A Commentary on 1 Peter 1-3, Exposition of chapter 1 · Exposition of verse 6
Verse 7.
That the tryall of your faith being much more precious than the gold that perisheth (though it be tryed by fire) might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ.
THis Verse containeth the fourth reason, why afflictions and temptations should not darken the sense of our happinesse, and that is taken from the effect of afflictions and tentations, which is in this Verse both propounded and amplified: It is propounded in these words, the tryall of your faith; and it is amplified two waies: First, by comparison with gold tryed in the furnace: And secondly, by consideration of the event; it will be found to praise, and honor, and glory at the appearing of Iesus Christ. First of the effect, as it is briefly propounded.
The tryall of your saith.]
Two things I would note here. 1. In generall, that God will try men. 2. In speciall, what God tries in men, viz. their faith.
Ier. 9 7. Esay 31. …ult.For the first: It is certaine that the Lord hath his fire in Sion, and his furnace in Ierusalem, and he will melt man. For what else should hee doe to his people?
God tryes men six wayes.Now the Lord is said to try men divers waies.
First, by observing their waies: and so to try or search them, is nothing else, but to take notice of them and their estates: and so the word may be taken, Psal. 139.1, 2, 3.
Secondly, God proves men when hee bestowes speciall blessings upon them, Exod. 16.4.
Thirdly, God tryes men by the power and efficacy of his Word. For that melts the heart of man like a furnace, and tries, and searcheth his inward parts, Mat. 3.2. Heb. 4.12.
Fourthly, praise and applause is sometimes as the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold, Prov. 27.21.
Fiftly, one speciall way, by which God tries men, is by false Prophets, and that is, by suffering their dreams, or signs, or words to come to passe, Deu. 13.1
Sixtly, God tries men by afflictions and tentations, so commonly it is meant, and so here: now God hath two furnaces of afflictions; there is the furnace of his fury, Ezech. 22.21, 22. &c. The other is the furnace of mercy, and this is here meant.
Now the tryall in affliction is not simply or properly the affliction it selfe,7. waies God tryes men in affliction. but certaine specialties of consideration in the affliction: and thus God tries us,
1. First, when he sends many crosses one in the neck of another, and some of them of longer continuance, Dan. 11.33, 35. and so in Iobs case.
2. Secondly, when hee sends upon our spirits strange and unwonted terrors, Exod. 20.20.
3. Thirdly, when he smites some eminent men with sore, and unexpected judgements, Dan. 11.34.
4. Fourthly, when he delayeth or withholdeth expected favours, Deu. 8.2.
5. Fiftly, when he gives but a little help, Dan. 11.34.
6. Sixtly, when hee leaves us to our selves, and withdrawes the speciall working of his spirit, 2 Chron. 32.31.
7. Seventhly, when he suffers us to fall into the same miseries that wicked men doe, yea sometimes making our condition to be as the beasts of the field, Eccles. 3.17, 18, 19.
Now the consideration of this doctrine of Gods melting,Vses. and trying men may serve for foure Uses:
1. First, there is a great comfort in it, and that foure waies:Comforts in our t…ls.
1. For first it is a comfort, that God makes so much account of men, as to think them worthy the melting or trying: even this favour Iob wonders at, Ioh 7.18.
2. Secondly, it is comfortable, that it is Gods wont to try his servants, it hath been Gods custome to doe so. It is no strange thing, if he try us, hee doth no more than what hee hath done to them that were deare unto him, Heb. 11.36.
3. Thirdly, it is especially comfortable, if we consider out of other Scriptures the manner of Gods compassion and care for his people, when they be in the furnace. For
First he appoints their time how long they shall tarry there, and beyond that time they shall not be in the furnace, Dan. 11.35.
Secondly, the Prophet Malachy saies, he sitteth down himself by the furnace to tend it, and to look to them, Mal. 3.2. or if he be upon any occasion urged to be absent, the Prophet Esay saies, he flies, and returnes, Esay 31.9. and ult. &c.
