VVHat doctrine may be gathered from praying for deliuerance A. There is hope of recouerie to such as are fallen For deliuerance from euill presupposeth a fail into euill and prayer for this deliuerance implyeth that we may be recouered out of it This is verified as by manifest experience of many Saints that in all ages haue bene recouered Pro. 24. 16. so by this approued Prouerbe A iust man falleth seuen times and riseth vp againe which though it bee principally intended of affliction yet may it also be extended to sinne The ground of this hope ariseth from God himselfe Reasons euen from his mercie 1. Gods pittie whereby he is moued to pittie his children in all their miseries Lam. 3. 22. whereupon saith the Prophet It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed because his compassions faile not and from his power whereby he is able to helpe them whom he pittieth 2. Gods power whereupon saith the Apostle Rom. 11. 23. of the Iewes They also if they abide not still in vnbeliefe shall be graffed in for God is able to graffe them in againe 3. Gods truth And from his truth for he that is faithfull and will do it 1. Thes 5. 24. hath made many promises of deliuerance This point concerneth such as stand Comfort to feeble such as are fallen In regard of this hope of recouerie they which stand ought to comfort the feeble minded 1. Thes 5. 14. who are troubled with feares of vtter desertion as if God were implacable and irreconciliable towards them that are at any time ouercome by any temptation The caueat which Christ gaue to Peter is to be practised by all that haue any spirituall strength Luke 22. 32. Strengthen thy brethren Yea also they ought in the spirit of meekenesse to restore such an one Gal. 6. 1. As for those which are fallen Who fallen rise againe they are taught not to despaire but to say as the Spirit teacheth them Come let vs returne vnto the Lord for he hath torne and he will heale vs Ose 6. 1. hee hath smitten and he will binde vs vp and withall not to continue in Satans snares but to do what they can to come out of the same Reu. 2. 5. according to that pithie perswasion of the Lord Remember from whence thou art fallen and repent and do the first workes Nouatiani paenitentiam salutarem negant Aug. Quaest mixt Cll. Nouatiani communicarecum eâ—s noluerunt qui sub Decij persecutione fidem abnegarant post a rescipiscentes ad eam redierant Niceph. Eccl. Hist l. 12. c. 28. As for the rash and peremptorie censure of Nouations on such as fall it is the lesse to be regarded because it is directly contrary to the maine scope of this latter part of this last Petition It is not without cause iudged heresie by the Ancients Hauing noted the things prayed against and prayed for we are further to consider to whom our desire herein is to bee directed §. 188. Of God the onely Deliuerer Q. VVHat Doctrines may be obserued from directing this part of the Petition to God Potens est dominus qui abstulit peccaluÌ„ vestrum tueri custodâ—â—e vos aduersum diabolt aduersantis insidias c. Ambr. de Sacra l. 5 c. 4. A. 1. God is a deliuerer from euill 2. God is the onely deliuerer from euill Were not God able and willing to deliuer why should this Petition be directed to him But he that hath taken away our sinnes is able to keepe vs from the snares of Satan Could any other deliuer why should that other in this perfect plat-forme be left out 70. 5. Among other titles 144. 2. euen this a Psal 18. 2. Deliuerer is oft attributed to God and b Deut. 32 39. 2 King 19. 19. Isa 43. 11. hereby is the Lord proued to the God onely Iust cause there is therefore that in all euils we should c Psal 50 15. flie vnto the Lord and call vpon him in the day of trouble and d 2. â—hro 20 â— when we know not what to doe to fixe our eyes vpon him and in faith exspect deliuerance from him e Lam. 3. 26. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly waite for the saluation of the Lord. And as wee haue deliuerance from any euill f Psal 28 6 7 8. Folly of Papists in seeking deliuerance of others then God giue all the praise thereof to this Deliuerer Is not their follie hereby euidently discouered that in their trouble g Isa 31. 1. Looke not to the Holy one of Israel nor seeke the Lord but looke and trust to such as cannot deliuer Some to h Isa 31. 3. weake flesh others i 1. Sam. 28. 7. c to wicked fiends k Ier. 11. 12 13. others to false gods Much like to these are our aduersaries the Papists who in seuerall euils haue seuerall Saints to flie vnto as in danger of shipwracke to Saint Nicolas in time of warre to Saint George In captiuitie to Saint Leonard In infection of plague to Saint Rochus In feare of fire to S. Laurence in trauell of child-birth to Saint Margeret in the fit of an Ague to Saint Petronil in tooth-ach to Saint Rombal or Saint Apollonia and in other distresses to other Saints * Libera me Domina Vsq quo Domina obliuisceris me non liberas me in die tribulationis Ad te Domina leuaui animam non praeualeant aduersum me laquei mortis In te Domina speraui non confundas in aeternum O benedicta in manibus tuis reposita cst nostra salus Bonauent In Psalt Yea in their Ladies Psalter they haue turned all the Petitions made to God for deliuerance to the Virgine Marie thus Deliuer me ô Ladie How long doest thou forget me and doest not deliuer me in the time of trouble To thee ô Ladie do I lift vp my soule let not the snares of death preuaile against me In thee ô Ladie haue I hoped let me not be confounded for euer O thou blessed Ladie in thy hands our saluation is laid vp Haue we not now iust cause to crie out against them as the Prophet Ieremiah did against the idolatrous Iewes and say m Be astonished ô ye heauens at this and be horribly afraid for my people haue committed two euils they haue forsaken me the fountaine of liuing waters and hewed them out cisterns broken cisternes that can hold no water 180 181. Thus much of the person of whom is sought deliuerance from euill The last point concerneth the parties for whom it is sought Hereof see § The meaning of the Petition being opened the order is next to bee considered §. 189. Of Sanctification accompanying Iustification Q. VVHat may be obserued from the connexion of this Petition with the former A. Sanctification accompanieth Iustification For as the summe of the former is
