The Lord's Prayer (excerpts) cont'd1
The Lord’s Prayer (excerpts) cont’d
Sin is an act of high INGRATITUDE to God. He feeds a sinner, screens off many evils from him; and yet he not only forgets his mercies—but abuses them! "It was I who gave her everything she has—the grain, the wine, the olive oil. Even the gold and silver she used in worshiping the god Baal were gifts from me!" Hosea 2:8. God may say, I gave you wit, health, riches, which you have employed against me. A sinner makes an arrow of God’s mercies—and shoots at Him! "Is this your kindness to your friend?" 2 Samuel 16:17. Did God give you life—to sin? Did He give you wages—to serve the devil? Oh, what an ungrateful thing is sin!
Sin is a FOOLISH thing. Is it not foolish to prefer a short lust—before an eternal inheritance? A sinner prefers the pleasures of sin for a season—before those pleasures which are at God’s right hand for evermore. Is it not folly to gratify an enemy? Sin gratifies Satan. Men’s sins feast the devil. Is it not folly for a man to be guilty of his own destruction, to give himself poison? A sinner has a hand in his own death. "They lay wait for their own blood." Proverbs 1:18. No creature did ever willingly kill itself, but man.
Sin is a POLLUTING thing. It is not only a defection, but a pollution; it is as rust to gold, as a stain to beauty. It is called "filthiness of flesh and spirit." 2 Corinthians 7:1. It makes the soul red with guilt—and black with filth! This filth of sin is internal. A spot in the face may easily be wiped off—but to have the liver and lungs tainted, is far worse. Sin has gotten into the conscience. Titus 1:15. It defiles all the faculties—the mind, memory, affections, as if the whole mass of blood were corrupted.
Sin is a DEBASING thing. It degrades us of our honor. Sin blots a man’s name. Nothing so turns a man’s glory into shame, as sin. It makes a man like a beast. Psalms 49:20. It is worse to be like a beast than to be a beast; it is no shame to be a beast—but it is a shame for a man to be like a beast. Lust makes a man brutish, and anger makes him devilish.
Sin is an ENSLAVING thing. A sinner is a slave when he sins most freely. Sin makes men the devil’s servants. Satan bids them sin—and they do it. When a man commits sin, he is the devil’s lackey, and runs on his errand. Those who serve Satan have such a bad master, that they will be afraid to receive their wages.
Sin is an OFFENSIVE thing. "They have all together become filthy;" in the Hebrew, they have become stinking. Psalms 14:3. Sin is very offensive to God. He will not come near the dunghill sinner, who has such a foul stench coming from him.
Sin is a PAINFUL thing. It costs men much labor and pains to accomplish their wicked designs. "They weary themselves to commit iniquity." Jeremiah 9:5. "Sin is its own punishment." How they tire themselves out in sin’s drudgery! A wicked man sweats at the devil’s plough—and is at great pains to damn himself!
Thus you see what an evil sin is in the nature of it, and what need we have to pray, "Deliver us from evil."
Satan carries on his evil designs against us, under the highest pretenses of friendship. He puts silver upon his bait, and dips his poisoned pills in sugar, as some courtiers who make the greatest pretenses of love, where they have the most deadly hatred.
Thus Satan came to Eve, and tempted her under the notion of a friend. "Eat of this tree, and it will make you omniscient, you shall be as gods." What a kind deceitful devil was here! But it was a subtle temptation. She greedily swallowed the bait—and ruined herself and all her posterity. Let us fear his fallacious flatteries!
Ungodly men presume that God will be merciful to them. Satan soothes men in their sins; he preaches to them, "God is merciful" and deludes them with golden dreams. "How many with vain hope—go down to hell!" Presumption is
Satan tempts some people more than others. Some are like wet tinder, who will not so soon take the fire of temptation as others. Satan tempts most where he thinks his policies will most easily prevail.
Satan most broods upon
"Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness." 2 Corinthians 11:14-15
Satan, in tempting, baits his hook with religion. He can tempt to sin under pretenses of piety. Sometimes he is the white devil, and transforms himself into an angel of light. Celsus wrote a book full of error, and he entitled it, "The Book of Truth." So Satan can write the title of "religion" upon his worst temptation. Thus
Satan is a very subtle tempter. The Greek word to tempt, signifies to deceive. Satan, in tempting, uses many subtle plots to deceive. We read . . .
of the "depths of Satan",
of his "devices and stratagems",
of his "snares and darts".
He is called a lion for his cruelty—and
Satan observes the natural temper and constitution of men. He does not know the hearts of men—but he may feel their pulse, know their temper—and can apply himself accordingly. As the farmer knows what seed is proper to sow in such a soil—so Satan, finding out the temper of a man, knows what temptations are proper to sow in his heart. He blows the wind of temptation in the same way the tide of a man’s constitution runs. Satan tempts . . .
the ambitious man with a crown,
the lustful man with beauty,
the covetous man with a wedge of gold.
He provides savory food—such as the sinner loves!
Satan chooses the fittest season to tempt in. As a cunning angler casts in his bait when the fish will bite best—so the devil knows the best time when temptation is likeliest to prevail.
When we have broken out of his prison in conversion, he will pursue us with violent temptations. The devil labors to strangle the new-born soul with temptation! When the first buddings and blossoms of grace begin to appear, the devil would nip the tender buds with the sharp blasts of temptation.
