Chap. 18. The Second Part of the Saints' Reward: God's Honoring Them

2. THE Second part of the Saints reward is Gods Honouring them, in that day when I make up my Jewels: Here are three Propositions; 1. That God has a great honor for his People. 2. That Gods People are his Jewels. 3. That there is a day when God will make up his Jewels.

1st. That God has a great honor for his People. He speaks of them here with Honor, in that day when I make up my Jewels, Isai. 43:4. Since you were precious in my sight, you hast been honorable: Honor attends Holiness. That the Lord does highly honor the fearers of him, is evident by four demonstrations.

1. In that he prefers them before others. He chooses them, and passes by the rest, Malachi 1:2. Was not Jacob Esaus brother? (says the Lord,) yet I hated Esau and loved Jacob.

2. In that God gives them frequent Visits. 'Tis counted an Honor for a Subject to have his Prince Visit him. 1 John 3:3. Our or Communion is with the Father and his Son Jesus. The Rabbins say, Moses had an Hundred and fifty conferences with God, and died with a Kiss from Gods mouth. What greater Honor for a Person, than to have God keep him Company? Exodus 33:11.

3. In that God makes them Rich heirs; Romans 8:17., joynt heirs with Christ. For a man to adopt another and make him heir to his estate, is no small honor done to him. The Youngest Believer is an heir, yea, and an Heir of the Crown, 1 Peter 5:4. This Crown he has in promisso, in the Promise, Revelation 2:10. And in primitiis, in the first-fruits, Romans 8:23.

4. In that God sends his Angels to be their Servitors. Such as are Gods Servants have Angels to be theirs: Hebrews 1:14. Are they not all ministring Spirits sent forth to Minister for them who shall be heirs of Salvation?

Who would not be fearers of God? this makes God have an honorable esteem of them; all men (says Chrysostome) are ambitious of Honor : the true Honor comes from God, John 5:44.

If God does so Honor his People, let them Honor him; Malachi 1:6. Where is my Honor? let the Saints be God-exalters, let them lift up his Name in the World, and make his praise glorious, Psalm 66:2. But I only glance at this.

2ly. That Gods People are his Jewels, in that day when I make up my Jewels. Jewels are precious things; the Hebrew word for Jewels signifies a treasure. A treasure is made up of costly things: Gold and Pearl, and Rubies: such a precious Treasure are the Saints to God.

In what sence are the Godly Jewels?

1. They are Jewels for their sparkling quality. Their Holiness shines and sparkles in Gods eyes, Song of Solomon 4:9. You hast ravished my Heart with one of your eyes, that is, one of your Graces.

2. The Godly are Jewels for their Scarcity. Pearls are not common; so the Godly are scarce and Rare: there are but few of these to be found: there are many false Professors (as there are Bastard Diamonds) but few Israelites indeed; Matthew 20:16. Few are Chosen. Among the Millions in Rome, there were but few Senators: among the swarms of People in the World, but few Believers.

3. The Godly are Jewels for their Price. Queen Cleopatra had two Jewels that contained half the price of a Kingdom. Thus the Saints are Jewels for their Value: God esteems them at an high rate, he parted with his best Jewel for them; Christs precious blood was shed to ransom these Jewels.

4. The Saints are Jewels, for their adorning quality. Jewels adorn them that wear them: the Saints are Jewels that adorn the World. Their Piety mixed with Prudence honours the Gospel. Hypocrites Eclipse Religion and make it evilly spoken of: the Saints as Jewels render it illustrious by their Sanctity.

1. See the worth of the Godly, they are Jewels; they are a Royal diadem in the hand of God, Isaiah. 62:3. That is, they are eminent above others, as a Crown hung with Jewels is an ensign of the highest state and Honor. The Saints are Gods Glory, Isaiah. 46:13. As if Gods Glory did lye in them.

