sanctified sorrow breeds lasting peace Secondly Esa 66.2 it moues compassion in God towards vs as to his labouring people in Aegypt and Manasses in prison Exod. 3.7 Thirdly Esa 66.3 it seasons all our spirituall sacrifices and makes vs more fearefull to displease God Fourthly Prou. 23.13 14. it weanes vs from the loue of the world frees vs from eternall death beat thy childe with the rod and thou shalt deliuer his soule from hell and is a certaine fore-runner of glorie a great comfort to all heauie hearts and deiected soules yeelding the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse and holinesse Psa 126.5 6.30.5 vnto all so exercised sowing in teares they shall reape in ioy heauinesse endures for a night but ioyes comes in the morning Q. But I finde no such thing in me rather the contrary hardnesse and stubbornnesse A. The case is dangerous and lamentable some hope and comfort there is in this that you are sensible of your miserie take this receipt First come home to your selfe Hag. 2.1 Luk. 15.17 call your dispersed thoughts summon them together as to a weightie consultation Heb. 3.13 Psal 51.3 Secondly weigh the true cause of such continued hardnesse the deceitfulnesse of sinne through inconsideration and delay of repentance Mat. 16.26 Thirdly intensiuely fixe your eies vpon your sinnes laid open before you originall actuall with your aptitude to the vilest was euer done or thought on by any casting what is lost what gained by sinne one sence of seeing and weeping see well and weepe well Fourthly be frequent in that angelicall exercise of speculation Luk. 19.41.23.28 and meditation and therein represent Christ to your thoughts â—â—eeping often neuer laughing 〈…〉 for you that you might mourne 〈…〉 your-selues Fifthly grieue for the want of griefe that you can be more sorrie for any thing then sinne Sixtly Eccl. 7.2 3 4 5. vse all incentiues to moue sorrow with softnesse as places companie employment it is better to goe to the house of mourning then to the house of feasting sorrow is better then laughter by the sadnesse of the countenance the heart is made better praying with Ieremie Ier. 9.1 O that my head were waters and mine eies a fountaine of teares that I might weep day and night c. Seuenthly be content with that measure of sorrow which the Lord affords A skilfull Physician euer prepares a potion according to the constitution of his patient Q. What is that which cannot stand with sound humiliation A. First Luciferian 〈◊〉 mentall or carnall Luke 1.51 Iames 4 6. Secondly humorizing fashionisme new words may serue to expresse new fashion-mongers consisting in a fond imitation of euerie foolish forraine device in haire attire c. a signe of great lightnesse Rom. 12.2.13.14 Thirdly luxurious epicurisme pampering of the flesh as ouer delicate women vse to doe and studying to satisfie the lust thereof by eating drinking playing sleeping with other acts gracelesse and namelesse so fooling away eternitie Fourthly Mat. 19.23 Atheisticall couetousnesse whereby our affections are fixt and fastened to the earth 6.25.20.26.27.28 Fifthly carnall securitie from carnall iollitie vnseparable without sight of sinne or sense of miserie Sixtly sharpe contention about matters of small moment striuing for place harshly censuring all of that any way oppose vs. Q. Which is the fourth duty necessary for our preparation A. Application of all which is as the bellowes to our spirituall heat whereby all we receiue and know is turned into nutriment and made our owne and this must be First Mat. 26.22 of all we haue done to our selues in a strict examination of our estates Secondly 1 Cor. 46. of all God hath spoken to our soules in the threatnings and promises of his Word Q. Which is the fifth duty necessary for our preparation before we come to the Communion A. Resolution which is a heartie and stedfast purpose of more exact obedience for the time to come Acts 11.23 consisting in holy vowes and promises to be performed in their season especially we must resolue First to keepe entire our renewed amitie betweene Christ and our soules Psa 116.18.132.3 4 5 6. to giue no occasion of distaste