The Substance of Christian Religion, Lecture 47
The forty seventh Lords day. On the first petition of the Lords prayer.
Hallowed be thy Name.
ALl the petitions of the Lords Prayer are very short, & yet such, as contain all things that are to be sought for in their own way, and that in an order most convenient. For the four first Petitions concerne the obtaining of good; and the two last, the removing of evill. Amongst the former, these have the first place, which nearliest concerne the glory of God: And first of all the glory of God it self is sought and prayed for in the first petition, where by the name of God, God himself is understood, & such things as most intimately belong unto him, in as much as he hath reveal'd himself unto the creatures. By sanctifying of this name then is understood, the manifestation of Gods glory, as most becomes his most holy majesty.
Doct. 1. All prayers that we offer to God, are to be followed with great zeal and affection.
This is hence gathered; because all these petitions are so short, but yet pithy and comprehensive, that it may from thence appear that the power of prayer consists not so much in multitude of words, and empty or vain repititions or bablings, as in the servent and well composed desires of the heart.
Reas. 1. Because the abundance of the heart is here chiefly regarded, according to which the mouth ought onelyonly to speak: And the abundance of the heart consists in such desires with zeal and fervour, or heat of affections.
Reas. 2. Because God knowes what we stand in need of, so that a long and artificial or skilfull expounding of things to God, is not needfull, nor doth at all profit, further than it proceeds from an overflowing abundance of the heart.
Use, Of Reproof, against such bablings, as being expresly condemned by Christ our Lord himself, are yet wilfully and professedly used by Papists; and by others also out of a lukewarme formality, in as much as they use a forme of praying, but deny the power of it.
Doct. 2. Such things are in the first place, and with greatest affection to be sought after, as most concerne the glory of Gods name.
This is gathered from the order of the petitions.
Reas. 1. Because in the order of intention, and of a well ordered desire, the end is first to be desired: And the glory of God is the end of all.
Reas. 2. That which is first in worth, ought to be put before all other things: And the glory of God hath infinite excellency and worth beyond all things else.
Reas. 3 Because this is one the difference between true and sincere prayer, and that which is hypocritical and vain; in that hypocrites then onelyonly seek after God, when by their owne private and proper necessities they are constrained to it, and seek not to him first, and for himself. But the godly call upon God for the esteem that they have of himself especially, although even then also with him, they seek their owne happiness in him, and in him alone; because this is most of all to glorify God in that manner that himself hath prescribed.
Use. Of Exhortation, that by all means we stir up in our selves this servent desire towards the glory of Gods name, not onelyonly beyond and above all profits and pleasures of this life, but also above our life it self, both in this world, and in the world to come, if it were possible that we could desire Gods glory separately from our owne salvation, and glorification in Heaven.
Doct. 3. Our hallowing or sanctifying and glorifying of Go…s name depends upon his owne … gift and bounty▪
For we are here taught to seek and pray for it from him.
Reas. 1 Because no mortal creature of it self knows the way how Gods name is to be sanctified; nor doth any by that illumination which he hath got, so understand it, but that he still stands in need yet more and more from time to time to be taught it of God.
Reas 2. Because when we understand how Gods name ought to be sanctified of us, yet the direction, and leading, and grace of the Spirit of God is needfull for the performing of that, which we know belongs unto our duty.
Reas 3. Because there be many things without us, that belong to the sanctifying of Gods name, that cannot be brought to any effect by us, but by the special and powerfull working of God himself.
Use▪ Of Information, that by this we may understand, that all the duties that we perform unto God are Gods owne gifts. For nothing can be by us offered unto God for sanctifying of his name, unless that first were freely given us of God. And thus God is Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, in all that spiritual communion, that we have with him. First he forgives us our sins; then he gives us the grace both to will and to do that which is good and well-pleasing in his sight; and lastly, all these his owne gifts he crownes in us, both with grace to the end, and glory in the end.
Doct. 4. It is a great benefit of God to us, when we see his name to be hallowed or glorified.
For here we seek this first, as our principal desire and benefit, that the name of God may be hallowed.
Reas. 1. Because this hallowing of Gods name, turnes alwayes to the profit and building up of the children of God, who in some sort are made partakers of his glory.
Reas. 2. Because all such as love God above all things else, are made possessors of their chief desire, when they see the name of God to be hallowed and glorified.
Reas. 3. Because God often vouchsafes us this honour, to be made some way instruments of hallowing and glorifying his name; and this ought to be acknowledged for a great honour and benefit.
Use▪ Of Reproof, against the base and earthly mindes of men, that are more taken with a little profit of the things of this world, than with the glorious hallowing of the name of God.
Doct. 5. It ought to be our greatest grief, if the name of God be prophaned or blasphemed.
For this is it, that is directly contrary to this first and great petition, and the greatest hearts desire of all the godly.
Reas. 1. Because Gods majesty ought to be most dear unto us.
Reas. 2 Because the actors of such a sin are most wretched, and therfore much to be pittied, for the miserable blindnesse and perversnesse wherein they lie.
Reas. 3. Because great scandal is given to others.
Reas. 4. Because by this meanes Gods judgements are in a singular manner thus provoked and procured, for God will alwayes have his glory, will we, nill we; either from us freely, or upon us fiercely; either the glory of his mercy from us, or the glory of his justice and wrath upon us.
Use, Of Direction▪ how we ought to be affected, when the name of God is prophaned or blasphemed; that is, if it be done by others, we ought to grieve at the thing, and as far as in us lies, to mend it; but if it be done by our selves, or by occasion of us; that is, for a life led altogether unworthy of, and unsutable to the glorious God, that we profess to serve; then we ought as it were to repair God of his honour, by our humiliation and repentance for such misdoings, and by zeal of glorifying him afterwards, as we had offended and dishonoured him before.