The Heavenly Trade, Tract · Application 4 · Part 2 (1 of 2)

The Heavenly Trade · Tract · Application 4 · Part 2 (1 of 2)

p. 126To Profeſſors.

Counſel 2. Secondly, if the Heavenly Trade be the beſt Trade; then you that profeſs this Calling, be you exhorted to follow it; keep up and improve your Trade for Heaven: what's an employment without improvement? the moſt profitable Calling not followed, turns to little advantage: The day we live in gives men ſenſible experience of this truth, that they who intend to live in the World, muſt attend their employments: The idle perſon ſuffers hunger; they muſt be careful and diligent in their buſineſs, that think to make any thing of their earthly intereſts: and ſo 'tis in this Trade of godlineſs; they that will be ſaved, muſt work out their Salvation. A Trade is a man's buſineſs, and courſe of life, which he purſues and carries on from day to day; 'tis the ſubject of his thoughts, counſels, and conſiderations; of his time and ſtrength, and daily work; where he ends one day, he begins the next, and contributes his utmoſt wiſdom, parts and labours to the moſt vigorous proſecution of it: And ſo muſt it be in this Heavenly Trade, (Chriſtians,) it muſt be the impending buſineſs, and principal concern of your whole life; that which commands your thoughts, purpoſes and capacities; p. 127which engroſſes your time, care and ſtrength, and to which every other buſineſs muſt give way, and every occaſion and occurrence muſt be ſubſervient: it muſt be followed, and driven on every day, in every thing, place and company; what-ever is neglected, that muſt go on, and give no place to intermiſſions, no, not for a moment: You muſt not ſay to godlineſs, as Felix did to Paul; Go thy way for this time, when I have a more convenient ſeaſon I will ſend for thee, Acts 24. 25. Stops in the way of God are not eaſily recovered; one days neglect brings all out of order: Proſperity in Religion admits of no Parentheſis in its work, or conſiſts with allowed interruptions; Piety muſt be as the blood that runs through every vein of your life, and affair in the World: In eating, drinking, talking, thinking, buying, ſelling, you muſt be ſtill driving on Wiſdom's Merchandiſe. Chriſtians, follow your work, or lay down your Trade; 'tis vanity, yea, the way to beggery, to profeſs a Calling, and not puſue it.

Queſt. But wherein lies this Heavenly Trade, which I muſt ſo make my buſineſs? what do you drive at by all theſe Arguments for Heavenly Trading?

What I intend by this metaphor, I ſhall open to you under theſe ſeven general Heads, as the main duty of a Chriſtian, and to be carried on in the whole courſe of his life.

1 To have and keep up a heavenly ſpirit.

2 To ſecure your intereſt in heavenly things.

p. 1283 To get in more and more of heavenly Goods.

4 Every day to drive on heavenly work.

5 To be heavenly in your thoughts and meditations daily.

6 To keep up heavenly converſes every day.

7 To improve every thing you have, meet with, and do, to heavenly ends and advantages.

Firſt, If you will drive on this heavenly Trade, you muſt have and maintain a heavenly ſpirit; this is the ſpring of all heavenly actions; as is a man's ſpirit, ſo will his thoughts, words and converſation be; look what way the ſpirit of a man goes, that way the man goes: They that are after the fleſh, do mind the things of the fleſh; and they that are after the ſpirit, the things of the ſpirit; That is, they that are altogether aaCarnis auctum ſequentes.led by their carnal affections, (ſaith Willet) following the ducture of the fleſh, (ſaith Paraeus,) who are govern'd by a carnal ſpirit, they mind and purſue carnal things; and they that are after the ſpirit, who are under the rule and government bbQui ſe ſpiritui regendos dedunt. Parae.of the ſpirit, who are ſpiritually minded, theſe do ſavour and make after ſpiritual things. What the Prophet Ezekiel ſpeaks of the motion of ſecond cauſes according to the direction and influence of the firſt cauſe. Ezek. 1. 20. Whitherſoever the ſpirit was to go, they went; (that is the wheels,) for the ſpirit of the living creatures was in the wheels: The ſame may be ſaid of the actions of men, that they p. 129are according to the motion of that ruling ſpirit that is in them: they that live in the ſpirit, walk in the ſpirit, Gal. 5. 25. Caleb's fulfilling after God, was the fruit of that other ſpirit he received, Numb. 14. 24. 'Tis ſaid of thoſe that builded the houſe of God, Ezra 1. 5. that Godforeign had raiſed up their ſpirits to the work, as birds ſtir up their young to fly. Then roſe up the chief of the Fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the Prieſts and Levites, with all thoſe whoſe ſpirit God had raiſed up, to go up to build the Houſe of the Lord which is in Jeruſalem. They that ſet about the work of Religion, muſt be perſons of raiſed ſpirits, capable of aſcending to things above. The reaſon why no more do ſet upon this Heavenly Trade, is, becauſe they want this heavenly ſpirit, their ſpirit is earthly, and that (as leaven) ſeaſons their whole ſouls, and makes their converſations earthly: 'Tis contrary to nature, for a carnal mind to ſavour ſpiritual things; Such are not ſubject to the Spirit of God, neither indeed can be, Rom. 8. 7. 'Tis as natural for the ſtone to aſcend, and waters to run back, as for an earthly heart to love and purſue heavenly things. A heavenly ſpirit ſutes heavenly things, and does as naturally incline the ſoul to things above, as the fire moves upward, and the water carries all that is in it to the Ocean. A heavenly ſpirit ſavours heavenly things, and ſtirs up heavenly deſires and motions to divine things. A heavenly ſpirit conveys out heavenly influences and ſtrength to the ſoul, and is as good blood and ſpirits that ſtrengthen the body. A heavenly ſpirit is influenced by heavenly p. 130arguments, and prevailed with by heavenly motives taken from the love of God, the excellency of Chriſt, the ſutableneſs and advantage of ſpiritual things to the nature of the ſoul, the pleaſing and glorifying of God; all which ſignifies nothing to an earthly and carnal heart, which only underſtands, ſavours, and is acted by carnal reaſons and conſiderations. 'Tis therefore a principal part of a Chriſtian's buſineſs in this Heavenly Trade, (and that which is leading to all other duties) to take heed to his ſpirit, Mai. 2. 15. to get and keep that pure and heavenly. If the fountain be corrupt, the ſtreams cannot be good: Get your minds beam'd over with heavenly light, to diſcern heavenly things, their nature and worth; this Paul begs for the Saints at Epheſus; Eph. 1. 17, 18. That the God of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the Father of Glory, may give unto you the ſpirit of wiſdom and revelation in the knowledg of him; the eyes of your underſtanding being enlighten'd, that you may know what is the hope of his Calling, and what is the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the Saints. There are great hopes and glorious riches made over to Believers in the Goſpel, the knowledg of which is neceſſary to chear the heart, and engage the ſoul with all its ſtrength to make out after them. One thought of Chriſt (ſaith Mr. Ball) reaching the heart, is more to be valued than all Creature-contentments whatſoever, though they ſhould be enjoyed in their fulneſs for a thouſand years without interruption: 'Twas this kept alive the Apoſtles hearts, under the dyings of the Lord Jeſus in their bodies, and fill'd them p. 131with ſuch courage & joy, that they had an eye to ſee glorious and eternal things. 2 Cor. 4. 10. 13. 16. 18. While we look not at the things which are ſeen, but at the things which are not ſeen; for the things which are ſeen are temporal, but the things which are not ſeen are eternal. And this was their great work by the Goſpel, to make men ſee what is the fellowſhip of the myſtery which from the beginning of the World was hid in God, who created all things by Jeſus Chriſt, Eph. 3. 9. And having got this ſpiritual eye, a Chriſtian's duty is to keep it open, and fixt on things above, to preſerve it from the injury of Sin and Satan, to take heed of the vapours of a carnal heart, and the duſty motes of this lower World, that they fall not in and weaken this ſight: to get eye-ſalve from Chriſt, and pure annointings of the ſpirit on it every day, that they may ſee things inviſible, and thoſe great things of the other World they are engag'd about: The moſt diſcerning eye on this ſide the everlaſting Hills ſees but darkly through a glaſs, and knows but in part, 1 Cor. 13. 9. 12. How carnal are the minds of moſt Chriſtians in this World? the very Diſciples (though their eyes were bleſſed with peculiar ſights,) Mat. 13. 16. yet had carnal apprehenſions of ſpiritual things, even after the Lord Jeſus had ſpent all his pains about them. Acts 1. 6. Lord, wilt thou at this time reſtore again the Kingdom unto Iſrael? knowing ſouls have ſometimes their eyes held that they cannot ſee Jeſus, Luke 24. 16. nor bear diſcoveries of his glorious truth, Joh. 16. 12. that the Lord Jeſus may ſay to all in this life; O fools, and ſlow p. 132of heart to believe, Luke 24. 28. David, after he had been long a learner, yea, after he was wiſer than his teachers, yet cries out for more light. Pſal. 143. 8. Cauſe me to know the way wherein I ſhould walk. Pſal. 119. 18. Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy Law. We may ſail here (ſaith Mr. Hooker) in daily ſearch, and when we know, there is ſomething ſtill beyond our Hooker on 17 of John.knowledg, as men that travel in the main Ocean, they ſee nothing but water, and yet ſee neither ſide nor ſhore, brim nor bottom, and there is more water to be ſeen. All the treaſures of wiſdom and knowledg are hid in Chriſt, and he keeps the keys in his own hand and boſome. Be often looking unto Jeſus for clearer ſights of him, and the things freely given of God, with the way to them. Knock often at the treaſury-door, till he anſwer and open, and ſend you away enriched with the knowledg of him: this is part of your Trade, to know Goods, and the worth of them, and how to buy and ſell to beſt advantage. Alas, to what purpoſe is it to deal in Commodities that men know not? and heavenly things are hidden things, beyond the ſearch of Men and Angels. 1 Pet. 1. 12. Which things the Angels deſire to look into; **foreign, limis oculis vel in tranſitu, & quaſi per tranſennam aſpicere. Bud.They bowed and ſtooped down to pry into thoſe hidden ſecrets, and as it were to peep into the myſteries of the Goſpel; as the word ſignifies; to look a-ſquint with croſs eyes, every way, and with quickeſt obſervance, p. 133as through a Caſement at one that paſſeth by; and this they did with an earneſt and reſtleſs yyforeign.deſire. The Apoſtle alludes to the Cherubims placed over the Mercy-ſeat, with their faces looking towards the Mercy-ſeat, and through it to the Ark (a type of Chriſt and Goſpel-myſteries) Exod. 25. 20. as things worthy, and yet hard to be known, which call for an inward and ſpiritual eye under freſh anointings every day. Chriſtians, this is your daily work, to follow on to know the Lord; to be much with the Sun of Righteouſneſs for healings and beamings on the eve of your mind, that you may be more capable to underſtand the whole counſel of God concerning you. This is a Heavenly Spirit or Mind enlightened with Heavenly Wiſdom to eye and underſtand heavenly ſpiritual things.

