The Triumph of a True Christian Described, Commentary on verse · Verse 17

The Triumph of a True Christian Described · Commentary on verse · Verse 17

p. 411VERSE 17.

If we be children, we are alſo heires, euen the heires of God, and heires annexed with Chriſt: if ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may alſo be glorified with him.

OVr Apoſtle hauing begun to ſpeake of the excellency and dignitie of Gods choſen, beleeuing in Chriſt, and by him iuſtified, goeth on from one degree of excellencie to another, and hauing ſaid in the verſe before, that the holy Spirit of God doth witneſſe with their ſanctified ſoules, that they are the children of God, he here addes a further degree of their excellencie, by way of conſequent or conſectarie: he here infers, that being children, they are alſo heires, ſtill inſiſting in himſelfe, and in p. 412the beleeuing Romans. Though the text originall & the new tranſlation do not expreſſe the perſons, yet doubtleſſe the Apoſtle meanes it of himſelfe and of the beleeuing Romans: the perſons may well be ſupplied, as we find in the Geneua tranſlation, If we be children, we are alſo heires. And the Apoſtle here concludes his argument, by which he prooues that which he put downe verſe 13. That true beleeuers mortifying the deeds of the fleſh by the Spirit, ſhall liue, his argument being this; They are the ſonnes of God, and therefore they ſhall liue: which argument he amplifies verſe 15.16. that they hauehave the Spirit of God working in them as a Spirit of adoption, and witneſſing to them that they were the children of God. Here he ſhuts vp that argument, ſhewing the neceſſitie of it, that the children of God muſt needs liue, becauſe they are heires; and their inheritance is life eternall, and therefore it cannot be but that they ſhall liue: that is the reſpect that this verſe hath to the foregoing matter. In this verſe conſidered by it ſelfe, there be two things layd before vsus.

Firſt, an excellent dignitie put on Gods children, that they are heires: the Apoſtle affirmes this of them, as a thing properly belonging to them, that they are heires: If we be children, we are alſo heires, and he doth not barely affirme this of Gods children, but he further ſets out that dignitie by the perſon with whom they are heires, and that is with Chriſt, and heires annexed with Chriſt: wherein the Apoſtle preuents an obiection; for ſome might ſay, Are Gods children Gods heires? Chriſt is Gods heire. This he preuents and ſaith, they are ioynt heires or coheires with Chriſt.

Then the ſecond thing layd before vsus in this verſe, is the condition of ſuch as are heires of God, and heires annexed with Chriſt, namely this, that they muſt ſuffer with Chriſt. We are heires of God, and heires annexed with Chriſt, conditionally that we ſuffer with Chriſt: If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, ſaith the Apoſtle. And that is further amplified by the end of ſuffering, in the laſt words of the verſe, and that is, that we may be glorified with Chriſt. If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may alſo be glorified with him. And therein the p. 413Apoſtle includes the argument and matter of comfort to ſtrengthen the beleeuing Romans, and all other true beleeuers, againſt the bitterneſſe of the croſſe, and to perſwade them to a patient and conſtant bearing of the croſſe, and ſo he falleth on the ſecond generall part of this Chapter, which continues to verſe 31. I will lay forth his argument when I come to the handling of theſe words: If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may alſo be glorified with him. Now then the ſumme and ſubſtance of this verſe is thus much, it containes in it an excellent dignitie belonging to Gods children, that they are heires, euen heires of God, and heires annexed with Chriſt, yet with this condition, that they muſt ſuffer with Chriſt, that ſo they may be glorified with him. I will now labour to vnfold the ſence and meaning of the firſt part of this verſe, and not meddle with the ſecond part of it till we come to the handling of it: becauſe it is the beginning of the ſecond part of the Chapter. If we be the children of God, that is,Interpretation. if you and I be by grace and fauour actually accounted Gods children, if we be the adopted ſonnes and daughters of God in and through Chriſt, we are alſo heires; the meaning is, we hauehave then right and title to an inheritance, for by the law of nature inheritance belongs to children: and howſoeuer amongſt men all children be not heires, but ſonnes onelyonly if there be ſonnes, and not all the ſonnes, but the eldeſt ſonne alone, yet the caſe is otherwiſe with Gods children, be they ſonnes or be they daughters, they are all and eueryevery one heires without exception, becauſe with God there is neither male nor female, but all are one in Chriſt, Galat. 3.28. and all that are the children of God by faith in Chriſt are Abrahams ſeed, and heires by promiſe, as the Apoſtle there ſubioynes verſe 29. of Galat. 3. euen heires of God. Some would hauehave the word heires to be here taken paſſiuely, as if the Apoſtles meaning were, euen Gods inheritance, or Gods poſſeſſion, but that peruerts the intent of this text: for the purpoſe of this text is not to ſet forth what right and title God hath to his children, but what right and title they hauehave to the good things of God, and therfore the word is to be taken actiuely, and the meaning is, p. 414euen ſuch as hauehave right and title to the good things of God, euen to all good things, as 1. Cor. 3.21. All things are yours, and to the ioyes and glorie of heauen, and to that inheritance that is immortall, and vndefiled, and that fadeth not away, reſerued in heauen, 1. Pet. 1.4. And heires annexed, or ioynt heires, coheires, or fellow heires with Chriſt: that is, ſuch as hauehave right and title to all the good things of God, and to the heauenly inheritance together with Chriſt, he being the naturall heire of his Fathers kingdome, being his Sonne by nature, and his onelyonly begotten Sonne; and we being heires of the ſame kingdome by adoption and grace in and through him, we are admitted to be heires with Chriſt.

Now then thus conceiue we the meaning of the firſt part of this verſe.

If we be by grace actually accounted Gods children, euen the adopted ſonnes and daughters of God, we hauehave then alſo all and eueryevery one of vsus right and title to an inheritance, yea we are ſuch as hauehave right and title to all the good things of God, and to the ioyes and glorie of heauen, to an inheritance that is immortall, and vndefiled, and fadeth not, reſerued in heauen for vsus: yea we hauehave right and title to that heauenly inheritance together with Christ, he being heire of his Fathers kingdome as the naturall and onelyonly begotten Sonne of his Father, and we as heires to the ſame kingdome by adoption and grace in and through him, and ſo admitted to be ioynt heires or fellow heires with him.

Come we now to ſuch things as are here offered for our further inſtruction, and firſt in that the Apoſtle ſaith: If we be children we are heires, we ſee this concluſion plainly layd before vsus.

Doct. 1 That Gods children are heires, and they hauehave right and title to an inheritance.Gods children are heires, and hauehave right & title to all good things, and to heauen it ſelfe. To be the child of God, is no empty title, by it we obtaine this dignitie, to be heires, euen to hauehave right and title to all the good things, and to heauen it ſelfe, and to happineſſe and glorie in heauen as heires. And to adde ſome further euidence to this, we find in many places of Scripture, that Gods children are ſaid to be heires, as Heb. 1.14. they are called heires of ſaluation. Tit. 3.7. the Apoſtle ſaith, p. 415Being iuſtified by grace they are made heires according to the hope of eternall life. Iames 2.5. they are called heires of the kingdome. And Galat. 4.7. the Apoſtle puts downe the very concluſion, If thou be a ſonne, thou art alſo an heire of God through Chriſt. Coloſ. 1.12. the Apoſtle giues thankes to God that he had made the beleeuing Coloſſians meete to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light. Yea the Lord Ieſus ſhall ſay to Gods children at the day of iudgement, Come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherite ye the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world, Math. 25.34. take poſſeſſion of the kingdome of heauen as your inheritance. The Scripture is plentifull in this, that Gods children are heires, and hauehave right and title to all good things, and to heauen it ſelfe, and to happineſſe and glorie in heauen as heires.

For why, Reaſon. the Lord hath appointed his children to life and glorie in heauen freely. As he loues them freely without reſpect to any thing in themſelues, ſo he will ſaue them freely, to the praiſe and glory of his grace, Epheſ. 1.6. And therefore doubtleſſe they hauehave right and title to all good things, and to heauen it ſelfe, and to happineſſe and glorie in heauen, as heires, and as to a free inheritance.

Now then for the vſe: firſt this truth diſcouers that Gods Ʋſe. 1 children cannot challenge any good thing of this life,The Popiſh doctrine touching good works meriting eternall life, confuted. much leſſe heauen, and happineſſe, and glorie in heauen, on any merit or deſert of their owne. It is the doctrine of the Papiſts, that eternall life is giuen for the merit of good workes: No, no, Gods children hauehave right and title to good things, and to happineſſe and glorie in heauen, as heires, and as to an inheritance. Now (as we know) an inheritance is freely giuen by the father to the child, and not deſerued by any merit or weldoing: yea ſometimes amongſt men an inheritance is giuen to the child who is ſo farre from doing any thing to deſerue it, as that it is yet an infant, and lies crying in the cradle, and can do nothing to that purpoſe. An inheritance is giuen by the father out of his meere louelove, and ſo Gods children hauing right and title to the good things of this life, and to happineſſe and glorie in heauen, as heires, and as to an inheritance, p. 416they cannot challenge them on any merit or deſert of their owne. Indeed Gods children may comfortably enioy good things, euen the good things of this life, they hauehave right and title to them as heires, but they cannot challenge the leaſt bit of bread on any merit and deſert of their owne, much leſſe heauen and happineſſe, and glory in heauen: euen the leaſt good thing of this life, is giuen to Gods children out of the meere louelove of their heauenly Father, as part of their inheritance. Obiect. Yea but ſay the Papiſts, eternall life is called in Scripture a reward, & therfore it is giuen on ſomething done that is rewarded. It is true, it is giuen on ſomething done that is rewarded, but what then doth that proue, that it is giuen as a reward for the merit of the thing done? Anſw. Nothing leſſe. Yea but ſay they, Obiect. it is cleare that heauen is a reward giuen for the merit of good workes, Heb. 6.10. the author there ſaith, God ſhould be vniuſt, if he rendred not heauen for good workes: God, ſaith he, is not vnrighteous, that he ſhould forget your worke and labour of louelove, which ye ſhewed towards his name, in that ye hauehave miniſtred to the Saints, and yet miniſter. Anſw. I anſwer them, they can neuer thence conclude by any good forme of reaſoning, that God ſhould be vniuſt if he rendred not heauen for the merit of good workes. Indeed God ſhould be vniuſt if he kept not his promiſe, euen that promiſe that he hath made, to reward the good workes of his children. The Lord hath freely promiſed in Chriſt to reward the good workes of his children, and bound himſelfe by his promiſe to reward them, and if he ſhould forget ſo to do, which is impoſſible, then he ſhould be vniuſt; that is the purpoſe of the holy Ghoſt in that place, and that is the iniuſtice there intended by the Author of that Epiſtle. And therefore ſtill it remaines a truth, that Gods children hauing right and title to the good things of this life, and to happineſſe and glorie in heauen as heires, they cannot challenge any good thing of this life, much leſſe heauen and happineſſe, and glorie in heauen, on any merit of their owne.

