Works, Exposition – Title page 3
A True and Comfortable Expoſition of the Lords PRAYER.
FOraſmuch as Prayer to the Soule is as neceſſarie, as the …eele to the Ship, the Foundation to the Houſe, the moiſture to the Tree, and the ſinewes and ioints to the body: and foraſmuch alſo as wee can hauehave neither grace to beleeue, nor grace to obey, without feruent and faithfull prayer, I hauehave thought good, as briefly as I can (for the helping of the Ignorant in the performance of this Chriſtian duety) to expound the Prayer of our Lord, being the perfect ground of all our prayers▪ that ſo, we praying in wiſedome, may pray with comfort: for, alacke, thouſands (it is to be feared) that hauehave this prayer, Ad vnguem: at their fingers ends, are altogether ignorant of the worthy contents of the ſame.
Concerning which prayer, I obſerue theſe foure things.
Firſt, the occaſion hereof, and that… was vponupon the complaint and ſuite of the Diſciples, who (being weake in this gift) entreated Chriſts help, ſaying: Maſter, teach vsus to pray, as Iohn Luk. …. …, …alſo taught his Diſciples: And hee ſaid vntounto them, When yee pray, ſay: Our Father which art in heauen, &c.
So that Chriſt gaue them this prayer, not onelyonly to vſe the preſcript forme thereof, but alſo to frame all their prayers ſutable to the ſame.…
Secondly, The br…uity hereof, containing but …e, and thoſe ſhort Petitions.
It pleaſed Chriſt in his wiſedome to make it briefe and ſhort, for theſe three cauſes.
1 That it might be ſooner learned, and better kept.
2 That it might bee often repeated,… and not weariſome.
3 That it might take away all excuſe… from thoſe that in any reſpect neglect prayer.
Thirdly, The excellencie hereof; …and that is double.
1 In reſpect of the Author, it was made by Chriſt himſelfe, who is the wiſedome of the Father.
2 In reſpect of the Subiect; for it containeth in it (though neuer ſo ſhort) whatſoeuer is neceſſarie for Gods glory, our preſent good, and euerlaſting comfort.
Fourthly, The neceſſity hereof; it is as neceſſary to the Chriſtian ſoule, as a Caſtle or Bulwarke to the Citie.
This Prayer (whereof I hauehave ſpoken) containeth in it generally three things.
Firſt, a Preface.
Secondly, Petitions.
Thirdly, a Concluſion.
The Preface is ſet downe in theſeThe Preface. words: Our Father which art in heauen
The Preface conſiſteth of …. parts.
The firſt part concerneth our own ſelues▪ in theſe words: Our Father.The ſecōd part.
The ſecond part of the Preface concerneth God, in theſe words: Which art in Heauen.
The firſt part of the Preface concerning our ſelues, containeth in it two things.
Firſt, a Duety.
Secondly, a Prerogatiue.
Firſt, a Duety, in this firſt word, Our.
In this word (Our) we are taught(Our▪) Note. what louelove, care, and affection, ſhould raigne in the members of the Myſticall Body.
Wee ſhould pray for the whole Body of the Saints, as well as for our own ſoules. The eye ſéeth not for it ſelfe alone, but for the good of the whole body: the hand laboureth not for it ſelfe alone, but for the whole body: So ſhould we craue all comfortable Graces for our Brethren, and for the whole Body of Chriſt Ieſus, as well as for our owne ſelues.
Secondly, a Prerogatiue, in this word Father.
By (Father) héere is not onelyonly vnderſtood(Father.) the firſt Perſon of the Trinitie, but the whole Trinity. For as God is ſaid to be our Father, in reſpect of Creation, Redemption, and Preſeruation: So the whole Trinity hauehave their parts in them all.
Againe, the name of (Father) when it is put with any other Perſon of the Trinity, is taken perſonally, that is, for the firſt Perſon of the Trinity▪ but whē it is put with his creatures, it is taken eſſentially for the whole Trinity.
So that in Chriſt our Mediatour, Wee that were by nature the children Epheſ. …. 3.of wrath, are become the Sonnes of GOD, and Heires of eternall Life And this is the great prerogatiue of the Children of GOD.
To bee the ſonne of a mighty MonarchNote. and great Prince, is high eminence: but to be the Adopted Sonne of God, vnſpeakable is the excellency of this title.
