true holinesse and righteousnes before God and men all the daies of our lif Redemption because that by offeriâ—g vp himself once vpon the altar of the crosse he hath redeemed vs from sinne and set vs free from the diuell and eternall condemnation keeping vs so in his hands that none shall pull vs out of the same vntil the full manifestation of our adoption shall appeare euen the deliuerance of our bodies from all corruption and sinne at what time hee shall returne our redeemer â—rom heauen and shall change the bodies of our basenes that they may be made like vnto his glorious bodie To conclude it hath pleased the Father that in him should bee hidden all the treasures of wisedome and knowledge and that in him should all fulnes dwell yea the verie fulnes of his godhead bodilie and of all other good things whatsoeuer that so the Church which is his bodie euery particular sound member thereof might receiue of his abundance as it is writen Of his fulnes haue wee all receiued and grace for grace that is grace vpon grace or as a man would say graces heaped one vpon another and that so he should be the beginning and ending yea the very yea and Amen of all Gods Promises To know these things in such sort as before is declared yea and in more ample manner than is here set downe and not to haue the particular feeling of them in a mans owne conscience is to little or no purpose at all vnlesse it bee more and more to afflict the conscience for want of comfortable feeling of them and to plung vs into a more great and grieuous iudgment because he that knoweth the will of his Master and doth it not shall be beaten with many stripes Wherefore it greatly behooueth vs to striue to attaine the meane whereby we may lay hold of them and that meane yea the only meane is nothing else but a true and liuely faith for by faith Christ and we are lincked together he and all his merites being become ours and we his whilest he purgeth our hearts by faith yea dâ—elleth in them and maketh vs fruitfull â—o all good workes This faith sealeth vp in our hearts forgiuenes of past sinnes Freedome from condemnation to come and assurance of eternall life pacifying our consciences towards God and instructing vs to apply particularly vnto our selues Christ Iesus and all his merites And by this faith it pleaseth almightie God to purifie and purge the corruption of mans heart and to frame it and fashion it to new obedience Yea it is appointed by God to bee a necessarie instrument whereby wee may ouercome the world and as a shield of steele by which we may quench all the fiery dartes of the wicked and in which being stedfast we must resist and vanquish the diuell Other singular effects and fruites of this liuely faith are largely reckoned vp in the Epistle to the Hebrues chap. 11. But this faith is not of all men that is most true yea wee affirme that no man hath it by nature arte wit or any such other meane in man but that it is the onely free and gracious gift of God to his owne children alone For the effecting of this precious grace in them the Lord himselfe vseth two effectuall instruments to worke it in their hearts by The one is inward and the same most powerfull namely his most â—â—ly and blessed Spirit speaking for knâ—â—â—â—dge peace and all good graces more effectually to our hearts than the outward sound doth to the eare The other outward and that is the whole ministerie of truth whether it be in the Word Sacraments Prayer c. wee diligently subiecting our selues thereto carefully receiuing the same and daily growing in grace thereby as wee doe in yeeres and strength in the bodie This Spirit is called the spirit of adoption because it beareth witnes vnto our spirits that God hath adopted vs to be his children and heires of his kingdom teaching vs also with confidence and boldnes to crie Abba Father This Spirit is called the Comforter because he ministreth vnto the children of God in all their heauinesses and distresses whatsoeuer either outward or inward vnspeakable ioyes He is called the Spirit of truth because he alone doth not only free vs from the errors of the wicked and the darknesse of our owne hearts but also inlightneth our vnderstanding and leadeth vs into all truth He is called the Spirit of sanctification because he frameth them in whom he dwelleth to sanctification and holinesse and fitteth them indeede to all good workes He maketh vs able to search into and to vnderstand the deep things of God yea such deepe and hidden secrets as the eye