The Christians Heavenly Treasure, Title page – Dedication

The Christians Heavenly Treasure · Title page – Dedication

THE Christians heauenly Treasure.

BY WILLIAM BVRTON of Reading in Barkeshire.

MATTHEW 16. 26.

What shall it profit a man to winne the whole world, and loose his owne soule.

PHILIP. 3. 7.

The things that were vantage vntounto mee, the same I counted losse for Christs sake.

8 And doe iudge all things to be dunge that I might winne Christ.

LONDON: Printed by T. E. for Thomas Man senior, and Ionas Man, dwelling in Paternoster-Row, at the signe of the Talbot. 1608.

TO the right VVorshipfull, and religious Knight, Sir Drue Drurie, encrease of Grace and Peace in this life, and fulness of heauenly treasure in the life to come.

RIght VVorshipfull Maecenas, in regard of the manifolde fauours, and encouragements, which I hauehave receiued from you, euer since I first entred into the sacred worke of the Ministrie, first in Norfolke at your house by Norwich, where then you remayned, and many times since, I doe heere (as dutie bindeth mee) offer vntounto your VVorshipfull Patronage, this short Treatise, of the Christians heauenly Treasure, which sheweth in some sort, the difference betweene false goods and true goods, betweene Heauen and Earth, the riches of the one and the riches (or penurie rather) of the other, and the way how to enioy the one without losse of the other. Which is not to teach you any thing that yet you know not, for God bee praysed you knew these things long agoe, but (as S. Peter wrighteth) to confirme & strengthen your godly minde, and to vphold your holy Faith, which long since through the mercy of God shined in you, accompanied with true louelove, the handmaid of Faith, to the great glory of God, the ioye of the godly, and the comfort of the Saints hearts. This Argument doth of right belong vntounto your Worship, because the Lord hath plentifully replenished your hart with the louelove of heauenly things and true zeale vntounto his glory, for heauenly matters, onelyonly in heauenly minds and sanctified harts receiue kind entertainment, like the Angels in Lots house, reioysing each in others company & conference, like Mary and Elizabeth, but they shun the companie of the wicked, like the Wise men, which balked Herods house & returned another way, when they vnderstood what a Fox he was.

The God of all MercieMercy and Consolation, who hath made your old age glorious by crowning the same with a most constant louelove and sincere profession of his blessed Truth, so prosper your holy proceedings and religious endeuours; that at the end of this your earthly pilgrimage, you may with holy Simeon depart in peace, and receiue with all Saints, that crowne of immortall glory, and endlesse rest, which God hath prepared for you, and for all those that louelove and desire the glorious appearing of the Lord Iesus Christ. From my friends house in London, this 21. of Ianuarie 1607.

Your Worships in all Christian affection, VVilliam Burton.

THE Christians Heauenly Treasure.

MATTHEVV. 6. 19.

Lay not vp Treasures for your selues in earth, where the Moth and Canker corrupt, and where Theeues digge through and steale.

20 But lay vp for your selues Treasures in Heauen, where neither the Moth, nor Canker corrupteth, and where Theeues neither dig through nor steale.

21 For, where your Treasure is, there will your hart bee also.

OVr Sauiour Christ hath in the former part of this chapter condemned the fond affectation of Vaine-glory as the onelyonly bane and poyson of all good actions, wherof he giueth three instances: The one in giuing of Almes: The other in Fasting: The last in Prayer▪ He now for biddeth worldlinesse, and greedy desire of earthly things, as dangerous an enemie to our Saluation, & no lesse a staine vntounto our Christian profession, as the former. Vaine-glory and Hypocrisie as a burning poyson that infecteth and inflameth the inward parts, is to be auoyded, yea, as a Theefe that robbeth the Almightie of his glory is to be pursued. Greedy Couetousnesse or worldlinesse as Thrones that choke the graces of Gods Spirit, is to bee plucked vp by the rootes. As a spirituall Feuer that relisheth no goodnesse, but distasteth all H…uenly and Spirituall things, is to bee purged and taken heed of, yea, the desire of riches is to bee auoyded as a streame both deepe and swift, that will both drowne mens soules & carry them quite away from God. To that ende Saint Paul saith,1. Tim. 6. 91 Tim 6:9 they that will bee rich, (meaning whether God will or no, or before the time that God hath appointed) fall into many noysome and foolish lusts, which drowne men in perdition and p. 2destruction, to shew in what a miserable case a worldling is: for speak to a drowned man, smite him, teach him, and cry out vntounto him, or sound a Trumpet in his Eare, and he heareth not, he feeleth not: and so is it with a man whose hart is drowned in the cares of this World, and louelove of riches. And yet those are in greatest admiration, for the world doth not onelyonly desire to be hauing more still, but doth admire those that hauehave worldly Treasures. Therefore our Sauiour Christ doth warne vsus of that gnawing Worme, and tels vsus, that if wee bee so greedy of the world as to set our harts vponupon it, we loose heauen for our labo…. And therefore wee must take heed how wee vse this world: for Christ would teach vsus how to vse the world, that wee bee not cousened by it.The scop & summ… of this Text. A little thing certaine is better then much vncertaine, as a poore man with a little Coppyhold, is better to passe in that respect than hee that hath much, and no assurance in it: The World is vncertaine, for it is in danger of Theeues which will rob, or of Mothes which will f…e…, or of Rust which will consume, or of Death which wil end all, but Heauen is not subiect to any of these nor the like. Againe, hee that will bee saued must send Treasure before hand to Heauen, and not driue of till death come, for none shall finde Treasure there, but they that lay it vp before they dye.

As a man that remooueth to another place to abide there, sendeth his stuffe and prouision before him: so they that meane to remoue hence and to abide in Heauen, must send their Treasure thether before hand, by relieuing the poor, and helping forward other holy & cha…table works. And wheras some alledge for themselues, that they hauehave had great losses, &c. and therefore cannot giuegive any thing to the poore, or other holy and charitable vses, they must know that they hauehave the more need to giuegive, and to bee liberall, and to doe good with that they hauehave, and so to lay vp in Heauen, when the World goeth from them, or else they will bee poore both here and there too. Now if any man bee desirous to know whether he hath any treasure p. 3in heauen or no, let him take this course: First, let him see what it is that doth command his hart: and next what doth most moue him, and touch him: and lastly, what hee taketh most delight in, and what he beateth his braine about most: and if the matters of Heauen and Gods Kingdome doe most commaund his heart, and occupy his head, and delight his minde, then his Treasure is there, his stuffe is sent before hand to the place whether hee intendeth to remoue when God calleth him, or else not: and this is the summe of Christs words and holy counsell in this place.

This Text hath 2. parts.The parts of the Text.

1. A Commandement.

2. A reason of the same.

The Commandement hath likewise two parts. The first is Negatiue in Verse 19. Lay not vp Treasure for your selues in▪ earth, &c. The second is Affirmatiue in verse 20. But lay vp for your selues Treasure in Heauen, where neither the Moth, &c.

The Reason is in Verse. 21. For where your Treasure is, there will your hart bee also. As touching the Negatiue part of our Sauiour his Precept, wee are to vnderstand that his manner of speaking is here no otherwise then in other places, and other cases also of the like kinde:Ioh. 6. 27.John 6:27 as, Labour not for the meate that perisheth, but labour for the meat that endureth to Eternall Life. And in another place,Luk. 12. 33Luke 12:33 Sell that you hauehave, and giuegive to the poore. Mat. 10. 9Matt 10:9And in another place, Possesse not gold nor siluer. And in another place, Be not carefull what to eate and drinck, Mat. 6. 25.Matt 6:25or what rayment to put on. All which places being literally taken, and not according to the minde and meaning of our Sauiour Christ, may breed error, as they hauehave done: for from hence the Anabaptists fetch their communitie of goods; the Monks and Fryers their wilfull pouerty; and the Iesuits hereupon perswade others to impouerish themselues to enrich them: And lastly, vnderunder the shadow of these words: the slothfull sluggard, & idle person would shrowd themselues, to bee thereby discharged of all honest labor and diligent following of their vocations. Therfore first the true meaning p. 4of the words is to be sought for, and then we shall the better vnderstand what do…trines from thence may bee gathered, for our further instruction and consolation in the Lord.Treasure This word Treasure, is taken in the Scripture sometime for gold and siluer. 1. King. 7. 51.1. King. 51 Kgs 5 And Salomon brought in the things which Dauid his father had dedicated: the Siluer, and the Gold, and the Vessels, and laid them among the Treasures of the house of the Lord. So Prou. 2▪ 4.Pro. 2. 4.Prov 2:4 If thou seekest for wisedome as for siluer, and searchest for her as for treasure. And Mat. 13. 44.Mat. 13.Matt 13 The Kingdome of Heauen is like vntounto a Treasure hid in the field, &c. Sometime it is put for abandance of riches or any other thing. As, Mat. 13. 52.Mat 13. …Matt 13 EueryEvery Scribe which is taught vntounto the kingdome of Heauen, is like vntounto a House-holder, which bingeth forth out of his Treasure things both new and old. And Mat. 12. 34.Mat. 12. …Matt 12 out of the aboundance of the hart the mouth speaketh. Verse 35. A good man out of the good Treasure of his hart, or abundance of good things, br…ngeth forth good▪ things. So Rom. 2. 5. Thou after thine hardnesse, and hart that cannot repent, treasurest vntounto thy selfe Wrath against the day of Wrath, that is, causest vntounto thy selfe abundance of Wrath, &c. And sometime it is put for whatsoeuer a man taketh delight in, as here in this place, Where your Treasure is, there will be your hart also, that is, where the thing is that you delight in, there will be your hart, your minde and affection. Againe, all Treasure is eyther temporall or eternall. 2. Cor. 4. 18. The things that are seene are temporall, but the things that are not seene are eternall. Eternall or heauenly Treasure is from heauen, and consisteth in the grace and fauour o… God, and is the onelyonly true Riches. Esay. 33. 6.…sa. 33. 6 The. feare of the Lord shall bee his Treasure. And a good man out of the good Treasure of his hart bringeth forth good things. …uk. 6. 45.These are called:…uk 12. 33 Bagges that wax not old. Cor. 4. 7And Light of glory brought in earthen vessels. The renuing of the inward man. Ver. 16. An excellent and eternall waight of glory. 17. And things not seen, yet looked vponupon. Cor. 2. 9Vers. 18. Such as no Eye hath seene, nor Eare hath heard▪ nor hauehave entered into the hart of man. And here in our Text p. 5such as Moths cannot eate, nor Rust consume, nor Theeues steale, that is, they are not subiect to any kinde of casualtie or mischance: all which places doe rather shew what it is not, then what it is, for indeed it is God himselfe in Christ Iesus, which cannot bee expressed, because he is infinite and incomprehensible.

Of this latter it is not that hee speaketh, when hee saith Lay not vp for your selues Treasures in earth, then hee must needes meane the former. But what? doth the Lord Iesus meane that it is in no wise lawfull for a Christian man to get, or enioy the riches of this world? not so, for in Pro. 2. 4.Pro. 2. 4.Prov 2:4 it is said that we must seeke for Wisedome as for golde: to shew that golde also may bee sought for.1 King. 10 221 Kgs 10:22 And King Salomon made a nauie of ships, which once in three yeeres returned with golde and siluer, Iuory, &c. And in Gen. 37. 28.Gen. 37. 28Gen 37:28 it is said there was traffique betweene the Midianites and the Ismalites Marchants,Chap. 39. 1 and betweene the Ismalites and the Egiptians, that one country might by that meanes bee benefited by the commodities of another. What then? doth hee meane that it is vnlawfull to keepe any thing in store for hereafter? Not so neither, for Ioseph is commended for laying vp against the time of famine,Gen. 41. 35Gen 41:35 yea, it is Iosephs counsell that Pharaohs officers shall gather all the foode of seauen plenteous yeeres, and lay vp Corne for foode in the cities to bee kept against the seauen yeeres of famine. What then? doth hee meane that a man must take of earthly goods onelyonly so much as will serue his turne, and cast away that which is left? Not so neither, for in Iohn. 6.Ioh. 6. 12.John 6:12 He commandeth his Disciples to gather vp in baskets that which was left, when the people had bene miraculously fed, and let nothing bee lost (saith the Lord.) What then? doth hee meane that wee must not prouide for those that wee leaue behinde vsus? Not so neither, for the Apostle saith,1 Cor. 12. 141 Cor 12:14 The Children ought not to lay vp for their Fathers, but Fathers for their Children. And hee telleth Timothy, that hee which prouideth not for his familie Tim. 5. 8.is (meaning in that respect) worse than an Infidell, and hath denyed the faith p. 6What then? doth hee meane that all must bee common? Not so neither, for then there could bee no breach of the eight Commaundement if any man did steale; and all exhortations and precepts of distributing to the poore were in vaine, if the poore might bee their owne caruers of rich mens goods: yea, what should then become of buying and selling? Buy the Truth but sell it not, Prouerbs.saith Sa…omon: And defraud not one another (saith the Apostle) in barganing,Thessalo. and buying, and selling.

What then? doth hee mean that we must sell away all that wee hauehave and begge for our selues, as Popish Fryers, and Monkish Papists would hauehave vsus to doe? Not so neither, for in Luke 12. 33.Luk. 12. 33Luke 12:33 It is not said sell that you hauehave, but foreign, Sell that you hauehave ouerplus, and may well spare, and giuegive to the poore, otherwise we should louelove our neighbours not as our selues, but aboue our selues, which God neuer required. And better it is for a man to keepe his goods for himselfe, than to bestow them vponupon idle Monks, and a wicked rabble of Fryerly locusts, which bee as necessarie in a christian Common-wealth, as Snakes in a mans bosome, or Mice in a barne full of Corne.

What then? doth hee meane that a man may liue idly, and then looke to be maintained by others? Not so neither, for the Apostle being ruled himselfe by the spirit of Christ, hath set downe a Rule for such irregular persons, that if any can worke and will not, … Thess. 3. 10such should not eate, to shew that idle persons are inordinate, and so burdensome to a Common-wealth, that they are not worthy to liue, but to bee punished by the most cruell death that …an bee, and that is to bee starued and pined to death. And in Pro. 6. 6. the sluggard is sent by the holy Ghost to the Pismire, that in beholding her wayes hee might learne to bee wise, for shee hauing no guide, gouernour nor ruler gathereth her meate in Summer, and prepareth her foode in Haruest, to shew that euen by honest and painefull trauaile men should prouide in Summer against the hard time of Winter, and in health for sicknesse. p. 7And albeit the Lord Iesus saith in Ioh. 6 Labour not for the meate that perisheth, Ioh. 6. 27.John 6:27yet his meaning is not to discharge men of their honest labour, and following (euen with diligence) their callings, but that we must not labour so much for the bread that perisheth, as for that which abideth to Eternall life, or that our temporall commodities should not bee the only end of our labour, or that we must not mingle our labour with distrust and vexing care,Psal. 90. 10Ps 90:10 for that euen our strength is but labour and sorrow, and when Salomon by his Wisedome had waded through all matters, and had made tryall of the world, hee vponupon his approoued experience, set downe his verdict, that all is but vanit…e and vexation of spirit, as if hee should say, moyle not, vexe not, weare not out your selues so much as you hauehave done about the world, to the loosing of your heauenly treasure. Well then, if Christ doth allow men to get and enioy riches as the Merchants of Tirus: and King Salomon, if he doth allow vsus to prouide and lay vp beefore hand as Ioseph did, & to saue that which is remaining, as himselfe and his Disciples did, and to lay vp for our families as the very Infidels doe. If the Lord Iesus will not allow men to hauehave all things common as Anabaptists doe, nor to pro…esse wilfull pouertie as beggerly Fryers do, nor to feed Idle-packs which will not labour for their liuing, as preposterous pittie doth, what then should bee his meaning when he saith, Lay not vp for your selues Treasures in earth?

