cheaters of men's inheritances, unjust judges, false witnesses and accusers; those, that do fraudulently or violently bring men to sin, that force men to drink, that laugh at and disgrace virtue, that persuade servants to run away, or commend such purposes; violent persecutors of religion in any instance; and all of the same nature.

14. He, that hath wronged so many, or in that manner (as in the way of daily trade,) that he knows not in what measure he hath done it, or who they are, must redeem his fault by alms and largesses to the poor, according to the value of his wrongful dealing, as near as he can proportion ⚫it. Better it is to go begging to heaven, than to go to hell, laden with the spoils of rapine and injustice.

In

15. The order of paying the debts of contract or restitution, is, in some instances, set down by the civil laws of a kingdom, in which cases, their rule is to be observed. destitution or want of such rules, we are, 1, to observe the necessity of the creditor; 2, then the time of the delay; and 3, the special obligations of friendship or kindness; and according to these, in their several degrees, make our restitution, if we be not able to do all that we should; but, if we be, the best rule is, to do it so soon as we can; taking our accounts in this, as in our human actions, according to prudence, and civil or natural conveniences or possibilities; only securing these two things: 1. That the duty be not wholly omitted; and, 2. That it be not deferred at all out of covetousness, or any other principle that is vicious. Remember, that the same day, in which Zaccheus made restitution to all whom he had injured, the same day Christ himself pronounced, that salvation was come to his house.*

16. But, besides the obligation arising from contract or default, there is one of another sort, which comes from kindness, and the acts of charity and friendship. He, that does me a favour, hath bound me to make him a return of thankfulness. The obligation comes not by covenant; not by his own express intention, but by the nature of the thing; and is a duty springing up within the spirit of the obliged person, to whom it is more natural to love his friend, and to do good for good, than to return evil for evil; because a man may forgive an injury, but he must never forget a good turn. For every thing that is excellent, and every

* Luke xix. 9.

thing that is profitable, whatsoever is good in itself, or good to me, cannot but be beloved; and what we love, we naturally cherish, and do good to. He, therefore, that refuses to do good to them, whom he is bound to love, or to love that which did him good, is unnatural and monstrous in his affections, and thinks all the world born to minister to him, with a greediness worse than that of the sea: which although it receives all rivers into itself, yet it furnishes the clouds and springs with a return of all they need.

Our duty to benefactors is to esteem and love their persons; to make them proportionable returns of service, or duty, or profit, according as we can, or as they need, or as opportunity presents itself, and according to the greatnesses of their kindness, and to pray to God to make them recompense for all the goods they have done to us; which last office is also requisite to be done for our creditors, who, in charity, have relieved our wants.

Prayers to be said in relation to the several obligations and offices of Justice.

A Prayer for the Grace of Obedience, to be said by all Persons under command.

O eternal God, great ruler of men and angels, who hast constituted all things in a wonderful order, making all the creatures subject to man, and one man to another, and all to thee, the last link of this admirable chain being fastened to the foot of thy throne; teach me to obey all those, whom thou hast set over me, reverencing their persons, submitting indifferently to all their lawful commands, cheerfully undergoing those burdens which the public wisdom and necessity shall impose upon me; at no hand murmuring against government, lest the spirit of pride and mutiny, of murmur and disorder, enter into me, and consign me to the portion of the disobedient and rebellious, of the despisers of dominion, and revilers of dignity. Grant this, holy God, for his sake, who, for his obedience to the Father, hath obtained the glorification of eternal ages, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

Prayers for Kings and all Magistrates, for our Parents, spiritual and natural, are in the following Litanies, at the end of the fourth Chapter.

A Prayer to be said by Subjects, when their Land is invaded and overrun by barbarous or wicked People, enemies of the Religion or the Government.

I.

O eternal God, thou alone rulest the kingdoms of men; thou art the great God of battles and recompenses; and by thy glorious wisdom, by thy almighty power, and by thy secret providence, dost determine the events of war, and the issues of human counsels, and the returns of peace and victory: now at last be pleased to let the light of thy countenance, and the effects of a glorious mercy and a gracious pardon, return to this land. Thou seest, how great evils we suffer under the power and tyranny of war; and, although we submit to and adore thy justice in our sufferings, yet be pleased to pity our misery, to hear our complaints, and to provide us of remedy against our present calamities: let not the defenders of a righteous cause go away ashamed, nor our counsels be for ever confounded, nor our parties defeated, nor religion suppressed, nor learning discountenanced, and we be spoiled of all the exterior ornaments, instruments, and advantages of piety, which thou hast been pleased formerly to minister to our infirmities, for the interest of learning and religion. Amen.