if any happen not to rest till it be made vp Secondly Iohn 13.35 1 Iohn 3.14 Gal. 5.6 as to be in it for the present so to continue for the time to come in the loue of our brethren generally with all familiarly with those of the houshold of faith this is The wedding garment Q. What must a prepared Christian doe when he is come to the communion A. Let him againe bethinke him Gen. 28 16 17. First where he is supposing he heares that voyce put off thy shooes from thy feet for the place where thou standest is holy ground Secondly to what end he came Exod. 3.5 Luk. 15.19 to feast with Christ nay to feed of Christ Thirdly how vnworthy yet he is to approach thither and touch such sacred things hauing yeelded euery one of his members as Seruants to vncleannesse Esay 64.6 Phil. 3.9 Fourthly in what garment fashion and condition hee desires as his owne thoughts inwardly suggest vnto him to be seene and noted of Christ at his Table with what reuerence humility filiall feare strength of faith c. Q. What is it to eate and drinke the Body and Blood of Christ A. First confidently to embrace and by the hand of faith to receiue that pardon obtained and offered to vs by Christ Iohn 6.63 Secondly to be married vnto him vnseparably and after a wonderfull manner vnited and graft into his mysticall body Rom. 8.1.14 Thirdly to bee quickned nourisht and guided by that Spirit which liues and mooues both in Him and vs c. Q. With what gesture must we receiue A. First no one kinde of gesture is exclusiuely necessary nor any one with respect to order and decency that scandall and offence be auoyded 1 Cor. 10.32 11.16.14.40 vnlawfull Secondly that which is in vse in any particular Church confirmed by authoritie of present gouernours ought to be esteemed best and so obserued Thirdly that whereby we may expresse most humiliation deuotion and ardency of affection seeing our Sacrament is deliuered and receiued by way of petition is best as vncouering of the head bowing of the knee lifting vp of hands and eyes towards heauen c. prouided communicants come with preparation voyd of superstition Q. When you haue receiued what is the best employment while the elements are in distribution to others for you may not be idle nor ill employed A. That vndoubtedly whereby Christ may be most glorified and the soules of communicants most freely and feelingly comforted which as I conceiue and still beleeue is reducible to all or most of these foure First 1 Cor. 10.31 is meditation which is as digestion after meat and what more seasonable then after meat digestion it is the first
blessing Thirdly seasonably and as meanes is offered to prouide things honest euen for this life nourishing them 1 Tim. 5.10 bringing them vp in some lawfull calling Ephes 6.4 timely marrying them as the Lord shall direct Fourthly 1 Cor. 7.36 to keepe them from places of danger and lewd company Q. What is the duty of children towards their parents A. First to loue and obey them in the Lord Col. 3.20 although they be carnall or meane in condition Secondly reuerently to submit vnto them while they command instruct correct c. Gen. 31.35 Thirdly to be thankefull vnto them for their care and paines in our education expressing this thankefulnesse by praying for them Heb. 12.7 Prou. 23.22.27.10 as they shall see them stand in need reioycing their hearts and crowning their heads by our vertuous life helping them in all their wants according to our power louing their friends for their sakes and defending their honour both in life and death Q. What is the duty of Masters in the Family towards their Seruants A. First to bee alwayes mindfull they themselues haue a Master in heauen Col. 4.1 doing as they would be done vnto Iob 31.13 Secondly hearking to them and reasoning with them meekely 1 Tim. 3.5 Thirdly commanding them things lawfull and possible Fourthly carefully prouiding for the good of their soules by teaching them and praying for them requiring from them no seruice on the Lords day but such as may stand with the true sanctification thereof Ephes 6.9 2 King 5.13 Fifthly gouerning them as fellow-seruants children nay brethren in Christ Sixthly