impossibilitie So farre is God from sinne as n Iam. 1. 13. He cannot be tempted with euill neither tempteth he any man 3. Matters of inconstancie and variablenesse By power it is that one remaineth firme stable constant inuiolable vnchangeable Weakenesse therefore causeth the contrary Of the Almightie it is said o Iam. 1. 17. With him is no variablenesse neither shadow of turning Where it is said p 1. Sam. 15. 29. He will not repent Hee is stiled The strength of Israel Whereby is implyed that it is of strength that he changeth not On this ground it is also said q 2. Tim. 2 13. God cannot denie himselfe r Tit. 1. 2. God cannot lie ſ Heb. 6. 18. It is impossible that God should lie 4. Matters of Passion or suffering as to be mocked deceiued oppressed put to death with the like These imply a subiection to a superiour power and in that respect an impotencie Wherefore it is said of God t Gal. 6. 7. He is not mocked u Iam. 1. 13. He cannot be tempted The Sonne of God to make himselfe capable of suffering which for mans redemption was necessarie assumed flesh x 1. Pet. 3. 18. In which he was put to death For in his diuine nature he could not die nor any way suffer §. 211. Of the difference betwixt Gods absolute and actuall power Q. DOth Gods power actually extend it selfe to all things that by power may be done A. No not to bring them into act or to effect them Many many things there be which God is able to do that he doth not no◠euer will do a Mat. 26. 53. He could haue sent his Angels to haue rescued Christ out of the Iewes hands b 3. 9. He could out of stones haue raised children to Abraham He could haue made more worlds He could haue sent more flouds to destroy the world againe and againe Hee could haue redeemed the diuels Infinite are the things which he could do but will not do Well therefore is Gods power distinguished into his Absolute and Actuall power Gods absolute power is that whereby he is able to do whatsoeuer by power may bee done as is euident by these phrases c Luke 1. 37. With God nothing is impossible d Mar. 10. 27. With God all things are possible Gods actuall power is that whereby he doth all things that in his counsell he determineth to do as it is written e Psal 115. 3. He hath done whatsoeuer he pleased Herein lyeth the difference betwixt Gods absolute and actuall power That his absolute power extendeth it selfe beyond his will as the fore-named instances shew But his actuall power is bounded within the compasse of his will In this limitation was he well instructed who said to Christ f Mar. 1. 40. If thou wilt thou canst make me cleane And they who said of God g Dan. 3. 17. Our God whom we serue is able to deliuer vs c. Therupon they all so trusted to Gods power as they subiected themselues to his will §. 212. How power is proper to God Q. VVHy is power by a propertie with emphasis applyed to God thus * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And the power A. 1. Gods onely is truly and properly power It is therefore stiled a Eph. 1. 19. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 A might of power So as all power compared to his is as no power but very weakenesse His is THE POWER that which is worthie to be called power is Gods b Psal 62. 11. Power belongeth vnto God 2. Gods power is beyond all limits It is * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 an exceeding greatnesse of power To it nothing is impossible By it all things were made Eph. 1. 19. and are vpheld and preserued By it may all things bee destroyed and brought to nought The most stable and inuiolable course that is set to any creature by it may be altered By it the Sunne can be made c Ios 10. 13. to stand still or d 2. King 20. 11. to runne backe The e Exod. 14. 21. sea to be diuided The Rocke to send forth water and what not 3. f 17. 6. All power is deriued from Gods g Iob 39. 19. Hast thou giuen the horse strength saith God to man implying thereby that God hath done it and none but God h Ioh 19. 11. Thou couldest haue no power at all saith Christ to Pilate except it were giuen thee from aboue i 1. Chro. 29. 12. Power and might are in Gods hand in his hand it is to giue strength to all 4. All power is subordinate to Gods This Asa acknowledgeth where he saith k 2. Chro. 14. 11. It is nothing with thee to helpe whether with many or with them that haue no power So as l Rom. 8. 31. If God be for vs who can be against vs m Psal 118. 8. It is better to trust in the Lord then to put confidence in man On these and other like grounds well may it be said to God THINE IS THE POWER §. 213. Of the Duties due to God by reason of his power Q. VVHat duties are required by vertue of Gods power A. 1. To put difference betwixt God and all creatures In regard of the power of God the Psalmist saith O Lord God of hoasts Psal 89. 