Watts - Houston-Packer Collection BX5207.W3 S4x 1805 v.2

17,Ráî.3+RYVII1 "ERE CEîRISTLAN9S YBEASiiRE. and, shall I be bold to say, adding beauties and orua- meats to his robes of glory, and lustre to his heavenly crown. IV. This large inheritance of a christian is all sancti- fied, which is more than can be said ofany part of a sin- ners estate. The riches ofthis world may be abused to luxury and debauchery, to iniquity and sore vexations.. They may be abused to profaneness and impiety, to dishonour God, and corrupt the conversation of men and to ruin their souls for ever : But this large and eex- ten.sive treasure of a christian, is designed for bis real. happiness, as well as for the honour of his God ; whatso- ever he has to do with it in the world, he uses it to the glory of his God, to the honour of his Saviour, to the benefit of his fellow-creatures, and to his own subiimest advantage. And concerning this sacred treasure, it mayLe said, that it is the property, or in the possession of a christian, no farther than it is sanctified to him, or than he receives it with a sanctified mind. " To the pure all things are pure," Tit. i. 15 for " every thing is sanctified by the word of God and prayer," I Tim. iv. 5. The exercise of piety among the saints, puts a sort ofconsecration upon all creatures, so far as they use or enjoy them. Thus it is made sufficiently evident, that the treasure of a saint vastly excels all the richest possessions of a sinner. I cannot enter now upon the third branch ofmy de- sign, which was to shew, how a christian comes to be made heir and possessor of all things. Let us therefore shut up the present discourse with this one reflectión : Reflection. " How unreasonable is it for a christian to forsake his profession; or his practice, for any thing which this world can tempt himwith ? For his treasures and enjoyments already are greater than any thing he can hope for in the ways of sin. " What a poss'erful motive may be drawn hence, to persevere in faith and holiness ? Christians, " all things are yours;" every thing you converse with shall turn to your benefit; ` this world, and the other; things pre- sent and things to come, life and death are yours.'' " What valuable pretences can the world make; to tempt you to lose this inheritance, to quit these hopes,

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