Heart Treasure, Chapter 10
CHAP. X. Inſtructions, ſhewing how a graceleſſe heart may obtain a Treaſure of good.
A Third Uſe is of Direction, how a poor ſoul may be furniſhed with a rich and ſuitable heart-treaſure. Now this is uſeful to ſinners and Saints, 'tis the latter to whom I ſhall principally addreſs my ſelf. But becauſe the treaſure of true grace is abſolutely neceſſary, I ſhal lay down ſome few directions for the graceleſs ſoul, that it may have a right principle, without which it cannot bring forth one good thought, word, or work: this is the habit without which there can be no gracious acts, this is the root, without which there can be no fruit unto God, this is that ſtock to trade with, without which there can be no trading with God,Aquin. Sum Prim. Sec. Qu. 51. Art. 1, 2, 3, 4. Qu. 109 Ubi videas 10 queſt. de gratiâ agitatas. or true heaping up of the forementioned treaſure of ſanctifying truths, ſpiritual graces, heart-melting experiences, or heart-chearing comforts: I know the School-men have large diſputes about the generating, acquiring, or infuſing of habits, as whether there be any habits from nature? or cauſed by acts, or by one act? or whether habits be infuſed by God? but we muſt diſtinguiſh betwixt inferiour habits, that are meerly natural, and ſpiritual, gracious habits that are ſupernatural, theſe are of an heavenly extract and original, yet we are to wait upon God in the uſe of his appointed meanes,What perſons may do towards their own converſion ſee Morn. Lect. Caſe of Conſc. p. 33— ſo ſaith the Apoſtle, Phil. 2.12, 13.— Work out your own ſalvation with fear and trembling, for it is God which worketh in you, both to will and to do, of his own good pleaſure: This text both confuteth the ſpeculative free-willer, and convinceth the practical loyterer, grace is to be had from God in his way, though 'tis not purchaſed by man's working. I purpoſely wave the School-mens voluminous diſputes concerning grace, and ſhall propound theſe ſeven directions to poor graceleſs ſouls: and they are plain and practical duties.
1. With-draw thy ſelf from the World: at ſome times learn to ſequeſter your ſelves from the cares, affaires, comforts, cumbers, and company here below. Do not think you can hoard up in a croud, Satan loves to fiſh in troubled waters, but ſo doth not Chriſt: the noiſe of Cains hammers in building Cities, drowns the voice of conſcience: A man ſhal beſt enjoy himſelf alone: Solitary receſſes are of ſingular advantage, both for getting and increaſing grace: Prov. 18.1. Through deſire a man having ſeparated himſelf, ſeeketh, and intermedleth with all wiſdome: in this you may and muſt be ſeparatiſts: let me adviſe you (and O that I could prevail at leaſt thus far) to treat and entertain your ſelves by your ſelves: he is a wicked man, and reſolves to continue ſo, that dare not entertain himſelf with diſcourſes about ſpiritual ſubjects and ſoul-affaires; it were more ſafe to know the worſt, before you feel the worſt: let your ſolitary thoughts be working about things of eternity, however accuſtome your ſelves to ſecret and ſerious pondering: I read that the father of a prodigal left it as his death-bed charge,Morning Lect. at Cripl-Caſe of Conſc. page 9. unto his only Son to ſpend a quarter of an hour every day in retired thinking, but left him at liberty to think of what he would, the Son having this liberty to pleaſe himſelf in the ſubject, ſets himſelf to the performance of his promiſe; his thoughts one day recal his paſt pleaſures, another contrive his future delights, but at length his thoughts became inquiſitive, what might be his Fathers end in propoſing this task, he thought his Father was a wiſe and good man, therefore ſurely he intended and hoped that he would ſometime or other think of Religion; when this leavened his thoughts, they multiplyed abundantly, neither could he contain them in ſo ſhort a confinement, but was that night ſleepleſs, and afterwards reſtleſs, til he became ſeriouſly religious.
By all meanes uſe ſometimes to be alone,
Salute thy ſelf;Herb. Church-porch, p. 6. ſee what thy ſoul doth wear,
Dare to look in thy Cheſt; for 'tis thine own:
And tumble up & down what thou find'ſt there:
Who cannot reſt till he good fellowes finde,
He breaks up houſe turns out of doors his mind.
