The Beauty of Holiness, Chapter 3

The Beauty of Holiness · Chapter 3

p. 48CHAP. III. Motives and inducements to the practice of Holiness.

AS the naked proposal and representation of an excellent and beautiful object, is motive enough to excite our love, and draw out our affections to it: so methinks Holiness, which of all, things is the most noble, most excellent, and the most lovely, should, even abstracted from the considerations of its utility and advantages, conquer our esteem. But God knows how much our depraved natures in this lapsed estate stand in need of encouragements to excite us to our duty; and I wish common experience did not make it too certain, that all motives are little enough to form us to Holiness.

In the former Chapters I have onelyonly laid a foundation to this: for I thought it fit to tell men what I understand by Holiness, before I should excite them to it. In this dark age of the world we want not instances (God knows, too many) of mens too frequent mistaking vice for p. 49vertue; to prevent which errour, it was thought necessary to shew men their duty; and having done this, the next thing I proposed, was to lay down several motives and inducements to engage men to the practise of Holiness, founded solely upon this, that all those endearing arguments that prevail with us to perform any duty or action relating to our secular concerns, do more powerfully oblige us to be holy.

This is, I confess, a subject which for its nobleness deserves a better judgement, a more clear wit, and a more enlivened and quick fancy to handle it than I can pretend to: yet if I can but prevail with others to perfect what I have begun, I shall not think I have much mis-employ'd my time in writing this Discourse.

This Chapter is like to be somewhat disproportionable to the rest in length, it being at first the onelyonly designed subject to be discoursed on; I shall therefore divide it into several Sections.

SECT. 1. The noble pattern of Holiness.

The great inclination of Mankinde to Imitation, gave ground (I doubt not)

p. 52And now, seeing Examples, have so much force, methinks I hear the Captain of our salvation saying, as Abimelek said to the men that were with him, Judg. 9.48. Make haste, and do as I have done. Christ Jesus hath by his example taught us our duty, 1 Pet. 1.15, 16. As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; because it is written, Be ye holy as I am holy. Upon which account we are seriously exhorted in Scripture to look unto Jesus, and to walk as he walked; and can any consideration more abundantly serve to inspirit and excite us to live holy, than this? Methinks our having so brave an example should provoke us to follow his footsteps, who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth.

There are two chief reasons that greatly prevail with us to imitate other examples. First, the dignity and greatness of the person. Secondly, Interest and advantage. Now both these motives should most powerfully prevail with us to make Christ the copy of our lives: For first, if we consider the dignity and worth of his person, is he not the Son of the living God, who in the days of his humiliation thought it no robbery to be called p. 53equal with God? He was not a person of a mean and low extraction, how meanly soever he lived here, but one of extraordinary worth, who by partaking of humane nature elevated it to the highest degree of honour: He was not onelyonly the chiefest amongst ten thousands, but the delight of Heaven and Earth, before whom the Princes of the Earth must appear, and the great men, to give him an account of their works. And as for Interest, I shall afterwards make it plain, that we in nothing more cross our advantage, than in walking contrary to Christ.

But alas! how little are we moved by this noble president to minde Holiness? how seldom do we express in our actions the vertues of our spiritual King? although there is nothing more rational, more equitable and just, than to follow his footsteps who hath called us to his Kingdom and Glory; nothing more honourable, nor can advance our happiness more than to be conform to the image of Christ; yet in opposition to the most endearing encouragements, we have as much set at nought his example, as Herod and his men of war did his person, Luke 23.11. Alas! what tears are sufficient to express and set forth this exceeding great madness and insolency?

p. 56us to learn meekness and humility of him, Mat. 11.29. Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart. Throughout the whole course of his life he did evidence a spirit full of calmness and quietness. If we trace his footsteps from the Cradle to the Cross, we shall not finde him either by his words or actions discovering the least expression of wrath, or revenge; but the most admirable disposition of gentleness and meekness, even then when his insulting Enemies endeavoured to cast upon him the most ignominious affronts. We read, Numb. 12.3. of Moses his great meekness; but how was he once and again transported with passion! but never did our meek Jesus, by the most insufferable abuses he received, ever discover a discomposed spirit. Isa. 53.7. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He did indeed frequently meet with extraordinary provocations to anger; but yet how sweet were his reproofs? when the Samaritans refused to receive him, Luke 9.53. he did not treat them with contumelious speeches, nor revenge himself upon them, although he p. 57could have done it with ease; but being desired by his exasperated Disciples to call for fire from Heaven to consume them, he rebuked their revengeful motion with The Son of man is not come to destroy mens lives, but to save them. It would be too prolix a business to instance the several examples of his Gentleness and Meekness; onelyonly let us view the last scene of his life, where we shall behold lively instances to confirm this. When he did finde his three Disciples, whom he had commanded to watch, sleeping, he did not upbraid them for their negligence, but gently asks them, What, could not ye watch with me one hour? and when he was treacherously accoasted by his own Disciple, who became leader to a great multitude who came out with Swords and Staves to apprehend him, with what astonishing mildness did he entertain this Traytor, who had the impudence to betray him with a kiss? Friend, wherefore art thou come? Mat. 26.50. or, as another of the Evangelists expresseth it, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss? This was all the hard language he treated him with. And after he was apprehended, with what horrid contumelies and affronts p. 58did his barbarous Enemies entertain him? they did spit in his face, and buffet him; (the highest affronts imaginable) they stripped him of his ordinary cloaths, and put upon him a fools robe and a Crown of Thorns; and being thus disguised, they expose him to the mockery and contempt of the Spectators: Notwithstanding of all which, he opened not his mouth; but with a most sedate and serene temper he received all these abuses, as the Apostle Peter expresseth it, 1 Pet. 2.23. When he was reviled he reviled not again, when he suffered he threatned not, but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously.

Meekness, I confess, is so noble a vertue, accompanied with so many admirable and charming advantages, that it needs (as one would think) but few words to recommend it to men; but no argument is like to prevail more with generous mindes, then the example of so excellent and perfect a Pattern. Sure I am, it is the most unaccountable thing imaginable, for the Disciples of so meek a Master to be of a disposition and temper quite opposite to his.

But as his meekness, so is his humility also recommended to our imitation: As p. 59he was of a meek, so also of a lowly spirit. His first appearance upon earth was but mean and despicable; he was born (as the Scripture informs us) in a low estate, more fit for the meanest of his Disciples, than for so great a Prince. He was not brought forth in some stately Palace, nor born in a Chamber curiously deckt, but in a vile Stable where the bruit beasts had their residence. Nay, after he had discovered himself by his Illustrious works to be a great Prophet, the true Messiah who enlighteneth every one that cometh into the world, yet how humbly did he walk! his Companions he did chuse were but mean Fishermen; his Occupation and Employment was no ways honourable; and his Revenues were but small, as he himself did testifie, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air nests; but the Son of man hath not where he may lay his head.

Although his descent and extraction was incomparably great, yet he rather endeavoured to conceal than to brag of it; and so humble was he, that he chose rather to attribute the praise of his admired works to his Father, than take the honour of them to himself, Joh. 8.28. I do nothing of my self, but as my Father p. 60hath taught me I speak these things.

He was not ambitious of Rule and Government, but modestly refused to be a Ruler and Judge. Nay, when the multitude thought to make him a King, he shunned their society by an invisible removal, it being quite contrary to his designe in coming into the world, (as he tells us, Matth. 20.28.) he came not to be ministred unto, but to minister. And to correct the insolent pride and ambition of his followers, how did he stoop to wash his Disciples feet! a most admirable evidence of his lowliness of spirit.

And now since our great Lord and Master did so wonderfully debase himself to the form of a Servant; since in all his actions he did manifest that he was meek and lowly, how prodigiously incongruous is it for those who profess themselves to be his Disciples to be proud and lofty?

I confess, Humility is a grace well becoming our state as creatures; we are but dependent beings, having life and motion, and all those endowments we are proud of, from the Father of spirits, from whom every good gifts cometh. The fresh communications of his love we constantly participate of, are freely bestowed; which p. 61he may therefore, when he thinks fit, with an equal freedom and ease remove, without being guilty of injuring us.

Humility is that peculiar grace that qualifies and fits us to receive the divine aid and assistance; as the Apostle St. James tells us, he gives grace to the humble. Upon which account we may with the Wise man well conclude: Better is it to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud, Prov. 16.19.

I doubt not but every considering man will finde his own Reason suggest a sufficient store of arguments to confute the imperious assaults of Pride and Ambition: but methinks none can more powerfully prevail with ingenuous spirits, than the consideration of Christ's humility: with this how effectually may he repel every temptation to pride, by saying, Was my Master lowly of spirit, and does it become me to be proud?

