A Treatise of Christian Religion, Chapter 50
CHAP. 50.
Of thankeſ-giuing the ſecond part of the ſecond prayer.
Herein note the
Parts.
Concluſion, in the laſt word Amen.
MATTH. 6. 13. For thine is the Kingdome, and the power, and the glory, for euer. Amen.
Q. SO much of the Petitions: what is the thankeſ giuing?
A. For thine is the Kingdome, &c.
Q. What hauehave we to learne in this thankeſ▪giuing?
A. Firſt, we learne the ſacriledge of the Papiſts, who vſually ſteale away this thankeſ▪giuing from Reuel. 22. 19.prayer, as if it were no part of it; which is no maruell, ſeeing that in the whole body of their doctrine, Gods glory is vſually buried in a deepe ſilence amongſt them.
Q. What obſerue you ſecondly?
A. That this thankſ-giuing, conſiſting in the praiſe Gen. 32. 9. 11. Rom. 1 8. 10. Epheſ. 1 16. Philip. 1. 3. 4. Coloſſ. 1 3. 1. Theſſ. 1. 2.of God, is a reaſon of all the petitions going before; and therefore a further aſſurance of obtaining our ſuites: for ſo good men in praying for new bleſſings, doe alwaies ioyne thankſ-giuing for the former.
Q. Whence is this forme of thankeſ-giuing drawne?
A. It ſeemeth to bee taken out of the Chronicles, 1. Chron. 29. 10. 11. 12. 13.where Dauids ſeth the like phraſe in praiſing of God; but that which Dauid inlargeth there, our Sauiour ſhorteneth here, and yet comprehendeth the marrow of all.
Q. VVhat obſerue you more particularly in the words?
A. Firſt, in the word (Thine) theſe titles of kingdom, &c. are appropriated vntounto God, to whom they do belong: for though the ſame things in Scripture are aſcribed Dan. 2. 37. 1. Tim. 5. 16. Jude 4.to Kings, yet they hauehave them not of themſelues, but from him, and hold them of him as tenants at will.
Q. VVhat is meant here by the word [Kingdome]?
A. That all right belongeth vntounto God, who hath Gen. 14. 19. Exod. 16. 19. 16 Ioel 3. 5. Hag. 2. 9.authority ouer all, and anſwereth to the ſecond petition; and therefore it ought to moue vsus to pray to him, and to him alone, as to one that hath only right to any thing we hauehave need of.
Q. VVhat is meant by the word (power)?
A. That beſides his right, noted in the former word, hee is alſo able to bring to paſſe whatſoeuer hee will: Pſal 135. 5. 6. Mat. 8. 2.both which concur in God, and not alwaies in earthly Princes; which ſeemeth to be comprized in the third petition, and ought to giuegive vsus encouragement to pray 2. Cor. 12. 9.to him, who is able to effect any thing wee pray for according to his will; and to ſtrengthen vsus to doe any thing which in dutie we ought to doe, although there be no ſtrength in vsus.
Q. VVhat is meant by glory?
A. That due, which riſing from the two former, of Kingdome and power, doth rightly belong vntounto God, as following vponupon the concurrence of the other two: for if whatſoeuer we deſire bee granted vntounto vsus, in that he raigneth powerfully; it is reaſon that all glory and praiſe ſhould returne vntounto him againe: and it anſwereth to the firſt petition, and ought to moue vsus to pray to him, and to aſſure vsus that our prayers are granted, ſeeing that by our prayers duly made and granted, hee Pſal. 64. 5. & 30. 9. & 88. 10. 11. & 11 5. 17. 18.is glorified. And it is one of the moſt powerfull reaſons, that the ſeruants of God hauehave grounded their confidence of being heard, that the name of God therein ſhould be glorified.
Q. What is meant by the words (for euer, or for ages)?
A. By ages, he meaneth eternity; and thereby putteth Pſal. 145. 13. Dan. 4. 31.another difference betweene the Kingdome and power of God, and that in Princes, whoſe Kingdomes and power fade; and therefore may faile their Subiects and beſt fauourites that depend vponupon them.
Q. VVhat is vnderſtood by the word (Amen)?Ierem. 11. 5. Iohn 16. 23. Reuel. 3. 14. Iam. 1. 6. 1. Tim. 2. 8. 1. King. 1. 36. Ierem. 28. 6.
A. Not onelyonly, So be it, as commonly men ſay; but, So it is: which noteth the aſſurance of our faith to receiue our deſires, at leaſt ſo farre forth as God ſeeth good for vsus: for without faith our praiers are reiected. Beſides that, it is a teſtimonie of our earneſt affection of hauing all thoſe things performed, which in this prayer are comprehended.