A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

Secondly, There are Spiritual things which differ in their whole kind and nature from other things, and are better than they as to their Essence and Being. Such is all saving Grace, with all the Fruits of it. I shall not now stay to prove that true saving Grace differs specifically from all common Grace however advanced in its exercise by the company and help of Spiritual Gifts, much less to wrangle about what doth formally constitute a specific difference between things. But this I say plainly, which I can prove assuredly, that true Gospel Faith and sincere Obedience are better things than the most glorious Hypocrite or most reformed unregenerate Person was ever made partaker of. In the visible professing Church all things outwardly seem to be equal. There are the same Ordinances administered unto all, the same Profession of Faith is made by all, the same outward Duties are attended unto, and scandalous offences are by all avoided. But yet things are not internally equal. Many are called but few are chosen; In a great House there are Vessels of Wood and Stone, as well as of Gold and Silver. All that eat outwardly in Ordinances of the Bread of Life, do not feed on the hidden Manna. All that have their names enrolled in the Churches Book may not yet have them written in the Lambs Book. There are yet better things than Gifts, Profession, Participation of Ordinances and whatever is of the like nature. And the use hereof in one word is to warn all sorts of Persons, that they rest not in, that they take not up with an Interest in, or Participation of the Privileges of the Church, with a common Profession, which may give them a name to live; seeing they may be dead or in a perishing condition in the mean time.

Secondly, There are Spiritual things which differ in their whole kind and nature from other things, and are better than they as to their Essence and Being. Such is all saving Grace, with all the Fruits of it. I shall not now stay to prove that true saving Grace differs specifically from all common Grace however advanced in its exercise by the company and help of Spiritual Gifts, much less to wrangle about what doth formally constitute a specifical difference between things. But this I say plainly, which I can prove assuredly, that true Gospel Faith and sincere Obedience are better things than the most glorious Hypocrite or most reformed unregenerate Person was ever made partaker of. In the visible professing Church all things outwardly seem to be equal. There are the same Ordinances administred unto all, the same Profession of Faith is made by all, the same outward Duties are attended unto, and scandalous offences are by all avoided. But yet things are not internally equal. Many are called but few are chosen; In a great House there are Vessels of Wood and Stone, as well as of Gold and Silver. All that eat outwardly in Ordinances of the Bread of Life, do not feed on the hidden Manna. All that have their names enrolled in the Churches Book may not yet have them written in the Lambs Book. There are yet better things than Gifts, Profession, Participation of Ordinances and whatever is of the like nature. And the use hereof in one word is to warn all sorts of Persons, that they rest not in, that they take not up with an Interest in, or Participation of the Priviledges of the Church, with a common Profession, which may give them a name to live; seeing they may be dead or in a perithing condition in the mean time.