Sermons Upon all the Sunday Gospels, Sermon 35
The fyfte Sonday after Easter. ¶The Gospell. Ihon. xvi.
VEryly veryly I say vntounto you, whatsoeuer ye aske ye father in my name, he wil geue it you. Hytherto hauehave ye asked nothynge in my name. Aske and ye shall receiue, that your ioye maye be full. These thynges hauehave I spoken vntounto you by Prouerbes. The time wyll come when I shal no more speake vntounto you by Prouerbes, but I shall shewe you plainely from my father. At that day shall ye aske in my name: And I saye not vntounto you that I wyll speake vntounto my father for you, for the father hym selfe loueth you, because ye hauehave loued me, and hauehave beleued that I came out from God. I went out from the father, and came into the worlde. Againe, I leaue the worlde and go to the father. His Disciples sayde vntounto him: Lowe, nowe thou talkest plainelye, and speakest no Prouerbe. Nowe are we sure that thou knowest all thinges, & nedest not that any man shoulde aske thee any question, therfore beleue we that thou camest from God. Iesus aunswered them: Nowe ye do beleue, beholde, the houre draweth nye, and is alredy come, that ye shalbe scattered eueryevery man to his owne, and shall leaue me alone. And yet am I not alone, for the father is with me. These wordes hauehave I spoken vntounto you, that in me ye myght hauehave peace, for in the worlde shall ye hauehave tribulation. But be of good chere, I hauehave ouercome the worlde.
THE EXPOSITION.
THe Gospell of this daye (as ye hauehave heard) is a singuler and very notable exhortation vntounto prayer,The comend… cion of pray…. for after the ministerie of the worde, this is the highest seruice that Christen men can do vntounto God, euen to cal on his glorious name by feruent prayer.
This exhortation vntounto prayer Christe made after his last supper when he had vttered that parte of his sermon, whiche ye hauehave to fore hearde when he tolde them aforehand, that they shoulde be sadde for his departure, but notwithstanding that it should be but for a litle whyle: for asmuche as he wolde shortly comme againe and see them, and so turne their sadnes into gladnes.In trouble we must fa…l to prayer. After this consolation foloweth nowe this exhortation vntounto prayer, and it followeth very aptly & in conuenient place. For Christen men in their afflictions, and troubles, in all perilles & daungers hauehave none other helpe, then to staye them selfe with praier, and to crye vntounto God for helpe. This doth Christe teache his Disciples in this place, that in the tyme of sadnes, they shoulde hauehave their refuge vntounto prayer. And this he vttereth maruelous pithyly & with great vehemencie of wordes that they shoulde do this worke with a stout courage,Iac. 1. with a stronge fayth, and by no meanes be dysmayd. For sayth he, I say not vntounto you, that I shal pray my father for you. For the father himselfe loueth you, because ye hauehave loued me, and hauehave beleued, that I come out from God. This is true, that Christ sitteth on the right hande of the father,Rom. 8. and maketh intercession for vsus, as Paule saith. And we knowe that his prayer, which he made after his laste supper for his churche and for poore sinners,Iohn. 17. Heb. 5. and afterwarde on the crosse, was hearde, and yet is stil of suche efficacie,The vertue of christes prayer for hys churche. strength, mighte, and power, that it remaineth styll of full force euen vntounto the worldles ende. But sayth Christ, ye hauehave no nede of suche prayer, as I make for you, for ye are able to praye the father, neither doubte ye, but that your prayer is heard: for my father therefore loueth you, because ye hauehave loued me. Which is not so to be vnderstanded, as though the prayer of Christ should be vntounto vsus neither conforte nor helpe, but that we should not set our owne prayer at naught, forasmuche as we louelove Christ.God hearethe the prayers of the true christians. For this is most certein, and a thing earnestly to be beleued, that all that fauour and louelove Christe, them can not the father hate, yea their prayer can he none otherwise then heare. Where are nowe the Papistes, which hauehave inculked and set forth vntounto vsus the inuocation of Sainctes?