Ʋſe. 2 And for a ſecond vſe: is it ſo that Gods children are heires, and hauehave right and title to the good things of this life,We muſt renounce all merit in our ſelues to the leaſt good thing of this life, & much more to heauen, and to the happineſſe & glorie in heauen. and to p. 417happineſſe and glorie in heauen, as heires, and as to their inheritance? Then we muſt looke that we lay no claime to the leaſt good thing of this life, much leſſe to heauen, and happineſſe and glorie in heauen, for any merit or deſert of our owne. It is a corruption deeply rooted in vsus by nature, to thinke that we are worthy of good things, yea that we deſerue the beſt good things, euen in heauen it ſelfe, for ſome thing in our ſelues: it is the common ſaying of blind ignorant people, and thus they ſpeake: I know I muſt louelove God aboue all, and my neighbour as my ſelfe, and if I do my good will ſo to do, God will be mercifull vntounto me, and I ſhall go to heauen. Oh we muſt labour to roote out this conceit, and learne to renounce all merit in our ſelues of the leaſt good thing, and learne to lay claime to the leaſt good thing of this life onelyonly as we are the children of God, and ſo heires, and hauehave right and title to it as part of our inheritance, freely giuen to vsus, out of the meere louelove of our heauenly Father; and ſo learne to be thankfull to God for eueryevery bit of bread we hauehave to put into our mouthes, acknowledging it to be the free gift of God, freely beſtowed on vsus out of his meere louelove and merciemercy. And much more are we to be thankfull to him for making vsus heires of heauen, and freely giuing to vsus right and title to hapineſſe and glorie in heauen, for that is ſuch a gift as we cannot prize ſufficiently; and in beſtowing that gift on vsus, we cānot comprehend the greatneſſe of Gods louelove vntounto vsus: and therefore we are to labour to be thankfull to God for that aboue all things, and to endeauour to expreſſe our thankfulneſſe to him in all holy obedience. That is our dutie.

Now before I leaue this point, I will adde one other ſhort Ʋſe. 3 vſe of it: Is it ſo that Gods children are heires?Gods children muſt liue in this world as heires that are yet in their minoritie. hauehave they right and title to the good things of this life, and to heauen, and to happineſſe, and glorie in heauen, as heires, and as to their proper inheritance? Surely then they muſt learne to liue here in the world as heires, euen as heires that are yet in their nonage and in their minoritie, as the Apoſtle ſaith, Galat. 4.1. The heire as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a p. 418ſeruant, though he be Lord of all: So though the children of God be heires of heauen, and of happineſſe and glorie in heauen, yet they are here in this world as yong heires in their minoritie, and they muſt here liue as heires that are in their minoritie, they muſt be content to liue at the allowance of their heauenly Father, and be content with that he giues them here, expecting their full inheritance hereafter. If their heauenly Father here keepe them ſhort, and put them to ſome hardſhip, if here he giuegive them but a ſmall pittance and portion of the good things of this life, they muſt be content with it, remembring this, that they are heires to a kingdome which in due time ſhall be giuen to them: they muſt here liue as Abraham did, who though he was heire of the land of promiſe, yet was content to abide intents as a ſtranger, and in no Citie, looking for a Citie whoſe builder and maker is God, Heb. 11.9.10. And if their heauenly Father do here allow them but a ſmall part and portion of heauenly ioy, and of heauenly comfort, they muſt take heed they murmure not againſt their Father, and complaine of it, that their brethren hauehave more ſpirituall ioy, and more heauenly comfort then they. No, they muſt be content with that meaſure of ſpirituall ioy their heauenly Father is pleaſed to impart to them, and looke for fulneſſe of ſpirituall ioy, and fulneſſe of heauenly comfort hereafter in heauen; their heauenly Father is wiſe, he knowes beſt what meaſure of ſpirituall ioy and heauenly comfort is fit for them. And as he will make them meete to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light, as the Apoſtle ſpeakes, Coloſ. 1.12. as he will make them meete and fit for heauen, and then giuegive heauen to them, and put them into poſſeſſion of it; ſo he will here in this world make them meete and fit for ſpirituall ioy, and fit for heauenly comfort,Note. and then in his wiſedome giuegive it to them. And Gods children are rather to pray to God, and to deſire the Lord to make them fit for ſpirituall ioy, and fit for heauenly comfort, then that he would giuegive it to them. Gods children muſt here in this world do as trauellers vſe to do. When trauellers ſet out in a darke foggie miſtie morning, yet they comfort themſelues p. 419with this, that in time the miſt will breake vp, and the Sunne will breake forth, and ſhine forth clearely on them: So do thou that art a child of God, though it be ſo that now the bright ſhining of Gods louing countenance be yet held from thee, there is a miſt, and there is a fogge, and a cloud betweene thee and it, and thou haſt not that ſpirituall ioy, and that heauenly comfort that others hauehave, yet cheare vp thy ſelfe, in time the bright ſhining face of God, euen his moſt louing countenance will breake forth, the clouds and miſts that are now betweene thee and it ſhall be diſpelled, and it will ſhine forth clearely on thee, if not here in this world, aſſuredly in heauen, moſt brightly, and moſt gloriouſly, and in a meaſure vnſpeakable and vnconceiueable. And let that be thy ſtay, and let that be thy comfort, and ſo I paſſe from that point to further matter.

Obſerue in the next place: the Apoſtle here ſpeakes indefinitely: If children, alſo heires, if we be children, we are heires. Hence note in a word.

That all Gods children are heires, all and eueryevery one of Doct. 2 Gods children without exception,All Gods children are heires. hauehave right and title to all the good things of this life, and to heauen, and to happineſſe, and glorie in heauen, as heires.

For why, the promiſe of the good things of this life, and of Reaſon 1 heauen, and of happineſſe, and glorie in heauen, is made to all and to euerie one of Gods children, they are all inuited to come to Chriſt, Math. 11.28.Mat. 11.28.Matt 11:28 and are all inuited to partake of the benefit of Chriſt: and the couenant of grace and mercy is made to all and eueryevery one of them, Iſai. 55.1.Iſai. 55.1.Isa 55:1 Hoe, eueryevery one that thirſteth, ſaith the Lord by his Prophet, come ye to the waters, and ye that hauehave no ſiluer, come, buy and eate: come I ſay, buy wine and milke, without ſiluer and without money. And then he ſubioynes verſe 3.Verſe 3. Encline your eares and come vntounto me: heare, and your ſoule ſhall liue, and I will make an euerlaſting couenant with you; euen the ſure mercies of Dauid.

Againe, God is able to make all his children heires, and Reaſon 2 to giuegive to all and to euerie one of them inheritance in heauen, to the laſt as well as to the firſt, without diminution, p. 420without diminiſhing the inheritance of any one of them, the inheritance of one ſhall not preiudice or leſſen the inheritance of another. The Lord is able, and will poſſeſſe all his children of ioyes, and of glorie in heauen equally, for the ſubſtance of ioy and glorie And hence it is that Chriſt ſaith, Ioh. 14.2. In my Fathers houſe are many dwelling places. In heauen there is roome enough for all to inherite, and for all Gods children to be heires. Vſe. The conſideration of their poore, baſe, & meane eſtate in this world, ought to be no trouble to Gods childrēAnd what then (for the vſe of this) doſt thou troubling and vexing thy ſelfe, whoſoeuer thou art, with the conſideration of thy poore, baſe, and meane eſtate here in this world? Art thou a child of God? then be of good comfort; be thou neuer ſo poore, or neuer ſo meane in the world, thou art an heire, thou haſt right and title to all good things, yea to heauen it ſelfe, and to happineſſe and glorie in heauen, as well as any other child of God, be he neuer ſo highly aduanced, or be his eſtate neuer ſo great in this world: if thou be borne of God, and be an adopted ſonne or daughter of God, thou art not one borne to nothing: no, thou art heire to a kingdome, yea to ſuch a kingdome as hath neither meaſure of glorie, nor end of continuance. And though thou be here in this world ſtraightened, and thou art here in poore and meane eſtate, yet thou haſt right and title to heauen, and thou ſhalt one day be poſſeſſed of it, and there is roome enough, wealth enough, and there is ioy and glorie enough, to giuegive thy ſoule full contentment: thinke on that to thy comfort. Come we to the amplification of that excellent dignitie beſtowed on Gods children, that they are heires. And firſt, that they are Gods heires, Euen heires of God, ſaith the Apoſtle: that is, as I ſhewed ſuch as hauehave right and title to the good things of God, to all good things of this life, and to an heauenly inheritance as Gods heires.

Now in that the Apoſtle ſaith, that Gods children are Gods heires: we are hence giuen to vnderſtand in the firſt Doct. 3 place.

Gods children hauehave iuſt title to all good things.That Gods children hauehave iuſt title to all good things, to the good things of this life, and to heauen, and to happineſſe and glorie in heauen. The Lord vouchſafing to make his children p. 421his heires, it muſt needs be that they hauehave lawfull and iuſt title to all the good things of this life and of the life to come. 1. Corinth. 3.22.1. Cor. 3.22.1 Cor 3:22 the Apoſtle ſpeakes plainly to this purpoſe, Whether they be things preſent, or things to come, all are yours: you are the right owners and lawfull poſſeſſors of all things.

And the grounds of this truth are theſe: Firſt God is the Reaſon 1 Lord of heauen and earth, as Melchizedecke ſaid, Gen. 14.19.Gen. 14.19.Gen 14:19 He is the moſt high poſſeſſor of heauen and earth. And as Moſes ſaid, Deut. 10.14.Deut. 10.14.Deut 10:14 Heauen and the heauen of heauens is the Lords thy God, and the earth with all that therein is. And therefore it muſt needs be, that ſuch as are his heires, and hauehave right and title of inheritance from him as Gods children hauehave, they hauehave iuſt title to all good things of God, euen to the good things of this life and of the life to come: they hauehave title to them from him who is able to make them a good title, and to eſtate them in good things, without any cracke or flawe, and none can diſproue their title.

Againe, Gods children are one with Chriſt, he is their Reaſon 2 head and they his members by myſticall and ſpirituall vnion, and Chriſt is the heire of all things. God his Father hath made him heire of all things, as we hauehave it, Hebr. 1.2.Hebr. 1.2.Heb 1:2 and therefore doubtleſſe in and through him they hauehave iuſt title to all good things, euen the right that they loſt in Adam to good things is reſtored to them in Chriſt, and in and through him they hauehave iuſt title to all good things of this life, and to heauen, and to happineſſe and glorie in heauen.

