A Guide to Go to God, Preface · Section 31 – Section 45
§. 31. Of the particulars to be prayed for vnderunder the firſt Petition.
Q. VNtoUnto how many heads may thoſe particulars which in the firſt Petition we are taught to pray for, be referred?
A. VntoUnto three eſpecially. For we are taught there to deſire:
1. Such graces in our ſelues as may enable vsus to hallow the name of God.
2. Such graces in others as may enable them thereto.
3. Such an ouer-ruling prouidence in God, as may direct eueryevery thing thereto.Particulars prayed for in regard of our ſelues.
Q. What are the graces which we deſire for our ſelues to the foreſaid end?
A. Such as are requiſite for eueryevery power of our ſoule, and part of our body to make them fit inſtruments of hallowing Gods name: as
1. For our vnderſtanding, 1. Knowledge of God.we deſire knowledge of God: that (as the Apoſtle prayeth) God would giuegive to vsus the Spirit of wiſedome and reuelation in the knowledge of him. Epheſ. 1. 17.This wee may the more confidently pray for,Ier. 31. 34. becauſe it is abſolutely promiſed; and we ought the more earneſtly to deſire it, becauſe it is the groundworke of all other graces. Before the vnderſtanding be well enlightned, neither can the will be made ſubiect to God, nor the heart ſet vponupon God, nor any other power of ſoule or part of body be ſeruiceable to him.Mat. 6. 22, 23. expounded. The light of the bodie is the eye: that is, the vnderſtanding in man, the little world, is as that great light the Sunne in the great world. If therefore thine eye be ſingle thy whole bodie ſhall be full of light. If the vnderſtanding be well illuminated and do clearely diſcerne the truth, the whole man throughout will be well ordered. But if thine eye be euill, thy wholebody ſhall be full of darkneſſe. If the vnderſtanding be blind, the whole man muſt needs be out of order. The knowledge here deſired,How God is to be knowne. ought to be a particular and diſtinct vnderſtanding of all the things whereby God is made knowne vntounto vsus: as of his Nature, Perſons, Titles, and Attributes: yea alſo of his Word whereby all theſe, together with his whole will are plainly reuealed: and of his ordinances, wherein and whereby he is worſhipped: and finally of his workes, whereby his wiſedome, power, iuſtice and merciemercy, are euidently made knowne.2. Acknowledgment of God. Reu. 4. 11. Yea further we ought to deſire that knowing God to be the onelyonly true Iehouah, we may acknowledge him to bee worthie of all honour, as the celeſtiall ſpirits do.
2. For our Will, 3. Subiection of our will to Godswe deſire a thorow and full ſubmiſſion of it to God, as to our ſoueraigne Lord. Hereof we hauehave a worthy patterne in Eli, 1. Sam 3. 18.Dauid, and Chriſt himſelfe. Hence will follow Patience vnderunder all croſſes,2. Sam. 15. 26. as laid vponupon vsus by God.Math. 26. 39. Contentment in our eſtate,4. Patience. as appointed to vsus by God. Thankfulneſſe for euerie bleſſing,5. Contentmēt. as beſtowed vponupon vsus by God, and other like vertues,6. Thanfulnes. which as they hauehave reſpect to God do make much to the hallowing of his name.
3. For our Mind and Will ioyntly together,7. Faith. we deſire Faith, whereby we giuegive all due credence to the truth of Gods word, and beleeue in him.Ioh. 3. 33. This is a great honour done to God: for he that receiueth his teſtimonie, hath ſet to his ſeale that God is true. VnderUnder this head is compriſed affiance in Gods merciemercy, 8. Affiance.wherein the glorie of God doth moſt brightly ſhine forth:Pſal 108. 4. (for his mercy is great aboue the heauen: 9. Confidence.) Confidence in Gods power, Rom. 4. 20.whereby Abraham gaue great glorie to God:10. Truſt. Trust in Gods prouidence, a point much preſſed by Chriſt:Math. 6. 25. &c. Perſwaſion of Gods diuine wiſedome, wherby all things are turned to the glorie of Gods name:11. Perſwaſion of Gods wiſedome. and other vertues of the like kind, whereby Gods name is alſo much hallowed.
