more Spiritual Rule than others A sinner either lives by no rule or by a false he walks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to the course of the world Ephes. 2. 2. But a righteous man goes by the Canon of Scripture as a well made Dial goes exactly by the Sun Gods Word is the Oracle he consults with 't is his pillar of Fire or Pole-star to direct him Psal. 119. 105. Thy Word is a Lanthorn to my feet The Word is a divine Pandect 't is a Model and Platform of Gods mind to which a pious man conforms his actions both Moral and Sacred he will not resolve his faith into Councils or Fathers nor will he follow the Examples of the best men further than they follow the Word 2. A righteous man lives more Spiritually as he lives a life above others whereas they live no higher than Reason The just lives by Faith Heb. 10. 38. A righteous man moves in an higher Sphere he penetrates the Clouds Moses saw him who is invisible Heb. 11. 27. Sense and Reason are too low of stature to see Christ Faith climbs up not into the Tree as Zacheus but within the Vail and there sees Jesus An holy person sends out Faith as a Spy to view the land of Promise Faith unties difficulties Rom. 4. 18. Who against hope believed in Hope Against the hope of sense Abraham believed in hope of the Promise faith anticipates future things and makes them present When God told Abraham what a glorious Country he would give him Abraham looked upon it as if it had been actually done and he had taken livery and seisin Faith can live upon God in the deficiency of visible comforts Hab. 3. 17. Although the Fig-tree doth not blossom yet I will rejoyce in the Lord A righâ—…eous man believes that if God will save him from hell he will save him from want if he will give him a kingdom he will not deny him daily bread 3. A righteous man lives more spiritually as he shows forth more of the power of Holiness in his life than others he is a pattern of Piety Psal. 106. 16. Aaron the Saint of the Lord his sanctiâ—…y adorned him more than his Mâ—…tre oâ—… Linnen Garments a Moraâ—… may live as a man but he who is regenerate lives the life of Christ Joh. 2. 6. The Macedonians on the birth-day of Alexander did wear Alexander's picture about their necks set with Gold and Pearl So the righteous carry the lively picture of Christ in their holy Example they live so devoutly as if they had seen the Lord with bodily eyes 2. The life of a righteous man is more excellent for Usefulness He is a blessing in the midst of the Land Isa. 19. 24. He spends and is spent for Christ he had rather wear out than rust Nec propter vitam vivendi perdere causam The â—…ives of the wicked are unprofitable therefore compared to chaff Mat. 3 11. and hurtful therefore compared to thorns Mica 7. 4. But a righteous man is like the Bee or Silkworm working for the good of others It comforts me said worthy Jewel that I have exhausted my self in the labours of my Holy Calling A good man hangs between these two as a Needle between two Loadstones longing to be with Christ and love of doing service 1. A righteous man is helpful to the bodies of others He is a Temporal Saviour he hath one eye shut to wink at the failings of others and another eye open to spy their wants He is like the Heaven diffusing his influence and sending down his silver drops of charity he is a staffe to the lame bread to the hungry he puts under a golden crutch to support others when they are falling It is reported of the young Lord Harrington that he gave the tenth part of his yearly Revenue to charitable uses As Mary brought her sweet Ointments to anoint Christs dead body so a gracious soul brings his oyntments of Charity to anoint the Saints which are Christs living body A good man judiciously considers how he himself lives upon Contribution the earth enricheth him with veins of Silver crops of Corn One Creature brings him Wool another Oyl another Silk and as every Creature conspires for his good so he studies to lay out himself for the good of others Jam. 2. 17. Faith if it hath not works is dead Faith sanctifies works and works testifie faith A Believer with one hand receives Christs Merits with the other relieves his Members and he not only gives to the necessities of the poor but gives freely Deut. 15. 10. Charity drops froâ—… him as myrrh from the Tree He doth not put his Alms among his desperate Debts he is thankful that God hath made him in the number of givers and not receivers 2. A righteous man is helpful to the Souls of others He who pities his Neighbour's Ox when it is fallen into a pit doth much more pity his Neighbours Soul that is falling into hell he doth counsel the ignorant confirm the weak reduce the wandring Convert the sinner from the error of his way Jam. 5. 20. 3. A righteous man is helpful to a Kingdom He stands as a Screen between it and the fire of Gods wrath Psal. 106. 