Ʋſes. Herein the louelove of God doth firſt appeare vntounto vsus: Behold, what louelove the FATHER hath ſhewed on vsus, 1. Ioh. 3. 13that wee ſhould bee called the Sonnes of GOD.
Secondly, by this word (Father) our faith is much ſtrengthned in our prayers; for we pray not to an inexorable iudge, but to a merciful Father, who can deny vsus nothing, as we may comfortably reade, Mat. 7. 9, 10, 11.
Thirdly, wee hauehave good warrant to call God Father, and it is no impudency ſo to doe; for we hauehave Gods promiſe: You ſhall be my people, and Ezek. 36. 28.I will bee your GOD: Wee hauehave Chriſts warrant: When ye pray, ſay; Luke 11. 2.Our Father: And wee hauehave the holy Ghoſts inſtruction: Rom. 8. 1…. Yee hauehave receiued the Spirit of Adoption, whereby we cry Abba Father.
Fourthly, if God be our Father, then let vsus hauehave a continuall care (like good children) to giuegive him his due louelove, and deſerued honour, as hee calleth for the ſame of vsus in the Prophet: A Sonne honoureth his Father, Mal. 1. 6.and a Seruant his Maſter: If I bee a Father, where is then mine honour? and if I be a Maſter, where is then my feare?
Thus much of the firſt part of this Preface.
The ſecond part of this PrefaceThe ſecōd part. concerneth God in theſe words: Which art in Heauen.
This ſecond part concerning God, containeth in it a double deſcription.
Firſt, A deſcription of the Maieſtie of God.
Secondly, A deſcription of the Habitation of God.
The deſcription of the Maieſty of GOD, in theſe words contained (Which art) is double.
Firſt, A deſcription of his Immutability: Which art.Which are▪ Note.
The Lord in his Eſſence is immutable, and in his Attributes without ſhadow of change: the Lord therefore ſending Moſes to Pharao, bad him ſayExod▪ 3. 14▪ on this manner: I AM, hath ſent me.
And as God is thus immutable in his Eſſence and Attributes: ſo is hée immutable in his Word: Heauen and Mat. 24. 35earth ſhall paſſe away, but my Words ſhall not paſſe away.
And this is a Doctrine of much comfort, that the Lord in his Word and Promiſe is vnalterable, and without mutabilitie or change.
Secondly, A deſcription of the Eternity: Note.Which art.
The Lord is to day, yeſterday, and the ſame for euer: Hee was before all beginning, and ſhall neuer hauehave ending: Hee was not in time, neither ſhall Hee end in time, but remaineth the ſame ror euer.
Thirdly, A deſcription of Gods habitation, in theſe words: (In heauen.)In …en
We are here to know, that God cannot properly be ſaid to bee in a place, becauſe he is an infinit, and incomprehenſible Spirit: Hee is in heauen by his glory, in earth by his mercy, in hell by his vindicts, and in the depth of the ſeas by his miracles. Behold, the 1. King. 8. 27.heauens, and the heauens of heauens are not able to containe the Lord. Heauen is his feat, earth is his footeſtoole, &c.
Yet the Lord is ſaid to bee in heauen, as Pſal. 2. 4. But hee that dwelleth in heauen, ſhall laugh them to ſcorne. and Pſalm. 113. 5. Who is like to the Lord our God, that hath his dwelling on high? that is, in heauen: and Pſal▪ 123. 1. I lift vp mine eyes to thee, that dwelleſt in the heauens.
God is ſaid eſpecially to be in heauen, for theſe foure cauſes▪
Firſt, becauſe his glory is moſt… manifeſted in Heauen: euen as the ſeate of the ſoule, the head and the heart may bee ſaid to bee, becauſe the ſoule is moſt ſeene there, though it be not in any one place of the body included: ſo the Lord is ſaid to be in heauen, becauſe his glory doth there moſt appeare.
Secondly, becauſe heauen is the… place where Chriſts Body is, and heauen is the Palace of Angels, and Court of Saints, where they behold the glorious face of God.
Thirdly, becauſe God doth there raigne perfectly, and to him there is done abſolute obedience.
Fourthly, becauſe from thence hee manifeſteth himſelfe to vsus, by Reuelations, Oracles, Viſions, and the like; and from thence hee gouerneth the world, ſending light, heate, raine, and ſuch like.
So that, in that he is ſaid to bee inNote. Heauen, his Maieſtie doth not onelyonly appeare, but alſo his Dominion and Power, to which all things in heauen and earth are ſubiect; as his Goodnes in the word (Father) ſo his power in theſe words (in heauen) are manifeſted to vsus.
