit heavy upon their Heads their Heads and Hearts being filled and taken up with a constant care and solicitude for the procuring of the peace and welfare tranquillity and happinesse of those that are committed to their Charge Now their burden being so great they have need of a more than ordinary support for the bearing of it They hâ—d need to be furnished with a more than ordiâ—ary stock of vertues aâ—d graces for the discharge of this their Trust. This our Solomon the wisest of Kings was well aware of And therefore when being newly come to his Kingdom God made him a proffer that he should ask what he would have him to give him he begs nothing but an understanding heart 1 King 3.7 8 9. And now O Lord my God saith he thou hast made thy Servant King in stead of David my Father And I am but a little Child not in respect of years for he had at this time a Son as we find it Chap. 14 2â— but in respect of that wisdom which was requisite for the managing so great a Trust as was committed to him I know not how to go out or to come in And thy Servant is in the midst of thy People which thou hast chosen a great People that cannot be numbred nor counted for multitude Give therefore thy Servant an understanding heart to â—udge thy People that I may disceâ—n between good and bad for who is able to judge this thy so great a People And this also David his Father was very sensible of And therefore the chief thing that he wisheth him is this Only the Lord give thee Wisdom and understanding 2 Chron. 22.12 Kingly Government being so great a Charge it calleth for a large heart for the right managing of it Such a heart God is said to give unto this King Solomon God gavâ— Solomon Wisdom and understanding exceeding much and largenesse of heart 1 King 4.29 And such hearts in measure supream Governours had need to have And therefore upon this account they have need of prayers of instant and earnest prayers to be prayed for by their Subâ—ects and that Continually And as they have need of prayers in respect of their Persons and Government so have Châ—istians need to put up these prayers for them and that upon their own account as needful for themselves So they have considering what an interest they have in their Supream Governours and how much their welfare depends upon them upon their right managing of their Government Their welfare I say and that both Temporal
and a Thess. â— 1 Aâ—d again if that Epistle be his Hebâ— 13.18 Pray for uâ— Where this Tribute is duly payed other Tribâ—â—â— wilt noâ— bâ— with holdeâ— The praying Christian is consciencioâ—â— and so will not with hâ—ld from any man that which is his dâ—e which if he should he cannot expect that his prayers should be heard And this is a Tribute that all may pay They who have no other Presents to bring to their Prince no Gold of Ophir or Sâ—eba to present him with which is here said to be given to King Solomon yet they may have this Frankincense and Mirrh the sweet Odors of their prayers to put up unto God on his behalf Now such as they have let them give as Peter said to that poor Cripple lying at the beautiful Gate of the Temple begging an Alms of him Acts 3.6 Silver and Gold have I none but such as I have I give thee a better gift then that which thou desirest viz. that which Christ hath given me power freely to distribute the restoring of thy Limbs And the like let all God's People do to their Soveraign such as have not the opportunity or ability of doing service to him in other ways such as they have let them give Having a praying spirit given them of God let them make use of it in his behalf But what is it that we are to pray for on his behalf For resolution I might send you to that antient Father Tertullian who in that place fore-mentioned giveth us an account of what things they were that the Christians in his time were wont in their prayers to beg for their Soveraigns Oramus pro omnibus Imperatoribus We pray for all Emperours that God would give them Vitam prolixam a long life Imperium securum a secure Empire Domum tutam a safe Habitation Exercitus fortes valiant Armies Senatum fidelem a faithfull Counsell Populum probum a good People Orbem quietum a quiet World quaecunque Hominis Caesaris vota sunt and what ever good things Caesar himself or any other can wish And all these let us beg for this our dread Soveraign that God would blesse him with all kinds of Blessings blessings of his right hand and left blessings Spiritual and Temporal Spiritual that God would write all his Laws in his heart giving him his Judgments which is David's prayer for his son Solomon verse first of this Psalm Give the King thy Iudgments O God and thy Righteousnesse to the Kings Son That so he may be such a King as the Lord maketh promise of unto his People Esay 32.1 Behold a King shall Râ—ign in Righteousnesse and Princes shall Rule in Iudgment That God would give him an upright a perfect heart such a heart as King Hezekiah had that so he may walk before him as he did and be able at the finishing his course to appeal unto him as he doth Esay 38.3 Remember now O Lord I beseech thee how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart and have done that which is good in thy sight And as an upright so a wise and a large heart Such a heart God gave unto this King Solomon as you heard 1 King 4.29 And this was the chief blessing that his Father David begged for him 1 Chron. 22. 