Thirdly, Christ is also set forth as our Pattern in his sufferings: If when ye do well (saith the Apostle) and suffer for it ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God; for even hitherto were ye called: for Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we should follow his page missing p. 64ther than allays the distemper, though it augments the degrees of our trouble, and disenables us to bear the stroke of Adversity; yet we will not be perswaded to a calm and quiet submission to the divine Will. Though impatience exasperates the pain, yet we think we do well to be angry. If we meet with injuries, our appetite of revenge is stirred up; flesh and bloud we say cannot endure such affronts; we imagine it stains our Reputation and Honour in the world, and is degenerous and servile.

Thus do we sew Fig-leaves to cover our nakedness; but the all-seeing God knows that all these repinings are arrows directed against his providence; otherwise we should with the Royal Psalmist say, I will not open my mouth, for thou didst it. To this impregnable Fortress he had his recourse, when causlesly cursed and reviled by Shimei: it was this that silenced old Eli, It is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good: he durst not quarrel at the message, but quietly he submits. There is a secret providence which doth overrule the most terrible accidents, and is not accountable to humane Reason. All those calamities and sufferings we undergo, are ordered by infinite Counsel; and in repining p. 65at such dispensations, we indirectly blame Almighty Goodness and Wisdome.

Is it fit and congruous that God should take measures from men in his Oeconomy of the World? is it reasonable that the whole course of things should be put out of order, to satisfie every private mans humor? can there be any greater madness, than to prescribe rules of Government to infinite Wisdome? Why then are we dissatisfied with our adverse state? why do we repine and complain?

If we did indeed compare our Mercies with our Sufferings, our Receipts with our Merits, or our Condition with that of some others, we could not but be convinced of our folly: but we still pore upon the sore; all our thoughts are taken up and in exercise about our affliction: if we would deal rationally, let us view the sufferings of our blessed Redeemer, and see if we dare make a contrary conclusion to that of the Apostle, 1 Pet. 4.1. Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in flesh, let us arm our selves likewise with the same minde: He suffered patiently and calmly for us; and it is but reasonable that Servants imitate their Master, and suffer the disasters they meet page missing p. 68our rule, yet how ready are we to despise it, if in the least it cross our humours or carnal interest? Alas! little do we consider, that obedience is essentially necessary in order to our supream happiness; and that torments, as severe and intolerable as they are lasting, are the lot of the disobedient.

It were to be wished that the rebellious posterity of Adam would but seriously ponder what they will be able to say in the great day of Audit. Sure I am, the whole Contexture and Harmony of the divine Precepts and Doctrines are equitable and just, and therefore call for our hearty compliance with them. The wise God never issued out any Command which could not be obeyed; he is not like the Aegyptian Task-masters, to require Brick while there is no Straw. Nay indeed our duty and interest are coupled together so closely, that if we disobey and rebel, we may thank our selves for the misery we have chosen. .

And as his Obedience is set before us for imitation, so is his Love, Charity, and Compassion also. His whole life was spent in doing good to men: how transcendent is his love in pitying us in our degenerate and forlorn estate? when we were at p. 69odds with Heaven, and incapable to help our selves, then, even then, did he commiserate our case, and by his own Blood reconciled us to the Father. It is the greatest demonstration of love imaginable, for a man to lay down his life for his friend, Joh. 15.13. and yet more wonderful was the love of our Redeemer in passing through so many cruel sufferings for us, who were but Rebels and Enenemies. O how should the remembrance of his boundless compassions transport and ravish us with love? how strange is it, that the highest endearments of Love have not inflamed our spirits, and made Love mutual and reciprocal?

Love is a most excellent affection, of a noble original, by which we resemble the best of beings; the great God being by the beloved Disciple described to be Love: and indeed well does this description sute with his dealings with men. But alas! how unlike are we to God in this? there is scarce any duty more frequently inculcated by our Saviour than Love, John 15.12. This is my commandment, that ye love one another as I have loved you: and yet how little efficacy has either his precept or example with us?

Blessed Redeemer! how unworthy do page missing p. 72since it hath produced so little love in us to himself. But however, I need not take much pains to prove that hereby we demonstrate our selves to be of all men the most ungrate, and justly liable to the severest punishment ever inflicted upon the greatest criminal.

It would be too prolix to enumerate the several instances wherein Christ is set forth as our Pattern: sure I am, he hath by his example taught us the exercise of all vertues; and I may say (as himself said in another case) If we know these things, happy are we if we do them.

To sum up this Section, it will not be amiss to obviate an Objection, which is indeed but very trivial, although it be too commonly urged: the Objection is, How is it possible for men to conform to Christ, and be holy as he is holy? Ans. I have already told, that it is not expected that we should imitate our blessed Redeemer in all and every of those actions he performed: but in all those moral duties which he hath enjoyned by his righteous precepts, and encouraged us by his example to perform, these we must by no means neglect: and to manifest the possibility of doing these, we may satisfie our selves by viewing the pious and devout lives of p. 73primitive Christians. It is a great mistake to think we are commanded to a rigorous and strict conversation which cannot be attained; the faithful in former ages have run the same race that is set before us; they have fully enough cleared the possibility of our duty: Wherefore seeing we also (as the Apostle argues) are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin that doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Heb. 12.1. For shame, let us rather imitate the excellent holiness of primitive Christians, than the impure practices of those who are strangers from the sacred Covenant.

O the perfect love and imitable kindeness of the first professors of the Gospel! what purity, what integrity and innocence appeared in their lives? how ravishing and splendant were their vertues and graces; their Patience in suffering, their Courage and Magnanimity in death, their Temperance and Moderation, their Charity and Compassion, their Equality and Justice, and their Contempt of this World and all earthly concerns for the sake and honour of their Master? These were the vertues they were adorned with, which

p. 76There is nothing more certain, than that onelyonly holy souls are in a capacity of participating of that future felicity; and these may without the least charge of presumption claim an interest in it: But for those vitious wretches, who are wholly polluted, who have devoted themselves to commit sin with greediness, and take pleasure in doing evil; how utterly incapable are they (if they continue such) to dwell in his presence, who is not a God that taketh pleasure in wickedness?

And now seeing there is such an inseparable connexion between Happiness and Holiness, it cannot be amiss if we take a short view of the excellency of this coelestial felicity, that it may more plainly appear what a notable encouragement and motive it is to holiness.

There be two things that forcibly recommend the excellency of that future state of bliss. First, A perfect freedom and immunity from all evils. And Secondly, a perpetual enjoyment of the chief good.

First, it is a blessedness wholly exempt from evils whether of sense or loss; 'tis a happiness attended with no inconveniencies, nor dismal circumstances, as the happiest state here is: we now walk in the p. 77midst of perplexing doubts and fears; temptations increase our inquietudes, and dangers our continual fears: our complaints are by far more numerous than our joys; nay, what is our whole life, but a scene where sorrow and fears act their parts! Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of evil.

But our future blessedness quite excludes all those evils; there is nothing admitted to imbitter that pleasant state, Rev. 21.4. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. The holy soul shall then no more complain of any dolorous hours; the heavenly Jerusalem is a place unacquainted with every thing that is uneasie and troublesome.

And yet this is but the least part of the Saints felicity: for as they shall enjoy a perfect freedom from evil, so shall they also be advanced to the fullest fruition of that God, where all the streams of goodness do finally empty themselves: Blessed are the pure in spirit, for they shall see God, Matth. 5.8. They shall see him, not as now through a Glass darkly, but then face to face, 1 Cor. 13.12. they shall, as p. 78the Angels in heaven, always behold the face of their Father, Matth. 18.10. in whose presence (as the Psalmist assures us) is fulness of joy, and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore, Psal. 16.11. O the unspeakable delectability of the Saints future state! where the most blessed God shines forth in his Glory, where the beams of beauty ravish the beholders, who stand continually in his presence receiving the manifestations of his Glory!

Sure if the faint expectation of enjoying the company of vertuous men in their fancied Elyzium, did instigate some Heathens to imitate their vertues; how much more perswasive should the heavenly Jerusalem, and the City of the living God be? where the holy Soul shall be admitted to converse with an innumerable company of holy Angels, and taken into the blessed Society and Church of the first-born; where all those imperfections that imbitter our communion here, are removed; where the holy Soul shall see Jesus the blessed Mediator of the new Covenant, Heb. 12. who suffered so much for sinners, now sitting in glory and majesty; not crowned (as once he was) with thorns, nor wearing a purple robe; but having on p. 79his head the most transplendent Diadem, and cloathed with Majesty and Beauty. Methinks the thoughts of beholding this glory, and participating of so much felicity, should excite the most lazie to follow Holiness, and to walk worthy of him who hath called us to his Kingdom and glory.

