The Sum of Christian Religion, Catechism · Part 3 · prayer · Question 123
ON THE 48. SABBATH.Queſt. 123. What is the ſecond petition?
Anſw. Let thy kingdome come: that is, Rule us by thy word and ſpirit, that we may humble and ſubmit our ſelves more and more unto theeaPſal. 119.5. & 143.10. Mat. 6.33.. Preſerve and increaſe the ChurchbPſal. 51.20. & 122.6, 7.: deſtroy the works of the Divell, and all power that lifteth up it ſelfe againſt thy Majeſty: make all thoſe counſels fruſtrate and void, which are taken againſt thy wordc1 John. 3.8. Rom. 16.20., untill at length thou reigne fully and perfectlydRevel. 22.17, 20. Rom. 8.22, 23., when thou ſhalt be all in alle1 Cor. 15.28..
The Explication.
THy Kingdome come; that is, Let it by continuall increaſes flouriſh, and be augmented, and alwaies by a new enlargement and acceſſion, let thy kingdome be extended and multiplied, which thou, O God, in thy Church doeſt hold and poſſeſſe.
The ſpeciall queſtions concerning the Kingdome of God.
1. What the Kingdome of God is. A Kingdome, in generall, is a certaine forme of Civill government, wherein the ſoveraignty of rule belongeth to ſome one perſon, who is furniſhed with gifts and vertues above the reſt; and ruleth over all, according to juſt, honeſt, and certaine Laws, in requiring obedience, making Laws, defending the good, and puniſhing the bad. The kingdome of God is that, in which God only reigneth, and exerciſeth ſoveraignty over all creatures,Gods univerſall kingdome. Gods ſpeciall kingdome. but eſpecially governeth and preſerveth his Church. This kingdome is univerſall. The ſpeciall kingdome of God, which he exerciſeth in the Church, is the ſending of the Son from the Father, even from the beginning of the world, who ſhould ordaine and maintaine a Miniſtery, and ſhould by the ſame be effectuall and forcible in working, ſhould gather a Church, by the word and holy Ghoſt, out of all mankinde; rule, preſerve, and defend the ſame againſt the enemies thereof; raiſe it from death; and at length, the enemies thereof being caſt into everlaſting paines, adorne it with heavenly glory, that ſo God may be all in all, and may be magnified by the Church of Angels and men for ever.
The parts of Gods kingdome.Out of this definition we may gather, and make theſe parts of the kingdome of God: 1. The ſending of the Son our Mediatour. 2. The ordaining and maintaining of the Miniſtery by Chriſt. 3. The gathering of the Church out of mankinde by the voice of the Goſpel, and the efficacy of the holy Ghoſt, beginning in us, the Elect, true faith and repentance. 4. The perpetuall government of the Church. 5. The preſervation thereof in this life, and protecting againſt her enemies. 6. The caſting away of her enemies into eternall paines. 7. The raiſing of the Church unto eternall life. 8. The glorifying of the Church in eternall life, when God ſhall be all in all. Of this kingdome it is ſaid:Pſ. 2.6. & 110.2. I have ſet my King upon my holy hill of Sion. Be thou Ruler even amongst the midſt of thine enemies. Hence it appeareth, that this kingdome, which we deſire may come, is not worldly, but a ſpirituall kingdome: which alſo the Lord himſelf ſheweth by divers parables in the Evangeliſt, and unto Pilate he anſwereth; My kingdome is not of this world. John 18.36.This kingdome we here pray for that it may come, and be inlarged and defended.
2. How manifold the kingdome of God is. The kingdome of heaven is a kingdome.THis kingdome of God is but one indeed, but it differeth in the manner of governing and adminiſtration. For it is diverſly adminiſtred here and in heaven. It is therefore commonly diſtinguiſhed into the kingdome of grace, and the kingdome of glory. 1. Of grace, and begun in this life.This diſtinction is all one with theirs, who ſay, that the kingdome of heaven is two-fold: One, begun in this life; another conſummated after this life. 2. Of glory, and perfected in the next life.We deſire both in this petition; to wit, both the conſtitution of this kingdome of God in this life, and the conſummation thereof after this life. Howbeit, it is one and the ſame kingdome, diſtinct only in degrees and forme of adminiſtration. This kingdome on earth, which is but begun, hath need of meanes. In the conſummated and perfect kingdome of God, there ſhall be no need of any meanes or inſtruments, becauſe in that the Church ſhall be perfectly glorified; ſo that it ſhall be without evill both of crime and paine, and God ſhall be all in all.
