The Heavenly Trade, Tract
THE Heavenly Trade, Opened and improved from
Proverbs 3. 14. For the Merchandiſe of it is better than the Merchandiſe of ſilver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
THAT Religion is under a very great declenſion in the day and place wherein we live, is too evident to ſerious obſervers; but too little laid to heart; or the prodigious effects, which uſually follow ſuch expiring godlineſs, duly trembled at. The character of the laſt and perilous times hath over taken us; men having a form of godlineſs, but denying the power of it, 2 Tim. 3, 5. aNos non eloquimur magna ſ…d vivimus. Minut. Foel.A lamp, a name to live, notions parts, external priviledges and duties, make up the Religion of the greateſt part of profeſſing Chriſtians this day, while the vitals of Chriſtianity viſibly languiſh; bChriſtianos non dici, ſed eſſ… oportet. Ignat.where is that ancient Faith, Love, Zeal, Faithfulneſs, Courage, Patience, Self-denial, Mortifiedneſs to the world, Juſtice, Charity, Heavenly-mindedneſs, holy Converſes, with that univerſal Piety and Unity, which made the Saints ſo famous in former generations, and had ſo great an influence on the enlargement of Chriſt's Kingdom, notwithſtanding Pagan and Antichriſtian force againſt it? In the room of which, now pride, contention, formality, ſelfiſhneſs, hypocriſie, with the general gangrene of an earthly ſpirit, eats out the life and power of true holineſs: The affecting ſenſe of this dangerous evil gives occaſion to this enſuing diſcourſe, whoſe errand into the world, is not to plead for notion or faction, but to advocate for deſpiſed godlineſs; to help to awaken this ſleepy age, and contribute a weak hand with abler ſhoulders, to give a lift (if poſſible) to fallen piety.
Amongſt the many Advocates for piety, Solomon the Pen-man of this book hath done worthily, and laid out much ſtrength of reaſon to attach the minds of men, and regain them to the knowledge and fear of God. This chapter is a ſyſtemè of thoſe motives which he more largely proſecutes throughout this book, to perſwade men unto a thorough purſuit of holineſs. Divers are the conſiderations he propoſes to this end: taken
Firſt, From the happineſs of thoſe that obtain and improve this pearl of grace, verſ. 13. Happy is the man that cforeign Labore ſibi paravit; involvit praeviam inquifitionem.findeth wiſdom, and the man that dforeign Profert in lucem, effundit.getteth underſtanding: (though with greateſt labour and coſt) and having gotten it, doth put it to its due uſe and improvement for the good of others; they, whoever they be, are bleſſed men and women, in regard of that profit, pleaſure, peace, honour, ſafety and life (with the durable and eternal poſſeſſion thereof) enſured to thoſe that thus make Religion their buſineſs, from vers. 13, to 27.
Secondly, From the evil eſtate and end of thoſe that purſue the waies of ſin, which is in its nature vile and abominable to God, and as to its products, its ſhameful, curſed and deſtructive in the end; vers. 23, 32, 33, 34, 35.
The Penman knew that few would deal in thoſe commodities and trade about divine things (all men ſeeking their own, and few the things of Chriſt) and therefore ſets forth thoſe wares with greateſt commendation to buyers, that they might off the better. He begins with the gain that comes by godlineſs; a popular argument, and that which in other things puts men on great adventures, and reſtleſs labours towards their enjoyment. The hope of advantage (ſaith Chryſoſtome) aLucri ſpes omnia difficilia facit juncunda. Chryſ. de Sacerd. 3. lib.makes all difficult things eaſie. What will not the Merchant do or ſuffer to get a little profit? a fit metaphor to ſet forth the diligence of a Chriſtian in his race, and to inſinuate the worth of thoſe eternal things he is in chaſe of. The merchandiſe of which is better than the merchandiſe of ſilver, and the gain therethereof than fine gold.
In the words, for methods ſake, you may obſerve,
Firſt, The ſubject, wiſdoms merchandiſe, and the gain thereof.
Secondly, The Predicate, Better than ſilver, than fine gold.
Wiſdome] Divine Wiſdome, which in this book, (not to mention all its acceptations:)
Firſt Is put ſometimes for the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the foreign, the word, and increated Wiſdome of God, or the wiſdome who is God; who is made to us of God, Wiſdome, as well as Righteouſneſs; the light of the world; the bright morning Star; the Sun of Righteouſneſs, from whom are derived all thoſe beams which irradiate the dark minds of men; and that Wiſdome which makes wiſe to ſalvation; in whom are hid all the treaſures of Wiſdome: This is that ſhining Diamond, that Pearl of price, which outvies all the beauties of the world; the coſtly gemms, and whole treaſures of nature, in whom are unſearchable riches, the enjoyment and uſe of whom is ſoul enriching.
Secondly, For the Word of God, which is, ſure, making wiſe the ſimple; pure, enlightening the eye; and more to be deſired than gold, yea than much fine gold; called the Light of the Lord, Iſa. 2. 5. Come ye, and let us walk in the Light of the Lord; the diſcerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, Heb. 4. 12. which are able through the Spirit's illumination, to make one wiſe to ſalvation; and in this ſenſe the Jews uſually take Wiſdome for the Word and Law of God: In keeping of which there is great reward, Pſal. 19. 11.
Thirdly, By it is held forth a true and ſaving knowledge of God, part of that Original beauty which man loſt by his firſt fall, and is regained by a ſecond edition, and impreſs of the Spirit, when renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created it: this knowledge is called foreign, not an idle ſpeculative, but a lively operative knowledge, which conſiſts of an illumination of the mind, and an infuſion of faith and ſpiritual knowledge. Pariſienſis calls it, aPortam vitae per quam Deus primo ingreditur ad mentem humanam. Pariſienſis.The gate of life through which God firſt enters into the mind of man. In this Wiſdome and Knowledge of God as the ſouls laſt end, with the way that leads thereto, and felicity that reſults from it, enlightened minds ſee greater luſtre than in fine gold, and all the bravery of this lower world.
