thofe Things which his Soul hateth, Ifa. Ixvi. 5. Hear the Word of the Lord, ye that tremble at his Word: your Brethren that hated you, that caft you out for my Name's Sake, said, let the Lord be glorified: but he shall appear to your foy, and they shall be ashamed. And John xvi. 2. They shall put you out of the Synagogues: yea, the Time cometh, that whosoever killeth you, will think, that he doth God fervice.

Q. 13. What is the third Inference from hence?

A. That it fhould be indifferent to a Chriftian what Condition God puts him into, fo that he may but be useful to fanctify and exalt the Name of God therein, Phil. i. 20. as always fo now alfo Chrift shall be magnified in my Body, whether it be by Life, or by Death.

Q. 14. What is the lait Inference hence?

A. That is an high and dreadful Provocation of God to prophane and abufe his Worlip, whereon his Name is called, and wherein it is to be fanctified, Levit. x. 1, 2, 3. And Nadab and Abihu, the Sons of Aaron, took either of them his Cenjer, and put Fire therein, and put Incenfe thereon, and offered frange Fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out Fire from the Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Then Mofes faid unto Aaron, This is it that the Lord fpake, saying, I will be fanctifed in them that come nigh me, and before all the People will I be glorified.

Quest, 102.

W

Of God's Kingdom.

HAT do we pray for in the fecond
Petition ?

A. In the fecond Petition which is, [Thy Kingdom come] we pray that Satan's Kingdom may be deftroyed, and that the Kingdom of Grace may be advanced, our felves and others brought into it, and kept in it, and that the Kingdom of Glory may be haftened.

Q. 1. What is the first Thing fignified by the Kingdom

of God here ?

A. The Goffel is here intended by the Kingdom of God, Matth. xiii. 47. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Net that was caft into the Sea, and gathered of every Kind.

Q. 2. What is the Thing fignified by the coming of this Kingdom of God?

A. It fignifies the Removal of all Impediments, that hinder its Propagation in the World, 2 Theff. iii. 1. Finally, Brethren, pray for us, that the Word of the Lord may have free Courfe, and be glorified, even as it is with you.

Q. 3. Who, and what hinders the Propagation of it?

A. Antichrift that Man of Sin hinders it externally, 2 Theff. ii. 4. Who oppofeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped: fo that he as God, fitteth in the Temple of God, fhewing himself that he is God. The Devil and Mens Lufts internally, i Theff. ii. 18. Wherefore we would have come unto you (even I Paul) once and again; but Satan hindered, Luke xix. 14. But his Citizens hated him, and. fent a Meflenger after him, faying, We will not have this Man to reign over us.

Q4. What then is the Defire of all good Men with refpect to the coming of the Gospel- Kingdom?

A. That all Nations may be brought to Chrift by the preaching of it, and fo Chrift's Kingdom be greatly exalted and enlarged, Ifa. ii. 2. And it fall come to pass in the last Days, that the Mountain of the Lord's Houfe fhall be established in the Top of the Mountains, and fhall be exalted above the Hills: and all Nations fhall flow unto it.

Q5. What is the second Thing here meant by the Kingdom of God?

A. It fignifies and intends the Work of faving Grace wrought in Mens Souls, Luke xvii. 21.— Bebold the Kingdom of God is within

you.

Q6. Why is this Work of Grace called the Kingdom of God?:

A. Because wherever faving Grace comes, it fubdues the Soul to Chrift's Sceptre, 2 Cor. x. 5. Cafting down Imaginations, and every high Thing that exalteth it felf against the Knowledge of God, and bringing into Captivity every Thought to the Obedience of Chrift.

Q. 7. Wherein confifts the Kingdom of Grace?

A. It confifts not in external Rites and Obfervances, but in Righteoufnefs, and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghoft, Rom. xiv. 17. For the Kingdom of God is not Meat and Drink, but Righteoufnefs and Peace, and Joy in the Holy Ghoft.

Q. 8. What do we ask of God in this Petition with Refpect to this Kingdom of Grace?

A. Herein we defire not only our own perfonal progreffive Sanctification, but the Sanctification of others all the world over, Acts xxvi. 29. AndPaul faid, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that bear me this Day, were both almoft and altogether fuch as I am, except these Bonds.

Q. 9. What is the third Thing here meant by the Kingdom of God?

A. By it is here meant the future State of Glory and Bleffednefs, 1 Cor. xv. 50. Now this I fay, Brethren, that Flesh and Blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, &c.

Q. 10. Why is the heavenly State called the Kingdom of God?

A. This is called the Kingdom of God, because in that State God reigns over his People gloriously, there being no Rebellion in them in the leaft Degree, Luke xx. 36. -For they are equal unto the Angels, and are the Children of God, being the Children of the Refurrection. And they reign with Chrift, Rev. iii. 21. To him that overcometh. will I grant to fit with me in my Throne, &c.

