The Substance of Christian Religion, Lecture
On the conclusion of the Lords prayer.
For thine is the Kingdome, power, and glory, &c.
THis is the conclusion of the Lords prayer, wherein two things are contained; 1. The confirmation of all the foregoing petitions. 2. The obligation of our affection, that moves us to offer up these petitions to God, and in some sort moves God also to hear the petitions offered. The confirmation is taken from the causes, which concur in God for strengthening of our confidence about the hearing of our petitions at his hands. The efficient cause is, 1. The right and authority of God, by which he can and may dispense and dispose of all, according to his owne pleasure; and it is here called the Kingdome of God▪ for thine is the Kingdome; that is, the soveraignty, the supreme dominion, and right. 2. The same efficient is also, that power of God, or his might, whereby he is able to put in execution all to what he hath right; that is, all that he pleases, or whatsoever he will: Thine is the power. 3. The final cause, is his owne glory; Thine is the glory. All which are illustrated by their adjunct of duration, not for a time onelyonly, and then either to cease, or to pass to another; but for ever and ever: but unto ages of ages, or worlds of worlds, as the old English did bear; or world without end▪ as now it goes; that is, to all eternity. The obligation of sealing up of our affection, is in the word of acclamation, Amen; whereby is shown▪ 1. The strength of our desire, wherewith we follow after all these things, that were proposed in these petitions. 2. The strength of our faith, whereby we rest in, and rely on Gods mercy, for them all. 3. Of our hope, whereby we look for and wish, that God would ratify and hold firme all our petitions, in the same manner as he doth the promises, whereunto himself hath prefixed this same word of strong asseveration (for it is of both) Amen, Amen, that is, Verily, Verily, a kind of oath; and so hold our acclamation as firme, as his owne asseveration: and that is beyond exception.
Doct. 1. No petition, nor p…r ought to be made to God, without some praise of his name at least implied.
This is hence gathered, that in the very brief patterne of petitions, a solemne praise of the name of God is subjoyned, how ever it be in order to confirme all the petitions foregoing.
Reas. 1. Because it is not our selves that we ought either onelyonly, or chieflie to look at in the worship of God; but it is the honour of Gods name, that we should so much regard.
Reas. 2. Because this is a most powerfull motive, to obtain what we seek, if in all things we give God his glory.
Reas. 3. Because it is a chief part of worship.
Use, Of Reprof, against our negligence on this behalf, who are so wholly taken up with the things that belong to our own necessities, that we neglect the giving God his honour by duly praising of his name; when yet it is the sole thing aimed at in this prayer of our Lords, that the glory of God may have the first and the last place, as the Alpha and Omega of all his worship, the beginning and the end of …ight serving him. For the first petition is about the hallowing or glorifying of his name; and the last conclusion is the extolling and praising of him to the same glory.
Doct. 2. It makes very much for the strengthening and confirming us in our prayers, if we set before our eyes the infinite soveraignty and right, and the infinite might, and glory of God.
From the words; Thine i… the Kingdome, power, and glory.
Reas. 1. Because hence it appears, that we doe rightly, and according as just order doth require, fly unto God in our prayers; and seek all good things from him, because he onelyonly hath the absolute right and might, to dispense all these things, according as his own honour and glory requires.
Reas. 2. Because hence it appears, that we may have certain and sure confidence, that he will hear our prayers, because it is as easie to him to do all this, as to will it; and it belongs also to his glory in some sort, to will the same.
Reas. 3. Because from hence we are taught, both in what manner, and for what end, we ought to look for the accomplishment of our desires; to wit, in such manner as shall seem good unto God, according to that wisedome and power of his, whereby he exercises soveraignty of kingdome and command, or dominion in all things, and in such manner, as may make most for the glory of his name.
Use, Of Direction, that we use these and the like titles of God, in our prayers, not for a fashion, but from religious resentment and intention, that our prayers may be the more powerfull, from the greater feeling, and abundance of our hearts.
Doct. 3. All thing… that uphold our faith and our pr… ers, are from the everlasting and eternal God.
From these words; For ever and ever. Or thus rather it makes for the same purpose; that we consider, that all things that sustain our faith, and our prayers, are in the eternal God, unto eternity, or for ever and ever, &c
Reas. 1 Because from hence it appears, that now God is the same, and such unto us, as he was from the beginning of the world to any other, that called upon his name, Isa 59. 1. & …1. 17.
Reas. 2. Because from hence we are confirmed in this, that God will unto eternity remain still our God, even then when he will cease by changeable dispensations to doe us any more good, as here he doth, because then we shall be setled in the possession of our last and highest good
Use, Of Direction▪ for the right use of this divine attribute of eternity.
Doct. 4. While we pray, and especially towards the end of prayer, we ought to put forth our petitions with all earnestness of desire, and lively strength of faith, and of affections.
From the word Amen.
Reas. 1. Because as at the end our prayer is as it were come to its perfection, so we ought there to exercise the perfection of our faith, affection, conscience, and desire.
Reas. 2 Because every natural and kindly motion growes stronger and faster towards its end; otherwise if it be flashy in the beginning, and flag towards the end, it is a token it was forced, or framed upon some wrong ground, and will not prove durable and kindly unto the end.
Reas. 3 Because our affection in the end of prayer ought then to act from the doubled and recollected force and power of all the affections going before.
Reas. 4▪ Because by this meanes in a sort we redouble our whole prayer, while first we propose all our petitions one by one in order, with their own measure of desire and affection; and thereafter press vehemently and earnestly for them all together, that they may all be granted us, and so according to our earnestnesse, …est as confident that they will.
Use▪ Of Reproof, against the negligence of men on this behalf, which is grown so great, that now it is gone out of use amongst us, to signify such our affections, or strong wishes and desires, by saying, Amen; as the Apostle witnesseth and saith, that all Christians of old were taught, and did use to practise▪ 1 Cor. 14. 16.