Sermons preached

This we are to look after, that the sanctifying Grace we have received become a new Nature; that the Soul have a tendency and delight as to Spiritual Objects, and be constantly ⟨p. 72⟩and easily carried to them, and this should be the whole Frame and Drift of our Lives.

2. It is a Divine Nature; that is, not only such as floweth from God, but may carry some Resemblance with him or to him. It floweth from God, for we are Partakers; it is but a Ray from his Excellency, and it carrieth a Likeness to him, or cometh nearer to the Nature of God Himself, than any thing that a Man is capable of. Now this is said for two Reasons.

(1.) To show the Dignity of it. Nothing known to Man is so like God, as a sanctified Soul. The Saints have their Maker's express Image; therefore if God be excellent and holy, they are so. The Image and Picture of God and Christ is in them, not made by a Painter or Carver, but by the Holy Ghost, 2 Cor. 3. 18. This is not a forbidden Image, which may pollute and stain our Minds, or form in us ill Thoughts and Conceptions of God, but raise our Hearts to him. Natural Conscience doth Homage to the Image of God shining in the Saints. Mark. 6. 20. Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just Man, and an holy. So of Moses it is said, Exod. 11. 3. Moses was a great Man in the Land of Egypt, and in the sight of Pharaoh's Servants, and in the sight of all People. His Person and Presence was awful to them, as having something rare in it. There is a secret Sentiment of the Excellency of Holiness, that draweth Eyes after it, and maketh wicked and carnal Men wonder at it, stand in awe of those in whom it is eminent, and extorteth a Reverence from them. But especially when they come to dye, they have a sense of this Excellency, all then approve a sober, righteous and godly Life, and disallow that which is dissolute and carnal. Then all things appear in their own Colours, and the Fumes of Lust being dissipated, they begin more clearly to discern the Happiness of those who are made like God. Then those that would live with the carnal,