The Holy Arbor, Chapter 3 · Section 7
§. 7. Thy Will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven.
THis Petition in order followeth Thy Kingdom come, to ſhew, That where Gods kingdom is ſet up, his will is endeavored after, and preferred always, and not our own will: It depends indeed on both the former Petitions, for Gods Name is hallowed when his will is done, and his kingdom comes, when by doing his will we teſtifie our ſelves his obedient Subjects. Wherein we deſire, that we and all the people of God upon earth may as readily obey Gods will, as the Angels and Saints in heaven: So that this Petition is propounded in a Compariſon, the former part whereof reſpects the grace of Obedience which we pray for, the other the right maner of performing it; wherein we muſt note, That this particle (As) doth not betoken the degree, but the kinde of doing Gods will, which is the beginning of performing Gods will with continuance and encreaſe thereof, not the Conſummation, perfection and full accompliſhment thereof, which yet we are to deſire here, that at length we may obtain it; which though it be impoſſible in this life, yet are we to pray for it as children raviſhed with the deſire of Gods glory. Thus, we pray not here to perform obedience equal in meaſure and degree of perfection, to the obedience of the bleſſed Angels and glorified Saints in heaven, but ſuch as is like unto it; for this note of Compariſon here imports a likeneſs and reſemblance, not equality, in doing the will of God chearfully, without murmuring; ſpeedily, without delaying; generally, without omitting; ſincerely, without diſſembling; conſtantly, without forbearing; and perfectly, without halting, even as the Saints and Angels in heaven. Now as many as truly be in Gods Kingdom, cannot but thus immediately do Gods will; for obedience to Gods will is an effectual ſign that the kingdom of God is in us, 1 Joh. 1.3. into which, not every one that ſaith, Lord, Lord, ſhall enter; but ſuch alone whoſe actions ſay, Thy will be done, Matth. 7.21.
Gods will is either Secret or Revealed, according to that of Moſes, The ſecret things of the Lord belong unto the Lord, but … revealed to us … our children: Yea we muſt know, That Gods will is onelyonly one conſidered in it ſelf, as God is one; but for our underſtanding it may be thus diſtinguiſhed:
1. His abſolute or ſecret will, which is the will of his good pleaſure, whereby, according to his eternal Counſel, he determines all things, what ſhall be done, or what ſhall not be done, and in what maner; and is touching the number of thoſe that ſhall be ſaved, The Day of Judgement, The time of the Jews Converſion, The final confuſion of Antichriſt, And particular eſtates of other men, The particular afflictions and croſſes appointed for us, The day of our death, and ſuch like. This abſolute will extendeth over all Creatures, and over all their actions, Eph. 1.11. Mat. 10.26. and is hidden from us till he reveal it by the event; which being his ſecret will, becauſe unknown, and therefore uncertain to us, we may not raſhly preſume on; for in theſe things we here pray, That we may reſt contented in the Lords good pleaſure.
2. His revealed will, being whatſoever is manifeſted in his word and works to be his will, concerning both faith and practice. This we are preciſely to follow, for here we pray that it may be anſwerably done as it is required. Thy will, that is, not my will; thy will onelyonly, not thine and mine alſo, betwixt which two there is no proportion; thy will both for matter and maner; and thy will, though contrary unto, or againſt my will. As it is in Heaven; as by the Inbitants of heaven, that are free from all temptations and diſcouragements.
When we ſay, Thy will be done, it is not meant of the abſolute or ſecret will, but of the revealed will of God; and that for theſe Reaſons:
1. Becauſe the Abſolute will of God is alway done, and cannot be reſiſted, Iſa. 46.10. Rom. 9.19. but his Revealed will is generally tranſgreſſed by men, who do that which ſeemeth good in their own eyes, notwithſtanding Gods revealed will to the contrary.
2. Becauſe a man may diſſent from the abſolute and ſecret will of God without ſinning, ſo be it he ſtill ſubmit himſelf to the will of God, reſting therein when it is revealed. Thus Abraham prayed for the ſafety of Sodom (yet ſubmiſſively) which God willed and decreed to deſtroy, Gen. 18.23, 27. and David for the life of his childe, which God would have to dye, 2 Sam. 12.16, 24. and our Savior Chriſt for the removal of that Cup which God had abſolutely decreed that he ſhould drink of, Mat. 26.39. yet ſubmitting his will unto his Fathers, with all chearfulneſs of obedience.
