The Crown and Glory of Christianity, Uses · Use and exhortation 3 · Section 4 (2 of 3)

The Crown and Glory of Christianity · Uses · Use and exhortation 3 · Section 4 (2 of 3)

p. 604I remember a notable ſaying of Ambroſe, Ambroſ. Ap…l. Dav…d. Post. c. 3.ſpeaking of Sampſon, vincula ſolvit hoſtium, &c. Saith hee, hee brake the bonds of his enemies; but hee could not break the bonds of his own luſts: hee choaked the Lion, but hee could not p. 605choak his own wanton love: hee ſet on fire the harveſt of ſtrangers, and himſelf being ſet on fire with the ſpark of one ſtrange woman loſt the harveſt of his vertue. And this ſaying of Ambroſe puts mee in minde of a great Roman Captain, who as hee was riding in his triumphant Chariot through Rome, had his eyes never off a Courtizan that walkt along the ſtreet, which made one ſay, Behold how this goodly Captain that conquered ſuch potent Armies, is himſelf conquered by one ſilly woman. O 'tis not Philoſophy, nor Morality, nor Civility, &c. but holineſſe, but ſanctity that will make the ſoul victorious over iniquity; and the more victories and conqueſts a man makes upon heart ſins, upon ſpiritual-ſins, upon ſecret-ſins, the greater meaſures of holineſſe that perſon hath certainly attained to. But

Seventhly, The more a man is exerciſed and buſied in the moſt internal and ſpiritual duties of Religion, the greater meaſures of holineſſe that man hath attained to. You know there are external duties of Religion, and there are internal duties of Religion: There are external duties of Religion, as publick Preaching, hearing the Word, reading the Word,Mar. 6. & ch. 23.Mark 6 faſting, ſinging of Pſalms, Chriſtian conference, Communion of Saints, and receiving the Lords Supper. Now ſuch Chriſtians as have but ſmall meaſures of grace and holineſſe,Iſa. 1.11.—19, Iſa. 58.1, 2, 3.4, 5. Zach. 7.4, 5, 6, 7Isa 1:11Isa 58:1Isa 58:2Isa 58:3Isa 58:4Isa 58:5Zech 7:4Zech 7:5Zech 7:6Zech 7:7 and Hypocrites and Formaliſts that have not the leaſt meaſure of true grace and holineſſe; theſe are moſt commonly exerciſed and buſied about the external duties and ſervices of Religion; but very ſeldome, very rare ſhall you finde them in the more inward and ſpiritual duties of Religion; but then as there are external duties; ſo there are internal and ſpiritual duties, as Self-examination, Self-reſignation to God, Self-loathing, Self-judging, Divine-meditation, praying in the Spirit, Watchfulneſſe over the Heart, and making application of the blood of Chriſt, the death of Chriſt, the grace of Chriſt, the love of Chriſt, and the word of Chriſt to a mans own ſoul. Now the more any Chriſtian is exerciſed and imployed, in theſe internal ſpiritual and Evangelical duties and ſervices, the greater heights and degrees of holineſſe that Chriſtian is grown to, Phil. 3.3. For wee are the c…rcumciſion, p. 606which worſhip God in the Spirit, and rejoyce in Christ Jeſus, and have no confidence in the fleſh. Theſe Philippians were eminent in grace and holineſſe, as you may ſee in chap. 1. And they place no confidence in circumciſion, nor in any ſuch outward performances, or ſervices, but they were much in the exerciſe of grace, and in worſhipping of God in the Spirit, and in rejoycing in the Perſon of Chriſt, the Natures of Chriſt, the Offices of Chriſt, the Diſcoveries of Chriſt, the Communications of Chriſt, the glorious Operations of Chriſt, the precious Promiſes of Chriſt, and in the heart-warming and heart-chearing Blood of Chriſt.

Now to bee much exerciſed in the moſt internal, ſpiritual, and Evangelical duties of Religion, argues a very great height of holineſſe. But

8thly. The more ſpiritual, internal, & intrinſecal Principles, Motives, and Conſiderations, carries a perſon on in Religious duties and ſervices, the more holy that perſon is; when a man is carried on in the duties of Religion, from a ſenſe of Divine Love,Pſa. 119.1, 2, 3. 1 Joh. 1.1, 2, 3, 4. Iſa. 38.16, 17, 19, 20. Pſa. 63.1, 2, 3.Ps 119:1Ps 119:2Ps 119:31 John 1:11 John 1:21 John 1:31 John 1:4Isa 38:16Isa 38:17Isa 38:19Isa 38:20Ps 63:1Ps 63:2Ps 63:3 or from a ſenſe of the ſpecial preſence of Chriſt with his Spirit, or from a ſenſe of the excellency and ſweetneſſe of communion and fellowſhip with God, or from a ſenſe of the graciouſneſſe and goodneſſe of God towards him, or from a ſenſe of ſingular influences and incomes from God, or from a ſenſe of the choice and precious diſcoveries of God, or from a ſenſe of the beauty and glory of God, &c. This argues a very great meaſure of holineſſe, that ſuch a perſon hath attained to; The more the ſweet looks of Chriſt, the ſecret viſits of Chriſt, the private whiſpers of Chriſt; the divine joggings of Chriſt, the bleſſed Love-tokens of Chriſt, and the holy kiſſes, and glorious embraces of Chriſt doth incite and provoke a perſon to Religious duties; the greater degrees of holineſſe that perſon hath reacht to; but now 'tis an Argument that the ſtreams of holineſſe runs but low, when external Motives and Conſiderations have the greateſt hand in carrying a perſon on in Religious duties. The more bare cuſtome, the eye of the creature, the favour of the creature, the example of the creature, the applauſe of the creature, the rewards of the creature, or the keeping up of a mans parts, p. 607or the keeping up of a mans name, eſteem and repute in the world, doth influence a Chriſtians heart to Religious duties, the leſſe holineſſe that Chriſtian hath. Yea 'tis conſiderable, that outward Motives, and natural Principles have carried many Heathens to do many great and glorious things in the world. Did not Siſera do as great things as Gideon? the difference did only lye here, that the great things that Gideon did, hee did from more ſpiritual Principles, and raiſed Conſiderations, than any Siſera was acted by; And did not Diogenes trample under his feet the great and glorious things of this world as well as Moſes? Heb. 11.Heb 11the difference did only lye in this, that Moſes trampled under his feet the gay and gallant things of this world, from inward, holy Principles, and from high and glorious Conſiderations, and Motives, whereas Diogenes did only trample upon them from poor, low Principles, and from carnal and external Conſiderations.

I have read of one Coſmus Medices, a rich Citizen of …lorence, that hee confeſſed to a neer friend of his, that hee built ſo many Magnificent Structures, and ſpent ſo much on Scholars, and Libraries, not for any love to Learning, but to raiſe up to himſelf the Trophies of fame and renown. And many of the Romans have done very great and glorious things for their Country, but all from natural Principles, and from carnal and external Motives and Conſiderations; as for a great name, a puff of honour, a little applauſe, &c. and therefore their moſt glorious actions have been but ſhining ſins. God alwaies writes a nothing upon all thoſe ſervices,Jer. …2.23.Jer 2:23 wherein mens Principles and their Ends are naught and low. 'Twas a notable ſaying of Luther, one work of a Chriſtian (ſaith hee) is more precious then Heaven and Earth, and if I might have my deſire, I would rather chuſe the meaneſt work of a Country Chriſtian, or poor Maid, than all the Victories and Triumphs of Alexander the Great, and of Julius Caeſar, becauſe whatſoever a Saint doth, though it be never ſo ſmall and mean, yet it is great and glorious, becauſe he doth all in Faith, and by the Word. And ſaith the ſame Author further, let our works be never ſo ſmall, ſervile, womaniſh, yet let but this title be added, the Word of the Lord; and p. 608then they will be all glorious, yea ſuch as ſhall remain to all eternity. O Sirs! all our works and ſervices muſt bee wrought from God, for God, in God, and according to God, or elſe they will bee but ſplendida peccata, gliſtering ſins; well the more ſpiritual and internal, the principles, motives, and conſiderations are, that carries a Chriſtian on in religious duties, the greater meaſure of holineſſe hath that Chriſtian arrived to. But,

Ninthly, The more ſolid, preciſe, exact, and accurate a Chriſtian is in religious duties and ſervices, the greater meaſure of holineſſe that Chriſtian hath attained to, and the more any Chriſtian grows in holineſſe, the more ſpiritual, the more ſavory, the more exact, and accurate hee will grow in all his religious ſervices and performances: The more a Chriſtians heart is endeared to religious duties, & the more his heart is affected with the heavenly nature of religious duties, and the more eaſily, the more holily, the more freely, & the more ſpiritually, he performs religious duties, the more he is thriven & grown in holineſs. A young Carpenter gives more blows, & makes more noiſe & chips, than an old experienced workman doth, but the old experienced workman doth his work more ſolidly, more exactly, and more accurately, than the young Carpenter doth; So many young Chriſtians that are but newly entred into the trade of Chriſtianity, and that are raiſed up, but to a very ſmall degree of ſanctity, theſe may multiply duties upon duties, theſe may abound in religious performances, theſe may bee much in adding of ſervice to ſervice; but yet the aged and experienced Chriſtian in grace and holineſſe, doth duties more ſolidly, more ſpiritually, more exactly, and more accurately, than the young Chriſtian doth: Wee muſt never judge of an eminency in holineſſe, by the number or multitude of our duties, but by the ſeriouſneſſe, the graciouſneſſe, the ſolidneſſe, the ſpiritualneſſe, the holineſſe, the heavenlineſſe, and the accurateneſſe of our hearts in duties. A young Muſitian may play longer, and more quick and nimble upon an Inſtrument, than an old Muſitian can, but yet the old Muſitian playes with more art, accurateneſſe, skill, judgement, p. 609and underſtanding, than a young Muſitian doth; ſo young Chriſtians in grace and holineſſe may hold out longer and bee quicker and nimbler in religious duties, than others that are more aged in grace and holineſſe; but yet they that are aged in grace and holineſſe, do perform religious duties with more ſpiritual art, and accurateneſſe, and with more divine skill, judgement, and underſtanding than they do in whom the ſpring of holineſſe runs low. A young Scholar may run over more paper, and write more paper, and make more letters, than his Maſter doth, but yet his Maſter writes more underſtandingly, exactly, and accurately, than hee doth.

