(3.) A loss of the soul and happiness. We were in a fair way for heaven, but, by leav- ing off doing God's will, we miss the ex- cellent glory, and are plunged deeper in damnation, 2 Pet. ii. 21., " It had been bet- ter for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment." Therefore let us continue in doing God's will ; constancy sets the crown upon the head of obedience. Thus you see how we are to do God's will acceptably.
Use \st. Branch I. See hence our impo- tency ; we have no innate power to do God's will ; what need we pray, " thy will be done," if we have power of ourselves to do it ? I wonder free willers pray this petition.
2. Branch. If we are to do God's will on earth, as it is done by the angels in hea- ven, see then the folly of those who go by a wrong pattern ; they do as the most of their neighbours do ; if they talk vain on the sabbath, they do but as their neighbours do ; if now and then they swear an oath, it is the custom of their neighbours to do so , but we are to do God's will, as the aiigela in heaven, — do the angels do such things ? We must make the angels our patterns, and not our neighbours ; if our neighbours do the devil's will, shall we do so too? if our neighbours go to hell, shall we go thither too for company.
3. Branch. See here that which may make us long to be in heaven, then we shall do God's will perfectly as the angels do. Alas, how defective are we in our obedience lu're ! How far do we fall short ? We can-
_ nut write a copy of holiness without blot-
OF THE THIRD PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER.
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ting; our lioly things are l)1emislic<l, like tlie moon, wliicli, when it shines brightest, hatli a dark spot in it ; but in heaven we shall do God's will perfectly, as the angels in glory.
Use 2(L Of Reproof.
1. Branch. It reproves such as do not God's will ; they have the knowledge of God's will, (knowledge they count an orna- ment) but though they know God's will, yet they do it not.
(1.) They know what God would have them avoid: they know they should not swear, INIat. v. 31., " Swear not at all." Jer. xxiii. 10. For this sin the land mourns. Yet though tliey pray " hallowed be thy name," they profane it by shooting oaths like chain-bullets against heaven ; they know they should abstain from fornication and unclcanness, yet they cannot but bite at the devil's hook, if he bait it with flesh, Jude 7.
(2.) They know what God would have them practise, but they " leave uiulone those thinffs which tliev oujjht to have done." They know it is the will of God they should • be true in their promi>;es, — _just in their dealings, — good in their relations, — but they do not the will of God ; they know they should read the scriptures, — consult with God's oracles, — but the Bible, like rusty armour, is hung up, and seldom used ; they look oftener upon a pack of cards than a Bible ; they know their houses should be pakstrcE pietatis, luirseries of ])iety, yet have no face of religion in them, — they do not perfume their houses with prayer. What hypocrites are these to kneel down in the church, and lift up their eyes to lieaven, and say, " Thy will be done," yet have no care at all to do God's will ! What is this but to hang out a flag of defiance against heaven ? And rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft.
2. Blanch. It reproves those who do not God's will in a right acceptable manner.
(1.) Tlioy do not God's will entirely, all God's will : they will obey God in some thin<rs, but not in others ; as if a servant phould do some of your work you set him about but not the rest. Jehu destroyed the idolatiy of B;uil, but let the golden calves of Jerobojui stand, 2 Kings x 30. Some
will observe the duties of the second table, but not the first. Others niake an high profession, as if their tongues have been touched with a coal from God's altar, but live idly, and out of a calling; these the a- postle comjilains of, 2 Thess. iii. 11., " We hear there are souie which walk among you disorderly, working not at all." Living by faith, and living in a calling, must go to- gether. This is an evil thing, not to do all God's will.
(2.) They do not God's will ardently, nor cheerfully, — tliey do not j)ut coals to the incense, — they bring their sacrifice, but not their heart, — this is far from doin" God's will as the angels ; this loseth the reward ; how can God like this, to serve him as if we served him not? How can God mind our duties when we ourselves scarce mind them ?
Use Sd. Of Examination.