c. Men void of holinesse are in the Scripture resembled to chaff Psalm 1.4 Isa 41.2 Zeph. 1.17 Ezekiel 2.6 Isa 9.18 Ch. 10.6.17 Chap. 57.27 to dust to dirt to briars and thorns which are things that are good for nothing that are fit for nothing And what should such men do in heaven who are good for nothing on earth The Horse is good to carry the Ox is good to draw the Sheep is good for cloth the Cow is good to give milk the Asse is good to bear and the Dog is good to keep the house but what is a man void of holinesse good for An unholy person is good for nothing but to be destroyed and to make some room for a better person to stand up in that place which he takes up in the world As the Hogg in the Arabick fable tells us that a Butcher carrying three creatures upon his Horse A Sheep a Goat and a Hog the two former lay very quiet and still but the Hog kicked and cried and would never be quiet thereupon the Butcher said Why are thou so impatient when the other two are so quiet the Hog answered Every one knows himself the Sheep knows that he is brought into the City for his wool sake and the Goat knows that he is brought into the City for his milk sake and so they need not fear nor care but alasse I know very well that I have neither wool nor milk but that assoon as I am come into the City I must be killed for that is all I am good for Matth. 7.6 An unholy soul is like a Hog good for nothing but to be killed Certainly heaven-happinesse is too great and too glorious a thing to be possest by them that are good for nothing We look upon such as are fit for nothing to be worthy of banishment from the society of men But oh how much more worthy are they to be banished from the presence of the Lord and the glory of his power 2 Thess 1.8 9. Heb. 12.22 23. Romans 2.5 and to be shut out for ever from the society of Angels and the spirits of just men made perfect who are fit for nothing but to dishonour the Lord undo their own souls and to treasure up wrath against the day of wrath And thus I have given you an account of the Reasons of the Point Vse VVEE shall now come to make some improvement of this great truth to our own souls Is it so That real holinesse is the only way to happinesse and that without holinesse here no man shall ever come to a blessed vision or fruition of God hereafter Then the first Use shall be a Use of Conviction This then may serve to convince the world of several things As First That the number of those that shall be eternally happy the number of those that shall attain to a blessed vision and glorious fruition of God in heaven are very few for there are but a few that reach to this holinesse without which there is no happinesse Rev. 3.4 Thou hast a few names A few names that is a few persons â—cts 1.15 who are all known to Christ by name as he said to Moses I know thee by name Ex. 33 12 17. by these Scriptures it is evident that few shall be saved Jer. 5.1 Ezek. 22.30 Ch. 9.4 6 7. Mich. 1.13 Luke 23. Rom. 9.21 Matth. 22.14 1 Cor. 1.20 even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments and they shall walk with me in white for they are worthy Among the many in Sardis there were but a few that had holy insides and pure outsides Among the multitude that made a holy profession there were but few that walkt answerable to their holy calling and therefore but a few that should walk with Christ in white White in antient times was the Habit of Nobles to walk with Christ in white is to partake with Christ in his glory they and only they at last shall be cloathed nobly royally gloriously who maintain inward and outward purity The holy seed is a little little flock Luke 12.32 here are two Diminitives in the Greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 little little flock to shew the exceeding littleness of it They were little in their own eyes and little in their enemies eyes and little in regard of that world of Wolves among whom they were preserved as a spark of fire in the midst of the wide Ocean When the Syrians came up against Israel in the time of Ahab it is said that the children of Israel pitched before them like two little flocks of Kids but the Syrians filled the countrey 1 Kings 20.27 holy souls are but like two little flocks of kids but the unholy fill the world Gracious souls are like the three hundred men of Gideon but graceless souls are as the Midianites that were like Grashoppers for multitude Judges 7.7.12 Straight is the gate and narrow is the way that leads unto life and few there be that find it Matth. 7.14 The way of holiness that leads to happiness is a narrow way there is but just room enough for a holy God and a holy soul to walk together And few there be that find it And no wonder for there are but few that minds it that loves it that likes it or that enquires after it The whole world lies in wickedness 1 Joh. 5.19 and will die in their wickedness Amongst the millions in Rome there are but a few Senators and they too none of the best John 8.21 Geographers say that if all the known parts of the world were divided into one and thirty parts there will be found but five parts that do so much as profess the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ For at this day nineteen parts of the world are possest by unholy Turks and Jews which do not nor will not so much as acknowledge Jesus Christ to be the King and Head of his Church And seven parts of the world is possest this day meerly by Heathens who worship stocks and stones And of those five parts that are possest by Christians how many are Papists Atheists Hypocrites Drunkards Swearers Lyars Adulterers Idolaters Oppressors How many are proud covetous carnal formal lukewarm indifferent c Now should all these sorts of sinners be separated as they shall in the great day from those that are gracious and holy would it not quickly appear that the flock of Christ is a little little flock Ah how few among the great ones are found to be gracious How few among the rich are found to be rich in Christ rich in grace rich in good works 1 Cor. 1.16 1 Tim. 6.16 17. Flavus Vopiscus Lips de Constantia lib. 2. cap. 25. how few among those that are high born can you find that are new born It was the saying of One that all the names of good Emperours might be engraven in a little Ring And so saith Lipsius that the names of all good Princes may easily be
if he had been riding in state and triumph And holy Mr. Saunders speaking of his consolations in his sufferings saith that he found a wonderfull sweet refreshment flow from his heart unto all the members of his body and from all the parts of his body to his heart againe By all these instances 't is most evident that persecuting times are the Saints rejoycing times God reserves the best and strongest wine of consolation to a day of persecution sutable to that 2 Cor. 1.3 4 5. Blessed be God even the father of our Lord Jesus Christ the father of mercy and the God of all comfort who comforteth us in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in trouble by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ Oh the sweet looks the sweet words the sweet hints the sweet in-comes the sweet joggings the sweet imbraces the sweet influences the sweet discoveries the sweet love-letters the sweet love-tokens and the sweet comforts that Christians experience in their sufferings for Christ in all their afflictions and persecutions they may truly say we have sweet-meats to eate and waters of life to drinke and heavenly honey-combes to suck that the world knows not of and indeed when should the Torch be lighted but in a dark night and when should the fire be made but when the weather is cold and when should the cordiall be given but when the patient is weak and when should the God of comfort the God of all kinds of comfort and the God of all degrees of comfort comfort his people but under their afflictions and persecutions for then comfort is most proper necessary seasonable and sutable and then God will be sure to poure in of the oyle of joy into their hearts And thus you see the great and glorious advantages that will redowne to the people of God by all their afflictions and persecutions But Eighthly I answer That to suffer affliction and persecution for holiness sake is the greatest and the highest honour that you are capable of in this world To die for Christ is the greatest promotion that God can bring any in this vale of misery unto said Mr. Philpot the Martyr the crowne of a Mrtyrdom is a crowne that the Angels those Princes of glory are not capable of winning or wearing and O who art thou what art thou O man that God should set this crowne upon thy head 1 Pet. 4.14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ happy are ye for the Spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you on their part he is evill spoken of but on your part he is glorified The very suffering condition of the people of God is at the present a glorious condition for the Spirit of glory rests upon them and they must needs be glorious yea very glorious upon whom the Spirit of gloâ—y dwells Dan. 3. The sufferings of the three Children tended very much to their honour and advancement even in this world and had those vessels of honour slipt their opportunity of suffering they had lost their glory In the primitive times when some good people came to comfort some of the Martyrs that were in prison and ready to suffer they called them blessed Martyrs O no said they we are not worthy of the name of Martyrs These holy humble hearts thought Martyrdom too high an honour for them The Apostles all along counted their sufferings for Christ their highest honour And that is a remarkable Scripture that you have in that 11 Heb. 36 37 38. And others had tryall of cruell mockings and scourgings yea moreover of bonds and imprisonment They were stoned they were sawn asunder they were tempted they were slaine with the sword they wandred about in sheep-skins and goat-skins being destitute afflicted and tormented O but these were surely the most sad miserable wretched and forlorne creatures in all the world O no and that is most evident if the testimony and judgement of the holy Ghost may be received for ver 38. They were such of whom the world was not worthy the persecuting world was not worthy of their love nor worthy of their prayers nor worthy of their presence nor worthy of their fellowship and therefore God call'd them home and set them downe upon thrones by himself And to me 't is very observable that when that great Apostle Paul would glory in that which he accounted his honour glory and excellency he do's not glory in his high Office nor in his being wrapt up in the third heaven nor in the interest that he had in the hearts of the Saints nor in his arts or parts c. but he glories in his sufferings in that 2 Cor. 11.23 28. In stripes above measure in prisons more frequent in deaths oft Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one Thrice was I beaten with Rods once was I stoned thrice I suffered shipwrack a night and a day have I been in the deep In journeying often in perils of waters in perils of robbers in perils by my own Countrey men in perils by the heathen in perils in the City in perils in the wilderness in perils in the Sea in perils among false brethren In weariness and painfulness in watchings often in hunger and thirst in fastings often in cold and nakedness Thus you see that this blessed Apostle looks upon his sufferings as his greatest glory To suffer for Christ is the greatest honour and promotion that God gives in this world said old Father Latimer John Noyes Latimer John Noyes took up a Fagot at the fire and kissed it saying Blessed be the time that ever I was borne to come to this preferment When they had fastned Alice Driver Alice Driver with a chaine to the stake to be burnt Never said she did Neckarchief become me so well as this chaine Balilus Balilus the Martyr when he was to die requested this favour of his persecutors viz. that he might have his chaines buried with him as the Ensignes of his honour When Ignatius Ignatius was to suffer it 't is better for me saith he to be a Martyr then to be a Monarch What are we poore wormes full of vanities and lyes that we should be called to be maintainers of the truth for sufferings for Christ are the Ensignes of heavenly Nobility said Calvin Calvin 'T was a notable saying of a French Martyr when the rope was about his fellow Give me said he that Golden chaine and dub me Knight of that noble Order I am the unincetest man for this high office of suffering for Christ that ever was appointed to it said blessed Sanders I shall conclude this head with that excellent saying of Prudentius Their names saith he that are written in red letters of blood in the Churches Calender are written in Golden letters in Christs Register the
