God and praying vnto him for a blessing vpon the whole Q. Why this day instituted to bee kept thus holy A. First Exod. 31.13 1 Thes 5.23 that all may know who heare and know of such a day the Lord to be the sole author of sanctification Secondly for the preseruation of our publike Ministrie in the exercise of doctrine and discipline 1 Cor. 16.2 Acts 2.1 Ephes 4.13 therfore the chiefe Actors in the publike sanctification of this day Ministers are enioyned by the Law to reside vpon their particular charge Thirdly that the Church might one day at least in seuen be gathered together visible Deut. 5.14 Exod. 22.31 to giue strangers good example to signifie their meeting in Christ as members of one bodie to exercise and haue their graces increased and to show their hope of a future meeting one day in Heauen neuer to part Fourthly for a helpe of humane frailtie and weakenesse not able labour continually without rest exceeding subiect to forget God and his seruice 1 Pet. 1.16 Leuit. 10.3 Fifthly to teach men what they should be holy c. as also what they may expect if they be such an eternall Sabbath of rest from labour feares sinne and all the euill consequents thereof Q. What benefit is there in keeping this day holy A. Much euery manner of way for first it is an expression of obedience vnto Gods command 1 Sam. 15.22 and Euangelicall obedience is better then any legall Sacrifice Iohn 9.16 Secondly it is a signe of grace and of the filiall feare of God Esay 56.2.58.14 Thirdly it is a spirituall Faire or Market day for the inner man as we haue many for the outward carefully obserued Fourthly men thereby are made more holy procuring Gods blessing on them and theirs all the weeke after a conscionable keeper of the Lords day cannot but walke with God euery day Q. What is forbidden in this precept A. All pollution and prophanation of the Lords Day Exod. 34.21 as First not keeping it but following worldly businesse Esay 113 14 Amos 8.5 Secondly keeping it superstitiously the outward rest without any inward disposition towards sanctification Thirdly mispending it in worldly thoughts and constant vncheerefulnesse in euery dutie Fourthly abusing it Esay 58.13 Exod. 32.6 by idlenesse vanitie in prophane talke games and pastimes and impietie by feasting immoderately gluttonie drunkennesse with all vnprofitable meetings Thou shalt doe no manner of worke Q. May men doe nothing on that day A. Yes the workes of the day as First of pietie touching the being or wel-being of that seruice which is to be performed vnto God Math 12.5 Iohn 7.23 Mat. 12.11 12. Luke 6.9 Secondly of charitie concerning the being or wel-being of the creature as feeding of cattel releeuing those in distresse visiting the sicke dressing necessarie prouision making and keeping peace c Hither referre the labour of Physitians and Mid-wiues c. Thirdly of necessitie vnfained as the labour of Mariners on the Sea fighting of souldiers in defence of their countrie it is lawfull to doe good on the Sabbath Day Q. How then is it most vsually prophaned amongst vs A. First when men rest not from seruile works that day either in regard of the mind by sinne or bodie by an improuident ordering of businesse or referring some worldly affaires purposely to that day so making bold to borrow a part of Gods time Exod. 16.29 Esay 58.13 Matth. 20.6 1 Kin. 18.21 to ich out their owne whereby they are hindered wholly or made very vnfit for Gods seruice Secondly Acts 26.28 when men rest from labour but sanctifie not making rest the end when indeed it is but a meanes to a further end idlenesse condemned all the weeke cannot bee allowed that day Thirdly when men rest and sanctifie partly giuing one halfe to God another to themselues for profit or carnall delight running to Ales wakes or reuels gaming dancing drinking c. The Lord saith Remember to keepe the whole day these forget one halfe Fourthly when men rest and sanctifie it wholly themselues but regard not those within their gates Neh. 13.19 Amos 8.5 6. they are sent on iournies set to drie Mault kept in to prouide for a Mundaies Feast c. Fifthly when men rest and sanctifie it wholly both by themselues and theirs but not to the right end they could be content if there were none or not so much preaching or that it were quickly past Q. What doe you learne from this precept thus explained A. First a necessitie of ceasing frō all seruile labour for our pleasure or profit on the Lords Day superiours may not depriue their inferiours of this priuiledge Secondly to dedicate it wholly to his seruice in spirituall exercises with cheerefulnesse and delight Leuit. 