great_a god_n so_o not_o to_o speak_v evil_a of_o the_o ruler_n of_o his_o people_n we_o worship_v god_n with_o our_o body_n that_o be_v he_o so_o we_o offer_v civil_a homage_n with_o the_o same_o to_o the_o magistrate_n we_o serve_v god_n in_o our_o soul_n and_o spirit_n so_o we_o ought_v not_o to_o let_v our_o thought_n or_o heart_n rise_v up_o against_o the_o magistrate_n this_o we_o ought_v to_o give_v as_o a_o freewill_n offering_n and_o yet_o we_o pay_v it_o as_o a_o most_o due_a debt_n what_o christ_n say_v give_v to_o caesar_n the_o apostle_n as_o a_o good_a expositor_n bid_v we_o render_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d be_v the_o same_o word_n use_v in_o both_o we_o give_v it_o then_o not_o by_o way_n of_o gratuity_n but_o duty_n we_o pay_v it_o we_o render_v it_o up_o from_o ourselves_o as_o be_v against_o right_a to_o detain_v it_o from_o they_o now_o since_o that_o magistrate_n be_v god_n ordinance_n and_o magistrate_n be_v his_o representative_n let_v we_o endeavour_v the_o confirmation_n of_o his_o ordinance_n and_o honour_n both_o in_o mind_n and_o person_n such_o as_o right_o judge_v for_o he_o follow_v his_o decree_n and_o constitution_n by_o pass_v our_o vote_n and_o supplication_n for_o they_o what_o john_n say_v of_o a_o brother_n to_o a_o brother_n he_o that_o love_v not_o who_o he_o have_v see_v be_v the_o spiritual_a image_n of_o christ_n how_o shall_v he_o love_v he_o who_o he_o have_v not_o see_v christ_n himself_o so_o of_o the_o subject_n to_o the_o magistrate_n he_o that_o honour_v not_o he_o who_o he_o have_v see_v that_o bear_v the_o office_n &_o presence_n of_o the_o almighty_a how_o shall_v he_o honour_v god_n himself_o who_o he_o have_v not_o see_v the_o second_o reason_n be_v draw_v from_o those_o end_n for_o which_o such_o a_o supreme_a order_n be_v constitute_v overus_a first_o we_o will_v begin_v with_o the_o subordinate_a end_n such_o as_o most_o concern_v we_o god_n make_v we_o and_o make_v we_o happy_a and_o to_o be_v happy_a he_o therefore_o provide_v mean_n to_o promote_v this_o happiness_n but_o man_n by_o his_o fall_n make_v himself_o miserable_a god_n therefore_o to_o prevent_v the_o preproperate_n our_o misery_n or_o lessen_v those_o evil_n into_o which_o inevitable_o we_o have_v cast_v ourselves_o have_v appoint_v mean_n as_o remedy_n hereof_o even_o these_o mean_n viz._n magistrate_n for_o see_v the_o end_n for_o which_o they_o be_v constitute_v of_o god_n and_o which_o they_o ought_v principal_o to_o attend_v rom._n 13.3_o 4._o for_o ruler_n etc._n etc._n psal_n 82.3_o 4._o defend_v the_o poor_a etc._n etc._n and_o most_o eminent_o in_o this_o text_n pray_v for_o they_o that_o under_o they_o you_o etc._n etc._n as_o we_o be_v the_o lord_n people_n so_o the_o lord_n have_v make_v we_o their_o people_n and_o deliver_v we_o to_o they_o and_o give_v to_o they_o divine_a institution_n even_o such_o as_o be_v necessary_a to_o the_o well-being_n nay_o the_o be_v of_o humane_a society_n if_o they_o abuse_v that_o power_n to_o set_v up_o their_o own_o private_a interest_n contrary_a to_o those_o end_n this_o be_v neither_o from_o god_n nor_o natural_o arise_v from_o their_o power_n but_o from_o the_o corruption_n and_o baseness_n of_o man_n ambitious_a spirit_n that_o make_v use_v of_o their_o master_n