A Guide to Go to God, Petition 6 · Section 226 – Section 236
§. 226 Of immutabilitie: to what things it may be applyed.
Q. VVHat, beſides Eternity, is implyed vnderunder this clauſe FOR EVER.
A. Immutabilitie. That which euer remaineth the ſame without any alteration is moſt properly ſaid to be for euer. Pſal. 102. 27.Wherefore of God it is ſaid, Thou art the ſame, and thy yeares ſhall hauehave no end. His immutability and eternity are both ioyned together.
As eternitie, ſo alſo immutabilitie is diuerſly taken in Scripture. For
1. Many things are ſaid to be vnchangeable,1. Things immutable by voluntarie appointment. becauſe by voluntary appointment they are ſo ordered: as
1. Sundry Lawes and Statutes. Dan. 6. 15.The Law of the Medes and Perſians was, that no Decree, nor Statute which the King eſtabliſheth, may be altered.
2. Laſt Wills and Teſtaments. Gal. 3. 15.No man diſanulleth a Teſtament, or addeth thereto, if it be confirmed.
3. Sacred Vowes of ſuch as hauehave power to make them.Num. 30. 3. &c. Indeed an husband had power in ſundry caſes, and with due cautions to diſanull his wiues vow: and a father, his daughters vow. But otherwiſe the Law is ſtrict in this caſe, When thou ſhalt vow a Vow vntounto the Lord thy God, thou ſhalt not ſlacke to pay it.Deut. 23. 21.
4. Things conſecrated.Pro. 20. 25. It is a ſnare to a man to deuoure that which is conſecrated. Ezek. 48. 14.The firſt fruites of the Lord might not be ſold, exchanged or alienated, becauſe they were holy to the Lord▪ conſecrated to him.
5. Lawfull oathes.Mat. 5. 33. Theſe muſt be kept, though they bee made to a mans hurt.Pſal. 15. 4.
6. The bond of mariage.Mat. 19. 6. Hereof it is ſaid, What God hath ioyned together let no man put aſunder.
2. Other things by cuſtome become immutable: as
1. Euill practiſes. Ier. 13. 23.Can the Ethiopian change his skin? or the Leopard his ſpots? then may ye alſo do good that are accuſtomed to do euill.
2. Ciuill ordinances. Mat. 27. 15.At the Paſſeouer the Gouernour was wont to releaſe vntounto the people a priſoner whom they would: thereupon it is ſaid, Of neceſſitie he muſt deliuer one to them.Luke 23. 17.
3. Sundry things are made immutable by ſpeciall ſupportance: as
1. Coeleſtiall ſpirits.Eph. 1. 10. Theſe are the things in heauen which are ſaid to be gathered together in Chriſt: by whom they are confirmed and eſtabliſhed.
2. The Church militant. Mat. 16. 18.For the gates of hell ſhall not preuaile againſt it.Pſal. 125. 1.
3. Particular Saints. Rom. 11. 29.They that truſt in the Lord ſhall bee as mount Sion which cannot be remoued, but abideth for euer.foreign. …ſmodi ſunt vt eorum ipſum … non poſſit … & …
4. The gifts and calling of God. Theſe are without repentance: Such as God neuer repenteth the beſtowing of them. On this ground the Apoſtle thus ſaith of ſuch as were called and made partakers of the gift of God,Phil. 1. …. I am confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good worke in you, will performe it vntill the day of Ieſus Chriſt.
4. There are many things which hauehave an immutable nature giuen them: ſo as according to that courſe which God hath appointed, they cannot be altered: as
1. Sundry natiue properties. Ier. 13. 23.Can the Ethiopian change his skin?Mat. 5. 36. or the Leopard his ſpots? Thou canſt not neake one haire white or beatke.
2. The earth and the mountaines thereon.Eccl. 1. 4. Theſe abide for euer.Pſal. 125. 1.
3. Seaſons and intercourſe of times. Gen. 8. 22.While the earth remaineth, ſeed-time, and harueſt, and cold, and heate, and ſummer, and winter,Ier. 33. 20. and day, and night ſhall not ceaſe. Thus ſaith the Lord, If ye can breake my couenant of the day, and my couenant of the night, and that there ſhould not be day or night in their ſeaſon, Then, &c. Here the immutable entercourſe of thoſe ſeaſons is ſet downe as an vndeniable principle.
