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Longer Catechism

St Philaret of Moscow, in Blackmore, 1845

Part 2, 6. On the Second Petition

Q. What is the kingdom of God, spoken of in the second petition of the Lord’s Prayer?

A. The kingdom of grace, which, as St. Paul says, is righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Rom. xiv. 17.

Q. Is not this kingdom come already?

A. To some it has not yet come in its full sense; while to others it has not yet come at all, inasmuch as sin still reigns in their mortal bodies, that they should obey it in the lusts thereof. Rom. vi. 12.

Q. How does it come?

A. Secretly, and inwardly. The kingdom of God cometh not with observation; for behold, the kingdom of God is within you. Luke xvii. 20, 21.

Q. May not the Christian ask for something further under the name of God’s kingdom.

A. He may ask for the kingdom of glory, that is, for the perfect bliss of the faithful.

Having a desire to depart, and be with Christ. Philipp. i. 23.