Paul saith I thanke my God and so doth euery ones faith by this applicatioÌ„ well conclude say God is my father as Ier. 3.4 Therefore from henceforth at least crie vnto me thou art my father and after v. 19. I did take thee for my children and saide Thou shalt call me my father and Math. 6.6 Pray vnto thy father which is in secret and thy father will reward thee So very many profitable instructions are propounded vnto vs in these fewe words of this preface to the Lords praier which may thus also be considered that by the remembrance of those benefits which God hath heretofore bestowed vpon vs God may as it were be mooued to giue and our confidence stirred vp and confirmed to craue other moe necessaries that seeing of meere fauour he hath bestowed vpon vs the chiefest benefite of adoption because he will be our father and also be so called therefore he will giue vs other things needefull Which art in heauen There be some that by occasion of this verbe substantiue es art doe discourse at large about the immutable essence and those names of God I am that I am which is which was which is to come But the Greek words doe neither require nor admit that disputation in this place for the wordes are plaine Our father á½ á¼Î½ τοῖς οá½Ïανοῖς which art in heauen to shew that we doe not call vpon any earthly father but on him who is or who doth dwell in heauen that is an heauenly father For so Christ himselfe expoundeth these wordes Math. 6.26 when he nameth an (a) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heauenly father And whereas Heauen in Scripture is called the throne the seate mansion or dwelling place of God and in this place we call vpon our father which is in heauen the meaning is not that the infinite essence of God is circumscribed or concluded either in these visible heauens or in the heauen called Empyreum that is the highest heauens so as he is not present else where for it is written 1. King 8. v. 27. and 2. Chro. 2. v. 6. that heauen and the heauen of heauens can not containe him For he filleth heauen and earth Ierem. 23. v. 23. yea he is present in heauen in earth in the sea and in hell Psal 139. v. 7. he is higher then heauen deeper then hell longer then the earth broader then the sea That is he is wholly present euery where within all things and without all things as Gregory saith Neither doe we thinke when we call vpon our father which is in heauen in the preface of this prayer that he is seperated and disioyned from vs which pray from our wants and from our prayers being further absent theÌ„ heauen is distant from the earth Like as the thoughts and the sayings of the wicked are described Iob. 22. v. 13. what should God see he walketh in the circle of the heven and considereth not our affaires For in the 145. Psalme v. 18. it is written The Lord is readie at hand to them that pray euen to them that call vpon him in trueth Deut. 4. v. 29. The Lord our God is neere to all our requests and Mathew 18.20 Where two or three are gathered togither in my name and shall aske any thing there am I in the middle among them Nowe whereas our father of whome we make no doubt but that he is present to our requests is said to be in heauen this the schoole men expound after this sort either that the workes of God doe more gloriously and highly appeare in the beutie magnificence harmony and workemanship of the visible or materiall heauens then in earth or els because in those spirituall heauens as they call them he doth by a full communication of himselfe declare exhibite and shew forth all his glorie power goodnesse magnificence not as here on earth by certain meanes and couerings invisible and by sundry lettes but in full shewe and fruition of sight face to face to be seene and enioyed of the blessed Angels and of elect soules so as the very thing is the happines the ioy saluation the eternall life of the saints But I see not what comfort this meaning can affoard vnto vs which pray here on earth vnder the crosse and in much weakenesse A more plaine exposition is this Because the scriptures doe define of heauen wherein God hath his abode not by any locall scituation but by heauenly diuine glory maiestie power and fidelitie Againe that therefore God is said to be in heauen and to dwell in the heauens in the place of his abode to heare in the dwelling place of his abode 3. King v. 30. because all things are vnder his gouernment he hath all things in his hand and in his power he ruleth all things in all places he is able to doe and he doth whatsoeuer he will by his wisdome he foreseeth knoweth beholdeth and heareth all things and knoweth the way how to helpe them all by his prouidence he careth for all and by his power doth order dispose administer and gouerne all things c. Psal 115. v. 3. Our God is in heauen he doth whatsoeuer be will Psal 103. v. 20. God hath prepared his seate in heauen and his kingdome ruleth ouer all in all places of his dominion 3. King 8. v. 39. thou shalt heare in heaueÌ„ thou shalt be fauour able and shalt forgiue sinnes For thou onely seest and knowest the hearts of all the children of men Psal 113. v. 5. which hath his dwelling on high that he may behold things below in heauen and in earth Psal 102. v. 20. The Lord hath looked down from his high sanctuarie out of heauen did he behold the earth that he might heare the mournings of the prisoner and loose the children of death Psal 11.4 The lords seat is in heauen his eyes looke vnto the poore and his eye lids trie the children of meÌ„ Psal 20. v. 6. he will he are froÌ„ heauen by the mightie helpe of his right hand Isa 63.15 Give heede from heauen and behold