The Crown and Glory of Christianity, Uses · Use and exhortation 3 · Section 2

The Crown and Glory of Christianity · Uses · Use and exhortation 3 · Section 2

p. 479Secondly, To provoke you to labor after higher degrees 2of holineſs; Conſider that 'tis poſſible for you to attain to greater meaſures of holineſs then any yet you have reach't unto: Though the work be hard, yet 'tis poſſible; and what great things things won't men attempt upon the account of a poſſibility. Now that 'tis poſſible that you may attain to a greater perfection of holineſs, I ſhall evidence theſe five wayes.

Firſt, By many precious promiſes that are ſcattered up and down in the bleſſed Scriptures; as that Job 17.9. The righteous 1ſhall hold on his way, and he that hath clean hands, ſhall be ſtronger and ſtronger; Or as the Hebrew has it,foreign he ſhall add ſtrength, that is, he ſhall go on from one degree of ſpiritual ſtrength to another, he ſhall go on from a leſſer degree to a greater degree, and from a lower degree to a higher degree of ſpiritual ſtrength; a holy man ſhall not onelyonly have his ſpiritual ſtrength maintained, but encreaſed; he ſhall not onelyonly retain that ſpiritual ſtrength he has, but he ſhall be ſtill a adding of ſtrength to ſtrength, Pſal. 84.7.Me chaiil el chaiil foreign properly ſignifies vigor, courage, alacrity, power, ſucceſs, and an Army wherein uſually moſt power is required and manifeſted. They go from ſtrength to ſtrength, or from power to power, or as the word may be read, from company to company, or from Troop to Troop, in alluſion to the cuſtome of the Jews, when all the Males went up thrice a year to Jeruſalem; now when they went up to Jeruſalem, they went up with their flocks, and in Troops; now thoſe that were lively, active, and ſtrong, they over took this company and that, and this Troop and that, and ſo they went on, their power and ſtrength increaſing daily more and more, till they appeared before God in Zion; or look as the Bee goes from flower to flower to gather Honey, ſo thoſe that had a principle of grace and holineſs in them, they went from one good company to another, from one Troop of Chriſtians to another, ſtill gathering up heavenly honey as they went. O Sirs, there is no ſuch way to perfect holineſs, as to be ſtill a going on from duty to duty, and from ordinance to ordinance; from praying to hearing, and from hearing to praying; from reading to meditating, & from meditating to reading; from publike duties to cloſet duties, and from cloſet duties to publike duties, &c. Pſal. 92.12, 13, 14. The righteous ſhall flouriſh like the Palm-tree, he ſhall grow like a Cedar in Lebanon. Thoſe that be planted in the houſe the Lord, Ille non eſt bonus qui non vult eſſe molior.ſhall flouriſh in the Courts of our God. They ſhall ſtill bring forth fruit in old age, they ſhall be fat and flouriſhing. The promiſe of flouriſhing is three times repeated in theſe three verſes, they ſhall flouriſh, they ſhall flouriſh, they ſhall flouriſh, to note the more then ordinary flouriſhing eſtate of the Saints even in their old age. I have read of an old Chriſtian, who being asked whether he grew in goodneſs or no, anſwered, I believe I do, becauſe the Lord has promiſed that his people ſhall bring forth fruit in old age. Pliny writing of the Crocodile, tells us, that ſhe grows to her dying day, ſo Chriſtians that are rooted in Chriſt, and planted in the houſe of the Lord, they will be ſtill growing up in grace and holineſs even to their dying day. 'Tis with real Chriſtians as 'tis with wine, the older the better, or as 'tis with the Sun which ſhines moſt gloriouſly and amiably when 'tis near ſeting. Gracious ſouls are like the Laurel (or the Bay-tree) whoſe leaves are always green, not onelyonly in the Summer of youth, but alſo in the Winter of old age.Pliny. The Palm-tree is always green, it never loſeth his leaves or fruit, and the more it is loaded the deeper it is rooted; and ſo it ſhall be with throughout Chriſtians. So in that Iſa. 46.3, 4. God has promiſed to carry us on to old age. Hearken unto me, O houſe of Jacob, and all the remnant of the houſe of Iſrael, which are born by me, from the belly, which are carried from the womb. And even to your old age I am he, and even to hoar hairs will I carry you: I have made, and I will bear, even I will carry and will deliver you. That God that begins a work of Grace and Holineſs in his peoples hearts, that God will perfect and carry on that work. Mothers and Nurſes expreſs their tender care, love, and delight, by carrying their Babes in their arms, till they can go alone; but God ſurpaſſes them in his love, care, tenderneſs, and divine fondneſs, p. 483for he will carry them even to hoary hairs. This word I, that is Six times repeated in verſe the fourth, is doubtleſs of very great importance, and ſignifies not onelyonly Gods eternal Eſſence, and that he will be ever like himſelf, but alſo his unchangeableneſs in regard of us; for whatever our thoughts may be concerning God, yet we ſhall always find him one and the ſame, he will be as good to his people at laſt as he was at firſt, even to old age he will carry them. So in that Prov. 4.18. But the path of the juſt is as the ſhining light, that ſhineth more and more unto the perfect day. A holy man proceeds from grace to grace, from vertue to vertue; he goes from faith to faith, and from ſtrength to ſtrength, till at length he ſhines as the Sun in his ſtrength. So in that Hoſea 14.5, 6, 7. I will be as the due unto Iſrael: he ſhall grow as the Lilly, and caſt forth his root as Lebanon. His branches ſhall ſpread, and his beauty ſhall be as the Olive-tree, and his ſmell as Lebanon. They that dwell under his ſhaddow ſhall return, they ſhall revive as the corn, and grow as the vine: the ſcent thereof ſhall be as the wine of Lebanon. The growth, the fruitfulneſs, and the flouriſhing eſtate of the Saints in grace and holineſs, is ſet forth by a ſeven-fold Metaphor in theſe words; the Similes are all plain and eaſie, and you may eaſily dilate upon them in your own thoughts; and therefore I ſhall paſs them. I ſhall conclude with that precious promiſe, John 4.14. But whoſoever drinketh of the water that I ſhall give him, ſhall never thirſt: but the water that I ſhall give him, ſhall be in him a well of water ſpringing up into everlaſting life. The Spirit in its gracious operations ſhall be a conſtant ſpring in believers hearts, and it ſhall every day riſe higher and higher, like the water in Ezekiel, Ezek. 47.1.—7.Ezek 47:1till grace be ſwallowed up in glory. And thus you ſee by theſe choice promiſes, that 'tis poſſible for you to attain to a greater meaſure of holineſs. But,

Secondly, The prayers that have been put up upon this very account, do clearly evidence the ſame. Certainly the people 2of God would never have prayed for higher degrees of grace and holineſs, if they had not been attainable. Now 'tis very obſervable that the ſpirits of the Saints have run out much this way, as is evident in theſe inſtances, Phil. 1.9, 10, 11. And this I pray, … brevis penetrat Coelum.that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge, and in all judgement. That ye may approve things that are excellent, that ye may be ſincere and without offence till the day of Chriſt: Being filled with the fruits of righteouſneſs, which are by Jeſus Chriſt, unto the glory and praiſe of God. Col. 1.9. For this cauſe we alſo, ſince the day we heard it, do not ceaſe to pray for you, and to deſire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all wiſdom and ſpiritual underſtanding. Chap. 4.12. Epaphras, who is one of you, a ſervant of Chriſt ſaluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may ſtand perfect and compleat in all the will of God. The Greek word (foreign) is a Metaphor from a Ship, whoſe Sails are filled with wind; Epaphras was an humble petitioner that the ſouls of the Coloſſians might be filled with the higheſt degrees of grace and holineſs, as the Sails of a Ship are filled with winde, 1 Theſ. 3.12. And the Lord make you to increaſe and abound in love one towards another, and towards all men, even as we do towards you: The Apoſtle by doubling his word encreaſe and abound, diſcovers himſelf to be an importunate ſuitor, that a double portion of grace and holineſs might be given out to the Theſſalonians. So in that Heb. 13.20, 21. Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jeſus, that great Shepherd of the Sheep, through the blood of the everlaſting Covenant, Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well-pleaſing in his ſight, through Jeſus Chriſt, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. The Apoſtle can't beg any thing for theſe believing Hebrews below perfection. And the Apoſtle Peter puts up the ſame requeſts for thoſe bleſſed converts that were ſcattered throughou… Pontius, Galatia, Cappadocia, Aſia, and Bithynia, In that 1 Pet. 5.10. But the God of all grace, who hath called us into his eternal glory by Chriſt Jeſus, after that ye have ſuffered a while, make you perfect, ſtabliſh, ſtrengthen, ſettle you. God is called the God of all grace, becauſe he is the giver of all kinds of grace, and of all degrees of grace: Now nothing will ſatisfie this great Apoſtle when he comes to plead for theſe Saints below perfection; though they had as much grace as would bring them to heaven, yet he begs ſuch a perfection of p. 483grace as might raiſe them high in heaven. And thus it appeareth by the prayers of theſe holy men, that Saints may ſtill be riſing in grace and holineſs. But,

Thirdly, The experience of other Saints does clearly evidence 3this, that you may attain unto higher degrees of grace and holineſs, then thoſe that yet you have attained unto.Pſal. 37.37. Phil. 3.11.—16. Can. 4.7. Eph. 5.26, 27. Rev. 14.4, 5. Prov. 2.21. & Chap. 11.5. 2 Tim. 3.16, 17.Ps 37:37Phil 3:11Eph 5:26Eph 5:27Rev 14:4Rev 14:5Prov 2:212 Tim 3:162 Tim 3:17 Gen. 6.9. Noah was a juſt man and perfect in his generation, and Noah walked with God: Noah was not only perfect with a perfection of parts, nor onelyonly perfect in reſpect of deſires, endeavors and aims, nor onelyonly perfect …n reſpect of his juſtification before God by imputed righteouſneſs, nor onelyonly perfect in reſpect of Gods approbation, acceptation and delight, nor onelyonly perfect in reſpect of Gods deſigne and intentions to make him ſo in another world, nor onelyonly perfect in reſpect of thoſe gifts and graces with which he was adorned and furniſhed for the diſcharge of his place, office, & work to which the Lord had called him, nor onelyonly comparatively perfect in regard of that prophane, ungodly, and debauched generation, among whom he lived; but alſo he is ſaid to be perfect in reſpect of an eminent progreſs that he had made in grace and holineſs, he had attained to conſiderable degrees and meaſures of grace and holineſs; and though his proficiency in the exerciſe of grace and practice of piety fell ſhort of compleat perfection, yet it riſe to ſuch a height, that God could not but crown him and and Chronicle him for a perfect man.1 Pet. 2.2. 1 Joh. 2.12, 13, 14. Heb. 5.12, 13, 141 Pet 2:21 John 2:121 John 2:131 John 2:14Heb 5:12Heb 5:13Heb 5:14 In all Ages of the world there has been four ſeveral Ages of Chriſtians, viz. Babes, children, young men, and old men. Noah was not a babe, nor a child, nor a young man, but an old man in grace and holineſs; and therefore he is ſaid to be perfect. There are ſeveral forms in Chriſts School, ſome higher, ſome lower; now he that is in the higheſt form may be ſaid to be perfect in regard of thoſe that are in a lower or in the loweſt form: now Noah was in the higheſt form of grace and godlineſs; therefore he is ſaid to be perfect; and in this ſenſe, I ſuppoſe, Job is ſaid to be a perfect man, Job. 1.1.8. There was a man in the Land of Ʋz, whoſe name was Job, and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God and eſchewed evil. And the Lord ſaid unto Satan, haſt thou conſidered my ſervant Job, that p. 484there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God and eſcheweth evil? Job was a very conſiderable perſon, he was a man of a choice ſpirit, he was caller in goodneſs, and higher by the head and ſhoulders in grace and godlineſs, then any of the Saints in that Age and corner of the world where he lived: Job was a man of the greateſt weight and worth for holineſs that was in all the world: Job was a none ſuch, no Chriſtians could come neer him; as he was the greateſt, ſo he was the beſt of the beſt of all the Saints that were in the Eaſt for heighths of grace and holineſs, he was a Giant, and all the Chriſtians round about him were but as ſo many Dwarfs; he was the Paragon of his time; for piety and ſanctity none could parallel him, none could match him: And in this ſenſe we are to underſtand the Apoſtle, both in that 1 Cor. 2.6. We ſpeak wiſdom among them that are perfect; and in that Phil. 3.15. Let as many as be perfect be thus minded. He ſpeaks here not of an abſolute perfection,foreign, I perſecute, I follow with as hot and as eager a ſpirit after perfection as perſecutors do follow after thoſe they perſecute. for ſuch a perfection himſelf diſclaimeth in verſ. 12. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which alſo I am apprehended of Chriſt Jeſus. By the force of the Original word that is here rendred follow, the Apoſtle declares that he had perfection in chaſe (as it were) and that his ſpirit was with much heat and eargerneſs carried out in purſuing after it, and reſolved not to reſt till he had attained to it. An abſolutely perfection is very deſireable on earth, but ſhall never be obtained till we come to heaven. Abſolute perfection is not the priviledge of Saints militant, but of Saints triumphant; and therefore the perfection that the believing Corinthians and holy Philippians had attained to, was not an abſolute, but a comparative perfection, they were perfect incompa…iſon of thoſe that were but Babes and Shrubs and Dwarfs in Chriſt. And 'tis a very high and honorable report that the Apoſtle gives of the Corinthians, in that 2 Cor. 8.7. Therefore as ye abound in every thing, in faith, in utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, ſee that ye abound in this grace alſo. And 'tis a very large teſtimony that the ſame Apoſtle gives of the Romans, in that Rom. 15.14. And I my ſelf alſo am perſwaded of you my brethren, that ye are alſo full of goodneſs filled with all knowledge, able alſo to admoniſh one another. Now the fullneſs the Apoſtle ſpeaks of, is not a fulneſs of parts, for the weakeſt believer as well as the ſtrongeſt, is at firſt converſion renewed and ſanctified in every part, though it be but in part and imperfect; and this is a fulneſs of parts, but of this fullneſs the Apoſtle does not ſpeak: but then there is a fullneſs of degrees; now this fullneſs is either an abſolute fullneſs, or a comparative fullneſs; the Apoſtle is to be underſtood of a comparative fulneſs; the Romans were full of all goodneſs and knowledge, in compariſon of thoſe in whom Chriſt was but newly formed, and in whom the work of grace was but newly erected, and they were full of all goodneſs and knowledge now, in compariſon of what they were at their firſt acquaintance with Chriſt, and firſt acceptance of Chriſt, and firſt reſignation of themſelves to Chriſt, and at their firſt marriage-union, and communion with Chriſt. And thus you ſee by the experiences of other Saints, that 'tis poſſible for you to attain to higher degrees of grace and holineſs, then any thoſe are that yet you have attained to. But,

