A01975:516
A guide to go to GodA guide to goe to God
A guide to go to God: or, An explanation of the perfect pattern of prayer, the Lords prayer. By William Gouge, B. in D. and minister of Gods Word in Black-Friars LondonA guide to goe to God: or, An explanation of the perfect patterne of prayer, the Lords prayer. By William Gouge, B. in D. and minister of Gods Word in Black-Friers London
London: printed by G. Miller for Edward Brewster, 1626
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
§. 47. Of praying for the outward temporal estate of the Church.
§. 47. Of praying for the outward temporall estate of the Church.
Q. What are we to pray for in regard of the temporal estate of the Church?
Q. VVHat are we to pray for in regard of the temporall estate of the Church?
A. All needful peace and prosperity.1 Though all temporal blessings be comprised in the fourth Petition; yet so far forth as they tend to the good of the Church, being a means that the Gospel may be preached, and the Sacraments administered more freely, that people may be more encouraged to come into the Church, and to abide in the Church, that Ecclesiastical government may be the better exercised, they belong to this Petition. Yet because the Church like a Palm-tree doth oft better grow, at least in purity, when it is pressed with adversity, we are in our desire of the outward peace and prosperity of the Church to submit our desire to the wisdom of God, and no further to desire it, then God seeth it to be needful, and useful for the Church.
A. All needfull peace and prosperitie.1 Though all temporall blessings be comprised in the fourth Petition; yet so farre forth as they tend to the good of the Church, being a meanes that the Gospell may be preached, and the Sacraments administred more freely, that people may bee more incouraged to come into the Church, and to abide in the Church, that Ecclesiasticall gouernment may be the better exercised, they belong to this Petition. Yet because the Church like a Palme-tree doth oft better grow, at least in purity, when it is pressed with aduersitie, we are in our desire of the outward peace and prosperitie of the Church to submit our desire to the wisedome of God, and no further to desire it, then God seeth it to be needfull, and vsefull for the Church.