4. Graces to be desired.
1. THe graces to be desired, and to bee praied for at Gods hand, are three. The first is the knowledge of God, that is, that we might knowe him as he hath reuealed himselfe in his word, works and creatures. For how shall any glorifie God before he know him? Our knowledge in this life is imperfect. Exod. 23. Moses may not see Gods face, but his hinder parts. 1. Corin. 13.12. We may see God as men doe, through spectacles in his word, sacraments, and creatures. And therefore as Paul praied for the Colossians. Col. 1.10. That they might increase in the knowledge of God: so are wee taught to pray for our selues in this petition.
2. We desire that a zeale of Gods glorie may be kindled in our hearts, and that we may be kept from prophaning and abusing of his name. Psal. 69.9. The zeale of thine house hath eaten me vp. Psal. 45.1. My heart shall vtter, or cast vp a good matter. I will speake in my workes of the king. Here the spirit of God borrowes a comparison from men, thus. As hee which hath somewhat lying heauie in his stomacke, is neuer quiet till he haue cast it vp: euen so the care & desire to glorifie Gods name must lie vpon a mans heart as an heauie burden: and he is not to be at ease and quiet with himselfe till he bee disburdened, in sounding forth Gods praise. Luther saith well, that this is Sancta crapula: that is, an holy surfet: and it is no hurt continually to haue our hearts ouercharged thus.
3. A desire to lead a godly and vpright life before God and men. We see men that in some great calling vnder honourable personages, will so order & behaue themselues, as they may please and honour their masters: euen so must our liues be well ordered, and we are to labour to walke worthie of the Lord (as Paul speaketh) that we may honour our heauenly father.