8. c. who is a strong Lord like vnto thee And to proue that none is like to God he setteth out many euidences of Gods power 2. To flie to God in all time of need and to seeke helpe of him Mar. 1. 40. As that Leper did of Christ who said If thou wilt thou canst make me cleane 3. To beleeue Gods word For he is able to make it good Abraham was strong in faith Rom. 4. 20 21. being fully perswaded that what God had promised he was able to performe 4. To be strong in God Eph. 6. 10. His power is a power of might Hee can giue strength to vs. 5. To abide contentedly in the estate wherein God setteth vs. Phil. 4. 11 13. So did hee who said I can do all things through Christ that strengtheneth me 6. To endure patiently all afflictions So did the said Apostle who said 2. Tim. 1. 12. I suffer these things for I am perswaded that he is able to keepe that which I haue committed to him 7. To carrie our selues humbly before God 1. Pet. 5. 6. Humble your selues vnder the mightie hand of God Gods is a mightie hand we must therefore be humble vnder it 8. To feare God Mat. 10. 28. Feare him who is able to destroy both soule and bodie in hell 9. To feare no creature Psal 118. 6. The Lord is on my side I will not feare what can man do vnto me Dan. 3. 16 17. On this ground three of the captiues of the King of Babell faithfull seruants of the Lord of heauen thus
the Church made by open enemies whereof Dauid much complaineth so doe also other Prophets 6. Cant. 1. 2. Treacheries of false-hearted brethren The Church complaineth that all her friends dealt treacherously with her and Christ complaineth that his owne familiar friend in whom hee trusted Psal 41. 9. which did eate of his bread lift vp his heele against him 7. Vnsaithfulnesse in Magistrates suffering such as beare no good will to the Church to creepe into it lodge in it and worke mischiefe against it Neh. 13. 4 c. This did good Nehemiah much complaine of Much more cause of complaint there is when Princes in the Church are roaring Lyons Zeph. 3 3. and her Iudges are euening Wolues 8. Vnfaithfulnesse in Ministers when they are insufficient idle corrupt in doctrine or life whereby the edification of the Church is much hindered Isa 56. 10. The Prophets oft complaine of such ler. 23. 14 17. 9. Desolation of Seminaries as of Schooles Colledges Vniuersities and such like 1. Sam. 22. 22. Dauid lamented the destruction of the Citie of Priests which was a Seminarie The comming of the Kingdome of God is much hindred by the desolation of Seminaries So also is it as much if not more hindred by corruption in Seminaries If fountaines bee poisoned can wholesome streames bee expected to flow from thence In corrupted Seminaries more vassals of Satan then true subiects of Christ are bred and brought vp 10. Disorder of Families When pietie findeth in priuate Families little or no entertainment if it bee not cleane thrust out of doores and such licentiousnesse vsed as houses are rather made sties for Satan then Churches of God great cause of mourning is giuen Ier. 7. 18. Ieremiah complaines that husbands and wiues parents and children were all giuen to wickednesse 11. Professors vnworthy walking It is meanes to keepe such as are not of the Church from entring into it when they see such as professe themselues to bee of the Church to walke as children of darknesse and to turne the grace of God into wantonnesse Phil. 3. 18. Saint Paul doth bitterly complaine of such 12. Reproaches cast vpon the Saints Sarah when she beheld Ismael scoffing at Isaak Gen. 21. 9. 10. was exceedingly moued thereat So was Dauid at Michols scorning of him for the manifestation of his zeale 2. Sam. 6. 20. Some weake members of the Church may be discouraged thereby and in that respect it is a matter to bee lamented 13. 1. King 19. 10. Persecution raised against the Church This did Eliah much bewaile yea it made him weary of his life A free passage of the Word and a free vse of other holy ordinances of God is much hindered thereby and many are thereby brought to deny the faith and therefore it is to be bewailed 14. 2. Tim. 4 16. Timorous backesliding of Professors This did S. Paul complaine of in his time Much doth this tend to the discouragement and disaduantage of the Church and much to be lamented 15. 1. Cor. 1. 11. 11 18. Scismes sects and dissentions in the Church These doe much hinder the growth of the Church yea they oft cause greater desolation then open oppositions of professed enemies 16. Repugnans fit vt quaeramus inseculo diu viuere qui petimus regnum dei velociter advenire Cypr de Orat. â— dom §. 14. Too much loue of life in this world and feare of death If men might liue as long they would how slowly would Gods Kingdome come That wee who desire the kingdome of God to come speedily should seeke to liue long in this world implyeth contradiction §. 56. Of the will of God here meant and doing it Q. VVHich is the third Petition A. Thy will bee done in earth as it is in heauen Q. What is here to be considered A. 1. The Thing desired 2. The Manner of performing it The substance then of the Petition is in these words Thy will be done in earth In the words following is a direction for the better performing of that which is desired Of these two points therefore we are to speake in order And first of the Petition that setteth out the rule which in all things we ought to set before vs namely the will of God Q. How doth God will a thing A. 1. a Ephes 1. 