23 Therefore he said he would destroy them had not Moses his servant stood before him in the breach to turn away wrath from them When a breach is made in the wall of a Castâ—… Soldiers stand in that breach till the enemy be beaten back so when the wrath of God was coming against Israel Moses stood in the breach and by his prayers kept it off The Saints are the Atlasses that bear up a Nation from sinking the Poets fained of Hector as long as he lived Troy could not be demolished Psal. 75. 3. I bear up the Pillars St. Ambrose was called the wall of Italy Lot while in Sodom kept off the fire Gen. 19. 22. Hast thee escape to Zoar for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither A wicked Nation is oft reprieved for the righteous sake The Tares are spared for the Wheat sake 11. The Death of a righteous man is more excellent Death comes with an Habeas corpus Psal. 89. 48. What man is he that liveth and shall not see death Grace it self gives no charter of exemption from it An earthen pot though full of Gold may break The righteous who are earthen vessels though they are filled with the golden Graces are not freed from breaking by death but their death is precious Psalm 116. 15. Wicked men like Hawks are set high upon a pearch vervel'd with Jingling bells but then comes their passing-bell and calls them away and when they die there is no miss of them their life was scarce worth a prayer nor their death worth a tear the wicked die in their sins Joh 8. 21. Death to them is but Inferni porta a
A PLEA FOR THE GODLY Wherein is shown the EXCELLENCY OF A RIGHTEOUS PERSON By THOMAS WATSON Minister of the Gospel Isa. 43. 4. Since thou wast precious in my sight thou hast been honourable Isa. 60. 15. I will make thee an eternal excellency LONDON Printed by A. Maxwell for Tho. Parkhurst at the Three Crowns and Bible in Cheapside 1672. THE EPISTLE TO THE READER Christian Reader HOliness is a glorious thing it is the curious refining of the Soul Take away Holiness from an Angel and he is a Devil True Piety sheds an Excellency upon a Person as the Sun imparts a lustre to the Stars The righteous man hath God's name written upon him Rev. 3. 12. and partakes of the divine nature 2 Pet. 1. 4. Which is not by a Transubstantiation into the Divine Essence but by a Transformation into the Divine Likeness This ensuing Discourse is intended as a Plea for the Righteous I would wipe off that obloquy and dis-repute which is unjustly cast upon the Saints in this God dishonouring age In false Religions strictness is admired a devout Mahometan or Papist are had in Veneration but in the true Religion he who is most zealous is most hated As if the name of Protestantism were an honour but the practice of it a disgrace The most serious holy men are misrepresented to the world as indiscreet and factious The Prophet Eliah was counted the troubler of Israel 1 King 18. 17. and Luther the Trumpet of Rebellion The old Serpent spits his virulent poyson at the godly through the mouths of the Prophane But there is a time coming when the Lord will reckon with men for their hard speeches Jude 15. What is the Chaff to the Wheat How ignoble and contemptible are the wicked compared to the Godly the difference will more fully appear at the last day Mal. 3. 18. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked Such as calumniate the Saints would be glad to die their death Numb 23. 10. Let me die the death of the righteous and let my last end be like his The Philosopher asking one Which of these two he had rather be Either rich Croesus or vertuous Socrates He answered that in his Life he would be Croesus but at his Death Socrates In like manner there are many would live with the wicked but die with the righteous but they shall not have their wish They were offended at the sight and company of God's holy ones and they shall be as far parted from them as Heaven and Hell are asunder Oh ye Saints of the most High be not troubled at the groundless aspersions of the wicked they who are your Censurers shall not be your Judges Lift up your Crests be chearful to think what Christ hath wrought for you by his Blood and wrought in you by his Spirit He hath dignified you above the rest of the World The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour I shall not further exspatiate but bumbly imploring the blessing of the Almighty upon these few Lines I rest March 27 1672. Thine in all Christian Service THOMAS WATSON ERRATA PAg. 4. marg for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 12. marg for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 56. marg for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 p. 68. line 24. for Sat. read Saint THE Righteous Mans Excellency Prov. 12. 