A Saint or a Brute, Part 2 · Chapter 9

A Saint or a Brute · Part 2 · Chapter 9

p. 232CHAP. IX. Holineſs is the moſt Honourable Way.

WE are reſolved if Scripture and Reaſon can reſolve us, that Godlineſs is the Safeſt, the Honeſteſt, and the Gainfulleſt courſe: I ſhall next ſhew you that it is the Moſt Honourable courſe. I know the world thinks otherwiſe of it. In moſt places it is a matter of reproach to be but ſerious and diligent in Gods ſervice. And though in this place and at this time, through the great mercy of God▪ it is not ſo with us, unleſs it be with here and there a ſottiſh drunkard, yet there are too few places that are ſo much freed from this plague. And it is not yet I fear forgotten of God, ſince the very practice of a Godly life, was a matter of greater ſcorn and deriſion, then to have been the prophaneſt ſwearer or drunkard. If a man would not have gone to the Ale▪ houſe with them, nor ſworn, or ſpoke prophanely as … did: and if he made any ſerious mention of the Scripture, … … life to come; if he reproved any groſs offendor, if he prayed and inſtructed his family, and ſpent the Lords Day in holy exerciſes, this was enough to brand him with the name of Puritan or Preciſian, and make him the common by-word of the town, and (let him be never ſo conformable to Biſhops and Ceremonies) if once he went under the name of a Puritan, he was looks upon as Lot in Sodom, by the open enemies of Piety, who inſulted over them, and lived ſecurely in open wickedneſs. This is the chiefeſt ſin that God hath been ſcourging this nation for, if I am able to underſtand his judgements: I know men are apt to interpret providences according to their own intereſts and conceits. But I take the help of the Scripture and the experience of former ages for my interpretation: and I am verily perſwaded (not excluding other ſins) that the great ſin for which God hath plagued England by a ſharp and bloody war, was the common ſcorn that was caſt upon his ſervice, it being made the deriſion of too many in the land. I never came into any place, where me…er ſerious diligence for ſalvation, was not branded with the name of Puritaniſm and too much Preciſeneſs; and thoſe that abſtained from iniquity were as Owles among p. 233their neighbours, even the very wonder and the reproach of thoſe about them. When this is made a Principle that all muſt hold that ever hope to be accepted with the Lord, in Heb. 11 6. that he is a Rewarder of them that Diligently ſeek him. This is the next point in our faith, to the Believing that there is a God. And yet among us that called our ſelves Chriſtians, the Diligent ſeeking of the Lord was ſo far from being thus eſteemed of, that it was the ſureſt way to make a man contemptible and odious unto many. The jealous God did long endure this horrible indignity, but would not ſtill endure it from us. Muſt he make a Holy Law for the Government of the world, and ſhall the obeying of it be derided? Is he our Soveraign Lord, having by Creation and Redemption the right of Ruling us, and ſhall we ſcorn them that will be Ruled by him? Thoſe that will not have Chriſt rule over them, will ſurely be deſtroyed, Luk. 19. 27. and ſhall thoſe eſcape that ſcorn his ſervice? Holineſs is the Image of God, and unholineſs the Devils image: And when the Image of God is made a ſcorn, and the Devils image had in honour, and that by them that call themſelves Chriſtians, was it not time for God to ariſe to judgement? Was it not enough that God was ſleighted by them, and his ſervice turned out of doors, but it muſt be made a by-word? Is there but one way Pleaſing unto God, and but one way that leadeth to ſalvation, and muſt that one way be the common ſcorn? For theſe things God had a controverſie with this land; and he hath pleaded his cauſe with fire and ſword, and ſpoke by a voice that will not be derided: he hash entered into judgement with Prieſts and people: He will not always ſupport and maintain a people to deride him. Oh England, hadſt thou none to make the foot-ball of thy ſcorn, but the ſervants of the moſt High God? Did he not tell theé that they were his Jewels, Mal. 3. 1. and that he that touched them did touch the apple of his eye? Zech. 2 8. Will he give his ſon for them, and will he Glorifie them with himſelf, and make them equal to the Angels, Luk. 20. 36. and didſt thou think he would give thee leave to make them the ſcorn and off-ſcouring of the world? Hadſt thou none to make the football of thy contemptuous ſport, but the ſons of God, the spouſe of Chriſt, yea his members, and the heirs of heaven? Oh fooliſh nation, hadſt thou none to deride and make thy by-word but Chriſt himſelf? Yea, it was Chriſt himſelf, though thou wilt not believe p. 234it▪ In as much as thou didſt it to one of the leſt of theſe his Brethren, thou didſt it unto him, Mat. 25. 40. In all their afflictions he was afflicted, Iſa. 63. 9. and therefore in all their reproaches he was reproached. All thoſe that were derided for Holineſs, were derided upon Chriſts account. If Holineſs be vile and to be ſcorned, then God himſelf is vile and to be ſcorned, and conſequently is no God: and what greater Blaſphemy could be uttered by the tongue of man? For God is Holineſs it ſelf. In us it is but a beam, from him the ſhining glorious Sun. If a little in us imperfect worms be hated by thee, how wouldſt thou hate the perfect Holineſs of God? And if we deſerve thy ſcorns for our obedience, (alas, our too imperfect obedience) it muſt fall upon him that made the Law, and gave us theſe commands. If he be too preciſe that imperfectly obeyeth God, what will you ſay of God himſelf that commandeth more then any of us all performeth? and that chargeth us on pain of damnation to obey him. O how much wiſelyer would you daily do, if you daily ſtudied, and diligently obeyed thoſe Laws your ſelves! If the Rulers of the earth would remember him that is the King of Kings, and did ſerve the Lord with fear, and rejoyced before him with trembling, and kiſt the Son to prevent his anger, and their periſhing in the way, Pſal. 2. 11, 12. O England! had thy diſobedient inhabitants never heard, how vain their rage and imaginations would be, when they ſet themſelves and took counſel againſt the Lord and his annointed, ſaying, let us break their bands aſunder, and caſt away their cords from us? Did they never hear that the deriders were derided by him that ſitteth in the heavens, and how he will ſhortly ſpeak to them in wrath, that ſpeak againſt his ways in malice, and will vox them in his ſore displeaſure, that vext his ſervants for the doing of his pleaſure? Will they not believe till Hell have taught them that in deſpight of all his Enemies, he will ſet his ſon the King of Saints upon his holy hill of Sion? Pſal. 2. 1. to 9. Had they never heard how hard at laſt it will prove for them to kick againſt the pricks? Act. 9. 5. And will they not know by any other means but feeling, that he will deſtroy thoſe as his enemies that would not have him to raign over them, Luk. 19. 27. and that he will break them with a Rod of iron, and daſh them in pieces like a Potters veſſel? Pſal. 2. 9. O Scorners, did you never read his words, 1. S…. 2. 30. p. 235[Them that honour me I will honour, and they that deſpiſe me ſhall be lightly eſteemed] Behold ye deſpiſers, and wonder and periſh: for this word ſhall be fulfilled upon you, and the work be wrought which you would not believe when God foretold it, and will not yet underſtand and believe, though it be declared to you, Acts 13. 41. Think not that the infirmities of the Godly do juſtifie your contempt of Godlineſs. Think not that a Judas in Chriſts family will Juſtifie you for making a ſcorn of his family, and perſecuting his diſciples? or that a Cham in the Ark, or the ſin of Noah will warrant you to make them as bad as the deſtroyed world, whom God had done ſo much to ſave? Think not when you have jeered at a Holy life, that God will take it for a good excuſe, to tell him that you had found a fault in his ſervants, or an hypocrite crept into his Church. He hateth their faults much more then you: but will you therefore hate their goodneſs? Condemn the breaches of his Laws and ſpare not; but will you therefore condemn the keeping of them? O England! if thou hadſt had the grace or wit to uſe Chriſt better in his wayes and ſervants, he would have uſed thee better, and dealt more gently with thy inhabitants, and flames and calamities might have been prevented. Often waſt thou told from 2 Chron. 36. 14. what it was that captivated Iſrael, and made their Prieſts and people to be the Heathens ſlaves [When the Lord God ſent unto them by his Prophets, becauſe he had compaſſion on his people and his dwelling place, they mocked the meſſengers of God, and despiſed his words, and miſuſed his Prophets, untill the wrath of the Lord aroſe againſt his people, till there was no remedy.] But alas, thou haſt gone much further then this. Iſrael mocked the Prophets; but I remember not that it is ever ſaid of them, that the way of godlineſs it ſelf was made a common ſcorn among them: but ſtill they gloried in the Lord, and in the Law, and in the Temple, and the Holy Worſhip. But here, if a man did but talk of heaven, or of any holy ſubject, or reprove a ſwearer, or not joyn with them in their impieties, the common cry was [This is one of the holy Brethren: here is is one of the Saints: It will never be well till we are rid of theſe Puritans and Preciſians.] How oft have I heard almoſt the ſame words from Engliſh men, as Lot did from Sodomites, Gen. 19. 9. [This one fellow same in to ſojourn, and he will needs be a Judge.] when they lived in their laſciviouſneſs, luſts, exceſs of drink, p. 236revellings, banquettings, and abominable prophanation of holy things, they thought it ſtrange that we ran not with them to the ſame exceſs of riot, speaking evil of us, but forgetting the account that their Judge was ready to require of them, 1 Pet. 4. 3, 4, 5.

Well! have you yet taken warning by the Judgements of the Lord? God hath begun to take away the reproach of Holineſs, and through his great mercy to us, it is more Honourable in England then formerly it hath been. Is it Honoured by you? Or are you hardened to perdition? Fearfull is the caſe of him whoever he be, that after all the gentle and terrible warnings of the Lord, dare think or ſpeak reproachfully of a Holy life! Yet hear the calls of the Eternal Wiſdom, Prov. 1. 20, 21, 22, &c. [How long ye ſimple ones will ye love ſimplicity, and the ſcorners delight in ſcorning, and fools hate knowledge? Turn you at my reproof.] But mercies and judgements are loſt on the hard-hearted, Iſa. 26. 10, 11. Let favour be ſhewn to the wicked, yet will he not learn righteouſneſs: in the land of uprightneſs will he deal unjuſtly, and will not behold the Majeſty of the Lord. When the hand of the Lord is lifted up, they will not ſee; but they ſhall ſee and be aſhamed for their envy at his people, and the enemies own fire ſhall devour them.] And then as they ſet at nought his counſell, and would none of his reproof, but mocked them that feared God; ſo will he alſo laugh at their calamity, and mock when their fear cometh.—For that they hated knowledge, and did not chooſe the fear of the Lord,] Prov. 1. 25, 26, 27, 29.

