The Duty of Praying

6. King=?, and such as are in authority, are highly responssible for their conduct. If, indeed, they never were to be called to an account, though their conduct would still have its influence, as above stated, yet, as it respected themselves, individually, they would not be, so specially, the subjects of prayer. They might live as they list, and yet, in the judgment of the great day, be treated as a privileged order. But. notwith- standing, they who are in authority are placed in a post so dangerous, and are acting a part so important and interesting, yet at that final and grand assize, they must stand upon a level with all their fellow- citizens. Then, without any laurels of distinction, without any badges of office, without any splendour of a court^ without any applauses of their fellow men, to screen their vices, they must awake from the dead, and be judged by that God, who knows whit all their ad- ministration has been And, what if it then appear^ that they have always been influenced by selfishness^ and a love of worldly glory ? What if it then appear, that instead of leading the people in the ways ofgod^ liness, they set them an example of the foulest vices ? What if instead of endeavouring to use their influence in favour of religion, they always manifested their op- position against the Lord, and against his anointed? What if with all their means and advantages of know- ing the truth, they die in their sins unconverted? l{ kings, and such as are in authority, finally come short of salvation, it must surely be more intolerable for them, than for ordinary sinners. And therefore, from a tender concern for their own eternal salvation, that they hiay flee from the wrath to come, we should pray for kings, and for all that are in authority. Having thus shown it to be a duty, to pray for kings, and for all that are in authority, I would now proceed II. To show in what manner we ought to pray for them. And 1 . We should pray with a holy desire of hteart. God being holy in his nature, can never do any thing in- consistent with holiness. If, therefore, we would- pray- acceptably, we must pray lifting up holy hands. It will be in vain to pray that the desires of the wicked may be granted, or that a kingdom may be establish- ed by unrighteousness. i^ 2. We should pray in faith. He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is the reward- er of such as diligently seek him. We must believe then in that God whom the scripture reveals, and ap- proach into his presence in the name of a mediator. 3. We should pray in the exercise of universal be- nevolence. Some feel interested only in that king- dom, or that dominion, to which they as individuals belong; and, accordingly, when they have expressed their patriotism, by which we are to understand their selfishness, all their prayers are ended. But the views of the apostle were not circumscribed by sychgep- graphical boundaries. He exhorts us to pray, not for any particular king, or kingdom,, exclusively ; but for kings, for all kings, for all kingdoms, foE all that are in authority, yea, for all men. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, our Saviour. Chris- tianity is no enemy to patriotism ; though it does ex- ercise a far more extensive philanthropy. 4. We should pray that all who are in authority, may be influenced by the spirit of God to prosecute the designs of benevolence, and that in this way they may be greatly prospered in their administration. If kings and all that are in authority, were only heartily engaged in the cause of truth and righteousness, what a scene of general happiness and prosperity would ensue ? They would have no occasion to draw the civil sword for the propagation of religion; by the in- ifluence of their example, they would be nursing fa- thers to the church otGod, while they who might sit under their peaceful administration, would beat their swords into plomghshares, and their spears into pi'un- ing hooks, and learn war no more. But for such de- sirable events as these, we must pray to that God in whose hands are the hearts of kingSj and who turnelh them as the rivers of water are turned.

6. We should pray that God would overrule all their errors, and all their wickedness, for his own glo- ry, and for the advanceMJent of the R edeemer's king- dom. The tittle when all kings, and all such as are in authority, shall be just men, probably, the present generation will not live to see. We are to expect that iniquity and iBrror both, will frequently be found at the seat of judgment. Some will administer wrong, ihtentionally ; while the wisest and the best, will'ndt'be entirely free from mistake.' But as God is able^.to oVerrtile evil for good, we should pray, that all publick measUri-es, which are not in themselves ' wisely calculated, may be hindered in their natural operation, siM the designs of the wicked disappoint ted. We should pray; that all the blessings which'are enjoyed undera wise adminisiteation of government, maybe long'continued. Or, ifrevolutions muptcome, and one empire be blotited'-oat after another, yet, that God would cause all these overturnings to issue in ihe rightftil reign of the Prince of Peace. €. In praying for kingjs, and all that are in authori- ty, we ought also to -give thanks. We should thank Godj that the kingdomsof the world, tihrough the wickedness and the wrath of man, have not been more miserable than4;bey are. …