THE SERMON.
IN the latter end of this last Chapter there is a commendation of a vertuous and godly woman, positively from the tenth verse unto my text, and here in my text comparatively. The words divide themselves into two parts: the [Page 20] former part is this, Many Daughters have done vertuously: the latter part this, But thou excellest them al [...]. Seeing then what is said here, is for the Praise, Commendation, and Honor of a vertuous and godly woman, we will therefore from the words at this time handle this one truth.
Doct. That though m [...]ny do [...]er [...]uousl [...], yet sone of Gods people do excell in gra [...]e, and this is their praise and glory.
We say sometimes of the lives of women, as Origen once spake concerning them, that if they be good they are very good; though therfore wee might bring to the exa [...]ples of men in the Scripture that did excell in grace, yet notwithstanding for the confirmation of this tru [...]h, we will only in [...]ance in those of the same Sexe with this godly soul now departed: And the fir [...] sh [...]ll be in [...]ne of her own name, [...]l [...]za [...]et [...], Lu [...]e 1 6. there you s [...]all find [...]ha [...] Z [...]ch [...]ry and Elizabe [...]h were two rare and excellent persons in grace, for there it is said concerning them both, that they were ri [...]hteous befo [...]e God, & blamelesse among [...] men▪ there is one excellent woman. The second that we shall name is T [...]bi [...]h [...], shee is de [...]cribed in Act. 9. 36, 37. shee was a Disciple, a Professor of the Gospell, and a woman full of good works, the [...]e is a second exce [...]len [...] woman▪ The third that wee shall name, for a woman that was excellent in gra [...], is Mary, John 1. 11, 20. shee was first at the grave, and she was last at the grave; shee stayes at the grave, weeping, and mourning, and crying, when Peter, that rare Apostle, was gone; here was a woman rare for her affection unto Christ, her heart did appeare to bee more tende being a woman, then the heart of Peter, a person of another Sexe: To name yet another, Rom. 16. 12. there Paul salu [...]es two godly Matrons, that laboured in the Lord; but saith he salute our beloved P [...]si [...], that laboured much in the Lord; that is more; Others they laboured in the Lord, and [...]his was their commendation, but this beloved Pe [...]si [...] shee laboured and laboured much in the Lord, the [...]efore she is especially commended for it.
Reas. The reasons of this truth are the [...]e; The first is taken from the inward working causes, and they a [...]e these two, Christ his spirituall providence, and his peoples speciall diligence. First, Christs spiritual providence in dispensing the gift, for according to his gift so is not the truth of grace only, but the measu [...]e of grace also, Eph. 4 every one hath grace given him according to the measure of the gift of Christ; and (as the Apostle speakes unto the Corinthians,) The spirit [Page 21] of Christ distribute unto every one even as he will: This blessed Head, though he gives unto all, yet notwithstanding he gives unto all differently, to some more, and to some lesse, even as he pleaseth; this for the inward meanes. So for the outward means, by his spirituall providence he affords unto some, more and greater meanes, and a longer time, to others lesse: He also doth blesse the means more unto some then unto others.
Againe, another inward working cause is the speciall diligence of Gods people themselves, exciting and stirring up, and also exe [...]cising that grace which is given them, applying the meanes unto their hearts, and bringing all home in private, that was done in publique, this is the reason why, though some do vertuously, yet others do excell in grace, even their practise of Piety, and their Christian diligence. And as thus ye have heard the working causes per se, by themselves, so also per accidens, by accident, the Lord sometimes makes the sence of sinne a means to break the heart, and that sinner that hath bin exceeding [...]nful, that sinner afterwards somtimes becomes a notable Saint; this is the first generall ground from the inward working causes.
