must procede to the Apostolicall rodd and correction Excommunication is the last remedie as vnto excommunication which is the greatest and last ponishement belonginge to the spirituall ministerie it is ordeyned that nothinge be attempted in that behalf with out the determination of the whole churche wherein also they must be ware and take good heede Rigor in ponishements oght to be auoyded that they seme not more readie to expell frome the congregation then to receyue againe those in whome they perceyue worthie frutes of repentance to appeare Neither yet to forbyd hym the hearinge of sermons which is excluded frome the sacraments and other duties of the churche that he may haue libertie and occasion to repent Finally that all ponishementes corrections Gods Woord is the onely rule of discipline censures and admonitions stretche no farther then Gods woorde with mercie may lawfully beare MATTH XV. They worshipe me in vayne teachinge doctrine which is mens traditions Come forthe of Babylon my people that ye be not partakers of her synnes nor receyue of her plagues for her synnes are gone vp to heauen and God hath remembred her wickednes Reuel 18. ONE AND FIFTIE PSALMES OF DAVID IN ENGLIshe metre wherof .37 were made by Thomas Sterneholde ād the rest by others Cōferred with the hebrewe and in certeyn places corrected as the text and sens of the Prophete required INTRATE PER ARCTAMVIAM Iam. 5. Yf any be afflicted let him pray and if any be merye let him singe Psalmes ONE AND FIFTIE PSALMES OF DAVID in Englishe metre wherof 37. were made by Thomas Sterneholde and the rest by others cōferred with the Hebrewe and in certeine places corrected as the text and sens of the Prophete required Beatus vir qui non abiit Psalme I. Th. Ster ¶ whether it was Esdras or any other that gathered the Psalmes into a booke it semeth he did sett this psalme first in maner of a preface to exhorte all godely men to studie and meditate the heauenly wisdome for the effect hereof is that they be happie which giue them selues wholy all their life to gods lawe And that the wicked contemners of God thogh they seme for a whyle fortunate yet at length shall come to miserable distruction when a man hath geuē once place to his cōcupiscence he beginneth to forget him selfe in his synne and so at lēgth falleth into a contempt of god which the prophet here calleth the chayre or seat of scorners THe man is blest that hath not bent to wicked rede his eare nor led his lyf as synners do nor sate in scorners chayre But in the law of god the lorde doth set his whole delight and in that law doth exercyse hymselfe both day and nyght verse 3 3 He shall be like the tree that groweth Ier. 17. b. fast by the riuer side Which brīgeth forth moste pleasant fruit in her due tyme and tyde Whose leafe shall neuer fade nor fall but florishe still and stande Euen so all thinges shall prosper well that this man takth in hande verse 4 4 So shall not the vngodly men Althogh the wicked seme to beare the swinge in this worlde yet the Lorde scattereth them like chaffe with a blast of his mouthe they shal be nothyng so But as the dust which from the earth the wyndes dryue to and fro verse 5 5 Therfore shall not the wicked men in iudgement stande vpryght nor yet the synners with the iuste shall come in place or sight verse 6 6 For why the way of godly men vnto the lorde is knowen And eke the waye of wicked men shall quite be ouerthrowen Quare fremuerunt Psal II. Th. Ster ¶ The Ptophete Dauid reioyseth that notwithstāding his ennemies rage and worldly power yet God wyll contynew his kyndome for euer and aduance it euen to the formost end of the worlde And therfore exhorteth kyngs and rulers that settinge vaine glorie a part they wolde humbly submit them selues vnder Gods yoke for it is in vaine to resist Here in is figured Christ and his kyngdome Vhy did the gentiles tumultes rayse what rage was in theyr brayne why dyd the Iewish people muse seyng all ys but vayne The kynges and rulers of the earth cōspire and are all bent agaynst the lord and Christ his sone which he amonge vs sent verse 3 3 Shal we be bound to them saye they let al theyr “ In heb great ropes or cables bondes be broke And of theyr doctrine and theyr lawe let vs reiect the yoke verse 4 4 But he that in the heauen dwelth theyr doynges will deride And make them all as mocking stockes throughout the worlde so wide verse 5 5 For in his wrath the lord will speake to them vpon a daye And in his fury rrouble them and than the lorde wyl saye verse 6 6 I haue annoynted him my kynge vpon my holy hill I will therfore lord preache thy