A Body of Practical Divinity

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, 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.

2. Use of Comfort: Branch 1. Christ being so highly exalted, hath Ennobled our Nature, he hath crowned it with Glory, and lifted it up above Angels and Archangels: Though Christ as he was Man, was made a little lower than the Angels,