1. That we may more solemnly warn ourselves of our own duty. In prayer there is an implicit vow, or solemn obligation, that we take upon ourselves to prosecute what they ask. It is a preaching to our- selves in God's hearing. So that every word we speak to God is a lesson to us, and our requests are so many exhortations to glorify his holy name. With what face can we ask that which we are wholly reckless and neglectful of? Then we shall certainly come under that character : Mat. xv. 7, 8, ' This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.' It is the greatest mockage of God to ask, unless we have a mind to pursue and diligently to attend to this work and business, that the name of God may be glorified in us and upon us.
2. That we may have a due sense and grief for God's honour. God's children they are troubled to see God dishonoured. Lot's righteous soul was vexed, not with Sodom's injuries, but with Sodom's sins, 2 Pet. ii. 8. And David saith : ' Rivers of tears run down mine eyes, because men keep not thy law,' Ps. cxix. 136. Many will scarce weep for their own sins, where they have advantage of remorse of conscience ; but when they ^re zealously affected with God's glory, they will weep for others' sins. When his name is torn and rent in pieces, it is a grief of heart to them. Now God will have us ask this, that this holy sense of spiritual grief may be kept up ; for when it is become the matter of our requests, then we are interested in the glory of God. We are loth to see things miscarry where we have petitioned and begged for others ; so when we have begged the glory of his name, it will further this spiritual sense and grief of heart when his name is dishonoured.
3. That we may count it as great a blessing when God is glorified as when we are saved. ' Continue in prayer,' saith the apostle, ' and watch thereunto with thanksgiving.' When we have been instant with God in prayer, that he might be glorified, then we shall count it as great a blessing when he is glorified as when we are saved. Prayer makes way for the increase of our esteem, and engages us to observe the return. When we have asked it of God, we will be affected with it then. When we see all his works praise him, what a comfort will this be to the soul : ' Bless the Lord, 0 my soul,' Ps. ciii. 22.
But secondly, Let me show the necessity of dealing with God about it. The necessity will appear both in respect of persons and things ; when we beg- that God's name may be hallowed, we beg dispositions of heart and occasions.
First, The necessity will appear in respect of persons, both as to ourselves and others.
First, In respect of ourselves, there is a great necessity that we should deal with God about the hallowing of his name; because we need direc- tion, sincerity, quickening, submission to God, humility, and holiness.
To instance in these six things : —
76 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 9.
1. We need direction. Tlie habits of grace are God's gifts, and the exercise of grace is another thing ; to actuate, quicken, guide, and direct it : 2 Thes. iii. 5, ' The Lord direct your hearts to the love of God.' And so in prayer, and in honouring of God. In prayer, ' we know not ' how or ' what to pray for as we ought.' Though we have grace, yet we need direction. A ship that is well rigged, yet needs a skilful pilot : Eom. viii. 26, ' Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities ; for we know not what we should pray for as we ought.' How much are we to seek to give God his due honour ! ' Of ouvselves we cannot so much as think a good thought :' 2 Cor. iii. 5. There is an utter insufficiency in us to meditate of God, and conceive aright of his excellency, and give him the honour which is due to him. None of us but needs daily to go to God, that we may be taught how to hallow and sanctify his name.
2. We need quickening, being so backward to this duty. All the lepers could beg help, and but one returned to give God the glory. There is much dulness and deadness of heart as to the praising of God, and glorifying of God. Self-love will put us upon other things ; but it is grace must quicken us to glorify him and praise him. When we go to God for ourselves, our necessities will sharpen our affections, and put a shrill accent upon our prayers. But now when we beg of God for God, then there is a greater restraint upon us. And therefore David saith, Ps. li. 15, ' Open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.' We need God to open our mouths ; that is, enlarge our hearts and quicken our affections. How apt are we to turn the back upon the mercy-seat ! Ezek. xlvi. 9. If a man came in at the north gate he was to go out at the south gate, but never at the same door. Why ? That he might not turn his back upon the mercy-seat. When we have prayed, we are apt to forget that God which hath blessed us ; and therefore that our hearts might be enlarged and quickened, we need to go to God.