lawes and eke declare thy will verse 7 7 For in this wyse the Lorde hymself did saye to me I wotte Thou art my deare and onely sonne to “ That is to say as touching mans knowlladge because it was the first tyme that Dauid appeared to be elected of god So it is applied to Christe because he was then first manifested to the worlde daye I the begot verse 8 8 All people I shal geue to thee as heyres at thy request The endes and coastes of al the earth by thee shal be possest verse 9 9 Thow shalt thē bruse euē with a mace as men vnder fote trodd And as the potters sheards shalt breake them with an yron rodd verse 10 10 Now ye O kinges and rulers al be wyse therfore and learnde By whome the matters of the world be iudged and discernde An exhortatiō to wicked rulers to repent verse 11 11 Se that ye serue the lorde aboue in trembling and in feare Se that with reuerence ye reioyce to him in lyke manere verse 12 12 Se that ye In signe of homage kisse and eke embrace his blessed sonne I say Lest in his wrath ye sodenly perishe in the For when they shall say peace and sauetie then shall the distrustion sodenly come 1. Thes 5. a. midd way verse 13 13 If once his wrath neuer so smale shall kiendle in his breast O then all they that trust in Christe shall happie be and blest Domine quà m multiplicati sunt Psal III. Tho. Ster ¶ Dauid beinge persecuted and driuen out of his kingdome by his owne sonne Absalom was greately tormented in mynd for his synnes against God ād therfore calleth vpō God and waxeth boulde through his promesses against the great terrors of his ennemies yea and against death it selfe which he sawe present before his eyes Finally he reioyseth for the good successe and victorie that God gaue him and all the churche ouer his ennemies Lord how are my foes encreast which vexe me more ād more They kyll my hart when as they say god
in those days I meane to thee they shall present â—e attributeth the victorie to god their giftes of laude and praise verse 30 30 He shall destroye the speremens raÌ„cks these calues and bulles of might and cause them tribute paye and daunt all such as loue to fight verse 31 31 Then shall the lords of Aegypt come and presents with them bringe The Mores moste blacke shall stretche their hands vnto their lord and kynge verse 32 32 Therfore ye kyngdomes of the earth giue praise vnto the lorde singe psalmes to god with one consent therto let all accorde Selah 33 Who thogh he ride and euer hath aboue the heauens bright yet by the fearfull thunderclappes men may well knowe his might verse 34 34 Therfore the strength of Israel ascribe to God on hye whose might power doth farre extend aboue the cloudy skye verse 35 35 O god thy holynes and power is drad for euermore the god of Israell giuth vs strength praysed be god therfore Quam bonus Israell Psal LXXIII Th. St. ¶ The Prophete teacheth by his example that neyther the wordlie prosperitie of the vngodlie nor yet the affliction of the good oght to discourage gods children but rather oght to moue vs to consider our fathers prouidence and to cawse vs to reuerence godes iudgementes for asmuche as the wicked vanyshe awaye lyke smoke and the godlie enter into lyfe euerlastyng In hope wherof he resigneth hym selff into godes handes HOw euer it be yet god ys good and kinde to Israell And to all such as safely kepe theyr conscience pure and well Yet lyke a fole I almost slipt my feete began to slyde and or I wyst euen at a pinche my steps awrie gan glide verse 3 3 For when I sawe suche folishe men I grudgd and did disdayne That wicked men all things should haue without turmoile or payne verse 4 4 They neuer suffer panges nor grief as if deathe should theym smyte Their bodies are bothe stowte and strong and euer in good plite verse 5 5 And free from al aduersitie when other men be shent And with the reste they take no parte of plage or punishement verse 6 6 Therfore presumption dothe embrace their neckes as dothe a chayne and are euen wrapte as in a robe with rapine and disdayne verse 7 7 They are so fed that euen for fatt their eies oftymes oute starte And as for worldely goodes they haue more then can wisshe theire harte verse 8 8 Their lyfe is moste licentious boasting muche of the wronge Which they haue done to symple men and euer pride among verse 9 9 The heauens and the liuing lord they spare not to blaspheme And prate they do on worldely things no wight they do esteme verse 10 10 The people of god ofte tymes turne backe to see their prosperous state How harde it is for gods children them selues to auoide the tentations of the worlde And almoste drinke the selfe