§. 36. Of tasting the powers of the World to come.
THe fifth, and last step whereon hypocrites ascend toward salvation, is in th•…•…e words, and the powers of the World to come. * 1.1 The verb in the former clause, thus translated, have tasted, is here understood, and that in the same sense wh•…•… it was there used.
Many expositors do here understand the Militant Church under the Gospell, to* 1.2 be meant by this phrase, World to come, as it was, Chap. 2. v. 5. §. 41. But,
- 1. There is not the same Greek word here put for the World, as was there. The a 1.3 word there used, signifieth a place of habitation: and is frequently put for the earth. But the word b 1.4 here used, signifieth a perpetuall duration of time. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 see Chap. 1. v. 2. §. 18.
- 2. This Text doth not so well bear the interpretation of the Militant Church, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that; here the triumphant Church is meant. For this clause hath reference to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 two last principles before mentioned, of the resurrection, and eternall judg•…•…. Besides it is the highest step, and degree that an hypocrite can attain unto.
- 3. The things which they intend, who take the World to come, in this place, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Militant Church, are gifts conferred on the Church of the new Test•…•…: which are comprised under the third step, namely, partaking of the Holy Gh•…•….
I take the state of the triumphant Church in heaven to be here meant by c 1.5 〈◊〉〈◊〉 World to come.
Thus is this phrase most properly, and frequently used. Thus it is opposed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the World, where here we live. For every one hath two Worlds, one here •…•…∣sent, the other to come. The World to come is indefinitely put for the future glori∣ous estate of Saints: though to the reprobate, the World to come, is a time, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 place of horror, and torment. Thus resurrection is indefinitely put for resurrection* 1.6 to life; because resurrection to condemnation is as no resurrection: for such as are raised thereto, were better not be raised at all.
By the powers of this world to come, those excellent priviledge▪ whereof S•…•…* 1.7 are made partakers in heaven, are meant. These are Communion with God, •…•…∣ther, Son, and holy Spirit: with glorious Angels, and glorified Saints: the per•…•…∣on, and glory of their Soules, and Bodies, and of all the powers, and parts of th•…•…: Immunity from all evill: Fulness, and Satlety of all happiness: and these unch•…•…∣able, everlasting.
These priviledges are called, d 1.8 powers.
- 1. Because they are evident effects of Gods mighty power.
- 2. Because they are ensignes, and trophees of power, victory, and triumph 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all our enemies.
- 3. Because no adverse power can ever prevaile against them that are in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 world to come. They are firmly established in Christ.
Hypocrites are said to taste of these powers, in that they have such an appre•…•…∣sion* 1.9 of that surpassing glory as to be enamoured, and affected there with: as he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God, Luk. 14. 15. Balaa•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a taste hereof: which moved him to say, Let me dye the death of the righteous, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 let my last end be like his, Num. 23. 10. Though that glory, and happiness be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 concealed from our sight, and sense, yet by faith, and that a temporary fai•…•…, it may be discerned, and tasted. Thus they who are enlightned, and have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the heavenly gift, and have been made partakers of the Holy Ghost, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉:* 1.10 tasted the good word of God, may also taste the powers of the world to come.
This step, of an hypocrites ascending towards heaven, is apparently highe•…•… 〈◊〉〈◊〉