I shall here first show what are the qualifications of those who shall have this blessed estate ; secondly, the several degrees of certainty about our interests ; thirdly, what reasons there are why we should attend upon this work with all diligence ; that we may come to a full confidence.
[1.] What are the qualifications of those who shall have this blessed estate ? It is the most important question which we can put to our souls : Ps. xxiv., ' Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord ? And who shall stand in his holy place ? ' Who shall be admitted into the place of his special residence ? I answer,
(1.) Sometimes they are described by their faith in Christ, as John xi. 25, 26, ' He that believeth and liveth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live ; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die,' or not die for ever, as the word may be rendered. The true believer, that so believeth in Christ that he liveth in him, that is, who hath accepted of God's covenant, and is become Christ's disciple, observing his strict spiritual laws, and running all hazards for his sake, united to Christ so as to live in him. Bodily death shall not extinguish the life which is begun and maintained by faith in Christ : John vi. 40, ' This is the will of him that sent me, that every one that seeth the Sou and believeth on him may have everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day.' This is God's express will. The poor sinner needeth not doubt of it ; if you do see the Son, and believe on him ; that is, see him and know him spiritually, see him in the light of the Spirit. Heretofore men saw him bodily, and had no benefit. And now many see him in the common report and tradition, by the light of human credulity, that have no benefit by him. But those that see him in the promise have a right and title ; that see him so as to see beauty in him, that they can trample upon all things as dung and dross, renounce themselves and all worldly and fleshly lusts, and flee to him as their all-sufficient Saviour, and
VeR. 1.] SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. 437
can venture their souls in his hand, and give up themselves to keep his commandments and abide in his love ; in short, those who so believe in him as to live in him and to him.
(2.) They are described to be new creatures, or the sanctified: John iii. 3, 5, ' Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God ; ' and again, verse 5, ' cannot enter into the kingdom of God.' Heaven is the inheritance of saints : Col. i. 12, ' Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light ; ' and Acts xxvi. 18, ' That they may receive forgiveness of sin, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me;' Heb. X. 14, ' By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.' No unclean thing shall enter there. If thou hast the heavenly birth, will he deprive thee of thy birthright, to which he himself begot thee of incorruptible seed ? 1 Peter i. 3, ' Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.' If holy, he will place thee among his holy ones. These are the terms to which we must unalterably stand. If we be not born again, it is but self-flattery tliat filleth us with vain conceits ; like the madman in Athens, who chal- lenged all the ships which came into the harbour to be his own.
(3.) They are described by their heavenly mind, affections, and conversations. Mat. vi. 19-21. They who make it their work to lay up treasure in heaven, have chosen heaven for their portion ; that seek it in the first place, Mat. vi. 33 ; that groan, long, wait for it, in the verses next the text ; whose conversation is in heaven, Phil. iii. 20. Dexis nihil facit frustra. If he hath given thee an heavenly mind and affections, he will give thee heaven itself. He would not stir up these desires in vain, set his servants a-longing after that which he never meaneth to give them or bestow upon them, when there is a suitableness between the person and the state, when our affections are weaned from the world and set upon heavenly things. This house is fitted for us if we are fitted for it : Eom. ix. 23, ' That he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory.' There is a meetness, Col. i. 12. As soon as we are new born, and do believe in Christ, we have a right and title ; in short, if your whole lives be a continual motion and nearer approach towards this state of rest.