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9.

We might confequently obferve many things concerning thofe particulars difcernible in this form: the fublimity, the gravity, the neceffity, the fingular choiceness of the matter; together with the fit order and juft difpofition thereof, according to the natural precedence of things in dignity or neceffity; the full brevity, the deep plainness, the comely fimplicity of expreffion; the lowly reverence fignified therein, accompanied with due faith and confidence these, and the like virtues directive of our devotion, we might observe running generally through the whole contexture of this venerable form: but we fhall rather choose to take notice of them as they fhall offer themselves in their particular places; to the confideration of which in order we now do apply ourselves.

Dur Father which art in Heaven.

Day Father: upon this title, or manner of compellation, we may first observe, that although our Saviour prescribeth this form as a pattern, and an exercise of private prayer to be performed in the clofet, (and alone in Matt. vi. 6, fecret, as is expreffed in the Gospel,) yet he directeth us to make our addreffes to God in a ftyle of plurality, faying, not my Father, but our Father; thereby, it seems, implying, 1. That we should in our prayers confider and acknowledge the univerfality of God's power and goodnefs. 2. That we should not in our conceit proudly and vainly appropriate or engross the regard of God unto ourselves; but remember that our brethren have an equal fhare with us therein. 3. That in all our devotions we fhould be mindful of thofe common bands which knit us together as men and as Chriftians, (the band of nature and humanity; the more ftri&t ties of common faith and hope; of manifold relations unto God that made us, and our Saviour that redeemed us, and the Holy Spirit who animateth and quickeneth us, and combineth us in fpiritual union.) 4. That we should bear fuch hearty goodwill and charitable affection toward others, as not only to feek and defire our own particular and private good,

Οὐ

but that of all men; efpecially of all good Christians; who in a peculiar manner are God's children and our brethren; He did not bid us fay, my Father, but our Father, ou yàp ixí λευε λέγειν, who art in heaven; that being taught that we have a com- xárig pov, é mon Father, we might shew a brotherly good-will one to-iv Tois oùgaward another, faith St. Chryfoftom.

νοῖς, ἀλλὰ

πάτερ ἡμῶν,

ἵνα κοινὸν

λους δεικνύων

μεν εὔνοιαν,

186.

As for the appellation Father, it doth mind us of our xariga ixus relation to God, who upon many grounds, and in divers didars, ἀδελφικὴν high refpects, is our Father; (by nature, for that he gave us our being, and made us after his own image; by providence, for that he continually preferveth and maintain- tom. v. p. eth us; by grace, for that he reneweth us to his image in righteousness and holinefs; by adoption, for that he alloweth us the benefit and privilege of his children, affigning an eternal inheritance to us ;) of this relation, which as creatures, as men, as Chriftians, we bear to God, it mindeth us, and confequently how we ought in correspondence thereto to behave ourselves; yielding to him all refpect, affection, and obfervance; demeaning ourselves in all things as becomes fuch a relation and rank: this indeed of all God's names, titles, and attributes, is chofen as moft fuitable to the nature of the prefent duty; as most encouraging to the performance thereof; as moft fully implying the difpofitions required in us, when we apply ourselves thereto. Our Saviour used to compare Matt. vii. 9. prayer to a fon's asking nourishment of his father; arguing thence what fuccefs and benefit we may expect from it: we come therein to God, not (directly) as to a lord or mafter, to receive commands; but rather as to a father, to request from him the fuftenance of our life, and fupply of our needs; to render withal unto him our thankful acknowledgments, for having continuedly done thofe things for us; and to demonftrate our dutiful refpect and affection toward him. It is natural for children in any danger, ftrait, or want, to fly to their parents for fhelter, relief, and fuccour: and it is so likewise for us to have recourse unto God, in all thofe cafes, wherein no vifible means of help appear from elsewhere: and to do fo the title of Father

Luke xi. 11.

doth encourage us, fignifying not only power and authority over us, but affection and dearnefs toward us: the name God, importing his excellent perfections; the name Lord, minding us of his power and empire over us, with the like titles declarative of his fupereminent majesty, might deter us, being confcious of our meanness and unworthiness, from approaching to him; but the word Father is attractive and emboldening; thinking on that we fhall be apt to conceive hope, that, how mean, how unworthy foever, yet being his children, he will not reject Matt.vii.11.or refuse us; for, If men, being evil, do give good gifts unto their children; how much more will our Father, which is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him?

