Proofs | Search | Previous | Contents | Next
A. We are here again reminded that our prayers must lean more on the power and goodness of God than on any confidence in ourselves. Besides, we are taught to close all our prayers with praise.
A. Although we are free to pray in other words, and in another manner, we ought, however, to hold that no prayer can please God which is not referable to this as the only rule of right Prayer.
A. We said that this consists in acknowledging God as the author of all good, and in extolling his goodness, justice, wisdom, and power with praise and thanksgiving, that thus the glory of all good may remain entirely with him.
A. All the praises extant in Scripture ought to be our rule.
A. Yes. When we pray that his name may be hallowed, we pray that he may be duly glorified in his works-that he may be regarded, whether in pardoning sinners, as merciful; or in exercising vengeance, as just; or in performing his promises, as true: in short, that whatever of his works we see may excite us to glorify him. This is indeed to ascribe to him the praise of all that is good.
A. What truth itself teaches, and was stated at the outset, viz., that this is eternal life to know one true God the Father, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent, (John xvii. 3)-to know him, I say, in order that we may pay due honour and worship to him, that he may be not only our Lord but also our Father and Saviour, and we be in turn his children and servants, and accordingly devote our lives to the illustration of his glory.
A. For this end God has left us his holy word; for spiritual doctrine is a kind of door by which we enter his heavenly kingdom.
A. In the Holy Scriptures, in which it is contained.
A. By embracing it with entire heartfelt persuasion, as certain truth come down from heaven-by being docile, and subjecting our minds and wills in obedience to it- by loving it sincerely-by having it once for all engraven on our hearts, and there rooted so as to produce fruit in our life-finally, by being formed after its rule. Then shall it turn to our salvation, as it was intended.
A. None of them at all; but every thing which I have mentioned it belongs to God only to effect in us by the gift of his Spirit.