Collect, Good Friday.-Have mercy upon all Jews, Turks, Infidels, and Heretics, and take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of thy word.

Burial Service.-[That it may please thee, of thy gracious goodness, shortly to accomplish the number of thine elect, and to hasten thy kingdom;] that we, with all those who are departed in the true faith of thy holy name, may have our perfect consummation and bliss, both in body and soul, in thy eternal and everlasting glory.*

ON THE LORD'S PRAYER.

$5. THE THIRD PETITION.

WHAT is the third petition?

"Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

This petition seems to include the two former, for, as far as God's name is hallowed, and his kingdom established, so far is his will done.

What is the will of God?

The will of God is either secret or revealed. With that

part of the will of God which he has thought proper to keep secret, we have nothing to do.

Secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deut. xxix. 29. The revealed will of God is, that sinners should be saved through faith in Christ Jesus, and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, and that his name should be glorified by all his creatures, and in all his works.

It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish. Matt. xviii. 14.

This is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life. John vi. 40.

In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God, in Christ Jesus, concerning you. 1 Thess. v. 18.

Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man, for the Lord's sake: for so is the will of God. 1 Pet. ii. 13-15.

The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. 2 Pet. iii. 9.

How is the will of God made known to us?

We may in some measure know it, from the works of his providence; but it is more clearly revealed to us by

The first part of this extract is to be found in the English, but not in the American Prayer Book.

the holy Scriptures. Conscience also informs us, in some degree, of it, for St. Paul says,

Even the Gentiles show the work of the law (which is the will of God) written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the meanwhile accusing or else excusing one another. Rom. ii. 14, 15.

If any man will do his will, he shall know, &c. John vii. 17.
The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord. Prov. xx. 27.
The Lord's voice crieth unto the city; Hear ye the rod, and
who hath appointed it. Mic. vi. 9.

He left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons. Acts xiv. 17. The invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made. Rom. i. 20.

The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.--For we know that the law is spiritual. Rom.

12. 14.

Should not those who offer up this petition be careful to live according to its meaning?

Yes.

1. They should believe and obey what God's holy word declares and requires.

I delight to do thy will, O God. Ps. xl. 8.

I will run the way of thy commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart. Ps. cxix. 32.

Give me understanding, and I shall keep thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart. Ps. cxix. 34.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father, &c. Matt. vii. 21.

Whosoever shall do the will of God, the same is my brother, and my sister, and mother. Mark iii. 35.

My meat is to do the will of him that sent me. John iv. 34. Doing the will of God from the heart. Eph. vi. 6.

God's will must be preferred to our own, or that of others, and we should remember, that wicked men are represented as doing the will of the devil.

Taken captive by him at his will. 2 Tim. ii. 26.

2. They should be thankful for all their mercies. Giving thanks always for all things. Eph. v. 20.

In every thing give thanks. 1 Thess. v. 18.

We should remember, that when St. Paul describes the unconverted Gentiles, he adds, (Rom. i. 21,) "Neither were they thankful;" and (2 Tim. iii. 2) the unthankful are coupled with the unholy.

3. They should submit to his will with patience in the heaviest afflictions.

When Nadab and Abihu were struck dead for offering strange fire, Aaron, their father, held his peace. Lev. x. 1-3.

I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because thou didst it. Ps. xxxix. 9.

Remove this cup from me, nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done. Matt. xxvi. 39-42. Luke xxii. 42.

The will of the Lord be done. Acts xxi. 14.

How are we to do the will of God, so far as it is known to us? As it is done in heaven by the holy angels.

The host of heaven worshippeth thee. Neh. ix. 6.

Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation? Heb. i. 14. And all the angels stood round about the throne, and fell on their faces and worshipped God, &c. Rev. vii. 11.

Though true Christians cannot equal the angels in the perfection of their obedience, yet they may, through grace, imitate and, in some degree, resemble them. A still more exalted pattern is held forth to our imitation.

As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation. 1 Pet. i. 15.

Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps, who did no sin. 1 Pet. ii. 21, 22.

In what manner do the angels perform the will of God?

They are constantly engaged in doing it; and instead of feeling any reluctance towards painful employments, they are represented as serving God,

1. Perfectly.

They do his commandments, hearkening unto the voice of his word. Ps. ciii. 20.

2. Zealously.

Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire. Ps. civ. 4.

3. With quickness and readiness.

Each one had six wings, with twain he did fly. Isa. vi. 2. Every one had four wings; every one went straight forward; they ran and returned as the appearance of a flash of lightning. Ezek. i. 4--14.

4. Reverently.

The four and twenty elders fall down before him, and cast their crowns before the throne. Rev. iv. 10.

5. Perseveringly.

They serve him day and night in his temple. Rev. vii. 15.

If two angels came down to heaven to execute a divine command, and one was appointed to conduct an empire, and the other to fill the lowest station in it, they would feel no inclination to exchange employments.

That which we do here from duty, we shall do in hea