11. By ordaining and deternining it 2. b Rom. 12. 2. By liking and approuing it By this differing manner of willing things Gods secret and reuealed will may Gods will be distinguished into his Secret Counsell and Reuealed Word The former of these is that Soueraigne absolute will of God by which all things are and without which nothing can be For c Ephes 1. 11. He worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will d Psal 115. 3. And hath done whatsoeuer he pleased e Rom. 11. 34. For who was his Counseller The latter is stiled Gods good and acceptable will Rom. 12. 2. whereby he manifesteth what is pleasing vnto him Gods reuealed will here meant Q. Which of these is here especially meant A. His reuealed Word as is euident by these reasons 1. The reuealed things of God belong to vs and our children for euer Deut. 29. 29. 2. Gods reuealed Word is that rule which wee must lay before vs Non vbiquè sicut potestas sic voluntas eius bona beneplacita persecta Ber. de verb. Esa Serm. 5. and the marke whereat wee ought to haue an eye in all things Psal 119. 9. 3. This will of God may be resisted and is much resisted by the sonnes of men For saith Christ How oft would I c. And ye would not Math. 23. 37. Gods good and acceptable and perfect will is not euery where as his power is There is therefore great need that wee should pray to haue this done Non vt Deus faciat quae vult sed vt nos facere possimus quae deus vult Cypr. de Orat. dom §. 11. Not that God would doe what he will but that we may be able to doe what he will As for Gods secret coâ—nsell as it is kept secret it cannot be here meant as appeareth by these reasons 1. Deut. 29 29. Secret things belong vnto the Lord our God 2. Pro. 19. 21. The counsell of God shall stand it cannot but be done so as we need not pray that it may be done 3. A desire may bee made contrarie to Gods secret will without sinne Instance the desire of Dauid to build a temple for the Lord which desire both Nathan the Prophet of the Lord 2. Sam. 7. 3. and God also himselfe approued and yet it was the determined purpose of God that Dauid should not doe that which he desired 1. King 8. 18. Yet if the foresaid counsell of God bee made knowne either extraordinarily by speciall reuelation How Gods counsell is to be yeelded vnto or ordinarily
good 2. Cor. 4. 6. For as at first he brought light out of darknesse so euer since by his Almightie power vnsearchable wisedome and perfect puritie hath he brought good out of euill Good to himselfe by making the glorie of his iustice in punishing of his pittie in succouring of his power in supporting of his faithfulnesse in deliuering of his wisedome in catching the subtill in their owne craftinesse and disappointing their plots and practises and of other his properties to shine forth the brighter Good also to his Saints as Ioseph said to his brethren Ye thought euill against me Gen 50. 20. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but God meant or disposed it vnto good Thus though the temptation be euill yet God is good euen in leading into temptation §. 177. Of mans disabilitie to resist temptation Q. WHat doctrines doth praying vnto God not to leade vs into temptation teach vs Frustra rogantes deum dicimus ne nos inducas in tentalionem si hoc in nostra posi tum sit potestate Aug. Epist 89. A. 1. Man is not able of himselfe to stand against temptations If he were what cause of feare had he to bee lead into temptation The Prophet well knew this who said a Ier. 10 23. O Lord I know that the way of man is not in himselfeâ—it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps and the Apostle who said b 2. Cor. 3. 5. Wee are not sufficient of our selues to thinke any thing of our selues If man cannot direct his steps nor of himselfe thinke any thing can he withstand all tempters keepe himselfe from all temptations This disabilitie is come vpon vs by sinne which hath depriued vs of all that spirituall strength which God at our first creation gaue vs. How man came to be disabled For c Eccl. 7. 31. God made man righteous euen d Gen. 1. 27. after his owne image by vertue whereof man had power to remaine stedfast in that estate and to withstand all Tempters so as not to be ouer-come with any temptation onely that power was left to his owne power and free will which he abusing voluntarily yealded to the temptation of Satan and depriued himselfe of all spirituall strength and life and now by nature is e Ephe. 2. 1. dead in sinne no way able to resist any temptation further then God doth giue him grace and strength so to do Therefore he saith not without me ye can do little but nothing Non ait sine mâ— parum sed nihil potestis facere Aug in Iob. tract 81. Hereby the vanitie of such as are presumptuous in their owne strength wherein f Mat 26. 35. Peter failed too much and of such as arrogantly boast of any thing that is in man is discouered g Rom. 11. 18. S. Paul fore warneth Christians to take heed hereof The follie of presumption and very emphatically thus enforceth this point h 1. Cor. 4. 7. what hast thou that thou diddest not receiue Now if thou diddest receiue it why doest thou glorie as if thou hadst not receiued it Hereby also we are taught both Humiliation for this naturall impotencie which man hath brought vpon himselfe Matter of humiliation and Abnegation of all goodnesse Quandorogamus ne in tentationem venianius admonemur infirmitatis nostrae Cypr. de orat Do. §. 19. and confidence in our selues If i Reu. 5. 