out but an unspeakable readinesse and willingnesse in Jesus Christ to sanctifie you and save you as well as others A man might write volumes on this subject there is so much said in Scripture and History upon this account but in an Epistle a touch must suffice c. All knowing men can tell you that many Ladies and Gentlewomen in all Ages have been very famous for all Natural Moral Spiritual and Acquired excellencies yea more famous then many men that yet have done worthily in their Generation and by their attainments you may easily see what is possible for you to attain unto both in respect of gifts and grace Of all things gracious examples are most awakening convincing and encouraging for in them you may see that both the attainment of holinesse and the exercise of holinesse is possible though difficult in eying of examples it is alwayes best to eye the highest the holiest and the worthiest examples for as he that shooteth at the Sun though he falls short of his mark yet will shoot higher then he that aimeth only at a shrub so those that set up the highest examples of holinesse for their mark for their imitation will certainly attain to greater degrees of holinesse then those that propose to themselves the meanest and the lowest examples of holinesse for their pattern and imitation Well Ladies and Gentlewomen do you think that it is good going to hell Isa 33.14 2 Thes 1.7 8 9 10. that it is good dwelling with the devouring fire that it is good dwelling with everlasting burnings that it is good for ever to be separated from the presence of God Christ Angels and the spirits of just men made perfect that it is good for ever to lie a sweltering under the wrath of an infinite just God and to abide for ever and ever under those pains and torments that are endlesse easelesse hopelesse and remedilesse and that it is good to be associated and fettered with Devils and damned spirits to all eternity O no this cannot be good for the very serious thoughts of these things are enough even to raise a hell a this side hell in our hearts O then Ladies and Gentlewomen pray that you may be holy hear that you may be holy read that you may be holy and with all your might presse after holinesse and pursue hard after holinesse as after the one thing necessary for without holinesse you will as certainly go to hell as holy persons shall certainly go to heaven and this you will find as clearly and fully proved in this following Treatise as heart can wish O that you would for ever remember this that without all peradventure you shall never be saved unlesse you are sanctified you shall never be truly happy unlesse you are really holy except God should do five things that are not possible for him to do viz. 1. Change his purpose 2. Make null and void his decree 3. Make a new Gospel 4. Find out a new way to heaven And 5. ungod himself God must undo himself and ungod himself if ever he make you happy before he hath made you holy and therefore O what infinite cause have you to read this following Treatise and to study this Treatise and to meditate on this Treatise and to pray over this Treatise and to look up to heaven for counsel and strength to make such an improvement of the means helps and directions that are here prescribed for the attaining of holinesse as that you may be made really holy that so you may be everlastingly happy And to quicken and encourage your hearts in this work I could heartily wish that as soon as you have read over the Epistle you would read from page 433. to page 447. for there you will finde many Arguments that are of a particular concernment to your selves and that ought to be no small obligations upon you to work you to pursue after holinesse with all your might c. If this Treatise should fall into the hands of any faithful serious gracious conscientious laboririous Ministers hands as I suppose it may I would then say Reverend Sirs let my weak endeavours be a spur a provocation to you to lay out your choicest and your chiefest gifts parts strength time and opportunities to promote holinesse of life and holinesse in Doctrine Worship Discipline and in all your sacred Communions Certainly had we all eyed holinesse more and preached holinesse more and practised holinesse more and cryed up holinesse more and encouraged holinesse more and countenanced holinesse more the countenance both of God and man might have been set more pleasingly towards us then they are this day When once maintenance comes to be more in Ministers eyes then holinesse and when their studies and endeavours are more to make men Proselytes to this or that way this or that form this or that party then to make men holy it is no wonder if God writes out bitter things against them I doubt not but providential dispensations have bad such a teaching vertue in them as to lead you to lay your fingers upon several such like sores and to mourn over them and to justifie the holy One of Israel who is holy in all his wayes and righteous in all his works Truly Brethren I have alwayes lookt upon the great work of the Ministry to lie in two things First in making unholy men holy and secondly in making them that are already holy to be more and more holy First to beget holinesse and then to nurse up holinesse first to bring souls to Christ and then to build up souls in Christ is without all peradventure the work of works that should be most in every Ministers eye and that should alwayes lie nearest and warmest upon every Ministers heart c. And through grace I have reade this my grand design in the course of my Ministry and throughout all my writings and now it yields me that joy that comfort that content and that satisfaction that I would not be without for all the world Besides I know it will turn most to my account at the great day O that all of you that yet have any opportunities and advantages in your hands to preach the everlasting Gospel would make this your great businesse to promote holinesse and to exalt and lift up holinesse in the world For as this great principle of holinesse shall gain ground upon the hearts consciences and lives of men so all the things of Antichrist and all the Trade of Antichrist and all those grand mischiefs and miseries that threaten the sons of men will fall before it as Dagon fell before the Ark. If this Treatise should fall into the hands of any of Gods sanctified ones of what degree or rank soever they are of as I suppose it may fall into the hands of many such I would then say Dear friends In this Treatise you will find many strong Motives to provoke you to perfect holinesse in the fear of the Lord
3. A promise to live well Austin Austin well observes That as many think the eating of an Apple was but a small sin So many think that the eating of the Sacrament is but a small sin But as many horrid sins were wrapt up in that so are there many wrapt up in this 1. Here is pride else no man in his wickedness would presume to come to the Lords Table 2. Here is Rebellion and Treason against the Crown and dignity of Christ Romans 2.22 their hands and lips adore him as Judas his did but their hearts and lives abhor him 3. Here is Theft and Sacriledge now if to take away the Communion cup be such a high offence 1 Cor. 11.27.29 such horrid sacriledge what is it then to take the Bread and Wine set apart and sanctified for a holy use by the Lord himself 4. Here is Murder the worst murder the greatest murder the cruelest murder thou killest thy self thy soul and as much as in thee lies Gods dearest Son Now certainly in some respects this sin is a greater sin then Adams was For 1. Adams Eating was against a Creator but thine is against a Redeemer now it is more to redeem a soul then to create a world 2. His was against the word of the Lord thine against the blood of the Lord. 3. His struck at the Covenant of Works thine at the Covenant of Grace 4. He eat but once but thou eatest often Yea Aquinas Aquinas saith the Majesty of Church Discipline should never suffer this to let open and known offendors presume to come to the Table of the Lord. It was a worthy saying of Bilson an approved Author Suppose any man saith he be he a Prince Bilsons Christian Subject par 3. pag. 63. 