Bad Advertisement?
Are you a Christian?
Online Store:Visit Our Store
| The First Clause.
PREVIOUS SECTION - NEXT SECTION - HELP 
Chapter
II.—The First Clause.
The prayer begins with a testimony to God, and
with the reward of faith, when we say, “Our Father who art in the
heavens;” for (in so saying), we at once pray to God, and commend
faith, whose reward this appellation is. It is written, “To
them who believed on Him He gave power to be called sons of
God.”8768
However, our Lord
very frequently proclaimed God as a Father to us; nay, even gave a
precept “that we call no one on earth father, but the Father whom
we have in the heavens:”8769
and so, in thus
praying, we are likewise obeying the precept. Happy they who recognize
their Father! This is the reproach that is brought against Israel, to
which the Spirit attests heaven and earth, saying, “I have
begotten sons, and they have not recognized me.”8770
Moreover, in saying “Father,” we
also call Him “God.” That appellation is one both of filial
duty and of power. Again, in the Father the Son is invoked; “for
I,” saith He, “and the Father are One.”8771
Nor is even our mother the Church passed by,
if, that is, in the Father and the Son is recognized the mother, from
whom arises the name both of Father and of Son. In one general
term, then, or word, we both honour God, together with His
own,8772
| 8772 “i.e., together
with the Son and the Holy Spirit” (Oehler); “His Son and
His church” (Dodgson). | and are mindful of the precept, and set a
mark on such as have forgotten their Father.E.C.F. INDEX & SEARCH
|
