Gods Holy Mind Touching Matters Moral, Tract 1 · Part 4 – Part 5
Now to the second Petition, that concernes God simply and meerely; Thy Kingdome come.
And first concerning the meaning of the words of this Petition; Thy Kingdome come.
Quest. What is meant by Gods Kingdome?
Answ. Gods kingdome doth signifie such an order or state, in which God doth gouerne, and persons and things are subiect, & is in Scripture taken in two acceptions, one generall, the other more speciall.
Quest. What is the first and generall acception of Gods kingdome in Scripture?
Answ. This; it is taken for that soueraigntie and power,Psal. 29.10. Psal. 95.3. & 102.19. which God as Creatour exerciseth ouer all persons and things, disposing them all to their proper ends for his owne glory, and whereby God doth order and rule all creatures in heauen and in earth; yea, the damned, and Deuils in hell.
Quest. VVhat is the second more speciall acception of Gods kingdome in Scripture?
Answ. It is twofold.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This; it is taken for Gods speciall regiment and gouerment among the Iewes onelyonly, among whom God ruled as King, and that in outward things, both in the time of peace, and in the time of warre, Numb. 23.21. 1 Sam. 8.7. when the people would needs hauehave a king, the Lord said, they had cast him away, and not Samuel.
Quest. VVhat is the second speciall acception of Gods Kingdome in Scripture?
Answ. This; it is taken for that spirituall regiment and gouernment, which God through Christ exerciseth in his Elect, working his will not only by them, as he doth by the very Deuils themselues, but also in them by his holy Spirit, and that in this life, making them in part willingly subiect and obedient to his will reuealed, both in heart and life, which is called the Kingdome of grace; and in heauen making them absolutely and perfectly obedient to his will, which is called the Kingdome of glory: of this Dauid speaks, Psal. 110.1, 2, 3. 1 Cor. 15.15. Rom. 14.17. 1 Cor. 6.9. the Kingdom of glory: so Ephes. 5.5.
Quest. What are wee then to vnderstand by the Kingdome of God in this Petition, Thy Kingdome come?
Answ. Not Gods Kingdome in the generall acception of it; for that is alwayes eueryevery where,Luk. 17.21. 1 Cor. 4.20. 1 Cor. 6.9. and no creature can hinder it: but Gods spirituall gouernment and power, which he through Christ exerciseth in his Elect by his holy Spirit, both in earth and in heauen, both his kingdome of grace, and his kingdome of glory.
Quest. Who are subiects of Gods kingdome thus taken?
Answ. Both the Angels, and the Saints in heauen, and such also as liue in the Church on earth, which are true subiects, as all true beleeuers are,Reuel. 15.3. wheresoeuer they be in any part of the world.
Quest. Are not hypocrites, who make profession of obedience to Gods will reuealed, subiects to Gods kingdome?
Mat. 8.12. 1 Ioh. 2.12.Answ. True subiects they are not, but counterfeit subiects; and so they are sometimes called children of the kingdome.
Quest. VVhat is the law by which Gods kingdome thus taken, is gouerned?
Ioh. 22.22. Isai. 53.1. Mark. 1.14. Rom. 3.27.Answ. The whole Word of God, written in the Bookes of the Old and New Testament.
Quest. What is meant by the comming of Gods kingdome spoken of in this Petition, Thy Kingdome come.
Answ. Three things are thereby meant.
Of which in order.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; the beginning, erecting, and setting vp of Gods spirituall regiment and gouernment in such persons as belong to Gods election,Ierem. 31.18. Act. 2.41.47. Act. 13.48. Coloss. 1.13. in whom as yet it is not begun, by conuerting those that belong to Gods election effectually, who yet are not conuerted, and by working true faith, and true repentance, and holy obedience in them.
Quest. What is the second thing meant by the comming of Gods kingdome spoken of in this Petition, Thy Kingdome come?
Psal. 92.12. Mat. 13.8.23. to 33. in many parables. 2 Pet. 3.18. Mat. 12.28.Answ. This; the inlarging and increasing of Gods spirituall regiment and gouernment in those persons in whom it is already begun and set vp, by confirming and bettering those that are effectually conuerted, and doe beleeue, and by working in them a greater measure of true faith, and true repentance, and holy obedience.
Quest. What is the third thing meant by the comming of Gods kingdome spoken of in this petition, Thy Kingdome come?
1 Cor. 1.8. Philip. 1.6. 1 Thess. 5.23.24.Answ. This; the bringing of Gods spirituall regiment and gouernment to full perfection in his elect, by perfecting in them both their sanctification, and their saluation.
