Exposition of the Lords Prayer, Treatise · Part 2 – Part 3

Exposition of the Lords Prayer · Treatise · Part 2 – Part 3

p. 19Father, which art in Heaven.

First, for the word Father, It implyeth thus much. That;

Vntill we be assured that God is become our Father p. 20Observat. 3.in Christ, wee hauehave nothing to doe with any petition in the Lords Prayer.

In plainer termes it is thus much; We cannot pray at all in acceptable sort, so as wee may please the Lord, and gaine any true comfort and peace unto our soules, till this perswasion be setled in our hearts, viz. That we are Gods children, and that he is our Father. Therefore it is that the Saints doe usually (as we may obserue in the Scriptures) lay this as the foundation of their prayers, That the Lord is their God, that he Psal. 22. 1.Ps 22:1is their portion, the God of their salvation, their Psal. 119.Ps 119mercifull God, &c.Psal. 88.Ps 88

And againe, the Church useth the very wordsIsa. 64. 8.Isa 64:8 of this prayer, But now O Lord thou art our Father, &c. Neither is it without cause, that the Lord would hauehave us in assurance of faith to call him Father; for indeed he is such a one, not onelyonly in name, but also in nature. Nay, he hathGod hath in him all the properties of a Father. all the properties of a Father, in a farre more excellent manner and measure, then any man in the world hath or possibly can hauehave.

For, first of all, Hee taketh knowledge of all the 1wants, grievances, and miseries of his children. He knowe… all his childrens wants.As appeareth in that argument which Christ Iesus useth to disswade men from carking and vexing cares for the things of this life: For, your Math. 6. 32.Matt 6:32heavenly Father (saith he) knoweth that yee hauehave Exod. 37.Exod 37need of all these things. And so the Lord telleth Moses concerning his afflicted Church in Egypt, I hauehave seene, I hauehave seene the troubles of my people p. 21which are in Egypt, and hauehave heard their cry, because of their taske-masters: for I know their sorrowes. From which places it is evident, that there is not one of Gods familie, but he takes notice what his necessities, and what his sorrowes and sufferings are; There is none that wanteth money, food, apparell, or sleepe in the night, or any earthly thing whatsoever, but he is fully acquainted with it, and throughly considereth of it. There is no temptation, doubt, or feare in their mindes: no discomfort or heavinesse in their hearts: no mischiefe intended by Sathan, or by men against their persons or estates, but the Lord is privie unto all: whereas earthly Fathers are ignorant of sundry of their Childrens wants and griefes, as well in the night when they are sleeping, as in the day when they are absent from them. Yea, when they are present with them, they are utterly unacquainted with many inward matters that are amisse in their soules: as also with divers plots and practises of malicious enemies, for the endangering of their bodies, or the endammaging of their estates. So that in this regard, the Lord goeth infinitely beyond them.

Secondly, As he knoweth their needes, so hee 2. He pitties them.pittieth them therein; as a Father doth his child whom he loveth, nay, he hath a more tender respectPsal. 103. 13.Ps 103:13 of them, then any mother can hauehave of the fruit of their owne wombe: for so sayth the ProphetIsa. 49. 15.Isa 49:15 Isaiah: Can a woman forget her child, and not hauehave compassion on the sonne of her wombe: p. 22though they should forget, yet will I not forget thee.

Thirdly, for his louelove unto his Children, our 3Saviour declareth what it is, where he sayth,He loues them. Thou hast loved them, as thou hast loved me. NeitherIohn 17. 23. 24.John 17:23John 17:24 doth Christ Iesus envie, that they should be so highly in Gods favour, but prayeth in the next verse: Father I will that they which thou hast given me may bee with me where I am, that they may behold the glory that thou hast given mee. A man would thinke it strange, that he should bring such base and vile creatures as we are, unto such exceeding great glory; but it is stranger that he should deale so with his owne Sonne: nay, we thinke that but equall and right. And why then should we make question of the other, seeing that he loveth us as hee doth his owne sonne? which loving affection of his is further expressed unto us, where he is called, the Father of mercies, 2 Cor. 1. 3.2 Cor 1:3and God of all consolations. Whence it appeareth, that all the merciemercy and kindnesse that is in any creature, is derived from him, as from a fountaine, and therefore is in his owne Majestie infinitely more absolute and perfect.

