IV. We pray that the kingdom of grace may increase, that it may come more into us: and this may answer a question.
Why do we pray, "Your kingdom come," when the kingdom of grace is already come into the soul?
Though the kingdom of grace be already come into us—yet still we must pray, "Your kingdom come," that grace may be increased, and that this kingdom may flourish still more in our souls. Until we come to live among the angels—we shall need to pray this prayer, "Your kingdom come." "Lord, let your kingdom of grace come in more power into my soul; let grace be more augmented and increased."
Question: When does the kingdom of grace increase in the soul? When is it a flourishing kingdom?
1. When a Christian has further degrees of grace—there is more oil in the lamp—his knowledge is clear, his love is more inflamed. Grace is capable of degrees, and may rise higher, as the sun in the horizon. It is not with us as it was with Christ, who received the Spirit without measure. John 3:34. He could not be more holy than he was; but our grace is capable of further degrees; we may have more sanctity, we may add more inches to our spiritual stature.
2. The kingdom of grace increases when a Christian has got more strength than he had. "He who has clean hands, shall be stronger and stronger." Job 17:9. "He shall add to his strength." A Christian has strength to resist temptation, to forgive his enemies, to suffer affliction. It is not easy to suffer; a man must deny himself, before he can take up the cross. The way to heaven is like the way which Jonathan and his armor bearer had in climbing up a steep place. "There was a sharp rock on the one side, and a sharp rock on the other." 1 Samuel 14:4. It requires much strength to climb up this rocky way. That grace which will carry us through prosperity, will not carry us through sufferings. The ship needs stronger tackling to carry it through a storm, than a calm. Now, when we are so strong in grace, that we can bear up under affliction without murmuring or fainting, the kingdom of grace is increased. What mighty strength of grace had he, who told the emperor Valentinian, "You may take away my life—but you cannot take away my love to the truth!"
3. The kingdom of grace increases when a Christian has most conflict with spiritual corruptions; when he not only abstains from gross evils—but has a combat with inward, hidden, heart corruptions; such as pride, envy, hypocrisy, vain thoughts, carnal confidence, which are spiritual wickedness, and both defile and disturb. "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit." 2 Corinthians 7:1. There are two sorts of corruptions, one of the flesh, the other of the spirit. When we grieve for and combat with spiritual sin, which is the root of all gross sins, then the kingdom of grace increases, and spreads its territories in the soul.
4. The kingdom of grace flourishes when a Christian has learned to live by FAITH. "I live by faith in the Son of God." Galatians 2:20. There is the habit of faith, and the drawing of this habit into exercise. For a Christian to graft his hope of salvation, only upon the stock of Christ’s righteousness, and make Christ all in justification; to live on the promises, as a bee on the flower, and suck out the sweetness of them; to trust in God’s heart—where we cannot trace his hand; to believe his love through a frown; to persuade ourselves, when he has the face of an enemy, that he has the heart of a Father—when we are arrived at this, the kingdom of grace is flourishing in our souls.
5. It flourishes when a Christian is full of holy ZEAL. Numb 25:13. Phinehas was zealous for his God. Zeal is the flame of the affections, it turns a saint into a seraphim. A zealous Christian is impatient when God is dishonored. Revelation 2:2. He will wrestle with difficulties, he will swim to Christ through a sea of blood. Acts 21:13. Zeal loves truth when it is despised and opposed. "They have made void your law, therefore I love your commandments." Psalms 119:126-127. Zeal resembles the Holy Spirit. "There appeared cloven tongues like as of fire, which sat upon each of them." Acts 2:3. Tongues of fire were an emblem of that fire of zeal which the Spirit poured on them.
6. The kingdom of grace increases when a Christian is as diligent in his particular calling, as he is devout in his general calling. He is the wise Christian, who carries things equally; who so lives by faith—that he lives in a calling. Therefore it is worthy of notice, that when the apostle had exhorted the Thessalonians to increase in grace, he presently adds, "And that you mind your own business, and work with your own hands." 1 Thessalonians 4:10-11. It is a sign grace is increasing, when Christians go cheerfully about their secular calling.
