The Lord's Prayer
by Thomas Watson
File 12
(... continued from file 11)
How it will trouble you if you should perish to think you came
short of heaven for want of a little more pains! The prophet Elisha
bid the king of Israel smite the ground six times, and he smote but
thrice, and stayed. 2 Kings 13:19. He lost many victories by it; so
when a man shall think thus, I did something in religion, but did
not do enough; I prayed, but it was coldly; I did not put coals to
the incense; I heard the word, but did not meditate on it; I did not
chew the cud; I smote but thrice, when I should have smote six
times; had I taken a little more pains I had been happy, but I have
lost the kingdom of heaven by short-shooting. The consideration, how
terrible the thought will be of losing heaven for want of a little
more pains, should be a means to spur on our sluggish hearts, and
make us more diligent to get the kingdom.
(3) The third means for obtaining this kingdom is to keep up
daily prayer. 'I give myself unto prayer.' Psa 109: 4. Prayer
inflames the affections, and oils the wheels of endeavour; it
prevails with God, unlocks his bowels, and then he unlocks heaven.
All that have got to heaven have crept thither upon their knees. The
saints now in heaven have been men of prayer. Daniel prayed three
times a day, Jacob wrestled with God in prayer, and as a prince,
prevailed. Prayer must be fervent, else it is thuribulum sine
prunis, as Luther says, a golden censer without fire. O follow God
with prayers and tears; say as Jacob to the angel, 'I will not let
thee go, except thou bless me.' Gen 32: 26. Prayer vincit
Invincibilem; as Luther says, it conquers the Omnipotent. Elijah by
prayer opened heaven: by ardent and constant prayer heaven is opened
to us.
(4) If you would obtain the heavenly kingdom, get a love to
heaven. Love puts a man upon the use of all means to enjoy the thing
loved. He who loves the world, how active is he! He will break his
sleep and peace for it. He that loves honour, what hazards will he
run! He will swim to the throne in blood. Jacob loved Rachel, and
what would he not do, though it were serving two seven-years'
apprenticeships for obtaining her! Love carries a man out violently
to the object loved. Love like wings to the bird, like sails to the
ship, carries a Christian full sail to heaven. Heaven is a place of
rest and joy, it is paradise, and will you not love it? Love heaven,
and you cannot miss it. Love breaks through all opposition; it takes
heaven by storm. Though it labour, it is never weary. It is like the
rod of myrtle in the traveller's hand, which makes him fresh and
lively in his travel, and keeps him from being weary.
(5) If you would obtain the kingdom of heaven, make religion
your business. What a man looks upon as a parergon, a thing by the
by, he does not much mind. If ever we would have heaven, we must
look upon it as our main concern; other things do but concern our
livelihood, this concerns our salvation. We make religion our
business when we wholly devote ourselves to God's service. Psa 139:
18. We count those the best hours which are spent with God; we give
God the cream of our affections, the flower of our time and
strength; we traffic in heaven every day, we are merchants for the
'pearl of price.' He will not get an estate who does not mind his
trade; he will never get heaven who does not make religion his main
business.
(6) If you would obtain the kingdom of heaven, bind your hearts
to God by sacred vows. Vow to the Lord that, by his grace, you will
be more intent upon heaven than ever. 'Thy vows are upon me, O God.'
Psa 56: 12. A vow binds the votary to duty; he looks upon himself as
obliged by his vow to cleave to God. When bees fly in a great wind,
they ballast themselves with little stones, that they may not be
carried away; so we must fortify ourselves with strong vows, that we
may not be carried away from God with the violent wind of
temptation. No question, a Christian may make such a vow, because
the ground of it is morally good, he vows nothing but what he is
bound to do by virtue of his baptismal vow, namely, to walk with God
more closely, and to pursue heaven more vigorously.
(7) If you would obtain the kingdom, embrace all seasons and
opportunities for your soul's welfare. 'Redeeming the time.' Eph 5:
16. Opportunity is the cream of time; improving seasons of grace is
as much as our salvation is worth. The mariner, by taking the
present season while the wind blows, gets to the haven; by taking
the season, while we have the means of grace, and the wind of the
Spirit blows, we may arrive at the kingdom of heaven. We know not
how long we shall enjoy the gospel. The seasons of grace, like
Noah's dove, come with an olive branch in their mouth, but they soon
take wings and fly. Though they are sweet, yet they are swift. God
may remove the golden candlestick from us, as he did from the
churches of Asia. We have many sad symptoms, 'Grey hairs are here
and there upon him.' Hos 7: 9. Therefore let us lay hold upon the
present seasons. They that sleep in seedtime, will beg in harvest.
