1st. “That we may lead a quiet and peaceable life.” Peace and quietude are some of the conditions of happiness. Dr. Adam Bluche says: “If the State be not in safety, the individual cannot be secure; self preservation, therefore, should lead men to pray for the government under which they live. Rebellions and insurrections seldom terminate even in political good—and even where the government is radically bad, revolutions are most precarious and hazardous. They who wish such commotions would not be quiet under the most mild and benevolent government.” This is true of communities and nations, as well as of individuals. We all desire it, and therefore it is our duty to labor for it by every instrument which Infinite wisdom has ordained and man can employ. And lo! how excellent the instruments! Prayers, supplications, intercessions—thanksgiving. As Aaron approached the Mercy Seat, with the smoking censor, and was accepted, so do we approach the throne of the Eternal with the burning incense of heaven’s own making, and will be accepted. O, let us supplicate God for the peace and quietude of the whole nation!
2d. The other motive which Inspiration presents is, that we may live “in all godliness and honesty.” Godliness first, honesty afterwards. The latter is the fruit of the former. The godly man, is he who fears God and keeps his commandments. Such a man will be honest in words as well as in deeds; in matters of truth as well as in matters of property. Honesty is the only policy of godliness. Colored men, write this sentiment upon your hearts, engrave it in your memory. Let all your thoughts, words, actions, be controlled by this principle, it is always safe to be honest, as it is always safe to be godly. One has said, that “An honest man is the noblest work of God.” But whence comes the honest man? Does he not spring out of the godly? Most assuredly. For no man is truly honest, uniformly honest, and universally honest, but he who is godly. Therefore be godly, and you will be honest in all things, at all times, in all places.
3d. The third motive for this heavenly duty, this intercession in behalf of the Government is, that “It is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.” Whatever God accepts and pronounces good, must be good: good in itself; good in its effects, always good; good for man, because ordained of God.
4th. The last motive we present for this godlike work is, that God “Will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.”
Hence, we must pray for these Authorities not as public men only, but as private individuals also,—not as Chieftains of the Nation only, but as heads of families also,—as husbands, fathers, Christians. So that, while they think, write, speak, act for the public weal, their own souls may be brought under the saving power of the Gospel, and with all the members of their respective families be made the heirs of the grace of life.
O, that God may bring them all to the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus! O, that every one of these Authorities may become a holy, wise, and just man! Then will the laws be enacted in righteousness and executed in the fear of the Lord.
These motives are enforced upon our considerations by the glorious example of the Lord Jesus Christ,[A] who is the Mediator between God and Man, who ever liveth to make intercession for his foes as well as his friends, and with whom there is no respect of persons. Black men, red men, white men, are all alike before Him, and rise or fall, live or die as they please or offend Him.
[A] When St. Cyprian defended himself before the Roman Pro-Consul, he said, “We pray to God not only for ourselves but for all mankind, and particularly for the Emperors.”
Tertullian in his Apology is more particular: “We pray for all the Emperors, that God may grant them long life, a secure government, a prosperous family, vigorous troops, a faithful senate, an obedient people; that the whole world may be in peace; and that God may grant both to Cæsar; and to every man, the accomplishment of their just desires.”
So Origen: “We pray for kings and rulers, that with their royal authority they may be found possessing a wise and prudent mind.”