Indeed, to be all the day in the mount with God, and to have the mind fixed on glory, is more sweet to a man’s self, and is a heaven upon earth; but to be conversant in our callings, is more profitable to others. Paul says, "To be with Christ is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you." Php 1:23-24. So, to converse with God in prayer and sweet meditation all the week long, is more for the comfort of a man’s own person; but to be sometimes employed in the business of a calling, is more profitable for the family to which he belongs. It is not good to be as the lilies, which toil not, neither do they spin. It shows the increase of grace, when a Christian keeps a due decorum. He joins piety and industry; when zeal runs forth in piety, and diligence is put forth in a calling.
7. The kingdom of grace increases when a Christian is established in the belief and love of the TRUTH. The heart by nature is as a ship without ballast, which wavers and fluctuates. Beza writes of one Bolezius, that his religion changed as the moon. Such as are wandering stars will be falling stars; but when a soul is built on the rock Christ, and no winds of temptation can blow it away, the kingdom of grace flourishes. One calls Athanasius, an invincible adamant, in respect of his stability in the truth. "Rooted and built up in him." Colossians 2:7. The rooting of a tree evidences growth.
8. The kingdom of grace increases in a man’s own heart when he labors to be instrumental to set up this kingdom in others. Though it is the greatest benefit to have grace wrought in ourselves, it is the greatest honor to be instrumental to work it in others. "Of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ is formed in you." Galatians 4:19. Such as are masters of a family should endeavor to see the kingdom of grace set up in their servants; such as are godly parents should not let God alone by prayer—until they see grace in their children. What a comfort to be both the natural and spiritual fathers of your children! Augustine says his mother Monica travailed with greater care and pain for his new birth, than his natural birth. It shows the increase of grace when we labor to see the kingdom of grace set up in others. As water abounds in the river, when it overflows and runs into the meadows, so grace increases in the soul when it has influence upon others, and we seek their salvation.
Question: What need is there that the kingdom of grace should be increased?
God’s design in keeping up a standing ministry in the church is to increase the kingdom of grace in men’s hearts. "He gave gifts unto men;" that is, ministerial gifts. Why so? "For the edifying of the body of Christ." Ephesians 4:8; Ephesians 4:12. Not only for conversion—but for edification; therefore the Word preached is compared not only to seed—but to milk; because God designs our growth in grace.
We need have the kingdom of grace increase, as we have a great deal of work to do, and a little grace will hardly carry us through. A Christian’s life is laborious: there are many temptations to resist, many promises to believe, many precepts to obey, so that it will require a great deal of grace. A Christian must not only pray—but "be zealous, and repent" (Revelation 3:19); not only love—but be sick with love. Song of Solomon 2:5. What need, therefore, to have the kingdom of grace enlarged in his soul? As his work increases upon him, so his grace need increase.
If the kingdom of grace does not increase, it will decay. "You have left your first love." Revelation 2:4. Grace, for lack of increasing, is sometimes like a winter plant, in which all the sap runs to the root, and it looks as if it were dead. "Strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die." Revelation 3:2. Though true grace cannot expire, it may wither; and a withering Christian loses much of his beauty and fragrance. What great need have we to pray, "Your kingdom come," that this kingdom of grace may be increased! If grace be not improved, it will soon be impaired. A Christian, for lack of increasing his grace, loses his strength; he is like a sick man who cannot either walk or work; his prayers are sick and weak; he is as if he had no life in him; his faith can hardly fetch breath, and you can scarcely feel the pulse of his love to beat. To have grace increasing, is suitable to Christianity. Christians are called trees of righteousness. Isaiah 61:3. The saints are not only jewels for sparkling luster—but trees for growth. They are called the lights of the world. Php 2:15. Light is still increasing. First there is the daybreak, and so it shines brighter, to the full meridian. Those who are the lights of the world must increase until they come to the meridian of glory. Not to grow is suspicious; painted things do not grow. As the kingdom of grace increases, so a Christian’s comforts increase. Comfort belongs to the well-being of a Christian; like sweetfood, it is delicious to the taste. Psalms 94:19. The more grace, the more joy; as the more sap in the root, the more wine in the grape. Who more increased in grace than David? And who more in consolation? "You have put gladness in my heart." Psalms 4:7. Grace turns to joy, as milk to cream.
