Lord." Matthew 25:21. To have a continual aspect of God's lovely
wonderful is that place where the blessed Deity shines forth in his immense glory, infinitely beyond the comprehension of angels!
2. The kingdom of heaven is a place of HONOR. There are glorious triumphs and sparkling crowns. In other kingdoms there is but one king—but in heaven, all are kings! Rev 1:6. Every glorified saint partakes of the same glory as Christ does. "The glory which you gave me, I have given them." John 17:22.
3. This kingdom is a place of JOY. "Enter into the joy of your Lord." Matthew 25:21. To have a continual aspect of God's lovely face, to be crowned with immortality, to be as holy as the angels, to drink of the rivers of pleasure forever—this will cause raptures of joy! Surely it deserves our utmost pains to pursue and to secure this kingdom. If we will not take pains for the kingdom of heaven—what kingdom will we take pains for? It was the speech of the spies to their brethren, "We have seen the land, and it is very good. You should not hesitate to go and take possession of it." Judg 18:9. We have had a lively description of the glory of heaven, we find the kingdom is very good; why then do we sit still? Why do we not put forth our utmost zeal and industry for this kingdom? The diligence of others in seeking after earthly kingdoms, shames our coldness and indifference in pursuing after the kingdom of heaven!
(4) The time we have to make sure of the heavenly kingdom, is very short and uncertain. "What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes away!" James 4:14. Take heed it does not slip away before you have prepared for the kingdom. Time passes on apace! It will not be long before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Eccl 12:6. The skull wherein the brains are enclosed, is a bowl which will soon be broken. Our soul is in the body, as the bird in the shell,
which soon breaks—and the bird flies out. The shell of the body is soon broken—and the soul flies into eternity! We know not whether we shall live another day. Before we hear another sermon-bell ring, our death-bell may ring. Our life runs as a swift stream—into the ocean of eternity!
Brethren, if our time is so short and transient; if the candle of life is so soon consumed, or perhaps blown out by an unexpectant death-- how should we use all our strength, that we may obtain the kingdom of glory! If time is so short, why do we waste it on trivial things--and neglect the "one thing needful," which is the kingdom of heaven? A man who has a great work to be done, and but one day for doing it, needs to work hard. We have a great work to do, we are striving for a kingdom, and alas! we are not certain of one day to work in! Therefore what need have we to bestir ourselves, and what we do for heaven, to do it with all our might!
(5) To excite our diligence, let us consider how inexcusable we shall be, if we miss the kingdom of heaven. Who have had such helps for heaven as we have had? Indians who have mines of gold, have not such advantages for glory as we. They have the light of the sun, moon, and stars, and the light of reason—but this is not enough to light them to heaven. We have had the light of the gospel shining in our horizon; we have been lifted up to heaven with ordinances; we have had the Word in season and out of season. The ordinances are the pipes of the sanctuary, which empty the golden oil of grace into the soul; they are the ladder by which we ascend to the kingdom of heaven. "What other nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to him?" Deut 4:7. We have had heaven and hell set before us; we have had counsels of friends, warnings, examples, the motions and inspirations of the Holy Spirit! How should all these spurs
quicken us in our pace to heaven? Should not that ship sail apace to the haven which has the tide of ordinances, and the wind of the Spirit to carry it? Surely if we, through negligence, miss the kingdom of heaven, we shall have nothing to say for ourselves; we shall be as far from excuse as from happiness!
(6) You cannot do too much for the kingdom of heaven. You cannot pray too much, nor love God too much. In secular things a man may labor too hard—he may kill himself with work; but there is no fear of working too hard for heaven. "In righteousness there is no need to fear excess." Seneca. The world is apt to censure the godly, as if they were too zealous, and overstrained themselves in religion. Indeed, a man may follow the world too much, he may make too much haste to be rich. The ferry-man may take too many passengers into his boat, so as to sink it. Just so, a man may heap up so much gold and silver—as to sink himself in perdition. 1 Tim 6:9. We cannot be too earnest and zealous for the kingdom of heaven; there is no fear of excess here; when we do all we can, we come short of the golden rule set us, and of Christ's golden pattern. When our faith is highest, like the sun in the meridian, still there is something lacking in our faith—so that all our labor for the kingdom is little enough. 1 Thess 3:1. When a Christian has done his best, still he has sins, and needs to bewail.
