obedience For otherwise in all believers is found such a perfection or integrity and sincerity as is opposed unto fainednesse and dissimulation and such as is opposed unto halting or lamenesse by which some duties seem to be looked after but not all and such a perfection also as is opposed to lukewarmnesse For all believers both worship God sincerely and desire to keep all his Commandments and pant after a compleat obedience also Yet the Law is not for this proposed to us in vain though we be unable to keep it fully For hence we understand 1. What is our duty 2. What are the defects under which we lie 3. What we may require of God to wit that we may be freed from guilt renewed to a performance of duties 4. That we have a mark set us whereat we may aim in all our endeavours 5. That we may in part take notice of the perfection of that life which we shall enjoy in another world The forty fifth Lords day On Ephes. 6. 18. Praying alwayes with 〈◊〉 prayer and supplication in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication fâ—…r all Saints THe Apostle after explication of our spiritual armour which every Christian ought to furnish himself with addes exhortations to prayers by which this spiritual armour is taken up put on strengthened made sure and of proof and is encreased In the Exhortation it self several things are expounded as the Duty of praying which duty is declared 1. By a distribution with all prayer and supplication 2. From the adjâ—…nct of time alway or at all times 3. From the obâ—…ect unto whose good these prayers are to serve to wit not onely for our selves but for all Saints 4. From the efficient cause by the Holy Ghost 5. From its singular manner that must accompany it which consists in watching and in perseverance Doct. 1. Prayer is amongst those pâ—…incipal duties which ought to be had a care of by us It is hence gathered from the Text because the Apostle so carefully urgeth it Reas 1 Because it gives very great glory to God for God in all our prayers is acknowledged the principle and fountain of all our good Reas. 2. It contains mans greatest subjection and homage to God 1. Because it seeks all things of free gift and grace 2. Because the soul and conscience themselves are prostrated before God and cast at his feet as it were when we pray Reas. 3. Because by prayer we receive all the spiritual gifts of God Reas. 4 Because by the same we sanctifie to our selves all the corporal gifts of God Reas. 5. Because by Prayer we flie unto God that in him we may be secured from all evill Reas. 6. Because we have most sweet communion and communication of the grace of God in the exercise of Prayer Reas. 7. Because in Prayer either expressely or implyed we give up our selves unto God so as after and from prayer we rise more obliged and bound to God than we were before because all Prayer hath alwayes adjoyn'd to it some promise of thankfulnes for hearing our prayer and granting our desires Use Is of of Exhortation that we may more and more give our selves to this holy exercise of Prayer as well in publick as in private Unto which care many considerations ought to stir us up As first That holy Prayer is so acceptable to God that in Scriptures it useth to be called Incense or Perfume and Sacrifice 2. In that it is so proper to the godly that in Scriptures godly men and such as call upon the name of God are without difference put for the same 3. In that it is so inseparable a fruit of the holy spirit dwelling in the heart of a believing man that from thence it is called the spirit of Prayer and Prayer is almost the same to spiritual life as breathing is to naturall or animal life Moreover that by prayers we best resist all sort of temptations whence also it is that we are bid resist the Devill by Praying and to pray and watch that we fall not into temptation Lastly in that all grace is stirred up and increased by the exercise of Prayer Doct. 2. In prayer we ought to exercise our selves in all the kindes and sorts of it This is hence gathered in that the Apostles exhorts us here to all prayer and supplication and thanksgiving Reas. 1. Because our manifold necessities as well in respect of evils wherewith we are pressed as in respect of good things that we want or for receiving whereof we ow thanks as also the necessities and occasions of others unto whom we ow this duty of Prayer do require manifold sorts of Prayer Reas. 2. Because by this means not one onely or another but all the graces of God are put forth and exercised in us according to their proper objects and natures Reas 3. Because God by this means is many ways glorified of us Use Is of Direction that we rest not on forms of Prayers as if the saying over of such were enough for the fulfilling of our duty in general because according to divers occasions we ought to betake ourselves to divers manners or wayes of Praying Doct. 3. In Godly prayers the holy spirit exercises a speciall power of his own From the words by the holy spirit Reas. 1. Because we of our selves know not neither how nor what to pray for And although we be taught about such things in the word of God yet for the practise it self a special direction of the holy spirit is requisite Reas. 2. Because our weaknesses are so many in the exercise of Prayer that they must be helped by the holy spirit Reas. 3. Because no prayers can be holy and acceptable to God unlesse they come from the holy Spirit Use Of Direction that in making our prayers we trust not to our own wit and volubility of gifts and to our own strength but that we rely alwayes on the grace and help of the Holy Spirit Doct. 4. In some sort or other we ought alwayes or at all times to be praying From the words Praying alwayes Reas. 1. Because we ought always to have a praying disposition of minde or a mind ready to pray For in this consists the right disposition and ordering of our minde Reas. 2. Because we ought to take all just occasion of this exercise of Prayer Reas. 3. Because we ought not to passe over our set and established times of prayer Use Is of Reproof against such as are so far from this exercise that they cannot onely passe over whole dayes but weeks also without any serious thoughts of Prayer Doct. 5. The manner of Praying is as much to be taken care of as prayer it self This is here gathered in that watching unto prayer is commanded in the same manner with prayer Now watching unto Prayer belongs unto the manner of Praying and in some sort it contains all things that belongs unto it For First We ought to watch before
