Of the Manner of Following a Perfect Pattern
Luke 11:2
And he said to them, When you pray, say, Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done…


How can we do God's will as they do it, seeing they in all points do it most perfectly, and it is impossible for us to attain to such a perfection?

1. In such a manner as they do may we also de God's will, though not in so complete a measure. A candle giveth light in an house, even as the sun doth in the world: in such a manner, not in so great measure. There may be in quality and likeness a comparison betwixt things that are in quantity and measure very unequal.

2. All the saints even on earth have the beginning of that heavenly perfection wrought in them, which beginning the apostle styleth "the first fruits of the Spirit." Now we may be "confident of this very thing, that He who hath begun a good work in us, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: that we may be blameless in that day."

3. Our desire and endeavour may and must be beyond our ability, as shall be proved by and by.

(W. Gouge.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth.

WEB: He said to them, "When you pray, say, 'Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy. May your Kingdom come. May your will be done on Earth, as it is in heaven.




Of the First Petition in the Lord's Prayer
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