This is the conclusion of the Lords prayer, wherein two things are contained; 1. The confirmation of all the foregoing petitions. 2. The obligation of our affection, that moves us to offer up these petitions to God, and in some sort moves God also to hear the petitions offered. The confirmation is taken from the causes, which concur in God for strengthening of our confidence about the hearing of our petitions at his hands. The efficient cause is, 1. The right and authority of God, by which he can and may dispense and dispose of all, according to his own pleasure; and it is here called the Kingdom of God▪ for thine is the Kingdom; that is, the sovereignty, the supreme dominion, and right. 2. The same efficient is also, that power of God, or his might, whereby he is able to put in execution all to what he hath right; that is, all that he pleases, or whatsoever he will: Thine is the power. 3. The final cause, is his own glory; Thine is the glory. All which are illustrated by their adjunct of duration, not for a time only, and then either to cease, or to pass to another; but for ever and ever: but unto ages of ages, or worlds of worlds, as the old English did bear; or world without end▪ as now it goes; that is, to all eternity. The obligation of sealing up of our affection, is in the word of acclamation, Amen; whereby is shown▪ 1. The strength of our desire, wherewith we ⟨p. 304⟩follow after all these things, that were proposed in these petitions. 2. The strength of our faith, whereby we rest in, and rely on Gods mercy, for them all. 3. Of our hope, whereby we look for and wish, that God would ratify and hold firm all our petitions, in the same manner as he doth the promises, whereunto himself hath prefixed this same word of strong asseveration (for it is of both) Amen, Amen, that is, Verily, Verily, a kind of oath; and so hold our acclamation as firm, as his own asseveration: and that is beyond exception.
THis is the conclusion of the Lords prayer, wherein two things are contained; 1. The confirmation of all the foregoing petitions. 2. The obligation of our affection, that moves us to offer up these petitions to God, and in some sort moves God also to hear the petitions offered. The confirmation is taken from the causes, which concur in God for strengthening of our confidence about the hearing of our petitions at his hands. The efficient cause is, 1. The right and authority of God, by which he can and may dispense and dispose of all, according to his owne pleasure; and it is here called the Kingdome of God▪ for thine is the Kingdome; that is, the soveraignty, the supreme dominion, and right. 2. The same efficient is also, that power of God, or his might, whereby he is able to put in execution all to what he hath right; that is, all that he pleases, or whatsoever he will: Thine is the power. 3. The final cause, is his owne glory; Thine is the glory. All which are illustrated by their adjunct of duration, not for a time onely, and then either to cease, or to pass to another; but for ever and ever: but unto ages of ages, or worlds of worlds, as the old English did bear; or world without end▪ as now it goes; that is, to all eternity. The obligation of sealing up of our affection, is in the word of acclamation, Amen; whereby is shown▪ 1. The strength of our desire, wherewith we ⟨p. 304⟩follow after all these things, that were proposed in these petitions. 2. The strength of our faith, whereby we rest in, and rely on Gods mercy, for them all. 3. Of our hope, whereby we look for and wish, that God would ratify and hold firme all our petitions, in the same manner as he doth the promises, whereunto himself hath prefixed this same word of strong asseveration (for it is of both) Amen, Amen, that is, Verily, Verily, a kind of oath; and so hold our acclamation as firme, as his owne asseveration: and that is beyond exception.
