Such are the feelings which should be blended in our hearts, whenever we draw nigh to a throne of grace. We should go to God as our Father ; but, remembering that " he is in hea- ven and we upon earth, we should address him in words select and few'."]
Let us now turn our attention to, II. The address —
In this prayer there are six different petitions ; three for the advancement of God's honour, and three for the promotion of our happiness. The former having the precedence, may fitly teach us, that a regard for God's honour ought to be first in our intention and desire. Yet it may well be doubted whether the address which is presented to God in our text, is a petition, or a thankful acknozdedgment. Perhaps, in so concise a form as this, both may be properly in- cluded. Agreeably to this idea we shall consider the address,
1. As eucharistic — [Though not generally regarded in this light, it seems naturally enough to bear this construction, inasmuch as it accords exactly with the feelings of a devout soul, when im- pressed and animated with a sense of God's paternal love. Suppose a person to have been meditating on the perfections of his God, the stupendous display of his love and mercy in Christ Jesus, his covenant engagements to his believing people, and the innumerable benefits conferred upon them ; suppose him also to be warmed with the thought that this God is his
' Eccl. V. 2.