A briefe Exposition of the Lordes Prayer, contained in Questions and Answeres:
Collected for the instruction of the vnlearned, by Iohn Tomkys Preacher of Gods Word in the Towne of Shrewesburie. 1585.
Come yee children and hearken vnto me: I will teach you the feare of the Lord.
Seene and allowed according to her Maiesties Iniunctions.
AT LONDON; Printed by Robert Walde-grave, for William Ponsonbye.
¶TO THE CHRISTIAN PARENTES, AND GODLYE House-houlders in the towne of Shrewesburie, grace, mercie and peace, in CHRIST IESVS be multiplied.
YE haue heare published in print, in Questions & Answeres, (beloued in the Lord) the Summe of that exposition of the Lords prayer, which for your edifying, and the instruction of your families, I made more at large in forme of Catechising, for the Euening prayer exercise vppon the Sabboth dayes, in suche sorte as you then hearde, and as God vouchsafed to inhable mee. It may be obiected, that many godly writers haue hādled [Page] this argument verye learnedlye, and published the same to the benefite of the Church in their catechismes, whose forme, in respecte of the matter, it might well haue beseemed mee to haue vsed. All this, with reuerence both of the Objectors and Wryters, I acknowledge to bee moste true. And, if I had contented mee selfe therewith, it woulde haue made more with myne ease. Not to offende these Wryters, but to satisfie these Objectors, the reason, which mooued mee in this sort to collect both the Questions and Aunsweres, foorth of learned Authors, which more at large haue interpreted this Prayer, is this. In most Catechismes, the Question is briefe, and the Aunswere is large: So that the Childe, [Page] whose memorye is short, and capacitye weake, doth hardlye at once commit so muche to remembraunce, and heardelier conceiue what hee rehearseth. To ease him in the one, and to helpe him in the other, I haue indeuoured mee selfe to vse breuitye in both. And yet, I must confesse, that a dutifull care to deliuer effectuallye and playnelye the full summe and comfortable sense of euerye woorde of this most diuine Prayer, hath forced mee some-tymes in the Aunswere to lay downe more wordes, then willinglye I woulde. But how so euer I haue behaued mee selfe in Methode, since I haue vsed truethe and sinceritye in matter, I truste you will accept my good will, and approoue my laboure. I haue [Page] thought good to publishe this my trauel, to satisfy the godly desire of some parentes well disposed, that the copies might be multiplyed to the benefite of the youth. Howe necessarie it is, that we be continually exercised in prayer, the manyfould perrilles both of bodye and of soule, wherwith wee be inuironed, sufficientlye sheweth. How comfortable it is so to bee occupied,Psalme 81.8 & 86.5.6.7. GOD allowing vs to flee vnto him by prayer, in the day of our trouble,Psalm 50.15. and promisinge vs of his mercie to heare vs, and to deliuer vs forth of all our distresse, It may easilie by the faithful bee conceiued, Howe fruitlesse a thinge it is, to demaund of GOD in our praier, that we ought not, or in suche sorte as wee should not, CHRIST shewethMath. 6.7 when as hee condemneth suche prayers by the [Page] name of BABLING. Therefore, that our praiers maye be fruitefull and comfortable, CHRIST hath giuen vs this forme of praier, within the bounds whereof, the praiers of the faithfull must be conceiued. Now, for so much as your duty is, (ye Christian parentes)Ephes. 6.4 to bring vp your children in the instruction and information of the Lorde,1 Tim 2 1.2 whereof praier is no meane part1. Thes. 5.17 wherin we shold be exercised continually: exercise therfore, I besech you in the LORDE, your families, with such diligence, in these Questions and Answers, that they maye therby be taught reuerently to talk with the LORDE in their praiers. Which fruit of my simple labors, if it may please God, that I may see, it wil be no small incoragement vnto me, to proceed in my ministery, as I haue begon. God blesse you, inlarge [Page] his gyftes among you, and establish you in his truth. Amen.
