spirit of mine how soone would it yeeld but if you say come pride and you and I will joyne together is this calling for the Kingdome of Christ to come no no you are traitours and conspirators and no subjects therefore stop your mouthes this is no submitting but conspiring When Iesabel looked out of the window with her painted face saith Iehu who is on my side fling her out so saith the Lord will you have pride or mee If you bee on my side fling downe that proud untoward heart which hinders the Lord Jesus for taking place in your soules you paint your selves in a proud humour but if you bee on Gods side downe with those painted strumpets Wee must not onely oppose great sinnes but every sinne wee must not sodâ—r with any secret corruption although it be but the appearance of evill it we must absteine fâ—oÌ„ Mases said leave not a hoofe neither would hee start an haires bredth from Gods commandement in any particular but subdue all 3. Though the soule cannot bee as it should yet it doth desire the Lord whether sinne will or no to rule us and lay all flat downe under the goveremnt of Christ when the heart findes a great deale of untowardnesse power of sinne then it saith Lord thy Kingdome should prevaile but the sonnes of Zerviah are too strong for mee therefore take power to thy selfe and plucke away what ever doth oppose thee It was a good speech of a good Christian that hee desired the Lord to rule whether he would or no. Thus the soule should be disposed to entreat the Lord that he would break open the doore when the Lord comes and we will not open wee desire the Lord would come in by a kind of violence the soule intreates the Lord to conquer to breake in and make way into the heart and to take possession wholly in the soule Now when the soule is loath this should bee it is a wretched spirit when the Lord will subdue sin and we are loath it should bee so doe wee then pray Christs Kingdome should come When wee are not able to beare a command of his no no the soule will then labour to oppresse sinne and pray to the Lord for power against it Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven This is the third Petition 3. Petition and in it are three things observable 1. The order of the same 2. The sence and meaning of the words 3. The frame of the heart in the putting up of this petition 1. For the order the reason is because the two former petitions make way for this third he that glorifies God by all and hath his power set up in his soule hee onely doth Gods commands for naturally there is no ability in man to doe the will of God but when the spirit works within then we are able to frame our hearts to Gods will David being a man after Gods own heart was alwayes ready to doe his will this is the reason of the order of the petition from the ground thereof observe two instructions 1. That he that thinkes out of his owne power to doe Gods wil it is impossible hee should doe it no hee shall never doe it 2. Wee must first submit to the Kingdome of Christ before we can doe his will Bee under the government of grace and then thou mayest goe on cheerefully wee faile if before wee have submitted wee would bee doing first Christ must doe terrible things to the heart before it will yeeld to obedience now for the meaning of the words Q. What is the will of God A. It is the purpose of the Almighty touching the accomplishment of any thing there is nothing done but the Lord doth it whatsoever is brought to passe that is Gods will in generall Ephes 1. Q. How many kinds of wills is there or how manifold is the will of God A. It is twofold not in regard of it selfe but in regard of us 1. The revealed will of God 2. The secret will of God 2. What is the secret will of God A. It is that secret purpose hee hath in himselfe before al worlds and hath not discovered it to the creature Ephes 1.9 having made knowne unto us the mistery of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himselfe the Gospell was hid in the bosome of the Almighty not observeable by man or any creature under heaven but now it is revealed 1. Cor. 2. Who knowes the mind of God the deep things of God none knowes but the Spirit of God and as it is not made knowne so wee have nothing to doe with it in this place Q. What is the revealed will of God A. It is the purpose of God which he hath made known to us by his word and revealed to us in his works Q. What is this doing of the will of God A. It consists in and implies two things 1. That what ever God makes knowne to bee his will to lay upon us wee should willingly submit yeeld unto if God would have me poore when it is done wee should approove of the accomplishment of Gods will It is the breach of many commands that when God thwarts our desire we are unwilling it should bee done The wife