Ver. 8. tbeEpiftleto the Romans. 287 , T I M. Why is it faid of this glory, that it (ball be revealed, and not that it i¡ re- vealed? S i L. Becaufe the godly now do fee it and enjoy it but in part, whereas it 1 Mall be manifefted, and poffffed per - fe&ly, in the end of the world ; unto which the future tenfe hath refpelt. Ti M. What dal-trine are we to learn from the fe words, being thus. expounded? 4. DoE!. S t L. The do&rine is this: all the afli &ions which the godly do or can fiaffer in this world, are unworthy to be IReafons. compared to the glory of heaven. The reafons hereof be; becaufe there is no comparifon between a thing finite, "arid a thing infinite. Secondly, becaufe the afli &ions which be Ciffered,' are not in- ' comprehenfible, as is the glory which the Saints (hall enjoy; which made one ofthe Fathers to fay, III could perform all things, and fuffer all the evils which ever any man did, yet all this could not make nie worthy of heavenly glory, Origen. Tim. What ufe and profit it to be made ofthit dotirine to our feines? Si L. Firfi of all it doth convi& the Papifts of error, in that they teach that our fufferings for Chrift do deferve hea- venly glory: for this is quite againft there words of fcripture, which fay,that afli &ions are not worthy of glory; alto they cannot deferve by merit the glory, becaufe there is no proportion between of hi &ion and glory, but between merit and reward given to merit,there mull be a proportion ; for the recompence of a merit, is an a&t or work of juftice(faith Thomer Aquinas,) but juftice isegnality, therefore no merit, where there is une- quality. Secondly, from hence alío is overthrown the Popifh errrour of me- riting by good works done after grace, becaufe to fuffer with Chrift is a work of more excellent vertue, then to do good things ; therefore if our fufferinggs deferve nothing,our doings deferve Ids. Moreover,here is confolation to fuch as now are,or ever (hall be under the Crois for Chrifts or the Gofpels fake, to make them chearfull to bear little evils, un- der hope of a greater good ; as Mari- 5,7Jfe, ners which in a tetnpett do cati away their goods to fave their lives, and as Heathen men (pent their lives for earth- ly glory and reputation fake:how much more would this be done for celefiiall glory? T Yea, but forcebeleevingoffiiEltd Chriftlant might fay to Paul,We have fufr. ed much and long,but we fee in f(ead of glory, more and more fhame, S I L. Yet we muff pofefs -our fouls with patience, for the glory (all fully be revealed: now our life is hid with Chrift, but when Chrift (hall appear,we (hall appeare with him in glory; the whilelt we are not utterly void of cele- ftiall glory. For we beleeve the proniife of it by faith, andpoffefs itaftera fort by hope, and have the beginnings or firft fruits thereof, in the gifts of fan&i- fication ; which is glorification incho- atively, as glorification is fan&ificatio n abfolutely and molt perfe&ly. DIALOGUE XIX. Verts 19, 20. For the fervent defrre ofthe creature waitetb when the font ofGodfhalbe revealed, be- caufe the creature, &c. TIMoTHsus. Hat may be the purpofe of the 4pofile VY.. in thefe verfet? TIM. His drift and purpofe is : firft, to prove la avenly glory which followes affli &ions in this life, to be certain: and fecondly, to exhort Gods children to be patient in afli &ions under hope of that glory. The former is proved byafecret and very great delire, which things created, have after the glory of Gods children till it be manifefted. Now this delire being put into them of God, it cannot be fruftrate and vain, and therefore the glory (tuft needs be cer- tain. The latter is proved by the exam- ple of the creatures bearing their mile- rie, (under which they are through mans fault) in hope of reftoring: there- foremuch more ought Gods children patiently to fuffer their afli &ions, fee - ing our reftoring (hall be farre more excellent Drift. Summe,
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