A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

(1.) As to the Choice of Instruments. There is in us an Envy, and wicked Emulation. O how hard a matter is it, to rejoice in the Gifts, and Graces, and Services of others, and be content with the Dispensation, when God will cast us by, as unworthy, and use others for the glorifying of his Name! Therefore that we may refer the Choice of Instruments to God, we need go to him, and say, Lord, hallowed be thy Name; do it which way, and by whom thou pleasest. We are troubled, if others glorify God, and not we, or more than we; if they be more holy, more useful, or more serious, Self will not yield to this. Now by putting up this Prayer to God, we refer it to him, to choose the Instrument whom he will employ. It was a commendable Modesty and Self-denial in John Baptist, which is described, John 3. 13. He must increase, I must decrease. When we are contented to be abased and obscured, provided Christ may be honoured and exalted; and be content with such a Dispensation, tho with our Loss and Decrease. Many are of a private Station, and straitened in Gifts, and can have no public Instrumentality for God; now these need to pray, Hallowed be thy Name, that ⟨p. 152⟩they may rejoice when God useth others, whom he hath furnished with greater Abilities.

(1.) As to the Choice of Instruments. There is in us an Envy, and wicked Emulation. O how hard a matter is it, to rejoice in the Gifts, and Graces, and Services of others, and be content with the Dispensation, when God will cast us by, as unworthy, and use others for the glorifying of his Name! Therefore that we may refer the Choice of Instruments to God, we need go to him, and say, Lord, hallowed be thy Name; do it which way, and by whom thou pleasest. We are troubled, if others glorify God, and not we, or more than we; if they be more holy, more useful, or more serious, Self will not yield to this. Now by putting up this Prayer to God, we refer it to him, to chuse the Instrument whom he will employ. It was a commendable Modesty and Self-denial in Iohn Baptist, which is described, John 3. 13. He must increase, I must decrease. When we are contented to be abased and obscured, provided Christ may be honoured and exalted; and be content with such a Dispensation, tho with our Loss and Decrease. Many are of a private Station, and straitned in Gifts, and can have no publick Instrumentality for God; now these need to pray, Hallowed be thy Name, that