Godly Meditations Upon the Lords Prayer, Part 2
A meditation of the lordes praier.
Our father.
THou good lord, which madeſt heauen & earth the ſea and all that is therin, together with Gene. 1.thy dearelye beloued ſonne Ieſus Chryſts, and with thy holy ſpirite: Thou the ſame god, which openedſt thy ſelfe Geneſ. 3.to Adam by thy promiſe: Thou the Gene. 12. 22 23. 24, 25.God of Abraham, Iſaac and Iacob: Thou which broughteſt thy people of Iſraell forth of Egipt wt a mightie Exod. 13. 14 15. &c.hand and a ſtretched out power: Thou which gaueſt thy lawe vponupon mounte Sinai: Thou which ſpakeſt Exod. 19. 20by thy prophets, & laſt of all in theſe latter dayes by thy dearlye beloued Heb. 1.ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, whom ye woldeſt ſhould be made a ſecond Adam, that 1. cor. 15.as by ye firſt we are childrē of wrath, carnall and full of concupiſcence: ſo Rom. 5.by him we might be made children of grace and ſpiritual, by communicating with him ye qualitie, merites vertues, and grace of hys fleſhe, throughe the operation of the holye ſpirite, as he communicated with vsus the ſubſtaunce of oure fleſhe in the Mat. 1. Luck. 1.wombe of ye virgin Marie, by the operation of the ſame holy ſpirit, being that bleſſed ſede which was promiſed to Adam, Abraham, Iſaac Iacob, Gene. 3. 12. 26. 28. Pſal. 89.Dauid, which ſhould brouſe the Serpents heade, which ſhould bring the bleſſing on all nations, whiche ſhuld raigne ouer thi houſe for euer, and mightilye ouercome thine and 2. Reg. 7. Luk. 1. Pſal. 110.our enemies, as in dede he did by his incarnation, natiuitie, circumciſiō, erile, baptiſme, faſtinge, tentation, doctrine, dedes, mracles, workings, agonies, bloudy praier, paſſiō, death reſurrection, and aſcenſion, and yet he ſtil doth by his mediation and interceſſion for vsus, and at the length Rom. 8.he will on al partes fully accōpliſhe by hys commynge to Iudgemente, which wilbe ſodenly in ye twinkring Mat. 24. 1. Cor. 15. 1. Theſſ. 4. 2. Cor. 5.of an eye, in the blaſt of a trompete and ſhoute of an Archangell, when he ſhalbe ſene wyth thouſandes of Saintes & innumerable thouſandes of Angels, all the whole worlde being on fire, and all people that euer were, are or ſhalbe then ſtanding before his tribunall or iudgement ſeat to render an accompte of that they hauehave done in thys bodye, be it good or bad: Thou I ſay, this god whiche Exod. 32. 33 Pſal, 5. Ioel. 2.art holye, rightuouſe, trewe, wyſe, pure, chaſt, mightie, merciful, good, graciouſe, a hater of ſinne, an auenger of vnrightuouſnes &c, woldeſte that I which am borne in ſinne and Pſal 51. Eph. 2. Geneſ. 9. 8. Ierem. 17.conceyued in iniquitie, which by nature am a childe of wrathe (for my hart is ſo vnſearcheably euell that out of it ſpringeth corrupt concupiſſence, ſo that the inclination thereof is prone to euell alwaies euen frō my youth vp: as is my vnderſtāding and mynde ſo darkened, that I cannot perceyue thoſe thinges, that be 2. Cor. 2. 2. cor. 3.of god of my ſelfe, and all the wyſedome whiche I receyue from Adam naturallye or other wyſe attayne by labour or ſtudye before regeneration: I cānot thinke a good thought muche leſſe wyſhe it or conſent vntounto it and leaſt of all doe it) thou I ſaye yet wouldeſt that I being ſuch a one, in whom dwelleth continuall Rom. ….emnitie againſt thee, that I whiche am nothinge but ſinne and one that doeth euel alwaies before thee, ſhuld call thee and beleue thee this god & father of our lorde and Sauiour Ieſus Chriſt, to be in very dede my father, that is, thou wouldeſt I ſhould be moſte aſſured, that thou of thyne owne good will, whiche thou bareſt to me wardes before I was, yea before When and wherefore god is become oure father. Ephe. 1.the worlde was, haſt in Chriſte choſen me to be thy child, & through him art become my moſt louinge father, from whō I ſhould loke for all good thinges, & be moſt certainelye perſwaded, that loke howe muche thou art more then mā, ſo much thy louelove and fatherlye prouidence towards me paſſeth the louelove & prouidence of anye father towardes hys childe, in louing me, caring how to help me, prouiding for me, nourtering We ſhould be certaine and without doubt that god is our father.me, & helping me in al my nedes. So certaine ye woldeſt hauehave me to be of this, yt to doubt of it, doth moſt diſpleaſe thee & diſhonor thee, as either
yu were not true, or not able to doe The great teſt diſhonor to god is to doubttheſe thynges, or els becameſt not my father in reſpecte of thine owne goodnes ī chriſt only, but alſo in reſpect of my worthynes and deſerts. And yt I ſhould not wauer or doubte Cauſes to confirme our faythe that god is our father.of thys that thou arte my deare father & I thy childe for euer through Ieſus Chriſte, it is required in the firſt commaundement, which ſayth I am ye lord thy god, thou ſhalt hauehave none other goddes but me: agayne, thy ſonne doth here commaunde me to call thee by the name of father: moreouer in the firſte article of my belefe I profeſſe the ſame in ſaying, I beleue in god the father almighty: beſydes this their are manye other things to confirme me herin, as the creation and gouernemente of the world generally, and of eueryevery creature particularly, for al is made and kept for man and ſo for me, to ſerue me for my commoditye, neceſſitye & admonition. Againe the creation of me, in that thou haſt made me after thy Image, hauīg a reaſōable ſoule, body, ſhape &c. where thou mighteſt hauehave made mea tode, a Serpent, a ſwine, deformed frātike &c. moreouer thy wōderful cōſeruacion, noriſhing and keping of me hitherto in my infancie, childhode, youth &c. Al theſe I ſay, ſhould cōfirme my faith of thy fatherlie louelove. But of all things the opening of thy ſelfe by thy worde & promiſe of grace, made after mans fall, firſt to Adam, then to Abraham Iſaac, Iacob, and ſo to other, beyng publiſhed by the prophetes frō time to time, and laſt of all accompliſhed by thy deare ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, in 2. Cor. 1.whom thy promiſes are yea & Amē: The opening of thy ſelf thus, I ſay, in and by Chriſt, is the moſt chiefe & ſure certificat, that thou arte my father for his ſake, & I thy deare child, although of my ſelfe I am moſt vnworthie. For thou accordinge to thy promiſes, haſt not ſpared thy deare Iohn. 3.