Expl. 101. This is not only the first Petition in this Prayer, but the first of those Petitions wherein we are taught to beg good things; for the two last Petitions in this Prayer are deprecatory against evil. Now from the shortness of all these Petitions in general, we may observe, that the efficacy of Prayer doth not consist in the multitude of words, but doth most show it self in a holy fervency and ardour of affections. In this Petition there is, (1st,) Something supposed, as the ground of this Petition, as (1) That man ought to make the glory of God his chief end in all his designs. (2) That by his natural power, and without the grace of God, he is not able to glorify God. (2dly,) We have the matter of the Petition (Hallowed be thy name). In which words we do pray in the general, that all the Attributes, Titles, Ordinances, Words, and ⟨p. 177⟩Works of God (whereby he is made known) may be heartily and highly valued, and esteemed, and magnified in the world. More particularly, we beg. (1) That God would give us hearts. (2) Grace, to show forth his glory in all our words, thoughts, actions, and capacities. (3) That he would prevent or remove all that sin especially whereby the lustre of his glory in the world is most eclipsed, as Atheism, Ignorance, Idolatry, Oppression, &c. (4) That he would so lay the scene of his Providence in the government of the world, that he may still get to himself a glorious name, whether it be in works of power, wisdom, justice, or mercy; for though he will do this whether we beg it or no, yet (1) it is our duty, because commanded. (2) Hereby we show our love to God, by this zeal for his glory. (3) To our own souls, for his glory and our happiness are twisted together.
Expl. 101. This is not only the first Petition in this Prayer, but the first of those Petitions wherein we are taught to beg good things; for the two last Petitions in this Prayer are deprecatory against evil. Now from the shortness of all these Petitions in general, we may observe, that the efficacy of Prayer doth not consist in the multitude of words, but doth most shew it self in a holy fervency and ardour of affections. In this Petition there is, (1st,) Something supposed, as the ground of this Petition, as (1) That man ought to make the glory of God his chief end in all his designs. (2) That by his natural power, and without the grace of God, he is not able to glorifie God. (2dly,) We have the matter of the Petition (Hallowed be thy name). In which words we do pray in the general, that all the Attributes, Titles, Ordinances, Words, and ⟨p. 177⟩Works of God (whereby he is made known) may be heartily and highly valued, and esteemed, and magnified in the world. More particularly, we beg. (1) That God would give us hearts. (2) Grace, to shew forth his glory in all our words, thoughts, actions, and capacities. (3) That he would prevent or remove all that sin especially whereby the lustre of his glory in the world is most eclipsed, as Atheism, Ignorance, Idolatry, Oppression, &c. (4) That he would so lay the scene of his Providence in the government of the world, that he may still get to himself a glorious name, whether it be in works of power, wisdom, justice, or mercy; for though he will do this whether we beg it or no, yet (1) it is our duty, because commanded. (2) Hereby we shew our love to God, by this zeal for his glory. (3) To our own souls, for his glory and our happiness are twisted together.
