III. Thy will he done on earth as it is in heaven.
1. Thy will alone is ever good, and just, and perfect, in all things. To the know* ledge of this he gently leads us by counsel, by precept, and by inspiration, as well as by the commands of those who are set over us in God’s name. To do this will it is enough for us that God wills and enjoins what we are to perform, so that if I obey him, and keep his commandments, I shall merit life, 'but if otherwise, death.
2. Not my will, which is perverse, but thine . Nor yet the flesh's, which is contrary to the spirit; nor the worlds, which is vain; nor the devil's, which is malignant; but thy will only, which is the rule of uprightness. For what is thy will but our sanctification? Since thou requires t nothing of us but what is for our benefit; not thine, for thou needest not our goods.
3. As the will of God is done by the angels in heaven, where there is no rebellion of a perverse will, so also may it be done on earth, perfectly, promptly, speedily, courageously, lovingly, and readily; where to resist thy will is to be unwilling to be led on sweetly with the cords of love, that is, of a man; but to prefer to be driven like a beast of burden by the force of thy power, or to be dragged by the chains of thy justice. Teach me, O Lord, to do thy will; for thou art my God . Behold, O Lord, I am thy servant. Lord, what wilt
thou have me to dot Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth.
IV. Give us this day our daily bread.
1. The bread of grace and of the word of God. For man does not live by bread alone, but his soul also has need of sustenance. For, as the life of man is twofold, so is the food or bread twofold, whereby he is sustained.
2. Chiefly, and principally, the living bread, which came down from heaven, the supersubstantial bread of the Eucharist, which strengthens the heart of man, and confirms his spirit.
3. Corporal bread, which is necessary for sustaining life; for which, however, he would not have us solicitous, or over anxious, since he bids us look for it from the divine blessing.
4. Our, not my, because it is common, and to be shared among our brethren, who all acknowledge the same God and Father of all; who would have his gifts supply the necessity, not of one, or of a few, but of all.
5. Daily: if meant of spiritual food, not that which is the portion of the few singularly beloved, of which I count myself unworthy, but that com
