With holy confidence Q. Why Father rather then any other name or title of God A. Because Gods Fatherhood in Christ is it which doth assure our consciences and giveth us boldnesse in prayer comming to him as a Child to his Father of whose good will he is well perswaded Math 7.9 11 Eph 3.12 Psal 103.13 Esay 49.15 Q. Why is he called our Father A. Because all the faithfull have one common interest and propriety in God and God in them Mal. 2.10 Eph 4.6 Q. What doe you learn from this that you are taught to say Our Father A. That when we pray we ought to plead and improve all the interest we have in God for the obtaining of our desires Dan 9.15 17 18 19. 2. Chron 20 6 7. Esay 26.13 Esay 37.16.20 O God of Abraham Isaac and Iacob God of our Fathers c. Which art in Heaven Q. Why is God said to be in Heaven Is not God every where A. Yes God is every where filling all things but in a most speciall and glorious manner in Heaven Ier 23.24 Psal 11.4 Acts 7.49 Q. Why is God set forth unto us by this title Father in Heaven A. To shew his excellency presence and power every way able present and ready to heare and help us as being the best Father the Lord and Master of all things 1. He is the best Father as heavenly things are better then earthly 2. He is whereever we are 3. And he is the Lord of Heaven and Earth and from heaven doth command blessings Lam. 3.41 2. Chron. 20.6 1 Kings 8.39 Marke 9 22 23. John 11.22 29 40 This doth wonderfully help our faith that our God is able to forgive sins to subdue Sathan to save a soule and we may expect any thing at his hands better then from an earthly father yea if some father of ours were in Gods place in Heaven there were not so much comfort in it the Lords bowels tendernesse sweetnesse freenesse be as far beyond and above all the love and compassion of the best natural Parent as the Heaven is above the Earth Esay 5.7 8 9. Psal 123.1 Psal 115.3 Q. What else doth Gods being in Heaven teach us A. To draw nigh to God in Prayer with all holy reverence for God is in Heaven and we on Earth Eccles 5.2 Gen. 1â— 27. CAP. XLIV 1. Petition Hallowed be thy Name Q. WHat is meant by the Name of God A. God Himselfe in his Grace Glory and Greatnesse as he hath made himselfe known in his Attributes Word or Works which we pray may be magnified above all things The works Word and Attributes of God are part of his name Exod. 3.14 Exod. 34.5 6 7. Es 26.8 Q. When is Gods name polluted and prophaned A Three manner of wayes 1 When we think or speak of God of his Word or Works meanly and slightly 2. Or use any part thereof as a common and ordinary thing or 3. When we live a wicked and prophane life Ez. 36.5 13 20 23. Rom. 2.24 Ezek. 13.19 Ezek. 22.26 They spake and thought of God his works more meanly then of their Idols they used his word and daies as common things Q. When is Gods name hallowed or sanctified A. When it is known and acknowledged to the most holy and accordingly set forth by us God doâ—h sanctifie us by making us holy of unholy and uncleane we sanctifie God not by making him holy but by acknowledging him to be so in our hearts words and deeds doing all things so as God may be honoured and magnified by us and in us Rev 5.13 Levit 10.3 Mat 5.16 1. Cor 10 31. Gods name and Glory must be lifted up and ours sinke Let God be glorified whatever become of us Q. What doe we pray for here A. That God who is holy and glorious in himselfe and in all his waies may be magnified known acknowledged and glorified throughout the world If he punish sinners if he pardon sinners if he work deliverances performe promises or doe any glorious work we desire that his Justice Goodnesse Mercy Truth Wisedome and Holinesse may be seen and magnified by all men Iohn 12.28 Rom 9.3 Psal 67.2 Hos 2.8 We must not Ascribe our Riches our Victories our Deliverances our Peace our Punishments nor our Sufferings either to our own Wit or Strength or to chance fortune We must