Fourthly, 'Tis poſſible for you to attain to higher degrees 4and pitches in holineſs then any yet you have reach't unto, witneſs the praiſes and thankſgivings that has been offered up to God upon their accounts, who have attained to a very great heighth of holineſs. Take a few Scripture-inſtances for the clearing up of this particular; as that in 1 Cor. 1.4, 5, 7. I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jeſus Chriſt, That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance and in all knowledge, Though injuries ſhould be writ in the duſt, yet ſpiritual mercies ſhould be writ on Marble, that our hearts may be the better provok't to thankfulneſs for them.ſo that ye come behind in no good gift; and that in Eph. 1.3, 7, 8. Bleſſed be the God and Father of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who hath bleſſed us with all ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly places in Chriſt: who according to the riches of his grace, hath abounded towards us in all wiſdom and prudence: Here the Apoſtle trumpets out the high praiſes of God, for that he had bleſt them and enrich't them, though not with corn, or oyl, or wine, or with gold or ſilver (which is but red and white clay) that yet he had bleſt them with all ſpiritual bleſſings, which are the choiceſt, the chiefeſt, and the ſweeteſt of bleſſings; for ſpiritual bleſſings are right-handed bleſſings, they are peculiar bleſſings, they are bleſſings ſweetning bleſſings, for they ſweeten all the bleſſings man enjoys; and they are bleſſings begetting bleſſings, for they beget and bring forth many other bleſſings to the enriching and adorning of a Chriſtians ſoul; and they are bleſſings, ſanctifying bleſſings, they are bleſſings that ſanctifie all other bleſſings; and they are bleſſings preſerving bleſſings, they are bleſſings that will preſerve all our other bleſſings; ſpiritual bleſſings are peculiar bleſſings, they are coſtly bleſſings, they are bleſſings that reach to the very ſpirit and ſoul of a Chriſtian, they are bleſſings that raiſes the ſpirit of a Chriſtian, and that enobles the ſpirit of a Chriſtian, and that cheers up the ſpirit of a Chriſtian, and that a thouſand ways betters the ſpirit of a Chriſtian; and therefore 'tis no wonder that the Apoſtles heart was ſo affected with ſpiritual bleſſings, and that his mouth was ſo filled with ſpiritual praiſes, as indeed it was. And ſo in that 1 Tim. 1.12, 14.foreign was overful, redundant, or hath abounded to flowing over, as the ſea doth overflow the banks many times, and drown the lower grounds that are neareſt to it. And I thank Chriſt Jeſus our Lord, becauſe the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant, with faith and love which is in Chriſt Jeſus. And thus you ſee by others thankſgivings, that 'tis poſſible for you to attain to far higher degrees of holineſs, then what for the preſent you are raiſed to. The Stork is ſaid to leave one of her young ones where ſhe hatcheth them; and the Elephant to turn up the firſt ſprig towards heaven when he comes to feed, and both out of ſome inſtinct of gratitude; and ſhall not a divine inſtinct enable Chriſtians to do much more in a way of gratitude, both upon the account of their own graces, and upon the account of thoſe eminent meaſures of grace that other Saints are bleſt and crown'd withal? though Seiarus did dare to ſacrifice to himſelf, yet a Chriſtian muſt not dare to ſacrifice to himſelf, nor to his duties, nor to his graces, &c. the ſacrifice of praiſe in regard of grace received, is a crown of glory that is due to none but the God of grace. All the Rivers return to the Sea from whence they had their beginning. God will give you his Covenant, and he will give you his Ordinances, and he will give you his heaven, and he will give you his Son, yea he will give you himſelf,Iſa. 42.8.Isa 42:8 but his glory, his glory he will not give unto another. Whatever he parts with he is reſolved that neither Angels nor men ſhall ſhare with him in the glory of his grace. I have read of a Stork that caſt a Pearl into the boſom of a Maid, which had healed her of a wound. O! Sirs, when God comes to heal you of your ſpiritual wounds and diſeaſes, and not onelyonly ſo, but ſhall alſo richly beſpangle and adorn your ſouls and others with his precious graces, what can you do leſs then caſt that Pearl of praiſe into the boſom of God? as David did in that Pſal. 103.1.—6. The beſt means to get more grace, is to be thankful for that grace you have, for God loves to ſowe much where he reaps much; if your returns are anſwerable to your receipts, you will ſtill be on the receiving hand; thankfulneſs is Gods impoſt for all his bleſſings, and they that truely and duely payes this impoſt, ſhall be ſure to abound in the beſt of bleſſings; thankfulneſs for one bleſſing always draws on another bleſſing, as Saints by experience daily find. And thus you ſee by theſe Arguments, that 'tis poſſible for you to attain higher degrees of holineſs, then any yet you have reach't unto. But,

Fifthly and laſtly, 'Tis poſſible for you to attain to higher degrees 5of holineſs, &c. witneſs thoſe choice, thoſe rare and ſingular gifts that Chriſt has beſtowed upon many of his ſervants, for this very purpoſe, viz. that they may help on a growth and an increaſe of holineſs in your hearts, Eph. 4.8, 11, 12, 13. Wherefore he ſaith, when he aſcended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave ſome Apoſtles, and ſome Prophets, and ſome Evangeliſts, and ſome Paſtors and Teachers; For the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Miniſtery, for the edifying of the body of Chriſt: Till we all come into the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the meaſure of the ſtature of the fulneſs of Chriſt. One main end of Chriſts giving ſuch eminent gifts to his Church Officers, is, that his people may be made eminent in holineſs; 'tis not onelyonly to bring them in, but alſo to build them up; 'tis not onelyonly to convert them, but alſo to edifie them; 'tis not onelyonly to begin a work of holineſs, but alſo to perfect and carry on a work of holineſs; and therefore the Word is not only compared to ſeed, that begets holineſs in mens hearts, but alſo to wine and milk, and ſtrong meat that p. 488helps forward the growth and increaſe of holineſs in mens hearts:'Tis only the holy ſoul that can truely ſay Credo vitam aeternam, foreign edo vitam aeternam, Cyprian, lib. 4. Ep. 6. And ſo the great end of the Lords Supper is not to work ſpiritual life where it is not, but to encreaſe it where it tis; 'tis not to change the heart, but more and more to ſanctifie the heatt; 'tis not to work holineſs, but to perfect holineſs in the fear of the Lord; 'tis not to ſowe the ſeed of grace in the ſoul, but 'tis to cauſe that ſeed to grow and flouriſh in the ſoul. The Martyrs in the Primitive Church, when they were to appear before the cruel Tyrants, they were wont, as Cyprian ſhews, to receive the Lords Supper, and thereby they were fired with zeal and fervor, and filled with faith and fortitude, &c. Chryſoſtom ſaith, that by the Sacrament of the Lords Supper, we are ſo armed againſt Satans temptations, that he fleeth from us, as if we were ſo many Lyons that ſpit fire. The Lords Supper is a Cabinet of ſpiritual Jewels: And O then how unmanly and unſeemly a thing is it to hang this Cabinet of Jewels (which is more worth then the Gold of Opher) in a Swines ſnout? And how that mother can be guiltleſs of the death of her child, that giveth him poiſon in a Golden cup, with this caution, that ſhe tells him it is poiſon, I know not; no more do I know how that Miniſter can be guiltleſs of the body and blood of our Lord, who diſpences the bread of Life to thoſe who are known to be without ſpiritual life, yea that are known to be dead in ſins and treſpaſſes.The end of the 43. Sermon. And thus you ſee by theſe five arguments, that 'tis poſſible for you to attain to greater meaſures of holineſs then any yet you have reacht unto; and ſo much for the ſecond Motive.