termination or resting is made by the Father For thus through the Holy Spirit his teaching and assisting or helping us we begin to pray that is conceive and make our prayers here and our prayers so conceived or made ascend and enter into Heaven by Jesus Christ and lastly they are ultimately heard and accepted by the Father The ninth Lords day Rev. 4. 11. Thou art worthy O Lord that thou shouldst have glory and honour and power because thou didst create all things and for thy pleasure they are and were created A Reason is given in these words why all glory should be given to God and it is taken from the effects For that is more praise-worthy that it be taken from the effects because the power and virtue of the cause whereunto the praise is due exists and is properly seen in its effects The effect of God is creation which in this place is illustrated First By his effects which are declared by the universality conjoyned with them in these words because thou didst create all things Secondly From his manner of creating that God out of a wise purpose created all things and for thy pleasure c. Thirdly From the adjunct of duration or lasting and for thy pleasure they are and were created For one thing is understood by the words they are and another by thou createdst c. as might be evident from the tense thou createdst in the preter-tense they now are in the present-tense by which the duration of things is evident Doct. 1. All things that now are in the world were produced and made out of nothing by God Reas. 1. Scriptures evidenceth this truth Reas. 2. Partly also all nations testify it because there is no Nation which believeth not and tells us not something concerning its beginning Reas. 3. The world it self witnesseth this of it self for as much as in all creatures almost there appeareth such imperfection in their power and mutability whereunto they are subject that of themselves they could not have their own act and first existence but of necessity they must depend upon some pure and perfect act and that is God Reas. 4. The world also witnesseth this same for as much as in its parts a certain perfection appeareth which is such as that it cannot be the first and yet it is such as must needs be from the first perfection Such are these perfections that use to be observed in this sentence whereby all things are said to be made in number weight and measure Where by measure is meant the perfection that each thing hath in it self and number that which is referred to others as to defect or excess and weight that of motion and inclination that all have to their own ends and uses as well particular to themselves as common to others and the whole Reas. 5. Lastly all right reason confirmes the same because in all order of causes and things existent common reason brings us to one first cause and to one first existence Besides it implies a manifest contradiction to conceive the world to have been eternal For if the world was from eternity then infinite dayes were before this day and so these dayes are not yet ended and consequently this day exists not because it cannot exist but after the other dayes before it were ended and gone Also if the world was from eternity there was no one day of the world before there was a thousand years of the same world because in eternity no point or moment of time can be defined before which there were not many thousand of years But this is a manifest contradiction that one year of the world that is made up of many dayes should be together at once with the first day or that there is no day of any year before which there was not a thousand years or lastly that there were as many thousands of years already as there were dayes in the world Use 1. Is of Instruction that in this part of our faith we study more and more solidity to ground and strengthen our selves because this ground being well laid our faith and affiance doth much more easily freely make progress about all such things as God hath revealed in his Word that either he hath done or will do about this world or some parts of it or other things that require the like might and power to that which was snewed in the creation of the world Use 2. Is of Admonition That we suffer not our mindes to cleave to this world or stick there but that we lift them up higher and adhere to him that made the world For it were a very great folly and perverseness if after we know that all these things were made by God we love the world better than God and for the love of the world should forsake God Doct. 2. God of his wise purpose and good pleasure created all things not out of any necessity It is gathered from these words and for or by thy pleasure or will c. There be some Philosophers that have said that all created things do come from God by way of emanation as little rivulets come and flow from their Fountain But that which doth proceed in this kinde must be part of that River from whence it flows which cannot properly be affirmed of things created if we reflect on God the Creatour Others are of opinion that the universe came from the Creatour even as the forme or fashion of him that looketh into a glass passeth from him into the glass Neither is this fitting to be affirmed because the universe is in no other subject as the shape is represented in a glass or mirrour Others have said that the universe went from God as a shadow from its body But this is altogether impertinent because a shadow goes not out of its body but followes it by a privation of light and by reason of the interposition of the opacous or gross body between the light and that place Others have said that the universe went forth from the Creatour like 〈◊〉 the footstep is made by the print of the foot of one that walkes But God had nothing without himself upon which by his walking he could imprint such a footstep All these had a good intention though they spake not accurately and properly enough For even as these comparisons are otherwise profitable to raise the minde of man in the contemplation of the eminency and majesty of God the Creatour For they point out the eminency of the Creatour to be incomparably greater than that of the whole universe it self and the vanity or at lest littleness of all things even such as seem greatest in the world if they be compared with Gods perfection For they are in respect of God as little streams or as little droppings are in respect of an ever and over-flowing Fountain or of the whole Sea or as a light resemblance of ones feature appearing in a glass is in respect of the solid substance or party
man that by no means it can be conceived how God at any time can be the cause of any sin because seeing sin is a defect it can have no other cause but a deficient one and God seeing he is perfection it self can no ways nor ever be deficient Use Of Direction that in all our speeches and thoughts we may keep Gods glory untouched and unspotted and confesse that all the good we have comes alwayes from him but that all the evill that either we doe or suffer ariseth not from him but from our selves Doct. 2. Through Adams first disobedience sin passed upon all his Posterity Nor did this happen onely by way of imitation as the Pelagians teach but also by way of propagation or natural descent This is proved by this Argument If this had onely come to pass by imitation then the Apostle might as properly have said that Adam with all his Posterity sinned in the Angels who first fell from God as to have said that all men sinned in Adam because they as much follow the example of the Angels as of Adam For it is expressely said vers 14. That death and so also sin reigned over them that sinned not after the similitude of Adam that is by the imitation of Adam therefore vers 19. men are said to be made sinners by Adams disobedience it self The manner of this propagation is taken up and understood 1. To stand in imputation because that first transgression was held as the transgression of the whole nature of mankinde For as in the receiving of the benefits and endowments that belonged to all mankinde Adam bore the place and person of all men so also it was but right and reason that he should maintain their place either in their conservation by obedience or losse by disobedience untill they