The Spiritual Mans Directory, Treatise · Part 2 · Question 125 – Question 140
Q. 125. Now there be five ſorts of the li…ing that we muſt Pray for. Firſt, for the whole Church of Chriſt. Secondly, for the Miniſters. Thir…, for them of our owne houſe. Fourthly, for them …, the place where we live. Fiftly, for our enemy … ſhew me now whether and why we muſt pray … … whole Church of Chriſt?
A. We muſt pray for all Saints, whether Saints actually already, or elect which ſhall be Saints, Eph. 6. 18. for theſe Saints make up the Church, 1 Cor. 14. 33. for, Firſt, they are the dearly beloved of Gods ſoul, Ier. 12. … God… pleaſant portion, verſe. 10. The city of the living God, Heb. 12. 2…. the Lambs bride, Reve. 2…. 9. Secondly, we are moſt bound to the Church, for the Church is our mother, Gal. 4. 26. and therefore we ſhould preferre her before all Pſal. 137. 6. Thirdly, we ſhall proſper the better if we doe, Pſal. 122. 6. Fourthly, we ſhall the ſooner, be heard for our ſelves, David when he would ſeine be heard for himſelfe, he prayed for the Church, Pſal. 51. 18. yea all bleſſings, that come to us, come to us through the Church, Pſal. 133. 3. Againe, if the Church be in miſery, good reaſon we ſhould lament for her. Nehem. 1. 4. for firſt, our ſinnes have in part pulled downe that miſery upon her, Nehem. 1. 6. Secondly, her miſeries are ours, looke what evill come upon her comes upon us. Dan. 9. 13. Thirdly, it is the brand of the wicked not to regard the afflictions of Ioſeph, Amos. 6. 6.
Q. 126. What and why muſt we pray for Gods Miniſters?
A. That they may be clothed with righteouſneſſe, Pſal. 132. 9. and take heed to their Miniſtery to fulfill it, Col. 4. 17. which is, Firſt, not to preach themſelves, but Ieſus Chriſt, 2 Cor. 4. 5. Secondly, to ſpeake, and exhort, and rebuke withall authority. Tit. 2. 15. in ſeaſon, out of ſeaſon, with all inſtance and long ſuffering, 2 Tim. 4. 2. Thirdly, not to looke back from the plough leſt they be unfit for Gods kingdome, Luke. 9. 62. Fourthly, to be an example to believers, in word, in converſation, in ſpirit, and in purity, 1 Tim. 4. 12. againe, we muſt pray that they may have utterance with boldneſſe, Eph. 6. 19. for Firſt, we cannot looke to have a good Miniſter, except we pray for him, Math. 9. 38. Secondly, though we have one we cannot looke to keep him, except we pray for him, Act. 12. 5. Thirdly, though we doe not looſe him, yet he may be ſtreightned, that he ſhall never be able to doe us good, except wee pray for him, Col. 4. 3. Fourthly, though he be not ſtreightned, yet our hearts may be cloſed up under his Miniſtry, except we pray for him 1 Theſ. 5. 25. Fiftly, we have no love of the Spirit in us, except wee pray for Gods Miniſters, Rom. 15. 30. The Lord himſelfe teacheth us how to Pray, Deut. 33. 8.
Q. 127. How doe you prove, That wee muſt Pray for all of our houſe, for our Children, and Kindred, and Servants, and for our Parents, and Wife, and Husband, and Maſters?
