A Christian Library, Chapter 7
CHAP. VII.
The particular Benefits and Priviledges of Grace and Godlinesse, above all worldly commodities, are innumerable; I'le name only Nine, that you may the better remember them. There is nothing wherein men usually rejoyce, but the godly more than find it in Christ.
First, Does any man desire or glory in Knowledge? In him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge, Col. 2.3. I desire to know nothing among you, but Iesus Christ, and him crucifie…, 1 Cor. 2.2. This is eternal life, to know thee the only God, and whom thou hast sent, Iesus Christ, John 17.3.
Secondly, Does any man desire, or glory in Honour and Nobility? Believers are more Noble than any other men, Act. 17.11. The righteous is more worthy than his neighbour, Prov. 12.26. & 28.6. The best Nobility, is the Nobility of Faith, and the best genealogie, the genealogie of good works. The only true greatnesse, is to be great in the sight of the Lord, as Iohn Baptist was, Luk. 1.15. Whence it is, that David thought it not so happy for him, to be a King in his own house, as a door-keeper in Gods house. That Solomon preferred the title of Ecclesiastes, before the title of the King of Ierusalem. That Theodosius the Emperour, preferred the title of Membrum Ecclesiae: before that of Caput Imperii: professing that he had rather be a Saint and no King, than a King and no Saint. And that godly Constantine rejoyced more, in being the Servant of Christ: than in being Emperour of the whole world.
And indeed, Gods servants, are the only worthies of the world: for Christ hath made them spiritual Kings, Rev. 1.6. So happy are they, as to have this high honour and dignity given them. Yea so soon as regenerate, we are made Sons to a King, 2 Cor. 6.18. Brothers to a King, Heb. 2.11. Heires to a King, Rom. 8 17. Even to the King of glory, Joh. 17.22. Rom. 8.18. 2 Cor. 4.17. Nor are we his Sons only, but he accounts us his precious Iewels, Mala. 3.17. And reputes us his intimate Friends, Joh. 15.14, 15. Our Friend Lazarus, saith Christ, Joh. 11.11. O what an high and happy condition is this, for mortal men to aspire unto; that the God of Heaven should not be ashamed to own them for friends, that before were his cursed, and mortal enemies!
By nature we are like Nebuchadnezer, no better than beasts grazing in the forrest: but when grace once comes, we are like him restored to his reason, and high dignities, Dan. 4.29. to the end. Or like Manasses, brought out of a loathsome Prison, to be King of Ierusalem, 2 Chron. 33.11, 12, 13.
Thirdly▪ Does any man glory in riches? Christ is an unexhoustable treasure, never failing, and of his fulness have all we received, Joh. 1.16. Nor are these transitory riches, (though these we have also when God sees them good for us: For riches and treasures shall be in the house of the righteous, Psal. 112.3.) but we have heavenly, and spiritual riches, that true Treasure, that is infinitely better than silver or gold, and more precious than Rubies, Pearles, or any the most precious stones. Yea it surpasseth all pleasure and prosperity, strength, honour or felicity. It is more sweet than the Honey and the Honey-comb; yea all the things thou canst else desire, are not to be compared to it. Length of daies is in her right hand, and in her left riches and honour: Her waies are waies of pleasantnesse, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life, to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one, that retaineth her, as Iob, David, and Solomon will insure you, Iob. 28.13. to 20. Psal. 19.10. & 119.103. Prov. 3.14. to 19. & 8.10, 11. Eccles. 9.16. Yea lastly, Heaven it self, is made sure to every gracious soul for her Patrimony, Mat. 5.3. to 12. Now consider before we go any further, how poor a clod of earth a Mannour is, how poor an inch a Shire, how poor a span a Kingdom, how poor a pace, or Acre the whole earth; And yet how many have sold their bodies, and souls, and consciences, and Heaven, and eternity, for a few grains of this dust.
Only with Believers, it is otherwise, they consider that commodities, are but as they are commonly valued: And because transitory things in the next life, bare no value at all; and because there is not…ing firm under the firmament: They hold it very good coveting, what they may have, and cannot leave behind them. And though others most love, what they must leave, and think that money will buy any thing, like foolish Magus, Act 8.18. Or the Devil, who presumed that this bait, would even catch the Son of God: Yet the wise and religious, can see no reason, why it should be so doted upon as it is. But
Fourthly, Does any one desire or glory in Liberty? Christ hath delivered us out of the hands of all our adversaries and enemies, Luk. 1.71, 74. As namely, from the Law, Gal. 5.18. Rom. 6.44. From sinne, 1 Joh. 2.1, 2. From death, Joh. 8.51. & 5.24. And from the Devil, with all the powers of darknesse, Heb. 2.14. Rom. 8.35. to the end. Or
Fifthly, Is it safety from fear and danger, that a man wishes for or desires? Let him become one of those little ones that believe in Christ; then may he trust to a guard of Angels, Mat. 18.10. and be assured of Gods protection; without which a worm, or fly, may kill a man, with it no Potentate on earth can do it. As for Instance, When Valens the persecuting Emperour, should have subscribed an order for St Bazils banishment: such a suddain trembling took his right hand, that he could write never a good letter, whereupon he tore the order for anger, and there was an end of the businesse. Laremouth Chaplain to the Lady Anne of Cleave, a Scotchman, being in Prison in Queen-Marie… daies, it was said, as he thought, once, twice, thrice, Arise and go thy waies: whereupon▪ he arising from prayer▪ a piece of the prison wall fell down, and he escaped beyond the Seas.