19.30 Ios 24.15 Gen. 18.19 Thirdly to permit none within my charge publike or priuate to be idle or ill employed that day through my default 1 Tim. 5.17 Phil 2.29 1 Thes 5.13 Fourthly to affect and reuerence the Ministerie as the meanes vnder God of this daies sanctification where this is wanting all humane lawes are not able to preuent a prophanation Fifthly to confine my thoughts words and actions that whole day to religious obiects or to others in order there vnto Q. Which is the fifth Commandement A. Honour thy Father and thy mother that thy daies may be long in the land which the Lord thy God giueth thee Q. Why is this made the first precept of the second Table A. First to show that vnseparable connexion which is betweene the seruice of God and the loue of our neighbour Mat. 22.37 39. hypocrites diuide them when good Christians looke vnto both Secondly because this is the foundation of obedience vnto the rest that follow respect to superiours keeps men from killing stealing c. Ephes 6.2 Thirdly because it containes a promise which preuailes much with men and ought to precede the worke as a motiue to encourage Q. What is the meaning of this Commandement A. First that when men haue disposed of their hearts and bodies for the seruice of the true God they must then thinke of their dutie towards men Math. 6.33 1 Pet. 2.17 and not before Secondly that amongst men speciall regard must be had to superiours 1 Tim. 2.1 2 3 Thirdly that humane societies doe consist and are preserued in being and order by the due performance of mutuall duties Q. What doth it containe A. Two things First a precept honour thy Father and Mother Eph. 6.1 2. Secondly a promise that thy daies may be long or then they shall be long which is not absolute but conditionall as it may stand with Gods glorie and be good for the obedient childe of God Q. Who are meant by Father and Mother here A. All superiours in calling Phil. 2.22 Ios 7.19 1 Cor. 4.15 2 Kin. 5.13 Prou. 22.7 1 Tim. 5.1 2. age gifts such as
taking c. Pharesaicall by the head by Ierusalem c. Popish by Saints and Idols Amos 8.14 c. as by Saint Mary Saint Anne by the Masse c. heathenish as by love c. or Atheisticall by the blood of God wounds of Christs Deut. 28.58 Phil. 2.10 c. Fifthly an idle wanton repeating of any of the names of God in ordinarie discourse Sixthly Esay 19.13 Prou. 7.14 all formall hypocriticall praying hearing professing preaching with a heartlesse mouth for carnall ends Seuenthly 1 Sam. 23 21. all breach of lawfull vowes and promises in baptisme sickenesse dangers vnthankefulnesse for Gods blessings spirituall corporall c. Q. What hath he commanded here to be done A. First Psal 29.2 1 Cor. 10.31 to sanctifie the Name of God in my heart mouth and life by thinking speaking and walking holily Secondly in all my actions whether in or out of Gods seruice to aime at his glorie Thirdly to vse his name in lawfull and weightie affaires onely Num. 25.6 Deut. 28.58 then to stand vp for him and his truth zealously Ier. 4.2 Psa 15.2 4. Fourthly to sweare by his name only in truth iudgement and righteousnesse being lawfully called Fifthly to make profession of his religion in sinceritie without hypocrisie purpose of changing or backe-sliding 1 Tim. 4.4 Psal 116.14 Col. 3.17 Sixthly to be thankefull for mercies faithfull in vowes and promises Seuenthly to receiue and vse the Word and Creatures of God as from his hand and in his sight Q. What is required that you may endeauour to keepe this law A. First knowledge how the Lord hath combined his owneglorie and the saluation of his children vnder one and the same meanes one cannot be had without the other Secondly a grounded feare of the great name of the Lord my God Deut. 28.58 Thirdly loue of his truth aboue all worldly things Fourthly Psal 15.2 Acts 11.23 purpose of heart to cleane vnto him and to aduance his honour and glorie Fifthly Psal 39.1 setting and keeping of a constant watch ouer my heart and lips Q. What doe you learne from this Commandement thus explained A. First to be zealously forward in all things Num. 25.8 Eccles 5.2 both in regard of my selfe and neighbours whereby God may haue any glorie Secondly neuer to thinke or speake of God without great reuerence Thirdly Iames 5.12 2 Tim. 2.22 aboue all to auoid swearing in ordinarie talke and as a witnesse to sweare truely FourtWy to goe about all the parts of Gods seruice and worship heartily Fifthly to endeauour to make a holy vse of all Gods blessings 1 Tim. 4.4 5 Rom. 13.4 especially of his Word the food of my soule and of his creatures the sustenance of my bodie Sixthly that Magistrates who supply Gods roome on earth should not hold a swearer guiltlesse nor passe ouer any vnpunisht Q. Which is the fourth Commandement A. Remember that thou keepe