Scala cœli Nineteen sermons concerning prayer. The first sixe guiding to the true doore: the residue teaching how so to knocke thereat that wee may enter. The former part containing a preparation to prayer, the latter an exposition vpon the seuerall petitions of the Lords prayer.

The twelfth Sermon.

In Earth as it is in Heauen.

WHich words are an ap∣pendix to the three first petitions; for though it be addded to the third, which concerneth the doing of his will, yet the ancient fathers re∣ferre it also to the two former; So that wee are to pray no lesse, that Gods name may bee sanctified in earth as it is in heauen: and that his Kingdome may be consumate in earth, as it is in heauen, then that his will be accomplished on earth, as it is in heauen.

Wherefore wee may obserue by this complement of the three

first Petitions, that God respects not onely the doing of that which he requireth, but chiefly the man∣ner of it; for it sufficeth not sim∣ply to doe Gods will, as others doe on earth, but wee must doe it as it is done in heauen; for aduerbes please God better then verbes, and hee respecteth more in the doing of his will, the manner of the do∣ing of it, then our doing it selfe.

The Greekes distinguish the will of God by both the words of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, when wee doe Gods will without any regard how, so it be done, that is his 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 but when Gods will is done with a sicut, and in such sort as he requireth, that is his good pleasure, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Gods will was done of the peo∣ple, when they sacrificed any beast whatsoeuer, but if the chose out the fittest, then the sacrifice was the

more acceptable; so in this pray∣er we do not onely desire to doe Gods will vtcunque, without re∣gard how, whether with willing∣nesse & cheerefulnesse, or against our wils•• but we desire to doe it in the best manner, as it is done in heauen; wherein wee offer that sa∣crifice or seruice to God, which is as the fat of Rams, for the sancti∣fying of his name.

The Apostle saith, that at the name of IESVS euery knee shall bow, both of things in heauen, in earth, and things vnder the earth. Phil. 2.10. But our desire is so to reuerence the name of IESVS, as the things in heauen reuerence it.

Of Gods Kingdome it is said, that Christ is ruler both in the midst of his enemies, & also that in the day of his power the people shall as friends offer free-will offerings with

an holy worship, Psal. 110.2. But we pray that Gods Kingdome may come among vs, not as among his enemies, but that we may willing∣ly submit our selues, to his wil and gouernment.

Lastly, for the doing of his will the Prophet said: Whatsoeuer the Lord pleased that did he, in heauen, in earth, and in the sea. Psal. 135.6.

We desire that his will may be performed in vs, not as in the deepe places, but as in heauen, for this prayer containes two Sicuts; the one pertaines to God, teach∣ing vs how to loue him; the other concerns our neighbour, where we pray so to bee forgiuen as wee forgiue our debters: so that as heretofore we haue noted, lege operandi lex statuitur supplicandi, though there were no law to re∣quire the loue of God and our neighbour, yet this forme of pray∣er

doth teach vs how to loue God, and what perfect loue we owe to our neighbour.

In the thing it selfe, wee are to obserue three points: first, a quali∣fication: secondly, an Eleuation of the soule: thirdly, an appplication.

In the qualification we are to en∣quire what is meant by heauen and earth, either tanquam continentia, or else we may vnderstand them as things contained therein; then how Gods will is done therein.

Howsoeuer our tongue or dia∣lect speakes of heauen singularly; yet both Greek and Latine, imply a plurality of heauens, for there are three heauens: first, the aire where the birds flye, whence they are called volucres coeli. Math. 6. secondly, the heauen of heauens, where the Sun, Moone, and Stars are set to giue light: thirdly, that which the Apostle cals the third

heauen, whereunto hee was taken vp, which is the place of blessed∣nesse, where Gods Maiesty is espe∣cially resident. 2. Cor. 12.

In all these heauens which con∣taine other bodies, in them wee wee shall finde that Gods will is done.

