Downame - BV209_D69_G6_1640_v1

56 That God alone is to be called upon. communicated to any other: and confequently no other is to be called upon. Fourthly, the commandment of Chrift is broken if in prayer we call upon any to whom we may not fay, Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed 6e thy name, thy kingdom come, &c. For thine is the king_ dome, &c. Whenye pray, fay, our Father, Luke r 1. 2. But without horrible blafphemie we cannot ufe this form of words to any but onely to God: therefore if we call upon any other we break the command- ment of Chrifl. If the Papifcs alledge, that in their prayers they ufually do fay their Pater nofter, I con- feffe they do, but in fo doing they commit blafphe- mous idolatry, Paying this prayer to the Rood or to the Croffe, which they worfhip cultu 4x7PHas, faying 70..%.1.7. with the old idolaters to a piece of wood, Pater me- ThomPart. us es, Thou art my father, and before the images á.t144ft. 25. not onely of men but alto of women departed. c. Reafon. Fifthly, all acceptable prayers are made in faith that they are accepted,and in hope that they fhall be Heb.i1.6. granted : For without faith it is impofsible to pleat kom.14' 23' God; and what is not offaith is finne : and prayer which is made without hope is in vain. But thofe prayers that are made to God, and they onely, are made in faith and hope : In faith, becaufe God hath commanded us to call upon him , and hath pro - mifed to heare us : In hope, becaufe God to whom we pray is omniprefent and therefore is acquainted with our wants, and fecret defires, Pfal.3 8. he is omnipotent, and therefore able to do for ms exceedingly above all that we can a/sk or think, Ephef.3.2 o, and for his bounty and goodneffe more ready 4. Reaf n.