Praise ye the Lord. Psal 138. 1 2 3. I will praise thee with my whole heart before the Gods will I sing praise unto thee v. 2. I will worship towards thy holy Temple and praise thy Name for thy loving kindness and for thy truth for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy Name v. 3. In the day when I cryed thou answerest me and strengthnedst me with strength in my soul 2 Cor. 2. 14 15. Now thanks be to God who alwayes causeth us to triumph in Christ and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledg by us in every place v. 15. For we are to God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved and in them that perish works and whatsoever he is pleased to make himself known by (q) Psal 145. throughout I will extoll thee O God my King c. Psal 8. throughout O Lord our Lord how excellent is thy Name in all the earth c. and to glorifie him in thought word (r) Psal 103. 1. Bless the Lord O my Soul and all that is within me bless his holy Name Psal 19. 14. Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in thy sight O Lord our strength and our Redeemer and deed (Å¿) Phil. 1. 9 -11 And this I pray that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledg and in all judgment v. 11. Being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God that he would prevent and remove Atheism (t) Psal 67. 1 2 3 4. God be merciful unto us and bless us and cause his face to shine upon us v. 2. That thy way may be known upon earth and thy saving health among all Nations v. 3. Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee v. 4. O let the Nations be glad and rejoice for thou shalt judge the people righteously and govern the Nations upon earth ignorance (u) Eph. 1. 17 18. That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ the Father of Glory may give unto you the spâ—rit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledg of him v. 18. The eyes of your understanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints idolatry (*) Psal 97. 7. Confounded be all they that serve graven Images that boast themselves of Idols worship him all ye gods profaneness (x) Psal 74. 18 -22 23. Remember this that the enemy hath reproached O Lord and that the foolish people have blasphemed thy Name v. 22. Arise O God plead thine own cause remember how the foolish man reproacheth thee daily v. 23. Forget not the voice of mine enemies the tumult of those that rise up against thee encreaseth continually and whatsoever is dishonourable to him (y) 2 Kings 19. 15 16. And Hâ—zâ—kiah prayed unto the Loid and said O Lord God of Israel which dwellest between the Cherubims thou art the God even thou alone of all the Kingdoms of the earth thou hast made heaven and earth v. 16. Lord bow down thine ear and hear open Lord thine eyes and see and hear the words of Sennacherib which hath sent him to reproach the living God and by his over-ruling providence direct and dispose of all things to his own glory (z) 2 Chron. 20. 6 -10 11 12. And Jehoshaphat said O Lord God of our fathers Art not thou God in heaven and rulest not thou over all the Kingdoms of the heathen and in thine hand is there not power and might so that none is able to withstand thee v. 10. And now behold the children Ammon and Moab c. v. 11. Behold I say how they reward us to come to cast us out of our possessions which thou hast given us to inherit v. 12. O our God wilt thou not judge them for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us neither know we what to do but our eyes are upon thee Psal 83. throughout Keep thou not silence O God hold not thy peace c. Psal 140. 4 -8 Reep me O Lord from the hands of the wicked preserve me from the violent man who have purposed to overthrow my goings v. 8. Grant not O Lord the desires of the wicked further not his wicked devices lest they exalt themselves Q. What do we pray for in the second Petition A. In the second Petition which is Thy Kingdom come (a) Matth. 6. 10. acknowledging our selves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sinne and Satan (b) Eph. 2. 2 3. Wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world according to the prince of the power of the air the Spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience v. 3. Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind and were by nature the children of wrath even as others we pray that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed (c Psal 68. 1 -18 Let God arise let his enemies be scattered let them also that have him flee before him v. 18. Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captivity captive thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them Rev. 12. 10 11. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven Now is come salvation and strength and the Kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast out which accused them before God day and night v. 11. And they overcame by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death the Gospel propagated throughout the world (d) 2 Thes 3. 1. Finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you the Jewes called (e) Rom. 10. 1. Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God is That they might he saved the fulness of the Gentiles brought in (f) John 17 9 -20 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given me for they are thine v. 20. Neither pray I for these alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word Rom. 11. 25 26. For I would not brethren that ye should be ignorant of this mystery â—est ye should be wise in your own conceits that blindness in part is hapned to Israel until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in v. 26. And so all Israel shaâ—l be saved as it is written There shall come out of Zion the deliverer and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob. Psal 67. throughout God be merciful unto us and bless us and cause his face
