Heart Treasure, Chapter 14
CHAP. XIV. What ſort of Graces the Christian is to treaſure up.
THe ſecond head of precious commodities that a Chriſtians breaſt is to be ſtored with, is, Divine graces, every grace is of vaſt worth, and excellent uſe, yea the leaſt degree of ſincere grace is worth a Mine of Gold, or a Princes Crown and Kingdome, 'tis ſaid of the grace of faith, that the trial of it (or faith tried in the furnace of affliction) is much more precious than gold, that periſheth— 1 Pet. 1.7. None can ſet a right eſtimate upon a grain of true grace, which is no other than the off-ſpring of Heaven, the purchaſe of Chriſts blood, and the bleſſed fruit of the ſpirit of grace: it is part of the divine nature, the Image of God, and ſeed of immortalitie, grace is the muniment and ornament of the ſoul, 'tis the onlie emolument and accompliſhment of a Chriſtian; let the World be hurryed to gather great eſtates, filling their houſes with goods, their barns with grain, and bags with gold, let the good ſoul get filled with the fruits of righteouſneſs, the graces of the ſpirit.
There are four ſorts of graces, that I ſhal adviſe all Chriſtians in a ſpecial manner to treaſure up in their hearts.
Which are theſe
1. Directing graces
2. Subjecting graces
3. Profiting graces
4. Perſevering graces
I. The believing ſoul is to lay up, with diligence, directing, conducting, reſolving, and ſatisfying graces, that is, abundance of knowledge, wiſdome, prudence, and judgment, that he may have light and ſight, about the things of God: Dayes are coming,Mat. 10.1… when Chriſtians may need the wiſdome of the Serpent, as wel as the innocencie of the Dove: a Chriſtian in his journey is often puzled with various paths, and intricate Maeanders, O how much worth is a ſpirit of underſtanding, whereby we may chooſe the good, and refuſe the bad, and keep the ſtreight road to Heaven? hence the Apoſtle praies for his Philippians, that their love might abound more and more in knowledge, and in all judgment, that they might approve things that are excellent, Phil. 1.9, 10. The means to keep us from failing about [foreign] things indifferent, is to have a ſolid apprehenſion concerning theſe [foreign] things that are excellent, or differenced from others as the word imports, i.e. thoſe things that tend to ſinceritie and innocencie of life, therefore he adds, that yee may be ſincere, and without offence til the day of Chriſt, that's the beſt policie that helps on piety, a ſpirit of diſcerning is uſeful to exact walking, an inlightened conſcience helps the ſoul to be without offence:Eph. 5.15. Eccl. 2.14. no man can walk circumſpectly, but he that hath his eies in his head; he that walks in darkneſs with a blinde eie knows not whether he goeth; the eie of the minde is the light and guide of the wil and affections, and if that be blinde, thoſe blinde faculties fall into the ditch of errour, terrour, apoſtacie and miſerie: the Chriſtians eies muſt be ful of light, we cannot have too much knowledge if it be ſanctified, in one act of Religion, a Chriſtian is to look many waies, inwards at his principle, upwards, to the pleaſing of God, forwards at the reward, and his end, down-wards at the profit of men, &c. There are many eies upon us, and our eies muſt be upon manie, ſome long to ſee our wel-doing, others watch for our halting, we had need get wiſdome to carry uſefullie towards the good, and wiſely towards thoſe that are without: there's great neceſſity of true ſolid knowledge, to diſcern our own dutie and exerciſe charity, to minde our