I will add but this one word of terror. To ſcorn at Holineſs, is to ſcorn at the Holy Ghoſt, whoſe office or work it is to ſanctifie us. As the Father hath commanded us to be Holy as he is Holy, 1 Pet. 1. 16. and made it his Image on us; and as the Son hath come to deſtroy unholineſs, 1 John 3. 8. and give us an example of perfect holineſs, and ſanctifie to himſelf a peculiar people, Titus 2. 14. ſo is it the undertaken work of the Holy Ghoſt, as ſent therefore from the Father and the Son, to make Holy all that God will ſave. And though I ſay not that it is the unpardonable Blaſphemy againſt the Holy Ghoſt to ſcorn his very work and office, yet I ſay it is a Blaſphemy againſt the Holy Ghoſt▪ ſo near that which is unpardonable, that the thoughts of it ſhould humble all that have been guilty, and make men fear ſo horrible a ſin. But [Beſſed is he that walketh not in the Counſel of the p. 237Ungodly, …or ſtandeth in the way of ſinners, nor ſitteth in the ſeat of the ſcornful: but his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night.] The curſe of the Lord is in the houſe of the wicked, but he bleſſeth the habitation of the juſt: Surely he ſcorneth the ſcorners, but he giveth grace unto the lowly, Prov. 3. 33, 34. Theſe are the true ſayings of the Lord.

I thought not meet to paſs by this neceſſary reproof of the contempt of Holineſs, which this Land hath been ſo guilty of, and which hath undone ſo many ſouls, and made ſuch deſolations in the Land. And now you ſhall ſee, that I am able to make good the grounds of this reproof, and that Holineſs is no Diſhonourable thing.

1. The Holy ſervants of the Lord have the moſt Honourable Maſter in all the world. This only is ſufficient to weigh down all the Honours of the world, if it were ten thouſand worlds. When the builders of the Temple were asked their names, by the Officers of King Darius, Ezra 5. 10, 11. their anſwer was [We are the ſervants of the God of Heaven and Earth.] No King on Earth, no Angel in Heaven hath a more honourable Maſter. To be the higheſt Officer of the greateſt Prince, is a Title as much more baſe then this, as man is baſer then the Infinite God. If God can not put ſufficient Honour on thoſe that are Related to him, tell us, who can? When Moſes went to Pharaoh for the Iſraelites deliverance, he was to ſpeak in the name of the Lord; and when Pharaoh ſpake contemptuouſly of the Lord, as one that he knew not and would not obey, how wonderouſly doth God vindicate his honour & his people! Let other men be called Knights, and Lords, and Kings, and Emperours; may I but be truly called the ſervant of the God of Heaven, I ſhall not envy them their honours! Our relation to ſo glorious a Majeſty doth put an unexpreſſible Honour upon the pooreſt perſon and the loweſt works. A ſervant of the Lord is more Honourable in rag…, in a ſmoaky cottage, or the meaneſt ſtate▪ then the Emperour of Conſtantinople or Tartary is in all their Wealth and Worldly Glory▪ And if you think not ſo your ſelves, why do you ſo much honour them when they are dead? What was Peter and Paul, and the reſt of the Apoſtles, but poor deſpiſed men in the p. 238world, that travailed about to preach the Goſpel? and what was their honour but to be the Holy Servants of the Lords? Yet now they are dead, you are deſirous to keep Holy dayes in an honourable memorial of them: and Kings and Princes reverence their names. What were the Martyrs whoſe memories are now ſo Honourable with us, but a company of hated perſecuted men, that were uſed by others as Butchers do their beaſts, and worſe? But becauſe they were the ſervants of the Lord, and ſuffered for his truth and cauſe, their names are honourable, and the names of their greateſt perſecutors do even ſtink. Its ſaid of Conſtantine the Great (who himſelf was Greater by his Holineſs then his Victories) that he was wont to reverence the Biſhops that had been ſufferers for Chriſt, and kiſſed the place where the eye abode that one of them had loſt for the Goſpels ſake. The Chriſtian Princes that ruled the world, were wont to Honour the pooreſt mortified retired ſervants of Chriſt, that had caſt off the world; as perceiving that he is more Honourable that contemneth it, then he that enjoyeth it. The neareſt to God undoubtedly are the▪moſt Honourable.

2. Conſider, that as it is God that the Saints are thus Related to, ſo their Relation is ſo near, and their Titles ſo exceeding high, which God himſelf hath put upon them, that it advanceth them to the greateſt height of Honour, that men on earth can reaſonably expect. Yea, with holy admiration we muſt ſay it, ſo wonderful is the Honour which the Glorious God hath put upon his poor unworthy ſervants, thar they durſt not have owned it, nor thought ſuch Titles meet for men, if God himſelf had not been the Author of them! Nor could they have believed that God would ſo advance them, if he had not both revealed it, and given them faith to believe his revelation. As if it were not enough for us to be his ſervants▪ he calleth us his friends! Joh. 15. 13, 14, 15. [Greater Love hath no man then this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatſoever I command you: Henceforth I call you not ſervants: For the ſervant knoweth not what his Lord doth: but I have called you friends: for all things that I have heard of my Father, I have made known unto you.] Jam. 2. 23. [Abraham was called the friend of God.]

2. And they are called the Lords Jewels, Mal. …. 17.

p. 2393. They are called his Beloved, and dearly Beloved, Deut. 33. 12. Pſalm 60. 5. & 127. 2. Cant. 2. 16. & 6. 3. & 7. 10. Holy and Beloved are inſeparable. Rom. 4. 7. [Beloved of God, called to be Saints.] Col. 3. 12. [the elect of God, Holy and Beloved.] They are the dearly beloved of his ſoul, Jer. 12. 7. For they are accepted in the Beloved, Eph. 1. 6. Even in the Beloved Son in whom the Father is well pleaſed, Matth. 3. 17. & 17. 5.

4. They are called children, or adopted ſons, Gal. 4 6. John 1. 12. And he diſdaineth not to be called their Father, Heb. 12. 9. Matth. 23. 9. 2 Cor. 6. 18. [I will be a Father to you, and ye ſhall be my ſons and daughters, ſaith the Lord Almighty.] Mal. 3. 17. He will spare them, as a man ſpareth his ſon that ſerveth him.]

5. They are called alſo the Heirs of Heaven, Rom. 8. 17. A more Honourable heritage then earth affords.

6. They are called a peculiar people to the Lord, Tit. 2. 14. and his peculiar treaſure, Exod. 19. 5. Pſal. 135. 4.

7. They are called Kings and Prieſts to God, Rev. 1. 6. They are a choſen generation, a Royal Prieſt-hood, a Holy Nation, a peculiar people, 1 Pet. 2. 9.

8. The ſanct fied are called the Spouſe of Chriſt, Cant. 4. 8. to 13. Becauſe of the ſimilitude of the holy Covenant which they make with Chriſt, to a marriage Covenant; and becauſe of the dearneſs of his love to them, and the nearneſs and ſweetneſs of his Communion with them, Mat. 21. 2, 4, 9. The Lord is ſaid to be married to them, Jer. 3. 14. And their Maker calls himſelf their Husband, Iſa. 54. 5.

9. Yea more, they are called the Members of Chriſt, 1 Cor. 6. 15. & 12. 12. They are the Body of Chriſt and members in particular. verſ. 27. We are members of his body, of his fleſh, and of his bone, loved and cheriſhed by him, as a man doth his own fleſh▪ Epheſ. 5. 25, 28, 29, 30, 32. They are kept by the Lord as the apple of his eye, Deut. 32. 10. And he that toucheth them toucheth the apple of his eye, Zech. 2. 8. What nearneſs! what dearneſs do thoſe terms expreſs!

10. Yea they are ſaid to be one with Chriſt, 1 Cor. 6. 17. [ … that is joyned to the Lord is one ſpirit.] John 17. 21, 22, 23. [That they all may be one, as thou Father art in me, and I in thee, that they alſo may be One in …, that the world may believe … …o… p. 240haſt ſent me—that they may be One, even as we are one, I in them and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one.] Not that they are One in God-head, or perſonality, or office with Chriſt, but moſt nearly conjoyned as ſubjects to their Prince, that make One Body Politick, and as a wiſe to a husband, and nearer then theſe can expreſs, in that they have the communications of his Spirit.

Judge now by all theſe wonderful Titles, whether any but an Atheiſt or Infidel can deny, that the Godly are the moſt Honourable people in the world. If it be not a contemptible thing to be the ſon of a King, much leſs to be the ſons of the eternal King. Deny the Honour of thoſe that are ſo nearly related to him, and you deny the Honour of God himſelf, and conſequently deny him to be God. Atheiſm is the beginning and end of all.

3. Moreover the ſervants of the Lord have the moſt Honourable Natures or Diſpoſitions in the world. And the Honour that ariſeth from a mans intrinſecal Diſpoſition, is far greater then that which accrueth to him from his parentage, or wealth, or worldly greatneſs, or any ſuch extrinſick accidents. Many a proud and worthleſs perſon doth boaſt of the Nobility of their Anceſtors, and tell you what blood doth run in their veins; when they have debaſed ſouls, and nothing advanced them of their Anceſtors, but their Riches, or the pleaſure of ſome Prince; and they know that the beggars at their doors did come from Noah as well as they. The Surgeon findeth no purer blood in their veins, then in the beggars; nor are their carkaſſes any more ſweet or lovely; and therefore if their manners are worſe, they are more baſe then honeſt beggars. It is the mind that beareth the true ſtamp of Nobility. They are the Nobleſt that have the Nobleſt ſouls. All the Silks and Velvers in the world, will not make an Ape as Honourable as a Man, nor an Ideot as a wiſe man. Solomon in all his Royalty was not cloathed like ſome of the flowers in the field, Mat. 6. 28. 29. and yet he was more Honourable then they. A Corpſe may be moſt ſum…tuouſly adorned: A Crown may be ſet on the head of an image. Such as the mind is, ſuch is the man. And that the ſouls of the ſanctified are more Nobly qualified then of other men, is eaſily demonſtrated. For,

1. Chriſt dwelleth in them by faith, and by his Spirit, Epheſ. …. 17. & 2. 22. We are the Temples of the Holy Ghoſt, 1 Cor. 6. 19. The new nature of the Saints hath no meaner an Author then p. 241the Lord himſelf. It is the Divine Power that giveth us all things that pertain to life and godlineſs, 2 Pet. 1. 3. As it is the Honourable work of God the Father to be our Creator, and of God the Son to be our Redeemer, ſo is it the Honourable work of God the Holy-Ghoſt to be our Sanctifier. And therefore as it is a Blaſpheming of the Creator to vilifie the Creation; and a Blaſpheming of the Redeemer to vilifie the Redemption; ſo is it a Blaſpheming of the Sanctifier to vilifie Sanctification. Though … I ſay not that it is the unpardonable Blaſphemy, yet a fearful Blaſphemy it is. O that thoſe wretches knew their crime, that mock at the ſpecial work of the Holy-Ghoſt.

