God, to be that end or event in the earnest desires of which, and in
with the rest of the prayer, implies that we desire and ask all these things, which are mentioned in each petition, with a subordination, and in subservience to the dominion and glory of God; in which all our desires ultimately terminate, as their last end. God's glory and dominion are the two first things mentioned in the prayer, and are the subject of the first half of the prayer; and they are the two last things mentioned in the same prayer, in its conclusion: and God's glory is the Alpha and Omega in the prayer. From these things we may argue, according to position eight, that God's glory is the last end of the creation.
5. The glory of God appears, by the account given in the Word of God, to be that end or event in the earnest desires of which, and in their delight in which, the best part of the moral world, and when in their best frames, do most naturally express the direct tendency of the spirit of true goodness, and give vent to the virtuous and pious affections of their heart, and do most properly and directly testify their supreme respect to their Creator. This is the way in which the holy Apostles, from time to time, gave vent to the ardent exercises of their piety, and expressed and breathed forth their regard to the Supreme Being. Rom. 11:36, "To whom be glory forever and ever, Amen." Ch. 16:27, "To God only wise, be glory, through Jesus Christ, forever, Amen." Gal. 1:4–5, "Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen." 2 Tim. 4:18, "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me to his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen." Eph. 3:21, "Unto him be glory in the church, by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end." Heb. 13:21, "Through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever, Amen." Phil. 4:20, "Now unto God and our Father, be glory forever and ever, Amen." 2 Pet. 3:18, "To him be glory both now and forever, Amen."
Jude 25, "To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever, Amen." Rev. 1:5–6, "Unto him that loved us, etc.… to him be glory and dominion forever and ever, Amen." It was in this way that holy David, the sweet psalmist of Israel, vented the ardent tendencies and desires of his pious heart. 1 Chron. 16:28–29, "Give unto the Lord ye kindreds of the people, give unto the Lord glory and strength: give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name." We have much the same expressions again, Ps. 29:1–2 and 89:17–18. See also Ps. 57:5, 72:18–19, 115:1. So the whole church of God, through all parts of the earth, Is. 42:10–12. In like manner the saints and angels in heaven express the piety of their hearts, Rev. 4:9, 11, 5:11–14, and 7:12. This is the event that the hearts of the seraphim especially exult in, as appears by Is. 6:2–3, "Above it stood the seraphim.… And one cried unto another and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory." So at the birth of Christ, Luke 2:14, "Glory to God in the highest," etc.
It is manifest that these holy persons in earth and heaven, in thus expressing their desires of the glory of God, have respect to it not merely as a subordinate end, or merely for the sake of something else; but as that which they look upon in itself valuable, and in the highest degree so. It would be absurd to say that in these ardent exclamations, they are only giving vent to their vehement benevolence to their fellow creatures, and expressing their earnest desires that God might be glorified that so his subjects may be made happy by the means. It is evident 'tis not so much love, either to themselves or fellow creatures, which they express, as their exalted and supreme regard to the most high and infinitely glorious Being. When the church says, "Not unto us, not unto us, O Jehovah, but to thy name give glory," it would be absurd to say, that she only desires that God may have glory, as a necessary or convenient means of their