Chapter III.—The Second Clause.

The name of “God the Father” had been published to none. Even Moses, who had interrogated Him on that very point, had heard a different name.14    Ex. iii. 13–16. To us it has been revealed in the Son, for the Son is now the Father’s new name. “I am come,” saith He, “in the Father’s name;”15    John v. 43. and again, “Father, glorify Thy name;”16    John xii. 28. and more openly, “I have manifested Thy name to men.”17    John xvii. 6. That name, therefore, we pray may “be hallowed.”  Not that it is becoming for men to wish God well, as if there were any other18    i.e., “any other god.” by whom He may be wished well, or as if He would suffer unless we do so wish. Plainly, it is universally becoming for God to be blessed19    Ps. ciii. 22. in every place and time, on account of the memory of His benefits ever due from every man. But this petition also serves the turn of a blessing. Otherwise, when is the name of God not “holy,” and “hallowed” through Himself, seeing that of Himself He sanctifies all others—He to whom that surrounding circle of angels cease not to say, “Holy, holy, holy?”20    Isa. vi. 3; Rev. iv. 8. In like wise, therefore, we too, candidates for angelhood, if we succeed in deserving it, begin even here on earth to learn by heart that strain hereafter to be raised unto God, and the function of future glory. So far, for the glory of God. On the other hand, for our own petition, when we say, “Hallowed be Thy name,” we pray this; that it may be hallowed in us who are in Him, as well in all others for whom the grace of God is still waiting;21    Isa. xxx. 18. that we may obey this precept, too, in “praying for all,”22    1 Tim. ii. 1. even for our personal enemies.23    Matt. v. 44. And therefore with suspended utterance, not saying, “Hallowed be it in us,” we say,—“in all.”

CAPUT III.

Nomen Dei Patris nemini proditum est. Etiam qui de ipso interrogaverat Moyses, aliud quidem nomen audierat . Nobis revelatum est in Filio. Jam enim Filius novum Patris nomen est . Ego veni, inquit, in nomine Patris (Joan., V, 43). Et rursus, Pater, glorifica nomen tuum . Et apertius: Nomen tuum manifestavi hominibus. Id ergo ut SANCTIFICETUR postulamus : non quod deceat homines bene Deo 1156A optare, quasi sit et aliud , de quo ei possit optari , aut laboret nisi optemus. Plane benedici Deum (Psal. CIII, 22) omni loco ac tempore condecet, ob debitam semper memoriam beneficiorum ejus ab omni homine. Sed et hoc benedictionis vice fungitur. Caeterum quando non sanctum et sanctificatum est per semetipsum nomen Dei, cum caeteros sanctificet ex semetipso? Cui illa Angelorum circumstantianon cessantdicere: Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus (Isa., VI, 3; Apoc., IV, 8). Proinde igitur et nos Angelorum, si meminerimus , candidati jam 1157A hinc coelestem illam in Deum vocem, et officium futurae claritatis ediximus. Hoc quantum ad gloriam Dei. Alioquin quantum ad nostram petitionem, cum dicimus: Sanctificetur nomen tuum (Matth., VI, 9), id petimus ut sanctificetur in nobis, qui in illo sumus: simul et in caeteris, quos adhuc gratia Dei exspectat, ut et huic praecepto pareamus, orando pro omnibus, etiam pro inimicis nostris (Matth., V, 44). Ideoque suspensa enuntiatione non dicentes: Sanctificetur in nobis, in omnibus dicimus.