Now this Wiſdome is not onelyonly ſpeculative, taking in the notion of truth, and pleaſing the mind with refreſhing views of things excellent; but practical, which diſpoſes the ſoul to a fruition of God, ſo revealed to the eye of Wiſdome, and to the obedience of all thoſe counſels opened in order to it. Hence Davenant counts it an errour in the Schoolmen to reſtrain Wiſdome and Underſtanding to a contemplative life, bCum utraque ex aequo etiam ſpectat activam.when both have their equal reference to an active practical life and converſation: In regard of it's eſſence, it's an intellectual vertue; but in reſpect to the matter and uſe, it's practical and moral; and therefore he defines Wiſdome to be cEſt igitur ſapientia infuſa cognitio illorum quae ad fidem & bonam vitam pertinent cum affectu pio inclinante ad applicationem & praxin eorundem. Daven.an infuſed knowledge of thoſe things which lead to faith and a holy life, with a pious affection, inclining the ſoul to the application & practice of the things it knows. This the Scriptures hold out to be that true Wiſdome, which God requires of men: And to man he ſaid, Behold the fear of the Lord, that is Wiſdome, and to depart from evil, that is underſtanding, Job 28. 28. Job having ſpoken of the wonderful Wiſdome of God in the works of Creation, beyond all the ſearches of humane underſtanding, he tells them what is that Wiſdome which God requires of man, not to ſcrew into thoſe unfathom'd deeps and myſteries of divine works in the Creation; not to feed on abſtruſe notions of things that concern them not; but this is true Wiſdome, to fear God, to ſerve and obey him, and to depart from iniquity; So Deut. 4. 5, 6. Behold I have taught you Statutes and Judgements, keep therefore, and do them, for this is your Wiſdome and underſtanding in the ſight of the Nations, which ſhall hear of all theſe Statutes, and ſay, Surely this great Nation is a wiſe and an underſtanding people. Wiſdome from above (ſaies the Apoſtle) is pure, peaceable, gentle, eaſie to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, James 3. 17. that is it makes men holy and fruitfull in good works. So the Pſalmiſt deſcribes Wiſdome, by holy walking; I will behave my ſelf wiſely in a perfect way; Pſal. 101. 2. and Epheſ. 5. 15. Walk circumſpectly, not as fools, but as wiſe. Holy walking is both the fruit of Wiſdome, and the way to Wiſdome. Col. 1. 9, 10. You may be filled with the knowledge of his will, in all knowledge and underſtanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord to all well-pleaſing, being fruitfull in every good work, and increaſing in the knowledge of God. And ſo the Wiſe man underſtands it in this book. Prov. 1. 7. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wiſdome. That aQuantum ad effectum initium ſapientiae eſt nnde ſapientia incipit operati. Aquin.ſaith Aquinas) from whence Wiſdome begins to be operative. Chap. 4. 11. I have taught thee in the way of Wiſdome, and led thee in right paths. Wiſdome hath its way, and feet to walk in it; and this way of Wiſdome is a right path; or, right-holy-actions (ſaith Piſcator) ſo the Antients take Wiſdome. Cicero calls it, The bSapientia quae ars vivendi putanda eſt non expeteretur ſi nihil efficeret. Ciccro de finiv.Art of living. That Wiſdome which doth nothing, is worth nothing. cOmnis ſapientia hominis in hoe uno eſt ut Deum cognoſcat & colat. Lact. de Inſt. lib. 3 cap. 30.All Wiſdome lies in this one thing (ſaith Lactantius) That we know and worſhip God. dIn ſapientia religio, in religione ſapientia eſt, Lact. lib. 4. cap. 3.Religion is wrapt up in Wiſdome, and Wiſdome in Religion. The eCujus vis & officium in eo vertitur ut contemptis terreſtribus quibus antea tenebamur fragilibus ſervientes & fragilia ſerviente, & fragilia concupiſcentes ad aeterna coeleſtis theſauri praemia dirigamur, Lact. de Inſt. cap. 27.work of Wiſdome lies in this, that contemning earthly things, by which we were formerly held, ſerving and deſiring theſe frail periſhing things, we may now be directed to ſeek after the eternal reward of a heavenly Treaſure: (So ſaith Aquinas) fSapienti… ſecundum nos non ſolum conſideratur ut eſt cognoſcitiva Dei, ſed etiam ut directiva humanae vitae ſecundum rationes divinas. Aquin. 22ae. q. 19. 7. c.Wiſdome is not to be conſidered onelyonly as it leads to a knowledge of God; but as it directs and orders the life according to divine Rules: And in this ſenſe I take Wiſdom here for true Holineſs; that Wiſdome which is manifeſted in a heavenly, goſpel converſation, the merchandiſe of which is ſo advantagious.
The Merchandiſe thereof: Objectively conſidered: The trading for this Wiſdome, or Merchandizing about; ſo the Septuagint renders it: foreign, To merchandize, is to buy and ſell to get in, and put off goods, to take in, and lay out: this Wiſdome is better than to get in gold, or any thing that gold can buy, foreign from foreign, The word is, to go up and down here and there as Merchants do, to buy & vend their goods, to travel abroad now in one place, then in another; to be full of diſtraction, tumbling up and down to get and put off their wares: So buſie a work is merchandizing, which takes up mens thoughts, time and labours to follow it, that they might get ſome advantage in the world. And ſuch is the work of Religion; it is an active work, that calls for the heart, time and ſtrength, if ever ſouls think to turn it to any account: And they that do thus, that make Religion their work, that lay out themſelves and their all in purſuit of Heaven and ſpiritual things, whatever coſt and pains they are at, if they can but gain theſe treaſures of godlineſs, and obtain Wiſdomes wares, they make a good bargain; for the profit that comes by theſe is far better than ſilver yea than fine gold: The Septuagint hath it: aforeign.Than to get the treaſures of ſilver and gold; yea the beſt gold, beaten gold.
There is another ſenſe that one gives the words, taking Wiſdome for the price by which thoſe great and eternal things are got: (I rather like the inſtrument than the price) ſpiritual things are freely given, not bought, Iſa. 55. 1. but thoſe that lay out, and improve their Wiſdome to gain grace, to promote godlineſs, and further ſalvation, make a better bargain: than they that lay out their treaſures of gold and filver to buy the beſt goods on earth: In either ſenſe it's a truth, Wiſdome's merchandiſe is the beſt merchandiſe; to trade about ſpiritual things, grace and glory is incomparably the beſt trade: Whence obſerve this Doctrine or Poſition,
Doct. The Heavenly Trade is the beſt Trade; no Merchandiſe like Wiſdom's Merchandiſe, and traffiquing about ſpiritual and eternal things.
This Truth will evidently appear, if you conſider,
1. The nature of thoſe things about which Wiſdomes Merchants trade.
2. The Perſon they deal with.
3. The Terms they trade upon.
4. The gain that comes by it.
Reaſ. 1. Firſt, The things about which this Heavenly Trade is taken up, are in their nature things of greateſt worth; wares which all the worlds treaſures cannot purchaſe or compare with; they are all great, glorious and excellent things; nothing mean, contemptible and uſeleſs, among all the goods that Wiſdome propoſes to ſouls choice and reception: The favour of God: Redemption from Hell: Pardon of ſin: Peace with God: The graces of the Spirit: Communion with Father, Son and Spirit, with Saints and Angels: Walking with God: Spiritual bleſſings: Joy in the Holy Ghoſt: Heavenly Treaſures: Aſſurance of Glory: Theſe are all things of incomparable value, and the things that heavenly Traders deal about: And are not theſe far better in their nature, than the low, dirty, fading things of this world? No Onyx, Saphir, Chryſtal, Coral, Pearl, Topaz, Rubies, or the moſt coſtly pieces of nature, can compare with this pearl of price; this ſtone cut out of the mountains, or thoſe ſpiritual treaſures which are the ſubject of this Heavenly Trade: Let thoſe be Judges who know the worth of things; call in Wiſdome's Lapidaries, let God, Saints and Angels ſpeak in this matter, their verdict will be, Wiſdome's wares weigh down all, as to their innate excellency: I ſhall onelyonly propoſe three evidences to determine this caſe, and they are of unqueſtionable verity, and a ſufficient proof of this truth. They are,