O ſirs, you little know what good effects a ſerious conſideration may produce. God propounds it, & men have practiſed it, as the great expedient to begin and promote repentance: Conſider, what you came into the World for, whither you muſt go if you die this moment, what a ſtate you were born in, what is the need and nature of Regeneration, what is the worth and price of your immortal ſouls: and through Gods bleſſing, theſe thoughts may leave ſome good impreſſions.
2. Be at a Point concerning your ſtate be exact, and impartial, in ſearching your hearts to finde out your ſtate, trifle not in this great work of ſelf-examination, be not afraid to know the worſt of thy ſelf: make a curious and critical heart-anatomy, Try whether Jeſus Chriſt be in you,2 Cor. 13.5. foreign. do as the Goldſmith, who brings his Gold to the Ballance? So do you weigh your ſelves in the ballance of the Sanctuarie; judge not of your ſtate by the common opinion of others concerning you, but by Scripture-Characters, and bring your vertues to the Touchſtone: pierce them through, to try whether they be genuine Graces, or moral Endowments: See whether your Treaſure be that Gold that's tryed in the fire, i.e. in the fiery Furnace of affliction and perſecution. Oh, how many are deceived with imaginarie felicities, and emptie flouriſhes? Take heed of being put off with gifts, inſtead of Grace; Conviction, inſtead of Converſion; outward Reformation, inſtead of ſaving Sanctification; which is the damning and undoing of thouſands of ſouls: Why wil you not uſe as much diligence for your ſoules, as you'l do for your bodies, or eſtates? If your Bodie be in a dangerous diſeaſe, or your Eſtate at hazard in an intricate ſuit, you'l run and ride, and make friends, and pay any money to know, what ſhal become of them, and to ſecure them: and are not your ſoules more worth than a ſtinking Carcaſſe, or Dunghil-eſtate? Sirs, poſe your ſelves with ſerious queſtions: Heart, how is it with thee? Art thou renewed? What life of grace is in thee? Are thy graces of the right ſtamp? Whither art thou going? and get diſtinct and poſitive Anſwers to ſuch queſtions as theſe: Let not thy treacherous heart dallie with thee; be not put off with general hopes and groundleſſe conjectures: a man is eaſilie induced to believe what hee would have to be true, but reſt not there; try further, make it out, how it comes to be ſo, detect, and anſwer everie flaw in thy ſpiritual eſtate: if thou canſt not do this thy ſelf, make thy caſe known to ſome able Miniſter, or experienced Chriſtian; tell them how things are with thee, beg advice; ask them how it was with their ſoules, and thou ſhalt finde much help this way.Pſal. 139.23. Yet after all, ſuſpect thine own heart: call in help from Heaven, deſire the Lord to ſearch thee, and be willing to be ſifted to the bran, ſearched to the bottom. David is ſo intent upon it, and ſo affraid of a miſtake, that he uſeth three emphatical words, in that challenge he makes for his ſoules diſquiſition,P…o…avit foreign exploravit, tentavit foreign ſig… agnoſcere conſlavit foreign def…avit, M…t…pr…avit …de Sa…a, civ…t…s …et…l…ca, nomen habet ab officinis quibus metalla ex…oquuntur. Pſalm 26.2. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me, try my reins and my heart: The firſt word imports a viewing us as from a watch-tower; the ſecond word imports a tempting, or finding out a thing by queſtions, inquiry by ſignes, the laſt word imports ſuch a tryal, as ſeparates the droſs from the gold, The dregs from the wine; ſo the Chriſtian would be tryed, purged, that grace may appear true, ſincere, ſolid: and indeed, it's as much as your ſouls are worth: Therefore take the moſt effectual courſe to clear your ſtate to your ſelves, and be not put off with any anſwer, but what will be accepted by God at the great day.