A. Eliazer prayed for his Maſter, Gen. 24. 12. Eliſha for his Servants, 2 Kings 6. 17. Iacob for his Children, Gen. 48. 16. and Iob too. Iob 1. 5. Abraham for Iſhmael, Gen. 17. 18. Firſt, becauſe wee are bound not to peſter the Church with a naughty generation, if ſo be we can helpe it; when Seth had begotten Enoſh, then hee ſet up Prayer, Gen. 4. 26. Secondly, we are bound to love the glory of God, that our Children may ſtand up to praiſe God, when wee are dead and gone; and therefore David had a care of a good ſeed. Pſal. 22. 30. and ſo Abraham of his houſhold after him, Gen. 18. 19. Thirdly, becauſe we bring forth our Children children of wrath. Eph. 2. 3. Fourthly, becauſe its a great bleſſing to have godly children, Pſal. 144. 12. and wee are bleſſed in them much more when they are godly indeed, Deut. 33. 24. Fiftly, becauſe otherwiſe we do but beget them by halves, when once we have gotten them to be wiſe and gracious, then we may be better ſaid to have begot them, Pro. 23. 24.
Q. 128. How doe you prove that we muſt more eſpecially pray for the Towne and place, where we live?
A. The inhabitants of Ieruſalem prayed for Jeruſalem, Pſal. 74. 2. Firſt, becauſe our ſelves doe live there, and therefore we muſt pray for it, as Lot did Zoar. Gen. 19. 21. and yet he was but about to live there, verſe. 20. Secondly, becauſe our peace and good, conſiſts in the peace and good of the towne that we live in, I…r. 29. 7. and except the feare of God be among them, we cannot comfortably live by them, Levit. 25. 36. and if we pray for them God can lay a charge upon their conſciences not to trouble our reſting place, Prov. 24. 15. Thirdly, we may win ſome of their ſouls to go along with us to heaven, Gen. 35. 2. David dwelling at Gath; it ſhould ſeem he converted Ittai to the faith, 2 Sam. 15. 19. Fourthly, becauſe we are bound to doe ſuch duties, as doe require prayer for them, as for example to exhort them; and therefore Phillip did ſo to Nathaniel his neighbour, Iohn. 1. 45. Levi being converted himſelfe got his neighbours to be at his houſe to meet Chriſt, Luke. 5. 29. and ſo did Cornelius, Act. 10. 24. Fiſtly, we our ſelves may have a great deale of comfort, if we convert any of their ſouls, Iam. 5. 20. Sixtly, hereby we may be helpers to Gods Miniſters, Philemou a great Nobleman was Pauls fellow labourer in this kind, Philem. 1.
Q. 129. Why muſt we pray for our Enemies?
A. God is pleaſed to ſhew them this favour, … himſelfe do… not forgive them, yet he will have us to forgive them, and love them, Math. 5. 44. there may be more ſelfe-reſpects in praying for them that love us, verſe. 46. but there is more godly ſingulari…y in praying for our enemies, verſe. 47. and more perfection, and ſincerity, verſe. 48. and more proximity to God, ver. 45. David faſted and prayed for his enemies, Pſal. 35. 1…. Firſt, becauſe we are more ſenſible of there e…nnities and injurings, by reaſon that we feele them; and therefore we may the better pray for them, Luke. 23. 31. Secondly, hereby we have that condition that is required to the forgiveneſſe of our ſinnes, Math. 6. 14. for if we doe not forgive them, God will not forgive us. verſe. 15. Thirdly, hereby we may overcome the evill of revenge in our hearts, nay and of malice in there's, Rom. 12. 19, 20. Fourthly, this is that way to commit our cauſe unto God, as the poore godly ſoule doth, Pſal. 10. 14. Fiftly, we ſhall looſe nothing by it, for either our enemyes will be mollified towards us, or if they be not, God will reward us, Prov. 25. 22. Sixtly, it will be a great comfort to us, we can ſay thus before God, I have ſtood before to ſpeake good for them, Ier. 18. 20. Seventhly, this duty being rightly done is a ſigne of a ſanctified heart, Act. 7. 60.
Q. 130. What ſay you of Curſing or imprecation or praying againſt one; it ſeemes it is unlawfull, Rom. 12. 14. neither can we be called unto it, 1 Pet, 3. 9. for it proceeds from hatred, now hatred is Manſlaughter, 1 Ioh. 3. 15.