(8) If you would go to the kingdom of heaven, you must excubias
agere, keep a daily watch. 'I say unto all, watch.' Mark 13: 37.
Many have lost heaven for want of watchfulness. Our hearts are ready
to decoy us into sin, and the devil lies in ambush by his
temptations; we must every day set a spy, and keep sentinel in our
souls. 'I will stand upon my watch.' Hab 2: 1.
We must watch our eye. 'I made a covenant with mine eyes.' Job
31: 1. Much sin comes in by the eye. When Eve saw the tree was good
for food, and pleasant to the eyes, then she took. Gen 3: 6. First
she looked, and then she lusted; the eye, by beholding an impure
object, sets the heart on fire; the devil often creeps in at the
window of the eye. Watch your eyes.
Watch your ear. Much poison is conveyed through the ear. Let
your ear be open to God, and shut to sin.
Watch your hearts. We watch suspicious persons. 'The heart is
deceitful.' Jer 17: 9. Watch your heart, [1] When you are about holy
things, it will be stealing out to vanity. When I am at prayer, says
Jerome, aut per porticum deambulo aut de foenore computo; either I
am walking through galleries or casting up accounts. [2] Watch your
hearts when you are in company. The basilisk poisons the herbs he
breathes on; so the breath of the wicked is infectious. Nay, watch
your hearts when you are in good company. Such as have some good in
them may be some grains too light, and have much levity of
discourse; so that, if no scum boils up, yet there may be too much
froth. The devil is subtle, and he can as well creep into the dove
as he did once into the serpent. Satan tempted Christ by an apostle.
[3] Watch your hearts in prosperity. Now you are in danger of pride.
The higher the water of the Themes rises, the higher the boat is
lifted up: the higher men's estates rise, the higher their hearts
are lifted up in pride. In prosperity, you are in danger not only to
forget God, but to lift up the heel against him. 'Jeshurun waxed
fat, and kicked.' Deut 32: 15. It is hard to carry a full cup
without spilling, and to carry a full, prosperous estate without
sinning. Turpi fregerunt saecula luxu divitiae molles [Soft riches
have ruined the age by disgraceful luxury]. Seneca. As Samson fell
asleep in Delilah's lap, so many have fallen so fast asleep in the
lap of prosperity, that they have never awaked till they have been
in hell. [4] Watch your hearts after holy duties. When Christ had
been praying and fasting, the devil tempted him. Matt 4: 3. After
combating with Satan in prayer, we are apt to grow secure and put
our spiritual armour off, and then the devil falls on and wounds us.
Oh, if you would get to heaven, be always upon your watch-tower, set
a spy, keep close sentinel in your souls. Who would not watch when
it is for a kingdom!
(9) If you would arrive at the heavenly kingdom, get these
three graces, which will undoubtedly bring your thither.
[1] Divine knowledge. There is no going to heaven blindfold. In
the creation, light was the first thing that was made; so it is in
the new creation. Knowledge is the pillar of fire that goes before
us, and lights us into the heavenly kingdom. It is light that must
bring us to the 'inheritance in light.' Col 1: 12.
[2] Faith. Faith ends in salvation. 'Receiving the end of your
faith, salvation.' I Pet 1: 9. He who believes, is as sure to go to
heaven as if he were in heaven already. Acts 16: 31. Faith touches
Christ; and can he miss of heaven who touches Christ? Faith unites
to Christ; and shall not the members be where the head is? All have
not the same degree of faith; we must distinguish between the direct
act of faith and the reflex act of affiance and assurance; yet the
least seed and spark of faith gives an undoubted title to the
heavenly kingdom. I am justified because I believe, not because I
know I believe.
[3] Love to God. Heaven is prepared for those that love God. I
Cor 2: 9. Love is the soul of obedience, the touchstone of
sincerity; by our loving God, we may know he loves us. I John 4: 19.
And those whom God loves, he will lay in his bosom. Ambrose, in his
funeral oration for Theodosius, brings in the angels hovering about
his departing soul, and ready to carry it to heaven, who ask him,
'What that grace was he had practised most on earth?' Theodosius
replied, Dilexi, Dilexi, 'I have loved, I have loved,' and
straightway, by a convoy of angels, he was translated to glory. Love
is a sacred fire kindled in the breast; in the flames of which the
devout soul ascends to heaven.