not Ascribe the Glory of any thing we are or doe to our selves nor to any Creature But in all things God must be acknowledged to be Just and Holy and Wise and Good Righteous Q. Thy name comparatively and in opposition to every other name What doth that import What doe we pray for in that A. We pray that we may set up Gods name glory above our selves above men above Idolls and false gods that above all adverse power it may be lifted up and glorified His Truth above every truth his Mercy above every mercy c. Whatsoever becomes of us or of the World that God may be magnified and glorified Exod 32.32 Num. 14.12 13 16 27. Psal 115.1 Acts 12.22 23. Acts 20.24 John 12.28 Mat. 10.37 2. Petition Thy Kingdome come Q. What 's meant here by Gods Kingdome A. It signifieth that spirituall rule and dominion which God hath given to Christ over the Church to Rule and save it and over the enemies of the Church to subdue them The Kingdome of Christ is begun here in Grace by his ruling in our hearts finished hereafter in our Reâ—iging with him in glory for evermore Heb. 3.5 6. Es 52.7 Zach 9.9 Iohn 18.36 37. Ps 2.6 8. Ps 45.5 6. Dan. 2.44 Eph. 6.10 12 17. 1 Cor. 15.25 Q. What be the parts of that spirituall Kingdome and Dominion A. Two the first is that power by which he a gathereth to himselfe a Church and people by his Gospel by which also he b ruleth in their hearts and consciences and b preserveth them to his Kingdome of Glory Christ is King of soules he sets up his Kingdome of grace in mens hearts a John 11.52 Eph. 4.11 12. Rev. 19.15 Mat. 13.19 47. Luke 17.21 b Ps 110.2.3 Eph. 3.17 c John 17.11 12 24. John 16.33 John 10.29 Jude v. 1. Q. What is the second part of Christs spiritual Dominion A. It is that power which he exerciseth in the destruction of the enemies of his Church and Kingdome of his Children and Gospel Esay 49.24 25. Rev. 12.7 9 10 11 14. Col. 2.15 Rev. 17.14 Acts 26.14 15. Mâ—th 18.6 Zach. 25. Rev. 19 20. Q. When doth this Kingdome come A. When sinne and Sathan are cast out and the Gospel of Christ is set up in our hearts and families and Countries When we are turned from the power of Sathan to God when Christs word ruleth in our hearts then is his Kingdome come to us Col. 1.13 Acts 5.31 Luke 11.20 22. 2 Cor. 10.4 5. 1 Pet. 2 9. Q. When doth this Kingdome goe away A. When the Gospel is beaten downe and falsehood and wickednesse
satisfaction the debt is never pâ—â—d Gods Justice is better contented in Christs sufferings for a time then in the creatures for evermore and for the sinnes of the Elect then for the sinnes of the damned Q. If God be satisfied then we are discharged from the curse of the Law and all our debt to Gods Justice A. We are soâ— because Christ our surety hath fully answered the Law for us so that nothing remaines to be charged on us Gal. 3.10 13. Rom. 8.33 34. Q. But how did Christ answer the Law for us A. By a bearing all that punishment which is due to breakers of God Law and by b fulfilling all that obedâ—ence which it requireth of us a Phil. 28. Ro. 5.19 b Mat. 5.17 Joh. 8.29 Mat. 3.15 Rom. 8.3 We that are sinners stand bound to God in a double debt 1. Of satisfaction for sins past 2. Of obedience for time coming This the Law requireth of us and thus much Christ hath performed for us Q. What is the second part of Christs Priestly office A. To make intercession for us Of Christs intercession Rom 8.34 Heb. 7.25 Q. What meane you by Christs intercession A. Christ stands between God and us he presents us and our prayers to God pleads his merits for our acceptance Christ appears in the presence of God for us as the high Priests did with the names the twelve Tribes in the Holy of Holies Heb. 9.24 1 Joh. 2.1 Rev. 8.2 3. Exod 28.28 29 38. Q. What then be the parts of Christs intercession A. They be two 1. To present and tender to his Father his owne bloud which he shed for our sins And 2ly To make requests for us Thus did the high Priest