Another property of a Heavenly Spirit is this; 'Tis a Spirit that ſavours as well as ſees heavenly things; it taſts a ſweetneſs in divine things; there is nothing in all the world that ſo pleaſes a ſpiritual mind, as ſpiritual things: ſo much is included in that word, Rom. 8. 5. Do zzforeign.mind the things of the fleſh: that is, do ſavour and relliſh them; ſo 'tis rendred, Matth. 16. 23. For thou ſavoureſt not the things that be of God; it includes the affections as well as underſtanding. A heavenly ſpirit takes delight in heavenly things, and is an active principle that carries out the ſoul after God and things eternal: And that's your work too, to get and maintain a delight in God, and divine things; to cheriſh breathings after heavenly things, and preſerve p. 134your ſpiritual ſenſes in exerciſe, that your ſouls may be ever quick in ſeeing, hearing, taſting, ſmelling and feeling, the joyes and pleaſures that are in things above: By this means Religion will be deſirable, Chriſt's yoke eaſie, and his waies pleaſant, and his commands not grievous, This is one of the moſt difficult pieces of Chriſtianity, to maintain the inward principle and ſpring of holy actions pure and lively: 'Tis far eaſier to ſet on any external duty, than to keep the heart in a fit active frame for God, which is apt to languiſh and grow out of order every moment, if not kept and maintained by continued ſupplies from above. Prov. 4. 23. Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the iſſues of Life. Now if you would keep up a heavenly ſpirit:

Firſt, Beware of thoſe things that weaken it: A Heavenly Spirit is a very tender thing, and muſt be charily kept, or will ſoon ſuffer loſs; 'tis like the apple of the eye, that is liable to injury from every duſt or ſtroak that comes nigh it; or like a Venice-glaſs, that is down and broken with every little touch. You cannot be too choice and tender in watching and guarding this Spirit from every thing that is contrary to it.

Take heed of carnal luſts, theſe ſtand between God and the ſoul, and theſe reſiſt the Spirit, Gal. 5. 17. and fight againſt the ſoul. 1 Pet. 2. 11. Dearly Beloved, I beſeech you as ſtrangers and pilgrims, abſtain from fleſhly luſts, that war againſt the ſoul. Water is as conſiſtent with fire, ſickneſs with health, death with life, as unmortified p. 135luſts with a heavenly ſpirit; and you may as ſafely dwell with thieves and bloody murderers, as ſuffer fleſhly luſts to harbour near your hearts: Theſe ſuffered to hover in the ſoul, will devour your ſacrifice; and like water, quench this ſacred fire; and with the Ivy, eat out the nouriſhment of this heaven-born ſpirit. When Alexander asked Diogenes what he would deſire of him; that you (ſaith he) would ſtand aſide a little from between me and the warm Sun: ſo a ſoul that knows what the views of God are, will deſire nothing more than the remove of what ſtands between him and the warming ſight of this heavenly Sun. Carnal luſts are as venemous breath, that ſoon ſeize on, and weaken the vitals of godlineſs: Never expect peace or welfare to the ſpiritual ſeed, till the bond-woman and her Son be caſt out. How ſoon have excellent frames been all loſt, and the candle of the Lord well-nigh put out by theſe filthy damps that aſcend from the deeps of unclean and unmortified affections. This wrought ſuch changes in Iſrael; now they ſang his praiſes, and then preſently forgat his works, Pſal. 106. 12. Thoſe divine raptures could not abide, and what was the cauſe? why 'twas unmortified luſts that had dominion over them. V. 14. They luſted exceedingly in the wilderneſs, and tempted God in the Deſart, and he gave them their requeſts, but ſent leanneſs into their ſouls. This ſoon brought the Jews from being conquerours, to captives, that they did not purſue their victories, and drive out the Canaanites out of the valleys, as well as the mountains, Judg. 1. 19. p. 136ch. 2, 3. This want of mortification in Believers is the cauſe that their corruptions do ſo often give check to their graces, and make their choice heavenly frames ſo ſhort-liv'd and mutable. [O curſed pleaſures! O damnable eaſe bought with the loſs of God! Rutherford.] O Chriſtians! guard your ſpirit from thoſe filthy and fleſhly luſts, as Phyſicians do fortifie the ſpirits againſt malignant vapours, if ever you will maintain a gracious and heavenly ſpirit.

Earthly things alſo admitted too near the heart, prove the bane of a heavenly ſpirit: theſe, like a ſtone at the bird's leg, pluck it down when it attempts to be upon the wing: Worldly affections, when they exceed their bounds, are like waters that overflow the banks; they carry down all heavenly motions before them. Earthly things are the Devils lure to profeſſing Chriſtians, which draw down their lofty meditations, when they are in chaſe of things above; as the Fowler allures down the towring Lark when hovering aloft in the gentle air. The Devil deals with earthly men, as Naturaliſts ſay men do with Bees; when they ſwarm and are flying away, they throw up duſt, and they ſcatter again: So doth Satan when their thoughts are up upon heavenly things; he caſts in the duſty thoughts of this world, and they ſcatter them again. Demas hath forſaken us, having loved this preſent world, 2 Tim. 4. 10. Earthly things draw away the heart from God, his work and intereſt: How often do thoſe interrupt, if not countermand the moſt ſerious thoughts of gracious ſouls? and where they p. 137cannot as a Maſter command, they will as neighbours be often coming in, and hinder the ſoul in its moſt weighty buſineſs, if the door be not lockt againſt their unſeaſonable viſits. Worldly luſts muſt be denied, as well as ungodlineſs, by thoſe that intend to live righteouſly, ſoberly and godly in this preſent world, Tit. cap. 2. v. 11, 12. Earthly things are good ſervants, but bad Maſters; uſeful in their place; as fire in the hearth is profitable, but in the thatch dangerous; and as unruly Servants, and untamed Colts are ſerviceable when reduced to their place, and kept under government. Worldly thoughts are as ſome roots that muſt be often trod down, or they will ſpill up and ſeed in our hearts. Chriſtians, have a ſpecial ſtrong guard againſt the encroachments of your earthly affairs, if ever you will ſecure the thrivings of a heavenly ſpirit,

Take heed alſo of grieving the Spirit of Grace, which maintains and relieves this heavenly ſpirit: As the ſpring is to the ſtreams; ſo is the holy Spirit to this heavenly ſpirit in Believers, that feeds and ſupplies it from his own nature: Now to grieve this Spirit, is to provoke him to withhold his gracious communications to the ſoul. Epheſ. 4. 30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God whereby you are ſealed to the day of redemption: Which implies, that this Spirit of Grace being grieved, ſuſpends its comforting ſealing influences towards the ſouls of Believers. This Scripture is taken from Iſa. 63. 10. But foreignthey rebelled and vexed his holy Spirit, therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he p. 138fought againſt them: They grieved his Spirit, as the word ſignifies; and this broke that amicable accord between the Spirit and them, that he became their enemy, and cut off all ſuccours from them; yea, comes forth againſt them: And that which grieved the Spirit of God was, the the abuſe of its kindneſs. V. 9. In all their afflictions he was afflicted, and the Angel of his preſence ſaved them; in his love and in his pity he redeemed them, and he bare them, and carried them all the daies of old. Nothing does more grieve the Spirit of God, than the abuſe of his kindneſs and tender mercy to his people; when the Lord hath been opening the bowels of his pity to ſouls in ſaving and redeeming-mercy, and hath been ſhedding abroad his love upon them, bearing with, and carrying of them for a long time; and all this is ſlighted and contemned, and the ſoul takes no notice of all this grace, but ſtill perſeveres in its evil courſe; this grieves the Spirit, and cauſeth him to withhold his tender mercy, and quickening influence from the ſoul, and it becomes weak as water, and withers in all the leaves of her ſpring, Ezek. 17. 9. Pſa. 104. 29. As the member languiſhes when it can no longer receive influences from the head; and the branch withers when the root communicates no ſap to it: ſo is it with the ſoul when the ſpirit ceaſes from all its gracious communications, as it does when grieved by thoſe he loves and labours with; not as if the Divine Spirit could be capable of paſſions and perturbations, as creatures are: But then may the holy Spirit be ſaid to be grieved, when gracious ſouls do that p. 139which is enough to grieve one that tenderly affects us, and by all means ſeeks our eternal good. Now two things uſually grieve ſuch a one: Firſt, Injuries from a friend. Secondly, The ſufferings of a friend. Unkindneſs from thoſe we love, does uſually ſit nearer our hearts, than any injuries from ſtrangers or enemies: we uſually expect more regard from ſuch, and therefore are more troubled at diſappointments: And ſuch is the tenderneſs of the Spirit to Believers, that want of love, or injurie from ſuch is more abuſive, and carries in it all that which in its nature is grieving. Again, we uſually grieve at the evils of thoſe we love; and ſuch are the ſins of Believers, they are injurious to themſelves, and enemies to their own ſouls: This the Spirit of God ſees that gracious ſouls, by their carnal affections, and ſenſual paſſions, by their corrupt communications, and fleſhly luſts, do not onelyonly reſiſt him, and fruſtrate his work in them; but theſe alſo injure and endanger their own ſouls; by theſe they loſe many a mercy, and draw upon them many afflictions and fatherly diſpleaſure from God againſt them; and this grieves the Spirit to ſee; and this removes his preſence, and hinders his comforting, quickening operations, by reaſon of which their ſpirits fail, and become cold and weak to every heavenly action, Your work Chriſtians, is to be tender of the Spirit; to take heed you be not unkind to his perſon, that you do not undervalue his gracious communications, or reſiſt his internal operations: Take heed of unthankfulneſs for his kindneſſes, of p. 140ſlighting his counſels, of unſuitable walking to his rules and mercies, if you would not grieve him, and ſo deprive your ſelves of his quickening influences on your ſpirits. That's the firſt: Beware of thoſe things that weaken this heavenly Spirit.

Secondly, If you would maintain a Heavenly Spirit; get all the nouriſhment you can for it: As the body is nouriſhed by food, and the animal ſpirits by contributions of joy and contentment; ſo is this Heavenly Spirit by all the means and helps God hath appointed to this end, 1 Tim. 4. 6. nouriſhed up in the word of foreign.faith, and of good doctrine, whereunto thou haſt attained. The Word and Ordinances are to the inner-man, as nouriſhing food to the outward, which ſtrengthens the ſpiritual part, and maintains its vigour and activity. Timothy had imbibed the Doctrine of the Goſpel together with his milk (ſaith Calvin) and had made continual progreſſes in the ſame to that day, which did ſo greatly ſtrengthen and nouriſh him in his faith and graces. The Word of God is ſuited, ſent and commiſſioned to the ſervice and advantage of your graces; 'tis the way by which the Lord Jeſus maintains and encreaſes ſpiritual life and growth in the new-born ſoul. 1 Pet. 2. 2. As new born babes deſire the ſincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. Attend upon all the Ordinances of God, where they are purely and powerfully adminiſtred: Be much in reading the Scriptures, and ſuch help … the Lord gives you for your inſtruction and quickening. 1 Tim. 4. 13. Give attendance to reading, to exhortation, p. 141to doctrine; meditate upon theſe things; give thy ſelf wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear to all. V. 15. aaforeign, Hiſce te exerceto jugiter conſtanter vehementer. Buc.Be thou in them: as the words are; that is, exerciſe thy ſelf with theſe continually, conſtantly, and with all thy might; let not a day paſs without reading, meditation, and ſecret prayer, that the inner-man may have all the recruits that are needful and bbWhileſt thou doſt not follow the directing light of the Spirit, thou ſhalt never have the quickening, cheriſhing beams of it. Culver.appointed for its ſtrengthening. Your bodies can better want their appointed food, than your ſouls their daily bread: The want of conſtant feeding, and ſound digeſtion of ſpiritual proviſions, is one cauſe of that ſoul-leanneſs, and ſpiritual languiſhing that abounds every where this day.

