The Best Treasure, Chapter 1
CHAP. I.
The Occaſion of this Diſcourſe, with an Introduction to the Words, and Explication of them, and the main truth contained in them.
RICHES are deſired by moſt, but true Treaſures obtained by few, (through the miſtaken Notion thereof.) 'Tis ſad to ſee how ſollicitous many are after Vanities: and (like the Jews in Egypt) are ſcattered abroad, through all the Land, to gather Stubble, whilſt tryed Gold lies neglected; and the Pearl of Price little valued. O the Projects and vaſt expence of Time and ſtrength to reach things that are not; when the infinite Concerns of Eternity, and welfare of an immortal Soul, cannot get a room in one ſerious thought; or a few minutes of ſhortening time to attend them. 'Tis lamentable to behold, not only the blind World, but thoſe that profeſs themſelves Wiſe, (like the Spider) working out their Bowels to weave Cobwebs, and (with the Dog in the Fable) letting go the Subſtance to catch at Shadows; and running themſelves out of breath to ſit down in ſorrow. The affecting ſenſe of this Folly hath made me ſcatter ſome Balls of true Gold to prevent (if poſſible) the dangerous haſte of ſuch deceived Souls, and to allure them to better and more unſearchable Treaſures, that are to be found in, and fetched from the Lord Jeſus. This is the Deſign of the enſuing Diſcourſe on this portion of Scripture, which I ſhall briefly open, and then draw forth the main Concluſion I intend to proſecute.
The Apoſtle layes down theſe words as an Argument by which he endeavours to ſtrengthen the Faith of thoſe believing Epheſians in, and to quicken their Affections to the Goſpel of Chriſt, taken from the bleſſed Advantages it brings to all that do receive it. It makes a Diſcovery and overture of unſearchable Riches to them: let them be never ſo poor, deſtitute of the affluences and good things of this World; yet, by believing through this Goſpel, they ſhall come to attain to ineſtimable Treaſures; even the unſearchable Riches of Chriſt.
In the Words you have four parts.
Firſt, A Diſcovery of the admirable Love of God to fall'n man, particularly to the blind, periſhing Gentiles, in not only giving Chriſt to ſave them, but in opening Chriſt to them, even his ſecret and boundleſs Treaſures: The unſearchable Riches of Chriſt.
Secondly, Here's the way by which theſe are opened and brought to light, which is, by the Goſpel, in the Adminiſtration thereof by his Meſſengers: That I ſhould preach [foreign] ſtrictly taken, 'tis to preach the Goſpel, or good news, but generally it takes in the whole work of the Miniſtry.
Thirdly, Here's the great expence of Grace the Lord Jeſus is at to bring forth his unſearchable Riches, 'tis by the laying out of Grace to thoſe that publiſh it (To me who am leſs than the leaſt of all Saints, is this Grace given;) Grace, great Grace, to the leaſt of Saints, (foreign) leſſer, leaſt, or more little than the leaſt; an unuſual Degradation of a man's ſelf, and the Character of an empty and unworthy Inſtrument in his own eye, and ſo a Subject that needed much Grace, to be meetned for ſuch high Service: and yet ſuch a one did Chriſt uſe in this great Work, laying out large Grace to prepare him for it.
Fourthly, Another conſiderable part of the words, are the Perſons for whom this Grace is given, and to whom theſe unſearchable Treaſures are diſcovered, and they were Subjects moſt unworthy of it, (to the Gentiles) the chiefeſt of Sinners, blind idolatrous Souls, (foreign) the Heathen, Perſons extremely wicked, 1 Cor. 15. 32. called Beaſts, wild Beaſts, Strangers to God, beyond the Line of Communication, Eph. 2. 12. Aliens from the Commonwealth of Iſrael, Strangers from the Covenants of Promiſe, yea, Enemies to God in their minds; to thoſe did the Lord lay out theſe unſearchable Treaſures.
To clear up my way to the main truth I intend to proſecute hence, and to leave no difficulty in the words, 'tis neceſſary I ſpeak to three things, by way of Explication.
