en's knowledge of Him that the
petition contemplates. And though the two things coincide, which of them
is foremost in our minds makes an infinite difference.

Then in regard to God, we first ask not that His law may be kept, but
that His nature may be known.

The place of this petition in the prayer is explained by considerations
which suggest very important thoughts for ourselves and all men.

That true knowledge of God is the deepest and fundamental necessity for
all men.

That the knowledge will affect their whole scheme of thought and life.

That the most important of all questions is, How does a man think of
God?

That the Inward comes before the Outward.

That knowledge is the guide of emotions and of practical life, as set
forth here in the order of petitions.

This sequence of petitions corrects many errors into which we are apt to
fall.

(a) That religion is chiefly to give us forgiveness.

(b) That accurate knowledge of God and His will matters comparatively
little if we have devout emotions and experiences.

(c) That plans for the reformation of men should begin with the
exterior, leaving theological subtleties to themselves.

But this is not a theological subtlety.

'Seek ye first the kingdom of God,' is a maxim for social reformation as
well as for individual life.

IV. To what practical life this prayer binds us.

Following in our estimates, aims, and practice the sequence which it
prescribes. Desiring for world most of all that it may hallow the Name.

Seeking for ourselves to hallow it.

Seeking for ourselves that we may be the means of others doing so.

The ever-present remembrance, that the name of God is blasphemed or
hallowed, that God is glorified or disgraced, by us.

That to be like His name is true way to commend it. Do you know this
name?

'THY KINGDOM COME'

'Thy kingdom come.--MATT. vi. 10.

'The Lord reigneth, let the earth be glad'; 'The Lord reigneth, let the
people tremble,' was the burden of Jewish psalmist and prophet from the
first to the last. They have no doubt of His present dominion. Neither
man's forgetfulness and man's rebellion, nor all the dark crosses and
woes of the world, can disturb their conviction that He is then and for
ever the sole Lord.

The kingdom is come, then. Yet John the Baptist broke the slumbers of
that degenerate people with the trumpet-call, 'Repent, for the kingdom
is at hand.' It is not come, then--but coming. And the M