Sermons Volume 2, Romans 8 · Sermon 25
SERMON XXV.
ROM. VIII.17.
If children, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ: if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together.
THE Apostle had shewed, v. 13. That if we through the spirit do mortifie the deeds of the body, we shall live. He proveth it by this medium and argument; That as many as obey the sanctifying motious of the spirit, are children of God; and children may look for a childs portion. He proveth they are children, because the spirit accompanieth the dispensation of the New Covenant, whereby we are adopted into Gods family; and this spirit acts suitably, as is evident by his impression, v. 15. By his Testimony and Witness, v. 16. Now he goeth on further, and proveth, That if we be children, we are heirs; and that we shall live, if we mortifie the deeds of the body, is more abundantly proved, for our inheritan…e is eternal life and glory, And if children then heirs, &c.
In the Words observe,
1. A Dignity, inferred from our Adoption.
2. The Amplification of it, from the excellent nature of this inheritance, Heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ.
3. 'Tis applied as a comfort against adversities; If so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together.
1. The Dignity inferred, is, that we are Heirs. The Inheritance belonging to Children jure nascendi; all Children are not necessarily heirs, but only males, and among them the first born; but jure Adoptionis, they that are Adopted, are adopted to some Inheritance; so here if Children, then heirs: be they Sons or Daughters, begotten to God sooner or later, Male are Female; are all one in Christ, Gal. 3.18. they are not debarred from the Inheritacce.
2. The amplification of it; Or the greatness and excellency of this Inheritance, in two expressions, Heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. The first expression hightens the priviledge in our thoughts, as the party adopting is, so is the priviledg more or less glorious in our thoughts. Adoption is, in all free, and in some glorious. If a mean man adopt anothers child, 'tis an act of free favour; but if adopted to a great Inheritance, suppose many Lord ships, or to the succession of a Crown, it doth inhaunse the benefit. So here, this giveth a right to the everlasting goods of the Heavenly Father. Secondly, The other expression, joint heirs with Christ. This Heritage giveth us a Communion with the only begotten Son of God: what the Son of God by Nature injoyeth, that the Children of God by Adoption injoy also, so far as they are capable; we together with Christ injoy God for evermore. He is his God, and Father, and our God and Father; John 20.17. he is glorified, and we are glorified together with him.
3. 'Tis applied as a comfort against adversities and afflictions; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. The latter clause we may look upon as propounded, 1. As a concession, 2. As a condition, accordingly as we translate the particle foreign seeing that, or if so be.
1. A concession; seeing that we suffer with him, that we may be glorified together. Tho we shall hereafter have Communion with Christ in Glory, yet for the present we may have Communion with him in afflictions; this doth not infringe our priviledg, but confirm it rather, 1 Pet. 4.13. Rejoice, in as much as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings; that when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad with exceeding joy. Those that suffer for Christ, do also suffer with Christ; they are brought into a nearer conformity to him in his state of humiliation, that afterwards they may be conformed to him in Glory.
2. In the way of condition. We must submit to the condition of afflictions as necssary to obtain glory; for there must be striving before crowning, 2 Tim. 2.5. If a man strive for masteries, yet he is not crowned except he strive lawfully; that is, if any man would enter into the lists in any of the Olimpick Games, he must observe the rules in running, cutting, wrestling, &c. He must submit to the laws of the Game, or Exercise: He applieth this similitude, v. 12. If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him; That is, we must suffer for Christ, and we shall be rewarded with the participation of his Glory; so here, we would all have our priviledges; but before we injoy the full of them, we must be conformed to him, suffer for him, and with him; that in imitation of our head and chief, we may come to glory the same way that Christ did, by sufferings, Heb. 2.10. For it became him sor whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through suffering. But you will say, All are not called to the afflictions of the Gospel; is this condition indispensible? then none but Martyrs are glorified? Answer, 1. All have not Abels Cross, do not run the hazard of their lives; but usually they will have Isaacs Cross, Gal. 4.29. He that was born after the flesh, persecuted him that was born after the spirit. Meaning thereby those cruel mockings and scoffings which Isaac indured from Ishmael, Gen. 21. the Children of God living upon an unseen God, and an unseen world, sensual men mock at their interest in God, and labour to shame them from their confidence in promises yet to come.