Vſes. This therefore firſt teacheth vsus, that wee muſt humble our ſelues in… our prayers before the great God of heauen and earth, who is able to damne both body and ſoule in hell fire.
Secondly, wee muſt come before Him with all poſſible reuerence, becauſe Hee is not an ignoble father, or earthly, but an heauenly Father, and a glorious Maieſtie.
Thirdly, wee muſt mount vp our hearts to heauen when wee pray, and there be preſent with God.
Fourthly, wee muſt pray eſpecially for Heauenly things, we muſt look for all good things for body and ſoule from thence, and our conuerſations muſt likewiſe be holy and heauenly.
Thus much of the ſecond part of this Preface.
The ſecond part of this Prayer, areThe ſecōd part. the Petitions themſelues, in number ſixe.
The firſt thrée concerne Gods glory,The firſt Petition. the latter three our owne good.
The firſt Petition: Hallowed bee thy Name.
This is put in the firſt place, toNote. ſhew that Gods glory is to bee preferred aboue all things, euen aboue the care of our owne ſoules ſaluation.
By hallowed, or ſanctified, is notHallowed. meant that we ſhould adde holineſſe to God; but to acknowledge Gods Maieſty holy, and eueryevery way excellent, as it is: the like phraſe is vſed in the Goſpell of Luke: Wiſedome is iuſtified Luk. 7. 35.of her Children: That is, acknowledged and declared to be iuſt,
By the name of God, is not heereName. meant his Commandements, as Leu. 22. 32. Neither the authority of God, as Math. 28. 19. But by the name of God is vnderſtood the Eſſence of God, as 1. Kin. 5. 5. and Pſa. 116. 13. and his Attributes, by which his Maieſty is made knowne in ſome meaſure to vsus, as his Wiſedome, Power, Holineſſe, Mercy, Iuſtice, &c.
So that in this Petition we deſire theſe three things.
Firſt, that we may bee enlightned to know the Maieſty of God aright.
Secondly, that wee may confeſſe and acknowledge the Lord to be ſuch a one, as the Scriptures hauehave recorded of him concerning his Greatnes, Worthineſſe, and Attributes, that he is a ſpirituall ſubſtance, moſt Wiſe, moſt Holy, Eternall, Infinite: that he is Great without quantity, Sweet without quality, Euerlaſting without time: in his Greatneſſe Infinite, in his Power Omnipotent, in his Wiſedome ineſtimable, in his Iudgements terrible: Inuiſible, yet ſéeing all things; Immutable, yet changing all things; Immoueable, yet mouing all things.
Thirdly, that wee may giuegive vntounto… him his due honour, and beare his Image of holineſſe before the world; in the heart, by louing him and beléeuing in him: in the tongue, by reuerent ſpeaking of him, by praying to him, and prayſing him; in the whole man, by obeying him, and holily liuing to him.
Theſe therefore faile in the performance of this firſt Petition.
Firſt, all Atheiſts, that acknowledge no God.
Secondly, all Heathen Idolaters,… and ignorant perſons, that worſhip not God aright.
Thirdly, all Infidels, that depend not vponupon his al-commanding Power and might.
Fourthly, all proud perſonal, that ſéeke not Gods glory, but their owne.
Fiftly, all ſwearers, and all that vnreuerently take the name of this great IEHOVAH in their mouths.
Sixtly, all hard hearts, that will neither be allured by his mercies, nor moued by his iudgements.
Seuenthly, all vnthankfull wretches for the benefits continually receiued from him.
Eightly, all that are negligent in offering vp the Spirituall ſacrifice of prayer, and call not vponupon his Name.
Ninthly, all prophane people, and vngodly liuers whatſoeuer, as Adulterers, Drunkards, Lyers, &c.
Thus much concerning the firſt Petition.
The ſecond Petition: Thy Kingdome The ſecōd Petition. (Thy)come.
This word (Thy) ſheweth that there is a double Kingdome. Firſt, the Kingdome of God. Secondly, the kingdome of Satan, called the kingdome of darkneſſe, Col. 1. 13. Wee pray therefore that ſinne may not reigne in our mortall bodies, that wee may not bee bond-ſlaues to the prince of the ayre, but that the Lord would admit vsus into his Kingdome; and rule and reigne ouer vsus by his holy Word and Spirit.
This word (Kingdome) is takenKingdom. many wayes in the Scriptures.
