tion.

QUEST. Why do we pray, thy kingdom come, when the kingdom of grace is already come into the soul?

work grace immediately by his And this may answer a quesSpirit, or by the ministry of angels from heaven, yet he chooseth to work by the word preached; this is the usual mean by which he sets up the kingdom of grace in the heart; and the reason is, because he hath put his divine sanction upon it, he hath appointed it for the means of working grace, and he will honour his own ordinance, 1 Cor. i. 21. What reason could be given why the waters of Damascus should not have a sovereign virtue to heal Naaman's leprosy, as the waters of Jordan? Only this, because God did appoint and sanctify the waters of Jordan to heal, and not the others; therefore let us keep the word 'preached, because the power of God goes along with it.

Ans. Though the kingdom of grace be already come into us, yet still we must pray, 'thy kingdom come,' namely, that grace may be increased, and that this kingdom may flourish still more in our souls. Till we come to live among angels, we shall need to pray this prayer, thy kingdom come ;' Lord, let thy kingdom of grace come in more power into my soul; let grace be more augmented and increased.

QUEST. When doth the kingdom of grace increase in the soul? When is it a flourishing kingdom?

Use 2d. Such as have this Ans. 1. When a Christian hath kingdom of God set up in them, further degrees added to his it calls forth gratulation and grace; there is more oil in the thanksgiving. What will you be lamp, his knowledge is clearer, thankful for, if not for a king- his love is more inflamed; grace dom? Grace is the best blessing, is capable of degrees, and may it is the result and product of rise higher as the sun in the horiGod's electing love; God, in zɔn. It is not with us as it was setting up his kingdom of grace, with Christ, who received the hath done more for you than if he Spirit without measure, John iii. had made you kings and queens; 34. Christ could not be more for now you are born of God, and holy than he was; but our grace of the blood-royal of heaven. O is receptive of further degrees,admire and exalt free grace; we may have more sanctity,- -we "make his praise glorious," Ps. may add more cubits to our spilxvi. 2. The Apostle seldom ritual stature. mentions the work of grace, but he joins praise, Col. i. 12., "Giving thanks to the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light." If God hath crowned you with the kingdom of grace, do you crown him with your praises.

A. 2. Then the kingdom of grace increaseth, when a Christian hath gotten more strength than he had, Job xvii. 9., "He that hath clean hands shall be stronger and stronger." In the Hebrew: "He shall add to his strength." A Christian hath strength to resist temptation,-to II. The second thing in- forgive his enemies,—to suffer tended by our Saviour in this affliction. "Tis not easy to suffer; petition is, that the kingdom a man must deny himself before grace may increase, that he take up the cross.

of

The way

it may come more into us. to heaven is like the way which

Jonathan and his armour-bearer | make Christ all in justification,had in climbing up a steep place, to live on the promises, as a bee 1 Sam. xiv. 4., "There was a on the flower, and suck out the sharp rock on the one side, and a sweetness of them,-to trust God sharp rock on the other." It re- where we cannot trace him,-to quires much strength to climb up believe his love through a frown, this rocky way. That grace -to persuade ourselves, when he which will carry us through pros- hath the face of an enemy, yet perity, will not carry us through he hath the heart of a father,sufferings; the ship needs stronger when we are arrived at this, here tackling to carry it through a is the kingdom of grace flourishstorm than a calin. Now, when ing in our souls. we are so strong in grace that we can bear up under affliction, without murmuring or fainting, here is the kingdom of grace 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!

A. 5. When a Christian is arrived at holy zeal, Numb. xxv. 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 dishonoured, Rev. ii. 2.; he will wrestle with difficulties, he will swim to A. 3. Then the kingdom of Christ through a sea of blood, grace increaseth, when a Chris- Acts xxi. 13. Zeal loves truth tian hath most conflict with spiri- when it is despised and opposed, tual corruptions,-when he not Ps. cxix. 126, 127., “ They have only abstains from gross evils, but made void thy law, therefore I hath a combat with inward, hid- love thy commandments." Here den, close corruptions, as pride, is grace increasing, like the sun envy, hypocrisy, vain thoughts, in the horizon. Zeal resembles carnal confidence,-these are spi- the Holy Ghost, Acts ii. 3., ritual wickednesses, and do both" There appeared unto them defile and disturb, 2 Cor. vii. 1., "Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit." Which shews there are two sorts of corruptions, one of the flesh, the other of the spirit. When we grieve for and combat with spiritual sin,-as being the root of all gross sins, then the kingdom of grace increaseth, and spreads its territories in the soul.

cloven tongues, like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them." Tongues of fire were an emblem of that fire of zeal which the Spirit poured on them.

A. 6. Then the kingdom of grace increaseth, when a Christian is as well diligent in his particular calling, as devout in his general.

