Exposition of the Lords Prayer, Treatise · Part 10
As it is in heaven.
HItherto of that obedience which is to be yeelded unto the revealed will of God: now it followeth out of these words to be considered, how and in what manner wee ought to obey, viz. as the Angels and Saints doe in heaven: not that any man living can attaine unto that measure of obedience as they doe, but the manner of their obedience is to be imitated and aymed at with all care and diligence. So that the point here to be learned, is this. That;
Those that would bee found faithfull and obedient Observa. 11 Angels example to bee imitated.unto the will of God, must not follow the examples of mortall men, but of the holy Angels and blessed Saints in heaven.
First, Because they are perfect patterns, and Reason 1 without any exception, as for the best men that are, they may offend, and doe offend as well as we: and therefore are no sure coppies for us to follow.
And besides; this must needs be a speciall meanes to humble us, when we see how farre short we come of that holinesse which is in them.
And it may be also a continuall spur unto us, to help us forward unto perfection, so that we shall alwayes be at the growing hand, whereas if we imitate any mens example, we shall faile, both of humilitie, and of growth in grace, for within a while we shall either indeed (or in our conceit at least) be as good as those whom wee propose as patterns to be followed. And then we shall swell with Pride, and beginne to be high minded, and so not striue unto perfection but either stand at a stay, or goe backward.
Now, that we may the better discerne, howHow the Angels doe obey the will of God. the Angels and Saints are to bee imitated, wee must consider more particularly, how they doe obey, viz. willingly, faithfully, and humbly.1. Willingly. Isa. 6. 2.
First, they obey readily, and faithfully, and humbly. In which regard, the Angels are said to hauehave winges, to note their swiftnesse, in performing whatsoever is injoyned them, they find such joy and contentment in Gods will, that they doe with much delight undertake and goe through with whatsoever service he calleth them unto, and such as is the obedience of the Angels, as also that of the Saintes, for they are as free from all impediments and hindrances, and as full of all grace, and goodnesse, as the Angels themselues. Herein therefore let us labour to be like unto them, even to be joyfull, and chearfull in the service of God, not as many who will not come unto prayer, or hearing of the word, or the like, but they must be haled, and drawne thereunto by a kind of violence: but as for their lusts, and the pursuite of pleasures, and vanities, there they are winged, and very nimble and forward.
Let us be otherwise minded, and casting a way whatsoever clogs may hinder us, let us chearfully runne the race of christianitie, that is set before us, till we be crowned with happinesse and immortalitie in the heavens.
Secondly as the Angels of God obey readily, 2. Faithfully.so doe they also obey faithfully, not in some things at some times, but in all things at all times; If the Lord giuegive them never so many commandements: they care as much for the performance of all of them, as of any one of them. When the Angell was sent to inflict the pestilence on Iudea, he did not smite one or two2 Chron. villages and then desist: he did not pretend that it was against his nature, to proceed any further, no, that had been enough to hauehave made him a devill in hell.
And shall any man then, who is but a worme prescribe unto God what he shall command him, and refuse in somethings, to yeeld obedience unto his holy will, because it is against his nature, nay, his nature must stoop unto Gods law otherwise it will bring him to destruction in the end. None are such grosse sinners, but they will forbeare one sinne or other; and none almost are so sanctified, but they would faine be borne with, in one sinne or other. Come to some that hauehave beene iniurious to their bretheren, and tell them that they must be reconciled, they wil be content with that, but tell them withall that they must make restitution, and there they will leaue you; Oh, they cannot like of that, but why should they not like as well of one commandement of God as of another: Is it not their duty to yeeld obedience unto all? certainly if they endeuour not so to doe, they are not like the Angels in heaven, neither doe they make this petition from a heart altogether sincere and faithfull unto the Lord.
Thirdly, and lastly, they yeeld obedience in humilitie, casting downe their crownes before the Revel. 4.Lords footstoole: And being well content, that he shall hauehave all the glory, to whom alone it doth appertaine, how much more should wee that are but dust and ashes, abase our selues, and humble our hearts in his presence, acknowledging that of him are al things, and that therefore, all praise belongeth unto his maiestie.
Here then are those to be reproved, that Ʋse 1 though they take most lewd and wretched courses, yet imagine to carry out all their foule sinnes with this, that others are as bad or worse then they are. What need such a stirre (say they) I hope I doe but as my neighbours doe, and many thousands are as great offenders as I? Like enough so: but hauehave you learned the Lords prayer no better? HaueHave you babbled over this petition, Thy will bee done in earth, as it is in heaven, so often, and not understood it? Or if you did understand it, and know that God requireth that we should obey him, as the Saints and Angels doe, hauehave you so little regard of his commandement, that you will rather follow the crooked rule of wicked mens example, then the perfect direction, which the examples of the Saints & Angels do giuegive to you? This sheweth that we are far from sincere obedience, and therfore we should learne be times to take better wayes, least being altogether unlike the Saints of God here, we be utterly excluded from their company hereafter.
Secondly, This may serue for the humbling of Ʋse 2 the best that are, seeing that when they hauehave done what they can, yet they come farre short of Angelicall obedience. The proud Pharisie thought himselfe in very good case, when hee was not like the Publican: but who bad him to make comparison with the Publican? He should hauehave compared his obedience with that that is performed in heaven, & then he should hauehave found himselfe more like a devill in hell, than an Angel or Saint in heaven: and surely the most godly that are if they examine their actions by this touch-stone, shall see great cause to cry out with the Publican, Lord be mercifull to me a sinner.