But I confess I am not able to express half of the glory of that future felicity: The blessed Apostle seems to intimate, that all Hyperbolical expressions fall short in describing it, 2 Cor. 4.17. where he stiles it, A far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory: and 1 Cor. 2.9. he tells us, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive what God hath pepared for those that love him. For although we may be assured that the reward is of infinite value, and that the righteous shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father: yet the most glorious part is hid from the eyes of viators; 'tis onelyonly those who taste the Honey-comb that can best discover its sweetness.

And yet it is prodigiously strange that the imperfect glance of future Glory that men may here behold, is so ineffectual to form them to Holiness; that men who p. 80know they may be for ever happy, if they would study and endeavour to be holy in all manner of conversation, yet live as if they thought such a happy state not worthy to be noticed.

I confess, if the faithful and true God had not promised this state of blessedness, and discovered by revelation the truth and reality of it, we could never have dreamed of partaking of so much happiness. The Heathen world could never be ascertained (by Natures dim light) that the Soul is beyond all doubt immortal, and that there is a future state of rewards and punishments. The wisest of their Philosophers, by their most laborious search, were exceedingly confused in their thoughts about it, and could at the most onelyonly entertain some probable guesses and conjectures, founded upon moral arguments, which could never perfectly conquer their doubts: They did indeed think it was very reasonable to believe that God (who is holy, just, and good) would in another life (since he did it not in this) reward good men, and punish the bad; but they could not be, beyond all doubt, ascertained that it would be so. The most celebrated Socrates, who parted with this life in expectation of a better, plainly told p. 81his Friends, it was God onelyonly who knew whether there were a future felicity or not; much less could either he or any other, without revelation, discover the nature and quality of the blessedness of that future state. And indeed, although they entertained some imperfect notions of a future life of bliss for the Soul, yet they never thought of the resurrection of the Body: although 'tis true, the felicity they formed, was more congruous by far to satisfie sensual appetites than rational Soule: the Poets Elyzium being much of the same nature with the Mahometan Paradise, exactly accommodated to their flesh and senses.

In these thick clouds of darkness and ignorance did the wisest of the Heathens walk: Exceedingly perplexed they were what to think, their doubts being greater than their hopes. But the arising of the Sunshine of Righteousness hath wholly dispelled all that darkness; the Gospel hath brought life and immortality to light, 2 Tim. 1.10. and hath undoubtedly assured us that there is a reward for the Righteous, and that Holiness shall be crowned with Happiness.

p. 82SECT. 3. Holiness the onelyonly safe way to escape the wrath to come.

Fear is a passion so extreamly violent, and repugnant to Humane nature, that nothing imaginable is of more force to conquer the unruly wills of men to duty. Hence is it, that even humane Laws are much more secured by punishments than rewards: Therefore if the promise of Heaven be not forcible enough to work upon our rebellious Wills, we have a Map of eternal and intolerable torments to excite our fear, and to affright us from the commission of those sins that lead down to the chambers of death; and that drawn so exactly, that it is the greatest miracle, that men will notwithstanding slight Holiness, which is the onelyonly means to evite these lasting tortures.

In sacred Writ, the torments of the damned are represented by such terrifying expressions, that it is a wonder they impress not a fear and terrour upon the most daring sinner. The Apostle St. Jude describing Hell, calls it, The vengeance of eternal fire, and the blackness of darkness for ever, Jude 7, 13. And the Apostle p. 83St. John calls it, A lake of fire and brimstone, Rev. 20.10, 15. Our Saviour more emphatically describes it to be A fire that can never be quenched, and where the worm dieth not, Mark 9.46. All which phrases do most significantly express the severity and intolerableness of the torments: for what punishment is so terrible as that of Fire? and how unspeakably does it inhance the misery, in that it is eternal? and that too, as inflicted by an offended God, who is executing his vengeance upon sinners.

Would God sinners would seriously consider whether they are able to endure the eternal pains of a gnawing Conscience? or can patiently dwell with devouring Flames? Whether the momentary pleasures of sin, are to be balanced with those furious reflections, those horrid stings and intolerable tortures the damned suffer day and night, where nothing of life remains but the sense of pain? Alas! will no argument prevail with men? how amazing is it to think that the everlasting God has used all the methods of love to excite men to Holiness, and to reclaim them from sin, and all to no purpose? May I not well say to such men, as St. Paul said to the Galatians, Vnwise sinners, who hath bewitched you?

p. 86they endure, we may also adde that celestial felicity they are for ever excluded from. How tormenting will it be to think of an everlasting separation from the divine Presence, and instead of a holy Society, to keep a continual correspondency with impure Spirits?

Would God that this brief discovery of the powers of the world to come, might prevail with men to be holy in all manner of conversation.

But methinks I hear the over-zealous Professor too ignorantly objecting▪ that it is servile, mercenary, and legal, to be holy for love of Heaven, or fear of Hell. Truely if it were so as these men teach, I know not what can be the intent and designe of all the promises and threatnings of the Gospel. And although I question not but it is a generous and Christian principle, to serve God out of pure love; yet I can never be induced to think, that to be holy for love of Heaven and fear of Hell, can be separate from that principle of love to God.

God knows how much in need men stand, both of arguments to work upon their hope and fear, to excite them to duty. And since he who knows our natures, has used promises to allure us, and p. 87threatnings to awaken us, we must not pretend to be wiser than God, and reject those motives he has thought fit to prescribe: and indeed, if it were not for the fear of evil, and the hope of good, 'tis to be feared, the pressing of other motives should be but a mere beating of the Air.

But that this is not servile and mercenary, needs no other argument to prove it, but our Saviour's enduring the Cross, and despising the Shame, for the joy that was set before him; a Scripture sufficient enough to stop the mouths of all opponents.

SECT. 4. Holiness the main designe of the Gospel, and the end of all Christs sufferings.

Subjects who know the intent and designe of those Laws issued forth by their Prince, will be loath to contemn his Authority, especially when the whole intent of these is to make them by their obedience the more happy; and sure 'tis the most unaccountable thing that can be, if they notwithstanding despise his Laws, and quite counter-act his designe.

Now the main designe of the Christian page missing p. 90help himself, our blessed Lord redeemed us from our captivity, by offering up himself a ransom to satisfie divine Justice; and all this, that we might walk in newness of life. And now what ingratitude is it to despise so much love? Sure, If he that despised Moses law died without mercy, of how much sorer punishment shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the Bloud of the Covenant wherewith he was sanctified an unholy thing? Heb. 10.28, 29.

He must certainly be of a very base and disingenuous spirit, who takes pleasure in sin, when he considers how dearly Christ paid for it. Hath he been at so much pains, undergone such dismal sufferings to purchase our peace, and will we notwithstanding frustrate his designe? how strange to astonishment is this, that men should prefer captivity to freedom?

Alas! is it not enough that our blessed Master was so barbarously and despitefully used by the Jews and Roman Souldiers, but must we be also Actors in the Tragedy, and by our sins crucifie him again?

Did he not die that we might live? and shall we spend our life in offering p. 91despite unto him? Strange, that so much madness should lodge in the breasts of any into whom God hath breathed the breath of life!

I might here also adde, that it is a contemning, and offering of the greatest despite to the Holy Spirit, to despise Holiness: for upon this account is the third person of the blessed Trinity called the Holy Ghost, because his peculiar office is to enable us to perform holy actions: now if we continue in our rebellion, if we reject the offers of grace, and the internal motions of the Spirit to Holiness, we do hereby become guilty of quenching the Spirit of God, and offering despite unto him; which is so horrid a piece of villany, that Heaven threatens it with the severest torments.

SECT. 5. Holiness the most proper and effectual means for attaining length of days.

Of all outward and temporal blessings, length of days hath justly the precedency, since without this all others can afford little or no comfort: The possession and enjoyment of other mercies, can bestow no satisfaction to men lying on their beds page missing p. 94Prov. 23.29, 30. Who hath woe? who hath sorrow? who hath wounds without cause? they that tarry long at the wine, &c. Holiness is repugnant and inconsistent with excess, which naturally puts a period to the lives of men: It forbids all manner of vice, which leads down to the chambers of death; and keeps men within due bounds in their eating and drinking.

Before mankinde had corrupted themselves by their notorious and impudent vitiousness, we read of their great length of days; but the increase of sin multiplied diseases, which hurry men to untimely deaths.

