Q1. What does the particle for, which ushers in the conclusion of the Lord's prayer, teach us?

A. It "teacheth us to enforce our petitions with arguments, Rom. 15:30."206

Q2. From Whence are these arguments to be taken?

A. "Not from any worthiness in ourselves, or in any other creature, but from God, Dan. 9:19."207

Q3. What argument, for instance, may we fetch from God, to enforce our petitions?

A. That "mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other," Psalm 85:10.

Q4. What force is there in this argument?

A. A very great force, namely, that all the perfections and excellencies of the divine nature, harmoniously agree in conferring all promised blessings upon sinners of mankind, on account of the meritorious obedience, and satisfaction of Christ imputed to them, 1 Cor. 3:22, 23 - "All things are yours, and ye are Christ's."

Q5. For what end should we use arguments with God in prayer?

A. Not to prevail with him to grant what he does not see fit for us; but to quicken our own faith, and encourage our hope, to expect the good things of the promise which we want, in his own time and way, Dan. 9:18.

Q6. Why should we essay in our prayers to praise him?

A. Because "praise glorifies God," Psalm 50:23, and engages him to hear our prayers, Psalm 67:5, 6.

Q7. What way should we praise him in our prayers?

A. By ascribing kingdom, power, and glory to him.

Q8. What is meant by kingdom, power, and glory?

A. "Eternal sovereignty, omnipotency, and glorious excellency," as appertaining "to God alone," 1 Chron. 29:10-14.208

Q9. What kingdom do we ascribe to God as his?

A. The kingdom of nature, as God Creator; and the kingdom of grace, as God Redeemer.

Q10. What encouragement may we take in prayer, from the kingdoms both of nature and grace being his?

A. That we shall want nothing that is good for us, either as we are his creatures, Psalm 145:16, or his children, Matt. 7:11.

Q11. Why do we ascribe power to God, as well as kingdom?

A. Because, without power, his sovereignty could not be maintained, or his kingdom managed, Psalm 66:3, 7.

Q12. What encouragement may we take in prayer, from the power being his?

A. That no difficulty whatever shall hinder the accomplishment of the promise, Rom. 4:21.

Q13. What do we mean by ascribing glory to him?

A. We thus acknowledge, that he is possessed of all those excellencies, which render him glorious in the eyes of men and angels; and that the praise and honour of every thing that is great and excellent, or has a tendency to raise our esteem and admiration, is due to him; Psalm 78:4.

Q14. What encouragement may we take in prayer, from the glory being his?

A. That the accomplishment of his glorious purposes, and performance of his gracious promises, will bring in a revenue of glory and praise to him, Psalm 45:17.

Q15. How long will the kingdom, power, and glory be his?

A. For ever, without intermission through eternity. Ex. 15:18.

Q16. What is the difference, in this respect, between God and all earthly kings and potentates whatsoever?

A. Their kingdom, power, and glory, are only of a short duration, Psalm 82:6, 7; whereas the God with whom we have to do changes not, but is ever the same, James 1:17.

Q17. Why do we say Amen in our prayers?

A. We should do it in testimony of our desire, and assurance to be heard.

Q18. How may we know we say Amen in testimony of our desire?

A. When "by faith we are imboldened to plead with God, that he would - fulfil our requests, 2 Chron. 20:6, 11."209

Q19. What does the word signify, when we say it in testimony of our desire?

A. In this view it properly signifies, so be it, or so let it be.

Q20. When do we say Amen in testimony of our assurance to be heard?

A. When "by faith we are imboldened - quietly to rely upon him that he will fulfil our requests, 2 Chron. 14:11."210

Q21. What does the word signify, when we say it in testimony of our assurance to be heard?

A. In this sense it denotes, so it is; or, so it shall be.

Q22. In which of these views is the word, Amen, to be understood in the conclusion of this prayer?

A. It is to be understood as signifying both; namely, as including a testimony of our desire, and likewise an assurance of being heard.

Q23. How does this appear?

A. Because there cannot be a desire of any promised blessing in faith, but there must be some measure of assurance that it will be granted in God's time and order, Psalm 10:17.

Q1. Why is the conclusion joined to the particle For?

A. To teach us, that therein are included arguments, or reasons to press God withal, and to prevail with him for audience.

