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word and works do not beget more true Christians. I do rather wonder that
any of Adam's wretched posterity should be begotten again, and advanced to
so high a dignity, to be born of the Spirit. O that Christians would mind
their original, and wonder at it, and study to be like it! If you believe
and consider that your descent is from that uncreated Spirit, how powerful
might that be to conform you more and more to him, and to transform more
and more of your flesh into spirit! There is nothing will raise up the
spirits of the children of princes more, than to know their royal birth
and dignity. How should the consideration of this make your spirits
suitable to your state or fortunes, as we use to say? You would labour to
raise them up to that height of your original, and to walk worthy of that
high calling. O that we could learn that instruction from it which Paul
gives, 1 Cor i. 30, 31, "But of him are ye in Christ," therefore let him
that glorieth, "glory in the Lord." Truly, a soul possessed with the
meditation of this royal descent from God, could not possibly glory in
those inglorious baser things, in which men glory, and could not contain
or restrain gloriation and boasting in him. The glory of many is their
shame, because it is their sin, of which they should be ashamed. But
suppose that in which men glory be not shame in itself, as the lawful
things of this present world, yet certainly it is a great shame for a
Christian to glory in them, or esteem the better of himself for them. If
this were minded always,--that we are of God, born of God, what power do
you think temptations, or solicitations to sin, would have over us! "He
that is born of God sinneth not,--he keepeth himself, and that wicked one
toucheth him not," 1 John v. 18, 19. Truly, this consideration imprinted
in the heart, would elevate us above all these baser persuasions of the
flesh. This would make sin loathsome and despicable, as the greatest
indignity we could do to our own natures. The strength and advantage of
sin, is to make us forget what we are, whom we have relation unto,--to
drink us drunk with the puddle of the world, or then with our own
jealousies and suspicions, that we may forget our birth and state, and so
be enticed to any thing. If you would have wherewith to beat back all the
fiery darts of the devil, take the shield of this faith and persuasion,
how would it silence temptations? "Shall I, who am a ruler flee?" saith
Nehemiah. Sh