Now then this truth ſerues to diſcouer, Ʋſe. OnelyOnly Gods children hauehave a true and cō fortable vſe of Gods good creatures.that onelyonly Gods children hauehave a true and comfortable vſe of the good creatures of God, and of the good things of this life the Lord doth beſtow on them, and is pleaſed to vouchſafe to them, and they onelyonly may comfortably hold, and enioy, and vſe the good things of this life which the Lord doth caſt on them by his prouidence. Indeed they may not on this ground enter on the goods of others, becauſe they hauehave iuſt title to all good things, therefore take on them to be their owne caruers. Although Gods children hauehave right to all good things, p. 422yet not in all good things of this life; the Lord in wiſedome hath ſeuered the good things of this life in reſpect of ciuill right and proprietie; and ſuch as are not Gods children hauehave a ciuill right and proprietie to the good things of this world that are caſt on them by Gods prouidence, and Gods children may not enter on it, but they are to content themſelues with that portion of the good things of this life the Lord giues to them: and be it more or be it leſſe they may comfortably hold it, and enioy it, and vſe it; yea they onelyonly may comfortably hold, enioy, and vſe the good things of this life the Lord beſtowes on them. Such as are not Gods children, hauing onelyonly a ciuill right and a ciuill proprietie to the good things of this life, they ſhall one day anſwer for the vſe of them, they ſhall one day anſwer for euerie bit of bread they hauehave to put into their mouthes; for they hauing no ſpirituall right to the good things of this life, they do but vſurpe the good creatures of God, and they keepe the good things of this life from the right heires. And though the Lord ſuffer them to hauehave a plentifull portion, and to enioy abundance of the good things of this life, yet they are but giuen to them to leaue them without excuſe, and to increaſe their iudgement and condemnation, they ſhall one day double their torment on them. And though here they hauehave goodly houſes to dwell in, yet they are neuer in their owne place till they be in hell, as it is ſaid of Iudas, Act. 1.25.Act. 1.25.Acts 1:25 when he hanged himſelfe he went aſtray to go to his owne place. It is a certaine truth, if thou be not a child of God, thou art no heire of God, and ſo thou haſt no iuſt title to any good of this life in regard of ſpirituall right, and thou ſhalt one day anſwer for euerie crumme of bread thou haſt to put into thy mouth. OnelyOnly Gods children are Gods heires, and they onelyonly are eſtated in the good things of this life by him and from him who is able to ma…e them a good title, and they onelyonly are in Chriſt who is the heire of all things: and therefore they onelyonly may comfortably hauehave, hold, enioy, and vſe the good things of this li e.

In the nex… place, in that Gods children are Gods heires, p. 423we may further gather and conclude thus much.

That Gods children hauehave not onelyonly iuſt title to all the Doct. 4 good things of God, euen the good things of this life,The inheritance of Gods children is moſt ſure and certaine. and of the life to come, but their title to them is ſure and certaine: the Lord vouchſafing to make his children his heires, they cannot poſſibly miſſe or come ſhort of their inheritance; they cannot loſe it, neither can any defeate them or diſappoint them of it; their inheritance is moſt ſure and certaine, Gods children are ſure of all good things, they ſhall certainly hauehave all good things of this life their h…auenly Father ſees fit and good for them, and they ſhall alſo in time be fully poſſeſſed of their heauenly inheritance, euen of fulneſſe of ioy, and happineſſe and glorie in heauen, as if they were now in heauen. They are Gods heires, and the Lord in his eternall purpoſe hath appointed them an euerlaſting inheritance, and hath prepared it for them before the foundations of the world were laid, as we hauehave it Mat. 25.34.Mat. 25.34.Matt 25:34 and it is his will and pleaſure in time to giuegive it to them, and to bring them into poſſeſſion of it, as Chriſt ſaith, Luk. 12.32.Luk. 12.32.Luke 12:32 Feare not little flocke, for it is your Fathers pleaſure to giuegive you the kingdome. Yea it is the will of Chriſt himſelfe, that thoſe who are giuen him of his Father, ſhould in time be where he is, as himſelfe prayed Ioh. 17.24.Ioh. 17.24.John 17:24 And what ſhall fruſtrate the Lords eternall purpoſe, or put by his appointment? and what ſhall hinder him from effecting his will and pleaſure? Not all the power in heauen, in earth, or in hell: he is able to bring his children into the poſſeſſion of heauen which he hath prouided and appointed for them, according to his owne good will and preaſure; and all the power of hell is not able to ſtand againſt his purpoſe, and againſt his will and pleaſure, neither Satan, nor all the diuels in hell can coſin or deceiue Gods children of their inheritance, nor keepe it from them by violence; they are Gods heires, who is ſtronger then all, and ſo their inheritance is moſt ſure and certaine. And hence it is ſaid to be reſerued for them in heauen in a place of ſafetie, 1. Pet. 1.4.1. Pet. 1.4.1 Pet 1:4 To an inheritance immortall and vndefiled, and that fadeth not away, reſerued in heauen for you. Yea the Apoſtle ſaith, Coloſſ. 3.3.Coloſſ. 3.3.Col 3:3 that p. 424it is hid with Chriſt in God: it is laid vp in the gracious and powerfull hand of God, and nothing is able to wreſt or wring it out of his hand. Chriſt ſaith, Ioh. 10.28.Ioh. 10.28.John 10:28 that he giues to his ſheepe eternall life, and they ſhall neuer periſh, neither ſhall any plucke them out of mine hand. We may therefore reſolue on this as an vndoubted truth, that Gods children being Gods heires, they cannot poſſibly miſſe or come ſhort of their inheritance, they cannot loſe it, neither can any defeate them or diſappoint them of it. Many times heires amongſt men are either coſined of their inheritance, or they are violently kept from it, but it cannot be ſo with Gods heires, their inheritance is moſt ſure and certaine, and they cannot by any meanes be diſappointed of it.

Ʋſe. Now then this truth may ſerue as a ground of excellent comfort to Gods children in the time of their outward troubles,Comfort for Gods children in time of their outward troubles, croſſes, and loſſes. and in the time of croſſes and loſſes that befall them in this world. For what though it be ſo, that thou who art a child of God doſt loſe all that euer thou haſt in the world, thou art ſtript of all thy wealth, and of all outward good things, yet comfort thy ſelfe, thine inheritance remaines firme and ſure to thee, and thou canſt not be depriued of that. And though the diuell and his inſtruments ſeeke by vexations and troubles to make thee miſerable, yet they cannot do it: thou art happie, and ſhalt be happie in deſpite of them all. And though the Lord ſuffer them to ſtrippe thee of land and liuing, and to thruſt thee out of houſe and home, and to depriue thee of libertie, to ſhut thee vp in priſon, and ſuch like, yet they cannot touch thy inheritance, that is out of their reach, and they cannot poſſibly thruſt thee from that, nor diſappoint thee of it. No, no, thine euerlaſting inheritance is laid vp in a ſure hand, euen in the hand of God, whom they neither can nor dare aſſault. And though the Lord ſuffer the inſtruments of Satan to take away thy life, yet ſtill thine inheritance remaines ſure to thee, and thou art but thereby put into preſent poſſeſſion of it. It is neither the fraud nor the force of the world, or of the diuell without, no, nor yet thine owne fleſh within, that can depriue thee of thine euerlaſting p. 425inheritance. Thou art not truſted with it; if thou wert, thou wouldſt ſoone loſe it as Adam did in Paradiſe, but God keepes it for thee in his owne hand, and ſo nothing can diſappoint thee of it. And therefore cheare vp thy ſelfe, in time of thy outward troubles, and thy outward croſſes and loſſes: and though thou be ſtript as naked as Iob was, all thy goods are taken from thee, yet take heed thou crie not out as men commonly do in that caſe, I am vndone: thou art not vndone, thou art Gods heire, and thou canſt not be vndone; thy heauenly Father ſtill keepes thine inheritance firme and ſure to thee, and all the diuels in hell cannot defeate thee of it, nor keepe thee from it. The diuell knowes it well, that he cannot poſſibly diſappoint thee of thine euerlaſting inheritance, and that makes him trouble thee what he can other wayes: and it is commonly ſeene that the diuell troubles Gods children more then others in reſpect of outward things, and he manie times (God ſuffering him ſo to do) by his inſtruments ſtrips them of wealth, and of libertie, and of all outward good things, yea he ſeekes what he can to trouble them in their minds and conſciences:Note. And it fals out that many times Gods children are more troubled in their minds in time of ſickneſſe, then others that are not the children of God. And why ſo? Surely becauſe the diuell knowes their ſaluation and their euerlaſting inheritance is out of his reach, he knowes that is ſealed vp to Gods children, and they hauehave it made ſure to them vnderunder Gods owne hand and ſeale, yea that it is kept for them in the gracious and powerfull hand of God. Oh then let the conſideration of this comfort thee that art a child of God, in time of any trouble, croſſe, or loſſe, that befals thee in this world.

One thing note we further, in that Gods children are Gods Doct. 5 heires, hence it muſt needs follow that they are great heires, and hauehave a goodly heritage. Gods children are the greateſt heires in the world,Gods childrē are the greateſt heires in the world. they are heires apparent to the great Lord and King of heauen and earth, and their inheritance is an inheritance immortall, vndefiled, and that fadeth not, 1. Pet. 1.4. And they are heires to a crowne, and that a crowne of righteouſneſſe, as the Apoſtle cals it, 2. Tim. 4.6. yea to an incorruptible p. 426crowne of glorie, as we hauehave it 1. Pet. 5.4. and to the crowne of life, as Chriſt cals it, Reuel. 2.10. Be thou faithfull vntounto the death, and I will giuegive thee the crowne of life. Yea Gods children hauehave God himſelfe their portion, as Dauid ſaith, Pſal. 119.57. yea the Lord is the portion of their inheritance, as he ſaith, Pſal. 16.5. And hauing God their portion, they hauehave not onelyonly life, wiſedome, power, ſuccour, ſafetie, peace, ioy, ſecuritie, and all good things, but they alſo enioy him who is the ſountaine of all good things: and hauing God their portion, it is more then if they had a thouſand worlds. And therefore we may truly ſay with Dauid, Pſal. 16.6. The liues are fallen to Gods children in pleaſant places: they are great heires, and they hauehave a faire heritage.

