Great Themes of the Bible
and pleasing the saints that possess it, without the least weariness or distaste.
(d) This inheritance is reserved in heaven. So it is a glorious inheritance reserved for those who have been begotten again to this lively hope.
3. THe Hore or GLory No wonder St. Paul speaks of rejoicing '"'in hope of the glory of God" (Rom. v. 2). Beside the happiness in hand, of being a Christian, there is a happiness in hope, "'the glory of God"', the glory which God will put upon the saints in heaven, glory which will consist in the vision and fruition of God. Those, and those only, that have access by faith into the grace of God now may hope for the glory of God hereafter. There is no good hope of glory but what is founded in grace. Grace is glory begun, the earnest and assurance of glory. Those who hope for the glory of God hereafter have enough to rejoice in now.
It is the duty of those who hope for heaven to rejoice in that hope.
Indeed, even our tribulations, this side of heaven, are working for us the weight of glory. The Christian is an increasing happiness, "Not only so" (Rom. v. 3). One would think such peace, such grace, such glory, and such a joy in hope of it, were more than such poor undeserving creatures as we are could pretend to. And yet it is '"'not only so". There are more instances of our happiness: '"'We glory in tribulations also." Why? Because tribulations by a chain of causes greatly befriend hope. Tribulation worketh patience, patience experience, and experience hope. He who being thus tried, comes forth as gold, will thereby be encouraged to hope. This experiment, or approbation, is not so much the ground as the evidence of our hope and a special friend to it. Experience of God is a prop to our hope. He who has delivered, does and will. This "hope maketh not ashamed'', It is a hope that will not deceive us. Nothing confounds more than disappointment. Everlasting shame and confusion will be caused by the perishing of the expectation of the wicked. "But the hope of the righteous shall be gladness"' (Prov. x. 28; see Ps. xxii. 5, Ixxi. 1). Or, it maketh not ashamed of our sufferings. Though we are counted as the offscourings of all things, and trodden under foot as the mire in the streets, yet, having hopes of glory, we are not