4 the power of the Church is nothing but a Ministry or Service whereby they publish and pronounce according to Gods word what Christ bindeth and looseth and not what they can bind and loose by their pretended usurpation for Ecclesiastical Laws and Traditions as they are called doth not stand in the authority and pleasure of men no nor of councels No Law is of force to bind conscience but as is is agreeable to the word of God but in the consent and agreement which they have with the Scripture and all such as have rule or Government in Church State or Family they must not rule according to their will and pleasure but in the Lord and for the Lord according to the word of God doing hom gâ—and â—eildiâ—g obedience to their Head and King Christ Jesus and every onâ— indeâ—vour to rule as a King over his own thoughts will and â—ffâ—ctions by Gods word and spirit Rev. 1.6 and â—hos to live unto God in meâ—s several places is to have Gods Kingdom to comâ— and to be erect d and set up among men when Christ alone is exalted accorâ—ing as we pray For this Kingdom is nor meant of Gods absolute Kingly power whereby he immediately of himself ruleth all things in Heaven and Earth but as is said before it is meant of the setting up of his Laws and O dinances in the Church the Kingdom of Grace here on Earth in the hearts of man the outward means thereof as the preaching of the word the administration of the Sacraments The Devil and evil instruments hinder the setting up of Christs Kingdom which is may be hindred from exercising of them in their purity according to Christs institutions by the Devil the Pope and other Prelates who will not suffer Christs ministers to minister his Ordinances according to the word of God except they mingle mens devised Ceremoniâ—â— and Traditions with the Laws and institutions of Christ and thus at this time the coming or setting up of Gods Kingdom in the hearts of men is hindred as much as they can though they Hiâ—orriâ—ically pray that his Kingdom may come he advanced and therefore it behoves all that are of Gods Kingdom the true Church to pray to God without ceasing to remove all blocks and impediments out of the way that his Kingdom may come and his Will may be dome The third Petition Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven In the former petition we pray that God-Kingdom may come that he may Reign Rule in our hearts by faith if he must Reign thâ—â— we must be his Subjects and obey his Laws and do his Will and his Will must be done by denying our selves and our own carnal wisdom and all humain inventions in a devised outward formâ—lity of will-worship for all is will-worship that is not according to the perfect and acceptable will of God VVill worship forbidden it is utterly condemned Rom. 12.1.2 Yea even all the Commâ—ndements and Doctrines of men though they have never so great a shew of holiness and humility in their wilâ— worship it must perish and will not avail the worshippers os Col 2.22.23 Here in these two Texts all voluntary Religion is condemned therefore nothing may go under the name of Gods worship but that which he hath prescribed in his word Deu. 12.31.32 For the rule of divine worship is not the will of him that worshippeth but the will of him that is worshipped therefore to worship after the precepts of mâ—n is detestable and vain for Gods a Spirit and they that worship God most worship him in Spirit and in truth for our father to whom we pray seeketh such to worship him John 4 23.24 For mans in â—nâ—â—â—n doth not make Gods worship but Gods will revealed in his word for â—â—aal in Israel was some time worshipped as the true God if we respect the intention of men The intention of men doth no make the VVorship of God therefore mens intentions in worshipping by Ceremonies and Traditions of there own devising is no part of the worship of God and therefore we pray thy will be done in Earth by us men as thy Saints and Angels do thy will in Heaven and they do Gods will willingly chearfully and readily and his will only and not the wiles nor Ceremonies of men neither should we but the will of God only for so we pray that we may do the will of God in Earth as the Saints and Angels do it in Heaven now to pray that we may have grace given us to worship God with that integrity and willingness that Saints and Angels do and after so praying to worship him after the precepts of men it is meer Hipocrisie and praying against our selves and a mocking of God openly declaring that we will not have Christ to Reign over us nor take him for to be King and Governour of his Church nor submit to his Laws like Johanan and the rest of Captains and people that sent the Prophet Jeremias to inquire of the Lord for them but they resolved before that whatsoever the Lord said by the Prophet they would do after their own devices Jer. 42. and like the Idolaters who said to Jeremias as for the word which thou hast spoken to us in the Name of the Lord we will not heark in unto thee here Mr. Perkins on the negative part of the second Commandment he saith that will worship is to worship God with a naked and bare good intention as in Col. â—â— 22.23 and so Sauls burnt-offering was a will worship for which Samuel told him he had done foolishly in not keeping the Commandment of the Lord wherefore the Kingdom should not continue with him 1 Sam. 13.9 to 14. he also faith that holy days and some sorts