Twenty-Nine Sermons, Sermon 17 – Title page 20
THE GREAT DIGNITY OF THE SAINTS.
HEB. 11. 28.
Of whom the world was not worthy.
COncerning the Author or Penman of this holy Epiſtle I will not now ſtand to diſcuſſe. But this is certaine who ever was the Scribe, the Spirit of God was the Inditer, and all Scripture is given by Divine inſpiration, 2 Tim. 3. 16.
For the Coherence; the Spirit of God having exhorted the Believers how to continue in the Faith, and with patience to undergoe thoſe trials which accompany the profeſſion of it; and having back it with Arguments, he cometh in this Chapter to profeſſe the ſame; And you ſhall find in this whole Chapter, he layes down Arguments to back the exhortations, which are taken from the Excellency of faith.
The holy Ghoſt diſcovers it two wayes. Firſt, by a generall deſcription in the three firſt verſes; and after by the worthy examples of the faithful in the Church of old.
Firſt, the generall deſcription of Faith in the firſt verſe, Faith is the ground of things, &c. Faith makes things hoped for ſubſiſt to a Beleever.
Secondly, he deſcribes the eſſentiall properties of it; It makes Beleevers to be well accounted of, both of God and man, verſe ſecond.
Thirdly, he ſhews that Faith makes beleevers to underſtand and beleeve things incredible to reaſon.
Secondly, he deſcribes Faith by examples and patterns of Faith in the Church of old; and thoſe are ſet down ſeverally, one by one, from the fourth verſe to the 32, where he ſets down the example of Moſes and Abraham; and then from verſe 32. to the end of the chapter, he ſets down the example of the Saints together; and that becauſe the number of them was infinite, Ergo he diſpatches them, and paſſes by them with bare naming of them, as, what ſhall I make mention of Gideon, &c? and ſo he ſhews what great things they did by Faith; and then he brings in this verſe, Of whom the world was not worthy.
To come to the words, they are brought in by the holy Ghoſt to anſwer to a ſecret Objection that the holy Ghoſt did foreſee, that the wicked perſecutors of the Church would conceive againſt the godly;
Ob.Viz. Why did they wander up and down? were beleevers cruelly dealt withal? yes: for alas what were they? they were and are baggage people, not worthy to live in the world.
Anſw.Now the holy Ghoſt takes away this objection; as if he ſhould have ſaid, you are deceived in them; for the world is not worthy of them, they were and are too good to live in the world.
But before I come to the main, we will note ſomething in general.
Viz. That it hath been the property of wicked men, and is ſtill, to think whatſoeverDoctrine 1. the godly have, is too good for them.
Ye ſhall be hated of all men, Matth. 24. And have not the ſaints of God found it ſo? what a hard conceit had the Iews of Chriſt? He is not worthy to live. So of Paul, Acts 22. They were accounted the off ſcouring of the world, 2 Cor. 4. 13. And as it was in the Apoſtles times, ſo it is now; and would you know the reaſon?
Firſt, becauſe God hath choſen them out of the world. John 15. 19.Reaſon. 1. For when Gods people were as ſhe world is, carnal and ſenſual, &c. then the world gave them the right hand of fellowſhip. But when a change appeared in the godly, then the world changed too.
2. Becauſe the wicked know not the godly. (viz.) they know them not to be Gods children; ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, They ſpeak evil of the things that they know not, Jude 10. They know him as he is rich, or as he comes of ſuch and ſuch a parentage; but as he is a child of God, they know him not. This world knows him not, becauſe it knows not God. 1 Iohn 3. 1. And hence it is that Gods children are called ſirangers, yea, and are uſed ſtrangely; even becauſe they know not God, and Ergo, they know not the child.
3. Becauſe wicked men meaſure others by themſelves; and becauſe they runne not into the ſame exceſſe of riot, ergo they ſpeak evill of them, 1. Pet. 3. 5.
