III. If it be so that a Christian spirit is a truly noble spirit, hence we learn that Christianity is the highest ornament to great men.
Meanness and baseness of spirit don't suit greatness of place and character, but it becomes such as are advanced above other men in station to [be] of a noble mind:
it becomes them to be rational men, men of understanding, wisdom and prudence;
it becomes them to disregard those things that are little and despicable, and principally to regard those things that are of the most superior nature;
it becomes them to abhor those things that are vile and filthy, and to do and to love what is pure and honorable;
it becomes such not to be slaves to their passions, but to be of calm and serene minds;
it becomes great men to be men of true courage and fortitude, to be of a liberal and bountiful disposition and to be public-spirited.
Certainly these things do become great men; but as we have shown, 'tis Christianity only that does truly give them [a truly noble spirit].
There are many great men that, being naturally as other men of sinful nature that are ignorant of these things, they don't know what is true nobleness and greatness of mind. They are strangers to Christianity. 1 Corinthians 1:26, "Not many mighty, not many noble are called." But 'tis the effect of ignorance and blindness, and because they don't know what would be an ornament to themselves.
They are often ready to imagine that they have greater liberty than other men to gratify their appetites. They, being great, are impatient of restraint. But if it be so, then it is because they have a greater liberty to be base and inferior than other men. But however the corrupt and ignorant imaginations of many great men may think the contrary, yet 'tis the highest honor and dignity of great men to fear God devoutly and humbly to worship and adore him, to humble themselves greatly before him, with abasement and contrition of heart to repent of sin. It is an honor to a great man to be meek and patient; 'tis their honor to be
ready to forgive injuries. Some think it their honor to show the greatest resentment of an affront offered to them, but 'tis a mistake: 'tis a token of a mean mind easily put into a ruffle. 'Tis an honor to a great man if he done wrong, gone out of the way, to acknowledge his fault, to be ready to own his miscarriages. Such things as these are an honor to kings and princes and all in public place, and the contrary is a great dishonor and is unbecoming a high character. Such things as these were an honor to King David, and Solomon, and Hezekiah and Josiah. They were an honor to them in the sight of their own people that they ruled over, and in the sight of other nations that were round about them, and will be to their honor to the end of the world.
IV. If it be so, that to entertain and practice Christianity shows true nobleness of mind, hence learn why God will make Christians to be kings in another world. We read that they shall be made kings and priests, that they shall reign forever and ever, that they shall sit with Christ on his throne, that they shall receive a crown of glory, and a heavenly kingdom is appointed to [them]: it shall be in reward for their nobleness of spirit. So far as they are of a Christian temper, they are of a disposition and temper fit for kings, fit for such a high state of honor and advancement. As their minds are exalted above the minds of other men, so God, who orders all things beautifully, will make their state and condition higher than the state of others.