sorrowful spirit I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink but have poured out my soul before the Lord. with understanding (r) 1 Cor. 14. 15. What is it then I will pray with the Spirit and will pray with understanding also faith (Å¿) Mar. 11. 24. Therefore I say unto you Whatsoever things ye desire when ye pray believe that ye receive them and ye shall have them Jam 1. 6. But let him ask in faith nothing doubting for he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed sincerity (t) Psal 145. 18 The Lord is nigh unto all that call upon him to all that call upon him in truth Psal 17. 1. Hear the right O Lord attend unto my cry give ear unto my prayer that goeth not out of fained lips fervency (u) Jam. 5. 16. the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much love (*) 1 Tim. 2. 8. I will therefore that men pray every where lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting and perseverance (x) Eph. 6. 18. Praying alwayes with all prayer and supplication in the spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplicotion for all Saints waiting upon him (y) Mic. 7. 7. Therefore I will look unto the Lord I will wait for the God of my salvation my God will hear me with humble submission to his will (z.) Mat. 26. 39. And he went a little farther and fell on his face and prayed saying O my Father If it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt Q. What rule hath God given for our direction in the duty of Prayer A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in the duty of praying (a) 1 Joh. 5. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us but the special rule of direction is that form of Prayer which our Saviour Christ taught his Disciples commonly called the Lords Prayer (b.) Mat. 6. 9 10 11 12 13. After this manner therefore pray ye Our father c. Luk. 11. 2 3 4. And he said unto them When ye pray say Our father c. Q. How is the Lords Prayer to be used A. The Lords Prayer is not onely for direction as a pattern according to which we are to make other praiers but may also be used as a prayer so that it be done with understanding faith reverence and other graces necessary to the right performance of the duty (c.) Mat. 6. 9. Compared with Luke 11. 2. See above in the letter b. Q. Of how many parts doth the Lords Prayer consist A. The Lords Prayer consists of three parts a Preface Petitions and a Conclusion Q. What doth the Preface of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The Preface of the Lords Prayer contained in these words Our Father which art in heaven (d) Mat. 6. 9. teacheth us when we pray to draw near to God with confidence of his fatherly goodness and our interest therein (e) Luk. 11. 13. If you then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him Rom. 8. 15. For ye have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear but ye have received the Spirit of Adoption whereby we cry Abba Father with reverence and all other child-like dispositions (f) Isa 46. 9. Be not wrath very sore O Lord neither remember our iniquities for ever behold see we beseech thee we are all thy people heavenly affections (g) Psal 123. 1. Unto thee lift I up mine eyes O thou that dwellest in the heavens Lam. 3. 41. Let us lift up our heart and our hands unto God in the heavens and due apprehensions of his soveraign power Majesty and gracious condescention (h) Isa 63. 15 16. Look down from heaven and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory Where is thy zeal and thy strength the sounding of thy bowels and thy mercies towards me are they restrained v. 16. Doubtless thou art our Father though Abraham be ignorant of us and Israel acknowledge us not thou O Lord art our Father our redeemer thy Name is from everlasting Neh. 1. 4 5 6. And it came to pass when I heard these words that I saâ—e down and wept and mourned certain dayes and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven v. 5. And said I beseech thee O Lord God of heaven the God that keepeth Covenant and mercy for them that love him and observe his commandments v. 6. Let thine eat be now attentive and thine eyes opâ—n that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant which I pray before thee now day and night for the children of Israel thy servants c. as also to pray with and for others (i) Act. 12. 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him Q. VVhat do we pray for in the first Petition A. In the first petition which is Hallowed be thy name (k) Mat. 6. 9. acknowledging the utter inability and indisposition that is in our selves all men to honor God aright (l) 2 Cor. 3. 5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God Psalm 51. 15. O Lord open thou my lips and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise we pray that God would by his grace inable and incline us and others to know to acknowledg and highly to esteem him (m) Psal 67. 2 3. That thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all nations v. 3. Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee his titles (n) Psal 83. 18. That men may know that thou whose Name alone is Jehovah art the most High over all the earth attributes (o) Psal 86. 10 11 12 13 -15 For thou art great and dost wondrous things thou art God alone v. 11. Teach me thy way O Lord I will walk in thy truth unite my heart to fear thy name v. 12. I will praise thee O Lord my God with all my heart and will glorifie thy Name for evermore v. 13. For great is thy mercy towards me and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell v. 15. But thou O Lord art a God full of compassion and gracious long suffering and plenteous in mercy and truth ordinances word (p) 2 Thes 3. 1. Finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you Psal 147. 19 20. He sheweth his word unto Jacob his statutes and judgments unto Israel v. 20. He hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his judgments they have not known them