Firſt, it is taken for the gouernment of the whole world: as Pſalme 145. 13. Thy Kingdome is an euerlaſting Kingdome, and thy Dominion endureth throughout all ages.
Secondly, it is taken for that gouernment, whereby the Lord ruleth and reigneth in the hearts of the Elect in this World, by his Word and Spirit, which is called the Kingdome of Grace: The Kingdom of God is within vsus, Luke 17. 21.
Thirdly, it is taken for that gouernment whereby hee ruleth in heauen, moſt perfectly in the Saints and Angels, and this is called the Kingdom of Glory: In this Kingdome the Elect ſhall reigne with Chriſt for euer: Pſal. 94. 14.
In this Petition, the firſt acceptance is not to be vnderſtood, but the ſecond of Grace, and the third of Glory.
So that in this Petition we deſire theſe thrée things.
Firſt, that the Lord would build in vsus the Kingdom of Grace, and rule in our hearts by his Word and Spirit, ſanctifying our ſpirits to all obedience and godlineſſe.
Secondly, that this Kingdome of Grace may bee increaſed in vsus dayly, that wee may grow, Epheſ. 4. 15. in grace and godlineſſe; from the meaſure of the gift of Chriſt, Eph. 4. 7. to the meaſure of the age of the fulneſſe of Chriſt, Epheſ 4. 13.
Thirdly, that our hearts may bee inflamed to long for, and deſire the Kingdome of Glory, that ſinne and all wickedneſſe confounded, we may perfectly glorifie our heauenly Creator, as Paul prayed, Phil. 1. 23. I deſire to bee diſſolued and bee with Chriſt: and as the Saints of God: Romans 8. 23. Wee that hauehave receiued the firſt fruites of the Spirit, euen wee doe ſigh and mourne, waiting for the Adoption, euen the Redemption of our body.
Theſe therefore faile in the performance of the ſecond Petition:
Firſt, they that ſuffer ſin to raigne in their mortall members, and yeeld obedience therevnto.
Secondly, they that quench the Spirit of God, and will not be ruled by the good motions and holy directions of the ſame.
Thirdly, they that make no conſcience of their wayes, that contemne the counſell and hearing of the word, and pray not heartily for the frée paſſage and flouriſhing eſtate of the ſame.
Fourthly, they that labour not for perfection in grace.
Fiftly, they that are not prepared for the comming of CHRIST, neither wiſh nor long for his appearance in glory.
Thus much concerning the ſecond Petition.
The third Petition: Thy will bee The third Petition. (Will.)done in earth as it is in heauen.
The will of God is double.
Firſt, An hidden will; which is the immutable purpoſe and decree of future euents: Which will is alwayes done, neither can it bee changed, or altered by any. My counſell ſhall ſtand, and I will doe whatſoeuer I will, Eſay 46. 10. Neither can any reſiſt this Will: as Prou. 21. 30. There is no wiſedome, no vnderſtanding, no counſell againſt the Lord.
Secondly, the Will of God is taken metaphorically, for whatſoeuer both declare his Will, and procéed from the ſame, as his Precepts, Counſels, and Lawes, which the Apoſtle calleth the Good will of God: Romans 12. 2. and this Will is called the Reuealed Will of God: becauſe it is reuealed vntounto vsus by his Word: Of this Will wee reade, Pſal. 103. 21. Praiſe the Lord, all yee his ſeruants which doe his will: that is, his Commandements: this is the Will which wee pray may bee done.
So that in this Petition, we deſire theſe three things.
Firſt, to deny our ſelues and ourThy Will. owne wils, and to doe the will of God, and to ſubmit our wils to Gods will, as well in aduerſity, as proſperity.
Secondly, to doe it without delay,In earth. while wee are vponupon the face of the earth breathing.
Thirdly, to do it as the Angels doeAs in heauen. it in heauen; that is, zeaiouſly, readyly, carefully, and ſincerely. The Cherubins hauehave ſixe wings: two to couer themſelues from the face of the Lord; two to couer their feete from men; and two to fly withall, and to doe the will of their Creator, as Pſal. 103. 20. Euen as: Theſe wordsAs it is. doe not here ſignifie equality, but ſimilitude, as ſome imagine, becauſe we cannot doe the will of God ſo p… fectly as the Angels doe: yet, in my iudgement, we ought to ſtriue for perfection, and reſolue perfect obedience to his will.