Of ••he lower heauen the Pro∣phet saith, that it is obedient to Gods will, and fulfils his word by sending downe snow and fire, and wind. Psal. 148.

In the second heauen which Salo∣mō cals the heauen of heauēs. 1. Reg. 8.27. Gods will is done, for there at Gods commandement the Sun and Moone stood still, contrary to their vsuall course, till the people of God auenged themselues of their enemies. Iosh. 10.13.

Thirdly, the earth it selfe, and things contained it, do yeeld obe∣dience to heauen; for if the hea∣uen

bee fauourable in sending downe raine, and fruitfull seasons, Acts. 4.17. Psal. 65. the earth an∣swerably will bring forth her en∣crease for the good of man; but if the heauen bee brasse, the earth also will be Iron, Deut. 28.

Lastly, as the powers of the heauens are such, as, that they can draw vp clowds from the earth, Psa. 1.35. which do distill raine vpon the earth, to water the Furrowes thereof; so we desire, that the spi∣rituall heauen may transforme vs into an heauenly nature, not se••∣ting our minds on earthly things, but on things aboue.

For the things contained in hea∣uen, as they are heauenly; so wee desire, that wee liuing on earth, may haue our conuersation in heauen: that earthly man, to whō God said, Terra es, Gen. 3. may by this meanes be made heauenly.

In the third heauen is contai∣ned, in respect of his humanity, first Christ himselfe, who is both in heauen and in earth: for as he is called the head, Ephes. 3.23. of his Church, hee is in heauen: but in respect of his body, which is called Christ, 1. Cor. 12. hee is on earth. Therefore wee pray, that Christ on earth, that is, the Church, may do Gods will, euen as Christ the head, who is in heauen, hath done it: that as Christ our head came not to doe his owne will, but the will of him that sent him, Ioh. 6. 38. so the whole body of Christ may labour to fulfill the same.

Secondly, in heauen thus are Angels, which fulfill his comman∣dement, and hearken to the voyce of his word, Psal. 10. So our prayer is, that men, to whom God hath made the promise, that they shall bee 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Luke. 20. may labour

to bee like the Angels, in doing Gods will, as they hope to be like them in nature.

Thirdly, in heauen there is the Congregation of the first borne, Heb. 12.23. that is, the Saints departed. wherefore our prayer is, that as they haue, and still doe carefully fulfill Gods will, so the Saints on earth, and Church militant, may do the same.

Againe, whereas S. Cyprian out of the 16. Psalm. 2. and 19.1. saith, that heauen is here vpon earth; for when the Psalmist saith: The Hea∣uens declare the glory of God, the A∣postle applyeth that to himselfe, and to the rest of the Apostles, Rom. 10. of whose preaching hee saith: No doubt their sound went out into all lands, and their words into the ends of the world: So that the Apostles were heauens liuing on earth: So our prayer is, that as

they liuing on earth, liued an hea∣uenly life, and began heauen here, so our carnall heart may bee ap∣plyed to the meditation of hea∣uen, that wee may bee Saints on earth, Psal. 16.

The wise man saith of the bo∣dy: That it being dust, at the houre of death, turnes it selfe to dust, from whence it came, and that the Spirit returnes to God that gaue it, Eccles. 12.17. Thus must the Spirit return to God in our life time, and wee must, while wee bee on earth, and beare the image of the earthly Man, seeke still to be in heauen: & heere labour more and more to beare the Image of the heauenly, 1. Cor. 15 49. As the heauenly part of man, that is his Spirit, is willing, and doth not onely consent that Gods law is good, but delight in it, Rom. 7. so we bee carefull to bring our ••lesh in subiection, that our old

man, an outward man may conforme himselfe to the inward and new man, 2. Cor. 4. Eph. 4.

