more strength than he had. "He who has clean hands, shall be
IV. We pray that the kingdom of grace may increase, that it may come more into us: and this may answer a question.
Why do we pray, "Your kingdom come," when the kingdom of grace is already come into the soul?
Though the kingdom of grace be already come into us—yet still we must pray, "Your kingdom come," that grace may be increased, and that this kingdom may flourish still more in our souls. Until we come to live among the angels—we shall need to pray this prayer, "Your kingdom come." "Lord, let your kingdom of grace come in more power into my soul; let grace be more augmented and increased."
Question: When does the kingdom of grace increase in the soul? When is it a flourishing kingdom?
1. When a Christian has further degrees of grace—there is more oil in the lamp—his knowledge is clear, his love is more inflamed. Grace is capable of degrees, and may rise higher, as the sun in the horizon. It is not with us as it was with Christ, who received the Spirit without measure. John 3:34. He could not be more holy than he was; but our grace is capable of further degrees; we may have more sanctity, we may add more inches to our spiritual stature.
2. The kingdom of grace increases when a Christian has got more strength than he had. "He who has clean hands, shall be stronger and stronger." Job 17:9. "He shall add to his strength." A Christian has strength to resist temptation, to forgive his enemies, to suffer affliction. It is not easy to suffer; a man must deny himself, before he can take up the cross. The way to heaven is like the way which Jonathan and his armor bearer had in climbing up a steep