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 Exposition

This prayer contains three parts. In the first, Paul prayeth for increase of love in the Philip. whether it be to God or to men, verse 9. and he shows the means of increase, which are two: knowledge and sense or feeling. For (to go backward) the more a godly man feels Gods love, and hath experience ⟨image 77⟩of Gods word in himself, the more he knows Gods word, and perceives his love unto him: the more he is assured of Gods love, the more he loves god again, and his neighbour for his sake.

THis praier containes three parts. In the first, Paul praieth for increase of loue in the Philip. whether it be to God or to men, verse 9. and he shewes the meanes of increase, which ar two: knowledg and sense or feeling. For (to goe backeward) the more a godly man feeles Gods loue, and hath experience ⟨image 77⟩of Gods word in himselfe, the more he knowes Gods word, and perceiues his loue vnto him: the more hee is assured of Gods loue, the more he loues god again, and his neighbour for his sake.

The second thing prayed for, is the gift of discerning, whereby men know what is true, what false, what is to be done, what to be left undone: the ends of this gift are two. The first, that by means of it, they may be pure or sincere: that is, keep a good conscience before God and men, in their lives and callings. The second is, to be without offence: that is, innocent, giving no occasions of evil to any, and not taking them offered by others: and the continuance of these is noted, to the day of Christ, which is the time in which he cometh to us, either by our death, or by the last judgement.