2. See then that which may bring Holiness into repute, and make us become Proselytes to it. It casts a splendour upon us, and makes God number us among his Jewels. Some are loath to embrace Godliness for fear it will be a stain to their Reputation, and bring them out of favor with great men: you see how it does raise a persons renown, it makes him precious in Gods sight, he is a Jewel. Believers in regard of their mystical union with Christ, have a preciousness above the Angels: the Angels are Morning Stars, Job 38, 7. Believers are clothed with the Sun of Righteousness, Revelation 12:1.

See the different Opinion that God has of the Godly and the Wicked: the one he esteems precious, the other vile, Nahum 1:14. I will make your Grave, for you art Vile: this is spoken of King Senacherib: though he was by Birth Noble, yet he was by sin Vile. The Hebrew word for Vile, signifies, of base esteem. Though the Wicked are high in dignity and worldly grandure, yet God slights them. A dunghil may be higher than other ground, but it sends forth noisom Vapours: Psalm 14:3. They are altogether become filthy. In the Original it is, they are become stinking. The Wicked are compared to Dogs and Swine, 2 Peter 2:22. to dross, Ezekiel 22:19. Dross is the filth of the Mettal. Sinners are compar'd to Chaff, Psalm 1:4. When a Wicked man dies, there is only a little Chaff blown away. A sinner is the most contemptible thing in nature; there is no worth in him while he lives, and no loss of him when he dies. A sinner is worse than a Toad or Serpent; A Toad has nothing but what God has put into it, but a Wicked man has that which the Devil has put into him: Act 5:3. Why has Satan filled your Heart to lye to the Holy-Ghost?

See what an high estimate we should set upon the Godly, they are Jewels, they are the Glory of the Creation: they are compared to Stars for their beauty, Revelation 1:20. to Spice Trees for their perfume, Song of Solomon 4:14. They are the Chariots and Horsmen of Israel, they are the excellent of the Earth, Psalm 16:3. The Lord would soon break up house in the World, but that he has some Jewels in it. Prize the Saints though they are humbled with Poverty: we esteem of a Pearl though it lye in the dust: John Baptist was girt with a Leathern Girdle; yet he was a Jewel, Matthew 11:9. He was the Morning Star, to usher in the Sun of Righteousness into the World. The Saints are precious, for they are Gods lesser Heaven, Isaiah. 57:15.

3. See the Saints Safety: they are Gods Jewels, and he will have a care to preserve them▪ A man is careful that he does not lose his Jewels. God often gives his people a temporal Salvation: if a storm comes he knows how to hide his Jewels. He hid an hundred Prophets in a Cave, 1 Kin. 18:4. The Angel is commanded before he poured his Vial of curses on the earth, to seal the Saints of God on their fore-heads, Revelation 7:3. Which was signum salutare a mark of safety: however God will look to the Spiritual safety of his Jewels, John 17:12. Not one of them is lost.

If the Saints are Gods Jewels, then how incensed and enraged will God be against those who shall abuse these Jewels? Theodosius counted them Traitors who abused his Statue: what will become of them who persecute Gods Saints, and tread upon his Jewels? It goes near to God to see his Jewels sprinkled with blood: what is done to them the Lord takes it as done to him self, Act. 9:4. Why persecutest you me? When the foot was trod on, the head cryed out. The Saints are Gods Royal diadem. Will a King endure to have his Robes spit upon, or his Crown-royal thrown in the dust? Psalm 105:14. He reproved Kings for their sakes. What Monuments of Gods Vengeance were Nero, Dioclesian, Gardner, and the rest of that persecuting tribe? Luke 18:7. Shall not God avenge his own elect? I tell you he will avenge them speedily. Persecutors stand in the place where all Gods Arrows fly, Psalm 7:13. He ordaineth his Arrows against the Persecutors. That is a killing Scripture, Zach. 13:12. And this shall be the Plague wherewith God will smite all the People, that have fought against Jerusalem, their flesh shall consume away while they stand upon their feet, and their eyes shall consume away in their holes, and their Tongues shall consume away in their Mouth.