26. The Righteous is more excellent than his Neighbour SOlomon was a man of Renown he was the World's wonder he discoursed of trees from the Cedar-tree in Lebanon unto the Hysop that springeth out of the wall The Proverbs are profound and holy Aphorisms indited by the Spirit of God and penn'd by him who was both a King and a Preacher A great part of this Book is to set forth the difference between the godly and the wicked the happiness of the one and the misery of the other The Text is spoken in the elogium and commendation of a righteous man The righteous is more excellent than his neighbour 1. I begin with the first word righteous There is a twofold righteousness 1. A Civil righteousness and so he is righteous who is adorned with the Moral Vertues Prudence Justice Temperance who keeps free from poenal statutes and doth not dash upon the rock of visible scandal This righteousness is valid foro humano in mans court but is insufficient to Salvation Under the fair leaves of Civility the worm of Unbelief may be hid Many a person decked with Morality is now descended into Hell a Bull may be tyed with Ribbons and wear a Garland on his Head yet go to the slaughter However for the Honour of this Age it were to be wished that there were more civil righteousness to be found in the world 2. There is a Gospel-righteousness which is first a righteousness imputed i. e. when Christs righteousness is made over to us In Adam we were criminal persons Rom. 5. 12. In whom all have sinned If the head plot treason all the body is guilty but Christ is made to us righteousness 1 Cor. 1. 30. Indeed it is this righteousness only in which we can stand before the Justice of God Jer. 23. 6. This is the name whereby he shall be called The Lord our righteousness This righteousness is a coat without seam which doth not only cover but adorn us this is as truly ours to justifie as it is Christs to bestow 2. A righteousness imparted which is the infusing the seed and habit of Grace into the Soul the making a person internally holy And so he is said to be righteous who hath a change of heart wrought in him and is transformed by the renewing of his mind Rom 12. 2. Such an one though he is not another man yet he is a new man 2 Cor. 5. 17. The faculties are not new but the qualities as the strings of a Viol are the same but the tune is altered Righteousness is extensive in the Subject it hath a spreading vertue 1 Thes. 5. 23. The God of peace sanctifie you wholly A child of God is regenerate in every part though but in part 2. He is more excellent Excellency is the ennobling a person or a gradual elevation of him above others The righteous man is more excellent that is he is a better man the word in the Hebrew and Italian for excellent signifies abundant as if the Spirit of God had said The righteous hath more abundant worth in him more intrinsecal goodness 3. Than his neighbour Neighbour is not to be taken here strictly for one that lives in a Vicinity and is nearly scituated but by neighbour is meant any one that is unrighteous and hath not the fear of God before his eyes The Text hath two general parts 1. The Subject the Righteous 2. The Predicate he is more excellent than his neighbour Solomon seems as
trap-door to let them into hell But when a righteous man dies his sins die with him the pale face of death looks ruddy being sprinkled with the blood of the Lamb. When a Believer hath death in his Body he hath Christ in his Soul the day of his death is his Ascension-day to heaven The death of a Saint is precious 1. To God The righteous are said to be gathered Isa. 57. 1. * a â—…ner is carryed away in a sâ—…orm Job 27. 20. the righteous is gathered as we gather precious fruit and candy it So greatly doth God value the death of a Saint that he makes inquisition for every drop of his blood Psalm 9. 12. 2. His death is precious to the Saints surviving they follow his hearse weeping as David did Abner's 2 Sam. 3. 31. Though they know that when a godly man dies he is fixed in an higher and more transparent Orb yet they cannot but mourn at the fall of such a Star 'T is a lamentation when God cuts down the Pillars of a Land the great Cables and Anchors of a Ship being gone there is danger of a Shipwrack it presageth a storm coming when God hides his Jewels After Austins death followed the sacking of Hippo by the Goths and Vandals After the decease of Paraeus fell out the destruction of Heidelberg Hence it is that the Saints who are left behind when they see such as are the Glory of a Kingdom taken away by a stroke of death cannot but cry as Elisha did when Elijah was parted from him 2 King 2. 12. My Father my Father the chariot of Israel and the Horsmen thereof The Saints living are affected with the loss of the godly and carry them to their grave with a shower of tears 12. The Dust of a righteous man is more excellent When the Bodies of the wicked are laid in the grave there lies an heap of dust to be tumbled into hell but the dust of a righteous man is part of Christs mystical body the dust of a Saint is united to Christ while it is in the grave And as the dust of Believers is now excellent so it will appear shortly in the sight of Men and Angels Trajan's ashes were honoured at Rome so the ashes of the Saints at the Resurrection shall be honoured when they shall be made like Christs glorious body in beauty strength agility immortality 2. A righteous man is more excellent than a wicked in respect of what he Hath 1. He hath a more excellent Name God himself embalmed Moses name and set a garland of Honour upon his hearse Josh. 1. 2. Moses my Servant is dead The Names of the righteous are registred in the Sacred Records of Scripture Prov. 10. 