Lectures Upon Exodus 20, Lecture 16
¶The xvj. Lecture vppon the 11. verſe.
GiueGive vsus this day our daily bread.
WHen Solomon had made requeſt vntounto the Lord for the people of Iſrael on the dedication of the temple,1. Reg. 8. that hee woulde vouchſafe to hear their prayers, when any of thoſe ſeuerall occaſions whiche there he maketh mention of, ſhould oppreſſe them: in the end of his prayer, he requeſteth the Lord yt he would defend ye cauſe of his people Iſrael alwayes as the matter ſhould require, that what ſoeuer neceſſitie or extremitie time ſhould bring vponupon thē, he would hauehave a fatherly regarde vntounto them in that time of their neceſſitie & releeue them. This is that which is ment by daily bread, that the Lorde would graunt vsus eueryevery day whatſoeuer ſhalbe the neceſſitie of that day, giuing alwaies the thinges of ye day in his day. For thoſe be his words in yt place according to ye truth of the Hebrue text. In this petitiō we hauehave warrāt to call vntounto God for temporall benefites that we ſhall ſtand in neede of,1. Kin. 8.59. whatſoeuer. The ſeruāts of God hauehave gone before vsus by their example, in applying the Lorde with prayer when ſoeuer ye want of any thing did vexe them. In the booke of Pſalmes we shall ſee that Dauid in all diſtreſſes flyeth vntounto God by prayer: cureing all his griefes, whether of minde or body, with no other plaſter then prayer. That booke of pſalmes being well peruſed, let vsus ſee the manifold vſe and wonderful ſucceſſe of prayer, for ſomtime the Prophet cureth the griefe and languiſhing of his heart with prayer: ſometime he recouereth the helth of his body by prayer: in other places he putteth all his enimies to flight, with no other weapō then this of prayer: to be briefe, he maketh of prayer a medicine for all maladies, & ſpeedeth ſo wel with it in all his neceſſities, that we may not onelyonly ſay in bare words that it is a ſalue for all ſores, but euen write vponupon the head thereof Probatum eſt, for it is tryed to hauehave cured all griefes and vexations of what kinde ſoeuer.Pſa, 107.5.6 In the Pſalme the Prophet declareth that hungrie and thirſtie ſoules, wandering in the wilderneſſe, and calling vntounto God by prayer: are ſatiſfied of him and ſent away repleniſhed with good thinges.Verſe. 10. In the ſame Pſalme he declareth in like manner, that men beeing in priſon bound faſt with chaines and yron, without all hope of help, calling vponupon the Lord in their prayers are heard of him, their prayers graūted, & they deliuered.Verſe. 17. The ſame pſalme maketh mentiō of mē pyning away with ſicknes, or heauines of heart, & yet by calling vponupon him in prayer to hauehave ben cured & to hauehave recouered that dangerous eſtate. To cōclude, in ye 13. verſe of the ſame pſalme the mariners yt call vponupon God when ye tempeſt doth threten death vntounto them, are reported there to hauehave their prayers heard of the Lorde, to be deliuered from that daunger, and to bee brought to the land that they longed for. What man not well inſtructed, would once hauehave conceiued hope to hauehave theſe or the like thinges holpen by prayer? What man (not well inſtructed in the worde of God) would not take it to be a caſuall thing that commeth (as it is ſaid) by fortune, when faire wether commeth after a tempeſt, or health doeth ſucceede ſickneſſe, when deliuerance commeth after impriſonment, or plentie after pouertie? Theſe are ſo often ſene by experience to come one after an other, that notwithſtanding men hauehave in their diſtreſſe prayed for them, yet hardly can they be brought to think that they are bleſſings graunted to faithful prayer: but rather imagine that they are thinges caſt heere and there vponupon men at aduenture.