Hereby is that queſtion aſſoiled out of the place of Paul; 1 Cor. 15.24.He ſhall deliver up the kingdome to God, even the Father. Wherefore, as concerning the forme and manner of adminiſtration, he ſhall deliver the kingdome after our glorification; that is, he ſhall ceaſe to diſcharge the office of the Mediatour. There ſhall be no need of converſion, of purging out of ſin, of protecting of us againſt our enemies, he ſhall not gather the Church, he ſhall not raiſe the dead, he ſhall not glorifie nor perfect them; becauſe then they ſhall be perfect: He ſhall not teach them, becauſe they ſhall be all taught of God: Prophecies ſhall be aboliſhed, tongues ſhall ceaſe, and knowledge ſhall vaniſh away; becauſe, When that which is perfect is come, 1 Cor. 13.8, 10.then that which is in part ſhall be aboliſhed. There ſhall be therefore no need of theſe inſtruments and meanes any longer, by which now the Church is gathered and ſaved. There ſhall no longer be any enemy, the Church ſhall gloriouſly reigne with Chriſt, and God ſhall be all in all; that is, ſhall manifeſt himſelf immediatly unto the bleſſed Saints: In that City (which is that conſummate kingdome) I ſaw no Temple; Revel. 21.22, 23.for the Lord Almighty and the Lambe are the temple of it. And the City hath no need of the Sun, neither of the Moone to ſhine in it: for the glory of God did light it, and the Lambe is the light of it.
3. Who is King and Head in Gods Kingdome. The whole three perſons. Chriſt in a ſpeciall and particular manner.THe Head or King of this kingdome is but one; becauſe the Father, the Son, and the holy Ghoſt, are but one God. Now the Father is King, and ruleth by the Son, and the holy Ghoſt. Chriſt the Son is King and Head of this Kingdome after a ſingular maner: 1. Becauſe he ſitteth God at the right hand of God, and ruleth with equall power with the Father. 2. Becauſe he is Mediator; that is, Becauſe he is the perſon, by which God worketh immediately, and giveth the holy Ghoſt.John 15.26. Epheſ. 1.22… I will ſend him unto you from the Father. He hath appointed him over all things to be the head to be Church.
4. Who are the Citizens or Subjects of Gods Kingdome. THe Citizens of this kingdome are, 1. The Angels in heaven confirmed and eſtabliſhed in grace. 2. The bleſſed Saints in heaven, who are called the Church triumphant. 3. The godly, or converted in this life, who have as yet certaine remaines of ſin, and are called the Church militant. 4. Hypocrites, namely, the called of the viſible Church only, but not elected. Theſe are counterfeit and apparent Citizens to the outward ſhew, who indeed are not the Citizens of Chriſts kingdome, but only in name, but are in truth the bond-ſlaves of the Divell. Hypocrites notwithſtanding are called the Citizens of the kingdome,Mat. 8.12. & 22.16. as the Jews are termed by Chriſt the ſons and children of the kingdome. Of theſe it is ſaid, The firſt ſhall be laſt: that is, they who will be accounted firſt, and yet are not, ſhall be laſt; that is, ſhall be declared to be none of the kingdome of God.
5. What are the Laws of this kingdome. THe Laws whereby this kingdome is adminiſtred and governed, are, 1. The word of God, or the doctrine of the Law and Goſpel. 2. The efficacy of the holy Ghoſt, working and reigning by the word in the hearts of the elect.
6. What benefits are beſtowed on the ſubjects of this kingdome. THere is no kingdome, which hath not regard to the commodities of the ſubjects. And Ariſtotle writeth to Alexander, A kingdome is not injury, but bountifulneſſe. Wherefore this kingdome hath alſo his proper goods and commodities. Theſe are the ſpirituall and eternall benefits of Chriſt, as true faith and converſion, remiſſion of ſinnes, righteouſneſſe, preſervation therein, and the continuance of the holy Ghoſt,John 8.38. glorification, and life everlaſting. If the Sonne ſhall make you free, yee ſhall be free indeed. Rom. 14.17.The Kingdome of God is righteouſneſſe and peace, and joy in the holy Ghoſt. John 14.27.My peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.
7. Who are the enemies and foes of this kingdome. THe enemies of this kingdome are the Divels and wicked men. Now of wicked men, ſome are in the Church; as hypocrites, who callenge to themſelves the name and title of Citizens of the kingdome, when as they are nothing leſſe: others are without the Church, and profeſſed enemies; as Turks, Jews, Samoſatenians, Arrians, and whoſoever defend errours againſt the grounds and foundations of Religion.
8. In what place this kingdome is adminiſtred. THis kingdome, as concerning the beginning or gathering thereof, is adminiſtred here on earth: yet ſo, that it is not in any one certain place, Iland, Province, People,1 Tim. 2.8. but is ſpread through the whole world. I will that the men pray every-where. Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, Mat. 18.20.there am I in the midſt of them. We never go out of this kingdome, if we abide in true faith. This kingdome, as touching the conſummation or perfection thereof, is adminiſtred in heaven. And although I goe to prepare a place for you, John 14.3. & 12.26. & 17.24. 1 Theſ. 4.17.I will come againe, and receive you unto my ſelfe, that where I am, there may ye be alſo. Where I am, there ſhall alſo my ſervant be. Father, I will that they which thou haſt given me, be with me, even where I am. We ſhall be caught up to meet the Lord.