2. The new creature is illuminated with a Heavenly light, and cured of its former mortal blindneſs, and is brought out of darkneſs into marvellous light, Eph. 1. 18. Acts 26. 18. Col. 1. 13. 1 Pet. 2. 9. and is taught of God, John 6. 45. 1 Theſ. 4. 9. 1 Joh. 2. 27. And it is more Honourable to ſee, then to be blind, and to live in the open Light, then in a dungeon. And it is the higheſt matters in the world that the gracious ſoul is ſavingly acquainted with. It is more Honourable to have the Knowledge of profoundeſt Sciences, then of ſome low and poor employment. And it is more Honourable to have the ſaving Knowledge of God, and of the life to come, which the pooreſt ſanctified perſon hath, then to have the moſt admired fleſhly wiſdom, or all the common learning in the world. What high, and excellent, and neceſſary things doth Grace acquaint the Chriſtian with? He knoweth him that is the cauſe of all things elſe, having himſelf no cauſe: He knoweth him that is knowledge it ſelf; and that knoweth all things: He knoweth him that is Eternal; that never began, and ſhall never end. That is Greater then the whole world: that is more glorious then the Sun: that can do all things becauſe he is Almighty; and yet can do no evil, becauſe he is moſt Good and Holy. He knoweth him that made the world and all things, and holdeth them in the hand of his Omnipotency, and Ruleth them by his wiſdom, and doth all things according to the good pleaſure of his will. He knoweth him that is mans felicity, to know whom is eternal life. He knoweth the Redeemer, and the Riches of his Grace and Promiſes. He knoweth the diſeaſes of his own ſoul, and their danger and cure. He knoweth what end he hath to aim at, and the work that he was made and Redeemed for to do: the Temptations which he muſt reſiſt; the enemies which he muſt p. 242conquer, the duties which he muſt perform: He knoweth his Redeemers Laws and Covenants. What he commandeth, promiſeth and threatneth, and to whom. He knoweth what will be hereafter; and where he ſhall live when this life is ended: and what he ſhall do ten thouſand years hence, yea unto all eternity. He knoweth what will become of all the Godly and ungodly (that die ſuch) in the world; and where they ſhall be for evermore. In a word, he knoweth whence he came, whithet he is going, and which way he muſt go. He knoweth God as his Maker, Governour and End: He knoweth that God that he muſt Pleaſe, and how to Pleaſe him, and how to be ſaved, and to live with God for ever. This is the honourable Knowledge of the Sanctified; which no men have but they alone. The cunning Polititians of the world have none of it, (as ſuch). The Speculators of nature, the great Mathematicians, the Learned Doctors, famous for their skill in Languages, Philoſophy, and the Theorie of Divinity, are o…t without it. They have more of the words, and notions, and forms, and methods, then unlearned Saints have: but they want the Thing that theſe are made for. They have the ſigns, and the Godly have the thing ſignified. They have the Body of Theologie, and the Godly Chriſtian hath the Soul. The ungodly Doctors have better skill to break the ſhell, but the Godly Chriſtian only knows how to eat the kernel. The Learned may be better at the office of a Cook, to dreſs the meat; but only the Godly do feed on it, and digeſt it. Knowledge is to be valued, (as all creatures are) according to its uſefulneſs. As it is more Honourable to know how to Govern a Kingdom, Command an Army or Navy, or ſave mens lives, then to make a fiddle or an hobby horſe; ſo is it ten thouſand-fold more Honourable, to know how to Order our hearts and lives, and to walk with God, and obtain the everlaſting Glory, then to know how to get the riches, and pleaſures, and vain-glory of the preſent world.

3. The ſanctified are made Alive to God, when other men are Dead in ſin. Rom. 6. 11, 13. Eph. 2. 1, 2. And the pooreſt man alive is more Honourable then the carkaſe of an Emperour. Eccl. 9. 4. A living dog, is better then a dead Lyon.

4. The ſanctified are cleanſed from the filthyneſs of their ſins▪ which are the moſt odious defilements in the world: and they are purified by the blood and ſpirit of Chriſt. 1 John 1. 7, 9. Epheſ. 5. 26. 2 Cor. 7. 1. The word of Chriſt hath made them clean▪ p. 243John 15. 3. Their hearts are purified by faith, Acts 15. 9. 1 Pet. 1. 22. 1 John 3. 3. And therefore the moſt odious part of their diſhonour is removed; ſin is a reproach to any people, Prov. 14. 34. Whatever it may ſeem before ungodly men, it is ſin that is your ſhame before the Lord: And this reproach the godly are now cleanſed from. Though it be a diſhonour to them that they were ungodly once, it is their honour that now they are not ſuch; and that they are cloathed with the righteouſneſs of Chriſt.

5. The Holy nature of the Saints diſpoſeth their hearts, and …nclineth their wills to the higheſt and moſt Honourable things. As in their Knowledge, ſo in their Inclinations, they are above the baſeneſs of the world. The nature of man is not to feed as beaſts and horſes, and dogs do: he is above their food; and above their converſe and kind of life: that will not content him that contenteth them. And the new nature of a ſanctified man, is above the delights and contents of the ungodly. His heart cannot endure to take up with their kind of life. To mind nothing but this world, and to have no pleaſure but to the fleſh, and live as an utter ſtranger to God, and not to feed on the Heavenly delights, and riches of the Goſpel, but live as if there were no ſuch things; this ſenſual life is below his Inclination, …s feeding on droſs, or converſing only with ſwine or cattle, is below the nature of a man. The noble ſoul is that which is inclined to the nobleſt objects: even to God, and Holineſs, and everlaſting life: and cannot endure the poor, and low, and ſordid life of men, that have their portion here. Pſalm 17. 14. Nothing that is corporeal, or tranſitory, yea nothing below God, can ſatisfie a holy ſoul. It is this Holy Diſpoſition, that fits men for holy Duties: and that is their fitneſs for eternal Happineſs. If Angels were not Holyer then Devils, and godly men then the ungodly, Heaven could not hold them, nor could they any more ſee or enjoy the Lord, then they that are caſt into outer darkneſs. And therefore if you dare ſay that the Holy are no more Honourable then the unholy, you muſt ſay that the Holy Angels are no more Honourable then the devils: which ſure you will ſcarce be ſo deſperate as to ſpe… ▪

6. Holineſs in the godly is the Image of God, in which we were created: and according to which we are renewed by the Holy Ghoſt. Eph. 4. 24. Col. 3. 10. Gen. 1. 27. And what can be ſpoken more Honourable of a creature, then that he hath his Makers Image▪ unleſs as to the Degree, that ſome have more of it p. 244then others. It is the honourable Title of the Son himſelf, that he [is the Brightneſs of his Fathers glory, and the expreſs image of his perſon] This is above the honour of any, or of all the Saints. But to have the Image of God in Wiſdom, and Holineſs, as all have that are ſanctified, is a wonderful dignity to be given to a creature, and ſo low and unworthy creatures as we are. His commands tell us what are the qualifications of his people. [As he which hath called you is Holy, ſo be ye Holy, in all manner of converſation: For it is written, Be ye Holy, for I am Holy.] 1 Pet. 1. 15, 16. And how high a command, and ſtrait a Rule is that, given us by Chriſt, Matth, 5. 48. [Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in Heaven is perfect!] Well may it be called an exceeding Righteouſneſs, ſurpaſſing the Scribes and Phariſees, which all have that enter into the Heavenly Kingdom, Matth. 5. 20. There is nothing under Heaven, that is known to man ſo like to God, as a Holy ſoul. Remember this the next time you reproach ſuch. All you that are the Serpents …eed, remember when you ſpit your venome againſt Holineſs, that it is the Image of God that your enmity is exerciſed againſt. O what a ſtrange conjunction of malignity and hypocriſie appeareth in the enemies of God among us! A picture of Chriſt that is drawn by a Painter, or a forbidden Image of God that is carved by an Image-maker in ſtone, that hath nothing but the name of an Image of God, theſe they will reverence, and honour, (though God hath forbidden them to make ſuch Images of him) The Papiſts will … before them, and the prophane among us are zealous for them: when in the mean time they hate the nobleſt Images of God on earth. Forbidden Images of God have been defended, by ſeeking the blood of his trueſt Images. Do you indeed Love and Honour the Image of God? Why then do you hate them, and ſeek to deſtroy them? And why do you make them the ſcorn of your continual malice? Can you blow hot and cold? Can you both Love and Hate, both Honour and Scorn, the Image of God? Search the Scripture, and ſee whether it be not the ſanctified, heavenly, diligent ſervants of the Lord that are the Honourable Image which he owneth, and magnifieth, and gloryeth in before the world. If this be not true, then go on in your hatred of them and ſpare not. Theſe are not Images of ſtone, but of Spirit: not Images made by a Carver or a Painter, but by the Holy-Ghoſt himſelf: Not hanged upon a wall for men to look on, but living p. 245Images, actuated from Heaven, by ſpiritual influence from Chriſt their head, and ſhining forth in exemplary lives to the honour of their Father whom they reſemble, Matth. 5. 16. It is not in an outward ſhape, but in ſpiritual wiſdom, and Love, and Holineſs of heart and life, that they reſemble their Creatour. Whether you will believe it now or not, be ſure of it, you malignant enemies of Holineſs, that God would ſhortly make you know it, that you choſe out the moſt excellent Image of your maker under Heaven, to pour out your hatred and contempt againſt. And in as much as you did it to his nobleſt Image, you did it unto him.

