together_o with_o their_o posterity_n and_o country_n before_o they_o shall_v not_o desire_v and_o beg_v the_o divine_a assistance_n to_o their_o consultation_n in_o short_a whoever_o be_v against_o our_o pray_v this_o day_n and_o upon_o this_o occasion_n be_v not_o well_o wisher_n to_o prosperity_n any_o day_n we_o be_v this_o day_n call_v together_o to_o pray_v for_o god_n blessing_n upon_o the_o consultation_n of_o the_o present_a parliament_n and_o i_o know_v not_o the_o mind_n of_o other_o but_o according_a to_o the_o best_a of_o my_o judgement_n from_o this_o action_n these_o follow_a thought_n must_v necessary_o offer_v themselves_o to_o your_o mind_n first_o the_o prevalency_n and_o advantage_n of_o a_o good_a and_o pious_a example_n be_v herein_o very_o apparent_a theodorick_n king_n of_o the_o goth_n inform_v the_o roman_a senate_n facilius_fw-la esse_fw-la eerrare_fw-la naturam_fw-la quam_fw-la dissimilem_fw-la svi_fw-la principem_fw-la rem_fw-la publicam_fw-la formare_fw-la that_o subject_n do_v common_o comport_v themselves_o suitable_o to_o the_o copy_n their_o sovereign_n set_v before_o they_o so_o that_o the_o prince_n who_o desire_v successful_o to_o commend_v piety_n to_o his_o people_n must_v do_v it_o by_o virtue_n of_o his_o own_o practice_n in_o the_o spring_n our_o king_n solicit_v the_o prayer_n of_o his_o people_n as_o know_v that_o god_n be_v the_o lord_n of_o host_n and_o now_o in_o fall_n the_o parliament_n request_v your_o prayer_n as_o know_v that_o burr_n god_n be_v the_o god_n and_o giver_n of_o wisdom_n second_o from_o this_o day_n fast_v and_o pray_v we_o may_v collect_v and_o be_v satisfy_v in_o the_o wisdom_n of_o the_o parliament_n if_o solomon_n rule_n be_v true_a that_o the_o fear_n of_o the_o lord_n be_v the_o begin_n of_o wisdom_n how_o wise_a be_v they_o who_o will_v not_o begin_v their_o weighty_a affair_n till_o they_o have_v invocate_v his_o blessing_n and_o assistance_n it_o be_v unreasonable_a to_o expect_v the_o blessing_n they_o fight_v not_o and_o as_o weak_a to_o believe_v their_o consultation_n shall_v be_v effectual_a if_o they_o be_v unblessed_a they_o be_v not_o like_o the_o jew_n for_o send_v a_o embassy_n to_o egypt_n but_o for_o send_v one_o to_o heaven_n and_o therefore_o have_v order_v the_o concurrence_n of_o your_o prayer_n with_o their_o own_o that_o thus_o joint_o wrestle_v with_o the_o god_n of_o mercy_n you_o may_v obtain_v a_o blessing_n our_o saviour_n while_n in_o the_o flesh_n undertake_v no_o extraordinary_a work_n without_o prayer_n and_o according_o by_o practice_n as_o well_o as_o precept_n he_o commend_v this_o great_a duty_n to_o his_o follower_n while_o other_o therefore_o question_n let_v we_o grateful_o acknowledge_v their_o wisdom_n who_o in_o this_o act_n of_o devotion_n not_o only_o imitate_v their_o lord_n and_o master_n but_o also_o look_v up_o unto_o he_o as_o the_o author_n and_o finisher_n of_o their_o salvation_n as_o well_o temporal_a as_o spiritual_a three_o that_o we_o be_v this_o day_n meet_v in_o the_o house_n of_o god_n by_o prayer_n and_o fast_v to_o supplicate_v a_o blessing_n upon_o the_o consultation_n of_o the_o present_a parliament_n this_o be_v the_o effett_v of_o their_o address_n demonstrate_v their_o humility_n no_o impartial_a person_n can_v think_v otherwise_o than_o that_o the_o