The devil tempts, when he finds us idle. When the fowler sees a bird sit still and perch upon the tree, he shoots it. Just so, when Satan observes us sitting still, he shoots his fiery darts of temptation at us! "While men slept, his enemy sowed tares;" so, while men sleep in sloth, Satan sows his tares. When David was walking idly on the housetop—the devil set a tempting object before him—and it prevailed!
Satan tempts when he sees us weakest. He breaks over the hedge—where it is lowest.
Satan tempts us—when we are alone; as he came to Eve when her husband was away, and she the less able to resist his temptation. Satan’s policy is to give his poison privately—when no one is by to reveal the treachery. He is like a cunning suitor who woos the daughter when the parents are from away home.
When we are alone—the devil comes wooing with a temptation, and hopes to have the match struck!
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"May Your will be done" Matthew 6:10
(1) God’s will is SOVEREIGN. He has a supreme right and dominion over His creatures—to dispose of them as He pleases. A man may do with his own, as he desires. "Is it not lawful for Me to do what I will with My own?" Matthew 20:15. A man may cut his own timber as he will. God may do with us as He sees good. He is not accountable to any creature for what He does. "He gives no account of any of His matters." Job 33:13. Who shall call God to account? Who is higher than the highest? Ecclesiastes 5:8. What man or angel dare summon God to his bar? God will take an account of our conduct towards Him—but He will give no account of His conduct towards us. He has an absolute jurisdiction over us, as
a sovereign—to do with us whatever He pleases. We are not to dispute with God—but to submit to God.
God’s will is WISE. He knows what is conducive to the good of His people. "The Lord is a God of judgment," that is, He is able to judge what is best for us; therefore rest in His wisdom and acquiesce in his will. Isaiah 30:18. Did we but study how wisely He steers all occurrences, and how He often brings us to heaven by a cross wind—it would much quiet our spirits, and make us say, "May Your will be done." God’s will is guided by wisdom. Should He sometimes let us have our will—we would undo ourselves! Did He let us carve for ourselves—we would choose the worst piece! Lot chose Sodom because it was well watered—but God rained fire upon it!
God’s will is JUST. "Shall not the judge of all the earth do right?" Genesis 18:25. God’s will is the rule and measure of justice. The wills of men are corrupt, therefore unfit to give law; but God’s will is a holy and unerring will. Psalms 97:2. God may cross us—but He cannot wrong us. He may be severe with us—but never unjust.
(4) God’s will is GOOD and GRACIOUS. It promotes our interest. If it is His will to afflict us, He shall make us say at last, "it was good for us, that we were afflicted." His flail shall only thresh off our husks. That which is against our will, shall not be against our profit.
(5) God’s will is IRRESISTIBLE. We may oppose it—but we cannot hinder it. The rising up of our will against God—cannot stop the execution of His will. "Who has resisted His will?" Romans 9:19. Who can stop the sun in its movements? Who can hinder the progress of God’s will? Therefore it is in vain to contest with God. His will shall take place! There is no way to overcome Him—but by lying at His feet.
"Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him!" Psalms 32:1-2
Forgiveness of sin is a choice blessing, as it lays a foundation for other mercies. It is a leading mercy. Forgiveness of sin never comes alone—but has other spiritual blessings attending it. Those whom God pardons—He sanctifies, adopts, and crowns!
Forgiveness of sin is
God forgives—not because we are worthy—but because He is gracious. "The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious." Exodus 34:6. He forgives out of his mercy. Acts of pardon are acts of grace.
What worthiness was there in Paul before conversion? He was a blasphemer, and so he sinned against the first table of the law; he was a persecutor, and so he sinned against the second table of the law; but free grace sealed his pardon! "I obtained mercy," that is, "I was all bestrewed with mercy!" 1 Timothy 1:13.
What worthiness was in the woman of Samaria? She was ignorant. John 4:22. She was immoral; John 4:18. She was morose and churlish, she would not give Christ so much as a cup of cold water; John 4:9. "You are a Jew a and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?" What worthiness was here? Yet Christ overlooked all, and pardoned her ingratitude; and though she denied him water out of the well—yet He gave her the water of life.
Free grace does not find us worthy—but makes us worthy!
Suffering Christian—remember that this is all the hell you shall have.
Judas had two hells—but a child of God has but one. Lazarus had all his hell here on earth; he was full of sores—but had a convoy of angels to carry him to heaven when he died. Say, then, "Lo! if this is the worst I shall have, if this is all my hell—I will patiently acquiesce. May Your will be done."
To forgive sin, is for God to blot it out. "I am He who blots out your transgressions." Isaiah 43:25. The Hebrew word, to blot out, alludes to a creditor
who, when his debtor has paid him, blots out the debt, and gives him an acquittance. Just so, when God forgives sin, He blots out the debt, He draws
To forgive sin, is for God to cast our sins into the depths of the sea, which implies burying them out of sight, that they shall not rise up in judgment against us. "You will cast all their sins into the depths of the sea." Micah 7:19. God will throw them in, not as cork which rises again—but as lead which sinks to the bottom!
"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
Learn to be contented with the allowance which God gives. If we have the necessities of life—let us rest satisfied. We pray but for bread, "Give us our daily bread." We must not pray for superfluities—but for bread which supports life. Though we have not so much as others—so full a crop—so rich an estate; yet if we have daily bread, let us be content. "If we have food and clothing, we will be content with that." 1 Timothy 6:8.