Firſt, In what ſenſe Paul calls himſelf leſs than the leaſt of all Saints, ſeeing he was a Perſon ſo dignified by Grace to be a choſen Veſſel to God, an Apoſtle of Chriſt, fill'd with the Graces of the Spirit, and eminent Endowments for the Miniſtry, beyond many, taken into ſuch high Communion with Chriſt, let into the third Heavens to ſee things unutterable; How then can Paul truly call himſelf leſs than the leaſt of all Saints? Does not Paul ſpeak diſſemblingly, as the Pope does, when he calls himſelf Servus Servorum, the Servant of Servants, and yet makes himſelf Lord over the Faith and Conſciences of others?
I anſwer, Paul doth not hyperbolically debaſe himſelf here, but really, and in the deep ſenſe of his former Vileneſs, before Converſion, when he perſecuted the Church, and blaſphemed Chriſt; in the conſideration of which, he thought none like him: never ſuch a Wretch as he did God advance to ſo high Dignity to be an Apoſtle of Chriſt: nor doth he think that any particular Saint was ſo guilty in that kind and degree of wickedneſs as he was: one that kick'd againſt the pricks, perſecuted Chriſt in his Members, haling Him to Priſon, ſeeking to draw out his very heart blood, and to root out the profeſſion of him: Now for ſuch a one as he to obtain this Grace, to be put in truſt with the Goſpel, and to have ſuch Treaſures of Grace imparted to him, he thinks that Chriſt never did the like Favour to any ſo vi…e a Creature as he was: ſo baſe will a Child of God be in his own eyes, when once the Lord ſets his Sins in order before him. Paul, in another place, calls himſelf the chiefeſt of Sinners, greater than the greateſt of Sinners, but never leſs than the leaſt of Sinners. Indeed compar'd with the Phariſees, his Sin ſeemed leſs than their Perſecution and Blaſphemy, in the degree and nature of it; his was ignorantly, theirs was maliciouſly perpetrated, (and ſo the Sin againſt the Holy Ghoſt) and in that reſpect his Sin was leſs than theirs, but compar'd with any that were ſaved, he thought himſelf really leſs than any of them in regard of his ſinful Life before Converſion.
Secondly, What is this Grace which Paul ſo admires, and by which his Condition is ſo changed, and he enabled to preach thoſe Unſearchable Riches of Chriſt?
Anſw. Firſt, By Grace here is underſtood that infinite Favour and free Grace of God to him through Chriſt, by which he was called out of the ſtate of Sin and Death into the Knowledge and Kingdom of God; that ever the Lord ſhould pitch on ſuch a vile Wretch as he, and chooſe him to be a Veſſel of Mercy, revealing his Son, with his Unſearchable Riches, to ſo poor and unworthy a Creature, pardoning his great Tranſgreſſions, and pouring out his infinite Treaſures on him.
Secondly, By Grace in this place, ſome underſtand his Apoſtleſhip which he obtained at the hand of Chriſt, and the Miniſtry he received to preach to the Gentiles theſe Unſearchable Riches of Chriſt: ſo is it rendred Rom. 1. 5. By whom we have received Grace and Apoſtleſhip.
Thirdly, Hereby is meant alſo thoſe excellent Gifts he had received for this end; thoſe choice anointings of the Spirit, and Revelation of the Myſtery, to ſo poor and ſcandalous a Creature as Paul had been, and one that was ſo ignorant of Chriſt and Salvation; that God ſhould make him ſuch an able Miniſter of the New Teſtament, and give him any door of utterance, and Endowments fit for ſo glorious a Service. This is that Grace by which theſe Treaſures were opened to the Gentiles.
The third thing to be opened here is, What are thoſe Unſearchable Riches of Chriſt which Paul preached to the Gentiles, and which are held out in the Goſpel unto Saints and Sinners?
