Further, in that the church here stands upon her comeliness, notwith- standing of all her deformities and infirmities, learn we,
Doct. 3. There is a glory and excellence in the saints of God in the midst of all their deformities and debasements. Though they be encompassed with many miseries, yet are they glorious even in this life. Indeed their glory IS like Solomon's curtains, not obvious to every eye; like Kedar's tents, or a heap of wheat in the chaff, and outwardly base, but inwardly excellent. Iheir life is sanctified indeed, and they live the life of grace, hence they are termed glory, Isaiah iv. 5 ; hence, as Ps. Ixviii. 13, after their misery, It is promised they should be as the wings of a dove, covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold; hence, Ps. xlv. 16, they are called princes m all lands, all glorious within, to be of excellent beauty; hence. Ps. ex. I u^ beauty is termed a holy beauty; yea, that which is said of the church of Smyrna, Rev. ii. 9, may be said of every church, ' She is poor, * Cf. Judges xili. and Ps. Ixxi. — G.
THE church's blackness. 101
but ricli;' and that which Paul saith of the apostles may be said of all, they are poor and rich, base and honourable, dying and yet living, having nothing, and yet possessing all things, 2 Cor. iv. 8, et seq. And why?
Becison 1. Needs it must be so, for being converted, they obtain a new name, Rev. ii. 17 ; yea, they have this peculiar favour granted, as 1 John iii. 1, to be called the ' sons of God.' This is set down with a ' behold,' to admire the wonderful love of God and excellency of the saints, who are also called princes on earth, as Ps. xlv. 16.
2. Secondly, they have a new nature, being made partakers of the image of God, and so of the divine nature ; as it is, 2 Pet. i. 4, ' having escaped that corruption which is in the world through lust.'
3. Thirdly, they have a new estate ; Christ Jesus makes them free, as John viii. 35, and he makes them also rich, supplying all their wants with the riches of his glory : as Ps. iv. 3, the prophet says, * But know that the Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself,' &c.
4. Lastly, they have a new kindred and guide. God is their Father, they are members of Christ: 1 Cor. xii. 13, they are * led by the Spirit of God.' God dwelleth in them, and the Spirit of glory rests upon them even in affliction, 1 Pet. iv. 14, and fiUeth them with glorious faith and precious graces.
[1.] This first discovers a wonderful blindness in m, who can see no such matter in the saints of God. Christians shine in the world as stars in a dark night, and as far excel all others as corn weeds, chaflf; yea, as far as lilies and roses do thorns and briars ; and yet we cannot see it, unless we have riches, titles, fashions, wit, beauty to grace them. We see no beauty in them, we do not regard nor reverence them, we neglect, nay, despise them. Oh hearts of flesh, oh carnal eyes, that can see nothing but out- ward gauds and toys ! How do we stick in the outward mud of this world, that serve only the world ! How do we judge by the outward ap- pearance ! How carnal to have the glorious faith of Christ in respect of persons ! Jude 16. How blind are we who cannot see the sunshine, and no excellency in those whom all the glorious angels serve, whom the King of glory terms ' the fairest of women !' Brethren, what shall I say to you ? If your eyes be so blinded that you cannot see the church like Solomon's curtains, cannot see beauty in a Christian's face, wisdom in his language, glory in his behaviour, even in affliction ; when their happiness is revealed, it will be a proof against you that you have not that anointing of God which teaches you all things, that you are but natural. Ask yourselves, therefore, the question, what men do I most admire, reverence, and who is most glorious in my eye ? And if the Christian be not, you have but fleshly eyes, hearts, and afi"ections. Strive and labour reformation.
[2. J Secondly, This is comfort to saints now and hereafter. Now they be glorious, but yet they are but in the way going to glory ; as Prov. iv. 18, ' The path of the just is as the shining light' that waxeth more and more unto the perfect day.' Yet ' their hfe is hid with God in Christ.' When Christ, ' which is their life, shall appear, then shall they likewise appear in glory,' Col. iii. 3. Now they are the sons of God ; but it appeareth not in this world what they shall be ; and if they be now such, whilst black, what when in heaven, when Christ is made glorious in them ? If thus in their pilgrimage, what at home in their country ? If thus, imperfect, what in perfection ? If thus, in corruption, what when this corruption shall put on incorruption ? And if thus, in mortality, what when mortality shall be swallowed up of life ?