praises to our KING sing praises for God is the King of all the earth c. This reason is giuen of the heauenly Halelu-iah Reu. 19. 6. For the Lord God omnipotent reigneth As God by his Soueraigntie is the highest of all so by vertue of his prudent gouernment all good things which are any way praise-worthy are indeed done They that haue knowledge hereof and can in truth of heart acknowledge as much will assuredly bee ready on all occasions to praise God 3. Kindnesse goodnesse and mercie are the things which do most of all enflame the heart to giue praise They are the most principall obiect of praise for which thankes vseth to be giuen I will praise thy Name Psal 138. 2. saith the Psalmist to God for thy louing kindnesse Psal 117. 1 2. And he exhorteth all nations to praise the Lord on this ground His mercifull kindnesse is great towards vs. After hee had thus set out the goodnesse of God Psal 145. 8 9 10 The Lord is gracious and full of compassion slow to anger and of great mercie the Lord is good to all and his tender mercies are ouer all his workes he maketh this inference All thy workes shall praise thee ô Lord and thy Saints shall blesse thee Gods mercies therefore the maine matter of praise are to be called to mind and to be set in order when we go about to praise God These are they that are of greatest power to rouse vp our dull spirits to put a spirituall life into vs and to prouoke vs to praise the Lord. I haue distinctly laid downe these in The whole Armour of God Treat 3. Part. 2. § 63. Now in that the forenamed grounds of praise are onely in God Praise due onely to God praise is due to him alone For 1. a Psal 148. 13. His onely is true excellencie as was before prooued § 218. 2. b Dan. 4 25. His Soueraigntie onely is absolute As before § 207. 208. 3. c Math. 19. 17. He onely is good And d Iam. 1. 17. euery good thing commeth from him Idolaters who giue praise to false gods as e Dan. 5 23. Belshazzer did and flatterers who vnduly praise men as f Act. 12. 22. Herods people did depriue God of that glorie which is due to him Let such duely weigh the fearefull issue that befell both Belshazzer and Herod How farre praise may be giuen to men is declared in The whole Armour of God Treat 3. Part. 2. § 61. Hitherto of the Substance of the Lords Prayer The Circumstance following it remaineth to be handled §. 241. Of the meaning and vse of AMEN being prefixed before a Speech Q. Meaning of AMEN VVHat is the circumstance following Prayer A. Amen in his Petitionibus significat indubitanter à Domiao conferri quod petitur Aug. de Temp. Ser. 58. The ratification of all This is expressed in this one word AMEN That Amen importeth a confirmation of that which is said is euident by Benaiahs answere to Dauids direction concerning Salomons crowning For Benaiah desiring from his heart that Dauids said direction might bee accomplished and ratified hee answereth thereto Amen 1. King 1. 36. and to explaine his minde and meaning more fully Amen 1. firmum statum esto à Deo Tremel Iun. in annâ—l in hunc loc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Fiat he addeth The Lord God of my Lord the King say so too that is as other Translators turne it ratifie it The Greeke Translators thus turne it Be it done The root from whence the word commeth signifyeth as much as is euident by this phrase in Salomons Prayer O God of Israel let thy word I pray thee 1. King 8. 26. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 be ratified which thou spakest vnto Dauid This Particle in Scripture is diuersly vsed Sometimes it is prefixed before that which is vttered and sometimes it is inferred after it It is prefixed before Speeches The vse of Amen being set before a speech to shew both the certaintie and the necessiitie of that which is deliuered When Christ instructed Nicodemus in the mysterie of regeneration to declare vnto him the necessitie thereof hee thus expresseth it Amen Amen Ioh. 3. 3. I say to thee except a man bee borne againe hee can not see the Kingdome of God And because Nicodemus made question thereof in the same manner hee doth againe repeat it saying Ioh. 3 5. Amen Amen I say to thee Except a man bee borne of water and of the Spirit hee can not enter into the Kingdome of God to shew that it was a true certaine sure infallible point which fell not from his mouth vnawares but such an one as hee durst stand to yea and pawne his credit thereupon Q. What duties doth Amen import when it is prefixed before a Speech A. Two especially 1. Attention 2. Beliefe 1. Where the holy Ghost by any note or signe setteth out the Excellencie Necessitie Vtilitie or any other like commendation of a point hee requireth vs to giue more then ordinarie attention thereunto Math. 24. 