any thing but that thou wouldest work in us what thou requirest of us for thine is the Kingdome It is not in our power to doe what wee should or what thou requirest but the Kingdome is thine all comes from thee O Lord and let all the glory of all bee returned to thee againe doe wee hallow thy name and pray for thy Kingdome to come and thy will to be done why it is thou Lord that must give the power we beg all from him and it is included in the word for we have no power to doe any thing so that this is the ground whereby wee beg all from him and returne all to him Q. What is here ment by Kingdome A. 1. The word Kingdome discovers all the right authority of God to give all things we want thou Lord hast the disposing of all things we have no authoritie or propriety that is in us thine is the Kingdome thou hast all power to doe what thou wilt The master doth what hee will in his family and the King rules in his realme so doth the Lord rule in the heart of his 2. The Lord hath not onely authority to doe what he will but full and aboundant sufficiency to dispose of all according to his will and pleasure Kings may want power to doe what they would and the sonnes of Zerviah may bee too strong for David but as the Lord hath title to al so his arme is large enough his ability sufficient enough to doe all so that the soule saith to doe all thou hast right to al and sufficiency to doe all There is much infirmity in us but none at all in thee And the Glory The glory of a thing we know appeares in two things 1. In the excellency of it 2. In the beauty and splendour of its excellency this sets forth the glory of things as who should say if any beauty excellency or glory bee in the creature it is thine O Lord for thine is the Kingdome the power and the glory Thine Q. What doth this word thine imply A. It implies three particulars 1. That all authority sufficiency and excellency is first in God all is his possession and propriety any thing we have or enjoy is but what wee have of him it is but a glimpse and reflexion of the glory of God it is all first in God and he leases it out God is the roote of all our being and wel-being 2. As all power and sufficieÌ„cie is in him originally so all comes from him whatsoever is in the creature comes from God all â—re but tenants and Lesâ—ees of that they have from the Lord who is the great possessor of heaven and earth 3. It implyes that wee should acknowledge all belonging to him give every man his due whose is this honour and power the Lords let him have it then and this is to put off all ability and sufficiency from our selves and to acknowledge all to come from him As though the soule should say Is there any thing in me Lord it is because thou givest it Thou givest us hearts to pray and it is thou that hearest us when we pray It is all free mercy all abilities are from thee therefore Lord take all the glory for all is thine Thus the soule disclaimes it selfe For ever and ever c. That is ever lasting power is in thee which differs from all other power all mans power is from God but the kingdome of God his power and glory is for ever and ever We cannot pray alwayes our abilities fayl and our hearts faint but thy power endures for ever the good things of this life meate drinke cloth c. sometimes are gone but yet thy power endures for ever to succour us When our abilities fayle yet there is eternall power in thee to renew them Amen The word Amen implyes three things 1. The terme of asseveration and it discovers the truth of a thing 2. A wish Oh saith the soule that it might be 3. The voyce of a confident faith It is so it is done Lord. All these three are implyed but this last here mainely intended These things wee have prayed for beleeving according to thy will that they are verily done As also there is a secret looking after the Petition wheÌ„ it is put up the soule pursues his prayers now saith the soule they speed now the Lord grants my Petitions As a man that shoots an arrow he lookes after it So the soule saith Oh that the Lord would speed it So when the petitions are sent to Heaven the heart followes the blow and lookes after them it sends his Amen Oh that it might be so and then faith saith It is done undoubtedly as true as the Lord is faithfull it must needs be done The word Amen strikes the match thorow The soule wisheth Oh that it might be done saith Faith it is done already Prayer is as the key when a man wants provision he goes to the treasury and fetcheth it So Prayer fetcheth comfort peace and assurance c. and Amen turnes the key It is mine saith the soule Prayer is as a golden Key FINIS AN EXPOSITION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF RELIGION BY THO HOOKER LONDON Printed for R. DAWLMAN 1645. AN EXPOSITION OF THE Principles of Religion The first Principle There is one God Creator and Governour of all things distinguished into three Persons Father Son and holy Ghost Here we must consider three things 1. That there is a God 2. His Works 3. That he is distinct Quest WHat is the reason that there is a God Answ 1. Because in every thing there is a first cause that is infinitenesse and power which cannot not be attributed to any creature 2. In regard that all things were made for man man for an end which end must needs be God