7. If all this be not enough to ſhew you the Honourable Nature of Holineſs, I will ſpeak the higheſt word that can be ſpoken of any created nature under heaven, and yet no more then God hath ſpoken; even in 2 Pet. 1. 4. where it is expreſly ſaid, that the Godly are [partakers of the Divine Nature.] I know that it is not the Eſſence of God that is here called the Divine Nature that we partake of: we abhor the thoughts of ſuch blaſphemous arrogancy, as if that grace did make men Gods. But its called the Divine nature, in that it is cauſed by the Spirit of God, and floweth from him, as the Light or ſunſhine floweth from the ſun. You uſe to ſay, the ſun is in the houſe, when it ſhineth in the houſe, though the ſun it ſelf be in the firmament: ſo the Scripture ſaith that God dwelleth in us, and Chriſt and the ſpirit dwelleth in us, when the Heavenly Light and Love and Life, which ſtreameth from him dwelleth in us; and this is called the Divine Nature. Think of this, and tell me whether higher and more Honourable things can eaſily be ſpoken of the ſons of men, 1 Joh. 4. 16. [God is Love; and he that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God, and God in him.] O wonderful advancement! high expreſſions of a creatures dignity! Bleſſed be that Eternal Love that is thus communicative, and hath ſo enobled our unworthy ſouls: with what alacrity and delight ſhould we exalt his name by daily praiſes that thus exalteth us by his unſpeakable merciemercy? Pſal. 75. 10. & 89. 16, 17. [Bleſſed is the people that know the joyful ſound: they ſhall walk O Lord in the light of thy countenance: In thy name ſhall they rejoyce all the day: and in thy righteouſneſs ſhall they be exalted: For thou art the glory of our ſtrength; and in thy favour our horn ſhall be exalted: For the Lord is our defence, and the holy one of Iſrael is our King.] p. 246Pſal. 148. 13, 14. [Let them praiſe the name of the Lord: for his Name alone is excellent: his Glory is above the Earth and Heavens: He alſo exalteth the horn of his people; the Praiſe of all his Saints.] He hath firſt exalted our bleſſed Head, even highly exalted him by his own right hand, and given him a name above every name, Act. 2. 33. & 5. 31. Phil. 2. 9. and with him he hath wonderfully exalted all his ſanctified ones, Heb. 2. 10. 11. For it became him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many ſons to Glory, to make the captain of their ſalvation perfect through ſufferings: For both he that ſanctifieth and they that are ſanctified, are all of One: for which cauſe he is not aſhamed to call them Brethren.] 1 Cor. 12. 12. [For as the Body is One, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many are one body: ſo alſo is Chriſt.] What greater honour can man on earth be advanced to? And the Honour of the juſt is communicative to the ſocieties of which they are members. The Churches are called Holy for their ſakes. [Prov. 11. 11. By the bleſſing of the upright the City is exalted: but it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked] Prov. 14. 34. [Righteouſneſs exalteth a nation: but ſin is a reproach to any people] Let therefore both the perſons and Congregations of the Saints continually exalt the name of God: [O Bleſs the Lord for ever and ever, and bleſſed be his glorious name, which is exalted above all bleſſing and praiſe.] Neh. 9. 5. [The Lord liveth: and bleſſed be our Rock: and exalted be the God of our Rock of our ſalvation.] 2 Sam. 22. 47. [Pſal. 30. 1. I will extoll thee O Lord, for thou haſt lifted me up.] Pſal. 27. 6. [And now ſhall my head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle ſacrifices of joy; I will ſing, yea I will ſing praiſes unto the Lrrd.] Pſal. 28. 8, 9. [The Lord is their ſtrength, the ſaving ſtrength of his annointed: He will ſave his people, and bleſs his inheritance, and feed them alſo, and lift them up for ever.] Pſal. 147. 6. The Lord lifteth up the meek, and caſteth the wicked down to the ground.] Thus ſhall it be done to them whom God doth delight to Honour. He will Deliver them and Honour them? Pſal. 91. 15.

4. And as the ſanctified have the moſt Honorable diſpoſitions, ſo have they the higheſt and moſt Honorable Deſigns. The End of their lives is incomparably above other mens. The reſt of the world (though they may talk of Heaven, and wiſh for it rather p. 247then Hell, when they can live no longer) do indeed drive on no greater trade, then providing for the fleſh, and feathering them a neſt which will quickly be pulled down: and like the ſpider, ſpinning themſelves a web, which death will ſhortly ſweep away. But the Deſign and daily buſineſs of the Godly is for everlaſting Glory. Heb. 11. 10. They look for a City that hath foundations, whoſe builder and maker is God.] verſ. 13, 14, 15, 16. They confeſs themſelves ſtrangers and pilgrims on earth, thereby declaring that they ſeek a Countrey. And truly if they were mindful of that (deceitful world) which they came out of (and have forſaken) they may have opportunities (and too many invitations) to return to it: But now they deſire a better Countrey, that is, an Heavenly: Wherefore God is not aſhamed to be called Their God: for he hath prepared for them a City] This Noble End ennobleth both the perſons and converſations of believers. To Rule a Kingdom is a Nobler deſign then to play with children for pins or points. But to ſeek the Everlaſting Kingdom is far above all the higheſt deſigns that are terminated upon earth. If Everlaſting Glory with God in Heaven, be a nobler ſtate then a worldly life, then muſt the ſeeking it be a nobler deſign. Paul ſheweth you the difference very pathetically, Phil. 3. 18, 19, 20. [For many walk (of whom I told you often, and now tell you 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 mind earthly things: But our Converſation is in Heaven] that is, we live as Citizens of the heavenly Jeruſalem, and not as thoſe that are here at home. It is Heaven that ſanctified perſons mind; that they ſtudy and care for, and labour and live for in the world. And therefore, though in their Natural capacity, they are but as other men, yet in their Moral and Relative capacity, I think I may ſay without Hyperbole, that they are much more advanced above the dignity of the great unſanctified Princes upon earth, then Reaſon, and learning, and manly deſigns advance a man above a beaſt. It is the Nobleneſs and baſeneſs of the end that doth honour or abaſe the agent: and therefore none are truly. Honourable but thoſe that ſeek the ſpiritual, the high, eternal Honour.

5. The Employment as well as the Deſigns of the Godly, do prove them to be the moſt Honourable. Both the End and Matter do ſhew the excellency of their Work. As the End p. 248Honoureth the perſon, ſo doth it Honour all the works that are Means thereto. The firſt thoughts of a Godly man when he awaketh, and the laſt when he lyeth down (if he obſerve his Rule) are uſually for Heaven. When you are converſing with worldly men, about theſe common worldly things, they are in prayer or holy meditation converſing with God, about the matters of his ſervice and their ſalvation. Their hearts are toward him: their thoughts are on him: They are devoted to him: Their daily buſineſs is to ſerve him. [When I awake (ſaith David, Pſal. 139. 28.) I am ſtill with thee.] Pſal. 16. 7. 8. [I will bleſs the Lord who hath given me counſel: my reins alſo inſtruct me in the night ſeaſons. I have ſet the Lord always before me: becauſe he is at my right hand, I ſhall not be moved] The life of the Godly is called in Scripture [a walking with God] ſuch was the courſe of Henock, Noah, and Abraham, Gen. 5. 22, 24. & 6. 9. & 17. 1. & 24. 40. They walked before God, Gen. 48. 15. and in his ways, Deut. 28. 9. They love the Lord their God with all their heart and ſoul (as to the ſincerity of it:) and walk after him, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ſerve him and cleave unto him, Deut. 13. 3, 4. And can an inhabitant of this world have a more honourable imployment then to ſerve the Lord? and a more honourable ſtate then to walk with God? ſhould we not have thought ſuch words intolerable to be uſed of the beſt on earth, if God had not been himſelf the author of them, and put them into our mouths? Hear more of his own expreſſions concerning the converſations of his ſervants [1 Cor. 1. 9. God is faithful by whom ye were called unto the fellowſhip of his ſon Jeſus Chriſt] 1 Joh. 1. 3. [And truly our Fellowſhip is with the Father, and with his Son Jeſus Chriſt] By [fellowſhip] is not meant here [a ſociety of equals.] God forbid we ſhould think ſo blaſphemouſly: But it is a Communion of the beloved ſanctified Creature with his bleſſed Creator, agreeable to his diſtance. In their ſecret addreſſes, his ſervants have communion with him: Their Prayer is nothing elſe but a humble ſpeaking to the living God, for the ſupply of all their wants. In their Praiſes and Thankſgivings it is God that they deal with: and the words of their mouths and the meditation of their hearts, are acceptable is the ſight of their Redeemer, Pſal. 19. 14. They poure out their ſouls before him: and he openeth his ears and his boſome p. 249unto them, Pſal. 62. 8. & 10. 17. [He will feed kis flock like a ſhepherd: he will gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his boſom, and ſhall gently lead thoſe that are with young.] Iſa. 40. 11. And in the publick Worſhip of God in the holy Aſſemblies, his ſervants alſo have communion with him: It is him that they hear whoever be the meſſenger: It is him that they adore, and praiſe and magnifie [Come (ſay they) and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord: to the houſe of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his wayes, and we will walk in his paths—Come, and let us walk in the light of the Lord] Iſaiah 2. 3, 5. [We have thought of thy loving kindneſs, O God, in the midſt of thy Temple] Pſalm 48. 9. [In his Temple doth every man ſpeak of his glory.] Pſalm 29. 9. Yea, the common employments of the Godly are ſanctified, and thereby advanced above the higheſt actions of the wicked. For it is God and Glory that is in all their ultimate End. [Whether they eat or drink, or what ever they do, they do it to his glory, 1 Cor. 10. 31. That is, They intend his Glory as their end, and they do it in reverent obedience to his Will, and in a holy manner behaving themſelves as may honour him whoſe work they do. And he that hath the face to ſay, that Prayer, Praiſe, Thanksgiving, Meditation, holy conference and other works of Holineſs and Righteouſneſs, are not a more Honourable employment then the ſordid drudgery of the world, muſt ſay alſo that the life of a worldling is more Honourable then the life of the holy Angels and the heavenly hoſt. They are obeying and praiſing God, and living in the ſenſe of his deareſt love, while you are ſinning and ſcraping in this Earth. And can you believe that your life is more Honourable then theirs? If not; you muſt confeſs, that the Godly that come neareſt the work of Angels, do live a more Honourable life then you. When Chriſt called Peter to leave his fiſhing and follow him and be his ſervant, he tells him that he will make him a fiſher of men: as intimating that it was a more honourable work to catch ſouls by the Goſpel, and win them to God and to ſalva…ion, then to catch fiſhes. To pleaſe God and ſave our ſouls, and further others in obeying him to their ſalvation, is the Higheſt work that the ſons of men are capable of while they live in fleſh.