1 2. When the Disciples shewed Christ the glorious building of the Temple that they might the better marke what hee foretold of the destruction thereof thus hee expresseth it AMEN I say vnto you there shall not bee left here one stone vpon another that shall not be throwne downe 2. Where the Holy Ghost knoweth vs to bee backward and hard to beleeue such Principles as be of an infallible veritie he vseth asseuerations obtestations to draw vs on to giue the more credence thereunto Answerably therefore we must mixe faith with our hearing of such points To this purpose when Christ obserued vnbeliefe Mat. 7. 20. and doubting in his Disciples Mar. 11. 2â— 23. hee vsed this his note of asseueration Amen to moue them the more stedfastly to beleeue what he said §. 242. Of the vse of AMEN being added to a Speech Q. HOw is AMEN added to a speech A. 1. By him that vttereth a speech 2. By him or them that heare it a Ro 16 24 27 It was vsuall with the Apostles when they made a prayer 1. Cor. 16. 24. or gaue thankes 2. Cor. 13. 13. or pronounced a blessing 1. Pet 5. 14. themselues to adde thereunto Amen 1. Ioh. 5. 21. And as vsuall it was with the people of God that heard like speeches vttered by others Iude verse 25. to say Amen whether it were b 1. Kin. 1. 36. onely one or c Neh. 5. 13. many together To what kindes of speeches AMEN is added Many are the kindes and formes of speeches whereunto AMEN is in Scripture noted to be added as 1. d Rom. 15. 33. Petitions 2. e Neh. 8. 6. Benedictions and Praises 3. f Neh. 5. 13. Imprecations and Curses 4. g 1. Ioh. 5 21. Exhortations to Duties 5. h Reu. 22. 20. Declarations of
properly giue a being to things Math. 23. 9. whereupon Christ saith of him There is but one your Father 1. Cor. 8. 6. which is in heauen and the Apostle to like purpose There is but one God Ephes 4. 6. the Father and among other vnities hee reckons this One God and Father Now God is stiled Father both in relation to his Sonne the second person in Trinitie Whose father God is and also in relation to his creatures In the former respect it can be applyed onely to the first person in Trinitie Iohn 3. 16. whose onely begotten Sonne the second person is and that by reason of his eternall generation Prou. 8. 24 25. and of the hypostaticall vnion of his two natures in one person Luke 1 35. In the latter respect it may be applyed to all the three persons in Trinitie Iohn 1. 14. For not onely the first Math. 28. 19. but the second person also is expresly called Father and we are said to be borne of the Spirit Isa 9. 6. which is a worke of paternitie Iohn 3. 5. All the three persons then are included vnder this title Father And Prayer may be made to them all ioyntly as one in substance and to any of them expresly by name yet so as when one onely is named neither of the other be excluded For the Father is alwayes to be called vpon in the name of the Sonne by the assistance of the Spirit Rom. 8. 26. Else we know not what to pray as we ought This one God distinguished into three persons Iob 38. 28. is said to be the Father of his creatures first generally as he hath giuen a being to them all secondly specially as he hath set his image on some of them aboue others His Image is set on his creature two wayes 1. By that excellencie wherein he created them 2. By renewing an excellencie in some of them after their fall By reason of that primarie excellencie Luke 3. 38. Adam and Angels are stiled sonnes of God Iob 1. 6. for in regard of those diuine qualities and that glorious estate wherewith he adorned them aboue other creatures at the beginning they are said to be made after the Image of God The Image of God which is a kind of diuine excellencie is renewed onely in some of the sonnes of men and that in a ciuill and spirituâ—ll respect In a ciuill respect as they haue dignitie and dominion giuen to them ouer others as all Magistrates Gouernours in whom there is a resemblance of Gods Soueraigntie in which respect they beare Gods Image Psal 82. 6. and are stiled Gods and Sonnes of the most High In a spirituall respect Rom. 8. 15 16. as God through his grace hath adopted some to be his sonnes and by his Spirit begotten them anew Ioh. 1. 