An exposition on the Lord's prayer with a catechistical explication thereof, by way of…

Secondly, Because this Will of God shall within the periods set by his Eternal Decrees, have its most perfect and full accomplishment. For though his Revealed Will may be resisted and hindered, yet neither Men nor Devils can hinder his secret Will and the Purposes of his Counsels, these shall take place maugre all their spite and oppositions; and therefore it seems not altogether so proper matter for our Prayers.

Secondly, Because this Will of God shall within the periods set by his Eternal Decrees, have its most perfect and full accomplishment. For though his Revealed Will may be resisted and hindered, yet neither Men nor Devils can hinder his secret Will and the Purposes of his Counsels, these shall take place mauger all their spite and oppositions; and therefore it seems not altogether so proper matter for our Prayers.

Again, Thirdly, Many things come to pass by the Will of God's Purpose, which we ought not to pray for; yea, which we ought to pray against: As not to instance in God's Will of permitting the sins and wickednesses of Men, which beyond all exceptions, we ought to deprecate. Let us but consider, common Charity obligeth us not to pray for any evil of Suffering to befall either our selves or others: and yet we know that it is often-times the Will of God's Purpose ⟨p. 56⟩to bring great and sore Judgments upon Kingdoms, and upon Families and Persons: And if we may indefinitely pray that this Will should be done, this would be nothing else but to pray for the Death and Ruin of many thousands, whom yet the Revealed Will of God commands us to pray for, and to desire all Good and Prosperity to them. But yet notwithstanding all this, we may doubtless pray, that the Will of God's Purpose may be done so far as it brings to pass those things, which we are obliged to pray for by the Will of his Precept. We may pray that God's Will may be fulfilled in giving Peace and Prosperity and good things both Temporal and Spiritual unto others and to our selves, but simply and absolutely to pray, That this Will should be done in whatsoever it respects, would be as often a Curse as a Prayer: Since (as I told you before) there is no evil comes to pass, whether of sin or punishment, but it is by God's Will permitting the one, and effecting the other.