So many young converts may run over more duties than others, and yet others may perform duties more underſtandingly, and more exactly, and more accurately than they do; let the duty bee never ſo ſhort, yet if there bee much ſpiritualneſſe, holineſſe, brokenneſſe, ſeriouſneſſe, and accurateneſſe in it, it will carry all before it, 'twill win the bleſſing, and obtain the crown, when the longeſt duties (wherein there is no ſuch frame nor temper of ſpirit) ſhall not prevail with God at all. Zach. 7.4, 5, 6. Iſa. 58.1.—6. It argues a very great meaſure of holineſſe, when the ſoul is habitually carried on in religious duties, with much ſolidneſſe, ſeriouſneſſe, ſpiritualneſſe, exactneſſe, and accurateneſſe. But,

Tenthly, The more any man makes it his great buſineſſe and work, in all his duties, waies, and walkings, to approve himſelf to God, and to bee accepted of God,Jer. 12.3. Pſa. 17.3. The Hebrew word, foreign Chakreni, ſignifies, a very ſtrict careful, diligent ſearch, and inquiſition, &c.Jer 12:3Ps 17:3 the greater height of holineſſe that man hath attained to; David was a man of great holineſſe, and how ſtudious and induſtrious hee was to approve his heart to the Lord, you may ſee in that 139. Pſalm. 23, 24. Search mee, O God! and know my heart, try mee and know my thoughts; and ſee if there bee any wicked way in mee, and lead mee in the way everlaſting. The Pſalmiſt knew that God had an eye upon him, both at home and abroad, both at bed and at board, both in publick, and in private, both in his family, and in his cloſet, hee knew that God had an eye in every corner of p. 610his houſe, and in every corner of his heart, and therefore hee appeals to God, and hee approves his heart to God, and nobly ventures upon the tryal of God; Search mee O God, and know my heart, &c. this frequent repetition and doubling of words, Search mee O God, and know my heart, try mee, and know my thoughts, &c. doth not only note the earneſtneſſe, and ſeriouſneſſe of Davids ſpirit in prayer, but alſo the ſoundneſſe, the uprightneſſe, the plainneſſe and the unfeignedneſſe of Davids heart, in that hee was very willing and ready to ſubmit himſelf to the ſearch, tryal, examination, and approbation of God. And ſo Peter that great Apoſtle of the Gentiles, makes it his great buſineſſe to approve himſelf to Chriſt thrice together,Joh. 21.15, 16, 17.John 21:15John 21:16John 21:17 Lord, thou knoweſt that I love thee, Lord thou knoweſt that I love thee, Lord thou that knoweſt all things, thou knoweſt that I love thee, Chriſt beſt knew the reality and ſincerity of Peters love, and therefore Peter appeals to him, as to a judge, that would bee ſure to judge righteous judgement; Thou knoweſt that I love thee. And ſo the Apoſtle Paul ſpeaking in the Name of his fellow Apoſtles, ſaith, wherefore wee labour, that whether preſent,2 Cor. 5.9. foreign.2 Cor 5:9 or abſent, wee may bee accepted of him: The Greek word that is here rendred labour, is a very Emphatical word, it ſignifies to labour and endeavour with all earneſtneſſe and might, to indeavour with a high and holy ambition, to bee approved of by God, and to bee accepted of God, judgeing it to bee the greateſt honour, and the moſt deſireable happineſſe in all the world, to bee graciouſly owned, approved, and accepted of the Lord; as ambitious, induſtrious, and laborious, as Haman was to bee highly accepted with King Ahaſuerus, yet he was not more ambitious to bee accepted with the King, than the Apoſtles were ambitious to be accepted of the King of Kings. O Sirs! when in every Sermon you hear, and in every prayer you make, and in every faſt you keep, and in every action you do, and in every way that you walk, and in every mercy that you enjoy, and in every croſs that you bear, &c. you make it your great buſineſſe and work, to approve your ſelves to the Lord, and that though the world ſhould diſcountenance p. 611you, and friends hate you, and near and dear Relations reject you, that yet you may find bleſſed acceptance with God; this argues holineſs to be upon the Throne, when in all your dealings and tradings with God, you make it your Heaven to approve your ſelves to God; and when in all your tranſactions with men, you make it your happineſs to approve your ſelves to God; 'tis an Argument that the ſprings of holineſs are riſen high in your ſouls. But

Eleventhly, The more a man lives by the Rule of Expediency, as well as by the Rule of Lawfulneſſe, the greater meaſure of holineſſe that perſon hath attained to.Joh. 16.7. 2 Cor. 8.10.John 16:72 Cor 8:10 Weak holineſſe hath only an eye upon the Rule of Lawfulneſſe, but raiſed holineſſe hath one eye upon the Rule of Lawfulneſſe, and the other upon the Rule of Expediency. Weak holineſſe ſaith, O this is lawful, and that is lawful! O but ſaith raiſed holineſſe, is it expedient? is it expedient as well as lawful! That Angelical Apoſtle Paul had ſtill his eye upon the Law of Expediency, 1 Cor. 6.12. All things are lawful unto mee, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for mee, but I will not bee brought under the power of any. And ſo ch. 10.23. All things are lawful for mee, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for mee, but all things edifie not. And ſo in that 2 Cor. 12.1. 'Tis not expedient for mee doubtleſs to glory. Many things may bee lawful, that yet may bee very inexpedient for our place, ſtate, calling, and condition in the world. 'Twas lawful for the Apoſtle to eat meat,Rom. 14.Rom 14 but 'twas not expedient for him to eat meat; when his eating of meat would make his weak Brother to offend, or grieve, or ſtumble, or fall; And therefore hee reſolves, that rather than hee will eat meat to offend,1 Cor. 8.13.1 Cor 8:13 hee will never eat meat whilſt the world ſtands. The more unchangeably reſolved any perſon is to eye the Rule of Expediency, and to live by the Rule of Expediency, the greater meaſure of holineſſe that perſon hath certainly attained to, the ſtreams of holineſſe runs low in that Chriſtians heart that hath two eyes to behold the Rule of Lawfulneſſe, but never an eye to ſee the Rule of Expediency, it argues a very great height of holineſſe for a man to make as much conſcience of living by the Rule of Expediency, p. 612as hee doth of living by the Rule of Lawfulneſſe. For a man to be often a looking over his Natural actions, his Moral actions, and his Religious actions, and to be ſtill a putting this queſtion to himſelf; O my ſoul! doſt thou eye what is expedient? doſt thou eye as well what is expedient, as what is lawful? ſuch a frame and temper of ſpirit ſpeaks out much of Chriſt and Holineſſe within. O the ſins! O the ſorrows! O the ſhame! O the reproach! O the troubles! O the travels! O the trials, &c. that might have been prevented, had the Law, had the Rule of Expediency been more minded and followed by Chriſtians in theſe daies, &c! But

Twelfthly and laſtly, The more a man can deny himſelf, when hee hath an opportunity, power and authority to raiſe himſelf, to greaten himſelf, to ſeek himſelf, and to lift up himſelf, the greater meaſure of Holineſs that man hath attained to. Providence often puts many a rare and fair opportunity into Moſes his hand,Exod. 32.9.—15. Deut. 9.13, 14, 18, 19, 20. Heb. 12.24, 25. Nehem. 5.14. — ult.Exod 32:9Deut 9:13Deut 9:14Deut 9:18Deut 9:19Deut 9:20Heb 12:24Heb 12:25Neh 5:14 whereby hee might have raiſed himſelf, and have greatned himſelf in the world, and yet then, even then hee denies himſelf. And Nehemiah was a man of the ſame mind and metal; hee ſtood upon the advantage ground, to have greatned himſelf, and to have lifted up himſelf, as others had done before him; but inſtead of this hee leſſens himſelf, hee denies himſelf, hee degrades himſelf, and being of a very noble, generous publick ſpirit. hee turns his back upon his own worldly intereſt, and keeps a very free and bountiful Table, upon the account of his own particular Revenue, and not upon the account of a publick purſe. And ſo Daniel was one in Spirit with the former; when God had brought him into high favour with the Prince of the Eunuchs,Dan. 1.8, 9, 10, 11.Dan 1:8Dan 1:9Dan 1:10Dan 1:11 and given him a great deal of heart-room there, yet upon no terms would hee defile himſelf with the Kings meat, or comply with the requeſts of the Prince of the Eunuchs, it argues a great deal of holineſs; for a man to deny his temporal ſelf,Rev. 4.10, 11.Rev 4:10Rev 4:11 to dethrone his temporal ſelf, when hee ſtands upon the advantage ground to advance his temporal ſelf, and to throne his temporal ſelf in the world.

