Use 1. And therefore, we must not rest in tlieae horroived words, but ever know that the thing that is described goes beyond the description by any earthly similitude.
Doct. From the thing observe that God hath reserved a happy estate for such Christians as are elected to run in this race, that are fitted to it, and that are preserved to it.
Use 2. And this should teach us to magnify God's goodness ; that whereas by nature death with his pale horse and hell should follow us, now the course is altered. A holy life in God's commandments is given to us here, and
FHILIPPIANS CHAP. Ill, VER. 14. Ill
then glory sliall be heaped upon us. God hath begotten us to a lively hope, but hath passed by the angels, and left them without hope of recovery.
Doct. Secondly, observe this happy prize is to he given after running. God keeps this order to exercise his graces in us, that we might be a means to gain others, and that we might value happiness the more. If we did not suffer here, we could not taste heaven so sweetly ; after labour sleep and rest is sweet. And it is fitting that we should be followers of Christ, to fill up the measure of his sufferings. He did first run, and then was crowned. And this order we must keep if we mean ever to be with him.
Use. And let us he comforted lierein, though the race he long and painful, yet there is an end. It will not continue for ever, and with the end there comes a prize. The world runs in a mass here and there ; they have their reward, and their happiness will end soon ; but a Christian's happiness will never end.
Doct. In the next place observe, that it is expedient and usefid to have an eye to this p)rize. It made Paul, and it will make us run cheerfully ; and God tells us of it, to the end we may fix the eyes of our minds upon it, Col. iii. 23. Whatsoever we do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, knowing of the Lord we shall receive the reward of the inheritance.
Quest. But some may say. If it be an inheritance to us, how is it then propounded as a prize to us ?
Ans. I answer, It is both a reward and an inheritance. It is an inheri- tance because it is given to adopted sons. It is a reward after labour, not /or labour ; so as running is the way to a crown, not the cause of it.
Quest. But the papists say, we have it by faith. Why then is it a prize or reward ? Why or how can it be a prize or reward, and yet ours by belief?
Ans. I answer. Encouragement and this prize are not given to works,"a3 works, but as works by faith ; for by it we run and overcome all trials and troubles. Reward is due to perseverance, but perseverance cannot be without faith.
But for the matter'in hand, I say it is expedient to look to the prize, that we be not carried away with temptations on the right hand or on the left ; and therefore let us not look on them. Moses's eye was so fixed on this prize, as he set light by all the pleasures of his life, Heb. xi. 25, 26. The eye of faith in a Christian is stronger than that of sense, yet let us take these cautions : First, that we know ourselves sons, and that we come to this prize by inheritance. And secondly, that we love not God so much for his goodness to us, as for that goodness which is in him. For a Christian aims first at God's glory, then at his own good. And so he loves God for being goodness itself, then for being good to him. And yet a Christian in order comes first to see God's goodness to him, and therefore loves him ; and then he arises higher to the love of God, even for that he is good- ness, and henceforth admires and adores his fulness, for else to love God because God loves us is mercenary.
Use 1. We are therefore to think of this happy estate: and as children, though at first we know not what belongs to inheritances and rewards, yet the elder we grow in Christianity, the more let us search into these things, and see what is laid up for us. It is an invaluable prize that will free us from all evil, of company, of enemies, of Satan's annoyances, of hindrances, of sin, from all occasions without us and inclinations within us, from sick- ness of body and troubles of mind. It is a Sabbath after six days' work. It is beyond" all earthly crowns. The runners here envy not one another,
112 EXPOSITION OF
na^', tlicy help and further one another, and are glad of one another's for- wardness. All are heirs, all happy, all shall be crowned, and with an incor- ruptible crown, an inheritance that fadeth not, but is undefiled ; and such an one as is kept for us, 1 Pet. i 4. It is not like the crowns of leaves that soon fade. No. We shall ever be in the presence of the Son* of righteous- ness, where we shall have a continual spring.