and members which make vp that Summe Of these therefore wee must take notice and for these wee must giue thankes Now because that Summe is implyed vnder the negatiue we are answerably to giue thankes for freedome from the contrary which the Apostle stileth power of darknesse Vnder darknesse he compriseth sin death diuell and damnation While wee are vnder the power of these we are their vassalls It is therefore a blessing worthy of all praise to be freed from them Other particulars seuerally concerne the distinct parts of this Petition §. 198. Of the particulars for which thankes is to bee giuen by virtue of the first part of the last Petition Q. VVHat are the particulars for which the first part of the sixt Petition requireth thankes to bee giuen A. 1. Vnder standing of the law whereby we know what sin is when we are tempted thereto how fearefull a thing it is to yeeld to such temptations how wretched their case is that are left to the power of temptation Rom. 3. 20. By the Law is the knowledge of sinne That therefore which giueth vs notice of so great danger is a thing praise-worthy especially if we haue vnderstanding thereof Psal 119. 99 100 In way of thankfulnesse doth Dauid oft acknowledge this 2. Wisedome to discerne our enemies and their assaults This proceedeth from the former and goeth a degree farther and in that respect it bindeth vs to more thankfulnesse With thankfulnesse saith the Psalmist to God Psal 119. 98. Thou thorew thy commandements hast made me wiser then mine enemies 3. The victory which Christ hath goâ—ten ouer spirituall enemies It is in praise of Christ that the Psalmist saith to him Thou hast led captituity captiue Psal 68. 18. By captiuity hee meaneth the world the flesh sinne death the diuell and all other enemies of our soule Were not these by Christ made captiues and so chained restrained and kept in we could not stand against them they would soone leade vs captiues For our sakes did Christ enter combate with them and get victory ouer them We reape the benefit thereof wee therefore must giue the thankes to Christ and say as the heauenly Spirits doe we giue thee thankes because thou hast taken to thee thy great power Reu. 11. 17 18. and hast raigned and destroyed them that destroy the earth 4. Strength to withstand our enemies As Christ himselfe hath ouercome them so by his spirit hee giueth vs power to ouercome 2 Tim. 1. 7. in which respect it is said Hee hath giuen to vs the Spirit of power On which ground saith the Apostle I thanke him who hath enabled me 1 Tim. 1. 12. 5. Resolution to yeeld to no allurements whether they come from the flesh or the world Gratias deo qui iam harum rerum in vobis gloriâ— transitoriae gloriosum est operatus contemptum Bern. Epist 23. A true setled resolution is a great meanes to keepe vs safe This comes from God For by nature our disposition is wholy inclined to the world and to the flesh Wherefore as a 1. Sa. 25. 32 33 Dauid blessed God for asswaging his passion and keeping him from shedding blood so wee must praise God whensoeuer our minde is alienated from the world and flesh for that alteration of our disposition 6. Patience to beare out all brunts Afflictions to our weake flesh are soare temptations but by patience wee are kept from being swallowed vp by them In which respect the Apostle saw great cause to thanke God for the patience of the Thessalonians 2 Thes 1. 3 4. 7. Power in all conflicts to ouercome Such though they bee led vnto temptation are not led into temptation It is expressely noted of them that had gotten victory that they sang a song of praise Reu. 15. 2 3. §. 199. Of the particulars for which thankes is to be giuen by virtue of the last part of the last Petition Q. VVHat are the things for which the second part of the last Petition requireth thankes A. 1. Repentance after sinne committed This is a sure euidence of deliuerance from a great euill Therefore the Church glorified God because hee had granted repentance Act. 11. 18. 2. Rescue out of Satans clutches If Satan haue at any time got any aduantage against vs as he getteth great aduantage against witches and sorcerers yea and against other impudent and audacious sinners whom he hath fast in his clutches to bee rescued and recouered out of his hands affordeth iust cause of much thankes Luk. 8. 2 3. which Mary Magdalene out of whom went seâ—en diuels well knew to be most due and therefore in testimony of thankfulnesse shee followed Christ and ministred to him of her substance 3. Recouery out of the world Gal. 1. 4 5. The Apostle ascribeth glory to Christ for deliuering vs from this present euill world 4. Conquest of the Spirit ouer the flesh For by the Spirits conquest Rom. 7. 