who was a Type of Christ enter into the Holy of Holies which was a figure of Heaven with the bloud of a Bullock a Goat which did signifie Christs bloud and with Incese which did signifie his prayers for the people Thus did the High Priest when he went into the Holy of Holies to make atonement and reconciliation for the people Lev. 16.5 12 13 14 15 16 19. And thus doth Christ our High Priest for us now in Heaven Rev. 8.2 3. Heb. 9.12 23 24. Christ carried his own bloud into Heaven Q. What is the effect and fruit of this part of Christs Priestly office 1 Pet. 2.5 Heb. 7.25 Heb. 9.14 A. By this applying and pleading of his sacrifice for us both our persons and our services are accepted with God Exod. 28 38. Q. What followes of all this A. Therefore we must go to God only by Christ and not by any Creature Saint or Angâ—ll 'T is Christs office not theirs to appeare in our behalfe before God Heb 4.14 16. with Heb. 5.4 5. Q. How doth it appeare that he is a Priest to you A. Because he gives me peace of conscience in his bloud and hath made me a Priest to offer up spirituall sacrifices to God by him Rev. 1.6 1 Pet 2.5 Rom. 12.1 CAP. XII Of Christs Kingly or Ruling office Propheticall Teaching office ALL the Benefits obtained by Christs Priestly Office are conveyed unto us by his Kingly and Propheticall office Q. Is Christ the King of the Church A. Yes 2. Of Christs Kingly office Christ is the only King over the Church It is such an Honour that God thinkes it fit for none but his Son Heb. 1.8 9. Col. 1.15 18. Christ is the first borne of every Creature He is the Head and Husband of the Church and therefore he alone is fit he alone is able to gather a Church to rule his Church and to deliver it from those mighty Principalities and Powers which fight against our soules Mat. 2.2 Rev. 19.16 1 Tim. 6.15 Rev. 15.3 Q. What kind of Kingdome or dominion hath Christ over the Church A. It is not of this world nor like the Kingdomes of earth But it is a spirituall Kingdome ordering the businesse of the soule and the affaires of Heaven Col. 1. 13. Rev 1.18 3.7 All things belonging to it are spirituall the means of gathering and governing it are spirituall the weapons of our warfare are spirituall the blessings and priviledges are spirituall the enemies of it are spirituall c. Q. What be the parts of this spirituall Kingly office of Christ A. They be foure 1 To deliver us out of the hands of our spirituall enemies to turne us from darknesse to light from the power of Satan unto God and so to translate us into the Kingdome of Jesus Christ Act 26 18. Col. 1.13 Luk. 1.74 Q. What be those spirituall enemies out of whose hands Christ doth deliver us A. Foure 1ª Sinne. 2 b Satan 3 c The curse of the Law And Lastly d Death All these be enemies to our salvation and over them all Christ doth give us the victory a 1 Pet 4.2 1 Joh 3.8 Mat 12.20 Rom 6.7 b Rom. 16.20 1 Ioh 4.4 c Rom 7.1.4 8.33 d 1 Cor. 15.55 57. Q. What is the second part of Christs Kingly office A. To give us Laws and Rules to order and governe us being thus gathered in the wayes of truth and righteousnesse Esay 9.6 7. Gal 6.16 Mat 28.20 Q. Then they wrong Christ in his Kingly office that challenge a power over the conscience to bind it with sin or duty A. They doe so because it is Christs prerogative to give Lawes to the conscience Esay 33.22 Mat. 23.8 10. Iam. 4.12 Men may order the outward man by their Lawes Col. 2.11.21 12. but the conscience is Christs peculiar they may not meddle with that to bind where Christ hath set free And where Christ hath bound no man can set us free 1 Cor. 7.24 2 Cor. 11.20 Gal. 5.1 Q. What is the third part of Christs Kingly office A. To subdue our lusts to rule in our hearts by his Word and Spirit and to keep us in obedience to his Lawes Psal 110.2 3. 