2. Tho all suffer not, yet all must be prepared, and contented to suffer, Math. 16.24. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me▪ God knoweth at what rate our sincerity must be tried; yet every one should make Christ a good Allowance: and our alienation from the world must be so great, and our resignation to God so full, that nothing we enjoy here, not life its self, may be an impediment to our fidelity to Christ.
3. When God seeth it fit, we must actually suffer the loss of all things, and obey God at the dearest rates, 1 Pet 3.17. If the will of God be so, that ye shall suffer for well doing; affirmativa precepta non ligant ad semper; affirmative precepts do not bind at all times, as negatives do. We must never do any thing against the Truth, but we are not always tied to suffering; but when we come to a necessity of either suffering or sinning, then God manifesteth his will to his People, that they should suffer: and then if we suffer with him, we shall also be glorified together. No creature could have brought us to this necessity, without God; 'tis plainly Gods will that we should suffer; and remember it is his will that we should also reign with him.
Doct. That all Gods Children are heirs of a blessed and glorious inheritance. Here I shall shew you,
1. The agreement between common heirs and them.
2. The difference.
3. Those properties which shew the greatness of the Inheritance.
1. The Agreement in these things.
1. There is an Inheritance provided. We have a right to all the good things God hath promised, especially eternal life; therefore the People of God are called Heirs of Salvation Heb. 1.14. Heirs of the kingdom, Jam. 2.5. And the Heavenly Estate is called the Inheritance of the Saints in light, Col. 1.12. Those excellent things which are to be injoyed by us in the other world, are in the nature of an Inheritance.
2. The conveyance is by promise and covenant; as other heritages are conveyed by formaliti…s of Law, so is this. The Covenant is so offered by God, and so it must be accepted by us, Psal. 119.111. Thy testimonies I have taken as an heritage for ever. As we say a mans estate lieth in Bills and Bonds, so are Gods Testimonies our heritage; not the promises, but the things promised. And so it is said, Heb. 6.12. That Gods Holy ones did through Faith and Patience inherit the Promises; that is, the thing promised, spiritual and eternal blessings and rewards.
3. Our tenor is by sonship. 'Tis free; for the inheritance is not purchased by us, but fre…ly bestowed upon us; a childs tenure differeth from a servant, the one earneth his wages, and the other hath his Estate from his Fathers bounty and free gift; so is ours the gift of God, Rom. 6.23. In opposition to works, called therefore the reward of inheritance, Col. 3.24. Tho servants earn what they receive from men, yet from the Lord Christ, whatever they receive for faithfulness in their calling, 'tis a free retribution; tho they are servants to men, yet they are sons to God, for all are children and heirs in Heaven, there is no distinction of servants and sons there. In short, whatever is promised to any work of ours, 'tis not from any worth in the work, but from Gods free grace.
2. 'Tis full. For the Inheritance is more than a Legacy; God sheweth his goodness to all his creatures, but to his children he giveth the inheritance; as Isaac had the inheritance from Abraham; but to his sons that he had by Concubines he gave gifts, and sent them away, Gen. 25.5, 6 All men taste of his common bounty, but his Saints have their inheritance reserved for them; which sheweth, that we should put a distinction between our heavenly inheritance, and those earthly enjoyments which floweth in the channel of common Providence: Alas! That far exceedeth any thing we enjoy here; all things here are but mean and fading in themselves, aud liable to spoil and vastation from others; but this is our eternal and durable estate, which the wicked shall not partake of, whatever gifts God bestoweth on them now.
