Secondly, Hence we may learn Jwiv to justify zeal in religion. If to be near God be good, then the nearer him the better; if religion be good, then the more the better; if holiness be good, then the more the better; it is best to excel in the best things. Who was the best man but Christ, and why ? He was nearest the fountain. And who are next but the angels, and why? Because they are always in God's presence. And who next but those "that are nearest to Christ. If we could get angelical holi- ness, were it not commendable ? And therefore it should shame us to be backward, and cold, and to have so little zeal, as to be ashamed of good- ness, as most are.
Thirdly, This should teach us that a man must not break with God for any creature's sake u-hatever. It is good to lose all for God. Why ? Because we have riches in him, liberty in him, all in him. A man may be a king on earth, and yet a prisoner in himself; and if we lose any- thing, though it be our own life, for God, we shall save it. If we be swallowed up of outward misery, the Spirit of God, that ' searcheth the deep things of God,' 1 Cor. ii. 10, passes and repasses, and puts a relish into us of the ' unsearchable riches of Christ,' Eph. iii. 8. ' Taste and see how good God is,' Ps. xxsiv. 8. ' How excellent is thy loving- kindness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee,' Ps. xxxvi. 7. ' How precious are thy thoughts to me, 0 Lord,' Ps. xxxix. 17. ' Thou hast the words of everlasting life, whither then shall I go ? ' said Peter, when he felt but a spark of the divine power, John vi. 68.
A further use of this doctrine shall be an use of tiial, to know xchether ue draw near to God or not.
First, therefore, where this is, there will be a further desire of increase of communion xiith God. The soul will not rest in measure, Exod. xxxiii. 11, seq. Moses had divers entertainments of God: he had seen him in ' the bush,' and in mount Sinai, and many other times ; but not contented herewith, he would needs see God's face. And thus Abraham, he gathers upon God still more and more gi'ound in his prayers : ' What if fifty, what if forty, what if twenty, what if ten righteous be found there ? ' saith he. Gen. xviii. 24, seq. And Jacob, how often was he blessed whom Isaac blessed, when he was to go into Paran ! when he was there at his return ; and yet when he comes to wrestle with the angel, ' I will not let thee go till thou bless me,' Gen. xxxii. 26. And the reason is, because as God is a fountain never to be drawn dry, so is man an emptiness never filled, but our desires increase still till we arrive in heaven ; and therefore the more we work, and the more we pray, and the more good we do, the more do our desires increase in doing good.
Secondly, This will appear in abasing or huinbling ourselves, as it was with Abraham. The more near God is, the more humbly he falls on his * That is, ' pause,' = care for. — G.
THE saint's happiness. 77
face, and confesseth he is but ' dust and ashes.' The angels, in token of reverence, do cover their faces, ' being in the presence of God.' And it is an universal note, that all such as draw near to God, they are humble and reverent in holy duties ; and therefore proud persons have no com- munion with God at all.
Thirdly, The nearer we are to God, the more we admire heavenly things ; and count all others * dross and dung,' as St Paul, Philip, iii. 8. When the sun riseth, the stars they vanish ; and those that do not admire the joy, peace, and happiness of a Christian, are unacquainted with drawing near to God.
Fourthly, When we have a sense and sight of sin, then we may truly he said to ' draw near,' and to be near to God; for by his light are our eyes enlightened, and we are quickened by his heat and love ; and hence we come to see little sins great sins, and are afraid of the beginnings of sin :
* Lord, purge me from my secret sins ; create in me a new heart ; oh let the thoughts of my heart be always acceptable in thy sight,' Ps. xix. 12. And those that make no scruple of worldly affairs on the Lord's day, of light, small oaths, as they call them, or of corrupt discourse, they neither are nor can draw near to God.
Fifthly, The nearer ive draw to God, the more is our rest. ' Come unto me, all you that are weary and heav}^ laden, and you shall find rest unto your souls,' Mat. xi. 28. Ps. xvi. 4, ' The sorrows of those that worship another god shall be multiplied,' and therefore they may well maintain doubting. And therefore such, if they be in their right minds, never end their days comfortably.