5. Error Confuted

Having showed the meaning of this petition, Your will be done: now we are to speak of the condition, which shows in what manner we should do it. For the question might be how we would do God's will: and the answer is, that his will must be done in earth as it is in heaven.

Heaven] By heaven here is meant the souls of faithful men departed, and the elect Angels (Psalm 103:20): praise the Lord you his angels, that excel in strength, that do his commandments in obeying the voice of his word.

Earth] By earth is understood nothing but men on earth, because all other creatures in their kind obey God: only man he is rebellious and disobedient. Then the meaning is, Let your will be done by us men on earth, as the Angels and saints departed do your will in heaven.

Question. Do we here desire to do the will of God in that perfection it is done by Angels? Must we be as perfect as they? Answer. The words here used in earth as it is, etc. do not signify an equality (as though our obedience could in this life be in the same degree of perfection with Angels) but a similitude standing in the like manner of obedience. Now it may be asked in what manner do the angels obey God? Answer. They do the will of God willingly, speedily, and faithfully: and this is signified in that they are said in the scriptures to be winged, and to stand continually beholding the face of our heavenly father. And this is the manner in which we desire to perform God's will.