is discontent that the husband should die the husband that the wife should die never lost man such a wife as I this is profestly against this petition I held my tongue and said nothing said the Prophet will the Lord have it then not a word more his spirit yeelds presently takes the stroake doth not thwart the good will of God which likewise was the practise of David Ely Hezechia It is the Lord let him doe what hee will Nay our blessed Saviour himselfe saith not my will but thy will bee done This is the folly of our hearts we take armes against Gods will God would have us to be poore and wee will be rich This is not to doe the will of God though God force us to it yet that is no thanks to us we sinne desperatly in our aversenesse 2. The heart is not only content with what God doth whether losse of life friends liberty and the like but there is another will must be done besides what God reveales to bee a duty must be discharged by us If there be a truth to bee made knowne unto us wee must acquaint our selves with the will of the Lord and with all diligence practise it Make my heart one with thine that I may ever feare thy Name let thy will bee mine oh saith the soule that I might ever feare thy name this is to doe the will of God Wee doe not say let it be spoken of and conferred of by mee but let it bee done let it bee accomplished fully in me wee must not lift at it and give GOD good words and talke and leave it undone but labour to doe it throughly It is not enough for the child to say I know
which suites to their greatnesse God is in heaven beyond all corruption therefore if wee approach neere God we should answer to his purity with hearts purged that our spirits may be in heaven because he is there to whom we pray Mal. 1.14 Cursed bee the deceiver that hath a male in his flocke and offers a corrupt thing Our sacrifice is our service and prayer is one of the chiefe The God of heaven is a pure God then cursed be the man that hath a strāge love and the like and serveth God with rubbish Cursed be that man the pure God of heaven will not looke on such impure performances God is holy therefore the service ought to be so Whē men are to sit before Princes they are to fit themselves accordingly so it is here Let us then thinke it an indignity to God to appeare with a slovenly disposition before him hee that is to performe a solemne duty to a Prince will lay aside all other occasions so as he said in an other case well lie by all ly by world let me now have heavenly joy for I am come before an heavenly father 2. It is a ground of comfort that our spirits may bee cheared since God is in heaven hee is able to effect what ever our hearts desire To be in heaven argueth Majestie now wee doe not pray to an earthly parent who is liable to corruption but to an heavenly Father who can doe what hee will he that is in an high place hath the vantage so our heavenly Father hath the vantage of all other creatures therefore what we crave is done already our God is in heaven and can doe what he will Vilenesse ever accompanieth earthly things but our Father is in heaven Therefore Nehemiah made his prayer to the God of heaven The King could not help the woman but our father is not as an earthly father wee have but earthly opposition here but our father is in heaven who can over power all wrongs done to his children and turne them to their good 3. This shewes wee should with trembling approach to his presence the God of heaven is powerfull wee are creeping wormes dare we come carelesly to such a Father our Father implies a readinesse in heaven implies an awfulnesse the mountaines moove and the divells shake at the presence of God Yea the blessed Angells quake before him how dare wee then approach his presence unseemely lest wee have no answer to turne the eye one way and the head another wee dislike it in a child suffer not then your minds to wander how dare you presse headily into the presence of God whereas the Angels cover their faces before him Let the feare of the Almighty fall upon us God is in heaven let our hearts bee reverently affected in all our approaches neere him Thus much for the preface now wee come to the petitions which are six the Lord condescends to our weakenesse and feeblenesse therefore contrives them into a narrow scantling three petitions there are cōcerning Gods Name Kingdome and Wil and three concerning our selves things of this life and things of grace which are Iustification and Sanctification In all observe 1. The meaning of the petition 2. The carriage of the heart in the pressing of it Hallowed bee thy name in this observe 2. things 1. What is here ment by Name 2. What it is to hallow this name Q. What is here meant by Name or what is the Name of God I answer by Name is ment what ever God is