3Thirdly, To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of holineſs,Pſal. 16.3, 4.Ps 16:3Ps 16:4 conſider, that the more holy you are, the more you will be the delight of God, and the more deare you will be to God, and the more beloved you will be of God. For the right underſtanding of this argument, you muſt carefully diſtinguiſh between Gods love of good Will, and his love of complacency; now Gods love of good Will is equall to all his Saints, whether they are rich or poore, high or low, bond or free, or whether they have a ſea of grace, or but a drop of grace; Gods love of good Will runs as much out to the weakeſt Chriſtian, as it do's to the ſtrongeſt, to a Babe in grace, as to a Gyant in grace. p. 489All Saints are equally elected; God never choſe one man a veſſel of glory more then another;Rom. 11.17.Rom 11:17 the weakeſt Saint is as much elected as the ſtrongeſt. And as all Saints are equally elected, ſo all Saints are equally redeemed by Jeſus Chriſt;Iſa. 53.3.—12.Isa 53:3 Chriſt bled as much for one Saint as another, and he ſweat as much for one Saint as another, and he ſighed and groaned as much for one Saint as another, and he trod the wine-preſs of his Fathers wrath, as much for one Saint as another;1 Cor. 6.19, 20.1 Cor 6:191 Cor 6:20 Chriſt paid as great a price for his Lambs as for his Sheep, for Lazarus in his Rags, as for David in his Royal Robes. And as all Saints are equally redeemed, ſo all Saints are equally called,1 Pet. 2.9.1 Pet 2:9 one Saint is as much called out of the kingdome of darkneſs as another, and one Saint is as much called to Jeſus Chriſt as another; in vocation God looks with as favourable an eye upon one, as he do's upon another. And as all Saints are equally called, ſo all Saints are equally juſtified;2 Cor. 5.19, 20. 1 Cor. 1.30.2 Cor 5:192 Cor 5:201 Cor 1:30 though one Saint may be more ſanctified then another, yet no Saint is more juſtified then another; the weakeſt believer is as much juſtified and pardoned before the throne of God as the ſtrongeſt is; that pure, perfect, matchleſs, and ſpotleſs righteouſneſs of Chriſt, is as much imputed to one Saint, as 'tis to another. And as all Saints are equally juſtified, ſo all Saints are equally adopted,Gal. 4.4, 5, 6.Gal 4:4Gal 4:5Gal 4:6 the weakeſt believer is as much an adopted ſon, as the ſtrongeſt believer in the world is; God is no more a father to one, then he is to another; the Babe in the armes is as much a ſon, as he that is of riper yeares. Thus you ſee that Gods love of good will is equall in all his Saints, and therefore you are to underſtand this Argument of Gods love of complacency; now this love runs out more to ſome Saints then it do's to others; for they that have much holineſs, are much beloved,John 14.21, 23,John 14:21John 14:23 but they that have moſt holineſs, are moſt beloved; the greater thou art in holineſs, the greater wilt thou be beloved of God; O Daniel, Dan. 9.23.Dan 9:23thou art greatly beloved. And why do's God love more and delight more in Chriſt, then he do's in all the Angels and Saints in heaven, and in all the upright ones that are on earth? but becauſe Chriſt is more eminent and glorious in holineſs then all created beings are;Heb. 1.3.Heb 1:3 he is more the expreſs Image of his Fathers perſon, and the brightneſs of his Fathers glory then others, and therefore he is more beloved then others. 'Twas p. 490an excellent obſervation of one of the Fathers,Auguſt. Tract. in John. 1.14.John 1:14 viz. that God loved the humanity of Chriſt more then any man, becauſe he was fuller of grace and truth then any man. Now for the further 1clearing up of this great Argument, Conſider, firſt, that the more holy any perſon is, the more excellent that perſon is. All corruptions are diminutions of excellency; the more mixt any thing is, the more abaſed it is; the more you mix your wine with water, the more you abaſe your wine, and the more you mix your Tin with Gold, the more you abaſe your Gold; but the purer your wine is, the richer and the better your wine is, and the purer your Gold is, the more glorious and excellent it is, ſo the purer and holier any perſon is, the more excellent and glorious that perſon is; Now the more divinely excellent and glorious any perſon is, the more he is beloved of God, and the 2more he is the delight of God. But ſecondly, the more holy any perſon is,Heb. 11.5.Heb 11:5 the more that perſon pleaſes the Lord; fruitfulneſs in holineſs fills heaven with joy. The Husbandman is not ſo much pleaſed with the fruitfulneſs of his fields, nor the wife with the fruitfulneſs of her womb, nor the father with the thriving of his child, as God is pleaſed with the fruitfulneſs and thriving of his children in grace and holineſs; now certainly the more God is pleaſed with any perſon, the more he loves that perſon, and the more pleaſure and delight he takes in ſuch a perſon; if God be moſt pleaſed with holineſs, he cannot but 3be moſt delighted in thoſe that are moſt holy. But thirdly, the more holy any perſon is, the more like to God he is, and the more like to God he is, doubtleſs, the more he is beloved of God; 'tis likeneſs both in nature and grace that alwayes drawes the ſtrongeſt love. Though every child is the father multiplyed, the father of a ſecond edition, yet the father loves him beſt, and delights in him moſt, who is moſt like him, and who in feature, ſpirit, and action, do's moſt reſemble him to the life; and ſo do's the father of ſpirits alſo, he alwayes loves them beſt, who in holineſs reſemble him moſt. There are foure remarkable things in the beloved Diſciple above all the reſt. 1.John 13.23. Ch. 18.16. Ch. 19.26. Verſ. 27.John 13:23 That he lay neareſt to Chriſts Boſome at the Table. 2. That he followed Chriſt cloſeſt to the high Prieſts Palace. 3. That he ſtood cloſe to Chriſt when he was on the Croſs, though others p. 491had baſely deſerted him, and turn'd their backs upon him. 4. That Chriſt commended the care of his virgin mother to him: Now why did Chriſts deſire, love, and delight, run out with a ſtronger and a fuller Tyde towards John, then to the reſt of the Diſciples, doubtleſs 'twas becauſe John did more reſemble Chriſt then the reſt, 'twas becauſe John was a more exact picture, and lively repreſentation of Chriſt then the others were. But, fourthly, the more holy any man is, the more communion and 4familiarity that man ſhall have with God; As you may ſee in Moſes, Moſes was a none-ſuch for meekneſs and holineſs. Num. 12.3. Now the man Moſes was very meeke, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth. There was no man ſo ſlighted, wronged, provoked, teazed, perplexed, and troubled by that wicked, unthankful, unbelieving, and murmuring Generation, as Moſes was, and yet he did neither raile at them, nor revile them, he did neither ſtorme nor rage, he did neither fret nor fling, and though he had a ſword of Juſtice in his hand, and might eaſily have avenged himſelfe on them, yet he would not, but exerciſed all patience, tenderneſs, goodneſs and ſweetneſs towards them. O the lowlineſs, the meekneſs, the holineſs of this man Moſes! And O the freeneſs, the friendlineſs, the openneſs, and the familiarneſs of God with Moſes! Deut. 34.10. And there aroſe not a Prophet ſince in Iſrael like unto Moſes, whom the Lord knew face to face. To give you a little light into theſe words; Some of the Rabbies obſerve that Moſes ſurpaſſed all the other Prophets, not only in ſublimity of Propheſies, but alſo in excellency and number of miracles; for Moſes within one Age wrought ſeventy ſix miracles, when all the reſt of the Prophets from the beginning of the world quite downe to the ruine of the firſt Temple, wrought only ſeventy foure: And as for thoſe words, whom the Lord knew face to face, you are not to underſtand them thus, that God hath a face as man hath, nor that Moſes had a view of the eſſence of God, which is inviſible;John 1.18. 1 Tim. 6.16.John 1:181 Tim 6:16 for in this ſenſe no man hath ſeen God at any time; and indeed the leaſt beame of Gods eſſentiall glory and Majeſtie would have ſwallowed up Moſes alive. But theſe words, whom the Lord knew face to face, are to be underſtood of Gods ſpeaking to Moſes in a free friendly familiar and plaine manner; God did ſpeak to Moſes by a cleare articulate voice, even as one man ſpeaks to another when they ſpeak face to face. And ſo when Aaron and Miriam were ſwell'd with pride and envy, and began to beſpatter Moſes, and to pick a hole in his Coat, and to cloud, eclipſe, and diminiſh his glory, ſee at what ahigh and noble rate God ſpeaks of Moſes, ſee how God magnifies and exalts and lifts up Moſes in that 12 Num. 6, 7, 8. And he ſaid, heare now my words; if there be a Prophet among you, I the Lord will make my ſelf known unto him in a viſion, and will ſpeak unto him in a dreame. My ſervant Moſes is not ſo, who is faithfull in all my houſe; with him will I ſpeak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark ſpeeches; and the ſimilitude of the Lord ſhall he behold: Wherefore then were ye not-afraid to ſpeak againſt my ſervant Moſes? Now here you ſee how God owns Moſes, and ſtands up for Moſes, and pleads for Moſes, and tells Aaron and Miriam to their faces, that Moſes was the greateſt favourite, and that he had far greater reſpects for Moſes then he had for them, and that there was not a man in all the world that was ſo inward with him as Moſes, and that had ſo much of his eare and heart as Moſes had. God did appeare to o…her Prophets in Dreames and viſions, which were tranſient, but with Moſes God will ſpeak mouth to mouth, God will ſpeak to him without an interpreter, he will ſpeak to Moſes more familiarly and frequently then he did to others by viſions, and more clearely, plainly, and aſſuredly, then he did to others by dreames: God here engages himſelfe to hold a more cloſe, familiar, friendly, and conſtant conference and correſpondence with Moſes, then with any others in the world. Moſes was bleſt with as cleare, and with as full, and with as apparent ſight of God, and communion with God, as he was able to bare and comprehend. Some of the learned are of opinion, that Chriſt did converſe with Moſes in a humane ſhape, as he had done with Abraham before,Gen. 18. & Ch. 32.30. &c.Gen 18 they conjecture that the Lord Jeſus did very friendly and familiarly ſhew himſelfe to Moſes with that very ſame face and forme of humane nature, which he afterwards aſſumed; but this I dare not preſs upon you as an Article of your faith: And whether Moſes had one hundred and ſeventy three familiar conferences with God, which none of the p. 493Prophets had, lyes upon thoſe Rabbies to prove that doe aſſert it; but this is granted on all hands, that he was a ſpeciall favourite, and a man in high communion with God, and one that had very cleare and eminent diſcoveries and manifeſtations of God. And ſo Abraham was a man of great holineſs, and a man eminent in his communion with God, God own'd him as a friend,Iſa. 41.8.Isa 41:8 as an honorable friend, as an eminent friend, as a boſome friend, as a peculiar friend, and as a faithful friend, and therefore he made him one of his Privy Councell, and open'd his heart and his ſecrets to him: And the Lord ſaid, ſhall I hide from Abraham the thing which I doe? Gen. 18.17.Gen 18:17Abraham is ſtil'd the friend of God by a ſpecialty, though God had many friends, yet 'twas Abraham that was his ſingular friend, his darling friend, his rare friend, &c. and accordingly, God was moſt free, and full, and rich in the communications of his favours, and ſecrets to Abraham; 'twas not enough for Abraham to be of Gods Court, but he muſt be alſo of his Cabinet Councell. 'Twas alwayes a principle in morality, that ſweet and intimate friendſhip cannot be extended to many; Friends uſually goe by paires. And thus you ſee that the more holy any man is, the more communion that man ſhall have with God, and the more communion any man has with God, the more beloved ſhall that man be of God; the higheſt communion is alwayes attended with the higheſt love. But,

Fifthly, and laſtly, the more holy any man is, the more actually 5ripe and fit for heaven that man is. A Chriſtian at firſt converſion is but ru…e caſt, but as holineſs is encreaſed,Job 5.26.Job 5:26 ſo he comes more and more every day to be prepared, poliſhed, ſquared and fitted for a full and glorious fruition of God in heaven; though the leaſt degree of grace and holineſs, puts a man into an habitual preparedneſs and fittedneſs for heaven, yet 'tis only an eminency in grace and holineſs that puts a man into an actuall preparedneſs and fittedneſs for heaven; the richer in grace, the riper for glory; the higher you are in holineſs, the fitter you are to enter into the joy of your Lord:Math. 25.19. to ver. 24.Matt 25:19 though the leaſt drop or dram of holineſs, is enough to keep a man from dropping into hell, yet 'tis only growne holineſs that actually prepares and fits a man to goe to heaven. Now doubtleſs, the p. 494more actually ripe and ready any man is for heaven, the more pleaſure and delight God takes in him; the more the veſſels of grace are fitted for glory, the more complacency God takes in them. When God ſet himſelfe upon the creation of the world, in the cloſe of every dayes work, (except the ſecond, for which the opinions of the learned are various) God ſet to his Seale, that it was good; but when he had perfected and compleated the whole Creation, and caſt an eye upon all together, then he concludes,Gen. 1. ult.Gen 1 that it was very good; And God ſaw all that he had made, and behold it was very good, or extream good, ſo ſome, or very pleaſant and delightfull, ſo others: The work of Creation was ſo curiouſly and gloriouſly fram'd, and ſo full of admirable rarities and varieties, that it raiſed delight and complacency in God himſelfe:Aug. in Gen. 1.31.Gen 1:31 Whereupon Auguſtine obſerves, that even to every grace, yea of the leaſt degree of grace, he ſaith it is good; but when he beholds the graces of his Saints freſh and flouriſhing, your faith acted and ſtrengthened, your repentance daily renewed, your humility increaſed, &c. then he concludes, that all is very good. O Sirs, if the Lord Jeſus Chriſt be ſo raviſhed with one of his Spouſes eyes,Cant. 4.9.Song 4:9 and with one chaine of her neck, with the leaſt drops or ſips of grace, or with the leaſt grains and drams of grace and holineſs, O how much more will great meaſures of grace and holineſs take him, and raviſh him! Well, for a cloſe of this Argument, remember this, that as the Sun ſhines hotter on ſome Climates, then it doth upon others, and as the dew falls more upon one place then another, and as the water over-flowes ſome paſtures more then others; ſo Gods love of complacency and delight, ſhines hotter and brighter upon ſome Chriſtians, then it do's upon others; and theſe I have ſhew'd you to be ſuch who are moſt eminent and excellent in grace and holineſs. And thus much for this third motive.

4Fourthly, To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of holineſs, conſider, that the more your holineſs is encreaſed, the more the great God will be honored and glorified.Math. 5.16.Matt 5:16 Fruitfulneſs in holineſs ſets the weightieſt crowne of glory upon the head of God. John 15.8. Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bare much fruit. The more eminent any perſon is in holineſs, the p. 495more clearely and convincingly he proclaimes God before all the world, to be a rich God, a full God, a bountiful God, an overflowing good; there is nothing that works men to admire God ſo much, and to exalt God ſo high, as a Chriſtians fruitfulneſs in holineſs. O how good muſt that God be, whoſe ſervants are ſo good, ſaid the Heathen! O how glorious in holineſs muſt that God be, whoſe people are ſo holy! Look as the thriving child is a credit to the Nurſe, and the rich ſervant an honor to his Maſter, and a plentiful Crop the praiſe of the husbandman; ſo that Chriſtian that thrives in grace, that grows rich in holineſs, is the greateſt credit, and the higheſt honor, and the ſweeteſt praiſe to God in the world. The Tree in Alcinous Garden had alwayes bloſſomes, buds, and ripe fruits one under another. O! Sirs, thoſe Trees of righteouſneſs,Iſa. 61.3.Isa 61:3 that have not only the bloſſomes and buds of holineſs upon them, but alſo the ripe fruits of holineſs one under another, they are the greateſt honor and glory to God in the world. What will men ſay, when they ſhall behold your eminency in ſanctity? will they not ſay, certainly God is no hard Maſter,Math. 25.24.Matt 25:24 he never looks to reape where he do's not ſowe, nor to gather where he do's not ſtraw; Certainly, he keeps a noble houſe, his Tables are richly ſpread, his Cups overflow, he feeds, yea he feaſts his ſervants with the choiceſt rarities and varieties that heaven affords, witneſs their thriving and flouriſhing eſtate in grace and holineſs. And thus you ſee that the more your holineſs is encreaſed, the more highly the God of heaven will be exalted and magnified. But,

Fifthly, To provoke you to endeavour after higher degrees 5of holineſs, Conſider, that the more holineſs thou haſt, the more hee'l give thee. At firſt God gives holineſs where there is none; and where this holineſs is improved, there God will be ſtill augmenting and increaſing of it; do thou but make it thy buſineſs to perfect holineſs in the feare of the Lord,Heb. 6.7.Heb 6:7 and the Lord will not faile to make new and freſh additions of more grace and holineſs to that thou haſt. Pſal. 84.11. The Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. Mark thoſe words, viz. that the Lord will give grace and glory, that is, grace unto glory, hee'l ſtill be adding more grace to that thou haſt, till the bud of grace be turn'd into the p. 496flower of glory, till thy grace on earth commenceth glory in heaven; the more holineſs any man has, the more ſtill God will give him. Math. 13.12. For whoſoever hath, to him ſhall be given, and he ſhall have more abundance: He that hath principles of grace and holineſs laid into his ſoul, he ſhall finde a plentifull increaſe of thoſe ſanctifying and ſaving principles; he ſhall have more abundance; his ſpark of holineſs ſhall grow into a flame, his drops of holineſs ſhall be turn'd into a ſea, and his mite of holineſs ſhall be multiplyed into millions.Math. 25.29.Matt 25:29 The greater harveſt of holineſs a Chriſtian brings forth, the greater encreaſe of holineſs ſhall he experience; every exerciſe of grace and holineſs is alwayes attended with new increaſe of grace and holineſs. Look as that arme is greateſt and ſtrongeſt that is moſt uſed and exerciſed; ſo that particular grace that is moſt exerciſed and uſed, is moſt ſtrengthned and greatned. Look as earthly Parents when they ſee their children to husband and improve a little Stock to great advantage, then they adde to their Stock, they increaſe their Stock, they double their Stock; ſo when the father of ſpirits ſees his children to husband and improve a little Stock of grace and holineſs to the great advantage of their ſouls, then he will increaſe their ſpiritual Stock, he will be ſtill a adding to their Stock, yea he will double their Stock. John 15.2. Every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. Such as are fruitful, ſhall be made more fruitful: Chriſt will take moſt paines to make them better, who are already very good; of all Chriſtians in the world, there are none that have ſo much grace as humble Chriſtians have, and yet God delights to pour in grace into their ſouls, as men pour liquor into empty veſſels; humility is both a grace,James 4.6.Jas 4:6 and a veſſel to receive more grace. And thus much for this fifth Argument. But,

