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

1. The meaning.

WE have heard the preface, and the petitions ⟨image 68⟩what they are: Now followeth the third part, which is the assent or testification of faith, required in prayer, in this word Amen. And it contains more than men at the first would imagine: It signifies Certainly▪ so be it, or, it shall be so. 2. Cor. 1. 20. It is often taken for a bare assent of the people, saying Amen to the Minister: but in this place it contains more: for every point in this prayer, is not only a direction for public prayer, but for private also, and must be said as well of the Minister, as of the people. Now then, there being two principal things in prayer: the first a desire of grace: the second faith, whereby we believe that God will grant things desired. The first is expressed in the six petitions: The latter is set forth in this word Amen, carrying this sense in effect. As we have craved these things at thy hands, O Lord, so ⟨image 68⟩we do believe, that for Christ his sake, in good time thou wilt grant them to us. Therefore, this part is more excellent than the former, by how much our faith is more excellent than our desire. For in this word is contained the testification of our faith, whereas the petitions are only testifications of our desires. And as it is in the end, so also it is the seal of our prayers, to make them authentical, and it is to be used (as I take it) not only for this end, to answer the Minister, but also to testify our faith, for the things desired.

VVE haue heard the preface, and the petitions ⟨image 68⟩