Abridgment of Institutes of the Christian Religion, Book 3 · Chapter 20
CHAP. XX. Of praier which is the principall exerciſe of faith, and whereby we doe dailie receiue the benefites of God.
Mans pouertie.1 BY that which goeth before wee plainely perceiue how needie and emptie man is of all good things, and how he wanteth all helpes of ſaluation. Therefore if he ſeeke helpes to releeue his pouertie withall, hee muſt needes goe without him ſelfe: to wit, vntounto the Lord, who doth giuegive himſelfe vntounto vsus of his own accord, & freelie, in his ſonne, in whom he offereth vsus in ſteed of our miſerie, felicity, and ſetteth open to vsus the heauenlie treaſures: that all our faith may behold his welbeloued ſonne, that all our expectation may depend vponupon him, that all our hope may reſt in him. It remaineth that we ſeek in him, and that by praier wee craue at his handes, that which is wanting in our ſelues, and which wee hauehave learned to be in him. For as the Apoſtle witneſſeth, like as faith ſpringeth from the Goſpell,Rom. 8.26. ſo by the ſame faith our hearts are framed to call vponupon the name of God*.
2 Therefore we obtaine that by the benefite of praier that wee pearce vntounto thoſe riches which are laid vp for vsus with our heauenlie father.Prayer is a conference with God For it is a certaine talking of men with God, wherby they enter into the ſanctuarie of heauen, & do face to face call to him touching his promiſes, that they may try that that was not vaine, (when neceſſitie ſo requireth) which they beleeued when he affirmed it only in word.
3 Ob. Doth not God know what is expedient for vsus, without hee hauehave one to tell him,The fruites of prayer. and to put him in minde?
An. God hath ordained that not ſo much for his owne ſake, as for ours: Firſt, that our heart may alwaies be inflamed with a feruent deſire to ſeek, louelove, and worſhip him, whiles we accuſtome our ſelues to flie to him in all neceſſitie, as to an holie anchor. Secōdlie, that there come no luſt into out mind wherof we may be aſhamed to make him a witnes, when we powre out our whole heart in his ſight. Alſo that we may bee prepared to receiue his benefites with thankſgiuing. Moreouer, that hauing obtained that which we did aske, wee may be more feruently caried to thinke vponupon his goodnes. Laſt of all, that vſe it ſelfe may confirme in our minds his prouidence, power, and goodneſſe.
The lawes of prayer.4 Furthermore we muſt obſerue foure rules, if we will make our praier aright: The firſt is, that wee be no otherwiſe framed in mind then becōmeth thoſe which enter into talk with God. Which we ſhall obtaine, if our mind being cleered from carnall cares, doe not onlie wholie bend it ſelfe to prayer, but alſo, ſo much as may bee, lift vppe it ſelfe aboue it ſelfe.
5 Becauſe nothing is more contrarie to the reuerence of God, then that lightneſſe, a witneſſe of too wanton licentiouſneſſe, and without all feare. Wherin we muſt labour ſo much the more earneſtlie, the harder we finde it to be. To this end tendeth the lifting vp of our hands: that men may remēber that they are farre from God, vnleſſe they lift vppe their ſenſes on high.The liftinge vp of the handes. Alſo we muſt beware that we aske no more then God giueth vsus leaue to aske in his word.
Obiect. He promiſeth that he will doe according to the will of the godlie*.Pſal. 92.….
An. His tender bearing with the godlie proceedeth not ſo farre, that he giueth the bridle to their wicked affections, and ſubmitteth himſelfe to their pleaſure. Therfore we muſt hold that of Iohn. This is our confidence,1 Ioh. 5.14. that if we aske any thing according to his will he heareth vsus.The affection of the hart toward God. But as it is meet that we bend the ſight of our minde to God, ſo the affection of the heart muſt follow thither alſo. Becauſe both are carried another way, it is needefull that God by his ſpirite doe ſuccour & releeue this weakneſſe*.Rom. 8.20. 2 Cor. 14.16.
6 Let this be another law, that in asking wee doe alwaies trulie feele our pouertie: and that thinking and feeling indeed that we need al things which we ask, we may ioine the feruent affection of obtaining with praier it ſelfe.