6Sixthly, To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of holineſs, Conſider, that the more holineſs you attaine to, the greater will be your heaven of joy and comfort in this world. Though the leaſt ſpark of true holineſs will bring a man to heaven, certainly yet 'tis only an eminency in holineſs that will make a man walk to heaven comfortably; the more holineſs any man has,Pſal. 16. ult.Ps 16 the more he ſhall enjoy him, in whoſe preſence is fulneſs p. 497of joy; and the more any man enjoyes the preſence of God with his Spirit, the greater will be his heaven of joy in this world. Look as a little Star yeilds but a little light, ſo a little holineſs yeilds but a little comfort; and look as the greateſt Stars yeilds the greateſt light, ſo the greateſt meaſures of holineſs alwayes yeilds the greateſt comforts: Divine joy ebbs and flowes as holineſs ebbs and ſlowes; ſoul comforts riſes and falls as holineſs riſes and falls. Great meaſures of holineſs carries with them the greateſt evidence of the reality of holineſs; now the more clearely and evidently the reality and ſincerity of a mans holineſs appeares, the higher will the ſprings of joy and comfort ariſe in his ſoul: Great meaſures of holineſs carry with them the greateſt evidence of a mans union and communion with God; and the more evident a mans union and communion is with God, the more will that mans ſoul be fill'd with that joy that is unſpeakable and full of glory:1 Pet. 1.8. Acts 9.31.1 Pet 1:8Acts 9:31 In great meaſures of holineſs, a man may ſee and reade moſt of the love of God, the face of God, the favour of God, and the heart of God; and the more a man is bleſt with ſuch a ſight as this is, the more will that Babe of grace, divine joy, ſpring in his ſoul: The greater meaſures of holineſs and ſanctification any man attaines to, the clearer and brighter will the evidences of his Juſtification be;Rom. 5.1, 2, 3. And Ch. 8.30, 33, 34, 35,Rom 5:1Rom 5:2Rom 5:3 Now the clearer evidences any man has of his Juſtification, the ſtronger will be his conſolation; and indeed the ſtrongeſt waters of conſolation, doe alwayes flow from a cleare ſight and a true ſenſe of a mans juſtification; no man lives ſo comfortably, no man bares the croſs ſo ſweetly, no man reſiſts the devill and the world ſo ſtoutly, nor no man will die ſo chearfully, as he that lives and dies in a cleare ſight of his Juſtification: The more holineſs any man attaines to, the more his feares will be ſcattered, his doubts reſolved, and all thoſe impediments removed that commonly bar out joy and comfort? and what will be the happy iſſue of theſe things, but the bringing in of a ſea of joy and comfort into the ſoul? 'Tis not riches, nor honors, nor applauſe, nor learning, nor friends, nor a great name in the world, but an eminency in holineſs that can highly raiſe the ſprings of divine joy in a Chriſtians ſoul. Though the windowes of the Temple were broad without but narrow within, p. 498yet the joy and comfort of a Chriſtian (that is eminent in holineſs) is broad and full within, though it be narrow and contracted without. O Sirs, as ever you would have your joy full, labour for a heart fill'd with holineſs; your comforts will be alwayes few and low, if your holineſs be low. Why have the Angels alwayes Harpes in their hands, and Hallelujah's in their mouths, but becauſe they have attain'd to a fulneſs of holineſs. But,

7Seventhly, To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of holineſs, Conſider, that the more holy any perſon is, the more the Lord will reveale and manifeſt himſelfe, and his mind and will unto him.Joh. 14.21, 23. Hoſea 6.3.John 14:21John 14:23Hos 6:3 Ezekiel was a man of eminent holineſs, and a man that had glorious viſions, and deep myſteries, and rare diſcoveries of God, and of the great things that ſhould be brought about in the latter dayes,See 2, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Chapters of Daniel. diſcovered to him. And Daniel was a man of very great holineſs; and O what ſecrets and myſteries did God reveale to him! many of thoſe great and glorious things which concernes the deſtruction of the four laſt Monarchies, and the growth, increaſe, exaltation, flouriſhing, durable, invincible, and unconquerable eſtate of his own kingdome, was diſcovered to him.2 Cor. 12.2, 4.2 Cor 12:22 Cor 12:4 Among all the Apoſtles, Paul was a man of the greateſt holineſs, and of all the Apoſtles Paul had the moſt glorious revelations and diſcoveries of God manifeſted to him; witneſs thoſe glorious Revelations that he had, when he was caught up into the third heaven, into Paradiſe, and heard unſpeakable words,foreign. or wordleſs words, ſuch as words were too weak to utter, ſuch as was not poſſible for man to utter, and that either becauſe they tranſcended mans capacity in this life, or elſe becauſe the Apoſtle was forbidden to utter them, they being revealed to him, not for the publike uſe of the Church, but only for his particular encouragement, that ſo he might be the better able to encounter with all the hardſhips, difficulties, dangers and deaths, that ſhould attend him in the conſcientious diſcharge of his miniſterial work. Some of the Ancients are of opinion, that he ſaw Gods eſſence; for, ſay they, other things in heaven might have been uttered, but the eſſence of God is ſo great, and ſo glorious a thing, that no man or Angel can utter it, or declare it; but here I muſt crave leave to enter my diſſent, p. 499for the Scripture is expreſs in this,John 1.18. 1 Tim. 6.16. 1 Ioh. 4.12.John 1:181 Tim 6:161 John 4:12 that no man hath thus ever ſeen the Lord at any time; and that no man can thus ſee the Lord and live: And as great a favourite of heaven as Moſes was, yet he could only ſee the back parts of God, he could only behold ſome lower repreſentations of God. Others ſay, that he heard the heavenly ſinging of Angels and bleſſed Spirits, which was ſo ſweet, ſo excellent and glorious, that no mortall man was able to utter it, and this of the two is moſt probable, but no man is bound to make this opinion an Article of his faith; this I think we may ſafely conclude, that in this rapture, beſides the contemplation of Celeſtial Myſteries, he felt ſuch unſpeakable delight and pleaſure, that was either like to that or exceeding that which Adam took in the terreſtrial Paradiſe; doubtleſs, the Apoſtle did ſee and heare ſuch excellent and glorious things, as was impoſſible for the tongue of any mortal man to expreſs or utter. And ſo John was a man of moſt rare holineſs, and Chriſt reveals to him the General eſtate of his Church, and all that ſhould befall his people, and that from Johns time unto his ſecond coming: Chriſt gives John a true repreſentation of all the troubles, tryalls, changes, mercies and glories, that in all times, and in all Ages and places, ſhould attend his Church, untill he came in all his glory. About ſixty years after Chriſts aſcenſion,'Tis the General opinion of the learned that this book of the Revelation was penned about the latter end of the Reigne of Domitian the Emperour, which was about ſixty years after Chriſts Aſcenſion. Chriſt comes to John and opens his heart, and unboſomes his ſoul, and makes knowne to him, all that care, that love, that tenderneſs, that kindneſs, and that ſweetneſs, that he would exerciſe towards his Church, from that very time to the end of the world: Chriſt tells John, that though he had been abſent and ſeemingly ſilent for about threeſcore years, that yet he was not ſo taken up with the delights, contents, and glory of heaven, as that he did not care what became of his Church on earth; O! no: And therefore he opens his choiceſt ſecrets, and makes knowne the moſt hidden and glorious myſteries to John, that ever was made knowne to any man. As there was none that had ſo much of the heart of Chriſt as John, ſo there was none that had ſo much of the eare of Chriſt as John; Chriſt ſingles out his ſervant John from all the men in the world, and makes knowne to him all the happy providences, and all the ſad occurrences that were to come upon the followers p. 500of the Lamb, that ſo they might know what to pray for, and what to fit for, and what to waite for; alſo he declares to John, all that wrath and vengeance, all that deſolation and deſtruction that ſhould come upon the falſe Prophet, and the Beaſt, and upon all that wondered after them, and that were worſhippers of them, and that had received their marks, either in their foreheads, or in their hands. We reade of holy Polycarpus, that as he lay in his bed he ſaw in a viſion the bed ſet on fire under his head;A viſion. and thus God did forewarne him, and manifeſt to him what manner of death he ſhould die, and accordingly it fell out, for he was burnt for the cauſe of Chriſt, and rejoycingly ſealed to the truth with his blood. Mr. John Hus was a man eminent in holineſs (he was borne in Prague in Bohemia, A Propheſie.and was Paſtor of the Church of Bethleem) his name Hus in the Bohemian language ſ…gnifies a Gooſe; at his Martyrdome he told them, that if they roſted him in the fire, out of the aſhes of the Gooſe, an hundred years after, God would raiſe up a Swan in Germany that ſhould carry the Cauſe on for which he ſuffered, and whoſe ſingings would affright all thoſe Vulters, which was exactly fulfilled in Luther (whoſe name in the Bohemian language ſignifies a Swan) for God raiſed him up as a famous inſtrument in his hand, who carried on that glorious Cauſe with mighty ſucceſs; and upon his death the Bohemians under Ziska roſe in Armes, and had moſt admirable ſucceſs againſt the Emperour and the Papiſts.A Propheſie. Luther was a man of great holineſs, and being one time more then ordinarily earneſt with God in prayer, he came downe to his Friends, and told them with a very great confidence, that it ſhould goe well with Germany all his dayes; he knew what was done in heaven by that which God had done in his own heart, & accordingly it fell out. The Martyr that was burnt laſt in Smithfield, A Propheſie.told the people that they ſhould be of good comfort, for he was fully perſwaded that he was the laſt that ſhould ſuffer under Queen Mary, and ſo he was. Thus you ſee that men of greateſt holineſs, have had the cleareſt and choiceſt manifeſtations & diſcoveries of God, and of his mind made knowne to them; Suitable to that choice promiſe that you have in that 33 Jer. 3. Call unto me, and I will anſwer thee, and ſhew thee great and mighty (or hidden) things, foreign Hidden as bunches of Grapes are hidden under the leaves of the Vines.which thou knoweſt p. 501not. God will make knowne to his holy ones the moſt hidden and abſtruſe things, and the more holy they are, the more they ſhall know of the moſt ſecret and myſterious things of God. John 7.17. If any man will doe his will, he ſhall know of the doctrine whether it be of God, or whether I ſpeak of my ſelfe. Chriſt will be moſt open to them that are moſt obedient to him; they ſhall know moſt of the doctrine of Chriſt, who are moſt complying with the will of Chriſt. David was a man of great holineſs, as is evident by that glorious teſtimony that God has given of him, in that 13 Acts 22. And when he had removed him (that is, Saul, v. 21.) he raiſed up unto them David to be their King, to whom alſo he gave teſtimony, and ſaid, I have found David the ſon of Jeſſe, a man after mine own heart, which ſhall fulfill all my will, (foreign) All my wills; to note the eminency, tranſc…ndency, univerſality and ſincerity of his obedience. Now if you will but look into that 2 Sam. 7.27. there you ſhall ſee how the Lord declares and makes knowne himſelfe and his intentions towards him; For thou, O Lord of Hoſts, God of Iſrael, haſt revealed to thy ſervant, ſaying, I will build thee an houſe: But the Hebrew is more full and excellent, in the Original,foreign it runs thus, Lord thou haſt revealed this to the eare of thy ſervant; Now the emphaſis lyes in thoſe words, to the eare of thy ſervant. When God makes knowne himſelfe and his intentions to ſuch as are eminent in holineſs, he do's it in their eare: God tells David in his eare, that he will build him an houſe, that is, that he would continue his kingdome to him, and to his poſterity after him; this was bleſſed newes, and this God tells in his eare. Such as are our ſpecial friends and favourites, we often whiſper them in the eare; when we would acquaint them with our moſt ſecret and weighty purpoſes, intentions and reſolutions, we give them a whiſper in the eare; ſuch perſons that are eminent in holineſs, are the great favourits of heaven, and God tells them in the eare of many a rare ſecret, which all others are kept ignorant of. Well Sirs, for a cloſe remember this, that there are no perſons on earth that are ſo prepared and fitted for the cleareſt, fulleſt, and higheſt manifeſtations of God, as thoſe that are eminent in holineſs; nor none that ſet ſo high a price upon the diſcoveries of God, as men that are eminent in holineſs; nor p. 502none that are ſo able to bare the Revelations of his will, as men that are eminent in holineſs, nor none that will make ſuch an humble, faithful, conſtant and through improvement of all that God ſhall make knowne to them, as men that are famous for holineſs; and therefore as ever you would have God in an eminent way to manifeſt and diſcover himſelfe and his mind unto you, O labour after a greater meaſure of holineſs. But,

