this is known through the whole kingdom: So, on my spiritual advancement, I am called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord has named; old things are passed away, and all things become new. But in this I excel all earthly peers, in obtaining a white stone, and a new name, which no man knows but the happy receiver. O! then, to walk like one on whom the name of an incarnate God is called; like one who, though he cannot name the very day on which he was ennobled, yet knows, that although he once lay among the pots, yet now he sits with Christ in heavenly places!

4. A peer also takes to himself a coat of arms, and a suitable motto. Mine may be a cross and a crown, and the motto, "Holiness to the Lord." But here, again, I exceed all earthly peers, for their coats of arms are only lifeless figures painted on their carriages, engraven on their plate, &c. but in my creation, I am arrayed in complete armour, as my peerage is a military order, and I am no sooner taken into favour, and at peace with the Trinity of heaven, than I commence war, inveterate and unremitting war, with the trinity of hell, sin, satan, and the world; therefore I am completely armed, having on my head the helmet of salvation, the breast-plate of righteousness, the shield of faith, my loins girt about with truth, my feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. David could not move nimbly in Saul's brazen helmet, and coat of mail; but in mine I walk freely, I fight safely, and sleep softly; nay, so far is it from being an encumbrance, that, if stript of my armour, I would be all inactivity and languor, assaulted on every side, and foiled by every foe. But I observe

that I have no defence for my back, for such a man as I must never flee; and, besides, this spiritual armour inspires me with such a heavenly boldness, that I rush on enemies, and cry out, "I am more than conqueror through him that loved me."

5. When one is made a peer, he must be of an independent fortune to support his rank: But, before my creation, I was such a naked beggar, that I had not a rag to cover me; but now I am arrayed in broidered robes, robes of needle-work; all glorious without by his imputed righteousness, all glorious within by his imparted grace. Besides, to support my dig. nity, there is a royal pension settled on me, and in such a manner, that I may spend like a prince, but cannot squander it away. I have a right to all the treasures of grace, to all the fulness of God. Now is the time of my minority, during which I differ nothing from a servant, though lord of all: But when the day of glory comes, I shall enter on the full possession of the riches and treasures of glory and bliss, above the conception of the human mind. And, in the mean time, I shall have what is necessary to bring me home to the King's palace. Great men here may have diamond buttons, and buckles set with diamonds; but the city of my King, where he and all his courtiers dwell, has foundations of precious stones, gates of pearls, and streets of gold.

6. As mine is a military order, and all the powers of darkness are in arms against me, I have a noble guard appointed me; not only thousands of angels strong, but God, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, in all his divine perfections. How safe am I, then, though in the land of enemies, though fighting my way through a dark and howling wilderness! Yea, with

such a guard I might march through the midst of hell without harm, and bid defiance to all the fiends and furies of the bottomless pit! This guard is both around my house and my person, so that no ill shall come near my dwelling, and I am always in safety; and, though invisible, is not less august, is not less

secure.

verse.

7. Peerage among men respects only that kingdom to which the peers belong. A peer of GreatBritain is but a private person in every other country. He has no right to sit in state-affairs among their nobles, or to vote among their senators; yea, he may not be known by name in the court of Persia, or of the Great Mogul. But I am a peer of the uniGo where I will, my peerage is in force, my pension is continued, and my privileges remain. Though cast into prison, or banished to some desolate isle, still I am clothed with my embroidered robe, appear in complete armour, and am attended by my royal guard. When the king of England creates a peer, he brings him to equal rank with the other peers (and sometimes there is a mighty opposition against it, as just now, that it is a stain to the dignity of peerage to confer it on such an unworthy person) but he never adopts them for sons. Then, sure am I, never was one more unworthy than I, and yet I am not only made a peer of heaven, but an heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ, being first adopted as a son; for if once children, then heirs.

8. Sometimes the same king that has raised a person to the dignity of peerage, has been so incensed against him, that by his positive orders, a prosecution has been carried on against him, and he deprived both of honours and life. But in spiritual things it i

not so; "for the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." When I offend my heavenly Sovereign, he may be angry, reprove, rebuke, correct me, but he will never take his kindness from me, never deprive me of life or honours; and this divine security, instead of emboldening me to rebel, will fill me with the noblest gratitude, never to offend him.

9. The king of Great-Britain may raise a Baron to a Viscount, a Viscount to an Earl, an Earl to a Marquis, and a Marquis to a Duke; but I look at length (and am not accused of ambition or madness) for a kingdom and a crown! an everlasting kingdom, and a crown that fadeth not away; a crown of life, a crown of glory! There is no comparison, then, between the peers of any realm, the princes of any empire, and me, who am made a priest, a king, and that to God, and through eternity itself.

ure.

10. Though peers have access into their king's presence at sometimes, yet it would be improper if they had it at all times; it would degrade royalty itself, if they might intrude into their presence any hour of the day, any watch of the night, at their own pleas. Then, stand still, and wonder, O my soul! at the condescension of the high and lofty One, who inhabits eternity. I may present myself in his presence at the stated seasons of public worship, the hours of private and secret prayer, the retired moments of meditation, and in every company, and on every occurrence, by ejaculation. Yea, what time soever I awake, I may be with God, and rise at midnight to hold communion with him. Now, though the strength of corruption, the weakness of grace, and the cares of this life, are distractions that daily drag me from the heavenly presence, yet the time is com

ing when I shall dwell with the King in his palace, behold his beauty, and have the most intimate communion with him through all evermore.

11. In this, again, I surpass all the peers of GreatBritain; for, though their dignity is both to themselves and heirs-male, my peerage is personal, and cannot descend to another (but why should it ?) since this heavenly honour secures immortality to me.— What a struggle is made for this rank; with what avidity do they grasp at this grandeur, though in a few years they must be stript of all, and laid in the silent grave! But could it confer immortality, or lengthen life to a thousand years, would not the great men turn the world upside down, and barter all they had to obtain it? Here, then, are a blessed immortality, and boundless joys before you. No costly ceremonies, no expensive fees here; only kiss the King's hand on your promotion; kiss the Son, and be ennobled for ever; kiss the Son before his wrath burn against you for your disobedience, like the fiery

oven.

12. In this the spiritual peerage infinitely excels every peerage on the face of the earth; for though my peerage can go to none of my relations, yet my parents, my brothers and sisters, wife and children, may all be made peers and peeresses. Yea, several of my ancestors and dearest friends have already taken their seats in the upper house, not of a British senate, but of an heavenly assembly: And this is the grandeur of which I glory; this is the nobility of which I boast. No matter though their names be not so much as known on the footstool, if they shine before the throne,

And it is no arrogance to plead