Now then for the vſe Ʋſe. of this, the conſideration of this ought to ſtirre vp Gods children to eſteeme of their inheritance,How Gods childrē ought to be affected in reſpect of their euerlaſting inheritance. and to affect it according to the worth, and excellencie, and greatneſſe of it; they are euen to trample vnderunder foote the riches, pompe, and glorie of the world, and to account them droſſe and dung in compariſon of their rich and glorious inheritance: yea their minds, hearts, and affections are euer to be running on their faire and goodly heritage, and they are to long after it, and to wiſh within themſelues, oh when ſhall I come to be fully poſſeſt of the ioyes and glorie of heauen, and fully to enioy God himſelfe the fountaine of life, and ioy, and happineſſe, and of all good things. Thus ought Gods children to be affected in reſpect of the excellencie and greatneſſe of their rich and glorious inheritance. But alas, where is this affection to be found? Do not the minds and hearts of manie that would be accounted Gods children, rather runne on the world, on the wealth, the honours, and the pleaſures of the world, then on the rich and glorious inheritance in heauen? As it was ſaid to Peter, Mark. 14.70. Surely thou art one of them, for thy ſpeech is like: ſo it may be iuſtly ſaid to manie, they are of the world, their ſpeech is like. They can ſpeake much and to purpoſe of the things of this world, but when they come to ſpeake of the ioyes and glorie in heauen, alas their tongues cleaue to the roofe of p. 427their mouthes. It may be thou haſt a good liking of heauen (as who hath not) and thou haſt ſome taſt of the powers of the world to come, as it is Hebr. 6.5. and therein thou doſt content thy ſelfe; deceiue not thy ſelfe, that liking and that taſt may be in one that ſhall neuer come to heauen, thou muſt hauehave more then a taſt, euen a true, ſound, and feeling affection to the ioyes and glorie of heauen, or elſe thine heart is not rightly affected with the great and glorious inheritance in heauen, and thou muſt be able to ſpeake of it feelingly. One that is heire to great lande and liuing amongſt men, being now come to ſome yeares and diſcretion, and able to ſpeake with vnderſtanding, how feelingly and with what delight will he ſpeake of the faire houſes, and goodly woods and fields that he in time (if he liue) ſhall come to enioy? So it muſt be with thee in reſpect of thine heauenly inheritance: thou muſt be able to ſpeake of it feelingly, and hauehave thy ſoule euen rauiſht with delight in ſpeaking of it, and hauehave a feeling apprehenſion of the ioyes and glorie of heauen.

Thou wilt ſay, Queſt. How ſhall I know that I hauehave more then a taſt of the ioyes and glorie of heauen? that I hauehave a true, ſound, and feeling affection to them?

I anſwer. Anſw. By two things.

Firſt, if thy affection to them be ſeconded with a carefull vſe of all good meanes by which it may be continued and increaſed, thou doſt carefully heare the word,A true feeling affection to the ioyes and glorie in heauen, may be diſcerned by two things. and reade it and other good bookes, thou doſt meditate and conferre of holy things, that ſo thine affection to heauen and heauenly things may be more enflamed; and thou art neuer ſo well as when thou art in the companie of Gods children, and conferring 1with them of heauenly things.

And ſecondly, if thy affection to the ioyes and glorie of 2heauen, bring forth to thee a louelove to God for ſo great a merciemercy in working that affection in thee: thou doſt louelove God becauſe he hath changed thine heart from being ſet on the world and worldly things, to affect heauen and heauenly things, and thou doſt expreſſe that louelove in the duties of louelove both to God and men, eſpecially to ſuch as are the children p. 428of God, & beare Gods image in ſpeciall manner: if it be thus with thee, then doubtleſſe thou haſt a true, ſound, and feeling affection of the ioyes and glory of heauen, and that is the thing thou muſt find in thy ſelfe.

Come we now to the ſecond amplification of the dignity belonging to Gods children, that they are heires, namely this, that they are heires annexed with Chriſt, for ſo the Apoſtle further ſets out that dignity, that they are ioynt heires or fellow heires with Chriſt.

And firſt in that Gods children are ioynt heires, coheires, or fellow heires with Chriſt, we are to take notice of the great honour and dignitie Gods children are aduanced to. And that I will briefly note hence in the firſt place, is this.

Doct. 6 That the Lord is pleaſed to beſtow on his children great honor and maruellous excellent dignitie,The high aduancement & honour of Gods children, in that they are ioynt heires with Chriſt. euen to make them his heires, yea ioynt heires with his own naturall Sonne, with his onelyonly begotten Sonne, with his owne deare Sonne, the Sonne of his louelove, as the Apoſtle calls him, Coloſ. 1.13. It is a great honour that the Lord vouchſafeth to make his choſen, ſeruants, it was as much as the prodigall durſt deſire, Luke 15.19. I am not worthy to be called thy ſon, make me as one of thy hired ſeruants. The Lord hath no need of the ſeruice of men, he hath thouſands, and ten thouſands of his glorious and holy Angels round about his throne to miniſter to him, Dan. 7.10. But that the Lord is pleaſed to make his choſen, not onelyonly his ſeruants, but his adopted ſonnes, yea his heires, yea fellow heires with his owne Sonne, and not onelyonly to giuegive them life, and to place them with his Angels, but with his owne deare Sonne, euen to ſhare with him in life, and glorie, and in his kingdome, oh that is a fauour of God wonderfull and vnſpeakable; and that is an aduancement exceeding great and maruellous. And indeed the fauour of God therein is greater, in that the Lord hath paſſed by the euill Angels, that are plunged into the depth of vnconceiueable miſerie, he hath left them in that miſerie, and hath onelyonly aduanced his choſen amongſt men to ſuch height of honour and dignitie. And the conſideration of this (to be briefe in it) is of vſe, both in reſpect of others, p. 429and alſo of Gods children themſelues.

As firſt on this ground, be thou warned whoſoeuer thou Ʋſe 1 art, to take heed thou giuegive no libertie to thy ſelfe,A dangerous thing to think or deale baſely with any child of God. to thinke or deale baſely with any child of God, be he neuer ſo poore, or of neuer ſo meane place in the world. Hath the Lord beſtowed ſuch honour and dignitie on his child, as to make him his heire, yea ioynt heire, and fellow heire with his owne deare Sonne? and dareſt thou deale baſely with him, yea dareſt thou giuegive way to thy wicked heart to thinke baſely of him? Dareſt thou thinke in thine heart, that a child of God is baſe, and that he is but a preciſe foole? The Lord ſeeth thy heart, and hath the Lord made it knowne in his eternall truth, that his child is his heire, yea ioynt heire, and fellow heire with his owne Sonne, of life and glorie in heauen, and dareſt thou in thy very thought contradict the truth of God, and thinke in thine heart that the child of God is baſe, and ſillie, and ſimple, and but a foole? And dareſt thou open thy mouth, to call a child of God foole, or baſe ſlaue or ſchiſmaticke, or the like? Will the Lord take it at thy hands, that thou doſt either thus thinke, or thus deale with any child of his? Will a King take it well if he know that any man doth either deſpiſe his fauourite, or deale baſely with one whom he hath highly honoured, and hath a purpoſe further to honour? When Haman knew it was the Kings mind to honour Mordecai, though he hated him in his heart, yet he durſt not ſhew the leaſt diſlike of him, but was forced ſore againſt his will, to clothe him in royall robes, and to cauſe him to ride through the Citie on the Kings horſe, and to proclaime: Thus ſhall it be done vntounto the man whom the King will honour, Heſt. 6.11.Heſt. 6.11. And will then the King of heauen and earth take it at thy hands, if thou either thinke or deale baſely with any child of his, whō he hath made his heire, yea ioynt heire with his owne deare Sonne the Lord Ieſus? No, no, be thou ſure of it, the Lord will not ſuffer thy baſe eſteeme of his child, or thy baſe dealing with any of his, to eſcape his puniſhing hand, but vnleſſe thou be humbled for it, he will aſſuredly returne it on thy ſoule, to thine eternall woe and confuſion.

p. 430Ʋſe 2 And ſo for a ſecond vſe of the point: Conſider this to thy comfort,The world cannot obſcure or blemiſh the honour of Gods children. thou that art a child of God; the Lord out of his exceeding louelove to thee, hath highly honoured thee, he hath aduanced thee to be his heire, yea to be ioynt heire with his own Sonne. And though the world thinke baſely of thee, and men of the world deale baſely with thee, and ſeeke to diſgrace thee, yet they cannot do it, they cannot take thine honour from thee: though wicked wretches of the world raile on thee, and load thee with foule termes, care not for it, they are but as dogs that barke againſt the Moone, they cannot obſcure or blemiſh thine honour. No, no, honour is giuen to thee by him who is able to maintaine it, and he will maintaine it, and one day make it manifeſt to all the world, to men and Angels. Thinke on that to thy comfort, and ſo I paſſe on to a ſecond thing.

In the next place, in that Gods children are ioynt heires, coheires, or fellow heires with Chriſt, we are giuen to vnderſtand thus much.

Doct. 7 That Gods children hauehave right and title to one and the ſame inheritance with the Lord Ieſus Chriſt,Gods children ſhall one day partake with Chriſt in his euerlaſting inheritance. and ſhall one day be poſſeſſed with the ſame rich and glorious inheritance in heauen that the Lord Ieſus is now poſſeſſed of, and they ſhall one day partake with him, and ſhare with him in his euerlaſting inheritance. And that this point may be rightly conceiued, know that the euerlaſting inheritance of Chriſt is twofold,Chriſt his euerlaſting inheritance is twofold. it is the inheritance of life and glorie, and of dominion and power. Chriſt now liues in heauen in his body and ſoule, moſt bleſſedly and gloriouſly, being wholly freed from all infirmities and temptations, and being filled with all ioy and glorious brightneſſe, and he is alſo in his humane nature exalted aboue all Principalitie, and power, and might, and dominion, and eueryevery name that is named, not in this world onelyonly, but alſo that that is to come. Epheſ. 1.21. he reignes in heauen moſt gloriouſly and moſt triumphantly. Now Gods children ſhall one day be partakers with Chriſt of this double inheritance, they ſhall one day liue with Chriſt in endleſſe glorie, and they ſhall alſo reigne with Chriſt, they ſhall one day p. 431ſhare with Chriſt both in life and glory, and in his kingdome, though not in equall degree: the glorie and power of Chriſt ſhall exceed the glorie and power of all Gods children. And that Gods children ſhall thus partake with Chriſt in his double inheritance, the Scripture is plaine. Coloſ. 3.4. the Apoſtle tells the beleeuing Coloſſians, that when Chriſt their life ſhall appeare, then ſhould they appeare with him in glorie: then ſhall they alſo be ſeene with him ſhining in vnſpeakable glorie. Philip. 3.21. the Apoſtle ſaith, that Chriſt ſhall change the bodies of true beleeuers, and make them like his owne glorious bodie: and they ſhall one day be glorious in their meaſure, according to his image who is the God of glorie. 1. Ioh. 3.2. ſaith Saint Iohn, We are now the ſonnes of God, but yet it doth not appeare what we ſhall be, and we know that when we ſhall appeare we ſhall like him. Reuel. 3.21. ſaith Chriſt, To him that ouercometh will I grant to ſit with me in my throne, euen as I ouercame and ſit with my Father in his throne. Chriſt hath ouercome, and reignes in glorie, and they that ouercome ſhall reigne with him, though not in equall glorie; they ſhall one day partake with him in life and glorie, and in his kingdome, though not in equall degree.

