A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

2. By the manner of praying, absolutely for God's Glory, but for all other things with a sweet Submission to God's Will. Joh. 12. 27. Father, save ⟨p. 146⟩me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy Name. Then came there a Voice from Heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again. Christ is absolute in the Request, and he receives an Answer. Is this enough? Do you mainly press God with this, that he might provide for his own glorious Name, that his Name might not lye under Reproach? But now carnal Aims do make Affection impetuous and impatient of check and denial. Rachel must have Children, or dye. When the Heart is set upon earthly Success, Pleasure, or Comfort, then they cannot brook a denial without Murmuring. The Children of God only accept of God's Glory, and in all other things they leave themselves to God's disposal, and therefore this is the main thing.

3. Partly too by the Disposition of your Hearts when your Prayers are accomplished, and God hath given any Blessing you pray for; we do not ask it for God's Glory, if we do not use it for God's Glory. The time of having Mercies is the time of Trial, and therefore when we consume our Mercies upon our Lusts, when they do not conduce to check our Sins, it is a sign God's Glory is not the thing intended, as it should be.

Thus for the Order of this Petition.