rule for then they ask amiss for the manner and matter both 2 And more particularly the Lords Prayer for this may be used not only as a Prayer it self Luk. 11.2 but also as a pattern for all other Prayers not so much for method and order for we are not so strictly tyed to that as for matter in which we are not to deviate from this so comprehensive directory in the matter of Prayer Mat. 6.9 3 dly In the name of Christ i. e 1 By virtue of his warrant and authority because he doth command us to pray What is done by his authority is in his Name 2 Making use of him as our Mediator or Intercessor or great Master of Requests in Heaven for we are strangers to God and enemies to him naturally and so must make use of the Name of Christ and not of our own 2 dly The ordinary kinds or parts of Prayer are 1 Confession of sin either expressed or implyed for when we beg or petition for any mercy we are to own our unworthiness of it which we cannot well do without confession of sin 2 Thanksgiving for there is something of the nature of Prayer in such acknowledgments scit our desire that God would accept of our Sacrifices of Praise and Christ has taught us in our Prayer to praise God For thine is the Kingdom c. A. 100. The Preface of the Lords Prayer which is Our Father which art in heaven teacheth us to draw near to God with all holy reverence and confidence as children to a Father able and ready to help and that we should pray with and for others Hom. XVII Consider his great power to make us dread and fear high wisdom inestimable goodness to take good heart again to trust well unto him being assured to take him for our refuge our hope and comfort our merciful Father in all the cases of our lives Expl. 100. The Preface teacheth many lessons 1 Solemn Preparation that we come not rashly to pray but bethink our selves before-hand to whom we are to pray 2 Reverence as the name Father doth import 3 Access with boldness that we may go to God as freely in and through Christ as Children can go to their natural Parents 4 Confidence of speeding all the while we ask aright for the matter and manner and end for when men do not speed 't is because they ask amiss i. e either what they should not or as they should not or wherefore they should not 5 Gods readiness to hear and help therefore called our Father none more ready to help a Child than the Father of â—t 6 Gods pity and compassion towards his children which does move him to help them As a father pities his children c. 7 That great Article of our Creed Communion of Saints for all true Christian supplicants have one common union in that one common relation of children unto God and therefore called our Father 8 Compassion that we do pity and pray one for another being all of us children of the same common Father 9 That though God is present in all places yet Heaven is in a more especial manner the habitation of his holiness because he doth there more immediately gloriously and fully communicate of himself to the Angels and Spirits of just men made perfect 10 That man being a sinful supplicant should know his distance from the great God and with all humble and thankful admiration acknowledg Gods condescention towards him in that he is willing to receive any petition from him A. 101. In the first Petition which is Hallowed be thy Name We pray that God would enable us and others to glorifie him in all that whereby he makes himself known and that he would dispose all things to his own glory To. 2. Hom. VII p. 3. We are taught whensoever we make our prayers unto God chiefly to respect the honour and glory of his Name Expl. 101. This is not only the first Petition in this Prayer but the first of those Petitions wherein we are taught to beg good things for the two last Petitions in this Prayer are deprecatory against evil Now from the shortness of all these Petitions in general we may observe that the efficacy of Prayer doth not consist in the multitude of words but doth most shew it self in a holy fervency and ardour of affections In this Petition there is 1 st Something supposed as the ground of this Petition as 1 That man ought to make the glory of God his chief end in all his designs 2 That by his natural power and without the grace of God he is not able to glorifie God 2 dly We have the matter of the Petition Hallowed be thy name In which words we do pray in the general that all the Attributes Titles Ordinances Words and Works of God whereby he is made known may be heartily and highly valued and esteemed and magnified in the world More particularly we beg 1 That God would give us hearts 2 Grace to shew forth his glory in all our words thoughts actions and capacities 3 That he would prevent or remove all that sin especially whereby the lustre of his glory in the world is most eclipsed as Atheism Ignorance Idolatry Oppression c. 