Q. 191. What do we pray for in the second petition?
A. In the second petition, (which is,*Thy kingdom come) acknowledging ourselves and all mankind to be by nature under the dominion of sin and Satan, we pray, that the kingdom of sin and Satan may be destroyed, the gospel propagated throughout the world,*the Jews called, the fullness of the Gentiles brought in;*the church furnished with all gospel-officers and ordinances, purged from corruption, countenanced and maintained by the civil magistrate:that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins, and the confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted:that Christ would rule in our hearts here,*and hasten the time of his second coming, and our reigning with him forever:and that he would be pleased so to exercise the kingdom of his power in all the world, as may best conduce to these ends.
QUESTION 102. What do we pray for in the second petition?
ANSWER: In the second petition, which is, “Thy kingdom come,” we pray, That Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed; and that the kingdom of grace may be advanced, ourselves and others brought into it, and kept in it; and that the kingdom of glory may be hastened.
Q. 1. How many fold is God’s kingdom in this world?
A. TWOFOLD; namely, his general, essential, or providential kingdom; and his special kingdom.
Q. 2. What is his general kingdom?
A. It is the absolute power and sovereignty which he exercises over all things in heaven, earth, and hell, for the purposes of his own glory, Psalm 103:19 — “His kingdom ruleth over all.”
Q. 3. What is his special kingdom?
A. It is the government and care which he exercises in and over his church and people, as a society distinct from the rest of the world, Psalm 59:13 — “God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.”
Q. 4. Into whose hands is the management of God’s special kingdom committed?
A. Into the hands of Christ as Mediator, Psalm 2:6.
Q. 5. How is this kingdom, as committed into his hands, usually called?
A. His mediatory, or donative kingdom.
Q. 6. Why called his mediatory kingdom?
A. Because he holds it as Mediator, Luke 22:29.
Q. 7. Why called his donative kingdom?
A. Because it is given him of the Father as a reward of his meritorious obedience and sufferings, Matt. 28:18; and to distinguish it from his essential kingdom.
Q. 8. May his essential kingdom be said to be given him?
A. By no means; because it is natural to him, as God equal with the Father, and can no more be given him than his divine nature and personality can.
Q. 9. For what are we directed to pray in this petition, with reference to God’s kingdom in general?
A. That it may COME: Thy kingdom come.
Q. 10. In what sense may we pray for the coming of his essential kingdom?
A. Only in this sense, that he would more and more demonstrate his supreme power and sovereignty over all things, and that the same may be more and more acknowledged by the children of men, Psalm 83:18.
Q. 11. Would it be warrantable for us to pray, that he would govern the world, or actually exercise his supreme power?
A. It would be no more warrantable to pray for this, than to pray that he would be an infinite Sovereign, which he cannot but be; and act agreeably to his nature, which he cannot but do.
Q. 12. Whether is it the coming of God’s general or special kingdom that is chiefly intended in the answer?
A. It is the coming of his special kingdom of grace here, and of glory hereafter.
Q. 13. Are the kingdoms of grace and glory different kingdoms?
A. They are not so much different kingdoms, as different STATES in the same kingdom: according to the common maxim, Grace is glory begun, and glory is grace consummated, or in perfection.
Q. 14. How may the kingdom of grace in this world be viewed?
A. Either as to outward dispensation, or inward operation.
Q. 15. What is it as to outward dispensation?
A. It is just the preaching of the gospel, Mark 1:14 — “Jesus came, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God.”
Q. 16. What is it as to inward operation?
A. It is the work of saving grace in the soul, Luke 17:21 — “Behold, the kingdom of God is within you.”
Q. 17. Why called the kingdom of grace?
A. Because the gathering of sinners into this kingdom, for their salvation, is of grace, both as to the means and end, Eph. 2:8.
Q. 18. What do we pray for with reference to the kingdom of grace, when we say, Thy kingdom come?
A. We do not pray that it may be erected as a new thing in the world, but that it may be advanced in it.
Q. 19. Why should we not pray, that Christ’s kingdom of grace may be erected or set up as a new thing in the world?
A. Because this would be, in effect, to deny that Christ had ever a church upon this earth; whereas, it is most certain, that ever since the first promise, he has always had a church in it, and will have it to the end of time, Isa. 59:21.
Q. 20. But is it not our duty to pray, that the kingdom of grace may be set up in those parts of the world where it is not at present?
A. To be sure it is; for we should pray,” That the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified,” 2 Thess. 3:1; and that the earth may “be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea,” Isa. 11:9; which is the same with praying, “That the kingdom of grace may be advanced.”
