Math. 28.9 1 Iohn 5.7 Sometimes it is taken for the whole Trinitie as Mal. 2.10 Haue we not all one Father It is not vnlawfull to pray to the Sonne and the holy Ghost for inuocation belongeth to all the persons in Trinitie and not onely to the Father Stephen prayed Lord Iesus receiue my spirit Acts 7.59 Paul prayed Now God our Father and our Lord Iesus Christ guide our iourney vnto you 1 Thes 3.11 The grace of our Lord Iesus Christ the loue of God and the communion of the holy Ghost be with you 2 Cor. 13.13 Men are baptised in the name of the Father and of the Sonne and of the holy Ghost that is calling on the name of the Father the Sonne and the holy Ghost Obiection This Prayer is a perfect platforme of all prayers and héere wée are taught to direct our prayers onely to the Father therefore it is not lawfull to pray to the Sonne or the holy Ghost Answere The Father Son and holy Ghost are in distinct persons yet they are not to be seuered or diuided because they all subsist in one and the same Godhead or diuine nature Further in all outward actions as in the creation and preseruation of the world and the saluation of the elect they are not seuered nor deuided for they all worke together onely they are distinguished in the manner of working Now if they be not diuided in nature or operation then they are not to be seuered in worship In this place expresly wée direct our prayers to the Father because he is the first person in order yet so as then wée imply the Sonne and the holy Ghost For we pray to the father in the name of the Sonne by the assistance of the holy Ghost To what person so euer the prayer is directed wée must alwayes remember in minde and heart to include the rest We may pray vnto Christ not onely as hée is God but also as hée is the Mediatour that is as hée is in person consisting of two natures yet as the Deity be the obiect or the thing wée set before our eyes in prayer All our prayers ought to be in faith respecting Gods promise and Christs mediation and therefore the person that prayeth must first be accepted in Christ before their prayers and sacrifices can be accepted Mar. 11.24 Ioh. 14.13 Heb. 7.25 and 11.4.7 Father GOd is the Father of the wicked and euen of al creatures in respect of creation but in respect of reconciliation he is onely the father of the elect for hée is their reconciled Father in Christ hée is their Father by adoption and grace and therefore they onely in truth can and may call him Father God will be called by the name of Father which is a swéet and louing name rather then by the name of Lord or Iehouah which are dreadfull to allure and entise vs to come boldly vnto him euen as children to their déere and louing father to put vp any sute or complaint vnto him For Gods children being iniuried vniustly molested haue no remedie but to goe tell their father This word father implyes a readinesse and willingnes in God to heare Es 58.9 65.24 1 Pet. 3.12 Luk. 11.9 13. This word father doth assure vs wée shall be heard for can a father not heare his childe can hée deny him any thing Math. 7.9 This assurance in prayer is necessary Iam. 16.7 Hebr. 11.6 Luke 18.7 1 Iohn 5.14 God doth alwayes heare and grant the lawfull requests of his children in such time manner and sort as hée séeth good and neuer faileth if not according to their will yet according to his will and their best good This word father doth assure vs of our saluation for in truth if we cal vpon him as our father as indéed hée is our father then must wée néeds be his children and being his children how can we perish for there is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Rom. 8.1 And it is as possible for the Diuell to take away from Christ one of the members of his materiall body being now glorified in heauen as to plucke away or cut off any member of his misticall and spirituall body héere in earth Wée may in a holy manner boast and reioyce in it that wée haue such a Father so wise so mighty so louing so bountifull to whom wée alwayes may repaire for helpe in time of néede If one of vs had a father that were the richest the wisest in a realme would we not excéedingly reioyce in him and vse him This word father doth note vnto vs the excéeding déepe loue and fatherly affection which he beareth toward vs his children passing all loue of mothers vnto their children as Esay 49.15 Can a woman forget her childe and not haue compassion on the sonne of her womb Though they should forget yet will not I forget thee The booke of the Canticles doth most expresly and aboundantly lay open the vnspeakable loue of Christ toward his Church for indéed no louer doth so entirely loue his espoused wife as Christ loueth vs for hée loueth vs so dearly and is so chary ouer vs that hée cannot endure the winde should blow vpon vs. If we would eate golde wée should haue it This loue of his he doth at all times and in all things expresse and shewes it as