25. are we freed from the dominion of the flesh For this therefore the Apostle giueth expresse thankes 5. Remouall of iudgements Iudgements and all manner of crosses are in their kinde euills and remouall of them is a deliuerance from those euills Whereupon the Saints haue beene thankfull for such deliuerances Exod 15. 1 c. The Israelites giue thankes to God for freeing them from the Egyptian bondage 1. Chro. 21. 28. And Dauid for causing the Plague to cease And Hezekiah for taking away a deadly disease Isa 38. 9. c. And the Church for returning her captiuity Psal 126. 1 2. 6. Victory ouer death Death in it selfe is a dreadfull euill the very eâ—trance into damnation But by Christ the sting of it is pulled out the nature of it is altered It is made a gate into eternall glory 1. Cor. 15. 57. This is that victory for which Saint Paul giueth thankes 7. Hope of resurrection to life 8. Hope of eternall glory These are full and small deliuerances from all euill Gods promise of these to such as beleeue is as a performance of them Our hope therefore resting on Gods promise for these affordeth iust occasion of reioycing and praising GOD 1. Pet. 1. 3 4. as Saint Peter doth and Saint Paul also Col. 1. 12. §. 200. Of duties required in the last Petition Q. VVHat duties are we to endeauour after by virtue of the last Petition A. 1. To abstaine from all sinne For this is the maine thing heere prayed against This is it which maketh temptation so hurtfull as it is The more we forbeare sinne the lesse damage shall we receiue from any temptations a Psal 34. 14. Many Am. 5. 15. many therefore are the dehortations of Scripture against sinne Rom. 12. 9. 2. c 2. Cor. 7. 1. To perfect holinesse For vnder the auoiding of any euill an endeauouring after the contrary good is alwayes in Scripture implyed Yea d Isa 1. 16 17.
They who know and beleeue God to be as hee is all in all cannot but detest that heathenish and blasphemous distinction of white and blacke gods the former of which they made Bestowers of good things 1. Cor. 8. 6. the latter Deliuerers from euill things But to vs there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and wee in him Of him wee ought to seeke euery good thing wee want To him we ought to fly for succour against all euill So we are here taught so let vs doe §. 194. Of the general points for which wee are taught to pray in the last Petition Q. VVHat are wee to pray for by vertue of the last Petition 1. Such things as concerne the whole Petition in generall or the distinct parts thereof in particular 1. In regard of the whole we ought to pray for Sanctification Thus doth Saint Paul pray for the Thessalonians 1. Thes 5. 23. The very God of Peace sanctifie you wholly As our owne happinesse moueth vs to pray for Iustification in the former Petition that wee may be acquitted of sinne for which we should otherwise be damned so the honour of God should moue vs to pray for sanctification 1. Thes 4. 3. For this is the will of God our sanctification and thereby is the holy God much honoured 2. In regard of the manner of setting downe this Petition negatiuely we are taught to pray for Freedome against the power of sinne Psal 19. 13. 13. as the Psalmist doth where hee saith Cleanse meè from secret faults keepe backe thy seruant also from presumptuous sins let them not haue dominion ouer mee For in sinne there is a guilt which maketh vs lyable to Gods vengeance this is prayed against in the Fift Petition and a power which holdeth vs in bondage and maketh vs such slaues thereto as wee cannot serue God 3. For this end we are taught to pray for Participation of the power of Christs death and 4. Participation of the Spirit of Christ For in Christs death there is distinctly to be considered a Merit and a Power The Merit thereof freeth from the guilt and punishment of sinne The Power thereof from the dominion yea and by degrees from the very act of sinne which in the Saints after the death of their body shall vtterly cease Of this power of Christs death thus speaketh the Apostle Rom. 6. 4 6. We are buried with Christ by Baptisme into death c. And againe Our old man is crucified with him that the body of sinne might be destroyed that henceforth wee should not serue sinne This power of Christs death is conueighed into vs by the Spirit of Christ Ephes 2. 1. For wee are dead in sinne Rom. 8. 11. But if the Spirit of him that raised vp Iesus from the dead dwell in vs it will quicken vs. Wherefore that wee may partake of the power of Christs death wee must pray for participation of the Spirit of Christ Dauid well knew how requisite this Spirit was to keep downe the power of sinne and therefore hauing prayed for pardon of sinne Psal 51. 