Rewarding them as the Lord hath blest vs and their seruice to vs knowing that it is a great blessing to haue a good seruant paying them their wages duly rather more then lesse Gen. 39.5 Iam. 5.4 preferring them as we may and respecting them euer after kindly Seuenthly the last Prou. 17.2 not the least duty to bee carefull whom they entertaine Psal 101.6 and to keepe no irreligious incorrigible persons enemies to God long in their family Q. What is the duty of seruants A. First to seat themselues where they may serue God as well as man Secondly to feare 1 Cor. 7.21 Mal. 1.6 reuerence and honour their Masters whether good or bad Thirdly to bee content with their wages not coueting to bee commanders before their time Fourthly 1 Tim. 26.1 Col. 3.22 23. humbly to submit to their commands and deserued correction without murmuring or answering againe 1 Pet. 2.18 Fifthly to be faithfull no way wasting their Masters goods Tit. 2.9 or divulging secrets and painefull for the good of their Masters Gen. 24.12 Sixthly to pray vnto the Lord daily to direct assist and blesse them about their Masters businesse Seuenthly to bee humble gentle and sparing in words Q. What sinnes are hero forbidden A. All which are contrary to the formerly mentioned duties with all like vnto them and all occasions leading to the dishonour of our selues or others especially superiours Q. What sinnes are here condemned in Magistrates A. First to walke vnworthy of honour sordidly proudly 1 Sam. 15.27 lightly dissolutely c. Secondly to gouerne tyrannously Thirdly to passe sentence partially 2 Kin. 3.14 Fourthly to correct furiously and for carnall ends 2 King 10.6 Fifthly to heare or see God dishonoured patiently Q. What in Subiects An. First to curse or rise vp in their owne thoughts against their rulers Eccl. 10.20 to despise them in authority by vnreuerent behauiour Secondly to disobey their lawfull commands Thirdly Rom. 13.2 to deny their iust demands for their owne maintenance and better support in their places Matth. 15 6 Fourthly to resist or murmure against their correcting power Prou. 15.10 Fifthly to liue vnder them and receiue benefit by them 1 Tim. 2.1 2. without praying and praising God for them Q. What sinnes are condemned in Ministers A. First Symonie so called either from the fact of Symon Magus Acts 8.18 or the wicked practice of our couetous patrons who will not present till they See-mony whereby men runne and indirectly purchase places for themselues before they bee called Cant. 1.6 Ezec. 44.8 1 Tim 4.12.16 Secondly carelesse non-residencie either not teaching or teaching to no purpose Thirdly euill examples in life and conuersation when they are intemperate irreligious vncharitable couetous c. Q. What in the people A. First carelesnesse of them not weighing much whether they haue any or none Amos 7.12 13. good or bad when they are the greatest blessing or iudgement that can befall a people Secondly disobedience and disrespect vnto them Deut. 18.19 Gal. 6.6 manifested by not hearing not practising or not making them partakers of all their temporall good things Q. What sinnes are here condemned in Schoole-masters A. First disability Secondly imprudencie seene either in a neglect of their calling following it amisse or not discerning the nature of children Thirdly impiety omitting one halfe of their duty teaching but not correcting or correcting but not instructing them in faith and manners Q. What in Schollers A. First idlenesse and negligence not hearing what their Master teacheth or not caring to learne what they heare Secondly disobedience not doing what is commanded or doing it in an vndutifull vnreuerent manner Thirdly repining and murmuring at moderate correction which is one of Gods ordinances Fourthly complaining abroad without cause and hearing their Master euill spoken of with delight and consent Q. What sinnes are here condemned in Husbands A. First to hate their Wiues so as to beate them driue them from bed or board denie them competent maintenance according to abilitie 1 Tim. 2.11 1 Pet. 3.7 Secondly basely to betray their wiues for gaine Thirdly to neglect or omit their