1 Scripture.
2 Experience.
3 Reaſon.
Firſt, The Scriptures will tell you, there are no wares like heavenly wares, Deut. 32. 32. Their Rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themſelves being Judges. His loving-kindneſs is better than life, Pſal. 63. 3. And the light of his countenance, than the encreaſes of corn, and wine, and oyl, Pſal. 4. 6, 6. The Law of thy mouth is better to me than thouſands of gold and ſilver, Pſal. 119. 72. Tryed faith much better than gold that periſheth, 1 Pet. 1. 7. One day in God's Courts better than a thouſand elſewhere, Pſa. 84. 10. None in Heaven like to God, nor any on earth in compariſon of him, Pſal. 73. 25. To make proviſion for the ſoul is the one thing needful; to enjoy Chriſt and ſpiritual things is the better part that ſhall never be taken away, Luk. 10. 42. The Kingdom of God is the chiefeſt thing to be ſought for in the firſt place, Matth. 6. 33. firſt in affection, and firſt in time: Multitude of teſtimonies might be produced from Scripture to atteſt this truth, the Heavenly Trade is the beſt Trade; no goods like heavenly goods: what do you trade for here? is it for more than life you plot, you work for? you gain no more here than meat, drink, rayment, money, land, credit, and the like, which onelyonly tend to life; but the favour of God is better than life: one gracious look, one whiſper of peace from God, weighs down all thoſe: riches, pleaſures, honours, do not make a happy man or woman; the Scripture never reports ſuch bleſſed as have the abundance of theſe things, but rather miſerable and unhappy, obnoxious to more ſnares and dangers; but godlineſs makes a bleſſed man, and pardon of ſin a happy man, in God's account, Pſal. 1, 1, 2. and 32. 1. whoſe teſtimony is truth it ſelf, and to be relied on beyond all the grounds of blinded opinion, and falſe hopes.
Secondly, Experience aſſures men of this truth; that heavenly things are the beſt things: come to a Soul that hath tried both; one who hath had all that the World could afford on the one hand, and hath alſo experienced the favour of God, and ſpiritual things, and he will tell you of ſpiritual things, as David did of Goliah's Sword: There is none like them 1 Sam. 21. 9. And as Solomon of the vertuous Wife: Theſe things above excel them all, Prov. 31. 29. And wiſdom is much better than Gold, and to get underſtanding rather to be choſen than Silver, Prov. 16. 16. This was Solomon's experience, who had the largeſt trial of any man, he had Houſes, Vineyards, Gardens, Servants, Silver, Gold, the peculiar treaſures of Kings; Greatneſs, Pleaſure, Muſick, and whatſoever his eyes deſired: and upon all gives this verdict; That wiſdom excelleth folly as far as light excels darkneſs, Eccleſ. 24, 13.
Piety tranſcendeth Pravity; Heaven the World: Purity out-paſſeth Pleaſures, as Light doth Darkneſs: When he ſpeaks of things below, he tells you; Theſe are all vanity and vexation of ſpirit; he that labours for theſe, labours for the wind, Eccleſ. 5. 16. and what he ſeeks, finds not; but when he ſpeaks of wiſdom, and ſpiritual things, he is as one that wants words to expreſs their worth: Wiſdom is better than Rubies, and all the things that may be deſired, are not to be compared to it, Prov. 8. 11. David was a man who had tried various conditions in the World, he knew what trouble and comfort was, what youth and age was, what poverty and riches were; he had pleaſures, honours, treaſures, with the hearts of his people, and command of a Kingdom, and yet he tells you, he had ſeen an end of all perfection: and that the light of God's countenance was better than all, and to be a door-keeper (a mean place) in the houſe of God, was more eligible, than to abide in the tents of wickedneſs: Pſal. 119. 96. Pſ. 4. 6. and 84. 10. He chooſes it as his one thing; To dwell in the houſe of the Lord all the days of his life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his Temple, Pſal. 27. 4.
Moſes knew what honour was, and the pleaſures of ſin, and yet upon choice, preferr'd poverty with godlineſs, on the ſide of truth, before all the treaſures of Egypt; He refuſed to be called Pharaoh's Son, rather chooſing to ſuffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleaſures of ſin for a ſeaſon, eſteeming the reproach of Chriſt, greater riches than the treaſures in Egypt, Heb. 11. 24, 25, 26. He knew the Nobles of Egypt, and grandeur of Pharaoh's Court, and yet could value a poor perſecuted people, that own'd God, and cleav'd to him, beyond them all: Happy art thou, O Iſrael! who is like to thee? Deut. 33. 20. He counts God the none-ſuch; Who is like to thee, O God? Ex. 15. 11. and Religion the beſt intereſt; Set your hearts unto all the words, I teſtify; for it is not a vain thing for you, for it is your life, Deut. 32. 46, 47.
Ask of Paul, and he will tell you what the fruit of ſin, and driving furiouſly againſt Chriſt and his intereſt was, when the Lord Jeſus came to reckon with, and to pay him off in the way to Damaſcus, Act. 9. 3, 4. whoſe blow he felt many years after, in Conſcience twitches now and then, 1 Tim, 1. 13, 15. And upon the ſenſe of that change Grace made on his heart and condition, he tells you, that whatever he counted gain before, he ſaw now to be loſs for Chriſt, Phil. 3. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. There was a time when he thought his letter-knowledg, blind zeal, birthpriviledges, legal duties, popular applauſe, Rulers favour, and protection by Power, to be great things; but now he alters his reckoning, and values the knowledg of Chriſt and intereſt in him, and grace derived from the power of his death and reſurrection, to be an excellency that ſtain'd all his former glory.
The Jaylor once thought it his greateſt intereſt to ſwim with the ſtream, and ſail by the compaſs of the times he lived in, to run down the ways and ſervants of the Lord Jeſus, to obey his warrant, and ſecure the Saints feet in his ſtocks, Act. 16. ver. 24, to 34. but when once Grace takes him in hand, and plucks him through the ſtrait-gate of conſcience, terrors, and repentance, into a ſtate of regeneration, then he corrects his errors, and ſees it his chiefeſt concern to eſpouſe Chriſt, and to come over into the way of perſecuted godlineſs; then to believe in the Lord Jeſus, to be kind to his ſervants, and to drive the Trade of deſpiſed Chriſtianity; he thought upon moſt mature conſideration to be worthy of his choice and purſuit. What treaſures more rich or precious (ſaid Agerius, when a priſoner for Chriſt at Venice) than everlaſting life? where be greater riches or dignities more honourable than in Heaven? here droppeth the delectable dew, here floweth the pleaſant Nector, here runneth the ſweet milk, here is plenty of all good things; I have found a neſt of honey in the entrals of a Lion, in the deep, dark Dungeon; I have found a Paradiſe of pleaſure; where others do weep, I do rejoyce; when others do ſhake and tremble, I do find plenty of ſtrength, and boldneſs; in ſtrait Bonds, and cold Irons, I have reſt: Fox, Vol. 2. pag. 181. Come to ſinners alſo when they lie under Conſcience, terrors, and the armed troops of death and hell invade their guilty hearts, and enquire their opinion concerning the goodneſs of their choice, the advantage of that bargain they have made, in parting with God for the World, in rejecting Chriſt for the Fleſh, in turning their backs on holineſs, for the ſervice of ſin; and their dejected countenances, their gaſtly looks, their unquiet jeſtures, their cries and groans, will ſoon tell you the ſad reſentment of their folly, and bad Trade they have driven in the ways of ſin and death.