hath not seene the eare hath not heard neither haue they entred into mans heart He frameth and fashioneth in vs vnfained loue to God and to his people for his sake working also in vs a sound minde in al the duties and seruices that we doe either to God himselfe in heauen or to men vpon earth This Spirit helpeth our infirmities teaching yea inabling vs who know not what to aske or pray as wee should to send foorth requests vnto God with sighes and groanes which cannot be expressed Also when or wheresoeuer it be bestowed it bringeth with it a most holie and heauenly libertie because if the Son by his blessed spirit make vs free we shall be free indeed Lastly he is as it were the very earnest penâ— and assured seale or pledge of the trueth of the gracious promises which Almightie God hath made vnto vs in Iesus Christ generally for all good things and especially for our eternall election in Christ before the foundations of the world were laid Touching the word I take it in generall to be the ground and foundation of our faith and that therefore it is rightly called the arme of the Lord as vpon which onely we must leane But most specially I meane that part which containeth Gods most louing promises made vnto vs in Iesus Christ and is rightly called the Gospell And this Gospell is the glad tidings of great ioy and the mightie power of God vnto saluation to euery one that beleeueth Yea it is indeed the message of peace becauâ—e it offereth quietnes of conscience through the forgiuenes of sinnes to those that are farre off and to those that are nigh It is called the word of grace as well because it is freely bestowed vpon vs as also because it offereth vnto vs the grace of God It is the word of truth because it manifesteth to vs all truth both of faith and obedience and setteth out before vs the truth of God in the accoâ—plishing of his promises It is also the word of life not onely because it offereth life euerlasting for that it doth to al in the Church but also because that being rightly and reuerently
the fruites of our lips will fall downe as water spilt on the earth The first petition is Hallowed be thy name wherein wee pray for the knowledge and reuerence of God so to be in our hearts that all our thoughts words and deedes may in all godlinesse onely so shine before men that God our heauenly Father may thereby be glorified And on the other side wee pray against ignorance and contempt of God and of all these meanes whereby hee hath made himselfe knowne vnto vs as his word workes c. Also wee pray against all loose life and vngodly behauiour whatsoeuer The second petition is Thy kingdom come wherein we pray for the effectuall feeling and working of Gods blessed spirit and all his gifts in vs as righteousnes peace comfort c also for the sincere preaching reuerent hearing and right receiuing of Gods holy word and discipline We pray for Magistrates and Common-wealths and for the Church of Christ wheresoeuer dispersed and we pray for the glorious appearing of our Lord Iesus Christ either particularly to visite euery one of vs or generally to iudge the quicke and the dead with wonderfull glorie and maiestie in that great and last day On the other side we pray against all the illusions suggestions and assaults either of Sathan or of our owne corruption wee pray against the bondage of sinne the kingdome of Antichrist and the contempt and forgetfulnes of Gods either particular or general iudgement The third petition is Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen wherein wee pâ—â—y for wisedome will power and grace that we may yeeld our selues our soules and our bodies with euery part and member both of the inward and outward man and that all other things also together with vs may bee made conformable here vpon earth vnto the obedience of Gods will declared by his word as his Angels which bee his heauenly creatures studie nothing but to please him without any motion to the contrarie On the other side wee pray against presumption wilfulnes ignorance rebellion muttering grudging or repining against his good will and pleasure together with all such inordinate and fleshly desires resting in vs as are contrarie to his blessed will and ordinance The fourth petition is Giue vs this day our daily bread wherein wee pray for meate drink apparel health wealth libertie peace good order and all other good things whatsoeuer that God knoweth to bee meete for vs in this world to sustaine keep and defend our bodies and liâ—es by On the