Thirdly, If you will keep up a Heavenly Spirit; be much in communion with the Father of Spirits. Fellowſhip with God puts a ſtamp of Heaven upon the ſoul, and leaves an impreſs of the Divine Nature on it. 2 Cor. 3. 18. But we all with open face, beholding as in a glaſs the glory of the Lord, are changed into the ſame image from glory to glory by the Spirit of the Lord. Views of God, though but through the glaſs of Ordinances, have an aſſimulating virtue, and do tranſform the mind into his own likeneſs. When Moſes was taken up into a nearneſs to God, he gets ſome abiding beams of his glory upon him, and comes off with divine ſhines on his countenance, Exod. 34. 35. When the Lord Jeſus p. 142was got on to a high Mountain apart, and had more near fellowſhip with Heaven, 'tis ſaid: He was transfigured, and his face did ſhine. Nearneſs to God does wonderfully warm and quicken the heart, as approaches of the Sun do the body. With thee is the fountain of life; in thy light ſhall we ſee light, Pſal. 36. 9. As the being of ſpiritual Life lies in union with-God in Chriſt by faith; ſo is its well being maintained by communion with him in the Spirit, who ſupplies the ſoul with quickenings, as the fountain doth the veſſel that's put under it, with waters: God is in himſelf the Eſſential Life, and to his people the fountain of Life. ccTu Domine es vita per eſſentiam & ſons vitae per communionem, a te omnis vita effluit ac inceſſanter proflait. Jo. Paul. Palant.Thou Lord (ſaith one) art life by thy Eſſence, and the fountain of Life by communion; from thee all Life flows out, and runs down unceſſantly. In fellowſhip the Lord Jeſus lets out Himſelf, Love and Spirit; and this attracts the heart after God, and ſtrengthens the ſoul's motions after him. Every act of fellowſhip with Chriſt here (ſaith Mr. Reyner) is a ſtep Heaven-ward: By it the heart is raiſed after God, ſweetly refreſhed and ſtrengthened with ſpiritual ſtrength. To live in fellowſhip with God (ſaies the ſame Authour) is to live at the higheſt rate under Heaven, next to Heaven; yea as in a corner of Heaven, to live in the higheſt Region of Chriſtianity,—'tis the Life of Paradiſe, an Evangelical, yea Angelical and Coeleſtial Life, in compariſon whereof the moſt men and women are dead. Communion with God does wonderfully p. 143nouriſh the Heavenly Spirit, and fatten the ſpiritual part of Believers: Such (ſaith Reyner) ſuck a honey-comb, eat fat things full of marrow, and drink wine on the lees well refined, ſpiced wine. O Chriſtians; preſs after nearneſs to God in Ordinances and Duties; reſt not in higheſt priviledges without ſpiritual converſe with God in them, and communications of his Love and Life through them.

Fourthly, Cheriſh heavenly motions in your hearts, and be tender of all the breathings of the Spirit upon you. It may be the Lord comes in upon the heart with ſome Spiritual Light or Life, in a Sermon, or in a Duty, or when alone, ſtirring up thy deſires, and warming thy affections, making ſome offers of grace, and help to thy dull and languiſhing ſoul; take heed now how thou ſlighteſt or ſtifleſt theſe: this is one ſtep to the quenching of the Spirit, and impeding its gracious aſſiſtance, and vital operations on thy ſoul: 1 Theſ. 5. verſ. 19. Quench not the Spirit. He that will kindle a fire, gathers up every little coal, and makes the moſt of the leaſt ſpark. The ſhavings of gold are gold, and the ſmalleſt breathings of the Spirit are to be highly prized: He that checks the firſt motions of the Spirit, may never meet with the ſecond; and he that ſlights the leaſt gifts of grace, may forever miſs of its larger doles. O to what a height might grace come in thy ſoul, if every ſtirring of it were improved! God deſpiſes not the day of thy ſmall things; how unreaſonable is it thou ſhould'ſt overlook his! The Lord Jeſus (Chriſtians) doth nouriſh and cheriſh the leaſt p. 144good that is in you, Epheſ. 5. 29. O be tender of whatever communications come from him to you! This will abundantly help on the enlivenings and enlargements of this Heavenly Spirit.

Fifthly, Dwell much in the meditation of Heaven; this will heavenlize your ſpirit: 'Twas this made the Apoſtles perſons of ſuch heavenly ſpirits; they did often look to things above. 1 Cor. 4 18. While we look not at the things which are ſeen, but at the things which are not ſeen. No affliction could diſcourage them from owning and profeſſing Chriſt; nor earthly comforts allure their deſires and delights from Chriſt; and that which ſo ſtrongly guarded their hearts from either of theſe dangers, was a firm perſwaſion of an intereſt in future glory, and a diligent obſerving eye upon this glory: a levelling look at this mark does wonderfully raiſe the heart towards it, and put in a new ſpirit and life into the ſoul, ſtrongly engaging all its attempts towards the enjoyment of it: Frequent contemplations of Heaven do much wean the heart from this Earth. If thou remembreſt thou art not of this world, earthly things ſhall onelyonly be admitted into the Court of the Temple, not into the heart, which is the Holy of Holies, Burg. on 17. Joh. How contemptibly did thoſe Worthies of old look on this world, when once they got ſights of Heaven! Heb. 11. They counted themſelves ſtrangers and pilgrims on the Earth; were not mindful of their own Country; went out from it; would no more return to it; ſought p. 145an heavenly Countrey; were perſwaded of thoſe great and glorious things above, and embraced them; laid hold of them by faith; and made after them: and that which did ſo powerfully work over their ſpirits to theſe things above, was their believing ſights of them. V. 13. Theſe all died in the faith, not having received the promiſes, but having ſeen them afar off; that is, the things promiſed, (viz.) heavenly things, of which Canaan was a type. So aaTria participia refero ad promiſſionis rem ſignificatam Patriam Coeleſtem quam unice deſiderabant.Paraeus refers the participles here to the things ſignified of the promiſe, that heavenly Country which they onelyonly deſired. Things neareſt Heaven (ſaith one) take leaſt care of the Earth: The Fowls of the Air neither plow nor ſow. The glory of the world ſeems little to one that dwells much on the believing views of Heaven. 'Tis ſaid of Fulgentius, That when he beheld the ſplendour and joy of Rome, the glory of the Roman Nobility, the triumphant pomp of King Theodorick, he was ſo far from being taken with it, that it raiſed up his deſires after heavenly joys the more, ſaying, How beautiful may the Coeleſtial Jeruſalem be, when terreſtrial Rome ſo glittereth! If ſuch honour be given to lovers of vanity, what glory ſhall be imparted to the Saints, who are lovers and followers of truth! Serious thoughts of Heaven will inflame the deſires after it: Our Converſation is in Heaven (ſaith Paul) whence alſo we look for the Saviour, who ſhall change our vile bodies into the likeneſs of his glorious body, Phil. 3. 20. We wait, hope for, and expect Heaven, p. 146to be where this bleſſed Countrey is; the breadth and length of which we now look into by faith. If your thoughts be much on Heaven, your longings will be much for Heaven. I have read of one being in his journey towards Jeruſalem, thought he ſaw famous Cities in his way, and met with many friendly entertainments; yet would often ſay, I muſt not ſtay here; this is not Jeruſalem: So will thy heart ſay (if thou converſeſt much in Heaven now) when thou meeteſt with the moſt deſirable comforts of this life; yet this is not Heaven; my affections muſt not ſtay here. Allow time every day to take ſome turns in the upper world, and to get thy heart held in the galleries above; where are the ſweeteſt delicacies, and moſt delighting views to take thy heart, and ſublimate thy affections to theſe pure and eternal things?

Sixthly, If you would keep up a Heavenly Spirit; be much exerciſed in heavenly actions: As is mens employments they are moſtly verſed about, ſo uſually is their ſpirit: Actions ſtrengthen habits: Men that are much taken up about earthly things, are earthly-minded; their ſpirits being tinctured with the things they have much to do with: Such are heavenly actions to gracious ſouls; they draw forth and exerciſe their graces: uſe makes men ready, and adapts their ſpirits to their work. The Apoſtle makes this an evidence of ſtrength in grace, that ſuch are much in the exerciſe of it. Heb. 5. 14. Strong meat belongeth to them who are of full age; even thoſe who by reaſon of uſe have their ſenſes exerciſed to diſcern both good and p. 147evil. The more you are converſant about holy things, the ſtronger will be the bent of your ſpirit to them; the more facile and pleaſant will Religion be, and the indiſpoſition of your ſpirit to it more abated. Prov. 10. 29. The way of the Lord is ſtrength to the upright. The more you walk in it, the leſs weary will you be; the more pleaſure will you find in it, and the more propenſe will your ſpirit be to it. This is the firſt work in Wiſdom's Merchandiſe; to get and keep up a Heavenly Spirit.

Secondly, Another piece of your Heavenly Trade is, to ſecure your intereſt in heavenly things. This is part of mens buſineſs in the world, to ſecure their intereſt in the things they have: they mark their goods, and brand their cattel, and ſet their names on the things they have, that their intereſt in them might be known: And this is the great concern of Wiſdom's Merchants alſo, to make good their claim to, and prove their propriety in the things of Heaven and Glory: Theſe are worth the ſecuring, being things of infinite moment, and eternal duration; other things are not. O what folly is it to ſtrive for ſhadows, and loſe the ſubſtance; to get and ſecure Houſes, Lands, and Reputation for your Children, and to loſe your ſouls! As he that complained when he was to dye; That he muſt burn in Hell for ever, for geting an eſtate for his Son, and neglecting his own ſoul. What will it profit a man to gain the whole world, and loſe his own ſoul? Matth. 16. 24. To make all things elſe ſure, and leave God, Grace and Glory to an uncertainty. As Caeſar Borgia p. 148bewail'd when too late, ſaying when he was near death; I have endeavoured to ſecure me againſt every danger but death; and having never thought of death, muſt now dye. Things eternal will then appear the greateſt when men come to dye; then an intereſt in God, pardon and ſalvation will be valued beyond ten thouſand worlds: And is it not worth the looking after now?

And what can compenſate the loſs of that ſoul, who miſcarries in his All, and hath nothing left but the tormenting ſenſe of what he hath loſt, and the intolerable burden of what he hath found, as the fruit of his often cautioned folly? 'Tis a dreadful thing to be diſappointed of ſalvation-hopes: What if thou ſhould'ſt miſs of glory at laſt, and thy end ſhould be to be cut off, and to have thy portion with Hypocrites in that Lake which burns with fire and brimſtone, where the worm never dieth, and the fire is never quenched? Mark 9. 44. How could'ſt thou bear, if when thou thinkeſt to enter into the joy of the Lord, then in a moment to be thruſt into the place of torment? and when thou dreameſt of carrying up into Abraham's boſome, where is eternal pleaſures; to fall into the hands of God, who is a conſuming fire? this is fearful.

