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4. LET us hope in Jesus, as carrying on the great work of our salvation for us in his second coming. Hope is of good things to come; hope is an act of the will extending it self towards that which it loves as future; onely the future good as it is
the object of hope is difficult to obtain, and therein it differs from desire; for desire looks at future good without any apprehension of difficulty, but hope respects the fu∣ture good as it is gotten with difficulty. Lazy hopes that will not be in use of means, though difficult, are not true hopes; we see many desirable things set before us, of which we may say, Oh that we had our part and portion of them! but shall we go on, and search and find out the truth, whether we have any part or portion in them? or whether we have any hopes of any such thing? oh this is worthy our pains! come then, let us yet make a further progress, let us not only desire that it may be thus and so; but let us say, on some sure and certain grounds, we hope it is thus and so; we hope Christ will come again, and receive us to himself, that where he is, there we may be also.
Indeed there is the Christians stay and comfort; such an hope is a sure Anchor, that will hold the ship in a storm; onely because our souls lie upon it, we had need to look to it that our hopes be true; the worst can say, They hope to be saved as well as the best; but I fear the hopes of many will be lamentably frustrated. Our Saviour brings in many pleading with confidence at the last day for life, who shall be rejected with miserable disappointment; Many shall say to me at that day, Lord, Lord, &c. and I will confess unto them, I never knew them; depart from me. Now to clear this point, that our hopes, are of the right stamp, and not counterfeit hopes, I shall lay down some signs, whereby we may know that Christ's coming is for us, and for our good, and for the grace that is to be given us at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1. If we are born again, then will his glorious coming be to glorifie us, Blessed be the God and Father of Lord Jesus Christ, who according to his abundant mercy hath be∣gotten us again unto a lively hope, to an inheritance incorruptible. Whoever hath the true hope of Heaven, he is one that is begotten again; so our Saviour, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Many things may be done, as Herod heard John the Baptist, and did many things: but except a man be born again, those many things are in God's account as nothing. When Peter had told Christ, that he and his fel∣low-disciples had forsaken all, and followed him; Then Jesus said, verily I say unto you, that ye which have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit in the Throne of his glory, ye shall also sit upon twelve Thrones, Judging the twelve Tribes of Israel. q. d. Peter, you have forsaken all, and followed me; but know, that bare for∣saking is not enough: but you who have felt the Work of God regenerating your souls, upon which ye have followed me, ye shall sit upon twelve Thrones. In those who are alive at the last day there will be a change, and this change will be to them instead of death; Behold I shew you a mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. Certainly in those who at the last day shall sit on Thrones with Christ, there must be a change likewise in this life; (i.e.) a new spirit, and a new life must be put into them: Oh what a change is this! suppose a rational soul were put into a beast, what a change would be in that Creature! suppose an angelical nature were put upon us, what a change would there be in us? oh but what a change is this, when a man is born again of water and of the spirit; I must tell you, that the highest degree of glory in Heaven, is not so different from the lowest degree of grace here, as the lowest degree of grace here is dif∣ferent from the highest excellency of nature here; because the difference betwixt the highest degree of the glory of Heaven, and the lowest degree of grace is only gra∣dual; but the difference that is betwixt the lowest degree of grace, and the highest ex∣cellency of nature is a specifical difference. Oh there's a mighty work of God in pre∣paring souls for glory by grace, and this change must they have that must sit on Thrones. Come then, you that hope for glory, try your selves by this; is there a change in your hearts, words, and lives? is there a mighty work of grace upon your spirits? are you experienc'd in the great mystery of regeneration? why here's your evidence, that your hopes are sound, and that you shall sit upon Thrones to judge the world.
