Christs Prayer Expounded, Dialogue
The Speakers.
Euchedidaſcalus a teacher of praier.
Phileuches a louer of praier.
Euch.
PHileuches amongſt manie Sermons which I hauehave preached vntounto you, you hauehave heard me expound the Lordes prayer; are you bound to giuegive accompt of that you hauehave heard?
Phil.
Sir doubtleſſe I am, for the Apoſtle Peter teacheth me that I muſt be alwaies ready to giuegive an anſwer to eueryevery one that aſketh mée a reaſon of the hope that is in me with meekeneſſe and reuerence.a1. Pet. 3.15
Euch.
Repeate then the Lordes prayer.
Phil.
Our Father which art in heauen hallowed be thy name: thy kingdome come: thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen: GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread: and forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes, as we forgiue them that treſpas againſt vsus: and lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill: For thine is the kingdome, the power, and the glory for euer and euer, amen.
Euch.
Why is this praier called the Lords praier?
Phil.
1. Becauſe Chriſt Ieſus our Lord ſet downe the ſame bMath. 6.9..
2. Becauſe we cannot pray vnles Chriſt teach vsuscLuk. 11.1..
Euch.
How many partes hath this praier?
Phil.
Fowre. 1. a preface.
2. Petitions.
3. a reaſon.
4. a Seale.
Euch.
Which is the Preface?
Phil.
Our father which art in heauen.Our Father which art in heauē, where God is deſcribed by two ſuch properties, as wée muſt hauehave in our minds when wee pray vntounto him, as 1. That he is our louing Father.dEſa. 63.16
2. That he is our almighty God in heauen eVerſ. 15..
Euch.
Do you here pray to the Father onelyonly?
Phil.
No, but to the whole trinity, yet as the firſt perſon is the fountaine of the deity, wee pray to the father, by the ſonne, through the holy ghoſt.
Euch.
What doth this word Father teach you?
Phil.
1. That I muſt not call vponupon him as my Iudge but my father fLu. 15.18.
2. that in Chriſt I am his ſonnegGal. 3.26.
3. That hee will denie mee nothing conuenient hMat. 7.7·.
4. That I may boldly come vntounto him ipſal. 50.1….
5. That none can pray vntounto him but his children.kVerſ. 16..
6. That I muſt euer behaue my ſelfe as gods childe lEph. 5.8..
7. That I muſt pray only to GodmMat. 4.10.
8. And laſtly that I muſt come vntounto him by Chriſt.nIoh. 14.13.
Euch.
Why doe you ſay our Father and not my father?
Phil.
To teach me, 1. that I muſt hold ech member of the church as my brethren.ogen. 13.8.
2. That I muſt pray aſwell for others as my ſelfepIam 5 16.
3. that I muſt louelove almen as brethren.q1. Ioh. 4.21.
4. The dignity of each Chriſtian hauing God to his father.r1. Sam. 18.2….
5. Gods louelove to mée in making mée his child ſ1. Ioh. 3.1..
Euch.
Why ſaie you that God is in Heauen?
Phil.
Becauſe there he ſheweth him ſelfe chiefely to the ſaints tEccle. 21.24, and from thence hee manifeſteth himſelfe to man.uPſal. 57.3.
Euch.
Is not God eueryevery where?
Phil.
Yes, for his eſſence is eueryevery where,xprou. 5.21 and he filleth both heauen and earth.yEph. 4.10.
Euch.
How many heauens are there?
Phil.
Three. 1. The ayre in which we breathzGen. 1.26. 2. the ſkie in which are the ſtarresaDeu. 1.10. 3. the heauen of heauens in which Chriſt, the Angels & Saints departed, areb1. kin. 8.27.
Euch.
What learne you by this that God is in heauen?
Phil.
1. That he is therefore able to graunt my requeſtsc1. kin. 8.30
2. That I may pray with confidence vntounto himdpſal. 123.1.
3. That in prayer my heart muſt be in heauene1. king. 8.48. pſ. 25.1..
4. That I muſt vſe all reuerence in praierfEccl. 5.1.2.
5. That one day I ſhall come to heauengphil. 3.21..
6. That I muſt looke for all graces from heauenhIer. 1.17..
7. That by pilgrimages I néed not ſéeke to God.ipſal. 145.18.
Euch.
How many petitions are there in the Lords praier?
Phil.
Sixe, whereof the firſt thrée concerne God, the other concerne our ſelues: and of the laſt thrée, one onelyonly is for things corporall, the other two are for thinges ſpirituall, 1. Pet. 1.3.
Euch.
What learne you out of this order?
I learne 1. Gods great fauour to me, who will admitte me to aſke for my ſelfe.
2. His great louelove, that he will heare me aſking for others.
3. My duety that I muſt deſire eſpecially Gods glory.
4. That I muſt oftner craue things ſpirituall then corporall.
Euch.
Which is the firſt petition?Hallowed be thy name.
Phil.
Hallowed be thy name.
Euch.
Why is this ſet in the firſt place?
Phil.
1 Becauſe it is firſt in the intent of the god, who made all for his owne glory.kpro. 15.3.
2. Becauſe it is firſt in the intent of the godly, who doe all ſo Gods glory.lIoh. 15.8
Euch.
What is the vſe of this order?
Phil.
That whether wee eate, or drinke, or whatſoeuer we do elſe, wée may doe al to the glory of GOD. 1. Cor. 10.31.
Euch.
What meane you by theſe words, Hallowed be thy name?
Phil.
By Gods name I vnderſtand his titles as God, Chriſt, Lord, and ſuch like, his properties as his Iuſtice, Mercy, Prouidence and ſuch like, his word, as the Scriptures read and preached, his Sacraments, as Baptiſme and the Lords ſupper, his Workes, as Creation, Preſeruation and the like. And by Hallowing I meane that god in all theſe may hauehave due reuerence done vntounto him of all the people that belong vntounto him.
Euch.
What wantes do you bewaile in this petition?
Phil.
Firſt I bewaile mine owne and others pride of heart, that we labour more for our owne credit then Gods glory.fLuk. 18.11
2. Our hardneſſe of heart that wée cannot as we ought ſee Gods glorye in his creatures.gMar. 6.52
3. Our vnthankfulneſſe that wee praiſe him not as wée ought for his many fauours towardes mankind aboue all other creatures.hpſa▪ 51.15
4. Our impiety that in our liues we diſhonor god.ipſal. 119.136.
Euch.
What then do you pray for in this petition?
Phileuches.
I pray that GOD by mée and all men may bée glorified, in the reuerend ſpeaking of his name, holy meditation of his properties, diligent hearing of his words, often receiuing of the Sacrament, and dayly admiting of his workes: And in a worde that wee may knowe in minde, acknowledge in heart, louelove in trueth, ſpeake with Tongue, do in our actions both naturall, ciuile, and religious, all ſuch things as God may be glorified by.
Euch.
What doe you pray againſt?
Phil.
I pray againſt all ignorance, errour, vanity of minde, infidelity, profanenes, Atheiſme, worldlines, ſecurity and all blaſphemous ſpéeches, falſe dealing, ſcoffing, idolatry, ſuperſtition, ſorcery, ſacriledge, ſimonye, periurie, perſecution, impenitencie, vnreuerend vſing of Gods worde, Sacramentes or workes: and in a word, againſt all ſuch diſorder in mans life, as may any way obſcure the Glory of God.
Euch.
What doe you here giuegive God thankes for?
Phil.
That it hath pleaſed him to glorifie his great name in all the former, and hath giuen mee and many others grace of his méere merciemercy to glorifie his name, in that which before I praied for.
Euch.
Why doe you vſe in this and other petitions this order: Firſt to bewaile. Secondly to pray for. Thirdly to pray againſt, and laſtly to giuegive thankes.
Phi.
Becauſe confeſſion, petition, deprecatiō, and thankes giuing, being the ſpeciall parts of praier, 1 Tim. 2.1. I muſt vnderſtand them all to be in euerie petition, of this abſolute forme of praier.
Euch.
Which is the ſecond petition?
Phil.
Thy kingdome come.Thy kingdom come.
Euch.
Why doth it next follow Hallowed be thy name.kMath. 5.31.
Phil.
1. Becauſe it is the firſt meanes by which Gods name is hallowed.
2. Becauſe next to the hallowing of his name we ought cheifely to pray that Gods Kingdome may come.
Euch.
Why is it ſet before. Thy will be done?
Phil.
Becauſe no man can euer doe Gods will in any thing, till ſuch time as Gods kingdome bée erected in his heart.
Euch.
How proue you this?
Phil.
By theſe reaſons.
1. Becauſe no man can doe Gods wil that is not Gods ſubiect:lIoh. 1.24.
2. No man can kéepe Gods lawe but by Gods grace.mPſal. 119.32.
3. Becauſe without faith we cannot pleaſe God.aHebr. 11.6.
4. Becauſe the end of the commandement is LoueLove out of a pure heart, good conſcience, and faith vnfained.b1 Tim. 1.5.
Euch.
But may not a bad man doe that which is good?
Phil.
Hée may doe that which is good in it ſelfe, but becauſe hée is out of Chriſt, cIoh. 15.5or béeing in Chriſt doeth it to a bad end, it ſhall not bée good to him.d1. Cor. 13 3. So to giuegive almes is a good thing, but if our perſons bée not iuſtified béefore God, and this action be not to the glorie of God, it will neuer proue good to vsus.
Euch.
Howe many ſortes of kingdomes are there?
Phil.
3. The kingdome of Satan, The kingdomes of men, and the kingdome of God.eEph. 6.12
Euch.
What is the kingdome of God?
Phil.
It is that ſpirituall rule, which God through Chriſt doeth by grace béeginne in vsus in this life, and by glorie will accompliſh in the life to come.fDan. 2.37. g math. 25.37 6.31. Rom. 14.17.
Euch.
Howe many things may wée obſerue in this kingdome?
Phil.
Twelue.
1. That Chriſt is king.
2. The ſubiects are Chriſtians.
3. The lawes are the word.
4. The enemies are ſatan, ſin, death, hell, damnation, the fleſh, & the wicked.
5. The rewards are the good things of this life, and eternall happineſſe in the life to come.
6. The Chaſticementes are afflictions.
7. The weapons are faith, hope, louelove, the word, and praier.
8. The time of it, is to the worldes end.
9. The place is this world and the world to come.
10. The officers are preachers.
11. The vice-gerents are gouernors.
12. It is exerciſed vponupon the conſcience of man.
Euch.
How is the kingdome of God ſaid to come?
Phil.
1. When it is erected where it was not before:
2. When it is increaſed where it was.
3. When it is repaired from former decaies.
4. When it is perfected and fully accompliſhed.
Euch.
