the supports and comforts of life. Man, as a fallen creature, has forfeited the good things of this life, and deserves to be deprived of them all. The earth was cursed for man's sake, therefore in sorrow and labour he eats of it; but it is through the goodness of God that he has power to labour: that rain from heaven and fruitful seasons are granted. It is "he who gives us our corn, and wine, and oil ;" and though the poor man works hard for his daily bread, it is no less the gift of God. To him also we owe the appetite that makes our food pleasant, and the power of digestion that makes it nourishing.

Moderation in our desires is here expressed. We are not taught to ask for riches and honours; they are often the destructive snares of those who possess them but we may lawfully ask for food and raiment, "for our heavenly Father knoweth that we have need of all these things," ver. 22.; and, having these, "we ought to be content."

We are not to ask for weekly bread, or monthly bread, or yearly bread; but for daily bread; for we must not boast of to-morrow, or depend on future years; but live in daily dependence on God, without anxious cares for a future time. "Sufficient to

the day is the evil thereof:" and sufficient for the day is the good thereof: so that we are to exercise ourselves in daily prayer, and receive every meal, and every morsel, as the gift of a good God, which will make it sweeter.

The Christian will also ask for bread for his soul, as well as for his body. Christ is to the believer's soul, what food is to the body. He is the "bread of life;" and if we are born of God, we shall daily desire to feed upon him in our heart, by faith with thanksgiving.

VI. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. The petition is joined to the last by the

word and, which may teach us, that without the forgiveness of sins, the comforts of this life can do us no real good; "for what is a man profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Every man is a sinner. There is not a creature who wants daily bread, that does not also want daily pardon; and yet how few are sensible of it? Sin is here compared to a debt. There is a debt of duty we owe to God; and, in case of failure, we contract a new debt to the justice of God. The debts we owe to man expose us to misery here; but the debts we owe to God expose us to eternal misery; for "the wages of sin is death." And be it remembered, we are not able to pay a single farthing of this debt: if ever we are delivered from going to the prison of hell, it must be by a free pardon, for so we here pray-" Forgive us our debts ;" or, as it is elsewhere," Forgive us our trespasses.' God will take no composition. We can make no amends. It is not taking care not to contract a new debt that will discharge an old one: this will not do with our neighbours, nor will it do with God. Free forgiveness alone will prevent our punishment. But be it carefully observed, that though a sinner is justified freely, it is only "through the redemption that is in Christ." It costs us nothing; but it cost him dear. And it is only through faith in his blood that we can receive it. With believing and penitent hearts we must go to God by Jesus Christ, and plead for his mercy for Christ's sake.

At the same time we are here taught what is the true disposition of a gracious soul-a forgiving temper-"as we forgive our debtors;" that is, as we forgive those who have injured us in our property, person, or name. Not that our kindness to another deserves forgiveness at the hand of God; but that, we cannot expect pardon from God while we refuse it to those who ask us for it, we may humbly

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hope, that if we are enabled, by grace, to forgive others, God, whose thoughts and ways are infinitely above ours, will not reject our prayer for pardoning mercy through Jesus Christ.

VII. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Those whose sins are forgiven will be afraid of sinning again; and, knowing the power of temptation, we pray to be kept from it. Now temptation is any thing which makes trial of us, and proves what is in our hearts. Afflictions are God's trials of us, for our good: but all Satan's temptations are to lead us into evil. The person who uses this prayer aright, is afraid of sin; knows the plague of his own heart; the power of his corruptions; the snares of the world, and the devices of the devil; and he offers up this petition to God, that he would keep him out of the way of such trials as would be too hard for him, or grant sufficient strength to resist and overcome the devil; "the evil one; the wicked one; the great tempter, who goeth about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." But this must be accompanied with watching, and avoiding all wilful occasions of sin, or else these words do but mock God.

VIII. The conclusion of the prayer is-For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever, Amen. This shows us why we should pray to God, and why we may hope to be heard. The kingdom is his. God is king of all the world, and has a right to dispose of all things in it. The power is his, as well as the authority; whatever our wants are, he can supply them; whoever our enemies, he can subdue them. He therefore can answer our prayers; and as a loving Father we hope he will. His, then, will be the glory. Whatever God does is for his own glory; and if we are disposed to give him all the glory of what he does for us, we may hope that our petitions will be granted. This kingdom, this power, this glory, are for ever; he

will never want the power to help; and if we are saved, we shall never cease to give him praise.

The force of the whole prayer lies in the first and last words of it-Our Father, and Amen; in the first, we apply to God in Christ, as reconciled to us; in the last, we set our seal to the whole, and say, Amen; so let it be: so, we humbly hope, it shall be, for Christ's sake.

CONCLUSION.

How awfully is this prayer abused! Ignorant people use it as a kind of charm; and think it enough to say the words, without considering the meaning. O beware, as you love your souls, of mocking God by thoughtless praying. Can you call him a Father, while you obey the devil? Will you say, “Hallowed be thy name," and yet profane it daily? What do you care for his kingdom, while you belong to another? or talk of God's will, without wishing to do it? Do you not forget him when you eat and drink? Are you not careless about the forgiveness of your sins, adding daily to the dreadful debt; and perhaps living in malice and wrath? How can you pray that God will not lead you into temptation, when you run wilfully into the way of it; frequenting the alehouse, the playhouse, the fair, the wakes, and the company of the lewd, the profane, and the drunken? Dear fellowcreature, permit me to say, that thus contradicting your prayers by your life, you cannot expect to be heard: nay, God may justly say to you at last, "Out of thine own mouth I will condemn thee, thou wicked servant." But God forbid! Think over this prayer before you use it again; and beg of God to enable you to use it with understanding and sincerity, that the rich blessings asked for in it may be your's, and God be glorified in your everlasting salvation.

Those who are "born of God," and have the "Spirit of grace and supplication" teaching them to pray, will not confine themselves at all times to these words; yet they may be used with great comfort and edification. God is your Father; he is more disposed to give than you to ask: plead that dear relation. Let his glory be your first desire; the increase of his kingdom your highest wish. Let his will be done in love, by saints below as well as those above; then fear not to depend on his providence for daily supplies. "There is forgiveness with him that he may be feared;" and he that is for us is greater than he who is against us. Though surrounded with snares, his sheep are in his hand and they shall be kept by his power, through faith, unto salvation. Then shall prayer be turned into praise; and all the ransomed of the Lord shall unite in full chorus, and say,-"Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever, Amen, and Amen."