instruction either out of ignorance because they cannot or out of weakenesse that they dare not so more wiues perish then either seruants or children for want of knowledge Col. 3.19 1 Kin. 11.4 Fourthly furiously to rule with a kind of rigorous tyrannie stamping chaffing frowning threatning as if their wiues were slaues Fifthly fondly to dote vpon them and so to become their vnderlings contrarie to the order of nature Q. What in wiues A. Fiâ—st to reiect the coniugall yoke put on them by the Lord 1 Tim. 2.11 12. and to vsurpe vnlawfully and to their owne disgrace dominion ouer their Husbands 2 Sam. 6.16 Secondly not to cherish and reuerence their Husbands as the head and chiefest part of themselues Thirdly to prouoke them by words gesture and doing that in the house which being of an indifferent nature they know will be displeasing vnto them Fourthly to hinder them when as they were appointed to bee helpers and this may bee done First Prou. 7.11 12. by idlenesse Secondly euill housewifery within dores or wanton gosipping abroad Thirdly pride feeding or cloathing themselues and their children beyond
and pray that yee enter not into temptation or if ye doe enter Matt 26.41 put on the whole armour of God that yee may stand it out and goe home with victorie Q. I am so tempted as neuer man was finde no rest day nor night what shall become of mee A. First that is not true 1 Cor. 10.13 there hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man Iam. 1.2 12. Gods children haue felt the like Secondly endeauour to make a good vse of such temptations and be not discouraged Satans hatred may assure vs of Gods loue temptations make experientest Diuines and Christians Rom. 16.19 20. Thirdly bee patiently constant in the vse of ordinary meanes and expect victorie God will not suffer you to be tempted aboue that yee are able with the temptation will make a way to escape and treade downe Satan shortly Q What must I do in a temptation A. First consider the author and danger whether it be from God Eccl. 4.10 Satan men or your owne hearts preparing accordingly Secondly abide not long alone acquaint your fellow souldiers with your condition Thirdly looke vp vnto Christ your Captaine Heb. 2.18 and if you feare the losse of that iewell your heart giue it wholly vnto him who is able and willing to keepe it Q. But I haue beene ouercome and vanquisht in this and that temptation what shall I doe A. First Psal 137.1 weepe and mourne as the Hebrewes did in their Babilonish captiuitie remembring Zion Secondly desire freedome Iohn 8.11 in the vse of meanes Thirdly be wise and warie to shun the like Q. What may wee learne from this petition thus explained A. First that no man is compel'd but tempted onely to sinne Secondly Iames 1.14 1 Cor. 10.12 that men in the state of grace haue need still to looke vnto themselues let him that stands take heed lest he fall 1 Thes 3.5 temptation followes remission of sinne Thirdly Mat. 11.28 that Satan with his instruments are continuall temptors yet their malice and power is limited Fourthly Gal. 6.1 that there is no burden like vnto sinne nor griefe like a distressed conscience Fifthly that Gods children are daily subiect to be tempted and must pray daily against it Ier. 10.23 to haue their soules knit vnto God their hearts seasoned with grace and establisht by his free Spirit whose desire shall bee granted Q. Which is the seuenth and last petition A. But deliuer vs from euill Q. What is the meaning of this petition Acts 8.23 A. First that sinne is a bondage to the soule our Church teacheth vs to pray 2 Pet. 2.9 Though we be tied and bound with the chaine of our sinnes yet let the pittifulnesse of thy great mercy loose vs. Luke 22.32 Secondly that Gods children penitent and pardoned may be tempted and not ouercome Heb. 2.18 Thirdly if it fall out they be vanquisht Rom. 6.7 as it may be yet there remaines still hope of freedome there is a deliuerer Fourthly Phil. 4.13 that corruption remaining in the regenerate is the moouing cause to temptation 2.13 at one time shall we bee freed from sin and temptation Fifthly that we haue no power in or of our selues to free