4. The viſible heauens and the hoſt thereof.Ier. 31. 35. The Lord giueth the Sunne for a light by day, and the ordinances of the Moone and of the Starres for a light by night: namely, ſo to abide without alteration.
5. The higheſt heauen and all therein.Mat. 6. 20. There neither moath nor ruſt corrupt, nor theeues breake through, nor ſteale.
5. Some things are eſſentially in themſelues immutable: and ſo immutable as it is impoſſible they ſhould be changed: as
1. God himſelfe. Mal. 3. 6. Iam. 1. 17.
2. Gods counſell. Pſal. 33. 11. Heb. 6. 17.
3. Gods Law. Luke 16. 17.
4. Gods oath. Pſal. 110. 4. Iſa. 45. 23.
5. Gods couenants. Ier. 33. 20, 21.
6. Gods promiſes. Heb. 6. 13, 18.
7. EueryEvery word of God. Num. 23. 19.
8. Gods louelove. Ier. 31. 3.
As God himſelfe is, ſo are the things which are eſſentiall to him, and come out of him, as thoſe which are before mentioned, and others like vntounto them, immutable, inuiolable.
§. 227. Of the difference betwixt the immutabilitie of the Creator and creatures.
Q. WHerein lyeth the difference betwix… the immutability of the Creator, and of the creaturcs?
A. 1. God hath his ſtabilitie of himſelfe: which is euident by this ſtile which God giueth to himſelfe, I AM THAT I AM.Exod 3. 14. Creatures hauehave all that ſtabilitie which they hauehave of God.Ier. 31. 35. The Lord giueth the ordinances of the Moone, and of the Starres: hee hath appointed them the courſes which they keepe ſo conſtantly.Prou. 3▪ 19. He hath founded the earth, and eſtabliſhed the heauens.
2. It is ſimply and abſolutely impoſſible that Gods ſtabilitie ſhould be altered.Heb. 6. 18. But the moſt ſtedfaſt ſtabilitie of the creatures may be altered.Iude ver. 6. Some of the Angles kept not their firſt eſtate. The Lord remoueth the mountaines and ouer turneth them in his anger: Iob 9. 5, 6, 7.He ſhaketh the earth out of her place, and maketh the pillars thereof tremble. He commandeth the Sunne and it riſeth not, &c. In Ioſhuahs time the Sunne ſtood ſtill.Ioſ. 10. 13. In Hezekiahs time it runne backe. Though many creatures neuer were nor ſhall be changed,2. King. 20. 11. as the good Angell, yet is it not ſimply impoſſible that they ſhould be changed. Hee that made them can deſtroy them. If God in Chriſt had not confirmed them, but ſhould leaue them to themſelues, there might be feare of their falling.
3. God remaineth immutable by himſelfe.Mal. 3. 6. I am Iehouah, ſaith the Lord, I change not. Becauſe hee is Iehouah, of himſelfe, by himſelfe, therefore he changeth not. But the creatures are ſupported by God, and kept ſtable and vnchangeable by his prouidence. As the Lord firſt appointed them their firme and ſtable courſe, ſo, that they may the better keepe it, he putteth vnderunder the hand of his diuine prouidence to ſupport them.Col. 1. 17. By him all things conſiſt. The immutabilitie therefore which is in any creature is wholy at Gods diſpoſing, either to confirme, or alter it. So as immutabilitie properly taken, is proper to God.
§. 228. Of the duties which ariſe from Gods immutabilitie.
Q. TO what duties are we bound by reaſon of Gods immutabilitie?
A. 1. To put difference betwixt the Creator and creatures: as the Pſalmiſt did, where in oppoſition betwixt the Creator and creatures he ſaith,Pſal. 102. 26. They ſhall periſh, but thou ſhalt endure, &c.
