[b]His treasured possession
(Thomas Brooks, "The Crown and Glory of Christianity,
or, HOLINESS, the Only Way to Happiness", 1662)
"For you are a people holy to the Lord your God.
The Lord your God has chosen you out of all the
peoples on the face of the earth to be His people,
His treasured possession." Deuteronomy 7:6
God makes . . .
many rich, and
many great, and
many honorable, and
many mighty, and
many wise, and
many noble, and
many beautiful, and
many successful--
whom He will never make holy.
But in making you holy--God has made you spiritually
great, rich, honorable, wise, and beautiful, etc. Holiness
is a singular fruit of God's special favor and love.
God has a common favor and love for all men, yes,
for the worst of men; witness that common preservation,
and common protection, and common provision--which
He grants to them. But God has a special love and
favor--and this runs out only to His holy ones.
Holiness is a divine beam, a heavenly drop, a
choice pledge of God's special favor and love.
O sirs! though the world may slight you, and enemies
revile you, and friends disfavor you--yet let this support
you, let this rejoice you--that you are God's treasured
possession!