made knowne to us by this is his Name as a man is knowne by his name so the Lord reveales himselfe by his Name to his children now this consists in two things 1. All the glorious attributes of God as Powerful Pure Wise Infinite these are the Names of God 2. All the ordinances of God the graces of his Saints and the providence of God in the creature are not the thing it selfe but there is a declaration of God in these the creature is not the name of God but God working by the creature grace is not so much as the appearance of God in that grace Q. What do you meane by hallowed can you make God holier then hee is or adde any thing to God A. No we cannot adde anything to him that gave us all things Q. How then doe wee hallow Gods name A. When wee make Gods Name to bee discovered as a holy thing the expressing of this is that we would Q. How shall wee doe that A. There was a consultation in heaven how that the Godhead might bee manifest might bee observed else were there none to apprehend it I wil saith God have my attributes expressed Therfore God would have a world wherein his goodnesse should bee discovered Exod. 33. Thou shalt not see my face but my back parts shalt thou see as it is with a torch carry it from one place to another and it will leave a glimpse behind so it is in the surpassing beauty of God hee leaves some beames behind him that wee may say Iustice and mercy and holinesse it selfe have beene here we are said then to hallow his name when as wee make this appeare when wee deale with Gods name as with a holy thing and that appeares in three particulars 1. When we acknowledge the excellency of him wee ought daily to take notice of the beauty and glory of God men of place think themselves abused if we passe by and doe not reverence them so when we come to deale with Gods ordinances doe you know what you doe Gods Name is there therefore ponder your paths 3. As wee should acknowledge the worth of it so we should labour to preserve it upon things of great waight and worth what a price doe wee set and how tenderly doe we looke to them that there bee no blemish cast upon them So should we doe with the name of God Ier. 2.10 Goe to the Iles of Chittim c. they cast the commandements of God behind their backs the heathen saith God would not doe so They kissed the threshold where Dagon was so let us deale with Gods Name let no blemish betide it but deale with it as with a holy thing the least staine of sinfull distemper doth not become the name of God you respect holy things so doe this 3. As wee should acknowledge its worth so labour to set it out that others may see it as occasion shall be offered Whē any honour may come to him thereby expresse the beauty of the vertues of God that they may bee observed holy things are not to be kept secret when opportunity serves Let your light shine saith the text that men may see the good in you What ever we see in the name of God as wee should keep it from blemish so we should set it out in the glory of it A man must hold out the light of the gospell not hide it under a bushell The coyne that is currant men shew openly
notice of Gods Fatherly providence to provide what may bee sutable to our occasions God hath all in store all the beasts of the field are mine hee is the God of all comfort hee provideth for the ravens and causeth the Lillies of the field to grow if God care for these how much more for you Matth. 6. hath the Lord a care for oxen hee that feedeth ravens clotheth lilies will much more provide for his Saints Who then would not have such a guardian as the father provides for the son so God layes up for all his let us walke then in his wayes and commit our selves to his care for all things 4. This must teach us an awfulnesse to come before him whatawe should bee in our hearts that come before an heavenly Father Our Father That is the terme of relation and consists in two things 1. The sence of the words 2. The motives For the sence of the words three things are implied 1. A proprietie and interest wee have in speciall not as one friend to another or one neighbour to another or the like but he is our Father as we say it our land c. So when we say our Father we imply aspeciall claime to God all that compassion and mercy in God is mine as Nabal said it is my meate the word my implies a possession like the gods of the heathens and as Iob saith My Redeemer liveth Deut. 32.31 their rocke is not as our rocke 2. This laying claime to God implies a Cōmunity to all the houshold of God as the Sunne is every mans so God is every mans that is faithfull 3. It notes a bond of society between the faithfull children of the same father this is the meaning of the word our as the members agree with the head so they are helpfull so is God helpfull to all his faithfull