Sermons Volume 2, 2 Corinthians 5 · Sermon 1
SERMON I.
The Second Epistle to the CORINTHIANS, CHAPTER V.
Verse 1.
For we know that if our earthly House of this Tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an House not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens.
HAving shewed you how much of the true Spirit of Christianity lyeth in looking to things unseen: Because the Apostle goeth on with that Argument, I shall pursue it in the following verses of this Chapter. Paul here rendreth a reason why he could so over-look things seen, whether Crosses, or Comforts; And so resolutely venture upon the hope of things unseen.
For we know, &c.
In which words, there is not only a reason rendred of his Courage, and self denying pursuit of unseen glory; But also an Anticipation or secret Prevention of an Objection. Some might say to to him; There may be a blessed State to come: But dost thou certainly know that thou shalt be a partaker of that glory? Yea saith he. We know, &c.
The words branch themselves into three parts.
1. A supposal of the worst that could befal him in the world: If our Earthly house of this Tabernacle were dissolved.
2dly. A proposal of a glorious estate to be enjoyed after death: We have a building of God, an House not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens.
3dly. An Assertion of his own right, or the application to himself, or an assured expectation of this Blessed and Glorious Estate. We know that we have. 'Tis not a bare Conjecture, but a certain knowledge, foreign, We know. And what is there known? Not the general Truth only, That there is a building of God, an House not made with hands, Eternal in the Heavens: But that we have a particular confidence of our own Blessed Immortality.
The Point is This:
That the difficulties, pressures and dangers of the present life, even though they should end in death its self, are a matter of no great Terrour to those, who have a sure confidence of their own Blessed Immortality.
I shall explain this Point by these Considerations.
1. That the present life is frail, miserable and transitory, and within a little while, will surely come to an end.
2dly. That there is a much happier Condition than this world is capable of: Even an abiding Estate of Blessedness which God hath provided for his people. For the Apostle speaking of the present life, he calleth it a Tent, but the other is an House; that's an earthly House, this Eternal in Heaven, out of the reach of all sublunary dangers. That's an House in which man is Instrumental in raising it up, or sometimes pulling it down. This is builded without hands by God himself, and continued to us for ever, by his gracious Grant.
3dly. That a sure confidence of this Happy and Blessed Condition may be had. For there is a sure right; [We have;] a certain confidence; [We know.] 'Tis not we think, we hope well; But we know. 'Tis propounded as a Common priviledge, you and I and all the suffering servants; We know.
4thly. That this sure confidence of our own right in it, and future possession of it doth support and fortifie the Soul against all the dangers and pressures of the present life, yea against death it self.
I. That the bodily life is Frail and Transitory, and within a little while will surely come to an end. The Circumstances of the Text explained will represent it to you.
1. The Body of man is called an House. (1.) For the beauty and comely proportion, that is between the parts, as set up by line or rule. There is an admirable piece of Architecture in building and raising up the body of man, Story after Story, and Room after Room, Contrivance after Contrivance, so compact and set together, that the most Curious piles in the world, are but rude heaps Compared to it, Psal. 130.15, 16. I am fearfully and wonderfully made, &c. The serious contemplation of Gods Workmanship, in our very Bodies, will force us to acknowledge his unspeakable wisdom; all things are so well disposed and ordered for profit, and use. The greatest miracles are to be seen in Gods Common works. We wonder when we hear of any work exceeding the force of Nature, or done beside the order of Second Causes. We wonder when we read that Iron did swim, as 2 King. 6.6. Yet his hanging the world upon nothing, is a greater miracle: There is nothing but the fluid Air to support this vast body, and consistence of Earth that we tread upon. We wonder at the Curiosities of Art, whereas the Lords Ordinary works look very Common-like in our Eyes: as to go no farther: The frame of our own Bodies is very Curious and exact: So many Bones, Arteries, Veins and Sinews, &c. And all disposed in such a comely proportion! Well then, the Body in regard of the frame and structure of it is fitly called an House. (2.) With respect to an Inhabitant. The Soul dwelleth in the Body as a man in an House. It guideth and ordereth the Body, as the Inhabitant ordereth the affairs of the House, or as the Mariner and Pilot directs the motions of the Ship. Not that the Soul is in the Body accidentally; we must not strain it so far. There is a formal union between the Soul and the Body. But the Soul is the man, that's the Inhabitant. God began man at his Body. He first built the House, and then put in the dweller: He formed, and organized the Body out of the dust of the Earth, and then breathed into him the Breath of Life; and so man became a living Soul, Gen. 2.7. Well then, the Immortal Soul is the man, and that which should be chiefly regarded. Most men are like those that take care to deck and adorn the House, but never regard the Inhabitant; all their care is for the Body, whilst the poor neglected Soul hath cause to complain of hard usage. This is as if a man should trim his House and starve himself. In a Body over cared for, there ever dwelleth a neglected Soul.
