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 fifth question is, in whose name prayer must be made. Answer It must not be made in the name of any creature, but only in the name and mediation of Christ. Joh. 14. ver. 14. If ye ask any thing in my name, I will do it. A man is not to present his prayers to God, in any worthiness of his own merits. For what is he? to make the best of himself, what can he make of himself? by nature he is no better than the very firebrand of hell, and of all Gods creatures the most outrageous rebel to God, and therefore ⟨p. 14⟩cannot be heard for his own sake. As for Saints, they can be no mediators, seeing even they themselves in heaven, are accepted of God not for themselves, but only for the blessed merits of Christ. If any man sin (saith S. John. 1. Epistle. chap. 2. verse 1.) We have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ: But how proves he this? It follows then, And he is the reconciliation for our sins. His reason stands thus: he which must be an advocate, must first of all be a reconciliation for us: no Saints can be a reconciliation for us: therefore no Saints can be Advocates. Therefore, in this place is manifest an other fault of ignorant people. They cry often, Lord help me, Lord have mercy upon me. But in whose name pray they? poor souls like blind bayards, they rush upon the Lord; they know no mediator, in whose name they ⟨p. 15⟩should present their prayers unto him. Little do they consider with themselves, that God is as well a most terrible Judge, as a merciful Father.

The fift question is, in whose name praier must be made. Answer It must not be made in the name of any creature, but onely in the name and mediatiō of Christ. Ioh. 14. ver. 14. If yee ask any thing in my name, I will do it. A man is not to present his prayers to God, in any worthines of his own merites. For what is hee? to make the best of himself, what can he make of himselfe? by nature he is no better thē the verie firebrand of hell, and of all Gods creatures the most outragious rebell to God, and therefore ⟨p. 14⟩