ones Motives 3. Now the motives wherby the soule may bee furnished to call on God are three 1. A chearefull readinesse to repaire unto the Lord and why we have an interest in him hee is our father the interest a childe hath in his father stirs him to come readily to his father hee craves not of a strāger as 2. Kings 4.19 When the child cryed they bad carry him to his mother if any thing befalls the child he saith I will tell my father and complaine to my father and the like So aske the child who will provide for him he saith my father so it is here with our God There is a fresh living way that is marvellous easy and open Whosoever seekes shall find whosoever knocks it shall be opened unto him therefore what ever our injury bee wee should not complaine to the world but poure forth your prayers to our Father who will bee sure to heare us 2. As there should be a cheary readines to come to the Lord so there should bee a spirituall boldnesse to challenge what may be needfull at his hands Among strangers wee are strange but among friends wee are bold wee have a right and title to these things and wee may bee bold with our owne Thus David challengeth God as thou art faithfull deliver mee I am thy servant If a servant want food or rayment he goes to his master so saith David I am thy servant therfore give mee understanding that I may live when they bragged of Paul and Apollos saith hee all is yours This should comfort our hearts let us claime our portion hee is our father and will give it us Therefore be humbled in regard of your weakenesse and unworthinesse but confident in regard of his mercy walke cheerefully in regard of the Lord in every condition If I should see the child doubt of my readinesse I should much wōder Care not saith Christ Matth. 6. It is your owne hee is our Father and all that is in him is ours 3. This stirres up our hearts to have a fellow-feeling of our brethrens misery in our prayers therefore God cuts off all encroaching of our selves Our as if hee should say Is there never a Ioseph in prison Never a Daniel in the Lyons den remember pray for them if one suffer all suffers wee are reall members of one body wee should mourne with them that mourne and weep with them that weep it is said Isay 58. Put up a prayer for the remnant Oh that wee had a fellowfeeling of others troubles Paul begs the Ephesians to pray for me also and hee entreates the Romans to wrestle for him by prayer to God Rom. 15.30 Which art in heaven c. Here 1. Wee are to open the sense of the word heaven 2. The motives to move the heart thereto Q. Whether is God more in heaven then in any other place A. No God in regard of his essence is in all places alike hee is wholly every where The Godhead is altogether indivisible Things of quantity fill a roome but God is euery way indivisible as hee is unchangeable so is hee a simple being Psal 139.8 If I goe to hell thou art there saith David God is in the same māner every where If God bee immensible then all of him is every where but it is so therefore hee is altogether in every place all creatures have their being from God hee is in them and beyond them hee is excluded out of no place included in no place Q If all of God bee in every place why then is hee said to bee in heaven onely A. 1. Because God would manifest the glory of his power more in heaven then in earth not because we see him not here Acts 17. We grope after him indeed but you know the royalty of a King appeares most in Parliament so the excellency of God appeares most in heaven 2. There are three heavens The heavens where the birds are the heaven where the stars are and the highest heaven Now the third heaven is meant here for God hath reserved this place as the chaire of state for himselfe the heavens saith David are the Lords no uncleane thing can come there The Angells sinned upon the earth and all the visible heavens are defiled by man the Sunne is abused the aire polluted all these creatures that serve man are by man defiled but the highest heaven was never defiled because it is the chamber of God who leaseth out these to man This is the speciall reason why God is said to bee in heaven Q. What motives have wee to prepare our hearts to prayer which is the scope of the preface A. They are specially three It teacheth us to take notice of the purity of God Motives 1. to prepare the heart to prayer what ought to bee the frame of our spirits when wee appeare before him hee cannot abide sluggish prayers from an impure heart heavenly dispositiōs best suite with Gods holinesse the sanctity of our affections ought to answer Gods purity Kings we know as they will be entertained so their entertainement must be that