11. further prayeth that God would not take his holy Spirit from him These are the generall things which by vertue of this whole Petition we are to pray for We will further note out such particulars as concerne the distinct parts §. 195. Of the particulars for which we are to pray by vertue of the first part of the last Petition Q. VVHat are the particulars to be prayed for vnder the first part of the Sixt Petition A. 1. Knowledge of our spirituall enemies Without knowledge of them there will be no feare of them no desire of helpe and succour against them or of freedome from them Iudg. 18. 28. The people of Laish not knowing that the Danites were their enemies or that they had any purpose to surprize them were secure and made no preparations for their owne defence and so were vtterly vanquished Such ignorance maketh most in the world so secure as they are Experience sheweth that the more ignorant any are the more deepely they are implunged into Satans snares and the faster held thereby Here therefore we must pray for knowledge of the distinct kindes of our spirituall enemies of their number might malice subtiltie and sedulitie That we may the better know all these the Apostle doth largely and distinctly describe them Ephes 6. 12. 2. Sight of the danger wherein wee are by reason of them To know that there are enemies pernicious and dangerous enemies little moueth them who see no danger wherein themselues are by reason of such enemies 2. Kin. 6. 15. When Elisha's seruant saw the hoste of Aram that compassed the place where he was then he cryed out Alas my Master how shall we doe Thus will they bee affected that are able to discerne the danger wherein they are by reason of their spirituall enemies They will enquire what to doe But the danger which is not seene is not feared Wherefore God sends Ministers to people Act. 26. 18. To open their eyes that they may come from the power of Satan to God 3. Wisedome to discerne their wiles their many cunning stratagems and kindes of assaults and to finde out where their strength lyeth and how they may be withstood Thus shall we be kept the more safely from them that wee fall not into their temptations Psal 119. 98 99 100. and be ouercome by them Dauid who obtained such wisedome vndoubtedly prayed for it 4. Vnderstanding of our owne weakenesse How vnable we are to stand of our selues much more vnable to withstand such enemies as we haue Ephes 6. 12. which are not as we flesh and bloud but Spirits Math. 26. 41. yea Principalities and powers c. When the Spirit is ready the flesh is weake how much more weake will it be when the spirit is secure Such as know not their owne weakenesse will be so ouer-bold and presumptuous as they will not feare to cast themselues into temptations 5. Knowledge of the almightie power of God Thus doth the Apostle expressely pray in behalfe of the Ephesians that they may know what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power towards them that beleeue Ephes 1. 18 19. Knowledge of the enemies power and of our owne weakenesse cannot but affright vs and make vs faintingly fall into their temptations vnlesse withall we know the power of God to bee able to make vs stand and to subdue our enemies and cleane to free vs from all their temptations Knowledge hereof will raise vp our hearts to God in all dangers 2. Chro. 14 11. 6. Restraint of Satans power This the Angell intended when hee said to the Diuell Iude verse 9. The Lord rebuke thee So malicious and audacious is Satan as hee will not sticke to assault the best if the Lord doe not restraine him It is most likely that hee could not be ignorant that Christ was
Place This of Grace is on earth that of Glorie in heauen 3. In Condition This is continually warfairing against many enemies in which respect it is stiled the Church militant That triumpheth ouer all the enemies in which respect it is called the Church triumphant 4. In Order of entring into them This is to be entred into and passed through before we can enter into that The Priest was to enter through the Sanctuarie into the Sanctum Sanctorum 5. In the manner of Gouernment This is gouerned and ordered by many subordinate meanes as Magistrates Ministers and sundrie ordinances That immediatly by God himselfe 6. In Continuance This hath a date and is to come to an end That is euerlasting without end §. 39. Of the Churches Gouernment Q. VVHat learne we from this title kingdome here applied to the Church A. Gods Church is a well gouerned estate Psal 122. 