A51845:688
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer
A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer by ... Thomas Manton.
London: printed by J.D., 1684
AN EXPOSITION OF THE Lord's-Prayer. › Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
2. It engageth us to a constant Dependence upon God, and Communion with him. It is Dependence which maintains the Commerce between Heaven and Earth. Now if we did keep the Stock our selves, God and we should soon grow Strangers. When the Prodigal had his Portion in his own hands, he goes out of his Father's House, Luke 15. The Throne of Grace would lie neglected and unfrequented, if we did not stand in need of daily Receivings; when would the Lord hear from us? And therefore to oblige us to a constant Dependence, God will keep the Grace in his own hands, that ever we may have something to drive us to himself, some Necessities upon us, for the Throne of Grace is for a Time of Need, Heb. 4. 16.
2. It engageth us to a constant Dependance upon God, and Communion with him. It is Dependance which maintains the Commerce between Heaven and Earth. Now if we did keep the Stock our selves, God and we should soon grow Strangers. When the Prodigal had his Portion in his own hands, he goes out of his Father's House, Luke 15. The Throne of Grace would lie neglected and unfrequented, if we did not stand in need of daily Receivings; when would the Lord hear from us? And therefore to oblige us to a constant Dependance, God will keep the Grace in his own hands, that ever we may have something to drive us to himself, some Necessities upon us, for the Throne of Grace is for a Time of Need, Heb. 4. 16.
3. This is that which keeps us humble; and that upon several Considerations. All we have, 'tis by Gift; and then what can we be proud of? Not only the Habits of Grace themselves, but also those actual Incitements, which are necessary to draw them forth into Act. So that of all our Excellencies we may say, Alas! 'tis but borrowed; and if we be proud of them, we are but proud we are more in Debt than others; when most enlarged, and most assisted, it is from God. We would laugh, if a Groom should be proud of his Master's Horse, and his Master's Cloak: Shall we usurp that Honour that is due to God? What hast thou that thou didst not receive?