same cup and follow the same rate verse 11 11 How can it be that god say they should know and vnderstand These worldely thinges since wicked men be lordes of sea and land verse 12 12 For we may see howe wicked men in riches still encrease Rewarded well with worldly goodes and liue in rest and peace verse 13 13 Than why doe I from wickednes my fantasy refraine And washe my handes with innocentes and clense my heart in vaine verse 14 14 And suffer scourges euery day as subiect to all blame And euery mornyng from my youth susteine rebuke and shame verse 15 15 And I had almost sayd as they misliking myne estate Gods children oght not to be contemned because the worldelings are preferred in dignitie and worldely honors But that I should thy children iudge as folke vnfortunate * 16 Than I bethoght me how I might this matter vnderstande But yet the labour was to great for me to take in hande verse 17 17 Vntil the tyme I went into thy holy place and then I vnderstode right perfitly the ende of al these men verse 18 18 And namely how thou settest them vpon a slippery place And at thy pleasure and thy wil thou doest them al deface verse 19 19 Then all meÌ„ muse at that straÌ„ge sight to see how sodenlye they are destroyd dispatcht consumd and dead so horribly verse 20 20 Muche like a dreame when one a waketh so shall their wealth decaye their famous names in all mens sight shall ebbe and passe awaye verse 21 21 Yet thus my hart was grieued then my mynd was much opprest verse 22 22 So fond was I and ignoraunt and in “ Heb. before thee thys point a beast verse 23 23 Yet neuertheles by my right hande thou holdst me alwayes faste verse 24 24 And with thy counsell doest me gide to glorye at the laste verse 25 25 What thyng is there that I can wisshe but thee in heauen aboue Neither superstition nor yet feare or subtiltie of man colde drawe him from the true woorshipinge of God and in the earthe there is nothyng lyke thee that I can loue verse 26 26 My flesh and eke my heart do faile but God doth fayle me neuer For of my heart God is the strength my porcyon eke for euer verse 27 27 And loe all suche as “ thee forsake thou shall destroye eychone Heb. go a whooring from thee And those that trust in any thyng sauinge in thee alone verse 28 28 Therfore will I drawe nere to god and euer with him dwell In god alone I put my trust thy wonders will I tell Attendite Psal LXXVIII Th. St. ¶ He sheweth how god of his mercy chose his churche of the posteritie of Abraham castyng in their teathe the stubburne rebellion of their fathers that the children might not onelie vnderstande that god of his free mercie made his couenaunte with their auncitors but also seing them so malicious and peruerse might be asshamed and so turne wholie to god In this psalme the holy ghoste hath coprehended as it were the some of all godes benefites to the intent the ignorant and grosse people might see in fewe wordes theffecte of the whole stories Attend my people to my law and to my wordes enclyne my mouth shall speak straÌ„ge parables and sentences diuine which we our selues haue heard and learnde euen of our fathers olde and which for our instruction our fathers haue vs tolde verse 4 4 Because we should not kepe it close from them that shoulde come after Who shulde gods power to their race praise and all his workes of wonder verse 5 5 To Iacob he commandement gaue Deut. 6. a. howe Israell shoulde lyue Willing our fathers shulde thesame vnto their children geue verse 6 6 That they and their posteritie God hath left his worde for to be vnderstande of all men exceptinge nother degre nor age that were not spronge vp tho Shoulde haue the knowledge of the lawe and teache their seede also verse 7 7
in afflictiō 9 But nowe a waye from me all ye that woorke iniquitie For why the Lorde hath hearde the voyce of my complaynt and crye verse 10 10 He hearde not onely the requeste and prayer of my heart But it receyued at my hande and tooke it in good parte verse 11 11 And nowe my foes that vexed me the Lorde wil soone defame And sodenly confounde them all to theyr rebuke and shame Domine Deus meus Psalme VII Th. St. ¶ Being falsely accused by Chus one of Sauls kynsemen he calleth to God to be his defender to whom he comendeth his innocencie first shewinge that his conscience did not accuse him of any euell towards Saul Next that it touched Gods glorie to awarde sentence against the wicked And so entringe into the consideration of Gods mercies and promesse he waxeth bolde and derideth the vaine enterprises of his ennemies threateninge that it shall fall on their own necks that which