favour_n and_o talent_n for_o their_o own_o advantage_n seek_v their_o own_o instead_o of_o the_o good_a of_o other_o a_o magistrate_n of_o all_o man_n be_v the_o least_o his_o own_o but_o give_v unto_o and_o set_v a_o part_n for_o the_o people_n he_o be_v the_o great_a servant_n of_o all_o man_n and_o the_o best_a if_o upright_o in_o his_o place_n yet_o though_o he_o be_v the_o servant_n of_o other_o in_o labour_n he_o be_v the_o master_n of_o other_o in_o honour_n god_n therefore_o have_v appoint_v they_o to_o serve_v we_o with_o their_o blessing_n or_o he_o have_v ordain_v they_o the_o pipe_n and_o vessel_n through_o which_o the_o fountain_n of_o good_a convey_v his_o good_a thing_n to_o we_o or_o this_o order_n of_o the_o preeminency_n be_v a_o civil_a stewardship_n in_o which_o man_n be_v to_o deal_v out_o the_o allowance_n of_o god_n to_o the_o rest_n of_o their_o fellow_n servant_n to_o preserve_v and_o augment_v those_o blessing_n since_o then_o the_o end_n be_v so_o desirable_a and_o the_o mean_n so_o considerable_a it_o become_v we_o to_o strengthen_v and_o make_v use_n of_o those_o mean_n to_o pray_v that_o the_o steward_n may_v be_v find_v faithful_a in_o their_o office_n that_o these_o pipe_n be_v not_o break_v or_o stop_v that_o so_o the_o stream_n of_o the_o common_a wealth_n justice_n and_o the_o stream_n of_o the_o sanctuary_n godliness_n and_o truth_n may_v in_o a_o peaceful_a still_o quiet_a and_o proper_a channel_n run_v down_o among_o we_o therefore_o beside_o their_o title_n of_o authority_n whereby_o they_o live_v over_o we_o and_o by_o we_o so_o they_o have_v their_o title_n of_o duty_n to_o show_v they_o shall_v live_v for_o we_o and_o we_o by_o they_o father_n and_o mother_n joseph_n be_v a_o father_n indeed_o and_o by_o his_o prudentiall_a care_n provide_v for_o his_o people_n deborah_n be_v a_o mother_n indeed_o and_o carry_v her_o people_n out_o of_o the_o water_n and_o mire_n of_o trouble_n here_o we_o have_v the_o true_a nurce_a father_n and_o nurce_a mother_n and_o so_o shall_v all_o other_o be_v that_o shall_v feed_v the_o oppress_v with_o justice_n cause_v he_o to_o sit_v under_o his_o own_o vine_n and_o to_o eat_v the_o fruit_n of_o his_o own_o labour_n feed_v the_o poor_a by_o careful_a timely_a and_o sufficient_a provision_n feed_v the_o righteous_a by_o protect_v and_o provide_v for_o their_o pastor_n defend_v the_o ordinance_n the_o bread_n of_o life_n in_o purity_n sure_o then_o if_o we_o be_v obedient_a child_n expect_v or_o desire_v these_o blessing_n from_o our_o father_n we_o ought_v to_o pray_v for_o a_o blessing_n upon_o our_o father_n they_o be_v call_v the_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o earth_n the_o guard_n and_o saviour_n of_o a_o nation_n etc._n etc._n to_o reckon_v up_o and_o apply_v all_o will_v be_v tedious_a and_o beyond_o my_o purpose_n only_o this_o these_o name_n be_v not_o impose_v upon_o they_o in_o vain_a but_o they_o have_v their_o energeticall_a significancy_n teach_v they_o what_o they_o ought_v to_o do_v for_o we_o and_o what_o we_o may_v expect_v from_o they_o as_o also_o unto_o what_o we_o ought_v to_o seek_v of_o god_n to_o enable_v they_o for_o if_o they_o produce_v not_o these_o blessing_n to_o we_o there_o be_v some_o great_a cause_n in_o they_o or_o we_o they_o be_v so_o