As the Prieſts were ſanctified to draw nearer unto God, then the common people, and to be employed in his moſt Holy ſervice, p. 250ſo are the godly ſeparated by grace from the ungodly world, and brought nearer God, and uſed by him in the nobleſt works. [In a great houſe there are not only veſſels of Gold and of Silver, but alſo of wood, and of earth, and ſome to honour, and ſome to diſhonour.] 1 Tim. 2. 20. [If a man therefore purge himſelf from ſin, he ſhall be a veſſel unto honour, ſanctified, and meet for the maſters uſe, and prepared unto every▪ good work.] Ver. 21. The Veſſel that Swine are fed in, is not ſo Honourable as that which is uſed at a Princes table. If you would know what uſe the Godly are employed in, read 1 Pet. 2. 5, 9. [As lively ſtones they are built up a spiritual houſe: they are a holy Prieſthood to offer up spiritual ſacrifices unto God, which ſhall be acceptable by Jeſus Chriſt. They are a choſen generation, a royal Prieſthood an holy Nation, a peculiar people that they ſhould ſhew forth the praiſes of him who hath called them out of darkneſs into his marvellous light:]▪ The holy Scriptures tell you the work of Saints: Compare them with the work of the drunkard, the glutton, the gameſter, the fornicator, or the covetous or ambitious worldling, and let your reaſon tell you which is the more Honourable, Pſalm 34. 9. [O fear the Lord ye his Saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.] Pſal. 31. 23. [O Love the Lord all ye his Saints: for the Lord preſerveth the faithful.] Pſal. 89. 5, 7. [The heavens ſhall praiſe thy wonders O Lord: thy faithfulneſs alſo in the Congregation of the Saints. God is greatly to be feared in the Aſſembly of the Saints: and to he had in reverence of all them that are about him.] Theſe are the employments of the Saints.

6. Moreover, the Godly have the moſt Honourable entertainment by the God of all the world. They are bid welcome when others are rejected. The door is opened to them that is ſhut againſt the wicked. They are familiar with Jeſus Chriſt, as the children of the family, when others are ſtrangers whom he will not know. Cant. 5. 1. Matth. 25. 10. Matth. 7. 23. [I will profeſs unto them, I never knew you: depart from me ye workers of iniquity.] Pſalm 1. 6. [For the Lord knoweth the way of the Righteous: but the way of the ungodly ſhall periſh.] The faithful are feaſted by him, when the reſt are examined with a [Friend, how comeſt thou in hither, not having on a wedding garment! bind him hand and foot and caſt him into outer darkneſs,] Matth. 22. 12, 13. They are called the children that have the bread, and the reſt are p. 251called the dogs; of which ſome are without, and thoſe within do feed but on the crums that fall from the childrens table, Matth. 15. 26, 27. Revel. 22. 15. Hear the Lords invitation and his promiſe: Iſa. 55. 2, 3. [Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good; and let your ſoul delight it ſelf in fatneſs; Encline your ear, and come unto me, hear and your ſoul ſhall live, and I will make an everlaſting Covenant with you.] Who is it that is admitted into the Tabernacle of the Lord, and who ſhall dwell in his holy hill? He that walketh uprightly and worketh righteouſneſs, and ſpeaketh the truth in his heart.—In whoſe eyes a vile perſon is contemned, but he honoureth them that fear the Lord, Pſalm 15. 1, 2, 4. The upright ſhall dwell in the preſence of the Lord.] Pſalm 140. 13. [God will ſave Sion,—and the ſeed of his ſervants ſhall inherit it▪ and they that love his name ſhall dwell therein.] Pſal. 69. 35, 36. And [Bleſſed is the man whom thou chooſeſt, O Lord, and cauſeſt to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy Courts: he ſhall be ſatisfied with the goodneſs of thy Houſe, even of thy holy Temple.] Pſal. 65. 4. Saith David [Mine eyes ſhall be upon the faithful of the Land, that they may dwell with me: he that walketh in a perfect way, he ſhall ſerve me.] Yea, Chriſt entertaineth faithful ſouls with a ſpiritual feaſt of his own fleſh and blood. His fleſh to them is meat indeed, and his blood is drink indeed, John 6. 55. and he that eateth and drinketh theſe, ſhall live for ever, Verſe 54, 56. The returning Prodigal is met with joy, and quickly embraced in his Fathers arms; the fatted Calf is killed for him: a ring and new apparell is provided him: and muſick muſt expreſs the Joy for his recovery, Luke 15. O how welcome are converted ſinners to the God of mercy? And as they are welcome at their firſt return, ſo are they in all their attendance on him, and addreſſes to him, and ſervice of him, while they continue in his family. They have boldneſs now to enter into the Helieſt, by the new and living way that is conſecrated: and are invited to draw near with a true heart in full aſſurance of faith, Heb. 10. 19, 22. [In Chriſt we have boldneſs and acceſs with confidence by the faith of him.] Epheſ. 3. 12. And God hath made us accepted in the beloved, to the praiſe of the glory of his grace, Epheſ. 1. 6. We are living ſacrifices, acceptable unto God, Rom. 12. 1. And our ſervices, though weak, are ſacrifices acceptable and well-pleaſing to him, Phil. 4. 18. 2 Tim. 2. 3. & 5. 4. p. 252when the prayers of the wicked are abhorred of the Lord; his people ſerve him acceptably in reverence and godly fear, Heb. 12. 28. He anſwereth their prayers, and often ſpeaketh peace unto them, and ſignifieth his acceptance of them. If they could bring him a houſe full of Gold and Silver, they would not be ſo welcome to him as they are in bringing him their hearts, their humbled hearts, their broken, tender, melted hearts, that burn in Love to him, and flame up towards him in deſires and in holy praiſe. [To this man will I look, ſaith the Lord, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at my Word] Iſa. 66. 2. This is the Honourable entertainment of the Saints.

7. And they are members of the moſt Honourable Society in the world. The Church is the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt, Luke 1. 33. Col. 1. 13. The Kingdom of God, Luke 17. 21. & 18. 17. The Kingdom of Heaven, Mat. 3. 2. & 13. 31, 33, 44. It is the School of Chriſt, or his Univerſity, in which Believers are his Schollars, learning to know him, and ſerve him, and praiſe him for ever, and trained up for everlaſting life, Acts 11. 26. Luke 6. 13. Mat. 5. 1, 2, &c. It is the family or houſhold of God, Eph. 2. 19. 1 Tim. 3. 15. Heb. 10. 21. 1 Pet. 4. 17. It is the Spouſe, yea the Body of Chriſt, Eph. 5. 25. So loved by him, that he gave himſelf for it, becoming the price of our Redemption, and thought not his life too dear a Ranſom, nor his blood too precious to cleanſe and ſave us, Eph. 5. 25, 26. Tit. 2. 14. The Church, which every godly man is a living member of, is a Society choſen out of the world, to be neareſt unto God, and deareſt to him, as the beloved of his ſoul; to receive the choiceſt of his mercies, and be adorned with the righteouſneſs of Chriſt, and to be employed in his ſpecial ſervice, 1 Pet. 2. 4, 5, 9. John 15. 19. Eph. 1. 4. Pſalm 132. 13. & 135. 4. Eph. 5. 1. The Lord that Redeemed them is their King and Head, and dwelleth in the midſt of them, and walketh among them, as the people of his ſpecial preſence and delight, Pſalm 2. 6. & 89. 18. & 149. 2. & 46. 5. Iſa. 12. 6. Jer. 14. 9. Zeph. 3. 5, 15, 17. Rev. 1. 13. & 2. 1. Pſalm 95. 2. The Church is a Heavenly Society, though the militant part yet live on earth: For the God of Heaven is the Soveraign and the Father of it: The glorified Redeemer is their Head: The Spirit of Chriſt doth guide and animate them: His Laws revealed and confirmed from Heaven, direct and govern them: Heaven is their end; and heavenly are their diſpoſitions, p. 253employments and converſations: There is their portion and treaſure, Matth. 6. 20, 21. and there is their very heart and hope. They are riſen with Chriſt, and therefore ſeek the things that are above: For their life is hid with Chriſt in God, Col. 3. 2, 3, 4. Their Root is there: and the nobleſt part of the Society is there: For the glorified Saints, and in ſome ſort the Angels, are of the ſame Society with us; though they are in heaven and we on earth. The whole family in Heaven and earth is named from one and the ſame Head, Eph. 3. 15. [Heb. 12. 22, 23. 24. We are come unto Mount Sion, and unto the City of the living God, the heavenly Jeruſalem, and to an innumerable company of Angels, to the General Aſſembly and Church of the firſt born, which are written in Heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of juſt men made perfect, and to Jeſus the Mediator of the New Covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, &c.] This is the Honourable Society of Saints: the eye, the pearl of the whole Creation.

8. Moreover, the Godly have the moſt Horourable Attendance. The creatures are all theirs: though not in point of Civil propriety, yet as means appointed and managed by God their Father, for their beſt advantage. The Angels of God are miniſtring ſpirits for them: not as our ſervants, but as Gods ſervants for our good. As Miniſters in the Church are not the ſervants of men, but the ſervants of God for men: And ſo whether Paul, or Apollo, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things preſent or to come, all are ours.] 1 Cor. 3. 22. The Shepherds ſervant is not the ſervant of the ſheep, but for the ſheep. And ſo the Angels diſdain not to ſerve God, in the guarding of the weakeſt Saints. As I formerly ſhewed from Heb. 1. 14. & Pſalm 91. 11, 12. & 34. 7. [The Angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. For he giveth his Angels charge over us, to keep us in all our wayes: they ſhall bear us up in their hands, left we daſh our foot againſt a ſtone.] Sun and Moon, and all the creatures, are daily employed in our attendance. O how wonderful is the Love of God to his unworthy ſervants, in their advancement! Remember it, when thou art ſcorning at the ſervants of the Lord, or ſpeaking againſt them, that thoſe poor, thoſe weak deſpiſed Chriſtians, that thou art vilifying, have their Angels beholding the face of God their Father in the Heavens: Take heed therefore that you deſpiſe not the leaſt of theſe. It is the warning of p. 254Chriſt, Matth. 18. 10. The ſame bleſſed ſpirits that attend the Lord, and ſee his face in bliſsful Glory, do attend and guard the meaneſt of the godly here on earth. As the ſame ſervants uſe to wait upon the Father and the children, in the ſame family, or the bigger children to help the leſs.

9. And it is the Honour of the Godly, that they that are themſelves moſt Honourable, do Honour them. To be magnified by a fool, or wicked flatterer, is ſmall Honour: but to be magnified by the beſt and wiſeſt men, this is true Honour. We ſay that Honour is in him that giveth it, and not in him that receiveth. But it is God himſelf that Honoureth his Saints: It is he that ſpeaketh all theſe great and wonderous things of them which I have hitherto recited. Search the Texts which I have alledged, and try whether it be not he. And ſurely to have the God of Heaven to applaud a man, and put Honour upon him, and ſo great Honour, is more then if all the world had done it. Yet we may add, (if any thing could be conſiderable that is added unto the approbation of God) that all his ſervants, the wiſeſt, and the beſt, even his holy Angels, are of the ſame mind, and honour the godly in conformity to their Lord.