Here is Comfort to the people of God, in case of the Worlds disesteem of them, yet God values them as Jewels; and his Judgment is according to truth, Romans 2:2. The Wicked have low Thoughts of the Righteous, they beat down the price of these Jewels what they can, they think them the refuse and scurse, they disdain them, load them with slanders and Invectives: the Prophet Elijah was looked upon by King Ahab as the Troubler of Israel, 1 Kin. 18:17. And Luther was called a Trumpet of Rebellion; St. Paul was Judged a Pestilent fellow, Acts 24:5. The Wicked think of all things in the World the Saints may be best spared: 1 Corinthians 4:13. We are made as the filth and off-scowring of all things: but this is Vinum in pectore, a great consolation to Believers, that as low esteem as the reprobate world has of them, yet God has high Thoughts of them, he numbers them among his Jewels. They are compared for their preciousness to Gold and Silver, Revelation 1:20. They are the Coyn and Medals that bear Gods own Image. They are Princes in all Lands, Psalm 45:16. Christ engraves their Names on his breast, as the Names of the twelve Tribes were set with Precious Stones in Gold upon Aarons Breast-plate. God will give whole Kingdoms to ransome his jewells, Isaiah. 43:3. The wicked think the Godly are not worthy to live in the world, Acts 22. 21. and God thinks the World is not worthy of them, Hebrews 11:38. Hence it is God takes away his Jewels so fast, and placeth them among the Cherubims.

To the People of God. Are you Gods Jewels? then I beseech you shine as Jewels: walk accurately, and Holily, Philippians 2:15. Among whom ye shine as lights in the World. Such as are Gods Jewels should let the World see they have worth in them. O Christians, let your Lives be an Imitation of the Life of Christ. Such a Jewel was Mr. Bradford, Martyr, so humble and Innocent in his carriage, that at his death, many of the Papists could not refrain from Weeping. Are you Gods Jewels? do nothing that may Eclipse or Sully your lustre. When Professors are Proud, Envious, Censorious, when they break their promises, or Cheat their Creditors, these do not look like Saints: What will others say? These are the Devils Lumber, not Gods Jewels. O I beseech you who profess to be of an higher rank than others, Honor that Worthy name by which you are called; shine as earthly Angels, 1 Peter 2:9. But ye are a Royal Priesthood, a peculiar People that ye should shew forth the Praises of him who has called you. Alexander would have the Grecians known not only by their Garments, but their Vertues. Gods people should be known by the sparkling of their Graces: shall there be no difference in behaviour between the Wicked and the Godly? between a clod of Earth and a Diamond? let it appear that you are Candidates for Heaven: you who are Gods People, the Lord expects some Singular thing from you, Matthew 5:47. He looks that you should bring more Glory to him, and by your exemplary Piety make Proselytes to Religion.

It exhorts the Godly to thankfulness. God has taken you out of the rubbish of mankind, and made you Jewels, Psalm 113:7. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, that he may set him with Princes: let me allude, God has raised you out of the dust of a natural Estate, and ennobled you, that he may set you with Angels those Princes above. O admire God, set the Crown of your praises upon the head of Free-grace. A Gratulatory thankful frame of Heart is pleasing to God: if Repentance be the Joy, Praise is the Musick of Heaven. Bless God who has wrought such a change in you, and of lumps of Earth and sin has made you Jewels.

The Third Proposition is, That there is a time shortly coming when God will make up his Jewels; in that day when I make up my Jewels: Here are two Questions.

- 1. What is meant by Gods making up his Jewels? - 2. What is that day when God will make up his Jewels?

1. What is meant by Gods making up his Jewels? There is a difference between thse two, Gods making of Jewels, and his making up of Jewels. Gods making of Jewels, is, when he works Grace, but what is Gods making up of Jewels?

Gods making up his Jewels implyes two things.

- 1. Gods gathering his Saints together. - 2. Gods perfecting his Saints.