From this which hath beene spoken, it is cleere, that he is a Father indeed, as well as in Name.

Now it remaineth that we shew what necessitie there is, for us to beleeue and to be perswaded that he is our Father, to the intent, that we may more faithfully and comfortably call upon his name. Which will be plaine and evident if we well consider;

p. 231. How miserable our case is without this.

2. How happie and blessed it is, when wee hauehave attained hereunto.

First, our case is very woefull and hard, whether Reason 1 we looke;

1. VntoUnto God: or,

2. VntoUnto our selues.

First for God, he is in himselfe a just Iudge, and 1such an one as can indure no iniquitie, nor beareWe are miserable without this assurance with the least blemish and imperfection, unlesse satisfaction bee made unto his Iustice for the same. And then for our selues, both our persons and our best services are stained with manifold corruptions; and therefore cannot possibly find any acceptance with so holy and so just a God as the Lord is. Nay, indeed they are an abomination unto his Majesty, and in themselues must needes procure punishment, rather then a blessing from him. Which being considered; we may plainely perceiue that it much concerneth us, before we approach unto the throne of Grace, earnestly to seeke to hauehave our persons reconciled unto the Lord, and to be assured that he is become our mercifull Father in Christ Iesus, that so through him our sacrifices may bee accepted and rewarded of the Lord.

Now as the necessitie of the assurance of Gods favour appeareth by this, that we are very miserable 2without it, so doth it also by this, that weWe are blessed if we hauehave it. are exceeding happie when we hauehave the fruition of it: according to that of the Psalmist, Blessed Psal. 144. 15.Ps 144:15are the people, whose God is the Lord. Which p. 24happinesse consisteth of sundry particulars, as namely;

First, That whosoever hath this assurance, this The benefits of the assurance of Gods favour.person hath all the Attributes of God set a-worke for his good, the perswasion whereof must needs be a great strengthning unto his faith in prayer. 1He hath the power of God to assist and upholdHe hath all the attributes set a worke for him. him, to protect and defend him, and to overthrow all adverse power that comes against him. He hath the wisedome of God to watch over 2him, to fore-see dangers, to prevent them, to find out meanes of deliverance when crosses are upon him, and in a word, to ridde him out of all doubts and difficulties, and to direct him in all things that do concerne him, either for his present or everlasting estate. Further, he hath the merciemercy of God, set a-worke for the pardoning 3of his daily offences, and the plentifull supply of all needfull comforts, and (not to instance in all the particular Attributes of the Lord) hee hath him to be an All-sufficient God unto him, for the accomplishing and perfecting of his happinesse.

Secondly, hee hath right to all the merits of 2We hauehave right then to all Christs merits and graces.Christ Iesus, and the saving graces of the Spirit, hee is justified already, and hath all his iniquities washed away, so that he is without spot in Gods account. Which is the ground of all happinesse,Ezek. 36.Ezek 36 according as the Prophet speaketh:Psal. 32. 1. 2.Ps 32:1Ps 32:2 Blessed is the man, whose iniquitie is forgiven, and whose sinne is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth no sinne. And as hee is p. 25justified, so is he also sanctified: (for these twoEzek. 36.Ezek 36 are inseparable companions) God takes away theIerem. 31.Jer 31 stony heart out of his body, and giveth him in stead thereof an heart of flesh. He putteth his spirit into him, which sanctifieth him throughout,1 Thes. 5. 23.1 Thess 5:23 in his minde, memory, will, in his conscience affections, and in every power and facultie of body and soule.

Thirdly, herevpon ensueth another priviledge 3Then one hath peace with all the Creatures.and that is, That hee hath peace with all the creatures, as it is promised in Hoseah, when the Lord marrieth the people unto himselfe, then he will make a Covenant for them with the wild beastes; Hos. 2. 18.Hos 2:18and with the fowles of the heaven, &c. So that looke where God favours, there all the creatures shall favour, and procure the benefit and comfort of the partie favoured, for they are all Gods servants, & must therfore be at his appointment

Fourthly, whosoever hath gotten this assurance, 4that he is within the Covenant of Grace, and is partaker thereof, he hath freedome from all hurtfull crosses, Hee shall no more beare the Ezek. 36.Ezek 36reproach of famine, nor feele the sting of any otherRom. 8. 30.Rom 8:30 judgement, but all shall worke together for the best unto him.

