John Trapp on Matthew 6:8

Verse 8. Be not ye therefore like unto them] God would not have his Israel conform to the Heathens customs, nor so much as once name their Idols, Exod. 23. 13. Psal. 16. 4. No more should [illegible: 5 words]. [illegible: 1 word]. Christians (as some are of opinion.) That of Cardinall Bembus is somewhat grosse, concerning their St Francis, quòd in [illegible: 1 word] Non [illegible: 2 words]. [illegible: 2 words], [illegible: 1 word] esse [illegible: 2 words]. Deorum ab Ecclesia Romana sit relatus. But this is like the rest: For if we may beleeve Baronius, we may see their lustrall water, and sprinkling of [illegible: 1 word] in Iuvenals sixth Satyre: lights in sepulchres, in Suetonius his Octavius: lampes lighted on Saturday, in [illegible: 1 word] 96. Epistle; distribution of tapers among the Baro. Annal. [illegible: 1 word] 14. people, in Macrob. Saturnals, &c. For your heavenly father knoweth what things ye need &c.] And therefore answereth many times before we aske: as he didIsa. 65. 24. David, Psal. 32. He prevents us with many mercies we never sought him for; that our praises may exceed our prayers. I am found of them that sought me not, saith God: but yet in the same place it is said, I am sought of them that asked not for me. Importing,Isa. 65. 1. that we never seek to him for grace, till effectually called by his grace. Howbeit no sooner is any truly called, but he presently prayeth. Say not then, if God know our needs, what need we open them to him? The truth is, we doe it not to inform himNon sanè ut Deus [illegible: 1 word], sed ut mens nostra [illegible: 1 word]. of that he knows not, or to stir up mercy in him, who is all bowels, and perfectly pitieth us: but 1. Hereby we acknowledge him as a childe doth his father, when he runs to him for food. 2. We run that course of getting good things, that he hath prescribedLuk. 11. 13. us, Jer. 29. 11, 12. Which Moses and Elias knew, andExod. 9. therefore the former turned Gods predictions, the later his promises1 King. 18. into prayers. 3. Hereby we prepare our selves holily to enjoy the things we crave: for prayer both sanctifieth the creature, and encreaseth our love and thankfullnesse, Psal. 116 1. 4. Prayer prepareth us, either to go without that we beg, if God see fit, as David, when he prayed for the childes life, and was fitted thereby to bear the losse of it; or else to part with that we have got by prayer, for the glory of God the giver of it. Those that make their requests known to God with thanksgiving, shall have (at least) the peace of God that passeth all understanding, to guard their [non-Latin text not transcribed]. hearts and mindes in Christ Iesus. They shall have strength inPhil 4 6, 7. their souls, the joy of the Lord shall be their strength, the glory ofPsal 138. 3. Nehe, 8. 10. the Lord shall be their rereward. In their marching in the wildernesse,Isa. 58. 8. at the fourth Alarm, arose the standard of Dan, Asher and Nepthali; these were the rereward of the Lords host; and to these were committed the care of gathering together the lame, feeble and sick, and to look that nothing was left behinde. Unto this the Prophet Isaiah seems (in that text) to allude, and so doth David, Psal. 27. 10. When my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will gather me, And this comfortable assurance was the fruit of his prayer.As the just must live by his own faith, so must he get his living by his own prayers. 1 Pet. 3. 7.