Q. But can we conceive of God as he is A. No because of the great distance between him and us for when a man looketh upon the Sun he cannot possibly endure it because that is so glorious and his eyes so feeble Q. How may we conceive of God Ans 1. Cast downe thy selfe before him confessing thy unfitnesse to draw nigh him 2. Look how he is set forth in his Word as a gracious glorious eternall being without any mixture of infirmity or disability Man hath with power weaknesse with mercy cruelty God hath not so 3. Goe into the world and view the height of its glory and then conclude If the Creature be thus excellent what must the Creator be Q. What is God A. A Spirit that hath life and being of himselfe Q. What is a Spirit A. It is the finest and subtilest subsistence that can be Q. Why had God rather be a Spirit then a Creature Ans 1. Because that is the most pure and excellent essence 2. There is a great difference between God and us wee have a fleshly part he is all spirituall we borrow our being but God hath life of himselfe and gives being to every
doe not shew your selves for that is not herein intended but as much of God as wee can demonstrate that men may say the Lord hath been here indeed Q. How doth the heart behave it selfe in the putting up of this petition A. This behaviour of the soule doth mainly appeare in two things 1. It heartily desires in all things it shall doe that it may lift up the glory of God now this wee doe when in all actions there is a disposition for the furtherance of Gods praise All our life should be like a lanterne to convey light to others the heart should desire that in all things Gods glory may be furthered that we may doe nothing but we may advance Gods glory by it silver gold is fit to stamp the Kings Image upon so a mans practise should be good mettal to imprint Gods glory upon not as painted windowes to hinder Acts. but to rebound the light Herod did not give God glory hee tooke it to himselfe and we see what ensued There bee some kind of glasses will reflect a mans Image So there should bee a conveighing of glory from our selves to God looke as it is with a ball the falling of it makes it rebound so it should be with our hearts they should reboūd Gods glory where it falls upon us This is a great skill the soule should have nothing but whereby God might bee honoured any sinfull course blemisheth Gods glory any priding of a mans self no whit furthers Gods glory a good soule desires God might be acknowledged glorified in all it hath or doth Q. When doth the soule doe this A. When it labours that in all things something more then humane excellency may appeare for if any thing of a mans owne bee discerned wee fall short of Gods Name In every actiō such should be our disposition that somewhat more may bee seene then a base meane shadow there is a skill in preaching and praying which should bee more valued then all parts and gifts whatsoever If nothing appeare but selfe the Name of God is deprived of what it should have as S. Paul said Doe I speake like a man he demonstrated the spirit in him so should wee discover what we do that God works it in us that hee might have all the honor God who is the Author of all should have the glory of all our actions Wee talke of this that and say let God be glorified but wee doe it not in our life and conversation Q. What bee the severall works of the heart in doing this that it may appeare that God is the Author of all we give him the honour is due unto his Name A. The acts of the heart are two whereby it sets forth the glory of God 1. In all services a man should not bee quiet in his affections endeavours till he come to the highest pitch that is Gods glory All Actions are in the way one towards another as a paire of staires one goes from another and above the other a man should goe higher and higher til God his glory mounts and surmounts them all as a Minister first studies to teach the people that they may be enformed but why enformed that they may appeare to bee Christs that Gods grace may appeare in their conversation the soule never rests till it be here This should bee our desire that in all our actions God may bee discovered to bee the Authour and to have the honour of all 2. The soule must bee sure not to goe beyond Gods glory as thus a Minister preacheth that the people may bee converted and bee honoured as well as God this is to bee above God a man prayes to honour God and that it may be known he is a glorious professor thus a man is above God as a bird steps from one bough to another till it comes to the highest and then it flies away so wee step to Gods glory and oft times goe beyond it Wee would have God glorified to glorifie us it may bee but this is hypocrisie to have God honoured that wee may bee secretly base this is the deepest dishonor to God and hee will bee revenged of them one day pluck his praise out of their bowells the three Wisemen would not stay till the starre stood and then they went no further so where the starre of Gods glory goes let us goe and not stay till we come thither and when wee are there goe no further this is the cariage of the heart that in life and death God may bee honoured and exalted looke as it is with a workeman that makes a peece of curious worke wee doe not give