Rev. \\. 8., " Behold, a pale horse, and his name that sat on him Avas death, and hell followed him." Thus you see wliat need we have to pray tliat the kingdom of grace may come. He tiiat dies without Christ, I may say as Christ, Mat. xxvi. 24., " It had been good for tliat man he had not been born." Few do believe the necessity of hav- ing the kingdom of grace set up in their hearts, as appears by this, because they are so well-content to live without it. Doth that man believe the necessity of a pardon, that is content to be without it? Most peo- ple, if they may have trading, and may sit quietly under their vine and fig-trees, they are in their kingdom, though they have not the kingdom of God within them ; if the candle of prosperity shine upon their head, they care not M'hether the grace of God shine in their hearts ; do these men believe the necessity of giace ? Were they convin- ced how needful it were to have the king- dom of God within them, they would cry out as the jailor. Acts xvi. 30., " What must I do to be saved ?"
Quest. 3. How may tee know that the kingdom oj^ grace is set up in our hearts 9
Ans. It concerns us to examine this, — our salvation depends upon it ; and we had need be curious in the search, because there is something looks like grace, which is not, Gal. vi. 3., " If a man thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself." Many think tl;ey have the king- dom of grace come into their heart and it is only a chimera, — a golden dream, (^uam multi ann vana spe descendant ad inftra! Aug. Zeuxis did paint grapes so lively that he deceived the living birds : there are many deceits about grace.
Deceit \st. Men think they have the king- dom of grace in their hearts because they have the means of grace ; they live where the silver trumpet of the gospel sounds ; they are lift up to heaven with ordinances. Judges xvii. 13., " I have a Levite to my priest," sure I shall go to heaven. The Jews cried, Jer. viii. 4., " The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord ;" we aie apt to glory in this, — the oracles of God are committed to us, — we have word and sa- crament : alas ! this is a fallacy ; we may have the means of grace, yet the kingdom
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of grace may not be set up in our licarts ; we may liave the kingdom of God come nigh us, Luke xi. 20., but not into us ; the sound of the word in our ears, but not the savour of it in our hearts. Many of the Jews, wlio had Christ for their preacher, were never the better ; hot clotlies will not put warmth into a dead man. Thou maycst have liot clothes, warm and lively preaching, yet be spiritually dead, Mat. viii. 12., " The children of the kingdom shall be cast out."
Deceit 2d. INIen think they have the king- dom of grace set up in their hearts, because they have some common works of the Spi- rit.
(1.) They have great enlightenings of mind, profound knowledge, and almost speak like angels droj)ped from heaven ; but the apostle su[)posL'th a case, that after men have been enlightened, they may fall away, Heb. vi. 4, 5, 6.
Quest. But ickcrdn doth this illumination come short ?
Ans. The illumination of hypocrites is not virtual ; it doth not leave an impression of holiness behind ; it is like weak physic that will not work. The mind is enliijht- cned, but the heart is not renewed. A Christian that is all head but no feet, he doth not walk in the ways of God.
(2.) Men have bad convictions and stir- rings of conscience for sin, they have seen the evil of their ways, therefore now they hope' the kingdom of grace is come ; but, I say, convictions, though they are a step towards grace, yet they are not grace. Had not Pharaoh and Judas convictions? £xod.*x. 16.
Quest. What makes convictions prove ab- urlive ? Wherein is (he defect f
AnJt. 1 They are not deep enough ; a Rinner never saw himself lost without Christ ; the seed that wanted depth of earth wither- ed. Mat. xiii. 5. These convictions are like blossoms blown off before they come to ma- turity.
A. 2. These convictions are involuntary; the sinner doth what he can to stitle these convictions ; he drowns them in wine and mirth ; he labours to get rid of them ; as the deer, when it is shot, runs and shakes out the arrow, so doth he the arrow of con-
viction ; or as the prisoner that files off his fetters, and breaks loose, so a man breaks loose from his convictions. His corrup- tions are stronger than his convictions.
(3.) Men have had some kind of humili- ation, and have shed tears for their sins, therefore now they hope the kingdom of grace is come into their hearts. But this is no infallible sign of grace ; Saul wept, Ahab humbled himself.
Quest. JVhy is not humiliation grace ? Wherein doth it come short ?