gates of pearl, the beds of spices, the clus- ters of gra])e8 Avhich grow in the paradise of God. Say, * O my soul, all this glory is thine, it is thy Father's good pleasure to give thee this kingdom !' The thoughts of heaven are very delightful and ravishing; can men of the world so deli<rlit in viewinir tlieu- bags of gold, and fields of corn, and shall not the heirs of promise take more de- light in contemplating the celestial king- dom ? The serious meditation of the kiiur- dom of glory would work these three effects.
(1.) It would put a damp and slur upon all worldly glory. To those who stand upon the top of the Alps, the great cities of Campania seem but small in their eye : could we look through the perspective glass of faith, and take a view of heaven's glory, how small and minute would all other things appear ? INIoses slighted the honours of Pharaoh's court, having an eye to the recompense of reward, Heb. xi. 26. St. Paul, who had a vision of glory, and St. John, who was carried away in the Spirit, and saw the holy Jerusalem descending out of heaven, having the glory of God in it. Rev. xxi. 11., how did the world after ap- pear in an eclipse to them ?
(2.) The meditation of the heavenly king- dom would much promote holiness iu us. Heaven is a holy ])laco, 1 Pet. i. 4., " an inheritance undcfilcd ;" it is described by transparent glass, to denote its purilv, Rev. xxi. 21. The contemplating heaven would put us upon the study of holiness, because none but such are admitted into that king- dom ; heaven is not like Noah's aik, into which came clean beasts and unclean : only '• the pure iu heart shall see God," ^lat. V. 8.
(3.) The meditation of the heavenly king- dom would be a spur to diligence, Jmvicn- sum glaria calcar habet, 1 Cor. xv. 53., " Al- ways abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord." ^\ lien the mariner sees the haven, he plies it harder with his oars ; when we have a sight and prospect of glory, it should make us be much in prayer, alms, watching, — it should add wings to duty, and make the lamp of our devotion burn brighter.
2. If you have hopes of this kingdom, be
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content tliougli you have but a little of the world ; contentment is a rare thing, it is a jewel that but few Christians wear : but if vou have a grounded hope of heaven, it may work your heart to contentation. What though you have but little in possession ? You have a kingdom in reversion. Were you to take an estimate of a man's estate, how would you value it? by what he hath in his house, or by his land ? Perhaps, he hath little money or jewels in his house, but he is a landed man, there lies liis estate. A believer hath but little oil in the cruse, and meal in the barrel, but he is a landed man, he hath a title to a kingdom, and may not this satisfy him ? If a man who lived here in England, had a great estate befallen him beyond the seas, and perhaps had no more money at present but just to pay for his voyage, he is content ; he knows when he comes to his estate, he shall have money enough ; thou who art a believer, hast a kingdom befallen thee ; though thou hast but little in thy purse, yet, if thou hast e- nough to pay for thy voyage, enough to bear thy charges to heaven, it is sufficient. God hath given thee grace, which is the fore-crop, and will give thee glory, which is the after-crop ; and may not this make thee content?
3. If you have hope of this blessed king- dom, pray often for the coming of this glo- rious kingdom. " Thy kingdom come :" only believers can pray heartily for the liastening of the kingdom of glory.
(1.) Tiiey cannot pray that Christ's king- dom of glory may come who never had the kingdom of grace set up in their hearts. Can the guilty prisoners pray that the as- sizes may come ?
(2.) They cannot pray heartily that Christ's kingdom of glory may come, who are lovers of the world ; tliey have found j)aradise, (hey are in their kingdom already, this is their heaven, and they desire to hear of no other ; they are of his mind, who said, if he might keej) his cardinal.sliip in Paris, he would lose his part in paradise.
(3.) They cannot ])ray heartily that Christ's kingdom of glory may come, wlio oppose Christ's kingdom of grace, — who break his laws, wliich are the sceptre of his kingdom, — who shoot at those who