It also plainly intimates how qualified and disposed in mind we should come to God; namely, with high reverence, with humble affection, with hearty gratitude; as to the Author of our being, to him that hath continually preferved and brought us up; from whofe care and providence we have received all the good we have ever enjoyed; from whose mercy and favour we can only expect any good for the future. By calling God Father, we avow ourselves obliged to honour and love him incomparably beyond all things; we alfo declare our faith and hope in God; that we believe him well affected toward us, and willing to do us good; and that we thence hope Matt. xxi. to receive the good defirable from him, (the which are James i. 6. difpofitions neceffary to the due performance of this duty.) 1 Tim. ii. 8. It also implieth, that we should come thereto with purity of mind and good confcience, which is also requifite to the fame intent; for if we are conscious of undutiful and disobedient carriage toward God, how can we call him Father? with what heart or face can we affume to our1 Pet. i. 17. felves the title of children? If, faith St. Peter, ye call upon him as Father, who impartially judges, according to every man's work, (that is, who only esteemeth them for his children who truly behave themselves as becometh children,) pass the time of your pilgrimage in fear, (or in reverence toward God.) We may add, that we also

22.

hereby may be fuppofed to exprefs our charity toward our brethren; who bear unto God, the Father of all men, the fame common relation. But I proceed:

Which art in Heaven.

GOD Almighty is fubftantially prefent every where ; but he doth not every where in effects difcover himself alike, nor with equal fplendour in all places display the beams of his glorious majefty. The Scripture frequently mentioneth a place of his fpecial refidence, (feated in regions of inacceffible light, above the reach, not only of our fenfe, but of our fancy and conception,) where his royal court, his prefence-chamber, his imperial throne are; where he is more immediately attended upon by the glorious angels and blessed faints; which place is called heaven, the higheft heavens; the rà ora, the highest places; Luke ii. 14. by his prefence wherein God is defcribed here, as for xix. 38. diftinction from all other parents here on earth, fo to increase reverence in us toward him, (while we reflect upon his fupereminent glory and majesty,) and to raise our hearts from these inferior things unto defire, and hope, and love of heavenly things; withdrawing, faith St. Chry- Tsys foftom, him that prays from earth, and fastening him to six, the places on high, and to the manfions above. But for his much for the title.

The first fentence of our prayer is,

Hallowed (or fanctified) be thp Name.

LET us firft (with St. Chryfoftom) observe the direction we hence receive in all our prayers to have a prime and principal regard to the glory of God; not seeking any thing concerning our own good before his praise: that for the order. As to the substance of this particular we may confider, that fanctity implying a difcrimination, a diftance, an exaltment in nature or use of the thing, which is denominated thereby; and God's name fignifying himself with all that we can know of him; himself, as however discovered or declared, with all that relates to him,

Mat. xxi. 9.

ἀπάγων τὸν

ὑψηλοῖς προσηλών χωρίαις, καὶ ταῖς ἄνω διατριβαῖς.

11.

δοξασθήτω

V. p. 186.

and bears his infcription; we do here accordingly exprefs our due acknowledgments and defires; for by a rare complication this fentence doth involve both praise and petition; doth express both our acknowledgment of what is, and our defire of what should be: we do, I say, hereby partly acknowledge and praise the fupereminent perfections of God above all things, in all kind of excellency, joining in that feraphical doxology, (which to utter is the continual employment of the blessed spirits above, who Rev. iv. 8. inceffantly day and night cry out,) Holy, holy, holy; conTo yarn feffing with the heavenly hoft in the Apocalypfe, that he TW AYT) TOU is worthy of all honour, glory, and power: we do alfo εἴρηται. partly declare our hearty wishes, that God may be every Chryf. tom. where had in highest veneration; that all things relating to him may receive their due regard; that all honour and praise, all duty and service, may in a peculiar manner be rendered unto him by all men, by all creatures, by our felves especially that all minds may entertain good and worthy opinions of him; all tongues fpeak well of him, celebrate and bless him; all creatures yield adoration to his name, and obedience to his will: that he be worshipped in truth and fincerity, with zeal and fervency: this particularly in the Prophet Isaiah, and by St. Peter, is Ka. viii. 13. called fanctifying God's name in oppofition to idolatrous and profane religion, (Sanctify the Lord of hofts himself, and let him be your fear, let him be your dread, faith the Prophet; and, Fear not their fear, nor be troubled, but fanctify the Lord God in your hearts, faith the Apostle.) Thus do we here pray and wish in respect to all men, and to all creatures capable of thus fanctifying God's name; but more particularly we pray for ourselves, that God would grant to us, that we, by our religious and righteous conMatt. v. 16. verfation, may bring honour to his name; fo that men 1 Pet. ii. 12. Seeing our good works may glorify our Father which is in Karažiarov, heaven. (Vouchsafe, faith he, that we may live fo purely, Oni, s that all men by us may glorify thee: fo defcants St. Chryxadas, as foftom.)

xxix. 23. 1 Pet. iii. 14, 15.

ἡμᾶς βιοῦν

δι' ἡμῶν

ἅπαντας σε δοξάζειν, &ς, Chryf. in Matt. vi.

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