And therefore where men are in thoſe or ſuch like diſtreſſes, they hardly, or not at all, conceiue any hope to he heard. Seldome doe they make any ſute vntounto God in faith, eſpecially if thoſe afflictions lay ſore vponupon them: but the children of God (knowing that they are promiſed to hauehave ye Lorde neere vntounto them in all that they ſhall call vntounto him for) and that they ſhalbe heard for the thing of the day vponupon his day: as their occaſion requireth, ſo doe they ſeeke vntounto the Lord, beeing ſure in continuance to finde comforte at his hands, and why they knowe aſſuredly that the Lord will hauehave his merciemercy and power tryed and ſeene heere vppon the earth, in hearing the requeſtes of his in their diſtreſſe: that by that meanes hee may bee truely feared and honoured of them, according as it is proued in the booke of Kinges:1. King. 8.43. and alſo that by his hearing of their petitions in thoſe their diſtreſſes, they may be confirmed in the perſuaſion that GOD fauoureth them, remitteth their ſinnes, and beeing at one with them is fauourably inclined vntounto them in all their needfull demaunds.
Whoſoeuer ſhall diligently conſider of the places of Scripture in the olde Teſtament, applied by the Apoſtle to ye forgiuenes of ſinns, ſhall eaſily perceiue, that the godlie hauehave taken their deliueraunce from their diſtreſſes, as pledges of the remiſſion of their ſinnes, and aſſuraunces that God for Chriſte was at one with them. For their temporall bleſſings were not receiued of them, but as confirmations of his reconciliation with them: whiche proueth that which was ſaid before, that the Lord heareth ye prayer of his in their neceſſitie, to ſtrengthē their faith in the remiſſion of ſinnes, and perſuaſion that GOD for Chriſt is beecome fatherly affected towardes them, his promiſes being viſibly confirmed to them.
In Deuteronomie there are promiſes made vntounto them that do giuegive diligent heede vntounto the law and commandements of God to obey them,Deut. 28.10 that they ſhalbe bleſſed in the fruit of their body, in the fruit of their cattel, in their comming in and going out, in all that they ſhall put their handes vntounto, in cauſing their enimies that riſe againſt them to fall before their face, and the cauſe is added in the tenth verſe in theſe wordes. Then all the people of the earth ſhall ſee that the name of the Lorde is called vppon ouer thee, and they ſhall be affrayde of thee.
It is therfore moſte aſſured, that the Lord will be ſeene to bee the GOD of his, and to hauehave a kingdome heere vppon earth, by graunting them their requeſtes, when they ſhall call vppon him in their diſtreſſe: by leauing outwarde bleſſings as plaine confirmations of his inwarde heartie good will that he beareth towardes them. And for this cauſe doe his people craue thoſe temporall benefites, euen that it may bee ſeene that he ruleth vppon earth, ſtanding by his as he hath promiſed.
Wherefore, whenſoeuer their enimies oppreſſe them, or by the want of any his accuſtomed benefites they ſeeme not to bee regarded of the Lord, they cōplaine vntounto him not ſo much in the conſideration of their neceſſitie, as in regarde of his glorie: vſing theſe & ſuch like kind of ſpeeches, Wherfore ſhould the Heathen ſay, Where is now their GOD? As if their chiefe care were to hauehave the Lorde his glorie vpholden in the confirmation of his goodneſſe promiſed vntounto his: whiche is called into doubt of the vngodlie, while they ſee thoſe that accounted thēſelues for his in affliction and oppreſſion, neceſſitie and want, as if they were not regarded of him, wherby the vngodly are imboldened the more to oppreſſe the righteous, & by calling into queſtion ye trueth of his promiſes made vntounto his, confirmed the rather in the continuing of their diſobedience. Very fitly therefore is the hallowing of his name, the comming of his kingdome, and the doeing of his wil, ſet before the requeſt of outwarde neceſſities, becauſe wee ſhould demaund them rather in reſpect of his glorie, that he might therby hauehave a name and kingdome here in earth, and his wil perfourmed, rather then wee to hauehave therein our alone neceſſitie releeued.