4 That he would so lay the scene of his Providence in the government of the world that he may still get to himself a glorious name whether it be in works of power wisdom justice or mercy for though he will do this whether we beg it or no yet 1 it is our duty because commanded 2 Hereby we shew our love to God by this zeal for his glory 3 To our own souls for his glory and our happiness are twisted together A. 102. In the second Petition which is Thy Kingdome come We pray that Satans Kingdome may be destroyed that the Kingdome of Grace may be advanced our selves and others brought into it and kept in it and that the Kingdome of Glory may be hastened To. 2. Hom. XVI p. 2. He of his great mercy so works in all mens hearts by the mighty power of the Holy Ghost that the comfortable Gospel of his Son Christ may be truly preached truly received and truly followed in all places to the beating down of sin death the Pope the Devil and all the Kingdom of Antichrist that like scattered and dispersed sheep being at length gathered into one fold we may in the end rest altogether in the bosome of Abraham Isaac and Iacob there to be partakers of eternal and everlasting life through the merits and death of Jesus Christ our Saviour Expl. 102. By kingdom we are to understand in the general Gods rule and dominion and power that he exerciseth in the world both over all his creatures and particularly over men Now in reference to the wicked God doth exercise the kingdom of his power and justice in restraining or punishing them and thus to pray that
that so many of us as were baptized unto Iesus Christ were baptized into his death f Rom. 6.4 Therefore we are buried with him by Baptism into death that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father even so also we should walk in newness of life To whom is Baptism to be administred g Act. 2.41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized h Gen. 17.7 And I will establish my Covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting Covenant to be a God unto thee and to thy seed after thee 10. This is my Covenant which ye shall keep between me and you and thy seed after thee Every man-child among you shall be circumcised Act. 2.38 And Peter said unto them Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Iesus Christ for remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost 39. For the promise is to you and to your Children and to all that an afar off even as many as the Lord our God shall call What is the Lords Supper i Luk. 22.19 And he took Bread and gave thanks and brake it and gave unto them saying this is my body which is given for you this do in remembrance of me 20. Likewise also the Cup after Supper saying This Cup is the New Testament in my blood which is shed for you k 1 Cor. 10.16 The Cup of blessing which we bless is it not the Communion of the blood of Christ The Bread which we break is it not the Communion of the body of Christ What is required in the worthy receiving of the Lords Supper l 1 Cor. 11.28 But let a man examine himself and so let him eat of this Bread and drink of this Cup. 29. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily eateth and drinketh damnation to himself not discerning the Lords body m 2 Cor. 13.5 Examine your selves whether ye be in the Faith n 1 Cor. 11.31 If we would judg our selves we should not be judged o 1 Cor. 11.18 When you come together in the Church I hear there be divisions among you 20. When ye come together therefore in one place this is not to eat the Lords Supper p 1 Cor. 5.8 Therefore let us keep the feast not with old leuen neither with the leven of malice and wickedness but with the unlevened bread of sincerity and truth q 1 Cor. 11.27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread and drink this Cup of the Lord unworthily shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. What is Prayer r Psal. 62.8 Trust in him at all times ye people pour out your hearts before him God is a refuge for us s Rom. 8.27 And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth the mind of the Spirit because he maketh intercession for the Saints according to the will of God t Joh. 16.23 Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my Name he will give it you u Dan. 9.4 And I prayed unto the Lord my God and made my confession w Phil. 4.6 Be careful in nothing but for every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God What Rule hath God given us for our Direction in Prayer x 1 Joh. 5.14 And this is the considence that we have in him that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us y Mat. 9.6 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which art in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name c. What doth the Preface of the Lords Prayer teach us z Isa. 64.9 Be not wrath very sore O Lord