4. Becauſe there ever was, and ever will be, contrariety between the ſeed of the woman, and the Serpent. Eſau will deale very hardly with Iacob; they that are borne of the devil, will hate them that are born of God, 1 Iohn 3. 12.
Firſt, This ſhould teach the godly when they are hardly dealt with inUſe 1. the world in any kind, not to be diſcouraged. Think it not ſtrange; it hath alwayes been ſo, neither muſt you look for better dealing with wicked men.
Secondly, ſeeing the world deales ſo hardly with you, ſee that you2: doe not meaſure like for like; but pray ye unto God for them, to open their eyes.
Now we come to the words themſelves.
Of whom the world was not worthy.
The holy Ghoſt in this place would diſcover two things;
Firſt, the little worth of the world of wicked men, viz. how that they are not worthy to come into the preſence of the Godly.
Secondly, the great worth of the godly.
Viz. They are too good for the world.
Firſt, the world, (viz.) the wicked in the world, are very little worth; not worth one godly man or woman in it; whence obſerve, that
Gods Children are worthy perſons.Doctrine.
But before I handle this point, I will give the ſence and meaning of the words.
1. This word World is diverſly taken. Sometims it is taken for the whole Fabrick of Heaven and earth, Iohn 1. 10. He was in the world and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. So Acts 17. 24. God that made the world, &c.
2. Sometimes it is taken for all mankind, good and bad So Rom. 5. 12. As by one man ſin entred into the world (viz.) ſin entred into the men which are in the world.
3. Sometimes it is taken for the elect onelyonly; ſo Iohn 1. 29. Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the ſinne of the world, (viz.) the elect in the world. Again, God ſo loved the world, &c. Iohn 3. 1. 16. (viz.) his elect in the world. Again, we beleeve this is the Saviour of the world, Iohn 4. 42. (viz.) of the elect in the world.
But why are the godly called the world?Object.
I anſwer, firſt becauſe the world was made for them, and it is continuedAnſw. yet for their ſakes.
Secondly, they may be called the world, becauſe they are ſcattered through the world, and that not onelyonly among the Iewes, but even among the Gentiles alſo.
Thirdly, they may be called the world, becauſe in themſelves they are a world of people; but yet compare them with the Devils drove, they are few, even as the ſhaking of the Olive tree. Iſaiah 17. 6. yet in themſelves they are as the Starres in number. Geneſis. 15. 5. And Balaam ſaid, who can number the duſt of Iacob? Numb. 22. 10.
Sometimes it is taken for the reprobates in the world. ſo John 15. 19. If you were of the world, the world would love its owne. It is plain alſo in the prayer of Chriſt; I pray not for the world, John 17. 9. And they may fitly be called the world; Firſt becauſe they are the worlds Citizens, they mind the things of the world, they follow nothing but the world. Secondly, becauſe they are the greateſt part of the world.
Sometimes the world is taken for the things in the world, thoſe things wherewith the Devill uſes to draw men from God; as the luſts of the fleſh, the luſts of the eyes, the pride of life. 1. John 2. 16.
Sometimes for the happy eſtate and condition the godly ſhall enjoy after this life. So Luke 20 35. They which ſhall be accounted worthy to obtain that world &c.
Now whereas the Apoſtle ſaith, of whom the world was not worthy; I take it, he means wicked men in the world, and thoſe are they that are not worthy the company of the godly. And becauſe I intend to ſhew the unworthineſſe of the world, I will ſhew firſt that the things in this world are little worth. Secondly that the men in the world are little worth.
Firſt I will ſhew you, that the things in the world are little worth; as Riches, Honours, pleaſures &c. they are called deceitfull riches; and Chriſt calls them the Mammon of iniquity, Luke 16. 9. traſh. Luke 8. 14. Snares, 1 Tim. 6. 9. They are called uncertain riches. Now theſe baſe titles muſt needs argue that they are little worth; for were they worth more, God would ſet better Titles on them. And Salomon who had beſt experience of them, yet hee termes them vanity. Eccleſ. 1, 2. and 11.
