established in the belief and love of the TRUTH. The heart by
Christian keeps a due decorum. He joins piety and industry; when zeal runs forth in piety, and diligence is put forth in a calling.
7. The kingdom of grace increases when a Christian is established in the belief and love of the TRUTH. The heart by nature is as a ship without ballast, which wavers and fluctuates. Beza writes of one Bolezius, that his religion changed as the moon. Such as are wandering stars will be falling stars; but when a soul is built on the rock Christ, and no winds of temptation can blow it away, the kingdom of grace flourishes. One calls Athanasius, an invincible adamant, in respect of his stability in the truth. "Rooted and built up in him." Col 2:7. The rooting of a tree evidences growth.
8. The kingdom of grace increases in a man's own heart when he labors to be instrumental to set up this kingdom in others. Though it is the greatest benefit to have grace wrought in ourselves, it is the greatest honor to be instrumental to work it in others. "Of whom I travail in birth again, until Christ is formed in you." Gal 4:19. Such as are masters of a family should endeavor to see the kingdom of grace set up in their servants; such as are godly parents should not let God alone by prayer—until they see grace in their children. What a comfort to be both the natural and spiritual fathers of your children! Augustine says his mother Monica travailed with greater care and pain for his new birth, than his natural birth. It shows the increase of grace when we labor to see the kingdom of grace set up in others. As water abounds in the river, when it overflows and runs into the meadows, so grace increases in the soul when it has influence upon others, and we seek their salvation.
Question: What need is there that the kingdom of grace should be increased?