A. We may not wiſh evill, as it is evill, to any man, but onelyonly as it is good, Gal. 5. 13. Firſt, we may wiſh evill to a man for the mans good, Pſal. 9. 20. Secondly, we may pray againſt a mans ſinnes, Pſal. 7. 9. Thirdly, againſt all the plots and counſels and projects of the wicked, that God would curſe them, Pſal. 59. 11, 12. Fourthly, againſt the life of offenders, I may wiſh that the Magiſtrate would put them to death, not as it is harme to them, but as it is a good to the Church, or State, or Pariſh, that we live in, Pſal. 101. 8. as for theſe curſing ſpeeches of Plague, and Murraine, and Vengance, and Devill, that theſe evils might take one, they are the ſpeeches of tongues ſet on fire of hell, eſpecially as they are uſed, Iam. 3: 6. Nay, a man muſt not curſe Satan as it is the Apocrypha, Eccleſiaſt. 21. 27. much leſſe the good creatures of God, as people curſe their meat, the weather, or a ſtone that they ſtumble at, Rom. 3. 14. yet we may abſolutely curſe the enemies of the Lord in the generall; becauſe we meane ſuch as are finally enemies, Pſal. 68. 1, 2. and if we had a ſpirit of diſcerning in particular too, 2. Tim. 4. 14. We read of three kinds of Curſing, firſt, optative, Pſal. 109. 6. Secondly, imperative, Iudge. 5. 23. Thirdly, indicative or declarative, ſo Gods Miniſters curſe the wicked whenſoever they preach, Ier. 11. 3.
Q. 131. Is Thankſgiving a part of prayer?
A. It is a calling upon God, Pſal. 105. 1. and the very thanking of God for mercies received, is a kind of praying for new mercies, Col. 1. 3. and by our thankfulneſſe for grace that we have, it may be knowne that we requeſt grace that we …ave not, Phil. 4. 6. and our maine Thankſgiving is prayer wiſe, Lord make me thankfull, we muſt ask it of God, and call upon him for it, Pſa. 116. 13. Thankſgiving is called by the name of prayer, the Phariſee prayed thus, God I thank …hee, Luke. 18. 11. and if we would perſevere in prayer, a thankfull heart is the beſt to continue …, Col. 4. 2. and yet it is harder then prayer it ſelf. There were ten askers to one thanker, Luke. 17. 15, 16. Firſt, becauſe our nature is like the horſ…eech, ſtill it cryes give, give, Pro. 30. 15. Secondly, becauſe there is more ſelfe-love in prayer, but thankfulneſſe is more contrary to ſelfe-love, 2 Tim. 3. 2. Thirdly, becauſe our hearts are apt to love the bleſſing more then God the giver of it▪ the pleaſure more then God the beſtower of it, verſe. 4. Fourthly, becauſe we are apt to be leſſe and leſſe mindfull of former benefits, whereas thankſgiving is an everlaſting grace, Pſal. 79. 15. Fifthly, we are apt to be diſcontented, if Gods bleſſings do not every way pleaſe us; now thankſgiving is a cheerfull grace, Iſa. 51. 3. Sixtly. there is no holineſſe in Thankſgiving, Pſalm. 97. 12.
