Chap. 30. about the Church. Que(l, e4re not all Chriflians bound to pray for the peace of the Church? Anfw. Yea, r. we mull pray for the whole Church , where ever difper fed. a. For thenatural members, and noble members efpecially : the living flows, thofe which are more inflrumental, and organicall : fuch a are eminent in power, and place,in worth, and in fervice. 3. Mare particularly for our ownChurch, to which we are related,and to the principals of at, as Cities and Vniverfaties. q.. For the reboringof thepeople ofGod, even for the Pros and for the Let- ting up ofthenew ferufalem, as Godbath promifed in his Word. 5. By the fame rcafon we mull pray againft fuch as are againfl the Church. Queb. Butwhat mull wepray for in thebehalf ofthe Church ? unfit. Firfl iia general, forall bleuitags ; for all that is good , and ufeful, and tends to the welfare of it : as for the proteaion ofit : deliverance ofthofe that are in danger, prefervation from danger to thofe that are free : for the perle&ion of it : that God will ref+ore thofe Churches that are over-run , refine, and purifie thofe that Rand : For the propagation ofit, that God. will (+retch the bounds, and enlarge the borders of it : that he will bring more fubjeéls under the King- domof Chru i. Secondly, In particular, we muff pray for a three fold Peace of the. Church. a. Apeace with God, in caufing theChurches tokeep their peace with him, inwalking in purity andpower of his Ordinance, without which , though they were in peacewith all the world, it will come tonothing : all other bleffings will be foon gone, except we have fomethingto foder us with God, which can be no- thingbut our exa& walking with him in his Ordinances. z. Peace among{l the Members of the Church : that they may be free from dillentions, diviuions : that theymay think the fame thing, go the fame way, and unanimoufly minde the gloryofGod. 3. AForreign peace alfofrom all oppofition without, that there may be no invafion by forraign Enemies upon the Churchof God. +, Queb. what as further included in our prayingfor the Church ? Anfw. Firli, one thing is implyed inwardly, that our hearts fhould work to- wards the Church , our delires and v ifhes fhould be for the welfare of it Secondly, another outwardly, that we fhould endeavour to attain what we pray for : our counfels fhould be for the welfare of the Church : Our examples fhould be patterns toothers toprovoke them to good works : fuch as are in au- thority fhould exercife it for the fetling, and furthering the peace of the Church : yea we fhould not onely pray our (elves ,but fhouldfir upothers to doe the like. Que(/. But howmull all this be done? Anfw. Fir(/, Sincerely,not out ofby-refpeßs. Secondly, Earneflly, and frequently,putting all our ftrength to ir. Thirdly, Conbantly, not by fits only. Quefl. Who arebound todo all this ? Anfay. Every Chriflian in what flation foever he is : as i. Magiflrates in their places, whom itprincipally concerns to pray for , and promote lt. 2. Minifters in their places mull be leadingperfons in thefe duties, and pro- voke others CO it. 3. Yea all, in everycondition, learned,and unlearned,men, and women, cc. S f Examples 311
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