Thirdly, if they have any sute to God, or make any moane while they live in the furnace, they are sure to be heard, no time like it for the hearing of prayer, Zach. 13.9.
Fourthly, if the fire be too hot for them, he will defer his wrath, and refraine from them, Esay 48.9, 10.
Fiftly, he will take notice of a little grace in the midst of a great deale of drosse: if there be but a sigh, a good thought, a holy desire in the midst of a great deale of ignorance and perturbation, he will accept it, and account of it, Rom. 8.27.
4. Fourthly, it is a comfortable doctrine to Gods children, if they consider but the effect of this melting, and that either the present effect, or the future. The present, it is to try them, not to consume them, or to make a full end of them: it is to refine them, not to destroy them, Dan. 11.36. Ier. 46. ult. and they shall come out, as Iob saith, as the gold, Iob 23.10. And besides, for the time to come, it is certaine, the Lord tryes them, that hee may doe them good at their latter end, Deut. 8.14, 15, 16. and after they are tryed they shall have a crowne of life, Iam. 1.12.
And thus of the Use for consolation.
Secondly, this doctrine is a terrible doctrine too: terrible I say in generall to all such as will not be purged by affliction: such as will not be made better by their crosses: Let them consider, that it is the Lord that cast them into the furnace, and seeing they mend not, one of these two evils will befall them: Either the Lord will give them over, as altogether drosse, and so they shall never be purged, or else since they will not mend by the beginnings of his displeasure, he will cause his fury to rest upon them, as the Prophet speaks, Ezech. 24.13, 14. and in particular, woe to all wicked men that nourish themselves in sinne, because they are inward or secret sinnes. Little doe they know, or thinke that God will search Ierusalem with lights, even all them that be frozen in their dregges, or setled on their lees, Z…ph. 1.12. When the Lord will search for them, it is not the top of Carmell, nor the bottome of the sea that shall hide them, &c. Amos 9.2, 3. And in speciall, woe is to all hypocrites, they are fallen into Gods hand, that compasseth about all their waies, there is not a thought in their minds, but God seeth: woe to carelesse professors, the Lord will make all the Churches to know, that hee searcheth the heart and reines, Rev. 2.23.
Thirdly, this doctrine may teach us two things:
1. First, to be more carefull of in …ard uprightnesse, seeing it is God that tryeth us, who tries the heart as well as the life, 1 Chro. 29.19.
2. Secondly, in all the wrongs and aspersions of wicked men to put our selves upon Gods tryall, Psal. 7.9. Ier. 11.20. 1 Thes. 2.4.
Of your faith.
Two things I note here.
1. First, that where God gives faith, he will try it, where he bestowes the assurance of his favour (let men looke for it. For) certainly hee will melt them, God will try our faith for divers reasons, he will thereby melt off the rust of antiquity. There be certaine odde and old opinions, and conceits in men at their first conversion, and it is Gods manner to schoole men by afflictions, and many times a Christian in a few daies of adversity learnes more true knowledge, then otherwise hee would doe in many weekes. Againe, there are dregges of unbeliefe in the best and these need to goe into the furnace to get them off: Besides, by affliction God doth shew the truth of his owne grace from that, which is but counterfeit in wicked men. The furnace manifestly puts a difference betweene a justifying faith, and the best of all other faiths, to wit, temporary faith: this may serve to confute their folly, that think themselves happy, because they are not in trouble as other men. But contrariwise, this is an ill signe many times that they are miserable, and have not any faith that would endure the tryall. This should also teach us so to seeke assurance of Gods favour, or so to hold the possession of it as to looke for assaults and tryals, while we are in this world more or lesse.
2. Secondly, that of all other graces God stands most upon faith in affliction, and this is so, both because it brings more glory to God (for to live by faith is to yeeld an immediate glory unto God) as also, because it is of most principall use for the good of Christians. For faith doth in the midst of all stormes, and the waves of adversity set a Christian on a rock; it doth give him ground to be established upon, so as he needs not feare drowning, hence the Metaphors of grounded and stablished are given to faith.