natural_o or_o divine_o annex_v to_o the_o office_n how_o hearty_o do_v we_o pray_v for_o and_o watch_v over_o such_o thing_n as_o we_o know_v by_o experience_n to_o be_v the_o proper_a cause_n of_o comfort_n to_o we_o as_o over_o our_o child_n over_o the_o earth_n we_o manage_v etc._n etc._n and_o if_o there_o be_v a_o fail_v a_o deviate_a in_o they_o that_o the_o channel_n that_o shall_v afford_v we_o sweet_a yield_v nothing_o but_o bitter_a water_n and_o our_o best_a earth_n that_o shall_v bring_v forth_o pure_a grain_n bear_v nothing_o but_o thorn_n we_o be_v much_o affect_v with_o it_o we_o mourn_v we_o pray_v and_o beseech_v the_o lord_n to_o divert_v the_o curse_n do_v so_o for_o the_o magistrate_n of_o a_o land_n especial_o for_o magistrate_n labour_v and_o strive_v to_o bring_v forth_o fruit_n suitable_a to_o their_o place_n and_o to_o yield_v better_a fruit_n and_o more_o wholesome_a to_o the_o people_n than_o ever_o any_o labour_v before_o pray_v that_o the_o lord_n will_v furnish_v they_o with_o wisdom_n and_o strength_n according_o either_o thou_o must_v desire_v mercy_n of_o god_n in_o the_o way_n of_o his_o mean_n else_o thou_o tempt_v god_n and_o if_o thou_o have_v receive_v such_o benefit_n by_o the_o government_n under_o which_o thou_o live_v ungrateful_a man_n that_o will_v not_o endeavour_v a_o recompense_n viz._n of_o prayer_n and_o blessing_n debent_fw-la illis_fw-la submissam_fw-la gratitudinem_fw-la qua_fw-la benificia_fw-la illa_fw-la quorum_fw-la participes_fw-la facti_fw-la sunt_fw-la ex_fw-la eorum_fw-la potestate_fw-la studiunt_fw-la pro_fw-la viribus_fw-la compensare_fw-la say_v ames_n lib._n 5._o cap._n 20._o pag._n 303._o we_o owe_v to_o magistrate_n a_o humble_a gratitude_n conscience_n case_n conscience_n wherein_o to_o our_o utmost_a power_n we_o ought_v in_o our_o duty_n &_o calling_n to_o study_v to_o compensate_a those_o benefit_n whereof_o by_o their_o own_o power_n they_o have_v make_v we_o partaker_n pray_v that_o the_o same_o good_a hand_n may_v rest_v upon_o they_o to_o coutinue_v the_o same_o good_a to_o we_o and_o if_o as_o yet_o those_o blessing_n fall_v short_a of_o a_o moderate_a desire_n and_o expectation_n pray_v that_o they_o may_v not_o
strive_a but_o not_o able_a to_o break_v from_o the_o power_n of_o justice_n with_o his_o many_o misery_n he_o return_v to_o the_o lord_n quench_v the_o fire_n of_o his_o persecution_n not_o only_o give_v liberty_n but_o contribute_v his_o own_o assistance_n to_o the_o re-edification_n of_o the_o christian_n temple_n for_o the_o public_a worship_n of_o god_n and_o therein_o desire_v prayer_n continual_o to_o be_v more_o for_o the_o happiness_n of_o state_n and_o government_n a_o wonderful_a change_n sure_o it_o be_v by_o the_o mighty_a hand_n of_o god_n conquer_a and_o lead_v captive_a such_o high_a thought_n and_o proud_a imagination_n into_o obedience_n to_o himself_o &_o his_o church_n by_o any_o rational_a apprehension_n it_o can_v be_v as_o little_o judge_v that_o this_o emperor_n shall_v become_v so_o merciful_a as_o once_o that_o hazael_n shall_v become_v so_o cruel_a but_o he_o that_o can_v alter_v the_o heart_n of_o prince_n to_o afflict_v his_o people_n can_v as_o easy_o alter_v they_o to_o nourish_v his_o people_n and_o to_o take_v off_o their_o bond_n and_o a_o little_a