The godly in like manner returne the whole praiſe vntounto him, euen whē thoſe things are graunted vntounto them that ſeeme to be moſte caſuall, and to come at aduenture.Pſal. 107. Therfore in that Pſalme before mentioned they are willed to praiſe ye Lord, and to tel vntounto others what he hath done for thē, when thoſe things which ſeeme to be meere caſuall, and comming by fortune and chaunce, are obteyned: which clauſe of prayſing the Lord, and telling vntounto others what thinges he hath graunted at the requeſtes of their prayers, is added in ye pſalme vntounto the end of eueryevery ſeuerall benefite, graunted vntounto thē. But al men cōceiue not this doctrin, they are his children alone, who in hart are aſſured that theſe which cōmonly we cal caſual things, are diſpoſed by him at the pleaſure of his will, & graūted as pledges of his goodwill, to thoſe that in trueth call vponupon him, and therfore in ye laſt verſe of that pſalme, it is ſaid: Who is wiſe that he may obſerue theſe things, becauſe they be onelyonly his children that hauehave this wiſdome to obſerue this, to mark it, to knowe that he diſpoſeth theſe outwarde things to ye good of his, as pledges of his fatherly goodnes towards them: and therfore they onelyonly call vponupon him for them in faith, and in receiuing them doe aſſuredly in their heart reckon them as benefites receiued of him, confirming their faith therby, in the aſſurance of his eſpeciall goodwill towards them. By this that hath bene ſaid, it doth appeare, that when we are oppreſſed with anguiſh of heart, or vexed with any calamitie, either of bodie or minde: wee hauehave to ſeke our remedie at the hands of the Lord by prayer, in aſſured hope to receiue no ſmal comfort thereby, if in faith and hope of his mercies we continue in calling vppon his name. It is a very hard matter, and the worke of faith alone, when a man is ſore diſtreſſed & ſeeth no means to eſcape, then to call vponupon God with faith and hope of beeing heard: and if help ſhall come, it is as hard a matter to aſcribe it vntounto the mercies of God as ye fruit of prayer, and an aſſured token of his goodwil rendering from the ground of our hart the praiſe that is due vntounto him for it, and ſtrengthening our faith therby in the perſuaſiō of his mercies towards vsus. The ſeruāt of God glorifieth God in theſe things, acknowledging from his hearte, that God is the giuer and diſpoſer of them, but the vngodly whatſoeuer they ſay in worde, thinke in heart that they came by fortune and chaunce, and therefore doe not giuegive him the glorie for them, neither ſanctifie them by prayer as things receiued in eſpeciall good will from God.
In the Pſalme there is plentifully ſet foorth vntounto vsus,Pſal. 91. what protection the godly ſhall finde againſt all dangers in their diſtreſſes, & in the end of that Pſalme, it is declared, by what meanes they ſhall eſcape thoſe dangers, in theſe wordes: He ſhall call vponupon me and I will heare him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliuer him and glorifie him, with long life will I ſatisfie him and ſhew him my ſaluation.
If any ſhall diligently reade that notable book of prayer, the prayer booke of the holy Ghoſte, I meane the booke of Pſalmes, he ſhall cleerely ſee that which before was ſaid, that the prophet is no way diſtreſſed, but hee runneth foorthwith vntounto God by prayer, and findeth comfort at his hands, knowing (as he teſtifieth in the Pſalme) that the Lorde is neere vntounto all that call vponupon him, Pſal. 145 18yea to all that call vponupon him in trueth, that hee will fulfill the deſire of them that feare him, that he will heare their cry and ſaue them.
It hath bene declared, that we in this petition are taught to call vponupon God for deliuerance, whatſoeuer our neceſſitie ſhalbe, and that with hope in God to be heard, albeit we ſee no meanes how we ſhalbe holpen. It hath in like manner bene declared how hardly this is perfourmed of vsus, yt we ſhould hauehave hope when we can ſee no meanes lightly to helpe: ſo that it is the faithfull man alone that giueth this glorie vntounto God. We learned out of the Pſalme yt the faithful man beeing toſſed with the tempeſt vponupon the ſea, and ſeeing no poſſibilitie to eſcape, reſorteth vntounto God by prayer, and findeth the fruit thereof. This (as was ſaid before) is hardlie perfourmed in ſuch extremities, where there appeareth no meanes likely to deliuer vsus. It is as hard a thing by reaſon of our corruption, to ſeeke at God his hands by true prayer, thoſe outwarde benefites that are procured by our laboure, as by meanes appointed of God to helpe vsus therevnto. As for example, whē a man hath an occupation to liue by, it is no eaſie matter for him to craue as hartily at God his hands for his liueing, as that man yt wanteth all ordinarie meanes to mainteine him. We are taught in this petition to beg at ye hands of God by prayer, thoſe outwarde thinges that hauehave meanes ordeined to bring thē euen then when we hauehave the vſuall meanes. For the man yt hath friends of great credite, that are able to compaſſe matters of greater importance then he hath any to trouble them withall, muſt looke & ſeke for ſucceſſe at the Lorde by prayer, as carefully as if he knew of no helpe or friendſhippe at all. When men of wiſedome, credite, or power, go aboute their matters without any calling vponupon the name of God, they plainly denie the Lord that honour that is due vntounto him: for he muſt be acknowledged, as hee is in deed, the diſpoſer of all outwarde benefites, aſwell of thoſe that come by the meanes of our labour, indeuour, or other our meanes whatſoeuer, as thoſe that come ſo as we can giuegive no reaſon of the ſame, comming by caſualtie or fortune, as men commonly vſe to ſpeake.