What can be of greater force for the auauncement and setting forth of our prayer, then that Christ by his death and departure out of the worlde vntounto his father, hath gotten vntounto vsus that entraunce,Wee maye praye in al places and wee shall be heard because we louelove christe. that wheresoeuer we be, in temple, in house, in secret places, in the feilde, in the shoppe, so that we be Christians, & louelove Christe, we maye be bolde to come before God, to talke with him, to praye vntounto hym, and to craue of hym, whatsoeuer we hauehave nede of. For vntounto suche prayer we nede nothinge but only suche an hearte, as can saye: O our heauenly father I knowe that thou louest me, because I louelove thy sonne and my redemer Christ Iesu. With this boldnes wil I now pray vntounto thee, not that I am so holy and righteous, but because I knowe that thou gladly geuest all thinges for thy sons sake Iesus Christ. In his name I nowe come vntounto thee, and praye: and I doubt not, but that thou wilt heare this my prayer whatsoeuer I be. For eueryevery man must diligently take hede of this,We maye not differre our praier till we be found worthy of our selues to praye. that he do not so long differre his prayer till he shall thincke him selfe pure and cleane ynoug, and apt to praye, as the deuill will sometime put in a mans mynde, and saye: Thou arte not nowe apte and mete to praye. Thou arte a sinner: and god heareth no synners.ohn. 9. Do this and that worke fyrst, and afterwarde when thou felest thy selfe pure and without sinne, fall to prayer.
But he that geueth place to such suggestions of Satan, & suffreth,Satan seketh to hinder prayer, himselfe to be troubled with suche idle imaginations, he shal finde lettes plenty to withdraw and plucke hym awaye from prayer. The deuill is sutle and craftie, and seketh all meanes possible to let vsus from prayer. We must therefore get vsus certein and present helpes, that we maye remoue his subtilties frō vsus. And whē soeuer thy necessitie requireth praier, thincke that to be the time, whē thou oughtest to pray, and differre the tyme no lenger, but fall straightwaies in hande with prayer. If thou of thy selfe be not apte or worthie to praye, God will make the apte and worthie. For thincke this verely with thy selfe, that God loueth thee for Christes sake, and not because thou art righteous and holye: otherwise should he neuer louelove thee, nor heare thy prayer. For who can be founde righteous and holy in his sight,Iob. 4.25. Psal. 143. before whom the child of one daye olde, yea the Angells in heauen be not pure? Enter not (O lorde) into iudgement with thy seruant, saith Dauid: for none yt lyueth shal be founde righteous before thee God hath wrapped all thinges vnderunder sinne, that he might hauehave merciemercy on al, sayth S. Paule. This requireth Christ in this place, that we diligently praye,Rom. 11. Galat. 3. and by no meanes neglecte prayer, as some wicked persones are wont scoffingly to saye: I said not the lordes prayer not a great whyle, and yet I hauehave as good a stomacke to my meate and drincke, as euer I had in my lyfe. If thou be a Christen man, and chalengest vntounto thee that name,Epicures. let neuer suche a worde come out of thy mouth. If thou saye the lords prayer no ofter, at the lest say it in the morninge when thou ryseth:We muste praye contynually. again, both before and after meate, & also when thou goest to bedde at night. For we that are Christians are bounde to pray alwayes, whiche with the mouth can not at all times be done, but this is the prayer of the heart. For the heartes of ye faythful ought to wyshe this continually,Luc. 18. 1. Thess. 5. Eccle. 18. that the name of God may be sanctified, that his kyngdome maye come, that he wil geue vsus peace, seasonable weather, a sounde body, good health, &c. This doth eueryevery Christen man inwardly wishe at all times, and although he doth not euer thincke in it, yet that is his continuall desire. This is a spirituall prayer, and a prayer of the hearte. And we hauehave nede of such prayer at all tymes,A christen mā is euer in danger therefore ought he euer to pray. because a Christen man can not so muche as a moment of an houre be safe and without ieopardie for the deuill and his owne fleshe, lest he should be cas… hedlong into diuers sinnes and vices: But as with the heart, so likewise with the mouth ought we to praye. Now what maner of prayer it ought to be, Christ teacheth here & sayth: Aske in my name. Againe, ye father loueth you-because ye hauehave loued me, and hauehave beleued, yt I hauehave come out frō God· And when a man is so instructed, that he beleueth in Christ,Every christen man is a priest. he is the true priest with all his furniture, neither wanteth he any thinge, but that he may boldly open his mouth and lippes, and declare the matter both for hymselfe and for other and saye: Lorde, this hauehave I nede of, that hath my neighbour nede of. Geue vsus this for Christes sake, &c.
