of discredit and discomfort You have here the summe and substance of many Sermons Reade digest and Practise them for they are matters of Eternity which will do you good for ever when Riches fail and Friends fail when Trades fail and strength fails yet Piety where it is in the power of it is â—…verlasting Riches enduring Substance a never fading Treasure having the promise both of the blessings of this life and that which is to come Keep this therefore whatever else you lose Buy it at any rate but part with it at no rate be like Pherecides the Athenian who held the Ship on the shore with both hands one being cut off he held it with the other and both being cut off he held with his teeth Resolve to part with all rather then part with purity Say to it as Ruth did to Naomi Ruth 1. 16 17. Whether thou goest I will go and where thou lodgest I will lodge thy people shall be my people and thy God my God Where thou diest will I die and there will I be buried The Lord do so to me and more also if ought but death part thee and me These things the Lord who is rich in Mercy vouchsafe to give you he blesse you with the dews of Heaven and the fatnesse of the earth with the blessings of his right hand and of his left he make you to abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgement that ye may approve the things that are excellent that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ being filled with the fruits of righteousnesse unto his praise This is and ever shall be the Prayer of Your affectionate Pastor and hearty Well-wisher Tho. Hall Kingsnorton Jan. 30. 1652. Imprimatur Nov. 20. 1652. Edm. Calamy THE BEAUTY OF HOLINESSE 1 PET 2. 16. Be ye Holy for I am holy TO study the salvation of mens Souls as 't is one of Omnium divino um est dâ—…ssimu 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Deo in con 〈◊〉 erâ—…ntium qui puro amore pro universoru sâ—…lute laborant recte Deitormes divini imo divinissimi â—…cupantur Dionys. Are. opag the highest and hardest works that we can undertake so 't is a work most pleasing unto God making us to resemble him who delights in the prosperity of his people and is willing that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the Truth Now since none can attain to this SalvatioÌ„ without Sanctification no happiness without Holiness I have been at some pains to set forth the Grace of Graces in its lively colours to make us out of love with sin and in love with Purity and Holiness which is the * Pulchritudo haec non est carnalis sedspiritualis beauty of families the strength of Cities the wals and bulwarks of a Nation the Crown of the Church Militant and the glory of the Church Triumphant It is the streets of gold in the holy City the rich pavement of the heavenly Jerusalem Rev. 21. 10 11 18 19 20 2â—… 27. which renders the Church Fair as the moon glorious Pulchritudo habet vim magneticam affectivaÌ„ ita ut trahit secum amoreÌ„ admirationeÌ„ desiderium Alsted as the sun and terrible like an Army with banners Cant. 6. 10. This is that beautifull grace which hath an attractive vertue in it to draw our love desires and affections after it What Plato said of his morall vertue is most true of this Theological grace * T were able to make Persecutors Professors Drunkards Puritans the most sensual Epicure to become a mortified Saint Bolton Direct for Walk p. 373. 〈◊〉 if it could be seen with bodily eyes it would be beloved of all Hence the Apostle joyns purity and loveliness together Phil 4. 8. Whatsoever things are pure lovely meditate and think on them till you be in love with them Light beauty excellency are the object of our desires now in holiness is all this and much more look what are the greatest earthly See the glory and beauty of Holinesse fully sweetly set forth by Dr. Raynolds Ps. 110. 3 p 349 c. excellencies they are but shadows to the beauty of holinesse This is that fairnesse and beauty so oft mentioned 1 Chron. 16. 29. Psal. 45. 11 50. 2. 1. 10 3. so highly commended Cant. 1. 10 11. 4. 1. 6. 1. 7. 1. Ezek 16. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14. There is no beauty like that beauty which makes us like unto God as sin is a deformity a blot a most dishonourable filthy thing and debaseth the creature so grace puts a lustre upon a man and upon all his accomplishments it makes the face to shine as Moses his did when he came from seeing God in ihe Mount In a word Holiness is the Glory of God the beauty of Angels the excellency of man the ornament of all Societies without which they are but dens of devils cages of unclean birds What Austin said of Righteonsnes is most true of Holiness Remota sanctitate quid sunt regna nisi latrocinia Take away piety and what is the world but a sty oâ—… filth So that holiness is not only our duty but our glory it is both our work and wages such imployment is our high preferment Without this if a man had the wisdom of Solomon the strength of Sampson the riches of Craesus the eloquence of Apollos all the morall accomplishments of Cato Fabritius c. yet he must baptize them all Ichabod There is no glory in them 'T is this that hath made all Gods servants so famous in their generations it was not their riches parts descent c. but their piety they were holy men fearing God and walking in sincerity before him this kept their names green and flourishing when the names of prophane unholy men doth rot and perish Thus have I given you a glimpse of the beauty of Holiness to quicken your desires after that which follows The scope of the Text is briefly this Peter exhorting the faithfull to sanctity sincerity of conversatioÌ„ useth an argument drawâ—… froÌ„ their Adoption ver 14. Ye are the children of God therefore it becomes you like dutifull children to obey the commands of your heavenly father that as he who hath called you is holy and hath chosen you out of the world to be his own peculiar people so it concerns you who are his children to reseÌ„ble him in the beauties In omni conversatione i ut nulla sit pars vitae quae non 〈◊〉 bonnm sanctitatis odorem redolâ—…at Cal v. in loc of holinesse and that not for a day or a week but through the whole course of your lives in all manner of conversation i. in all things in all places at all times and in all companies In the Text there is First A duty commanded Be holy SecoÌ„dly A double reasoÌ„ to inforce it 1. Because it is written It is no new
words and fair speeches to deceive the simple These silken men have silken words nothing but free-grace pure Churches pure Ordinances pure Gospel all blessings Thus they insinuate themselves with such gentlenesse mecknesse sobernesse that one would See more Gellâ—…spy Miscellan eâ—… 13 think that God and goodnesse were confined to such a people but pull off the vizard and there appears a proud Antinomian a loose Anabaptist a licentious Aâ—…ian a blasphemous Socinian c. In briefe take this Character of one that is truly Holy He is one that understands his owne absolute emptines and Christs absolute fullnes he denyes his owne best works and relyes solely upon Christ for salvation he leaves nothing undone which Gods word reveales useth all means for the increase of his Graces he is not cast downe by failings as utterly dejected nor exalted by performances as more accepted with God but looks at sin past with shame at sin present with sorrow on the world with contempt the Gospels credit is his aime Gods glory his end he silenceth some shameth others shines out to all c. He that would see more signs of holinesse let him peruse Dr. Preston on the New Creature Ser. 9. Dr. Taylor on New Creat p. 46 47. Ambrose his Media p. 10 c. M. Ant. Burgess Ser. 53. Ser. 63. CHAP. VI. THe fifth Use is for Exhortation 1. To those that want holinesse seek it and seek it earnestly be diligent give all diligence to get it fill heaven Qâ—…ae 〈◊〉 magna magnè and earth with cries for it resolve to give no rest to the temples of thy head till thou hast attained it let God see that thou art in earnest and that this is the greatest and chiefest desire of thy soul and then he cannot he will not deny thee Learn of the wise Merchant who seeking for goodly Pearls and finding one of great price went and sold all that he had bought it Mat. 13. 45. Piety is a Pearl of more worth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Stobaeus then all the pearles in the world a man may be loaded with them as it is said Queen Mary was on the day of her Coronation so that her head could not bear them and yet be miserable but piety hath the promise and makes men venerable not only in the eies of good men Psal. 15. 4. but even in the eies of a wicked Nebuchadnezzar Darius Herod c. Yea when we are thus glorious within God himself will delight in us and greatly desire our beauty Psal. 45. 