374 CHRIST A GARMENT FOR SANTIFICATION. Bookii. M E T A P H 0 R. P A R A L L E L. I. QARMENTS are for the I. THE Lord Jefus Chrill: is a Cover for the covering of the Body, they Soul, every Man's Nakednefs and Deferhide Nakednefs and Deformity. mity appears:that hath not on this fpiritual Gar– ment, Re·v. 111. '7· II. Garments come not natu– rally, but are preparod and. made fit for us. III. Garments are worn only in fame Countries by civilized Nati– ons and Peopk ; fame Barbarian, and Heathcni01 Men and Women go naked in fame Nations. IV. Before new Garments can be put on, the old, defiled, and overworn Garments mull: be put off. . I!. Naturally we have no Righteoufnefs, that 1s e1ther accepted of God, or a fuitable Cover for the Soul, Rom. iii. 12. this fpiritual Garment is wrought by the Spirit, and made fit for m, Pfal. xlv. 13, '4· Ill. The Lord Chrill: is put on for aGarment or fpiritual Cloathing, by thofe Nations and Peo– ple only, where Chrillianity is received, and not by many there neither ; fome are hke Brutes and Hcathenifh People, naked, without Chrill: and true Holinefs, Matt. vii. q, 14. Luke xii. 22. IV. Before a Man can put on the Lord Jefus Chri11:, and be doathed with the Garment of Holinefs, he mull: put off the abominable filthy Cloaks, and Covers of Wickednefs, he mu(\: be ftript of his filthy Rags, that he may be cloathed with the Spirit and Graces of Chri11:, Put off the former Converfation, the old Man, and put 011 the new Man, 1vhich after God is created in Righteoujizejs and true Holinefs, Eph. iv. 22, 23, 24. Col. iii. 8. V. Garments are of great UtiV. By putting on of Chrifl: in a way of Faith lity in refpeCl: of Defence, they and Holinefs, the Soul is defended, from the fecure us from the Pricks and Checks and fmarting Pricks of Confcience, frorn Scratches of Bufhes and Thorns, the fiery Darts of Satan, and from the killing and from many Bruifes and Rubs Power of the Law and the Wrath of God, Afls and other Hurts, which Nakednefs xxiv. i6. Eph. vi. 22. 2 Cor. iii. 6. expofes to. VI. Garments are for keeping of the Body warm : (What fhould we do who live in cold Countries were it not for Cloaths and u\d'ul Garments.) She is not fearful of the Snow, for all her Houfhold are cloathed in Scarlet. Vll. Garments tend ·to the Pre– fervation of Health; the Neglect of putting them on, many Times brings Sicknefs, fometimes Death. VIII. Garments are ufed for Di11:inction, as : 1. They dilli~gui(h one Sex from another, the Man fhall not put on the Apparel which apper– raineth to the Woman. 2. Garments allo di11:inguifh the feveral Ranks and Qt!alities of Men, thoje that are cloathed in foft Raiment are in Kings Houjes, Matt. xi. 8. 3· By the Habit or Garment we do di11:inguifh the People of one Nation from another, Zeph. i. 8. 2 VI. This bleffed Garment keeps the Soul warm; hereby Saints become fervent in Spirit and zealoufly affeCted. If we have any fpirirual Heat in us, we mull: attribute it to Chri11: : naturally we are as cold as that Child was when his Spirit was departed, 2 Kings iv. 24. VII. The Graces of Chri11: and true Holinefs are the only Prefervative of the ir1ward Man from fpiritual Sicknefs: By putting him on, and lead– ing of a holy Life, we abide in Health :And thofe who nerrleCl: to put on thefe Garments, are ex· pofed t~ all manner ofSoul-Difeafes, which end in eternal Death, Pfal. cxix. 1 1. Rom. viii. IJ· VIII. The fpuirual Garment makes a Diftinc– tion: I. Holinefs diftin"uifheth Believers from Un-· believers, the Godly from the Wicked: Who bath made thee to differ from another? If a Man be in Chri/1, he is a new Creature, 2 Cor. v. I7· 2. This "lorious Garment fhows that the Righ– teous are m;re excellent than their Neighbour: As it was faid of Jabez, he was more honorab!e than bis Brethren, I Chron. iv. g. Prov. xii . z6. it makes it appear that the Godly are Kings Children, havlnrr princely Robes upon them, I Cor. rv. 3. 3· Hy a holy Chrift-like Converfation, the Peo– ple and Saints of God are known to be People of another Country, Citizens of another Crty, Ye are uot of this World, 'John xiii. 35· and xv. 29. . IX. Th1s
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=