12 13. Though out of the fatherhood of God here meant that relation which the first person in Trinitie hath to the second may not be excluded for they who apprehend not God to be a Father of Iesus Christ cannot in faith and with comfort call vpon him yet it hath especiall relation to his creatures who say Our Father and among them to sonnes of men since their fall who say Deum patrem esse voce propria consitentes de conditione seruiâ—â— in adoptionem fiâ—ioâ—uâ—â— nos profitemur ascitos Forgiue vs our trespasses and among the sonnes of men to such as are adopted of God and borne anew after his Image who onely in truth say to God Hallowed be thy name c. Thus we who with our owne voyce confesse God to be our Father do professe our selues to be taken from seruile condition into the adoption of sonnes Many other more magnificent titles might haue bene attributed to God 〈◊〉 Isa de Orat. Cap. 18. but none more pertinent to Prayer then this title Father Christ therefore vsually in his * Math. 11. 25. Iohn 12. 27. Iohn 17. 1. Math 26 39. Luke 23. 34 46. Prayer vsed it §. 8. Of the instructions which the title Father applied to God import Q. VVHat instructions may be gathered from this title Father applyed to God in Prayer A. 1. God is to be called vpon in the mediation of Christ In Christ onely is God a Father Galat 4. 4. and in Christ onely are we adopted and borne againe 1. Pet. 1. 3. Out of Christ God is a terrible Iudge and a consuming fire This title therefore includeth Christ and faith in him 1. Pet. 1. 3. Thus Saint Peter first had an eye to Gods fatherhood in relation to Christ his onely begotten Sonne and then in relation to the Saints his adopted sonnes 2. They onely haue this priuiledge to approach by Prayer into Gods presence who can in truth call him Father which none can do but they that beleeue in Christ For as many as receiued him to them he gaue power to become the Sonnes of God euen to them that beleeue in his Name Iohâ— 1. 12. To them onely will God reach out his golden Scepter of Grace Ester 5. 2. as Ahashuerosh did to Hester 1 Cor. 1. 2. They therefore by a kind of propertie are said to call vpon God Acts 9. 14. 3. Prayer must be made in confidence of Gods fatherly loue Attolle â—culos ad patrem qui te per lauacrum genuit qui te per filium redemit dic Pater noster Aug. in Serm. 28 de verb. Dom. How shall they else call him Father d Gal. 4. 6. Because ye are sonnes saith the Apostle God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Sonne into your hearts crying Abba Father Now the ground of this confidence resteth onely in Gods Fatherhood For here are no other motiues either from our selues or from others But e Math. 7. 11. Paternitie promiseth all blessings 4. There is ground of returning to God after we haue gone from him For a father is readie againe and againe to receiue f Luk. 15. 18. c. I will rise and go to my FATHER saith the Prodigall and when that Father saw his sonne yet a great way off he had compassion After that Dauid had iustly banished his sonne Absolom 2. Sam. 13. 39. he longed to goe forth vnto him As Fatherhood promiseth all blessings so all forbearance It maketh one readie to giue and forgiue A fathers loue is of all others most constant and immutable Psal 103. 13 Though he be prouoked to correct Heb. 12. 5 6. yet will he not forget to loue 5. There is sufficient encouragement against euery thing 1. King 19. 12. 13. that may any way dishearten vs from approaching into Gods presence whether it be excellencie in God or infirmitie in our selues A father will lay aside in his childes presence Quando patrem deum dicimuâ— quasi filij Dci agere debemus Cypr. de Orat. Dom. §. 8. whatsoeuer may
Psal 10. 13. 42. 3. Their insultations and cursed exprobrations and that against God himselfe §. 35. Of Gods kingdome what it is and what be the kinds of it Q. VVHich is the second Petition A. Thy kingdome come Q. What is the kingdome of God A. That estate where as a King he ruleth For that is a kingdome where a King raigneth and ruleth Where God therefore raigneth there is his kingdome Q. How doth God raigne as a King A. 1. By his absolute power he raigneth ouer the whole world 2. By his speciall grace he raigneth ouer his Church According to this different manner of Gods raigning is his kingdome distinguished For 1. He hath an vniuersall kingdome Gods vniuersall kingdome Vbique regnat vbique imperat vbique maiestas eius Bern. de verb. Isay Serm. 5. called his kingdome of power because by his absolute and supreme power he ouer-ruleth all creatures whatsoeuer or wheresoeuer they be In regard of this vniuersall soueraignty of God the Scripture saith His kingdome ruleth ouer all For who hath resisted his will And thereupon he saith vnto God Psal 103 19. How terrible art thou in thy workes Through the greatnesse of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselâ—es to thee Rom. 9. 