That wee may the better finde out the Lords meaning we, are to know that Treasure here, is put not onelyonly for money, riches, and prouision for the time to come, but also for any thing else (as was said before) wherein a man taketh most delight, and whereupon hee dependeth most, or which hee maketh his felicitie; yea, and doth so lauish out his louelove vponupon it, and torment himselfe with careful thoughts for the same, as if without it hee should be vtterly vndone, and could not possibly liue. In which maner Worlldings gather riches, and Atheists seeks after pleasure, the Ambitious man hunts after Honour, euen with all their p. 8harts, with all their minde, with all their might, strength & soule, as if it were their God that did make them, and it should preserue and saue them, which is a manifest breach of the first commandement.

Now all is made the Treasure that the heart is set vponupon, as for Example.

Some men take more to heart the losse of a Childe, than the losse of all their goods besides, and doe so much set their affection vponupon it, that they will say, if God should take this Childe away, then all our ioy is gone,Mat. 2 28.Matt 2:28 like Rachel that mourned for her children & would not bee comforted.

Some are so iealous ouer their Honour, that if they hauehave not all manner of outward complements afforded vntounto them▪ Hes. 3. 5. 6they are as male-contented as Haman, who was full of Wrath, and studied nothing but monstrous & mischeuous reuenge, because Mordecai did not bow the knee vntounto him, as others had done.

Some againe dote vponupon their Credit. that if their wicked counsell bee crossed at any time, they are readie with Achitophell (that treacherous counsellour) to goe hang themselues.Sam.

Others are so madde vponupon their present pleasure, that with the beastly Epicures they cry,1. Cor. 151 Cor 15 let vsus eate and drincke, though wee dye for it to morrow.

Some are so enamored of their wealth, that when their goods are encreased and their barnes enlarged, then with the worldling they dreame of a quietus est: And cry soule be now at rest, Luk 12. 19Luke 12:19for thou hast goods enough for many yeeres.

Of all these it may be said they hauehave layde vp Treasure in Earth but not in Heauen, beecause in these things they hauehave reposed all their ioy, their delight, their trust. And therefore being inuited to the heauenly banquet of the Gospell, they `answere like earth-wormes, making light of the matter,Mat. 22. 5.Matt 22:5 I must looke to my farme saith one,Luk. 14. 18Luke 14:18 and I to my Oxen, saith another, and I must aske my wife first, saith another: which is no more in effect but thus much, wee must follow that wee delight in, and that wee trust in, these are the things that our heart delight in, and trust in, these are our p. 9treasure▪ If wee saw more goodnesse in that Feast then in these our commodities, wee would goe to it, but wee cannot relish them as wee doe these worldly matters, and therefore thank your Maister for his good will, and pray him to hold vsus excused: for the …th is, wee must follow that which our hart affecteth, our worldly Treasure, wee cannot come. To all such it is said here. Lay not vp your Treasures on earth, &c.

And these words may bee expounded two wayes. Lay not vp, &c. Thou that art a Christian and hast giuen thy Faith to the Lord Iesus Christ in thy Baptisme, thou that art a Cittizen of the heauenly Ierusalem, and hast the holy One of Isr…ell, euen the Lord of Hoasts, and the mightie God of Heauen and Earth for thy father: his sonne, yea, his onelyonly beloued Son for thy Redeemer, and the holy Ghost which proceedeth from them both for thy sanctified guide and Comforter, and thou that hast the Angels to guarde thee, and the Saints to pray for thee, and all the Creatures to serue thee, and therefore art of all the Creatures the most noble and excellent, thou must needs hauehave somewhat to delight in, to occupy thy minde vponupon, and to set thy hart vponupon. Take heede it bee not vponupon earthly things, for all the earth cannot yeeld thee a fit match, thou being called to so high and heauenly … calling, but heauen can. In earth is …othing that can make thee happy, but in heauen there is happinesse it selfe. In earth there is no commoditie without a discommoditie, but in heauen there is. In earth is no perpetuitie, but in heauen there is. In earth there is no securitie or safetie, but in heauen there is both: therefore Lay not vp thy Treasure in earth where the Moth and Canker corrupteth, and where Theeues dig through and steale, but in heauen where is no such matter. Or it may thus bee expounded. Thou which art a Christian doe not so greedely seeke after earthly substance, as thereby to neglect thy heauenly substance, as the manner of all men is to do by nature, like Esau who was so hungry for a messe of his brothers pottage, that for louelove thereof, and for feare of p. 10…taruing (except he had it) lost his birthright,Gen, 25. 32 for which prophane part of his, he… could not finde any place to repencance,Heb. 12. 16Heb 12:16 although hee sought the blessing with teares. Verely a thing this is, that may make our harts to ake, for wee are at Esaucs passe: So we may get the world, keepe our customers and win the pottage, wee are safe: but marke thou, that art of Esaues humour, well maiest thou weepe for the losse of thy temporall benefits, but for this damnable profanenesse of thine in preferring of Earth before Heauen, except Gods grace bee the more abounding towards thee, thou wilt hardly repent. Therefore if thou be wise indeed (as thou wouldest seeme to bee) forsake Esaues dyet in time, and lay not vp Treasure in Earth where Moth and Canker do corrupt, and Theeues break through and steale, &c.

Heare Christs reason Where Moths doe fret, Christs Reason.Canker corrupteth, and Theeues dig through and steale. The summe of his reason is this, that whatsouer this world affordeth, is subiect to consumption, or corruption, or both: if it bee in vse, it is consumed with the vse, if it bee not vsed, then it corrupteth for want of vse. The consuming and spending of these worldly goods, is eyther by the owners of them, or by Theeues that oftentimes are pertakers of them to the hurt of the owner. They are also consumed …yther by sensible and liuing Creatures, as by Mothes, Flyes, Mice, and Rats, and such like: or else by insensible & dead things, as Rust, and Mould, and Fire, and Water, and Ayre, and Age, &c. Now consider the matter, consult & giuegive sentence. What madnes is it to prouide for theeues and Robbers? What inhumanitie to giuegive that to Mothes and Mice, &c. which is better bestowed vponupon thy selfe, vponupon thy familie, or vponupon the poore? What vanitie, yea, what misery is this to bee a slaue to such things as theeues and robbers, Vermine, and rottennesse shall do. minier ouer, and in a short time must perish eyther in the vse, or for want of vse? This doe not worldlings consider, they locke vp, and lay vp, and put out their Treasures to be kept for them, yet can they not keep their garments from p. 11Moths, nor their golde and siluer from Rust, nor any thing they hauehave, from one casualtie or another long. When they hauehave gotten goods together, they cannot promise vntounto themselues either perpetuitie of them or securitie: And what a misery is that? but either their goods or themselues must weare away, and their goods are in daunger for their properties sake, and the owners are in danger for their goods sake.

Neither are these all the discommodities that thy Treasure is subiect vntounto, who knoweth not that the Fire may consume them, as it hath done thousands? or the Water may drowne them, as it hath done thousands? or the Plague may infect them as it hath done thousands? or Time may weare them, as it hath done millions of thousands? or Death may fetch thee away, as it hath done infinit millions of thousands? Besides all this,The miserie of a worldling consider how manie hauehave beene vndone by vnconscionable Debtors, by crafty headed Lawyers, by vnthrif…re Children, by vntrusty Seruants. Yet this is not all, for what restles care doth teare thee in getting them? what tormenting feare doth abate thy comfort in keeping them? and what hart breaking sorrow doth vexe thee in loosing of them? Yet this is not all neither, for here thou art praysed, there thou art dispraysed, now thou art loued, by and by thou art enuied, of some thou art admired, of many thou art scorned, and all for thy wealths sake.

The worldling is like a Mill, driuen violently by a maine streame, and great prouision is made to feede in one place, and to coole in another, the Sacke is brought to feede the Mill, and the Mill grindeth and weareth it selfe to fill the Sacke againe, and still the Wheele is where it was, for all his whirling about, and as you finde it so you leaue it: so is it with a worldly man and his goodes, but this similitude applyeth it selfe, I will therefore follow it no further.

This wee all know, but how often, or rather how seldome doe wee thinke vponupon it, or remember it, or make vse of it, to stay vsus from greedy coueting and egar pursuing of the World, with the p. 12hazard of our Saluation? The Diuell hee cryeth, follow the World, compasse the worlds goods, oh thou shalt profit thy selfe,Mat. 16.Matt 16 but Christ saith, What shall it profit a man to winne the World, yea, the whole World, and to loose his owne Soule? that the Diuell concealeth; yea, he dealeth with vsus as hee did with Christ himselfe, hee shewed Christ the glory and maiestie of worldly kingdomes, but not the troubles and tumults, not the daungers and enimies of the same: So he deludeth the fooles of this world, he sheweth them the brauery of the Court, but not the vanitie that is in the Court: hee sheweth them the glory of honour, but not the daunger of honour: he sheweth the flowers of Beautie, but not the deceiptfulnesse of Beautie: hee sheweth the commodities of Offices, but not the discommodities of Offices: he sheweth the wealth of such a Country, but not the enuie & misery of the same country. And thus are the Fooles of this world (as God himselfe calles them) deluded and abused,Luke. 12.Luke 12 yea, and destroyed many times by the Diuels shewes, like the miserable Troyans who doted so much vponupon the Grecians counterfaite and monstrous horse, that they would neuer leaue vntill they had pulled▪ downe the wals of their Cittie to get it in, neuer dreaming of the hidden mischiefes and armed Souldiers that lay in the belly thereof, prepare…d for their present destruction. But they see what a shew this maketh, and what a shew that maketh, and meruailous it is in their eyes, then their hart is on fire till they hauehave it, and their head still is deui…ing how to compasse it, to which end all meanes are attempted, there is flattering, and glosing, and fore-stalling, borrowing here, and pawning there, and selling one thing to buy another: and when hee hath gotten his harts desire, then he thinks of nothing but his gettings,Dan. 4.Dan 4 as Nabuchadnezzar that proud King of Confusion, thought of nothing but of his glorious buildings, Oh (said hee) Is not this great Babell, which I hauehave built for the honour of my Macestie? strouting vp and downe in his Galleries, and admiring himselfe for his Building, as a foole admireth p. 13himselfe in a glasse, so doe the fooles of the world, oh (saith one) how rich shall I bee? how worshipfull saith another? how much admired for my wealth, for my brauery, for my strength, saith a third? &c. Within a while commeth the Moth, the Mouse, and the Rat for their fees, the one taketh vp his lodging in his braue apparrell, and gnaweth holes in his lodging, the other in his Barnes and granieries, and taketh as deepe toule as the Miller, the Rust falleth and feedeth vponupon his gilded and glittering Armour, and the Canker seazeth vponupon his Gold and Siluer. After these commeth the legall Theefe, that is, the Vsurer, and he must hauehave for the lone of his money, then comes the Mercer and Draper with their Bils, wherewith they giuegive many astonishing blowes on the head (as it were with clubs) for wearing out their braue Apparrell before it bee paid for. Then the fashion altereth, or the Ayre is not wholesome, and both must bee changed, or the Flatterer licketh his Dishes, or the Begger pulleth him by the sleeue, and then the propertie is altered, Oh quantum mutatus ab ille? Hee is not the man hee was taken to bee, neyther is it all gold that glistred in his eyes.

Now, speake to these Earth-wormes of Heauenly things, and amidst their ioyes or dumps, aske them if they will goe to a Sermon, or ioyne with the congregation in Prayer, or the like, what is their answere? Is it not Nabal-like? who when his kindnesse was requested towards Dauid and his Souldiers, answered like a foolish Churle, euen like himselfe. Who is Dauid? and what is the Sonne of Ishai that I should send of my vittailes vntounto him? So say they, the Sermon, what good shall wee get by going to a Sermon? who worse then these Preachers themselues? Oh they can talke well, and tell a trim tale in the Pulpit, but their liues are not thereafter. And thus they play the currish Dog, barking and bawling at them that bring them meate. Oh, wee shall hauehave a Puritaine of you, how holy you are? Tell not mee of the Sermon, I hauehave other matters to thinke vponupon, I must follow p. 14my suites in Law, or I must goe and beare such and such company at the Tauerne, or at Bowles, or at Tables, &c. I hauehave not sleptinough, (saith another:) And others hauehave not their ruff…s, and their cuttes, and their hoopes, and their knackes fine inough: I cannot abide to sit so long saith one: I must goe serue my customers: I like not this kinde of teaching (faith another) And thus doe they answere, when they are moued to meete the Lord, in the meanes of their saluation and sanctification, which lay vp Treasures on earth, and not in heauen: And therefore Lay not vp your Treasures on earth, but in heauen.

Againe, how doe worldlings deale in bargaining, in buying and selling? Doe they not assault one another with lyes? Doe they not vndermine one with another with deepe dissembling? Doe they not sweare fasly, to deceiue one another? Doe they not promise largely, deny impudently, and falsifie vniustly their promises? Doe they not work vponupon the aduantage, and take the extrenitie of Law one against another? Doe they not thus deale which are onelyonly deuoted and altogether addicted to the Treasures and pleasures of this World?

Againe, how are they accounted of? how are they accounted of? how are they accursed? Are they not (for the most part) accounted as Iudasses and tray-Gods? as Machiuels and Tirants, as Cut-throats and Cousoners, vnconscionable and cruell, hard-harted and mercilesse, and that euen of their friends? They are cursed of the rich, which pay for their kindnesse, and of the poore they are cursed, because they can get not kindnesse of them: Of whole Countries, trades & Common-wealths they are accursed, for they will hauehave a cast at all. Wee cannot buy but of him faith one: Wee cannot sell but we must agree with him faith another: Wee cannot vtter our commodities because of him, faith a third. The country curseth him: where were wont to bee so many Ploughes kept for Tillage (faith the country) is there now nothing but a Shepheard and his dogge. Vbi Troia iam seges: nay I would it were so well, but now vbi seges iam segnities: Weedes.all is little p. 15enough for a stinking Weede, that hath in most places, put down both Tillage and Pasture, to set vp the pride of life, and lust of the eye, as if the Commonwealth might liue rather by colour, than by cloath, and by accidents, rather than by substances. And as the country curseth the worldling, so the poore seruants doe iustly cry out vponupon them for detayning of their wages, and do truely apply those words in the Gospell against such, they reape where they sowed not, and take vp where they laid not downe. And thus are they accounted of, which follow onelyonly earthly Treasure, and therefore Lay not vp Treasure on earth.

How they liue wee hauehave heard, but how doe they dye? commonly Qualis vita, finis ita: Doe not many of them prooue Bankroupts and spend-thrifts? Doe they not dye deepe in debt, plunged in despaire, voyd of comfort, and without confidence in God? Is not their wedge of Golde their confidence? and doe they not say to their bags of gold, these are the Angels that shall keepe vsus? Oh most fearefull, and what more miserable? As they loued not the word of God in their health time, so doe they wholy distast it in their sicknesse, and their light goeth out in obscure darknesse, leauing a filthy smell behinde it, like a snuffe in a socket, when the candle is burnt out.

How many of them doe take their leaue of the World (after their long doting vponupon it) most he…eshly blaspheming of God, most cruelly cursing of men, most monstrously execrating of themselues, and most brutishly roaring like beasts knocked on the head, or lying most sencelesly like blockes and stocks. And if any make a better end, that may bee reckoned amongst the miracles of Gods superabounding mercy. But thus commonly doe they dye, that hauehave had their thoughts, and their cares, wholy drenched in the louelove and delight of earthly things, to verifie the saying of the Apostle:…hil. 3. 18. Many walke of whom I hauehave tolde you often, and now tell you weeping, they are enimies of the crosse of Christ, whose God is their belly, whose glory is their shame, which minde earthly p. 16things, & therfore their end is dam…ation. And thus we see how the profane Irreligiousnesse, the deceiptfull dealing, the wicked liuing, and the cursed ending of worldlings doe all cry out with one consent, and bid vsus beware, that we lay not vp Treasure on earth onelyonly, where Moths doe gnaw, and Rust doth consume, and Theeues breake through and steale.

