1. It is of great force to support us under the difficulties of obedi- ence. In the context Paul is discoursing of what supported him and kept him from fainting under the labours of his apostolate. It was a toilsome life to go up and down, venturing upon all hazards and uncertainties, and to travel far and near, and all to draw souls to Christ. A blessed work in itself ! but toilsome to the flesh. ' But we know,' &c. The same holdeth in all other duties of our general and particular calling. Nothing puts us upon such a willing industry, and ready, constant watchfulness as this — confidence that, after we have gone through a short life here in this world, this everlasting blessedness will be our portion : 1 Cor. ix. 26, ' I run, not as one that is uncertain.' An assurance of the end sweeteneth the race, and allayeth all the difficulties of the way. A poor beast will go home cheerfully. How pleasant is it to know that we shall be with God for ever ! When we are assured that every step sets us nearer heaven- ward, it will make us mend our pace. Doubtfulness is a torment to an understanding creature, and blind guesses and dark hopes cannot animate us so much as a cheerful and confident expectation. The more assured our hope, our endeavours are the greater : 1 Cor. xv. 58, ' Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know your labour is not in vain in the Lord.'
VbU. 1.] SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. 441
(2.) It is of great force to quiet our minds in the midst of all the cares, sorrows, and crosses of the present world. The soul that hath this anchor needeth not to be tossed with all those tempests and anxieties of mind which worldly men are subject unto, for whatever uncertainty there may be in their outward condition, there is a sure estate laid up for them in heaven : Col. i. 5, and 1 Peter i. 4, ' Keserved for us in heaven.' There we shall fully enjoy our God, and all things in him ; we know it and are sure of it ; a certain durable treasure which is above the reach of danger, and beyond all possibility of loss.
3. It is of great force to enable us to bear the greatest sufferings, not only with a quiet, but with a joyful mind : a duty often pressed upon us in scripture, and a christian height which we should all aspire unto ; and we can hardly attain to it till we have a confidence of our own blessedness in another world, for it is this maketh light the greatest sufferings, Eom. viii. 18 ; 2 Cor. iv. 17; Heb. x. 34. One that hath the promise of eternal life in the hand of his faith, this glory and blessedness in tlie eye of his hope, can look through all tribulations, and see sunshine at the back of the storm ; that the tribulation is working out means to help on and hasten this glory. He knoweth in himself, hath assured grounds of confidence in his own soul, that he shall have better things from God than he can lose in the world ; that to be persecuted for righteousness' sake is the nearest way to heaven. He hath the promises to show for the certainty of the thing, and evi- dences in his heart of his own right and title.
4. It is of great force to support us against death itself, which is the king of terrors. Certainly a christian should get above the fears of death, and be willing to be dissolved and to be with Christ. Now, we shall be so far from desiring to die, that we can hardly venture to die, without assurance of a better estate. Alas ! how bitter is the thought of death to that soul that must be turned out of doors shiftless and harbourless, and is not provided of an everlasting habitation, or a better place to go to. But now get this once certain, and then death will not be so terrible, whether it come in a natural or violent way. (1.) Natural ; when sickness is ready to fret life asunder, then you are at the gates of heaven, waiting every moment when you shall be called in. When death shall draw aside the veil, and show you the blessed face of God, you are just ready to step into immortal pleasures. You do but change houses when you die, and it is not an exchange for the worse, but for the better, a cottage for a palace ; do but step into this house, and you bid an everlasting farewell to all sin and sorrow in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye. (2.) Violent, Kom. viii. 35, 36. The sword is but the key to open the prison doors to let out that soul which hath long desired to be with Christ : Heb. xi. 35, ' Were tor- tured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection ;' contented to die by the hands of the tormentor, because they would have God's deliverance, not his.
442 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SbB. Ill