own buſineſs, and yet to do good offices to Saints, and ſinners, and to keep within our place and ſtation: we ſhal finde ſome difficulty ſo to carry our ſelves as not to give offence careleſly, or to take offence cauſeleſly: we ſhould learn to ſee with our own eies, and not be led by multitudes, or wiſe, or learned; or godly:Rom. 16.19. Oh what a bleſſed thing is it to be wiſe unto that which is good and ſimple concerning evil? with how much more eaſe may a Chriſtian go through his Chriſtian courſe with, than without,Eccl. 10.10. Chap. 7.19. Chap. 2.13. a ſolid knowledge? for wiſdome is profitable to direct: yea it ſtrengtheneth the wiſe more than weapons of war: therefore it excelleth folly as far as light excelleth darkneſs: practical wiſdome is infinitely beyond ſpeculative, hence ſaith Solomon, the wiſdome of the prudent, is to underſtand his way, Prov. 14.8. this treaſure of directing graces is practical, it helps the tongue to anſwer diſcreetly, the feet to walk exactly, the hands to work compleatly, to ſpend no time or pains in by-wayes, or by-blows: and it alſo concerns a mans ſelf it doth not range abroad, and forget home, the greateſt Politician is a very fool that cannot order his own affaires with diſcretion, he that is not wiſe for himſelf is not wiſe at all, God wil accept, and men wil praiſe that man that doth wel to himſelf: Paul prayes for the Saints at Coloſs, that they might be filled with the knowledge of his wil, in all wiſdome and ſpiritual underſtanding,Quicun que ad h…nc ſcopum non dirigunt studia ſua, fieri poteſt ut multum ſu…n… a… laborent, ſed nihil quam vagantur per ambages nullo profectu. Calv. in loc. Col. 1.10. Col. 1.9. For what end? why not to talk, but to walk worthy of the Lord, verſ. 10. That's the only knowledg that ends in holy practiſe: ſoul-profiting is the end of ſpiritual underſtanding: they that aim not at this end, and by their ſtudies are not furthered in this work, may have the repute of learned men, but ſhal never paſs for judicious Chriſtians.
Oh ſirs, take much paines to lay up theſe graces that may direct you; certainly there is a vaſt difference betwixt a Chriſtian of a ſolid judgment, and another of a weak head, though both ſincere, the one knows duty, and lawful liberty, the others conſcience is wofully perplexed with nice and needleſs ſcruples, which render him a burden to himſelf, and offence to others, and expoſe him to a World of temptations: An unſetled ſoul, that yet is wel-meaning but ignorant, is a Theater upon which Satan and ſeducers do act dreadful Tragedies:2 Pet. 3.16 Jam. 1.8. Eph. 4.14. it is unſtable ſouls that wreſt and pervert the Scriptures, that are only conſtant in inconſtancy, and are toſſed to and fro with every wind of Doctrine: Alas, theſe receive a new impreſſion by every Sermon or Company, and as quickly part with, as they ſpeedily cloſe with a new notion, ſo that you cannot tel where to finde them: But now a ſober ſolid, wel-taught Chriſtian hath fixt the Staffe, and you may know where to finde him, and he knows where to finde his own Principles, he moves alwaies upon the ſolid Axle-tree of Scripture-truths and Duties, and by the help of this Sun can ordinarily finde his way in the dark miſts of Errour, and by the hand of the Spirit he is led through the dark entry and narrow paſſage of Dutie to reſt and ſatisfaction: hence it is ſaid, that a ſpiritual man judgeth all things. 1 Cor. 2.15.i.e. that are doubtful, and is by this ſtock of directing graces aſſiſted to behave himſelf wiſely in a perfect way: Pſalm 101.2.