our selues from either Ier. 10.23 all our strength is in and from the Lord. Q. What are we to vnderstand by euill here A. First the euill of sinne in euery kind open secret Mat. 9.4 of omission and commission Secondly of punishment Amos 3.6 and that is threefold First present here onely with an euill heart and eye with euill men and women Mat. 6.23 and with the euill tongues of both 12.29 with the euill of deserued iudgements persecutions crosses visitations which separate and hinder vs in the seruice of God Zeph. 3.15 so making our life grievous and incomfortable vnto vs. Secondly future hereafter onely Iohn 7.7.17.15 with the euill of losse and of paine vnder eternall death with the torments following if we be not deliuered 1 Pet. 4 15. Thirdly both present and to come bringing vs into bondage here to vexe vs hereafter as all spirituall enemies to Christ mysticall Gal. 1.4 the euill world with the Arch-euill and enemy to all goodnesse Satan Math. 5.37 Some part of our English Liturgie yeelds an ample exposition vpon this petition Q. What is it to deliuer from euill A. First to enable vs against the power of all euill generally Eph. 6.12 1 Cor. 10.13 Secondly to eschew such as are fallen or in eminent danger of falling Esay 57.1 Thirdly either to take the euill from vs or vs from the euill 2 Sam. 24.25 Rom. 8.28 Fourthly by moderation so to alter the nature thereof that it prooue not euill to vs. Fifthly to hasten and perfect the worke of grace with glory putting an end to temptation Q. What doe you desire of God in this petition A. First that in all temptations wee may neither doe nor suffer euill Secondly 1 Pet. 4.15 1 Cor. 10.13 that hee would not leaue vs to lye ouer long vnder any temptation 2 Thes 3.2 Psal 25.22 Thirdly to succour vs against the world of euill men vnreasonably malicious and furiously tyrannous Fourthly so to mitigate all other troubles wee meet with heere 1 Chr. 4.10 that they neuer ouerwhelme vs. Fifthly to preuent vs with his restraining grace Zach. 3.2 when we are about to yeeld and to plucke vs as brands out of the fire Sixtly to remooue vs in his time from all euill simply both of sinne and punishment Q. Why are wee to pray for such a deliuerance A. First because wicked men onely lye contentedly vnder the power of euill 1 Ioh. 5.19 Secondly many and great are the euils we doe and may meet with betweene the wombe and the graue Psal 34.19 Rom. 7.19 Thirdly euill is more delightfull to our corrupt nature then good Ier. 6.15 and so the more dangerous Fourthly it is a thing most odious to be done and intolerable to be suffered 2 Chr. 20.12 Fifthly vnlesse we be deliuered we shall be ouerwhelmed with euils and perish eternally we haue need to cry and seeke who shall deliuer vs from this bodie of death Q. How doth God deliuer his children A. Diuers waies according to the quality of the euill vnder which they are Iohn 3.16 as First by the death of his Sonne paying a ransome for our great deliuerance Secondly Psal 34.7.5.10 by the ministerie of Angels and men Thirdly by a destruction of their enemies scattering their forces confounding their plots Dan. 3.27 Fourthly by restraining the naturall properties of his creatures Zeph. 2.3 fire and water c. Fifthly by prouiding a sanctuary Esay 57.1 whither his children may flie against a storme as he did for Noah and Lot Sixtly by death calling them from all cause and feare of euill
God will couer them by non-imputation Fifthly both Ministers and priuate Christians are warned and better instructed in Satans deuices and the hearts deceitfulnesse the abuse thereof set a-side I wish it were more in vse amongst vs. Q. Which is the third duty necessary fo our preparation A. Contrition with humiliation ioyned because distinguisht onely by secrecie Psal 51.17 and visibilitie contrition is inward humiliation humiliation is outward contrition both required Q. What is contrition Psal 13â— 1 Esay 26.16 â—am 2.19 A. It is an inward heartie sorrow arising from the Loue of God wrought in vs by the power of his Spirit and the hearing of his Word whereby the heart is wounded and deeply grieued for offending so good and