40 SERMONS UPON THILIPPIANS III. [SeR. IV.
this world, and in the world to come as happy as heart can wish. See it set forth, Kev. vii. 14, 15, ' These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them whife in the blood of the Lamb. Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple ; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them.' That is happiness indeed, to be for ever before God's throne ; they are out of gunshot, free from all temptations and dangers which they are now exposed to.
2. That we should not murmur at our estate, when others go away with other things, if we have Christ. Our heart should rejoice in Christ above all things. What if they have a more plentiful portion in the world ? You have that which is better worth, and should be all gain to you : Ps. xvii. 14, 15, ' From men which are thy hand, 0 Lord, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure ; they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes. As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness ; I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.' David allay eth his envy and repinings by this argument.
Use 3. To exhort you and persuade you to get Christ. You hear them gladly who would instruct you in the ways of worldly gain ; why should you not be as desirous to gain Christ ?
1. He is the best gain, if God be to be preferred before the creature, and eternal glory before fading riches, and the soul before the body. In gaining him you gain the image and favour and fellowship of God, and the hopes of eternal life.
2. This gain may be gotten, and gotten at a cheap rate : Isa. lv. lr 1 Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money : come ye, buy and eat ; come, buy wine and milk, without money, and without price ;' Eev. iii. 18, ' I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich ; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that thy nakedness do not appear ; and anoint thine eyes with e}7e-salve, that thou mayest see.' Means are appointed, word and sacraments.
3. Seek it and have it ; choose it and have it. In worldly things you are not sure to speed after all your toil and pains : Job xxvii. 8, ' What is the hope of the hypocrite though he hath gained ? ' A worldling doth not always make a thriving bargain : Luke v. 5, ' We have toiled all night, and have caught nothing.'
Quest. What must we do that we may gain Christ ?
Ans. That cannot be told you in a breath ; but if you will gain Christ, you must —
(1.) Use the means ; the word, which convinceth you of your lost estate ; and the gospel offereth Christ as your gain and suitable remedy; the sacraments: 1 Cor. x. 16, 'The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ ? the bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ ? '
(2.) You must submit to his terms ; sell all for the pearl of great price, Mat. xiii. 46 ; renounce your lusts ; devote yourselves and your interests to be disposed by him at his will and pleasure.
(3.) Trust in him that is true ; depend on his merits and promises : Gal. v. 5, ' We through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness
VeR. 9.] SERMONS UPON PHILIPPIANS III. 41
by faith ; ' Acts x. 43, ' To liini give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth on him shall receive remis- sion of sins.' And when troubles and difficulties arise, continue with patience in well-doing, Rom. ii. 7.
SERMON V.
And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the right- eousness which is of God by faith. — Phil. iii. 9.
In these words the apostle amplifieth the gain we have by Christ. He had spoken of gaining Christ, meaning thereby an interest in his per- son and benefits. Among the prime benefits he mentioneth his right- eousness made ours by faith : ' And be found in him,' &c. In the words we have —
1. A distinction between two sorts of righteousness ; his ' own right- eousness,' and the ' righteousness of God.'
2. A description of either ; his own righteousness, ' which is of the law ; ' and the righteousness of God, which is by or ' through the faith of Christ.'
3. His different respect to either ; the one is disclaimed, not ' having mine own righteousness ; ' the other affected ; he would ' be found having the righteousness of faith.'
For explication —