[3.] Improve it to holiness. See that this work be begun, for heaven is but the perfection of what is begun in this life ; and when it is begun, never give over till you attain this perfect estate. The more eminency in holiness you get, the more glorious you are. And you have this encouragement, that Christ will prosecute his work till he hath brought it to this eff'ect. Christ will make his people at last without spot or wrinkle ; ere all be done it shall be so. We are not faultless, but Christ will not rest till we are faultless, if he see you use the means carefully.
[4.] Improve it to the love of God's people ; a necessary lesson in these days, when they fly from others that are in trouble, as the rest of the herd from the wounded deer : Ps. xv. 4, ' In whose eyes a vile person is contemned ; but he honoureth them that fear the Lord ; ' Ps. xvi. 3, ' But to the saints that are in the earth, and to the excellent, in whom is all my delight ; ' Ps. cxix. 63, ' I am a companion of them that fear thee, and of them that keep thy precepts ; ' Heb. x. 33, ' Partly while ye were made a gazing-stock both by reproaches and afflictions '■,
496 SERMONS UPON EPHESIANS V. [SeU. XXXII.
and partly while ye became companions of them that were so used.' We must not measure the glory of the people of God by the judgment of sense or bodily eyes, for it is si)iritual and future ; it lieth not iii pomp, but holiness ; and this holiness is perfect at the last day.
[5.] Improve it to thankfulness to Christ ; for we have all our holi- ness from Christ ; from first to last, he is the author and finisher ; he purchased and procured the Spirit of sanctification for us : Titus iii. 5, 6, ' According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.' And also this glorious estate ; he gave himself not only to sanctify his people, but glorify them. Heaven is the fruit of his blood and love : Kev. i. 5, ' Who hath loved us, and •washed us from our sins in his own blood.' First he purchased it for us, and then communicateth it to us.
END OF VOL. XIX.
FRINTEU BY BALLANTYNK AND COMPANY EDINBURGH AHD LONDON
Pijinceton Theological Seminary Librari
1 1012 01195 8107
.t rtWvry.WiSv-TtiWrr^iViWk'ni
\AmmMimi>wa>>ti^^
)i\m'i'mwMismsiimliii^mf!i}}6tisif^