Lastly, every such person may rest confidently perswaded of his finall perseverance, and 5Such may be assured to persevere in grace to salvation.continuance in well doing unto the end, and so of his everlasting salvation in the heavens, for that is a part of Gods Covenant, That hee will put his feare into his servants hearts, so that they Ier. 32. 40.Jer 32:40shall never depart from him. Slip and fall they p. 26may, and will, but fall quite away they cannot possibly. None can take them out of Gods hands, Iohn 10.John 10for he is stronger then all. And will preserue them while they liue, and raise them up at the last day, to hauehave full communion with himselfe.Math. 25.Matt 25 And to inherite the kingdome prepared for them, from the beginning of the world. To which purpose our Saviour saith unto his Disciples, Feare Luke 12. 32.Luke 12:32not little flocke, for it is your Fathers pleasure to giuegive you a Kingdome. If once the Lord become a Father unto any, he needes not to be terrified and amazed at any thing that shall fall out, for howsoever it goes with others, he shall not faile of that celestiall happinesse, which God of his owne good pleasure hath provided for his Children. All which reasons laid together, should bee as so many forcible arguments to convince us of the point in hand: that it is a thing absolutely needfull in our prayers, and supplications to be in some good measure assured that God is our Father.

Which being so, maketh first of all for the Vse 1 utter overthrow of that opinion, and most uncomfortable doctrine of the Papists, and of all hypocrites, that count it hainous presumption for any one to say, That he is assured of his election, and that God is become his Father in Christ: for by that which hath beene said, it is apparant that none without this assurance can make a faithfull and acceptable prayer before the Lord, therefore how requisite it is, let any indifferent man judge. And here let us note (by the way) what p. 27small cause the Papists hauehave to boast of the multitude of their prayers: for they professe that they are not sure of that which is here required, viz. that God is their Father, without which (as we hauehave heard) every prayer that we make is a meanes to provoke the Lord to plague us, rather then any way to procure his blessings upon us, and therefore they can hauehave small comfort in the petitions which they hauehave & doe put up before him; nay, looke how many prayers they make, so many sinnes they commit, in that they take his holy name in vaine, all their crying is but as the howling of dogges, and contentethHosea 7. 14.Hos 7:14 the Lords eares no more than that doth ours.

Let us in this case marke what the Author to the Hebrewes saith, Hee that commeth to God must beleeve Heb. 11. 6.Heb 11:6that God is, and that he is a rewarder of those that diligently seeke him. It is not sufficient for him that prayeth, to know that hee is a God, (for so farre the Divells goe) but that he is hisIames 2. 19.Jas 2:19 God, and will shew himselfe to be his God, by recompencing him according to his faithfulnes in seeking of him. Otherwise, if we be not perswadedThe danger of a mis-perswasion or ignorance in the nature of God. that he is full of power, wisedome, full of goodnesse and of truth, and that he will manifest these his heavenly properties for our reliefe and comfort when we call upon him, wee shall rather runne unto any in our need, then unto him, or if we doe come unto him, wee shall not be fervent in our suites, or if we be earnest for a fit (in a passion) yet we shall not be able to hold out therein. In which regard it is very necessary, p. 28that we beleeue that he is a rewarder of such as are suitors unto him, and consequently that he is our Father, that wee are in favour with him, and hee bound by Covenant unto us.

Therefore (in the second place) This should Ʋse 2 cause us to use our best endevours to get this assurance firmely grounded in our hearts, viz. that God is our Father, and that we are his childen: which that we may attaine unto, let us labour to hauehave in us these notes thereof, which follow.

It is out of question, that none is the child ofMarkes of Gods children God by nature, but every one the child of wrath; And therefore whosoever would deriue his pedigree from God, must be able to shew that he hath beene begotten againe by the word of truth: Iames 1. 18.Jas 1:18for except a man be regenerated, he hath noIohn 3. 3.John 3:3 place in the kingdome of heaven, and therefore no portion in God himselfe. Let us examine then whether the word hath at any time wrought effectually upon our soules or not, which wee may discerne by sundry effects (among the rest) by these that follow.