A briefe exposition of the Lordes prayer, The Lords prayer. contayned in Questions and Answers.
SAy the Lordes Prayer. The Lords prayer.
Mat. 6.9. Our Father, which art in heauen, Halowed be thy Name.
Thy kingdome come. 10 Thy will be done euen in earth, as it is in heauen.
Giue vs this day our dayly bread. 11
And forgiue vs our dettes, as we also 12 forgiue our detters.
And leade vs not into tentation, but 13 deliuer vs from euill: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory for euer. Amen.
How doe ye call this Prayer?
The Lords Prayer.
Why so?
The preface. Math 6.9 Luke 11.2Because the Lorde Iesus taught it his disciples.
Of how many partes consisteth this prayer?
Three partes.Of three, 1. A Preface, 2. the petitions, 3. and a conclusion.
The prefaceWhich is the Preface?
Math. 6 9 Luke 11.2 Our father which art in Heauen.
How many thinges doe we learne in the Preface?
Two thinges: 1. To whome we must pray: 2. with what confidence we must pray.
Vnto whom must we pray?
Exod 30 37 ieremy. 2 13 Actes 10, 26 Act 14, 14.15 Apoc. 19, 10 & 22, 8, 9Vnto God onely.
VVith what confidence must we pray vnto him?
Math, 7, 7, & 21.22 Mark, 11, 24 Luke 11.9 iohn 14, 13 & 16.23. iames 1.5With full assurance that hee will heare vs, if wee pray according to his will.
Why do we call him Father, when we pray vnto him?
Hereby we learne, 1. that he loueth vs, and 2. Esai. 49 15 Luke 11, 11 12.13 Iohn 16 23 that he will heare vs.
Why do we call God our Father, when we pray vnto him?
First, to assure our selues,The petitions. Esay 49.15 that hee loueth vs being his children: then to teach vs1, Ioh. 1 10 12. to loue one another beinge brethren.
Why do we mention his beeing in Heauen, when we pray vnto him?
First to assure our selues,Psalm 115.3 that he can helpe vs: then to teache vs,Math, 6.33 to aske those thinges, which be agreeable to his nature.
Which are the Petitions? The Petitions
Mat 6 9. Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdome come. Thy will bee 10 done euen in earth, as it is in Heauen.
Giue vs this day our dayly breade. 11
And forgiue vs our debts, as we also 12 forgiue our debters.
And lead vs not into temptation, but 13 deliuer vs from euill.
How many thinges doe we craue of God in generall in these petitions?
Two things: First, those things, which tende to Gods glorye, Secondlye, all things, that are necessarie as well for our bodies as for our soules.
How many petitions doth the Lordes [Page] prayer contayne?The first petition.
Six.
In how many of these petitiōs are we taught to pray yt God may be glorified?
In the three first.
Which be they?
Mat. 6.9. 1. Halowed be thy name.
10 2. Thy kingdome come.
3. Thy will be done euen in earth, as it is heauen.
In how many of these petitions are we taught to pray to God, that we may be holpen?
In the three last.
Which be they?
Mat. 6.11. 1. Giue vs this day our dayly bread.
12 2. And forgiue vs our dettes, as we also forgiue our detters.
13 3. And lead vs not into tentation, but deliuer vs from euill.
Which is the first petition?
The first petition. Mat. 6.9. Luke. 11.2. Hallowed be thy name.
VVhy is this petition placed in the first place?
To teach vs,Math. 6.33. that aboue all things we ought to seeke the glory of God.
VVhat is ment by ye Name of God? The second petition.
That whereby hisGene. 17.1. Ex d. 3.14.15 & 6.3. & 15.3. & 34.6. Psal. 48.11. & 86.5.9.10.15. nature is described in the Scripture.
VVhat is it to halow or sanctifie the name of God?
Ezech. 38.16.To thinke reuerently of him, and to yeeld him his due honour.
VVhat is ment by Thy, when as we say:Math 6.9. Luke. 11.2. Halowed be thy name?
