544 NECESSITY ÒF HÓLItESS FROM THE our loss of the image of God. And therefore in that service, wherein the creature is continued unto mankind, it is made subject to vanity, and put into bondage, in which state, though it groan, and look out, at it were for deliverance, it must continue until God hath accom- plished the whole design of the glorious liberty of his children, Rom. viii. 20, 21. Whatever they may pride themselvesin, their parts or enjoyments, however they may sport themselvesin the use or abuse of other crea- tures, ifthis image of God be not renewed in them, `they have really no great pre-eminence above the things which perish under their hands, 2 Peter ii. 12. God having exalted our natures by union with himself in the person of his Son, requires of us to preserve its dignity above others. Sect. 19. (2.) Again, this is that which gives pri- vilege and prc-eminenceunto the persons of some above others; The righteous, saith the wise man, is more ex- cellent than his neighbour, Prov. xii. 26. It is seldom that this is so upon the account of civil wisdom, wealth, greatness, or power. There is nothing can establish this general rule, but their conformity and likeness to God. Hence are such persons called the saints in the earth, and the excellent, Psal. xvi. S. Both the terms n'e1 i, and nvnox do first belong properly to God. He above is absolutely :map or holy; and he is s''a Psal. viii. 2. unto men they are ascribed upon their likeness unto him in holiness. This makes them the saints and excellent in the earth, that gives them a pre-eminence of office and authority in some above others. And this dignity of office reflects a dignity of personon them who are vested in it, and communicates a pre-etinence unto them; for their office and authority is from God, which gives both it and them a real privilege and honour above others, But that which is originally in and from per- sons themselves, is solely from the renovation of the image of God in them, and is heightened and increased according to the degrees they attain in theparticipation of it. The more holy, the more honourable. Hence wicked men, in the scripture, are said to be vile, n,s 'ads s-e s. Psal. xii. 8. Quisquiìitehominum, triflingvile- messes; and the righteous are said to be precious and valuable. And hence it is, that there hath oft-times an awe been put on the spirits of vile and outrageous sinners, from the appearances of God in holy persons. And indeed, at all times, when men do eminently bear tt Master's use," 2 Tim, ii, 20, 21. it consists there. a conformity to God in holiness, wicked men exasperat. ed by their secular interests, prejudices, and an uncon- querable adherence to their lusts, may oppose, revile, reproach, and persecute them, but, secretly in their hearts; they have an awe from the likeness of God in them, whence they will sometimes dread them, some- times flatter them, and sometimes wish that they were not, even as they deal with God himself. Why do we weary ourrlves about other things? why do we spend our labour in vain, and our strength for that which it not bread? Such will all endeavours after any other ex- cellency at length appear. Sect. 20.Herein lies the whole of that dignity which our nature was made for, and is capable of; sin is the sole debasement of it, that alone whereby we render ourselves base and contemptible. Men's self - pleasing in the ways and fruits of it, or in worldly advantages, and their mutual applauses of one another, will sudden- ly vanish into smoke. It is holiness alone that is ho- nourable, and that because there is in it the image and representation of God. I think we are satisfied, that the dignity of professors, above others, doth not consist in worldly or secular advantages; for they are very few, who have them: Not many wise men after the,flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called, 1 Cor, i. 26. nor doth it consist in spiritual gifts; many who have excelled us, not only in the degree of them, but in the kind also, who have had extraordinary gifts of the Spi- rit, shall be shut out of heaven with the worst of the world, Matth. vii. 22. 1, Many shall say unto me in ' that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy ac name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name a wrought ay.ap F[ç aoAAruu, many miraculous works"? which is more than any of us can say; yet Christ will pro- fess unto them, I never knewyou, departfromme, yethat work iniquity, you unholy persons. Nor is it in pro- fession itself. Many make it in rigid austerities, re- nunciation of the world, and outward works of charity beyond the most of us, and yet perish in their superati. tions. Nor is it in the purity of worship, without such mixtures of human inventionsas others defile the service of God withal; for multitudes may be made partakers thereof in the " great house of God, and yet be vessels " of wood and stone, who being not purged from sin, " are not vessels to honour, sanctified and meet for the
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