A Guide to Go to God, Preface · Section 51 – Section 54
§. 51. Of praying for the Churches whereof in particular we are members.
Q. HOw ought we to be affected towards thoſe particular Churches whereof we are more immediate members?
A. 1. Our prayers ought to be more particularly applyed to them.
2 They ought to be more earneſtly extended for their good.
To giuegive ſome inſtances of the particular application of our prayers in this kind.
1. We ought by name to pray for the Churches in the land wherein we liue:Pray by name for our owne Churches. as the Iewes in ſpeciall manner prayed for Sion and for Ieruſalem.Pſal. 74. 2. & 137. 5, 6. Thus we of England ought in particular and by name to pray for the Churches therein: yea becauſe Scotland and Ireland are vnderunder the ſame gouernment that wee are, by name to pray for thoſe Churches alſo.
2. We ought by name to pray for the Magiſtrates that are ſet ouer vsus:And for our owne Magiſtrates and Miniſters. as for the Kings Maieſtie, ſo alſo for inferiour Magiſtrates. And for the Miniſters of Gods word in the ſaid dominions.1. King. 1. 37, 47 Pſal. 72. 1.
3. We ought more eſpecially to pray for the Citie,Pſal. 132. 9. Towne,And for the places of our abode. or Pariſh where we liue. Ieremiah exhorted the Iewes when they were in captiuitie to pray vntounto the Lord of the Citie where they abode. Ier. 29. 7.Ought not wee much more to pray for the Citie or Pariſh where we are in our owne Countrie, & where we freely enioy the holy ordinances of God? Here we ought by name to remember the Miniſter that is ſet ouer vsus;Epheſ. 6. 19. pray ſaith the Apoſtle, and for me.
4. Yet more frequently and earneſtly ought we to pray for the family where we are,And for our familie. whether we be the head, or other members thereof. Chriſt bid his diſciples into whatſoeuer houſe they entred to pray that peace might be to it: Luke 10. 5.much more ought we to deſire the good of the familie where we hauehave our continuall abode. We ought by vertue of this Petition to pray that our familie in particular may be a ſeminarie and nurcerie of the Church: yea that it may be a Church (as the houſes of Philemon, Aquila, and Priſcilla were) which they are,Phile. 2. when morning and euening ſacrifices of the calues of our lips are conſtantly offered vp therein:Rom. 16. 5. and other duties of pietie meete to be performed in a familie, are there conſcionably obſerued. Such ought eueryevery ones deſire to be for his owne familie, that if pietie ſhould be baniſhed out of the Land or Pariſh where he liues,Ioſ. 24. 15. yet it ſhould find harbour in his houſe: which was the holy reſolution of Ioſhua.
5. Finally,And for our owne perſons. becauſe eueryevery ones perſon is moſt neare to himſelfe, eueryevery one ought moſt of all to pray for himſelfe, that his perſon may be a fit temple for the holy Ghoſt: 2. Cor. 6. 16.and though the houſe where we liue be an impure and impious place, no member of any true Church, yet that he himſelfe may be as Ioſeph was in the houſe of Potiphar, Gen. 39. 2.a faithfull member of the true Church, a free-hearted ſubiect of the kingdome of God: and for this end eueryevery one ought to pray that in his perſon he may be ſanctified throughout, and his whole ſpirit, and ſoule, and bodie, be kept blameleſſe vntounto the comming of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt.1. Theſ. 5. 23.
This is that true and proper vſe which wee are to make of thoſe bonds whereby we are outwardly linked one to another, that as we are more nearely knit one to another, ſo more ſpecially and inſtantly to pray that they to whom we are in outward bonds linked, may with vsus be faſt knit to the bodie of Chriſt, and as true members thereof may beautifie and honour it:Col. 2. 19. and that all the bodie by ioynts and bands hauing nouriſhment miniſtred, and knit together may encreaſe with the encreaſe of God.
Thus we ſee how our deſire ought to be ordered for the militant Church. It ought in generall to be extended to the whole bodie whereſoeuer: more particularly applied to the ſeuerall parts of it, as we hauehave any notice thereof: and more earneſtly extended for ſuch parts as wee our ſelues are more nearely knit vntounto.
§. 52. Of the things to bee deſired for the Church triumphant.
Q. VVHat are we to pray for in regard of the triumphant Church, the kingdome of glorie?
A. The full perfection, and conſummation thereof. Whereunto tend theſe particulars following.
1. That we which liue in this kingdome of Grace,1. Pray to be fitted for heauen. may be fitted and prepared for that kingdome of Glorie: that we may be preſented as a chaſte and pure Virgine to our Huſband Chriſt. 2. Cor. 11. 2.Such a prayer did the Apoſtle vſe to make for the members of the militant Church.1. Theſ. 5. 23.
2. That we may be looſed, and be with Chriſt in that glorious place.2. Pray to be in heauen. For the gathering of ſuch into the kingdome of Glorie,Phil. 1. 23. as belong thereunto helpeth forward the conſummation of it.Hoc optamus vt finem noſtris faciat malis & nos aſſumat in regnum. Aug. de Temp. Serm. 126 How we may pray for death. Votum affectus magis quam effectus.