7. The memory of the just is blessed The wicked leave their name for a curse Isa. 65. 15. How cursed is the name of Judas what Christian would baptize his Child of that name How odious are the names of Nero Domitian Bonner When their bodies rot under ground their names rot above ground But by faith the Elders obtained a good report Heb. 11. 2. How renowned was Moses for his Meekness Cornelius for his Alms their Names send forth a fragrant perfume in the Church of God to this day Psal. 112. 6. The righteous shall be had in everlasting remembrance It may be said of a gracious person as once of King David 1 Sam. 18. 30. His name was much set by A wicked man may leave a great Estate behind A righteous man leaves a good name 2. A righteous man hath more excellent company 1. He hath the Communion of Saints Psal. 119. 63. I am companion to all them that fear thee A good man delights in a companion of his own Species the Lamb cares not to be with the Wolf If unawares a godly man lights into the company of the wicked he fears either pollution or scandal therefore makes haste as out of an infected house A righteous man twists and incorporates among the Saints he is joined to Christs body mystical Act. 4. 23. And being let go they went to their own company 2. A righteous man hath communion with God 1 Joh. 1. 3. Our Fellowship is with the Father and his Son Jesus A gracious soul hath sweet intercourse with Heaven he goes to God by prayer and God comes to him by his spirit How happy is that person who hath the Angels to guard him and God to keep him company 3. A righteous man hath more excellent promises belong to him what a sinner hath is rather by providence than by vertue of a promise the Saints are called Heirs of the promise Heb. 6. 17. the Promises are precious 2 Pet. 14. they are the beams of the Sun of Righteousness the pleasant streams that run in the paradise of Scripture Behold a blessed promise Rom 8. 28. All things shall work for good but to whom to them that love God All mercies shall work for their good they shall be footstools to lift up their hearts higher to Heaven and all afflictions shall work for their good the rod shall be a divine pensil to draw Christs image more lively upon their souls and there is another promise Heb. 13 5. I will never leave thee nor forsake thee This promise belongs to the heirs of Salvation God will not leave his people either to their strong corruptions or their weak graces he will counsel them in their doubts supply them in their wants defend them in their dangers when they are most assaulted they shall be most assisted How can God leave them they are his spouse will a man leave his spouse Thus the Saints have the Royal Charter of the Promises setled upon them and these Promises as they are sweet so they are sure Men reckon their Wealth not always by what ready money they have in their Houses but by their Bonds and Leases a Christians Estate lies most in bonds and bills of Gods hand sealed with his Oath What better security can there be 4. A righteous man hath more excellent freedom Psal. 119. 45. And I will walk at liberty Another is capable of civil freedom he may be a Roman born but he is still enslaved to his lusts but a righteous person is Gods freeman 1 Cor. 7. 21. his neck is out of the Devils yoke he is freed from the law of sin Rom. 8. 2. he hath Gods free spirit Psal. 51. 12. which makes him free and chearful in his obedience the will is not compelled but changed a regenerate person is drawn indeed by the Spirit but sweetly as one is drawn into a garden of spices by the fragrancy of their smell he is drawn to Christ as one is drawn with anothers beauty so that while he is drawn he is free a righteous soul chooseth the ways of God Psal. 11â—… 30. and what greater act of freedom than an act of choice And a Saint cannot have his spiritual
freedom taken from him while he suffers in prison his conscience is most free in short he is made free of a Company the innumerable company of Angels Heb. 12. 22. 5. A righteous man hath more excellent food Carnalists feed only on earthly provision he feeds on heavenly He tasts how sweet the Lord is Psal 34. 8. He feeds on Gods love this is the hidden manna he eats Christs flesh which not only begets life Joh. 6. 33. but prevents death Joh. 6. 50. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven that a man may eat of it and not die That is not die the second death other bread may nauseate or cause surfeit but there is no excess here we cannot eat too much of the bread of life we cannot have too much of Christ as one cannot have too much health Oh what excellent food is this God himself is in this chear 6. A righteous man hath more excellent armour viz. the armour of light Rom 13. 12. this is armour of Gods making Ephes. 6. 16. and the Lord with his armour gives strength Alexander might give a coward his armour but he could not give him his courage but God infuseth a spirit of magnanimity into his people with his armor he conveys strength 2 Cor. 12. 