The second generall ground is from the finall cause, and that is double, for his owre g [...]ory, and his peoples good; for this double reason, though others do vertuously, yet the Lord will have some to excell in grace: First, for his own glo [...]y; thus in dangerous times, Elijah he must stop up, the three children they must be willing to step into the Furnance, and D [...]nie into the Denne, rather then the Religion and Wo [...]ship of God shall [...]e demolished and beaten down: though therfore he have many Worthies, yet the Lord will have some speciall Worthies, that not onely shall have grace, but also much grace, for his honou [...]. Thus fo [...] his own glory th [...]ugh others do vertu [...]usly, yet the Lord will have some to excell in grace. So also for the good of his people, to draw them on when they are backward, to strengthen them when they are weake, and to incourage them when they a [...]e faint-hearted. Why had Caleb and Joshu [...] an excellent spirit given them? why? to strengthen and incou [...]age others that were weake and f [...]int-hearted: therefore when the people were discou [...]aged Ʋp (say they) f [...]r not the people of the Land, [...]r th [...]ir strength is de [...]arted f [...]o [...] them, u [...]d th [...]y shall be but as bread [...]or us. This from the working [...], [Page 22] and also from the finall cause, you see reasons why though others do vertuously, yet the Lord will have some to excell in grace.
But why is this their praise and glory? why, the reason of that is taken from the definition of true honour; that is truly honourable, which the wisest and the best do speak in the praise of; That is not honourable which every man speaks well of, (though I am perswaded in respect of this Saint of God, who ever he or she was that did speak against her, while the tongue was against her, the conscience was for her,) but that is truly honourable which is commended by the wisest, and by the best, by the wisest Prophets, and the wise Apostles; For the wise Prophets when they come to commend persons, whom do they speak well of? why, holy persons, holy soules, the Saints that do expresse the power of grace in their lives: And for a wise Apostle, tell me, where Paul is commending any but a Saint especially: nay, if an Angell must come from heaven to speak in the praise and commendation of any man here on earth, it shall be onely in praise and commendation of a Saint; this is plain in the 9. of Daniel, there Daniel is humbling of his soule, and breaking of his spirit for his own sinnes, and the sinnes of the people; well, now an Angell is dispatced from Heaven with a message to him, and he brings him this newes, Oh Daniel thou art a man greatly beloved; thus an Angell will rejoyce to bring good tydings from Heaven, for the praise and commendation of a Saint upon Earth. But what do I speak either of Saints or Angels, even God himselfe doth account their death to be precious, hee hath a high opinion of them, he hath high prizing thoughts of them, as you have heard Here you see the reasons of this truth, why though many doe vertuously, yet some of Gods people do excell in grace, and this is their glory and honour. We have a question before we c [...]me to Application, it is this; Wherein appeares this excellency in grace? I answer in short, It appeares in the matter that is done or suffered, and in the manner of doing it: First, in the matter that is to be done, both in avoiding evill, and in doing good; For the avoiding of evill (and all this you shall see in this godly soul that we have discoursed of) She is a woman of an excellent spirit, that indeavours so to avoid all sinne, her speciall sinne (which David cals his owne iniquity, and the speciall sinnes of the time; here is an admirable [Page 23] spirit indeed; and certainly herein did this blessed child of God shine out most chearly, in that she laboured to avoid all finne, and her own sinne, and the sinnes of these dayes and times.
Again, for the doing of good, she that indeavours to perform all duties, and especially her duties, and those duties that the world hates, and scornes, and speakes ill off, certainly such a woman as this, is of an admirable spirit; yet this also was the spirit of this Saint of God, in that she indeavoured to do all duties injoyned: and for those that concerned her in her place, she shined out admirably in them; yea, she was constant and diligent in performing those duties, which a wicked heart most hates, as redeeming of the time, walking precisely, growing in grace, standing for God with zeale of heart, and the like; this argues an excellencie: And as thus in doing the will of God in his command, so also for a patient subjecting unto the will of God in his providence. Though the Saint of God had much experience in matter of prosperity, yet she had had also great experience in matter of adversity, yet notwithstanding was not that an admirable speech of her: I [...] is the Lord, let doe what seemes him good? had any d [...]ne this but the Lord, I should never have borne it, but seeing the Lord hath done it, why should I be impatient under it. Nay, when her Child, her dear and onely Sonne was dead, this was that which stayed her spirit, that the Lord had done it.
