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
forwardnesse of God toward vs. And when we adde which art in heauē I We adde to the good will of God diuine power that he is able to doe and to giue those things we aske hauing al things in his power II. Diuine prouidence that seeth and knoweth our wants that he is present to our requests and heareth the same that he hath a care of vs that he ordereth disposeth administreth and gouerneth all things and more especially in his Church III. Diuine wisdome that he knowes the way to send helpe and deliuerance IV. Diuine rule and dominion to wit that it belongeth to his kingdome office who dwelleth in heauen to heare our prayers to regard our affaires to help to deliuer c. In a word the Lords praier saith that our father whome we call vpon is or doth dwell in heauen I. Lest we should conceiue in our minde any base or earthly thing of God after the manner fashion of this world but all things heauenly and diuine II. To shewe a comparison and a difference betweene our earthly and our heauenly father as Christ expresly opposeth them one to the other Math. 23. v. 9. Call no man your father vpon earth for there is one your father which is in heauē III. That by this title we may be admonished to aske of God heauenly things especially and to referre those earthly things which we aske vnto the heauenly For we are called and borne a new to an inheritance which is laid vp in heauen as it is written 1. Pet. 1. v. 3. IV. That by this title we may be taught to acknowledge our life in this world to be a pilgrimage from God and that our desire to this true heauenly countrey may be stirred vp in vs withall that we may declare that whatsoeuer we aske is for this ende to bring vs to the countrey where our father is in heauen As for that Allegorie of Austine and others that God is in heauen that is by grace he dwelleth in the Saints and those which pray ought to wish for themselues that God may dwell in them as it is not indeede impious so in this place it is forraine and vnfit for it belongeth to the second petition that Gods kingdome may come vnto vs. Hallowed be thy name II. part Nowe followe certaine petitions in this prayer For it is not a true praier when we doe only heap vp the glorious titles of God but praier ought to aske some thing of God or else giue him thankes for benefites receiued Philip. 4.6 and 1. Timoth. 2.1 And vsually here are numbred seauen petitions which are as it were generall seales and markes whereto we may and ought to referre and wherein we must include all those things that we aske For it is writtē 1. Ioh. 5.14 This is that assurance we haue with God that if we aske any thing according to his vvill he heareth vs. and Iam. 4. v. 3. Ye aske and receiue not because ye aske amisse that ye may spende it on your pleasures And therefore out of the petitions of this Lords praier which is the rule of praying we may gather what things we are to aske in praier in what order and for what end we must aske them For they are thus deuided that the former regard the glory of God especially so farre forth as our saluation is ioyned therewith The rest containe our wants our profit saluation whereof some belong to the body others to the soule some to this worldly life some to our spirituall life in this world and others to our heauenly life to come Againe some petitions require the giuing and bestowing of blessings either temporall or bodily or spirituall or heauenly which are to come others doe craue the remoueall of euils eitemporall or spirituall that those which are past may be forgiuen not imputed those which are present may be taken away or lessoned and those which are to come may be kept backe Againe in the Lords prayer we both craue the ende to witte the glorie of God and our owne saluation and those things which tend thereunto The Lords praier also sheweth the order of those things we are to aske For first those things are to be asked which concerne the glorie of God our owne saluation then such things as belong to the necessitie benefite and commoditie of our bodie and of this life may well be asked and ought so to be So likewise in the turning backe of euills such as hinder the glorie of God or our saluation must haue the first place And then we may pray that the aduersities tribulations difficulties and troubles of bodie and of this life may either be taken away or lessened But temporall or bodely benefits must be asked with that condition or moderation If it be the will of God If they will further the glorie of God and our saluation but if God shall know and iudge those things to be hurtfull vnto vs which we thinke to be good and profitable vnto vs when we aske them that he would keepe them backe and hinder them as euill Also temporall blessings must be asked for that end that they may be ordered directed and vsed to Gods glorie and to spirituall heauenly and eternall blessings And thus from the petitions of the Lords praier may wel be gathered what things we may and ought to aske and in what manner according to the will of God Likewise S. Paul in certaine distinct words doth shew and declare the kindes of things that are to be asked in praier Philip. 