Our times be suche nowe,Cause to pray that we can neuer want necessarie causes to pray, Calamities and publique miseries are there plentie. Perils and daungers cōpasse vsus rounde about. The cause of all these euils is the deuill, which is a murtherer and a lyar.Iohn. 8. with lying he goeth about to oppresse the worde of God, and with commotions, insurrections, and murtheringe one of an other, he troubleth the ciuile state, & publique peace. The Pope, the Turke, and the other tyrauntes, which all are enemies to the worde of god, helpe the deuyll also forwarde in all his matters: yea we also priuatly eueryevery one of vsus hauehave oure priuate incommodities and afflictions: so that we hauehave causes sufficient to moue vsus vntounto prayer. They that can not aptly expresse in prayer these most haynous and greuous euylles, let them take vntounto them the Lords prayer,A short declaration of the lordes prayer, whiche containeth seuen petitions, wherin are cōprehended abundantly, all thinges that we hauehave nede to praye for. In the first petitiō, Halowed be thy name, we pray for ye ministery & for all true ministers,The first peticion. againste heretikes & vngodly personnes, againste the Iewes, Infidelles, & Turkes, and againste the Pope & all Papistes, (for all these blaspheme the name of God, and dishonoure it) that god will represse & confound them, send, faithfull workemen into his haruest,Math. 9. and conserue and kepe his worde sincere and pure againste heresies.
In the second petition, Thy kingdome come, we desire,The second pe…icion. that the kyngdome of the deuil and death may decaye and come to naught, which is a very ample and large petition. For it comprehendeth al the deuils kingdome, that god maye make an ende of it, and vtterlye destroye it, and set vp his owne kingdome in vsus and in all menne, thorowe his worde and the holy ghost.
The thirde peticion.In the third petition, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen, we praye, that all other wyll, whiche is cōtrary to the mercifull will of god, may be restrained & hindered, so that it maye take no place. This prayer can not the deuill & his Impes abide, yea this prayer preserueth and kepeth vsus safe from many incommodities and combraunces, which the deuil & the worlde would dayly attempte and bring to passe againste vsus-if they were not letted by this petition.
The fourthe peticion.In the fourth petition, Geue vsus this daye our dayly breade, we praye for the maiestrates, for our parentes, for our wyfe and children, for the fruites of the earth, for seasonable weather, for peace, and for all thynges necessarie for this present life, eueryevery man according to his vocation and calling, that it wil please god to prosper all these thinges, and to defend them against euil.
In the fyfte petition, And forgeue vsus oure trespasses,The fyfte peticion. as we forgeue them that trespasse against vsus, we desire yt god wyll be merciful vntounto vsus turne awaye his wrath from vsus that we hauehave iustly deserued & not deale with vsus accordinge to our sins, but that he wil forgeue vsus our trespasses, geue vsus grace that we may waxe daily better and better, shewe beneuolence an good wil one toward an other, and one of vsus forgeue an other, how great soeuer the offences be.
In the sixte petitiō, And leade vsus not into temptation,The sixt peticion. we aske ye god specially will helpe all afflicted consciences, that they perishe not in tentation, but that they may be deliuered from it by the worde & by the holy ghost.