gracious a God Q. What order doth the Lord obserue in working this Gen. 3.9 2 Sam. 12.7 A. First the sinner is wakened to let him see what he hath done and in what case he stands Secondly Ier. 23.29 he is beaten rent and broken by the hammer of the law Acts 2.37 both for preparation Thirdly his hard heart is melted and dissolued wholly by the gentle fire of Gods tender mercies offered in the Gospel Fourthly being wakened broken and thus melted he is mooued and enabled to mourne and reioyce both together Q. How may a Christian discerne sound contrition from counterfeit A. First Luke 7.7.15.19 if the consideration of Gods loue the price of Christs blood together with his owne vnworthinesse doe make his bowels yerne within him troubling his minde Psal 51.1 as if a burning feauer were sent to hunt the Lethargie out of his bodie Secondly if he be diligently inquisitiue after spirituall comfort Acts 9.6 as the couetous and Ambitious are after preferment Thirdly if he be flexible to all good and godly motions as the softned waxe is to the seales impression Fourthly Iob 40.4 if hee be deeply displeased with himselfe Ier. 2.19 and appeare vile in his owne eies Fifthly Psal 51.17 if he apprehend sinne and eschew it as a bitter thing Sixthly if he feele in him a grounded perswasion sometimes of diuine acceptation he may be perswaded God hath begun to prepare him for Heauen Q. What is humiliation A. It is an outward manifestation of godly sorrow by such acts and behauiour as declare a troubled soule wherein we may consider 1 Pet. 5.6 first the expression it selfe in a heauy countenance 1 Kin. 21.27 28 29. Psal 35.13 14. deepe sighes few words and behauiour answerable Secondly the practice in three duties First weeping for sinne Secondly fasting from ordinary food and carnall delights for a right end Thirdly praying humbly and earnestly for ease and comfort Q. How may a Christian be once comfortably perswaded that he is true humbled A. First by a well-guided carelesnesse 1 Cor. 2.2 knowing himselfe to sleight all things in comparison of heauen euery action sauouring of humilitie Acts 20.24 Secondly by the ground of it not selfe loue and feare of passiue euill onely Psal 51.1 2 3. but the loue of God 2 Sam. 12.13 and shame of euill actiue Thirdly by the cause mouing him for which .i. sinne and by which he is humbled .i. Ier. 9.1 2. some one of Christs ordinances Fourthly by the nature of it 31.15 to turne euery thing seen or heard into an occasion of sorrow so to nourish and encrease it Esa 58.5 as taking some comfort by it Gal. 3.24 Fifthly by the continuance not for an houre or a day but daily Psal 23.4 fearing he is not humbled or not enough Sixthly by the ayme thereof which is to driue him unto Christ and to fit him for priuate prayer that hee may weepe and pray and pray to weepe againe Seuenthly Mich. 7.8 Luk. 22.43 by that strength and comfort hee shall finde in the lowest ebbe of his humiliation seeing a hand of mercy reacht out to sustaine him hearing a voyce calling Come vnto mee thou deiected soule c. and feeling a power lifting vp his heauy eyes Iob 1.22 towards Heauen Esay 53.7 this rod of Christ and his staffe are vnseparable companions Eighthly by gentlenesse in his dealing and humble patience vnder the crosse Q. How doth the Lord humble his children Psal 22.1 2 Sam. 12.7 A. First by sending his Word home vnto them deliuered by a faithfull messenger with wisedome and power searching them so as they shall not chuse but see their folly Secondly by leauing them for a time to themselues Psal 30.7 2 Sam. 16.10 that they may see where their strength lies Thirdly by crossing them in their outward estate taking away prosperity in health riches and carnall contentments bringing in aduersitie vnder seuerall shapes and opening the mouthes of wicked men against them Psal 38.5.6.7.119.136 Fourthly by letting them see and obserue the sinnes of others the corruptions and abominations of the time for which they grieue in secret Q. Why doth the Lord deale thus sharpely with his owne A. First Acts 9.4 Psal 51.17.42 1 2. to make them saueable till then men like clay vnwrought are not