God, his Father, and "his eternal great reward;" what would be the first effusions of his soul ? Would he not burst forth into praises and adorations, and even labour for words whereby to express his love and gratitude towards him ? Thus it was with David on many occasions'^; and thus it will be with all who truly delight themselves in God. Sometimes, no doubt, the believer's mind will be led to dwell rather on other subjects, whether of confession or petition, as circumstances may require : but where nothing extraordinary has occurred to distract his attention, sure I am that the language of ado- ration is most expressive of his feelings, and most suited to his state.]
2. As supplicatory —
[The Christian will not be satisfied with his own personal endeavours to honour God. But will wish and pray that the whole universe may render him the honour due unto his name. Hence he will beg of God to banish from the world all igno- rance and error ; and so to reveal himself to mankind, that all
may be constrained to shew forth his praise This, I
say, is nigh unto the heart of the believer : he will long to pro- mote it to the utmost of his power' : he will pant after it, as an object of his most anxious desires'": and he would be glad if every creature, rational and irrational, animate and inani- mate, could unite in this as their one blest employ".]
Hence we may learn,
1. How glorious is the liberty of God's praying people —
[They are rescued from the dominion oi slavish fears and selfish desires. "Happy art thou, O Israel, O people saved by the Lord ! " Inexpressibly happy are all whose hearts accord with the language of our text! Methinks they resemble, as nearly as such imperfect creatures can, the inhabitants of the realms of light. The cherubim around the throne veil their faces and their feet, in token of that reverential awe which they feel in the presence of the Deity : and the glorified saints cast down their crowns before the footstool of their Lord, to express their sense of their unworthiness of the mercies vouchsafed unto them ; whilst the whole united choir vie with each other in hallelujahs to God and to the Lamb. Thus it is with the saints on earth, both in their secret chambers and in the house of God : they are filled with adoring thoughts of God their Saviour, and " rejoice in him with joy unspeakable and glori- fied." Doubtless they experience changes in their frames, and
^ Ps. ix. 1, 2. and ciii. 1 — 5. ' Ps. Ivii. 7 — 11.
ni Ps. Ixvii. 2—5. " Ps. cxlviii. 1 — 11.
1314. J THE lord's prayer. 185
seem at times almost to have forgotten their high privileges : but in their better seasons they shew forth the power of divine grace, and enjoy an antepast of heaven. O that all of us might know their blessedness, by sweet experience !]
2. What losers are they who neglect prayer —
[The generality of people account prayer a drudgery : but they are bitter enemies to their own souls. What loss do they suffer in having God for an enemy, when they might have him for their Friend and Father ! As for God, he suffers no loss : if they refuse to glorify liim willingly, he will glorify himself upon them against their will. Reflect then, brethren, what sufferers you are, whilst you are turning your back on God ! You have no Father to go to in the time of trouble ; no sweet assurance that Almighty wisdom and power are exercised for your support ; no anticipations of the blessedness of heaven. On the contrary, all your enjoyments are empty, all your pro- spects dark. In this world you have little happiness above the beasts ; and in the world to come, an eternity of unavailing sorrows. O that you would now begin to pray ! O that God might say of you this day, as he did of Saul immediately after his conversion, " Behold, he prayeth ! " Then, however despe- rate your case may now appear, you should soon be received into the family of your God, and be partakers of his inherit- ance for evermore.]