In the seuenth petition. But deliuer vsus from euill, we pray for a blessed & a prosperous end,The seuenth peticion. that we may be deliuered from al sinnes, & calamities of this lyfe, & be brought vntounto a glorious & an euerlasting lyfe, there to remayne with god in his kyngdome for euermore. Thus see we, that in the Lords praier are contayned abondātly al thinges necessarye to be prayed for, whether we will be deliuered from those thinges that are euil, or holpē with those thinges that are good. And all these thinges are necessarie to be daily prayed for. For there is great plentie of necessities and perils, first publiquely, and afterwarde priuately in euerye mans owne busynesses.We oughte to be feruentlye geuen to prayer. OnelyOnly this one thynge is greatly to be lamented, that we are very colde and slouthfull vntounto the Godly exercise of prayer, neyther do we resorte vntounto it wyth suche earnest desyre and fayth as we ought to do. There is a commandement set forth, that byddeth vsus to pray. There is also a promes, yt we shal vndoubtedly be heard. And because we shold lack duplicate page duplicate page nothing that might furder vsus in this behalfe. Christe in the aforesaide prayer hath prescribed and appointed vntounto vsus a certein forme or maner of praying.Math 6. Psal. 50.
But for asmuche as oure indignitie and vnworthynes by the reasone of our synnes doth alwayes trouble vsus, so that eyther we praye nothyng at all, or els whē we pray, we doubt whether we shalbe heard or not:We muste praye in the name of christ we must encourage and confirme our heartes with this, that Christ commandeth vsus with expresse wordes, that we shoulde aske and praye in his name. And he promiseth for a certeintie, yt whatsoeuer we aske in his name, we shall surely receaue and hauehave it. And by these wordes he vtterly remoueth this worshipping of God by prayer from all creatures either in heauen or in earth,Prayer not made in the name of christ is no prayer. vntounto this onelyonly person Iesus Christ. Therfore all prayer, that is not made in the name of Christ is no prayer, nor worshippinge of god. As when the monckes praye, that god will hauehave mercy on them for Fraunces sake, for Dominickes sake, for Benet and Bernardes sake, and that he wil graunt their petitiōs for their owne workes sake, or for the fastings, almose dedes, and prayers of other, &c. This is no prayer. For it is not made in the name of Christe, but in the name of Fraunces, Dominicke, Benet, &c. or in theyr owne name suche is the prayer of the Iewes, of the Turkes, of the Infidelles, yea and of the Papistes. For they wil not hauehave the name of Christ only in their prayer,God hearethe only those prayers that are made in y• name of christ but they adde vntounto it also the names of Mary, of the Apostles and of other Sainctes. But as concerning all such Idolatrous prayers, the end of them is this: God heareth them not, they please not, but rather displease god. They are no honoring, but rather a dishonoring of god. And although such hipocrites do many tymes obteyne that which they aske, yet were it muche better for them,Note well. neuer to obteyn it then after this sorte, wherby they be only confirmed and hardened in their impietie and vngodlynes.
But the godly praye not so. They despaire of theyr owne name, neyther wyll they at any tyme praye in that. But forasmuche as they knowe,Ioan. 14.16. that GOD is mercyfull for Christes sake, and they hauehave a commandement, that they shoulde praye in the name of Christ: that encourageth theym, that althoughe they confesse they are synners, and so are in deede, yet they approche vntounto God, and boldely speake vntounto hym on this maner: O Father, wee are thy chyldren, we lack and hauehave nede of dyuers thynges. Oh, bee mercyfull vntounto vsus: Beholde not oure synnes, but thy Sonne Christe Iesus. In hys name we come vntounto thee: Oh, heare vsus. It is truely sayde of Sainct Augustine: The prayer that is not made thorowe Christe,In Psal. 108. that is to say, in the name of Christe, doothe not only not put awaye synne, but the very prayer it selfe is made synne. Sainct Ambrose also saieth: Christ alone is our mouthe, whereby we speake to the Father:Libro de. Isaac etamina. our eye wherby we see the Father: Our right hand, wherby we offer vntounto the Father: whyche Christe excepte he maketh intercession for vsus, neither we, nor all the saintes hauehave any thyng to doo with God.What it is to praye trulye. For that is to praye truely, when the prayer is made onelyonly in the name of Iesu Christ. And therof doth it folowe, that whatsoeuer we aske in his name faithfully and truly, that shall we surely obteyne: whiche thynge ought to moue and prouoke vsus gladly to praye. For we heare, that what soeuer we aske in the name of Christ, it shal neuer cease, tyll it come vntounto the throne of God, and obtayne that is required. In consideration of suche promyse Christ sayth vntounto his disciples: Hytherto ye hauehave asked nothynge in my name. For they trusted onelyonly in hys healpe that hee prayde for theym, euen as the menne of the countrey thynke, that they nede not to praye, because theyr parishe prieste dothe it for them all. But Christ commaundeth, that from hensefoorth they them selues shoulde praye, that they maye receaue for themselues, and that their ioy may be perfect.Prayer onlye r…dressethe all our mesiries. Suche commaundement ought diligently to be consydered, and accordyng thervnto we oughte earnestly to prepare our selues vntounto prayer. As for myseries, troubles, afflictions, crosses. &c. we shall neuer want in this world: for the redresse wherof we ought continually to praye. He therfore that desyreth full and perfect ioye, and to be delyuered from these perils and euyls, let hym so embrace prayer, as Christ dothe here cōmend it. Neyther let hym doubt, but that he shall obteyn, what soeuer he asketh in the name of Christ, if it be vntounto the glorie of God, & vntounto his own saluatiō.