Q. 132. What ſay you of Thankſgiving for Gods ſpirituall mercies?
A. We muſt be thankfull for them, Eph. 1. 3. Firſt, for our knowledge, or elſe it is accurſed unto us, Rom. 1. 21. Secondly, for any power againſt ſinne, Rom. 7. 25. Thirdly, for victory over death and hell, 1 Cor. 1…. 57. ſo for peace of conſcience, Col. 3. 17. ſo for ability to ſerve God in our callings, 1 Tim. 1. 12. but we muſt be ſure that we have theſe bleſſings, or elſe we mocke God, we muſt have faith, or elſe we can, not thank God for it, Col. 2. 7. when one ſays, God I thank thee, for electing me, and yet does not know it, it is vaine, 1 Theſſ. 1. 2, 4. none but the redeemed of the Lord can ſay, Lord I thanke thee, for thine everlaſting mercies, Pſal. 107. 1, 2. we muſt be cheefely thankfull for ſpirituall mercies; firſt, becauſe they are mercies for our ſouls, Pſal. 66. 15, 16. Secondly, they are eternall, Pſal. 100. 4, 5. Thirdly, peculiar to Gods Elect, as ſaith Tit. 1. 1. and the ſpirit of prayer, Luke 18. 7. bowells of mercy, and the like, Col. 3. 10. Fourthly, they are rarer, Math. 11. 25. Fiſtly, they bring with them the bleſſings of this life, 1 Tim. 4. 8. Sixthly, to be thankfull for ſuch mercies is a good antidote againſt ſinne, Eph. 5. 3, 4. which a man can never be to any purpoſe, except hee can ſay, God is my God, Philem. 4.
Q. 133. What temporall mercies muſt we be thankfull for, and why?
A. Firſt, for covering us in our mothers wombe, Pſal. 139. 13. for our life. Pſal. 63. 4. and breath, Pſal. 150. 6. for the counti…ance of life, Pſal. 30. 3. Secondly, for our food and raiment, Gen. 28. 20. and for our maintainance, whether it be rich or poore, for both is from God, Pro. 22. 2. for the convenience of our dwelling, as it is ſaid of Iuſtus, his houſe joyned hard to the Synagogue, Act. 18. 7. Thirdly, for our peace and ſafety, this is another bleſſing of God, 1 King. 4. 25. Fourthly, for preſerving us from ill accidents and miſhappes, fires, inundations, or any evill caſualties, yea for all his benefits, Pſal. 116. 12. Firſt, becauſe the Lord doth call for it, Pſal. 107. 8. and it is his will, 1 Theſſ. 5. 18. Secondly, the Lord is angry when we are not thankfull▪ … Chron. 32. 25. Thirdly, Gods remporall mercies are graces, Gen. 33. 5. Ieſus Chriſt may be ſeen in the recovering out of any Ague, Act. 9. 34. Fourthly, we are leſſe then the leaſt of them, Gen. 32. 10 we are nothing, 2 Cor. 12. 1…. Fifthly, Thankſgiving is a multiplying duty. Math. 15. 36. Sixthly, there is goodneſſe in Thankſgiving Pſal. 92. 1. Seventhly, to be thankfull for temporall bleſſings, is the way to be thankfull for ſpirituall, and if we be not thankfull for them, we will be thankfull for nothing; therefore an unthankfull man, and an evill man is all one, Luke. 6. 35. and ſo unthankfull, unholy, 2 Tim. 3. 2. Laſtly, to be thankfull as for meat, is to eate to the Lord, Rom. 14. 9.
Q. 134. Muſt we not be thankfull to God for his mercies upon others?
A. Yes, Pſal. 147. 1, 2, 3. whether a particular perſon, Philem. 4. or a whole family, 2 Iohn. 4. or a whole pariſh, Phil. 1. 3. or the Church, Act. 11. 18. or good Magiſtrates, 1 King. 10. 9. we muſt thank God not only for ſaving grace that we perceive others have, 1 Theſſ. 1. 3. but alſo for common grace, Phil. 1. 18. there was but a little good in the …ow…e Clarke, he did but ſpeak a good word for Paul, and Ariſtarchus and Gaius, yet Luke doth record it as a bleſſing, Act. 19. 35. Gamaliel a meere civill man, yet when he did but pleaſure the Apoſtles a little, it is regiſtred as a mercy, Act. 5. 34. the Barbarians making a warme fire for the Apoſtle is related as a kindneſſe, Act. 28. 2. for God is glorified thereby, when the people did but wonder at the Word, as any of Gods works, this is a glory unto God, Math. 9. 8. and therefore they are wretched. Firſt, who have not grace nor goodneſſe; for we cannot give thanks for them, but rather bewaile them, Phil. 3. 18. Secondly, who though they have mercies and graces, yet they doe not communicate them to others, to occaſion thankſgiving, they are like with-holders of Corne whom the people curſe, Prov. 11. 26. Thirdly, who envy and repine at the bleſſings of others; conſider therefore, firſt, if we envy our brothers good, doth us no good but harme, Iob. 5. 2. Secondly, it is ſafer for us that another ſhould have ſuch and ſuch bleſſings then we, for then they muſt give account and not we, Luke. 16. 2. Thirdly, it is better for us too, is it not better that the eye ſhould have the bleſſing of Sight, then the foot or the hand, 1 Cor. 12. 21,
Q. 135. Becauſe Confeſſion is to be joyned with prayer, Dan. 9. 20. and is put …or Prayer, Nehem. 9. 3. Tell me whether is it neceſſary to prayer? to confeſſe our ſinnes in it?