2. If we long for his coming, then will he come to satisfie our longings. Blessed are they that hunger and thirst, for they shall be satisfied; how satisfied, but in being sa∣ved? Christ was offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him, shall he appear the second time without sin to salvation; unto them that look for him, or long for him, shall he appear the second time unto salvation; it is very observable, how this looking for Christ, is in Scripture a frequent description of a true believer in Christ. Who are true, sincere, and sound Christians, but such as live in a perpetual desire and hope of Christs blessed coming? they are ever looking for, and hasting unto the coming of the day of God. Here are two signs in one verse, looking for, and hasting unto; true
believers are not only in a posture looking for the coming of Jesus Christ, but also, as it were, going forth to meet Jesus Christ with burning Lamps. Luther could say, That he was no true Christian, neither could he truly recite the Lord's prayer, that with all his heart desired not this day of the coming of Christ. It is true, that whether we will or no, that day will come, but in the Lord's prayer Christ hath taught us to pray that God would accelerate and hasten the day of his glorious coming, thy Kingdom come, (i.e.) the Kingdom of glory at the Judgment, as well as the Kingdom of grace in the Church. It is true, that the day of the Lord is a terrible day, the Heavens, and Earth, and Sea, and Air shall be all on a bone-fire, and burn to nothing; nevertheless we according to his promise look for new Heavens, and a new Earth; we that have laid hold upon God, and laid hold on him by the right handle, according to his promises, we look for this day of the Lord, we look for it, and hasten unto it, we are glad it is so near, and we do what we can to have it nearer, with an holy kind of impatience we beg of the Lord, Come Lord Jesu, come, quickly. This was Paul's character, We know that the whole creation groaneth, and travelleth in pain together until now; and not onely they, but our selves also, which have the first-fruits of the spirit, even we our selves groan within our selves, waiting for the adoption, to wit the redemption of our bodies: God's children, such as have the first-fruits of the spirit, the beginnings of true saving grace in them, they constantly look and long for the day of full deliverance, or of the coming of Christ. This the Apo∣stle instanceth in his Corinthians, ye come behind in no gift, waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ; and in like manner he writes to his Philippians, Our Conversation is in Heaven from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: And to Titus himself he writes the same things, We look for that blessed hope, and the glorious appear∣ing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ. Now Christians lay this character to heart, do you long, pant, and look for this glorious and second coming of Christ? have you any such wishes, and sayings of heart and mind as these are; Oh that Christ would appear! Oh that Christ would now break the Heavens, and come to Judgment! oh that I could see him in the Cloud, and on his Throne! oh that his enemies were ruined, my sins subdued, my soul saved, that I might serve him without weariness, for ever and ever! Surely if these elongations of soul be in you, it is a comfortable evidence that your hopes are sound, and that Christ will come to receive you to hims••lf, and to bring you to glory.
3. If we love Christ's appearing, then will he appear on our side, Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto them also that love his appearing. A true Christian loves Christ's appearing in ordinances, and in all the means of grace, how much more in his own person? but how should we love that we see not? O yes! there's a kind of an Idea of Christ, and of his glorious appearing in every sanctified soul, and in that re∣spect we love him though we cannot see him, Who having not seen ye love, saith the Apo∣stle: and so your love and faith at the appearing of Jesus Christ shall be found unto praise, and honour, and glory. Those that have not seen Christ, and yet love the Idea of his sight, even they shall appear at the appearing of Christ in praise, and honour, and glo∣ry. Is not the Crown laid up for them that love the appearing of Christ? is it not a sign of a good cause to love a day of hearing? surely the love of Christ's coming cannot consist without some assurance that a soul shall stand upright in the Judgdment. He that hath not a confidence in his cause, loves not the coming of the Judge; no guilty pri∣soner loves the Sessions, or loves the judges presence; it is the cry of Reprobates, O ye mountains, and O ye Rocks fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the Throne. But as for Christ and his Saints; O the mutual loves, and mutual longings in their breasts! The last words that Christ speaks in the Bible (and amongst us last words make deepest impressions) are, Surely I come quickly; and the last answer that is made in our behalf, is, Amen, even so come Lord Jesus. I know this Character is near the for∣mer, and therefore I shall pass it over.
