many mansions, if it were not so, I would have told you : I go to pre- pare' a place for you.' His disciples, that were intimately acquainted with him, knew his fidelity, that he told them all things as they really were, and would never flatter them into a vain hope. AH his disciples that live now may be confident of it as well as they ; he lets us know the worst of the case at first, and doth not allure the senses and court the flesh, but telleth us, that, if we will follow him, we must row against the stream of our natural desires : Mat. xvi. 24, ' If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me ; ' and Luke xiv. 20, ' If any man come to me, and hate not father and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.' Therefore the believing soul, finding so much goodness and plainness in Christ, doth certainly expect what he hath promised. Those that conversed with him in the flesh had abundant proof of it ; and we that read his doctrine may observe the same goodness and mercy, and also the same simplicity and plainness of heart. And so, upon the solemn declarations of this word, which he has left in pawn with us, we may be confident of that life and immortality which he hath not only brought to light in his doctrine, but assured us of in his covenant and promise.
[2.] The expectation is earnest and desirous, because it is as great a good as human nature is capable of. To see and enjoy God, and to be made like him, what can. we desire more ? Now to have such a happiness in view and prospect, must needs make us lift up our heads, and wait, and look, and long, till it comes. On this account the saints are said to 'look for his appearing,' Titus ii. 13, and 'long for his appearing,' 2 Tim. iv. 8, or love it as the most desirable thing that can befall them. With respect to this double property of our expec- tation, as it is certain and earnest, confident and desirous, you may discern in believers several contrary affections and dispositions of heart ; as —
(1.) There is both rejoicing and groaning : Kom. v. 2, ' We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God ; ' 2 Cor. v. 2, ' We groan earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven. They rejoice because they are under hope, they groan because they have not yet attained. We rejoice because the state to come is so excellent and glorious, and offered to us upon such sure and gracious terms ; we groan because the present state is so mean and miserable, mean as to our sight of God and conformity to him ; and miserable because of the nfflictions incident to us: 'Being burdened, we groan,' 2 Cor. v. 4. We rejoice because the estate is so sure and certain; we groan because we are yet conflicting with difficulties, and but making our personal title and claim. We rejoice because at length we shall see God and be like him ; and where this hope is lively and strong, it is such a pleasure and such a joy as none but that of actual posses- sion can exceed. ' We rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory,' 2 Peter i. 8. We groan because nothing can be so great a burden as the relics of the old nature to a renewed heart : Rom. vii. 24, ' Oh, wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me from this body of death?' Afflictions are against our carnal interest, but the remainders of sin are against our nature, that new nature which God hath implanted
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in us, and which hath a tender feeling of what is displeasing to God ; therefore it is the sorest burden that can be felt.
(2.) There is another seeming contrariety of effects ascribed to hope, and that is, desiring and waiting, longing to enjoy, yet patient in tarry- ing God's leisure till we do enjoy. Hope is described by both ; earnest desire, which showeth our esteem of the benefit, Phil. i. 23, and yet patient, tarrying the Lord's leisure : Bom. viii. 25, ' If we hope for it, then do we wait with patience for it.' Both are consistent, as in 2 Peter iii. 12, ' Waiting for and hastening to the coming of the Lord.' Contrary words, tarrying and hastening, and different effects, but com- ing from the same grace. Hope would fain enjoy, yet there is a time for labours, difficulties, and troubles ; there is a longing expectation, yet a patient waiting ; the time seems long, but the reward is sure. There are desires which quicken us to use all means to attain it, that is hastening ; yet we are with patience to tarry God's leisure, while we are exercised with difficulties, that is waiting. They are glorious bless- ings we expect, when God will open the door, and let us into the enjoyment of them ; but we must stay our time, and therefore with patience we submit to God's pleasure.