further_o i_o must_v observe_v this_o miracle_n in_o that_o so_o high_a &_o bloodthirsty_a a_o enemy_n shall_v appear_v so_o tender_a a_o friend_n that_o even_o he_o who_o ruin_v man_n because_o christian_n shall_v invite_v all_o man_n to_o be_v christian_n that_o he_o who_o with_o such_o zeal_n erect_v temple_n and_o altar_n to_o his_o idol_n shall_v throw_v down_o his_o god_n sacrifice_v his_o priest_n and_o false_a prophet_n to_o their_o destruction_n as_o his_o deluder_n and_o those_o sychophanticall_a fovorite_n who_o be_v the_o instrument_n to_o provoke_v he_o to_o this_o persecution_n shall_v be_v cast_v off_o by_o he_o and_o become_v contemptible_a i_o say_v this_o be_v the_o lord_n do_v and_o it_o be_v exceed_o wonderful_a in_o our_o ear_n his_o hand_n be_v not_o yet_o shorten_v to_o work_v such_o change_n nor_o his_o ear_n yet_o heavy_a to_o receive_v the_o prayer_n of_o his_o people_n to_o this_o end_n 2_o as_o he_o be_v able_a to_o work_v for_o his_o church_n upon_o their_o ruler_n so_o he_o be_v nigh_o at_o hand_n to_o do_v this_o for_o such_o as_o call_v upon_o he_o his_o willingness_n appear_v in_o his_o promise_n experience_n direction_n to_o his_o people_n first_o in_o his_o promise_n we_o see_v the_o lord_n mind_v the_o happiness_n of_o his_o people_n have_v free_o engage_v himself_o to_o procure_v such_o magistrate_n for_o they_o as_o shall_v yield_v unto_o they_o the_o bless_a fruit_n of_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n and_o according_o he_o have_v give_v they_o such_o as_o have_v be_v more_o industrious_a to_o obtain_v they_o than_o his_o careless_a people_n have_v be_v prepare_v to_o receive_v they_o i_o shall_v not_o multiply_v place_n but_o open_a a_o few_o material_a one_o wherein_o the_o promissory_a right_n of_o the_o church_n may_v appear_v hereto_o in_o general_n the_o lord_n have_v promise_v to_o give_v to_o his_o son_n a_o people_n out_o of_o all_o people_n both_o great_a and_o small_a which_o the_o word_n abundant_o testify_v in_o its_o historical_a part_n psal_n 2.8_o ask_v of_o i_o and_o i_o shall_v give_v thou_o the_o hethen_n for_o thy_o inheritance_n and_o the_o uttermost_a part_n of_o the_o earth_n for_o thy_o possession_n and_o among_o his_o church_n such_o as_o shall_v remain_v enemy_n and_o troubler_n of_o it_o he_o undertake_v to_o reduce_v they_o add_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d veritatis_fw-la &_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d ecclesiae_fw-la to_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o truth_n and_o a_o submissive_a acknowledgement_n of_o the_o church_n behold_v i_o will_v make_v they_o of_o the_o synagogue_n of_o satan_n which_o say_v they_o be_v jew_n and_o be_v not_o but_o doelie_o to_o come_v and_o worship_n before_o thy_o foot_n and_o to_o know_v that_o i_o have_v love_v thou_o these_o promise_n do_v much_o concern_v the_o peace_n of_o his_o church_n and_o indifferent_o respect_v magistrate_n as_o subject_n but_o we_o shall_v chief_o look_v after_o magistrate_n and_o see_v how_o christ_n have_v leave_v they_o for_o her_o good_a as_o the_o chief_a part_n of_o the_o jointure_n of_o his_o spouse_n we_o see_v a_o promise_n of_o refine_n and_o restore_v of_o the_o magistrate_n of_o his_o people_n to_o their_o pristine_a integrity_n who_o