neither remember iniquity for ever behold see we beseech thee we are all thy people a 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 b Luk. 11.13 If ye then being evil know how to give good gifts unto your children how much more shall your heauenly Father give the holy Spirit to them that ask him c Eph. 6.18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all Saints What do we pray for in the first Petition d Psal. 67.1 God be merciful unto us and bless us and cause his face to shine upon us 2. That thy way may be known upon the earth and thy saving health among all Nations 3. Let the people praise thee O God let all the people praise thee e Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to him be glory for ever Amen What do we pray for in the second Petition f Psal. 68.1 Let God arise and let his enemies be scattered let them also that hate him flee before him g Psal. 51.18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Sion build thou the walls of Ierusalem h 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 i Rev. 22.20 He which testifieth these things saith Surely I come quickly Amen Even so come Lord Iesus What do we pray for in the third Petition m Psal. 119.34 Give me understanding and I shall keep thy Law yea I will observe it with my whole heart 35. Make me to go in the path of thy Commandments for therein do I delight 36. Incline my heart unto thy testimonies l Act. 21.14 And when he would not be perswaded we ceased saying The will of the Lord be done m Psal. 103.20 Bless the Lord ye his Angels which excel in strength that do his Commandments hearkening unto the voice of his Word 22. Bless the Lord all his works in all places of his Dominion Bless the Lord O my soul. What do we pray for in the fourth Petition n Prov. 30.8 Remove far from me vanity and lies give me neither poverty nor riches feed me with food convenient for me o Psal. 90.17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us and establish thou the work of our hands upon us yea the work of our hands establish thou it What do we pray for in the fifth Petition p Psal. 51.1 Have mercy upon me O God according to thy loving-kindness according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions q Mat. 6.14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses your heavenly Father will also forgive you What do we pray for in the sixth Petition r Mat. 26.41 Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation Psal. 19.13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins let them not have dominion over me s Psal. 51.10 Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a right spirit within me 12. Restore unto me joy of thy salvation and uphold me with thy free Spirit What doth the Conclusion of the Lords Prayer teach us t Dan. 9.18 We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness but for thy great mercies 19. O Lord hear O Lord forgive O Lord hearken and do defer not for thine own sake O my God u 1 Chron. 29.11 Thine O Lord is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the Majesty for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth is thine 13. Now therefore our God we thank thee and praise thy glorious Name w Rev. 22.20 Amen Even so come Lord Iesus
for the sakes of some in a remote Corner whose souls welfare I greatly desire where they want those helps some others enjoy many are poor others unacquainted with or loth to buy good books and where this particularly for the sake of the Author who drew his first breath there may likely be received with greater kindness and read with better care I am not ignorant that others have done well before both formerly and lately in oâ—e and another way for the explication of these common but greatest matters collected out of Holy Scripture and laid together in a small room by men of skill in the truest method that the weak may soon understand and remember them which I heartily rejoice in Yet had I been more timely considerate enough this might have appeared abroad e're some of those larger and much commended were published However now it cannot be unseasonable in this debauching age to contribute a further aid for the sound principling of hopeful youth Here likely will be some advantage either for matter or manner suggested which others have not took notice of for the opening or evidencing of Truth and recommending particulars as at one sight to our prospect Besides some may receive satisfaction and take pleasure to see here the Harmony and fair agreement of these Principles with those our Forefathers zealously profess'd to hold at the beginning of our Reformation from Popery in King Edward the Sixths and Queen Elizabeths days 'T is plain from a view of what is here annexed and presented to us as attesting these several Aphorisms or Propositions that the Articles and