mh_parser/vol_split/47 - 2Corinthians/Chapter 4.xml

<div2 id="iiCor.v" n="v" next="iiCor.vi" prev="iiCor.iv" progress="52.09%" title="Chapter IV">
<h2 id="iiCor.v-p0.1">S E C O N D   C O R I N T H I A N
S.</h2>
<h3 id="iiCor.v-p0.2">CHAP. IV.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iiCor.v-p1">In this chapter we have an account, I. Of the
constancy of the apostle and his fellow-labourers in their work.
Their constancy in declared (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.1" parsed="|2Cor|4|1|0|0" passage="2Co 4:1">ver.
1</scripRef>), their sincerity is vouched (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.2" parsed="|2Cor|4|2|0|0" passage="2Co 4:2">ver. 2</scripRef>), an objection is obviated (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.3-2Cor.4.4" parsed="|2Cor|4|3|4|4" passage="2Co 4:3,4">ver. 3, 4</scripRef>), and their integrity
proved, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.5-2Cor.4.7" parsed="|2Cor|4|5|4|7" passage="2Co 4:5-7">ver. 5-7</scripRef>. II. Of
their courage and patience under their sufferings. Where see what
their sufferings were, together with their allays (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.8-2Cor.4.12" parsed="|2Cor|4|8|4|12" passage="2Co 4:8-12">ver. 8-12</scripRef>), and what it was that
kept them from sinking and fainting under them, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.13-2Cor.4.18" parsed="|2Cor|4|13|4|18" passage="2Co 4:13-18">ver. 13, to the end</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="iiCor.v-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4" parsed="|2Cor|4|0|0|0" passage="2Co 4" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iiCor.v-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.1-2Cor.4.7" parsed="|2Cor|4|1|4|7" passage="2Co 4:1-7" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.4.1-2Cor.4.7">
<h4 id="iiCor.v-p1.9">Constancy and Sincerity of the Apostles; The
Apostle's Integrity. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.v-p1.10">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.v-p2">1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we
have received mercy, we faint not;   2 But have renounced the
hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor
handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the
truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight
of God.   3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that
are lost:   4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the
minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
  5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord;
and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.   6 For God, who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our
hearts, to <i>give</i> the light of the knowledge of the glory of
God in the face of Jesus Christ.   7 But we have this treasure
in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God,
and not of us.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p3">The apostle had, in the foregoing chapter,
been <i>magnifying his office,</i> upon the consideration of the
excellency or glory of that gospel about which he did officiate;
and now in this chapter his design is to vindicate their ministry
from the accusation of false teachers, who charged them as
deceitful workers, or endeavoured to prejudice the minds of the
people against them on account of their sufferings. He tells them,
therefore, how they believed, and how they showed their value for
their office as ministers of the gospel. They were not puffed up
with pride, but spurred on to great diligence: "<i>Seeing we have
this ministry,</i> are so much distinguished and dignified, we do
not take state upon ourselves, nor indulge in idleness, but are
excited to the better performance of our duty."</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p4">I. Two things in general we have an account
of:—Their constancy and sincerity in their work and labour,
concerning which observe, 1. Their constancy and perseverance in
their work are declared: "<i>We faint not</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.1" parsed="|2Cor|4|1|0|0" passage="2Co 4:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>) under the difficulty of our work,
nor do we desist from our labour." And this their stedfastness was
owing to the <i>mercy of God.</i> From the same mercy and grace
from which they received the apostleship (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.1.5" parsed="|Rom|1|5|0|0" passage="Ro 1:5">Rom. i. 5</scripRef>), they received strength to persevere
in the work of that office. Note, As it is great mercy and grace to
be called to be saints, and especially to be <i>counted faithful,
and be put into the ministry</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:1Tim.1.12" parsed="|1Tim|1|12|0|0" passage="1Ti 1:12">1
Tim. i. 12</scripRef>), so it is owing to the mercy and grace of
God if we continue faithful and persevere in our work with
diligence. The best men in the world would faint in their work, and
under their burdens, if they did not receive mercy from God. <i>By
the grace of God I am what I am,</i> said this great apostle in his
former epistle to these Corinthians, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.10" parsed="|1Cor|15|10|0|0" passage="1Co 15:10"><i>ch.</i> xv. 10</scripRef>. And that mercy which has
helped us out, and helped us on, hitherto, we may rely upon to help
us even to the end. 2. Their sincerity in their work is avouched
(<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.2" parsed="|2Cor|4|2|0|0" passage="2Co 4:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>) in several
expressions: <i>We have renounced the hidden things of
dishonesty.</i> The things of dishonesty are hidden things, that
will not bear the light; and those who practise them are, or should
be, ashamed of them, especially when they are known. Such things
the apostle did not allow of, but did renounce and avoid with
indignation: <i>Not walking in craftiness,</i> or in disguise,
acting with art and cunning, but in great simplicity, and with open
freedom. They had no base and wicked designs covered with fair and
specious pretences of something that was good. Nor did they in
their preaching <i>handle the word of God deceitfully;</i> but, as
he said before, they used <i>great plainness of speech,</i> and did
not make their ministry serve a turn, or truckle to base designs.