2. Treaſure up ſubjecting graces, that may help you to bear Gods will, and freely to ſubmit to his diſpoſe: Such as patience, humility, ſelf-denial, weanedneſs from the world, heavenly-mindedneſſe, and that Rare Jewel of Chriſtian contentment in all conditions: Oh what a happie ſoul is that to which nothing can come amiſs, that is furniſht for every ſtorm? Paul was a brave Scholar in this ſuffering School, Phil. 4.11, 12. he had learned in all eſtates to be content: Its an hard task, and long Trade, but what cannot grace undertake and overcome, through the help of aſſiſting grace? The truth is, a treaſured Chriſtian may ſay with David,Pſal. 26.1…. My foot standeth in an even place, and ſo is ſtayd for all aſſays, as 'tis in Meeter: come what can come, the gracious ſoul will light upon his feet, and ſtand upright, and not wrench his foot by turning aſide into crooked waies: as a good man lies ſquare to every command of God, ſo he doth righteouſneſs at all times: Wicked mens deſign is to puſh away the feet of the godly from their ſtanding in holy paths and outward comforts,Job 30.12. therefore muſt they make ſtrait paths for their feet, leſt that which is lame be turned out of the way, Heb. 12.13. i. e. Get a principle of health and rectitude in oppoſition to that way-ward and wandring diſpoſition of heart that is naturally in all men, that you may not turn aſide to the right hand nor to the left, but haſten with a right foot in a ſtraight courſe to the goal of Glorie: Grace ſtrengthens the ſouls joints and helps againſt halting, Courage and holy reſolution is a ſhooing of the Saints feet that they may walk ſteadily in ſlippery places: the whole Armour of God, even the precious ſtock of Chriſtian graces wil fortifie the believing ſoul againſt the ſharpeſt Encounters: Above all preparative for ſufferings, there's none doth ſo bow the ſpirit to bear burdens, ſubject the heart to the Lords pleaſure, help the ſoul to wait his leiſure, and ſecure from danger, ſo much as that Heart-quieting grace of Faith:Pſal. 125.1. Pro. 18.10. this is the way to ſtrength and ſafety, a believing ſoul is fit for any condition, and wil live by his Faith when all things fail,Invictus ad labores, fortis ad pericula, rigidus adverſus vol…ptates, d… r… adverſus illec… bras: Ambr. nothing can daunt him, all things are eaſie: He is, ſaith an Ancient, invincible in labours, ſtrong for dangers, rigid againſt pleaſures, hardned against the alluring baits of the world: Oh the excellency and neceſſity of Faith, courage, and a Chriſtian magnanimitie, a believing ſoul moves in an higher Orb than other Saints, as one ſaith, and leads up the van of the Militia of Heaven: Faith ſets the ſoul as an impregnable Rock in the midſt of the Sea, and ſplits the waves of mens malicious threats and hot revenge, ſo that it can ſay, as David, in God have I put my truſt, I will not fear what fleſh, what man can do unto me, Pſalm 56.4, 11. Amongſt other ſubjecting graces be ſure you lay up a good treaſure of that incomparable grace of meekneſſe, which captivates the underſtanding to the obedience of Faith, and moderates the will to a due ſubmiſſion to the Lords diſpoſe, and ſilenceth the lips againſt all murmuring expoſtulations: this precious grace takes all well that God doth,See Meekneſs largely diſcuſs'd in Dr. Hamonds Pract. Catec. p. 107. to 118. this precious grace take all well that God doth, and doth not rage againſt the Inſtruments, it yieldeth active or paſſive obedience to Superiours with chearfulneſs, though it dares not yield up its judgment to the guidance of any mortal man, or Church on earth, yet it meekly lyes under the cenſures and puniſhments of men, committing all to him that judgeth righteouſly, as Christ did, 1 Pet. 2.23. Theſe and ſuch like ſuffering graces, and diſpoſitions muſt Chriſtians ſtore up, that they may ſuffer according to the will of God, both for cauſe and call, and carriage in the ſharpeſt conflicts they may meet with upon earth: The truth is, Sirs, You little know what lies betwixt you and the grave, you have not yet reſiſted unto blood, but you may: you little know what Religion may coſt you, you may go through a long Vale of the ſhadow of death, to death, and fight with beaſts at Epheſus,Luke 14.26. to 34. and then mount up in a fiery Charriot to Heaven: Sit down then and reckon the charges in building the Tower of Religion, and whether you have armor of proof to carry you through an Army of dangers and difficulties:Luke 14.26. to 34. Stock your ſelves for a ſtorm, frame your backs for a burden, melt your wils into Gods Will, as you deſire to hold out againſt fainting and deſpair, and as you deſire to heat that bleſſed Eugè, and ſweet Encomium, from Jeſus Chriſt, in Revel. 2.3-7—And haſt born, and haſt patience, and for my Names-ſake haſt laboured, and haſt not fainted—to him that overcometh I will give to eat of the tree of Life, which is in the midst of the Paradiſe of God.