The ſpecial Branches of Gods revealed Will:
1. The Converſion of a ſinner, Ezek. 33.11. and obedience to his Commandments.
2. That we deny our ſelves, and relye wholly on our Savior Chriſt for ſalvation, Joh. 6.40.
3. Our Sanctification in Soul, in Body and in Spirit, 1 Theſſ. 4.3.
4. That every one that lives in the Church of God, beſide his general calling of a Chriſtian, ſhould have a particular Calling to live in, wherein he muſt ſeek the glory of God in the good of others, 1 Cor. 7.20, 24. and love our Brethren, Joh. 13.14, 15.
5. To ſubject our ſelves unto the hand of God in all croſſes and afflictions whatſoever, Acts 21.14. to labor for the knowledge of Gods will, Joh. 17.3. and for holineſs of life, Eph. 1.4.
Hence it appears what the will of God ſignifies; viz.
1. The Commandment of God, Pſal. 103.21.
2. Events, or rather Gods Decree concerning Events, Mat. 26.39. Iſa. 46.10.
Be done] There be two degrees of doing Gods will:
1. Evangelical obedience preſcribed in the Goſpel; that is, a ſincere endeavor according to all the power of grace that God hath given us, to do the will of God, and this eſpecially is here meant.
2. Legal, commanded in the Law; that is, a perfect fulfilling of the Law, and of Gods will, but this is not attained to in this life: Of perfections there are three kindes; viz.
1. A perfection of Sincerity, which was in Hezekiahs obedience, Iſa. 38.3.
2. A perfection of Parts, which was in Zachary and Elizabeths obedience, Luke 1.6.
3. A perfection of Degrees, which was onelyonly in the firſt and ſecond Adam, and is now onelyonly in the holy Angels.
In earth as it is in heaven] which in this Petition our Savior Chriſt addeth,
1. To preſcribe and draw us a patern of obedience, and example of perfection, to imitate in likeneſs and reſemblance, though we cannot in equality; which likeneſs ſtands in theſe four things eſpecially:
1. In chearfulneſs and willingneſs, for the Angels readily obey Gods commands.
2. In priority; the Angels prefer to do the will of God before all other things.
3. In ſpeed and quickneſs, without delay or ſlackneſs.
4. In faithfulneſs and ſincerity.
2. That by this deſire of perfection we may be aſſured, that God will give us here the beginning, and the perfection in the life to come.
That Gods wil may be done, in this Petition we deſire
1. That we may have grace to deny our ſelves, our own wills and affections; which Self-denyal conſiſteth of two parts; viz.
1. That we may be ready to renounce all our affections, which are diſagreeing from the Law of God.
2. That we may be ready to execute the will of God, willingly ſubmitting our ſelves thereto in all things.
2. That Gods word may be Preached diligently and faithfully, becauſe his will is revealed therein; and that God would incline and diſpoſe our hearts towards his holy word, that we may not onelyonly know, but obey Gods revealed will, Pſal. 119.27,36.
3. That Magiſtrates in a Commonwealth, and Maſters in a Family, ſee to the practice of doing Gods will, in the performance of the duty and calling both of all in general, and of each in ſeveral, that we may rightly and duly perform the duty committed unto us, whether common or proper.
4. That every one for himſelf may walk in the obedience of God; without pride in proſperity, and without murmuring in adverſity, becauſe it cometh unto us by the will of God.
5. That God would turn the hearts of all men from ſin, and bring them every where to the obedience of his will.
6. That Events, ſuch as are not contrary to Gods will, that is, that ſuch things may come to paſs which ſo pleaſe him.
7. That God would bleſs and proſper our actions and counſels, that no other Events may follow them, but ſuch as himſelf knoweth may moſt ſerve for his glory and our ſalvation.
8. That God would haſten that time and ſtate unto us, wherein we ſhall perfectly do the will of God, that is, our ſtate of glory.