other side wee pray against hunger nakednesse scarsitie pestilence â—icknes pouertie bondage warres disorder and all manner of euils whatsoeuer tending to the hurt of our bodies and liues And let vs marke the words with which we vtter this petition We rather say giue than pay because wee cannot require bodily things much lesse spirituall things for any desert that is in vs but for Gods â—ree and gratious goodnesse onely And wee say Giue vs rather than me to teach vs that in charitable loue wee are bound both to pray and labour for others and not of selfe-loue onely for our selues as worldlings doe And wee require rather this day daily bread than euery day daintie fare because wee should learne rather to stay our selues vpon and to content our â—elues with Gods continual prouidence â—inistring vnto vs alwaies sufficient for â—resent necessitie than to incomber our â—â—lues with worldly care and carking to â—et by indirect meanes or to keepe any â—â—perfluitie The fift petition is 〈…〉 trespasses as we forgiue 〈…〉 against 〈◊〉 wherein wee pray 〈…〉 feeling of Gods 〈◊〉 purâ—haâ—ed â—â—to vs by Christ anâ—â—is obedience only to put away all our sinnesâ— we pâ—â—y also for peace and ioy of conscience 〈◊〉 for vnfained loue and broâ—herly râ—coâ—â—ciliation amongst men which is an assured pledge of the freâ—â—ardon and full â—orgiuenes of all our iniquities before God On the other side wee pray against wrath vengeance despaire and many strong illusions that may bee and are raised vp in vs vnto condemnation in sinne also against hatred and hard hartednes towards men The sixt petition is And leade vâ— not into temptation but deliueâ— vs froâ— euill wherein we pray for Christian patience strength and continuance against all temptation and suggestions whatsoeuer to sinne also for contempâ— of the world mortifying of the 〈◊〉 and quickning of Gods holie Spirit Confession of sinnes Foure witnesses that we are sinners 1. Our owne conscience 2. God himself 3. Gods iuâ—â—â—â—ments 4. Gods vvoâ—â— vvhich chargeth vs vvitâ—â— 1. Adams fallâ— 2. Originall sâ—â—â— 3. Tâ—e fruites of originall sinâ— â— good 〈◊〉 to bring 〈◊〉 the fee 〈◊〉 of Gods 〈◊〉 ements 〈◊〉 comparing 〈◊〉 ans filthiâ—â—â—â—e and Gods â—â—â—â—tâ—ousnesse The grieâ—â—usnesse of sin â—â—mmitted 3. The multitude of transgressions 4. Gods heâ—â— iudgement vvhich arâ— executed 1. Vpon the creatures 2. Vpon men this lifeâ— and are either invvard or outâ—vvard 〈…〉 â—â—ternall conâ—â—â—nation â—n being fâ—lt â—â—liefe must be â—ught â— Angels 2. Dead Saints 3. Men vnregenerate 4. Men regenerate 5. Goods and riches 6. Counterfeite holines 7. VVill worshippings cannoâ— appease the consâ—iâ—nce vvounded with the feeling of Gods iudgements and sin Christ alone must be our refuge VVe haue Gods ovvne testimonie for it And Christs owne vvord Christs names full of doctrine and comfort Iesus Christ. 1. Christs kingdome 2. Christs priesthood 3. Christs Prophecie Christs person Christ God 3. Christ man 4. Christ God and man our onâ—ly Sauiour Christ alone takes away sin 1. Christ is our vvisedome 2. Christ is our righteousnes 3. Christ is our holinesse 4. Christ is our redemption 5. Christ is all in all Faith and knowâ—edâ—e must gâ—e together Notable â—ffâ—cts of true faâ—th 1. Faith vvorketh peace in our consâ—iâ—nces 2. Faith clenseth our heart 3. Faith ouercommeth the vvorld the flesh and the diuâ—ll Faith is the freâ— giâ—t of God Faith fâ—amed in vs two manner of vvaies Spirit of adoption Spirit a comforter Spirit of truth Spirit of sanctification Spirit together vvith the powers and effects thereof Gods vvord generally the groâ—nd of faiâ—h But most specially the Gospel 1. Gospell what it is 2. The message of peace 3. The vvord of grace 4. The vvord of truth 5. The vvord of life 6. A mysterie or secret How the vvord must be receiued and for what cause Prophets Christ Iesus Apostles Euanâ—gelists Pastorsâ— Doctors and Ministers whaâ— manner of men they ought to be â—he ends of the holy Ministery Ministers and Ministery must be much made of 1. The doctrinâ— preached painteth out Christâ— death and passion 2. It sealeth to vs our saluation 3. It vvorketh our regeneration How the word is milke â—ow and when â—he vvord is â—rong meate Gods goodnes Mans frailtie The tvvo Sacramâ—nts aides â—o our faith 1. Baptisme seâ—â—leth our ingraâ—â—ting into the Church 2. Our regeneration 3. Remission of sinnes 4. Our adoption 5. Our spirituâ—ll vnitie 6. Our mortification and sanctification in Christs death