19. 2. He hath a peculiar kingdome Psal 66. 3. called his kingdome of Grace Gods peculiar kingdome his Church whereby he raigneth ouer a select people culled out of the world which voluntarily yeeld obedience vnto him The companie of this people is in one word the Church and it is a societie chosen of God Sanè secundum praedestinationem nunquam Ecclesia electoric penes deum non suit Bern. super Cant. Serm. 78. redeemed by Christ called and sanctified by the holy Ghost which hath bene in all ages of the world some in heauen others on earth spread ouer the face thereof farre and neare in which respects it is stiled the holy Catholicke Church This is properly the kingdome of Christ in and by whom the Father raigneth For it is said that a kingdome was giuen to the Sonne of man Dan. 7. 14. Of whom saith the Father I haue set my King vpon my holy hill of Sion Psal 2. 6. whose people shall be willing in the day of his power Psal 110. 3. Herein lyeth a maine difference betwixt Gods manner of gouernment in his vniuersall and in his peculiar kingdome that the worlds subiection is forced Psal 66. 3. 110 3. but the Churches subiection is free §. 36. Of Gods raigning ouer rebels TOuching that vniuersall kingdome of God ouer all creatures in all places seeing there are many which rebell against God and say Psal 2. 3. Let vs breake his bonds asinder and cast his cords from vs Luke 19. 14. We will not haue him to reigne ouer vs and therupon walke according to the Prince of the â—re Eph. 2. 〈◊〉 the spirit which worketh in the children of disobedience and seeing the diuell is the god of this world a doubt may be made how God can be said to be their King and Gods kingdome thus vniuersally extended ouer the whole world Answ 1. Rebelion of subiects taketh not away the right of a Soueraigne Psal 2. 1 6. Christ therefore notwithstanding the tumult of people is said to be a King 2. None can do any thing at all without his permission Instance the arch-rebell of all Iob 1. 11. 2. 5. of all Satan in the case of Iob. Instance also the many plots and practises of the wicked which in all ages by an ouer-ruling hand of God haue bene disappointed and made void 3. God can 2. King 19. 28. when and as it pleaseth him restraine them as he restrained Senacherib yea and beate them downe and vtterly destroy them Exod. 14. 28. as he destroyed Pharaoh and his whole hoste 4. Satan to whom the fore-named rebels are subiect is but Gods executioner 1. King 22. 2â— he is one of the number of Gods seruants though of his guiltie and reprobate seruants Satan vnus de numero seruor 〈◊〉 est licet reorum iam atque reproborum Chrys hom 20. in Mat. 6. So as euen in that power which Satan hath ouer them God sheweth himselfe to be their King Q. Is this vniuersall kingdome of God here ment A. No further then that God would order it to the good of his peculiar kingdome which is here principally intended §. 37. Of the kingdome of Grace and Glorie Q. HOw may the peculiar kingdome of God be considered A. 1. In the beginning and progresse of it 2. In the consummation and perfection of it In the former respect it consisteth of a mixture of euill persons with good ones Kingdome of Grace and of euill qualities in those good persons with good ones Math. 13. 24. 47. in regard of which mixtures it is resembled to a field wherein grow tares with wheate and to a draw-net which gathereth of all sorts Mar. 4. 26. and to corne which ariseth with straw and chaffe as well as with sound and solid graine In the latter respect it consisteth onely of such as are euery way perfectly good Kingdome of glorie and therefore said to shine as the Sunne Math. 13. 41 43. which hath no darknesse Reu. 21. 27. nor any speck or spot in it In the former respect especially it is called a kingdome of Grace and that 1. In opposition to those who neuer were Why the kingdome of grace is so called nor euer shall be of it and therefore are obiects of Gods seuere iustice and reuenging power Ier. 10. 25. but in it grace raigneth 2. For distinction from those who are translated out of it into heauen Rom. 5. 21. For by reason of the many temptations and imperfections whereunto the Saints on earth are subiect thy stand in need of much more grace then the Saints in heauen who are iust and perfect Heb. 12. 