A Guide to Godliness, Paraphrase of the Lords Prayer
A PARAPHRASE VPONUPON THE LORDS PRAYER.
ALmighty and eternall God, Father of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, and in him our gracious Father, wee thy poore children by adoption and grace, heere acknowledge, that wee are vtterly vnworthy to bee counted in the number of thy meaneſt ſeruants, and much leſſe deſerue that high title and priuiledge to bee called thy ſonnes and children. For wee hauehave not demeaned our ſelues as it becommeth children of ſuch a Father, in all louelove, reuerence, and obedience, nor approoued our ſelues to be like vntounto thee, in wiſedome, holineſſe, and righteouſneſſe. We hauehave abaſed our ſelues, to doe ſeruice vntounto ſinne and Satan, for the trifling wages of worldly vanities; neuer conſidering that wee are the children of ſuch a glorious Father, and heires to ſuch an heauenly inheritance. We doe not like children ſecurely reſt vponupon thy fatherly prouidence, and cannot with boldneſſe approch to the Throne of Grace, to make our ſuits knowne vntounto thee, by reaſon of our ſelfe-guiltineſſe and ill deſeruing, though thou art gracious and ready alwayes through Chriſt, to heare and helpe vsus. Wee hauehave not duely feared thee, though thou art our heauenly Father, full of Maieſty and power, neither hauehave we beene afraid to ſinne againſt thee, though we ſtand alwayes in thy preſence, who art able to caſt body and ſoule into hell We hauehave not glorified thy holy Name, by renouncing impiety and worldly luſts, and conſecrating our ſelues wholly to thy worſhip and ſeruice, but hauehave ſerued ſinne and Satan, for the baſe hire of worldly vanities. Wee hauehave not glorified thee in thy mercies by our vnfained thankefulneſſe, nor hauehave beene incouraged by thy liberall wages, to performe vntounto thee diligent and cheerefull ſeruice, but hauehave abuſed thy good gifts to thy diſhonour, and hauehave ſet our mindes and hearts more vponupon them, then vponupon thee who haſt graciouſly beſtowed them vponupon vsus. We hauehave not ſanctified thee in thy Iudgements, by humbling our ſelues vnderunder thy hand, nor hauehave profited by thy fatherly corrections for the amendment of our liues, and turning vntounto thee from our ſinnes by vnfained repentance. We hauehave not ſuffered thee to raigne and rule in our hearts and conſciences by the Scepter of thy Word and holy Spirit, but hauehave often grieued it, by reſiſting and quenching the good motions thereof, and by ſubiecting our ſelues to be gouerned by our owne luſts. Wee hauehave not behaued our ſelues as it became ſubiects of thy Kingdome, denying vngodlineſſe and worldly luſts, and liuing holily, righteouſly, and ſoberly in this preſent world. Wee hauehave not denied our ſelues and our own wils and affections, which are oppoſite to thy holy will, nor indeuoured as we ought, to performe vntounto thee in all things, that abſolute obedience which is due vntounto thee our Creatour and Redeemer. Wee hauehave not obeyed thee cheerefully and with delight, readily and without delayes, ſincerely and conſtantly, but hauehave deuided our ſelues betweene thee and the world, and hauehave ſerued thee but by fits and flaſhes. Wee hauehave not in all things ſubmitted our ſelues vntounto thy good pleaſure, but hauehave murmured againſt thy prouidence, when wee hauehave beene croſſed in our deſires. Wee hauehave not reſtrained and mortified our carnall and worldly luſts of ambition, couetouſneſſe, & voluptuouſneſſe, but hauehave immoderately deſired, and ſet our hearts too much vponupon earthly and momentany things. We hauehave more hungred after the meate which periſheth, then after ſpirituall food which indures vntounto life euerlaſting. We hauehave not cōtented our ſelues with that portion which thou haſt allotted vntounto vsus, nor caſt all our care vponupon thee for all things needfull, but hauehave turmoyled our ſelues with carking care, and truſted too much vntounto our owne prouidence. Wee hauehave not ſo earneſtly deſired to bee freed from the corruption