and resurrection 7. Our resurrection 1. The supper pledgeth our eternall life 2. Christs death and passion 3. Our spirituall nourishment in and by him 4. The vnion betvvixt Christ and his church 5. The vnitie amongst the members of the Church Examination before the Supper Tvvo parts of it â—aith and râ—pentance tovvards God and sincere loue towards men Faith vvhat it is Repentance what it is Loue and what it comprehendeth True faith is not fruitlesse 1. Naturall corruption 2. Other mens manners 3. And the fashions of this world no rules to â—rame our liues by 4. But Gods worâ— onely Two tables ten commaundements VVe must flie â—rom euill and doe good 1. Act of sinne 2. Consent to the same 3. Yea lust or motion must be auoided 1. Gods law is obserued or broken after tvvo sorts Outvvard breach Inward and outward obedience Things forbidden by the first commaundement By the second By the third By the fourth By the fifth By the sixth By the seuenth By the eighth By the ninth By the tenth Vnlavvfull vvishes Things commaunded by the first precept By the second By the third Three ends of an oath By the fourth By the fifth By the sixth By the seuenth By the eight By the ninth By the tenth Our vvant of abilitie is supplied by earnest prayer to God Spurs to prayer specially foure 1. Gods commandement 2. Gods promises 3. The assured pledge of the â—pirit 4. Our ovvne vvants Seuen poynts to be marked before we pray 1. Our wretchednesse 2. Gods greatnesse 〈…〉 od will anâ—â—ods great power muâ—t not be sundered in prayer 3. That God onely must be called vpon 4. Iâ— the name of his â—onne Christ onely 5. Good things onely must â—e asked 6. And that to good ends only 7. Mouth and heart must be ioyned together Outvvard behauiour in prayer must plainely preach reuerence of Gods maiestie Men may not be tied of necessitie to thâ—t or any forme of praier or to any sort of gesture therein The preface to the Lords prayer expounded 1. Earnest in prayer 2. Vnfained loue 3. Gods prouidence and our obedience 4. Gods povver The first petition vvhat we pray for VVhat vve pray against The second petition vvhat vve pray for VVhat vve pray against The third petition vvhat we pray for VVhat vve â—ray against The fourth petition vvhat vve pray for VVhat vve pray against 1. Merits ouerthrovvne 2. Selfe-loue euill 3. Gods prouidence our only stay 〈…〉 pray for VVhat vve pray against The sixth petition vvâ— at vve pâ—ay for
must carefully striue by al holy meanes and the diligent and often vse of the same with earnestnes to pursue them and to bring them to good effect But we cannot performe these holie duties That is true indeede for we are not sufficient of our selues as of our selues to thinke a good thought much lesse to doe any good deede but all our sufficiencie is from God to whom alone we must haue recourse by earnest supplications and heartie prayers that by him we may be made able not onely to know what that good holy and acceptable will of his is but also be strengthened from him from whom alone commeth euery good and perfect gift to accomplish and performe the same And because wee are very dull and sluggish to performe this as all other holie duties the Lord hath â—ot onely giuen vs certaine sharpe spurres to prouoke vs thereto as his holy commandement which wee ought carefully to obey his comfortable promises which wee ought stedfastly to beleeue the pledge of his blessed spirit which assureth our spirits that wee are his children and stirreth vp in vs those groanings that no tongue is able to expresse a true taste and feeling of our owne miseries and wants and of the miseries and wants of our brethren both in respect of our bodies and of our soules but also hath taught vs such a short and yet notwithstanding so sufficient a forme of prayer as doth briefly comprehend in it al such points and matters as be meet and lawfull for vs to demaund therefore wee should continually labour rightly to vnderstand it and carefully to put it in practise all the daies of our liues But before wee enter into this or any other prayer it shall bee good for vs to consider some circumstances and to obserue certaine rules to the end that we and our prayers may by that means be fouÌ„d more acceptable in Gods â—ight As first how great and wonderfull our wretchednes miserie and pouertie is without the which as wee may easily be puffed vp with pride in our selues so cannot our prayers be piercing because a full belly despiseth a hoâ—y combe as the holy Ghost saith Also