1. There is nothing wherein a creature can be more like to his Creator, then in1 being holy. It is said that God at first created man in his own Image, (Gen. 1. 27.) This Image of God the Apostle expoundeth to be holiness, Eph. 4. 24. It is the greatest excellency that can be conferred on a creature, to be after the Image of his Creator: that is, like unto him.
2. Nothing so fits us for glory as holiness.2
Not Riches, For they profit not in the day of wrath, Prov. 11. 4. The rich man when he died, went to hell, Luke 16. 23.
Not Dignity nor Power, For the Kings of the earth, and the great men, and the chief Captains desired to be hid from the wrath of the Lamb, Rev. 6. 15, 16.
Not worldly Policy. Ahitophel was so eminent in policy, as his counsel was as if a man had inquired at the Oracle of God, 2 Sam. 16. 23. Yet he hanged himself, 2 Sam. 17. 23.
Not immunity from death: for many wicked men shall be living at the moment of Christs coming to judgement, and thereupon shall not die, 1 Cor. 15. 51.
Not the resurrection of the body. For there is a resurrection of damnation, John 5. 29.
Not immortality. For the devils are immortal.
Not any thing at all without holiness: Without which no man shall see the Lord, Heb. 12. 14.
3. Nothing makes such a difference betwixt persons, as holiness and unholiness.3 Herein lay the difference betwixt man in his entire estate, and corrupt estate. Adam before his fall, and after his fall, had the same soul and body in substance, and the same faculties of one, and parts of the other: But his holiness in soul and body was lost, that made the difference. This makes the difference betwixt the regenerate and unregenerate. Holiness is it which makes the greatest difference betwixt good Angels and devils. Devils retain a Spiritual and Angelical substance. Take holiness from good Angels, they will be devils. Add holiness to devils, they will be good Angels.
⟨p. 264⟩4. Holiness is the greatest glory in heaven. One were better be holy in hell,4 then unholy in heaven. Holiness would make hell to be no hell; as the fire in which Gods three faithful servants were, was to them no fire, Dan. 3. 27. And unholiness would make heaven to be no heaven.
5. Holiness is the excellency of Gods excellencies. They who best know what5 is Gods chiefest excellency, thus double and treble this Attribute, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Hosts, Isa. 6.
1. There is nothing wherein a creature can be more like to his Creator, then in1 being holy. It is said that God at first created man in his own Image, (Gen. 1. 27.) This Image of God the Apostle expoundeth to be holinesse, Eph. 4. 24. It is the greatest excellency that can be conferred on a creature, to be after the Image of his Creator: that is, like unto him.
2. Nothing so fits us for glory as holinesse.2
Not Riches, For they profit not in the day of wrath, Prov. 11. 4. The rich man when he died, went to hell, Luke 16. 23.
Not Dignity nor Power, For the Kings of the earth, and the great men, and the chief Captains desired to be hid from the wrath of the Lamb, Rev. 6. 15, 16.
Not worldly Policy. Ahitophel was so eminent in policy, as his counsell was as if a man had inquired at the Oracle of God, 2 Sam. 16. 23. Yet he hanged himself, 2 Sam. 17. 23.
Not immunity from death: for many wicked men shall be living at the moment of Christs coming to judgement, and thereupon shall not die, 1 Cor. 15. 51.
Not the resurrection of the body. For there is a resurrection of damnation, Iohn 5. 29.
Not immortality. For the devils are immortall.
Not any thing at all without holinesse: Without which no man shall see the Lord, Heb. 12. 14.
3. Nothing makes such a difference betwixt persons, as holinesse and unholinesse.3 Herein lay the difference betwixt man in his intire estate, and corrupt estate. Adam before his fall, and after his fall, had the same soul and body in substance, and the same faculties of one, and parts of the other: But his holinesse in soul and body was lost, that made the difference. This makes the difference betwixt the regenerate and unregenerate. Holinesse is it which makes the greatest difference betwixt good Angels and devils. Devils retain a Spirituall and Angelicall substance. Take holinesse from good Angels, they will be devils. Adde holinesse to devils, they will be good Angels.
- 1The holy, like God.
- 2Holy, fitted fo• glory.
- 3Holiness makes the greatest difference.
- 4Holiness the greatest glory in heaven.
- 5Holiness the glory of Gods excellencies.