were capable of standing to or falling from their primitive condition in their own persons Herein he was as it were the Surety of all mankinde so that what he did in this businesse was to be held valid by all as done in their names 2. The second degree of this Propagation stands in the derivation or traduction of that corruption which by our first transgression seised upon the person of Adam himself This corruption is usually called the languishing of nature the seed or tinder of sin the law of our members the law of the flesh lust and sin that dwels in us but most usually originall sin because it cleaves unto us even from our first original and is some way natural unto us to wit as in our nature corrupted also it is the original of all other sins for all actuall sins flow from this as from their fountain This corruption first and principally consists in the privation of original righteousness the absence whereof so far as it is penall is inflicted by God but as it is a privation having the nature of a fault to wit the losse of that rectitude or right constitution which we should have kept and preserved entire it depends upon that relation that all men have to Adam and to his first sin Now that such corruption naturally is found in all men is not onely proved from Scriptures but seems also to be confirmed by experience it self Reas. 1. For in all men there appears a manifest perversion of our wils and inward appetite as much as spirituall and truly good things are of no good relish to all animall and naturall men but the contrary evils which of their own nature have no good rellish seem to them most sweet Now as the perversion of the sensitive appetite doth denotate bodily sicknesse so the perversion of the inmost most spiritual appetite doth point forth unto us sicknesse that is inward and in the spirit The same also may be observed of the perversion of the judgement and understanding from whence come so many and shamefull errours whereby good is esteemed evill and evill good Reas. 2. It is manifest that there is in all men a certain rebellion of the inferiour and animall faculties and appetites against the superiour and most spiritual faculties of the soul which shews the ficknesse of the upper part as not having strength enough to govern the lower and again a disorder and confusion of the inferiour faculties whereby they will not be subject to their Superiour For as as every infirmity debility and perturbation in the body so also in the soul hath its cause of sicknesse disease or certain corruption from the depravation of other parts Reas. 3. There may be observed in all a certain natural crouching of our selves to things that are below us and a certain aversion and turning away from those that are above us and for which we were made so that there are few amongst men that live not more like beasts stooping naturally to their belly-food and bowing towards the ground than according to the nature of man whose body was erected to look up to heaven and seek after God Now as a crouching in the constitution and fashioning of the body is a sign of a bodily sicknesse so also this soul crouching of the spirit doth manifestly declare some foul sickness of the spirit Reas. 4. There appears manifestly in all men a certain insensibleness from nature it self in discerning of things truly good and truly evill howbeit there is a far greater sweetness in true spiritual good things than in corporall and a far greater bitterness and sowreness in spiritual than in carnall evils Now this insensibleness and spiritual blockishnes is a manifest defect and vice cleaving to us from our very original even as the want of any outward sense is a great defect and fault of the body Reas. 5. Experience teatheth with how great difficulty and slowness men are stirred up to things that are truly good therefore as it is the definition of a good habit that makes a man ready and quick unto good works so must it be an evill and corrupt habit whereby the contrary comes to passe because slowly and with difficulty men set themselves to any good endeavours Reas. 6. It is well enough known to all that man hath not the power to do so much good as he knows should be done and as he desires to doe Wherefore when one hath not the power to move the members of his body it is a manifest disease that hinders its motion so where one hath not the power to move himself spiritually it is a manifest spiritual disease as when there is difficulty of corporal motion and one moves his body with great pains it discovers a great weaknesse of his body even as this other doth a weaknesse of the spirit Use 1. For Humiliation by reason of this misery 2. Of Exhortation that we rest not till we perceive that by the grace of God we are freed from this misery 3. For Direction that in our Prayers before God and in all parts of our care for amendment of our life we may chiefly go about this that not onely in
our outward words and works as being but the rivulets and branches of our sin we be reformed but that in the fountain and root of this sin dwelling in us we may be cleansed and renewed The Fourth Lords Day Ephes. 5. 6. Let no man deceive you with vain words for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the children of disobedience IN these words is contained an argument whereby the Apostle labours to perswade all the faithfull that they may keep themselves from those sinnes whereof he had made mention a little before The Argument is drawn from an adjunct that follows upon sin to wit the wrath of God of which sinnes are not onely the antecedents but also meritory causes certainly procuring it as is intimated in these words For these things The connexion of this effect with its cause is limited and confirmed 1. It is limited by a description of the subject wherein Gods wrath doth alway pursue sin in these words upon the children of disobedience 2. It is confirmed by rejecting of all vain shifts in these words Let no man deceive you The Explication by the wrath of God 1. Is understood Gods vindicative justice 2. His will to inflict punishment according to that justice 3. The punishment it self that is so inflicted And in this place most properly the punishment is understood which in other places is often called death distress severities hot anger and the like This wrath of God is said to come against or upon men because as it were coming down from Heaven it suddenly fals upon and overwhelms and holds as intangled in a net the sinners so that by no means they can escape it In the same sense that not unlike phrase is used Rom. 1. 18. by the expression of the children of contumacie or stubbornness upon whom this wrath comes those sinners are understood which can by no means be perswaded to leave their sins and seek God by true faith and repentance where this is to be marked that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 may be turned both children of incredulity and children of disobedience but it agrees better to this place to be turned children of disobedience and of rebellion because we read not this phrase the children of saith but of obedience 1 Pet. 1. 