-30 Chapter 30. Of Glorification.

1-30 Chapter 30. Of Glorification. In the former disputation we spoke of sanctification, which is
one part of the alteration of qualities which respect that
good which is just and honest; the other part follows:
namely, Glorification, which respects that good
which is profitable and honorable.

1. Glorification is a real transmutation of a man from misery, or the punishment of sin, to eternal happiness. Romans 8:30, And whom he justified, those he glorified.
2. It is called a real transmutation so that it may be distinguished from that blessedness which is either virtual only, as in Election, Calling, Justification, and Adoption; or which is declarative in holy works. Romans 4:6, David declares that man to be blessed to whom God imputes righteousness, etc. Psalms 65:4. Blessed is he whom you choose and bring to dwell in your Courts. Matthew 5:3, Blessed are the poor in spirit, etc.
3. In respect to the term from which a man is delivered — misery or the punishment of sin — glorification is called a Redemption, 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 1:14; Galatians 3:13; Hebrews 9:14-15.486
4. This redemption is a real delivering from the evils of punishment, which indeed is nothing other than the execution of the sentence of Justification; for in Justification, as we are judged to be just, so we are judged to have life. Now by real communication, Glorification makes that life that was judged and pronounced ours, to be ours actually and by possession.
5. It is said to be real, so that it may be distinguished from that redemption which is in the payment of the price of redemption, and in its application to justification; mention is made of this in Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14.487
6. In the Scriptures it is also usually called deliverance and preservation from the wrath of God, from death, and from the kingdom of darkness.
7. In respect to this term, it is called beatification, blessing, eternal life, glory, Glorification, the kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and an immortal inheritance, Ephesians 1:3; John 3:36; John 6:47; 2 Peter 1:3; 2 Peter 1:11; 1 Peter 1:4; 1 Peter 5:10.
8. The first degree of this Glorification begun, is the apprehension and sense of the love of God, shining forth in Christ upon the communion which the faithful have with him. Romans 5:5, The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit which is given to us.
9. Hence there arises a certain friendship between God, Christ, and the faithful. John 15:15, I have called you friends, because all that I have heard from my Father, I have made known to you. James 2:23, Abraham was called the friend of God.
10. The second degree of Glorification begun, is undoubted hope and expectation of the enjoyment of all those good things which God has prepared for his. Romans 5:2, We rejoice under the hope of the glory of God.
11. From this is the freedom to come to God with boldness, Ephesians 2:18; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:22.488
12. Up to here pertains the assurance of perseverance, and also salvation, Romans 8:38.489
13. For this ASSURANCE is sealed to all true believers, as touching the thing itself, which is called a certainty of the object; but as touching its perception, which is called a certainty of the subject, it is not always present to all; yet it may be gotten by anyone without special revelation; and it also ought to be sought by all; so this certain confidence, rightly grounded, has nothing in common with presumption.
14. This certainty is grounded upon and confirmed to the faithful by the Word, the seals, by oath, and by the earnest of God himself, Hebrews 6:17. Willing to abundantly show to the heirs of the promise the immutability of his counsel, God bound it by an oath, so that by two immutable things we may have strong consolation. Ephesians 1:13, You are sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance.
15. This truth is perceived and made certain to us, 1. By a certain spiritual sense, whereby the grace of God now being present, makes its presence manifest and evident to the believer. 2. By the gift of discerning, whereby believers distinguish true grace from the mere show of it. 3. By the discourse and testimony of the conscience, whereby grace and salvation are no less sealed to the faithful, than sin and death are to unbelievers. 4. The Spirit of God himself so confirms all these ways of perceiving, that they have the same certainty that Faith has. Romans 8:16, The Spirit itself witnesses with our spirit, that we are the Sons of God. 1 Corinthians 2:12, We have received the Spirit which is of God, that we may know the things which God has freely given us. 2 Corinthians 13:5, Test yourselves, whether you are in the Faith; examine yourselves. 1 John 4:16, We know and believe the love which God has towards us.
16. This certainty follows upon perceiving FAITH and REPENTANCE, where the free covenant of God is rightly understood, 2 Corinthians 13:5.490
17. If either of these is lacking, this certainty is taken away as touching its perceiving; so that the one who rightly understands the promise of the covenant cannot be sure of his salvation unless he perceives in himself truth Faith and Repentance. Nor can the one who feels he truly believes and repents, be sure of his perseverance and salvation unless he also understands by the covenant, that God will mightily preserve those who believe and repent, even to the end.491
18. Therefore, certainty of salvation is not anyone’s, nor is it otherwise perceived, except by those who, together with Faith, keep a good conscience; and that is while they keep it from any grievous wound which, by those sins, would bring to waste the conscience.
19. Hence, as Faith and a good conscience flourish or languish in men, so also this certainty is either confirmed or diminished, Psalms 51:1-19. 492
20. Therefore those without any sense or care of Faith and Repentance, who certainly hope for salvation, presume in their hoping, and in hoping they perish.
21. From this certainty arise consolation, peace, and unspeakable joy, Romans 5:2; 1 Peter 1:8; Romans 14:17; 2 Corinthians 1:5;493 these are the firstfruits of glory, Romans 8:33.494
22. CONSOLATION is an easing of fear and of oppressing grief, 2 Corinthians 1:4. 495 Yet it sometimes contains, by a Synecdoche, the beginning of all salvation, Colossians 2:2.496
23. PEACE is a quieting of the mind, which arises partly from deliverance from evils, and partly from the presence or hope of contrary good things, Php_4:7.497
24. When peace is joined with grace in the Apostle’s salutations, then it sets forth all that felicity which is communicated to the faithful by the favour of God.498
25. JOY is that delight which is perceived from the conjunction and communion of the chief good.499
26. Hence, eternal life itself is called joy. Matthew 25:21; John 15:11.500
27. The third degree of Glorification begun, is in partaking of the spiritual gifts of grace with abundance or overflowing. Colossians 2:2, Colossians 2:7, Colossians 2:10,501 With all riches of the full assurance of understanding; abounding in Faith; complete.
28. Hence, the abundance of grace is said to minister a large entrance into the Kingdom of God, 2 Peter 1:8, 2 Peter 1:11.502
29. The fourth degree of Glorification begun, is in the experience of the good will or kindness of God. Psalms 31:19, How great is your goodness which you lay up for those who fear you. Psalms 65:4, We are satisfied with the goodness of your House, with the things of your holy Temple.
30. Up to here pertains that fatherly providence of God, whereby he watches over the wicked for evil; in this respect in Scripture, the good Hand of God is said to be with his, Nehemiah 2:8.503
31. Hence, all things work together for good to those who love God, Romans 8:28.
32. From sensing these things, the faithful are rooted and grounded in the love of God, Ephesians 3:17.504
33. PERFECT GLORIFICATION is in the taking away of all imperfection from soul and body, and in the communication of all perfection. This is granted to the soul immediately after its separation from the body, 2 Corinthians 5:2; Php_1:13; Hebrews 2:12.505 But it is not ordinarily granted to the soul and body jointly before that Last Day, in which all the faithful shall be perfected together in Christ, Ephesians 4:13; Php_3:20-21.506