11. Oh then let us labour for pure affections and pure actions let purity dwell in our houses and be engraven even on our ordinary actions of eating drinking recreations c. It was prophesied that in Gospel-times holinesse should abound Zach. 14 20 21. it must be imprinted on the pots we drink in and plates that we eat on the houses we dwell in the riches we possesse yea the horse-bridles the instruments of warre and labour our garments and attire must have holinesse written on them we must have an eye to Gods glory in them all but alas upon the houses and furniture of most we may write violence and cruelty upon their dishes and cups oppression and luxury upon their apparell and attire pride and prophanenesse c But we have not so learned Christ our piety must so shine before men that they may see it It is not sufficient that we have it in us but the power and life of it must appear in our lives As the Apostle sayes of moderation Phil. 4. 5. it must be so apparent that it may be known not to one or two but to All both friends and foes both good and bad so our sanctification must not lie concealed in our breasts but it must be See more D. Reynolds Hos 14. 5 6. p. 37 38. made visible in our lives we must be burning and shining lights carrying about us convincing lives that we may win many to God Now to quicken thee consider these fo ur things 1. Consider seriously who it is that cals on thee and intreats thee to be holy is it not the great the mighty God he whose frowns make rocks to rend and Princes quake and tremble he whose thou art in all relations should but a mortall man a friend intreat thee to observe some rules and directions which might tend to thy bodily health how readily wouldst thou obey him shall the great God become a suppliant unto thee whose bare commands were sufficient to move thee and who will have his will on thee whether thou wilt or no shall the most high condescend so low as to stoop to thee and his grace as t were kneel to thee for entertainment and hast thou a face to deny him 2. Yet consider to what he cals thee it is not to sin it is not to destruction it is not to any thing that should hurt thee that is the devils work but he cals thee to holinesse and so to happinesse that it may be well with thee and with thine for ever Now should the meanest person in the world desire thee to do such or such a thing as would do thee good for ever wouldst thou not hearken to him And shall the great God intreat thee to be holy that thou maiest be happy and canst thou reject his intreaties 3. Yet thirdly Consider from what he cals thee Not from any thing that might comfort thee but only from sin which is the greatest evil to himself which is the chiefest good he cals thee from hell to heaven from darknesse to light and from the power of Satan to himself Now did you but know the horror and uglinesse of sin with the terrours and torments that attend it God and man should not then stand thus intreating of you to forsake it 4. Yet consider the rationality and reasonablenesse of Gods commands Reason should rule and command reasonable creatures for though the waies of Religion be above reason yet they are not contrary to reason for there is the greatest reason in the world for them Now there are clear full convincing reasons enough to move a rock had it but reason to understand them to perswade us to be holy Reasons from God reasons from his word reasons from his mercies reasons from his judgements reasons from heaven reasons from hell and above all reasons from the blood of Christ sit down but one hour aâ—…d consider what thy sin cost thy Saviour bring but one such an argument for thy sinnes and hold them fast for ever Thus we see what convincing reasons there are why we should See more in M. Ant. Burgess 120. Ser. Ser. 60. p. 373. be holy yet it is not sufficient that we have holinesse but 2. We must grow in holinesse we must go forward from one degree of holinesse to another perfecting holinesse in the fear of God * See Trapp on this place 2 Cor. 7. 1. We must strive
35. p. 5. 10 20. Acts 26. 24. 1 King 18. 17. 2 Kings 9. 11. Amos 7 10. Iohn 19. 12. Acts 17 6 7. 24. 5. Ier. 18. 18. 37. 13 14 15. 38. 4. Thus they dealt with the Primitive Christians if any calamity fel on the land presently they cried Away wâ—…th the Christians to the Lions they are the cause of all this misery 2. These must know that it is not Religion but the want of it which breeds uproars and tumults in the nations It is not the godly but the ungodly the swearer the drunkard the Sabbath-prophaner the covetous Achan Idolatrous Ieroboam wicked Ahab unclean Zimri and Cozbi these these are they that trouble Israel that bring plagues calamities on a Land these are those Ps. 1. 1. Rashang homos inquietus turbulentu V. Leigh Crit. Reshagnaims those turbulent ones which disquiet the places where they come As for the godly they are of those that are peaceable in our Israel they are endued with the wisdom that is frome above which is first pure and then peaceable James 3. 