7 Obiect. We are not alwaies vrged to pray with like neceſſitie.2 Lawe. The feelinge of our Pouertie doth inflame Prayer. Iam. 5.13. Perſeuerance in prayer. Repentance. Ioh. 9.3.
An. I graunt: and this diſtinction is profitablie deliuered to vsus by Iames*. Is any man ſad among you, let him pray: let him that is meerie ſing. Therfore common ſenſe telleth vsus what we ought to doe in this caſe. We muſt pray continually, becauſe we are continually in need and neceſſitie. And becauſe God heareth not ſinners* true prayer requireth repentance, which is farre from all hypocriſie and deceit.
8 VntoUnto theſe let vsus adde the third alſo, that hee abandon all thinking vponupon his owne glorie,3 Lawe. Let glorie and pryde be farre from prayer whoſoeuer he be that preſenteth himſelfe before God to make his praier, giuing all the glorie to God in the caſting downe of himſelfe: leaſt if wee take to our ſelues but a verie little, we do through our own ſwelling, fall away from his face.Dan. 6.17. Wee hauehave examples of this ſubmiſſiō in Daniel*Pſa. 143.2., Dauid*Ieſ. 64.5., Ieſaias, Ieremie*Ier. 14.7., and others*Bar. 2.18. Note..
9 Finally the beginning and alſo the preparation of true praier, is, crauing of pardon, with an humble and free confeſſion of our fault. Neither ſhall euen the moſt holie man obtaine anie thing, vntill hee be freelie recōciled: neither can it be that God ſhould be fauourable to any other, but to thoſe whom hee pardoneth*. When Chriſt healed the man ſicke of the palſie, hee ſaid, Thy ſinnes are forgiuen thee*Mat. 9.2.,Pſal. 25.
10 Obiect. Holie men doe ſometimes ſeeme to cite and craue the helpe of their own righteouſnes to intreat God*.Pſal. 86.1. 2 Kin. 20.4.
An. By ſuch formes of ſpeeche they meane nothing els, but that they teſtifie by their regeneration that they are the ſeruants and children of God, to whom he promiſeth to be mercifull*.Ioh. 3.22.
11 The fourth is, that being thus caſt down with true humilitie,4 Lawe Hope is neceſſarie in Prayer. wee bee neuertheleſſe incouraged to praier with ſure hope to obtaine our petitions.
Obiect. Theſe things are contrarie, to ioyne ſure hope of fauour, with the feeling of the iuſt vengeance of God.
Repentance & faith are companions.An. They agree very wel, if the goodnes of God ſet vponupon foot, ſuch as are oppreſſed with their own miſerie. So repentance and faith are companions, whereof notwithſtanding the one terrifieth vsus, and the other maketh vsus glad: ſo in praier thoſe two muſt meete togeather.Pſal. 5.8. So Dauid, I will worſhip in the temple of thy holineſſe with feare*.
Comādements required in Prayer. Pſal 33.22. & 56.10.12 Therefore we holde with aſſured confidence that God is fauourable and mercifull to vsus: otherwiſe there ſhall be no vſe of praier. For which cauſe the whole church prayeth*, Let thy merciemercy bee vponupon vsus, as we hauehave hoped in thee.
Cōmandement13 Alſo when he biddeth vsus pray, he doth by the verie ſame commaundement reproue vsus of wicked ſtubbornneſſe,Pſal. 50.15. Mat. 7.7 The promiſe. vnleſſe wee obey*. VntoUnto prayer there is ioyned alſo a promiſe, that hee will be fauorable and intreated, leaſt being diſobedient, & conuict of vnbeleefe, wee miſtruſt God when hee calleth.
14 And it is a wonder, that we are either coldly or almoſt no way moued with the ſweetneſſe of his promiſes, ſo that a great part had rather wander in bie wayes: and hauing left the fountaine of liuing waters, digge to themſelues drie ceſternes, then imbrace the liberalitie of God offered vntounto them freelie. The name of the Lorde is a ſtrong tower, the iuſt man ſhall flie to it, and be ſaued*.A ſimilitude Pro. 18.10. Ioel 2.32. Therefore let the faithfull beeing perſwaded of the fatherlie louelove of God, alwaies commit themſelues to his faithfull keeping, neither let them doubt to craue the helpe which he promiſeth: yet doth not a careleſſe ſecuritie lift them vp, but they clime vp by degrees of his promiſes, yet ſo that they remaine humble in their owne abaſement.
