Well, this is one needy time; now thy hedge is low, now thy branch is tender, now thou art but in the bud.  Pray that thou be not marred in the potter’s hand.

XII.  THE CHRISTIAN DESCRIBED

HAPPINESS OF THE CHRISTIAN

O how happy is he who is not only a visible, but also an invisible saint!  He shall not be blotted out the book of God’s eternal grace and mercy.

DIGNITY OF THE CHRISTIAN

There are a generation of men in the world, that count themselves men of the largest capacities, when yet the greatest of their desires lift themselves no higher than to things below.  If they can with their net of craft and policy encompass a bulky lump of earth, Oh, what a treasure have they engrossed to themselves!

Meanwhile, the man who comes to God by Christ, has laid siege to heaven, has found out the way to get into the city, and is resolved, in and by God’s help, to make that his own.  Earth is a drossy thing in this man’s account; earthly greatness and splendors are but like vanishing bubbles in this man’s esteem.  None but God as the end of his desires, none but Christ as the means to accomplish this his end, are things counted great by this man.  No company now is acceptable to this man, but the Spirit of God, Christ, angels and saints, as fellow-heirs with himself.  All other men and things, he deals with as strangers and pilgrims were wont to do.  This man’s mind soars higher than the eagle, or stork of the heavens.  He is for musing about things that are above and their glory, and for thinking what shall come to pass hereafter.

Is it so, that coming to Christ is by the Father?  Then this should teach us to set a high esteem upon them that are indeed coming to Jesus Christ, for the sake of him by virtue of whose grace they are made to come to Jesus Christ.

We see that when men, by the help of human abilities, do arrive at the knowledge of, and bring to pass that which, when done, is a wonder to the world, how he that did it is esteemed and commended.  Yea, how are his wits, parts, industry, and unweariedness in all, admired; and yet the man, as to this, is but of the world; and his work the effect of natural ability.  The things also attained by him, end in vanity and vexation of spirit.  Further, perhaps, in the pursuit of these his achievements, he sins against God, wastes his time vainly, and at long run loses his soul by neglecting of better things.  Yet he is admired.

But, I say, if this man’s parts, labor, diligence, and the like, will bring him to such esteem in the world, what esteem should we have of such a one that is, by the gift, promise, and power of God, coming to Jesus Christ?

1.  This is the man with whom God is, in whom God works and walks—­a man, whose motion is governed and steered by the mighty hand of God, and the effectual working of his power.  Here is a man!