ſonne Ieſus Chriſt, but giuen hym to ye death of ye croſſe for my ſinnes. Thou woldeſt he ſhuld be made fleſh of our fleſhe, and bloude of our bloud in the wombe of the virgine Marie, by the operation of the holy Spirite Ephe. 5.that we by the working of the ſame ſpirite, throughe the merites of hys fleſhe & bloud, might be made fleſhe of his fleſhe and bloud of his bloud, that is, as he hath the ſubſtaunce of our fleſhe & bloud: euen ſo we might hauehave and foreuer enioye in him and through him, the qualities, vertues and gifts of rightuouſnes, holines, innocencie, immortalitie, and glory, wherewith he hath endued our nature in his owne perſon for vsus all; that as now in faith & hope we hauehave ye ſame, ſo in his cōming we might fully enioye them in very dede, for then ſhall oure bodies nowe vile, be Phil. 3. 1. Iohn. 3like to his glorious body. Herein apereth thy louelove, not yt we loued thee but that ye loueſt vsus, & haſt giuen thy ſonne for vsus: herin doeſt yu cōmende vntounto vsus thy louelove, yt when we were yet ſinners, Chriſte thy der…ſonne Rom. 5.died for vsus, ſo yt nothing ſhuld ſeparate vsus from thy louelove in chriſt Ieſꝰ, Rom. 8.nether death nor hunger &c. For if when we were enemies, we were recōciled Rom. ….vntounto thee by the death of thy ſōne, much more we being recōciled ſhalbe ſaued by his life. And yt I ſhuld not doubt herof, but certeinly be per ſwaded all thys to pertayne to me, where I mighte hauehave been borne of Turkes, loe yu woldeſt I ſhoulde be borne of Chriſtian parents, brought into thy church by baptiſme, which is ye Sacrament of Adoptiō, and requireth What baptiſme is & what it requireth.faith as wel of remiſſion of my ſinnes, as of ſanctification and holines, to be wrought of thee in me by thy grace and holy ſpirit. Where I mighte hauehave been borne in an ignorant time and region, yu woldeſt I I ſhuld be borne in this time and region, wherin is more knowlege reueled, then euer was here or in many places is. Where I mighte hauehave been of a corrupt iudgemente, & entangled with many errours, loe yu of thy goodnes, as thou haſt reformed my Iudgement, ſo doeſt thou keepe it, and nowe for the ſame iudgementes ſake doeſt vouchſalfe ſomewhat by the croſſe to try me. By al which thinges I ſhuld confirme my faythe of thys, that thou alwayes haſte been, arte and wylte be for euer my deare father: in reſpect wherof I ſhould, be as certaine of ſaluation & of theſe aheritaunce of heauen for euer: what is the effecte or fruite that cōmeth of thy, certteine perſwaſiō that god is our father.…: thankfull, caſt my whole care on thee, truſt on thee, and call on thee, with comforte: and certaine hope for all. thinges that I wants. For in yt thou hāſt giuen to mē this benefite to be thy childe vndeſerued, vndeſeced on my behalfe, … and onelyonly in reſpect of thine owne goodnes and grace in Chriſt, leſt at anye time I ſhould doubt of it: how ſhuld I but hope certainlie that nothinge profitable to me can be denied, in yt thi power is infinite? For as thi good will is declared in adoptinge me, ſo nothing can be finally wanting me, which may make for my weale (for yt ſhuld improue thy power to be almighty) in yt thi wil is ſo boūteouſly already declared: wheras my be…e…e requireth to beleue in thee ye father almightie, in conſideration whereof I ſhoulde in all thynges behaue my ſelf as a child, reioyſe in thee, praiſe thee, truſte in thee, feare thee ſerue thee, louelove thee, call vponupon thee &c.
But alas how heauie harted am I? How vnthankfull am I? Howe full of vnbeleife, & doubtinge of this thy riche merciemercy? Howe litle doe I louelove thee, feare thee, call vponupon thee. &c.
Oh be mercifull vntounto me, forgyue me good father for thine owne ſake, and graunt me the ſpirit of thy children, to reuele thy ſelf vntounto me, and Ieſus Chriſte thy deare ſonne oure lord, by whō we are made thy children, that I may truly knowe thee, hartely louelove thee, faithefully hange vponupon thee in al my nedes, with good hope call vponupon thee, render faithfully this honour to thee, that thou art my god & father, & I thy deare childe through thy grace in Chriſt, and ſo alwaies be endued with an aſſured hope of thy goodnes, and a faithfull obedient hart in all things to thy holy will. At thy hands and from thee as I muſt loke for al things, ſo come I vntounto thee and praye thee to gyue me theſe thinges whiche thy deare children hauehave, and thou requireſt of me, that I might come & aſke them of thee, as now I doe through Ieſus Chriſt our lord.
As by this word (father) I am taught to glory of thee and in thee, and all that euer thou haſt (for thou art wholy mine, my lord, my god, my father) ſo by this word (Our) I am taught to glory of all the good, that al & eueryevery of thy ſeruants that euer were, are, or ſhalbe, had, hauehave, and ſhall hauehave. For now I am taught to beleue, yt thou haſt called me into the communion of thy churche & people, whom hereby I perceiue yu haſt commaunded, to be carefull for me, as for thē ſelues, and in all their praiers to be as mindful of me, as of themſelues. Againe as by this word (Father) I am taught to remēber & render my duetie I owe to thee wards, faith, louelove feare, obedience &c: ſo by thy worde (our) I am taught my dutie towards thy people to be carefull for them & to take their ſorow, pouerty, & affliction &c as mine owne: and therfore to labour to helpe them in hart and hand, after my vocation & habilitie, vtterly abhorring all pride, ſelfloue arrogancie, & contempt of any. By reaſon wherof I hauehave great cauſe to lament & to reioyſe. To lament becauſe I am ſo farre frō cōſideration, much more frō doig my dutie to thy people in thoughts, words, or dedes. To reioyſe, becauſe I am called of thee, & placed ī the bleſſed ſocietie of thy ſaints, & made a mēber & citizen of the heauenly Ieruſalem, and becauſe thou haſt giuē in commaūdement to all thy church to be as care full for me, as for themſelues.
But alas howe farre am I herefrō? As I am giltie of vnthankfulnes for this thy calling me into the bleſſed cōmunion of thy deare ſōne, & churche, yea of thy ſelfe: ſo am I giltie of ſelfloue, vnmercifulnes, pride, arrogantie, forgetfulnes, cōtempt of thy children: for els I could not but be other wiſe affected & otherwiſe labour then I do. Oh be mercifull vntounto me good father, forgiue me, & graūt for chriſts ſake, that as my tonge ſoū deth this word (our) ſo I may in hart fele the true loye of thy bleſſed communion, and the true louelove & cōpaſſion whiche thy children hauehave and fele towards their brethen, that I may reioyſe in all trouble, in reſpect of that ioyefull communion: that I maye denye my ſelfe to honour thy children vpō earth, and endeuer my ſelfe to doe them good for thy ſake through Ieſꝰ chriſt our lord. I come onelyonly to thee to giuegive me that which I cannot nor muſte not els where hauehave, and thou requireſt it of me, yt therefore I ſhuld as thy childe come and craue it to thy glory.