they haue purposed for others O Lord my god I put my trust and confidēce in thee saue me from them that me pursue and eke deliuer me Lest lyke a ‖ Saul lyon he me teare and rent in pieces small whyles there ys none to soccour me and ryde me out of thrall Wherwith Chus chargeth me He reioyseth that god only doth approue his cause 4 O Lorde my God if I haue done the thyng that is not ryght Or elles if I be founde in faut or gyltie in thy syght verse 5 5 Or to my friend rewarded euell or left him in distresse Which me persued moste cruelly and hated me causeles A signe of a pure consciēce 6 Than let my foes pursue my soule and eke my lyfe downe thrust Vnto the earth and also laye Selah myne honour in the duste verse 7 7 Stert vp o Lorde now in thy wrath and put my foes to payne perfourme thy kyngdome promesed to me which wronge sustaine verse 8 8 Then shall great nations come to thee and knowe thee by this thinge yf thow declare for loue of them thy selfe as lord and kynge verse 9 9 And thou that art of all men iudge O Lorde now iudge thou me According to my “ as thouchinge my behauior towards Saul and myn ennemies ryghteousnes and myne integritie verse 10 10 Lord ceasse the hate of wicked men and be the iust mans guide By whome the secrets of all heartes are searched and descryed verse 11 11 I take my helpe to come of God in all my griefe and smart That doeth preserue all those that be of pure and perfect hearte verse 12 12 The iust man and the wicked bothe god iudgeth by his power So that he feleth his mightie hand euen euery day and houre verse 13 13 Except he change his mynd I dye He derideth Sauls enterprises beinge surely persuaded to be preserued by gods fauor for euen as he shuld smite he wheth his sweorde his bowe he bēdth aymynge where he may hite verse 14 14 And doth prepare his mortall darts his arrowes kene and sharpe for them that do me persecute The wicked seme to labor of childe till they haue copassed their mischiefs Isa 26. c. The wicked man is beate with his own rodd whiles he doth mischief warpe verse 15 15 But loe thogh he in trauaill be of his diuelish forcast and of his mischief once conceiued yet bringth forth noght at last verse 16 16 He diggeth a ditch and delueth it diepe in hope to hurte his brother But he shall fall into the pyt that he dygde vp for other verse 17 17 Thus wrong returneth to the hurt of hym in whome it bred And al the mischiefe that he wroght shal fall vpon his head verse 18 18 I wil geue thankes to god therfore that iudgeth rightuously And with my songe shall praise the name of him that is moste hye Domine Dominus noster Psal VIII Th. St. ¶ The Prophete consideringe the excellent liberalitie and fatherlie prouidence of God towards man whom he made as it were a God ouer all his woorks dothe not onlie giue great thanckes but is astonished with the admiratiō of the same as one nothinge able to compas suche great mercies and so endeth O God our lord how wonder full are thy workes euery where whose fame surmount in dignitye aboue the heauens cleare Euē by the mouthes of suckyng babes thou wylt cōfoūde thy foes for in these babes thy myght ys sene thy graces they disclose verse 4 4 And when I see the heauens hygh the woorkes of thyne owne hande The Sunne the Moone ād all the starres in ordre as they stande verse 5 5 What thing is man lord thynke I than that thou dost him remembre Or what is mannes posteritie that thou doest it considre Herein appeareth the great loue of god towards man Hebr. 2. 6 For thou hast made hym litle lesse then Angels in degree And thou hast crouned hym also with glory and dygnitie verse 7 7 Thou hast preferd him to be lord of al thy woorkes of woonder And at his feete hast sette al thynges that he should kepe them vnder verse 8 8 As shepe and neate and al beastes ells that in the fieldes doe fede verse 9 9 Foules of the ayre fyshe in the sea and al that therein brede verse 10 10 Therfore must I saye once agayne O God that art our Lorde Howe famouse and how wonderfull are thy workes through the worlde Confitebor tibi Psal IX Th. Ster ¶ After he had giuen thancks to God for the sondrye victories that he had sent him against his ennemies and also prouen by manifold experience how readie God was at hand in all his troubles he beinge nowlikewise in danger of newe ennemies desireth God to helpe him accordinge to his wont and destroye the malicious arrogancie of his aduersaries VVith hart and mouth vnto the lord wyll I synge laude and prayse and speak of all thy wonderous works and them declare alwais I wyll be glad and much reioyce in the o god most hye and make my