Two Treatises, Text – Title page 2

Two Treatises · Text – Title page 2

p. 1THE PEARLE OF the Goſpell.

MATTH. 13.45.

The Kingdome of Heauen is like vntounto a Merchant man that ſeeketh good pearles.

Who hauing ſound a pearle of great price, went and ſold all that he had, and bought it.

OVr Lord Ieſus comming from the boſome of the Father, to reueale the myſterie hid from the beginning of p. 2the world, ſpent the whole time of his miniſterie in diſcouering to the Church, the excellencie, the vtilitie, and the neceſſitie of that bleſſed and ſauing truth, the daughter of eternitie, without which the whole world had lien in perpetuall death and darkneſſe.

This parable among many,The ſcope of this Parable. and aboue many, manifeſts, that how baſe ſoeuer and vile the things of God ſeeme to naturall men, yet there is ſuch worth, vertue, price and beautie p. 3in them, as the godly man who only can diſcerne them, will exchange all he hath with them, yea & part with all the world before he will part with them.

In which Parable conſider foure things.Foure parts of the Text.

1. What is this kingdome of heauen.

2. What is this pearle, and the goodneſſe of it.

3. Who is this Merchant man.

4. What are his actions, namely three.

1. He ſeeketh good pearles.

p. 42. Hee findeth a pearle of great price.

3. Hee ſold all to buy it.

IFor the firſt.

By the kingdome of heauen,What the kingdome of heauen is not. is not meant the bleſſed eſtate of the Church triumphant in heauen: as in Matth. 5.10. Yours is the kingdome of heauen.

Nor the Church militant and viſible: as in Matth. 13.47. which is like a net cast into the Sea.

Nor the time of grace vnderunder Chriſt exhibited to preach in his p. 5owne perſon: Mat. 3.3. For the kingdome of God is at hand.

Nor the eſtate of grace, wherin the elect be iuſtified by faith, and are lead forward by grace, toward the kingdome of heauen: as Matth. 13.51. The kingdome of heauen is like a graine of muſtard ſeed.

Nor the kingdome of power, by which God in heauen as a King gouerneth all the world, and eueryevery particular creature in it.What it is.

But by it is meant the preaching & publiſhing p. 6of the Goſpell, called here,

1. A Kingdome.

2. A Kingdome of Heauen.

A Kingdome,1. Why a kingdome, 3. Reaſons. for three reaſons.

11. Becauſe the doctrine of the Goſpell bringeth vsus to Chriſt, that he as a King may reigne in vsus: hence it is called the Goſpell of the kingdome, Matt. 4.23.

22. Becauſe it is a powerfull meanes ordained by God, to pull vsus out of the kingdome of darkneſſe, and tranſlate vsus to the kingdome p. 7of his deare Sonne, Coloſſ. 1.13. and the Apoſtle calleth it the power of God to ſaluation, Rom. 1.16.

33. Becauſe God hath ſet it apart, not only to erect vp the kingdome of God within vsus, which ſtandeth in inward righteouſneſſe, peace of conſcience, the ioy of the Holy Ghost, Rom. 14.17. but alſo to leade vsus thorow to the participation of that kingdome of glory reſerued in heauen for vsus.

Secondly, of heauen.Why of heauen.

1. Becauſe of diſtinction p. 8from earthly kingdomes: it preacheth Chriſt a King; but withall, that his kingdome is not of this world: hee ruleth not after a temporall manner, but ſitteth as King in the ſpirits of his ſubiects, and ruleth the conſcience, and holdeth vp this ſcepter of his kingdome in the hearts of men, ſo as this kingdome is heauenly and ſpirituall.

2. For exaltation and aduancement, lifting it vp aboue al that earthly kingdomes can afford, p. 9for worth and excellencie: and ſo to ſtirre vp our affections, and pull our eyes toward it; the very name of it ſhould rauiſh vsus, and commend the priuileges of the Goſpell vntounto vsus.

33. For admonition and caution, that the ſubiects of this kingdome ſhould receiue their lawes from heauen, and contemning earth & earthly things, ſhould aſpire, meditate and frame themſelues to heauenly conuerſation: this very title of p. 10the Goſpell ſhould be of power to lift vsus aboue the earth.

IINow what is meant by this pearle? What is meant by the Pearle.By the pearle is meant,

1. The happy eſtate of grace here.

2. The happy eſtate of glory hereafter.

Of which latter, ſee Reuel. 21.21. the foundations of the new Ieruſalem were garniſhed with all manner of pretious ſtones; Iaſper, Saphir, Chalcedon, and the twelue gates were twelue pearles, &c.

But here it ſignifieth p. 11the happy eſtate of grace, in which wee are ſtill ſeeking, and purchaſing the pearle, and the good things of the Goſpell, as namely, the glad tidings of it; the offer of Chriſt with his merits; the gift of faith, iuſtification, ſanctification;Good things of the Goſpell reſemble a Pearle in fiue things.ſanctification; and theſe are called a pearle for ſundry reaſons.

1. For the value and worth of them,1. In value and worth. which paſſe all other treaſures in excellencie and eſtimation. As ſiluer is beyond braſſe, and gold beyond ſiluer, ſo pearls p. 12are beyond gold, and the good things of the Goſpell beyond the moſt precious pearles: ſo ſaith Salomon, Pro. 3.14, 15. The merchandiſe of wiſdome is better than the merchandiſe of ſiluer; the reuenue of it is better than that of gold: it is more pretiou than pearles, and all thou canſt deſire are not comparable to it. What a world of wealth both ſpirituall and heauenly, is manifeſted by the Goſpell, which exhibiteth Chriſt, in whom are al treaſures of grace p. 13and glory? What a rich ſtore-houſe is Chriſt himſelfe? the leaſt drop of whoſe bloud was more precious than al the world? How precious are all his merits, and plentifull for redemption? What a good thing, and precious grace is faith, which ſtoreth a man with all the good things of heauen? How precious is the doctrine of ſaluation, which muſt not be caſt to ſwine; as Matt. 7.6? Well doth our Sauiour therefore call this a p. 14pearl of great price for the moſt precious pearles in regard o… theſe good things o… the Goſpell, are but duſt and clay.

2.2. In rareneſſe. For the rareneſſe. Pearles are not ſo common as pibles, nor in the hands of common and ordinary men; but fit for Princes & great perſonages; common men know them not, nor the price, nor the vſe of them: Euen ſo the good things of the Goſpell are not known or obuious to eueryevery one, but hidden myſteries, p. 15vnknowne to the moſt part of the world, and a wiſdome reuealed to Babes. And as Pearles are eaſily contemned of vnskilfull perſons, who are ignorant of their price and vſe: ſo the myſteries of the Goſpell; offer them to the Gentiles, they eſteeme them fooliſhneſſe: 1 Cor. 1.23.1 Cor 1:23to the Iewes they are as a ſcandall: Chriſt crucified is the very ſcorne of the world; onelyonly a few beleeuers aduanced to be Kings and Prieſts to God,Reu. 1.5.Rev 1:5know the price of this p. 16commoditie, and lay out for it.

3.3. For hidden vertue. In regard of the hidden vertue and ſecret excellencie of them. The body and quantitie of a Pearle is ſmall, but the vertue and power of it great: ſo the Goſpell ſeemeth ſmall, and contemptible,Rom. 1.16.Rom 1:16but it is the power of God to ſaluation: and faith in the Goſpell draweth vertue from Chriſt to open blinde eyes; to cure all ſpirituall diſeaſes, to raiſe from death in ſinne; to driue away deuils, p. 17and breake the force of temptation: all the Pearles betwixt heauen & earth hauehave not ſuch power; onelyonly faith as ſmall as a graine of muſtard ſeed, draweth vertue from Chriſt: and grace though it bee neuer ſo little (if ſound) it is of power to open blinde eyes, and to carry the Saints along vntounto their ſaluation.

4. In regard of their excellent qualities,Foure qualities of a rich Pearle. as puritie, and cleereneſſe:1. Brightneſſe. 2. Famneſſe. 3. Greatneſſe. 4. Roundneſſeand orient brightneſſe: ſo the law of the Lord is p. 18pure, Pſal. 19. The doctrine of grace, for the brightneſſe and perſpicuitie of it, is as a reſplendent gem, which draweth all eyes to it. Secondly, in Pearles is firmneſſe and ſtrength; ſo hard and firme are ſome of them, as fire conſumeth them not, nor much ſtrength can breake them: euen ſo firme and ſure are the promiſes of the Goſpell; all of them are Yea and amen: 2 Cor. 1.20.2 Cor 1:20fire nor water, proſperitie nor aduerſitie can conquer them: ſo firme is ſauing p. 19grace, which can neuer bee ſhaken out of the heart. Thirdly,2 Tim. 3. laſt.2 Tim 3 their magnitude and greatneſſe; ſo great is the myſterie of godlineſſe; amongſt all Gods ſecrets, there is none ſo great, as this of mans redemption: In the beholding of which, the Angels cannot yet ſatisfie themſelues, 1 Pet. 1.12. Fourthly, equalitie & roundneſſe much commend pearles. The Goſpell is offered to all alike, to beleeuers and vnbeleeuers; to maſters and ſeruants, p. 20rich and poore: it is no fault of the Goſpell, if thou beeſt not ſaued by it.

5.5. For the effects, which are three. 1. To inrich. In regard of their effects. Pearles ſupplie our needs at al ſeaſons; and therefore Nonius a Senator of Rome, perſecuted by M. Antonius, prouided only for himſelfe an Vnion of ineſtimable price, to carry with him in his flight, by which alone bee was rich enough: So the Goſpell ſupplieth all our wants; Chriſt in the Goſpell ſupplieth vsus all things, p. 21prouideth for vsus bread of life, and water of life, and garments of his owne righteouſneſſe; hee payeth all our debts, inricheth vsus with ineſtimable treaſures, and naked Chriſt is wealth enough.

Secondly,2. To adorne. Pearles ſerue for ornament, and honour, and ſhew a man to be in dignity: ſome hang them in their eares; ſome hang them in golden chains vponupon their breſts; ſome ſet them in gold, and weare them on their ſingers: So the Goſpell p. 22is the honour and ornament of a Chriſtian, and maketh vp all his indignities & wrongs: while he hangeth it on his eare, by diligent and carefull hearing: while he faſtneth this Vnion, and Pearle, and maketh it ſhine by faith in his heart: and while he weareth it as a ring on his finger, by conſcionable practiſe of the commandements of the Goſpell; which is, to beleeue in the Sonne of God, and louelove one another; this man is honoured of p. 23God and all his Saints.Thirdly, to cure and comfort.

Thirdly, many Pearles are of great vſe, and effect, to preuent poiſon, to preſerue naturall ſtrength, and recouer it decaied: many of them great Cordials, and others great comforters of the principall vitall parts of man.

So the Goſpell and good of it preſerue the ſoule from the poiſon of ſinne, preſerueth ſupernaturall ſtrength, reſtoreth and reneweth ſtrength of grace decaied; is the only heauenly p. 24Cordial to comfort the heart in gripes of temptation, and accuſation: it is the comforter in all afflictions; that a Chriſtian may ſay of it as Dauid of the Law,Pſal. 119.92.Ps 119:92 Had not my comfort beene in thy law; I had periſhed long agoe in my trouble.

