the object which is near the glass the beams of Gods love are more intensly enflamed towards them who are near him by grace these have the strength and spirits of his love distilled he loveth them as he loveth Christ Joh. 17. 26. Indeed in one sense Gods love to Christ and Believers is not alike for Christ is loved purely for his own sake but Believers are loved for Christs sake yet in another sense God the Father loves Believers as he loves Christ It is the same love for the quality the same for the unchangableness of it God will no more cease to love Believers then he will to love Christ. 6 Br. See from hence what a venerable opinion we should have of the righteous they are to be prized by us above others Psal. 15. 4. He honoureth them that fear the Lord. A Sa in rags is better than a sinner in scarlet We prize things that have an excellency in them why do we value Gold and Pearl but because they excell glass-bugles Oh then esteem the righteous as most worthy because of their intrinsick holiness whereby they out-shine their neighbours The righteous carry Christ about them Gal. 2. 20. Christ liveth in me Queen Cleopatra put a Jewel in her cup which contained the price of a Kingdom how rich are they who carry the pearl of Price about them Despise not the Saints for their worldly Poverty but honour them for their Vertue we esteem of a Ruby or Diamond though it be in the dust John Baptist was girt with a leathern-girdle yet he was more than a Prophet Mat. 11. 9. He was honoured to usher in the King of Glory into the World John was so eminent a person that doubtless Herod might have kept his oath though he had not beheaded him for he sware to the Damsel to give her what she asked unto half of the Kingdom Mar. 6. 23. But John Baptist was more worth than all his Kingdom A Saints facing may be mean but he hath a rich lining the out side of the Tabernacle was Goats hair but within it was embellished with Gold Psal. 45. 13. The Kings daughter is glorious within Jesus Christ himself was outwardly mean yet in him are hid all the treasures of wisdom Col. 2. 3. A Soul inspir'd by the Almighty and beautified with grace doth exceed others more than the light of the Sun doth exceed the light of a Taper 7 Br. If the righteous are more excellent than others then how severe will God be against those that wrong them the wicked are thorns in the sides of the godly Saint Paul was scourged by cruel hands 1 Cor. 11. 35. Thrice was I beaten with rods aâ—… if you should see a Skullion whip the Kings Son but shall not God avenge his Elect Surely he will Isa. 34. 6 8. The sword of the Lord is silled with blood for it is the day of the Lords vengeance and the year of recompences for the controversie of Sion As if the Prophet had said The time appointed is now come sor Gods avenging Sion's wrongs Jer. 50. 10 11. Chaldea shall be a spoil saith the Lord because â—…e were glad because ye rejoiced O ye destroyers of mine heritage Jer. 30. 16. All that prey upon thee will I give for a prey The Saints are persons of Honour they are God's first-born Oh how enraged will the Lord be against such as offer injury to them they trample God's pearls in the dust they strike at the apple of his eye The righteous are Gods royal diadem Isa. 62. 3. Will a King endure to have his Robes spit upon and his Crown thrown in the dirt What is done to the righteous is done to God himself When the Kings favourite is struck at the King himself is struck at 2 King 19. 22. I know thy rage against me The rage of Sennacherib was against the person of Hezekiah but there being a league between God and his people the Lord took it as done to himself I know thy rage against me Certainly it shall not go unpunished Psal. 105. 14. He reproved Kings for their sakes What became of Julian Nero Dioclesian One of them had his deaths-wound from Heaven others of them had theit bowels come out and died raving Charles the ninth of France who had glutted himself with the blood of so many Christians in the Massacre at Paris was in such inward horror that he never durst be waked without Musick and at length blood issued out at so many parts of his body that he died bleeding These were set up as publick Monuments of God's vengeance 2 Use. Let us try whether we are in the number of these righteous ones then we are more excellent than others 1. A righteous man is an humble man he who is proud of his righteousness is unrighteous Luk 18. 1. God I thank thee that I am not as other men are I fast I give Tythes Here was a Triple crown of Pride the Pharisee wore Righteousness though it raiseth the name it depresseth the heart Job 15. 10. If I am righteous I will not lift up my head The Violet is a sweet flower yet hangs down the head such a flower was Job The righteous are like the Silk-worm while she weaves her curious works she hides her self in the silk The righteous man is more in judging himself than in playing the Critick upon another He shrinks into nothing in his own thoughts 2 Cor. 12. 11. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Though I be nothing David cries out I am a worm and no man Psal. 22. 6. Though a Saint though a King yet a worm St. Austin Lord I am not worthy of thy love Bishop Hooper Lord I am hell but thou art heaven One of the Martyrs subscribed his Letter The most hard-hearted-sinner John Bradford He who is righteous puts a greater value upon others than upon himself Phil. 2. 3. Let each esteem other better than themselves The higher Grace is the lower the Heart is the more Gold you put in the Scale the lower it descends the richer the Ship is laden the lower it sails When the Soul looks black in its own eye it is most comely Isa. 57. 15. I dwell with him also that is of an humble spirit God hath two Heavens and the humble heart is one of them 2. A righteous man is devoted to holiness The Priests under the Law were not only wash'd in the great laver but adorned with glorious apparel Exod. 28. 2. the emblem of a righteous man who is not only washed from gross sin but adorn'd with inward sanctity he is what he seems he hath not only holiness painted on him but living in him 'T is said of Zachary and Elizabeth they were both righteous before God walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless Luk. 1. 6. A good Christian is Gods Temple his body is the outward Court of the Temple and his
them brighter Dan. 12. 10. 5. God calls them the apple of his eye Zach. 2. 8. The apple of the eye is the tenderest part of the eye to express Gods tenderness of them saith Salvian God cannot endure to have his eye-ball touched 6. God calls them his Portion Deut. 32. 9. as if his riches lay in them A man seals a bag of Money for his use so the Lord seals his people as his portion with a double seal the one of Election 2 Tim. 2. 19. the other of assurance Ephes. 1. 13. 7. God calls them his Plant of renown Ezek. 34. 19. he hedgeth in this noble plant with his protection waters it with the silver-drops of his Ordinances blesseth the springing of it adorns it with fruit transplants it into the heavenly Paradise where it grows continually in the sweet Sun-shine of his favour 8. God calls them joint-heirs with Christ Rom. 8. 17. Jesus Christ is a rich Heir Joh. 16. 15. He is Lord of all Gal. 4. 1. Heb. 1. 2. and the Saints are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 they go sharers with Christ. 9. God calls them the Luminaries of the World They give light by their precepts and example Phil. 2. 15. Among whom ye shine as Lights in the world Lot was a bright Star in Sodom the world would be dark were it not for the children of light 10. God calls them a peculiar people 1 Pet 2. 9. he hath taken them out of the world as out of the wild forest and enclosed them to himself by a decree or as the Greek carries it they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a purchased people the righteous are the purchase of Christs blood he will not lose his purchase 11. God calls them a Kingdom of Priests Exod. 19. 6. 1. They are Kings they have their Throne Rev. 3. 21. and white Robes Rev. 6. 11. Robes signifie their Dignity and White their Sanctity 2. They are Priests The Priesthood under the Law was honourable the Kings daughter was Wife to Jehoiada the Priest 2 Chron. 22. 11. In ancient times the Egyptians chose their Kings out of their Priests the Saints are consecrated to be Priests to offer up to God the Eucharistical sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving in Heaven 12. God calls them a crown of glory and diadem in his hand Isa. 62. 3. that is saith a learned Writer they are exceeding eminent and renowned above other people as the Crown is an Ensign of the highest state and honour nay the Lord calls them expresly his Glory Isa. 46. 13. Israel my glory as if Gods glory lay in his people All which shews what an high estimate God puts upon the righteous in giving them such illustrious Titles of honour They are Princes in all lands Isa. 45. 16. Kings do minister to them Isa. 60. 10. yea Angels Heb. 1. 14. the Lord will give whole Kingdoms to ransome them Isa. 43. 3. I gave Egypt for thy ransome That was when God destroy'd Egypt in the Red Sea for the saving of Israel nay God gave his own Son to die for their ransom 1 Pet. 1. 18. And if God esteem so highly of his people now on earth how much more will he value them when they are in heaven If when the righteous are afflicted they are so excellent how much more when they are crowned If when with the Emerald they have their Naevi their blemishes they are precious then how much more when all their imperfections shall be done away and they shall be presented to the Father without spot and wrinkle Ephes. 