Q2. But is it lawful to argue with God, and to urge him with reasons in prayer?

A. It is not only lawful, but expedient, yes, highly commendable; as is seen in the saints prayer. In Moses,' Numbers 14:13. And Moses said unto the Lord, Then the Egyptians shall hear it, (for you brought up this people in your might from among them.) Verse 19. Pardon, I beseech you, the iniquity of this people, according unto the greatness of your mercy, and as you have forgiven this people from Egypt, even until now. In Joshua's, chapter 7:7. And Joshua said, Alas! O Lord God; wherefore have you at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? Would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan. Verse 9. For the Canaanites, and all the inhabitants of the land shall hear of it, and shall environ us round, and cut off our name from the earth: And what will you do unto your great name? In Asa's, 2 Chronicles 14:11. And Asa cried unto the Lord his God, and said, Lord, it is nothing with you to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power. Help us, O Lord our God, for we rest on you; and in your name we go against this great multitude. O Lord, you are our God; let no man prevail against you. In Jehoshaphat's, 2 Chr. 20:6.-And said, O Lord God of our fathers, are not you God in Heaven? And rule not you over all the kingdoms of the heathen? And in your hand is there not power and might, so that none is able to withstand you? And Hezekiah's, 2 Kings 19:15. And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord, and said, O Lord God of Israel, which dwell between the cherubim; you are the God, even you alone, of all the kingdoms of the earth: You have made Heaven and earth. Verse 19. Now therefore, O Lord our God, etc.

Q3. But to what purpose, can we think to prevail with God, by our arguments and importunities?

A. They are not used, as though we would put God in remembrance of anything, or would prevail with God to do that for us, which he is unwilling to give.

Q4. Why then?

A. For our own profit, for the enlarging of our own hearts, for the exciting of our fervency, for the exerting of faith, hope, zeal, charity, etc. in prayer; and so to prepare ourselves for the mercy, that we may the more gratefully receive it, and the more fruitfully employ it.

Q5. How many arguments are in this conclusion?

A. Three.

Q6. From whence are they taken?

A. From God's kingdom, from his power, and from his glory.

Q7. What kingdom is here meant?

A. God's universal, essential, and absolute kingdom; wherein may be, and is involved, his special kingdom over the church.

Q8. What are the arguments from hence?

A. Because all that we can pray for in this prayer, is for the advancement and perfecting of this his kingdom, by the destruction of all persons and things that oppose it, and the completion of his dominion over all his subjects; therefore he would grant all these requests.

Q9. What is another?

A. Because he being such an absolute Lord and Sovereign has an undeniable right, and unquestionable authority, to give and grant all we ask, and to effect and bring to pass all we beg: For all persons and things are his own, and at his disposal. Matthew 20:15. Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own?

Q10. What is meant by power?

A. God's essential, infinite, irresistible power, whereby he can do what he pleases; Psalm 135:6. Whatever the Lord pleased, etc.

Q11. What is the argument from hence?

A. That we ask nothing from God, but what we can do with infinite ease, in despite of all the opposition that Hell, earth and heart can make to the contrary; Philippians 3 ult. According to the working, etc. Ephesians 3:20. Now unto him that is able, etc.

Q12. What is meant by glory?

A. Not his essential glory, which no man, or angel, can ever apprehend.

Q13. What glory then?

A. His declared and acknowledged glory, even the accomplishment of all his decrees by his providence; and then the love, the adoration, and the praises, the self-dedications of angels and saints, returned to him for the same.

Q14. What is the argument or motive from hence?

A. That seeing the substance of every request does directly tend to, and will perfectly end in, this glory of God, when they are fully answered; therefore he would gradually answer them while we are here, and perfectly at last, to the advancement of his glory now, and the completion of it then. 1 Chronicles 29:11. Your, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, etc. Joshua 7:9. And what will you do unto your great name? Isaiah 42:8. I am the Lord, that is my name, etc. Isaiah 48:11. For my own sake, even for my own sake, will I do it, etc.

Q15. Why is Amen added?

A. Because it is the usual conclusion of prayers and praises; Psalm 41:13. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, etc. Psalm 72:19. And blessed be his glorious name forever, etc. 2 Corinthians 13 ult. The grace of the Lord Jesus, and the love of God, etc. Romans 16:20. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

Q16. But what does this word here signify?.