pliant to Gods hand there is no sound heart capable of mercy but the broken Secondly Math. 9.12 Ier. 8.22 to make them seriously thinke of long after and feelingly to relish the blood of Christ Thirdly to cure them of those festring wounds giuen by sinne and Satan which require a lancing and opening againe that they may bleed afresh till the precious balme of Gilead applied Esa 40.1 2. Psa 119.67 Iam. 4.6 10. not onely stay but heale them Fourthly to comfort and make them truely merry with his gracious promises then onely belonging to them no true consolation before humiliation no building without this foundation Fifthly to shew them a necessitie of spending some time purposely in a serious meditation about their spirituall estate Heb. 2.18 2 Cor. 1.4 Sixtly to aduance them into his fauour for euer Ioseph must come from prison to preferment Ionas from the Whales belly to the shoare c. Seuenthly to make them compassionate of others in the like miserie Q. How may a Christian vndergoe this painefull cure with any comfort or patience Mat 20.22 Luk. 14.28 29 30 31. A. First by considering aforehand what it is he is about to enter into a grinding of the heart a breaking of the stone a drinking of the bitterest potion an applying of the sharpest corasiue a throwing downe to see and feele flashes of hell-fire Heb. 12.6.7.11 c. Secondly by looking vpon the right author and his aime a father correcting him for a time that he perish not eternally if we endure chastning God deales with vs as with sonnes Thirdly by meditating vpon the fruit and benefits therof with the necessitie and vniuersalitie few hauing found any other way to Heauen for First Psa 119.71 it is a meane to bring vs to our former health and integritie
Q. What doth this petition presuppose A. First that Gods children during their militancy are subiect to euils Rom. 7.9 Psal 34.19 Eph. 6.12 both of sinne and punishment Secondly they haue many combates with all sorts of euill 2 Tim. 2.24 especially with sinne Satan and wicked men Thirdly that they haue no power ouer nor vnder these euils Psa 103.14 to helpe themselues Fourthly that God their Father the chiefest good is of more power then the greatest euill Fifthly 2 Pet. 2.9 although the Lord doe not suddenly Prou. 18.10 yet he will seasonably deliver his children that call vpon him Sixtly that euill in the euill should bee more earnestly opposed and praied against then euill in the good Q. What must wee doe that this petition may be granted A. First we must beware of men Mat. 10.17 2 Thes 3.2 euill tyrannous and bloody as of the diuell Secondly wee must not cast our selues into any euill 1 Thes 5.22 nor affect it if we be ouertaken with any Thirdly wee must make vse of that strength and skill God hath bestowed vpon vs for such ends 1 Sam. 17.37 Fourthly 2 Cor. 1.10 we must ground our selues vpon some former experience of Gods power and mercy that he hath doth and will deliuer Psal 50.15 Fifthly wee must be thankefull for deliuerances receiued Sixtly we must not reward euill for good Prou 17.13 unto any whosoeuer doth so euill shall not depart from his house Q. But I haue prayed long obserued the former conditions and yet finde no deliuerance A. First to call and cry heartily for helpe vnder the burden of miserie is some part of freedome Secondly Rom. 8.26 know the ransome is paide oftentimes long before the prisoners bee freed Thirdly Iob 33.24 Psal 42.2 it may seeme long vnto thee through thine owne weaknesse the multitude of enemies and griefe conceiued by absence from thy Fathers house yet deliuerance will come and is comming daily 1 Cor. 15.23 Iames 4.3 some are deliuered euerie moment but euerie man in his owne order Fourthly suppose thy selfe delighted with some secret euill Acts 27.20 2 Cor. 1.9 if after a long vse of the meanes thou findest no strength against it Fifthly mans greatest necessitie is Gods opportunitie Q. What doe you learne hence A. First that any euill and euill onely is opposite to the libertie of Gods children Iohn 17.15 Secondly that God our Father is the author of deliuerance Psal 34.19 hee onely knowes how to deliuer the godly out of