They had not cheated the people with falsehood instead of truth.
Some think the apostle alludes to the deceit which treacherous
gamesters use, or that of hucksters in the market, who mix bad
wares with good. The apostles acted not like such persons, but they
<i>manifested the truth to every man's conscience,</i> declaring
nothing but what in their own conscience they believed to be true,
and what might serve for the conviction of their consciences who
heard them, who were to judge for themselves, and to give an
account for themselves. And all this they did <i>as in the sight of
God,</i> desirous thus to commend themselves to God, and to the
consciences of men, by their undisguised sincerity. Note, A
stedfast adherence to the truths of the gospel will commend
ministers and people; and sincerity or uprightness will preserve a
man's reputation, and the good opinion of wise and good men
concerning him.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p5">II. An objection is obviated, which might
be thus formed: "If it be thus, how then does it come to pass, that
the gospel is hid, and proves ineffectual, as to some who hear it?"
To which the apostle answers, by showing that this was not the
fault of the gospel, nor of the preachers thereof. But the true
reasons of this are, 1. <i>Those are lost souls</i> to whom the
gospel is hid, or is ineffectual, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.3" parsed="|2Cor|4|3|0|0" passage="2Co 4:3"><i>v.</i> 3</scripRef>. Christ came to <i>save that which
was lost</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Matt.17.11" parsed="|Matt|17|11|0|0" passage="Mt 17:11">Matt. xvii.
11</scripRef>), and the gospel of Christ is sent to save such; and,
if this do not find and save them, they are lost for ever; they
must never expect any thing else to save them, for there is no
other method or means of salvation. The hiding of the gospel
therefore from souls is both an evidence and cause of their ruin.
2. <i>The god of this world hath blinded their minds,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p5.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.4" parsed="|2Cor|4|4|0|0" passage="2Co 4:4"><i>v.</i> 4</scripRef>. They are under the
influence and power of the devil, who is here called <i>the god of
this world,</i> and elsewhere <i>the prince of this world,</i>
because of the great interest he has in this world, the homage that
is paid to him by multitudes in this world, and the great sway
that, by divine permission, he bears in the world, and in the
hearts of his subjects, or rather slaves. And as he is the prince
of darkness, and ruler of the darkness of this world, so he darkens
the understandings of men, and increases their prejudices, and
supports his interest by keeping them in the dark, blinding their
minds with ignorance, and error, and prejudices, that they should
not <i>behold the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is
the image of God.</i> Observe, (1.) Christ's design by his gospel
is to make a glorious discovery of God to the minds of men. Thus,
as the image of God, he demonstrates the power and wisdom of God,
and the grace and mercy of God for their salvation. But, (2.) The
design of the devil is to keep men in ignorance; and, when he
cannot keep the light of the gospel out of the world, he makes it
his great business to keep it out of the hearts of men.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p6">III. A proof of their integrity is given,
<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.5" parsed="|2Cor|4|5|0|0" passage="2Co 4:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. They made it
their business to preach Christ, and not themselves: <i>We preach
not ourselves.</i> Self was not the matter nor the end of the
apostles' preaching: they did not give their own notions and
private opinions, nor their passions and prejudices, for the word
and will of God; nor did they seek themselves, to advance their own
secular interest or glory. But they <i>preached Christ Jesus the
Lord;</i> and thus it did become them and behove them to do, as
being Christ's servants. Their business was to make their Master
known to the world as the Messiah, or the Christ of God, and as
Jesus, the only Saviour of men, and as the rightful Lord, and to
advance his honour and glory. Note, All the lines of Christian
doctrine centre in Christ; and in preaching Christ we preach all we
should preach. "As to <i>ourselves,</i>" says the apostle, "<i>we
preach,</i> or declare, that <i>we are your servants for Jesus'
sake.</i>" This was no compliment, but a real profession of a
readiness to do good to their souls, and to promote their spiritual
and eternal interest, and that for <i>Jesus' sake;</i> not for
their own sake or their own advantage, but for Christ's sake, that
they might imitate his great example, and advance his glory. Note,
Ministers should not be of proud spirits, <i>lording it over God's
heritage,</i> who are servants to the souls of men: yet, at the
same time, they must avoid the meanness of spirit implied in
becoming the servants of the humours or the lusts of men; if they
should thus <i>seek to please men, they would not be the servants
of Christ,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p6.2" osisRef="Bible:Gal.1.10" parsed="|Gal|1|10|0|0" passage="Ga 1:10">Gal. i. 10</scripRef>.
