Imatges de pàgina
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ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted: (1) that Christ would rule in our hearts here, (2) and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him for ever; (3) and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends. (4)

Q. 192. What do we pray for in the third petition?

A. In the third petition, (which is, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven) (5) acknowledging that by nature we and all men are not only utterly unable and unwilling to

(1) 2 Cor. iv. 2.-Nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but, by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God. Acts xxvi. 18. To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified. 2 Thess. ii. 16, 17. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work.

(2) Eph. iii. 14, 17. For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,-that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith.

(3) Rev. xxii. 20. He which testineth these things saith, Surely I come quickly; Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 2 Tim. ii. 12. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.

(4) Ps. xlv. 3, 4. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, O most Mighty, with thy glory and thy majesty, &c. See figure (7), page 362.

(5) Matt. vi. 10.

know and do the will of God, (1) but prone to rebel against his word, (2) to repine and murImur against his providence, (3) and wholly inclined to do the will of the flesh, and of the devil: (4) we pray, that God would by his Spirit take away from ourselves and others all blindness, (5) weakness, (6) indisposedness, (7) and perverseness of heart, (8) and by his grace

(1) 1 Cor. ii. 14.-The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Rom. viii. 5, 8.

(2) Rom. viii. 7. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.

(3) Matt. xx. 11, 12. And when they had received it, they murmured against the good man of the house, saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day. Ps. lxxiii. 3.-I was envious at the foolish, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

(4) Tit. iii. 3. For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, &c. Eph. ii. 2, 3. See figure (1), page 363. (5) Eph. i. 17, 18.-That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him; the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; &c.

(6) Eph. iii. 16. That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man.

(7) Matt. xxvi. 40, 41. And he cometh unto the dis ciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What! could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Rom. vii. 24, 25. (8) Ezek. xi. 19.—And I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh. Jer,

make us able and willing to know, do, and submit, to his will in all things, (1) with the like humility, (2) cheerfulness, (3) faithfulness, (4) diligence, (5) zeal, (6) sincerity, (7) and constancy, (8) as the angels do in heaven. (9)

xxxi. 18.-Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke: turn thou me, and I shall be turned: for thou art the Lord my God.

(1) Ps. cxix. 35. Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; for therein do I delight. Acts xxi. 14. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. 1 Sam. iii. 18.

(2) Ps. cxxiii. 2. Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God. Ps. cxxxi. 2. Mic. vi. 8.

(3) Ps. c. 2. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before his presence with singing.

(4) Isa. xxxviii. 3.-Remember now, O Lord, I beseech thee, how I have walked before thee in truth, and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. Eph. vi. 6. Doing the will of God from the heart.

(5) Ps. cxix. 4.

(6) Rom. xii. 11. Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord.

(7) 2 Cor. i. 12.—Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world.

(8) Ps. exix. 112. I have inclined my heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end. Rom. ii. 7. To them who by patient continuance in well-doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality; eternal life.

(9) Ps. ciii. 20, 21, 22. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure.— Bless the Lord, O my soul. Dan. vii. 10.

Q. 193. What do we pray for in the fourth petition?

A. In the fourth petition, (which is, Give us this day our daily bread) (1) acknowledging that in Adam, and by our own sin, we have forfeited our right to all the outward blessings of this life, and deserve to be wholly deprived of them by God, and to have them cursed to us in the use of them; (2) and that neither they of themselves are able to sustain us, (3) nor we to merit, (4) or by our own industry to procure them, (5) but prone to desire, (6) get, (7) and use them unlawfully: (8) we pray for ourselves and others, that both they and we, waiting upon the providence of God from day to day (1) Matt. vi. 11.

(2) Gen. iii. 17. And unto Adam he said,-Cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life. Lam. iii. 22. It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Deut. xxviii. 15, to the end.

(3) Deut. viii. 3. And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna,-that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord, doth man live.

(4) Gen. xxxii. 10. I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth, which thou hast showed unto thy servant.

(5) Deut. viii. 18. But thou shalt remember the Lord thy God; for it is he that giveth thee power to get wealth. Prov. x. 22.

(6) Luke xii. 15.--Take heed, and beware of covet. ousness. Jer. vi. 13.

(7) Hos. xii. 7. He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress.

(8) James iv. 3. Ye ask, and receive not, because yo ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

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in the use of lawful means, may of his free gift, and as to his Fatherly wisdom shall seem best, enjoy a competent portion of them, (1) and have the same continued and blessed unto us in our holy and comfortable use of them, (2) and contentment in them; (3) and be kept from all things that are contrary to our temporal support and comfort. (4)

Q. 194. What do we pray for in the fifth petition?

A. In the fifth petition, (which is, Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors) (5) acknowledging that we and all others are guilty

(1) Gen. xxviii. 20, 21. And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, then shall the Lord be my God. James iv. 13, 15. Go to now, ye that say, To-day, or to-morrow, we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain ;-for that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. Ps. xc. 17. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us; and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it. Ps. cxliv

12 to 15.

(2) 1 Tim. iv. 4, 5.-Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanks giving; for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer. Prov. x. 22.

(3) 1 Tim. vi. 6, 8.-Godliness with contentment is great gain. And having food and raiment, let us be therewith content.

(4) Prov. xxx. 8, 9. Remove far from me vanity and lies-feed me with food convenient for me: lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. (5) Matt. vi. 12.

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