I have read of Trojane the Emperour, how hee ſent Euſtochius, one of his chiefeſt Captains againſt the Barbarians, p. 613who having vanquiſhed them, returned home: The Emperour being very joyful at this good news, goes to meet him, and brings him gloriouſly into the City: Now Euſtochius being high in the Emperours favour, 'twas but ask and have, ſpeak and ſpeed, but on this very day of Pomp, Triumph, and Glory; hee choſe rather to ſuffer the Martyrdome of himſelf, his wife and children, than with the Emperour to offer ſacrifice to Apollo; and ſo denies himſelf, and all his preſent Pomp and Glory, when hee might greatly have inriched himſelf, and advanced himſelf. Nothing ſpeaks out greater meaſures of holineſs, than for a man to deny himſelf when hee may ſeek himſelf, and exalt himſelf if hee pleaſes.

I have read of a godly man, who being ſorely tempted by Satan, was much in duty; to whom Satan ſaid, why takeſt thou this pains? thou doſt watch, and faſt, and pray, and abſtaineſt from the ſins of the times. But, O man! what doſt thou more than I do? art thou no Drunkard? no more am I; art thou no Adulterer? no more am I; doſt thou watch? why let mee tell thee, I never ſlept; doſt thou faſt? why I never ate nor drank; what doſt thou more than I do? why I will tell thee Satan, ſaid the holy man, I pray, I ſerve the Lord, nay more than all this, I deny my ſelf: nay, then ſaith Satan, thou goeſt beyond mee, for I am proud, and I exalt my ſelf, and ſo vaniſhed. O the excellency of ſelf-denial! and O the holineſs and the happineſs of that man that can deny himſelf, that can debaſe himſelf, that can even trample upon himſelf, when hee hath power and authority in his own hand to greaten himſelf, and to exalt himſelf. Power and authority will try what metal men are made of. Ah how many have there been among us of late years, who when they have had no power nor authority in their hands to help themſelves, have ſeemed to be great deniers of themſelves; but no ſooner had they power and authority in their hands, but ah what ſelf-love, what ſelf-intereſt, what ſelf-ſeeking, and what ſelf-exalting was to be found amongſt them! O how have many among them, inſtead of loving God to the contempt of themſelves, loved themſelves to the contempt of God? and who inſtead of debaſing themſelves that they might exalt p. 614God, have debaſed God, that they might exalt themſelves, and who inſtead of loſing themſelves that they might finde God, have loſt God, that they might finde themſelves.

Theſe put mee in minde of the Abbot in Melancthon, who lived ſtrictly, and lookt demurely, and walkt humbly, ſo long as hee was but a Monk, but when by his ſeeming ſanctity and humility, hee had got to be Abbot, hee grew moſt intollerable proud, and inſolent, &c. and being asked the reaſon of it, hee confeſſed that his former lowly looks was but to ſee if hee could finde the keyes of the Abby; how many ſuch Abbots wee have had amongſt us, you all know. Ah how rare is it to finde a man to deny himſelf, when hee is advantaged to ſeek himſelf, ſuch a man is worth gold, but this Ironage affords few ſuch golden-men. Where this frame of ſpirit is, there the ſtreams of holineſs runs deep. And thus much for this Uſe of Trial and Examination.

And ſo I come now to the laſt Uſe of this Doctrine, and that is for Comfort and Conſolation to all thoſe that have this real holineſs, without which there is no happineſs. O Sirs! open, wide the everlaſting doors of your ſouls, that not a River, but a Sea of joy and comfort may flow in upon you. For

Firſt, Know for your comfort, That real holineſs is the ſeal of your eternal Election. Some are elected to glorious offices in this world, others are elected to eternal glory in the other world.Joh. 6.70.John 6:70 Judas was choſen to be an Apoſtle on Earth, but not to be a Saint in Heaven; but the Theſſalonians were elected to eternal glory in Heaven,1 Theſ. 1.4.1 Thess 1:4 though they were not choſen to any glorious offices here on Earth. It may be thou art a poor creature, that never waſt, nor never art like to be elected to any noble or honourable imployments, either in Church or State; O but if thou art a holy perſon, then know for thy everlaſting comfort, that thy real holineſs is a real ſeal of thine Eternal, Election; 'tis the counterpane, as it were, of all that gracious love, good will, and eternal favour that God bears unto thee, Epheſ. 1.4. Hee hath choſen us in him before the foundation of the world, that wee ſhould be holy. p. 615God did not chuſe us either becauſe wee were holy, or becauſe hee did fore-ſee that in time wee would be holy, but hee choſe us to that very end that wee ſhould be holy. Look as Eſther Eſther 1.Esth 1was firſt choſen out among the Virgins and then purified and decked with Rich and Royal Ornaments and Garments, before ſhee was brought into the preſence of the King: So God firſt chuſes poor ſinners, and then hee purifies them,Pſal. 45.13.Ps 45:13 and adorns them with the rich and glorious Garments of Grace and Holineſs, that ſo they may be meet and fit to enter into his Royal Preſence, 1 Theſ. 1.4. Knowing, Brethren, Beloved, your Election of God. Verſ. 5. For our Goſpel came not unto you in word only; but alſo in Power, and in the Holy Ghoſt. Verſ. 9. And how yee turned, to God, from Idols to ſerve the Living and True God. When the Goſpel comes in Power, and in the Holy Ghoſt, and turns perſons from Idols, to ſerve the Living God; 'tis a clear and evident ſign of their Election, real Sanctification, is a ſure evidence, a fair copy of a mans Election. Look as the Pattern is known by the Picture and the Cauſe by the Effect; ſo Election is known by real Sanctification.

A Chriſtian need never put himſelf to the charge of making a Ladder to climbe up to Heaven, to ſearch the Records of Glory, to ſee whether his Name is written in the Book of Life, in the Book of Election or no, but rather make a ſtrict and diligent enquiry whether hee be really and throughly ſanctified, or no; for where there is real ſanctification, there the glorious Image of Gods Election is in Golden Characters ſtampt upon the ſoul. A man may have his Name ſet down in the Chronicles, yet loſt; wrought in durable Marble, yet periſh, ſet upon a Monument equal to a Coloſſus, yet be ignominius, inſcribed on the Hoſpital gates, yet go to Hell, written in the front of his own houſe, yet another come to poſſeſs it. All theſe are but writings in the duſt, or upon the waters, where the Characters periſh ſo ſoon as they are made, they no more prove a man happy, than the fool could prove Pontius Pilate happy, becauſe his Name was written in the Creed, but in real Sanctification a man may ſee his Name ſo written in the Book of Gods Election, as that it ſhall p. 616remain legible to all Eternity. But

