2. That our glory in heaven is the fruit of Christ's death, who pro- cured this eternal inheritance for us. It is not merited by our holiness, but purchased by Christ. Take away his death, there can be no expiation of sin, therefore no inheritance, no covenant or promise of the inheritance ; for it is said, Heb. ix. 15, ' That by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under the first testament, they which are called may receive the promise of eternal
488 SERMONS UPON EPHESiANS V. [S::r. XXXIL
inheritance.' All the promises of eternal life are made for and in consideration of Christ's satisfying the justice of Grod, and meriting his favour for us ; without that we can neither have right to nor possession of this blessed estate. It is good to consider what respect the death of Christ hath to our estate of glory, and what respect likewise holiness hath to it. The death of Christ iiath a meritorious influence upon it, as it purchaseth the gift, and the promise, and the Spirit to enable a man to fulfil the conditions of the promise. But holiness doth qualify for this blessedness, partly as it is the condition without which we can- not obtain it : Heb. xii. 14, ' Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord ; ' and partly as it denoteth the persons who by the gospel grant have alone a title thereunto : Mat. V. 8, ' Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God ; ' and partly as it disposeth and fitteth us for this blessedness, for they are foi'med for this very thing : 2 Cor. v. 5, ' Now he that hath wrought us for the self-same thing is God, who hath given us the earnest of the Spirit ; ' and are made meet for it: Col; i. 12, ' Giving thanks unto the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light'
3. It implieth that none but those who are purified by the blood and Spirit of Christ have interest in this privilege. All these have au interest, and none but these, for we must not disturb the order of Christ's benefits ; for, first, he doth sanctify and cleanse the church by the washing of water through the word, from the guilt and filth of sin, and then present it to himself as a glorious church. They must be regenerated by the Spirit, and have their consciences purged from dead works by his blood, before they are capable. We must be children before we can be heirs ; none ai'e children but they that are born of the Spirit, and so justified and adopted into God's family ; none can have the whole sum, but they that have the earnest and first-fruits, for that is God's method : 2 Cor. i. 22, ' Who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts ; ' Eom. viii. 23, ' And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first-fruits of the Spirit; even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.' We cannot expect the flower or fruit without the seed, nor the end without the beginning. Now holiness doth participate of glory, and heaven is virtually in the seed of grace.
Secondly, That we enter into this everlasting estate by being pre- sented to Christ ; for in the text it is said, ' That he may present it to himself,' that is, as the bride to the bridegroom, that the marriage may be consummated. It was the ancient custom that betrothing preceded marrkige ; as Dent. xx. 7, ' What man is there that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her ? let him go and return to his house, lest he die in battle, and another man takes her.' Thus Mary was espoused to Joseph before they came together, Mat. i. 18. So we are contracted to Christ now, but married hereafter ; as Rev. xix. 7, 'Let us be glad, and rejoice, and give honour to him, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready.'
In the scripture there is a threefold presentation spoken of —
1. One made by believers themselves : Eom. xii. 1, ' I beseech you
VeR. 27.] SERMONS UPON EPnESIANS V. " 489
therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service ; ' Kora. vi. 13, ' Neither yield ye your members as- instruments of unrighteousness unto sin, but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments^ of righteousness unto God.' When we give up ourselves to God by Christ, and employ our time, and strength, and all our faculties for him. ^
2. It is ascribed to the apostles, or Christ's messengers, who have a charge ; and when they have done their work, present us to God as the fruit of their labour : 2 Cor. xi. 2, ' But I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy ; for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.' It is the duty of the- ministers of the gospel to prepare and fit Christ's people, that they may be a spouse to him ; and it is a blessed thing when we can produce them as the fruit and pledge of our faithfulness ; for in the great day of our accounts this will be our crown and our rejoicing, that we have converted any to God, or prepared and fitted them to be accepted by Christ.