of apparrel gestures Ceremonies altars temporary prayers Consort in Church Musick in divine Service feeding the ear The Negativâ— part of the second commudâ—â—â— and not edifying the mind giving God a painted shew of worship without the sincerity of the heart to seek the pomp and glory of the world to be more forward to observe Traditions then the Law of God to corrupt Gods worship ordained for his Church by detracting or adding any thing to Christs Institutions as Ceremonies or Traditions all these and the like he saith are forbidden in the second Commandement for they are but Images to worship God by them for we may not obtrude any thing in Gods worship which Christ himself hath not ordained and appointed as a part of his worship for after the publishing of the Gospel the Ceremonies of the Jews Church though formerly commanded yet now became unlawful and so shall continue to the end of the world There is no new institution of Ceremonies in the Gospel and there is no new institution since neither of any of them nor any other Traditions or Ceremonies in the New Testament of Jesus Christ nor no command of God that Popes or
A brief exposition of our Lords Prayer Shewing That through ignorance and the wickedness of their own hearts those that use it most doth abuse and prophane it most and pray against themselves that instead of a blessing they draw down a curse upon themselves After this manner therefore pray ye Mat. 6.9 Our Father which art in Heaven THâ—se words are the Preface to the Prayer now Prayer is to put up our requests to God according to his word with contrite hearts in the Name of Jesus Christ with assurance of Faith to be heard what it is to pray in what we call upon him for according to his will 1 John 15.4 First then we must pray to God alone and invocation and faith must go together 2dly We must pray in knowledge according to Gods word otherwise our prayers of ignorance will but prove to be a mocking of God and dishonour to him for the voice and utterance whether it be in reading a prayer or otherwise it is no part of the prayer but an outward means whereby prayer is uttered and expressed therefore if faith and the spirit of grace in prayer be wanting it cannot be a prayer acceptable to God for the ordinary prayers of men for form and fashion sake do grievously offend and displease God because without faith it is impossible to please him Heb. 11.6 Our Father this teacheth to whom we must pray namely to God onely and not to Saints nor Angels and we are to pray not only for our selves but also for our brethren yea for our enemies as they are men bless them that cause you and pray for thâ—m that persecute you Mat. 5.44 Yet we may pray against their sins and wicked counsels and in our prayers we must bring love to men and faith toward God or else how can a man call God father if ye have not some assurance by faith that he is Gods child and his Father in Christ 2dly If God to whom we pray be in Heaven then this teacheth us to pray with Heavenly and reverent affections which must appear in the holiness of our thoughts and comeliness of our gestures and all wandring thoughts and vain babâ—ing should be avoided and our hearts in prayer shall be lifted up to God in Heaven to pray for Heavenly things and to believe that God is not only able but also willing to grant our requests for such things as God hath promised to give The first petition Hallowed be thy Mame The three first petitions concern God the three last concerns us the first concerns Gods Glorâ— the other two the means whereby Gods glory is manâ—fest â—mong men For whether we eat or drink or whatsoever we do we shâ—uld do â—ll in the 〈◊〉 of Gâ—d 1 Cor. 10 31. Here you see in this text that the glory oâ— God shâ—uld be the end and aim of all our actions and Gods name is glorâ—â—…ed â—mong men when his Kingdom is erected and set up in mens hearts and â—iâ—â—s and his will done by them this is the first petition and it teacheth us to prefer Gods glory before all other things in the world A thing is hallowed when it is set apart to an holy use as the Temple was What is it to hallow a thing and the Priests were sanctified and set apart to the service of God so Gods name is hallowed when it is used with reverence and Godly fear and therefore ought not to be used in form or for fashion or custome in prayer or any other way erreverently The second petiton Thy Will be done This petition depends on the former for in this is laid down the means how Gods name must be hallowed and glorified among men and that is done when Gods Kingdom his ordinances and worship is erected and set up in the hearts and lives and conversations of men What it is to glorifie God for we cannot glorifie God until he rule in our hearts by his word and spirit and then by believing on him and yeilding obedience unto him and to his word and praising him for bestowing these and such like merciâ—s upon us God is glorified as in Psalm 50.23 Whoso offereth me praise glorifieth me and to him that ordereth his converfation aright will I shew the salvation of God By Kingdom in this petition is meant the administration of Christs Ordinances and Laws in his Church which is his Kingdom as he is the Soveraign King and Head of his Church and Kingdom whereby he rules orders and frames the hearts of men by his word and spirit to the subjection and obedience of his word and will for as in