8Eighthly, To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of holineſs, Conſider, that the more holy any man is, the more ſingular delight and pleaſure God will take in all his religious duties and ſervices;Generally 'twas the cuſtome of the Eaſtern countries to waſh before worſhip. The very heathen gods would be ſerved in white, the very emblem of purity. holineſs puts a divine ſavour upon all a mans ſervices; there are no duties ſo ſweet as thoſe that have moſt holineſs in them. Mal. 3.3, 4. And he ſhall ſit as a refiner and purifier of ſilver: and he ſhall purifie the ſons of Levi, and purge them as gold and ſilver, that they may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteouſneſs. Then ſhall the offering of Judah and Jeruſalem be pleaſant unto the Lord, as in the dayes of old, and as in former years. After the Lord Jeſus Chriſt hath been to his people as a refiners fire, and as Fullers ſope, that is, after he hath refined, ſcoured, and purged his people from their droſſineſs, filthineſs, earthlineſs, ſelfiſhneſs, and ſenſualneſs, &c. then their offerings ſhall be pleaſant to the Lord. Look as light makes all things pleaſant and delightful to man, ſo holineſs makes all a mans duties and ſervices pleaſant and delightful to the Lord. Zach. 13.9. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them, as ſilver is refined, and will try them as gold is tryed: they ſhall call on my name, and I will heare them: I will ſay it is my people; and they ſhall ſay, the Lord is my God. When God has refined his people as ſilver is refined, then he will bow his eare, and open his hand, and grant them the deſires of their hearts. O the pleaſure and delight that God takes in the prayers, tears, hearings, readings, meltings, mournings and repentings of ſuch who are eminently purged and ſanctified; the more holineſs any man has, the leſs of the fleſh, polution, and corruption there is in all his duties and ſervices; and the leſs there is of the old man in all our holy offerings, the more they are the delight of God; the more holineſs any man has, the leſs there will be of man, and the more there will be of Chriſt and the p. 503Spirit in all his duties and ſervices, and doubtleſs, the leſs there is of man, and the more there is of Chriſt in duties, the more pleaſant and delightful they will be unto the Lord. The more holy any man is, the more there will be of his heart in his duties, and the more a mans heart is in his duties, the more pleaſant and delightful they will be to God; God is a ſpirit,Joh. 4.23, 24.John 4:23John 4:24 and he is only taken with thoſe duties wherein the Spirit of a man is; the heart is (Camera omnipotentis Regis) the preſence chamber of the king of heaven, 'tis his bed of ſpices, 'tis his royal Throne, on which he delights to ſit and rule; a ſanctified heart in duties ſhall carry it with God for crownes, when a ſilver tongue ſhall not carry it with God for crums. The more holy any man is, the more delight and pleaſure he will take in religious duties and ſervices; the more a mans natural ſtrength is, the more eaſily he walks, & the more delightfully he works; the fuller the wings are of feathers, with the more eaſe and pleaſure the Bird flyes; ſo the fuller the ſoul is of holineſs,Pſal. 40.8. Pſal. 119.32. Math. 11.29. 1 Iohn 5.3.Ps 40:8Ps 119:32Matt 11:291 John 5:3 the more eaſily, the more pleaſantly, and the more delightfully will it walk, yea run, yea flie in all the wayes of Gods commands; every yoak of Chriſt is eaſie, and every command of Chriſt is joyous to a man that is eminent in holineſs; now the more any man delights and takes pleaſure in religious duties and ſervices, the more God delights and takes pleaſure in his religious duties and ſervices; the more a Chriſtians heart is affected and taken with the duties of Religion, the more the heart of God will be affected and taken with thoſe duties. Look as there is no duty that affects the heart of God, that do's not firſt affect our own, or that takes the heart of God, that do's not firſt take our own; ſo all thoſe duties and ſervices that are divinely pleaſing and delightfull to our noble part, they are alſo pleaſing and delightful to God himſelfe. The very heathen (as ſeveral Authors report) had their ſtore pots of water ſet at the doores of their Temples, where they uſed to waſh before they went to ſacrifice, having this notion and opinion amongſt them, that their gods did beſt accept and moſt delight in thoſe ſacrifices that were offered by thoſe who had waſhed themſelves pure and cleane; ſure I am that the great God, who is the God of gods, is moſt pleaſed and delighted p. 504with thoſe ſacrifices of prayers and praiſes that are offered up with the pureſt hands, and with the cleaneſt heart; and therefore as ever you would have God to take ſingular, pleaſure and delight in all your duties and ſervices, labour after an eminency in holineſs. But,

9Ninthly, To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of holineſs, Conſider, that many who have been won over to Chriſt later then you, do yet in holineſs much excell you, are there not many children, who have been in Chriſt but yeſterday (as it were) and yet how doe they outſtrip their parents (not only in parts, but in piety) who have been in Chriſt many years before them? And are there not many ſervants to be found, who have not been in Chriſt ſeaven years, who yet are more holy, more humble, more heavenly, more ſpiritual, more ſerious and every way more gracious then their Maſters, who have been in Chriſt long before them? And are there not many poor, meane, neglected, deſpiſed and ſcorned Chriſtians, who have been converted and ſanctified but a few years, who yet are more fearfull of ſinning againſt God, and more carefull of pleaſing God, and more ſtudious of glorifying of God, and more wiſe, and watchfull, and circumſpect, in their walking with God, and more laborious and diligent in the uſe of all holy means, whereby God may be exalted and lifted up in the world, then many great and rich Chriſtians in the world, who yet have been in Chriſt very many years before them? Paul had ſome kinſmen that were in Chriſt before him (as you may ſee in that 16 Rom. 5, 7. Likewiſe greet the Church that is in their houſe, ſalute my well beloved Epenetus, who is the firſt fruits of Achaia unto Chriſt; Salute Andronieus and Junia my kinſmen, 2 Cor. 1.12. Ch. 11.22.—30. 1 Theſ. 2.2.—13.2 Cor 1:121 Thess 2:2and my fellow-priſoners, who are of note among the Apoſtles, who alſo were in Chriſt before me) and yet in grace and holineſs he excell'd them all. You know many men in riding a Journey do often ſet out after their neighbours, and yet they do not only overtake them, but alſo get into their Innes many houres before them: And among Sea-men, is there any thing more common then for thoſe who ſet ſaile ſome dayes after others, yet to get into their Ports before them; ſo there are many Chriſtians, who have ſet out heaven-wards, and holineſswards, after others, and yet they have not only overtaken them, p. 505but alſo in grace and holineſs gone far before them.Luke 2.46.47 48.Luke 2:46Luke 2:47 As Chriſt in his non-age, put all the Doctors in the Temple down; ſo many Chriſtians even in their non-age (as I may ſay) do put down other Chriſtians,Hierom writes of Paulinus, that in the firſt part of his life he excellled others, and in his latter part he excelled himſelf. who in reſpect of their years and opportunities might have been Doctors in Chriſtianity. In this great City you have very many, who have ſet up many years after others, and yet they are grown far greater and richer then thoſe of their callings, who have ſet up many years before them; and doubtleſs there are very many in this City who have ſet upon the Trade of Chriſtianity, the Trade of godlineſs, long after others, who yet are grown greater and richer in grace & holineſs then thoſe, who have for very many years driven that Trade: And, O how ſhould this Alarm all ſuch to double their diligence, and to ſtrive and labor as for life to be eminent in holineſs, yea to perfect holineſs in the fear of the Lord. But,

Tenthly, To provoke you to labor after higher degrees of holineſs. Conſider, that there are no perſons under heaven that are ſo ſtrongly obliged and engaged to perfect holineſs in the fear of the Lord, as you are, for you are the onelyonly perſons on earth that are made partakers of the divine nature,2 Pet. 1.4. Dan. 6.3. 1 Cor. 2.12.2 Pet 1:4Dan 6:31 Cor 2:12 and that have a more excellent ſpirit in you then the men of this world have, and that have more excellent principles in you, as knowledge, wiſdom, faith, love, ſelf-denyal, humility, &c. to help on the advance and increaſe of holineſs, then others have whoſe ſouls are ſtrangers, yea enemies to thoſe noble and divine principles: And you are the onelyonly perſons on earth, upon whom all exhortations and commands to grow in holineſs, to encreaſe in holineſs, and to perfect holineſs in the fear of the Lord, do's moſt immediately, moſt directly, moſt eminently, moſt roundly, and moſt fully fall, as you may eaſily ſee by comparing the Scriptures in the Margent together. O ſirs,2 Pet. 3.18.2 Pet 3:18 how gloriouſly ſhould that houſe be adorned with holineſs, that is of Gods own building?2 Corin. 7.1. Ch. 13.11. Coloſ. 2.7. Heb. 6.1. 1 Corin. 15.58. Jude 10.2 Cor 7:1Col 2:7Heb 6:11 Cor 15:58Jude 1:10 and how fruitful ſhould thoſe vineyards and gardens be, that are of Gods own planting; and how full ſhould thoſe Wells be that are of Gods own digging? and how ſweet ſhould thoſe flowers be, that are of Gods own ſetting? and how ripe ſhould thoſe fruits be that are of Gods own Grafting? O ſirs, ſhall the Eagle flye higher and higher? ſhall the Sun ſhine brighter and brighter? and ſhall the Gyant refreſhed with wine, run ſwifter and ſwifter? and ſhall the woman man that is with child, grow fuller and fuller, and greater and greater? and ſhall not you who are the people of Gods holineſs, flye higher and higher in holineſs, and ſhine brighter and brighter in holineſs,Charles the Fifth had this for his Motto, Ʋlterius, goe on further. Math. 13.23. Mar. 4.28. Ezek. 47.3.4.Matt 13:23Mark 4:28Ezek 47:3Ezek 47:4 and run ſwifter and ſwifter in the ways of holineſs, and grow fuller and fuller, and greater and greater in the births of holineſs? O ſirs, holineſs in a Chriſtian is not like a Star in the Skie, nor a Stone in the Center, nor a Bullet in a Gun which is always equal; but holineſs is like to the ſeed, which being ſown in the furrows of the earth, firſt ſprings up into a blade, and then into an ear, and then into ripe corn. Holineſs is like to the waters in Ezekiels Sanctuary that riſe by degrees; Firſt it riſe to the Ancles, then to the knees, then to the Loyns, and then to a mighty river that could not be paſſed over.2 Sam. 3.1.2 Sam 3:1 Holineſs is like to the houſe of David that grew ſtronger and ſtronger, and like to the Cedars of Lebanon that grew greater and greater.Hoſea. 14.6 7.Hos 14:6 O Chriſtians there are none that are ſo ſtrongly obliged to go on from faith to faith,Rom. 1.17.Rom 1:17 and from ſtreng…h to ſtrength, and from holineſs to holineſs as you are: O!1 Col. 13. you muſt labor to be filled up to the brim with holineſs: O! you muſt ſtrive to equalize the firſt three of Davids worthies: O!2 Ch. 7. you muſt endeavor to be like the brethren of Gideon, every one reſembling the children of a King:1 Chron 11.21.1 Chr 11:21 O that you could all ſay as Elihu once did,Judg. 8.18. Job. 32.18, 19.Judg 8:18Job 32:18Job 32:19 I am full of matter, my belly is as wine, which hath no vent; it is ready to burſt like new bottles. O my brethren, to be as full of holineſs as new bottles are full of wine, or as the Moon is full of light, or as the black clouds are full of Rain, or as Nurſes breaſts are full of milk, is the greateſt happineſs in this world. O ſirs! there are no perſons on earth that a…e engaged to love the Lord with ſuch a vehement love as you, nor to t…uſt in the Lord with ſuch an inflamed faith as you, nor to hope in the Lord with ſuch a raiſed hope as you, nor to delight in the Lord with ſuch raviſhing delights as you, nor to long after the Lord with ſuch earneſt longings as you, nor to fear before the Lord, with ſo great a trembling as you, nor to be ſo zealous for God with ſuch a burning zeal as you, nor to mourn before the Lord with ſo great a mourning as you, nor to hate all p. 507things that are contrary to the nature of God, the being of God, the command of God, & the glory of God, with ſuch a deadly hatred as you. Well, remember this, viz. 'tis no little ſin for any Chriſtian to ſet down ſatisfied under a little meaſure of holineſs, conſidering the many and the great obligations that lies upon him to perfect holineſs in the fear of the Lord. But,

Eleventhly, To provoke you to labor after higher degrees of holineſs, conſider, that the more holineſs any man attains to,2 Corin. 1.8, 9, 10, 11, 12.2 Cor 1:82 Cor 1:92 Cor 1:102 Cor 1:112 Cor 1:12 the more bold, couragious, reſolute, Maſculine and Heroick that man will be for God and godlineſs: holineſs enobles the heart, it raiſes the heart; and the higher the ſprings of holineſs riſeth in the heart, the higher it raiſeth the heart, and the more it ſteels the heart for God and godlineſs; the more holineſs any man has the more reſolutely he will ſet himſelf againſt ſin, and the more divinely he will ſcorn the world, and the more couragiouſly he will trample upon temptations, and the more Heroick he will be under all his afflictions; men of greateſt holineſs have been men of greateſt boldneſs, witneſs Nehemiah, the three children, Daniel, Nehe. 6.11.and all the holy Prophets and Apoſtles; Prov. 28.1. The wicked flee when no man purſueth, but the righteous are as bold as a Lyon; yea as a young Lyon,foreign (as the Hebrew has it) that is in his hot blood, and fears no colours, and that is more bold then any others holineſs; made Daniel not onelyonly as bold as a Lyon, but alſo to daunt the Lyons with his boldneſs. Luther was a man of great holineſs, and a man of great boldneſs, witneſs his ſtanding out againſt all the world; and when the Emperour ſent for him to Wormes, and his friends diſſwaded him from going, as ſometimes Pauls did him, Go, Acts and Mon. 776.(ſaid he) I will ſurely goe (ſince I am ſent for) in the name of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, yea, though I knew that there were as many Devils in Wormes to reſiſt me, as there be Tiles to cover the houſes, yet I would goe: And when the ſame Author and his Aſſociates were threatned with many dangers from oppoſers on all hands, he lets fall this heroick & magnanimous ſpeech, Come let us ſing the ſix and forty Pſalme, and then let them do their worſt Latimer was a man of much holineſs (counting the darkneſs and profaneneſs of thoſe times wherein he liv'd) and a man of much courage & boldneſs,Acts and Mon. 1594. witneſs his preſenting to king p. 508Henry the eight for a new years gift, a new Teſtament wrapt up in a Napkin, with this poſie or motto about it, Whoremongers and Adulterers God will Judge. Dr. Taylor the Martyr was a very holy man, and being perſwaded by ſome of his friends not to appeare before Stephen Gardner Biſhop of Wincheſter, Acts and Mon. 1380.but to fly: fly you, (ſaid he) and do according to your conſciences, but as for my ſelf I am fully determined, by Gods grace, to go to the Biſhop, and to tell him to his Beard, that he doth naught. Colonus the Dutch Martyr, called to the Judge that had ſentenced him to death, and deſired him to lay his hand upon his heart, and then asked him whoſe heart did moſt beate, his or the Judges; here was a man of an heroick ſpirit indeed. Baſil was a man of great holineſs, and a man of a moſt maſculine and couragious ſpirit; when the Emperour ſent to him to ſubſcribe to the Aarian hereſie, & to engage him,Hiſt: Tripart. lib. 7. cap 36. promiſed him great preferment; to which he replyed, Alas theſe ſpeeches are fit to catch little children withall that look after ſuch things, but we that are nouriſhed and taught by the holy Scriptures, are readier to ſuffer a thouſand deaths, then to ſuffer one ſyllable or tittle of the Scripture to be altered: And when the Emperour threatned him with impriſonment, baniſhment, death; he anſwered, Let him threaten boyes with ſuch Fraybugs, as for my part I am reſolved that neither menaces nor flatteries ſhall ſilence me, or draw me to betray a good Cauſe, or a good Conſcience. Charles the ninth, king of France, The Hiſtory of France in the yeare 1572.who had a deep hand in that barbarous and bloody Maſſacre of many thouſands of the Saints in France; ſoone after that horrid tragical and perfidious ſlaughter was over, he called the Prince of Conde, & propoſed to him theſe three things, Either to go to Maſs, or to die preſently, or to ſuffer perpetual impriſonment; To which he returned this noble, bold, and heroick anſwer, viz. That by Gods help he would never chuſe the firſt, and for either of the other two, he left to the kings pleaſure and Gods providence. John Duke of Saxony was eminent in Chriſtianity, and he did heroically aſſert and maintaine the cauſe of God, againſt all oppoſition in three Imperial Aſſemblies; And when it was told him, that he ſhould loſe the favour of the Pope, and the Emperour, and all the world beſides, if he ſtuck ſo faſt to the Lutheran cauſe; to which he gave this noble anſwer; Here are two ways, ſaid he, I muſt ſerve God, or the world; & which p. 509of theſe do you think is the better? and ſo put them off with this pleaſant indignation; and when the States of the Empire forbid all Lutheran Sermons, he preſently prepared to be gone, and profeſſed boldly, that he would not ſtay there where he might not have liberty to ſerve God. And thus you ſee by all theſe famous inſtances, that the more eminent any perſons are in holineſs, the more bold, reſolute, couragious and heroical they will be for God, & for the things of God; and therefore as ever you would be men of high courage and reſolution for God, labour to be high in holineſs. Such men who in all Ages have been eminent in holineſs, have been like Shammah, one of Davids Worthies, who ſtood and defended the field, when all the reſt fled. But,