(7) You may judge of the state of your souls, whether you have grace or not, by your earnest pursuit after the heavenly kingdom. Grace infuses a spirit of activity into a person; it does not lie dormant in the soul; it is not a sleepy habit— but it makes a Christian like the seraphim, swift and winged in his heavenly motion. Like fire, it makes him burn in love to God; and the more he loves him, the more he presses forward to heaven, where he may fully enjoy him!
Hope is an active grace, it is called "a living hope." 1 Peter 1:3. It is like the spring in the watch, which sets all the wheels of the soul running. Hope of a crop makes the farmer sow his seed; hope of victory makes the soldier fight; and a true hope of glory makes a Christian vigorously pursue it. Here is a spiritual touchstone by which to test our grace. If we have the anointing of the Spirit, it will oil the wheels of our endeavor, and make us lively in our pursuit of the heavenly kingdom. No sooner had Paul received saving grace, that it is said, "Behold, he prays." Acts 9:11. The affections are by divines called "the feet of the soul;" if these feet move not towards heaven, it is because there is no life in them.
(8) Your labor for heaven is not lost. Perhaps you may think that you have served God in vain; but know that your pains are not lost. The seed is cast into the earth, and it dies—yet at last it brings forth a plentiful crop. Just so, your labors seem to be fruitless—but at last they bring you to a kingdom! Who would not work hard for one hour, when, for that hour's work, he would be a king as long as he lived? And let me tell you, the more labor you have put forth for the kingdom of heaven—the more degrees of glory you shall have. As there are degrees of torment in hell—so there are degrees of glory in heaven. Matthew 23:14. As one star differs from another in glory—so shall one saint. 1 Cor 15:41. Though every vessel of mercy shall be full —yet one may hold more than another. Such as have done more work for God, shall have more glory in the heavenly kingdom. Could we hear departed saints speaking to us from heaven, surely they would speak after this manner: "Were we to leave heaven awhile, and live on the earth again, we would do God a thousand times more service than ever we did; we would pray with more life, act with more zeal; for now we see, the more has been our labor, the greater is our reward in heaven!"
(9) While we are laboring for the kingdom, God will help us. "I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes." Ezek 36:27. The promise encourages us, and God's Spirit enables us. A master gives his servant work to do—but he cannot give him strength to work. But God both gives us our work—and gives us strength. "Give your strength unto your servant." Psalm 86:16. God not only gives us a crown when we have done running— but he also gives us legs to run! He gives enabling, assisting grace. [Law commands, grace assists]; the Spirit helping us in our work for heaven, makes it easy. If the loadstone draws the iron—it is not hard for the iron to move. Just so, if God's Spirit draws the heart, it moves towards heaven with adeptness and alacrity.
(10) The more pains we have taken for heaven, the sweeter heaven will be when we come there. When a farmer has long been working hard--it is pleasant to enjoy the fruit his labors. Just so, when in heaven, we shall remember our former zeal and earnestness for the kingdom, which will sweeten heaven. It will add to the joy of heaven, for a Christian to ponder, "Such a day I spent in examining my heart. Such a day I was weeping for sin. When others were at their amusements, I was at prayer. And now, have I lost anything by my devotion? No! My tears are wiped away, and the wine of paradise cheers my heart. I now enjoy him whom my soul loves, I am possessed of a glorious kingdom! My labor is over--but my joy remains forever!"
(11) If you do not take pains for the kingdom of heaven now, there will be nothing which can be done for your souls after death. This is the only fit season for working; and if this season be lost—the kingdom is forfeited! "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom."
Eccl 9:10. It was a saying of Charles V, "I have spent my treasure— but that I may recover again; I have lost my health—but that I may have again; but I have lost a great many brave soldiers—but them I can never regain." So other temporal blessings may be lost and recovered again; but if the term of life, wherein you should work for heaven, is once lost, it is past all recovery, you can never have another season again for your souls!
(12) There is nothing else but this kingdom of heaven, of which we can make sure.
We cannot make sure of life. When our breath goes out, we know not whether we shall draw it in again! How many are taken away suddenly! "Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes away!" James 4:14.