Most people are herein faulty. Though they pray that God would give them bread, as much as He sees is expedient for them—yet they are not content with His allowance—but greedily covet more, and with the daughters of the horse-leech, cry, "Give! Give!" Proverbs 30:15. This is a vice naturally engrafted in us.
Many pray Agur’s first prayer, "Give me not poverty," but few pray his last prayer, "Give me not riches." Proverbs 30:8. They are not content with "daily bread," but have the cancer of covetousness; they are still craving for more.
There are, says Agur, four things which are never satisfied: the grave, the barren womb, the thirsty desert, the blazing fire. And I may add a fifth thing—the heart of a covetous man. Proverbs 30:15.
Covetousness is called, "The root of all evil." 1 Timothy 6:10. The Greek word for covetousness, signifies an inordinate desire of getting. Covetousness is not only in getting riches unjustly—but in loving them inordinately!
"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
God gives to His very enemies. Who will send provisions to his enemies? Men spread nets for their enemies, God spreads a table. The dew drops on the thistle, as well as the rose; the dew of God’s bounty drops upon the worst.
God puts bread in the mouths that are opened against Him. Oh, the royal bounty of God! "The goodness of God endures continually." Psalms 52:1. He puts jewels upon swinish sinners, and feeds them every day.
If all is a gift, see the odious ingratitude of men who sin against their giver! God feeds them, and they fight against him; he gives them bread, and they give him affronts. How vile is this! Thus do sinners deal ungratefully with God! They not only forget His mercies—but abuse them. "When I had fed them to the full, they then committed adultery." Jeremiah 5:7. Oh, how horrid is it to sin against a bountiful God—
He gives them strength, and they waste it among harlots! He gives them bread to eat, and they lift up the heel against Him. "Jeshurun waxed fat and kicked." Deuteronomy 32:15. They are like Absalom, who, as soon as David his father kissed him, plotted treason against him. 2 Samuel 15:10. They are like the mule that kicks the mother after she has given it milk.
Those who sin against their giver, and abuse God’s royal favors—the mercies of God will come in as witnesses against them. What is smoother than oil? But if it is heated, what more scalding? What is sweeter than mercy? But if it is abused, what more dreadful? It turns to fury!
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"Give us this day our daily bread." Matthew 6:11
See our own poverty and indigence. We all live upon God’s alms and upon free gifts. All we have is from the hand of God’s royal bounty. We have nothing but
what He gives us out of His storehouse. We cannot have one bit of bread—but from God.
This is
Is all a gift? Then we are to seek every mercy from God by prayer. "Give us this day." The tree of mercy will not drop its fruit unless shaken by the hand of prayer.
If all is a gift—then take notice of God’s goodness. There is nothing in us that can deserve or requite God’s kindness; yet such is the sweetness of His nature, that he gives us rich provision, and feeds us with the finest of the wheat. God has rained down golden mercies upon us.
God is never weary of giving. The honeycomb of God’s bounty is still dropping. God delights in giving. "He delights in mercy." Micah 7:18. As the mother delights to give the child the breast, God loves that we should have the breast of mercy in our mouth.
"I will correct you in measure." Jeremiah 30:11
Suffering Christian, there is no condition so bad, but it might be worse. When it is dusk, it might be darker. God does not make our cross so heavy as He might—He does not stir up all His anger. Psalms 78:38. He does not put so many nails in our yoke—so much wormwood in our cup—as He might.
Does God chastise your body? He might torture your conscience. Does he cut you short? He might cut you off. The Lord might make our chains heavier. Is it a burning fever?
Remember—that your case is not so bad as others, who are always upon the rack, and spend their years with sighing. Psalms 31:10. Have you a gentle illness?
Others cry out of the severe pain of cancer. Do you bear the wrath of men? Others bear the wrath of God. You have but a single trial; others have several of them mingled together. God shoots but one arrow at you, He shoots a shower of arrows at others. We are apt to say, "Never has any suffered like we do!" Was it not worse with Lazarus, who was so full of sores that the dogs took pity on him—and licked his sores! Nay, was it not worse with Christ, who lived poor—and died cursed! It is in kindness that God deals not so severely with us, as with others.
Sometimes affliction is preventive. God, by His afflictive stroke—would prevent some sin. Paul’s "thorn in the flesh" was to prevent his being lifted up in pride. Affliction is sometimes sent for the punishing of sin, at other times for the prevention of sin.
Prosperity exposes to much evil. It is hard to carry a full cup without spilling—and a full estate without sinning. God’s people know not how much they are indebted to their afflictions. They might have fallen into some scandalous sin—had not God set a hedge of thorns in their way to stop them. What kindness is this! God lets us fall into sufferings—to prevent falling into sinful snares!
God by affliction, would prevent damnation! We are corrected in the world, "that we should not be condemned with the world." 1 Corinthians 11:32.
A man, by falling into briers, is saved from falling into the river. Just so, God lets us fall into the briers of affliction, that we may not be drowned in perdition! It is a great favor when a less punishment is inflicted, to prevent a greater punishment. Is it not mercy in the judge, when he lays some light penalty on the prisoner, and saves his life? So it is, when God lays upon us light affliction, and saves us from wrath to come.
As Pilate said, "I will punish him—and let him go." Just so, God punishes his children and lets them go, frees them from eternal torment. What is the drop
of sorrow which the godly taste—compared to that sea of wrath the wicked shall be drinking to all eternity? Oh! what kindness is here!
Say then, "Lord, do as it seems good in your sight—may Your will be done."