Againe, Faith delivers from the curse of the law, so as what afflictions break in upon a Christian, they are not curses, but chastisements, which may be a great hearts ease in all temptations or tryals. Againe, Faith quiets a mans heart, and works peace and inward tranquility: for against the force of the curse it gives a man accesse to the view of the glo…y of heaven, yea it doth as it were give a being to things which are not:foreign is the word used. Heb. 11.1. it makes the glory of heaven as it were present; it laies hold on eternall life. Lastly, faith is many times the very condition of deliverance; it is with us according to our faith. Faith makes us whole: faith delivers us: as soone as we can get our hearts to trust upon God, the Crosse is gone: the Lord staied but till we would beleeve in him with all our hearts.
Now is this so? doth God stand so much upon our faith in affliction?Vse. How is it then, that wee doe not beleeve? Oh unbeliefe! unbeliefe is ever worse than the crosse it selfe.M…k 4.40. There is nothing the tempter would rather deceive us of, then our faith. Oh how is the heart of man turned away from true faith! there are a great number of us,1 Thes. 36. as it were …eprobates concerning the faith, we are of no judgement, wee are altogether blockish in this point of beleeving in God.
But in the second place, let this doctrine perswade with us, when wee feele impatiency, or any other perturbation rising in us, to check our selves,Luke 8.25. and say to …ur own soules, where is my faith now? and with the poore man in the Gospell, let us run to Christ with teares in our eyes, crying, and saying, I beleeve, Lord help my unbeliefe: and with the Disciples, let us still pray, Lord increase my faith. Yea thirdly,Luke 17.5. 1 … 16.13. Heb 2.5. 2 Thes. 1.11. since the Lord accounts so much of our faith, wee should strive after perfection even to get a strong faith, and to shew our selves unmoveable in affliction, and to this end wee should be much in the Apostles prayer, that God would so fulfill the Counsell of his owne will, that hee would be pleased to fulfill the work of our faith with power.
But some one may say, what is it in affliction to shew our faith,Quest. or what must we doe to approve our selves to God, that we doe beleeve?
He that would approve his faith in affliction must doe foure things:Answ. How we shew our faith in af…l…ction.
1. First, if he be conscious to himself of any evill that he hath too much favoured, hee must speedily repent, and give glory to God, and make his peace with God, Dan. 12.10.
2. Secondly, he must be sure he hold fast his assurance, so as he call not the love of God into question. For as the Lord will still owne his people in all their adversities, saying, they are his people: so must they still stick to this, the Lord is my God. This is to beleeve, to hold fast this assurance, whatsoever befall us, Zach 13. ult.
3. Thirdly, hee must be sure to lose no ground, either in the affections of godlinesse, or in the confession or profession of the truth. No affliction must abate his love to godlinesse, or the Word, or Gods children; nor hinder his free profession of the truth.
4. Fourthly, hee must commit his way to God, and rely himselfe, and all his a…tions upon God, putting his trust upon Gods promises and goodnesse, Psal. 37. Phil. 4.6.
But especially the praises of faith in affliction will be greatly enlarged, if we can adde these things following:
1. First, if wee can trust upon … …mmit ou… waies unto him ▪ resting upon his promise, though we see no meanes to accomplish it, Rom. 4.
2. If patience may have her perfect worke so as we could goe through afflictions with that firme unmoveablenesse that we would resist all perturbations, and that in all sorts of trials.
3. If we would beleeve, though God himselfe did seeme to withdraw, or to neglect us. This was the great faith of the woman of Canaan.
4. If we can hold out without hasting to use any ill meanes, or unlawfull courses to deliver our selves, Esay 28.16.
5. Fiftly, if wee can in affliction be wise to sobriety, resting contented, though God doe not discover the reason of his proceedings with us, Rom. 12.3.