songes extoll thy name aboue the starrie skie verse 4 4 For that my foes are drieuen backe and turned vnto flyght They fal down flat and are destroyed by thy great force and myght verse 5 5 Thou hast reuenged al my wrong God only defendeth the iuste cause my griefe and al my grudge Thou dost with iustice heare my cause most lyke a righteous iudge verse 6 6 Thou dost rebuke the heathen folke and wicked so confounde That afterward the memory of them cannot be founde verse 7 7 My foe thou haste made good dispatche and all oure townes destroyed Thou haste theire fame with theym defaced through all the worlde so wide verse 8 8 Knowe thow that he which is aboue for euermore shall raigne And in the seate of equitie true iudgement will maintayne verse 9 9 With iustice he will kepe guyde the world and euery wight And so will yeld with equitie to euerie man his right
to expresse Rom. 8. Gal. 4. endueth oure mīdes with such a zeale and feruente affection as God requireth in prayer ¶ The minister Dothe this doctrine teache vs that we ought not to dispose and stirre vp our selues to prayer ¶ The childe Nothyng lesse but rather contrary wyse so ofte as we do not feele in our selues such a deuocion or disposition to prayer we ough to make our supplication vnto the lorde that it wyl please hym to geue vs of hys grace wherby we may be framed to prayer with such affection of mynde as we oughte to doe ¶ The minister As touchyng the vse of the tounge The tonge serueth to a very good vse in the makyng of our prayers thou doest not counte it vtterly vnprofitable in making of prayers ¶ The childe No verely for the wordes whiche the tōge vttereth doe many times helpe to cōfort and to styrre vp the affectiōs of the mind yea they do strengthen and holde in the mynde of man wherby his thoughte doth not wander so sodaynely from GOD as otherwyse it would moreouer for somuche as the tounge is a creature of GOD ordeined of him to praise and set forth hys glory aboue al other membres of the bodye it is reason and duetye that the tongue be employed by all meanes to that vse fynally the very feruente affectiō of the heart doth many times through a vehement mocion enforce the tounge to speake though a man did not purpose so to do ¶ The minister Since it is as thou sayest to what purpose is it to praye in a langage that a manne doth not vnderstande To praie in a straunge language is a mocking of God 1. Cor. 14. ¶ The childe It is to mocke God withal and a supersticious hypocrisie ¶ The minister Sonday 26 When we make our prayers vnto God do we it at al auētures without sure knowlege whether we shal obtayne any profyt or not either ought we to be surely perswaded that our prayers shal be heard ¶ The childe Prayer must procede of a sure confydence in goddes promysse We must haue this euermore as a sure foundation ground in all oure prayers that they shal be accepted of God that we shal obtaine our request so farforth as it shal be expedient and necessarye for vs where vpon Rom. 10. Sainct Paule sayeth that the right inuocatiō and prayinge vnto God procedeth of faith for if we haue not a sure affiance and trust in the bountyfull mercy of God it is vnpossible to make oure prayer vnto hym aryghte ¶ The minister What saiest thou then of them which be in doubt and vncertaine whether God wil heare them or not Matt 12. Mark 11. whosoeuer doubteth whether God heare his praier obtaynethe nothyng ¶ The childe Theyr prayers are vtterlye voide and nothing worth neither hath God made any promyse to any suche prayers for he saieth what soeuer we shal aske if we belieue he will graunt it vnto vs. ¶ The minister There is nothinge nowe behynde but to knowe by what meanes in whose name we maye come by thys sure confidence to presente oure selues before God consideryng that we are vyle synners Thre thinges make vs bold to aske of God 1. His promise Psal 50.91.145 Esa 30.65 Iere. 29. and farre vnworthy so to do ¶ The childe Fyrst of al we haue promises of God wherupō we must staye oure mīdes withoute hauynge any regarde of oure owne worthynes Secondaryly then if we be the children of GOD he doeth induce vs and pusshe vs forward with his holy spirite 2. His spirite Ioel. 2. Mat. 6. to the entente to allure vs to be familier with hym as with our louynge father and fynally to the ende that we should not be afrayde to come before hys glorious maiestye 3. The mediacion of Christ his owne sonne 1. Tim. 2. Hebru 4. 