be_v former_o corrupt_v and_o so_o to_o make_v they_o useful_a that_o be_v hurtful_a isa_n 1.25_o 26._o and_o i_o will_v turn_v my_o hand_n upon_o thou_o and_o pure_o purge_v away_o thy_o dross_n and_o take_v away_o all_o thy_o tin_n and_o i_o will_v restore_v thy_o judge_n as_o at_o the_o first_o and_o thy_o counsellor_n as_o at_o the_o beginning_n afterward_o thou_o shall_v be_v call_v the_o city_n of_o righteousness_n the_o faithful_a city_n but_o this_o be_v the_o least_o of_o the_o work_n of_o god_n in_o this_o particular_a isa_n 49.23_o king_n shall_v be_v thy_o nurse_n father_n and_o queen_n thy_o nurse_v mother_n they_o shall_v bow_v down_o to_o thou_o with_o their_o face_n towards_o the_o earth_n and_o lick_v up_o the_o dust_n of_o thy_o foot_n and_o thou_o shall_v know_v that_o i_o be_o the_o lord_n for_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a that_o wait_v for_o i_o and_o we_o see_v here_o that_o god_n will_v have_v a_o church_n where_o never_o any_o be_v he_o will_v plant_v in_o a_o barren_a and_o dry_a wilderness_n where_o inhabit_v cruel_a and_o ungodly_a man_n yet_o here_o the_o church_n shall_v increase_v beyond_o its_o bound_n the_o seed_n of_o christ_n shall_v go_v beyond_o the_o seed_n of_o abraham_n that_o be_v as_o the_o star_n and_o sand_n of_o the_o sea_n shore_n for_o number_n verse_n 20._o the_o child_n which_o thou_o shall_v have_v after_o thou_o have_v lose_v the_o other_o shall_v say_v again_o in_o thy_o ear_n the_o place_n be_v too_o straight_o for_o i_o give_v place_n to_o i_o that_o i_o may_v dwell_v this_o shall_v be_v to_o her_o own_o astonishment_n and_o admiration_n both_o for_o the_o number_n and_o the_o manner_n of_o their_o increase_n verse_n 21._o then_o shall_v thou_o say_v in_o thy_o heart_n who_o have_v beget_v i_o these_o seeing_z i_o have_v lose_v my_o child_n and_o be_o desolate_a a_o captive_a and_o remove_v to_o and_o fro_o and_o who_o have_v bring_v up_o these_o behold_v i_o be_v leave_v alone_o these_o where_o have_v they_o be_v then_o the_o lord_n tell_v thou_o who_o be_v the_o chief_a cause_n hereof_o and_o where_o and_o whence_o the_o lord_n will_v gather_v those_o for_o thou_o verse_n 22._o thus_o say_v the_o lord_n god_n behold_v i_o will_v lift_v up_o my_o hand_n to_o the_o gentile_n and_o set_v up_o my_o standard_n to_o the_o people_n and_o they_o shall_v bring_v thy_o son_n in_o their_o arm_n and_o thy_o daughter_n shall_v be_v carry_v upon_o their_o shoulder_n and_o then_o the_o mean_v he_o will_v use_v to_o bring_v these_o thing_n about_o he_o will_v make_v use_n of_o the_o magistrate_n who_o in_o their_o care_n and_o love_n shall_v be_v as_o father_n and_o mother_n yet_o give_v honour_n and_o subjection_n as_o child_n they_o shall_v bow_v down_o to_o thou_o verse_n 23._o isa_n 60._o we_o see_v the_o off_o spring_n and_o generation_n of_o such_o as_o know_v not_o the_o church_n and_o of_o such_o as_o know_v she_o but_o hate_v she_o be_v give_v unto_o she_o to_o serve_v she_o to_o repair_v and_o strengthen_v she_o verse_n 10.14_o so_o much_o peace_n and_o righteousness_n that_o there_o shall_v be_v neither_o watch_n nor_o ward_v keep_v among_o they_o verse_n 11._o and_o a_o great_a change_n in_o their_o outward_a estate_n verse_n 17._o but_o the_o cause_n hereof_o must_v be_v in_o the_o change_n