45.5 2 Cor 10.4.5 Luk 19.14 27. Ezek 34.23 24. Q. What is the fourth part of Christs Kingly office A. To defend and preserve us amidst all tentations unto his Kingdome of glory Christ doth take order with the Enemies of his Church Kingdome he discovers and confounds their plots and devices He restraines their rage and sets bounds to their malice at last he casteth them into the lake that burneth with fire and brimstone Rev. 2.10 Luk. 18.7 8. Esa 43.2 Amos 9.9 Ezra 6.8 11 22. Esth 3.8 13. with Esth 6.1 6. with Esth 8.5 8 11. with Esth 9.1 22. Rev. 19.20 Q. By what means doth Christ gatheâ— him a Kingdome and carry on the Government thereof A. a Not by the arm of flesh b buâ— by spirituall weapons viz. His Word Sacraments and the exercise of the keyes which we call discipline a 2 Cor. 10.4 Esa 11.4 Eph. 6.11 12. b Joâ— 20.23 Mat. 18.17 18. Q. Then it is not lawfull for Christians by force of Armes to erect Christs Kingdome much lesse is it
summarily in the Creed What is the Creed A. It is a Forme of sound and wholesome words teaching us what we must believe concerning God and the Church of God 2 Tim. 1.13 Q. It is not then a prayer A. No it doth not contain matter of petition but of profession of faith as the gesture of standing up doth also shew It belongs to the Honour and Worship of God that we make confession of our Faith Rom. 10.9 I believe in God Q. How many Gods be there A. Onely one God distinct in three persons Deu. 6.4 Esa 446.1 Joh. 5.7 Mat. 28.19 Unity in Trinity and Trinity in Unity is to be worshiped and glorified Q. How be the Persons called A. God the Father God the Son and God the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 Q. Which of these three Persons is Jesus Christ A. The second and middle Person Joh. 16.28 Eph. 1.3 Joh. 14.26 Joh. 15.26 Q. What is God A. God is an a eternall Spirit who b hath his Being of himselfe and c giveth being to all things else and we must worship him in Spirit and in Truth a Rev. 16.5 Ioh. 1.1 2. Prov 8.30 Heb. 9.14 b Exod. 3.14 Exod. 6.3 c Act. 17.25 Ioh. 4.24 God hath a Being he is a God by Nature whether we thinke it or not 2. His Being is of Himselfe 3. And without beginning Q. When you say God is a Spirit What doe you meane A. I meane that he is an immateriall immortall substance without body parts or passions not like to man nor any thing made by art Act. 17.29 Luk. 24.39 Esay 31.3 Act. 14.15 Q. What be the properties of Gods Nature by which we may conceive of Him A. He is the immortall eternall invisible only wise God the Lord God Gratious and Mercifull long-suffering abundant in Goodnesse and Truth forgiving Iniquity Transgression and Sin and that will by no means clear the guilty And such an one we shall finde him to be 1 Tim. 1.17 Exod. 34.6 7. Q. Is it needfull to know these Properties to be in God A. Yes We must have an assured knowledge that he is Almighty perfectly good the Fountaine of all Goodnesse else we should not believe on him nor feare him nor love him nor depend on him for good things Rom. 10.10 14. Heb. 11.6 Q. What is it to believe in God A. To believe God is to believe that God is and that he is true But to believe in God is to rest and relie on him for salvation and for all things else that be good for me Iam. 2.19 Eph. 1.13 Esa 26.4 Q. Why doe you say I believe in God A. Because a particular and personall faith is necessary unto salvation every one must believe with his own heart and confesse with his own mouth Rom. 10.9 Act. 8 37. Q. What then doth it import to believe in such a God A. That God is all this to me and my salvation Gen. 17.7 Num. 14.17 18. CAP. XVI Of Creation and Providence and Gods Fatherhood and Power The Father Almighty Q. WHy is the first Person in the Trinity called Father A. Because he is the Father of Christ and of all that be Christs and also because he giveth beginning to all things else He. 1.5 Eph. 1.3 17. Eph. 3.14 2. Cor. 6.18 Ioh. 1.6 Ioh. 20.17 Q. Why is he called Almighty A. Because he can doe all that he will nothing can hinder his Power if he were not Almighty He