and pollution of our ſinnes, as from the guilt and puniſhment, and hauehave beene more ready to hauehave them pardoned, then to leaue and forſake them. Wee hauehave not laboured after the fruits of ſanctification, to be aſſured thereby that we are iuſtified and reconciled, or content our ſelues with a ſmall meaſure, and thereby weaken our aſſurance. We are not preſſed with our ſins, as with an heauy burthen, nor hauehave (as we ought) ſeriouſly bewailed them, nor earneſtly deſired to be eaſed of them. We doe not carefully keep our watch, that we be not againe ſurpriſed by ſin, and ſo are apt to relapſe againe into the ſame ſinnes, after wee hauehave repented of them, and receiued pardon. We are negligent in the vſe of the meanes whereby we might be aſſured of the remiſſion of our ſinnes, neither doe we ſincerely and from the bottome of our hearts remit iniuries, but in profeſſion and ſhew, forgiuing, but not forgetting them. We doe not approoue our ſincerity in remitting iniuries, by our readineſſe to performe all good duties to thoſe who hauehave offended vsus, and by ouercomming euill with goodneſſe. We are too apt to take notice of eueryevery iniury, and doe not paſſe by offences, approouing our wiſedome, by our ſlowneſſe to anger; and our louelove, by couering a multitude of ſinnes, but are apt to retaine anger, and to ſeeke reuenge when we are wronged. We doe not as we ſhould, reſiſt the tentations of the fleſh, world, and deuill, but though we pray againſt them, yet vponupon eueryevery ſlight occaſion we run into them, and are eaſily inticed to fall into ſinne, and to forfeit that liberty which Chriſt hath purchaſed for vsus. We liue ſecurely, as if we were free from all danger of enemies, and doe not duely conſider their malice and ſubtilty, our owne weakeneſſe, and their power, that we might be mooued heereby to pray with more feruency to bee freed from tentations, or for thy aſſiſtance, that we might ouercome them, and be deliuered from all euill: whereof it commeth to paſſe that we are often foyled by them, and led captiue vntounto ſinne. Wee are not daily prepared againſt the time of tentation, nor keepe the Chriſtian Armour faſt buckled vntounto vsus, that we might be able to reſiſt our enemies. Wee doe not watchfully auoyd the occaſions of euill, nor carefully obſerue our hearts and ſenſes, keeping them vnderunder Couenant, that they may not roue after worldly vanities, which are the vſuall occaſions whereby we are plunged into all euill. But wee beſeech thee, good Lord, to be gracious vntounto vsus, in the forgiueneſſe of all our ſinnes, and waſh them away in the precious Blood of Ieſus Chriſt, that they may neuer bee imputed vntounto vsus, nor bring vponupon vsus that wrath which they hauehave deſerued. Yea, Lord, we beſeech thee for Chriſts ſake, not onelyonly free vsus from deſerued puniſhments, but being reconciled vntounto vsus in thy Sonne, multiply thy fauours and bleſſings vponupon vsus in all things pertaining to grace and godlineſſe, glory and happineſſe. Perſwade vsus by thy Spirit and a liuely faith, that thou art in Chriſt, our Father, and we thy children by adoption and grace. Let vsus euer louelove and feare thee, as our gracious Father, performe vntounto thee the obedience of children, and labour to reſemble thee in wiſedome, holineſſe, and righteouſneſſe, that ſo we may walke worthy this high calling whereunto thou haſt called vsus. Let vsus demeane our ſelues as Pilgrims on earth, and hauehave our conuerſation in heauen, where our inheritance is, minding and affecting things aboue, where Chriſt ſitteth at thy right hand. Let vsus wholly rely vponupon thy fatherly prouidence, who art both able and willing to helpe vsus, and let vsus with boldneſſe and confidence hauehave recourſe vntounto thee in all our wants, and with aſſurance that thou wilt graciouſly heare and helpe vsus. Let vsus in our iudgements eſteeme, in our hearts deſire, and in all our actions ſeeke thy glory aboue all things, and let it euer bee more deare vntounto vsus then our owne ſaluation. Let