How may they be comforted who bewail their lack of growth, and weep that they cannot find the kingdom of grace to increase? To see and bewail our decay in grace, argues not only the life of grace—but growth in grace. It is a sign that a man recovers and gets strength—when he feels his weakness. It is a step forward in grace to see our imperfections. The more the Spirit shines in the heart, the more evil he unveils. A Christian thinks it worse with him than it was, whereas his grace may not grow less—but his light greater.
If a Christian does not increase in one grace, he may in another; if not in knowledge he may in humility. If a tree does not grow so much in the branches, it may grow in the root: and to grow downwards in the root, is good growth. A Christian may grow less in affection when he grows more in judgement. As the fingers of a musician, when he is old, are stiff, and not so nimble at the lute as they were—but he plays with more art and judgement than before. Just so, a Christian may not have so much affection in duty as at the first conversion—but he is more solid in religion, and more settled in his judgement than he was before. A Christian may think he does not increase in grace because he does not increase in gifts; whereas there may be a decay of natural parts, the memory and other faculties, when there is not a decay of grace. Gifts may be impaired, when grace is improved. Be not discouraged, it is better to decay in gifts, and be enlarged in grace, than to be enlarged in gifts, and to decay in grace. A Christian may increase in grace, and not be sensible of it. As seed may grow in the earth, when we do not perceive it to spring up, so grace may grow in time of desertion, and not be perceived.
V. We pray that the kingdom of GLORY may hasten, and that God would in his due time translate us into it. Under this we have now to consider—
[1] What this kingdom of glory is?
[2] What are the properties of it?
[3] Wherein it exceeds all other kingdoms?
[4] When this kingdom comes?
[5] Wherein appears the certainty of it?
[6] Why we should pray for its coming?
[1] What is the kingdom of glory? By this kingdom of glory is meant, that glorious estate which the saints shall enjoy when they shall reign with God and angels forever. If a man stands upon the sea-shore, he cannot see all the dimensions of the sea, its length, breadth, and depth—yet he may see it is of vast extension, so, though the kingdom of heaven is of that incomparable excellence, that neither tongue of man or angels can express—yet we may conceive of it to be an exceeding glorious thing, such as the eye has not seen.
Concerning the kingdom of heaven I shall show what it implies, and what it imports.
First, the kingdom of heaven implies a blessed freedom from all evil.
(1) It implies a freedom from the necessities of nature. We are in this life subject to many necessities; we need food to nourish us, clothes to cover us, armor to defend us, sleep to refresh us. But in the kingdom of heaven there will be no need of these things; and it is better not to need them than to have them; as it is better not to need crutches than to have them. What need will there be of food when our bodies shall be made spiritual? 1 Corinthians 15:44. Though not spiritual for substance—yet for qualities. What need will there be of clothing when our bodies shall be like Christ’s glorious body? What need will there be of armor when there is no enemy? What need will there be of sleep when there is no night? Revelation 22:5. The saints shall be freed, in the heavenly kingdom, from these necessities of nature to which they are now exposed.
(2) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from the imperfections of nature. Since the fall, our knowledge has suffered an eclipse. Our natural knowledge is imperfect; it is chequered with ignorance. There are many hard knots in nature which we cannot easily untie. He who sees clearest, has a mist before his eyes. Socrates said on his death-bed, that there were many things he had yet to learn. Our ignorance is more than our knowledge. Our divine knowledge is imperfect. "We know but in part," said Paul, though he had many revelations, and was enrapt up in the third heaven. 1 Corinthians 13:9. We have but dark conceptions of God. "Can you by searching find out God?" Job 11:7. Our narrow capacities would no more contain God, than a little glass cup would hold all the water in the sea. We cannot unriddle the mystery of the incarnation, the human nature assumed into the person of the Son of God; the human nature not God—yet united with God. We see now in a glass darkly; but in the kingdom of heaven the veil shall be taken off—all imperfection of nature shall be done away. When the sunlight of glory shall begin to shine in the heavenly horizon, all dark shadows of ignorance shall fly away, our lamp of knowledge shall burn brightly, we shall have a full knowledge of God, though we shall not know him fully.
