266 What it is to liveby Faithconcerning plifhed ? But there is410 comparifon betwixt the fervant of a Prince, and the 7Sanne, of God j the favour of a Prince, and the Fatherly loveof God the dignityofthe Court, and the Joyes ofHeaven; a temporall office, and aneternal! inheritance. It is better and more honourable to be the fervant ofGod, then the Commander ofinen ; to bean heire apparent to Heaven, then thepoffeffor of the whole World. There is agreat opinion, and notwith- out juft caufe, of the eftate of our firft Parents, e.idoat and eve, while they were in Paradife, before their fall. But their eftate, notwithflanding all their priviledges, or- naments, and favours, exceeded not the conditionoffer- vants. Had they.continuedin obedience totheir Creator, they should have beene exempted from all mifery, and confirmed in perfec4 bleflednefle a But theycould never have attained this dignity. To be made the Sonnes of Godby.Adoption, of meere, rich, and undefcrved love in, Chrifl. And is it not an admirable prerogative, tobe brought by Chrift into a moreexcellent(late, then that which Adam in his innocency and gloryhad juft caufe to wonder at. As the gratioufneffe ofhim whopreferreth, and excellencie ofthat Elate, whereunto the Believer is exalted, doe commend this ;- fo alfodoth the low de- gree from which weare railed. Ofthe fervantsofìnne, to be made the Sonnes ofGod ; ofthe vaffals ofSathan,to be taken to raigne with aria inglory for evermore ; of children of wrath, dead in trefpafíes, tobe begotten a- gaine to thehope ofan inheritance, ignmortalLun defiled, that fadeth nor; what anunfpeakable favour is this ? O my foulearife, flirre up thy felfe ftedfaftly to receive the promife of life, and hold it fait for Gods promifes are certaine, never leiTe, but rather more in accomplithment then in tender. Enter pofïèffion, and get the inheritance fealedunto thee. Would not a poore Beggar, ifbe fhouid underftand offorcegreat andgoodly inheritance bequea- thed unto him in a fare countrey, much rejoyce there- in, long togo fee ir, and take pof eiTionof it. In matters of
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