Anſw. Firſt, Thoſe Riches which are in Chriſt, as Mediatour, with which he is enriched in himſelf; thoſe unſpeakable Excellencies of his Perſon, which, though they reſide and inhere in himſelf, yet they contribute abundantly to the Riches of Believers, Col. 2. 3. In whom are hid all the Treaſures of Wiſdom and Knowledge, (ſubjectivè) as his Treaſures, found in him. All Treaſures, created and uncreated, are not ſimply placed in him, but hid ſo, that they can be known by none but thoſe to whom they are revealed.
Secondly, Here are intended thoſe Riches that came by Chriſt, the Riches of his Purchaſe, the vaſt Eſtate which he hath bought for all Believers, for all that come unto him by Faith, the Eſtate which he gives, makes over, and prepares for ſuch, and this is called Ʋnſearchable Riches: foreign foreign, Riches that cannot be found, or traced out. A Metaphor taken from quick ſcented Hounds, that are yet at a loſs, and can go no farther: ſo the moſt illuminated Creature cannot follow home theſe Riches of Chriſt, they are ſo myſterious that they cannot be diſcovered; they leave no Footſteps for any to go after them: the beſt are at a ſtand and can go no farther, when they come to wade into this Deep, ſo deep and hidden are theſe Riches of Chriſt.
Object. If the Riches of Chriſt be ſo unſearchable and paſt finding out, How then could Paul diſcover and preach them out to the Gentiles? If they are not to be traced out, then Miniſters cannot open them, nor Hearers underſtand them.
Anſw. Firſt, They are undiſcoverable by any Humane Eye; the moſt refined Light of Nature cannot diſcern them; they are Treaſures that no natural Abilities can reach: the moſt profound Learning, and deepeſt Studies of the wiſeſt men on Earth, can make nothing of them; they are no way known but by Revelation and unveilings of the Spirit; and in this ſenſe are called Unſearchable.
Secondly, As to the fulneſs of their Worth and Excellency, they cannot be underſtood by any in this Life; no mortal man, no unglorified Soul can know them as they are: to caſt up the total value of theſe Treaſures, is beyond the Arithmetick of Saints themſelves; nay, Men and Angels cannot underſtand the things that God hath prepared, that Chriſt hath purchaſed for them that love him: Here (ſayes the Apoſtle) we know in part, and we propheſie in part, 1 Cor. 13. 9. We, both you and I, the moſt elevated Light, by this ſide Glory, know nothing of theſe lock't-up Myſteries as we ought: and on this account alſo they are Unſearchable.
The Words being opened, and the Cabinet unlock't, I come to the main Subject, and Treaſure laid up in them; which you may take in this general Doctrine and Propoſition.
Doct. There are exceeding great, glorious, and unſearchable Riches in Chriſt, opened and tender'd to Sinners in the Goſpel.
In this Doctrine lie three grand Aſſertions to be proved.
Aſſertion 1. That there are exceeding great, glorious, and unſearchable Riches in Chriſt.
Aſſert. 2. Theſe vaſt and hidden Treaſures of Chriſt are opened in and by the Goſpel.
Aſſert. 3. 'Tis the Will of God that all theſe great and glorious Treaſures, which are in, and come by Jeſus Chriſt, ſhould be open'd and offer'd to Sinners, yea, the chiefeſt of Sinners.
I ſhall ſpeak to each Aſſertion, but more largely to the firſt: That there are exceeding great, glorious and unſearchable Riches in Chriſt.
And here I ſhall firſt prove by Scripture, That there are great, glorious and unſearchable Riches in Chriſt.
Secondly, Shew you (according to the Grace given me) what are thoſe Unſearchable Riches of Chriſt.