I deny not but the great Lord and Master of the Universe may, for holy and wise ends known unto himself, cut short the lives of the righteous; yet surely if we consult either Experience or Reason, we shall finde it certain beyond doubt, that vertuous men enjoy, for ordinary, far the longest lives.

Some good men may be naturally of a brittle constitution, yet how strangely has their life been protracted by their moderation and sobriety? and how many strong men have had their days shortened by their intemperance and excess?

p. 95Indeed, he that considers this well, shall finde, that Holiness is the most effectual means to promote long life, both upon a moral and natural account. Upon a moral account, long life is the reward which the divine promises do secure to such men; and on the contrary, wickedness is threatned with shortness of days. Upon a natural account, the fire doth not more naturally produce heat, than Holiness does procure health and length of days; and there is nothing more evident, than that the most of vices have a physical efficacy in the shortening of humane life. That this is the necessary product and genuine effect of intemperance and lasciviousness, needs no other argument to prove it, but the daily examples of multitudes, whom those sins have hurried to their graves. And truely there is not any vice which does not like fire in mens bosoms torture and consume them; and so disorders and discomposes them, that they even neglect the necessary means of their health. See Period of Humane life, pag. 111, 124. Edit. 2.

p. 96SECT. 6. Holiness that which makes men honourable; vice rendering men mean and ignoble.

Honour is an ornament so noble and venerable, that he is but very sottish, if not quite bruitish, who doth not court and caress it. Upon this account it is nothing strange, that ancient Philosophers, who wanted the assistance of revelation, placed mans happiness in it.

How many brave and gallant actions have been performed, which if they had wanted the bait of Honour had never been attempted! Gallant souls, who despise all other rewards, have been hereby excited to undergo the greatest dangers.

Now, since honour is so highly esteemed, especially by those who pretend to generositie; I shall, to encourage such to befriend Holiness, endeavour to prove, that the most effectual means to procure Honour, and to be in esteem both with God and man, is to live (as the Apostle adviseth men) soberly, righteoously, and godly.

OnelyOnly before I proceed to prove this, I shall premise one Caution, namely, that p. 97by Honour I do not chiefly understand one dignified with any extrinsecal honour arising either from his Birth or Office; though both these are to be highly esteemed, and must not be denied that external respect due unto them: but by Honour I understand that esteem and reputation that the best and wisest men do give to any whose Moral honour is conspicuous; and under this notion the Stoick-Moralists hath very well expressed it, Nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus. which upon the matter disagrees not much from that sacred position of the Wise man, Prov. 22.1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches.

Having premised this, I come now to prove that Holiness is the path-way to Honour. And indeed, this is so plainly asserted in Scripture, that it is needless to insist. The God of Heaven hath assured us, that those that Honour him, he will honour; and those that despise him shall be lightly esteemed, 1 Sam. 2.30. Much like to this, is that inducement to Holiness urged by our Lord Christ, Joh. 12.26. If any man serve me, him will my Father honour. Now men cannot honour God p. 98more, than by being holy: for the word is comprehensive, and includes all those duties that God hath enjoyned; but every vice is a despising of his sacred Authority. If then holy men are those onelyonly whom God will honour, and vitious men those whom he will contemn, we may easily conclude, who are the honourable, and who are the base and ignoble. Sure those men must be honourable, whom the Fountain of Honour esteems such.

'Tis upon this account that the Saints are called (in Scripture) the excellent of the earth, and the worthies of the world, (how meanly soever men esteem them) of whom the world is not worthy: And the righteous is said to be more excellent than his neighbour. And indeed, Holiness doth not onelyonly promote the honour and esteem of private persons, but of publick Communities and Kingdoms also, Prov. 14.34. Righteousness exalteth a nation; but sin is a reproach to any people.

This is a truth which the wisest of the Heathens, who yet wanted Revelation, constantly taught, namely, That Honour is the reward of vertue. Hence the large Lectures they have written in the commendation thereof: it would be too p. 99tedious to transcribe even the Elogies that they have written in the praise of Vertue; and indeed it is well worthy of our observation, that as they have illustrated Vertue by their large Encomiums of it, so Vertue (which they courted) hath made them venerable to posterity, and transmitted to us their memories under the most amiable Encomiums imaginable: And however their birth was but mean and almost regardless, yet their vertues have made them more famous than Princes and Emperours. The vertues of Aristides, Socrates, Seneca, Marcus Regulus, and many others, have made their renown glorious; whileas many Emperours and great men have had their names buried in silence.

Let a man be as rich as ever any of Adam's posterity was, or (that I may extend it farther) as high as his ambitious thoughts can wish; let him be wise as Solomon, and endued with all other perfections and advantages; yet if he want vertue, how insipid will his Name be to posterity? It is Vertue alone that conduceth to fame. 'Tis true, some wicked men (called in Scripture vile, notwithstanding their authority) have been set in high places, and honoured for fear, p. 100when alive; yet they never received that honour which hath in all ages accompanied the Righteous. They have had the external, (which is indeed due to men by vertue of their Descent or Office) but wanted that internal reverence and honour which is onelyonly due to good men: and I doubt not to say, that there is nothing more incongruous and unsuitable, than to see Honour given to such men. As snow in summer, and as rain in harvest; so honour is not seemly for a fool, Prov. 26.1.

Vice is in the judgement of all considering men so mean and base, that it casts a stain and reproach upon men; makes their names unsavory, and stink in the nostrils of after-ages: but Holiness forces a veneration from men, and makes posterity raise Elogies in their memory; but the memory of the wicked shall be forgotten.

Virtue was that alone whereby many Kingdoms and Empires have been raised; was that which made them so flourishing and potent, and prevailed more to their establishment and advancement, than Strength or Policy. Thus it was with the old Romans, (for their vertues are a shame to the present state of that Empire) p. 101their Clemencie and Justice conquered Kingdoms, and made Rome renowned and glorious beyond all other Kingdoms and Commonwealths: and as Vertue hath raised Kingdoms, so hath it also particular Persons; whileas Vice hath cast Emperours from their Thrones, and made them as unfortunate as they were wicked.

Many of the primitive Martyrs, who were renowned by Kingdoms and Commonwealths (who keep Festivals in honour of their memories) were but of an inferiour degree, and had nothing to recommend them to posterity but their Holiness and Sanctity; and indeed, any man that consults Reason, will easily finde himself constrained to reverence and esteem vertuous men.

'Tis a wonder that any man who pretends to generosity should be vitious, there being nothing so mean and base as Vice, which like to cowards always lurketh, and dares not approach the light. I doubt not but this present age hath arrived at as high a confidence in proclaiming their sins as Sodom, as ever any former age acquired; and it may (to the reproach of it) be said, as ever any is like to reach to: yet till men cast quite p. 102off humanity, it cannot be expected that Vice shall have Advocates to plead in its defence. 'Tis a noble saying of the great Moralist Seneca; Licet Deus nesciret nec homo puniret peccatum, non tamen peccarem ob peccati vilitatem.

'Tis no wonder then though Vice appear (as the Devil in Samuel's mantle) under the cloak of Vertue; though Lust mask it self with the pretence of Love, and Cruelty of Zeal: but by this means it proclaims its timorousness, not daring to own publickly what it really is.

It were a large field, to descend to the consideration of every particular vertue and vice, and shew that there is not any vertue but tends to the advancement of a mans honour and fame, and no vice which is not ungentile, mean, and base: But the brevity I have designed will not allow me to enlarge; onelyonly in brief I shall demonstrate the truth of this by some few Instances.

Justice is so gallant a vertue, that it advanced the renown of those whom it adorned, beyond what riches or preferment could ever bestow. The Romans were more famous, and (where they were Enemies) more formidable for their Justice than their Power: it was this vertue p. 103which in a peculiar manner made Scepters and Kingdoms submit to their Government. But Injustice is so base and contemptible a vice, that it hath made those who are captivated by it, despised as the unworthiest of men, not deserving to be taken into friendship, but to be excluded from humane Societies. How unsavory hath the name of unjust Judges been to posterity, while every one is ready to strew some Elogies in honour of the just!

To this I may annex Constancy in friendship, as a vertue as noble as amiable: For who will not admire and celebrate the man who remains fixt to his friend, whatever alterations or changes there may be in his condition? And sure whosoever fails in his friendship, lays himself open to the most merciless condition, and needs expect to be left to befriend himself when the wheel of Providence laies him below those he thought unworthy of his favour.

