ΟΝ THE LORD'S PRAYER, GOD In PROS E. OUR FATHER. OD our Father and Creator of the Universe,. cannot be comprehended by our narrow Capacities. Our Minds are too weak to comprehend his Works, much more the Godhead. He comprehends his boundlefs Self alone. For if all Men were Writers, the Earth Books, and the Sea Ink, not one of his Attributes can be defcribed, because these are finite, but his Attributes are infinite. Our heavenly Father is likewife Omniprefent; he fills all Places with his Prefence, and nothing is hid from his Sight. He is acquainted with the Wants and Defires of all his Creatures, and will relieve them according to their Neceffities, confiding in his paternal Care and Goodness. He is Omnifcient or all-knowing, for as he is every where prefent, prefent, he must confequently know every Thing that paffeth among the Sons of Men, and their Thoughts are known to Him. The Actions, Words and Thoughts of all Men in all Ages, are recorded in the infallible Memory of his unfearchable Wisdom, and at the general Day of Account will be laid open to the Joy of the Good, and eternal Infamy of the Bad. WHICH ART IN HEAVEN. THE Almighty Power and infinite Wisdom of GOD, is feen in the Creation of the World, and the Prefervation of his Creatures. He hath given Motion to the Planets, and guides them in their several Courses; Night fucceeding Day, and Winter Summer. He hath not only made us from we know not what, but when our Bodies fhall be mouldered into Duft, he fhall raise up our dead Bodies, that they fhall be like the glorious Body of our Saviour and our Judge. The Omnipotence of GOD runneth through all his Attributes, and is no lefs feen in his Mercy to pardon, than in his Power to create. Therefore let us in all Reverence approach to the Throne of his Grace, the high and lofty One that inhabiteth Eternity, whofe Name is holy, and pray our Father for his almighty Protection. The infinite Sufferings of our Saviour have satisfied the infinite infinite Juftice of our Father, fo that by true Repentance and the Blood of the everlasting Covenant, our Sins shall be abundantly pardoned. HALLOWED BE THY NAME. GREAT and wonderful are thy Works, O LORD! O Angels and all ye heav'nly Hoft, praise the LORD!, O all ye Servants of the LORD, praise you the Father, Son, and Holy Ghoft; let his most high and mighty Name be the Subject of your Conversation by Day and by Night; let all his Mercies to the Children of Men, be the Meditations of your most secret Thoughts. Every Thing wears the Infcription of his infinite Goodnefs and Wifdom. All Honour, Glory, and Praise fhould be returned to him with willing and chearful Hearts. The Perfection and Glory of all his Works, which we cannot comprehend, come infinitely fhort of the Perfections he hath in him. All Contemplation is loft in the amazing Greatnefs and Goodnefs of GOD. Therefore let High and Low, Rich and Poor, Old and Young, magnify the Name of the LORD for the great Redemption accomplished for us by JESUS CHRIST. THY KINGDOM COME. THE Kingdom of GOD is an everlasting Kingdom, wherein are many Manfions of Glory pre pared pared for them who truly love him. When the Kingdoms of this World shall be no more, the Righteous fhall be had in everlasting Remembrance. THE LORD hath prepared his Throne in Heaven, his Kingdom ruleth over all. He ruleth by his Power for ever, his Eyes behold the Nations f. He condefcends to behold the Things that are done in Heaven and Earth; his Providence watcheth over our. Ways, his Wifdom and Power command the Events of Things. And though we do not immediately reap the Benefits, yet he knoweth the proper Times when they will be convenient for us. It is then incumbent on us to receive the Kingdom of his Grace, which is offered to us by JESUS CHRIST. Th Kingdom of his Grace qualifies us for the Kingdom of Glory. Our unruly Paffions will not willingly be disturbed; they claim an inherent Right to us, and none but the LORD of all Power and Grace can make them depart. Empowered by the Grace of GOD we fhall become new Creatures, and be governed by his righteous Laws. Righteoufnefs, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghoft, rule in our Hearts, and prepare us for our Departure into everlafting Habitations of Glory and Happiness. THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. The Will of God's fecret Counfel concerning The Will of his Commands) us, to us is unknown. *Pfalm ciii. 19. + Pfalm lxvi. 7. fhould fhould be the Rule of our Actions: The Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy Mouth, and in thy Heart, that thou mayeft do it. He hath fhewed thee, O Man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do fuftice, and to love Mercy, and to walk humbly with thy Godt? Whatever the Secrets of God's Counsel be, we are affured by his repeated Promifes, that if we strive and delight in doing his revealed Will, he will not be wanting, on his Part, to complete our final Happiness. We are affured that the LORD is righteous in all his Ways, and holy in all his Works; therefore let us refign our Wills to his Will, with all Chearfulness of Spirit, that when our Mafter comes we may be ready to answer the Call, and give a good Account of our Talents. The only true Principle of Obedience is Love; for if we love God we fhall obey his Commands, and if we love our Neighbour we fhall never hurt him, but forward him in his temporal and eternal Interefts. Above all other Loves we should love our Saviour, who humbled himself to the Death of the Crofs, to fave poor Sinners from eternal Death. Without Delay and with all Expedition, let us haften to perform our Duty, and the Holy Spirit will affift us to root out every finful Luft that fighteth against us. Thus fhall we be prefented pure and spotlefs to the heavenly Thronę. GIVE * Deut. xxx. 14. + Micah vi. 9% |