A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

2. We need Quickening, being so backward to this Duty. All the Lepers could beg Help, and but one returned to give God the Glory. There is much dullness and deadness of Heart, as to the praising of God, and glorifying of God. Self-Love will put us upon other Things; but it is Grace must quicken us to glorify him, and praise ⟨p. 150⟩him. When we go to God for our selves, our Necessities will sharpen our Affections, and put a shrill Accent upon our Prayers: But now when we beg of God, for God, then there is a greater Restraint upon us. And therefore David saith, Psal. 51. 15. Open thou my Lips, and my Mouth shall show forth thy Praise. We need God to open our Mouths, (that is) enlarge our Hearts, and quicken our Affections. How apt are we to turn the back upon the Mercy-Seat? Ezek. 46. 9. If a Man came in at the North Gate, he was to go out at the South Gate, but never at the same Door; why? That he might not turn his Back upon the Mercy-Seat. When we have prayed, we are apt to forget that God which hath blessed as; and therefore that our Hearts might be enlarged and quickened, we need to go to God.

2. We need Quickning, being so backward to this Duty. All the Lepers could beg Help, and but one returned to give God the Glory. There is much dulness and deadness of Heart, as to the praising of God, and glorifying of God. Self-Love will put us upon other Things; but it is Grace must quicken us to glorify him, and praise ⟨p. 150⟩him. When we go to God for our selves, our Necessities will sharpen our Affections, and put a shrill Accent upon our Prayers: But now when we beg of God, for God, then there is a greater Restraint upon us. And therefore David saith, Psal. 51. 15. Open thou my Lips, and my Mouth shall shew forth thy Praise. We need God to open our Mouths, (that is) enlarge our Hearts, and quicken our Affections. How apt are we to turn the back upon the Mercy-Seat? Ezek. 46. 9. If a Man came in at the North Gate, he was to go out at the South Gate, but never at the same Door; why? That he might not turn his Back upon the Mercy-Seat. When we have prayed, we are apt to forget that God which hath blessed as; and therefore that our Hearts might be inlarged and quickned, we need to go to God.