where is nowe thy zeale thy strength and the multitude of thy mercies And when the Lord sheweth his diuine glory power and mercy by any famous hearing helpe and deliuerance the scripture saith then God hath exalted or aduanced himselfe aboue the heauens and magnified his mercy vp to the heauens Psal 57. v. 6. and 18. v. 5. and 113. v. 4. his glorie is aboue the heauens Psal 68. v. 19. He hath ascended aboue the heauen of heauens These testimonies of scripture doe plainely expound that phrase where God is said to be or to dwell in heauen The consideration hereof will also further vs to expound the doctrine of Christs ascention or exaltation into heauen of his sitting at the right hand of God in heaueÌ„ly places And thus the meaning of this preface of the Lords prayer is euident for when we say Our father we doe by saith conceiue the readie willing minde and the
Creede that we may be translated out of this world where the deuill is prince where the earth in this vale of miserie brings forth thornes and brambles of affliction into an other world of eternall life where we shall be free and safe from all euills that we may not alwaies thus be subiect and lie open to the darrs and temptations and assaults of the deuill the world the flesh and calamities So Paul saith Rom. 7.24 Oh wretched man that I am who shall deliuer me from this bodie of death 2. Tim. 4.16 he sheweth a godly and excellent affection when he saith At my defence all men for sooke me but the Lord assisted me and I was deliuered out of the mouth of the lyon and the Lord will deliuer me from all euill and vvill keepe me or preserue me unto his heauenly kingdom to whome be praise for euer and euer Amen In which wordes he deliuereth the very last petition and conclusion of the Lords praier VII VVe are taught in this petition to lift vp our heads to thinke vpon and to desire an other blessed life to come which is eternall where shall be full deliuerance from all euill And because we are too much occupied and plunged in the matters and affaires of this life and of this world we doe also request that God would inspire excite kindle beget and preserue in vs this meditation and desire that we couet to be dissolued that is to leaue this life and to passe to another blessed life And because euery kinde of death is not the ende of miserie for the death of the wicked is the beginning of their torments Luk. 16.22 but the death of the godly is a deliuerance from all euill and a beginning of euerlasting happines therfore when we say Deliuer vs from euill we doe also desire that our heauenly father would keepe vs from euill death that we may not die the death of the vncircumcised Ezek. 28.10 or the death of sinners which is worst of all Psal 34.22 that we may not die carelesse in our sinnes vnprepared without repentance Ioh. 8.24 But that he would graunt vnto vs a godly and sauing ende of this life that we may die in the Lord Apoc. 14.13 that whether we liue or die we may be the lords Rom. 14.8 whether we abide in the pilgrimage of this life or be called home to our owne countrie by death yet still we may please the Lord 2. Corin. 5.9 Furthermore we pray that God would put into vs a care desire to prouide betime for our selues those things which are necessarie to dying well that we may be prepared for death least we want oyle in our lamps when the bridegroome commeth and calleth for vs Math. 25.3 And that in the last howre of this life we may haue true repentance the word the Sacraments faith hope the spirit of grace and of praier that when we are to die we may be found in Christ Philip. 3.9 hauing that righteousnes which is of God through the faith of Christ that so we may rightly commend our soule into the handes of our Father And if we be not found sufficiently prepared we pray that he would not suffer vs to be preuented by suddeÌ„ death at vnawares but would mercifully graunt vs space for such preparation that our death may be a deliuerance from all euill and a passage out of this vale of miseries to eternall life So that in this petition we beseech the Lord mercifully to be present with vs in that last and dangerous conflict wherein our aduersarie goeth about most busily marking whether he can snatch vs away and deuoure vs that so we may be kept and deliuered from all euill And that he would strengthen vs that we may not feare to die not be afraid of death nor tast thereof but may depart in peace and so when we die may be truly deliuered from all euill These thinges we must pray for in this petition both generally and in particular crauing blessings of the Lord praying against euils giuing thanks for benefits receiued and confessing our owne sinnes For thine is the kingdome The conclusion c. The latin copies want this clause which is not in S. Luke neither haue latin writers expounded it as Cyprian Ambrose Ierome and Austin But all Greeke copies haue it constantly and the Syrian interpreter translated it Chrysostome also expoundeth it Likewise Paul 2. Tim. 4.17 rehearsing the last petition of Deliuerance from all euill addeth this clause to whome be glorie for euer and euer And this clause doth very fiâ—ly conclude the whole praier For it doth specially put God in mind of his promise and as it were of his office shewing the cause wherefore we aske those things of God and hope that he will giue them vnto vs. For thine is the kingdome Here he vnderstandeth not Gods vniuersall kingdome ouer all creatures but that which is called the kingdome of heauen the kingdome of God and of Christ in the church And these things which we aske are the blessings of this kingdome which God hath