Which art in heauen.
AS by theſe words (Oure father) I am taught to glorie and reioyſe for the bleſſed cōmunion which I am called to wt thee, deare father, with thy Chriſt, and with thy holye church: ſo alſo am I heare taught by theſe words (Which art in heauen) to reioyſe in reſpect of the place and bleſſed Ioyes, whereunto at the length in thy good tyme I ſhall come. For now I may perceiue, that as heauē is thy home, ſo is it mine alſo, being (as I am) thy child through Chriſt, although heare for a time I am bodely on earth and in miſerie.
Againe by theſe wordes (which arte in heauen) I am admoniſhed, not onelyonly to diſcerne thee from earthly fathers, and to knowe how that thou art almightie, preſent in all places, and of moſt puritie, to cōfirme therby my faith, to be prouoked ye more to feare thee, to reuerence thee &c: but alſo I am admoniſhed to iudge of thy fatherly louelove by heauenly benefites, and not by corporall ſimply and alonely, for often times the wicked proſper more in the worlde, and hauehave more worldly benefites, then thy children. So that by this I ſee thou woldeſt pul vp my minde from earth and earthly things, to heauen and heauenly thinges; and that I ſhould ſee further by corporall benefites, thy heauenly prouidence for me. For if yu place me thus on earth and thus bleſſe me as thou doeſt & hitherto haſt done from my youthe vp, in that thou art nothing ſo careful for my body as for my ſoule, how ſhuld I but thinke much of thy prouidence for it in thy home, where is ſuch glory, as yt eie hath not ſene &c. of which thinges, theſe corporall benefites of thine, giuen me on earth, ſhould be as it were inductions, and the taking of them away, admonitions to be more mindefull of permanent thinges, and leſſe mindefull of tranſitorie thinges.
By reaſō hereof I hauehave great cauſe to lament, and to reioyce. To lamēt becauſe I am ſo earthly minded, ſo litle deſirous of my home, ſo vnthākfull for thy prouidence, and fatherly correction here on earth. To reioyce becauſe of my home, and the greate glory thereof, becauſe thou doeſt ſo prouide for me here, becauſe thou doeſt ſo correct and chaſtē me &c. but alas I am altogether a wretch, earthlie & vnthankful, not onelyonly for theſe corporall benefites, health, ryches, frendes, fame, wiſedome &c: for thy fatherly correction, ſicknes, temptacion &c: but alſo for thy heauenly benefites, for Chriſt Ieſus, for the promiſe of thy ſpirit, for thy goſpell &c. Yea euen for heauen it ſelfe and thy whole glorye, as the Iſraelits were for the land of Canaan, & therefore neuer enioyed it but periſhed in the Pſal. 106.wildernes. I am proude in proſperitie and forget thee, waxing ſecure & careles. &c: I am impacient in the croſſe, and to much conſider worldly diſcommoditie. Oh deare father forgiue me, for thy Chriſtes ſake all mine vnthankfulnes, louelove of thys world, contempt and obliuion of thy heauenly benefites, and graunte me thi holy ſpirit, to illuminate the eies of my minde with the light and liuely knowledge of thy preſence, power wiſdom, & goodnes in thi creatures, but ſpecially in chriſt ieſus thy ſōne, & ſo by the ſame ſpirit enflame mine affections, that I may deſire nothing in earth but thee, and to be preſent with thee, that my conuerſaciō may be in heauen cōtinually. Frō whence graunt me ſtil to loke for the lord Col. 3. Phil. 3.Ieſꝰ, to make this my vile body like vntounto his owne glorious and immortal bodye, according to his owne power by whiche he is able to doe all things. As yu haſt giuē me to be thy childe: ſo I praye the giuegive me theſe things which be ye properties of thy childrē giuen frō y• in thy good time.
Halowed be thy name.
THy name is that wherby thou art knowen: for names ſerue to diſcerne, and knowe one thinge from an other. Nowe thoughe thou art knowen by thy creatures, yet in this our corrupt eſtate, thei ſerue but to make vsus excuſeles. Therfore properly, Rom. 1.moſt liuely, and cōfortably yu art knowen by thy holy worde, and ſpecially by thy promiſe of grace, and freely pardoning and receiuinge vsus into thy fauour for chriſt Ieſꝰ ſake. For the which goodnes in Chriſt, yu art praiſed & magnified, accordinge to thy name, that is, ſo much as mē Pſal. 48. 138know thee in Chriſt, they magnifye How gods name is halowed.thee, & praiſe thee, which here thou calleſt halowing or ſanctifieng: not that thou arte the more holye in reſpect of thy ſelf, but in reſpect of mē: who the more they knowe thee, the more they cannot but ſanctify thee, that is, they cannot but as …n them ſelues by true faith, louelove, feare, and ſpiritual ſeruice, honour thee: ſo alſo in their outwarde behauour and wordes, they cannot but liue in ſuch ſorte, as other ſeing them, maye in and by their holines & godly conuerſatiō, be occaſioned, as to know thee ſo to ſanctify thy name accordingly. And therfore thou ſetteſt forth here The chiefe deſyre of gods children.vntounto me what is the chiefe and principall wyſhe and deſyre of thy children and people, namelye, that thou in Chriſte mighteſt be truelye knowen and honored bothe of them ſelues, and of others inwardlye and outwardly. By reaſō wherof eaſely a man may perceiue by the cōtrary, y• the greateſt ſorow & greife thy people The greateſt greife of goddes people.hauehave, is ignoraunce of thee, falſe ſeruice or religion, and wicked conuerſation. Againſt the whiche they pray and labour diligētly after their vocations, as they for the obtaining of the others, both to others and to them ſelues, doe take no ſmal payne in praier, ſtudie, and godly exerciſe. By reaſon hereof I ſe that I am far from this deſyre and lamentation which is in thy children: I ſee myne ignoraunce of the true knowledge Our ignoraunce.of thee and thy name, for ells it had not neded thee ſo by thy worde to hauehave reueled thy ſelf: I ſee alſo mine ignoraunce of the excellencie of the ſame. For els woldſt y• not hauehave told me, that the ſanctifinge of thy name is the chiefeſt thing, yu requireſt of eueryevery mā. Again I ſe my great want Our greate nede.of holines, for els thou nedeſt not to teach me, to ſeke & pray for y• I want not. Moreouer I ſe my great peruerſitie, whiche woulde not ſeke at thy hands for ſanctification, although I Our peruerſitie.