§. 130. Of the kind of reward given to such as suffer in Christs cause.
HItherto of the first motive to perseverance▪ which was the former good begin∣ning of these Hebrewes. Another here followeth taken from their future re∣ward, thus set down, Knowing in your selves that ye have in Heaven a better and en∣during substance.
This in generall sheweth that Saints sufferings have their recompence, a 1.1 ye •…•…ve, saith the Apostle, Matth. 5. 12. 2 Cor. 4. 17. 2 Tim. 2. 12.
That which is noted of salvation accompanying g•…•…od works, and of the reward of faith and patience, Chap. 6. v. 9. §. 57: and v. 12. §. 88. may be applyed to the reward of suffering.
That reward may be aymed at, as is shewed Chap. 6. v. 18. §. 149. And that re∣ward may stand with grace, is proved Chap. 8. v. 8. §. 43.
The particular kind of reward is here said to be, b 1.2 substance. Of the derivation See §. 129. Under it is comprised all that glory which Christ hath purchased for h•…•… in heaven. He calleth this glory substance, in reference to those goods of this world, whereof they were spoyled. Men usually call the things of this world, their substance, Luk. 8. 3. We there translate this word which is here in this text turned c 1.3 goods, we translate it substance.
But the substance here meant, being of another kind, not of earth but of heaven, he •…•…lyleth it d 1.4 better. And because they were spoyled of their earthly substance, he addeth this epithite e 1.5 enduring. The Apostle useth this word substance, to shew that Saints Recompence shall be answerable to their damage. Thus may this* 1.6 phrase be taken, God will render to every man according to his deeds, Rom. 2. 6. And this, whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap, Gal. 6. 7. Luk. 6. 21. The ground hereof is Gods righteousnesse, which this our Apostle doth thus emphatically set out▪ God is not unrighteous. Hereof see Chap. 6. v. 10. §. 60. God will not suffer any to be losers in his cause.
The Apostle therefore addeth these two properties of that reward, better, enduring.* 1.7 So as a Saints recompence far surpasseth his damage. Every one that hath for saken 〈◊〉〈◊〉, or brethren, or sisters, &c. shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit ever∣lasting life, Matth. 19. 29. On this ground it is truly said, the sufferings of this pre∣•…•… time, are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us, Rom. 8. 18. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a •…•…ar more excee∣ding, and eternall weight of glory, 2 Cor. 4. 17.
Gods bounty and magnificence puts him on hereunto. In all things he sheweth himself like a God. And in all things exceeds man. None shall repent the losse of any thing for his sake.
This added to the former is a strong incitement to do, undergo, let go, and en∣dure whatsoever God calls us unto. The husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, &c. Jam. 5. 7. And should not we waite and endure for this precious re∣compence? Hold not wealth too dear; cast not away this recompence of reward.
•…•… This latter property, enduring, implieth an everlastingnesse in the reward here intended.
Hereof see Chap. 5. v. 9. §. 51.