could not make the least grasse or worme that is Rev. 1.8 Ier. 32.17 27. Iob. 9.9 12. Q. Declare more fully what you mean by Gods Almightinesse A. I meane not that God hath an idle power which he doth not exercise but that all creatures be in his hand and under his governance that he ordereth and disposeth all things by his unsearchable Wisdome and Providence Maker of Heaven and Earth Q. What doe you understand by that A. I believe that God made all things both visible and invisible of nothing in the space of six daies Gen. 2.1 Heb. 11.3 Col. 1.16 Q. The Heavens What mean you by that A. That God made the Heavens and the Hoast of them and the Inhabitants of Heaven that is the Angels Col. 1.16 Iohn 1.3 Q. Did God make the evill Angels too that is the Devils A. Yes He made them Angels of light but they by their fall made themselves Angels of darknesse Inde vers 6. 2 Pet. 2.4 Mat. 8.29 Q God made the Earth and all things therein Did he make the hurtfull creatures A. God made all good but their hurtfulnesse is a part of the curse that came in by sin Gen. 3.17 18. Rom. 8.20 22. Q. Did God make all things and so leave them A. No He still a upholdeth and preserveth governeth disposeth all things both b great and small c casuall and certaine good and evill by his just and wise providence a Ioh. 5.17 Act. 17.28 Heb. 1.3 b Ioh. 38.8 11 22 41. c Mat. 10.29 30 31. Psal 19.1 2. Iosh 10.11 12.13 Iob. 37.16 17. The Kingdoms and wils of men Dan. 4.25 1 King 12.15 Rain and Droughth Plenty and Dearth Am. 4.6 7. Health and sicknesse 1 Sam. 2.6 Life and Death Dan. 5.23 Psal 31.15 All are at his command doe happen by his wise and just disposing Q. Are the Devils also and the evill wils and minds of men guided by God A. Yes He sets them all their bounds overruleth all their wickedness as shall serve most for his glory Yet God himselfe remaines Holy and untoucht of any evill Act. 4.27 28. Job 1.12 2.6 Joh 19.11 Numb 22.18 19. 2 Sam. 16.11 Q. What then doe you believe in this Article A. I believe that Almighty God who is the Father of Jesus Christ the Maker and disposer of all things is my Father and my God He is the God on whom I depend for salvation and all things needfull for this life present Esay 54.4 5. Ps 100.3 Esay 64.8 9. 46.4 44.24.26 Q. How may it appeare that you indeed doe believe all this A. By three effects which follow this my beliefe 1 It makes me submit quietly to Gods will in whatsoever estate I am knowing that he is my Father 2 Sam 15.26 2 Sam. 16.10 2 King 20.19 1 Pet 4.19 Phil. 4.6 11 12. Mat. 6.30 32. Q. What second effect of this Faith A. This my faith banisheth all base and false feares of men upon assurance that I am not left to the power and will of any creature Esay 8.12 51.12 13. Joh. 19.10 11. Mat 26.53 1 Pet 3.14 15. Q. How lastly A. This Faith makes me to depend on God in his wayes for all things I need without stepping out to any false and indirect meanes for help as to bribery sorcery fraud flattery time-serving lying oppression nor to make flesh my arme Gen. 20 11 16. Ier. 17.5 2 Chron 16.3 7 8 9 12. Mat 4.3 7. Dan 3.16 17. Esay 28.16 CAP XVII Of Faith in the Sonne of God And in Jesus
suffer all these things A. Especially in the garden where he swet clots of blood before any hand was laid on him and on the Crosse by the space of six houres Luk 22.43 44. Mat 27.46 Psal 22.1 6. Mar 14.33 34. Phil. 2.8 So heavy was the wrath of God that an Angell came to comfort him yea he roared as a man forsaken c. Q. What is the vertue and efficacy of his sufferings A. By his stripes we are healed Es 53 5. Heb 9.14 26 28. Col 2.14 Heb 10.2 10 12 14. In him we all died and were condemned and his death tooke away our condemnation 2 Cor 5.14 Rom 8.3 Q. For whom did Christ suffer all this A. For his Body the Church Christs blood is of value to save all men but it was not intended for them that perish Christ stood not in their stead for then they should not dye themselves Eph 5.25 Joh 10.15 Q. How know you that you have a part in Christ's sufferings A. Because the life and power of sin is killed in me and I now live to him that died for me Sinne is of all things most odious to me 2 Cor. 5.15 Rom. 6.3 6. 