ſe my nede therof. For els yu woldeſt not hauehave cōmaunded me to pray for it, if I ſeinge my want, wolde hauehave praied vntounto the therfore. Laſt of al I Gods loueloveſee thy wonderfull goodnes, whiche wilt vndoubtedly giuegive vntounto me ſanctification & holynes: for yu woldeſt not that I ſhuld aſke for that thing that yu wilte not giuegive me. So that I hauehave great cauſe to lament and reioyſe. To lament, becauſe I am ſo farre from this deſire and lamentacion, which thy chyldren hauehave: alſo becauſe of my ignoraunce, pouertie peruerſitie, vnthankefulnes &c. but moſt of all becauſe thy holye name, worde, and religiō is ſo blaſphemed both in doctrine and in liuing of many, eſpecially in thys Realme. To reioyſe I hauehave greate cauſe, for thy exceding goodnes and merry, which woldeſte ſo diſcloſe thy ſelfe by thy workes, word, & goſpel: which woldeſt opē theſe things thus vntounto me and alſo giuegive vntounto me & others ſanctification in thy ſight by ſaithe; & in the ſight of men by purenes of life & godly conuerſation. But alas I doe hartely neither the one nor y• other, that is lame… or reioyce: as yu father which ſercheſt my hart doeſt righte well know, Oh be merciful vntounto me and forgiue me, yea giuegive me, of thin owne pitie, thy holy ſpirit, to reuele & opē to my mind effectually my miſerable eſtate & condicion, my ignoraunce, peruerſitie, & my careleſnes for thy true honor & diſhonor in ſuch ſort, y• I may hartely lament theſe euills, & hauehave them pardoned & taken frō me through ieſus chriſt our lord. Againe good father giuegive me y• ſame thy holi ſpirit to reuele to me thy name, word, & goſpell, y• I maye liuely knowe thee, vnfainedly louelove thee, hartely obey thee, and aboue all thinges deſire and labour by all meanes lawfull that al godlines in doctrine and conuerſation may be exerciſed both in me and in all others, for whom yu woldeſt I ſhuld pray.
Heare thinke vponupon the ſtate of religion, and the life of the profeſſours of the goſpell, that you may lament ſome, pray for ſome, and giuegive thankes for ſome.
Let thy kingdome come.
THy kingdome is in .ii. ſortes to be conſydered, vniuerſally and particularly. Uniuerſally according Gods kingdome in reſpect of his power.to thy power, wherewith thou gouerneſt all thinges eueryevery where, in earthe, heauen, hell deuilles, Angells, men, beaſts, foules, fiſhes, & all creatures animate & inanimate, ſenſible and inſenſible. Of this kingdome ſpake Dauid when he ſayde: thy kingdome ruleth ouer al. Particularly thy kingdome is to be conſidered Pſa. 104.according to thy grace wherewith thou raigneſt only in thy churche Gods kingdome in reſpect of his grace.and elect people, ruling and gouerning al & eueryevery mēber of thy churche to thy glory & their eternal comfort: not that out of this church I exclude thy power (for as therewyth thou defendeſt thy people, ſo thou puniſheſt thy enemies) but becauſe thy grace is ſpecially cōſidered, being (as it were) the verye keper that kepeth and guydeth thy people. The tyme Gods kingdome in reſpect of his glorye.wilbe when this kingdome of grace and power, now being as diſtincte, ſhalbe vnited & made one kingdome of glory: which wilbe when Chryſt ſhal giuegive vp his kīgdome into thyne handes, that is in the reſurrection, whan deathe the laſt enemye ſhalbe ſubdued, and thou ſhalt be all in all. In the meane ſeaſon this kingdome of grace is miraculouſly & mightely How gods kingdome heare is cō ſerued and enlarged.propagated, enlarged, and gouerned by y• true miniſtery of thy word and Sacraments, thorow the working of thy holy ſpirite. And this is the meane and way, wherby as thou dideſt firſte plante, ſo doeſt thou enlarge, amplifie and preſerue y• ſame. This kingdome of grace begon, continued, & enlarged by the true preaching of thy goſpell and miniſtratiō of thy Sacramentes, is the thynge which Chriſt teacheth here thy children to pray for, that it might come, that is to ſay, that thy goſpel might ſo mightely, purely, & plentuouſlye be preached (maugre the head of all thyne enemies) that the numbre of thine elect might be brought in, and ſo the kingdome of thy glory myght appere. So that as I ſee thy chidren deſire, pray, & labour, y• thy goſpell might be truely preached, hard, and liued in themſelues, & in others: ſo they lament the not preaching & refuſing, the not liuing & vnbeleuing thy goſpel: yea they lament the ling ring of the coming of thy chriſt, for in his coming they know thei ſhalbe like vntounto him, and hauing this hope they purifie thēſelnes as he is pure.
By reaſon hereof I ſee firſt that I 1. Iohn. 3.am farre from this deſire and lamenting, which thy children hauehave, I ſee my ignoraunce of thy kingdome and Our ignoraunce.power eueryevery wher, of thy grace only in thy church, & of thy glorye, when all the enemyes of thy grace ſhalbe caſt downe, & thy glorye and power ſhall embrace eche other. I ſe my ignoraūce how acceptable a ſeruice to thee is the true preaching & the hearig of thy goſpell: for els yu hadſt not neded to hauehave placed thys petition next to the petition of the ſanctifiing of thy name. Againe I ſee here my vnhablenes to enter into thy kyngdome, Our nedeand to attayne to it. For ells what nede ſhuld I hauehave to praye for that to come from thee, which other wiſe maye be archeiued. Thirdly I our peruerſitieſe alſo my peruerſitie, & contempt of thy kingdome & grace. For although I ſe my want, yet I wold not deſire thy kingdome to come, if yu dideſt not commaunde me to praye ſo: for yf I wold hauehave praied for it, yu woldſt not hauehave cōmaūded me. Laſt of all I ſee gods goodnes.thy goodnes, which wilt bringe thy kingdome, & that as generally by ſē ding forth miniſters to preach truli: ſo particularly by regenerating me more and more, and by geuing me as grace here, ſo glorye els where: for thou woldeſt not I ſhoulde praye for that, whiche thou wylte denye. So that I hauehave great cauſe to lamēt and reioyſe. To lament becauſe of my miſerable eſtate and condition, becauſe of my ſinne, ignoraunce, rebellion, peruerſitie, Satans power, contempt of thy grace, thy goſpel & miniſterie, here or ells where. To reioyſe becauſe of thy goodnes and great mercy, which haſt brought me into thy church, kepeſt me in it, and wilte doe ſo ſtill: alſo becauſe of the Miniſterie of thy worde and Sacramentes, by which the holye ghoſt is and wilbe effectuall: and finally becauſe of y• great glory, whervnto yu haſt called me, & now wilt giuegive vntounto me, aſking the ſame. But alas how vnthankfull I am & ſorowles, lorde thou knoweſt for my hart is not hid from thee &c. Oh be mercifull vntounto me and forgiue me, good father, and graunte the Spirit of thy children, to reueale vntounto me my ignoraunce of thy kingedome, my pouertie and peruerſitie, that I maye lament the ſame, and daily labour for thy helpe and thy holy ſpirit, to ſuppreſſe the kingdome of ſinne in my ſelf and in others. Againe graūt me that ſame thy holy ſpirit to reueale to me thy kingdome of power, grace, and glory, to kindle mine affections, to regenerate me more & more, to raigne in me, as in a pece of thy kingdome, to giuegive to me to deſire, to pray, and to labour for thy kingdome, both to my ſelfe and to others effectually, to thy glory, & to aſſure my conſcience of thy goodnes, that thou wylt giuegive me grace, and glory &c.