4. For our Heart we deſire that it may be wholly ſet vponupon God:12. LoueLove. and that he may be made the obiect of all our liking affections,13. Ioy. to louelove him with all our heart, 14. Delight.with all our ſoule, 15. Care.with all our mind: 16. Zeale.to ioy in the holy Ghoſt: to delight in his word: to care how to pleaſe him: Math. …2. 37.and to be eaten vp with a zeale of his glorie. And on the other ſide we deſire that our diſliking affections be ſet on that which diſliketh him,Rom. 14. 17. as to hate ſinne and obſtinate ſinners which are hatefull to him:Pſal. 119. 77. to feare his diſpleaſure:1. Cor. 7. 32. to grieue at his offence:Joh 2▪ 17. and to tremble at his iudgements.Pſal. 139. 21.
5. For our Speech, Pſal. 119. 120.we deſire to mention the name of God, as we hauehave occaſion,Pſal 102. 9, 10. with all reuerence: yea and to take all occaſions of ſpeaking of the glorie of his name:2 Chro. 34. 27. for in this reſpect eſpecially is our tongue,17. Sanctified ſpeech. by an excellencie, called glorie. We deſire therefore (when in truth, Deut. 28. 58.righteouſneſſe and iudgement it may be done) to ſweare by his name:Pſal. 45. 1. to call vponupon his name; to praiſe his name:Pſal. 57. 8. to declare his name to others, and to inſtruct them therein,Ier. 4 2. that ſo the name of God may be the more hallowed:Pſal 50. 15, 23. yea aboue all to vſe our glorie,Pſal. 22. 22. our tongue in maintaining the truth of God,1. Pet. 3. 15. and in making a iuſt Apologie when queſtion is made thereof.
6. For our life and outward actions,18. Holy life. we deſire that they be holy, just,Math 5. 16. and blameleſſe, that men may ſee our good workes and glorifie our Father which is in heauen. Ioh. 15. 8.Herein (ſaith Chriſt) is my Father glorified, 2. Cor. 8. 19.that ye beare much fruite: and S. Paul noteth workes of merciemercy to tend to the glorie of the Lord.
Q. What graces do we deſire for others to the hallowing of Gods Name?Like graces deſired for others.
A. All thoſe which we are to deſire for our ſelues: that Gods name may be hallowed by others as well as our ſelues: which we are to deſire, not onelyonly for our children, families, kindred, neighbours, country-men, or ſuch as we are by outward bands bound vntounto, but indefinitly for all of all ſorts: whereof we hauehave a worthy patterne in the 67. Pſalme. Thus ſhall we ſhew that in this our deſire we aime more at Gods glorie, (which is the maine ſcope of this Petition) then at the good of ſuch as are any way deare vntounto vsus.
Q. What things do we deſire that God by his ouer-ruling prouidence would turne to the hallowing of his Name?Pray that all things may make to Gods glorie.
A. EueryEvery thing whatſoeuer: as
1. The vertues of his Saints,1. Cor. 8. 1. whereby elſe they may bee puffed vp.
2. The peace and proſperitie of his Saints,2. Chro. 26. 16. whereby elſe they may be drawne away from God.
3. The failings and folly of his Saints,Gen. 50. 20. as he did turne the enuie of Ioſephs brethren to the accompliſhment of his word.
4. The troubles and croſſes of his Saints,Phil. 1. 20. that they ſinke not vnderunder the burthen of them.
5. The wicked plots and practiſes of his enemies,Acts 4. 24. &c. and of the enemies of his Church.
6. All that all creatures do;Pſal. 148. & 150. that thus in all places, at all times, in and by all things, the Name of God may be hallowed.
§. 32. Of the particulars for which thankes is to be giuen vnderunder the firſt Petition.
Q. TO what heads may thoſe particulars, for which by reaſon of the firſt Petition we ought to giuegive thankes be, referred?