And as thus for the matter, so also for the manner too, when this is done sincerely, with constancie and continuance, truly that was a pretty time of tryal which she had for 30. years together, and for the measure thus, with zeal, when this manner and measure is added to that matter, there must needs be an excellencie; together with this effect growth in grace, and this end, the glory of God, when for for the matter it is thus universally, against all sinne, our sinne, and the sinnes of the Time; unto all duties, our duties, and the contemned duties of the Time. And thus in respect of suffering, patiently submitting unto the will of God, and when for the manner, it is thus, sincerely for truth, constantly for continuance, zealously for measure, having this effect, growth in grace, and this end, the glory of God, this must needs be excellent indeed. Thus you see wherein this excelleney appears.
Now the application will be threefold, unto the wicked, unto the godly, and unto all. Is this a truth then first for wicked men, concerning themselves, and concerning others? See sometimes this way, First, concerning themselves, what doe they think to be the glory and excellency of a man or woman? truly to have those titles, places, riches, and means in the world, to have that esteeme and repute in the world, oh this is a rare thing indeed; this is the judgment of a man of the world. But now concerning grace, and goodnesse, aske them whether that be an excellent thing, yea or no, and they must must needs tell you (if they will but confesse the truth) that they think not so; if they should say so, they must needs lye, because their whole practice is against it: certain [...]y, if this be a truth which wee have confirmed, these persons do erre in their judgments, in judging thus of the honour and glory of any person; nay, another errour is this, that although in their life time they shew very little, nay, indeed nothing at all in a godly way for which they should be commended, yet notwithstanding when they come to dye, if a Minister be to preach for them, and in preaching will not speak in their praise and commendation, they think him a strange Preacher: why, you heare that we must onely speak in the praise of such as do excell in grace, these onely we must commend; would'st thou be commended when thou dyest? oh man live godly while thou livest. Art thou a Drunkard? art thou a Swearer? art thou a Sabbath-breaker? art thou an oppose [...] of goodnesse whilest thou livest? and yet notwithstanding when thou commest to dye, a Minister of Christ must stand up in the place of God to praise and to commend thee?
And as thus for an error in judgment, so also for an evill in heart, What is that which wicked men do love? What is that which they affect? is it grace? is it an excellency in graces though certainely a righteous man (as the text hath it) is more excellent then his neighbour, yet notwithstanding a wicked wretch that is neighbour to a godly man, he thinkes not so of him, nor answerably is he affected towards him. What? dost thou not think a godly man better then thy selfe, (I speak to a wicked Wretch) nor art thou answerably affected towards him? and the Lord saith so directly, Ther righteou [...] [...] is more excellent then his neighbour. What? are persons more willing to be bad and vile, then to be so accounted, and so called? [Page 23] yet how many are there that cannot indure to be evill spoken of, who yet will do most vildly, most unworthily.
And concerning an excellencie in grace, many a one is afraid to be too hot and zealous for God, least that he shoul'd be scorned and derided by the wicked of the world. I wish it might not be found true of many a one, that the praise, account, and opinion of men hath not too much byaced the matter, so that they dare not strictly conforme in all things to the will of God in their lives, least they should hear ill of those of whom they would be commended. Thus men do erre in their judgments; they should preferre the testimony of their consciences in pleasing the God of Heaven, before the praise and commendation of all the men and women in the world. Where find we amongst these men that I am speaking of, such a man as that Heathen was, of whom it was said, That so [...]ner a man might plucke the Su [...]ne ou [...] of his S [...]hear, then draw him asid [...] out of the course of Justice; Oh this great Idoll in the world! this esteeme and repute! it draws persons aside wonderfully, an [...] they think it [...] disgracefull thing [...]ometimes to do that which God commands: yea, adde one thing more, when men are ashamed and afraid to be too good, and yet they are neither ashamed nor afraid to be too bad, It is an old saying, and it is a true one, Qui timet [...]sse bonus, non timet esse ma [...]us. If you see a man afraid to be good, that man surely is not afraid to be evil.