17. They are peaceable in themselves and labour to make and preserve peace amongst others See Bur. Gracious Spi. p. 137 c They are the pillars of a Land the equites cataphracti the chariots and horsmen the strength and glory of a Land As Sampsons strength lay in his hair so the Governours of Judah shall one day say In the inhabitants of Ierusalem is our strength Zech. 12. 5. They are a blessing to families Cities and Nations God blessed the house of Pharaoh for Iosephs sake he spared Israel at the prayers of one Moses ten righteous persons had preserved Sodom Paul hath all the souls given him which were in the ship Acts 27. 24. yea one holy man may be a means to save a whole Iland fromdestruction Iob 22. ult It is ignorance and wickedness that makes people rude and rebellious but where Religion comes in the poweâ—… of it and men obey not for fear but for conscience sake no better subjects then those in the world none more faithful to their trust none pray more for their Superiors nor pay their just dues more freely fully to them these are those that wil venture their lives and estates for their honour when such as serve them for their own ends wil leave them and forsake them And though for the present the righteous may be condemned as traitors and the wicked exalted to the Throne yet in Gods due time he will clear the innocency of his servants as the light there shal be a resurrection of their Names as wel as of Bodies Then David shal appear to be innocent David and Saul a bloody man then shall we clearly discern between the righteous and the wicked between him that fearâ—…th the Lord and him that feareth him not Those that would see any more Cavils raised against sanctity by the world the flesh and the devil fully answered let them peruse two excellent Books which I shall commend to the serious study of â—…ll young Divines viz. Dyke oâ—… the 〈◊〉 of mans Heart and M. Downhaâ—…s warfar especially p. 287 c. and Mr. Timothy Rogers his good news from Heaven Since I finisht this Tract there came to my hands an excellent piece stiled Precious Remedies against Satans devices by M. Brooks where you have many more Cavils fully and learnedly answered As also those Elaborate and Soul-searching Sermons of M. Anthony Burgess Ser. 44. p. 270. CHAP. VIII I Am come now unto the Motives There is a great indisposition in ouâ—… natures to purity and therefore we had need of all incitements that possibly may be to quicken us to it 1. The first Motive is drawn from the necessity of it Holinesse is absolutely 1. Motive necessary to salvation a man may be saved without riches honour c. Buâ—… no man can be saved without holiness 2. It is necessary Necessitate praecepti it is no indifferent thing it is not actuâ—… elicitus sed imperatus it is no free and voluntary action of our own but a duty commanded and enjoyned by Goâ—… under severest penalties and thereforâ—… we are necessarily bound to the â—…ractice of it This is the will of God even our sanctification 1 Thess. 4. 3. It is his will Iacienda sunt nobis quaecunqâ—… Deus praecipit etsi non statim videamus quorsum â—…vasura sunt clausis tamen oculis debemus eum ducem sequi Roll. in Ioh. emphatically i. it is that which God doth more especially require of us and therefore it must be done intuitae voluntatis simply because he commands it we must not stand questioning Gods commands but obey them when once we understand what is that acceptable will of God we must presently do it This is motive sufficient to a gratious soul if there were no more as the Lord said to Ioshua 1. 9 Be strong of good courage hâ—…ve not I commanded thee q. d. This is ground sufficient to make thee couragious because I have commanded thee to be so so this is sufficient to make us fâ—…y sin study purity because our God commands that it should be so 2. Necessitate medii Holinesse is the way to happinesse it is via ad regnum the way to the Kingdom though not Vâ—…a caelo vâ—…a sanctitatis Isa. â—…5 8. the cause of reigning it 's necessary as a qualification though not as a meritorious cause of heaven No unclean thing Licet non siâ—… causa merito 〈◊〉 gloriae est tamen causa dispositiva qu â idoneiredd imur ad gloriam recipiendam Alsted can come there If the earth groan under prophane wretches and the Land be ready to spue them out Levit. 18. 