64 74 c. 52. if he will not submit himself to the precepts of Christ but wilfully maintain either heresie or open impurity the Ministers are to admonish him what danger from God is at the door and if he impenitently persist they must not suffer him to communicate either in divine prayer or any holy mysteries among the people of God but wholly to be excluded the Congregation Again not only the lack of the word and Sacraments saith the same Author but the abuse of either greatly hazards the weale of the whole Church yea casting holy things to dogs c. procures a dreadfull doom as well to consenters as presumers it being the way to turn the house of God into a den of Theives if prophane ones be allowed to defile the mysteries and Assemblies of the faithfull I said Calvin Calvin will sooner die then this hand of mine shall give the things of God to the contemners of God Mr. Rutherford Rutherford that champion for Presbyterie in his divine right of Church-Government pag. 520 saith that they are co-partners with the wicked who dispence the bread to them who are knowingly dead in sins I might multiply many others but let these suffice for a close let me only say How the Father can be guiltless of the death of his child that giveth him poyson to drink with this Caution that he telleth him it is poyson I cannot see Josephus reports of some that prophanely searched the sepulchres of the Saints Joseph Antiq. lib. 12 13. l. 16. cap. 11. supposing to find some treasures there but God made fire to rise out of the earth that devoured them on a suddain Now if Gods wrath like fire breaks forth to consume such as wrong but the sepulchres of his Saints c. Oh then with what flames of fury will God burn up such as abuse not only the Sacrament of his Son but his Son himself It was a very great wickededness in Julian to throw his blood in the face of Christ but for a wicked Communicant to take Christs own blood as it were running from his heart and to throw it into he face of Christ is most abominable and damnable By all that hath been spoken you clearly see that unholy persons are to bâ— shut out of the special communion of Saints here on earth and therefore certainly the Lord will never suffer such to have communion with him in heaven it will not stand with the holiness and purity of God to have fellowship with such in the kingdom of glory whom he would not have his people have fellowship with in the kingdom of grace The eighth Argument to prove that without real holiness there is no happiness Unholy persons are throughout the Scriptures branded to their everlasting contempt with the worst Appellations that without holiness on earth no man shall ever come to a blâ—ssed vision or fruition of God in heaven is this The Scripture that speaks no Treason stiles unholy persons beasts yea the worst of beasts and what should such do in heaven Unholy persons are the most dangerous and the most unruly pieces in the world and therefore are emblemized by Lions Psalm 22.21 and they are cruel by Bears and they are savage Isa 11.7 by Dragons and they are hideous Ezek. 29.3 by Wolves and they are ravenous Ezek. 22.27 by dogs and they are snarling Rev. 22.15 by Vipers and Scorpions and they are stinging Mat. 12.34 Ezek. 2.6 by Spiders and Cockatrices and they are poysoning Isa 59.5 by swine and they are still gruntling Mat. 7.6 No man in this world is more like another It was wont to be a tryal whither land belonged to England or Ireland by putting in Toads or Snakes c. into it if they lived there it was concluded that the land belonged to England if they died to Ireland then the Epicure is like a Swine the fraudulent person a Fox the lustfull person a Goat the back-biter a barking Curr the slanderer an Asp the oppressor a Wolf the Persecutor a Tyger the Seducer a Serpent Certainly the Irish Air will sooner brook Toads and Snakes and Serpents to live therein then heaven will brook such beasts as unholy souls are to live there Surely God and Christ and the Spirit and Angels and the Spirits of just men made perfect are not so in love with Dogs and Swine c. as to put them into their bosoms or make them their companions Heaven is a place of too great state to admit such vermine to inhabit there When Cyneas the Embassador of Pyrrhus after his return from Rome was asked by his Master what he thought of the City and State he answered and said that it seemed to him to be Respublica Regum a State of none but great Statesmen and a Common-wealth of Kings Such is heaven it is no other State then a Parliament of Emperours a Common-wealth of Kings There is not a soul in heaven under the degree of a King Rev 6.1 and every King there hath a Robe of honour upon his back a golden Scepter in his hand and a glorious Crown upon his head And do you think that it will stand with the State of heaven or
everlasting strength that it may go well with them for ever I have read of a chaste Virgin who being strongly tempted and soliticed by a lewd Russian to uncleannesse after some disscourse she called for a pan of burning coals requesting him for her sake to hold his finger in them but one hour he answered it is an unkind and unreasonable request it is truth saith she it is so but you ask me a more unkind and unreasonable request viz. to satisfie you in a thing for which I shall not only burn an hour but burn both body and soul in hell fire for ever and ever And so overcame the temptation But Lord if I must go into fire into everlasting fire Oh let me have some good company in my misery No the Devil and his Angels shall be your companions Ah who can conceive or express the misery of cohabitation with Devils and damned Spirits Many unholy souls would not live in a house haunted with evil spirits one night for all the world and yet they live as if it were nothing to be billetted with hellish Fiends and furies for ever If the sight of a seeming ghost for a moment be such a terror and torment to thee what will the horrible sight of devils and the gastly sight of the damned be Job 30.29 If it was so great an affliction to Job to be a companion to Owls what will it be to thee to be a companion to devils Psalm 120.5 If it was so great a grief and wo to David to sojourn in Mesech and to dwell in the tents of Kedar for a time what a wo will it be to unholy souls to dwell with Devils and reprobates for ever Ah how will Satans deformity antipathy and cruelty amaze thee and torment thee How will the damneds wringing of hands and gnashing of teeth abash thee and confound thee How will thine old companions cursing of thee the sight of thy near relations in misery with thee and devils scornfully insulting over thee and the never dying worm feeding perpetually upon thee be many hells of horror to thee Had an unholy soul as many worlds in his hand to give as there be stars in heaven he would give them all for a license alwayes to sleep under those pains and torments that will admit of no intermission or mitigation In Rev. 21.8 As the Antients fain of Endymion that he got leave of Jupiter alwayes to sleep you have a catalogue of that damned crue of that rout of Reprobates which shall be your companions for ever But the fearfull and unbelieving and the abominable and murderers and whoremongers and sorcerers and Idolaters and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone which is the second death These companions are the devils lime-twigs they are his scorpions with which he will torment and whip poor souls for ever Such companions will make many hells to meet in one they will be the top of the souls torments Thus I have done with those arguments that prove the point Viz. That without holiness there is no happiness c. I come now to the Reasons of the Point Why is it that Without holiness there is no happiness that without holiness on earth no man shall ever come to a blessed vision or fruition of God in heaven Among other Reasons that might be rendered you may please to take these Reason 1 First Because God hath said it who is truth and faithfulnesse it self and cannot lye That he hath said it witnesse the very Text and the proofs that are produced to make good the doctrine and hath he said it and shall it not come to pass Hath he spoken it and will he not accomplish the word that is gone out of his mouth Isaiah 46.11 Chap. 48.15 Jerem. 32.24 Isaiah 55.11 Zech. 1.6 Dan. 9.12 Psal 119.138 God is not a man that he should lye Numb 23 19. Also the strength of Israel will not lye 1 Sam. 15.29 God will make good every word that is gone out of his mouth Men sometimes eat their words as soon as they have spoken them they often say and unsay but so will not the holy One of Israel that first and supream being that gives being to all others will certainly give being to all his promises and threatnings God himself shall sooner cease to be then the word that is gone out of his mouth shall be frustrated He that is the faithful witnesse hath said it that without holiness no man shall see the Lord. And verily heaven and earth shall pass away before one jot or one tittle that is before the least letter or particle of a letter of Gods blessed word shall pass unfulfilled Matth. 5.18 Gods faithfulnesse is great Lam. 3.23 It reaches unto the clouds Psalm 36.5 He will not suffer his faithfulnesse to fail Psalm 89.33 His faithfulnesse endures through all Generations Psalm 119.90 God will never suffer his faithfulnesse to be stained or blotted and therefore he will undoubtedly make good the word that is gone out of his mouth I had rather said Plutarch that men should say there was never any such person in the world as Plutarch then that they should say Plutarch is unfaithfull A man were better say there is no God then say that God is unfaithful a noble spirit can better bear any charge then that of being unfaithfull and so can a faithfull God Secondly Because real holinesse is that great principle Reason 2 that fits and capacitates souls for communion with God The glory of glory consists in seeing of God 1 Cor. 13 12. 1 John 3.2 as the hell of hell lyes in the souls everlasting separation from God and for a blessed sight and fruition of God Matth. 5.8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God Without a principle of purity of sanctity there is no vision of God in glory If a man be never so poor yet if his heart be pure God will make a house of his heart wherein his honour will delight to dwell let a mans outside be never so homely yet if his inside be but cleanly God will make it his own habitation God is for that man and that man is for God that carries about with him a pure heart Heart-purity makes a man a darling of heaven Many affect pure language pure houses pure habits pure hands pure air pure meat pure drink pure gestures c. who yet for want of heart-purity shall never see the face of God in glory Heart-purity speaks a man eternally happy Holinesse is that noble principle that fits a man for the happiest sight of God it makes a man a meet companion for God both here and herafter without this principle no man can have communion with God in this world much lesse can he have communion with God in heaven if this precious principle of holinesse be not seated in his heart it will not stand with the holinesse of God