What are the wants you doe here bewaile?
Phil.
1. I bewaile mine owne and others bondage vntounto ſin; that the beſt of vsus do but weakely yeeld to Chriſt ſcepter.
2. I bewaile the want of the word and Sacraments, by which this kingdome is erected in mens hearts.
3. I bewaile that there be ſo many hinderers of this Kingdome, as namely, the fleſh to infect, the world to allure, the deuill to ſeduce, Antichriſt to with-drawe, the Turke to withſtand, and the wicked to trouble men, that ſhould bee ſubiectes of this Kingdome.
Euch.
What doe you praie for in this petition?
Phil.
1. For Godly Magiſtrates, that they may erect, eſtabliſh, and repaire this Kingdome.
2. For Godly Miniſters, that by life & Doctrine they may bring many Subiectes to this Kingdome.
3. That both Magiſtrates and Miniſters may bée preſerued for the good of this Kingdome.
4. That by politicke Lawes, and powerfull Preaching, abuſes may bée reformed, and they without, conuerted to liue in this Kingdome, conſiſting in righteouſneſſe, peace, and ioye in the holie Ghoſt.aRom. 14.15.
5. That in mine and many others hearts, this Kingdome may bée erected, that wée may growe in grace and in the ſauing knowledge of Chriſt Ieſus.
6. That both by the hower of death, and by ye comming of Chriſt to Iudgment, this Kingdome in me all and Godes choſen may be accompliſhed.
Euch.
What doe you here praie againſt?
Phil.
I praie againſt all thinges that doe, or may hinder this kingdome, as, want of gouernors, bloudy Lawes tolleration of Idolatrie, idle and euil Miniſters, falſe and erronious doctrine, infidelitie, impenitencie, all raigning ſinnes both in me and others and laſtly againſt all wicked both men and angels or whatſoeuer may hinder the kingdome of Chriſt.
Euch.
What doe you giuegive thanks for.
Phil.
I giuegive thankes for all Godly gouernours, good Lawes, painefull preachers, ſound doctrine, and that meaſure of grace, which is beſtowed on me & many others, & that God ſuffereth not Satan to take away gouernement, to enact euil lawes, to ſet vp euil miniſters, but that both I and others liuing in the Church, may yéeld obedience to Chriſts ſcepter, and doe grow vp in the graces of Gods ſpirit.
Euch.
Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen.Which is the third petition?
Phil.
Thy wil be done in earth as it is in heauen.
Euch.
Why doeth this follow? Thy kingdom come.
Phil.
To teach me firſt to trie my ſelfe, & ſecōdly to iudge of others whether as yet we be in the ſtate of grace or not; for as many as truly be in Gods kingdōe cānot but immediatly do gods wil, for obedience to gods wil is an effectual ſigne that the kingdō of God is in vsus.a1. Ioh. 3.3.
Euch.
But what if you ſée that men …o not Gods wil may you ſay that ſuch are not in the ſtate of grace?
Phil.
That ſuch perſōs as yet are not in ye ſtate of grace I may ſay, for as fire is known by heat, the ſun by light, a trée by fruite, ſo is faith knowen by workes. Shew me thy faith by thy works. ſaith S. Iames Yet muſt I leaue ſuch to God, and pray for their conuerſion in their due time.
Euch.
What muſt you iudge of an hypocrite who ſeemeth to do Gods will?b1. Chro. 28.11.
Phil.
I muſt iuge of ſuch a one that he is in ye ſtate of grace, till ſuch time as he manifeſt his hypocriſie, for that ſin being inward, except it be by ſpecial reuelation, is onelyonly knowen to God, & I muſt iudge of each trée by the fruits.cmath. 7.20.
Euch.
What doe you here meane by Gods will?
Ph.
bDeut. 29.29.Gods will is either ſecret or reueled, his ſecret wil is known only to himſelf, as who are elect, who reprobates, & when ye day of iudgement ſhalbe; his reueled wil is ſet down in ye booke of god,cThe ſame verſe. & in ſuch works as dayly, god doth diſcouer to man.
Euch.
What is it to doe Gods will?
Phil.
The reuealed will of God is done by voluntary f1. Theſ. 5.3.obeying or patient ſuffering that which God commaundeth gMath. 26.39.The ſecret will is done of vsus by praying that Chriſt Ieſus may come to Iudgement, hCol. 22.20.that Antichriſt may more and more bee reuealed, and that wee may patiently beare all future afflictions.
Euch.
What meane you by Earth and heauen in this petition?
Phil.
I doe not meane by Earth my bodie, and Heauen my ſoule, as Tertullian thought; nor by earth earthly men, and heauen heauenly men as others thought, but in theſe words I praie that as the angelles in heauen are readie to doe Gods will ſo men on earth may be ready to doe it.
Euch.
Howe doe Angells the will of God?
Phil.
They doe it chearefully without murmuring, ſpéedily without delaying, generally without omitting, ſincerely without diſſembling, conſtantly without forbearing, and perfectly without halting.
Euch.
But is it poſſible for man to doe perfectly Gods wil?
Phil.
It will be poſſible in the life to come, it is impoſſible whileſt we liue in this world; for the good which was would doe we do not, and the euill that we would not, that doe we. Rom. 7.
Euch.
How many kindes then of perfections are there?
Phil.
There is firſt a perfection of ſincerity which was in Hezekias obedience aEſay. 38.3. Secondly a perfection of all partes which was in Zacharie and Elizabeths obedience bLuk. 1.6.: Thirdly a perfection of degrees which was onelyonly in the firſt, and ſecond Adam, and is now only in the holy Angels, who only can perfectly obeie Gods will.
Euch.
If this obedience be impoſſible to be performed, why then doe we pray for it?
Phil.
Becauſe I muſt with Paul ſtriue for this perfection,cphil. 3. and pray vntounto GOD,d1. Theſ. 5 25. that I may come to this perfection, without whoſe will I ſhall neuer bée able to doe his will. Ioh. 15.5.
Euch.
What wants doe you heere bewaile?
Phil.
1. I bewaile mine owne and others rebellious natures, in that we are as prone to receiue ſin as a match or tinder is to receiue fire.
2. I bewaile the ſinnes of the world, as ignorance, ſchiſmes, hypocriſie, pride, ambition, couetouſneſſe, and all contempt and all diſobedience to the word of God.
3. Our impacience, that when God layeth any croſſes vponupon vsus we cannot as wee ought endure them patiently.
4. Our ſlacke and imperfect obedience yea priuie pride, proud preſumption, deadnes of ſpirit, ſecret hypocriſie, and all other weaknes which breaketh either in or out vponupon vsus, in our beſt ſeruice to our heauenlye Father.
Euch.
What things doe you pray for in this petition?
Phil.
1. I pray that I and all people may in true humiliation, and hatred of ſinne be conuerted to GOD, by putting off the old man and putting on the new, that wee may obey his commaundements in our generall and particular callings, and in all afflictions ſubmit our ſelues to the wil of god.
2. That with a ſpeedy reſolution, a willing minde, chearefull heart, and cō ſtant purpoſe wee may euer doe that which we are commanded.
Euch.
What things do you pray againſt in this petition?
Phil.
I pray againſt all impiety towardes God, vnrighteouſneſſe towards man, and diſobedience in my ſelfe. In a word againſt all rebellious withſtanding Gods reuealed wil, vnfaithfulneſſe in mens callings, all diſcontented murmuring at Gods doeings, and all either backwardneſſe or wearines in the ſeruice of God, and …aſtly againſt all hypocriſie which is contrary to an honeſt and a ſincere heart.
Euch.
What things doe you héere thanke God for?
Phil.
1. Here I bleſſe God for mine owne and others conuerſion.
2. For our obedience to Gods will.
3. For our pacience in all trialls.
4. That with ſome chearefulneſſe we may ſerue god.
5. That our ſeruice is not full of hypocriſie: and that profanenes, vnrighteouſnes, diſobedience, rebellion, vnthankfulnes, murmuring, diſcontentement, backwardnes, wearines, and hypocriſie are ſo mortified in vsus, that in ſome weake meaſure wee deſire to pleaſe God.
Euch.
Why are theſe thrée petitions in the firſt place?
Phil.
Becauſe when we do beginne to aduance Gods glory, ſet vp Gods kingdome, and do Gods will, then our dayly bread, the forgiuenes of ſinnes, and al other bleſſings will be giuen vntounto vsus. As on the contrary, if we diſhonor God, hinder his kingdome, and do our own willes, we cannot looke for any bleſſing of this or a better life: for godlines onelyonly hath a promiſe of this life and the life to come. 1. Tim. 6.6.
Euch.
Hauing ſpoken thus much of the thrée, firſt petitions, wee are nowe come to the latter three, how do you deuide thoſe three laſt petitions?
Phil.
One of them is for things concerning mans body, the other two are concerning his ſoule.
Euch.
But why are you here taught to pray for things corporall, and after to pray for things ſpirituall? doth not this croſſe that commaundement of Chriſt? Seeke firſt the kingdome of God. Math. 6.32.
Phil.
No, it doth not: but by this order I am taught. 1. To ſée the corruption of mans nature, which ought in the firſt place to ſéeke thinges ſpirituall, but becauſe we liue rather by ſenſe then faith, wee doe principally deſire things corporall.
Secondly, I am taught Chriſts merciemercy vntounto man, in that by this order hee deſcendeth to our infirmity, who rather depend vponupon him for the pardon of our ſinnes, then we can truſt him for our prouiſion in this life, which argueth that wee are of little faith.
Thirdly I am taught by this to depend vpō him for the forgiuenes of my ſinnes, for when I ſee that he is heere ſo careful for my bodie, he will doubtles be more careful to prouide for my ſoule Rom. 8.32
Euch.
What vſe can you make of this order?
Phil.
1. That I muſt principally ſeeke the good of my ſoule, which will bring all goodneſſe and goods to my body.amat. 16.26 Pſal 4.6.
2. That I muſt hauehave care alſo of my body, for the preſeruation whereof God hath prouided foode, apparell, phiſicke and other meanes.b1. Tim. 5.23
3. That from the bleſſings on my body, I muſt aſcend by degrees to bee perſwaded for my ſoule, that he who is ſo prouident for the one, will be much more prouident for the other.cEccl. 11.30.31.
4. I muſt acknowledge mine owne corruption, that I am ſo carefull for earthly things.dmath. 6.
5. I ſee that I may vſe gods creatures, in that he will hauehave me to praye for them.
6. I muſt acknowledge the mercy of god to me, in that he yeeldeth ſo much to mine infirmity, as to permit mee to aſke theſe corporall things, before ſuch things as are ſpiritual, and of greateſt good for the ſaluation of my ſoule.
Euch.
