Use 1. It showeth us how much it concerneth us to be assured of the future estate. It is the life of our religion ; it bindeth our duty upon us by the strictest tie, and doth also establish our true and proper com- fort. If we may have hope of better things from Christ in another world, not only in our calamities, but by our calamities, we should not liave such dark and doubtful thoughts about eternal blessedness, but live more in the clear foresight of it by faith, and the foretaste of it by hope. Especially should this support us in two cases— in sharp afflic- tions, and in death.
1. In sharp afflictions. We are apt to take scandal and offence at
140 SERMONS UPON 1 CORINTHIANS XV. VX
the sufferings that befall ns for righteousness' sake ; but consider not only tlie promises of Christ, but tliat our very persecution is an argu- ment of our final deliverance. The opposition of ungodly and un- righteous adversaries is ' to them an evident token of ])erdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God,' Phil. i. 28. That they are wretched and obdurate people, and run on to their own destruction ; but that you are sincere and penitent believers, who are not drawn away from your fidelity to Christ by any terrors whatsoever. It is not eVSetfi^r, not only an argument to confirm the hopes of the gospel, but a mark and token of your sincerity; it coiitirmeth your right. Well, then, though our afflictions be smart and grievous, let us comfort ourselves with these hopes. You are not to look to present things, but future ; not to what is applauded in the world, but what opinion Christ will have of them at the last ; not to what you feel now, but what you shall enjoy hereafter. Though all things appear with pomp and glory on the world's side, and terror to the saints, yet this scene is soon withdrawn, and present time is quickly past, like a dream or piece of fantasy ; and then there is an utter inversion of things; shame is on the wicked's side, and honour put upon the saints ; and the shame and glory are both eternal; and when they enter into everlasting torments, we enter into our master's joy ; and the children of God, that are derided and vilified in the world, are then approved and justified by Christ ; and it shall be plainly seen that they have chosen the better part that have chosen the faith, and patience, and holiness of the saints.
2. In death. This is a comfort suited to that time. When you die^ you may commend your souls to Christ; as Stephen: Acts vii. 59, * Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.' God trusted Christ with souls from all eternity; they were given him by way of charge and rev/ard; and you may trust him, for he is able to make good his trust: 2 Tim. i. 12, ' I know whom I have believed, and I am ])ersua(led that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.' If they are consecrated, they may be committed. And you may dismiss your bodies to the grave, there to rest in hope: Acts ii. 26, 'More- over also my flesh shall rest in hope ; ' Acts xxiv. 15, 'And liave hope towards God, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.' So Acts xxvi. 6-8, 'And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fatheis : unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come: tor which hope's sake. King Agrippa, I a id accused of the Jews. Why should it be thouglit a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead ?' Death seemeth to mal<e void all the promises at once, but there is an estate after death. The dead shall rise ; and to men bred up in the church this should not seem incredible. It is not incredible in itself, considering the justice and power of God ; and this should not seem incredible to us, since all religion tendeth to it ; but rather you should entertain it as a mattei- of undoubted certainty. All true believers do look and long for and prepare for this blessedness ; otherwise why should they trouble them- selves about religion, which abridgeth them of present delights, and often exposeth them to great difficulties and sufferings ? But there is another life, which is happy and joyful; and therefore we serve God instantly day and night.
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Use 2. That it concernetli us to see this blessed estate, not only by the liglit of faith, but reason. Though the light of scripture be more sure and clear, yet the light of nature hath its use. Nature saith, It may be ; faith saith, It shall be ; yet the light of nature must not be rejected.
1. Because things seen in a double light work the more strongly upon lis ; as our affections are stirred more by a double consideration than u single. As Paul said of Onesimus to Philemon, that he was dear to him, but much more dear to him ' both in the flesh and in the Lord,' ver. 16, as being one of his faith, and one of his family ; so this work- •eth upon our faith, when even nature teacheth us that it is reasonable to expect such a retribution ; then all vain cavils are refuted. All have not received the light of scripture, at least Avith such veneration and reverence as they ought to do : to such the light of nature is a prepa- rative inducement either to believe, or to believe it more firmly. Nay, the children of God have not such a steady belief of the life to come -as they ought to have, especially in time of temptation, as the time of grievous and bitter persecution is. Surely we need all the succour and relief which the nature of the thing will afford. Evil is present and pressing, and our great lioj^es are to come ; surely then, besides the grounds of faith, we must study the helps of faith. The grounds of faith are the promises of the gospel ; the helps of faith are such demonstrations and evidences as the light of nature will afford in the case. Therefore reason must be allowed to be an handmaid to faith.