Secondly, they are little worth, becauſe they are very unprofitable, they cannot pofit a man; It is plain by the ſpeech of Samuel, 1. Sam. 12. 21. Vain things which cannot profit, &c.
Thirdly, they are little worth, becauſe they cannot further a man in the main thing at which he ſhould aime; they may further a man in ſome trifles, but not in the maine thing. There is no true good comes to a man by all the riches in the world; neither can they free a man from the evill day; neither can they make you better either in reſpect of God or your ſelves.
Firſt, in reſpect of God, they cannot make you better eſteemed with God: for he regards not the rich more then the poore. Job. 34. 19. He doth not account of a man according to his greatneſſe, but according to his goodneſſe, Prov. 20. 7, 8. Better is a poor man that walks in his integrity, then a King that is perverſe in his wayes.
Secondly, they cannot better him in reſpect of God, becauſe they cannot aſſure him of the love of God.
Thirdly, they cannot make a man more mindfull of God; nay they corrupt mens hearts, they make a man more forgetfull of God. It is thus with the greateſt part of men in the world that are worldly rich; it is with them as it was with the Prodigall, who while he had money in his purſe, never did he think on his Father.
Fourthly, the things of this world cannot make a man more thankfull to God, but rather the contrary, ut ſupra.
Fifthly, the things of this world cannot draw a man neerer unto God. You ſee that the more men have, the more negligent they are in Gods ſervice.
Secondly, in reſpect of our ſelves; Firſt, all the things of this life cannot in rich a mans ſoule with grace; they cannot make him humble, nor mercifull, nor conſtant in the profeſſion of godlineſſe and good duties; nay it rather makes them the more unmeet to any goodneſſe; where there is gaine in the cheſt, there is loſſe in the Conſcience; he that gets money apace, may loſe Faith and a good Conſcience; and they that moſt cover for abundance of the things of this life, are moſt backward in Grace; and this argues that the things of this life are little worth, even in reſpect of a mans ſelfe.
Secondly, they are not able to free a man from any ſpirituall evill; they may promiſe freedome, but when they come to the triall, they will be like a broken ſtaffe; nay they cannot free thee ſo much as from an ague, much leſſe will they help in the day of the Lords wrath, when the rich man ſhall be called to an account, and the Lord will recompence every man according to his wayes. So Prov. 11. 4. Riches profit not in the day of wrath. True it is, they may be as a wall of braſſe to keep off the evil of this world; yet when the houre of death approacheth, they cannot free from that; when you are affrighted with the accuſation of your owne Conſciences, and with the apprehenſion of Gods wrath, when the Devill ſhall ſet upon you, and all your friends forſake you, ſhall the things of this life then doe you any pleaſure? no, no. You wil ſay to them then, as Job to his friends, miſerable comforters are you all; this argues their little worth: For God will not examine you, how rich you have been, but he will conſider you as you have honoured him, and as you have made good uſe of your riches; if you have been faithfull, you ſhall enter into your Maſters joy. He will not conſider you as you are or have been in great Offices or places in the world, but as you have been faithfull in them; not as you had crouching and bowing to you, but as you have faithfully and frequenly bowed your knees unto the Lord in Prayer; God will not account of you, a ſtraw the better for your wealth, but he will paſſe ſentence on you as you have uſed or abuſed your talent.
Thirdly, they can give no content. He that deſires Riches ſhall not be ſatiſfied therewith. Eccleſ. 5. 9.
Object. O but, I deſire but a competent living.
Sol. It is well done. A little ſpring running from the head, runnes ſhallow at the firſt, but at the laſt, many other falling into it, it is become great; ſo you may ſay, you deſire but a competency; but the world comes on you, then there is craving and having, till your deſires are as large as hell. Habbac. 2. 5. riches make men ſick of a dogs diſeaſe; what is that? why dogs are alwaies eating, but never ſatisfied; ſo if a man immoderately love the things of this life, he ſhall not be ſatisfied.
