Secoyidlij, The apostle asserts his hope, ' And have hope towai-ds God, which they themselves allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.'
1. Mark that he propoundeth his hope as the immediate efiect and product of faith ; for when I believe, then I must look and long, and prepare for the blessedness offered, otherwise my faith is but a cold opinion, not such a faith as will subdue the inclinations and interests of the flesh, nor make the labours and sutferings of the spiritual life tolerable : and that is true faith which breatheth and longeth after the end of all religion, and looketh for it. What good will it do me to believe the doctrines of the prophets and apostles, if I expect no good from thence ? Faith would be vain, and religion vain. Only note liere that hope is twofold —
[1.] One the fruit of regeneration, or the immediate effect of conver- sion to God : 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 hvely hope.' And this is nothing else but a seeking and looking for a happiness in another and an unseen world, with a longing desire and diligent care to obtain it. It is faith to place my happiness so liigh and so far from sense ; now when my desires and delights are there, and my daily care is to get thither, and to live in a continual preparation for it, and desirous expectation of it, and to deny myself, and suffer any loss and pain to get thither, this is the work of hope.
[2.] There is an hope built upon experience : Eom. v. 4, 5, ' And experience hope, and hope maketh not ashamed, because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.' This dependeth upon the sense of my qualification and interest, and is confirmed by experience of God's love to my soul, for grace hath the force of an evi- dence and pledge.
2. Observe that he pitcheth upon the resurrection as the great thing hoped for, because then is our full and final happiness. We do not believe in Christ unless we believe in him for eternal life : 1 Tim. i. 1<). ' That in me first Jesus Christ might show forth all lono:-sufterino', for a pattern to them that should hereafter believe on him to life ever- lasting ; ' John XX. 31, ' But these things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that, believing, ye might have life through his name.' This is the great thing which we liope, wait: and labour for. Nobody would trouble themselves about religion, which abridgeth us of present delights, and exposeth us to
424 SERMONS UPON ACTS XXIV. 14-16.
great troubles and sufferings, but for these things. Who would deny himself, and devote himself entirely to God, but for these things ? 1 Cor. XV. 19, ' If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable ; ' but at the resurrection all shall be recompensed to us, all the effects of sin cease.
3. Observe that he proposeth the double resurrection, of good and bad; all that ever lived shall be judged and rewarded, whether good or evil ; though with a hope to be found among the good and among the sheep, not the goats. This is the true way of christian reflection upon the great day ; however we are assured of our own interest, that whilst we strengthen faith and hope, we weaken the security of the flesh. Some may miscarry, though I have hopes to be accepted: 1 Cor, ix. 26, 27, ' I therefore so run, not as uncertainly ; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air ; but I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection, lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, 1 myself should be a castaway.' We have a covenant wherein to trust, as long as we continue faithful with God, and deny the flesh its satis- factions.
Thirdly, See what account he giveth of his manners and conversa- tion : ver. 16, 'And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a con- science void of offence both towards God and towards men.'
Observe here three things — (1.) The encouragement ; (2.) The integrity of his obedience ; (3.) The laborious diligence wherewith he carried it on.
First, His encouragement, eV tovto). Interpreters diversely expound this eV TovTw (-x^povq)), interea temporis, in the meantime, till faith be turned into vision, hope into fruition. There is a time between believ- ing and possessing, hoping and having ; and during that time there is much exercise for our faith and patience : Heb. vi. 12, ' That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises,' Again, kv tovtw, by virtue of this faith and hope, upon this hope and encouragement. Faith and a good conscience are often coupled : 1 Tim. i. 5, ' Now the end of the commandment is charity, out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.' We cannot keep the one without the other ; not a good conscience without faith, nor faith without a good conscience. Not tlie first, for no man will make conscience of his duty unless he believeth in God and bopetli for salvation ; for unless we believe in God and hope for his promises, we shall not be so careful to keep a good con- science, by eschewing evil and doing good. Sometimes faitli is said to work by love, and sometimes by hope. By love : Gal. v. 6, ' For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith that worketh by love.' The soul is never fit for duty till it be possessed with the love of God and man. Sometimes by hope : 1 John iii. 3, ' He that hath this hope in him purifieth himself as God is pure.' And the second is evident, for it is said, 1 Tim. i. 19, ' Holding faith and a good conscience, which some having put away, concerning faith have made shipwreck.' Any great lust cherished will destroy our faith and hopes, as a man cannot long subsist in a leaky vessel. So 1 Tim. iii, 9, ' Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience.' Precious liquors are best kept in a clean vessel.