therefore ordained for our necessitie against the deuill the world and the flesh that forsomuch as we cannot haue from our selues those things we aske in praier neither can attaine vnto theÌ„ by our selues we might yet receiue theÌ„ froÌ„ his haÌ„d in his own kingdoÌ„ And it beloÌ„geth to the office of our king in this kingdoÌ„ that he should keepe defend vs against the deuil the world and the flesh and that he should bestow those blessings on them that beleeue and pray vnto him as he hath commanded vs to aske and wherein he hath promised to graunt our requests This praier then in these words doth put God in minde of his commandement of his promise and of his office in his kingdome and withall sheweth the cause why a man asketh these things and seeketh for them not to any other but to God alone Thine is the power These wordes teach vs that god hath these things which we aske in his hand and in his power although the power of the world and of the deuill be great and that he onely can giue these things vnto vs perfectly and for our good Therefore doe we craue these things of him alone And glorie In this word faith sheweth vnto God that this is a glorious thing vnto him and doth greatly turne to the glorie and praise and renowme of his mercie power and bountifulnes if he shall heare vs and shall graunt vnto vs those things which we aske according to his commandement and promise as citizens of his kingdome So that in this clause we pray that God for Christs sake whose kingdome properly this is of his grace whereby he gouerneth this kingdome would heare vs and graunt our requests for the setting forth of the bountie of the power and glorie of this kingdome Secondly this clause also serueth to stirre vp and to confirme the faith of them that pray in assurance that
they shall be heard For seeing thine is the kingdome which is therefore ordained because in it he will bestow such benefits he hath commanded vs to aske them in his kingdome and hath promised to here vs therfore in these wordes faith shewes it selfe certen of gods good will towards vs and with all professeth that in praier it relieth not on any merits or worthinesse of it owne but on the fauour of God alone for Christs sake for it is the kingdome of Christ and of grace Then to the will of God he addeth power for he saith Thine is the power So that being assured that god is both willing able to performe those things which we aske faith therefore neither can nor ought to doubt of Gods hearing of vs. And because we say Thine is the glorie therefore faith makes account that god who is faithfull in performing the glory of his trueth of his grace and of his power will surely accomplish those things which we aske lest the heathen say where is novv their god Thirdly this clause sheweth vs how we are to vse those benefites which we desire in prayer for what ende we are to aske them and whither we are to referre them and withall here we do promise to what end we will referre them and howe we will vse them or what thankefulnesse we doe promise to God To wit as it is saide Psal 145.10 They shall shewe the glorie of thy kingdome and speake of thy power to cause thy power to be knowne to the sonnes of men and the glorious renowne of thy kingdome Now what is that glorie of Gods kingdoÌ„e how it is to be renowned that whole psalme teacheth from the beginning to the ende Aman in hiphil signifies to trust or to beleeue Whence comes Amen and Emunah faith and truth And thus doth this clause or conclusion of the Lords prayer teach vs very many things Amen This is an hebrew word deriued of a verb which signifieth to beleeue and to trust whence also doe come the names of faith and trueth in the hebrewe tongue It is very significant and therefore is vsed in other tongues And because in this particle ameÌ„ the nature of iustifying saith in applying the promise and in prayer is notably set out we are therefore diligently to marke the signification thereof which that I may the better expound I will propound example of it distinctly This particle amen is especially thus vsed In cursings Deutron 27.15.16 c. Cursed is he c. and the people shall say AmeÌ„ Numb 5.22 If thou hast not defiled the bed c. But if thou hast defiled it c. god make thee accursed c. and the woman shal answer amen amen And Rabbi Dauid saith this was spoken by way of prayer or by way of assuming whereby they tooke vnto themselues and vpon themselues those curses if they had offended II. It is vsed for the most part in praier or inuocation in blessing and thanksgiuing 1. Cor. 14.16 when prayers thanksgiuings are rehearsed the Church answereth Amen Psal 41.14 Amen amen Nehem 8.6 Ezra blessed the Lord and all the people lifted vp their hands and answered Amen amen Tobi. 9.12 they all say Amen to the blessing vpon the marriage Apoc. 7.12 they worshipped God saying AmeÌ„ praise and glory and wisdome and thanks and honour and power and might be vnto our God for euermore Amen And so it is a note of wishing and desiring to witte that faith in a true desire of heart wisheth by true hope expecteth that those thinges which we aske in prayer may be done performed Thus in the story of Samosatenus with Eusebius and with Ambrose in the 4. booke of the sacraments when as in the administration of the Lords supper the bread of the Lord is giueÌ„ to euery one with these wordes Take eate this is the body of Christ giuen for thee for the remission of sinnes Then euery communicant answered Amen And 3. Kings 1.36 there is a notable explication of this particle Amen For when Dauid had commaunded that Salomon should be anointed king to succeed him and had further commaunded them to say God saue king Salomon Benias answered and said Amen Let the Lord God of my Lord the king say so Munster saith it is the imparatiue passiue of the first coniugation for Heamen that the meaning of it should be this let this be true let this be ratified and confirmed of the Lord. The Chaldie dictionarie saith it is the future tense hauing the first letter cut off Ieamen d This is warranted 2. Chr. 1.9 Ieamen deuereâ—a c. Let thy word be verified c. let this be confirmed or stablished The Greekes regarding the roote haue most notably translated that place 3. King 1.36 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 So be it the Lord God ratifie and doe the word of my lord the King III. This particle Amen is also vsed when faith receiueth a promise propounded So 1. Chron. 