Of all vertues, Liberality, Charity, and Compassion are so noble, that common speech adapts this Elogie to them by way of emphasis; and indeed, I think I need not say much to raise an estimate of these: for no man can be so base as to despise p. 104those who bestow favours upon him. Sure there is no vertue that makes men more famous, that wins the hearts and affections of people more, than Liberality: but Avarice is ungentile and sordid; and so odious a vice, that it ever lessens all other vertues, and makes those it possesses the most hateful of men.

Charity is an obliging vertue; and as it hath its original from, so doth it also necessarily produce Love, and esteem too: he who prefers the necessities of others before his own superfluities, and who does supply the wants of others, does so chear the languishing hearts of the needy, that nothing can be more generous, nor generally meets with a greater recompence of honour and esteem.

To compassionate the case of the Fatherless, of the Poor and Needy, is so noble a vertue, that the Apostle makes this qualification alone the evidence of pure and undefiled religion. It is a most unnatural and more than bruitish sin, to slight and forget such.

Meekness and Humility are such noble embellishments of humane nature, as I have formerly shewed, that none but proud and insolent spirits, who have been always condemned as insufferable, durst ever disesteem them.

p. 105To these I may joyn Affability or Courtesie, as a vertue near allied to Humility and Meekness; which being noble in its causes and effects, cannot but denominate the person it illustrates both noble, and amiable, and lovely: 'Tis indeed an evidence of a very base and abject spirit, to be sullen and morose. Persons of a noble education and original, are frequently known by their condescending and obliging behaviour; and I am sure Reputation and Esteem are the apparent effects of Courtesie.

Temperance and Moderation are vertues more noble than that they need eloquence to advance their value, as its contraries are too mean and beastly to be inveighed against. How bruitish and contemptible is a drunken man, who is rather an object of pity, (as mad-men are) than reproach; who being a more apt resemblance of a beast than a man, deserves as little Honour, as he is ignorant what Honour means?

p. 109SECT. 7. Holiness attended with the most solid and real pleasures.

In all things that concern practice, there is scarce any motive more forcible than Pleasure; and of all plesures, those that entertain the Soul are the most excellent. We indeed need no argument but experience, to demonstrate how ravishing sensual pleasures and delights are, how much they are caressed and courted, till men be glutted and filled with them. But alas! how inconsiderable are all sensitive delights? the enjoyment of these cannot raise us above the beasts that perish; but those pleasures which are fitted for the rational nature, are noble and lasting; and such are all those delights that arise from a holy conversation; no joy, without this, being able to make a mans life pleasant and delightful.

There is in Holiness an internal delectability, that is better felt, than it can be expressed; but how loathsome and odious is Vice? it is compared in Scripture to the most ugly and unpleasant things: But Holiness is so comely, so delightful, and ravishing, that it is very fitly (according p. 107to the Scripture-Epithet of it) called, the Beauty of Holiness. It is this alone that produces a calm and serene Conscience; from which necessarily results acquiescence and delight: and indeed, this is no fantastick and imaginary joy, (as the Atheists of this Age would make men believe) but a true and real one, affording much more complacency and satisfaction, than all the pleasures of sense. To the truth of which, I doubt not but those men who question it should assent, if they would but make the experiment; and till they do this, they give us too evident an instance of their folly, in denying the reality of those raptures of joy resulting from a holy conversation.

But besides Experience, this truth is likewise confirmed by Reason: For who is in more probable circumstances to participate of pleasures, than he who is Master of his Passions, who hath subdued his appetites, and freed himself from those imperious Lords, who denied him the liberty of tasting and relishing pleasures? The pious Soul may have no large allowance of temporal mercies; yet having Contentment, he is richer than the wicked man whose coffers are full.

p. 108But we need not doubt of the reality of those pleasures; the Wise man hath long since put this out of question, Prov. 3.17. Her ways are ways of pleasantness. There is here a concurrence of all those circumstances that contribute to make any thing delectable: 'tis a way pleasant for its plainness, and desirable for its end. There is not indeed any thing wanting in it, that usually draws out mens delight.

All beauty falls inconceivably short of this; it being Holiness alone, that makes the righteous shine forth as the sun in the Kingdom of their Father: without this, all natural comeliness is imperfect, and, as the Wise man expresses it, is deceitful and vain, Prov. 3….30.

And yet what an universal Empress is external beauty become? nothing being of equal force to attract the eye of beholders as it doth. How hath she conquered the mighty, and made the Nobles of the Earth Vassals to lacquey after her? There is an almost irresistible power and force in her charmings, which conquereth the hearts of men insensibly.

Now if Beauty mixed with so much deformity, accompanied with so much attendance and slavery, be so enchanting p. 109and attractive; how much more powerfully should the Beauty of Holiness, which is every whit perfect and unspotted, and attended with no dismal accidents, raise our admiration, and make us say (as David of Goliah's Sword) There is none like it?

Alas! all earthly beauty will be quickly laid in the dust! a little time will deface the fairest face, and make its beauty consume like a Moth: an unexpected accident may disfigure it, and marre the most lovely features; and there is no doubt but old Age, which draws on apace, will make wrinkles in the smoothest face, and make it wither as a flower: But the Beauty of Holiness is lasting; it fades not with time, nor can it be impaired by the most loathsome and nauseating disease.

Since then Pleasure is so ready to excite our affections, and draw out our complacency, 'tis pity that the noblest, the most satisfying, and most lasting should be so much contemned. Eccl. 5.10. He that loveth silver, shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance, with increase. All the caresses of this World are unable to satisfie the Soul; but how ravishing are the joys of a holy conversation? The pleasures of this world p. 110are short and momentary, are onelyonly (as the Apostle phraseth them) for a season, which quickly passeth; but the joy of the Holy Ghost is as lasting as unspeakble; and this joy (saith Christ to his Disciples) no man shall take from you. It is without the reach of the malice of men and Devils too.

Alas! how dimunitive does it make the pleasures of the wicked, to say they are short? how exceedingly does this one circumstance diminish them? But indeed this were not so very considerable, if there were a concurrence of no worse circumstances; but that which mostly is an allay and damp to temporal pleasures, is the consequence, a painful and lasting eternity of the severest punishments. 'Tis this life that puts a period and conclusion to the joys of wicked men; whileas the pious have Rivers of pleasures for evermore to delight and ravish them: 'tis at Death that they enter into joy of their Lord.

This is a subject so ravishing and pleasant, that I cannot without reluctancy conclude it. O how unsatisfactory are all the delights of Sense, if compared with those Spiritual Joys the holy Soul partakes of! The delights that the Drunkard hath p. 111in his Cups and Companions, the Covetous in his Riches, the Ambitious in his Preferments, &c. fall all incomparable short of that joy that is the lot of the righteous.

The delights that the holy man enjoys do upon a double account far over-poise the transitory pleasures of the wicked. First, the present satisfaction that the holy Soul tastes of in this valley of tears, is incomparably greater than the delights that arise from sense. The soul that hath once tasted of the love of God, findes more pleasure in the very acts of mutual love, than in all the feasts of delight that sense is capable to enjoy. Food is indeed sweet to the hungry, and drink to those who are languishing with thirst: the taste does without doubt finde some meats sweet and relishing, even where there is no extremity of hunger, much more where it is: for, to the hungry every bitter thing is sweet. Beauteous Sights ravish the Eye, melodious Musick the Ear, and Odoriferous things please the Smell: But alas! how far beyond these is the delight which the devout soul receives in Ordinances! the antipasts of joy which their Heavenly Father bestows upon them, are more delightful than the concurrence of p. 112all sensual pleasures. The soul that is in trouble can fetch more consolation from the promises of the Word, than the carnal man can from his pleasures: Vnless thy Law had been my delight (saith the Psalmist) I had perished in my affliction. Other things could not avail him, they could afford no relief: but to have access to God in prayer, and to pour out our complaints to our willing God, this is more ravishing than I can express. And I am sure there is no man who hath tasted these joys, who would part with them for sensual pleasures; and no man dare inveigh against those spiritual delights, but strangers who intermeddle not with this joy.

The very Heathens have taught us, that Vertue is a reward to it self; they experimented more real satisfaction in moderation and temperance, than in Drinking and Whoring. But Christianity gives us more uncontrolable evidences of the reality of that joy that good men even in this state of absence taste of. Into what a rapture and unexpressible extasie of joy did the abundance of revelation St. Paul met with put him! and the Apostle St. Peter was so transported with joy when he did see Christ in his Transfiguration, p. 113that he could not forbear crying, Master, it is good being here. How full of joy have Martyrs been in the midst of the flames? what comforts have they even then expressed? And is not all this evidence, that the joy of holy men is more real, more sweet and ravishing, than the transitory pleasures of the wicked, which in several seasons can afford no delight? a little pain or disease is such an allay and damp to their pleasures, that it quite extirps them.

