that are of a contrite heart. Consider, therefore, who, and how great, and how powerful and good, is thy helper in heaven; that he is God, and that he is himself thy Father. Fear not, then, in this conflict, but confide in the fatherly love of God towards thee, and say with the Prophet, The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? And then, in first repeating,
I. Hallowed be thy name,
Aim thy weapon against pride, which is the first head of the beast. For since pride, which is the beginning of all sin, instigates us to vainglory, or the love of our own honour, praise, and pre-eminence, it will be wise in us to dispel the pestilent humour, by referring all praise and glory to him who alone is of himself truly holy and great, and therefore alone is justly to be praised and glorified. Let us say, then, O our heavenly Father, hallowed be thy (not our) name; be thy name confessed holy, and in all things praised and glorified by all men.
For this is truly right and just, whereas, on the contrary, nothing is more misplaced than for the sinner to exalt himself, and seek for honour and praise, who is dust and ashes, corruption and a worm, by arrogating to himself what belongs to God alone; for, says the apostle, To God alone be honour and glory. The prophet, too, expresses his utter aversion to human glory, in saying, Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to thy name give glory.
Let this too be our feeling in saying. Hallowed be thy name. For if we ourselves seek not our own glory, another will seek it; if in and by all things we honour God alone, he will honour them that honour him; but upon them that despise him, he will bring ignominy and disgrace. They shall be covered with shame who arrogate to themselves the glory that is due to God.
2. When the head of pride has been struck down and crushed, the devil often resorts to the incitements of avarice, and with persuasion proposes gain next to honour for an object of pursuit. Hence he inflames men’s minds with longing for this world’s goods, and makes it his sole endeavour to cause them to spend their whole lifetime in acquiring and preserving them, to place their hope in them, and to estimate their happiness by the greatness of their wealth.
On the other hand, reflecting how vain, fleeting, and insufficient to satisfy the heart of man are these things, and that God has promised, as