14. Doct. 1. Such mens condition is most desperate because they are not onely sinners but also stubborn in their sins It s gathered out of these words Upon the children of disobedience or stubbornnesse So they are named here as men whose condition is much to be abhorred and whose example and company is most to be shunned as appears from vers 7. be not therefore partakers c. Reas. 1. Because such men serve a most miserable servitude to a very base Master that is to sin for sin exercises a spiritual Kingly power and dominion over them because they do all that the lusts of sin commands them and can by no means be perswaded to shake off that slavish yoke and so much the lesse as they perceive that slavery by so much are they the more fully under its command because by this means it comes to passe that their very will it selfe and the spirit of their minde is possessed by this slavery and oppressed For as a brute or a man that comes neer to a brute serving some cruell Master takes no thought for that his condition because of his stupidity neither cares nor wishes for a better is a more full and perfect slave than some free-born and free-minded man who is by force constrained to serve one but yet under such servitude and force keeps a free minde even so it fares in this matter Reas. 2. Because such men are furthest off from repentance and so from the kingdome of God and from salvation For repentance doth most consist in the turning of the heart from sin to God by perswasion of the Word and holy Spirit And to this temper the obstinacy and unperswasibleness of such men is flat opposite who are not onely not perswaded to turn to God but are perswaded to the contrary that such perswasion of converting is not to be embraced or regarded for such are properly called the children of rebellion or disobedience As therefore those diseases are most mortal which admit of no cure and are but the more exasperated the more they are dealt with even so also is it with such kinde of men Reas. 3. Because these men do most grievously encrease their guilt in this that they withstand the means that God hath sanctified for procuring their salvation For while they will not suffer themselves to be perswaded to that conversion unto Faith and Repentance they directly fight against God and not onely so but in this very thing that he would and is some way striving as it were to save them Use Of Admâ—…nition That most of all we be carefull of this stubbornnesse or rebellion which is not onely to be understood in common of that conâ—…umacy whereby men refuse altogether to be converted but also specially and in every part of obedience For if we perceive that God calls us to this or that special duty t is then our part mainly to take care that even in that we present our hearts to God flexible and perswasible whereunto we are invited Doct. 2. Upon the children of disobedience certainly and unevitably the horrible wrath of God comes This is clear in the Text without any collection made from it That this wrath is horrible and altogether intolerable the Scripture every were testifies as Heb. 10. 27. Apoc. 6. 16 17. and elswhere And the thing it self doth sufficiently shew it if we consider Gods anger as to its intensness extensness and duration as to its intensnesse it is called in Scripture a consuming fire Heb. 12. 29. Now this fire of the wrath of God consumes not lightly or light things onely as in the superficies but as it is said Deutro 32. 22. Gods wrath set on fire will burn down to the grave c. Nahâ—…m 1. 6. Where there is a most likely pithy description By all which descriptions is signified that the wrath of God doth throughly peirce not onely into the body but into the soul and inward part of the spirit for which reason in many places of Scripture it is compared unto sharpe arrows peircing into the heart its self and consuming the spirit and life As to the extension this wrath of God contains in it all sort of evils whether corporal or spiritual whether in this life or at the end of it and in death or at death â—…ither belong those catalogues or inventories of curses that are found Deutr. 28. and Levit. 26. 3. As to the duration it remaineth upon impeâ—…ient sinners Iohn 3. 36. not for some short space but unto all eternity and without end For as that obligation whereby we are bound to render God all obedienees without end so consequently the transgression whereby sinners break that obligation is in a
the sufferings and patience of Jesus Christ so also in the life to come we shall be made partakers of his glory Rom. 8. 17. Doct. 4. Christ together with his highest dignity bath also highest power This the Text evidenceth in as much as God's right hand signifieth his power and sitting down on his right hand signifies the highest communion and society with God in this power that can be Reas. 1. Because dignity and power might so have the same degrees For dignity separated from power is no more but a dead title and therefore seeing Christ hath highest dignity and glory it followes also that he is endued with highest power Reas. 2. Because Christ is constituted Lord as well to correct governe as to preserve glorify his Church He must therefore of necessity both have the power of right and the power of strength fitting and competent for these ends For the Lord hath both a power of right and of might to exercise and put in execution all this as well immediately and by himself as mediately and by instruments or servants And this is that power that Christ professeth was given unto him in Heaven and on earth Mat. 28. 18. Now it is given to Christ and agreeth to him most properly as he is Mediator or as man assumed to the unity of one person with God but not so properly as God and therefore it is said to agree to him as he is the son of man Ioh 5. 27. Use Is of Consolation For though this divine power of Christ be terrible to his enemies yet to believers it brings firm hope and affiance and comfort because as Christ himself saith Ioh. â—…0 24. such an one hath everlasting life and shall not come into condemnation but is passed from death unto life And hither also tendeth Rom. 8. 34 35. when there the Apostle proves that nothing can separate from the love of Christ because he sits on the right hand of God Doct. 5. Christ hath the quiet and unmovable possession of this power For in this sense it is that he is said to sit on the right hand of God Reas. 1. Because he hath overcome all his enemies virtually and shall actually in his own appointed time subdue them all fully and bring them under the yoak Reas. 2. Because there is nothing on earth or under the earth can in the least trouble or molest this his possession Reas. 3. Because this state and condition of Christ is not onely immortal and free from all change by vertue of Covenant and divine Promise but also of its own nature being now accomplished according to free Covenant and such will the happiness of the least Saint be Use This also is of Consolation which though it may strike terror and amazement in the hearts of Christ's enemies yet it raiseth and rouseth up the dejected and drooping spirits of all such as put their trust and confidence in him for he sitteth on the right hand of God in power and majesty there making intercession for us The nineteenth Lords day Mat. 25. from verse 31. to 39. Vers. 31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory and all the holy Angells with him then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory 32 And before him shall be gathered all Nations and he shall separate them one from another as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand but the