6. Sixtly, if wee can preserve a tender sense of our owne vilenesse, being glad of smaller favours, rejoicing when God is pleased to give us but a little help, thankfully acknowledging any degree of succour, not seeking great things for our selves.
Quest.But might some one say, What should move us thus in affliction to rely upon God, and to approve our faith in him?
Answ.Seven things should perswade us to trust upon God in all adversity.
7 things should move us to relie upon God in affliction.1. First, Gods promise: Heb. 13.4. Psal. 50.15. Iob 34.23. Esay 30.18, 20. Psal. 94.12, 13, 14. Psal. 97.11. Psal. 125.3. Psal. 126.5, 6. and it is certaine, we may trust God upon those promises: For Gods words are pure, and sure words, and have been tryed in the fire seven times.
Mark 11.24. 1 Ioh. 5.14, 15. Psal. 91.15.2. Secondly, the liberty of asking what wee will of God. Wee have reason to beleeve in him, when wee are sure to have whatsoever wee aske of him.
3. The consideration of Gods unchangeable counsell and decree; wee are appointed unto all our afflictions, 1 Thes. 3.2, 3.
4. Fourthly, the example of all the worthies of God, as a cloud of witnesses, should perswade us with faith and patience to run the race of godlinesse set before us: For these all lived by faith, Heb. 12.1. Their afflictions were as great as ours, and they rested upon God and were not disappointed, therefore we should be followers of them, Heb. 6.12.
5. Fiftly, the speedinesse of our help and succour. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry, and therefore the just should live by faith, their tentations shall not last long.
6 Sixtly, our owne experience: Did we ever lose by resting upon God? Was he not a help in trouble ever ready to be found? Can wee say, that wee ever beleeved in God and were ashamed of it afterwards? Or can wee tell the time, that by our care wee could ever adde one cubit to our stature. Matth. 6. Rom. 9.33.
7 Seventhly, the recompence of reward proposed to them that will glorifie God by beleeving in him: He will be made marvellous in them that beleeve. 2 Thess. 1.11. A crowne of life is prepared for them, that by faith and patience prove their love to God, in enduring tentations. Iam. 1.12.
Lastly, in that the Lord stands so much upon faith in the time of tryall, it may serve for singular comfort unto us, if the Lord be pleased so to leade us through afflictions, that our faith hath proved unmoveable unto the end. This is in a manner all that God would have of us: certainly he is happy, in whom Christ may finde faith, when he comes to try him in the furnace of tribulation.
Thus of the effect of tentations, as is briefly propounded in these first words of the Verse: Now followes the amplification of it, and that first by comparison with gold.
More precious than gold.]
These words more precious then gold, may be referred eyther to the persons of Gods children tryed: or to affliction, by which they are tryed: or to faith, that was tryed.
For the first, it is most certaine, that Gods servants are most precious in his sight: He esteemes them more then all treasures: They are his portion and inheritance:Tit. 2.14. 1 Pet. 1.19. Deut. 7.6. He bought them at a high price, and accounts of them at a wonderfull high rate: They are his peculiar people, and his jewels; which should teach us in imitation of God to separate betweene the precious and the vile, accounting one that hath true grace,Mal. 3.17. Ier. 15.19. above a thousand carnall persons: and we should oppose the love of God and his account against all the scorns and oppositions of the world.1 Ioh. 3.1. Besides, it is an excellent comfort in affliction: for this great account God makes of us, may assure us, that he afflicts us not willingly, but with singular pitty. To conclude, hath God avouched us for his treasure, and peculiar people, and shall not we then avouch God to be our God, to keep his commandements, Deut. 26.15.and set a high price upon the holinesse he requires?