And there was good reason, 1. Why they should preach Christ. For by
gospel light we have the <i>knowledge of the glory of God,</i>
which shines in the <i>face of Jesus Christ,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p6.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.6" parsed="|2Cor|4|6|0|0" passage="2Co 4:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>. And the light of this <i>Sun of
righteousness</i> is more glorious than that light which God
commanded to shine out of darkness. It is a pleasant thing for the
eye to behold the sun in the firmament; but it is more pleasant and
profitable when the gospel shines in the heart. Note, As light was
the first-born of the first creation, so it is in the new creation:
the illumination of the Spirit is his first work upon the soul. The
grace of God created such a light in the soul that those who
<i>were sometimes darkness are made light in the Lord,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p6.4" osisRef="Bible:Eph.5.8" parsed="|Eph|5|8|0|0" passage="Eph 5:8">Eph. v. 8</scripRef>. 2. Why they
should not preach themselves: because they were but earthen
vessels, things of little or no worth or value. Here seems to be an
allusion to the lamps which Gideon's soldiers carried in earthen
pitchers, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p6.5" osisRef="Bible:Judg.7.16" parsed="|Judg|7|16|0|0" passage="Jdg 7:16">Jud. vii. 16</scripRef>. The
treasure of gospel light and grace is put into earthen vessels. The
ministers of the gospel are weak and frail creatures, and
<i>subject to like passions</i> and infirmities as other men; they
are mortal, and soon broken in pieces. And God has so ordered it
that the weaker the vessels are the stronger his power may appear
to be, that the treasure itself should be valued the more. Note,
There is an excellency of power in the gospel of Christ, to
enlighten the mind, to convince the conscience, to convert the
soul, and to rejoice the heart; but all this power is from God the
author, and not from men, who are but instruments, so that God in
all things must be glorified.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iiCor.v-p6.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.8-2Cor.4.18" parsed="|2Cor|4|8|4|18" passage="2Co 4:8-18" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:2Cor.4.8-2Cor.4.18">
<h4 id="iiCor.v-p6.7">The Apostles' Sufferings and
Supports. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iiCor.v-p6.8">a.
d.</span> 57.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iiCor.v-p7">8 <i>We are</i> troubled on every side, yet not
distressed; <i>we are</i> perplexed, but not in despair;   9
Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;  
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus,
that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
  11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for
Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in
our mortal flesh.   12 So then death worketh in us, but life
in you.   13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as
it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also
believe, and therefore speak;   14 Knowing that he which
raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall
present <i>us</i> with you.   15 For all things <i>are</i> for
your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving
of many redound to the glory of God.   16 For which cause we
faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward
<i>man</i> is renewed day by day.   17 For our light
affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more
exceeding <i>and</i> eternal weight of glory;   18 While we
look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are
not seen: for the things which are seen <i>are</i> temporal; but
the things which are not seen <i>are</i> eternal.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p8">In these verses the apostle gives an
account of their courage and patience under all their sufferings,
where observe,</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p9">I. How their sufferings, and patience under
them, are declared, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.8-2Cor.4.12" parsed="|2Cor|4|8|4|12" passage="2Co 4:8-12"><i>v.</i>
8-12</scripRef>. The apostles were great sufferers; therein they
followed their Master: Christ had told them <i>that in the world
they should have tribulation,</i> and so they had; yet they met
with wonderful support, great relief, and many allays of their
sorrows. "<i>We are,</i>" says the apostle, "<i>troubled on every
side,</i> afflicted many ways, and we meet with almost all sorts of
troubles; <i>yet not distressed,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p9.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.8" parsed="|2Cor|4|8|0|0" passage="2Co 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. We are not hedged in nor cooped
up, because we can see help in God, and help from God, and have
liberty of access to God." Again, "We are <i>perplexed,</i> often
uncertain, and in doubt what will become of us, and not always