Theſe therefore faile in the performance of this third Petition.
Firſt, the Papiſt that doth imagine he hath Frée-will to doe that which is good.
Secondly, they that follow their own will, either in life or iudgement.
Thirdly, they that will not with patience ſubmit their wils to Gods will in aduerſity.
Fourthly, they that poſt off their obedience till their death-bed, and refuſe to giuegive their whole life to the doing of Gods will on earth.
Fiftly, they that are contented with imperfect obedience, taking men, and not Angels, for their example.
Sixtly, they that are luke-warme in the ſeruice of God, and not zealous.
Seuenthly, they that ſeeme to doe Gods will, and doe it to bee ſeene of men, as Hypocrites, and doe it not ſincerely.
Thus much concerning the third Petition.
The fourth Petition: GiueGive vsus this The fourth Petition.day our daily bread.
GiueGive: Wee are taught from henceGiueGive. to ſéek our food and maintenance from God▪ for hee is Lord and giuer of all good things.
Ob. The rich man, that hath plenty,Ob. néedeth not to call vponupon God in this Petition.
Anſ. Anſw. Rich men, if they want Gods bleſſing, they hauehave nothing, but want (in effect) all. Rich men therefore dayly muſt hauehave this word (GiueGive) in their mouthes, notwithſtanding their abundance, and that for theſe two cauſes.
Firſt, that God would preſerue that which they hauehave: for many of rich doe ſoone become poore, by fire, water, théeues, &c.
Secondly, that God would bleſſe it vntounto them: for a chip, yea a ſtone will nouriſh life as well as bread, if Gods bleſſing bee not vponupon it: therefore duplicate page duplicate page it is called the Staffe of Bread: Eſay 3. 1. Take away a Staffe from an old man, and he falleth; ſo take away Gods bleſſings from the bread, and it is vnprofitable.
This day: The Lord will hauehave vsusThis day. pray for the preſent day, and not for longer time, for theſe thrée cauſes.
Firſt, that hereby wee may bee brought to depend vponupon his continuall prouidence by faith, from day to day: thus hee dealt with Iſrael for Manna, Exod. 16.
Secondly, that we may hereby lay aſide our exceſſiue care and prouiſion, for the things of this life.
Thirdly, that hereby wee may bee brought to ſee the vncertainty of our liues, that wee cannot promiſe to our ſelues ſo much as to morrow, as wee may read in Iam. 4. 14. To day therefore we begge our dayly bread, to morrow (it may be) we ſhall hauehave no néed of this Petition.
Our: Though this bread bee theOur. Lords gift, yet for theſe two cauſes it is called Our.
Firſt, to ſhew vntounto vsus, that in Chriſt wee hauehave right and intereſt in the good creatures of God, as in the 1. Corinth. 3. 22. Yee are Chriſts, and all things are yours. God hath giuen vsus Chriſt, and in him all things; they are but vſurpers that receiue them out of Chriſt.
Secondly, to ſhew that that bread is onelyonly Our, which we obtaine from God, by diligent paines in a lawfull vocation.
Daily: Becauſe our liues cannotDayly. continue, without a dayly ſupply of theſe neceſſaries, as by commen experience we doe finde.
Bread▪ By bread is meant here (byBread. the figure Synecdoche) all things neceſſary for this …p…a… life, as meat, drinke, cloth, peace, liberty, &c. ſo it is taken in Geneſis: Thou ſhalt …eate thy bread with the ſweate of thy browes: that is, thou ſhalt get thy liuing by labour and the ſweate of the browes.
So that in this Petition we deſire theſe three things.
Firſt, that God would in Chriſt vouchſafe vsus all things neceſſary for the maintenance of this mortall life.
Secondly, that Hee would bleſſe our paines and labours in our vocations to this end and purpoſe.
Thirdly, that he would giuegive them vntounto vsus at ſuch times, and ſo often as natures neceſſity requireth, which is dayly and hourely.
Theſe therefore faile in the performance of this fourth Petition.
Firſt, they that attribute to the creature vertue of refreſhing, which commeth méerely from the bleſſing of the Creator.
Secondly, that diſtruſtfully hoord vp for time to come: as the foole, Luk. 12. 19. Soule, take thy reſt, for thou haſt goods layd vp for many yeeres.
Thirdly, they that eate not their owne bread, as Vſurers, Theeues, Cheaters, Deceiuers, Lyers, &c.
Fourthly, that idly ſpend their dayes without paines and labour in a lawfull Vocation.