Euen this,Deut. 6.13. & 10.20. & 13.4. The second Petition. Math 4.10. Luke. 4.8. Apoc. 19.10. & 22.9. that God onely is to be honoured.
VVhich is the Second petition?
Math. 6.10. Luke. 11.2. Thy kingdome come.
VVhy do we craue of God, that his kingdome may come, immediatly after we had desired, that we might Halowe his Name?
BecauseIohn. 3.5 6. we can not halowe his name, except he raigne in vs by his holy spirite.
VVhat is the kingdome of God?
Psal. 2. & 45. & 72. Esay. 9. Ierem 23. Collos. 1.13.The gracious gouernement of his people both in heauen and earth.
When doth the kingdome of God come vnto vs?
VVhen it isGene. 3.15. & 22.18. Math. 4.17. Marke. 1.15. 1. published by the worde,Math. 12.22 & 28.20. Marke 16.20. 2. builte vp by Christ, [Page] Ioh. 3.5. 2. Cor. 5.5, Ephes. 1.13.14 1. Pet. 1.22.23. and 3. established by the holy ghost. The thirde petition.
Why do we pray, that the kingdom of God may come vnto vs?
Rom 6.23 Ephe 2.1 2.3.That we may be deliuered from the thraldome of Sathan.
Vnto whom doe wee desire that this kingdome may come?
Math 9.38Euen vnto our selues.
Is there any speciall thing signified by this word, Thy, when wee say:Math. 6.10 Luke 11.2 Thy kingdome?
Yea verily: for thereby wee pray,Actes. 4 29 that the tyranny of Antichrist may be confounded,Acts. 4.30 and that the Kingdome of God may be inlarged.
The third petition.Which is the third Petition?
Math. 6.10 Luke 11.2 Thy will be done euen in earth as it is in heauen.
Why is this petition placed in the third place?
Iohn. 8:47Because God doth then raigne in vs, when we submit our selues to his will.
What doth this worde Thy, import, when we say:Math. 6, 10 Luke 11 2 Thy will be done?
Euen this much: that Gods will, and not ours be done.
Why do we pray in that manner?
BecausePsalme, 51, 2 Ephes, 1, 5 his will is good, butGen. 6, 5 our will is euill.
How many wayes is the will of God considered in the scripture?
Two wayes: Esay 46.9 10, 11, psa, 33 11 & 115, 3 1. as it is secret,Ioh. 1, 18. 1 Pet, 1, 10▪ 11, 12. 2. pet, 1, 20, 21. 2, Tim 3.16, 17. 2. as it is reuealed.
In whether sence, is it taken in this petition?
Eph, 4, 11, 1 [...]In the latter sense.
In praying, that Gods will bee done, what do we desire?
1. Thatiohn 6, 40 we may be saued by his Sonne Iesus Christ, 2. that wee1, Cor, 6, 19, 20. 1, thes, 4, 3 ephes, 1, 4, may serue him, 3 and that we2 Tim, 2, 1 [...] 12. Heb. 12 Act, 14, 22 may be made like the image of his sonne.
In what manner doe wee praye, that Gods will be done vpon earth?
Euen in such mannerMath, 6.10 Luke. 11, 2 as it is in heauen.
And how is that?
Dan 7, 10 Luke 15 10 Heb, 1, 7 Psal, 34, 8In most dutifull manner, and with all obedience?
Why doe wee praye that Gods will be done in Earth?
Psal, 24, 1Because hee is Lord of the earth also, where his will shoulde be knowne [Page] and obayed.The fourth petition.
The fourth Petition.VVhich is the Fourth petition?
Math 6.11. Luke. 11.3. Giue vs this day our daily bread
Why is this petition the First of those, wherein we craue of God thinges necessary for our sustenaunce?
Because it is conuenient, that we craue our findyng at Gods handes,Deut. 8.3. Math. 4.4. Luke. 4.4. of whom we do onely depend.
What is mente by the name of Bread?