First, If it hath enlightned our mindes and given 1us an understanding heart, and a particular A distinct knowledge and inlightning in heavenly things.distinct and directing knowledge concerning heavenly matters. For this is a part of the new Covenant expressed in Ieremie (sayth the Lord) This is the Covenant that I will make with the Ierem. 31. 33 34.Jer 31:33house of Israel, After these dayes (sayth the Lord) I will put my Law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their God, and they p. 29shall be my people: And they shall all know me from the least of them to the greatest of them. Not that all should hauehave the same measure of knowledge, but every one so much as should bee sufficient for his direction unto everlasting life.

Secondly, If it hath wrought in us an holy indignation 2against our selues in regard of those sins An holy indignation against our selues.which hauehave been formerly committed, and are now pardoned. This marke the Prophet Ezekiel sets downe, where speaking of those that were washed from all their filthinesse, and enriched with the saving graces of Gods Spirit, he sayth, Then Ezek. 36. 31.Ezek 36:31shall yee remember your owne wicked wayes, and your deeds that were not good, and shall judge your selues worthy to hauehave beene destroyed, for your iniquitie, and for your abominations. Before their regeneration, Gods servants are readie to fall out with others, and to imagine that all is well with themselues: but after their conversion, their greatest quarrell is against their owne soules. And howsoever they know and beleeue that the Lord hath freely and fully forgiven them, yet will not they forgiue themselues for their evill thoughts, words, and workes.

Thirdly, Wee must examine whether the word 3hath brought us unto constant and generall obedience: When the word hath wrought us to universall obedience. Ezek. 36. 27.Ezek 36:27for, that effect it produceth in all such as are indeed begotten againe thereby: according to that which is further promised in the Covenant. I will cause you to walke in my statutes, and you shall keepe my Iudgements, and doe them. If once we be Gods Schollers, he will certainely p. 30teach us this lesson, viz. not onelyonly to understand what his will is, but to practise it accordingly. Other Schoole masters, though they Simile. be never so skilfull and industrious, yet they may meete with such untowardly and untractable Schollers, that they can doe them little good, either for learning or for manners. But the Lord is such a teacher, that he never undertakes That God is the best Teacher.to instruct any, but hee both informeth his judgement, and reformeth his practise: so that such shall not need to say, this is my nature, and I cannot amend such and such faults, nor performe these and these duties: But when God beginneth to teach them by his spirit, they may confidently tell their owne hearts, that through Gods grace they shall be inabled to doe both the one and the other, in some good and competent measure.

The last note is, If it hauehave stirred up in our hearts an unfained louelove towards Gods people, even because 4. A louelove to the Saints, as Saints. Psal. 15. Psal. 16. 3.Ps 15Ps 16:3they are his people, so that we honour those that feare the Lord, and delight in the Saints that are excellent, rejoycing to see Gods Image shining forth in any, even in such as hauehave beene no way beneficiall, but rather some way injurious unto us.

These notes may giuegive us some light to discern whether the word hath regenerated us, yea or no: which will appeare wheresoever they are, though at some times more evidently then at some other: by these therefore let us try our estate, in which case if we find them in our selues p. 31upon a due search made. Then;

Thirdly, here is matter of very great consolation Ʋse 3 for us, howsoever the waues of adversitie flow in upon us on every side, and we be tossed too and fro with sundry and sore temptations, yet so long as we can hold this, that God is our gracious Father, in and through Christ, we hauehave a sure refuge to flie unto, and a God All-sufficient, to whom we may make knowne all our distresses, and from whom we shall receiue reliefe according to our severall needes and necessities. David at Ziklag, was in a great strait, being bereft1 Sam. of his wife and children, goods and substance and in danger to be stoned by the people, and thereupon was exceedingly cast downe, so that, hee wept till hee could weepe no more, but after the flesh had had about, and playd the first part, he recovered his spirits, and comforted himselfe in the Lord his God, knowing that though all other comforts were gone, yet God remained still, who was able to restore unto him1 Sam. his losse (as after it fell out) and to pacific the hearts of the people that were causlesly enraged against him. The like course should we take in all our extremities, namely, betake our selues to our heavenly Father, by faithfull and fervent prayer, and so long as wee may hauehave recourse unto the fresh spring of all sound joy and contentment, never vexe our selues with unnecessary thoughts and cares, so long as he takes not himselfe from us, let us never be dismayed, though we be cut short of other things, for God p. 32is our exceeding great reward. And they whosoeverGen. 17. 1.Gen 17:1 they be, that doe not so esteeme him, are utterly unworthy and unfit to receiue blessing from him.