what is the excellencie maiestie power and goodnes of Almighty God to whom we pray for if that be not setled in our hearts we shall without reâ—erence yea in a certaine kinde of hypocriticall and superstitious boldnes rush into his maiesticall presence as the horse doth into battell The earnâ—â—t and deepe weighing of both which points may work in vs true and vnfained humbling of our selues in his presence and also a certaine assurance that our prayers and requests shal be granted so farre foorth as shall bee expedient for his glorie and our comfort because wee come to him that hath the fulnes of all will and power in himselfe to performe any thing that we shal demaund according to the same Besides wee must know and beleeue that wee must pray vnto this alsufficient God onely as well because hee alone knoweth the things wee stand in neede of as also because he alone can help vs and yeeld reliefe and supplie when and as best pleaseth himselfe And that our prayers must bee made vnto him in the name of his dearely beloued Sonne Iesus Christ onely because it pleased the Father by him alone to reconcile all things to himselfe both which are in heauen and in earthâ— and to appoint him to be the onely Mediatour betweene God and vs. Also that wee must aske good things onely for it is vnreasonable yea irreligious to make the most good and holie God a slaue to satisfie our corrupt affections now wee haue said before that nothing is good but that hee alloweth and liketh of by his will reuealed in his word And we must aske these good things to good and holy vses onely as the aduancement of his glorie the helpe and comfort of our brethren and our owne good and not to consume them on our lusts as wantonnes gluttonie drunkennes enuie abominable idolatrie and such like And lastly that we must not pray only with our mouth and lips after the manner of hypocrites but must yeeld consent to the same in our vnderstandings hauing indeede the summe of euery petition in our hearts as we readily haue the words thereof in our mouthes otherwise all that we do in this behalfe will be but lip-labour yea lost labour For outward behauiour in our prayers it is seemely and meete that wee should order our selues reuerently and religiously in humble kneeling vpon our knees in stedfast holding vp of our hands and earnest lifting vp of our eyes to heauen ward and in disposing euery part and member both of our bodies and of our mindes in such sort that wee our selues may feele and others that be present with vs may sensibly perceiue that wee reuerence his Maiestie before whom we appeare and rightly vse that exercise that hee hath enioyned vs as a special peece of his seruice euen for our owne health and welfare as well â—s for his glorie Vnderstand me as I meane My purpose is not to tie men to that forme of prayer alone or to teâ—â—â—â—hem to vse only those gestures aboue prescribed for that were to limit the Spirit and to represse occasions and prouocations giuen vs from God and felt in our selues to holy prayer but that euery one shuld striue because of that rebellion that is in our harts as much and as effectually both in word and deede to humble our selues before God as possibly wee can least otherwise God resist vs for he resisteth the proud and reiect our prayers Now let vs come to a short opening of that prayer which the Lord himselfe hath taught vs. The preface or beginning thereof is this O our Father which art in heauen Out of which words wee may learne many things as first in this word O the earnest affection that ought to bee in them that pray who must bring with them mindes not onely farre remoued from earthly and carnall things but so stedâ—astly set vpon those heauenly and spirituall graces that at that present they demaund that they minde nothing but those alone Secondly in 〈◊〉 word our the vnfained loue and feeling that ought to bee amongst Christian brethren no man praying for himselfe onely but praying as carefullie for others as for themselues Thirdly in this word Father his fatherly prouidence and assured fauour and good will towards his children in Christ on the one side and their sincere loue and hearty obedience towards him on the other side according to that of the Prophet If I be your Lord where is my honour and if I be your father where is my loue Fourthly in these words which art in heauen the exceeding Maiestie power and glorie of God aboue all things which if wee respect not in prayer and feele in our selues to appertaine to vs