3. Endeavour to treaſure up profiting graces, I mean ſuch as wil help you both in doing and receiving good: For the firſt, lay up ſuch graces as wil render you ſerviceable in your places, Rom. 14.19.—Let us follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edifie another, ſuch as brotherly-love, or kindneſs, charity, meekneſſe, forbearance, gentleneſſe, condeſcention, mutual Sympathie, compaſſion to ſoules, and zeal for Gods glorie, a publick Spirit, and an heart to lament the ſins and ſufferings of the Church; 'tis a bleſſed thing to be of pu…lick uſe, it adds luſtre to what is truly good to be diffuſive, and communicative. Some Chriſtians have thoſe uſeful gifts and graces, that others (though truly good) may want: the more good you have, the more good you may do; the Adminiſtration of the Spirit is given to eve-man to profit withal, 1 Cor. 12.7. God layes in, that we may lay out, and we are to lay up great treaſures on purpoſe that we may do the more good: that's an excellent expreſſion of Luthers, Omnia libera per fidem, omnia ſerva per charitatem, Luth.that all things are made free by Faith, and all things are made ſerviceable by charity or love; It is the propertie and pleaſure of a good ſoul to be doing good: Living Springs ſend forth ſtreams of water, dead Pits muſt have all that they afford drawn out with Buckets; the fuller a gracious ſoul is, the more freely wil he communicate: there is as much comfort in doing, as in receiving good: you muſt be fitted for both, therefore pray for, and put on (as the Elect of God) bowels of mercy, kindneſſe, humbleneſſe of minde, meekneſſe, long-ſuffering, Col. 3.12, 13. that you may be diſpoſed to glorifie God, edifie others, and ſerve your generations according to the will of God, and at laſt give a good account of your Talents and Stewardſhip: Bleſſed is the man that hath his Quiver full of theſe bleſſed ſhafts, Boxes full of Cordial Receits, whereby he may both wound ſinners by admonition, and heal them by the ſweet words of conſolation. And then 2. You had need treaſure up profiting graces, i. e. ſuch as wil help you to get good to your own ſoules by all Gods dealings with you: Mix the Word and Rod with Faith, receive all with meekneſſe, bring forth fruit with patience: All that God doth is for our profit, even tokens of his anger is for our advantage, Corrections are for our inſtruction,Heb. 12.6-10. partaking of his holineſſe is the peaceable fruit of righteouſneſs that God aims at in all our troubles: All things would work together for our good, if we had a receptive principle, to him that hath a treaſure ſhal more be given, according to the proportion of grace received and improved: Ordinances would do us more good if we had grace to get good by them; an heart ſanctified and ſtored with improving graces, is like Tinder, which ſoon takes fire, and is apt to keep it, till it be forced out: Naturaliſts obſerve, that Tranſmutation is eaſie in Symbolical Elements, ſuch as agree in ſome prime qualities: Water is more eaſily turned into Air than into Fire: even ſo, an holy and ſpiritual heart wil be eaſily wrought on by holy and ſpiritual Ordinances: for here is an agreement in qualities, gracious qualities make the ſoul both receptive and retentive of heavenly impreſſions: grow in grace every day, and then you'l get good by all that God doth: There are ſeveral graces that diſpoſe the ſoul to ſpiritual proficiency, as ſenſibleneſſe, brokenneſſe, and tenderneſs of heart, fit to receive divine impreſſions, which plowes up,Jer. 4.3. and prepares the ground for the ſeed: and then apprehenſiveneſſe of ſpiritual wants, burdened with ſin, breathing after God and grace with longing hungring deſires, which capacitates the ſoul for both ſanctifying and ſatisfying incomes: ſtrength of Grace is uſually ſeconded with ſweet diſcoveries, 1 John 2.14. I write unto you young men, becauſe ye are ſtrong and the word of God abideth in you: Strong and ſtored Chriſtians have many precious Epiſtles from Heaven; That's the third.