4. If our works be good, then will he reward us according to our works. At that great day this will be the trial, works? are no works? Then will he say to them on his right hand, come ye blessed of my Father, inherite the Kingdom prepared for you, for I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took me in, naked and ye cloathed me, I was sick, and ye visited me, I was in prison, and ye came unto me. Here were works, upon which followed the rewards of Heaven for these went into eternal life. I know Works are not meritorious, and yet they are evi∣dences;
I know works without Faith are but glisterrings sins, and yet works done in faith are signs, and fore-runners of eternal glory; I know that if all the excellencies of all the moralities of all the men in the world were put together, these could never reach glory, and yet a cup of cold water given to one of Christ's little ones in the name of a Disciple of Christ shall not lose its reward. If a Christian doubt, how should I know that my works are of a right stamp. I answer, 1. Look at the principle, is there not something above nature? do I not find some new light let out by God, that shews a glory, and excel∣lency, and beauty in good works? is there not something in me that makes the same to be sweet, or pleasant, or agreeable to me? 2. Look at the end; natural works have no better end than self and creature-respects; but in my works is there no aim at some∣thing higher than self? whatever I do, is not this in mine eye, that all I do may tend to the honour and glory of God? I had need take heed of vain-glory, and self applause; the Godly at the day of Judgment do not know the good works they did; if my aim be at God I shall forget my self, as if all I did were swallowed up in God. 3. Look at the manner of my doing works: Ʋzzah had a good intention, but his work was not good, because the manner was not good; are my works according to the rule? do they carry a conformity to the Law of God? Let every man try his own work in this: O my soul bring thy works to the touch-stone, the Scripture, the Rule of goodness, is not all thy gold then discovered to be dross? the Scripture doth not onely tell of works, but tells us the manner of performing them; as for instance, if rightly done, they must be done in zeal, in fervency, in activity; thus Gods people are called a peculiar people, zealous of good works; a formal, customary, superficial performance of holy works fails in the manner of performing them: what, are my works performed in zeal? is there not too much of coldness, emptiness formality in all I do? why, thus may I know whether my works are of a right stamp; certainly all works, duties, actings, which are not done by a gracious heart, through a gracious power, to a gracious end, in a gracious man∣ner, are sins, and not such works as shall have the rewards of Heaven. Some may object, this is an hard saying, who then shall be saved? I answer, 1. By concession, very few; What is the whole company of Christians, besides a very few (said Salvian) but a sink of vices? are they only good works which are thus and thus qualified? it were enough to make us all fear all the works that ever we have done. But secondly, here's all our hope, that in a Gospel-way Christ looks at our good works in the truth of them, and not in the perfection of them; no man goes beyond Paul, who when he would do good, found evil present with him: Alas, there's a perpetual opposition and conflict betwixt the flesh and the spirit, so that the most spiritual man cannot do the good things he would do; and yet we must not conclude, that nothing is good in us, because not perfectly good. Sin∣cerity and truth in the inward parts, may in this case hold up our hearts from sinking; as he in the Gospel cryed, I believe Lord, help my unbelief; So if we can but say, I I do good works, Lord help me in the concurrence of all needful circumstances, here will be our evidence that our hopes are sound, and that Christ will sentence us to eternal life. Come ye Blessed, &c. and why so? For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat, &c.
