A Body of Practical Divinity

Branch 2. Was Christ first Humble and then Exalted, hence learn the way to true Honour is Humility, Luke 14.11. He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. The World looks upon Humility as that which will make one contemptible, but it is the ready ⟨p. 120⟩way to Honour: The way to rise is to fall, the way to ascend is to descend. Humility exalts us in the Esteem of Men, and it exalts us to an higher Throne in Heaven, Matth. 18.4. Whosoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Viz. He shall have a greater degree of Glory in Heaven.

Branch 3. Christ first suffered and then was exalted: see hence that Sufferings must go before Glory. Many desire to be glorified with Christ, but they are not content to suffer for Christ, 2 Tim. 2.12. If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him. The Wicked first reign and then suffer, the Godly first suffer and then reign. There's no way to Constantinople but through the Straits, no way to Heaven but through Sufferings: No way to the Crown but by the way of the Cross. Jerusalem above is a pleasant City, Streets of Gold, Gates of Pearl, but we must travel through a dirty Road to this City, through many Reproaches and Sufferings, Acts 14.22. We must enter into Glory as Christ did; first he suffered Shame and Death, and now is exalted to sit at God's right Hand.

Branch 3. Christ first suffered and then was exalted: see hence that Sufferings must go before Glory. Many desire to be glorified with Christ, but they are not content to suffer for Christ, 2 Tim. 2.12. If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him. The Wicked first reign and then suffer, the Godly first suffer and then reign. There's no way to Constantinople but through the Straits, no way to Heaven but through Sufferings: No way to the Crown but by the way of the Cross. Hierusalem above is a pleasant City, Streets of Gold, Gates of Pearl, but we must travel through a dirty Road to this City, through many Reproaches and Sufferings,