12. Only the Lord give thee wisdom and understanding and give thee Charge concerning Israel that thou mayest keep the Law of the Lord thy God And that he in whose hand the hearts of Kings are The Kings heart is in the hand of the Lord as the Rivers of Water â—e turneth it whithersoever he will as Solomon tells us Prov. 21.1 would hold the heart of this his anointed Servant in his own hand making use of him as an happy Instrument as in other Services so in building his House This David there beggeth for and of his son Solomon in the verse foregoing 1 Chron. 22.11 Now my Son the Lord be with thee and prosper thou and build the House of the Lord thy God Oh that the Lord 's Anointed amongst us may do the like Thus beg we for him these right-hand blessings spiritual blessings And this do we in the first place Then do we the like for left-hand Temporal blessings That God would blesse him in his Person and Government In his Person multiplying his Dayes Pray for the life of the King as that Text fore-cited hath it Ezra 6.10 Let the King live forever saith Nehemiah to Artaxerxes Neh. 2.3 And Daniel to Darius Dan. 6.21 Thou wilt prolong the Kings life and his years as many Generations Psal. 61.6 In his Government that that may be peaceable and happy that God would perform unto him what he promised to David Psal. 132.18 His Enemies will I clothe with shame but upon himself shall his Crown flourish As also that in the verse fore-going I will make the Horn of David to bud I have ordained a Lamp for mine anointed a Successor that should come out of his Loyns And that his Government may be prosperous to himself and others beyond what the best of his Predecessors have been This was the prayer of Bâ—naiah which he made in the behalf of King Solomon at his Coronation 1 King 1.37 As the Lord hath been with my Lord the King even so be he with Solomon and make his Throne greatâ—â— then the Throne of my Lord King David Wherein he was secondâ—d by Solomon's Servants ver 47. who coming to David after his Son Solomon was anointed King they said unto him God make the Name of Solomon better then thy Name and make his Throne greater then thy Throne To which David was ready to say Amen declaring his assent by bowing himself upon the Bed These and all other blessings which may be any wayes requisite or expedient let us beg in the behalf of our dread Soveraign that he being thus blessed and we blessed in him may have cause to bless him 2. That is the other Tribute which David here in the Text saith should be payed unto his Son Solomon His Subjects thus praying for him they should also praise him and so praise him as they prayed for him Continually And daily shall he praised â—olhaâ—om jebarâ—kenehâ— Totâ or omni die benedicet ei All the day long or every day his own People and others should speak well of him bless him All Nations shall call him blessed ver 17. So did diverse â—orraign Nations whose Kings having heâ—rd of his Fame â—ame to see him bringing Presents unto him So it is here foretold of some of them ver 10. of this Psalm The Kings of Tâ—rshish and all the Iles shall bring Presents the Kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer Gifts Yea all Kings shall fall down before him And accordingly we find it verified in that illustrious Princesse the Queen of Sheba who hearing of his Wisdom came from her own Country to see him and have some conference with him Which having had
hands agreed And so shall I look upon this passage in it which I have now in hand Which acquaints us with a two-fold Tribute due as unto Solomon so unto Christ Prayer and Praise Prayer Prayer also shall be mâ—de for him continually Praise And daily shall he be praised Beâ—in we with the former Prayer also shall be made for him continually Wherein again as before I did I shall take notice of those two particulars The Tribute it self Prayer And the Time when and how oft it is to be payed Continually Touch upon them severally 1. The Tribute it self Prayer Prayer also shall be made for him But what Prayer made for him for Christ How can this be What doth he stand in nâ—ed of our Prayers that men upon Earth should make prayers for him being in Heaven Here tâ—e Iewâ— fall foul upon us Christians and jear us thaâ— we should expound this Psalm concerning our Mâ—ssia who if he be what we believe him God how then can this passage agreâ— unto him that prayers should be made for him What pray for our God Prayers are to be put â—p to him not foâ— him For answer to this True it is as it is with Saints and Angels so much more with Iesus Christ he being ascended into Heaven and sitting at the right hand of his Father Crowned with Honour and Glory having all Power given to him in Heaven and Earth He is far from needing the assistance of men or any other Creatureâ— He needeth not our prayers we have need and that continuall need of his of his Intercession which he maketh for us as the Apostle tells us Rom. 8.34 But he hath no need of ours no more then the greatest Monarch upon Earth hath to receive an Alms from the poorest Peasant But though he hath no need of them as to his own person yet his Kingdom hath his Church which is as it were a part of himself his Body whereof he is the Head He is the Head of the Body the Church Col. 1.18 his Mystical Body Which in reâ—ard of the near relation it hath to him is called sometimes by his Nâ—â—e as 1 Cor. 12.12 As the Body is one and hath many members c. So is Christ. And again Gal. 3.16 Now to Abraham and to his Seed were the promises made c. which Seed is Christ meaning the Mystical Body of the Church whereof Christ is the Head and his Elect People the Members Now though he being the Head is out of the reach of our prayers so as that they should be made for him yet so are not his Members here upon Earth And upâ—n that account prayers may fitly be said to be made for him being made for his Kingdom For which all hiâ— Subjects are to pray So they are taught by Him himself in that Patern and Form of prayer which he hath left them After this manner pray ye Hallowed be thy Name thy Kingdom come Matth. 