23. In the latter respect it is called a kingdome of Glory Why the kingdome of glorie is so called and that by reason of the Place where it is and of the Persons which are of it 1. The Place where it is is the most glorious place of all the world euen the highest heauens 2. The Persons both King and Subiects thereof are decked with vnspeakable glorie The King doth there manifest his glorie more then any where else as brightly as can possibly by the creature be discerned The Subiects there partake of as much glorie as they are capable of and that in soule and body so as they are all glorious within and without §. 38. Of the difference betwixt the kingdome of â—â—Grace Glorie THis kingdome of Grace and of Glorie is but one and the same kingdome distinguished into two parts which differ in sixe circumstances 1. In Time The kingdome of Grace is now present while here we liue The kingdome of Glorie is to come 2. In
planted may encrease God would cause the building answerably to bee reared vp To which purpose Dauid in his forenamed prayer addeth this clause Psal 51. 18. Build thou the walls of Ierusalem This was the maine thing which the Apostles aimed at in that powerfull prayer which with one accord they made vnto God Acts 4. 24. On this ground we haue iust cause to pray for Virginia and other like Plantations For the establishment of the Church two things also are to be desired 1. That such Churches as are built vp may bee kept from ruine Pray for preseruation of Churches 1. Thes 3. 10 c. and the people thereof from reuolt On this ground we ought to pray for the Churches now in Europe 2. That if any breaches haue beene made they may bee repaired and such people as haue reuolted bee restored Pray for recouerie of Churches On this ground wee ought to pray as for those Churches of Greece which were planted by the Apostles so for all those Churches which hauing receiued the light of the Gospell Dan. 9. 16. haue returned 〈◊〉 Popery Psal 80. 14. Q. Which are the meanes that wee ought to pray for as sanctified of God for obtaining the forenamed blessings A. They are of two sorts 1. Outward Outward meanes of the Churches good the sacred ordinances of God 2. Inward the sanctifying operation of Gods holy Spirit Of outward meanes there are three especiall kinds 1. The chiefest and most absolutely necessarie is the Ministerie of Gods Word 2. The next to that is the administration of the Sacraments 3. The last which is also of very good vse is Ecclesiasticall gouernment By the Ministerie of the Word both such as are out of the Church are gathered into it 1. The word Psal 45 6. 110. 2. and they also that are in it are further built vp in all needfull graces That is Christs Scepter whereby he gouerneth his Church Mat. 13. 19. and wherein his statutes and ordinances Psal 147. 19. and all the priuiledges of the Church are contained By administration of the Sacraments that grace which is wrought by the Word 2. Sacraments is confirmed and established These are Christs seales to ratifie his Couenant Rom. 4. 11. and all his promises made vnto his Church By the Ecclesiasticall gouernment well ordered many scandals and stumbling blockes are remoued 3. Gouernment or auoided Such as are free-hearted and forward are encouraged such as are backward and slothfull are pricked on such as are vnruly and refractarie are bridled and kept in compasse Q. What are we to pray for in regard of the ordinances of God Pray for free vse of Gods ordinances A. That they may bee freely and purely exercised Pray saith the Apostle that the word of the Lord may RVNNE that is haue a free and a speedie passage and be glorified 2. Thes 3. 1. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is be purely and powerfully preached That which hee applyeth to the Word may also be extended to other holy ordinances of God which that they may be freely and purely exercised Pray for Ministers we are to pray both for Ministers also for Magistrates For Ministers especially Mat. 9. 38. that the Lord would send forth labourers into his haruest Ephes 6. 19. and giue them vtterance that they may open their mouth boldly to make known the mysterie of the Gospel so as Abilitie Libertie and Integritie are to be prayed for in the behalfe of Ministers Of all other functions none more needful none more vsefull for the Church none can lesse be spared then Ministers Wherefore more instant Prayer is to be made for them Pray for Magistrates Magistrates also Psal 49. 23. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 who are promised to be giuen as nourishers nurses of the Church may by their good gouernment procure much good to the Church as Mordecai did Wee ought therefore to pray for them Est 10. 