Obiect. How can this deſire of being diſſolued ſtand with the vnchangeable decree of God concerning the appointed time of mans death?
Anſw. This kind of prayer rather ſheweth what we could deſire, if the will of God were ſo, then what we would whether it were Gods will or no. Neither is it made to alter Gods determined purpoſe, but to manifeſt our longing deſire after that which God in his eternall counſell hath purpoſed for vsus. Thus did many of the faithfull Iſraelites, Math. 13. 17.that liued long before the Meſſiah was exhibited,1. King. 19. 4. Ionah 43. deſire to ſee him. An abſolute deſire of preſent death (as was the deſire of Eliah, and Ionah) is not warrantable, but a longing after death to be in the kingdome of Glorie (as was the deſire of Paul) is very commendable.Phil. 1. 23.
3. That the number of thoſe whom God hath ordained to3. Pray for accompliſhing the number of the Elect. make full the body of Chriſt, may be accompliſhed. For there is a certaine number ordained vntounto eternall life, Rom. 8. 29, 30.till that he be full, the kingdome of Glorie cannot in all the parts thereof be conſummate.
4. That the ſignes which in Gods word are fore-told to goe before the comming of Chriſt may accordingly fall out:4. Pray for the ſignes of Chriſts comming. that by the ſight of them we may be the more erected to looke for the glorious appearing of Chriſt. Math. 24, 29, &c.There are ſignes fore-told; theſe therefore muſt be prayed for.5 Pray againſt enemies of the Church.
5. That all the obſtinate enemies of the Church which any way hinder the full and perfect conſummation thereof may be deſtroyed: and thoſe not only wicked men, and cruell tyrants, and perſecutors, but alſo death, and him that hath the power of death,1. Cor. 15. 15. the diuell. The deſtruction of theſe is promiſed: ſo as there is good ground to pray for it.
6. That the bodies of all the Saints which from the beginning hauehave ſlept, 6. Pray for the reſurrection.may be raiſed from death, to be vnited to their ſoules,1 Theſ. 4. 16. and brought vntounto the kingdome of Glorie. For this is abſolutely promiſed.
Obiect. This is to pray for the dead.
Anſw. Not for this or that particular friend departed whoſe eſtate we certainly know not:How prayers to be made, or not to be made for the dead. but in generall for all the true members of Chriſts celeſtiall bodie: nor to obtaine that for them which was to be obtained in the times of their life, remiſſion of ſinnes: nor yet to alter their finall eſtate, the doome whereof paſſed vponupon them at the moment of their diſſolution: but onelyonly as their reſurrection is a degree to the perfecting of the kingdome of Glorie, we being taught to pray for the full perfection of that kingdome, pray indefinitely for the reſurrection of the Saints which is a degree thereto.
7. That Chriſt would come in his glorie to iudgement:7. Pray for Chriſts coming. Reu. 22. 17. 20. Mat. 13. 41, 49. & 25. 32. &c. and make a perfect ſeparation betwixt the elect and reprobate. For ſo much is foretold and promiſed.
8. That all the members of Chriſts myſticall bodie being glorified with him,8. Pray for the full glorificatiō of the Church. He may deliuer vp the kingdome to God the Father, that God may be all in all. For ſo much is alſo foretold.1. Cor. 15. 24, 28.
§. 53. Of the things for which thankes is to be giuen by reaſon of the ſecond Petition.
Q. FOr what are we to giuegive thankes by vertue of the ſecond Petition?
A. EueryEvery thing that maketh to the good of Gods Church, whether directly, by bleſſings beſtowed on it, or conſequently, by reſtraining or ouer-throwing the enemies of it, miniſtreth iuſt matter of thankſ-giuing. We are therefore to be thankfull in the behalfe of the Church, in theſe caſes following, and others like to them.
1.Acts 11. 18. When Churches are planted where none were before. Thus the Iewes glorified God, when they heard that the Goſpell was embraced of the Gentiles.
2. When ſuch Churches as are planted do thriue and proſper. For this did S.2. Theſ. 1. 3. Paul giuegive thankes in the behalfe of the Theſſalonians.
3. When good Magiſtrates are raiſed vp. In which caſe the Queene of Sheba bleſſed God for ſetting Salomon on the throne of Iſrael.1. King 10. 9. Much more are we to bleſſe God for good Miniſters of his word: and that not onelyonly when they are firſt raiſed vp, but alſo when being reſtrained by ſickneſſe or any other meanes,2. Cor. 1. 3, 11. they are againe reſtored.
4.1. Theſ, 1. 2, 8. When the Goſpell hath a free paſſage, and ſoundeth forth from one place to another.
5.1. Theſ. 1. 5. When the miniſtry of the word is in power, and fruitfull among the Saints.Col. 1. 6.
6.Pſal. 147. 12, 13, 14. When the Church hath reſt, peace, and proſperitie.
