Chapter 25. Of Particular Intercession for our several relations

PArticular Intercession may be distinguished into two sorts, Ordinary. Occasional.

By Ordinary I understand our prayers for those particular persons, whom we are bound in our common and usual course to remember, as we should all those to whom we are tied by any neer relation, whether of¹Order. Friendship, or Enmity. Neighbourhood, or converse.

1. For the relations of Order. These are either publike and Politicall, or private and Oeconomicall.

2. Concerning our Publike relations, the Apostle does enjoyn us to pray for Kings, and all that are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life, in all godliness and honesty; (1 Tim. 2.2) that he would give unto them wise & understanding hearts, to judge their people and to discern between good and bad.² That they may be a terror only to evil doers; but an encouragement to those that do well. That he would (according to his promise) make them nursing fathers unto his Church and People, that they may prove friends to his friends, and enemies to his enemies. Considering that those who rule over men must be just,³ ruling in the fear of the Lord.

That they may know the God of their fathers, and serve him with a perfect heart, and with a willing mind; (1 Chron. 28.9) that it may be well with them, and their posterity after them.

That he would make them to beleeve, and to consider, that ‘tis not only their duty, but their honour, and their interest, to promote the power, and the reputation of Religion.

For all publike Counsellours and Judges, that he would make them wise, and upright, and successefull in the discharge of all those difficult businesses that they are called unto. That they may not turne judgement into wormwood, by unjust decrees, nor into Vineger, by long delays; that he would be unto them, (Amos 5.7) both a Sun and a Shield. A Sun to direct them, and a Shield to protect them in all their ways.⁴ ‘Tis he alone who is able to instruct Magistrates, (Ps. 84.11) and teach Senators wisdom; (Ps. 105.22) that he would remove from them all negligence, cowardize, prejudice, self-ends· or whatever may hinder them in the free and equal administration of justice. (Am. 5.24) That judgement may run down as a river, and righteousnesse as a mighty stream.

For the Nobility and Gentry, that he would endow them with such vertue and spiritual graces, as can alone truly ennoble them, whereby they may be made the children of God, and heires of Heaven; that they may strive to become as eminent members in the mystical body, as they are in the civil.

For all inferiour Magistrates, those more especially under whose Jurisdiction we live, that they may be men of courage, (Exod. 18.21) fearing God, wise and faithful in their places, Haters of reward, and without respect of persons.

For Ministers, more particularly those to whose charge we belong,⁵ that God would root out of the Church all ignorant, scandalous, factious Ministers, and send forth faithful labourers into his harvest; that he would give unto all his people, Pastors after his own heart; such as may be peaceable and gracious in their lives, painful and powerful in their doctrine, such diligent watchmen, as may with wisdom & fidelity discharge the office committed to them, taking heed to their ministery to fulfil it.⁶ That they may not prostitute their holy callings, to serve the interests of men, but may be truly conscionable both in their lives & ministery, that they may save themselves, and them that hear them; that he would support then under all that opposition & contempt that they meet with.

For all Nurseries of good learning and true Religion, that he would purge & reform them from all their corruptions, uphold and encourage them against the opposition of all unreasonable men. That he would root up every plant which our heavenly Father hath not planted.⁷ That he would take away those branches which bear no fruit, and purge those which do bring forth fruit, that they may bring forth more; that those places may abound in trees of righteousnesse; which being planted by the rivers of water,⁸ may bring forth their fruit in due season. That he would blow upon those gardens, (Cant 4.16) that the spices thereof may flow out. That he would water them with the dew from heaven, and make them flourishing and fruitful.

That he would cast salt into those fountains, and heal waters therof both from death and barrennesse: (2 Kin. 2.23) That from thence may proceed such wholsome streams, as may refresh the thirsty corners of the land, that those fountains may never be dried up,⁹ and that they may not send forth bitter waters.

For the Common people, that he would make them humble, peaceable, charitable, stedfast in the faith; not so easily carried about with every winde of Doctrine: Zealous for the establishment of peace and truth, that he would dispel those mists of ignorance and prophanenesse which do so much abound in many corners of the Nation.

That all orders and degrees of men, in their several places & callings may joyn together for the glorifying of his name, the establishment of peace and justice, and the propagation of his truth and Gospel.¹⁰

2. We should intercede for our private or domestical relations, for those to whom we are tied by blood and affinity, for our brethren and kindred according to the flesh; that God would make them neer unto him by grace, as they are unto us by nature; that they may be all careful to do the will of our heavenly Father, (Mat. 12.50) and by that means become the brethren and kindred of Christ; that we may be ready to express our mutual affections to one another, by a special care and endeavour, to promote our spiritual wel-beings.

Besides the relations of Order, we should likewise pray for those to whom we are related.

By any special friendship or kindnesse, for those that do remember us in their prayers; for such as have been any wayes instruments of our good, either in our souls, bodies or estates; That God would remember them for good in the day of their trouble, and recompence them an hundred fold into their bosomes, for all the kindnesse that we have received from them.

And so on the contrary for our Enemies, because their sins do particularly concern us:¹¹ That their offences against us may not be laid to their charge: That he would take pitty on such as hate us without a cause, and convert their souls unto himself: And that we may consider them as his instruments, in all the wrongs and oppositions which we suffer from them.

And lastly, for those that are neer unto us by neighbourhood and familiar converse: The Towns, Societies, Families to which we belong, that we may live at peace and unity amongst our selves, faithfully discharging our several duties, adorning our professions, considering one another to provok unto love & good works: And that he would be pleased to dwel with us, to manifest the tokens of his presence, amongst us: To let the light of his countenance shine ever upon us, whereby we may be filled with righteousnesse, and peace, & joy in the holy Ghost; that we may be able cheerfully to serve him in our places, and patiently to wait for his glorious appearing.

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Footnotes

1. See fifth Com. before. ↩

2. 1 King. 3 9 Rom. 13.3. Isa. 49.23. ↩

3. 2 Sam. 23· 3. ↩

4. Pro. […]0.26 ↩

5. See before in the duties of the 2. and 4. Commandement. Mat. 9.38. Jer. 3.[…]5. ↩

6. Col. 4·17. ↩

7. Mat. 15.13 Joh. 15.2. ↩

8. Is. 61.3. Psal. 1.3. ↩

9. Hos. 13.15 Jam. 3.11. ↩

10. See before in the 5th Commandment. Rom. 9.3. ↩

11. Psal. […]5.13, 14 Mat. 5.4. Acts 7.60. ↩