flower_n of_o the_o nation_n for_o learning_n wisdom_n and_o experience_n be_v now_o in_o conjunction_n yet_o be_v they_o person_n of_o that_o exemplary_a and_o admirable_a modesty_n as_o they_o will_v not_o tolerate_v self-confidence_n and_o i_o may_v say_v such_o be_v their_o piety_n that_o they_o have_v learn_v from_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n not_o to_o lean_v on_o their_o own_o understanding_n prov._n 3_o 5,6_o they_o desire_v to_o acknowledge_v god_n in_o all_o their_o way_n and_o therefore_o invocate_v he_o and_o no_o doubt_n will_v prosper_v the_o better_a for_o it_o the_o great_a submission_n the_o more_o grace_n god_n resist_v the_o proud_a he_o oppose_v the_o strength_n and_o infatuate_v the_o wit_n in_o which_o they_o confide_v but_o ever_o give_v grace_n to_o the_o humble_a they_o neither_o presume_v nor_o glory_n in_o their_o own_o ability_n nor_o do_v they_o defy_v their_o enemy_n upon_o the_o imagination_n of_o what_o themselves_o can_v do_v though_o their_o power_n be_v true_o great_a but_o you_o see_v their_o intention_n be_v to_o meet_v they_o and_o their_o dark_a design_n in_o the_o name_n of_o the_o god_n of_o israel_n they_o will_v like_o hezekiah_n isa_n 37.41_o 15._o first_o repair_n to_o god_n and_o by_o prayer_n and_o humiliation_n endeavour_v the_o appease_n his_o wrath_n and_o then_o provide_v against_o the_o threaten_n of_o the_o enemy_n they_o will_v take_v care_n to_o humble_v themselves_o before_o he_o who_o they_o believe_v will_n in_o due_a time_n exalt_v they_o if_o they_o defy_v their_o enemy_n it_o be_v not_o because_o the_o judgement_n of_o god_n be_v far_o above_o out_o of_o their_o sight_n but_o because_o in_o this_o act_n of_o devotion_n god_n be_v in_o their_o sight_n his_o goodness_n and_o love_n his_o wisdom_n and_o power_n his_o truth_n and_o mercy_n be_v before_o their_o eye_n the_o god_n of_o truth_n have_v say_v it_o that_o he_o dwell_v with_o he_o that_o be_v of_o a_o contrite_a and_o humble_a spirit_n isa_n 57.15_o to_o revive_v the_o spirit_n of_o the_o humble_a and_o to_o revive_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o contrite_a one_o if_o he_o therefore_o dwell_v with_o one_o such_o we_o may_v well_o hope_v he_o will_v not_o withdraw_v his_o comfort_v and_o cherish_v presence_n from_o a_o whole_a body_n of_o the_o same_o gracious_a temper_n four_o that_o we_o be_v at_o this_o time_n call_v together_o to_o offer_v up_o our_o humble_a and_o hearty_a prayer_n that_o god_n will_v be_v gracious_a unto_o and_o bless_v the_o great_a assembly_n of_o parliament_n argue_v likewise_o the_o piety_n and_o sincerity_n of_o they_o that_o promote_v this_o day_n meet_v it_o be_v on_o argument_n they_o be_v not_o gather_v together_o against_o the_o lord_n nor_o against_o his_o anoint_v for_o than_o have_v it_o be_v unpardonable_a impudence_n to_o have_v expect_v the_o benediction_n of_o the_o righteous_a god_n who_o be_v the_o great_a and_o best_a preserver_n of_o religious_a king_n and_o prince_n jeroboam_n who_o have_v be_v false_a with_o god_n be_v drive_v more_o out_o of_o necessity_n than_o love_n to_o seek_v unto_o god_n in_o behalf_n of_o his_o sick_a son_n but_o be_v conscious_a of_o his_o own_o hypocrisy_n observe_v his_o manner_n and_o way_n of_o seek_v 1_o king_n 14.2_o he_o dispatch_v his_o wife_n