Exposition of the Lords Prayer, Title page – To the reader
A PLAINE AND FAMILIAR EXPOSITION ON THE LORDS PRAYER.
First preached in divers Sermons; The Substance whereof, is now published for the benefit of the CHVRCH.
By I. D. Minister of the Word.
Humilitie heapeth Honor.
ECCLESIASTES 12. 11.
The words of the wise are as goads, and as nailes fastened by the Masters of Assemblies, which are given by one Shepheard.
LONDON, Printed by I. D. for Daniel Pakeman, and are to be sold at the Signe of the Raine-bow, neere the Inner-Temple Gate in Fleet-street. 1634.
TO THE READER.
AS it is the dutie of every Christian to imploy himselfe for the setting forth of Gods glory, and not with the unprofitable servant to hide his talent in a napkin; So I considering how in these dayes so great and important a dutie as prayer, is much neglected and under-valued: hauehave thought good (for the propagating of Gods glory the increasing of Christian devotion, and the inciting of every one to the frequent practice of so necessary a dutie) to bring into the world this ensuing Treatise: which hath a great while beene in private hands (and so had remained by the Authors good will) but now at length by the importunitie of friends hath prevailed to come into the light for the generall good of all, which is the end and utmost ayme of him that wrote it, in this as in the rest to propagate Gods glory, and stirre up Christians to the more fervent and frequent use of this dutie, in which we praise God for his blessings that he hath extended towards us, and pray to God for those defects which we finde in our selues, and desire to be supplyed withall. And so may serue very fitly as a key, to let us into all the roomes of Gods Treasury and Store-house, where wee may be plentifully supplyed with all good things which we stand in need of. But least that I should seeme tedious to your Christian patience, in detaining you too long from the worke; or that I may be thought to thrust my sickle into another mans harvest, and so reape where I hauehave not sowen: I rest; praying the Divine assistance for his grace, to make a right use of all his blessings, through his Sonne our Saviour Iesus Christ.