The Pulpit Commentary — Matthew — Volume 1 — Section 257

were ignorant, nor to persnade him as though he were reluctant to help. We have simply to make him the confidant of our hearts' desires, II. IT IS ADDRESSED TO THE FATHERHOOD OF GoD. The "Pater noster,. bas its key-note struck in its two opening words. 1. Goa's fatherly nature. 'l'he character of our prayer depends on our concept~on of G~d. C~rist delighted to set_b~for~ us the picture of God e.s our Father. Here 1s the ha.SIB of faith. All confidence 1s Justified by this great fact. 2. Our relation to God. He is not merely the "All-Fe.tber." He is "our Father; " this persona.I appropriation of God is necessary for the most real prayer. III. IT HONOURS THE HOLINESS OF GoD. God loathes adulation, but he e.ccepts adoration. High-sounding titles and elaborate sscriptions of praise mar the simplicity of genuine worship. It is enough to address God as "our Father." Still we must remember that he is in heaven. The familiarity of love must not forget the reverence due to holiness. 'l'he essence of prayer is worship. IV. IT BEEKS THE GLORY OF GoD. Thoughts of God come first-that his Name may be treated with reverence; that his kingdom may come, his will be done. Many prayers are too narrow, selfish, and worldly. The model prayer fills our minds and hearts with large thoughts of God and his kingdom. If we have the Christian spirit in us, these thoughts will lie very near to our hearts; if that spirit is developed and enlarged, they will be predo_minant, so that_ we shall more eage_rl:r ~sh for the coming -0f the kingdom and the dorng of God's will than for the aawlact1on of our personal desires. But, alas I few of us have reached that standard. V. IT TRUSTS GoD's DAILY CABE. Now we come down to the personal prayer, It benins with a most simple, univeraal want-daily bread. 1. Bodily food. '!'his comes fro~ God, who makes the corn grow, and finds us the providential means of a livelihood. Christ recognizes the need of common earthly things; God supplies them. 2. Neces- sarillll. Merely " bread." 3. The moment's need, "Daily" bread. We can leave the morrow. VI. IT CONFESSES SIN AND A.SKB FOBGIVENEBS. This is of universal application. The saint must confess sin as well as the sinner. This is of daily necessity. We sin daily. But this recognizes God's forgiving grace-to cover e.ll sin. Yet it is con- ditioned by our forgiving spirit. VII. IT ORAVES DELIVERANCE FROM EVIL. If possible we would be spared tempt11- tion. If we must be tempted, we pray to be saved from the power of the evil one. Our Father is our great Deliverer. In view of darkest daugers we cry for his saving help.-W. F. A.. Vers. 19-21.-77ui two treasuries. The earthly and the heavenly treasuries are first compared together, and then the reason is given for preferring the latter. ;:: I. THE EARTHLY TREASURY. 1. Its locality. A treasury on earth. The thought is of the accumulation of material wealth. This may be of the choicest kind-works of art, gold, and jewels. Still, it is all earthly, and it does not imply any share in heavenly things, e.ny portion in the unseen world. 2. Its imperfection. Even while its treasures remain in it they m:i.y be spoiled. The moth devours the Babyloni.sh garment; the rust corrodes the bright steel and tarnishes the polished silver. Shares depreciate in value while we hold the scrip. Worse than all this, the vo.lue to us of earthly treasure may be corrupted; because we may toil successfully for wealth, and yet when we h:i.ve got it we may discover to our dismay that we have lost the capacity to enjoy it. 3. Its insecurity. What cannot be spoiled by insect or atmosphere may be stolen. Without waiting for the slow action of rust and moth, riches may take themselves wings and flee away. The thief may dig through the mud-built house (see Job x.xiv. 16); the skilled burglar may break open the iron safe; the trusted banker may abscond with the stock that is lodged with him. At last the great thief death will rob us of all our earthly store by one irresistible stroke. II. THE HEAVENLY TREASURY, 1.. Its nature. What is this heaven in which we are to store our treasures? Heaven is not e.n astronomical locality, nor is it simply the .abode of the blessed dead; it is wherever God's presence is manifested and enjoyed. Therefore to lay up treasure in heaven is to store it with God; to have our possessions in him; to entrust our all to him; to know th11t when we go to God we shall find our wealth. 2. Its riches. The no.ture of the treasury determines the sort of wealth the.~  250 THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. [oH, VI. 1-34.