, is to be clothed with God's righteousness, that he may see
no iniquity within you, and then let it be your daily study henceforth to
be adorned and made all glorious within, with grace and holiness. Ye must
first renounce all your own righteousness, and then be clothed with the
robes of God's righteousness, ye must still renounce it, that grace may
appear as the gift of God, and not yours; as his beauty, not your
ornament. If ye be imperfect in your own righteousness, comfort yourselves
in the righteousness of God made yours by faith, that worketh by love and
purifies your hearts, for, says the apostle, Gal. ii. 16, 17, Though we
are not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Christ, yet
we must keep ourselves from every wicked thing, and perfect holiness in
the fear of God, for if while we seek to be justified by Christ, and we
ourselves be found sinners, impenitent and impure, is therefore Christ the
minister of sin? God forbid.

Sermon XIX.

Matt. vi. 33.--"Seek first the kingdom of God," &c.

It may seem strange, that when so great things are allowed, and so small
things are denied, that we do not seek them. The kingdom of God and his
righteousness are great things indeed, great not only in themselves, but
greater in comparison of us. The things of this world, even great events,
are but poor, petty, and inconsiderable matters, when compared with these.
Yet he graciously allows a larger measure of these great things relating
to his kingdom and righteousness, than of those lesser things he hath
promised to give his people, and he commands us to seek after these
greatest things. "Seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness,
and all these things shall be added unto you."

This indeed is most suitable to his Majesty, and to us also. It is most
becoming his loyal Majesty when he is to declare his magnificence, and to
vent his love, to give such high and eminent expressions of it. A kingdom
is a fit expression of a king's love and good will. Kings cannot give
empires, unless they unking themselves. But Christ is the "King of kings,"
and hath prepared a kingdom for them that love him. It is a glorious
declaration of God's excellent name, that he is good to all, kind even to
the evil and unthankful. His tender mercies are over all his works. The
whole earth is full of his riches, and the wretched posterity of Adam have
the largest share of his goodness, even since the first defectio