Fiftly, that pray for ſuperfluous things, and for whatſoeuer is more then neceſſary.
Sixtly, that depend not vponupon Gods Prouidence, euen for the leaſt things, as a morſell of bread.
Seuenthly, that are couetous, and not contented with that which they hauehave more or leſſe. If we hauehave wherewith to bee cloathed and fed, in the feare of God, let vsus therewith be content.
Thus much concerning the fourth Petition.
The fifth Petition: And forgiue The f…h P… …e ….vsus our treſpaſſes, as wee forgiue them that treſpaſſe againſt vsus.
Our ſinnes are called debts in the Goſpell of Luke 11. 4. in regard of the reſemblance betwéen them; for as a debt doth bind a man either to make ſatiſfaction, or elſe goe to priſon; ſo our ſinnes bind vsus, either to ſatiſfie Gods Iuſtice, or elſe to ſuffer eternall damnation.
And becauſe wee cannot, of our ſelues, ſatiſfie the one, nor willingly would in our ſelues ſuffer the other, in Chriſt therefore wee ſue to the Lord for the forgiueneſſe of them.
And vnderunder this forgiueneſſe of ſinnes are vnderſtood theſe benefits, as Iuſtification, Sanctification, Redemption and Glorification.
Againe, by ſinne, heere is notOur ſinne meant the guilt only, but the puniſhment alſo due to vsus for the ſame.
As we forgiue, &c. Theſe wordsAs we forgiue. are not (as Papiſts imagine) the cauſe why God ſhould forgiue vsus; becauſe we forgiue others, but a ſigne that God will forgue vsus.
Therefore theſe words (as we forgiue, are added for theſe two cauſes.
Firſt, for our inſtruction, to teach… vsus, that God requireth this at our hands, that we ſhould forgiue, as we would be forgiuen; that we ſhould be mer…full, as hee is mercifull, you know how he was ſer…d, that hauing his debt forgiuen him, would… not forgiue his brother.
Secondly, for our comfort, …o giuegive… vsus to vnderſtand, that if wee, which bee ſinfull men, can remit wrongs and iniuries done againſt vsus, much more will our heauenly FATHER (whoſe mercy is aboue al his works) forgiue his ſeruants, when, in true repentance they ſhall turne vntounto him: O, he is very ready to forgiue!
And in forgiuing our brethren, we are to knowe, that wee may forgiue the iniury done againſt vsus, but not the ſinne therein done againſt God: God only forgiueth ſinnes: Hee that ſtealeth, offendeth the Law▪ the iniury is done againſt him from whom hee ſtealeth, but the ſinne againſt Gods Law: Thou ſhalt not ſteale: hee may forgiue the iniury, but God onelyonly muſt the ſinne.
So that in this Petition we deſire theſe three things.
Firſt, vponupon our confeſſion and true humiliation for ſinne, that it would pleaſe the LORD not to lay to our charge, either the guilt or puniſhment of our ſinnes, but in the righteouſnes▪ and in-vtterable paſſion of IESVS. CHRIST, hee would raze them out of the booke of his memory, and ſaue our ſoules aliue.
Secondly, that by the infallible teſtimony of his good Spirit, and by a reſ…lute perſwaſion of faith, hee … …ure our conſciences of the fr…m, and ſeale vsus …to the day of Redemption, Epheſ. 4. 30.
Thirdly, ſeeing God requireth the like forgiueneſſe at our hands towards our brethren, wee further entreate his grace▪ that we may as hear…y forgiue iniuries done againſt vsus, as we deſire forgiueneſſe of our own … at the hands of God.
Th…ſe therfore faile in the performance of this fifth Petition.
…e here…ll Nouatians are… … who deny forgiueneſſe of … after Baptiſme.
… the Church of Rome ……ounded, that auer… …th remit the fault, … …ment; a doctrine … …table, and diue… ▪
Thirdly, the Cathariſts are heere alſo confuted, who thinke they can be without ſinne in this life.
Fourthly, they that confeſſe not their ſinnes, and grieue not for their corruptions.
Fiftly, that runne (by wilfull diſobedience) dayly vponupon Gods ſcore, and hauehave neuer care to come out of his debt.
Sixtly, that endeuour not to kéepe a cléere conſcience towards God and men.
Seuenthly, that labour not for the peace of conſcience, that the world can neither giuegive nor take away.