Secondly, If thou are a holy perſon, if thou haſt that real holineſs, without which there is no happineſs, then know for thy comfort, that the Lord takes ſingular pleaſure, delight and complacency, both in thy holineſs, and in thy perſon, Pſa. 149.4, 5. For the Lord taketh pleaſure in his people; hee will beautifie the meek with ſalvation. Let the Saints be joyful in glory; let them ſing aloud upon their beds. The Hebrew word Rotſeh, that is here rendred pleaſure, is from Ratſah, that ſignifies pleaſure, delight, complacency, content, &c. O, God takes ſingular pleaſure, ſingular delight, ſingular complacency, and ſingular content in all his Saints, in all his ſanctified ones. Holineſs is the expreſs Image of God, and therefore hee cannot but take pleaſure in it, and in all thoſe that bear it, Zeph. 3.13. The Remnant of Iſrael ſhall not do iniquity, nor ſpeak lies: neither ſhall a deceitful tongue bee found in their mouth. Well, here are glorious Characters of their holineſs, but what pleaſure, what delight, &c. doth God take in theſe holy ones? why certainly very much, as you may ſee in ver. 17. The Lord thy God in the midſt of thee is mighty: hee will ſave, hee will rejoyce over thee with joy; hee will rest in his love, hee will joy over thee with ſinging. Look as a Bridegroom rejoyces over his Bride;Iſa. 62.4, 5.Isa 62:4Isa 62:5 ſo will the Lord rejoyce over his holy ones; and look what delight, complacency and content the Bridegroom takes in his Bride, the ſame, yea greater God takes in all his ſanctified ones. Yea look as a fond Father joyes over his dear childe that hee carries in his arms, or dandles upon his knee, with ſinging: ſo God will joy over all his holy ones (which are his fondlings) with ſinging; ſuch is the ſingular delight, ſatisfaction and content that hee takes in them. Look as the Husbandman delights much in that ground that was once barren, but is now fruitful; and as the Captain takes a great deal of pleaſure in that ſouldier that once run from his colours, but is now returned, and fights valiantly and reſolutely againſt all oppoſers and adverſaries; and as the Father takes a great deal of joy, content, and ſatisfaction in the return, reformation, and amendment of his Prodigal Son;Luke 15.Luke 15 even ſo a holy God is wonderfully delighted, pleaſed, enamoured, and even overjoyed,Heb. 6.7, ….Heb 6:7 when ſuch as brought forth nothing but the thorns and briers of wickedneſs,Heb. 2.10.Heb 2:10 do now bring forth the pleaſant fruits of righteouſneſs and holineſſe; and when ſuch as have run from Chriſt the Captain of their ſalvation, and run from their profeſſion, and run from their principles, and run (almoſt) from every thing that is good, ſhall now return to the Captain of their Salvation, and fight it out moſt valiantly, and reſolutely againſt the world, the fleſh, and the devil; and when ſuch as have proved Prodigals, and ſpent all that portion, all that ſtock, and all that treaſure that they have been intruſted with, ſhall now break off their ſins, and humble themſelves, and reform their lives, and mend their waies: God is ſo infinitely pleaſed and delighted in theſe, that hee Records their Names in Heaven, Luke 10.20. Rejoyce not in this, that the ſpirits are ſubject unto you, but rather rejoyce becauſe your names are written in Heaven; 'tis matter of the greateſt joy in the world, for a man to have his name inrol'd in Heaven; look as 'tis the ſinners hell, that his name is ingroſſed in the book of perdition, ſo 'tis the beleevers heaven that his name is ingroſſed in the book of election.

I have read of a Senatour,Tacitus. who relating to his Son the great honours that were aſſign'd to ſome Souldiers, whoſe names were written in a certain book, whereupon the Son was very importunate to ſee that book, his Father ſhews him the outſide, and it ſeemed ſo glorious, that hee earneſtly deſired him to open it; no ſaith the Father by no means, for it is ſealed by the counſel; then ſaith the Son, pray tell mee if my name bee written there, his Father replies no, becauſe all the names of thoſe Souldiers, were kept ſecret in the breaſts of the Senatours: The Son ſtudying how hee might get ſome ſatisfaction, deſired his Father to acquaint him with the merits of thoſe Souldiers, whoſe names were written in that book, the Father relates to him their noble atchievements, and worthy acts of valour, wherewith they had eternized their names, ſuch are written ſaid hee, and none but ſuch muſt bee written in this book; whereupon the p. 618Son conſulting with his own heart, that he had no ſuch. Trophies to ſhew, but had ſpent his time in courting of Ladies, rather than in encountring of Knights, and that hee was better for a dance than for a march, and that hee knew no Drum but the Tabret, nor no courage, but to bee Drunk and Rant; hereupon hee preſently retired himſelf, repented, entred into a combate with his own luſts, and affections, and ſubdued them, and became temperate, continent, valiant and vertuous: Now when the Souldiers came to receive their Wreaths, their Crowns, their Honours, &c. Hee ſteps in and challenges a Wreath, a Crown for himſelf, but being asked upon what title his challenge was grounded, hee anſwered, if honours bee given to Conquerours, then they muſt bee given to mee too, for I have gotten the nobleſt conqueſt of all, and it being demanded, wherein he anſwered, theſe have ſubdued ſtrange Foes, and conquered their outward enemies, but I have ſubdued my ſelf, I have conquered the enemies that were in my own boſome. O Sirs! there are no mens names written in the book of life but theirs who by grace and holineſſe have ſubdued and brought under their ſinful ſelves, and who have conquered the corruptions that bee in their own boſoms, that is in reſpect of love, and dominion; many there bee who are exceeding inquiſitive to know whether their names are written in Heaven or no; I would ſay to ſuch, there is no ſuch way to know this,Phil. 4.3. Heb. 11.38. Seneca, though a Heathen, ſaw ſo much excellency, that morality put upon a man, that hee cryes out (Ipſe aſpectus boni viri delectat) the very looks of a good man delights one. Sapiens dei comes eſt, ſaith Philo.Phil 4:3Heb 11:38 as by your holineſſe; haſt thou broke off thy ſins by ſound repentance, hath the Goſpel chang'd thy inſide and thy outſide, hath it made thee a new creature, and turned thee from darkneſs to light, and from the power of Satan to Jeſus Chriſt? &c. then without all peradventure thy name is written in Heaven, and thou art the perſon that haſt the greateſt cauſe in the world to joy and rejoyce.

Again the Holy Chriſtian is the beſt Chriſtian in the world, nay hee is ſuch a one of whom this world is not worthy, and therefore God cannot but take ſingular pleaſure and delight in him; many there are which are accounted deep Scholars, great Linguiſts, profound Philoſophers, good Grammarians, excellent Mathematicians, ſharp Logitians, p. 619cunning Polititians, fine Rhetoritians, ſweet Muſitians, &c. but the truth is, hee is the beſt Grammarian, that hath learn't to ſpeak the truth from his heart, and hee is the beſt Aſtronomer, that hath his converſation in Heaven, and he is the beſt Muſitian, that hath learn't practically, to ſing out the praiſes of God, and hee is the beſt Arithmetitian, that knows how to number his daies, and hee is the beſt read in Ethicks, that every day grows holier and holier, and hee is the beſt skild in Oeconomicks, that trains up his Family in the fear of the Lord, and hee is the beſt Polititian, that is as good at taking good counſel, as hee is at giving good counſel, and hee is the beſt Linguiſt, that ſpeaks the language of Canaan, and therefore God cannot but take the greateſt content and ſatisfaction in ſuch.

Again the Holy Chriſtian, is the only man for whom God hath wrought the greateſt miracles, hee can tell you that he was blinde, but now God hath given him eyes to ſee ſin to bee the greateſt evil, and Chriſt to bee the choiſeſt Good, hee can tell you that once hee was ſo deaf, that though God called very often and very loud upon him, by his word, and by his works, by his rods at home, and by his judgements abroad, and by his ſpirit and conſcience that were ſtill a preaching in his boſome, ſometimes Life, ſometimes Death, ſometimes Heaven, and ſometimes Hell, yet hee could not hear; but now God hath given him an hearing ear, ſo that now hee can with delight hear the ſweet Muſick of the promiſes, on the one hand; and with a holy trembling liſſen to the voice of divine threatnings on the other hand;Pſal. 45.1. Jude 3. The very Heathen could ſay quando ſapiens loquitur aulea animi aperit. When a wiſeman ſpeaketh, hee openeth the rich treaſure and wardrob of his minde.Ps 45:1Jude 1:3 hee can tell you that once hee was ſo dumb, that if hee might have had the whole world, hee could not have ſpoke a good word for God, nor for his waies, nor for his people, nor for his ordinances, nor for any of his concernments in the world; O but now! his tongue is as the pen of a ready writer, and hee is never better, than when hee is a ſpeaking either of God, or for God, and his concernments, now hee can contend for the faith, and ſpeak for Saints, and plead for Ordinances, and though in ſome caſes hee may want power to act for God, yet hee never wants a tongue p. 620to ſpeak for God. The Spouſes lips drop honey combs, in that 4 Cant. 11. And the tongue of the juſt is as choice ſilver; in that 10. Prov. 20. yea, his tongue is a tree of life, whoſe leaves are medicinable, in that 12. Prov. 18. Hee can tell you that once hee was ſo lame, that hee was not able to move one foot Heaven-wards, or Chriſt-wards, or Holineſs-wards, &c. but now his feet delights, not only to go, but to run in all the waies of Gods commands; Pſal. 119.32. Yea, hee can tell you that once hee was dead, as to all his ſoul concernments, but now hee is alive, and the life that hee leads in the fleſh, is by the faith of the Son of God, that hath loved him and given himſelf for him. Gal. 2.20. It was by a miracle that the River Jordan was driven back, and tis no leſs a miracle to ſee a ſinner that was accuſtomed to do evil, habituated now to do good. That the tyde of ſin, which before did run ſo ſtrong, ſhould bee ſo eaſily turned, that the ſinner which a little before was ſailing Hell-ward, and wanted neither wind nor tyde to carry him thither, ſhould now on a ſudden alter his courſe, and tack about for Heaven; what a miracle is this? To ſee the earthly man become heavenly; a carnal man become ſpiritual, a looſe man become preciſe, a proud man become humble, a covetous man become liberal, and a froward man become meek, &c. is to behold no leſs than miracles. To ſee a ſinner move croſs and contrary to himſelf in the waies of Chriſt and holineſs, ſhould bee as wonderful in our eyes, as to ſee the Sun go backward, or the Earth to fly upward, or the Dead to raiſe themſelves, or the Bowl to run contrary to its own byaſs: Now how can God but take infinite delight and pleaſure in his holy ones, conſidering the many miracles, that hee hath wrought both in them, and for them?

