A Christian Library, Chapter 11
CHAP. XI.
The way of Wisdome and Holinnsse, is the way of Pleasure, Prov. 3.17. As O that all covetous, miserly muckworms did but know, what pleasure is in the peace of conscience, which passeth all understanding, and the joy of the Holy Ghost; what a sollace it is, to be the Sonne of God, an Inhabitant of Heaven; to live by faith, amp;c. Then would they think it more worth, than all the worlds wealth, honour and pleasure, multiplyed as many times as there be stars in the firmament: that any thing, that every thing, were too small a price for it. Then would they change these broken, wormeaten, and poysonfull pleasures of sinne, for the pleasures of Gods House, of Gods Spirit, and those other pleasures at Gods right hand for evermore, Psal. 16.11.
God made the world of …aught, because men should set it at naught: as did the Apostle, (the better to prevail with others) who after he had been wrapt up into the third Heaven, reckoned of all earthly things, riches, honours, pleasures; but as drosse and dung, in comparison of the knowledge of Iesus Christ, and him crucified. And what saith holy David, a man of a most brave and divine Spirit? I have had as great delight, in the way of thy testimonies, as in all riches. They are more to be desired than gold, yea, than fine gold; sweeter also than the honey and the honey-comb, Psal. 19.10. And again, How sweet are thy words unto my mouth? Psal. 119.103. This likewise was Io…s judgment, who affirmeth, That wisdome cannot be valued with the gold of Ophire, the precious Onyx, or the Saphire. That the gold, and the chrystal, cannot equal it; and that the exchange thereof, shall not be for jewels of fine gold. That no mention shall be made of corral, and pearles: for the price of wisdome is above Rubies, that the Topaas of Aethiopia, shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold, Job 28.12. to 20.
Neither was this the case only of Paul, and David, and Iob, and such like Champions in grace, but every Believer findes the same in some measure. They can truly say unto God with the Prophet Ieremy, Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoycing of my heart, Jer. 15.16. They meet with Christ himself in his Word and Ordinances, where is also the water of Regeneration, the wine both of consolation and compunction; the bread of life, the oyl of gladnesse, the honey-comb of grace, the milke of the Gospel, &c.
But how unlike to these, are natural men? Natural fools indeed: who esteem not at all of Heavenly treasures, spiritual enjoyments, or riches of the mind. There is a mighty difference between Davids or Pauls spirit, and the spirit of these Salvage Swine, whose only delight is, to root in the earth: Who are only pleased and taken with the musick of their money; in that they are altogether unacquainted, with soul-comforts, and heavenly enjoyments. As acorns were thought very good, untill wheat was found out: and bread, before Manna came. But had they tryed both estates, as Believers have done, they would find that content (the poor mans riches,) were far sweeter than desire, (the rich mans poverty:) and that the ones wisdome, and spiritual treasure, will bring them to those joyes, that neither eye hath seen, nor ear heard, neither hath ever entred into the heart of man to conceive, 1 Cor. 2.9. while the wisdom and wealth of these stupified worldlings, if they take not heed, will bring them to those endlesse miseries, that cannot be exprest, nor conceived by any heart, were it as deep as the Sea. And yet these forsooth, repute themselves, and are reputed, the wisest of men. But pittifully do they erre in every thing, that are not instructed by the Word and Spirit. The natural man, receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foollishnesse unto him, neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned But he that is spiritual, discerneth all things, 1 Cor. 2.14, 15. which is a text or lesson worthy to be learned, of all that are in their natural estate. O that they would but seriously ponder the words! For then they would see, that simple or shallow honesty, will prove more profitable in the end, than the profound quick-sands of craft and policy: Then their neglect would not be most in that, wherein their care should be the greatest. But the world hath alwaies had a mean and base esteem of Christ himself, and therefore no marvell, if they esteem so little of his grace and Spirit. The Gadarens preferred their Swine before him; the Iews, Barrabas; Iudas, thirty pieces of silver: whereas St Paul wanted words to expresse how he valued him, and therefore breaks off with O the depth! Rom. 11.33. Neither can Christ, or indeed the meanest saving grace that he bestowes upon his, be valued with ten thousand worlds.
But hear another reason why miserable muckworms are so transported with earthly trash, which the godly so little regard. A main cause is this; Men of the world, as they know not what the riches of the mind means, so they have no hope of a better life after this. This is all their Heaven, and here they have all their portion, they are like to have, Psal. 73.12. Deliver my soul from the wicked, (saith David) from men of the world, who have their portion in this life: whose bellyes thou fillest with thy hid treasure; their children have enough, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes, Psal. 17.14. But my teeth shall not water after their dainties. Wo be to you that are rich, (saith our Saviour) for ye have received your consolation, Luke 6.24. All here, none hereafter: and hereupon they covet riches, and honours, and pleasures so excessively, and insatiably. Nor can it be otherwise in reason; for nothing but the assurance of heavenly things, makes us willing to part with earthly things. Neither can he contemn this life, that knows not the other. But this is the priviledge of Piety; The rich man, hath not so much advantage of the poor in injoying, as the religious poor hath of the rich in leaving. Neither is the poor man, so many pounds behind the rich for this world, as he may be talents before him for the world to come. So that there is no learning this art, without being religious: For you will be covetous, untill you be gracious. And during the time of your greedinesse, you shall never be satisfied; because happinesse is tied to goodnesse, by the chain of Providence