Points of Instruction for the Ignorant, Part 3
The like short exposition of the Lords Prayer, in Questions and Answeres.
WHat is Prayer?
A religious calling vponuponPsalme 50. 15. …remie 33. 3. the name of GOD by Petition, or with praise.
What parts hath Prayer?
Two, as Petition, and giuing of1. Tim. 2. 1. 1. Thes. 5. 17. 18 … Thankes.
What call you petition?
A faithfull calling vponupon the name ofPsa. 25. 1. & 4. 1 Pro. 30. 8. …. 24 27. Ps. 25. 2. 3. Gen. 32. 11. God by request, or with suite, to procure some good, or to preuēt some euil.
What do you gather of this?
That God (only) is to be prayed vntounto,Psa 65. 2. & 44, 20. 21, Ier. 31. 18. Rom. 10. 14. Iam. 5. 15. Mat. 7. 7. Iam. 1. 17. … 43. 11. …. …. 4. and in faith: also, that with him are the …, both of opening all good to vsus, and of shutting all euill from vsus.
So much for petition: what call you giuing of thanks?
A … returne of all our receitsLuke. 10. 21. 1. …. 29 …, 11, 12, 13, &c. to God, with confession of his power in all, and praise for all.
What difference doe you put betweene prayer and praise?
Prayer … what we want, andLuke 17. 13. 15 16. …. 66. 19. 20 praise confesseth what wee hauehave, and from whom.
What doe you obserue here?
When God openeth his treasurie,Psal. 66. 19, 20. wee must open our mouthes, that is, when he giueth his blessings, we must both acknowledge them, and be thankfull for them; but so, as when he showreth blessings to vsus, wee do not drop thanks to him, that is, praise him flew…, when he giues to vsus plenteously.
What is true thankfulnesse?
… the saying, but the giuing ofMatt. 21. 30. Luke 18. 11. Gen. 27. 22. Psal. 50. 23. Psa 116. 12 Ps. 146. 2. …. 29 14. Ps. 81. 1, 10, & 103, 1. hanks: and not thanks in word, but thankfulnesse in true obedience to the Word: and, not cold thanks, but zelous from the heart, and faithfull with a single heart: and thanks in chee…ull manner, and with continuance, not niggardly, and which hath soone done.
Where hauehave we the best patterne of prayer and praise?
In that absolute, most holy forme ofMat. 6. 9. 10, &c. Luk. 11. 2, 3, 4, &c. prayer, which we (commonly) call the Lords prayer.
What do you obserue therein?
The preface, and prayer itselfe.
What are the words of the preface!Mat 3 17. Col. 1. 13. Gal. 4. 4. Ioh. 1. 12. Gal. 4, 5, 6. Ps. 115. 3 & 11. 4. …. 57. 15.
Our Father which art in Heauen: that is, thou that art ready to helpe vsus, being the Father of Christ by Nature, and, in Christ, our … by Grace; and art (not only ready) but able so to be, hauing thy dwelling in heauen, heare vsus.
What do these words teach?
To come to God onelyonly, and to comePs. 103. 13. Ec. 4. 17 …. 3. 5. …. 28. … 17 Ec. 5. 1. …. 23. 24. 1. …. 8. 27 to him, as to a Father with boldnesse, and yet with reuerence; because hee is in heauen, and his … the heauen.
VVhat say you of the prayer it selfe?
It is in the seuerall petitions, or confirmation of them.
What say you of the petitions?
They are such as belong to Gods glory, or our owne necessities.
What are they that belong to Gods glorie?
They are such as concerne the aduancement of his glory, or the meanes.
VVhat petition concerneth the aduancement of his glorie?
The first, which is: halowed be thyFirst Petition. name.
VVhat doe you obserue therein?
The meaning, and thing taught.
What is the meaning?
That God in his person, titles, works,… 28. 8. …. 3. 14 Ps 68. 4. 6 Psal. 104. & 19, 14, & 138, 2, & 19, 7, 8, 9, 1. Cor. 11. 28, 29. Pr. 23, 1, 2, Col. 3 17 Psal. 96. 8. Mat. 5. 16. 1. Pet. 2. 9. Tit. 2. 10. Rom. 2. 24. word, Sacraments, holy ordinances, and whole religion may rightly be honoured, and euer glorified. Also, that his name may be halowed in our good liues, and gedly talke, to the edifying of our neighbour in louelove.
What is the thing taught?