4.6 and 1. Timoth. 2.1 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 est vel 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for he deuideth praier into petition and thanksgiuing Petitions he deuideth into requests whereby we craue blessings to be bestowed into supplications wherby we craue euills to be turned backe into intercessions whereby we either make request and pray to God for others or else direct the weapons of our praiers against our enemies And he addeth that things to be praied for are such as concerne the knowledge of God and our saluation Also such as pertaine vnto godlines or to the peace and honestie of this life Now that we may the sooner dispatch the exposition of the seuerall petitions I will here declare vnto what general heads of meditations the meaning of euery petition is to be referred as we pray according as I was wont to vse them publikely in expounding the Catechisme and in priuate exercises of religion To wit that first of all we doe consider by godly and deuout meditation what blessings we pray for in euery petition either to be giuen vs or if they be giuen to be preserued and increased Secondly what euills in euery petition we desire to be stopped that they may not happen if they be to come or beeing present to be turned backe that we may be freed and deliuered from them and if the remooueall be begunne that the same may still goe forwarde more and
to pollute to profane or blaspheme the name of god sheweth most plainely what it is to hallow or sanctify it We pray therefore that god would giue vs grace to acknowledge to consider reuerently to set forth aduance those vertues and workes of god in thought word and deed As it is vvritten Psal 48.11 According to thy name so is thy praise Which also may and ought to be enlarged in this exposition and meditation vnto all the essentiall and personall vertues of god Againe we do heare desire that we may with holinesse and reuerence thinke and speake of the workes and iudgements of god that we be not euil or envious cēsuters so as we should wrongfully or prophanely iudge of his prouidence and chastisements towards vs and of his long suffering towards our enimies by complaining and murmuring against the same or else abuse his goodnesse his gentlenesse and patience Numb 20. v. 12. whē Moses and Aaron doubted of obtaining water and the people murmured the lord saith ye haue not beleeued me that ye might sanctifie me before the children of Israell 1. Pet. 3.5 Be not afraide in time of persequution but sanctifie the Lord in your hearts IV. Seing the name of god concerning his essence his will his workes and iudgements is made knowne to vs in the word we doe pray that the name of god that is his word may be giuen and preached vnto vs purely sincerely in true and sound vnderstanding holily that is without corruption or deprauation that sincere and faithfull ministers may be giuen vs for the edification of the Church which may discharge their duty faithfully and be furnished with necessarie gifts And that we may be mercifully kept and preserued from all corrupting and deprauing of the word of god from woolues and hirelings V. Answerable to this we must acknowledge the giuing of the word for the holy and singular blessing of god we must reuerently receiue it with diligence and deuotion heare thinke and meditate on the same We must also sanctifie and adorne the same with a godly life lest by vs the name and doctrine of god be polluted and euil spoken of 1. Tim. 6. v. 1. And that other by our godly conuersation may be drawne to loue and embrace this doctrine Math. 5. v. 16. that they may see our good workes and glorifie your father Rom. 2. v. 23. By breaking the lawe thou dishonourest God and for you is the name of god blasphemed Nowe let all these parts be applyed to the foure general heades before set down To wit I. What blessings we desire to be giuen vs to be preserued and increased II. From what euills we desire to be kept deliuered III. What benefits we must acknowledge to be bestowed on vs and what thanks we ought to render againe for the same IV. What manner of confefsion of sinns we must make from thēce And let these be applyed in speciall vnto the whole Church and in particular vnto our selues and vnto those whose want we know So will the meditation of this petition be very large Let thy kingdome come to In greeke it is simple come but because in Luke 11. v. 20. it is written The kingdome of God is come vnto you It is not amisse translated adueniat Let come too Moreouer the kingdome of god is taken diuers waies For there is a generall or vniuersall kingdome of God whereby he doth mightily gouerne all creatures Psal 103. v. 19. his kingdome ruleth ouer all and Psal 145.13 Thy kingdome is an euerlasting kingdome But this we doe not properly vnderstand for that doth mightely runne ouer all nothing can hinder it neither