Now for the second: It is true also, that the very afflictions and tryals of Gods servants are better than gold.Afflictions better then gold for divers respects. Moses thought they were better than the treasures of Egypt aHeb. 11.26., and they are so in divers respects. 1. Because they take away our sinnes, which is all fruit bEsay 27.9.. 2. In respect of the wonderfull joyes of God, which a Christian findes in affliction cRom. 5.3. 1 Thes. 1.5.. 3. Because they are notable meanes to weane us from the world, and fit us for heaven. 4. Because they worke unto us d2 Cor. 4 17.an eternall waight of glory, which all the treasures in the world would not purchase. All which should greatly hearten us in all wrongs and troubles, knowing that the Lord will cause all to work for the best eRom. 8 28 34, and in all these we shall be more then Conquerors. But I think chiefly it is to be referred to faith, and so it assures us, that grace is better than treasure, and faith is better than gold: and this will appeare better, if wee compare the nature, or the use, or the end of these.
For the first: The substance must needs be better than the shadow;Grace better than gold in divers respects. now gold is used, but to resemble and shadow out the worth of grace. Besides, riches are neither true, nor ours. Not true, for it is manifest, that opinion sets the price upon these outward treasures. Nor are they ours: for they will not goe with us. And for the use of these, there is a great disproportion: Grace may bring riches, but riches cannot bring grace, Iob 28.16. Prov. 24.4. Riches are but for the use, or ornament of the outward man; but faith and grace make the soule glorious, Psal. 45.10. Riches occasion much sinne, Esay 2.8.7. 1 Tim. 6.9. but faith purifieth the heart. Riches will not availe in the day of wrath, Prov. 11.4. Ezech. 7.19. & 28.13.19. Zeph. 3.18. but faith will finde a propitiation to still Gods displeasure, Rom. 3.25. Faith works a great deale of peace, and inward tranquility; but riches are like thornes, and to have much gold is to have much care, and all will still be vanity and vexation of spirit. And lastly, for the end of these it is apparant, that the end of faith is the salvation of our soules, 1 Pet. 1.9. but a rich man can hardly bee saved, and because of riches thousands of men lose their soules.
The Use may be either for instruction or consolation.
For instruction two waies:Vse. 1. First, this should raise our estimation of poore Christians that are rich in faith, Iam. 2.5. 2. Secondly, it should quicken us to the seeking of this precious faith aboue all treasures: Receive faith and not silver, and assurance above much fine gold, and when thou hast gotten assurance, keep that which God hath committed to thee.
And for consolation, how can it but be comfortable to all that are thus honoured of God to be trusted with this true treasure: God will be their gold, as he said, Iob 22.23, 24, 25. Oh happy are the men that find… the merchandise of faith! Let all poore Christians rejoyce, that they are thus exalted; and contrariwise, woe is unto the world because of faith: men seek gold, but who seeks faith? what shall it profit him to have an empty soule, and a full chest; to have goods, and not be good?
Yet before I passe from these words, wee may note some things that are implyed:
First, gold is precious: He granteth that, when he saith, faith is more precious. For these outward things are Gods creatures, and he retaineth his title to them still: It is his gold, and his silver still; which may teach men to be carefull, how to dispose of these outward things. For they must give an account of their stewardship even in these.Gold perisheth both actively and passively.
Secondly, gold is here said to perish, which is true, both actively and passively: Actively, it makes many a man to perish, and therefore it is called riches of iniquity, and is said to drowne men in perdition: and passively it perisheth, because it vanisheth, and will not continue; Riches have w…ngs, and either vanity will rust them, or violence take them away; and many times they are lost to the unexpressible griefe of the owner, Nabum 2.9, 10.
Object.But it seemes, Faith doth perish too, 1 Cor. 13.
Solut.It perisheth in respect of the act of it, but not in respect of the fruit of it: for so it endures for ever. And all this should teach us to have our conversation without covetousnesse, Heb. 13.4. and if riches increase, we should not set our hearts on them, Psal. 62.10. but rather lay up for our selves a good foundation by the mercifull communicating of them, 1 Tim. 6.17.
Though it be tryed in the fire.