3. There is a time between Right and Possession; and in the mean time the Heirs live by hope, till the Inheritan… fairly descendeth to them; so here, Titus 3.7. Being justified by faith, we are made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. We are heirs, but 'tis little that we enjoy now; Gods Sons and Heirs make no fair shew in the flesh; to outward appearance there is little difference between their condition, and the condition of the men of the world: For God will not distinguish the heirs of promise from others by their outward condition, but internally: There is hope of a better estate, and surely to expect such great things▪ and not be affected with them, argueth a dead and stupid heart; Is a Right nothing before Possession? Or is the expectation so grounded, a vain fancy? Surely a Christian is or will be a great man. Is the heir nothing better than a slave, because he doth not as yet come to the enjoyment of what is provided for him? A Right and an Hope should give us more joy than usually we find in our selves; if it were a vain expectation, and not grounded upon a right, it were less, but being it is so, we should be more affected with it.
5. As an heir hath not only assurance of the inheritance, but present supply and maintenance and other demonstrations of love to support his expectation from him that Adopted him, that all the estate falleth to him. So in the mean time Gods Children have the pledges of his love, the Possession of the Heavenly Inheritance is begun here in the Kingdom of Grace; and is afterwards compleated in the Kingdom of Glory. The spirit now with his comforts and graces is set forth under a double notion of earnest and first fruits, Eph. 1.14. The earnest of inheritage. First fruits, Rom. 8.23. There are two acts of a Christian, To look, and long for this estate: look for it, because 'tis sure; and long for it, because it is good: God giveth us a pledg and earnest, to show how sure; a taste, to shew how good; thus far they agree.
2. Wherein they disagree.
1. 'Tis an inheritance, not lessened by the multitude of coheirs: God is an infinite Portion, that cannot be divided, and sufficeth the whole World. In other heritages many a fair stream is drawn dry, by being dispersed into several channels; but here the more company, the greater the priviledg; what an happiness is it to injoy God among all the Saints! The company is ever propounded as a blessing, Math. 8.11. Ye shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of Heaven; and Heb. 12.22, 23. Ye are come to an innumerable company of Angels, &c. When God is all in all, he will fill up every vessel. As when the same light is seen by all, the same speech is heard by all; The one doth not see less, nor the other hears less, because another seeth, and heareth with him: in the world we straiten others, the more we are inlarged ourselves; but not then.
2. In other inheritances the Father must die, before the son can inherit. Hereditas est successio in totum jus defuncti. Death taketh away the Father, that the Son may succeed him; God hath heirs, but no successors; we do not possess after our Fathers death, but with our Father; he liveth for ever, and we live for ever with him; we die that we may go to the living God; when strength faileth, and heart faileth, thou art my portion for ever, Psal. 73.26. when others must leave their inheritance, we go to ours, then it beginneth.
3. In other Heritages, the heirs are designed by name, but here by character; men are contentious, every one would say, he is meant in the discription; but here the heirs are not named, but described by certain qualifications which must be tried by out selves, warranted by the spirit, judged and examined by Christ at the last day. Sometimes they are termed the called, Heb. 9.15. That they that are called may receive the promise of eternal Inheritance; by which is meant, those which are effectually called, and converted unto God. Sometimes this priviledg is settled upon believers, John. 1.12. such as do heartily and thankfully accept of Christ, and his Grace; and sometimes the Sanctified, as Col. 1.12. and Acts. 20.18. such as are dedicated to God, and live as a people set apart for him, all these are sons, therefore made heirs, qualified, and made capable of this blessed Inheritance.
Thirdly, The properties of this Inheritance, which set forth the greatness of it.