That they pray wickedly, who say, halowed be thy name, and, yet are ordinary prophaners of Gods name; that is, of his titles, Word, Sacraments, attributes of mercy and iudgement,Exod. 20. 7. I. Lcuit. 24. 11. Iob. 21. 14. Psa. 50, 16, 17, …. 2 13. Mat. 18. 20. Ezech. 8. 16. 1. Cor. 11. 22. 1. Sā. 8, 7. Luk. 10. 16. 1. Cor. 6, 15, 17, 18, Eze. 36, 20, 21, 22, Esay 52. 5. 6 Eze. 13. 19. Es. 28, 7, 8, 9, Hos. 4. 11. 18 Ps. 10. 5 Esay 57 1. Ps. …. 6. & 149, 6, Esay 5. 12. Ela. 28. 14, 15, & 5, 19, 2. Pet. 3. 3, 4. Psa. 14. 6. & 145. 5, 6. & 78, 11, 42, & 28, 5, & 105, 5 6, works of Creation and prouidence, Sabboths, and other ordinances. Likewise who abuse his creatures to sinne, and neuer reuerence his power; as common swearers, common and intolerable despisers of GODS word, and …; all polluters of their owne bodies, with Adulterie, or Fornication, all filthy talkers and euill liuers, common drunkards, and other common and ordinary mockers, or not regarders of Gods strange and fearefull acts.
So much for the Petition about the aduancement of Gods glory: what are they that concerne the meanes?
The two next Petitions.
VVhat is the first of them?
Thy kingdome come.
What do you obserue therein?….
The meaning, and thing taught.
What is the meaning?
That the kingdome of grace in thePs. …. 2. 1 Cor 15. 25. Rom 14. 17. Ioh. 14, 16, 17, 26. Marc. 8. 14. Mat. 13. 19. Iob. 22. 22. Rō. 6. …. Esa. 14. 4. 10. 2 Thes. 3. 2. Phil. 1. 23. Church, by the aduanced scepter of the meanes, inward, and outward, as the Spirit and Word preached, with all other holy meanes, may be set vp in honour: and that Christ would be pleased to hasten his comming to iudgement,Apoc. 22. 20. 2. Tim. 4. 8. which is the kingdome of glory that we pray for here.
What is the thing taught?
That their prayers are sinnes whoPhil. 3. 18. …. 44. 16 Act. 13. 45. Luk. 19. 14. 1. Sam. 2. 17. 2. Sam. 12. 14. Eze. 36 22. Ps. 51. 18. Psa. 122. 6, 7, 8, & 137, 6 7, & 83, 4, Psal. 20. …. 2, 3, 4, …. Tim. 2. 2. Psa. 2. 2. 3. 2. Sam. 20, 1, & 1. Sam. 10. 27. Am. 6. 3. are enemies to those means, not liuing in the spirit, and opposing to preachers: Also, who … to pull downe Gods Church by their sinnes, neither wishing the prosperity of it, nor welfare of the … that are Fathers to …t; and who put the day of the LORD farre from them, by their security in sinning.
So much for the first of those petitions which concerne the meanes of Gods glorie: what is the second?
The second is in these wo…s: ThyThird Petition. will be done in earth, &c.
What do you obserue therein?
The meaning, and thing taught.Rom 12. 2. Deut. …. 20. Mat 21. 30 …. 1 22. …. 28. Ioh 13 17 Col 3. 23. Ps …. 3. … 14. Gen. 22. 16. …. 4. 34. Ps. …19 60 …. 5 28, 29, Ps. 119. 6. Psal. 119. 112.
What i… the meaning?
That the Will of GOD in his word may bee (not spoken of only or professed) but done; and done cheerfully, and willingly, with all faithfulnesse, and consta…cie by vsus men on earth, as it is by the Angels and Saints in Heaue…
What is the thing taught?
That they pray in sinne and againstEsay 58. 3, 13 2. Tim. 2. 26. Esay 29. 13 Mal. …. 8, 13. Heb. 11. 4. Luke 22. 3, 4. Agg. 1. 2 N…h. 3. 9. 20, 21. …oh. 6. 66. themselues, who say to God, thy will be done, and do their owne or Satans will; or doe Gods will with no good will, nor readinesse, being (not chearefull doers of the lawe) but enemies to such, and so as Gods will is done in them, as in the diuels, not by them.
So much for the Petitions that concerne Gods glory: what say you of those that concerne our owne necessiries?
They concern the things of this life, or of that to come.
VVhat is that that concerneth the things of this li…?
The fourth next Petition, which is:4. Petition. GiueGive vsus this day our, &c.
What do you obserue therein?
The meaning and thing taught.
What is the meaning?Gen 3. 19 1. Tim. 5. 8 Ephes. 4. 28 …. …hes. 2. 9. & 2. Thes. 3. 8, 12 Pro. 30. 8. Psal. 23. 5. & 104. 15 1. …. 8. 33, 37 Luke 22. 42 Acts. 21. 14.
That God would giuegive vntounto vsus (walking in our callings) al things needfull for our present temporall life, whether for necessity or honest delights: and that he would remoue or put backe all things that may hurt or hinder it, as sicknesse, famine of bread, plague of pestilence, warres and the like, with a reseruation to his good pleasure in any, or in all.
What is the thing taught?
That they pray without faith and inNum. 11. 4. 6. Luke 12. 13 Math. 20. 11, 12. 20. Luke 12. 19. & 14. 18, 19 20. Dan 4. 26, 17 no good manner, who will be their own caruers in these things: or, who, hauing the blessings of this life, hide their hearts in them, making them not glasses, but veiles to God, that is meanes, by abuse, not to remember, but vtterly to neglect the giuer.
