Thy Kingdom come. — APPLICATION.
Use 1. To reprove those that do not desire the coming of Christ, but put off the thoughts of it; why? Because it casts a damp upon their fleshly rejoicing: Which put far away the Day of the Lord, the evil day; it is so to them (Amos 6:3). They wish it would never come, and would be glad in their hearts to hear such news; why? For Christ's coming is their torment and burden; they look upon it as a vengeance, and an evil day, therefore are loath to entertain the thought of it. Says Austin, Can you pray that the Kingdom of God may come, when you are afraid the Kingdom of God should come? A carnal man cannot say the Lord's Prayer, without being afraid; they tremble at the remembrance of it; they are afraid it should be true, and afraid to be heard; if it might go by their voice, Christ should never come. The voice of corrupt nature is, Depart from us: And what can the Almighty do for them? (Job 22:17). Or if they do desire it, it is but in a slight formal manner, as those in the prophet, that would see the Day of the Lord, yet they could not bear it (Amos 5:18). Woe to you that desire the Day of the Lord; to what end is it for you? The Day of the Lord is darkness, and not light. They little consider what they are doing, and what is their danger, when they are making such a prayer to God, Your Kingdom come.
Use 2. For trial. How are you affected towards the coming of Christ? Are you carried out with such an inclination and bent of heart, as the day of your perfection, and the day of your solemn enjoyment of God? Is the bent of your heart carried out to things to come? If there be looking, then there would,
1. Be a preparing. A man that expects and desires the coming of a great person to his house, will make all things ready, is careful to furnish himself: When all is sluttish and nasty, and nothing of provision, do you look for your guest? What have you done, as to the Day of Christ's coming? Have you judged yourselves? (1 Corinthians 11:31). If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. Have you ever seriously passed sentence upon yourselves, according to the law, that you may be found in Christ (Romans 8:1). There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ. That you may have Christ's righteousness to bear you out in that day, against Christ's judgment? Are you so as you would be found in him? Do you live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world? Strict walking is a preparing and providing for this day; you do but provide for terror, when you give way to sin. The Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; therefore what manner of persons should you be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for, and hastening to the coming of the Day of God (2 Peter 3:10-11). We should be trimming up our lamps.
2. What kind of entertainment do you give to Christ now? Do you entertain him for the present into your hearts, in his ordinances? A woman that never cares to hear from her husband, does she long for his coming? O be careful now to get Christ into your hearts.
3. What does this expectation produce? What revivings in the fore-thoughts of it? Abraham rejoiced to see my Day, and he saw it, and was glad (John 8:56). He means the day of his incarnation, the day of his abode in the world; Abraham foresaw, by the eagle eye of his faith, through all mists, clouds, veils, and ceremonies; he got a sight of Christ's day, and it did him good at heart. Do the apprehensions of it make your hearts spring and leap within you for joy? What groanings, longings, what dealing with God about it does it produce? For the earnest expectation of the creature waits for the manifestation of the Sons of God (Romans 8:19). What support and strength does it give you against the burdens and sorrows of this present life, to remember Christ will come.
Use 3. To press us to this sweet affection and disposition of the saints. I might mention the profit of it; this longing, looking, and waiting for the coming of Christ, it will make us heavenly in our conversation. Christ is there: where should we converse most, but where Christ is? And it makes us faithful in improving our talents: Our Lord will come, and reckon with his servants (Luke 19:15).