vsus giuegive glory to thy Name, in all our thoughts, words, and actions, and not onelyonly doe it our ſelues, but alſo giuegive iuſt occaſion to others of glorifying thee. Let vsus ſanctifie thee, both in thy mercies and iudgements, towards our ſelues or others; let thy rich wages make vsus more faithfull and cheerefull in thy ſeruice, and thy fatherly corrections more fearefull to diſpleaſe thee. Remooue all impediments of thy glory, and aduance the meanes whereby it is aduanced. Aduance thy Kingdome vniuerſally ouer all; rule ouer thine enemies, and ſubiect all things vntounto thy gouernment, that nothing may reſiſt thy power. Rule ouer thine owne ſeruants and Church after a ſpeciall maner, in protecting and preſeruing them, and let them, like dutifull ſubiects, yeeld obedience vntounto thee their Soueraigne in all things. Make vsus in this life true members of the Kingdome of grace, that afterwards we may be triumphant members of the Kingdome of glory. Rule in our hearts effectually by thy Word and Spirit; worke in vsus thine owne good worke of grace; make vsus Citizens of the Saints, and meete to be partakers of thy Kingdome of glory. Pull vsus more and more out of the kingdome of Satan, in which we naturally are ſubiects, and let him no longer raigne and rule in our hearts and minds to our perdition. Let vsus no longer be ruled by the lawleſſe law of ſinne, neither let it raigne in our mortall bodies, by making our members the inſtruments of it; but be thou our King, and rule in our hearts by thy Word and Spirit. Erect the Kingdome of grace, where it is not yet begun; continue and increaſe it amongſt vsus, where it is eſtabliſhed; bleſſe the meanes wherby it is furthered, and remoue the impediments which hinder it. Free vsus from the remnants of the kingdome of darkeneſſe, from our ſinnes and corruptions, luſts and concupiſcences. Let vsus not yeeld to the tentations of Satan, the world, and our owne fleſh, but giuegive vsus victory ouer them. Let vsus firſt ſeeke thy Kingdome and righteouſneſſe, and let vsus indeuour to be members of the Kingdome of grace, that afterwards we may be members of the Kingdome of glory. Let thy Kingdome of glory alſo come; haſten the comming of Chriſt to Iudgement; to this end, accompliſh the number of thine Elect, and ſubdue thine enemies vnderunder thy feet. Let vsus ſo liue alwayes, as if we were ready to meete Ieſus Chriſt, and let vsus labour to be euer ſuch, as we deſire to appeare before his Iudgement ſeate, that ſo when he commeth, we may not depart from him aſhamed. Let it appeare, O Lord, that thou raigneſt in our hearts by our humble ſubiection and ſubmiſſion in all things vntounto thy moſt holy will; let vsus ſee and bewaile our imperfect obedience, and daily labour after more perfection. GiueGive vsus grace to deny our ſelues, and our owne wills and affections, which are oppoſite to thy will, and let vsus labour to performe abſolute obedience vntounto thee in all things. Arme vsus with patience in all our afflictions, that we may ſay with Chriſt, Not my will, O Father, but thine be done. Let vsus ſeriouſly deſire that thy will may bee done concerning vsus, and let vsus not grieue when we ſee it done, becauſe it croſſeth our wills. Let vsus not content our ſelues with a bare outward obedience, but let vsus doe thy will after a ſpirituall manner, as the Angels doe it in heauen, with ſincerity and vprightneſſe of heart, with alacrity and cheerfulneſſe, with readineſſe and ſpeed without delay. Let vsus doe thy will fully, and not by halues; conſtantly, and not by fits; faithfully and humbly, not aſſuming any glory to our ſelues, but yeelding it wholly vntounto thee. Let all our ſuites which concerne our ſelues, bee referred to thy glory as their maine end. GiueGive vsus temporall benefits, ſo farre foorth as they ſerue for thy glory and our ſpirituall good. Teach vsus to moderate our deſires, and not to couet after ſuperfluities, ſeeing thou haſt taught vsus to aske for bread, and not for dainties. Let vsus be contented with our allowance, if we hauehave