Vſe 1 Labour then to ſee the worth and price of the Goſpell, that with Chriſt thou maiſt preferre this Pearle of the Kingdome, aboue all Pearles & Kingdomes, and value this Pearle of grace aboue al naturall Pearles.

p. 25Our Sauiour would hauehave vsus ſee how carnall we are, while ſuch ſupernaturall treaſures are ſo ſlightly accounted, and at ſo little and low a rate with vsus. How carnall is it to preferre other Pearles which are from earth, or ſea, before this Pearle which onelyonly is from heauen? How vnwiſe are we, ſo highly to value the Pearles whoſe matter is duſt and ſlime, and whoſe beautie is by the Sun beames included: and contemne the Pearle, p. 26the matter of which is the eternall louelove of God by Ieſus Chriſt: and the beautie the light & grace of Chriſt the Sunne of righteouſneſſe, which for the orient brightneſſe excelleth the Sunne ſhining in his ſtrength.

Beſide, neuer ſhall this Pearle be purchaſed before it be prized; nor euer be of vſe to vsus vntill we hauehave purchaſed it: as a Pearle keepeth it ſhine, beautie, and vertue, wrapped vp in the darkneſſe and bowels of the earth; p. 27but no whit enricheth him that findeth it not.

Vſe 2 Alſo let vsus place our riches in the Goſpell, Place our riches in this Pearle.which is ſo farre aboue Pearles as the ſubſtance is aboue the ſhadow: Pearles here doe but ſhadow forth the worth of grace, but there is no proportion betweene them in ſhining, vſe, or beautie.

Firſt, becauſe opinion ſetteth the price of the one;1. The excellencie of this Pearle aboue all other in fiue things. but worth on the other: the true worth of the grace of the Goſpell, heighteneth it to him that p. 28can truly eſteeme it.

Secondly, no Pearle can buy a graine of grace; but grace may bring riches & Pearles; hauing the promiſe of this life as well as of that which is to come.

Thirdly, no Pearle can auaile in the day of wrath: only grace oppoſed to Gods diſpleaſure ſtinteth it, Prou. 11.4.

Fourthly, Pearles and treaſures can no way further a mans ſaluation; many wayes doe and may binder it: many for gaping p. 29after the world loſe their owne ſoules: but the wealth of the Goſpell only ſaueth ſoules, and there is no other meanes beſides it.

Fiftly, Pearles may make a man rich in this world, and adorne the outward man; but not the inward: neither will they goe with vsus hence to doe vsus any good; here we finde them, and here wee leaue them. But the rich Pearle of the Goſpel is indeed ours; and maketh vsus richeſt in heauen: content p. 30thy ſelfe therefore with it as the bleſſed Diſciple Peter ſaying,Ioh. 6.68.John 6:68 Maſter, thou haſt the words of eternall life, and whither ſhall we goe? How hauehave the Saints eſteemed and made grace their only iewell and treaſure? Pſ. 119.111. Dauid made the teſtimonie of God his heritage, yea the ioy of his heart. Epheſ. 1.7. The Apoſtle calleth it a rich grace, and Chap. 2.7. the exceeding riches of his grace: and Col. 1.17. which riches is Chriſt in you.

p. 31Ob. But men that ſeeke after grace are the pooreſt men, meane, and vnproſperous in the world.

Sol. No, they are the richeſt men, though neuer ſo meane in the world, they hauehave many waies to be rich, which the worldling wanteth. They hauehave a rich knowledge, 1 Cor. 1.27. they hauehave faith a rich commoditie, more precious than gold that periſheth, 1 Pet. 1.7. they hauehave Chriſt liuing in them, and dwelling in them; they hauehave praier p. 32a rich ſtorehouſe; they naue title, and are indeed heires of the Kingdome of heauen. And ſuppoſe they be afflicted, reiected, and ſcorned amongſt men; yet can they with Moſes, account the rebukes of Chriſt greater riches than the treaſures of Egypt, Heb. 11.46. On what a world of ſweet content lodgeth in the heart with Chriſt? in want of all things hee hath all things. It one aske a Chriſtian, What is thy Country? he may anſwer, p. 33Chriſt and his Country. What is thy kindred? Anſ. Chriſt is my kindred. Matth. 12.50. Behold my mother, and my brethren, and my ſiſters. What is thy wealth and honor? Anſwer, Gods Kingdome is mine, yea God himſelfe: he is all things to mee, here and hereafter.

Men caſt vp their heads, and looke aloft, if they be Lords of ſome ſmall Manour, or poſſeſſion: but to be a King or Prince of a peece of earth, lifteth p. 34them in their conceits aboue the tops of the clouds: But a poore Chriſtian is better contented with poore and naked Chriſt, than with all ſuch high and ſtately vanitie.

Vſe 3 Wee muſt alſo doe for the Goſpell as men will doe for pearles and treaſures, Doe for the Goſpell as men doe for Pearles.take paines to purchaſe and obtaine it.

1.1. Painfulnes to procure it. What a deale of paines and trauell doe men take to Faires and Markets, in hope of a little profit, of which yet they may be diſappointed: p. 35but refuſe all coſt, and trauell for the Goſpell? Oh that men would heare the call of the Goſpell, and ſeeke for faith aboue ſiluer, and for grace aboue fine gold; happy is the man that findeth the merchandiſe of grace, and the commoditie of faith, which is aboue all commodities: alas that ſuch precious wares ſhould lie neglected, and neuer asked after, nay refuſed and thruſt off, when God maketh offer to thruſt the ſame vponupon vsus; while p. 36for eueryevery trifle wee want, for eueryevery ſhooeſtring, we can inquire, aske, and pray for: but content our ſelues with goods wanting goodneſſe, and with a full cheſt of ſiluer, or gold; and a heart emptie of God and his grace: woe to ſo rich a begger; and vnhappy is that man that hath only not purchaſed what was only worth purchaſing.

2.2. Carefully locke it vp in thy ſureſt theſt. Locke vp the doctrine and promiſes of the Goſpell in faith full hearts and memories. p. 37A man that hath a Iewell of ineſtimable price, will bee ſure to locke it vp in the ſureſt cheſt hee hath; How careful then ſhould we be of ſafe keeping the inſtructions of Gods word? which wee can lightly reiect; and will bee more carefull to keepe the leaſt peece of ſiluer that euer we ſaw coined, than the moſt inualuable treaſures of Gods word that euer we heard preached? But Mary pondred Chriſts words, and laid them vp in the cloſet of her heart.

p. 38Vſe 4 Againe, Comfort to poore Chriſtians.this tends to comfort poore Chriſtians. Thou art poore and deſpiſed in the world; but God hath honoured thee with a Pearle, worth all the Kings ranſomes in the world. Thou art a loſer in the world, the profits of it flie from thee, into other mens hands; But 2 Cor. 6.10. as poore, and yet making many rich; as hauing nothing, and yet poſſeſsing all things. Thou loſeſt thy name, goods, and libertie; but this Pearle remaineth with thee in p. 39all eſtates; thou art neuer ſo poore as thou ſeemeſt, nor ſuch a loſer as the world takes thee for: Dauid found the word his comfort in trouble, and that kept him from periſhing: yea the ſtatutes were his ſongs in the time of his pilgrimage, Pſal. 119.50.54.

This of the ſecond thing.

33. Who is the Merchant? Who the Merchant is.Anſw. EueryEvery Chriſtian man and woman, who are in the way to heauen; and in reſpect of their trade p. 40of Chriſtianitie are compared to the Merchant. Prou. 3.14. for the merchandiſe of wiſdome is better than the merchandiſe of ſiluer, and the gaine thereof is better than gold. Luke 19.13. And hee called his ten ſeruants, and deliuered them ten pecces of money, and ſaid vntounto them, Occupie this till I come. Chriſtianitie is a ſpirituall merchandiſing: I ſay ſpirituall, to diſtinguiſh it from ciuill; neither is it altogether ſo like, but that there is much difference p. 41and diſſimilitude betweene them:Seuen differences betweene ciuill and ſpirituall merchandiſing. and the difference is in ſeuen things.

1. In reſpect of perſons:1. Perſons.in ciuill ſocietie, all muſt not bee Merchants. The Polititians call Merchants, Pedes corpor is politici, that is, the feet of the body politicke; both to carry out needleſſe commodities into forraine parts, and by exchange to bring in more and other neceſſaries for them: Now all the body muſt not be a foot; nor all the members of p. 42a naturall body hauehave the ſame function. But in this myſticall body it is farre otherwayes: For here eueryevery Chriſtian ought to bee a Merchant, Luk. 19.13. ſeeing eueryevery Chriſtian man hath receiued ſome talents of his Lord to trafficke with; & charge alſo to trade, and occupie with them till hee come: And whereas in ciuill dealings Miniſters are excepted, and prohibited, that they muſt neither make merchandiſe of the word, nor intangle p. 43themſelues with the affaires of this life: 2 Tim. 2.4. No man that warreth intangleth himſelfe with the affaires of this life, becauſe hee ſhould pleaſe him that hath choſen him to be a ſouldier; Theſe are in this ſupernaturall trading the chiefe Merchants, of whom men muſt expect, & inquire of theſe chiefe and heauenly commodities.

Secondly,2. Commodities. in reſpect of the commodities; Ciuill Merchants doe only deale in profits from earth, and for p. 44earth: in earth are they gotten, and in the earth are they left; but theſe ſpirituall Merchants deale in commodities farther fetcht, namely from heauen, and for heauen; not left by vsus, nor leauing vsus, till wee get into heauen; the Apoſtle calleth them heauenly things in Chriſt.

Thirdly, in regard of the manner of obtaining them, they doe much differ: theſe are often gotten by indirect meanes; as by falſe weights, meaſures, counterfet money, lies, p. 45and oathes; and this ciuill merchandiſing is one of the Arts or Trades, that may bee well or ill vſed: But in ſpirituall & ſupernaturall trading, the Merchant aduanceth his eſtate by true and iuſt meanes onelyonly: eueryevery thing is weighed out, and taken in by the weights of the Sanctuarie, ſealed by God himſelfe for true and iuſt; they are people of a pure language; caſting deceit out of their mouthes: here they are not craftie Merchants p. 46to deceiue their brethren,Iohn 1.John 1but true Nathaniels in whom there is no guile.

Fourthly,Fourthly, effects. in regard of the effects; Ciuill trading oft times calleth men from the worſhip of God, and hindreth it: Luk. 14.18.19. wee may read of three ſorts that refuſed to come to the ſupper, two of them were Merchants; the one had bought a farme, and the other fiue yoake of oxen, and theſe muſt be excuſed: But this euer furthereth it; for no man can p. 47attaine to the meanes of ſaluation (which is this ſupernaturall merchandiſing) but by ſuch parts of Gods worſhip, & mans duty, as the Lord hath appointed in his word.

Fiftly,Fiftly, meanes in reſpect of neceſſary meanes to vphold and driue the trade withall: In ciuill trading money is neceſſarium ſubſidium; for when men needed not the commodities exchangeable, mony was inuented to preſerue contracts; without which the Merchant p. 48cannot compaſſe his commodities. But in ſupernaturall trafficke, the Merchant buyeth without money or money worth. Eſa. 55.1. Hoe, eueryevery one that thirſteth, come yee to the waters, and ye that hauehave no ſiluer, come buy and eat: come (I ſay) and buy wine and milke without ſiluer and without money: Not the leaſt of theſe commodities are to be valued by money, gold, pearles, and the deſirable things of this life, Prou. 3.14.15. for the merchandiſe thereof p. 49is better than ſiluer, or whatſoeuer men can deuiſe or deſire beſides it.