4. Iohn saw cause to weepe for mans disability to search into the Records of Gods counsell how much more cause haue we to weepe and to be humbled euen in dust ashes for our naturall impotencie to withstand temptations which are so dangerous to our soule and in denial of our selues to say Rom. 7. 18. I know that in me dwelleth no good thing §. 178. Of Gods ouer-ruling power in Temptations Q. VVHat other doctrine maybe gathered from this deprecation directed to God A. God hath an ouer-ruling hand in all temptations Potens est dominus qui abstulit peccatum vestiâ—â— delicta vestra donauiâ— tueri custodire vos aduersum diaboli aduersantis insidias Aug. de verb. Dom. c. 28. The Lord who hath taken away your sinne and pardoned your offences can preserue and keepe you from the wiles of your aduersarie the diuell He can either keepe vs safe from all or he can giue vs ouer into the power of euery one Otherwise there would not be such cause of flying to him in time of temptation as in this Petition is implyed But true is that of Saint Peter The Lord knoweth how to deliuer the godly out of temptations and this of Saint Paul God is faithfull who will not suffer you to be tempted aboue that you are able 2. Pet. 2. 9. As the supreme soueraigntie and absolute power which God hath ouer all creatures doth euidently proue the point For who hath resisted his will 1. Cor. 10. 13. If he say to a Tempter go he goeth or come Gods power ouer tempters he commeth or do this he doth it so the care which he taketh of his Church to prouide for it Rom. 9. 19. to protect it to keepe it safe from all dangers Mat. 8. 9. and to bring it to rest and glorie in heauen doth shew the reason why he retaineth an ouer-ruling hand in all temptations Gods care ouer his Church Though in wisedome he suffer tempters to assault his children yet he will order the assault so as it shall not preuaile against them no nor turne to their damage but rather to their aduantage for the effecting whereof he holds the raines in his owne hands to let them loose or hold them in as hee seeth cause 2. King 19. 28. That which God said to Semacherib I will put my hooke in thy nose and my bridle in thy lips he doth to all the tempters of his Church This care of God ouer his Church the Psalmist doth thus excellently set forth in these words Psal 105. 14 15 He suffered no man to do them wrong yea he reprooued Kings for their sakes saying Touch not mine annointed and do my Prophets no harme Learne we hereby in all temptations Trust in God feare him more then tempters and in all straits whereunto thereby we are brought to looke vnto God as Iehosaphat did 2. Chro. 20. 12. when by reason of the multitude of his mightie enemies he knew not what to do Qui deo se committit diabolum non timet Aug. loc citat and to feare God more then them which tempt vs for on this ground we may with confidence say The Lord is my helper I will not feare what any Tempter can do For there may be sure and safe defence from all those euils which Satan doth plot and practise against vs Heb. 13. 6. if God deliuer vs. A cunctis aduersis quae contra nos molitur ini micus potest
answered that King We are not carefull to answer thee our God whom we serue is able to deliuer vs. 10. To praise God Psal 150. 2. Praise him for his mightie acts Vnto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly Eph. 3. 20 21. be glorie c. 11. To hope well of such as are weake Rom. 14. 4. God is able to make them stand 12. To be bountifull to such as need 2. Cor 9. 8. God is able to make all graces abound c. §. 214. Of the comfort arising from Gods power Q. VVHat comfort ariseth from the consideration of Gods power A. Assurance of the accomplishment of Gods promises To strengthen the Prophets faith in the promise which God had made of returning the captiuitie of the Iewes God giueth him this answer Ier. 32. 27. Behold I am the Lord th◠God of all flesh is there anything too hard for me To exemplifie this the holy Ghost putteth vs in mind of Gods power to strengthen our faith in these promises following 1. The alteration of our corrupt nature Mar. 10. 23. c. Though to man it be as easie to make a Camel to go through the eye of a needle as a rich man to enter into heauen yet to God that is not impossible For with God all things are possible 2. The vocation of the Iewes Rom. 11. 23. For God is able to graffe them in againe 3. All needfull grace 2. Cor. 9. 8. God is able to make all grace abound 4. Perseuerance to the end No man shall plucke Christs sheepe out of his hand Ioh. 10. 28 29. For his Father which gaue him them is greater then all 5. Supply of all necessities Phil. 4. 19. God that is able will supply them 6. Assistance in all trouble Vpon this ground that God hath a mightie arme Psal 89. 13 21 22 23. and strong hand assurance is giuen to Dauid of sufficient protection 7. Deliuerance out of all euill Isa 50. 2. For assurance hereof with great emphasis doth the Prophet presse the power of God 8. The resurrection of our bodies Eph. 1. 19 20. For assurance hereof the Apostle doth much amplifie the power of God 9. Eternall glorification Phil. 3. 21. Christ shall change our vile bodie that it maybe fashioned like vnto his glorious bodie according to the working whereby he is able euen to subdue all things to himselfe Hitherto of Gods Kingdome and Power The third property is his Glory set downe in these words AND THE GLORY §. 