Thirdly, Nay, Reaſon it ſelf rightly exerciſed, muſt needs grant, that heavenly wares are the beſt wares upon a fourfold conſideration.
1 Of their Rarity.
2 Their Price.
3 Their worth.
4 Their Duration.
Firſt, Heavenly things are rare, and therefore excellent; ſcarcity enhaunceth the price of things; Diamonds and precious ſtones are dear, becauſe ſcarce, and more rarely had; plenty uſually beats down the price of things, when rarity makes them coſtly; and ſuch are Heavenly wares; they are the greateſt rarity in the world; they are leſs known, more hardly come by, and ſeldomer enjoyed than any thing this earth affords; there are few parts of the world where Wiſdom's goods ever come: How many Countries are there where the Goſpel is not known? or any ſights of God, or things eternal ever had, but ſuch as are diſcernable by the dini light of nature; and of thoſe coaſts which this days ſpring hath viſited, to how few have the brightneſs of this light appeared? few places have the myſteries of the Goſpel opened, or the deep things of God purely, fully and powerfully preached. It hath been the priviledge of this Nation above many, to have a peculiar ſhare of Goſpel diſcoveries and truths, more ſpiritually and practically diſcloſed; and yet how few here, or in other parts, have any acquaintance with theſe glorious ſecrets? or arrive to this excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt, and Divine Myſteries? what a veil is there on the minds of moſt, under the pureſt adminiſtrations of the Goſpel, that ſeeing, they ſee not; underſtanding, and yet not affected with the things they know; the ſpiritual beauty, and inward worth of them being hid from their eyes. Moſt hearers (like Balaam) ſee heavenly goods with eyes half opened; and hence it is they no more value and purſue them: Could theſe poor, beggarly, dirty things of the world, be ſo preferred in mens affections and embraces, and ſo much time conſumed upon them, with neglect of God, and things above, if the worth of Wiſdome's Treaſures were truly known and believed? no certainly, we may without breach of charity complain, Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed? Iſa. 53. 1. They are rare, in that they ſeldome appear in their own worth and excellency to the view of men: few know and believe the worth of heavenly things.
They are alſo goods that few trade on. It's a rare thing to ſee men much vers'd about heavenly things, and to drive a trade of godlineſs: There are divers poſſibly that barter for ſome of Wiſdome's goods, for knowledge, peace, comfort, parts, external duties, &c. but few that carry on a full trade of godlineſs: An Enoch, a Noah, a Caleb, a Joſhua, a Job, a David, a Paul, a Barnabas; here and there one in their ſeveral ages, that are thorough with God, and univerſal in the duties of godlineſs, heart purity, godly ſimplicity, univerſal holineſs, converſe with God, meditation on things above, tenderneſs of conſcience, ſelf-denyal, mortifiedneſs to the world, heavenly-mindedneſs, ſpiritual converſes, are commodities that few deal about this day. A thorough-paced Chriſtian is the Phoenix of the place he lives in, and more ſeldom ſeen than a ſparkling Diamond in the dark night we live in; few ſeek theſe goods in earneſt, as they do the world and their own things, and fewer obtain them, Phil. 2. 21. Few I fear do live in the daily exerciſe of their graces, the warm breathings of their ſouls after God and ſpiritual things: few that find the white ſtone, that live in the view of their pardons, and ſenſible enjoyment of divine grace; and therefore theſe heavenly goods are rare things, ſeldome diſcovered, ſeldome known, ſeldome purſued, ſeldome enjoyed; and being rare, are excellent and deſirable.
Secondly, Heavenly things are the beſt, becauſe the moſt coſtly; this argument will not hold in all things: men may buy their deſired comforts too dear, and give more for the world, pleaſures, and their particular goods, than they are worth; but none can be deceived in Wiſdomes wares; the glory of God, the ſalvation of ſouls, the enjoyment of grace and ſpiritual bleſſings, cannot be too dearly obtained; their price beſpeaks the greatneſs of their worth, they being realities and things excellent in their nature and uſe; and if they are valuable according to their price, they muſt needs be tranſcendent; for the purchaſe of them coſt God dear; he hath been at the expence of eternal counſels of manifold wiſdom, of unknown love, of the gift and blood of his own Son, to procure theſe great things for Believers; and it hath coſt him mighty power and patience to fit Believers for them, and maintaineforeign, with an honourable price, 1 Pet. 1. 18. 19. foreign, aequale redemptionis pretium, Gomar. their enjoyment of them: Ye are bought with a price, not with corruptible things, as ſilver and gold, but with the precious blood of Chriſt, as of a Lamb without blemiſh, and without ſpot. He gave himſelf a ranſome, an equal price, ſufficient to purchaſe Believers to himſelf, with grace and glory for them: He ſo loved the world as to give his onelyonly begotten Son, to give him to death, to the death of the Croſs, to unſpeakable torments, and all to procure theſe glorious and bleſſed treaſures for Believers, Joh. 3. 16. O coſtly wares! O dear bought goods! for which the pearl of price was ſold, and the treaſures of Heaven emptied out.
And as theſe ſtand the purchaſer dear, ſo they are coſtly to the receiver alſo: The preparation for an intereſt in theſe treaſures, is many times dear to Believers: O the wounds and launcings, the bleeding and heart-prickings, the pangs & throws that lead the van to this banner of love, which redemption-grace ſpreads over ſaved ſouls; theſe are the ſtormy tempeſts, the bloody skirmiſhes, that go before the Believers reception of purchaſed peace: Beſides, the terms on which this good bargain is offered, though infinitely beneath its worth, yet as to the ſouls capacity are high, it's no leſs than a throwing of all its former treaſures over-board, a parting with its neareſt intereſts, and deareſt comforts that lye in the way of its enjoyments; a plucking out a right eye, and cutting off a right hand; a denying (O hard ſaying!) of a man's own beloved ſelf; a not onelyonly bearing when laid on, but a taking up not the Croſs of Chriſt alone, but his own Croſs too, whatever his own ſins, or the hand of men and Devils may make for him; and in this plight not to ſit down, or ſtand ſtill, but to go on and follow Chriſt up the hill, through thick and thin, through ſcorns and thorns, day and night, through every change, in every ſtate, home to the grave: No eaſier terms are given to the enjoyment of theſe riches, than a hearty conſent to theſe propoſals, which may expoſe the ſoul to an actual loſs of his earthly all, and undergoing unknown tryals, troubles and duties in the way: This bargain, though bleſſed in it ſelf, yet is thought ſo dear by ſome, as that they break upon theſe very terms, and think God, grace and glory, too chargeable for their acceptance: This then ſets off the worth of heavenly things, that they coſt ſo much upon choice, and upon the higheſt reaſon and deliberation.