A. To the ſame that the particulars which we ought to pray for, were referred: which are
1. All things whereby we our ſelues are enabled to hallow Gods Name: whether in our ſoule, as theaEpheſ. 1. 3. gifts and graces thereof: or in our bodie, asbIſa. 38. 19, 20. health, ſtrength, agilitie, and dexteritie to any thing that maketh to that end:1. Tim. 1. 12. or in our calling,1. Chro. 29. 12, 13. whether it appertaine tocRom. 1. 8. Church, Common-wealth, or familie: or in our outward eſtate.
2. All things whereby others are enabled to hallow Gods Name:1. King. 10. 9. and that in their ſoule, bodie, calling, or eſtate.
3. All euents that any way make by the ouer-ruling prouidence of God to the hallowing of his name: as
1. All manner of bleſſings beſtowed on his Churches and children.Pſal. 147. 1 &c.
2. Iudgements executed on his or their enemies.Exod. 15. 1, &c.
3. Prouidence manifeſted in and vponupon any creatures.Pſal. 145. 1, 15.
§. 33. Of the duties required by reaſon of the firſt Petition.
Q. TO what heads may the duties, which by reaſon of the firſt Petition we are bound vntounto, be referred?
A. VntoUnto two eſpecially. One whereof reſpecteth our ſelues. The other reſpecteth others.
Q. What are we bound vntounto in regard of our ſelues?
A. To make the beſt vſe that we can of all the meanes which God affordeth to enable vsus to ballow his Name, by giuing vsus knowledge of God, bringing our wills in ſubiection to him, drawing our hearts vntounto him, and breeding and increaſing any of the forenamed graces in vsus. For this end we ought
1. So to behold the creatures,Behold God in his creatures. and meditate on them, as we may diſcerne the ſtamp of God in them, and the euidences which they giuegive of his wiſedome,Iob 42. 5. power, iuſtice, merciemercy, prouidence, &c. By this meanes did God bring Iob to a more full knowledge, and a more reuerend reſpect of his diuine Maieſtie then he had before.Pſal. 8. 1. &c. Dauid alſo by this meanes had his heart euen rauiſhed with an holy admiration of God.
2. To take more diſtinct notice of God in and by his word.Know God by his word. The Scriptures are they that teſtifie of God.Ioh. 5. 39. And becauſe for our helpe the Lord hath ordained and ſanctified the preaching of his word (a powerfull meanes to breed and increaſe in vsus all thoſe graces whereby we may be the better enabled to hallow Gods name) we ought diligently to attend to it.Speake of Gods glorie.
3. To take all occaſions of ſtirring vp our glory (as Dauid ſtileth our tongue) to ſpeake of,Pſal. 57. 8. and to ſpread abroad the glorie of Gods name:Pſal 40. 9, 10. yea and to be willing to open our eares to them that are readie to ſpeake of the ſame ſubiect: and by our mutuall conference to miniſter more and more matter thereabouts.
4. To order the whole courſe of our life,Honour God by thy life. Col. 1. 10. ſo as it may bee worthy of the Lord, and a meanes to bring honour to his name.Math. 5. 16.
Q. What are we bound vntounto in regard of others?Bring others to honour God.
A. To do our vttermoſt endeauour to draw on others to hallow Gods name: Pſal. 34 11.For this end we ought
1.Pſal. 22. 22. To inſtruct ſuch as are ignorant of God in the knowledge of God.Acts 18. 26.
2. To draw them to ſet their whole heart on God,Deut. 6. 4, 5. by commending to them the greatneſſe and goodneſſe of God, ſo as they may be enamoured therewith.
3. To encourage them to all good workes whereby God is glorified.
§. 34. Of the things to be bewailed in regard of the firſt Petition.
Q. VVHat are we to bewaile in regard of the firſt Petition?
A. 1. Whatſoeuer is any way defectiue and wanting to the honour of God, ſo as, if it were more compleate, God might be more honoured thereby: As the elder Iewes which had ſeene the firſt Temple built by Salomon, Ezr. 3. 12.when they ſaw the foundation of the ſecond Temple laid, wept with a loud voice, becauſe that latter Temple was not ſo faire as the former. Thus if the brightneſſe of the Goſpell ſhine not forth ſo brightly, as it hath done formerly, or if any other way the glorie of God be obſcured, it miniſtreth iuſt matter of much humiliation.