Which is the fourth petition and the firſt of the three latter?giuegive vsus this day our daily bread.
Phil.
GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread.
Euch.
Do you not by bread here vnderſtand Chriſt Ieſus the foode of the ſoule?
Phil.
Indeede many auncient Fathers and ſome of our Engliſh Proteſtant writers hauehave ſo vnderſtood this petition, and I am bound to pray that God will euer giuegive me this Bread. Ioh 6. But I am taught that this Bread is not meant here.
Euch.
By what reaſons are you taught the contrary?
Phil.
1. Becauſe I pray for ſuch things in the ſecond petition going before.
2. Becauſe temporall things beeing to be praied for, they can hauehave no fitter place to bee deſired then in this.
3. Seeing this prayer is a rule of all our prayers, wee muſt in ſome one petition craue things temporall of God.
4. Many auncient and the moſt new writers thinke ſo:
Euch.
What then do you meane by Bread?
Phil.
I meane properly that kinde of ſuſtenance which we cal Bakers bread, but figuratiuely all things which are or may be for the good of my bodie, and this naturall life, as ſtrength by nouriſhment, health by phiſick, warmth by apparell, ſufficiency by labour, and the bleſſing of God in the vſe of all theſe & ſuch like.
Euch.
Why doe you aſke all theſe thinges vnderunder the name of bread?
Phil.
Firſt becauſe bread is abſolutely neceſſary for mans life.
2. To teach vsus frugality in vſing Gods creatures.
3. To make vsus content with whatſoeuer God ſendeth.
4. To make vsus thankefull if GOD giuegive more then bread.
Euch.
Why do you pray that GOD would giuegive bread?
Phil.
To teach mee that all riches whether of inheritance or by gift, paines, trades, office, ſeruice, wit, mariage, or any other meanes, are the gift of GOD, who onelyonly giueth man power to gette riches. Deutronomie. 8.18.
Euch.
What vſe make you of this, that riches are Gods gift?
Phil.
Theſe vſes I ought to make.
1. To acknowledge that all that I hauehave cometh from God and not by my ſelfe or any other.apro. 10.27.
2. That I muſt not bee proud of them becauſe I hauehave receiued them.bRom. 11.20.
3. To admire Gods fauour who hath made me rich and others poore?c1. Chro. 29.16.
4. To vſe them to the glory of God, & the good both of my ſelfe, and others.dTim. 6.17.
5. If I want ſuch thinges to aſke them of God.eGeni. 29.20.
6. To teach mee to gett my ſubſtance with a good conſcience, that ſo I may ſée they come from God.f1. Sam. 12 6.
7. That I deſpiſe not my poore bretheren who hauehave not ſuch a larges of Gods bleſſings as my ſelfe.gpro. 17.5
8. To be cōtent if god make me poore.hIob. 1.21
Euch.
But what néede hauehave rich men ſo make this prayer? It ſéemeth this is the poore mans pater-noſter.
Phil.
You told mée that there is a twofold title to riches,Iure fori & Iure poli. the one ciuill in the Courts of men: the other religious in the high Court of God. Nowe rich men may hauehave a ciuill title without praieing, but they muſt pray for a religious right to riches, and this is onelyonly as they are the ſonnes of God. Without this title, before God they are vſurpers & cannot ſay that their riches are their owne.
Euch.
Why then, good rich men néed not to pray thus, for they hauehave a religious title to riches.
Phil.
It is true indéede; yet becauſe it is one thinge to hauehave riches, and another thinge to hauehave a bleſſing vppon riches, they muſt pray that as God hath giuen vntounto them riches ſo thoſe riches may in vſe bee bleſſed, both to themſelues and alſo to theirs.
Euch.
What then doe you pray for in this word, GiueGive?
Phi.
1. I pray that God would giuegive me a ciuil title to riches.
2. That hée would giuegive me a religious title.
3. That he would giuegive me leaue to vſe them.
4. That hee would giuegive me & mine comfort by them.
Euch.
Why doe you ſaie, GiueGive vsus & not GiueGive me?
Phil.
To teach me. 1. To pray eſpecially for the proſperity of the godly.aPſal. 122.6.
2. To wiſh aſwel to others as my ſelf.b1. Ioh. 4.21.
3. To pitie the poore eſtate of my bretheren.cLuk. 10.33.
4. Not to repine at the eſtate of my betters.dmath. 20.11.
5. Not to contemne ſuch as are in pouertte.ePro. 17.5
Euch.
But what if God giuegive you not riches? what remedies were preſcribed you againſt the deſire of them?
Phil.
1. That God euen in famine doth quicken and reuiue them which feare him. Pſal. 33.18.
2. Godlineſſe is great gaine if the minde of man bée therewith contented. 1. Tim. 6.6.
3. Wee doe looke for eternall life; therfore wée ſhould not care too much for this life.
4. We are ſeruants in our Fathers houſe, therefore he wil beſtowe vponupon vsus things conuenient.
5. Many are ſet aloft and afterward hauehave the greater downefall.
6. Adam not contented with his owne eſtate brought himſelfe & his poſteritie to deſtruction.
7. Wee brought nothing into this world and it is certaine we ſhal carrie nothing out.
Euch.
What doe you meane by This day?This day.
Phil.
By this daie I meane the preſent moment of time, in the which I doe liue and wherein eſpecially I ſtand in néede of things for this life.
Euch.
Why do you not pray that God would giuegive you bread for a wéeke, or a monethmonth or a yeare, but for a day?
Phil.
1. Becauſe each day we néede both bread it ſelfe, and with it the bleſſing of God vponupon bread.aDeu. 8.3.
2. To teach mee to be content with my preſent eſtate, and not to care too much for the time to come.bMath. 6.32.
3. That each day I may ſée Gods ſingular prouidence.
Euch.
Becauſe you praie onelyonly for bread to daie, tell me? Is it not lawfull to pray to be rich?
Phil.
It is very inconuenient, if not vtterly vnlawfull to pray to bee rich, as you taught me in your Sermon vppon this petition
Euch.
By what reaſons was this …oint proued?
Phil.
1. Becauſe riches are ſnares to …ntrappe men.a1. Tim. 6.9.
2. Such a praier argueth diſcontentedneſſe.bpſal. 4.11-12.
3. Couetouſneſſe is a moſt greuious ſinne.cHe. 13.5.
4. Iacob, and Agur in the booke of the prouerbes praied onelyonly for foode and raiment.cpro. 31.7d1. Tim. 6.10.
5. In praying to bee rich it ſéemeth wee are not content to depend vppon God.
6. It is a ſigne of excéeding pride that by riches we would be aboue our brethren.
Euch.
What then muſt you doe in this caſe?
Phil.
I muſt pray neither for riches nor pouertie, but goe on in my calling, with faithfull diligence: and wayting for a bleſſing from the Lord, be thanckfull for whatſoeuer he ſhall ſend.
Euch.
But becauſe you muſt praie for this daies bread, may you not lay vp for the time to come?
Phil.
Yes I may. 1. Ioſeph did for ſeauen yeares to come. The apoſtles did when they heard of a famine by Agabus the Prophet, and Chriſt did in that hée had a purſebearer and commaunded the broken meate to be kept.
2. Wée are ſent by Salomon to the piſmire, who prouideth in ſommer againſt winter.aPro. 6.6.
3. Hée that prouideth not for his familie is worſe then an infidell.b1. Tim. 58.
4. We hauehave precepts of frugalitie and thriftineſſe.cTim. 6.18.
5. Wee muſt get to doe good to others.dpro. 32.
6. God hath giuen man foreſight & prouidence.
7. The good huſwife is commended in the prouerbs who by labour & induſtry inricheth her family.
Euch.
Yet Chriſt ſaith lay not vp treaſure vponupon earth.
Phil.
That is, wee muſt not ſéeke it cheifely, and ſo as to neglect to lay vp treaſure in heauen.
Euch.
What rules muſt you obſerue in kéeping riches?
Phil.
1. That I get them by honeſt labour.
2. That I put no truſt in my riches.
3. That I ſpare not when I ought to ſpend them on others.
4. I muſt not bee a niggard to mine owne ſtate and perſon.
Euch.
What is the vſe of all this?
Phil.
1. It commendeth Chriſtian care and prouidence.
2. It warranteth the poſſeſſion of riches.
3. It condemneth niggardly parſimonie.
4. It confuteth our ſwaggering prodigalls, who with the prodigall ſonne ſo conſume their inheritance, that at laſt, they are brought to a morſell of bread.
5. That each daie I muſt depend on God.
Euch.
What doe you meane by daily bread?Dayly bread.
Phil.
I meane ſuch bread as is fit to nouriſh the ſubſtance of my bodie, and that I may be fed with foode cōuenient.
Euch.
Why doe you pray for dayly bread?
Phil.
Becauſe my body is daylie decaying, and ſo ſtands in néede of dayly repairing, euen as the lampe ſtands in néede of oile.
2. Becauſe no meate can bée added to my ſubſtance vnleſſe God daily giuegive a bleſſing vntounto it, without which I may eate and not bée ſatiſfyed, earne ſiluer & yet put it into a bottomleſſe bagge.aHag. 1.6.
3. To put me in minde that I muſt not tempt God by neglecting of meanes, as they doe who labour not in an honeſt calling, and ſuch as put an angelicall perfection in faſting, or vowing to the world a voluntary pouertie.
4. To condemne ſuch as make an Idole of meanes, and neuer craue a bleſſing from God vponupon the meanes.
Euch.
Our daily bread.How is bread ſaid to bee our bread, & how doe we pray for it?
Phil.
It is ſaid to be ours. 1. As we are in Chriſt.
2. As we get it by honeſt labour.
3. As it is fit for our place & calling.
4. As we hauehave a proper title vntounto it.
Euch.
What vſe make you of this?
Phil.
1. That I muſt labour to be in Chriſt.
2. That I may ſo get riches that I may ſee they are mine.
3. That I may labour to maintaine my eſtate.
4. That community of goods is an Anabaptiſticall fancy.
5. That God would not hauehave all aſke rich.
6. That I muſt impart my goods to the poore.
Euch.
What wants doe you heere bewaile?
Phil.
1. I bewaile mans great couetouſneſſe.
2. Their diſcontentment.
3. Their idleneſſe.
4. Their vnfaithfulnes.
5. Their vnmercifulnes in getting & kéeping of riches.
6. Mine owne and others vnthankfulnes for that portion which God hath allotted vntounto vsus.
Euch.
What things do you here pray for?
Phil.