Laſtly, the things of this world are nothing worth becauſe we have no aſſurance of them: they are of no continuance, they either leave us, or we them: doe you not ſee that after a man hath riſen earely, and late, eating the bread of carefulneſſe, and hath gotten a little pelfe, is he not thereof deprived in a moment of time? Prov. 12. 27. The ſlothfull man (viz.) the worldly man, roſteth not that which he tooke in hunting, (viz.) after all his travaile he is ſwept away, and taketh not the profit of them. Is not this then a worthleſſe world? but ſuppoſe it doe ſtay with you, yet one day you muſt part with it. Pſalm. 49. 6, 7. and you muſt carrie nothing with you, naked you came, and naked you muſt returne; even like a ſumpter-Horſe, which carries all the day abundance of Treaſure, but at night it is all taken from him, and he is put into a ſtable for his labour; all the benefit he gets by the Treaſure, is, he onelyonly feeles the weight of it. Even ſo many rich men are Sumpterhorſes to carrie the things of the world, who either for ill-uſeing, or ill-getting them, are put in a filthie ſtable, (viz.) Hell, and their pay is everlaſting torment. Theſe things ſhew the little worth of this world.
Now you ſhall ſee that worldly men are little worth: Firſt it appears that they are little worth, becauſe of the names and titles that the Spirit of God laies on them; it calls them Sonnes of Beliall. 1 Sam. 2. 12. Vile perſons. Pſal. 15. 4. Children of iniquity. Hoſea 10. 9. 11. A reprobate ſtock. John 8. 44. Children of wrath. Epheſ. 2. Now if there were any great worth in them, think you that the Spirit of God would not better ſtile them?
Secondly, they are little worth in reſpect of their actions; their beſt actions are but glittering ſinnes, Iſaiah 66. 3. If they pray, or heare &c. God accounts of it no better then the ſacrificing of Swines fleſh; they ſtink in Gods noſtrils. Iſa. 1. 13.
If then the men of the world, and the things of the world be little worth, how doth this diſcover the madneſſe and folly of men in theſe dayes who ſo much mind the world? no paines nor travaile too great, or too dangerous to get the world; nay they will hazard life and health, even to the back-bone, to get the world; goe to bed late, riſe early, not caring if they loſe both body and ſoule, to get the world: and when their conſciences are thus ſet on the tenters to get it, they ſet their hearts on it and keep it as their God.
Secondly, let this informe our Judgements, that ſeeing the world, and the men of the world are ſo little worth; let us judge of them no better then they deſerve; it is a falſe glaſſe, or crooked rule that men goe by, who judge themſeves men of worth if they be rich, and we uſe to ſay there is a man of good credit; let us ſee our folly in thus judging. I will diſcover it thus.
The things of the world are given to the worſt men; wicked men have many times the greateſt ſhare in them. Eſau hath foure hundred at his heeles, when Iacob had but a few; The Scribes and Phariſees ſate in Moſes chaire, when as the Diſciples of Chriſt were carried before Rulers; ſo for Riches, proud Dives fared deliciouſly every day, when poor Lazarus was faine to ſnap at a cruſt; ſo the falſe prophets were fed at Ieſabells table, when Elias was in commons with the Ravens. Now if the things of this life were of ſuch great worth, think you that God would keep his children ſo ſparingly with them? no, no; they are but gifts of Gods left hand. Prov. 3. 16. Length of dayes are in his right hand, and in his left hand riches and Honour.