of_o man_n god_n will_v take_v in_o great_a man_n to_o his_o church_n through_o who_o these_o blessing_n shall_v be_v convey_v to_o she_o verse_n 16._o thou_o shall_v also_o suck_v the_o milk_n of_o the_o gentile_n and_o suck_v the_o breast_n of_o king_n etc._n etc._n what_o be_v it_o they_o shall_v draw_v forth_o out_o of_o their_o breast_n their_o law_n their_o sword_n and_o strength_n even_o all_o their_o power_n and_o interest_n for_o peace_n and_o righteousness_n but_o you_o will_v say_v that_o this_o can_v never_o be_v bring_v about_o without_o the_o destruction_n of_o the_o antichristian_a enemy_n of_o his_o church_n that_o have_v spoil_v she_o of_o all_o these_o blessing_n and_o still_o stand_v betwixt_o she_o and_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o they_o the_o lord_n therefore_o to_o remove_v they_o have_v promise_v to_o put_v a_o sword_n into_o the_o hand_n of_o the_o magistrate_n and_o to_o stir_v up_o their_o spirit_n unto_o this_o work_n revel_v 17.16_o 17._o and_o the_o ten_o horn_n which_o thou_o see_v upon_o the_o beast_n they_o shall_v hate_v the_o whore_n and_o make_v her_o desolate_a etc._n etc._n if_o we_o
have_v no_o more_o promise_n in_o the_o whole_a word_n these_o be_v sufficient_a infallible_o to_o bind_v the_o lord_n to_o this_o and_o faithful_o to_o preserve_v the_o expectation_n of_o his_o with_o he_o and_o indeed_o all_o promise_n but_o especial_o those_o of_o this_o nature_n shall_v have_v these_o several_a effect_n on_o every_o true_a believer_n viz._n to_o transform_v we_o into_o the_o likeness_n of_o god_n in_o they_o to_o live_v so_o on_o they_o as_o if_o in_o present_a we_o share_v of_o they_o to_o strengthen_v we_o in_o faith_n and_o patience_n to_o wait_v on_o he_o in_o hope_n to_o rejoice_v in_o he_o by_o prayer_n to_o strive_v for_o the_o accomplishment_n of_o they_o and_o by_o our_o practice_n to_o draw_v they_o onward_o to_o we_o and_o to_o prepare_v ourselves_o for_o they_o to_o conclude_v this_o with_o that_o of_o a_o holy_a martyr_n upon_o that_o legacy_n of_o christ_n leave_v to_o his_o people_n my_o peace_n i_o leave_v with_o you_o say_v that_o christ_n have_v leave_v or_o give_v to_o his_o church_n peace_n in_o promise_n hanc_fw-la nobis_fw-la haereditatem_fw-la christus_fw-la dedit_fw-la dona_fw-la omne_fw-la sva_fw-la pollicitationis_fw-la &_o praemia_fw-la in_o pacis_fw-la conservatione_fw-la promisit_fw-la christ_n have_v make_v we_o that_o believe_v heir_n of_o this_o peace_n the_o only_a heir_n of_o the_o promise_n of_o peace_n and_o in_o the_o keep_n of_o this_o he_o have_v lap_v up_o all_o blessing_n seruient_fw-fr unto_o this_o and_o consequent_a hereof_o 2_o as_o you_o see_v the_o promise_n lie_v before_o you_o so_o we_o find_v by_o experience_n the_o mighty_a power_n of_o prayer_n effect_v as_o great_a thing_n as_o these_o promise_n contain_v the_o saint_n of_o god_n by_o prayer_n have_v elicit_v the_o power_n of_o god_n and_o stir_v up_o the_o tender_a affection_n of_o god_n to_o put_v forth_o that_o power_n to_o establish_v his_o people_n in_o such_o blessing_n heb._n 11.33_o if_o faith_n in_o the_o promise_n can_v subdue_v kingdom_n can_v the_o same_o faith_n subdue_v the_o heart_n of_o king_n and_o bring_v promise_n of_o as_o little_a difficulty_n to_o perfection_n but_o further_a