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IF God be our Father, we must come 1. In reve∣rence as unto our heavenly Father. 2. In dutifull, thankfull, and sonne-like affection, acknowledging his mercy of Adoption, who when we were by na∣ture children of wrath adopted us to be his sonnes; and if sonnes, then heirs. Behold, what love the Father hath shewed on us, that we should be called the sonnes of
God. 3. In faith and assurance, not onely that we and our prayers are accepted in Christ, but that our prayers shall be granted unto us of our Father as may be most for his glory and our good.
And that we may come in faith, let us consider, First, that without faith we are no sonnes of his, but children of wrath, Ephes. 2. 3, 12. and if we believe we are the sonnes of God, John 1. 12. and of the houshold of faith. Secondly, that if God be our Father in Christ, he will grant us what good thing soever we ask. For 1. he is affected as a good Fa∣ther towards his children: yea, his love towards us is so much greater then the love of earthly parents as his goodnesse and mercy is greater, Isai. 63. 16. Psal. 27. 10. Isai. 49. 15. Matth. 7. 11. Luke 11. 13. 2. In that he is our Father he hath given us the great∣est gift that can be imagined, and therefore will not de•…•…y the lesse. Pater quid 〈◊〉〈◊〉 filiis, qui jam 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quòd pater est? What will the father deny to his sons, who hath vouchsafed already to be our Father? For if he have s•…•… loved us that he gave his Son for us (that in him we might be adopted his children) how shall h•…•… not with him give us all good things? Rom. 8. 32. 3. In that he hath vouchsafed us this great love to be our Father and that we should be his children, he hath also made us his heirs, & provided us an inheritance in heaven. For as he gave his Sonne in pretium, for a price, so he reserveth himself in praemium, for a reward. If therefore it be our Fathers pleasure to give us a kingdome, we need not fear but that he will grant us matters of lesse moment, Luke 12. 32. 4. In sonne-like submission we are to call upon God
our Father, &c. Matth. 26. 39, 42. And in this faith we are to rest in the will of our Father, submitting our selves thereto, knowing that he will dispose of us for the best.
Rom. 8. 16.
1. John 3. 1.
Psal. 103. 13.