helps to make us holy O the pains the care the cost the charge that God hath been at and that God is daily at to make us holy Hath he not sent Jer. 7.13 25. Chap. 25.3 4. and chap. 35.14 15. Isa 49.4 5. 2 Cor. 12.14 15. Rom. 13.11 ult and doth he not still send his Messengers rising up early and going to bed late and all to provoke you to be holy Have not many of them spent their time and spent their strength and spent their spirits and spit up their lungs and spent their very lives to make you holy O Sirs what do holy Ordinances call for but holy hearts and holy lives What do dayes of light call for but walking in the light and casting off the deeds of darkness What is the voice of all the means of grace but this O labour to be gracious And what is the voice of the holy Spirit but this O labour to be holy And what is the voice of all the miracles of mercy that God hath wrote in the midst of you but this Be ye holy be ye holy O Sirs what could the Lord have done that he hath not done to make you holy Hath he not lifted you up to heaven in respect of holy helps Hath he not to this very day followed you close with holy offers and holy intreaties and holy counsels and holy encouragements and all to make you holy And will you be loose still and proud still and worldly still and malicious still and envious still and contentious still and unholy still O what is this Rev. 2 4 5. Isa 32.25 but to provoke the Lord to put out all the lights of heaven to drive your Teachers into corners to remove your Candlesticks and to send his everlasting Gospel that hath stood long a tip-toe among a people that may more highly prize it and dearly love it and stoutly defend it and conscientiously practice it then you have done to this very day By what hath been said I suppose there is nothing more evident then that the times and seasons wherein we live calls aloud upon every one to look after holinesse and to labour for holinesse never complain of the times but cease to do evil and labour to do well Isa 1.16 17 18 19. and all will be well Get but better hearts and better lives and you will quickly see better times Fourteenthly Consider that holinesse will render you most like to a holy God a holy Christ and to holy Angels God is frequently called the holy one in Scripture he is called the holy one above thirty times in the old Testament Gold being the most precious mettal you lay it over those things that are most precious to you so doth God lay holiness over all those things that are most precious to him Angels are holy and Saints are holy but it is God alone that is the holy one His person is holy Isa 6.3 his name is holy Luke 1.49 his works are holy Psalm 45.17 his judgements are holy Psalm 22.1 2 3. his habitation is holy Isa 57.15 his Temple is holy 1 Cor. 3.17 his Kingdom is holy Rev. 21.27 his Word is holy Psalm 19. and his Sabbaths are holy Exod. 16.23 Now this is Gods own Argument Be ye holy for I am holy Lev. 19.2 1 Pet. 1.15 16. Concerning the holinesse of God I shall speak at large by divine assistance when I come to press you upon perfecting of holinesse and therefore let this touch suffice for the present Sirs you cannot be lâ—ke to God in many other things but you may be like to God in this one thing in this noble thing in this most necessary thing Holinesse and therefore labour after it Again as holinesse will render you most like to a holy God so holinesse will render you most like to a holy Christ The Apostle calls him the holy one 1 John 2.20 Christ is essentially holy he is infinitely holy he is originally holy he is singularly holy he is eminently holy he is perfectly holy he is transcendently holy and he is immutably holy And so much the Devil himself confesseth in Mark 1.24 I know thee who thou art Alluding as some think to Exod. 28.36 the holy one of God or rather as the Greek hath it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that holy one by way of excellency and eminency Yea Christ takes delight to characterize himself by this title in Rev. 3.7 These things saith he that is holy And in Dan. 9.24 he is called the most holy or as the Hebrew hath it Kodesh kâ—dashim the holiness of holinesses These abstracts speak out the vigour and strength the eminency and excellency of Christs holiness Christ is holiness it self yea holinesses and what do these abstracts speak out but that perfect and compleat holiness that is in Christ The Angels in Isa 6.3 do three times iterate or repeat holy holy holy now though some do conceive that this three-fold repetition hath reference to all the three persons holy Father holy Son and holy Spirit yet they that will but compare the Text with John 12.37 42. shall plainly see that it relates only to our Lord Jesus Christ and so the three-fold repetition denotes only the superlative eminency of Christs holiness Christ is holy in his natures in his offices in his purposes in his counsels in his word and in his works Acts 4.23 Luke 1.35 Ephes 4. Gal. 2.20 His conception was holy his conversation was holy his converse was holy c. Holiness is the image of Christ it is the picture of Christ the perfections of Christ it makes a man conformable to the life of Christ Christs Holiness is that noble copy after which we should all endeavour to write Subjects may without Treason or offence attempt to be like their Prince in wisdom goodness righteousness holiness peace piety clemency and sanctity though they cannot without rebellion and disobedience endeavour to be like him in power greatness might majesty splendour and glory so we may safely and honourably attempt to be like to Jesus Christ in wisdom righteousness and holiness c. It is Christs particular honour to be imitated in all morals absolutely Though we may not attempt to be like him in his miracles signs and wonders O Sirs Some have counted it their greatest honour and glory in this world that they have been like such and such who have been high and glorious in the world and why then should not you reckon it your greatest glory and happiness to be like to Christ in holiness though not in measure or quantity yet in truth and reality As you would resemble Christ to the life labour to be holy in other things you cannot be like to Christ but in holiness you may you cannot be like to Christ in his greatness majesty or glory nor yet in his omnipotency omnisciency nor omnipresence nor yet in his general or special providence nor in a thousand other things but
you may be like to Christ in his holiness Look as face answers to face as Solomon speaks so you may reach to that holiness that in reality may answer to the very holiness of Christ And this is your only way to be like to Christ All Angels in respect of their nature are alike but what the particular differences are between Angels Archangels principalities and powers and what their distinct offices are I confess with Austin I understand not neither is it my duty to know nor my danger to be ignorant of these things c. Again as holiness will render you most like to a holy Christ so holiness will render you most like to the blessed Angels The blessed Angels are holy in their nature and holy in their offices and holy in their actings they are called holy Angels Mat. 25.31 When the son of man shall come in his glory and all his holy Angels with him and so in Rev. 14.9 10. And he that worshippeth the beast or that receives his mark in his fore-head or in his hand he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy Angels and in the presence of the Lamb. The Angels holiness is their conformity to the original pattern of purity and excellency The Crown of holiness was set upon the heads of Angels at their Creation those Princes of glory were crowned with holiness as it were in the cradle The Angels are holy in their praises and holy in their waitings and holy in their operations and holy in all their ministrations Boddin tells a story of one who desired of God the guidance and assistance of an holy Angel and accordingly he had sensible manifestations of a holy Spirit that assisted him and followed him to his death if in company he spake any unwary words he was sure to be advertised and reproved for it by a dream in the night or if he read any book that was not good the Angel would strike upon the book to cause him to leave reading in it When that Sorcerer Balaam went to curse the people of God a holy Angel stood in the way drew his sword upon him and justled his bones against the wall and all to prevent the execution of his wicked and cursed intentions Numb 22.22 O! how much more then do they stand in the way of the Saints to prevent those weaknesses and miscarriages which Satan and their own corruptions would otherwise carry them to And doubtless as they have a hand to restrain the Saints from evil so they have an eye and an influence upon them for good 1 Tim. 5.21 I charge you before God and our Lord Jesus Christ and the Elect Angels c. The holy Angels have their eyes and their influences upon us they are our observers and overseers they are called watchers in Dan. 4.17 for they watch our words and they watch our works 1 Cor. 11.10 Hebr. 1. ult Rev. 22.9 The Angels watch you in all places cases and conditions c. and they watch our wayes they watch us before duties and they watch us in duties and they watch us after duties they watch us before duties to see how we prepare and fit our selves to meet with God and they watch us in duties to see how our graces are acted upon God and how our hearts and affections are running out after God and they watch us after duties to see whether we walk worthy of God and worthy of our duties and worthy of our profession and worthy of our high calling In times of health strength peace prosperity c. they watch to see how wisely holily humbly fruitfully cheerfully and thankfully we will walk with God and in times of adversity they watch to see how believingly how contentedly how self-denyingly and how patiently we will submit to God c. All which speaks out the holiness of the Angels O! Sirs you cannot in this world be like to the Angels in power strength might nor in agility activity splendour beauty or glory but yet you may be like to them in purity and sanctity Sirs do not deceive your selves you shall never be like to the Angels in glory if you will not be like to them now in grace if you will not with them now put on the robe of holiness you shall not with them hereafter put on the crown of happiness We are to follow the examples of the best men 1 Cor. 11.1 not an inch further then they were followers of Christ Christians saith father Latimer are not bound to be the Saints Apes they are not to imitate them in every thing where their examples were good it is good to imitate them and where they were bad it is duty to decline them The fairest copies that ever were written by Saints have their blots their blurs and their errata's and therefore it is best it is safest it is noblest to set the most exact the most perfect and the most excellent copy of the Angels before us who as they excell in strength so they excell in holiness also Psalm 103.20 Bless the Lord ye his Angels that excell in strength that do his Commandments hearkening unto the voice of his Word The Angels obey divine commands readily cheerfully faithfully universally reverentially humbly affectionately and unweariedly O Sirs such obedience such holiness will be your honour here and your happiness hereafter To gather up all as ever you would be like to a holy God a holy Christ and the holy Angels labour to be holy In holiness you may be like them in other things you cannot resemble them But In the fifteenth and last place to provoke you to labour after holinesse consider the stinging Argument in the text viz. That without it no man shall see the Lord The expression is exclusive now to see is an Hebraeism and implies both vision and fruition now without holiness no man be he high or low noble or ignoble rich or poor c. shall ever come to a blessed acquaintance with God here or to a glorious fruition of God hereafter Gen. 3. chap. 4.13 and Levit. 14. 2 Sam. 14.13 14. Jonah 2. Rev. 1.9 O friends if it were so great a misery to Adam to be cast out of Paradise and so great a punishment to Cain to be cast out of his fathers family which was the only visible Church of God on earth and such a sore affliction for the Lepers in the Law to be shut out from all converse with men and so great a trouble and torment to Absalom to be banished his fathers Court and so great a hell to Jonah to be seemingly cast out of Gods sight and so great a tribulation to John to be confined to the Isle oâ— Patmos O! how great a misery how great a punishment how great an affliction how great a trouble and torment how great a tribulation how great a hell will it be for all unholy persons for ever and ever to be banished the Court of heaven