holy the Sabbath Day sixe daies shalt thou labour and doe all that thou hast to doe but the seuenth Day is the Sabbath of the Lord thy God in it thou shalt doe no manner of worke thou nor thy Sonne nor thy Daughter thy man seruant nor thy maide nor thy beast nor thy stranger that is within thy gates for in sixe daies the Lord made Heauen and earth the Sea and all that in them is and rested the seuenth Day wherefore the Lord blessed the seuenth Day and hallowed it Q. What is the meaning of this Commandement A. First that the whole course and continuance of time is measured out in seuen daies often comming and going Gen 2.3 Secondly that sixe of those daies must be spent in some lawfull calling and necessarie emploiment whereby the Church or Common-weale may be benefited Luke 13.14 mispence of our time and prophanation of Gods time are both vnlawfull Thirdly Gen. 2.3 that a seuenth Day must be kept holy separate from common businesses to be spent holy in spirituall exercises Exo. 16.29 that God may be that day more especially glorified by vs. Q. Is this precept morall or ceremoniall A. Partly morall that one day in seuen should be set a part to the solemne seruice of God partly ceremoniall that this or the other should bee the day Iewes kept the last day of the weeke for their Sabbath in memorie of their creation Exo. 34.21 Acts 20.7 Christians haue the first day of the weeke Reu. 1.10 in memorie of the accomplishment of their redemption by order and practice of Christs Apostles Q. What doth this Commandement containe A. First a strict iniunction touching the sanctifying of the Lords Day Secondly an amplification of this precept pointing to whom it belongs superiours inferiours sonnes daughters seruants cattle strangers with all in our iurisdiction Thirdly Reasons of it to enforce obediēce Luke 13.14 which are three First because God hath granted sixe daies vnto men to follow their owne businesse Reu. 1.10 Secondly the seuenth is the Lords Day Thirdly wee haue the Lords owne example hee rested and hallowed it to teach vs what wee should doe Gen. 2.2 Fourthly it containes a word or note of speciall obseruation aboue the rest Remember Q. What is the meaning of the word A. First that such a day of rest hath beene or ought to haue beene obserued from the beginning remember it is no new thing Secondly that it must continue till the end of time euen as long as Matrimonie Gen. 2.2 3. they were ordained and shall end together Thirdly that men ought to haue a speciall care of this aboue other and to thinke of it before it come Fourthly Esay 58.13 Iohn 9.16 that it is a verie difficult thing to keepe this day Holy as wee ought Q. How is the Lords Day kept holy A. By abstaining from the ordinarie works of our calling except it be a worke of and for the day in obedience vnto God and spending the whole day in those spirituall employments in that deuout manner and to those holy ends hee himselfe hath appointed to the compleate sanctification of this day these things are requisite First a grounded knowledge touching the diuine institution thereof else we may keepe it vnto men Esay 58.13 not vnto God Secondly some answerable preparation both in regard of our worldly businesse and inward disposition of mind Exod. 35.32.5 by thinking vpon it euer the day before and rising so that the priuate duties of meditation and praier by our selues Acts 13.14 15.16.13.20.7 with our charge may be performed before the publike begin Thirdly Christian practice of those duties in publike which are the workes of the day comming at the beginning staying till the end Fourthly Meditation after Psal 92.5 application and holy conference about the Word and workes of God Fifthly a seasonable conclusion of it by repeating what we haue heard Acts 8.30 1 Cor. 3.6 7 examining those vnder vs praising
for you lead me into this errour I conclude with our Apostle my dearely beloued if there be any consolation in Christ if any comfort of loue if any fellowship of the Spirit if any bowels and mercies fulfill yee my ioy that yee be like minded hauing the same loue being of one accord of one mind blamelesse and harmelesse the Sonnes of God without rebuke in the middest of a crooked and peruerse generation among whom yee shine as lights in the world what soeuer things are honest iust pure louely and of good report thinke of and follow them and the God of peace who brought againe from the dead our Lord Iesus that great Sheepheard of the sheepe through the bloud of the euerlasting couenant make you perfect in euery good worke to doe his will in this hope I leaue you and will neuer cease to pray for you while I remaine From my study in Barum this 9 of May 1633. Yours to