A86523:261
A brief exposition of the Lords PrayerA briefe exposition of the Lords Prayer
A brief exposition of the Lords Prayer: wherein the meaning of the word is laid open to the understanding of weak Christians, and what the carriage of their hearts ought to be in preferring each petition. / By Mr. Tho. Hooker preacher of Gods word.A briefe exposition of the Lords Prayer: wherein the meaning of the word is laid open to the understanding of weake Christians, and what the carriage of their hearts ought to be in preferring each petition. / By Mr. Tho. Hooker preacher of Gods word.
London: printed by Moses Bell for Benjamin Allen, 1645
Title page typeset from the transcription.
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.
First,1 when, all things considered, in all a man sees it may do good, then a man is bound to give punishment. When there is nothing but a Bridewell will do a servant good, give it him. When a child is stubborn, give him correction and spare him not, it is as good as his meat: If a wretch belch out his malice; if a man can reform him by punishment, give it him: for who knows but it may be the best physic that ever he had? and to let him go unpunished in such a case a man is guilty of his sin, because he might have reformed him by this means.
First,1 when, all things considered, in all a man sees it may doe good, then a man is bound to give punishment. When there is nothing but a Bridewell will doe a servant good, give it him. When a childe is stubborn, give him correction and spare him not, it is as good as his meat: If a wretch belch out his malice; if a man can reforme him by punishment, give it him: for who knowes but it may be the best physick that ever he had? and to let him go unpunished in such a case a man is guilty of his sinne, because hee might have reformed him by this meanes.
- 1Answ.
Secondly, if this be a way and means to bind a mans hands, and to hinder him from the practice of some sin: As if a persecutor intends to persecute another, if a man have a suit of Law against him, he is bound to cast him into prison, for it keeps him from persecuting the Saints of the LORD, and so from sinning deeply. It is a work of mercy to take a knife from a mad man: so to bind such a mans hands that doth so. If God put forth an opportunity into a mans hand, he is bound to take the Law, and it is mercy to him thus to do.
Secondly, if this be a way and meanes to binde a mans hands, and to hinder him from the practice of some sinne: As if a persecutor intends to persecute another, if a man have a suit of Law against him, he is bound to cast him into prison, for it keeps him from persecuting the Saints of the LORD, and so from sinning deeply. It is a work of mercy to take a knife from a mad man: so to bind such a mans hands that doth so. If God put forth an opportunity into a mans hand, he is bound to take the Law, and it is mercy to him thus to doe.