And here Chriſtian, I require thee from the Lord, to conſider the greatneſs of thy ſin and folly, when thou art too deſirous of the applauſe of men, eſpecially of the blind ungodly world; and when thou makeſt a great matter of their contempt or ſcorn, or of their ſlanderous cenſures. What! is the approbation of the eternal God ſo ſmall a matter in thy eyes, that the ſcorn of a fool can weigh it down, or move the ballance with thee? If a feather were put into the ſcales againſt a mountain, or the whole earth, it ſhould weigh as much as the eſteem or diſ-eſteem of men, their▪ honouring thee, or diſhonouring thee, ſhould weigh againſt the eſteem of God, and the honour or diſhonour that he puts upon thee, (as to any regard of the thing it ſelf; though as it reflecteth on God, thou maiſt regard it.) He is the wiſe man that God calls wiſe: and he is the fool that God calls fool: (and that is every one that layeth up riches for himſelf, and is not rich towards God, Luke 12. 20, 21.) He is the Happy man that God calls Happy; and he is a miſerable man that God counts miſerable: and who thoſe are, you may ſee in Pſalm 1. and many Scriptures before-cited. Hear the words (and you that are Believers, lay up the bleſſed promiſe) of Chriſt himſelf, John 12. 26. p. 255[If any man ſerve me, him will my Father Honour.] And who cares then for the diſhonours of all the wicked of the world? Our tryed faith as preciouſer then Gold, will be found unto praiſe, and honour, and glory, at the appearing of Jeſus Chriſt.] 1 Pet. 1. 7. See 2 Tim. 2. 21. We muſt learn therefore to imitate our Lord, John 5. 41. and not to receive our Honour from men; and not to imitate the wicked, verſ. 44. that receive Honour one of another, and ſeek not the Honour that cometh from God. There is enough for us in Gods approbation. And yet all his ſervants do imitate their Lord; and his Judgement is their Judgement; and whom he honoureth, them do they honour; Angels, and Saints, and all that enter into the Tabernacle of the Lord, do contemn the vile, and honour them that fear the Lord, Pſalm 15. 4. And though no mans Judgement or Praiſe be valuable in compariſon of the Lords; yet the Honour and Praiſe that is given by the wiſe and Godly, is more then a thouſand times as much from ignorant ungodly men. If the Athenian Orator regarded the cenſure of Socrates more then of all the reſt of his auditors, we have cauſe to judge he Elogies of experienced holy men a greater honour then of thouſands of the wicked, & greater then all their contempt or ſcorn is able to weigh down. The applauſe of the wicked is ofttimes a diſhonour in wiſe mens eyes. Was it not Balaams chiefeſt honour to hear from Balak, [I thought to promote thee to great Honours, but the Lord hath kept thee back from Honour.] Numb. 24. 11. The Honour that God keepeth a man from, is no Honour: but it is an Honour to be kept from ſuch Honour by the Lord: innocent poverty is incomparably more Honourable then Riches by iniquity, which is the greateſt ſhame.

10. Laſtly it is unſpeakable everlaſting Honour that holineſs doth tend unto, and which holy men ſhall enjoy with God. The very Relation of a Godly man to his everlaſting Glory, is an Honour ten thouſand times ſurpaſſing the Honour of all the Kingdoms of the world. If you did but know that one of your poor neighbours ſhould certainly be a King, would you not preſently honour him, even in his rags? You may know that the Saints ſhall raign with Chriſt, as ſure as if an Angel from heaven had told you ſo, and more; and therefore how ſhould a Saint be honoured? If God had but legibly marked out ſome among you for ſalvation, and written in their fore-heads, [This man ſhall be ſaved] would not all the Pariſh reverence that man? Why a Heavenly▪ p. 256mind, and the Love of God, and ſelf-denyal, and holy obedience, are Heaven-marks infallible, as true as the Goſpel, and written by the ſame hand as the Goſpel was, I mean by the Spirit of God himſelf: If a voice from Heaven ſhould ſpeak now of any perſon in the Congregation, and ſay, [This man ſhall raign in Heaven for ever] would it not be an Honour above all your worldly Honours? Why Holineſs is Gods Image, and the Spirit is the earneſt of our inheritance, and beareth witneſs with our ſpirits, that we are the ſons of God, and we have the promiſe, and ſeals, and oath of God for our confirmed certainty; yea and the Knowledge of God in Chriſt is the beginning of eternal life, John 17. 3. and what would we have more? The preſence of Chriſt in a little of his Glory upon the Mount, tranſported the three Diſciples: And the glympſe of the Glory of God which Moſes ſaw, did make his face ſhine that the Iſraelites could not behold it. The approaches of the Saints to God in holy Worſhip here on earth, are exceeding Honourable, becauſe they participate of heaven, and it is upward that they look: 1 Chron. 16. 27. [Glory and Honour are in his preſence: ſtrength and gladneſs are in his place.] The ſoul that is beholding God by faith, and converſing with the Heavenly inhabitants, is quite above all earthly things: and as Angels are more honourable then men, and Heaven then Earth, ſo are Believers that converſe in Heaven with Angels, yea with Chriſt himſelf by faith, more honourable then terreſtrial carnal men.

But the great Honour is behind; yet near at hand; when the promiſed Crown is ſet upon their heads: O mark the Honour that is promiſed them by the Lord of truth. The ſoul it ſelf before the Reſurrection of the body, ſhall be with Chriſt, Phil. 1. 23. Even preſent with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5. 1. 8. John 12. 26. [If any man ſerve me, let him follow me, and where I am, there ſhall alſo my ſervant be.] And at the Reſurrection Chriſt that hath loved the Church and gave himſelf for it, that he might ſanctifie and cleanſe it—will preſent it to himſelf a glorious Church, not having ſpot or wrinkle, or any ſuch thing, but that it ſhould be holy and without blemiſh, Eph. 5. 25, 26. Will they not be Honourable even in the eyes of the ungodly world, when they hear the ſentence of their Lord, [Come ye bleſſed of my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, Mat. 25. 34.] and verſ. 23. [Enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord:] p. 257[When Chriſt ſhall come to be Glorified in his Saints, and admired in all them that believe] 2 Theſ. 1. 10. Mark here; that it is one end of the coming of Chriſt, to be Glorified and admired in his Saints. [Behold the Lord cometh with ten thouſands of his Saints, to execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard ſpeeches which ungodly ſinners have ſpoken againſt him] Jud. 14. 15. Our hearts ſhall be eſtabliſhed unblameable in holineſs before God even our father at the coming of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt with all his Saints] 1 Theſ. 3. 12, 13. we ſhall then praiſe him [that hath loved us and waſhed us from our ſins in his own blood, and made us Kings and Prieſts to God,] Rev. 1. 5, 6. He that overcometh ſhall be cloathed with white rayment, and confeſſed by Chriſt before the Father and the Angels of heaven, Rev. 3. 5. Yea he ſhall be a Pillar in the Temple of God, and go out no more: and Chriſt will write on him the Name of God, and the name of the City of God. New Hieruſalem, which cometh down out of Heaven from God, and his own name, verſ. 12. Yea he will grant to him to ſit with him in his throne, as he himſelf hath overcome and is ſet down with the Father in his Throne: verſ. 21. And he will honour his Saints to be Judges of Angels, and of the world, 1 Cor. 6. 2, 3. And they that overcome and keep his words unto the end, to them will he give power over the nations, and they ſhall rule with a rod of iron, and break them to ſhivers as the veſſels of a potter; even as Chriſt received of his Father: and he will give them the morning ſtar, Rev. 2. 26, 27. He that hath an ear to hear, let him hear the Glorious things that are promiſed to the Saints. The high praiſes of God ſhall be in their mouths, and the two-edged ſword in their hands—to execute on the wicked the Judgement written, ſuch Honour have all his Saints, Pſal. 149. 6, 9. Then ſhall we hear the Praiſes of the Heavenly ſociety ſaying [We give thee thanks O Lord God Almighty which art and waſt, and art to come, becauſe thou haſt taken to thee thy great power and haſt reigned, and the Nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead that they ſhould be judged, and that thou ſhouldſt give reward unto thy ſervants the Prophets and to the Saints and them that fear thy name, ſmall and great, and ſhouldſt deſtroy them that dwell on the earth.] [then ſhall the righteous ſhine forth as the ſun in the Kingdom of p. 258their Father: Who hath ears to hear, let him hear, Matth. 13. 43.] Yea [they ſhall be equal to the Angels of God, Luk. 20. 36.] This is the Inheritance of the Saints in Light of which God is now making us Meet to be partakers, Col. 1. 12. If [all that ſ… in the Council againſt him, ſaw Stevens face as it had been the face of an Angel] Act. 6. 15. what ſhall be the glory of the Saints when themſelves ſhall ſee the face of God, and his name ſhall be written in their foreheads, Rev. 22. 4. when the ungodly world ſhall know, that Holineſs was the moſt Honourable State?

But perhaps ſome will ſay, that [this language will make … Proud: To tell men that they are the moſt Honourable perſon… in the world, is the way to make them the Proudeſt perſons.]

To which I give you a manifold anſwer that your Objection may not have the leaſt pretence that it is unſatiſfied.

1. Worldly Honours are of a more ſwelling nature then Heavenly Honours: and yet it would ſcarcely be taken well, if this concluſion ſhould paſs for currant, that the moſt Honourable are the moſt Proud. For then it would follow that none are ſo vile, ſo like the Devil, ſo unlike God: and ſo the Princes and nobles of the earth would become the moſt deſpicable perſons in the world, and their very Honour it ſelf would be their diſhonour, and ſo no Honour. And if worldly Honours will not warrant you to conclude the perſons to be moſt Proud, much leſs will the Heavenly Honour.

There is the more Need and the leſs Fear of the Honour of the Godly, becauſe it is the bleſſing of an Humbled ſoul. God caſts them down before he lifts them up: It is only the Humble that he exalteth. They feel their ſin and miſery before they know their Honour. A Broken heart hath need of healing, and a fainting ſoul is fitteſt for a Cordial. You need not fear when you refreſh the ſick, leſt it ſhould make them wanton as it may do the ſound. A comfortable word to one that is ſamenting over the dead, and weeping at a grave, is not ſo likely to make them Proud, as to others in proſperity. A drooping and diſcouraged ſoul, is hardly raiſed high enough, and kept from ſinking: They have had the ſentence paſt upon p. 259them, and have had the rope as it were about their neck: they have been at the very gates of Hell: they have ſeen by faith what work, what woes there are for ſin in the life to come, and therefore theſe ſouls have need to hear of their Felicity.

