The Twenty-second Lord’s Day

22 The Twenty-second Lord’s Day 
Php_3:20-21
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also look for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will change our vile body, that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working1 by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.
A reason is given in these words, why believers would rather follow the true Apostles than false Teachers; and it is taken from the comparison of unlike things.2 The unlike qualities are a care for the things of the world, in false Teachers; and a care for heavenly things in the true Apostles. This care of the Apostle is illustrated by a double argument: 1. From the adjunct manner which is set out before us, by the similitude of the Burgesses.3 2. From the efficient cause of this care, which is faith, and the hope of the glory that is to come. This glory again is illustrated: 1. From its principal cause, which is Christ Jesus. 2. From the subject of it, which is extended also to the body, and not to the soul alone. 3. From the quality of the body which is pointed out to us by a similitude with the body of Christ. 4. From the virtue and power of that efficient cause mentioned, for producing such an effect which is no other than its omnipotence, according to that mighty power by which, etc.
Doctrine 1. The resurrection of man’s body is certainly to be.
This is taught in the Text. 1. In that a transmutation of our bodies has been determined. 2. In that it is said they shall be conformed to the body of Christ, which by its resurrection was raised to glory.4 The foundations or grounds of that article are two: the power of God, and the truth of the Scriptures, as Christ himself teaches in his answer to the Sadducees, You err; namely about the resurrection, not knowing the Scriptures and the power of God.5 By the power of God, the raising of our bodies again is possible, it being as easy for God to do that, as it was at first to make all things out of nothing; indeed, as easy to make man out of the clay of the earth.6 For it is easy to conceive that the same efficient cause can again join the same principles which he conjoined once before, and moreover made them all out of nothing. As for the Scriptures, the truth and certainty of this resurrection is expressly declared by its testimony.
Reason 1 . Because man was created for eternity, and therefore must be set free from death, which assaults the whole race of mankind against its nature, so that it may again attain to eternity.
Reason 2 . Because the soul cannot come to its 1 Literally, “energy”, Greek energeia; or as Ames renders it below, “mighty power”.”
2 Ames is referring to the context of the preceding Php_3:17-19 : “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame – who set their mind on earthly things.”
3 Citizens of an English borough. 
4 Romans 8:29 For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. 
5 Matthew 22:29. 
6 Genesis 2:7.
perfect and complete glory by its reunion with the body; this is because it would be maimed as it were, as to such faculties, the operation of which it exercises by the body; and so in some way it would remain blind, deaf, dumb, etc.
Reason 3 . Because the equity of divine dispensation requires this, that those bodies which had their own share in the labours and works that belong to this life, should also have their share in those rewards which belong to the end of this life.
Use. To establish our faith about this truth, which is one of the principal articles of the Christian faith. 
Doctrine 2. The same bodies that we had, as to their essence and nature, shall arise again, though not the same as to their dispositions and qualities.
This is hence gathered, that in the Text it is said that our bodies will be transfigured. By this phrase we are to understand that the substance of our bodies will remain the same, and only the outward figure or fashion, or manner of its disposition and complexion, will be changed. Not only this, but it is also said that they will be transfigured after the manner of Christ’s body. For Christ had the same flesh and bones which he had before, and he made this manifest to his Disciples.
1
Reason 1 . Because neither reward nor punishment would have any place in the body after its resurrection unless the very same bodies were restored to men, of which they previously made use here on earth, either for doing evil, or doing good.
Reason 2. Because otherwise, after the resurrection, the person would not remain the same man, determinately this man, or that man, or that he existed before. 
Reason 3. Because it is as easy for God to glorify the same bodily substance that the person had before, as any other.
Use . Of Refutation: against such Heretics who, having almost blended their own dogmatic fictions and fancies with the true Doctrine, would also have our bodies not be the same after the resurrection, but new ones, even as to their substance.
Doctrine 3. Perfection, glory, and eternal happiness shall be given to believers after the resurrection, in which they will be clothed with their bodies again.
It is in the Text. This glory is partly in the soul, and partly in the body; but in both, there shall be a removal of all imperfection, and a communication of all perfection, which shall be thought fit for everyone to receive. In the soul will be the fruition of God, whereby all desire for desirable things will be satisfied in a certain eminent way. There will also be an abundantly heaped perfection in all gifts and virtues, as there is in the blessed Angels. This glory will also so stream forth to the bodies, that they will be like heavenly bodies, which is the point chiefly expounded in the Text, Our body shall be made conformable, etc.