(10) If we would obtain this heavenly kingdom, let us labour
for sincerity. 'Whoso walketh uprightly, shall be saved.' Prov 28:
18. The sincere Christian may fall short of some degrees of grace,
but he never falls short of the kingdom. God will pass by many
failings where the heart is right. Numb 23: 21. True gold, though it
be light, has grains of alloy. 'Thou desires truth in the inward
parts.' Psa 51: 6. Sincerity is the sauce which seasons all our
actions, and makes them savoury; it is an ingredient in every grace;
it is called 'unfeigned faith,' and 'love in sincerity.' 2 Tim 1: 5;
Eph 6: 24. Coin will not go current that wants the king's stamp; and
grace is not current if it be not stamped with sincerity. Glorious
duties soured with hypocrisy are rejected, when great infirmities
sweetened with sincerity are accepted. If any thing in the world
will bring us to heaven, it is sincerity. Sincerity signifies
plainness of heart. 'In whose spirit there is no guile,' Psa 32: 2.
The plainer the diamond is, the richer.
Sincerity is when we serve God with our heart; when we do not
worship him only, but love him. Cain brought his sacrifice, but not
his heart. God's delight is a sacrifice flaming upon the altar of
the heart. A sincere Christian, though he has a double principle in
him, flesh and spirit, has not a double heart, his heart is for God.
Sincerity is when we aim purely at God in all we do. The glory
of God is more worth than the salvation of all men's souls. Though a
sincere Christian comes short in duty, he takes a right aim. As the
herb, heliotropium, turns about according to the motion of the sun,
so a godly man's actions all move towards the glory of God.
(11) If we would obtain the heavenly kingdom, let us keep up
fervency in duty. What is a dead form without the power? 'Because
thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of
my mouth.' Rev 3: 16. Fervency puts life into duty. 'Fervent in
spirit, serving God;' Gr. Zeontes, 'boiling over.' Rom 12: 11.
Christ prayed 'more earnestly.' Luke 22: 44. When the fire on the
golden censor was ready to go out, Aaron was to put more coals to
the incense; so praying with devotion is putting more coals to the
incense. It is not formality, but fervency, that will bring us to
heaven. The formalist is like Ephraim, a cake not turned, hot on one
side, and dough on the other. In the external] part of God's
worship, he seems to be hot; but as for the spiritual part of God's
worship, he is cold. Oh! if you would have the kingdom of heaven,
keep up heart and fervour in duty. Elijah was carried up to heaven
in a fiery chariot: if you would go to heaven, you must be carried
thither in the fiery chariot of zeal. It is violence that takes the
kingdom of heaven.
(12) If we would arrive at the heavenly kingdom, let us cherish
the motions of God's Spirit in our hearts. The mariner may spread
his sails, but the ship cannot get to the haven without a gale of
wind; so we may spread the sails of our endeavour, but we cannot get
to the haven of glory without the north and south wind of God's
Spirit. How nearly therefore does it concern us to make much of the
motions of the Spirit - motions to prayer, motions to repentance.
'When thou hearest the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry
trees, then thou shalt bestir thyself, for then shall the Lord go
out before thee.' 2 Sam 5: 24. So, when we hear a voice within us, a
secret inspiration stirring us up to good duties, we should bestir
ourselves. While the Spirit works in us, we should work with the
Spirit. Many men have God's Spirit striving with them, he puts good
motions in their hearts and holy purposes; but they neglect to
prosecute these good motions, and the Spirit is grieved, and, being
grieved, withdraws his assistance, and that assistance being gone,
there is no getting to heaven. Oh! make much of the motion of the
Spirit; it is as much as your salvation is worth. The Spirit of God
is compared to fire. Acts 2: 3. If we are careful to blow the spark,
we may have fire to inflame our affections, and to light our feet
into the way of peace. If we quench the Spirit by neglecting and
resisting its motions, we cut ourselves off from salvation. The
Spirit of God has a drawing power. Cant 1: 4. The blessed Spirit
draws by attraction, as the loadstone the iron. In the preaching of
the word, the Spirit draws the heart up to heaven in holy longings
and ejaculations. Now, when the Spirit is about thus to draw us, let
us take heed of drawing back, lest it be to perdition. Heb 10: 39.
