The sixth subject of meditation is, 1meditate upon the excellency of grace. Grace is, §11. Precious in it self, 2 Pet. 1.1. precious faith. Grace is precious, §11. In its original, it comes from above, Jam. 3.17. 2. §2In its nature*; it is the seed of God, 1 John 3.9. Grace is the spiritual enamel and embroidery of the soul; It is the very signature and engraving of the holy-Ghost: Grace doth not lose its colour: §2It is such a commodity, that the longer we keep it, the better it is, it changeth into glory. 2. As grace is precious in it self, so it makes us precious to God*, as a rich diamond ⟨p. 104⟩adorns them that wear it, Isaiah 43.4. Since thou wert precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable. The Saints who are invested with grace, are Gods jewels, Mal. 3.17. though sullied with reproach, though besmeared with blood, yet, jewels; all the world besides is but lumber. These are the jewels, and heaven is the golden cabinet where they shall be locked up safe: A gracious man is the glory of the age he lives in; like Melanchthon, who was called the phoenix of Germany*. So illustrious in Gods eye is a soul bespangled with grace, that he doth not think the world worthy of him, Heb. 11.38. Of whom the world was not worthy Therefore God calls for his people home so fast, because they are too good to live in the world, Prov. 12.26 The righteous is more excellent than his mighbour. Grace is the best blessing*; It hath a meliority and transcendency above ⟨p. 105⟩all things else, there are two things sparkle much in our eyes, but grace infinitely out shines both. 1. §1Gold. The Sun doth not shine so bright in our eyes as gold; 'tis the mirror of beauty, money answers all things, Eccles. 10.19. but grace weighs heavier than gold*; gold draws the heart from God. Grace draws the heart to God. Gold doth but doth enrich the mortal part, grace the angelical. Gold perishes, 1 Pet. 1.7. grace perseveres. The Rose the fuller it is blown, the sooner it sheds, an emblem of all things besides grace.
THe sixth subject of meditation is, 1meditate upon the excellency of grace. Grace is, §11. Precious in it self, 2 Pet. 1.1. precious faith. Grace is precious, §11. In its original, it comes from above, Jam. 3.17. 2. §2In its nature*; it is the seed of God, 1 John 3.9. Grace is the spiritual enamel and embroidery of the soul; It is the very signiture and engraving of the holy-Ghost: Grace doth not lose its colour: §2It is such a commodity, that the longer we keep it, the better it is, it changeth into glory. 2. As grace is precious in it self, so it makes us precious to God*, as a rich diamond ⟨p. 104⟩adornes them that weare it, Esay 43.4. Since thou wert precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable. The Saints who are invested with grace, are Gods jewels, Mal. 3.17. though sullied with reproach, though besmear'd with blood, yet, jewels; all the world besides is but lumber. These are the jewels, and heaven is the golden cabinet where they shall be lockt up safe: A gracious man is the glory of the age he lives in; like Melancthon, who was called the phaenix of Germany*. So illustrious in Gods eye is a soul bespangled with grace, that he doth not think the world worthy of him, Heb. 11.38. Of whom the world was not worthy Therefore God calls for his people home so fast, because they are too good to live in the world, Prov. 12.26 The righteous is more excellent than his mighbour. Grace is the best blessing*
- 1Meditate on the excellency of grace.
- *Ardentes sui amores excitaret si simulachrū ejus ad oculos penetraret. Plot.Ardentes sui amores excitaret si simulachrū ejus ad oculos penetraret. Plat.
- *Summa apud Deum nobilitas clarum esse virtutibus. Hierom. Epist. ad Celantiam
- *Bucavus praefat. loc. come.Bucauus praefat. loc. com.
- *[Greek or Hebrew]. Zenoph.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Zenoph.
- *Nullae majores divitiae quam fides, quae caecos illuminat aegros curat martyrs coronat, in haereditate aeterna cum Sanctis angelis collocat. Aug. de verb. dom.Nullae majores divitiae quam fides, quae caecos illuminat aegros curat martyres coronat, in haereditate aeterna cum Sanctis angelis collocat. Aug. de verb. dom.