But this will more fully appeare in the next point, which ariseth from hence, that God is said to be a Father in heaven, that is (as it was before interpreted) an heavenly Father, such a one as is of perfect sufficiencie to helpe and relieue every one that repaires unto him for succour. Whence we may obserue; That,

They that will pray well and speed well, must beleeve Observat. 4 That God is All-sufficient for the helpe of his.that God is an heavenly Father.

That is, perfectly able to supply all their wants and to comfort them in all their distresses. This perswasion was in Nehemiah, when he made his prayer for himselfe and the whole Church, beginning thus, O Lord God of heaven, the great Nehem. 1. 5.Neh 1:5and terrible God, &c. These were titles that befitted him for his present purpose: for he was to perswade an heathen King to reedifie the Temple, and to restore the true worship of God, that had beene a long time abolished, to perswade him to be a friend to Religion, that was an enemie both unto God and to all goodnesse: and therefoer he termed the Lord, the God of heaven, that is, the heavenly God; and more particularly, the great and wonderfull God, that is such an one as worketh great and wonderfull things, and therefore able to effect that which he was now p. 33to intreat of him, viz. to make those that wer persecutors of his people to become friends unto them, and become furtherers of them in their good and holy enterprizes. And further,Deut. 29. 21.Deut 29:21 he presses this, that Hee was a God that keepeth Covenant and merciemercy, and therefore having promised, that not withstanding they should transgresse, Deut. 30. 4.Deut 30:4and be therefore scattered abroad among the people, yet if they did turne vntounto him, and keepe his Commandements, he would gather them from the uttermost parts of heaven, and bring them againe unto their owne Land. The Lord (I say) having promised them this, hee intreateth him to keepe Covenant with them, and to be as good as his word, and so carries it cleere before him, and obtaines his hearts desire. So likewise Daniel, when he had undertaken to shew Nabucadnezzar his dreame and the interpretationDan. 2. 17. 18Dan 2:17Dan 2:18 thereof, which was impossible for him or any man to doe by humane wit or skill, he goeth to his house, and intreateth his Companions, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, that they would joyne in prayer with him, to beseech the God of heaven for grace in this secret. Wherein the Lord heard them, and granted them their request. The like is attributed unto God in the Psalmes, where it is said, Our God is in heaven, not that he is more there then in any other place, but the meaning is expressed in the words immediately following (which are these) hee doth whatsoever Psal. 115. 3.Ps 115:3he will, that is, he is of such absolute power, so that no creature is able to resist him, in that p. 34which it pleaseth him to doe, and as his power is, such is his wisedome: nothing is so secret but it is well knowne unto him, yea, hee understandeth Psal. 139. 2.Ps 139:2our thoughts long before our selues: Hee 4The wonderfull provident wisedome of God.knowes the matter whence they will arise, hee is so infinitely wise, that he can tell when to giuegive and what to giuegive, and how to deale with every one of us, yea such is the unsearchablenesse of his wisedome, that he can draw light out of darknesse, and make us great gainers by our infirmities and follies, and most dangerous falls. And that which hath beene spoken of his power and wisedome, holdes as true of all other his Attributes: for he is infinitely just, mercifull, gracious, and in a word, an infinite God in every respect: for if we take away any part of his Attributes, we take away part of the Godhead it selfe.