And in this petition wee are taught to craue all outwarde benefites, and the ſucceſſe and goeing forewarde of all our laboures of the LORDE, who is the onelyonly giuer of them, and without whoſe eſpeciall bleſſing all healpes and meanes are to no purpoſe: according as it is written in the Pſalme:Pſa. 127.1.2 Except the Lorde builde the houſe, they labour in vaine that builde it. It is vaine for you to ryſe early and lye downe late: declaring heereby, how little helpe there is in all our carefull toyle, to atteyne to wealth and earthlie commodities. And therefore in all our trauailes wee are taught to reſorte vntounto GOD by earneſt and faithfull prayer. It is he that muſte bleſſe our going in, and our comming out,Pal. 121. as wee do reade in the Pſalmes. Wherfore the godlie looke for a peculiar bleſſing of GOD vppon their laboures, and ſeeke vntounto him for it, when as the vngodly aſcribe ye honour that is due vntounto God, vntounto thoſe helps and meanes of counſel, labour, or indeuour, which are but the inſtrumentes appointed of the Lord therevnto. The daunget of this diſeaſe is ſo greate, and man ſo eaſilie drawen to ſeeke vntounto the healpes that hee hath without any due reſpect and regarde of the Lorde: that in expreſſe wordes he giueth his people warning of this offence in Deuteronomie.Deu. 8.17. Beware leaſte thou ſay in thine hearte, my power and the ſtrength of myne owne hand hath prepared me this aboundaunce: but remember the Lord thy GOD: For it is he whiche giueth the power to get ſubſtaunce,
Let vsus learne to ſanctifie all outwarde bleſſings by prayer, ſeeking them vnfeignedly at the Lorde, and acknowledging them in trueth, and from a perſuaded heart, to hauehave beene giuen vsus from the hands of our God, what ſoeuer hath bene ſtore or ſtrength of our meanes to procure thē by. For otherwiſe they are not pure vntounto vsus, if we bee not reſolued of the giuer thereof, reaching through all meanes into the ſight of his goodneſſe, who is the Lord and diſpoſer of theſe temporall thinges.
A Chriſtian is taught in this petition not to be tormented before hand, with the feare of an hard eſtate and euil condition in time to come, becauſe the Lord (who is the diſpoſer of all outward thinges) hath taught his to reſort vntounto him for the neceſſitie of the day, in the day and time of their diſtreſſe: promiſing to ſtand by them in their troubles and wants, and to declare himſelfe to be their God by the benefites and mercies, that he will graunt at their requeſts. What a great burthen therfore are we diſcharged of by the Lord, who in promiſing to heare vsus in the day of our calamitie, hath cut off many cares, griefes, and vexations which long before they come, torment the vngodly, and when they are vppon them, doe driue them either to deſpaire or to vngodly ſhiftes.
How iuſt alſo is the plague and puniſhment of thoſe, who refuſing this benefite of the Lorde, will hauehave their owne care and feare vſurpe vponupon the merciemercy and goodneſſe of GOD: who in ſingular good will hathe returned vntounto vsus the benefite of our thoughtes and cares, to hauehave them otherwiſe beſtowed for our good in his ſeruice, willing vsus not to be careful before hand for the neceſſitie to come, for the care of the day ſhall ſuffice for the ſame.Matth. 6.34. If the Lorde in merciemercy abate and giuegive backe this benefite of our care, that we may hauehave it before the neceſſitie come free to beſtowe vponupon his ſeruice for our owne profite: what madneſſe is there in our refuſall? nay, what wickedneſſe and contempt of the grace of God? That man therfore that learneth not to abate the care for outward daungers and neceſſities to come, can neuer in trueth pray vntounto the Lord that he would giuegive him this day his daily breade. For theſe wordes of daily bread, and this day, doe cutt off the care and torment of times farre off. By the promiſe whiche in this petition we doe truſt and depende vppon,Hebr. 13.5 the holie Ghoſt to the Hebrues cureth couetouſneſſe: willing them to be content with that they hauehave, & to ſee yt their conuerſation be without couetouſneſſe, becauſe the Lorde hath ſaide, I will not leaue thee nor forſake thee.