Pſa. 4.6, 7.Ps 4:6Ps 4:7Again there are no perſons under Heaven, that take any real pleaſure, delight, content, and ſatisfaction in God, but thoſe that are holy; the worldling takes pleaſure and delight in his baggs, and the ambitious man in his honours, and the voluptuous man in his pleaſures, and the malicious man in his revenge, and the envious man in the harms that befalls others, p. 621and the drunkard in his cups, and the adulterer in his harlots, and the gamſter in his ſhifts and tricks, and the player in his fopperies, fooleries, and mockeries; 'tis only the holy man that takes pleaſure and delight in God,Job. 22.25, 26. Cant. 2.3. cap. 7.6. Pſal 33.21. Pſal. 48.11. Iſa. 41.16. Joel. 2.23. Hab. 3.18. Zech. 10.7.Job 22:25Job 22:26Song 2:3Ps 33:21Ps 48:11Isa 41:16Joel 2:23Hab 3:18Zech 10:7 as you may ſee by comparing the Scriptures in the margent together; to delight and take pleaſure in God, is a work too high, too hard, too ſpiritual, and too noble for any but holy perſons; there are none headed, nor hearted, nor ſpirited, nor anointed, nor principled, for taking Pleaſure in God, but holy ones. Abraham did not take more pleaſure in his Iſaac, nor Jacob did not take more delight in his Joſeph, nor David did not take more ſatisfaction in his Abſalom, nor Jonah did not take more content in his Gourd, than a holy man (when hee is himſelf) takes pleaſure, delight, ſatisfaction, and content in God; and therefore how can God but take pleaſure and delight in him: Shall the Childe take delight in the Father, and ſhall not the Father delight again in the Childe? and ſhall the Wife take pleaſure and ſatisfaction in the Husband, and ſhall not the Husband take pleaſure and ſatisfaction again in her? Look as God hates them that hate him, ſo hee takes pleaſure in them that take pleaſure in him; now what a ſingular cordial and comfort is this to all Gods holy ones, that God takes ſingular pleaſure, delight, ſatisfaction, and content in them? what though the world hate you, and ſcorn you, and deſpiſe you, and prefer every Barabas and Judas before you, yet cheer up your ſpirits with this cordial, and warm your hearts at this fire, that God takes ſingular pleaſure and delight in you; what cares the Childe though others flight him, ſo long as his Father at home delights in him; and what cares the Wife though others deſpiſe her, as long as her Husband at home honours her, and takes pleaſure in her; and what cares the Innocent perſon though the Malefactor at the Bar rails upon him, as long as the Judge upon the Bench acquits him; and what ſhould a Chriſtian care though all the world ſhould abhor him, as long as the Lord takes ſingular pleaſure and delight in him. But

Thirdly, If thou art a holy perſon, if thou haſt that real holineſs, p. 622without which there is no happineſs, then know for thy comfort, that thy real holineſs is a ſubſtantial evidence of thy real union with Chriſt; all true holineſs is the immediate fruit of our real union with Chriſt;Joh. 17.20, 21. ch. 15.5. Eph. 4.16. 1 Pet. 2.4, 5, 6. Eph. 5.25. to the end.John 17:20John 17:21Eph 4:161 Pet 2:41 Pet 2:51 Pet 2:6Eph 5:25 upon our union with Chriſt, Chriſt is made, not only Wiſdome, Righteouſneſs and Redemption, but hee is alſo made Sanctification to us, 1 Cor. 1.30. Chriſt and a holy perſon are one, as Father and Son are one, and they are one, as the Vine and the Branches are one, and they are one as Head and Members are one; and they are one, as the Foundation and the Building are one; and they are one as Husband and Wife are one, and that which ſpeaks out their oneneſs, their union, is their holineſs. Hee that is in Chriſt is a new creature, 2 Cor. 5.17. Hee that is ingrafted into Chriſt, hee that is initiated into Chriſt, hee that is united unto Chriſt, hee is a new creature, hee hath a new head, a new heart, a new lip, a new life, a new ſpirit, new principles, and new ends; hee can truly ſay with that convert, Ego non ſum ego, I am not the man that I was; of a Lion, holineſs hath made mee a Lamb; of a Wolf, holineſs hath made mee a Sheep; of a Raven, holineſs hath made mee a Dove, &c. And what doth all this ſpeak out but a mans being in Chriſt, but a mans union with Chriſt; renovation ſpeaks out union, and union ſpeaks out renovation; renewing by Chriſt ſpeaks out the ſouls in-being in Chriſt, and the ſouls in-being in Chriſt, ſpeaks out the ſouls renewing by Chriſt. Look as there could be no depravation but from our union with the firſt Adam, ſo there can be no renovation but through our union with the ſecond Adam. Col. 3.10. But

Fourthly, If thou art a holy perſon, if thou haſt that real holineſſe, without which there is no happineſſe, then know ſort by comfort,Pſa. 34.12, 13, 14.Ps 34:12Ps 34:13Ps 34:14 that God will certainly bleſs all thy bleſſings to thee, and hee will bleſs every eſtate and condition to thee moſt men have many bleſſings, but 'tis only the holy man that hath his bleſſings bleſt unto him, Gen. 22.17. In bleſſing I will bleſs thee, ſaith God to holy Abraham, i. e. I will bleſs thy bleſſings to thee. The holy perſon is in Covenant with a holy God, and therefore p. 623all the bleſſings of the Covenant are his,Pſa. 50.5. Pſa. 105.42. Ezek. 36.25, 26. Zach. 3.3, 4. Pſal. 84.11. Pro. 12.21, &c.Ps 50:5Ps 105:42Ezek 36:25Ezek 36:26Zech 3:3Zech 3:4Ps 84:11Prov 12:21 all they that partake of the Holineſs of the Covenant, they ſhall certainly partake of the bleſſings of the Covenant; Now this is one of the bleſſings of the Covenant, that all our bleſſings ſhall bee bleſt unto us. O Chriſtian! all thy right hand bleſſings ſhall be bleſt unto thee, and all thy left hand bleſſings ſhall be bleſt unto thee, all the bleſſings of the upper ſprings ſhall be bleſt unto thee,A little bleſt is better than a world enjoyed. If thou art a holy man, the God of all mercies, and all the mercies of God, the God of all comforts, and all the comforts of God are thine, and what wouldeſt thou have more? and all the bleſſings of the lower ſprings ſhall be bleſt unto thee; & all the bleſſings of the Throne ſhall be bleſt unto thee, and all the bleſſings of the foot-ſtool ſhall be bleſt unto thee. And as all thy bleſſings ſhall bee bleſt unto thee, ſo every eſtate, and every condition ſhall be bleſt unto thee; thou ſhalt be bleſt in health, and bleſt in ſickneſs; bleſt in ſtrength, and bleſt in weakneſs; bleſt in wealth, and bleſt in want; bleſt in honour, and bleſt in diſhonour; bleſt in life, and bleſt in death; thou ſhalt be bleſt at home, and bleſt abroad; bleſt at board, and bleſt at bed; bleſt lying down, and bleſt riſing up; bleſt in liberty, and bleſt in bonds. Look as all the bleſſings of a wicked man are curſt unto him; and as all the relations of a wicked man are curſt unto him,Prov. 3.33. Mal. 2.1, 2, 3. Levit. 26. Deut. 28.Prov 3:33Mal 2:1Mal 2:2Mal 2:3Lev 26Deut 28 and as all eſtates and conditions that are incident to a wicked man are curſt unto him; ſo all the bleſſings of a holy man are bleſt unto him, and all the relations of a holy man are bleſt unto him, and all eſtates and conditions that are incident to a holy man are bleſt unto him. Iſaac tills the ground,Gen. 26.12. ch. 4.12.Gen 26:12 and ſows his ſeed, and God bleſſes him with an hundred-fold; And Cain tills the ground, and ſows his ſeed, but the earth is curſed to him, and commanded not to yeeld to him her ſtrength. But