Thirdly, As their price is high, ſo is their worth great; they are good in themſelves, and good to thoſe that have them. Hearken diligently unto me, and eat that which is good, and let your ſouls delight it ſelf in fatneſs; earthly things are not ſo, if good in themſelves, yet they may not be good to thoſe that have them: Riches are ſnares and ſwords to the owners thereof, and oftentimes do pierce them thorough with many ſorrows: They are not onelyonly good, but abſolutely good; other things are not ſo; earthly things are but conditionally good, when God ſees them good, and makes them good, ſo long as he doth bleſs them, and let out ſomething of himſelf through them, manna, food, rayment, nether ſprings, are ſo far good as God is pleaſed to convey out ſome ſpiritual good thorough them, or make them ſome way ſubſervient thereto; theſe things cannot make men hapyy, or prove them ſo. Nebuchadnezzar's greatneſs could not ſecure him from grazing amongſt the beaſts, and bedding with them in open fields, and under wetting dews, Dan. 4. 33. Belſhazzar's pleaſures could not guard him from the hand-writing againſt the wall, Dan. 5. 5. Dives was in the midſt of plenty and honour one day and the next in hell. Theſe lower things are but as ciſterns and pipes, that ſignifie nothing, except ſome waters be conveyed through them; no more do theſe, unleſs God let out his love, and promiſe through them. Theſe heavenly things are not onelyonly abſolutely good, but every way good; good for every man, in every ſtate; good for poor and rich, for young and old, for all perſons, all things; Godlineſs is profitable for every thing, 1 Tim. 4. 8. There is no perſon or condition, but grace and ſpiritual bleſſings are good for, and can convey good thorough: There may be ſuch a caſe in which nothing of this lower world can help: Riches make them wings and profit not in the day of wrath. In times of trouble and divine wrath, inſtruments of muſick carry no ſweetneſs in them but ſpiritual mercies, they help to comfort in the day of trouble: In the multitude of ſad thoughts within me thy comforts refreſh my ſoul, Pſal. 94. 19.
Fourthly, Their duration proves them excellent, they are laſting wares; time works no change upon theſe, the Heavens will wax old, and as a veſture they ſhall be changed; but heavenly things never periſh with the uſing: indeed our meaſures and ſenſe of theſe may change, we may not always have the ſame degrees of grace or comfort; but this alteration is not in theſe things, but in us; as God; ſo grace and ſpiritual things, are in themſelves the ſame, yeſterday, to day, and for ever; good in proſperity, and good in adverſity; good in life, and good in death: mutability mars all earthly comforts, they are things of no continuance; we may have them, but cannot hold them; like the fleeting Iſlands about the Tenariff, which perſons ſee at a diſtance, but when they come near them, they vaniſh away: The things that are ſeen are temporal, 2 Cor. 4. 18. We may aOstenduntur iſtae res non poſſidentur & dum placeant tranſeunt.have them, (faith Seneca) but cannot poſſeſs them; and they no ſooner pleaſe us, but paſs from us: but unſeen things are eternal: His love is everlaſting; the graces of his Spirit abiding: 1 Joh. 3. 9. Whoſoever is born of God ſinneth not, for his ſeed remaineth in him: The joys of the Holy-Ghoſt are laſting: That my joy might remain in you: Jer. 31. 3. Joh. 15. 11. Iſa. 59. 21. Heb. 10. 34. 1 Pet. 1. 4. Indeed acts of grace may fail for a time, but the habit of grace is never loſt; frames, and ſtreams of comfort may ebb, but the Fountain of Joy is never drain'd dry; Juſtification is immutable, Pardon of Sin is irreverſible, the Saints treaſures in Heaven are enduring, and can never fade away: Men may outlive their Treaſures here, and ſee all their Portions go before them; but heavenly Intereſts, and immortal Souls, are of like continuance, and this greatens their value: Men eſtimate a little Land beyond a great Eſtate of uncertain continuance; and ſuch are Wiſdom's wares, there's no rotten goods among them.
Reaſ. 2. Secondly, The heavenly Trade is the beſt Trade, in regard of the Trader theſe Merchants deal with: Much of the comfort, ſafety and advantage of mens Trades, lieth in in the perſons they trade with; if theſe be able, honeſt, affectionate, it conduces much to the thriving of thoſe they deal with: What miſchief comes to Traders, when Sellers are cheating, cruel, and extortioning? and when Buyers are falſe, and deceitful, and fail of their word? But none of theſe hazards can heavenly Traders be expoſed to, from thoſe they deal with: Indeed Wiſdom's Merchants have to do with many, in the purſuit of their heavenly Trade, both by way of taking in, and letting out; but yet there is one great Merchant, with whom they principally deal, as to the management and iſſue of their whole Trade, in this Merchandiſe; they converſe with God, Saints and Angels, but all is done through a Mediator; the Goods they receive is upon his intereſt; they deal with God through him; all their wiſdom to trade, and rules to act by, come from him; the good and advantage of all their Trading, is ſecur'd by him; and though they may be concern'd with many perſons and things, (with all that duty and providence calls them too,) and, with the Chymiſt, are to extract ſome good from every thing they deal with; and, like the Bee, gather Honey from weeds; yet this good they get from perſons and things, is not in them, but conveyed through them from the great Purchaſer with whom they deal; good from every thing, to theſe heavenly Traders, and Heirs of Salvation is made over in the propromiſe; (All things ſhall work together for good to them that love God, and are called according to his purpoſe,) Rom. 8. 28. and ſhall in due time, through theſe Conduits, be emptied out to Believers, by the hand of Jeſus: So that it is properly, and ſtrictly, but with one great Merchant thoſe Traders have to do with for the goods they lay out, or take in; all other things and perſons are but ways and inſtruments of his appointment, through which it ſhall be delivered; and this makes Wiſdom's Trade ſo good, that the advantage of it is not depending on thoſe ſecondary Agents, they have to do with but upon one, that is more excellent, both great and good, able and faithful to anſwer both his promiſes, and the expectations of thoſe that deal with him. As to his Quality, and perſonal Grandeur, he is above all, and over all, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords: He hath a veſture on his thigh, whereon is written, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords, Rev. 19. 16. He is the Majeſty on high, the Glory of Heaven and Earth; he hath Angels to worſhip him, Thrones and Principalities under him, all creatures in Heaven and in Earth to ſerve him. O! how honourable is it to deal with him, to whom Kings and Potentates pay their tribute, and to whom Men and Angels yield their homage? It's taking with Men, to converſe with thoſe that are above them, and to manage concerns with Perſons of Honour, and Greatneſs: but here's one (Souls) that offers to trade with you, from whom all creatures receive their glory.
Yea, his Goodneſs anſwers his Greatneſs, and ſweetly tempers his perſonal converſe for the encouragement of the meaneſt Soul, that hath occaſions with him: Greatneſs without Goodneſs, rather checks than relieves the hopes of thoſe that are beneath it; but ſuch is the ſweetneſs of Chriſt's nature, as that his Glory doth but render his Goodneſs the more amiable; and his Goodneſs repreſents his Glory the more deſirable; he values no man by his own worth, nor deſpiſes any for their low eſtate; the meaneſt Soul hath as eaſy acceſs to him, and as gracious a reception, as perſons of higheſt reputation with men: I dwell in the high and holy place, with him alſo that is of a contrite and humble ſpirit, to revive the ſpirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones, Iſa. 57. 15. He is of a ſweet and gracious temper, of a free and generous ſpirit, good to all, eſpecially to thoſe that ſeek him: this renders perſons deſirable, who would chooſe to deal with men of ugly natures, and churliſh diſpoſitions: affability and ſweetneſs do ſtrongly invite men to converſe with ſuch; and none like to Jeſus for excellent goodneſs and loving kindneſs, for pitty and bounty; goodneſs is his nature, mercy his delight; he takes pleaſure in doing good; none that trade with him, but he will ſee them to be the better for it.