A. It signifies, (1.) The reality and ardency of our desires to be granted in what we pray for: Revelation 22:20. He which testifies these things, says, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so come Lord Jesus.

Q17. And what besides?

A. Our trust and firm confidence that we shall be heard and answered in all these our requests; Revelation 1:7. Even so, Amen. Revelation 7:12. Saying, Amen. Blessing, and glory, and wisdom, etc.

Q18. What are the inferences from hence?

A. That we ought to use in prayer all such arguments, as may most and best affect our hearts towards God, excite our graces, and succeed with God.

Q19. What is another?

A. That all we pray for must be in a subserviency to God's kingdom, and with a desire of his glory.

Q20. What is the next?

A. That we must act according to our prayers; do all we can for the advancement of God's kingdom, and the exaltation of his glory, as subjects and votaries thereto; Psalm 116:16. 1 Corinthians 10:31.

Q21. What may more be gathered hence?

A. That as we ought to begin, so to continue, and conclude our prayers, in lowest adorations of God, and acknowledgments of his glory and attributes.

Q22. What more does this conclusion teach?

A. That in prayer we must be fervent in our desires, and longing for what we pray, James 5:16.

Q23. Is there anything besides?

A. That praying for things agreeable to God's will, we ought to be confident that we shall succeed in our requests praying for the matter, and after the manner of this prayer; James 1:6, 8. Matthew 21:22.

Q1. Are we in prayer to plead with God?

A. Yes: I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments, Job 23:4.

Q2. Are our pleadings to move God?

A. No: For he is in one mind, and who can turn him, Job 23:13.

Q3. Are they to move ourselves?

A. Yes: That we may stir up ourselves to take hold on God, Isa. 64:7.

Q4. Can we in prayer plead any merit of our own?

A. No: We do not present our supplications before thee for our righteousness, Dan. 9:18.

Q5. Must we therefore take our encouragement from God only?

A. Yes: Defer not for thine own sake, O my God, Dan. 9:19.

Q6. And must we depend on that encouragement?

A. Yes: Now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee, Ps. 39:7.

Q7. May we plead that his is the kingdom?

A. Yes: Art not thou God in heaven? and rulest not thou over all the kingdoms of the heathen? 2 Chron. 20:6.

Q8. And that his is the power?

A. Yes: There is nothing too hard for thee, Jer. 32:17.

Q9. And that his is the glory?

A. Yes: Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name, Ps. 79:9.

Q10. May we also plead his mercy?

A. Yes: Save me for thy mercy's sake, Ps. 6:4.

Q11. And his promise?

A. Yes: Remember thy word unto thy servant, Ps. 119:49.

Q12. And our own experience of his goodness?

A. Yes: Thou hast delivered my soul from death, wilt thou not deliver my feet from falling? Ps. 56:13.

Q13. But must we especially plead the mediation of his Son?

A. Yes: Look upon the face of thine Anointed, Ps. 84:9.

Q14. And may we hope to prevail in these pleadings?

A. Yes: For the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, Jam. 5:16.

Q15. Is it God's grace in us which alone qualifies us for his favour?

A. Yes: Thou wilt prepare their heart, and then thou wilt cause thine ear to hear. Ps. 10:17.

Q16. Are we in prayer to praise God?

A. Yes: Every day will I bless thee, Ps. 145.

Q17. Are we to ascribe kingdom, power, and glory to him?

A. Yes: Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sits upon the throne, Rev. 5:13.

Q18. Must we acknowledge them to be his?

A. Yes: Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty, 1 Chron. 29:11.

Q19. Must we acknowledge them to be his for ever?

A. Yes: Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, Ps. 145:13.

Q20. And must we desire to be for ever praising him?

A. Yes: I will sing praise to my God while I have my being, Ps. 104:33.

Q21. Is the work of praise good work?

A. Yes: It is pleasant, and praise is comely, Ps. 147:1.

Q22. Does Amen signify our desire to be heard?

A. Yes: So be it, O Lord, Jer. 11:5.

Q23. And our hope that we shall be heard?

A. Yes: We know that we have the petitions that we desired of him, 1 John 5:15.

Q24. Is it therefore proper to conclude our prayers and praises with Amen?

A. Yes: Let all the people say, Amen. Hallelujah, Ps. 106:48.