A guide to go to GodA guide to goe to God

§. 31. Of the particulars to be prayed for under the first Petition.

§. 31. Of the particulars to be prayed for vnder the first Petition.

A. Unto three especially. For we are taught there to desire:

A. Vnto three especially. For we are taught there to desire:

1. Such graces in our selves as may enable us to hallow the name of God.

1. Such graces in our selues as may enable vs to hallow the name of God.

2. Such graces in others as may enable them thereto.

3. Such an over-ruling providence in God, as may direct every thing thereto.¹

3. Such an ouer-ruling prouidence in God, as may direct euery thing thereto.¹

1. 1Particulars prayed for in regard of our selves.Particulars prayed for in regard of our selues.

Q. What are the graces which we desire for our selves to the foresaid end?

Q. What are the graces which we desire for our selues to the foresaid end?

A. Such as are requisite for every power of our soul, and ⟨p. 42⟩part of our body to make them fit instruments of hallowing Gods name: as

A. Such as are requisite for euery power of our soule, and ⟨p. 42⟩part of our body to make them fit instruments of hallowing Gods name: as

1. For our understanding, ¹we desire knowledge of God: that (as the Apostle prayeth) God would give to us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him. ²This we may the more confidently pray for,³ because it is absolutely promised; and we ought the more earnestly to desire it, because it is the groundwork of all other graces. Before the understanding be well enlightened, neither can the will be made subject to God, nor the heart set upon God, nor any other power of soul or part of body be serviceable to him.⁴ The light of the body is the eye: that is, the understanding in man, the little world, is as that great light the Sun in the great world. If therefore thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light. If the understanding be well illuminated and do clearly discern the truth, the whole man throughout will be well ordered. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If the understanding be blind, the whole man must needs be out of order. The knowledge here desired,⁵ ought to be a particular and distinct understanding of all the things whereby God is made known unto us: as of his Nature, Persons, Titles, and Attributes: yea also of his Word whereby all these, together with his whole will are plainly revealed: and of his ordinances, wherein and whereby he is worshipped: and finally of his works, whereby his wisdom, power, justice and mercy, are evidently made known.⁶ Yea further we ought to desire that knowing God to be the only true Jehovah, we may acknowledge him to be worthy of all honour, as the celestial spirits do.

1. For our vnderstanding, ¹we desire knowledge of God: that (as the Apostle prayeth) God would giue to vs the Spirit of wisedome and reuelation in the knowledge of him. ²This wee may the more confidently pray for,³ because it is absolutely promised; and we ought the more earnestly to desire it, because it is the groundworke of all other graces. Before the vnderstanding be well enlightned, neither can the will be made subiect to God, nor the heart set vpon God, nor any other power of soule or part of body be seruiceable to him.⁴ The light of the bodie is the eye: that is, the vnderstanding in man, the little world, is as that great light the Sunne in the great world. If therefore thine eye be single thy whole bodie shall be full of light. If the vnderstanding be well illuminated and do clearely discerne the truth, the whole man throughout will be well ordered. But if thine eye be euill, thy wholebody shall be full of darknesse. If the vnderstanding be blind, the whole man must needs be out of order. The knowledge here desired,⁵ ought to be a particular and distinct vnderstanding of all the things whereby God is made knowne vnto vs: as of his Nature, Persons, Titles, and Attributes: yea also of his Word whereby all these, together with his whole will are plainly reuealed: and of his ordinances, wherein and whereby he is worshipped: and finally of his workes, whereby his wisedome, power, iustice and mercie, are euidently made knowne.⁶ Yea further we ought to desire that knowing God to be the onely true Iehouah, we may acknowledge him to bee worthie of all honour, as the celestiall spirits do.

1. 11. Knowledge of God.
2. 2Ephes. 1. 17.
3. 3Jer. 31. 34.Ier. 31. 34.
4. 4Mat. 6. 22, 23. expounded.
5. 5How God is to be known.How God is to be knowne.
6. 62. Acknowledgement of God. Reu. 4. 11.2. Acknowledgment of God. Reu. 4. 11.

2. For our Will, ¹we desire a thorough and full submission of it to God, as to our sovereign Lord. Hereof we have a worthy pattern in Eli, ²David, and Christ himself. Hence will follow Patience under all crosses,³ as laid upon us by God.⁴ Contentment in our estate,⁵ as appointed to us by God. Thankfulness for every blessing,⁶ as bestowed upon us by God, and other like virtues,⁷ which as they have respect to God do make much to the hallowing of his name.

2. For our Will, ¹we desire a thorow and full submission of it to God, as to our soueraigne Lord. Hereof we haue a worthy patterne in Eli, ²Dauid, and Christ himselfe. Hence will follow Patience vnder all crosses,³ as laid vpon vs by God.⁴ Contentment in our estate,⁵ as appointed to vs by God. Thankfulnesse for euerie blessing,⁶ as bestowed vpon vs by God, and other like vertues,⁷ which as they haue respect to God do make much to the hallowing of his name.

1. 13. Subjection of our will to Gods3. Subiection of our will to Gods
2. 21. Sam 3. 18.
3. 32. Sam. 15. 26.
4. 4Math. 26. 39.
5. 54. Patience.
6. 65. Contentment.5. Contentmēt.
7. 76. Thanfulnes.

