214 V o1.1. Preached onthe 29. of May, 0693. SERMON XXX. The Duty and Reafon of Praying for Governours. I TIM. I. I, 2. I exhort therefore, that firfi of all, fupplications, prayers, interce /- ons, and giving of thanks be made for all men : for Kings, and for all that are in authority ; that we may lead a quiet and peace- able life,. in all godlinefs and honefy. . INeed not tell any here, that this Day is appointed by Authority for an Anni- verfary Solemnity, in a grateful Commemoration of the great Mercy of God to thefe Nations, . in putting an end to the intefline Wars and Confufions of many Years, in reftoring to us our ancient Government and Laws, and in bringing home, as upon this Day, the rightful Heir of thefe. Kingdoms, to the Crownand Throne of his Fathers : And tho' the Glory of this Day bath been not a little fullied and obfcured by many things which have happened fiuce that Time, fitter now to be buried in Silence and Oblivion, than to be mention'd. and raked up ; yet it bath pleafed God, in fcattering thofe black Clouds, which not long Pnce hung over us, to reftore this Day to its firfl Luflre and brightnefs ; fo that we may now with great joy look back upon it, as defigned by the wife Pro- vidence ofGod, to make way for the Happinefs which we now enjoy under their prefent Majeflies, by whom, under God, we have been delivered from that terri- ble and imminent Danger which threatned our Religion and Laws, and the very Gonftitution it felf of our ancient Government. And to this Occafion, no kind of Argument can be more proper and fuitable, than that which the Text affords to our Confideration, in this Injunction of St. Paulto Timothy, to take care that in the Publick Wor(hip of God, Supplications and Thankfgivings be put up to God, for Kings, and all that are in authority. I exhort therefore, &c. In which Words'there are Four things confiderable. Firfl, The Duty here enjoyn'd, which is Prayer.; expreffed to us in feveral Words, which feem to denote the feveral kinds or parts of Prayer; I exhort there- fore, thatfupplications, prayers, interceffions, andgivingof thanks be madefor all men : For Kings, andfor all that are in authority, &c. Some of theme words are of a very near fignification ; and yet there feems fome difference betwixt them, moft probably this : a. By Aeneas, which we render Supplications, is probably meant that part or kind of Prayer, wherein we fupplicate God for the Pardon of our Sins, and for the averting and removing of Evils, whether Temporal or Spiritual, from our felves or others. 2. By ,eyamxcis, which we render Prayers, feems to be meant Petitions for Bleffings and good things from God; and thefe are moil properly call'd Prayers. 3. By .E1etfteg, feenis to be particularly meant Pleadings and Intercefjions on the behalf of others. 4. By Edxaesç-/as, is certainly intended Praifes and Thankfgivings to God, for his Blefhngs and Goodnefs to our felvesand others. This feems to be thedifference between them, which whether it be exafly fo or'not, is not very material, fence thef are unqueftionábly the feveral kinds or parts of Prayer. And thefe feveral forts of Prayer, St. Cbryfofom, in his Comment upon this Text, tells us were Pub licklyufédinhisTime, in the.daily Service of the Church; "this (fays he) all " Com- i
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