thee and mine iniquity have I not hid I said I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin Selah V. 6. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou maist be found surely in the flâ—ods of great waters they shall come nigh unto him Dan. 9. 4. And I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my confession and said O Lord the great and dreadful God keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him and to them that keep his commandments and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies (q) Phil. 4. 6. Be careful for nothing but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God Q. What rule hath God given for our direction in Prayer A. The whole word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer (r) 1 Job 5. 14. And this is the confidence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us but the speciall rule of direction is that form of Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples commonly called the Lords Prayer (Å¿) Mat 6. 9 10 11 12 13. After this manner therefore pray ye Our father c. Luke 11. 2. And he said unto them When ye pray say Our father c. Q. What doth the Preface of the Lords Prayer teach us A. The Preface of the Lords Prayer which is Our Father which art in heaven (t) Matth. 6. 9. teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence as children to a father ready to help us (u) Rom. 8. 15. For we have not received the Spirit of bondage again to fear but we have received the Spirit of Adoption wherebâ—y we cry Abba Father Luk. 11. 13. If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heavenly father give the holy Spirit to them that aâ—k him and that we should pray with and for others (*) Act. 12. 5. Peter therefore was kept in prison but prayer was made without ceasing of the Church unto God for him 1 Tim. 2. 1 2. I exhort therefore that first of all supplications prayers intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men v. 2. For Kinks and for all that are in authority c. Q. VVhat do we pray for in the first Petition A. In the first petition which is Hallowed be thy name (x) Mat. 6. 9. we pray that God would enable us and others to glorifie him in all that whereby he maketh himself known (y) Psal 67. 2 3. That thy way may be known upon earth thy saving health among all nations v. 3 Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise hee and that he would dispose all things to his own glory (z) Psal 83. throughout Q. What do we pray for in the second Petition A. In the second Petition which is Thy Kingdom come (a) Mat. 6. 10 we pray that Satans Kingdom may be destroyed (b) Psal 68. 1 -18 Let God arise let his enemies be scattered let them also that hate him fâ—â—e before him v. 18. Thou hast ascended on high thou hast led captiviy captive thou hast received gifts for men yea for the rebellious also that the Lord God might dwell among them and that the Kingdom of Grace might be advanced (c) Rev. 12. 10 11. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven Now is come salvation and strength and the Kingdom of our God and the power of his Christ for the accuser of our brethren is cast down which accused them before God day and night v. 11. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony and they loved not their lives unto the death our selves and others brought into it and kept in it (d) 2 Thes 3. 1. Finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you Rom. 10. 1. Brethren my hearts desire and prayer to God for Israel is That they might be saved Joh. 17. 9 -20 I pray for them I pray not for the world but for them that thou hast given me for they are thine v. 20. Neither pray I for thâ—se alone but for them also which shall believe on me through their word and that the Kingdom of glory may be hastened (e) Rev. 22. 20. He which testifieth these things saith surely I come quickly Amen even so come Lord Jesus Q. What do we pray for in the third Petition A. In the third petition which is Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (f) Mat. 6. 10. We pray that God would make us able and willing to know obey and submit to his will in all things (g) Psal 67. throughout Psal 119. 36. Encline my heart unto thy testimonies and not to covetousness Mat. 26. 39. And he went a little farther and fell on his face and prayed saying O my Father if it be possible let this cup pass from me nevertheless not as I will but as thou wilt 2 Sam. 15. 25. And the King said unto Zadok carry back the Ark of God into the city If I shall finde favour in the eyes of the Lord he will bring me again and shew me both it and his habitation Job 1. 21. And said Naked came I out of my mothers womb and naked shall I return thither the Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away blessed be the name of the Lord. as the Angels do in heaven (h) Psal 103. 20 21. Bless the Lord ye his Angels that excell in strength and do his commandments hearkning unto the voice of his word v. 21. Bless ye the Lord all ye his hosts ye ministers of his that do his pleasure Q. What do we pray for in the fourth Petition A. In the fourth Petition which is Give us this day our daily bread (i) Mat. 6. 11. we pray that of Gods free gift we may receive a competent portion of the good things of this life and enjoy his blessing with them (k) Prov. 30. 8 9. Remove far from me vanity and lies give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me v. 9. Lest I be full and deny thee and say who is the Lord and lest I be poor and steal and take the name of my God in vain Gen. 28. 20. And Jacob vowed a vow saying if God will be with me and keep me in this way that I goe and will give me bread to eat and raiment to put on 1 Tim. 1. 4 5. For every creature of God is good and nothing to be refused if it be received with thanksgiving v. 5. For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer Q. What do we pray for in the fifth Petition A. In the