meant that rule that Christ hath set up in the hearts of his for the providence of God I take it is not so much aymed at in this place or that ordinary providence of God over the creatures this is set forth in the fourth petition give us c. but it is the rule of Christ that is set up in his Church Q. How manifold is it A. It is that whereby Christ by his Spirit and grace in the ministery of the word takes place in the hearts of his and this he doth two wayes 1. By overpowering and casting downe all other things which are opposite thereunto whatsoever power of sinne and Sathan are opposite unto him 2. He sets up that frame of spirit whereby it is subject to grace and this takes place two wayes 1. By cutting downe killing of every sinne 2. The soule takes the stamp of every command of God and is ruled therby Q. What is the Kingdome of glory A. Gods immediate ruling in the hearts of glorified Saints Q. How doth the Kingdome of grace and glory differ A. Here in the Kingdome of grace God rules 1. By his spirit 2. By the ministery of his word and ordinances but in heaven he rules immediatly then no more word means but Christ fils the soule fully and then he rules gloriously when the understanding will and affections are full of Christ and are fully and wholly subject to him Here in the valley of teares wee meet with many rubs and oppositions but then Christ shall shine immediately forth in all his ordinances wee seeke a Christ now but then wee shall fully possesse him so that wee that have the spirit have a glimpse of heaven already therefore ashamed should wee bee to bee weary of God let us bee weary of sinfulnes of this wretched world It is a heaven to live here with God upon earth and if it be so glorious a thing to have but a glimpse of God here how much more to bee filled with God hereafter in his kingdome Q. How is this Kingdome said to come A. The coming of these two Kingdomes implyes three things 1. That the word may bee revealed in those places where it hath not been That the day spring from on high may visite them that sit in darknes That the Sunne of righteousnes might visite them that want it That the banquet of the Gospell may be set up Matth. 24. If any man say hee is in the wildernesse goe not out for where the Carkasse is thither will the Eagles resort This is the first thing a Kingdome is said to-come when a King rules in a place where hee did not before so it is here Let all the people praise thee saith David hee desires not that some tongues onely but that all tongues and languages should doe this 2. Where ever the Gospell doth shine wee desire that it should discover it selfe more fully and spread it selfe where ever it comes wee desire the Kings governmet should enlarge the Territories more and more So we desire that not onely Christ should bee revealed but that more and more may bee gathered that God may take in every where and that every knee may bow to Christ and licke the dust that so there may be an addition made to the Church that every man in every kind God would cast his skirt over him that more may bee caught in his net that the Jew and Gentile may be gathered into one sheep-fold and have one shepheard 3. That the power of it may be more settled as the house of David grew stronger stronger but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker so when Christ sets up his candlesticke that the seed that is sowne there may take deep root When a King hath erected Castles then he hath his Kingdome So we desire God may entrench himselfe and reare castles of defence against his enemies which would remove him in us that hee would set up himselfe strongly that every traitour might bee crusht and every base lust subdued that God would slay thē and none but his lawes might take place in our soule In a word the issue returnes to thus much wee beseech Christ that his Gospell may spread and be strong and these dayes of sinne may bee wasted and that he may come in the clouds Rev. 22. and then come Lord Jesus come quickly that he would accomplish the number of his Elect and gather those that belong to his glory that they may be everlastingly with him Q. What is the carriage of the soule in putting up this petition A. It appeares in three things 1. The soule desires and labours to bee subject to the good pleasure of the Lord. The heart faith oh that I might once bee so disposed that I might submit to the pleasure of the Almighty We desire that all those things that are set up in our hearts which are contrary to the good will of the Lord might bee subdued Psal 119.4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts o Lord that my soule were so affected thou hast enjoyned mee to keepe thy Law oh that I could doe so The spirit should bee as waxe to the seale and inke to the paper that the soule might take the impression of every rule that God would set up in our hearts thus the