unholiness of thy heart the unholiness of thy affections the unholiness of thy intentions the unholiness of thy resolutions the unholyness of thy expressions and the unholiness of thy conversation Joel 2.12 Turne ye to the Lord with weeping and with mourning The foundation of a thorough reformation must be laid in a deep humiliation the best way to be holy is to accuse Ezra 6.2 Jer. 50.4 Psal 51.5 indict arraign and condemn thy self for thy unholiness you shall as soon espouse light and darkness and marry midnight to the noon day as you shall espouse or marry a holy God to an unhumbled sinner O! who can look upon sin as an offence against a holy God as the breach of a holy law as the wounding and crucifying of a holy Saviour as the grieving and sadding of a holy sanctifier and as an eternal loss and undoing of his own soul and not mourn over it O! who can cast a serious eye upon the nature of sin or upon the exceeding sinfulness of sin or upon the aggravations of sin and not have his heart humbled his soul grieved and his Spirit melted for sin O! who can look upon sin as it strikes at the honor of God the name of God the being of God the glory of God and the design of God and not have his mouth full of penitential confessions his eyes full of penitential tears and his heart full of penitential sorrow Some as they say of witches cannot weep for sin but they that weep not for sin here where there are handerchiefs in the hands of Christ to wipe off their tears shall weep out their eyes in hell hereafter 't is better to weep bitterly for thy sins on earth then to weep eternally for thy folly in hell Ah how hard is that heart that can sadly lament and bewail the loss of a groat a chick a child a sheep a ship a friend c. and yet can't let fall a tear to save a lost soul Jacob weeps and prevails with God Hosea 12.4 His tears made a happy conquest upon God Jacob weeps and prevailes with God for his life and what dost thou know but that by thy penitential tears thou maist prevail with God for thy soul he weeps and prevails with God for temporals and why mayest not thou by weeping prevail with God for eternals he weeps and prevails with God for some outward happiness and why maist not thou by weeping prevail with God for inward holiness 'T is an old observation that the tears of repenting sinners are the wine of Angels Certainly God himself can smile to see a sinner grieve for his sins and to see him grieve that he can grieve no more Psal 51.17 for that he has sinned against a God so great so gracious so bountiful so merciful c. though God be displeased with a sinners sins yet he is very well pleased with a sinners tears and therefore as he has a bagg for the one so he has a bottle for the other It can't but be a pleasure to God to see a sinner drown his sins in a deluge of penitential tears though tears of indignation as was Esaus and tears of dissimulation as was Ishmaels and tears of desperation as was Judas's be abominable to God yet tears of godly compunction and contrition are acceptable and delightful unto God A sinner never looks so sweetly as when he weeps most penitentially witness Mary Magdalen Manasseh and those murderers of Christ Acts 2. A sinners face never shines so beautiful as when 't is bedewed with penitential tears tears have a voice as well as blood Psal 6.8 And God has an eye as well upon a mans tears as upon his prayers Penitent tears are divine Ambassadors that never return from the throne of grace without answers of grace Isa 38.5 Peter said nothing but went out and wept bitterly and obtained mercy Mat. 26. ult Tears are a kind of silent prayers that will at last prevail for mercy Naaman the Syrian was cleansed of his leprosie by the waters of Jordan 2 King 5. penitential tears may do much towards the cleansing of thy leprous soul from sin he that really grieves that he cannot grieve for sin is grieved for sin he that is truely sorry that he cannot be sorry for sin is in a measure sorry for sin he that truly desires to drown his sins in his tears he has in Divine account drowned his sins in his tears The Maid in Scaliger swooned at the sight of a Lilly O! how much more should you at the sight of your unholiness Basil wept when he saw the Rose because it brought to his mind the first sin from whence it had the prickles O! how should a sinner fall a weeping when he looks upon the greatness of his wickedness and his want of holiness As ever you would be holy mourn over your own unholiness But Secondly If ever thou wouldest be holy thou must seek the holy Spirit the spirit is the efficient cause of all that holiness that is in the world The Spirit of God is a Spirit of holiness Rom. 1.4 he is frequently called the holy Spirit Cast me not away from thy presence and take not thy holy spirit from me Psal 5.11 But they rebelled and vexed his holy spirit Isa 63.10 And grieve not the holy spirit of God whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption Eph. 4.30 He therefore that despiseth despiseth not man but God who hath also given unto us his holy Spirit 1 Thes 4.8 In whom also after that ye believed ye were sealed by the holy spirit of promise Eph. 1.13 To make a man holy is more then to create a world 't is a work too high and too hard for Angels or men it becomes none and it can be done by none but by the holy spirit sanctification is made the spirits personal operation in that 2 Thess 2.13 and in that 1 Pet. 1.2 'T is the great work of the spirit to shape form and fashion the new creature holiness in all the vessels of glory The spirit is the root of all holiness and therefore the several parts of holiness are called the fruits of the spirit Gal. 5.22 'T is true God purposes holiness to his people and Christ has purchased holiness for his people but 't is onely the spirit that is the efficient cause or worker of holiness in his people though the Father Son and Spirit hath designed to re-imprint holiness upon mans heart yet the spirit has the greatest hand in that work When man was in his primitive glory holiness was his loveliness and his likeness to God but being now faln that image is so broken and mar'd that no hand can repaire it or restore it but the hand of the spirit The great principle of holiness which was in Christ as to his humane nature was the holy Spirit which he had above measure for he was anointed with the Unction of the Spirit above his fellows So that
look which way you will the Spirit still appears to be the great principle of holiness holiness is the very picture of God and certainly no hand can carve that excellent picture but the spirit of God Holiness is the divine nature and none can impart that to man but the Spirit A man never comes to see his sins nor to be sick of his sins nor to loath his sins nor to arraign his sins nor to condemn his sins nor to judge himself for his sins evangelically till he comes to be possest of the holy Spirit A man never comes to spit out the sweet morsels of sin he never come to make a sacrifice of his onely Isaac and to cut his delicate Agag in pieces and to strangle his Dalilah and in good earnest to set upon an utter exterpation of those sins that his constitution inclination custome calling and interest does most incline him to till a spirit of holiness comes upon him till this holy Spirit which is a spirit of judgement and burning falls upon the hearts of sinners they will never be fired out of their pride formality carnality sensuality and security when this holy Spirit comes as a Spirit of Glory and Power to change thy heart to destroy thy sins to reform thy ways and to save thy soul c. Oh then cry out let him still go on conquering and to conquer till all his enemies ate made his footstool Oh let him cut off every right hand and pluck out every right eye c. that does offend O let him do justice upon every sin upon every open sin upon every secret sin upon every bosom sin upon every pleasing sin and upon every gainful sin Oh set your selves under the Celestial influences and sweet distillings of the holy Spirit Oh prize his motions Oh welcome his motions Oh comply with his motions Oh follow his motions that so you may be holy and happy for ever When David asked counsel of God whether he should goe up against thâ— Philistins or no he received this answer When thou hearest the noise of one going in the top of the Mulbery-trees 2 Sam. 5.24 then remove for then shall the Lord go out before thee to smite the Philistines So should every one wisely observe when the Spirit sweetly and strongly moves them to mind holiness to fall in love with holiness to press after holiness when the spirit moves them to leave off their sins to turn to God to open to Christ to tremble at threatnings and to imbrace promises Oh make much of these holy motions Oh cherish these divine breathings Oh don't quench these heavenly sparks least the Spirit never move thee more nor never strive with thee more Gen. 6.3 Oh when thou hearest a voice within thee or a voice behind thee saying Come with me from Lebanon my sister Isa 30.21 Cant. 4.8 my spouse c. Come away from thy cups thou drunken wretch come away from thy wanton Dalilahs thou unclean wretch come away from thy sinful pleasures thou voluptious wretch come away from thy baggs thou worldly wretch come away from thy honors thou ambitious wretch and come away from thy fraud thou cheating wretch Oh hearken to this voice Oh obey this voice that it may go well with thy soul for ever if now thou strikest whilest the iron is hot if now thou hoistest up sail whilst the wine is fair thou maist be made for ever In that 5 Joh. 4. there were certain times when the Angel came down and troubled the waters and whosoever did then step in was healed of whatsoever disease he had So there are certain times and seasons wherein the Spirit of holiness stirs the heart and affections and moves and breaths upon the soul now if men were wise to observe these times and seasons they might be happy for ever the time of the spirits moving is the acceptable time if you observe it you are made if you neglect it you are mar'd all the movings and motions of the spirit are in order to an eternity of felicity and glory Oh therefore don't grieve the Spirit don't cross the Spirit don't vex the Spirit don't tempt the Spirit Spiritus sanctus est res delicata don't quench the Spirit don't oppose the Spirit don't resist the Spirit don't deal harshly or unkindly with the Spirit by sinning against illumination conviction resolutions and promises of reformation Oh be more tender of the gracious motions of the Spirit then thou art of thy name thy estate thy liberty thy life for he designs thy internal good in this world and thy eternal good in the other world and therefore don't affront him nor carry it unworthily towards him if thou shouldest it may be as much as thy life and thy soul is worth if a man slip the opportunity of a favorable gale he may lie wind-bound till all be spent when the Spirit moves salvation and all the glory of heaven stands waiting at thy door if now thou will but open the King of glory will enter in and bless thee for ever Saul by neglecting his opportunity lost an earthly kingdom take heed least thou by slighting the motions of the Spirit comest to loose a heavenly kingdom the letting slip one season when the Spirit moves may undo a man in both worlds and some think Felix found it so Well sirs as ever you would be holy you must labor for a Spirit of holiness and for your encouragement remember this that though the holy Spirit be the great Jewel of Glory yet God is more ready to give it then you are to aske it witness that 11. of Luke from the 9. to the 14. verse But Thirdly If ever you would be holy then you must waite upon the word the word of God faithfully preached is the ordinary meanes by which holiness is wrought in sinners hearts the word is that triumphant Chariot of the Spirit wherein he rides conquering and to conquer the souls of men the holy word is designed by God to beget holiness in sinners hearts and to countenance cherish nourish and strengthen holiness where it is begotten John 17.17 Sanctifie them through thy truth thy word is truth And for their sakes c. I sanctifie my selfe that they also might be sanctified through the truth ver 19. So Chap. 15.3 Now ye are cleane through the word which I have spoken to you The ordinary way of making uncleane souls cleane unholy souls holy is the Ministry of the word Phil. 5.26 As there is a cleansing vertue in the blood of Christ 1 John 1.7 so there is a cleansing vertue in the word of Christ Psal 119.9 Wherewithall shall a young man cleanse his way by taking heed thereto according to thy word Of all men the young man is usually most wild and wicked most licentious and rebellious and yet the word of God is the power of God to his conviction and conversion to his sanctification and salvation though the cleansing of a young mans