any creature withdraw it selfe from vnder it vnles we vnderstand our prayer thus that all men may acknowledge obserue and reuerence the prouidence of that kingdome of God whereby he ruleth gouerneth and disposeth all things and that they may humbly subiect themselues vnto it in all things Againe there is the kingdome of grace in the Church in this life and the kingdome of glory in the life to come which is heere properly to be vnderstood as the preface it selfe sheweth For we say Our father thy kingdome come And this is called the kingdome of the father the kingdome of Christ and the kingdome of heauen the more to commend the free gift of God we say not that we come to the kingdome of God but doe pray that it may come to vs or as Christ more plainely speaketh Luke 11.20 that the kingdome of God may come before hand vnto vs. And this is called the kingdome of the father the kingdome of Christ the kingdome of heauen Nowe the kingdome of grace is not meat and drinke but righteousnesse peace and ioy in the holy Ghost Rom. 14. v. 17. It consisteth not in speach but in trueth and in power 1. Cor. 2. v. 5. We pray therefore that the holy ghost may be giuen vs that he may be powerfull in vs by the word to illuminate to conuert iustifie sanctify to lead guide confirme preserue vs that we may be found in that kingdome and there abide and perseuere lest we should fall away thence againe and slide backe into the kingdome of Satan That God would oppose his owne kingdome against the kingdome of Satan and of the world that he would keepe backe and bind the deuil that he would suppres beare downe and breake of the treasons and the power of the deuil and the world and mercifully defend keepe his church from the same that is as the Psalmist saith Psal 110.2 that he would rule by the power of his right hand in the middest of his enimies that he would tread down Satan vnder our feete Rom. 16. v. 20. keepe vs from the world Ioh. 17. v. 15. that we may ouercome the world 1. Ioh. 5.4 and Ioh. 16.33 that he would deliuer vs from the present euill world Gal. 1.4 least we should loue and desire the kingdome of the world contemning and neglecting the kingdome of God least sinne should raigne in our mort all bodies Rom. 6.12 and iniquitie beare rule ouer vs Psal 9.13 and 119. but that sinne may be crucified and mortified in vs Galat. 5.24 that we may become subiect to the direction of the Holy ghost and be transformed of him into the obedience of god and become seruants vnto righteousnesse That we answer not thus We wil not haue this man to raigne ouer vs. Luk. 9.14 that we cast not off his yoke from vs. Psal 2.3 but take it vnto vs because his yoke is sweete and easie that we may finde rest vnto our soules that trauailing and beeing heauie laden we may flie to the throne of his kingdome and there haue refreshing Math. 11.29 Hebr. 4.16 that we may first seeke the kingdome of God Math. 6.33 that we may sit downe in the kingdome of heauen and not be cast thence Math. 8.11 that we be not offences in the kingdome of God Math. 18.6 that the kingdome of
hinder by the contrary act As when it is said God would haue all men to be saued and to come to the knowledge of the trueth How often would I haue gathered thee and thou wouldest not I will not the death of a sinner but rather that he may conuert and liue God would haue none to perish but all men to come to repentance Where we pray that this wil of god may be mercifully fulfilled in vs and not remooued from vs by the suggestions of Satan by the allurements of the world and the concupiscence of the flesh In earth as it is in heauen The Hebraisme in this place is more fully expressed thus euen as it is in heauen so also in earth Chrysostome thinketh that this clause is to be referred as it were in common vnto the former petitions Hallowed be thy name thy kingdome come in earth as it is in heauen Nowe here we haue very good occasion to consider of that which Paul saith that in Christ are reconciled and set at one things in heauen and things in earth and that there shal be one companie of blessed angels and of men and we as Christ saith shall become like vnto the angels We are therefore taught to pray that this conformitie betweene the companie of angels and of men may be begunne in this life that we may make toward and sigh after that blessed communion And because the Angels doe readily and chearefully without all stubburnnesse and resistance of meere loue and obedience execute those things which they know God willeth as it is saide psal 103.20 The angels excell in strength that doe his commaundement in obeying the voyce of his word to doe his will therefore we doe pray that this also may be begunne in vs. Againe we are admonished considering we doe belong to this communion that we should conforme our selues thereunto and not vnto this world because we are not of this world but belong vnto an heauenly citie Now this conformitie or likenes is begunne in this life but it shall at length be perfect in the life to come which is eternall