a Kingdom there must be a King and there must be Subjects and there must be Laws whereby the Subjects must be ruled and governed And so it is here in Christs Kingdom the Church Christ is the supream King and Head of his Church and the Scriptures of the Old but especially of the New Testament are the Laws of Christs Kingdom asd believers are the Subjects of Christs Kingdom To whose Laws we ought to submit whether to the right King or to Traytors and as he is a Traytor and an Usurper that in any Kingdom presumes to make Laws for the Government of the Kings Subjects other then the King hath made and established and compel the Kings Subjects by penalties to submit unto them so are they Traytors to Christ and Usurpers of his authority who dare presume to make Laws for the Government of Christs Subjects believers other then Christ hath made recorded in his word and to indeavour by fines imprisonment or banishment to compel Christs Subjectâ— believers to submit unto them for subjection to God only must be yeilded in giving subjection to Gods word which is the Laws of his Kingdom but no word of God requireth us to yeiâ—d subjection to the Laws Ceremonies and Traditions of Popes and Prelates but to the Laws of God only Of this Kingdom of Christ which is his Church of believers all men are not The difference to know Christs Subjects from Anti-Christs but only those who are subject to Christ and obedient to his Laws and ruled by his authority according to his word for those that chuse to lâ—ve at liberty after the Laws of Popes and Prelates inventions and not after the word of God they are no true nor faithful Subjects of the Kingdom of God for Gods Kingdom which we pray for doth come when Gods Laws and Institutions doth take place and not the Laws of mens devising for he that observes and obeys the Laws and Traditions of Popes or Prelates more or rather then the rules and institutions of Christ he breaks the fifth Commandement of honouring God as our Father in Christ and all such pray against themselves because they indeavour not to practice as they pray but quite contrary The Scriber and Pharisees were condemned for laying the burthen of their Traditions upon men as means of Gods worship and binding conscience Maâ— 23
Prelates should suspend Gospel Ministers for not using them therefore they ought not to be imposed upon any for they are no part of Gods instituted worship nor serve any way as a help but rather are a hinderance to his worship therefore the Church that is believers should not be burthened with them for Bernard saith that only elect believers are the Church thus it is evident that the coming of Gods Kingdom and the doing of Gods will is hindred by the Comandments and prescriptions of men for none but Christ can perform the duty of an head unto his Church to govern it and to prescribe Laws to bind Conscience We should strive with all our might to do the will of God according as he hath revealed his will in his word and to this end we should pray heartily that we may know what that good that acceptable and perfect will of God is Rom. 12.2 For the soul to be without knowledge it is not good Prov. 19.2 For ignorance of Gods will or dissobedience to his will is infallible takens of them that have neither fellowship with Christ nor with the members of Christ we pray that Gods will may be done but how can a man do the will of God if he be ignorant of what the will of God is and yet ignorance will not excuse any man Christ told the Sadduceâ— yeâ— do â—rre not knowing the Scriptures Math. 22.29 ignorance is no excuse And the Scribes and Pharises who knew much of the Scriptures but like our Doctors stood to much upon their traditions and cerimonies Christ told them that in vain do yâ— worship â—â—e â—â—â—ching for doctrines the Commandments of men that they might keep their own traditions Mark 7.7 But this is not the way to do the will of God according as we pray and yet the Pharises for all the woes that Christ pronounced against them were mor to be excused then our Doctors for they had not then the Gospel To sin against knowledge is a grievous sin nor our Lords Prayer written for their direction as now our Doctors have and if so many woes were the just due of the Scribes and Pharises that had not the means of knowledge that now we have what woes belongs to them that now under greater Gospel light do the same that the Scribes and Pharises did that pray for one thing and do the quite contrary in presumption Make not then the word of God of none effect by your traditions and Cerimonies let Gods Kingdom be set up in the purity of his ordinances and let his wiâ—l be done in earth as it is in Heaven according as you pray or else you pray against your selves for if God be God obey and worship him according to his will revealed in his word Eâ—ther let Christs Kingdom be set up or Antâ—christs as you pray and that without adding or dimiâ—ishing but if Antichrist be God obey him and so you may make a hotch potch of Religion and mix the word of God and his traditions and cerimonies together but know this that Christ will have no partner for he trod the Wine press of Gods wrath alone and in all the world there was none to help him Is 63.3 And so he will govern his Church alone by his own Laws and institutions without the help of of Pope Cardinal or Prelate to joyn their Laws with his this was hinted at in the Law