Fifthly, If thou art a holy perſon, if thou art one that haſt that real holineſs, without which there is no happineſs, then know for thy comfort, that thy holineſs is a glorious witneſs and evidence of thy Effectual Vocation, 1 Pet. 1.15. As hee who hath called you is holy, ſo bee yee holy in all manner of converſation. Many are externally called, that are not internally called, and many are ineffectually called, that are not effectually called. But now real holineſs that ſpeaks out an internal call, an Effectual Call,1 Pet. 2.9.1 Pet 2:9 a call out of darkneſs p. 624into marvelous light; it ſpeaks out ſuch a call as makes ſinners Saints, ſlaves Sons, enemies Friends, and ſtrangers Favourites.Gen. 41.Gen 41 As Joſeph a ſtranger was called out of a priſon, a dungeon, and made a very great Favourite in Pharaohs Court: ſo real holineſs is a glorious witneſs and evidence that you are effectually called out of the priſon of ſin, and the dungeon of wrath, and made a Favourite to the King of Glory.2 Tim. 1.9. 1 Pet. 5.10. Gal. 4.6.2 Tim 1:91 Pet 5:10Gal 4:6 The Author of this Call is a holy God; our holy Calling depends upon the purpoſe of God, the power of God, and the grace and good pleaſure of God; the means of our holy Calling are the Spirit of God, and the Word of God; and the ends of our Calling are Holineſs, and the Glory of God. O Sirs! you are not called upon the account of your Parents Faith or Nobility, nor upon the account of any intrinſecal vertues in you, nor upon the account of any extrinſecal ſervices done by you, but upon the account of Gods peculiar Election, and particular Vocation; and therefore by Holineſs make good the honour of your High-Calling. And if any ſhould object againſt you the meanneſs of your birth, and outward calling, put them in minde of your High and holy Calling, and ask them what they think of Lazarus, that is now aſleep in Abrahams boſome; And if others ſhould object againſt you your former wickedneſs, and caſt your ſins as dirt and dung in your faces; let them know, that St. Paul can tell them from Heaven, that though once hee was a wretched blaſphemer, and a bloody perſecuter, that yet now hee is a glorious Saint in Heaven. But

Sixthly, If thou art a holy perſon, if thou art one that haſt this real holineſs, without which there is no happineſs, then know for thy comfort, that thy holineſs is a bleſſed evidence of thy Adoption and Sonſhip.John 1.12. Rom. 8.17.John 1:12Rom 8:17 If thou art a holy perſon, then of a childe of wrath, thou art become a childe of God, a childe of love, and of an heir of Hell, thou art become an heir of Heaven; and of a ſlave, thou art become a Son, Gal. 4.4, 5, 7. But when the fulneſs of time was come, God ſent forth his Son made of a woman, made under the Law, To redeem them that were under the Law, that wee might receive the Adoption of Sons, wherefore thou art no more a ſervant, but a Son, p. 625Rom. 8.14. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, are the Sons of God. The leadings of the Spirit are all holy leadings, and there are none that are the Sons of God, but ſuch as are under the holy leadings of the Spirit of God, Phil. 2.15. That yee may be blameleſs, and harmleſs, the Sons of God, without rebuke, in the midſt of a crooked and perverſe Nation, among whom yee ſhine as lights in the world. There are none worthy of this title of Honour, viz. the Sons of God, but ſuch who in the main of their lives and converſations are blameleſs, and harmleſs, without rebuke, and that are as ſhining lights in the world.

There are two waies whereby wee may know fire to bee real fire, and that differences real fire from painted fire, or from imaginary fire; the firſt is by the heat of it, and the other is by the flame of it: Now though ſometimes it ſo falls out, that the fire do not flame, yet at that very time you may know it to bee real fire by the heat it gives: So there are two waies of knowing our Adoption;Gal. 4.6. Rom. 8.16.Gal 4:6Rom 8:16 the firſt is by the Spirit of Adoption, crying Abba Father in our hearts; And the other is by our Sanctification and Holineſs; now, though ſometimes it may ſo fall out, that the flame, the witneſs of the Spirit of Adoption may bee wanting, yet the heat of Sanctification and Holineſs remains, and wee may have recourſe to this fire, and warm our hearts at it, and ſit down ſatisfied, and aſſured of our Adoption; for as fire may bee known to be fire by its hear, though it want a flame; ſo though the Spirit of Adoption do not witneſs our Adoption to us, yet wee may know our Adoption by our real Sanctification and Holineſs. Every holy perſon is a high-born perſon,John 3.5.8. ch. 1.12, 13.John 3:5John 3:8 for as his Divine Birth, ſo his Divine Adoption is high, very high, exceeding high, yea even as high as Heaven it ſelf. 'Tis a very high honour to be the Son of a King,1 Sam. 18.23, 24.1 Sam 18:231 Sam 18:24 yea to be the Son-in-Law of a King, for ſo David reckoned it. Seemeth it (ſaith hee to Sauls ſervant) a light thing to you, to bee a Kings Son-in-Law, ſeeing that I am vile and lightly eſteemed. Oh then what an honour it is to be the Son of God,Rev. 1.6.Rev 1:6 to bee the Son of the King of Kings, and Lord of Lord! 'Tis a very high honour to be Gods ſervant, and ſo David accounted it, p. 626as you may ſee in that 2 Sam. 7.5, 8. (And ſo did Theodoſius the Emperour, and Conſtantine the Great, and many others account it) O then what an honour muſt it be to be Gods Son! The bleſſed Apoſtle cannot ſpeak of this high priviledge; but with great admiration; as you may ſee in that 1 Job. 3.1. Behold what manner of love the Father hath beſtowed upon us, that wee ſhould bee called the Sons of God. 'Tis an infinite condeſcention in God, to honour us with the title of Sons, and therefore wee ſhould never think of it, nor never ſpeak of it, but with much Admiration. O Sirs! what matter of Admiration is this, that the great and glorious God, who hath many millions of glorious Angels waiting on him, that hee ſhould look upon all holy perſons as his Sons, and that he ſhould love them as Sons, and delight in them as Sons, and cloathe them as Sons, and feed them as Sons, and protect them as Sons, and ſtand by them as Sons, and lay up for them as Sons, and lay out himſelf for them as Sons, that they that have not deſerved a ſmile from God, a good word from God, a bit of bread from God, or a good look from God, ſhould be made the Sons of God? What manner of love is this, that they that have ſo highly provoked God, that they that have walkt ſo croſs and contrary to God, that they that were ſo exceeding unlike to God, that they that have preferred every luſt, and every toy and vanity before God, that they that have fought many years under Satans Banner againſt God, that they that have refuſed all the offers of mercy that hath been made by God, that they that have deſerved to be reprobated by God, to be damned by God, and to be thrown to Hell by God, that theſe ſhould be made the Sons of God? O ſtand and wonder! O ſtand and admire at the freeneſs of Grace, and at the riches of Grace! But

Seventhly, If thou art a holy perſon, if thou art one that haſt that real holineſs, without which there is no happineſs, then know for thy comfort, that thou art an undoubted heir of everlaſting Glory,Rom. 8.16, 17, 18. James 2.5. 2 Tim. 4.7, 8.Rom 8:16Rom 8:17Rom 8:18Jas 2:52 Tim 4:72 Tim 4:8 Rom. 8.29, 30. For whom hee did foreknow hee alſo did predeſtinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son (that is in holineſſe) that hee might bee the firſt born among many Brethren. Moreover, whom hee did predeſtinate, p. 627them hee alſo called; and whom hee called, them hee alſo juſtified; and whom hee juſtified, them hee alſo glorified. Holineſs is a moſt ſure earneſt, and pawn of glory, 2 Theſ. 2.13. God hath choſen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit, Mat. 5.8. Bleſſed are the pure in heart, for they ſhall ſee God. 1 Joh. 3.2, 3. When hee ſhall appear, wee ſhall be like him (that is, in glory) for wee ſhall ſee him as hee is. And every man that hath this hope in him, purifieth himſelf, even as hee is pure. Hee that hath a real hope, a lively hope, of being like to Chriſt in Glory, and of reigning with Chriſt in Heaven, will ſet roundly upon the work of ſelf-purifying; there is no hope to that hope that runs out into holineſs, and that leads the ſoul on to the higheſt degrees of purification, and that inables a man to ſet up Chriſts purity as the moſt perfect Pattern, and exact Coppy for his Imitation, Titus 3.4, 5, 6, 7. But after that the kindneſs and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of Righteouſneſs, which wee have done, but according to his mercy hee ſaved us, by the waſhing of Regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghoſt, which hee ſhed on us abundantly, through Jeſus Chriſt our Saviour; That being juſtified by his Grace, wee ſhould bee made heirs according to the hope of eternal Life. Holineſs is an infallible forerunner of glory; 'tis the firſt-fruits of that eternal happineſs and bleſſedneſs that God hath laid up for his children in the higheſt Heavens. And O what cauſe of joy and gladneſs ſhould this be to every holy heart! what though thou ſhouldeſt never have a good day more on Earth; what though all the ſprings of comfort ſhould be dried upon thy right hand and on thy left hand; what though God ſhould never ſmile on thee more in this world; what though the remaining part of thy life ſhould bee filled up with croſſes, loſſes, troubles and trials; what though God ſhould let Satan looſe to tempt thee, and wicked men grow ſtrong to oppreſs thee, and friends turn enemies to grieve thee. Yea what if thou ſhouldeſt go to thy grave with tears in thy eyes, and with ſorrow in thy heart; yet as long as thou art ſure that thou art an heir of Glory, and that all the happineſs of Heaven is thine, and that thy Crown is ſafe,Pſal. 16. ult.Ps 16 and that thou ſhalt be for ever filled and ſatisfied with thoſe p. 628everlaſting pleaſures and delights that be at Gods right hand; thou haſt cauſe to joy and rejoyce in the midſt of all thy ſorrows and ſufferings,Heb. 12.28. 1 Pet. 1.3, 4. See my String of Pearls on that very Text.Heb 12:281 Pet 1:31 Pet 1:4 yea to glory and triumph in the hopes and expectations of a Kingdome that ſhakes not, of a Crown that withers not, of Riches that corrupt not, and of an Inheritance that fadeth not away. O Sirs! 'tis not all the Silks of Perſia, nor all the Spices of Egypt, nor all the Gold of Ophir, nor all the Treaſures of both Indies, nor all the Crowns and Scepters in the world, no nor yet the worth of ten thouſand worlds, that are to be compared with that Glory that is treaſured up for all Gods holy ones; they have an Inheritance reſerved in Heaven for them that cannot be moth-eaten, nor ſpoiled by hoſtile invaſion, nor wrung from them by power, nor won from them by Law, nor mortgaged for debt, nor impaired by publick calamity, nor plundered by Theeves and Robbers, nor changed by Kings or Parliaments, no nor violated by death it ſelf; and therefore what infinite cauſe of joy and rejoycing have all ſuch that are intereſted in ſuch an Inheritance, and in ſuch a perfect happineſs, and compleat bleſſedneſs, that is reſerved in Heaven for all Gods holy ones? O what a ſingular comfort muſt this be to a Chriſtian in the midſt of all his miſeries and diſtreſſes,Pſal. 73.24.Ps 73:24 when hee is able to look upon God, and ſay, This God is my God for ever and ever, and hee ſhall be my Guide to Glory, and when hee is able to look up to Heaven, and ſay, This is my Inheritance; yea when hee is able to look upon all the Glory and Happineſs of another world, and to ſay, All this Glory and Happineſs is mine, for I have that Holineſs that is the earneſt of it,Qui ſpirituali exultationis oleo uncti ſunt, &c. Macar. Hom. 17. the pawn of it, and the firſt-fruits of it in my own ſoul. 'Twas an obſervable ſaying of Macarius, They that are anointed with the ſpiritual Oil of gladneſs, (ſaith hee) have received a ſign of that incorruptible Kingdome, to wit, Gods Spirit for an earneſt, they are the Secretaries of the Heavenly King, and relying confidently upon the Almighty, they enter into his Palace (where the Angels, and the Spirits of holy men are) although they be yet in this world; for although they be not yet come to the intire Inheritance, which is prepared for them in that world, yet p. 629they are moſt ſure of it by that pledge, which they have newly received, as ſure as if they were already crowned, and had the key of the Kingdome in their own poſſeſſion.