Homilies of the English Church under the particulars speak the same things These then are such Institutions of a Christian man as are consonant to Holy Writ the sober and wholesome Doctrines of those Protestants who liv'd in these Kingdoms before us and I hope will find entertainment with our posterity when we go to rest with our Fathers For I suppose it is easie to discern through all disingenuous aspersions that whoever drew them up in our age and by what warrant they are so far from being Novelties to Reformed English men that they materially had in the former age the Authority of a Convocation and an Act of Parliament Be sure the most learned and godly Primate Usher soon after their first publication did highly value them thus digested by several learned Divines in the order they be here explain'd And another very reverend and holy person yet alive in the Confession of his Faith printed twenty years ago cap. 2. S. 3. did declare He heartily approv'd of this Form of sound words and of all therein contain'd affirming that He took it for the best Catechism that ever he saw and the A. s contained for a most excellent sum of the Christian Faith and Doctrine and a fit Test to try the Orthodoxness even of Teachers themselves Such Testimonies might perhaps occasion this labour in the Explanation of them Which I do here present to you as the Author lest it penn'd for his own private use in his Catechetical teaching of those committed to him I liked not to make any addition or alteration though had he liv'd and ever thought of publishing it as it is not unlikely he might have done for the same charitable use it is now design'd no question but it would have been all better proportion'd enlarg'd and alter'd yea and if needful put into a more comely dress This I conceive was the only draught of it which I the rather intimate that if any defects or mistakes be found in this Explanatory Comment there may be no unkind reflection made upon him who went to Heaven some time since And whiles upon Earth shew'd himself both in the University and elsewhere to be one of good learning and true holiness a fervent preacher and real practiser of the Duties herein explain'd and particularly of so sweet and peaceful temper that his moderation was known unto all those who did familiarly converse with him There be other Notes of his with these left to my disposal and some of those practical Sermons upon some Texts of Scripture on which I find not any in the late printed Catalogues or but few to have treated which as they are desired earnestly by some so if they are by more thought useful may in time come abroad This such as it is will I hope be no disparagement to him that is gone but give us to understand he had clear Notions of the main points of Religion which he made his own business and which if they peculiarly young ones into whose hands it shall come be inclin'd cordially to embrace by the heedful reading and perusing hereof it will help to perpetuate the memory of the just deceased and be matter of rejoicing to his surviving Brother who is really desirous to serve you in love R. A. Aug. 2. 1675. In the Principles of Religion are considerable the I. End Gods glory and mans happiness A. 1. C. I. II. Means or Rule Scripture A. 2. requiring A. 3. I. Faith concerning God in his Essence A. 4 5. Subsistence A. 6. Operations which are his Decrees or purposes A. 7. the execution of them by Creation respecting All A. 9 11. Providence respecting Man A. 10 12. Man Created by God A. 13. Faln by sin describ'd in general A. 14. special from its act A 15. subject A. 16. effects sinfulness A. 17 18. misery A. 19. Restored by Grace where of the Covenant of Grace A. 20. Redeemer who is described A. 21. who became man A. 22. who executeth offices A. 23. of Priest A. 24. of Prophet A. 25. of King A. 26. both in his state of Humiliation A. 27. both in his state of Exaltation A. 28. Participation of the benefits of Redemption by the Spirit A. 29. in effectual Calling A. 30. where of the Nature of it A. 31. Benefits A. 32. in this life primarily Justification A. 33. Adoption A. 34. Sanctification A. 35. secondarily Assurance c. A. 36. at death A. 37. resurrection A. 38. II. Obedience to Gods revealed Will A. 39. C II. In the Law summ'd up in the Ten Commandments A. 40 41 42. wherein of The Preface A. 43 44. The Precepts I. A. 45 46 47. II. A. 48 49 50 51 52. III. A. 53 54 55 56. IV. A. 57 58 59 60 61 62. V. A. 63 64 65 66. VI. A. 67 68 69. VII A. 70 71 72. VIII A. 73 74 75. IX A. 76 77 78. X. A. 79 80 81. Mans impotency to perform this Duty A. 82 83 84. Gospel requiring and enjoining C. III. Graces A. 85. Faith A. 86. Repentance A. 87. Ordinances A. 88. Word How effectual A. 89. read heard A. 90. Sacraments How effectual A. 91. Describ'd A. 92. Divided A. 93. Baptism What A. 94. To whom A. 95. Lords Supper What A. 96. How received A. 97. Prayer described A. 98. C. IV. ruled by the Lords Prayer where in the Preface A. 100.