And as for that singularity in goodnesse (which indeed is the excellencie that I am speaking of) how is that evill spoken of? many a man is afraid to be thought such a one. It is the Observation of a learned godly Divine, Persons, saith he, would bee singular in every thing, but in one thing, that is, in gr [...]e, in goodnesse, and in god [...]iness [...], for wealth a man would be the richest man in the Parish, nay for Pride, persons would be above any in the City; what? do men affect ungularity this way in riches, and in pride, and yet when they should come to be singular for goodnesse, they will be as their neighbours then, they are afraid to be too good, yet they are no [...] af [...]aid to be too proud; this for the first use.
Use 2. This lookes d [...]ectly on Gods people, is this a truth, that though many doe vertuously, yet some do excell in grace? then [Page 24] for the people of God thus: Are they stronger, or be they weaker, in respect of themselves, or in regard of others, they may learn something from hence; for those that are stronger in the highest forme, let them first walke humbly: amongst the graces that make persons to shine and to be rare; Humility is one: You know what the Apostle speakes, Who made thee to differ? and the same Apostle writes a whole Chapter, & all for this end, to take off those in the higher form from Pride, and those in the lower forme from Envie, in respect of those gifts of edification, especially in 1 Cor. 12. And Paul himselfe a man excellent in grace, and full of it, yet saith he, in 1 Cor. 16. 10. By the grace of God I am that I am, for my spirituall being I give it onely unto Gods grace; and, I laboured, saith he more abundantly then they all; How novv Paul? dost thou take any thing to thy selfe? mark how he corrects himself immediatly, Yet not I, but the gra [...]e o [...] God in me, saith he; thus still he gives all to God, this is the first thing, That they who are in the higher forme should doe, they should walke humbly.
Secondly, And as thus walk humbly, so also let them walk thankfully, oh give thankes unto that God who hath called you out of the world, and made you rare and excellent in grace & goodnesse, had the Lord made another vvorld, and given you it all, it had bin nothing to this to give you grace, and that grace wherein you doe excell: be thankfull therefore according to the sight and sence of grace.
Let them walk also with comfort and cheerfulnesse; what is that that makes a child of God go sadly and heavily? why this, a [...]s he is afraid that all is not well at home, but if the Lord come in, and shew himself powerfully and sweetly unto his soule, then as he should give the glory of it unto God, so he should take the comfort of it unto himself.
Thirdly, let them walk wisely, yet let them also walk resolutely; I have wondred at the wisdome and resolution of Daniel, he was a man so resolute for God, that though he was a man of great imployments, being [...]et over 120. Princes, who had rule over 127. Provinces, and though it is likely that his enemies did vvatch him, to see it in any sort he had neglected the Kings bu [...]nesse, yet notwithstanding they could find no fault a [...] all in him that way, such was [Page 25] his vvisdome. And for his resolution, nay, saith he, rather then I will not pray to the God of Heaven, the Lyons shall devour me; and before I vvill defile my self with that meat, I will venture life & all.
But may some say, was not this resolution of Daniel an impeachment of his vvisdome? no, I vvill shevv you three rare men, vvho though they vvere resolute for God, yet you shall see also that they were very wise;
1. The first was this of Daniel, so wise a man vvas he, that the Proverb runs of him, What? as vvise as Daniel? He had the matter revealed unto him, vvhich vvas not revealed unto any other man in the World, yet notwithstanding, his discretion and wisdome will not keep him in a moderate frame, but he is resolute for his God. The second example is that of David, of whom the 200. men spake, that he was as wise as an Angell of God; yet notvvithstanding, his vvisdome did not hinder his resolution for God; therefore when she had that laid in his bosome, even Michol his vvife check't him for his zeal, What, saith he to her, is this to be vile? I will be more vile yet. The third is Moses, he must be as God to Aaron, there is his vvisdome, yet notvvithstanding make this resolution, Heb. 11. 24. great things are offered unto him, great honors in Egypt, great treasures in Egypt, and great pleasures in Egypt, threescore temptations, and it is likely that they might cry secretly unto Moses, and say, Stay Moses, stay a vvhile Moses, be not such a foole Moses: vvhat? vvilt thou joyn vvith the people of God, and so lose all thy honour, all thy vvealth, and all thy pleasures? What novv doth this vvise man Moses? farevvell all, saith Moset, farevvell all, I will rather suff [...]r affl [...]ction with the people of God, then I will enjoy the pleasures of sinne for a season. Oh then what a discretion is that which keepes men in such a moderate and luke-vvarm temper, that it vvill not suffer them to bee so resolute for God, as for his sake to be vvilling to part even with all the things in the World, whereas you see here the persons so resolute for God that they vvill venture life and all for him, and yet they vvere very vvise.