2. Whatſoeuer bringeth diſhonour to Gods glorious name, as All manner of ſinnes committed againſt any of the foure commandements of the firſt Table▪ vnderunder which head may bee compriſed:
aPſal. 10. 4. & 14. 1.1. Atheiſme: which is an vtter denying of God.
2. Ignorance of the true God; bGal. 4. 8.This makes men transferre the honour of God vponupon others.c2. Theſ. 1. 8. Againſt ſuch therefore will Chriſt come in flaming fire.
3. Errors of God. As when the vnitie of his nature, …rinitie of perſons, perfection of power, merciemercy, iuſtice, wiſedome, truth, or any other attributes are denied: or when God is in any meane reſpectdPſal. 50. 21. 1. Sam. 15. 29. made like to man, or to any other creature.
4.e1. Sam. 2. 30. Light eſteeme of God: as when he is not truſted in, feared, loued, obeyed with all the mind and might.
5.fMal. 1. 10. Neglect of due worſhip: or yeelding falſe or careleſſe ſeruice to him.
6.gDeut. 28. 58. ler. 23. 10. Vndue vſing of his Name, as abuſing the ſame by raſh ſwearing, for-ſwearing, blaſphemie, &c.
7.hPſal. 119. 136. Prophaneſſe, and all manner of impietie.
8.i1. Sam. 8. 7. Contempt of his image in ſuch as he hath ſet ouer vsus. Theſe and ſuch like tend directly to his diſhonour.
To this head may be referred all ſuch ſinnes as make men attribute to others, or arrogate to themſelues that which is due to God. Baſe flatterie and fooliſh admiration make ſome to deifie others: as thekActs 12. 22. Tyreans did Herod. Selfe-conceipt, pride and arrogancie make others to deifie themſelues:… l Ezek. 28. 2.as Tyrus did.
3.mDan. 9. 5. &c. Ier. 9. 1, 2. 3. 2. Sam. 12. 14, 16 The ſinnes of others, eſpecially of ſuch as proſeſſe themſelues members of the Church, which cauſe the name of God to be blaſphemed.
4. The euill euents which follow from any of the troubles that befall the Church: asn2. Tim. 4. 16. feare of man more then of God, denying the truth of God, and Apoſtaſie.
5. All the aduantages that enemies of God and of his Saints do any way get.Pſal. 10. 13.—42. 3. Their inſultations, and curſed exprobrations, and that againſt God himſelfe.
§. 35. Of Gods kingdome: what it is, and what be the kinds of it.
Q. VVHichWhich is the ſecond Petition?
A. Thy kingdome come.
Q. What is the kingdome of God?
A. That eſtate where as a King he ruleth. For that is a kingdome where a King raigneth and ruleth. Where God therefore raigneth, there is his kingdome.
Q. How doth God raigne as a King?
A. 1. By his abſolute power he raigneth ouer the whole world.
2. By his ſpeciall grace he raigneth ouer his Church.
According to this different manner of Gods raigning is his kingdome diſtinguiſhed. For
1. He hath an vniuerſall kingdome,Gods vniuersall kingdome. Vbi que , regnat, vbi que , imperat, vbi que , maieſtas eius. Bern. de verb. Iſay. Serm. 5. called his kingdome of power: becauſe by his abſolute and ſupreme power he ouer-ruleth all creatures whatſoeuer, or whereſoeuer they be In regard of this vniuerſall ſoueraignty of God, the Scripture ſaith, His kingdome ruleth ouer all. For who hath reſiſted his will? And thereupon he ſaith vntounto God,Pſal. 103 19. How terrible art thou in thy workes? Through the greatneſſe of thy power ſhall thine enemies ſubmit themſel…es to thee.Rom. 9. 19.