goats on the left 34 Then shall the King say to them on his right hand Come ye blessed of my Father inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world 35 For I was an hungred and ye gave me meat I was thirsty and ye gave me drink I was a stranger and ye took me in 36 Naked and ye clothed me I was sick and ye visited me I was in prison and ye came unto me 37 Then shall the righteous answer him saying Lord when saw we thee an hungred and fed thee or thirsty and gave thee drink 38 When saw we thee a stranger and took thee in or naked and clothed thee IN this place the acts or procedure of the last day are expounded The parts are two Christ's coming and the end of his coming which is the last â—…udgement In this last judgement 1. The preparation thereto is described 2. The execution of the sentence In the preparation Christ's majesty and glory in which he shall then appear is câ—…iefly here set down 1. From his train and attendance that shall wait upon him consisting chiefly of the glorious Angells 2. From his glorious Throne 3. From the effect of this coming to wit to the gathering of all mankind together and separating of the good from the bad The sentence to be pronounced is twofold 1. Of salvation to the good 2. Of condemnation to the evill The sentence of salvation is declared 1. From its causes 2. From its adjuncts The principal cause is God's good will which is shewn 1. From the effect of that grace or favour that is the cause of our salvation which is the blessing of God 2. From the relatiou that thence ariseth which is that of a Father giving an inheritance and of a Son 's receiving the same 3. From the adjunct of time that this salvation was not then first appointed for them but prepared for them from the beginning of the world The adjunct signs also whereby this salvation is declared are good works which by the Trope or borrowed manner of speaking called Syneâ—…doche of the special put for the general by the learned are designed by the works of mercy and are amplified by that relation which these works have to Christ himself whilest they are exercised towards his members The sentence of condemnation is quite contrary to the former handled by the comparison and proportion of like things The execution of the sentence is briefly set down in the last verse of this Chapter Doct. 1. The universal or general judgement is most certainly to come to pass This judgement is called universal that it may be distinguished from that particular one which in some sort is exercised on the greatest part of men even in this life upon every one in particular when they pass out of this life For this comprehends all men together and therefore is called universal It may be also called universal or understood so because in it upon all mens and angels deeds and matters generally without exception sentence shal pass It is also called the last judgement because after it no new judgement is to be looked for but the execution of that judgement only shall follow upon it Reas. 1. Because before that time the judgement of God towards men is not compleated and fully perfected because in this life through God's forbearance and long patience evill men in joy many good things and good men are oppressed with many evills From this consideration many of the very Heathens themselves collected that
rule of our life and as of such a rule as hath no defect but is both perfect in it self and requires all perfection in us Use 2. Of Admoniâ—…ion that with all reverence we give heed unto this Law and beware of all neglect and contempt of it as we would shun death Doct. 2. The Moral Law is divided into diverse words or precepts It is gathered from this in that God is said to have spoken all these words They are called words because they are short and as it were spoken summarily or in one word The chief division of them is into two Tables the next into ten Precepts or Commands Reas. 1. That we might the more easily understand the will of God by parts delivered which wholly together and at once declared as it were in heaps we could not so well understand For the parts in a distribution or division make much for the declaration and illustration of any whole Reas. 2. That by this meanes our memory may be helped because naturally our memory is strengthened from the order of the parts amongst themselves Reas. 3. That in every part and act of our conversation we may have light of singular direction from some part of this Law Use Of Admonition that we neglect nor contemne no word of this Law because they are all parts of one and the same Law and have the same sanction of authority so that who so stumbles against any one is guilty of them all Iam. 2. 10. Doct. 3. Whatsoever is commanded in any part of the Law we are bound for may causes to perform the same to God This is gathered from that confirmation of the Law I am Iehovah c. Reas. 1. Because God commands us nothing he may not with very good right require from us as well by reason of his absolute power and dominion as of our dependance on him by which we require to be supplied and upheld by him in all things Reas. 2. Because he requires nothing from us the observance whereof he did not deserve at 〈◊〉 hands before as well by spiritual benefits and blessings as temporal and bodily in regard whereof out of thankfulness we owe him all obedience as is plain in the Text I brought thee out of the Land c. Reas. 3. Because God is ready to reward our obedience most abundantly in every point Use Of Direction that by often meditation of the manifold obligations whereby we are bound to performe our obedience to God we may more and more stir up our mindes to a care of observing him in all things Doct. 4. Every command of the Law requires the whole obedience of the whole man That is as well inward as outward of the heart as of the mouth and hand or worke Thou shalt have no other c. Make not unto â—…hy self c. Are formes of speaking whereby formally such an universal obedience is required Reas. 1. Because God the giver of this Law ought to be glorified with obedience of the whole man as well of soule as of body and of both these parts of man Reas. 2. Because this is the excellent perfection of the Law of God whereby it goes beyond all humane Lawes in that it subjects unto it self the heart and the reines and the most inward retirement of of men as God himself alone who is the author of this Law knowes what is in man Reas. 3. Because this Law is the rule of spiritual life and so ought to peirce even to our spirits themselves Use 1. Of Information that for the right understanding of this Law we look not onely to such things or think that they onely are contained under the Law as in express words are there contained but all such things also as belongs to such an head of obedience whether they be outward or inward For in every command as is certain by the summe of entire and whole obedience the words are to be taken not according to the bare letter but in a modification of diverse tropes or borrowed sorts of speaking as agree to the perfection of such a Law of nature The trope of Synecdoche that puts the special for the general to be understood by it is here frequent as when abstinence from some one vice by name is put for the whole obedience whereby we not onely abstain from all faults of that kind but also are bound to the performance of the contrary affirmative good and when some action is put for all of its kind and of affinity of nature with it The trope also of Meâ—…onymie is every where in these commands whereby all the adjuncts are understood under the name of their objects the effects in their causes and contrarily with which is complicated the trope of Metaphor some way so as all the decalogue is Metaleptick or to be understood by Transsumption And these rules must of necessity be understood in the explication of every precept as our Saviour's exposition of them and other Scriptures make clear Use 2. Of Admonition that we rest not nor please our selves in obedience of any sort done to the Law but that we may aspire to the entire and perfect observance of it and ever acknowledge just matter of our humbling in this that we are so farre from that perfection that it requires Doct. 5. The first and greatest command is that which containes our duty to God Hence is it that it is both put in the first place and hath also the expresse testimony of Christ Mat. 22. 