3. Therein is a King a iust wise and potent King No King is or can be like to him He can not onely restraine and subdue his enemies but also change their hearts and linke them to his subiects He can make the Wolfe dwell with the Lambe c. Isa 11. 6. c. Therein are righteous lawes excellent priuiledges and all things requisite for a well ordered politie all tending to the good of the subiects For it is the estate whereof God taketh most care Exod. 19. 5. They therefore that seeke to take away order Order in the Church and to bring confusion into the Church do much dishonour this kingdome and the King thereof 1. Cor. 14. 33. who is not the author of confusion but peace So do they also who professe themselues to be members of the Church Iudg 21. 25. and yet liue as if they were without law in no kingdome vnder no gouernment This condition of the Church to be a kingdome if the King scepter lawes and priuiledges thereof were well knowne would be a strong motiue to draw such Isa 11. 10. as are out of the Church into it and to retaine such as are of it in it and to make them say It is good to be here There is nothing worthy to be desired in a kingdome but is after a most excellent manner in this kingdome as sufficient supply of all things needfull safe protection against all things hurtfull Thus much of this title kingdome The next word to be considered is come §. 40. Of the encrease of the Church Q. VVHat doth this word come import A. 1. A want of perfection 2. A progresse thereto The word Cui dicitur veni nondum perueneral Bern. in Cant. Serm. 25. come is metaphoricall That which is comming is not where it would be it may yet go further and in that it is comming it doth step by step draw nearer and nearer to that whereunto it would come otherwise it did not come but stand still Hereby then we are giuen to vnderstand that the kingdome here spoken of hath not yet attained to the highest pitch Adueniat regnâ—â— tuum veniat vtique quod perfectain est euacuetur quod est ex parte Bern. Serm. in Nat. Mar. and fullest perfection thereof Therefore we desire that by degrees it may so proceed on thereto as it may at length attaine that whereunto it doth proceed that that which is in part may depart and that which is perfect may be accomplished Q. To which of Gods kingdomes is this Metaphor to be applied A. To his peculiar kingdome the Church in both the parts thereof militant and triumphant In the militant Church it is to be extended to all that in Gods decree are deputed thereto whether called or not called To such as are not called that they may be called and so come into the kingdome of grace To such as are called that they may be more and more fitted to come into the kingdome of glorie so as it may be full and perfect in all the parts thereof §. 41. Of the Churches imperfection Q. WHat doctrine doth this desire of the comming of Gods kingdome imply A. Gods Church is not yet perfect This is true of both the parts of the Church militant and triumphant The militant Church whether it be considered in the seuerall assemblies and congregations thereof which consist of such as are but hypocrites as well as such as are vpright or in the best of those particular persons which make vp those congregations and hath in them flesh as well as spirit cannot bee denied to be imperfect whereupon as in regard of the mixture of good and euill persons b Cant 2. 2. Dicuutur spinae propter malignitatem morum d cuntur filiâ— propter communionem sacramentorum Christ saith of his Church As a Lilly among thornes so is my loue among the daughters Thornes they are called for their wicked disposition but daughters for their communion in holy things so in regard of the mixture of spirit and slesh in such as are vpright she saith of her selfe c Cant. 1. 4. Posest spousâ— cum pulchritudine naeuo non carere nigredinis Bern. in Cant. Serm. 25. I am blacke but comely Blacke by reason of her infirmities and imperfections as well as of her afflictions and persecutions For with some comelinesse there may be blacknesse The triumphant Church also though in regard of that part thereof which is in heauen it be d Ephes 5. 27. glorious not hauing spot or wrinkle or any such thing yet because the combate of all that blessed communion is not yet full and the bodies of them whose soules are in glory yet be in the power of death may be truely said to be imperfect For the e Acts 3. 21. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ab Hâ—sychio exponitur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 times of restitution or perfection of all things is to come God will haue his creatures waite for it f Hab. 2. 