Q1. What is the meaning of the word petition?

A. It signifies asking or desiring any thing.

Q2. How many petitions are there in the Lord's prayer?

A. There are six.

Q3. In what order are these six petitions ranged?

A. The first three bear a more immediate respect to God; and the last three to ourselves.

Q4. What are we taught by this order of ranking the petitions?

A. We are thus taught, first to pray for what concerns the glory of God, as being the highest and most valuable end; and then for what respects our own advantage, as being only subordinate to it, Matt. 6:33.

Q5. Which is the first of these petitions?

A. It is in these words, Hallowed be thy name.

Q6. What is signified by the name of God in this petition?

A. It is explained in the answer to be all that whereby he maketh himself known.

Q7. What is our duty with reference to this name of God?

A. It is to pray that it may be hallowed.

Q8. What is the meaning of the word HALLOWED?

A. It is explained in the answer to be the same with glorified: when we pray Hallowed be thy name, we pray, that God himself may be glorified.

Q9. By whom should we pray that God's name may be hallowed or glorified?

A. We should pray, that his name may be glorified by himself; and likewise that he would enable us and others to glorify him.

Q10. What do we mean, when we pray that God's name may be glorified by himself?

A. We mean, that he would be pleased daily to demonstrate it more and more to the world, to be what it really is, most holy and most glorious, so as to excite that adoration and esteem which is due to him: for, says he, "I will be sanctified in them that come nigh to me, and before all the people will I be glorified," Lev. 10:3.

Q11. Where does he thus demonstrate the glory of his own name?

A. In his word; and by his works both of creation and providence, particularly by the glorious device of redemption.

Q12. What do we acknowledge, when we pray that God would enable us and others to glorify him?

A. We thus acknowledge "the utter inability and indisposition that is in ourselves and all men, to honour God aright, 2 Cor. 3:5."187

Q13. What is requisite in order to our honouring God aright?

A. In order to this, it is requisite that we diligently attend to the several ways, by which God maketh himself known, such as his attributes, ordinances, word, and works; and see if we are studying to glorify him in all these.

Q14. How do we glorify him in his attributes or perfections?

A. When we think or speak of them with becoming reverence, and endeavour to exercise suitable acts of faith upon them; such as, admiring his wisdom, depending on his power, and trusting to his faithfulness, that he will do as he has said.

Q15. How do we glorify him in his ordinances?

A. When we attend upon them, and improve them for our spiritual nourishment and growth in grace, Psalm 84:10.

Q16. How do we glorify him in his word?

A. When we believe it as the record of God, John 20:31.

Q17. How do we glorify him in his work of creation?

A. When we apprehend and admire his "eternal power and Godhead," as shining in it, Rom. 1:20.

Q18. How do we glorify him in his works of providence?

A. When we have a grateful sense of his mercies, Gen. 32:10; and tremble at his judgments, Psalm 119:120.

Q19. How do we honour him in his glorious device of redemption?

A. When we receive and rest upon Christ alone for salvation, as he is offered to us in the gospel, Acts 15:11.

Q20. What do we mean, when we pray that God would enable others to glorify him, as well as ourselves?

A. We thus, in effect, pray, that the "earth may be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea," Isaiah 11:9; that so "from the uttermost parts of the earth may be heard songs, even glory to the righteous," chap. 24:16.

Q21. What are those things we should pray God would prevent and remove, that his name may be glorified?

A. We should pray, "that he would prevent and remove atheism, ignorance, idolatry, and whatever is dishonourable to him."188

Q22. What should we pray God would do, in the course of his providence, for glorifying his own name?

A. That he would dispose all things to his own glory.

Q23. How does God dispose all things to his own glory?

A. By bringing a revenue of glory to himself, even out of those things that seem most opposite to it, Isaiah 43:20.

Q24. What are these seemingly opposite things, out of which God brings a revenue of glory to himself?

A. Among others, there are persecutions and the falls of believers.

Q25. How does he bring a revenue of glory to himself out of persecutions?