the honour to the toole but to the workeman so God should receive the honour of all and from all 2. As a good soule makes God discovered in himselfe so hee desires that God might bee acknowledged by others and that appeares in two things 1. That they might embrace the excellency of God Let your light shine before men why so that they may see your good works that is God in your good works Doe not thinke that I would have men see their owne good parts gifts and the like but onely that they may see God in them the fisher desires that the fish may see the baite not him so hee that angles for the soules of others doth not desire that others might see him but the grace of God An apprentice doth not stand in the shop to call men to looke on his propernesse and the like but to sell his masters wares If we desire that God may bee exalted labour not that men may see your good works so much as God in them wee should all so walke that others may admire Gods grace in us wee are GODS workemanship 2. And therfore should have hearts enlarged to blesse God that hee hath been pleased to reveale himselfe so sweetly to us thus much for the first petition Thy Kingdome come 2. Petition Q. Why is this added immediatly to the former A. Because it is a speciall meanes whereby the glory of God is advanced The first was to hallow Gods Name and to that end the Kingdome of Christ must bee set up no naturall man can glorifie God for so long as sinne and corruption prevailes wee can never yeeld to him therefore the rule of Christs Spirit must effect it and by this wee must bee swayed to the same Q. What is the scope of this petition A. The maine scope of it is thus much that the government of God by Christ might be set up and prevaile every where as before Gods Name was highest so here the power and governement of Christ is to bee universall that is in generall Now wee come to the particulars and here 1. Consider the sence of the words 2. The cariage of the heart in putting up this petition 1. What is meant by Kingdome 2. What is the coming of this Kingdome Q. What is meant by Kingdome A. By Kingdome is
meant that rule that Christ hath set up in the hearts of his for the providence of God I take it is not so much aymed at in this place or that ordinary providence of God over the creatures this is set forth in the fourth petition give us c. but it is the rule of Christ that is set up in his Church Q. How manifold is it A. It is that whereby Christ by his Spirit and grace in the ministery of the word takes place in the hearts of his and this he doth two wayes 1. By overpowering and casting downe all other things which are opposite thereunto whatsoever power of sinne and Sathan are opposite unto him 2. He sets up that frame of spirit whereby it is subject to grace and this takes place two wayes 1. By cutting downe killing of every sinne 2. The soule takes the stamp of every command of God and is ruled therby Q. What is the Kingdome of glory A. Gods immediate ruling in the hearts of glorified Saints Q. How doth the Kingdome of grace and glory differ A. Here in the Kingdome of grace God rules 1. By his spirit 2. By the ministery of his word and ordinances but in heaven he rules immediatly then no more word means but Christ fils the soule fully and then he rules gloriously when the understanding will and affections are full of Christ and are fully and wholly subject to him Here in the valley of teares wee meet with many rubs and oppositions but then Christ shall shine immediately forth in all his ordinances wee seeke a Christ now but then wee shall fully possesse him so that wee that have the spirit have a glimpse of heaven already therefore ashamed should wee bee to bee weary of God let us bee weary of sinfulnes of this wretched world It is a heaven to live here with God upon earth and if it be so glorious a thing to have but a glimpse of God here how much more to bee filled with God hereafter in his kingdome Q. How is this Kingdome said to come A. The coming of these two Kingdomes implyes three things 1. That the word may bee revealed in those places where it hath not been That the day spring from on high may visite them that sit in darknes That the Sunne of righteousnes might visite them that want it That the banquet of the Gospell may be set up Matth. 24. If any man say hee is in the wildernesse goe not out for where the Carkasse is thither will the Eagles resort This is the first thing a Kingdome is said to-come when a King rules in a place where hee did not before so it is here Let all the people praise thee saith David hee desires not that some tongues onely but that all tongues and languages should doe this 2. Where ever the Gospell doth shine wee desire that it should discover it selfe more fully and spread it selfe where ever it comes wee desire the Kings governmet should enlarge the Territories more and more So we desire that not onely Christ should bee revealed but that more and more may bee gathered that God may take in every where and that every knee may bow to Christ and licke the dust that so there may be an addition made to the Church that every man in every kind God would cast his skirt over him that more may bee caught in his net that the Jew and Gentile may be gathered into one sheep-fold and have