(3) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from the toilsome labors of this life. God enacted a law in paradise, "in the sweat of your face shall you eat bread." Genesis 3:19. There is the labor of the hand in manufacture, and the labor of the mind in study. "All things are full of labor" (Ecclesiastes 1:8); but in the kingdom of heaven we shall be freed from our labors.
There needs no labor when a man has got to the haven, he has no more need of sailing. In heaven there needs no labor, because the saints shall have the glory which they labored for.
There shall be no labor. "They rest from their labors." Revelation 14:13. As when God had finished the work of creation, he rested from his labors; so, when his saints have finished the work of sanctification, they rest from theirs. Where should there be rest—but in the heavenly center? Not that this sweet rest in the kingdom of heaven excludes all motion, for spirits cannot be idle; but the glorified saints shall rest from all wearisome employment. It will be a labor full of ease, a motion full of delight. The saints in heaven shall love God, and what labor is that? Is it any labor to love beauty? They shall praise God, and that surely is delightful. When the bird sings—it is not so much a labor, as a pleasure.
(4) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from original corruption, which is the root of all actual sin. There would be no actual sin if there were no original sin; there would be no water in the stream, if there were none in the fountain. Original sin is incorporated into our nature; it is as if the whole mass of blood were corrupted. Thus, to offend the God whom he loves, makes a Christian weary of his life. What would he give to have his chains taken off, to be rid of vain thoughts? How did Paul, that bird of paradise, bemoan himself for his sins! Romans 7:24. We cannot exercise either our duties or our graces, without sin. The soul that is most refined and purified by grace, is not without some dregs of corruption; but in the kingdom of heaven the fountain of original sin shall be quite dried up. What a blessed time will that be, never to grieve God’s Spirit any more! In heaven are virgin souls; their beauty is not stained with lust. Nothing enters there, which defiles. Revelation 21:27.
(5) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from all sorrows. "There shall be no more sorrow." Revelation 21:4. Our life here is interwoven with trouble. Psalms 31:10. Either losses grieve, or law- suits vex, or unkindness breaks the heart. We may as well separate light from the sun, or weight from lead—as troubles from man’s life. "What is long life—but long torment?" Augustine. But, in the kingdom of heaven, sorrow and sighing shall fly away. Here the saints sit by the rivers weeping—but one smile from Christ’s face will make them forget all their sufferings. Their water shall then be turned into wine, their mourning into singing!
(6) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be beyond the reach of temptation. Satan is not yet fully cast into prison; like a prisoner under bail, he walks about tempting, and laboring, to draw us into sin. He is either laying snares, or shooting darts. The devil stands girded for battle. He laid a train of temptations to blow up the castle of Job’s faith. It is as great a grief to a believer to be followed with temptations to sin, as for a virgin to have her chastity assaulted. But in the kingdom of heaven the saints shall be freed from the red dragon, who is cast out of paradise, and shall be forever locked up in chains! Jude 1:6.
(7) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from all vexing cares. The Greek word for care comes from a word which signifies to cut the heart in pieces. Care tortures the mind, wastes the spirits, and eats out the comfort of life. Care to prevent future dangers, and preserve present comforts—is an evil spirit which haunts us. All care is full of fear, and fear is full of torment. 1 John 4:18. God threatens it as a judgement. "They shall eat their bread with carefulness." Ezekiel 12:19. Every comfort has its care, as every rose has its thorns; but in the kingdom of heaven we shall shake off the viper of care. What needs a glorified saint to take any anxious care—who has all things provided to his hand? There is the tree of life, bearing all sorts of fruit. When the heart shall be freed from sin—the head shall be freed from care.