And yet this may be thy caſe. Think how poſſible, nay how eaſy 'tis for men to be deceiv'd in leſſer matters, and that they who have had the higheſt confidences of a future bleſſedneſs, have been miſtaken at laſt, and all their hopes have expir'd as a falling Meteor, and p. 149come to nothing, Job 27. 8. For what is the hope of the hypocrite though he hath gained much, when God taketh away his ſoul? Men may think themſelves to be ſomething, and yet be nothing, Gal. 6. 2. Come with confidence to the Bridegroom's doors, and demand an entrance as the fooliſh Virgins did, and yet rejected. Mat. 25. 11, 12. Afterward came alſo the other Virgins, (that is when the door was ſhut) ſaying, Lord, Lord, open to us; but he anſwered and ſaid; verily I ſay unto you, I know you not. They may ſeem to have ſome reaſon for their claim, and produce evidences of their hope, and yet be turned away as workers of iniquity. Mat. 7. 22, 23. Lord, have we not propheſied in thy name? have caſt out Devils? and in thy name have done many wonderful works? And then will I profeſs to them, I never knew you, depart from me ye workers of iniquity: The heart is deep and deceitful, who can know it? none but he who ſearcheth the deep things of God can reach this bottom, and bring to light the hidden things thereof: The work of grace is a ſecret full of myſteries, that none can open and fully know, but the eternal Spirit that formed it in the womb of a Believer's heart: Seeming grace hath ſo near a reſemblance to ſaving grace, that it puzzles the moſt curious and ſearching eye (if not enlighten'd with a beam from Heaven) to diſcern the difference: beſides, the ſlender meaſures of the Spirit that moſt have attained to in this life, with the ſubtil inſinuations, the falſe repreſentations, and treacherous prevarications of that bloody and p. 150irreconcilable enemy of mankind, all which conſpire to put a cheat upon the profeſſing Chriſtian, and render his Salvation exceeding doubtful. And ſuppoſe thy ſtate ſhould be ſafe, yet how perplexing and full of anxiety is it, to have the leaſt ſuſpition of thy unſoundneſs? To have the life of thy precious ſoul hang in ſuſpence, and to be unreſolv'd in that great caſe, whether thou muſt live or die to all eternity! O! how tormenting and heart-ſinking is this! An awakened Soul that cannot reſt in ſin, nor yet hope in grace, or upon any Scripture-warrant come to a determination about his real intereſt in God, and things eternal, is like a troubled Sea that cannot reſt; Inſtruments of Muſick cannot allay its diſquietude, no Creaturecomforts can charm its heart to a peaceful compoſure: who does in reallity but ſuſpect his eternal welfare, and but think he reads this hand-writing on the wall: Mene, mene, tekel upharſin: Thou art weighed in the balance, and art found wanting, Dan. 5. 25. 27. Nothing in all the World can be a Plaiſter broad enough for ſuch a wound, no Cordial can cheer that heart, till Grace decides the controverſy, and aſſures the Soul of an unqueſtionable title to the Heir of all things, and to the inheritance with the Saints in light: And have you not reaſon then to be reſtleſs till your propriety in theſe glorious treaſures be atteſted; which, though difficult, yet is poſſible and feaſible to all that follow Wiſdom's counſel in order to it? The eternal truth hath opened a way to the deciſion of this queſtion, whether I have eternal life or no, and p. 151laid down certain marks of a Soul entitled to things above. 1 Joh. 5. 13. Theſe things have I written to you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life; Verſ. 12. 19. Chap. 3. 14. The Lord hath charged this to be the duty of all that profeſs their hopes of glory, to make their Calling and Election ſure, 2 Pet. 1. 10. To examine themſelves whether they be in the Faith, 2 Cor. 13. 5. To prove their own work, that they may have rejoycing in themſelves, Gal. 6. 4. which he would never have done were it impoſſible: He hath alſo promiſed the Spirit to help them in this work, and to lead them into all truth, bearing witneſs with their ſpirits that they are the Lords, Joh. 16. 13. Rom. 8. 16. And upon this very account exhorts them to holineſs, that they might not impede this ſealing work of the Spirit, Eph. 4. 30. And upon the arrival to this certainty, hath enſured great conſolation and advantage, 2 Pet. 1. 8. 10, 11. All which words ſignify nothing, and reflect unrighteouſneſs on the ſpirit of truth, were not an evidence of right to theſe heavenly things obtainable.

Queſt. But how may I come to the knowledg of this deſirable truth; that Heavenly Treaſures are ſurely mine, and that I may make a warrantable claim to God, to Chriſt, and theſe things of the other World?

Sol. 1. Firſt, By your conjugal union with the Heir of Heaven: All things in Heaven and p. 152Earth are Chriſt's, he is the Heir of all things. Heb. 1. 2.—Hath in theſe laſt days ſpoken to us by his Son, whom he hath appointed Heir of all things: All things in Heaven and Earth are his by donation, purchaſe and inheritance juridically conferred over to him in the new covenant, and actually put into his hand, upon the finiſhing of his meritorious work and victory over death. Matt. 28. 18. All power foreign.is given to me in Heaven and Earth: Lawful power, right, priviledg and authority, (as the word imports,) and with this is the Lord Jeſus inveſted, and hath all things put into his hands, and all creatures under his feet, Heb. 2. 7, 8. And all right to true riches is derived from him, through union with him. 1 Cor. 3. 21. 23. All things are yours, and you are Chriſt's, and Chriſt is God's: If you are Chriſt's, then all things are yours, not elſe; your title is founded on your marriage-relation to him. Gal. 3. 29. And if you are Chriſt's, then are you Abraham's ſeed, and Heirs according to the promiſe: A title to theſe glorious treaſures is made over in the new covenant, which covenant is confirm'd in Chriſt, and made in him, and through him to all that are his: He is the way, there's no coming to theſe treaſures but by him; he is the door, no entring into them but through him: He is the treaſury it ſelf, in whom all the riches of grace, all the fulneſs of pleaſures and ſatisfaction lies; you muſt have the treaſury before you can have the treaſures; the well it ſelf before the waters are yours: He that hath the Son hath life; hath him by p. 153way of poſſeſſion, as an owner and proprietor: If you have Chriſt, you have all that is his, his perſon and purchaſe go together: Rebekah muſt conſent to go and marry Iſaac before ſhe could be inveſted with that ſubſtance and wealth which was his. This new covenant which intereſts a ſoul in the Lord Jeſus, and his unſearchable riches, is a marriage-covenant. Hoſ. 2. 19, 20. And I will betroth thee unto me for ever, yea I will betroth thee unto me in righteouſneſs, and in judgment, and in loving-kindneſs, and in mercies; I will even betroth thee to me in faithfulneſs, and thou ſhalt know the Lord. Ezek. 16. 8. I entred into covenant with thee, ſaith the Lord, and thou becameſt mine; this was a marriagecovenant. Jer. 3. 14. Turn O back ſliding children, ſaith the Lord, for I am married to you. If you would ſee your title to heavenly treaſures, try your conjugal union to the Lord Jeſus the Heir of Heaven. Every relation to Chriſt is not a conjugal relation. There is a general relation, as dead branches to the tree: Joh. 15. 2. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away. A perſon may be in Chriſt as the luxuriant branch or ſucker is in the tree, that ſucks the ſap of priviledges, and gets ſome nouriſhment of frames, and comforts, but brings not forth fruit, it ſprouts out of the ſtock, as proudfleſh grows on the wound, but hath no right union with the root, or nouriſhment from the head: Such are obtruders and hang-bies, which take the place of children, but are ſtrangers, who climb up as the thief to ſteal, but comes not in by the door to dwell with God: they p. 154are retainers to Chriſt's Houſe, that now and then do ſome ſervice for him, and have ſome ſcraps and favours, but are no abiding members of his houſe; like the Apricot, that leans on the wall, but is rooted in the earth.

There is a temporary Relation alſo; as of a Servant to a Maſter, where there is a propriety for a time: The ſervant comes into the houſe, enjoys priviledges and protection, and doth ſome ſervice, is very uſeful for the family, and it may be beloved too: (as a ſervant.) And ſuch is the relation of ſome to Chriſt; but this differs vaſtly from that union which entitles to the perſon and purchaſe of the Lord Jeſus; he is mercenary in all he doth, and hath by-ends in his entrance and continuance; he does not any thing from pure love to Chriſt, but for ſelf-reſpects and advantage: his welfare is not wrapt up in the welfare of the family, to ſtand or fall with it; to embark his All in the proſperity of that houſe: he lives in the family, and upon his Lord, but to himſelf, and is as the Planets which are carried about with the primum mobile; but yet have a diſtinct motion and courſe of their own: he is in the family, but not of the family; and as his relation is but titular, ſo his ſtation is but temporary; he abides not in the houſe for ever, Joh. 8. 35. And when he goes away he carries off nothing but his own; not a jot of the inheritance is his; he hath fared well, and had a great deal of credit and comfort for a time; but goes as he came, and is the ſame perſon as he was.

p. 155There is alſo a Concubine-Relation to Chriſt, which gives the ſoul ſome uſe of his kindneſs, but no right to his perſon. bbConcubina a: concubo. Beza de repud. & divort. p. 249.A Concubine is one that is contented with ones bed, but hath no conjugal love to his perſon; neither doth ſhe paſs into the husband's family, or are her children counted legitimate: She is one that either by conſtraint or conſent, comes over into an external communion with another for his uſe and bed; but is never married to his perſon, or hath choſen him for her husband, to become one fleſh with him, to take up her delight in him, and to do all from a principle of love to him: And as ſhe hath not the properties; ſo ſhe hath not the priviledges of a wife, for intimacy and entertainment, in reſpect of power and maintenance. Such is the relation that many have to Chriſt; they conſent to have ſome enjoyment of Chriſt, but have no marriage-union with him; he is not theirs by choice, but either for neceſſity or advantage, to enjoy their own pleaſures by him, and receive ſome profit from him: they never ſaw an excellency in him, or were ever unhearted by him, as he is by his Spouſe. Cant. 4. 9. Thou haſt raviſhed my heart, my Siſter, my Spouſe; thou haſt raviſhed ccforeign, Incordiaſtime.my heart with one of thine eyes; with one chain of thy neck: Thou haſt unhearted me, or ſnatcht away my heart: Theſe never conſented to all his propoſals in order to union with him; they never heartily gave up themſelves to him, nor entred into covenant with him, and became his. And as they are p. 156ſtrangers to an eſpouſal-ſtate; ſo are they to a Spouſe-like diſpoſition; they have not the temper and carriage of a wife, nor the priviledges that ſuch uſe to have; they are not acquainted with his ſecrets, nor the openings of his heart, and thoſe amorous embracements peculiar to ſuch a relation; they are not inveſted with any Authority or Rule; they have no power over their corruptions, nor command of their ſpirits and affections, that ſhould be in ſubjection to them: Grace bears no ſway in them; ſin and ſelf does all in their ſouls; neither were they ever enrolled in his family, or owned by the Lord Jeſus as his Hephzibah's, nor have the allowance and ſpecial proviſions of the King's Bride, and Lamb's Wife; and as to their conceptions, and thoſe births they ſeem to have by Jeſus Chriſt, they are ſpurious and illegitimate, and never owned by the Lord Jeſus as the genuine products of his own Spirit. This is the caſe of thoſe that have not marriage-union with Chriſt; they have no right to him or his Treaſures. Try then your Eſpouſal-relation to Chriſt.

Queſt. How may I know whether I am married to Chriſt or no?