one shepheard 3. That the power of it may be more settled as the house of David grew stronger stronger but the house of Saul grew weaker and weaker so when Christ sets up his candlesticke that the seed that is sowne there may take deep root When a King hath erected Castles then he hath his Kingdome So we desire God may entrench himselfe and reare castles of defence against his enemies which would remove him in us that hee would set up himselfe strongly that every traitour might bee crusht and every base lust subdued that God would slay thē and none but his lawes might take place in our soule In a word the issue returnes to thus much wee beseech Christ that his Gospell may spread and be strong and these dayes of sinne may bee wasted and that he may come in the clouds Rev. 22. and then come Lord Jesus come quickly that he would accomplish the number of his Elect and gather those that belong to his glory that they may be everlastingly with him Q. What is the carriage of the soule in putting up this petition A. It appeares in three things 1. The soule desires and labours to bee subject to the good pleasure of the Lord. The heart faith oh that I might once bee so disposed that I might submit to the pleasure of the Almighty We desire that all those things that are set up in our hearts which are contrary to the good will of the Lord might bee subdued Psal 119.4 Thou hast commanded us to keep thy Precepts o Lord that my soule were so affected thou hast enjoyned mee to keepe thy Law oh that I could doe so The spirit should bee as waxe to the seale and inke to the paper that the soule might take the impression of every rule that God would set up in our hearts thus the soule should bee disposed and wish that the Lord would put this frame into us thou hast said seeke my face oh saith the soule that I could seeke thy face and echo to it behold Lord thy face doe I seeke to submit wholy without any contending not that the Lord should force us but take up your yoake put our necke to the yoak let the word of the Lord beare the sway when Mary wanted wine and our Saviour checked her shee submitted presently not a word more so what the Lord commands us let us doe without any quarrelling let the least inckling of the word beare the sway When our Saviour sent his disciples for the Asses colt they said but happily the men will not let him goe how then Tell them saith our Saviour the Master hath need of him and then they will not deny him It is enough let the Lord but speake and it is done this the soule should labour to attaine unto 2. The soule carries it selfe with an inward opposition to what ever is opposite to the government of the Lord Jesus Christ to the uttermost of our power It is in vaine to say it were well if it were so and I would it were so and yet stand still and not to set to our hand but we must joine with the Lord and as hee spake of Merosh Cursed be thou because thou wentest not out to help the Lord so truly the Lord Jesus is coming to our townes to our families therefore we should step out and help the Lord against those high mountaines of pride and stubbornenesse of heart when a proud heart stirres would wee but cry out good Lord help downe with that stubborne
spirit of mine how soone would it yeeld but if you say come pride and you and I will joyne together is this calling for the Kingdome of Christ to come no no you are traitours and conspirators and no subjects therefore stop your mouthes this is no submitting but conspiring When Iesabel looked out of the window with her painted face saith Iehu who is on my side fling her out so saith the Lord will you have pride or mee If you bee on my side fling downe that proud untoward heart which hinders the Lord Jesus for taking place in your soules you paint your selves in a proud humour but if you bee on Gods side downe with those painted strumpets Wee must not onely oppose great sinnes but every sinne wee must not sodâ—r with any secret corruption although it be but the appearance of evill it we must absteine fâ—oÌ„ Mases said leave not a hoofe neither would hee start an haires bredth from Gods commandement in any particular but subdue all 3. Though the soule cannot bee as it should yet it doth desire the Lord whether sinne will or no to rule us and lay all flat downe under the goveremnt of Christ when the heart findes a great deale of untowardnesse power of sinne then it saith Lord thy Kingdome should prevaile but the sonnes of Zerviah are too strong for mee therefore take power to thy selfe and plucke away what ever doth oppose thee It was a good speech of a good Christian that hee desired the Lord to rule whether he would or no. Thus the soule should be disposed to entreat the Lord that he would break open the doore when the Lord comes and we will not open wee desire the Lord would come in by a kind of violence the soule intreates the Lord to conquer to breake in and make way into the heart and to take possession wholly in the soule Now when the soule is loath this should bee it is a wretched spirit when the Lord will subdue sin and we are loath it should bee so doe wee then pray Christs Kingdome should come When wee are not able to beare a command of his no no the soule will then labour to oppresse sinne and pray to the Lord for