He is alſo able as well as good; Some men have excellent natures, but ſtraitned capacities, they are willing to do good beyond their power; but it is not ſo with the Saints friend; He hath all power in Heaven and Earth, Mat. 28. 18. and can do what-ever pleaſeth him; he hath all creatures at his command; all the treaſures of Heaven at his diſpoſe; he is infinitely rich, and hath all that good that Souls can need or deſire; he hath goods of all kinds of ſupply his Cuſtomers with; it is not ſo with men, no Merchant can furniſh his Traders with every thing they need; but one ſells this ware, another that; here men ſail to one Countrey for one Commodity, and to another Countrey for other Wares; they ranſack Nature's treaſures by Sea and Land, borrow ſomething from every Nation, that hath a peculiar excellency, to make up their ſupplies, and furniſh all their occaſions, and pleaſures: but the Lord Jeſus hath all that in him, and at his diſpoſe, which you need; he can ſupply all your wants, having all fulneſs dwelling in him, Phil. 4. 19. He hath that in him which your Souls want, and the command of that you need for your Bodies alſo: He can give you the deſires of your heart, Pſal. 37. 4. He is able to make all grace abound towards you, that you always, having all-ſufficiency in all things, may abound in every good work, 2 Cor. 9. 8. Here's no leſs than five Alls, that flow from the ability of Chriſt to Believers; All grace abounding in them, All ſufficiency enjoy'd by them, All ways, in All things, for All good works: Did Souls but believe the all-ſufficiency of Chriſt, they would not ſo perplex their ſpirits when in wants, with, what ſhall I eat? and with what ſhall I be clothed? and how ſhall I get this? and the other mercy I want, when all is offered to Wiſdom's Merchants freely? for godlineſs hath the promiſe of the life that now is, and of that which is to come; and theſe promiſes are in the hand of Jeſus, for all that come to God by him: All things are delivered to me of the Father, Matt. 11. 27. The Lord Jeſus is not only able to give you all that you ask according to his will, having all things delivered to him for that end; but he can keep it for you, and ſecure it to your uſe: I am perſwaded that he is able to keep that good thing I have committed to him, againſt that day, 2 Tim. 1. 12. This allſufficiency of Chriſt, is argument enough to new-Covenant-federates, for a calm and quiet dependance on him, and holy walking before him, Gen. 17. 1.
And that which is exceeding pleaſing to Traders alſo, he is faithful as well as able; he is one of his word, that makes good all his promiſes to a tittle, to thoſe that by Faith deal with him: The holy one of Iſrael cannot lie, or alter the word that is gone out of his mouth; hath he ſaid, and ſhall he not do it? hath he ſpoken, and ſhall he not make it good? Numb. 23. 19. and Rev. 1. 5. He is the faithful witneſs; faithful is his name. And he that ſate upon the Throne was called faithful and true, Rev. 19. 11. And faithfulneſs is his nature, in compariſon of whom every man is a liar: Let God be true, and every man a liar, Rom. 3. 4. If the Lord Jeſus were not faithfull to his word and undertaking, the Father would not have truſted him with all the concerns of his glory and people in the world; neither had he been a fit perſon for the Elect to have committed unto him their ſouls, and all that is dear to them: Men promiſe one thing and do another; affirm a thing that is not, and this undoes many, the unfaithfulneſs of thoſe they deal with; but it is not ſo with Chriſt, you may truſt on his fidelity; Heaven and Earth ſhall ſooner fail, than one tittle of all that he hath ſpoken: And therefore excellent is that Trade which is carried on with ſo excellent a Jeſus.
Reaſ. 3. Thirdly, Weigh the terms on which this Trade is offered unto ſouls, and it will appear to be incomparably the beſt Trade. For to ſuch as will ſet upon this Trade,
1 Goods to trade upon ſhall be freely given.
2 Wiſdome to manage them ſhall be fully imparted.
3 A bleſſing on the due improvement of them ſhall be enſured.
4 To him ſhall the glory of all be rendred.
Firſt, Wiſdome's wares are freely tendered to all that will receive them, without money, and without price: Come buy wine and milk without money and without price, Iſa. 55. 1. To him that is a thirſt will I give to drink of the waters of life freely, Rev. 21. 6. Here Merchants cannot get or put off goods at that rate; there's no going to the world's markets without money or credit; they that will have mens goods muſt pay for them, and many times have deat bargains; but the Lord Jeſus imparts his treaſures freely, he paid dear for them, they coſt his heart blood, but he ſpares them freely; no ſilver or gold will paſs in thoſe bargains. Simon Magus had his offered gold, for the Holy Ghoſt, thrown back with deteſtation and deſtruction to boot, Acts 8. 18, 19, 20. The terms on which this trade is driven are free; it cannot ſtand with the deſign of redemption grace, which is to advance the praiſe of the glory of grace, and to cut off all boaſting, that every mouth may be ſtopped; to admit of any thing from fallen man that might look like a compenſation of ſalvation mercies; neither is there any thing beneath Chriſt's merits, that can equalize the worth of heavenly things; and alas what have they to part with who have loſt themſelves? and to give to God, who have nothing but what they receive from him? It muſt needs therefore be altogether freely given, whatever is received in order to ſalvation: O bleſſed news to poor traders, that their poverty is no bar to this employment; the pooreſt may receive of Wiſdome's wares, as well as the rich, ſeeing it is a free trade; and whatever makes a difference on the creatures part, is laid aſide in the diſpenſation of ſpiritual mercies: Here are no Monopolies, or hard impoſitions upon this trade; no reſtraint from ſetting up, or ſelling out of Wiſdome's goods, in any parts of the world. Cities have their encloſures, Corporations their bars to keep out ſtrangers from their priviledges; but in this trade all perſons, be they who they will that will come over to Wiſdome's Merchandiſe, have right to carry on this work of godlineſs in all places whereever they are. The heavenly trade is a free trade, goods freely given, and liberty to ſet up in all places, and to all perſons.
Secondly, As goods to trade upon are freely given; ſo wiſdome to manage them ſhall be fully imparted: This is a priviledge which ſellers on earth will not afford; you may have their goods at their price, but not inſtructions how to diſpoſe them to your advantage; but this great Merchant in Heaven, with his wares, gives skill to uſe them: I am the Lord thy God which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way thou ſhouldeſt go, Iſa. 48. 17. If thou ſeekeſt her as ſilver, and ſearcheſt for her as for hid treaſure, then ſhalt thou underſtand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God: For the Lord giveth wiſdome, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and underſtanding: He layeth up ſound wiſdome for the righteous. Then ſhalt thou underſtand righteouſneſs, and judgement, and equity; yea every good path, Prov. 2. 4, 5, 6, 9. The ſoul that ſeeketh for Wiſdome's wares, ſhall with it find inſtruction how to uſe them: I will inſtruct thee, and teach thee in the way which thou ſhouldeſt go; I will guide thee with my eyes, Pſal. 32. 8. He will be eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame, Job 29. 15. The Lord Jeſus will find all in this heavenly trade, goods, and tools, and skill, and ſtrength, and all: Surely ſhall one ſay, in the Lord have I righteouſneſs and ſtrength.
