The Fanning and Sifting of Samuel Oates, Treatise 2

The Fanning and Sifting of Samuel Oates · Treatise 2

p. 79CHRIST, THE Goſpel-Treaſure AND PEARL.

MATH. 13. 44, 45.

…ain, The Kingdom of heaven is like unto treaſure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and ſelleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.

…gain, The Kingdom of heaven is like unto a Merchant man ſeeking goodly pearls: &c.

IT is high time that we come (in the wiſdom and Part. 2.ſtrength of Chriſt) to ſet out the right and genuine Scope, Explication and Uſe of theſe Parables, foreign, for the repairing and edifying of your judgements, which have been ſhaken and ſtaggered by the perverting abuſes of the late novel The true ſcope of theſe two Parables.Expoſition.

The Scope for the doctrinall part, is to teach and ſet forth p. 79duplicate page p. 79duplicate page p. 98the worth and excellency of Chriſt and Grace, and the Goſpel of Grace, with a Chriſtians affectionateneſſe ſtrongly carried out to him, and it; And for the Ʋſe, it is to adviſe and excite all that read and hear hereof to be like unto this man and merchant in the Text, in affection and action.

The particular and punctuall Expoſition (according to this The ſenſe and meaning,general ſcope) is as followeth.

In theſe two Parables (as in all ſimilitudes) there are two parts,

1. The Propoſition, holding forth the reſemblance.

2. The Reddition, applying the thing reſembled, to the reſemblance.

1. The Propoſition or reſemblance is drawn forth two waies.

Firſt, of a Treaſure hid and found, and hid again, rejoyced in, and purchaſed by him that found it, with all that he had.

Secondly, Of a Pearl, found by a Merchant man, &c.

2. The Reddition, ſo is the Kingdom of heaven, as is a Treaſure and Pearl in the diſcovery and purchaſe of it; ſo is the Kingdom; or the Kingdom of heaven is like unto, &c. that is, there is that worth in it, and that tranſaction and management of affairs about it, as if a man ſhould finde a treaſure in a field, or ſeeking many pearls, he ſhould finde one of great price, and having found this Treaſure, this Pearl, he goeth and ſelleth all that he hath, and buyeth it.

By the Kingdome of heaven, I underſtand, the State and Treaſure of it, with the affairs and dealings about it; or Chriſt and his grace preached and ſet forth in the Goſpel of grace, and in Goſpel diſpenſations; Chriſt and his Goſpel grace and diſpenſations, were ſet out in the four fore-going Parables; by their nature, force and efficacy; here, by their worth and ſtate of excellency with the Chriſtians affairs and dealings for his enjoyments of all the worth and treaſure of the Kingdom, as his own.

p. 99First, The worth and riches of the Kingdom reſembled to hidden treaſure, and a precious pearl; what elſe is it, but Chriſt and his Goſpel-grace? as may appear,

1. By parallel expreſſions and deſcriptions of him and his grace in Scripture; Such as you read of in Col. 3. 1. Things above, where Chriſt ſitteth, &c. Treaſure in heaven, Math. 19. 21. & 5. 21. This treaſure, 2 Cor. 4. 7. viz. of Chriſt and the Goſpel-knowledge of him, v. 6. The people of God are the children of the Kingdom, Mat. 13. 38. and the ſubjects of the Kingdom, yea heirs and co-heirs with Chriſt, that is enough for them, but they are not the treaſure of the Kingdom, Chriſt is that treaſure.

2. By the Characters given to this treaſure of the Kingdom, in the Parables of the Text, as

1. We hear here of a hidden Treaſure, Chriſt is moſt like to a hidden Treaſure, as being furtheſt off from the knowledge of men; you may know a viſible Church, ſooner then the inviſible God and Saviour.

2. Hid in a field, that is, a field by it ſelf, and a large field, yet diſtinctly and particularly bounded, within the Word and Ordinances of grace; there is Chriſt hid and wrapt up, in precious promiſes, the preaching and ſubſtance whereof, is called, verſ. 19. The word of the Kingdome; for where the Treaſure is found, there it was firſt hidden; in Goſpel promiſes, Ordinances and diſpenſations, Chriſt and his grace is found.

3. Here is mention of a Pearl, and one of great price; Chriſt is that Pearl, with the grace of the Goſpel; of ſingular, invaluable price; it will impoveriſh every man that goeth about to buy it, but when he hath ſold all, to his ſhirt and skin for it, it enricheth him for ever.

4. One Pearl, which can agree to none but Chriſt, and the unſearchable worth of his grace and Goſpel, ſet in oppoſition to all the goodly pearls, in mens eſteem, the ſuppoſed mediums of ſalvation.

Thus you ſee what the ſtate and worth of the Kingdome of heaven is, and to what it is like; it is Chriſt, p. 100and all he is worth, like to a Treaſure, and one Pearl, of great price.

Secondly, We are to conſider the Kingdome of heaven, in it's affairs; and the Chriſtians dealings about it, like to a man that findeth, &c. Who is he that findeth? he that ſeeketh, and who is he that ſeeketh? the merchant man, a man of no ſmall dealings in the world.

The merchant man is every elect-veſſel of mercy; repreſented here under a double notion.

1, As ſeeking that which he findes not.

2. As finding that which he ſeeks not.

1. As ſeeking what he findes not, and that is aaforeign.goodly Pearls; ſome fair and ſpecious commodities to make him rich and happy; Every one of Gods elect, while naturall, is ſeeking his happineſſe, his life, his heaven, his God, in ſome one thing or other here below; the minde of man is active, and as buſie as Ants on a mole-hill, about worldly contentments, riches, honours, pleaſures, profits, common gifts of learning, knowledge, &c. to make a life of, an heaven, a God of, this he ſeeks, but (if he belong to God, as the Parable ſpeaks of ſuch) he findes it not.

2. As finding what he ſought not for: A Treaſure, a Pearl, an only Pearl of price; the only Treaſure of Chriſt, and Goſpel-grace which will make a man for ever. This finding is nothing but Gods preventing bbIſa 65. 1.Isa 65:1light, and ccJoh. 6. 44, 45.John 6:44John 6:45love, and Gods drawing of a ſoul to faith in Chriſt; And of this finding there are four effects mentioned in the Text.

Hiding.

Joying.

Selling.

Buying.

1. Hiding, when he had found the treaſure he hideth it; which is not only emblematicall, and for ornament of ſpeech, foreign abſcondit eſt emblematicum. Cor. a Lap.as ſome conceive; but ſuch an expreſſion as holds forth the carriage of a true beleever, at his firſt beleeving in the ſeverall acts of humility, of hope and love, of his high eſteem, and holy purpoſes about this Treaſure and Pearl to make it his p. 101own; for as there is a ſinfull hiding of Chriſt, and of Goſpel-grace and truths, when they are not acknowledged, nor others called, to come and partake with us; againſt which David and Chriſt too, do proteſt, Pſal. 40. 10. So we finde the phraſe uſed in a good ſenſe in Scripture; As

1. Sometimes for an act of modeſt humility, in oppoſition to boaſting, as 1 Pet. 3. 4. the hidden man of the heart, is an expreſſion of humility in women, contrary to outward oſtentation, and ſhews and flant-tant dreſſes; ſo ddNiſi fortè dicamus id tantum pollere quantum ſi …u di…as, Diſſimulavit, non jactavit. Bul. in locum.Bullinger inclines to think we may ſafely here underſtand, an act of a Chriſtians modeſty, who when he findes Christ in the Goſpel, hath many a ſecret thought, of the worth of ſuch a Treaſure, and of his own unworthineſſe, yet cordiall, and inward in his beleeving, with the hidden man of his heart.

2, Sometime for an act of Hope, Prov. 22. 3. The prudent man fore-ſeeing the evil, hideth himſelf, i. e. humbly and hopefully betaketh himſelf to the Lord; ſo the beleever hopefully, as humbly cheweth upon the promiſe in his heart.

3. Sometime for an act of dear love, as Job 20. 12. it is an expreſſion of a ſinners love to his darling ſin, he is ſaid to hide it under his tongue, as a man or childe doth ſuggar candy in his mouth; which is ſeemingly a good hiding to a ſinner, and here the reall and dear love of a Chriſtian to Chriſt, holds him and keeps him cloſe.

4. Sometime for an act or effect of high esteem; for ſo the riches, which Cyrus ſhould meet with in Babylon; and which he and all naturall men prize ſo much, are called, Iſa. 45. 3. Hidden riches of ſecret places; that which men prize moſt, they hide moſt cloſely.

5. Sometime for an act of reſolution to keep ſafe, and make ſure of any thing, as Prov. 2. 1. If thou hide my commandments with thee, that is, reſolveſt to keep them, and Pſal. 119. 11. So the man, the merchant man in my Text, eeLeſt any man beguile him of the treaſure, he taketh care that he be not deprived of it, &c. Annot. laſt upon the place.he doth holily take up a reſolution to make out for Chriſt, and to make ſure of him, as his own.

p. 1022. Ioying, which is nothing elſe but the joy of faith, in the knowledge and apprehenſion of what is certainly attainable in the Goſpel, and precious promiſes.

3. Selling, and ſelling all, his ſelling is,

1. His conſent to part with what he hath; he goeth to that end.

2. His actuall parting with what is his, as, and when God calleth, and enableth.

All] That is, all that he hath of his own, that may be truly called his; what ever ſtands in competition with, or oppoſition to Chriſt, and his Goſpel-grace. As

1. His ſins and ſinfull-ſelf; the body of ſinne, and earthly members.

2. His common gifts, naturall and morall, of underſtanding, reaſon, wit, uſuall competitours with, and oppoſers of grace.

3. His own righteouſneſſe of outward duties, civil, religious frames of heart.

4. His worldly profits, pleaſures, honours, preferments, friends, &c.

5. His ſelf-ends in profeſſion. dependency, or confidence of ſtrength to mortifie a luſt.

6. All his externall Church-priviledges, in point of dependance.

7. Life it ſelf; Though skin for skin, &c. yet he conſents to the parting with this alſo, and doth it actually, when called to lay it down for Chriſt and the Goſpel-truth, and grace.