16.36 after the rehearsall of the promises of God this is added And let all the people say Amen Ier. 11. v. 5. The Lord repeateth this promise I will be your God and you shall be my people that I may confirme mine oath c. and I answered saith Ieremie Amen O Lord and Ierem. 28.6 when Hananie prophecied of prosperitie Ieremie saith Amen and addeth a large exposition of that word Amen The Lord so doe the Lord confirme thy words that it may be so as thou hast prophecied Luke 1. Marie hath notably expressed the signification of this particle Amen Be it vnto me according to thy word And these significations come all to one almost which yet for plainer explications sake I thought good thus to distinguish that the properties of faith in applying the promise and in prayer might the better be considered by the vse of this particle Amen IV. Amen is vsed for a note of affirmation and asseveration as 2. Cor. 1.20 The promises of God are not yea and nay to witte as though in them one thing might be said in word and an other thing thought in the heart or els might be promised in words and in deed be not performed but in Christ they are yea Amen where the Hebrew worde Amen is expounded by the Greek particle ναὶ which is a note of affirming and asseuering Isa 65.16 He that shall blesse himselfe in the earth shall blesse himselfe in God Amen and he that sweareth shall sweare in God Amen Whereas the greeke word ναὶ so the word Amen also is a note of swearing when any thing is affirmed and auouched as though an oath were added thereto this last signification agreeth to those places in the gospels where Christ saith AmeÌ„ I say vnto you And because the root AmaÌ„ with those wordes that are deriued thereof hath the signification of truth certenty stability constancy c. therfore if it be referred to the person speaking it beareth this sense I speake not at randum rashly or lightly but truely certenly earnestly and constantly and that is I say I affirme and avouch as though I added an oath or if it be referred to that which is spoken it hath this sense that which I say is no wauering thought or doubtfull opinioÌ„ but it is true certen sure and stable which I say which is neither chaunged nor altered but is vndoubtedly so decreed in the will of God and shall indeed be so accomplished And the doubling of the word Amen Amen doth enforce the asseueration and may wel be expressed in our suparlatiue degree which the hebrewes want It is most sure and firme that I say Furthermore this particle amen in the greeke translation of the olde testament is sometime expressed by the verbe 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fiat be it so Deutron 27.15 and 26. Psal 41.14.3 Kings 1.36 Numb 5.22 Sometime it is translated by the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 truely Ier. 28.6 sometime the hebrew worde is vsed still 1. Chron. 16.36 let the people say ameÌ„ so Ier 11.5 Nehem. 8.6 Tob. 9.12 the particle amen is vsed in the greeke tongue so it is kept still in the new testameÌ„t where sometime the exposition of it is set down For that which is said of the widow Mar. 12.43 Amen I say c. in Luk. 21.3 is thus expounded 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 surely I say vnto you Nowe whereas this praier is concluded with this particle Amen it teacheth vs that when we come to the ende of our praier we must consider with what deuotion we haue prayed that it be no colde mumbling ouer of words Therefore after we haue laid open our necessities and our requests at the ende our minde is excited and stirred vp to conceiue an earnest request from the very heart whereby the heat of our desire is kindled and inflamed which with inward sighes doth humbly and deuoutly wish and desire that our praier may be ratified and confirmed with God that our heauenly father for Christ our Mediatours sake would bow downe his eare would heare and receiue our praier and performe those things which we desire Amen Amen let that be done let that be done O Lord which I haue asked II. By this particle faith doth shew it selfe not to doubt or to be caried about with the waues of mistrust whether God will heare vs and will performe those things which we aske but to make sure account that as God hath commaunded vs to aske and hath promised that he will heare so he will faithfully performe and accomplish our requests Againe by this particle faith doth stirre vp it selfe it doth vphold defend and confirme it selfe against doubtings For it taketh the worde Amen from that promise Amen amen I say vnto you what soeuer ye shall aske the father in thy name he will giue it you and hereto he ioynes his owne Amen as it were a seale because he makes full account that God is faithfull and true Ioh. 3. And hence Ierome very finely calleth this particle Amen the seale of prayer FINIS