2. He hath a peculiar kingdome,Pſal. 66. 3. called his kingdome of Grace, Gods peculiar kingdome, his Church.whereby he raigneth ouer a ſelect people culled out of the world, which voluntarily yeeld obedience vntounto him. The companie of this people, is in one word the Church: and it is a ſocietie choſen of God,Sanè ſecundum praedeſtinationem nunquam Eccleſia electoric penes deum non ſuit. Bern. ſuper Cant. Serm. 78. redeemed by Chriſt, called and ſanctified by the holy Ghoſt, which hath bene in all ages of the world, ſome in heauen, others on earth ſpread ouer the face thereof farre and neare: in which reſpects it is ſtiled the holy Catholicke Church. This is properly the kingdome of Chriſt, in, and by whom the Father raigneth. For it is ſaid, that a kingdome was giuen to the Sonne of man: Dan. 7. 14.Of whom ſaith the Father, I hauehave ſet my King vponupon my holy hill of Sion: Pſal. 2. 6.whoſe people ſhall be willing in the day of his power.Pſal. 110. 3.
Herein lyeth a maine difference betwixt Gods manner of gouernment in his vniuerſall, and in his peculiar kingdome, that the worlds ſubiection is forced, Pſal. 66. 3.—110 3.but the Churches ſubiection is free.
§. 36. Of Gods raigning ouer rebels.
TOuching that vniuerſall kingdome of God ouer all creatures in all places, ſeeing there are many which rebell againſt God and ſay,Pſal. 2. 3. Let vsus breake his bonds aſinder, and caſt his cords from vsus: Luke 19. 14.We will not hauehave him to reigne ouer vsus: and therupon walke according to the Prince of the …re, Eph. 2. …the ſpirit which worketh in the children of diſobedience: and ſeeing the diuell is the god of this world, a doubt may be made, how God can be ſaid to be their King, and Gods kingdome thus vniuerſally extended ouer the whole world.
Anſw. 1. Rebelion of ſubiects taketh not away the right of a Soueraigne.Pſal. 2. 1, 6. Chriſt therefore notwithſtanding the tumult of people is ſaid to be a King.
2. None can do any thing at all without his permiſſion. Inſtance the arch-rebell of all,Iob 1. 11.—2. 5. of all, Satan, in the caſe of Iob. Inſtance alſo the many plots and practiſes of the wicked, which in all ages by an ouer-ruling hand of God hauehave bene diſappointed and made void.
3. God can,2. King. 19. 28. when and as it pleaſeth him reſtraine them, as he reſtrained Senacherib: yea and beate them downe, and vtterly deſtroy them,Exod. 14. 28. as he deſtroyed Pharaoh and his whole hoſte.
4. Satan to whom the fore-named rebels are ſubiect, is but Gods executioner:1. King. 22. 2…. he is one of the number of Gods ſeruants, though of his guiltie and reprobate ſeruants.Satan vnus de numero ſeruor … eſt, licet reorum iam, atque reproborum, Chryſ. hom. 20. in Mat. 6. So as euen in that power, which Satan hath ouer them, God ſheweth himſelfe to be their King.
Q. Is this vniuerſall kingdome of God here ment?
A. No further then that God would order it to the good of his peculiar kingdome, which is here principally intended.
§. 37. Of the kingdome of Grace and Glorie.
Q. HOw may the peculiar kingdome of God be conſidered?
A. 1. In the beginning, and progreſſe of it.
2. In the conſummation, and perfection of it.
In the former reſpect it conſiſteth of a mixture of euill perſons with good ones:Kingdome of Grace. and of euill qualities, in thoſe good perſons, with good ones:Math. 13. 24.—47. in regard of which mixtures it is reſembled to a field wherein grow tares with wheate: and to a drawnet which gathereth of all ſorts:Mar. 4. 26. and to corne which ariſeth with ſtraw and chaffe, as well as with ſound and ſolid graine.
In the latter reſpect it conſiſteth onelyonly of ſuch as are eueryevery way perfectly good:Kingdome of glorie. and therefore ſaid to ſhine as the Sunne,Math. 13. 41, 43. which hath no darkneſſe,Reu. 21. 27. nor any ſpeck or ſpot in it. In the former reſpect eſpecially, it is called a kingdome of Grace: and that:
1. In oppoſition to thoſe who neuer were,Why the kingdome of grace is ſo called. nor euer ſhall be of it: and therefore are obiects of Gods ſeuere iuſtice and reuenging power:Ier. 10. 25. but in it grace raigneth.