without anxiety in our minds on this account; <i>yet not in
despair</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p9.3" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.8" parsed="|2Cor|4|8|0|0" passage="2Co 4:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>),
even in our greatest perplexities, knowing that God is able to
support us, and to deliver us, and in him we always place our trust
and hope." Again, "We are <i>persecuted</i> by men, pursued with
hatred and violence from place to place, as men not worthy to live;
yet <i>not forsaken</i> of God," <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p9.4" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.9" parsed="|2Cor|4|9|0|0" passage="2Co 4:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. Good men may be sometimes
forsaken of their friends, as well as persecuted by their enemies;
but God will never leave them nor forsake them. Again, "We are
sometimes dejected, or <i>cast down;</i> the enemy may in a great
measure prevail, and our spirits begin to fail us; there may be
fears within, as well as fightings without; yet we are <i>not
destroyed,</i>" <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p9.5" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.9" parsed="|2Cor|4|9|0|0" passage="2Co 4:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>.
Still they were preserved, and kept their heads above water. Note,
Whatever condition the children of God may be in, in this world,
they have a "<i>but not</i>" to comfort themselves with; their case
sometimes is bad, yea very bad, but not so bad as it might be. The
apostle speaks of their sufferings as constant, and as a
counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p9.6" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.10" parsed="|2Cor|4|10|0|0" passage="2Co 4:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>. The sufferings of Christ were,
after a sort, re-acted in the sufferings of Christians; thus did
they <i>bear about the dying of the Lord Jesus</i> in their body,
setting before the world the great example of a suffering Christ,
<i>that the life of Jesus might also be made manifest,</i> that is,
that people might see the power of Christ's resurrection, and the
efficacy of grace in and from the living Jesus, manifested in and
towards them, who did yet live, though they were always
<i>delivered to death</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p9.7" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.11" parsed="|2Cor|4|11|0|0" passage="2Co 4:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>), and though <i>death worked in them</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p9.8" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.12" parsed="|2Cor|4|12|0|0" passage="2Co 4:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>), they being exposed to
death, and ready to be swallowed up by death continually. So great
were the sufferings of the apostles that, in comparison with them,
other Christians were, even at this time, in prosperous
circumstances: <i>Death worketh in us; but life in you,</i>
<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p9.9" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.12" parsed="|2Cor|4|12|0|0" passage="2Co 4:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p10">II. What it was that kept them from sinking
and fainting under their sufferings, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.13-2Cor.4.18" parsed="|2Cor|4|13|4|18" passage="2Co 4:13-18"><i>v.</i> 13-18</scripRef>. Whatever the burdens and
troubles of good men may be, they have cause enough not to
faint.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p11">1. Faith kept them from fainting: <i>We
have the same spirit of faith</i> (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.13" parsed="|2Cor|4|13|0|0" passage="2Co 4:13"><i>v.</i> 13</scripRef>), that faith which is of the
operation of the Spirit; the same faith by which the saints of old
did and suffered such great things. Note, The grace of faith is a
sovereign cordial, and an effectual antidote against fainting-fits
in troublous times. The spirit of faith will go far to bear up the
spirit of a man under his infirmities; and as the apostle had
David's example to imitate, who said (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Ps.116.10" parsed="|Ps|116|10|0|0" passage="Ps 116:10">Ps. cxvi. 10</scripRef>), <i>I have believed, and
therefore have I spoken,</i> so he leaves us his example to
imitate: <i>We also believe,</i> says he, <i>and therefore
speak.</i> Note, As we receive help and encouragement from the good
words and examples of others, so we should be careful to give a
good example to others.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p12">2. Hope of the resurrection kept them from
sinking, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.14" parsed="|2Cor|4|14|0|0" passage="2Co 4:14"><i>v.</i> 14</scripRef>. They
knew that Christ was raised, and that his resurrection was an
earnest and assurance of theirs. This he had treated of largely in