And thus also be resolute, so as neither being allured by the dearest friend, nor affrighted by the bitterest foe: not being allured by the dearest friend thus in the Acts of the Ap [...]stles you shall find, that vvhen they h [...]a [...]d there vvhat Aga [...]us had prophesied, namely hovv Paul should be bound at Jerusalem, the friends of Pau [...] (and it is likely [Page 26] they were godly friends) they come unto him weeping and crying, Oh Paul, go not unto Jerus [...]lem, what, wilt thou be bound Paul? mark novv hovv Paul answers them, Why stand ye weeping thus, and breaking my heart? bound? saith he, I am willing not onely to be bound, bu [...] to dye als [...] at Jerus [...]em, for the name of the Lord Jesus. A courteous word from a dear friend draws much, yet notwithstanding, Paul there, when his friends sought by weeping to draw him off from being so resolute for Christ, Oh saith he, in so doing you break my heart; yea, marke also the speech of that rare Marquesse Galeaceus by name, when great proffers [...]ere made unto him, if he would do so and so, Let him be a [...]cursed, saith he, that thinks all the wealth in the world worthy in any sort to be compared with one dayes fellowship with Jesus Christ. Thus though we be allured by the dearest friends, yet vve must be resolute for God: nay, though also we be affrighted and scorned by the bitterest foe as David, you heard, when his vvife scoffed him for dancing before the Ark (where she played the part of a bitter foe) What? [...]aith he, am I vile for this, and I will [...]e more vile y [...]t. So Lu [...]he [...], great offers were made unto him, and great thunderings were sent against hi [...], yet he was [...]esolute for God still. And saith Nehemi [...]h that great Reformer, Shall su [...]h a man as I fl [...]e? he would resolutely stand for God. Thus you see what advice may be given unto those that doe excell in grace, they should vvalk humbly, walk thankfully, & cheerfully, vvalk vvisely, yet also resolutely for God.
The second branch of the Use concerns those that are in the lower form, and they are either such as have bin stronger, & now are weake [...], having weakned themselves; or els they are such as are weak. For the former; Let such be deeply humbled, & that speedily, in calling to mind the mercies, the merits, the time, and the corrections vvhich have bin afforded unto them, & which they have bin tried withall; let them look on all these things to humble their souls before God. And 2. let such also double their diligence novv. And for those that are vveak, let them pray that what is promised by the Lord, Isaiah 40. two last verses, it may be accomplished in them; there the Lord speaking of his people, saith thus, They shall mount up with wings as Eag [...]es, they shall walk and not faint, yea runne and not be weary; thus then do thou, run to the Lord and say, Ah Lord, I am ca [...]t behind in thy way, others do outstrip me, others get before me, and thou hast said Lord, that I shall vvalk, yea run, yea fly, in running the vvays of thy [Page 27] Commandements, make good thy word unto thy poor servant Lord; Thus flye to the throne of grace when thou art hindred and cast behind in travelling towards heaven. Thus for those that have bin strong, & have weakned themselvs, & are vveak still. And as thus concerning themselves, so also concerning others their fellow Saints and brethren, let them thus do, comfo [...]t the sorrowfull, support the feeble, and if any man be disjoynted, joynt him again, as the Apostle speaks, Gal. 6. If any man be overtaken in an infirmitie, ye that are spirituall restore su [...]h a [...] one in the spirit of meeknesse. And as thus for their indeavour, so also for their affection, let it be with them as it was with David, Psal. 16. All my de [...]ights, saith he, are in the Saints upon earth, and such as do excell in vertue. So let your speciall love and delight be to the excellent ones upon earth, even unto those that do excell in vertue, and excell in grace. Should a man come unto every man and unto every woman in this place, and ask them this question, vvhat kind of persons have the highest roome in your soules? whom d [...]e you most highly prize and most dearly love; this is a most sensible thing, and b [...]ing applyed, will come close unto the quick; is it a gracious man yea or no? is it an excellent man in praise? yea or no? if it be not from God, I tell thee this day that the Lord marks thee out this day for a bad man; what can be more plain then that in 1 J [...]h. 3. 