Lev. 16.19 Ye shall keep my Statutes thou shalt not let thy Cattle gender with a divers kind thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled sâ—ed neither shal a garment mingled of linnen and wollen come upon thee and thou shalt not plow with one Ox and an Asse together Deut. 22.10 God did teach them by these expressions that they should not be double hearted in Religion to have one heart for God and another heart for Idols neither would he have us to have one heart for God and another for Antichrist to give our hearts partly to Gods Laws and partly to Cerimonies and Traditions of men The fourth Petition Give us this day our daily bread By Bread we understand all things whereby temperall life is preserved which we are not to ask absolutely but conditionally with submission to Gods wiâ—l and to be content with what God is pleased to give us be it little or much as may be for his glory the building up of his Kingdom in us and enabling us to do his will and his will is partly done by our depending on his providence for the things of this life and depending on his mercy for the pardon of our sins and by depending on his power for the resisting of temptations It is calâ—ed our Bread because in Christ all things are theirs who believe in Christ 1 Cor. 3.22 All are yours and ye are Christs and Christ is Gods all that believe are Christs and none can pray aright but believers others do but babble over the words we must pray in faith and leave all to God without our immoderate care for Peter bids us cast all our care upon God who cares for us learn to pray in faâ—th without babbling 1 Pet. 5.7 And Paul admonisheth us to be careful for nothing he means with immoderate care but in every thâ—ng by Prayer and supplication with thankâ—giving let your requests be made known unto God Phil. 4.6 Not but that men may and ought to have a moderate care and leave the success to God â—hat we may attend upon the Lord without distractâ—on 1 Cor. 7.35 Thus we should pray for daily Bread or Bread for the day without distraction or immoderate care for the Israelites gathered Manna but for one day Also our Saviour Christ teacheth us that no man by care or tâ—king thought can add one Cubit unto his stature therefore saith he take no thought saying what shall we eat or what shall we drink or wherewithall shall we be cloathed for after all these things do unbelievers seek and your heavenly Father to whom we pray for daily Bread knoweth that ye have need of all these things but seek ye first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you they shall be cast in as an overplush without your taking thought as if he had said I have taught you to pray for Bread for the day take no thought for to morrow to morrow shall take thought for the things of it self Math. 6.25 to 34. Our Saviour Christ here comandeth us to sâ—ek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness that is the righteousness of Christ imputed which is to be applyed by faith but we have no promise that we shall find Gods Kingdom or his righteousness in the use and practise of Cerimonies Traditions consort of Church musick or Coristers there is no promise of Gods righteousness in the use of Cerimonies seeing there is no Ordinance of Christs institution but it tends to the edification of the hearers but Church
musick and Coristers doth but please the ear and doth not edifie the multitude that hears it therefore we think that it is no Ordinance of Christ nor the actors are no officers of Christs inâ—titution in the Church of Christ nor none of these is any way or means to obtain the Kingdom of God or his righteousness Therefore if we would seek the Kingdom of God in the right way we must seek it in the revealed will and word of God and not in the devised forms and Traditions of men for he is a transgressor of the first Commandment whose fear of God is taught by the precepts four Commandments broken by the use of Ceâ—imonies in Gods worship Câ—rimonies and Traditions of men Is 29.13 And he breakâ— the secâ—â—d Câ—mmandment that changeth or corrupteth the worship of God in wholâ— oâ— iâ— part Deuâ— 12.32 and Chap. 4. v. 2. And he breaks the third Câ—mmandment that useth the name of God or any of his titles in any way or manner of worship not instiâ—uted by Christ or in any Ordinance unreverently which is done when Christs institutions are mixed with mens precepts and traditions in any part of his worship and he breaks the fifth Commandement that for fear of men doth observe the precepts and Commandments of men and regards not to do the Commandments of God to worship him according to his own word and will Acts 4.19 Whereas we are bound in Conscience to obâ—y the institutions of Christ and none other touching the worship of God though all men were offended with us for so doing for all Doctâ—ines pertaiâ—ing to the foundation and good estate of the Church and the whoâ—e worship of God are set down and recorded in the written word of God 2 Tim 3 16.17 And the excellency of the Church the Spouse of Christ stands in her subjection and obedience to Christ her Head and Husband according to his will and word for as a Wife ought to submit to the lawful commands of her Husband rather then to Strangers and Forreigners so and much more ought the Church of believers for all others though they be in the Church they are not of the Church Christ ought to be obeyed rather