1. I pray here for all meanes by which I and others may hauehave our dayly bread, as ſeaſonable weather for the fruites of the earth, ſympathie of al creatures that the heauens may heare the earth, the earth the corne and it vsus. For godly magiſtrates for the maintainance of peace, and procuring of plenty. For valiant ſouldiours to defend our land, for painefull huſbandmen and trades men in all callings, for prudent huſwifes, faithful ſeruantes, & that euen our beaſts may be ſtrong to labour.apſ. 144.14
2. I pray for peace in all kingdomes, plenty in our borders, & that the ſtaffe of bread be not taken from vsus.
3. I pray for humility in acknowledging Gods good giftes, and bleſſings to me contentednes in our eſtates, diligence in our callings, faithfulnes in our dealings, prouidence to get, frugality to lay vp, liberality to giuegive out magnificence in doing great workes, thankfulneſſe for our goods, ioye at the good of others, and that God would giuegive vsus all that which is fit for vsus.
Euch.
What doe you here praye againſt?
Phil.
1. I pray againſt vnſeaſonable weather, diſorder of creatures, vngodly lawes, cowardly ſouldiours, and vnfit people for their places and callings.
2. I praye againſt vniuſt warres, cleannes of téeth, and that the ſtaffe of bread may not be taken from vsus.
3. I pray againſt pride in aboundance, diſcontent in want, negligence in mens callings, vnfaithfulnes in dealing, improuidence in getting, parſimony in hoarding, prodigality in ſpending, and vnmercifulnes in not giuing to the poore.
4. In a word I pray againſt all vnthankfulnes for Gods creatures, our much abuſing of ſuch good giftes of God: yea againſt all ſuch ſickneſſes as may hinder vsus from getting our daily bread.
Euc.
what do you here giuegive thanks for?
Phil.
I thanke God here for ſeaſonable times, godly gouernours, abounnance of all thinges, and for all ſuch things as before I praied for. And by name I thanke God that he hath hitherto prouided ſo bountifully for me & others, that we hauehave a ſufficiency for our preſent eſtate, & do ſee his bleſſing in the getting, hauing, & vſing of all his creatures. And that in the ſweat of our browes wee doe eate that bread, duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page duplicate page which by reaſon thereof cannot be called the bread of idlenes.
Euch.
Which are the two laſt petitions?
Phil.
Forgiue vsus &c. Lead vsus not &c.Forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes as we forgiue them that treſpas againſt vsus: And lead vsus not into temptation, but deliuer vsus from euill.
Euch.
What doe you learne out of this order that after our praying for daily bread we ſay, and forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes, and lead vsus not into temptation &c.
Phil.
I do learne here theſe 6. leſſons.
1. By hauing my dayly bread, to lifts vp my minde for ſpirituall bleſſings to God.aluk. 11.13.
2. To ſéeke more earneſtly for the pardon of my ſinnes then I do (though alas I doe not) for my dayly bread.bAct. 2.39.
3. That ſeeing theſe two petitions I make for my ſoule, therefore my care muſt bee double to doe good for my ſoule.c2. pet. 1.10
4. That if is nothing to hauehave my dayly Bread, vnleſſe GOD giuegive vntounto mée the pardon of my ſinnes.dWiſd. 5.8
5. That if God giuegive me my daily bread, I had moſt neede to pray for the forgiueneſſe of my ſinnes, becauſe therein I am moſt ſubiect to ſinne againſt God.c2. Sam. 11 1.
6. That if I want my dayly bread, ſinne is the cauſe that I want it and al bleſſings.fpſal. 107.34.
Euch.
What is contained in theſe two laſt petitions:
Phil.
In the former of them I praye for grace, and in the latter for perſeuerance in grace.
Euch.
How many things are contained in the fift petition, forgiue vsus our treſpaſses. &c.
Phil.
Two things. 1. a prayer in theſe wordes, Forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes.Forgiue vsus our treſpaſſes &c.
2. a condition, as we forgiue them that treſpas againſt vsus.
Euch.
What is the ſomme of this petition?
Phil.
That it would pleaſe God, for his ſonnes ſake to be good to me and al his children, in the daſhing & waſhing af al our ſinnes as we are ready to forgiue others.
Euch.
VntoUnto whom doe you pray for the forgiuenes of ſinnes?
Phil.
Not vntounto any angell, Saint, creature or man, but I pray onelyonly to my Lord God.
Euch.
Why do you pray thus onelyonly to him?
Phil.
1. Becauſe be onelyonly can forgiue ſinnes gMat. 9.2..
2. Becauſe I am commanded in to pray.hHoſ. 14.3.
3. Becauſe againſt him only I hauehave ſinned.ipſal. 51.4.
4. Becauſe I muſt not giuegive his honour to another.kDan. 9.5.
5. Becauſe the Church vſeth ſo to pray.lpſ. 50.10.
6. Becauſe I beléeue onelyonly on him.
Euch.
What doth this teach you?
Phil.
1. That god alone is to be called vppon.
2. That Chriſt is very god, becauſe of himſelfe he forgiueth ſinnes.Math. 9.2.
Euch.
What vſe can you make of this doctrine?
Phil.
1. That when I hauehave ſinned I muſt come to him for pardon.
2. That their doctrine is an erroneous doctrine which call vponupon Saintes aſwell as vponupon god.
3. That I muſt bee thankfull to my gracious GOD who will pardon and forgiue mee all my ſinnes.
4. That I muſt take heed of ſinne, becauſe I muſt euer craue pardon for it.
Euch.
What do you meane by this word, forgiue?Forgiue.
Phil.
That it would pleaſe god ſo to diſcharge & couer all my ſinnes, as that they may neuer be imputed vntounto me, either to make me deſpaire in this life, or to be puniſhed in the life to come.
Euch.
How are ſinnes ſaid to bee diſcharged?
Phil.
1. When they are diſcharged by the perſon that committed them, ſo the deuils and the damned diſcharge their debts by ſuffering.
2. When they are paide by another, and ſo are our ſinnes diſcharged by Chriſt.
Euch.
In what reſpect may this ſecond ſatiſfaction be called forgiuenes?
Phil.
1. In reſpect of vsus who neither do nor can conferre any thing to this ſatiſfaction.
2 In regard of Chriſt who alone doth forgiue them, and wee no way are able to requite him.
3. In reſpect of God the father, who in louelove giueth his ſonne, and accepteth his obedience as our ſatiſfaction.
Euch.
What learne you by this?
Phil.
That as Benadad did to the King of Iſrael a1. King 20 31.ſo I muſt humble my ſelfe to this king of kings.
2. That I muſt confeſſe my ſinnes to him, becauſe he is ready to forgiue my ſinnesb1. Ioh. 1.7.
3. That there can be by man no ſatiſfaction for ſinnes, for our merits is Gods mercy.
Euch.
What ſinnes muſt you confeſſe to God?
Phil.
Both knowne and vnknowne, known in particular, c2. ſam. 12.vnknowne in generalldpſa. 19.14..
Euch.
Ought you not to confeſſe your ſinnes to man?
Phil.
Though anricular confeſſiō be a doctrine of deuills, yet if ſinnes bée ſo greiuous vntounto my conſcience, that I cannot bee perſwaded of the pardon of them, neither can finde cōforte by confeſſion to God, I am bound to confeſſe ſins, troubling me, to man, eſpecially to my Godly Miniſter, or to ſuch a Preacher of Gods word as is able to comfort me in regard of his knowledge, & flit is comfort me in regard of his ſecrecie.aAct. 16.
Euch.
Howe are you bound to confeſſe your ſinnes?
Phil.
Euen as a guilty priſoner muſt doe at the barre.
1. I muſt bring my ſelfe before Gods Iudgement ſeate.
2. I muſt put vp an enditement againſt my ſelfe.
3. I muſt giuegive ſentence of condemnation againſt my ſelfe.
4. I muſt ſue for pardon at the hands of my God.
Euch.
How many things are required in true confeſſion?
Phil.
Fiue. 1. It muſt be voluntary without conſtraintb2. Sam. 12
2. Perſonall without laying it vponupon others.Eodem. cap. Ioh. 7.
3. Particular without deniall of the fact.
4. Impartiall by aggrauating each circumſtance.a1. Sam. 24
5. Heartie, with all ſignes of ſorrowe.b1. Cor. 7.
Euch.
Why are you bound to aſke God forgiueneſſe?
Phil.
1. Becauſe al men hauehave ſinned.cRom. 3.
2. Becauſe God hateth ſinners.dIoh. 9.
3. Becauſe ſinnes ſeauer man from God.eEſa. 59.2.
4. If I conceale theſe ſores they are hardly cured.fPſal. 32.3.
5. The more I like ſinne, the more with Iaels wife it will kill me.gIud. 4.18.
6. Of all burdens there is none like to the burden of ſinne.hMath. 11.
7. If I confeſſe, God is ready to forgiue.i1. Ioh. 1.7
8. Gods ſeruants hauehave done the like.k2. Sam. 12
9. If I féele not ſinnes forgiuen in this life, it is to be feared they will not be forgiuen in the life to come.
Euch.
Why doe you ſay forgiue vsus?Forgiue vsus.
Phil.
Becauſe I muſt pray that God would not onelyonly forgiue mée but that hée would alſo forgiue all men in the world.
Euch.
But you are bound to beeléeue the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, will you praie for that which is had alreadie?
Phil.
I doe it not as miſtruſting that God hath forgiuen them, but that I may féele in my heart that God hath forgiuen them, and that I may apply that to my ſelfe, which the Father hath purpoſed, his ſonne purchaſed, and the holy ghoſt ſealed.
Euch.
Yet to pray thus for pardon, it ſéemes to open a gappe to ſin fréely.
Phil.
Nay rather if I hauehave grace, ye more I pray that my ſinnes may bée pardoned, the more will I hate and deteſt ſinne.
Euch.
What vſe doe you make of this. Forgiue vsus?
Phil.
1. That as I ſue for mine own pardon ſo muſt I with the Saints ſue for others.
2. That I muſt be ſorrie when men doe ſinne.
3. That I may not vncharitably diſcouer mens ſinnes.
4. That I muſt not cauſe any man to ſinne.
5. That I muſt not delight in any ſinne.
6. That I muſt forgiue my brethren.
Euch.
May you then pray for al men euen the wicked?
Phil.
I may, becauſe the Lord alone knoweth who are his, and in the Iudgment of charitie I may pray for the conuerſion or confuſion of the moſt wicked in the world.
Euch.
What if a man ſinne againſt the holy Ghoſt? may you pray for ſuch a man?
Phil.
Fewe hauehave nowe the ſpirits of diſcerning to know when a man ſinne againſt the holy Ghoſt, and therefore we muſt take héede how we cenſure it.
Euch.
Why are ſinnes called debts?
Phil.
Becauſe by them we become indebted to God, either to diſcharge them, or to be impriſoned for them.
Euch.
Howe many kindes of debt are there in ſinne?
Phil.