For why, Gods children are one with Chriſt, Reaſon. he is their head, and they his members, and the glorification of Gods children pertaines to the glorie of Chriſt, one cannot be with out the other, as the Apoſtle ſaith, 2. Theſ. 1.10. When Chriſt ſhall come to iudgement in endleſſe glorie, he ſhall come to be glorified in his Saints: and therefore doubtleſſe Gods children hauehave right and title to one and the ſame inheritance with the Lord Ieſus, and ſhall one day be poſſeſſed of the ſame rich and glorious inheritance in heauen, that he is now poſſeſſed of, they ſhall one day ſhare with him in his euerlaſting inheritance, and in his kingdome, though in different degree.

Now then for the vſe of this: firſt, what an excellent comfort Ʋſe. 1 is this to as many as find themſelues to be Gods children?A ground of ſweet comfort to Gods children. And to them alone that are Gods children belongeth the comfort, and to none other. Art thou a child of God? art p. 432thou ſure of it, thou haſt part in Chriſt? Then know to thy comfort, thou art a fellow heire with the Lord Ieſus, and thou haſt right and title to one & the ſame inheritance with him, & thou ſhalt one day be poſſeſſed of the ſame rich inheritance in heauen that he is now poſſeſſed of, and thou ſhalt one day ſhare with him in life and glorie in heauen, and in his eternall kingdome; and what a ſweet comfort is that to a child of God? The conſideration of this, is enough to fill the hearts of Gods children with ioy vnſpeakable and glorious: yea the conſideration of this ought to ſtirre them vp to long for the appearing of the Lord Ieſus; knowing this, that when he ſhall appeare, they ſhall appeare with him in glorie, and come to partake with him in that endleſſe life and glorie that he is now poſſeſſed of in heauen. Doſt thou that art a child of God beleeue this to be true, and doſt thou not long to ſee the truth of it? Doſt thou beleeue that at the coming of Chriſt thou ſhalt come to poſſeſſe that life and glorie in heauen that Chriſt is now poſſeſſed of, and doſt thou not long for his coming? Surely then thy heart is not right in thee: and if thy deſire this way be weake and feeble, ſeeke to be quickened, labour thou to hauehave a liuely hope to partake with Chriſt in his glorie in heauen, and thine heart will then be filled with abundance of comfort, on the conſideration of the truth now deliuered, and thou ſhalt then long for the appearing of the Lord Ieſus.

Ʋſe. 2 Againe, for the ſecond vſe: Is it ſo that Gods children hauehave right and title to one and the ſame inheritance with Chriſt?The dutie of Gods children, in that they are ioynt heires with Chriſt. and ſhall they one day be poſſeſſed with the ſame rich inheritance that Chriſt is now poſſeſſed of? How then I beſeech you are Gods children bound to magnifie the Lords goodneſſe and mercy towards them, who hath prouided for them ſuch a rich portion, as to ſhare with his owne Sonne in life and glorie in heauen, and to partake with him in his kingdome? Oh this ought to ſtirre vp Gods children to endeauour to anſwer ſo great a merciemercy, and to carrie themſelues as thoſe that ſhall one day be fellow heires with the Lord Ieſus, and partake with him in life and glorie in heauen. And p. 433conſider it, thou that doſt perſwade thy ſelfe thou art a child of God: it is a foule ſhame for thee that doſt perſwade thy ſelfe thou art a child of God, and ſo Gods heire, and ioynt heire with the Lord Ieſus, and ſhalt one day hauehave thy portion, not onelyonly among the Saints, but with the onelyonly begotten Sonne of God, to carrie thy ſelfe as thoſe that ſhall hauehave their part and portion with the diuels and damned in hell. Doſt thou ſuffer thy ſelfe to be a drudge to the luſts of thine owne heart, to be proud, vaine, couetous, or the like? It is a ſhame for thee, meditate and thinke ſeriouſly of the goodneſſe and merciemercy of God towards thee, in that he hath made thee his child, yea his heire, yea ioynt heire with his owne Sonne, and that thou ſhalt one day ſhare with him in life and glorie, and in his eternall kingdome; and thou ſhalt find, thou canſt not be ſufficiently thankfull to God for ſo great a merciemercy. The due conſideration of this, that the Lord ſhould aduance thee from a child of the diuell and of wrath, to be his child, yea his heire, yea ioynt heire with his owne deare and onelyonly begotten Sonne, euen to ſhare with him in eternall life and glorie, and in his eternall kingdome, will ſet thee a worke to an endeauour to ſhew thy ſelfe thankfull, and to labour to expreſſe thy thankfulneſſe for ſo great a merciemercy, in all holy obedience.

Come we now to the ſecond generall thing layd before vsus in this verſe, the condition of ſuch as are heires of God, and ioynt heires, or fellow heires with Chriſt: namely this, that they muſt ſuffer with Chriſt, amplified by the end of their ſuffering, that they may be glorified with Chriſt. If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may alſo be glorified with him. In theſe words the Apoſtle falls on the ſecond generall part of this Chapter, which he continues to verſe 31.The ſecond generall part of this Chapter. And hauing in the former part of the Chapter hitherto, deliuered matter of ſweet and excellent comfort to the beleeuing Romans, and to all other true beleeuers, againſt the relickes and remainders of ſinne and corruption ſtill abiding in them, he now comes to cheare them vp, and to arme and ſtrengthen them againſt the bitterneſſe of the croſſe, and to encourage them patiently p. 434and conſtantly to beare the afflictions they ſhould meete withall, and that by diuerſe arguments: we will lay forth his arguments as we come to them. In theſe words he layeth downe the firſt ground of comfort, which he continues and amplifies to the 26. verſe. But to keepe within the compaſſe of this verſe, theſe words: If ſo be that we ſuffer with Chriſt, that we may alſo be glorified with Chriſt, as they hauehave reſpect to the foregoing matter, are a preuention of a ſecret obiection. For ſome might ſay to the Apoſtle, you tell vsus of great honour and dignitie the Lord is pleaſed to beſtow on vsus; we being his children, that we are his heires, and ioynt heires, and fellow heires with Chriſt, wherein is matter of great comfort: but alas how can this be, ſeeing our preſent ſtate is ſo hard, and our life ſo full of troubles? Some afflicted perſon might ſay: I an heire of God, and thus poore, and thus afflicted, and vnderunder ſuch grieuous afflictions as I am? Now this the Apoſtle preuents, by making knowne the condition that belongs to ſuch as are the children of God, and ſo heires of God, and ioynt heires with Chriſt; that indeed we being the children of God, are heires of God, and ioynt heires with Chriſt: yet this is our condition, that we muſt firſt ſuffer with Chriſt before we can come to be glorified with him, and to partake with him in his euerlaſting inheritance. So the Apoſtle brings in theſe words: If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may alſo be glorified with him.

Now in theſe words conſidered by themſelues (as we ſaid) the Apoſtle layeth downe the ground of comfort againſt the croſſe, and matter of encouragement to a patient and conſtant bearing of affliction. And here we hauehave two arguments to that purpoſe.

1The firſt is from the nature of the affliction that Gods children vndergo, that they are ſufferings with Chriſt, and ſuch as they ſuffer in common with Chriſt, and hauehave him as it were a companion with them in their ſuffering: If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, ſaith the Apoſtle.

2The ſecond argument is from the end of thoſe afflictions & ſufferings, that the end of them is to partake with Chriſt in p. 435glorie, and to reigne with him in endleſſe glorie; that we may alſo be glorified with him.

I will now as briefly as I can lay forth the ſence and meaning of theſe words, and then proceed to matter of obſeruation and doctrine. If ſo be that ye ſuffer with him. Interpretation.The Papiſts render the words, yet if we ſuffer with him: and they would hauehave the Apoſtle here to intend the cauſe of heauenly glorie, that our ſufferings in this life ſhould be the cauſe of our glorie hereafter in heauen, but the very next verſe ouerturneth this conceit, where the Apoſtle affirmes, that the afflictions of this life preſent, are not worthy of the glorie which ſhall be ſhewed vntounto vsus. And indeed the words are not to be taken cauſually but conditionally, that our ſuffering with Chriſt (we being true beleeuers) is but a condition neceſſarie to be vndergone by vsus, and a way wherein we muſt walke to life and glorie in heauen. We ſuffer with him: that is, with Chriſt. This phraſe & forme of ſpeech of ſuffering with Chriſt, is not here to be taken for ſympathizing with Chriſt, or condoling with Chriſt, for being touched with ſorrow and griefe for the ſufferings of Chriſt, as the phraſe is vſed, 1. Cor. 12.26. If one member ſuffer, all ſuffer with it: but for ſuffering as Chriſt hath ſuffered, both in reſpect of the cauſe and manner of ſuffering, and for hauing fellowſhip and communion with Chriſt in his afflictions, as the Apoſtle ſpeakes, Philip. ….10. And the meaning is, If we ſuffer as Chriſt hath ſuffered, both in reſpect of the cauſe and manner of ſuffering, namely, for a good cauſe, and for righteouſneſſe ſake. And we ſuffer as Chriſt ſuffered in regard of the manner of our ſuffering: we imitate and follow him in bearing the croſſe, and that meaſure of affliction that is layd on vsus, as himſelfe ſpeakes, Luke 9.23. If any man will come after me, let him denie himſelfe, and take vp his croſſe daily and follow me. If we beare the croſſe, and ſuffer the afflictions the Lord layes on vsus, as we hauehave Chriſt for our example, and as he hath borne it before vsus, willingly and chearefully taking it vp, and bearing it with patience, and in obedience, and with a quiet ſubmiſſion of our wils to the good will and pleaſure of the Lord, euen to the ſhedding of our bloud for p. 436the keeping of faith and a good conſcience, and ſo as our ſufferings may be ſaid to be Chriſt his ſufferings, as the Apoſtle cals them, 1. Pet. 4.13. We being therein conformable to Chriſt our head, and Chriſt accounting our ſufferings as his owne, and ſuffering in vsus, as he ſaid Act. 9.4. Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? then we ſuffer with Chriſt: and that is here meant by the Apoſtle, when he ſaith, If ſo be that we ſuffer with him. That we may alſo be glorified with him: that is, to this end, that we may alſo in our ſoules and bodies partake with Chriſt in eternall life and glorie in heauen, and in his eternall kingdome; not in equall degree, but according to our proportion, as the Apoſtle ſaith, 2. Tim. 2.12. If we ſuffer, we ſhall alſo reigne with him. So then the meaning of theſe words, If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may alſo be glorified with him, is briefly this, as if the Apoſtle had ſaid.

We being the children of God, are heires of God, and heires annexed with Chriſt, yet ſo, as we vndergo the neceſſarie condition that we muſt vndergo; and walke in the way wherein we muſt walke to life and glorie in heauen; if ſo be that we ſuffer with Chriſt (that is) as Chriſt hath ſuffered, both in respect of the cauſe and manner of our ſuffering: and hauehave fellowſhip with Chriſt in his afflictions, and be therein conformable to Chriſt our head; and Chriſt accounting our ſufferings as his owne, and ſuffering in vsus, to this end, that we may alſo in our ſoules and bodies partake with Christ in eternall life and glorie, and in his eternall kingdome; though not in equall degree, but according to our meaſure and proportion.