6.10 The Kingdom of God the Government whereof is committed to Jesus Christ as Mediatour this are his Subjects to pray for His Kingdom his Kingdom of Grace his Kingdom of Glory which are not properly two Kingdoms but two different states of the same Kingdom And for both these are prayers to be made 1. For his Kingdom of Grace his Church upon Earth which is visible invisible Visible in the Nations of the World Invisible in the hearts of his Elect People Both these are Christians to pray for 1. For his visible Kingdom for which they are chiefly to â—eg two things Preservation Augmentation both which are to be effected by the Power of Christ. 1. Preservation that it may be continued here upon Earth which it shall be to the end of the Woâ—ld being defended and maintained by the power of Jesus Chrisâ— against all the Enemies of it whether Men or Devils So he tellâ— Peâ—er in that known Text Matth. 16.18 Thou art Peter and upon this Rock will I build my Church and thâ— Gates of Hell shall not prevail against it Upon this Rock not the rock Confessing but Confessed not upon Peter but upon that Confession which he had then made ver 16. Thou art Christ the Son of the living God upon this Rock â—aith he I will build my Church as I have already laid the foundation of it so will I â—arry on the building upholding and preserving it so as the Gates of Hell shall not prevail against iâ— that is all the powâ—r and policy of Satan and his Instruments alluding to the custom of antient times wâ—â—rein the Gates of Cities were the chief places of strength and the â—â—sual meeting places for the holding of Councels let them plot and contrive and attempt what they will yet shall they not so far prevail against the Church as to destroy it to extirpate and root it out from off the Earth still Christ will have a visible Kingdom here upon Earth And for this are all his Subjects â—o pray that this his Kingdom may be thus continued Which whilst they do they may be said to make prayers for him 2. And aâ— they are to pray for the Preservation so for the Augmentation as for the continuance so for the increase and inlargment of this Kingdom of Christ that his Kingdom may come that his Sâ—â—pter may be lifted up his Government advanced his Church inlarged that it may be made a glorious Church So it shall be in the latter dayes For which we have many promises and those very clear and full As among other that of the Prophet Esay Chap. 2. ver 2 3. repeated by the Prophet Micah in the same terms Mâ—e 4.1 It shall come to passe in the last dayes that the Mountain of the Lords House shall be established in the top of the Mountains and shall be exalted above the Hills and â—ll Nations shall flow unto it In the last Dayes in the Gospel-times the dayes of the Messiah the last Age of the World The Mountain of the Lords House the Church whereof Mounâ— Sion upon which the Temple was built was a Type Shall be established in tâ—e top of thâ— Mountains and exalted above the Hills it shall be settled and exalted being in the spiritual glory of it advanced far above all secular States and Kingdoms in the World And all Nations shall flow unto it â—â—ws and Gentiles out of all parts of the World shall by whole Flocks and Shoâ—ls come in and joyn themselves to the Church embraciâ—g of the Gospel and submitting theâ—selves to the Government of Christ. And as it there followeth ver 3. Mâ—â—y People shall go and say Come ye and let us go up to the Mountain of the Lord to the House of the God of Iacâ—b and he will teach us of his wayes and we will walk in his pathâ— This shall the People of the Iews do as among many other that Text of the Prophet Hosea clearly fore-telleth it Hos 3.4 The Children of Israel shall abide many dayes without a King
and without a Prince and without a Sacrifice c. having neither any form of a Common-wealth amongst them nor yet the exeâ—cise of their Religion in that way and manner that formerly they had Afterwardâ— they shall return and seek the Lord their God and David their King the true Messiah the son of David according to the Flâ—sh and of whom David was a Type They shall seek after him and shall submit to his Government taking and â—â—knowledging him for their King Thâ—y shall seâ—ve the Lord theâ—r God and David their King as the Prophet Ieremy hath iâ— Iâ—r 30. vâ—r 9. And as the Iews so the Gentiles they shall also come in like manner So the Prophet Esay most plainly fore-telleth it Esay 60. where setting forth the glory of the Church under the Gosspel in the abundanâ— access of the Gentiles he biddâ—th her arise vâ—r 1. Arise shine for thy light is come and the glory of the Lord iâ— risen upon thâ—â— And ver 3 4. he tells her And the Gentiles shall come to thy Light and Kings to the brightness of thy coming â— Lift up thine Eâ—es round about and sâ—e all they gather themselves together they