3. Mourn over thy empty heart: if you finde things not right in your own hearts lament your ſtate, cry out with a loud and bitter cry, as Eſau did when the bleſſing was gone; lament and ſay woe and alas that ever I was born! that I have lived thus long without God in the World, at firſt entrance into it a Bankrupt, and ever ſince a ſpiritual beggar. Oh what will become of me, if I die in this eſtate? there's but a ſtep betwixt me and death, and the next breath I breathe may be in everlaſting burnings. It is a wonder I am not hurl'd into Hell before this, what ſhall I do to be ſaved? Is there any hope of ſuch a wretch as I am? Oh that I could bathe my ſelf in briny-teares of evangelical repentance! Oh how ſhall I believe in Jeſus Chriſt, that I may receive remiſſion of ſins! truth it is, ſirs, you'l never be filled til you be ſenſible of ſoul-emptineſs; ſpiritual poverty is the Prologue and preparative to true ſoul-plenty: Goſpel-ſorrow widens the ſoul, and ſo capacitates it for grace:Deus oleum non infundit niſi in vas contritum. Bern. Mat. 5.3. Rom. 14.17 the Oile of grace is poured only into a contrite heart: the Kingdome of God belongs to the poor in ſpirit, and we know, the beſt benefits of this Kingdome are internal, as righteouſneſs, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghoſt: and theſe as a rich treaſure repleniſh the penitent ſoul: for it is the ſorrowful ſoul whom God doth repleniſh. Jer. 3….25. Therefore, you are to endeavour to diſcover the nature of ſin, and danger therein, the wrath of God hanging over your heads for it: if you were pricked in your hearts, with a pinching pain, you would be reſtleſs til you had obtained an intereſt in Jeſus Chriſt, if your ſouls were weary and heavy laden, you would not be content til you had laid the ſtreſs of all upon an infinite Saviour: if the Lord would help graceleſs ſinners theſe two ſteps, to ſee that they are yet graceleſs, and diſcern their miſery in being ſo, that were an hopeful gradation towards converſion: did you ſee your ſtate, you could not but bewaile it, and make out for a change: and did you ſee the precious nature of the ſoul, and that grace that is to fill it, you would not be another day without it.
4. Empty thy heart of all corruption; oh cleanſe that filthy ſink of all ſin, purge your ſelves from all filthineſs both of fleſh and ſpirit: ſhake hands with that ſin that forbids the banes of marriage betwixt Jeſus Chriſt, and thy ſoul: lay aſide every weight, and the ſin which doth ſo eaſily beſet you,Heb. 12. and then lift up your eies and heart to Jeſus Chriſt: Cleanſe your hands yee ſinners, purifie your hearts yee double-minded: Jam. …empty this dirty houſe of thy heart, that the King of Glory may enter in; throw out the Devils houſe-hold ſtuff, and make room for a new Inhabitant: the Veſſel muſt be emptied, or it can never be filled with ſaving good:Intus exiſtens prohibet extraneum. for that which is within, hinders any thing elſe entring: and alas the heart is ful of vain conceits, and worldly thoughts, and filthy luſts, which keep off good motions, keep out good diſpoſitions. Now if a Man purge himſelf from theſe, he ſhall be a Veſſel unto honour, ſanctified, and meet for the Maſters uſe, and prepared unto every good work. 2 Tim. 2.21. Let me entreat you for the Lords ſake, and for your own ſouls ſake, to ſearch and ſweep every duſty corner of your filthy hearts. Let not this train of graces and treaſure of truths be alwaies waiting your leiſure, whiles you are wallowing in the puddle of ſin, and ſwallowing down the Devils ſweet, but dangerous, Pils of ſoul-murdering temptations; Oh be willing to make this bleſſed exchange, to part with thy baſe luſts for a precious Chriſt, to forgoe ſoul-damning corruptions for ſoul-perfuming diſpoſitions: if you cannot put off the whole bodie of ſin, yet you are to cut off the members thereof, you ought indeed to ſtub up ſin by the roots, but you may lop off its branches: you may abate ſin in part, by contrarie actings, knowledge doth remove ignorance, as light doth darkneſs, grief abates pleaſure, and fear boldneſs in ſinning, patience daunts paſſion, and faſting tames unrulie luſts, theſe you may do, and theſe may be good preparatives to this treaſure:See Morn. …. p. 41. Serm. 2. For as one ſaith, when the ſtrength of a Feaver is abated by phyſical meanes, a Man is diſpoſed towards health; and plowed ground is (at leaſt) materiallie prepared for ſeed; though God is not bound then to ſow the ſeeds of ſaving grace, yet thou haſt encouragement, that thy labour ſhal not be in vain; uſe theſe meanes, and trie the iſſue, endeavour to caſt off theſe works of darkneſs,Rom. 13.12. Epheſ. 4.22, 23. and to put on the armour of light, yea labour to put off the old Man, and to put on the new, at leaſt do what you can to waſh your hearts from filthineſs, that your vain thoughts may not lodge within you, Jer. 4.14. That you may have a ſaving treaſure of holy meditations.