Do as Noah, who, when the dove came flying to the ark, put forth his
hand, and took it into the ark; so when the sweet dove of God's
Spirit comes flying to your hearts, and brings a gracious impulse as
an olive-branch of peace in its mouth, O take this dove into the
ark; entertain the Spirit in your hearts, and it will bring you to
heaven.
How shall we know the motions of the Spirit from a delusion?
The motions of the Spirit are always agreeable to the word. If
the word be for holiness, so is the Spirit. The Spirit persuades to
nothing but what the word directs. Which way the tide of the word
runs, that way the wind of the Spirit blows.
(13) We obtain the kingdom of heaven by uniform and cheerful
obedience. Obedience is the road through which we travel to heaven.
Many say they love God, but refuse to obey him. Does he love the
prince's person who slights his commands?
Obedience must be uniform. 'Then shall I not be ashamed' (Heb.
I shall not blush) 'when I have respect unto all thy commandments.'
Psa 119: 6. As the sun goes through all the signs of the zodiac, so
we must go through all the duties of religion. If a man has to go a
hundred miles, and he goes ninety nine, and there stops, he comes
short of the place he is to travel to. If, with Herod, we do many
things that God commands, yet, if we die in the total neglect of any
duty, we come short of the kingdom of heaven. For instance, if a man
seem to make conscience of duties of the first table, and not the
duties of the second; if he seem to be religious, but is not just,
he is a transgressor, and is in danger of losing heaven. As the
needle which points the way which the loadstone draws, so a good
heart moves the way which the word draws.
Obedience must be cheerful. 'I delight to do thy will, O my
God, yea, thy law is within my heart.' Psa 40: 8. That is the
sweetest obedience which is cheerful, as that is the sweetest honey
which drops from the comb freely. God sometimes accepts willingness
without the work, but never of the work without willingness. 'There
came out two women, and the wind was in their wings.' Zech 5: 9.
Wings are swift, but wind in the wings denotes great swiftness; and
is an emblem of the swiftness and cheerfulness which should be in
obedience. We go to heaven in the way of obedience
(14) If we would obtain this kingdom we must be much in the
communion of saints. One coal of juniper will warm and inflame
another; so, when the heart is dead and frozen, the communion of
saints will help to warm it. 'They that feared the Lord spake often
one to another.' Mal 3: 16. 'Christians should never meet,' says Mr
Boston, 'without speaking of their meeting together in heaven.' One
Christian may be very helpful by prayer and conference to another,
and give him a lift towards heaven. Old Latimer was much
strengthened and comforted by hearing Mr Bilney's confession of
faith. We read that when Moses' hands were heavy, and he was ready
to let them fall, Aaron and Hur stayed them up. Exod 17: 12. A
Christian who is ready to faint under temptation, and lets down the
hands of his faith, by conversing with other Christians is
strengthened, and his hands are held up. A great benefit of holy
conference is counsel and advice. 'If a man,' says Chrysostom, 'who
has but one head to advise him, could make that head a hundred, he
would be very wise; but a single Christian has this benefit by the
communion of saints, that they are as so many heads to advise him
what to do in such a case or exigency.' By Christian conference the
saints can say, 'Did not our hearts burn within us?' Communion of
saints we have in our creed, but it is too little in our practice.
Men usually travel fastest in company; so we travel fastest to
heaven in the communion of saints.
(15) If we would attain to this kingdom of heaven, let us be
willing to come up to Christ's terms. Many will cheapen, and bid
something for the kingdom of heaven; they will avoid gross sin, and
will come to church, and say their prayers; and yet all this while
they are not willing to come up to God's price, that is, they will
not resist the idol of self-righteousness, flying only to Christ as
the horns of the altar; they will not sacrifice their bosom-sin;
they will not give God spirit-worship, serving him with zeal and
intenseness of soul. John 4: 24. They will not forgive their
enemies; they will not part with their carnal profits for Christ;
they would have the kingdom of heaven, but they will not come up to
the price. If you would have this kingdom, do not article and
bargain with Christ, but accept of his terms; say, 'Lord, I am
willing to have the kingdom of heaven, whatever it cost me; I am
willing to pluck out my right eye, to part with all for the kingdom;
here is a blank paper I put into thy hand, Lord, write thy own
articles, I will subscribe to them.'