1. 'Tis a glorious inheritance, Eph. 1.18. That ye may know what is the riches of the glory of the inheritance in the Saints. That Inheritance which is appointed for those who are renewed by the Spirit of God, is a glorious inheritance. There is nothing in Heaven but what is glorious; the object of it is the glorious God whom we shall see, as we are seen; 1 Cor. 13.12. Especially as he shineth forth in the Glorious person of our Redeemer, John 17.24. Father, I will that those whom thou hast given me, may be where I am, that they may behold my glory. The state of our Bodies and Souls shall be glorious, Phil. 3.21. the place shall be Glorious, the upper Paradice, 2 Cor. 12.4. the company glorious, all the glorified Saints and Angels. Our imployment glorious, Rev. 7.12. Blessing, and Praising, and Glorifying of God, for ever and ever.
2. 'Tis an eternal and undefiled inheritance, 1 Pet. 1.4. To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you. I gather from that place, that it is a celestial and incorruptible inheritance, and so doth excel all worldly possessions which come from Fathers to their children; the things of this world are both defiling, and perishing; they pollute us; omnis turpitudo est a mixtura, when our hearts cleave to the things of this World, they are debased by them, to something beneath themselves; but this celestial inheritance doth not corrupt, but purifie affections; these things below make us worse, but cannot make us better; they are perishing as well as fading; for they decay in our hands; like Flowers they wither in our Hands while we smell at them; but this endureth for ever, we shall not fail and to be sure the everliving God will not fail us.
3. 'Tis a Blessed Inheritance, the expression in the Text, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. First, heirs of God. The Inheritance is the Lord himself, blessed for ever; to be injoyed by the Saints to all Eternity. He is the Inheritance of his People now, Psal. 16.5, 6. The Lord is the porition of mine inheritance, the lines are faln to me in a pleasant place; Psal. 119.57. Thou art my portion, O Lord; and Lam. 3.24. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul, therefore will I hope in him. See what conclusions are drawn thence, duty, and hope; much more then will God be our all sufficient Portion, Rev. 21.7. He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son: all things equivalently, all things immediately in God; God is instead of all, infinitely supplying and filling up the room of all; Riches, Honours, Contentment, and Comforts. If we have God, nothing shall be missed, nothing wanted, to make the state of those that injoy it, compleatly happy. God is all immediately from himself, 1 Cor. 15.28. God shall be all in all, who filleth all the desires, and perfecteth all the Powers of our Souls, of himself, without the intervention of means. Secondly, joint heirs with Christ, we injoy it by him, and we injoy it with him.
1. By him, for Christ is the heir of all things, and we can have no Title but by and through him; he hath the whole inheritance in his power, and the absolute disposing of all the good things which belong to it, John 17.2. Thou hast given him power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as thou hast given to him. He hath power of condemning and absolving; unless we Sincerely and Cordially come to him, and accept him upon Gods offer, and obey him, we have no right.
2. We injoy it with him. Christ as Mediator hath a double Inheritance.
1. Of life and glory. 2. Of dominion and power.
1. Of Life and Glory. For we read, 1 Tim. 3.16. that he is received up into Glory, and there he liveth for ever at the Right hand of God; Now Christ will not be there alone, he cannot satisfie … unless he have his People with him: for we do with Christ, injoy God, and live with him for evermore; Christ will have his People sharers in the same life and Glory, John 12.26. If any man will serve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there shall my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honour. His Pe…ple shall fare as he doth, if they will serve him, and follow him; that is, not take it ill to be no better used, than he was. He will be with them in trouble, and they shall be with him in Glory: in their eternal estate they shall have constant, intimate, and nearer fellowship with him.
2. An inheritance of dominion and power, Eph. 1.21. God raised him far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but in that which is to come. Christ as Mediator was exalted to the highest degree of glory, next to God in Heaven; far above that fading power of Rulers and Potentates by whom he was put to death; yea, above the highest degree of Angelical power. But doth any of this fall to our share? See what Christ saith, Revel. 3.21. To him that overcometh, I will grant to sit with me on my throne, even as I also overcame, and am sate down with my father in his throne. He that persevereth in spite of all temptations, shall partake of that honour to which my Father hath exalted me unto, after my sufferings. He shall reign with Christ, and sit down with Christ on the right hand of the Majesty of God; not the same methods used towards him, to bring him to a Glorious Eternity; but invested in the same power as Christ the head, Psal. 49.14. The upright shall have dominion in the morning.
