were framed by the word," &c., ver. 3, . 388
,, VIII. " Through faith we understand that the worlds
were framed by the word," &g., ver. 3, . 397
IX. " Through faith we understand that the worlds
were framed by the word," &c., ver. 3, . 406
„ X. " Through faith we understand that the worlds
were framed by the word," &c., ver. 3, . 415
„ XI. " Through faith we understand that the worlds
were framed by the word," &c., ver. 3, . 424
„ XII. " By faith Abel offered unto God a more excel- lent sacrifice than Cain," &c., ver. 4, . 435
„ XIII. " By faith Abel offered unto God a more excel- lent sacrifice than Cain," &c., ver. 4, . 445
„ XIV. " By faith Abel offered unto God a more excel- lent sacrifice than Cain," &c., ver. 4, . 452
„ XV. " By faith Abel offered unto God a more excel- lent sacrifice than Cain," &c., ver. 4, . 461
,, XVI. " By faith Abel offered unto God a more excel- lent sacrifice than Cain," &c., ver. 4, . 472
„ XVII. " By faith Abel ofi'ered unto God a more excel- lent sacrifice than Cain," &c., ver, 4, . 483
SERMONS
UPON THE
FIFTH CHAPTER OF 2 CORINTHIANS.
VOL. XIII.
SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V.
SERMON IX.
Knowing that ivMlst lue are at home in the body, ive are absent from the Lord. — 2 Cor. v. 6.
From the connection with the former branch, you see a christian's condition in the world is mixed ; he is comforted, but not satisfied ; his faith is satisfied, for he is confident, but his love is not satisfied ; for ' while he is at home in the body he is absent from the Lord.' And that not for a little time only, but for his whole course, as long as his life shall last, all the while that he is at home in the body. This is added to show the reason, — 1. Of groaning. 2. Of confidence. Of groaning, because we are absent from Christ's presence and full communion with him in glory. Of confidence ; we must be sometime present with the Lord. Now we are not ; therefore we have a certain persuasion, that there shall be granted to us a nearer access after death. Then Ave look cheerfully upon death, as that which bringeth us home to God, from whom these earthly bodies keep us as strangers. Two points offer themselves to us : —
1. That a christian is not in his own proper home, while he sojourneth in the body, or liveth here in this present world in an earthly taber- nacle.
2. The main reason why a christian counteth himself not at home, is because he is absent from the Lord.
Doct. 1. That a christian is not in his own proper home, while he sojourneth in the body, or liveth here in this present world in an earthly tabernacle. The Greek words run thus : We, indwelling in the body, dwell forth from the Lord ; that is, from the Lord Jesus, the beholding of whose glory and presence we must want so long, which is grievous to a christian. Instances ; Abraham, who had best right by God's immediate donation : Heb. xi. 9, ' He sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country ; ' as in a place wherein he was to stay but a while, and to pass through it to a better country. David, who had most possession, an opulent and powerful king ; Abraham inherited or purchased nothing in the land of Canaan, but a burying- j)lace ; but David counted himself a stranger too : Ps. xxxix. 12, ' I am a stranger and a pilgrim, as all my fathers were.' He that bore so full a sway in that land, did not look upon the world as a place of rest and
4 SERMONS UPOX 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. IX.
stability. But it may be lie spoke this wheu he was chased like a flea, or hunted like a partridge upon the mountains. No ; in the midst of all his wealth and opulency, when he had offered many cart-loads of gold and silver for the building of the temple. See 1 Chron. xxix. 15, ' For we are strangers and sojourners before thee, as were all our fathers.' Nay, Jesus Christ, who was lord-paramount, telleth us, John xvii. 16, ' I am not of this world.' He that was Lord of all, had neither house nor home ; he passed through the world to sanctify it as a place of service, but he settled not his constant residence here as in a place of rest. We do not inhabit, only pass through to a better place. Reasons —
1. Our birth and parentage is from heaven. Everything tendeth to the place of its original : men love their native soil ; things bred in the water delight to return thither ; inanimate things tend to their centre ; a stone will fall to the ground, though broken in pieces by the fall ; air imprisoned in the bowels and caverns of the earth causes terrible convulsions and earthquakes, till it get up to its own place. All things seek to return thither from whence they came ; grace that came from heaven carrieth the heart thither again. Jerusalem from above is the mother of us all. Heaven is our native country, but the world is a strange place ; and therefore, though the man be at home, yet the christian is not ; he is out of his proper place. Contempt of the world is usually made the fruit of our regeneration : 1 John v. 4, ' Whosoever is born of God overcometh the world.' There is something in them that entitleth itself to God, and worketh towards him, and carrieth the soul thither where God showeth most of himself. So, 2 Peter i. 4, ' We are made partakers of the divine nature, and escape the corrup- tion which is in the world through lust.' The world will not satisfy the divine nature ; there is a strong inclination in us, which disposeth us to look after another world, 1 Peter i. 3. As soon as made children, we reckon upon a child's portion ; another nature hath another aim and tendency. There is a double reason why the new creature cannot be satisfied here. (1.) Here is not enough disjDcnsed to answer God's love in the covenant. / icill he your God, noteth the gift of some better thing than this world can afford unto us: Heb. xi. 16, ' God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city.' That title is not justified till he give us eternal rewards, for to be a God to any, is to be an infinite, eternal benefactor. Compare Mat. xxii. 32, with the fore-mentioned place. (2.) Here is not enough to satisfy the desire, expectation and inclination of the renewed heart. The aim of it is carried after two things — perfect enjoyment of God, and perfect conformity to God. There is their home, where they may be with God, and where they may be free from sin. Their love to Christ is such, that where he is there they must be : Phil. i. 23, ' Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ : ' Col. iii. 1, ' If ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God.' And there is a final, perfect estate, to which the new creature is tending ; when it shall never dishonour God more, but be made like him, and completely subject to him ; when never troubled with sin more.