326 5. .6 I. of the beatseftabllJhmest by Grace. S. a cr. VII, outbe prepared bygrace from above , he can no more do any thing holly then poyfonous ferpent canvent hony.Grace therefore is that, whichifonce infufed in- to a man,fo far as that is operative , makes him livenot as a man, muchleffe as a beaft, but upon Divineand heavenly principles;hence it is that the godly are laid to bepartakers of the divine nature , andChrilt is Paid to live in them , Ephef. 3. Oh the heavenly Metamorphousand change which is wrought on a manby grace: For how is itpoffible that a man fhould love the glory of God , more then his own comforts, wealth, or life it felfe, if a Divine power did not enable him ? How could it be that a man fhould findemore joy in God, thenthey have had when their wine andoyleencreafetb , did not grace work thus mightily ? All civility , morali- ty , ingenuity, andhumane piety,or devotion , is btu a ridiculous Ape to true grace. Fifthly , It is calledgrace, bemire it is themolt choiceandexcellent perfellion ofa roan inrelation tohie ultimatetad, which is the enjoyment of god. Theglory, beau- ty, and excellency ofany thing, is called thegrace of it : and we in Englilh fay, firth a thing is the grace ofa man: Now nothing maybe fo well Paid the graceof a man, as grace or godlineffe. It is not wealth, honour,greatneffe lets out aman, fo much as grace : these is !carte any perfectionof fenfr , but the bruit heals do inforce fenfe or otherexceed aman ; and as for intelle&ual abilities, the Divels do far tranfcend men; onely graceputs a man in anhigher degree then theft canstrain Onto : onely there is required a 1piritual eye and judgement, to judge grace the molt excellent thing. Certainly if fold reafon,might take place, thou wouldfl quickly be convinced that grace is thechoycefl perfe&ion by this Argument; That is the choyfclt qualification which difpofeth a man tohis choyfefl end :nowwealth, health, andfuch ((Mlle mercies, they onely prepare for a feulble, and animal good: Parts, learning, and political wifedom , they onely fit fora civil good ; but grace andgodl;mefle, they difpole fora fpirirual good, thoughnot pettedly, much lcífe meritorioully. Ifthereforeevery thing beprized for its infirumental ole and fervice, Whyare not all things neglected toobtain grace? And howfoever with Heathens andPagans this Doctrinemay not be acknowledged, yet withyou Chri- h ans who receive the word of God, and profeffea fubje&ion to it, How can it be denied ? Oh then think not thy felf better for any outward temporal mercy, but by his grace. Let that be thy firll queflion, Am I godly ? You do not judgeof an borieby his outward trappings,and goodlyornamentsfaid the Heathen;fonei- ther may we elleem ofaman by the many outward mercies he enjeçcrk , but the work of God upon his foul. Sixthly, goate in the beart,ia nothingbut glory begun. Grace is glory begun here, asglory isgrace perfe&d hereafter, and this deith wonderfully extol the workof grace. Indeed here it is imperf.d, and accompanied with many defeds; there areworms in the beltfruit, and toan unlovelinelie in us, an well as a comeli. nelle; and therefore though it be prefent in the hearts of Gods people, yet they dare not appeal untoGods juflice, nor can they endure his tribunal. Now we be- lieve inpart, love inpart,and we may fay ofall our graces, as the Heathenofhis knowledge, Su knowledge was notfe much knoWledge,aeignorance ;fo neitherare éurgraces fo much graces as infirmities : but yet in time this imperfe&ion will be abordhed, Godwill make thy love a glorious love, thy godlineffe glorious, when he (hall add his ultimate perfe&ion to it. Gracehere is like a childe in its infan- cy , and we fpeak and know as children , but in Heaven we become like men. Lastly , The nature ofgrace inherent inus,lyeth in an irreconcileable oppofitioo with fin ; they are contrary one to another, as light and darkncfs,bitter and ¡weer.. A three-fold contrariety wemay acknowledge in them. r. nAn effelliveoppofttion , as betweenfire and Water, Thus the Ipirit Meth a. gainli theffefh ; as the fpmit of wine and poyfon :conlliet together. Therefore when
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