he would have men to believe and do in order to salvation and that either mediately by committing the word of Christ unto writings as in the Scripture or immediately by the Spirit of Truth as he did communicate and speak his mind to Moses the Prophets and Apostles A. 25. Christ executeth the office of a Priest in his once offering up of himself a Sacrifice to satisfie Divine Justice and to reconcile us to God and in making continual intercession for us Homil. xx p. 1. We having nothing of our selves to present us to God have need of a Mediator for to bring and reconcile us unto him who for our sins is angry with us The same is Jesus Christ to pacifie his wrath For he alone did with the Sacrifice of his Body and Blood make satisfaction unto the Justice of God for our sins To. 1. Hom. III. p. 2. We must trust only in Gods mercy and that Sacrifice which our High-Priest and Saviour Christ Jesus the Son of God once offered for us upon the Cross to obtain thereby Gods grace and remission as well of our original sin as of all a â—â—â—al sin if we truly repent and turn unfeignedly unto him To. 11. Hom. xi Reconciled to Gods favour we are taught to know what Christ by his intercession and mediation obtaineth for us of his Father when we be obedient to his will yea attributeth that unto us and to our doings that he by his Spirit worketh in us and through his grace procureth for us Expl. 25. In this A. we have both the parts of Christs Priestly Office as 1 st Satisfaction and this twofold 1. To the whole Law in fulfilling all righteousness in the perfect performance of what the Law required from him 2. To the Iustice of God in undergoing the Curse of the Law for the Elect and this he did by his sufferings but especially when his Soul was made an offering for sin or when he was sacrificed for sinners In which Offering he was 1. The Priest for he offered up himself or he laid down his life of himself and he was the Priest as God-man 2. He was the Altar principally according to his Divine nature because the Altar was to sanctifie the gift offered and therefore was to be more excellent than the Sacrifice it self 3. He was also the Sacrifice for he offered the Sacrifice of himself i. e. according to the humane nature properly and this therefore is called the Sacrifice of his Body and of his Blood and all this that there might be some kind of compensation made or satisfaction given to God for that wrong which we had done to him 2 dly We have the intercession of Christ which is the other part of Christs Priestly Office whereby Christ doth present himself continually before the Father pleading his blood and merit for the satisfaction that he has made to Divine Justice and for the reconciliation of God to the sinner And his intercession is rather by way of plea at the Bar of Justice than by way of prayer and supplication at a Throne of Grace and therefore it is that he is called our Advocate A. 26. Christ executeth the office of a King in subduing us to himself in ruling and defending us and in restraining and conquering all his and our Enemies To. 2. Homil. xiv He sitteth on the right hand of his heavenly Father having the rule of heaven and earth reigning as the Prophet saith Psal. 17. from Sea to Sea he hath overcome the Devil Death and Hell and hath victoriously gotten the better hand of them all to make us free and safe from them Homil. xvij p. 3. To this our Saviour and Mediator hath God the Father given the power of heaven and earth and the whole jurisdiction and authority to distribute his gifts committed to him and thereupon to execute his authority committed after that he had brought sin and the Devil to captivity to be no more hurtful to his members he ascended up into heaven again and from thence sent liberal gifts to his well-beloved Servants and hath still the power to the worlds end to distribute his Fathers gifts continually in his Church to the establishment and comfort thereof Expl. 26. Yet more fully Christ doth execute his Kingly Office 1 st By his authority in setting up a government in his Church which in the outward form or administration thereof is to be managed by such Officers and according to such Laws Ordinances and Censures as he hath appointed in his word 2 dly By his Power as 1. That of his Almightiness whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself and to make his very enemies his foot-stool 2. Of his Grace whereby he doth subdue the hearts of his chosen people to himself and makes them a willing people in the day of his power 3. Of his Spirit whereby he doth sanctifie his people and fit them for heaven as also support guide and comfort them under all the afflictions they meet with on earth 4. By