2dly. The Specification of this notion, or what kind or sort of House it is; foreign, our Earthly House of this Tabernacle. A Tabernacle or Tent is a movable dwelling set up for present use, such as hath a roof or covering, but no Foundation. Tectum habet, Fundamentum non habet. A poor sorry Habitation, either left when the use ceaseth, or taken down, or suffered to fall a pieces of its own accord. Paul himself was a Tent-maker, and Spiritual men converse with corporal things Spiritually, they are improving Common Occasions to an Holy use, and therefore doth he so often consecrate this notion of a Tent to signifie our frail and flitting Condition here. (1.) A Tent or Tabernacle is easily raised up, and as easily taken down. So men are described, Job 4.19. They dwell in Houses of Clay, their Foundation is in the dust, they are Crushed before the Moth; a moth is but a handful of enlivened dust. (2.) A Tent is set up for a short time of use, not for a fixed habitation. As there are principles of Corruption in our Bodies, so our use and end is but for a while, when we have done our part, and served our generation, according to the will of God, the Stage is shifted, and the world furnished with a new Scene both of Acts, and Actors. (3dly.) A Tent is destroyed by taking the parts asunder. Death is nothing but a dissolution of the parts whereof man is composed, a taking asunder of the Soul from the Body. Well then, if the Body be but a Tabernacle, alwaies decaying of its self, though it should be preserved from external injuries, and if its use be short, and when that is over, the Soul shall be plucked from the embraces of the Body, let us do all the good that we can in this little time that we have to spend here, 2 Pet. 1.13.14. I think it meet as long as I am in this Tabernacle to stir you up by putting you in remembrance, knowing that I must shortly put off this Tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus hath shewed me. This should make us bestir our selves while time and strength lasteth. Yea the nearer our Journeys end we are, the faster should we run. Natural motion is in principio tardior; when death is near the best will think the great part of their business undone; while we are here, we have a Cottage rather than a House, a ruinous Cottage▪ yea a Tent; we spend all our time almost in repairing, and keeping it up, and supplying the necessities of the Body▪ so it is an impediment to us from better things. The Body hindreth the operations of the life of grace for the present, and the manifestation of the life of glory. It hindreth the life of grace. The Body if it be sound and well, it kicketh against the Spirit, 1 Pet. 2.11. If ill, it afflicts and discomposeth the Spirit. And then, the Life of Glory. For till this shade be taken down, that glorious House which we expect from above, will never be raised up.
3dly. The Attribute or adjunct. If this House of our Tabernacle. 'Tis' foreign, an earthly Tabernacle-House; and that in three regards. In regard of its Composition, Sustentation, and Dissolution.
1. In regard of its Original and Composition. We were made out of the dust of the ground. That curious frame that we see, 'tis but dust moulded up into a comely shape: The matter out of which we were made was Earth; all Elements meet in mixt Bodies, yet in gross and heavy Bodies, such as ours are, Earth is predominant. This speaketh the Wisdom and Power of God, to make such a curious frame out of dust. We read in the plagues of Aegypt, the Magicians could not bring forth lice out of the dust of the ground, Exod. 8.17, 18, 19. And yet God raised out of the dust of the ground such a noble Creature as man is: And it serveth to humble us in the sense of our vileness, who are but dust and ashes, as to our original, Gen. 18.27. Isa. 40.15. What should we Glory in? The nobility of our birth? We were made out of the dust of the ground as the worms are; yea the worms are of the elder House, for every creeping thing was made before man. In our beauty or strength? Prov. 31.30. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain. That part which we Glory in is but dust well coloured. Or in Pomp of Living? High and low shall lye down in the dust alike, and the worms shall cover them, Job. 21.26. But chiefly it should remember us of our frailty. 'Tis ont Brass nor Iron, or Stone or stiff Clay that we were made of, but dust which hath no Coherence, and Consistence, but is easily dissipated and scattered with every puff of wind. So is our dusty Tabernacle with every blast of God's displeasure.