5. 27. If Gold be valuable in the wedg and the oar then how precious is it when it is fully refined If wheat be excellent when it is mingled with chaff then how much worth hath it when it is fanned and made pure If God reputes the righteous more excellent than others when conflicting with infirmities Oh how incomparably excellent and glorious will they appear in his eye when they shall be clarified from all lees of corruption and shall shine with knowledg as the air with light If a man makes any account of his friend when he sees him under distempers of body which cause frowardness how much more will he prize him when he sees him in perfect health and his spirit is calm and sedate If God esteem the righteous better than others in the present juncture of time when they have their untoward passions and fainting fits of unbelief what will he do when they shall be perfectly holy and as the Angels of God 4 Br. See the different esteem that God hath of the righteous and that men have of them The men of the world esteem lightly of the Saints they disdain them and scarce allow them half an eye they think of all things the people of God may be best spared they look upon them as the burden and reffuse of the earth 1 Cor. 4. 13. We are made as the filth of the world and are the off-scouring of all things unto this day The Apostles who were the eyes of the World the breasts of the Church earthly Angels yet were counted by some like the Dung-cart that goes through the City into which every one throws his filth The Saints are loaded with invectives and are not judged worthy to live in the world Act. 22. 22. Away with such a fellow from the earth for it is not fit that â—…e should live But God puts another guiserate and value upon the righteous he thinks the world is not worthy of them Heb. 11. 38 Of whom the world was not worthy Hence it is he takes his children so fast away by death and placeth them among the Cherubims God looks upon the righteous as his curious Needle-work wrought with the finger of the Holy Ghost as the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and glory of the Creation He would soon break up house in the World were it not for their sakes This excellent esteem God hath of them will be best seen when he shall separate between the Precious and the Vile and shall say to the wicked Go ye cursed and to the godly Come ye blessed 5 Br. See how dearly God loves the righteous and how near to his heart they lie They are more excellent the word excellent carries affection in it Things we prize we love The righteous are Gods Treasure Psal. 135. 4. and where his Treasure is there is his heart They are Gods delicious Garden where he plants the flower of his love Psal. 146. 8. They are the dearly beloved of his soul Jer. 12. 7. They are his Hephzi-bah or darling Isai. 62. 4. He engraves them upon the palmes of his hands that they may be never out of his eye Isa. 49. 16. He rejoyceth over them with joy and rests in his love Zeph. 3. 17. It is no ordinary affection that God bears to the righteous the Sun shining upon a burning glass sets on fire only
soul the Sacrary or Holy of Holies He is pure in heart Mat. 5. 8. his work is to serve God and his end is to enjoy him Man having a principle of reason must not live as a beast and having a principle of righteousness he must not live as a sinner he is now metamorphised he lives 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Godlily Tit. 2. 13. Christ is not only his Priest but his Pattern as he makes use of Christs death for his Salvation so of Christs life for his imitation 3. A righteous man is just in his dealings Psal. 24. 3 4. Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord He that hath clean hands c. He who is righteous hath not only his heart purged from unholiness but his hands from injustice He abhors all indirect ways he will not defraud to grow rich he will not sell his conscience for a wedg of Gold A good Christian is zealous for duties of both Tables He makes Piety and Justice kiss each other 4. A righteous man serves God out of a principle of love Grace doth new byass the heart and carry it strongly towards God in ardent afsections a righteous mans serving God is not by constraint but consent 't is his Heaven to serve God He mounts up in the fiery chariot of Love and breaths forth his Soul into his Saviours bosom Love is the Shibboleth which differenceth a righteous man from others The carnal man saith What a weariness is it to serve the Lord Mal. 1. 13. The righteous man saith What a pleasure is it Rom. 7. 22. I delight in the Law of God in the inner man As the Bee delights to suck the flower so doth an holy person to obey God 'T is amor elicitus he doth duty out of love to duty he prays out of love to Prayer When he sings he makes melody in his heart to the Lord Eph. 5. 