3. that God would raise vp men of worth that may feede his people according to the integritie of their heart and guide them by the skilfulnesse of their hands Psal 78. 72. as Dauid did Where there are none to beare rule Iudg. 21. 25. euery man doth that which is good in his owne eyes whence must needs follow much confusion And where there are euill Magistrates people are oft drawne to follow their euill courses witnesse this stile giuen to the first King of Israel Ieroboam which made Israel to sinne 2 King 10. 31. If they will not follow their euill courses they shall bee sure to be oppressed For when the wicked beareth rule Pro. 29. 2. the people mourne Q. What ought wee to pray for in regard of the sanctifying operation of Gods Spirit A. That it may alwaies accompany all the outward meanes ordained of God for the good of his Church Pray for the power of the Spirit For neither is he that planteth any thing nor hee that watereth but God that giueth the encrease which hee giueth by the worke of his Spirit 1. Cor. 3. 7. The Spirit giueth life The Apostle therefore prayeth for them that had heard the Word of Truth 2. Cor. 3. 6. that God would giue them the Spirit of wisedome and reuelation Ephes 1. 13 17. By the operation of Gods Spirit are all Gods ordinances made powerfull and effectuall §. 47. Of praying for the outward temporall estate of the Church Q. VVHat are we to pray for in regard of the temporall estate of the Church A. All needfull peace and prosperitie Psal 122. 7 7. Though all temporall blessings be comprised in the fourth Petition yet so farre forth as they tend to the good of the Church being a meanes that the Gospell may be preached and the Sacraments administred more freely that people may bee more incouraged to come into the Church and to abide in the Church that Ecclesiasticall gouernment may be the better exercised they belong to this Petition Yet because the Church like a Palme-tree doth oft better grow at least in purity when it is pressed with aduersitie we are in our desire of the outward peace and prosperitie of the Church to submit our desire to the wisedome of God and no further to desire it then God seeth it to be needfull and vsefull for the Church §. 48. Of the extent of our Prayer for the good of the Church after our time Q. HOw farre ought our desire for the good of the Church to extend A. To present and to succeeding times that the Church of God may prosper flourish and increase both in our dayes and also in the dayes of our posteritie from time to time till the day of perfect consummation which is the day of the glorious appearing of Iesus Christ For this end wee are to pray for Seminaries of Ministers Pray for Seminaries Magistrates and Christian people as Schooles of
reason of the deceitfulnesse of the world which so bewitcheth many as it draweth them to those stumbling blockes and maketh them to stumble and fall thereat as Demas did Yea on this ground our loue euen too too inordinate loue 2. Tim. 4. 10. of this world is to be bewailed Iam. 4. 4. 4. The prauitie of our nature Gen. 6. 5. God himselfe doth much complaine hereof This is it that maketh all manner of temptations much more dangerous then otherwise they would be 5. Our spirituall blindnesse Reu. 3. 17. By reason hereof we cannot discerne the temptations wherewith we are assaulted but are easily led into the midst of them 2. Kin. 6. 18 20. as the Aramites were into the midst of Samaria 6. Our foolish proâ—enesse to yeeld to euery temptation Pro. 7. 7 8 c. as the fish to snatch at euery bait Thus are we oft taken 7. The rebellions of ouâ— flesh This maketh vs refuse all the meanes which are sanctified to keepe vs from temptation and to take part with the tempters and so to become captiues and slaues vnto them Rom. 7. 23. 24. This rebellion and this thraldome doth the Apostle much bewaile 8. Presumption in our strength Reu. 3. 17. This is bewailed in the Church of Laodicea Math. 26. 35. And not without cause For it is the cause of many ones fall Instance Peter and the other Disciples 9. Inabilitie to stand against temptations Of this weakenesse of the flesh doth Christ complaine where hee willeth his Disciples to pray against temptation Math. 26. 41. 10. Timorousnesse 2. Tim. 4. 16. or immoderate feare of man This is the cause that by persecution yea by threatnings and reproaches many are drawne from their holy profession 11. Impatiencie Many crosses which might easily bee borne by a patient spirit thorow impatiencie proue very hurtfull temptations 12. Prouocations of Gods wrath Our onely hope and confidence of being freed from temptations or so helped against them as they shall not ouercome vs is in God If God then be prouoked to wrath and so moued to deny vs his assistance and to giue vs ouer to the power of Tempters how can wee stand Vnder this head Act 7. 