The souls exaltation A treatiseThe soules exaltation A treatise

as for example, in the body so much life and spirit, as belongs to the finger is in the finger, but there is more in the arm than in the finger, and more in the bulk of the body than in the arm, that which suits with such a part, it hath it, and that which suits with such a part, nature bestows it, there is not so much in the finger, as in the hand, nor so much in the hand, as in the arm, nor so much in the arm, as in the body, because it is not suitable and proportionable; nature will not do it, God will not ⟨p. 72⟩suffer it: so some Christians are arms in the body of the Church, some fingers, some legs; some are strong Christians, that bear up a great weight in profession, stout, and strong, and resolute, and the like: now the Lord communicates all grace and mercy suitable for every mans place and condition; thou that art a finger, shalt have so much grace as befits a finger; and thou that art an hand, thou shalt have so much grace as shall save thee, and is fit for thy place; but another is an arm, and he shall have more, but all shall have that which is fitting; therefore the text saith, Christ is made unto us wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; that look as a man that makes a garment, he takes measure of the man for whom he makes it, and fits every part according to the part of the body, the arm of the doublet is suitable to the arm of the body, and so Christ is made righteousness and sanctification to all poor believing creatures; thou art an arm in the body of Christ, he is made so much wisdom and sanctification to thee, as will serve thy turn; thou hast had a great many sins, and hast been a rioter and a roister before God opened thine eyes, and brought thee home to himself: why, there is great mercy in Christ suitable to thy sins, there is mercy in Christ to justify thee, if thou hast never so few sins, and there is mercy enough in Christ to justify the greatest sinner, if he can but believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; and this is the second passage in this article of agreement, in the tenure of the conveyance ⟨p. 73⟩of grace from Christ to the soul: the Lord hath enough for all, and he doth communicate what is fit and proportionable to every mans estate and condition.

as for example, in the body so much life and spirit, as belongs to the finger is in the finger, but there is more in the arme than in the finger, and more in the bulk of the body than in the arme, that which suits with such a part, it hath it, and that which suits with such a part, nature bestowes it, there is not so much in the finger, as in the hand, nor so much in the hand, as in the arme, nor so much in the arme, as in the body, because it is not sutable and proportionable; nature will not doe it, God will not