5. Be gleaning in Gods Field, be filling your ſacks in the divine granary of Ordinances;Ruth 2.8, 17. The way for Ruth to be well laden was to glean in Boaz's Field, among the Sheaves near the Reapers: the Patriarchs muſt have recourſe to Joſephs Store-houſes for proviſion; and where may we expect ſupply, but in Goſpel-Ordinances? thoſe [canales gratiae] Channe's of grace; the Poſts of wiſdome, the Garden where ſuch precious Spices grow, the Orchard where the ſoul may be loaden with the fruits of righteouſneſs, Ordinances are the Lords Camp, where this Heavenly Manna falls; they are the green paſtures, Song. 7.5.where we may fill and feaſts our ſoules, the Galleries where the King of Heaven takes his walks, and here the Chriſtleſſe ſoul may meet with him: this is like Solomons Houſe of the forreſt of Lebanon, builded for an Armorie, where the naked ſoul may be furniſhed with Shields and Spears; offenſive and defenſive weapons to fortifie the ſoul againſt the fierceſt on-ſets of the great Abaddon: If your ſoules be ſick of love, Song. ….5.here you may finde Flaggons of precious liquor to revive your fainting ſpirits, diſpenſed by the Lords Stewards:Verſe 2. If you ſit under this Apple-tree, you ſhall be under its ſhadow with great delight, and the fruit thereof will be ſweet to your taſte:Chap. 3.2. Chap. 1.8. O then ſeek Chriſt in the broad-wayes of publick Ordinances, and goe your waies forth by theſe footſteps of the flock. Search this Pearl in the field of Goſpel-diſpenſations, and your ſoules ſhal be trulie enriched thereby: 'tis by theſe Ordinances, through which, as by golden Pipes,Z…ch. 4 12. that precious oyl is conveyed to us from that fruitful Olive, Jeſus Christ. O do not leave off Ordinances, as ſome conceited Profeſſors that boaſt they are above them: for if you ſet the Ciſtern above the Cock, it wil never be full; and therefore you muſt have a reverent eſteem of the Lords appointments: prepare your ſelves, and frequent ſoul-filling Ordinances: live ſtill within the ſound of Aarons Bells, and beg of God that Aarons Rod may bring forth the buds of grace in your immortal ſoules:Mr. Lee, on Solomons Temple: cap. 9. pag. 266. Num. 17.8. The Rod of Aaron (as one wel obſerves) may ſignifie the Miniſtrie [Effectivè] as to the effects it produceth, by the bleſſing of God bringing forth buds, bloſſomes, and ripe Nuts all at once, i. e. ſaith he, precious buds of grace, bloſſomes of heavenly joy, and holy fruits of righteouſneſſe, and new Obedience: OnelyOnly let me intreat you to wait upon an heart-ſearching Miniſtrie, that the ſecrets of your heart may be manifeſt, and conſcience may be pricked; Be not affraid of a Boanerges, but gladlie welcome the ſharp rebukes of your Soules-friends, it may be fitteſt for your ſleepie or ſeared Conſciences. 'Tis ſaid of the Almond-tree (of which Aarons Rod was) that the Rind thereof is bitter,Ubi ſupra but the Kernel is very delicious, and the oyle preſt out of it very Phyſical, and of much vertue; juſt ſuch are the chaſtiſing words of a round-dealing Miniſtrie, bitter at preſent, but profitable afterwards: and obſerve it, they are ordinarilie the ſoundeſt Chriſtians that are trained under the moſt plain and piercing preaching; therefore I entreat you, lay your ſelves directlie under the Hammer of the Word, to be framed by the Lord according to his will:
6. Studie and improve Free grace; O let your thoughts dwel much upon Gods infinite condeſcention and unlimited invitation of poor ſinners: See what you ſuck out of Iſa. 55.1. and John 7.37. and Rev. 22.17. Whoſoever will, let him take the water of life freely; there's no bar to your admiſſion, but what your ſelves make: Chriſt Jeſus includes you in Goſpel-tenders, Oh do not exclude your ſelves: the Great Shepheard calleth his ſheep by name, John 10.3. How is that, but by ſpeaking expreſlie to their Caſe? as if he ſhould ſtrike the troubled heart upon the ſhoulder, and ſay, here's comfort for thee; what if thy name be not there, yet the propoſition is univerſal, he that believeth, ſhall be ſaved: thouſands of poor ſinners have ventured their ſoules upon ſuch a word, and never any miſcarried that caſt themſelves into