but neceſſaries, as food and raiment, yea, bread to ſuſtaine our liues; and if thou giueſt vsus more, make vsus thankfull vntounto thee for it. Let vsus hauehave a true deſire and care to get our goods by good and lawfull meanes, that wee may be aſſured that we eate our owne bread, and that it is giuen vsus of thee. Let vsus walke diligently in our lawfull callings, that wee may eate the labours of our own hands, and working with quietneſſe that which is good, let vsus eate our owne bread. Let vsus not ſet our hearts and deſires vponupon the things of this life, nor couet other mens goods, but be contented with our owne portion which in thy wiſe prouidence thou haſt allotted vntounto vsus. Let vsus hauehave a moderate care to prouide that which is conuenient, that we may not be burthenſome, but rather helpefull vntounto others, and let vsus neither be careleſſe and negligent, nor turmoile our ſelues with carking care to hoord vp for many yeeres. Let vsus depend vponupon thy bleſſing in the vſe of good meanes for the obtaining of our deſires, and expect it vponupon the things themſelues when we hauehave obtained them, and let vsus ſanctifie all thy bleſſings to our vſe, by the Word, Prayer, and Thankeſgiuing. Let vsus not truſt in our owne prouiſion, but in thee; and caſting all our care vponupon thee, let vsus in all our wants flie vntounto thee for ſupply. GiueGive vsus things neceſſarie, not onelyonly for our nature, but alſo for our ſtates and callings, places and perſons. GiueGive vsus with thy bleſſings their right vſe, and giuegive them vertue and ſtrength to ſuſtaine and nouriſh vsus. Let vsus, when wee want theſe bleſſings, begge them from thee, and when wee hauehave receiued them, returne thee thankes. Inflame our hearts with louelove towards our brethren, and let vsus not, through couetouſneſſe and ſelfe-louelove, ſeeke onelyonly our owne good, but let vsus ſeeke the common good of our brethren, and pray for it as well as for our owne. Let vsus know and acknowledge our frailty and mortality, who neede to be dayly ſuſtained by thee, and let this make vsus like children, to reſort dayly vntounto thee our heauenly Father, crauing from thee all things needfull. Let vsus not be diſtruſtfully carefull for the time to come, but euer depend vponupon thy Fatherly prouidence, being aſſured that thou who haſt prouided for vsus to day, wilt prouide for vsus to morrow. Let vsus lay vp goods to good ends, not onelyonly that we may hauehave to ſupply our wants, and to prouide for our families, but alſo to releeue the neceſſities of others. Let vsus not be ſo addicted to the commodities of this life, but that withall, wee doe moſt principally labour for Spirituall graces, and things pertayning to a better life. Let vsus as much deſire to be freed from the corruption of ſinne, as the guilt and puniſhment, and as wee craue the forgiueneſſe of our ſinnes, ſo let vsus earneſtly labour to forſake them. Remit and pardon all our ſinnes, and to this end giuegive vsus a liuely Faith to apply Chriſt for our iuſtification. Let vsus pray for remiſſion, not onelyonly with feruencie, but alſo with Faith, ſtedfaſtly beleeuing that thou wilt pardon them, and ſeale this aſſurance in our hearts by thy good Spirit. Let vsus ſee our ſinnes, and heartily bewayle them, and be truely grieued becauſe they no more grieue vsus. Let vsus after reconciliation deſire and indeuour in all things to pleaſe thee, and chuſe rather to diſpleaſe our ſelues and all the world, then thy Maieſty. Let vsus confirme our Faith in the aſſurance of pardon, by forgiuing thoſe who hauehave treſpaſſed againſt vsus, and that not in ſhew onelyonly, but in truth and ſincerity. Let vsus not onelyonly forgiue iniuries, but alſo forget them, and approue our ſincerity in remitting, by our readineſſe to performe all good duties vntounto them, that wee may ouercome euill with goodneſſe. Let vsus paſſe by offences, and ſhew our wiſdome in our ſlowneſſe to Anger and Reuenge. Let vsus doe good to thoſe that hurt vsus, and pray for thoſe that perſecute vsus. GiueGive