Secondly, touching the questi∣on; how Gods will is done in hea∣uen? the answere is, that where his will is both dulcis, and amara vo∣luntas, a sweet and a bitter will, it is there obeyed and performed in both kinds: for the heauens doe not onely at Gods commande∣ment keepe a continuall motion, which is agreeeble to nature, but against nature, Sunne and Moone stand still at his will, Ios. 10. whose obedience tels vs, that our duty is to doe his will, not onely in things agreeable with our nature, but when his will is contrary to our liking.

This obedience was performed in Christ: Not my will, but thine be done, Luk. 22. and in the Angels, which at Gods commandement

are ready not onely to ascend, but also to descend, Gen. 28. to shew, that they are content, not onely to appeare in heauenly glory, which is their nature, but also to bee aba∣sed, according to the Apostles rule, I can abound, and I can want, Phil. 4.

The heauenly bodies do seruice to all Nations, and the Angels are ministring Spirits, Heb.

As naturally they haue a desire to ascend to beare rule, so at Gods commandement they are content to descend, to doe seruice here be∣low, they doe altogether fulfill Gods will, Psalm. 104. whereas the nature of man doth hardly grant to obey Gods will, in that which seemeth strange to flesh & bloud, as Agrippa affirmeth of himselfe, Thou somewhat perswadest me, Act. 26.25.

The Saints in heauen confesse

to God: thou hast created al things, and for thy wils sake, they are, and were created. Reu. 4.11. And there∣fore refuse not to subiect their will to the will of God, bee it plea∣sant to them or not: but as our Sa∣uiour speaketh: yee seeke mee, not because yee saw the miracles, but for that yee eate of the loaues and were filled, Ioh, 6.26. So if we doe that which God requireth, it is rather for our owne sake, with regard to our owne priuate profite, then to do Gods will.

The heauenly Angels do Gods will with willingnesse, and readi∣nesse of minde, which is the fat of their sacrifice: and therefore they are said to haue euery one sixe wings, Isa. 6. From whose example we must learne to do all things commanded of God, without murmuring or disputing, Phil. 2.14. and that because it is Gods wil we

should do it.

In earth when God willeth any thing it is not pleasant to our wils, we make excuse Luke. 14. or wee post it off to others, as Peter said to Iohn, Ioh. 21. Carne autem hic? wee are ready to communicate with flesh and bloud, Gal. 3.16. and to say with the Disciples: Durus est hic Sermo, this is a hard speech, Iohn. 6. If wee cannot shift it off from our selues, yet as the Diuell reasoned; Cur venisti ante tempus? Matth. 18.29. and as the people say: It is not time yet to build the house of the Lord, Aggai. 1.5. So wee are ready to deferre and pro∣long the doing of Gods will, as much as may bee, when wee do it, as the vncleane Spirit would not come out of the childe, but with much crying, and renting of him, Mark. 9.26. so we cannot do Gods will, but with great murmuring,

and grudging; and when men do Gods will in this sort, they doe it not as it is done in Heauen by the Angels and Saints, that willingly obey it: but as the Diuels in hell, which against their wils are faine to do it. Therefore our rule in this behalfe is, that wee do Gods will, not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 2. Cor. 9. but 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Col. 3. not grudgingly, but cheere∣fully from the heart, accounting it our meat to do the will of our heauen∣ly Father. Ioh. 4.

Secondly, for the Eleuation, it is true, that the qualification is sig∣nified by 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and our prai∣er is, that we may do Gods will as it is done in heauen, but not as much, with like readines of mind, but not in like measure: (for that is impossible for earthly men): we desire to fulfill Gods will in the manner, but not in the same de∣gree of obedience, which may be

expressed by the words Image and likenesse, Gen. 1. Our obedience may be the likenesse of the Angels, but not the Image.

The Character or stampe of the Angels obedience, is that which is equall in proportion; but such obedience is not to bee found; there may be a beame of it, answe∣rable in likenesse and quality, not in quantity; so in likenesse we are, Conformes imagini Christi, Rom. 8. and beare the image of the heauenly Man, 1. Cor. 15. as endeauouring thereunto, but yet wee cannot at∣taine to it.