Rules of obeying Gods will:
1. Obey Gods will abſolutely and for himſelf; obey man onelyonly in God, and for God.
2. Obey God in the maner, as well as in the matter which he commandeth.
3. In doing the works of piety, let them give place if unfaigned neceſſity require, and calleth to a work of Charity.
4. Let the works of thy private Calling give place to works of the publike calling and general; as if thou be laboring on the ſix days, the Lord calling to his Houſe by his worſhip there, thou muſt attend it, Lev. 23.
5. The works of a general common calling muſt give place to the works of a ſpecial undoubted calling, being contrary, if a man at any time hath ſuch.
That all our obedience to Gods will may be the better accepted of him, it muſt have theſe three properties:
1. Chearfulneſs and readineſs; God loveth the chearful giver.
2. Sincerity, which is heartily and from the Spirit approving our ſelves to God, and not affecting the applauſe and praiſe of men.
3. Univerſality, which is in all and every particular thing; thus Job is approved, obediently profeſſing his ſubjection to God, though he ſhould aggravate his miſery and kill him.
The way how to become chearful doers of the will of God; or the duties required by this petition to be practiſed by us, that Gods will may be done:
1. We muſt prove what is the good and acceptable will of God, Rom. 12.2. that is, we muſt by often tryal of our actions by the Word of God, become expert in Gods will, and eſteem highly of it, be it never ſo contrary to carnal Reaſon: Thus Abraham did, Gen. 22.3.
2. We muſt lay aſide our own wills, and be poſſeſſed with a baſe conceit thereof, not leaning thereon.
3. We muſt labor for a true perſwaſion of Gods mercy in the pardon of our ſins, and for the ſalvation of our ſouls, whereby we may ſhew our ſelves thankful to God for ſo great a mercy.
4. We muſt conſider that we are the Temples of the Holy Ghoſt, which is a wonderful dignity to ſinful men; and in regard hereof we muſt ſtir up our ſelves ſo to live, that we make not ſad the Spirit of God which dwelleth in us.
5. We muſt conſider the bleſſings of God beſtowed on us both in ſoul and body one by one, and this will move us to love God; which love we ſhall ſhew in doing his will, 1 Joh. 5.3.
6. Let us conſider the threatnings of God againſt ſin, and his Judgements upon them that live in ſin, and theſe will help to reſtrain our corruptions that they break not forth into action.
7. We muſt be ſtrict in the matter of ſin, making conſcience of every evil way; yea, even of the firſt motions unto ſin, that never come to conſent: for this Petition for obedience, reſpects not onelyonly our words and deeds, but alſo our ſecret thoughts, for even they muſt be brought to obedience unto God, 2 Cor. 10.5.
8. We muſt ſeek to cut off all things that hinder us from doing Gods will; we muſt uſe Spiritual means, and pray for the Spirit to mortifie and crucifie the luſts of the fleſh, Rom. 8.13. which makes us rebels againſt God in tranſgreſſing his will. Now the ground of this work is the death of our Saviour Chriſt, applyed by true Faith to our corrupt hearts.
9. We muſt not live inordinately, but in that ſort which God hath enjoyned Chriſtians in his word; every one godly in the general calling of a Chriſtian, and faithfully and conſcionably in his particular calling, whether of Church, State or Family.
10. We muſt endeavor to ſubject our ſelves patiently to the will of God in all afflictions whatſoever, for it is the will of God, that through manifold afflictions we ſhould enter into his Kingdom.
This Petition teacheth us to bewail
1. Our natural diſpoſition, whereby we are prone to rebel againſt the will of God.
2. Our natural hypocriſie, even that which remaineth in us after grace received.
3. Though we have never ſo much grace, yet to lament and bewail our want of obedience in all good duties, becauſe the beſt of us all fail in the maner of doing them.
4. Our impatience, that when God layeth any croſſes upon us, we cannot as we ought endure them patiently and thankfully.
5. Our ſlack and imperfect obedience, yea privy pride, proud preſumption, deadneſs of Spirit, ſecret hypocriſie, and other weakneſſes incident to us even in our beſt ſervices.
6. The ſins of others, whereby they diſobey the will of God, and ſo rebel againſt him, whereby he is diſhonored; and therefore muſt we be paſſionately grieved for the ſins of others, and labor to reclaim them.