4. Buying the field, and treaſure, and pearl; this is the laſt effect of finding, whereby he gets firm aſſurance, and clear evidences written and ſealed; which is more then the firſt act of beleeving; even a giving diligence to make his calling and election ſure, heaven, Chriſt and grace, ſure to his perſon, and clear to his ſpirit and conſcience; Of ſuch a buying the Scripture ſpeaks, Iſa. 55. 1. Revel. 3. 18. & alibi.

p. 103Thus then take up the ſumme of all;

Christ and the Goſpel-grace, in the preaching and administration of it, is a most rich treaſure, and pretious pearl, hidden in a field of promiſes, and Gospel-diſpenſations, which when any of Gods elect (at the time of their effectuall calling minding other things) is prevented with, by Gods light and love and drawn to beleeve it attainable for himſelf, he doth humbly, hopefully and highly eſteem of it, and in love and holineſſe, purpoſeth to make ſure of it, And from the joy, that he hath, and conceives to have in a further enjoyment, ſets upon the work of extreme ſelf-deniall, and poverty of ſpirit, conſents to part with all his ſinnes, all his pride of parts and gifts, all his ſelf-juſtifying righteouſneſſe; all his ſhackles and ſnares in the creature, his ſelf-ends, dependencies on his own ſtrength or Church-priviledges, lets goe life and all (as called to it) and thereby gives diligence, to get full aſſurance, and firm evidence of Chriſt, and all heavenly treaſure, as his own.

According to, and out of which Paraphraſe, we ſhall have (contract them as I can) ſeven pertinent and uſefull Doctrines.

1. Chriſt and Gospel-grace is a precious treaſure, hidden in Gospel-promiſes and dispenſations.

2. Every one of Gods elect (as others) they wander up and down in their minds and endeavours after imaginary mediums, and waies of happineſſe.

3. In Gods good time, his elect are prevented with his light and love, and drawn to beleeve the attainablenes of this treaſure for themſelves.

4. There is in every true beleevers heart, an humble, hopefull, loving, high esteem of Chriſt and his grace; and a holy purpoſe to make out, for aſſurance of him, and it.

5. The Christian who findes Chriſt, rejoyceth in him.

6. The joy of a beleever worketh him to utmoſt ſelf-deniall.

7. Extreme poverty of spirit, and thorow ſelf-deniall will p. 104ſo poſſeſſe a ſoul of Christ, and of the treaſure of his Kingdome; as he ſhall have full aſſurance and firm evidence that Christ is his, and he is Chriſts; that heaven is reſerved for him, and he for heaven.

Doct. 1. Chriſt and Gospel grace, is a precious hidden Doct. 1 Treaſure; Which Doctrine brancheth it ſelf out into three Chriſt a precious hidden treaſure.Propoſitions.

1. He is a treaſure.

2. Precious treaſure.

3. Hidden treaſure.

Branch 1. Chriſt and his Gospel-grace is a Chriſtians treaſure; Branch 1.The ffCol. 3. 1. Mat 5 21. 19, 20.Col 3:1Matt 5:21Matt 5:19Matt 5:20Scriptures quoted in the Explication and margent prove it; for

1. That which a Chriſtian muſt ſeek and ſet his heart upon, muſt needs be his treaſure; this is Chriſt and his Kingdome.

2. That which is brought in earthen veſſels (Paul, and the deſpiſed frail Miniſters of the Goſpel) that is our treaſure: which is Chriſt, and his riches, 2 Cor. 4. 7. I adde,

3. That which hath abundance and enough to enrich, and Copia ſacultatum.ſupply all that finde it, with all that their hearts doe, or can deſire, is ſurely our treaſure: In Chriſt there is abundance, of all good, of all the fulneſſe of the Godhead, which dwelleth in him bodily, Col. 2. 9. If he gives life, he gives it in abundance, Joh. 10. 10. If righteouſnes, it is given and received too in abundance, Rom. 5. 17. If grace and the Spirit, he ſheds it forth abundantly, Tit. 3. 6. And the Goſpel hath a fulneſſe of bleſſing in it, Rom. 15. 29.

Branch 2. It is not abundance of dirt or droſſe, but all Branch 2.precious, And in that reſpect Chriſt and Goſpel-grace is as well ſet out here by a Pearl, as by a Treaſure; a Treaſure for quantity, a Pearl for quality, one Pearl for the ſingle, ſole compleatneſſe of his grace.

The preciouſneſſe is evident by two properties in the Text.

1. The value and price not ordinary, but great.

p. 1052. The rarity, and peculiar one-neſſe; but one ſuch in all the world.

Firſt, The value and price, great and dear **Pretioſiſſimi praetij, according to the Syriack. Trem.; we may take the eſtimate hereof in three weighty conſiderations.

(1.) Of what price Chriſt is with the Father; of higheſt eſteem with his Father no queſtion; his elect ſervant, in whom Gods ſoul delighteth, Iſa. 42. 1. His beloved Son in whom he is well pleaſed, Mat. 3. ult. The Son of his deareſt love, Col. 1. 13. Amongſt many demonſtrations, theſe are convincingly ſet before us in Scripture,

1. It pleaſed not the Father that any, or all men and Angels ſhould be the ſtore-houſe of grace, but that in him all fulneſſe Col. 1. 19.Col 1:19ſhould dwell.

2. The Father hath given all into his hands; All diſpenſations Joh 3. 35.John 3:35of the Fathers love, from election to glorification, are through Jeſus Chriſt.

3. The Father hath ſet him at his own right hand, of Heb. 1. 13.Heb 1:13Majeſty and Glory, till he hath made all his enemies his footſtool.

(2.) Of what price conſidered in himſelf? his Perſon.

(2.) Of what price conſidered in himſelf? his Offices.

1. In his Perſon, The Son of God, co-eſſentiall with the Verbum in carne margarita in concha.Father and Spirit; Emmanuel, the Word made fleſh; What a pearl is here? God and man united in one perſon of the Son of God: That myſtery which the Angels deſire to gaze upon, as men gaze upon a jewell or pearl; and which they ſtoop to pry into, as men pry into a curious piece of workmanſhip.

2. In his offices, as he is,

1. A Prophet, teaching the whole will of God, the Meſſiah teaching all things, Joh. 4. 25. In whom are all the treaſures of wiſdom and knowledge.

2. A Prieſt, 1. Making full and perfect ſatisfaction, by his obedience and ſufferings; his life, and the compleat obedience to all his Fathers commands, how precious? of more value then all the lives of the Saints; His death, and every drop of his bloud ſhed for ſatisfaction and atonement, how precious? p. 106One drop of more merit, then all the blood of Martyrs. 2. Making perpetuall interceſſion in the heavens; an able Advocate, and a righteous one; able to prevail with a juſt, as a mercifull God, by his righteous pleadings, mercifull, and faithfull in all caſes committed to his plea; And a moſt free Advocate, doth all for nothing, in the behalf of every one, who comes to God by him, in formâ p…peris.

3. A King, declared ſo to be, by his glorious reſurrection, aſcenſion and exaltation at Gods right hand; And by his gathering and governing his Saints, and the Churches of the Saints, inwardly by his Spirit, and outwardly by his Word and Goſpel-order and Diſcipline; unknown worth is here; of great price is he in every of theſe reſpects, as might be amplified and cleared at large.

(3.) Of what price and great value is Chriſt to us in that Principium culmen que omnium rerum pretij margaritae tenēt Plin. lib. 9 c. 35Goſpel-grace, which he communicates firſt and laſt? ſuch as it makes every choice grace flowing from him, to be a pearl, enriching a Chriſtian with enough.

1. To live and ſpend upon for the preſent.

2. To lay up for the future.

1. For the preſent, How precious that which is given to live upon?

1. The Spirit of grace, and praier, and purity, and liberty.

2. Faith, the precious faith of Gods elect, the ggforeign, 1 Pet. 1. 7.1 Pet 1:7triall of it more precious then gold, much more in it's ſelf, moſt precious.

3. Union with Chriſt; there is a pearl indeed; Pearls me called union…s, ſay ſome, becauſe but one or two are found together; and why not, becauſe they unite the heart in love and high eſteem of ſuch as finde them, to themſelves? I am ſure, this is an uniting pearl, the pearl of union with Chriſt, which brings in hh1 Joh. 1. 3.1 John 1:3fellowſhip with the Father, and his Spirit, and his Saints, and iiEpheſ. 4. 16.Eph 4:16whole Churches of them.

4. Juſtification, in which there are four things of great price.

p. 1071. The Righteouſneſſe of Chriſt, imputed.

2. The non-imputation or plenary remiſſion of all ſin, in the guilt and puniſhment.

3. The acceptation of our perſons as righteous.

4. The title to eternal life thereby.

5. Reconciliation, a precious fruit of our Juſtification and pardon, whereby of enemies to God, we are accepted, as his friends, and are in termes of peace with him.

6. Redemption, a precious benefit, whereby of bondſlaves to ſinne and Satan, we are accepted as Gods-Covenant ſervants, and Chriſts free-men, the more precious being purchaſed by ſuch a price, as the precious bloud of Chriſt.

7. Adoption, a precious free-enlarged act of Gods love, whereby of children of wrath, we are accepted as his own ſonnes and daughters, Behold, what manner of love is this! 1 Ioh. 3. 1. Declare it who can, when the Apoſtle is at a ſtand about it.

8. Sanctification, in the parts. 1. The quickning of a new divine nature, and in particular the habit of love kkLyra makes charity the choice pearl among and with other vertues.. 2. The mortifying of an old corrupt nature (how precious thereſtoring of Gods image, and the deſtroying of the devils likeneſſe) And in the firſt generall acts and fruits, Repentance and a broken heart, a precious jewell and pearl. All theſe as they are Chriſts-grace, and Goſpel-grace, may have the denomination to farre as they have the precious nature of Pearls, which, as Pliny llNat. Hiſt l. 9. c. 35.writes, are begotten of the dew of heaven, which at a certain time of the year, the ſhell-fiſh draws in; and as they are ſpecious to ſight, ſo for uſe are very medicinall, to heal the palpitation or beating of the heart, to comfort the vitall ſpirits, and drive away the dizzineſſe of the head: of farre choicer uſe is Chriſt, and this grace which floweth from his divine diſtilling influences; but I follow not the metaphor, as ſome doe, who reading in Pliny and other Authours, of what mmMargaritarū omnis dos (ſaith Pliny) conſiſtit in candore, magnitudine, orbe, laevere, pondere. See Cor. à lapide in loc,Dos and due proportion of whiteneſſe, greatneſſe, …o…idneſſe, ſmoothneſſe and weight, a pearl conſiſteth, p. 108lay out the reſemblance unto Chriſts being conceived of the Virgins ſubſtance, by the over-ſhadowing dew of the Spirit, coming forth moſt-white, by his innocency, little by his humility, bright by his wiſdome, moſt round by his compleat perfection, weighty in conſcience, ſmooth in mildeneſſe, full of the price of bleſſedneſſe; it is enough and agreeable enough to the ſcope of our Lords own Parables, that we take notice of the great value and worth of Chriſt and his grace, moving every one that truly underſtands it, to make out in a purchaſe for the poſſeſſion of it.