15 Obiect God graunted the praiers of Ioatham and Sampſon,Iud. 9.20. *Iud. 16.…8.which notwithſtanding proceeded not from a quiet minde.
An. A continuall law of God is not aboliſhed by particular examples. Againe, a fewe men had ſometimes ſpeciall motions, whereby it came to paſſe that they differed from the common ſort. Furthermore, thoſe praiers which God heareth doe not alwaies pleaſe him, but ſo farre as pertaineth to example,Thoſe prayers which God heareth doe not alwayes pleaſe him. that the godlie may praie with more affiance and feruentnes. So God being moued with the feigned repentance of Achab, taught how eaſie he is to be intreated of his elect.
16 This is alſo worth the noting, that thoſe thinges which we hauehave ſpoken of the foure rules of praying aright, are not ſo ſtrictly required, that God refuſeth thoſe praiers, wherein he can not finde either perfect faith, or repentance, togeather with feruentneſſe of zeale, and well ordered petitions. For wee ſee with what vehemencie of ſorrowe Dauid was carryed away when hee ſaide*,Pſal. 39.14. Ceaſe from mee vntill I goe hence and bee not.
Therefore the endeuours of the faithfull doe pleaſe GOD, howſoeuer they bee not free from all lettes, and their praiers are allowed, ſo they pleaſe forwarde thyther whyther they come not ſtreight.
17 And foraſmuch as there is no man worthie to repreſent himſelfe before God, the heauenly father himſelfe, to the end he might exempt vsus from ſhame and feare,The mediatour gaue vsus his ſonne to be our mediatour, by whoſe guiding we may ſafely draw neere* truſting to ſuch a mediator,1 Tim. 3.8. 1 Ioh. 2.1. Ioh. 14.13. & 16.26. that nothing which we aske in his name ſhall bee denied vsus, as the father can denie him nothing*. They erre which follow anie other way. Becauſe all the promiſes of God are in Chriſt, Yea, and Amen*2 Cor. 1.20..
18 And we muſt diligentlie conſider the circumſtance of the time, when Chriſt commaundeth his Diſciples to flie to his interceſſion, after that hee is aſcended into heauen, In that houre, ſaith he, ye ſhal aske in my name*.Ioh 16.26. It is certaine that from the beginning none were heard which did pray, ſaue only for the mediatours ſake. For this cauſe the Lorde appointed in the lawe that the Prieſt alone ſhoulde enter into the ſanctuarie, and carrie vponupon his ſhoulders the names of the Tribes of Iſrael: to this ende auailed the ſacrifice,The glorie of the mediatour did more plainlie appeare by the aſcention of Chriſt. that the praiers might be eſtabliſhed: Being holpen by theſe rudiments they embraced the Mediatour, whoſe glorie notwithſtanding did more clearelie ſhine by his aſcention.
19 Furthermore, foraſmuch as hee is the onelyonly way to God, there is nothing left for thoſe which turne aſide, in the throne of God beſides anger, iudgement and terror.
Obiect. The ſaints hauehave their interceſſions left them, whereby they doe mutuallie commende the ſafetie one of another*.2 Tim. 2.1.
An. They bee ſuch as depend vponupon that only, ſo far of is it that they anie whit diminiſh it.The interceſſion of the ſaincts
20 Ob. Chriſt is the mediatour of redemption: and the faithfull of interceſſion.
An. As if Chriſt hauing performed the mediatorſhip which laſteth only for a time, hath turned ouer the eternall mediatorſhip which neuer ſhall hauehave end vntounto his ſeruants.1 Ioh. 2.1. Rom. 8.31. 1 Tit. 2.5. The ſcripture ſaith otherwiſe, if anie man ſin, we hauehave an aduocate with the father Ieſus Chriſt*.
21 As touching the Saints who being dead in the fleſh doe liue in Chriſt,The interceſſiō of the dead. if we attribute anie prayer to them, let vsus not dreame that they hauehave any other way to intreat God but Chriſt. Therefore the ſcripture calleth vsus backe vntounto Chriſt alone, who is the onelyonly way to the father*.Iob 14 6. Hee is our mouth by which we ſpeake to the father: our eie wherewith we ſee the father: our right hand whereby we offer our ſelues to the father.
