A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

Well then, you see what is meant by the Will of God, which is the Matter about which this is conversant.

Then here's the Note of Appropriation, Thy Will, in opposition to our own Will, the Will of Satan, the Wills of Men.

1. To our own Will, which is the proudest Enemy Christ hath on this side Hell, and the cause of all the Mischief which doth befall us. The great Contest between us and God is, whose Will shall stand, God's Will, or ours. In every Sin we slight the Will of God, and set up our own. We ⟨p. 247⟩despise the Commandment, 2 Sam. 12. 9. Not grossly and formally; David did not slight the Commandment, and say, Tush, it is a foolish Law; but by necessary Interpretation we slight the Law of God, and set up our own Will. Therefore when we pray, that God's Will may be done, we do in effect renounce our own Will, those Wills of the Flesh and Mind, Eph. 2. 3. which the Apostle speaks of; so it is in the Greek. The Soul is never renewed, until the Will be renewed, till the Will be broken. And therefore Self-denial is made one of the first Principles of Christianity, the denying of our own Will. The Will is the leading part of the Soul. Tho the New Creature begins with the Mind, yet it comes not to any Perfection, it is not formed, until the Will be subdued to God, until Grace be seated in the Heart. When a Man treadeth on a dry Hide, one part or other will be apt to rebound, and leap up against him, till he stands in the middle and Centre: So, until Grace be seated in the Heart, Corruption will recoil. When a Bird's Wings are broken, it can fly no longer; so when the Will is subdued, then the work of Grace begins. The Mind is the Counsellor, but the Will is the Monarch and Prince, which sways and rules all in the Soul. Again, the Will is more corrupted than the Mind; the Understanding is much blinded, but the Will is more depraved. The Mind hath a little Light, and is apt to take God's part sometimes, by suggesting good Motions; but the VVill doth more abhor and refuse Good, than the Understanding is ignorant of it. We are convinced often, when not converted. Therefore this is the main thing, that our corrupt Will may be subdued to God;