Fire is sometimes taken properly, and so it may be referred to gold, and then the sense is, that faith is better than gold tryed in the fire: Fire is sometimes taken metaphorically; and so there is the fire of mortification, 1 Cor. 3.13. and the fire of renovation, Mat. 3.11. and the fire of tribulation, and the fire of condemnation, &c. It is the fire of tribulation which is meant here. Sometimes by this fire is meant any tribulation; and sometimes a speciall, fierce, and unresistible crosse is meant by it: and so I think the fiery triall, 1 Pet. 4.12. is to be taken, and so it may be understood here. It is sure, that God doth sometimes try his best servants with strange afflictions: yet here is comfort, that all this shall be for their good, which should teach us in the greatest troubles to live by faith, 1 Pet. 4.12, 13. and in lesser affliction… not to be moved, seeing wee have n…t resisted unto so high a degree of affliction as many of Gods deare servants have. Againe, wee may hence note, that Christians are not Stoicks, they have sense of their affli…tions: Crosses are fire, and fire wil be felt, no affliction for the present seemes joyous.
Thu… of the first way of amplification: the second followes, which is by the consideration of the event.
Might be found unto praise, and honor, and glory, in the revelation, or at the appearing of Iesus Christ.
For the sen…e of these words: The words praise and honor, and glory may be referred to God, and so it is true, …hat tryall of the faith of Christian… in their manifold tentations shall bring a great deale of glory and honor to God in the day of Christ.
But I rather choose to understand it of the Christian.
Some think the three words should note the three waies of exalting Christians; and so they should have praise in words, honor in gesture, and glory in deeds: but I think they are but severall words to expresse joyntly one and the same thing.
Before I come to the maine doctrine, here are divers things to be noted, which are implyed both concerning Honor, and the appearance of Christ.
Concerning Honor these thing… may be noted.
First, that faith and sincerity in this world for the most part want praise, and honor, and glory from men, and therefore he promiseth them, that howsoever it goe, yet in the day of Christ saith shall not want praise, &c. It is here no wonder to be made as a signe or wonder even in Israel, Esay 8. If men refraine from evill one beast or other will prey upon them, Esay 9 15. To be reviled with all man…r of evill sayings is …upposed by our Saviour, M…t 5.11. They that are after the flesh have done it, and ever will persecute those that are after the spirit, Gal. 4.29.
Secondly, it seemes the Lord taketh a power unto himselfe and his word, even to judge and determine the cases of Honor. It is a fond conceit that our great Gallants have, that they think that in defence of their Honor they are not bound to the word: but they are deceived;Note. and they doe well (perhaps) to shun the sentence of Scripture in the case of their monomachies or single fights; for it yeelds them but small comfort to embolden their great spirits. For these are the words of the holy Ghost, It is a mans honor to cease from strife, but every foole will be medling, Prov. 20.3.
Thirdly, perfect Honor will never be had till the day of Judgement, which should the more confirme us in a contempt of the honor of this world: In this world they are many times praised, whom God abhorreth, and men say to the wicked, thou art righteous. It is an usuall thing, that they that forsake the law themselves, praise the wicked, Psal. 10.3. Prov. 24.24. Secondly, earthly honor is wonderfull deceitfull, many get it by ill meanes, and men may be praised by them that curse them in their hearts: and besides, earthly Honor will not abide, nor can man continue here to enjoy it long, Eccl. 8.10. Psal. 49. 13. neither will it content the mind of man if it be had, Eccles. 6.2. and for the most part it makes men sensuall, man in honor understands not, but they live and die many times as the beasts that perish, Psal. 49. ult.
Now concerning the revelation of Jesus Christ, we must know, that it is taken sometimes actively, and sometimes passively. Actively, and so for that work of Christ, by which hee reveales his Father and his will to his members, so Mat. 11.23. Gal. 1.12. Now passively, there is a threefold revelation of Christ: 1. In his flesh: 2. In his spirit: 3. In his glory. In his flesh: for so godlinesse is a great mysterie, in that God was revealed in the flesh, 1 Tim. 3.16. In the spirit, so Christ was revealed in Paul; in that by the spirit the grace of Christ was revealed in him, Gal. 1.16. Thirdly, Christ shall be revealed at the last day in his glory from heaven, and this revelation is meant here, as it is also 1 Cor. 1.7.2 Thes. 1.7.
