A learned and fruitful exposition upon the Lords prayer. By Arthur Dent, sometime minister…A learned and fruitful exposition vpon the Lords prayer. By Arthur Dent, sometime minister…

We may in a holy manner boast and rejoice in it that we have such a Father, so wise, so mighty, so loving, so bountiful, to whom we always may repair for help in time of need. If one of us had a father that were the richest & the wisest in a realm, would we not exceedingly rejoice in him, and use him?

Wée may in a holy manner boast and reioyce in it that wée haue such a Father, so wise, so mighty, so louing, so bountifull, to whom wée alwayes may repaire for helpe in time of néede. If one of vs had a father that were the richest & the wisest in a realme, would we not excéedingly reioyce in him, and vse him?

This word (father) doth note unto us the exceeding deep love, and fatherly affection which he beareth toward us his children, passing all love of mothers unto their children, as Isaiah 49.15. Can a woman forget her child and not have compassion on the son of her womb? ⟨image 10⟩Though they should forget, yet will not I forget thee. The book of the Canticles doth most expressly and abundantly lay open the unspeakable love of Christ toward his Church, for indeed no lover doth so entirely love his espoused wife as Christ loveth us: for he loveth us so dearly, and is so chary over us, that he cannot endure the wind should blow upon us. If we would eat gold we should have it. This love of his, he doth at all times, and in all things express, and shows it, as we say, and hath always showed it by election, redemption, Justification, sanctification, adoption, preservation, feeding, clothing, delighting, &c. breaking through all our unkindness to do us good, and continuing daily unto us new mercies and favours, notwithstanding all our unworthiness and manifold provokings of him.

This word (father) doth note vnto vs the excéeding déepe loue, and fatherly affection which he beareth toward vs his children, passing all loue of mothers vnto their children, as Esay 49.15. Can a woman forget her childe and not haue compassion on the sonne of her womb? ⟨image 10⟩