But besides those foretastes of joy that the holy Soul experiments here, which, as I have shewed, infinitely overwhelms all trouble and pain; that which contributes most to advance the joy of good men, are those felicities above, which are prepared for them; and to these wicked men can lay no claim, their farthest prospect being confined to temporal delights.

What abundance of delights and unexpressible pleasures are laid up for the holy Soul above! How delectable will it be, to be constant residents in the Heavenly Jerusalem, whose Streets are pure Gold, and whose Gates are Pearl? how ravishing will it be, to be always in his presence, where there are Streams and p. 114Rivers of perpetual pleasures? How sweet will it be, to be a member of that blessed Society of the first-born in Heaven, where there is a perfect concord and agreement? But I confess, I am not able to express half the joy of this future felicity: Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entred into the hearts of men to conceive, what a store of happiness God hath laid up in Heaven for those who are holy in all manner of conversation.

SECT. 8. Holiness accompanied with Peace.

There is nothing more suitable to, and agreeable with Humane nature, that Peace; as those who endure trouble and vexation can fully attest: Amongst earthly blessings it deserves not the last place, it being a mercy which crowns all others, and without which, the fullest fruition could not prove satisfactory.

Those languishing, and much to be pitied, Kingdoms, which now lie bathed in blood, can attest the evils and mischiefs of War, much more pathetically than words can express. How sweet and acceptable would Peace (a word always sounding sweetly) be to them?

p. 115Now the Apostle St. James hath given us a brief, but unquestionably true, account of the real causes of Wars and Fightings, Jam. 4.1. From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? From these sinful causes have all the disorders and jars in Kingdomes and private Societies had their real (I speak not of their pretended) original. How impetuous are the lusts of turbulent spirits! like the raging waves of the Sea, they are still in motion, casting forth filth and dirt. Ambition is so unquiet and restless a passion, that no man is ignorant what desolations it hath wrought in the earth: How many famous Kingdoms hath it ruined and destroyed? what inquietudes and disorders are occasioned by discontentment? All these are things so evident, that I need not enlarge upon them: but how repugnant are these vices to Holiness? and can it be rationally imagined that their genuine and proper effects can be more reconcilable with it?

I confess, Religion hath too frequently been pretended as a Cloak to cover the greatest Villanies, Confusions, and Rebellions: but sure I am, nothing imaginable p. 116contains a greater contradiction, than to say these impieties have a warrant from the sacred Laws of the Gospel, the combination of which is the rule of Holiness, as I have formerly explained. Is not Christ called the Prince of Peace, and the Gospel, the Gospel of Peace? and it is certain, if men would be ruled by the Laws of so peaceable a Prince, they should be of a calm and quiet spirit: then should we indeed see Righteousness and Peace kissing each other.

When ever therefore we read in ancient prophesies of the great peace that shall be in the Messiahs reign, we must thereby understand, that the nature of the Gospel and its precepts are such, that if men would conform their lives to them, there should be an universal Peace. How strictly are all the causes of Envy, Contention, Ambition, and Rebellion, prohibited? and sure if these causes were removed, their effect should have no place: Then should the Bow be broken, and the Spear cut in sunder: Swords should be turned into Plough shares, and the Instruments of War into more necessary uses: War should cease unto the ends of the earth, and Peace should be within each wall.

p. 117By this it is apparent how much holiness conduceth to the establishment of publick peace. But that which I would more especially take notice of, is, the internal serenity and calmness of Conscience, which is the onelyonly effect of holiness: and truely upon this account there is no peace to the wicked.

I might here appeal to every mans breast, whether Holiness does not calm and quiet the Consciences of men; whileas a natural horrour results from the commission of vice, more heavy than the severest lashes ever inflicted by Ceditius or Rhadamanthus. What unspeakable peace and ease does attend holiness of life! there is no jar nor contention, no check of Conscience, nor wound of spirit, to disturb the inward repose of the Righteous: but that remorse that results from the commission of sin, even after men have acquired what they sinfully lusted after, is like that hand-writing, Dan. 5.5. which made the stout heart of Belshazzer to tremble, and his knees to smite one against another: It troubles the thoughts of the most daring sinner, and makes him a terrour to himself. There is no imaginable torment that can equal the terrours of an awakened guilty Conscience; p. 118it hath put men to chuse strangling and death rather than life: all which is fully verified by the Word of truth: The spirit of a man can sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

O the secret pangs and fears that possess the spirits of wicked men! the severe checks and lashes of Conscience that seize upon transgressors, which all imaginable divertisements cannot quite stifle and suppress! All the attendance of the most dear Relations cannot give ease and comfort to them. How dismal and inconsolable was Spira's condition? how amazing are the very thoughts of those gnawings and horrours of Conscience he suffered? The fears and apprehensions of a future misery, mar all the joy and mirth of carnal men. In their most flourishing state it continually haunts them, and so fills them with horror and inquietude, that they cannot quietly enjoy themselves. Whilst the Soul acts within the Body, it cannot but present those horrid and disquieting reflections.

Hi sunt qui trepidant & ad omnia fulgora pallent.

These are the men who in the midst of p. 119outward felicity are amazed with tormenting fears, which cannot be eradicated but by a sincere repentance.

But the holy Soul, in the extremity of outward troubles, enjoys an internal calmness and quiet of minde: the very Pagan, who could not be beyond doubt assured of the certainty of a future reward, could yet say,

— Hic murus ahenaeus esto,

Nil conscire sibi, nulla palescere culpa.

But the Word of truth hath made this more unquestionably sure: Psal. 119.165. Great peace have they that love thy Law, and nothing shall offend them.

SECT. 9. Holiness the best evidence of true Wisdom, and real Worth, and Courage.

Wisdom and Courage having their rise and source from nobler Principles than external helps, have therefore in all Ages been esteemed excellent and venerable vertues; and much preferable to those others which depend upon external advantages. Wisdom is (as the Wise man speaks) the principal thing, Prov. 4.7. p. 120It is that vertue which in a peculiar manner raiseth the Humane nature above that of Bruits, who act without consideration and counsel. And Courage is that which subdueth that ignoble passion of fear, which hindreth men from attempting a…tions praise-worthy. Hence it is, that to be called a Fool, or Coward, are such reproachful denominations, that nothing imaginable is more shameful.

That Holiness is an infallible evidence of true Wisdom, is more plain than it can be doubted. In sacred Writ, Wisdom and Religion are used as convertible terms, as words expressing the same thing. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil, that is understanding, Job 28.28. Hence the impious and wicked are frequently called Fools, and men void of understanding and wisdom. And however this prophane Age of ours hath accounted those men great wits, who have cast off all Religion, and who Burlesque Scripture; who think it the greatest folly to be kept in awe by the fears of future danger, and to be kept in thraldom by the apprehension of an invisible being: yet men who consider things aright, have p. 121in all ages accounted those Atheists both fools and mad-men.

Fools, in condemning that which all wise men have assented too. But 'tis no wonder, since sin is that which overclouds and stupifies the judgement, and deprives them of those intellectual abilities whereby men acquire a right judgement of things. Alas! why should such be accounted wise, who cast themselves in the dirt and puddle, who contaminate and pollute their Souls, who prefer a temporal to an eternal felicity, who blindly and inconsiderately expose themselves to the wrath of a God revenging sin? Sure the greatest Idiots are not comparably so unwise as these men, who venture their Souls upon such hazards.

There is nothing that doth so much debase Humane nature, as sin: the Psalmist, who but upon a surprisal vented his impatience and envy, yet characterizeth himself a fool for doing so, Psal. 73.22. So foolish was I, and ignorant: I was as a beast before thee. 'Tis Religion alone that is the most certain and uncontrovertable difference betwixt men and bruits. The very Pagan Satyrist could say,

p. 122— Separat haec nos

A grege brutorum —

Reason will easily convince every man that will but take pains to consider, that those men who neglect their greatest interest, can never shun to be esteemed fools. Now to be serious and careful about the Soul, to be ascertained how it shall go with us in the other world, this is the greatest concern of man, about which the greatest care and diligence possible is little enough: and sure those men who designe happiness (a thing implanted in the natures of men) must either make use of the right means in order to their acquiring of it, otherwise they too plainly proclaim their folly: but the holy Soul makes Religion its whole business; he knows that it is his greatest interest to be holy, and that without this he can never expect to be happy hereafter. And indeed, whatever may be the present apprehensions and thoughts of men, yet they shall ere long pass this verdict of circumspect walkers, That they were the onelyonly wise men: and the God of wisdom, who can give the best judgement in the case, does account the Saints to be wise p. 123men. Let us then hearken to the Apostles advice, Eph. 5.15. See that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise.