USE is Information of several truths.
1. That our heavenly inheritance cometh to us not by our own purchase, and procurement, or merit; but by vertue of our sonship. For so the Apostle reasoneth, If sons, then heirs. 'Tis given by the mercy of God, or the bounty of our Father, Luke 12.32: Fear not little flock, 'tis your fathers good pleasure to give you a kingdom. 'Tis purchased by Christ; indeed the Scripture doth not expresly say in terminis, that Christ purchased for us, but the merit of his death reached that effect; the immediate end of Christs death was to expiate our transgressions; but the necessary consequent is our receiving the promise of eternal inheritance, Heb. 9.15. For this cause is Christ the Mediator of the new cvenant, that bymeans of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the first covenant, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance His death removed sin, and the eternal penalties due to it: and the new Covenant, which is so full of Heavenly promises, is thereby introduced; none but such whose sins are expiated, can be heirs; and yours could not be expiated without the death of the Mediator. Therefore take away this death, and there can be no new covenant, no inheritance: this death satisfied the justice of God, and merited his favour. Again, we are purchased: tho it be not said Heaven is purchased, Eph. 2.14. Once more, 'tis said he gave himself, Eph. 5.25, 26, 27. all the benefits depend on the Blood of Christ; and 1 Thes. 5.9.10. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. The price of this purchase then is Christ, is Christs death and blood. Christ having purchased it, hath left it in legacy, John 17.24. Father, I will that those thou hast given me, may be where I am: Luke 22.22. This is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you. What are the Lagacies? Pardon and life, Matt. 26.28, 29. and Christ liveth for ever to be Executor of his own Testament. Heb. 7.25. We then Adopted Believers, are designed heirs of salvation, and eternal Glory, out of meer grace, not out of any merit of ours.
2. It informeth us, That it is a safe way upon the observation of the saving effects of Gods spirit in our selves, to conclude that we are in an estate of grace, even the adopted children of God; for so doth the Apostle reason in this place; They are children of God; how is it known? by the work and witness of the spirit within us; thence we conclude, if sons, then heirs; the like, Gal. 4.6. Because ye are sons, he hath sent forth the spirit of his son, crying Abba father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God, through Christ. Which teacheth us how to come to a conclusion in soul debates. Have I a child-like inclination, and sense and confidence that God hath adopted me into his favour, and have the sanctifying of the spirit upon my heart? I may be bold then to enter my claim.
3. It Informeth us, That the priviledges of believers are so linked together, that where one of them is, there are all the rest. Therefore if we injoy one, then we must collect and infer that the rest do belong to us also; If sons, we must not rest there, then heirs, heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. One link of the golden chain, draweth on another; there is a great deal of profit in these collections and inferences; our minds are usually taken up with trifles and childish toys; surely the priviledges of a Christian are not so much considered as they should be. The benefit of it is this, partly, it keepeth our hearts in a way of praising God, and constant rejoicing in God; if we did more consider the excellency of our Inheritanne, 1 Pet. 1.3, 4. Blessed be God, who hath begotten us to a lively hope, to an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled. Our thoughts are too dead and cold, till we revive the memory of our excellent priviledges by Christ. Partly, as it keepeth us in a constant and cheerful adherence to the truth, what ever it cost us; we slight all temporal things, how grievous or troublesome so ever they be, Rom. 8.18 For I reckon that the sufferings of the present life are not worthy to be compared with the glory that shall be revealed in us. Rom. 5.3. We glory in tribulation, as knowing that tribulation worketh patience. Partly, To help us to despise the pleasures of sin which are but for a season, while eternal things are in view, 2 Cor. 4.18. While we look not to the things which are seen, but to the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal: but the things which are not seen, are eternal. And Partly, To digest the labours of duty and obedience, all the pains of the Holy Life, 2 Cor. 5.9. Wherefore we labour, whether present or absent, that we may be accepted of the Lord. What shall we not do for such a Father, that hath provided such an inheritance for us, that we may injoy him, and be accepted with him? Therefore we should stock our minds with these thoughts.