(16) If we would obtain the heavenly kingdom, let us attend to
the holy ordinances, by which God brings souls to heaven. 'Except
these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved.' Acts 27: 31. Some
people would leap out of the ship of ordinances, and then God knows
whither they leap; but except ye abide in the ship of ordinances, ye
cannot be saved. Especially, if you would get to heaven, attend to
the word preached. It was by the ear, by our first parents listening
to the serpent, that we lost paradise; and it is by the ear, by
hearing of the word, that we get to heaven. 'Hear, and your soul
shall live.' Isa 55: 3. God sometimes in the preaching of the word
drops the holy oil into the ear, which softens and sanctifies the
heart. The word preached is called the 'ministration of the Spirit,'
because the Spirit of God makes use of the engine to convert souls.
2 Cor 3: 8. If the word preached does not work upon men, nothing
will; not judgement, nor miracles; no, not though one should rise
from the dead. Luke 16: 31. If a glorified saint should come out of
heaven, and assume a body, and tell you of all the glory of heaven,
and the joys of the blessed, and persuade you to believe; if the
preaching of the word will not bring you to heaven, neither would
his rhetoric do it who rose from the dead. In heaven there will be
no need of ordinances, but while we live here there is. The lamp
needs oil, but the star needs none. While the saints have their lamp
of grace burning here, they need the oil of ordinances to be
continually dropping upon them; but there will be no need of this
oil when they are stars in heaven. If you intend to get to heaven,
be swift to hear: for faith comes by hearing. Rom 10:14, 17. Peter
let down the net of his ministry, and at one draught caught three
thousand souls. If you would have heaven's door opened to you, wait
at the posts of wisdom's door.
(17) If you would arrive at heaven, have this kingdom ever in
your eye. Our blessed Lord looked at the joy that was set before
him; and Moses had an 'eye to the recompence of the reward.' Heb 11:
26. Let the kingdom be much in your thoughts; meditation is the
means to help us to heaven.
How does it help?
As it is a means to prevent sin. No sword like this to cut
asunder the sinews of temptation. It is almost impossible to sin
presumptuously with lively thoughts and hopes of heaven. It was when
Moses was out of sight that Israel set up a calf, and worshipped it;
so when the kingdom of heaven is out of sight, out of men's
thoughts, they set up their lusts and idolise them. The meditation
of heaven banishes sin; he who thinks of the weight of glory, throws
away the weight of sin.
To meditate on the kingdom of heaven would excite and quicken
obedience. We should think we could never pray enough, never love
God enough, who has prepared such a kingdom for us. Immensum gloria
calcar habet [Glory possesses an immeasurable stimulus]. Paul had
heaven in his eye, he was once caught up thither; and how active was
he for God! I Cor 16: 10. This oils the wheels of obedience.
It would make us strive after holiness, because none but such
are admitted into this kingdom; only the pure in heart shall see
God. Matt 5: 8. Holiness is the language of heaven, it is the only
coin that will pass current there. This consideration should make us
'cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit,
perfecting holiness in the fear of God.' 2 Cor 7: 1.
(18) The last means for obtaining the heavenly kingdom is
perseverance in holiness. 'Be thou faithful unto death, and I will
give thee a crown of life.' Rev 2: 10. In Christians non initia set
fines laudantur [it is not the beginning but the end which wins
praise]. Jerome.
Is there such a thing as persevering till we come to heaven?
That any one holds out to the kingdom, is a wonder, if you
consider, (1) What a world of 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 it is not quenched.
It is a wonder that sin does not overlay grace, as the nurse
sometimes does the child, that it dies.
(2) The implacable malice of Satan. He envies that we should
have a kingdom, 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 an angel of darkness. He will Acheronta movere, move
all the powers of hell to hinder us from the kingdom; he spits his
venom, shoots his fiery darts, raises a storm of persecution; yea,
and prevails against some. 'There appeared a great red dragon, and
his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast
them to the earth.' Rev 12: 3, 4. By the red dragon is meant the
heathenish empire; now, when his tail cast so many to the earth, it
is a wonder that any of the stars keep fixed in their orb.
(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 till he came at the honeycomb, and then he stood still. I Sam
14: 27. Many are forward for heaven, till they taste the sweetness
of the world; but when they come at the honeycomb, they stand still,
and go no further. Faenus pecuniae funus animae [The gain of money
is the ruin of the soul]. Those who have escaped the rocks of gross
sins, have been cast away upon the golden sands. What a wonder
therefore that any holds on till he come to the kingdom!
