Page:Sermons on the Lord's Prayer.djvu/52

 explained the meaning and use of the Lord's command to pray that his "kingdom may come."

But, in conclusion, of one effect of such prayer we may be sure,—the effect on our own hearts: and this should be one object, if not the chief one, to be kept in view, in uttering the petition, "thy kingdom come." When we utter these words, we should look up to the Lord Jesus Christ, and pray that his kingdom may come in ourselves. We should pray that the light of spiritual truth may increase in our own minds; that the perception and understanding of such truth may be deepened and enlarged within us; and that the knowledge of such truth may be more fully attained by us. And to this end, we should pray especially, that our love of spiritual truth may be increased, and that our love of worldly things may proportionably be lessened. And above all, we should pray that our acquisition of spiritual truth may be increased through that which is the great and chief means of increasing it, namely, by putting into life and practice the truths we already know; for truth, by being practised, is turned into good—knowledge becomes love; and then from the flame of love in the heart there flows an interior light into the mind, far brighter than the cold light of the understanding alone; a light which is truly of heaven and of the Lord, and which has power to give a clear perception of truths, which were hidden in mist and darkness before. By such a course, moreover, not only shall we be able to attain that higher light ourselves, but also be enabled to manifest it to others through the example of a good and upright