A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

2. Another Reason why we must be sanctified, is, because of the hopes to which we are called, and the happiness which we expect: now we cannot have it unless we be holy: Heb. 12. 14. Without holiness no man shall see God: We are bidden in that verse to follow peace, but chiefly holiness; ^*for it is not said, that without Peace no man shall see God: Peace may be often broken in the quarrel of truth and holiness, and so Gods children may be passively men of contention; aye but for all that they shall see God: but those that are not holy he cannot endure their presence, and therefore they shall never see his face, and enjoy him hereafter. Usually by a fond abuse we restrain the word Saints to the Saints departed; I, but we must be Saints here, or else we shall never be Saints hereafter: I mean true Saints; for by another abuse the word Saints is made matter of pretence in some, and matter of scorn by others; but to be Saints indeed, that is all the evidence you have to show for your interest in your glorious hopes: What should others do with Heaven that are not Saints? how can they see God, that have not a pure eye? A dusky glass cannot represent the image: ^*the degree of Vision is according to the degree of Sanctification. And what should a carnal heart, that knoweth no other Heaven but to eat, drink and sleep, and wallow in sensual delights, do with the inheritance of the Saints in light? The Apostle saith, we must be made meet for such a state, Col. 1. 12. The vessels of glory are first seasoned with grace: Alas, otherwise carnal men can no more tell what to do with Heaven, then Swine with Pearls. We do not look for a Turkish Paradise, but a sinless state; not to bathe our Souls in carnal pleasures, but to be Consorts of the immaculate Lamb; our hopes engage us to holiness: 1 John 3. 3. He that hath this hope purifieth himself as Christ is pure: If his heart be fastened upon such an hope, as to see Christ as he is, and t• be like him both for temper of Soul and state of body, certainly he must needs be an holy ⟨p. 39⟩