gathered together against it V. 4. In that day saith the Lord I will smite every horse with astonishment and his rider with madness and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah and will smite every horse of the people with blindness V. 8. In that day shall the Lord defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David and the house of David shall be as God as the Angel of the Lord before them V. 9. and it shall come to pass in that day that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem and of enjoying the communion of Saints the ordinary means of salvation a Act. 2. 39-42 For the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call V. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the Apostles Doctrine and in fellow-ship and in breaking of bread and in prayers offers of grace by Christ to all the members of it in the ministery of the Gospel testifying that whosoever believes in him shall be saved b Psal 147. 19 20. He sheweth his words unto Jacob his statutes and his judgements unto Israel He hath not dealt so with any nation and as for his judgements they have not known them praise ye the Lord. Rom. 9. 4. Who are Israelites to whom pertaineth the adoption and the glory and the Covenants and the giving of the Law and the service of God and the promises Eph. 4. 11 12. And he gave some Apostles and some Prophets and some Evangelists and some Pastors and Teachers for the perfecting of the Saints for the work of the ministery for the edifying of the body of Christ Mark 16. 15 16. And he said unto them Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned and excluding none that will come unto him c Joh. 6. 37. All that the father giveth me shall come unto me and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out Q. What is the invisible Church A. The invisible Church is the whole number of the elect that have been are or shall be gathered into one under Christ the Head d Eph. 1. 10-22 23. That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ both which are in heaven and which are on earth even in him V. 22. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church which is his body the fulness of him that filleth all in all Joh. 10. 16. And other sheep I have which are not of this fold them also I must bring and they shall hear my voice and there shall be one fold and one shepherd John 11. 52. And not for that nation onely but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad Q. What speciall benefits do the Members of the invisible Church enjoy by Christ A. The Members of the Invisible Church by Christ enjoy Union and Communion with him in grace and glory e Joh. 17. 21. That they all may be one as thou Father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us that the world may believe that thou hast sent me Eph. 2. 5 6. Even when we were dead in sins hath quickned us together with Christ by grace ye are saved And hath raised us up together and hath made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus John 17. 24. Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold my glory which thou hast given me for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world Q. What is that Union which the Elect have with Christ A. The Union which the Elect have with Christ is the work of Gods grace f Eph. 1. 22. And hath put all things under his feet and gave him to be head over all things to the Church Eph. 2. 6 7 8. And hath raised us up together and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus V. 7. That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness towards us in Christ Jesus V. 8. For by grace are ye saved through faith and that not of your selves it is the gift of God whereby they are Spiritually and mystically yet really and inseparably joyned to Christ as their head and husband g 1 Cor. 6. 17. But he that is joyned to the Lord is one Spirit John 10. 28. And I give unto them eternal life and they shall never perish neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand Eph. 5. 23-30 For the husband is the head of the wife even as Christ is the head of the Church and he is the Saviour of the body V. 30. For we are members of his body of his flesh and of his bones which is done in their effectual Calling h 1 Pet. 5. 10. But the God of all grace who hath called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus after that ye have suffered a while make you perfect stablish strengthen settle you 1 Cor. 1. 9. God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Q. What is effectual calling A. Effectual Calling is the work of Gods almighty power and grace i Joh. 5. 25. Verily verily I say unto you the hour is coming and now is when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God and they that hear shall live Eph. 1. 18 19. 20. The eyes of your understanding being enlightned that ye may know what is the hope of his calling and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints V. 19. And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us ward who believe according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places 2 Tim. 1. 8 9. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord nor of me his prisoner but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the Gospel according to the power of God V. 9. Who hath saved us and called us with an holy calling not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began whereby out of his free and especial love to his Elect and from nothing in them moving him thereunto k Tit. 3. 4 5. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour towards man appeared not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to his mercy he saved us by