come to thee And so he goeth on ver 9. Then thou shalâ— seâ— and flâ—w togâ—thâ—â— â—nd thine heart shall fear and be inlarged becâ—â—se the 〈…〉 of the Sea shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee Such and so great should the confluence of People from all parâ—s of the World be that should joyn themselves to the Church that it should be a matter of great admiration and wonder to them that should behold it So he sets it forth ver 8. where â—e bring in the Church speaking after that manner Who are these thaâ— fly as a Cloud 〈◊〉 as the Doâ—eâ— to their Windows Like as Clouds which come oft-times from â—emote quarters â—eing driven swiftly by the Wind or as Dâ—vâ—s or Pigeons that flye in great Flocks and with much speed to their Dove-coaâ—â— such incomes should there be to the Church which should be wonderfully augmented and increased A prophecy which as yet hath not had the full accomplishment so as it shall have in the time appointed There is a day a coming when the Scepter of Christ shall be advanced In that day shall the Branch of the Lord be beautiful and glorious so saith the Prophet Esay Chap. 4. ver 2. speaking of the Messiah whom we find sometimes called a Branch the Branch as Zach. 3.8 I will bring forth my Servant the Branch And again Chap. 6. ver 12. Behold the man whose Name is the Branch meaning the promised Messiah springing from the root of Iesse and from whom all spiritual Graces and Blessings do spring as leaves and blossoms and fruits do from the Branch Of this Branch it is there said it shall be beautiful and glorious And so it shall be in that day viz. when the Church shall be increased and inlarged as it shall be all Nations being brought under the Government of Jesus Christ. Hereof God the Father maketh a Promise to his Son Psal. 2.8 Ask of me and I will give thee the Heathen for thiâ—e Inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for thy Possession Not only the Iews but the Gentiles also And this promise as already in part it is so it shall be fully made good to him in the latter dayes viz. after the destruction of Anti-christ So we find it foretold Rev. 11.15 where we read of a gratulatory Acclamation made by the People of God at that great alteration and change that should be made in the Church And the seventh Angel sounded and there were great Voyces in Heaven saying The Kingdoms of this World are become the Kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ and he shall Reign for ever and ever The Roman Anti-christ being destroyed now the Kingdom of Christ shall be inlarged his visible Church shall be like an Empire spreading through the World and lasting to the end of it Thus it shall be the Kingdom of Christ upon Earth shall be a glorious Kingdom his Church shall be setled and established and it shall prosper and flourish it shall be made a praise in the Earth And for this are all that profess themselves the Subjects of Christ to pray So they are called upon by the Prophet Esay Chap. 62. ver 67. Ye that makâ— mention of the Lord keep not silence and give him no rest till he establish and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the Eartâ— And this whilst they do they may truly be said to make prayers for Iesus Christ whose Body this is and whose Glory is so much concerned in it The Churche's Exaltation is his Exaltation Behold my Servant saith the Lord speaking of the Messiah his Son Christ whom he calleth his Servant 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in regard of that great Service which he was to do in working of the Redemption and Salvation of his Elect People shall deal prudently he shall be exalted and extolled and be very High Esay 52.13 So he is already in his Person being set at the right hand of God his Father in the heavenly places Far abovâ— all Principality and Power and Might and Dominion Eph. 1.20 21. And so he shall be in his Kingdom his Church which he governing with so much prudence and wisdom as he doth and shall do it shall be exalted and He exalted in its Exaltation Thus is God said to be exalted and lifted up by doing great things for his Church and People against his and their Enemies So the Prophet Esay hath it Esay 33. The Lord is exalted for He dwelleth on High He hath filled Zion with Iudgment and Righteousness And again ver 10. Now will I arise saith the Lord now will I be exalted now will I lift up my self So he is said to be when he manifesteth his Power and Goodness in shewing any special favour to his Church and People and executing any signal Judgments upon his and their Enemies Now his Name is exalted as the same Prophet hath it Esay 12.4 where exciting the People to bless God for his great mercies to his Church In that day saith he shall ye say Praise the Lord caâ—â— upon his Name declare his doings among the People make mention that his Name is exalted And thus is the Name of Christ exalted in the great things which he doth for his Church this being a manifestation of his Soveraignty he is thereby honoured and glorified And upon this account are his Subjects to pray for him which we find the Psalmist doing Psal. 18.46 The Lord liveth and blessed be my Rock and let the God of my Salvation be exalted 2. And as they are thus to pray for his visible Kingdom â—o for his Invisible his Spiritual Kingdom which is not outwardly visible to the Eye but is set up in the hearts of men So our Saviour tells the Pharisees Luke 17.20 where they