A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

7. Christ is not received and entertained as Lord and King, but where his Laws are obeyed. Col. 2. 6. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him. If you receive him as Lord and King, so also obey him. And, Heb. 12. 28. We receiving a Kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have Grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably, with Reverence and godly Fear. In this Prayer, first, we say, Thy Kingdom come; and then presently we add, Thy Will be done. We do but prattle over the Lord's Prayer, and say it with our Lips only, until we are resolved to do what God would have us to do; love and hate, fear and rejoice, as God directs. Until we are brought to this Frame, we do not in good earnest say, Thy Kingdom come. An earthly King will do according to his Will, Dan. 11. 3. So Christ stands upon his Will in his Law. If you have taken God for your God, and Jesus Christ for your King, then say, with David, Psal. 143. 10. Teach me to do thy Will, for thou art my God. It is an universal Maxim, His Servants you are, whom you do obey. Where is your Obedience? If Subjects ⟨p. 207⟩of Grace, Every Thought is brought in subjection, 2 Cor. 10. 5. You will watch not only against your irregular Actions, but every Thought which lifts up it self against the Obedience of Christ. There will be a greater Tenderness upon us, not to break any of the holy Laws which belong to Christ's Government. Hereby you may know whether you come under another King, Do you fear a Commandment? That is the Description of a good Man, Prov. 13. 13. It is not he that feareth a Punishment, but he that feareth a Commandment, when the Heart is brought under an Awe of Christ's Laws: So that when a Man is tempted to Sin, O I dare not, the Lord hath commanded me the contrary; this is more than if a flaming Sword stood in his way. When we have such workings of Heart, when we are tempted to this and that Sin; so when we are doing any Duty, tho irksome to Flesh and Blood, yet it is the Will of my Lord, to whom I have entirely given up my self in a way of Subjection. This is a Sign you are brought under his Government.