Thrée. 1. A debt of obedience which wee owe to God, but hauehave not paid it through tranſgreſſion.
2. A debt of puniſhment becauſe we hauehave tranſgreſſed.
3. A debt of puritie, which wée owe by reaſon of our corruptions after our tranſgreſſiō. And againſt al theſe debts I muſt ſéeke that I may get my Quietus eſt, in this life that I be not tormented in the life to come.
Euch.
Why are ſinnes called ours?
Phil.
Becauſe they properly procéed from our ſelues, and we are not by god compelled to ſinne.
Euch.
What vſe make you of al this?
Phil.
1. That I muſt eſpecially labour for pardon of mine owne ſinne.
2. That I muſt not accuſe God as the author of ſinne.
3. That becauſe I dayly muſt aſke forgiueneſſe, therfore euen the beſt men doe ſinne dayly.
4. That as God is patient towards me, ſo muſt I be patient towards my brethren.
Euch.
In whoſe name muſt you get this pardon.
Phil.
In the name of Chriſt, applied to me by a true faith, for he is the propitiacion for our ſinnes, and without him we cannot appeare in the ſight of God.
Euch.
What is the condition of this petition?
Phil.
As we forgiue them that treſpas againſt vsus.
Euch.
Is our forgiuing of men… reaſon why God ſhould forgiue vsus?
Phil.
No it is not. For god for Chriſts ſake doth forgiue vsus; and if it were a cauſe, then muſt the forgiueneſſe of ſin procéed from our ſelues.
Euch.
What then is it?
Phil.
It is a ſigne aſſuring vsus that God hath forgiuen vsus, and a comfort chéering vsus that God will forgiue vsus, a promiſe binding vsus to pardon our brethren, and a lawe teaching vsus that if we will hauehave God to forgiue vsus, wée alſo muſt forgiue others.
Euch.
But, becauſe ſinne to man is here called debt, howe becomes man thus a debter to man, and how is this ſinne called a debt?
Phil.
Not as it is a ſinne againſt God, and his righteous lawe, but as it is a treſpas done to man, either to his body by killing, or hurting it, in h… goods by ſtealing them, credit by ſlandering of him, or to his chaſtitie by defiling his neighbours bed.
Euch.
Why is this ſinne called a debt to man?
Phil.
1. Becauſe we owe louelove which is now broken.
2. Becauſe we owe puniſhment for doing wrong.
3. Becauſe wee owe ſatiſfaction for the wrong done.
Euch.
Howe is man ſaid to forgiue man?
Phil.
When hee doth pardon either the wrong done, or the puniſhment appointed for the wrong, or the ſatiſfaction which the offendor is bound to make, or all of them as occaſion is offered.
Euch.
What things were obſerued vponupon this?
Phil.
Thrée.
1. That man may forgiue man & yet God will puniſh him.aActs 7.
2. That though man will not forgiue, yet God will if the offendor repent.bIoh. 8
3. That though God & man forgiue,Ioh. 8. the partie offending is to be puniſhed.
Euch.
May a man forgiue him that hath offended him, and yet ſue him at the lawe?
Phil.
Hee may not onelyonly ſue his aduerſarie, but purſue him to death, and yet forgiue him; for vnles offenders he puniſhed, Gods glory wil be hindered, iuſtice decaied, the common weale ruined, and all men wronged.
Euch.
What rules muſt you obſerue in going to lawe?
Phil.
1. I muſt doe nothing with a reuenging minde.
2. I muſt take héede that I offend not the Church.
3. I muſt doe it for the maintenance of peace.
4. I muſt labour by it to better mine aduerſarie.
5. I muſt not ſue for each trifling matter.
6. I muſt vſe all other good meanes and make lawe my laſt remedie.
Euch.
But when the fleſh wil tel you that you muſt be reuenged, what cautions were giuen you to ſtay your anger?
Phi.
You gaue me theſe cautions.
1. That I muſt conſider that it is Gods doing.
2. That I hauehave alſo wronged God and man.
3. That Chriſt hath forgiuen mée more,
4. That forgiuing is a duetie of louelove.
5. That I muſt not deſtroie him for whom Chriſt dyed.
6. If I do not forgiue I incure Gods wrath.
7. That by forgiuing I am like vntounto God.
8. That it is my duetie to doe nothing through contention.
Euch.
What vſe doe you make of this?
Phil.
1. That I am bound to forgiue all perſons, all ſinnes, and at all times, when man offends me.
2. That I muſt liue in peace, and labour to make peace.
3. That if I forgiue not I curſe my ſelfe.
4. That they hurt themſelues who leaue out this condition in the Lords praier becauſe they will not forgiue.
5. That it is a ſigne of grace to forgiue.
6. That no man liuing in malice can ſay the Lordes praier as hee ought to doe.
7. That it is difficult to beléeue the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, becauſe this petition hath a condition to perſwade vsus annexed vntounto it.
Euch.
What doe you here béewaile?
Phil.
1. The corruption of my nature prone to ſinne.
2. The burden of my ſinne which I my ſelfe can neuer beare.
3. That I féele not the want of Chriſt who onelyonly can forgiue ſinne.
4. That I am not ſo readie to forgiue men, as God is readie to forgiue mée.
Euch.
What things doe you here pray for?
Phil.
For. 3 thinges.
1. For humiliation.
2. For Iuſtification.
3. For reconciliation and louelove to men.
Euch.
In humiliation what doe you pray for?
Phil.
1. That I may ſée my ſinnes.
2. That I may ſéele them.
3. That I may bewaile them.
4. That I may moſt earneſtly craue pardon for them, ſéeing the burden of ſinne is a moſt heauy burden.
Euch.
Howe doe you pray for Iuſtification?
Phil.
That Chriſts righteouſneſſe may bee made mine, and my ſins may be laid vponupon Chriſt, for his mercy ſake.
Euch.
How doe you pray for reconciliation?
Phil.
That God would giuegive mée a heart to bee reconciled to men, ſo as I may pardon them and they me.
Euch.
What things do you pray againſt?
Phil.
I pray againſt blindneſſe of minde, hardneſſe of heart, continuance in ſinne, and the leaſt opinion of mine owne righteouſnes, that I ſhould lightly regard Chriſt. And laſtly againſt all hatred by which I am kept from louing my brother.
Euch.
What doe you giuegive thanks for?
Phil.
I thanke God that hée hath giuen mée a ſight and ſenſe of ſinne, & perſwaded me of the pardon and forgiuenes of them in his ſonne, & that howſoeuer I ſuſtaine many wrongs at the hands of men, yet I can be contented to forgiue them, as God for Chriſts ſake hath forgiuen me.
Euch.
Which is the ſixt petition?
Phil.
And lead vsus not into temptation but.The 6. petition. &c.
Euch.
Why is it placed after the fourth petition. GiueGive vsus &c.
Phil.
To teach mée that if God giuegive mée dayly bread, I am ſubiect to bée tempted with pride, and therefore muſt pray againſt it:Lead vsus not into temptation. and if hée denie me dayly bread; I am ſubiect to bée tempted with deſpaire & ſo muſt pray againſt it.
Euch.
Why is it ſet after, Forgiue vsus our debts?
Phil.
That by this I may learne, that forgiueneſſe of ſinnes and temptations are inſeperable companions,2. Cor. 7. aLu. …2.31.and that ſuch as are not acquainted with temptations,Luk. 11.21. are as yet in the power of that ſtrong man who kéepeth the houſe of a ſecure ſoule.
Euch.
Why are the Godly lead into temptation?a2. Cor. 12.7.
Phil.
1. To kéepe them vnderunder, that they be not proud of Gods grace.
2. To winnow the chaffe of ſinne from Gods corne.
3. That Gods power may appeare in manes weakneſſe.b2. Cor. 12 9.
4. That his mercy may bée ſéene in kéeping them from a finall fall.
5. That they may bee like Chriſt their head.
6. That they may acknowledge that all ſtrength is from God.
7. That by this they may knowe themſelues for Gods children, who alone are ſo tempted, that they recouer in temptation.
Euch.
What elſe do you learne, that after praier for pardō of ſins you deſire not to be led into temptation?
Phil.
I am taught that if I hauehave ſinned and obteined pardon, I muſt take héede of a relapſe into an old ſinne, or any practiſe of new.cIoh. 5: 14. 8: 11.
2. That who ſo hath this gracious Pardon he can and ſhall reſiſt ſin in the ende though with Dauid and Peter, he be foyled in the beginning.aTit. 2.11. Can. 5.3. Iaco 4.7. 1. Cor. 10.3.
3. That forgiueneſſe of ſinnes and grace are inſeperable companions, and can bée no more ſeuered, then light from the ſunne, or fier from heate.bMath. 7.25.16.18. 1. Sam. 15.19.
Euch.
Were you taught nothing elſe out of this order?
Phil.
Yes, you taught mee foure other inſtructions, all which, (as you ſaide) did ariſe out of this, that immediately vponupon the crauing pardon for ſinnes, wee doe in the next place deſire not to be led into temptation.
Euch.
Which are they?
Phil.
1. That hée that hath grace can in ſome ſorte reſiſt temptation, though hee bee foiled ſometime with the ſame.
2. That forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, and perſeuerance in grace are inſeperable vnited together.
3. That whoſoeuer wantteth grace cannot at any time reſiſt temptation, though he refraine from ſome ſinnes, to which he is indiſpoſed; for reſiſtance is the combate betwéene the fleſh and the ſpirit.
4. That he that wanteth grace, if he be once foiled in temptation, cannot at al recouer himſelfe; for though the righteous fall and riſe againe, yet the wicked (ſaith Salomon) ſhall fall into miſchiefe.
Euch.
But if we be perſwaded of the pardon of our ſinnes, why néede we to pray. Lead vsus not into temptation?
Phil.
Sir, you taught mee that it is néedeful for theſe reaſons.
1. Becauſe by nature man is prone to be tempted.
2. Becauſe many are the allurements to tempt vsus.
3. Becauſe ſinne is a deceitful temptor.
4. Becauſe Satan is a ſubtil, cruel, & diligent temptor.
5. Becauſe it is onelyonly in the power of God to giuegive man power to reſiſt temptations.
Euch.
What is the ſumme of this petition?
Phil.
That I may be deliuered from two maine enemies of Gods grace, whereof the one, is Temptation, the other is Euill.
Euch.
Doe you make theſe words two petitions or one?
Phi.
1. Such as doe make. 7. petitions, doe diuide this petition into two, but you diuided it as the moſt doe into a petition. Lead vsus not. &c. And an explanation. But deliuer vsus. &c.
Euch.
May you not change theſe words. Lead vsus not, into ſuffer vsus not, or let vsus not be led into temptation?
Phil.