Q. 21. For what should we pray as pre-requisite to the advancing of the kingdom of grace?
A. In order to this, we should pray, That Satan’s kingdom may be destroyed.
Q. 22. What is the meaning of the name SATAN?
A. It is a Hebrew word, signifying an adversary; as, indeed, the devil is an implacable adversary, burning with hatred and enmity both against God, and therefore called “his enemy,” Matt, 13:25, and against man, 1 Pet. 5:8 — “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Q. 23. What do you understand by Satan’s kingdom?
A. That power and dominion which he usurps over mankind-sinners, who are by nature lawful captives, Isa. 49:24, 25.
Q. 24. If sinners of mankind are by nature lawful captives, how can Satan’s dominion over them be said to be usurped?
A. Though they be justly delivered into his hands, as a jailer, yet he has no right to rule over them as a prince.
Q. 25. Do they not voluntarily subject themselves to his dominion?
A. Yes; and this is both their sin and their judgment John 8:44.
Q. 26 What is the principal seat of Satan’s kingdom?
A. The HEART of every man and woman by nature, Eph. 2:2.
Q. 27. What is the foundation and bulwark of this kingdom?
A. SIN, both original and actual, Eph. 2:3.
Q. 28. For what should we pray, with reference to this kingdom of Satan? A. That it may be destroyed.
Q. 29. Why should, we pray for the destruction of this kingdom?
A. Because the work, of grace cannot take place, nor succeed in the soul, except upon the ruins of Satan’s interest in it, Luke 11:21, 22.
Q. 30. How then is Satan’s kingdom destroyed in the world?
A. By the advancement of the kingdom of grace in it.
Q. 31. When may the kingdom of grace be said to be advanced?
A. When ourselves and others are brought into it, and kept in it.
Q. 32. How are we and others brought into this kingdom?
A. By the gracious influences of the Spirit of God, accompanying the dispensation of the gospel with irresistible power, Psalm 110:2, 3.
Q. 33. How are we and others kept in it?
A. By continued emanations of grace out of the fulness of Christ, by which the principle of grace is quickened, strengthened, and preserved, Hos. 14:5.
Q. 34. For what should we pray, as the means of bringing into this kingdom?
A. We should pray, “that the gospel may be propagated throughout the world, the Jews called, the fullness of the Gentiles brought in; that the ordinances of Christ may be purely dispensed, and made effectual to the converting of those that are yet in their sins.”[184]
Q. 35. For what should we pray as means of being kept in it?
A. That the same ordinances may be effectual to the “confirming, comforting, and building up of those that are already converted.”[185]
Q. 36. Can any subject of this kingdom ever apostatise from it?
A. No; they are “kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation,” 1 Pet. 1:5.
Q. 37. Why then should we pray to be kept in it?
A. Because perseverance, being a promised privilege, should, on that account, be prayed for, Psalm 119:28 — “Strengthen thou me, according to thy word.”
Q. 38. What security have the saints that they shall be kept in this kingdom?
A. They have the stability of the promise, Jer. 32:40; the efficacy of Christ’s obedience to the death in their stead, Eph. 5:25, 27; the prevalency of his intercession, John 17:24; and the inhabitation of his Spirit, Rom. 8:11, for their security in this matter.
Q. 39. What is the kingdom of glory?
A. It is that state of inconceivable happiness and bliss into which the saints shall be brought after death, John 14:2, 3.
Q. 40. In what will the glory of this kingdom consist?
A. In a perfect conformity to, and the immediate and uninterrupted vision and fruition of God through all eternity, 1 John 3:2.
Q. 41. When will the kingdom of glory come in the full manifestation of it?
A. At the second coming of Christ to judgment, Matt. 25:31, 34.
Q. 42. For what are we to pray, with reference to this kingdom?
A. That it may be hastened.
Q. 43. When we pray that it may be hastened, do we mean, that the set time for the second coming of Christ may be anticipated, or come sooner than the moment fixed for it in infinite wisdom?
A. No; we wish it no sooner; but only express our ardent “desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better” than to be here always, Phil. 1:23.
Q. 44. Why do the saints so earnestly desire to be with Christ in glory?
A. That an eternal period may be put to all their sinning, and to every thing that has a tendency to detract from the glory of his kingdom, and the happiness of his subjects: wherefore, as he saith, “Surely, I come quickly;” so they pray, “Amen, even so, come, Lord Jesus,” Rev. 22:20.
Resources for social covenanting and the roles of the magistrate: