Naturall , when a man , Difference between naturall and spirituall desires in prayer . out of a sense of that which hee needeth , and which may be for his naturall well being here , and for his happinesse hereafter , from a meere well-wishing to himselfe , doth pray unto God to obtaine it . Thus a naturall man , a very Balaam may pray . Num. 23.10 .

A spirituall desire ( be it of naturall or spirituall good things ) is from the spirit and regenerate part of man , Rom 8.26 27. put up to God with holy affections , in a spirituall manner , to a spirituall end . Onely the regenerate can thus pray .

Ye : first the Disciples , and under them hee meaneth all Christians . Act. 11.26 . For although Christ gave his Disciples some precepts that onely did belong to them as Apostles , yet hee gave very many precepts to them as they were Christians ; as that in Marke 13.37 . What I say to one , I say to all , Watch : so here , what he saith to them , he saith to all , Pray .

Therefore , hath a double reference , both to the sinfull manner dehorted from , and to this holy manner exhorted to . He reasoneth thus , the manner of hypocritical and heathenish praying is sinfull : this manner here propounded is most holy , therefore pray in this manner , and not as they doe .

After this manner , or thus ; the word rendred thus , or in this manner , is a note of likenesse , pointing unto the patterne following . As if he had said , Say , Our Father , as it is Luk. 11.2 . or if you use other words , let them be according unto this patterne here prescribed , to wit , to the same person , the same matter , in the same kindes of prayer , whether it bee in Petition for our selves for that which is good , or in deprecation against that which is evill , or in Intercessions for others , or in Thanksgiving both for our selves , and for others ; and with the same good disposition of heart , as is taught in this forme of prayer following . The words thus opened , the particulars therein offer divers profitable lessons .

Christs diligence in teaching his servants and familie this necessarie religious duty of praier : both at this time , of his owne accord , and at another time at the request of one of his Disciples , is first to be observed . Luk ▪ 11.1 .

All the actions of Christ Jesus are observable , and of excellent use ; but onely some of them binde Christians to imitation . That I may therefore cleere the foundation of the doctrine to be concluded from Christs practise ; let it be considered , that the actions of Christ were of different natures . He did some acts as he was God , and as Mediator betweene God and man ; as his miracles , and offering up of himselfe a sacrifice for sinne , &c. These actions should work in all men an holy admiration of him , and faith in him : but must not , nay cannot be imitated .

How far Christs example doth bind to imitation . He did other actions as hee was man , some whereof were indifferent , being neither commanded nor forbidden : others were necessarie , being commanded . Those actions which he did which were indifferent , doe teach us Christian libertie , shewing what we may do : but doe not lay a bond upon the conscience to tye us to doe the same . Christ did sometimes stand when he prayed , this was an indifferent action : hence we may conclude , that wee may stand when we pray : but yet cannot conclude that we must stand alwaies when we pray . And the like must be understood of all other indifferent actions of his , except some true cause come betweene , which to us , may take away the indifferencie ; as commandment of the Magistrate , or offence of the godly , or stumbling blocke to the wicked , or the like .

The necessary actions which he did , that came under some commandement , were either ceremoniall , which concerned him as he was a Iew , borne of the Virgin Mary ; or morall , which concerned him as hee was a man , made under , and subject to the morall Law , Gal. 4.4 . though not by nature , for so he is above all law ; but by voluntary subjection , as , in our stead , to which also he was designed .

The ceremoniall actions which he did , are not to be followed , because he did put an end unto them all , Col. 2.14 . when he nayled them on the crosse . The Morall actions , viz. such as obedience to his Parents , and love to his neighbour ; patience in bearing and forgiving injuries , &c. are all left us for examples , 1 Pet. 2 , 21 ; that wee should follow his steps . Of this sort is his care to instruct his people , and familie under his charge .

All his actions in this kinde are exemplary rules , and doe adde a double force to a commandement , both shewing what ought to bee done , and what is possible to bee done : wherefore from his example of teaching his Disciples , who were as his familie , upon all occasions both publikely and privately , as hee had opportunity , I conclude :

Doct. 1 All that have a familie and charge of people belonging unto them , must teach them necessarie points of godlinesse , such as prayer , faith , repentance , new obedience , &c. There is a like reason of all as of one . The Lord saith of his commandements , They shall be in thine heart , Deut. 6.6.7 . and thou shalt teach them diligently to thy children , &c. The Apostle doth charge fathers to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord . Eph. 6 ▪ 4. And masters have the same charge given them over their servants for matters of religion , which Parents have over their children ; for governours are charged to have care of the man-servants and maid-servants , as well as of sonnes and daughters , Exod. 20.10 . The examples of Abraham , Iosuah , Gen , 18.19 . Iosh. 24.16 . Pro. 3● . 1 . and Bathsheba , are recorded in Scripture for their commendation , and for the good example of all that be called to the like condition .

1 For this is a meanes to convert , to confirme , Reason . 1 Thes. 5. 11.14 . and to edifie their people in their most holy faith , and to propagate and inlarge the Church of God , which will bring much glory to his name ; for it is the honour of a King to have many , and those both strong and loyall subjects .

2 Their people have need to be taught the grounds of religion , and to have them often whetted upon them . It will do them more good then meate , drinke , apparell , physicke , and all other necessaries of nature : by as much as the soule is better then the body , and eternall life better then that which is but for a moment ; in compassion therefore and love unto them , they are bound to teach them .

3 Sinne is so abhominable , and mischievous , and is a common enemy , that , as wee doe with serpents , and ravenous beasts , every one must smite at it to kill it wheresoever he doth meete it : especially when it is poysoning , and worrying the lambs of his owne familie .

4 Grace and godlinesse is so sweet and amiable , and so profitable whersoever it groweth , that it were an happinesse if it grew every where ; more especially if it grew so neare as in the familie .

5 True respect to a mans selfe , doth binde him to the dutie of instructing , and teaching his charge . For he is accountable to God , and must himselfe answer for the sinnes of his familie as one accessarie , if he by instruction and admonition have not reclaimed , or restrained them . Besides , the sinnes of wife , children , yea of servants also are infectious : a master may catch the plague even of his servant . Also while the familie remaineth wicked , it is a daily vexation to a righteous soul to behold their ignorance , and to see their ungodly deeds . As were the soules of Isaac and Rebecca with their uninstructed daughters in law , Gen. 26.35 the wives of their prophane sonne Esau . Gen. 37.46 And as was the soule of David , for the deeds of his too much cockered sonnes , Ammon , Absolon , and Adonijah . And when guiltines of not teaching them when hee might have done them good , shall come daily to remembrance , this bringeth bitter griefe indeed . Wherefore to avoid these evils , every man in verie providence for himselfe should instruct his people . Which if he do , it will be a good assurance to himselfe of his owne conversion ; he shall have benefit by their goodnes ; it will rejoyce his heart to see his children walke in the faith ; hee shall taste the fruit of his owne grafting in his owne orchard ; they will pray for him , and give good example & good advice , whereof the strongest Christians have sometimes need ; his whole house shall be a blessing . If his paines take no good effect , yet hee shall have peace of conscience , and his worke is with the Lord .

Lastly , parents and governours have advantage above other men , by reason of their domesticke authoritie , which will cause the inferiours either for feare or love to regard instructions . Also their daily presence giveth them often opportunities to instill knowledge by drops , according as their narrow capacities will receive : & they may often whet the same things upon their dull understandings , which no other person ( no , not a Minister ) hath opportunitie to do . In all these respects , hee that is willing to imitate Christ ; may see , that if hee have people under his charge , he must teach them the needful points of religion , such as prayer , and the rest . I have beene large in the proofe of this doctrine , because many will not be convinced , and few are so convinced , as to be perswaded to put it in practise . The use followeth .