upon_o his_o errand_n for_o privacy_n and_o to_o be_v yet_o more_o private_a she_o must_v go_v in_o a_o disguise_n and_o thanks_o be_v to_o god_n we_o may_v well_o believe_v they_o who_o have_v this_o day_n put_v we_o upon_o seek_v unto_o god_n have_v heart_n right_a towards_o god_n they_o love_v he_o they_o love_v his_o worship_n they_o love_v the_o government_n they_o love_v the_o people_n they_o real_o affect_v and_o desire_v our_o good_a or_o otherwise_o it_o have_v be_v no_o good_a policy_n to_o call_v a_o good_a god_n to_o their_o council_n time_n have_v be_v that_o person_n have_v strive_v hard_a and_o spend_v much_o to_o be_v choose_v for_o the_o service_n of_o their_o country_n in_o parliament_n but_o what_o heart_n do_v many_o of_o they_o come_v with_o the_o same_o as_o the_o roman_n of_o old_a go_v to_o their_o government_n with_o tanquam_fw-la ad_fw-la auream_fw-la nussem_fw-la as_o â—o_o a_o golden_a and_o profitable_a not_o a_o painful_a and_o laborious_a harvest_n too_o many_o account_v the_o house_n no_o other_o than_o danae_n tower_n for_o if_o sit_v there_o jupiter_n do_v not_o dissolve_v himself_o and_o kingdom_n upon_o they_o in_o golden_a shower_n his_o true_a service_n and_o interest_n seldom_o enter_v theâ—â—_n breast_n they_o come_v its_o true_a upon_o their_o summons_n but_o wherefore_o only_o in_o hope_n to_o return_v like_o so_o many_o jason_n with_o every_o one_o a_o golden_a fleece_n but_o now_o we_o hear_v other_o thing_n now_o you_o be_v by_o they_o desire_v to_o pray_v that_o god_n will_v inspire_v they_o from_o above_o that_o they_o may_v wise_o unanimous_o and_o cordial_o consult_v what_o be_v best_a for_o god_n and_o their_o king_n honour_n for_o their_o own_o and_o country_n good_a and_o safety_n bless_a be_v our_o ear_n that_o hear_v ihese_fw-mi thing_n hard_o our_o heart_n if_o we_o believe_v they_o not_o and_o dull_a our_o soul_n if_o we_o pray_v not_o that_o they_o may_v in_o due_a time_n be_v fulfil_v though_o i_o acknowledge_v the_o true_a love_n of_o god_n to_o be_v the_o proper_a and_o swee_a inducement_n unto_o prayer_n yet_o i_o also_o observe_v that_o many_o be_v stranger_n to_o this_o love_n and_o that_o the_o spirit_n of_o their_o devotion_n be_v bare_o fear_v or_o hope_n so_o that_o their_o prayer_n
proper_o speak_v be_v owe_v to_o their_o interest_n and_o advantage_n they_o find_v that_o god_n be_v the_o god_n of_o their_o mercy_n and_o therefore_o they_o resolve_v that_o he_o shall_v be_v the_o god_n of_o their_o prayer_n as_o well_o as_o praise_n be_v not_o god_n bountiful_a and_o gracious_a and_o be_v not_o we_o poor_a mortal_n subject_n to_o want_v and_o necessity_n heaven_n will_v not_o be_v storm_v by_o so_o many_o prayer_n as_o it_o be_v i_o therefore_o undertake_v to_o represent_v the_o nation_n be_v hope_n â—s_n reasonable_a from_o this_o session_n of_o parliament_n as_o i_o possible_o can_v that_o the_o people_n may_v the_o more_o general_o frequent_o willing_o and_o fervent_o mind_n it_o in_o their_o supplication_n have_v therefore_o dispatch_v this_o and_o i_o hope_v both_o show_v the_o occasion_n and_o reason_n of_o pray_v and_o likewise_o stir_v up_o some_o desire_n and_o propensity_n in_o your_o mind_n to_o pray_v i_o now_o proceed_v to_o direct_v you_o first_o what_o to_o pray_v for_o second_o why_o we_o shall_v pray_v