When the men of Lystra would hauehave worshipped Paul and Barnabas, those blessed Apostles cryed out,Act. 14. 15. 18.Acts 14:15Acts 14:18 O men why doe you such things? wee are euen men as you be, and subiect to the same passions that yee bee, yet scarce refrained they the people, that they had not sacrificed vntounto them. So when worldlings would sacrifice their harts to earthly Treasure, doth not the earth cry out and say. O vaine man what dost thou meane? I am as thy selfe, and as base as thy selfe, I was another mans, and am for eueryevery mans turne, I am enuironed with thornes and Bryers, and inhabited with Toads, Vipers, and noysome Vermine, & all my commodities are haunted with moths, & cankers, with Theeues and Diuels, yet scarse doe they refraine from offering sacrifice vntounto them. I know not whereunto the earthly Treasure may bee better resembled then vntounto the huge horse that the Greekes had prepared for the destruction of Troy (if that story be true) which made a great and goodly shew, but vterum armato milite complent, Virg. Aen. lib. 1.it was within full of armed Souldiers, who when they saw their fittest opportunitie, issued out of his panch, to the vtter ruine of all those that doted so much vponupon it, and tooke so much paines to bring it into the Cittie. But most pithy was the counsaile of Lacoon that valiant and prudent Cittizen, concerning that monstrous mountaine of hidden mischiefes, and happy had it beene for that Cittie if his counsaile had beene followed, and surely, Simeus non leua fuisset (as the Poet speaketh) if they had not beene too light of beliefe, and too much enchaunted with a false perswasion thereof, they had done well enough, for hee spake plainely enough, when he told them that Aut hocinclusi ligno occultantur Achiui, aut hoec in p. 17…ostros fabricata est machina muros: Eyther (sayth hee) our enimies lye lurking in this woodden horse, or else it is some Engine erected for the battering of our wals. Nay more Aut aliquis latet error, Equo nè credi… Teucri, There is more mischiefe in it then wee are aware of O Troyans, bee wise and take heede you trust not a Horse. Yea, but it is a gifte that the Greekes hauehave left for Pallas. Well, saith hee, Quicquid id est, ti meo Danaos & dona ferentes: Make what you can of it (saith hee) there is, no trusting to the Greekes, though they come with gifts in their hands: So hee that hath a spirituall eye indeed, that can pearce further then to the out-side of worldly shewes, can truely say it, and may safely iustifie it, that the golden shewes of profits and pleasures, which are often in this world presented vntounto his view, hauehave eyther some secret mischiefes lurking in them, or are like some strange engine erected to batter his estate, or to cut his throate, or to ouerwhelme his head with cares and feares, or to prouoke him to some desperate attempt: but let the best bee made of it that can bee made, yet the world is not to bee trusted, though it comes sawning and flattering, creeping and crouching to a man with giftes and presents in the hand, for in a kisse was treason, and Ioabs kind embracings prooue but deadly stabbings, and the wisest that euer was amongst the sonnes of men, hauing made tryall of all, and taken not a taste, but his fill of all the treasures and pleasures that this world could possibly inuent for the delight and strength of a king, could at the casting vp of his accompts, giuegive no better verdict of it but this:Eccles. 1.Eccl 1 Vanitie of Vanities, and all is but Vanitie and vexation of spirit. And here againe one wiser and greater then Salomon tels vsus (if we hauehave grace to beleeue him) that both the rust, and the Moth, and the Canker, and the Theefe, and all cry out vntounto vsus, and bid vsus take heed how we dote vponupon worldly Treasure.

Of this discourse we may make good vse,Vse. 1. when wee are tempted to the breaking of Gods Commandements for the gayning of the worlds goods. When any p. 18is tempted, let him but reason thus with his soule: My Soule what thou wouldest hauehave thou seest, but what thou shalt hauehave thou seest not, thou seest the horse, but not what hee hath in his belly: thou seest the Bee, but not her sting: thou seest sweet meat, but not the sower sauce: thou seest the baite, but not the hooke: the cheare, but not the reckoning: a fawning face, but not the hand at the back: In a word, thou beholdest the profite that thou art like to get by profaning of the Sabboth with working and drudging, the gaine of Vsury and Bribery, the commoditie of lying and cogging, and the gaine of deceit and falshood, and the like: but what stings and wounds, thou shalt get in thy Conscience by following of those spirituall Couseners, thou dost not consider, and therefore stay, and proceede no further vnlesse thou wilt bee so mad as to loose Heauen for Hell.

Agane when thou art in prayer or hearing of Gods word,Vse 2. or about any other of thy godly deuotions, and feelest thy heart stepping aside to hauehave conference with earthlie cogitations, doe but say thus to thy selfe with Salomon, for whom is it that I now care? is it not for the world, that will cousen me of the word? is it not earthly treasure that cals my minde away, that I might loose this Heauenly treasure? returne then O my soule vntounto thy rest, and keepe thy standing, beware least thou be cousened of the heauenly verity, with a shew of earthly vanitie.

And in like manner when thou hapnest to loose any worldlie commoditie,Vse 3. neuer lay it to heart, but euen say this to thy selfe, now the world hath shewed it selfe like it selfe; God hath taken that from me, which otherwise would hauehave pulled me from him. As a louing father he hath but taken from mee that knife wherwith I might like a child hauehave hurt my self: And as a most wise captaine he hath rid me of my luggage, that I might pursue my enemies more swiftly, and make more expedition toward my heauenly countrie, where are better things prouided for me, euen such as no fire can consume, no Moth can freet, no p. 19Theefe can steale, no time can weare, & so with patience let it goe, and giuegive God thankes, that hath better prouided for thee, then thou wert aware of.

But lay vp for your selues treasure in heauen, where &c.

Our Sauiour Christ hauing forbidden the gredy seeking of earthly things,The Affirmatiue part. and brought men out of conceit with the bewitching vanities of this life, he presently offereth vntounto vsus better things, and commaundeth vsus to lay them vp in heauen, to our owne vse when time shall serue, as if he should say, I doe not absolutely forbid you to gather, and to lay vp in store, but I would hauehave you so gather, and so to lay vp, that you may finde store of treasure in Heauen,Heauenly Treasures are to bee preferred in three respects, viz. your heauenly countrey, whereunto you are borne againe, and where you must abide for euer. And these treasures thus to be laied vp, hee commendeth vntounto vsus, for their Excellency, for their Securitie, and for their Perpetuitie;1. Excellencie. things which all desire,2. Securit… and which are able to free a mans minde from all care.3. Perpetuitie. Of which it will not be amisse for vsus to take a little view.

What are those treasures then that are commended vntounto vsus for their excellencie? In a word they are heauenly,Of the excellency of the Christians Treasure. now looke how farre heauen is more excellent then the earth, and the spirit then flesh, and God then man, so much doth the Christians heauenly treasure excell all the treasures of this world.

This is true indeede:Obiect. but in heauen (thou wilt say) there is neither buying nor selling, trading nor traffique, building nor planting, letting nor hiring, hungring nor thirsting, no cold nor heat, no working nor labouring, no iourneying, nor trauelling. And therefore we need not care for any prouision for any such vses, what then are those treasures, or what is in them more then in others that wee are so charged to lay them vp? here we know (saith the Atheist) what wee hauehave, but what we shall hauehave there we know not.Answere. But heare thou earthly minded man, and harken O thou whose mind and hart lye buried vnderunder a loafe of bread. There are indeed no such commodities in heauen as the earth affordeth, yet heauen is a rich countrey, & the p. 20commodities thereof are far aboue the fine golde of Ophir. First there is the Lord Iesus who is the Lord high treasurer of heauen and earth,Col. 2. 3.Col 2:3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdome and knowledge. In whom God hath blessed vsus, Eph. 1. 3.Eph 1:3with all spirituall blessings in heauenly things: Iohn. 1. 16.John 1:16Of whose fulnes we receiue all grace for grace, In whom and by whom wee liue, Act. 17. 28.Acts 17:28and moue, and hauehave our being, of whom the church enquired and was sicke of louelove vntill she found him.Cant. 5. 8.Song 5:8 Worldlings make a wonder at this geare vntill they know what it is, but then they are as desirous of it as others, as plainely appeareth by the conference that passed between the regenerate Spouse of Christ, and the vnregenerate members of the visible Church, about the excellency of Christs person and louelove, and the effect of the said conference most liuely and pathetically deciphered by Salomon in his spirituall song.Cant. 5. 8.Song 5:8 And first the regenerate and Godly Spouse of Christ beginneth in this manner. I Charge you O Daughters of Ierusalem, if you finde my wel-beloued, that you tell him that I am sicke of louelove. Now mark the answer that is made to this charge by those which yet knew not the excellency of Christ.Verse. 9. O the fairest a mong women, what is thy welbeloued more then other welboued? what is thy welbeloued more then an other louer, that thou dost so charge vsus? Now mark the descriptiō of Christ, set forth by the true church, as glorying and delighting to speake of the beautie and riches of their heauenly Bridegrome, to the shame of those that beare the title of Christians, and yet are neuer so much daunted and silenced at any thing, as when speach is offered them of Christ and Christian Religion, as if it were possible that an honest woman should bee ashamed to heare good spoken, or to speake good things of her Husband,Verse. 10. My belouod (saith the Spouse of Christ) is white and ruddy, the cheifest of ten thousand. 11His head is as fine gold, his locks curled, and black as a Rauen. His eyes are as Doues vponupon the Riuers of waters, 12which are washed with milke, and remaine by the full vessels. 13His cheekes are as a bed of Spices, and sweet Flowers, and his lips like Lillies dropping downe pure p. 21Mirrhe. His hands like rings of Gold,14 se… with the Chrisolite, his belly like white Y…ory, couered with Saphirs.15 His legs as pillers of marble, set vponupon sockets of fine gold, his countenance as Lebanon, excellent as the Cedars. His mouth is as sweet things, and he is wholy delectable,16 that is my Beloued, and this is my Louer, O Daughters of Ierusalem. What say you to him now? Heare now what effect this sweet description of Christ hath wrought with the Daughters of Ierusalem, that is, with the members of the Church, yet such as hitherto were ignoraunt of these things. O the fairest amongst women, whither is thy Welbeloued gone? whither is thy Welbeloued turned aside, that wee may seeke him with thee? And would you seeke him indeed? then heare more. This heauenly and louely Bridegrome hath for his Spouse a whole Cittie, and A holy Cittie called new Ierusalem (whose Daughters you are) come downe from God our of heauen, Apo. 21. 2prepared as a Bride trimmed for her husband, hauing the glory of God, and her shining is like vntounto a stone most precious, and as a Iasper stone cleare as Christall. Verse. 11.The Wall of it is great and high, 12and hath twelue Gates, and at the Gates twelue Angels (for Porters) And the Wall of the Cittie hath twelue Foundations, 14and in them the names of the Lambs twelue Apostles. 16It is eueryevery way twelue thousand furlongs, as broad as long, and extending aswell to one part of the world as to another. 18The building of the wall is of Iasper, and the Cittie pure Gold like cleare Glasse. 19The foundations of the Wall were ga…nished with all manner of precious stones. 20And the twelue Gates wore twelue Pearles, and eueryevery Gate is of one Pearle, 21and the Street of the Cittie is of pure Gold. 22There is no Temple there, for the Lord God Almightie, and the Lambe are the Temple of it, 23There is no neede of Sunn… or Moone, for the glory of God▪ doth light it, and the Lambe is the light of it. And the people which are saued shall walk in the light of it, 24and the Kings of the earth shall bring their glory and honour vntounto it. 25And the gates of it shall not bee shut by day: for there shall be no might there. 26And the glory and honour of the Gentiles shall bee brought vntounto it. 27And into it shall enter p. 22no vncleane thing, neyther whatsoeuer worketh Abhomination or Lyes: but they which are written in the: Lambs booke of Life. Now if the Gates, Wals and Streets of this Cittie bee so… beautifull, and sumptuous, then how glorious and rich are the inward parts? nay who can expresse the riches and pleasures that are there layd vp for the Cittizens and Spouse of Christ? are they not (thinke you) like those things which Saint Paul saw when hee was rapt vp into the third heauen, which the tongue of man cannot vtter? And must… they not needes bee those ioyes which the same Apostle saith,1. Cor. 2.1 Cor 2 are such as no Eye hath seene, no Eare hath heard, no Tongue can expresse… nor Hart conceaue? Now doe but consider with thy selfe (if thou canst) what some Eyes hauehave seene, what some mens Eares hauehave heard, and what some trauellers Tongues hauehave reported in these dayes, and what the hart of some man is able to conceaue, and then doe but imagine what those ioyes of heauen are if thou canst. But what are the commodities and Riches of that Heauenly Ierusalem, and the Cittizens therof, that cannot bee valued? If the report thereof will mooue thee to seeke after them▪ then heare, for euen in this life the true Christian is put in possession of them in part, by which as by a tast, hee is certified, and as by an earnest p…nny hee is assured of the rest that is kept for him, vntill hee bee ready for them.Apo. 3. 18. Saint Iohn saith, that (as if some rich merchant were come from a far Country) the Lord Iesus inuiteth vsus, and setteth vp as it were his bils in eueryevery Church, offering to all that will vse the meanes to make themselues sure of his marchandise (which is meant by buying) no worse wares then fine▪ Gold tryed in the fire, to make vsus rich, white rayment to couer our filthy nakednes withall, and eye salue to heale vsus of Spirituall blindnesse, that is, himselfe, his Word, and his Spirit. And the like offer in most kinde mann…r againe hee maketh by Salomon, willing vsus (if wee bee wise to God ward) to receiue instruction and not Siluer, Pro. 8. 10.Prov 8:10and knowledge rather then fine Gold. Pro. 16. 16Prov 16:16Whereof Salomon himselfe giueth this testimony (after his p. 23long experience of both) that to get wisdome is much better then gold, but how much better hee cannot tell, it so far excelleth, and therefore hee sets it downe with an Interrogation: How much better is it, Pro. 3. 13.Prov 3:13&c. and to get Vnderstanding (saith he) is more to be desired then Siluer, Yea, Blessed is that man (saith hee) that findeth Wisedome, and that man that getteth Vnderstanding. Now marke his reasons. For the marchandise thereof is better then the marchandise of Siluer, 14and the gaine thereof is better then gold. 15It is more precious then Pearles, and all things that thou canst desire, are not to bee compared vntounto her. 16Length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory. 17Her wayes are the wayes of pleasure, and all her pathes posperitie. 18Shee is a Tree of Life to them that lay hold on her, and blessed is hee that receiueth her.

