3. The gospel state hath its ebbs and flows in several ages. Some- times there is a notable vigour and power of godliness, at other times a great increase of wickedness, and men do so far corrupt their way, that we are forced to put another sense upon words, or expect a better time when the prophecy shall be more amply fulfilled. We can hardly reconcile the words with the state of the times.
Doct. God in and by the gospel will effect an eminent and notable sanctification both of things and persons. (1.) Let us consider how gospel holiness is set forth in this prophecy ; (2.) I shall speak of holi- ness in the general ; (3,) Give you the reasons.
I. That degree of holiness which is here prophesied of 1, All such things as were before employed against God should be then employed and converted to his service, for the horse-bells shall be inscribed. He speaketh before of horses employed against the church, which God would overthrow, ver, 15. It was the fashion of those oriental countries to adorn their war-horses and camels with golden chains and bells. Judges viii. 26. This prophecy intimateth that now these bells should be converted to another use, to make golden pots and bowls for the temple, and be inscribed by God's motto and impress. In our natural estate we employed ouv time, and wit, and parts, and strength agamst God ; but if converted, then for him. As one of the fathers glosseth upon Eve's seducing Adam, she was a rib, but she proved a dart. We fight against God by his own weapons, but con- version maketh a change : Kom. vi. 13, ' Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin ; but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instru- ments of righteousness unto God.' The oifKa uSiKia'?, the weapons or ' instruments of unrighteousness,' are become oirXa iKaioavvr}^, ' instru-
SERMON UPON ZECHARIAH XIV. 20, 21. 443
ments of righteousness.' So ver. 22, ' For now, being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness.' There is a manifest change in the use of all things.
2. Upon all the utensils of the temple there shall be ' Holiness to the Lord,' whether pots or bowls. The great and immediate duties of the worship of God should have special holiness in them, for God will be sanctified in all that draw nigh unto him : Lev. x. 3, ' I will be sancti- fied in them that come nigh me, and before all the people I will be glorified.' There should be a special awe and reverence upon our hearts in our conversins; with God, when the blood of the sacrifice is presented to him, as it was in the bowls, or the flesh of the sacrifice eaten by ourselves, as it was by the priests when it was sodden in the pots of the Lord's house. We read of ' discerning the Lord's body,' 1 Cor. xi. 29. We receive it not in an holy manner if our eating be not in a different manner from eating our ordinary meal. The impression of our great end should be upon our ordmary and common actions, but in worship the nature of the work is holy, and the manner of our deport- ment should be very reverent and serious.
3. The expressions imply a proficiency and growth in holiness ; for the pots of the kitchen of the temple shall become as the bowls of the altar for purity and holiness. There were degrees of holiness in the several vessels belonging to the temple ; the meanest things in sacred use shall be advanced to an higher degree of esteem and holy employ- ment than before, which some understand thus : that the meanest things in the christian church shall be as precious as the most glorious things in the Jewish church ; rather that holiness should be upon the growing hand, and increasing from degree to degree, till all be perfected in the everlasting estate. The bells or neck- ornaments of their horses shall be turned into pots of the Lord's house, and the pots in the kitchen become as the bowls on the altar. 0 christians ! the holiness of the gospel is a growing holiness ; we should go on ' from strength to strength,' Ps. Ixxxiv. 7, ' from glory to glory,' 2 Cor. iii. 28. The inner man must be ' renewed day by day,' 2 Cor. iv. 16. There should be a continuance in gospel holiness. Carnal men seek to grow greater and greater, and higher and higher, and attain further degrees of their worldly happi- ness, and shall not we seek to grow better and better ? One drachm of holiness is worth a whole world of greatness. Holiness is the glory of saints, the beauty of angels, the delight of God ; you cannot be too holy. But alas ! many lose ground in religion ; holiness is in the wane, not in the increase ; sin is not so hateful as it was before. What will this come to at length ? How can he be rich who groweth every day poorer ? or reach the goal who goeth every day a step back ? who lose their zeal, and, the older they grow, live in more indulgence to the flesh ?