Sixtly,6. Circumſtances. 1. Of time. in regard of circumſtances of time and place.

For the time: Ciuill merchandiſing is to be exerciſed on the ſix dayes, not on the Sabbath day. 13. Neh. 19, 20. And when the gates of Ieruſalem began to be darke, before the Sabbath I commanded to ſhut the gates, and charged, that they ſhould not be opened till after the Sabbath: and ſome of my ſeruants p. 50ſet I at the gates, that there ſhould be no burden brought in on the Sabbath day: So the chapmen and Merchants of all merchandiſe remained once or twiſe without Ieruſalem.

But for ſupernatural and ſpirituall trading, as all the ſix dayes are fit; ſo the ſeuenth eſpecially is the Lords mart or market, to furniſh all his people with prouiſion for the whole weeke following.

And for the place: All places are not fit for ciuill marts & Merchants; p. 51but the principall prohibited place is the Church the houſe of God: Matth. 21.12. Ieſus went into the Temple of God, and caſt out all them that bought and ſold in the Temple, and ouerthrew the tables of the money changers, and the ſeats of them that ſold Doues: Chriſt would not endure his Fathers houſe of praier to be made a houſe of merchandiſe. But in ſpirituall trading, for heauen, all places are fit for Chriſtian Merchants, who ſhould p. 52goe no where but ſtill be trading for grace: and continually either be doing of good, or taking of good: But eſpecially the houſe of God is the moſt proper place appointed, for the inriching of the heart, and increaſing of the ſtocke of faith and knowledge, and of all graces.

So much for the diſſimilitude betweene them:The ſimilitude and reſemblance between earthly and heauenly trading ſtandeth in fiue things. Now the ſimilitude and reaſon of this reſemblance ſtandeth in fiue things.

1. A Merchant man p. 53is a man that dealeth in great and precious commodities; The Greeke word is foreign, not foreign, the Merchant is no pedler, nor chapman of ſmall wares, nor taken vp in ſelling pins, or points, and toyes for babes: but tradeth for great things, for great bulks, & quantities,1. In greatnes of the commodities. for great ſummes, and dealeth in moſt rich commodities.

So the Chriſtian Merchant carefull for heauen, aimeth not at the baſe profits of this p. 54life; as ſiluer, gold, and ſuch corruptible things: for theſe things are but ſmall in his eye and contemptible, in reſpect of the buſineſſe of iuſtification, of holineſſe, grace, and glory. Theſe are that one thing needfull,Luke 10.42.Luke 10:42 and that better part that taketh vp his thoughts and deſires: ſuch a rich Merchant was Dauid, Pſal. 4.7. Thou haſt giuen me more ioy of heart than they hauehave had when their wheat and their oile did abound. Let other men peddle and p. 55barter for corne, wine, and oile, the Chriſtian Merchant hath a commoditie beyond all this, in his eye:Pſal. 4.6.Ps 4:6 Lord lift vponupon me the light of thy countenance; Such a Merchant was Zacheus, Luke 18.8.Luke 18:8when ſaluation was come to his houſe; he caſt away theſe pedling profits, faſter than he gat them; halfe hee gaue to the poore, and the reſt he reſerued to reſtore fourefold.

Such a one was Paul, Phil. 3.8.Phil 3:8who counted all things loſſe and dung in compariſon of Chriſt; and p. 56to know the vertue of his death and reſurrection. Such rich Merchants were the Martyrs; who hauing heauen in their eye, eſteemed their goods, libertie, yea life it ſelfe not worth hauing in compariſon thereof. For as a man if hee were as high as the Moone, would ſee the earth but as a pricke: ſo hee whoſe thoughts are in heauen, and his eye on things that are aboue, within the veile, eſteemeth the earth but ſmall, and deſpicable. p. 57For euen as the great light drowneth the leſſer; ſo the bright ſhining of the Sunne of righteouſneſſe, drowneth all the leſſer candles and comforts of this preſent world.

Secondly,2. In the skill of the commoditie. there is likeneſſe in the skill of the commoditie hee dealeth in: For as a Merchant greatly aduanceth his eſtate, if he hauehave skill, and inſight, what commodities are like to be of the quickeſt returne: if he know and lay out for the beſt conditioned p. 58commodities of eueryevery kinde: So the Chriſtian Merchant labouring for Skill, knowledge, and ſound iudgement in the matter of Religion, whereby he may be able to iudge aright of Doctrines deliuered, ſhall grow rich in knowledge, and to a great meaſure of faith, and full of Chriſtian wiſdome; whence the Apoſtle (Phil. 1.10.) praieth, that they may abound in all knowledge and iudgement to diſcern things that differ: and p. 59thus they ſhall be rich, and filled with fruits of righteouſneſſe, verſ. 11.

And contrariwiſe, for want of this skill, a Merchant dealing for great bulkes, ſoone falleth into great loſſes: but eſpecially the Ieweller or Lapidarie by ignorance may ſoone ouerthrow his whole eſtate, in reſpect of many cheaters and couſeners, who can notably counterfeit Pearles, and make them ſeeme very orient by falſe arts, and ſo put away at a great price a peece of a fiſh p. 60bone or ſhell, or ſome peece of painted glaſſe for rich Pearles and precious ſtones.

Euen ſo, many ſpirituall Merchants decay, and breake for want of this skill, by meanes of many impoſters and deceiuers, heretickes, falſe teachers, Apoſtates, Libertine Preachers, and the Popiſh guides, furniſhed with all arts to deceiue, as with wit and ſpeech, and other inſinuatiue faculties, that make offer of pibles for Pearls, and thruſt vponupon men p. 61for the true Pearle of Gods word, the glaſſie, and brickle conceits of mans braines: which becauſe they hauehave made to gliſter, and hauehave ſet a good colour on them, they hold at as high a rate, as any Pearle can be valued; and now many inconſiderate perſons are taken with the beautie, profit, or ſome ſeeming pleaſure, and ſo robbed and gulled of their ſoundneſſe, for the preſent; and of their expectations and hopes hereafter. Now that we p. 62may not be thus abuſed, let vsus liſten to thoſe Apoſtolicall precepts: Epheſ. 4.14. Not to be children, wauering and carried about with eueryevery wind of Doctrine, by the deceit of men, and craftineſſe whereby they lie in wait to deceiue: and in 1 Ioh. 4.1. Beleeue not eueryevery ſpirit, but trie the ſpirits whether they are of God: and 1 Theſſ. 5.21. Trie all things, and keepe that which is good

Thirdly,3. In conferring of their commodities. the ſimilitude is in their conuerſing and conferring one with another: EueryEvery p. 63Merchant will be ſpeaking of his commodities; he will make offer of his pearles, and wares of price, that he may put them off into other mens hands for his owne aduantage. So the Chriſtian Merchant will bee talking and conferring of this Pearle of the Goſpell; as in Cant. 5.6. The Spouſe ſpendeth her dayes in breathing out the praiſes of Chriſt. A faithfull Chriſtian cannot hide grace in a napkin, nor hold it ſo cloſe to himſelfe, but hee p. 64muſt communicate it and make offers of it to others: Such good Merchants were the two Diſciples going to Emmaus, conferring of Chriſt, whom Chriſt ioyned himſelfe with, Luk. 24.19. Such a one was Paul offering the Pearle to Agrippa, and wiſhing all the people were ſuch as he was, except his bonds, Act. 26.29. And the reaſon is, whatſoeuer hee can communicate to another, is his owne cleere gaine: For this is the difference between the p. 65ſecular riches and ſpirituall: A worldly rich man is rich for himſelfe only, and the more he imparteth to others, the leſſe is leſt for himſelfe; But hee that is rich in God, is not only rich in & for himſelfe; but theſe riches doe more inrich him by inriching others, than holding them to himſelfe: and the more he communicateth, the more remaineth; as the oyle in the cruſe and the meale in the barrell, were not waſted with ſpending, but rather increaſed.

p. 66Fourthly,4. The earneſt deſire of increaſing their eſtate of both. in the earneſt deſire, & endeuour of increaſing wealth, they may be fitly compared. The Merchant refuſeth no paines or perill, no labour or danger, no coſt or charge, no hazard by Sea or Land to purchaſe ſuch commodities, as may yeeld him returne of profit and aduantage: But eſpecially Lapidaries and Merchants for Pearls, toile themſelues by many weary iournies, and voyages, into all lands and countries; and hauehave their factors p. 67lying abroad eueryevery where to meet with Pearles and precious ſtones which are of greateſt gaine and aduantage.

So the Chriſtian Merchant hath an inſatiable thirſt and hunger after the good things of the Goſpell; and with vnweariable ſtudy and deſire he trauelleth to eueryevery Mart, where this Pearle may be met withall: he apprehendeth all opportunities, frequenteth eueryevery Sermon, waiteth at the gates of Wiſdome: p. 68Pro. 8.34.Prov 8:34hee ſwalloweth eaſily matter of labour and charge, to become owner of the Pearle, and hee is inſtant in this painfull endeuour: for here it is not as in ciuill trading, wherein many Merchants hauing gotten money enough, giuegive vp their trade, and take their eaſe in the Country: but ſo long as there is any good comming in, he will be ready for it: and as the labour of the body bringeth thirſt, ſo the labour of the ſoule increaſeth thirſt after p. 69grace. Beſides that, grace is ſo ſweet to a godly heart, as a Chriſtian Merchant can neuer bee ſatisfied, nor euer giuegive vp as hauing enough; and as hee knoweth the ſtreame from whence hee ſucketh, can neuer bee drawne drie: ſo himſelfe is euer in want of ſome good things, or at the leaſt of ſome meaſure of it; and is euer ſeeking the ſupplie of the ſame.

Fiftly,5. They agree in care to preſerue their eſtate. they agree in the care of preſeruing, and ſafe keeping the p. 70Pearles, and wealth gotten: the Merchant doth know hee is in continuall danger of theeues and robbers; and that the more precious the commodities be, the more eagerly they are aſſaulted: and himſelfe for them often ſet vponupon; ſometimes with hazard, ſometimes with loſſe of goods, & life it ſelfe: now hee is ſo much the more carefull and watchfull to barre, and locke vp in the ſureſt and ſtrongeſt places his richeſt commodities.

p. 71So the Chriſtian Merchants are in continuall chaſe and purſuit by Satan, ſeducers, heretickes, falſe teachers, tyrants, and all prophane ones in the world; Beſides their owne inbred rebellion and lufts, which fight againſt their owne ſoules.

Now then all theſe lie in wait ſo much more diligently, as the wealth is more precious than any other, to rob theſe Merchants, not of ſiluer or gold, but of faith and hope, p. 72and all their graces, the leaſt of which is much more precious than gold, or the moſt precious Pearles that euer lay hid in the bowels of the earth: Yea themſelues are ſo furiouſly aſſaulted, as hardly they may eſcape with goods or life, as wee may ſee in Chriſt himſelfe, and in the Martyrs, who for his ſake were bereaued, and ſtripped of all outward comforts of life, and life it ſelfe.

