2. As to sweeten our obedience, so to show us the reasonableness of this obedience. We would have the happiness of the angels, and, therefore, certainly we should come into a fellowship in their duty ; it is but equal we should imitate their holiness. If we would have communion with them in glory, we should have communion also with them in grace. Mat. xxii. 30, it is said, we shall be ladyyeXot, ' like the angels of God.' We seek after the same glory and happiness which they have : to stand before the Lord and to behold his face ; that is their happiness. Surely if we would have the reward of angels, which we upon earth are aspiring and looking after, it is but equal we should do the w^ork of angels, and write after their copy.
3. Therefore doth Christ use this comparison, that we might not miscarry by a low example. How apt are we to follow the track, and to take up with an easy and low rate of obedience: Luke xviii. 11, that put great confidence in that, ' God, I thank thee I am not as other men.' Now because we have few good examples in the world, and those we have have their spots and defects, and are very susceptible of evils, and apt to miscarry by them, therefore Christ would carry us up to look after a heavenly and celestial pattern ; he propoundeth the angelical perfection as a pattern and example. He that shoots at a star, will shoot higher than he that aims at a shrub : surely the higher the pattern that we aim at-, the greater will our obedience be. Wicked men they think that everything is enough in religion, though it be never so little ; but the godly cannot so easily satisfy themselves, they are pressing and hastening oil more and more.
4. To teach us that we are not only to look to the quid, but to the quomodo; not only to zuhat we do, but also in what manner we yield'
126 AN EXPOSITION OF [Mat. VI. 10.
obedience to God ; therefore Christ would not teach us to pray only, ' Thy will be done,' but ' as it is in heaven,' in such a manner. God respects not only the doing of what he hath required, but also the manner of it, that we may not only do good, but well ; it is the adverb which crowns the action. We are to consider with what heart we go about it : Prov. xvi. 2, ' The Lord weigheth the spirits.' That which he putteth into the balance of the sanctuary is, with what spirit, with what heart, we go about the work ; that is it he weigheth and regardeth. Now that we may look not only to the matter of obedience, but also to the manner how we do it, therefore doth Christ give us this pattern.
Ohject. But you will say, Our obedience is accompanied with many defects and infirmities; therefore, how can we serve God as the angels do in heaven ? How shall we take comfort in our obedience if this be our pattern ?
I answer : —
. 1. Though we cannot do it in the same measure, yet we should do it in the same manner ; though there be not an exact equality, yet there should be some answerable resemblance. Our obedience should not be wholly different in the kind and manner of it from theirs which serve God in heaven, though for the degree and rate we cannot come up to their pattern.
2. Though we do not attain to this perfection in this life, yet we must aim after it, long for it, and pray for it. Aim after it, not sluggishly content ourselves with any low degrees of obedience, but aim at the highest. And to long for it : there is a time coming when we shall be perfect ; when we shall be not only as the angels are, but as Christ is : ' We shall be like him,' 1 John iii. 2. And we pray for that on earth which is expected in heaven ; we pray for what we do expect from the final and consummate estate, when we shall be as the angels of God, and perfectly do his will.
I come to the points ; they are three : —
1. It concerns them very much that would in prayer own God as a father, and pretend a respect to his glory and kingdom, to see that his will be done here upon earth.
2. It is the Lord that giveth to will and to do those things which are pleasing in liis sight.
3. God doth not only look to this, that his will be done, but to the manner how it is done.
I. It concerneth them very much that would in prayer own God as a father, and pretend a respect to his glory and kingdom, to see that his will be done here upon earth.
I shall prove it : —
First, By the arguments intimated in the point.
1. As we pray to God, we should see his will be done, upon a double account — as real and successful.
[1.] As we would express a reality and sincerity in prayer. They mock God that pray they might do his will, yet have no care to do it, that declaim against their lusts, yet hug them and keep them warm in their bosoms. We oftener pray from our memories than our consciences, and oftener from our consciences than our affections.