for_o these_o thing_n three_o to_o what_o end_n and_o purpose_n we_o shall_v beg_v these_o thing_n in_o the_o first_o place_n in_o the_o subject_a matter_n of_o your_o prayer_n i_o hold_v it_o necessary_a that_o we_o 1._o be_v instant_n and_o urgent_a with_o god_n now_o in_o the_o church_n and_o anon_o in_o our_o closet_n to_o pity_v this_o sinful_a nation_n with_o the_o grace_n of_o repentance_n that_o we_o turn_v from_o our_o sin_n he_o may_v let_v go_v his_o displeasure_n whoso_o shall_v tell_v you_o this_o advice_n be_v not_o seasonable_a and_o necessary_a must_v speak_v against_o his_o knowledge_n and_o he_o that_o persuade_v you_o to_o hope_v for_o god_n blessing_n before_o you_o repent_v encourage_v you_o to_o hope_v against_o your_o belief_n amsterdam_n be_v report_v to_o be_v a_o medley_n of_o religion_n and_o to_o speak_v without_o flattery_n london_n may_v proper_o be_v term_v a_o sink_v of_o sin_n have_v we_o not_o among_o we_o the_o sensuality_n of_o the_o old_a world_n the_o lust_n of_o sodom_n the_o cruelty_n of_o egypt_n the_o carelessness_n and_o security_n of_o laish_n the_o drunkenness_n of_o persia_n the_o stallion_n of_o jerusalem_n the_o idolatry_n of_o babylon_n the_o infidelity_n of_o bethsaida_n and_o chorazin_n the_o pride_n of_o capernaum_n the_o impertinent_a curiosity_n of_o athens_n the_o flattery_n of_o zidon_n the_o lie_v of_o greece_n and_o the_o lukewarmness_n of_o laodicea_n be_v it_o not_o easy_a to_o find_v a_o bloody_a cain_n a_o oppress_a nimrod_n a_o comply_a aaron_n a_o revengeful_a simeon_n a_o over-indulgent_a eli_n a_o massacre_a haman_n a_o deceitful_a and_o treacherous_a joab_n a_o blaspheme_a rabshekah_n have_v we_o not_o david_n liar_n who_o as_o soon_o as_o they_o be_v bear_v go_v astray_o speak_v lie_n have_v we_o not_o his_o curser_n who_o clothe_v themselves_o with_o curse_v as_o with_o a_o garment_n have_v we_o not_o his_o false_a heart_n who_o flattery_n be_v smooth_a than_o oil_n who_o calumniation_n be_v sharp_a than_o a_o two-edged_a sword_n have_v we_o not_o his_o courtier_n who_o eat_v at_o his_o table_n be_v free_a to_o his_o chapel_n and_o yet_o lift_v up_o their_o heel_n against_o he_o have_v we_o not_o his_o fool_n who_o say_v in_o their_o heart_n there_o be_v no_o god_n nay_o we_o have_v great_a who_o in_o print_n declare_v the_o son_n of_o god_n be_v no_o saviour_n have_v we_o not_o ephraim_n drunkard_n the_o scribe_n false_a witness_n st._n paul_n assassin_n have_v we_o not_o a_o demetrius_n to_o roar_v out_o for_o diana_n a_o demetrius_n to_o obstruct_v the_o preach_n of_o the_o truth_n have_v we_o not_o a_o covetous_a simon_n and_o a_o apostatise_v demas_n how_o many_o among_o we_o neither_o fear_n god_n nor_o regard_v man_n these_o and_o many_o more_o be_v the_o sin_n of_o this_o age_n and_o place_n i_o know_v many_o grace_n but_o no_o sin_n that_o we_o want_v and_o if_o we_o do_v it_o will_v soon_o be_v bring_v on_o the_o stage_n but_o when_o we_o look_v upon_o these_o sin_n with_o respect_n to_o their_o circumstance_n o_o wretched_a nation_n who_o shall_v deliver_v thou_o our_o sin_n be_v aggrandize_v in_o that_o they_o be_v commit_v not_o for_o want_v of_o a_o law_n or_o a_o law_n explain_v for_o we_o sin_n against_o the_o law_n of_o nature_n implant_v in_o our_o mind_n against_o the_o law_n of_o god_n and_o the_o