Gene. 3.19 Iohn. 6.51. 1. Cor. 10 3. Math. 24.45. Luke. 12 42. 2. Cor. 4.1.VVhat so euer is necessary for the maintenance of our life.
VVhy doth Christ vse this worde Bread, rather than any other, thereby to signifie thinges necessary for this present life?
To admonishe vs3. Reg. 13.8. & 4. Reg. 4 8. Num. 11.31. &c. Psal. 78.30 31 to liue in all sobrietie.
VVhy do we call this bread Ours, since God giueth it vs?
1. Cor. 1.30.Thereby we learne to acknowledge Gods goodnes, Gene 3.19. Ephes. 4.28. 2. Thes. 3.11.12. and also to labour truly to get our liuyng.
VVhy do we call it our Dayly bread, & desire, that it may be giuen vs Dayly?
Thereby we learneLuke. 11 3. to acknowledge our dayly necessitie, Math. 6.34. and to content [Page] our selues with that which God vouchsafeth to bestow vpon vs.The fifth petition.
VVhy do we pray that it may be giuen vs, speakyng of many?
Because we ought to pray1. Tim. 2.1. 1. Cor. 12.12. Ephe. 1.22 23 for others as well as for our selues2. Cor. 8.13.14.15. and to helpe others, with that which God giueth vs.
VVhy do we pray to God, to giue vs all thinges needefull for vs?
Hereby we learn 1. Iob. 1.21. that of our selues we haue nothyng, 2. Iohn. 6.16. Ezech. 4.16. Math. 5.45. & 6.25. &c. Luke 12.23. 1. Pet. 5.7. that God is willyng to giue vs, what soeuer he knoweth needefull for vs, 3. Esay. 1.3. The fifth petition. and that we ought to vse his giftes to his glory.
VVhich is the fifth petition?
Math. 6.12. Luke. 11.4. And forgiue vs our dettes, as we also forgiue our detters.
VVhy is this petition placed next vnto those that went before?
To strenghthen vs against Satans tentations G. 4.13. which layeth our sinnes before vs, to discourage vs in our prayers.
VVhy doth Christ teach vsMath. 6.11. Luke. 11.3 first to aske thinges necessary for the body, Math. 6.12. Luke. 11.4. and then thinges needefull for the soule?
Math. 6.25. &c. Luke. 12.22. &c. 1. Pet. 5.7. Psal. 55.23.To assure vs, that since God is [Page] carefull for our bodies, he wil bee much more carefull for our soules.
Why doth Christ teach vs,Math. 6.12. Luke. 11.4. to call our sinnes debtes?
BecauseGene. 17.4. our obedience is due debt vnto God, which when we doe not performeRom. 5.23. his wrath is due debt vnto vs.
VVhy doth Christ teach all men to pray in this maner?
Psal. 51.7. Rom. 3.9. &c. Iam. 3.2.Because all are transgressours of Gods lawes, and ought to acknowledge the same.
VVhy doth Christ teach vs to aske God forgiuenes of our sinnes?
Psal. 32.2. Esay. 43.25. & 44.22. Marke. 2.7.Because to forgiue sinnes belongeth to God onely, vnto whome we become debtters through our transgressions.
Maye we receiue anye comfort, in that we be taught to aske God forgiuenes of our sinnes?
Yea verely: for thereby we learne,Psal. 101.11.12. & 130.7. Math 18.23. &c. that God is willing to forgiue vs our sinnes, if we craue it in faith.
How may it stande with Gods iustice freely to forgiue vs our offences, the desert whereof is death and damnation?
Deut. 21.23. & 27.26. Esay. 53.42. Cor. 5.21. Collos. 2.14.Because Christ our mediatour hath made satisfaction to God for vs.
How doth God freely forgiue vs our sinnes, seeing he doth many wayes punish vs for them?
He punisheth vs for them in deed1. Cor. 11.32. 1. Pet 4 17. not thereby to purge vs from them, but to chastise vs, least we shold delight in thē.
Is there not a condition added to this petition?
Yea, euen this:Math. 6.12. Luke. 11.4. as we also forgiue our debters.