28 〈◊〉 Iob thought the wicked unfit to sit with the dogs of his flock if God See Harsnet on Rep. p. 42. to 50. p. 308. c. abhorre their persons prayers and praises here can we think that he will receive such into his Kingdom and if the Virgins that stood before the Persian Monarchs must first be perfumed and prepared before they come into their presence Hest. 5. 1. surely then the Kings daughter must be gloriously arraied before she be brought into the presence of the King of Kings Psal. 45 13. 14. Such as wait on Princes must be arraied accordingly Mat. 11. 8. else they disparage their Master when they follow him with loathsome rags How oft hath the Lord told us that there is no enjoying the beatificall vision of his face in glory without this See D. Preston on the New Covenant Ser. 20. p 313. Deus Se ipâ—…um videndâ—… 〈◊〉 in verbo sâ—…o in â—…c vita et visioâ—…e gloriasâ iâ—… futura Rivet Psal. 24. 3. 4. Matth. 5. 8. Heb. 12. 14. without holinesse no man shal see God to his comfort Sinne draws a vail over our hearts and eyes so that we cannot see God in his word nor see him in his
works we cannot discern the mysteries of Religion here noâ—… obtain the fruition of the glorious vision of his face for ever So that holâ—…nesse and happinesse fall both under Decre â—…he whom God hath decreeâ—… to salvation as the end he hath decreed to holinesse leading to that end 2 Thes. 2. 13. The Kingdom of Grace is the suburbs to the Kingdom of Glory and he that will not go thorow the suburbs shall never come into the City of the New Ierusalem it is an holy Mount which none but holy ones can ascend it is only he that hath his fruits in holinesse whose end shal be everlasting life Rom. 6. 22. 't is onely such as walk in white here that shall be cloathed with white hereafter Revel 19. 8. Sanctity is the path-way to glory they differ only in degree the one is the seed the other is the flower Grace is glory militant and glory is grace triumphant Hence it is called glory 2 Cor. 3. 18. Sanctificatio id â—…itur glorificatio inchoatiâ—…e quatenus futura glorificationis est praeluâ—…ium Weâ—…leb Rom. 8. 30. whom he justified them he glorified but where is sanctification it is included in glorification for sanctification is glory begun and glorification is sanctification consummate 3. There is a necessity of sanctification in respect of Christ our Head who Ubi sanctificatio includitur in â—…ne Paraeus is called by way of eminency The holy and the just one Mark 1. 24. Isa. 54. 5. Revel 7. Cant. 5. 10. Christ is white â—…or holinesse and red in respect of his wounds sufferings Now all beleevers Debet tantae â—…obilitutis ad quaÌ„ nos extulit cogitatio sanctimoniae ac puritatis studiuÌ„ in nobis acuâ—…re Calvin have â—…ear communion with Christ they are made one with him flesh of his flesh Heb. 2. 11. Both he that sanctifies i. Christ and they that are sanctified i. the servants of Christ are all one hence the Church is called Christ. 1 Cor. 12. 12. Now Christ was every way holy and undefiled Heb. 7. 26. and we must in some measure be conformable to him in sanctification as well as in suffering Rom 8. 29. For if the Head be of gold the menbers must not be of brasse an holy Head and unholy members will never agree 4. In respect of the Church and people of God to whom we are united See Randal on the Church lect 4. p. 62. Sancti non sanctâ—…tate innaâ—…â sed sanctitate donâ—…tâ they are holy 1. The Church triumphant in heaven to whom we are allied is holy they are a company of just men whose spirits are made perfect Heb. 12. 22. 2. The Church Militant is an holy Nist vitae sanctimoniâ—… Christianum â—…e ostendas 〈◊〉 sâ—…re quideâ—… in â—…cclesia poteris sed ex â—…atamen non eris Calv. society hence they are called holy Brethren Heb. 3. 1. and an holy Nation 1 Pet. 2. 9. Saints of the most high Dan. 7. 18 21 22. and the People of his holinesse Isa. 63 18. Men may make shews be outward members of the Church but they shal never be true and sound members of it without holinesse 5. The work to which we are called cals for holinesse 1. Our prayers must be holy and must come from holy persons Psal. 66. 18. God hears not sinners Ioh. 9. 31. we must lift up pure hands in prayer 2. Before we hear there must be purging 1 Pet. 2. 1 2. Iames 1. 21. The vessel must be pure or it will marre the liquor Sincerum est nifi vas that is put into it 3. The Sacraments call for holy ones Sancta sanctis Holy things must be given to holy ones It is to the pure only that all things are pure Titus 1. ult when all the duties of religion without it are but as the cutting off of a dogs neck Isa. 66. 3. 