52 52. as all manner of sinnes so abusing his mercies grieuing his Spirit despising his Messengers and such like are comprised These twelue are most directly against the first part of the last Petition The other that follow are against the other part 13. a Reu. 2. 4. Losse of first loue 14. b 2 Pet. 2. 18. c Back-sliding from the truth These two and others like to these are directly contrary to the maine intent of adding the latter clause of the last Petition to the former which is Recouerie from euill If recouerie from euill be to be prayed for is it not a matter much to be bewailed that such as are recouered should relapse and make c Luke 11. 26. their last estate worse then the first 15. d Mar. 3. 5. Hardnesse of heart 16. e Isa 53. 1. Infidelitie 17. f Ezek. 2 5. Impenitencie These three and others like vnto them make men vncapable of recouerie So much the more therefore to be bewailed Q. What other particulars are to be bewailed vnder the last Petition in relation to others A. 1. g Prou. 7. 21. Inticing others to sinne 2. h Ier. 23 14 17. Encouraging them in sinne 3. i Ezek. 34. 4. Discouraging the weake 4. k Gen. 21. 9. Scoffing at grace By these and such like meanes men are sorely tempted Gal. 4. 29. Now if wee ought to pray for others that they be not led into temptation to leade others into temptation giueth iust and great cause of humiliation 5. l Iob 19. 13. 14 15. Leauing them that are fallen 6. m Luk. 7. 39. c Reiecting the penitent These two branches of vnmercifulnesse are contrarie to the desire and duty of recouering others intimated in the last Branch of the last Petition and on that ground to be bewailed Q. What doth the inference of this Sixt Petition vpon the Fift shew to be bewailed A. 1. A dead and naked faith Iam. 2. 14 c. In the former Petition faith in Christ for pardon of sinne is professed In this Petition a manifestation of the truth of that faith by forsaking sinne and by performing all duties of righteousnesse is intimated To professe faith and not to declare it by the fruits thereof is much to be lamented as a thing dishonourable to God disgracefull to the Gospell of Christ aduantageable to Satan and damageable to the soules of such vaine Professors S. Iude doth much bewaile them Iude. verse 4. 12 13. 2. n 1. Ioh. 1. 8 A vaine-glorious conceit of perfection o Luke 16. 15. Christ doth oft vpbraid this to the Pharisies This Petition is in vaine prescribed to such 3. Vngratefulnesse When they who dayly seeke mercy of God take part with the enemies of God like p Hos 2. 2 c. Israel of whom the Prophet Hosea much complaineth Hitherto to the first part of the substance of Prayer which is Petition in the sixe branches thereof hath beene handled The second followeth which is Praise §. 203. Of pressing Prayer with weighty Reasons Q. VVHich is the forme of Praise A. For thine is the Kingdome and the power and the glory for euer Q. How are these words to be considered A. 1. In relation to the Petitions 2. Singly by themselues In relation to the Petitions this clause respecteth him who maketh the Petitions to strengthen his faith and to enlarge his desire But singly considered by it selfe it respecteth God to whom the Petitions are directed to set out the glory of his name Q. How is the forenamed relation manifested A. By this Particle of connexion 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Quia FOR or BECAVSE which implyeth a reason of all the Petitions Not as if God were drawne by reasons to yeeld to that which otherwise hee would not yeeld vnto For what God doth he doth of himselfe because he will do it b Exod. 33. 19. I will be gracious saith the Lord to whom I will be gracious and I will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy c Ephes 1. 11. He worketh all things after the counsell of his owne will For our sakes therefore is this reason added to the Petitions and that partly to put an d Ioel. 2. 13. edge vnto our Prayers and to sharpen them and partly e 2. Chro. 14. 11. to put strength vnto our faith and to make vs without doubting to expect a gracious grant of them Q. What doctrine may bee raised from the addition of this reason A. Prayer is to be pressed with reasons Take a view of the Prayer of Saints recorded in Scripture and you shall find this aboundantly proued for example read the Prayer of f Exo. 32.