'Twas a very ſweet and comfortable ſpeech which the Emperour uſed to Galba, in his childehood and minority, when hee took him by the chin, and ſaid, Tu Galba, &c. Thou Galba ſhalt one day ſit upon a Throne; ſo 'tis very ſweet and comfortable for the Saints to conſider, that how mean and contemptible ſoever they may be in the eyes of the world, that yet there is a day a coming when they ſhall ſit upon a Throne and be crowned with Glory, and reign with Chriſt to all Eternity. But

Eighthly, If thou art a holy perſon, if thou haſt that real holineſs, without which there is no happineſs, then know for thy comfort, that all things ſhall be ſanctified unto thee, Tit. 1.15. Unto the pure, all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled, and unbeleeving, is nothing pure; but even their mind and conſcience is defiled. When a mans heart is once ſanctified, then all things are ſanctified to him; when a mans Spirit and way is clean and pure, then all things are clean and pure to him. O Sirs! this is ſo great, and ſo glorious a priviledge, to have all things ſanctified to us, that 'tis more worth than a world, yea than many worlds. Next to a mans intereſt in Chriſt, hee cannot begge a greater mercy than this, that all things may be ſanctified to him; that is, that all things may ſo work, as to make him more and more holy, that every croſs may make him more holy, and that every comfort may make him more holy; that every mercy may make him more holy, and that every miſery may make him more holy, that every Ordinance may make him more holy, and that every Providence may make him more holy, that every Affliction at home may make him more holy, and that every Judgement abroad may make him more holy; every condition is ſweet when it is ſanctified to us; ſickneſs is as ſweet as health, when 'tis ſanctified to us; and weakneſs is as ſweet as ſtrength, when 'tis ſanctified to us, and poverty is as ſweet as liberty, when 'tis ſanctified to us, and diſgrace is as ſweet as honour, when 'tis ſanctified to us; and p. 630bonds are as ſweet as liberty, when they are ſanctified to us; and death is as ſweet as life when it is ſanctified to us. Look as no condition can be a happy condition, that is, not a ſanctified condition, ſo no condition, can bee a miſerable condition, that is a ſanctified condition; now this is only the holy man; priviledge, the holy mans mercy, to have every eſtate, and every condition ſanctified unto him; and this indeed is the Cream and Crown of all our mercies, to have them ſanctified unto us, I and every bitter will bee ſweet, yea, very ſweet, when 'tis ſanctified unto us; what though thy mercies, O Chriſtian! are fewer than others, and leſſer than others, and leaner than others, and ſhorter than others, yet thou haſt no reaſon to complain, as long as thy mercies are ſanctified mercies; and what though thy tryals are greater than others, and thy burden is heavier than others, and thy ſorrows are deeper than others, and thy croſſes comes thicker than others, yet thou haſt no cauſe to complain, as long as they are ſanctified. Art thou a Holy perſon, O then remember for thy comfort, that every bit of bread thou eateſt is ſanctified, and every draught of beer thou drinkeh is ſanctified, and every ſuit of cloaths thou weareſt is ſanctified, the beds thou lieſt on are ſanctified, and the ſtooles thou ſiteſt on are ſanctified, the very aire thou breatheſt in is ſanctified, and the very ground thou treadeſt on is ſanctified, every penny in thy purſe is ſanctified, and every pound in thy ſhop is ſanctified, whatſoever thou haſt at home is ſanctified, and what-ever thou haſt abroad is ſanctified: And O! how ſhould the ſenſe of theſe things, ſweeten all thy bitters, and turn thy Hell into Heaven and wipe all tears from thy eyes, and turn thy ſighing into ſinging, and thy mourning into rejoycing? &c. But

As thoſe Heathens that have no hope. 1 Theſ. 4.13.1 Thess 4:13Ninthly, If thou art a Holy Perſon, if thou haſt that real holineſs, without which there is no happineſs; then know for thy comfort, that thou art a perſon very high in favour with God, thou art one of his peculiar ones. Dan. 14.1. Yee are the Children of the Lord your God, yee ſhall not cut your ſelves, nor make any baldneſs between your eyes for the dead. For thou art an holy people unto the Lord thy God, and … p. 631the Lord hath choſen thee to bee a peculiar people to himſelf, above all the Nations that are upon the Earth. All Gods holy ones, are his peculiar ones; God hath a peculiar reſpect for their perſons. Dan. 9.23. O Daniel! thou art greatly beloved, or as the Hebrew word Chamudoth, ſignifies thou art a man of deſires; Now Daniel is called a man of deſires, becauſe the deſires of God run out ſtrongly after him, as one that was ſingularly beloved of him, and as one that was highly in favour with him; and as God hath a peculiar reſpect for their perſons, ſo hee hath a peculiar reſpect for their duties and ſervices, Prov. 15.8. The ſacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is his delight. God takes more delight to hear the prayers of the upright, and to grant the prayers of the upright, than the upright takes delight to pray; how burdenſome, and troubleſome ſoever their prayers may bee to others, yet they are ſtill delightfull to God, but more of this in the next Particular. And as God hath a peculiar reſpect for their ſervices, ſo hee hath a peculiar reſpect for their tears, for hee puts them into his Bottle. Pſal. 56.8. and as hee hath a peculiar reſpect for their tears, ſo hee hath a peculiar reſpect for their names, for hee writes them in his Book. Luke 10.20. And as hee hath a peculiar reſpect for their names, ſo hee hath a peculiar reſpect for their blood, Pſa. 116.15. and this Cain found by wofull experience, from the cry of his Brothers Blood. O Sirs! God by making of you holy, hath made you like himſelf, like his Son, like his Spirit, and like his moſt glorious Angels, which excel in ſtrength; and what doth this ſpeak out but Gods peculiar favour, God makes many rich, and many great, and many honourable, and many mighty, and many wiſe, and many noble, and many beautifull, and many ſucceſsful, whom hee will never make holy;Epheſ. 1.3.Eph 1:3 in making of you holy, God hath made you ſpiritually great, rich, honourable, wiſe, and beautiful, &c. and this ſpeaks you out to bee highly in the favour of God: Holineſs is a ſingular fruit of Gods ſpecial favour and love; God hath a common favour and love for all men, yea, for the worſt of p. 632men,Epheſ. 2.4, 5.Eph 2:4Eph 2:5 witneſſe that common preſervation, and common protection, and common proviſion, that hee vouchſafeth to them, and God hath a ſpecial love and favour, and this runs out only to his holy ones? holineſs is a divine beam, a heavenly drop a choice pledge of Gods ſpecial favour and love; O Sirs! though the world may ſlight you, and enemies revile you, and friends diſ-favour you, yet let this ſupport you, let this rejoyce you, that you are high in the favour of God. But