5. If we believe in Christ, then shall we live with Christ; if we come to him and receive him by Faith, then will he come again, and receive us to himself, that where he is, there we may be also. Good works are good evidences, but of all works those of the Gospel are clearest evidences, and have clearest promises; come then, let us try our obedience to the Commandments of Faith, as well as Life; let us try our submission to the Lord by believing, as well as doing. Surely the greatest work of God that ever any creature did, it is this Gospel-work, when it apprehends its own unworthyness, and ventures it self and its estate upon the righteousness of Jesus Christ: if we were able to perform a full, exact, and accurate obedience to every particular of the moral Law, it were not so great a work, nor so acceptable to God, nor should be so gloriously reward∣ed in heaven, as this one work of believing in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the work to which in express terms salvation, Heaven, and glory is promised; He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that heareth my word••, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but he hath passed from death to life — And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one that seeth the Son, and believeth on him may have everlasting life—And these things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is Christ the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name— Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved— And if thou shalt
confess with thy mouth, the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved— And we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe unto the saving of the soul— And these things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that ye may know that ye have everlasting life. Why this above all is the Gospel work, to which are annexed those gracious promises of eternal life. So that if we believe in Christ, how may we be assured that we shall live with Christ.
O my soul, gather up all these characters, and try by them. Every one can say, that they hope well, they hope to be saved, they hope to meet Christ with comfort, though they have no ground for it but their own vain conceits; but hope on good ground, is that hope that maketh not ashamed; say then, art thou born again? dost thou look and long for the coming of Christ in the clouds? dost thou love his appearing? art thou rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate? dost thou obey the com∣mandments of faith as well as life? sure these are firm, and sound, and comfortable grounds of an assured hope. Content not thy self with an hope of possibility, or pro∣bability; but reach out to that plerophory, or full assurance of hope; the hope of possibility is but a weak hope, the hope of probability is but a fluctuating hope, but the hope of certainty is a setled hope; such an hope sweetens all the thoughts of God and Christ, of death and judgment, of Heaven, yea, and of Hell too, whiles we hope that we are saved from it; and are not the Scriptures written to this very purpose, That we might have this hope? are we not justified by his grace, that we might be heirs in hope, heirs according to the hope of eternal life? and was not this David's confidence, Lord I have hoped for thy salvation? why then art thou cast down O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope thou in God, for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance and my God.
If I may here enter into a Dialogue with my own poor, trembling, wavering soul.— Person—why art thou hopeless O my soul? wouldst thou not hope, if an honest man had made thee a promise of any thing within his power? and wilt thou not hope when thou hast the promise, the oath, and the covenant of God in Christ? —Soul— Yes; methinks I feel some little hope, but alas it is but a little, a very little.—Person— Ay but go on my soul, true hope is called a lively hope, and a lively hope is an efficaci∣ous hope; no sooner faith commends the promise unto hope, but hope takes it, and hugs it, and reckons it as its Treasure, and feeds on it as Manna, which God hath given to refresh the weary soul in the desart of sin; go on then, till thou comest up to the highest pitch, even to that triumphant joyfull expectation, and waiting for of Christ in glory— Soul— Why, methinks I would hope, I would ascend the highest step of hope; but alas I cannot; Oh I am exposed to many controversies, I am prone to many un∣quiet agitations; though I have a present promise, yet I extend my cares and fears e∣ven to eternity: Alas, I cannot comprehend, and therefore I am hardly satisfied; my sinfull reason sees not its own way and end, and because it must take all on trust and credit, therefore it falls to wrangling; nay, Sathan himself so snarles the question, and and I am so apt to listen to his doubts, that in the conclusion I know not how to extricate my self.