Here cal to mind the ſtate of the miniſterie & miniſters, the light and life of goſpellers, therrours & hereſies which mē be entangled withal.
Thy will be done.
AS thy power is infinite, ſo is thy Gods omnipotent wil vnknowen & vnreueled.wiſdome accordingly. Wherby as we maye perceyue, that nothinge is or can be done againſt thy power, or otherwiſe then by it: ſo is there not nor cannot be any thinge done againſt, or otherwiſe, then by thy omnipotent & ſecret will, which is alwaies, as thou art, good holie, and iuſte, howe far ſo euer it ſeme otherwiſe to oure foliſhe reaſon and indgemēt. And therfore here we are taught to pray that thy wil may be done here wythoute ſynne on mans behalfe, as it is on the Angells behalfe in heauen.
Againe for aſmuch as thou art incomprehenſible Godds wil reueled & knowen.of thy ſelfe as well concerning thy power as cōcerning thy wiſdome, we may not according therto ſearch thee, but rather adore and worſhippe thy maieſtie, & tremble at thy Iudgements and works, and therefore praye alwayes, that we maye be content with thy wil, and be borome thereto. And for aſmuch as thou haſt reuealed to vsus ſo muche of thy wyll in thy word writen as is neceſſarye for vsus in thys life to know, yea as we can attaine vntounto, and a lytle further: we ought to take all thynges done there agaynſte as ſynne and tranſgreſſyon, althoughe thou canſte vſe the ſame ſynne to ſerue thy prouydence. Of the which prouidence w… can not nor maye not Iudge further then thou haſt & ſhalte open it vntounto vsus. So that this peticion (Thy will be done) is not ſimplie to be vnderſtand concerninge thy omnipotent wil vn reueled, againſt the which nothing is nor can be done, but rather concerning thy will reueled in thy lawe & goſpel, the which thou here teacheſt me that we ſhuld deſire, not only to know it, but alſo to doe it, and that in ſuche perfection & willingnes, as it is in heauen. The which thinge I perceiue hereby that thy childrē doe deſire daily in & for themſelues and others, & do lament the contrary, in whōſoeuer it be, ſo that often their eies guſhe out with riuers of teares becauſe men kepe not thy lawes.Pſa. 119.
By reaſon hereof I ſee that I am farre from the ſyghes and teares of thy people. I ſee my ignoraunce Our ignoraunce.of thy wyll yf thou hadeſte not opened the ſame by thine owne mouth. I ſee my ignoraūce, how acceptable a ſeruyce obedyence to thy wil is, and therfore doeſt yu place this peticion amonges the fyrſt and continual deſires of thy childrē. Againe I ſe my pouertie in godly obediēce, which had nede to be taught to pray Our nedefor it, therby to ſignifie vntounto me my want and vnhabilitie to attayne it, but by thy gift. Thirdly I ſe my diſobedience: Our diſobedience.for els neuer woldſt thou hauehave cōmaunded me to hauehave praied for the doing of thy will, if I ſeinge my want, wold hauehave prayed ſo.
Laſt of all I ſe thy goodnes, whiche gods goodnes.wilt giuegive to me and others to obey thy will: that is, to louelove thee wyth al our harts, to louelove our neighbour as our ſelfes, to die to our ſelues, to liue to thee, to take vp oure croſſe and to followe thee, to beleue, to repent &c: for ells thou woldeſt neuer hauehave bidden vsus, to pray for a thinge which we ſhuld not loke for.
So that I hauehave great cauſe to lamēt and reioyce. To lament, becauſe of my miſerable ſtate and condition, becauſe of my ſinne, ignoraunce, pouertie, and peruerſitie, alſo becauſe thy will is euerye where either not knowen, or contēned, and Sathans will, the wil of the world, and of the fleſhe readily obeyed. To reioyſe I hauehave great cauſe, for that thou haſt opened thy ſelfe and will vntounto mankind, for that alſo▪ thou peculiarlye haſt taught me theſe things, and becauſe alſo thou wilt graūt me grace to doe the ſame. But alas howe vnthankfull I am, and how hard harted, thou Lorde doeſt knowe. Oh be mercifull vntounto me and forgyue me. I pray thee graciouſe god graūt me thy holy ſpirit, to reueale to me my ignoraunce of thy will, my pouertie and peruerſitie, that I may hartely bewayle it &c, and by thy helpe and working of the ſame ſpirit may ſuppreſſe the will of the fleſhe. Agayne graunt me thy holy ſpirit, to reuele to me thy will declared in thy lawe and goſpell, that I may truly know the ſame, and enflame ſo my affections, that I maye will and louelove the ſame, in ſuch ſort, that it may be my meate and drynke to doe thy wyll.
Here cal to minde the .x. cōmaūdementes of god particularly or generally, what therin he requireth, and praye for the ſame particularlye as you ſe your nede, & that not only for your ſelf but alſo for other.
Praye for patience to ſuffer what croſſe ſoeuer god ſhal laye vpō you, & pray for thē that be vnderunder y• croſſe that they maye be pacient: praye for ſpirituall wiſedome in eueryevery croſſe peculiarlye, or publikelye, that you may ſee and louelove gods will.
Geue vsus this day our daily Bread.
BY Breade the foode of the bodye, is vnderſtande all thynges neceſſarye Bread.for thys corporall life, as meate, drinke, health, ſucceſſe in vocatyon &c. By this word Gyue, we ſhoulde vnderſtande, that Gyue.not onelye ſpyrytuall thynges, but alſo corporall benefytes are goddes free gyftes, and come not for our worthynes, or traueyle taken aboute the ſame, althoughe ours traueyls be often tymes meanes, by the whiche god doth gyue corporall thinges.
