Doct. 2. That in promoting the glory of Christ, we do also pro- mote the salvation of our own souls ; he is glorified in us, and we shall be glorified in him.
1. Christ taketh special notice of those that glorify him in the world. If we be factors for his kingdom upon earth, he is our agent and advo- cate in heaven, and giveth a good report of us there : John xvii. 10, ' Father, I am glorified in them.' Oh ! it is a blessed thing when our advocate can thus plead for us, and speak well of us behind our backs.
2. God hath promised this glory : 1 Sam. ii. 30, ' Those that honour me I will honour.' God may put marks of favour upon them in this world, but our glorious estate is reserved for hereafter.
3. We may expect it and look for it. Christ, who would mortify us to all other glory, doth allow us to seek the glory which cometh from God only, John v. 44 ; the first is our sin, but the other our duty. The heirs of promise are described, Rom. ii. 7, to be ' them who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for honour, and glory, and immortality.'
Use. Let us carry it so that Christ may be glorified in us. You shall not need to seek another paymaster, nor ask with Peter, ' What shall we have therefore ? ' Mat. xix. 28 ; for our glory is secured by promise if we seek his glory. Make this your great care, to glorify Christ. It is not enough to take care negatively, that he be not dis- honoured by you, but actually, that he be honoured and glorified, and that in all states and conditions, businesses and employments. Some live unprofitably in the world, and do nothing else but eat, drink, play, and sleep ; they wholly live to their carnal delights. What are these good for, and to what end have they reason and consciences ? Surely these are more like brute beasts, made to be taken and destroyed, than reasonable creatures. Others are convinced that they should live to Christ, and do now and then look after him in some rare cases, but are not so subdued by grace that this should be the ruling principle in their hearts, so as to be able to say, ' To me to live is Christ,' Phil, i. 21. To rouse you up—
1. God will have his glory upon you, if not from you. He is re- solved to be no loser by the creation of man, whom he hath created for himself. If he have not the glory due to his name, he will right himself in the course of his providence : Lev. x. 3, ' I will be sanctified in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.' Now it is a miserable thing to be made objects of his vindictive justice;
332 SERMONS UPON 2 THESSALONIANS I. [SeR. XV.
better serve him, and please him, and receive the fruits of his reward- ing grace.
2. We shall he called to an account, what we have done with our time, and talents, and interests, and opportunities, Luke xix. 23. The Lord will come, and require his own with usury ; what honour he hath by our gifts and graces, estate and esteem, power and interest in the world, by our service and relations ; how we have glorified him as magistrates, ministers, parents, masters, husbands, wives, children, servants. Beasts are liable to no account, because they have no reason and conscience, they are ruled by a rod of iron, and directed to glorify God passively ; but we have reason and choice. What will you answer when God rises up to the judgment ? Job xxxi. 14. Will this be an answer ? — I spent my time in serving my lusts. Oh, dreadful will the account of careless souls be at that day !
SERMON XV.
TJiat the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to the grace of our God, and the Lord Jesus Christ— -2 Thes. i. 12.
Doct. 2. That in promoting the glory of Christ, we do also promote our own salvation ; for if he be glorified in us, we shall be glorified in him.
The point may be represented to you in these considerations — 1. God hath appointed this order, that we should first glorify him before he glorifieth us ; and there is much wisdom and righteousness in the appointment, for otherwise two great inconveniences would follow —
[1.] It would greatly redound to God's dishonour if he should glorify those that do not glorify him, and make no difference between the godly and the wicked, those that break his laws, and those that keep them. If both should fare alike, it would eclipse the glory of God's righteous government. Who would think well of that magistrate that would not only connive at evil-doers, but reward them ? Wherefore is sin forbidden under so great a penalty, if God never meant to execute it, and would promiscuously make all happy, whether they regard their Creator's glory, yea or no. It is said, Pro v. xvi. 4, ' God hath made all things for himself, and the wicked for the day of evil.' Some good interpreters suppose it should be rather translated, 'wrought' than ' made ; ' for it relateth not to the creation, but to his providential government. God hath wrought all for himself, that is, for his honour and glory ; namely, that in all his works, his wisdom, power, goodness, justice, and holiness, might clearly appear. And so the wicked is made or wrought for the day of evil ; that is, appointed to punishment ; as Job xxi. 30, 'The wicked is reserved to the day of destruction.' They shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.