wholesome_a law_n of_o the_o land_n our_o sin_n bid_v defiance_n not_o only_o to_o the_o light_n of_o reason_n but_o to_o the_o glorious_a light_n of_o the_o gospel_n we_o sin_n in_o contempt_n of_o the_o ministry_n of_o god_n word_n which_o be_v so_o plentiful_a among_o we_o we_o sin_n with_o a_o high_a hand_n for_o we_o sin_n against_o the_o principle_n of_o our_o religion_n against_o our_o baptismal_a vow_n against_o the_o stir_n of_o the_o spirit_n of_o grace_n against_o the_o reproof_n of_o god_n word_n and_o the_o painful_a gripe_v of_o our_o conscience_n our_o sin_n have_v be_v commit_v against_o mercy_n and_o judgement_n against_o warning_n call_n promise_n and_o profession_n of_o repentance_n and_o reformation_n now_o be_v it_o not_o high_a time_n for_o god_n to_o be_v avenge_v on_o such_o a_o nation_n as_o we_o to_o ease_v himself_o of_o such_o grand_a enemy_n and_o notorious_a rebel_n it_o will_v further_o increase_v our_o gild_n to_o believe_v that_o ever_o god_n will_v hear_v such_o sinner_n before_o they_o repent_v they_o of_o their_o wickedness_n thus_o to_o believe_v be_v all_o one_o as_o to_o suppose_v god_n to_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o ourselves_o let_v we_o therefore_o implore_v god_n first_o to_o bless_v we_o in_o turn_v every_o one_o of_o we_o from_o our_o sin_n before_o ever_o we_o dare_v to_o expect_v he_o shall_v favour_v our_o affair_n if_o we_o will_v continue_v in_o the_o way_n of_o the_o ungodly_a we_o must_v believe_v nothing_o will_v prosper_v we_o must_v either_o believe_v that_o there_o be_v no_o knowledge_n in_o god_n that_o he_o neither_o know_v nor_o regard_v our_o do_n or_o else_o that_o he_o be_v depart_v from_o justice_n if_o ever_o his_o blessing_n light_a upon_o we_o while_o we_o continue_v in_o our_o sin_n how_o be_v it_o possible_a god_n shall_v guide_v we_o with_o his_o eye_n when_o he_o can_v behold_v we_o for_o he_o be_v of_o pure_a eye_n than_o to_o behold_v iniquity_n with_o approbation_n how_o vain_a be_v it_o to_o hope_v that_o god_n will_v stretch_v forth_o his_o hand_n to_o work_v our_o deliverance_n when_o we_o still_o put_v forth_o our_o hand_n unto_o wickedness_n we_o may_v cry_v when_o our_o calamity_n overtake_v we_o but_o god_n will_v not_o regard_v their_o prayer_n who_o entertain_v wickedness_n in_o their_o heart_n we_o be_v plain_o tell_v i_o wish_v we_o have_v the_o grace_n to_o believe_v it_o that_o our_o sin_n withhold_v good_a thing_n from_o we_o jer._n 5.25_o and_o if_o we_o be_v not_o speedy_a in_o our_o repentance_n i_o fear_v among_o the_o rest_n of_o good_a thing_n our_o sin_n will_v withhold_v and_o keep_v back_o god_n blessing_n from_o the_o great_a assembly_n of_o the_o nation_n god_n have_v say_v it_o psal_n 33.10_o the_o lord_n bring_v the_o counsel_n of_o the_o heathen_a to_o nought_o and_o what_o be_v wicked_a christian_n better_a than_o heathen_n and_o he_o make_v the_o device_n of_o such_o people_n of_o none_o effect_v we_o read_v a_o notable_a instance_n how_o god_n blow_v upon_o the_o counsel_n of_o his_o enemy_n he_o lead_v as_o job_n say_v such_o counsellor_n away_o spoil_v and_o their_o counsel_n be_v carry_v headlong_o it_o be_v too_o rash_a and_o hasty_a isa_n 8.10_o god_n there_o speak_v to_o the_o wicked_a assyrian_n come_v against_o his_o people_n take_v counsel_n together_o