soule should bee disposed and wish that the Lord would put this frame into us thou hast said seeke my face oh saith the soule that I could seeke thy face and echo to it behold Lord thy face doe I seeke to submit wholy without any contending not that the Lord should force us but take up your yoake put our necke to the yoak let the word of the Lord beare the sway when Mary wanted wine and our Saviour checked her shee submitted presently not a word more so what the Lord commands us let us doe without any quarrelling let the least inckling of the word beare the sway When our Saviour sent his disciples for the Asses colt they said but happily the men will not let him goe how then Tell them saith our Saviour the Master hath need of him and then they will not deny him It is enough let the Lord but speake and it is done this the soule should labour to attaine unto 2. The soule carries it selfe with an inward opposition to what ever is opposite to the government of the Lord Jesus Christ to the uttermost of our power It is in vaine to say it were well if it were so and I would it were so and yet stand still and not to set to our hand but we must joine with the Lord and as hee spake of Merosh Cursed be thou because thou wentest not out to help the Lord so truly the Lord Jesus is coming to our townes to our families therefore we should step out and help the Lord against those high mountaines of pride and stubbornenesse of heart when a proud heart stirres would wee but cry out good Lord help downe with that stubborne
we have obtained mercy 3. The testimony of Gods Spirit which assureth Gods children their sins are pardoned Q. What is meant by resting upon God A. It is discovered by two particulars 1. Casting our selves upon the Promise 2. A perswasion that they shall be fulfilled to us Q. What is lustification A. When a beleeving sinner is accounted just in Gods sight through Christ according to the Law Q. Why say you accounted A. Because Justification puts nothing into us nor findes nothing in us Q. Doth God justifie wicked men as they are in themselves A. God provided another to be their surety for whose sake he accepts them Q. Can one mans wisedome understanding and holinesse be accounted to another A. Yes if one mans offence be imputed to another then may one mans righteousnesse but Adams sinne was imputed to us Rom. 5. therefore Christs Righteousnesse may be accounted ours If the Law be that the surety may be punished for the debt as well as the debtor then may the sureties satisfaction be accounted to the debtor both because the surety and the debtor tooke upon them the same thing and subjected themselves to the same condition Q. What doe we learn out of these words according to the Law A. No man can be just except he be in some measure answerable to the rule of justice Q. What did the Law require A. Two things 1. Dying for sinne 2. Doing that wee may live Q. Was our sinne made Christâ— by commission A. No onely by imputation for when Christ dyed to save us did we dye also no onely his death was imputed to us Q. What doth Christ receive from us A. Guilt and punishment Q. What doe we receive from Christ A. His merits and obedience Q. Doth faith it selfe justifie a man A. We are not justified by faith for it s but an instrument whereby we lay hold upon Christ and so are justified Q. Must justification be joyned to sanctification A. Yes for justification goeth before and sanctification followes after Q. Wherein lyeth the difference A. lustification putteth nothing into a man nor findeth any thing in a man Sanctification puts a new frame of he art into us Q. But doth not God put grace into a justified sinner A. Yes but he doth it by sanctification not by justification We receive justification all at once and that neither admits of increase or decrease but holinesse is usually increased and decreaseth many times Q. What is sanctification A. It s the restoring of a justified man into the image of God wherein he was created Not a making new faculties in the soule but putting them into right order as when a clock falls in pieces the wheels being not broken the clock hath not new wheeles set into it but they are new made againe Q. How many things be there in sanctification A. Two Mortification and Vivification Q. What is mortification A. The first part of sanctification whereby sinne is killed in us by the power of Christs death applied unto us Q. Can sinne be wholly subdued in a man A. No but it may be lessened and filed away Q. Wherein lyes the difference between sin in a wicked and a godly man A. There is the neerest union that may be between sinne and the soule of a wicked man Sinne beareth greatest rule here and the soule yeelds greatest subjection unto it He hath a secret resolution to sinne in spight of God