For this is a great incommoditie vntounto vsus, that we knowe not,Rom. 8. as S. Paule sayeth, howe we ought to praye. Hereof it commeth, that many praye for delyuerance from certayn myseries, but they doo not obtayne. For God knoweth what is best, and most profitable for vsus. S. Paule hymselfe also prayde, that God woulde delyuer him out of tentation. But what sayd Christe?2. Cor. 12. My grace (sayth he) is sufficient for thee. For my strength is made perfect thorough weakenes. So lykewise may it come to passe nowe a days, that thou desirest deliuerance from this trouble,God dothe all thynges for ye beste. & I from that. But God knoweth, that it is better for vsus to be still in that trouble: and therfore he taketh not awaye that affliction and miserie from vsus. For if we were delyuered frome it, we shoulde peraduenture falle into some wycked vice, as insolencie, pride, negligence, securitie, wantonnes, gluttonie, vnclennesse. &c. Therfore before the prayer concernynge dayly breade,Math. 6. there is a petition touchyng the wyll of God, wherin wee praye, that not oure wyll but Gods will may be done.Math. 26. Marc. 14. Luc. 22. And Christ himself when he praied in the garden, said: Not my will, but thy will be done. Our prayer ought so to be tempered,A good lesson. that we should set before vsus the wil of God in all thynges, & preferre that before our owne will, after the example of the leapour: and then lett vsus not doubte, but that God wyll geue vsus all thynges,Math. 8. whiche are vntounto his glorie, and vntounto our saluation.
But there is yet an other incommoditie. God will healpe and geue,We maye no appoinc god in oure prayer, how and whē hee shall helpe vsus. what soeuer we aske in the name of his sonne Christe Iesu. This is moste certayne and true. Notwithstanding the maner and tyme we may not determyne howe and when hee muste healpe and geue vsus. Reason ceasseth not to make importune suite but if it hauehave not good successe out of hande, streyght ways it despaireth of helpe. So lykewyse concerning the tyme,Iudith. 7. if healpe cometh not vntounto vsus within so many howers, dayes, or yeares. Then caste we awaye all hope of helpe. Neyther are these small tentations, wherewith Faith is vehemently impugned and enfebled. Therfore it is necessary, that we with a sure faith apprehende and laye hande on the worde of God,Esa. 30. Thren. …. and with silence, hope, and pacience loke for healpe of God, which is promised vsus in the name of Christ, what soeuer be done concernyng the tyme, way, maner. &c. contrary to our expectatiō, according to ye wil of god. For for this cause is he called an helper incōuenient tyme.Psal. 9. Nowe for asmuch as we of our owne nature are very impacient, we thynke always, that it is now high tyme to healpe, and that God deferreth the matter to longe: and thus we prescribe and appoint God how, when, and what he shall doo. But wee must auoyde and eschewe thys arrogancye and pryde, that oure faythe may be fyrmely and constantly fixed and sette vppon the promyse,God wyl help all them in cō ueniente tym… that pray vntounto him. that God for Christe his sonnes sake wyll healpe vsus in conuenient tyme, euen when it shall make moste for hys glory, and for our healthe and saluation.