the armes of Chriſt: you have no reaſon to ſuſpect acceptance, if you come to him, you have all the grounds of incouragement imaginable. A Phyſitian offereth cure to all that will come, it were madneſſe to ſtand off, and ſay, I know not whether he intendeth it for me or no: if men were readie to periſh in deep waters, and a Boat ſhould be offered to carrie them to land, that would come into it, it were an abſurd thing to diſpute, whether it be for us? If a pardon come from the King for a companie of condemned priſoners, and they ſhall all have benefit by it, if they will but accept of it, what mad man would refuſe it and queſtion, whether the Prince intend him particularlie. Since his name is included in the general grant; Surelie men would not ſo fondlie caſt away themſelves in temporals: and who would be ſuch a fool in the everlaſting concernments of his precious ſoul? The way here is not to Diſpute, but Believe: Is not Jeſus Chriſt out ſouls Phyſitian? and are not we ſick? Is not the Goſpel-deſign of Grace, a plank after ſhip-wrack? and are not we drowning? Are not we condemned Malefactors at the Bar of Gods Juſtice? and doth not God graciouſlie tender to us the Redemption ſo dearlie purchaſed by our precious Saviour? and why then ſhould wee forſake our own mercies? why will you be cruel to your own ſoules? If it were in temporals, you would put out the hand and be very readie for receiving.Iſa 2….6 Pro 9.1.2. Cant. 5.1, 2. The Po…ch of the Temple was open and without doores on all ſides, on which it was not annexed to the body of the Temple-to ſhe… the open-heartedneſs of Gods Grace under the Goſpel. See Mr. Lee on Sal. Temp. …a… 9 f…l 21…. If you ſit at a Feaſt, and there ſtand a diſh upon the Table that you affect, though all the companie be free to make uſe of it, yet you ſay, here's a diſh for me, and you think it good manners to feed heartilie upon it, without ſcruples and diſputes of being welcome, ſince you were freelie invited by your noble Friend; Our Lord Jeſus hath made a Feaſt of fat things, and hath bidden his Gueſts: he invites you to eat and drink abundantlie: Oh do not you make Apologies for your abſence from this Goſpel feaſt; when he invites, do not you queſtion whether he means as he ſpeaks, but fall to, and make a long arme, and take your ſhare of this Proviſion; I can aſſure you, he hath not an evil eye, he doth not grudge you this heavenly Manna; Nay, rather than your ſoules ſhall famiſh, he freely gives you his fleſh and blood to nouriſh your poor immortal ſoules: Oh you that have torn his fleſh with the teeth of cruel perſecution, of himſelf and his members! You that have trampled upon his blood with the feet of an odious and abominable converſation! You he calls to eat his fleſh and drink his blood by faith in him, and improvement of him, that your ſoules may live; You that have deſpiſed riches of grace, Treaſures of grace are opened for you: You that have fought againſt Jeſus Chriſt all your daies with all your might, he invites you to be his Souldiers, and he will lovinglie entertain you, as if you had never been in rebellion againſt the King of Kings: will not this melt and move you to yield your ſelves unto your dear and loving Lord? I beſeech you, take theſe things into your ſerious thoughts, and accept of Jeſus Chriſt: onelie preſume not by dreaming of application of Chriſt without ſeparation from ſin: take a whole Chriſt to ſanctifie thy heart as well as juſtifie thy perſon, to purifie conſcience as well as pacifie wrath: Take Chriſt aright, miſtake him not, leaſt you be wofullie miſtaken to your eternal undoing: You need a whole Chriſt, and a broken heart will not be content with a divided Saviour; 'tis the whoriſh heart that will divide, a ſincere ſoul muſt have all, he needs grace as well as peace: indeed there's nothing of Chriſt uſeleſſe, every part of this Lamb of God is of abſolute neceſſitie to the indigent ſoul: and true faith takes him in all his mediatorie Latitude: 'tis as dangerous to divide Chriſt believed on, as the heart believing: therefore ſtir up your ſelves to a due conſideration of free Grace, and application of it in the right Goſpel-way of Believing.