This promiſe of the Lord, that he will not forſake his in the day of their neceſſitie, is ſet as a bulworke to beate backe their feare of want, and carefull coueting that ariſeth therevpon: that they may hold them wel content and apaide with their preſent ſtate and condition. The holie Ghoſte maketh a great diuerſitie betwene the godlie and wicked touching theſe earthly thinges: for they come to the godlie as it were ſleeping: for ſo doeth he tearme their quiet laboure, that wayte aſſuredly for ye ſucceſſe frō the Lord, in reſpect of the careful toile yt the vngodly are tormented with, as if their liuing lay onelyonly in their trauels. There is a ſecrete bleſſing of the Lorde which muſt be ſought for at his handes by faithfull prayes, without the which all care and trauel that can be taken wil not auaile. It is the bleſsing of the Lord that maketh riche (ſayeth the holie Ghoſt.Prou. 10.22) There is more in that then our fleſhly and miſtruſtfull heart can eaſily be perſuaded of. Let vsus therefore learne to leſſen our miſtruſtfull care, that we may teſtifie to the worlde ye increaſe of our faith, in the perſuaſion of his merciemercy towardes vsus, according as this petition doeth admoniſhe vsus. For in praying vntounto him for theſe outward commodities, we doe acknowledge that they be at his diſpoſing, and that all the labour in the worlde will not fetche them, vnleſſe it pleaſe him to giuegive ſucceſſe. Wherefore we may plainely ſee, that when we hauehave trauelled or vſed thoſe outward meanes wherby commonly benefits are procured, we hauehave but accompliſhed one part, and the leaſt part of that that bringeth the benefite in deed. Prayer muſt alſo be vſed, and the Lorde he is to be intreated, and this is not the leaſt but the chiefe parte.
The godly tempt not the Lord by refuſing his meanes, but euen then when they doe vſe thoſe meanes, they are muche in prayer for the ſucceſſe and going forward of them: whether it be labour, counſell, or friendſhippe that they they vſe to compaſſe their matter by. For the want of this, we ſee it fall out in common experience, that the wiſeſt men hauehave had ſuche ſucceſſe with their deuiſes, as the moſt fooliſh man that is, could not hauehave made a madder matche, then often times falleth out euen there where their care and counſell hath beene the greateſt: whiche teacheth vsus to giuegive the Lorde his due, to acknowlege him the Lord and gouernour of thoſe temporall commodities, to begge them at his handes by true and vnfeigned prayer, and by faith to depend vponupon him, and not vponupon our trauel, no not where it is the greateſt and promiſeth the moſte vntounto vsus.
Worldly men that depend wholy in the perſuaſion of their heart vponupon the help of their hands, their wiſdome, or their wealth or friendſhip: do diſſemble with the Lorde in this requeſt. For they ſeeke that at him as his gift, whiche their heart telleth them that they hauehave alreadie at home. Couetous men that wold gather faſter then he will giuegive, how can they in trueth ſeeke it at his hands: when they are not at any time content with yt meaſure or portion that he doth giuegive, neither reſt in his diſtribution, hauing ſuch a hungrie deſire as would preſcribe the Lord, and not be limited or preſcribed by the Lord? The oppreſſer, hard & cruel dealer, yt pretendeth to beg his bread & temporal cōmodity of the Lord, & in the meane time is the purueyer, and prouider for him ſelfe, by ſuche oppreſſing and vnmercifull meanes as the Lorde abhorreth, doeth dallie with the Lorde, deceiue him ſelfe, and maketh his praier a curſe vntounto his owne ſoule, and a witneſſe in the day of iudgment againſt his own conſcience: in that he hath profeſſed in this prayer that to be the Lords gift, whiche he ſought of ſathan by ſuche wayes and meanes as he approueth, but the Lord abhorreth them. We pray here for others aſwell as for our ſelues, he therfore that profeſſeth to pray for others their good eſtate concerning temporall thinges, and yet conueyeth that whiche is others, or withholdeth it eyther by violence or deceipte: with what conſcience doeth he offer this petition to the Lord? The children of God hauehave their faith declaring it ſelfe by outward thinges, while they doe depende vppon him for them: wherein the vngodly bewray their wante, howſoeuer they boaſt of their inward perſuaſion of his goodneſſe. For if the Lord ſpeede them not to their contentation, they will not ſticke to prouide for themſelues, by ſuche either open or ſecrete oppreſſion as he hathe plainely forbidden, as if he were onelyonly the God of the ſoule, and not of the bodie alſo, & whole man, to prouide for both, according to the good pleaſure of his will: and wee by faith to depende and wayte for a ſpeciall bleſſing from him, euen in outward thinges which the vngodly cannot ſee into. For they binde the Lord ſo vntounto the inſtrumentes whereby hee worketh his will, that in truth they hauehave the glorie, and he is altogether depriued thereof.