Now firſt we are to call to mind, that theſe words, If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may alſo be glorified with him: are (as I told you) a preuention of a ſecret obiection, that ſome afflicted might make againſt the Apoſtles foregoing ſpeech. For ſome afflicted perſon, euen a child of God, might thus obiect, and would be readie thus to obiect, What, I an heire of God, and ioynt heire and fellow heire with Chriſt, that am thus poore, and thus perſecuted, and thus miſerable, and the like? This the Apoſtle preuents, by making knowne that the condition of ſuch as are heires of life and ſaluation, and of ſuch as ſhall be glorified with Chriſt, is this, p. 437that they muſt firſt ſuffer with him before they come to be glorified with him. Whence I might ſtand to ſhew, that in the holy truth of God reuealed in his word, there is anſwer to be found to any needfull doubt or queſtion that the heart of man can make or propound: but I paſſe from that, and the thing I will hence note is this.

That many times Gods children being vnderunder afflictions, Doct. 1 are driuen to doubt of Gods louelove to them,Gods childrē ſometimes queſtion their ſtate, being vnderunder ſome grieuous affliction. and to queſtion their eſtate whether they be the children of God or no, becauſe they are afflicted; eſpecially if they be vnderunder ſome grieuous affliction, then they are readie to ſay, What, I a child of God, that am thus grieuouſly afflicted? or was there euer any child of God as I am? did you euer know any child of God in the like affliction that I am now in? Theſe and the like doubts many times ariſe in the minds of Gods children in the time of their ſufferings and afflictions; and the world is readie to gather and conclude from the afflictions of Gods children, that God loues them not, and thereupon to charge it on them that they are none of Gods children. It was Iobs caſe, his friends iudged him to be but an hypocrite, becauſe of his great afflictions, as we may reade in the booke of Iob in manie places of it. Yea Satan is readie to take aduantage of the afflictions of Gods children, and thereupon to caſt doubts into their minds of Gods louelove towards them, and whether they be the children of God or no. He ſet on Chriſt himſelfe, and would hauehave perſwaded him that he had not bene the Sonne of God, becauſe of his hunger in the wilderneſſe, Matth. 4.3.Mat. 4.3.Matt 4:3 If thou be the Sonne of God, command that theſe ſtones be made bread: as if he had ſaid, Art thou the Sonne of God? would God ſuffer his Sonne to be here in the wilderneſſe, and to ſtarue for want of bread? no, no if thou wert the Sonne of God thou ſhouldſt hauehave bread to ſuſtaine thee in this thy need, though it were made miraculouſly of ſtones. Pſal. 73. Dauid looking on the proſperitie of the wicked, and conſidering that together with his owne afflicted eſtate, broke out verſe 13.14. and ſaid,Pſal. 73.13.14.Ps 73:13Ps 73:14 Certainly I hauehave cleanſed mine heart in vaine, and waſhed my hands in innocencie: for daily hauehave p. 438I bene puniſhed, and chaſtened euerie morning. Iudg. 6.13. ſaith Gideon in the time of a publike calamitie and diſtreſſe, If the Lord be with vsus, why then is all this come vponupon vsus? As if he had ſaid, if the Lord were with vsus and did fauour vsus, why then are we vnderunder this great affliction? Thus Gods children manie times doubt of Gods louelove to them, and queſtion their eſtate whether they be Gods children or no, becauſe they be afflicted, and eſpecially if they be grieuouſly afflicted.

And the reaſon Reaſon. is, becauſe they ſuffer their minds too much to runne on their afflictions, and too much to muſe on them, and their hearts too much to ſettle on them, and they lay them too neare to their hearts, and they ponder too much on the worth of the good things they want: as in ſickneſſe, of the worth of health: in pouertie, of the worth of riches, and the like: and they conſider not Gods vſuall dealing with his owne deare children. And hence it comes, that many times they are brought to doubt of Gods louelove towards them, and call it into queſtion whether they be Gods children or no.

And for vſe, this muſt teach vsus, in time of our afflictions to labour to ſtrengthen our faith in the merciemercy of God, Ʋſe. Strength of faith in Gods mercy needfull in time of affliction. Note.and to labour to cleaue to him, and to truſt in him. And to that end we are to conſider, that though the Lord take away health, or take away wealth, or any other good thing from vsus, and lay affliction on vsus, yet he takes not away his louelove from vsus, but he loues vsus as dearly in our deepeſt diſtreſſe as in our greateſt prosperitie. We being once within the couenant, it cannot be broken on Gods part, and the bond of louelove on Gods part cannot be diſſolued: we being once within the compaſſe of his ſpeciall louelove, he loues vsus for euer: and euen in death we are within the couenant, and we ſleepe in Chriſt, 1. Theſſ. 4.14. Though a man be haled and pulled, buffeted and beaten extremely, yet ſo long as he hath the ſhape of a man and the vſe of reaſon, he is a man ſtill: ſo though a child of God be perſecuted, toſſed and tumbled vp and downe, and made as the of-ſcouring of all things, yet he ſtill retaining the image of God and the power of grace in his ſoule, he is ſtill a chil… of God, and he is ſo to hold himſelfe.

Ʋſe. 2 Secondly, on this ground we muſt take heed we adde not p. 439affliction to the afflicted,Affliction is not to be added to affliction. and that we vrge them not to deſpaire of Gods merciemercy, by telling them God hath forſaken them, and that they be but hypocrites, and now God hath found them out: that is the diuels office and his courſe, and ſo doing, we ſhall ſhew our ſelues his inſtruments.

In the next place, as theſe words do expreſſe a condi…n that ſuch as are Gods heires, and ioynt heires, and fellow heires with Chriſt, muſt vndergo, that they may come to partake with Chriſt in life and glorie, and in his eternall kingdome: we are giuen to vnderſtand thus much.

That the heires of life and ſaluation muſt firſt ſuffer and Doct. 5 vndergo afflictions,The croſſe muſt firſt be borne, before the crowne of glorie be worne. and muſt here in this world firſt beare the croſſe, before they come to enioy and weare the crowne of life and glorie in heauen. And the way in which they muſt walke to heauen, is by the croſſe and through afflictions: euerie heire of heauen muſt ſuffer and muſt beare that meaſure of affliction the Lord is pleaſed to lay on him before he come to be glorified in heauen. And to this purpoſe beſides this text we hauehave further euidence of Scripture, Mark. 10.39. Chriſt tels the ſons of Zebedeus, Iames and Iohn, they ſhould drinke of the cup that he ſhould drinke of, and be baptized with his baptiſme that he ſhould be baptized withall, before they could come to glorie in heauen. Matth. 16.24.25. the Lord Ieſus ſaith, If any man will follow me, let him forſake himſelfe, and take vp his croſſe and follow me. For whoſoeuer will ſaue his life ſhall loſe it, and whoſoeuer ſhall loſe his life for my ſake ſhall find it. Act. 14.22. Paul and Barnabas exhorted the diſciples to continue, affirming that through many afflictions we muſt enter into the kingdome of God: before we come to glorie in heauen we muſt paſſe through afflictions. Hebr. 12.8. the holy Ghoſt ſaith, all Gods children are partakers of afflictions, If ye be without correction, whereof all are partakers, then are ye baſtards and not ſonnes. It is the condition that all Gods children muſt vndergo. Iam. 1.12. ſaith the Apoſtle, Bleſſed is the man that endureth tentation, for when he is tried he ſhall receiue the crowne of life, which the Lord hath promiſed to them that louelove him: as if he had ſaid, after his triall, and not before, p. 440he ſhall receiue the crowne of victorie. And to theſe we might adde manie other teſtimonies clearing and confirming the point in hand, that the heires of life and ſaluation muſt here in this world firſt ſuffer and beare the croſſe before they come to enioy the crowne of life and glorie in heauen, and the way in which they muſt walke to heauen is by the croſſe: and the reaſons of it are theſe.

Reaſon 1 Firſt, becauſe the Lord in his infinite wiſedome hath appointed the croſſe to go before the crowne, and ſuffering in this life to go before glorie in heauen. And ſo there is a neceſſitie of ſuffering and of bearing the croſſe before we come to enioy the crowne of life and glorie in heauen, in regard of Gods appointment. Chriſt ſaith, Luk. 24.26. that he was neceſſarily bound firſt to ſuffer and then to enter into his glorie, euen in regard of the will of God reuealed by Moſes and the Prophets: Ought not Chriſt to hauehave ſuffered theſe things, and to enter into his glorie? and the members of Chriſt are to be conformable to Chriſt their head.

Reaſon 2 Againe, the Lord puts none into the poſſeſſion of life and glorie in heauen before they be made fit for it. Now afflictions and the croſſe are a ſpeciall meanes (the Lord in wiſedome and by his almightie power ſo diſpoſing of them) to worke that fitneſſe, euen to purge out pride, ſelfe-louelove, hypocriſie, couetouſneſſe, anger, and the like, and to quicken vsus vp vntounto all good duties; euen to make vsus fit for the ſeruice of God here, and for glorie and happineſſe hereafter. And therefore doubtleſſe on theſe grounds we may ſet downe this for a certaine truth, that the heires of life and ſaluation muſt here in this world firſt ſuffer and beare the croſſe, before they come to enioy the crowne of life and glorie in heauen: and the way in which they muſt walke to heauen, is by the croſſe and through afflictions.