6. Our sanctification is one speciall evidence of our Title to all the favours of God Non q. â—…ramus sed ut essemus Nullum electionis eviâ—… dentius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 1. It is an evidence of our election God hà th chosen us not because we were but that we might be holy Eâ—…es 1. 4. 1 Pet. 1. 2. All the elect of God are holy Colos. 3. 12. His electing includes but never excludes purity or good works and therefore they that Electio non excludit sed includit sanctitatem studium boâ—…orum operum tanquâ—… effectum infallibile signum Alst. would be sure of their election must begin at sanctification and by worâ—… of holinesse make their calling and election sure 2 Pet. 1. 10. The deviâ—… separates the means from the end and would perswade men that if they be elected they shall be saved let them live as they list but all those whom God hath elected to happinesse as the end he hath also elected to holinesse as the way to that end 2. 'T is an evidence of our vocation Whom God cals by his word and Spirit he cals to holinesse and not to sin 1 Thes. 4. 7. 2. Cor. 1. 1. 2. Roâ—… 1. 7. 3. 'T is the end and evidence of our redemption Christ gave himselâ—… for us That he might redeeâ—… uâ—… from aâ—… iniquity and purifie to himself a peculiaâ—… people â—…ealous of good works Titus 2. 14 Luke 1. 74 75. Ephes. 5. 26. Col. 〈◊〉 21 22. Iohn 17. 19. 1 Pet. 2. 24. 4. By this we shall have a comfortable evidence of our justification for all those whom God justifies thâ—… 〈◊〉 ever sanctifies thou 〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉 doubt of thy justification if thou finde the fruit of it which is sanctification this is alwayes an inseparable property of a childe of God yea it is essential to him that it is impossible to be Gods childe without it In the Apostles times there were some that boafted of their faith and of their justification and yet neglected sanctification to whom both Iames and Iohn reply and bid them make it apparent by their works of holinesse and obedience else they were but lyars and deceivers Iames 2. 1 Iohn 2. 3. 4. yea Christ himself who was no legall Preacher sheweth us what persons have title to blessednesse even such as shew their justification by the fruits of sanctification viz. Poverty of spirit mourning meeknesse purity mercy peace c. Away then with Saltmarsh and all Saltmarsh Free Grace p. 97. to 190. See him confuted by M. Gataker the rabble of Antinomians who cry down all acts of Preparation Qualification and evidence of works they cry down all sense of sin and humiliation for it as legall and tell us of short work it is but beleeve and be saved it is but looking on Christ and salvation is in thy soul. This is quickly said indeed but it is not so quickly done It is easie to say I can build a house it is but laying the foundations rearing the wals and covering it with aroof and the house is made but
he that will build indeed shall find much hewing squaring cost and labour c. And if it be such easie work to be saved why are we commanded to Ask seek knock strive wrastle run and workout our salvation with fear and trembling denying our selves and taking up our crosse daily c. Those are so fully confuted by the leaned Gellaspy Miscellan ch 21. p. 246. c Scotchman that I shall onely send you to him for fuller satifaction 7. The life of A seventh Motive holinesse is 1 An honourable life 2. A comfortable life 3. An easie life 4. A peaceable life 5. A safe life 6. A gainfull life 7 An excellent life First 'T is an honourable life Such Deo servire est regnare do not live but reign they are spirituall Kings and reign not only over men and devils but also over their own corruptions which is the highest and hardest conquest Prov 16. 32. It is the honour of mens honours let Omnibus ornatibus ornamen o est sinâ—… quâ nihil tam ornatum esâ—… quod ornare possit Salv. Ecclesiae se membrum esse magis quâm in terris regnare gaudebat Aug. deCivit Dei l. 5. c. 26 Regum purpuras ardentes diadematum gemmas pietas condecorat them be Gentlement Lords Kings c. yet if they be holy men and men fearing God this title is far beyond all the rest and therefore Theodosius rejoyced more in that he was a member of the Church then head of the Empire This doth not take away but adde to our Honours if a man be a Lord this makes him a Lord indeed if a Gentleman this makes him more then a Gentleman as Paul said of Onesimus Philemon 16. receive him now as a Servant yea above a Servant whilst he was carnall he was a Servant but now he is a Convert he is more then a Servant even a Spirituall King These are the truly Honourable and Right Worshipful of the world all wicked men how * Tanta est miseria hujus temporis ut nullus habeatur magâ—… nobilis quam qui est plurimum dives Salv de Gub. l. 3. Bonus etiamsi serviat liber est malus auteÌ„ etiamsi regnet servus est nec unius bominis sed quod gravius est tot dominoruÌ„ quot vitioruÌ„ Aug. de Civitate Deil. 4 Chap 3. rich or great soever are but drosse and dung in Gods esteem Psal. 119. 