By dailye is vnderſtande the contented Daily.mindes of thy children wyth that which is ſufficient for the preſent time, as hauinge hope in thee, y• they ſhal not want, but daily ſhal receyue at thy handes plentie and enough of all thinges. By this word our, is as well vnderſtande publike Our.benefytes, as peace in the common weall, good Magiſtrats, ſeaſonable wether, good lawes &c: as particular benefites, as be children, health name, ſucceſſe in the workes of our vocation, &c. And beſides this, by it we ſhuld ſe the care euē for corporal things, which thy children hauehave for others aſwel as for themſelues.
So that here I may learne how far I am frō that I ſhould be, and I ſee thy children are come vntounto. I ſe my ignoraunce alſo, how that as ſpirituall thinges do come from thee: ſo doe temporall thinges: and as they come from thee, ſo are they conſerued and kepte of thee. And therefore thy chyldren are thankefull and looke for theym as thy meare gyftes, notwytheſtandynge the meanes whiche they vſe if they hauehave them. How be it they vſe them but as meanes, for except yu worke therwith, all is in vaine.Pſal. 127.
Againe here I am taught to be content with ſufficient for the preſent time, as thy children be which hauehave the ſhortnes of this life alwaies before their eyes, and therefore they aſke but for daily ſuſtenaūce, knowing this life to be cōpared to a day, yea a watch, a ſounde, a ſhadow, &c. Moreouer I may learne to ſe the cō paſſion and brotherly care, thy children hauehave one for an other. Laſt of al here I may ſee thy goodnes, which as thou wilt geue me all thinges neceſſarie for this life (or els yu woldeſt not bid me aſke &c) ſo thou commaundeſt all men to praye and care for me, and that bodely, much more then if they be able, they are cōmaū ded to help me both in bodie & ſoule. By reaſō wherof I hauehave great cauſe to lament and reioyſe. To lament becauſe I am not ſo affected, as thy children be, becauſe of my ignoraūce my ingratitude, my peruerſitie and contempt of thy goodnes, and of the neceſſitie of thy people, whiche alas be in greate miſerie, ſome in exile, ſome in priſō, ſome in pouertie, ſicknes. &c. To reioyce I hauehave greate cauſe, becauſe of thy goodnes, in teaching me theſe thinges, in commaundinge me to aſke what ſoeuer I wante, in geuinge me ſo manye thinges vnaſked, in keping the benefits giuen me, in commaundinge men to care for me, to praie for me, to helpe me. &c. But alas, how farre I am from true lamentacion and reioyſing, lorde thou knoweſt. Oh be mercifull vntounto me, and help me, forgeue me, and graunte me thy holie ſpirit, to reueale to me my nede, ignoraunce, great ingratitude, & contempt of thy mercies & thy people, and that in ſuch ſorte, that I might hartely lament and bewaile my miſerie, and throughe thy goodnes be altered with thy people, to mourne for the miſeries of thy children, as for mine owne.
Againe reueale to me thy goodnes (dere father) euē in corporall things that I maye ſee thy mercy, thy preſence, power, wiſedome, and righteouſnes in eueryevery creature, and corporall benefites, and that in ſuch ſort, that I maye be throughly affected, truly to reuerence, feare, louelove, obey thee, hange vponupon thee, to be thankfull to thee, & in all my nede to come vntounto the, not only when I hauehave ordinarie meanes by the which thou cōmonly workeſt, but alſo when I hauehave none, yea when al meanes and helpes are cleane againſt me.
Here remēber the ſtate of your children, and familie, alſo your parents neighbours, kinſe folkes, alſo your frendes, contrey, and magiſtrates &c: as you ſhall hauehave tyme thereto and by goddes good Spirite ſhalbe prouoked.
¶ Forgeue vsus oure debtes, as we forgeue them that are debtours vntounto vsus.
BY oure Debtes are vnderſtande, Debtes.not onelyonly things we hauehave done, …ut the omiſſiō and leauing vndone of the good things we ought to doe.
By oure, is not onelyonly vnderſtande the particular ſinnes of one, but alſo Our.generally the ſinnes of al and eueryevery one of thy church.
By forgyuenes, is vnderſtande free Forgeuenes.pardon and remiſſion of ſynnes, by the merites and deſertes of thy dere ſonne Ieſus Chriſte, who gaue him ſelf a raunſome for vsus.
By oure forgeuing of other mens As we forgiue &c.offences to vsus warde, is vnderſtand thy good wyll, not onelye that it pleaſeth thee that we ſhoulde liue in lone and amytye, but alſo that thou wouldeſte hauehave vsus to be certayne of thy pardonynge vsus of our ſynnes. For as certayne as we are that we pardone them that offende vsus, ſo certayne ſhoulde we be that thou doeſte pardone vsus: whereof the forgeuing our treſpaſſers is (as it were) a ſacrament vntounto vsus.
So that by this petitiō I am taught to ſe that thy children, althoughe by imputation they be pure from ſinne yet they acknowledge ſinne to be & remaine in them, and therefore doe they pray for the remiſſiō & forgeuenes of the ſame.
Againe I am taught hereby, to ſee how thy children doe conſider & take to hart, not only the euells they doe, but alſo the good thy leaue vndone. And therfore they praye thee hartely for pardon.
Moreouer I am here taught, to ſee that thy children are carefull for other mē, and for their treſpaſes, and therefore praye, that they mighte be pardoned in ſaing, oure ſinnes, and not my ſynnes.
Beſides this I am taught here to ſee, how thy children not onelyonly forgeue all that offende them, but alſo pray for the pardoning of the offences of their enemies, and ſuch as offende them. So farre are they from malicouſnes, pride, reuengemēt &c. Laſt of all I am taught to ſee howe mercifull thou art, which wilt hauehave me to aſke pardon: wherof thou woldeſt that we ſhuld ī no point doubt, but be moſt aſſured, that for Chriſts ſake thou hereſt vsus, and that not only for our ſelues, but alſo for manie others, for y• doeſt not commaunde vsus to aſke for anye thinge thou wilt not geue vsus.
By reaſon whereof I hauehave greate cauſe to lament, and reioyſe. To lamēt becauſe of my miſerable eſtate, which am ſo farre from theſe affections, that are in thy children: which am ſo ignoraunt & careles of ſinne, not onelyonly in leauing good vndone, but alſo in doing euel, and that dailie in thought worde and dede &c. I ſpeake not of my careleſnes for other folkes ſinnes, as of my parēts, children, familie, mageſtrats &c neither of the ſinnes of them, to whom I hauehave geuen occaſion to ſinne.
