78 AN EXPOSITION OF [Mat. VI. 9.
home he comes : so that we had need to deal seriously with God about this submissive spirit.
[5.] Humility ; that we may not put the crown upon our own heads, but may cast it at the Lamb's feet ; that we may not take the glory of our graces to ourselves. God's great aim in the covenant is, ' that no flesh should glory in itself ; but whosoever glories, may glory in the Lord:' 1 Cor. i. 27-31. He would have us still come and own him, in all that we are, and in all that we do. As the good servant gave account of his diligence, Luke xix. 16, he doth not say, My in- dustry, but, ' Thy pound hath gained ten pounds.' And Paul was a zealous instrument, that went up and down doing good; he ' laboured more abundantly than they all : yet not I, but the grace of God, which was with me :' 1 Cor. xv. 10. In this case if we would honour and glorify God, we must do as Joab did, when he was likely to take Rabbah : he sent for David to gather up more forces, and encamp against the city and take it, ' Lest I take the city, and it be called after my name :' 2 Sam. xii. 28. How careful was he that his sovereign might have the honour ! So careful should we be that the crown be set upon Christ's head, and that he may have the glory of our graces and services, that they may not be called after our own name, that God may be more owned in them than we. Now what more natural, than for creatures to intercept the revenues of the crown of heaven, and to convert them to their own use ? It is a vile sacri- lege, to rob God of the glory of that grace he hath bestowed upon us ; and yet what more common ? The flesh is apt to interpose upon all occasions ; and therefore we need to put up this request, ' Hallowed be thy name.'
[6.] There is holiness required, that we may not be a disgrace to God and a dishonour to him. The Lord saith, Ezek. xx, 9, ' That his name should not be polluted before the heathen, among whom they (his people) were.' The sin of God's people doth stain the honour of God, and profane his name. When men profess much to be a people near God, and live carnally and loosely, they dishonour God exceedingly by their conversation. Men judge by what is visible and sensible, and so they think of God by his servants and worshippers ; as the heathens .did of Christ in Salvian's time, — If he was a holy Christ, certainly Christians would live more tempera,tely, justly, and soberly. They are a})t to think of God by his worshippers, and by the people that profess themselves so near and dear to him ; therefore it concerns us to walk so, that our lives may honour him : Mat. v. 16, 'Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.' As the loins of the poor (saith Job) blessed him, Job xxxi. 20, namely, as they were fed and clothed by his bounty ; so our lives may glorify God. David saith, Ps. cxix. 7, ' Then shall I praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I have learned thy righteous judgment.' There is no way to praise God entirely and sincerely until we have learned both to know and do liis will. Real praise is the praise God looks after. Otherwise we do but serve Christ as the devil served him, who would carry him upon the top of the mountain, but it was with an intent to bid him throw liimself down ajrain. So we seem to exalt God much in our talk and
Mat. VI. 9.] the lord's prayer. ' 79
profession; yea, but we throw him down, when we pollute him and deny him in our conversation. Our lives are the scandal of religion, and a pollution and blot to the name of God. So that with respect to ourselves, jon see what need we have to go to God. that he will give us grace that we may please him and glorify his name.
Secondly, In regard of others. A Christian cannot be content to glorify God himself, but he would have all about him to glorify God. As fire turns all things round about it into fire ; and leaven, it spreads still, until it hath subdued the whole lump : so is grace a diffusive, a spreading thing. As far as we can reach and diffuse our influence, we would have God brought into request with all round about us. ' Being converted,' saith Christ to Peter, ' strengthen thy brethren.' So it will be where there is true grace. Mules, and creatures which are of a mongrel and bastard race, they beget not after their kind : so bastard Christians are not for the calling in of others, and the gaining of those about them. But a true Christian will be earnest, and much in this matter. Now their hearts are not in our power, but in God's ; therefore we need to be much in prayer, and make this our main request, Lord,' ' hallowed be thy name.' For hereby,