A. By overruling them to the furtherance of the gospel, Acts 11:19-21.

Q26. How does he bring glory to himself out of the falls of believers?

A. By overruling their falls and miscarriages, in such a manner, as that they are thus made more humble, watchful, and circumspect, for the future, Psalm 51:3.

Q1. Is there any word full enough, perfectly to express what God is?

A. No, his name is secret; Judges 13:18. And the angel of the Lord said unto him. Why ask you thus after my name, seeing it is secret? A name which none can tell; Proverbs 30:4.-What is his name, and what is his Son's name, if you can tell? A name above every name; Philippians 2:9. Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name. But the name by which he more especially manifests himself, is the name I AM; Exodus 3:14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: And he said, Thus shall you say unto the children of Israel, I AM has sent me unto you.

Q2. What does the name of God, I AM, signify to us?

A. It signifies to us, first, The reality of his being, in opposition to idols, which are but imaginary and fantastic things; 1 Corinthians 8:4.-We know that an idol is nothing in the world, etc. God is not only the most perfect Being, but the root of all other beings.

Q3. What else does this name I AM import?

A. It imports both the perfection and eternity of God's being. I AM implies, he has not that now, which he had not formerly; and that he shall not afterwards have, what he has not now; and that there is neither beginning, end, nor succession with God, whose name is I AM.

Q4. But what are we here to understand by the name of God?

A. All those things are here intended, by which he manifests himself to the creature; as his words, works, and ordinances, but especially his glorious attributes; Exodus 34:5, 6.-The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

Q5. What is it to hallow, or sanctify his name?

A. Not to infuse any holiness into him, which he had not before; so he sanctifies us; but to manifest and acknowledge the holiness of God; Isaiah 29:23. But when he sees his children, the work of my hands in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the holy one of Jacob, and shall fear the God of Israel.

Q6. Why hallowed or sanctified, rather than glorified? Why that word, rather than this?

A. Because his holiness is the beauty and luster of his other attributes. His greatness appears in his holiness; Isaiah 12:6.-Great is the holy One of Israel in the midst of you. So does his power; Luke 1:49. For he who is mighty has done to me great things, and holy is his name. And therefore his holiness is that attribute, which angels single out especially to celebrate; Isaiah 6:3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, etc. And so did men also, as it is the cause why they should glorify him; Exodus 15:11.-Who is like you, glorious in holiness, etc.

Q7. What is the first thing we are to intend in this petition?

A. The meaning is, that God would so dispose and order all things in the world, as may best promote and advance the glory of his name; on which account we may pray for the defeat of God's enemies; Psalm 83:16, 17, 18. Fill their faces with shame, that they may seek your name, O Lord. Let them be confounded and troubled forever; yes, let them be put to shame, and perish; that men may know that you, whose name alone is Jehovah, are the most High over all the earth. And the deliverance of his church and people; Psalm 79:9. Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of your name; and deliver us, and purge away our sins for your name's sake.

Q8. What is the second thing we are to intend in it?

A. That God would fit us for, and use us in the most serviceable capacity for the glorifying of his name; Psalm 67:1, 2, 3. God be merciful unto us, and bless us, and cause his face to shine upon us: That your way may be known upon earth, your saving health among all nations. Let the people praise you, O God, let all the people praise you.

Q9. What is the third thing intended in this petition?

A. That God may not only glorify his own name, and use us to glorify it, but that it should be our endeavor and joy to have it glorified by others all the world over; Psalm 145:4, 5, 6. One generation shall praise your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. I will speak of the glorious honor of your majesty, and of your wondrous works. And men shall speak of the might of your terrible acts; and I will declare your greatness.

Q10. Why must our hearts be so intently set upon the sanctification of God's name?

A. Because this is the ultimate end of our own, and every other being; Romans 11:36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory forever, Amen. And the particular end of God in our effectual calling; 1 Peter 2:9 but you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people, that you should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.

