1. As your Owner: The God whose you are (as the Apostle speaks, Act. 27. 23. and whom, as it there follows, and is naturally consequent, you are to serve.) You were his by a former right, as all things, being made by him, are. But you are to yield your selves to him, that you may ⟨p. 12⟩be more peculiarly his, in a sense more excellent in it self, and more comfortable to you; as Exod. 19. 5. If you will obey— you shall be to me a peculiar treasure above all people, for all the Earth is mine. Of such as fear him, the great God says, They shall be mine in the day when I make up my Jewels, Mal. 3. 17. Your yielding your selves adds nothing to his right in you; you therein only recognize, and acknowledge the right he had in you before, but it adds to you a capacity and qualification, both by the tenor of his Gospel-Covenant, and in the nature of the thing, for such nobler uses as otherwise you cannot serve for. As the more contemptible lumber about a man's house may be as truly his, as the most precious things; but neither doth he intend, nor can such meaner things admit to be the ornaments, either of his Person, or his House. The great God intends his devoted peculiar People to be to him a Crown and royal Diadem, (Isa. 62. 3.) when he puts away the wicked of the Earth like dross, Psal. 119. v. 119. In a great house there are not only Vessels of Silver and Gold, but also of Wood, and of Earth, 2 Tim. 2. 20. But 'tis only the ⟨p. 13⟩purged and sanctified soul (which is also a self-devoted one) that shall be the Vessel unto honour, being made meet for the Master's use, and prepared to every good work, v. 21. Persons and things acquire a sacredness by being devoted to God. Persons especially, that can and do devote themselves, are highly ennobled by it; he hereupon (besides their relative holiness) really more and more sanctifies and frames them for his own more immediate service and communion. Of such a People he tells us, that he hath formed them for himself, and they shall praise him; and to them he saith (intending it manifestly in the more eminent sense) Thou art mine, Isa. 43. 1, 7, 21. Such may with a modest and humble, but with a just confidence freely say, I am thine, save me—Psal. 119. 94. In yielding your selves consider therefore first, that he is your Owner by an unquestionable former right, and let that effectually move you to do it with all your hearts.
1. As your Owner: The God whose you are (as the Apostle speaks, Act. 27. 23. and whom, as it there follows, and is naturally consequent, you are to serve.) You were his by a former right, as all things, being made by him, are. But you are to yield your selves to him, that you may ⟨p. 12⟩be more peculiarly his, in a sense more excellent in it self, and more comfortable to you; as Exod. 19. 5. If you will obey— you shall be to me a peculiar treasure above all people, for all the Earth is mine. Of such as fear him, the great God says, They shall be mine in the day when I make up my Jewels, Mal. 3. 17. Your yielding your selves adds nothing to his right in you; you therein only recognize, and acknowledge the right he had in you before, but it adds to you a capacity and qualification, both by the tenour of his Gospel-Covenant, and in the nature of the thing, for such nobler uses as otherwise you cannot serve for. As the more contemptible lumber about a man's house may be as truly his, as the most precious things; but neither doth he intend, nor can such meaner things admit to be the ornaments, either of his Person, or his House. The great God intends his devoted peculiar People to be to him a Crown and royal Diadem, (Isa. 62. 3.) when he puts away the wicked of the Earth like dross, Psal. 119. v. 119. In a great house there are not only Vessels of Silver and Gold, but also of Wood, and of Earth, 2 Tim. 2. 20. But 'tis only the ⟨p. 13⟩purged and sanctified soul (which is also a self-devoted one) that shall be the Vessel unto honour, being made meet for the Master's use, and prepared to every good work, v. 21. Persons and things acquire a sacredness by being devoted to God. Persons especially, that can and do devote themselves, are highly ennobled by it; he hereupon (besides their relative holiness) really more and more sanctifies and frames them for his own more immediate service and communion. Of such a People he tells us, that he hath formed them for himself, and they shall praise him; and to them he saith (intending it manifestly in the more eminent sense) Thou art mine,