1. Gods making up his Jewels implies his gathering his Saints together. The Godly in this life are like scattered Pearls, they lye distant one from another, and are dispersed into several Regions: but there is a day coming, when God will gather all his Saints together, as one puts all his Pearls together on a string. There must be such an aggregation or gathering together Gods scattered Saints,

1. From the near Relation they have to all the Persons in the Trinity: 1. To God the Faterh; he has chosen these Jewels and set them apart for himself, Psalm 4:3. and will he lose any of his Elect? 2. They are related to Christ; he has bought these Jewels with his blood, and will he lose his purchase? 3. They are related to the Holy Ghost; he has sanctified them. When they were a lump of sin, he made them Jewels; and when he has bestowed cost on them, will he lose his cost? will he not string these Pearls, and put them in his celestial Cabinet?

2. There must be a gathering together Gods scattered Saints, from the Prayer of Christ. It was Christs prayer to his Father, that he would make up his Jewels; that he would gather together his Pearls, that they might be with him in Heaven, John 17:24. That they may be with me where I am. Christ thinks long, till all the Elect Jewels lye together in his bosom. He thinks not himself compleat, till all his Saints be with him.

Here is a Soveraign Comfort to the People of God in two cases.

- 1. In case of Scattering. - 2. In case of Dividing.

1. In case of Scattering. Gods people are scattered up and down in the World: and, which is worst, these Jewels lye among rubbish, they dwell among the Wicked, Psalm 120:5. Wo is me that I dwell in the Tents of Kedar. Kedar was Ishmaels Son. Woe is me (says David) that I live with an Ishmael-brood. The Wicked are still molesting the Righteous: Gods Jewels lye scattered among the unclean; but here is the Comfort, that shortly God will gather his People from among the Wicked, he will make up his Jewels, and all the Pearls and precious stones shall be by themselves in Bliss.

2. It is Comfort in case of Dividing. Gods People here are divided; their love is so little it may almost lye upon a knives point: they oft look strange one upon another: these divisions are unseemly, and are flaws in Gods Diamonds. Discords among Christians, brings a reproach upon Religion, advanceth Satans Kingdom, hinders the growth of Grace. Divisions are fatal, and do presage Gods Judgments coming upon us. Impius haec tam cult a novalia miles habebit Barbarus, has segetes? Enquò discordiacives Perduxit miseros.—

But this is Comfort, God will shortly make up his Jewels: he will so gather his Saints together, that he will unite them together, they shall be, all of one Heart, Act 2:46. What an happy time will it be when the Saints shall be as so many Pearls upon one string, and shall accord together in a blessed Unity!

2. Gods making up his Jewels implies his perfecting his Saints. Then a thing is said to be made up when it is perfected; you make up a Garment when you perfect it; you make up a Watch, when you put all the Wheels and Pins in perfect order: so Gods making up his Jewels signifies his perfecting them. The Godly in this Life are imperfect, they cast but a faint lustre of Holiness, they receive but the first-fruits of the Spirit, Romans 8:23. that is, a small measure of Grace: the first-fruits under the Law were but an handful to the whole Vintage. This may humble us to consider if we are Jewels, yet imperfect: our knowledge is checker'd with Ignorance, 1 Corinthians 13:5. Our love to God is feeble. Behold here Clouds in the Diamond. This may take down our Top-sail of Pride, to consider how incompleat we are: but when God shall make up his Jewels, and perfect his Saints, it will be a glorious time, and this brings me to the second Question.

What is that day when God will make up his Jewels?