We cannot make sure of riches. It is uncertain whether we shall ever get them. The world is like a lottery, in which everyone is not sure to draw a prize. If we do get riches, we are not sure to keep them! "Riches make themselves wings—they fly away!" Proverbs 23:5. Experience seals the truth of this. Many who have had plentiful estates, by fire, or losses at sea, have been squeezed as sponges, and all their estates exhausted. But even if men should keep their estates awhile—death strips them of all! When death's gun goes off, away flies the estate. "We didn't bring anything with us when we came into the world, and we certainly cannot carry anything with us when we die!" 1 Tim 6:7. "I have observed something else in this world of ours. The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise are often poor, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives." Ecclesiastes 9:11. "Command
those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God." 1 Timothy 6:17.
So that there is no making sure of anything here below—but we may make sure of the kingdom of heaven. "To him who sows righteousness, shall be a sure reward." Proverbs 11:18. He who has grace is sure of heaven, for he has heaven begun in him! A believer has an evidence of heaven. "Faith is the evidence of things not seen." Heb 11:1. He has a pledge of glory. "Who has given us the pledge of the Spirit." 2 Cor 1:22. A pledge is part of the whole sum. He has a sure hope. "Which hope we have as an anchor." Heb 6:19. This anchor is cast upon God's promise. "In hope of eternal life, which God who cannot lie, has promised." Tit 1:2. So that here is great encouragement to take pains for heaven, that we may make sure of this kingdom.
(13) The kingdom of heaven cannot be obtained without labor. The way from earth to heaven is not easy. A boat may as well get to land without oars, as we to heaven without labor. We cannot have the world without labor, and do we think we can have heaven without labor? If a man digs for gravel—much more for gold. "I press toward the mark." Phil 3:14. Heaven's gate is not like that iron gate which opened to Peter of its own accord. Acts 12:10. Heaven is not like those ripe figs which fall into the mouth of the eater. Nah 3:12. No, there must be taking pains. Two things are requisite for a Christian, a watchful eye and a working hand. We must force a way to the heavenly kingdom through difficulties. We must win the garland of glory by labor, before we wear it with triumph. God has enacted this law, "That no man shall eat of the tree of paradise, but in the sweat of his brow." How, then, dare any censure Christian diligence? How dare they say, that you take more pains for heaven
than are needful? God says, "Strive as in an agony: fight the good fight of faith;" and they say, "You are too strict:" but whom shall we believe, a holy God who bids us strive, or a profane atheist who says we strive too much?
(14) Much of our time being already misspent, we had need work the harder for the kingdom of heaven. He who has lost his time at school, and often played truant, had need ply it the harder, that he may gain a stock of learning; and he who has slept and loitered in the beginning of his journey, had need ride the faster in the evening, lest he fall short of the place to which he is traveling. Some are in their youth, others in the flower of their age, others have grey hairs, the almond tree blossoms, and yet perhaps have been very regardless of their souls and heaven. Time spent unprofitably is not time lived—but time lost. "Redeeming the time." Ephesians 5:16. Those who have misspent their golden hours, they have not only been slothful—but wasteful servants. They had need now to redeem the time, and press forward with might and main to the heavenly kingdom. "The time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles." 1 Peter 4:3. It may suffice that we who have lost so much time already, should now work the harder. Those who have crept as snails, had need now fly as eagles to the paradise of God. If, in the former part of your life, you have been as willows, barren in goodness; in the latter part, be as "an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits." Canticles 4:13. Recompense former remissness, with future diligence.
(15) How unfitting and sordid, a slothful temper of soul is! "Warn those who are idle." 1 Thessalonians 5:14. "I will punish the men who are settled on their lees;" (Heb. "Curdled on their lees.") Zeph 1:12. Settling on the lees is an emblem of a dull, inactive soul. The snail, by reason of its slow motion, was reckoned among the
unclean. Lev 11:30. "A slothful man hides his hand in his bosom:" he is reluctant to pull it out, though it be to lay hold on a crown. Proverbs 19:24. [The gate of heaven does not receive those who are dull with sloth.] Brugensis. The devil himself cannot be charged with idleness. He "walks about." 1 Peter 5:8. An idle soul stands in the world for a cipher, and God writes down no ciphers in the book of life. Heaven is no hive for drones. An idle person is an easy target for temptation. When the bird sits still upon the bough, it is in danger of being shot. Just so, when one sits still in sloth, the devil shoots him with a temptation. Standing water putrifies. Heathen will rise up in judgment against sleepy Christians. What pains did they take in the Olympic games! They ran but for a garland of flowers, or an olive branch; and do we sit still—who run for a glorious kingdom! How can he who never works—expect a reward! How can he who never fights—expect a crown? Sloth is the soul's sleep. Adam, when asleep, lost his rib; and when a person is in the deep sleep of sloth, he loses salvation.