A. Expreſſe confeſſion is not neceſſary alwayes in Prayer, Act. 4. 24. but implicite is when the Apoſtles prayed God for boldneſſe, they did implicitly confeſſe their want of it, verſe. 29. one of theſe two confeſſions is neceſſary, for confeſſion it is put for prayer, Dan. 9. 4. Firſt, becauſe prayer it ſelfe does confeſſe our poverty of ſpirit, Luke. 1. 53. and it inferreth humbling of our ſelves and a ſence of our owne inſufficiency; for if we were ſufficient in our ſelves, what need we goe to God, Iam. 4. 10. Secondly, both we and our prayers are vile, and uncleane, Iob. 40. 4. but expreſſe confeſſion is neceſſary, when our conſciences is fouled with guilt, Pſal. 32. 5. not to informe God; for he knoweth mens ſins, 2 King. 19. 27. but Firſt, to cleare the Lords juſtice, Nehem. 9. 31, 32, 33. Secondly, to obtaine mercy, Prov. 28. 13. Thirdly, to lay hold on Gods faithfulneſſe, 1 Iohn. 1. 9. I doe not meane of every particular ſinne; for firſt, our ſinnes are innumerable and cannot all be reckoned up, Pſal. 40. 12. Secondly, ſome of them we know not, Pſal. 19. 12. but our greivouſer ſinnes; then we muſt particularly confeſſe, 1 Sam. 12. 19. Firſt, becauſe theſe ſhew that we have need of a God of ſalvation, Pſal. 51. 14. Secondly, ſuch ſinnes moſt waſt conſcierce, moſt dead the heart, and moſt binder us from ſeeking Gods faco, Hoſ. 5. 15. ſuch are the rootes of many other ſinnes, and if we roote them out, many others will the eaſilier fall off. 1. Tim. 6. 10.
Q. 136. As Manoah ſaid to the Angell, how ſhall I order the Child Iudg. 13: 12. So may I ſay of Confeſſion, how ſhall wee order our Confeſſion, how ſhall we make it?
A. Wee muſt doe with Confeſſion a… Chriſt ſaith of Hearing, we muſt take heed how, Luk. 8: 18. Firſt, the confeſſion of ſinne, muſt be naked, without hiding of ought, Prov. 28. 13: though the committing of it be the worſe, the leſſe wee doe hide it, Iſa. 3. 9. Secondly, by way of judging our ſelves, 1 Cor. 11. 31. and inditing our ſelves, 1 Chron. 21. 8. Thirdly, with griefe and ſorrow, and compunction, and ſmiting of our bres…, Luk. 18. 13. Fourthly, ſhame and confuſion of face, Ezra 9. 6. caſting our ſpirits and ſelves downe, Ezra 10. 1. Fiftly, giving over our old company, and ſeperating our ſelves from them, Nehem. 9. 2. Sixtly, accepting the puniſhment of our iniquity, Levit. 26. 40. 41. not onelyonly confeſſing our ſinnes, Dan. 9. 4. but ſetting our hearts to it, verſ. 3. Seventhly, with Faith, Act. 19. 18. and with having our ſinnes ever before us, Pſal. 51. 3. Beſides this confeſſion before God, in ſome caſes there muſt be a confeſſion; firſt, before the Magiſtrate, Ioh. 7. 19. Secondly, before a Brother, 1 Sam. 26. 21. Thirdly before one another, Iam. 5. 16. Fourthly, before a Miniſter, Marke 1. 5.
Q. 137. Whether are wee bound to pray the Lords Prayer? …ust thoſe very words and no other, there be ſome ſuſpitious people, that ſay, let us pray for this, and let us pray for that, and let us Pray for the eſtate of the whole Church; and let us pray for the King, and for all theſe things, let us ſay the Lords prayer; doe theſe men doe well?
A. No? Chriſt when he bids us ſay Our Father which art in heaven, &c. Luk. 11. 2. He does not meane, that wee ſhould preciſely keepe our ſelves to theſe words, but that we ſhould Pray after that manner, Math. 6. 9. As Miniſters ſhould preach nothing but the Word, 2 Tim. 4. 2. and yet they may give the ſence in other words, Nehem. 8. 8. Firſt, becauſe the Apoſtles prayed in other words, and did more ſpecialize their Petition, Act. 1. 24. Secondly, this prayer is diverſly ſet downe by the Evangiliſts, one way in one Math. 6. 11. another way in Luke, Luke. 11. 3. one way in one, Math. 6. 12. another way in the other, Luke. 11. 4. Thirdly, who knowes this is all that Chriſt uttred, Iohn. 21. 25. we ſee plainly Mathew ſets, down more then Luke doth; it may be Chriſt ſpake more then either hath expreſſed, Math. 6. 13. Fourthly. Chriſt himſelfe did not uſe theſe very words ever, when he would pray Lazarus alive, he did not ſay the Lords prayer over the grave, Ioh. 11. 41. when he would pray for his Apoſtles, he did not ſay the Lords prayer over them, Iohn. 17. 1. Fiftly, our ſpeciall ſinnes and wants, doe require that we ſhould pray more ſpecially then ſo, 2 Kings▪ 19. 15. Sixtly, we read of praying all night, we can not think that the Lords prayer was ſaid over and over againe and againe, Luke. 6. 12. we are to continue in prayer, what by going over and over the Lords prayer? no, Col. 4. 2. neither is it neceſſary to conclude our prayers with this, Act. 4. 30. and yet we may if we will, Luke. 11. 2. neither is there any thing againſt it. No, though it be ſcripture, the ſame thing may be ſcripture and the word of God, and yet the prayer of a man, Pſal. 90. 12.
Q. 138. Why doth our Saviour teach us to call God father in our prayers?
A. Firſt, to reach us we cannot pray to him, except he be our Father, and we have the ſpirit of his Sonne, Gal. 4. 6. Secondly, to aſſure us that he will give us good things, Luk. 11. 13. Thirdly, to call no man father on earth, for he is our own father, Math. 23. 9. Fourthly, that we may behave our ſelves towards him as a Father, Deut. 32. 6. Firſt, to honour him as a father, Mal. 1. 6. Secondly, to count our ſelves ſojourners, as long as wee be abſent from him, 1 Pet. 1. 17. Thirdly, to be ſeperate from the children of this world, and to touch no uncleane thing, 2 Cor. 6. 18. Fourthly, to be followers of God, ſeeing he is our father, Epheſ. 5. 1. to be obedient children, taking heed of all luſts, 1 Pet. 1. 14. to continue ſo doing to the end, and to overcome; otherwiſe hee is not our Father, nor wee his Children, Rev. 21. 7. If wee deſire that hee ſhould be our Father, firſt, we muſt be fatherleſſe otherwiſe, Pſal. 85. 5. Secondly, we muſt receive Chriſt, and then we ſhall have the power of calling him father, Ioh. 1. 12. Thirdly, we muſt get the Lord to ſay ſo to our hearts, Hoſ. 1. 10. Fourthly, wee muſt be ſure that we be Peace-makers, Math. 5. 9. Fiftly, wee muſt love our enemies, and lend freely, Luk. 6. 35. Laſtly, we muſt be the good ſeed begotten againe under the Kingdome of grace, Math. 13. 38.
