world, and
fully perfected and glorified in the world to come; and as many things
which are said of it can very hardly be made to agree to the church in
this world; so other things which are said of it can as hardly be applied
to the church glorified in heaven, as where it is said, "Behold, the
tabernacle of God is with men, [having come down from God out of heaven]
and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself
shall be with them, and be their God," ver. 3. Again, "And the nations of
them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the
earth do bring their glory and honour into it," ver. 24.

But now I make haste to the several particulars contained in my text: "I
pray God (saith the Apostle) your whole spirit, and soul, and body, be
preserved blameless," 1 Thess. v. 23; Phil. i. 9, 11. And what he there
prays for, this text, rightly understood and applied, may work in us, that
is, gracious affections, gracious minds, gracious actions. In the first
place, a change upon our corrupt and wicked affections,--"If they be
ashamed of all that they have done," saith the Lord; Secondly, A change
upon our blind minds,--"Show them the form of the house, and the fashion
thereof," &c.; Thirdly, A change also upon our actions,--"That they may
keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them."

For the first, the words here used is not that which signifieth blushing
through modesty, but it signifieth shame for that which is indeed
shameful, filthy, and abominable,(1374) so that it were impenitency and an
aggravation of the fault not to be ashamed for it.

I shall here build only one doctrine, which will be of exceeding great use
for such a day as this: "If either we would have mercy to ourselves, or
would do acceptable service in the public reformation, we must not only
cease to do evil and learn to do well, but also be ashamed, confounded and
humbled, for our former evil ways." Here is a twofold necessity, which
presseth upon us this duty,--to loathe and abhor ourselves for all our
abominations, to be greatly abashed and confounded before our God: First,
Without this we shall not find grace and favour to our own souls;
Secondly, We shall else miscarry in the work of reformation.

First, I say, let us do all the good we can, God is not pleased with us
unless we be ashamed and humbled for former guiltiness. Be zealous and
repent (Rev. iii. 19), saith Christ to