doe you seruice in the Lord. W. CROMPTON Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made you free that you be not intangled againe with the yokes of bondage To that end Pray continually O Most gratious God and Almighty Lord Creator and Commaunder of Heauen and Earth with all therein contained in Iesus Christ a most louing and mercifull father of whose meere goodnesse it commeth that so much of the truth is reuealed vnto vs miserable sinners lying in the shaddow of death and spirituall darknesse preserue vs good Lord in the knowledge and loue thereof mae vs walke in all thankefull obedience worthy of this fauour for Christ his sake we entreate accept of him for vs of vs in him vnite vs as members into his mysticall body conuay spirituall light and life into vs that we may liue in him and get victory by him ouer all our spirituall enemies pardon all our sinnes and giue vs power ouer our many corruptions remember not the follies of our youth blot out all our transgressions as it is promised O bury them in the Graue of Christ they neuer rise vp to appeare against vs bathe our wounded and stayned soules in his precious bloud infuse and stirre vp in vs a sound and sauing faith to receiue and put on the spotles roab of his Righteousnesse wherein appearing we shall be iustified Open the eyes of our vnderstandings that seeing wee may know the truth rectifie our affections that knowing wee may loue it conforme our wils that louing we may expresse obedience in practice with perseuerance in the day of tryall and trouble and all to the glory of that great name good example of our brethren the present comfort and future safety of our poore soules that so with the rest of the Saints we may be timely prepared for death and Heauen through Iesus Christ our Lord and onely Sauiour Amen Errata Pag. 14. l. 18.20 for naturally read mutually and for worldly read worthy pag. 13. A. 1. l. 17. for euen read euer pag. 41. A. 1. l 4. for remaines read remained pag. 70. A. 2. l. 6. for and read or pag. 53. A. 1. l 18. for the read though pag. 74. A. l. 1. 3. for bound read borne pag. 102. A. 1. l. 7. for Communication read Commination p 103. l. 1. read to bring in and aduance so for confirme l 12. read conforme pag. 109. A. 1. l 5. for degrees read decrees pag. 112. l. 26. for taking read lacking an ordinary oath in some countries pag. 131 A. 2. l 9. for deuill read euill p. 154. l. 14 for remissiues read remissenesse p. 155. A. 2. l. 12. for wates read wakes a terme well knowne in Lancash pag. 167. l. 7. for sext read sexe p. 172. A. 1. l. 8. for immodesty read modesty p. 217. A. 1. l. 5. for of read it pag. 229 l. 1. place or betweene profession and power pag. 237. A. 1. l. 8. adde thirdly and pag. 246. l. 6. for 3 set 4 pag. 258. l. 3. adde these words and doth nor pardon pag. 270. A. 1. l. 3. eschew read reschew or raise vp pag. 313. A. 1. l. 16. for desire it read desire after it pag. 367. l. 3. blot out of pag. 371. l. 21. for intermission read intermissiue p. 378. A. 1. l. 2. for life our life read life of our life Multis non mihi Question WHat is Catechizing A. A diuine ordinance perpetually requisit in the Church Deu. 11.19 1 Cor. 3.1 Heb. 6.1 2. wherein the principles of Christian Religion are familiarly laid open to the capacity of the ignorant by way of question and answer Q. Who are to performe this duty A. In publike the Pastor of euery congregation Mat. 28.19 Gen. 18.19 Deut. 6.7 he is to doe it or by his Curate or lawfull Deputy to see it done In priuate Husbands are to Catechize their Wiues Parents their Children Masters their Seruants Schoole-masters their Schollers God-fathers and God-mothers their vndertaken charge Q. Who are they that are publikely to be Catechized A. Either those who being of yeeres of discretion are not yet baptized but desire to be whether they be the seed of beleeuing Parents or Proselyt's Prou. 22.6 1 Pet. 3.15 Or else such as are already baptized who stand bound to learne and giue account of their faith as the Lord shall enable them Q. Why is this exercise so requisite in the Church A. First because it is the best remedy against naturall ignorance Prou. 29.18 Gen. 4.3 Secondly it helpes to cure the backwardnesse of many superiours who neglect it till feare of publike censure driue them to it Thirdly because it is ancient hath euer beene inioyned to all sorts in euery age and place and that profitably to procure obedience preserue order and vnity in the Church for matters of faith to ground children helpe weake memories confirme the strongest to remoue rudenesse and to restraine prophanenesse in all Q. How may this duty be performed publikely A. First by insisting on a set portion of Scripture containing a principle of Religion Luke 4.17 Heb 6.2 touching Mans creation Fal Redemption duty after c. Secondly by vnfolding the summe of al things Catechetically necessary to be knowne or donâ— though without a text both wayes commendable yet for vniformity it is best that there should be one such fully compleate Catechisme generall Q. What Catechisme should Diuines make vse of in this case A. That Catechisme is most fit and conuenient Rom. 13.1 2. 