2. For the future, the full growth of grace, comfortable evidences of it, and of Gods love the root of it; Perſeverance and victory over ſinne, world, Satan, Antichriſt and death, a joyfull, glorious reſurrection and redemption of the body, boldneſſe at Chriſts coming, with eternall life, in the beatificall viſion of God for ever and ever. Here is as much as ever I heard of, or knew any Chriſtian deſired, and how great is the price hereof, no man can tell mee.

Secondly, The rarity and peculiar one-neſſe of this Pearl, all is ſummed up in one Ieſus Chriſt, In him you are compleat, Col. 2. 9. If he be the Sonne of God, he is the only jewell of the Crown of heaven; if he be a King, head and husband of the Church, he is but one, &c. Act. 4. 12. & 15. 11. if we take in every grace of the Goſpel to be a Pearl; and if we take in the Goſpel too, with Goſpel-grace; and every promiſe of the Goſpel, with the knowledge thereof nnThe knowledge of Chriſt is the pearl, which …re exceeds all other ſciences Annot. upon the Bible. Branch 3. 1 How hid., yet all theſe are bound up in one Volume of Jeſus Chriſt, which when a Chriſtian hath well read thorow, and ſtudied, he deſires to know, and enjoy nothing elſe, 1 Cor. …. 2. Phil. 3. 8.

Branch 3. Chriſt and Goſpel-grace is a hidden treaſure, where two things are worth our enquiry; how and where this Treaſure is hid. In it ſelf and it's worth it is hid, thus,

1. As not known to naturall men at all, by any capacity or principle they have to diſcern Chriſt, or the things of Chriſt, p. 109The oo1 Cor. 2. 14.1 Cor 2:14naturall man (foreign) is not capable of them (foreign) nor is he able to know the things of the Goſpel, and of the Spirit, becauſe as the Apoſtle ſaith, They are ſpiritually diſcerned.

2. Not commonly known, or but known of a few (in every age) that are Gods elect (at what time God makes out the diſcovery in the Goſpel) inſomuch as the Prophet admireth their paucity, and complaineth of their ſlender company, ppIſa. 53. 1.Isa 53:1Lord, who hath beleeved our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?

3. Never known of reprobates: Goſpel-treaſure is ever hid to them, though Apoſtles open and unfold it: qq2 Cor. 4. 3.2 Cor 4:3If (grant it) our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.

4. Known of the elect (Preachers and beleevers) but rr1 Cor. 13 9.1 Cor 13:9in part, though their knowledge is a growing knowledge, yet as ſomething is more made known, ſomething is ever hidden.

5. Known but in a **1 Cor. 2. 7. 1 Cor 13. 12.1 Cor 2:71 Cor 13:12myſtery (while here) and through a Glaſſe, and in a Riddle, in compariſon of what ſhall be ſeen face to face, and underſtood plainly as ſpeech is, when it is uttered in proper and plain expreſſions; Then ſhall the riches of Chriſt be told over, caſt, and ſummed up, and we ſhall know the perfect value, that it amounts unto; but here, while we preach, and you hear of this riches, all is ſſEpheſ 3. 8. foreign.Eph 3:8unſearchable, beyond the ſearch and reach of all humane learning, naturall wit, or ſpirituall underſtanding to trace or finde out.

Chriſt and Goſpel-treaſure is hid in the Scripture-field; or 2 Where hid.in that part of the Word, which is called the Gospel, or the Covenant of grace, and the many great and precious promiſes, which are as a field.

1. For the large and ſpatious ground; the Goſpel ttTit. 1. 2, 3. 2 Pet. 1. 4.Titus 1:2Titus 1:32 Pet 1:4promiſes are capacious, and carty in the womb of them all the excellency and worth of Chriſt; all the precious pardons, and graces, all the hopes, comforts, and aſſurances of a Chriſtians heaven upon earth, and in heaven.

p. 1102. For the limiting hedge and boundary; the promiſes were firſt made to Chriſt, and all of them are Gal. 3. 16. 2 Cor. 1. 20.Gal 3:162 Cor 1:20yea and Amen in him, to them that are Chriſts, and are in Chriſt; Chriſt and all his grace, is wrapt up in promiſes; a promiſe cannot be had without Chriſt, nor Chriſt out of a promiſe: Now Chriſt and all his worth is hid in the Goſpel-promiſes in a two-fold conſideration.

1. Till they be opened, therefore xxLuk. 24. 27.Luke 24:27the Lord began at Moſes, and all the Prophets, and expounded to the two Diſciples in all the Scriptures, the things concerning himſelf; And the Apoſtle yyRom. 16. 25, 26.Rom 16:25Rom 16:26tels the Romans and us, that myſtery was kept ſecret in the Scriptures of the Prophets, which now by the preaching of Jeſus Chriſt, is made manifeſt for the obedience of faith.

2. Till our underſtandings be opened; which our Lord zzLuk. 14. 45, 46.Luke 14:45Luke 14:46did for the Diſciples many of them together, Then opened he their underſtandings, ſaith the Text, that they might underſtand the Scriptures. The Scriptures about Chriſt may be opened long enough, and clear enough, and yet he lieth there unſeen, till mens eyes be opened and cleared, but there he is, and precious is that field of Scripture-promiſes which hideth, and holdeth ſuch a treaſure.

Let this Doctrine of the full Treaſure, and fair Pearl of rich price; hid and wrapt up in full and precious promiſes, 1 Uſe of inſtruction and conviction.ſerve for the full conviction of thoſe who queſtion the fulneſſe of Chriſt and Goſpel-grace; or when they are told of it, prize it not, and ſlight the Word and Miniſtery, where it is to be found.

Three ſorts are here to be informed and convinced, about the weakneſſe of their judgements and affections; and ō that they might be cured, as diſcovered.

Firſt, Such who doubt of the all-ſufficiency of Chriſt and Goſpel-grace for their poorſouls; they acknowledge not, nay, they ſee not enough in that which is preached and offered to them, for their juſtification and pardon, or for their ſanctification and qualification for heaven: Now what is that you have heard of in theſe Parables? was it not of a treaſure, p. 111and a treaſure that hath all the fulneſſe of God, and of his Spirit, above meaſure, in him? and is not here enough for thee, and the filling up of thy empty ſoul?

1. In the want of a juſtifying righteouſneſſe, to take off thy guilt and fears of death, be convinced there is more righteouſneſſe in one Lord Jeſus Chriſt, then guilt in all the ſinfull ſons of Adam; if thou hadſt ſinned from Adam, to this day (above 5500. years ſinning) for length of time; and beſides the guilt of that firſt ſinne, hadſt the guilt of the greateſt ſins upon thee that ever were committed; and in every act of ſin hadſt come near the ſin againſt the holy Ghoſt (that ſin excepted which yet thou art not fallen into) there is fulneſſe of righteouſneſſe and forgiveneſſe for thee, or any ſinner that doth or ſhall beleeve; which cannot but overcome and break an heart full of unbelief, for and from it; were it ſeriouſly weighed and conſidered.

2. In the want of ſanctification, and good frame of heart and life; All treaſures of wiſdome, holineſſe, ſtrength, are in this one Treaſure, to ſupply thy emptineſſe, and enrich thy poverty. Yea, there is that in Chriſt which will enable thee to ſell all thou haſt, to buy himſelf, the pearl and Goſpel-treaſure with; Chriſt will put money in thy purſe, if thou wilt accept him and it; to make ſure of him for thine; for he is the Authour and finiſher of faith, and of all that appertain to faith, not beleeving therefore of Chriſts ſufficiency, will be inexcuſable.

Secondly, Such as do not prize this Gospel-treaſure and Pearl of great price; I beleeve, let Arminians old and new, …e…ch what they will, by a policy and ſtratagem of Satan, to draw off mens eyes from looking upon Chriſt our treaſure, in this Text: yet ſo brightly hath the light ſhined, by the true Application of it unto Chriſt, and his grace, that even many a naturall conſcience is enlightned and convinc't that it is meant of him, as the treaſure of treaſures, and the pearl of pearls: but here now is the ſin of theſe perſons, that their wils and affections are not carried after Chriſt; nay, ſomething yet in their judgements is better then Chriſt, for them▪ p. 112and prefer'd before him in their fancies: Is it not ſo with many here and every where? As the aaRom. 1.Rom 1Gentiles of old; withheld the light of nature, and truths of God in unrighteouſneſſe; impriſon'd and …nother'd it; and did not glorifie God according to the knowledge they had of him: So the Gentiles or Nations ſtill (differing but a little from Heathen in Goſpel Baptiſme, and ſome Goſpel light of Chriſt) doe with-hold, or forcibly impriſon and enſlave this light of the Goſpel, and truths of Chriſt in unrighteouſneſſe; they ſmother and ſuppreſſe the knowledge of Chriſt, from their Baptiſme; ſee and will not ſee; ſee, but are not affected at the ſight of a Saviour, and his riches and worth.