1 Joh 5.6 The merit of Christs death reacheth unto God to satisfie and pacifie him and the vertue or efficacie of it reacheth to our soules to mortifie and kill sin in them 1 Pet 4.1 2. Q. Who was Pontius Pilate A. The Roman Judge that condemned him because he said that he was the Son of God the King of Israel Joh 19 7 8 12 15 19 21. Mat 20.19 a signe that the Messiah was come because the government was taken from them and now in the hands of a stranger Gen. 49.10 Joh 18.31 Rev. 11.8 where Christ was slaine Q. Why was he thus legally condemned and not killed privily A. Because that death alone is satisfactory to the Law which publike authority doth inflict on Malefactours for though Christ were no Malefactor no guile was found in his lips he was innocent by the Judges owne mouth yet he was numbred amongst the transgressors Esay 53.12 Mat. 20.18 19. Q. What kind of death died he A. He was crucified which was a painfull shamefull and accursed death Ioh. 19.18 31. Phil. 2.8 Deut. 21.23 Q. Why that kinde of death A. Because he was to remove the curse from us therefore he was to be made a curse for us Gal. 3.13 Q. Dead Why died he A. Because death is the wages of sin and sin is not remitted without shedding of blound Rom. 6.23 Heb. 9.22 1 Cor. 15.56 57. Heb. 2.9 14. Q. Buried Why so A. That he might sweeten the grave to us and be God both of the dead and of the living Mat. 12.40 Rom. 14.9 1 Cor. 15.55 Q. Descended into Hell When Christ gave up the Ghost his Body was put into the Grave and his Soule went into Paradise being commended into the hands of God as the soule of Steven and other the faithfull are as the soule of the converted theef was What then is meant here by Christs descending into Hell A. His Soule went not into the place of the damned but thereby is meant his abiding prisoner under the dominion of Death the space of three daies Bp. Ushers answer to the Irish Jesuits challenge c. 8. As Jonas was three daies in the Whales belly and saw no corruption But David doth c. Compare Psal 16.10 with Act. 2.27 31. Act. 13.34.35 Rom. 6.9 Mat. 12.40 Q. What is the substance of that you believe in this Article A. I believe that Christ suffered the whole punishment belonging unto sinners both in his Soule and Body when he offered up himselfe a curse and a sacrifice for sin and that by his sufferings Gods wrath is pacified towards me all the spirituall enemies of my salvation are thereby vanquished CAP. XX. Of Christs exaltation sitting at the right hand of God the Father The third day he rose again from the dead Q. DID Christ still remain in the the grave A. No the third day he rose againe Luke 24.3 6. Act. 2.24 Act. 1.3 1 Cor. 15.4 8. Q Why was it needfull that Christ should rise againe A. 1. Because else we were still in our sinnes else it doth not appear that our sinnes be satisfied for 1 Cor. 15.17 1 Pet. 1.3 21. Christ was not onely to suffer Death and the Law but to conquer them which he had not done if he had been still holden of death and we must have looked out for another Saviour that could conquer it The debtor comes not out of prison till he hath paid the utmost farthing c. If any one sin had beene unsatisfied Christ had no risen from the dead Q. Why else must Christ rise againe A. That he might apply effectually unto us the merit of his death 1 Cor. 15.16 54 55. Rom. 4.25 Rev. 1.18 He ascended into Heaven Q. What became of Christ after he was risen A. After he had spent forty daies in teaching his Apostles the things belonging to the Kingdome of God he went up into Heaven in that same body which had been crucified and buried Act. â— 3.9 10 11. Eph. 4.10 Luk. 24.51 Eph. 1.20 22. Q. What good is that to us