Anſw. 1. Firſt, If you are married to Chriſt, you are ſuch as have ſpecial acquaintance with Chriſt; you know him as none elſe do. The wife hath the moſt peculiar and diſtinct knowledge of her husband of any: Others may know ſomething, yea much of him; but none p. 157knows him ſo much as the wife; ſhe hath acquaintance with all his excellencies, and all his infirmities; ſhe has the largeſt taſts of his love, and experience of his ſweetneſs, and intimate converſes with him of any in the world. So 'tis with the Spouſe of Chriſt; ſhe dwells in his preſence, and lodges in his arms; ſhe ſees him within the veil uncloath'd of thoſe coverings that ſtand between him and the eyes of ſtrangers, and conceals his amiableneſs from common beholders: He puts aſide his glorious Robe, and ſhews her his naked breaſt, and layes her hand upon his tender heart: ſhe is much alone with him in his chambers, where he expreſſes intimacy with her, as Iſaac did with Rebekah, and diſcloſes the ſecrets of his heart, and the greateſt unveilings of his love: He tells her what thoughts he had upon her from all eternity; when he was in his Father's Kingdom, his heart was working after her, and he thought the time long till he came down to ſee her; and no ſooner did he caſt his eye upon her (though then ſhe lay polluted in her blood, and caſt out into the field, to the loathing of her perſon) but his heart did burn within him towards her; and it was the time of love: He tells her all the time of his hard labour in the world for her, ſeem'd but a few daies; and the unſupportable burden of her ſins, and the Father's wrath upon him for her ſake, ſeem'd but as nothing for the love he bore unto her. In theſe converſes he aſſures her of his Love, Perſon and Kingdom; and however he may ſeem in his carriages, yet his heart is fixt upon, and faithful to her, and ſwears he p. 158will never, never leave her, but after a little abſence come and receive her to himſelf, and ſhe ſhall be for ever with him. Thus he manifeſts himſelf to her, as he doth not to the world; by reaſon of which ſhe becomes ſo well acquainted with him, and knows his voice, and by faith ſees his ſheep; ſhe can tell by experience who, and what her Beloved is, and how far better than other Beloveds. There's never a ſoul that's married to Chriſt, but hath his time, when he makes out ſome ſpecial diſcoveries of his love and ſelf to it; and it can tell ſome ſtories of what Chriſt did once ſay and do unto her: what ſlights ſhe hath had of him, and gifts from him: ſuch a ſoul can tell, how when he was dead, Chriſt quickened him; when he was loſt, Chriſt found him; when he was in priſon, Chriſt ſet him free; he waſhed him when in his blood, and poured in Oyl into his wounds; healed his backſlidings, and loved him freely: He can ſay with Rebekah to her Brother Laban; Thus the man ſpake to me, and ſhewed the ear-rings and the bracelets, Gen. 24. 30. And with Judah brings forth the ſignet, bracelets and ſtaff, Gen. 38. 25. and tells with the blind man how Chriſt opened his eyes, and what he ſaid to him, Joh. cap. 9. ver. 15, 35, 37. And though by his ſin and unbelief he may loſe the ſight of him for a time, and be under a ſuſpenſe of his diſcover'd kindneſs; yet if the Believer would be true to his experience, he can diſcover ſuch an acquaintance with Chriſt as no Hypocrite ever had.

Anſw. 2. Secondly, Another thing that will prove your marriage to Chriſt, is your conjugal-love p. 159to him. Jer. 2. 2. I remember thee, the kindneſs of thy youth, the love of thy eſpouſals, when thou wenteſt after me in the wilderneſs in a Land not ſown. The Lord convinceth Iſrael of the great decay and change of their Love to what it once was; there was a time when their affections were high towards God, when he call'd them out of Aegypt, took them from the Ironfurnace, and married them to himſelf; then nothing was too hard for them; they could follow God in a wilderneſs, where there was nothing but God alone to ſatisfie them; creatures were wanting to allure them, and yet they could ſtick at nothing; no difficulties ſhould part God and them: Whence came this warmth of their affection? why it was their neerneſs to God that created them: The Lord had taken them into a marriage covenant, and carried them in his boſome; and this inflamed their hearts after him. When the Lord brings a ſoul into an eſpouſal-ſtate, he gives them eſpouſal-love; and that is the greateſt love: O ſweet! ſaith Rutherford, were that ſickneſs to be ſoul-ſick for him; and a living death it were to die in the fire of the love of that Soul-lover Jeſus. The Apoſtle makes this an eſſential duty of a married ſtate, to have conjugal affections: The Huſband to love his Wife as his own fleſh, and the Wife to love her own Husband as her ſelf, Eph. 5. 28. Tit. 2. 4. And the Prophet reckons this love to God as the certain fruit of their Covenant-relation to him. Iſa. 56. 6. That joyn themſelves to the Lord, to ſerve him, and to love the Name of the Lord. As ſoon as Paul had eſpouſed p. 160the Lord Jeſus, it appeared in his ſupreme love to him; he valued none like Chriſt: He counted all things droſs and dung for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt his Lord, Phil. 3. 8. To be found in him, not having his own righteouſneſs, v. 9. To know him, and the power of his reſurrection, and the fellowſhip of his ſufferings, being made conformable to his death, v. 10. Conjugal love is a perſonal love; pure love to Chriſt is ſet on Chriſt himſelf for himſelf, not for his gifts that come from him; but for thoſe excellencies that reſide in him; 'tis love to his perſon, not to his patrimony onelyonly; 'tis love ſpringing from his love. 1 Joh. 4. 19. We love him becauſe he firſt loved us. True affections to the Lord Jeſus are the births of his own love to us, a coal kindled from his fire.

Conjugal love is alſo peculiar as well as perſonal love; ſo far as 'tis conjugal, 'tis to him, and none but him; or if to others, 'tis for his ſake: Eſpouſal love to Chriſt affects none like him: If there be any perſon or thing thou loveſt more than Chriſt, or equal with him, thy affections to him are whoriſh, not conjugal: He that loveth Father or Mother more than me, is not worthy of me: He that loveth Son or Daughter more than me, is not worthy of me, Mat. 10. 37. Yea, he that doth not hate Father or Mother, or any thing, ſo far as it is inconſiſtent with love to Chriſt, cannot be his Diſciple, Luke 14. 26. True love to Chriſt will let none in all the world ſhare in that love which Chriſt hath; 'twill take none into his bed but himſelf; 'tis chaſte love.

p. 161Again, Conjugal-love is not onelyonly to Chriſt, but 'tis ſuch a love as longs to be found in Chriſt, not in himſelf; it would have all his glory and excellency in Chriſt; it reckons Chriſt for all that's truly honourable as to him; it would get as near to Chriſt as poſſible; yea it never reſts till in him: To be found in him. 'Tis alſo ſuch a love as conforms to Chriſt: Love is of an aſſimilating ſpirit; it would be like to its peculiar object. The affectionate wife conforms as much as may be to her Husband: ſo 'tis with the Spouſe of Chriſt, ſhe would in every thing that is imitable reſemble him, and 'tis her great trouble ſhe is not more like him: what would ſuch a ſoul give if his heart was like Chriſt's heart; if he had ſuch a ſpirit and life as the Lord Jeſus had on Earth? it would be holy as Chriſt is holy, and cannot ſet up a ſtand ſhort of that: 'Tis true, the ſoul hath not ſuch a ſpirit as Chriſt had; 'tis too proud, vain, carnal paſſionate, earthly, ſelfiſh, and that troubles him; but it can never be quiet, till he comes nearer to the pattern in Heaven, and to a full reſemblance of his well-beloved Jeſus.

Anſw. 3. Thirdly, A ſoul eſpouſed to Chriſt will leave all for Chriſt; that's the condition of marriage between Chriſt and his Bride. Pſal. 45. v. 10, 11. Hearken O Daughter and conſider, and incline thine ear; forget alſo thine own people, and thy Father's houſe, ſo ſhall the King greatly deſire thy beauty: for he is thy Lord, and worſhip thou him: As if he ſhould ſay, weigh and conſider the terms on which this match is to be concluded between Chriſt and you. If you will p. 162be his, you muſt leave all for him; you muſt forſake all your other lovers, friends, intereſts, comforts for Chriſt, ſo far as theſe hinder your love to Chriſt, your communion with, and ſerviceableneſs unto him. When the woman comes to be married, ſhe leaves her friends, Father's houſe, Countrey, and all to come and live with him that ſhall be her Husband. Rebekah left her Father, Brother, Friends and Country to go to Iſaac, Gen. 24. 58. And they called Rebekah, and ſaid unto her, wilt thou go with this man? and ſhe ſaid I will go. That ſoul that cannot conſent really and conſiderately to part with all for Chriſt, never yet came up to marriage-terms: The treaty between Chriſt and that ſoul never went far enough for a concluſion; and if it go no farther; if thy ſoul cannot ſeal to this, to part with all thy intereſts, thy deareſt comforts; yea thy ſelf for Chriſt, the match muſt after all be broken, and Chriſt and thee part at laſt, yea part for ever. O ſoul! try thy heart in this; here lies the knot, the vertical point; this is the moſt difficult of all Chriſt's propoſals, and that the ſoul is longeſt conſenting to, even the letting go all for Chriſt: His perſon may pleaſe well enough; his eſtate is deſirable for a reverſion; but now to take leave of, and to go with Chriſt, this is the hard ſaying: Perſons would have Chriſt and the world too, Chriſt and friends too, Chriſt and reputation, peace, liberty, pleaſure, and ſelf too; and if this will not be granted, break the bargain: but if ever Chriſt and you have cloſed, and you are his, and he yours, you cannot count any thing p. 163too dear to part with for him, or to let go at his bidding: If Chriſt calls for Eſtate, Husband; Wife, Children, an Iſaac, a Benjamin, a right Eye, a right Hand, all muſt go; and you muſt part with them freely and chearfully, as Abraham did with Iſaac. Gen. 22. 3. Abraham roſe up early in the morning, and ſadled his Aſſes, and took two of his young men with him, and Iſaac his Son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and went unto the place of which God had told him: Not as Jacob did part with Benjamin; by conſtraint, and grudgingly, Gen. 43. 11. If it muſt be ſo now, do this, &c. He was almoſt ſtarv'd before he would conſent to part with Benjamin; and when he did, het lets him go laſt of all: he parts with the beſt fruits of the Land, Balm, Honey, Spices, Myrrh, Nuts, Almonds, double money, any thing firſt; at laſt Benjamin was ſcrewed out too: Many muſt have their comforts wrench'd out of their hands before they will let them go; but this is not love to Chriſt. A ſoul married to Chriſt will ſay with Mephiboſheth concerning his Land; Let Zibah take all; for as much as my Lord the King is come again in peace to his own houſe, 2 Sam. 19. 30. So, let God take all my eſtate, ſtrength, liberty, comforts, ſeeing the Lord Jeſus is come home to my ſoul in peace: Houſes, Lands, Friends, Credit, Peace, Life, may be dear, but Chriſt will be dearer if he and you are one fleſh. All Bavaria (ſaid George Carpenter) is not ſo dear to me as my Wife and Children; yet for Chriſt's ſake I will forſake them chearfully. Do you think me ſuch a fool (ſaid Ogvier to one that tempted him with p. 164life and preferment) that I ſhould change eternal things for temporal. Loſs of goods is great; (ſaith Hooper) but loſs of God's grace and favour is greater? Love is never throughly ſeen till it comes to parting: O the tuggings, holdings, ſhifts and reaſonings that men will have before they will part with that they dearly love: Now it will appear (ſaith Philpot) what we love beſt, for to that we love we will ſtick: If Chriſt have moſt of your hearts, you will let fall every thing out of your hands to hold faſt Chriſt: I have (ſaid Mr. Bale) exil'd my ſelf for ever from mine own native Countrey, Kindred, Friends, Acquaintance, which are the great delights of this life, and am well contented for the ſake of Chriſt..