They be only his children that in truth acknowledge him the giuer of theſe outwarde benefites, & therfore wil vſe no meanes beſides thoſe which he hathe approued. The other in ſeeking helpe by meanes forbidden of him, doe plainely ſpeake in thoſe their doings yt they hauehave no faith nor cōfidēce in him: we may in faith & good hope aſke thoſe thinges, becauſe they make for the glorie of God, who doth reigne and rule in earth by giuing vntounto his their wantes, euen in theſe outward and temporal things, according as we may learne in ye Pſalm.Pſalm. 146. Where after many words declaring that God executeth iuſtice for the oppreſſed, giueth bread to the hungrie, loſeth the priſoners, kepeth the ſtrangers, relieueth the fatherleſſe, ouerthroweth ye way of the wicked: immediately it followeth, The Lord ſhal reigne for euer, ô Sion. As if the Lord ſhould not be known to reigne, if he ſhould fayle his ſeruants calling and depending vponupon him in their diſtreſſes. For we may not think that he faileth his ſeruants, when he giueth them better benefites, then thoſe which they doe aſke. As if they craue deliuerance out of preſent daunger, and he by taking them in merciemercy out of this life, worketh a final riddaunce out of all daunger: ſhall we ſay that the Lord hath not heard them? Likewiſe if their neceſſitie whatſoeuer, indureth longer then they wiſhe, or increaſe vponupon them after their ſuite made for deliueraunce, becauſe ye Lord wil worke a more glorious worke in their deliuerance for the comfort and increaſe of their faithe, notwithſtanding it be ſome long time after: ſhall we ſay the Lorde hathe reiected their prayers, becauſe he hath delayed ſo long? God forbidde. For the Lorde according to the good counſel of his will, hath not iuſtified the innocencie and good cauſes of his ſometimes, no not before their death. And as it hath bene ſaid of the time, ſo likewiſe is it to be thought of the meanes & maner of helping & relieuing vsus, if yt hath ben other then we coulde hauehave preſcribed, ſhall we denie the Lord to hauehave hearde our ſuites, becauſe the helpe that we hauehave had, hath not beene in the ſame manner that we hauehave conceiued to be beſt? This one thing we hauehave often to call to remembrance, that before the requeſt of theſe outward neceſſities, there is the deſire of doing his will here in earth: to teach vsus that the Lord is thus helpful, in outward neceſſities oppreſſing them, vntounto the prayers of ſuche, as hauehave not onelyonly the knowledge of his will, but alſo the deſire to do it.