119. as witches children the seed of the adulteresse and the whore Isa. 57. 3. He lookes on them as brasse iron lead reprobate silver Ier 6. 28. 30. vile persons Psal. 15. 4. Dan. 11. 21. children of the devil Iohn 8. 44. T is piety that brings praise both in Loq non de genere sed de virtute à c pietate Beza Ille verè nobilis qui dedignatur servire vitiis Chrysost. Nobilisgenere Sanctitate nobilior as Jerom said of Paul the sight of God and man Isa 43. 4. This made the Bereans more noble 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 generosiores better born bred of a more generous disposition because they received the Word with all readinesse of minde This made Jabez more honourable then his brethrtn 1 Chron. 4. 9 10. These are Gods Segullah his choice and chief treasure Exod. 19. 5. his peculiar people Titus 2. 14. of the blood Royall nobly descended sons and daughters of the most high God heirs of glory their memorials shall be blessed and their names flourish when the names of Hinc 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 veneranuus à Lap. The pious man is the only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 See more in that excellent Treatise of Mr. Burgess called the Saints Treasury on Ex. 15. 11. p. 24. c. all wicked prophane wretches who have purchased Titles with their purses and not by their vertues shall rot and perish It is not riches pedegree fine houses fine clothes c. that can make men honourable that is but a begging of fame but piety commands esteem even in the consciences of those that cannot practice it themselves The intemperate man cannot but approve and reverence the temperate the cruell worldling commends the mercifull liberall man and the time-serving Polititian cannot but admire the Ea vis est verae virtutis ut etiam regibus sit formidabiâ—…is Eras. constant persevering Christian c. Holinesse is a beautifull thing it carries a majesty in the face of it even those that oppose it cannot but admire it These are they that honour God and therefore he will honour them God hath more honour from one holy man then from ten thousand others hence they are called his glory Isa. 4. 5. they put a lustre on Religion and will either convert men as Iustin Martyr confesseth That the pious lives of the Primitive Christians were a means to win him Ut nibilma li de â—…obis nisâ—… mentiendo loquantur Hieron to Christiany or else convince them that they shall have nothing justly to speak against them What hath made the godly so famous in their generations but their godlinesse Doubtlesse we had never heard of Ioseph Moses Iob Samuel David Hezekiah Iosiah Ruth Abigail Hester c. had it not been for their pieâ—…y It can be no disparagement theu for great men to be good men many thinke it a debasement to pray in their families to go to lectures to delight in the society of humble Christians c. such Si quis ex nobilibus con verti ad Dec um caeperit statim hono rem nobilitatis amittit Salvian de Gub. l. 4. p. 113 c. Omnes pari sorte nascimur solâ virtute distinguimur Min. Felix must know were they greater then they be that piety is no debasement but an ornament not only our duty but our glory farre excelling any naturall birth or descent whatsoever and that in four particulars 1. That is but carnall this is spirituall 2. That is but mortall this is immortall 3. That is but earthly this is heavenly 4. A man may be loaded with such honours and yet go to hell as Esau Saul Ahab Iezabel c. but whosoever is Nihil pretiosius vel magnificentius sanctitate in qua relucet spiritûs Dei claritas Riv. truly sanctified shall truly be saved 1. Pet. 1. 3. 4. If Holinesse be our glory in Heaven why should any esteem it a dishonour to them on earth if it be the Glory of our Creator must it not needs be the honour and happinesse of the Creature 2. This fits men for honourabe employment no man is fit for Government till he have grace A filthy unclean vessell is fit sor nor use till it be cleansed a man must first purge himself from his youthfull sins from education sins customary sins beloved sins c. then and never till then shall he be a vessell of honour sanctified and fit for the masters use and prepared for every good work then