And this is the doctrine concernyng prayer, whereof we hauehave great nede in these our dayes:Praier is our onlye staye in thys worlde. neyther hauehave we any other healpe in this worlde, as Christe declareth here, when he he sayth: Aske, that your ioy may be perfect.Ioan. 16. For where prayer is not, there can bee no trewe, sounde, perfect, and full ioye, but in the place thereof commeth care, sorowe, trouble, disquietnesse &c.Forget not this o Englād And this didde we proue to bee trewe not many yeares paste. For yf we had geuen our myndes earnestly to faythefull prayer, the Pope wyth hys tirannye had not so greatly preuayled in this realme. But when prayer is diligently exercised, the more that the Pope and the tyrantes of this worlde rage and persecute, the worse it goeth wyth them, and with theyr wicked deuises, as we hauehave also lerned by experiēce in this our tyme. Therfore let vsus loke wel about vsus, and diligently do that, that is apointed vsus. First let the mini…ters of the word diligently teach the truth,How ye church of christ maye be safly preserued frō ye deuil and Antichri…ste▪ & let the other fal to praier: yea, let so many as louelove the glory of God, practise thē selues cōtinually in this holy exercise of prayer. By thys meanes shall the Church of Christ be safelye preserued frome the deuyll and Antichrist, yea and from all the tyrantes of this worlde. He therfore that loueth the church and faithfull congregation of GOD, and is desyrous to see it prosper: lette hym thynke, that he ought to laboure vntounto the vttermost of his power, that it maye bee conserued and safely kepte. This commeth to passe onelyonly by prayer, when thou prayest, that the name of the heauenlye Father maye be sanctified, that his kyngdom may come, and that his wyll may be done. On the contrary part, that the deuyls name may be cursed and abhorred, that his kyngdome maye be destroyed, and that his wyl with all hys counsayles and deuises may come to naughte, and be made vtterly frustrate and voyd.EueryEvery christē man, is a souldiour. Ephe. 6. When thou doest this, then doest thou stande in thyne armoure lyke a good and trewe souldiour in the fielde, and valyantly defendeth the Churche of Christe agaynst the deuyll, the Pope, and the worlde. For eueryevery Christen man is a warriour, and myghtyly fighteth agaynst the power of darknesse for the defence of Gods people, the preachers wyth doctrine, all other godly people wyth Prayer: yea the preachers and the people oughte together to fyghte agaynste Antichriste wyth Prayer. These are the two thynges,With preaching & praier the kingdome of Antichriste is ouercome. wherewyth the deuyll, the Pope, the Turke, and the whole power of darkenesse, is ouercome, I meane preachynge and Prayer. And surely the deuyll and hys kyngdome can not otherwyse bee ouercome,2. Corin. 10. then by preachyng and Prayer. And oure heauenly Fathers wyll is, that we shoulde thus fyght and striue agaynst the enemies of his holy congregation.
And I nothynge doubte, but that thoroughe oure prayer, the counsayles and deuices of oure ennemies those vnsatiable bloudsuppers and Neolike tyrantes hauehave bene disappoynted, so that they coulde hauehave no successe.An exhortariō vntounto prayer If wee wyll hauehave the churche of Christe to prosper and to flourishe, yea and to bee free from the danger of the enemy, let vsus earnestly and heartily fall vntounto feruent prayer. Lette vsus not esteme prayer as a thyng vile and of no reputation, but rather iudge of it, as a thing of high price before the maiesty of the lord our GOD. Therfore exercise prayer, and by no meanes neglect it, although ye thinke your selues very vnmete and vnworthy. For yf we shold respect our dignitie and worthynes, so should we neuer pray. Let vsus not cast the burdeyn vponupon other mens backes to pray, but let eueryevery Christen man pray, and thinke thus with himselfe: Forasmuche as prayer is so acceptable vntounto God, and profitable to me, to the congregation, & to the cōmon welth, I wyll go vntounto the congregation, & pray with it vntounto the vttermoste of my power. For I am sure that I shall not spende my tyme in vayne, nor lose my labour. This is a meruailous dangerous imagination to thynke on this maner: Let other praye what shouldest thou prophane person bee occupied in so holy a thyng?A wicked imagenacion. Yea rather think thou thus with thy selfe: I hauehave Christ and his worde, and I had rather loose all that euer I hauehave in the worlde, thenne denye CHRIST. Thus then dothe it folowe, that the Father loueth me, and that he wyll heare my prayer, as Christe hathe here promysed. Therefore I wylle make no delaye, nor ceasse frome prayenge, but leauynge vntounto thys promyse of Christe: Uerily, veryly, I saye vntounto you,Iohn. …5. what so euer ye shall aske the Father in my name, that wyll he geue you. I wyll goe vntounto my heauenlye Father, and craue of hym in the name of Christe, suche thynges as I hauehave neede of, either for the conseruation of my body, or for the saluation of my soule.