nihil a great nothing and who then would spend an houres time to secure it neare and deare relations cannot for the delight of Ezekiels eyes is taken away with a stroake Ezek. 24.16 Job 1.10 and all Jobs children are snatcht away in a day all our nearest and dearest relations are like a Nose-gay which the oftner we smell to it the sooner it withers But now holiness may be made sure witness the spirits of just men made perfect in heaven Heb. 12.23 and witness the many thousands of Christians this day in the world who doe experience the principles of holiness in their hearts and who doe evidence the power of holiness in their lives O Sirs if the serious consideration of the preciousness and worth of your souls will not draw you out to study holiness to love holiness to prize holiness and to press after holiness what will O Sirs 't is only holiness that is the happiness of the soul the safety and security of the soul the prosperity and felicity of the soul and the lustre and glory of the soul and therefore why should you not labour as for life after this inestimable Jewel holiness O let the remembrance of the preciousness of your souls be an effectuall means to draw you to heare that you may be holy and to pray that you may be holy and to reade that you may be holy and to mourne that you may be holy and to sigh and groane after holiness as after that which is the souls only happiness O Sirs there is nothing below heaven so precious and noble as your souls and therefore doe not play the Courtier with your souls now the Courtier do's all things late he rises late and dines late and sups late and repents late O doe not poyson your precious souls by gross enormities O doe not starve your souls by the omission of religious duties O doe not murther and damne your souls by turning your backs upon holy Ordinances I have read of a Woman who when her house was on fire so minded the saving of her goods that she forgot her only childe and left it burning in the fire at last being minded of it she cryes out Oh my childe oh my poore childe but all too late all too late so there are many men now so mad upon the world and so bewitcht with the world that they never mind they never regard their poor souls till they come to fall under everlasting burnings and then they cry out O our souls O our poor souls O that we had been wise for our souls O that we had got holiness for our souls O that we had made sure worke for our souls but all too late all too late the Lord make you wise to prevent soul-burnings at last If he be rather a monster then a man that feasts his slave but starves his wife what shall we say of those that pamper their bodies but starve their souls and that have thred-bare souls under silke and sattin Cloaths and that please themselves with deformed souls under beautifull faces surely it had been good for these that they had never been born I have read of a Scythian Captain who having for a draught of water yeelded up the City cryed out Quid perdidi quid prodidi What have I lost what have I betrayed So all unholy persons will at last cry out we have betrayed our immortall souls we have lost a precious Father we have lost a deare Redeemer we have lost the company of glorious Angels we have lost the society of the spirits of just men made perfect and we have lost all the pleasures and joyes and delights that be at the right hand of the most High We have lost these we have lost all these and we have lost them for ever and ever surely there is no hell to this hell For a close of this direction remember this that as the soul is the life and excellency of the body so holiness is the life and excellency of the soul and as the body without the soul is dead so the soul without holiness is dead This my Son was dead and is alive if you get holiness into your souls your souls shall live for ever but if you die without holiness your souls shall die for ever and ever I have read that there was a time when the Romans did weare Jewels on their shooes oh that in these dayes most men did not doe worse oh that they did not trample under feete that matchless Jewel their precisouls But Seventhly If ever you would be holy then set in good earnest upon reading of the holy Scripture many a man has been made holy by reading of the holy Word Luther com in Gen. cap. 19. The Bible is the book of books 't is the onely book all other books in the world are but waste paper to it Augustin crys out away with our writings that room may be made for the book of God notwithstanding the greatness and multiplicity of the affairs of Princes yet they were diligently to read the word Deut. 17.19 And it shall be with him and he shall read therein all the days of his life that he may learn to fear the Lord his God to keep all the words of this Law and these Statutes to do them God looks that the greatest Princes on earth should make use of this Library Though David was a great Prince and had a multitude of weighty businesses upon his hand yet he was so much in reading meditating on the word that he made it his Counsellors the word was Davids Learned Counsel Psal 119.24 to which he reforted for counsel advice and comfort in all his necessities and miseries Alphonsus King of Arragon hath been highly extolled for reading the Scriptures fourteen times over with glosses and expositions notwithstanding his great publike employments And Alphonsus King of Naples read over the Bible forty times notwithstanding many great affairs were upon his hand Theodosius the Emperor and Constantine the Great were much taken up in reading of the Scriptures So Queen Elizabeth when she passed in triumph through the streets of London after her Coronation and had the Bible presented to her at the little Conduit in Cheap-side she received the same with both her hands and kissing it Speeds Hist laid it to her breasts saying That the same had ever been her chiefest delight and should be the rule whereby she meant to frame her Government And 't is very observable that the Eunuch was reading the Scripture when Philip was commanded Acts 8.26.40 by Commission from the Holy Ghost to joyn himself to his Chariot and to instruct him in the knowledge of Christ which proved his conversion and salvation And Junius was converted by the reading of that first of John In the beginning was the Word c. being amazed with the strange majesty of the stile Lib. 8. conf cap. 12. and the profound misteries therein contained And Augustine was
and though Legal terrour Evangelical joy are inconsistent Zach. 12.10 1 Pet. 1.8 yet Evangelical sorrow and Evangelical joy are consistent in one and the same soule the same eye of faith that drops tears of sorrow drops also tears of joy A cleare sight of free-grace of pardoning mercy and of a bleeding dying Saviour will at the same time fill the soul both with sorrow and joy as the experiences of a thousand Christians can testifie A Christian alwayes joys most and mourns most Luke 7. when he is most under the sense of divine love the influences and incomes of heaven the hopes of glory the reports of mercy and the precious sealings of the blessed Spirit Look as Physick is the way to health so godly sorrow is the way to holy joy Prov. 14.13 look as a wicked mans joy ends in sorrow so a godly mans sorrow ends in joy Isa 61.3 To appoint unto them that mourne in Zion to give unto them beauty for ashes the oyl of joy for mourning the garment of gladness for the spirit of heaviness that they may be called trees of righteousness the planting of the Lord that he might be glorified Godly sorrow is the Parent of holy joy a Godly mans mourning time is his most joyfull time I have read of a godly man who lying upon his dying bed and being askt which was the joyfullest time that ever he had in all his life cryed our O give me my mourning dayes againe O give me my mourning dayes againe for they were the joyfullest dayes that ever I had The more a Christian sowes in teares Psal 126.6 the greater even in this world shall be his harvest of joy his merry dayes shall be alwayes answerable to his mourning dayes But Thirdly I anâ—wer that this is a false charge a meere slander an unjust calumny that Satan and his bond-slaves have cast upon holiness and the wayes of holiness on purpose to hinder men from pursuing and following after holiness The language of the objection is quite contrary to the language of the holy Scripture witness that Psal 138.5 Yea they shall sing in the wayes of the Lord for great is the glory of the Lord. When the Kings of the earth shall be generally converted and sanctified as 't is in ver the 4th Then they shall sing in the wayes of the Lord when they shall come to experience and taste the power excellency and sweetness of holiness then they shall sing in the wayes of the Lord. Conversation and sanctification administer the highest grounds of joy and rejoycing 2 Cor. 1.12 For our rejoycing is this the testimony of our conscience that in simplicity and godly sincerity not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God we have had our conversation in the world and more abundantly to you-wards A holy conversation affords the greatest ground of rejoycing There is no joy to that which springs from the testimony of a sanctified conscience God has given it under his own hand Pro. 3.17 that the wayes of wisdom which are alwayes wayes of holiness are wayes of pleasantness and all her paths are peace There is no pleasure nor felicity to that which flowes from the wayes of sanctity The sweetest Roses the strongest comforts and the greatest pleasantness is to be found in the wayes of holiness O! the joy the peace the tranquillity the serenity that attends the wayes of purity I might call in many millions of Saints who from their own experiences are able to give the lye to this objection and further to tell you that they have met with