Quest. VVhen is Gods spirituall regiment and gouernment brought to full perfection in his elect?
Answ. At two times.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?Luke 16.22. Luke 23.43. 2 Cor. 5.6.8. Philip. 1.23.
Answ. The end of their liues, and presently on their death, and then onelyonly in their soules, being then translated to the ioyes and glory of heauen, and fully sanctified, and fully glorified, Rom. 6.7.
Quest. What is the second time when Gods spirituall regiment and gouernment is brought to full perfection in his elect?
Answ. The day of Iudgement,Mat. 25.34. Luk. 21.28.31. Romans 8.23. Ephess. 4.13. when Christ comes the second time to iudge the world; and then both in their soules and bodies: their soules and bodies being then vnited together againe, and made partakers of perfect holinesse & fulness of ioy and glory in heauen.
Quest. What is the summe of this Petition, Thy kingdome come?
Answ. This; that the spirituall regiment and gouernment,2 Thess. 3.1. Reuel. 22.20. which God through Christ exerciseth in his Elect by his holy Spirit, may be begun, erected, and set vp in such persons as belong to Gods election, in whom as yet it is not begun, and may be inlarged and increased in those persons in whom it is already begun and set vp, and may be brought to full perfection in all his elect in their full sanctification & glorification of their soules at the end of this life, and both of their soules and bodies at the generall day of Iudgement.
Quest. VVhat are the things wee are to pray for in this Petition, Thy Kingdome come?
Answ. Either such things as appertaine to this life, and concerne Gods kingdome of grace here in this world, or such as appertaine to the life to come, and concerne Gods kingdome of glory in heauen.
Quest. VVhat are the things wee pray for in this Petition, that appertaine to this life, and concerne Gods kingdome of grace heere in this world?
Answ. Foure things especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This; the effectuall calling and conuersion of such as belong to Gods election,Gen. 9.27. Isai 60.1. &c. to 16. Mathew. 8.11. Rom. 11.25.26. that so many of the Iewes and Gentiles as belong to Gods election, may be effectually called and conuerted, and may hauehave good rulings ouer them in their hearts and liues by his holy Spirit,Act. 26.18. 2 Tim. 2.25.26 2 Pet. 1.4. making them also Kings in part by ouercomming the corruption that is in the world through lust.
Quest. What is the second thing we pray for in this petition, that appertaines to this life, and concernes Gods kingdome of grace heere in this world?
Answ. This; the further renewing and quickning of our selues and others,Isai. 44.3.4. Ephes. 3.16.17 2 Thess. 2.17. who are effectually called and conuerted by the powerfull working of Gods holy Spirit, that God would by the powerfull worke of his good Spirit more and more renue in vsus and in others, who are effectually called and conuerted, his owne Image, and quicken vsus by his grace, and continually increase in vsus all those heauenly vertues, that of his merciemercy hee hath begunne in vsus, and so more and more rule in our hearts and liues by his holy Spirit.
Quest. VVhat is the third thing we pray for in this petition, that appertaines to this life, and concernes Gods kingdome of grace heere in this world?
Answ. This; all such meanes as serue both for the effectuall calling and conuerting of such as belong to Gods election, and for further renewing and quickening of such as are effectually called and conuerted, and for the good of Gods Church heere in this world; that God would giuegive all the meanes that serue to those ends, called the Rod of his power, Psal. 110.2. and his standard or signe, Isa. 11.12.
Quest. VVhat are those meanes that serue for the effectuall calling and conuerting of such as belong to Gods election, and for the further renewing and quickening of such as are effectually called and conuerted, and for the good of Gods Church in this world?
Answ. Either such meanes as serue for the publishing of the Word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, or such as serue for the free publishing of it, and for the vpholding and countenancing of it being published.
Quest. VVhat are the meanes that serue for the publishing of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, which wee pray for in this Petition?
Answ. Able and faithfull Ministers of the Word and Gospell, that God would send forth men fitted with gifts,Deut. 33.8.10. Mat. 9.37.38. Ephes. 6.19.20. Coloss. 4.3. 2 Thess. 3.1.2. Deut. 33.11. and of willing minds to employ their gifts, and that faithfully and powerfully in all Ministeriall duties, to the glorie of his Name, and to the edification of the body of Christ; and that he vould vouchsafe them free libertie to exercise their gifts and Ministeriall offices.
Quest. VVhat are the meanes that serue for the free publishing of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, and for the vpholding and countenancing of it being published, which we pray for in this Petition?