Noe, I may not, for as God is ſaide to harden Mans heart, and not to ſuffer it to be hardned, to blind mans eies, and not to ſuffer them to bee blinded, ſo is he ſaid to lead man into temptation, & not to ſuffer him to be led.
Euch.
Shewe this by ſome places of ſcripture?
Exod. 7.3. God hardned Pharoes heart. 2. Sam. 24.1. God moued Dauid to number the people.
Eſay. 19.14. God mingled amonge them the ſpirit of error.
Rom 1.16. God gaue them vp to vſſe affections.
2. Theſ. 2.11. God ſent amongſt them ſtrong deluſions.
In theſe and ſuch like places, he is not ſaid to ſuffer to be hardened, mooued, mingled, giuen, ſent, but that he did harden, moue, mingle, giuegive vp, and ſend.
Euch.
Tell me now what temptation is?
Phil.
It is an inticement or triall of the minde or heart to commit, or to ſee whether men will or not commit ſinne, eyther by corruption of nature, enticements of the world, the policies of Sathan, the forgetfullnes of Gods mercies, preſent afflictions, or the iuſt deſertion of the Lord God.
Euch.
How is temptation taken in the ſcriptures?
Phil.
It ſignifies theſe things:
1. Affliction, by which man is tempted to know what is in him aIames. 1.2.
2. Sathans triall which he makes of God bMath. 4.7.
3. Mans triall which he makes of God cPſal. 95.9..
4. Sathans triall which he makes of man dMat. 4.4..
5. Mans triall which hee makes of Man.1. Cor. 7.5. 1. Th. 3.5.
6. Gods triall which he makes of man.c1. ki. 10.11 Mat. 22.18 gen. 22.1.
Euch.
What meanes doth Sathan vſe to tempt man?
Phil.
He vſeth or rather abuſeth.
1. The corruption of nature.
2. The inticements of the world,
3. The hope of Gods mercies.
4. the neglecting of Gods iudgments
5. Examples of the wicked,
6. aboundance in proſperity.
7. Want in aduerſity, by all which he will ſubdue vsus in temptation vnleſſe God in his mercy giuegive vsus power to reſiſt.
Euch.
Nowe tell me how God doth lead man into temptation?
Phil.
He doth this 1. by ceaſinge to ſupport, not the nature of man, but his grace in man.fPſal. 119.8.51.11.
2. by deliuering him to his own luſts, when the firſt grace is not ſufficient to helpe him.gRom. 1.24 Pſal. 107.
3. By giuing him into the power of Satan, ſo as he may tempt him to cō mit grieuous ſinnes.h2. Sa. 24.
4. By blind folding him and hardning him in ſuch ſort, as that he ſhall make no conſcience of ſinne.i2. Sam. 12
Euch.
Is god then the author of ſin?
Phil.
God forbid, for thou art a GOD that hateſt iniquitie ſaith the Prophet Dauid, kpſa. 5.and god tempteth no man, to wit vntounto ſinne, ſaith the Apoſtle Iames.lIam. 1.13
Euch.
But how is god fréed from being the author of ſinne, ſéeing he is an actor in ſinning?
Phil.
Well eueryevery way, if we can learne to diſtinguiſh, betweene the action, it ſelfe, and the ataxie, and diſorder that is in the action.
Euch.
Is god the author of eueryevery action.
Phil.
Yes verily, for in him we liue,Act. 17. we moue, and hauehave our being.
Euch.
And can he worke in a ſinfull action, and not be the author of ſinne in that action?
Phil.
Doubtles he may, for the doing of a thing it procéedeth frō the creator, the euill doing it comes frō ye creature.
Euch.
Can you ſhew this by ſome cō pariſons.
Phil.
I remember you taught me this by theſe which follow. The ſun beams light vponupon a carrion, that it ſmelleth, the ſunne is the cauſe: that it ſmelleth ill, it ſelfe is the cauſe. A man ſpurreth foreward a lame horſe, if the horſe goeth on, the rider is the cauſe, if he limpeth on, himſelfe is the cauſe. A muſition playeth vponupon an vntuned or broken inſtrument, that it ſoundeth, the Muſition is the cauſe, that it ſoundeth ill, it ſelfe is the cauſe: and the like may bée ſaid of any other things:
Euch.
But why doth God tempt ſome, and they recouer in temptation, & doth alſo tempt others and beates them in temptation.
Phil.
Do you a man aſke this of me who am but a man? let vsus both learne the anſwer of the Apoſtle Paul. O man who art thou that diſputeſt with God? He findes ſuch euill, and beates them ſo, he is bounden to none to giuegive him grace, his iudgements are vnſearchable, his waies paſt finding out, and we are all as clay in the handes of the Potter, he may make vsus of what faſhion he will. The ſunne doth harden the clay, & ſoftens the waxe and no man muſt aſke a reaſon thereof.
Euch.
How may GOD bee ſaid to tempt man?
Ph.
1. By afflictions as he did the Iſralites.aDeu. 9.3. Iudg. 2.22.
2. By commaundement as hee did Abraham.bGen. 2….1 1. Sam. 11 Gen. 3.
3. by proſperity as he did Dauid.
4. By offring obiects as he did Euah, and as maiſters vſe to trie the fidelitie of ſeruants by laying money in ſome corner to try them.
Euch.
That this may be known the better, ſhew me how you were taught, that each man is ſaid to harden himſelfe, Sathan is ſaid to harden man, and GOD is ſaide to harden man.
Phil.
Man hardens himſelfe when he refuſeth Grace.
Satan hardens man to preſume of grace.
God hardens man when hee giues not grace, though he offer vntounto him all the meanes of grace.
Euch.
Are not mercies & iudgments able to bring man to God, without the eſpeciall grace of God?
Phil.
No they are not, but as the highway the more it is troden vponupon, the harder it is, till the rayne moyſten it; and the Stiddie the more it is beate vponupon the harder it is, till the fire ſoften it: ſo the heart of man the more it is troden and beaten vponupon by mercies and iudgements the worſe it is, til God by the dewe of his grace moyſten it, and the fyre of his ſpirit ſoften it.
Euch.
Shew me ſome other reaſons then you did before, why God doth thus tempt and harden man?
Phil.
He doth it to theſe endes.
1. To humble them that they may ſee themſelues.
2. To chaſtiſe them for former ſinnes.
3. That his grace in them may appeare, as gold in the fire.
4. That they may ſee their owne weakenes and impatience.
5. That they may take more heede hereafter.
6. That more earneſtly they may pray to God for aſſiſtance.
Euch.
What vſes can you make of this doctrine of temptation.
Phil.
I learne firſt the imcomprehenſible purity of God, who can worke in ſinne with our ſinnes.
2. That Sathan can go no further in temptation then God will giuegive him leaue.
3. That I muſt not pray abſolutely againſt temptations, but that I be not ouercome in temptation.
4. That by nature we are all ſathans bondmen, til ſuch time as God frée vsus from temptation.
Euch.
Séeing god tempteth many waies, tell me how he tempteth by proſperity, and riches.
Phil.
By this hee tryes man: 1. Whether hee will conſider howe hee comes by them.
2. To whom the continuance of them is promiſed.
3. To what ende it is giuen vntounto him.
4. Whether he will thinke of the mutability of high places.
5. Whether hee will meditate of the fearefull downefalles of ſuch, as hauehave not vſed Proſperity well.
And 6. That it is a part of great felicity, not to be ouercome of felicity.
Euch.
How doth God trie vsus by that late deliuerance from that vnnaturall conſpiracie againſt our king and countrye?
1. Whether we will acknowledge it.
2. Whether we will be thankfull for it.
3. Whether we will kéepe a memorial of it.
4. Whether we will pray more earneſtly for our King and countries preſeruation.
5. Whether we will deſire the conuerſiō or confuſiō of thoſe our enemies.
6. Whether we wil be more obedient to God then before, leaſt a worſe thing happen to vsus.
7. Whether we will deteſt that cruell cacolique religion, which thirſteth after blood eſpecially the blood of princes,
8. Whether we will louelove and embrace more earneſtly our Chriſtian religiō, which teacheth obedience & practiſeth it euen to ſuch gouernours as are had, though their catholique Apologie ſlander vsus with the contrary.
Euch.
How doth God tempt men by aduerſity?
Phil.
Whether we will thinke. 1. That godly men hauehave béene ſo tempted.
2. That it is Gods Furnace to trie our faith.
3. That it is Gods medicine to purge our ſinnes.
4. That we muſt not declame againſt God.
5. That we muſt more meditate of heauen.
6. That if we féele not the Sunne riſing of Gods grace, wee muſt not thinke that it is ſet for euer.
7. That we muſt endure all kinds of temptations, whether of body by ſickneſſe, or ſoule by ſorrow, or our perſon by impriſonment, or ſtate by pouertie, or name by contempt, &c.
Euch.
But to come to mans temptations: What if man tempt you to Popiſh religion, how muſt you reſiſt this temptation?
Phil.
By conſidering, that that religion cā be no good religion, 1. Where the Scriptures are not knowne.
2. Where Images are worſhipped.
3. Where a péece of bread is adored.
4. Where Saints are innocated.
5. Where ignorance is cōmended.
6 Where purgatorie is maintained.
7. Where Chriſts merit is mangled.
8. Where ſubiects are ſo fréed from allegeance to their ſoueraigne, that if he be not a Romaniſt, it ſhall be meritorious to kill him.
Euch.
What if you be tempted to forſake the church, becauſe of ſome abuſes ſuppoſed in the church? how muſt you reſiſt that temptation?
Phil.
By conſidering, that a child is not to be forſaken becauſe it is ſick, nor a body neglected becauſe it is diſeaſed, and that Chriſt and his Apoſtles did not depart from the Churches, though there were amongſt them many abuſes, and the moſt of them greater then be amongſt vsus, who hauehave the worde purely preached, and the Sacraments rightly adminiſtred.
Euch.
To come againe vntounto Sathans temptations, what muſt you doe to reſiſt them?
Phil.
I muſt labour. 1. Not to be ignorant of his enterpriſes.
2. To watch ouer my ſelfe continually.
3. To reſiſt him by the ſhield of faith.
4. To ſubdue him by the ſworde of the ſpirit.
5. To be perſwaded that he will neuer ceaſe.
6. To thinke of my danger if I fall.
7. To conſider how I may hurte others if I fall.
8. That by falling I denie my God.
9. That I ſhalbe rewarded if I cōtinue.
10. That by prayer I ſhall hauehave power to reſiſt him.
Euch.
Theſe rules indéed are generall, but what if he tempt you to the ſinne of Couetouſneſſe, what remedies muſt you vſe?
Phil.
I muſt meditate. 1. That God hath taken vponupon him to be my carefull protector.