215. Of Gods glory What it is Q. VVHat is ment by Gods Glorie A. That Excellencie which is in him For the Excellencie of a thing that which causeth it to bee in high esteeme and procureth a name fame and renoune vnto it is the Glory of it The a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 In Cal. grau◠fuit 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gloriosus fuit Inde nomen 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 grauitas gloria Hebrew word signifieth that which is weighty and of worth The b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fama gloria Greeke word signifieth both fame and glory For glory causeth fame In Scripture glory and excellency are put for one and the same thing and that in relation both to creatures and to the Creator as where the Prophet speaking of the glory of the Church saith c Isa 35. 2. the GLORY of Lebanon shall be giuen vnto it the EXCELLENCY of Carmel and Sharon The shall see the GLORY of the Lord and the EXCELLENCY of our God On this ground where the excelency of our God is set forth glory is attributed to him and he is stiled d Act. 7. 2. God of glory e Psal 24 8. King of Glory f Eph. 1. 17. Father of glory And his Name Habitation Throne and Gospell because of the excellency of them are stiled g Neh. 9. 5. a name of glory h Isa 63. 15. an habitation of glory i Ier. 14. 21. a throne of glory k 1 Tim. 1. 11. a Gospell of glory Yea for the same end Glory is also prefixed before the things of God as l Isa 2. 10. Glory of Maiesty m Psal 145. 11. Glory of Kingdome n Ephes 1. 6. Glory of Grace o 2 Thes 1. 9. Glory of Power §. 216. Of the Incomprehensiblenesse of Gods Glorie Q. MAy Gods glory be comprehended by Man A. No. 1 Tim. 6. 16. It is incomprehensible It is a light which no man can approach vnto For as all other properties of God are his very essence so is his glory which is the excellency of all When Moses desired God to shew him his glory Exod. 33. 18 20. the Lord answered Thou canst not see my FACE for there shall no man see MEE and liue By this answer it appeareth that Gods glory is his face and his face is himselfe For these three phrases applied to God glory face me are all put for one and the same thing And that all these are incomprehensible this phrase sheweth Thou canst not see my face Yet God being willing to gratifie him so farre as he was capable shewed him his Backe-parts some glimps of his glory §. 217. Of the meanes of manifesting Gods Glorie Q. HOw is Gods glory manifested A. By such meanes as it pleaseth him to afford For meanes he hath afforded in all ages to that purpose THese meanes haue beene of seuerall sorts Some extraordinary others ordinary Some more obscure others more bright Extraordinary meanes were such particular representations of Gods glory as at sundry times were shewed to sonnes of men as a Exo. 16. 10. A brightnesse in that cloud wherein God was wont to manifest his presence and that b Ezek. 1. 28 29 Apparition or vision which was shewed to Ezekiel Ordinary meanes were the c Psal 26. 8. Tabernacle and the d 1 Sam. 4. 21 22 Arke Other more cleere and bright meanes are his Word Works and Image Both parts of Gods Word the Law and Gospell doe clearely set out the glory of God The Law the glory of his Iustice the Gospell the glory of his Mercy Glory therefore is attributed to them both The Apostle e 2 Cor. 39. where hee stileth the Law a ministration of condemnation attributeth glory to it But the Gospel which he stileth a ministration of righteousnesse hee affirmeth to exceede in glory This is f 2 Cor. 3. 18. that glasse wherein with open face wee behold the glory of God All Gods works declare his glory As his workes of g Psal 19 1. Rom. 1. 20. Creation and h Psal 97. 6. Preseruation or prouidence But among the works of God they which are more then ordinary workes of wonder as all manner of i Num. 14. 22. Ioh. 2. 11. Miracles k Exod. 15. 11. Extraordinary iudgements on the wicked l Psal 85. 9. Extraordinary deliuerances of his people and
a man to deuoure that which is consecrated Ezek. 48. 14. The first fruites of the Lord might not be sold exchanged or alienated because they were holy to the Lord consecrated to him 5. Lawfull oathes Mat. 5. 33. These must be kept though they bee made to a mans hurt Psal 15. 4. 6. The bond of mariage Mat. 19. 6. Hereof it is said What God hath ioyned together let no man put asunder 2. Other things by custome become immutable as 1. Euill practises Ier. 13. 23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do euill 2. Ciuill ordinances Mat. 27. 15. At the Passeouer the Gouernour was wont to release vnto the people a prisoner whom they would thereupon it is said Of necessitie he must deliuer one to them Luke 23. 17. 3. Sundry things are made immutable by speciall supportance as 1. Coelestiall spirits Eph. 1. 10. These are the things in heauen which are said to be gathered together in Christ by whom they are confirmed and established 2. The Church militant Mat. 16. 18. For the gates of hell shall not preuaile against it Psal 125. 1. 3. Particular Saints Rom. 11. 29. They that trust in the Lord shall bee as mount Sion which cannot be remoued but abideth for euer 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 â—â—â—smodi sunt vt eorum ipsum 〈◊〉 non possit 〈◊〉 〈…〉 4. The gifts and calling of God These are without repentance Such as God neuer repenteth the bestowing of them On this ground the Apostle thus saith of such as were called and made partakers of the gift of God Phil. 1. â— I am confident of this very thing that he which hath begun a good worke in you will performe it vntill the day of Iesus Christ 4. There are many things which haue an immutable nature giuen them so as according to that course which God hath appointed they cannot be altered as 1. Sundry natiue properties Ier. 13. 