2dly. In regard of Sustentation and support, Psal. 104.14. He bringeth food for them out of the Earth. Things bred there and nourished there feed us. As the Body is framed out of the Earth, so the means whereby it is supported is the Earth. Meat and Drink, and such like accommodations, continue and repair this House from day to day.
3dly. In its dissolution it is resolved to Earth again, Gen. 3.19. Dust thou art, and to dust shalt thou return; and Eccles. 12.7. then shalt the dust return to the Earth as it was. That is, be resolved into the matter out of which it was made, dust in its Composition, and dust in its dissolution. So 'tis said of a Prince, Psal. 146.4. His breath perisheth, and he returneth to his Earth. The greatest Potentate in the world can challenge Kin and Alliance of nothing so much as of the Earth. Oh, then let us long after that estate wherein these Corruptible, Earthly Bodies shall be made Heavenly and Spiritual. The Soul is now ill lodged, it dwelleth in an Earthly House. Surely such a Spiritual being was made for a nobler place; and therefore let us still be looking out for a more Glorious Mansion.
4thly. The event supposed: Or, what will become of this Earthly Tabernacle-House. That is implyed in the word foreign, it will be dissolved, plucked asunder. And then, the dust will be turned to the Earth as it was, and the Spirit to God that gave it. Phil. 1.23. I desire to be dissolved and to be with Christ, saith Paul. There is foreign, to be resolved into his principles. Death is not a destruction of the party that dyeth, but a separating of the Soul from the Body, a flitting from one place to another, a releasing of the Soul from the Captivity of the Body wherein it was enclosed, or a setting it at liberty: It will come to this at length; the band of Conjunction, between these two parts, is very weak. 'Tis but our breath, Isa. 2.22. Cease from man whose breath is in his Nostrils; for wherein is he to be accounted of? His breath is but like a puff of wind passing to and fro, and turned in and out by the Nostrils. Well then, let this move us in the whole Course of our Lives to pass the time of our dwelling here in fear.
(1.) Let us alwaies be ready to remove hence whensoever God shall call us. Stand with your loins girt, and your lamps burning, Luk. 12.35. But Alas! how little is this regarded in the world? Men live, as if they should never dye; and then dye, as if they should never live; they live carelesly, and dye uncomfortably. Surely thoughts of death should be more familiar with us, who have so many reasons to consider our own frailty, and so many instances to put us in remembrance; but we have eyes to see, but not an heart to see, Deut. 29.2, 3, 4. Most men are loth to quit their Earthly House; the most Common Lessons need special grace to inforce them, Psal. 90.12. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. Why should you be mindless, when so many are surprized and snatched to Hell, who as little thought of dying as you do? God is ready to Judge, are you ready to be judged? 1 Pet. 4.5. They shall give an account to him that is ready to Judge the quick and the dead. Gods delay is not because he is not ready for the work, but you are not ready: Have you made up all your accounts between God and your Soul, sued out your pardon?
(2dly.) Let us cease our immoderate care for outward things, which are in themselves of short Continuance, and from which we may be taken we know not how soon, Luk. 12.20. Thou fool this night shall thy Soul be required of thee, and then whose shall these things be which thou hast provided? He was a fool because his barns were full, and his Soul empty: A fool in providing but for half, and the worser part, for a short time, how short he knew not. When Bees swarm and leave the hive, dust cast among them maketh them quiet, and pitch again. Oh remember your dusty Tabernacle.
(3dly.) Let us endeavour to make sure a state of Continuance; a life that is hidden with Christ in God; a better part that shall never be taken from us, Luk. 10.42. So, Psal. 119.96. I have seen an end of all perfection, but thy Commandment is exceeding broad, no end of it; the Commandment in the effect is not so much subjective as effective.
(4thly.) Let us forbear any dependance upon man, or fear of man, who cannot long continue to do us either good or evil, Psal. 146 3, 4. Put not your trust in Princes, nor in the Son of man in whom there is no help; his breath goeth forth, he returneth to his Earth, and that very day his thoughts perish. When a bough is stripped off from the stock and root, all the unripe grapes wither and come to nothing, 1 King. 1.21. If we trust or fear any, let us trust and fear God who liveth for ever, Heb. 10.31.
I come now to the Second Consideration.