So much for that petition, which concerneth the necessities of this life: what are they that concerne the necessities of the life to come?
The two next Petitions.
What is the first of them?
Forgiue vsus our trespasses, seeing that5. Petition. euen we, &c.
What do you obserue therein?
The meaning and thing taught.
What is the meaning?Psal. 32. 1, 2 Esay 38. 17 M…. 7. 19. Psal. 103. 3. 1. Ioh. 2. 12. Colos. 2. 13, 14. 1. Ioh. 2. 9. 1. Ioh. 2. 1, 2. & 4. 10. Heb. 2. 10, 11, 14, 17, 18. 2. Cor. 5. 21.
That God will not lay our sinnes to our charge, and that in Christ he will forgiue them, and the punishment due vntounto them: or, that he will iustifie vsus, who are vnrighteous, in Christ the righteous; whereof we hauehave good testimony within, when we can finde in our selues a readinesse, freely and fullyApoc. 1. 5. Iob. 33. 24. Ph…. 3. 9 Mat. 6. 14, 15 Luke 23. 34 Acts 7. 60 1. Cor 4. 13 2. …. 6. 22, 23 to forgiue all those that hauehave offended vsus.
What is the thing taught?
That they call for vengeance by all their prayers, that take vponupon them (pap…stically) to satisfie for their …, thatPsal. 130. 3. & 143. 2. Mat. 6. 15. …. 2. 13 Mat. 18. 32, 33, 34, 35. Luke 6. 35. Mat. 5. 23, 24, 44. is, to make the amends for them here, or in Purgatorie: also, who come to pray without, or with a deceitfull forgiuing of their brother.
What is the second Petition concerning the necessities of the life to come?
The next Petition, which is: and6. Petition. leade vsus not into temptation, &c.
What do you obserue therein?
The meaning and thing taught.
What is the meaning?1. Tim. 6. 9. Ioh. 13. 2. Psal. 19. 13. & 119. 133. Rō. 6. 12. 2. Tim. 4. 17, 18 2. Pet. 2. 9. 1. …. 10. 13 Rom 7. 24, 25. & 8. 1. Rom. 1. 24. 26. 2. Cor. 12. 7, 8. Act. 5. 3 Rom. 16. 20 Ioh. 17. 15 1. Ioh. 3. 8.
That, in temptation, God would not giuegive vsus ouer to … conquered of sinne, or of Satan that tempteth to it: and that if he bring vsus to the battell, he will conquer for vsus, and (so) deliuer vsus from euill, by loosing the power of sinne, and workes of the powers of darkenesse, that would binde vsus to da…ation.
What is the thing taught?
That they pray dangerously and sinfully, who, praying against temptations,Ioh. 18. 25, 26, 27. Act. 19. 14, 16. 1. Ioh. 5. 8 P…l. 91. 11 Eph 4. 19. Gen. 34. …2. Ier. 5. 8 Gen. 6. 1. runne vponupon the sharpe of them, neuer caring by good meanes and prouidence to auoide those sinnes that they …nde themselues most subiect vntounto, by disposition of minde and corrupt nature.
So much for the prayer it selfe: what say you of the confirmation therof?
It is in the reason of the Petitions, or seale.
What are the words of the reason?
For … is the Kingdome, &c.
What do you obserue therein?
The meaning and thing taught.
What is the meaning?Mat. 7. 25. & 16. 8. Psal. 89. 19. 1. Chr. 29. 12. 1. Chr. 29. 11 Luke 1. 37 Psa. 115. 3. Pro. 8. 14 1. Tim. 1. 7 Apo. 4. 9, 11. & 7. 12.
That our requests, hauing no other but God for their foundation or rocke, must needes stand sure in all stormes, seeing his Kingdome is strong, power infinite, and glory endlesse, who is to grant the same.
What is the thing taught?
That they hauehave no assurance by theirLeuit. 10. 3 Rom. 1. 21 Luke 18. …, 11, 12, 14. …. 16. 29. Eph. 3. 20, 21. prayers, who, in them, ascribe not all to God, or, who take any little glory from him to themselues, or to their owne doings; crauing blessings front him, and not giuing thanks vntounto him.
So much for the reason of the Petitions, what say you of the seale?
It is in the last word, Amen; or SoIohn 3. 33 it is.
What do you obserue therein?
The meaning and thing taught.
What is the meaning?
That wée … pray with earnestnesse,Dan. 9. 19. Luk. 11. 8. 9. Psal. 84 11. Apo. 22. 20. 2. Cor. 1. 20. Marke 11. 24 1. Iohn 5. 14. and (confidently) with faith, beléeuing verily to receiue those things, which we hauehave according to Gods will in his word prayed for, and (so) put our seale vntounto them in … word of faith,
Amen.
VVhat is the thing taught?
That they can hauehave no comfort in asking, who either pray not in faith and earnestly, or not for things (warrantably) to be prayed for.
To God be glory for e…er.