It is further urged that we are commanded to pray for kings and all in authority; it is true we must pray not only for kings but all men, even enemies. This, however, does by no means imply that we are commanded to pray for a blessing upon their unhallowed undertakings; but it only implies that we must pray that they may be translated out of nature's darkness into the light of the gospel, and from the power of Satan unto the living God. The great difficulty with the subjects of the Mediator ever has been, and still is, a want of faith in the promises of God. They are prone to be afraid of consequences. They look nearly as much at consequences as the children of Israel did while journeying from Egypt to Canaan. The truth is, they ought to have nothing to do with consequences, but only duties. "Thus saith the Lord," should be their warrant and only guide. If they implicitly follow the command, consequences are all safe in God's hand. Had Abraham looked only at consequences, it is not probable he would ever have been styled the Father of the Faithful. It is not uncommon for timid and worldly Christians to be alarmed at consequences and to argue in this manner: they say, "Shall we stand still and suffer an assassin to enter our houses and take our lives and property without ever attempting to resist him?" All this must go upon the supposition that he who has said he will never leave nor forsake his people, and is a very present help in every time of need, will take no care of them. No assassin could stand a moment before the prayer of faith which would enter the heavens and reach the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth. If faithless Christians cannot be persuaded to look at the precepts and the promises, but only at consequences, they ought, at least, to examine them well. Suppose God, in his holy providence, should permit an assassin to take the life of one of his dear children; the consequence would be, he would immediately be translated to glory; and possibly the assassin might become a penitent; but should he take the life of the assassin in defending himself, the consequence then would be, he would hurry him into the abyss of the damned where his probation would be eternally ended. He who puts his trust in the Lord shall not fear what man can do to him; he will be like Mount Zion which cannot be moved.