A51845:274
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer by ... Thomas Manton.
London: printed by J.D., 1684
AN EXPOSITION OF THE Lord's-Prayer. › Our Father, which art in Heaven. › APPLICATION.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. When we set apart our selves to his Use, to live and act for his Glory; this is also entering into Covenant with God. As in that formal Matrimonial Covenant, that was used between the Prophet and his Wife, Hos. 3. 3. Thou shalt not be for another Man, so will I also be for thee: So in the Covenant, we resolve to renounce all others, and to live and act for God. The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. Psal. 4. 3. When we are thus set apart for God, to serve him, and glorify him, by this special Dedication of our selves to his Use; this is the Act of Grace on our part. We were God's by Election; but he comes and takes possession for himself by the Spirit, and then the Soul sets himself apart for God.
2. When we set apart our selves to his Use, to live and act for his Glory; this is also entring into Covenant with God. As in that formal Matrimonial Covenant, that was used between the Prophet and his Wife, Hos. 3. 3. Thou shalt not be for another Man, so will I also be for thee: So in the Covenant, we resolve to renounce all others, and to live and act for God. The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. Psal. 4. 3. When we are thus set apart for God, to serve him, and glorify him, by this special Dedication of our selves to his Use; this is the Act of Grace on our part. We were God's by Election; but he comes and takes possession for himself by the Spirit, and then the Soul sets himself apart for God.
Secondly; That all the Saints have a common Interest in the same God; therefore Christ taught us to say, Our Father. They have one Father, as well as one Spirit, one Christ, one Hope, and one Heaven. Eph. 4. 6. Questionless, it is lawful to say, My Father. Some have disputed it, because they suppose this Expression is used to signify Christ's singular Filiation; Christ could only say, My Father. But it is lawful, provided we do not say it exclusively, and appropriating it to our selves. But here Christ, when he giveth us this perfect Form, teacheth us to say, Our Father. As the Sun in the Firmament is every Man's, and all the World's; so God is every single Believer's God, the God of all the Elect. But why would Christ put this in this perfect Pattern and Form of Prayer?