The Substance of Christian Religion, Lecture 50
The fiftieth Lords day. On the fourth petition of the Lords prayer.
Give us this day, &c.
THe summe of this petition containes things needfull for this present life. For by bread is understood by a Synecdoche, all that sustaines and comforts bodily life. The act of God that is humbly desired about these necessary things, is that he would give us, by which also, by another Synecdoche, is understood, not onelyonly the first free imparting of things to us, that we have not, but also the continuation of them that we have, together with the right use and fruit of them, by the blessing of God: And moreover the removing of all other things, as on the other side are contrary to this present life, or to the comfort, quietnesse, and contentment of it. This bread then thus understood, is illustrated from its subject, and adjunct. From its subject, in that it is called our bread: And from its adjunct, in that it is called daily bread; that is, fit for us, and our use, day by day, or from day to day. The giving of God that we desire, is illustrated also from the adjunct of time, this day; that is, now when we have need: And from its object, to whom; to wit, us m…n of all sorts, or all men, but especially such as are of the houshold of Faith. This petition depends on the first, in as much as all other comforts of this life, ought no otherwayes, nor no further to be made use of, than as they are instrumental, or made necessary to the hallowing of Gods name, or glorifying of him. It depends also upon the last preceding petition (and by it also on that going before it) because by the necessaries of this life we are made the fitter, and ought to be readier for doing the will of God upon earth, as it is done by the holy Angells in Heaven.
Doct. 1. Necessaries of this li…e are on this ground chiefly to be desired and sought for, that by them we may be the better fitted and inabled for the doing of the will of God, and glorifying of his name.
This followes from the connexion that we have shewed.
Reas. 1 Because thus all things are referred to the glory of God, as their last end, according as they should.
Reas. 2. Because while thus we receive these outward goods, we get all the good that is in them, and at once also keep our selves free from all the evill, that someway cleaves to them; in regard whereof, they are called snares, thornes, and all designed in Scripture by such like names, that set forth unto us great danger by them, or from them.
Reas. 3 Because thus such bodily goods are turned in some sort into spiritual goods, as they are looked upon, as effects and signes of Gods blessing, and are received as pledges of his love, and directed in their use to the encrease and furtherance of spiritual good things.
Use, Of Reproof, against worldly men, who in a carnal manner seek the goods of this life, and use them also onelyonly carnally.
Doct. 2. All the necessaries of this life, both the greatest of them, and the least, come …o mens use by the free gift and bounty of God.
This follows from the manner of seeking them; give us &c.
Reas. 1. Because God is absolute Lord of all that is in heaven and in earth; and therefore whatsoever any creature possesses or enjoyes, it hath all this from Gods free indulgence.
Reas. 2. Because as from God, the thing it self that we possesse, depends; so also doth the whole fruit, use, and benefit of it, every way.
Reas. 3. Because this gift of God, is herein singular, and freely bountifull, in that he gives them to such as are unworthy, and such as too too unworthily use them, and abuse his gifts.
Use 1. Is of Refutation, against the doctrine of Papists about mens merits, which have no place so much as in our daily bread, or in one …crum of bread, much lesse in respect of the life to come, or eternal glory.
Use 2. Is of Direction, that we place not our confidence in second causes, but in God alone, even for these outward things; and that we shew all thankfulness to God, even for these worldly things; and specially beware, that we abuse not these gifts of God, and make them an occasion and matter of sinning against the Author and donour of them.
Doct. 3. We ought all to live contentedly on that pittance, that God hath measured out unto us, of the conditions of this life.
This follows from hence, in that we are taught to seek onelyonly our daily bread: so Proverb 30. 8. Feed me with the food of my daily portion, or pittance, measured …ut to me.
Reas. 1▪ Because we ought not to be carried towards such things with such a desire, as we should seek the kingdome of God with, and the righteousness thereof, but with greater moderation, and with far lower desires.
Reas. 2 Because we. ought not to bind, and prescribe God the measure of the things, that we desire of him, but for that we ought to rest content with his pleasure.
Reas. 3 Because that as he gives, and we have of him, if we enjoy it with contentment, it brings more true good with it to us, than all the greatest riches bring, or can bring to worldly men.
Use Is of Exhortation, to keep our selves from all inordinate care and sollicitude about worldly things.
Doct. 4. Our confidence or trust in God, and prayer to him, even about the necessaries of this life, is daily to be renewed.
This follows from the word, this day.
Reas. 1▪ Because there is no day wherein we stand not in need of Gods favour and blessing, even in such things.
Reas. 2. Because daily the blessings of God are renewed towards us, and therefore also our worship towards him ought daily to be renewed.
Reas. 3 Because every day hath in it as it were a picture which represents the whole life of man; and we are uncertain whether we shall live unto the next day; therefore every day, as it goes over us, we ought to take care of this duty.
Reas. …. Because there is great danger, that we shall finde no time, that we may apply to such duties, but that we will forget and over-passe them altogether▪ unlesse daily we do renew the duty▪ and do it every day in its own day.
Use Is of Reproof against such, as either daily neglect these daily prayers, or very slightly and coldly go about them to perform them.
Doct. 5. We ought not onelyonly to pray for, and procure such things to our selves, but to all others also, as much as in us ly….
From hence give us, not give me.
Reas. 1. Because this belongs to Charity.
Reas. 2. Because it is the duty of a good steward of the gifts of God.
Use Is of Reproof, not onelyonly against such as exercise thefts and robberies, but also against all such as are guilty of too great sparing niggardliness and envy.