"Man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward." Job 5:7
Troubles arise like sparks out of a furnace.
The present state of life is subject to afflictions. Man comes into the world with a cry—and goes out with a groan!
Afflictions are some of the thorns which the earth brings forth. We may as well think to stop the sun in its swift motion—as put a stop to troubles. The consideration of a life exposed to troubles and sufferings, should make us say with patience,"May Your will be done."
It is vain to quarrel with instruments. Wicked men are but a rod in God’s hand! "O Assyria, the rod of My anger." Isaiah 10:5. Whoever brings an affliction—God sends it! The consideration of this should make us say, "May Your will be done." What God does, He sees a reason for. This believed, would rock the heart quiet. Shall we mutiny at that which God does? We may as well quarrel with God’s works of creation—as with God’s works of providence.
Consider that there is a necessity for affliction. "If need be, you are in heaviness." 1 Peter 1:6. It is needful that some things are kept in brine.
Afflictions are needful to keep us humble. Often there is no other way to have the heart low—but by being brought low. When Manasseh "was in affliction, he
humbled himself greatly." 2 Chronicles 33:12. Corrections are
"Whatever a man sows, he will also reap." Galatians 6:7
We have brought our troubles upon ourselves; we have put a rod into God’s hand to chastise us.
Christian, God lays your afflictive cross on you—but it is of your own making. If you reap a bitter crop of affliction—it is what you yourself have sown. The cords which pinch you, are of your own twisting.
If children will eat green fruit—they may blame themselves if they are sick. Just so, if we eat the forbidden fruit—no wonder that we feel it gripe.
Sin is
no cause to complain of God; it is nothing but what our sins have merited. "Have not you procured this unto yourself?" Jeremiah 2:17. The afflictive cross, though it be of God’s laying—is of our making. Say, then, as Micah (Micah 7:9), "I will bear the indignation of the Lord, because I have sinned against Him."
"May Your will be done." Matthew 6:10
We pray that we may do God’s will actively, subscribe to all His commands, and lead holy lives. This is the sum of all true religion. The knowledge of God’s will is not enough, without doing it. If one had a system of divinity in his head; if he had "all knowledge," yet, if obedience were lacking, his knowledge were lame, and would not carry him to heaven. Knowing God’s will may make a man admired—but it is doing it, which makes him blessed! Knowing God’s will without doing it—will not crown us with eternal happiness.
Knowing without doing God’s will—will make the case worse.
The Word of God is not only a rule of what we are to believe—but what we are to practice.
To be employed in doing God’s will, is the highest honor that a mortal creature is capable of. Obedience to Christ’s precepts do not burden us—but adorn us!
"They weary themselves to commit iniquity." Jeremiah 9:5
Sinners hire themselves out in the devil’s service. What pains some men take to satisfy their unclean lusts! They waste their estates, wear the shameful marks of their sin about them, and visit the harlot’s house, though it stands the next door to hell. "Her house is the way to hell." Proverbs 7:27. The devil blows the horn and men run speedily to hell—as if
Do the ungodly take all these pains for hell—and shall not we take pains for the kingdom of heaven? Oh, let it never be said, that the ungodly serve the devil better—who rewards them only with fire and brimstone; than we serve God—who rewards us with a glorious kingdom!
"Making the most of your time time." Ephesians 5:16
Time spent unprofitably is not time lived—but time lost. Those who have misspent their golden hours, they have not only been slothful servants—but wasteful servants.
"Warn those who are idle." 1 Thessalonians 5:14
The devil himself cannot be charged with idleness. He "walks about." 1 Peter 5:8.
An idle person is a cipher in the world; and God writes down no ciphers in the book of life! Heaven is
"I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives." Ecclesiastes 9:11
We cannot make sure of life. When we breathe out—we don’t know whether we shall ever breathe in again! How many are taken away suddenly! "Why, you do
not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes away!" James 4:14
We cannot make sure of riches. It is uncertain whether we shall ever get them. The world is like a
"Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God." 1 Timothy 6:17
zeal and earnestness for the kingdom—which will sweeten heaven.
It will add to the joy of heaven, for a Christian to ponder, "Such a day I spent in examining my heart. Such a day I was weeping for sin.
"What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes away!" James 4:14
Time passes on apace! Our time is very short and uncertain. It will not be long, "before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken." Ecclesiastes 12:6. The skull wherein the brains are enclosed, is
Our soul is in the body, as the bird in the shell, which soon breaks—and the bird flies out. The shell of the body is soon broken—and the soul flies into eternity! We know not whether we shall live another day. Before we hear another sermon-bell ring, our death-bell may ring. Our life runs as a swift stream—into the ocean of eternity!
Brethren, if our time is so short and transient; if the candle of life is so soon consumed, or perhaps blown out by an unexpected death—how should we use all our strength, that we may obtain the kingdom of glory! If time is so short, why do we waste it on trivial things—and neglect the "one thing needful"? A man who has a great work to be done, and but one day for doing it, needs to work hard. We have a great work to do, we are striving for a kingdom, and alas! we are not certain of one day to work in!
"Seek first the kingdom of God." Matthew 6:33
First in time—before all things; and first in affection—above all things.
The great purpose for which God sent us into the world, is to prepare for this heavenly kingdom.
Great care is taken for securing worldly things. To see people laboring for the earth,
It is wisdom to remember our great purpose in life. It will be but sad upon a death-bed, for a man to find he has busied himself about trifles, played with a feather, and neglected the main thing he came into the world for.