(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 lie fallow, he is either
watching or fighting; nay, he is to do those duties which to the eye
of sense and reason seem inconsistent. While he does one duty, he
seems to cross another. He must come with holy boldness to God in
prayer, yet must serve him with fear; he must mourn for sin, yet
rejoice; he must be contented, yet covet (I Cor 12: 31); condemn
men's impieties, and yet reverence their authority. What difficult
work is this! It is a wonder that any saint arrives at the heavenly
kingdom. To this I might add, the evil examples abroad, which are so
attractive, that we may say the devils are come among us in the
likeness of men. What a wonder is it that any soul perseveres till
he come to the kingdom of heaven! But great as the wonder is, there
is such a thing as perseverance. A saint's perseverance is built
upon three immutable pillars.
Upon God's eternal love. We are inconstant in our love to God;
but he is not so in his love to us. 'I have loved thee with an
everlasting love;' with a love of eternity. Jer 31: 3. God's love to
the elect is not like a king's love to his favourite, which when it
is at the highest spring-tide, soonest ebbs; but God's love is
eternized. He may desert, not disinherit; he may change his love
into a frown, not into hatred; he may alter his providence, not his
decree. When once the sunshine of God's electing love is risen upon
the soul, it never sets finally.
A saint's perseverance is built upon the covenant of grace. It
is a firm, impregnable covenant; as you read in the words of the
sweet singer of Israel. 'God has made with me an everlasting
covenant, ordered in all things and sure.' 2 Sam 23: 5. It is a
sweet covenant, that God will be our God; the marrow and
quintessence of all blessing; and it is a sure covenant, that he
will put his fear in our heart, and we shall never depart from him.
Jer 32: 40. This covenant is inviolable, it cannot be broken;
indeed, sin may break the peace of the covenant, but it cannot break
the bond of the covenant.
The third pillar upon which perseverance is built is the mystic
union. Believers are incorporated into Christ, they are knit to him
as members to the head, by the nerve and ligament of faith, so that
they cannot be broken off. Eph 5: 23. What was once said of Christ's
natural body is as true of his mystic body. 'A bone of him shall not
be broken.' John 19: 36. As it is impossible to sever the leaven and
the dough when they are once mingled, so it is impossible when
Christ and believers are once united, ever by the power of death or
hell to be separated. How can Christ lose any member of his body and
be perfect? You see upon what strong pillars the saints'
perseverance is built.
How does a Christians hold on till he comes to the kingdom? How
does he persevere?
(1) Auxilio Spiritus [By the help of the Spirit]. God carries
on a Christian to perseverance by the energy and vigorous working of
his Spirit. The Spirit maintains the essence and seed of grace; it
blows up the sparks of grace into a holy flame. Spiritus est
Vicarius Christi [The Spirit is the Vicar of Christ]. Tertullian. It
is Christ's deputy and proxy; it is every day at work in a
believer's heart, exerting grace into exercise, and ripening it into
perseverance. The Spirit carves and polishes the vessels of mercy,
and makes them fit for glory.
(2) Christ causes perseverance, and carries on a saint till he
comes to the heavenly kingdom, vi orationis, by his intercession. He
is an advocate as well as a surety; he prays that the saints may
arrive safe at the kingdom. 'Wherefore he is able to save them to
the uttermost (i.e. perfectly), seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them.' Heb 7: 25. That prayer he made for Peter on
earth, he prays now in heaven for the saints, that their faith fail
not, and that they may be with him where he is. Luke 22: 32. John
17: 24. And surely if he pray that they may be with him in his
kingdom, they cannot perish by the way. Christ's prayer is
efficacious. If the saints' prayers have so much force and
prevalence in them, as Jacob, who had power with God, and as a
prince prevailed, and Elijah by prayer unlocked heaven; if the
prayers of the saints have so much power with God, what has Christ's
prayer? How can the children of such prayers miscarry? How can they
fall short of the kingdom who have him praying for them, who is not
only a Priest, but a Son? Besides, what he prays for as he is man,
he has power to give as he is God.
But methinks I hear some Christian say, if only perseverance
obtains the kingdom, they fear they shall not come thither; they
fear they shall faint by the way, and the weak legs of their grace
will never carry them to the kingdom of heaven.