we say and hath alwayes shewed it by election redemption Iustification sanctification adoption preseruation féeding clothing delighting c. breaking through all our vnkindnesse to doe vs good and continuing dayly vnto vs new mercies and fauours notwithstanding all our vnworthinesse and manifold prouokings of him This word father doth teach vs obedience a sonne honoreth his father and a seruant his Maister If I be a father where is mine honor c. Mal. 1.6 Why call yee mee Maister Maister and doe not the things I speake Luk. 6.46 And if you call him father c. 1 Pet. 1.17 By this our obedience wée testifie our loue to him againe who loued vs so déeply and dearly as Iohn 14.21 Hee that hath my commaundements and keepeth them is hee that loueth me This is the loue of God that we keepe his commaundements 1 Iohn 5.3 How can a Childe call him Father whom hée cares not continually to displease through his leud conditions He cannot doe it neither can any Father delight in such a childe If God be a father who is called vpon then true prayer is a note of Gods childe as Acts 9.14 He hath authoritie to binde all that call on thy name so 1 Cor. 1.2 the Saints are noted to be such as call on the name of the Lord and on the contrary it is made one of the properties of an Athiest not to all on the name of God Psal 14.4 Which art in heauen GOD as touching his essence is no more in heauen then in this inferiour world but hée is said to be in heauen because his glory and Maiesty doth there most clearely shine out
A LEARNED AND FRVITFVL EXPOSITION vpon the Lords PRAYER By Arthur Dent sometime Minister of the Word of God at South-Suberry in Essex LVKE 11.2 When you pray say Our Father which art in heauen c. LONDON Printed for Nicholas Bourne and are to be sould at the entring into the Royall Exchange 1613. THE PRINTER TO the READER COurteous Reader forasmuch as deuoute Christians when they haue found comfort in the labours of any learned man it causeth in them a further desire not onely to reuiew what they haue read but also to haue a longing as it were after their further paines vpon any other subiect I doubt not but am verily perswaded that this Exposition of that Prayer which our Lord and Sauiour Christ Iesus taught his disciples penned by one that hath so well deserued of the Church of God by publishing so many good profitable Treatises shal finde some place among thy heauenly meditations although it be not as I thinke so perfect as the Author intended it if hee had not beene preuented by death For what wilt thou doe either for all the benefits that thou hast receiued or for those things that are required for thy vse or to preuent any dangers that may be feared I say what wilt thou doe if thou wilt not imitate the holy Prophet and call vpon the name of the Lord and how canst thou better call vpon it then as the Lord hath appointed and what profit shalt thou haue by calling vpon him after that manner except thou knowest the meaning of the spirit in those words which thou pourest out before him Wherefore seeing as an auncient Father saith when thou prayest for thy selfe necessity enforceth thee and Charity bindeth thee to pray for others and seeing the holy one of God hath giuen thee in charge after this manner pray ye this seruant of God shall so instruct thee that according to the practise of the holy Apostle thou shalt pray with the spirit with vnderstanding also and this one thing is necessary For all the commandements of the Lord are so full of counsell that euerie word hath his weight yea euery sillable containes a secret so that we may all say with the Eunuch Act. 8. How can I vnderstand except some man should guide me And albeit I am perswaded that thou art full of goodnes filled with knowledge able also to admonish others yet thou maiest be content with skilfull Apollos so eloquent in speach mightie in the scriptures and feruent in spirit Acts 18. to haue the way of God expounded vnto thee by another man more perfectly And this is that which I offer to thy Christian deuotion Vse it then as becommeth thee with holinesse Peruse it often I hope I am truely informed of the Author I am but the Minister to publish it for thy good Giue thankes to GOD that hath brought it to light And the GOD of all power when thou prayest graunt thee thy harts desire and fulfill all thy minde Amen S. T. AN EXPOSITION vpon the Lords Prayer OF PRAYER and what it is PRayer is an earnest lifting vp of the minde and calling vpon God according to his will with faith by the helpe and worke of his spirit Psal 25.1 Rom. 10.13.14 Math. 21.22 Rom. 8.26.27 Prayer is a familiar conference betwixt God and vs. Prayer is as a Letter written vnto God wherein we deliuer our minde vnto him Onely God is to be called vpon in whom onely we beléeue Rom. 10. 