3. The vision is yet for an appointed time though it tarrie wait for it because it will surely come Shall now particular Churches which by the true notes of a Church may be proued to be true Churches bee denied to bee Churches and forsaken because of some imperfections therein They who will abide in no Church but in that which is perfect may wander from Church to Church and finde none on earth to abide in Were it not for the Churches imperfection there would not be so great need of this Petition This is thus noted not to iustifie any corruption or imperfection For this Petition which implyeth impersection enioyneth vs to pray against it And that which is prayed against must not be patronized but rather the best meanes that can be must bee vsed to redresse the same As not particular Churches so nor particular persons must be mis-iudged by reason of the imperfection of grace or the corruption of flesh remaining in them All here on earth is in part all is imperfect Spirits of iust men made perfect are to
true Church yet that he himselfe may be as Ioseph was in the house of Potiphar Gen. 39. 2. a faithfull member of the true Church a free-hearted subiect of the kingdome of God and for this end euery one ought to pray that in his person he may be sanctified throughout and his whole spirit and soule and bodie be kept blamelesse vnto the comming of our Lord Iesus Christ 1. Thes 5. 23. This is that true and proper vse which wee are to make of those bonds whereby we are outwardly linked one to another that as we are more nearely knit one to another so more specially and instantly to pray that they to whom we are in outward bonds linked may with vs be fast knit to the bodie of Christ and as true members thereof may beautifie and honour it Col. 2. 19. and that all the bodie by ioynts and bands hauing nourishment ministred and knit together may encrease with the encrease of God Thus we see how our desire ought to be ordered for the militant Church It ought in generall to be extended to the whole bodie wheresoeuer more particularly applied to the seuerall parts of it as we haue any notice thereof and more earnestly extended for such parts as wee our selues are more nearely knit vnto §. 52. Of the things to bee desired for the Church triumphant Q. VVHat are we to pray for in regard of the triumphant Church the kingdome of glorie A. The full perfection and consummation thereof Whereunto tend these particulars following 1. That we which liue in this kingdome of Grace 1. Pray to be fitted for heauen may be fitted and prepared for that kingdome of Glorie that we may be presented as a chaste and pure Virgine to our Husband Christ 2. Cor. 11. 2. Such a prayer did the Apostle vse to make for the members of the militant Church 1. Thes 5. 23. 2. That we may be loosed and be with Christ in that glorious place 2. Pray to be in heauen For the gathering of such into the kingdome of Glorie Phil. 1. 23. as belong thereunto helpeth forward the consummation of it Hoc optamus vt finem nostris faciat malis nos assumat in regnum Aug. de Temp. Serm. 126 How we may pray for death Votum affectus magis quam effectus Obiect How can this desire of being dissolued stand with the vnchangeable decree of God concerning the appointed time of mans death Answ This kind of prayer rather sheweth what we could desire if the will of God were so then what we would whether it were Gods will or no. Neither is it made to alter Gods determined purpose but to manifest our longing desire after that which God in his eternall counsell hath purposed for vs. Thus did many of the faithfull Israelites Math. 13. 17. that liued long before the Messiah was exhibited 1. King 19. 4. Ionah 43. desire to see him An absolute desire of present death as was the desire of Eliah and Ionah is not warrantable but a longing after death to be in the kingdome of Glorie as was the desire of Paul is very commendable Phil. 1. 23. 3. That the number of those whom God hath ordained to 3. Pray for accomplishing the number of the Elect. make full the body of Christ may be accomplished For there is a certaine number ordained vnto eternall life Rom. 8. 29 30. till that he be full the kingdome of Glorie cannot in all the parts thereof be consummate 4. That the signes which in Gods word are fore-told to goe before the comming of Christ may accordingly fall out 4. Pray for the signes of Christs comming that by the sight of them we may be the more erected to looke for the glorious appearing of Christ Math. 24 29 c. There are signes fore-told these therefore must be prayed for 5 Pray against enemies of the Church 5. That all the obstinate enemies of the Church which any way hinder the full and perfect consummation thereof may be destroyed and those not only wicked men and cruell tyrants and persecutors but also death and him that hath the power of death 1. Cor. 15. 