Hence the wiſe Chriſtian Merchant p. 73carefully fenceth himſelfe with Gods feare: Secondly, ſtandeth on his ground and guard of faith: Thirdly, locketh vp his graces and the word in his heart: Fourthly, keepeth watches with God morning and euening in holy praier and praiſes: Fiftly, with Chriſtian fortitude and armour, hee maintaineth the meaſure of grace receiued: By all which meanes hee not onelyonly diſappointeth the enemie of his prey, but alſo ſheweth his owne p. 74valour & vertue which is no leſſe in keeping and retaining the good things of the Goſpell,Non minor eſt virtus, quam quaerere, parta tueri.than in getting and attaining them.

Vſe 1 Now if Chriſtians be Merchants, then not Monkes nor eremits;Merchants & Monks very different.not a cloiſtred people who liue alone; and not to any other. Ciuill Merchants muſt trade and conuerſe together for the good one of another; and Chriſtian Merchants much more: I would theſe bellies had eares, and that theſe drones p. 75would conſider; Firſt, how vnnaturall this courſe of life is, condemned by the heathens themſelues. Ariſtotle could ſay that Homo eſt natura animal gregabile, Politie. 1.a man is naturally ſociable: and Cicero, that no man is borne for himſelfe,Offic. 1. Non nobis nati ſumus, ſid partem patria, partem parentes, &c. but his Country, kindred and his neighbours, yea eueryevery man hath a part in eueryevery man secondly … other more eſſentiall efference is there, between the life of man & brute beaſts; but the beaſts p. 76life is a kind of fingle life for it ſelfe: but mans life is a life communicatiue? Thirdly, theſe droues of idle cattle are the vnprofitable burthens of the earth; for, what gift ſoeuer they hauehave, all is loſt; what profit is there in a hidden treaſure?Paulum ſepultae diſtat incrtiae Celata virtus. ſo wiſdome and gifts denied to the Church and Common-wealth, to what are they profitable? God hath not giuen all gifts to one; but varietie of gifts to diuers; Vt ego tuis, tu meis indigeres: God will p. 77hauehave men taught, edified, gouerned, by men, not by Angels: How then can he ſet vp the duties of pietie, promote the good of his neighbour, or edifie the Church by precept or example, which flieth ſocietie, and impriſoneth himſelfe in wilfull fetters; vnnaturally putting off manhood, and bleſſing himſelfe in a fearfull curſe, as any tēporall almoſt can be?

Vſe 2 Let all of vsus therefore carry our ſelues like wiſe Merchants.Imitate wiſe Merchants in three things.

1. A wiſe Merchant p. 78will know what ſtocke he putteth into trade: ſo muſt we take notice what talent or talents we hauehave receiued of the Lord to trafficke withall; what portion or proportion of gifts we hauehave in our hands: and eſteeme our ſelues worth ſo much, as we hauehave receiued of grace, and no more.

Secondly, the Merchant will not lay out his money but for a hopefull bargaine. Eſay 55.2. Wherefore doe you lay out ſiluer and not for bread, and your labour p. 79without being ſatiſfied? Hearken diligently vntounto me, and eat that which is good, and let your ſoule delight in fatneſſe; taxing the folly of ſuch as labour and dearely buy externall food, and prouiſion: with neglect of the wholeſome bread and water of life.

So a wiſe Chriſtian Merchant will ſpend his time and labour on that, which when hee hath gotten, will ſatiſfie him; which if hee beſtow in outward things, (ſuppoſe hee p. 80doth gaine them) they cannot ſatisfie him.Eccleſ. 5.9.Eccl 5:9 He that loueth ſiluer ſhall not bee ſatisfied, and hee that loueth riches ſhall be without the fruit there of: And of all earthly things may be ſaid that of Salomon. The eye is neuer ſatisfied with ſeeing, nor the eare with hearing: onelyonly godlineſſE bringeth with it contentment.

Thirdly, the Merchant will often caſt his eſtate, his bookes, his ſhops, and his reckonings to ſee whether his ſtocke increaſeth p. 81or decayeth: If he finde himſelfe a gainer, then he is glad; if the contrary, he is heartles and ſorrowfull.

So the Chriſtian Merchant is much and often in trying his eſtate and ſtanding in grace; and is moſt glad when hee findeth in himſelfe increaſe of grace, knowledge, humility, faith, louelove, &c. but it is a death to him to goe backward, and to ſee his eſtate of grace rather to decreaſe than increaſe: hee hath no comfort in his preſent p. 82vnfruitfulneſſe; much leſſe in Apoſtacy, and backe-ſlicing: but his comfort and account to the Lord is onelyonly when hee can ſay, Luke 19.13. Lord, thy talent hath increaſed ten talents.

Vſe 3 Let this conſideration alſo comfort godly poore men deſpiſed in the world:The pooreſt Chriſtian is a very rich Merchant. thou that art a poore Chriſtian, in a low eſtate in the world, labour buſily for grace: and thou maiſt bee as rich a Merchant, hauehave as rich a ſtocke, and deale in as great and p. 83rich commodities (if poore in ſpirit) as the richeſt. Thou that haſt no money, and but little credit in the world, maiſt heere make as good a bargaine and as gainfull returne for thy ſelfe, as he that hath thouſands of money beyond thee. The poore receiue the Goſpell, ſaith our Sauiour, that is, few but the poore in eſtate, none but the poore in ſpirit; for this trading is without money, like the poore womans curing, who ſpent all her money p. 84on the Phyſitians, and yet was not cured; but Chriſt commeth and cureth her freely. Againe, art thou a poore man, haſt thou a great charge of children, and no meanes to put them forth to trades? here is a rich trade: make Merchants of them, teach them and binde them to this trade of godlineſſe: this is the way to make them proſperous in earth, and bring them happily towards heauen, Prou. 14.26. The feare of the Lord is p. 85an aſſured ſtrength, and his children ſhall hauehave hope.

Vſe 4 HaueHave likewiſe a care, that hauing bought and purchaſed the Pearle,Part not from the Pearle once gotten.thou doeſt not fell it againe. Pro. 23.23. Buy the truth, but ſell it not: likewiſe wiſdome and inſtruction, and vnderſtanding, for what wee ſell, we eſteeme it leſſe worth than that we ſel it for: but we muſt value this Pearle aboue riches, glory, libertie, Pearles, and life it ſelfe: by no meanes part from wiſdome, neither p. 86by our forgetfulneſſe, ſecurity or ouer-ſight any way: Beſides, we can ſell it for nothing which is not vncertaine gaine, but this is moſt certaine and moſt laſting; and therefore not to bee exchanged with any other.

This of the third generall.

The Merchant mans actions are three:Three maine actions of a wiſe Merchant.

1. He ſeeketh a good Pearle.

2. Findeth an excellent one.

3. Selleth all he hath to buy it.

p. 87EueryEvery man naturally will be ſeeking ſome thing to make him happy: the naturall man hath ſome naturall Pearle or other, on which hee ſetteth his affection, and in which bee taketh greateſt delight. Some Merchants eſteeme pleaſure their beſt Pearle, ſome honour, ſome riches, and the moſt of the world ſeeking ſome Pearle, light vponupon ſome counterfeit or other; wherein they content themſelues, and blinde both themſelues and others: p. 88which made an ancient Father cry out:Foelix negotiator qui nouit qua rerenon necina vt ambitioſi, nen inuti…a vt curioſi, ſed ſalubria vt ſancti. Happy is that Merchant that knoweth to ſeeke not hurtfull things as the ambitious doe, nor vnprofitable things as the curious doe; but the moſt wholeſome things as doe the Saints: but this a ſupernaturall both ſeeker and ſeeking and things ſought: The thing ſought is the grace of the Goſpell: a good Pearle indeed as before the ſeeker was, the wiſe Merchant.

Quest. But how can any man ſeeke grace, ſeeing p. 89Pſal. 14. and Rom. 3. no man ſeeketh after God?

Sol. Anſw. No man by nature can ſeeke after grace, nor of himſelfe once aske after it becauſe he is deſtitute of the ſpirit of God, no more than the loſt groat can aske after her that loſt it, or a wandring ſheepe after the Shepherd, or a dead man after life: So as thoſe places are meant of men before conuerſion and calling: for the elect ſeeke not God till God firſt ſeeke them, p. 90and findeth them. But this is to be vnderſtood of men called, conuerted, already found of God, and mooued by the Spirit of God: who mooued by God can now moue themſelues, and ſought by him now can ſeeke him. Which both ſetteth out our infinite miſerie, who of our ſelues neuer minde the meanes of happineſſe; and alſo magnifieth Gods merciemercy which is infinite: who offering vntounto vsus a free grace, doth truly ſay, I was found of them p. 91that ſought me not; and giueth him alſo the honour of goodneſſe, and of our ſeeking of him.

Only the godly and all they are ſeekers of the good Pearle: Doct.they ſeeke after God in Chriſt, and the grace of the Goſpell;Only the godly and all they are ſeekers of the Pearle.eueryevery where the godly are called ſeekers of God, and ſeekers of wiſdome, Prou. 2. and ſeekers of the kingdome, Matt. 6.33. and wicked men are deſcribed to be ſuch as ſeeke not after God, Pſalm. 14.4. And why?

Reaſ. 1 1. Theſe onelyonly doe p. 92ſee their owne want and beggerie, which is implied in ſeeking. No man ſeeketh that hee wanteth not, or that firſt findeth not in himſelfe a want of grace.Pſal 143.6.Ps 143:6 Dauid deſired grace as the thirſtie ground, and grace is not promiſed, nor giuen to any but the thirſtie. Iſa. 55.1. EueryEvery one that thirſteth, come yee to the waters. Pſalm. 14.2. Firſt they muſt vnderſtand (namely their eſtate) and then ſeeke after God.

Reaſ. 2 2. All theſe, and they alone doe ſee the excellencie, p. 93as well as the need of this Pearle, and God hath let them ſee, in ſome meaſure, the worth of it. Why are men ſo earneſtly caried to ſeeke Pearles, farre and neere ſwallowing inſenſibly all toiles, dangers, and charges, but becauſe they know their worth and price, and that if they can light on them they ſhall be well paid for all their labour.

Euen ſo, ſuch as to whom God hath made knowne in ſome meaſure, the worth of this p. 94ineſtimable lewell, are quickned daily to the vnweariable inquiſition after it. Paul knew that one graine of grace would weigh downe all the world; and therefore would procure it through all perils and dangers, through good reports or euill, through wants and loſſes, euen of the deareſt things, and moſt deſirous in all the world; whereas Ignoti nulla cupido, none will ſeeke that he knoweth not, or not any goodneſſe in it.

p. 95Reaſ. 3 3. They only know, that without painfull ſeeking, they ſhall neuer attaine the Pearle: for as Pearles doe not lie on the face of the ground, but are hid in the bowels of the earth, or in the ſands; ſo the myſteries of the Kingdome lie not abroad for eueryevery one to ſtumble vponupon vnawares; but they are a hidden treaſure, not diſcerned by the naturall man; nay hated by the wiſdome of the fleſh, and ſcorned by the wiſeſt of the world.

p. 96Beſides, that this is the condition vponupon which the Lord beſtoweth his beſt bleſſings:Pro. 2.4.Prov 2:4if we dig for wiſdome as for treaſures; which words implie, that it is not eaſie to come by; he knoweth our nature, that wee lightly ſet by what wee lightly come by: and if Pearles were as common as pibbles, wee ſhould as lightly ſet by them as we doe by the other.

