CXLV expository sermons upon the whole 17th chapter of the Gospel according to St.…

This is the nature of this glory as implied in that phrase, with thy own self;¹ but there are other properties of it also, that may raise our expectations after it. As

1. 1More properties of this glory.

1. It's an everlasting and eternal glory; There is no dust or ashes in heaven; There is no mortality or corruptibility, but every thing is then made like God to abide for ever; The Scripture doth often mention this incorruptible Crown and eternal glory; and certainly were we heavenly and holy, this would greatly enlarge our hearts, but these two things are wanting that would put us highly to esteem it, There are few that have a spiritual nature: Few are born of God, and so seek after such a glorious privilege; What careth a Swine for the pearl, no more doth a natural man for this heavenly glory, he calls for that which may satisfy his carnal appetite, his lustful heart; Thus they eat and drink and go down quick to hell. The second thing is faith, and herein the godly themselves are greatly to be blamed; They do not often in private Meditation and by faith inflame their hearts with the thoughts of glory: No wonder if they be so ready to faint and swoon under distresses; They have not this water of life to drink of, They think, They speak, They are affected, as if all their hopes were in this life only; Oh what a shame is it that when the earthly man can day and night comfort himself in his great treasures and abundance of wealth, that this eternal glory should not raise thee up, There is nothing will make thee a Christian of an excellent and heroical Spirit, but faith about this eternal glory; Shall the thoughts of a Crown, or of a great Inheritance keep up the heart of worldly men, and shall not the thoughts of eternal glory keep thee from sinking in the waters of affliction?

1. It's an everlasting and eternal glory; There is no dust or ashes in heaven; There is no mortality or corruptibility, but every thing is then made like God to abide for ever; The Scripture doth often mention this incorruptible Crown and eternal glory; and certainly were we heavenly and holy, this would greatly enlarge our hearts, but these two things are wanting that would put us highly to esteem it, There are few that have a spiritual nature: Few are born of God, and so seek after such a glorious priviledge; What careth a Swine for the pearl, no more doth a natural man for this heavenly glory, he cals for that which may satisfie his carnal appetite, his lustful heart; Thus they eat and drink and go down quick to hell. The second thing is faith, and herein the godly themselves are greatly to be blamed; They do not often in private Meditation and by faith inflame their hearts with the thoughts of glory: No wonder if they be so ready to faint and swoon under distresses; They have not this water of life to drink of, They think, They speak, They are affected, as if all their hopes were in this life only; Oh what a shame is it that when the earthly man can day and night comfort himself in his great treasures and abundance of wealth, that this eternal glory should not raise thee up, There is nothing will make thee a Christian of an excellent and heroical Spirit, but faith about this eternal glory; Shall the thoughts of a Crown, or of a great Inheritance keep up the heart of worldly men, and shall not the thoughts of eternal glory keep thee from sinking in the waters of affliction?