10. by this is manifested a chi [...] of God, and a child of the Divell: a child of God is one that loves God, an [...] [...]rk [...]s righteousnesse, and he loves his brother, especially his brother in [...]race, above hi [...] b [...]ther in n [...]tu [...]e why ye must live with those whom ye love. Oh▪ this child of God that is now dea [...], she loved the Saints of God while she lived, and the [...]e [...]ore now she lives with the Saints of God being dead; This loving of the br [...]th [...]e [...] is not as the cause why we are in a blessed state, for so Christ is; but as an evidence; so indeed it is. This for the second Use.
Use 3. The third Use is to perswade good men, bad men, all men to come unto God, and to get much from God, even to excell in grace, that so at de [...]th they may be able to say in truth what our Saviour said for pe [...]fection, Oh saith he in John 17. 1. Fa [...]her I have finisht the work which thou gav [...]st me to d [...], now therefore F [...]ther gl [...]rifie me; There was a work given him to doe, and a work given him by God, this work must be done, it was so; then he prayes, Now therfore Father glorifie me. So the Lord hath given thee and given me a work to do, a work in generall, a work in speciall, a work to do, a work to finish, and it is the work which the Lord hath given us; now then let it be thy indeavour to finish it, and then when death comes thou maist pray in truth, as thy Saviour did for perfection, Father, the worke which thou gavest me to doe I have done it, yea Father I have finished the work that thou gavest me to do, now therefore Fathe [...] glorifie me. And here now take both the means for this, and also the Argument▪ to it. 1. For the means whereby we may come excell in g [...]ace (for this is thy glory and this is thy commendation) they are these three; 1. The Lord Christ the Fountain of grace. 2. The spirit of Christ, the Author and Work [...] of grace, some speciall and particular graces of Gods spirit. And 3. the right [Page 27] making use of the meanes of grace. For the first of these, to wit, Christ the fountain of grace. Would a man have grace? yea would a man be full of grace? why, the Text tells us, that there is a fulnesse of grace in Christ, and of his fulnesse we must all receive grace, for grace: And would a man indeed be excellent? let him labour in a speciall manner to be filled with Gods Spirit; oh that evill jearing spirit that is in persons against Gods Spirit! at any time at their best leisure, let them read what I would commend unto them, and they shall finde in the book of God, that when it is said, that such a man did something that was excellent, then the text tells us, that the Spirit of God was upon him, and the Spirit of God filled him. Sampson was a strong man, yet when he did any admirable act of strength, you shall find that the Spirit of God stirred him up. Elijah did great great things, but then the Spirit of God came upon him; Elisha also did great things, but then the Spirit of God came upon him. So in Luke 1. there it is said, that the Mother of John was filled with rhe Holy Ghost, and the Father there was filled with the Holy Ghost, and then he spake unto admiration, ver. 37. and 34. So in the Acts of the Apostles. in the 1. of the Acts, there the promise is made, that the Apostles shall be filled with the Hol [...] Ghost; and in Acts 2. what wonders do they? but first they are filled with the Holy Ghost. So you shall find in Acts 3, 4, 5. Then the Apostles filled with the Holy Ghost, and, Then the Apostles filled with the Holy Gh [...]st, did so and so. So in Acts 6. and in Acts 7 there is Stephen full of the Holy Ghost, an admirable man, and Paul in Acts 11. being full of the Holy Ghost set his eyes there on a wicked Wretch; who