you_o shall_v see_v what_o way_n prayer_n have_v make_v into_o the_o heart_n of_o king_n and_o that_o god_n have_v wrought_v more_o gracious_o on_o their_o spirit_n upon_o their_o prayer_n than_o by_o his_o judicial_a sign_n and_o wonder_n we_o read_v of_o that_o great_a trouble_n and_o affliction_n the_o spirit_n of_o nehemiah_n lie_v under_o for_o the_o sad_a estate_n of_o jerusalem_n which_o the_o king_n his_o master_n discover_v in_o his_o countenance_n and_o to_o know_v the_o cause_n of_o which_o he_o be_v very_o percunctory_a and_o inquisitive_a as_o you_o may_v read_v neh._n 2._o nehemiah_n may_v well_o acquaint_v he_o but_o little_a hope_n he_o have_v to_o prevayl_v to_o gain_v a_o people_n out_o of_o captivity_n or_o be_v deliver_v to_o raise_v mean_n to_o enable_v such_o beggarly_a and_o poor_a captive_n to_o repair_v the_o temple_n jerusalem_n and_o build_v their_o own_o house_n a_o work_n too_o difficult_a through_o its_o greatness_n and_o their_o weakness_n yet_o first_o nehemiah_n seek_v god_n by_o prayer_n verse_n 4._o so_o i_o pray_v to_o the_o god_n of_o heaven_n then_o he_o prevayle_v with_o the_o king_n verse_n 5_o 6._o if_o it_o please_v the_o king_n etc._n etc._n the_o same_o course_n take_v ester_n and_o succeed_v the_o jew_n be_v in_o great_a danger_n and_o be_v all_o like_a to_o perish_v she_o know_v not_o what_o course_n to_o venture_v upon_o to_o save_v they_o but_o that_o which_o be_v more_o dangerous_a for_o to_o go_v into_o the_o king_n presence_n be_v death_n without_o the_o golden_a sceptre_n and_o if_o happy_o she_o escape_v that_o yet_o it_o be_v a_o uncertain_a way_n very_o improbable_a it_o be_v that_o a_o woman_n and_o a_o captive_a too_o shall_v upon_o a_o bare_a request_n undo_v what_o a_o great_a court_n favourite_n have_v do_v and_o which_o be_v execute_v carry_v a_o great_a pretence_n of_o emolument_fw-fr and_o income_n to_o the_o king_n treasury_n yet_o mark_v the_o way_n she_o take_v chap._n 4._o v._n 16._o go_v gather_v together_o all_o the_o jew_n that_o be_v in_o shushan_n and_o fast_o you_o for_o i_o i_o also_o &_o i_o will_v etc._n etc._n such_o as_o be_v most_o ready_a must_v join_v in_o this_o duty_n they_o must_v not_o delay_v its_o performance_n till_o all_o that_o be_v like_a to_o suffer_v shall_v know_v of_o it_o but_o first_o they_o pray_v for_o her_o good_a speed_n and_o when_o she_o come_v she_o find_v the_o heart_n of_o of_o the_o king_n as_o ready_a to_o receive_v she_o and_o answer_v she_o in_o all_o her_o desire_n as_o if_o her_o soul_n have_v be_v transanimate_v to_o his_o body_n or_o have_v be_v long_o before_o prepare_v for_o she_o see_v then_o the_o mighty_a power_n of_o prayer_n that_o prevail_v for_o the_o destruction_n of_o many_o and_o potent_a enemy_n why_o not_o for_o their_o salvation_n do_v not_o their_o salvation_n lie_v in_o the_o way_n of_o thy_o prayer_n as_o well_o as_o their_o ruin_n or_o be_v it_o less_o glory_n to_o god_n or_o will_v it_o be_v less_o comfort_n to_o his_o church_n rather_o to_o see_v they_o save_v then_o ruin_v prayer_n have_v wrought_v favour_n for_o the_o church_n in_o their_o eye_n and_o it_o may_v work_v favour_n for_o they_o also_o in_o the_o lord_n eye_n and_o sure_o it_o be_v that_o this_o be_v the_o best_a way_n to_o make_v they_o the_o church_n for_o if_o they_o