2. To reſpect God as Saints in former times hauehave done. He is the ſame God now that euer he was. Why then ſhould he not be accordingly eſteemed.bMal. 3. 4, 5. 6. This argument taken from Gods immutabilitie doth God himſelfe vſe to prouoke to pietie, & to reclaime them from all impietie.c2. Chro. 17. 3. 4. True Saints hauehave alſo hereby bene moued to carrie themſelues towards God,—29. 2. as their fathers of old hauehave done.—34. 2, 3.
3. To truſt in the Lord.Pſal. 125. 1, 2. As the mountaines round about Ieruſalem ſtand vnmoueable for the defence and ſaferie thereof, So the Lord is round about his people for euer.
4. To beleeue Gods word and promiſe. Sarah beleeued Gods word euen againſt the ordinarie courſe of nature, Becauſe ſhe iudged him faithfull who had promiſed.Heb. 1…. 11.
5. Confidently to waite for ſaluation. For this end hath God ſhewed to the heires of promiſe the immutabilitie of his counſell, that we might hauehave a ſtrong conſolation, &c.
6. To hold cloſe to Gods word: not to alter it any way.Deut 4. 2. Who ſhall dare to change the inuiolable word of the immutable God?
7. To yeald to the counſell of God made knowne. God in his counſell is vnchangeable. It ſhall ſtand: whether we yeald vntounto it, or repine againſt it. On this groundg1. Sam. 3. 18. the Saints, where the purpoſe of God was manifeſted,2. Sam. 12. 22, 23▪ humbly ſubmitted themſelues thereto.2. King 20. 19.
8. To be ſtedfaſt,1. Cor. 15. 58. conſtant, and vnnioueable in eueryevery good worke.Mat. 5. 48. This is one eſpeciall point wherein we muſt be perfect as our heauenly Father is perfect.
Some of thoſe particulars wherein we muſt be vnmoueable and immutable are theſe.
1. In our promiſes. 2. Cor. 1. 17.
2. In our oathes. Pſal. 15. 4.
3. In our vowes. Eccl. 5. 4.
4. In our faith and hope. Col. 1. 23.
5. In our profeſſion. Heb. 3. 12. & 13. 9.
6. In all good duties. Gal. 6. 9.
Hitherto of the Attributes here appropriated to God ſingly and ſeuerally conſidered by themſelues. The relation which they hauehave to the Petitions is further to be declared.
§. 229. Of Gods kingdome. How it worketh confidence in Prayer.
Q. VVHat relation hauehave the forenamed properties of God to the Petitions of this prayer?
A. As reaſons to enforce them:*See §. 203. which they do by giuing vsus aſſurance of obtaining them: which will more clearely appeare by a diſtinct application of eueryevery particular propertie to the Petitions: and of eueryevery particular Petition to the ſeuerall properties.
Q. How doth Gods Soueraigntie giuegive vsus aſſurance of obtaining our Petitions?
A. It importeth Gods willingneſſe to heare vsus. This is a great encouragement to moue vsus to come to God, and to expect a gracious anſwer from him.Pſal. 65. 2. VponUpon this ſtile giuen to God, O thou that heareſt prayer, this inference is made, vntounto thee ſhall all fleſh come. Now Gods willingneſſe and readineſſe to heare may well be gathered from this clauſe, Thine is the kingdome, becauſe it is the propertie of good Kings readily to open their eares to their ſubiects ſuites, as is excellently ſet downe in thecPſal. 72. 12, 13, 14. deſcription of that King that was a type of Ieſus Chriſt the King of kings. But God hath all the properties of a good King in him. Yea they are all originally in him, as in the head, fountaine and well-ſpring. The properties that are in other good Kings are deriued from him. He hath them infinitely aboue all meaſure. We may well therfore be aſſured that the kingdome being Gods, he being our King and Soueraigne, we may boldly preſent our ſuites to him, and confidently expect the accompliſhment of our deſires. Well did he know this, that did vſually in his Petitions to God, ſtile him King, ſaying, Hea…ken vntounto the voice of my crie, Pſal. 5. 2.my KING. Thou art my KING O God: command deliuerance for Iaakob.—44. 4. God is my KING of old working ſaluation. Wherfore take due and true notice of thine eſtate,—74. 12. whether thou bee indeed one of Gods ſubiects, that ſo thou maiſt with the more ſtedfaſt faith preſent thy Petitions to God as to thy King, and plead and preſſe this argument, Thine is the kingdome.