To reioyſe I hauehave great cauſe, becauſe of thy mercy in opening to me theſe things, in cōmaundinge me to praye for pardon, in promiſinge me pardon, and in cōmaundinge others to pray for me. I ought ſurely to be perſwaded of thy mercy, though my ſinnes be innumerable. For I ſe not onelyonly in this but in euerye petition howe that eueryevery one of thy churche praieth for me: yea chriſt thy ſonne who ſitteth on thy right hād, praieth for me &c. Oh deare father be mercifull vntounto me, and forgyue me al my ſinnes, and of thy goodnes geue me thy holy ſpirit to opē mine eies, that I may ſe ſinne, y• better to know it, y• more truly to hate it, & moſt earneſtly to ſtriue agaiſt it, & that effectually both in my ſelfe, and others.
Again, graunt me the ſame thy holy ſpirit to reuele vntounto me the remedie of ſinne by chriſt only, & to worke in me faith, to embrace the ſame thy Chriſt and mercies in him, that I may henſeforth be endued with thy holy ſpirite more & more to beginne and obey thy good wil continually, & to encreaſe in the ſame for euer.
Here call to mind the ſpecial ſinnes Praye for thē to whō you hauehave geuen any occaſion of ſinne.you hauehave committed heretofore. Remember, if you hauehave occaſioned any to ſinne, to praye for them by name: remēber that gods lawe ſhuld be ſo dere vntounto vsus y• the breaking thereof in others, ſhoulde be an occaſion to make vsus to lament with teares &c.
Leade vsus not into tentacion.
BEcauſe of our continuall & great infirmities, becauſe of the greate diligence & ſubtilties of our enemies, and becauſe y• art wont to puniſhe the greatteſt puniſhment. Remedie againſt euel is praier. Our ſinnes ſhould not be forgotten of vsus, if we wolde hauehave them forgotten with god. Commodities comīg by remembring oure ſinnes, be thankefulnes, vigylancy and gētlenes to offenders.ſinne wt ſinne (which of all puniſhmētes is y• greateſt & moſt to be feared) In this peticion y• wouldeſt hauehave thy children to hauehave y• ſame in remēberaunce, & for a remedy hereof y• haſt appointed praier. So that y• only cauſe why anie are ouercome & led into tentation, is for y• they forget, what they deſire in y• peticion going before this: which ſhuld be neuer out of their memorie, to prouoke thē to be more thākful to thee, & more vigilant & heedie herafter for falling into like perills. For which to be auoided, y• doeſt moſt graciouſly ſet forth a remedy, in cōmaūdinge vsus to pray after pardon for oure ſinnes paſt, for thy grace to guide vsus, ſo that we be not ledde into tentacion, but might be delyuered from euyll. And becauſe thou wouldeſte hauehave all thy childrē to hange wholye vponupon thee, Whye we pray not ſuffer vsus not to be ledde. &c.to feare thee onelyonly, and only to louelove thee, thou doeſt not teache them to praye, ſuffer vsus not to be ledde, but leade vsus not into tentation, that (I ſay) they might onelyonly feare thee, & certainly know that Sathan hathe no power ouer ſo much as a pigge, but what ſoeuer thou geueſte vntounto Mat. 8.him, and of thy ſecret but moſt iuſte iudgement doeſt appoint him to vſe, not as he will (for then we were all loſte) but as thou wilt, which canſt wil nothing, but that which is moſt iuſt. As to geue them to the guidīg of Sathan, which wil not be guided by thy grace, as y• diddſt Saul &c.
Occaſions to euell are in two ſortes. Occaſions to euell in ii. ſorts.One by proſperitie & ſucceſſe, another by aduerſitie & the croſſe &c. the euells coming of ſucceſſe, commōly are vnthankfulnes, prid, ſecuritie, & forgetting our ſelues, forgetting of others, forgetfulnes of god, of our mortalitie &c. The euells cō ming of aduerſytie, commonly are impatiencie, murmuring, grutchīg diſpayring, contemning of god, flattering of men, ſtealing, lieng &c, wt manye other euells, wherto tentations will entiſe a man that is lefte to him ſelfe: whereas to one that is guided with gods ſpirit, tentacions are but trialls to the glorye of god, what temptations are to the godly, & what they are to the wicdedcomfort of the tempted, and edifieng of thy church. But as I ſaied, yf a man be left alone, tentacions entiſe euen to the deuyll hym ſelfe. And therfore thy children pray to be deliuered from euill, vnderſtandinge thereby Sathan him ſelf, the ſower and ſupporter of all euell. And this thy children doe aſwell for others, as for them ſelues. So that I maye learne hereout many good thyngs.
Firſt to remember often our infirmitie and weakenes, and the daungerous eſtate we ſtand in in the reſpect of our fleſhe, of the world which is full of euill, of Sathan which ſeketh to ſifte vsus and as a roring lion to deſtroy vsus, & of our ſinnes, which deſerue all kindes of puniſhements and correction: that I mighte with thy children feare thee, watch, pray and deſire the daye of redemption from all euells.
Againe I may learne here, that to auoide all daūgers & euell, is not in y• power of mā, but only thy worke. By reaſon wherof I ſhould conſider thy great goodnes, whiche hither to haſt kept me frō ſo many euels, both of ſoule & body, yea of name, goods &c: as thou haſt done in my infancy, childhode, youth, middle age &c.
Thirdly I may learne here, that I ſhuld be careful for others, both that they might be deliuered frō their euells, & that they might be preſerued frō tentatiō, & from being ouercome in the ſame, and therefore y• teacheſt me to pray, not deliuer me frō euell ſimply, but deliuer vsus from euell.
Laſt of all I am taught hereby, ſo ſee thy goodnes towards me which wilt deliuer me from euell, and frō being ouercome in tentations. For thou woldſt not hauehave me to aſke for that, which I ſhoulde not loke for at thy handes certainely. By reaſon wherof thou woldeſt hauehave me to be in a certaintie of ſaluatiō, for euer. For ells I cannot beleue my prayer to be heard, if that finallye I ſhould not be deliuered from euell.
And therefore thou ioyneſt hereto Thine is the kyngdome. &c.a geuinge of thankes, whiche with thy Church I ſhould ſaye (For thine is the kingdome, thine is the power, thine is the glorye for euer)
By reaſon whereof I hauehave great cauſe to lament, and to reioyce. To lament becauſe of my corruptiō, infirmitie, weaknes, obliuion, and careleſnes for thy people, ingratitude &c: becauſe of Sathans power, vigilancie, & prudencie, which hath ouercome moſt graue, wiſe and holy men, wherof ſome neuer recouered: as Cain, Cham, Achitophel, Saul, …udas &c. To reioyſe becauſe of thy goodnes, whiche teacheſt me this, & ſhe weſt me the remedie, commaundeſt all thy Church to praye for me, … wilt at length deliuer me from all …uel, and giuegive me glory. But alas I …m all together careles & miſerable. Oh be mercifull vntounto me dere father and for chriſts ſake forgiue me al my …innes: Graunt me thy holy ſpirit to reuele to me mine infirmties, weaknes, perils, daūgers &c: in ſuch ſort, that as I may hartely lamente my miſeries, ſo I maye aſke and obtaine thy grace to guyde me from all euill for euer more.