Firſt, That there are ſuch Riches in, and come by Jeſus Chriſt, the whole Goſpel atteſts, which is a Revelation of the Excellency of Chriſt, and thoſe glorious things which come by him. I ſhall give you three or four Scriptures to prove it; Col. 1. 27. To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this myſtery among the Gentiles; which is Chriſt in you the hope of glory. In the former verſe the Apoſtle calls the Goſpel a Myſtery hid from former Ages; the Excellency of which he opens in this verſe, and ſets out in theſe two Epithetes,
1. Rich.
2. Glorious.
Firſt, 'Tis a rich Myſtery, in that it opens the glorious Riches of Chriſt, which are better than the Gold of Ophir and all precious Subſtance; the Riches of his Wiſdom, Grace, Righteouſneſs and Redemption, which he calls tryed Gold, and counſels poor Sinners to come to him for it, Rev. 3. 17.
Secondly, 'Tis a glorious Myſtery; called the Riches of his Glory, Rom. 9. 23. That he might make known the Riches of his Glory on the Veſſels of Mercy. Eph. 1. 18. The Riches of his Glory, &c. The Goſpel is a glorious Myſtery, becauſe it brings to light great and glorious things, even the Treaſures of unknown Glory: and what theſe Treaſures of Glory are, he tells you in the cloſe of the verſe, they are Chriſt in you the hope of Glory: Chriſt Jeſus applied by Faith, and received into the Soul by the Spirit, is this glorious Treaſure, in that he gives them (in his Union with them) an evident Right to Glory. See Prov. 8. 18, 19. Riches and Honour are aſcribed to him: Riches and Honour are with me, yea, durable Riches and Righteouſneſs: My Fruit is better than Gold, yea, than fine Gold, and my Revenue than choice Silver. This is ſpoken of Chriſt, the true Wiſdom of God, (1 Cor. 1. 24. Chriſt the Wiſdom of God, and Power of God) who is the Subject of this Chapter. And 'tis ſaid of him, that Riches, durable Riches, are with him, better Treaſures than Gold, than choice Silver; Durable Treaſures, which Time cannot waſte or alter; Riches that laſt to all Eternity, which Ruſt and Moth cannot conſume. And Righteouſneſs (i. e.) Treaſure juſtly gotten, Riches of Wiſdom and Grace given him by the Father, and Riches of Righteouſneſs bought by his Blood. All this Treaſure is in him, and offer'd by him unto Sinners. In Chriſt muſt needs be Unſearchable Riches, for in him dwells the fulneſs of the Godhead bodily, Col. 2. 9. that is, the Divine Nature united to the Humane Nature: perfect God, as well as perfect Man; the infinite Treaſures of the Divine Nature are his. He is the Heir of all things, and therefore muſt needs be rich. Heaven and Earth are his, Jews and Gentiles, all Perſons and Things put under him; in which Glory and Majeſty, ſet over all the Works of Gods hands, he mounts his Throne (having confirmed his Title by his Blood) and gives Gifts to men, and makes a tender of Grace and Glory, of Thrones and Crowns, to all that come unto him, promiſing to his Servants, that they alſo ſhall inherit all things, Rev. 21. 7. and therefore he himſelf muſt needs be rich. In him are Treaſures of Mercy and Goodneſs, of Wiſdom and Knowledge, Riches, exceeding Riches of Grace, Eph. 2. 7. foreign, Riches of Strength, Honour, Glory and Bleſſing. So that the Scriptures give in full teſtimony to this Truth, That there are exceeding great, glorious, and unſearchable Riches in Chriſt. And now I ſhall endeavour to ſhew,
Secondly, What are thoſe exceeding great and unſearchable Riches of Chriſt. But alas! this Well is deep, and wherewith ſhall we draw? theſe Treaſures are out of ſight, who can find them out? they are boundleſs, bottomleſs, numberleſs, endleſs; where ſhall we begin? where can we make an end? who can ſearch them out to Perfection? The beſt of men are but Learners, the Angels are Enquirers, the wiſeſt men but Fools in theſe Searches; we can know but in part, nor propheſie but in part; when the utmoſt is ſpoken, you have not heard of one half of his Glory. But according to the Revelation of Chriſt, I ſhall open ſome of theſe Treaſures of Chriſt to you, under theſe two Heads, His
Riches:
Perſonal
Purchaſed
with ſome Applications and Improvements of them as we go through theſe Deeps.