vntounto vsus not onelyonly the grace of Iuſtification, and the Remiſſion of our ſinnes, but alſo of Sanctification, and the ſpirit of fortitude, whereby wee may mortifie ſinne, and be inabled to reſiſt the tentations of the fleſh, the world and the deuill. Let vsus not, when we are waſhed with the blood of Chriſt, and freed from the guilt and curſe of ſinne, defile our ſelues againe, nor be intangled in the yoke of bondage, but let vsus ſtand faſt in the liberty which Chriſt hath purchaſed for vsus. Let vsus not abuſe our liberty as an occaſion to the fleſh, and becauſe we are freed from ſin, ſin the more freely; but being deliuered out of the hands of all our ſpirituall enemies, let vsus worſhip and ſerue thee without feare, in holineſſe and righteouſnes before thee all the dayes of our liues. Let vsus continually watch & pray, that we doe not enter into tentations, ſeeing our ſpirituall enemies are euer moſt buſie & malicious in aſſaulting thoſe, whom thou haſt pulled out of the kingdome of darkeneſſe, and made ſubiects of thy Kingdome, and ſeruants of thy family. Let vsus conſider our owne weakeneſſe, and our enemies power, and let this mooue vsus with more feruency to craue thy helpe and aſſiſtance. Eſtabliſh vsus (O Lord) by thy free Spirit, and ſo ſtrengthen vsus with thy wiſdome and power, that we may be able to ſtand againſt the artificiall and cunning tentations of the deuill. Doe not giuegive vsus ouer to the Tempter, nor leaue vsus to our ſelues, but with the tentation giuegive an happy iſſue, that we may hauehave the vpper hand, and be preſerued from all euill. We craue not to be freed from tentation, but that wee may not be tempted aboue our power; Yea, try vsus, O Lord, as much as thou wilt, ſo that being tried, wee may be found approued. Let vsus quench the fiery darts of the deuill with the ſhield of Faith, and not admit of his ſuggeſtions, but nippe them in the head, when they are firſt offred vntounto vsus. Leade vsus not (O Lord) into tentation; giuegive vsus not ouer to our owne luſts, to be hardned with the deceitfulneſſe of ſinne, nor to the world, to be carried away with the deſires thereof, nor to the deuill, to be ouercome with his tentations, and to be carried away captiue to doe his will. Let thoſe weakeneſſe which we diſcerne in tentation, make vsus to reſt more entirely vponupon thy power. Let vsus in the ſight of them be truely humbled; turne them to our good, and make vsus more carefull in the vſe of all good meanes to attaine vntounto more ſtrength. Let vsus not fall away in the time of tentation, but enable vsus to withſtand our enemies in the euill day; and hauing finiſhed the fight, let vsus ſtand faſt, and be kept by thy power through faith vntounto ſaluation. Let vsus alwaies be prepared for the day of battell, and put on thy whole armour, that wee may be enabled to reſiſt our enemies. Let vsus not tempt thee by running into tentation, and expoſe our ſelues to Satans baytes and ſnares, before they be offered vntounto vsus. Let all our trials and tentations tend to our good, and the more inrich vsus with Spirituall graces, and ſo further our euerlaſting ſaluation. Doe not (O Lord) puniſh in vsus one ſinne, by giuing vsus ouer to another, neither leaue vsus to our owne luſts, to the hardneſſe of our hearts, or to a reprobate minde, to commit ſinne with greedineſſe. GiueGive vsus thy ſanctifying Spirit, and enable vsus thereby not onelyonly to fight againſt the fleſh, but alſo to ſubdue and mortifie our earthly members, our inordinate affections and euill concupiſcence. Renew vsus by thy Spirit, that we may no longer be carnall, but Spirituall, walking not after the fleſh, but after the Spirit. Let vsus not be carried away with the world, or ouercome with the tentations, either on the right hand, or on the left: But let vsus ouercome the world by Faith. GiueGive vsus the Spirit of Wiſdome to preſerue vsus, that we be not enſnared with worldly wiles; keepe vsus from being corrupted with rotten ſpeeches, and the inticements and ill counſels of the wicked; let