3. For our Mind and Will jointly together,¹ we desire Faith, whereby we give all due credence to the truth of Gods word, ⟨p. 43⟩and believe in him.² This is a great honour done to God: for he that receiveth his testimony, hath set to his seal that God is true. Under this head is comprised affiance in Gods mercy, ³wherein the glory of God doth most brightly shine forth:⁴ (for his mercy is great above the heaven:⁵) Confidence in Gods power, ⁶whereby Abraham gave great glory to God:⁷ Trust in Gods providence, a point much pressed by Christ:⁸ Persuasion of Gods divine wisdom, whereby all things are turned to the glory of Gods name:⁹ and other virtues of the like kind, whereby Gods name is also much hallowed.

3. For our Mind and Will ioyntly together,¹ we desire Faith, whereby we giue all due credence to the truth of Gods word, ⟨p. 43⟩and beleeue in him.² This is a great honour done to God: for he that receiueth his testimonie, hath set to his seale that God is true. Vnder this head is comprised affiance in Gods mercie, ³wherein the glorie of God doth most brightly shine forth:⁴ (for his mercy is great aboue the heauen:⁵) Confidence in Gods power, ⁶whereby Abraham gaue great glorie to God:⁷ Trust in Gods prouidence, a point much pressed by Christ:⁸ Perswasion of Gods diuine wisedome, wherby all things are turned to the glorie of Gods name:⁹ and other vertues of the like kind, whereby Gods name is also much hallowed.

1. 17. Faith.
2. 2Joh. 3. 33.Ioh. 3. 33.
3. 38. Affiance.
4. 4Psal 108. 4.
5. 59. Confidence.
6. 6Rom. 4. 20.
7. 710. Trust.
8. 8Math. 6. 25. &c.
9. 911. Persuasion of Gods wisdom.11. Perswasion of Gods wisedome.

4. For our Heart we desire that it may be wholly set upon God:¹ and that he may be made the object of all our liking affections,² to love him with all our heart, ³with all our soul, ⁴with all our mind: ⁵to joy in the holy Ghost: to delight in his word: to care how to please him: ⁶and to be eaten up with a zeal of his glory. And on the other side we desire that our disliking affections be set on that which disliketh him,⁷ as to hate sin and obstinate sinners which are hateful to him:⁸ to fear his displeasure:⁹ to grieve at his offence:¹⁰ and to tremble at his judgements.¹¹

4. For our Heart we desire that it may be wholly set vpon God:¹ and that he may be made the obiect of all our liking affections,² to loue him with all our heart, ³with all our soule, ⁴with all our mind: ⁵to ioy in the holy Ghost: to delight in his word: to care how to please him: ⁶and to be eaten vp with a zeale of his glorie. And on the other side we desire that our disliking affections be set on that which disliketh him,⁷ as to hate sinne and obstinate sinners which are hatefull to him:⁸ to feare his displeasure:⁹ to grieue at his offence:¹⁰ and to tremble at his iudgements.¹¹

1. 112. Love.12. Loue.
2. 213. Joy.13. Ioy.
3. 314. Delight.
4. 415. Care.
5. 516. Zeal.16. Zeale.
6. 6Math. •2. 37.
7. 7Rom. 14. 17.
8. 8Psal. 119. 77.
9. 91. Cor. 7. 32.
10. 10Joh 2▪ 17.
11. 11Psal. 139. 21.

5. For our Speech, ¹we desire to mention the name of God, as we have occasion,² with all reverence: yea and to take all occasions of speaking of the glory of his name:³ for in this respect especially is our tongue,⁴ by an excellency, called glory. We desire therefore (when in truth, ⁵righteousness and judgement it may be done) to swear by his name:⁶ to call upon his name; to praise his name:⁷ to declare his name to others, and to instruct them therein,⁸ that so the name of God may be the more hallowed:⁹ yea above all to use our glory,¹⁰ our tongue in maintaining the truth of God,¹¹ and in making a just Apology when question is made thereof.

5. For our Speech, ¹we desire to mention the name of God, as we haue occasion,² with all reuerence: yea and to take all occasions of speaking of the glorie of his name:³ for in this respect especially is our tongue,⁴ by an excellencie, called glorie. We desire therefore (when in truth, ⁵righteousnesse and iudgement it may be done) to sweare by his name:⁶ to call vpon his name; to praise his name:⁷ to declare his name to others, and to instruct them therein,⁸ that so the name of God may be the more hallowed:⁹ yea aboue all to vse our glorie,¹⁰ our tongue in maintaining the truth of God,¹¹ and in making a iust Apologie when question is made thereof.

1. 1Psal. 119. 120.
2. 2Psal 102. 9, 10.
3. 32 Chro. 34. 27.
4. 417. Sanctified speech.
5. 5Deut. 28. 58.
6. 6Psal. 45. 1.
7. 7Psal. 57. 8.
8. 8Jer. 4 2.Ier. 4 2.
9. 9Psal 50. 15, 23.
10. 10Psal. 22. 22.
11. 111. Pet. 3. 15.

6. For our life and outward actions,¹ we desire that they be holy, just,² and blameless, that men may see our good works and glorify our Father which is in heaven. ³Herein (saith Christ) is my Father glorified, ⁴that ye bear much fruit: and S. Paul noteth works of mercy to tend to the glory of the Lord.

6. For our life and outward actions,¹ we desire that they be holy, just,² and blamelesse, that men may see our good workes and glorifie our Father which is in heauen. ³Herein (saith Christ) is my Father glorified, ⁴that ye beare much fruite: and S. Paul noteth workes of mercie to tend to the glorie of the Lord.

1. 118. Holy life.
2. 2Math 5. 16.
3. 3Joh. 15. 8.Ioh. 15. 8.
4. 42. Cor. 8. 19.