more comforts sweetness and pleasantness in one houres communion with God in one houres walking with God then ever they have found in all the wayes of ungodliness and wickedness wherein they have wandered O! they are able to tell you Isa 57.20 21. that when they walkt in wayes of impiety they found by experience that God had made a seperation between sin and peace between sin and joy Rom. 6.21 between sin and assurance between sin and the light of his countenance c. and they are able to tell you from what they have found that there is no feare no terror no horror no gripes no grief no stings no hells to those that attend the wayes of ungodliness and this were enough to blow off this objection But Fourthly I answer that the joy of the Saints is chiefly and mainely an inward joy a spiritual joy a joy that lyes remote from a carnal eye the joy of a Christian lyes deep it cannot be expressed it cannot be painted look as no man can paint the sweetness of the Honey-combe nor the sweetness of a Cluster of Grapes nor the fragrancy of the Rose of Sharon so no man can paint out the sweetness and spiritualness of a Christians joy it lyes so deep and low in a gracious heart and look as the life of a Christian is hid with Christ in God Col. 3.3 so the joy of a Christian is hid with Christ in God as their life is a hidden life so their joy is a hidden joy the joy of a Christian is hidden Manna 't is the new name and white stone Rev. 2.20 that none knoweth but he that has it Pro. 14.10 The heart knoweth his own bitterness and a stranger doth not intermeddâ—e with his joy The joy of a Saint is a Jewel that falls not under a strangers eye Look as the greatest terrors and torments of the wicked are inward so the greatest joyes and comforts of the Saints are inward and look as the heart of man is deep Jer. 17.9 10. so holy joy is a treasure that lyes deep and 't is not every man that has a golden key to search into this Treasury As a man standing on the Sea-shore sees a great heap of waters one wave riding upon the back of another and making a dreadfull noise but all this while though he sees the water rouling and hears it raging and roaring yet he sees not the wealth the gold the silver the Jewels and incredible Treasures that lye buried there so wicked men they see the wants of the Saints but not their wealth they see their poverty but not their riches their miseries but not their mercies their conflicts but not their comforts their sorrows but not their joyes 1 Cor. 2.14 O the blinde world cannot see the joys and rejoycings the comforts and consolations of the Saints that lye at the bottom of their souls their joys are inward and spiritual and so must the eye be that discernes them the joy of the Saints is like a Garden inclosed Cant. 4.12 a spring shut up a fountaine sealed Psal 45.13 And as the glory of the Church is inward so the joy of the Church is inward Isa 12.3 The waters of consolation lye deep in the wells of salvation The richest veines of Oare lye deepest under ground and so do's the strongest and the choicest
man has of his Justification the stronger will be his consolation and indeed the strongest waters of consolation doe alwayes flow from a cleare sight and a true sense of a mans justification no man lives so comfortably no man bares the cross so sweetly no man resists the devill and the world so stoutly nor no man will die so chearfully as he that lives and dies in a cleare sight of his Justification The more holiness any man attaines to the more his feares will be scattered his doubts resolved and all those impediments removed that commonly bar out joy and comfort and what will be the happy issue of these things but the bringing in of a sea of joy and comfort into the soul 'T is not riches nor honors nor applause nor learning nor friends nor a great name in the world but an eminency in holiness that can highly raise the springs of divine joy in a Christians soul Though the windowes of the Temple were broad without but narrow within yet the joy and comfort of a Christian that is eminent in holiness is broad and full within though it be narrow and contracted without O Sirs as ever you would have your joy full labour for a heart fill'd with holiness your comforts will be alwayes few and low if your holiness be low Why have the Angels alwayes Harpes in their hands and Hallelujah's in their mouths but because they have attain'd to a fulness of holiness But Seventhly To provoke you to labour after higher degrees of holiness Consider that the more holy any person is the more the Lord will reveale and manifest himselfe and his mind and will unto him Joh. 14.21 23. Hosea 6.3 Ezekiel was a man of eminent holiness and a man that had glorious visions and deep mysteries and rare discoveries of God and of the great things that should be brought about in the latter dayes See 2 4 7 8 9 10 11 12 Chapters of Daniel discovered to him And Daniel was a man of very great holiness and O what secrets and mysteries did God reveale to him many of those great and glorious things which concernes the destruction of the four last Monarchies and the growth increase exaltation flourishing durable invincible and unconquerable estate of his own kingdome was discovered to him 2 Cor. 12.2 4. Among all the Apostles Paul was a man of the greatest holiness and of all the Apostles Paul had the most glorious revelations and discoveries of God manifested to him witness those glorious Revelations that he had when he was caught up into the third heaven into Paradise and heard unspeakable words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or wordless words such as words were too weak to utter such as was not possible for man to utter and that either because they transcended mans capacity in this life or else because the Apostle was forbidden to utter them they being revealed to him not for the publike use of the Church but only for his particular encouragement that so he might be the better able to encounter with all the hardships difficulties dangers and deaths that should attend him in the conscientious discharge of his ministerial work Some of the Ancients are of opinion that he saw Gods essence for say they other things in heaven might have been uttered but the essence of God is so great and so glorious a thing that no man or Angel can utter it or declare it but here I must crave leave to enter my dissent for the Scripture is express in this John 1.18 1 Tim. 6.16 1 Ioh. 4.12 that no man hath thus ever seen the Lord at any time and that no man can thus see the Lord and live And as great a favourite of heaven as Moses was yet he could only see the back parts of God he could only behold some lower representations of God Others say that he heard the heavenly singing of Angels and blessed Spirits which was so sweet so excellent and glorious that no mortall man was able to utter it and this of the two is most probable but no man is bound to make this opinion an Article of his faith this I think we may safely conclude that in this rapture besides the contemplation of Celestial Mysteries he felt such unspeakable delight and pleasure that was either like to that or exceeding that which Adam took in the terrestrial Paradise doubtless the Apostle did see and heare such excellent and glorious things as was impossible for the tongue of any mortal man to express or utter And so John was a man of most rare holiness and Christ reveals to him the General estate of his Church and all that should befall his people and that from Johns time unto his second coming Christ gives John a true representation of all the troubles tryalls changes mercies and glories that in all times and in all Ages and places should attend his Church untill he came in all his glory About sixty years after Christs ascension 'T is the General opinion of the learned that this book of the Revelation was penned about the latter end of the Reigne of Domitian the Emperour which was about sixty years after Christs Ascension Christ comes to John and opens his heart and unbosomes his soul and makes knowne to him all that care that love that tenderness that kindness and that sweetness that he would exercise towards his Church from that very time to the end of the world Christ tells John that though he had been absent and seemingly silent for about threescore years that yet he was not so taken up with the delights contents and glory of heaven as that he did not care what became of his Church on earth O! no And therefore he opens his choicest secrets and makes knowne the most hidden and glorious mysteries to John that ever was made knowne to any man As there was none that had so much of the heart of Christ as John so there was none that had so much of the eare of Christ as John Christ singles out his servant John from all the men in the world and makes knowne to him all the happy providences and all the sad occurrences that were to come upon the followers of the Lamb that so they might know what to pray for and what to fit for and what to waite for also he declares to John all that wrath and vengeance all that desolation and destruction that should come upon the false Prophet and the Beast and upon all that wondered after them and that were worshippers of them and that had received their marks either in their foreheads or in their hands We reade of holy Polycarpus that as he lay in his bed he saw in a vision the bed set on fire under his head A vision and thus God did forewarne him and manifest to him what manner of death he should die and accordingly it fell out for he was burnt for the cause of Christ and rejoycingly sealed to the