Againe graunt me the ſame thy holy ſpirite, to reuele to me thy louelove & kindnes towards me (and that in eternitie) in ſuch ſort, that I maye be throughlye perſwaded of the ſame, become thankfull vntounto thee, & daily expecte and loke for the reuelacion of thy kingdome, power, and glory, as one that foreuer ſhall hauehave the fruction of the ſame, through thyne owne goodnes and mercy in Chriſt, prepared for me before the beginnīg and foundation of the worlde was layed.
Here cal to mind our ſecuritie, Sathans vigilancie, oure negligence, his diligence, our infirmitie, his habilitie, oure ignoraunce, his crafte and ſubtilitie, &c.
Item call to mind how that he hath ouerthrowen for a time many of the deare Saintes of god, to whom we are to be compared in nothinge: a… Adam, Eue, Lot, Iudas, Thamer, Moiſes, Aaron, Mirtan, Sampſon, Gedeon, Clie, Dauid, Salomon, Ezechias, Ioſias, Peter, Thomas, and innumerable moe.
Item call to minde the goodnes of god, and of oure Shepeherd Chriſt, whiche hathe kepte vsus hitherto, kepeth vsus ſtill, & teacheth vsus here to know that he will kepe vsus for euer. For he wold not hauehave vsus to aſke for deliueraunce from euell, if that he wold not we ſhould certainely loke for the ſame. If thou doubt of finall perſeueraunce, y• diſhonoureſt god. Be certaine therfore, reſt in hope, be ſtil in his word. Se alſo how he hath commaunded his whole church and eueryevery member thereof, to praye for thee aſwell as for them ſelues, in theſe and all other thinges.
Now and then goe about to recken how manye and diuers kindes of euells there be, that thereby, as you may knowe you are deliuered from none, but by gods greate goodnes: ſo you may ſee that the number of euells that you hauehave, are nothing to be compared to the multitude of euills wherwith (yf your chriſt were not) the deuil wold all to beraye and dawbe you.
But what are all the miſeries and euels that can be, to be compared to the leaſt ioye, prepared for vsus in heauen? Oh thinke of thoſe ioyes, and pray that when the tyde of death cō meth, we may hale forth of the hauen of this fleſhe & this world ioyefully. In praieng this petitiō call to minde the euells you hauehave been in, the euells you are in, and the euells you may fall in, if god ſhuld not preſerue you, that you might be ſtirred vp the more to thankfullnes to prayer, to truſt in god, to modeſtie &c.
For thine is the kingdome, thine is the power, thine is the glory for euer.
AS in the beginnīg of this praier by theſe words (our father which art in heauen) thy children are excited & ſtirred vp to a ful confidence of obtaining the petitions folowing & al things neceſſary: So in y• latter end yu haſt added for the ſame purpoſe, theſe wordes (For thine is the kingdome thin is &c) Wherin I am taught theſe many things: Firſt that in prayer I ſhuld hauehave ſuch conſideration of thy kingdome, power, glory and eternitie, that my mind ſhuld be ſtriken wt an admiration of the ſame. Secondly that I ſhoulde ſo conſider them, eſpecially in praier, that I ſhuld not doubt, but that thou workeſt, ruleſt & gouerneſt all things eueryevery where in all perſons and creatures, moſte wyſely, iuſtelye, and mercifully. Thirdely that in praier all my peticions ſhuld tend to the ſetting forth of thy power, of thy kingdome, and of thy glorye. Laſte of all that in prayer I ſhoulde in no wyſe doubte of beinge heard but be aſſured, that thou which haſt commaunded me to pray, and haſt promiſed to here me, doeſt moſte graciouſely for thy mercyes ſake and truthes ſake heare my peticions, according to thy good wil throughe Ieſus Chriſte thy deare ſonne our lord and onelyonly ſauiour.
By reaſon whereof I hauehave greate cauſe to lament and reioyce. To lament, becauſe I conſider not theſe thinges in praier, in ſuche ſorte, as ſhould moue me to admiracion and gratitude: becauſe I conſider not thy power, and wiſedome generally in all things: becauſe I am ſo careles, for thy kingdome: and becauſe I am ſo full of dubitacion and doubtinge of thy goodnes. To reioyce I hauehave greate cauſe, becauſe thou reueleſt theſe thinges vntounto me on this ſorte: becauſe of thy power, kingdome and glory, which maketh to the hearing of my praiers, and helping of me: be cauſe thou wilt vſe me as thine inſtrument to ſet forth thy kingdome, power, & glory: and becauſe it pleaſeth thee to here my praiers and aſſuredly wilt ſaue me for euer.
But alas how farre am I frō theſe lamentacions and reioycinges? by reaſon wherof I deſerue damnaciō. Oh be mercifull vntounto me▪ forgeue me, and of thy … graunte me thy holy ſpirit … reueale to me my blindnes, obliuion, and contempt of thy kingdome, power and glory, wt the greatnes of my doubtings: that I maye hartely as lament them, ſo hauehave them pardoned, and taken frō me throughe the merites of Ieſus Chriſt thy ſonne.
Againe geue me thy holy ſpirit, to reueile to me in ſuch ſort thy kyngdome, power, glorye, and eternitie, that I maye alwaies hauehave the ſame before myne eies, be moued wyth thadmiration therof, labour effectually to ſet forth y• ſame, and finallye as to hauehave the ſruic…on thereof after this life: ſo encreaſe …an aſſured, certain and liuely expectacion of the ſame, that I maye alwaies & in all thynges reioyce in thee thorowe Chriſte, and geue lauds thankes & praiſes perpetually vntounto thy moſte holy name, oh bleſſed father, ſonne and holye ghoſt, thre perſons & one god, to whom be all honour & glory world without ende.
Here thinke, that if the kingdome power, glory and eternitie be gods which is our father, what our dignitie is, whiche be his chyldren: yf the power be our fathers, of whō ſhuld we be affraies? yf the deuell be ſubiect to the lords power & kingdome (as he is) howe can the ſubiect hauehave power ouer vsus, which be ſonnes and heires, in that he hath not power ouer porketts wtoute the prouidence and permiſſion of god? Therfore ful well ſhuld we pray, lead vsus not into temptation, rather then let vsus not be led into tentation. For power is the lords, and the deuell hath none, but that he hathe of gods gifte. No he were not of capacitie, to receaue power, yf god did not make hym of capacitie, althoughe the execution of it, is rather of gods permiſſion.
¶Geue all thankes, praiſe, and glorye, to god oure father throughe Chriſt oure lord and ſauiour. So be it.