tion. The apostle therefore speaks of believers in Christ, as being raised up together, and made to sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus ;72 according to the promise of the risen and exalted Redeemer of mankind, To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne. In reference to which the apostle says to the Colossians, When Christ who is our life shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory." And the apostle Peter observes, When the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not away. And St. John exclaims, Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be ; but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.76 So our Saviour prayed to His Father just before His last sufferings, Father, I will that they also whom Thou hast given Me, be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which Thou hast given Me.

75

Such is the representation given in the word of God of the future blessedness, which is reserved in heaven for the joint heirs with Christ. They are in consequence of it now said to be partakers of the glory that shall be revealed,75 because of the certainty of the fulfilment of the promises of God hereafter to those who have

73 Rev. iii. 21. 74 Col. iii. 4. 75 1 Peter v. 4, 1. 76 1 John iii. 2.

believed through grace. Oh! that our hearts were more set upon these things which are not seen and eternal, instead of being so wholly absorbed as they are in those which are seen and temporal. Let us direct our expectations more to the future blessedness of the children of God; as knowing that we are thereunto called, that we should inherit a blessing." Let us live in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began to Christ, and the members of His mystical body; not doubting but that for His sake in whom we put our trust through His grace, we shall be also glorified together with Him in His eternal kingdom. This shall assuredly be the case with the heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; they shall be put in possession of the heavenly inheritance which is reserved in heaven for them; and so shall they ever be with the Lord.78 What inheritance is to

be compared with this! How little do all earthly inheritances appear when put in comparison with it! What are estates, and titles, and thrones, in this world, in comparison with the inheritance reserved for the children of God! Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity.79 All that this world can give is fleeting and transitory. How often does it pass away from its possessor; and at best, it is certain that

77 1 Peter iii. 9.

78 1 Thess. iv. 17.

79 Eccles. i. 2.

he must quit his hold of it; and no one knows how soon he may be called away from his earthly possessions. But the inheritance of the children of God is incorruptible, and undefiled, and fadeth not away; it will never be taken away from them; and they will not be separated from it for ever. Let this be the object of our ardent pursuit; that we may be blessed for evermore. The apostle mentions,

Thirdly, The condition in this world of the children of God, with which he contrasts their future state. If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together. The believer in Christ may expect to be a sufferer while he is in this world, to suffer with Christ, or for His sake; because, as our Saviour said of His disciples, they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.80 He Himself taught them to expect the opposition and enmity of the children of this world. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own; but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. And He warned them that men should revile them and persecute them, and should say all manner of evil against them falsely for His sake. The opposition of the world to Him who went about doing good, seems very But so it was.

extraordinary.

80

82

The people of

80 John xvii. 16; xv. 19. 81 Matt. v.11. 82 Acts x. 38; iii. 15; xiv. 22.

believed through grace. Oh! that our hearts were more set upon these things which are not seen and eternal, instead of being so wholly absorbed as they are in those which are seen and temporal. Let us direct our expectations more to the future blessedness of the children of God; as knowing that we are thereunto called, that we should inherit a blessing." Let us live in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began to Christ, and the members of His mystical body; not doubting but that for His sake in whom we put our trust through His grace, we shall be also glorified together with Him in His eternal kingdom. This shall assuredly be the case with the heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ; they shall be put in possession of the heavenly inheritance which is reserved in heaven for them; and so shall they ever be with the Lord.78 What inheritance is to be compared with this! How little do all earthly inheritances appear when put in comparison with it! What are estates, and titles, and thrones, in this world, in comparison with the inheritances reserved for the children of God! Vanity of taking the vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities, all is vanity.79 All that this world can give is fleeting God and our and transitory. How often does

from its possessor; and at best.