7. Be humble Petitioners at the Throne of Grace; Beg hard at the Gates of Mercy for a large dole of Heavenlie Riches: Ask, if that will not do, Seek; if ſeeking avail not, Knock, and you ſhall be ſure to prevail: the choiceſt riches of Heaven may be had for asking, and if they be not worth that, they are worth nothing; God loves importunate Beggars: there's libertie of petitioning in the Court of Heaven; 'tis no bad manners there to heap ſuit upon ſuit: the oftner you come, the welcomer you are:Compare Mat. 7.11. with Luke 11.13. He will give the Holy Spirit to them that aske it, and that's a good thing in Gods account, and ſhould be in ours; for it enricheth the Soul with an abundant Treaſure. O beg the Spirit of God, open your mouths wide and he will fill them: We ſhould think our ſelves made for ever, if we might but have what we can ask: But the truth is, we cannot ask ſo much as God is able and willing to give us, Epheſ. 3.19, 20. Therefore Sirs, ſtir up your hearts to deſire Grace, open theſe windows of your Soules: lift up your ſelves to God upon theſe wings of Deſires, and fetch a Treaſure from Heaven into your hearts:Mens orat, lingua loquitur. Strong deſires are real Praiers, and ſhall prevail, for they not onlie capacitate the ſoul for grace, but lay it directlie under the Promiſe, Matth. 5.6. Deſire is the Souls pullies, that wind it up to Heaven, and 'tis the Souls ſtomach, that receives Heaven into the Chriſtian: therefore pray hard; Do not you ſee and hear the pathetical cries of poor Beggars, backed with Rhetorical arguments of ſoares, and nakedneſs, at your doors, and in the Road? Goe you and do likewiſe, fill the eares of God with mightie cries, take no denial, give God no reſt, till you have your ſhare in ſpiritual Bleſſings: tell God you will not be put off with the tranſient good things of this wicked world: tell him he hath better things than theſe to beſtow upon Children: Crowns & golden Mines are but crumbs caſt to Dogs; tell him thou comeſt to him for a Childes portion: and if he will but give thee a treaſure of grace in thy heart, and reſerve a treaſure of glorie for thee in Heaven, thou wilt refer matters of the world to him, and he ſhall do for thoſe things as he ſees good; whether he give thee leſſe or more of the Mammon of unrighteouſneſſe, any thing or nothing: tell the Lord he hath betruſted theſe talents of grace with unworthie Creatures and great Sinners, and if thou be worſe than any that ever yet partak't thereof, yet tell him, he doth not ſell theſe precious Commodities to men deſerving, but give them to craving ſinners, and thou art one, that needs as much as any: tell him thou never yet heardeſt that he refuſed to give them to any that ſought them for Chriſts ſake, with a broken heart above wordlie treaſures: tell him, that himſelf hath promiſed, his Son hath purchaſed, his Spirit will freely convey theſe Goſpel-riches into thy heart, and if he will but ſpeak the word, the thing ſhall be quickly done. Tell the Lord, yet once again, what a Monument he will thereby raiſe to his own glorie, if he will fill thy ſoul with this Treaſure, he will thereby make known the riches of his glorie on a poor Veſſel of Mercy:Rom. 9.23. And whereas now thou art an uſeleſs Veſſel, wherin the Lord can have no pleaſure, by whom he can have no profit or honour; Yet if he wil be pleaſed to own and crown thy ſoul with ſaving grace, he may then take delight in thee, and reſt in his love towards thee: and when he hath bleſſed thee with ſpiritual bleſſings in Heavenly things—Then thou wilt be to the praiſe of the glorie of his grace. Eph. 1.3.6. Thus come, thus pour out your hearts like water before the Lord, lie day and night at the Throne of Grace, it's worth all this pains in ſeeking; wil not you do as much as Eſau for this bleſſing? he took pains to hunt for Veniſon,Gen. 27.34, 38. foreign that Iſaac's ſoul might bleſs him, and miſſing of it, he lift up his voice, and cried with a great and exceeding bitter crie, redoubling his requeſt with an affectionate Eccho. Bleſs me, even me alſo, O my Father: the words are very remarkable, and have as notable an Emphaſis, as almoſt is to be found in Scripture, and will you be worſe than prophane Eſau? O ſirs, if you knew your ſouls want, and the worth of divine things, your prayers would have an other accent, and be put up with more fervencie than uſuallie they are: and you might have hopes to ſpeed: ſo ſaith the wiſe Man, if thou crieſt after knowledge, and lifteſt up thy voice for underſtanding. If thou ſeekeſt her as ſilver, and ſearcheſt for her as for hidden treaſures, then ſhalt thou underſtand the fear of the Lord, & finde the knowledge of God: Prov. 2.3, 4, 5.
