First, Consider that there is a happy estate reserved hereafter, which begins with the resurrection of the body, whereby we are far more happy than the angels that fell, and also more happy than we were in our fii"st estate in Adam, which we lost ; and therefore our hearts should be enlarged with thanks to God, that respects us above the angels, whom he hath left without hope of recovery.
2. In the next place, consider that the beginning of our blessed estate hereafter is at the resurrection, which is called the day of restoring of all things, and a time of refreshing. Acts iii. 19. It is a day when all good shall be perfected, and all evil shall cease ; all grief of mind, all trouble of body, and death itself, shall be swallowed up into victory.
Quest. But why are we not happy before our resurrection ?
Ans. I answer, because our bodies and souls are partakers of misery and » Qu. ' whereof ?— Ed. f That is, ' value.'— G.
PHILIPPIANS CHAP. Ill, VEK. 11. 99
sin here, and therefore cannot partake of fuhiess of happiness before they be united together again. God will have us to stay while all his family of blessed saints shall meet together, as well us that are now alive as our seed and posterity after us.
3. In the third place observe, that the apostle niakes resurrection of the dead the last thing ; cstahliahbuj therebij an order, that there must be means to the resurrection, and then the resurrection itself. ' Ought not Christ to suffer these things, and so to enter into his glory ?' Luke xxiv. 26. And if we suffer with him, we shall also reign with him, 2 Tim. ii. 12. The second resurrection must begin with the first. We are sons and saints hereafter, but so we must also be here ; only a difference there will be in degree of holiness. This resurrection doth not follow every manner of life, although men ordinarily expect a crown without crosses, and never look for justification and sanctification, but think they shall be in heaven at an instant without them. But we must suffer with Christ in mount Calvary, before we come with him to the mount Olivet.
4. In the fourth place, we may likewise note, that it u hard to come to heaven, because of this order estabhshed by God : not in comparison of the end — for that surmounteth in excellency the hardness of the means, — but in respect of the means ; some by fair death, with many crosses in their life ; some not by many outward crosses, yet have store of inward troubles of the mind, by reason of their inward corruption that doth trouble them ; others by violent deaths and by martyrdom. The ways are so many, and the means so diverse, as there is no certainty which way we shall pass. As St Paul knew not the means, so he cared not what the means were ; for he was content to go thither by any means. Let the cup of affliction be never so bitter, the glory ensuing will sweeten all.
1. Away, therefore, with all idle and secure thoughts of sparing ourselre?:. ' Pity thyself,' said Peter to Christ ; but was answered sharply, ' Get thee behind me, Satan,' Mat. xvi. 23.'"' No ; the way is very hard. We must come to health by physic. The end is so amiable, as it will sweeten all eour means ; and therefore it is good for us to be afflicted. Crosses brmg at length the sweetest comforts. Deny we ourselves, therefore, in Christ s cause ; know nobody ; look upon God and Christ's promises, and promise we ourselves no more than God promises. It is beyond our knowledge what God will do with us. He promises no immunity from crosses.
Nay, the saints and the apostles chose crosses and afflictions, rather than the pleasures of sin, who were wise, and had trial of both kinds ; and yet accounts these momentary afflictions not worthy of comparison with the glory that shall be revealed. They were but light, 2 Cor. iv. 17 ; Kom. viii. 18. And if we would truly believe this, it would be easy for us to be resolved, as St Paul was, to come to heaven by all assurances, and to come to all manner of assurances, Hjy any means ; for no worldly thing can brmg content like these heavenly assurances of the presence of the light of God s love, which the children of God will by no means lose.
2. Secondly, In all crosses let us not look into the state we are in, so much as that loe are going into. We are going to a palace : let us not be dejected in the consideration of the narrowness of the way that leadeth thereto. God will not suffer this fiery trial to consume anything but dross ; and therefore, let us with Christ suffer the cross, and despise the shame, Heb. xii. 2.
3. Thirdly, Labour for a right esteem of the things of this loorld. They are but momentary and fading ; yea, our Uves they are given to us by God.
* Cf. Noto g, Vol. II. pago 194.— G.