Regi Addictissimus
Completely sold out to the King
St Peter and St Paul's Church, Lavenham. The church where William Gurnall was appointed as the rector in 1644.
1 Timothy 2:2
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for fall that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [/CENTER]
The Holy Bible: King James Version. Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009. Print.
Exposition
By godliness, he means in an especial manner the free profession of the truth, and the public exercise of God’s pure worship. No magistrate can hinder the saints’ living godly, as to the embracing of the truth in their hearts, and secret performance of prayer. Daniel would and could pray, though Nebuchadnezzar should do his worst. But princes carry the keys of the church doors at their girdles, and can shut or open them. When faithful magistrates sway the sceptre, then the ways to Zion are easy and open; when enemies to the ways and worship of God bear rule, then the saints mourn, church doors are shut, and prison doors opened to the servants of Christ: then the woman flies into the wilderness, and the church into private chambers, as we find in the apostles’ days, when the church was met with the doors shut to pray for Peter. O, pray for kings and princes! for as they carry the keys of the church doors, so God carries the key that opens the doors of their hearts.
Gurnall, William, and John Campbell. The Christian in Complete Armour. London: Thomas Tegg, 1845. Print.