Reason 2. Secondly, TJiere is such a relation hetivixt Christ and us, we 'being contracted to him here, as there is a continual longing for the consum- mation of this marriage ; even as the time between the contract and the marriage is a continual longing.
Reason 3. Thirdly, Our estate here is a warring and lahorious estate, and a pairifid service, and therefore what marvel if a sabbath, a peaceable, victorious, and triumphant estate, be sweet and to be desired ? i Use. Hence we may learn that the estate of the children of God here is imperfect, for they are under hope of a better estate. Before Christ's time they expected the first coming of Christ. So it is said of Abraham, that he longed to see Christ's day. Now after Christ's first coming, we look * The original is, If o5 %al eo]T7^^a aitixhiyoiiz^a Kug/ov 'iTiffouv X^/tfxoi', on which cf. Bishop EUicott, with his refereuces. — G.
PHILIPPIANS CHAP. Ill, VEU. 20. 141
after his second coming, when we shall be perfected ; and thus the souls in heaven are in expectation of a further happiness.
Use 2. And this is the reason of the contrarieties of estate that are in a Christian. He rejoices because he is under hope, but he sorrows because he hath not already obtained the thing he hopeth for. He rejoiceth because of his assurance, but sorroweth because of the crosses he daily meets with ; rejoiceth in the communion of saints, but ' woe is me that I dwell in Mesech,' Psa. cxx. 5. We are kings, but over rebels ; prophets, but have much ignorance, for we see but in part ; priests, but arc daily polluted with the soil of this world, and therefore do stand in need of continual washinfr.
Use 3. Thirdly, This expectation is not onJij a work of oars, but a grace wroue/ht in us by Christ, by virtue of the covenant : for God fits us with graces that have reference to our future happiness ; and it arises from love and patience, grounded upon assurance of an end and glorious issue. Christ knew we were to meet with enemies, and therefore gives us hope as an helmet and an anchor to keep us from shipwi-eck ; for he is a saviour as well in saving us here from despair, as hereafter from hell.
Use 4. This, lastly, may serve /or a trial of our estates : for many that think themselves to be good Christians, think with Peter ' it is good being here,' Mat. xvii. 4 ; it is good for them to be in this world. They fear the coming of Christ. The very thought thereof destroys all their mirth. It is to them like the handwriting on the wall to Belshazzar. The child of God is of another disposition. He is begotten to this hope : his desire is accordingly ; his endeavour and labour is by any means to attain to the resurrection of the dead, Philip, iii. 11.
Obj. But it will be said, that it' is often seen that good Christians do not alwaijs desire the coininr/ of Christ.
Ans. To which I answer. It is true ; but it is caused by their careless carriage. And yet, ever there is a spirit in them, to endeavour to do some- thing that may prepare for his coming. But a strong Christian hath ever this desire ; and if he be a mortified and growing Christian, he never wants this hope, and comfort, and earnest longing : and therefore his prayer ever is, ' Come, Lord Jesus.'
Fourthly, We may observe out of the words, where this hope is, and this expectation, it stirs up and quickens the sold to a holy conversation. It is propounded here as a ground of the apostle's holy conversation.
For it stirs us iqj to he pure, even as he is pure, as it is 1 John iii. 3. For we are a holy spouse, and there will shortly come the marriage-day ; and fitting it is that we prepare ourselves fitting for such a husband. Thus it was with the concubines of Ahasuerus. Though a temporal and earthly king, yet the custom was, they should be twelve months before they came to the king, Esther ii. ; and much more should it be our duty, evermore to be prepared to come into the presence of our eternal, heavenly King, to meet with the bridegroom ; because we know not how soon it may be that he will come, and send his angels for us to appear before him iu glory, to call us to the wedding.
Secondly, This hope will stir us up to do all good duties, and to right performance of good duties ; to do all things sincerely, as in the presence of God our judge. And therefore, not only the duty of preaching is ui-ged upon Timothy, but the manner, 2 Tim. iv. 2, who is charged by the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge all at his appearing, that he should ' preach the word : be instant in season, out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort, vaih. all long-sufierance.' And the apostle Peter having declared the second
142 EXPOSITION OF
coming of Christ, thence infers, ' What manner of men ought we to be in all godly conversation,' 2 Pet. iii. 11. And indeed, meditation of the prin- ciples of religion will inform us well in the manner of our duties, as in the nature of them ; and thus shall we be fruitful in particulars, according as our meditations are dii-ected, though the principal matters and objects of our meditation are but few.