A plea for the Godly

2. There is Unity; a righteous man is one with Christ, as the members are one with the head, Ephes. 1. 22, 23. Then surely the righteous must needs have a surpassing dignity. If Christ be a precious corner-stone, 1 Pet. 2. 6. those lively stones must needs be precious which are built upon him.

Use 1. See from hence what it is that raiseth the price of a person, it ¹is righteousness; this puts a glory and excellency upon him. He that is graceless is worthless, Prov. 10. 20. ⟨p. 54⟩The heart of the wicked is little worth: But righteousness makes the heart like the Heaven bespangled with Stars: The Graces are compared to Chains of Gold, for their value, Cant. 1. 10. and to myrrh and cassia for their fragrancy, Cant. 4. 13. As the precious stones did shine upon Aaron's breast-plate; so doth righteousness shine in the eyes of God and Angels. What made Christ admire the Woman of Canaan, but her Graces! Great is thy faith, Mat. 15. 28. Christ was more taken with that, than with all the goodly buildings of the Temple^*. God esteems not the better of any man because he is rich or noble, or embellished with worldly Ornaments, it is righteousness advanceth him^*