2. The Uses

We have heard the preface, and the petitions what they are: now follows the third part, which is the assent or testification of faith required in prayer in this word Amen. And it contains more than men at the first would imagine: It signifies, certainly, so be it, or it shall be so. 2 Corinthians 1:20. It is often taken for a bare assent of the people, saying Amen to the minister: but in this place it contains more; for every point in this prayer is not only a direction for public prayer, but for private also, and must be said as well of the minister as of the people. Now then, there being two principal things in prayer: the first a desire of grace: the second faith, whereby we believe that God will grant things desired. The first is expressed in the six petitions: the latter is set forth in this word Amen, carrying this sense in effect. As we have craved these things at your hands, O Lord: so we do believe that for Christ's sake, in your good time you will grant them to us. Therefore this part is more excellent than the former, by how much our faith is more excellent than our desire. For in this word is contained the testification of our faith, whereas the petitions are only testifications of our desires. And as it is in the end, so also it is the seal of our prayers to make them authentic, and it is to be used (as men commonly take it) not only for this end to answer the minister, praying in the congregation, but also to testify our faith for the thing desired.