1 Cor. 10.33.11.16 to be explained in the assembly which is inioyned by publike authority exprest for vs in our booke of Common Prayer being agreeable to Scripture containing all fundamentall points necessary to saluation both for beliefe and practice if fully vnderstood Q. How many parts are there in that Catechisme A. Two the first declareth what is done for vs by the Church in our baptisme the second shewes what the Church requireth to be done by vs after baptisme as first to forsake the Diuell and all his workes
our naturall Parents Schoole-masters Magistrates Ministers Masters Husbands Benefactors c. yea and all that excell others in common gifts sauing grace multitude of daies c. Q. What is meant by honour A. All due respect in words deeds and gesture which the place age gifts or condition of any of our superiours require as First reuerence either inward to acknowledge approue and submit vnto Gods Ordinance Leu. 19.3 32 1 Pet. 3.6 or outward to manifest this submission by action rising â—p to them 1 Tim. 5.4 going to meet them standing bare bowing the bodie 2 Cor. 8.22 keeping silence while they speake giuing place and termes of honour Secondly loue to their persons place and gifts Col. 3.20 Thirdly cheerefull obedience to all their commands lawfull and possible Rom. 13.1 1 Tim. 2.1 2. Gen. 9.23 Fourthly thankfulnesse to God for them and vnto them vnder God for the good wee enioy by them to aide them with our persons purse and praiers Fifthly patience ioyned with modestie and humilitie towards them bearing with their passions couering their infirmities so far as we may with a good conscience Q. But suppose your superiours be carnall impious and so vnworthy of honour A Howeuer God is worthy to be obeyed Acts 23.5 let them bee neuer so vnworthy to haue it seeing God hath iudged them worthy of the place Math. 22.21 either with his liking or leaue disposition or permission 1 Pet. 2.18 may not iudge them vnworthy of that honour which belongs to the place only in honouring them I must learne to distinguish the person and his office from the viciousnesse in either Q. What are here commanded A. All those duties which superiours and inferiours ought mutually to performe each to other for the preseruation of that honour and dignitie which God hath bestowed vpon them Q. What is the duty of Magistrates A. First to gouerne in the Lord seeking his glory the aduancing of his truth and the good of his people Secondly to correct for the Lord with courage Rom. 13.4 discretion and moderation so bearing the sword that the good may reioyce and the euill tremble Q. What is the duty of subiects A. First to acknowledge their authoritie Secondly to testifie their awfull submission thereunto by obedience praying for them paying what their necessitie demands 1 Pet. 2.19.20 and patiently suffering without rebellious thoughts Matth. 15.4 5. what shall be laid vpon them Q. What is the duty of Ministers Heb. 5.4 A. First to waite till the Lord be pleased to call them vnto a charge Acts 20.28 not to run before they be sent much lesse to purchase it Secondly to reside amongst those people 1 Pet. 5.2 of whose soules the holy Ghost hath made them ouer-seers Thirdly to teach them the good wayes of God fully and faithfully Acts 20.18 19 20. Fourthly 2 Tim. 4.12 to liue and walke before them according to the strictest rules of godlinesse 1 Tim. 4.16 considering the common sort are more led by the eye then the eare for the particulers let Ministers reade Pauls Epistles to Timothy and Titus Q. What is the peoples duty A. First to cleaue vnto them firmely Iohn 10.5 so as not to prefer and follow strangers Secondly to affect them dearely Thirdly 1 The. 5.13 to reuerence them highly as instruments of greatest good Heb. 13.17 Fourthly to obey them readily when they bring diuine authoritie with them Fifthly 1 Tim. 5.17 18. to reward them liberally it is a great shame for men to suffer their Pastors to want Gal. 6.6 while themselues haue any thing Sixthly to procure a supply speedily where a Shepheard shall chance to bee wanting lest while they feare to giue a part the Woolfe come and deuoure all Q. What is the duty of Schoole-masters A. First to be both able and willing to spend themselues