Page:Sermons on the Lord's Prayer.djvu/60

 natural mind, is because this region of man's mind is earthly and natural, and formed of and filled with ideas and affections that are derived from and have reference to the natural world. This degree of the mind is for man's use while he lives in this lower world; and while he remains here, it is fully open and active, and his delights and enjoyments are either wholly derived from, or greatly modified by, the thoughts and feelings in this part of his mind. But after death, it is shut, inactive, quiescent; and the thoughts and feelings that constitute the natural mind are no longer of service, except as a motionless basis, on which spiritual thoughts and affections rest.

Now, the work of regeneration consists chiefly in bringing the earthly or natural mind into subjection to, and agreement with, the spiritual or heavenly mind; and when this is effected, the Lord's will is done "in earth as it is in heaven." It will be seen, that when there are good and truth in the internal mind—when good is desired, and truth is understood and loved—then in will and in thought, and thence in purpose and intention, man keeps the Divine commandments,—and thus, the Lord's will is done in man's "heaven"—that is, in his internal or spiritual mind. Now, the great work to be accomplished is, to cause this good and truth to come down and fill the earthly or natural mind also; and in this, as before said, chiefly consists the work of regeneration. And this descent of good and truth takes place, just in proportion as evils and falses are cast out of the natural mind, and thus