where the fame phrafe occurs; from which it doth still more plainly appear, that by the "kingdom of God" is meant the gofpeldifpenfation, in which fubjects were to be gathered to God, by his Son, as the reconciling Mediator, and by him formed into a church or fpiritual kingdom, against which the gates of hell fhall never prevail; which is to fubfift on earth, and enlarge itself in fpite of all oppofition, till at length it fhall become perfect in heaven, and triumph in eternal glory.

Now, this kingdom is either External, comprehending all who make an open profeffion of faith in Chrift, and fubmit to the ordinances which he hath inftituted; or Internal, confifting in that dominion which he exercifes over the hearts of his fubjects, converting them by his grace to the faith and obedience of the gospel, enlightening their minds, renewing their wills, and purifying their affections; filling them with

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righteousness, and peace, and joy in the "Holy Ghoft;" that is, with true Chriftian virtue, and all the bleffed fruits and effects of it. And no doubt the petition refpects

both

both these views of the kingdom of God: for though the last, viz. the dominion of grace in the heart, or the kingdom of God within us, is beyond comparison the most valuable of the two, and therefore chiefly to be defired by us; yet, as this kingdom is introduced and established by means of the ordinances which Chrift hath appointed, we ought likewife to be much concerned for the prefervation and enlargement of the visible church, or that external kingdom within which these ordinances are difpenfed, and to pray for the one in order to the other.

So that this petition may be confidered, as directing us to pray for these following things:

ift, That the gofpel may be propagated throughout the world, and all nations brought to the knowledge of the only true God, and of Jesus Christ whom he hath fent.

It appears from the prophetic writings of the Old Testament, that no less than univerfal dominion was promifed to the Lord Redeemer, "Afk of me," fays God, (Pfal.

ii.

ii. 8.)," and I fhall give thee the Heathen "for thine inheritance, and the uttermoft 66 parts of the earth for thy poffeffion." It was foretold, (Pfal. Ixxvi. 8, 11, 17.), "That "his dominion fhould reach from fea to fea, "and from the river to the ends of the "earth; yea, that all kings fhould bow "down before him; and all nations fhould "ferve him; that men fhould be bleffed in "him, and all nations call him bleffed." And that remarkable paffage (Dan. vii. 13, 14.), is a clear and express declaration on this head. "I faw," fays the Prophet, "in "the night visions, and behold, one like the "Son of man came from the clouds of hea

ven, and came to the Ancient of Days, "and they brought him near before him; "and there was given him dominion, and

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glory, and a kingdom, that all people, na"tions, and languages, fhould ferve him." Now, it is evident, that the extent of his kingdom doth not yet equal these magnifi

cent defcriptions of it.

There are still many

dark corners of the earth upon which the Sun of Righteoufnefs hath never arifen; others, which were once vifited with his

healing

healing and comforting light, have had their candlestick long removed; and the Jews, whofe return to their own Meffiah fhall fo remarkably enrich the church, and give such life and beauty to it, that Paul compares it to a "refurrection from the dead," (Rom xi. 15.), "do still retain their prejudice against him, and obftinately refufe fubjection to him.

We ought therefore to pray that the gofpel, which hitherto has been confined within very narrow bounds, may gradually spread and extend itself on every fide, till at length it obtain poffeffion of the whole earth, and "all the kingdoms of this world become "the kingdoms of our God, and of his Chrift," (Rev. xi. 15.).-But,

2dly, We are more especially to pray for a divine blessing to accompany the means of grace;

That the gospel may come to men, not in word only, but also in power, and prove effectual for turning "them from darkness "unto light, and from the power of Satan unto God." That where Christ doth already reign in his external ordinances, there VOL. III. R

he

he would alfo erect his throne in the hearts of men, fubduing finners to himself, and training up his faints, by the influences of his holy Spirit, to a meetnefs for that undefiled inheritance which he hath purchased for them.-And,

3dly, We are likewise authorised by this petition to pray, that whatever stands in oppofition to the kingdom of our Redeemer, either with respect to the extent or influence of it, may be removed out of the way:

Particularly, that Antichrist, that “man "of fin and fon of perdition, who opposeth " and exalteth himself above all that is call"ed God," (2 Theff. ii. 3, 4.), and hath long been "drunk with the blood of the faints,' (Rev. xvii. 6.), may be brought to the ground, and never arife any more: that the delufions of the falfe prophet, and blafphemous impoftor Mahomet, which have overfpread fo great a part of the world, may at length be detected, and his kingdom of darknefs and violence plucked up by the

roots.

And though it doth not belong to us to choofe the time, or means, or manner of