Vse 1 This is to convince all which make question whether they stand charged to teach or catechise their children & servants . They think that if they provide for them maintenance , if they teach them good manners , and civill behaviour , and if they traine them up in some honest trade of life , whereby they may live like men another day , they have done all that can be required of them . But in all this what singular thing do ye ? Do not the very Pagans and Infidels as much ? Thou wilt feed and cloathe thy beast . If thou wilt teach them manners that they may not shame thee when they converse with men , then teach them the manner of praying , and good behaviour towards God , that when they meet with him , and speake to him daily , they may not shame thee much more . Is it not a shame to parents when the childe neither knoweth what , nor how to speake unto God , either for them , or for himselfe ? Doth common reason teach thee to traine them up in some honest trade of life , that they may live like men in their age ? Let grace then teach thee that there is an age wherein if in this life they bee not taught to live godly , they shall never shine like men and Angels ; yea , like Christ , as all godly men shall in the glorious heavens : but when they dye , and this age come upon them , they must live basely and miserably , even as the divels in hell fire for evermore .

Ob. It belongeth to Ministers to teach and catechise .

Sol. It doth : but not to Ministers onely . For though women may not be Ministers , Tit. 2.4 . yet the aged are commanded to teach the younger to be sober , &c. And Ministers for the most part lose their labour in publick , when governours of families do not before prepare their people , and afterwards whet upon them that in private which they have beene taught in publicke : when Ministers and masters have done what they can , all is little enough . God hath made every governour a steward over his houshold , to minister unto them in his place all things needfull : know therefore thy office , else if thou bee found negligent , thy lot is to be cut in sunder , and to have thy portion with hipocrites , Matth 24.51 . where is weeping and gnashing of teeth .

Vse 2 This is also to reprove those , who , although they can except nothing against this doctrine , yet do altogether , or for the most part , neglect it . Their excuses are ; either they know not how to teach , or have no leisure , or they teach them to say their prayers , the Pater-noster , Creed , and ten Commandements , what would we have more ? To the first I answer ; art thou of yeares to be married , and to be a father or a master , and doest not know the chiefe points of religion ? for shame make not this excuse . Luk. 12.47 That servant which knew his Lords will , and prepared not himselfe , neither did according to his will , shal be beaten with many stripes . To the second ; thou wilt spare them time to eate and drinke , and sleepe and play ; thou sayest they cannot live else , nor hold out in thy worke , and thou shouldest bee accounted hard and cruell . It is true . But if they be not taught the Principles of religion , they cannot live the life of grace , nor be able to do Gods worke : and , of the two , he is the cruellest master and father , which doth starve the soules of his familie , and suffer them to dye for lack of knowledge . And whereas they say , they teach them their prayers ; I say , as good never a whit as never the better , when they teach them onely to say them by rote , but do not teach them what they meane . Besides , they teach them the Creed , and ten Commandements for prayers , whereas the Creed is a rule of faith , and the Commandements a rule of obedience : and , of those three , onely the Lords Prayer is a prayer , and the rule of all other prayer . It shall be therefore their safest course to acknowledge their negligence and reforme it ; for excuses will not availe them at the day of reckoning .

Vse 3 This doctrine doth argue a third sort of governors of most notorious wickednesse , who are so farre from teaching their people how to be religious , that if they be taught to their hand they unteach them , by disgracing of prayer , hearing of the word , and all other exercises of religion : and by deriding of all such as frequent them ; and if wife , and children , or servants would learne by repairing unto such meanes as may informe them , they do either expresly forbid and threaten them ; or by subtill allurements withdraw them . The Apostle calleth such persons children of the devill , enemies of all righteousnesse , because they cease not to pervert the right wayes of the Lord . For as Elimas sought to keepe Sergius Paulus , Act. 13.10 : so do these their people , from the faith . Our Saviour denounceth wo against them , because they shut up the kingdome of heaven against men , Mat 23.13 they neither go in themselves , nor suffer them that are entring , to go in .

This concerneth all such Ministers Vse 4 which are also masters of families ; for if the aforementioned faults be found in us , as they are too frequent in too many , by how much our double calling requireth it more at our hand , by so much our sinne is more aggravated , and our case more wofull .