II. That there is a much happier Condition than this world is capable of, even an abiding state of Blessedness which God hath provided for his people. A Building of God, an House not made with hands, &c. (1.) This is called an House (2dly.) And there are divers Epithets to shew the eternity of this state. 'Tis described, 1. By the efficient cause, set forth negatively in that word foreign, a building not made with hands; positively foreign; a building of God. 2dly. The adjunct; Eternal. 3dly. The place where 'tis situated; In the Heavens. There is a state of Eternal Glory and Happiness that remaineth for the people of God. A building of God, an House, &c. Whether by this House is meant the Joys of the Soul in Heaven, or the state of a glorified Body, or both, as making up that compleat House which the Saints desire, I will not now dispute.
1. Let it suffice that the state of Glory is called an House. Heaven is sometimes compared to a Kingdom, for the Glory and Splendour of that estate, and sometimes to a City, for the beauty and regularity of it, and also sometimes to an House, because of our social and familiar converse with God and one another, Joh. 14.2. In my Fathers House are many mansions. Heaven is the House of God, wherein he will familiarly converse with his Domesticks, and they enjoy a full and clear sight of his Glory, and live in all Happiness, as being ever in the Kings Palace, Glorifying and enjoying him, Psal. 84.4. Blessed are they that dwell in thy House, they will be still prai…ing thee, Selah. 'Tis a secure and quiet habitation, beyond the reach of enemies, Psal. 2.3. Tho the Heathen rage, the Kings of the Earth set themselves, and the Rulers take Counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed, saying, let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their Cords from us: He that sitteth in the Heavens shall laugh, &c. When there was a great Tumult and bustle in the world: Sitting noteth a quiet posture; those Blessed Mansions are never disturbed, and discomposed. In this life the Saints are tossed up and down, but there is a quiet resting place prepared for them, where the Soul reposeth her self with all Spiritual delights after her labour and Travail: Here is our Tent, there our House; our House is where our goods are. In Heaven we enjoy the Treasures which were laid up there before, Rev. 14.13. Luk. 12.33. A Treasure in the Heavens that fadeth not. There is all our comfort. 'Tis a Capacious House, Joh. 14.2. In my Fathers House are many Mansions; that will hold all the Children of God who at last shall be gathered together. There is abundance of Room in Heaven. 'Tis not carnally to be conceived, as if Heaven were to be divided into so many cells: But to note that many shall be admitted into that Blessed rest, through the Love of God, and the merits of Christ. Oh! Let us oftner think of this Blessed House! Here we have but a Tent, the Body is often afflicted: And after that dissolved, torn, and taken down: But then, an House that we shall never change where we shall live sweetly and securely, without trouble of enemies.
2dly. This House is described, (1.) By the efficient cause; expressed negatively and positively. 1. Negatively, the false cause is removed▪ an House not made with hands. Not built by man of Terrestrial and Feculent Matter, not contrived with mans art and care or skill; things made by man, are not comparable to things made by God: For, as the workman is, so is the work: Man being a finite Creature, limited and confined, his work cannot be absolute, as God's is; the Holy places made by Bezaleel and Aboliah had their Glory, but they were nothing comparable to the Holy places not made with hands, Heb. 9.24. Those were figures: These are true. Whatever God doth, it is done in a more Glorious manner; he discovereth his Magnificence in the work. 2dly. The true cause is assigned; foreign, A Building of God. So 'tis called, Rom. 5.2. We rejoice in hope of the Glory of God. God raised this House out of the greatest wisdom and highest love: An House to shew the Riches, and Glory, and Honour, of him that made it. So where Heaven is compared to a City, 'tis said, Heb. 11.10. He looked for a City which had Foundations, whose builder and maker is God. He is the Builder or Architect that doth frame, and devise it according to model, and he is the workman that did set it together; man hath no hand in this at all, God contrived it, and prepared it. 