4. That we should not question our estate, because we are under grievous pressures and afflictions. For the words are an anticipation of an objection, If Sons of God and Heirs of Glory, why are we then so afflicted? he inverteth the Argument, You are so afflicted, that you may have the inheritance. 'Tis rather an evidence of our right, than an infringement of it, especially if patiently endured for Gods sake, seeing thereby you are conformed to the Son by nature, Rom. 8.29. He hath predestinated us to be conformed to the image of his son. We have communion with Christ and his Sufferings; and if we be like him in his estate of Humiliation, we shall be like him in his estate of Exaltation also.
2. USE is Exhortation. 1. To bilieve this blessed inheritance which is reserved for the children of God. 'Tis a great happiness, but let not us therefore suspect the truth of it; for 'tis founded in the infinite mercy of the eternal God, and the everlasting merit of a blessed Redeemer; And we are prepared and qualified for it by the Almighty Operation of the conquering spirit; 'tis an happiness that lieth in another world, and we cannot come at it but by death: But is there no life beyond this? Where then shall the good be rewarded, and the wicked punished? 'Tis unseen, but it is set before us in the promises of the Gospel, which God hath confirmed by miracles, and sanctified to the conversion and consolation of many souls throughout all successions of ages; and were the best and wisest of men, that ever the world saw, deceived with a vain fancy? Or can a lye or delusion be sanctified to such high and holy ends? therefore do you believe it, John 11.26. Whosoever liveth and believeth in me, shall never die; believest thou this? If you believe your Reconciliation with God by the death of Christ, why not your salvation by his life? If your adoption into his family, why not the inheritance? both priviledges stand by the same grace.
2. Let us live always in the desire of it, that desire that will quicken you to look after it, Phil. 3.14. And to seek after it in the first place, Matth. 6.33. That desire that will quicken you to long for the enjoyment of it, Phil. 1.23.
3. To comfort your selves with the hope of it. Rom. 5.2. And rejoice in hope of the glory of God; 'tis the glory of God; God giveth it, God is the solid part of it, and can we expect shortly to live with God, and upon God, and not rejoice in the hope of it? Is a deed of gift from God, the security of infallible promises, nothing? Is the Title nothing before possession? When this estate is so sure and near, we should more lift up our heads, and revive our drooping spirits.
4. Let us walk worthy of it: 1. Despising Satans offers, Heb. 12.16. Be not a prophane person, as was Esau. 1 Kings 21.3. The Lord forbid that I should part with the inheritance of my father. Be chary of your inheritance, keep the hopes clear, fresh, and lively. 2. Wean your hearts from the world, Col. 3.1, 2. If ye be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, set your affections above, and not on the earth. There is your Father, your Head, your Christ, your Patrimony; 'tis reserved for you in the Heavens. 3. Live in all holy conversation and godliness, 1 Pet. 3.7. Living as heirs of the grace of life, in all duties to God, love to one another, fidelity in all our relations. We that shall live in the clear vision and full fruition of God in Christ, should be other manner or persons.
4. In an heavenly manner, Phil. 3.20. But our conversation is in heaven. Either acting for it, or living upon it, or sollacing our selves with it; with delightful thoughts of Heaven sweeten your pilgrimage here; be willing to suffer afflictions if God call us thereunto, patiently; you suffer with Christ: Christ takes it as done to himself, Acts 9.4. Why persecutest thou me? Fill up your share of the sufferings Providence hath appointed for Christ Mystical, Col. 1.24. Who now rejoice in my afflictions fo… you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh, for his bodies sake, which is the church. 2 Cor. 1.6. And whether we be afflicted it is for your consolation and salvation; and Phil. 3.10. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.