[3.] By deed they glorify Christ many ways. Partly as they set forth the glory of the truth of the gospel, when ready to seal it with their blood, and ready to own it to the death. Partly as they show forth the worth of Christ's promises, and the reality of eternal life held forth therein : 2 Cor. iv. 18, ' While we look not at the things that are seen, but at the things that are not seen,' &c. In the face of dangers and threatenings they can freely trust God for the promises of everlast- ing happiness, and venture their lives upon the hopes of it ; they know he can make them happy, when men set themselves against them to make most miserable. They have great reward in heaven, whatever entertainment they find on earth, Mat. v. 12, and dare not accept deliver- ance on sinful terms. Partly as they discover the power and glory of that internal grace by which they are assisted, 1 Peter iv. 14, and so discover the force and verity of Christianity. Lastly, as they advance Christ's kingdom : Eev. xii. 11, ' They overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives unto the death.' And so Phil. i. 12, ' Our afflictions have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel.' The kingdom of Christ gaineth by their saddest sufferings.
Let us apply this before we go any further.
(1.) It showeth us the need of trials. It is needful sometimes it should be seen in the view of men and angels that Christ hath a people that love him better than their own lives, and who will rather endure any misery than deny any part of the truth committed to them. The world will not believe this, and think all is vanity and imposture ; therefore it is needful that sometimes there should be a trial for a testimony to the world. Of perdition if they repent not : Phil. i. 28, ' Which is an evident token of perdition ; ' or for their conviction and conversion.
(2.) The use of trials. Sore troubles are not sent on God's children in wrath and hatred, to destroy them, nor to condemn their cause, but for the glory and honour of Christ, that he may be glorified in his people :
VER. 12.] SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. 329
' For a spectacle to the world, angels, and men,' 1 Cor. iv. 9. Like combatants on a theatre.
(3.) The comfort of trials. This should put a lively face on the saddest troubles, even upon a violent death, because God is glorified thereby. It was Christ's own consolation, John xii. 28, ' Father, save me from this hour ; but for this cause came I to this hour. Father, glorify thy name : and there came a voice from heaven, saying, I have glorified it, and will glorify it again.' His desires of his own safety were moderated, and submitted to the conscience of his duty ; and he preferreth the honour of God, and seeks to advance it above his own ease ; for Christ endeth all his debates with the Father thus, ' Father, glorify thy name.' Now certainly all that have the Spirit of Christ will be tender of God's glory, and account that dearer than any worldly concernment whatsoever.
2. By all holy conversation and godliness. It was Christ's design, by the doctrine of the gospel to carry on with a high hand the power and practice of godliness ; therefore he soweth the field of the world thick with this kind of seed, with doctrines that tend to advance holi- ness and godliness in the world. The whole genius of the christian religion runneth in this strain, to make men good and holy, and to breed the most excellent and choicest spirits that ever the world was blest with, and that it may be known that the life of faith is the most noble and powerful principle in the world. God would convert the world, or else leave them without excuse ; and this he would do, not only by the evidence of christian doctrine, but the holy conversation of his people. The world looketh to actions rather than words, and do not only respect doctrine, but the influence and efficacy of it, what fruits and effects it produceth. The best discourses do but harden men in sin, if not accompanied with a suitable conversation.
Now I will show you, that when these fruits break out, God in Christ is honoured : Mat. v. 16, ' Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven ; ' and 1 Peter ii. 12, ' Having your conversations honest among the gentiles, that they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.' Their holy walking would bring about the conversion of the unbelieving world, and so bring much glory to God, when he should visit them with his saving grace. So 1 Peter iii. 1, ' If any obey not the word, they may be won by the conver- sation of the wise.'
I shall prove two things — (1.) That God is represented to the world, and reverenced in the world, by the lives of christians ; (2.) That reli- gion is recommended to the consciences, and made comely in the eyes of men by that means.