CHAP. VII. (Book 7)
The particular Benefits and Priviledges of Grace and Godlinesse, a∣bove all worldly commodities, are innumerable; I'le name only Nine, that you may the better remember them. There is nothing wherein men usually rejoyce, but the godly more than find it in Christ.
First, Does any man desire or glory in Knowledge? In him are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge, Col. 2. 3. I desire to know no∣thing among you, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified, 1 Cor. 2. 2. This is eternal life, to know thee the only God, and whom thou hast sent, Jesus Christ, John 17. 3.
Secondly, Does any man desire, or glory in Honour and Nobility? Believers are more Noble than any other men, Act. 17. 11. The righte∣ous is more worthy than his neigbour, Prov. 12. 26. & 28. 6. The best No∣bility, is the Nobility of Faith, and the best genealogie, the genealogie of good works. The only true greatnesse, is to be great in the sight of the Lord, as John Baptist was, Luk. 1. 15. Whence it is, that David thought it not so happy for him, to be a King in his own house, as a door-keeper in Gods house. That Solomon preferred the title of Eccle∣siastes, before the title of the King of Jerusalem. That Theodosius the Emperour, preferred the title of Membrum Ecclesiae: before that of Caput Imperii: professing that he had rather be a Saint and no King, than a King and no Saint. And that godly Constantine rejoyced more, in being the Servant of Christ: than in being Emperour of the whole world.
And indeed, Gods servants, are the only worthies of the world: for Christ hath made them spiritual Kings, Rev. 1. 6. So happy are they, as to have this high honour and dignity given them. Yea so soon as regenerate, we are made Sons to a King, 2 Cor. 6. 18. Brothers to a King, Heb. 2. 11. Heires to a King, Rom. 8 17. Even to the King of glo∣ry, Joh. 17. 22. Rom. 8. 18. 2 Cor. 4. 17. Nor are we his Sons only, but he accounts us his precious Jewels, Mala. 3. 17. And repures us his in∣timate Friends, Joh. 15. 14, 15. Our Friend Lazarus, saith Christ, Joh. 11. 11. O what an high and happy condition is this, for mortal men to aspire unto; that the God of Heaven should not be ashamed to own them for friends, that before were his cursed, and mortal enemies!
By nature we are like Nebuchadnezer, no better than beasts grazing in the forrest: but when grace once comes, we are like him restored to his reason, and high dignities, Dan. 4. 29. to the end. Or like Manasses, brought out of a loathsome Prison, to be King of Jerusalem, 2 Chro••. 33. 11, 12, 13.
Thirdly, Does any man glory in riches? Christ is an unexhaustable