(16) Holy activity and industry ennoble a Christian. [Work is adorned with honor.] Cicero. The more excellent anything is, the more active. The sun is a glorious creature—and it is ever in motion, going its circuit. Fire is the purest element, and the most active, it is ever sparkling and flaming. The angels are the most noble creatures, they are represented by the cherubim, with wings displayed. The more active for heaven, the more illustrious, and the more do we resemble the angels. The phoenix flies with a coronet on its head. Just so, the industrious soul has his coronet, his labor is his ensign of honor.
(17) It is a mercy that there is a possibility of happiness, and that upon our pains taking we may have a kingdom. By our fall in Adam we forfeited heaven. Why might not God have dealt
with us as with the lapsed angels? They had no sooner sinned than they were expelled from heaven, never to come there more. We may say, as the apostle, "Behold the goodness and severity of God." Romans 11:22. The apostate angels behold the severity of God—that he should throw them down to hell forever! We behold the goodness of God in that he has put us into a possibility of mercy. Just so, that if we do but take pains, a kingdom stands ready for us. How should this whet and sharpen our industry, that we are in a capacity of salvation; and that if we do but what we are able—we shall receive an eternal weight of glory!
(18) Our labor for the kingdom of heaven is light and transient. It is not to endure long; it expires with our life. It is but a short while—and we shall be finished with our working. For a little labor—we shall have an eternal rest! Who would think much to wade through a little water, if he were sure to be crowned as soon as he came on shore? Christians, let this encourage you, you have but a little more pains to take, a few tears more to shed—and, behold an eternal recompense of reward. What are a few tears—compared to a crown. What are a few minutes of time—compared to an eternity of glory?
(19) What striving is there for earthly kingdoms, which are corruptible, and subject to change! With what vigor and alacrity did Hannibal's soldiers continue their march over the Alps, and craggy rocks! Men will will swim to a crown in blood. Will they venture thus for earthly promotions, and shall not we strive more for a heavenly kingdom? This is "a kingdom which cannot be moved" (Heb 12:28); a kingdom where there is unparalleled beauty, unstained honor, unmixed joy; a kingdom where there shall be nothing present which we could wish were removed, and nothing absent which we could wish were enjoyed. Surely if there is any spark
of grace, or true generosity in our breasts, we shall not allow ourselves to be out-striven by others; we shall not let them take more pains for earthly honors, than we do for that excellent glory which will crown all our desires.
(20) What pains some men take to go to hell, and shall not we take more pains to go to heaven? "They weary themselves to commit iniquity." Jer 9:5. Sinners hire themselves out in the devil's service. What pains some men take to satisfy their unclean lusts! They waste their estates, wear the shameful marks of their sin about them, and visit the harlot's house, though it stands the next door to hell. "Her house is the way to hell." Proverbs 7:27.
What pains do others take in persecuting the godly! Holiness is the mark they shoot at. The devil blows the horn and men run speedily to hell--as if they feared hell would be full before they could get there! When Satan had entered into Judas, how active was he! He went to the high priests, from them to the band of soldiers, and with them back again to the garden, and never left until he had betrayed Christ! How industrious were the idolatrous Jews! So fiercely were they bent upon their sin, that they would sacrifice their sons and daughters to their idol-gods. Jer 32:35. Do the ungodly take all these pains for hell —and shall not we take pains for the kingdom of heaven? The wicked have nothing to encourage them in their sins, they have all the threatenings of God as a flaming sword against them. Oh, let it never be said, that the ungodly serve the devil better--who rewards them only with fire and brimstone; than we serve God--who rewards us with a glorious kingdom!
(21) The labor we take for heaven is a labor full of pleasure. Proverbs 3:17. A man sweats at his recreation, tires himself with hunting—but there is a delight he takes in it which sweetens it. "I
delight in the law of God after the inward man." (Gr. I take pleasure) Romans 7:22. Not only is the kingdom of heaven delightful—but the way there is also pleasurable. What a delight has a gracious soul in prayer! "I will make them joyful in my house of prayer." Isaiah 56:7. While a Christian weeps, joy drops with tears; while he is musing on God, he has such quickening of the Spirit, and, as it were, such transfigurations of soul, that he thinks himself half in heaven! "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, and my mouth shall praise you with joyful lips, when I remember you upon my bed," etc. Psalm 63:5, 6.