But as Holiness doth thus entitle men to wisdom, so doth it also promote true valour; it mightily conduceth to inspirit men with courage and magnanimity: The righteous are bold like a lyon; but the wicked flee when no man pursueth. And the reason of both is plain: the one hath secured his future state; but the other expects no better inheritance. And however wicked men may be very daring, yet they cannot be said to be truely valiant; for this is always rational and deliberate: but if wicked men should soberly consider the unspeakable hazard they run upon, they durst not be so daring; for what considering man would thus expose himself to danger to be esteemed gallant, who knows if he miscarry he is everlastingly miserable? If this merits the Encomium of courage, why may not those mad-men who inconsiderately expose themselves to danger, be also accounted valiant? Nay, the Horse that undauntedly, but inconsiderately, runs so many dangers, encounters so many perils in battle, may be as truely said to be valiant, as those men: But this is to mistake quite the true notion of courage.

p. 124That man that is affrighted with a small danger because it is present, but nothing amazed with a future danger which is certain and intolerable, is certainly both Fool and Coward. A Fool, in judging so badly, and mistaking his own interest and well-being: A Coward, in being afraid for a danger because it is present. He who runs from his Colours in time of Battle, proclaims himself to be a coward, although thereby he exposeth himself to a greater danger if he be apprehended, even the severe Sentence of the Martial Law justly inflicted upon Fugitives. How then can those men be accounted valiant, who for fear of some small danger they may run the hazard of here for Holiness, expose themselves to those vials of fury which is the portion of ungodly men hereafter?

SECT. 10. Holiness universally profitable, and above all things most advantageous.

In all secular affairs that concern practice, Gain and Advantage is the great argument and attracting inducement that prevails upon men; it is like oyl to the wheel, making its motion more easie and p. 125swift. There is no danger so terrifying, but men have hazarded on, who have had this motive to animate them: this is it that prompts the Mariner to expose himself to the dangers of the merciless Ocean, that excites Servants to toil so industriously, and encourageth Souldiers to fight battles.

That men may also be inspirited and allured to court Holiness upon the account of its utility and profit, I shall (abstracting from those advantages I have already instanced) now briefly discover, that Holiness is, first, profitable to men in every condition and state. Secondly, that it is attended with all outward blessings, and wants not a claim to a temporal felicity. Thirdly, That without it all other mercies are useless, and unable to quiet the Soul. Fourthly, That it is the most incomparable blessing, and frees the Soul from the worst of evils. Fifthly, That it is the best evidence of our being in favour with God, and of our adoption to Gods Family. And Lastly, That it is the best cordial against the fears of death, and affords the greatest satisfaction to men lying on their beds of languishing.

That Holiness is profitable and advantageous

p. 126That Holiness is profitable and advantageous to men in every condition and state, seems to be clearly enough asserted by the Apostle, when he says, Godliness is profitable for all things. But besides Scripture, Experience and Reason do joyntly agree in the proof of this. That man that is advanced above others in riches, has no ground to expect honour and reverence from men, if he walk not according to the rule of Holiness; that is, if he be not moderate and compassionate, if he restrains not his ambition and pride: And sure, without this love and reverence from others, his condition is not very happy, he lies exposed to infinite dangers.

Again, if a man be exposed to a mean and adverse estate, is environed with an infinite number of perplexing difficulties; yet this case is not altogether hopeless: for if he be not vitious, but on the contrary religious, besides the divine aid that is engaged for his relief, the circumstances he is stated in are apt motives to stir up bowels of compassion towards such a person.

Vnless the Magistrate, who is invested with Supream Power and Authority, imitate God in goodness as well as in greatness, p. 127his Authority will produce fear rather than love. The very Moralist could say, Sine bonitate nulla majestas. Those who will be at the pains to consult Experience, shall finde that good Princes have always been in the greatest esteem; and sure it is the most unpardonable villany to attempt any evil against religious Kings.

Holiness is also profitable for Subjects to teach them obedience, and to submit, not merely upon the account of wrath, but for Conscience sake; which is certainly the onelyonly safe expedient to secure the obedience of Subjects: And, I confess, I know not how that man can be a true Subject to his earthly Prince, who stands not to offend the God of Heaven. I know some who have pretended to much Holiness, have been the greatest villains; but this proves not that the rule of Holiness gives a Supersedeas or allowance to any to disobey Authority.

Art thou a Parent? the rule of Holiness (to which holy men conform) will instruct thee to be gentle and tender to thy Children, and not to provoke them to wrath, which is the onelyonly thing that lessens their affection. Art thou a Childe? it will teach thee to reverence and honour p. 128thy parents; in doing of which, thou entitlest thy self to the promise annexed to the fifth Commandment. In a word, it is profitable to make all manner of Relations live in quietness and peace, and to bestow mutual offices of love upon each other. It instructs men to be faithful in every calling and employment: and certainly the good man is to be trusted far rather than the wicked; for Religion lays an awe and restraint upon the one, but the other pretends no such motive to engage him to fidelity, especially if he may deceive and not be noticed. To this purpose Plutarch hath a notable saying: Pietate (saith he; Nat. Deor. lib. 1.) sublata sides etiam & Societas humanae generis, & una excellentissima virtus justitia tollitur.

There are several things useful for some men, but altogether unprofitable for others; but Holiness is equally profitable for all; there are none exempt from tasting its utility, but those who exclude themselves by a vitious conversation.

Secondly, Holiness is attended with all outward blessings, and wants not a claim to a temporal felicity, Matth. 6.33. Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all other things shall be added p. 129unto you. The promise of inheriting the Earth (by which all temporal felicity is meant) is made to the meek: Matth. 5.8. Blessed are the meek; for they shall inherit the earth. And indeed, we finde this blessing even promised to the posterity of those that fear the Lord, Psal. 25.13. And to put this beyond all doubt, we finde the Psalmist repeating this five times in one Psalm, Psal. 37.9, 11, 22, 29, 34. And the great Apostle tells us, that it is Godliness that hath the promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, 1 Tim. 4.8. The God of Heaven hath also assured us, that he will withhold no good thing from them that walk uprightly. Upon this account well might Wisdom say, Prov. 8.18. Riches and honour are with me: a plain instance of which, we have in Solomon, who because of his asking Wisdom to govern his Subjects, when he might as freely have ask'd Riches and Honour, he receives this answer from God, I have also given thee both riches and honour, 1 King. 3.13.

But however this discriminating providence doth not so discernedly appear here, yet there is no man but can attest Vice hath impoverished thousands; there being several sins that have a natural tendency p. 130to poverty. By means of a whorish woman, a man is brought to a piece of bread, Prov. 6.26. The like we may truely enough say of several other sins. I have seen (saith the Psalmist) the wicked great in power, and spreading himself like a green bay-tree; yet he passed away, and lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found, Psal. 37.35, 36. I confess, good men may be reduced to great wants, may be destitute of necessary provisions; nay, how frequently is this the lot of the most excellent and gallant Souls? yet this may be safely said, That a little that a righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked.

But then those things that best deserve the name of riches, because of their enriching the Soul, which being more excellent than the Body, must upon that account be of greater value than these things that onelyonly respect the Body, these are onelyonly peculiar to holy men: and such are the graces of the Holy Spirit, the combination of Christian vertues, the price of which is above that of Rubies. These are riches which are of a more lasting nature than those which the ignoble of the world call riches; they are not subject to the casualties which Gold p. 131and Silver and precious Stones are; which upon that account cannot be called a mans own, as Pagan Moralists have largely and excellently confirmed: And if we will not dispute with God, and contest his determination, we shall finde one single vertue receiving a more ample commendation than ever riches did; 1 Pet. 3.4. The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is in the sight of God of great price.

Although the holy and devout Soul may be reduced to our Saviours straits, not to have where to lay his head; yet how can he be said to be poor, since he possesses him who is All? The most adverse chances that befal such a Soul, cannot denominate it poor; there is a Crown and Princely Inheritance which belongs to it. Nay, besides that glorious reversion, we have express promises that such Souls shall not be altogether destitute of necessaries to sustain and support them in this their pilgrimage.

I have already shewed, that Honour and Pleasures are the attendants of Holiness: What in the world is more glorious, than for a man to conquer those lusts and inordinate appetites that seek the mastery over him? what pleasure is able to contest p. 132with those ravishing joys which result from a holy conversation? There is nothing imaginable that so exhilarates and revives men, as a calm and quiet Conscience. But I pass this.