Ʋſe 1 Now then to apply this, firſt this truth ſerues to teach all and euerie one of Gods children,Gods children muſt make account and that certainly to meete with the croſſe & with afflictions in their way to heauē. to make reckoning of the croſſe, and to make account of afflictions aforehand, euen to recken on it, and to recount with themſelues that they ſhall certainly meete with the croſſe, and meete with afflictions as p. 441they are going on in the way towards heauen; and that they muſt go by weeping croſſe to the crowne of life and glorie in heauen. We may not looke to go to heauen (as the ſaying is) in a feather bed, to go to heauen with eaſe, and to walke on in an euen, ſmooth, and pleaſant way to life and glorie in heauen: no, the way in which we muſt walke to heauen is by the croſſe and through afflictions. Indeed the fleſh loues eaſe, and cannot endure to think of this condition, & it grieues the fleſh that God and Mammon are no better friends: yea euerie one could be content to be Diues whileſt he liues here in this world, ſo that he might be Lazarus when he is dead, and euerie one would willingly go to heauen, but he would walke in a conuenient broad way, as one ſaith well, in a way wherein he might driue a ſumpter horſe before him. Euerie one would gladly hauehave comfort in Chriſt, but euerie one is not willing to beare the croſſe with Chriſt. Some ſhun the croſſe by all meanes, by all ſhifts and deuices that poſſibly they can they put it off, they will not ſuffer the rebukes of Christ, as they are called, Hebr. 11.26. they will not beare diſgrace, they will not vndergo the note and odious name of Puritanes: no they will rather do as the moſt do, and ſerue the time though it be with making ſhipwracke of a good conſcience, that they may liue quietly and ſafely, and ſleepe in a whole skin: and yet they thinke they may go to heauen well enough. Alas, they deceiue themſelues, the way to heauen is by the croſſe: and thinke not whoſoeuer thou art, that thou ſhalt come to heauen, and yet eſcape the croſſe, and meete with no afflictions by the way; as the worldling by temporall glorie goes to eternall ſhame, ſo muſt thou by temporall troubles go on to eternall glorie. It is the way in which Chriſt himſelfe hath gone before thee, and all the Saints and ſeruants of God that are now in heauen hauehave walked on in the ſame path; and thou maiſt not thinke to make a ſhorter cut, or to find an eaſier and a plainer way to heauen then they hauehave found. And therefore thou that art a child of God, or doſt perſwade thy ſelfe that thou art ſo, prepare thy ſoule for afflictions, and make full reckening and full account to meete with afflictions in the way p. 442to heauen. It is the the aduice of Chriſt himſelfe, Luk. 14.28. that with what deliberation mightie men of the world build their caſtles, or one great king goes to warre with another, with the ſame deliberation ſhould we vndertake the profeſſiō of Chriſtianitie: we muſt caſt our account aforehand, what it will coſt vsus, and what we ſhall meete withall in that holy profeſſion, and whether we be able to go through ſtitch with it or no. And thus do thou whoſoeuer thou art, that doſt perſwade thy ſelfe that thou art a child of God, and doſt take on thee the name of Chriſt, and profeſſion of the Goſpell: conſider with thy ſelfe what troubles and croſſes thou ſhalt meete withall in that holy profeſſion, and reſolue to beare them whatſoeuer they be: ſay not with thy ſelfe out of thine owne weakeneſſe, what ſhall I do, I ſhall be made a byword, I ſhall be pointed at, or the like? Put on courage and reſolution to beare whatſoeuer ſhall attend on thy holy profeſſion; and reſolue with thy ſelfe to go through thicke and thinne, to go through good report and ill report, to beare reproches, nicknames, mockings, ſcoffings, raylings, reuilings, and all manner of ſpitefull dealing, euen to the ſhedding of thy bloud if thou be called to it, for keeping of faith and a good conſcience; and think not ſtrange the fierie triall if thou be brought to it, as 1. Pet. 4.12. and remember the words of the Lord Ieſus, Luk. 14.26.27. If thou hate not father, mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and ſiſters, yea and thine owne life alſo, thou canſt not be Chriſts diſciple. And if thou beare not the croſſe and comeſt not after Chriſt, thou canſt not be his diſciple. If thou looke to be glorified with Chriſt, make full account to ſuffer with him in one kind or other, and in thy meaſure.

Ʋſe 2 Againe, for a ſecond vſe, is it ſo that the heires of life and ſaluation muſt here in this world firſt ſuffer and beare the croſſe before they come to enioy the crowne of life and glorie in heauen?Comfort to Gods children in regard of the afflictions they meete withall. and is the way in which they muſt walke to heauen, by the croſſe and through afflictions? Then here is matter of comfort for thee that art a child of God, and doſt meete with troubles and trials, and manifold afflictions, the p. 443Lord giuing thee a ſanctified vſe of them, and giuing thee an heart to beare them in ſome meaſure as they ought to be borne, thou maiſt therupon conclude to the comfort of thine owne ſoule, that thou art in the way that leades to life and glorie in heauen. Indeed thou art not to thinke thou ſhalt go to heauen becauſe thou art afflicted, but being afflicted, and the Lord vouchſafing a ſanctified vſe of thy affliction, thou maiſt thereupon gather that thou art in the way to life and ſaluation, and that thou ſhalt be ſaued. The world commonly impugnes thine adoption from thine affliction, and concludes that thou art none of God children becauſe thou art afflicted, but thou maiſt thence conclude that thou art a child of God; and the Lord giuing thee a ſanctified vſe of thy affliction, thou maiſt thereupon perſwade thy ſelfe to thy comfort, that thou art in ſuch a ſtate and condition as God hath allotted his owne deare children, whom he purpoſeth to glorifie in heauen euerlaſtingly, and that thou art in the right way to heauen. If a traueller be told, that in the way he is to go whither he intends, he ſhall come to a rough and vety vneuen way, and that he muſt paſſe ouer an high, ſteepe, and craggie mountaine, and the like, and he goes on and finds all ſmooth, and euen, and pleaſant, he may well feare he is out of the way; but if he find the way to be as was told him, though it be tedious and painfull to him, yet he goes on chearfully, becauſe he perſwades himſelfe he is in the right way: ſo thou being told that the way to heauen is by the croſſe and through afflictions, and thou goeſt on and meeteſt with no croſſe nor afflictions, but findeſt the way in which thou walkeſt eaſie and delightſome, thou haſt iuſt cauſe to doubt thou art out of the way that leades to heauen; but if thou meete with the croſſe and with affliction, and the Lord giues thee a ſanctified vſe of them, though the way be tedious and troubleſome, (as there is no affliction but it is grieuous to the fleſh) yet thou maiſt comfort thy ſelfe in this, that thou art in the right way to heauen.

But haply ſome will ſay, alas I ſuffer nothing, Obiect. I hauehave had ſmall or no troubles, no loſſes, no ſickneſſe, and the like, I hauehave p. 444not ſuffered that which other of Gods children hauehave ſuffered, and therefore I doubt whether I be in the way to heauen or no.

To this I anſwer, Anſw. thou muſt know that the Lord calleth not all his children to the ſame kind of ſuffering, and to ſuffer in the ſame kind, neither doth he call all his children to ſuffer alike and in the ſame meaſure in the ſame kinde, but ſome to ſuffer in one kind and ſome in another, and ſome in one meaſure and ſome in another, as he ſeeth fit in his infinite wiſedome. And if thou hauehave not had Abels croſſe, if thy life hauehave not bene ſought, and thou haſt not bene perſecuted to death; yet doubtleſſe thou being one truly fearing God, and labouring to keepe faith and a good conſcience in all things, and walking with an euen foote in the way of holineſſe, either thou haſt not eſcaped, or thou ſhalt not eſcape Iſaacks croſſe, the ſmiting of the tongue, the mocking and ſcoffing of a wicked Iſmael: the wicked and prophane of the world will mocke, and ſcoffe, and deride thee, and that is perſecution, ſo the Apoſtle cals it, Galat. 4.29. And know further, that if thou be prepared and readie to beare any other croſſe that ſhall be layd on thee, euen to the ſhedding of thy bloud for the keeping of faith and a good conſcience, though the Lord neuer call thee ſo to do, yet in Gods account it is all one as if thou hadſt alreadie layd downe thy life and ſhed thy bloud.Note. And thou hauing the mind and affection of a Martyr, thou ſhalt aſſuredly one day hauehave the reward of a Martyr, and thou being readie to ſuffer with Chriſt as the Lord ſhall call thee to it in any kind, thou ſhalt not loſe thy reward, but ſhalt one day be ſure to receiue the crowne of a ſufferer, and be vndoubtedly glorified with Chriſt. If a ſouldier hauehave paſſed through the pikes, and gone through many dangerous battels, and yet by the prouidence of God hath eſcaped without wound or hurt; he is not to be accounted either a coward or leſſe valorous then one that hath loſt his life in the battell, becauſe his reſolution was to ſtand to it, and loſe his life as well as the other if God ſhould ſo diſpoſe of him. So if thou be reſolued to lay downe thy life for Chriſt, and for the profeſſion of the Goſpell, though God p. 445neuer call thee to it, yet he accounts of it as if thou ſhouldſt ſhed thy bloud, and will accordingly reward thee: and thinke on that to thy comfort.

The next thing here to be obſerued is, that the Apoſtle ſaith not in generall termes, and at large: If we ſuffer, we ſhall be glorified, but he limits his ſpeech, and ſaith, If we ſuffer with him, If we ſuffer with Chriſt. Hence two things that be of vſe are further to be gathered, I will touch them briefly and in order.

Firſt this, that ſuffering in generall whatſoeuer it be, is not Doct. 3 truly comfortable, vnleſſe it be ſuffering with Chriſt:OnelyOnly ſuffering with Chriſt is truly comfortable. eueryevery one that ſuffers hath not iuſt cauſe and ground of comfort, becauſe he ſuffers, but onelyonly ſuch as ſuffer with Chriſt; onelyonly ſufferers with Chriſt, that is, ſuch as ſuffer as Chriſt hath ſuffered, both for the cauſe and for the manner of ſuffering, ſuch as ſuffer for a good cauſe, and for righteouſneſſe ſake, ſuch as beare the croſſes and afflictions the Lord layes on them, with patience, and in obedience, and ſilence, and with ſubmiſſion of their wils to the good will and pleaſure of the Lord, though it be to the loſſe of their liues, they onelyonly hauehave cauſe of true comfort, and of ſound in their reioycing in their ſuffering. 1. Pet. 2.19, 20, 21. ſaith the Apoſtle, This is thanke-worthy, if a man for conſcience towards God endure griefe, ſuffering wrongfully. For what praiſe is it, ſaith he, if when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye take it patiently? but and if when ye do well, ye ſuffer wrong, and take it patiently, this is acceptable to God. For hereunto ye are called: for Chriſt alſo ſuffered for vsus, leauing vsus an enſample that we ſhould follow his ſteps. As if he had ſaid, the ſufferi…g for conſcience towards God, for righteouſneſſe ſake, and ſuffering as we hauehave Chriſt for an enſample, that is the ſuffering that is thank-worthy and pleaſing to God, and the ſuffering wherin there is true comfort to be found. And in the ſame Epiſtle, Chap. 4.15. ſaith the Apoſtle, Let none of you ſuffer as a murtherer, or as a theefe, or an euill doer, or as a buſie bodie in other mens matters: there is no comfort in that ſuffering: and then he ſubioynes, verſe 16. But if any man ſuffer as a Chriſtian, let him not be aſhamed, but let him glorifie God in this p. 446behalfe. He hath cauſe in that reſpect to praiſe God and reioyce. Math. 5.11.12. ſaith the Lord Ieſus, Bleſſed are ye when men reuile you, and perſecute you, and ſay all manner of euill againſt you, for my ſake, falſly; Reioyce and be glad, for great is your reward in heauen, for ſo perſecuted they the Prophets which were before you. We muſt then looke to the cauſe of our ſuffering, and to the manner of it, that the things which we ſuffer for at the hands of men, be for righteouſneſſe ſake, and that we ſuffer both thoſe things by men, and the afflictions that come to vsus from the immediate hand of God, with patience, and with obedience, and ſubmiſſion of our wils to the good will of our heauenly Father, if we would find comfort in our ſufferings.