3. Moreover, they have a great deal of work to do; and their ſtrength and courage is too ſmall: and the work is ſuch as fleſh and blood cannot away with, much leſs afford them ſufficient ſtrength for. Such labourers muſt have encouraging ſtrengthening food. Their work is ſuch as will keep them under. God doth not keep his ſervants idle: and therefore they are in the leſs danger of …xing Proud and wanton. Iſa. 35. 2, 3, 4. [They ſhall ſee the glory of the Lord, and the excellency of our God.] And why is this foretold them? [strengthen ye… the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees: ſay to them that are of a fearful heart, Be ſtrong, fear not; behold your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and ſave you] Heb 12. 1…, 13. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, and make ſtrait paths for your feet, leſt that which is la…e, be turned out of the way, but let it rather be healed] we are commanded 1 Theſ. 5. 14. as to warn them that are unruly, ſo to comfort the feeble-minded, and ſupport the weak.

4. Moreover, the Godly have the greater need of ſuch encouragements, becauſe they have much ſuffering to undergo. They have all your hatred and ſcorns to ſuffer, and all the adverſities of the world, with which their Father ſhall pleaſe to exerciſe them. And he that layeth the burden on them, will give them ſtrength by ſtrengthening mean…. Gods not hath corks as well as leads. If birds had not feathers as well as fleſh, they would be unable to fly. As Chriſt himſelf was encouraged to endure the contradiction of ſinners, and to bear the croſs, and deſpiſe the ſhame, by looking at the joy that was ſet before him, and ſo for the ſuffering of death was …owned with Glory and … ] Heb. 12. 2, 3. & 2. 9. ſo will he have his people …read in his ſteps, and take up their …oſs and follow him▪ and deny themſelves and all the world; yet ſo as to look at there compence of reward, and ſeek for glory, honour, and immortality, and by theſe to be animated to the work and patience of the Saints, as …ing to be Glorified with him▪ wh… they have ſuffered with … Matth. 16. 24. … Heb. 1…. 26. …o…. 2. 7. p. 260& 8. 17, 18. As the Angel ſaid to Elijah, 1 King. 19. 7. Ariſe and eate, becauſe the journey is too great for thee] ſo God encourageth his ſervants by his Honours and rewards, becauſe the journey, the labour, the ſuffering is too great, without ſuch encouragement to be cheerfully undergone: And in the ſtrength of theſe conſolations, they bear the croſs.

5. The objection is moſt againſt the Lord. If it be an errour to Honour and extol the Godly, as tending to make them Proud, it is God himſelf that is the owner of it. The words that I have recited to you are his own words. Do we deviſe theſe ſayings? Or do we not ſhew them you in the Scripture? And dare you charge God with errour, or encouraging Pride? Do you think he knew not what he ſaid, when he ſpake ſuch Honourable things of his ſervants. Did he need you to have taught him to have endited his word, and to have warned him that he make not his ſervants proud! As if he hated not pride as much as you!

6. Yea God will do more then this for his ſervants, he will advance them to Salvation, and yet he will not make them proud. There is no Pride in Heaven, though there be the greateſt Glory. The Angels are moſt glorious, and yet leaſt proud. If you would not wiſh God to keep men out of Heaven leſt it make them proud, you ſhould not grudge at his Honouring them on earth, with the mention of their Heavenly titles, upon that account.

7. The Exaltation of the Saints is a ſpiritual exaltation, which is not ſo apt to make men Proud, as carnal exaltation is. Charity puffeth not up, as …ery knowledge doth. It is ſelfiſhneſs that is the Life of Pride, (which conſiſteth in exceſſive ſelfeſteem, and deſire of an exceſſive eſteem with others, and to be magnified by them) And nothing but Grace can ſubdue this ſelfiſhneſs, and therefore nothing elſe candeſtroy Pride.

8. Moreover the Honour of the Saints, is the leſs like to make them Proud, becauſe Humility is part of the Grace that … beſtowed on them. To be Proud and Holy, is to be ſick and Holy, to be Light and Dark: they are plain contraries. No man is proud but for want of Holineſs: and therefore that Holineſs ſhould efficiently make men proud is impoſſible, any more th…n Health can make men ſick, or Darkneſs can be cauſed by Light. And if objectively any be Proud of his Holineſs, … but in ſuch a meaſure as he is noholy. Holineſs doth ever … p. 261Pride, and contain Humility and ſelf-denyal, as an eſſential part: All Chriſts Diſciples learn of him in their meaſure to be meek and lowly.

9. Let experience tell you whether it be not ſome worldly Honour or parts and gifts, that are the much commoner object of Pride then Holineſs. I have oft heard talk of mens being proud of their Humility and Holineſs: but the Temptations of my own ſoul, have comparatively layn but little that way; nor have I obſerved it the common caſe of others, in any proportion with other kinds of Pride. Riches and Honours, and Beauty and Dignity, I ſee people ordinarily proud of. And I ſee many Proud of Counterfeit Graces, that have none that is ſincere (as far as may be perceived by others) to be proud of. And I ſee many Proud of their Learning, and Knowledge and nimble t…ngnes, a hundred fold more then ever I found true Chriſtians, Proud of the Love of God, and a Heavenly mind. Alas we have much a doe for the moſt part, to diſcern that we have any of this at all, and to find ſo much of it in our ſelves as is neceſſary to our ſupport and thankfulneſs.

10. Laſtly conſider, what abundance of Means the Lord hath adjoyned as Antidotes with his ſervants Honours to keep them from being puffed up with Pride; and then tell me whether you dare charge God with errour or want of wiſdom in this thing.

1. The nature and life of Holineſs conſiſteth in the ſouls retiring home to God, and adhering to him, and walking as before him. And there is not a more powerful means in the world, to keep Humble the ſoul, then the Knowledge of God. O when a poor ſinner hath but any lively apprehenſions of the Greatneſs, and Glory of the Lord, it amazeth him, and levelleth him with the duſt, and abaſeth him in his own eſteem, and maketh him ſay with Job 40. 4, 5. [Behold I am vile, what ſhall I anſwer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.] & 4, 5, 6. [I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye ſeeth thee; wherefore I abhor my ſelf and repent in duſt and aſhes] One glympſe of God were enough to humble any ſoul that truly knoweth him. A Godly man hath ſtill to do with that Majeſty that continually aweth him. His … is with him: His thoughts are on him; his work is with him. … his word that he readeth, and heareth and diſcourſeth of, and therefore a… his word, with reverence and Godly fear, as knowing p. 262that our God is a conſuming fire, Heb. 12. 28, 29. It is God that he prayeth to, that he meditateth on, and he praiſeth, and hath ſtill to do with. And therefore no wonder if he walk hambly with ſo holy and great a God.

2. The ſin and miſery that once they were in, while they knew not God, will do much to keep humble a gracious ſoul, as long as they live. Though God ſo forget our ſins as to forgive them, yet we can ſcarce forgive our ſelves, or at leaſt can never forget them. Though he ſee no fin in his ſervants, as he ſeeth it in the world, nor ſo as to hate and condemn them for it; yet they ſee that once they were as bad as the world, and were children of wrath as well as others; They condemn themſelves when God doth juſtifie them; and ſet their ſins before their faces, which God doth caſt behind his back. O thoſe dark, thoſe ungrateful, and thoſe perilous dayes, will never be forgotten by the renewed ſoul. The thoughts of them ſhall ever keep us humble. When we look on the wicked miſerable world, to think that ſuch were many of us, though mercy have waſhed, and ſanctified, and juſtified us.

3. Moreover, God hath ſo contrived the way of their ſalvation, that they ſhall have all by a Redeemer, and by freeſt Grace, and none ſhall be juſtified by the works of the Law, nor by any merit of his own; but Boaſting is excluded by the Law of faith, Rom. 3. 19, 27, 28. and we ſhall have nothing but what we receive beſides and contrary to our deſert.

4. And alas too much corruption ſtill remaineth in us: We have fleſh that fighteth againſt the ſpirit, Rom. 7. 24. Gal. 5. 17. We know but in part, and Love God but in part, and ſerve him with ſuch conſtant weakneſs, that theſe things are uſually ſuch humbling matters to a gracious ſoul, that were it not for the Comforter, they would be unable to look up. O to feel how dark we are! how far from God! how ſtrange to heaven! how little we believe, and know, and love! theſe are humbling thought indeed to a ſoul that is acquainted withit ſelf … …verty, beggery, or the reproach in the world, would be ſo humbling to them. To find ſuch remnants of that odious ſin, that coſt them dear, and had coſt them dearer, if it had not coſt their Lord ſo dear, this is conſtant matter of humiliation.

5. And too often do their corruptions get advantage of them, and produce ſome actual ſin, of thought, word or … and this alſo muſt be grievous to them.

p. 2636. The very Bodily informities of Believers, are a conſtant help to keep them humble. They have all this treaſure but is earthen veſſels, 2 Cor. 4. 7. Their ſouls are here ſo poorly lodged in corruptible Tabernacles of earth, and ſo meanly cloathed with frail, diſeaſed, mortal fleſh, that it is madneſs to be proud.

7. And the many and great afflictions of the godly, are medicines that are purpoſely given them by their Phyſicion to cure Pride, and keep them humble. Why elſe muſt their ſufferings be ſo many? and why muſt they daily bear the Croſs? but that they may be conformed to the image of Chriſt.

8. And to the ſame end it is that God doth let looſe upon them ſo many enemies. All Satans temptations, and the worlds allurements and vexations, and all their diſappointments here, and all the ſcorns and mocks of the ungodly, and the cenſures and ſlanders of wicked tongues, and often bitter perſeſcutions, what are they but the bitter medicines of God (permitted and ordered by him, though canſed by the Devil and wicked men) to ſave the ſervants of the Lord, from the ſin and danger of being lifted up? Do you ſay that their Honour will make them proud? Why you that thus oppoſe them and deſpiſe them, are …uring them of their pride, and do not know it: as Scullions ſcoure the ruſt off the veſſels for their Maſters uſe; and as Leeches draw out the blood that cauſeth the diſeaſe; and as the Jews by their ſin promoted the Redemption of the world by the death of Chriſt. When God ſeeth his ſervants in danger of being lifted up above meaſure, he oft ſendeth a meſſenger of Satan (who may be an Executioner of Gods chaſtiſements) to buffet them, (2 Cor. 12. 7.) Sometimes by ſlanders, ſometime by reproaches, ſometime by impriſonments or greater ſufferings, and ſometimes by horrid troubleſom temptations.