power against it Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven This is the third Petition 3. Petition and in it are three things observable 1. The order of the same 2. The sence and meaning of the words 3. The frame of the heart in the putting up of this petition 1. For the order the reason is because the two former petitions make way for this third he that glorifies God by all and hath his power set up in his soule hee onely doth Gods commands for naturally there is no ability in man to doe the will of God but when the spirit works within then we are able to frame our hearts to Gods will David being a man after Gods own heart was alwayes ready to doe his will this is the reason of the order of the petition from the ground thereof observe two instructions 1. That he that thinkes out of his owne power to doe Gods wil it is impossible hee should doe it no hee shall never doe it 2. Wee must first submit to the Kingdome of Christ before we can doe his will Bee under the government of grace and then thou mayest goe on cheerefully wee faile if before wee have submitted wee would bee doing first Christ must doe terrible things to the heart before it will yeeld to obedience now for the meaning of the words Q. What is the will of God A. It is the purpose of the Almighty touching the accomplishment of any thing there is nothing done but the Lord doth it whatsoever is brought to passe that is Gods will in generall Ephes 1. Q. How many kinds of wills is there or how manifold is the will of God A. It is twofold not in regard of it selfe but in regard of us 1. The revealed will of God 2. The secret will of God 2. What is the secret will of God A. It is that secret purpose hee hath in himselfe before al worlds and hath not discovered it to the creature Ephes 1.9 having made knowne unto us the mistery of his will according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himselfe the Gospell was hid in the bosome of the Almighty not observeable by man or any creature under heaven but now it is revealed 1. Cor. 2. Who knowes the mind of God the deep things of God none knowes but the Spirit of God and as it is not made knowne so wee have nothing to doe with it in this place Q. What is the revealed will of God A. It is the purpose of God which he hath made known to us by his word and revealed to us in his works Q. What is this doing of the will of God A. It consists in and implies two things 1. That what ever God makes knowne to bee his will to lay upon us wee should willingly submit yeeld unto if God would have me poore when it is done wee should approove of the accomplishment of Gods will It is the breach of many commands that when God thwarts our desire we are unwilling it should bee done The wife is discontent that the husband should die the husband that the wife should die never lost man such a wife as I this is profestly against this petition I held my tongue and said nothing said the Prophet will the Lord have it then not a word more his spirit yeelds presently takes the stroake doth not thwart the good will of God which likewise was the practise of David Ely Hezechia It is the Lord let him doe what hee will Nay our blessed Saviour himselfe saith not my will but thy will bee done This is the folly of our hearts we take armes against Gods will God would have us to be poore and wee will be rich This is not to doe the will of God though God force us to it yet that is no thanks to us we sinne desperatly in our aversenesse 2. The heart is not only content with what God doth whether losse of life friends liberty and the like but there is another will must be done besides what God reveales to bee a duty must be discharged by us If there be a truth to bee made knowne unto us wee must acquaint our selves with the will of the Lord and with all diligence practise it Make my heart one with thine that I may ever feare thy Name let thy will bee mine oh saith the soule that I might ever feare thy name this is to doe the will of God Wee doe not say let it be spoken of and conferred of by mee but let it bee done let it bee accomplished fully in me wee must not lift at it and give GOD good words and talke and leave it undone but labour to doe it throughly It is not enough for the child to say I know
Q. How may this word Father be a preparative to Prayer Ans 1. If God be a Father then he is bountifull and we may receive what ever we aske 2. If God be a Father he is mercifull ready to pardon all our sins 3. He will take in good part any service done in truth of heart though never so small Q. Why doe we say Our Father A. Our betokeneth a kind of propriety and interest As we say This is our house we have a speciall interest therein So here it sheweth a speciall interest that Gods people have in him 2. Community of God to all his servants as the light is common to all none can say it is My Sun 3. The fellow-feelingnesse that the godly have of one anothers misery Q. What preparations are there in this Word to Prayer A. It causeth Reverence A child commeth reverently to his Father so must we 2. It teacheth us confidence in God because he is our Father And 3. cheerfulnesse in comming to him as a child unto his Father Q. Is God onely in heaven A. No he filleth every place Q. Why is God said to be in heaven