§. 230. Of Gods power. How it ſtrengthenth faith in Prayer.
Q. HOw doth Gods power enforce our deſire?
A. It ſheweth how able God is to grant whatſoeuer we deſire of him. A King may be ready and willing to heare his ſubiects ſuits, but if withall hee be not able to grant their Petitions, and to effect their deſires, what confidence can they hauehave in calling vponupon him? when a poore ſubiect thus cryed to a mortall King,2. King. 6. 26, 27. Helpe, ô Lord, my King: he anſwered, If the Lord do not helpe thee, whence ſhall I helpe thee? What heart can a ſubiect hauehave to go to ſuch a Soueraigne? There may be more hope of helpe from him that is vnwilling, then from him that is vnable.bIer. 32. 17, 27. Oſt therefore is Gods power alledged to ſtrength…n our faith in prayer:2. Chro. 20. 6. and Saints themſelues were wo…t to pleade it.Neh 9. 32.
Q.1. Chro. 16. 25. May wee confidently expect to obtaine by prayer whatſoeuer God is abl… to grant?2. Chro. 14 11.
A. Gods power ſingly by it ſelfe no ground of faith.No:*§. …11. wee hauehave before ſhewed that God is able to do many things which he will not do. ThoughcMat. 26. 53. Chriſt knew that his Father could hauehave ſent more then twelue legions of Angels to reſcue him, yet becauſe he alſo knew that it was the will of his Father at that time to deliuer him into the hands of his enemies, he would not pray for thoſe legions to be ſent. Though God be able at any time to preſerue any people from any iudgment, yet when his will is not to deliuer them, the prayers of dEzek. 14▪ 14.Noah, Daniel, and Iob, or ofeler. 15. 1. Moſes, and Samuel, ſhall not be of force for them.f1. Sam. 16. 1. Samuel prayed for Saul, but was not heard.
Q. How then is Gods power a ground of faith?Gods power and will concurring a ſure ground of faith
A. In that it is ioyned with his willingneſſe. Therefore it is here added to his kingdome,a§. 229. which wee hauehave ſhewed to ſet out his readineſſe to heare. They who place their confidence on Gods power aright, are not ignorant thereof. Inſtance the Leper,Math. 8. 2. who thus frameth his Petition, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canſt make me cleane. In thoſe things whereof we hauehave euidence for Gods willingneſſe, we may with confidence reſt vponupon Gods power for the obtaining of them. Wherefore, well acquaint thy ſelfe with Gods Word, and with his promiſes therein, that thereby thou maiſt bee well inſtructed in the things which God is willing to grant, and ſo with greater confidence truſt to his power.
§. 231. Of Gods glory. How it ſetleth the ſoule for obtaining her deſire.
Q. HOw doth Gods glory encourage vsus, with confidence to call on God?
A. It implyeth a concurring of his will and power together. Gods glory is the maine end that he aimeth at in all things.Prou. 16. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himſelfe: namely, to ſet out his glorie. The things therefore which tend to his glory hee will aſſuredly grant. For they are none of thoſe things which wereb§. 210. before noted to import impotencie, or imperfection: and in that regard are within the compaſſe of his power. But they are the things which God aimeth at, & which hee hath ordained to be done: & in that regard, no doubt can be made of Gods willingnes to grant them. Seeing then that God is able to do whatſoeuer he is willing to do: And ſeeing that whatſoeuer God is able & willing to do ſhall be done: and ſeeing that the things which tend to Gods glory God is both able and willing to do, wil not this concluſion neceſſarily follow fiō thoſe premiſes, The things which are asked of God for the glory of God ſhal aſſuredly be granted? How fitly therfore doth Chriſt hauing preſcribed ſundry Petitions, which all tend to the glory of God, teach vsus to put God in minde of his glory for ſtrengthening our faith in obtaining them? That this motiue taken from Gods glory, may rightly bee vſed in prayer, and thy faith be ſtrengthened thereby, be ſure that all the Petitions, which thou preferreſt to God, do make to Gods glory. Let them not bee to ſatisfie thy luſts: Iam. 4. 3.So thou maiſt aske and not receine.