2. For diſtinction from thoſe who are tranſlated out of it into heauen.Rom. 5. 21. For by reaſon of the many temptations and imperfections whereunto the Saints on earth are ſubiect, thy ſtand in need of much more grace then the Saints in heauen, who are iuſt and perfect.Heb. 12. 23.
In the latter reſpect it is called a kingdome of Glory,Why the kingdome of glorie is ſo called. and that by reaſon of the Place, where it is, and of the Perſons, which are of it.
1. The Place where it is, is the moſt glorious place of all the world: euen the higheſt heauens.
2. The Perſons, both King and Subiects thereof are decked with vnſpeakable glorie. The King doth there manifeſt his glorie more then any where elſe: as brightly as can poſſibly by the creature be diſcerned. The Subiects there partake of as much glorie as they are capable of: and that in ſoule and body: ſo as they are all glorious within and without.
§. 38. Of the difference betwixt the kingdome of …Grace. Glorie.
THis kingdome of Grace, and of Glorie, is but one and the ſame kingdome: diſtinguiſhed into two parts, which differ in ſixe circumſtances.
1. In Time. The kingdome of Grace is now preſent while here we liue. The kingdome of Glorie is to come.
2. In Place. This of Grace is on earth: that of Glorie in heauen.
3. In Condition. This is continually warfairing againſt many enemies: in which reſpect it is ſtiled the Church militant; That triumpheth ouer all the enemies: in which reſpect it is called the Church triumphant.
4. In Order of entring into them. This is to be entred into, and paſſed through before we can enter into that. The Prieſt was to enter through the Sanctuarie into the Sanctum Sanctorum.
5. In the manner of Gouernment. This is gouerned and ordered by many ſubordinate meanes, as Magiſtrates, Miniſters, and ſundrie ordinances. That immediatly by God himſelfe.
6. In Continuance. This hath a date, and is to come to an end. That is euerlaſting without end.
§. 39. Of the Churches Gouernment.
Q. VVHat learne we from this title, kingdome, here applied to the Church?
A. Gods Church is a well gouerned eſtate. Pſal. 122. 3.Therein is a King: a iuſt, wiſe, and potent King. No King is or can be like to him. He can, not onelyonly reſtraine and ſubdue his enemies, but alſo change their hearts, and linke them to his ſubiects. He can make the Wolfe dwell with the Lambe, &c. Iſa. 11. 6. &c.Therein are righteous lawes, excellent priuiledges, and all things requiſite for a well ordered politie, all tending to the good of the ſubiects. For it is the eſtate whereof God taketh moſt care.Exod. 19. 5.
They therefore that ſeeke to take away order,Order in the Church. and to bring confuſion into the Church, do much diſhonour this kingdome and the King thereof,1. Cor. 14. 33. who is not the author of confuſion but peace. So do they alſo who profeſſe themſelues to be members of the Church,Iudg 21. 25. and yet liue as if they were without law, in no kingdome, vnderunder no gouernment.
This condition of the Church, to be a kingdome (if the King, ſcepter, lawes, and priuiledges thereof were well knowne) would be a ſtrong motiue to draw ſuch,Iſa. 11. 10. as are out of the Church into it: and to retaine ſuch as are of it, in it, and to make them ſay, It is good to be here. There is nothing worthy to be deſired in a kingdome, but is after a moſt excellent manner in this kingdome: as, ſufficient ſupply of all things needfull: ſafe protection againſt all things hurtfull.
Thus much of this title kingdome. The next word to be conſidered is, come.
§. 40. Of the encreaſe of the Church.
