A51845:1205
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer by ... Thomas Manton.
London: printed by J.D., 1684
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. It directs us as to the Object of Prayer; to whom should we pray but to him that is absolute, and above control? To God, and God alone, not to Angels and Saints. To whom should we go in our necessities, but to him that hath Dominion over all things, and Power to dispose of them for his own Glory? Will you think it a boldness to go immediately to God? It were so, indeed if we had not a Mediator: for a fallen Creature can never have the Impudence; and wicked Men that have not got an Interest in Christ, cannot expect Relief from God; but it is no Impudence to come with a Mediator. Heb. 4. 16. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need.
1. It directs us as to the Object of Prayer; to whom should we pray but to him that is absolute, and above controul? To God, and God alone, not to Angels and Saints. To whom should we go in our necessities, but to him that hath Dominion over all things, and Power to dispose of them for his own Glory? Will you think it a boldness to go immediately to God? It were so, indeed if we had not a Mediator: for a fallen Creature can never have the Impudence; and wicked Men that have not got an Interest in Christ, cannot expect Relief from God; but it is no Impudence to come with a Mediator. Heb. 4. 16. Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain Mercy, and find Grace to help in time of need.
2. It directs us how to conceive of God in Prayer; Right Thoughts of God in Prayer are very necessary, and very difficult: no one thing troubleth the Saints so much as this, how to fix their thoughts in the apprehensions of God, when they pray to him. Now hearers a direction how we should look upon God: Look upon him as the eternal Being, and first Cause, to whom belong Kingdom, Power, and Glory. We cannot see God's Essence, and therefore we must conceive of him according to his Praises in the Word. Now take but the Preface, and the Conclusion, and then you have a full Description of God. Look upon him as an Eternal Being, whose is the Kingdom, absolute Right to dispose of all things in the World,