Wert thou indeed to stand in thy own strength, thou mightest
fall away. The branch withers and dies that has no root to grow
upon. Thou growest upon the root Christ, who will be daily sending
forth vital influence to strengthen thee; though thou art imbecile
and weak in grace, yet fear not falling short of heaven: For,
(1) God has made a promise to weak believers. What is a bruised
reed but an emblem of a weak faith? yet it has a promise made to it.
'A bruised reed shall he not break.' Matt 12: 20. God has promised
to supply the weak Christian with as much grace as he shall need,
until he comes to heaven. Beside the two pence which the good
Samaritan left to pay for the cure of the poor wounded man, he
passed his word for all that he should need beside. Luke 10: 35. So,
Christ does not only give a little grace in hand, but his bond for
more, that he will give as much grace as a saint should need till he
comes to heaven. 'The Lord will give grace and glory:' that is, a
fresh supply of grace, till we be perfected in glory. Psa 84: 11:
(2) God has most care of his weak saints, who fear they shall
never hold out till they come to the kingdom. Does not the mother
tend the weak child most? 'He shall gather the lambs with his arm,
and carry them in his bosom.' Isa 40: 11. If thou thinkest that thou
art so weak that thou shalt never hold out till thou comest to
heaven, thou shalt be carried in the arms of the Almighty. He
gathers the lambs in his arms. Christ, the Lion of the tribe of
Judah, marches before his people, and his power is their rereward,
so that none of them faint or die in their march to heaven.
What are the encouragements to make Christians hold on till
they come to the kingdom of heaven?
(1) It is a great credit to a Christian, not only to hold forth
the truth, but to hold fast the truth till he comes to heaven. When
grace flourishes into perseverance, and with the church of Thyatira,
our last works are more than our first, it is insigne honouris, a
star of honour. Rev 2: 1. It is matter of renown to see grey hairs
shine with golden virtues. The excellency of a thing lies in the
finishing of it. Where is the excellence of a building? Not when the
first stone is laid, but when it is finished. So the beauty and
excellence of a Christian is, when he has finished his faith, having
done his work, and is landed safe in heaven.
(2) You that have made a progress in religion, have not many
miles to go before you come at the kingdom of heaven. 'Now is our
salvation nearer than when we believed.' Rom 13: 11. You who have
hoary hairs, your green tree is turned into an almond tree; you are
near to heaven, it is but going a little further and you will set
your feet within heaven's gates. Oh! therefore now be encouraged to
hold out, your salvation is nearer than when you first began to
believe. Our diligence should be greater when our salvation is
nearer. When a man is almost at the end of the race, will he now
tire and faint? Will he not put forth all his strength, and strain
every limb, that he may lay hold upon the prize? Our salvation is
now nearer; the kingdom is as it were within sight; how should we
now put forth all our strength, that we may lay hold upon the
garland of glory! Doctor Taylor, when going to his martyrdom, said,
'I have but two stiles to go over, and I shall be at my Father's
house.' Though the way to heaven be up-hill, you must climb the
steep rock of mortification; and though there be thorns in the way,
you have gone the greatest part of it, and are within a few days'
march of the kingdom, and will not you persevere? Christian, pluck
up thy courage, fight the good fight of faith, pursue holiness. Ere
long you will put off your armour, and end all your weary marches,
and receive a victorious crown; your salvation is nearer, you are
within a little of the kingdom, therefore now persevere, you are
ready to commence and take your degree of glory.
(3) The blessed promise annexed to perseverance is an
encouragement. The promise is a crown of life. Rev 2: 10. Death is a
worm that feeds in the crowns of princes, but behold here a living
crown, and a never-fading crown. I Pet 5: 4. 'He that overcometh,
and keepeth my works to the end, I will give him stellam matutinam,
the morning-star.' Rev 2: 28. The morning-star is brighter than the
rest. This morning-star is meant of Christ; as if Christ had said, I
will give to him that perseveres some of my beauty; I will put some
of my illustrious rays upon him; he shall have the next degree of
glory to me, as the morning-star is next the sun. Will not this
animate and make us hold out? We shall have a kingdom, and that
which is better than a kingdom, a bright morning-star.
What are the means which conduce to perseverance, or, what
shall we do that we may hold out to the kingdom?
(1) Take up religion upon good grounds, not in a fit or humour,
or out of worldly design; but be deliberate, weigh things well in
the balance. 'Which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not
down first and counteth the cost?' Luke 14: 28. Think with
yourselves what religion must cost you; it must cost you the parting
with your sins; and may cost you the parting with your lives.
