2. The second position is this. That holiness rises by degrees; it rises gradually in the sotds of the saints. Though the first Adam was made a man, a holy man, yea, a man perfectly holy, and all at once, yet the holi- ness of all that is interested in the second Adam rises by degrees, i It is true, in the creation of the world all the creatures were made in their full and perfect growth and strength at once ; but in the new creation, holiness, which is God's own creature, is carried on by degrees, Luke ii. 52. Look, as Christ increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man by degrees, so that babe of grace, holiness, increases in the soul by degi'ees. Look, as the seed which is sown in the fur- rows of the earth first springs into a blade, and then into an ear, and then into ripe corn. Mat. xiii, 23 ; Mark iv. 28 ; so that immortal seed, holiness, which is sown in the furrows of a Christians soul, springs and grows by degrees. Look, as the waters in the sanctuary rise first to the ankles, then to the knees, then to the loins, then to the chin, and then to a river that was not passable, Ezek. xlvii. 3-5 ; so holiness rises higher and higher in the soul by degrees. Look, as the morning light shines more and more unto the perfect day, Prov. iv. 18 ; so the light of holiness sliines more and more clear, and more and more bright, until all darkness and imperfection be swallowed up in perfection. Look, as the body of a man grows and increases by degrees in stature and strength, till it comes to its full growth and perfection, Eph. iv. 16 ; so grace and holiness will grow and increase by degrees, till grace be turned into glory, till holiness be turned into happiness. Though the ocean be full, yet the bottle cannot be filled but by degrees. We are poor narrow-mouthed bottles, and therefore what we take in of holiness must be by degrees. Our incapacity is so great, that at present we are noways able to take in a fulness of holi- ness ; and therefore God drops in now a drop and then a drop, now a little and then a little, as we are able to take it in. And, indeed, to dilBference the state of grace from the state of glory, the state of holi- ness from the state of happiness, it is necessary that holiness should be communicated to us by degrees. An absolute fulness of holiness will make an absolute fulness of happiness. When our holiness is perfect, our happiness shall be perfect ; and if this were attainable on earth, there would be but little reason for men to long to be in heaven.
3. The third position is this, That there is a great deal of precious- ness in the least degree of holiness. For,
[1.] It is the special work of the Holy Spirit; and this I have shewed you already at large ; and therefore it must needs be precious.
[2.] It is a part of the divine nature ; it is a beam of God, a spark of glory, and therefore it must needs be precious.
^ Job xvii. 9 ; Ps. xcii. 12 ; Mai. iv. 2 ; Hosea xiv. 5-7.
430 THE NECESSITY, EXCELLENCY, RARITY, [Heb. XII. 14.
[3.] There are many choice and special promises that are made over to the least degrees of holiness, as you may see by comparing the scriptures in the margin together ; i and therefore the least degree of holiness is very precious.
[4.] It gives a man a right to precious privileges, and to all the precious ordinances of Christ's house. Ergo, &c.
[5.] It is a fruit of the special love and favour of God. A man may read more of the heart of God, and of the special love of God towards him in the least spark of holiness, than he can in his highest worldly enjoyments. A man may read that special grace in the least degree of holiness, which he can never read in the honours, profits, pleasures, delights, and contents of this world. Ergo, &c.
[6.] The least degrees of holiness gives a man as great a right, and as good a title to everlasting happiness and blessedness, as the greatest degrees of holiness doth ; 2 and the reason is clear, because the promise of happiness and blessedness is not made over to degrees of holiness, but to the truth of holiness ; and therefore he that hath but the least spark of true holiness may plead the promise, and apply the promise, and suck marrow and sweetness out of the promise, as well as he that hath the greatest measures of holiness in the world. The promises of salvation are not made over to the strength of faith, but to the truth of faith, John vi. 35. It is nowhere said that only he that believes with the faith of an Abraham shall be saved, but it is often said, * He that believes shall be saved ;' that is, he that believes truly, though he doth not believe strongly, shall be saved. Ergo, &c.
[7.] When unholy persons are under terrors of conscience, and upon their dying beds, and when they shall stand before a judgment-seat, had they as many worlds to give as there be stars in heaven, and as there are men on earth, they would give them all for the least spark of true holiness ; 3 and therefore, without all perad venture, the least degree of holiness must be very precious, considering what a price the worst of men would give for it, were it in their power to purchase.
[8.] The least degree of holiness shall at last be blessed with a happy triumph over the strongest corruptions. The least degree of holiness will lead the soul to Christ ; it will bring the soul into communion with Christ ; it will work the soul to lean upon Christ, and by degrees to draw that life, that virtue, and that vigour from Christ, that will enable a Christian not only to combat but to con- quer even Goliath himself ; and therefore the least degree of holiness is doubtless very precious.
[9.] The least degree of holiness will render a Christian in some measure serviceable and useful to the turnings away of the wrath and judgments of God from a people or nation, and for the bringing down of favours and blessing upon a land,^ when all the power, authority, greatness, grandeur, and glory that wicked men have in
1 2 Pet. i. 4 ; Mat. xii. 20 ; Isa. xl. 10, 11, and Ix. 22 ; Isa. xxxv. 3, 4; Joel iii. 10 ; Mat. V. 3-6 ; Rom. xiv. 1, and xv. 7.
* The little hand of a child may hold a pearl, as well as the hand of the greatest giant in the world.
* A little holiness is like a diamond, very little in bulk, but of a very high price and value, &c.
* Gen. xviii. The least finger is of use to the whole body.
HeB. XII. 14.] AND BEAUTY OF HOLINESS. 431
their hands, can do just nothing either to the diverting of wrath, or the obtaining of mercy ; and therefore the least degree of holiness is precious. But,