is that? why a man that hindred the passage of the Gospell, that Bariesus that sought to turn the Deputy from the Faith▪ Pau [...] looking on him, he said, Oh full of all subtilty and malice, thou child of the Divell, and enemy of all righteousnesse, wilt thou not cease to pervert the straight wayes of the Lord? Thus you see that when any, either admirable speech hath bin spoken, or any admirable thing hath bin done, still persons have bin filled with the Holy Ghost. Thus labour to partake of the fulnesse of Christ, and labour to be filled with the Holy Ghost. And for the speciall grace of Gods Spirit as in the body of a man that is strong & lusty, active, and able, some parts are to supply with spirits for nourishments, and for growth, as the stomack, liver, and heart; so in the soul of a child of God, there are certain graces, that are usefull, for all practises, such as are these [...] Faith, Hope, Love, and Fear, these are all Mother graces h [...] but above all, the fi [...]st, [...]o, the grace of Faith! this will direct a man what he should d [...], this will perswade a man why he should do, and this will inable a man h [...]w he should d [...], yea to work wonders: all the wonders that have bin in the world, have bin w [...]nderfull by their Faith. And for Hope, that is an admirable grace to make a man rare in g [...]ace, d [...]e not you remember what is said in J [...]h. 1. 3. he that hath this hope, what h [...]pe is that? why this hope to see Christ, and t [...] be like him; he that hath this hope, what doth he? why he doth purifie himself even as Ch [...]ist is pure, and that other Text also in 2 Pet. 3. 11, 12. Seeing these things m [...]st be dissolved, [...]h what m [...]nner of persons ought wee to be in all holy [Page 29] conversation, and godlinesse: why what is the matter? why, because the time shall come when the Heaven shall passe away with a noise, the Element shall melt with fervent heat, and the Earth with the things that are therein shall be burnt up, and then we looke for [...]ew Heavens, and a new earth, wherein dwells righteousnesse; we look for a new Heaven▪ & a new earth, that is, we look for another place of habitation, even in heaven; for properly there is no earth in heaven, but as these heavens, and this earth is now the place of our habitation, so after death we looke for another place of habitation then this, even in heaven. Seeing then our hope is in heaven to have another and a better, a more happy and blessed place of habitation, then wee have here below, now therefore what manner of persons ought we to be. For Love, now Faith is an intaking grace, but when it would put it selfe out, for the doing of any good, then it takes hold on Love Faith works by love, saith the Apostle, it works love, and it works by love, and this love of God (as the Apostle speaks) will constrain a man to live unto God, yea to the utmost of his desires and ind [...]avours; the love of grace will not make a man stint himself in his de [...]res after grace; no, as those persons that do love money would not only have this hundred or that 1000. but many hundreds and many thousands, especially, if they love it, for it selfe, then there is no end of their desires after money: So let a man turn the st [...]eam of his desires, towards grace, and then he will long after it unmeasurably, he will never stint his desires after it, and say, Thus much grace will serve me, and so much grace will content me. And as love thus will put a man on unto that is good, so lastly, for Feare, it will pluck a man back from the doing of what is evill; therefore that man there in the book of Nehem [...]ah was faithfull above many, because he feared God above many Lastly, the meanes of grace in the use and the right use of them, when men hea [...] Sermons, and then afterwards preach them over and over again to themselves, that they may have grace in their hearts, and expresse grace in their lives. Oh this duty of meditation in bringi [...]g things home unto the heart, is one of the [...]peciall means to make the soule rich, in expressing the power of godlinesse in life and conversation: this for the means of it.
