A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

4. Because being brought by such a solemn but sad occasion into God's presence, he could not but have some thoughts of Zion. And from thence observe, That we should never come to God upon any private occasion, but we should remember the Public. We are to pray in Love, as well as Faith. Christ hath not taught us to say, My ⟨p. 217⟩Father, but Our Father; to show that we should take in the Interests and Concernments of the whole Body, that there may be a Spirit of Communion breathing in our Prayers. David doth not only say, Have mercy upon me according to thy Loving-kindness, but, Do good unto Zion in thy good pleasure. Every living Member will be careful for the Body. Members should be careful one for another, much more for the whole. Is any Member pained or grieved? all suffer: If the Toe be trod upon, the Tongue complaineth, you have hurt me; but now much more when all is concerned. Therefore we should not altogether seek our own Things, but wrestle with God for the Public.

4. Because being brought by such a solemn but sad occasion into God's presence, he could not but have some thoughts of Zion. And from thence observe, That we should never come to God upon any private occasion, but we should remember the Publick. We are to pray in Love, as well as Faith. Christ hath not taught us to say, My ⟨p. 217⟩Father, but Our Father; to shew that we should take in the Interests and Concernments of the whole Body, that there may be a Spirit of Communion breathing in our Prayers. David doth not only say, Have mercy upon me according to thy Loving-kindness, but, Do good unto Zion in thy good pleasure. Every living Member will be careful for the Body. Members should be careful one for another, much more for the whole. Is any Member pained or grieved? all suffer: If the Toe be trod upon, the Tongue complaineth, you have hurt me; but now much more when all is concerned. Therefore we should not altogether seek our own Things, but wrestle with God for the Publick.

1. This reproveth divers sorts of People. Some are Enemies to the Public Welfare, as Vipers eat out the Dam's Belly, especially Enemies to Zion; Down with it, down with it, even to the Ground. What Monsters hath this Age brought forth! Others are indifferent and careless which goeth up, Christ or Antichrist; they only mind the Matters of their own Interest and Concernment: All seek their own Things. As to the Public Interest of the Church, let all go how it will. Let me tell you, To be selfish, is a sort of Self-Excommunication; you cast your selves out of the Bundle of Life: And to be senseless, 'tis an implicit renouncing the Body. Others there are that are gracious, but full of discontent at some Passages of Providence, and these seem to have lost their public Affections. 'Tis a sad Symptom, when a praying People are discouraged from praying for Public Welfare. God is very tender