Eightly, that are ſo maliciouſly bent againſt their brethren, that by no meanes can be brought to forgiue them: theſe men are ſo farre from forgiueneſſe at the hands of God, as (in effect) they pray that hee would neuer forgiue them; a matter moſt fearefull, and much to be lamented.
Thus much concerning the fifth Petition.
The ſixth Petition: And leade vsus The ſixth Petition.… into temptation: But deliuer vsus from euill.
Leade vsus not: to be led into temptation,…ead… vsus no… ▪ is to be ouercome of temptation, and enſ…ared therewith, as a … is taken in the net: CHRIST was t…pled, but not led into temp….
… to lead vsus into temp… …o reſpects.
…
… in his … …trument of … wrath.
Into temptation: Temptation in… ▪ … Scriptures is taken two manner of wayes.
Firſt, for that temptation where▪ with the Lord doth proue and trye thoſe that are his, of which … ſpeaketh: … …0. Feare not for God is co… to proue …on: that is▪ … wil …bey His Pre…nts, … … 19.
Againe, Pſa. 66. 10. Thou, O God, haſt proued, thou haſt tryed vsus euen as ſiluer is tryed. Gods tryals alway tend to his owne glory, and the good of his children.
Secondly, it is taken (and that more generally) for that temptation wherewith the Diuell doth aſſault men▪ and this is any inticement of the Soule, or heart (either by the corruption of mans nature, the allurements of the world, or the ſuggeſtion of the diuell) to any ſinne.
And in this ſence, God is ſaid not to tempt any man, Iam 13.
The Fathers define temptation to be a corrupt affection, tending, or enticing to euill: and to imagine this to come néere God, it is horrible blaſphemy.
The matter of temptation is in vsus▪ euen our owne concupiſcence; the Diuell néedeth but to bring his bellowes to this …ire, and it is forthwith kindled.
But deliuer vsus from euill: By euillPut … … is not heere meant temptation (for temptations are many times profitable) but by euill is meant the ſinne to which we ſhall be tempted by the diuell, the world, and our owne concupiſcence, which is of it ſelfe ſimply euill.
Lead vsus not into, &c. that is, though thou ſuffereſt vsus to be tempted, yet ſuffer vsus not to be led away and ouercome of temptations, but deliuer vsus from whatſoeuer euill we ſhall at any time be tempted to.
So that in this ſixt and laſt Petition we deſire 3. things.
Firſt, wee craue for grace at the hands of GOD, whereby wee may withſtand ſinne, and repell the power of temptations, and not be ſwallowed vp of them.
Secondly, wee craue that by the… power of Gods all-ſufficient grace, when ſinne aſſaulteth vsus, we may not be ouer-come of it, but ouer-come it, and be deliuered from the power and ſlauery of it.
Thirdly, ſeeing ſinne many times… is more powerfull ouer vsus, then grace in vsus, wee deſire that it may not take rooting in vsus, to reigne in our mortall bodies, but ſpeedily wee may be recouered and deliuered from it.
Theſe therefore faile in the performance of this Petition.
Firſt, all that imagine God to bee the author of ſinne▪ GOD is the permitter, but not the Author; God is the Author of eueryevery action, but not the Author of the euill inherent.
Secondly, thoſe that deſire abſolutely to bee freed from all temptations: for it is not ſaid, Let me not be tempted, but, Lead me not into temptation; for alas! this is the greateſt temptation of all, not to bee tempted at all.
Thirdly, thoſe that preſumptuouſly… thinke, that of themſelues they are able to withſtand temptations, and of their owne power.
Fourthly, thoſe that are careleſſe, and reſpect not whether they ouercome, or be ouercome of temptation; that are as ready to yeeld to temptation, as the Diuel and the fleſh are ready to tempt them.
Fiftly, thoſe that liue and lie in ſin,… and ſéek not to be deliuered from this their damnable eſtate.
Sixthly, thoſe that flie not the appearance… of euill, that preuent …ot the beginnings of ſinne, and eſchew not the company of traders in iniquity.
Thus much concerning the ſixth and laſt Petition.
The third and laſt part of thisThe third part. The concluſion. Prayer, is the Concluſion, in theſe words ſet downe: For thine is the Kingdome, the Power, and the Glory, for euer and euer. Amen
For thine is the Kingdome.…
The Kingdome is ſaid to bee the Lords for theſe two cauſes.
Firſt, becauſe hee is owner of all… things that are▪
Secondly, becauſe hee hath ſoueraigne… rule ouer all things at his wil.