Consider if a kingdom will not countervail your sufferings. Weigh
things well, and then make your choice. 'I have chosen the way of
truth.' Psa 119: 30. Why do many apostatise, and fall away, but
because they never sit down and count the cost?
(2) If we would hold out to the kingdom, let us cherish the
grace of faith. 'By faith ye stand.' 2 Cor 1: 24. Faith, like
Hercules' club, beats down all opposition before it; it is a
conquering grace.
How comes faith to be so strong?
Faith fetches Christ's strength into the soul. Phil 4: 13. A
captain may give his soldier armour, but not strength. Faith
partakes of Christ's strength, and gets strength from the promise;
as the child by sucking the breast gets strength, so faith by
sucking the breast of the promise; hence faith is such a wonder-
working grace, and enables a Christian to persevere.
(3) If you would hold out to the kingdom, set before your eyes
the examples of those noble heroic saints who have persevered to the
kingdom. Vivitur exemplis [Life is lived by examples], examples have
more influence upon us than precepts. 'My foot has held his steps.'
Job 23: 11. Though the way of religion has flints and thorns in it,
yet my foot has held its steps; I have not fainted in the way, nor
turned out of the way. Daniel held on his religion, and would not
intermit prayer, though he knew the writing was signed against him,
and a prayer might cost him his life. Dan 6: 10. The blessed martyrs
persevered to the kingdom through sufferings. Saunders, that holy
man, said, 'Welcome the cross of Christ; my Saviour began to me in a
bitter cup, and shall I not pledge him?' Another martyr, kissing the
stake, said, 'I shall not lose my life, but change it for a better;
instead of coals I shall have pearls.' What a spirit of gallantry
was in these saints! Let us learn constancy from their courage. A
soldier, seeing his general fight valiantly, is animated by his
example, and has new spirits put into him.
(4) Let us add fervent prayer to God, that he would enable us
to hold out to the heavenly kingdom. 'Hold thou me up, and I shall
be safe.' Psa 119: 117. Let us not presume on our own strength. When
Peter cried to Christ on the water, 'Lord save me,' then Christ took
him by the hand. Matt 14: 30. When he grew confident of his own
strength, Christ let him fall. Oh pray to God for auxiliary grace.
The child is safe when held in the nurse's arms; so are we in
Christ's arms. Let us pray that God will put his fear in our hearts,
that we do not depart from him; and that prayer of Cyprian, Domine,
quod coepisti perfice, ne in portu naufragium accidat. Lord, perfect
that which thou hast begun in me, that I may not suffer shipwreck
when I am almost at the haven.
Use 5. Here let me lay down some powerful persuasive, or divine
arguments to make you put to all your strength for obtaining this
blessed kingdom.
(1) The great errand for which God sent us into the world is to
prepare for this heavenly kingdom. 'Seek ye first the kingdom of
God.' Matt 6: 33. First in time, before all things; and first in
affection, above all things. Great care is taken for securing
worldly things. Matt 6: 25. To see people labouring for the earth,
as ants about a molehill, would make one think it were the only
errand they came about. But, alas! what is all this to the kingdom
of heaven? I have read of a devout pilgrim travelling to Jerusalem,
who passing through several cities, where he saw many stately
edifices, wares and monuments, would say, 'I must not stay here,
this is not Jerusalem;' so when we enjoy worldly things, peace and
plenty, and have our presses burst out with new wine, we should say
to ourselves, this is not the kingdom we are to look after, this is
not heaven. It is wisdom to remember our errand. 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 about.
(2) Seeking the heavenly kingdom will be judged most prudent by
all men at last. Those who are most regardless of their souls now,
will wish before they die that they had minded eternity more. When
conscience is awakened, and men begin to come to themselves, what
would they give for the kingdom of heaven? How happy would it be if
men were of the same mind now, as they will be at death! Death will
alter men's opinions. They who most slighted and disparaged the ways
of religion, will wish their time and thoughts had been taken up
about the excellent glory. At death men's eyes will be opened, and
they will see their folly when it is too late. All men, even the
worst, will wish at last that they had minded the kingdom of heaven.
Why should not we do now what all will wish they had done when they
come to die?
The Lord's Prayer
by Thomas Watson
(continued in file 13...)
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