A. 1. It assureth us that he hath finished the worke of our redemption which his Father gave him to doe in an acceptable manner Iohn 16.10 Iohn 17.4 5. Heb. 9.12 25. Heb. 10.12 If Christ had not fulfilled the Law and satisfied for all out debt if he had not in all things well pleased his Father he had never got into Heaven But now God welcomes him to Heaven and bids him Sit thou at my right hand untill I make thine enimies thy Foot-stoole Heb. 1.3 9 13. Q. What else doth it assure us of A. 2. It assureth me that seeing Christ is entred into Heaven in our name hath taken possession for us of the purchased inheritance that therefore he will bring us thither in his appointed time Ioh. 12.26 Ioh. 17.24 Heb. 6.20 Sitteth at the right hand of God Q Where is Jesus Christ now A. In Heaven at Gods right hand in great glory and power Act. 7.56 1 Pet 3.22 Q. God hath no right hand nor left hand What then is the meaning of it A. It signifieth that Honour and Power which Christ received of his Father when he had finished the worke of our redemption Heb. 1.13 Mat. 22.44 Eph 1.20 22. 1 Cor 15.24 25. Q. What does Christ do there A. He makes intercession for us that is he presents our prayers and pleads his merits for our acceptance Heb 7.25 9.24 Ro 8.34 He entereth our appearance and causeth that no wrath issue out against us though our sins cry for vengeance God never said to Saint or Angel Sit thou at my right hand Heb 1.13 Q. Doe we not want him more to be with us here on earth A. No He doth us more good in Heaven appearing for us in the presence of God upon
are set up and prevaile and are countenanced in any heart family Parish or Country Matth. 21.43 Rev. 2.5 13 14. Eph. 2.2 Gen. 20.11 Q. What do we pray for here A. That the Gospel of Christ may be set up in its power and purity in all hearts and in all places that God would protect and increase the number of the faithful till the time come that the Kingdom of grace here begun be finished in the Kingdome of glory 2 Thes 3 1. Col. 4.3 Psal 122.6 Rom. 10.1 Q. What doe we pray against A. We pray that God would destroy the kingdome of Sathan and all devices against his Church and Gospel and that all wickednesse may be beaten down more and more Till this Kingdome be finished in the glory of the Saints and finall destruction of the enemies ps 68 1 18. Rev. 12.10 11. We pray against the dominion power of the Divel the World and the flesh Rom 6.12 13 14. Q. What followes hereof A. Therefore they be Christs enemies they crosse their owne Prayers that submit not to the Gospell of Christ that discountenance or any wayes hinder the Preaching and spreading thereof or be friends and favourers of bad men and bad causes Such as the silencing and vexing of Godly quiet Ministers or depriving them of due maintenance preferring the unsound c. any inlet to prophanenesse setting up a Chaire for Sathan against the Pulpit of Christ these and the like persons doe pray for Christs Kingdome and fight for Sathans among swearing railing loose riotous persons families and Parishes whose Kingdome is there set up Christs or Sathans Luke 19.14 27. Acts 4.18 CAP. XLV The 3d Petition Thy will be done Q. WHat doe we pray for in this Petition A. Here we pray for grace and strength to obey Gods will in all things both in a doing and in b suffering Psal 143.10 Jam. 1.22 25. b Luke 22.42 Acts 20.24 Acts 21.14 Q. What is here meant by Gods will A. Gods will is that which God in the Scripture hath willed commanded us to do Mat. 7.21 Rom. 12.2 1 Thes 4.3 1 Pet 4.2 1 Pet. 3.17 Q. When is Gods will done A. When setting aside our own wills desires we apply our selves to doe the things which are pleasing unto him Joh. 14.21 1 Joh. 5.3 Mat. 21.29 31 Joh. 6.38 Heb. 10.7 We desire that Gods will may take place and that there may be but one will between God and us Q. When is it undone A. When setting aside the Commandement of God we fulfill the lusts of on own