Inſtruction, to teach us to take off our hearts and affections fromUſe 3. purſuing things of this life. You ſee they are little worth; doe not in affection love the world, nor yet in action too much ſeek the world; but when Heaven and earth are laide in the ballance, eſteem earthly things as dung in reſpect of Chriſt, and ſhew your little eſteem of earthly things, by your ſeeking them in the ſecond place, and Gods Kingdome in the firſt place; Let wicked men account the things of this life as their ſummum bonum; but let us be crucified to the world, let us be as dead men to the world, and the world as dead to us; not that I would have you utterly to reject the things of this life, but not to ſet your affections on them; we muſt uſe the things of this life as Travailers doe their proviſion; if they have too much, it will hinder them; ſo let us be content whether it be much or little; it is beſt to lay up treaſure in Heaven, as Chriſt told his Diſciples. Thus of the firſt point; the ſecond follows.
OF whom the world was not worthy, as if he ſhould have ſaid, they are too good to live in the world; hence obſerve; That true BeleeversDoctrine. are perſons of very great worth. The world is not worthy of them.
I need not ſpend much time to prove this; they are called excellent perſons, Pſal. 16. 3. Againe, the righteous is more excellent then his neighbour. Prov. 12. 26. againe, they are called the glory of God, Iſaiah 4. 5. They are called a choſen people, a Royall Prieſthood. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Now, wherin lies the worth of a godly man? not in the outward man; for alas the outward man of a child of God is the ſame with another man. Their chiefe worthineſſe lies in the inward man which after God is created unto righteouſneſſe and true holineſſe. Epheſians 4. 24. The Kings daughter is all glorious within. Pſalm. 45. 13. Now Gods people are worthy perſons, and that in theſe reſpects,
Firſt, in reſpect of the worthy names they have. Doe they not, ſaith the Apoſtle, blaſpheme the worthy name by the which ye are called? Iames 2. 7. (viz.) the name of Chriſt.
Secondly, they are worthy, becauſe there was a great price paid for them; it adds much to the worth of a thing when there is a great price paide for it; ſo this adds to the worth of all true beleevers, that the price was great that was paid for them; they were not bought with corruptible things; not with two hundred fore skinnes of the Phyliſtines, as David bought Michal; nor with thirty change of garment, the reward of thoſe that unfolded Sampſons Riddle; they were not bought with a great ſumme of Money, as the Romane Burgeſſe ſhippe was; I ſay, not with corruptible things, but with the precious bloud of Jeſus Chriſt; for in him wee have redemption through his bloud. Coloſsians 1. 14.
Thirdly, they are worthy in reſpect of the Conſciences of the wicked; for it is for their worth, that they beare them malice; it is goodneſſe that is perſecuted in good men. I appeale to the Conſciences of wicked men, whether their Conſciences tell them not, that there is worth in the godly for which they beare them a ſecret grudge; but if their Conſciences be ſleepy; and tell them not ſo much, yet I am ſure their practiſes proclaime it. The grace that is in the godly, is the eye-ſore of the wicked.
Fourthly, Gods people are perſonages of great worth, in reſpect of their Priviledges which God hath been pleaſed to dignifie them withall, which are infinite, if I ſhould name them all; wherefore as out of a Garden, where are diverſe ſorts of flowers, I will gather ſome few.
The firſt Priviledge wherein their worth is manifeſt, is their Royall deſcent; they are not baſely borne; No, they have Kings for their nurſing Fathers, and Queenes for their nurſing Mothers; they are ſonnes and daughters of the King of Heaven, and it is uſuall in the Scripture to call them the Children of God.
Secondly, as they are Royally deſcended, ſo they are Royally attended. To ſpeak reverendly, God attends them, he keeps them as the apple of his eye; and Chriſt is their Captain, he goes before them to conduct them; and under God and Chriſt we have Angels, they pitch round about them that fear the Lord, Pſal. 34. 7.
Thirdly, they are worthy in reſpect of their places. They that truſt in the Lord ſhall be as Mount Zion, Pſal. 125. 1. which cannot bee removed.
Fourthly, in reſpect of their fare; they have Benjamin's Meſſe, which is five times more then his brethren's; ſo the portion of Gods children is five thouſand times more then the wicked's; Heaven is their inheritance.
