A practical exposition of the Lord's-Prayer

3. They not only come from God, but from the Lord's free Grace and Mercy. These are two distinct Notions, by which God's Goodness is set ⟨p. 328⟩out, and they are both significant and expressive in the present Case: Grace, that doth all freely; Mercy, that pitieth the Miserable.

(1.) Then we have them from Grace; Grace is at liberty to give them to whom it will. Well, there is Grace in these outward Things; for God gives them to whom he will, to some, not to others. O when we consider the Distinction between us and others, every one hath not such liberal Supplies, nay, many of those of whom the World is not worthy; surely this is merely the Lord's Goodness. Prov. 22. 2. The Rich and the Poor meet together, the Lord is the Maker of them all. They had the same Maker that you had, (others which are destitute) therefore why is it you have more than they? It is merely from Grace. Why is one Vessel framed for an honourable Use, and another for a baser Use? So it pleased the Potter. God, as the great Master of the Scenes, appointeth to every Man what part he shall act, merely out of his own Grace, he is bound to none. It was a good Speech of Tamberlain, the great Conqueror of the East, to Ba•azet; What did God see in thee, that art blind in one Eye, and me, that am lame of one Leg, that he should make us, passing by many others, the Lords of so many opulent and mighty Kingdoms? A savoury Speech from an Infidel! What did God see in any of us, to exalt, cherish, and supply us, and let pass many others, who for moral Excellencies, and virtuous Endowments, do far exceed us? When we consider this Distinction, then, Even so, Father, because it pleased thee. There is a kind of Election and Reprobation in these common Mercies, (that is) God will dispense ⟨p. 329⟩them to one, and not to another; he will be glorified in their Poverty, and glorified in thy Wealth, and therefore there's Grace in it.