and their time wholly in that function Secondly Rom. 12.6 7. to instruct painfully and profitably in the grounds of their art Thirdly Psal 34.11 to obserue the nature and seuerall conditions of their Schollers Col. 3.21 Psal 101.2 1 Tim. 4.12 terrifying the stubborne drawing the tender-hearted with the cords of loue correcting all seasonably and moderately Fourthly to giue them good example Fifthly to Catechize them in the necessary grounds of religion to enquire of their behauiour both at home and abroad that they may encourage and reproue accordingly Q. What is the duty of Schollers 1 Cor. 12.31 Phil. 4.8 1 Pet. 2.18.20 A. First to learne what shall be taught them out of their owne book the booke of God and the booke of manners Secondly to loue reuerence and obey their Master in all his iust commands Thirdly to keepe their Masters counsell not tatling abroad what is forbidden Fourthly patiently to vndergoe deserued correction without murmuring or complaining wheÌ„ there is no iust cause Q. What is the husbands duty towards his wife A. First Ephes 5.25.28.33 to loue her and manifest it by bearing with and passing by all infirmities Secondly 1 Pet. 3.7 to dwell with her as a man of knowledge instructing her in points whereof shee is ignorant or doubtfull protecting her against enemies cherishing her as the most tender part of himselfe 1 Tim. 5.8 See my Wedding Ring prouiding and communicating things necessary wisely gouerning her and others that she may haue honour as the weaker vessell and all this that their prayers be not hindered Q. What is the duty of a good wife towards her husband A. First 1 Pet. 3.6 Col. 3.18 to acknowledge him as her head and lord giuing him reuerence accordingly by her gesture silence feare to offend c. Secondly to obey him in the Lord keeping house and wisely dispensing what is left to her trust T it 2.4 Thirdly to cherish him in sicknesse by attendance in health by louing behauiour endeauouring to conforme her selfe to his conditions beeing good 1 Pet. 3.4 Fourthly to keepe her only vnto him 1 Pet. 3.1 2 3 4 5 6. shewing no light behauiour nor frequenting any suspected company which might stirre vp iealousie Fifthly to doe him good and not euill all the dayes of her life Gen 2.18 both in the things that concerne this and a better life Prou. 31.10 11 12 13 14 15. that if any obey not the word they may be wonne by the conuersation of the wiues c. the rest see Prou. 31.10 11 c. Q. What is the duty of parents Iudges 13.8 A. First to loue their children Secondly carefully to see vnto their spirituall estate and so to pray for them while they are in the wombe Psal 103.13 to procure for them the signe of the couenant Luke 1.59 and to bring them vp in the feare of God Prou. 22.6.23.13 14. catechizing and correcting them by words and blowes sutable to their age and faults grieuing and praying for a
rauisht with an ardent zeale to and loue of Gods name Iohn 7.18 Secondly that their care and endeauour aboue all things should be to haue the Name of God glorified both by themselues and others Luke 2.14 Thirdly that all our prayers should be directed to the glory of God Phil. 2.10 beginning and ending with honour to his name Fourthly that whensoeuer wee make vse of the Name of God we be mindfull of hallowing and glorifying the same Q. What is the second petition we are to make vnto our father which is in Heauen A. Thy Kingdome come Q. What is the meaning of this petition in generall A. First Iohn 18.36 that there are two spirituall Kingdomes one of light wherein Gods Name is hallowed another of darknesse wherein it is prophaned continually Secondly Mat. 12.26 Ephes 2.2 that euery man by nature is a subiect vnto Satan borne vnder his dominion and must be translated before he can be saued Thirdly Iohn 8.36 that euery free-man must praise and glorifie God for his freedome by Christ Fourthly that the way and meanes to glorifie God is to seeke his Kingdome principally and the righteousnesse thereof Math. 6.33 Q. What are we to vnderstand by Kingdome here A. First the manifestation of Gods power partly towards his subiects Psal 18.1.110.1 2. in gathering ruling defending and preparing them for his kingdome aboue and partly towards rebels in restraining their fury and subduing their forces Secondly the augmentation of his grace Rom. 14.17 with the meanes and instruments thereof in regard of place and persons Thirdly Reu. 22.12 2 Thes 1.10 the glorification of his elect as in the first petition we pray God may be glorified by vs so in this second that wee may be glorified by him Q. How is the kingdome of God said to come A. First by the administration of iustice Psal 97.1 by that power and soueraigntie