Q1. In what words is the preface of the Lord's prayer contained?

A. It is contained in these words, Our Father which art in heaven.

Q2. What is the end and design of this preface?

A. It is to give us a directory how to invoke or address the true object of all religious worship.

Q3. What is it to invoke or address God in prayer?

A. It is, in a believing and reverential manner, to make mention of some of his names, titles, or attributes, in a suitableness to the nature of the duty in which we are engaged: as in 1 Kings 8:23; Dan. 9:4.

Q4. Whom do we invoke, or call upon, when we address the Father.

A. We invoke the Three-one God; because though each person of the Trinity be the object of worship, 2 Cor. 13:14; yet when any of these adorable persons is addressed, we are, in our minds, to include the other two; in as much as the very same divine nature and essence is in them all, 1 Chron. 29:10.

Q5. Why are we directed to address the Three-one God as a Father?

A. To teach us, that the object of true and acceptable worship, is a reconciled God, Psalm 130:4.

Q6. In what respect is God called a Father, with reference to men?

A. He is called a Father, with reference to them, either in respect of creation, external covenant-relation, or the grace of adoption.

Q7. To whom is he a Father in respect of creation?

A. In this respect he is a Father to all mankind in general, Mal. 2:10.

Q8. To whom is he a Father in respect of external covenant relation?

A. To all the members of the visible church, or such as profess the true religion, and their children, 2 Cor. 6:18.

Q9. To whom is he a Father in respect of the grace of adoption?

A. To believers only, or such as are "the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus," Gal. 3:26.

Q10. May not every one who hears the gospel warrantably cry to God, "My Father," according to Jer. 3:4?

A. No doubt but it is their duty to do so, upon the call and command of God; but none will actually do it in faith, but they into whose hearts "God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son," Gal. 4:6.

Q11. What are we taught, when we are directed to invoke God in prayer, by the title of Father?

A. We are hereby taught, to draw near to God - as children to a Father.

Q12. In what manner should God's children draw near to him as their Father?

A. With all holy reverence and confidence.

Q13. Why called holy reverence?

A. To distinguish it from that dutiful regard and respect which children owe to their parents by the dictates of nature's light.

Q14. In what consists the nature of this holy reverence?

A. It consists in a most profound inward esteem of God, as a Father, accompanied with "other child-like dispositions,"185 becoming that relation, Isaiah 64:9.

Q15. What are these other child-like dispositions, which accompany the reverence with which God's children approach him?

A. Among others, there are patience under his rebukes, Micah. 7:9; obedience to his commands, Acts 9:6; and a fervent zeal for his honour and glory, Mal. 1:6.

Q16. What is that confidence which God's children have in him as their Father?

A. It is that entire trust they repose in him, as able and ready to help them.

Q17. Whence are they persuaded of his ability and readiness to help them?

A. From his all-sufficiency, Luke 11:13, and boundless liberality, Psalm 84:11, as laid out in the promise for their benefit.

Q18. What help does he afford them?

A. Such a help as to do all; "for it is God that worketh in us, both to will and to do of his good pleasure," Phil. 2:13.

Q19. Why are we directed to address our Father in heaven?

A. To teach us to draw near to him with "heavenly affections, Lam. 3:41, and due apprehension of his sovereign power, majesty, and gracious condescension, Isaiah 63:15, 16."186

Q20. What does the consideration of his being in heaven more particularly teach us?

A. It teaches us from whence to expect our blessings and benefits, and likewise the manner in which we ought to address God for them.

Q21. From whence are we to expect our blessings?

A. "From above," James 1:17, because they are in heavenly places, Eph. 1:3.

Q22. Why are our blessings said to be in heavenly places?

A. Because their original is from thence, and there will the full enjoyment of them at last be, Psalm 16:11.

Q23. What does the consideration of God's being in heaven teach us, with reference to the manner in which we ought to address him for our blessings?

A. It teaches us to be modest, humble, and cautious, in our conceptions of, and applications to him; as being a God of such inconceivable greatness, and glorious majesty, Eccl. 5:2 - "Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before God; for God is in heaven, and thou upon earth, therefore let thy words be few."

Q24. To whom does the relative pronoun our, in the preface, refer?

A. It refers both to ourselves and others.

Q25. What is the import of it as it refers to ourselves?

A. When we are directed to say our Father, it imports the faith and confidence we are warranted to express in him, as standing in such an amiable relation.

Q26. Upon what grounds are we warranted to express our faith and confidence in him, as standing in the amiable relation of our Father?

A. Upon the ground of his being "the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," Eph. 1:3; and upon the ground of our new-covenant Head calling him "my Father," in the name of all his spiritual seed, Psalm 89:26 - "He shall cry unto me, Thou art MY FATHER."

Q27. What do these words, our Father, import, as they have a respect to others?

A. They import that we should pray with and for others.

Q28. What is it to pray with others?

A. It is to be the mouth of others to God, or to join with them in family or social worship.

Q29. What is it to pray for others?

A. It is to express our concern about them, or our sympathy with them before God, as sincerely and ingenuously, as we would do with reference to ourselves, were we in the same circumstances, Psalm 35:13.

Q30. Who are these others for whom we should pray?

A. We should pray for "all men," 1 Tim. 2:1; yea, for them which despitefully use us and persecute us, Matt. 5:44; but especially for "all saints," Eph. 6:18.

Q31. Why have all the saints a special claim to our prayers?