Ʋſe. The Papiſts brag much of the afflicting of their owne bodies by wearing hayre cloth,Popiſh voluntarie ſufferings, and the needleſſe ſufferings of others, iuſtly reprooued. going barefoote, & by whipping themſelues, but alas all thoſe things are but will-worſhip, and no better then the practiſe of Baals Prieſts, who cut themſelues as their manner was, with kniues and lances, till the bloud guſhed out vponupon them, 1. Kings 18.28. And there be amongſt vsus, who bring troubles and ſufferings on themſelues, and they are puniſhed for their demerits and miſdeeds: and there be that will endure much in the world on vaine glorie. Theſe and the like can hauehave no true comfort in their ſufferings. As there is a worldly ſorrow that cauſeth death, 2. Cor. 7.10. ſo there is a worldly ſuffering, a ſuffering with the world, either for ill doing, or vaine glorie, and the like, and that is ſo farre from being comfortable, as that it may be, and is to many, but a beginning of endleſſe wo, and of eternall ſuffering.

Looke then that the cauſe of thy ſuffering be good, for it is a true ſaying, that it is not the puniſhment but the cauſe that makes the Martyr; and that thy ſuffering in any kind whatſoeuer be in patience, and with ſubmiſſion of thy will to the good will of God, and ſo a ſuffering with Chriſt: and that is the ſuffering that will indeed yeeld thee matter of true comfort and of ſound reioycing: and ſo I paſſe from that.

Now the ſecond thing hence offered, in that the Apoſtle p. 447ſaith, If we ſuffer with Chriſt, (I will be briefe in it) the point is this.

That Gods children ſuffering and bearing the croſſe layd Doct. 4 on them in ſome meaſure,Gods children ſuffering with Chriſt, hauehave Chriſt their partener and companion in ſuffering. as Chriſt hath ſuffered and borne the croſſe, they ſuffer not alone, but they ſuffer with Chriſt, and Chriſt with them; they hauehave Chriſt as it were a partener and a companion with them in their ſufferings. And to this purpoſe we find that the ſufferings of the godly, and of true beleeuers, are expreſly ſaid to be the ſufferings of Chriſt, as Coloſſ. 1.24. I fulfill the rest of the afflictions of Chriſt in my fleſh, ſaith the Apoſtle: and 1. Pet. 4.13. the Apoſtle bids the Saints and ſeruants of God reioyce, In as much as they are partakers of Chriſts ſufferings. Yea we find in Acts 9.4. that Chriſt pronounceth from heauen, that he ſuffers in his members, and that he accounts all the crueltie that is done to them, as done to himſelfe, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? And hence it is that the Apoſtle Paul cals his afflictions and perſecutions a bearing about in his bodie the dying of the Lord Ieſus. 2. Cor. 4.10. And Galat. 6.17. he ſaith, He bare in his bodie the markes of the Lord Ieſus.

And why are the ſufferings of Gods children ſaid to be the ſufferings of Chriſt? Surely, Reaſon. becauſe of that neare vnion betweene Chriſt and his members, Chriſt and his members being moſt nearely conioyned: yet we may not hence conclude, as the Papiſts do, that therefore the ſufferings of the Saints and children of God are meritorious: or ſo ſay the Papiſts, that by vertue of that vnion that is betweene Chriſt and his members, their ſuffering receiue influence and vertue from him to be meritorious. That is a falſe concluſion, becauſe the vnion betweene Chriſt and his members is not perſonall but myſticall, perſonall vnion being the ground of merit in Chriſt himſelfe.

But for the vſe Ʋſe. of the point: the truth now deliuered duly thought on,Whence true ground of cōfort comes to Gods children in time of afflictions. may miniſter matter of ſweet comfort to Gods children in time of their afflictions and ſufferings. The heathen man could ſay, Solamen miſeris ſocios habuiſſe doloris: It is comfortable to hauehave companions in miſerie and trouble. p. 448Now Gods children ſuffering as Chriſt hath ſuffered, in ſome meaſure, they ſuffer not alone, but Chriſt ſuffers with them, and they hauehave him as it were a companion with them in their ſufferings, and without queſtion they cannot hauehave a better companion.Note. It is better to ſuffer with Chriſt, and with him to be vnderunder the croſſe, then without him to be in the greateſt proſperitie. Oh then remember this to thy comfort, thou that art a child of God, thou being vnderunder any affliction, and thou bearing affliction in ſome meaſure as it ought to be borne, thou haſt Chriſt a fellow ſufferer with thee, and Chriſt beares vp one end of the croſſe with thee, and he is able to helpe and ſuccour thee, and ſupport thee in thy greateſt afflictions. Yea know to thy comfort, that he ſuffers with thee, who hath alreadie ſuffered for thee; thou being a member of Chriſt, his ſuffering hath remoued from thee the bitterneſſe of the croſſe, namely, the wrath of God and the curſe, he hath borne that in his owne bodie and ſoule; yea he alone, as Iſai. 63.3. I hauehave troden the winepreſſe alone: and he hath remoued that from thee, and by his ſuffering he hath ſweetned thy croſſe and thy afflictions: yet in that affliction thou lieſt vnderunder, ſo ſweetened to thee, is he pleaſed to beare a part, and as it were to put vnderunder his ſhoulder, and to ſuffer with thee: and what an excellent comfort is that, if it be duly conſidered? Let eueryevery child of God thinke on it to his comfort in time of his affliction, and ſo much alſo of that.

The Apoſtle addes a ground of further comfort againſt the bitterneſſe of the croſſe, that we ſuffering with Chriſt, our ſuffering ſhall end in glorie with Chriſt. If ſo be that we ſuffer with him, that we may alſo be glorified with him. The point hence offered, wherein I will likewiſe be briefe, is Doct. 5 this.

That the ſufferings and afflictions of Gods children ſhall hauehave a comfortable end,The ſufferings and afflictions of Gods children ſhal end moſt happily and moſt comfortably. they ſhall end in happineſſe and glorie euerlaſting with Chriſt in heauen, yea the ſufferings of Gods children ſhall end in correſpondent and anſwerable glorie. The more Gods children ſuffer here in this world (ſuffering as they ought to do) the more and greater ſhall be p. 449their glorie in heauen. Pſal. 126.5. Dauid compares the afflictions of Gods children to ſowing in teares, and he ſaith, the harueſt that ſhal come on that ſowing ſhall be ſweet & comfortable, euen a reaping in ioy: they that ſow in teares ſhall reape in ioy. Mat. 19.29. Chriſt ſaith, Whoſoeuer ſhall forſake houſes, or brethren, or ſiſters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my names ſake, he ſhall loſe nothing by it, he ſhall receiue an hundred fold more, and ſhall inherit euerlaſting life: his loſſe ſhall turne to his exceeding gaine, it ſhall fall into endleſſe happineſſe and glorie. Iam. 1.12. ſaith the Apoſtle, Bleſſed is the man that endureth tentation: for when he is tried, he ſhall receiue the crowne of life, which the Lord hath promiſed to them that louelove him: his triall ſhall end in victorie, and in the fruition of the crowne of life. To theſe we might adde many other teſtimonies, manifeſting this, that the ſufferings and afflictions of Gods children ſhall end happily and comfortably, they ſhall end in happineſſe and glorie with Chriſt in heauen.

The ground of this is, Reaſon. becauſe it is a iuſt thing with the Lord, to giuegive his children after their toyles and troubles in ſuffering here in the world, eaſe, and reſt, and refreſhing, and ioy, and glorie: I ſay, a iuſt thing it is with the Lord thus to deale with them, not for any merit of their ſuffering, but in regard of his free promiſe, he hauing bound himſelfe by his promiſe, to recompence their afflictions, and ſufferings, and trials. 2. Theſ. 1.6.7. the Apoſtle ſaith in expreſſe termes: It is a righteous thing with God, to recompence tribulation to them that trouble his children, and to his children that are troubled reſt and refreſhing. And to this purpoſe Chriſt brings in Abraham ſpeaking in the parable, Luke 16.25. Sonne, remember that in thy life time thou receiuedſt thy pleaſures, or good things, and Lazarus paines, now therefore is he comforted and thou art tormented. As if he had ſaid, now it is iuſt and equall, that he ſhould be comforted and thou tormented.

Come we to make vſe of this truth: It ſerues as a ſpeciall Ʋſe 2 ground of comfort to Gods children in the time of their greateſt troubles;A ſpeciall ground of comfort to Gods children in their greateſt afflictions. the due conſideration of it will be a ſpeciall p. 450meanes to cheare them vp, and to keepe them from fainting in their greateſt afflictions and ſufferings: for as the ſaying is, that is well that ends well; and certainly it ſhall be exceeding well, yea vnſpeakably, and vnconceiueably well with Gods children concerning the end of their afflictions: though the bearing and ſuffering of them be very painefull and grieuous to the fleſh and for the time, yet the end of them will be moſt glorious, happie, and comfortable, they ſhall certainly end in happineſſe and glorie with Chriſt in heauen. And doubtleſſe the conſideration of this, made the holy Martyrs go with reioycing and ſinging through the flames of fire, and with chearefulneſſe to endure moſt exquiſite torments. Some of them hauehave ſaid when they were going to be put to death, Though their breakefaſt ſhould be ſower, yet their ſupper ſhould be most ſweet. It is recorded of Ignatius, that when he was caſt to the wilde beaſts to be deuoured, he ſaid: Becauſe I am the Lords wheat, I ſhall be ground in the teeth of the beaſts, that I may be made fit bread for the Lords table. A ſpeech full of conſtant boldneſſe and heauenly comfort. And we reade of Moſes, Heb. 11.26. that he eſteemed the rebukes of Chriſt greater riches then the treaſures of Egypt. And why? he had reſpect vntounto the recōpence of the reward, he had an eye to the end of his ſufferings, and knew that the end would be moſt ſweete. And thus do thou that art a child of God, in the time of thy afflictions, thy ſickneſſe, thy pouertie, or the like, ſuffer not thy mind to beate too much vponupon the bitterneſſe of thy affliction, but hauehave thine eye, the eye of thy mind, on the end of thy affliction, and conſider with thy ſelfe the end will be moſt ſweet and comfortable, and that will be a notable meanes to cheare thee vp, and to hold vp thy fainting heart. And though thou be much troubled and moleſted, thou art ſlandered, reproched, and perſecuted, and many wayes hardly dealt withall for thy profeſſion of the Goſpell, and for thy labouring to walke with an euen foote according to the truth of the Goſpell in the way of holineſſe: Reioyce in it, that thou art counted worthy to ſuffer rebuke for the name of Chriſt, as the Apoſtle did, Acts 5.41. and remember that the end will be comfortable; p. 451thy ſufferings ſhall end in happineſſe and glorie with Chriſt in heauen, and that will make thee do as Chriſt did, Heb. 12.2. Endure the croſſe and deſpiſe the ſhame. And remember that the more thou ſuffereſt for the name of Chriſt, and for the keeping of faith and a good conſcience, the more and greater ſhall be thy glorie in heauen, and thou ſhalt thereby adde waight to the crowne of glorie that ſhall be giuen to thee.