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

The third question is, what is the form or rule, according unto which we are to pray. Answer. It is the revealed will and word of God. A man in humbling his soul before God, is not to pray as his affections carry him, and for what he list▪ but all is to be done according to the express word. So as those things which God hath commanded ⟨p. 9⟩us to ask, we are to ask, and those things which he hath not commanded us to ask, we are in no wise to pray for. 1. John. 5. 14. This is the assurance which we have of him, that if we ask any thing according to his will he heareth us. This then is a special clause to be marked, that men must pray in knowledge, not in ignorance. Here weigh the case of poor ignorant people: they talk much of praying for themselves & others, they imagine that they pray very devoutly to God, but alas, they do nothing less: because they know not what to ask according to Gods will. They therefore must learn Gods word, and pray according to the same; else it will prove in the end, that all their praying was nothing but as mocking and flat dishonouring of God.

The third question is, what is the forme or rule, according vnto which we are to pray. Answer. It is the reueiled wil and word of God. A man in humbling his soule before God, is not to pray as his affections carrie him, and for what he list▪ but all is to be done according to the expresse worde. So as those things which God hath cō manded ⟨p. 9⟩vs to ask, wee are to aske, and those thinges which hee hath not commanded vs to ask, we are in no wise to pray for. 1. Iohn. 5. 14. This is the assurance vvhich vvee haue of him, that if wee aske any thing according to his will hee heareth vs. This then is a speciall clause to be marked, that men must praye in knowledge, not in ignorance. Here weigh the case of poore ignorant people: they talke muche of praying for themselues & others, they imagine that they pray verie deuoutlie to God, but alas, they doe nothing les: because they knowe not what to ask acording to Gods will. They therefore must learne Gods worde, and pray according to the same; else it will prooue in the end, that all their praying was nothing but as mocking and flat dishonoring of God.