7. When ſuch as are perſecuted ſtand ſtedfaſt in the faith: and are not terrified with any oppoſitions againſt the truth,1. Theſ. 3. 8, 9. nor drawne to denie the ſame.
8.Pſal. 124. 6. When the Church is deliuered from any plots of the enemies againſt it.
9.Eſt. 9. 17. When vengeance is executed on the enemies of the Church.Exod. 15 1.
10. When Seminaries of the Church, as Schooles of learning, Colleges, and Vniuerſities do proſper.
11.2. Ioh. 4. When pietie is planted in families: eſpecially in our owne.
12.Phile. 4. When priuate Chriſtians grow in Grace: eſpecially if withall they edifie one another.
13.Congratulemur, vt dignum eſt, patri noſtro: qus a & pium eſt defunctum plangere Malachiam, & pium magi… Malachiae congaudere viuenti. Bern. Serm. in tranſ. Mal. When Saints that hauehave giuen vndoubted euidence of their perſeuerance in the true faith, depart out of this life. Though that loſſe which the Church on earth may hauehave of them, miniſter matter of mourning; yet in that the triumphant Church is encreaſed by their departure, it is matter of thankſgiuing.
14. When we ſee the time of ourm2. Tim. 4. 6. owne departure to be at hand.
15. When we obſerue any of thoſenLuke 21. 28. ſignes to fall out which Chriſt hath foretold of the end of the world, Pro fidelibus defunctis debemus gratias agere. Idem de mod… bene viu. Serm. 70.and of his glorious comming vntounto iudgement.
§. 54. Of the duties required vnderunder the ſecond Petition.
Q. VVHat duties are we to endeauour after by vertue of the ſecond Petition?
A. EueryEvery one ought according to the eſtate and condition wherein he is, to do what lyeth in his power to helpe on the comming of the kingdome of God, and that both in himſelfe, and in others alſo. For which end theſe particulars following are carefully to be obſerued.
1. They who are out of the Church muſt come into it. If they be in the kingdome of darkneſſe, they muſt not abide therein. This is eſpecially to be obſerued of them to whom the light of the Goſpell appeareth, and diſcouereth their darkneſſe. To ſuch it is ſaid,Eph. 5. 14. Awake thou that ſleepeſt, and ariſe from the dead, and Chriſt ſhall giuegive thee light.
2. They who are in the Church muſt walke worthy of their calling. Epheſ. 4 1.To ſuch it is ſaid, Ye were once darkneſſe but are now light, walke as children of light.Eph. 5. 8.
3. They who being of the Church are among ſuch as are out of it, muſt labour to win them. Saint Paul went ſo farre he rein, as he became as without law, 1. Cor. 9. 21.that he might gaine them that were without law. To ſhew that this is a common dutie belonging to eueryevery member of the Church,1. Pet. 1. 1, 2. Saint Peter exhorteth women ſo to carrie themſelues towards their husbands, as if any obey not the word they may without the word be wonne by the conuer ſation of their wiues.
4.1. Theſ. 5. 11. Fellow members of the Church muſt edifie one another: and hearten,Heb. 10. 24. encourage, and prouoke one another vntounto good workes, and to ſtand ſtedfaſt in the faith.
5.Rom. 15. 1. & 14 13. They who are ſtrong muſt beare with the weake: and eueryevery one take heed that they lay no ſtumbling blocke before any to make them fall:1. Cor. 8. 9. nor giuegive any offence.
6.Gen. 17. 12. If any be parents of children, they muſt be carefull to bring them to be incorporated into the Church by the Sacrament of Baptiſme, and that while they are infants: and as they come to any yeares of diſcretion,Eph. 6. 4. to bring them vp in the nurture and admonition of the Lord: Pro. 22. 6.that thus, when they are tranſlated into the triumphant Church, they may leaue their children behinde them true members of the militant Church; and that ſucceſſiuely generation after generation.
7.Philem. v. 2. If any be houſholder, their care muſt bee to make their houſes (as the houſes of Philemon, Rom. 16. 5.Aquila, and Priſcilla were) Churches of God. And in this reſpect take vponupon them the faithfull endeuour of Abraham, Gen. 18. 19.and ſetled reſolution of Ioſua.
8.Ioſ. 24. 15. They who are Miniſters muſt take heed to all the flockes whereof the Holy Ghoſt hath made them ouer-ſeers to ſeed the Church of God: Act. 20. 28.and doe all things vntounto edifying.1. Cor. 14. 26.
9. They who are Magiſtrates muſt maintaine true religion in their dominions, and cauſe all that are vnderunder their iuriſdiction to ſtand to the couenant of God. 2. Chro. 34. 33.Yea they ought to be ſo watchfull ouer the Lords vineyard, as to ſuffer neither wilde boare to roote it vp,Cant. 2. 15. nor foxes to make any hauocke therein. They muſt ſuffer neither profeſt enemies, nor running ſeducers to harbour therein.