Do we deserue forgiuenes at Gods handes, if we forgiue them that trespasse against vs?
No, for then it coulde not bee truely sayd,Math. 18.27 Ephes. 1.6. that God doth freely forgiue vs.
Why then is this condition added?
Both to teach vsMath. 18.22.35. Rom. 8.14. that we ought to forgiue other, Math. 6.14.15. and also to assure vs, that, (if wee finde our selues charitablye minded towardes other) God will forgiue vs.
May not the Magistrate punish malefactors, notwithstanding, that wee forgiue them the offences which they commit against vs?
The sixt petition.Yes, why not?Rom. 13.1. &c. For punishment lawfully inflicted by the Magistrate, is not contrary to priuate charitie here taught.
The sixt petition.Which is the sixt petition?
Math. 6.13. Luke. 11.4. And lead vs not into tentation, but deliuer vs from euill.
Why is this petition placed in the last place?
Because we can not inioy Gods giftes, which we haue prayed for, except hee vouchsafeRom. 6.16. to deliuer vs from the assaultes of Satan.
What is ment by tentation, in this petition?
Math. 4.1. &c. Luke. 4.1. &c. 2. Cor. 11.14. 1. Pet. 5.8.The craftie guiles and subtill assaultes of Satan, whereby he allureth vs continually to breake Gods lawes.
What do we desire of God, when we beseech him, that he wil not lead vs into these tentations?
Herin we pray him,Rom. 7.23. that he wil not deliuer vs vp to our owne lustes, Ephes. 2.2. nor to the tyrannie of the Deuill.
Why doth Christ teach vs to praye to God to deliuer vs from tentation?
Thereby he teacheth vsEphes. 6.10. &c. to flee to Gods protection in all temptations, &Ephes. 6.18. to [Page] craue spirituall ayde of him in the same.The Conclusion.
VVhat is that Euill, from the which we desire God to deliuer vs?
Math. 4.1. &c. Luke. 4.1. &c. The Conclusion.The Deuill him selfe, Sinne, the Flesh, the vanities of the world, and whatsoeuer. Satan vseth as an instrument to draw vs from obedience to God.
VVhich is the Cōclusion of the Lords prayer?
Math. 6.13. For thine is the kingdome, and the power, & the glory for euer. Amen.
What doth this conclusion contayne?
Apoc 7.12.The prayse due vnto God, whereby we professe our fayth in him.
In acknowledgyng that the kingdome is Gods, what do we?
Thereby we professe, that it belongeth to God onely, to giue vs those thinges which we haue asked,Psal. 22.19. & 103.19. because he onely ruleth in heauen and earth.
And what do we, when we confesse, that the Power is his also?
Thereby we acknowledge, that he onely is hable to giue vs all those thinges, which we haue prayed for,Psal. 115.3. Esay. 14.27. because he onely is omnipotent.
And what do we in acknowledging [Page] that the Glory is his in like maner?
Hereby we acknowledge, that he onely is to be worshipped, prayed vnto and praysed, Psal. 115.1. because vnto him onely belongeth glory and maiesty.
What is ment by this Addition: Math. 6.13. for euer.
Hereby our faith is confirmed, and God is glorified, when we doe confesse,Psal. 102.13. &. 145.13. Apoc. 7.12. that his kingdome, his power, and his glory last, not for time, but for euerlasting.
Why do we shut vp this prayer withMath. 6.13. Amen.
Thereby we doe professeNehe. 8.7. 1. Cor. 14.16. that we pray heartely, and that God will graunt what so euer we aske according to his commaundement.
A Prayer to be vsed as well in priuate houses, as in the Congregation before the exercise of Catechising.
O Most gratious God and mercifull Father, we beseech thee for thy sonne our sauiour Christes sake, so to blesse the meditations of our hearts, the words of our mouthes, and the attendaunce of our eares, that what so euer shall bee conceiued, spoken, and heard, may turne to thy glory and our edifiyng. Amen.