But particularly, How will God perform the parts of a father ?
[1.] In allowing them full leave to come to him in all their neces- sities : Gal. iv. 6, ' Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.' There is a spirit that attendeth upon this state. They which are sons shall have the spiiit of sons, and God will inchne their hearts to come and call to him for supplies. This is a great advantage. When he gives a spirit of prayer, then he will be ready to hear and grant our requests ; not only to give us a heart to ask them, but to incline his ear : Luke xi. 13, ' How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him ? ' When we ask for the highest blessing ; when we come and are importunate with him, and will take no nay.
[2.] In supplying all our wants : Mat. vi. 12, ' Your Father which is in heaven kuoweth you have need of these things.' A father will not let his child starve — certainly none so fatherly as God. You have not such a father as is ignorant, regardless of your condition, but takes an exact notice of all your wants and pressures. It is notable to observe how God condescendeth to express the particular notice he taketh of the saints : Isa. xlix. 16, ' Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands.' As we use to tie things about our hands,' that we may remember such a work and business ; so God doth, as it
Mat. YI. 9.] the lord's prayer. 47
were, put a print and mark upon his hands ; to speak after the manner of men. Nay, Mat. x. 30, ' The hairs of their heads are numbered.' God hath a particular notice of their necessities ; and Jesus Christ, he is his remembrancer, one that ever appeareth before him to repre- sent their wants : Heb. ix. 24. As the high priest in the law was to go in with the names of the tribes upon his breast and shoulder when he did minister before God: Exod. xxviii.; which isatyjDe how much we are in the heart of Christ, ever jiresenting himself before the Lord on the behalf of such and such a believer.
[3.] Pitying our miseries. As he taketli notice of them, so he will pity their miseries, as a father pitieth his children when he seeth them in an afflicted condition : Ps. ciii. 13, ' Like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth them that fear him/ Nay, he will par- don their sins : Mai. iii. 17, ' And I will spare them as a man sparetli his own son which serveth him.' An only son needs not fear much if his father were to be his judge, though he hath done unworthily. They may exhaust and draw up all their pity, their bowls may shrink when they meet with multitude of provocations. Now, God will spare us as a man spares his only son — nay, not only his only son, but his dutiful son which serves him. Many times we forget the duty of children, but God will not forget the mercy of a father. ' I will go to my father/ saith the prodigal. He had forgotten the duty of a child, he went into a far country and wasted his patrimony, and that basely and filthily upon harlots ; yet, upon his return, when he was a great way off, the father runs to meet him half-way, and kisseth him.
[4.] In disciplining and treating us with much indulgence, and wis- dom, and care. A father takes a great deal of pains in forming his child, and fashioning its manners and behaviour ; so doth God with his children. If he afflicteth, it is as a father only, with purposes of good, and not so as an earthly father : Heb. xii. 10, ' For verily for a few days they chastened us after their own pleasure ; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.' They mingle a great deal of passion with their correction when they are inflamed ; but God never mingleth passion with his rod. When he gives a bitter cup he is a father still : John xviii. 11.
[5.] In providing able guardians for his children. None so attended as God's childi-en are — those which are adopted and taken into grace and favour with Christ : Heb. i. 14, Angels are ' ministering spirits, sent abroad for the heirs of salvation.' They have a guard of angels to watch over them, that they dash not their foot against a stone.
[6.] In laying up an inheritance for them. The apostle saith, 2 Cor. xii. 14, ' Children ought not to lay up for their parents, but parents for their children.' Now, God hath laid up for us, as well as laid out much upon us : Luke xii. 32, ' Fear not, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.' He has a kingdom, a glorious inheritance to bestow upon us ; and we are kept for that happy state. Though he hath an heir already, Jesus Christ, the heir of all things, yet God hath made us ' co-heirs with Christ : ' Eom. viii. 17.