There is also a spirituall traffique and intercourse betweene Christ & the faithfull Christian.Phi. 3. 20. For Our conuersation is in beauen saith S. Paul, very troublesome and dangerous (I confesse) for a time, for this world is the sea,Apo. 4. tempestuous and tumultuous enough.Christs ship described. The Church militant is the ship of Christ that is tossed in the same. The tackling of this ship may be the communion of Saints. The Pilate that guides the course, the spirit of God. The Carde or Compasse, the Word of God. The Purser of this ship, is louelove. The Baliffe is humane frailties, noisome feares, and troublesome doubts, The munition of this ship, is the armour of God, that is, the Helmet of Hope, the Shield of Faith, the Sword of the Spirit, the Brest-plate of Righteousnesse, &c. as the Apostle describeth it in the 6. to the Ephesians. Eph. 6.Eph 6The windes which driue this Bark are prosperitie and aduersitie. The waues which tosse this ship are presumption and despaire. The enimies to this ship, are the world, the flesh, and the Diuell. The Factours are the faithfull Ministers of Christ. The Commodities, are the Treasures of Heauen, the Riches of Christ, or Fruites of the Spirit. Our Messenger is Peace, a speedy Poste. The Hauen is the Kingdome of Heauen. The landing place is Golgotha. The Land is the land of the liuing. p. 24The Customer is Death, who sets all men at libertie, and yet is bound himselfe. Peter was once one of these heauenly Factours for the Lord Iesus: a Creeple came vntounto him for an Almes, but what was his aunswere?Act. 3. 6.Acts 3:6 Siluer and Gold hauehave I none, but such as I hauehave, I giuegive thee, in the name of Iesus of Nazaret arise and walke: A better Almes a great deale then hee expected. So wee may say: If you aske vsus what commodities our vessell hath brought, we may make Peters answere, Siluer and Gold wee hauehave none; new wine hauehave we none; pleasant tales hauehave wee none; and Popish trash hauehave wee none; but wee hauehave the hidden treasures of the Gospell,The cornmodities of the Gospell. the puritie of true Religion, the rich Iewels of the holy Ghost: as Faith to ouercome the world, repentance to make men new, remission of sinnes, and Reconsiliation with God, by the death of Christ, peace of Conscience which passeth all vnderstanding, and is a continuall Feast, ioy of the holy Ghost, a…d gladnes of hart, which the world cannot take from him that hath them, wee offer louelove to God, and Charitie to men, zeale for the truth, patience in affliction, moderation of affections, lowlinesse of Spirit to grace all our actions, and assurance of euerlasting life after this life, the great gaine of godlinesse, with sweete contentation to all estates.

Behold, these are the Riches, and these are the Treasures that the Lord Iesus sendeth from heauen to enrich and glad his seruants withall, while they liue here dispersed and despised vponupon the face of the earth. And yet here bee not all, for euen all outward blessings also do attend vponupon these inward graces, so that if any man can finde these, and hartely affect them,Earthly Treasure. the other shall follow measurably and proportionably according to eueryevery mans place and want.doth follow the heauenly. And therfore our blessed Sauiour (not knowing how to enuy, or deny vntounto his Church the smaller things, hauing frankly bestowed himselfe, and the greater things of his Kingdome) set vsus in the way, and directeth vsus a right course for the obtaining both of heauenly Treasures, as also of earthly Commodities. Seeke first (saith p. 25hee) the kingdome of God, Mat. 6. 33.Matt 6:33and his righteousnesse, and all these things shall bee cast vntounto you, but Gods Kingdome must bee first sought.1 King 3 12. 131 Kgs 3:121 Kgs 3:13 When Salomon preferred (in his request vntounto God) a wise and vnderstanding hart, for the well gouerning of his people, God gaue him that, and also Riches and Honour, things that he asked not: So, if our chiefest desire and endeauour be to lay vp treasure in heauen, and to bee rich in the graces of the holy Ghost, the Lord will giuegive vsus those Graces, and earthly Blessings besides. But alas, it fareth with most men as it did with Boaz his kinseman,Ruth. 4. 4. 5Ruth 4:4Ruth 4:5 who was well content to redeeme the field of Naomie, but when hee heard that hee that should hauehave the field, must also marry Ruth, hee would none. So, many hearing of earthly commodities, and worldly blessings, are content to strain themselues for the obtaining of them, but when they heare that they must take them as Religious dowrie, and vponupon condition that they liue vertuously, and liberally amongst their Brethren, they wil none, for the one they wil deale, but not for the other: but hee that hath the one, must hauehave the other also, and whosoeuer will straine himselfe for the best part, shall bee sure to hauehave his share in the other: as hee that married Ruth with her meane portion, lost nothing thereby, because shee was a vertuous woman, and what was wanting in goods, shee had it supplyed in goodnesse: so he that hath godlinesse can be no looser, for Godlinesse is profitable vntounto all things (saith the Apostle) and hath the promises of this life, 1 Tim. 4. 81 Tim 4:8and of the life to come.

Godlinesse will make thy selfe, and thy seed, thy ground and thy cattell, thy wealth and thy credit to bee blessed. It is like the Tree that bearet… fruit eueryevery month, & beareth twelue manner of fruits, and the leaues thereof are good to heale the nations withall. Apoc. 22. 2Rev 22:2And as for them that thinke that godlinesse is not fit for all things, for all times, and for all places, but count it a dead world when vnchast daunces, ribald songs, and other scurrilitie are restrained at feasts, and marriages, and other merry meetings, nor can relish any mirth or ioy, that is seasoned p. 26with words of grace, it seemeth they are better acquainted with the sacrifices of the Indians, than with the sacrifices of Christians: But let them speake that hauehave made tryal.Mal. 3. 10.Mal 3:10 HaueHave any done as Malachie willeth them, that is, brought their Tithes and offrings, liberally and freely vntounto Gods house, for the maintenance of the Lords seruants and seruice, and hath not the Lord (according to his promise) opened the windowes of heauen, and powred out a blessing vponupon them? HaueHave any suffred hunger and thirst for righteousnes sake (which hunger onelyonly is sa…ra fames, Mat. 5.Matt 5holy hunger indeed) and not bene filled with good things? Hath any faithfull person decayed in his outward man,2 Cor. 4.2 Cor 4 and hath not his inward man beene renued daily? HaueHave any seene Christ in some part of his glory,Mat. 17.Matt 17 and not beene rauished with a desire to dwell there still? Nay more, hath any followed him in this r…generation (as he saith himselfe) that doth not now, and shall at… th… last day sit on seats to iudge the nations of the world? Hath any with the poore Widdow of Sa…pta… shew…d kindnesse, and beene at cost with the Lords Prophets, and not found it againe with increase? HaueHave any for the louelove of Christs gospell left all, and followed him in time of persecution, and not bene prouided for sufficiently? Hath any with the woman of Samaria, left scoffing at Christs words, and hath not her hart beene so enflamed with the Truth, that shee hath runne in to call forth her neighbours, to take part of her happinesse? HaueHave any with Paul and Silas beene imprisoned for preaching of Christ Iesus, and hauehave they not found that in prison, which hath made them to sing Psalmes for ioy? Hath any gone to the Lords warres, at his owne cost? or planted the Lords vineyard, and not drinke of the wine? Hath any laboured in the Lords husbandry, and gone away without his reward? HaueHave any at any time beleeued God, and ben deceiued? Hath any trusted God with his estate, that hath not beene compassed about with the mercies of the Lord?Psal. 32. 10.Ps 32:10 Hath any loued the Lord, and not bene loued againe? Hath any craued day and not p. 27beene borne withall? repented and not beene forgiuen? In a word; did euer any imploy his talent to the Lords aduantage, and not more to his owne aduantage? for hauehave they not (besides the receipt of commendations for their faithfulnesse) beene put in possession of their maisters ioy?Mat. 25. 20Matt 25:20 And on the contrary, hath any neglected the gifts of God bestowed vponupon him, and hath it not bene to his owne losse, as hee that hid his Talent in the ground? Hath any Esau sould his birth-right, and not lost the blessing? Hath any Iudas sould his Master, and betrayed the truth, & not been the first that repented the bargaine, by that time that he and the gallowes, or the Diuell, or both hauehave reckoned together? HaueHave any with Demas forsaken gods seruants, to follow this present world, and not with Hymeneu… and Alexander made shipwrack of faith & a good conscience?1 Tim. 1. 19.1 Tim 1:19 Beleeue mee (good brethren) it will stand vsus in hand to looke lesse to our earthly Treasure, and more after the heauenly, least in the end wee loose both.

To conclude therefore this point: seeing as the Christians heauenly Treasure, which is both Christ himselfe and all the riches of his Gospell bee so excellent, rare, and precious that nothing may bee compared therewith; and seeing the treasures of this his kingdome of Grace (though they bee inestimable and vnspeakable) are but a tast and earnest of those treasures, which bee reserued for the Saints in his kingdome of glory. And lastly, seeing as they which seeke after the heauenly Treasure, shall also hauehave earthly blessings to accompanie the same, as farre forth as God shall see good for his children, let eueryevery Christian hart bee hereby moued and perswaded to lay vp from henceforth Treasure in heauen, rather than on earth, sith eueryevery man desireth the best things.

As the Christians heauenly Treasure is so bee preferred before all things, for the Excellencie thereof, so also is it here commended vntounto vsus by our blessed Sauiour, for the Perpetuitie, and the Securitie of the same. For their Perpetuitie, hee saith that neither Moth can p. 28eate it, nor Rust consume it. And for their security the safe keeping, he tels thee that they are where no Theefe can dig through and steale them, meaning that no enimie whether terrestiall or infernall, whether man or Diuell can possibly deceiue thee or depriue thee of them.

Now as touching the Perpetuitie of the Christians heauenly Treasure,Of their Perpetuity it is such and of so long continuance, that euen in that respect it is to bee preferred beefore all earthly and transitorie Commodities: for all earthly commodities and treasures they are ey…ther vsed or not vsed, if they bee put to any vse or employment, they consume and weare: if they be put to no vse, but lye by, then they are corrupted, which corruption also abateth not a little both of their substance and glory: But as for the Heauenly Treasures of Gods grace and spirit, they are neyther consumed, nor corrupted. There is more vse of them then of any earthly thing whatsoeuer, yet are they not, neyther can they bee subiect to any consumption: Nay, they are no whit the worse, but much the better for the vsing. Tell me, is there not a daylie yse of Prayer, of Preaching, of Faith, of Charitie, of Repentance, of Patience, of Hope, of Humilitie, &c. And are they not through continuall vse encreased, strengthened, and made easie? like the fiue tallents, which being put forth to aduantage, gained fiue more. And as Milo that Tullie speakes of,Milo. by vsing his strength day by day, in carrying of a Calfe did so increase his strength, that hee was able to beare it on his shoulders when it was an Oxe: so doth the Christian Soule by inuring his patience and faith to beare smaller crosses, that in time hee is able through daylie exercise of the spirit, to beare greater crosses, and to put vp mighty wrongs: Through negligent slothfulnesse, cursed ingratitude, & prophane abusing of Gods heauenly Graces, they may dye and decay in thee, but the more they are vsed, the more they are increased.

The glorious Garment, and royall Robe of Christ that Sonne of Righteousnesse,Mal. 4. 2.Mal 4:2 wherewith Saint Iohn saw the Church clothed, is neuer worne out, p. 29nor shall euer be put off, vntill faith and Hope bee abolished; their pure Gold that they buy of him is neuer spent, and their Sunne is neuer set, though sometime perhaps it may bee vnderunder a cloud. The Oyle of gladnesse wherewith they are annointed is like the widdows Oyle of Sarepta, wherewith shee paid her debts, maintained her selfe & her house, and yet her Cruse was still full.Ioh. 2.John 2 Nay, Christ turneth the water of his seruants (that louelove to enuite him vntounto their feasts) into wine, and the oftner it is powred forth the sweeter it is. One Helmet of Hope, one Shield of Faith, one Sword of the Spirit, &c. shall last all thy life, and saue thee in a thousand battailes of temptations and spirituall conflicts, and neuer bee worne: for whom the Lord loueth, hee loueth …to the end, and his mercies endure for euer. There is but one Faith, one God, one Lord, one Baptisme, one Word, one Spirit, and one Hope, though there bee many misbeliefes, many Diuels, many falsehoods, many doubts; there is but one supreame goodnes, though many euils, & that one shall ouercome all, and remaine alwayes the same, that we may still sing with the Psalmist, The mercies of the Lord endure for euer.

And as the Christians heauenly treasure doth excell for Perpetuitie,Of their Security. so also for Securitie: for it is laid vp in heauen, where the Lord himselfe dwelleth, and from whence hee laugheth all Theeues both infernall and terrestiall to scorne.

Many lay vp their treasure in the bottome of a ship, and the sea swalloweth it vp; but what sea can deuoure those Treasures that are layd vp in heauen? Many put their treasure into other mens hands, who spend it vainely, or runne away secretly; but who can spend, or runne away with that which is laid vp in heauen? Many bestow their Treasure vponupon their backe, belly, and building, three such Bees as will sting the land to death,3 Bees. if they be not taken heed of, and all perish in the vse, by fire, or by age, or by sicknesse, or by death; but no such thing can happen to those treasures which are laid vp in heauen. Many hauehave houses, and lands, and riches, and p. 30friends, to day in very good securitie as the world thinketh, and by to morrow they are gone, or sold, or wasted, or stolne, or dead, or turned to another minde, but they that hauehave once laid vp the Treasures of a good life, and a good Conscience in heauen, shall bee sure to finde them there, and to enioy them for euer: for they are so kept to his vse, that no Theefe can euer steale them from him.

And howsoeuer some vaine and presumptuous Persons will not sticke through greedinesse of gaine, to vndertake (for a quantitie of money) to secure a mans goods at sea, or at land, yet considering the miserable vnquietnesse that mans life is exposed vntounto, and the vniuersall disagreement and warre that is betweene man and all the Creatures in the world, yea, betweene the Creatures themselues, nay more, betweene man and man in all estates and degrees: nay more than that, between eueryevery man in himselfe. I see no reason, why any man should be so vnwise, as to promise vntounto himselfe any secure enioying of any worldly commoditie, or why another should so confidently (or desperately rather) vndertake to secure any mans goods or estate, when as hee cannot secure himselfe one minute of an houre to an end. And first, for the miserable and vnquiet estate of this life, I see not what can bee said more to discouer the same, then hath beene already said by Petrach that learned Italian Oratour,Fran. Petrach. de remedijs vtrius que fert. the substance of whose discourse, concerning this point, I thinke will not bee lost labour to lay before thee, which briefly is this: that considering the vncertaine and sodaine chaunces & changes, whereunto the affaires and estates of men are subiect,Nothing more frail or vnquiet than the life of Man. nothing can be more fraile, nothing more vnquiet then the life of man. In other liuing creatures (saith hee) it is not so, and why? because nature hath prouided for them a wonderfull kinde of remedy: but what is that remedy? might not wee enioy it with them? Oh no, for it is a certaine ignorance of thēselues, by reason wherof they inioy their life and being, in lesse misery, and more quiet then man doth, p. 31for in vsus onelyonly that hauehave degenerated,Memory, Vnderstanding and prouidence peruerted vntounto our own toile &c. both our memory, & vnderstanding, our prouidence, and all the diuine gifts of our minde are conuerted (or peruerted rather) vntounto our owne toile & destruction: for, are wee not haunted alwayes with vaine and superfluous, yea, with noysome and pestiferous Cares:Cares. which cause vsus to bee grieued with the present time,Grieued. to bee vexed with the time past, and to bee afraid of the time to come?Vexed. If our life were well gouerned,Afraid. it were the most happy and pleasant thing that wee possesse, but now so many causes of miseries and nourishments of sorrowes doe wee daylie heape together, that we make our life a wretched and wofull toile,Entrance blindnes. whose Entrance is blindnes,Progresse labour. whose Progresse is labour, whose End is sorrow,End sorrow. and the whole Course error. What Day doe we passe oue… in rest and quietnes?Course error. or rather that we finde not more painefull and troublesome then other?Day. What Morning hauehave we euer passed so merry and pleasant,Morning. that hath not been ouertaken with some sorrow and heauinesse before night? What perpetuall warre is it that wee make against FortuneWar with Fortune. (as some speake which know not the diuine prouidence to be the gouernor of all things) Wee onelyonly being weakelings and vnarmed, take vponupon vsus to encounter a most fierce foe, in vnequall fight; and bee againe (as lightly as things of naught) tosseth vsus vp,Better ouercome then bee had in continual scorne. and throweth vsus downe, & turneth vsus round about, and playeth with vsus, so that it were better for vsus to be quite o…ercome, then continually to bee had in scorne. And the cause heereof, is nothing else but our own lightnesse and daintinesse: for wee seeme to bee good for nothing else, but to bee tossed het…er and thither like a tennis-ball,The cause, our …owne lightnesse. being creatures of a very short life, of infinit carefulnes, and ignoraunt vntounto what shore to fall with our ship, or vntounto what resolution to apply our mindes.