23. Can the Ethiopian change his skin Mat. 5. 36. or the Leopard his spots Thou canst not neake one haire white or beatke 2. The earth and the mountaines thereon Eccl. 1. 4. These abide for euer Psal 125. 1. 3. Seasons and intercourse of times Gen. 8. 22. While the earth remaineth seed-time and haruest and cold and heate and summer and winter Ier. 33. 20. and day and night shall not cease Thus saith the Lord If ye can breake my couenant of the day and my couenant of the night and that there should not be day or night in their season Then c. Here the immutable entercourse of those seasons is set downe as an vndeniable principle 4. The visible heauens and the host thereof Ier. 31. 35. The Lord giueth the Sunne for a light by day and the ordinances of the Moone and of the Starres for a light by night namely so to abide without alteration 5. The highest heauen and all therein Mat. 6. 20. There neither moath nor rust corrupt nor theeues breake through nor steale 5. Some things are essentially in themselues immutable and so immutable as it is impossible they should be changed as 1. God himselfe Mal. 3. 6. Iam. 1. 17. 2. Gods counsell Psal 33. 11. Heb. 6. 17. 3. Gods Law Luke 16. 17. 4. Gods oath Psal 110. 4. Isa 45. 23. 5. Gods couenants Ier. 33. 20 21. 6. Gods promises Heb. 6. 13 18. 7. Euery word of God Num. 23. 19. 8. Gods loue Ier. 31. 3. As God himselfe is so are the things which are essentiall to him and come out of him as those which are before mentioned and others like vnto them immutable inuiolable §. 227. Of the difference betwixt the immutabilitie of the Creator and creatures Q. WHerein lyeth the difference betwixâ— the immutability of the Creator and of the creaturcs A. 1. God hath his stabilitie of himselfe which is euident by this stile which God giueth to himselfe I AM THAT I AM. Exod 3. 14. Creatures haue all that stabilitie which they haue of God Ier. 31. 35. The Lord giueth the ordinances of the Moone and of the Starres hee hath appointed them the courses which they keepe so constantly Prou. 3 19. He hath founded the earth and established the heauens 2. It is simply and absolutely impossible that Gods stabilitie should be altered Heb. 6. 18. But the most stedfast stabilitie of the creatures may be altered Iude ver 6. Some of the Angles kept not their first estate The Lord remoueth the mountaines and ouer turneth them in his anger Iob 9. 5 6 7. He shaketh the earth out of her place and maketh the pillars thereof tremble He commandeth the Sunne and it riseth not c. In Ioshuahs time the Sunne stood still Ios 10. 13. In Hezekiahs time it runne backe Though many creatures neuer were nor shall be changed 2. King 20. 11. as the good Angell yet is it not simply impossible that they should be changed Hee that made them can destroy them If God in Christ had not confirmed them but should leaue them to themselues there might be feare of their falling 3. God remaineth immutable by himselfe Mal. 3. 6. I am Iehouah saith the Lord I change not Because hee is Iehouah of himselfe by himselfe therefore he changeth not But the creatures are supported by God and kept stable and vnchangeable by his prouidence As the Lord first appointed them their firme and stable course so that they may the better keepe it he putteth vnder the hand of his diuine prouidence to support them Col. 1. 17. By him all things consist The immutabilitie therefore which is in any creature is wholy at Gods disposing either to confirme or alter it So as immutabilitie properly taken is proper to God §. 228. Of the duties which arise from Gods immutabilitie Q. TO what duties are we bound by reason of Gods immutabilitie A. 1. To put difference betwixt the Creator and creatures as the Psalmist did where in opposition betwixt the Creator and creatures he saith Psal 102. 26. They shall perish but thou shalt endure c. 2. To respect God as Saints in former times haue done He is the same God now that euer he was Why then should he not be accordingly esteemed b Mal. 3. 4 5. 6. This argument taken from Gods immutabilitie doth God himselfe vse to prouoke to pietie to reclaime them from all impietie c 2. Chro. 17. 3. 4. True Saints haue also hereby bene moued to carrie themselues towards God 29. 2. as their fathers of old haue done 34. 2 3. 3. To trust in the Lord. Psal 125. 1 2. As the mountaines round about Ierusalem stand vnmoueable for the defence and saferie thereof So the Lord is round about his people for euer 4. To beleeue Gods word and promise Sarah beleeued Gods word
euen against the ordinarie course of nature Because she iudged him faithfull who had promised Heb. 1â— 11. 5. Confidently to waite for saluation For this end hath God shewed to the heires of promise the immutabilitie of his counsell that we might haue a strong consolation c. 6. To hold close to Gods word not to alter it any way Deut 4. 2. Who shall dare to change the inuiolable word of the immutable God 7. To yeald to the counsell of God made knowne God in his counsell is vnchangeable It shall stand whether we yeald vnto it or repine against it On this ground g 1. Sam. 3. 18. the Saints where the purpose of God was manifested 2. Sam. 12. 22 23 humbly submitted themselues thereto 2. King 20. 19. 8. To be stedfast 1. Cor. 15. 58. constant and vnnioueable in euery good worke Mat. 5. 