Fifthly, they are worthy in reſpect of their Royall apparell; as a worthy man is richly apparelled, ſo a godly man is clothed with the righteousneſſe of Chriſt. Rev. 3. 9
Sixthly, in this reſpect alſo, becauſe they are out of debt, they need not feare any Sergeant to arreſt them, no not death: for Chriſt hath cancelled the hand-writing Col. 2. 14.
Seventhly, in reſpect they may goe boldly to the throne of grace, with confidence that they ſhal be heard in prayer. For whatſoever we aske, we receive, &c. 1 John 3. 22.
Eightly, all things worke together ſtill for them to the beſt. Romans 8. 28.
Ninthly, they are Gods beloved ones, his favourites, they have an intereſt in Gods peculiar providence. True it is he ſhews a generall providence to all: but Gods people have a right in a more peculiar manner; for God will dwell with them John 14. 23. and he will keep the feet of his Saints. 1 Sam. 2. 9.
Tenthly, they have the free uſe of all Gods creatures; the Charter that was given by the great Lord of all, was forfeited to him by the fall of our firſt parents. They are the ſowre grape, and we their children, our teeth are ſet on edge. But Chriſt hath renewed this charter for his: all others are but uſurpers: though a wicked man have never ſo much, and never ſo good a title in regard of the Law of man, yet in Chriſt he ſhall be condemned for an intruder. Oh what a happy thing is this then for the godly? for whatſoever they have, they are the right owners of it: all things are theirs, and they are Chriſts, and Chriſt is Gods.
Eleventhly, they are perſons of great worth in reſpect of their preſence where they live, the places fare the better for them. Laban fared the better for Jacob, and Potiphar ſared the better for Joſeph. While Lot was in Sodome, the Lord could do nothing againſt the Sodomites: they keepe the judgements from the places where they live, they are the pillars of the Land.
Twelfthly in reſpect of their actions: a true beleever in his praier praies for himſelfe and for others. Abraham prayed for Abimelech, and God heard him. Gen. 20. 17. and Moſes prayed for Pharaoh, and God removed the plagues, as you may ſee in Exodus.
Thirteenthly in reſpect of the great things which are laid up and reſerved of God for them in the world to come, ſuch as no eye hath ſeen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entred into the heart of man to conceive.
Object.But are they ſuch men of worth? why, they are not eſteemed at all, neither are they at all well ſpoken of.
AnſwerFirſt, know this: you that are godly, be not diſcouraged; this takes nothing from your worth. For who are they that ſay thus? none but a company of mad men and fools: and who regards ſuch?
Secondly, If all ſhould ſpeak well of you, then woe be unto you.
Thirdly, Envie is evermore the companion of vertue. Learne then, the more you are reviled, the more to make your light to ſhine before men that they may ſee your good works, and glorifie your Father which is in heaven. No man yet ever lived, though never ſo worthy, but of ſome he hath been deſpiſed.
Fourthly, Know this in concluſion, that you that are thus deſpiſed, it is a part of your worth. For when all men ſpeake evill of you, then bleſſed are you.
This ſpeakes terrour to the wicked, who wrong the children of God, eitherUſe 1. with tongue or hands: either by themſelves or by others: either by nicknaming them, or by circumventing them; this I ſay ſpeakes terrible things againſt them. Will you offer to ſpeake againſt perſonages of great worth? againſt the children of a King? will the King endure that thou ſhouldeſt ſpeak againſt the bloud royall? no no, he will be revenged on them that doe ſo; doſt thou now wrong a godly man? thou ſhalt one day ſmart for it; for God is able to puniſh thee, yea and he will doe it, unleſſe thou ſpeedily repent. When Saul Acts 8. perſecuted the Church of Chriſt, Chriſt called from heaven and ſaid, Saul, Saul, why perſecuteſt thou me? I ſpeake to thoſe that are wicked men, and I ſpeake in the bowels of Chriſt, if you did know them, you would not doe it; for had they knowne the Lord of life, they would not have crucified him. 1 Cor. 2. 8. ſo, if ſuch as doe perſecute Gods children, did but know their worth, and that they were his children, they would not do it.