But all-be-it is hard for flesh & bloud, which our Sauiour requi∣reth: Be yee perfect, as your heauen∣ly Father is perfect, Mat. 5, yet there is an vse of such precepts: first, vt feramur ad perfectionem, that wee may be led on to perfection, Heb. 6.1. Secondly, we must haue an He∣royicall

and free Spirit, Psalm. 51. which may stir vs vp to wish that wee could do more then wee can, which consists of Aspiration and Suspiration. Wee must aspire to the greatest perfection, with Da∣uid: Concupiuit anima mea: My soule hath lusted to keepe thy righte∣ous iudgements for euer, Psal. 119.20. And O that my waies were so directed, Psal. 119.5.

This is an Angelicall perfecti∣on, which wee cannot attaine vnto in this life: therefore we must, sus∣pirare, when we consider, that the law saith, Thou shalt not lust, and yet finde that wee do lust, wee are to sigh, and say with the Apostle: Who shall deliuer vs foom this body of death? Rom. 7.

If we finde that we cannot loue our God with all our heart, and soule, as wee ought, then to say with the Prophet: Vae mihi, quia

prolongatus est incolatus mens inter∣ra: Woe is me that my dwelling is prolonged in the Tents of Kedar, Psal. 120.5.

Wee must desire to doe more then we can, and grieue that wee cannot do so much as wee ought; that as wee doe what we can, so what we cannot doe, wee should supply it, Voto, desiderio, animo, with our hearty wish, desire, and minde.

Thirdly, the supplication is of two sorts, Reall, and personall. Touching the first, as the grace of God is, Multiformis gratia, 1. Pet. 4. So the will of God beeing one, is of many sorts; and contai∣neth diuers particulars: therefore as wee generally pray, that the will of God may bee done, so when by the word of God we vn∣derstand, what is the will of GOD in particular, wee are to

desire, no lesse, that it may bee performed: This is the will of GOD, euen your sanctification. 1. Thessa. 4. Therefore our desire must bee, that this will of his may bee done and fulfilled in vs. This is a speciall remedy against the temptations of the flesh, which oppose themselues against Gods will.

There is another will of God for patience, for hee would haue vs suffer for Christs sake, without murmuring, that so wee may stop the mouthes of ignorant men. 1. Pet. 2.6. Therefore we are to pray, that this will of God also may bee done in vs.

As Ioseph was carefull to doe Gods will, touching sanctificati∣on, and Iob to obey Gods will in suffering patiently; both which are now Saints in heauen; so must wee after their examples bee both

holy, and carefull, and patient.

It may be we are willing to obey Gods will in particular, but wee will say, Nondum venit hora: it is not yet time, Therefore we must learne to practise the Prophets re∣solution, I made hast, and prolon∣ged not the time, to keepe thy Law. Psal. 119.

When God reuealeth his will to vs, we must presently put it in practise, and as Saul did Act. 9. and not counsell with flesh and bloud, and this is the reall appli∣cation.

The persons to whom the do∣ing of Gods will is to bee apply∣ed, are not onely the whole earth (which is also to be wished as the Prophet sheweth) Set vp thy selfe ô God aboue the heauen, and thy glo∣ry aboue all the earth. Psal. 57. But the earth or land wherein wee dwell (as the Prophet speaks) that

glory may dwell, in terra nostra, in our land, Psal. 85. So we pray that Gods will may be done in al lands but especially in our land, and country, that so he may bestow his blessings vpon it, but yet wee are euery one of vs particularly to apply to our selues, for to man it was said by God, terra es. Gen. 3. To man it was said, Earth, earth, earth, heare the word of the Lord, Ier. 22. So wee desire that Gods will may especially bee done, and fulfilled, in that part of the earth, whereof God hath made vs, that is, that in these our earthly vessels, which we carry about with vs, we may be carefull to do that, which God re∣quireth at our hands.