V el', 10 (first part).-.The serond petitwn. The words of this brief petition pray that the kingdom of God may come in, this world. And it would sufficiently satisfy- the requirements of the words to understand them to pray for the. further g1'owth and more perfect <kvelopirg and advance of the kingdom and the principles of it. So far also as the word " kingdom" might be considered equivalent to "rule," that-rule· hacl always been a reality and a very patent fact in the world. But in the light of the preaching of John the Baptist, and of the preaching entrusted to the twelve 'and the seventy disciples in Christ's commission, it is probable that the petition in ·this prayerc describes the final and perfect form of God's kingdom, as. growing out of .the truth· of Christ, in all its entirety, rooted in his incarnation, vital in the efficacy of. bis cross and blood, and triumphantly evidenced in his .resurrection, ascension, and sending or the Holy Ghost. For a kingdom, a new kingdom, a reign of" abundance of peace," and of every most distinguished type of blessing, the .favoured but-degenerate nation had now long been looking with very mistakenly directed vision; while the truer and the really devout of them had been earnestly longing and waiting for it-not, indeed, mnch better informed in their mind, but very much better disposed in their heart. These, therefore, were to some real degree disposed to understand Christ's kingdom,· -differently conditioned as even to them it was compared with their expectations. And now the petition is enthroned that purports this-May the kingdom of God in Ohrisl -<XYTT1£, ! Dwell on- L THE SPIRITUAL CHABACTEB OP THIS KINGDOM, Explain what is really meant ·by a Bpiritual charader, illustrating this by: 1. 'l'he wonders of the way in which the kingdom was founded on earth. 2. The methods by which it gains and holds its own. 3. The objects which it seeks both near at hand and ultimately.· lL THE BPIBITUAL FORCES WHICH GIVE UIPULBE TO THIS KINGDOM AND WBI0H RULE IT, AB llANIFEBT AB THEY ABE INVISIBLE. Give here leading illustrations of the mighty Presence of the Holy Spirit working at the same time with human servants, but himlfelf uncballengeably the mainspring. III. THE CATHOLICITY OP THIS KINGDOM, Point out the implications of this fact. Show the enormously strong, growing indications, or evidences, or already concluded proofs of it.-B.
Ver. 10 (latter part).-The third petitioo. Benutifully does Chrysostom note how, in this petition, following closely upon "Thy kingdom come," Jesus would "bid us, before we come to heaven, make this earth into heaven." Dwell, in this simplest petition, .on the following ■lmplest but greatest and most significant facts. • If the will of God is done on earth as it is done in heaven, sc>-- 1. lT WILL IT BE DONE DY ALL. It iB done by all in heaven, and the very form of thia petition is not worded for the individual, but for all the wide, the various, the saddened but the bee.utiful world. ,cin. VI. 1-34.J THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 255