temptations Thirdly 2 Pet. 2.9 that this is the last petition wee are to make vnto God the hardest thing to get and longest in getting Fourthly vpon the apprehension or sound hope of deliuerance we must remember our dutie Luke 1.74 being deliuered out of the hands of enemies to serue him in holinesse and righteousnesse all the daies of our life Q. Which is the third part of the prayer called the close or conclusion of all A. For thine is the kingdome power and glorie for euer and euer Amen Q. What is the meaning of this conclusion A. First that God doth deliuer his children for manifestation of his power and Maiestie and that the glory of praise must bee returned vnto Esay 44.23 him after euery deliuerance for the praise of his glory Secōdly Psa 50.15 23 that a praier rightly framed doth rauish the heart and mooue it with admiration to breake forth into the praises of God Thirdly Psa 57.7 8. that petitioners may and ought with modestie and humilitie alleadge reasons out of Gods Word why their petitions should be granted Exod. 32.11 12. as Moses and Iosua did our Sauiour confirming their practice by his doctrine here Fourthly Ios 7.9 that men before they cease praying should manifest some confidence by words gesture or both of acceptation with God and a gracious answer in season Q. What are we to vnderstand by these words Thine is the kingdome A. First Psal 50.12.103.19 a speciall proprietie God hath in all kingdomes of Heauen Earth and Hel◠both for ordination and disposition Secondly an absolute independencie of God in regard of his soueraigntie 1 Chr. 29.11 all vpon him he depends vpon none teaching all superiours three things Rom. 13.1 First that they are Gods deputies Secondly they must command for him and the benefit of his Kingdome Luke 16.2 requiring obedience to his lawes Thirdly to him must they yeeld account of their places Q. What conceiue you is meant by these words thine is the power A. First that God is able to doe whatsoeuer he will Psal 62.11.115.3 power belongs vnto God Secondly that all created power is borrowed and communicated from that fountaine of power and being 1 Chron. 20.12 teaching Gods Children three things First there is no power to hurt them without his permission Secondly no power can helpe them but by his free donation Ier. 32.27 Thirdly to seeke vnto him and depend vpon him Q. What is the meaning of these words Thine is the Glory A. First that all true honour and glory is in and from God Secondly Reu. 5.13 Luke 2.14 that glory must be ascribed vnto him by men all their prayers directed to his glory teaching Christians three things First Psal 115.1 if men offer vs glory by a good report deseruedly in praise and commendation wee must offer it to God againe if not we must be contentedly patient knowing all honour and glory both diuine and humane are his to dispose fret not because you haue no more enuie not others enioying more liue well seeke it not and you cannot want it Ioh. 5.44.12.43 Secondly that no glory is worth any thing except it be diuine in and from God Thirdly Acts 24.16 that they neither esteeme nor affect any other which cannot be got nor kept with a good conscience Q What intends our Sauiour by the addition of these words for euer and euer A. First that Gods soueraigntie is made incomparable by eternitie Psal 90.2.145.13 Secondly that glory and power to heare prayers and grant requests alwayes were and alwayes shall be his Thirdly 99.1 that the grants of God to his humble petitioners are constantly immutable and eternally durable teaching vs two things First by constancie in good men come nearest to the nature of God Rom. 11.29 Heb. 13.8 Secondly no place can hinder nor time depriue vs of Gods blessings yesterday and to day he is the same for euer Q. What doe they all containe together A. Three things First reasons why the Lord may and should grant the former petitions drawen from diuers considerations First Luke 18.7 8. of his regall authoritie it is the part of a King to receiue and answer the complaints and petitions of his Subiects Secondly 1 Iohn 5.14 15. of his absolute abilitie to giue more then wee deserue or can desire