There are no such blessings in the world, to Parishes, Cities, and Nations, as those souls are, that are rich in Grace. Oh they are great blessings to all places where they come; they are persons that are fit for the highest and noblest employments; there is not the highest work that is too high ⟨p. 236⟩for a man that is rich in grace; not the hottest work that is too hot for a man rich in grace; nor the lowest work below a man rich in Grace: Such a man will not say, I would do it, but that 'tis below my place, my blood, my parts, my education. May Christ have honour? May others have good? if so, I will do it, saith the soul that's rich in Grace. What ever comes of it, and bless God for the opportunity. In Dan. 6. 3. Then this Daniel was preferred above the Presidents and Princes, because an excellent spirit was in him, and the King thought to set him over the whole Realm. Why was Daniel set upon the Throne? but because there was a glorious excellent spirit in him, that fitted him for the highest employment. So Joseph was a blessing to his Masters family, and the people among whom he lived. No such blessings to people and places, as souls rich in Grace. So in Nehem. 7. 2. I 1gave my Brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the place, charge over Jerusalem, (and why he?) for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. Oh the wisdom, the prudence, the zeal, the courage, the compassion, the patience, the self-denial that should be in Magistrates! There is a truth in that old Maxim, (Magistratus virum indicat) Magistracy will try a man. None fit to rule, but such that are rich in Grace. What a world of good may a man do with worldly riches, in a Parish, in a City, in a Nation? but that's nothing to the good that a man may do that is rich in grace: Oh the sins that he may prevent! Oh the judgements that he may divert! Oh the favours and blessings that he may draw down upon the heads and hearts of people! I presume you forget not what a blessing Moses, Joseph, Job, Nehemiah, Mordecai, and Daniel, proved to the people among whom they lived, and these were all rich in grace. A man rich in wisdom, rich in faith, rich in goodness, &c. Oh! what a blessing may he prove to ignorant souls, to staggering souls, to wandering souls, to tempted souls, to deserted souls? &c. Look what the Sun is to us, that may a soul rich in grace, be to others, &c.
There are no such blessings in the world, to Parishes, Cities, and Nations, as those soules are, that are rich in Grace. Oh they are great blessings to all places where they come; they are persons that are fit for the highest and noblest imployments; there is not the highest work that is too high ⟨p. 236⟩for a man that is rich in grace; not the hottest work that is too hot for a man rich in grace; nor the lowest work below a man rich in Grace: Such a man will not say, I would doe it, but that 'tis below my place, my blood, my parts, my education. May Christ have honour? May others have good? if so, I will doe it, saith the soule that's rich in Grace. What ever comes of it, and blesse God for the opportunity. In Dan. 6. 3. Then this Daniel was preferred above the Presidents and Princes, because an excellent spirit was in him, and the King thought to set him over the whole Realme. Why was Daniel set upon the Throne? but because there was a glorious excellent spirit in him, that fitted him for the highest imployment. So Joseph was a blessing to his Masters family, and the people among whom he liv'd. No such blessings to people and places, as soules rich in Grace. So in Nehem. 7. 2. I 1gave my Brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the place, charge over Jerusalem, (and why he?) for he was a faithfull man, and feared God above many. Oh the wisedome, the prudence, the zeale, the courage, the compassion, the patience, the self-denyall that should be in Magistrates! There is a truth in that old Maxime, (Magistratus virum indicat) Magistracy will try a man. None fit to rule, but such that are rich in Grace. What a world of good may a man doe with worldly riches, in a Parish, in a City, in a Nation? but that's nothing to the good that a man may doe that is rich in grace: Oh the sins that he may prevent! Oh the judgements that he may divert! Oh the favours and blessings that he may draw downe upon the heads and hearts of people! I presume you forget not what a blessing Moses, Joseph, Job, Nehemiah, Mordecai, and Daniel, proved to the people among whom they liv'd, and these were all rich in grace. A man rich in wisedome, rich in faith, rich in goodnesse, &c. Oh! what a blessing may he prove to ignorant soules, to staggering soules, to wandring soules, to tempted soules, to deserted soules? &c. Look what the Sun is to us, that may a soule rich in grace, be to others, &c.
- 1Such a one will be Pater patriae, Father of his Country.