Anſw. 4. Fourthly, A Soul married to Chriſt, ſtays, and lives on Chriſt. The Wife caſts her ſelf upon her Husband's love and care for her ſupplies, and lives on his allowance for all her proviſions: 'tis ſuſpitious for a married Woman to be maintain'd by ſtrangers, and to live on other men for what ſhe needs; 'tis the Huſband's duty to provide for his own, and to nouriſh and cheriſh his Wife as the Lord the Church, Eph. 5. 29. and 'tis the Wives duty to go to and rely on his faithfulneſs for it: So 'tis with the Soul that hath eſpouſed Chriſt; it is to live on Chriſt for all it needs: they that take Chriſt aright, take him for their All, not for better or worſe for richer or poorer, as Women take their earthly Husbands, (for Chriſt is always beſt of all, always exceeding rich, and full of unſearchable treaſures,) but to take him for p. 165their only and ſufficient portion at all times, and in all eſtates. Lam. 3. 24. The Lord is my portion, ſaith my Soul, therefore will I truſt in him. Lord, (ſaid Paulinus, when his City, Gold and Silver was taken away) let not the loſs of theſe things trouble me; for thou art all, and more than all theſe to me; [Shaw's Tombſtone, p. 33.] Chriſt is the Believer's All in the way, and God his All in All at the end. It hath pleaſed the Father that in him ſhould all fulneſs dwell, and under him all things ſhould be put, 2 Col. 1. 19. Heb. 2. 8. And this is for the ſupply, comfort and bleſſedneſs of thoſe that are his. Eph. 1. 23. Which is the body, the fulneſs of him who filleth all in all. Whatever Chriſt hath (as Mediator) is the Churches for her uſe and profit: If men have plenty of liquors, they fill their veſſels with them; if they have much riches, they place them in their treaſury, ſo doth Chriſt diſpoſe of his fulneſs for his Churches good; hence 'tis the Spouſe of Chriſt comes leaning on her Beloved from the Wilderneſs, Cant. 8. 5. and dares adventure her All on the love and ſufficiency of her loving and lovely Lord; ſhe is full of failings, but ſhe lives on him for righteouſneſs; many are her weakneſſes, but ſhe goes to Chriſt for ſtrength. Iſa. 45. 24. Surely ſhall one ſay, in the Lord have I righteouſneſs and ſtrength: She is ſenſible of many wants, but caſts her ſelf on the promiſe; My God ſhall ſupply all your wants, Phil. 4. 19. Her backſlidings, temptations, dangers, troubles and fears are many, but ſhe ſtays on the Lord Jeſus, whom ſhe hath choſen for her only friend in p. 166Heaven and Earth, and there ſhe lays her ſelf down in his boſome, when wearied with difficulties and doubts, and embarques her ſelf in his faithfulneſs for all ſhe ſtands in need of, for life and godlineſs, for grace and glory.

Anſw. 5. Fifthly, Fruitfulneſs to Chriſt proves Marriage to Chriſt: Hence the Spouſe is ſet forth by metaphors that expreſs fruitfulneſs; a Garden, not a wilderneſs; a well watered Garden, which is uſually moſt fruitful, where the Spices flow out, where the Graces of the Spirit are more operative and abundant, and Souls become more fruitful in manifeſted holineſs; An Orchard planted with choice and pleaſant fruits, Camphire, Spikenard, Saffron, Calamus, Cinamon, with all trees of Frankincenſe, Myrh and Aloes, with all the chiefeſt Spices, which ſignify the preciouſneſs, variety and abundance of grace and holineſs in thoſe who are ſavingly united to the Lord Jeſus: A flock of Sheep, whereof every one beareth twins, and not one is barren, Cant. 4. 12, 13, 14, 16. Ch. 4. 2. 'Tis compared to the Palm-tree, the Cedar, the Vine, the Fig-tree, a green Olive, plants famous for flouriſhing, growth, cluſters of fruit, conſtant fruitfulneſs; 'tis ſaid of the Fig-tree, it bears fruit all the year long, and in many places they ſhall always find green figs on it: Such is the Spouſe of Chriſt, compared with the world and hypocrites fruitful and flouriſhing: A good tree bringeth forth good fruit, Mat. 7. 17. The root of the righteous yieldeth fruit, Prov. 12. 12. Whereever the grace of God is received in truth, there it brings forth fruit, Col. 1. 6. As ſin brings p. 167forth fruit unto death, ſo doth grace unto life, Rom. 6. 22. No ſooner doth the Lord Jeſus eſpouſe a Soul, but he heals it of its barrenneſs: He maketh the barren Woman to keep houſe, Pſal. 113. 9. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away, Joh. 15. 2. A barren Chriſtian is a monſter in Religion, no living member of Chriſt's body; indeed there are Winterſeaſons when fruit may not appear, but even then 'tis in the ſeed and ſap; and there is a preparative for fruit, which appears in the ſeaſon, but to be always without the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long-ſuffering, gentleneſs, goodneſs, faith, meekneſs, temperance, Gal. 5. 22, 23. is a ſign of one that never had marriage-union, and intimate communion with Jeſus Chriſt, but is the certain mark of a fruitleſs Fig-tree, in danger of cutting down, and the character of that ground which is curſed, and nigh to burning, Luke 13. 7. 9. Heb. 6. 8. Souls, try your ſtate, 'tis for your lives, your All depends upon your marriage-union with Chriſt: Had you never any ſpecial acquaintance with Chriſt? Have you no conjugal love to Chriſt? Cannot you conſent to leave all for Chriſt? Do you uſually live and ſtay on other things for life and ſalvation, and not on Chriſt? Have you been ever barren ſouls, that never brought forth the fruits of the Spirit unto God? then were you never married to Chriſt, nor have any true title to heavenly treaſures.

Mark 2. Secondly, your intereſt in heavenly things is known by the naturalneſs and ſupremacy of your love to them; Where the treaſure p. 168is, there will the heart be, Mat. 6. 21. If heavenly things be yours, your heart is there; worldly men have the World ſet in their hearts, Eccl. 3. 11. Their heart is but the World copied out: ſo heavenly ſouls have Heaven ſet in their hearts, which are but the counterpane of Heaven; every thing hath a natural love to his own, the World will love his own. Joh. 15. 19. No man ever hated his own fleſh: Eph. 5. 29. What affections have brute beaſts for their young, and will venture their lives to defend and maintain them. 'Tis ſtoried of the Storks, when the Town of Delph in the low Countreys was on fire, and the Storks perceived the fire to come near their neſts, they endeavoured to carry away their young, but when they could not remove them, they flutter'd over them with their wings, covering them from the flames till they all periſhed together, [Belg. Com. wealth.] So ſtrong is natural affection to its intereſt, and the natural iſſues of it ſelf; much ſtronger ſhould gracious affections be to their intereſts: O how I love thy Law! (ſaith David) 'tis my meditation all the day long, Pſal. 119. 97. Whence came this affection? it was from his intereſt in thoſe great and lovely truths. Pſal. 119. 111. Thy teſtimonies have I choſen as an heritage for ever, for they are the rejoycing of my heart. Souls riſen with Chriſt, and born to the inheritance above, will ſet their affections on things above, Col. 3. 1, 2. Where is thy heart, Chriſtian, in Heaven or Earth? what things are deareſt to thee, and ſweeteſt to thy taſte? canſt thou prize the light of God's countenance better p. 169than life? had'ſt thou rather be a door-keeper in God's Houſe than dwell in the Pavilions of this World? Is a little of Heaven better than a great deal of Earth? and can thy heart conſent to be at any loſs in the World to enjoy God in his Ordinances, and to be enriched with ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly places? Then heavenly things are thine.

Mark 3. Thirdly, if heavenly things be yours, it will appear by your heart-cares for them, and vigorous purſuits of them; how careful are men of their intereſts, to ſecure and enlarge them? Phil. 2. 21. All men ſeek their own: If the things of Heaven be yours, your greateſt care will be to get and keep them; when Kiſh thought his Son Saul was loſt, he left caring for the Aſſes, ſorrowing for him, ſaying, What ſhall I do for my Son, 1 Sam. 10. 2? Chriſtians, if heavenly things be yours, they will lie nearer your hearts than all the World beſides; the ſenſe or fear of loſing them will more trouble you than all loſſes beſides; the world, relations, creature-comforts will be forgotten; when you apprehend a death on your heavenly intereſts, you will do more, and part with more to get Heaven, than the World and deareſt comforts of it. Many will pretend deſires for Heaven, as the young man in the Goſpel; but Chriſt will ſay to them as to his Hearers, Mat. 5. 47. What do you more than others? Souls, you would have Chriſt here, and Heaven hereafter; but what do you for it? what do you more than hypocrites and common profeſſors, whoſe portion is in this life? can you leave p. 170the world for God? can you deny your ſelf for the pleaſing of Chriſt? and part with your right eye, and right hand; throw away your Idols of gold and ſilver, the world, and fleſhly luſts, and honour God with your time, ſtrength and ſubſtance? Can you let your Plough ſtand ſtill to follow God's; and ſtick at no pains and hardſhips to enjoy the leaſt ſpiritual good? Then are heavenly things yours.

Mark 4. Fourthly, Then are you intereſted in Heavenly Treaſures, when your hearts and ſpirits are ſuited to them; when the Lord hath let in a heavenly tincture on your hearts; and inlaid your ſpirits with heavenlineſs, and a mind that anſwers to heavenly things, as face anſwers face in the water: When God intends men for Heaven, he doth in time fit them for it; and where he gives a title to mercy, he gives a capacity alſo; where he makes over the riches of glory; he makes that ſoul a veſſel fit for glory. Men do not purchaſe Pearls for Swine, and build Schools for brute beaſts. God did not make the Heavens for fiſhes, and the Sea for beaſts, but ſuited every creature to its element: They that are his Adoption, are his new Creation alſo, Epheſ. 2. 10. and when they are deſigned to a bleſſed end, they are principled for it, and have a diſpoſition put into them to move towards it: They that are ſet apart for Heaven hereafter, do bear the image of their heavenly Father here, 1 Cor. 15. 49. There is a ſtamp of glory upon the Heirs of glory, though it may be ſo covered with dirt, and worn out with the ruſt of corruption, as not to be eaſily p. 171ſeen at all times. Whoſe is this image and ſuperſcription? Matt. 22. 20. Caeſar's coin hath Caeſar's ſtamp; and the Children of Heaven have their Father's mark upon their foreheads, Rev. 14. 1. If Chriſt's Treaſures be yours, you are his Treaſury; though earthen veſſels, yet treaſures, veſſels and bags that wax not old. Do you hope for ſpiritual bleſſings? what manner of ſpirits are you of? Do you ſavour heavenly things? What things do beſt ſuit and pleaſe your ſpirits, the things of Heaven, or the things of the world; grace, or goods; righteouſneſs, or riches; ſpiritual things, or carnal? What goes down eaſieſt, or when down, ſits eaſieſt on your ſtomacks? The Heirs of Heaven are Non-conformiſts to this world, but transformed into the Spirit of Heaven, and the renewing of their minds to their new eſtate, bleſſedneſs and glory, Rom. 12. 1. That's a ſecond thing wherein this Heavenly Trade lies, in ſecuring and clearing up your intereſt in heavenly things.

