I. Scripture-light the most sure light ... delivered in three sermons on 2 Pet.…

Answ. That's ill indeed; for every good, and gracious man, is a serviceable man, more or less, he is serviceable in his Place and Condition: Onesimus before converted, was unprofitable; but being converted, now profitable, says the Apostle. A good man in Scripture, is compared to those things that are most profitable: Is the wicked compared to the green Bay-tree, which doth bring forth no Fruit? the godly is compared to the Olive Tree, which is all profitable, the Fruit profitable, the Leaves, Bark, and the Tree profitable: Is a wicked man compared to the Goat? a good man is compared to the Sheep, and what is in a Sheep not profitable? its Flesh is profitable, its Wool profitable, its Skin is profitable, yea, its very dung is profitable: and such a Sheep was Paul, nothing in Paul not profitable and serviceable: will ye instance in his Jewish and Natural Privileges? he makes use of them, Phil. 3. to advance the righteousness and knowledge of Christ, yea, All these (says he) I count as dung and dross in regard of Christ. Will ye instance in his Conversion to Christ? he doth make use of ⟨p. 295⟩that to convert others, and to establish others,¹ by frequent telling the story of it to others. Will ye instance in his Parts, Gifts, and Learning? he makes use of his Hebrew sometimes, sometimes of his knowledge in the Heathen Poets, sometimes of his knowledge in the Roman Customs. Will ye instance in his friendship, acquaintance, and interest in men? that he makes use of wi•h Philemon, from Christ, in the case of Onesimus. Will ye instance in his Afflictions? he doth make use of them to persuade his People to their Duty; I Paul, a Prisoner of Christ, do beseech you, &c. Will ye instance in his Temptations? he doth make use of them, and tells the Corinths, how he was buffered by Satan. Will ye instance in his Sins? he doth improve them also for the Advancement of Gods Grace, I was a Blasphemer, &c. saith he, but I obtained mercy. Thus ye see there was nothing in Paul not profitable, he was all over serviceable, and profitable; and if ye be one of these Sheep, you will be serviceable and profitable in your Place and Condition, more or less. I remember the Speech of a Martyr when he came to die, and to be burnt for Christ, O! said he, Thus long have I grown in the Orchard of Christ, and have born some Fruit, though not much, yet some;