Twelfthly, To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of 12holineſs, Conſider, that the more holineſs any man attains to, the more ſerviceable and uſefull he will be in his Generation. David was a man eminent in holineſs, and as eminently ſerviceable in his Generation. Acts 13.36. For David after he had ſerved his own Generation by the will of God, fell on ſleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and ſaw corruption. Men that have but a little Stock of holineſs, will be but a little ſerviceable in their Generation, but men that have a great Stock of holineſs, will be greatly ſerviceable in their Generation; men that have but little Farms & little Stocks, are but a little ſerviceable to their Countrey, but men that have great Farmes, and large Stocks, and rich revenues, are greatly ſerviceable to their Countrey. What a world of good ſometimes do's one Rich man doe in a Towne, a City, a Countrey? So one Saint that is rich in grace and holineſs, O what a world of good do's he do to all that are round about him! Merchants that have great Stocks, trade to the Eaſt and Weſt Indies, and ſo inrich their Countrey, when as thoſe that have but weak eſtates can only Barter with their neighbours at home, and ſo are inſtruments but of little publike good. A Candle inlightens the Roome, but the Sun inlightens the whole world; the more holineſs any man has, the more meete for publike uſe that man will be: As there was none ſo holy as Chriſt,2 Tim. 2.21. Acts 10.38.2 Tim 2:21Acts 10:38 ſo there was none of ſo publike a ſpirit as Chriſt, he went up and downe doing good, he laid out himſelfe, and he laid downe himſelfe for publike good; he healed others, but was hurt himſelfe; he filled others, but was p. 510hungry himſelf. A man that is eminent in holineſs, will be of his minde, who was rather willing to beautifie Italy, then his own houſe.Num. 14.11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20.Num 14:11Num 14:12Num 14:13Num 14:14Num 14:19Num 14:20 Moſes was a man of great holineſs, and of famous uſe in his Generation; ah how often did he turne away the fierce anger and indignation of God from ſinful Iſrael? Deut. 9.14. Pſal. 106.23.Deut 9:14Ps 106:23and O the famous deliverances and glorious ſalvations that God brought about by his hand. Nehemiah Nehe. 5.14, ult.was a very holy man, and he laid out himſelfe and his great eſtate for publike ſervice. Mordecai was a very pious man,Eſth. 4. vide.Esth 4 & a man famouſly ſerviceable in his Generation. Eſth. 10.3. For Mordecai the Jew was next unto king Ahaſuerus, and great among the Jews, & accepted of the multitude of his brethren, ſeeking the wealth of his people, and ſpeaking peace to all his ſeed. King Jehoſaphat, and Joſhuah, were men of eminent holineſs, and of ſingular uſe and ſervice in their Generation; men that have no holineſs, & others that have but a little holineſs, will be ſtill a carrying on a private intereſt of honor, or profit, or friends, or Relations, and this we have ſeen evident amongſt us in theſe latter dayes; & therefore as ever you would be eminently ſerviceable in your Generation, labor after an eminency in holineſs. But,

13Thirteenthly, To provoke you to labor after higher degrees of holineſs, conſider, that the greateſt degrees of holineſs are uſually attended wirh the higheſt degrees of honor.2 Cor. 3.18.2 Cor 3:18 Grace is called glory, and the greateſt meaſures of Grace are commonly crowned with the greateſt degrees of glory:Eph. 5.27.Eph 5:27 Abraham was a man eminent in Grace and holineſs, and he was highly in honor among the people, Gen. 23.6. Hear us, my Lord, thou art a mighty Prince amongſt us; Or as the Hebrew has it, thou art a Prince of God amongſt us, that is, thou art a notable Prince, thou art an excellent Prince, for ſo the Hebrews ſpeak of all things that are notable and excellent. Job Job 1.1, 2.Job 1:1Job 1:2was a man that had attained to a very high degree of holineſs, and he was highly honored among the people, Job 29.25. I choſe out their way, and ſat chief, and dwelt as a king in the Army: in all weighty matters Job was the onelyonly man, he was choſen by all, and advanced by all above all in all Aſſemblies and places of Judicature, &c. whoever was of the Committee, yet Job was ſtill Chair-man; who ever was of the counſel, yet Job was ſtill Preſident; and whoever was of the Court, yet Job was ſtill King, yea p. 511he dwelt as a King in the Army; Job was guarded as a King in the Army, and honored as a King in the Army, and beloved and admired as a King in the Army, and obeyed and ſerved as a King in the Army, and feared and reverenced as a King in the Army. I might give you further inſtances of this in Joſeph, Moſes, Nehemiah, Mordecai, the three Children, and Daniel, but I ſhall forbear. Faith is but a piece, a part, a branch of holineſs; and yet O what an honorable mention doth Paul make of the Romans faith, in that Rom. 1.8. Firſt, This is a figurative expreſſion, according to the ſtile and manner of ſpeaking then.I thank my God through Jeſus Chriſt for you all, that your faith is ſpoken of throughout the world. The Romans had attained to an eminency in faith, and the report thereof ſounded thoroughout the Roman Empire, yea throughout the world, for there being a great reſort to Rome from all parts of the world, and by every ones diſcourſing and admiring of the Romans faith, their faith came to be ſpread abroad among all the Churches all the world over. Look as Chriſts fulneſs of grace was his higheſt glory in this world,Pſal. 45.1, 2.Ps 45:1Ps 45:2 ſo a Chriſtians fulneſs of holineſs is his higheſt honor in this world. O ſirs, there is no ſuch way to be high in honor and renown, both in the conſciences of ſinners and Saints, as to be high in holineſs. Jewel was a man eminent in holineſs, and his holineſs ſet him high in the very judgements and conſciences of the Papiſts: The Dean of the Colledge, though a Papiſt, yet ſpeaks thus of him, In thy faith I hold thee an Heretick, but ſurely in thy life thou art an Angel; thou art very good and honeſt, but a Lutheran. Among the very Heathens, thoſe were moſt highly honored, that were moſt excellent and eminent in moral vertues. Ariſtides was ſo famous among the Athenians for his Juſtice,Plutarch. that he was called Ariſtides the Juſt, &c. O Chriſtians, 'tis your higheſt honor and glory in this world, to be ſo eminent and famous for holineſs, that men may point at you, and ſay, there goes ſuch a one the wiſe, & there goes ſuch a one the humble, & there goes ſuch a one the heavenly, and there goes ſuch a one the meek, & there goes ſuch a one the patient, and there goes ſuch a one the contented, and there goes ſuch a one the Juſt, and there goes ſuch a one the merciful, and there goes ſuch a one the zealous, and there goes ſuch a one the couragious, and there goes ſuch a one the ſincere, and there goes ſuch a one the faithful, &c. well p. 512for a cloſe, remember this, that though great places, great offices, great revenues, and great honours, &c. may exalt you & ſet you high in the uppermoſt ſeats and roomes among men, yet 'tis only an eminency in holineſs, that will exalt you and ſet you high in the conſciences of ſinners and Saints. But,

14Fourteenthly, To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of holineſs, Conſider, that the times wherein you live calls for this at your hands.Jer. 51.5.Jer 51:5 Ah how is this Land filled with ſin, yea with the worſt of ſins againſt the holy One of Iſrael! Hell ſeems to be broken looſe, and men ſtrive to exceed and excell one another in all kinds of wickedneſs; O the ſcarlet ſins that are now to be found under many ſcarlet Robes! O the black tranſgreſſions that are now to be found under many black Caſſocks! O the newfound oaths, the helliſh blaſphemies, the horrid filthineſſes, and the abominable debaucheries that are committed daily in the face of the Sun! ah how ſhameleſs, how ſenſleſs are ſinners grown in theſe dayes!Jer. 3.3.Jer 3:3 ſin every where now appears with a whores forehead; ah what open oppoſition do's Chriſt meet with in his Goſpel offices,Math. 24.12.Matt 24:12 members, wayes, worſhip and works! ah how do's all iniquity abound, and how bold and reſolute are multitudes now in diſhonoring of God, in profaning his Sabbaths, in poluting his ordinances, in deſtroying their own ſouls, and in treaſuring up of wrath againſt the day of wrath,Rom. 2.5.Rom 2:5 &c. Now the worſer the times are, the better every Chriſtian muſt labour to be; the more profane the Age is wherein we live, the more holy we muſt endeavour to be: O Sirs, how elſe will you recompence the great God (if I may ſo ſpeak) for all the diſhonors that are caſt upon him by the matchleſs looſneſs and wickedneſs of the preſent times?Phil. 2.15.Phil 2:15 how elſe will you ſhine as lights in the midſt of a crooked and perverſe Nation? how elſe will you convince the conſciences,1 Pet. 2.15.1 Pet 2:15 and ſtop (or button up) the mouths of wicked and unreaſonable men? how elſe will you be the Lords witneſſes againſt this ſinful and adulterous Generation?Iſa. 43.10, 12. And ch. 44.8.Isa 43:10Isa 43:12 how elſe will you manifeſt your great love to Chriſt, and your exceeding tenderneſs of the honor and glory of Chriſt? how elſe will you give an undeniable teſtimony of the glorious operations of the Spirit in you? how elſe will you ſatisfie your own conſciences,Pſal. 18.20.—25. Heb. 11.7.Ps 18:20Heb 11:7 that your hearts are upright with God? and how elſe will you with Noah condemne p. 513a wicked world? well Chriſtians, remember this, 'tis more then time for you to perfect holineſs in the feare of the Lord, when ſo many thouſands labour day and night to perfect wickedneſs in deſpite of the Lord; 'tis time for you to be Angels in holineſs, when multitudes ſtrive to exceed the very devill in wickedneſs: ſince Chriſt was on earth, there has been no times that have called louder for the perfecting of holineſs, then the preſent times wherein we live. But,

Fifteenthly, To provoke you to l…bour after higher degrees of 15holineſs, conſider, how the men of the world do ſtudy and ſtrive to abound and encreaſe in worldly bleſſings. O what ado is there among worldlings to lay houſe to houſe, and field to field,Iſa. 5.8.Isa 5:8 to make a hundred a thouſand, and a thouſand ten, &c? Many men riſe early and go to bed late, yea they croſs their light,Pſal 127.1, 2.Ps 127:1Ps 127:2 & wound their conſciences, and decline their principles, and endanger their immortall ſouls, and all to adde to their worldly ſtores. This Age is ful of ſuch Ahabs, 1 Kings 21.1 Kgs 21that are even ſick for their neighbours Vineyards, yea that rather then they will goe without them, will wade through Naboths blood to them. And how many rich fools be there amongſt us, who inſtead of minding their ſouls, and providing for eternity, mind nothing,Luke 12.16.—21.Luke 12:16 nor talke of nothing, but pullin… down their Barns, & building of greater. What ſtrugling is there for places of honour? what deſperate ventures for rich commodities? and what high attempts are there for large poſſeſſions? O the time, the ſtrength, the ſpirits,Pſal. 4.6.Ps 4:6 that many ſpend in an eager purſuit after earthly things! O how ſad is it to conſider, that Satan ſhall have more ſervice of a worldling for an ounce of gold, then God ſhall have for the kingdome of heaven! though the world in all its bravey, is no better then the Cities which Solomon gave to Hiram, which he called Cabul, that is,1 Kings 9.13.1 Kgs 9:13 diſpleaſing or dirty; yet O how mad are men upon it? though all the great, the gay, and the glorious things of the world,Gen. 3.Gen 3 may fitly be reſembled to the fruit that undid us all, which was faire to the ſight, ſmooth in handling, ſweet in taſt, but deadly in operation; yet O how fond are men of theſe things?Multi amando res noxias ſunt miſeri, habendo miſeriores. Auguſt. in Pſal. 16.Ps 16 and how do moſt long to be touching and taſting of them, though a touch, a taſt, may exclude them out of Paradiſe for ever? O Sirs, what fools in Folio are they, who dare hazard the loſs of a Paradiſe for a wilderneſs, p. 514of a crowne for a crum, of a kingdome for a Cottage, and of Pearls for trifles; and yet ſuch fools are all thoſe who ſpend themſelves in multiplying and encreaſing of their earthly enjoyments. In that 13 Gen. 2. 'Tis ſaid, that Abraham was very rich in Cattel, in ſilver and in gold; but according to the Hebrew foreign it runs thus, Abraham was very heavie in Cattel, in ſilver and in gold, to ſhew that riches, that gold and ſilver (which is the great god of the world) are but heavie burdens, and rather a hinderance then a help to heaven and happineſs. Gold and ſilver which are but the white and yellow guts and garbage of the earth, is fitly called by the Prophet,Hab. 2.6.Hab 2:6 thick clay, which will ſooner break a mans back, then ſatisfie his heart; and O what folly and madneſs is it for a man to be ſtill a loading of himſelf with the clay of this world! though the Sumpter horſe be loaden with rich treaſure all the day long, yet when night comes he is turn'd into the dark ſtinking Stable, with an empty belly, and with his back full of gauls, ſores and bruiſes; ſo though vaine men may be loaded with the treaſures of this world during the day of their life, yet when the night of death comes, then they ſhall be turned into a dark ſtinking hell, with conſciences full of guilt and gauls, and with ſouls full of ſores and bruiſes, and then what good will all their treaſures do them?Luke 16.Luke 16 Though the rich man in the Goſpel lived like a Gentleman, a Gallant, yet when he died he went to hell. Though Mammon as Aretius and many others obſerve, is a Syriack word, and ſignifies wealth, riches; yet Irenaeus derives Mammon of Mum, that ſignifies a ſpot, and Hon that ſignifies riches, to ſhew that riches have their ſpots; and yet O how unwearied are men in their adding of ſpots to ſpots? men in their purſuit after the things of this world, ſeeme to act by an untired power, they are never weary of heaping up bags upon bags, nor of enlarging their Tents, nor of encreaſing their revenues, &c. Now O how ſhould this provoke every gracious ſoul to be adding of grace to grace, and holineſs to holineſs? O let not the men of the world out-doe you, let them not out-act you; O let not nature excell grace; O let the muck-wormes of this world know, that divine principles are too high and noble to be matcht, or to be out-acted by any thing that they can doe. O Sirs, ſhall children grow in your families, and oxen grow in your ſtalls, and p. 515fiſh grow in your ponds, & graſs grow in your fields, and flowers grow in your gardens, &c. and ſhall not holineſs grow in your hearts? well friends, remember this, 'tis infinitely better to be poore men and rich Chriſtians, then to be rich men and poore Chriſtians. But,

