For directions. If you would do the will of God, then —
1. There must be some solemn time of resigning and giving up thy will to him. Naturally we are averse. Now, whosoever is brought unto God, he comes and lays down the weapons of his defiance at God's feet. God hath a right to us, and he will have this right confirmed by our grant and consent : Eom. xii. 1, ' I beseech you by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.' There cannot be a more acceptable sacrifice to God than the resignation of our own will to him : See how Paul comes and layeth down the buckler, when God had him under : Acts ix. 6, ' And lie, trembling and astonished, said. Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?' There will be a time when you will solemnly give up the keys
Mat. YI. 10.] the lord's prayer. 133
of yonr own hearts to God, and bid him come and enter. Panl, that now did nothing but threaten and breathe out terror to the children of God, when God had humbled him, then he lies at God's feet. When you are truly humbled, you will desire God to come and take posses- sion of your hearts, and resolve to come under his yoke: Mat. xi. 28, 'Take my yoke upon you, and you shall find rest for your souls.' Christ will force it upon none. In the matrimonial contract, consent is not to be forced : ' Talce my yoke.'
2. When you give uji yourselves to God. it must be without bounds and reservations : ' That ye may stand perfect and complete in the will of God,' Col. iv. 42. That was his prayer for them : and, Acts xiii. 22, ' I liave found David, the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart ; he shall fulfil all my will.' We should so perfectly obey, as if we had no will of our own, not reserving a property in anything. Our thoughts are not our own to dispose, nor our desires nor delights, but as God will. The least sin reserved is a pledge of the devil's interest and right in us. And therefore give up all to God, resign up your- selves wholly to him, as remembering that every motion, every thought, every affection, is under a rule, and in every action we should say. Will God have this to be done, yea or no ?
3. There are some special things concerning which God hath more expressly signified his will and given special charge, and these we should make greatest conscience of, how distasteful soever they be to flesh and blood, or prejudicial to our own interest. For instance, concerning repentance and turning from sin, Ezek. xxxiii. 11, you have God's oath that he delights in it :' As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way, and live.' And God ' would not have any to perish, but that all should come to repentance,' 2 Pet. iii. 9. This is the will of God ; he hath told you what a great deal of pleasure he takes in repentance, that you should come and mourn over your sins, and bewail your stragglings. When a profane Esau knew what his father desired, he takes his bow to go and kill venison ; when we know anything more pleasing to God, we should do it. And then he takes pleasure also in the work of faith, believing in Christ : John vi. 29, ' This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent : and 1 John iii. 23, ' This is his commandment, that we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ.' Therefore we should be much in the work of faith, and in receiving Christ, that we may accomplish the good pleasure of God in us. It is very pleasing to God we should thus repent, believe, and return to him. The very first motion, how welcome is it to the Lord ! Ps. xxxii. 5, ' I said, I will confess my transgressions imto the Lord ; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.' So Luke xv. 20: the father ran to meet him when the prodigal thought of returning. So that you should live a sanctified life: 1 Thes. iv. 3, ' This is the will of God, even j'our sanctification.' That you should walk holily, God hath expressly declared his will. Then for duties of relations, God takes a great deal of pleasure in obedience to magistrates, parents, masters : 1 Pet. ii. 15, ' For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the igno- rance of foolish men.' Then, that we should observe providences, ever
134 AN EXPOSITION OF [MaT. VI. 10.
be in a thankful frame : 1 Thes. v. 18, ' In everything give thanks ; for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning you.' It is a great rebellion and disobedience not to obey God's solemn charge.
4. We should be willing to obey God, whatever it cost us. The least sin is not to be committed to avoid the greatest trouble. You would think it were a small sin for Moses to tarry in Pharaoh's court, where he might be helpful to the people of God, yet lie ' chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season,' Heb. xi. 2.5.