And besides the present euill, we hauehave alwayes somewhat to grieue vsus behinde our backs, and before our eyes to make vsus afraid: which thing hapn…th to no other Creature besides man, for vntounto all others it is most perfect Securitie, to p. 32hauehave escaped that which is present. But wee in respect of our Wit and Vnderstanding of our minde, are in a continuall wrastling and strife with an enemie. Which being so, what safetie or securitie can wee looke for with our earthly pelfe (notwithstanding all the bonds, and Bils, Euidences and Conu…aiances, and whatsoeuer deuise else by craftie heads can bee contriued) when wee can by no meanes secure our selues of our selues in rest and quietnes one houre to an end.

Now as touching the vniuersall disagreement and war,Vniuersal discord betweene man & the Creatures. that is betweene man and the Creatures, and betweene the Creatures themselues, and between man and man, yea, and in eueryevery man in himselfe, it is more then euident, for doe not the Stars moue against the Firmament? Doe not the Elements which be of contrary qualities striue one against another? Are not the Windes at continuall conflicts among themselues? Doth not one time contend against another time, and one thing against another thing, and all things against vsus? The Spring is moist, the Summer is dry, the Haruest is pleasant, and the Winter sharpe: And this which is called change and alteration, is in very deed strife and disagreement, although by the diuine prouidence of almightie, they are made to agree together, against their owne nature, to serue mans turne, that man might serue him.

These things vponupon which we dwell,Of the Elements. by which we liue and are nourished, which flatter vsus with so many enticements, how terrible are they when once they begin to bee angry? the earthquakes, shipwrackes, whirlewindes, raging fires, and mightie flouds, doe sufficiently declare. With what violence doth the Haile fall? What force hauehave stormes and tempests? What ratling of Thunder? What rage of lightning? What fury of the waues? What blowing of the Sea? What roaring of flouds? what excursions of Riuers? What recourse and concourse of clouds? Our meates and drinkes which we take to nourish vsus, if they be immoderately and excessiuely taken of vsus, what seazures and forfaitures doe they make of Reason, Sence and Strength, p. 33yea, oftentimes of health and life it selfe?

There is no liuing Creature without war.No Creature without war. Fishes, Foules, wilde Beasts, Serpents, Men, one kinde of these persecuteth another, none are at quiet. The Lyon followeth the Wolfe, the Wolfe the Dog, the Dog the Hare, and the Hare the greene Corne; with what cra…t doth the …oxe pursue our Lambs, and our Poultry? What watching is there of Crowes and Kites about our Pigeon houses, and Broodes▪ of Chickens? And what assaults of Theeues is there against the priuie Chambers, and Closets of rich men? What watching and warding is there in eueryevery seuerall kinde, how great and diligent contention?

But though these cease, yet disagreement ceaseth not:Of LoueLove and Mariage. for what hart-burning is there euen in LoueLove? What disagreement in Marriage? How many complaints, what suspicions are there amongst Louers?Masters & Seruants. What sighes, what paines, what contention betweene Masters and Seruants?Parents & Children. Yea, what bitter contention do we see betweene Parents and Children, and betweene Brother and Brother? And as touching the louelove of Parents, who are most tenderly affected towards their Children, yet how great their indignation is, it is euident, whiles they louelove them that are good, and lament their case that are euill, and thus in a manner they hate while they louelove hartely.Friends. Now among Friends although there be agreement in the words and ends, yet in the way, and in their actions what disagreement and contrari…tie of opinions and counsels is there? What then shall a man hope for in hatred? for there is Hatred in LoueLove, and Warre in Peace, and Dissention in agreement. If wee consider the orders of Bees in their Hiues,Bees. what thronging together, what noyse, what wars, not onelyonly with their neighbours, but amongst themselues, what domesticall conflicts, and dissentions is there amongst them? If we looke vponupon the Doue,Doues. that innocent and simple bird, and which (as some write) hath no gall, with what battailes and disquietnesse, with what clamours and outcryes (I pray you) do they passe p. 34forth their life? And now (to meet with Christs instance againe) How doth the Moth gnaw the cloth?Moth. the Rot the post, and little Wormes by day and night fret through the bowels of Beames & huge Timber?Rot. Againe,Wormes what an enemie is the Grassehopper to Hearbs, the Caterpiller to Fruites before they bee ripe, and the Fowles of the Ayre to ripe f…uites and graine?Sparrow. what an enemie is the Mildew to the Vintage,Mildew. the blasting to the Hearbs, the Canker to the Leaues, and the Moule to the rootes?Moule. What should I speake of the hurtfull plentie of branches and leaues of Trees, against which the wakefull Husbandman giueth diligent attendaunce? And what doth the continuall returne of Bryars and weeds, but minister perpetuall matter of toyle and strife? I let passe the furious rage of showers of Raine, and heapes of Snow, and biting of Frosts, and violence of Ise, and force of Flouds, which many times shake whole Regions and Countries.

But thou liuest amongst the Richer and more delicate sort perhaps,The toiles of the richer sort. yet art not thou nor any of them without their discommodities and toyles, for how is their quiet silence, and sweet sleepe interrupted and troubled eyther with the cryings and screiches of Owles, or the continuall barking of Dogs all night against the Moone, or with the horrible outcryes and hellish clamour of Cats, meeting vponupon the tiles and toppes of houses? And on the day time they are annoyed with the common clamour and laughter of Fooles, then which nothing is more ridiculous, and the merriments of Drunkards, then the which nothing is more grieuous? Then come the complaints of such as be at variance, and the Iangling & scoulding of old wiues. Ad hereunto the thronging and noyse of Iudgement… Hals vponupon court dayes, the Altercations of Merchants, and such as buy and sell, together with the vaine Oathes and Protestations both on the one side and the other. Adioyne herevnto the sorrowfull singing of workmen to asswage their painefull trauaile. Finally, examine whatsoeuer there is, run through in thy mind all the Heauen, the p. 35Earth, the Sea, there is like contention in the top of the Skie, and the bottome of the Sea, and there is strife in the deep rifts of the earth, as wel as in the woods and Fields, and aswell is there perpetuall disagreement in the Desarts of sands, as in the streets of Cities.

At the very beginning of the world there was a battell fought in the first Heauen, and those vanquished Angels (now Diuels) whilst they endeauour to bee reuenged vponupon vsus mortall men, that inhabite the earth, they procure vntounto vsus immortall warre of sundry temptations, with most hard and doubtfull businesse. And to gather all into a short summe, all things whatsoeuer hauing sence, or without sence, from the vppermost top of heauen, vntounto the lowest center of the earth, and from the chiefest Angell, to the basest worme, there is continuall and euerlasting strife betweene them, what securitie then can be looked for of any thing in this world.

As for man himselfe, the Lord and gouernour of all things,Of Man against Man. who onelyonly by the rule of Reason, should bee able to guide in Tranquilitie, this swelling and troublesome sea, with what continuall strife is hee tossed, both externally with other things, as also internally with himselfe. As for the things that are outward, whereby man is tossed and turmoilde, they are innumerable and vnspeakable, euen from one man to another, and practised by one man against another: Homo homini Lupus, one man is become a Wolfe towards another. What mischiefe is there, that one man worketh not against another? and all other harmes, by what meanes soeuer they happen, yet being compared with these, doe seeme but light discommodities. Who can number the disagreement of opinions, the variety of sects, the contentions of the learned, and the warres of Kings and Nations? Who then can bee assured of the Truth? Who can assure his peace long, if hee seeke no further for Peace and Truth then vntounto this world?

But if thou or thy estate be called into question, as whose is not somtime? thou wilt repaire to s…kilfull Grammarians, p. 36who can tell what Construction to make of eueryevery things; or to eloquent Rhetoricians, that can tell how to perswade much; or to wittie Logitians, who can dispute thy cause well; or to learned Lawyers, who can plead thy cause effectually, but then remember againe, what contentions are amongst Grammaians, not yet decided? what conflicts among Rhetoricians? what Quirks and quidities amongst Logitians? what brabble and clamour amongst Lawyers? who how well they agree the continuance of their Cliants causes doth euidently declare.Lawyer… for thy Wealth▪ And if thou sayest thou wilt hauehave Law for thy mony▪ then remember first, that they will also hauehave thy mony for Law, and by that time the Law hath tryed thy cause, it may be, halfe thy estate and wealth must bee sharde amongst the Lawyers and their Clarkes, who hauing eaten the Oyster which made the strife, will returne thee the shell for recompence.

Well then,Phisitions for health. thou wilt say, if thy wealth stand vponupon so tickle a pinne, thou wilt looke to thy Health, and to that end thou wilt make much of the Phisition; but then heare againe, make thou as much of him, as thou canst, bee sure of one thing, that hee will make as much of thee as hee can. And as for the agreement of Phisitions about diseases, their causes and their cures, let their Patients bee iudge, for that life which they hauehave pronounced to bee short, by their contentions they hauehave made most short. But if thy wealth & Health be so vncertaine, thou wilt then looke to thy Religion, and be assured that that shall be right and sound: thou doest well in so doing, but then thou must take heed thou hang not thy Faith or Religion vponupon men, but vponupon God, and his word, for else what deformitie and disagreement of opinions is there in the holy rites and religion of the Church, where Gods heauenly direction in his Word is neglected,Strife for Religion. and that not so much in the words of the learned, as in the weapons of the armed, and oftner tryed in the field then in the schooles? But it may bee for more securitie of thy selfe and thy estate, thou wilt looke to the p. 73common life and affaires of men, and conforme thy selfe to the fashions of the most in house keeping,To doe n… the most doe. in building, in apparrell, in recreation, &c. But then remember againe, that if thou hast not light and Wisedome from Heauen, thou maist soone slip into the broad way that leadeth to Hell. And againe euen then thou wilt bee to seeke, so many windings and turnings thou shalt meete withall, for there are scarce two in a cittie that doe agree, both many things else, but especially the great diuersitie of their houses and Apparrell, doth declare, for who euer succeeded any man in an house, were hee neuer so rich and good an Husband, that hath not (for all that) changed many things in it? so that looke what one man had a desire to build, another hath a pleasure to pull downe: witnesse hereof may bee the often changing of Windows, damming vp of Doores, and the skarres and new reparations that are done in old Wals. Nay more, is not eueryevery mans opinion & Iudgement contrary to himselfe? whilst (according to the saying of the Poet) He pulleth downe, Horace.and buildeth vp, and changeth that which was square into round. Diruit, …dificat, mutat quadrata rotundis.By which it may appeare that almost no man can agree with another man, nor yet with himselfe.

To these may bee added the contention that is oftentimes without an Aduersary,Contention without an aduersary. as of Sriueners with Parchment, with Inke, with Pens, with Paper, before they can make them serue their turne,Scriueners. and many the like? What a coile hauehave SouldiersSouldiers. (not with their enimies onelyonly) but with their owne Horses and Armour, when as the horse waxeth obstinate, and their Armour wayeth them downe?Speakers & writers. What businesse hauehave they that speak, and those that write at the mouth of another, whilest the one through earnest intention speaketh many things vnperfect, and the other through ignorance, or vnskilfulnes, or a flitting & vnconstant wit misconstrueth those things that are perfect? Againe, what Conflicts hauehave InfantsInfants. with fals, ChildrenChildren. with their Bookes, and Young menYong men with pleasures and vnruly affections? Yong men are indeed to bee pittied, for there are no p. 38kinde of men that would seeme to bee more merry, and none indeed are more miserable and sorrowfull. And againe, in what danger are WomenWomen. in Childebearing? what wrastling hauehave men continually with Pouertie and Ambition? What great carking & caring for more then is needful for liuing? And finally, what euerlasting warre hauehave old menOld men… with old age and sicknesses? and all other persons with death also, and (that which is more grieuous then death it selfe) with the continuall feare of death?

But to omit this external strife (which is one while with Aduersaries,Of the internall strife in a mans self. and another while without an Aduersarie) how great is the internall Contention, not onelyonly against another, but euen against our selfe, eueryevery one enduring a continuall war euen in the secret closet of his minde? With how diuerse and contrary Affections doth the mind striue against it selfe? with how variable and vncertaine motion of minde is eueryevery man drawne, sometime one way, sometime another? hee is neuer whole, nor neuer one man, but alwayes dissenting and deuided in himselfe. Now hee willeth, by and by hee will not that which hee would before: now hee liketh, by and by hee misliketh: now hee loueth, by and by hee hateth: now hee flattereth, presently he threatneth: now he iesteth, and presently is in good earnest: here hee beginneth, there hee leaueth off: now hee admireth, by and by hee disdaineth: one while hee goeth forward, and straight way he turneth back again, and such like, then the which there can bee nothing imagined more vncertaine, and with which the life of man ebbeth and f…oweth more turbulently, from the beginning to the ending without intermission. And what tempests and madnes is there not in these foure passions, to hope or desire, and to reioice, to feare, & to be sorry, which trouble the poore and miserable minde by driuing it with sodaine windes and gales, far from the Hauen, into the middest of most dangerous Rocks? And therefore say not as some doe, that thou wilt trust no body but thy selfe, or what thou hast once resolued vponupon, no man shall alter thee p. 39from it, for they selfe are most variable, and thine owne false hart will bee the first that shall betray thee. And therefore to conclude and returne where wee began, sith the life of man is so full of misery and vnquietnesse, sith there is so little agreement, nay, so much strife and contention betweene all things created, sensible and insensible, and all against man, and sith there is so much discord and iarring in all estates and degrees of men, and lastly, in eueryevery particular man, with himselfe, how canst thou now that art a Christian (and induced with any sparke of Heauenly light) set thy heart vponupon the world, or any thing that is in the World, to make it the study of thy braine, the care of thy minde, or the ioy of thy heart, sith in this world as there is nothing of any Excellency, or Perpetuitie, so likewise is there nothing of any Securitie or safety, but all exposed to perill, danger and losse?

But in heauen it is otherwise, looke what Treasures thou sendest thether before thy▪ dying day, thou shalt bee sure to hauehave them secured vntounto thy vse for euer, and why? surely because they are with thy GOD and most louing Father, where no Theefe can breake through and steale.

As this Doctrine should cause vsus to leaue our doting vponupon this World,Vse. so it seru eth to stay the troubled Conscience from drooping vnderunder his sins,… and from despairing of Gods mercy, for though thy Si…nes bee many and great, yet thy Treasure is sure in heauen, and there is thy Comfort. Haddest thou euer any Peace of Conscience, any Comfort in Christ, any Ioy in the holy Ghost, that same abideth still in heauen for thee: and that which thou haddest here, was but an earnest of that which is laide vp for thee there.

But thou canst not see it,Obiect. nor feele it, thou canst not pray so effectually as thou wert wont to doe, &c.

What then?Answ. yet it is in Heauen and nothing can take it from thee. God doth not keepe our Treasure from Mothes and Theeues, to let the Diuels deceiue vsus of it, no, no, it is sure for euer. When the Childe abuseth such things as his p. 40Father bestoweth vponupon him, they are taken from him and laid vp till another time; and though the foolish Childe would hauehave them still in his sight, yet that may not bee, the wisedome of the father will not suffer it: so God dealeth with his Children, as touching the gifts and graces of his Spirit, and the vse of them. The similitude applyeth it selfe: It sufficeth Iacob to heare that his sonne Ioseph was a liue, though hee saw him not: so it should much comfort vsus, to know that our Sauiour Christ liueth in vsus, though wee alwaies feele him not alike.

I once loued the word of God (thou wilt say) and was zealous for the glory of God,Obiect. and did beleeue his promises, and did reioyce in the exercises of Religion, and prayed continually, and grieued heartely for my sinnes; Oh then I had Treasure in heauen, now all is gone, my Spirit is dull and heauie, I cannot pray, nor meditate with that feeling and comfort, that I was wont to feele.