Now the reasons why we must be thus perswaded of him, before we can faithfully pray unto him, are these:

First, because otherwise we cannot put confidence Reason 1 in him, according to that of the Psalmist, They Psal. 9.Ps 9that know thy name will trust in thee, for thou never failest them that seeke thee. Whence it may evidently be gathered, that till such time as men know that the Lord is infinitely strong, mercifull Exod. 34.Exod 34and just &c. (which is the name of God) they can never truely rest upon him, and till they relie upon him, they cannot possibly in faith make their prayers unto him, and so consequently not obtaine any thing in merciemercy from him.

p. 35Secondly, Till they be firmely perswaded hereof, 2they cannot with reverence worship the Lord; as is cleere by that argument that the wiseman useth when he saith, Be not rash with thy mouth, nor let Eccles. 5. 1.Eccl 5:1thy heart be hastie to utter a thing before God. And why? For God is in the heavens, that is, of infinite majestie, and greatnesse, and thou art on earth, that is, full of basenesse and vilenesse. Therefore (saith he) let thy words be few, to utter no more then thou canst well justifie from the warrant of the Spirit of Grace and of prayer.

This serveth for the reproofe of a great corruption Vse 1 even in the best of Gods children, in that they doe not beleeue that the Lord is All-sufficient, for if they did, why should they be fainthearted when they are in great straits and extremities. This corruption we may obserue in Moses, (the most holy and worthy man that then lived upon the face of the earth) who when the Lord promised to feed the Israelites with flesh,Num. 11. 19. 20.Num 11:19Num 11:20 and that for a whole monethmonth, being in a barren wildernesse, not neere any market, and the number of them being so great as it was, even six hundred thousand men, beside women and children, made doubt how it could possibly be: but what saith God unto him? Is the Lords hand shortned (saith he) Thou shalt see now whether my word shall come to passe unto thee, or not. Indeed, if he had beene an earthly King, it had beene a matter impossible for him to effect; But seeing he was an heavenly King, it was all one for him p. 36to feed six hundred thousand, as six, yea, as one poore childe: to feed them in a wildernesse, as in a plentifull land: for a monethmonth together, as for one day. For howsoever with us one thing is easier, and another harder, yet with God all things are alike easie and possible.

And the like frailtie did Moses and Aaron bewrayNum. 20. 10.Num 20:10 in another place. Heare now yee Rebells (saith Moses) shall we bring you water out of this Rocke? (why not) If God appoint it to be so, he can as easily bring it out of a rocke as out of a River: but hereby they so dishonoured God in the presence of the people, that he excluded them both from the land of Canaan. And yet is there not the same unbeliefe in many of the deare servants of God in these our dayes? yes surely, for if they hauehave great yeerly revenewes, and a good stocke lying by them, and plentie of all things about them, then they hope God will provide for them and others; but what if they be destitute of all these earthly things? doe they not then imagine, that it will goe hard with them and their children? what is this, but to make flesh our arme, and to with-draw our hearts from the living God, so to pull downe his heavie plagues upon us? Let us therefore be ashamed of our ignorance and infidelitie in this or any other respect, and hereafter cast our cares wholy upon him, who hath said, I will not leaue thee nor forsake thee.Heb. 13.Heb 13

Secondly, Is it so, that the Lord is a Father, Ʋse 2 and an heavenly Father, of perfect abilitie and p. 37sufficiencie to maintaine, deliver, and saue his children? Then, let us raise up our hearts against all discouragements, and in matters of great danger and difficultie, goe unto the great God for comfort: and when we meete with impossibilities, in regard of any wisedome or strength that is in our selues, or any mortall man, then let us hasten unto the Lord, with whom all things are possible. But withall, take heed that we come in faith, and then, as all things are possible unto Mark. 9 23.Mark 9:23God, so shall they be also unto the beleever, as our Saviour witnesseth: Are our iniquities so many and so grievous, that we perswade our selues,Divers comforts against divers discouragements. if men had so provoked us, as we hauehave provoked the Lord, we could never find in our hearts to be reconciled unto them?

Let us not be dismaied the reat, but sue unto 1our heavenly Father for pardon: and then shall we finde that His thoughts are not our thoughts, nor his wayes as our wayes, but that his merciemercy is infinitely greater then our offences are or can be, and that he is readie to forgiue the greatest sinne as well as the smallest, and ten thousand sinnes, as well as one.