9. My strength is made perfect in weakness A Christian having on Gods armour and going forth in the power of his might nothing can hurt him 1 Joh. 〈◊〉 18. That wicked one toucheth him not That is Tastu lethali with a deadly touch saith Cajetan Grace is armour of proof it may be shot at but it cannot be shot thorough this spiritual armour is not burdensome a Christian may run his race in it as well as fight * The armour of God the more it is struck at the stronger it is the more saith is assaulted the more vigorous it is the more zeal is opposed the hotter it is this excellent armour makes a Christian stedfast in Religion Hypocrites wear Christs colours but want his armour therefore fall away The righteous man never gives over the Spiritual combat till the trophies are hung up and the palm-branches are put in his hand in token of victory 7. A righteous man hath more excellent hopes Credula vitam Spes fovet melius cras fore semper ait A sinners hope is in this life he hopes to encrease his Estate he makes the wedg of gold his hope 't is a perishing hope Prov. 11. 7. But the righteous mans hope excells his hope is in Christ his hope is both an helmet 1 Thes. 5. 8. and an anchor Heb. 6. 19. while he is fighting with tentation hope is an helmet while he is upon the waters of affliction hope is an anchor the anchor of a Ship is cast downwards the anchor of the Soul is cast upwards in heaven a Saints hope is a purifying hope 1 Joh. 3. 3. a death-bed hope Prov. 14. 33. a Soul-comforting hope Tit. 2. 13. Looking for that blessed hope and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour When Christ was in the flesh he appeared as a surety now in heaven he appears as an advocate and when he comes in the Clouds he will appear as a Judg a righteous man hopes for this blessed appearing when Christ shall vindicate his Saints from all unjust calumnies and openly acquit them in the Court. 9. A righteous man hath more excellent joys Religion doth not restrain but resine his joy what is the joy of a sinner he takes joy in corn and wine he sucks from the flower of pleasure alas what is this to the joy of the righteous Rom. 5. 11. We joy in God This joy ariseth from the pardon of sin the first-fruits of the spirit the praelibation and fore-tast of glory the gleanings of this heavenly joy are better than the vintage of carnal joy Plato told the Musitians That Philosophers could dine and sup without them much more a Believer can be merry in the Lord without the supplement of worldly comforts 1. It is a more inward joy Psal. 4. 7. Thou hast put gladness in my heart Other joy lies more in the surface it pleaseth the senses 't is like the Paradise the Turks dream of where they shall have all dainty dishes served in they have gold in abundance silken and purple apparel and angels their servitors bringing them red wine in silver cups this delights the fancy and the senses but divine joy cheers the conscience Aecolampadius on his sick-bed when they asked him if he wanted any light putting his hand to his heart said Hic sat lucis Here I have light enough The Saints joy being inward sweetens affliction it turns their water into wine 1 Thes. 1. 6. Having received the word in much affliction with joy Theodoret when he was on the Rack in the midst of his Torments said He did find no anguish and when they took him down from the Rack he complained they did him wrong in so doing for saith he all the while I was on the Rack I thought there was one in white an Angel stood by which wiped off the sweat and I found much sweetness which now I have lost 2. It is a more unmixed joy Worldly joy is usually spiced with some bitterness guilt eclipseth it Prov. 14. 13. In laughter the heart is sorrowful One may drink wormwood in a golden-cup but the joy of the righteous like David's Harp drives away sadness it gives honey without gall it hath no allay or umbrage 3. The joy of the righteous is more durable Other joy is like a flower which withers while you are smelling to it I have read of a River in America which runs in the day with a full Torrent but it is dry at nigâ—… The comforts of the world run strongly in the day of health and prosperity but at the night of death they are dried up but as joy abounds in the godly so it abides Joh. 16. 22. Your joy no man taketh from you Divine joy is but begun in this life it is perfected in glory here is but the tuning of the instrument the sweet consort is reserved for heaven here the Saints do but sip of the cup there they shall drink of the rivers of divine pleasure for evermore Psal. 16. 11. 3. A righteous man is more excellent than a wicked in respect of what he Shall Have He shall have a better reward both righteous and wicked are rewarded but there is a vast difference the wicked shall have a reward of punishment the righteous of mercy Psal. 58. 11. So that a man shall say verily there is a reward for the righteous They shall be rewarded with a Kingdom Luke 12. 32. The heighth of mens ambition is a Kingdom Earthly Kingdomes are corruptible What is become of the pride of Babylon the glory of Athens the pomp of Troy they lie buried in their own ruins But the Kingdom