Reaſ. 4 4. The godly alone ſee, that without the Pearle, they cannot by p. 97any thing elſe be ſatiſfied: for ſo ſeeking, implieth a diſcontent in the want of the thing ſought for. Common men, if they finde health, wealth, friends, pleaſures, and the like outward things, are well contented; corne, wine, & oile, to cheere their hearts: But theſe wiſe Merchants ſeeking grace, no other thing contenteth them but grace; one glimpſe of Gods countenance through Ieſus Chriſt, is ſweet aboue all. And as hee that ſeeketh a p. 96duplicate page p. 97duplicate page p. 98Iewell, doth looke ſtill after it, (a thouſand things come in his way and eye, but he paſſeth ſlightly ouer them, and ſeeth them not, nor ſeeketh hee them) euen ſo doth the Chriſtian Merchant; and as the ciuill Merchant attaining Pearles, doth reſt ioyfull in them as in ſuch commodities as will helpe his happineſſe in the world: So the godly Merchant finding this one Pearle of the Goſpel, which is the grace of life, goeth away reioycing, and p. 99reſteth well appaid for all his labours and ſufferings. He was before hee light vponupon this Pearle, the moſt vnhappie man in the world; but now hee cannot hide his ioy: but as the poore widow, which called in her neighbors to reioyce with her, becauſe ſhe had found the loſt groat, Luk. 15.9. ſo can he neither wholly hide, nor yet expreſſe halfe the ioy hee conceiueth in his new commoditie and purchaſe.

Ob. But many ſeeke, and p. 100that with reares, that faile of grace, as Eſan, and many ſhall ſtriue to enter (ſaith Chriſt) and ſhall not bee able: and Rom. 9.31, 32. Iſrael ſought right nuſneſſe, but obtained it not.

Sol. Anſw. Many ſeeke, but amiſſe,Fiue conditions of right ſeeking the Pearle. and therefore faile: ſo Iſrael ſought, but not by faith. Now the true condition of ſeeking as the wiſe Merchant, and as the word directeth, ſtandeth in fiue things.

1.1. Affectionately. With an earneſt and true louelove, deſire, and eſtimation of the thing p. 101ſought; this will make a man ſeeke diligently, and as a thirſty perſon, not coldly, careleſly, remiſly, ſlightly, or negligently; for ſuch ſeeking ſhall neuer finde: for why did the Church ſeeke Chriſt ſo laboriouſly, till ſhe found him, but becauſe it was hee whom her ſoule loued? Cant. 3.3. The watchmen that went about the Citie, found mee, to whom I ſaid, HaueHave yee ſeene him whom my ſoule loueth? And why did Mary ſeeke Chriſt, hauing p. 102loſt him three dayes? Becauſe ſhe loued him and reioyced in his perſon and preſence; which made her heart ſo heauie in his abſence, Luk. 2.42. Behold, thy father and I hauehave ſought thee with heauie hearts. The Merchant, becauſe hee loueth and eſteemeth of ſiluer, doth ſeeke it carefully and earneſtly, Pro. 2.4. and the heauenly Merchant ſhall finde grace vndoubtedly, if he ſeeke it as the other doth ſiluer. LoueLove is laborious; he p. 103that loueth Chriſt and his grace, will neuer ceaſe to ſeeke him, nor faile to finde him. See the promiſe in Ier. 29.12, 13. Then ſhall you crie vntounto mee, and you ſhall goe and pray vntounto me, and I will heare you: and you ſhall ſeeke mee and finde mee, becauſe you ſhall ſeeke mee with all your heart: Whoſoeuer then euer meaneth to finde God and his ſauing grace, muſt vnfainedly and heartily ſeeke after him.2. Wiſely in the likely place of finding.

Secondly, it muſt be ſought in the likely p. 104place and meanes of finding: the ordinary place where this Pearle is to be found, is, the aſſemblies of the Saints: there God holdeth forth his ſcepter, and maketh offer of the grace of life.Cant 1.7.Song 1:7 Where was the Church to find Chriſt with his graces at noone, in her thirſt, but in the ſteps of the ſhepherds? And theſe aſſemblies are the Suburbs of heauen, called therfore the Kingdome of grace: and hee that refuſeth the good offers of grace, in the p. 105word, ſacraments, praier, hearing, reading, conferring, & the like, ſhall neuer finde it. No wiſe Merchant will ſlacke any good opportunity of aduancing his eſtate; now the likely meanes in wiſe ſeeking are diligently to be vſed, as

1. To ſearch the euidence of the Pearle, & this euidence is contained in the Scriptures. Iohn 5. Search the Scriptures, for they witneſſe of me.

Secondly, the grant of it is from heauen by p. 106prayer. Let vsus therefore goe boldly to the Throne of grace that we may find mercy and grace to helpe in time of need, Heb. 4.16.

Thirdly, the couenant is by the application of theſe meanes ſigned, and deliuered, yea and witneſſed by the bleſſed Spirit of GOD, by a bleſſed change in the beleeuing heart; by mortification, and ſubduing the corruption of nature; by heauenly motions, heauenly mindednes, and gracious conuerſation, p. 107ſtanding not in a ſhell, a forme or ſhew, but in the kernil, power, and ſubſtance of ſound godlineſſe.

Thirdly,3. Principally. it muſt be ſought firſt and principally, yea onelyonly ſought and that for it ſelfe: it muſt be ſought firſt in time: As Pſalme 63.3. Early in the morning wil I ſeeke thee. The Iſraelites muſt ſeeke Manna, the firſt thing they doe in the morning. Eſau ſeeketh, but too late; the fooliſh Virgins doe knocke, but the doore is ſhut. 2. It muſt be p. 108ſought in the firſt place. Matth. 6.33. Seeke yee firſt the kingdome of heauen, and the righteouſneſſe thereof: Seeke neither other things before it, as worldlings, nor other things with it, as prophane Epicures, who would graſpe heauen and earth together; nor yet ſeeke it for other things, as Hypocrites, who profeſſe the Goſpell for fauour, credit, profit, or ſome other (in reſpect of that) baſe things. But ſeeke it alone for it ſelfe, and in p. 109ſincerity; for only ſuch ſeeking findeth it: Neuer will Chriſt bee ſought for loaues, nor can the ſame eye looke to heauen and earth together.

Fourthly,Fourthly, humbly. it muſt be ſought humbly, that is, firſt out of thy ſelfe: a man that wanteth water, will go to the fountaine; the waters of grace muſt flow from the fountaine, and wellhead Chriſt Ieſus: ſeeke it therefore in him and from him. The eye of faith ſpieth it in him, and the hand of faith p. 110doth take it vp from him.

Secondly, it muſt be ſought with godly forrow and repentance for ſinne. Iſay 1.16. Waſh you, make you cleane, take away the euill of your works, from before mine eyes; ceaſe to doe euill.

Thirdly, with reformation of heart and life. Pſal. 14.4. The workers of iniquitie are vnfit and vnworthy ſeekers of grace.

Fiftly,5. Conſtantly. it muſt be ſought conſtantly: Mary and Ioſeph neuer gaue p. 111ouer ſeeking Chriſt vntill they found him, nor the Church till ſhee found him: neither muſt we giuegive ouer ſeeking, hauing found grace, for it is not in this ſeeking, as in other things, where hauing found, we reſt contented, and ſeeke no more: but here hauing found the thing wee ſought, we muſt ſeeke ſtill: for a Chriſtian is euer wanting of grace, if not in whole, yet in part, if not in ſubſtance, yet in ſome degree and meaſure of it: and p. 112therefore this worke (as the husband mans) is neuer at an end.

Vſe 1 This muſt needes condemne many of vsus, of extreame folly and ſinne: how few of vsus, hauehave ſought after grace as after ſiluer? for ſiluer we will take great paines, riſe early, goe to bed late, and eat the bread of carefulneſſe: but when doe wee ſo for grace? for ſiluer we will trauell many miles on horſe, and foot, to a market or faire, if wee can but gaine or returne halfe a handfull p. 113of ſiluer: but for grace we will hardly ſtep out of doores or beſtow the leaſt paines, to frequent the places of Gods exchange. In ſeeking ſiluer, eueryevery man will ſeeke a good pennyworth; hee is carefull that none ouer-reach him: hee parteth with his money as warily as may be: and will be ready to lay hold on a good bargaine, when it is offered. In the matter of grace, how fearefully doe many thruſt it away with both hands, wilfully forſaking p. 114their own mercy? Iona. 2.8. They that wait vponupon lying vanities, forſake their owne mercy: that is, refuſe the bargaine of eternall life offered, almoſt forced vponupon them and others, that ſeemed to hauehave receiued a good ſum of grace, fooliſhly depart with it, and fall away either quite or wholly, or elſe from their meaſure and their firſt louelove; theſe men are farre from ſeeking grace, and farther from finding it.

Vſe 2 This ſhould ſtir vp our thirſt after grace, to p. 115expreſſe our ſelues wiſe Merchants ſeazed on the Pearle, which that we may earneſtly ſeeke after, let vsus conſider theſe fiue motiues.

1.5. Motiues to prouoke vsus earneſtly to ſeeke after grace. Chriſt ſeeketh vsus, and deſireth vsus to ſeeke him; and ſhall Chriſt ſeek thee for thy good, and not thou ſeeke him for thine owne good? But Chriſt ſeeketh vsus, as a Hen that gathereth her chickins vnderunder her wings, Matth. 23.37. and woe vntounto vsus if we remaine vngathered. The father of the prodigall, goeth p. 116out to meet his ſonne returning home, to incourage vsus to goe out of our ſolues to ſeeke him.

Secondly, the fearefull reuenge againſt ſuch as ſeeke not, nor inquire after GOD, ſhould mooue vsus to ſeek him: as Zeph. 1.6. in the fourth Verſe, I will cut off the remnant of Baal; & in the ſixth, And them that turne backe from the Lord, and thoſe that hauehave not ſought the Lord nor inquired for him. And if they vnderunder the p. 117Law were ſo reuenged, how much more ſhall wee liuing vnderunder the Goſpell,Heb. 2.3.Heb 2:3 if we neglect ſo great ſaluation? If the Goſpel be now hid, it is hid to them that periſh, 2 Corin. 4.3. Oh what a fearefull caſe is it, that the Goſpell ſhould ſerue for the conuiction of men, and not for their conuerſion? Oh thrice vnhappy man that ſhall peruert this ſo aboundant grace to his owne deſtruction: and yet the plenty of Gods grace in the Goſpel ſhall condemne p. 118thouſands that neuer required or ſought after it.

3. Thou ſhouldeſt ſeeke grace from God, but he ſeeketh to pin his grace on thy ſleeue: God bringeth home the Goſpell to thy houſe and doores; hee ſendeth forth his ſeruants, he continueth to ſeeke thee by continuing the meanes and the ſeaſon of grace: he ſeeketh thee daily by his word, his Miniſters, his bleſſings, his corrections, by the motions of the ſpirit, by the checks p. 119of thine owne conſcience, and wilt thou not ſeeke being ſo ſought vntounto? dareſt thou receiue ſuch grace ſtill in vaine? 2 Cor. 6.5. or turne it to wantonnes? Iud. 3.

