Q. 10.-What is implied in this ?

A. That God would increase the number of his faithful ministers, and that he would abundantly bless their labours; and prosper every attempt which may be made in any way for spreading abroad the name of Christ, and imparting the blessing of his salvation.

Q. 11.-What do you mean by the inward and invisible kingdom of Christ?

A.-I mean Christ's reign over the hearts of all his believing people; who, being the subjects of his grace, own his authority and submit to his commands.

Q. 12-Are we by nature the subjects of Christ in this sense?

A.-No; for though we may be outwardly his subjects, as the members of a Christian church, yet we are naturally disinclined to his service, and are the slaves of sin and Satan. See Rom. 6, 16, 17, and Eph. 2, 1—3.

Q. 13,-How do we become his true subjects?

A. By the work of his Spirit in our hearts, which is given in answer to prayer, to open our eyes, and

us to turn

from darkness to

light, and from the power of Satan to God." Acts. 26, 18. See also Col. 1. 13.

Q 14.-What is the nature of this spiritual

kingdom?

A.

The kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost." Rom. 14. 17. ie. it is a

holy, peaceful and happy kingdom, formed and maintained in us by the Holy Ghost.

Q. 15-What do you pray for in this petition then, with respect to the inward kingdom of Christ?

A.-We pray that both we ourselves, and all who profess the Christian faith, may be truly converted to God, and give up ourselves to him as our rightful Lord and Master.

Q. 16.-Have we any encouragement to pray for the coming of the outward kingdom of God, as explained above?

A. Yes; for God has promised that the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the cover the sea." Is. 11. 9.

Lord, as waters

See also Rev. 11. 15.

Q. 17-Have we any encouragement to pray for the coming of his inward kingdom?

A. Yes; for Christ has given us this promise. "If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?” Lu. 11. 13.

See also Ps. 68. 18.

THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH AS
IT IS IN HEAVEN.

QUESTION 1.-How does God make known his will to us?

ANSWER. By his Providences, and his

Word.

Q. 2.—What do you mean by the Providences of God?

A. I mean the various events which take place upon earth; such as the rise and fall of nations, and all those public and private occur rences which affect the condition of men in the world.

Q. 3.-How do they make known to us the will of God?

A. Because they cannot take place without his permission, and they are all under his go

vernment.

U

Q. 4.-Prove this from Scripture?

A. The Most High liveth for ever; whose dominion is an everlasting dominion and his kingdom from generation to generation. All the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as no. thing, and he doth according to his will, in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him, what dost thou ?" 34, 35,

Dan. 4.

Q. 5.What! does nothing take place withbut God's knowledge and permission?

A.-No; nothing. "Affliction cometh not forth out of the dust, neither doth trouble spring up out of the ground ;" Job. 5. 6. And, Promotion cometh neither from the east, nor from the west, nor from the south; but God is the judge; he putteth down one and setteth up another." Ps. 75, 6, 7.

Q. 6. And how is the will of God made known in his word?

A.-God has declared his will to us in his holy commandments; and in all the promises and threatenings of his word.

Q. 7.-What do you mean then when you pray that God's will may be done?

A. We pray that men may be resigned to all the providential dealings of God; and that they may receive and obey his word.

Q. 8.-What do you mean by praying that the will of God may be done in earth, as it is in Heaven ?

A. We pray that men may follow the example of the holy Angels, who all obey the will of God, without any reluctance, or intermission, or defect.

Q. 9.-With what disposition should we use this prayer?

A. We ought in our hearts to feel it reasonable, that the will of God should be done by us and by all,

Q. 10. Does it naturally appear reasonable to us that the will of God should be done?

A. No; we are very prone to complain against God when he sends affliction upon us: and we have a natural dislike to his holy law, and cannot bear subjection to it. See Rom. 8. 7.

Q. 11.-Ought we not to lament this backwardness to do the will of God?

A-Certainly we ought; and in praying that God's will may be done, we pray, in reali