and_o it_o shall_v come_v nought_o speak_v the_o word_n and_o it_o shall_v not_o stand_v he_o let_v they_o assemble_v he_o suffer_v they_o to_o consult_v but_o all_o to_o no_o purpose_n want_v his_o blessing_n they_o be_v as_o they_o that_o have_v neither_o strength_n nor_o understanding_n god_n often_o turn_v the_o counsel_n as_o well_o as_o the_o sword_n of_o wicked_a man_n against_o themselves_o job_n 18.7_o he_o make_v their_o own_o counsel_n to_o cast_v they_o down_o and_o this_o god_n do_v either_o when_o he_o leave_v man_n to_o their_o own_o counsel_n suspend_v his_o light_n and_o then_o they_o fall_v into_o thousand_o of_o error_n then_o the_o more_o their_o wit_n the_o great_a their_o part_n the_o more_o inevitable_a their_o ruin_n or_o else_o he_o cause_v their_o counsel_n to_o cast_v they_o down_o by_o turn_v the_o heart_n of_o the_o people_n against_o their_o advice_n a_o notorious_a instance_n of_o frustrate_v human_a counsel_n we_o have_v the_o last_o reign_n we_o may_v be_v so_o sensible_a of_o it_o as_o to_o tell_v it_o to_o
neither_o the_o ability_n of_o devise_v what_o be_v fit_a and_o proper_a nor_o yet_o of_o utter_v what_o he_o so_o find_v devise_v till_o he_o have_v receive_v it_o from_o god_n nor_o be_v such_o precious_a talent_n entrust_v with_o all_o person_n indifferent_o eccles_n 2.26_o god_n give_v to_o a_o man_n that_o be_v good_a in_o his_o sight_n wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n we_o be_v teach_v james_n 1.17_o that_o every_o good_a and_o perfect_a gift_n come_v from_o above_o and_o come_v down_o from_o the_o father_n of_o light_n who_o if_o he_o see_v fit_a to_o suspend_v his_o light_n the_o sharp_a wit_n the_o most_o acute_a judgement_n grope_v but_o in_o the_o dark_a that_o god_n shall_v be_v the_o fountain_n of_o wisdom_n and_o knowledge_n be_v a_o principle_n all_o have_v assent_v to_o for_o even_o the_o very_a heathen_a in_o all_o their_o distress_n do_v usual_o apply_v unto_o their_o god_n for_o direction_n and_o help_n nor_o be_v we_o leave_v without_o sufficient_a precedent_n of_o this_o nature_n judg._n 18.5_o five_o person_n of_o the_o tribe_n of_o dan_n man_n of_o valour_n be_v send_v out_o as_o spy_n they_o confide_v not_o in_o their_o own_o policy_n or_o strength_n but_o like_o wise_a person_n desirous_a to_o discharge_v their_o trust_n effectual_o they_o ask_v counsel_n of_o the_o lord_n whether_o the_o way_n they_o have_v design_v to_o go_v shall_v prosper_v it_o be_v their_o belief_n that_o god_n only_o know_v and_o it_o be_v their_o resolution_n to_o follow_v his_o direction_n again_o jugd_v 20.18_o israel_n be_v to_o engage_v with_o the_o tribe_n of_o benjamin_n rely_v not_o upon_o their_o number_n for_o they_o have_v often_o see_v that_o the_o battle_n be_v not_o to_o the_o strong_a but_o trust_v in_o the_o counsel_n they_o shall_v receive_v from_o god_n and_o therefore_o before_o the_o battle_n be_v begin_v go_v up_o to_o the_o house_n of_o god_n and_o ask_v counsel_n of_o god_n let_v other_o therefore_o look_v to_o their_o achitophel_n machiavelli_n anaxagoras_n panaetius_n or_o polybius_n or_o to_o the_o conclave_n of_o babylon_n yet_o let_v your_o eye_n look_v up_o unto_o the_o lord_n and_o beg_v hard_a for_o the_o wisdom_n which_o be_v pure_a and_o peaceable_a and_o then_o shall_v your_o enemy_n by_o