A Christian's work for heaven is like a bridegroom's work on the morning of the marriage-day, he puts on his vesture and weddingrobes in which he shall be married to his bride; so, in all the duties of piety, we are putting on those wedding robes in which we shall be married to Christ in glory. Oh, what solace and inward peace is there in close walking with God! "The work of righteousness shall be peace." Isaiah 32:17. Serving God is like gathering spices or flowers, wherein there is some labor—but the labor is recompensed with delight. Working for heaven is like digging in a gold mine; the digging is labor—but getting the gold is pleasure! O, then, let us bestir ourselves for the kingdom of heaven; it is a labor of pleasure. A Christian would not part with his joy for the most delicious music; he would not exchange his anchor of hope for a crown of gold. Well might David say, "In keeping your precepts there is great reward," not only after keeping your precepts—but in keeping them. Psalm 19:11. A Christian has both the spring-flowers and the crop; inward delight in serving God is the spring-flowers, in the kingdom of glory at last is the full crop.
(22) How industrious have the saints in former ages been! They thought they could never do enough for heaven; they could
never serve God enough, love him enough. Augustine, "Lord, I have loved you too little!" What pains did Paul take for the heavenly kingdom. "Reaching forth unto those things which are before." Phil 3:13. The Greek word, to reach forth, signifies to stretch out the neck; a metaphor from racers, who strain every limb, and reach forward to lay hold on the prize. Anna, the prophetess, "departed not from the temple—but served God with fastings and prayers night and day." Luke 2:37. Basil, by much labor for the kingdom, exhausted his bodily strength. "Let racks, pulleys, and all torments come upon me," said Ignatius, "just so that I may win Christ." The industry and courage of former saints, who are now crowned with glory, should provoke our diligence, that so at last we may sit down with them in the kingdom of heaven.
(23) The more pains we take for heaven, the more welcome will death be to us. What is it that makes men so reluctant to die? They are like a tenant which will not go out of the house until the officer pulls him out. They do not like to hear of death. Why so? Because their conscience accuses them, that they have taken little or no pains for heaven; they have been sleeping when they should have been working—and now they are afraid lest death should carry them prisoners to hell. But he who has spent his time in serving God, can look death in the face with comfort. He was wholly taken up about heaven—shall now be taken up to heaven; he traded before in heaven, and now he shall go to live there. "I desire to depart, and to be with Christ." Phil 1:23. Paul had wholly laid himself out for God, and now he knew there was a crown laid up for him, and he longed to take possession.
Thus I have given you twenty-three persuasive or arguments to exert and put forth your utmost diligence for obtaining the kingdom of heaven. O that they were written in all your hearts, as with the point
of a diamond! Because delays in these cases are dangerous, let me desire you to set upon this work for heaven at once. "I made haste, and delayed not to keep your commandments." Psalm 119:60. Many people are convinced of the necessity of looking after the kingdom of glory—but they say as those in Hag 1:2, "The time is not come." They adjourn and put off until their time has slipped away—and so they lose the kingdom of heaven. Beware of this fallacy. Delay strengthens sin, hardens the heart, and gives the devil fuller possession of a man.
"The king's business required haste." Just so, the business of salvation requires haste. 1 Sam 21:8. Do not put off an hour longer. [The fleeting hour flies on fickle wings.] What assurance have you, that you shall live another day? Have you any lease of life granted? Why then do you not immediately arise out of the bed of sloth, and put forth all your strength and effort, that you may possessed the kingdom of glory? Should not things of the highest importance be done first? Settling a man's estate, and clearing the title to his land, is not delayed—but done in the first place. What is there of such grand importance as the saving of your souls, and the gaining a kingdom? Therefore today hear God's voice; now mind eternity; now get your title to heaven cleared before the decree of death brings forth. What imprudence is it to lay the heaviest load upon the weakest horse! So it is to lay the heavy load of repentance on yourself—when you are enfeebled by sickness, the hands shake, the lips quiver, and the heart faints. O be wise in time; prepare now for the kingdom. If a man begins his voyage to heaven in the storm of death—it is a thousand to one—that he suffers an eternal shipwreck!
Use 6. For exhortation to those who have any good hope through grace. You who are the heirs of this kingdom—let me exhort you to six things: