A second Motive,1 may be the precious, golden, and divine matter which is contained in the Book of God, and that true and ever-during happiness, to which it only can bring us. There is nothing proposed and handled in the Word of God, but things of greatest weight, and highest excellency: As, the infinite majesty, power, and mercy of God; the unspeakable love and strange sufferings of the Son of God, for our sakes; the mighty and miraculous working of the holy Spirit upon the souls of men. There is nothing in this Treasury, but Orient Pearls, and rich Jewels; as, promises of ⟨p. 44⟩grace, spiritual comfort, confusion of sin, the triumph of godliness, refreshing of wearied souls, the beauty of Angels, the holiness of Saints, the state of Heaven, salvation of sinners, & everlasting life. What Swine are they, that neglecting these precious Pearls, root only in the Earth, wallow in worldly pleasures, feed upon vanities, transitory trash, and vanishing riches, which in their greatest need will take them to their wings, like an Eagle, and fly into the Heavens? Besides, the Word of God is only able to prepare us for true happiness in this world, and to possess us of it, in the world to come. It only begets in us a true, entire, and universal holiness; without which, 2none shall ever see the face of God, or the glory of Heaven: for it is impossible, hereafter to live the life of glory & blessedness in Heaven, if we live not here the life of grace and sincerity, in all our ways.3 It is called the immortal Seed, because it regenerates and renews us both in our Spirits, Souls, and Bodies: in our Spirits; that is, in judgement, memory, & conscience: in our Souls; that is, in our will and affections: in our Bodies; that is, in every member. If the Prince of this world hath not blinded the eyes of our minds, and that we be not reprobates, as concerning salvation, it only is able to enlighten our understandings, to rectify our wills, to sanctify our hearts, to mortify our affections; to set Davids Door before our lips, 4that are offend not with our tongues; to set Jobs Door before our eyes, that they behold not vanity; to manacle our hands & feet with the cords and bands of Gods Law, that they do not walk or work wickedly:
A second Motive,1 may be the precious, golden, and divine matter which is contained in the Booke of God, and that true and ever-during happinesse, to which it onely can bring us. There is nothing proposed and handled in the Word of God, but things of greatest weight, and highest excellency: As, the infinite majesty, power, and mercy of God; the unspeakable love and strange sufferings of the Sonne of God, for our sakes; the mighty and miraculous working of the holy Spirit upon the soules of men. There is nothing in this Treasury, but Orient Pearles, and rich Iewels; as, promises of ⟨p. 44⟩grace, spirituall comfort, confusion of sinne, the triumph of godlines, refreshing of wearied soules, the beautie of Angels, the holinesse of Saints, the state of Heaven, salvation of sinners, & everlasting life. What Swine are they, that neglecting these precious Pearles, root only in the Earth, wallow in worldly pleasures, feede upon vanities, transitorie trash, and vanishing riches, which in their greatest need will take them to their wings, like an Eagle, and flie into the Heavens? Besides, the Word of God is only able to prepare us for true happinesse in this world, and to possesse us of it, in the world to come. It only begets in us a true, intire, and universall holinesse; without which, 2none shall ever see the face of God, or the glory of Heaven: for it is impossible, hereafter to live the life of glory & blessednes in Heaven, if we live not here the life of grace and sincerity, in all our waies.3 It is called the immortall Seed, because it regenerates and renewes us both in our Spirits, Soules, and Bodies: in our Spirits; that is, in judgement, memory, & conscience: in our Soules; that is, in our will and affections: in our Bodies; that is, in every member. If the Prince of this world hath not blinded the eyes of our minds, and that we be not reprobats, as concerning salvation, it only is able to inlighten our understandings, to rectifie our wills, to sanctifie our hearts, to mortifie our affections; to set Davids Doore before our lips, 4that are offend not with our tongues; to set Iobs Doore before our eyes, that they behold not vanity; to manacle our hands & feet with the cords and bands of Gods Law, that they do not walke or worke wickedly:
- 12 The matter contained in it, is excellent and precious.
- 2Heb. 2. 14.
- 31 Pet. 1. 23.
- 4Psal. 141. 3. Job 31. 1.Psal. 141. 3. Iob 31. 1.
