permits me, nor my desires invite me, to fall upon this subject. I will turn my discourse into prayers, that the great God of heaven and earth will give His Majesty a long life, a secure empire, a prudent and faithful council, a loyal and obedient people, expert and valiant armies. Blessed be he that blesseth him! and let every loyal subject say, Amen. 505 THE ACCESSION, A SERMON ON THE KING'S HAPPY RETURN. [ISAAC BARROW, D.D.] 1 TIм. ii. 1, 2. I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men: for kings, and for all that are in authority. SAINT Paul in his preceding discourse having insinuated directions to his scholar and spiritual son, Timothy a, concerning the discharge of his office, of instructing men in their duty according to the evangelical doctrine; (the main design whereof he teacheth to consist, not, as some men conceited, in fond stories, or vain speculations", but in practice of substantial duties, holding a sincere faith, maintaining a good conscience, performing offices of pure and hearty charity;) in pursuance of such general duty, and as a principal instance thereof, he doth here "first of all exhort," or, doth "exhort that, first of all," all kinds of devotion should be offered to God, as for "all men" generally, so particularly for "kings" and magistrates. From whence we may col'lect two particulars. 1. That the making of prayers for kings is a Christian duty of great importance; St. a 1 Tim. i. 3. b Ver. 6. © Ver. 5. 19. a Paul judging fit to "exhort" therеtо прŵτоν пáνтwv, "before all other things;" or, to "exhort that, before all things," it should be performed. 2. That it is incumbent on the pastors of the Church (such as St. Timothy was) to take special care that this duty should be performed in the Church; both publicly in the congregations, and privately in the retirements of each Christian: according to what the Apostle, after the proposing divers enforcements of this duty, subsumeth in the eighth verse: "I will therefore, that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath or doubting." The first of these particulars, That it is a duty of great importance to pray "for kings," I shall insist upon it being indeed now very fit and seasonable to urge the practice of it, when it is perhaps commonly not much considered, or not well observed; and when there is most need of it, in regard to the effects and consequences which may proceed from the conscionable discharge of it. My endeavour therefore shall be to press it by divers considerations, discovering our obligation thereto, and serving to induce us to its observance; some whereof shall be general, or common to all times; some particular, or suitable to the present circumstances of things. I. The Apostle exhorteth Christians to pray for kings with all sorts of prayers: with denoes, or deprecations, for averting evils from them; with πρoσexaì, or petitions, for obtaining good things to them; with évtɛúčes, or occasional intercessions, for needful gifts • Παρακαλῶ οὖν πρῶτον πάντων ποιεῖσθαι. |