Before I break off this ſubject, let me preſs a little upon you the wholſome councel of our dear Saviour, Revel. 3.18. I councel thee to buy of me, Gold tried in the Fire, that thou maiſt be rich, &c. Conſider 1. What is your eſtate naturallie, and without Chriſt, you may imagine great things, but God knows there is no ſuch matter,foreign(Sync. foreign) ſuffero et foreign luctus. as he ſaith to this ſelf-conceited Church of Laodicea, Verſ. 17 Thou ſaiſt I am rich—and know'ſt not that thou art wretched, miſerable, poor, blinde, naked: he heapes up many words to aggravate their beggarlie ſtate: the graceleſs ſoul is 1. wretched, i.e. preſſed with ſickneſs, miſerie and calamitie, over-whelmed with reproach, over-thrown in conflicts, cannot ſtir hand or foot for God, being alwaies over-born by his Maſter, Satan: 2.foreign He is miſerable, i.e. though he ſtand in abſolute need of divine help and merciemercy, yet he is unworthie and deſtitute of it; God wil have no merciemercy on this woful object,Iſai. 27.11. Hoſea 1.6. foreign qui oſtiatim petit El…emoſynam. foreign ſo that the forlorne ſoul may be called Lo-ruhamah. 3. The ſinner is poor, i.e. in extream neceſſitie, hath not a bit or morſel of brown Bread, but begs from door to door, theſe poor ſouls are readie to famiſh and pine, and ſhall have no relief. 4. Blinde, this is a ſad aggravation, when a Man muſt wander for bread to relieve his ſoul, yet knows not whither to go,foreign Solam cutem hab…nt nay knows not that he needs to go, is miſerable, and knows it not; Yea further he is, 5. Naked, expoſed to the injuries of weather, and laſhes of Men; thus is the poor ſoul deſtitute of the wedding Garment. Chriſts righteouſneſs having only a naked skin to fortifie againſt the wrath of God, the curſe of the Law, and tormentings of conſcience, and what can this availe the wretched miſcreant? Let a man be the richeſt Potentate under Heaven, yet if he be graceleſs, he is thus wretchedlie poor; no tongue can expreſs the miſerie of an unregenerate Perſon; There are ſeven words in Hebrew that ſignifie poor, and they are all applicable to a poor Creature without Chriſt and grace.foreign Pauper 1. He is ſtraitened in the abundance of outward ſufficiencie, with a griping conſcience; and greedie graſping after ſhadows. 2.foreign Perditus His goods are diminiſhed, and he is grown a bank-rupt in Adam, vain inventions have waſted a fair eſtate, and dailie weaken the reliques of natural light.foreign Attritus 3. He is oppreſſed with intollerable labour, grinding in the Devils Mil, toiling in worſe than Egyptian thraldome, without any relief for his famiſhing ſoul.foreign Attenuatus 4. He is of a dejected minde, like the Serpent, going with his bellie to the duſt, a degenerate Plant, the worſt part of the Creation, the baſeſt of Creatures, the taile, and not the head.foreign Afflictus. 5. Beſides all this he is afflicted ſpirituallie with ſuits, hatred, exile, impriſonment, God himſelf commenceth ſuit againſt him, hates him, baniſheth him from his preſence, delivers him over into Satans hands, by whom he is led Captive, at his pleaſure. 6.foreign …g…nns He is alwaies needie, deſires all things, but hath nothing, cannot be content, ſnatching on the right and left hand, yet is never ſatisfied, boundleſs in motion towards a wrong object, that increaſeth his thirſt. 7.foreign V…uus He is emptie both of vertues, which are the riches of the minde, for though he may have ſome moral accompliſhments, yet they are but [Splendida peccata] more ſplendid and ſhining ſins, without grace; and alſo he is deſtitute of the World, for having a curſe and not Gods bleſſing therewith, it doth him no good; nay it is his bane, being both a ſnare, and a poiſon, and aggravating ſin, and increaſing his torment, having a ſadder account to make another day: this and much worſe is the condition of a graceleſs heart, out of which it is councelled! Oh who would tarrie one hour in ſuch a wretched ſtate, the Lord be merciful to you, and pluck you out of the Sodom of unregeneracie, leſt you periſh eternallie.