be_v the_o lord_n they_o will_v be_v his_o people_n and_o it_o be_v far_o sweet_a to_o suck_v the_o milk_n out_o of_o the_o breast_n of_o gracious_a magistrate_n then_o wicked_a magistrate_n though_o their_o favour_n shall_v be_v all_o one_o and_o if_o prayer_n be_v a_o mean_n whereby_o solomon_n obtain_v grace_n for_o himself_o it_o be_v a_o mean_n also_o whereby_o a_o people_n may_v obtain_v it_o for_o the_o magistrate_n wherein_o they_o may_v be_v make_v happy_a in_o a_o free_a and_o real_a collation_n of_o these_o blessing_n on_o they_o 3._o and_o herein_o this_o gracious_a success_n only_o answer_v the_o lord_n own_o direction_n he_o give_v we_o this_o in_o command_n as_o a_o mean_n to_o procure_v any_o mercy_n and_o in_o general_a to_o encourage_v the_o necessitate_a to_o this_o tell_v we_o of_o the_o power_n of_o it_o jam._n 5.16_o the_o effectual_a fervent_a prayer_n of_o the_o righteous_a avail_n much_o but_o as_o to_o these_o in_o particular_a the_o lord_n tell_v he_o his_o people_n how_o precious_a his_o thought_n be_v to_o they_o in_o their_o captivity_n that_o his_o mind_n stand_v to_o their_o grace_n and_o mercy_n jer._n 29.11_o i_o know_v the_o thought_n etc._n etc._n and_o the_o lord_n tell_v they_o this_o for_o this_o end_n to_o put_v they_o upon_o this_o divine_a exercise_n of_o prayer_n that_o they_o may_v draw_v out_o his_o gracious_a intention_n into_o act_n verse_n 12._o then_o shall_v you_o go_v and_o pray_v unto_o i_o etc._n etc._n verse_n 14._o and_o i_o will_v be_v find_v of_o you_o and_o turn_v away_o your_o captivity_n and_o again_o when_o those_o thought_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v make_v manifest_a to_o his_o people_n happiness_n by_o incline_v the_o heart_n of_o their_o oppressor_n to_o they_o even_o their_o king_n heart_n god_n show_v of_o what_o temper_n and_o disposition_n his_o people_n shall_v be_v make_v way_n for_o those_o mercy_n jer._n 50.4_o in_o those_o day_n and_o at_o that_o time_n say_v the_o lord_n shall_v the_o child_n of_o israel_n come_v they_o and_o the_o child_n of_o judah_n together_o go_v and_o weep_v they_o shall_v go_v and_o seek_v the_o lord_n their_o god_n we_o know_v that_o the_o ground_n of_o engagement_n to_o promise_v mercy_n and_o of_o the_o performance_n of_o those_o promise_n lie_v in_o himself_o the_o same_o cause_n that_o move_v he_o to_o make_v they_o excite_v he_o to_o a_o speedy_a and_o seasonable_a accomplishment_n of_o they_o yet_o the_o lord_n draw_v argument_n from_o we_o even_o the_o work_n of_o his_o grace_n in_o we_o and_o the_o work_n of_o that_o grace_n out_o of_o we_o up_o to_o himself_o to_o accelerate_v the_o work_n in_o the_o forementioned_a promise_n of_o crown_v his_o spouse_n with_o such_o a_o hopeful_a magistracy_n he_o give_v this_o reason_n of_o it_o isa_n 29.23_o for_o they_o shall_v not_o be_v ashamed_a that_o wait_v for_o i_o first_o they_o must_v wait_v for_o the_o glorious_a appearance_n of_o god_n in_o such_o blessing_n among_o his_o people_n again_o it_o must_v be_v grant_v that_o this_o attendance_n must_v be_v in_o his_o own_o way_n for_o it_o be_v not_o a_o dead_a hope_n nor_o a_o activelesse_a faith_n but_o such_o as_o stir_v up_o the_o soul_n to_o earnest_a desire_n and_o fervent_a long_n assure_v on_o the_o faithfulness_n and_o truth_n of_o