Tenthly, If thou art a holy perſon, if thou art one that haſt that real holineſs, without which there is no happineſs, then know for thy comfort, that all thy duties and ſervices are very pleaſing,Act. 10.4. Mal. 3.3. 2 Tim. 2.21.Acts 10:4Mal 3:32 Tim 2:21 delightful, and acceptable to the Lord, and this roundly follows upon the former, for when ever a mans perſon comes to bee accepted of God, and to bee high in favour with God, then all his ſervices and ſacrifices comes to bee acceptable to God; Gen. 4.4. And Abel, hee alſo brought of the firstlings of his flock, and of the fat thereof, and the Lord had reſpect unto Abel, and to his offering. God had firſt a reſpect to his perſon in Chriſt, and then to his offering; and ſo his ſacrifice was accepted for the man; and not the man for the ſacrifice. Heb. 11.4. By Faith Abel offered unto God, a more excellent ſacrifice than Kain, by which hee obtained witneſs, that hee was righteous; God teſtifying of his gifts, and by it, hee being dead yet ſpeaketh: God will alwaies welcome the holy man into his preſence, and hee ſhall alwaies have his ear at command; God will ſtill bee a warming his heart,Iſa. 45.11.Isa 45:11 and a cheering up his ſpirit, and a ſatisfying of his ſoul, in meeting of him in all holy means, and in giving gracious anſwers to all his requeſts. Iſa. 64.5. Thou meetest him that rejoyceth and worketh righteouſneſs: thoſe that remember thee in thy waies: Prov. 21.8. The way of man (that is of unholy man) is froward and ſtrange: but as for the pure, his work is right. When God hath cleanſed … mans heart, and ſanctified his nature, then his work, his religious work is right; 'tis then right in the eye of God and in the account of God, and in eſtimation of God; and therefore his Petitions are as ſoon granted,Iſa. 65.24.Isa 65:24 as they are offered, p. 633and his requeſts performed,Sealh here is a ſpecial note of obſervation, to work us to a ſerious marking of the things that are mentioned, as things that are of ſpecial weight, and of higheſt concernment to us. as ſoon as they are mentioned: Pſal. 32.5. I ſaid I will confeſs my tranſgreſſions unto the Lord, and thou forgaveſt the iniquity of my ſin, Selah. Holy David had an inward purpoſe and reſolution, to confeſs his ſin, but before hee could do it, God throws him his pardon; thou forgaveſt the iniquity of my ſin; God loves to bee before-hand with his people in acts of grace and favour. Gods eye and his ear was in Davids heart, before Davids confeſſion could bee in his tongue. O! the delight of God; O! the pleaſedneſs of God, with the duties and ſervices of his holy ones: Pſal. 4.3. But know that the Lord hath ſet apart him that is godly for himſelf: the Lord will hear, when I call upon him; that is, the Lord will approve of my prayer, hee will accept of my prayer, he will delight in my prayer, and hee will anſwer my prayer when I call unto him; and what can the Godly man deſire more? Pſal. 61.1. Hear my cry O God, attend unto my prayer. Aquinas ſaith, that ſome read the words thus (Intende ad cantica mea) attend unto my ſongs (and ſo the words may bee ſafely read from the Hebrew word foreign Ranah, which ſignifies to ſhout or ſhrill out for joy) to note that the prayers of the Saints, are like pleaſant ſongs, and delightful dirties, in the ears of God; no mirth, no muſick can bee ſo pleaſing to us, as the prayers of the Saints are pleaſing to God:Cant. 2.14.Song 2:14 Pſal. 141.2. Let my prayer come before thee as incenſe, and the lifting up of my hands, as the evening ſacrifize: What's more ſweet, what's more pleaſing, and what's more perfuming then incenſe? why the prayers of the Saints,Rev. 5.8. ch. 8.3, 4Rev 5:8 as they are in the hands of a Mediatour, are as ſweet and pleaſing to God, as incenſe that is made up of the choiceſt and ſweeteſt ſpices, are ſweet and pleaſing unto us; 1 Pet. 3.12. For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers; or rather as the Greek hath it, his ears are (foreign) to their prayers, that is, when their prayers are ſo faint and weak, that they cannot reach to God, that they cannot travel as far as Heaven, then God will come down to them, and lay his ears, as it were, unto their prayers? O what matter of joy and comfort, is this p. 634to all the holy ſeed, that God will graciouſly bow his ears to their prayers, when hee turns his back with the greateſt diſdain and indignation upon the moſt coſtly ſacrifices of the wicked. O you precious Sons of Zion! that are daily lamenting, and mourning, over the weakneſſes that cleaves to your beſt ſervices, know for your comfort and joy, that though with Moſes you can but ſtammer out a prayer;God once accepted of a handfull of Meal for a ſacrifice, and of a gripe of Goats hair for an oblation. Artaxerxes, the Perſian monarch accepted with a cheerful countenance a little water, as a preſent from the hand of a poor labourer, &c. or with Hannah weep out a prayer, or with Hezekiah chatter out a prayer, or with Paul ſigh and groan out a prayer, yet the Lord will own your prayers, and accept your prayers, and delight in your prayers: O what a rare comfort is this for a Chriſtian to conſider, that when hee is under outward wants and inward diſtreſſes, that when hee hath ſickneſs upon his body, and reproach upon his name, and death knocking at his door, that in all theſe caſes, and in all other caſes hee may run to God as to a Father, and tell God how 'tis with him, and when hee hath done that, hee may ſit down ſatisfied and aſſured of Audience and Acceptance in Heaven? O Sirs! this is a priviledge more worth than a thouſand worlds, and had unſanctified perſons as many Kingdomes to give, as they have haires on their heads, they would give them all for an intereſt in this priviledge, when guilt and wrath is upon their conſciences, and when the arrows of the Almighty ſtick faſt in them, and when the terrours of death are round about them, and when the dreadful day of their account is every moment remembred by them. O! if it bee ſo great a favour to have the ears of an earthly King at pleaſure, what a tranſcendent ſavour muſt it bee to have his ear at pleaſure, who is King of Kings, and Lord of Lords? and yet this favour hath all his Saints. But

Eleventhly, If thou art a Holy Perſon, if thou art one that haſt that real holineſs, without which there is no happineſs, then know for thy comfort, that Jeſus Chriſt will certainly preſerve thy holineſs. Next to Chriſt, holineſs is a Chriſtians choiceſt Jewel, and this Chriſt will bee ſure to preſerve; ſelf-preſervation is natural to all creatures, holineſs is Chriſts Creature, Chriſts Image, and therefore hee will certainly preſerve it, and maintain it; Chriſt cannot p. 635neglect himſelf, hee cannot bee wanting to himſelf,Phil. 1.6. Heb. 12.2. 1 Theſ. 5.23. and cha. 3.12, 13. Ephe. 5.25, 26, 27. 1 John. 3.9.Phil 1:6Heb 12:21 Thess 5:23Eph 5:25Eph 5:26Eph 5:271 John 3:9 now holineſs is himſelf; and therefore if there bee but a ſpark of holineſs in a dunghill of corruption, Chriſt will certainly own it, cheriſh it, and preſerve it; hee that is once really holy, ſhall bee for ever holy. Let the World, the Fleſh, and the Devil, do what they can, the holy ſeed ſhall ſtill remain in all Gods ſanctified ones; though a holy man may fall ſtrangely, ſadly, frequently, foully, yet hee ſhall never fall totally, hee ſhall never fall finally, becauſe that that holineſs that is in him, is a laſting, yea, an ever-laſting and abiding principle, that can never bee deſtroyed, or extirpated. A wicked perſon may bee turned into a holy man, but a holy man can never bee turned into a prophane perſon again. A holy change is an unchangeable change, the ſtate of holineſs is an unchangeable ſtate: 'Tis true the fallen Angels quickly loſt that ſtock of holineſs, that God had put into their hands; and Adam loſt all his holineſs upon the turn of a hand, hee broke, and proved a Bankrupt almoſt as ſoon as God had ſet him up in Paradiſe, but the ſtate and condition of all the Saints, is a better and a ſafer ſtate and condition, than either the Angels, or than Adams was; and that partly becauſe their ſtate was mutable though perfect, but the ſtate of the Saints is an unchangeable ſtate, though it bee (for the preſent) an imperfect ſtate; and partly becauſe God put that ſtock of holineſs, that they had into their own hands, but now the Saints holineſs is not a ſtock in their own hands, but in Chriſts hands; for not only their perſons, but their holineſs is kept by the power of God,1 Pet. 1.5.1 Pet 1:5 through faith unto ſalvation. As Chriſt is to manage our ſalvation for us, ſo hee is to manage our grace and holineſs for us; and therefore as hee will moſt certainly make ſure the one, ſo hee will as certainly preſerve the other; once a Son,John. 8.35.John 8:35 and for ever a Son; though the ſervant may bee turned out of doors, yet the Son abides in the houſe for ever, as Chriſt ſpeaks, hee that is once ſanctified, ſhall bee for ever bleſſed.