Further as the Angels thinke reuerently of the iudgements of God and in all things approoue of that which God willeth euen so we desire that by the grace of god and the worke of his spirit we may doe the same here vpon earth And so this clause containes a very profitable admonition that while we liue in the flesh here on earth we should beginne to lift vp our head and our soule to desire and to thinke vpon our conuersation in heauen with the blessed angels and labour to beginne our conformitie therewith here on earth Here againe this exposition is to be applied to those foure heads of godly deuotion and meditation to wit what blessings we are to craue in this petition what euills we are to pray against for what benefits we must giue thanks what contrarie sinns of ours we must acknowledge and confesse And that either in generall and for the whole Church or in particular for our selues and for others Giue vs this day our daily bread That we may come to the true meaning of this petitiō first we are to expoūd the words And first of all Lechem the word translated bread doth properly signifie ordinarie bread for foode which is cut and chawed as when there is distinctly named bread and water 3. King 13.9 Bread and wine Gen. 14.18 wheat bread and meate Gen. 45.23 But by a Metonimie it is taken for corne whereof bread is made Gen. 47.13 psal 104.15 and by a synecdoche for any kinde of meate as 4. King 6.22 Set before them bread and water then it followeth and he made great preparation for them It is likewise taken for the whole prouision of a banket in meate and drinke as Luk. 14.1 to eate bread with one Exod. 18.12 Also goates milke is called bread Prov. 27.27 The roote of Iuniper is called bread Yea fodder for cattell is called bread psal 147.9 and the fruit of trees is called bread Ier. 11.19 So that by the name of bread in this petition we vnderstand all things that belong and are necessarie to the sustenance of the bodie and of this life Our Sauiour Christ Math. 6.25 Iacob Gen. 28.20 and Paul 1. Tim. 6.18 doe containe thē generally vnder the name of food and raiment Those things also whereby prouision is gotten as husbandrie traffique and such like are comprehended vnder the name bread Prov. 31.14 And because our Sauiour Christ in this petition would cōtain al bodily things which are requisite for the cōueniēt leading of this life as whē Isac praieth for his wife Gen. 25.21 the Cēturion for his seruant Math. 8.6 Paul commandeth to pray for the magistrate that we may lead a quiet life in all godlines and honestie 1. Tim. 2.2 And Salomon praieth for seasonable weather and for the fruitfulnes of the earth 3. King 8.36 therefore the word bread in this petition may well be taken in a larger sense for all those things which are required to the necessarie peaceable and honest ordering of this life in the common wealth in the familie in the fruitfulnes of the earth in seasonable weather c. Further whereas Christ calleth this bread 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is not agreed on among all what that word doth properly signifie Before Ieromes time the latin translation had panem quotidiaenum our daily bread taking the reason of their interpretation without all doubt out of Luke which addeth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which daily or euery day is needfull Ierome translated it Supersubstantiall whome Ambrose followeth in the fift booke of the Sacraments adding that this is not the bread which goeth into the bodie but the bread of eternal life Ioh. 6.40 which susteineth the substance of the soule And because the hebrew worde Segullah signifieth our owne proper goods or a peculiar treasure which Symmachus translated 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cheife singular peculiar and the Septuagints translate 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he thinketh 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be all one to witte that which excelleth all substances or creatures So that Cyprian Ierome Ambrose and Austin doe here vnderstand the meate of the Lords bodie Yet Ambrose addeth and Ierome concealeth not that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifieth also comming to for the Greekes call the day ensuing or the morrow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Act. 7.26 and Xenophon speaketh thus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the instant or present yeare And 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in the winter following For those things which are to come are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 And Demosthenes against Midias calleth the next assembly following 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I haue also sought this word in the translation of the Seauentie and haue found it vsed in this sense Deutr. 32.2.9 Oh that they would vnderstand 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the time that ensueth Hence 1. Chron. 20.1 In the yeare
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