48. This is one especiall point wherein we must be perfect as our heauenly Father is perfect Some of those particulars wherein we must be vnmoueable and immutable are these 1. In our promises 2. Cor. 1. 17. 2. In our oathes Psal 15. 4. 3. In our vowes Eccl. 5. 4. 4. In our faith and hope Col. 1. 23. 5. In our profession Heb. 3. 12. 13. 9. 6. In all good duties Gal. 6. 9. Hitherto of the Attributes here appropriated to God singly and seuerally considered by themselues The relation which they haue to the Petitions is further to be declared §. 229. Of Gods kingdome How it worketh confidence in Prayer Q. VVHat relation haue the forenamed properties of God to the Petitions of this prayer A. As reasons to enforce them * See §. 203. which they do by giuing vs assurance of obtaining them which will more clearely appeare by a distinct application of euery particular propertie to the Petitions and of euery particular Petition to the seuerall properties Q. How doth Gods Soueraigntie giue vs assurance of obtaining our Petitions A. It importeth Gods willingnesse to heare vs. This is a great encouragement to moue vs to come to God and to expect a gracious answer from him Psal 65. 2. Vpon this stile giuen to God O thou that hearest prayer this inference is made vnto thee shall all flesh come Now Gods willingnesse and readinesse to heare may well be gathered from this clause Thine is the kingdome because it is the propertie of good Kings readily to open their eares to their subiects suites as is excellently set downe in the c Psal 72. 12 13 14. description of that King that was a type of Iesus Christ the King of kings But God hath all the properties of a good King in him Yea they are all originally in him as in the head fountaine and well-spring The properties that are in other good Kings are deriued from him He hath them infinitely aboue all measure We may well therfore be assured that the kingdome being Gods he being our King and Soueraigne we may boldly present our suites to him and confidently expect the accomplishment of our desires Well did he know this that did vsually in his Petitions to God stile him King saying Heaâ—ken vnto the voice of my crie Psal 5. 2. my KING Thou art my KING O God command deliuerance for Iaakob 44. 4. God is my KING of old working saluation Wherfore take due and true notice of thine estate 74. 12. whether thou bee indeed one of Gods subiects that so thou maist with the more stedfast faith present thy Petitions to God as to thy King and plead and presse this argument Thine is the kingdome §. 230. Of Gods power How it strengthenth faith in Prayer Q. HOw doth Gods power enforce our desire A. It sheweth how able God is to grant whatsoeuer we desire of him A King may be ready and willing to heare his subiects suits but if withall hee be not able to grant their Petitions and to effect their desires what confidence can they haue in calling vpon him when a poore subiect thus cryed to a mortall King 2. King 6. 26 27. Helpe ô Lord my King he answered If the Lord do not helpe thee whence shall I helpe thee What heart can a subiect haue to go to such a Soueraigne There may be more hope of helpe from him that is vnwilling then from him that is vnable b Ier. 32. 17 27. Ost therefore is Gods power alledged to strengthâ—n our faith in prayer 2. Chro. 20. 6. and Saints themselues were woâ—t to pleade it Neh 9. 32. Q. 1. Chro. 16. 25. May wee confidently expect to obtaine by prayer whatsoeuer God is ablâ— to grant 2. Chro. 14 11. A. Gods power singly by it selfe no ground of faith No * §. â—11 wee haue before shewed that God is able to do many things which he will not do Though c Mat. 26. 53. Christ knew that his Father could haue sent more then twelue legions of Angels to rescue him yet because he also knew that it was the will of his Father at that time to deliuer him into the hands of his enemies he would not pray for those legions to be sent Though God be able at any time to preserue any people from any iudgment yet when his will is not to deliuer them the prayers of d Ezek. 14 14. Noah Daniel and Iob or of e ler. 15. 1. Moses and Samuel shall not be of force for them f 1. Sam. 16. 1. Samuel prayed for Saul but was not heard Q. How then is Gods power a ground of faith Gods power and will concurring a sure ground of faith A. In that it is ioyned with his willingnesse Therefore it is here added to his kingdome a §. 229. which wee haue shewed to set out his readinesse to heare They who place their confidence on Gods power aright are not ignorant thereof Instance the Leper Math. 8. 2. who thus frameth his Petition Lord if thou wilt thou canst make me cleane In those things whereof we haue euidence for Gods willingnesse we may with confidence rest vpon Gods power for the obtaining of them Wherefore well acquaint thy selfe with Gods Word and with his promises therein that thereby thou maist bee well instructed in the things which God is willing to grant and so with greater confidence trust to his power §. 231. Of Gods glory How it setleth the soule for obtaining her desire Q. HOw doth Gods glory encourage vs with confidence to call on God A. It implyeth a concurring of his will and power together Gods glory is the maine end that he aimeth at in all things Prou. 16. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himselfe namely to set out his glorie The things therefore which tend to his glory hee will assuredly grant For they are none of those things which were b §. 210. before noted to import impotencie or imperfection and in that regard are within the