"Be faithful unto death—and I will give you a crown of life." Revelation 2:10
"It is the one who has endured to the end, who will be saved." Matthew 10:22
Is there such a thing as persevering until we come to heaven? That anyone endures to the kingdom of heaven, is a wonder, if you consider:
(1) What a great mass of sin and corruption is mingled with grace. Grace is apt to be stifled, as the coal to be choked with its own ashes. Like a spark in the sea, it is a wonder that grace is not quenched.
(2) The implacable malice of Satan. He envies that we should have the kingdom of heaven, when he himself is cast out. It cuts him to the heart, to see a piece of dust and clay made a bright star in glory—and he himself a demon of darkness! He will work with all the powers of hell—to hinder us from the kingdom! Satan spits his venom, shoots his fiery darts, raises a storm of persecution; yes, and prevails against some.
(3) The blandishments of riches. The young man in the gospel went very far—but he had rich possessions, and these golden weights hindered him from the kingdom. Luke 18:23. Jonathan pursued the battle until he came to the honeycomb, and then he stood still. 1 Samuel 14:27. Many are forward for heaven, until they taste the sweetness of the world; but when they come to the honeycomb, they stand still, and go no further. "The gain of money is the ruin of the soul!" Those who have escaped the rocks of gross sins—have been wrecked upon the golden sands!
(4) It is a wonder that any hold out in grace, and do not tire in their march to heaven, if you consider the difficulty of the Christian’s work. He has no time to waste.
(5) To this I might add, the evil examples all around us, which are so attractive, that we may say that the devils have come among us in the likeness of men!
What a wonder is it that any soul perseveres until he comes to the kingdom of heaven! But great as the wonder is, there is such a thing as perseverance.
"They sing with tambourine and harp. They make merry to the sound of the flute." Job 21:12
If you would not miss the heavenly kingdom, take heed of the delights and pleasures of the flesh. Soft pleasures harden the heart. Many people cannot endure a serious thought—but are for comedies and romances; they play away their salvation. "Men are caught by pleasure, as fish by the hook." Pleasure is
The pleasures of the world, keep many from the pleasures of paradise! Many while hunting after the sweet pleasures of the world, lose the kingdom of heaven. "It is one of the worst sights—to see a sinner go laughing to hell."
"The wicked shall be turned into hell!" Psalms 9:17
He who leaps short of the bank—falls into the river; such as come short of heaven—fall into the river of fire and brimstone!
"Who knows the power of Your anger?" Psalms 90:11
What will it be to have mountains of God’s wrath thrown upon the soul? When the bitter vials of God’s wrath are poured out, damnation follows. Dives cries out, "I am tormented in this flame." Luke 16:24. In hell there is not a drop of
mercy. In hell there is no oil of mercy to assuage the sufferings of the damned, nor anything to appease God’s wrath. How dreadful is that!
"I desire to depart—and be with Christ." Php 1:23
There is a speedy passage from death to glory; no sooner is the soul of a believer divorced from the body—but it immediately goes to Christ! The saints
shall enter upon the kingdom of glory, immediately after death. Before their bodies are buried—their souls shall be crowned. "Absent from the body—present with the Lord." Quick as a wink—and they shall see God. It will not only be a blessed change to a believer—from a desert to a paradise, from a bloody battle to a victorious crown—but a sudden change. No sooner did Lazarus die—but he had a convoy of angels to conduct his soul to the kingdom of glory. You who now are full of bodily diseases, with scarcely a pain-free day, saying, "My life is spent with grief!" (Psalms 31:10); be of good comfort, you may be eternally happy before you are aware! Before another week or month is over—you may be in the kingdom of glory, and then all tears shall be wiped away! "I assure you:
"Enter into the joy of your Lord." Matthew 25:23
This kingdom of heaven exceeds all earthly kingdoms in joy and pleasure, and is therefore called paradise. For delight, there are all things to cause pleasure; there is the water of life clear as crystal; there is the honeycomb of God’s love dropping.
Separation from sin shall be complete—and then joy follows. There can be no more sorrow in heaven—than there is joy in hell.
God gives the saints a taste of joy here; but the fullness of joy is kept until they come to heaven. Not only the physical parts, the outward senses, the eye, ear, taste; but the heart of a glorified saint shall be filled with joy. The understanding, will, and affections—are such a triangle as none can fill, but the Trinity. There must needs be infinite joy—where nothing is seen but beauty; where nothing is tasted but love!
"You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with
The kingdom of heaven excels in unity. All the inhabitants agree together in love. Love will be the perfume and music of heaven. As love to God will be intense—so to the saints. As perfect love casts out fear—so it casts out envy and discord. Those Christians who could not live quietly together on earth (which was the blemish of their profession) in heaven shall be all love! The fire of strife shall cease! There shall be no vilifying, or censuring one another, or raking into one another’s sores—but all shall be tied together with the heart-strings of love.
The glories of heaven are constantly exhilarating and refreshing. There is fullness—but no excess.
Worldly comforts, though sweet—yet grow stale in time. A down-bed pleases a while—but soon we are weary and must rise.
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." Revelation 21:4
The glories of heaven are pure and unmixed. The streams of paradise are not muddied. All are clear—all are delightful. Heaven’s gold has no alloy.
from the comb. There, the rose of Sharon grows without thorns. There is—
ease without pain, honor without disgrace, life without death.