Fourthly, of this ſaluation the Prophets ſearch diligently, 1 Pet. 1.10. and ſhall wee to whom it more ſpecially belongeth, not ſo much as aske or inquire after it? or ſhall we thruſt it away as the Iewes did, Acts 13.46. but not without the moſt fearefull reuenge p. 120that euer hapned to any nation vnderunder the heauens, vnderunder which they lye at this day?

Fiftly, for a man to abide deſtitute of deſire and indeuour after grace, ſheweth that Sathan the God of the world worketh mightily in ſuch a one, and hath him in his power to hood-winke him, and hide from him the grace of the Goſpell, that the brightneſſe of this Pearle ſhould neuer ſhine to him, leaſt he ſhould conuert and be ſaued: See 2 Cor. 4.3, p. 1214. This of the firſt action: Who hauing found a Pearle of great price.

The ſecond action of the wiſe Merchant is; he findeth an excellent Pearle; Of the Pearle, and of the excellencie we hauehave ſpoken: Now are we in this part onelyonly to ſpeake ſomething of the finding of it. And by the Pearle being meant the grace of the Goſpell, as wee hauehave heard, wee learne this Doctrine: Doct. 1 Seekers of grace ſhall finde it.That ſeekers of grace ſhall finde it: and onelyonly they. Pſalme p. 122118.5. I called vponupon the Lord in trouble, and the Lord heard me, and ſet me at large: and Pſalm. 138.3. When I called then thou heardeſt mee, & haſt increaſed ſtrength in my ſoule: Salomon ſeeketh wiſdome and findeth it. Luke 15.9. Matth. 7.8. The woman that ſought the loſt groat, found it: Whoſoeuer asketh, receiueth, and he that ſeeketh, findeth. Why?

Reaſ. 1 1. Faithfull ſeeking can neuer take God wanting or vnwilling to giuegive grace, both becauſe p. 123hee hath promiſed, and is able to performe, aboue all we are able to aske or thinke: His power is ſufficient to ſupply all our wants: and Iſay 65.1. I was found of them that ſought mee not: and verſe 24. Yea before they call I will anſwer, and while they ſpeake, I will heare.

If earthly fathers that are euill, Matth. 7.11.Matt 7:11(both in compariſon of God, and in their owne inclination) can giuegive good things to their children that aske, much more p. 124our heauenly Father can and will. How glad is an earthly father, when his children can ſeeke after that which is good for them? and our heauenly Father much more: Beſides, God who hath promiſed cannot lye, Titus 1.2. now he ſhould deceiue his people, if they ſhould not finde the grace they duly ſeeke: but he hath ſaid, Matth. 5, 6. that the hungring and thirſting ſoule ſhall be ſatisfied and ſupplied.

Reaſ. 2 2. The Lord will not p. 125ſo farre diſcourage his ſeruants, and diſhearten them, as neuer to let them finde that, they beſtow ſo much true paines in ſeeking: but he vpholdeth them in ſeeking, by ſupplying, ſome way or other, ſome time or other, that they ſeeke: his wiſdome not only feedeth his children with hopes of an harueſt to come; but affordeth them preſent food and finding, euen in this life, ſo far as will ſtand with hunger and thirſt: by which hee incourageth p. 127them in their prayers, teares, labours, and ſufferings, and without which finding for the preſent, in part, the ſmoaking wicke ſhould bee quickly quenched, and all the beginning of grace eaſily loſt: oyle is not more neceſſarie to feed a lampe, than the ſupply of grace is to feed grace. Pſal. 116.1. I louelove the Lord, becauſe hee hath heard my voice and prayers: and Pſal. 65.2. Becauſe thou heareſt prayer, vntounto thee ſhall all fleſh come.

p. 126Reaſ. 3 3. The Lord will not ſo much withſtand his owne glory, as not be found of true ſeekers, becauſe his owne glory is the maine end of all his mercy. Pſal. 22.26. They that ſeeke after the Lord ſhall praiſe him: namely, in acknowledging him true in his promiſes and plentifull in his mercies.

Obiect. But God is a free giuer of grace, and before wee can aske wee ſhall hauehave it without ſeeking: what need we then ſeek ſo diligently?

p. 128Anſw. 1. Gods grace is free in reſpect of merits, not of meanes: if God ſhould not giuegive vsus ſauing grace before we aske it, we ſhould neuer hauehave it; and no man can ſeeke grace but by grace; yet God giueth not grace to idle or ſleepy perſons, but to the vigilant and watchfull: he is not ſo prodigall of ſo excellent a Pearle, as to beſtow it for nothing: or vponupon thoſe, who hauing taſted the ſweetnes of it, will not beſtirre themſelues for more, that p. 129they may grow in grace.

2. Though God doth beſtow on vsus free ſaluatiō which coſteth vsus nothing, yet wee muſt accept it in the meanes: which do excite & exerciſe our graces, & ſuffer vsus to bee neither idle, nor vnfruitfull in the worke of the Lord.

But if we ſeeke, our ſeeking is a cauſe of finding, & ſo Gods grace ſhall not be free.

Anſ. 1. Our ſeeking is no cauſe of finding but a meanes or way in which we finde.

p. 1302. In ſeeking we doe our duty, but merit nothing by it; for when we hauehave done all we can, we are vnprofitable ſeruants.

Note. 3. The promiſe of finding is not made to the ſeeking, but to the ſeeker, being in Chriſt: who findeth for Chriſts ſake, not for his owne.

Obiect. But I hauehave ſought long, and hauehave not found.

Sol. Anſ. There is a 2. fold ſeeking, 1.6. Sorts of ſeekers amiſſe. a ſeeking amiſſe, and then no maruell if thou findeſt not; Eſan ſought with p. 131teares, and findeth not: many ſhall ſeeke and ſtrine to enter, and ſhall not bee able; and of theſe are ſixe ſorts, 1. wicked men being deſtitute of the ſpirit of GOD, want their eyes cleared: and a blind man ſhall ſooner find a Pearle loſt, than they this.

2. Some ſeeke without light, as fond Familiſts and Anabaptiſts, who ſeeke grace in the darke corners of Enthuſiaſmes, and reuelations, ſcorning the light of the Scriptures p. 132and Miniſtrie: in which the ſpirit onelyonly and ordinarily offreth himſelf to be found.

3. Some ſeeke without the promiſe and ſo without faith: Iſrael ſought it by merits, Rom. 9.31.

4. Some ſeeke without repentance. Iſay 1.16. waſh you, make you cleane, and then come and reaſon together.

5. Some ſeeke it vnſeaſonablie the doore being ſhut, ſo did Eſau when the bleſſing was beſtowed.

6. Some ſeeke withon p. 133out ſincerity. Hypocrites ſeeke a while but giuegive ouer, as weary of ſo much paines; now the promiſe is made to none of theſe: the goale is not giuen but to ſuch as ſtriue lawfully.

A ſecond Kind of ſeeking that is which faileth not, and that is in the true and lawfull conditions of ſeeking, as by the ſupernaturall eye of faith, by the light of Gods Word, in the right veine of finding, and in the places where the Pearle lieth, and in ſeaſon of ſeeking, p. 134whilſt the day laſteth and the light is with vsus: haſt thou thus ſought, and art yet held off? I ſay God muſt be true Quaerentibus recta & rectè, hee that ſeeketh, quae oportet & quomodo oportet, ſhall certainely finde; and therefore I ſay to thee that ſeekeſt good things well: 1. Thou haſt found grace ſufficient, 2 Cor. 12.7.2 Cor 12:7as Paul did when hee ſeemed to be denied of the grace deſired: thou haſt found grace in ſome meaſure, at leaſt in ſuch meaſure as p. 135may cauſe thee to hunger for more.

2. God may delay to giuegive thee a greater meaſure, and yet not deny thee; it may bee that which thou ſeekeſt, is worth more labour than yet thou haſt beſtowed: diſtinguiſh now betwixt Gods delayes and denialls: hold on thy ſeeking, thou ſhalt find in good time.

Thirdly,The beſt ſeekers find but in ſmall meaſure in this life, and why. the beſt and holieſt ſeekers of al find but for the eſtate of this life; that is, in ſmall meaſure, a taſte, a firſt fruites, heere is but p. 136a ſowing in grace. God leaueth his children in many wants for the preſent, for diuers ends. 1. For their humiliation, as Paul had a pricke in the fleſh left.

2. To maintaine hunger and thirſt after more.

3. To long after the time of perfection, and full ſaciety, when they ſhall bee fully conformed to the Image of God.

Fourthly, thou haſt found a promiſe of God to be fully ſatisfied at length, Matth. 5.6. p. 137in the meane time eſteeme thy ſeeking as a ſeede time, thy labour is ſowen in heauen, thy ſeede is caſt into the boſome of God: and if it preſently returne not ſo much comfort, ioy, and increaſe as thou deſireſt: it is layd vp and will bring thee good ſtore, and a happy crop for hereafter:Gal. 6.9.Gal 6:9 therfore be not weary of well doing, for in due time thou ſhalt reape, if thou faint not.

If no man ſeeketh this Pearle aright but findeth, ſee a difference betweene p. 148this commoditie, and all other. Seeke any other thing in the world, with thy beſt indeuour, and thou maiſt faile,Eccle. 5.9.Eccl 5:9 and not finde. He that ſeeketh ſiluer, ſhall not bee ſatisfied: Seeke wealth, pearles, honor, pleaſures, thou ſhalt often faile of them: but ſeeke the beſt thing, & alway ſpeed. In all other things, many ſeeke one thing, but finde another: goe to the Phyſitians to ſeeke health, thou maiſt meete with death; to the Lawyer, to ſeeke law and juſtice, p. 139thou maiſt find iniuſtice and oppreſſion: at ſome friends hāds thou maiſt feeke fauour & friendſhip, but finde hatred and enmitie, as Ioſeph ſought at his brethrens, but findes them foes and enemies.

But in matters of grace, thou ſhalt finde the ſame things thou lookeſt for: ſeekeſt thou the Pearle, thou findeſt the Pearle, as the Merchant did: nay, findeſt an excellent one, farre better than thou lookedſt for; the worth of which is not to bee valued p. 140in this vale of dackneſſe.

Here is alſo a difference betweene ſeeking things at Gods hands, and at mans: all that aske at mans handes ſpeed not: though thou maiſt aske neuer ſo iuſtly, as in the example of the vniuſt Iudge. A poore man asketh at mans hands mercy, and miſſeth of it: knocke at mans doore, it is not alway open: But the gate of grace is neuer ſhut; Gods eare is alway open, and as a fauorite ſitteth in the eare of the p. 141King, and ſpeedeth in any ſuite, ſo doth the godly ſeeker ſpeed with God.

Vſe 2 This comforteth poore ſoules ſeeking & panting after grace; ſo long as thou canſt ſeeke, thou art ſure to find, though the Lord hide his face for a time, and ſeeme to locke vp his mercy from thee, yet vpholde thy ſelfe in ſeeking, and thou ſhalt find in due ſeaſon, Pſal. 9.9.10. The Lord alſo will bee a refuge for the poore, a refuge in due time, euen in affliction. p. 142Wanteſt thou ſtrength againſt temptations? Seeke by prayer the grace of Chriſtian fortitude: be ſtrong in the cry of prayer; and as a theefe will runne away when the true man maketh a noyſe and outcry, ſo will Sathan vponupon this noiſe of feruent prayer ceaſe his aſſault. Wanteſt thou peace of conſcience, chearfulnes in doing, or ſuffering? wouldeſt thou ſee a ſweet looke from God? or needſt thou any other bleſſing for life or godlines? Seeke it with p. 143inſtance, doe as the woman of Canaan, who ſought grace at the hands of Chriſt, and would not be repulſed, Math. 15.22. And the poore woman by her importunitie preuailed in her ſuit with the vniuſt Iudge, Luke 18.5. And how much more ſhall faithfull importunitie preuaile with the moſt righteous & faithfull God?

