Of the preface to the Lord's prayer,
An Exposition of the Affembly's Catechism.
A. That form ofwordsmaybe lawfullyuſed,butitisplain its intention was to regulate our petitions by it; and therefore they that uſe it in ſpells and charms, as the Papiſts ; or thoſe that think nothing is prayer, but that form of words ; abuſe Chriſt's intention in it.
९. 9. How doth it appear, itwas not Chriſt's intention ſtrictly to bind us to that very form ofwords in our prayers ?
A. Divines give us theſe reaſons against it, (1.) Becauſe thisprayer is ſet down diverſly by the evangeliſts ; Matth. vi.
10, 12. Thy kingdom come. Thy willbe done in earth, as it is inheaven. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And Luke xi. 3, 4. Give us daybyday ourdaily bread. And forgive us our fins ; for we alſo forgive everyone that is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation, butdeliver us from evil.
(2.) Chrift and his apoſtles did not always use this form of words afterwards, as appears by his prayer at Lazarus's grave, John xi. and that for his apoſtles,
Johnxvii.
(3.)Because theſe words, Matth. vi. 9. After this manner, &c. plainly ſhew, its uſewas intendedfor a directory tous.
Q. 10. What is the firſt inference fromhence ?
A. Hence we learn the fulneſs and completeness ofthe Scriptures, not only for the guiding and ſettling of our faith in things thatare tobe believed, but alſo ofourwholepractice, ineveryduty we are to perform .
Q. 11. What is the ſecond inferencehence ?
A. Hence we are informed, how neceſſary it is to acquaint ourſelves with the mind ofGod, revealedin his word, that we may guide ourſelves in prayer, both for matter and manner thereby; andnot utter toGodwords withoutknowledge.
Q. 12. What is the laſt inference from hence ?
A. That thosewho neglect all prayer, and thoſethat fatisfy themſelves with a form of prayer, which theyutter without knowledge or affection, do greatly fin againstGod. Andthat it is theduty ofallChriſtians, fromaſenſe of their own fins, wants, and mercies, to be often withGod in prayer, guiding
themselves in that ſpiritual duty, by ſuch inward and outward helps, as his word and Spiritare able tofurnish them with.
Ofthe Preface to the Lord's Prayer.
Queſt. 100.W Hat doth the preface of the Lord's prayer teach us ?
A.Thepreface of the Lord's prayer, which is, [Our Father which art inheaven,] teacheth us todraw near toGod withall
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism.
holy reverenceand confidence, as children to a Father, able and. ready tohelpus : and that weshouldpray with andfor others.
Q. 1. What doth theword Father importin this preface ?
A. It imports the Spirit ofadoption tobe the principle of all acceptable prayers ; Gal. iv. 6. Andbecauſe ye are fons,
Godhath fent forth the Spirit ofhis Son intoyour hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
Q. 2. What is the firſt benefit,or helpwe have in prayer, fromtheSpirit of adoption ?
A. He excites our ſpirits to feekGod in prayer ; Pfal. xxvii.
8. Whenthou faidſt, Seek ye my face; my heart faid unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I ſeek.
Q. 3. What is the ſecond aſſiſtance hegives us in prayer ?
A. He indites and ſuggeſts ſuitable and acceptable matter to us in prayer ; Rom. viii. 26. Likewise the Spirit alſohelpeth our infirmities : for we know not what we should pray for aswe ought ; but the Spirit itſelf maketh interceffion for us, c.
Q. 4. What is thethirdbenefit we have byhim in prayer ?
A. He fills our fouls with ſpiritual and holy affections in prayer, and helps us to act his graces in our duties ; Rom. viii.
26. Likewise the Spirit alſo helpeth our infirmities : for we know notwhatwe should prayfor as we ought ; but the Spirit itſelfmaketh interceſſion forus, with groanings which cannot beuttered.
Q. 5. What elſedoththis word Father import ?
A. It imports thatholy confidence which believers may, and ought to draw near to God withal, as children to a Father ; Eph. iii. 12. In whom we have boldness and acceſs, with confidence,bythe faithofhim.
Q. 6. Doth it only fignify our relation andconfidence?
A. No, italſo ſignifies the reverential fear of God, which ought at all times to be on our hearts, eſpecially in prayer ,
Mal. i. 6. Afonhonoureth his father, anda fervant his maſter:
Ifthen Ibe a father, where is mine honour ? and if I be a maſter, where is myfear ?
Q. 7. What is further imported inthis word Father ?
A. It imports God's willingness and readiness tograntthe beſt mercies to his people that ſeek them duly at his hand ;
Matth. vii . 11. If ye then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; howmuch more ſhall your Father which isinheavengive good things to them that aſk him ?
Q. 8. Why is he herecalledour Father ?
A. To fignifyto us, that it is notonly our duty to pray