But doe the Lord no iniurie:Answere. doe not measure his grace by thy feeling: while Sathans messenger did buff…t Paul, 2. Cor▪ 12.2 Cor 12that blessed Apostle could not so sensibly feele Gods grace as before, but cryed out,Rom. 7.Rom 7 Oh wretched man that I am, who shall deliuer mee? So whiles temptations doe buffet vsus, wee are benummed and know not well, how it is with vsus in respect of Grace, but yet Gods grace doth vphold vsus for all that Whiles Sathan sifted Peter, Luk. 22. 32Luke 22:32Christ prayed for him that his Faith might not faile, but it was more then Peter felt, and so it is with the rest of Gods Children at some times. These buffetings and siftings are tokens of Gods fauour, yet secret in vsus for the time, for whom doth Sathan most desire to sift of all the Apostles? surely none so much as him that before had made the best confession of Christ. And none are more buffeted then they that hauehave receiued the greatest Graces. Ye shall sorrow (saith our Sauiour Christ) in the World, Ioh. 16. 20John 16:20but in mee yee shall hauehave ioy, and your ioy shall no man take from you, no nor Diuell, nor Angell, nor God himselfe,1. Tim. 21 Tim 2 for if wee beleeue not,13 yet God is faithfull (saith Saint Paul) and p. 41not deny himselfe.Verse. 19. And againe, The foundation of God abideth sure, and hath this seale. The Lord knoweth who are his, and let eueryevery one that calleth on the name of the Lord les…is depart from iniqui…e, to shew that if wee depart from iniquitie, wee shall our selues also know that wee are the Lords, yea, and to that end wee ought to call on the name of the Lord Iesus, that by his grace wee may depart from iniquitie. And in so doing we may say as the Apostle saith,2. Tim 1. 122 Tim 1:12 I know whom I hauehave beleeued, and I am perswaded that hee is able to keepe that which I hauehave committed VntoUnto him against the day of Christ.

And whereas thou complainest that thou canst not pray, know that yet for all that the Spirit of God may bee in thee,Rom. 8. 26Rom 8:26 For the Spirit (saith Paul) helpeth our infirmities for we know not how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit it selfe maketh request for vsus with …ighes, which cannot be expressed, to shew that when the hearts of Gods Children are oppressed with burdensome Temptations, which stop the course and passage of our Prayers, that then the Spirit of God makes a supply by sighes and grones.

But if Gods spirit were in thee (thou sayest) thou shouldest feele it working in thee some heauenly and spirituall work.Obiect.

True it is, and so hee doth, for euen the sighes and grones of a troubled spirit,Answere. are the workes of Gods spirit, and euen the hungring after righteousnesse, is no lesse the work of Grace, then the hauing of righteousnesse. And the work of Gods Spirit is oftentimes more secret in thee then thou art aware of: for could God take a Rib out of Adams side while hee slept, and neuer felt it, and cannot God put his Spirit into thy hungry and heauie Soule, and keepe it there as a Liger, while thy Faith sleepeth, and thou not feele it? God dealeth with his Children as Ioseph dealt with his Brethren, who knew them well enough, but for a time would not bee knowne of them, yea, and put their money into their sacks more then they knew of, and at last made himself knowen vntounto them. Gods spirit is called the Comforter, and his words are the words of Comfort. Sonne bee of good cheare, thy sinnes are p. 42forgiuen thee, Hee hath thy pardon with him in thee, and when thou hast most neede, hee will deliuer it thee, and thou shalt see it, with ioy and great gladnes.

In thee meane time, that hee is in thee know by this, that thou dost not hate the Lord, but louelove him and hast an holy desire,Heb. 13.Heb 13 with some earnest endeauour to serue him, to liue honestly, and to keepe a good Conscience in all things, and art afraid of falling away. And surely all good desires are of the Lord. Waite the Lords leysure with Patience, seeke for Peace, which though thou canst not finde awhile, yet by Prayer thou must wayte on the Lord, and say, Lord because there is mercy with thee that thou maist bee feared, I will wayte on thee, euen as the eye of a Maid seruant waiteth on the hand of her Mistresse, I will condemne my selfe of folly, and say, O my Soule, why art thou cast downe, wait on God, for hee is thy present help and thy God. And thus shalt thou bee restored to the ioy of thy Saluation. And as Iob after his manifold tryals, had both of Gods goodnesse, of Sathans malice, his friends vncharitableness, and his owne weakenesse, had all seauen folde restored vntounto him againe: So thou after thy supposed losse of heauenly Treasure, shalt finde heauenly treasure plentifully restored vntounto thee againe. When Christ stept aside from his earthly father and Mother, to doe the businesse of his heauenly Father, hee meant to come againe, but in the meane time they sought him with heauy hearts, and at the last, they found him in the Temple, disputing with the Doctors, to their great ioy and astonishment: So Christ sometimes doth as it were step aside from vsus, to the end wee may seeke after him, and wee may perhaps seeke him with heauie harts, but yet at the last, we shall finde him with great ioy, for they that sowe in teares, shall surely reape in ioy.

Thou hast heard what high commendations are giuen of the Christians heauenly Treasure; doest thou beleeue it? then lay vp thy treasure in heauen, say not as the buyer doth, it is naught, it is naught, for if thou couldst obtaine it, with the losse of all the world, thou p. 43mightst and wouldst brag of thy bargaine. But alas, how few regard this? The poorer sort care not, but for backe and belly, and neuer repaire with good will to the house of God,How mos…men goe to Gods house. but when they thinke to receiue an almes, like the criple at the gate of the Temple, or like the people that followed Christ, to hauehave their bellies filled of free cost. Others come to the sermons and prayers of the Church, but loaden with their sins, & their mindes cumbred with pleasures & cares of this world, to whom the house of God is as a house of correction, and they sit there to bee whipped, and eueryevery sentence of the Preacher, that crosseth their delights, or beloued sinnes, is as so many lashes and ierkes tormenting and tearing their guiltie Consciences. Others againe, make the Lords house as it were a market place, repairing thether onelyonly to muze and studie of the prizes of their commodities, or to make some bargaines, or to doe some busines with some whom they hauehave appointed to meete there. Others againe, make the house of God their play house, and the Pulpit the Theater, the Preachers are their fooles, and Scripture phrases are their Iests, to make themselues merry withall. And others goe to the Lords house as children goe to schoole, the one for feare of the rod, and the other for feare of Lawes and Presentments, whereupon the Prouerbe is growen, as willingly as euer I went from schoole, but these may say, as willingly as euer I went for Church, but alas poore soules, long it will be before any of these kinde of hearers, get any heauenly Treasure, except they seeke after it, with better mindes and affections.

But now, as wee hauehave heard these Treasures commended for their Excellencie,Foure circūstances. 1 Place. 2 Time. 3 Manner how. 4 Why. for their Perpetui…y, and Security, so it will not bee amisse, to consider of the Place wher we must seeke for them, of the Time when, of the Manner how to lay them vp, and lastly of the Reason why: All which are questions necessarie, for the Serpent commended knowledge, but withall shewed a wrong way thereunto: so all commend the heauenly Treasure, but all take not a right course p. 44to obtaine it, therefore saith the Apostle, Sorunne that yee may obtaine. 1. Cor. 9. 241 Cor 9:24Christ is the Treasure and Treasurer. And this Treasure is in the ship of Christ, that is his Church, and no where else. The Ministers of the Church or Masters of the Assembly (as Salomon calleth them) are the factours. Now in what roome to search, or in what Vessell, is the question? In Ierusalem there were many chests, yet but one Ark, that had the holy things and sacred Monuments in it. Though there were many Waters, yet was there but one Poole of Siloam, in which Lepers were cleansed. In Christs Ship bee many places, but the place of the treasure is but one.2. Cor. 4.2 Cor 4 Saint Paul saith it is in earthen Vessels, so say wee too, meaning the Ministers of the Gospel, because we are in shew contemp…ible and in substance brittle.

These vessels hauehave a booke that will shew all, if any man can open it, and vnderstand it, and it is the Word of God, contayning the holy Scriptures of the old and new Testament, which Christ would hauehave vsus to search, because they beare witnesse of him,Ioh. 5. 39.John 5:39 and containe in them eternall life. Like a Merchants bill they are, which sheweth what commodities are in the ship. This booke hath ben by gods prouidence mightily & miraculously preserued from time to time from burning, drowning, and loosing, and this priuiledge it hath, that it endureth for euer, and when heauen & earth shall faile, yet not one iot or title thereof shall fall to the ground.

The places then that wee must frequent if wee will finde this Heauenly Treasure, are the holy Assemblies of Gods people, where God is called vponupon by the publike Prayers of the Saints, the Word is truely taught, and the Sacraments sincerely ministred, for the working and increasing of faith, and not the conuenticles of Schismatikes, who hauehave seperated themselues from the publike assemblies of Gods Church, and are at open defiance with their mother the true Church of Iesus Christ, who first brought them to that knowledge and Faith that they hauehave, if in truth and soundnesse they hauehave any at p. 45all. That which must discouer vntounto vsus this heauenly Treasure, is the holy Bible, and sacred Scriptures of God, and not the reuelations of Anabaptists, nor the Dreames of the Familie of LoueLove, nor the Iewes Ta…mud, nor the Turks Alcaron, nor the Popes Portuise, nor the Tridentine Counsels, nor the Traditions or decrees of the Church of Rome, all which will leade vsus to trash, but not to Treasure; to hell, but not to heauen; to the flesh, but not to the spirit, and so from God to the Diuell.

And being come now to the place, and hauing found the Booke that will rcueale this Heauenly Treasure, what must wee doe?Ioh. 5. 39.John 5:39 Search the Scriptures, saith our Sauiour Christ, to shew that there is some hidden Trasure in it more then is seene outwardly, or more then they make shew of, and so there is. And therefore the Word is preferred before Gold,Psa. 19. 10Ps 19:10 albeit most men had rather hauehave Gold then the Word: but Da…id could say that of Gods Word, which he could not doe of Gold, nor all the world besides,Ps. 119. 92Ps 119:92 and that was this, Except thy word had beene my comfort in my Affliction, I had perished. Pro. 3. 13.Prov 3:13And Salomon auoucheth that man to bee blessed that findeth wisedome, and him happy that getteth Vnderstanding, and doubteth not to yeeld this for his reason,14 That the marchandise thereof is better then the Marchandise of Siluer, and the gaine thereof is better then Golde. 15It is more precious (saith he) then Pearles, and all things that thou canst desire, are not to be compared vntounto her. 16Length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory. Her pathes are the pathes of pleasure, and all her wayes prosperitie. 17Shee is a Tree of Life to them that lay hold on her, and therefore blessed are they that receiue her. But to see these are required very heauenly and spirituall eyes, euen the eyes of a liuely …aith; for carnall sence cannot comprehend them, and worldly wisedome cannot conceiue them,The crosse of Christ an offence to some. yea, many laugh at vsus, because we seeke for life in the death of Christ, grace in his curse, righteousnesse in his condemnation, and comfort in his holy Gospell. Verely (say they) so floweth cold water out of a burning p. 46Furnace, and so springeth light out of darknesse, and hereupon they conclude, that none are more foolish then wee, which hope for Life at a dead mans hand, which aske forgiuenesse at a condemned person, which fetch the grace of God out of one that was accursed, and flye for refuge to the Crosse, as to the onelyonly author of euerlasting Saluation, which are all the Treasures that the word of God doth offer vsus, and therewithall laughing at our simplicitie, they think themselues very sharp-witted, but alas they want the chiefest thing in true wisedome, namely, the feeling of Conscience, and the …eare of God-Let vsus but enter deeply into our selues, and so soone as wee acknowledge our owne wretchednesse, the way for vsus vntounto Christ, and for Christ vntounto vsus, will bee by and by paued and made l…uell, for as to the attaining of humane Sciences, is requisite a fine and well furnished wit, so to this Heauenly Philosophie is required a subdued minde, for what tast can there bee where is lothing?

As many then as will not willinglie bee deceiued and perish,How to auoid the former offence. let them learne to begin with this l…sson, to know that they hauehave to doe with God, to whom they must giuegive accompt, let them set before their eyes, that iudgement seat, that makes euen the Angels to tremble, let them hearken to their owne conscience, bearing witnesse against them, let them not harden their harts against the pricks of sinne, and then they shall find nothing in the death of Christ to bee ashamed of. And let not their astonishment bee a stumbling blocke to vsus, but rather let vsus bee carryed from the humane nature of Christ, to the glory of his Godhead, which may turne all curious questions into admiration: And let vsus goe from the death of Christ, to his glorious resurrection, which may wipe away all slaunder of his Crosse: Let vsus passe from the weakenesse of the flesh, to the power of the Spirit, which may swallow vp all foolish thoughts: And let vsus still pray with holy Da…id, that the Lord would open the eyes of our Vnderstanding, that wee may see the p. 47wondrous things of his word; for not eueryevery one that readeth the booke of God, doth come to the Treasure, for it is like a Nut with a double shell, both which must bee broken before the kernell can bee found; or like a Chest with many locks, and eueryevery one must be opened before the Treasure can bee met withall.

To which end the Lord hath appointed Preaching and Preachers, and endued them with the tongues of the learned, and all to open the hidden Treasures of the Gospell of Christ. To which must bee ioyned a diligent eare, a minde to meditate, and a sober tongue, to confer with thy Pastor and familie, and an humble Spirit, to bee enformed and reformed by the counsell of God. These meanes are called digging, and searching, laborious exercises indeed, to shew what paines and diligence must bee vsed in searching after the heauenly Treasure.Prou. 2, 1…Prov 2:1 My Sonne (saith Salomon) if thou wilt receiue my words, and hide my commaundement within thee, and cause thine eares to hearken vntounto Wisedome, 2and incline thine heart vntounto Vnderstanding,3 if thou callest after Knowledge, and cryest for Vnderstanding,4 if thou seekest for her as for Siluer, and searchest for her as for Treasures,5 then shalt thou vnderstand the feare of the Lord and finde the knowledge of God. But if wee bee negligent, backward, and indifferent or luke-warme, then will it fare with vsus, as with Laodicea,Reu. 3. 18.Rev 3:18 wee shall thinke wee are rich, and increased with goods, and hauehave neede of nothing, when indeed wee are wretched, and miserable, and poore, and blind, and naked.

And alas so it is with too too many and therefore when you come into their houses, if the booke of God bee there, you shall finde it couered ouer with much rubbill, and drosse, as Cards and Tables, merry Tales with sorry or sorrowfull tailes, profane and scurrilous discourses, and paultry pamphlets, and such like stuffe, which domineere ouer the booke of God, as the Iewes did ouer Christs in Pilates hall; all which should bee swept out of doores, or sacrificed in the fire: and as for such humorists p. 48as do nothing but feede mens humours with idlenesse, and ply them with the pleasures of sinne, to the losse of their precious time, which should bee spent in seeking of the heauenly Treasure, say vntounto them as Christ did vntounto Peter, when hee solicited him against the will of God, vntounto carnall courses, Turne thee behind me Sathan, thou art an offence vntounto mee, and sauourest not the things of God.