In the ſupplication of this petition we pray,
1. For grace to deny our own wills and ways.
2. For underſtanding of the will of God, which without it we cannot perform.
3. For faith, whereby to believe that the will of God revealed unto us, is the will of God.
4. For power to obey the holy whole will of God, which is both active in doing, and paſſive in ſuffering.
In the deprecation of this Petition we pray againſt
1. Rebellion, or an obſtinate offending againſt the known will of God.
2. Prophaneneſs, which is an undervaluing eſtimation of holy duties.
3. Hypocriſie, which is a drawing near to God with the lips, but eſtranging the heart from him.
4. Natural Corruption, which draweth away to diſobedience, enticing to evil.
5. Wea rineſs in well-doing, a refuſing to go forward, and a turning back again.
6. Impatience, murmuring at croſſes, and diſcontent at Gods Providence.
The thankſgiving of this Petition is
1. For diſobedience and ſin in any meaſure mortified.
2. For the knowledge of Gods will, for faith and deſires in truth to obey the will of God in all things all the days of our life.
In this Petition we are taught to frame our lives to an holy imitation of the bleſſed Angels; which will not ſtand with their humor, who account zeal in Religion affected preciſeneſs: But ſuch as call God Father in ſincerity, muſt ſet before them the obedience of the holy Angels, as a patern for their imitation to a like reſemblance, although not to a like equality of perfection. Now in them we may obſerve theſe things for us to follow:
1. They deſired before Chriſts Incarnation to look into the myſtery of our Redemption wrought by Chriſt, 1 Pet. 1.12. much more doth it concern us to be diligent ſearchers out of this myſtery in the Goſpel.
2. The Angels are maintainers of true Religion, and of the worſhip of God, for the Law was given by Angels, Gal. 3.19. they brought the Apoſtles out of priſon to preach the Goſpel, they are enemies to Idolatry, Rev. 19.10. Herein alſo let us be their followers.
3. The Angels were always nigh unto Chriſt at his Nativity, Luke 2.9, 10. in his temptation, Mat. 4.11. in his Agony, Luke 22.43. in his Reſurrection, Mat. 28.2. and Aſcenſion, Acts 1.10. And ſo ſhould we perform unto Chriſt all the ſervice we can.
4. They are alway praiſing and lauding the Name of God; ſo ſhould we labor to have our hearts enlarged for his glory, and our mouthes filled with his praiſes.
5. They be ſerviceable for our good, if we be Gods children, though they be far better then we are, Heb. 1.14. So muſt we imploy our ſelves in ſoul, body, calling, credit, and all we have, for the good of men.
6. They are joyful when ſinners are converted from ſin unto God, Luke 15.10. and are grieved when men by ſin diſhonor God; the like affections ſhould be in us: for in the world to come we ſhall be like the Angels in heaven in glory, Mat. 22.30.
This patern of Angelical obedience, here propounded for our imitation, muſt teach us,
1. To acknowledge and bewail the natural hardneſs, deadneſs, and untowardneſs of our hearts in yielding obedience to the will of God.
2. To bewail the want of ſincerity and faithfulneſs in doing Gods will; our maimed and defective obedience ſhews how far we come ſhort of this Angelical example: Many content themſelves with the outward ſervice of the body, and never regard the inward worſhip of the heart; and others have reſpect to outward duties of piety, that concern God, but for uprightneſs and mercy towards men, they little regard. This the Angels do not.
This Angelical example informs our judgement what honor we are to give to the bleſſed Angels, namely, the honor of imitation, and not of any divine worſhip: for when John would have worſhipped the Angel, he forbade him, ſaying, See thou do it not, worſhip God, Rev. 19.10. From all which let us be perſwaded to begin our heaven upon earth, by reſembling, though not equalling, the Angels in obedience; that ſo with them and all the Hoſt of Heaven we may ſincerely ſay, Thy will be done in Earth as it is in Heaven.
How many ſay, Gods will be done; and yet
The Idol of their own Will-worſhip ſet
In ſtead thereof? How many vainly ſay
In Prayer, what they practice to unpray?
Or with the words conclude the work, as though
The will of God were done by ſaying ſo.
Help, Lord, for of our ſelves we proudly draw
Back from thy Will, and make our own a Law:
Aſſiſt us by the Spirit of thy Son
To keep thy Law; then ſhall Thy will be done.