Now tell me, let me put the Queſtion to any rationall man enlightned; what is it that you have and ſtill do lay in the balance with Chriſt? Is it a baſe luſt, or a carnal contentment? Some profitable bargain in the world, or pleaſurable enjoyment of this earth? Dare you ſay, that Chriſt weigheth not down all the world? Worth you ſee in Chriſt, nothing but unworthineſſe in ſin; no merit or worth in the creature, why conſider Chriſt is of more worth then all his benefits and graces (conferred on us) and yet any of his graces and ſpiritual benefits are of more worth (as they have the love of God, and the ſtamp of Chriſt upon them) then all the world, and all wordly accommodations, not to be named the ſame day with the leaſt of Chriſts graces, much leſſe to be weighed in the ſame balance with Chriſt himſelf. On the great ſin of thoſe then who prefer their ſwiniſh luſts, and carnal profits, before this treaſure; and the brutiſhnes of thoſe, who prefer the traſh on this worldly dunghill, before a Pearl, this Pearl of great price.

Thirdly, Such as ſeem to make ſome account of Chriſt and grace, but the Goſpel, and Goſpel-miniſtery, and the field of promiſes they eſteem not; either there are promiſes enough, or rather there are too many for them, they are clo…ed with them, and with the preaching of them; Nay, the old Goſpel, the bbRevel. 14 6.Rev 14:6everlaſting Gospel (preached and to be preached to all Nations, kindreds, tongues and languages, at and p. 113upon Antichriſts ruinous down-fall) a part whereof is Gods free election but of ſome, Chriſts Redemption but of ſome: Gods Covenant with beleevers, and their ſeed, &c. this will not down with many young, and old profeſſours, and hearers of the Word; I have thought of ſome reaſons hereof, all rotten and corrupt, in the mindes of thoſe who are ſwaied by them. 1. Some have lately hearkned after new-teachers, of a new Goſpel of univerſall Redemption, and Remiſſion of ſins for all men, ſo farre as they have ſinned againſt a Covenant of works. Now, as for faith, men hope they have heard enough, and beleeved enough already; they ſhall need to hear no more, but what will nouriſh them up in aſſurance of a pardon before they have any faith at all. 2. Others, they place all the Goſpel in a new baptizing; and make that act or work of baptiſme, the foundation of all their hopes and comforts, and therefore deſire but to hear more of that, and they need no more Goſpel. 3. Some reſt in the bare name of Chriſt, and notion of a Treaſure, and noiſe of a Pearl; it founds ſweetly in their ears, and pleaſeth their fancies very much, but mean while are careleſſe whether they finde and poſſeſſe it for their own, or no. 4. Others have been wont to make the Lords Supper only (in their bodily attendance upon it) their Treaſure and Feaſt; not Chriſt himſelf, and becauſe they cannot have that Sacrament, they ſlight the Word, and will not attend upon it with their wonted diligence; it may be on the Lords-day they will afford their preſence all, or part of the day; but on the week-daies, they will not hear at all, or will ſooner hear a ccJoh. 10. 10.John 10:10ſtranger, and a thief, who cometh not, but for to ſteal, and to kill, and to deſtroy, then their conſtant Teachers, who would as Pastours and faithfull Shepherds fold them in, and feed them with knowledge and underſtanding. Now woe be to ſuch ſtrangers as ſcatter ſheep from the right fold, and to ſuch blind; guides as lead people from the Word (the diligent hearing and the right underſtanding of it) and woe be to ſuch blinde people, who are led and carried from this Goſpel field, and Miniſtery, where Gospel-treaſure is hid, and to be found. Accurſed be that Doctrine p. 114or way, or perſon, which carrieth you off from Chriſt, and the Gospel of your ſalvation, to any other Goſpel, which takes all mankinde into Covenant, and yet ſhuts out little Infants from any one promiſe of grace; as if they were no part of mankinde, or are farre from having any part in Chriſt, till they actually beleeve; that is (in the Arminian ſenſe) till they act ſome of their own power, and till free-will doth it's part, and determines all the controverſies of the parties ſalvation. The Lord ſtrike home ſome arrows of conviction to the very heart of Chriſt our Kings enemies, that people may fall under the power of his Word, and all high thoughts againſt free grace indeed, may be captivated and brought into the obedience of Chriſt.

Ʋſe 2. This ſhould exhort, and provoke us to ſeverall 2 Uſe of Exhortation.duties.

Firſt, Beleeve we this fulneſſe of Chriſt, and Goſpel-grace, 1and beleeve in it. 1. Beleeve there is ſuch a Treaſure, though you have not experimentally found it. The Report hereof muſt be bleeved, or the arm of God will not be revealed to bring you in, to the Treaſure, or the Treaſure to you. Conſider who ſaid, The kingdome of heaven is like unto a treaſure, a pearl, &c. The Truth it ſelf Jeſus Christ, who ſent Paul, and others, according to his Goſpel, to preach among us Gentiles, The unſearchable riches of this Treaſure. 2. Beleeve in it. No earthly treaſure is to be reſted upon, but this is a Treaſure that you may lay your life upon, your faith upon, and truſt unto it for all-ſufficient ſupplies to make you happy for ever; And if ſuch riches encreaſe, you may and muſt ſet your heart upon them.

Secondly, Eſteem we this Treaſure and Pearl at it's full 2rate and value: A Treaſure it is, a Kings Treaſure, the Kingdoms treaſure, an heavenly treaſure, an hidden treaſure, made up in a Pearl, one Pearl; all which call for our high eſtimation and account of it. 1. As 'tis a Treaſure: who doth not prize a treaſure wherein there is abundance? Joſeph's abundance drew his brethren highly to prize him, whom before p. 115they had ſlighted; Solomons treaſures of wiſdom, as of riches, raiſed his fame in all parts, brought over the Queen of Sheba to ſee and admire, till ſhe had no more ſpirit in her; Behold a greater then Solomon is here, to be valued for his wiſdome and wealth above ten thouſand Solomons. 2. Here is the Kings treaſure; a Kings treaſure is (and it is fit it ſhould be) greater then that of any particular Subject; and the treaſure of the King of Kings (to whom all earthly Kings muſt vale and ſtoop, and ſhould willingly ſwear homage and ſubjection) muſt needs be infinitely above the wealth of any of his Subjects, though they be Kings and Monarchs here below. 3. The Kingdoms treaſure is of greater worth, then the particular revenues of the King: for as the King is, ſo is his treaſure, though ſingulis major, over and above all individuals, yet univerſis minor, leſſe then the publike: Behold, the Kingdoms treaſure is here for you, yea, the King himſelf is his Kingdoms treaſure, and his Subjects Pearl. 4. What Kingdom but that of heaven? What treaſure is it but an heavenly? To be prized above all the treaſures of the earth, and earthly Kingdoms put together; take the Perſian and Turkiſh treaſures, the wealth of all the Princes and ſtates of Europe, Aſia, Africa, and America; with all the Indian gold and jewels: Summe all up, they are all but Ciphers, without a figure, they come all to nothing, nothing but vanity and winde; all earthly treaſure is but traſh and dirt from beneath; the treaſure of our text is from above, that may be loſt, ſtolen, this no thief can break thorow and ſteal; that is but corruptible at the beſt, this incorruptible and fadeth not away. 5. 'Tis an hidden ddTheſaurus foreign, aurum repoſitum, Iſid. orig.treaſure; the more hid, the more precious; wiſe men, much more the moſt wiſe God laies up only things of worth, and hides them from the notice of all. There is more then yet can be found, and that which is found, is more then can be told over; 'tis the love of Chriſt that paſſeth knowledge, and the merit of Chriſt, that paſſeth all price and worth in the creature; and ſurpaſſeth all the valuation and eſteem you can give it; ſet it as high …s you can, Chriſt and his grace cannot of any mortall, of any Saint, be too high-prized. p. 1166. All this treaſure is made up in one Pearl of great price, and that with God, why ſhould it not be ſo with us? The richeſt Pearl that ever I read of, was that which Cleopatra diſſolved and drunk in a health to Antonius her friend, worth a hundred thouſand gold pieces; What if the price had been a hundred millions, or a million of millions? this is but mans price, and in mans market, who value things, eſpecially jewels and pearls, more according to fancy, then true worth; but God himſelf here ſets the price, beyond what you can reckon it at; yet if you like it, you ſhall have it at an under-rate; have but theſe thoughts of it; it is ſurely worth all that I have, or that any man hath of his own; and that the merchant man was no fool to go and ſell all that he had to buy it; of which in it's due place.

Thirdly, Pity we thoſe who know nothing of it, and it's worth, and make we the beſt diſcovery of it we can: Let the Miniſters of the Lord, and people of God; let all Chriſts factours, who have any trading and commerce with heaven, ſet forth the excellency and the worth hereof (after Pauls patern in every Epiſtle of his) to the life, and to the luſtre and glory of it, that poor earth wormes, and ignorant ſoules may may be taken with it's commendations, and drawn to dig and ſearch for it, where it is to be found.

Fourthly, Seek we for it, and more of it, where it is hidden, in Scripture-promiſes, and Goſpel-Sermons; give that choice field its due account, and wait for the opening of the field, the treaſure, and your hearts together; to underſtand more of the myſtery of Jeſus Chriſt; Suſpect thoſe who would lead you from the Field, where you may finde the Treaſure; yea, conclude they are deceivers, who call into Queſtion the whole written text of Scripture. And take but this Antidote or two along with you, when you are tempted to ſip of ſuch a cup of poiſon.

1. Thoſe are the Scriptures, and written Word of God, where Chriſt and his grace is to be ſought and found, Joh. 5. 39. in the preſent Scriptures Chriſt is found, and eternall life is found in his words, by us Gentiles, and when the Iew ſhall p. 117turn to the Lord, the vail ſhall be taken away (which now is upon their heart in the reading of the old Teſtament) and they ſhall finde this treaſure alſo with us.

2. They are the true Expoſitours of Scripture, and the right Expoſitions, which hold forth Chriſt and Gods free grace in him, Yesterday, to day, and for ever, ſo as they give nothing to nature, or the creature at all; which they doe, who lay all the ground of Baptiſme upon mans act, not Gods promiſe, and who by preaching Chriſts death for all, leave it to the contingency of the creatures ſlippery-ſlaviſh will, to vote it, whether this or that man, or any man ſhall be ſaved or no?

I come to a ſecond obſervation,

2. Even Gods elect (as others) for a time, they wander Doct. 2 after ſome or other imaginary mediums, and waies of ſoul-enrichment Gods elect are but common ſeekers for a time.and contentment.