Answ. Foure especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; godly, zealous, and carefull Magistrates: that God would giuegive to his Church eueryevery where such godly Magistrates as may bee zealous in promoting his pure and holy religion with all their power,Eccles. 10.16.17 Isai. 49.23. 1 Tim. 2.1.2. and in countenancing his holy truth, and in procuring the good of his seruants, & especially of his faithfull Ministers, and in repressing all vngodlinesse and wicked persons in all places vnderunder their gouernment.
Quest. VVhat is the second meanes that serues for the free publishing of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, and for the vpholding and countenancing of it being published, which wee pray for in this Petition?
Answ. This good and godly lawes: that godly Magistrates may make good and godly Lawes for the establishing of the whole truth of the word of God, and his holy Religion amongst their subiects, & for the keeping of their subiects in obedience to both the tables of the Commandements of God, and may see those lawes duely executed. Thus did Jehoshaphat 2 Chro. 19.5. to the end of the chapter: and such a law did King Darius make, though an heathen king, Dan. 6.26. 1 Tim. 2.2. The Magistrates dutie is to procure that his subiects may liue in all godlinesse and honestie.
Quest. What is the second meanes that serues for the free publishing of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, and for the vpholding and countenancing of it being published, which wee pray for in this Petition?
Answ. This; the helpe of priuate persons within the compasse of their places and callings for the furtherance of the Gospel, that priuate persons within their places and callings may indeauor to helpe forward, and to promote the doctrine of the Gospell by instruction,Deut. 6.7. Rom. 16.3.9. Phile. ep. v. 24. Coloss. 4.11. by good counsell, by admonition, and by consolation, as iust occasion is offered to them, and especially by conferring on the doctrine of the word deliuered in the publike Ministery of it with their children, or seruants, or neighbours.
Quest. What is the fourth meanes that serues for the free publishing of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, and for the vpholding and countenancing of it being published, which we pray for in this Petition?
Answ. This an holy vnitie and agreement in the Church, especially amongst the Ministers of the Word and Gospell,Ioh. 17.11. Act. 2.46.47. Act. 4.32.33. Ephes. 4.3. Philip. 1.27. Philip. 2.2. 1 Cor. 1.10. Galat. 2.9. that God would ioyne together the members of the Church in one holy truth, and make them to be of one mind & iudgement, and of one heart, and to speake one and the same thing, and especially that God would make the Ministers of the Word and Gospell to giuegive the right hand of fellowship one to another, and to ioyne together as one man in their learning studies, labours, speaking, writing, and in all their abilities, to the furtherance of the Gospell.
Quest. What is the fourth thing wee pray for in this Petition that appertaines to this life, and concernes Gods kingdome of grace here in this world?
Answ. This; the blessing of God on the meanes that serue for the effectuall calling and conuerting of such as belong to his Election,Psal. 122.6. Isai. 62.7. and for the further renewing and quickening of such as bee effectually called and conuerted, and for the good of Gods Church heere in this world, that God would vouchsafe to make the meanes effectuall to those ends.
Quest. What are the things we pray for in this Petition, that appertaine to the life to come, and concerne Gods Kingdome of glory in Heauen?
Answ. These; the perfecting of the number of Gods elect, and the speedy comming of Iesus Christ to Iudgement, that God would perfect the number of his elect, and that Christ would hasten his comming to Iudgement,2 Tim. 4 8. Reuel. 22.20. Coloss. 3.4. 1 Ioh. 3.2. when all Gods chosen shall appeare with him in glory, and be wholly glorified in their bodies and soules, and raigne with him in the euerlasting ioyes, and glory of heauen.
Obiection. 1 Cor. 15 24. At the second comming of Christ the kingdome of Christ shall hauehave an end; he shall then deliuer it vp to God the Father: therefore it seemes that we are not to pray for the second comming of Christ to Iudgement.
Quest. How is this to bee answered?
Answ. Thus; Christ his Kingdome it selfe is eternall, because hee is God equall to the Father, and the Head of his Church; but the manner of the administration of his kingdome by preaching of the Word and Gospell, by the Sacraments, and by discipline, is not eternal, but shall end at Christ his second comming, and Christ shall then cease to doe the office of a Mediatour; and that is the meaning of the holy Ghost in that place.
Quest. May one that is truly called and conuerted, and a child of God, pray for his owne death, and the separation of his soule from his body, or no?