Thirdly, A bleſſing on the due improvement of theſe ſhall be enſured to all his traders: The wayfaring man ſhall not erre, Iſa. 35. 8. His workmen ſhall not labour in vain, 1 Cor. 15. 58. For his bleſſing is upon his people, Pſal. 3. 8. Thou ſhalt decree a thing, and it ſhall be eſtabliſhed unto thee, and the light ſhall ſhine upon thy waies, Job 22. 28. The book of the Law ſhall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou ſhalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayeſt obſerve to do according to all that is written therein, (this is the heavenly trade, to fulfill after God, and ſuch ſhall proſper,) for then thou ſhalt make thy way proſperous, and then thou ſhalt have good ſucceſs, Joſh. 1. 8. No Merchant will undertake to make their dealers proſperous; they muſt trade at great uncertainties, and run the adventure as to the iſſue of all: Bleſſings come not out of earthly ſhops, but from a divine hand, let come what will in the way: Bleſſings will ſurely come at the end to thoſe that caſt out at Chriſt's biding, and trade by his inſtruction in Wiſdome's Merchandiſe, let men curſe, let devils vex, let North-winds blow, and blow down too their earthly comforts, yet God will bleſs them that fear him, every one, Pſal. 115. 13. He will bleſs them in life, and bleſs them in death; and is not this good trading, to be ſure of bleſſings in the way, and bleſſedneſs at the end? 1 Pet. 1. 9.
Fourthly, Another Condition in this Trade is, That God ſhall have all the glory, but they that trade with and for him ſhall have all the good that comes by it: This is the head Rent which the great Lord reſerves to himſelf, and will not part with to another: My glory will I not give to another, Iſa. 48. 11. This is his great deſign in all works of his hands, and gifts of grace, that he may be glorified: The people ſhall be all righteous, the branch of my planting, the work of my hand, that I may be glorified. This is God's great end in beſtowing redemption mercies, to have all the glory to himſelf, who worketh all things after the counſel of his own will, that we ſhould be to the praiſe of his glory, Epheſ. 1. 12. Chriſtians, the Rent muſt be the Lords, the fruit ſhall be yours: Whoſe keepeth the fig-tree ſhall eat the fruit thereof, Prov. 27. 18. All the ſweetneſs of the Vine is for thoſe that poſſeſs it, and the herbs of the earth for them by whom it is dreſſed, Judg. 9. 13. Heb. 6. 7. The righteous ſhall eat the fruit of his doings, Iſa. 3. 10. The preſent comforts of holineſs are not mean; Great peace have they that love thy Law, and nothing ſhall offend them, Pſal. 119. 165. Her waies are waies of pleaſantneſs, and all her paths are peace. Religion is the moſt pleaſant trade; no delights like thoſe that are in God, and fetch'd from him: God gives the world the bones, and keeps the marrow for his labourers; the godly feed on the wheat, the wicked have but the bran; look whatever good, comfort, credit and happineſs Religion can afford here, and to all eternity, is their part that trade upon it: Who planteth a Vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof, 1 Cor. 7. 9.
Reaſ. 4. Laſtly, The Heavenly Trade muſt needs be the beſt trade, becauſe it is the moſt profitable trade: The advantage that comes by godlineſs, makes it the beſt employment in the world. We uſe to ſay, three things make traders rich, all which are found in the way of godlineſs.
1 Great Returns.
2 Sure Returns.
3 Quick Returns.
Now nothing turns to more account than a thorough purſuit of piety; whatever men think, Religion is the moſt thriving way, in regard of the
Excellent Fruit of it.
Abundant Fruit of it.
Durable Fruit of it.
Firſt, Great returns will ſoon make traders rich, when the time and labour they expend is abundantly compenſated, and the things they part with, bring in far better: ſo is it with this heavenly trade; there is no proportion in their adventures to their returns: their duties are poor imperfect things; when they have done all, they are unprofitable ſervants, but their reward is great and glorious; their afflictions light and momentary, but the iſſue, a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 1 Cor. 4. 18. It's great profit indeed, when ſome weak works of faith, and labours of love, a little patience, obedience and duty for a time, ſhall be rewarded with eternal reſt, pleaſure and glory: there is no equality between the race and price, this ſtriving and crowning: What's a cup of cold water, to a river of pleaſures? a Crown of thorns, to a Crown of Glory? the worlds ſrowns, to divine ſmiles? conſcience-troubles, to the conſolations of God? a few tears, fears, watchings, faintings, duties, afflictions, to the joys of the Lord into which they ſhall for ever enter?
It's a great bargain to part with baſe things, for excellent; beaſtly luſts, for the beauties of holineſs; an unclean, for a clean heart; vile affections, for vertuous diſpoſitions; filthy rags, for fair garments; a body of death, for a ſpirit of life. To let go the world for God, fellowſhip with devils, for communion with Chriſt, to loſe guilt, and to gain righteouſneſs; to eſcape Hell, to obtain Heaven; this is great gain. To ſwap away old things, for new; rotten things, for ſound; hypocriſie, for ſincerity; lyes, for truth, is a good bargain. To exchange empty things, for ſatisfying; things that are not, for things that are; goods that periſh with the uſing, for things that wax not old; fading trifles, for eternal treaſures, is a thriving trade indeed; and ſuch are the incomes of this Heavenly Trade, they are incomparably great and excellent; there's nothing mean, no low price goods, that Wiſdome's Merchants deal about; all their riches are pleaſant and precious: By knowledge ſhall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleaſant riches; precious faith, precious promiſes, the precious blood of Chriſt, precious thoughts of God, are ſome of this precious ſubſtance heavenly Traders meet with in the way of holineſs. Beſides, this purſuit of godlineſs enters ſouls into an acquaintance and converſe with God, and helps them to keep an entercourſe with Heaven, and to maintain a life above and beyond the reach of all others; and is not this advantage?
Religion alſo helps men to bleſſed experiences of the love, power, greatneſs and faithfulneſs of God; and this conſtant employment about heavenly things, makes the way pleaſant and delightful, and fills the ſoul with much contentment with its lot in the world, whatever the tryals, loſſes and ſufferings may be that they are expoſed to. Alſo the driving this Heavenly Trade ſecures the good and comfort of all their other intereſts, and ſweetens their portion, whether more or leſs that Soverign pleaſure allots them in the world, bringing all their concerns under divine care and promiſe for their good, comfort and ſufficient ſupply in their paſſage home: And are not all theſe great returns? enough to make the Heavenly Trade the greateſt intereſt and advantage beyond all others in the world.