Reason 1. Because it is God’s purpose singularly to glorify himself in that supernatural blessedness that is to be given to us.
Reason 2 . Because Christ already glorified, is not only the efficient cause, but the pattern of our glory. We will not therefore have only such a likeness to Christ as there is between any effect and its cause, according to that maxim, as the cause is, such is the effect; but also that proportion which exists between the pattern and its portrait.
1 Luke 24:39-43. 
Reason 3. In the order of dignity, by the bountiful appointment of God, believers shall next after Christ, have their place together with the blessed Angels.
Use . Of Direction: that we may often see before our eyes in our meditation, the greatness of this glory to which we are called, so that we may both stir up thankfulness in ourselves to God, and a certain holy contempt for and neglect of all things in this world.
Doctrine 4. This resurrection of our bodies from the dead, and the glorification of them, shall be by the most powerful operation of Christ.
From these words: According to the mighty power of working, he should transform, etc. And this agrees to Christ, as he is one and the self-same God with the Father. 
Reason 1. Because it is the work of that super-eminent greatness of power that is proper to God, Ephesians 1:19.1
Reason 2 . Because that most wonderful quickening of our bodies should come from the living and alive-making God, who is the fountain and source of all life. Therefore in the same way, it is not attributed only to the Father, but also to the Son, and Holy Spirit, Romans 8:11.
This agrees also to Christ as he is Mediator, but still as essentially united to God; also as he submits himself to be mediator, together with the human nature in one person, John 5:26; John 6:40.2
Reason 1 . Because it belongs to the Mediatory office of Christ not only that by his merit he should procure eternal life for us, but also that by his powerful working, he should actually bring it to pass.
Reason 2 . Because Christ as Mediator is the head of his Church, from whom is derived and communicated to us the Spirit of life, whereby our souls as well as our bodies are quickened — our souls especially in this life, and our bodies in the day of the resurrection.
Reason 3 . Because Christ as Mediator, and as the Son of man (but as united personally in the Godhead, as the Son of God) shall judge the world, John 5:27.3Now this belongs to the power of the Judge, that he can make the parties to be judged appear before him.
Use . Of Direction: that we do this by all means — as in our prayers, so in our meditations and other spiritual exercises — namely, that we may behold this super-eminent power and greatness of Christ’s might, as the Apostle wishes to the Ephesians and to us, as one of the greatest gifts of God, Ephesians 1:17-20.4For by this means, 1. Our faith and confidence in Christ is established. 2. We will be forearmed against all terrours of this world, and of Hell itself. 3. With all cheerfulness, we shall recommend our souls to Christ in well-doing, because he is able to perform all that he has promised, all that we seek of him, and above all that can come into our thoughts.1
1 Ephesians 1:19-20 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…
2 John 5:26 "For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in Himself; John 6:40 "And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day."
3 John 5:27 "and has given Him authority to execute judgment also, because He is the Son of Man Ephesians 1:17-18 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is
Doctrine 5. We should so look for this glory to come, in this present life, as that we lead in some sort a heavenly life even here on earth. 
This is what is said in the beginning of the Text, We behave ourselves as Burgesses, or Citizens of Heaven. 
Reason 1. Because where our treasure or chief good is, there our hearts will be also; and where the heart is, there the whole man will be. If therefore we have our treasure and chief good in Heaven, then our heart will be in Heaven also; and our conversation will be heavenly.
Reason 2 . Because all these worldly things about which men are busied, and in which most are drowned, can never come in competition with the bliss of Heaven — not as to their worth, nor as to their endurance, nor by any love-worthy quality.
Reason 3. Because to this we are called, that denying ourselves, and leaving the world, we may seek the Kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and glory.
Reason 4 . Because while we believe and hope in Christ, and have the eyes of our mind set on him as our Captain and pattern of our salvation, we must be changed into his likeness and image, 1 John 3:3; 2 Corinthians 3:18.2
Use 1. Of Direction: for discerning our condition, whether we have any such faith and hope, or not. 
Use 2. Of Exhortation: to stir up and rouse our minds to a more earnest and diligent study and care of all godliness the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power 20 which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places…
1 Ephesians 3:20
2 1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.