1 First because hée hath so commaunded Psal 50.15 2 Secondly because hée hath so taught 6.9 3 Thirdly because he hath so practised by example 26.39 4 Fourthly because he hath promised to heare our prayers 5 Fiftly because the holy Ghost teacheth vs to cry Abba father Rom. 8.15 6 Lastly because none can heare our prayers and grant our requests but God onely Mat. 6.12 Wée must pray at all times 1 Thes 5.17 It must be the Alpha and Omega of all our actions if wée looke for any good successe We must pray in all places 1 Tim. 2.8 There be nine things to be obserued in prayer Before prayer Reading Meditation and féeling of our Misery In prayer Faith Zeale and Loue. After prayer Watchfulnesse Thankesgiuing and Practise Prayer is as a Bunch of Keyes wherewith Gods children doe open all the dores of heauen and enter into euery closet The effects of praier are wonderfull as appeareth by the prayers of Asa Iehosaphat Moises Ezechias Dauid Elias Paul and Silas the Disciples Acts 4.31 and 12.5.7 The Lords prayer is the perfect patterne of all prâ—yers for matter but not alwaies for words The Lords prayer consisteth of three Parts A Preface Sixe Petitions A Conclusion The Preface teacheth vs preparation that wée doe not rashly without consideration rush into the presence of God being so dreadfull and holy as it is Eccles 5.1 Psal 26.6 Thrée of the petitions doe concerne Gods glory and thrée our selues We must pray with greater feruencie of the Spirit for the things which concerne Gods glory then for those which concerne our owne good as appeareth by the Methode and for the things which concerne our owne goods wée must pray with more zeale for heauenly then earthly things sith this hath but one petition the other two Wée must pray for the things that concerne Gods glory simply aboue any respect at all of our owne good as the Particle thy in euery one doth shew Our THis word our doth teach that true charitie and brotherly loue toward our neighbours is required in prayer and that in common wée must pray one for another as wée are euery where taught in the Scriptures In matters of Faith we say I but in matters of Prayer our for wée must loue our neighbour as our selfe and therefore pray for our neighbour as our selfe Our Father our bread our trespasses Lead vs not Deliuer vs c. doe teach a fellow féeling one of anothers good and hurt This word our bringeth singular comfort to the poore because Christ sheweth vnto them that God hath no respect of persons as though he were more father of the rich then of the poore of the noble then of the base but doth account of all alike for hée is no respecter of persons Question Héere a question may be moued whether in our priuate Prayers wée should pray in generall or else in speciall tearmes as vs or me our father or my father Answere A Christian may in priuate prayer say my father Mat. 26.29 Mat. 27.46 as Thomas said My Lord and my God Iohn 20.28 and Paul I giue thanks to my God Rom. 1.8 and Gods promise is Ier. 3.19 Thou shalt call mee thy father For wée are not bound vnto the words of the Lords Prayer but if we pray for our brethren or for our selues we fulfill the meaning of Christ By the word Father is meant the first person in Trinitie and so it is alwayes taken in the Scriptures when one person is considered with another as
glorifie God as Heb. 12.1 And that especially in performing the duties of our seuerall callings as Magistrate Minister Gentleman and Tradesman for it is a thing acceptable to God and man to be a good man in our place A good Magistrate that ruleth well a good Minister that teacheth well and diligently a good Gentleman that distributeth liberally a good Tradesman by whom a man may liue quietly peaceably ioyfully and comfortably Abusers of this Petition All those which are proud and séeke glory to themselues being so iealous of their owne honour that to magnifie and lift vp themselues they will tread downe the name of God All those which professe the Gospell and staine it with their wicked liues All such as delight to raise vp and spread slanders against the profession of Religion All swearers and blasphemers of Gods most holy name For all these say and babble with their mouth Hallowed be thy name but their hearts neuer careth for any such matter Thy kingdome come THese Petitions haue a very good coherence in them for then is Gods name indéede honored when his Kingdome is erected in the hearts of men Here therefore wée pray for the meanes of the aduancement of Gods name This word thy doth note a difference betwixt the kingdome of Christ which is spirituall as hée himselfe saith My kingdome is not of this World and all earthly kingdomes Secondly it putteth vs in minde that there are two Kingdomes one Gods and hat is the Kingdome of Heauen another the Diuels which is called the kingdome of darknesse The pillers of the Diuels kingdome are Ignorance Errour Idolatry superstition Sinne and disobedience to God The Subiects of this kingdome are all prophane Atheists carnall worldings and all vnregenerate men whatsoeuer for