The next thing to bee considered is,Of the time when to lay vp. &c. E…cles. 9 the time of gathering and laying vp this heauenly Treasure, for there is a time for all things, saith the holy Ghost. All in time, saith the World, hereafter when old age comes, or when sicknesse comes, or at the houre of death. It is not good to bee too forward in Religion, or to meddle too soone with matters of God and Godlinesse, for a yong man may prooue an old Diuell. But heare what God saith,Eccle. 12. …Eccl 12 thou foolish man. Remember thy Creator in the dayes of thy youth, before the euill dayes come vponupon thee, and the dayes whereof thou shalt say I hauehave no pleasure. And Esai cryeth out vntounto thee, saying:Esa. 55. 6.Isa 55:6 Seeke the Lord while hee may be found, and call vponupon him while hee is nigh at hand, to shew vsus that the Lord will not alwayes bee found, much lesse when wee thinke good, neyther will the dayes of olde age and sicknesse bee like the dayes of youth and health, for then shall wee feele our selues vnfit and vntoward to seek after these things, in two regards: first, in regard of naturall infirmities and bodily paines which will hold thy mind occupied about meanes of ease, as Phisicke and such like. Secondly, in regard of that strong hand which sin through long custome will beare ouer thy soule, euen to the hardning of thy heart, for custome of sinne, breedeth hardnesse of heart, and hardnesse of heart begetteth impenitencie,Rom. …. 1. as the Apostle sheweth in the second to the Romanes.

But the speciall time of gathering and laying vp this heauenly Treasure, is the holy Sabboth, and other times of holy assemblies, and generally whensoeuer thou art called forth, to heare the Word preached vntounto thee, or hast any occasion to exercise thy Faith, in the workes of Charitie and pietie. Then p. 49comes the Angell to stirre the Poole,Iohn. 5…John 5 step in then, if thou wilt doe thy selfe good, for afterward will bee too late, Whosoeuer carelessely neglecteth the Sabbaoth of the Lord, and presumptiously giueth God the slip in the holy Assemblies, as many car…all Christians doe, who mistrusting God with their estate, thinke it no sin to spend the Sabbaoth day in their worldly affaires, or vaine exercises, well may they with Esau get a sup of pottage to stay their hungry mawes withall if God doe not crosse their enterprises, and curse their labours (as oftentimes hee doth) but surely their heauenly Birth-right is for…aite by the bargain, and but bankroupts they proue in the heauenly Treasure of a Christian. They heape vp, but it is nothing but wrath against the day of wrath.

The Sabboth day is especially appointed for gathering of heauenly treasures, Remember therefore that thou keepe it holy as the Lord comminandeth, p…etend not a necessitie of breaking the … rest, where … is apparant, as the manner of some is when … a faire Sabboth day, they must work, for feare of Raine, but consider thou whose heart is buryed vnderunder thy loafe, and wilt needs bee rich by deceiuing the Lord of his right, consider I say, hath not the Lord prouided for thee when it hath rained? and darest thou not trust him when it is faire? did he euer deceiue any that trusted him with their estate, while they walked reuerently in his feare, and carefully kept his commandements? what indignitie then and dishonor is this that thou offrest vntounto the most high, in that thou darest not trust him with thy body, whiles thou seekest for the good of thy Soule? And how doest thou thinke to answere this geare, when thy conscience shall bee summoned to answere therevnto, before that Iudgement Seat, which maketh the very Angels and Celestiall Powers to tremble? Oh consider of these things betimes, and the Lord … thy drowsie soule.Euill company how dangerous And aboue all, beware of sorting thy selfe with profane company, which will cause thee to loose thy time, and dull the edge of the Spirit, decay thy graces, and make thee to p. 50treasure vp sinne against the day of vengeance,Eecle. 9. 18 for one sinne admitted with louelove and liking, letteth out many graces and maketh hauock of all thy vertues.

Now the manner how to lay vp this heauenly Treasure,How to lay vp heauenly treasure. commeth next to be remembred, and that is done three waies. First, by relieuing of the Lord Iesus Christ in his members, which stand in neede of help, Sell that you ha…e ouerplus (saith Christ) or that you can sp…are foreign, and giuegive to the poore. Make you bags which waxe not old. Luke 12. 33.Luk. 12. 33Luke 12:33 to shew that when a man giueth almes to the poore, hee doth but take it out of one purse and put it into another, out of bags that waxe old, and put it into bags that waxe not old, and in so doing saith Christ, thou shalt finde treasure in heauen, in so doing I say, but not for so doing,Mar 19. 21 as Papists teach, If thou wilt be perfect (saith Christ to the rich yong man) goe and sell that thou hast and giuegive to the poore, and what you doe to them, I take it as done vntounto my selfe, for saith our Sauiour Christ,Mat 25. 34Matt 25:34 when they my poore members were in prison, I was in prison; when they were hungry, naked, and cold, &c. I was hungry, naked and cold, and therfore what you did to them, you did to mee. To the like effect speaketh the Prophet Esai, Esa 58. 7.Isa 58:7If (saith hee) thou deale thy bread to the hungry, and bring the poore that wandreth into thy house, and couer the naked when thou seest him, then shall thy light breake forth as the morning, and thine health shall grow speedely, thy righteousnesse shall goe before thee, and the glory of the Lord shal embrace thee. Necessary encouragements, and why,These bee sweet encouragements and necessarie, because poore people are vnable to recompence the kindnesse of those that bestow any thing vponupon them; and as they are vnable, so for the most part, they are very ingratefull, and their vnthankfulnesse doth not a little discourage many, who would otherwise bee more beneficiall then they are. And in these respects, men had rather venture their goods vponupon any other thing, then vponupon the poore. For (say they) quod ingrato feceris perijt: It is cast away which is giuen to vnthankfull persons: but howsoeuer it bee that many of the poorer p. 51sort, bee both wretchedly vnthankfull, and miserably vnable to repay thee, yet if thou giuest them for Christ his sake, in whose name commonly they aske it, thou shalt finde it againe in heauen.

But it may bee, thou wilt be content to giuegive part of thy ouerplus to the poore, so thou maist reserue the other part to bestow on thy pleasure, but beware thou deceiue not thy selfe, for all thy ouerplus is for the poore,Ouerplus for the poore. when thy familie is prouided for, thy debts paid, and all Dueties that thou owest to the Church and Common-wealth, thy Prince and Countrie are de…ayed, that which remaineth is for the poore, to play for that is to cast lots vponupon the Garment of Christ,Cal. Har. Ne fundis parcendum est, (sayeth Cal…sin, Euen of a mans ground and Inheritance a Christian man must deuide, some to poore Schollers, some to scholes of learning, some to the Ministry of the Gospel, some to maimed souldiers, some to poore hospitals, & in all to Christ, & he that giueth but a cup of cold water to the poore members of christ,Ma… 10. 42 hauing no more to giuegive, shall not loose his reward.

The second way to lay vp Treasure in heauen,The 2 way to lay vp, &c. is by suffring constantly and patiently for Christ, when thou art thereunto lawfully called and required, and that two wayes: First, thou must suffer the word of Christ which is the sword of the Spirit, to hew and cut thy sinnes, and bee content with patience, to endure the sifting and fanning of the Gospell,Ioh. 15.John 15 for except the dead and superfluous branches be cut off, we can neuer bring forth fruit in Christ. Secondly, wee must resolue to endure all outward crosses and losses, for the euerlasting Truth of Christ, for hee that will saise his life (saith Christ) shall loose it, Mat. 10.Matt 10and he that will loose it for my sake and the Gospell, 39shall saue it. And if wee suffer with him (saith S. Paul) wee shall also raigne with him. Rom. 8. 17Rom 8:17If wee belong to Christ, wee must looke for tribulation, and anguish,35 and persecution, and famine, and nakednesse, and perill, and sword, all which will try their force, to see if they can seperate vsus from the louelove of Christ. Yea, wee must looke for his sake,36 to bee killed all the day long, and to bee counted p. 52as sheepe for the slaughter.37 But in all these things (saith the holy Apostle) wee are more then conquerours, through him that loued us. 2 Cor. 4.2 Cor 4And therefore wee faint not, but though our o…tward man perish, 16yet th'inward man is renued daily. 17For our light affliction which is but for a moment, causeth vntounto vsus a farre more excellent waight of glory. 18While wee looke not on the things which are seene, but on the things which are not seene. This point will bee scarce welcommed, or well liked, of nice and daintie professours of the Gospell, which must neuer goe to Gods house, but when the Sunne shineth, the waies are faire, and no Winde is stirring, to blow vponupon them; and when they are there, they must heare nothing but pleasing things, their sinnes must not bee touched, much lesse can they endure to hauehave the cutting knife of Gods law, laid to the throat of their sinne. And if all the world doth not applaud and commend their zeale, and good deeds, they soon are discouraged, & stand stone stil, like the winde mill that goeth no longer then the winde bloweth, no scoffe or reproach, no persecution or trouble can they endure for the Truths sake, what Treasure can these lay vp by their daintinesse in heauen?

The third way to lay vp Treasure in heauen,The third way to lay vp, &c. is while thou liuest here vponupon earth, to grow in the powerfull and liuely knowledge of Christ crucified, & by a liuely apprehensiue faith to make thy selfe sure of all his benefits, in comparison of whom, thou oughtst with the blessed Apostle,Phil. 3. 10.Phil 3:10 to esteeme all the world but drosse and dung. Now to effect this, we must consider the merite of Christ, the vertue of Christ, and the example of Christ, and what benefit wee hauehave by eueryevery one of them; as that worthie man of God M. Perkins, hath both learnedly & heauenly declared, the somme whereof, I will breefly recall into thy minde.

Christ is to bee considered, as the common Treasurie and store-house of Gods Church, for God hath blessed vsus with all spirituall blessings in Christ. Eph. 1. 4.Ephe. 1. 4.Eph 1:4 And in him are all the Treasures of Knowledge & Wisdome hidden. Col. 2. 3.Col. 2. 3.Col 2:3 p. 53And of his fulnesse…wee all recei…e grace for grace.Iohn. 1.John 1 Iohn. 1. So that all the blessings of God without exception are conuayed vntounto vsus from the Father by Christ, and so must they bee receiued and no otherwise. But concerning the benefits of Christ wee are to learne further two things: first, what they are: Secondly, how or in what manner to vse them. His benefits are three: Merit, Vertue, and Example.

The Merit of Christ is the value of his death and passion, whereby he hath obtained to vsus Reconciliation And this Reconciliation hath two parts: first, Remission of sinnes, Secondly, acceptation to eternall life, and both for the merit of Christ imputed. This benefit must bee knowen not by conceipt, nor carnal presumption, but by the inward testimonie of gods Spirit. To attaine to the infallible assurance of this benefite we must call to minde the promises of the Gospell touching remission of sins, and the gift of eternall life to the Faithfull. Secondly, wee must endeuour by the assurance of Faith to apply them to our owne hearts. And thirdly, wee must vse often exercises of Inuocation and repentance, for by our crying to God for reconciliation commeth the assuraunce thereof. And if it so fall out that a man in temptation, feele nothing but the furious wrath of God, yet euen then against all reason and feeling, hee must hold to the merit of Christ, and know that God is a most louing father to them that hauehave a care to serue him, euen at that instant when he sheweth himselfe a most fierce and terrible enimie, which Iob knew right well when hee said,Iob. 13. 15Job 13:15 If the Lord should kill mee, yet I will trust in him.

From the benefite of Reconciliation proceede foure benefites. First, that excellent peace of God, which passeth all Vnderstanding▪ Phil. 4. And that hath sixe parts: first, peace with the Trinitie, for being Iustified by Faith, we hauehave peace with God. Rom. 5. 1. Secondly, Peace with Angles, who do ascend and descend vponupon the Sonne of man. Iohn. 1. 51. and all for the good of Gods Church. For the Angels doe incampe about those that feare the Lord. Psal. 34. And like p. 54Nurses doe beare them in their armes. Psal. 90. 12. that they hurt not their foot against a stone. All this seruice which the Angels performe vntounto the faithfull, proceedes of this, that the faithfull being in Christ, are pertakers of his merit. Thirdly, peace with the Faithfull, for, the Wolfe shall dwell with the Lambe, Esa. 11. 6.Isa 11:6and the Leopard shall lye with the Kid, and the Calfe and the Lyon, and the fat beasts together, and a little child shall lead them. Esay. 11. 6. Fourthly, peace with a mans selfe, and that is: first, when the Conscience washed in the bloud of Christ, ceaseth to accuse a man: secondly, when the will and affections are obedient to the minde, enlightened by the Word and Spirit of God, and this is that which the Apostle meaneth, when hee saith, Let the peace of God rule in your hearts. Col. 3. 15. Fiftly, Peace with our enimies, and that two wayes: first, in seeking Peace with all, hurting none, but doing good to all:Dan. 1. 9.Dan 1:9 secondly, in that God restraineth their mallice & inclineth their hearts to peace. Sixtly, Peace with the Creatures. Psal. 91. 13.Psal 91. 13Ps 91:13 Thou shalt walk vponupon the Lyon and the Dragon, &c. And in that day (saith the Lord) I will make a co…enant for them, with the wild Beasts, and with the foules of the heauen, & with that that creepeth vponupon the earth, &c. Hos. 2. 18Hos. 2. 18.Hos 2:18 If therefore wee see God against vsus, our owne Conscience against vsus, the Angels against vsus, the Faithfull against vsus, the wicked against vsus, the Creatures against vsus, let vsus examine this point, of Reconciliation, and if all bee with vsus, let vsus know that it is the benefit of Christs merit.

The second benefit of Christs merite,The secōd benefite. is recouery of that right, which man hath to all the Creatures, the which Adam lost to himselfe & all his posteritie. 1. Cor. 3. 22. Whether it be the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come, all are yours, and you Christs. The right way of knowing this benefit is this, when God giueth meat & drinck, &c. we must not barely consider them, as blessings of God, for that very Heathen men can doe, which know not Christ, but as proceeding from the louelove of God in Christ. And so often as wee p. 55vse the Creatures, this point must come to minde, for blessings conceiued a part from Christ, are misconceiued. Whatsoeuer they are in themselues, they are no blessings to vsus, but in and by Christs Merits: for this cause it is not sufficient generally to know Christ to be our Redeemer, but wee must learne to see him and acknowledge him in eueryevery particular gift & blessing of God. If men when they behold their meates and drincks, could by faith behold in them the merit of Christs passion, there would not bee so much gluttony and drunkennes as there is. If the like in their houses and lands, their would not bee so much fraud and deceipt, in…ustice and oppression. Also noble birth, without new birth is but vanitie. The like is to bee saide of phisicke, sleepe, health, libertie, recreations, and very breathing it self. Therefore it is meete, that with our earthly recreation wee ioyne spirituall medi…ation of the death of Christ, then would there not bee so many vnlawfull sports and delights, and so much abuse of lawfull Recreations as there is, and this wee ought to do, for, Christ is all in all things. Col. 3. 11.

The third benefitThe third benefice. of Reconciliation, is that all crosses, and afflictions cease to bee curses and punishments to them that are in Christ, and are onelyonly corrections & trials, because Christs death hath taken away all, and eueryevery part of the curse of the law. In all crosses Christ is to bee knowne on this manner, iudge of them as chastisements or tryals, proceeding not from a reuenging Iudge, but from the hand of a louing father, and therefore they must be taken in and with the merit of Christ, as meanes sent of God, to keepe vsus from being dampned with the wicked world, if otherwise, wee take them as curses, and punishments. And hence it followeth, that Subiection to the crosse, or hand of God in all crosses, is a marke of the true church of Christ.

The fourth benefitThe 4 benefite, of Reconciliation, is, that Death is properly no death, but a rest, or sleep. Death therefore is to bee considered not as it is set forth in the Law, but as it is altred by the p. 56death of Christ, and when death commeth, wee must looke vponupon it through Christs death as through a glasse, and thus it will appeare to bee but a passing from this life to euerlasting life.