The doctrines implyed are three:
First, that Christ shall come againe, and be revealed from heaven, and therefore woe to those mockers that walk after their lusts, and aske when his comming shall be.
Christ hid till his second comming in six respects.Secondly, that Christ is as it were hid till his second comming, and so he is in sixe respects.
1. First, in respect of the sense of our mortall eyes, the heavens like a curtaine hide him from us, Act. 1.
2. Secondly, in respect of the admirable glory of his person. For at that day his glory shall be revealed, which now is as it were hidden.
3. Thirdly, in respect of the estate of his members, our life is hid with Christ. He is not glorious in the outward glory of his members, Col. 3.3.
4. In respect of the manifestation of his love; he hath not shewed himselfe to wicked men, Ioh. 14.22. nor fully revealed himself to the faithfull; it doth not yet appeare what they shall be, 1 Ioh. 2.3.
5. Fiftly, in respect of the secrets he shall then break open: little doe we know, or heare of, what he will then discover, when hee shall break open the everlasting counsels of God, and discover the depths of Gods providence, and the deeds of all both good and bad, and the glory of the Elect, and the eternall misery of the damned.
6. Sixtly, in respect of the suddennesse of his comming, Luk. 17.30.
All which should make us the more to long for his appearing: for that shall be such a time as never was.
The third thing implyed is, that the thought of the day of Judgement is a sure refuge to a Christian minde, when many other comforts for the present faile.
But the maine doctrine is, that faithfull and patient Christians shall have a great deale of praise, and honor, and glory in the day of Christ. Christ will be made marveilous in them, 2 Thes. 1.11. they shall shine as the stars of heaven, and as the sun in the firmament, Dan. 12. Mat. 13. they shall appeare in singular glory when Christ appeares, Col. 3.4.
Quest.But shall Christians have no glory till that day?
Answ.Yes: For first there is a naturall glory stamped upon their very persons, Col. 2. ult. Secondly, they are already vessels of glory in Gods decree, Rom. 9. Thirdly, true honor is restored them in the kingdome of gra…e: for God acknowledgeth them: so doe the Angels of God, and they have honorable priviledges, and such graces as will bring to glory. And lastly, God many times doth honor them with speciall Honor before men, Hest. 8.16. Psal. 64. 3. to the end. Act. 28.10.
The Uses follow.
Vses.And first, the consideration of this great praise, and honor, and glory in the revelation of Christ, should serve for instruction in divers respects: For it should quicken us to faith and good works, seeing our labour shall not be in vaine, 1 Cor. 15. ult. Men will say in that day, Oh blessed was he, or she, that beleeved. It may also perswade us to cheerfulnesse and patience under afflictions and the scornes of the world: we shall then have praise enough, what need we care for a little disgrace in the meane time? and shall we ever be ashamed of Christ and his truth, that will thus honor us at the last day? Finally, we may here learne of Christ how to esteem of tryed Christians, we should learn of him to praise them and honor them.
Secondly, this doctrine should wonderfully comfort Gods servants. How should they exult in the glory and honor they hope for? They shall then have so much honor, as the Kings of the earth would be glad to bring their honour in exchange for it. Think of it: If it were such a great glory to be honoured by earthly Kings, as it was done to Ioseph and Mordecai; what is it to be such whom God will honour? God gives more honour then Kings have, and therefore much more then they give: & Christians shall have this honour, not in the sight of a few men, but before all Nations of men & Angels: & this honour shall not be for a small while, but for ever. For the King of heavens mind will not change, nor shall the Elect die and lose their honor, or live and staine it. Besides, God will give fulnesse of gifts and grace to use this honor, which earthly Princes cannot give, and this honor shall be held without envy or opposition, and they shall have eternall possessions answerable to their Honor.
And thus of the 7. verse, and so of the fourth reason to confute the first objection.