A. Because they are the special favourites of heaven, John 15:9, and therefore the very butt of the keenest resentment of hell, 1 Pet. 5:8.

Q1. What does the word Father import in this preface?

A. It imports the Spirit of adoption to be the principal thing in all acceptable prayers; Galatians 4:6. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

Q2. What is the first benefit, or help we have in prayer, from the Spirit of adoption?

A. He excites our spirits to seek God in prayer; Psalm 27:8. When you said, Seek you my face; my heart said unto you, Your face, Lord, will I seek.

Q3. What is the second assistance he gives us in prayer?

A. He writes and suggests suitable and acceptable matter to us in prayer; Romans 8:26. Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us, etc.

Q4. What is the third benefit we have by him in prayer?

A. He fills our souls with spiritual and holy affections in prayer, and helps us to act his graces in our duties; Romans 8:26. Likewise the Spirit also helps our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought; but the Spirit itself makes intercession for us, with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Q5. What else does this word Father import?

A. It imports that holy confidence which believers may, and ought to draw near to God withal, as children to a Father; Ephesians 3:12. In whom we have boldness and access, with confidence, by the faith of him.

Q6. Does it only signify our relation and confidence?

A. No, it also signifies the reverential fear of God, which ought at all times to be on our hearts, especially in prayer; Malachi 1:6. A son honors his father, and a servant his master: If then I be a father, where is mine honor? and if I be a master, where is my fear?

Q7. What is further imported in this word Father?

A. It imports God's willingness and readiness to grant the best mercies to his people that seek them duly at his hand; Matthew 7:11. If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your Father which is in Heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Q8. Why is he here called our Father?

A. To signify to us, that it is not only our duty to pray secretly by and for ourselves, but also with and for others? Ephesians 6:18. Praying always, with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints.

Q9. Why is God said here to be in Heaven?

A. It is to note his sovereign power and dominion over all, as a ground-work of faith in prayer.

Q10. What else does it import?

A. The great distance between God and us, which should fill our hearts with a holy awe of him; Ecclesiastes 5:2.-God is in Heaven, and you upon earth: therefore let your words be few.

Q11. What is the first inference from hence?

A. It shows us, what a sad case all those are in, that have no special interest in God as a Father.

Q12. What is the second inference from hence?

A. It shows us, what a glorious privilege the Lord Jesus Christ has purchased for, and settled on his people? Hebrews 4:15, 16. For we have not an high-priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Q13. What is the last inference from hence?

A. That seeing believers have a Father in Heaven, they should never fear wants while they live, nor be afraid to die, since death brings them to Heaven their Father's house. Of sanctifying God's Name

Q1. Is God our Father?

A. Yes: Doubtless thou art our Father, Isa. 63:16.

Q2. Does he appoint us to call him so?

A. Yes: Wilt thou not from this time cry unto me, My Father, thou art the guide of my youth, Jer. 3:4.

Q3. Is he our Father by creation?

A. Yes: Have we not all one Father? Hath not one God created us? Mal. 2:10.

Q4. And by redemption?

A. Yes: Is not he thy Father that bought thee? Deut. 32:6.

Q5. And by adoption?

A. Yes: I will be a Father to them, 2 Cor. 6:18.

Q6. Is God a wise Father?

A. Yes: The Father of lights, Jam. 1:17.

Q7. Is he a gracious Father?

A. Yes: The Father of mercies, 2 Cor. 1:3.

Q8. Is he our soul's Father?

A. Yes: The Father of spirits, Heb. 12:9.

Q9. Is he the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ?

A. Yes: I bow my knee to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Eph. 3:14.

Q10. Is he in him our Father?

A. Yes: I ascend to my Father, and your Father, John 20:17.

Q11. Are we in prayer to call God Father?

A. Yes; Crying Abba, Father, Gal. 4:6.

Q12. And to esteem him as a Father?

A. Yes: I will arise and go to my Father, and say unto him, Father, Luke 15:18.

Q13. And is this comfortable in prayer?

A. Yes: For with thee the fatherless find mercy, Hos. 14:3.

Q14. Is God our Father in heaven?

A. Yes: For the Lord's throne is in heaven, Ps. 11:4.

Q15. Is heaven a high place?

A. Yes: And we must lift up our hearts with our hands to God in the heavens, Lam. 3:41.

Q16. Is it a holy place?

A. Yes: And we must lift up holy hands, 1 Tim. 2:8.

Q17. Is it a place of prospect?

A. Yes: And therefore our Father sees in secret, Matt. 6:6.

Q18. Is it a place of power?

A. Yes: And therefore he is able to do above all that we ask or think, Eph. 3:20.

Q19. Ought we therefore to pray with reverence?

A. Yes: For God is in heaven, and we upon earth, Eccl. 5:2.

Q20. And with holy confidence?

A. Yes: For we have boldness and access with confidence, Eph. 3:12.

Q21. For is God a Father who is able to help us?

A. Yes: My Father is greater than all, John 10:29.

Q22. Does he know our wants?

A. Yes: Your heavenly Father knows that ye have need of all these things, Matt. 6:32.

Q23. Is he willing to help?

A. Yes: For the Father himself loveth you, John 16:27.

Q24. Must we pray with others?

A. Yes: There were many gathered together praying, Acts 12:12.

Q25. Must we pray for others?

A. Yes: We must make supplication for all saints, Eph. 6:18.