§. 232. Of Gods vnchangeable Eternitie. How it maketh vsus reſt on God for obtaining our deſires.
Q. HOw doth Gods vnchangeable eternitie enbolden vsus in faith to call vponupon God?
A. It maketh vsus confidently to expect what God hath formerly granted: and to doe for vsus that which hee hath alwayes done for them that hauehave called on him, and beleeued in him. On this ground the Pſalmiſt thus pleadeth, Our fathers truſted in thee: Pſal. 22. 4, 5.they trusted, and thou didſt deliuer them: They cryed vntounto thee, and were deliuered: they truſted in thee, and were not confounded. This pleading of Gods former dealings implyeth faith in Gods vnchangeable continuing to bee the ſame God: the ſame God in our time, that he was of old in our fathers time: the ſame God to vsus, that hee was to our fathers. bPſal. 74. 13, &c.On this ground it hath beene vſuall with Saints to call to minde,—77. 11, 12, &c and to make mention of Gods former dealings with others before their time,2. Chro. 20. 7. when they called vponupon GOD, to ſtrengthen their faith; and tocPſal. 105. 5. call on others to remember the ſame. The Prophet rendereth this reaſon, of declaring Gods former dealings, to poſteritie,dPſal. 78. 7. That they might ſet their hope in God. Were not the Kingdome, Power, and Glory Gods FOR EVER, Were not God euer the ſame God, this argument taken from Gods former fauours, and Gods former workes, would be of little force to make ſucceeding ages to truſt in him. Wherefore that all ages might in faith call vponupon God, and with confidence depend on him to be heard and helpt: yea that they who hauehave once beene heard and helpt might hold on in calling vponupon God and ſeeking helpe of him eueryevery day, euen all the dayes of their life, fitly doth the Lord adde this clauſe FOR EVER, to ſet out the immutable eternitie of God himſelfe, and of all his properties, as of his Soueraignty, Omnipotencie, and Excellencie. Oft meditate hereon, that thou maiſt with as ſtrong confidence call on God as Abraham, Dauid, the Prophets, Apoſtles, and other Saints hauehave done: but with this Prouiſo that thou endeuour to be ſuch as they were, and ſo to call on him as they did: for God for euer remaineth the ſame: and caſteth his gracious eye vponupon the ſame kinde of perſons.
Thus much of the application of the particular properties of God to all the Petitions in generall. Each Petition ſhall further be applyed to each propertie.
§. 233. Of the ſpeciall relation which the ſeuerall Petitions hauehave to the Kingdome of God.
Q. VVHat particular reſpects hath eueryevery of the Petitions to Gods Kingdome?
A. 1. It appertaines to a King to hauehave his …onour aduanced.aMath. 5. 35. The Lord forbiddeth to ſweare by Ieruſalem becauſe▪ it is the Citie of the great King: ſo as the things of the great King muſt not be profaned: the King is diſhonoured thereby, which he will not brooke. The Lord will giuegive ſtrength to his King, and exalt the horne of his anointed, It is fit for a King to be exalted, and hauehave his name hallowed. Good ground therefore there is to make this Petition, Hallowed be thy name, to him whoſe the kingdome is.
2. It cannot bee doubted but that a King will maintaine his Kingdome. It belongeth to him ſo to doe. Who ſhould doe it, if not he?Zac. 9. 9, 10. Hereupon the Prophet exhorteth Zion to reioyce in the comming of her King: for comming to his owne kingdome, hee commeth with ſaluation. Well therefore may wee ſay to him whoſe the Kingdome is, Thy Kingdome come.
3. Obedience is moſt due to a King. Of Chriſt the King of the Church it is foretold that All Kings ſhall fall downe before him: Pſal 72. 11.All Nations ſhall ſerue him. Yea wee are commanded to ſerue him, Pſal. 2. 6, 11.becauſe hee is a King. Ought wee not then to make to him, whoſe the kingdome is, this Petition, Thy will bee done?