Now for the Arguments to it, and they are four, From God, the thing, our selves, and others▪ Why shou [...]d thou and I labour thus to be rare and excellent in grace? why first because God bids us; if there were no more but this, it is enough for thee and me that God bids us labour to be so: thus in 1 Pe [...]. 5 the Lord is calling upon us to grow in grace, and in Mat. 5. last verse, Be ye pe [...]f [...]ct as y [...]ur [...] F [...]ther is perfect: what, can we be as perfect as God is? fa [...] be we from that conceit, but we should labour to be like unto God, for there he is speaking, how God doth good to the bad: nay God doth good to his enemies now let us b [...]ing our selves unto this rule of perfecti [...]n: Certainly if a man doth excell in vertue, and be rare in grace, in the world he shall have enemies [...]ost thou love them? canst thou pray heartily for them? this is now to be perfect, as thy heavenly [...] ther is perfect. Secondly, look on the thing it selfe, it is in it self a most c [...]mmendable [Page 30] thing: you shall find that the Lord doth study to find out tearmes to to put upon his people that are rare in grace, for their praise and comm [...]ndation, as Abraham, Moses, David, and Daniel; oh for Daniel the Lord comes again & again to him to tell him, Oh Daniel a man of desires, a man greatly beloved? the heart of God is so taken with him, that herepeats it again. O [...] Daniel, a man greatly beloved; that is a rare expression of the Holy Ghost, for the praise and commendation of such a man as doth excell in grace. Thirdly, look on ou [...] selvs, in regard of our own persons in heart, and in regard of life. 1. For our hearts, to have the love of God towards a man, and the blessing of God in a speciall manner upon the spirit of a man, oh this is an admirable thing indeed; to bee inriched in the world, oh we say, this is an excellent thing, and how will men [...]i [...]e early, and go to bed late, and all for what? why for this, that the Lord may b [...]e [...]se them with a rich state in the world. But, oh the blessing of God on the s [...]ule of a man, in making a man [...]ich in grace, this is an excellent thing indeed, one d [...]am of grace is worth all the world; now the Lord will inrich tho [...]e in grace that do use well the means of grace. Take heed how you he [...], saith Christ, for loo [...] in what manner of he [...]ring you hear, [...]nd with what me [...]sure of diligen [...]e af [...]er hearing you use, s [...] God will measure out again to you. Thus in regard of a mans heart within 2. In regard of a mans life without, truly our life is but sho [...]t, we have a great de [...]l of work to do, and but little time, therfore saith the wisem [...]n, Eccles. 9. What soever thou findest to do, do it with all thy might, saith he; why so? why, for as the time is short, so after death there is no working then; the time of this life is a working time, after death is the receiving of wages, though a wicked man shold do never so much in hell, yet that cou [...]d not any way comfort him▪ but what he hath done in the body, look to that mainly. And as thus for ou [...] selvs, so lastly for others, and that both for them, & also from them; For them, do [...]t [...]hou wish well to thy Countrey? dost thou wish well to Eng [...]and? dost thou wish well to this City of Yor [...]e, to the Parish & the Family where thou live [...]t? oh then labour for this excel [...]ent state, if thou d [...]e excell in grace, thou art the person that must prevail with God, for wife, for child, for Church, for state, for County, for [...]ingdom, & all, if there be any hope to prevail with God in mercy, his excellent ones must do it▪ but when there is no hope, then saith the Lord, Though Noah, Daniel & Jo [...], should all joyn together in prayer, I would not hear them implying thus much, That then the case is desperate, when such excellent ones cannot prevail. And as thus for others, so also from others; Would'st thou receive strength and incouragement from persons in the worst times? why then it must be from the Saints that d [...] excell in grace In evill and dangerous times, C [...]le [...] & J [...]shu [...]h who were rare Saints, Elyah a rare Saint, & D [...]niel a rare Saint, they must step up, that so from them, Gods people being discouraged, & distressed, might receive comfort & incouragement. And here now, Her whom in the beginning I set out unto you by way of Commendation, I now again set before you as a pattern for the imitati [...]n.