A86523:274
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.
Secondly, we must labour to have the heart see its own inability to satisfy for sin, or to bear Gods indictment he shall pass upon the soul that is guilty. The soul acknowledgeth it self unable to answer one of a thousand; Behold (saith the Psalmist) Lord, if thou shouldest enter into judgement, who were able to abide it? but there is mercy with thee that thou mayst be feared. We are Bankrupts, we cannot answer the debt, nor bear the suit; if the debtor be able to answer the debt or pay the money, he cares for no kindness; the sinner is the debtor, and, if he can satisfy Gods ⟨p. 65⟩Justice, what need he care? If I can abide it, what need I crave favour? but when it is come to this, who can abide it; then the LORD will pardon whatsoever is amiss. Where-ever the sinner goes he cannot avoid the suit; he needs no pursuivant to follow him, conscience is arresting, the Devil accusing, therefore he falls down and cries mercy, mercy to pardon the suit, the soul is not able to bear the suit. This the Church complains of, Behold, our righteousness is as menstruous cloth; and they, Ezek. 36.31. judge themselves worthy to be condemned. Now in that I say forgive, I imply that I cannot satisfy for sin my self.
Secondly, we must labour to have the heart see its owne inabilitie to satisfie for sinne, or to beare Gods indictment he shall passe upon the soule that is guilty. The soule acknowledgeth it selfe unable to answer one of a thousand; Behold (saith the Psalmist) Lord, if thou shouldest enter into judgement, who were able to abide it? but there is mercy with thee that thou mayst be feared. Wee are Bankerupts, wee cannot answer the debt, nor beare the suit; if the debtor be able to answer the debt or pay the money, hee cares for no kindnesse; the sinner is the debtor, and, if hee can satisfie Gods ⟨p. 65⟩Justice, what need he care? If I can abide it, what need I crave favour? but when it is come to this, who can abide it; then the LORD will pardon whatsoever is amisse. Where-ever the sinner goes he cannot avoid the suit; hee needs no pursevant to follow him, conscience is arresting, the Devill accusing, therefore he falls down and cryes mercy, mercy to pardon the suit, the soule is not able to beare the suit. This the Church complaines of, Behold, our righteousnesse is as menstruous cloath; and they,