Q. VVHat doth this word, come, import?
A. 1. A want of perfection.
2. A progreſſe thereto.
The word,Cui dicitur, veni, nondum perueneral. Bern. in Cant. Serm. 25. come, is metaphoricall. That which is comming is not where it would be: it may yet go further: and in that it is comming, it doth ſtep by ſtep draw nearer and nearer to that whereunto it would come: otherwiſe it did not come but ſtand ſtill. Hereby then we are giuen to vnderſtand that the kingdome here ſpoken of hath not yet attained to the higheſt pitch,Adueniat regn… tuum, veniat vti que , quod perfectain eſt, & euacuetur quod eſt ex parte Bern. Serm. in Nat. Mar. and fulleſt perfection thereof. Therefore we deſire that by degrees it may ſo proceed on thereto, as it may at length attaine that whereunto it doth proceed: that that which is in part may depart, and that which is perfect may be accompliſhed.
Q. To which of Gods kingdomes is this Metaphor to be applied?
A. To his peculiar kingdome, the Church, in both the parts thereof, militant, and triumphant. In the militant Church it is to be extended to all that in Gods decree are deputed thereto, whether called or not called. To ſuch as are not called, that they may be called, and ſo come into the kingdome of grace. To ſuch as are called that they may be more and more fitted to come into the kingdome of glorie: ſo as it may be full and perfect in all the parts thereof.
§. 41. Of the Churches imperfection.
Q. WHat doctrine doth this deſire of the comming of Gods kingdome imply?
A. Gods Church is not yet perfect. This is true of both the parts of the Church, militant, and triumphant.
The militant Church, whether it be conſidered in the ſeuerall aſſemblies and congregations thereof (which conſiſt of ſuch as are but hypocrites, as well as ſuch as are vpright) or in the beſt of thoſe particular perſons (which make vp thoſe congregations, and hath in them fleſh as well as ſpirit) cannot bee denied to be imperfect: whereupon, as in regard of the mixture of good and euill perſonsbCant 2. 2. Dicuutur ſpinae propter malignitatem morum: d cuntur fili… propter communionem ſacramentorum. Chriſt ſaith of his Church, As a Lilly among thornes, ſo is my louelove among the daughters (Thornes they are called for their wicked diſpoſition, but daughters for their communion in holy things) ſo in regard of the mixture of ſpirit and ſleſh in ſuch as are vpright; ſhe ſaith of her ſelfe,cCant. 1. 4. Poseſt ſpouſ… cum pulchritudine naeuo non carere nigredinis. Bern. in Cant. Serm. 25. I am blacke, but comely. Blacke by reaſon of her infirmities, and imperfections, as well as of her afflictions and perſecutions. For with ſome comelineſſe there may be blackneſſe.
The triumphant Church alſo, though in regard of that part thereof which is in heauen, it bedEpheſ. 5. 27. glorious, not hauing ſpot, or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing, yet becauſe the combate of all that bleſſed communion is not yet full, and the bodies of them whoſe ſoules are in glory, yet be in the power of death, may be truely ſaid to be imperfect. For theeActs 3. 21. foreign ab H…ſychio, exponitur foreign times of reſtitution, or perfection of all things is to come. God will hauehave his creatures waite for it.fHab. 2. 3. The viſion is yet for an appointed time: though it tarrie, wait for it, becauſe it will ſurely come.
Shall now particular Churches, which by the true notes of a Church may be proued to be true Churches, bee denied to bee Churches, and forſaken becauſe of ſome imperfections therein? They who will abide in no Church but in that which is perfect, may wander from Church to Church, and finde none on earth to abide in. Were it not for the Churches imperfection there would not be ſo great need of this Petition. This is thus noted not to iuſtifie any corruption, or imperfection. For this Petition which implyeth imperſection, enioyneth vsus to pray againſt it. And that which is prayed againſt muſt not be patronized: but rather the beſt meanes that can be muſt bee vſed to redreſſe the ſame.
As not particular Churches, ſo nor particular perſons muſt be miſ-iudged by reaſon of the imperfection of grace, or the corruption of fleſh remaining in them. All here on earth is in part, all is imperfect. Spirits of iuſt men made perfect are to bee found in heauen, not on earth.Heb 12▪ 23. foreign They that think themſelues perfect are for the moſt part furtheſt from perfection. Let vsus for our parts be of the ſame minde whereof the bleſſed Apoſtle was,Phil. 3. 12, 14. not to thinke our ſelues already perfect, but to follow hard after perfection, and to preſſe toward the marke for the price of the high calling of God in Ieſus Chriſt.