hée raigneth and ruleth ouer them at his pleasure hée is their God and King and they doe very hadtely and willingly submit themselues vnto his scepter and gouernment fight vnder his Standard against God and their owne saluation Ephes 2.2 2 Cor. 4.3.4 2 Tim. 2.26 Yet these vngodly men spit at the naming of the Diuell and say they defie him This word kingdome is taken thrée manner of wayes in the scripture First for that absolute soueraigne power of God whereby hée ruleth all things yea euen the diuels themselues as Psal 103. The Lord hath prepared his Throne in heauen his kingdome is ouer all Againe The Lord raigneth let the earth reioyce Psal 97. Secondly for the kingdome of Grace as Rom. 14.17 The kingdome of GOD is not meate and drinke but Righteousnesse Peace and Ioy in the holy Ghost Where by Righteousnesse he meaneth the assurance of our Iustification before God in the righteousnes of Christ Peace of Conscience which procéedes from this assurance and Ioy in the holy Ghost which commeth from them both So Marke 2.15 The kingdome of God is at hand repent and belieue the Gospel In a kingdome there are fiue things to be considered 1 A King 2 Subiects 3 Lawes 4 Authoritie 5 Officers 1 In this kingdome Christ is king It is hee to whom the Father hath giuen all authoritie both in heauen and earth Math. 28.20 2 Subiects are all the elect which doe willingly submit themselues vnto his gouernment as Psalme 110.3 and serue the Lord in feare and trembling or at least make an outward profession of it though their harts be not sound 3 Lawes are the old and new Testament wherin is set downe his whole will This is his Statute booke 4 Authoritie is the compelling power of his Word Spirit whereby hée forceth the Rebels of the world to come in as it is written Compell them to come in Such a conquest wée read of Acts 2.17.18 And in very déede the Word and the Spirit are the very meanes whereby Christ ruleth and raigneth ouer his and therefore the Word is called the Scepter of his power Rom. 1.16 Mark 1.14 The arme of God Psal 110.2 Esay 53.1 The rodde of his mouth Esay 11.4 Reasons Because by it hée doth set vp his Throne in the harts of men By it he doth draw men into heauen as with a most mighty arme By it he doth ouerthrow and destroy the power of darknesse 5 Officers of this Kingdome are the Pastors and Ministers of the Church vpon whom this charge is layde that they preach the Word gouerne the Church and sée the execution of the Kings lawes Thirdly the kingdome of Glory is that happinesse which Gods chosen shall for euer inioy as it is written Come yee blessed of my Father receiue the Kingdome prepared for you from the beginning of the world And againe It is well done thou good seruant and faithfull enter into thy Masters ioy Math. 25. Come GOds Kingdome commeth when it takes place and is established and confirmed in mens hearts made manifest to all people the impediments being remoued The Summe of this Petition That Christ would raigne ouer vs by his Word and Spirit That wée may be subiect to his kingdome in word and déede in holines and righteousnesse That hée would preserue and increase his Church That hée would destroy the power of the Diuell and the workes of darknesse That hée would frustrate and bring to nought all the Counsels of the wicked against his Truth Kingdome and people Things prayed for in this Petition That Christ may guide vs and gouerne vs by his holy Spirit in all our particular actions that hée may haue a kingdome within vs. Psalme 51. Create in mee a cleane hart O God and renue a right Spirit within mee c. Stablish me with thy free Spirit Héere also wée doe pray for the prosperous estate of the Church Psalme 122.6 Pray for the peace of Ierusalem they shall prosper that loue thee Esay 62.7 Yee that are the Lords remembrancers giue him no rest vntill hee set vp Ierusalem the praise of the world Wée doe pray for Christian Kings and Princes that God would prosper their gouernment for they are nursing Fathers and nursing Mothers to the Church Esay 49. 1 Timothie 2.2 Let Prayers and Supplications with giuing of thankes be made for all men for Kings and for all that are in authorritie We are also to pray the Lord of the haruest to send forth labourers into his haruest that is faithfull and zealous Ministers and Preachers of the Gospell which are the principall Studs and pillers to vphold the Kingdome of Christ and most notable instruments both for the beating downe of the kingdome of Sathan and Sinne and for the sauing of the soules of his people 2 Thes 3.1 Brethren pray for vs that the Word of the Lord may haue a free passage and be glorified c. Prou. 29.18 Where vision fayleth the people are left naked Furthermore wée are to pray for all Christian Scholes of learning because they are as it were Seminaries and nurseries of Gods Church Last of all wée are to desire that the Lord would hasten the second comming of Christ as