Answ. A child of God,1 King. 19.4. Iob 3.21.22. Philip 1.23. 2 Tim. 4.8. and such a one as is truly called and conuerted, may not desire or pray for his owne death, and the separation of his soule from his body simply and absolutely, or through impatiency in regard of some affliction on him; but as death is a freedome from the corruptions and temptations of this life, and a passage to the happinesse and glory of heauen, and to an immediate fellowship with Christ, & with his Saints in heauen: a child of God may desire and pray for his owne death, and the separation of his soule from his body; yet so as he doe not out of his desire, hasten the time of his death, but for that to submit himselfe to the good wil of God: it was the fault of Elijah, and Iobs weaknesse.
Quest. May the friends of a childe of God, and such as wish well to him, desire and pray for his continuance in the body, or no?
Answ. They may lawfully doe it, so as it be with due obseruation of two cautions.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This; they are so to desire, and so to pray with condition of Gods will, submitting their wills therein to the good will of God; for so wee ought to pray in that case, that the will of the Lord may bee done, as they did, Acts 21.14.
Quest. What is the second caution to be obserued by the friends of a child of God, in their desiring and praying for his continuance in the body?
Answ. This; they are to desire, and so to pray not onelyonly out of their louelove to the partie in some priuate and particular respect; but also out of a desire, that the partie being continued in the body, may doe more good, either in the Church or Common weale, according to his place and calling, and measure of gifts and grace giuen to him: and thus much the Apostle doth imply, Philip. 1.24, 25, 26.
Quest. VVhat are the things we pray against in this petition, Thy kingdome come?
Answ. All such things as do either hinder or obscure Gods kingdome of grace here in this world.
Quest. What are those things that doe either hinder or obscure Gods kingdome of grace here in this world?
Answ. They are either things inward, or things outward.
Quest. VVhat are the inward things that doe either hinder or obscure Gods kingdome of grace here in this world, which we pray against in this Petition?
Rom. 7.14.24. Ephes. 4.17.18 Mat. 3.2.Answ. These; the pronesse of our corrupt nature to euill, and the power of our corruption, and the rebellions of it, whereby wee or others are in any degree in bondage vnderunder sinne and Satan, and whereby Satan keepes vsus or others any way in his slauerie, or at any time preuayles against vsus in any measure: as ignorance, blindnesse of minde, hardnesse, dullnesse, deadnesse, and vnfeelingnesse of heart, infidelitie, impenitencie, and such like.
Quest. What are the outward things that doe either hinder or obscure Gods kingdome of grace heere in this world, which wee pray against in this Petition?
Answ. Eyther such things as are meanes to hinder or obscure the publishing of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ; or such things as are meanes to hinder or obscure the free publishing and passage of the Word of God, and the Gospell of Christ.
Quest. What are the things that are meanes to hinder or obscure the publishing of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, which we pray against in this Petition?
Answ. Two things especially.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This; such Ministers as are either insufficient,Isai. 56.10.11.12. Hoze. 4.6. 2 Cor. 3.6. 2 Tim. 2.15. 1 Cor. 14.2.3. Iere. 23.15. &c. to 33. Ezech. 13.3.4. to 20. Mat. 5.15.16. 1 Tim. 5.2. or in any sort vnconscionable or scandalous; as such Ministers as are either ignorant, and cannot teach Gods people committed to their charge, or doe take on them to teach, and doe it vnskilfully; or such as are vnfaithfull in executing their Ministeriall duties; as those that are either idle, and do not the duties of their Ministery at all, or doe them but in part; or are vnsound and vnprofitable in their teaching, or doe teach flatteringly, and seeke to please men, and sooth them vp in their sinnes, or such Ministers as liue wickedly and scandalously: all these are meanes to hinder or obscure the publishing of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, and we pray against them in this petition.
Quest. What is the second thing that is a meanes to hinder or obscure the publishing of the word of God, and the Gospel of Christ, which we pray against in this Petition?
Answ. This; all erronious and false Doctrines and Superstitions, as the Doctrine of Paganisme, Turcisme, Iudaisme, Papisme, Arminianisme, Anabaptisme, and such like: for all and eueryevery of these, and the like; doe poyson the soules of men, and are meanes to hinder and obscure the publishing of the word of God, & the Gospell of Christ, and wee pray against them in this Petition. 2 Tim. 2.17. They fret as a canker. Christ giues a caueat to beware of such, Math. 16.6. so the Apostle, Phil. 3.2.
Quest. What are the things that are meanes to hinder or obscure the free publishing and passage of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, which we pray against in this Petition?
Answ. Sixe things especially.
Quest. What is the first of those?
Answ. This; want of Magistrates and gouernours in the Church; from whence must needs follow d…sorder and confusion,Iudg. 17.6. Iudg. 19.1. eueryevery man being left to himselfe to doe what him listeth without controlement: for better is a tyranny, then an Anarchie; better it is to hauehave a Tyrant then no gouernour at all.