reserued to himselfe in the gouernment of his Church Secondly by the promulgation of his Gospell Math. 9.38.12.28 sending it where it was not before in or profession power Eph. 2.19 Thirdly Col. 1.13 by the addition of Elect infants conuersion and translation of others more aged Fourthly 1 Cor. 15.24 by a perfect consummation of the happinesse of both in glorie Q. What is it then that wee desire in this petition A. First Psal 58.11 that God would glorifie himselfe in ruling and prouiding for his Church and chosen Secondly Rom. 8.21 that he would free them from the bondage of Satan dominion of sinne 1 Thes 1.5 and the tyrannie of hellish instruments Thirdly that the word of his grace might be both more vniuersall and powerfull to our selues and others Fourthly that he would hasten the destruction of Satans kingdome Reu. 6.10 and the bringing of his owne to perfection Q. Why are we to pray for the comming of his kingdome A. First for the glory of God that we may be able to glorifie him 2 Thes 1.10 and fit to be glorified by him 2 Tim. 4.8 Secondly this loue and longing after the kingdome is a certaine testimonie of our right and adoption to it Thirdly Acts 30.8 9 10. because of those many enemies there are in the world who bend themselues against his kingdome 1 Cor. 16.9 Fourthly all our comfort consists in this Reu. 21.4 when the kingdome is come we shall neither sinne nor suffer any more Q. What doth this petition presuppose A. First that God our father hath and euer will haue a spirituall kingdome Luke 1.33 1 Iohn 3.2 wherein there are lawes subiects and rebels Secondly that his children are not alwaies assured nor yet full possessours of this kingdome Rom. 7.24 therefore they pray for it Thirdly that the tyrannie of Satan dominion of sinne and rage of euill men is great and grieuous to such as are spiritually aliue and feele it Fourthly Psa 147.20 1 Cor. 16.9 that the meanes of grace is wanting in many places finding many rubbes and lets where it is Fifthly 2 Pet. 3.9 that the Lord willingly and graciously doth delay his kingdome of glorie for the conuersion of some confirmation of others and preparation of all that belong vnto him Q. What must we doe that his kingdome may come A. First we must be sensible of our slauish seruitude vnder the tyrannous raigne of sinne and Satan Secondly Exod. 3.7 Reu. 6.10 wee must long to enioy the priuiledges of his kingdome and delight in the amplitude thereof Acts 9.6 Psal 27.8 vsing all meanes to enlarge it Thirdly we must be readie and willing to entertaine it Reu. 22.20 and to enter into it being called by the Word of Life or any of the messengers of death Fourthly wee must be instant and constant in praier for the consummation of Gods election by appointed meanes Q. How can we pray for the Kingdome of glory seeing it will be so terrible when it comes Amos 5.18 Luke 21.28 A. First terrible indeed to the disobedient and rebellious who as often as they say this praier desire the prosperitie of Sion but their owne ouerthrow Secondly a day of ioy rest and refreshing to all the faithfull though despised let them not feare it is their fathers will to giue them a kingdome Qu. What doe you learne from this petition thus explained A. First that Gods children do prize and esteeme the Kingdome of God aboue all Kingdomes in the world Psal 84.18 Rom. 8.14 nothing else will content them Secondly if wee be his children hee must rule by his spirit in our hearts Mar. 13.33 as in his Church and Kingdome Thirdly that the Kingdome of God should neuer come vpon vs vnawares 1 Tim. 2.1 2 but euer desired and expected Fourthly to pray for all the meanes whereby the kingdome of God is furthered Eph. 6.19 Reu. 22.20 especially for Christian Magistrates Ministers and Schooles of learning Fifthly 2 Tim. 4.8 daily to looke for and earnestly to desire the second comming of Christ to iudgement that the power of sinne and Satan may be subdued and the Image of God perfectly restored The spirit and the Bride say come let him that heares and reads say come Come Lord Iesus come quickely Q. Which is the third petition we are to direct to our Father which is in Heauen A. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen Q. What is the meaning of this petition A. First that the comming of Gods Kingdome both for time place and persons depends vpon the good pleasure Ephes 1.5 purpose and decree of God ordered and determined by the same Math. 7.21 Secondly that the subiects of Gods Kingdome are knowne from others by their obedience and submission to his wil praying is insufficient without doing Heb. 11.40 Thirdly that there are two parts of Gods spirituall kingdome and so two sorts of subiects Matth. 22.30