LETTER XIII.
To the beloved people, the flock of God in Taunton, grace and peace.
Most dear friends and brethren,
I HAVE sent these few lines, to beseech you by these bonds, which I gladly endure for your sakes, to hold forth, and hold fast the profession of your faith without wavering. The Lord make you stedfast in the holy doctrine wherein you have been taught. I have not shunned to declare unto you the whole counsel of God. O remember, that by the space of eight years, I ceased not to warn you every one, and kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have taught you publickly, and from house to house, warning every man, and teaching every man, that I might present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
You that have taken upon you the profession of strict godliness, I shall only press you to press towards the mark. You have much work to do, and God hath given you no time to loiter in. I beseech you to put on. That person that sits down when he hath gotten to that pitch that he thinks will bring him to heaven, is never like to come thither: grace is one of those things that saith, It never hath enough. Let me urge upon you the apostle’s counsel, Follow after holiness.
First. Holiness is the choicest ornament: it is an adorning in the sight of God, of great price. It is the glory of God, and will you count it your shame? Exodus [♦]15. God is glorious in holiness, and grace is called glory, 2 Corinthians iii. 18. Yet we may now cry out as the psalmist, O ye sons of men, how long will ye turn my glory into shame? Psalms iv. 2. But be of good comfort, the shame of holiness is real glory.
[♦] Chapter omitted from reference in text.
Secondly. Holiness is the safest defence; grace is not only for ornament, but for use. Righteousness is a breast-plate that keeps the vitals, and is a sure defence from any mortal wounds. When the politicians have done their best, it is he that walketh uprightly, that walketh surely, Proverbs x. 19. Let integrity and uprightness preserve me, saith David. I desire to be no longer safe than these can preserve me; when I must let go my integrity or my safety, I will chuse the danger rather than the sin: and yet will never doubt but my integrity will save me harmless. *Never persuade me that the man chooses wisely, who runs upon the displeasure of God, to flee man’s displeasure. Did you ever hear of a man so mad as to run upon the sword’s point, to avoid the scratch of a pin? Why this is the wisdom of the distracted world, who will sin rather than suffer, and to save themselves harmless in the world, will run upon God, even upon the thick bosses of his buckler.
Thirdly. Holiness will be found to be your real happiness: eat of this tree, and you shall be indeed as God. Godliness is God’s likeness. The beauty of holiness is his very image; sin is the disease of which holiness is the cure. O what peace and tranquility doth holiness work in the mind! Great peace have they that love thy commandments, and nothing shall offend them. In a word, holiness is the perfection of man’s nature, the communication of the divine nature, the earnest of glory, and the very entrance of heaven.