So much, I conceive is taught us by our Lord, in that he ſaith, the merchant man who at laſt findes the true pearl of the Kingdome, is in his firſt ſeekings buſied (with other men) Proved.about ſuppoſed ſpecious pearls, which men may ſet a price upon, but here is no price put upon them by Chriſt. eePſal. 4. 6.Ps 4:6Many (even the elect a while, with others, till their hearts be touched, as Davids was) are enquiring, Who will ſhew us any good? If it be but a ſhew of good, it ſhall they think, content them. ffMat. 6. 32.Matt 6:32After theſe things doe the Gentiles (even every one in natural ſtate) ſeek. ggLuk. 14. 18.Luke 14:18One follows his form, and ſeeks a pearl there, another his merchandize, &c. and ſeeks a pearl or two there.

I ſhall further make out the truth hereof in a few Demonſtrations, that it is ſo, and why it is ſo.

Firſt, that it is ſo, is evident three waies:Firſt, That it is ſo.

1. All men have a natural aim at happineſſe; and they who live under the preaching of the Word, they aim at ſuch a place as is called heaven; for the will naturally hath good for its object, and enclines to chuſe a ſum…um bonum, ſome chief good; to make the ſoul happy by; And when any conſcience is a wakened, it preſently asketh, What ſhall I do p. 118to be ſaved? Miſerable it would not be.

2. Mediums and waies men have (though falſe) as ſo many pearls in their eye, fair and goodly poſſibilities to keep them from miſery, and to make them happy: ſuch a carnal pleaſure, as the Epicure, or ſuch a portion of eſtate, as the rich fool in the Goſpel; ſuch honour at Court, or preferment at, or by the Parliament; ſome are for profound learning, and travels in the writings of the Ancients; others for common parts, or trades and imploiments in the City or Countrey; ſome for Philoſophy and phyſick, others for Rhetorick or muſick; ſome for common graces, others for religious duties and offices in the Church, by ſome or any of theſe, men take their aim at a bleſſed ſtate for preſent and future too.

3. Theſe and ſuch like mediums and waies not attaining their end propoſed; they are ever ſeeking, and never finding; they are ever at a loſſe, and in a wilderneſſe, and hhIſa. 57. 10.Isa 57:10are wearied in the greatneſſe of their way, would fain ſet down, and meet with ſomething ſutable to the vaſtneſſe of their deſires, but cannot, nor will they be taken off the purſuite, by a bare propoſal of what may (not more probably, but) moſt certainly give them better ſatisfaction, and content, if they would cloſe with it.

The Reaſons hereof are theſe that follow,Secondly, Why ſo?

1. The groſſe ignorance of the true medium, (the treaſure and pearl indeed) of all true happineſſe, and ſoul-enriching contentment, the Lord Jeſus Chriſt. Plato of all the wiſe Heathens came neareſt the knowledge of God, as the chief good; for he placed the ſummum bonum, in that which he called the Idea boni, & ipſa foreign, the Alpha and Omega of all good; and yet was at a loſſe, through his ignorance of the right medium and way unto God, Chriſt Jeſus; Though he judged well of happineſſe, that it conſiſted in a mixture of wiſdome and pleaſure, which men had from their communicating with the abſolute chief good, which was God himſelf, yet how to come to this God, or to communion with the chief and abſolute good, he knew not. The wiſeſt Philoſophers at p. 119Athens (that famous Heathen Univerſity) might happily feel and grope after God, as men in the dark, but higher and nearer they could not come, then to dedicate an Altar, iiAct. 17. 23.Acts 17:23To the unknown God; And why was God unknown? becauſe Chriſt was unknown; Now while the elect at Athens (as elſwhere) are ignorant of Chriſt, they ſeek, but finde not; ſomething they would have (like children) but they know not what, or by what way and mean to compaſſe their deſires.

2. The deceit of mens underſtandings which repreſent an apparent and ſeeming good for the will to faſten upon; any thing rather then the right mean and way of happineſſe; pleaſures, luſts, rather then Chriſt. The kkEpheſ. 4. 22.Eph 4:22old man is full of deceitfull lusts, and the old mans reaſonings are very ſubtle and crafty, which, for a long time (and if God be not mercifull, for ever) do keep the ſoul in purſuit of that which is imaginary.

3. The pride of the will is ſuch, that every one would be happy in himſelf, Men are naturally poor and proud; every one will be a Merchant (without a ſtock) trading and dealing, and doing (a ſuppoſed) ſomething to contribute to his own happineſſe. As it was an ingredient in the firſt ſinne, that we would be as Gods; to when Chriſt is diſcovered (as well, yea more, as when he is not) we would be as Chriſts: We would finde that in ſelf and creature, which is not to be found, but in Chriſt; And if Chriſt be a Pearl, we will have a pearl or two beſides him, or with him; As very Papiſts, we would have our goodly Saviours and Mediatours, beſides, and with him, and ſo we miſſe of him altogether at the laſt, and finde him not ſavingly at all, while we are of that minde, and be determin'd by the caſting vote of our own will.

4. The vanity of the creature, which affords nothing but reſtleſſe diſappointments; when one pearl is needfull and ſufficient, the vain minde of man, not content with one thing, deſirous of many, runs out upon the creature, flutters here there, findes unſatisfactorineſſe in all things here below, is p. 120baffled and confounded; ſtill is ſeeking, but cannot finde a happineſſe where it is not to be had. Solomon is a famous inſtance of making this ſearch, and his whole book of Eccleſiastas, gives full demonſtration of the ſequell and iſſue; that the ſoul which ſeeks for ſatisfaction in and from the creature, doth not only ſhoot at rovers, but when he pricks down his whites, he ever miſſeth, and never hit the mark.

For Application.

Ʋſe 1 1. Remember this, thou that haſt found Chriſt, and be humbled for thy wanderings before Gods effectuall call: and yet admire the riches of mercy, that met with thee, when thou went minding of other matters; Pearls they might be, but nothing to the purpoſe; all counterfeits and trifles, in compariſon of what now thou haſt lit upon; what a fool hadſt thou been, if God had left thee to thy old ignorance, ſelf, deceit, and pride, thou wert, and hadſt been loſt and wilder'd in the vanity of thy own minde, and of creature-enſnarements.

Ʋſe 2 2. Let all examine what they are now a ſeeking; A treaſure it may be, but is it the true treaſure? A Pearl, many a fair pearl, but it is not the onelyonly one of my Text, is it? Every one as his fancy leads him, and as his minde gives him, that he ſeeketh. Had he that, and t' other accommodation, he were well and happy. All the goodly pearls in mens natural eye, may be reduced to three heads, the goods of eſtate, of body, of minde.Bona fortunae, corporis, animi.

1. There are the goods of eſtate (which have in the worlds language and notion carried away the name from the two other; for they call wealth and riches, money and houſhold-ſtuff, goods, not health, knowledge ſo) Is this thy pearl? a goodly farme, and ſome competent purchaſe for the yeoman, a goodly inheritance for the Gentleman, a goodly cottage for the poor man with ſuch and ſuch conveniences, ſome goodly gardens, lands and fields, without doors, and warm proviſion within, and Peace; A goodly pearl all men conclude, and very deſirable all over the countreyes and Kingdoms p. 121of the world; be it little or much, ſo thou mayeſt peaceably enjoy it, that is it thou ſeekeſt after, is it?

2. Of the body, health, comelineſſe, beauty, ſtrength, and ornament for that, yea children and poſterity (more lovely pearls then riches and large poſſeſſions) are theſe in thy deſires and aims daily?

3. Of the minde, wiſdome, knowledge (the choiceſt pearls the world can afford) ſuch a goodly library, variety of learning in Arts, Tongues, and Hiſtory, ſeek you theſe above the former? Yea, Are you among the ſeekers of the times, and flie higher, looking for miracles, extraordinary gifts of prophecying and ſinging? Or doe you hunt after ſome **For the eſſence and being, I mean, not the beauty and well-being which we all ſeek, who ſeek the Lord in his Temple, Mat. 1. 1.Matt 1:1new Baptiſme, Church and Miniſtery? why, you will ſay all, theſe are goodly, amiable, deſirable things; wherein now lies mens folly and weakneſſe? I anſwer, in ſeeking after theſe true, or imaginary good things, but as natural men, and with a natural minde and fancy.

How ſhall that appear? Thus,

1. In that you aim at a happineſſe, and ſouls reſt (if but temporall) and could wiſh ſuch a condition were lengthened out to eternity, riches muſt not be loſt, children muſt not die, parts of minde muſt not decay, you are undone then.

2. In that you reſt in theſe things, …s the ſole and only mediums and waies to a compleat and full happineſſe, looking no further, but for more of ſuch goodly pearls, and for more content in them: Chriſt is not in all mens thoughts, all this time, or if he be,

3. Theſe things are thought to be, and ſo ſought after, as of equal neceſſity with Jeſus Chriſt, if not more neceſſary: I have heard many a natural man ſay, why, we must have food and raiment, and accommodations to our eſtate, place and rank amongſt them, when I never heard him ſay, we muſt have Chriſt. Whereas there is no abſolute neceſſity of food and raiment, much leſſe is it neceſſary that we have more. It is not neceſſary that I have ſuch accommodations as another p. 122Miniſter, for eſtate, maintenance, books, portion or proviſion for wiſe and children; 'tis not neceſſary that you doe vie with other Gentlemen and Farmers, and have, in every reſpect, what they have: no man is to ſeek great things for himſelf, but the great things of Chriſt and heaven.

4. When Chriſt is not a Pearl in thy eye, in compariſon of theſe, Thou makeſt a tuſh of Chriſt, and art angry, that we hold forth heavenly treaſure before you, or art ſad and meſancholy (as the young man, Matth. 19.) when we chalk out the way to happineſſe by Chriſt alone, or by ſelf-denial, and denial of all the world for Chriſt; this evidence (with the former) diſcovers ſufficiently the carnality and natural temper of mens hearts; and know you may of what ſtrain, you are of, if you will ſuffer the Word to divide between the joynt and the marrow, and to diſcover the thoughts and in…ts of the heart.