and his Ordinances But in a godly man the power of sinne is loosened and the union broken sinne is not in him as a King though it may be as a Tyrant Q. Can mortification and vivification bee severed A. No where God bestowes Mortification there hee likewise bestowes vivification Q. Which goeth first A. Mortification for before we can receive Christ we must make roome for him by casting out all wickednesse Q. What is meant by this word vivification A. It is that part of sanctification whereby wee are quickned to newnesse of life by Christ his Resurrection applyed unto us Q. How is this wrought by Christs Resurrection A. In sinne wee must conceive there is 1. The guilt 2. The punishment 3. The power of it the guilt and punishment Christ by his Death removed Q. But how did he take away the power of them A. We having sinned Christ dyed and rose again for us whereas sin and Satan would have kept him in still if they could but hee came out by force The fift Principle Faith commeth by hearing and is strengthned by the Word and Prayer Meanes to get and increase Faith Quest How may we get faith Answ By the hearing of the Word preached Q. Why is Faith wrought by the Word A. Because God hath promised a speciall blessing thereunto and the holy Spirit accompanies the same for this purpose Q. Why by the Word preached A. Because the Word preached doth evidently reveale truths to the soule and works more effectually upon a mans heart Q. How is Faith encreased A. By the Word Sacraments and Prayer The Word addeth fuell unto Faith provoking a man to come to Christ by shewing 1. the need we have of him by reason of our daily wants and infirmities 2. The all-sufficiency of Christ to supply us 3. And his willingnesse to receive all commers Q. When is Faith strong Ans 1. When it grasps as it were a whole handfull of Christ a little child can grasp but a little of any thing 2. When it holdeth firmly that it catcheth hold upon Q. How doe the Sacraments strengthen saith A. 1. They present Christ neerly and visibly to the soule 2. They shew Christs merits obedience inflaming our hearts with love to him Q. What is Prayer A. It is a going out of our selves to God craving things answerable to his will Q. How a going to God A. Not a bodily going but the mind affection and understanding stirting up themselves to present their suit to him Q. Can a wicked man pray A. No 1. Because true Prayer is from the Spirit and a sanctified heart 2. These men oppose what they beg for Q. How many parts be there in Prayer A. Two Petition which is a craving of that we want and Thanksgiving which is a giving God thanks for that we have Q. What is the pattern of Prayer A. The Lords Prayer which Christ gave to his Disciples Q. Into how many parts is it divided A. Into three 1. A Preface 2. Six Petitions 3. A Thanksgiving Q. What doe you meane by Father A. The first Person in the Trinity who is the fountain from whence all we have floweth Q. How is God said to be a Father Ans 1. In regard of Christ 2. In regard of us Q. How is God the Father of Christ Ans 1. By naturall generation 2. By personall union Q. How is God a Father in regard of us Ans 1. In regard of Creation so the Angels are sons of God 2. In regard of Adoption which is the taking one in stead of a child
Q. How may this word Father be a preparative to Prayer Ans 1. If God be a Father then he is bountifull and we may receive what ever we aske 2. If God be a Father he is mercifull ready to pardon all our sins 3. He will take in good part any service done in truth of heart though never so small Q. Why doe we say Our Father A. Our betokeneth a kind of propriety and interest As we say This is our house we have a speciall interest therein So here it sheweth a speciall interest that Gods people have in him 2. Community of God to all his servants as the light is common to all none can say it is My Sun 3. The fellow-feelingnesse that the godly have of one anothers misery Q. What preparations are there in this Word to Prayer A. It causeth Reverence A child commeth reverently to his Father so must we 2. It teacheth us confidence in God because he is our Father And 3. cheerfulnesse in comming to him as a child unto his Father Q. Is God onely in heaven A. No he filleth every place Q. Why is God said to be in heaven Answ 1. That we may take notice of his power things above have advantage of things below 2. He is an holy God for he is in heaven where no uncleane thing is Q. What is the scope of the first Petition A. That Gods name might be honoured of all his creatures Q. What is meant by name A. That whereby God is made knowne Q. How is God made knowne to us Ans 1. By his titles and Attributes as when God is said to be holy gracious c. 2. By his Word and 3. by his works especially in the works of