For that goeth before the other in our prayer, & therfore in our deſire, in as much as true praier goeth not without ye deſire of the hart vntounto ye requeſt of the tongue. Thoſe therfore, that looke for theſe outward bleſſinges when they call vntounto the Lord, muſt learne both to know what his will is reueled in his word, & alſo to hauehave a deſire to doe ye ſame. For vntounto thoſe that thus worſhip him, the Lord hath promiſed to incline his eare, according as it is written in theſe wordes: We knowe that God heareth not ſinners, Iohn. 6.31.but if any man be a worſhipper of God, & doth his wil, him heareth he: putting them in hope of beeing heard yt be worſhipers of him, & making thoſe the worſhippers, not that do vntounto him whatſoeuer liketh them, but that are doers of his liking & wil, which is opened to vsus in his word. To the confirmation of this may be added that, which is written in the firſt Epiſtle of S. Iohn in theſe wordes, whatſoeuer we aske we receiue of him, Iohn. 3.22.becauſe we do thoſe thinges whiche are pleaſing in his ſight. By this it appeareth that witches & ſorcerers (whiche wil hauehave the name of wiſemen and wiſe women) who are thought to do ſo many things with prayer, cannot preuaile with the Lorde to obteine theſe outward thinges of him in fauour and goodwil: for of all people they are the moſt ignorant of his will, & therefore of his worſhip. But as euen nowe it was proued, if any man be a worſhipper of God and a doer of his will, him heareth he. Thoſe are they to whō the Lord hath made promiſe yt he wilbe mercifully inclined vntounto in their prayers & petitions, he is nighe vntounto al that call vponupon him in trueth, he wil fulfil the deſire of thē yt feare him, he wil heare their crie and will ſaue them.Pſal. 145.19.20. The Lord preſerueth all them that louelove him, (ſaith the holy Ghoſt.) It may ſo fal out that the prayers of witches & ſuch like may be inſtrumentes of his iuſtice, for the puniſhment of ſinne in others: and for the hardening of their own harts: but it is as ſure as the lord liueth, yt they neuer obteine any thing by their prayers to their good, in fauour & good liking of ye lord. But as for ye ſeruants of God, they are in aſſured hope to hauehave their prayers heard, whē they ſhal cal vponupon ye Lord in their outward diſtreſſes: for they are perſuaded, (as ye truth is in deede) yt it ſtandeth vpō ye name & glorie of ye Lord, to ſtand by his in their neceſſities for to ſuccour and help them, as the matter ſhall require. Wherefore they require it as a part of his owne glorie, as an argument and aſſurance that he reigneth here in earth, as a matter that is agreeable to his good pleaſure and will, according as they hauehave learned out of his word, whiche giueth them an aſſured hope of beeing heard, and maketh them bolde to call vppon him, knowing that his owne glorie, the renoune of his owne kingdome, and a matter that is agreeable to his owne good liking and will, is in hande, while their diſtreſſes & wants are brought before the Lord, to be holpen, & relieued by him. A manifeſt confirmation & proofe of this is to be found in the Pſalme: In the whiche place the prophet ſpeaketh much in the beginning of extolling the name of God,Pſal. 145. of meditating the beautie of his glorious maieſtie, of ſhewing foorth the glorie of his kingdome, and ſpeaking of his power: after this it followeth, that the Lorde vpholdeth all that fall, that he fulfilleth the deſire of them that feare him, that he wil heare their crie, and will ſaue them: as if the glorie of his name, and renoune of his kingdome were ſeene in this: to lift vp his that fall, to heare their crie and ſaue them. And no doubt the Lord will hauehave it knowen here vponupon earth, that he is Lorde ouer all true & faithfull in his word, by the helpe and defence that he will graunt vntounto his, whenſoeuer in their diſtreſſe they ſhal by faithful prayer reſorte vntounto him. His meaning is to leaue manifeſt and plaine profe that he ruleth herein earth, euē by that merciemercy that he hath to beſtowe vponupon his, who cal and crie vntounto him in their neceſſitie with an aſſured hope of being heard. For the glorie of his name, the honour of his kingdome, and the good pleaſure of his will go ioyntly together with the hearing & regarding of their cauſe: according as they are ſet before this petition, in this fourme of prayer that is preſcribed by the Lord. Where, before we make mention of daily bread, there is requeſt made for the halowing of his name, the comming of his kingdome, and dooing his wil, becauſe euen then when he relieueth the neceſſities of his that call vponupon him, his name is hallowed, his kingdome commeth, and that is perfourmed which is agreeable to his will. This cannot but miniſter hope and comfort vntounto vsus in all our neceſſities, that his honour and glorie is after a manner darkened in our diſtreſſe, and as it were ſuffereth in the ſame, which the lord God cannot but erecte and aduaunce, and therefore fauour our diſtreſſe, wherevnto his owne honour is ſo neerely ioyned. Nowe let vsus pray, &c.