Page:Sermons on the Lord's Prayer.djvu/44

 or truth from the Lord, is called "the word of the kingdom," as in the following words: "When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart!" From these passages, it may be plainly seen, that by the term kingdom, is signified distinctively the truth of the church, or, which is the same thing, the church itself in regard to its characteristic of truth.

Understanding now, the precise meaning of the term "kingdom," we may perceive what is the proper object of our petition, when we utter the words "Thy kingdom come." We are to pray, that truth, Divine truth, may come to the world and to the minds of men; that it may be spread abroad more widely; that it may be seen and understood more clearly and more fully. And who that has any love for his fellow-men, any desire for the welfare and happiness of mankind, but will utter with fervor this prayer! Look at the spiritual darkness that now hangs over the world—yes, even over the Christian world, proud as it is of the light which it supposes itself to possess. Note the ignorance and doubt that prevail in regard to the most important points of spiritual knowledge, the first principles of a true belief. In regard to God himself, the Lord, man's Creator and Saviour, is there not, in general, either stubborn denial, trembling doubt, or confirmed error?—some maintaining that God is One absolutely, and that he is merely the Creator—not the Saviour; some, that he is in three Persons and yet