22 But follie is gone ſo farre, that we hauehave heere the nature of ſuperſtition expreſſed, which after it hath once gotten the head, maketh no end of wantonneſſe. For vntounto the interceſſion of Saints was added the particular procuration of euerie one, & according to the diuerſitie of buſineſſe, ſometimes one, ſometimes another was called vponupon, to be aduocate: then euerie man had his ſeuerall Saint,Safegarding Gods. to whoſe tuition they committed themſelues as to the tuition of ſafegarding Gods.
23 Obiect. The praiers of the faithfull are carried by the handes of Angelles into the ſight of God.
An. The Angels are appointed to take charge of our ſafetie*, not dead men.Heb. 1.14. Pſal. 91 11. & 34.8.
Obiect. If Moſes and Samuel ſhall ſtande before me, my ſoule is not toward this people*Ier. 25.1.: therefore the dead make interceſſion for vsus.
An. But ſeeing it appeareth thereby that they praied not for the people, it is then concluded that the dead doe not pray at all: But the Lord doth only pronounce that he will not ſpare the wickedneſſe of the people, although they had ſome Moſes or Samuell, at whoſe praiers and interceſſion he became ſo mercifull.
24 Queſt. Shall we then take from them al praier and deſire of godlineſſe, who during their whole life did breath out nothing but godlines and louelove?
An. They long for with an vnmoueable will the kingdome of God, which conſiſteth no leſſe in the deſtruction of the wicked then in the ſaluation of the godlie.
Obiect. Thoſe men which liue vponupon earth do one commend another to God by their praiers.
An. This duetie ſerueth to nouriſhe louelove among them,Why thoſe which are aliue pray one for another. when as they doe as it were deuide their neceſſities among themſelues, and mutuallie take vponupon them the ſame. And this they doe according to the commandement of the Lord, neither doe they want a promiſe: which two things are alwaies chief in praier.
Ob. It cannot be but that they muſt retaine the ſame louelove toward vsus, as they are ioyned with vsus in one faith.
The Saintes neither heare nor ſee what we doe.An. Yet who hath reuealed that they hauehave ſo long eares, as to reach to our voices? and that they hauehave eies ſo quick of ſight, which watch to ſee wherof we ſtand in need?
Ob. They behold & looke downe from aboue vpō mens affaires, in the brightnes of the countenance of God caſting his beames vponupon them, as in a myrrour.
An. That can be confirmed by no teſtimonie of ſcripture.
25 Obiect. Iacob requeſteth to hauehave his name & the name of his fathers Abraham and Iſaach to be called vponupon ouer his poſteritie.The calling vponupon a name ouer anye man Gen. 48.16.
An. He praieth that he may ſend the ſucceſſion of the couenant vntounto his poſteritie: & that they may be called the children of Abraham Iſaach, & Iacob.
Ob. Iſaias affirmeth that the name of the men is called vponupon ouer the woman*.Iſa. 4.1.
An. When as they count thē for their husbands vnderunder whoſe faith and tuition they liue.
Obiect. God is beſought to hauehave merciemercy vponupon the people for Dauids ſake.Pſal. 132.10
An. There is reſpect had rather of the couenant then of the man, vnderunder a figure the onlie interceſſion of Chriſt is auouched.
26 Obiect. Wee reade often that the praiers of Saints were heard*.Pſal. 22.5.
An. Therefore let vsus alſo pray as they did, and we ſhall be heard as they were.
27 Let this be the ſumme, ſeeing that the ſcripture commendeth this vntounto vsus, as a principall point in the worſhip of God, that we call vppon him,The concluſion. our praiers cānot be directed vntounto others without manifeſt ſacriledge*: Againe, for as much as God will bee called vppon onelie in faith: and doeth commaunde that our praiers bee formed according to the rule of his worde. Finallie,Pſal. 44.22. ſeeing that faith hauing her foundation in the worde is the mother of praier: ſo ſoone as wee turne aſide from the word, our praiers muſt needes bee corrupt. As touching the office of interceſſiō, it is proper to Chriſt.2 Kindes of prayer.