4. A King prouides all needfull things for his Subiects. So much is noted in the deſcription of a good King,Pſal. 71. 6, 7. He ſhall come downe like raine vponupon the mowen graſſe, and as ſhowers that water the earth: In his dayes ſhall be aboundance of peace. May wee not now pray thus, GiueGive vsus this day our dayly bread, to him whoſe the kingdome is?
5. It is in the power of the higheſt to forgiue. If the King grant a Pardon to a Traitor, who can condemne him? Chriſt ſitting in iudgement, to ſhew what authoritie hee had to abſolue and condemne,Mat. 25. 34, 41. ſtileth himſelfe King. The KING ſhall ſay, Come ye bleſſed, &c. and He ſhall ſay depart you curſed, &c. Great reaſon therfore there is thus to pray, Forgiue vsus our debts, to him whoſe the kingdome is,
6. It is a Kings Office to deliuer his Subiects from their enemies, and from the euils which may befall them. Fitly to this purpoſe ſaith the Prophet.Zeph. 3. 15. The Lord hath taken away thy iudgements: hee hath caſt out thine enemies: The King of Iſrael, euen the Lord is in the middeſt of thee: thou ſhalt not ſee euill any more. We hauehave therefore iuſt cauſe to ſay, Leade vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill, to him whoſe the Kingdome is.
§. 234. Of the ſpeciall relation which the ſeuerall Petitions hauehave to Gods power.
Q. VVHat particular reſpect hath eueryevery of the Petitions to Gods power?
A. 1. To hauehave Gods name rightly and duely hallowed requireth a diuine power.Pſal. 24. 8. The Lord ſtrong and mighty, is the King of Glory. Wherefore to hallow Gods name muſt bee deſired and expected of him whoſe the power is.
2. Gods Kingdome can not bee perfected but by almightie power. For many and mighty are the enemies thereof. Few, and weake are the true members and friends thereof. They therefore that ſpeake of the glory of Gods kingdome, Pſal. 145. 11.talke of his power. So as this Petition, Thy kingdome come, is to bee made to him, whoſe the power is.
3. By a ſtrong hand it is that mortal ſinful men are brought to do Gods will.Mar. 10. 27. With men it is impoſſible. To him therefore whoſe the power is, it is requiſite thus to pray, Thy will be done on earth.
4. All our neceſſities cannot bee fupplied but by a diuine power.2. King 6. 27. A King was forced to ſay, If the Lord helpe thee not, whence ſhall I helpe thee? out of the barn-floore, or out of the wine-preſſe? 2 Cor. 9. 8.But God is able to make all grace abound towards you, that ye alwaies hauing all ſufficiency in all things, may abound to eueryevery good worke. As therefore wee would hauehave our deſire granted, ſo let vsus ſay, GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread, to him, whoſe the power is.
5. Whether is it eaſier to ſay to the ſicke of the palſie, Mar 2. 9.Thy ſinnes are forgiuen thee, or to ſay, Ariſe, and take vp thy bed and walke? Both are done by the ſame power, which is diuine, omnipotent. Make therefore to him whoſe the power is this Petition, Forgiue vsus our debts.
6. To bee able to ſtand againſt the aſſaults of Satan,Epheſ. 6. 10. &c. is aboue the ability of fleſh and blood. To him therefore whoſe the power is, wee muſt pray, Leade vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill.
§. 235. Of the ſpeciall relation which the ſeuerall Petitions hauehave to Gods glorie.
Q. VVHat particular reſpect hath eueryevery of the Petitions to Gods glory?
A. 1. The hallowing of Gods Name is the chiefeſt part of his glory.Leu. 10. 3. I will be ſanctified, ſaith the Lord, in them that come nigh to me, and before all the people I will bee glorified. By being ſanctified, or hallowed, God is glorified. In faith therefore we may thus pray, Hallowed be thy name, to him whoſe the gloryis.