9. The very foreſight of death it ſelf is a humbling means: and the laſt enemy Death, is yet unconquered, and our Bodies muſt corrupt in duſt and darkneſs, and be kept in the grave as common earth, till the Resurrection, that the ſoul may not grow proud that hath ſuch a body.

11. And the Day of Judgement is ſo deſcribed to us in the Scripture, as tends to keep the ſoul in awe and in Humility. To think of ſuch a day, and ſuch a reckoning, before ſuch a God, me … ſhould humble us.

p. 26411. And our Abſolution and Glorification at that day, is promiſed us now but conditionally (though God will ſee that the condition be performed by all that he will ſave.) And therefore the poor ſoul is oft ſo far to ſeek about the certain ſincerity of his own Faith and Repentance, that moſt of the godly are kept in fears and doubtings to the death. Yea and Humility and Selfdenyal are part of this Condition: And all their Honour and Glory with Chriſt is promiſed to the Humble only: Humility is commanded them in the Precept: Humility is it that they are exhorted to by the Miniſters: And Pride is threatened with everlaſting wrath, and deſcribed as the Devils image. So that Holineſs hath all the advantages againſt Pride that can be here expected.

12. To conclude, the Godly know that as they have nothing but from God, ſo they have nothing but for God: ſo that their own Honour is for him, more then for themſelves; and it is eſſential to their Holineſs, to make God their end, and ſet him higheſt, and referr all to his Pleaſure and Glory. So that you ſee now that we may Honour them that fear the Lord, (Pſalm 15. 4.) without being guilty of making them proud, and that we muſt not deny them the Honour that God hath given them as their due, for fear of their being proud of it. Though this, as all things elſe, muſt be prudently managed to particular perſons, according to their various ſtates.

And therefore let me here warn all you that profeſs the fear of God: Take heed leſt you be proud of any thing that God hath Honoured you with: For if you be, you ſee what an Army of Reaſons and Means you ſin againſt; and conſequently how great your ſin will be. And your conſciences and the world ſhall be forced to juſtifie God and his Holy wayes, and to prove againſt you, that it was not long of them that you were proud: and that none in the world was more againſt it then God and Holineſs: and that it was not becauſe you were ſo Religious, but becauſe you were no more Religious. And if Pride of Knowledge, Gifts, or whatſoever, be unmortified in you, it will certainly prove that you are none of the ſanctified; when your profeſſion of Sanctity will never prove that Sanctity was a cauſe or confederate in your ſin.

p. 265AND now I have ſhewed you the Honour of Godlineſs, let us briefly, (and but briefly) conſider of your Honour that reject it, and ſee then whether the godly or ungodly are more Honourable.

1. Ungodly men have the Baſeſt Maſter in the world. Would you know who? Let Chriſt be Judge, John 8. 44. [Ye are of your father the Devil, and the luſts of your father you will do.] 2 Tim. 2. 26. They are taken captive by the Devil at his will; that is, to do his will: It is he that ſtirreth you up to filthy talking, to ſpeak againſt Godlineſs, to curſe and ſwear, and you do his will. His will is, that you ſhould neglect a holy life, and you do his will. His will is, that you live not after the ſpirit, but after the fleſh, and you do his will. O poor ſouls! Do you think it is only Witches that expreſly Covenant with him, that are his miſerable ſervants! Alas, it is you alſo, if you do his will. For (if you will believe either God or common reaſon) [to whom you yield your ſelves ſervants to obey, his ſervants you are to whom you obey, whether of ſin unto death, or of obedience unto righteouſneſs.] Rom. 6. 16. The godly themſelves were the ſervants of ſin, till they obeyed from the heart the doctrine of the Lord, v. 17. And are you not come to fair preferment, to be the Devils drudges! Though he ſhould cloath your Bodies with Purple and fine linnen, and feed you ſumptuouſly every day, yet indeed you are no better, as the caſe of that miſerable man may tell you, Luke 16. It is the greateſt Baſeneſs to have ſo Baſe a Maſter.

2. And it is but an ignoble Baſe de ſign that the ungodly carry on in the world. What is it but to provide for, and pleaſe their fleſh? It aimeth at nothing beyond this life. And a beaſt can eat, and drink, and ſleep, and play, and ſatisfie his luſt, as much as they. A ſwine can carry a mouth full of ſtraw to his lodging, and a bird can build a neſt for her young ones. And what do ungodly men more in the world! whether Gentlemen or Beggars, the flattered Gallants or the poor day-labourers, if they be not ſuch as firſt ſeek Heaven, and live to God, what do they but make a pudder in the world, about a little dirt or ſmoak? and find themſelves ſomewhat to do that is next to nothing, inſtead of that for which they were created; and buſie themſelves about nothing till their time is gone, and the night is come when none p. 266can work? If you would judge of a mans Deſigns, fore-ſee his Attainments. If you can tell what End it is that they come to, you may know how to judge of their intentions and their courſe. Their corpſes you know, have no greater a Happineſs, (after a few fooliſh merry hours) then to lie in the earth as filth or duſt. You can ſee no Honour attained there. It is a child indeed that thinks a guilded Monument over a rotten carkaſe, is any great matter of Honour or Benefit to it. And if you look after the ſoul, (by the proſpective of the Word of God) alas, it goeth to far greater diſhonour. And is this it that worldlings make ſuch a ſtir for?

3. The work alſo that they are employed in, is like the Deſign. Sin, which is the Baſeſt thing in the world, is their employment. The work of a Scullion, or the baſeſt honeſt trade you can imagine, is a thouſand times leſs diſhonourable, then ſin: Yet flattered Gallants believe not this, when they can pleaſe their fleſh without loſing the teputation of worthy Gentlemen! Nor will our common ungodly people be perſwaded of it, that are more aſhamed to be found praying then ſinning, and to be called a Puritane then a Good-fellow or a Swearer: and that think they are as good men as others, when up to the ears in the drudgery of the Devil: As if the filth of ſin were no diſhonour to them, which nothing but the Spirit and blood of Chriſt is able to waſh out. Theſe are the men that Paul mentioneth with weeping, Phil. 3. 18. that mind earthly things, whoſe God is their belly, and who glory in their ſhame.

4. Moreover, it is a Baſe diſpoſition that ungodly men are poſſeſſed with. Though their Natures are eſſentially noble as being the work of God, and capable of moſt glorious things; yet have they made them Diſpoſitively Vile: They are fleſhlyminded, earthly-minded, ignorant of Heavenly things, not ſavouring the things of the Spirit, but like the Serpent, crawling on earth, and feeding on the duſt Graſs is ſweeter to a horſe then junkets; and a little money or vain-glory is ſweeter to a fleſhly mind then God and Glory, and all the treaſures of Saints and Angels. A ſwine never thinks of God or Heaven, but of his draffe and ſtie: Eaſe, and good chear, and money, and the flattery of men, are the God and the Heaven of ſenſual men. And are not theſe men of Baſe diſhonourable ſpirits? Unworthy men! might you have an Everlaſting life, and will you p. 267preferre a few dayes fleſhly pleaſure? As ſurely as you may know the Baſenſs of a ſwine or dog by what they feed upon, ſo ſurely may you know the baſeneſs of a carnal mind, by the baſeneſs of its deſires and delights.

5. It is alſo a Baſe Society that ungodly men are members of. They are in the Kingdom of darkneſs, Col. 1. 13. Acts 26. 18. and are dead in ſin, in which they walk according to the courſe of the world, according to the Prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now walketh in the children of diſobedience, among whom they have their converſations, Eph. 2. 1, 2, 3. Devils are their inviſible companions, and wicked men their viſible: but they have none of the preſence and favour of the Lord, nor any communion with him in the ſpirit.

6. The greateſt Diſhonour of the ungodly is, that the God of Heaven refuſeth to Honour them: yea he deſpiſeth them: yea he diſhonoureth them with moſt contemptuous titles. And certainly God knoweth what he ſaith of them; and it is impoſſible that he ſhould do them wrong. Yet doth he call them the ſeed of the Serpent, that ſtand at enmity with his flock, Gen. 3. 15. he calls them his enemies, and accordingly will uſe them, Luke 19. 27. He calls them Dogs and Swine, and the Children of the Devil, John 8. 44. Matth. 7. 6. They diſhonoured and deſpiſed him, and he will diſhonour and deſpiſe them, and hath reſolved that their very names ſhall rot, Prov. 10. 7.

7. But it is the Everlaſting ſhame that will tell us what was the Honour of the ungodly. When Chriſt ſhall be aſhamed of them before his Father and the Heavenly Angels, Matth. 8. 38. and ſhall tell them that he never knew them, Matth. 7. 23. When all their former pomp and ſplendour, will be turned into perpetual ſhame and ſorrows, then where is the Honour of the ungodly world? Where then are their flatterers? Who boweth to them, and calleth them Right Honourable and Right Worſhipfull any more? Where now are their ſumptuous houſes and attendance? Now they have other kind of ſervitours; and other language, and other uſage then they had on earth. And the poor wretches that ſtormed at a faithful Miniſter for foretelling theſe woeful changes to them, and ſpeaking ſo diſhonourably of them, as to tell them of their ſin, are at laſt ſaying p. 268an hundred fold worſe of themſelves, then ever we did ſay againſt them. Then they ſhall need none to call them fools, and vile, and wretches, but their own Conſciences, that will ſpeak it out, and ſpeak it again ten thouſand times, and never be bribed to forbear. O how baſe a deſpicable Generation will the ungodly then be (that now ſpeak ſo ſtoutly and look ſo high) when God ſhall everlaſtingly frown them into contempt and miſery, and the glorified Saints ſhall look down upon them without compaſſion, even praſing the Juſtice that for ever doth torment them! Then let the Kings and Nobles of the earth maintain their antient Honours if they can: Or let them take comfort in the remembrance of their former dreams: and try whether this will be to them inſtead of a drop of water.

Well, Sirs, I have faithfully told you from the Word of God, of the Honour of the Godly, and the Baſeneſs of the ungodly, that you may be reſolved, which is the Better part. If yet you will not ſee, you ſhall ſee and be aſhamed, Iſa. 26. 11. When you have heard your laſt and dreadful doom, and ſeen the Lord make up his Jewels, then ſhall you diſcern between the Righteous and the wicked; between him that ſerveth God, and him that ſerveth him not, Mal. 3. 17, 18.