2. That this ſin is the roote of all euill.
3. That eueryevery couetous man is an idolater.
4. That my life ſtands not in aboundance.
5. That Chriſt & his diſciples were poore.
6. That I ſhall carry nothing wt me.
7. That I muſt giuegive an accompt of my getting.
8. That it will hinder me in the ſeruice of God.
9. That riche men come hardly to heauen.
10. That by riches I am moſt ſubiect to be ſpoiled.
11. That they make a man vnwilling to die.
12. That they may be taken away from me.
13. That many woes are denounced againſt rich men.
Euch.
What remedies hauehave you againſt the temptation of pride?
Phil.
I muſt meditate. 1. That I muſt not be proud, becauſe I hauehave all things of gift.
2. That God reſiſteth the proud.
3. That it hindreth a greater larges of grace.
4. That I am but duſt and aſhes.
5. That pride caſt Sathan out of heauen.
6. That if it be in apparell, I hauehave more occaſion to bee humbled for my ſhamefull nakedneſſe.
7. That Chriſt left me an example of humilitie.
8. That by this I make others to contemne me.
9. That it argues a ſonne of the deuill.
10. That others hauehave more excellent gifts then my ſelfe.
11. That pride is the cauſer of contentions.
12. That proud men are farre from reformation: Seeſt thou (ſaith Salomon) a man wiſe in his owne eyes, there is more hope of a foole then of him: and, a proud heart is a Pallace for the deuill.
Euch.
What remedies hauehave you againſt the temptations of adulterie?
Phil.
I muſt meditate here. 1. That God ſées me.
2. That God can puniſh me.
3. That he will puniſh me.
4. That I am a member of Chriſt.
5. That adulterours ſhall not inherite heauen.
6. That ſuch people ſeldome repent.
7. That ſuch a thing ſhould not be done in Iſrael.
8. That it made Salomon to commit Idolatrie.
9. That for the whoriſh woman, a man is brought to a morſell of bread.
10. That I doe not as I would be done to.
11. That I wrong the Church and commonwealth, by obtruding to both a baſtardly generation.
12. That as by this I endanger my ſoule, ſo muſt I néeds decay my body, and when I am dead, leaue a blotte behinde me which neuer can be wiped out.
Euch.
What remedies hauehave you againſt the temptation of gluttonie and drunkenneſſe?
Phil.
Here I muſt meditate. 1. That Salomon commands me, at great tables, to put my knife to my throate.
2. That by theſe I make morter of my body by too much drinke, and my ſtomacke but a ſtreiner by too much meate.
3. That I abuſe that which might doe good to the poore.
4. That I abuſe the good creatures of God.
5. That all ciuill nations hauehave deteſted theſe ſinnes.
6. That by them I am vnfit for Gods ſeruice.
7. That I bring vponupon my body diſeaſes.
8. That I am vnfit to kéepe any ſecret.
9. That I am a ſcorne to the ſober.
10. That theſe ſinnes are the maine inſtruments of other ſinnes.
11. That I muſt fall into the Phiſitions hands.
12. That I may in them commit ſome ſuch ſinne, as may cauſe me to fall into the cenſure of God, and gouernours
Euch.
What remedies hauehave you againſt the temptation of enuie.
Phil.
I muſt meditate. 1. That mine eye muſt not be euill, becauſe Gods eye is good.
2. That God may diſpoſe of his owne as he liſt.
3. That enuie is a note of a bad man.
4. I muſt bee glad at the good of others.
5. Moſes and Chriſt, and other good men, were glad when they heard of others excellencie.
6. God will not hauehave all alike.
7. It is a meanes to murther our brother.
8. It is a fruite of the fleſh.
9. It hinders vsus from dooing good to others.
10. It is the greateſt torment to a mans ſelfe.
11. Though our brother excell vsus in one thing, yet we do him in another.
12. God euen hateth and curſeth the enuious.
Euch.
What remedies hauehave you againſt idleneſſe in your calling?
Phil.
I muſt meditate. 1. That God commandeth all men to labour.
2. That Euah fel in paradice by idlenes.
3. That it was one of the ſinnes of Sodome.
4. That it is a cuſhion for Sathan to ſléepe in.
5. That labour puts Sathans aſſaults away.
6. That idleneſſe conſumes the body.
7. That a ſloathfull hand maketh poore, as a diligent hand maketh rich.
8. Without diligence wee cannot prouide for a familie, or ye time to come.
9. All creatures euen to the piſmire, are diligent.
10. GOD our father is euer working.
11. by it we may be able to do good to others.
12. All good men hauehave laboured in a calling. And why hauehave people hands, & wits but to vſe them, and the more both are vſed, the better they are.
Euch.
What remedies hauehave you againſt impatience in afflictions?
I muſt meditate 1. That naked I came into this world, & naked I muſt returne againe.
2. I muſt remember the afflictions of Iob & what ende God made of them.
3. That the patient abiding of the righteous, ſhall be gladnes.
4. That God hath a ſtroake in afflictions.
5. That they are nothing to the ioyes of heauen.
6. That I hauehave deſerued more.
7. That they will tend to my good.
8. That in this world we muſt hauehave tribulations.
9. That murmuring is a ſigne of bad child.
10. Chriſt ſaid, not my wil, but thine be done.
11. Many of Gods ſeruants hauehave endured more.
12. That Gods children hauehave béene ready to ſuffer.
Euch.
But what remedies hauehave you if ſathan tempt you to deſpaire of Gods mercy?
Phil.
I will ſaie vntounto him auoide ſatan, and will enter into this meditatiō.
1. I was by baptiſme receiued into the Church, and it hath beene to mee the lauer of regeneration.
2. I once heard and beleeued his worde, and therefore I ſhall ſtand euer by this faith.
3. Mine election is in Gods kéeping, and therefore Sathan can neuer ſtealt it away.
4. The calling of God is without repentance, and whom he loueth bee loueth to the end.
5. I knew by my louelove of the brethren, that I am tranſlated frō death to life.
6. I am ſorry that I can bee no more ſorrie for my ſinnes, and this to me is an argument of faith.
7. I deſire to beléeue in Chriſt and to runne the waies of his cōmandements.
8. Chriſts merits are greater then my ſynnes, and hee is the propitiation for my ſynnes.
9. Though the righteous fal, he ſhal riſe againe, for GOD ſupporteth him with his hand.
10. The Spirit doth, though verie weakely, witnes to my ſpirit that I am Gods childe
11. I hate ſyn wt an vnfained hatred.
12. I louelove all good things as well as one, & hate al euil as wel as one, & I can be contented to be diſſolued & bee with Chriſt, and to ſay, come Lord Ieſus, come quickly.
Euch.
Yet Satan will tempt you to preſume of Gods mercies, what remedies muſt you here vſe?
Phil.
I muſt meditate againſt this ſyn.
1. that god bids me not be high minded.
2. that ſecurity deſtroyes more then any ſyn.
3. that he is bleſſed who feareth alwaies.
4. That I muſt worke out my ſaluation with feare and trembling.
5. That as God is a God of mercy, ſo is he alſo a god of iuſtice.
6. That the more I preſume the more ſubiect I am to fall.
7. That it is ſathans mayne weapon to vanquiſh me, God is mercifull.
8. That euen Dauid prayed to bee kept from ſinnes of preſumption.
9. That the longer I continue in ſinnes the more hardly can I leaue them.
10. that if our God call mee, I muſt vndoe all I hauehave done before.
11. that then I muſt ſheede many a bitter teare for my ſinnes.
12. that by going on I heape to my ſelfe wrath, againſt the day of wrath, and therefore hauehave we need in this and all the former aſſaults, of God, men, & deuils to pray, Lord lead vsus not into temptation.
Euch.
Which is the explanation of this petition?
Phil.
But deliuer vsus from euill.
Eu.
what do you pray for in theſe words
Phil.
But deliuer vsus from euilthat I, and all chriſtians may be freed from the power of ſatan, ſin, the fleſh and the world: that we being thus preſerued that we ſhall, or may not fal or ſo be deliuered frō euill, that we may not fall quite away by any temptation.
Euch.
Do you not by euill vnderſtand only the deuill, who is called that euill one?
Phil.
No I do not, though temptations come principally from him, but by euil you ſaid, I muſt vnderſtand al my ſpirituall enemies according to that of the Apoſtle Iohn, 1. Ioh. 5.3The whole world lieth in euil?
Euch.
How many wayes doth God deliuer vsus from euill?
Phil.
Eleuen wayes, 1. by preſeruing vsus from committing ſinne.
2. By freeing vsus from iudgements due vntounto ſinne.
3. By kéeping vsus from the hurt of ſin and afflictions.
4. By turning all thoſe ſinnes which we commit, and the afflictions which we ſuſtaine to our good.
5. By bridling Satan that he cannot ſubdue vsus.
6. By giuing vsus his holy ſpirit that by a liuely faith wee ouercome all euill.
7. by no meanes.
8. by ſmall meanes.
9. By ordinary meanes.
10. By extraordinary meanes.
11. Contrary to all meanes.
Euch.
Why are theſe words added as an explanation to this petition?
Phil.
To teach me, that when I am deliuered from euill, I may be ſure not to be lead into temptation, for euill is the cauſe of all temptations, which being taken away the effect ceaſeth.
Euch.
What muſt we do to be deliuered from the deuill?
Phil.
We muſt 1. Put on the whole armor of God.
2. We muſt know howe to vſe that armor.
3. We muſt walke warily that he do not circumuent vsus, and bee neuer out of our calling.
4. We muſt euer ſeeke to feare, and ſerue God.
5. We muſt know that Chriſt is our captaine and deliuerer.
6, Wée muſt meditate of the miſerable eſtate of ſuch as are ouercome by the deuill.
7. We muſt pray as Chriſt teacheth vsus, deliuer vsus from euill.
Euch.
What wants do you bewaile in this petition?
Phil.
1. The rebellion of our wicked nature, by which wee reſiſt the ſpirit of God.
2. Our readines in each little temptation, to yéeld vp our ſelues to the cō mitting of ſinne.
3. That we cannot enough mourne for the remnants of our bondage, by which wee are kept in the power of Sathan.
4. That ſo many fall by Sathans temptation.
5. That we cannot here get maiſtery ouer our owne corruptions.
6. That we louelove ſo this ſpirituall Babilon, in which we are ſubiect too, and fall by temptation.
7. The tyranny of Satan our aduerſary, going about each way to ſubdue vsus.
Euch.
What things do you here pray againſt?
Phil.
I pray 1. againſt temptation, as it may be a meanes to drawe men from GOD, and cauſe them to commit ſinne.a2. Cor. 12.7.8
2. Againſt afflictions, as they are puniſhments of ſinne, curſes from God, motiues to impacience, or meanes to make mee to take Gods name in vaine.bPro. 30.9.
