[3.] An earnest Is part of the whole bargain, though but a little part ; usually the centesima pars was given by way of earnest. So the saving gifts and graces and comforts of the Spirit are a small beginning, or a part of that glory which shall then be revealed. Grace is begun glory, and they differ as an infant and a man. A carnal man and a renewed man differ more than a renewed man and a glorified man ; the one in kind, the other in degree ; the one as a man and an ape, the other as an infant and a man. Saving knowledge is a degree of the vision of God : John xvii. 3, ' And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent ; ' and 1 Cor. xiii. 12, ' Now I know in part, but then shall I know even as also I am known.' We are transformed both by
VeR. 5.] SERMONS UPON 2 CORIMTHIANS T. 485
the one and the other. Compare 2 Coi-. iii. 18, with 1 John iii. 2. Kegeneration is an immortal seed, a becrinnin<r of eternal life. He that is born again hath eternal life abiding in him. Holiness and purity is a pledge of that sinless estate and exact conformity and likeness to God which afterwards we enjoy, Eph. v. 26, 27 ; 1 John iii. 2, 3. So comfort, a beginning of those eternal joys we shall have in God's presence : 2 Thes. ii. 16, ' He hath given ns everlasting consolation, and good hope through grace.' The redemption of l^elievers is already begun, and their bonds loosed in part : Col. i. 13, ' Who hath delivered ns from the power of darkness, and translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son,' which is a pledge of that complete redemption which is to come : Kom. viii. 23, ' But ourselves also, which have the lirst- fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our bodies ; ' Eph. i. 14, ' Wliich is the earnest of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchased possession ; ' Eph. iv. 30, ' And grieve not the Holy Spirit, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.' When freed from all sin and misery ; all sin at death, and misery at the last day. Con- verse and communion with God here is the beginning of our everlasting communion and living with God hereafter, for the throne of grace is the gate and porch of heaven ; so that a believer when he dieth doth only change place, not company.
[4.] Earnest is given for the security of the party that receiveth it, not for him that giveth it; indeed, he that giveth the earnest is obliged to fulfil the bargain, but it is most for the satisfaction of the receiver. So this earnest is given for our sakes ; there is no danger of breaking on God's part ; but God ' was willing more abundantly to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of his counsel ; ' because of our frequent doubts and fears, in the midst of our troubles and trials, we need this confirmation.
[.5.] It is not taken away till all be consummated, and therein an earnest dilFereth from a pawn or pledge. A pledge is something left with us, to be restored or taken away from us ; but an earnest is filled up with the whole sum. So God giveth part, to assure us of obtaining the whole in due season. The beginning assureth the man of obtaining the full possession : Phil. i. 6, ' Being confident of this very thing, that he that hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ.' The beginning assureth the complete consummation of their blessed estate in soul and body. Spiritual comforts are joys of the Spirit, which assure us that we shall receive ' the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls,' 1 Peter i. 9.
3. The use and end of an earnest is —
[1.] To raise our confidence of the certainty of these things. Believers are apt to doubt if ever the covenanted inheritance shall be bestowed and actually enjoyed by them. Now, to assure them that God will be as good as his word, and doth not weary us altogether with expecta- tion, he giveth us something in hand, that we may be confident. You see God offered you this happiness when you had no thought of it, and that with an incessant importunity, till thy anxious soul was troubled, and made a business of it, and by the secret drawings of his Spirit inclined thy heart to choose him for thy portion, pardoned thy failings,
486 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. VIII.
visited thee in ordinances, supported thee in troubles, helped thee in temptations ; his Spirit liveth, dwelleth, and worketh in thee ; there- fore always confident, ver. 6. There is some place for doubts and fears, till we be in full possession, from weakness of grace and greatness of trials.
[2.] To quicken our earnest desires and industrious diligence. The first-fruits are to show how good, tis well as earnest how sure. This is but a little part and portion of those great things which God hath provided for us. If the earnest be so sweet, what will the possession be ? A glimpse of Crod in the heart, how ravishing is it ! Oh ! how comfortable a more lively expectation!