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. And Paul faid, I would to God, that not only thou, but alfo all that hear 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 10 fit with me in my Throne, &c.

Q. 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 have fuffered a while, make you perfect, ftablish firengthen, fettle you. But, the baftening of it to our felves and others, Rev. xxii. 20.-, -Amen, even fo, come, Lord Jesus. Q12. What is the first Inftruction hence?

A. That the Gofpel 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

Q14. What is the laft Inftruction hence?

A. That

C

A. That how firmly foever Satan's and Antie'ril's Kingdom seem 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.

Quest. 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.:

Q2. What Will then is here meant ?

} A. The Will of his Providence may be here meant, Pfal CXXV. 6. Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did be 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 jettled 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 fall be Heirs of Salvation?

Q4. 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 bis that do his Pleafure.

Q. 5. Muft we be Agents in this providential Will? A. Yes, we must, Acts xiii. 36. For David after he has Jerved 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.

Q7. 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 should 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 bis 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 thy 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 universally, chearfully, conftantly, humbly, thankfully, loyally, readily, Pfal. ciii. 20. Bless the Lord ye bis 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 his Temple. And xxii. 3. And his Servants shall serve 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 muft imitate them herein, Pfal. cxix. 6. Then fhall I not be ashamed, when I have Refpect 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.

ments. Ver. 112, &c. I have inclined my Heart to perform thy Statutes, alway even unto the End.

Q. 11. How must we know God's Will?

A. Not notionally and rationally only, but fpiritually alfo, 1 Cor. ii. 14. They are fpiritually difcerned.

Q. 12. Why is knowing God's Will placed here before doing it, &c.

A. Because the Understanding is the leading Faculty, without which it is impoffible there fhould be any Obedience, Prov. xix. 2. Also that the Soul be withont Knowledge it is not good, Jer. v. 4. Therefore I faid, furely thefe are poor, they are foolife for they know not the Way of the Lord, nor the Judgment of their God.

Q. 13. Why pray we to God for this Knowledge, can we not know it of our felves?

That

A. No, it is the special Gift and Grace of God, Gal. i. 15, 16. But when it pleafed God, who feparated me from my Mother's Womb, and called me by his Grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Heathen, immediately I conferred not with Flesh and Blood, Eph. i. 17, 19. the God of our Lord Jejus Chrift, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation in the Knowledge of him. And what is the exceeding greatness of his Power to us ward, who believe according to the working of his mighty power, Eph. v. 8. For ye were fometimes Darkness, but now are ye Light in the Lord.

Q. 14. Why do we pray that we may obey, can we not do it of our own free Will when we know it?

A. No; for our Wills are stubborn and rebellious against God's Commands, as well as our Minds ignorant of them, Rom. viii. 7. Because the carnal Mind is Enmity against God: for it is not fubject to the Law of God, neither indeed can be, Ezek. xxxvi. 25, 26. Then will I Sprinkle clean Water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your Filthiness, and from all your Idols will I cleanfe you. A new Heart also will I give you, and a new Spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the flony Heart out of your Flesh, and I will give you an Heart of Fleb, Phil. ii. 13. For it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do of his good Pleasure.

Q. 15. What is meant by fubmitting to God's Will?

A. (1.)

A. (1.) Either a voluntary Subjection of Soul, and a preparedness actually to do hls Will. Or (2.) a voluntary and filent Submiffion to his Will of Providence in Affliction; but in this Particular we cannot imitate thofe in Heaven, because no Cro ́s ever befals them,

Q. 16. Why is Will added in all Things?

A. Because partial Obedience, is no Obedience; he that does not obey God in every Thing obeys him in nothing, Jam. ii. 10. For whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet offend in one Point, he is guilty of all.

Q. 17. Why do we pray that God by his Grace would work this Will in us and by us?

A Because it is Free-grace that determines it, 2 Tim. i, 9. Who hath faved us, and called us with an holy Calling, not according to our Works, but according to his own Purpoje and Grace which was given us in Chrift Jefus, before the World began. And efficacious Grace that works it in us, and enables us to do it, Eph. v. 8. For ye were fometimes Darkness, but now are ye Light in the Lord. Ver. 10. Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

Q. 18. What is the first Inference from hence?

A. That it is Man's Glory and Felicity to be conformed to the Will of God, Prov. xii. 26. The righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour, Pfal. xix. 10, 11. More to be defired are they than Gold, yea than much fine Gold; fweeter alfo than Honey, and the Honey-comb. Moreover by them is thy Servant warned; and in keeping of them there is great Reward. Q. 19. What is the fecond Inference?

A. That we must mortify in our felves every Luft that contradicts God's Will, and renounce without our felves, every Thing that comes in Competition therewith, 1 Cor. ix. ult. But I keep under my Body, and bring it into Subjection: leaft that by any Means when I have preached to others, I myself fhould be a Caft-away, Gal. vi. 14. But God forbid that I fhould glory, fave in the Cross of our Lord Jefus Chrift, by whom the Werld is crucified unto me, and I unto the World.

Q. 20. What is the third Inference?

A. That it is in Vain, yea a Provocation to pray, if we be not obedient to God's Will, Prov. ii. 8, 9. He keepeth the Paths of Judgment, and prefervith the Way of bis" Saints.

Then