In the next place I come to shew, that the enjoyment of all other blessings can never profit that man that wants Holiness. This is plainly attested by our Saviour, saying, What hath a man profited if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? To have an affluence of temporal mercies, cannot so much as contribute to a present felicity, where the forementioned qualification is lacking. Outward favours, not attended and chained with real Holiness, contribute onelyonly to enhance the misery of their possessor; they being proper fewel to increase the flame of inquietude and restlesness, but unfit to allay it. The greatest plenty of riches cannot satisfie the covetous minde, which like the Grave cries, Give, give. The whole world could not satisfie Alexander's insatiable ambition; but, as the Poet speaks, Aestuat infoelix angusto limite mundi.

'Tis indeed impossible for a man to enjoy p. 133that earthly felicity he designs, if he want Holiness: For, suppose he be possessed of it, yet the secret acknowledgement of a superiour power, impairs the delights that do arise from such a state, and makes him in the height of his fancied felicity startle and quake. Conscience, upon the apprehension of guilt, and the vengeance due to it, recoils upon the sinner, and disturbs his quiet enjoyment of the pleasures he might otherwise freely enough delight in. O how does it molest and torment him Nocte dieque suum gestare in pectore testem. to have an inward principle of Fear haunting the sinner in his most retired enjoyment of pleasures, which cannot be silenced by his utmost endeavours! This, this is it that torments him with anguish and confusion, that allays the imaginary pleasure of the most charming Lust, and in the midst of laughter makes his heart heavy: which fully verifies the truth of what I said; that the enjoyment of all other blessings can never free a man from torment, nor a whit profit him that is destitute of Holiness.

Fourthly, Holiness is the most incomparable p. 134blessing, and frees and Soul from the worst of evils. What David said of Goliahs Sword, I may more safely say of Holiness, There is none like it; nothing in the world so apt to remove those disasters and turmoiling fears that inwardly work upon and damp the mindes of men with severe checks and lashes, as Holiness, which being diametrically opposite to sin, which is the worst of evils, must therefore by a necessary consequence be the best of blessings.

Now seeing contraries placed near to other are the more discernable, I shall therefore take a short view of the evil and malignity of sin, that hereby the beauty and excellency of Holiness may appear the brighter, and have the greater force to conquer our affections.

To express the evil and malignity of sin, Scripture represents it by the most ugly and abominable things, by the most dangerous and terrible Diseases: Nay, the great Apostle seems to want language and comparisons too, to express the evil of it, when he calls it exceedingly evil, as if he had said, it infinitely transcends all other evils; the malignity of which, no Pen can fully delineate and describe, either in its nature or consequences.

p. 135In its Nature; the Scripture-character of it is, it is an enmity against God; a transgression and voluntary violation of his most holy and righteous Law; a disobedience of his Authority, and a wicked contempt of all the divine Attributes: 'tis the woful stain and blemish of our Natures, the disease of our Souls, and the reproach of our Reason.

The consequences of sin are fearful and fatal. So bad a cause can never fail to produce the worst effects; for besides all the temporal calamities and mischiefs that befal Mankinde, those unspeakable miseries and extream torments that accompany men to the other world, are also the dreadful and sad effects of sin. I have already shewed, that every vice is naturally attended with some particular punishment: but that indeed which is most terrible, which should mightily amaze and startle the sinner, are the dreadful miseries of another world: Alas! how dismal is the condition of those men who have lost the divine Image, and consequently his love and favour, and are liable to his fury and wrath? who are possess'd with a legion of impure lusts, which lead them captive, and hurry them headlong to perdition, where they must p. 136have their everlasting abode with impure spirits and devouring flames.

How impossible is it to give a just List and Catalogue of the sad and dreadful consequences of sin, or fully describe the evil and malignity of it! But yet this imperfect glance may in part satisfie and inform us, that a holy and vertuous life, which excludes all those mischiefs and inconveniencies which both in this and the next life attend sin, is the best of blessings, and frees us from the worst of evils.

Fifthly, Holiness is the best evidence of our being in favour with God, and of our adoption to Gods Family. How sedulous and inquisitive are many good Christians to understand their spiritual state and condition, that they may know into which of the two regions of the other world they shall be stated after death? This is certainly a matter of the greatest consequence, and deserves every mans most serious consideration; a mistake here being so exceedingly dangerous, like a wound in the vital parts, it proves mortal and incurable if continued in. Now the most infallible mark and character of our being in favour with God, and that which comprehends all others, is that p. 137which the beloved Apostle sets down, 1 Joh. 3.7, 8, 9, 10. Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doth righteousness is righteous. (And every one that doth righteousness is born of God, Chap. 2.29.) He that committeth sin is of the Devil— Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin— In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the Devil: Whosoever doth not righteousness, is not of God. Let men pretend what they will, if they be destitute of righteousness, they are of their Father the Devil, and can claim no interest in God as their Father; seeing it is purity of Spirit that gives us a title to be the Children of the most high; 2 Cor. 6.17, 18. Be ye separate, and touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. The whole tenour of the Scripture abounds with so many such instances, that I shall supersede a tedious citation of texts.

This then being so infallible and certain a character, methinks every rational man may quickly come to the knowledge of his spiritual estate. A bad man may certainly enough know whether he breaks the divine Laws, and goes in a continued p. 138course of sin; and a good man may sufficiently know whether he obeys the divine Laws, and is sincere in his actions. These are things so plain and undeniable, that all doubts of this kinde are ridiculous. Now 'tis no difficulty to draw these plain inferences: I break the divine Laws, therefore I am not of God: or, I obey them, therefore I am a Childe of God. And this every considering man, who impartially considers, and exactly examines his life and actions, may be fully enough ascertained whether he be a Childe of God or not. Alas! how useless and dangerous is it to ascend unto Heaven to search the secret and eternal Decrees of God, which belong not to us to pry into, that we may know whether our Names be written in the Book of Life or not? He that doth righteousness needs not fear any latent Decree concerning his reprobation; and it is the vainest thing imaginable, for impenitent and obstinate sinners to dream that God hath from eternity elected them to life. The pure nature of God is so perfectly opposite to sin, that it is quite impossible there can be any agreement betwixt him and sinners, no more than there can be betwixt light and darkness. The Psalmist acquaints us, That he is not p. 139a God that hath pleasure in wickedness. And the Apostle hath told us, That the wrath of God is revealed from Heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men. But yet the righteous Lord loveth the righteous: These are the men whom he esteems his Children, to whom the promises of eternal life belong.

In the last place, there is nothing in the world that will prove so effectual to comfort men at the hour of death, as the sweet thoughts of their being separated from the pollutions of the world. How unspeakably comfortable is it for men, when they are just stepping into the other world, to reflect upon the good life they have led, and that they carry in their bosoms Consciences void of offence both toward God and towards man? This is indeed that noble and Sovereign Cordial that revives the spirits of good men, in their passage through the valley and shadow of death, and makes their comforts abound and overflow.

Death is not so small a matter as some men think; in Scripture it is not unfitly called the King of terrours: Now nothing can free men from the terrour of it, but a good Conscience; and this cannot p. 140be had without Holiness, which makes all calm and serene within. It will afford men little pleasure when they come to die, to reflect upon the earthly pleasures they have enjoyed: these things profit not in the day of wrath; but the Conscience of well doing makes men salute death without dread and astonishment, and lift up their heads with joy, because the day of their redemption approacheth.

But with the ungodly and wicked it is not so; then their sins stare them in their face, and so terrifie and affright them, that no wonder though in the extremity of their agony they prefer strangling and death to life. If holy Job doth so heavily complain of the terrours of God, how much more terrifying shall the apprehensions of a severe and terrible judgement be to the unsanctified and polluted? To think how shortly he must be everlastingly separate from the good things he enjoyed here, and be cast into utter darkness, to have his portion with the damned in devouring Flames, to be an everlasting resident in the Lake of fire and brimstone, where he shall be continually tormented with that gnawing worm that never dies: These are the amazing thoughts p. 141that will seize upon the sinner: his Conscience then will not sleep; nothing will be able to allay those Storms and Tempests that are raised by the fearful expectation of the reward due to sin. At death, men are generally wiser than at other times; then they begin to consider what they have been doing, and call themselves fool a thousand times for their disobedience and wickedness. The smoak of worldly cares that formerly blinded their eyes, are now dispelled; they see their folly, when it is too late to mend it; and if they do no more, yet Balaam-like, they will cry, O that I might die the death of the righteous!