3. Againſt deſertion, that God would not leaue me, or if he do, that he would not leaue me ouer long, by withdrawing from his former, a ſecond grace of the ſpirit.
4. Againſt al future relapſe into ſinne, Gods hardning my heart, blinding of myne ties:1. Ti 1.20. backſlyding from the trueth eyther in part or in whole: all ſortes of iudgements, temporall or eternall: And what hurt ſoeuer may befall mée eyther by proſperity or aduerſitye:
In a worde, I pray againſt the aſſaults of Sathan the enticementes of the world, and that corruption which may ſurpriſe mee by mine owne fleſh.
Euch.
May not aman pray for temptations and afflictions?
Phil.
Though both of them may be oftentimes good for vsus, yet becauſe that good is an accidentiall good, and wee knowe not howe wee ſhall beare temptations if god ſend them, therfore it is not méete to pray for them. Therefore ſuch as wiſh to bee poore, that they might louelove heauen better, or blind to meditate of heauen better, they hauehave no great warrant out of Gods worde. To theſe we may adde ſuch as pray for death, and will not waite Gods leaſure till he take them out of this world.
Euch.
What doe you here pray for?
Phil.
I pray for grace to reſiſt, and perſeuerance, when I am tempted; and that to this purpoſe, I may put on the whole armore of God, as the girdle of veritie, in ſoundneſſe of doctrine;Eph. 6.16. the breſt-plate of righteouſneſſe in integrity of life, the ſhooes of preparation of the goſpell of peace, which are to be worne by patience in afflictions; the ſhield of of faith, to reſiſt Satans aſſaultes; the helmet of Saluation, which is the life of eternitie, and the ſword of the ſpirit; which is the word of God. I pray alſo here yt all our afflictiōs may bee turned to our good; that wiſdome may bee giuen vsus to preuent our perſecutors, that I may be patient in aduerſity, humble in proſperity, and that our ſinnes may turne to our good, by reuealing our corruption in being ready to fall, diſcouering our vnhabilitie of our ſelues to ſtand, deteſting our nature ſo prone to impietie, renouncing all confidence in our owne ſtrength, & caſting our ſelues vponupon Gods power in temptation: yea that by them we may ſee Satans malice in tempting vsus, and Gods great merciemercy in recouering vsus: & finally that being once recouered in temptation, we may pitty and comfort ſuch as bee tempted.
Euch.
What things doe you giuegive thankes for?
Phil.
That in the former things which I hauehave prayed for, GOD hath made me able ſo to reſiſt, & that neither Satan nor the world, nor my fleſh, hath ſo ſubdued me, but that I am able to riſe againe.
Euch.
Which is the 3. part of this petition?The 3. part of the lords prayer.
Phil.
For thine is the kingdome, the power, and the glorie for euer & euer. Which words are a reaſon of all the former, by which wee are mooued to craue all the former bleſſings at the hands of our God.
Euch.
Why doth Luke leaue out this clauſe?
Phil.
Either becauſe the Euangeliſts did not bind themſelues to a preciſe forme of words, or becauſe this prayer was vttered at 2. ſeuerall times by Chriſt in a ſeuerall manner, leauing out not onelyonly this clauſe, but the third petition wholly, the explanation of the ſixt, and changing ſome words which are in Mathew. But we hauehave no warrant to do the like, as the Rhemiſts do euen in the Goſpell of ſaint Mathew: being bold to mangle the Lords praier, as they are to leaue out the ſecond cō mandement.
Euch.
Why is this concluſion added?
Phil.
To teach. 1. To pray vntounto him who is able to heare vsus.
2. To pray in faith to him that will helpe vsus.
3. To pray in feruency as deſirous to be holpen.
4. To pray in humilitie, becauſe al is of God.
3. To pray in thankefulneſſe, becauſe all is from God.
6. That in euerie petition we muſt hauehave this concluſion in our mindes.
Euch.
What do you meane by theſe words thine is the kingdome?
Phil.
Euen that which Dauid meant when he ſaid,1. Cor. 29.11. Thine O Lord is greatneſſe, power, and victorie and praiſe, and all that is in heauen and in earth is thine, thine is the kingdome, & thou excelleſt ouer all.
Euch.
Why is the kingdom ſaid to be Gods?
Phil.
1. Becauſe he made all.
2. Becauſe he poſſeſſeth all.
3. Becauſe he commandeth all.
4. Becauſe he diſpoſeth al.
Euch.
What doe you learne out of this.
Phil.
That I may with confidence pray vntounto him, becauſe as kings will prouide for the bodies and ſoules of al their ſubiects, ſo God my king will prouide for me.
Euch.
But hauehave not other Princes their kingdomes?
Phil.
Yes they hauehave, and in them do rule, and for conſcience ſake muſt euer be obeyed, yet they rule by, and in, and through this king.aPro. 8.15 Dan. ….37. Reuel 20.
Euch.
Howe manie properties are there of this kingdome?
Phil.
There, it is a powerfull kingdome, Thine is power, a glorious kingdome, Thine is glorie, and an euerlaſting kingdom, it is, For euer and euer.
Euch.
Why are theſe thrée properties added?
Phil.
That when wee pray for, or againſt any thing in the former petitions, we may be ſtrengthened in the hope of obtaining them, by the conſideration of the Power, Glory, and Eternitie of Gods kingdom.
Euch.
Why is power attributed to the kingdome of God.
1. To diſtinguiſh it from the kingdomes of the world, in which many Princes are heads of people, but hauehave not power to ſubdue their enemies.
2. To teach vsus to giuegive all power vntounto God.
3. That we muſt ſubmitte our ſelues vntounto him.
4. That he being a powerfull kings we may in faith pray vntounto him.
Euch.
How great is the power of God?See my booke, life euerlaſting, of gods prouidence.
Phil.
It is not only of it owne nature, in it ſelfe, and of it ſelfe, but alſo in reſpect of the obiect vponupon which it can worke, and effectes which it can produce, and of the action by which it can and doth worke, both infinit and vnmeaſurable.
Euch.
Can it be communicated to any creature?
Phileu.
No, not to the humanity of Chriſt, for whatſoeuer is omnipotent is God.
Euchedida.
Why then doth Chriſt ſaye, all power is giuen vntounto me?
Phil.
1. He ſpeaketh of that power which wee call Authority, not of that which is called omnipotencie.
2. He ſaith not all power is giuen to my humanity, but to me, GOD and Man.
3. If it be meant of the humanity, by this power is to bee vnderſtood, as much as the creature is capable of.
4. In that word, the humanity may be ſaid to be omnipotent, as the word is ſaid to ſuffer, not in it ſelfe, but in the the fleſh.
Euch.
What doe you meane by thine is the glory?
Phil.
1. That god hath made al things for his glory.
2. Whatſoeuer wee aſke, they are meanes of thy glory.
3. The things which we aſke ſhalbe referred to thy glory.
And therefore O Lord graunt theſe things vntounto vsus, becauſe thy glory is moſt deare to thy ſelfe, which will be alſo performed of vsus, if we ſanctifie thy name, aduaunce thy kingdome, doe thy will, hauehave our dayly Bread, the forgiueneſſe of our ſinnes, and hee able to reſiſt all euill temptations.
Euch.
What is the third property of Chriſts kingdome?
For euer and euer. Which is an excellent inducement to ſtrengthen vsus in praying.
Euch.
Why is Gods kingdome, power, & glory, ſaid to be euerlaſting?
Phil.
1. Becauſe in themſelues they are euerlaſting.
2. Of vsus they ſhould neuer be forgotten.
Euch.
To what purpoſe are all theſe arguments added here?
Phil.
Not to perſwade God, who knoweth our wants before we aſke, but to perſwade vsus, that he who is a king of ſuch power, glory, and eternitie, he will heare our praiers, and grant our requeſts.
Euch.
What vſe doe you make of this concluſion?
Phil.
1. That in our prayers we euer debaſe our ſelues, and aſcribe all glory to this King of Kings.
2. In our prayers to be euer perſwaded of the power of God, that he can helpe vsus, and the promiſe of God that he will helpe vsus.a2. Cor. 1.20.
3. That prayer and giuing of thanks muſt goe together, becauſe this is a doxologie giuen to God.
4. Whatſoeuer we aſke, we muſt in purpoſe before, and practiſe after, referre the ſame to Gods glory. For the Alpha of this prayer is, Halowed be thy name, and the Omega is, Thine is the glory.
5. That all gouernours muſt remember that they holde al in caepite, vnderunder this head.
6. That if we be able to do any thing, all that power commeth from God.
Euch.
Which is the laſt part of this petition?
Phil.
The ſeale thereof in the worde, Amen.
Euch.
How is this worde Amen, The fourth part of the Lords Prayer.taken in the Scriptures?
Phil.
Thrée maner of wayes: ſometimes as a Nowne, ſignifying Chriſt himſelfe, Reuel. 1. Theſe things ſaith Amen. Sometimes as an Aduerbe, as Iohn. 3. Amen, Amen, that is, Verily, verily, I ſay vntounto you. And ſometimes as a Verbe, as in this place, ſignifying So be it, or it ſhall be ſo.
Euch.
What then doth this worde Amen import, at the end of this petition, and eueryevery prayer?
Phil.
More a great deale then man thinks; for it is as much as if we ſhould ſay, thus, Wee hauehave begged many things at thy hands, and we doe deſire thee to heare, and are perſwaded thou wilt heare all our requeſts.
Euch.
What are we taught by this ſeale Amen?
Phil.
We are taught. 1. To deſire earneſtly that we pray for.
2. To be perſwaded that we ſhall receiue it,Math. 9.11. though infidelitie be mixed with our faith.
3. Not to vſe this word Amen, ſo vnaduiſedly as we doe, but to knowe what it is to which we ſay Amen, leaſt by ignorance we ſeale a curſſe to our ſelues and others.Many of the like ſort are in Daniel, and the Goſpels, as Golgotha, foreign Eli, Eli, Lamma ſabach thani. &c.
4. That Latin, Gréeke, and Hebrew wordes may be vſed, when they growe ſo common, that other people of a nation doe vnderſtand them, for here is the Hebrew worde Amen, vſed in Gréeke, Latin, and Engliſh.
Euch.
What now hauehave you to ſay of all that hath béene taught you?
Phil.
No more but this, that I and many others are bounden excéedinglie to Almightie God, that we liue in ſuch a Kingdome, where our children are ſo taught in ye trade of their waies, that when they are olde, they may followe it. And thou O Lord to whom Kingdome, power, and glory belongeth, kéepe the Scepter of thy Goſpel long amongſt vsus, that the children to be borne may feare thy name. Amen.