Nowe as touchynge thys, that the Lorde Christe sayeth afterwarde: These thynges that I hauehave spoken vntounto you by Prouerbes: it is not so to bee vnderstanded,Christes kingdom is spiritu all. as thoughe he hadde spoken these obscurely and darkely, vtterynge one thynge, and meanynge an other. For the woordes are very playne, euidente, and open.Math. 10. Luc. 22. Act. 1. But for as muche as the Disciples as yet hadde no experience of thys matter, neyther dydde they knowe, that Christe shoulde hauehave a Spirituall kyngedome, that is to saye, rule by hys woorde and Spirite: (For they looked for a temporall and worldly kyngedome, euen as the Iewes do at thys day) and not by swoorde and pollaxe, it seemed to be vntounto them, what soeuer he spake, as an obscure and darke sayenge, and as a matter vttered in a strange tongue, whyche they vnderstode not. But (sayth he) the matter shall bee otherwyse. For the tyme shall comme, that I wyll speake no more wyth you by Prouerbes:The holye ghost teacheth to praye. but I wyll openly and playnely shewe vntounto you of my Father. For whenne the Holye Ghoste commeth, and kyndleth oure heartes wyth trewe Faith in the goodnesse and mercye of GOD thoroughe Christe: then foloweth there an heartye good wylle and feruente desyre to praye. For without the Holye ghoste it is not possible, that any manne can hauehave a faythefull and couragious mynde for to praye. Therefore the holye Prophete Zacharye callethe the Holye Ghoste, the Spirite of grace,Zacha. …2. and of prayer. For bothe these muste bee ioygned together. For Faythe (whiche maketh vsus to knowe God, that he is our mercyfull Father,Faythe is the gyft of God. for as muche as he hathe geuen vsus hys sonne) is the gyfte of God, whyche the Holye Ghost worketh in vsus by the Gospell. Where thys spirite of grace is, there foloweth the spirite of prayer also,Rom. 10. so that we in all our necessities and troubles calle vppon God for healpe, with thys certayne persuasion and assured hope, that God wyll heare vsus, and geue vsus healthe and Saluation for his sonne Christes sake.
Therfore saithe Christ: In that daye when I shall frankly and freely shewe you of the Father, and teach you by the holye Ghoste, that ye may knowe the Father truely, ye shall aske in my name, and your prayer shall not be frustrate nor vayne. For howe can the father denye you any thynge, seyng that hee loueth you, because you hauehave loued me, and beleued, that I came out frome GOD?Praier without Faithe is no prayer. Oute of suche a Faythe muste trewe prayer nedes come, otherwyse it is no prayer, althoughe it bee made with neuer so fyne and pyked woordes.
GOD oure deare and louynge Father, of hys greate mercye and synguler goodnesse, moughte vouchesafe for hys Sonne Christes Iesus sake, to sende hys holye Spirite into oure heartes, that wee in all oure troubles and aduersities maye so praye, and so perfourme this seruice to GOD, that we in this worlde maye be delyuered from all temporall myseries, and in the worlde to come enioye those trewe pleasures, and those heauenly ioyes, whiche shall neuer hauehave ende. Amen.