vsus not ſtumble at their ſcandals and offences, nor be miſ-led by their euill enſamples, preſerue vsus from the contagion of their company, and let vsus not be conformed to their faſhions, but notwithſtanding all their tentations, let vsus conſtantly perſeuere in the courſe of holineſſe and righteouſneſſe. GiueGive vsus grace to renounce all worldly luſts, ambition, couetouſneſſe and voluptuouſneſſe. Weane our hearts from earthly vanities, and let vsus vſe the world as not abuſing it. Crucifie vsus to the world, and the world vntounto vsus, and let vsus liue as pilgrims and ſtrangers vponupon the earth, and Citizens of heauen. Let vsus minde heauenly things, and contemne the things of the world as meere vanities, in compariſon of Spirituall graces and heauenly glorie. Let vsus not be ouercome with worldly afflictions, but either in whole or in part releaſe vsus of them; or elſe arme vsus with patience, that wee may beare them and indure tentation, that ſo being approued, wee may receiue the Crowne of life. Tread downe Satan vnderunder our feet, ſhew thy power in our weakeneſſe, and glorifie thy Name in our victory. Perfect the worke of our Sanctification & Redemption which is begun in this life; & not only free vsus in part from our corruptions, but conforme vsus wholy to the glorious Image of thy Son. Deliuer vsus from eueryevery euill thing, and preſerue vsus vnblameable to thy heauenly Kingdome. Let vsus ſhake off ſecurity, and be vigilant and watchfull, & let vsus aboue all obſeruations looke to our hearts. Let vsus keepe a narrow watch ouer our tongues and ſenſes, let vsus make a couenant with our eyes, and turne them away from beholding vanities. Let vsus long after our full deliuerance, and finall victory ouer our ſpirituall enemies; and ſeeing we ſhall not abſolutely be freed from ſinne, and perfectly ſanctified in this life, let vsus earneſtly deſire to be diſſolued & to be with Chriſt, that ſo being fully deliuered from the body of this death, wee may performe vntounto thee ſuch perfect ſeruice as thou requireſt. Confirme our Faith in this aſſurance, that thou wilt heare our prayers, and grant our requeſts, ſeeing thine is the Kingdom, whereby thou haſt right to giuegive whatſoeuer we deſire, thine is the power & might, whereby thou art able to grant our requeſts, and thine alſo is the glory both of giuing all good things, and alſo of all good things giuen; and therefore thou wilt be willing to heare our ſuits, ſeeing they tend to the aduancement of thy glory. And ſo (Lord) we aſcribe vntounto thee vniuerſall Kingdom, whereby thou ruleſt and gouerneſt all things, and acknowledge thy wiſdome, power and prouidence, to thy prayſe in diſpoſing of them at thy pleaſure: we acknowledge and aſcribe vntounto thee the glorie of being our King, who preſerueſt and defendeſt vsus, ruleſt and gouerneſt vsus with the Scepter of thy Word & holy Spirit. We aſcribe vntounto thee all power, wherby thou art able to doe whatſoeuer thou wilt, and magnifie thy Name for keeping & ruling vsus with this power vntounto ſaluation. We render vntounto thee all glorie, and the deſerued praiſe of all thy goodneſſe, magnifying thee according to the multitude of thy mercies, and the excellencie of thy gifts, wherewith thou haſt inriched vsus; deſiring that wee may aſcribe all the good wee hauehave done, or can doe, to thy glorie, as being the ſupreme end of all things. And this thy Kingdome, Power and Glory, wee doe not limit with the longeſt time, but aſcribe them vntounto thee from euerlaſting, to euerlaſting, euen as thou thy ſelfe art without beginning or ending. And thus, holy and heauenly Father, we teſtify our faith, and the truth of our deſires, by ſaying Amen, and giuegive the aſſent of our hearts to the words of our mouthes in all our petitions; beleeuing that thou in thy good time wilt grant all our ſuites which we hauehave made according to thy will, as ſhall beſt ſtand with thy Glory, and our ſaluation; in which perſwaſion we conclude our prayers, and attend thy leiſure, through Ieſus Chriſt our Lord. Amen.