]. Branch. It reproves such as do not at all look after this kingdom of glory ; as if all we say about heaven were but a ro- mance, they do not mind it. That they mind it not, appears, because they do not labour to have the kingdom of grace set up in their hearts. If they have some thoughts of this kingdom, yet it is in a dull careless manner ; they serve God, as if they served him not ; they do not vires ezercere, ])ut forth their strengtli for the heavenly kinirdom. How industrious were the saints of old for this kingdom ! Phil. iii. 13., " Reaching forth unto those things which are before ;" the Greek word is epehteinomaies, " stretch- ing out the neck," — a metaphor from racers, that trains every limb, and reacli forward to lay hold on the prize. Luther spent three hours a-day in prayer. " Anna, the prophetess, departed not from the temple, but served God with fasting and prayers night and day," Luke ii. 37. How zealous and industrious were the martyrs to jret in- to this heavenly kingdom ! They wore their fetters as ornaments, snatched nj) torments as crowns, and em])raced the llames as cheer- fully as Elijah did the fiery chariot, which
OF THE SECOND PETITION IN THE LORD'S PRAYER.
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came to fotcli liim to heaven ; and do we not think tliis kinti^dom wortli our labour? The great pains tlie lieathens look in their Olympic races, wlicn they ran but for a crown made of olive intermixed with gold, will rise up in judgment against such as take little or no pains in seeking after the kingdom of glory. The dulness of many in seeking after lieaven is such as if they did not be- lieve there was such a kingdom ; or as if it would not countervail their labour ; or, as if they thought it were indifferent whether they obtained this kingdom or not, which is as much as to say, whether they were sav- ed or not, — whether they were crowned in glory, or chained as galley-slaves in hell for ever.
2. Branch. It reproves them who spend their sweat more in getting the world than the kingdom of heaven, Phil. ii'i. 19., " Who mind earthly things." The work! is the great Diana they cry up. as if they would fetch happiness out of the earth which God liath cursed; they labour for h.>nour and riches. Many are like Korah and Dathan, " the earth opened her mout)i and swallow- ed them up," Numb. xvi. 32. So the earth swallows up tlicir time aiid thoughts; these, if they are not Pagans, yet they are infidels ; they do not believe tJtere is sucli a kingdom ; they go for Christians, yet question that great article in (heir faith, life everlasting; these, like the serpent, lick the dust. O what is there in the world, that we should so idolize it, when Christ and heaven are not reg.irded ? AVhat hath Christ done for vou ? Died for your sins : What will the world do for you ? Can It pacify an angry conscience ? Can it procure God's favour ? Can it fly death ? Can it bribe our Judge ? Can it purchase for you a place in the king- dom of heaven ? O how are men bewitched with worldly profits and honours, that for these things they will let go paradise ! It was a good prayer of St. Bernard. Sic pos- aiticamua mundana, ut 71011 pcrdamns cptenia. Lo, let us so possess things temporal, that we do not lose things eternal.
3. Branch. It reproves such who de- lay and put off seeking this kingdom till it be too late ; like the foolish virgins who came when the door was shut. Mora tra- hit periculum. People let the lamp of life
blaze out ; and when the symptoms of death are upon them, and they know not what else to do, now will look up to the kingdom of heaven. Christ bids them seek God's kingdom first, and tJ»ey will seek it last ; they put off the kingdom of heaven to a deathbed, as if it were as easy to make their peace as to make their will. How many liave lost the heavenly kingdom, through delays and ;n-ocrastinations ! Plutarch re- ports of ^rcliias the Lacedemonian, being among liis cups, one delivered him a letter, and dt'sired him to read it presently, being of .serious business : saith he, " seria eras* -— t will mind serious things to-morrow, — . and that night he was slain. Thou that sayest, thou wilt look after the kingdom of heaven to-morrow, knowest not but that thou mayest be in hell before to-morrow. Sometimes death comes suddenly, it strikes without giving warning. What folly is it putting off seeking the kingdom of heavea till the day of grace expire, till the radical moisture be spent ! As if a man should be- gin to run a race when a fit of the gout takes him.