2. Gods Kingdome is the prime place of his glory.Pſal. 26. 8. It is the place where his honour dwelleth. To the Church the peculiar Kingdome of God it is ſaid,Iſa. 60. 1, 2. The glory of the Lord is riſen vponupon thee: his glory ſhall bee ſeene vponupon thee. Confidently therefore to him whoſe the glory is wee may make this ſute, Thy Kingdome come.
3. The creature cannot better glorifie God then by obeying his will.Ioh. 15. 8. Herein ſaith Chriſt, is my Father glorified that yee beare much fruit. 1. Sam. 15. 22.To obey is better then Sacrifice. Hee therefore that prayeth, Thy will be done, to him, whoſe the glory …s, may be ſ…re to hauehave his prayer granted.
4. The diuine prouidence in temporall bleſſings much amplifieth Gods glory.Exod. 16. 7. By giuing bread to his people in the wilderneſſe God ſhewed his glory. Pſal. 145. 11, 15, &c.Where the Prophet ſaith, They ſhall ſpeake of thy glory, by way of explication, hee reckoneth vp many euidences of Gods prouidence in temporall bleſſings, thus, The eyes of all waite vponupon thee: thou giueſt them their meate in due ſeaſon, &c. His glory therefore whoſe the glory is will moue him to grant this Petition, GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread.
5. The glory of God is exceedingly commended by pardoning ſinne.Epheſ. 1. 6, 7. To the praiſe of the glory of his grace we hauehave forgiueneſſe of ſinne. In much confidence therefore thou maiſt ſay Forgiue vsus our debts, to him whoſe the glory is.
6. Preſeruation and deliuerance of Saints from euill much magnifieth and ſetteth forth the glory of God. Where the Prophet reckoneth vp many deliuerances which God gaue to his people,Iſa. 59. 19. he inferreth thereupon, They ſhall feare the Name of the Lord from the West: Ezek. 39. 21.and his glory from the riſing of the Sun. And on the ſame ground ſaith God himſelfe, I will ſet my glory among the heathen. This Petition, Leade vsus not into temptation but deliuer vsus from euill, may in faith be made to him whoſe the glory is.
§. 236. Of the ſpeciall relation which the ſeuerall Petitions hauehave to Gods vnchangeable eternitie.
Q. VVHat particular reſpect bane eueryevery of the Petitions to Gods immutable eternity?
A. 1. Gods Name is for euer,Pſal. 135. 13. and his memoriall endureth thorowout all generations.
2. His Kingdome is an euerlaſting Kingdome.Pſal. 145. 13.
3. Gods will is to be done thorow-out all Ages, by vsus, by our ſonnes, Deut. 6. 2.by our ſonnes ſonnes. Wee may therefore well make theſe Petitions. Hallowed be thy name, Thy Kingdome come, Thy will be done, though they be of euerlaſting and immutable matters, to the eternall God whoſe the Kingdome is, and the power, and the glory FOR EVER.
4. We eueryevery day want bread, ſo ſhall we doe as long as we liue.1 Chro. 29. 15. As our Fathers from the beginning of the world hauehave ſtood in need thereof,Ioh. 4. 13. ſo doe we, and ſo ſhall our poſterity alſo. For whoſoeuer drinketh of this water ſhall thirſt againe.
5. Our Fathers of old to our time hauehave ſinned:Act. 7. 51. ſo doe wee all our daies:Ezek. 9. 7. ſo will our poſterity for euer.
6. The Diuel hath beene a murtherer from the beginning, Deut 31. …1.and euer will be.Iob. 8. 44. There is perpetuall enimity betwixt the womans ſeede, and his ſeede.Gen. 3. 15. We and ours ſhall be for euer in this world ſubiect to many euills. We therefore who make theſe Petitions, GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread, And forgiu… vsus our debts, And leade vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill, hauehave neede to be well inſtructed in Gods eternity, and immutability. For in faith we may make the forenamed Petitions concerning our perpetuall needs to him whoſe Kingdome, and power, and glory is FOR EVER.
Hitherto of the acknowledgement of Gods properties as they hauehave relation to the Petitions, and are reaſons to enforce them. The ſaid acknowledgement is further to bee conſidered ſingly and ſimply by it ſelfe.