1First then, we hold tune with the blessed Angels, in giving glory to God, when we exalt God in our souls, above all creatures and things in the world, when we lift him up in his own place, and let him be in our souls, as he is in himself, in the most holy; God is glorious, especially in his mercy and goodness; let him be so in our hearts, in these sweet Attributes, above all our unworthiness and sin: for God hath not glory from us, till we give him the highest place in our love, and joy and delight, and all those affections that are set upon good, when they are set upon him as the chief good, then we give him his due place in our souls, we ascribe to him that Divinity, and excellency, and eminency, that is due to him. And this especially appears in competition and opposition of other things;2 when we will not offend God for any creature; when we can say as the Psalmist, Whom have I in heaven but thee, 3and what is there in earth, in comparison of thee? Therefore let us ask our own thoughts often; what that is, that our affections ⟨p. 233⟩of delight, and joy and love, and all the sweetness and marrow of our souls is spent on, and runs after? is it the sweet love of God in Christ, the excellent state we have in Christ? it is an excellent sign. Surely, the blessed Saints in heaven, and those that are in earth, that look for heaven, are thus disposed for the most part, especially when they set themselves in their devotions before God. Let us examine what is highest in our souls: The loving kindness of the Lord, is better then life it self, saith the Psalmist. Then we give God glory, when we set light by life it self, as holy Saint Paul could say, What, do you tell me of suffering at Jerusalem? I am not only ready to do that, but to die for the name of Christ: and in Philip. 1.4 So God may be magnified by my life or death. I am at a point, so if the question be, whether we shall sacrifice this blood, and life of ours, or dishonour God, and wrong the Gospel, or be any way prejudicial to the truth known, when we are ready to part with all, with father and mother, and houses and lands, and all for Christ; then with the Angels we say, Glory be to God on high; therefore in a state of opposition, when we cannot enjoy both, let us leave the creature, and cleave to God.
1First then, we hold tune with the blessed Angels, in giving glory to God, when we exalt God in our soules, above all creatures and things in the world, when we lift him up in his own place, and let him be in our soules, as he is in himselfe, in the most holy; God is glorious, especially in his mercy and goodnesse; let him be so in our hearts, in these sweet Attributes, above all our unworthinesse and sinne: for God hath not glory from us, till we give him the highest place in our love, and joy and delight, and all those affections that are set upon good, when they are set upon him as the chiefe good, then we give him his due place in our soules, wee ascribe to him that Divinity, and excellency, and eminency, that is due to him. And this especially appeares in competition and opposition of other things;2 when we will not offend God for any creature; when we can say as the Psalmist, Whom have I in heaven but thee, 3and what is there in earth, in comparison of thee? Therefore let us aske our owne thoughts often; what that is, that our affections ⟨p. 233⟩of delight, and joy and love, and all the sweetnes and marrow of our soules is spent on, and runs after? is it the sweet love of God in Christ, the excellent state we have in Christ? it is an excellent signe. Surely, the blessed Saints in heaven, and those that are in earth, that looke for heaven, are thus disposed for the most part, especially when they set themselves in their devotions before God. Let us examine what is highest in our soules: The loving kindnesse of the Lord, is better then life it selfe, saith the Psalmist. Then we give God glory, when we set light by life it selfe, as holy Saint Paul could say, What, doe you tell me of suffering at Ierusalem? I am not onely ready to doe that, but to die for the name of Christ: and in Philip. 1.4 So God may be magnified by my life or death. I am at a point, so if the question be, whether we shall sacrifice this blood, and life of ours, or dishonour God, and wrong the Gospell, or be any way prejudiciall to the truth knowne, when wee are ready to part with all, with father and mother, and houses and lands, and all for Christ; then with the Angels we say, Glory be to God on high; therefore in a state of opposition, when we cannot enjoy both, let us leave the creature, and cleave to God.
- 1When we exalt him above all.
- 2Especially in opposition.
- 3Psal. 73.
- 4Philip. 1.