Thirdly, Another thing wherein this Heavenly Trade lies is this; in getting in of heavenly goods: This is a great part of Traders buſineſs, to be furniſhing themſelves with wares fit for their employmeat and advantage; the Artificer in making; the Merchant in buying in goods that are vendible and will turn to profit. So muſt Wiſdom's Merchants get themſelves ſtor'd with Wiſdom's wares, that they may be able to drive on her Trade: OnelyOnly in this lies the difference; earthly goods are either the products of mens labours, and effects of their induſtry; or elſe the purchaſe of their money p. 172and treaſures: But heavenly goods come not in this way, as the proportionable reward of their labours, or return of their money: Indeed heavenly bread muſt be laboured for; but when all is done, the Son of man gives it to them, Joh. 6. 27. Salvation muſt be wrought out, as if it lay at their fingers end; and yet this very will and power to work wrought in them. Phil. 2. 12, 13. Work out your ſalvation with fear and trembling; for it is God that worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleaſure. No ſufficiency is found in the creature, before ſaving grace helps, to embrace its overtures, no more than a dead body to receive life. Epheſ. 2. 1. You have not choſen me, but I have choſen you, and ordained you, that you ſhould go and bring forth fruit, Joh. 15. 16. The ſoul's choice of Chriſt is the effect of Chriſt's firſt chuſing him; and its love to God the product of God's firſt loving him, 1 Jo. 4. 19. and the ſoul's fruitfulneſs is the effect of Chriſt's purpoſing and appointing it thereunto. No man can come to me except the Father which hath ſent me draw him, Joh. 6. 44. Not onelyonly morally by perſwading the will with potent arguments; but phyſically, by working to will, by a powerful inclining and diſpoſing the will to come to, and chuſe Chriſt, through the irreſiſtible operation of the Spirit: So then, 'tis not of him that wileth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that ſheweth mercy, Rom. 9. 16. Salvation-grace both of righteouſneſs and holineſs, is freely given to the thirſty ſoul through and with Chriſt, Rev. 20. 6. and the inclination and power to receive as freely beſtowed alſo. Phil. 1. 29. To you it is p. 173given in the behalf of Chriſt, not onelyonly to believe on him, but alſo to ſuffer for his ſake. Faith it ſelf is the gift of God, both the power and will to believe, not given to every man alike: For all men have not faith, 2 Theſ. 3. 2. becauſe the Father was not pleaſed effectually to beſtow it. Deut. 29. 4. The Lord hath not given you a heart to perceive, and eyes to ſee, and ears to hear to this day: Who hath made thee to differ? or what haſt thou which thou didſt not receive? 1 Cor. 3. 7. If the differencing of one man from another, as to his improvement of grace, lay in his own inclinations and natural freedom of his own will, then there was ſomething in the creature that made this difference, contrary to this Scripture; and a foundation laid in a man to glory, which wholly overthrows the deſign of Redemptiongrace, which is to take off all boaſting, 1 Cor. 1. 29. Rom. 3. 27. and to lay all the praiſe and glory of man's ſalvation on ſpecial grace, Eph. 1. 5, 6. neither is the firſt grace onelyonly freely given; but more grace alſo, alſufficiency after (conferred for every good word and work; yea, for every thought that is good) comes from the ſame grace that firſt called you, which muſt alſo perfect every good work to the day of Salvation, 2 Cor. 3. 5. our ſufficiency (who have grace) to think or do the leaſt ſpiritual good, is deriv'd from the ſame fountain-fulneſs that is in Chriſt, Jam. 1. 16. Eternal life, with whatever leads thereto, is the gift of God, Rom. 6. v. 23. As Chriſt, ſo all things with him are freely given, Rom. 8. 32. not onelyonly the ſeed of grace, but the growth of grace; not onelyonly the p. 174habit, but the act of grace; all comes from Chriſt in the way of Redemption-grace. Get your hearts well eſtabliſhed with this grace, that nothing in you, or done by you, can merit or procure any thing of the Father, but upon the account of Chriſt, and his grace, and promiſe in him to all that by the Son do come unto him. Goods you need for a daily Trade, but no money and price will paſs for them, Iſa. 55. 1. they are freely given, and yet you may boldly come for them: Go you muſt with empty ſacks, your friend in Heaven will fill them, and return your money in your ſacks mouth. Chriſtians, a conſiderable part of your work (and that which laies the foundation to all your Trade) lies in getting your ſouls furniſh'd with heavenly wares: You will drive but a poor Trade for Heaven, if you do not often receive goods from Heaven. Alas! what can you do in Chriſtianity without continual ſupplies from Chriſt? Laodicea could not do any good in Religion, for want of goods from Chriſt: She had none of his tryed gold, and therefore grew ſoon poor and miſerable: If goods fail, trade falls, and livelihood with it: What advantages doth the Tradesman miſs, and what loſſes doth he ſuſtain, by wanting goods to furniſh his Cuſtomers? So do Chriſtians when they want grace to ſerve their occaſions, neceſſities, temptations and duties; what advantage might ſouls get, had they but grace, when they come under Ordinances and Duties? and what loſſes do they meet with for want of grace, under afflictions, trials and employments? how pitifully do they carry it under p. 175troubles, and providential exerciſes, and are oft-times ſadly foil'd for want of grace and wiſdom to manage ſuch trials? You have daily need of more grace, as you have of bread for your bodies: Your occaſions, temptations and work are ſpending, and without freſh ſupplies from the Treaſury, you will ſoon be empty and impoveriſhed: Neglect but your ſpiritual recruits one day, and you will feel it: 'Tis your intereſt, if you are Traders, to keep your ſhops full, and to be often ſending for more goods: Grace will never lye long on your hands; other goods may: You will have ſtill occaſions to exerciſe grace in your dealings with God and men; you can never be over-ſtor'd with Wiſdom's wares.

'Tis your duty alſo to make uſe of Chriſt continually: In every thing to make known your requeſts to him: To draw waters out of this Well of Salvation every day: He is a Fountain ſealed for your uſe; he is made of God to be wiſdom, righteouſneſs, ſanctification and redemption too; for this end, that they might live upon him to theſe ends: This is to live by the Faith of the Son of God, which is the Chriſtians daily duty: He complains as being injur'd when his people will not come unto him that they might have life, Joh. 5. 40. He is troubled when his Children will not make uſe of him: Hitherto you have asked nothing: Ask and you ſhall receive that your joy may be full, Joh. 16. 24. Never was a full breaſt more pain'd for want of drawing, than the Lord Jeſus is, when his people receive not from him that fulneſs p. 176that is laid up in him for their uſe.

'Tis your advantage alſo to be often at Chriſt's door, and to be continually fetching in ſupplies for your ſouls: This is the way to grow rich apace; to get in more and more of the unſearchable riches of Chriſt, Rev. 3. 18. This is the way to be filled with the fruits of righteouſneſs, to be more throughly furniſhed unto all good works, to the glory and praiſe of God, 2 Tim. 3. 17. Phil. 1. 12. This is the way to do every thing better, and to abound in the work of the Lord, and to be more complete in all the will of God, 1 Cor. 15. 58. Col. 4. 12. By this means you will become more ſerviceable unto others, and uſeful in the place where you live, and in the Societies where God hath placed you; the more full of grace, the more able to profit others. Rom. 15. 14. That ye alwaies are full of goodneſs, filled with all knowledge, able alſo to admoniſh one another. 2 Cor. 1. 4. That we may be able to comfort them with the ſame comforts wherewith we are comforted of God. They that freely receive, will be able freely to give; and that's a bleſſed thing, Acts 20. 35. And till you receive you cannot give. Chriſtians, get in more grace every day for your own uſe, for the glory of God, and the good of others: Labour to be furniſhed with every grace, eſpecially thoſe graces which the Lord hath more uſe of, and the time, condition and place you are in, do more eſpecially call for, Heb. 12. 28. 2 Pet. 1. 5.

Be ſure to be well furniſhed with Faith; that's an uſeful grace at all times (for we live by Faith, Heb. 10. 38.) but eſpecially in evil times, p. 177in times of temptation and affliction. Faith is an eye, a hand, a foot at all times; 'tis a grace alwaies uſeful at every turn; you cannot be without it and be well; 'tis a working grace, and that's good for Traders; you cannot work without it, 2 Theſ. 1. 4. A building grace, Jude, v. 3. 20. A nouriſhing grace, 1 Tim. 4. 6. A ſoul-enriching grace, Rom. 4. 12. A ſoulſtrengthening grace, Epheſ. 3. 16, 17. But 'tis eſpecially needful in evil times, it being a cheering grace, Rom. 15. 13. 'Tis a ſoul-keeping grace, and that's good in dangerous times, 1 Pet. 1. 5. 'Tis a ſoul-ſaving grace, that ſaves in troubles, and out of troubles, Pſal. 27. 5. Jam. 5. 15. 'Tis a heart-eſtabliſhing grace, 2 Chron. 20. 20. A world-contemning grace, Heb. 11. 26. A world-conquering grace, 1 Joh. 5. 4. A ſoulſecuring grace, Heb. 11. 23. By faith Moſes was hid three months. It ſecures a perſon in troubles: 'tis a breaſt-plate to preſerve the heart, 1 Theſ. 5. 8. And a ſhield to cover the head, Epheſ. 6. 16. It leads a perſon through trouble, Heb. 11. 29. By Faith they paſſed through the Red. Sea, as by dry Land, which the Egyptians aſſaying to do, were drowned. O get in plenty of this precious unfeigned Faith, for that's the great trading-grace of a Chriſtian; for it gets in, and laies out every grace. Faith is the receiving grace; it receives in Chriſt, Eph. 3. 17. and it receives from Chriſt, John 1. 16. Faith is the key that opens Chriſt's Treaſures; the hand that takes out his tryed gold: Faith is the carrying, and recarrying grace: Faith comes up to the market-price, and never breaks with p. 178God on terms, but ſubſcribes to all the demands of Chriſt, and ſo never returns empty. Chriſtians, you will never want goods for your Heavenly Trade, if you can but keep Faith in exerciſe; your ſhops will never be empty, as long as Faith can ſtir up and down, and keep up its Journeys to Heaven: If there be any goods in the promiſes, any wares in Heaven, Faith will have them down, as long as the ſoul needs them, and it be for God's intereſt to part with them: O then get faith! Alas, what pitiful Trade do ſome drive for want of Faith! Choice goods will not off; precious promiſes, pertinent inſtructions, perſwaſions and encouragements lye on Chriſt's hands for want of faith in them that hear.

Chriſtians, you will make nothing of Religion without Faith, in the daies we live in; you will ſoon ſhut up ſhop, decay and break when troubles come to purpoſe, without ſtore of Faith. Faith will fill your ſtore-houſes, do your work, put off your goods, get in your rights, pay your debts, and maintain you richly on the incomes of your Trade.

Patience is another grace that will much ſerve you in your Spiritual Trade; you have need of Patience to do the will of God; no working without Patience. 2 Cor. 12. 12. Truly the ſigns of an Apoſtle were wrought among you in all Patience. Rom. 5. 4. Patience worketh experience. Souls are apt to be weary of well doing without Patience, and to tyre in running, without this long-breath'd grace of Patience. Heb. 12. 1. Let us run with Patience the race that is ſet before p. 179us. No receiving the fruit of Ordinances and Duties without Patience. Luke 8. 15. They on the good ground are they which in an honeſt and good heart, having heard the Word, keep it; and bring forth fruit with Patience. The Lord uſually tries his peoples Patience before they come to the fruit of Pomiſes, and bring forth the obedience of Precepts; there's a winter between ſeed-time and harveſt; many wet, weeping daies between ſowing and reaping, ut enim ſegetem in agro pluvias, nives, glacies, pruinas, grandines, & tempeſtates ferre neceſſarium eſt antequam matureſcat, & fructum ferat, ita hominem fidelem intus & extrinſecus multa pati mala oportet. Stell. The ſeed muſt lye long, it may may be, under ground, and when 'tis come up, be nipt up with froſts, and covered with ſnow and hail, and bear many a ſtorm before it ripens, and brings forth fruit, and this calls for Patience; yea many times long-ſuffering. The huſbandman waiteth for the precious fruits of the earth, and hath long Patience for it, untill he receive the early and latter rain, James 5. 7. Patience is needful to ſuffer, as well as do the Will of God. Rev. 13. 10. Here is the Patience and Faith of the Saints: To endure captivity and cruell Death for the ſake of Chriſt, Patience to wait for the promiſe, Rom. 8. 25. and Patience to receive it. Heb. 10. 36. Patience (ſaith Seneca) is a ſalve for every ſore, that onelyonly which alleviates our burdens; without it we cannot be men or Chriſtians: (ſaith another) 'tis the grace that makes a compleat and well accompliſh'd Chriſtian, Manton. James 1. 4. When reaſon is at a p. 180ſtand, and hope almoſt at an end, and all refuge fails; Patience ſteps in, bears the burden, and calms the ſoul.

