[3.] The false apostles are described by their hypocrisy and ambi- tion : ' They glory in appearance, and not in heart.^ For the opening of this clause, observe. First, That there were false apostles at Corinth, who sought to depreciate Paul, and to lessen the authority of his
Vers. 11, 12.] sermons upon 2 corinthians y. 101
doctrine: 2 Cor. xi. 13-15, 'For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himseh' is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing, if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.' Secondly, These false apostles were great boasters, and apt to glory ; whenever they are spoken of, we hear of this glorying ; ' that wherein they glory, we may be even as they.' Thirdly, Their glorying (as that of all hypocrites) was in some external thing. Called a glorying iv aapKi, 2 Cor. xi. 18, ' Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also ; ' and here iv TrpoacoTro), ovk ev KapBta. But what fleshly and external thing they gloried in, is not expressly mentioned. Some leave it in the general, that they boasted before men, otherwise than their conscience, and the truth of the thing did permit: Onuie id quod inter homines hmnana sapienfes, maximi fieri solet, Grot. Others instance in particular, birth, wealth, abilities of speech, frothy eloquence, 1 Cor. ii ; in a coloured show of man's wisdom and eloquence, and not in true godliness. Some think in the multitude of their followers, or in the applause of their hearers ; some a show of zeal, holiness and fidelity, when they were destitute of the truth of godliness, and that sincerity which is truly a comfort ; some in their taking no maintenance, to gain credit and advantage ; that appeareth by 2 Cor. xi. 9. Of all the churches planted by the apostles, Corinth was the richest, and Macedonia the poorest, yet Paul's preaching at Corinth was maintained from Macedonia, 2 Cor. xi. 9. Wherefore ? as he himself puts the question , ' That I may cut off occasion from them that desire occasion, that wherein they glory, we may be found even as they,' 2 Cor. xi. 12. But what if it be such things as had a nearer connection with and respect to religion ; as their acquaintance with Christ, that they had known him in the flesh, and owned him, while yet alive, which is supposed to be intended in that expression ? 1 Cor. i. 12, ' I am of Christ ;' others received the doctrine of life from Peter, Paul, Apollos, they immediately from Christ himself. This boasting these Corinthian doctors used, to keep up their own fame among the people, and to weaken the credit and esteem of Paul's apostleship ; for this objection lay against him, that he had not, as other disciples, convex sed with our Lord Jesus Christ, while he was upon earth. Now Paul, that he might give the Corinthians occasion to glory in his behalf, and furnish them with an answer to those that gloried, iv TrpoacoTrcp kol ov KapZlq, in external privileges, when their consciences could give little testimony of their sincerity, — Paul had more valuable things to boast of. namely, that he was much in spirit, much in labours, much in afflictions, for the honour of the gospel. To all which he was carried out by the hopes of eternal life, the terror of the Lord at the day of judgment, and the love of Christ ; these were more valuable considerations, whereupon to esteem any one, than bare external privileges could possibly be ; nay, in their outward privileges, he could vie with them, for though he was none of Christ's followers, whilst he was here upon earth, yet lierein he was equal to them, if not exceeded them, by having seen Christ, and being spoken to by him out of heaven ; therefore he saith, 1 Cor. ix. 1. ' Am not I
102 SERMONS UPON 2 CORINTHIANS V. [SeR. XIX.
an apostle ? Have not I seen Jesus Christ the Lord ? ' But Paul did not seek his esteem merely for his vision of Christ, and that ecstasy which befell him at his first conversion, but for his faithful discharge of his work, on the grounds fore-mentioned, for he would not glory, eV irpoa-oiTra) as others did, but iv Kaphla. Mortified christians, that have given up themselves to the Lord's use, should more mind that, and esteem themselves and others for true and real worth, more than the advantage of external privileges. I am con- firmed in this exposition by what is said, ver. 6, 'Wherefore, hence- forth know we no man after the flesh, yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet henceforth know we him no more ; ' that is, we should not esteem and judge of persons by their conversing with him in the flesh, but by their loyalty and obedience to him. If they be zealous for his kingdom, and can upon the hopes which he hath offered, run all hazards and encounters of temptations, and upon the confidence of his coming to judgment be faithful to him, and out of love to his person, and gratitude for the work of redemption, deny themselves, and live to his glory, they have cause to glory in heart ; whereas others, who boast only of personal acquaintance with him, but are not sound in doctrine and the practice of religion, do only glory in a mere appearance, or outward show before men, but can have no true, solid confidence in their hearts. Well then, here lay the case between Paul and his opposites ; they gloried in some external thing, which could give no solid peace to the conscience ; but Paul could glory in his perseverance, diligence, patience, and self-denial for the gospel ; the sense of which made his heart rejoice. And by the way, the same glorying may be taken up by all the faithful, painful preachers of the gospel, against their opposites, who are the popish clergy ; who glory in their pomp and their great revenues, and that they are the suc- cessors of the apostles, and can pretend an external title to this inheritance, and sit in their chair, as Pope Alexander VI., Hcec est bona persuasio, quia per hanc nos 7^egnamus. Now you are to judge, who are they that glory in heart or in appearance. They that glory in their riches, or outward possession ? or they that glory in their labours, sufferings, and converting of souls to God ?