A86523:275
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.
Thirdly, we should seek to the free mercy of GOD and of his Grace for what we need; we should acknowledge his free mercy. When the soul sees there is mercy in GOD for him, then it is fitted to pray this petition; for should I conceive GOD were severe, holy, just, &c. though I renounce my sin, yet I could not seek him; God is not extreme and rigorous, but he hath mercy in store for those that seek him in truth and sincerity: therefore we should apprehend two things:
Thirdly, we should seeke to the free mercie of GOD and of his Grace for what wee need; wee should acknowledge his free mercie. When the soule sees there is mercie in GOD for him, then it is fitted to pray this petition; for should I conceive GOD were severe, holy, just, &c. though I renounce my sinne, yet I could not seek him; God is not extreame and rigorous, but hee hath mercy in store for those that seeke him in truth and sincerity: therefore we should apprehend two things:
First, that God desires not to deal rigorously; we should persuade our hearts, that God is desirous to welcome our prayers, Exod. 34. The Lord is ready to succour our infirmities. If we be in misery, the Lord will abound in mercy, the phrase is, multiplying mercy; therefore the Apostle calls him the father of mercies, and the God of all compassions; ⟨p. 66⟩we have new vexations, he hath new compassions; nay, God hath more good then we can desire, he performs more then he promiseth; he is abundant in truth, above all that he hath revealed himself to be in his Word, Isa. 55.7. Our God is merciful and abundant in forgiveness. He multiplies pardons, he hath pardons in store, mercy to pardon any poor soul. But, (saith the soul) what my sins committed and continued in? mark what he adds, though you cannot comprehend it, yet he can conceive it: his thoughts of mercy are larger in giving, then ours in craving,