CONSIDERATION OF fore alone in that likeness unto God, which we have in and by holiness, with what Both attend it, andis insepa. cable from it. Where this is not, no other thingwill ex- empt us from the common herd of perishing mankind. Sect. 21.Secondly, According unto ourgrowth and improvement in this likeness unto God, are our accesses and approaches towards glory. We are drawing overy day towards our natural end whether we will or no; and if we do not therewithal draw nearer towards our supernatural end in glory, weare most miserable. Now, men do but deceive themselves, if they suppose that they are approaching towards glory in time; if they are not at the same time making nearer unto it in grace; it is some representation of future glory, that therein we shall be tsáveo.,,, Luke xx. 86. like, or equal unto an- gels. But that respects one particular only of that state. It is a far more excellent description ofit, that we shall be like unto God, when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is, 1 John iii. 2. Our glory, as subjectively considered, will be our likeness unto God according to the capacity of creatures. And it is the highest folly for any to think that they shall love that hereafter, which now they hate; that that will be their glory which they now abhor; such sottish con- tradictions are the minds of men filled withal. There is nothing in this world which they more despise, than to be like unto God, and they hate every one that is so; yet pretend a desireand expectation of that estate where- in they shall be so, which is a being so for ever. But this will be our glory, to behold theface ofGod in rights- ausness, and tobe satinced with his likeness, Psal. xvii. 16. How then shall we make approaches towards this glory spiritually, which at least may answer the approaches we make towards our ends naturally, seeing not to do so, is folly and intolerable negligence? We have no other way, but thriving and growing in that likeness of God which we have here in holiness. Hereby alone are we transformed into the image of God, from glory toglory, 2 Cor. iii. 18. From one glorious degreeof grace unto another, until one great change shall issue all grace and holiness in eternal glory: and in our desires forheaven, if they are regular, we consider not so much our free- dom from trouble, as from sin; nor is our aim, in the first place; somuch at complete happiness, as perfect holi- ness. And theywho desire heaven, as that which would only ease them of their troubles, and not as that which THE NATURE OF GOD. 3445 will perfectly free them of sin, will fall into a state wherein sin and trouble shall eternally inseparable. As therefore we would continually tend towards our rest and blessedness, as we would have assured and evi- dent pledges of it in our own souls, as We would have foretastes of it, and an experimental acquaintance with it, (as who would not know as much as is possible of his eternal blessedness,) this is the design which we ought to pursue. It is to be feared, that the most of us know not how much of glory may be in present grace, nor how much of heaven may be attained inholi- ness on the earth, We have a generation amongst its, that would fain be boasting of perfection, whilst in their minds they are evidently under the power of darkness; corrupt in their affections, and worldly in their lives. But our duty it is, to be always perfecting holiness in thefear of the Lord. This, pursued in a due manner, is continually transforming the soul into the likeness of God. Much of the glory of heaven may dwell in a sim- ple cottage; and poor persons, even under rags, may be very like unto God, Sect. 22.Thirdly, It is from our likeness and con- formity unto Gad alone, that we are or may be useful in the world In a due manner and order. I shall have occasion to speak more unto this afterwards, and shall therefore here only touch upon it, with respectunto one concernment or circumstance. God is the great pre- server and benefactor of the whole creation: he is good, and dot') good, the sole cause and fountain of all good, that in any kind, any creature is made partaker of. And there is no property of God more celebrated its the scripture than this of his goodness, and his giving out ofthe fruits of it to all his creatures. And he is sa only good, that there is nothing so in any sense but by a participation of it, and a likeness unto him therein. They, therefore, who are like unto God, and they only, are useful in this world. There is, indeed, or at least, there bath been, much good, useful good done by others, on various convictions, and for various ends; but there is one flaw or other in all they do:- either superstition, or vain-glory, or selfishness, or merit, or one thing or other, gets into all the good that is doneby unholy per- sons, and brings death into the pot, so that, although it may be of some use in particulars, unto individual persons, in some seasons, it is of none unto the general good of the whole. He that bears the likeness of God
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