Q. 139. Why our Father, not my Father?
A. We may pray alſo my Father, Luk. 15. 18. and we are taught to doe ſo in private, Math. 6. 6. for, firſt, Nature teacheth that the creature ſhould have a particular propriety in God, whom it calleth upon, Jon. 1. 6. Secondly, we have need of a particular propriety in God, that we may ſtrengthen our Petition, Luk. 15. 19. Thirdly, that we may come thankfully before him, Rom. 1. 8: Fourthly, that we may come with filiall affections, and never run away from him, Ier. 3. 19. but our Saviour puts it in the Plurall number, firſt, becauſe wee are to pray with others, Acts 20. 36. Secondly, wee are to Pray for others, Iam. 5. 16. Thirdly, to teach us to love one another, and not to deale unbrotherly one with another, Mal. 2. 10 Fourthly, to ſhew us that God is univerſally a Father to all his elect, and he is not like an earthly father, that hath but one Bleſſing, or few bleſſings, Gen. 27. 38. nay, though all the company that joyne with us in Prayer, be not adopted unto God; yet if two or three be the mouth of the company, may pray Our Father, Iſa. 63 16. the meeting is denominated a congregation of Saints from them two or three, Pſal. 149. 1. there is a communication of Phraſes; the mouth of the aſſembly knowing there be ſome wicked, though ſome bee not; yet by the communication of phraſes, hee may ſay, We have done wickedly, though neither himſelfe, nor many of the company have done ſo, Nehem. 9. 33. Beſides, God is in a generall ſence the Father of ſuch as are rebellious, Iſa. 1. 2. and they may equivocally be ſaid to be in Chriſt, Iohn 15. 2.
Q. 140. What is the meaning of Heaven in Prayer?
A. Heaven ſignifies, firſt the region of the ayre, Jer. 8. 7. Secondly, the place of the Sunne, Moon▪ and ſtarres, Gen. 15. 5. Thirdly, the Church of Ieſus Chriſt, Rev. 12. 7. Fourthly, the bleſſed Angels, Iob 15. 15. Fiftly, God himſelfe, Da…. 4. 26. Sixtly, the habitation of Gods holineſſe, where the glorified Angels are in bliſſe, and injoy the beatificall viſion of God, and ſo it is mean… here eſpecially, 1 Kings 8. 30. which is called the third heaven, 2 Cor. 12. 2. farre above all other created heavens, Epheſ. 4. 10. it ſelfe being a created thing too, Heb. 11. 10. Gods childrens houſe and home 2 Cor. 5. 1. Gods holy hill. Pſal. 24. 3. from whence he bleſſeth his People, Deut. 26. 15. where he ſitteth as a great Prince on his thro…e, Pſal. …1. 4. and hee is ſaid to be in heaven; firſt, to ſtrike Reverence into us, Eccleſ. 5. 2. Secondly, to let us underſtand, hee can doe whatſoever he will, Pſal. 115. 3. Thirdly, to lift and raiſe up our hearts in prayer, Pſal. 123. 1. Fourthly, to ſhew how infinitly hee is above us, his thoughts above ours, his motions above ours, Iſa. 55. 9. Fiftly, to expreſſe Gods condiſcending goodneſſe, that hee being in heaven will deigne to looke upon a poore ſoule, Iſa. 66. 1, 2. and yet God is not confined to heaven, as though hee were there onelyonly, Pſal. 139. 7, 8. No, hee fils heaven and earth too, I…r. 23. 24. and the whole world is not able to containe him, 2 Chron. 6. 18.