their_o sit_a hatch_n but_o a_o cockatrice_n egg_n or_o spin_v a_o spider_n web_n god_n will_v frustrate_v their_o device_n and_o make_v their_o crafty_a project_n of_o none_o effect_n while_o your_o own_o counsellor_n shall_v be_v guide_v in_o the_o way_n of_o peace_n and_o happiness_n pray_v to_o god_n for_o he_o have_v assure_v you_o prov._n 8.14_o that_o counsel_n sound_a wisdom_n understanding_n and_o strength_n be_v he_o vain_a and_o fruitless_a device_n the_o devil_n may_v furnish_v his_o instrument_n with_o but_o sound_a counsel_n and_o wisdom_n be_v only_o from_o the_o lord_n 3._o pray_v to_o god_n hearty_o that_o he_o will_v give_v the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n to_o the_o honourable_a house_n of_o parliament_n for_o god_n have_v promise_v upon_o our_o pray_v to_o bestow_v this_o blessing_n hear_v how_o our_o saviour_n reason_n with_o the_o jew_n luke_n 11.11_o they_o have_v be_v poison_v by_o entertain_v some_o false_a notion_n of_o god_n and_o be_v jealous_a of_o he_o in_o respect_n of_o his_o love_n and_o bounty_n to_o they_o our_o saviour_n faith_n if_o you_o that_o be_v rash_a fiery_a and_o inconsiderate_a creature_n subject_a to_o sundry_a passion_n and_o humour_n have_v notwithstanding_o that_o affection_n for_o your_o child_n that_o you_o gratify_v they_o in_o what_o they_o ask_v provide_v it_o be_v useful_a and_o good_a to_o they_o why_o then_o shall_v not_o your_o heavenly_a father_n the_o god_n of_o love_n and_o mercy_n who_o be_v not_o subject_a to_o those_o distraction_n and_o change_n which_o be_v incident_a to_o flesh_n and_o blood_n most_o free_o give_v you_o the_o best_a thing_n even_o the_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n provide_v you_o ask_v as_o you_o ought_v if_o therefore_o we_o ask_v they_o shall_v receive_v for_o our_o far_a encouragement_n st._n james_n from_o god_n have_v tell_v we_o james_n 1.17_o that_o if_o any_o man_n lack_v wisdom_n he_o shall_v ask_v it_o of_o god_n who_o give_v to_o all_o man_n liberal_o and_o upbraid_v not_o fear_v no_o reproach_n for_o ask_v your_o petition_n shall_v not_o be_v throw_v out_o provide_v it_o be_v deliver_v with_o faith_n humility_n and_o fervency_n you_o shall_v not_o be_v browbeaten_a for_o thus_o address_v but_o you_o may_v believe_v that_o he_o who_o have_v tell_v we_o he_o love_v a_o cheerful_a giver_n be_v himself_o a_o liberal_a benefactor_n solomon_n be_v call_v to_o the_o throne_n wise_o consider_v the_o weight_n of_o a_o sceptre_n and_o the_o care_n of_o a_o crown_n and_o therefore_o in_o his_o first_o petition_n that_o he_o make_v to_o god_n 1_o king_n 3.9_o he_o beg_v a_o understand_a heart_n counsel_n and_o direction_n from_o god_n to_o go_v in_o and_o out_o before_o so_o great_a a_o people_n that_o he_o may_v exert_v his_o power_n to_o the_o right_a end_n viz._n god_n glory_n and_o his_o subject_n good_n and_o if_o you_o read_v 1_o king_n 4.29_o 30._o god_n both_o hear_v and_o be_v well_o please_v with_o this_o prayer_n he_o deny_v he_o not_o the_o request_n of_o his_o lip_n but_o give_v he_o such_o a_o measure_n of_o knowledge_n such_o a_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n and_o understanding_n that_o he_o thereby_o surpass_v even_o to_o a_o wonder_n all_o his_o contemporary_n whether_o friend_n or_o foe_n daniel_n and_o his_o