his former epistle to these Corinthians, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Cor.15.1-1Cor.15.58" parsed="|1Cor|15|1|15|58" passage="1Co 15:1-58"><i>ch.</i> xv</scripRef>. And therefore their hope
was firm, being well grounded, that he who raised up Christ the
head will also raise up all his members. Note, The hope of the
resurrection will encourage us in a suffering day, and set us above
the fear of death; for what reason has a good Christian to fear
death, that dies in hope of a joyful resurrection?</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p13">3. The consideration of the glory of God
and the benefit of the church, by means of their sufferings, kept
them from fainting, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.15" parsed="|2Cor|4|15|0|0" passage="2Co 4:15"><i>v.</i>
15</scripRef>. Their sufferings were for the church's advantage
(<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.1.6" parsed="|2Cor|1|6|0|0" passage="2Co 1:6"><i>ch.</i> i. 6</scripRef>), and thus
did redound to God's glory. For, when the church is edified, then
God is glorified; and we may well afford to bear sufferings
patiently and cheerfully when we see others are the better for
them—if they are instructed and edified, if they are confirmed and
comforted. Note, The sufferings of Christ's ministers, as well as
their preaching and conversation, are intended for the good of the
church and the glory of God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p14">4. The thoughts of the advantage their
souls would reap by the sufferings of their bodies kept them from
fainting: <i>Though our outward man perish, our inward man is
renewed day by day,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.16" parsed="|2Cor|4|16|0|0" passage="2Co 4:16"><i>v.</i>
16</scripRef>. Here note, (1.) We have every one of us an outward
and an inward man, a body and a soul. (2.) If the outward man
perish, there is no remedy, it must and will be so, it was made to
perish. (3.) It is our happiness if the decays of the outward man
do contribute to the renewing of the inward man, if afflictions
outwardly are gain to us inwardly, if when the body is sick, and
weak, and perishing, the soul is vigorous and prosperous. The best
of men have need of further renewing of the inward man, even day by
day. Where the good work is begun there is more work to be done,
for carrying it forward. And as in wicked men things grow every day
worse and worse, so in godly men they grow better and better.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iiCor.v-p15">5. The prospect of eternal life and
happiness kept them from fainting, and was a mighty support and
comfort. As to this observe, (1.) The apostle and his
fellow-sufferers saw their afflictions working towards heaven, and
that they would end at last (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.17" parsed="|2Cor|4|17|0|0" passage="2Co 4:17"><i>v.</i>
17</scripRef>), whereupon they weighed things aright in the balance
of the sanctuary; they did as it were put the heavenly glory in one
scale and their earthly sufferings in the other; and, pondering
things in their thoughts, they found afflictions to be light, and
the glory of heaven to be <i>a far more exceeding weight.</i> That
which sense was ready to pronounce heavy and long, grievous and
tedious, faith perceived to be light and short, and but for a
moment. On the other hand, the worth and weight of the crown of
glory, as they are exceedingly great in themselves, so they are
esteemed to be by the believing soul—far exceeding all his
expressions and thoughts; and it will be a special support in our
sufferings when we can perceive them appointed as the way and
preparing us for the enjoyment of the future glory. (2.) Their
faith enabled them to make this right judgment of things: <i>We
look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are
not seen,</i> <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:2Cor.4.18" parsed="|2Cor|4|18|0|0" passage="2Co 4:18"><i>v.</i> 18</scripRef>.
It is by faith that we see God, who is invisible (<scripRef id="iiCor.v-p15.3" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.27" parsed="|Heb|11|27|0|0" passage="Heb 11:27">Heb. xi. 27</scripRef>), and by this we look to
an unseen heaven and hell, and faith is the <i>evidence of things
not seen.</i> Note, [1.] There are unseen things, as well as things
that are seen. [2.] There is this vast difference between them:
unseen things are eternal, seen things but temporal, or temporary
only. [3.] By faith we not only discern these things, and the great
difference between them, but by this also we take our aim at unseen
things, and chiefly regard them, and make it our end and scope, not
to escape present evils, and obtain present good, both of which are
temporal and transitory, but to escape future evil and obtain
future good things, which though unseen, are real, and certain, and
eternal; and faith is <i>the substance of things hoped for,</i> as
well as the evidence of things not seen, <scripRef id="iiCor.v-p15.4" osisRef="Bible:Heb.11.1" parsed="|Heb|11|1|0|0" passage="Heb 11:1">Heb. xi. 1</scripRef>.</p>
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