7r4.17.x ft. SERMON It TO Others have despised the grandeur arid- pomp of life, and thrown their money into the sea; but insteadof exalting them- selves above men, they have neglected all the necessary duties anddecencies oflife; they have lived as it were, in common with their fellow animals of the earth, and degraded themselves to the rank and level of brute-beasts; such were the Cynic philoso- phers: But the christian is diligent and active in all services to God and man, and fulfils the duties of his present state with honour, while he lives upon the hopes of futures and invisibles: Thus ifwe consider either the degree of this partof holiness, viz. the contempt of the world, if we consider the reasons upon which it is founded, or how far this contempt of the world has prevailed among the generality of christians; we shall find the gospel hath infinitely the advantage of all other doctrines of all other religions. To see a man raised above this world, and yet exercised in all the duties Of life ; to see him live with a holy superiority tò all things below heaven, and yet fulfilling all his relative duties amongmen with diligence ; to see a man ready every möment to be gone from this world, and yet content to stayhere as long as his Heavenly Father pleases, under the troubles, and burdens, and agonies of this life too; this shews the religion to be divine, and from heaven : he that believes, has this witness in himself and where faith rises high, this witnessappears evident and glorious. III. Another part of the holiness of eternal life, consists in a delight in the worship and enjoyment of Gods This is perfect in heaven, this is eternal life; Rev. vii. 15. They are before the throne of God night and day, that is, perpetually, and serve him there in his temple. Now the christian religion attains this end in a good measure; it brings the soul to delight in divine worship and converse with God, which nomerehuman religionCould ever do : For since nòhuman religion could ever teach an awakened sinner, how he might appear in the presence of a holy God, with assuranceand còmfort, no other religión could make a soul delight in the worship of God. We can never delight in drawing near to God, that bath infinite vengeance in him, while we kno* not buthewill pour that vengeance out upon ut; wefly far from him, unlesswe havesome good ground of"hope, that he will forgiveus . our iniquities and receiveus into his favour. Now since there is no other doctrine that thews us how our sins may be forgiven, or how the favour of God may be attained; there is no other relies gion can allure or draw ús into the presence of God withpleasure; "kb: x. I9, 20. Let us draw near and worship the Father, in full assurance and confidence; that he will accept Our persons and our worship, since we have such an high-priest tò introduce us e2
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=