The Power: All power is of God,… and from God that we hauehave.
And Glory: All glory is due to theAnd Glory. Lord our God.
Firſt, the reaſon why wee pray to… God, is, becauſe whatſoeuer wee hauehave, we hauehave it from God, for he is King and Lord ouer all: and whatſoeuer ſtrength of grace wee hauehave, wee hauehave it from God, the fountaine and giuer of all grace.
Secondly, the reaſon why wee would hauehave our prayers granted, is, that Gods Kingdome, Power, and Glory, may be aduanced, becauſe the Kingdome and Power is the Lords▪ to him we pray▪ and becauſe all glory appertaineth to him, wee returne to him thankſgiuing, and the glory of al: ſaying with the Pſalmiſt: Not to vsus, P… …1 5…O Lord, not vntounto vsus, but vntounto thy name giuegive the glory.
Theſe therefore faile in the right knowledge of this concluſion.
Firſt, that deny the generall gouernment and prouidence of God, thinking all things come by for… or chance.
Secondly, that deny h… … tency,… and that all power and ſtrength do come only from God, and that reſt vponupon their abilities for any thing.
Thirdly, that take to themſelues,… or giuegive to any other, glory and honour which onelyonly are due vntounto the Lord.
Amen: This laſt word is takenAmen. two wayes.
Firſt, for a witneſſe of our faith, and then the acceptance of this word is, It ſhall be ſo: we beléeue that the Lord in his good time will grant our requeſts.
Secondly, for a teſtification of our feruent deſires, and then the acceptance of this word is, So be it: wee deſire the Lord to grant our Petitions made vntounto him.
In the firſt acceptance wee are admoniſhed to pray Faithfully; in the ſecond we are admoniſhed to pray Feruently: which two (Faithfully and Feruently) are the principall things to be obſerued in prayer.
And this word is as well to be ſpoken of the Miniſter as the people, though, for the moſt part, the Miniſter putteth it off to the people.
Theſe therefore fayle in the right vſe of this word.
Firſt, that offer vp prayers to God, and are not perſwaded in their hearts that the Lord will heare them and helpe them; theſe finde ſmall comfort in their prayers.
Secondly, that pray luke-warmely and coldly, their tongue walking, and their hearts without feeling; that are not earneſt with the Lord, and that end them not vp with grones that can not be expreſſed.
Three Prayers neuer ſpeede for a bleſſing.
Firſt, T…mid…, a Fearfull Prayer: when we beleeue not that we ſhall be heard.
Secondly, T…pid…, a Luke-warme Prayer, when we pray in deadneſſe of heart, and drowſineſſe of minde, without feruency of Spirit.
Thirdly, … a raſh Prayer. when wee pray either without wiſedome, or due conſideration.
Three prayers ſpeede for a bleſſing.
Firſt, Fidelis, a Faithfull Prayer: …when wee are perſwaded that in Chriſt, the Lord will grant all good things vntounto vsus.
Secondly, Humilis, an Humble Prayer: when wee (conſidering the greatneſſe of Gods Maieſty, and our owne baſeneſſe and vnworthineſſe) in all humility and lowlineſſe call vponupon his name.
Thirdly, Feruens, a Feruent Prayer, when we powre out our hearts before God, when wee pray with zeale and entire deuotion of the ſoule.
Thus much concerning the concluſion of the Lords Prayer
THe Lord of infinite mercy and of endleſſe conſolation, guide our hear…, and direct our Spirits, by the … direction of his good Spirit, in all … prayers, and in all other our Chri… du…s, that we may in them all …iue him …rue ſeruice, and anſwerable obedience, and ſo follow him faithfully and obediently in grace in this world, that wee may be admitted to ſing Halleluiah to his Maieſty for euermore in the world to come, and that for Chriſt Ieſus his ſake, who is our onelyonly Lord and Sauiour: To whom with the Father and the bleſſed Spirit, three glorious Perſons, but one and the ſelf-ſame Eſſentiall God, we offer vp, from the bottome of our hearts, all poſſible Power, Honour, Dominion, and Thankſgiuing for euer, and euer: Amen.
FINIS.
THE RACE CELESTIALL.
OR, A ſpeedie Courſe to Saluation.
The Fift Impreſsion.
1. Cor. 9. 24.
So runne, that yee may obtaine.
LONDON, Printed by George Purſlowe, and are to be ſold by Iohn Cl…, 1…0.