his Iustice in punishing his and his Churches adversaries A. 27. Christs Humiliation consisted in his being born and that in a low condition made under the Law undergoing the miseries of this life the wrath of God and the cursed death of the the Cross in being buried and continuing under the power of death for a time Hom. III. p. 3. Hath given his own natural Son ' being God eternal immortal and equal unto himself in power and glory to be incarnated and take our mortal nature upon him with the infirmities of the same and in the same nature to suffer most painful and shameful death for our offences to the intent to justifie us and restore us to life everlasting Hom. xij He did hunger and thirst eat and drink sleep and wake preach his Gospel weep and sorrow for Ierusalem pay tribute for himself and Peter suffer death Expl. 27. In the general Christs Humiliation doth consist in all that which did befall him from the first moment of his conception in the Virgins womb to the very time of his resurrection from the grave 1. He was humbled in his conception that he who was God equal with the Father should according to his humane nature have a body framed for him in the womb of a Virgin and should continue â—â—ose Prisoner there for the space of about nine months whom the heaven of heavens cannot contain 2. Humbled in his birth in that he was born of a woman and that not an Empress or Princess but a woman of a mean rank and low estate though a Virgin that he who was the Son of God and the Father of eternity or himself the everlasting Father should in fulness of time be born in the form of a servant made under the Law not only in a state of subjection to the commands of it but also liable to the curse of it which was due only
Parents must yield to the love of God but in things ceremonial the duties of the first table must yield to the moral duties of the second as sacrificing to works of mercy towards man A. 45. The first Commandment is Thou shalt have no other Gods before me Expl. 45. These words are the first command and not those I am the Lord thy God as some would have them in which there is nothing commanded but only a declaration who and what that God is who does command A. 46. The first Commandment requireth us to know and acknowledge God to be the only true God and our God and to worship and glorifie him accordingly Homil. II. p. 3. Let us take heed and be wise O ye beloved of the Lord and let us have no strange Gods but one only God who made us when we were nothing the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ who redeemed us when we were lost and with his Holy Spirit doth sanctifie us Homil. V. p. 3. Have an assured Faith in God and give your selves wholly unto him love him in prosperity and adversity and dread to offend him ever-more To. II. Hom. xvij What availeth it the wisemen of the world to have knowledg of the Power and Divinity of God where they did not honour and glorifie him in their knowledges as God Hom. VI. whom we are to love with all our heart i. e. that our heart mind and study be set to believe his Word to trust in him and to love him above all other things that we love best in Heaven or on Earth Expl. 46. In the first Commandment there are these 4 things required 1. Knowledg of God as namely that he is the Creator and Governor of the world being the supream Lord and Law giver as also that he is infinitely perfect in his Nature Attributes Word and Works 2. Faith which doth consist in our owning and acknowledging him to be such a God as he is held forth in his Word and in a relyance upon him as such 3. Obedience which in reference to this command doth principally consist in the conformity of Man's will to the Will of God 4. Love to God implyed in these words before me A. 47. The first Commandment forbiddeth the denying or not worshipping and glorifying the true God as God and our God and the giving that worship and glory to any other which is due to him alone To. 1. Hom. VIII Whoever in time of reading Gods Word studieth for the glory and honour of this World is turned from God and hath not a special mind to that which is commanded and taught of God is turned from God although he doth things of his own devotion and mind which to him seem better and more to Gods honour To. 2. Hom. xvi p. 2. It may be boldly and with a safe conscience pronounc'd of the Bishops of Rome namely that they have forsaken and daily do forsake the Commandments of God to erect and set up their own Constitutions Expl. 47. More particular this Commandment doth forbid these and the like sins as 1. Ignorance of God when men either do not know or will not consider who God is and what he would have them do 2. Atheism both in judgment when men are wavering and doubting about the Being of God and therefore disputing against it and in practise when men live as if there were no God 3. Idolatry which consists either in the worship of a false God or in worshipping the true God in a false manner by mingling the corrupt traditions or fancies of men in the worship of God or in worshipping more Gods than that one God who made the world and is Father Son and Holy Ghost God blessed for ever 4. Mens being ashamed of or being negligent in the profession of the true Religion 5. The wilful omission of any known duties of Religion as prayer meditation praising God c. 6. Wilful infidelity when men do not believe God or take him upon his word or do reject and contemn his commands promises or threatnings 7. All blasphemous and misbecoming thoughts of God whatsoever as also all errors and misapprehensions concerning God or any of those revelations he has given of himself 8. All disobedience to his revealed Will. 9. All unsuitable affections to himself or any thing that bears his stamp as his Ordinances Day Providences and People 10. All unmindfulness and forgetfulness of God 11. All carnal presumption pride tempting of God relyance upon and seeking to unlawful means for help in any distress this being accompany'd with the forsaking of and apostacy from the true God 12. All impatience and discontent under any evil as also mens ascribing that which is good to any thing besides himself who is the fountain of all good A. 48. These words before me in the first Commandment teach us that God who seeth all things taketh notice of and is much displeased with the sin of having any other God To. 2. Hom. I. The eternal and incomprehensible Maiesly of God the Lord of Heaven and Earth whose seat is in Heaven and the Earth is his footstool calleth upon his people to mark and take heed and that upon the peril of their souls to the charge which he giveth them Thou shalt worship the Lord God and him only shalt thou serve Adjoining penalty to the transgressors and reward to the obedient to move to obedience and observing this the Lords great Law which might ingender fear in our hearts of disobedience herein being in the Lords sight so great an offence and abomination Expl. 48. Here is further clearly intimated 1. That God would have the first room in our estimation 2. In our affections i. e. that we prize and love him above all A. 49. The second Commandment is Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven Image or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above or that is in the earth beneath or that is in the water under the earth thou shalt not bow down thy self unto them nor serve them For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me and shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my Commandments To. 2. Hom. I. The Scriptures use the two words Idols and Images indifferently for one thing alway They be words of divers things Gr. Lat. but one in sense and signification in the Scriptures and matters of of Religion Wherefore our Images if publickly suffer'd in Temples and Churches be indeed none other but Idols as unto which Idolatry hath been is and ever will be committed Hath it not been preach'd unto you since the beginning c. How by the Creation of the World and the greatness of the work they might understand the Majesty of God the Creator and Maker of all to be greater than that
their knowledg to discern the Lords body of their faith to feed upon him of their repentance love and new obedience lest coming unworthily they eat and drink judgment to themselves Artic. XXVIII The body of Christ is given taken and eaten in the Supper only after an heavenly and spiritual manner and the mean whereby the body of Christ is received and eaten in the Supper is Faith To. 2. Hom. XV. We must certainly know that three things be requisite in him which would seemly as becometh such high mysteries resort to the Lords Table i. e. first a right and worthy estimation and understanding of this mystery Secondly To come in a sure faith Thirdly To have newness or pureness of life to succeed the receiving of the same p. 2. Newness of life and godliness of conversation as fruits of faith are required in the partakers of this Table We may learn by eating of the typical Lamb whereunto no man was admitted but he that was a Jew and was circumcised and was before sanctified Expl. 97. By worthiness we are only to understand fitness for in order to a Christian's practice of this Ordinance he must examine himself in these two things 1 As to his Right and Title for if a man has no right to or interest in the righteousness of Christ when he receives this seal he has it only to a blank 2 As to fitness called in Scripture the wedding garment for he is no more fit to be a guest at Christ's table who wants this garment than he is to feast with a Prince at his royal table who is cloathed with nothing but rags and nastiness yet more distinctly