28 And although praier be reſtrained vntounto wiſhes and petitions, yet there is ſo great aliance between petition & thākſgiuing, that they may fitlie be comprehended vnderunder one name.1 Petition In asking we craue as well thoſe things which ſerue to ſet forth his glorie,2 Thankeſgiuinge as thoſe which are profitable and ſerue to our owne vſe. In giuing thankes we ſet foorth and extoll his benefits toward vsus with due praiſe, thanking his liberalitie for all thoſe good things which come vntounto vsus.Why perſeuerance in Prayer is neceſſarie Let both bee vſed in the Churche continuallie, ſeeing neceſſitie vrgeth vsus, Sathan lieth in waite, we are ouerwhelmed with ſinnes, and the hande of God is open to doe good: Moreouer it is both commaunded, & alſo the vſe of other good things without praiſe is hurtfull.
We muſt apoint houres for prayer29 This continuance of praier, though it principally concerne euerie mans priuate praiers, yet it doth ſomewhat appertaine vntounto the publike praiers of the Church alſo: and it is expedient that we hauehave houres appointed for them. We muſt flie vaine babling and alſo vaine glorie*:1 Cor. 14.40. Mat. 6.7. wee muſt ſeeke ſome ſecret place. Yet we may pray in all places, & not neglect publik or priuate praiers, but alwaies ioine both together. And let vsus eſpeciallie note this, that praier muſt proceede from the inwarde affection of the heart.
The vſe of Churches30 Now as the Lord in his word commaundeth the faithfull to make publike praiers, ſo there muſt likewiſe be publike Churches aſſigned wherin they may hauehave the ſame: for the Lord hath promiſed that he will doe whatſoeuer two or three gathered together in his name ſhal aske*.Mat. 18.20.
31 Againe, it appeareth moſt euidentlie hereby that neither the voice, nor ſinging are any thing worth,Singinge. The voce. vnleſſe they proceed from the deep affectiō of the heart. Nay rather they prouoke his wrath againſt vsus, if they come only from the lips and throte: foraſmuch as that is to abuſe his holie name,eI 29.13. Mat. 12.8 and to mocke his maieſtie*. We commend the voice and ſinging as helps of praier, inaſmuch as they accompanie the pure affection of the mind.
32 The rite of ſinging in churches,The rite of ſinginge hath bin of longe continuance. was not onlie moſt ancient, but it was alſo vſed of the Apoſtles*. And ſurely if ſinging be tempered after that grauity which becommeth the ſight of God and Angels, it doth both win fauour and dignitie to holie actions, and alſo it is of great force to ſtirre vp our mindes vntounto the true ſtudie of praying:1 Cor 14.13. Coll 3.16. notwithſtanding we muſt beware that our eares bee not more attentiue to marke the note, then our mindes to the ſpirituall meaning of the words.
33 Whereby it is euident likewiſe, that publike praiers muſt be made not in a ſtrange language,To pray in a ſtrange tounge. but in a cōmō kind of ſpeech: for as much as they ought to be made for the edifiyng of all the whole church to the which there commeth no profite at all by a ſound not vnderſtood*.2 Cor. 14.16. The ſecrete muttering of Hanna,1 Sam. 1.13. doth ſhew that the tongue is not neceſſarie for priuate praiers*.
34 Now we muſt learne a more certaine way & forme of praier: namely,The Lordes. prayer. Mat, 6.9. Luke. 11.2. that which the father hath deliuered to vsus by his beloued ſonne*: wher we may know his infinite goodnes. For he hath preſcribed a forme, wherein hee hath ſet before vsus as in a table whatſoeuer is lawfull for vsus to aske of him, whatſoeuer is profitable for vsus, and whatſoeuer wee hauehave need to aske.
35 And this rule is ſet downe in ſixe petitions:The diuiſiō in to 6 petitions the former three are peculiarlie appointed for the glorie of God, without reſpect of our owne profite. The other three, hauehave care of vsus, and are properlie appointed for asking thoſe thinges which are for our vſe. Now let vsus take in hand the expoſition of the prayer it ſelfe.
Our father which art in heauen.
Father.36 When wee call him father, wee alledge the name of Chriſt the mediatour. For with what boldneſſe coulde any man call God, father, vnleſſe wee were adopted in Chriſt to be the children of grace*?Ioh. 1 12. 1 Ioh. 3.1. By this ſweetneſſe of the word, he deliuereth vsus frō al doubting, ſeeing there is no where to be found a greater affection of louelove then that of a father. Hee wil neuer forget vsus*.Ieſ. 49.15. Therfore we ought not to ſeek helpe anie where els but there, vnleſſe wee reproch him with pouertie or crueltie.
37 Furthermore, let vsus knowe for a ſuretie, that ſinnes cannot hinder,2 Cor. 13. Lu. 15.20. but that he will receiue & be beneficiall to thoſe which ſubmit them ſelues and craue pardon*.
38 Laſtlie of all when we call him ours in common, we are thereby taught howe great affection of brotherlye louelove ought to bee among vsus, who are ſonnes togeather with ſuche a father,Our. by the ſame right of free liberalitie. And let vsus pray for all*, but chiefly for thoſe which ar of the houſhold of faith*.Eph. 2.24. Gal. 6.20.
39 We may pray eſpeciallie both for our ſelues, and alſo for certaine others, yet ſo that our minde depart not from the beholding the comminaltie.Speciall prayer
40 When we ſay that he is in heauen, we ſignifie that he is not kept in ſome one country, becauſe the heauen of heauens do not conteine him*, but that hee is ſpread abroad throughout all,Which art in heauen. 1 Kin. 8.37 Ie. 60.1. that when wee ſeek him we may be lifted vp aboue all ſenſe of bodie and ſoule. Secondlie he is ſet aboue all change and corruption. Finallie, he comprehendeth all the whole world, and gouerneth it by his power. Wherfore this is as muche as if hee had been ſaid to be of infinite greatnes, or highnes, of an incōprehenſible eſſence, of infinite power, of eternall immortalitie.
Hallowed be thy name.
41 The ſumme of the firſt petition, is,The firſt petition. that we deſire that God may hauehave the honour whereof he is worthy, that men may neuer ſpeake or think of him without great reuerence: againſt which profaning is ſet. By Name, we meane his power, goodneſſe, wiſedome, righteouſneſſe, mercy, truth, which cary vsus to wonder at him, & prouoke vsus to ſet forth his praiſe.Name Therfore we deſire that that name may be ſanctified, and that God will deliuer that holy name from all reproch and contempt,Hallowed yea that he will bring all mankind vnderunder his reuerence: and that all vngodlineſſe may be aboliſhed.
Let thy kingdome come.
42 The kingdome of God hath two partes: one that God will reform all the wicked luſts of the fleſh by the power of his Spirite.The partes of the kingdome of God. Secondly that he will frame all our ſenſes vntounto the obedience of his gouernment: that he will defende his children, and breake the indeuors of the wicked. That doth he by the efficacie of his word, which is called his ſcepter. Therefore we craue that he will increaſe the number of the faithfull, and increaſe their bleſſinges, and alſo multiplie them, that he will raigne in vsus by his Spirite: that by this meanes the filth of vices being driuen away, perfect integritie may flouriſh vntill the laſt comming of Chriſt. This prayer doth pull vsus backe frō the corruptions of the world: it kindleth a deſire to mortifie the fleſh: it teacheth vsus to beare the croſſe: foraſmuch as God will hauehave his kingdome enlarged by this meanes.
Thy will be done.
43 We ſpeake not in this place of the ſecret will of God, wherby God doth gouerne all things,The third. The will of God is double & appoint them to their ende: but of that which is made knowen to vsus by the Scriptures, wherto willing obedience doth aunſwere. And therefore the heauen and earth are expreſſelie compared togither. Therfore we are commaunded to deſire, that like as nothing is done in heauen, but according to the commandement of God, and the Angelles are meekely framed vntounto all righteouſneſſe: ſo the earth may be brought vnderunder ſuch gouernment, as ſtubburnneſſe and frowardneſſe being extinguiſhed.
Geue vsus this day our dayly bread.
The ſecond part. The 4 petition.44 The ſecond part followeth now, wherein we deſcend to our owne profit. By this we aske in generall of God, all thinges which the vſe of the bodie needeth, vnderunder the elements of this world: we commit our ſelues to his keeping and prouidence, that he may feede,Bread Our. Dayly foſter & ſaue vsus. This is no light exerciſe of faith. We aske breade, that we may be contented with that portiō which God giueth. We call it ours in reſpect of the gift: and daily, that the immoderate deſire of tranſitorie things may be bridled in vsus
Forgeue vsus our debtes.