Obiect. But my ſeeking is ſo weake and ſinfull, that I ſhall neuer finde: my ſinne quite marreth my ſeeking, and hindreth p. 144my finding.

Sol. Is there more weakeneſſe in thy ſeeking,than in Iacobs ſeeking the, bleſſing? yet his weake and faultie ſeeking found it.

Obiect. O that I could finde any feeling or worke of grace, but the ſtrong hart of my corruptions is not yet brokē: I hauehave loſt all my labour, and found nothing but diſcomfort of it.

Sol. Let not thy ſoule preſcribe and inſtruct the Lord, how, or what way or when to do thee good: but waite and p. 145ſtriue, and find and preuaile.

Secondly, ſeeke againſt ſenſe and feeling, euen out of the belly of the whale of deſperation it ſelfe, lay hold on the free grace of God, and thou ſhalt find an iſſue, & his ſweet louelove dropping comfort, ſweeter than hony combes to thy ſoule.

Vſe 3 Thirdly, ſee the reaſon why grace groweth ſo thin eueryevery where,Grace not found becauſe not ſought. euen becauſe hee that hath not attained grace neuer ſought it aright; the want is not in God, p. 146nor in the meanes, but in thy ſelfe and manner of ſeeking:Non deficit dā tis miſericordia. Non medicorum inſufficientia, ſed quaerentium negligentia culpanda; Blame thy ſelfe for not finding, who haſt failed in the manner of thy ſeeking; for perhaps,

Thou art full and feeleſt not the need of grace, as the Church of Laodicea, Reu. 3.17. and then how canſt thou ſeeke? A beggar will not ſtir abroad ſo long as hee hath any thing at home.

Or art prophane and p. 147ſcorneſt the bleſſing, as Eſau.

Or art a hater of it, and the ſeekers of it; turneſt their glory into ſhame, & art of the generation of them that hate them that ſeeke the Lord.

Or art idle and ſeekeſt ſlightly, or formally; and can God attend that prayer, or requeſt, which thou careleſly & formally caſteſt out, and thy ſelfe attendeſt not? And here numbers of men lye vnderunder juſt reproofe; as

1. Such as neuer ſpent p. 148ſo much labour in ſeeking grace, as Saul did in ſeeking his Fathers Aſſes, 1 Sam 9.4,

2. They that neuer ſpent ſo much time to find it, as they could for a handfull of ſiluer, and yet hope they hauehave it, or ſhall hauehave it. When didſt thou breake thy ſleepe, diſeaſe thy ſelfe, put thy ſelfe into all weathers by night and by day, for the Word, as thou haſt for wealth? When waſt thou ſo good and thriftie an husband for thy ſoule as for thy body? Neuer p. 149looke for grace before thou prizeſt it: and bee ſure thou haſt it not, who ſo vnderunder-valueſt it.

Vſe 4 Thirdly, let vsus examine our ſelues whether by all our ſeeking wee hauehave found the Pearle, & that by theſe rules.

1. He hath found by ſeeking who ſtill ſeekes to find,5. Notes of one that by ſeeking hath found the Pearle. for it is not here as in ſeeking other things: heere the finder giueth not ouer ſeeking: but the more be findeth the more he ſeeketh; heere is an vnſaciable couetouſneſſe, p. 150and a couetouſneſſe warrantable.

Secondly, much ioy and large affections to expreſſe the ſence of ſo great a commoditie: the teſtimony of Gods Spirit witneſſeth our adoption; once receiue it, and it refreſheth the ſoule with ioy vnſpeakable and glorious, 1 Peter 4.5. and this ioy will not be hid, as in the woman finding the loſt groat.

Thirdly, the Pearle once found, there followeth a contempt of the world, a killing of the p. 151cares of this life, a fencing from the louelove of earthly things: there is no true content in any thing elſe, he that hath found this Pearle eſteemeth all other things, euen the beſt of that the world ſo admireth, dung in compariſon of Chriſt.

Fourthly, being ſo rich a commoditie, it enableth to good workes and (as no other Pearle can) it worketh the will alſo to be aboundant in good workes, aboundant in the fruits of the ſpirit, p. 152in the fruits of Sanctity, and holines of life.

Fiftly, it is of ſo precious vertue, as it is in eueryevery one that findeth it, an antidote againſt all the poiſon of ſinne, the grace of repentance preſently expelleth it: the grace of patience is a ſalue for eueryevery ſore: the grace of faith is a moſt ſoueraigne Cordiall; it is of vertue to renouate the whole man, and all the parts of the man: it cleareth his ſight daily, it maketh him quicke of hearing, it ſharpneth p. 149all his ſenſes in diuine things; it preſerueth his ſtomack, and appetite to Gods word: it purgeth out his corruptions, reneweth his ſtrength, as the Eagle: All theſe and a thouſand more vertues hath this Hearbe-Grace wrought in thee in ſome meaſure if thou haſt found it, and ſo aboundantly recompenſeth all thy labour.

He went & ſold all that he had and bought it.] The third action of the Merchant.Our Sauiour continueth the allegory of the wiſe Merchant, who p. 1541. hath ſought, 2. found the Pearle, and then ſitteth not downe:1. Vadit ad forum ſpiritualium per effectum. but (thirdly) maketh purchaſe. In the words are three things.2. Vendit omnia per affectum & contimptum terrenorum.

1. He goeth away, to the Mart and meanes where it is to be had.3. Emit per conatum & deſiderium aternorum.

2. Hee ſelleth all in affection to it, and contempt of earthlythings.

3. He buyeth it by a carefull deſire and endeuour after heauenly things.

For the meaning, 1. he goeth away.] Selfedenial is the firſt leſſon in Chriſts ſchoole, p. 155Whoſoeuer will ſaue his life, Mat. 16.25.Matt 16:25ſhall looſe it, and whoſoeuer ſhall looſe his life for my ſake, ſhall find it; hee that forſaketh not his own will, reaſon, affections, and euill habits, and doth not croſſe his owne deſires, ſhall neuer prize or purchaſe this Pearle.

2. And ſelleth all] That is, in compariſon hee contemneth all earthly things, & ſetteth them at a low rate and value in reſpect of the Pearle, and doth not care much who hauehave them, ſo hee may enioy the p. 152Pearle: let others get the wealth of the world, he will be rich in grace; let others get corne, wine, and oile; if he can get naked Chriſt, hee hath enough.

Obiect. But is it neceſſarie to ſell all, to hauehave eternall life? It may ſeeme ſo: Matth. 19.22. Ieſus ſaid vntounto him, if thou wilt be perfect, goe and ſell all that thou haſt, and giuegive it to the poore, and thou ſhalt hauehave treaſure in heauen, and come and follow me.

Sol. Anſ. The Papiſts build a ſtate of perfection p. 153vpō voluntary pouerty: and hold it a counſell onelyonly fit for perfect Chriſtians, and farre more meritorious than the keeping of the whole Law.

But 1. to anſwer them, and then the queſtion.

1. It is a friuolous conceit to thinke, that any man may come to an higher eſtate of happineſſe, by ſome other meanes than by keeping the Law.

Secondly, it is abſurd to thinke that any worke can be acceptably done toward ſaluation, p. 158which is without the walke and compaſſe of the law, which is ſo perfect, that curſed is he that doth dare to adde to it, or detract any thing from it.

3. Chriſt deſired no more of the young man, than he did of his Diſciples, who ſaid verſe 27. wee hauehave left all to follow thee, and yet Peter had an houſe ſtill, and Iohn, to which hee tooke the Virgin Mary.

And therefore Chriſt would hauehave the young man to part with all, which hee could not p. 159hold with his louelove and affection to Chriſt himſelfe, and the Goſpell.

Fourthly, that which Chriſt required of this Iuſtitiarie, is not any deuiſed Euangelicall counſel aboue the law; but a dutie contained in the law: the ſumme of which is, Thou ſhalt louelove the Lord thy God with all thy heart: and whereas hee had boaſted, that hee had kept all the law; Chriſt doth ſend him backe againe to the law, to let him ſee his want of louelove, both to God and his p. 156neighbour; to God, if the louelove of his friends hinder him from following him, whom he confeſſeth a teacher from God: And want of louelove to man, if at Chriſts word hee will not part with his money, eſpecially if not at Chriſt his eſpeciall commandement.

So as this is not a counſell to ſome perfect recluſes or orders of wilfull men; but a commandement to all Chriſtians, that muſt ſtriue to perfection. 1. Cor. 2.6. And we ſpeak p. 157wiſdom amongſt them that are perfect: who muſt not onelyonly leaue goods and lands, and houſes for Chriſt, and the Goſpell; but muſt hate father, mother, wife, and children, brethren, ſiſters, and their owne life, if they cānot hold them with Chriſt.

So much to anſwer the Papiſts:

Now to the queſtion.

1. Who can denie wealth to be the gift of God, if it be held without couetouſnes, confidence, pride, and ſubordinate to heauen and p. 162heauenly things? Or who can denie but riches may become helps to heauenly Tabernacles? who can denic but good men may both hauehave them, and vſe them? Abraham was a man of great poſſeſſions, and Iob and Dauid men of moſt great wealth: and yet godly men, and poore of ſpirit; goods therefore in themſelues are not to be caſt away: but firſt in compariſon,Wealth in foure caſes to be renounced.rather than we will not attaine, and retaine the Pearle of the Goſpell, p. 163we muſt abandon all we hauehave.

Secondly, when they proue an impediment to our calling, and holy profeſſion, we muſt renounce them,Heb. 11.25.Heb 11:25 as Moſes in this caſe refuſed to be the ſonne of Pharaohs daughter, and to ſuffer with Gods people: a traueller may carrie a ſtaffe to helpe him in his iourney, but not to ouer-load himſelfe: and he may beare ſome money in his purſe for his charges, but not burthen himſelfe with it.

p. 160Thirdly, in affection alwaies wee muſt renounce them, and hold them retiredly and weignedly, vſing the world as not vſing it: 1 Cor. 7.3.1 Cor 7:3Let them be in our hands, not in our hearts; to lay downe, or lay out; not to lay vp, or lay vp our hearts with them.

Fourthly, actually, but not vncalled, wee muſt leaue them, not of our owne accord, but called by God, nō ſponte ſed vocati: let vsus alwayes ſee wee hauehave a good ground, as if tyrants, p. 161or perſecutors, keepe vsus from inioying either Chriſt, or our own eſtate; then in this choyſe, we muſt prefer a poore eſtate in Chriſt, before a rich eſtate in the world.

And buyeth it.] Our ſauiour vſeth this word buying, not to ſignifie, that we can make any recompence, payment, or merit, to purchaſe eternal life: for, firſt, that is infinite, we finite, and betweene theſe is no proportion. Secondly, it is a free gift of God, Rom. 6.23. Thirdly, it p. 166is a buying,Eſay 55.1.Isa 55:1 but without money, & money worth. And the poore are called to buy it, who hauehave no money to lay out for it. Fourthly, this Pearle is ſuch a commoditie, as neither men nor Angels can giuegive any due price for. Fiftly, we can giuegive God nothing but his owne.