Quest. What is the second thing that is a meanes to hinder or obscure the free publishing and passage of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, which wee pray against in this Petition?
Answ. This; wicked and mischieuous deuices, and practises of wicked Magistrates,Exod. 2.23. Pro. 29.2. Act. 4.17.18. & 20. compared. Act. 12.1. to 7. who seeke by all meanes they can to aduance heresie and superstition, and to set vp the kingdome of Satan, and doe exercise cruelty and tyranny against the true worshippers of God, and doe persecute the true professors of his holy Religion.
Quest. What is the third thing that is a meanes to hinder or obscure the free publishing and passage of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, which we pray against in this Petition?
Answ. This; wicked and vngodly lawes; such lawes as doe either giuegive toleration to some false and strange religion,Dan. 3.4.5.6.10. Dan. 6.7.8.9. or such as tend to the hinderance of the true and pure worship of God and his holy Religion.
Quest. What is the fourth thing that is a meanes to hinder or obscure the free publishing and passage of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, which we pray against in this Petition?
Answ. This; diuisions, and dissentions, and schismes, which Satan by his instruments raiseth vp in the Church, whereby he seeks what he can to disturbe the peace of the Church, and to destroy the truth and vnitie of it, and to rend the Church in pieces, that he may easier preuaile against it, when it is diuided: for he knowes, as Christ saith, that a kingdome diuided against it selfe cannot stand, Math. 12.25. and these are some of the Tares that the enuious man sowes in the Church, that hinder the growth of the wheat. Math. 13.24, 25. Rom. 16.17.
Quest. VVhat is the fift thing that is a meanes to hinder or obscure the free publishing and passage of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, which we pray against in this Petition?
Answ. This; enormious and foule sinnes that raigne amongst vsus as Atheisme, profanesse,Psal. 119.136. Mark. 3.5. Luk. 19.41.42 2 Pet. 2.7.8. contempt of Gods word and holy Ordinances, Blasphemy, Sabbath-breaking, oppression, crueltie, pride, and the like: these we are to mourne for, and so to pray against, as things that are meanes to hinder or obscure the free publishing and passage of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ.
Quest. What is the sixt thing that is a meanes to hinder or obscure the free publishing and passage of the word of God, and the Gospell of Christ, which we pray against in this Petition?
Answ. This;Psal. 2.9. Psal. 69.24. Rom. 16.20. wicked men that belong not to Gods election, and are vtter enemies to the Church and the members of it, and the Deuill and his Angells; that such wicked men may bee crushed with a rodde of yron, and speedily brought to their iust destruction, and that Satan and his Angells may bee shortly brought vnderunder our feete.
Now to the third Petition that concernes God simply and meerely. Thy will bee done in earth, as it is in Heauen: and first of the Order of this Petition.
Qu…st. Why is this Petition, Thy will be done, &c set after the former, Thy kingdome come?
Answ. For three reasons.
Quest. VVhat is the first of those?
Answ. This;Rom. 6.16. Eph. 2.1.2.3. because true and sound subiection to the holy will of God followes the comming of Gods Kingdome in the order of Nature, and is a manifestation that his Kingdome is come, and that men are subiects of Gods Kingdome, and that God doth rule in their hearts by his holy Spirit: for when men are subiects of Gods Kingdome, then they beginne to obey his will, whereas before they reboll against him, and are the slaues of sinne and Satan.
Quest. What is the second reason why this Petition, Thy will be done, is set after that, Thy kingdome come?
…salm. 40.7.8. …al. 1.16. Math. 26.42. …ohn 5.30.Answ. This; because dutie bindeth the subiects of Gods Kingdome to obey Gods will, and to submit themselues to it in all things.
Quest. What is the third reason why this Petition, Thy will be done, is set after that, Thy Kingdome come.
Answ. This; because though wee bee the subiects of Gods Kingdome,Ezech. 36.26.27 Phil. 2.13. Heb. 13.21. and be disposed by grace, and made fit to doe the will of God; yet we cannot doe it vnlesse God moue vsus to the doing of it; nor yet continue in doing his will longer then hee vpholdeth vsus in the doing of it: therefore wee pray after Thy Kingdome come, Thy will be done.
Quest. What are the generall things contained in this Petition, Thy will be done in earth as it is in heauen?
Answ. These three things. First, the matter of it, the thing prayed for, the doing of Gods will.
Secondly, the persons by whom the will of God is to bee done, implyed in these words, In earth.
Thirdly, the manner of doing it, as it is in heauen.