Againe, are our temptations divers and strange 2and exceeding violent, so as we doe not know which way to turne our selues, nor how to be ridde of them? let us make knowne our case unto Almightie God, who hath promised, shortly to Rom. 16.Rom 16tread Sathan under our feete, and can quickly soEphe. 6.Eph 6 arme us with the sheild of Faith, that we shall be inabled to quench all the fierie darts of the devill. p. 38And (not to instance in many particulars) but briefly to shut up this Use;

Whatsoever our wants or distresses bee, inward 3or outward, spirituall or corporall, let us make them knowne unto our heavenly Father, who is both willing and able to relieue and support us.

But, wee see no meanes nor likelihoodes how it can Object. 1 bee done.

What hauehave we to doe with the meanes, is the Answ. Lord All-sufficient or not? if he be, let him alone to find out meanes how to performe his gracious promises.

Oh, but the world is hard, and men are unmercifull, Object. 2 &c.

What of that, are we at the worlds finding or Answ. at Gods? Is not the gold and silver his; And the Hosea 2. 8. 9.Hos 2:8Hos 2:9beastes upon thousand hills; nay, is not the earth Psal. 50.Ps 50the Lords, and the fulnesse thereof? What needPsal. 24. 1.Ps 24:1 hauehave wee then to care how the world stands affected towards us: so long as we hauehave a rich Father, and a good Father, our case cannot be miserable, unlesse our owne unbeliefe doe make it to bee so: and yet that shall not hinder our happinesse neither, if so be we see it and acknowledge it, and labor for strength against it.

Oh, but my afflictions hauehave beene very long and Object. very tedious.

Bee patient notwithstanding, for they proceed Answ. from the hand of an heavenly Father, who knoweth best when to deliver his out of temptations. Earthly Fathers for want of discretion p. 39doe many times deliver their children out of miserie, before they be fitted for deliverance, Simile. because they feare least by holding them too long in suspence, they should be discouraged, and so grow to take some worse courses then they hauehave done. But the Lord is an heavenly Father, and therefore infinite in wisedome, so that he cannot over-shoote himselfe in that regard. As he will not keepe his children over-long under the rodde, least they should turne unto foolishnesse; So neither will he exempt them from theNote. same too speedily, least they should loose the fruit of their sufferings: hence it commeth to passe, that he holdeth them along while in suspence,Why God suspends mercies to his children. to the intent that he may hauehave the more prayers and teares from them, and in the end bestow greater blessings upon them, when they are made capable hereof. Let us therefore quietly submit our selues under his hand, resigning up our wills unto his most holy will, and subjecting our carnall reason unto his heavenly wisedome, assuring our selues that if present helpe were best for us, we should not be disappointed of our hope, and if it be not best, why should not wee keepe silence unto the Lord, and waite upon him, untill he please to hauehave merciemercy upon us, and to free us from all our troubles and distresses.

Thus much be said briefly of the Preface unto the Lords Prayer, which sheweth how we must be affected towards men, and perswaded of God if we will call upon him in a sanctified manner.

p. 40NOw it followeth that we consider of the Prayer it selfe, which consisteth of six severall Petitions.

The three first of them concerning chiefly the Glorie of God.

The three last, the benefit and comfort of his Children.

Touching the meaning of the first Petition,1. Petition. Hallowed be thy Name: we must understand that by the Name of God, is signified all those thingsWhat is to be understood by the name of God. whereby he is made knowne unto the sonnes of men, as namely, his properties, and Attributes, his wonderfull workes of creation, of redemption, and of preservation: as also his holy word and blessed Sacraments, which doe carry a goodly stampe and print of the nature of God, and doe liuely expresse and manifest what manner of one he is unto mankind, and unto all his creatures.

As for the word Hallowed, We must knowHallowing Gods name what it is. that to hallow, is to set a-part a thing from the common use to some proper end, and therefore, to sanctifie and hallow the name of God, is to set it apart from all abuses to an holy and reverent use. So that when we pray Hallowed be thy Name, it is thus much in effect.

Lord let thy Attributes, thy workes, and thine Ordinances be so knowne, esteemed, and embraced, p. 41both of mee and of all thine elect people, that thou maist hauehave all due honor and glory: and let all the plots and practices of the devill, and his Instruments tending to the contrary, bee utterly brought to nought, and made to serue for the greater magnifying of thy glorious Name.