Q. 11. What do we defire in Prayer for the coming of this Kingdom?

A. We defire not only our Prefervation in our Paffage to that State of Glory, 1 Pet. v. 10. But the God of all Grace, who hath called us into his eternal Glory by Chrift Jefus, after that ye bave juffered a while, make you perfect, ftablish ftreng then, fettle you. But the baftening of it to our felves and others, Rev. xxii. 20.-Amen, even fo, come, Lord Jesus. Q. 12. What is the first Instruction hence?

A. That the Gospel is an invaluable Mercy, as it is the Inftrument of bringing us into Chrift's gracious and glorious Kingdom, Acts xxvi. 18. To open their Eyes, and to turn them from Darkness to Light, and from the Power of Satan unto God, that they may receive Forgiveness of Sins, and Inheritance among them which are fanctified by Faith, that is in me. Q. 13. What is the fecond Inference from hence ?

A. That many Men really hate and oppose the very Thing they pray for.

Q 14. What is the last Instruction hence ?

A. That

A. That how firmly foever Satan's and Antichriff's Kingdom feem to be founded in the World, they must and shall fall before the daily Prayers of the Saints.

Concerning the doing of God's Will.

Queft. 103. WHAT do we pray for in the third Pe

A. In the third Petition which is [Thy Will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven] we pray, that God by his Grace would make us able and willing to know, obey, and fubmit to his Will in all Things, as the Angels do in Heaven. Q. What Will of God is here intended?

A. Not the Will of his Decree, for that is in himself alone, 1 Cor. ii. 11. The Things of God knoweth no Man but the Spirit of God.

Q. 2. What Will then is here meant ?

A. The Will of his Providence may be here meant, Pfal. cxxv. 6. Whatsoever the Lord pleafed, that did he in Heaven, and in Earth, in the Seas, and all deep Places. And Pfal. cxix. 89. For ever, O Lord, thy Word is fettled in Heaven. Ver. 91. They continue this Day according to thy Ordinances: for all are thy Servants.

Q. 3. How are we to understand the doing of this Will of Providence in Heaven?

A. (1.) As it is done by the Sun, Moon, and Stars, Pfal. cxix. 89. Thy Word is fettled in Heaven. Ver. 91. They continue this Day according to thine Ordinances, Pfal. xix. 6. His going forth is from the End of the Heaven, and his Circuit unto the Ends of it; and there is nothing hid from the Heat thereof. (2.) As it is done by Angels, Pfal. civ. 4. Who maketh the Angels Spirits: his Minifters a flaming Fire, Heb. i. ult. Are they not all miniftring Spirits, fent forth to minifter for them who shall be Heirs of Salvation?

Q. 4. How do these perform the Will of God's Providence?

A. (1.) The heavenly Bodies do it evenly, conftantly, and unwearedly, Pfal civ. 19. He appointeth the Moon for Seafons, the Sun knoweth his going down. (2.) The Angels do fpeedily, voluntarily, chearfully, and fo knowingly, Pfal. ciii. 21. Ye Minifters of his that do his Pleasure.

Q. 5. Muft we be Agents in this providential Will? A. Yes, we muft, Acts xiii. 36. For David after he has ferved his Generation by the Will of God, fell on Sleep.

Q. 6. How must we do it?

A. By employing our Abilities, Faculties and Interefts, in the Duties of our particular Callings, and by moving conftantly, prudently and vigorously in our own Sphere, and fo imitate thofe in Heaven.

Q. 7. Why do we pray that God's Will of Providence may be done by us?

A. Because we are his Creatures, and the most noble Inftruments of the inferior World; and therefore we fhould be willing to be acted by him, and active for him; and becaufe this Will of Providence is always juft, good and true, and for his own Glory, Pfal. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his Ways, and holy in all his Works, Pfal. cxix. 89. For ever, O Lord, thy Word is fettled in Heaven. Ver. 91. They continue this Day according to thine Ordinances; for all are by Servants.

Q. 8. What other Will of God is here meant ?

A. The Will of his Precepts; and this is chiefly intended. Q. 9. And how is this Will of God done in Heaven? A. By the Angels it is done univerfally, chearfully, conftantly, humbly, thankfully, loyally, readily, Pfal. ciii. 20. Blefs the Lord ye his Angels that excel in Strength, that do his Commandments, bearkening unto the Voice of his Word. And fo it is done by the Saints in Heaven, Rev. vii. 15. Therefore are they before the Throne of God, and ferve him Day and Night in bis Temple. And xxii. 3. And his Servants fhall ferve

him.

Q10. Do we pray then that we may thus do the Will of God?

A. Yes; for though we cannot perfectly without Sin do it, yet that is our Duty, Matth. 5. ult. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect. And in all other Particulars we may, and we must imitate them herein, Pfal. cxix. 6. Then fhall I not be ashamed, when I have Respect unto all thy Commandments. Ver. 14. I have rejoiced in the Way of thy Teftimonies, as much as in all Riches, Ver. 60. I made hafte, and delayed not to keep thy Command

ments.