Sixteenthly, To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of 16holineſs, conſider, that the more holineſs you attaine to in this world, the more weighty and heavy, the more bright and glorious will be your faithfull Miniſters crowne. O Sirs, as you riſe higher and higher in holineſs,2 Epiſt. of John 4.John 4 ſo the ſprings of joy riſes higher and higher in your Miniſters ſouls. O Chriſtians, 'tis neither your ſeraphical notions, nor your pompous profeſſion, 'tis neither your good words, nor your ſweet looks, 'tis neither your civilities, nor your courteſies, that raiſes joy in your Miniſters hearts, or that will adde to your Miniſters crowne,Rom. 15.14.Rom 15:14 but an encreaſe of holineſs will do both. The Theſſalonians were rare Chriſtians, they were very eminent & high in holineſs, as you may ſee in that 1 Theſ. 1.5, 6, 7, 8. And they were the Apoſtles joy and crowne of rejoycing, as you may ſee in Ch. 2.19, 20. For what is our hope, or joy, or crowne of rejoycing? are not even ye in the preſence of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt at his coming? For ye are our glory and joy. The Apoſtle tells theſe raiſed, theſe renowned Theſſalonians, that as they were now his hope, his glory, and joy, ſo at the coming of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, they ſhould be his joy, and crowne of rejoycing. Look as Chriſt has his thouſand Shekels of ſilver,Shekels of ſilver were their common money, and a name both for weight and coyne, being in value anſwerable to our Engliſh half-crowns. ſo his faithful laborious Miniſters have their two hundred Shekels of ſilver, and that indeed is a great reward. Cant. 8.12. My vineyard which is mine, is before me: thou (O Solomon) muſt have a thouſand, and thoſe that keep the fruit thereof, two hundred. O what an honor is it for faithful Miniſters to have a fift part of that Reward that Chriſt has himſelf; in this 12 v. Chriſt oppoſeth his vineyard (his Church) to that of Solomons which is mentioned in v. 11. and though doubtleſs Solomons vineyard was one of the rareſt, choiceſt, and fruitfulleſt vineyards in all Judaea, yet it was wonderful inferiour to Chriſts vineyard; and that partly becauſe Chriſts vineyard coſt him a dearer and a greater price (even the price of his blood) then ever Solomons coſt him &;1 Pet. 1.18, 19,1 Pet 1:181 Pet 1:19 partly bécauſe his vineyard ſerves to more ſpiritual, high, honorable and noble p. 516ends,1 Tim. 3.15.1 Tim 3:15 then ever Solomons did, viz. the glory & exaltation of God, the propagating of truth, the bringing forth of the fruits of the Spirit,Gal. 5.22, 23.Gal 5:22Gal 5:23 viz. love, joy, peace, long-ſuffering, gentleneſs, goodneſs, faith, meekneſs, temperance, the bringing in of ſinners, and the building up of Saints; and partly becauſe his eye is ſtill upon it, and his protection is ſtill over it,Pſal. 121.3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8.Ps 121:3Ps 121:4Ps 121:5Ps 121:6Ps 121:7Ps 121:8 and his preſence is ſtill with it. Iſa. 27.2, 3. In that day ſing ye unto her, a vineyard of red wine. I the Lord do keep it, I will water it every moment; leſt any hurt it. I will keep it night and day. But Solomons eye was not alwayes upon his vineyard, neither was his hand of protection alwayes over it, neither was his kingly preſence alwayes with it; and partly becauſe all his treaſure is laid up in his vineyard (his Church) his treaſures of grace,Eph. 3.10.17, 18, 19, 20.Eph 3:10Eph 3:17Eph 3:18Eph 3:19Eph 3:20 his treaſure of mercy, his treaſures of comfort, his treaſures of goodneſs, &c. is all laid up in his Church; but Solomon as rich & as glorious a King as he was, yet he had no ſuch treaſures laid up in his vineyard; Solomon never made his vineyard his treaſury; and partly becauſe his vineyard was given to him for ever,Pſal. 2.7. John 6.39. Ch. 17.6, 8, 12.Ps 2:7John 6:39 as an everlaſting inheritance; but Solomons was but temporary and mutable. Now all thoſe that are painfull and faithfull labourers in Chriſts vineyard, ſhall receive a noble a liberall compenſation and recompence for their labours; no man ſhall ſhut a dore nor open a dore in Chriſts vineyard for nought; no man ſhall labour an houre there without a reward; all faithfull Miniſters are Fellow-labourers with Chriſt in the ſpirituall huſbandry,1 Cor. 3.8, 9.1 Cor 3:81 Cor 3:9 they dig with Chriſt, & they plant with Chriſt, and they prune with Chriſt, and they water with Chriſt, and they watch with Chriſt, & therefore Chriſt will allow them a fift part of the glory and reward with himſelfe; as he has his thouſand pieces of ſilver, ſo he will look to it that they ſhall have their two hundred pieces of ſilver; a thouſand is the number of perfection, and here it may note that fulneſs of glory that Chriſt ſhould have, & the two hundred may note that very great proportion of heavenly glory that all the faithfull labourers in Chriſts vineyard ſhall have,Math. 19.27, 28, 29.Matt 19:27Matt 19:28Matt 19:29 who have helpt forward the flouriſhing eſtate of that vineyard. Look as the thriving of the child adds to the comfort and the credit of the Nurſe, and the fruitfulneſs of the field adds to the pleaſure and delight of the Husbandman, and the health and increaſe of the Flock adds to the joy and reward of the Shepherd; p. 517ſo the increaſe of holineſs, the thriving, the fruitfulneſs of ſouls in holineſs, adds to the credit and comfort, to the pleaſure and delight, to the joy and reward of faithful painful Miniſters, who are Nurſes, Husbandmen, and Shepherds, in the language of the holy Scriptures. Though it be true, that faithful Miniſters are a ſweet ſavour to God, both in them that are ſaved,2 Cor. 2.15.2 Cor 2:15 and in them that periſh, though their labour whether it hit or miſs is accepted, and ſhall be rewarded of the Lord,Iſa. 49.45.Isa 49:45 (as the Phyſitian has his Fee, though the patient dies, & the Nurſe has her wages, though the child don't thrive, and the Vine-dreſſer has his hire, though the Vines don't bare fruit) yet the more they win men to heaven, and the more by their means the work of holineſs is carried on in the hearts & lives of men, the weightier will be their crowne of glory, and the greater will be their joy and rejoycing in the great day of our Lord. O Sirs, did you but ſee your faithfull Miniſters tears, did you but heare their heavy ſighs and groanes, were you but acquainted with their fervent and frequent prayers on your behalfes, did you but believe how they beare their brains, and how willing they are not only to ſpend themſelves, but even to ſpit out their very lungs in the ſervice of your ſouls, how would you call upon your own ſouls to adde holineſs to holineſs! yea charge your own ſouls to perfect holineſs in the feare of the Lord. Well friends, as ever you would adde to your faithfull Miniſters comfort here, and to their joy and crowne at the coming of our Lord, labour after higher degrees of holineſs. But,

Laſtly, To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of holineſs, conſider, that the more holineſs you have here, the more 17happineſs you ſhall have hereafter; the more grace you have on earth, the more glory you ſhall have in heaven. Now before I come to make good this Argument, viz. that ſome Saints ſhall partake of more glory in heaven then others ſhall, give me leave to promiſe theſe few things to prevent miſtakes.

Firſt, That the object of their happineſs, which is God bleſſed for ever, will be one and the ſame to all Saints, all glorified Saints 1ſhall have but one God among them all; God ſhall be no more one Saints God, then he ſhall be every Saints God in heaven, &c.

Secondly, That the beatifical viſion ſhall be ſeen by all the 2Saints, and communicated to all the Saints, they ſhall all have a p. 518happy and bleſſed fruition and poſſeſſion of God; all the veſſels of glory ſhall be filled to the brim with a cleare ſight of God, and with a full injoyment of God; and yet doubtleſs, for all this, ſome Saints ſhall apprehend more of God then others, and comprehend more of God then others, and enjoy more of God then others; though all ſhall be filled with thoſe everlaſting ſprings of pleaſure and delight that be at Gods right hand,Pſal. 16. ult.Ps 16 yet ſome ſhall be able to take in more of thoſe pleaſures of Paradiſe then others ſhall.2 Kings 4.3.—8.2 Kgs 4:3 Though all the widows veſſels were filled to the brim with oyle, yet, doubtleſs, ſome being greater and larger then others, they accordingly contained more oyle then others; and ſo 'twill be with the Saints when they come to heaven; There ſhall be no lack of glory to any of the Saints in glory; all the Saints ſhall be fill'd with glory according to their capacity. If you bring a thouſand veſſels of different ſizes to the Sea, the Sea fills them all, though their ſizes differ, and ſome are bigger, and others leſſer, yet all are fill'd, every little veſſell hath its fill as well as the greater; ſo every Saint ſhall have his fill of glory when he comes to glory; the felicity of every Saint ſhall be perfect: God will be all in all to all Saints.Pſal. 17.15.Ps 17:15

3Thirdly, All Saints ſhall be freed from all evills alike, they ſhall all be freed from the aking head, and from the unbelieving heart; they ſhall all alike be free from the evill of ſin, and from the evill of ſufferings; there ſhall not be a Saint in glory that ſhall ever feele a pricking brier,Ezek. 28.24.Ezek 28:24 or a grieving thorne; there all ſorrow ſhall be removed from all their hearts, and all tears ſhall be wipt from all their eyes, Rev. 7.17.

4Fourthly, and laſtly, the degrees of glory that Saints ſhall have in heaven, ſhall not be given out to them upon the account of their merits, or the dignity of their perſons, or the worthineſs of their works, but upon the account of Gods meere mercy and grace, who in the day of retribution will delight to crowne his own gifts (not our merits) and where he ſhall finde the greateſt meaſures of grace & holineſs,Deus nihil coronat niſi dona ſua. Aug. When God crowneth us, he doth but crowne his own gifts in us, &c. there he will of his own free mercy beſtow the greateſt meaſure of glory. Well friends, remember this, you muſt alwayes carefully diſtinguiſh between the eſſence and ſubſtance of glory, and between degrees and meaſures of glory. Now the eſſence and ſubſtance of glory (which conſiſts in p. 519the Saints full communion with God, and in their perfect conformity to God, and in their univerſal ſubjection to God, and in their everlaſting fruition of God) be common to all the Saints, ſo that no one Saint ſhall have more of the eſſence and ſubſtance of glory then another has, yet the degrees and meaſures of glory ſhall be diſtributed to ſome more, to ſome leſs. Now that there ſhall be different degrees of glory in heaven, anſwerable to the different degrees of grace and holineſs that the Saints reach to here on earth, and that God will at laſt proportion his Rewards according to the different degrees of labour, ſe…ice, and ſufferings of his people in this world, may be made evident. 1. By cleare Scriptures. 2. By Arguments. Now there are ſeverall Scriptures that ſpeaks out this truth: take theſe for a taſte.

Firſt, that 1 Cor. 3.8. Now he that planteth, and he that watereth 1are one, and every man ſhall receive his own reward, according to his own labour. The Apoſtle having compared his own and Apollo's work together, adds, That both ſhould receive their reward according to their work, that is, as their work differed, ſo ſhould their reward differ; though they both preacht one and the ſame doctrine, and had both one and the ſame deſigne and purpoſe, viz. to bring in ſouls to Chriſt, and to build up ſouls to Chriſt, yet according to their different degrees of labour, ſo ſhould be their different degrees of reward. Though no man ſhould work in Gods vineyard for nought, yet he that was moſt faithful, diligent, and laborious in planting or in watering Gods Husbandry, ſhould have the greateſt reward. Paul and Apollo ſhall at laſt receive their different reward according to their different labour; or neerer the Original, they ſhall each of them receive foreign, their proper reward, according to their proper work.

