An exposition of the Lords prayer in the way of catechism By William PerkinsAn exposition of the Lords praier in the way of catechisme By William Perkins

A second cause is, to teach us that there is a particular providence. All men confess that there is a general providence of God over all things, but here we must acknowledge an other more special, even in the least things that be: because every morsel of bread which we eat, would no more nourish us, then a piece of earth, or a stone, unless God gave his blessing unto it.

A second cause is, to teache vs that there is a particular prouidence. All men confesse that there is a generall prouidence of God ouer all thinges, but here wee must acknowledg an other more speciall, euen in the least thinges that be: because euery morsell of bread which we eate, wold no more nourish vs, then a peece of earth, or a stone, vnlesse God gaue his blessing vnto it.

[Daily] The word in the original is thus much in effect, Bread unto our essence or substances: then ⟨image 47⟩the meaning is; Give us such bread from day to day, as may nourish our substances. Thus prayeth Agur Prou. 30. 8. Feed me with food convenient for me. Some there are which put an Angelical perfection in fasting: But we are taught in Scriptures, that as above all things, we are to seek for life eternal, so we must in this life, sustain and maintain our natural bodies, so long as we live in this world. Fasting in it self, as it is abstinence, is no part of Gods worship; but in it own nature a thing indifferent: and therefore, it is to be used so far forth, as it shall further us in prayer, and no further. For seeing we are taught to pray for such food as shall preserve nature, and maintain the vital blood, we must not use fasting to the hindrance or destruction of nature.

[Daily] The worde in the originall is thus much in effect, Bread vnto our essence or substances: then ⟨image 47⟩the meaning is; Giue vs such bread from day to day, as may nourishe our substances. Thus praieth Agur