The glory of heaven, is that it is satisfying. "With You is the fountain of life." Psalms 36:9. How can they not be satisfied—who are at the fountainhead? "When I awake, I shall be satisfied with Your likeness," that is, when I awake in the
morning of the resurrection, having some of the beams of Your glory shining in me—I shall be satisfied. Psalms 17:15.
The creature says, concerning satisfaction, "It is not in me." Job 28:14.
Heaven’s glory alone, is commensurate to the vast desires of an immortal soul. A Christian bathing in these rivers of pleasures, cries out in divine ecstasy, "I have enough!" The soul is never satisfied until it has God for its portion, and heaven for its haven. Dissatisfaction arises from some defect. But God is an infinite good, and there can be no defect in that which is infinite.
The kingdom of heaven implies a glorious fruition of all good. Had I as many tongues as hairs on my head, I could not fully describe this. It is a place where there is no lack of anything. It is called "the excellent glory." 2 Peter 1:17. I might as well measure the skies, or drain the ocean—as set forth the glory of this kingdom. The kingdom of heaven is above all hyperbole. Were the sun ten thousand times brighter than it is, it could not parallel the luster of this kingdom. I can but give you the shadowings of it. Do not expect to see it in all its orient colors—until you are mounted above the stars!
We shall have an immediate communion with God Himself, who is the inexhaustible sea of all happiness. This, divines call "the beatific vision." The psalmist triumphed in the enjoyment he had of God in this life. "Whom have I in heaven but You?" Psalms 73:25. If God, enjoyed by faith, gives so much comfort to the soul—how much more when He is enjoyed by immediate vision! Here we see God darkly; but in the kingdom of heaven we shall see Him "face to face." 1 Corinthians 13:12.
To see and enjoy God will be
All the beauty and sweetness which lies scattered in the creature—is infinitely to be found in God. To see and enjoy Him, therefore, will ravish the soul with delight! We shall have this sweet communion with Him—He shall be "all in all;" light to the eye, manna to the taste, and music to the ear. 1 Corinthians 15:28.
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In this life we are subject to troubles and fluctuations. We are like a ship on the sea having the waves beating on both sides; but in the kingdom of heaven there is rest. Hebrews 4:9. How welcome is rest to a weary traveler! When death cuts asunder the string of the body—the soul, as a dove, flies away, and is at rest! This rest is when the saints shall lie on Christ’s bosom—that hive of sweetness, that bed of perfume.
In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from the vanity and dissatisfaction of the creature. Take things most pleasing and from which we promise ourselves most contentment, still, of the spirit and essence of them all—we shall say, "Behold, all was vanity!" Ecclesiastes 2:11.
God never did, nor ever will—put a satisfying virtue into any creature. In the sweetest music the world makes, either some string is lacking, or out of tune. But in the kingdom of heaven, we shall be freed from these dissatisfactions.
of heaven, you may enter. "Enter into the joy of your Lord." The soul shall be satisfied while it bathes in those rivers of pleasure at God’s right hand. "I will
be fully satisfied, for I will see You face to face!" Psalms 17:15
In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from all society with the wicked. Here we are sometimes forced to be in their company. "Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar." Psalms 120:5. Kedar was Ishmael’s son, whose children dwelt in Arabia; they were a profane, barbarous people.
Here the wicked are still raising persecutions against the godly, and crucifying their ears with their oaths and curses.
As Moses said, "Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord! For the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you shall never see them again forever!" So will God say, "Stand still, and see the salvation of God; these your enemies, that vex and molest you, you shall never see them again forever!" Exodus 14:13. At that day, God will separate the precious from the vile; Christ will thoroughly purge his threshing floor; he will gather the wheat into the garner; and the wicked, which are the chaff—shall be blown into hell!
We may know that the kingdom of grace is set up in our hearts, by having a metamorphosis or change wrought in the soul—which is called the "new creation." The faculties are not new—but there is a new nature.
light in the mind,
order in the affections,
pliableness in the will,
tenderness in the conscience.
Those who can find no such change of heart, and are the same as they were—as vain, as earthly, as unclean as ever—have no evidence of God’s kingdom of grace in them.
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The best of saints have
The Lord is pleased to let the in-dwelling of sin continue—to humble His people, and make them prize Christ more. Because you find corruptions stirring, do not therefore presently unsaint yourselves, and deny the kingdom of grace to be come into your souls. That you feel sin—is an evidence of spiritual life; that you mourn for sin—is a fruit of love to God; that you have a combat with sin—argues antipathy against it. Those sins which you once wore as a crown on your head, are now as fetters on the leg. Is not all this from the Spirit of grace in you? Sin is in you, as poison in the body, which you are sick of, and use all
Scripture antidotes to expel.
It is a sign that the kingdom of grace has come into the heart, when it reigns there by universal obedience. Hypocrites would have Christ to be their Savior—but
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Many have begun some reformation, therefore now they surely think that the kingdom of grace has come into their hearts! But a man may leave his oaths and drunkenness—and still be in love with sin. He may leave his sin—out of fear of hell, or because it brings shame and poverty—but still his heart goes after it,
"They set their heart on their iniquity" (Hosea 4:8); as Lot’s wife left Sodom—but still her heart was in Sodom.
another, yet still he has a hankering love to her.
It may be a partial reformation. He may leave off one sin and live in another. He may refrain from drunkenness, and live in covetousness. He may refrain from swearing, and live in the sin of slandering. One devil may be cast out—and another as bad may come in its place!