hearts or other mens carnal wils Eph. 2.3 1 Pet. 4.3 Iohn 8.44 Luke 12.47 Q In Earth as it is in Heaven What do we desire in that A. We desire that as farre as Earth is wide Gods will may take place and be obeyed with that cheerfulnesse and faithfulnesse as the Angels doe in heaven We desire a conformity of the Church militant to the Church triumphant Heb. 1.5 7. Psal 103.20 21. Es 6.2 3. Here be two things in this Petition 1. The matter of our obedience it must be the will of God revealed in the Scripture 2. The Maâ—ner of our obedience as the Angels in Heaven do it Q. What is the summe and substance of this petition A. We pray that whatsoever God requires of us in his Word he would give us hearts to obey it with cheerfulnesse and faithfulnesse submitting all our opposite wills to his will We pray that amidst all and above all Gods will may be fulfilled and obeyed and that all desires wills in us or others that be repugnant to his good pleasure may be subdued Mat. 20.39 1 Sam. 3 18. 2 Sam. 15.26 Ps 140. â— 1 Sam. 15 13 20 22. Q. What followes hereof A Therefore like hypocrites they crosse their own prayers who pray they may doe Gods will yet endeavour it not nay perhaps live in known sinnes against check of conscience setting up their own ends profits contentments above the wil of God Be honest else never pray it c. Mat. 19.22 Luke 16 11. Ezek. 14.7 Acts 8.23 Luke 12.47 The 4th Petition Give us this day Q. What is meant by bread A. All outward blessings needful for this present life Under one sort of temporal blessings we beg all the rest as raiment houses preservation from dangers c. Deut. 8.3 Q. What is meant by Daily bread A. Such a proportion of outward things as is fit for us agreeable to our places callings And if we have so much we have our daily Bread Pro. 3.8 Gen. 28.20 Luke 12.15 Q. This day or day by day Why are we to begge it every day and but for a day A. To teach us that as God keeps and feeds us a day by day And as every day we stand in need of new supplies from heaven so every day we b should depend on God for the same We do not receive all at once but as yesterday so this day and to morrow c. a 2 Cor. 8.15 Exod. 16.4 5 19. b Luke 12 19 20 28 29. 1 Pet. 5.7 Psal 104.21 Mat. 6.26 Q. What is called our Bread A. That which our heavenly Father assigneth to every one of us in our lawful vocation There is our bread and there is stolne bread Thess 3.12 Q. How is God said to give us our bread A. When he doth blesse our labours in our honest callings or otherwise raise up helps to bring the creatures to us for our support and comfort He gives gâ—asse â—eed and barnes and almes and power to eate he raiseth up friends he giveth and breaketh the staffe of bread Deut. 8.17 18. 2 Cor 9.10 Ier 37.21 Dan. 1.15 So the way be Gods way in which any help commeth whosoever is the instrument to convey it God is the giver Q. When is bread taken away A. When God doth curse the earth our labours that they shal not yeeld their increase or else doth curse his blessings to us that they shall dot doe us good as by taking away the staffe of bread by adding sorrow sinne discontent with our estates Hag. 1.6 9 11. Mal. 2.2 Numb 11.33 Ezeck 14.13 Hos 9.11 12. Q. What doe we pray for in this Petition A. That God would preserve us from outward miseries and wants so blesse the â—arth and our labours that we may have such a measure of outward things as is needfull for us that through his blessing they may be for our good and comfort Through Gods blessing it is that the creatures doe satisfie our natures content our minds or doe us any good 1 Kings 8 35 37. Prov. 10.22 Prov. 30.8 Ps 106.15 1 Kings 17.14 1 Chron. 29.12 Q. What learne you from this A. We must professe enjoy and use every outward thing as from God and unto God Our own prayers will condemn us if we be beholding to Satan for bread â—f we dare stretch out our hands farther then our prayers or if we shall use the