He is the wise Christian that carries things equally; that doth so live by faith, that he lives

a calling. Therefore it is worth our notice, when the Apostle had exhorted the Thessalonians to increase in grace, 1 Thess. iv. 10., he presently adds, "And that you do your

A. 4. Then the kingdom of grace flourisheth, when a Chris-in tian hath learned to live by faith, Gal. ii. 20., "I live by the faith of the Son of God." There is the habit of faith, and the drawing of this habit into exercise. v. 11., For a Christian to graft his hope own business, and work with of salvation only upon the stock your hands." This is a sign

of Christ's righteousness, and grace is increasing, when Chris

tians go cheerfully about their in others. Though it is the calling. Indeed, to be all the greatest benefit to have grace day in the mount with God, and wrought in ourselves, yet it is the to have the mind fixed on glory, greatest honour to be instrumenis more sweet to a man's self, and tal to work it in others, Gal. iv. is an heaven upon earth; but to 19., 66 'Of whom I travail in birth be conversant in our callings, is again till Christ be formed in more profitable to others. I may you." allude to that of St. Paul, To be with Christ is best for me; yet to abide here is more needful for you, Phil. i. 24. So, to converse with God in prayer and sweet prayer, till you see grace in your 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 lillies, which toil not, neither do they spin. It shews the increase of grace, when a Christian keeps a due decorum; he joins piety and industry, when zeal runs forth in religion, and diligence is put forth in a calling.

Such as are masters of a family should endeavour to see the kingdom of grace set up in their servants; such as are godly parents, let not God alone by

children; what a comfort would it be to you to be both the natural and spiritual fathers of your children. Austin saith, his mother Monica travailed with greater care and pain for his new birth, than his natural. This shews the increase of grace, when we labour to see the kingdom of grace set up in others; then the water abounds in the river, when it overflows and runs into the meadows; then grace increaseth in the soul when it hath influence upon others, and we endeavour their salvation.

Ans. 1. This is God's design in keeping up a standing ministry in the church, to increase the

A. 7. Then the kingdom of grace increaseth, when a Christian is established in the belief QUEST. Wherein appears the and love of the truth. The heart needfulness of this, that the kingby nature is as a ship without dom of grace should be increased? ballast, it wavers and fluctuates. Beza writes of one Bolezius, his religion changed as the moon and planet Mercury. Such as are kingdom of grace in men's hearts, wandering stars, will be falling Eph. iv. 8., " He gave gifts unto stars; but when the soul is built men ;" that is, ministerial gifts: on the rock Christ, and no winds why so? v. 12., "For the edifyof temptation can blow it away, ing of the body of Christ." Not now the kingdom of grace flou- only for conversion, but for augrisheth. One calls Athanasius mentation; therefore the word Adamas Ecclesia,—an invincible preached is compared not only to adamant, in respect of his sta- seed, but to milk; because by this bility in the truth, Col. ii. 7., breast-milk God designs our "Rooted and built up in him;" growth in grace. the rooting of a tree evidenceth the growth.

A. 8. Then the kingdom of grace increaseth in a man's own heart, when he labours to be in strumental to set up this kingdom

A. 2. We had need have the kingdom of grace increase, in respect we have a great deal of work to do, and a little grace will hardly carry us through. A Christian's life is laborious,-so many temp

lights of the world must increase till they come to the meridian of glory. Not to grow is suspicious; painted things grow not.

A. 5. As the kingdom of grace increaseth, so a Christian's comforts increase. Comfort belongs to the bene esse,-or well-being of a Christian; it is like sweetmeat, delicious to the taste, Ps. cxix. 103. The more grace, the more joy. As the more sap in the root, the more wine in the grape. Who did more increase in grace than David? And who more in consolation? Ps. iv. 7.,

heart." Grace turns to joy, as milk to cream.

A. 3. If the kingdom of grace doth not increase, it will decay, Rev. ii. 4., "Thou hast left thy first love." Grace, for want of" Thou hast put gladness in my increasing, is sometimes like a winter-plant, all the sap runs to the root, and it looks as if it were QUEST. How may they be comdead, Rev. iii. 2., “ Strengthen forted, who bewail their want of the things that remain, which are growth, and weep that they cannot ready to die;" though grace can- find the kingdom of grace innot expire, it may wither; and a crease? withering Christian loseth much of his beauty and fragrancy, What great need then have we to pray "thy kingdom come," that this kingdom of grace may be increased? If grace be not improved, it will soon be impaired. A Christian, for want of increasing grace, loseth his strength; he is like a sick man, that 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 scarce feel the pulse of his love to beat.

A. 4. To have grace increasing is suitable to Christianity. Christians are "called trees of righteousness," Isaiah lxi. 3. The saints are not only jewels for sparkling lustre, but trees for growth; they are called the lights of the world, Phil. ii. 15. Light is still increasing. First, there is the crepusculum, or daybreak, and so it shines brighter to the meridian. They who are the

Ans. 1. To see and bewail our decay in grace, argues not only the life of grace, but growth. "Tis a sign 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 it discovers; a Christian thinks it worse with him than it was, whereas his grace may not grow lesser, but his light greater.

A. 2. If a Christian doth not

increase in one grace, he may in another; if not in knowledge, he may in humility. If a tree doth not grow so much in the branches, it may in the root; to grow downwards in the root, is a good growth.

A. 3. A Christian may grow less in affection, when he grows more in judgment. As a musician when he is old, his fingers are stiff, and not so nimble at the lute as they were, but he plays with more art and judgment than

thy king-sities of nature.

I should come to the second thing intended in this petition, that the kingdom of glory may hasten, and that we may in due time be translated into it.' When we pray, 66 dom come," ," here is something life subject to many necessities; positively intended; we pray, we need food to nourish us,1st. That the kingdom of grace may be set in our hearts; 2d. That it may increase and flourish; 3d. That the kingdom of glory may hasten, and that God would in his due time translate us into