A man may forsake gross sins—but have no reluctance against heart sins—such as proud, lustful thoughts. Though he dams up the stream, he lets the fountain alone!
"For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness, and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." Colossians 1:13-14 Every natural man, is in the kingdom of darkness.
(1) He is under the darkness of ignorance. "Having the understanding darkened." Ephesians 4:18. Ignorance is a black veil drawn over the mind. Men by nature may have a deep understanding in the things of the world—and yet be
ignorant of the things of God. Nahash the Ammonite would make a covenant with Israel to thrust out their right eyes. 1 Samuel 11:2. Since the fall, only our left eye remains—that is—a deep insight into worldly matters. But our right eye is thrust out—we have no saving knowledge of God. Some things we know by nature; but nothing as we ought to know. 1 Corinthians 8:2. Ignorance draws the curtains round about the soul. 1 Corinthians 2:14.
2. Natural man is under the darkness of pollution. Hence sinful actions are called "works of darkness." Romans 13:12. Pride and lust darken the glory of the soul. A sinner’s heart is a dark conclave—which looks blacker than hell.
(3) A natural man is under the darkness of misery; he is exposed to divine vengeance; and the sadness of this darkness is, that men are not sensible of it. They are blind—yet they think they see! The darkness of Egypt was such thick darkness as "might be felt." Exodus 10:21. Men by nature are in thick darkness. But here is the misery—the darkness cannot be felt! They will not believe they are in the dark—until they are past recovery!
See what the state of nature is—a "kingdom of darkness," and it is a bewitching darkness. "Men loved darkness rather than light." John 3:19. Darkness of sin leads to "eternal chains in darkness." Jude 1:6. What comfort can such take in earthly things? The Egyptians might have food, gold, silver; but they could take but little comfort in them, while they were in such darkness as might be felt. Just so, the natural man may have riches and friends to delight in—yet he is in the kingdom of darkness, and how dead are all these comforts!
You who are in the kingdom of darkness, do not know where you are going. As the ox is driven to the shambles—but knows not where he is going; so the devil is driving you before him to hell—but
Be sensible of your dark, damned estate—that you have not one spark of fire to give you light! Go to Christ to enlighten you! "Christ shall give you light;" He will not only bring your light to you—but open your eyes to see it. Ephesians 5:14.
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A twofold kingdom is meant.
(1) The kingdom of
(2) We pray also, that the kingdom of
These two kingdoms of grace and glory, differ not in nature—but in degree only.
The kingdom of grace is nothing but the beginning of the kingdom of glory.
The kingdom of grace—is glory in the seed; the kingdom of glory—is grace in the flower.
The kingdom of grace—is glory in the daybreak, and the kingdom of glory—is grace in the full meridian.
The kingdom of grace—is glory militant, and the kingdom of glory—is grace triumphant. There is such an inseparable connection between these two kingdoms, grace and glory, that there is no passing into the one but by the other.
At Athens there were two temples, a temple of virtue and a temple of honor; and there was no going into the temple of honor—but through the temple of virtue.
Just so, the kingdoms of grace and glory are so closely joined together, that we cannot go into the kingdom of glory—but through the kingdom of grace. Many people aspire after the kingdom of glory—but never look after grace; but these two, which God has joined together, may not be put asunder.
The kingdom of grace leads to the kingdom of glory!
"Hallowed be Your name." Matthew 6:9
Men in this age sin at that rate, as if either they did not believe there were a hell, or as if they feared hell would be full before they could get there! "We live in the dregs of time," wherein the common sewer of wickedness runs. Physicians call it cachexia, when there is no part of the body free from distemper. England has such a disease. "The whole head is sick, the whole heart is faint." Isaiah 1:5. As black vapors rising out of the earth cloud and darken the sun, so the sins of people in our age, like hellish vapors—cast a cloud upon God’s glorious name. O that our eyes were rivers of water of holy tears, to see how God’s name, instead of being hallowed, is polluted and profaned! May we
not justly fear some heavy judgments on this account?
Can God put up with our affronts any longer? Can He endure to have His name reproached? Will a king allow his crown-jewels to be trampled in the dust? Do we not see the symptoms of God’s anger? Do we not see His judgments hovering over us? Surely God is whetting His sword,
and is preparing his arrows to shoot!
To show how base the wicked are in God’s esteem, He compares them to things most vile—to chaff (Psalms 1:4); to dross (Psalms 119:119); to the filth that foams out of the sea (Isaiah 57:20). As God vilely esteems such as do not hallow His name, so He sends them to a vile place at last! Vagrants are sent to the house of correction; and hell is the house of correction to which the wicked are sent when they die!
"Our Father in heaven." Matthew 6:9
"Those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing." Psalms 34:10.
God is sometimes pleased to keep His children on hard fare—but it is good for them. As sheep thrive best on short pasture—so God sees that too much may not be good for His people; plenty might breed surfeit. God sees it good sometimes, to diet His children, and keep them light—that they may run the heavenly race the better.
God’s children sometimes see the world’s emptiness, that they may acquaint themselves more with Christ’s fullness. If God sees it to be good for them to have more of the world—they shall have it! He will not let them lack any really good thing.