Answ 1. That we may take notice of his power things above have advantage of things below 2. He is an holy God for he is in heaven where no uncleane thing is Q. What is the scope of the first Petition A. That Gods name might be honoured of all his creatures Q. What is meant by name A. That whereby God is made knowne Q. How is God made knowne to us Ans 1. By his titles and Attributes as when God is said to be holy gracious c. 2. By his Word and 3. by his works especially in the works of grace on the hearts of his children there is Gods name written as it were in great letters as the Apostle Peter saith They expresse the graces of him that hath called them so that when a man looketh upon a child of God he may say Surely God is an holy God because his children are so Q. When doe we honour Gods name A. When Gods name is to us as an holy thing when we see the worth of it and manifest it to others Q. What is the scope of the second Petition A. That God may rule over all especially over his Church Q. Why is it added to the former A. Because when God beareth rule then his name is honoured Q. What doth this word Kingdome signifie A. That rule which he exerciseth over his servants Q. How manifold is this Kingdome A. Twofold the Kingdome of grace and the Kingdome of glorie Q. How doth God rule in the Kingdome of grace A. By his Spirit in the Word he ruleth the hearts of his servants and aweth the hearts of hypocrites Q. How doth God rule in the Kingdome of glory A. Immediately by himself shining into their hearts and filling them with his grace Q. What doe we meane by Thy Kingdome come Ans 1. We desire that God would send his Gospel to such places Nations Countryes as have not had it 2. That God would spread inlarge his Gospel where it is 3. That God would confirm and stablish his Gospel and cause it to have better entertainment where it is spread Q. What is the scope of the third Petition A. That all humble subjection may be yeelded unto God Q. Why is this added unto the former A. Because then Gods Kingdome doth most of all come when his will is done Q. What is Gods will A. Gods good pleasure touching the performance or bringing to passe of any thing Q. What is Gods secret will A. That which God reserveth to himselfe in his own counsaile Q. What is Gods revealed will A. That which he hath made known unto us in his Word Q. How must we be like the Angels in obedience Ans 1. In readinesse they are they are said to have wings 2. In faithfulnesse they obey God in every thing so must we 3. Their obedience is constant so should ours Nothing should hinder our speedy and cheerfull obedience Q. What is the scope of the fourth Petition A. We desire a comfortable supply of all things concerning this life Q. Why is this put first A. A man must have a being before a well-being nature before grace Q. Why is bread put for all Ans 1. Because this is most necessary for subsistence All our endeavours ay me at this 2. We desire God would give us ability to use the means to attain it 3. That we may have a comfortable use thereof with a blessing attending it Q. What doe you meane by give A. First that God would give us what we want Secondly to continue and preserve still what we have Thirdly that God would give us an heart to make a right use thereof Q. Why doe you say us Ans Because we must have a fellow-feeling of the necessities of others we desire God to give us that we may help them Q. Why doe you say our daily bread A. Wee desire here a right and title to these outward things This title is two-fold 1. Divine in regard of God 2. Politicke in regard of men Q. Why do you say this day A. First it sheweth that wee must take care for the time present Secondly wee desire a moderation of these outward things Thirdly we must daily pray and depend upon God for our bread Q. What rules may wee here learne for the ordering of our lives in the desire of outward things Ans 1. Wee must goe to God for every mercy and acknowledge we receive all from him 2. Wee must onely look to the time present not caring for the morrow Q. What is the scope of the fifth Petition A. Iustification or the forgivenesse of sinne Q. What is meant by debts A. Sinnes Q. Why is sinne called a debt A. Because it maketh us lyable to Gods judgements Q. Can God forgive our sinnes without satisfaction A. No because it s against his justice Q. How then is this a mercy that God doth forgive us our sinnes A. Gods mercy appeares in that he followes the Law against our surety so that hee is made guilty and lyable to punishment and we cleared Is it not a great mercy that our sinnes may bee removed from us and Christs righteousnesse imputed unto us Q. How farre must a man forgive another A. In the offence we must consider three things 1. The breach of the Law 2. The wrong done to us 3. The inflicting vengeance for it Q. How farre may a man forgive the sinne as a breach of the Law A. Onely thus farre he must desire that God would not lay it to their charge so Christ prayed Father forgive them for they know not what they doe Q. Must a man alwaies forgive his enemie the wrongs and punishment done A. No when Gods glory and Religion is disgraced thereby and it may be for our brothers good Q. Doth God forgive us because we forgive others A. No He forgives us before