The Substance of Christian Religion, Lecture 49
The forty nineth Lords day. On the third petition of the Lords prayer.
Thy will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven.
IN this Petition is sought the fulfilling of Gods will, and in that manner, that it ought to be sought to be fulfilled: which is explicated by a comparison of the like; where the things compared are the fulfilling of Gods will by men, and by Angels: The quality or manner, wherein they are compared, is the manner of obedience, that ought to be given to this will: Now by the will of God here properly is understood that which God hath revealed unto us concerning our duty, or that which he hath laid upon us to doe, by his revealed will; though the secret will of God also is so farre contained under this Petition, as that we ought to rest content with it, when it appears now to us by the event, that it was the will of God, Acts 25. 14. This Petition hath dependance on the first, in as much as it is a m…an te…ding to that end, that is there proposed. It depends also on the second, because it is the effect of that kingdome and administration; and it is also the perfection and accomplishment of the same kingdome: For God is not said to have a perfect kingdome of grace, untill he have got all the faithfull absolutely subject in all things unto his will: The fulfilling therefore of the will of God, differs from his kingdome, as the government differs from the obedience that is given to it; in the same sort almost, as the kingdom of God and the righteousness thereof differ: Mat. 6. 33. Seek …e first the kingdome of God, and the righteousness thereof, and all these things shall be added unto you.
Doct. 1. The name of God is hallowed by men, and his kingdome is advanced, when his will is religiously and devoutly done.
This flows from the former connexion already shown.
Reas. 1. Because reverence to the name of God, which is the hallowing or glorifying of it, brings with it of necessity obedience to his will.
Reas. 2. In this very thing, that we subject our selves to the will of God, we give God glory and power, and command over our very souls and lives; and so we highly glorifie him.
Reas. 3. By this doing of the will of God, the kingdome of God comes to be within us; and within us is his place of ma…esty and state, and his throne powerfully set up to him, in our hearts.
Use Is of Direction, according to this rule, we judge of our love and care towards the name and kingdome of God.
Doct. 2. The revealed will of God sh…uld be the rule of our life.
This follows from the substance of the Petition. Reas. 1. Because the will of God is the law, partly, written in our hearts, and partly revealed in the Scriptures for this very end, that according to it, we should direct our wayes.
Reas. 2. Because it contains in it self all perfection, which belongs to the imprinting upon us the image of God, and making of our life divine.
Reas. 3. Because according to this will, and the doing of it, God both in this life, and in the life to come, distributes and disposeth of all rewards and punishments.
Use Is of Admonition, that we deny our own carnal wills and affections or lusts, with all things that disagree from this will of God; and that we conform our selves altogether to it, which seems here to be insinuated to us in the particle thy, which is put here in opposition to our will, and to the lusts of this world.
Doct. 3. It is God that gives us both to will and to doe any thing, that is according to his will.
For this is the very thing, that here we seek of God.
Reas. 1. Because of our selves we can do nothing that is truly good, and pleasing to God, in a spiritual sort.
Reas. 2. Because there are so many things both in us and without us, that fight against this good will of God; that unlesse God gave us to will and to do what he will's, and kept us in this minde, we should never be able to attain it.
Reas. 3. Because God ought to have all the glory of any good, which yet could not be given him, unlesse he were the Author and giver of all good.
Use Is of Admonition, that with all humility we think of our selves, and of our own endeavours, and learn to depend altogether upon God, that from him we may receive both to will and to …oe that which is good.
Doct. 4. In this doing of Gods will, we ought to strive and endeavour unto an Heavenly and Angell-like perfection.
From the words,
On earth, as it is in Heaven.
Reas. 1. Because this is the best way to help our imperfections, if we alwayes aim at the chiefest perfection.
Reas. 2. Because we are called unto the same society and communion with those blessed spirits that are in Heaven, therefore we ought to aspire unto the imitation of them.
Reas. 3. Because we seek the same happiness and glory that they possess; and therefore ought to follow the same holinesse.
Use, Is, that we alwayes study to obey God with all cherefulnesse, sincerity, readinesse, and intirenesse, that in Scriptures are attributed to Angells in their obedience, as special properties and qualifications of the same.