19. Love lines the yoke of religion and makes it easie Mat. 11. 13. As a bride delights in putting on her Jewels as a Musitian delights in playing on his Voyal so a gracious soul delights in obeying God Love to duty is better than duty serving God with delight is Angelical The Seraphims are described with wings Isa. 6. 2. to show as well their chearfulness as their celerity in Gods service 5. A righteous man perseveres in Religion He who gives over his work before he hath finished it is but half a workman and he that gives over in Religion before he hath finished his faith is but half a Christian. The Promise is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 To him that overcomes Rev. 3. 10. Who makes reckoning of Corn that sheds before harvest It was the glory of the Church of Thyatira her last works were more than her first Rev. 2. 19. Perseverance carries away the garland a true Christian doth not only set out in the race but hold out Job 15. 9. The righteous also shall hold on his way Be the way what it will though strewed with thorns though there be a Lion in the way he is resolved to hold on his way Act. 20. 24. Bonds and afflictions abide me but none of these things move me The troubles a godly man meets with for Conscience do by an holy antiperistasis the more enflame his zeal Sufferings cannot make Christ leave loving the Saints nor make the Saints leave loving of Christ Job though he lost all held fast his integrity Job 2. 3. Unsound hearts when they see the swords and staves are up leave Christ and shift for themselves A right-spirited Saint is made of mettal that will not wear out Athanasius was the glory of his age he had a counter-motion to the Times he kept his piety when the World turned Arrian Melancthon who was called the Phoenix of Germany was as St. Ambrose saith like the Cypress-tree which keeps its verdure and greenness in the winter-season The Church of Pergamus held fast Christs name though she dwelt where Satans feat was Rev 2. 13. This is to be righteous to be faithful to the death and not suffer the breast-plate of holiness to be shot thorough Job 23. 11. My foot hath held his steps his way have I kept and not declined And whosoever is thus divinely qualified is intitled to this priviledg in the Text He is more excellent than others Use 3. If the righteous are thus excellent let it encourage us all to true Piety no sooner do we become gracious but we become precious Josh. 5. 9. This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you That day we become righteous our reproach is rolled away from us Faith raiseth our Fame Righteousness exchangeth our Fetters for a Crown Prov. 4. 9. A Crown of glory shall she deliver to thee By espousing Godliness we are better than others Eccles. 7. 8. And richer being possessed of a golden Mine i. e. The unsearchable riches of Christ Ephes. 3. 8. We have from Christ the riches of Justification and Consolation and Glorification we are as rich as the Angels Oh then let this excite every one to be godly Righteousness puts a splendid excellency upon a man as if you should see a clod of dust turned into a Star 2 Branch If the righteous are so excellent in Gods eye then let God be excellent in their eye If they are high in Gods thoughts let God be high in theirs let the Saints have adoring thoughts of God Psal. 71. 19. Thy righteousness O God is very high Psal. 83. 18. Thou whose Name is Jehovah art the most high over all the earth God is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the most super-eminent blessing Psal. 106. 2. Who can show forth all his praise God surpasseth the praises of the Arch-Angels He is incircled with Glory and Majesty Psal 104. 1. He doth infinitely out-vye all the Powers of the earth Princes hold their Crowns by immediate tenure from him Prov. 8. 15. his Dominions are largest his Possession longest Heb. 1. 8. Thy Throne O God is for ever and ever Those Excellencies which lie scattered in the Creature are infinitely united in God S. Austin complains that men can admire the magnitude of the Stars and not admire him who is the father of lights Oh esteem God most excellent 1. Gods wisdom is excellent Job 9. 4. He is wise in heart he knows the causes of things yea uno â—…ntuitu at one instant the Angels light their lamps at this Sun 2. Gods Power is excellent He is Elshaddai Almighty Gen. 17. 1. What cannot he do that can create His Power is as large as his Will Job 23. 13. What his Soul desireth even that he doth He bridles the proud waves Job 38. 11. He cutteth off the spirit of Princes Psalm 76. 12. 3. Gods Holiness is excellent This is the most sparkling Jewel of his Crown Exod. 15. 11. Glorious in Holiness God is first Transcendantly holy 1 Sam.