Vse 5 All that are or may be governours , are hereby exhorted unto three things . First , they must charge this duty of teaching their family upon their conscience . Secondly they must acquaint themselves with the chiefe Principles of religion , else they cannot teach others . And it will be a shame unto them , when for time and calling men should bee teachers , they have need that one teach them againe which be the first Principles of the Oracles of God . Heb. 5.12 . Thirdly , let them in the feare of God take all occasions to teach such as belong unto them , setting some time apart to call the familie together for that purpose , and , if need be , use the help of some short familiar Catechisme : and , at all times , as opportunitie serveth , be dropping in of knowledge , and whetting of some good thing or other upon them , Deut. 6.7 . as you sit in the house , or when you walke by the way , when you lie downe , and when you rise up . In thus doing , you shall discharge your dutie to God , Motives why governours should teach thei● people to be religious . you shall shew true love to your familie , love to goodnesse , and hatred of sin ; you shall make proofe of your owne conversion , you shall be freed certainly from the infection of their sinne , if you bee not from the vexation : you shal much increase your knowledge by teaching , though you teach but the unlearned . For this instructing the familie is a meane to come to the knowledge of those secrets of God , of which yet you never heard . God will reveale his will to such , he cannot hide it ; as he saith of Abraham , Gen. 18.17 , 19. Shal I hide from Abraham , &c. why not from Abraham ? For I know him , saith God , that he will command his children , and his houshold after him , and they shall keepe the way of the Lord , &c. Lastly , the teaching of our familie is an excellent meanes to further our owne practise in godlinesse ; for hee that is privie to himselfe that he knoweth his dutie , yea that he hath taught others the same : his conscience hereupon will urge him to teach himselfe , be it to pray , or to heare the word , &c. Thus the conscience hath a sharper spurre to pricke forward to goodnesse , and hath a stronger bit or checke to curbe and restraine from evill , then otherwise it could have . One halfe of these motives , nay any one of them , might perswade any that is not obstinate to instruct his wife , children and servants . Gen. 9.27 . But the Lord must perswade , else words are but winde .

It concerneth all children Vse 6 and servants to consider what charge God hath laid upon their Governours ; learning thereby that it is as well Gods will that all under houshold governement should suffer themselves to be taught , as that any householders should teach . You must therefore willingly be present at times appointed to catechise , or to talke of good things : and being present , attend and learn with all diligence , yea sometimes give the father or master occasion to teach you , by asking some good question , as the Disciples did aske Christ , saying , What might this parable be ? Luke 8.9 . and by moving him , as the Disciple which said , Lord teach us to pray . Luke 11.1 . And when you have received instruction of father or mother , forsake it not , for they will make you beautifull before God , Pro. 1.9 . being ornaments of grace to your heads , and chaines about your neckes . But if you be stubborne , and will not bee taught by them , then know , that as he that will not eate , is a murtherer of his body ; so are yee that refuse instruction , murtherers of your soules : for the eare that heareth the reproofe of life , abideth among the wise : Pro. 15.31.32 . he that refuseth instruction , despiseth his owne soule .

Therefore : Our Saviour inferreth this exhortation to pray aright , upon consideration that many prayed amisse : whence learne ,

Doct. 2 The more subject any duty is to be performed amisse , there is the more cause that Christians doe learne and indeavour to performe it aright . The more waies a good duty may be ill done , the more care should be had how it may be well done . Vpon this very ground , the Lord directeth his Disciples to the right manner of giving almes , verse 2. and of fasting , verse 16. &c. Our Saviour reasoneth in like manner for hearing the word aright , that because many heard amisse , scil. some received the word as the high way doth seed , not understanding what they heard : some as the stonie ground , the word tooke not deepe root : some as the thorny ground , they gave entertainement to worldly cares and pleasures together with the word ; and so all three sorts became fruitlesse . Take heed therfore how you heare , saith our Saviour , Luk. 8.18 .

For to the pleasing of God , Reason . it is not enough that the matter of the thing done be good , but the manner how , Bonum consistit ex causis integris . and the end why , and all circumstances in the doing it must be good also , so that failing but in one thing , doth marre the action . Man is subject to faile in prayer many waies . Now if there be many by-waies , man is in more danger of going out of his way , then if there were but one . And as mans nature is prone to erre , and take the worst : so Satan is very cunning and diligent , by setting goodly apparences upon by-waies , to cause man to mistake the right . Wherefore the more subject man is to runne out into by-waies , the more heed he should take that he doe not goe aside out of the right way of serving the Lord .