then Straâ—gers 1 John 2.19 therefore believers ought to submit to the righteous Laws and institutions of Christ their Head and Husband only and not to the traditions nor Ceremonies nor precepts of Popes or Prelates who are as Strangers and forraigners in respect of Christ and the higher that any man is exalted either in Church or Common-wealth the more careful they should be in giving good ex mple in yeilding obedience to Christ lest by evil exampâ—e they prove to be like unsavoury salt to be esteemed of God sit for nothing but to be cast upon the Dunghil to be trodden down of Swine The fifth Petition Forgive us our Debts or Trespâ—sses c. In the former petition we pray for temporal bâ—essings and in this petition and the next we pray for spiritual blessings and hence we are taught that our care for our Souls should be double to the care for our bodies and the â—rder here set down is that we first trust Gods providence for the things of â—his life for unless we can do that we cannot rest on Gods mercy for the â—ardon of our sins for he doth but deceive himself that thinks he doth beieve in God for the pardon of his sins and the Salvation of his Soul and yet distrusts Gods providence for food and raiment and things necessary for â—he body for is not the life saith Christ more then meat and the body more then raiment Mat. 6.25 Forgive us our debts as a debt binds a man to make satisfaction or else to go to Prison so our fins binds us to make satisfaction to Gods Justice or else to suffer eternal damnation but this satisfaction we cannot make in our own persons but by our surety Jesus Christ who is called the Lord our Righteousness Jerem. 23 6. and Isa 45.24 In the Lord have I righteousness and strength Therefore God so loved the World that he sent his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting Life Christ only is our Righteousness and the alone satisfier of Gods Justice John 3.16 now to forgive sins is to have sins covered or not imputed as Psal 32. 1 2. and sins is covered and not imputed to elect believers by the free Grace of God in accepting of that satisfaction which Christ by his death and sufferings gave to Gods justice in the behalf of believers when God saw the travel of his Soul and was satisfied Isaiah 53.11 Thus Christs righteousness and satisfaction is imputed unto believers for their righteousness and satisfaction when they do believe and by a particular faith apply the same unto themselves for all the good works in the world as some plead for can never give satisfaction to Gods divine justice for the least sin but we must acknowledge the forgiveness of our sins and salvation of our Souls to be of the free grace mercy and favour of God without our desert As we forgive them that trespass against us this is the second part of the fifth Petition and here we pray conditionally to be forgiven as we forgive others that trespass against us and our Saviour Christ assureth us that if we forgive not others their trespasses according as we pray neither will our Heavenly father forgive us Mat. 6.14.15 By this it is lamentable to consider how many thousands not only of ignorant people but even such as pretend to be teachers of others who prays this prayer and yet their hearts swells with mallice envy back biting and evil speaking against others epecially such as differ from them in judgement Envious persons pray for one thing and do the contrary of the right way of worshipping God though perhaps they understand but little of the grounds and reasons why those who they hate and despise descent from them this is a raging and a reigning sin for while such pray to be forgiven as they forgive others when their consciences witness against them that they hate and envy others so that in their praying they pray against themselves that iâ—â—ffâ—ad of â—â—pacting a blessing in answer of their prayers they may expect a curse and never to be pardoned without unfeigned repentance being condemned by their own words and of their own Consciences for he that hateth his Brother is a murtherer and ye know that no murtherer hath Eternal Life abiding in him 1 John 3 15 and none are more forward in this wickedness then those who ignorantly do most pray or say this prayer not understanding or not seriously considering the extent and meaning of it Suppose those men whom you so malligne were in an error which was never yet proved against some sort of them ye that are strong or think your selves so ought to bear the infirmities of the weak and not
to serve him what is there the mind of any who sincerely desire to serve God can be more inquisitive after or desire to be satisâ—ied in then the rules wch God himself hath given for his own service because it is so easie a matter for men to mistake in the ways they chuse to serve him in page 188. 189. for the Gospel doth teach to love all men and God above all to believe in Christ and to obey his commands and page 193. and speaking of the Scriptures he saith that they who understand Greek and Latine there is ten times more fear of them then of the common people he meaned by falsly applying it to serve their own ends and interests fâ—t all men see that none are so capable of doing mischeif there by as men of greatest wit and learning and that have the fairest appearance of piety to the world page 194. 