(8) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from all doubts and scruples. In this life, the best saint has his doubting, as the brightest star has his twinkling. If there were no doubting—there would be no unbelief. Assurance itself does not exclude all doubting. "Your loving kindness is before my eyes." Psalms 26:3. At another time, "Lord, where are your former loving-kindnesses?" Psalms 89:49. A Christian is like a ship at anchor, which, though safe, may sometimes be tossed upon the water. Sometimes a Christian questions his interest in Christ, and his title to the promise. As these doubtings eclipse a Christian’s comfort, so they bear false witness against the Spirit. But, when the saints shall come into the kingdom of heaven, there shall be no more doubting; the Christian shall then say, as Peter, "Now I know of a surety that the Lord has sent his angel and has delivered me." Acts 12:11. Now I know that I am passed from death to life, and I am got beyond all rocks! I have passed the gulf, now I am in my Savior’s embraces forever!
(9) 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. Christ’s lily is among thorns; but in the heavenly kingdom there shall be no more any pricking brier. "The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil." Matthew 13:41. 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!
(10) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from all signs of God’s displeasure. Here he may be angry with his people. Though he has the heart of a father, he may have the look of an enemy; and this is sad. As when the sun is gone, the dew falls; so when the light of God’s face is gone, tears drop from the saints’ eyes. But in the kingdom of heaven, there shall be no spiritual eclipses, there shall never appear any tokens of God’s displeasure; the saints shall have a constant aspect of love from him, they shall never complain any more, "My beloved had withdrawn himself." Song of Solomon 5:6.
(11) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from all divisions. The saddest thing in the world is to see divisions among the godly. It is sad that such as have one faith—should not be of one heart. Ephraim envies Judah, and Judah vexes Ephraim. It is matter of tears, to see those who are united to Christ, divided one from another. The soldier’s spear pierced Christ’s side—but the divisions of saints wound his heart! But in the kingdom of heaven, there shall be no vilifying one another, nor censuring. Those who before could hardly pray together, shall praise God together. There shall not be one jarring string in the saints’ music.
(12) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from vanity and dissatisfaction. What Job says of wisdom, in chapter 28:14; "The depth says, It is not in me; and the sea says, It is not with me;" I may say concerning satisfaction; every creature says, "It is not in me." 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. Who would have thought that Haman, who was so great in the king’s favor, that he "set his seat above all the princes" of the provinces, for lack of the bowing of a knee, would be dissatisfied? Esther 3:1. But in the kingdom of heaven, we shall be freed from these dissatisfactions. The world is like a landscape painting, in which you may see gardens with fruit trees, beautifully drawn—but you cannot enter them; but into the joys 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. "When I awake, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face to face." Psalms 17:15.
(13) In the kingdom of heaven—we shall be freed from the torments of hell. "Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come." 1 Thessalonians 1:10.
1. Consider the multiplicity of those torments. In this life, the body is usually exercised but with one pain, the stone or headache, at one time; but in hell there is a diversity of torments; there is darkness to affright, fire to burn, a lake of sulphur to choke, chains to bind, and the worm to gnaw.
2. The torments of hell will seize upon every part of the body and soul. The eye shall be tortured with the sight of devils, and the tongue that has sworn so many oaths, shall be tortured. "Send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue." Luke 16:24. The memory will be tormented to remember the mercies that have been abused, and seasons of grace neglected. The conscience will be tormented with self-accusations.
3. The pains of hell are unmitigated, with no mixture of mercy. In this life, God in anger remembers mercy. Habakkuk 3:2. But in hell there is no alleviation or lessening of the pains. As in the sacrifice of jealousy, God would have no oil or frankincense put into it, so, in hell, there is no oil of mercy to assuage the sufferings of the damned, no incense of prayer to appease his wrath. Numb 5:15.
4. In the pains of hell there is no intermission. The poets feign of Endymion, that he got permission from Jupiter always to sleep. What would the damned in hell give for one hour’s sleep! "The smoke of their torment rises forever and ever, and they will have no rest day or night." Revelation 14:11. They are perpetually on the rack.
5. There is no expiration in the pains of hell; they must always lie scorching in flames of wrath. But in the heavenly kingdom, the elect shall be freed from all infernal torments. "Jesus delivered us from the wrath to come." A prison is not made for the king’s children. Christ drank that bitter cup of God’s wrath—that the saints might never drink it!
