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I. THE AFFECTING VIEW WHICH THE TEXT PRESENTS OF THE PRESENT WORLD.

1. Our earthly possessions do not continue.

(1) Our life — the chief of them — is not permanent. "We know not what a day may bring forth."(2) Our connections are not permanent. We may flatter ourselves in the hope that they will remain, and avail us, all along the journey of life; that we shall never want a relative to feel an identity of interests with us; but, probably, amidst all these self-gratulations, events may arise to dissolve our pleasing reverie, and to compel us to mourn over lost relations, never to be regained.

(3) Our health, property, respectability, do not always continue. What reverses of this kind does the page of history record! We read of constitutions broken, estates lost, fortunes ruined — of thrones subverted.

2. Our opportunities do not continue. There is a tide in our affairs, both temporal and spiritual.

3. Our religious peace and joy do not continue. There are disturbing forces in the kingdom of grace, as well as in that of nature: there are alternations in the affections of the soul, as well as in the seasons and the elements; and it would be strange if our minds were liable to no fluctuations, since there are different states in the health of our bodies.

II. THE CONDUCT WHICH THE APOSTLE DESCRIBES IN REFERENCE TO ANOTHER WORLD — "but we seek one to come."

1. Observe the figure under which the place of the future abode of godly persons is represented — it is a city. A city means a place of concourse, in which is intelligent and agreeable society; a place of protection, a place of entertainment, where there is much to delight the eye, the ear, the taste — a place of refinement, where the minds, and manners of the inhabitants are removed from what is coarse — a place of wealth and comfort, affording a confluence of the supplies and enjoyments of life.

2. This peerless place is yet to come. That is, it is yet to appear, to be enjoyed — it is future. Hannibal's soldiers had no adequate idea of the Italian plains, before they descried them from the Alpine heights. The Israelites must have had a very imperfect notion of the Land of Promise, before they had crossed the Jordan, and traversed its mountains and valleys, entered its cities, walked amongst its vineyards, and partook of its milk and honey. And our highest attainments of grace upon earth leave us painfully ignorant of the perfect realisations of glory which await us in heaven.

3. Real Christians are now seeking this city which is to come. Seeking it implies earnest desire, assiduous diligence, and progressive advancement.

(J. Davies.)

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KJV: For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come.

WEB: For we don't have here an enduring city, but we seek that which is to come.