The second benefit of Christ,Of Christs Vertue. is the benefit of his Vertue. The Vertue of Christ, is the power of his Godhead, whereby hee createth new ha…ts in all that beleeue in him. This Ve…tue is double: First, the power of his death. Secondly, the power of his resurrection: by the first, hee freed himselfe from the punishment and imputation of our sins. By the second, hee raised himselfe from Death to Life. The benefit of Christs diuine power is great to all the faithfull: for, the same power which freed him from the punishment and imputation of our sins, setueth also to mortifie and crucifie the corruptions of our wils, mindes and affections. And the same which raised him from death to life, serueth also to raise those that belong to Christ, first from their sinnes in this life, secondly, from the graue, in the day of iudgement. The knowledge of this double Vertue, must not bee onelyonly in the braine, … experimentall in the heart, that is, to feele the power of Christs death killing sinne in them, that wee might bee able to say with Paul, Wee li…e not, but Christ liueth in vsus. This was one of the most excellent things which pau… sought for. Ph…. 3. 10. I have counted al things but dung, that I may know him, & the vertue of his resurrection. The way to know it, is to cast off the old man, which is corrupt, through deceiu…able▪ lusts. Ephe. 4. 22.

The third benefite of Christ,Of Christs example. is the benefite of his example, for Christ is to be knowen, not onelyonly as a redeemer, but also as a patterne of all good …ueties, to which we ought to conforme our liues. Christ is to bee followed of vsus, in the practise of eueryevery good duety, that may concerne vsus, without exception … Our conformitie with Christ is, first in the framing of our inward life: secondly, in the practise of outward and morrall dueties. Conformitie in spirituall life, is not by doing that which Christ did vponupon the crosse, and afterward, but a doing of the like by a certaine kinde p. 57of imitation, and it hath foure parts. First, a spirituall Oblation, for as hee by prayer resigned himselfe vp to bee a sacrifice to the iustice of his father. So we in prayer must resigne our selues wholy to the Seruice of God. Secondly, a spirituall crucifying of our selues, for as hee bare his owne Crosse, so must wee denie our selues, and take vp all crosses that come eueryevery day. Againe, as hee crucified his flesh, so must wee crucifie the body of sinne. Gal. 5. 24. They which are Christs, hauehave crucified the flesh with the lusts and affections. He with a speare was wounded, we with the sword of the spirit must wound sinne to death, and labour by experience to feele the very death of it, and bury it. Thirdly, a spirituall Resurrection: for as he came out of his graue, so wee must come out of our sinnes, as out of a most loathsome graue, to liue to God. This worke cannot bee done at once but by degrees, as God shall giuegive grace. Fourthly, a spirituall ascention, by a continuall eleuation of the heart and minde to Christ, sitting at the right hand of God. If yee be risen with Christ, seeke those things which are aboue. Col. 2.

Conformitie in morall Dueties is generally,Consormitie in morall duties. to bee holy as he is: specially to bee like vntounto him in foure Vertues, that is, in Faith, LoueLove, Meeknesse, and Humilitie.

1In Faith,Faith. for as he when he apprehended the wrath of God, wholy stayed himselfe vponupon the ayde, and good pleasure of his father, euen to the last: so must wee depend wholy on Gods mercy in Christ, as with both hands, in peace, and trouble, in life and pang of death. And not let goe our hold, no though wee feele our selues, as it were, descend to Hell.

2Secondly, in LoueLove,LoueLove. for hee loued his enimies more then himselfe. Ephes. 5. 2. Walk in LoueLove, euen as Christ loued vsus, and hath giuen himselfe for vsus, &c. The like LoueLove ought wee to shew, by doing seruice to all men, in the compasse of our callings, and by being all vntounto all, that wee might do them all the good we can both for body and soule. 1. Cor. 9. 19.

3Thirdly, in Meekenesse,Meeknes. Mat. 11. 28. p. 58Learne of mee, &c. His Meekenesse appeared in bearing Patiently all In…uries and abuses, and suffering the curse of the Law without grudging, submitting himselfe to his fathers will in all things: So must wee, and the more wee follow him herein, the more wee are like him in his Death and Refurrection.

Fourthly, in his Humilitie,Humility. for being 4God, hee became man for vsus, and of a man a worme, that is troden vnderunder foot, that hee might saue man. Phil. 2. 5. Let the same mind be in you, that was in Christ, who being equall with God, tooke vponupon him the shape of a Seruant, and humbled himselfe euen to the death of the Crosse.

Here is to be obserued, that the example of Christ hath something more in it then any other hath, or can hauehave, for it doth not onelyonly shew vsus what wee ought to doe, but it is both a remedie against many vices, as also a motiue to many good Dueties: as for example, the serious consideration that the very Sonne of God himselfe suffered all the wrath of God, and curse of the Law for our sins, is the most effectuall meanes to stir vp our hearts to a godly sorrow for them, to which end, eueryevery man must bee perswaded that hee was the man that crucified Christ, that hee is to bee blamed as well as Herod, Pilate, and the Iewes, and that his sinnes were the nayles and speares that pearced Christ. Againe, if Christ for our sinnes shed his bloud, and if our sinnes made him sweate drops of bloud, why should not wee shed bitter teares for our sinnes? Hee that findeth himselfe so dull and hardened, that the passion of Christ doth not humble him, is in a lamentable case. Againe, when thou art sicke and in paine, thinke how light these are, being compared to the Agony and bloudy Sweate, the Thorn… and Nayles which Christ endured: when thou art wronged & abused, turne thy eie to the crosse, consider how meekly Christ bare it, and prayed for them that put him to death: When thou art tempted with Pride and Vaine-glory, consider how for thy sinnes, Christ was mocked, despised and condemned: when thou art moued with anger and desire of reuenge, think how Christ gaue himselfe p. 59to death to saue his enimies, when they most cruelly set themselues against him, and these meditations being mingled with faith, will ease thy minde.

And hence ariseth (sayth M. Perk.) a three-fold knowledge: first, of God: secondly, of our neighbour: thirdly, of our selues. Of God, for if wee would know him to our Saluation, wee must know him in Christ crucified, for God of his owne nature is inuisible, and is reuealed to vsus onelyonly in Christ, in whom hee sets foorth his Iustice, Wisedome, Goodnesse, and Prouidence. Heb. 1. 3. Col. 1. 3. whatsoeuer out of Christ commeth to vsus in the name of God, is a flat Idoll of mans braine.

The second knowledge that ariseth from the former meditations, is of our neighbours, that is, those that are of gods Church. They are to bee knowen of vsus in this manner. When wee are to do any Duetie to them, wee are not barely to respect their persons, but Christ crucified in them,Acts. 9.Acts 9 and them in Christ, Saul, Saul why, &c. when the poore come for reliefe, it is Christ, that commeth to our dores, and saith I am hungry, therefore let our compassion bee towards them as towards Christ.

The third knowledge is of our selues, and the right knowledge of our selues, ariseth of Christ crucified, in whom and by whom wee come to the knowledge of fiue speciall things: First, the grieuousnesse of our sinnes, and our miserie in regard of them, for if wee consider our offences in our selues, wee may bee deceiued, because our conscience being corrupt often erreth in giuing testimonie, and so it seemes but little, but if sinne bee considered in the death and passion of Christ, whereof it was the cause, and the vilenesse thereof measured by the vnspeakable torments endured by him, the least sinne will appeare to be a most grieuous sinne indeed. Secondly, by this wee know that men beleeuing in Christ, are not their owne, but wholly both body and soule belong to Christ. Thirdly, that eueryevery true beleeuer hath this being from Christ, not as hee is a man, but as hee is a new man. Fourthly, that all good works done of vsus, proceede from the p. 60vertue, and merit of Christ crucified. Ioh. 15. 2. Fiftly, that we owe vntounto Christ an endlesse debt, for hee was crucified onelyonly as our suertie and pledge, and in the spectacle of his passion, wee must consider our selues as the chiefe debters, we owe him all our selues for the paines that hee endured, to set vsus most miserable bankroupts at libertie, from Hell, Death, and the Diuell, but … when doe wee beginne to pay it?

Thus wee see what benefits we hauehave by Christ crucified, and in what manner wee ought to vse them, but alas, but few hauehave treasured vp this knowledge of Christ, as they ought, for herein faile both the Papist, and the common Protestant. The Popish Churches though in word they confesse him, yet doe they not know him as they ought, for in their Sermons they vse the passion, as a means onelyonly to stirre vp pittie and compassion towards Christ, and hatred of Pilate, the Iewes, and Iudas, &c. But the seruice of God which in that Church, stands now in force, by the Cannons of the Counsell of Trent, defaceth Christ crucified, in that first the Passions of Martires are made meritorious; secondly, the very word and signe of the Crosse, is their onelyonly refuge and help; thirdly, the Virgine Mary is made the Queene of heauen, and a mother of Mercy, who may commaund her Sonne; fourthly, they giuegive religious adoration to dumbe stocks, & Crucifixes made by the hands of men. The common Protestant also commeth short, for three causes, for first though in Word they confesse him to bee a Sauiour, that hath redeemed them, yet indeede they make him a patron of their sinnes: Secondly, they take knowledge of his merit, but little regard the vertue of his death, and resurrection, in mortifying of their sinfull lusts and affections: thirdly, they vsually content themselues generally and confusedly to know Christ to be their redeemer, neuer once seeking in eueryevery perticuler estate of life, and blessing of God, to feele the benefit of his passion. What is the cause of all the securitie in the world, and that men are not touched for their sins? surely because they did neuer yet seriouslie p. 61consider that Christ in the Garden, lay groueling vponupon the earth, sweating of bloud, &c. for their offences. Againe oppressours of the poore, neuer knew that their sinnes drew out the hart bloud of Christ. Againe proud persons puffed vp with strange atire, neuer consider that Christ was not crucified in gay atire, but naked, that hee might beare the whole shame and curse of the Law for vsus. These and such like, whatsoeuer they say in word, if we respect the tenor of their liues, are flat enimies of the crosse of Christ, and tread his precious bloud vnderunder their feete. So farre Perkins.

But if thou wilt hauehave the Treasures of Christ in heauen, thus thou must learne to know and feele Christ crucified, and the benefits of his Merit, Vertue and Example, and thus must thou come to the knowledge of God, of thy neighbour, and of thy selfe, in Christ crucified, euen whiles thou art here vponupon earth; which feeling knowledge is a sauing knowledge, euen an excellent portion of heauenly Treasure, imparted to the true Christian in this life, and is a pledge of endlesse and infinite treasure prouided for him in the life to come, and so much for the wayes and meanes of laying vp treasute in heauen, which are by giuing to the poore Members of Christ, by suffering patiently for the truth of Christ, and by growing in the sauing knowledge of Christ crucified.

In laying vp Treasure after this sort, we shal prooue good Alcumists. An Alcumist they say can turne lead into gold, or out of Lead or other mettals extract Golde, which many hauehave practised to their vtter vndoing. The Pope is the cunningest Alcumist it is thought that the world hath, for hee can of a pound of Lead, make an hundred pound of Gold, for all his Buls and Pardons are sealed with lead, but what fooles are they that turne their Gold into Lead, or what calues rather that buy his Buls so deare? But lay vp Treasure as hath beene shewed thee before,A true Christian a good Alcumist. and thou shalt turne earth into heauen, corruption into incorruption, Gold into godlinesse which is great gaine, labour into rest, sorrow into ioy, pouertie into riches, and thy p. 62cottage into a kingdome, euen the kingdome of heauen.

Now followeth the reasons of Christs Commandement,Verse. 21. The secōd part containing the reason of the Commandement. For where your Treasure is there will your heart bee also. A Reason of great force as if hee should say, for this cause chiefly you ought to lay vp your treasure in heauen, that God may hauehave your heart, which cannot bee vnlesse you lay vp your Treasure in heauen, for our hearts will bee where wholy their Treasure is. Here wee are taught, that no man can louelove the Lord with his heart, that seeketh and placeth his happinesse in earthly things, but onelyonly those whose ioy and felicitie is in heauen, and the heauenly graces of the Lord Iesus Christ. Worldlings make no doubt but that they may, and doe serue God, and louelove God with their heart, yea, and hauehave as good … hart to God as any whatsoeuer, though they follow the world, & heare not sermons, although they keepe not the Sabboth so precisely as others do, which will not worke or play then, though they neuer meddle with the Scriptures, but bee vtterly ignorant of the wayes and will of God. But Christ here sheweth that they are al deceiued, by a general principle that neuer faileth. Wher the treasure is there will be the hart, and wher the hart is, there is the Treasure of the hart, wherupon it followeth that they doe wholy renounce heauen, that do seeke for happinesse here below, and if they set their harts vponupon heauenly things, it cannot be that they should esteeme of them no better, or frequent them no oftner, then they doe. The Philosophers hauehave most exactly (so much as the Star-light of nature would giuegive them leaue) disputed of the happines or chiefe wel-fare of man.Summū Bonum. And no meruaile, for who doth not desire to bee happy, and to win that hold, are all mens Sences, and Wits mustred and marshalled, because it is the onelyonly true treasure, For where the Treasure is, there will the hart be, but most men doe mistake the matter, while they seeke for happinesse in the flesh, which is not to be found but in the spirit, & while they confesse that it is in God, yet runne after the Diuell for it. When some seeke for p. 63it in Honour, Ambition is made generall of the field, and doth commaund the minde: while others seeke it in worldly profite, Couetousnesse doth inuade the soule, taking vp eueryevery roome for worldly desires, and noysome lusts, which doe eat out the heart with cares, and drowne men in perdition: others seeking for it in carnall pleasure and sensualitie, cry one to another, come let vsus eate and drinck, and bee merry, for to morrow wee shall dye: and in the meane time the brute beast in that regard is more happy then such Epicures, for that more freely, without any shame or feare hee enioyeth the pleasure of carnall sensualitie, then they doe.

But if we were once soundly perswaded of our happines in heauen, it would bee an easie matter to tread the World vnderunder foote, and to hauehave our mindes mounted vp to heauen. If the louelove of God bee our Treasure, and through the spectacles of a liuely faith, wee can read our names regestred in the booke of life, and descry our happinesse to be hidden in Christ; if the spirit of Adoption doth certifie our spirits that God is our Father, and wee are his children, and with the same certificate shall deliuer vsus a discharge against sinne, death and hell, then will our harts feede vponupon heauenly meditations, and our soules hunger and thirst after righteousnesse, wee will then account all but dung, that wee might winne the Lord Iesus Christ. And then as the Hart brayeth for the riuers of water, so will our soules long for the presence of the Lord: And then the Word of God will bee the ioy of our harts, and wee will desire to bee dissolued; and to bee with Christ, for where the Treasure is, there will the hart bee also: And vntill then wee shall sauour nothing but earthly vanities. Therefore when S. Paul would draw the faithfull to the studie of a heauenly life, he doth propound Christ vntounto them, in whom onelyonly all true felicitie is to bee sought, If yee bee risen with Christ (saith hee) set your minds on things aboue, Col. 3. 1. 2.Col 3:1Col 3:2and not on things which are below, as if hee should hauehave said, it is an absurd and base thing for christians to hauehave their mindes grubling p. 64on the earth, whose Treasure is hid in heauen, and that is his reason, for yee are dead (saith hee) and your life is hid with Christ in God.Verse. 3.

Hence we may further learne, in what a miserable case they are, whose harts are set vponupon earthly things, which are subiect to Mothes, and Theeues, Rust▪ and other such manifold mischiefes. A cousening match it is of the diuels owne making, hee is subtill, and sheweth men the world and the glory of it, the Court and the brauery of it, Honour and the fame of it, iniquitie and the profit of it, sinne and the pleasure of it, as it were his daughters with their dowrie. On the other side, wee are simple and beleeue him, presently our hart is a match, for them, and happy hee thincks himselfe that can get one of them, and to breake it off is a hard matter. Their affections are fixed vponupon a liking, they hauehave taken, and although God himselfe forbid the banes, yet it is to no purpose, for they hauehave made a vowe, they hauehave spoken the word, and their harts are setled, and there is no remouing of them. And thus men doe runne despe…ately vponupon their owne ruine, like the fool… that goeth laughing to the stocks, and all for want of due consideration, for if wee did but consider:Foure things to be considered in this match first the basenesse: secondly, the wretchednesse: thirdly, the vanitie: and lastly, the daunger of this foolish match, wee would not set our harts vppon any thing that is in this world.