5. See the neceſſity, the abſolute neceſſity of higher light, Ʋſe 3 about the true medium and way of happineſſe, then what is left in men, or given back (upon Adams forfei…) to the moſt of mankinde (for ſome are born Idiots) yea, then all common ſupernatural light, given as an overplus to natural light. By the re…nan…s of the firſt light of creation, forfeited and given back, … have llRom. 1. 19.Rom 1:19foreign, That which may be known of God, in the heavens and the earth, as touching his eter… wiſdom, goodneſſe, &c. But have they foreign? Indeed it is not there to be had, neither in the natural …ans …, n… in the natural mans book (the great … of …) Th… which is knowable of Chriſt, is not found in the wiſdome of the world (no not the ſaving knowledge… …f God) … these be had▪ but mm1 Cor. 1 21.1 Cor 1:21in the fooliſhneſſe of …; in the field of Goſpel-miniſtery, there is the doctrine and diſcovery of the Lord Jeſus; yet, lead men over all this field, and that with Scripture-light; except the Spirit co…eth and convince…, and openeth mens eyes, and gives a light and diſ…er…ing, beyond his own common workings, we ſhall but grope after Chriſt, nay, miſſe o… him; catch at ſhadows of a Pearl, in ſtead of the ſubſtance, and p. 123be ever learning, never coming to the right knowledge of him.

The third Obſervation fellows.

Doct. 3 3. In Gods … his elect prev…ted with his love and light, … drawn to beleeve the certain attainablenes of Chriſt Gods elect better finders then ſeekers.and his grace for themſelves.

The treaſure is not ſo hid, but found it is, nor the Pearl ſo fine off, but found it is of the man, the merchant man, no other but the elect of God: And that at ſome certain time, when he had found; even upon Gods preventing or finding of the man, and the merchant, he findes the treaſure and pearl.

For the further illuſtration and confirmation of which truth,

1. I ſhall ſhew what the finding of this treaſure is? that it is a Chriſtians beleeving, &c.

2. Where Chriſt is found, even in the field of Scripture promiſes, Sermons, &c.

3. When this treaſure and pearl is found, at Gods time of effectual calling.

4. Why ſome finde Chriſt, not others; even Gods free preventing love, and powerfull diſcovery and drawing of the ſoul upon that diſcovery, &c.

Firſt, The finding of the treaſure and pearl, is nothing elſe 1. How finders?but beleeving; Chriſt is found by the light and apprehenſion of faith; for what is faith but a perſwaſion or apprehenſion of Chriſt, to be certainly attainable, by him that receiveth him, and reſteth upon him?

1. In faith, there is a light and ſight of Chriſt, in his fulnes, and …tableneſſe for the ſouls neceſſities, brought home to the minde and underſtanding; the Father teacheth and revealeth Chriſt to the heart; and nnJoh. 4. 45.John 4:45every one that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh to Chriſt: ooMar. 16. 17.Mark 16:17Fleſh and bloud makes not ſuch a diſcovery, as the Lord ſaid to Peter, but God himſelf, and that not only to a ſoul, but in the ſoul, ppGal. 1. 16.Gal 1:16… ſaith S^t Paul, He revealed his ſonne in me; he brings the light into the heart, and gives the eye of faith, to ſee p. 124and behold the treaſure, within the mines, &c.

2. The ſoul is convinced that he may have it, if he will take it, or make out for it. Chriſt is offered to every ſoul, and to his, to thy, to my particular; qqAct. 16. 31.Acts 16:31Beleeve and thou ſhalt be ſaved, and thy houſe. rrRom. 10. 9.Rom 10:9If thou ſhalt beleeve with, or in thine heart, &c. he is thine, his, mine; whereof, upon ſuch a conviction, the Prodigall makes no Queſtion, but that in his ſſLuk. 15. 17.Luke 15:17Fathers houſe there was bread enough; and that if he went to his father he might get in among the hired ſervants, &c.

3. When the minde apprehends what is diſcovered, and the conſcience is convinc't, that it is for him, as for others, the will is drawn to receive and reſt upon it for his; He hath found it, why ſhould it not be his? The heart is concluded by faith, that he will ſeek no where elſe for treaſure, but pitch and reſt, live and die there; whither? To whom ſhould we goe? Here are the ttJoh. 6. 48, 49.John 6:48John 6:49words, here is the Treaſure of eternal life: The clear knowledge of Chriſt draws the heart to beleeve, as it followeth, And we beleeve that thou art Chriſt, &c. And the heart beleeving this, beleeveth in him, there the ſoul reſts, and will not away, nor look any where elſe, but there; nor any way elſe, but by beleeving; which further appears by theſe three Demonſtrations.

1. Faith is the firſt ſeeking grace, and therefore the first Faith the great finding grace.finding grace: They that ſeek by works before faith, loſe the Treaſure, as the Jews did Rom. 9. 31.Rom 9:31, Iſrael which followed after the law of righteouſnes, hath not attained to the law of righteouſnes: wherefore? becauſe they ſought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law.

2. Chriſt being had in a myſtery, Faith is the only grace that can deal with myſteries, and diſcover them, and underſtand them, being the xxHeb. 11. 1. verſ. 3.Heb 11:1evidence of things not ſeen, and through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, &c. ſo through faith we underſtand that there is a treaſure, in ſuch a field, &c.

3. Faith is the grace, which laieth a ground for intereſt and propriety, as finding of the treaſure and pearl doth: He p. 125that beleeveth gets ſomething in hand, as aa1 Cor. 1. 30.1 Cor 1:30to be united to the treaſure, to be partaker of Chriſts righteouſneſſe, with friendſhip, liberty, adoption, and the ſpirit of adoption and ſanctification; and the reſt in hopes, and **Joh. 6. 47. with Tit. 3. 7, 8John 6:47Titus 3:7Titus 3:8hopes he could not have, but by beleeving; therefore the Apoſtle to Titus having made mention of hope, preſently ſpeaks of ſuch who have that hope of eternal life, as of thoſe who have beleeved in God.2. Where? In Scripture▪ promiſes.

Secondly, Where Chriſt the treaſure is found? even where hid: In the field, which we have interpreted to be the holy Scripture, Scripture-promiſes **In quibus repoſita eſt notitia ſalvatoris. Hier.and Evangelizing, or Goſpel-tidings: In a word, The Word of God in it's ſeverall Goſpel-diſpenſations, is the place where the treaſure and pearl is found; bbRom. 16. 25, 26.Rom 16:25Rom 16:26The myſtery of Chriſt (in whom are hid the treaſures of wiſdome and knowledge, Col. 2. 3.) kept ſecret (from us Gentiles) ſince the world begaen, is (from the Apoſtles times) made manifeſt there where it was hid, in the Scriptures of the Prophets; and to us, ſince the Apoſtles times, in their Scriptures, or writings and openings of the Goſpel (in old and new Teſtament) promiſes. Life and immortality cc2 Tim. 1. 10, 11.2 Tim 1:102 Tim 1:11(ſaith Paul) is brought to light by the Gospel, whereunto he was appointed a Preacher, and an Apoſtle and teacher of the Gentiles; in and by whoſe preaching the Gentiles did indeed finde all Goſpel-treaſure. For the Goſpel is the Covenant and bundle of the Promiſes of Chriſt and his grace, and in every promiſe ſomething or other of Chriſt is found, ſo as when the Goſpel and Promiſe is beleeved, Chriſt is beleeved and obtained; for ddRom. 10 17.Rom 10:17faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God (preached in the Promiſes.) When Jeſus walked by John Baptiſt, eeJoh 11. 36, 37John 11:36John 11:37John Baptiſt ſaid in the hearing of two of his Diſciples, Behold the lamb of God; they knew him not before then; when John hath by a Goſpel word and finger, pointed him out, they finde and follow him. ffverſ. 40.Andrew being one of the two, he findes his brother Peter, and ggverſ. 45.Philip found of Chriſt, findes Nathaneel, and diſcovers him to be the Meſſias, out of the Scriptures, We have found him, of whom Moſes and the Prophets did write, Ieſus of Nazareth, p. 126the ſonne of Ioſeph. So, my beloved, we tell you of this Treaſure and Pearl, where? in this Bible, in our Sermons upon Goſpel-texts; and that the Word of the Goſpel, is the field, where Chriſt and his grace is found, appears further, by theſe three Demonſtrations,

1. That is the true Treaſure, he is the true Jeſus, that the Word diſcovers: as it contains him, ſo he is found there; if any ſay, hh…t. 24. 23, 24Loe here is Chriſt, or there, and holds him not forth in Scripture, and as the Scripture deſcribes him, Beleeve him not, ſaith Chriſt, for there ſhall ariſe falſe Chriſts, and falſe Prophets, &c.

2. When Chriſt and grace is loſt, to ſenſe and feeling, he is found in the Scripture-field again, and no where elſe; and where he is found at laſt, he is found at firſt.

3. Where the Goſpel never was preached, and the Scriptures concerning him, never opened; in that corner or quarter of the world, Chriſt was never known and beleeved on; iiRom. 10. 24.Rom 10:24How ſhall they beleeve in him, of whom they have not heard? Where the Goſpel comes, there ſome or other doe finde him.

Thirdly, The time when this treaſure is found, is Gods 3. When?own time; kkGal. 1. 15, 16.Gal 1:15Gal 1:16When it pleaſed God (ſaith Paul) to reveal his Sonne in me: So when it pleaſeth God to call a ſinner from his wanderings, and fancies of finding pearls of happineſſe elſwhere; when is that? you will ſay ſtill:

1. Sometimes, when the ſoul is in a full career… of ſinning againſt Chriſt, as Paul was called, and he found the Treaſure, when he did ignorantly perſecute all thoſe that had found it.

2. Sometimes, when men are farre off from ſuch a treaſure or happy tidings; and their mindes imployed only about worldly matters; as Matthew, at the receit of cuſtome, Chap. 9. 9.

3. Sometimes, When a man hath ſome common, or curious thoughts of ſeeing and knowing Chriſt; Zaccheus, but carnal in ſuch thoughts, yet carnally-curious and ſolicitous▪ ſee p. 127he muſt Chriſts out-ſide, or ſhadow, as he paſſeth by, and then is he caught; llLuk. 19. 5, 6.Luke 19:5Luke 19:6Make haſte and come down (ſaith Chriſt) for to day I muſt abide at thy houſe, &c.