Secondly, Sure returns make Traders rich: Merchants that drive gainful trades, count if one Adventure to two or three come ſafely home, they get well: but all regular Adventures in this Heavenly Trade are ſecured; Their labour ſhall not be in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor. 15. 58. not one of their ſincere attempts in the way of God ſhall miſcarry; never a pious duty loſt; all their ſowings to the ſpirit ſhall ſurely ſpring up into a bleſſed harveſt, Gal. 6. 6. Though they ſow in tears, yet they ſhall reap in joy Pſal. 126. 5, 6. Though they go forth weeping, yet if they bear precious ſeed, they ſhall doubtleſs come again with rejoycing, bringing their ſheaves with them: God is not unrighteous to forget their work and labour of love ſhewn towards his Name, Heb. 6. 10. God is engaged in juſtice to ſee the Adventures of Believers ſafely returned into their harbour; he hath promiſed it, and cannot be unfaithful; neither doth it conſiſt with his honour, to put Believers on an unprofitable ſervice: He never ſaid to the houſe of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain, Iſa. 45. 19. Ingenuous men love to ſee their ſervants thrive: Will Chriſt, think you, let his labourers be loſers? their works ſhall ſurely follow them into their reſt, Rev. 14. 13. how ever they may be out of ſight in their paſſage towards it, ſeeing God's Word lies at ſtake for it.
The blood of Chriſt ſtands engaged alſo for the ſafe returns of the Saints Adventures, that are according to the will of God; their religious labours are part of the travel of his ſoul, which he muſt ſee ſecured, and they are the pleaſure of the Lord, which muſt proſper in his hand, Iſa. 53. 10, 11. He is become a Surety for them unto God, and a Surety for the Father unto them: By ſo much was Jeſus made a Surety of a better teſtament, Heb. 7. 22. The Covenant is called here a Teſtament, as relating to the Saints priviledges and intereſts, which by that Covenant becomes due to them, and ſhall be ſurely made good to them upon the account of Chriſt's Suretiſhip for it; He is the Surety of this Teſtament or Covenant, and every promiſe of it; one of which is, That what they ſow to the Spirit, they ſhall reap in glory; their labour ſhall not be in vain: and to make all the promiſes good both the condition and bleſſing to the foederates of this new-Covenant, hath the Lord Jeſus laid down his precious Blood, which cannot be loſt, Heb. 9. 15. but it would be caſt away, could Believers religious duties be in vain.
Another thing that ſecures the Saints advantages by this heavenly Trade, is this; that their trading is the work and product of his own Spirit; their duties are his work: Thou haſt wrought all our works in us, Iſa. 26. 22. It is God that worketh in you to will and to do, according to his good pleaſure, Phil. 2. 13. Not that we are ſufficient of our ſelves to think any thing of our ſelves, but our ſufficiency is of God, 2 Col. 3. 5. They are his workmanſhip, created to good works, Eph. 2. 10. by whoſe influence they are acted, and let by the Spirit of God, Rom. 8. 14. So that further than the ſpirit of the living creatures move, their wheels cannot move, nor do any thing graciouſly, further than their works are wrought of God, and by God, Joh. 3. 21. So that Believers labours in this heavenly Trade, are the work of the eternal Spirit; and ſhould their work be loſt, the Spirit of God would labour in vain, and his work caſt away; which cannot be, Iſa. 45. 18.
Laſtly The Lord Jeſus is an adventurer with them, his Glory and Kingdom is concern'd in this heavenly Trade; when his Will is done, his Kingdom is come, Mat. 6. 10. and 1 Theſ. 4. 3. Holineſs is his will, and a conformity to his Law, and he is engag'd to the Father, for the Saints holineſs and happineſs; for their grace and glory; As thou haſt given him power over all fleſh, that he ſhould give eternal life to as many as thou haſt given him, Jo. 17. 2, 12. The Father hath put all Believers into the hands of Chriſt, and intruſted him with their graces and glory, both which are included in eternal life: ver. 3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee, &c. that is, this is the way to life eternal, and the beginning of life eternal, even the grace of Faith, and ſaving knowledg of God: and this grace, as well as glory, is put into the hand of Chriſt for Believers, to be kept for them; and they are alſo put into his hand, to be kept by him through it unto glory: and in purſuance of this truſt, the Lord Jeſus is engaged, to keep his people, their graces, and the reward of them, for them, that they be not loſt; the advantages of this heavenly Trade, are ſecured to Believers by the Lord Jeſus, his adventure with them, his truth, faithfulneſs, and glory, is concern'd in their ſafety: ſo that their returns are not only great, but ſure.
Thirdly, Quick returns, if great, are greatly enriching: Hence comes that Proverb, that light gain makes a heavy purſe, it brings great cuſtom, and that occaſions quick returns: Now, no Trade brings quicker returns than the heavenly Trade: Behold I come quickly, and my reward is with me, Rev. 22. 12. The Lord Jeſus not only makes good, but quick payment; as ſoon as the work is done, he promiſeth to make good his word: Call upon me in the day of trouble; and I will deliver thee, Pſal. 50. 15. Nay, the Lord Jeſus ſometimes pays before-hand: And it ſhall come to paſs, that before they call, I will anſwer; and whiles they are ſpeaking, I will hear, Iſ. 65. 24. Men many times are forc'd to ſtay for their Mony and ſometimes loſe it at laſt; but the Believers gain is not only ſure, but ſpeedy.
Obj. What's the reaſon then, the people of God do complain of God's not hearing, and deferring an anſwer to their requeſts? And why are Believers adviſed to patience, and long-ſaffering, after they have done the will of God, if the return of their Faith and Duties were ſo quick? This is the experience, and complaint of the people of God in all ages, that God ſeems not to regard their Prayers, and to delay his coming to help them.
Sol. 1. Firſt, yet are the Saints returns quick; becauſe they are in due time; God never delays to perform his word, when the Believer hath need of it; in the needful time of trouble, he will ſurely hear; My God ſhall ſupply all your wants, Phil. 4. 19. When once the Soul comes to ſtand in real want, then God will ſurely pay him; When the poor and needy ſeek water, and there is none, and their tongue faileth for thirſt, I the Lord will hear them, Iſa. 40. 17. When once they come to be needy, then God will with-hold no longer, but will help; this he hath promiſed, they ſhall not want any good thing, Pſal. 34. 10.
Secondly, If the Lord do not pay preſently, he will give uſe for it, they ſhall loſe nothing by forbearance; But when he comes, he will bring his reward with him, Iſa. 40. 10. Not only a reward of his work done by them, but a reward of their patient waiting for his promiſes alſo, their mercy ſhall be ſo much the ſweeter, for their want of it, and waiting for it. O! how welcome are long look'd for mercies, when they come, then is every mercy double; God tried Job long by with-holding mercy, but ſee the end of Job; God paid double for what he took, and with-held from him, Job 42. 10. Returns are ſure always in the needful and ſeaſonable time; and if God delays, he will pay well for it.
To which I might add this alſo; Many times Wiſdom's Merchants are the cauſe of theſe delays, by their unfaithfulneſs in their trade, or their unfitneſs for their returns: The diligent hand makes rich, Prov. 10. 4. Souls that are active and faithful in the whole of Religion, ſhall have no cauſe to complain of God's ſlack payment.
So much by way of demonſtration of the point, That the Heavenly Trade is the beſt Trade; no Merchandiſe like Wiſdom's Merchandiſe.
Now, to come to ſome improvement of the Point.