A ſecond Scripture is that 1 Cor. …5.41, 42. There is one glory of the Sun, 2and another glory of the Moone, and another glory of the Stars; for one Star differeth from another in glory: ſo alſo is the reſurrection of the dead. Mark here is the full ſtop, and theſe words are not to be referr'd to thoſe following words, viz. That the body is ſown in corruption, and riſeth againe in incorruption. For the Apoſtle ſpeaks not here of the difference between glorious and inglorious, corruptible and incorruptible things; but he ſpeaks here of the difference that is between heavenly and glorious things; for, faith he, one Star differs from another in glory. 'Tis very obſervable, that the compariſon runs between the glorified condition of ſome Saints that ſhall p. 520riſe, and other ſome, that ſhall riſe in the great day. So that look as one Star differs from another Star in glory, ſo one Saint ſhall differ from another Saint in glory at the reſurrection of the dead. Though every Star is bright, ſhining, and glorious, yet ſome Stars are more bright, ſhining and gl…rious then others are, ſo though every Saint ſtill ſhine gloriouſly in heaven, yet ſome Saints ſhall have a greater luſtre, glory, and ſhine upon them then others ſhall. Look as ſome heavenly bodies are more glorious then others; ſo in the morning of the reſurrection ſome Saints ſhall be more glorious then others, &c.

3A third Scripture is that 2 Cor. 9.6. But this I ſay, He which ſoweth ſparingly, ſhall reap ſparingly: and he which ſoweth bountifully, ſhall reap bountifully. A ſparing liberality ſhall be attended with a ſparing reward, and a bounteous liberality ſhall be attended with a bounteous reward. Look as the harveſt anſwers the meaſure of ſeed that is ſown, ſo that he that ſows but little reaps but little, and he that ſows much reaps much; ſo Saints reaping at laſt will be anſwerable to their ſowing here. All mens charities ſhall at laſt be rewarded proportionable to the ſeverall degrees of it; he that gives a pound ſhall have a greater reward then he that gives a penny; he that ſows thouſands, ſhall reap more then he that ſows hundreds; he ſhall have the moſt plentifull crop in heaven, who has ſow'd moſt ſeed here on earth, &c. They ſhall have intereſt upon intereſt in heaven, who ſow much on this ſide heaven.

4A fourth Scripture is that Luk 19.12.—20. Now in this Parable you have a great Lord going into a far Country;Mina here tranſlated a pound, is twelve ounces and a halfe, which pound according to five ſhillings an ounce, is three pound two ſhillings and ſix pence ſtarling money. Math. 2.2. Rev. 17.14. and ch. 1.5.Matt 2:2Rev 17:14 but before he goes he gives ten pounds to ten of his ſervants to trade with till his returne. Now upon his returne, he that had increaſed his pound to ten pounds, was made ruler over ten Cities, v. 17. And he that made five of one, was made ruler over five Cities, v. 19. Here he that gained moſt received the greateſt reward. The Nobleman in this Parable is our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who is truly and highly noble, he being coeternall and coequall with his Father in reſpect of his Deity; he was borne a king, and is now King of kings, and Lord of lords, and Prince of the Kings of the earth. The far Countrey that he is gone to is heaven, for thither he went at his aſcenſion; now when he ſhall returne from heaven to judge the quick & the dead, he will then bring men to an account, to a reckoning about their improvement of all the gifts and graces that he has intruſted them with, and according to the different improvement that men ſhall make of their Talents, ſo ſhall be their reward; he that makes the greateſt improvement of his pound, he ſhall have the greateſt reward, he ſhall be Ruler over ten Cities, that is, he ſhall be very highly honored and exalted, and he that makes a leſſer improvement, he ſhall have a leſſer reward, he ſhall be Ruler over five Cities; he that makes a great improvement of a little, he ſhall, if I may ſo ſpeak, ſit at Chriſts right hand, but he that makes a leſſer improvement, he muſt be contented to ſit at Chriſts left hand. God will proportion out mens reward at laſt anſwerable to their improvement of that treaſure that he has put into their hands; and yet this doth not infer merit of works, but a gracious diſpoſition in God to encourage his ſervants in a way of well-doing, &c.

p. 553The fift Scripture, is that, Dan. 12.3.From this very Text, your Engliſh Annotators conclude that there are degrees of glory in Heaven, &c. And they that bee wiſe ſhall ſhine, as the brightneſs of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteouſneſs, as the ſtars for ever and ever. The glory of Heaven, is here laid out in ſhining terms, for look how gloriouſly the ſhining of ſtars, doth excel the ſhining of the Firmament; ſo ſome Saints ſhall as far out-ſhine others in glory, as the Stars do now out-ſhine the Firmament; look as the Stars are a more beautiful, and glorious part of the Orb, than the Firmament is; ſo ſome Saints ſhall have a great deal more beauty and glory upon them, than others ſhall: And look as there are different degrees of glory, between the glory of the Firmament, and the glory of the Stars now, ſo there ſhall bee different degrees of glory, between one glorious Saint and another at laſt. All the Saints ſhall at laſt ſhine as the firmament; but thoſe that by their Doctrine, Inſtruction, and Converſation, turn many to righteouſneſs, theſe ſhall ſhine as the Stars, for ever and ever: Some of the higheſt ſeats in glory, ſhall bee for ſuch,Act. 26.18.Acts 26:18 who turn ſinners from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan to Jeſus Chriſt. Tis very obſervable, that as the Apoſtles were very eminent in this work, ſo Chriſt has given it under his own hand,Matth. 19 28. Luke 22.28.29.Matt 19:28Luke 22:28Luke 22:29 that they ſhall ſit upon twelve Thrones, as ſo many Kings, judging the twelve tribes of Iſrael; they had done and ſuffered more for Chriſt than others, and therefore Chriſt will put a greater glory upon them than upon others; though many learned men differ about the interpretation of thoſe words, yee alſo ſhall ſit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Iſrael; and therefore I dare not peremptorily conclude this or that to bee the ſenſe of them, yet this is moſt plain and evident in the Text, that the Apoſtles are under a promiſe, of ſome peculiar and more eminent degree of honour, glory, and dignity, than others are under? look as their Service to Chriſt was a peculiar and eminent ſervice, ſo Chriſt promiſes them a peculiar and eminent Reward; every man of them ſhall have his particular Throne, and every one of them ſhall have the honour, and dignity of judging, that is of governing, and ruling the twelve tribes of Iſrael. Look as Embaſſadors, and cheif Counſellors, and p. 554Preſidents have the higheſt and chiefeſt ſeats in the Kingly Aſſembly;Heb. 12.22, 23Heb 12:22Heb 12:23 ſo the Apoſtles ſhall have the higheſt, and the chiefeſt ſeats in the general Aſſembly, and Church of the firſt born in Heaven, they ſhall ſit as it were on the Throne, or on the Bench with Chriſt, ſo highly and greatly ſhall they bee exalted. If wee cannot hit upon the meanings of the Reward here promiſed, yet wee may ſafely and eaſily gather from the deſcription of it, that there ſhall bee different degrees of glory, in Chriſts Kingdome of glory. The Apoſtles followed Chriſt through great tribulations and afflictions, and they continued with him in all his temptations, they forſook all to waite on him, and after they had faithfully, laboriouſly, ſucceſsfully, and very eminently ſerved him, they made themſelves an offering for him (as I have formerly ſhewed you) and therefore Chriſt will at laſt in a more eminent way exalt them, and glorifie them, than hee will others that have never ſeen that of Chriſt, nor received that from Chriſt, nor done that for Chriſt, nor ſuffer'd that for Chriſt as they have done▪ degrees of glory ſhall at laſt bee proportion'd out anſwerable to thoſe degrees of ſervice, which in this life men have been drawn out to. Such a thing as this the Apoſtle Paul do's more than hint (if I miſtake not) in that, 1 Theſ. 2.19, 20. For what is our hope, or joy, or Crown of rejoycing? are not even yet, in the preſence of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, at his coming? For yee are our glory and joy: the crown that Paul ſpeaks of here, is not that common crown of righteouſneſs, nor that common crown of life and immortality,2 Tim. 4.8. Jam. 1.12. Rev. 2.10 1 Pet. 5.4.2 Tim 4:8Jas 1:12Rev 2:101 Pet 5:4 nor that common crown of glory, that all the Saints ſhall bee crown'd with at laſt; but hee ſpeaks here of an Apoſtolical crown, of a ſpecial, peculiar crown, that ſhould accrue to him upon the account of his ſerviceableneſs to their Souls, and of this crown hee ſpeaks again in that, Phil. 4.1. Therefore, my brethren, my dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, ſo stand faſt in the Lord my dearly beloved: hee calls the Philipians, his crown, and that partly becauſe their ſpiritual growth, conſtancy, and perſeverance, was now his glory among other Churches, but mainly becauſe they ſhould bee his particular p. 555crown of rejoycing, in the great day of our Lord Jeſus; hee knew that the Philipians profit would bee his crown, and his advantage another day. The Apoſtle alludes here to the cuſtome of the Romans, who as they had their common crown… of Bayes, Ivie, and Lawrell &c. (and theſe were ſuch, that their horſes which won the race were often crown'd with, which occaſioned Theocritus to ſay, ſee what poor things the world glories in; for as their Conquerours are crown'd, ſo are their Horſes) ſo they had their peculiar, their ſpecial crowns that were the rewards of their Conquerors, that had done ſpecial ſervice for their country. So there are common crowns, that belong to all the Saints, as Saints, as the crown of righteouſneſs; the crown of life, and the crown of glory; and as there are theſe common crowns, ſo there are ſpecial and peculiar crowns, that they ſhall bee crown'd with, that are exerciſed in more high and excellent ſervices, than others have been employed in; and this is the crown that here the Apoſtle ſpeaks of; hee knew very well that his reward ſhould bee anſwerable to his work, for though God never did, nor never will reward men for their works (as if they were, the meritorious cauſe of the reward) yet hee will for degrees, reward them according to their works, there are peculiar crowns, ſpecial crowns, for thoſe that have done peculiar, and ſpecial ſervices for Chriſt on Earth.

A ſixt Scripture is that, Matth. 5.11, 12. Bleſſed are yee, when men ſhall revile you, and perſecute you, and ſhall ſay all manner of evil againſt you, falſely, for my ſake: Rejoyce, and bee exceeding glad: for great is your reward in Heaven: Suffering Saints, perſecuted Saints, ſhall bee ſure of great rewards? God will reward upon his people, not only their innocencie, integrity, patience, and courage under their ſufferings, but the more their ſufferings, revilings, and perſecutions are multiplyed in this world, the more ſhall their recompence and reward, bee multiplied in another world. 'Tis true Chriſt hath many lovers of his Crown, but few bearers of his Croſs, all would rejoyce with him, but few care to ſuffer for him, but yet 'tis as true on the one hand p. 556viz. that they who bear moſt of his Croſs, ſhall bee greateſt ſharers in his Crown; they that ſuffer moſt for him on Earth ſhall bee moſt bleſt and rewarded by him, when they come to Heaven.2 Cor. 1.4, 5.2 Cor 1:42 Cor 1:5 Look as the conſolation of the Saints, riſes higher and higher in this world, even as their ſufferings, riſe higher and higher; ſo the glory of the Saints, ſhall riſe higher and higher in the other world, as their ſufferings has riſe higher and higher in this world. The perſecuted Chriſtians in Tertullian cries out, Crudelitas veſtra gloria noſtra, your cruelty is our glory, and the harder wee are put to it, the greater ſhall bee our reward in Heaven. One ſpeaking of the Martyrs, ſaid, look how many ſufferings they have; ſo many crowns they ſhall have; for every ſuffering, God ſhall ſet a crown on their heads: By how much mens ſufferings have been greater (ſaith Chryſoſtom) by ſo much the more their crown ſhall bee bright and ſplendent. The greater conflicts and buffetings, any Saint hath endur'd, the greater ſhall bee his reward, and the more ample ſhall bee his glory ſaith Auſtin: As Chriſt hath many crowns upon his head, ſutable to the multitude of his ſufferings and victories, ſo Chriſtians at laſt ſhall have crowns ſutable to the multitude of their ſufferings,Rev. 19.7.Rev 19:7 and ſutable to thoſe famous victories they have gained over a tempting Devil, and a perſecuting world; certainly it will bee but Juſtice, that they ſhould receive the weightieſt Crown,1 Joh. 5.4. & chap. 2.13, 14.1 John 5:4 who have bore the heavieſt Croſs.

The ſeventh and laſt Scripture that I ſhall produce, is that, Matth. 10.41. Hee that receiveth a Prophet, in the name of a Prophet, ſhall receive a Prophets reward; that is ſay ſome, they ſhall bee partakers of the ſame reward, that is laid up for the Prophets. Without all diſpute theſe two things lyes fair in the Text,

Firſt, that there is ſome ſpecial and eminent degrees of reward due unto a Prophet above other men. And,

Secondly, that he that ſhall entertain a Prophet, and perform any offices of love and favour to him, under that name and notion, hee ſhall bee partaker of that reward; hee that receives a Prophet, as hee is Gods meſſenger, and imployed p. 557in his ſervice, and ſent about his arrant, and not upon any carnal or worldly reſpects, hee ſhall receive a Prophets reward, that is, hee ſhall receive either ſuch a reward as the Prophet himſelf ſhall receive at laſt, or hee ſhall receive ſuch a large ample and noble recompence as is meet for one to receive, that received a Prophet, as coming from the Lord, and as acted by the Lord: Look as ſuc… who give an honourable reception, to the Ambaſſadours of Kings, or Princes, do highly raiſe themſelves in the favour and eſteem, of thoſe Kings or Princes, that had ſent them; ſo thoſe that receive the faithful Prophets of the Lord, as the Ambaſſadours of God, they ſhall bee highly intereſted in the favour of God, and as nobly bee rewarded by God. I might produce ſeveral other Scriptures,As that Mat. 6.20. Joh. 14.2. Mat. 20.20. to the 24.Matt 6:20John 14:2Matt 20:20 that ſound to the ſame purpoſe, as theſe Seven do; but enough is as good as a feaſt.

I ſhall therefore in the Second place come to the Reaſons that may further evidence and confirm this great truth, viz. That there ſhall bee different degrees of glory in Heaven; among many other reaſons that might bee given, I ſhall only give you theſe five.