"The Lord is my shepherd;
"I will correct you, in measure." Jeremiah 30:11
This He will do two ways. It shall be in measure—for the kind. He will not lay upon us more than we are able to bear. 1 Corinthians 10:13. He knows our frame. Psalms 103:14. He knows we are not steel or marble, therefore will deal gently—He will not over-afflict. As the wise physician, who knows the temper of the body, will not give too strong a medicine for the body, nor give one grain too much; so God, who is not only the great Physician—but has the affections of a loving father, will not lay too heavy burdens on His children.
God will correct in measure—for duration; He will not let the affliction lie too long. "I will not contend forever." Isaiah 57:16. Our heavenly Father will love forever—but He will not contend forever. The torments of the damned are forever. "The smoke of their torment ascends up forever and ever." Revelation 14:11. The wicked shall drink a sea of wrath; but God’s children only taste of
"Our Father in heaven." Matthew 6:9
Since God is our Father—He will take notice of the least good He sees in His children. If there is but a sigh for sin—He hears it. "My groaning is not hidden
from You." Psalms 38:9. If there is but a penitential tear which comes out of the eye—He sees it. "I have seen your tears." Isaiah 38:5. If there is but a good intention, He takes notice of it. "Since it was your desire to build a temple for My name, you have done well to have this desire." 1 Kings 8:18.
God takes notice of the least spark of grace in His children. "Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord." 1 Peter 3:6. The Holy Spirit does not mention Sara’s
unbelief, or laughing at the promise.
More—that good which the saints scarcely take notice of in themselves, God in a special manner observes. "I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink. Then the righteous will answer Him—Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink?" Matthew 25:35, Matthew 25:37. They as it were, overlooked and disclaimed their own works of charity! But Christ takes notice of them, "I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat."
What comfort is this! God spies the least good in His children! He can see a grain of corn, hidden under much chaff. He can see a little grace, hidden under much corruption!
Those duties which we ourselves censure—He will crown. When a child of God looks over his best duties, he sees so much sin cleaving to them—that he is confounded. "Lord," he says, "there is more sulphur than incense, in my prayers." But for your comfort, if God is your Father, He will crown those duties which you yourselves censure. He sees there is sincerity in the hearts of His children. Though there may be many defects in the services of His children, He will not cast away their offering.
An earthly father kindly receives a letter from his young child—though there are blots and bad spelling in it. What blottings are there in our holy things! Yet our Father in heaven accepts them. "It is my child!" God says, "I will look upon him, through Christ—with a merciful eye!"
"How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
See the amazing goodness of God, that He is pleased to enter into the sweet relation of a Father to us. He had no need not to adopt us. He did not need a son; but we needed a Father!
He showed His power in being our Maker; He showed His mercy in being our Father!
When we were enemies, and our hearts stood out as garrisons against God—He conquered our stubbornness, and made us His children! He wrote His name, and put His image upon us—and bestowed a kingdom of glory on us! What a miracle of mercy is this!
See the deplorable case of the wicked! They cannot say, "Our Father in heaven." They may say, "Our Judge," but not "Our Father." They fetch their pedigree from hell—"You are of your father—the devil." John 8:44. Such as are unclean and worldly—are the vile brood of the old serpent—and it would be blasphemy for them to call God their Father! God is not their Father! He disclaims all kindred with them. The wicked, dying in their sins, can expect no mercy from God! "I never knew you! Depart from Me—you who work iniquity." Matthew 7:23.
But will God be a Father to me—who has been such a great sinner?
If you will now at last seek God by prayer, and break off your sins—He has the affections of a Father for you, and will never cast you out! When the prodigal arose and went to his father, "his father had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck, and kissed him!" Though you have been a prodigal, and spent all upon your lusts—yet if you will give a bill of divorce to your sins, and flee to God by repentance, know that He has the affections of a Father! He will embrace you in the arms of His mercy, and seal your pardon with a kiss!
What though your sins have been heinous? Your wound is not so broad—as the plaster of Christ’s blood! The sea covers great rocks. Just so, the sea of God’s compassion can drown your great sins! Therefore be not discouraged! Go to God—resolve to cast yourself upon his Fatherly compassion! "No matter how deep the stain of your sins, I can remove it. I can make you as clean as freshly fallen snow. Even if you are stained as red as crimson, I can make you as white as wool!" Isaiah 1:18
"Our Father, who is in heaven" Matthew 6:9
All cannot say, "Our Father." The Jews boasted that God was their Father. "We have one Father, even God." John 8:41. Christ tells them their true pedigree, "You are of your father—the devil!" They should have said, "
How may we know, that God is our Father?
We know God is our Father, by having the leading of the Spirit. "As many as are led by the Spirit of God—they are the sons of God." Romans 8:14.
God’s Spirit does not only quicken us in regeneration; but leads us on until we come to the end of our faith. As the Israelites had the cloud and pillar of fire to go before them, and be a guide to them—so God’s Spirit is a guide to go before us—and lead us into all truth—and counsel us in all our doubts—and influence us in all our actions. None can call God their Father, but such as have the leading of the Spirit. Such as are led by a spirit of envy, lust, and avarice—are not led by the Spirit of God! It would be blasphemy for them to call God their Father! They are led by the spirit of Satan, and may say, "Our father, who is in hell!
Resembling Him
"Our Father, who is in heaven" Matthew 6:9
How may we know, that God is our Father?
By having a childlike disposition, which is seen in
Wicked men desire to be like God hereafter in glory—but do not want to be like Him here in grace. They say that God is their Father—yet have nothing of God to be seen in them. They are not only without His image, but hate it.