—Person—Sayst thou so? surely in this case there's no cure, no remedy, but onely the testimony of God's Spirit; but saith not the Apostle, That the spirit of it self bears witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God? if a Man or Angel, or Archangel should promise Heaven, peradventure thou mightest doubt; but if the Su∣pream Essence of the Spirit of God bear witness within, what room for doubting? why, this voice of the spirit is the very voice of God; hark then, enquire O my soul, if thou hast but this testimony of the spirit, thou art sure enough—Soul—Oh that it were thus with me! oh that the spirit would even now give me to drink of the wells of salvation! oh that the spirit would testifie it home! oh that he would shine upon, and enlighten all those graces which he hath planted in me! fain would I come to the highest pitch of hope, oh that I could look upon the things hoped for as cer∣tainly future.—Person—Thou sayst well O my soul, and if these wishes be real, then pour out thy self unto God in prayer; this was the Apostles method, Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope through the power of the holy Ghost; let this be thy practise, pray as he prayed, pray thou for thy self as he prayed for others; if an earthly Father will hearken to his child, how much more will God the Father give the spirit to them that ask the spirit of him.—Soul—Why if this be it; to thee Lord do I come, O give me the Spirit, the witness of the Spirit,
the first-fruits of the spirit, the sealing of the spirit, the earnest of the spirit. O give me the spirit, and let the spirit give me this hope. O the hope of Israel, and Sa∣viour thereof in the time of trouble, why shouldst thou be as a stranger in my soul, and as a way-faring man that turneth aside to tarry for a night? Come, O come, and dwell in my soul, Come and blow on my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out: come and fill me with a livelv hope; yea Lord excite, and quicken, and stir up my soul to act this hope, yea, so illighten, or shine upon my hope, that I may know that I hope, and know that I joyfully expect, and wait for the coming of Christ: O Let me hear thy voice, Say unto my soul I am, and will be thy salvation.—Person—Well now, thou hast prayed, O my soul, Come, tell me, dost thou feel nothing stir? is there nothing at all in thee that assures thee of this assurance of hope? is there no life in thy affections? no spark that takes hold on thy heart to set it on flame? no comfort of the spirit, no joy in the holy Ghost?—Soul—Yes! methinks I feel it now begin to work, the Spirit that hath breathed this prayer into me comes in as Comforter; O now that I realize Christ's coming and my resurrection, I cannot but conclude with David, There∣fore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoyceth, and my flesh also shall rest in hope. Oh what an earnest is this? what a piece hath the spirit put into my hand of the great sum promi∣sed? not onely that he in great mercy promised me Heaven, but because he doth not put me into a present possession, he now gives me an earnest of my future inheritance. Why, surely all is sure, unless the earnest deceive me; and what? shall I dispute the truth of the earnest? oh God forbid! the stamp is too well known to be mistrusted; this seal cannot be counterfeit, because it is agreeable with the Word; I find in my self an hope, a true sincere hope, though very weak: I find upon trial that I am regenerate, that I look and long for the second coming of Jesus, that I love his appearance even before hand: that my works, though imperfect, are sincere and true, that I believe on the Name of the Son of God, and flesh and blood could never work these duties or these graces in me; it is only that good spirit of my God, which hath thus sealed me up to the day of redemption. Away, away despair, trouble me no longer with a mu∣sing thoughts; I will henceforth (if the Lord enable) walk confidently, and chear∣fully in the strength of this assurance, and joyfully expect the full accomplishment of my happy contract from the hands of Christ. The Lord is my portion, therefore will I hope in him; the Lord is good to them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him; it is good that I both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord— It is good that I hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto me at the revelation of Je∣sus Christ.
John 14.3.
Heb. 9.12.
1 Pet. 1.3, 4.
John 3.3.
Math. 19.28.
1 Cor. 15.51.
Heb. 9.28.
2 Pet. 3.12.
Mat. 6.10.
Rom 8.22, 23
1 Cor. 1.7.
Phil. 3.20.
Tit. 2.13.
2 Tim. 4.8.
1 Pet. 1.8. Verse. 7.
Rev. 6.16.
Mat. 25.33, 34, 35, 36.
Verse 46.
Mat. 10.24.
Rom. 7.18, 19
John 3.36.
John 5.24.
John 6.40. John 20.31. Acts. 16.31.
Rom. 10.9. Heb. 10.39.
1 John 5.13.
Rom. 5.5.
Heb. 6.11.
Rom. 15.4. Tit. 3.7. Psal. 119.166. psalm. 24.11.
Rom. 8.16.
Rom. 15.13.
Luk. 11.13.
Psal. 35.3.
Psal. 16.9.
Lam. 3.24, 25, 26.
1 Pet. 1.13.