Q11. What is the first inference from hence?

A. That the dishonor of God's name must needs be a cutting affliction to a gracious soul; Psalm 42:10. As with a sword in my bones my enemies reproach me; while they say daily unto me, Where is your God?

Q12. What is the second inference hence?

A. That it is a dreadful infatuation, and spiritual judgment upon those men that think they glorify God in doing those things which his soul hates; Isaiah 66:5. Hear the word of the Lord, you that tremble at his word: Your brethren that hated you, that cast you out for my name's sake, said, Let the Lord be glorified: But he shall appear to your joy, and they shall be ashamed. And John 16:2. They shall put you out of the synagogues: Yes, the time comes, that whoever kills you, he will think that he does God service.

Q13. What is the third inference from hence?

A. That it should be indifferent to a Christian what condition God puts him into, so that he may but be useful to sanctify and exalt the name of God therein; Philippians 1:20.-As always, so now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life or by death.

Q14. What is the last inference hence?

A. That it is an high and dreadful provocation of God to profane and abuse his worship, whereon his name is called, and wherein it is to be sanctified; Leviticus 10:1, 2, 3. And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the Lord, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the, Lord, and devoured them, and they died before the Lord. Then Moses said unto Aaron, this is that the Lord spoke, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come near me, and before all the people will I be glorified. Of God's Kingdom

Q1. Ought we to desire the glory of God in the first place?

A. Yes: That God in all things may be glorified, 1 Pet. 4:11.

Q2. Is God glorified when his name is glorified?

A. Yes: They shall worship before thee, O Lord, and shall glorify thy name, Ps. 86:9.

Q3. Is God's name glorified when it is sanctified or hallowed?

A. Yes: For he is glorious in holiness, Exod. 15:11.

Q4. Ought we therefore to sanctify it?

A. Yes: Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, 1 Pet. 3:15.

Q5. Are we to pray that we ourselves may be enabled to glorify God?

A. Yes: Open thou my lips and my mouth shall show forth thy praise, Ps. 51:15.

Q6. And that we may live for that end?

A. Yes: Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee, Ps. 119:175.

Q7. And be delivered for that end?

A. Yes: Bring my soul out of prison that I may praise thy name, Ps. 142:7.

Q8. And are we to pray that others also may he enabled to glorify him?

A. Yes: That they may glorify our Father which is in heaven, Matt. 5:16.

Q9. Do we here pray for the propagating of the knowledge of God?

A. Yes: That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations, Ps. 67:2.

Q10. And for the conversion of souls to him?

A. Yes: Let the people praise thee, O God, let all the people praise thee Ps. 67:3.

Q11. And for the success of the gospel?

A. Yes: That the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, 2 Thess. 3:1.

Q12. Do we pray for the fruitfulness of Christians?

A. Yes: That they may be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God, Phil. 1:11.

Q13. And for the flourishing of the churches of Christ?

A. Yes: That they may be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified, Isa. 61:3.

Q14. Do we pray that God would glorify himself?

A. Yes: Father, glorify thy name, John 12:28.

Q15. And are we sure he will do it?

A. Yes: For there came a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and I will glorify it yet again, John 12:28.

Q16. Do we pray that he would exalt his own name?

A. Yes: Be thou exalted, O Lord, in thine own strength, Ps. 21:13.

Q17. And are we sure he will do it?

A. Yes: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth, Ps. 46:10.

Q18. May we plead this with him?

A. Yes: What wilt thou do to thy great name? Josh 7:9.

Q19. Do we pray that God would bring glory to himself out of all events?

A. Yes: To thy name give glory, Ps. 115:1.

Q20. Even out of those events that seem contrary?

A. Yes: That the wrath of man may praise him, Ps. 76:10.

Q21. Must we desire it concerning ourselves?

A. Yes: That we may be unto him for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory, Jer. 13:11.

Q22. And concerning all our affairs?

A. Yes: That Christ may be magnified in my body both by life and death, Phil. 1:20.