Section 6
The sixth subject of meditation is, meditate upon the excellency of grace. Grace is, 1. Precious in itself, 2 Peter 1.1. precious faith. Grace is precious, 1. In its original, it comes from above, James 3.17. 2. In its nature; it is the seed of God, 1 John 3.9. Grace is the spiritual enamel and embroidery of the soul; It is the very signature and engraving of the Holy Ghost: Grace does not lose its color: It is such a commodity, that the longer we keep it, the better it is, it changes into glory. 2. As grace is precious in itself, so it makes us precious to God, as a rich diamond adorns them that wear it, Isaiah 43.4. Since thou wert precious in my sight, thou hast been honorable. The Saints who are invested with grace, are God's jewels, Malachi 3.17. Though sullied with reproach, though besmeared with blood, yet, jewels; all the world besides is but lumber. These are the jewels, and heaven is the golden cabinet where they shall be locked up safe: A gracious man is the glory of the age he lives in; like Melanchthon, who was called the phoenix of Germany. So illustrious in God's eye is a soul bespangled with grace, that he does not think the world worthy of him, Hebrews 11.38. Of whom the world was not worthy Therefore God calls for his people home so fast, because they are too good to live in the world, Proverbs 12.26 The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor. Grace is the best blessing; It has a meliority and transcendency above all things else, there are two things sparkle much in our eyes, but grace infinitely outshines both. 1. Gold. The Sun does not shine so bright in our eyes as gold; 'tis the mirror of beauty, money answers all things, Ecclesiastes 10.19. But grace weighs heavier than gold; gold draws the heart from God. Grace draws the heart to God. Gold does but enrich the mortal part, grace the angelical. Gold perishes, 1 Peter 1.7. Grace perseveres. The Rose the fuller it is blown, the sooner it sheds, an emblem of all things besides grace.
Petitur hac caelum via, Nunquam stygias fertur ad umbras Inclyta virtus — — sed cum summas. Exiget horas consumpta dies, itur ad superos gloria pandet. Seneca Tragedies.
2. Gifts. These are nature's pride. Gifts and parts, like Rachel, are fair to look upon, but grace excels. I had rather be holy than eloquent. A heart full of grace is better than a head full of notions. Gifts commend no man to God. 'Tis not the paring of the apple we esteem (though of a vermilion color) but the fruit. We judge not the better of a horse for his trappings and ornaments unless he have good mettle. What are the most glorious parts, if there be not the mettle of grace in the heart? Gifts may be bestowed upon one for the good of others, (as the nurse's breasts are given her for the child) but grace is bestowed for a man's own eternal advantage. God may send away reprobates with gifts, as Abraham did the sons of the concubines, Genesis 25.6. But he entails the inheritance only upon grace. O often meditate upon the excellency of grace.
The musing on the beauty of grace would, 1. Make us fall in love with it. He that meditates on the worth of a diamond, grows in love with it. Damascene calls the graces of the Spirit the very characters and impressions of the divine nature. Grace is that flower of delight which like the vine in the parable, Judges 9.13. cheers the heart of God and man.
2. The meditation of the excellency of grace would make us earnest in the pursuit after it. We dig for gold in the mine, we sweat for it in the furnace; did we meditate on the worth of grace, we would dig in the mine of ordinances for it; what sweating and wrestling in prayer? We would put on a modest boldness, and not take a denial. What wilt thou give me (says Abraham) seeing I go childless, Genesis 15.2. So would the soul say, Lord, what wilt thou give me seeing I go graceless? Who will give me to drink of the water of the well of life?
3. The meditation of the excellency of grace would make us endeavor to be instrumental to convey grace to others. Is grace so transcendently precious, and have I a child that wants grace? Oh that I might be a means to convey this treasure into his soul. I have read of a rich Florentine, who being to die, called all his sons together, and used these words to them: It much rejoices me now upon my deathbed, quod vos divites relinquam. That I shall leave you all wealthy; But a parent's ambition should be rather to convey sanctity, that he may say, O my children, it rejoices me that I shall leave you gracious; it comforts me that before I die, I shall see Jesus Christ live in you.