Hope is a neceſſary grace to this great undertaking, reckoned among the three Cardinal virtues that wonderfully adorn a Chriſtian's ſpirit and converſation. 1 Cor. 13. 13. Now abideth Faith, and Hope, and Charity: Hope is the offſpring and refreſhment of Faith; 'tis begotten by Faith, and (ſaies one) As a good child relieves its father Faith in time of need. Hope is an expectation, Faith a perſwaſion. Faith eyes the promiſe, hope the thing promiſed, as ſure though future, which comforts the ſoul under the preſent want of deſired mercy; and this is needful to cheer the ſoul under its exigencies and diſappointments in the way of its Chriſtian converſation. Hope keeps in the fire, and keeps up the houſe. Heb. 3. 6. Whoſe houſe are we if we hold faſt the confidence and rejoycing of our hope firm to the end. Were it not for Hope the houſe would fall aſunder; Hope keeps it together, till the Lord new build it in Heaven: Hope anchors the ſoul in a ſtorm, and makes it ſteady under ſhaking tempeſts, Heb. 6. 19. Hope maintains a Chriſtian in a hard winter, while the ſeed is under clods, and till the corn come to the barn. 1 Cor. 9. 10. He that ploweth, ploweth in Hope (that is of a good harveſt) that will compenſate all his labours. Hope ſecures the ſoul from ſhame and diſappointment under temporary forbearance, Pſal. 34. 22. It helps it to rejoyce in tribulation, Rom. 5. 2. and compaſſeth him about with mercy, Pſal. 32. 10.

p. 181Humility, Self-denial, Goodneſs, Temperance, Gentleneſs, Love, Zeal, Holy Fear, are all good goods that will off well, and turn to the Trader's profit, if well improved: Get your ſouls well ſtor'd with theſe graces of the Spirit, alſo if you ever think to drive a good Trade of godlineſs,

Get your minds filled with knowledge, as well as your hearts with grace; that's part of the Chriſtian's Treaſure. 2 Cor. 4. 6. We have this Treaſure (that is of the knowledge of God in the face of Chriſt) in earthen veſſels: In whom are hid all the Treaſures of Wiſdom, Col. 2. 3. Saving knowledge is a Treaſure laid up in Chriſt for Believers, and to be fetched out for their uſe and comfort. The riches of the full aſſurance of underſtanding, and acknowledgement of the myſtery of God, and of the Father, and of Chriſt, Col. 2. 2. The Goſpel is a myſtery, a ſecret, hid from the natural eye, and cannot be known but by the revelation of the Spirit. To have an inward, clear, ſenſible, experimental and certain apprehenſion of the glorious truths of the Goſpel, opened and confirmed to the eye of Faith, is a high attainment beyond what any reach to, but thoſe that have the anointings of the Spirit, and to whom 'tis given by the Spirit as the fruit of prayer, and faithful attendance on his teachings in the Goſpel and Ordinances of Chriſt: This is called a rooting and eſtabliſhment in the Faith, Col. 2. 7. and growing in knowledge, 2 Pet. 3. 18. alluding to trees that being well planted do take deeper root in the earth, and in time come to greater ſettlement and ſtrength p. 182againſt ſhakings: And as children that gradually grow and encreaſe to higher ſtatures; ſo this ſpiritual knowledge is gradually encreaſed; 'tis not the priviledge of new-born babes, of perſons at their firſt converſion, to have this deep fathoming of Goſpel-myſteries: But of ſtronger Chriſtians, who by conſtant attendances on the Means of Grace, and in progreſs of time, by Faith, Humility, Prayer and Attention to the Spirit, do at length come to higher meaſures of this illumination, and full aſſurance of truth. As Gerſon reports of a godly man he knew, who at firſt was exerciſed with many doubts and fears, and ſhakings of Faith; but at laſt through humiliation of ſoul, and a captivating of his underſtanding to Divine Truth, together with the illumination of the Spirit, came to a wonderful clearneſs in the matters of Faith, and of his ſoul-eſtate, with ſuch a ſettlement of ſpirit, and certainty about his ſalvation, as to have no more doubts remaining in him. Chriſtians, content not your ſelves with ſome notions of truth, and ſhallow cold apprehenſions of the great myſteries of ſalvation; but labour to get in greater meaſures of ſpiritual underſtanding, both objective, as to the Truths to be known; and ſubjective, as to the diſcerning of them: Alas, we know as yet nothing as we ought; there are deeps in the knowledge of Chriſt for Elephants, as well as ſhallows for Lambs; and there are greater beamings on the ſouls eye to be obtained, and more certain underſtanding, and familiar acquaintance to be had with the ſame Truths we know. Your buſineſs, p. 183Chriſtians, in the Heavenly Trade is to get more Divine Wiſdom, to be led farther into all Truth, and to enter into the Myſteries of the Goſpel; wading farther and farther into Sanctuary-deeps; to know more of God, of the way to him, and the things freely given of him, and to know better what you know: Thou haſt hid theſe things from the wiſe and prudent, and revealed them to babes. There's a ſecret in Goſpel-truths which the wiſeſt men in the world can never by their greateſt Wiſdom come to ſee, without the ſpecial revelation of the Spirit: As none can come to ſee the ſpirits, ſalts, and occult virtues, in herbs and minerals, till by Chymiſtry they are exſtracted: Others may diſcern and receive the things themſelves in the groſs and bulk of them, and yet never ſee or taſte thoſe choice ſpirits hid in them: So 'tis with ſuch as are ſtrangers to a ſpiritual knowledge, they apprehend Truths in the bulk and letter of them. A A carnal man (ſaith Hooker) may hear the ſound of the Word, underſtand the ſignification; his judgment may ſee the evidence of the argument, and force of reaſon in them; and yet the Commentary on Chriſt's laſt Prayer.reality and ſpiritualneſs of that Divine good never apprehended. The world by wiſdom knew not God, 1 Cor. 1. 21. There's no proportion between a ſpiritual object and a caanal eye: The carnal mind cannot diſcern the things of the Spirit of God, neither can they know them, for they are ſpiritually diſcerned, 1 Cor. 2. 14. Labour to ſee the beauty and amiableneſs of Truth; to ſee your propriety in Truth, to taſte an inward ſweetneſs, p. 184and raviſhing pleaſure in Truth, to feel the ſenſe of ſpecial love to your ſouls in diſcovery of light, and to find a mightineſs going out in every Truth on your ſouls, changing you into the very Spirit and Image of Truth: To grow in knowledge extenſively, into all Truth; and intenſively, in deeper and more ſenſible, ſpiritual, powerful apprehenſions of truth; the want of which right knowledge makes ſo many cold, dead hypocrites, and barren profeſſours in this day of light and parts.

Get alſo your Conſciences ſtor'd with the Peace of God, which paſſeth underſtanding. This is the ſalt that ſeaſons every thing, condition and duty, Mark 9. 50. This will ſhoe your feet to travel through the rough and tireſome waies of affliction, temptation and perſecution you muſt meet with in the purſuit of your Heavenly Trade, Epheſ. 6. 15. This will calm your hearts in ſtorms, and maintain a Summer within, when 'tis Winter without, and nothing but tempeſts and troubles in the world, John 16. 33. This will preſerve you when all is going, and keep your hearts and minds through Chriſt Jeſus, Phil. 4. 7. This will guard your hearts from thoſe ſlaviſh fears, darkſom doubts, and dreadful troubles that many are filled with this day, and make you triumph over ſin, trample upon the world, and ſmile in the midſt of all the frowns of men and Devils. O get and keep this rare Jewel of inward Peace, which will help you to draw near to God with boldneſs, and chearful ſerenity in every duty, Heb. 10. 22. Get your conſciences bath'd in the blood of Chriſt, and p. 185the evidences of your ſincerity cleared up every day; this will help to maintain a feaſt of inward peace under the temptations of Satan, and the view of your daily failings and ſtumblings.

Get your hearts warm'd, and affections quicken'd with the ſenſe of divine love to your Souls: this is a choice part of heavenly treaſures, and will abundantly conduce to the lively carrying on of this divine Trade; affections raiſed by the application of redemption-grace, will be to your Souls as ſpread ſails to the Ship, to carry you ſtrongly along againſt wind and ſtorm, and fill you with pleaſant gales within, and give you a ſpeedy and comfortable paſſage through the waves of this World, 2 Cor. 5. 12. 'Tis the Soul's wing that mounts it up towards God, and carries it aloft above the entanglements of ſin, the world, and fleſh, in the warm purſuit of God's commandments, 2 Cor. 5. 14. His commands will not be thought grievous, or his yoke heavy, where this love of God hath left a ſavour on the heart, Pſal. 119. 32. Rom. 13. 10. It will exceedingly ſweeten the bitter waters of Marah to you, and make the paths of God's Providences, as well as his Precepts, pleaſantneſs and peace.

Take in alſo the conſolations of the Spirit, and the joys of the Holy Ghoſt, theſe will be uſeful to chear your hearts under tribulation, and ſtrengthen and cordial you under heartfaintings and qualms you may meet with from thoſe ill vapours of this lower World, and want of creature-comforts, 2 Cor. 7. 4. Rom. 15. 4. p. 186This ſpiriturl comfort will alſo help to drown your carnal joys, and to prevent a ſurfeit with the pleaſures of this World, (another danger that Wiſdom's Merchants are ſometimes liable to.) Acts 2. 28. Make me full of joy with the light of thy countenance. Spiritual joy, where it is, fills the heart, and leaves no room for carnal delights; as the heat of the Sun puts out the fire, ſo will ſpiritual conſolation extinguiſh carnal joy: 'Twas the comfort which Moſes, by Faith, fetch'd in from the views of an inviſible God, that made him chooſe reproaches with the people of God, before the pleaſures of ſin that were but for a ſeaſon, Heb. 11. 21. 25. This ſpiritual comfort is a notable way to ſtability in every good work, 2 Theſ. 2. 16, 17. to help on your Souls edification and growth in grace and holineſs, Acts 9. 31.

O! what work have Chriſtians to do, beſides the World, and minding their own things? were Religion followed to the purpoſe, perſons would have no leiſure for ſin and vanity: O! what need have gracious Souls of a diligent hand to make them rich, and to be taking in ſpiritual goods every day.

Queſt. But how ſhould I do to get my Soul furniſh'd with theſe heavenly goods? If my heart deceive me not, I would fain be enriched with every grace, capacity and accompliſhment, for the diſcharge of my duty, the pleaſing, honouring, and enjoying of God, and for the welfare of my immortal Soul: But how to attain this longed for mercy, I know not.