Spiritual perfection, unfolded and enforced from 2 Cor. VII, 1 having therefore these promises,…

3. In comparing some raised acts of¹ Grace, with lower in the same kind, there is a perfection attributed to them. As 'tis in Diamonds, many small ones are not of equal value with one great one, though of equal weight with it: so one act of Piety, of Faith, of Charity, of Self-denial, may for its rareness, exemplariness, and efficacy, have such a Divine degree of worth in it, that it far excels many less illustrious effects of those Graces. As a single act of Wickedness may be so extremely evil, so enormously vicious as to exceed many Crimes in its pollution and guilt of the same kind. There are some instances of this in Scripture: Ahaz in the time of his distress; did yet trespass more against the Lord. Judgments in their nature and Gods design are fit means to soften the obdurate, as Iron is made malleable by the Fire: but to kick against the pricks, to be more stubborn by the infliction of Wrath, that should Correct Men into their Duty, is a ⟨p. 129⟩wickedness so unnatural and prodigious, that it has left a brand of Infamy on him for ever: This is that King Ahaz, that desperate Rebel against God. The Idolatry of Manasseh was aggravated with such open Contempt of God, that made it infinitely more provoking than the secret Idolatry of others. 'Tis related, he set a carved image, that he had made, in the house of God, of which God had said to David, and to Solomon his Son, in this house will I put my name for ever. He deposed God, and with the boldest Defiance set an Idol in his Throne before his Face.

3. In comparing some raised acts of¹ Grace, with lower in the same kind, there is a perfection attributed to them. As 'tis in Diamonds, many small ones are not of equal value with one great one, though of equal weight with it: so one act of Piety, of Faith, of Charity, of Self-denial, may for its rareness, exemplariness, and efficacy, have such a Divine degree of worth in it, that it far excells many less illustrious effects of those Graces. As a single act of Wickedness may be so extremely evil, so enormously vicious as to exceed many Crimes in its pollution and guilt of the same kind. There are some instances of this in Scripture: Ahaz in the time of his distress; did yet trespass more against the Lord. Judgments in their nature and Gods design are fit means to soften the obdurate, as Iron is made malleable by the Fire: but to kick against the pricks, to be more stubborn by the infliction of Wrath, that should Correct Men into their Duty, is a