§. 42. Of mans inabilitie to come vntounto God.
Q. VVHat learne wee from the application of this word COME to the Kingdome of God?
A. Man of himſelfe cannot come to Gods Kingdome. It muſt come to him, Iſa. 65. 1.before he can come to it. I was found (ſaith the King of this Kingdome) of them that ſought me not.Ioh▪ 16. 44. For, No man can come vntounto him except the Father draw him: which made the Church thus to pray and promiſe, Cant. 1. 3.Draw me and we will runne after thee.
Man by nature is dead in ſume. Epheſ. 2. 1. Non iam captiuos ocul…s extolle…e in al…um Sponte poteſt, &c Proſp. de Ingra. c. 40.Can hee that is dead come, till he be come vntounto, and hauehave life put into him?
Hereby both the free preuenting grace of God is commended vntounto vsus, and alſo all ſelfe-conceit in man is remoued, and much matter of humiliation miniſtred vntounto him.
§ 43. Of the force of this word THY in the ſecond Petition.
Q. TO whom hath this particle▪ THY relation?
A. Euen to him to whom the ſame Particle had relation in the former Potition. And it doth here import the ſame things that it did there. 1. A reaſon. 2. A reſtraint. 3. An extent of this Petition.
A Reaſon, as it is referred both to the Preface, and alſo to the firſt Petition. The kingdome here meant is the kingdome of him who is our Father, who is in heauen, and whoſe name is to be hallowed. Great reaſon therefore that we ſhould pray for this Kingdome to come.
A Reſtraint, as it implyeth that this Kingdome onelyonly ſhould be deſired to come. So as, not any kingdome which is contrarie to this, and hindreth the comming of this, but eueryevery kingdome which is any helpe to the comming of this, in that onelyonly reſpect as it is ſuch an helpe, ought to be deſired to come.
An Extent, in that it implyeth a comming fit for ſuch a kingdome as Gods is: yea, and anſwerable to the excellencie of him who is the King thereof.
§. 44. Of Gods power to make his Kingdome come.
Q. WHat learne wee from directing this Petition vntounto God?
A. It is in the power of God to perfect his Church. He can gather all the parts thereof together: and bring them all to that meaſure of perfection which is meeteſt for them. Otherwiſe it were in vaine to make this Petition to him.1. Cor. 3. 7. It is God that giueth the encreaſe. It is he that is able to make grace to abound.2. Cor. 9. 8.
Let vsus therefore euer call vponupon him to be fauourable vntounto Sion, and to build vp the walles of Ieruſalem: Pſal. 51. 18.and let vsus in faith depend on him for the good of his Church: and ſo long as hee remaineth King thereof not feare what any creature can doe againſt it.Pſal. 118. 6.
Thus much of the meaning of the words, and inſtructions ariſing out of them. The order and fit inference of this Petition vponupon the former followeth.
§. 45. Of the beſt meanes, and fitteſt perſons to hallow Gods Name.
Q. VVHy is this ſecond Petition inferred on the firſt?
A. 1. To point out the beſt meanes of hallowing Gods Name.
2. To ſhew what perſons are fitteſt thereto.
Q. What is the beſt meanes?
A. The Church:Pſal. 65. 1. wherein praiſe waiteth for God. For God is knowne in Iudah:Pſal. 76. 1. his name is great in Iſrael. No where is God ſo well knowne as in his Church.
Q. Who are the fitteſt perſons to hallow Gods Name?
A. Such as are members of the Church. Them therfore doth Dauid cal vponupon to praiſe the Lord. Pſal. 135. 19, 20, 21.No other perſons can hallow Gods Name aright: for this is a worke of Gods ſanctifying Spirit.1. Cor. 12, 3. No man can ſay that Ieſus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghoſt.
VponUpon the two forenamed grounds, we ought the more earneſtly to pray for the Church, that ſo the Name of God may be the more hallowed.Dan. 9. 19. This moued Daniel to bee exceeding feruent in Prayer to God for his Church.