SERMON VIII.

THE LORD'S PRAYER.

LUKE Xi. 1.

66 LORD, TEACH US TO PRAY."

THE Church, as a public and authorized guardian under the Holy Spirit, presents us at the laver of Regeneration; and seals us with the sign of the cross, as the token of our being given up to the service of the Redeemer, while receiving a pledge from Christ, of our pardon, sanctification, and salvation. In that sacred hour, when we become the adopted children of God, the Church first exacts a solemn promise from our sponsors, that (with the covenanted help of the Lord) we should be taught to live a life of daily repentance, and lively

faith in Jesus. She next proceeds to set before us in the Creed, those vital truths of grace, which become embodied, as Faith, in the heart. Nor does she fail, in the most fitting place, to exhibit a spiritual view of the Divine will in the ten Commandments, that we may be led, at once, to flee to Christ, as a refuge from God's anger; and as a ruler in the ways of righteousness. But lest, in the natural pride of man, we should imagine ourselves capable of pleasing God by an obedience springing out of our own powers, she solemnly warns each child, that we are not able to do these things of ourselves - nor to walk in the commands of God, without His special grace, which we must learn at all times to call for, by diligent Prayer. And that we may never be at a loss for words of supplication, she directs our attention, at once, to the prayer taught us by the Lord Jesus Himself, and graciously intended, both as a form for our use, and as a guide for enlarged devotion. We

know indeed from humiliating experience, that we are apt to become careless, about what is familiar to us. And hence, if the truth were spoken, we should confess that we are tempted to offer up the Lord's Prayer, with less earnestness and application than any prayer which we use. Indeed, when we consider the force and extent of each petition; what sublime and important matter is contained in the varied portions; what a height of adoration is expressed; what a depth of penitence; what a fulness of desire against temptation and sin, we cannot but feel, that to utter this prayer with fervency, requires much recollection and thoughtfulness. Hence, in our Liturgy, we commonly find some short sentence coming immediately before the Lord's Prayer has been introduced, as a preparation of heart. "Lord, teach us to pray." Let this be our feeling and supplication, that this perfect form of prayer may become more blessed in our eyes, and purifying to our souls.

"Our Father" -not my Father. Thus are we taught to go out of ourselves-to feel for, and to pray for, all mankind; but "especially for them who are of the household of faith." Observe also, the encouraging title by which our Saviour calls upon us to address God, "Father:" a title, which, softening all impressions of his greatness, his justice, and his wisdom, brings us before His footstool, touched with this feeling, that "like as a father pitieth" his own children, even so, is the Lord merciful unto them that fear Him 2.

His children we are, not only as He hath created us—not only as He hath preserved us (for what is preservation, but a continuous act of creative power) but we are his children, inasmuch as He hath adopted us, out of the ruined family of Adam, into the redeemed family of Christ, his Son. Received into this holy society, at our Baptism, we learn to "cry Abba, Father."

1 Gal. vi. 10.

2 Ps. ciii. 13.

We are enlightened by His Spirit; nourished by His Sacrament; taught by His Word. The faithful, who "receive not His Grace in vain," are brought up, by the power and love of the Comforter; and are prepared, by his renewing influences, for the kingdom of Glory. But, lest this endearing term should tempt us to become familiar in our approaches to God, a gracious restraint is laid upon our minds, by the remainder of the Invocation. “Our Father-which art in HEAVEN!" "Heaven is His Throne. The earth His footstool." As the light of the sun pierces into every corner, so does the eternal Eye search every place, and judge the very secrets of the heart. It watches over the traveller on his way, by land and by water; and shines with beaming love on the family at home. God, though He sitteth above in the Heavens, is about our path, and about our "bed, and spieth out all our ways

3 "

1 Rom. viii. 15.

2 2 Cor. i.

3 Is. lxvi. 1..