grace on the hearts of his children there is Gods name written as it were in great letters as the Apostle Peter saith They expresse the graces of him that hath called them so that when a man looketh upon a child of God he may say Surely God is an holy God because his children are so Q. When doe we honour Gods name A. When Gods name is to us as an holy thing when we see the worth of it and manifest it to others Q. What is the scope of the second Petition A. That God may rule over all especially over his Church Q. Why is it added to the former A. Because when God beareth rule then his name is honoured Q. What doth this word Kingdome signifie A. That rule which he exerciseth over his servants Q. How manifold is this Kingdome A. Twofold the Kingdome of grace and the Kingdome of glorie Q. How doth God rule in the Kingdome of grace A. By his Spirit in the Word he ruleth the hearts of his servants and aweth the hearts of hypocrites Q. How doth God rule in the Kingdome of glory A. Immediately by himself shining into their hearts and filling them with his grace Q. What doe we meane by Thy Kingdome come Ans 1. We desire that God would send his Gospel to such places Nations Countryes as have not had it 2. That God would spread inlarge his Gospel where it is 3. That God would confirm and stablish his Gospel and cause it to have better entertainment where it is spread Q. What is the scope of the third Petition A. That all humble subjection may be yeelded unto God Q. Why is this added unto the former A. Because then Gods Kingdome doth most of all come when his will is done Q. What is Gods will A. Gods good pleasure touching the performance or bringing to passe of any thing Q. What is Gods secret will A. That which God reserveth to himselfe in his own counsaile Q. What is Gods revealed will A. That which he hath made known unto us in his Word Q. How must we be like the Angels in obedience Ans 1. In readinesse they are they are said to have wings 2. In faithfulnesse they obey God in every thing so must we 3. Their obedience is constant so should ours Nothing should hinder our speedy and cheerfull obedience Q. What is the scope of the fourth Petition A. We desire a comfortable supply of all things concerning this life Q. Why is this put first A. A man must have a being before a well-being nature before grace Q. Why is bread put for all Ans 1. Because this is most necessary for subsistence All our endeavours ay me at this 2. We desire God would give us ability to use the means to attain it 3. That we may have a comfortable use thereof with a blessing attending it Q. What doe you meane by give A. First that God would give us what we want Secondly to continue and preserve still what we have Thirdly that God would give us an heart to make a right use thereof Q. Why doe you say us Ans Because we must have a fellow-feeling of the necessities of others we desire God to give us that we may help them Q. Why doe you say our daily bread A. Wee desire here a right and title to these outward things This title is two-fold 1. Divine in regard of God 2. Politicke in regard of men Q. Why do you say this day A. First it sheweth that wee must take care for the time present Secondly wee desire a moderation of these outward things Thirdly we must daily pray and depend upon God for our bread Q. What rules may wee here learne for the ordering of our lives in the desire of outward things Ans 1. Wee must goe to God for every mercy and acknowledge we receive all from him 2. Wee must onely look to the time present not caring for the morrow Q. What is the scope of the fifth Petition A. Iustification or the forgivenesse of sinne Q. What is meant by debts A. Sinnes Q. Why is sinne called a debt A. Because it maketh us lyable to Gods judgements Q. Can God forgive our sinnes without satisfaction A. No because it s against his justice Q. How then is this a mercy that God doth forgive us our sinnes A. Gods mercy appeares in that he followes the Law against our surety so that hee is made guilty and lyable to punishment and we cleared Is it not a great mercy that our sinnes may bee removed from us and Christs righteousnesse imputed unto us Q. How farre must a man forgive another A. In the offence we must consider three things 1. The breach of the Law 2. The wrong done to us 3. The inflicting vengeance for it Q. How farre may a man forgive the sinne as a breach of the Law A. Onely thus farre he must desire that God would not lay it to their charge so Christ prayed Father forgive them for they know not what they doe Q. Must a man alwaies forgive his enemie the wrongs and punishment done A. No when Gods glory and Religion is disgraced thereby and it may be for our brothers good Q. Doth God forgive us because we forgive others A. No He forgives us before