28. Reas. 1. Because God himself being the object of this duty from him a sort of noblenesse and dignity is derived unto the duty it self Reas. 2. Because more and greater things are contained in our duty to God than either can or may be used in duties to man as is clear by that form With â—…he whole minde and the whole heart c. Reas. 3. Because this duty is the foundation and principle of all others in as much as in God and for God onely we ought to perform all other duties and so the duties of the second Table are thus virtually contained in the first Commandment Use Is of Direction that our first and chief care may be taken up in those duties that belong to God Doct. 6. The principall duty to God is that we have him onely for our God And to have God for our God is in general to give God that honour which is due unto his excellent Majesty And to this are required 1. That we seek the true knowledge of him with all care as he hath revealed himself in his word because we cannot honour him rightly whose nature and will we are ignorant of Iohn 4. 12. Rom. 10 14. 2. That from a most humble reverence we subject our selves unto him because the honour that we give to God as to our God is the honour of a Creature towards its Creator of a Son towards his Father of a Servant towards his Master and that such a Master as hath power
prayer that we may so prepare our selves thereto as all hinderances may be removed and we our selves get a fit disposition of mind and spirit Secondly In prayer we must watch against lukewarmnesse want of reverence wandring thoughts and the like Thirdly After prayers we must be watchfull against forgetfulnesse and slothfulnesse whereby we come short of the fruit of our prayers neither indeed for our carelesnesse ought we to expect any Reas. 1. Because in every moral action the manner of doing is of greatest weight by which it onely is that we not onely do that which is good but do it well Reas 2. Because in prayer after a special manner we are in Gods presence in whose sight how we behave our selves is a matter of no small concernement Reas. 3. Because a corrupt manner of praying sometimes not only blasts the power of our prayers but also makes them to be turned into sin to us Use Of Direction that we may have a care of all such things as make for the right manner of praying such as are Faith Humility Zeal or Fervour and Constancy The forty sixth Lords day Mat. 6. 9 10 11 12 13. Verse 9 After this manner therefore pray ye Our Father which aâ—…t in Heaven Hallowed be thy Name 10 Thy Kingdome come Thy will be done in earth as it is in Heaven 11 Give us this day our dayly bread 12 And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors 13 And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evill for thine is the kingdome and the power and the glory for ever Amen THis prayer was dictated by Christ and for this reason ought chiefly by all Christians to be had in esteem as coming from him that was the wisdome of God it self which therefore both knew well all our necessities knew also most perfectly what the will of God is towards us And it was dictated that it might be an example or pattern of all Prayers that we ought to use not that we should be bound up to this very frame and form of words however it may also be freely used by us For we read not that this very form of words was used by the Apostles though otherwayes divers Prayers of theirs are mentioned as well in the Acts as in their Epistles This Prayer is made up of certain Petitions whereunto are adjoyned a foregoing Preface and a following Conclusion The Preface is in these words Our Father whâ—…ch art in Hâ—…aven And herein is proposed and commended unto us a certain description of God to whom our prayers are alwayes to be directed This description sutably to its occasion that is unto praying layes out unto us those perfections of God which are most needfull to be knowne and considered of us for a devout calling upon his name And because nothing makes more for this than that we be assured of Gods goodnesse and good will towards us whereby he intends good to us and of his power whereby he is able to do all that he pleaseth in Heaven or on earth Therefore â—… The goodnesse of God is declared by that title of Our Father And 2. His greatest power and majesty is designed in these other words Which art in Heaven He is called Father not onely from the benefit of creation and providence whereby as with a Fatherly care he provides for us in all things but chiefly also for the benefit of adoption whereby of his special favour he chuses us to be of the rank and number of his sons And he is said to be in Heaven because in Heaven especially the third Heaven he manifests his maâ—…esty as it were in his royal throne amongst the blessed and glorious spirits and from thence he sends out his Word as a royal declaration of his will through all parts of the world for the powerfull effectuating of all and every thing that he wills or pleaseth Doct. 1. Some preparation of minde is necessary for â—…ight making of our prayers This is hence gathered in that a preface is here used and that such a one as directly makes for preparing of our mindes that we may make our prayers the more directly before God Reas. 1. Because so great is the majesty of God that to appear before him and rashly as it were to rush into conference with him and so negligently without any care of our fitnesse and predisposition to it would be such an indignity as it were great incivility and want of wisedome to use towards any worldly Prince or great man Reas 2. Because so great is our weaknesse that unlesse our mindes be strengthened by some religious meditation they will never lift up themselves to God so as becomes them Reas. 3. Because so great is our unworthinesse that hardly can our mindes be raised up to consider and believe how our prayers are heard of God unless we seriously meditate on the favour or grace of God and his promises Uâ—…e Of Direction how we ought to dispose and settle our selves to prayer namely by such a preparation which chiefly doth consist in two things 1. In calling away of our minde and thoughts and cares from all other things not onely unlawfull but otherwise lawfull though worldly during that time and exercise 2 In setting of our mindes and thoughts and affections on heavenly things and that according to that occasion which our prayers in general and in their special and particular natures give us Doct. 2. God alone by religious prayer is to be called upon This is hence gathered because in this most perfect pattern of Christian prayer we are not taught to call upon any in that kinde but whom we may call Our Father which art in heaven Reas. 1. Because prayer is so divine a worship and gives so much glory to the party that it is made to that without idolatry it cannot be offered to any creature whence also in Scripture every where it is called a sacrifice which the very Papists themselves confess cannot be offered but to God alone Reas. 2 Because no creature can sufficiently know our prayers to wit as they come from the heart and not from the mouth onely R. 3. Because no creature can always every where be present to hear prayers where they are made Reas. 4. We cannot religiously call on such as we do not religiously believe in Rom. 10. But we may not religiously believe in a creature Iâ—…r 17. 