4. Treaſure up perſevering, perfecting and crowning Graces, furniſh your hearts with ſuch Graces as may help you through this world, and through death, and land you ſafe on the ſhore of Eternitie, ſuch as theſe, ſincerity, humility, faith, hope, love, the fear of God, delight in him, reſignation to him, reſolution for him, contempt of the world, deſire of Heaven; if you have theſe Graces you ſhal never fail or fall: unſound Profeſſors may and wil fall away, but ſuch as are thus rooted ſhal grow up as high as Heaven, Hypocrites may aſcend many ſteps towards Heaven, but he that hath ſincerity at the bottom and perſeverance at the top of this Ladder ſhal not miſs of Glorie: O ſee to the uprightneſſe of your hearts, and truth of your Graces, be not miſtaken about your ſtate, build high by laying the foundation low, if the root of the matter be in you, it ſhal not be eradicated; ſaving grace wil end in eternal Glorie: the girdle of Truth, the breaſt-plate of Righteouſneſſe, Eph. 6.14, 15.16, 17, 18.the ſhooes of Heroick Reſolution, the ſhield of Faith, the Helmet of Hope, the Sword of Scripture-truths, and conſtant fervent prayer, wil help the conflicting ſoul to a glorious Conqueſt, and God wil ſet an inacceſſible Crown upon the conquering Head of a perſevering Saint: if you lay up perſevering Graces, you ſhal hold on and hold out, if your love abound in knowledge and in all judgment, your ſoules ſhal be without offence till the day of Christ, Phil. 1.9, 10. What would you give Sirs, to come ſafely to Heaven? Why! Do but lay up a good foundation for your ſelves againſt the time to come, and thereby you do (as it were) lay hold upon eternal Life, 1 Tim. 6.19: Preſs foward, and be aiming at perfection, take heed of (ſo much as) ſeeming to fall ſhort: heap up ſuch Graces, ſo many, and ſuch degrees and meaſures of them, that an abundant entrance may be made for you into the Kingdome of Chriſt, 2 Pet. 1.11. the great direction there preſcribed is an addition of one degree of Grace to another, or rather of one ſort of graces to another, and the word in Greek that's tranſlated adde ye [verſ. foreign proprie ſignificat chorum ducere, ab foreign, duco. Beza. foreign. Allude to Pſalm 45.14, 15.5.] is an elegant alluſion to Virgins dance, who link themſelves hand in hand, and obſerve a decent order in their recreating exerciſes: and 'tis obſervable that the ſame word is uſed in ver. 11. to expreſs the adding or miniſtring to ſuch a ſoul the entrance into Glorie: to note to us, the nearneſs and propinquity betwixt the higheſt degrees of Grace and the ſtate of Glory, the link and chain of divine Graces, reacheth from the firſt uniting Grace of Faith, to the God-injoying grace of perfect love, theſe Virgin-graces going hand in hand in a believing ſoul, lead it higher and higher, til they bring it into the Princes preſence, and Bride-groomes Chamber: Oh how merrily wil you dance to heaven, with theſe concatenated graces! the Lord ſtil taking by the end of this golden Chain, and drawing your ſouls every day nearer to glory, for the ſame Apoſtle ſaith, We are kept by the power of God, through faith, to ſalvation, 1 Pet. 1.5. So that the ſoul is happie, by the Lords keeping and acting the grace of faith; we ſhal perſevere, by the aſſiſtance of God, as the efficient cauſe, and in the exerciſe and increaſe of all graces, eſpeciallie faith, as the meanes: thus are Chriſtians to treaſure up all perſevering graces, that they may not faint by the way, but hold out, and that their laſt may be more than their firſt, and this brave fabrick of grace may be raiſed up as high as Heaven: onlie I entreat you, be ſure that you lay Chriſt for a foundation, and dig deep in humiliation; you'l never have a perfection of degrees, except you have a perfection of parts in integrity of heart; and you'l never reach glorie, unleſs Chriſt draw you with him, in his aſcention by his merit, and ſpirit, therefore ſee to your intereſt, and then grow in grace, and if you do theſe things, you ſhal never fail.