Let us eſteem godly men and women as perſons of great worth: The Saints of God have alwaies done ſo.
Saint Lawrence being demanded by his perſecutors, wherein the worth of the Church lay; the ſtory ſaith, he gathered a companie of poor people together, and pointed at them and ſaid, there lies the worth of the Church: ſo, I have read of an ancient King, who made a great feaſt, and invited a company of poor people which were Chriſtians, and he bade his Nobles alſo, now when the Chriſtians came, he had them up into the Preſence Chamber; but when the Nobles came, he ſet them in his hall. Being of the Nobles demanded the reaſon, he anſwered, I doe not this as I am their Kyng here; for I reſpect you more then them; but as I am a King of another world, I muſt needs honour theſe, becauſe God doth moſt honour them, and then they ſhall be Kings and Princes with me: ſoe doe you eſteeme of them according to their worth, and ſhew it.
If they be perſons of ſuch great worth, here you may be directed how toUſe 3. get a name of worth in the world, to be honoured of God. This is the way; labour to be beleevers, ſerve God and cloſe with the godly, be of one minde and of one heart with them. Honour is the thing that all deſire, according to that of Saul to Samuel, Honour me before the Elders of my people: ſo we are all ready to ſay, oh that I could be honoured in the heart of thoſe that I converſe withall: I ſay then thou muſt labour to ſerve and honour God in thy heart, let that be thine honour. It is a meere folly for men to think to get honour by ſwearing, by lying, by cutting and ſlaſhing, and drunkenneſſe &c. The ſweet ointment of a good name is not compounded of ſtinking ingredients.
That ſhould ſerve to comfort the godly: that ſeeing they are of ſo greatUſe 4. worth, what though they be diſgraced here, let this ſuffice thee, God that knows the true worth of every thing, he accounts thee worthy: what though dogs bark and crie out againſt thee for thy holineſſe? let them alone: and know thou this, that the time will come when never a curre of them all but will wiſh, oh that mine end might be like his, and that they might goe as thy dogge to heaven with thee, when they ſhall ſee thee ſitte at his right hand where are pleaſures for evermore.
Laſtly, you that approve your ſelves to be of the number of the godly, labour to walke worthy of the Lord. Coloſ. 1. 10. Doth God thus advance you? then ſtrive you to honour him with inward and outward worſhip. God hath not done theſe things for you, that you may live as you liſt: no, you are a choſen generation, &c. 1 Pet. 2. 19. Ergo, you muſt ſhew forth the vertue of him that hath called you. You that are parents of children, the more you doe for them, the more you look they ſhould honour you: the more God hath done for you, the more you ought to feare him. God hath drawn you out of darkeneſſe into a marvellous light, and will you yet walke as vaſſals of Satan? This was that kept Joſoph from committing adultery, even the favour of advancement, and how then can I doe this great wickedneſse, ſaith he? ſo thou art advanced to honour, from a childe of the devill to be the ſon of God, how then canſt thou commit wickedneſſe? Conſider I ſay how God hath advanced thee from being a ſlave of Satan to be his adopted ſon: and ſhall I now become a covetous perſon, ſhall I be a companion of Gods enemies? when you are enticed by the divell or wicked men to any ſin, ſay, what ſhall ſuch a man as I conſent? ſhall I flie from my colours? what, a Kings ſon and flie? Conſider this.
THE TIME OF GODS GRACE Is limited. In a SERMON By WILLIAM FENNER, Miniſter of the Goſpel, ſometimes Fellow of Pembroke Hall in Cambridge, and late Lecturer of Rochford in Eſsex.
London, Printed by E. T. for John Stafford.