5. Use. Of Resutation against the perverse superstion of Papists Doct. 3. In all our prayers we ought to come unto God with confidence as unto our Father It is gathered from the word Father Reas. 1. Because prayer in its most inward and essential nature is an action of affiance and trust For we seek nothing from God but out of trust and hope grounded on his promises Reas. 2. Because we ought to strive unto this that we our selves may be accepted of God as his sons that so we may know that our prayers will be accepted of him And
this we onely attain by faith and affiance placed on God through Jesus Christ. Reas. 3. Because we ought to give God this glory that as a bountifull Father he will liberally give unto us when we doe ask of him all that is good for us Quest. What shall they do then that have not yet received the spirit of adoption so that with any certainty they may â—…all upon God as their Father Ans. Though such cannot for that time receive that comfort of their prayers that others do yet they ought not therefore to cease from the exercise of prayer because this it self is a most fit meanes to attain to this confidence when by lifting up the heart to God we wish at least if we cannot with downright confidence and affirmation say of the Word that yet we could and might truly call upon God as our Father Use Of Direction that we alwayes call upon God in Christ in whom alone God is our Father by adopting us and reconciled unto us and accepts of our selves and of our prayers Doct. 4. In our prayers together with confidence towards God charity towards our brethren ought always to be joyned It is gathered from the word Our For though it be both lawfull and sometimes expedient and profitable that a believer say in his prayers O my Father for manifesting his particular confidence in God and not for designing any specialler sonship that he hath in God than others as Christ the Lord alone might and did use that forme of speaking yet even for designing our particular confidence it ought never to be joyned with excluding thoughts of others but what ever our own particular feelings be in respect of charity the judgment desire thereof towards others we ought alwayes either expresly or impliedly to call upon God as the common Father as of our selves so of others also Reas. 1. Because it belongs to our comfort that we so call on God as being members with others of that mystical body whereunto God hath prepared and promised all good things Reas. 2. Because it belongs to the communion of Saints that they have a perpetual communication or mutual partaking and benefit of prayers amongst themselves Reas. 3 Because charity towards others is a disposition which is in a special manner required of us that our prayers may be acceptable to God according to that of our Lord If ye forgive â—…hers yâ—…u shall be forgiven Us Of Reproof against such who burning with hatred and desire of revenge rush into praying not that we ought to abstain from praying because of such perturbations of ours as neither from the Lords Supper But that we ought to lay aside and purge out such perturbations not onely when we come to partake publickly of the Lords Supper but also daily and privately when ever we set our selves to make our daily prayers to God Doct. 5. The majesty and power of God are to be set before us when we call upon God It is gathered from the words Which art in Heaven Reas. 1. Because this majesty of God rightly set before us and thought upon strikes us into an awfull reverence and fear of God which is required unto all humble and rightly conceived prayers Reas. 2. Because the consideration of the same majesty lifts up our mindes above all earthly and worldly things to think upon and seek for things heavenly Reas. 3. Because the heavenly power of God directly strengthens our confidence according to that of the Apostle Rom 4 21. He believed and dâ—…ubted not that â—…e who had promised could also performe Use Of Direction how in our prayers we may resist sundry thoughts and temptations to wit by lifting up our mindes to behold and think upon the majesty and power of God in whose presence we are The forty seventh Lords day On the first petition of the Lords prayer Hallowed be thy Name ALl the petitions of the Lords Prayer are very short yet such as contain all things that are to be sought for in their own way and that in an order most convenient For the four first Petitions concerne the obtaining of good and the two last the removing of evill Amongst the former these have the first place which nearliest concerne the glory of God And first of all the glory of God it self is sought and prayed for in the first petition where by the name of God God himself is understood such things as most intimately belong unto him in as much as he hath reveal'd himself unto the creatures By sanctifying of this name then is understood the manifestation of Gods glory as most becomes his most holy majesty Doct. 1. All prayers that we offer to God are to be followed with great zeal and affection This is hence gathered because all these petitions are so short but yet pithy and comprehensive that it may from thence appear that the power of prayer consists not so much in multitude of words and empty or vain repititions or bablings as in the servent and well composed desires of the heart Reas. 1. Because the abundance of the heart is here chiefly regarded according to which the mouth ought onely to speak And the abundance of the heart consists in such desires with zeal and fervour or heat of affections Reas. 2. Because God knowes what we stand in need of so that a long and artificial or skilfull expounding of things to God is not needfull nor doth at all profit further than it proceeds from an overflowing abundance of the heart Use Of Reproof against such bablings as being expresly condemned by Christ our Lord himself are yet wilfully and professedly used by Papists and by others also out of a lukewarme formality in as much as they use a forme of praying but deny the power of it Doct. 2. Such things are in the first place and with greatest affection to be sought after as most concerne the glory of Gods name This is gathered from the order of the petitions Reas. 1. Because in the order of intention and of a well ordered desire the end is first to be desired And the glory of God is the end of all Reas. 2. That which is first in worth ought to be put before all other things And the glory of God hath infinite excellency and worth beyond all things else Reas. 3 Because this is one the difference between true and sincere prayer and that which is hypocritical and vain in that hypocrites then onely seek after God when by their owne private and proper necessities they are constrained to it and seek not to him first and for himself But the godly call upon God for the esteem that they have of himself especially although even then also with him they seek their owne happiness in him and in him alone because this is most of all to glorify God in that manner that himself hath prescribed Use. Of Exhortation that by all means we stir up in our selves this servent desire towards the glory of Gods
