1. Though our patience doth not merit, yet it giveth us a right, so as we may certainly expect it from the mercy of God : Mat. v. 12, ' Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in heaven.' Our transitory light sufferings are so accepted by God that they aro sure to be rewarded by him with an eternal weighty crown of bliss and glory. If we have done and suffered never so much for God, yet eternal life is a gift to be taken out of the hands of grace : Rev. ii. 10, ' I will give thee the crown of life.' It is the mercy of our Redeemer, which encourageth us to hope : Jucle 21, ' Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life'
378 BEBMON UPON 2 CORINTHIANS IV. 17.
2. It prepareth us for it, Afflictions are a means of mortification and holiness, as they deaden the gust of the flesh in us, draw us off from the love and esteem of this world, and awaken in us desires after heavenly things, and conduce to the reviving of the inward man day by day. So that by patient enduring these light afflictions, your title is more assured, your hearts are more prepared.
IV. Who are the parties interested ? 'Hfxoov in the text ; and they are described, ver. 18, ' Those that look not to things seen,' &c. It doth not so in all, but those that mind heavenly things, who make them the scope and end of their lives, and acquiesce in them as their supreme happiness, do not look for great things in a vain world, but are set upon getting home to God. If this be your scope, and you be true to it. you will not miss of what you do in the first place seek after. Alas ! many would fain go to heaven, but give no diligence to clear up their right and interest in it, nor back their longings with those endeavours which the weight of the business requireth.
Use 1. To inform us how little cause believers have to murmur under their afflictions. (1.) They are supported in this life by the comforts of the Spirit ; (2.) Rewarded with unspeakable glory in the world to come ; (3.) Sufferings are necessary.
1. In this life their trials are not insupportable, but light and momentary : 1 Cor. x. 13, ' There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man ; but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able to bear, but will with the tempta- tion also make a way to escape.' All things considered, here you have more cause of joy than sorrow. A few only are called to suffer for Christ, and those in our days suffer but a little, a few mocks and scorns < r foolish men, and will you begrudge this ? The experience occa- sioned by patience should recompense it : Rom. v. 3, 4, ' We glory in tribulation also, knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience, and experience hope.' But then —
2. In the world to come you shall have recompense enough ; it is a great reward, and a sure reward. Though you have it not in possession, you have it in promise ; and will you grudge to pass through suffering into glory, and to sow in tears that you may reap in joy ?
3. And these sufferings are so far from infringing, that they promote this glory. Christ seeth this is most for his glory and your good. It is necessary : 1 Peter i. 6, ' Ye are in tribulation if need be.' Oh, how many have miscarried by living in wealth, honour, and power ! If God will take away the fuel of our lusts, and opportunities of sinning, shall we grudge at that necessary moderate affliction which saves us from hell, and promotes our eternal happiness ?
Use 2. To persuade us —
1. To be in a condition to make use of this cordial. We must endeavour to be ' heirs of promise, that have fled for refuge, to take hold of the hope set before us,' Heb. vi. 18. You must be such that give all diligence to clear up your title by a fruitful self-denying obedience.
2. To be often meditating upon it ; for a double end —
[1.] To wean yourselves from the vanities of the world, 1 Peter i. 13. What petty trifles are all things when laid in the balance against this
SBRKOH UPON 2 CORINTHIANS IT. 17. 379
happiness ! Alas ! that our minds should be so apt to surfeit upon the H happiness of this vain world, when there are so many sweet- ening circumstances to endear heaven to us !
T2.] That you may be comforting and confirming your souls in the
hopes of this happiness in all your troubles and afflictions : 1 Thes. iv.
IS. • Comfort one another with these words.' In heaven none are poor,
- ::ute. afflicted, but all supplied. It is a great matter when we fetch
aolace hence.
SERMONS UPON 1 JOHN II. 12-14.
SERMON I.
I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. — 1 John ii. 12.