A guide to godliness or a Treatise of a Christian life showing the dutiesA guide to godlynesse or a Treatise of a Christian life shewing the duties

A PARAPHRASE UPON THE LORDS PRAYER.

A PARAPHRASE VPON THE LORDS PRAYER.

Almighty and eternal God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in him our gracious Father, we thy poor children by adoption and grace, here acknowledge, that we are utterly unworthy to be counted in the number of thy meanest servants, and much less deserve that high title and privilege to be called thy sons and children. For we have not demeaned our selves as it becometh children of such a Father, in all love, reverence, and obedience, nor approved our selves to be like unto thee, in wisdom, holiness, and righteousness. We have abased our selves, to do service unto sin and Satan, for the trifling wages of worldly vanities; never considering that we are the children of such a glorious Father, and heirs to such an heavenly inheritance. We do not like children securely rest upon thy fatherly providence, and cannot with boldness approach to the Throne of Grace, to make our suits known unto thee, by reason of our self-guiltiness and ill deserving, though thou art gracious and ready always through Christ, to hear and help us. We have not duly feared thee, though thou art our heavenly Father, full of Majesty and power, neither have we been afraid to sin against thee, though we stand always in thy presence, who art able to cast body and soul into hell We have not glorified thy holy Name, by renouncing impiety and worldly lusts, and consecrating our selves wholly to thy worship and service, but have served sin and Satan, for the base hire of worldly vanities. We have not glorified thee in thy mercies by our unfeigned thankfulness, nor have been encouraged by thy liberal wages, to perform unto thee diligent and cheerful service, but have abused thy good gifts to thy dishonour, and have set our minds and hearts more upon them, then upon thee who hast graciously bestowed them upon us. We have not sanctified thee in thy Judgements, by humbling our selves under thy hand, nor have profited by thy fatherly corrections for the amendment of our lives, and turning unto thee from our sins by unfeigned repentance. We have not suffered thee to reign and rule in our hearts and consciences by the Sceptre of thy Word and holy Spirit, but have often grieved it, by resisting and quenching the good motions thereof, and by subjecting our selves to be governed by our own lusts.