'Tis so far above the Art and Power of man, that only God could make it. God is not only the principal, but sole efficient of it▪ (2dly.) By the adjunct; 'tis an eternal House. All other Houses moulder to dust; cernimus exemplis oppida posse mori; all other buildings are infirm, and moveable, obnoxious to change, decay, and ruine; experience doth sufficiently prove this by the ruine of so many Castles, Palaces, Cities, and Kingdoms, which have flourished in great Splendour, Power and Strength, yet now lye in the dust, and do not appear. But this City hath Foundations, Heb. 11.10. Nothing can be firm, that is not firmly fixed, upon an unmoveable Ground: But this hath Foundations, the unchangeable Law of God, and the everlasting merits of Christ. (3dly.) The place where 'tis situated; In the Heavens. The place where God doth manifest himself in a more glorious manner, than here upon earth, which is a Common Inn for Sons and Bastards, a Receptacle for Sinners and Saints; yea for man and beast, where God sheweth his bounty to all his Creatures: A valley of tears: where is the place of our Tryal and exercise. But this is the place of our recompence, there God will manifest himself in the greatest latitude that the Creature is capable of: we shall have a place agreeable to our state, and a state agreeable to the place. The paviment is very Glorious: The Starry Heaven, we cannot look upon it, without wonder and astonishment. Adam's happiness was in an Earthly Paradise, but ours is in Heaven, Eph. 1.3. We have such a Glorious place, and Glorious company. That happy Region of the Blessed which is properly called the Heavenly Jerusalem, doth as much excell all other Countries in height, amplitude and beauty, as the Inhabitants excel the Inhabitants of other Countries in wisdom, nobleness and grace. For sublimity. The Stars seem to be like so many spangles for the distance. 'Tis above all Mountains, Elements, Sun, Moon and Stars. So far is it distant from the place of vicissitudes and changes. And then for its Breadth, as well as height; some Stars have a body bigger than vast Countries, yea than the whole Earth. Then what is the capacity of Heaven it self! For Beauty. This world, that is a stable for beasts, the place of our exile, the valley of tears, hath a great deal of Beauty: What hath God bestowed then upon Heaven! Oh! When we shall meet with all the Holy ones of God, then how shall we rejoice! And the Innumerable Company of Angels that shall all join in Consort! There is no pride or envy to divide us, or make us Contemn one another, but Love and Charity reigneth, that the good of every one is the good of all, and the good of all the good of every one. There is one Body, one Heart, one Soul, and one God, that is all in all. Whence is it that one Citizen loveth another rather than a stranger, one Brother loveth another rather than another man, that the head loveth the feet of his own Body, rather than the Eyes of another? Namely, that Citizens dwell in one Common City, or they are one Common House, and are of the same stock, members live by conjunction of the same life. What conjunction then, what love between the Blessed, that have one God, one Country, one Palace, one Life? How sweet will this friendship be, where there is no weakness to pervert or corrupt it? After we have gotten through a short life here in the world, this will be our portion: Assoon as we do but step into this House, we bid our everlasting farewel unto all sin and sorrow; and step into it we do assoon as we dye, in a moment, in the twinckling of an Eye. But above all, what Joy is in the sight of God! 1 Joh. 3 2. We shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. Oh then let us get a Title to it, and be able with clearness to make out our qualification by two witnesses, Conscience, and the Spirit, Rom. 8.16. the Spirit it self, beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the Children of God: As in the mouth of two witnesses every thing is established. God never giveth Heaven but he giveth earnest, 2 Cor. 1.22. Who hath also sealed us, and given us the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. God never giveth Heaven to any but first he prepareth and fitteth them for it, Col. 1.12. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light. There is some suitableness between the person and the state; therefore what hath God done for you? Or what have you done for. God? You must look to both. Deus coronat dona sua. Never think he will alter those eternal Laws of Justice to save you; you are to do something to take hold of eternal life, 1 Tim. 6.19. Laying up in store for themselves a good Foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. And then let us look for it, and long for it more, and seek after it with all earnestness. We have an House above, but we are not in it, therefore we should long to be at home in the injoyment of the House fitted for us. Your whole lives should be a continual motion, and approach toward this Eternal and Glorious estate of rest. Beleivers that look, and long, and groan for Heaven, are of a most noble and divine Spirit. Can a man believe Blessedness to come, and not long to enjoy it? Surely mind and heart will be set a-work: A tast will make a man long for more; 'tis but a little while and we shall have full possession. And the reason why we have not full possession sooner, is not because Heaven is not ready for us, but we are not ready for it. And then let us comfort our selves with these hopes of Blessedness, Heb. 3.6. Whose House are we, if we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end. Oh let us rouse this joy, and still keep it afoot, to incourage our endeavours, Phil. 3.13. To abate our fears, Luk. 13.32. To moderate our sorrows, Heb. 10.34. To allay the fears of death. We do by it but change Houses, and it's not an exchange for the worse, but for the better. Why should we then be so unwilling to it?