But Chriſt here ſpeaketh figuratiuely, namely, that this wiſe Merchant dealeth as a buyer;The Chriſtian man reſembleth a buyer in 4. things.firſt, hee ſeeth the want of Gods grace & Chriſts merits; the thirſty are called to buy, Eſay 55.1.

p. 167Secondly, as a buyer, he priſeth, valueth, and caſteth the worth; eſteemeth Chriſt at the hieſt rate, and all things elſe in compariſon of him, loſſe, and dung, Phil. 3.13.

Thirdly, as a buyer he maketh an exchange; not of money, nor money worth, but vſeth all good indeuour, and labour, by prayer, and diligence, and the vſe of all good meanes, to obtaine the grace of the Goſpell. Which price God doth ſet vponupon grace, and on which p. 164condition, an … is made. The … putteth ouer his ſinnes to Chriſt, and receiueth righteouſnes from Chriſt. 2 Cor. 5.21. For he hath made him to be ſinne for vsus that knew no ſinne, that we ſhould be made the righteouſneſſe of God in him.

Fourthly, the bargain, made, is earneſted; ſo the beleeuer, able to giuegive nothing to God, taketh from God the earneſt of his Spirit, in ſome ſauing graces; by which the whole bargaine of eternall life is p. 165aſſured vntounto him.

Doct. 1 From this ſelling all, A wiſe Chriſtian will part with all before he part with Chriſt.and buying the Pearle, learne, That a wiſe Chriſtian muſt, and will part with all hee hath before hee will part with Chriſt. Prou. 4.7. Aboue all thy poſſeſsions get wiſdom and vnderſtanding. The godly follow Chriſt out of Ieruſalem, and out of the campe, Heb. 13.13. they ſold their liues, & loued them not to the death for Chriſt.

Pauls poſſeſſions and his life was not deere,Acts 20.Acts 20ſo hee might finiſh his p. 170courſe with ioy. And why?

Reaſ. 1 1. Such ſound iudgement is reſtored vntounto eueryevery ſound Chriſtian, as he thinketh nothing ſo deere to him as Chriſt, and his grace: and doth ſuppoſe himſelfe rich indeed if hee attaine naked Chriſt; and the deereſt things are baſe in this compariſon. The Church of Laodicea will neuer buy gold & white rayment, ſo long as her iudgement is blinded, till ſhee annoint her eyes with eye-ſalue to ſee; p. 171and ſeeing once the worth, ſhe is content to be at any paines for it. The text implieth, that no leſſe paines bee made for wiſdom than that of moſt induſtrious Merchants, who take long and dangerous iournies, and voyages by ſea & land for Pearles, and ſwallow all paines and perils in hope of attaining them.

Secondly, the Chriſtian knoweth that hee ſhall bee no loſer by the bargaine; other Merchāts buying great commodities know p. 168not whether they ſhall be gainers or no: and many ſeeke Pearles with infinite loſſes and finde them not: But here is a certaine and an vndoubted gaine, for whoſoeuer forſaketh houſe, wife, lands, liberty, children, and life for Chriſts ſake, and the Goſpell, ſhall receiue an hundredfold in this life with tribulation, and in the world to come life euerlaſting: here is vſury enough, not ten in the hundred, but an hundred for tenne: p. 169hauehave this Pearle and want nothing; want this Pearle, and hauehave nothing.

Thirdly, this putteth a difference betweene ſoundneſſe and hypocriſie; the hypocrite can ſell much for Gods fauour. Mic. 6.6. they will giuegive thouſands of rammes, and ten thouſand of riuers of oyle: and their firſt borne, but will not part with their ſinnes. Ananias and Sapphira can part with three parts of their portion: but ſoundneſſe eſteemeth p. 114the Pearle better than the whole, were it the whole world.

Fourthly, becauſe it ſeeth Chriſt forſaking all, liberty, life, wealth, heauen, and happineſſe for it; in the way of thankfulneſſe, grace in the heart doth hold it ſelfe bound to forſake all for Chriſt.

Vſe 1 This condemneth fooliſh Merchants, who make a baſe reckoning of the Pearle: eſteeming the Goſpell worth nothing. The Gadarens accounted eueryevery pig, and baſe profit better p. 175than Chriſt, and his Sermons: Prophane Eſau deſpiſed the bleſſing in reſpect of pottage; There are other ſcornefull Merchants, who ſcoffe at ſuch ſimplicity, as to forgo profits, and delights, for vaine conceits, as to ſtrip ones ſelfe of the pleaſures of life, to runne many miles to Sermons, where is none at home: Others would buy the Pearle, if by it they might gaine eaſe, reputation, and wealth, like the Swallowes that will take their Summer p. 172with vsus, but in Winter take their leaue of vsus: theſe meaſure religion by their gettings, and ſay with the old Iewes, What profit is there in ſeruing God?Mal. 3.14.Mal 3:14

Vſe 2 2. Many who thinke they hauehave the Pearle deceiued.We may ſee it is not ſo eaſy a matter to hauehave part in the Goſpell, as moſt men thinke: that vtterly deceiue themſelues in this commoditie; and this is the cauſe why ſo few reſpect it, 1. Some men thinke they hauehave it becauſe they hauehave heard of it, but there is as much difference betweene p. 161finding and buying, as betweene calling and anſwering. 2. Some heare, and like, and wiſh, and praiſe it: but as in a faire they ſee many rich commodities; but they paſſe by them and bargaine for none: ſo many approue of Doctrines in general, but lay out nothing, nor lay aſide any luſt: they can commend a good Sermon, but will be ſure it ſhal doe them no good.

Thirdly, there are others that come neerer, cheapen, louelove, and p. 162bid ſomewhat; but as hard chapmen nothing neere the matter: rich men can caſt ſome of their ſuperfluity ſometimes to good vſes; but not as the widow that had but two mites and caſt in all: this were too hard a bargaine.

Fourthly, ſome would exchange ſome of their ſinnes, but not all: others will doe ſome duties, as come to Church, heare, pray, ſometimes reade at home, and reprocue ſinne: but come to chargeable or dangerous p. 163duties, to ſhew louelove to Chriſt in time of danger or diſgrace, they are backward, and draw in the tender horne for feare they be loſers by him.

Vſe 3 Let vsus therfore learne to hold Chriſt, and the Goſpell as the only iewell, or pearle worth hauing; and to thinke our ſelues rich if we ſell our ſelues out of all, to purchaſe the Pearle: let vsus thus aduance our religion, and ſhut the mouthes of our aduerſaries, that ſay we will leaue nothing for our p. 164religion, while they giuegive all they hauehave to the Church and pious vſes.Notes of a man that hath purchaſed the Pearle.

Obj. How ſhall I know a man that purchaſeth the Pearle?

Sol. 1. He changeth his own merits, for Chriſts merits apprehended in the Goſpell, and caſteth them away like dung: and with Paul, who laieth his birth, kindred, righteouſneſſe, ciuill vertues & good works, and holineſſe in the ſcoale: but all is too light, and found loſſe weighed with Chriſt. p. 165So bring Wealth, libertie, friends, life it ſelfe, into the ſight of a ſound bele euer: and if he muſt leaue theſe, or Chriſt & his Goſpell, farewell they; he ſoone maketh his choyſe: As in the danger of life, Act. 27.18, the Mariners caſt out their wares with their owne hands, and the tacklings out of the ſhip: ſo we muſt caſt away all in compariſon of Chriſt, our Lord and our life. Where note, that the Papiſt that cannot diſclaime his owne merits, ſhall miſſe of Chriſts.

p. 1662. Hee goeth away reioycing, all his affections are on it; his chiefe ioy is,Luke 10.20.Luke 10:20 that his Name is written in heauen, no affliction can remoue this ioy.

3. Hee deſireth nothing in compariſon, beyond, or beſides it; Simeon was content with Chriſt in his arms; Iacob had enough, that Ioſeph liued: ſo the beleeuer hath enough, that Chriſt liueth in heauen, and in his owne heart.

4. He retaineth his confidence to it; eueryevery p. 167thing elſe chalenging his confidence, is but a ſtaffe of reede.

5. He will neuer ſell his purchaſe at any rate. Pro. 23.23. Buy the truth, but ſell it not: Great merchants, what they buy for great prizes, they will ſell for greater: but nothing is ſufficient to buy the grace of the Goſpell out of our hands: what wee ſell we value vnderunder the price; but wee muſt deeme it aboue much fine gold, Pſal. 119. yea, aboue all that in the world is counted precious.

p. 168Vſe 4 This is alſo a comfort to poore men, who may here light on a good bargaine, and make a good purchaſe for thēſelues, although they hauehave no money: nothing is ſet for the price but paines, endeuour, godly deſire and affection. Chriſt and his benefits freely paſſe to all, and are indifferently imparted to poore and rich; nay, if either hauehave the aduantage, it is the poore man, for the poore receiue the Goſpell, ſaith our Sauiour: whereas Not many rich, p. 1691 Cor. 1.26.1 Cor 1:26not many noble, not many wiſe attaine to hauehave their ſhare in it.

I hauehave now according to the meaſure of the gift giuen mee, ſet forth the choiſeſt and chiefeſt commoditie in all the world, which no Fayre, or Mart can match, if into one Fayre all the treaſures of the earth were brought to ſale: ſay not now as the buier vſeth to doe,Theſe Sermons were preached on ſeuerall Fayre dayes. It is naught, it is naught.

I hauehave ſet an eaſie price vponupon it, a little paines, a few good affections, an vpright endeuour, p. 170which is ſo low a price as your ſelues can wiſh. You need not diſburſe ſiluer, or gold, but may carry away this commoditie in your hearts, & your money in your purſes too: as Ioſephs brethren carried from their brother, eueryevery man his ſacke of corne, and his money in his ſacke too: he that now ſeeth on the one hand, his owne want, and on the other the worth of the Pearle, will come & cheapen, and buy, and purchaſe it at any rate, and will not leaue it p. 171behind him. But hee that ſtill eſteemeth the Pearle, but as a common pibble, will goe home without it, or tread it vnderunder his feet. Of this man ſayth Salomon, Wherfore is there a price in the hād of a foole, Prou. 17.16.Prov 17:16and hee wanteth heart? And to this man I ſay, the day commeth, in which thou ſhalt ſay, thou once refuſedſt a good bargaine which was offered thee, and that was thine vnhappineſſe: but now attended with a greater, that it ſhall neuer be offered p. 172thee any more; Be wiſe betime,1 Cor. 12.31.1 Cor 12:31 and couet after the moſt excellent gifts.

FINIS.

THE PILGRIMS PROFESSION, OR A SERMON PREAched at the Funerall of M^is MARY GVNTER by M^r Thomas Taylor. To which (by his conſent) alſo is added, A ſhort Relation of the life and death of the ſaid Gentle-woman, as a perpetuall Monument of her graces and vertues.

Omnis peregrina regio patria eſt corum,

Et omnis patria corum eſt peregrina.

Iuſtin Martyr. epiſt. ad Diognetum.

LONDON, Printed by I. H. for Io: Bartlet, and are to be ſold at his Shop in Cheap-ſide, at the gilt Cup in the Goldſmiths Row. 1625.