The fift.45 In this and the next, Chriſt hath briefly cō prehended what ſoeuer maketh for the heauenlie life. Like as the ſpirituall couenant conſiſteth onelyonly vponupon theſe two members, which couenaunt God hath made for the ſaluation of his Church, I will write my lawes in their hartes, and I will be mercifull to their iniquitie*.Ier. 31.33. &. 33 8. Sinnes are debts He calleth ſinnes debtes, becauſe we owe the puniſhment therof, neither could we by anie meanes make ſatisfaction, vnleſſe wee ſhould be diſcharged by this remiſſion, and we deſire to hauehave this remiſſion, as wee forgiue our debters:Remiſſion conditionall. that is, as wee ſpare all men, and pardon all men, by whome ſoeuer we hauehave bin hurt in a thing, either by deede or word. Therefore vnleſſe we forgiue we ſhal not be forgiuē. And yet ther is no merit in our remiſſion, but the Lord meant by this meanes to help the weakneſſe of our faith, that it may be not a cauſe, but a ſigne of our debt which is forgiuen vsus.
And leade vsus not &c.
46 Becauſe we hauehave a continuall combate,The Sixt. we deſire to be furniſhed with weapons, and to be ayded, that we may be able to get the victorie.Tentations are manifeſt. And nowe there be manie formes of temptations. For euen the euill deſires of the minde which prouoke vsus to tranſgreſſe the Law, which either concupiſcence putteth into our mindes, or the deuill doth rayſe, are temptations: and thoſe thinges which of their owne nature are not euill, are notwithſtandinge through the ſubtiltie of Sathan made temptations, to drawe vsus from God. And they are either on the right hand, as richeſſe, power, honour, &c. or on the lefte, as pouertie, contempt, afflictions, &c. through the ſweetneſſe wherof we are either drunken, or elſe we are offended with their bitterneſſe, and ſo caſt from vsus our hope. And we ſay that God leadeth into temptation when he giueth ouer the reprobate whom he hath depriued of his Spirit,How god doth lead into temptation. to become the bondſlaues of Sathan: which is a ſure teſtimonie and token of his vengeance.
For thine is the kingdome.
47 Furthermore this is the ſound reſt of our faith, to wit, that the kingdome is Gods, and the power and the glorie for euer. Amen is added, whereby is expreſſed the earneſtneſſe of our deſire to obtaine thoſe things which we hauehave asked of God.
48 We hauehave what ſo euer we ought to aske of God taught vsus by Chriſt,Mat. 17.5. whome the Father hath appointed to be our teacher*,Mat. 17.5. and who is his eternall wiſedome*Ieſ. 11.2. Therefore this prayer is moſt perfect, wherto we muſt adde nothing, or from which we muſt take nothing. For herein is contained that which is acceptable to God: which is neceſſarie for vsus: and which be will giuegive vsus.
We muſt adde nothinge.49 And yet we are not tyed to the words, or ſillables, but are taught that no man may aske anie other thing, then that which is ſummarily contained in this prayer.
50 And although we ought alwayes to ſigh & to pray without ceaſing lifting vp our minds vntounto God yet foraſmuch as our weakeneſſe is ſuch, as that it hath neede to be holpen with manie helps, let eueryevery man appoint him ſelfe certaine houres for exerciſe ſake, which let him not omit without prayer. And let be farre from vsus all ſuperſtititious obſeruing of time and places.
Perſeuerance with certaintie51 If hauing our minds framed to this obediēce, we ſuffer our ſelues to be gouerned by the lawes of Gods prouidence, we ſhall eaſilie learne to perſeuere in prayer, and with longing deſires patiently to waite for the Lord: being alſo ſure that though he appeare not, yet is he alwayes preſent with vsus, and that in his time he will declare, that he hearde our prayers, which in mens ſight ſeemed to be neglected.
52 But and if at length after long waytinge our ſenſe do not perceaue what good we hauehave done by praying,We hauehave alwayes that which is expedient. Ioh. 5.25. yet our faith ſhall aſſure vsus, that we hauehave obtained that which was expedient, ſeing that the Lord doth ſo often and ſo ſurely promiſe that he will hauehave regard of our troubles*, after that they be once layed downe in his boſome. And by this meanes he ſhal bring to paſſe that we ſhall in pouertie abundance, and in affliction, conſolation.