2. Ihon. 2. although we be but as poore woormes of the earth and moste wretched synners he hath geuen vnto vs oure Lorde IESVS to be our peacemaker and intercessoure to thintent that we by meanes of hys merites hauyng recourse vnto God our father myght haue an assured truste to fynde grace at hys hande ¶ The minister Doest thou meane it thus that we may not cal vpon God by prayer onlesse it be done in the name of oure sauioure Christ ¶ The childe we may not pray but in the name of our Sauiour Christe Ihon. 14. Yea I meane it euen so for we haue an expresse commaundement so to do and in so doynge we haue a sure promyse that throughe hys merytes and intercession al our requestes shall be graunted vnto vs. ¶ The minister Is it not then to be taken as a poynte of rashe boldenes or folyshe presumpcion to come forth hardely and to presente our selues before God himself assuryng oure selues that we haue our sauioure Christe for our aduocate and to set him before vs to the ende that God maye for hys sake accept both vs and our prayers ¶ The childe No verely for we make oure prayers as it wer by hys own mouth Rom. 8. for somuch as he himselfe openeth the waye for vs and maketh our prayers to be hearde yea and entreateth also continually for vs. ¶ The minister Sonday 37 Let vs comon now of the substance of oure prayers is it lawefull for vs to praye for all thynges that we fansye either is there a certaine rule to appoynt what thinges ought to be prayed for ¶ The childe If we shoold folowe oure owne wil and fantasye in making our prayers they should be very vnhansomlye framed For we are so blynde that we are not able to iudge what is good ād meete to be prayed for moreouer al oure desyres are so inordinate and repugnaunte to Gods wil that it is expediente for vs to brydle them and kepe them vnder ¶ The minister What is then to be done ¶ The childe We muste learne of God what is mete to be praied for seing he alone knoweth what is necessarye for vs and that he leadeth vs as it were by the hande so that we our own selues do nothynge but folow ¶ The minister What instruction hath he geuen vs for prayer ¶ The childe He hath taught vs sufficiently how and wherfore to pray throughoute the whole scripture but to the intente to bring vs to one certayne and sure marke he hath set forth vnto vs one maner of prayer wherin he hath brieflye comprehended all suche poyntes as be meete or lawfull for vs to demaunde ¶ The minister Rehearse that forme of prayer ¶ The childe It is the very same that oure Lorde Iesus taughte his discyples to praye Mat. 6. Luke 11. for whā they asked of hym how they should pray he answered that they shulde say on this wyse The faithfull prayer whyche our lord himself taught vs. OVre father whych art in heauen halowed be thy name thy kyngdome come thy will be done in earthe
as it is in heauen geue vs this daye oure daylye breade forgeue vs our trespaces as we for geue them that trespasse against vs and leade vs not into temptacion but delyuer vs from euyl For thine is the kingdom the power and the glory worlde withoute ende So be it ¶ The minister For the more easie vnderstandyng hereof tell me how manye articles or particuler requestes be conteined herein ¶ The childe Syxe The deuision of the lordes prayer of whiche the .iii. firste do concerne the glory of God withoute any respecte or consideration of our selues the other iii. touche vs properlye and concerne our wealth and profyte ¶ The minister Why then ought we to desyre any thing of God that bringeth no maner of commoditie vnto our selues ¶ The childe This is true that God of his infinite goodnes doth dispose and ordre all thinges in suche sorte that nothyng can turne to the glory of hys name which is not also profytable vnto vs so that when hys name is saynctyfyed honored he maketh it redounde to oure sanctyfycacion and whē hys kingdome cōmeth we are after a sort partakers therof yet notwitstādinge oure duetye is at suche tyme as we aske and desyre these thynges to haue onely regarde to hys honour without any consideration to our selues or to our owne commoditie and profit ¶ The minister By thy saying then though these .iii. first peticions are greatly profitable to vs yet we may not make them for anye other purpose but onely to desyre to haue God glorifyed honored ¶ The childe It is euen so and likewyse albeit the three first requestes be ordeyned to praye for thynges expedient and necessary for vs yet euen in them also we ought most earnestly to seeke goddes honor so that it must be the chief ende and marke wherunto all our wisshinges and desyres be dyrrected ¶ The minister Sonday 38 Let vs come now to the exposicion of it and before that we proceade any farther wherfore is god named here our father rather thenby some other name ¶ The childe Since in time of prayer speciallye we oughte to haue a strong confydence and a stedfaste assureaunce of Goddes fauour in our consciences In what sence we call God father it pleaseth God to be called of vs by a name whiche soundeth nothing but al swetenes boūtye and mercifulnes thereby to dryue away all doubtfulnes and feare and to make vs conceyue a bolde courage to come familyarelye into hys presence ¶ The minister Maye we then come boldlye and familiarely vnto god euen as a childe may vnto hys father ¶ The childe Yea and with a great deale more assured confidence to obteyne whatsoeuer we shall desyer for if we being euyll Mat. 7. cannot chose but geue vnto our children bread meate whē they aske it howe muche lesse can our heauenlye father refuse to geue vs such thinges as we haue neede of since he is not alonelye good but the very souerain goodnes it selfe ¶ The minister May we not proue sufficientlye by thys that God is named our father the same thing which we affyrmed touchyng Christe that our prayer ought to be grounded vpon sure trust in his merites intercession ¶ The childe Yes certainely for god doth acknowledge vs no otherwyse to be hys chyldren but onelye insomuch as we be the membres of hys deare sonne ¶ The minister Wherefore doest thou not rather call God thy father than our father as it were in comon ¶ The childe why we call hym our father Euery faythful mā may right wel call God hys father particularelye but in thys forme of prayer our sauiour Christ doth teache vs to pray in common that we myght remembre therby the duety charitie whiche we owe to oure neyghboures in our prayers and to monishe vs not to care onelye for oure selues ¶ The minister What meaneth thys clause which art in heauen ¶ The childe It is asmuche to saye as to name hym hygh myghtye and of a maiestye incomprehensible ¶ The minister To what purpose serueth that ¶ The childe It serueth to thys ende that when we cal vpon him by prayer we myghte learne to lyfte vp our mindes to withdraw our imaginacyon from thynking any thyng of hym wordly or earthly that we shoulde not measure hym by our fleshly iudgement and so make hym subiect or appliable to our wil or appetyte but rather that we myght with all humblenes of mynde honour hys excellēte maiestye and also that we myght haue occasion to putte so much the more our trust assuredlye in hym consideryng that he is Lorde and maister of all ¶ The minister Sonday 39 Make an exposicion of the fyrst peticion ¶ The childe peti ∣ tion The first The name of god is hys honor renoume wherby he is sanctified and praysed amongest men therfore we desyre that his glory may be auaunced aboue al thinges euery where ¶ The minister Doest thou meane that thys hys glory may eyther increase or dymynyshe ¶ The childe No verelye in it selfe In what sence we wyshe the setting forth of gods glorye but the meanynge hereof is that it may be knowen as it ought to be and that all the woorkes whiche God doeth maye appeare vnto menne to be gloryous and worthy of high praise euen as they be in very deede so that he myght by al meanes be magnifyed ¶ The minister peti ∣ tion The second What doest thou meane in the seconde requeste by the kyngdome of God ¶ The childe Thys kyngdome consysteth pryncypallye in two poyntes wherin the kingdome of God consisteth that is to saye fyrste in that he guydeth and gouerneth hys elect through hys holye spiryte And agayn in that he destroyeth bryngeth to vtter shame confusion the wicked whiche wil not become subiectes to his kyngdome to the ende that it maye euidentlye appeare that there is no power hable to withstande hys incomparable myghte ¶ The minister What vnderstandest thou in praying that thys kyngdome may come ¶ The childe The meanyng is that it wil please god from daye to day to encrease the number of his faithful flocke The kingdome of Christe that he wil continually more and more shew furth hys fauour in bestowyng the gyftes of his holy spirite emong them vntil the time come in whiche they shal be fullye replenished that it may also please hym to cause the lyghte of hys trueth more more to shine amongest vs that he will in suche wyse make hys iustice to be knowen that the deuyll and hys kyngdome of darkenes maye come to vtter confusion and that all wickednesse may be cleane abolished rooted out ¶ The minister Is nor thys requeste perfourmed in thys worlde ¶ The childe It is partly fulfylled already The perfeict state of Christes kyngdome yet our duety is to desyre that it may be continually increased and that he wil auaunce styll and further hys kingdome vnto such tyme as it