195. thus we desire and it is the duty of every one to worship and serve God according to Gods holy rules and institutions in the New Testament for to worship God by a tedious Ceremonious way of external devotion it is he saith as dull and as cold as the earth it self page 284. Now as the second Commandment is transgressed in making an Image either of the true God or of a feigned God to worship God by it Deut. 4.15.16 c. So also it is transgressed by changing the worship of God in whole or in part Deut. 12.32 and by worshipping God in a formal way with lip service and in praying without knowledge of the meaning of the prayer or to worship God in any other manner then he hath prescribed in his word especially the New Testament or with any other Church Officers then Christ hath appointed for all others are but Images of true worship or true prayer or true Officers they all come within the compass of worshipping God by an Image or representation of Gods true Gospel worship and service and he breaks the fifth Commandement that obeys men rather then God by yeilding to mens precepts more then Gods Acts 4.19 He also breaks the first Commandement saith Mr. Perkins that scaâ—s God by the precepts and traditions of men Isa 29.13 But deliver us from evil That is that God would free us from the power of the flesh the world and the Devil for it is a hard and difficult thing to be delivered from these snares therefore we have great need to pray against them and that we may be delivered from them for the Apostle saith that the whole world lyeth in wickedness 1 John 5.19 But when a man is delivered from evil he is not led into temptation the cause being taken away the effect ceaseth For thine is the Kingdom the Power and the Glory for ever These words are a reason of all the former six petitions that seeing all power and glory is Gods therefore we are incouraged to ask all things needful and lawful to be asked of God who hath all power to give us what we ask according to his will 1 John 5.14 And it is for his glory that God do give what he hath promised to those that ask in Faith and by Faith depend upon him for the same for all earthly Kings and men on earth whatsoever good thing they have it is the gift of God for all things are his in Heaven and in Earth and every man must give an account of his stewardship for what God intrusteth him with for all is Gods as in 1 Chron. 29.11 Thine O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the Majesty and all that is in Heaven and Earth is thine thine is the Kingdom O Lord and thou art exalted as head over all and thou raignest over all therefore neither Pope nor Prelate should raign by their precepts as Lord over Gods heritage 1 Pet. 5.3 For all glory is due to God and all invocation and prayer ought to be made to God according to his will and word And the stability of all Kingdomes stands in yeilding obedience to the Gospel of Christ according to Christs rules and institutions and not according to mens traditions and Ceremonies Solomon saith Take away the wicked from before the King and his throne shall be established in Righteousness Prov. 25.5 But a man shall not be established by wickedness but the root of the Righteous shall not be moved Prov. 12.3 For Gods Kingdom is most sure and stable and when the Gospel is obeyed in its purity in any Kingdom that Kingdom is as it were founded in the Kingdom of God and what Paul sets down of the use of meat and drink that they are sanctified by the word of God and prayer must be extended to all the Ordinances of God the word of God must be our rule and square both as to the worship of God and as to our Christian Conversation among men and not the precepts nor traditions of Popes nor Prelates Amen This word Amen is not only a bare assent to what the Minister or any other do pray for but it is also a testification of our faith whereby we believe that which we have prayed for shall be granted as our Saviour said if two of you shall agree on Earth touching any thing that ye shall ask it shall be done for them of my Father which is in Heaven Mat. 18.19 Well seeing it is thus as you have heard then who can imagine what woe is due unto them who persecute hate and despise such as would willingly worship God according to his holy institutions in his word and not according to mens devises in Ceremonies and Traditions the like and upon this account they that descent in judgement and practice from others for which they think we trespass against them the which we are bound to do rather then to trespass against God and the light of our Consciences whatsoever we suffer but those who persecute and hate us for this and yet dare pray this prayer so often as they pray to be forgiven but as they forgive them that trespass against them so often they pray against themselves that the same mischief may fall upon themselves which they desire may befall others for God knows the dissimulation of their hearts and their own Consciences knows that they do not forgive therefore if they will not forgive those that trespass against them it were better for them to give over praying least thereby they increase their own damnation therefore if thou bring thy gifs to the alter and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee leave there thy gift before the altar and be first reconciled to thy brother and then come and offer thy gift saith our Saviour Christ to whom be glory and praise for ever and ever Amen Mat. 5.23 24.