, because of the vessel it is in, yet it
is precious as the finest gold, and more precious than any rubies. It is
like gold in ashes, not the less excellent in itself, though it appear not
so. But sin is the devil's image and likeness, and therefore Satan is
called the father of sinners. "Ye are of your father the devil, and the
lusts of your father ye will do." O but sin hath an ugly shape! It is the
only spot in the face of the creation which God's soul abhors. For he
loves righteousness, and hates iniquity, Psal. xlv. 6, 7. But there is one
thing more, (5) That may commend grace to all your hearts. Grace is the
way to glory. It gives title and right to, or at least declares it. It is
inseparably joined with it. Grace is glory in the bud, and glory is the
flower of grace, grace is young glory, and glory is old grace. Without
holiness it is impossible to see God's face in peace. No man can come unto
heaven without grace. Glorification is the first link of the chain, Rom.
viii. 30. But sanctification must intervene first. No unclean thing can
enter into heaven, but he that gives grace, gives glory, Psal. lxxxiv. 11.
Heaven cannot receive many of you, because ye have not holiness. But it
may commend holiness unto you, that it ministers an abundant entrance
"into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." As
much as eternity is beyond the poor span of your time, so much is grace
and holiness, whereon depends your everlasting condition, preferable to
all things of this present vain world. O! but the children of men have
many vain pursuits of the creature, that when it is had is nothing and
vanity. Ye labour to secure an inch of your being, and to have contentment
here in this half day, and never look beyond it to many millions of ages,
when ye are to continue. Your honour, your pleasure, your gain, your
credit, many such things like these can have no influence on the next
world. These cannot go through death with you. Only grace and holiness,
begun here, are consummated in glory, and make the poor man, that was
miserable for a moment, eternally happy.

Sermon XVII.

Matth. vi. 33.--"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his
righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."

The perfection even of the most upright creature, speaks always some
imperfection in comparison of God, who is most perfect. The heavens, the
sun and moon, in respect of lower things here, how glor