4. Sometimes, when men hear the Word, but with a common, carnally-curious ear: ſo ſome at Athens, mmAct. 17. 19. with 34.Acts 17:19May we know what this new Doctrine whereof thou ſpeakest is? yet afterward certain clave unto Paul, and beleeved that new Doctrine.

Various is the Lord in his cals, for manner and time, it is enough, that he takes his own way, and time to preſent Chriſt to the …oul; and to prevent the ſoul with light enough to finde him.

Reaſon, Generall, Why ſome finde Chriſt; others not?Fourthly, Why? The main reaſon, why ſome finde Chriſt, not others; a man, a merchant or two, not many, but here and there one, is,

Gods free-love and favour, to give the clear light, and eye of faith for diſcovery of Chriſt the treaſure, and of a treaſure in Chriſt; a lively apprehenſion to faſten upon Chriſt, …s, and when he is ſet forth in the promiſes, it is the gift of Gods ſpeciall love, Epheſ. 2. 8.

Which is a preventing love two waies;

1. As it is everlaſting; in, and from his free choice of ſuch a ſoul, I have loved thee with an everlaſting love, therefore have I drawn thee, Jer. 31. 3. or I have extended loving kindeneſſe unto thee. And as Gods temporall prevention comes from this eternall prevention, nnRom. 9. 20.Rom 9:20I am found of thoſe that ſought me not; I was made manifeſt to thoſe that asked not after me; ſo

2. Gods prevention, before, and in time, is the cauſe of mans invention or finding: they, ſo many (and no more) as were ordained to eternal life, beleeved, Act. 13. 48. And therefore, Tit. 1. 1. ſaving faith, which findeth Chriſt, is called, The faith of Gods elect. And ooJoh. 6. 37.John 6:37all that God giveth Chriſt (in his preventing love and call) ſhall come to Chriſt; obſerve it in John, they are given before they come, as well as when they come; and becauſe given before all time, they ſhall come in time unto him.

p. 128Reaſons ſpecialAnd that faith is a fruit of election, and finding this treaſure a fruit of Gods ſpeciall love, appeareth by two Reaſons among many.

1. The treaſure of and in Chriſt is a great ſecret, it is for Gods friends, and children, that he loveth to finde it; and to have the ſpeciall grace of faith, to apprehend it for theirs; it is the childrens bread and portion, To you it is given, to know the mysteries of the Kingdom, &c.

2. God who elects to the end, elects to the means; he did not elect all to the end, therefore not to the means: ſome are left to a loſing faith, others choſen to ſalvation, have a finding, and a ſaving faith given them, as the proper and choice means of getting an intereſt in Chriſt, and all that they are choſen to in him, before the foundation of the world, Epheſ. 1. 1. to the 4. the faithfull in Chriſt Jeſus are bleſſed with all ſpirituall bleſſings, according as God hath choſen, &c.

For Application; and firſt to your underſtandings;

Firſt, From hence, ſee the neceſſity of true faith; if it be 1. Uſe of Inſtruction three waies.neceſſary thou findeſt this treaſure; and truly that is needfull enough, for thou art a merchant-bankrupt in Adam; till Chriſt ſtocks thee, and ſets thee up, by Goſpel-riches and wealth; and except thou beleeveſt, thou wilt never ſee, not underſtand any thing of this myſtery of Chriſt, and of Gods love; Chriſt will never have any dealings with thee, he will not truſt thee; nay, unleſſe thou beleeveſt ſincerely, he will not commit himſelf unto thee, nor truſt thee with this true treaſure.

Secondly, See what effectuall faith is, that which is the …ffect and fruit of Gods free, everlaſtin, ever-preventing love; that which brings home a diſcovery of Chriſt in a promiſe, to the ſoul, with ſome certainty of apprehenſion for a mans ſelf, that it is the will of God, Chriſt ſhould be his, mine, thine; Haſt thou by the light and conviction of the Goſpel, been drawn to this apprehenſion of a poſſibility, yea a certaincy of attaining to true treaſure? ſurely, thou haſt been prevented by the love of God, and haſt found, that which thou beleeveſt; p. 129and maiſt know thy faith and beleeving is no… in vain, when as by the very firſt act of it, thou haſt hold of a Treaſure, a Pearl, which will make thee for ever.

Thirdly, See the riches of a beleever, and his happineſſe; by faith he findes a treaſure, that make him, what? a man of this world? a merchant of ſmall wares? No, but a Merchant-venturer for heaven, a venturer, ſaid I, no a merchant finder and poſſeſſour; he findes all at once; by faith, that ever any Saint was or ſhall be worth; he findes the treaſure of the Kingdom of heaven, and all that the King and Kingdom of heaven is worth, this he findes by beleeving, ô that you would beleeve how great his findings are, th… you may grow great by beleeving alſo with him.

Uſe. 2 Exhortation three waies.Secondly, To come to what is yet more practicall; let … caution and counſell you about the great work of beleeving.

Firſt, Bewere of an evil heart of unbelief; thou wilt ever be …t … leſſe (for Chriſt) till thou beleeveſt: thou wilt loſe Chriſt; and loſe thy ſoul by unbelief.

Conſid. 1. Unbelief is a ſin againſt Goſpel light, which brings condemnation with a witnes, Ioh. 3. 19.The ſinfulnes of unbelief.

2. 'Tis a ſame againſt Goſpel-love, it hinders the ex…tion of Gods-election (in theſe that are choſen) then maiſt be among the choſen of God; beleeve and thou ſhalt below it.

3. 'Tis a ſin againſt the perſon, offices, worth, efficacy of Jeſus Chriſt; he will not, he cannot do, what he would … hee in thee, becauſe of thy unbelief.

4. It hath more evil in it then all the ſins againſt the … called (by a more eminent diſparagement) an p Heb. 3. 12.Heb 3:12an … of unbelief; a proud heart is … heart, is an evil heart, and an unclean heart, an evil heart, yet not …, in Scripture (that I remember) as an unbeleeving …; in … that …ame, more then all other … of ſpirit (which yet are bad enough) upon theſe grounds.

1. … are in this virtually and actually: pride p. 130is in all unbelief, and acted with it; and the worſt pride of all; exaltings and liftings up of the heart againſt God; pollution and uncleanneſſe is in and with unbelief; they are never ſeparated; hypocriſie and unbelief, unthankfulneſſe and unbelief, are linked inſeparably together.

2. It brings more miſchief to the ſoul then all other ſinnes, more griefs, cares, vexations, deſpairs, and deeper damnation for ever.

3. It keeps the heart under the guilt and power of all ſinne whatſoever; thy heart will never be better, but worſe and worſe while unbeleeving.

Secondly, Wouldſt finde Chriſt, get rid of this evil heart of unbelief: Beleeve, and thou haſt found Chriſt righteouſneſſe, and a treaſure of all grace in him: Haſt found thy ſelf empty? By faith thou ſhalt ſee and ſhare in Chriſts fulneſſe. Haſt found thy ſelf bankrupt? Beleeve, and thou ſhalt have riches, and ſtock enough in Chriſt. Haſt found thy ſelf fooliſh? in Chriſt are treaſures of wiſdome and knowledge: Beleeve, and thou ſhalt finde thy ſelf Gods, by election, Chriſts, by redemption and purchaſe, and the Spirits by his in d…velling, ſanctifying preſence. Say, and conclude it, if God hath diſcovered Chriſt, it is that I ſhould beleeve, it is for obedience of faith; I beleeve, I beleeve, then m…ſt thou ſay, I have found, I have found; What? The Gospel-treaſure, and the Gospel-pearl.

Thirdly, Would you beleeve, walke up and down the field where the Treaſure is hidden, and revealed; reade and ſearch the Scriptures, hearken after the promiſes, attend to the Sermons of Chriſt, to the Word of the Kingdom; and to this end,

1. Give not over hearing, and hearing again (upon all occaſions) of thoſe that preach Jeſus Chriſt purely and ſincerely.

2. Meditate, turn over Chriſt and the promiſes, in thy thoughts, oft in a day; and as oft, or oftener in the night ſeaſon.

3. Enquire, and make out for knowledge, more p. 131light into the myſtery of the unſearchable riches of Chriſt.

And you that have beleeved, and found ſomething, hear, meditate, pray, and pray in faith for more underſtanding: they uſe to dig for hid treaſures, Jo… 3. 21. qqProv. 2. 2, 3, &c.Prov 2:2Prov 2:3If thou encline thine ear, and apply thy heart, crieſt and lifteſt up thy voice for wiſdome, if thou ſeekeſt her as ſilver, and ſearchest for her as for hid treaſures then ſhalt thou underſtand, and finde the knowledge of God, of God in Chriſt, of Chriſt in a promiſe and Covenant of grace; Amen.

We have diſpatcht three of the Doctrines, the other four (drawn from the effects of finding Chriſt by faith) doe follow; and the fourth in order, is from the firſt of the general effects here mentioned, Hiding, Which when a man hath found, he hideth. Some, as I told you (in the breaking up of the true and full ſenſe of the Parables) think it reſpects only the elegancy of the Parable, and is not neceſſarily to be applied to any part of the myſtery hidden, or illuſtrated in theſe Parables. For the meer neceſſity I will not plead; and I remember Calvins rule; we muſt not weigh every ſcruple Non ſemper ſingula per ſe in in parabolis conſideranda ſunt, Cal.in a Parable, by it ſelf: I deſire to obſerve it here, and elſewhere, and not take the words as they ſound: But the reaſon why that moſt learned Interpreter (as Beza every where ſtileth him) … Expoſition upon, or obſervation from this paſſage, …, was (as we may, pace tanti viri, collect) beca… …t that time, when he commented upon theſe words, he had no other abſcontion or hiding in his eye, then a ſinfull hiding, or what is unſutable to ſuch as are called by the Goſpel; who ought not (as he ſaith truly) to hide (I adde ſo to hide) the treaſure found, but to call others into the fellowſhip of it. And, keeping my ſelf to the ſcope Quod autem abſcondit, non de invidia facit, ſed more ſervantis, & …olentis perdere abſcondit in corde. Hienof the Parables, I conceive as faith is the finding grace, ſo there are gracious hidings, or hiding graces (the effects of faith) as humility, hope, &c. Let him therefore who hath heard remember (and he that readeth let him underſtand) and to that end look back to the Expoſition of the words; and I hope with the conſent of the ſpirits of the Prophets, p. 132we ſhall have warrant and encouragement to open …nd apply that which followeth in order,

4. Every true beleever (having found Chriſt in a promiſe) Doct. 4 doth in a gracious manner hide him and lay him up: True b…leevers in a gracious manner hide Chriſt.That is,

He doth humbly, hopefully, and with loving and high esteem, reſolve to keep ſafe, and make ſure of Chriſt, and of all his riches and treaſure. Here are ſeverall gracious acts (as ſo many effects and characters of a true beleevers finding of Chriſt) worthy our conſideration; in the opening whereof we ſhall clear, and confirm the truth of the Doctrine.

