[5.] Fifthly and lastly, I answer. That there are no persons under heaven that stand so much obliged to look after holiness, and to press with all their might to obtain holiness, as the rich, the great, the mighty, and the honourable of the earth. For, first, why has God made them greater than others, but that they should labour to be better than others ? They are therefore higher than others, that they may be holier than others. The greatness of their outward glory calls aloud upon them to excel in sanctity; and woe to them that are re- solved to be worse than others, because Grod has done more for them than he has for others. Secondly, They of all men have more time, leism'e, and advantages to hear much that they may be holy, and to read much that they may be holy, and to pray much that they may be holy, and to confer much with aU sorts and ranks of men, that they may be holy ; and therefore it concerns them above all other men in the world to be holy. Other men have neither the time nor the advantages to gain holiness as these men have. The poor people in Sweden say that it is only for gentlemen to keep the Sabbath. But thirdly. Their ex- amples are most powerful and prevalent with the people, either for much good, or for much evil, Prov. xxix. 12. If the mountains over- flow with waters, the valleys are the better ; and if the head be full of ill humours, the whole body fares the worse. The actions of rulers are most commonly rules for the people's actions, and their examples
1 The original runs elegantly, Q-jj^ ^3 ^^H ^3-
Heb. XII. 14.] AND BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. 313
passeth as current as their coin.l If their examples are evil, there are none so dangerous as theirs. Jeroboam the son of Nebat is never mentioned in the Scripture, nor never read of in the chronicles of Israel, but he draws a tail after him, like a blazing star, * who made Israel to sin.' A sick head disordereth all the other parts, and a dark eye benights the whole body. The evil examples of great men corrupts the air round about. The common people are like tempered wax, easily receiving impressions from the seals of great men's vices. If a peasant meet with luxury in a scarlet robe, he dares be such, having so fair a cloak for it. If the vulgar people meet with drunkenness under a black cassock, they dare be such ; they make no bones on it to sin by prescription, and to damn themselves with authority. Austin brings in some excusing their compliances with the sinful customs of those times in drinking healths, thus. Great personages urged it, and it was at the king's banquet, where they judged of loyalty by luxury, and put us upon this election, drink or die. They thought it a suffi- cient excuse to plead the examples of great men.
And if their examples are virtuous, there are none so winning and drawing as theirs. 2 It is observable in the very course of nature, that the highest spheres are always the swiftest in their motion, and carry about with them the inferior orbs by their celerity ; so men that are high and eminent in authority, power, and dignity, and eminent also in grace and holiness, they carry the inferior people by their examples to a liking of holiness, and to a love of holiness, and to a pursuit after holiness. As the biggest stars in the firmament are always the brightest, and gives the greatest lustre to those of a lesser magnitude ; so those that, in respect both of greatness and grace, are so many shining stars, they give the greatest light and lustre to others by their shining conversations. Oh, what a world of good will the gracious example of a good prince provoke unto ! It was the saying of Tra- janus, a Spaniard, Qualis rex, talis grex, Subjects prove good by a good king's example. Stories tells us of some that could not sleep when they thought of the trophies of other worthies that went before them. The gracious examples of great men are very awakening, quickening, and provoking to that which is good, as is most evident in all those kingdoms, countries, cities, and villages where such men live. And therefore great men are the more obliged to be good men, and honourable men to be holy men. But, fourthly, of all men under heaven you will have the greatest accounts to make up with God ; and therefore you have the more cause to seek after holiness. Where God gives much there he looks for much, Luke xii. 48.3 O sirs, God will bring you to an account for that talent of honour, and that talent of wealth, and that talent of birth, and that talent of power, and that talent of authority, and that talent of interest, and that talent of time, &c., that he has entrusted you with ; and how will
^ Vide Esth i. 10, 11, 15-18. It is noted in King Alphonsus's sayings, that a great man cannot commit a small sin.
' Carus the Roman emperor used to say, Bonus dux bonus cornea, A good leader makes a good follower. — [Carus M. Aurelius. Vopiscus, Carus. — G.j
'^ It was excellent counsel that the heathen orator gave his hearers — Ita vivamus ut rationeni nobis reddendam arbitremur, Let us so live as those that must give an account of all at last.
314 THE NECESSITY, EXCELLENCY, RAKITY, [HeB. XII. 14.