II.

We confess, dear God, that we have deserved to be totally extinct and separate from the communion of saints, and the comforts of religion, to be made servants to ignorant, unjust, and inferior persons, or to suffer any other calamity, which thou shalt allot us as the instrument of thy anger, whom we have so often provoked to wrath and jealousy. Lord, we humbly lie down under the burden of thy rod, begging of thee to remember our infirmities, and no more to remember our sins, to support us with thy staff, to lift us up with thy hand, to refresh us with thy gracious eye; and, if a sad cloud of temporal infelicities must still encircle us, open unto us the window of heaven, that, with an eye of faith and hope, we may see beyond the cloud, looking upon those mercies, which in thy secret providence and admirable wisdom, thou designest to all thy servants, from such unlikely and sad beginnings. Teach us diligently to do all our duty, and cheerfully to submit to all thy will; and, at last, be gracious to thy people, that call upon thee,

that put their trust in thee, that have laid up all their hopes in the bosom of God, that, besides thee, have no helper. Amen.

III.

Place a guard of angels about the person of the king and immure him with the defence of thy right hand, that no unhallowed arm may do violence to him. Support him with aids from heaven in all his battles, trials, and dangers; that he may, in every instance of his temptation, become dearer to thee; and do thou return to him with mercy and deliverance. Give unto him the hearts of all his people; and put into his hand a prevailing rod of iron, a sceptre of power, and a sword of justice; and enable him to defend and comfort the churches under his protection.

IV.

Bless all his friends, relatives, confederates, and lieges; direct their counsels, unite their hearts, strengthen their hands, bless their actions. Give unto them holiness of intention, that they may, with much candour and ingenuity, pursue the cause of God and the king. Sanctify all the means and instruments of their purposes, that they may not, with cruelty, injustice, or oppression, proceed towards the end of their just desires: and do thou crown all their endeavours with a prosperous event, that all may co-operate to, and actually produce, those great mercies, which we beg of thee; honour and safety to our sovereign, defence of his just rights, peace to his people, establishment and promotion to religion, advantages and encouragement to learning and holy living, deliverance to all the oppressed, comfort to all thy faithful people, and from all these, glory to thy holy name. Grant this, O King of kings, for his sake, by whom thou hast consigned us to all thy mercies and promises, and to whom thou hast given all power in heaven and earth, our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

A Prayer to be said by Kings or Magistrates, for

themselves and their People.

O my God and King, thou rulest in the kingdoms of men by thee kings reign, and princes decree justice: thou hast appointed me under thyself [and under my prince*] to govern this portion of thy church, according to the laws

* These words to be added by a delegate or inferior.

of religion and the commonwealth. O Lord, I am but an infirm man, and know not how to decree certain sentences without erring in judgment; but do thou give to thy servant an understanding heart to judge this people, that I may discern between good and evil. Cause me to walk, before thee and all the people, in truth and righteousness, and in sincerity of heart, that I may not regard the person of the mighty, nor be afraid of his terror, nor despise the person of the poor, and reject his petition; but that, doing justice to all men, I, and my people, may receive mercy of thee, peace and plenty in our days, and mutual love, duty, and correspondence; that there be no leading into captivity, no complaining in our streets; but we may see the church in prosperity all our days, and religion established and increasing. Do thou establish the house of thy servant, and bring me to a participation of the glories of thy kingdom for his sake, who is my Lord and King, the holy and ever blessed Saviour of the world, our redeemer, Jesus. Amen.

A Prayer to be said by Parents for their Children.

O almighty and most merciful Father, who hast promised children as a reward to the righteous, and hast given them to me as a testimony of thy mercy, and an engagement of my duty; be pleased to be a father unto them, and give them healthful bodies, understanding souls, and sanctified spirits, that they may be thy servants and children, all their days. Let a great mercy and providence lead them through the dangers and temptations and ignorances of their youth, that they may never run into folly, and the evils of an unbridled appetite. So order the accidents of their lives, that, by good education, careful tutors, holy example, innocent company, prudent counsel, and thy restraining grace, their duty to thee may be secured in the midst of a crooked and untoward generation: and if it seem good in thy eyes, let me be enabled to provide conveniently for the support of their persons, that they may not be destitute and miserable in my death; or if thou shalt call me off from this world by a more timely summons, let their portion be, thy care, mercy, providence, over their bodies and souls: and may they never live vicious lives, nor die violent or untimely deaths; but let them glorify thee here with a free obedience, and the duties of a whole life; that,