2. Conſider the ſtate into which you are councelled, for this end obſerve, 1.Iſai. 9.6. Who is your Councellour, Jeſus Chriſt, who indeed is the onlie Councellour, the wiſdome of the Father, who beſt underſtands the Law of heaven, and what wil ſtand you in ſtead, in the Court of God; he that might command you into Hel, doth councel you for Heaven; he that died for you, opens his heart to you; he that wil ſpeak to the Father for you, intreats you to make uſe of him as your onlie Advocate. 2. Conſider what and who you are and have been, that are thus councelled, enemies to his grace, in whom he might glorifie his juſtice, and caſt you head-long into the Pit, and there's an end of you, perſons that have been a provocation all your daies, that have reſiſted, quenched, grieved, vexed his holie ſpirit, trampled Chriſt under foot, ſerved Satan and your ſelves; behold he pours out his words unto you,Prov. 1.23. yea he offers to pour his ſpirit into you: it is the voice of an infinite God, to a mortal ſinful Man, Ʋnto you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the Sons of Men. Prov. 8.4. And 3. Conſider, what he councels to, 'tis to a rich and precious purchaſe: O yee great purchaſers, here's a bargain for you, not of a piece of Land, but the Kingdome, not an Earthlie but an Heavenlie Kingdome, not a fair Houſe to live in here, but eternal manſions in the Heavens: come, ſtrike up the bargain,Iſa. 55.1, 2. Jubet em… re non precio, ſed mendicorū more, precibu… emendicare abud Deum. Par. in Loc. bid freely, but what muſt you give? money, or moneys worth? no, worldly treaſures are droſs here, money beares no maſtery, the price is fallen to juſt nothing, ſhal I ſay nothing? you are to give away your ſins, and give God your ſelves, yet that's no price, becauſe it beares no proportion to ſuch receits: grace and glory are Gods gift, yet God puts this honour upon ſuch as honour him by believing, as though they buy what they enjoy: Let every ſoul make this cheap purchaſe: But if it be ſo cheap, is it not of little worth? wil it not prove accordingly? what is the purchaſe, and what is it good for? That brings in the four things, viz. the things purchaſed are abſolutely neceſſary & beneficial. 1. Gold. 2. Rayment. 3. Eve ſalve. 4. Every one accompliſheth a notable end, to make rich, cloath and recover ſight: we cannot be without any of theſe: I cannot enlarge, take a touch: 1. This gold tryed in the fire is Scripture-truths,P…. …3.…3. and w… … by all means buy truth,Pſal. 12.6. by no means … it, and the words of God are as ſilver tryed in a furnace of Earth,Pſalm 119.1…7. purified ſeven times, therefore David loved the Word above fine gold; I told you we muſt make a treaſure of this refined Gold of Scripture-truths,1 Pet. 1.7. but I rather underſtand this of the tryed gold of precious graces, eſpecially faith, which being tried in the Furnace of affliction is much more precious than gold that periſheth:Hoc foreign est Chriſti, extra quod nulla …s… ſalus; this indeed makes the ſoul truly rich, as money anſwers all things, ſo this wil bring us through all conditions, and this is to be had of Chriſt, therefore buy or beg it of him, and believe in him for obtaining more of the Riches of grace. 2. White raiment is the Robes of Chriſts Righteouſneſſe, the garments of our elder Brother, fine Linnen clean and white, for whiteneſſe is a token of purity, and 'tis an alluſion to the Romane Candidates, that ſeeking Dignity or Magiſtracy, come forth conſpicuouſly into the Aſſembly, thereby ſignifying that integrity which bec…me thoſe honourable Offices: So the Saints muſt have the upper garments of imputed Righteouſneſſe, and cloſer rayment of inherent Holineſſe, of both which 'tis ſaid, Rev. 16.15—Bleſſed is he that watcheth and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they ſee his ſhame, i. e. the filth and guilt of ſin: 3. Eye-ſalve, an Ointment that purgeth away the dregs and dimneſs of the Eyes, this grace baniſheth the dark miſts from the ſoul, and makes it ſee clearly the ſtate of our hearts, the evil of ſin, and excellencie of the things of God: a right underſtanding of divine Myſteries is a mercy worth praying for and prizing: This is the only learning, book-learning and brain-knowledge are not worth naming in compariſon of this,1 John 2.27. for this annionting will teach you of all things:
Well, Sirs, I am loath to leave this Subject til I have prevailed with you, to make it your main buſineſſe to look after this divine Treaſure. O that Jeſus Chriſt were formed in your hearts, and the life of grace were begun in your ſoules, if that be wrought you'l be fit for all conditions, without it, you'l be fit for nothing, and nothing can ſuit you, you wil make no ſhift in a hard time, and you know not how to improve happy times, a day of affliction will ſwallow you up, temptation wil overthrow you, mercies wil encreaſe your guilt, judgments drive you to deſpair; you cannot buckle to the eaſieſt Duties, nor apply the ſweeteſt Promiſes, and how wil you come off in the great day of Accounts? whether wil you go for help, and where will you leave your glorie?