2. Let us mind not only privileges, but duties. We have great privileges ; we are called to enjoy sweet fellowship with Christ here : 1 Cor. i. 9, ' Faithful is he who hath called you to tlie communion of Christ Jesus our Lord,' and to a glorious estate hereafter. But we are also called to the sanctification of the S[)irit and the belief of the truth ; and we cannot obtain the one without the other. Do not so mind comfort as to slight holiness, and divide one i)art of your calling from the other. Comfort is consequent to holiness, and followeth it as heat doth fire. The S[)irit is more necessarily a sanctifier than a comforter ; for our duty and obedience to God is a greater thing than our own peace. Holiness is the im;ige of God upon the soul,
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and the blessed perfection wherein we were created : Gen. i. 27, ' So God created man in his own image.' And when it was lost by sin, Christ came and paid our ransom, that he might renew us by his Spirit : Titus iii. 5, 'According to his mercy he saved us, by the wash- ing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.' Yea, much of our everlasting blessedness lieth in it. For heaven is to be looked upon not only as a state of complete felicity, but exact holiness : 1 John iii. 2, ' We know that when he doth appear, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is ; ' Eph. v. 27, ' That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing ; but that it should be holy and without blemish.' Then it is a glorious church. Christ hath done his whole work. Holiness is the beauty of God himself, Exod. xv. 11, and puts an excellency on us, if we love it, and imitate it : Prov. xii. 26, ' The righteous is more excel- lent than his neighbour : but the way of the wicked seduceth them.' We do not only excel other men, but we are more amiable in the sight of God : Prov. xi. 20, ' The upright is his delight.' In short, it is a part of salvation itself, and a means to that which remaineth : Acts xxvi. 18, ' Inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith in Christ Jesus.'
3. Let us reflect upon ourselves. Have we God's call ? Have we obeyed the gospel ? This will clear up your election to you : 2 Peter i. 10, ' Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure : for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall.' Do you find such a belief wrought in you by the Spirit as begins in brokenness of heart, and ends in holiness ? For Christ came to ' call sinners to repentance,' Mat. ix. 13 ; that is, men sensible of sin to holi- ness of heart and life ; to return to God, that we may first live to him, and then with him.
4. To improve the belief of the glory promised. (1.) To sweeten obedience, or a cause of holiness which for the present is so tedious to the flesh. Now here is our labour, hereafter our recompense, 1 Cor. XV. 58. Every day we should grow more meet for his glory, Col. i. 12. (2.) To a contempt of all worldly things, good or evil. If good, many are pleased with this world's good things, but have no affection to spiritual and heavenly things ; like the rebellious Israolites, who more desired the onions and garlic of Egypt than the milk and honey of the promised land, or the celestial manna, Num. xi. 5, 6 ; worse tlian prodigals, that rest more satisfied with husks of swine, than bread which is in their father's house : they have their good things. Now, we should remember we are called off from these things, from dreggy ■contentments, base enjoyments, to the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. (3.) The evils of the world— crosses, afflictions : 'After ye have suffered 41 while, the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you ; ' and 2 Tim. ii. 11, 12, * It is a faithful saying : for if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: if we sufi'er, we shall also reign with him.' Our afflictions are both breves and leves, light and momentary : 2 Cor, iv. 17, ' For our light afiiiction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.' Our sufferings are small if compared with the reward ; the time short, if
122 THE THIRTEENTH SERMON. [2 ThES. II. 15.
compared with eternity. There is a twofold eternity — that eternal death wliich the wicked must endure ; that eternal life which we enter into. This should sweeten all bitter waters. (4.) To dispose and prepare us for death. The contemplation of immortality hath left strong impressions on the hearts of heathens ; some burnt themselves as impatient to tarry longer. If a dark view, vain hope cause this, what should a sure promise and earnest of the Spirit do ?