1. God makes up his Jewels at the day of Death, then he makes the Saints Graces perfect.

2. He makes up His Jewels at the day of the Resurrection, then he makes the Saints Bodyes perfect.

1. God makes up His Jewels at the day of death, then he makes the Saints Graces perfect. Hence it is the Saints departed are called the Spirits of just men made perfect, Hebrews 12:23. Sin does mix and incorporate with a Christian, he cannot write a Copy of Holiness without blotting. Grace, though it does abate, yet not abolish Corruption: but at Death God makes up His Jewels; he perfects the Graces of his People. Will not that be a blessed Time, never to have a Vain thought more? never to be within the sight of a temptation or the fear of a Relapse? This me thinks may make death desirable to the Godly; then the Lord will make up his Jewels, he will compleat the Graces of his Children; they shall be as holy as they desire to be, and as God would have them to be. How will Gods Diamonds sparkle when they shall be without flawes? In that day of death when God makes up His Jewels, the Saints

- 1. Light will be clear, - 2. Love will be perfect.

1. Their Light will be clear. They shall be so divinely irradiated, that they shall know the, the deep things of God. They shall in this sence be, as the Angels, Matthew 22:30. Their Intellectuals shall be raised higher, and made more capacious than in Innocency. Through the Chrystal Glass of Christs Humane Nature the Saints shall have Glorious transparent sights of God: they shall know as they are known, 1 Corinthians 13:12. A riddle too mysterious for us Mortals, if not for Angels to expound.

2. In that day the Saints Love will be perfect: Love is the Queen of the Graces, it out-lives all the other Graces. In this life our love to God is lukewarm, and sometimes Frozen; a Believer weeps that he can love God no more: but at the day of death when God makes up his Jewels, then the Saints love shall be Seraphical: the spark of Love shall be blown up into into a pure flame: the Saints shall love God secundum actum (as the Schoolmen speak) as much as they are able: they shall love him superlatively, and indeficiently, they shall be made up of love. O blessed day of death! when God shall make up his Jewels, the Saints Graces shall shine forth in their Meridian Splendour.

2. God makes up his Jewels at the day of the Resurrection, then he makes the Saints bodyes perfect: these like sparkling Diamonds shall shine in Glory. At the Resurrection God is said to change the bodies of the Saints, Philippians 3:21. How will he change them? not that they shall be other bodies than they were before: the substance of their bodies shall not be changed, but the qualities: as wooll when it is died into a Purple color, is not altered in the substance, but quality, and is made more illustrious; so God in making up his Jewels will cause a greater resplendency in the Saints bodies than before. When God makes up the Jewels of the Saints Bodies at the Resurrection, they shall be perfect four ways.

1. In Amability or sweetness of Beauty. Here the Bodies of the Righteous are oft deformed; Leah has her blear Eyes, and Barzillai his lameness; but at the Resurrection the bodies of the Saints shall be of unspotted fairness: and no wonder, for they shall be made like Christs Glorious body, Philippians 3:21.

2. When God at the Resurrection makes up the Jewels of the Saints bodies, they shall have Perfection of parts. Their bodies in this World may be maimed and dismembred; but in the day of the Resurrection they shall have all the parts of their bodies restored, Acts 3:21. Such as have lost an Eye, shall have their Eye again; such as want a Leg or an Arm, shall have their Arm again.

3. When God makes up the Jewels of the Saints bodies at the Resurrection, they shall be Velocious and quick in their Motion. Here the Bodies of the Saints move heavily: but then they shall be sprightly, and move swiftly from one place to another. Here the body is a Weight; in Heaven it shall be a Wing.

4. When God makes up the Jewels of the Saints bodies, they shall be Immortal: the Body once Glorified shall never be Subject to death, 1 Corinthians 15:53. This corruptible shall put on Incorruption. Heaven is an healthful Climate, no Passing-Bell goes there: this mortal shall put on Immortality.

Let us labor to be in the number of Gods Jewels, that when the Lord shall make up his Jewels, he may perfect our Souls and Bodies in Glory.

How shall we know that we are in the number of Gods Jewels?

Have we inherent Holiness? 1 Corinthians 6:11. But ye are washed, but ye are Sanctified. We are not Jewels by Creation, but Regeneration. If Holiness sparkle in us, it's a sign we are Jewels; and then when God comes to make up his Jewels, he will put Glory upon our Souls and Bodies for ever.