15. the diuell The destruction of these is promised so as there is good ground to pray for it 6. That the bodies of all the Saints which from the beginning haue slept 6. Pray for the resurrection may be raised from death to be vnited to their soules 1 Thes 4. 16. and brought vnto the kingdome of Glorie For this is absolutely promised Obiect This is to pray for the dead Answ Not for this or that particular friend departed whose estate we certainly know not How prayers to be made or not to be made for the dead but in generall for all the true members of Christs celestiall bodie nor to obtaine that for them which was to be obtained in the times of their life remission of sinnes nor yet to alter their finall estate the doome whereof passed vpon them at the moment of their dissolution but onely as their resurrection is a degree to the perfecting of the kingdome of Glorie we being taught to pray for the full perfection of that kingdome pray indefinitely for the resurrection of the Saints which is a degree thereto 7. That Christ would come in his glorie to iudgement 7. Pray for Christs coming Reu. 22. 17. 20. Mat. 13. 41 49. 25. 32. c. and make a perfect separation betwixt the elect and reprobate For so much is foretold and promised 8. That all the members of Christs mysticall bodie being glorified with him 8. Pray for the full glorificatiō of the Church He may deliuer vp the kingdome to God the Father that God may be all in all For so much is also foretold 1. Cor. 15. 24 28. §. 53. Of the things for which thankes is to be giuen by reason of the second Petition Q. FOr what are we to giue thankes by vertue of the second Petition A. Euery thing that maketh to the good of Gods Church whether directly by blessings bestowed on it or consequently by restraining or ouer-throwing the enemies of it ministreth iust matter of thanks-giuing We are therefore to be thankfull in the behalfe of the Church in these cases following and others like to them 1. Acts 11. 18. When Churches are planted where none were before Thus the Iewes glorified God when they heard that the Gospell was embraced of the Gentiles 2. When such Churches as are planted do thriue and prosper For this did S. 2. Thes 1. 3. Paul giue thankes in the behalfe of the Thessalonians 3. When good Magistrates are raised vp In which case the Queene of Sheba blessed God for setting Salomon on the throne of Israel 1. King 10. 9. Much more are we to blesse God for good Ministers of his word and that not onely when they are first raised vp but also when
is the onely thing to be prayed against Obseruantly marke all the deprecations mentioned in Scripture and by a particular induction of them you shall finde this generall position abundantly proued Take one instance which may be insteed of all because it is the best of all that which Christ made a little before his death I pray not saith Christ to his Father that thou should'st take them out of the world Ioh. 17. 15. but that thou should'st keepe them from the EVILL Euill is the venime By euill things come to bee hurtfull the poison the sting that maketh any thing to be hurtfull Euill is it that makes so great a difference as there is betwixt Angels and Angels Men and Men Actions and Actions Temptations and Temptations some are good some are euill No opposits are more directly contrary one to another then good and euill As nothing therefore but that which is good is to be prayed for so nothing but that which is euill is to be prayed against Learne hence wisely to obserue what is euill in any thing Obserue what is euill in any thing and accordingly pray against it yea as it is more or more euill so more instantly and earnestly pray against it Of all euils sinne is the greatest greatest in the kinde and nature of it greatest also in the effects and fruits of it It is the cause of all euill Nothing but that which is effected or infected by it is euill The diuell the world wicked men and other creatures of God which are stiled euill are infected therewith All manner of punishments and paines which are indeed euill whether temporall spirituall or eternall are caused by it Of all other euils this ought most of all to be prayed against All things also that are causes hereof or occasions hereto are to bee prayed against as being in this respect euill Thus a Mat. 26. 