sacred Institutions were delivered to the Church and that for the same authority they are by all men to be received and acknowledged with religious subjection of soules and consciences thereto The reason of this consequence is because however supplication useth to be made in some parties name without respect had to his authority and power and with respect onely to the grace of God to whom we make our supplication yet when an Institution is published as a Law and proclaimed in the name of this or that party the authority and power of him in whose name this was done is alwayes declared and is used as a sanction or means to make inviolable the Institution Reas. 3. Because an operation truly divine and an omnipotency is heer attributed to these three while they are set out and acknowledged as the authors of all the spirituall good things which are imparted to the faithfull and in Baptism are signified and sealed For in vain had mention been made of their name and authorities in that solemn promise unless they had the power and faculties to perform and perfect the things promised Reas. 4. Because in this place we are taught to invocate the Father the Son the holy Spirit that by their grace and power Baptism may have its due effect in the same manner almost as the same is done in the Apostles salutation The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the love of God the Father and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all And the reason of the variety or little difference that is between the these formes seems to be this that in Baptisme where authority and power are regarded there the first place is given to the Father but in the salutation aforesaid where regard is had to the receiving consolation whereunto none doth attain unless he first come to Christ lay hold of his grace that by him he may be reconciled to the Father and made partaker of the Holy Ghost there in the first place mention is made of the grace of Christ and then afterwards of the love of God the Father The strength of this whole argument hangs on this that invocation of or praying to and the worship of God belongs to none but to God alone Reas. 5. Divine honour and glory are not onely here given to the Father but also to the Sonne and to the Holy Ghost in as much as all baptised in these names are directly consecrated to these three that they may alway live unto the Father Son and Holy Spirit And hence are these Apostolick phrases wherein the faithfull are said not onely barely to live to God but also to live to Christ the Sonne and to the Spirit of God This reason is confirmed from hence that neither it is lawfull wholly to consecrate ones self to any other but to God and this also is the Tenor of the New Covenant that God be acknowledged for our good and we be to him for ever his people Hence also hangs the direction of our whole life that we may alwayes have this proposed to our selves to be serviceable to his glory in all things whereunto we were consecrated from the beginning Use Of Instruction that we may alwayes keep this rule of Christian Faith safe pure and unviolated against all the gates of hell as the chief principle and foundation of salvation on which both our Baptism and all things that in our Baptism are signified and sealed do depend Doct. 2. The divine essence and all its essential attributes and all divine workes external equally agree to the Father Son and Holy Spirit It is gathered from the Text. Reas. 1. Because the same name the same honour the same power and glory is attributed to the three Reas. 2. Our Faith is here in like manner directed towards all as the same in Father Son and Holy Spirit Reas. 3. All things that belong to the divine essence are such as can neither be multiplied nor divided nor admit of variety of degrees for their immensity and perfection If therefore at all they agree to the Son and Holy Ghost as that they do is apparent from what hath been said it must needs be that they agree to them idemtically that is in the greatest equality they are one and the same Use Of Direction That in exercises of our Faith Hope Charity and in all parts and appurtenances of religious worship and the practise of godliness we lift up our mindes as much as can be not onely to the name of God in common but distinctly to the name of God the Father the Son and the Holy Spirit as equally in all our addresses to be honoured and celebrated Doct. 3. Between these three persons there is a certain distinction as to the form and manner or order of subsisting It is gathered from the Text because they are disposed or set in a copulative enunciation For if there were no distinction between them then would that copulative be impertinent and it would have no more ground for it than if one should say in the name of the righteous God and the mercifull God and the omnipotent God c. Which are not to be taken in propriety and rigor of conjnction but exegitically They differ then from the essence as essential or substantial concretes do from their abstracts They differ from themselves as relatives and some wayes as unlike this unlikeliness or dissimilitude is in certain as it were of their individuant and characteristical proprieties which are not inherent qualities but relative affections or properties As to the point of order the Father is the first the Son the second the Holy Ghost the third not in order of time or of nature properly so called but in order of origination Hence is it that such works wherein the beginnings of things are most apparent are attributed to the Father by appropriation as the creation But those things wherein the second and successive dispensations or procurations are most conspicuous are attributed to the Son as redemption and such wherein the perfection and last consummation are manifest are attributed to the Holy Ghost as our sanctification and glorification Use Of Direction That as well in receiving such blessings as are bestowed on us by God as in performing the duties of Religion and Obedience we have regard to 〈◊〉 observe this distinction as much as may be to the glory of God and our own consolation For this is every way a divine meditation whereby the hearts of the faithfull are singularly affected and lifted up if they well ponder with themselves that in the descent or coming down on us of Gods benefits whereof we are made partakers the beginning is taken from the Father the progress is by the Son the accomplishment is through the Holy Spirit And morever the ascent or sending up of our duties to God which we ow to him the beginning is taken from or through the Holy Spirit the progress is made by the Son and