9. What is the time of the durance and continuance of this kingdome. THe beginning and gathering of this kingdome dureth from the worlds beginning to the end thereof; becauſe at all times there were, are, and ſhall be ſome members of the true Church, whether few, or many, to be gathered out of this world to the kingdome of God. The conſummation, or perfection of this kingdome ſhall indure from the glorifying of the godly to all eternity.1 Cor. 15.24. Then ſhall be the end, when he hath delivered up the kingdome to God, even the Father: which is to be underſtood (as was before obſerved) as touching this forme of adminiſtration of that kingdome.
10. How this kingdome cometh. It cometh foure waies.THis kingdome cometh to us foure waies: 1. By the preaching of the Goſpel; whereby is revealed the light of the true and heavenly doctrine. 2. By converſion, when ſome are converted to God, and are endued of God with faith and repentance. 3. By making progreſſe or increaſe, when the godly receive increaſe, or when the proper gifts and bleſſings of the faithfull are augmented with perpetuall increaſe in the godly or converted.Revel. 22.11. He that is righteous, let him be righteous ſtill: and he that is holy, let him be holy ſtill. 4. By conſummation and full accompliſhment, when the godly ſhall be glorified in the ſecond coming of our Lord.Revel. 22.20. Even ſo come Lord Jeſus.
11. Why we are to deſire that the kingdome of God come. WE ought to deſire, that the kingdome of God (both that which is here begun, and that which is elſe-where to be perfected) come: 1. For the glory of God, or in reſpect of the firſt petition: becauſe that we may ſanctifie and hallow his Name, it is required, that he rule us by his word and ſpirit. For except God erect in us this his kingdome, and deliver us out of the kingdome of the Devill, we ſhall never hallow and ſanctifie his Name, but rather ſhall defile and pollute it. 2. Becauſe God will give his kingdome onelyonly to thoſe that aske it, like as he giveth the holy Ghoſt unto them only that ask him. Out of theſe premiſſes we plainly perceive what it is which we ask him in this petition. Here therefore we deſire, that God will by his Son,The ſumme of this petition. our Mediatour, ſent from the very beginning into the world, 1. Preſerve the Miniſtery which he hath ordained. 2. Gather his Church by the Miniſtery of his word, and the working of the holy Ghoſt. 3. Rule his Church gathered, and us the members thereof, with his holy Spirit, who may conforme us unto him, ſoften our hearts, regenerate our wils. 4. Defend us and his whole Church againſt our enemies and tyrants. 5. Caſt away his and our enemies into eternall paines, wherewith he may puniſh them for ever. 6. And at length deliver his Church from all evils, and glorifie it in the world to come with life everlaſting. Object. That which cometh neither ſooner nor later for our prayers, is in vaine deſired of us; and therefore we are not to deſire it. But the kingdome of God, that is, the delivery of the Church from all evils and miſeries, ſhall come neither ſooner nor later for our prayers, then God hath decreed it: Therefore we are not to deſire the delivery of the Church. Anſw. The Major is falſe. For ſo then might we conclude or reaſon of all Gods benefits, that they are not to be deſired, ſeeing they all remain in the counſell and purpoſe of God. Repl. 1. But God hath promiſed other benefits with this condition, that we muſt aske and deſire them. Anſw. So alſo ſhall full delivery from all evils befall them only in that day, who in their afflictions and croſſe wiſh for and deſire, that delivery, and pray that this delivery may come ſpeedily, according to the decree of God,Revel. 22.20. and that no one elect may be excluded. Repl. 2. But we muſt not deſire, that God would haſten the delivery of his Church: becauſe that would be with loſſe of many of the elect, who are not as yet borne. Anſw. When we deſire, that God would haſten the delivery of his Church, we deſire alſo, that whoſoever of the elect are as yet remaining, may be all ſpeedily gathered, not one of them being excluded: and this we crave,Why we deſire the ſpeedy comming of Chriſts Kingdome. 1. That the Church may ſpeedily be delivered, that all the godly may reſt from their labours. 2. That there may be a ſwift end of wickedneſſe and impieties, and the enemies may be caſt into everlaſting pains. 3. That the glory of God may ſoone be manifeſted in this perfect delivery of the Church, and finall abjection of the enemies thereof. This delivery therefore of us and of the whole Church, we muſt crave of the Lord with daily prayers, if ſo we will our ſelves at the length be delivered with the Church. But they which deſire not the Lords coming, to them he alſo ſhall not come. Seeing then we muſt deſire, that his kingdome may come, and therefore muſt withall deſire our full delivery; hereby it is evident, how impious a thing it is to be afraid of the judgement of God, and the laſt day of doome: becauſe ſuch as do this, ſhew themſelves not to be godly, neither to deſire the full deliverance and glorifying. Object. But terrible will the day of judgement be: Therefore we are not to deſire it. Anſw. It will be terrible, but to the wicked only. For unto the godly it is ſaid; Lift up your heads. Luke 21.28.Therefore God will have them to rejoyce, and to wiſh for the approaching of that day. For what thou rejoyceſt in, that alſo thou wiſheſt. Come Lord Jeſus.Revel. 22.17.