41. temptations and b Pro. 38. 8. Afflictions how they are matter of deprecation and thanksgiuing afflictions are to be prayed against not simply and absolutely for c Iam. 1. 2. Saint Iames willeth vs to account it all ioy when we fall into diuers temptations and the d Acts 5. 41. Apostles reioyced in their sufferings yea e Iob 1. 21. Iob expressely blesseth God for taking away as well as for giuing For by the good and wise prouidence of God temporall crosses doe oft turne to our good and profit f Psal 119. 71. It is good for me that I haue bene afflicted saith the Psalmist g Heb. 12. 10. God chasteneth vs for our profit saith the Apostle In regard of this fruite which by the ouer-ruling prouidence of God ariseth out of afflictions they are indeed matter of thanksgiuing when God doth so order them and therefore they are not simply and absolutely to bee prayed against Yet because through the weakenesse of our flesh they oft cause discontent impatiencie and other sinnes in which respect they are euill so farre forth as they cause any such euill effect they may be prayed against at least we must pray that they bring not forth any sinne in vs. Thus are wee to pray against companie keeping against feasting against pleasures and pastimes and against all other things that are vsuall occasions of sinne Yea against the abuse of euerie good thing For the abuse of a good thing is euill And because wicked men are oft made Satans instruments of working much euill wee may also pray against all their euill plots and practises not against their persons they are to be prayed for except we know them to haue sinned against the holy Ghost or to be vtterly reiected of God or haue some particular warrant as the Prophets oft had not to pray for them More directly wee are to pray against all spâ—rituall iudgements which are not onely punishments of sinnes but sinnes themselues as hardnesse of heart errour of iudgement inordinate lusts despaire and such like These are directly euill Thus are wee to pray against eternall damnation a dreadfull euill Finally though Satan bee not the onely euill here meant yet is hee an especiall and principall euill one 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mat. 13. 19. §. 185. Of the respects wherein Satan is stiled the euill one Q. HOw is Satan an especiall euill one A. 1. He is the primarie b Ioh. 8. 44. author of euill 2. His c Eph. 6. 12. disposition is onely to euill 3. His d Gen. 3. 5. temptations are all to euill 4. His e 1. Pet. 5. 8. continuall practise is in euill 5. All f 1. Ioh. 3. 8. euill doers are of him 6. He hath his g Eph. 2. 2. hand in all euils as may be exemplified in these particulars following h Iob 1. 15 17. Outward mischiefes done by men i Iob 27. Bodily diseases k 1. Sam. 16. 14. Vexation of spirit l Iob 1. 16 18 19 Extraordinarie iudgements from heauen m Acts 5. 3 4. Euill thoughts of the heart n 1. King 22. 21 22. Euill words o Ioh. 8. 41 44. Euill actions p Mat. 16. 23. Disswasions from good q 1. Thes 2. 18. Hinderances of good r Gen. 3. 5. Prouocations to euill Satan therefore may not bee excluded out of the euills here intended but our deprecation rather is especially to be directed against him Thus much of Euill prayed against That which is prayed for is in this word DELIVER §. 186. Of the many wayes of deliuering from Euill Q. HOw may one be deliuered from euill A. 1. By keeping away that euill which is readie to fall vpon him Exod. 14. 13. Thus were the Israelites deliuered from the hoast of the Egyptians that eagerly pursued them 2. By assisting him on whom the euill is fallen so as he is not ouerwhelmed A malo deus liberat quando super id quod possumus non nos permit â—st tentari Aug. de Temp. Serm. 26. and ouercome therewith For this purpose reade Psal 69. 14 15. 3. By altering the nature of the euill and turning it to a mans good Thus b Gen. 50 20. God turned Iosephs abode in Egypt to much good Herein this Prouerbe is verified I had perished if I had not perished 4. By taking away the force of the euill Perijssem nâ—si perijssem as the force of the fire was taken away so as it burned not Shadrach Meshach and Abednego Dan. 3. 27. This deliuerance Christ promised to his disciples Mar. 16. 18. 5. By remouing the euill cleane away 2. Sam. 24. 25. Thus God deliuered Israel from the deuouring Pestilence 6. By taking one away from the euill to come 1. King 14. 13. Thus the good sonne of wicked Ieroboam 2. King 22. 20. thus the good King Iosiah Isa 57. 1. thus many righteous men haue bene deliuered §. 187. Of that hope of recouerie which remaineth to them that fall Q.