their recompence and reward bee multiplied in another world 'T is true Christ hath many lovers of his Crown but few bearers of his Cross all would rejoyce with him but few care to suffer for him but yet 't is as true on the one hand viz. that they who bear most of his Cross shall bee greatest sharers in his Crown they that suffer most for him on Earth shall bee most blest and rewarded by him when they come to Heaven 2 Cor. 1.4 5. Look as the consolation of the Saints rises higher and higher in this world even as their sufferings rise higher and higher so the glory of the Saints shall rise higher and higher in the other world as their sufferings has rise higher and higher in this world The persecuted Christians in Tertullian cries out Crudelitas vestra gloria nostra your cruelty is our glory and the harder wee are put to it the greater shall bee our reward in Heaven One speaking of the Martyrs said look how many sufferings they have so many crowns they shall have for every suffering God shall set a crown on their heads By how much mens sufferings have been greater saith Chrysostom by so much the more their crown shall bee bright and splendent The greater conflicts and buffetings any Saint hath endur'd the greater shall bee his reward and the more ample shall bee his glory saith Austin As Christ hath many crowns upon his head sutable to the multitude of his sufferings and victories so Christians at last shall have crowns sutable to the multitude of their sufferings Rev. 19.7 and sutable to those famous victories they have gained over a tempting Devil and a persecuting world certainly it will bee but Justice that they should receive the weightiest Crown 1 Joh. 5.4 chap. 2.13 14. who have bore the heaviest Cross The seventh and last Scripture that I shall produce is that Matth. 10.41 Hee that receiveth a Prophet in the name of a Prophet shall receive a Prophets reward that is say some they shall bee partakers of the same reward that is laid up for the Prophets Without all dispute these two things lyes fair in the Text First that there is some special and eminent degrees of reward due unto a Prophet above other men And Secondly that he that shall entertain a Prophet and perform any offices of love and favour to him under that name and notion hee shall bee partaker of that reward hee that receives a Prophet as hee is Gods messenger and imployed in his service and sent about his arrant and not upon any carnal or worldly respects hee shall receive a Prophets reward that is hee shall receive either such a reward as the Prophet himself shall receive at last or hee shall receive such a large ample and noble recompence as is meet for one to receive that received a Prophet as coming from the Lord and as acted by the Lord Look as sucâ— who give an honourable reception to the Ambassadours of Kings or Princes do highly raise themselves in the favour and esteem of those Kings or Princes that had sent them so those that receive the faithful Prophets of the Lord as the Ambassadours of God they shall bee highly interested in the favour of God and as nobly bee rewarded by God I might produce several other Scriptures As that Mat. 6.20 Joh. 14.2 Mat. 20.20 to the 24. that sound to the same purpose as these Seven do but enough is as good as a feast I shall therefore in the Second place come to the Reasons that may further evidence and confirm this great truth viz. That there shall bee different degrees of glory in Heaven among many other reasons that might bee given I shall only give you these five First there are diversities of degrees of Angels in Heaven There are Cherubims and Seraphims and there are Angels and Archangels now the Cherubims and Seraphims are a lower rank and order of Angels and the Archangels are a higher rank and order of Angels And the Apostle speaks clearly of several ranks and orders of invisible creatures in that Col. 1.16 here you have an enumeration of Thrones Dominions Principalities and Powers and so in that Eph. 1.21 Far above all Principalities and Powers and Might and Dominion These principalities and powers are the blessed Angels that Minister before the Lord and that are subordinate unto one another and here they are reckoned up by assending power is above principality and might above power and dominion above might To define those orders and degrees of Angels with which God is invironed is a work too high and hard for mee and though the Papists and several School-men are so bold as to define their particular offices and orders Dionysius Areopagita Thomas Aquinas Anselm c. yet I dare not be wise above what is written where the Scripture is silent I love to be silent and where the Scripture hath no tongue there I desire to have no ears There is an order in Hell an order among the Devils and therefore you read in * Mat. 9.34 chap. 12.34 Mark 3.22 The very supposition of order supposeth inequality and disproportion three Scriptures of the Prince of Devils and so much also that expression imports that you have in that Mat. 25.41 The Devil and his Angels which intimates a Prince among those unclean and damned spirits Now shall there be order in Hell and confusion in Heaven Shall there be order among the evil Angels and shall there not much more be order among the good Angels Certainly that God that is the God of order and that hath made all things in order and that to this day keeps all things in order here below will never suffer the least disorder and confusion to be among those Princes of glory that stand continually before him Hee that denies order in Heaven denies Heaven to be Heaven and hee that grants order in Heaven grants degrees of glory in Heaven Though there is no difference between the Angels in natura Angelica the Angelical nature being alike in all yet in officio in office there is a great deal of difference in the glory of the Angels for God imploys some of the Heavenly Host in more high noble and excellent services than others and answerable thereunto shall their reward bee Though all Angels shall share alike in the essential and substantial glory of Heaven yet there is an additional glory an accidental glory an over-plus of glory that shall be conferred upon the Angels answerable to the several and various services that they have managed and ingaged in Now the Scripture tells us plainly Matth. 22.30 that in Heaven wee shall be like to the Angels and therefore if there be degrees of Angels and if the Angels in Heaven shall have a different glory and reward according to the work in which they have been employed then the glory of the Saints in respect of degrees shall bee different also But
Sons and stand by them as Sons and lay up for them as Sons and lay out himself for them as Sons that they that have not deserved a smile from God a good word from God a bit of bread from God or a good look from God should be made the Sons of God What manner of love is this that they that have so highly provoked God that they that have walkt so cross and contrary to God that they that were so exceeding unlike to God that they that have preferred every lust and every toy and vanity before God that they that have fought many years under Satans Banner against God that they that have refused all the offers of mercy that hath been made by God that they that have deserved to be reprobated by God to be damned by God and to be thrown to Hell by God that these should be made the Sons of God O stand and wonder O stand and admire at the freeness of Grace and at the riches of Grace But Seventhly If thou art a holy person if thou art one that hast that real holiness without which there is no happiness then know for thy comfort that thou art an undoubted heir of everlasting Glory Rom. 8.16 17 18. James 2.5 2 Tim. 4.7 8. Rom. 8.29 30. For whom hee did foreknow hee also did predestinate to be conformed to the Image of his Son that is in holinesse that hee might bee the first born among many Brethren Moreover whom hee did predestinate them hee also called and whom hee called them hee also justified and whom hee justified them hee also glorified Holiness is a most sure earnest and pawn of glory 2 Thes 2.13 God hath chosen you to Salvation through Sanctification of the Spirit Mat. 5.8 Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God 1 Joh. 3.2 3. When hee shall appear wee shall be like him that is in glory for wee shall see him as hee is And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself even as hee is pure Hee that hath a real hope a lively hope of being like to Christ in Glory and of reigning with Christ in Heaven will set roundly upon the work of self-purifying there is no hope to that hope that runs out into holiness and that leads the soul on to the highest degrees of purification and that inables a man to set up Christs purity as the most perfect Pattern and exact Coppy for his Imitation Titus 3.4 5 6 7. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared not by works of Righteousness which wee have done but according to his mercy hee saved us by the washing of Regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost which hee shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour That being justified by his Grace wee should bee made heirs according to the hope of eternal Life Holiness is an infallible forerunner of glory 't is the first-fruits of that eternal happiness and blessedness that God hath laid up for his children in the highest Heavens And O what cause of joy and gladness should this be to every holy heart what though thou shouldest never have a good day more on Earth what though all the springs of comfort should be dried upon thy right hand and on thy left hand what though God should never smile on thee more in this world what though the remaining part of thy life should bee filled up with crosses losses troubles and trials what though God should let Satan loose to tempt thee and wicked men grow strong to oppress thee and friends turn enemies to grieve thee Yea what if thou shouldest go to thy grave with tears in thy eyes and with sorrow in thy heart yet as long as thou art sure that thou art an heir of Glory and that all the happiness of Heaven is thine and that thy Crown is safe Psal 16. ult and that thou shalt be for ever filled and satisfied with those everlasting pleasures and delights that be at Gods right hand thou hast cause to joy and rejoyce in the midst of all thy sorrows and sufferings Heb. 12.28 1 Pet. 1.3 4. See my String of Pearls on that very Text. yea to glory and triumph in the hopes and expectations of a Kingdome that shakes not of a Crown that withers not of Riches that corrupt not and of an Inheritance that fadeth not away O Sirs 't is not all the Silks of Persia nor all the Spices of Egypt nor all the Gold of Ophir nor all the Treasures of both Indies nor all the Crowns and Scepters in the world no nor yet the worth of ten thousand worlds that are to be compared with that Glory that is treasured up for all Gods holy ones they have an Inheritance reserved in Heaven for them that cannot be moth-eaten nor spoiled by hostile invasion nor wrung from them by power nor won from them by Law nor mortgaged for debt nor impaired by publick calamity nor plundered by Theeves and Robbers nor changed by Kings or Parliaments no nor violated by death it self and therefore what infinite cause of joy and rejoycing have all such that are interested in such an Inheritance and in such a perfect happiness and compleat blessedness that is reserved in Heaven for all Gods holy ones O what a singular comfort must this be to a Christian in the midst of all his miseries and distresses Psal 73.24 when hee is able to look upon God and say This God is my God for ever and ever and hee shall be my Guide to Glory and when hee is able to look up to Heaven and say This is my Inheritance yea when hee is able to look upon all the Glory and Happiness of another world and to say All this Glory and Happiness is mine for I have that Holiness that is the earnest of it Qui spirituali exultationis oleo uncti sunt c. Macar Hom. 17. the pawn of it and the first-fruits of it in my own soul 'T was an observable saying of Macarius They that are anointed with the spiritual Oil of gladness saith hee have received a sign of that incorruptible Kingdome to wit Gods Spirit for an earnest they are the Secretaries of the Heavenly King and relying confidently upon the Almighty they enter into his Palace where the Angels and the Spirits of holy men are although they be yet in this world for although they be not yet come to the intire Inheritance which is prepared for them in that world yet they are most sure of it by that pledge which they have newly received as sure as if they were already crowned and had the key of the Kingdome in their own possession 'T was a very sweet and comfortable speech which the Emperour used to Galba in his childehood and minority when hee took him by the chin and said Tu Galba c. Thou Galba shalt one day sit upon a Throne so 't is very sweet and