three_o companion_n make_v their_o supplication_n before_o god_n for_o wisdom_n they_o be_v in_o a_o difficult_a post_n live_v in_o the_o midst_n of_o their_o enemy_n and_o therefore_o need_v direction_n lest_o unhappy_o they_o give_v occasion_n that_o the_o name_n of_o god_n shall_v be_v blaspheme_v their_o prayer_n be_v answer_v dan._n 1.17_o and_o notwithstanding_o they_o be_v but_o as_o child_n for_o year_n they_o become_v wise_a than_o the_o age_a three_o to_o what_o end_v we_o shall_v thus_o pray_v the_o great_a end_n why_o we_o shall_v pray_v for_o counsel_n and_o wisdom_n for_o these_o our_o representatives_n we_o may_v find_v in_o the_o prayer_n that_o the_o church_n have_v set_v out_o upon_o this_o particular_a occasion_n namely_o that_o by_o their_o consultation_n good_a may_v accrue_v to_o the_o church_n of_o god_n safety_n honour_n and_o welfare_n may_v be_v establish_v to_o the_o king_n and_o his_o kingdom_n and_o that_o all_o thing_n may_v be_v so_o order_v and_o settle_v by_o their_o endeavour_n upon_o the_o best_a and_o sure_a foundation_n that_o peace_n and_o happiness_n truth_n and_o justice_n religion_n and_o piety_n may_v be_v establish_v among_o we_o for_o all_o generation_n and_o what_o can_v any_o man_n desire_v more_o than_o that_o the_o church_n of_o god_n may_v flourish_v by_o mean_n of_o true_a religion_n and_o piety_n that_o the_o king_n honour_n and_o safety_n and_o his_o kingdom_n welfare_n may_v be_v preserve_v by_o the_o uphold_v truth_n and_o execute_v of_o justice_n and_o these_o thing_n thus_o happy_o achieve_v by_o god_n blessing_n upon_o their_o counsel_n how_o peaceful_a how_o happy_a shall_v we_o and_o our_o posterity_n be_v 1._o one_o great_a end_n be_v for_o the_o good_a of_o the_o church_n that_o by_o mean_n of_o their_o godly_a wisdom_n religion_n and_o piety_n may_v flourish_v among_o we_o religion_n and_o piety_n that_o be_v soundness_n of_o doctrine_n and_o holiness_n of_o conversation_n as_o to_o the_o first_o that_o of_o doctrine_n the_o un-erring_a rule_n thereof_o be_v the_o scripture_n which_o if_o due_o observe_v heresy_n and_o schism_n will_v vanish_v from_o among_o we_o not_o but_o that_o either_o of_o these_o pretend_v scripture_n in_o their_o justification_n yet_o both_o be_v not_o sound_v in_o the_o exposition_n of_o they_o and_o the_o distinction_n be_v easy_o make_v if_o man_n will_v depart_v from_o their_o pride_n and_o conceitedness_n and_o with_o modesty_n compare_v scripture_n with_o scripture_n and_o where_o after_o such_o comparison_n the_o truth_n do_v not_o so_o full_o appear_v as_o may_v be_v wish_a they_o will_v then_o ask_v judgement_n of_o those_o reverend_a father_n of_o the_o church_n who_o piety_n and_o learning_n have_v pass_v without_o just_a contradiction_n for_o many_o age_n chrysippus_n dote_v on_o his_o own_o learning_n and_o subtlety_n in_o dispute_n boast_a that_o he_o often_o want_v new_a opinion_n than_o argument_n to_o defend_v they_o we_o have_v of_o late_a day_n hear_v of_o some_o of_o his_o scholar_n it_o be_v the_o opinion_n of_o some_o exemplary_a for_o knowledge_n as_o well_o as_o piety_n that_o religion_n have_v but_o three_o grand_a enemy_n lukewarmness_n profaneness_n and_o novelty_n with_o the_o first_o we_o have_v be_v a_o long_a time_n pester_v by_o the_o second_v never_o so_o much_o as_o of_o