he must examine himself 1 st in point of knowledg whether or no he be competently acquainted with the terms of the Covenant of Grace of which this Sacrament is a seal and with the necessary principles of Religion and with the indispensable duties of the Gospel and with the greatness of the love of Christ in dying for sinners for he who is grosly ignorant of these things as also of the difference between the Sacramental elements and actions and what is spiritually intended by them can never be able to discern the Lord's body but above all he must be sure to know practically and experimentally Christ crucified in this Sacrament 2 dly He must examine his faith as 1 Whether he be in a state of faith a believer which he may know by his being a new Creature 2 Whether he do upon this particular occasion exercise the Grace of faith but especially whether he doth heartily assent to the truth of the Gospel and whether he does heartily close with Christ in the Gospel 3 His repentance whether it be such as doth break his heart as well from sin as for sin which hath broken and crucified the body of his dear Redeemer 4 His love whether this doth fill him 1 with admiring thoughts of the love of Christ in dying for him greater love than this hath no man seen 2 With readiness and resolution to suffer yea dye for Christ if called to it 5 New obedience which may be known to be such 1 By the spring from whence it doth flow the Grace of God or the new nature 2 By the manner of its being performed sc. in a spiritually-natural way with delight and zeal 3 By the rule of it the Law spiritually interpreted 4 By the end of it the glory of God and that person who finds himself thus qualified may come and welcome to the Lord's table so let him eat of that bread and drink of that cup. CHAP. IV. Of things to be pray'd for in the Lords-Prayer in 10 Articles with their Explanation From A. 98. to the end A. 98. PRayer is an offering up of our desires to God for things agreeable to his will in the name of Christ with confession of our sins and thankful acknowledgment of his mercies To. 2. Hom. VII p. 1. Prayer is necessary for all men at all times and in all places Be fervent in prayer assuring our selves that whatsoever we ask of God the Father in the Name of his Son Christ and according to his will he will undoubtedly grant it p. 2. In all our necessities direct our prayers to him call upon his holy Name desire help at his hands and at none others He is able will help us hears understands better than our selves what we lack and how far we have need of help Hom. IX Be sure that in all prayer your minds be devoutly lifted up to God else your prayers are to no purpose Hom. XVII All good things came down to us from the Father of light Jesus Christ his Son and our Saviour is the mean by whom we receive his liberal goodness in the power and virtue of the Holy Ghost we be made able to receive his gifts and graces Expl. 98. Concerning Prayer there are two things to be noted 1 the name 2 the thing it self The name of that which is here described is Prayer a term more comprehensive than invocation which is only vocal Prayer for it doth comprehend in it Invocation Petition Confession Thanksgiving Supplications and Intercessions whether expressed in words or only pent up in a devout breast 2 For the thing it self we have 1 the necessary Requisites of Prayer 2 The ordinary sorts and kinds of it Necessary Requisites are 1 st that it be an offering up of our desires to God and this is essential to all Prayer that there be a holy motion of the will towards God in pious and devout desires though these should never be framed into words Internal or heart-Prayer in some cases is all that God requires and therefore he will graciously accept of it But this spiritual Sacrifice must be presented only to God for 1 He only knows and can supply our wants 2 Faith and Prayer must go together and faith is only to be in God 3 The Lords Prayer doth only send us to God and no other But then c. See Expl. 99. A. 99. The whole Word of God is of use to direct us in Prayer but the special Rule of Direction is that Form of Prayer which Christ taught his Disciples commonly called the Lords Prayer To. 2. Hom. VII p. 3. What better example can we desire to have than of Christ himself who taught his Disciples and other Christian men first to pray for heavenly things and afterwards for earthly things as is to be seen in that Prayer which he left unto his Church commonly called the Lords-Prayer Expl. 99. 2 dly 'T is essentially necessary to Prayer that it be only for things agreeable to Gods will 1 The whole Will of God in general As men must not make their lust their end in begging any thing of God for those who ask that they may consume what they ask upon their lust do ask amiss for the end so neither their fancy their