1. An act of humility; the beleever doth neither ſimply 1. By humility.conceal, nor proudly boaſt of what he hath found, but humbly entertains Chriſt, and all that is Chriſts, in the promiſes, in the hidden man of his heart; he hath many humble thoughts and meditations of what is diſcovered to him in the Goſpel, with the Prodigal aaLuk. 15. ver. 17. & 11.Luke 15:17Luke 15:11, he conſidereth that in his fathers houſe there is bread enough, yea, and with him alſo, he addreſſeth himſelf to the throne of grace, in all humble confeſſions; Father, I have ſinned, &c. Thus the bbAct. 1…. 18.Acts 1:18Epheſians, who had beleeved, they came and confeſſed, and ſhewed their deeds. And what humble expreſſions finde we i… …hat woman, Luk. 7. There is one, who had found Chriſt … verſ. ult. ſhe comes to the houſe where the Lord … ſ…te down to meat ccLuk. 7. 37, 38.Luke 7:37Luke 7:38; ſhe there upbraids not the Phar…, that invited Chriſt or others, with what they wanted, and ſhe had obtained, but ſhe ſtands at Chriſts feet, not at his ſide, as boldly … with him; behinde him, not per…ly before him; weeping, not …ondly laughing, and began to waſh his feet with tears, o gracious hiding▪ and did wipe them with the hair… of her head; ſhe doth not ſhew her ſelf in proud dreſſes and addreſſes upon her beleeving, but rather in the humbleſt poſture, veſture and geſture, ſhe demeans her ſelf, and takes revenge of her ſelf, for abuſe of her hair, in the former … of it **No doubt ſhe thought baſely of her ſelf, and her hair, …. Triall and triumph of faith, p. 1…6.. So the woman of Canaan aaMat. 15. 27.Matt 15:27, Truth Lord, ſhe puts up the name of a dog, and a deſpiſed Gentile, ſo ſhe be one p. 133of Christs dogs ſhe c…res not, ſo ſhe may but have crums and the meaneſt ſhare in the Pearl and Treaſure, ſhe is humbly contented. The ſpecial Reaſons hereof are two among other.

1. Grace is free, the treaſure is free; therefore in ſuch who are partakers of it, no room left for boaſting or vain oſtentation, but cauſe of hiding a mans ſelf, and his grace alſo from being boaſted of: A borrowed garment (as one * of high and Rutherf. ibid.holy learning hinteth) will make a wiſe man humble; and he that by faith findes the garment of Chriſts imputed righteouſneſſe to cover his nakedneſſe; being juſtified freely by Gods grace, cannot but be humble, to thinke that God ſhould borrow his owne Sonnes Garments to cover and beauti…e; yea, beatifie, make rich and happy his poor ſoul for ever.

2. The more worth and excellency a beleever ſeeth in the Treaſure, the more the ſoul is humbled in it ſelf. When that bleſſed Apoſtle called to minde, what he was before calling, a perſecutour of the Church of God ee1 Cor. 15. …, 20.1 Cor 15; and what now, by the grace of God, he is that he is, no better, no higher, in his own thoughts; what ever he did, or laboured, it was not he, but the grace of God with him. And when he is preaching and writing about the unſearchable riches of Chriſt, at that inſtant, he reckons himſelf ffEpheſ. 3 8. Pſal: 8.Eph 3:8, Leſſe then the least of all Saints. When David looks upon Gods excellency in his works of Creation, Providence, Redemption eſpecially by God-man, What is man? or the ſonne of man? that is the next part of the Song: So when a poor creature findes, and views again and again, The rich treaſure in Christ; What am I? that's the next thought; What am I, Lord? to be prevented with ſuch love, to have a ſhare in ſuch riches?

…. An act of hope; There is an hiding of the treaſure that 2. By hope.way; When a ſoul findes Chriſt in the promiſe by faith, he doth hope fully hold the promiſe, and reckons upon it; he doth not deſpair that he ſhall never have it, or make it his own; but he lives in expectation to have the poſſeſſion and good of it. F…ith is ggHeb. 11. 1.Heb 11:1the foreign, or ſubſiſtence of things hoped for: p. 134And (as the Apoſtle hhRom. 8. 24.Rom 8:24) we are ſaved by hope; the compleating of our ſalvation (after by faith it is begun) is laid up in hope: But hope that is ſeen is not hope, for what a man ſeeth, why doth he hope for it? But if we hope for that we ſee not, then doe we with patience wait for it: A Chriſtians treaſure you ſee is much hidden, and laid up in hope; hence Chriſt is called, our hope **1 Tim. 1. 1.1 Tim 1:1, not only as he is the ground and foundation of it, but the further and full enjoyment of Chriſt, is yet to come; and Gal. 5. 5. We through the Spirit doe wait for the hope of righteouſneſſe by faith. Your life is hid with Chriſt in God, Col. 3 3. that is, a Beleevers glorious life is hid in hope. And therefore they are ſaid, to look for that bleſſed hope, Tit. 2. 13. The act of hope, ſet upon the object of hope, keeps all cloſe to a Chriſtian, as if he were really poſſeſſed of all.

A beleever hideth up all in hopes, upon theſe grounds,

1. The ſufficiency of the treaſure and worth of the Pearl, affords enough for the future expences, as for a preſent ſtock, kkPſal. 31. 19.Ps 31:19Oh how great is thy goodneſſe, which thou haſt laid up for them that fear thee? If God hath laid it up in promiſes, the beleever will lay it up in hopes, that the Lord is his ſhepherd, his treaſure, and he ſhall not want.

2. The firm faithfulneſſe of the promiſe: There are no boggs, nor mariſhes, no quick-ſands, nor quagmires in the field, or ground of promiſes; they are the promiſes llTit. 1. 2.Titus 1:2of God that cannot lie; hence ſure ground for hope, and aſſurance of hope, Heb. 6. 11. to 19.

3. The riches, worth and wealth of a Chriſtian, doth not 3. By love.yet appear, 1 Joh. 3. 2, 3. But he is an heir, according to the hope of eternall life, Tit. 3. 8. He is the richeſt man (in hidden hopes) of any under heaven.

3. An act of love. Beleeving, he loveth, and as that which men love, they will keep cloſe to them; ſo from faith working by love, Gal. 5. 6. Love to Chriſt, and to his word in ſpeciall, he hideth what he loveth; How ſweet were the words of God, to Davids palate, ſweeter then honey to his …st…, therefore he hid them in his heart, Pſal. 119. 103. p. 135with 11. ſweet meats, preſerves of fruits, &c. are lockt up in boxes and cloſets: and the beleever finding ſuch ſweetneſſe in Chriſt, cannot but hide it, in the cloſet of his deareſt love; for

1. The treaſure comes in love, he is prevented with the Cos amoris amor; & magnes amoris amor.love of God, in the diſcovery of it; which is both the whetſtone and loadſtone to love again; We love him, becauſe he loved us firſt, 1 Joh. 4. 19.

2. It is peculiar and choice love, wherewith God preventeth and draweth a ſinner to beleeve, and finde the Pearl: where one findes the Pearl, God knoweth how many thouſands mi…le of it; which conſtrains the ſoul to ſet a ſpecial and peculiar affection upon it.

3. Love (though it is communicative, yet) it begins at home, and looks to one (though it hath no thoughts but to walk abroad, and diſcover-Goſpel-proviſion to others, yet) it will be wiſe for it's ſelf; as the mm2 King. 7. 8.2 Kgs 7:8Lepers were, Who came to the uttermoſt part of the camp; and went into one tent, and did eat and drink, and carried thence ſilver and gold, and raiment, and went and hid it, and came again, and went into another tent, and carried thence alſo, and went and hid it; And then they gave out the report, for others ſupply and ſuccour: Love hath it's wiſe concealements, as well as mercifull revealings.

4. An act of high eſteem; it is the property of every true 4. By high eſtimations.beleever to carry ſecretly in his boſome, more high thoughts of Chriſt, then he is able to utter. S^t Paul expreſſeth ſomething of theſe high-prizings, Phil. 3. 7, 8. What things were gain to me, thoſe I counted loſſe for Christ; yea doubtleſſe, and I count all things but leſſe, for the excellency of the knowledge of Chriſt Jeſus my Lord, &c. Yet when he cries out, Oh the depth! and when he calleth the riches of Chriſt unſearchable; and when he praieth, that the faithfull in Epheſus, might be able to comprehend, with all Saints, what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height: and might know the love of Chriſt, which paſſeth knowledge; it plainly argueth, that his eſteem of Chriſt was beyond his expreſſion; p. 136yet his expreſſions are as high about the Goſpel-treaſure; as the holy Ghoſt ever furniſht any earthen veſſel withall; ſince Solomons ſong was penned: And when every ordinary beleever comes ſhort of ſuch expreſſions, he muſt needs hide Chriſt in many a ſilent admiration.

And why is Chriſt more admired and hidden, in ſilent wonderings, yea, the heart filled with admiration at the knowledge of him?

1. Nothing can be found worthy, meet or ſit to be laid in the balance with him; not men, not Princes; he is nnPſal. 45. 2.Ps 45:2fairer then the children of men; not money, not wealth; ooRev. 3. 17, 18.Rev 3:17Rev 3:18all riches is poverty, miſerable poverty without him; not learning & knowledge; all knowledge is ignorance, & all learning is duncery, without the knowledge of him, and his heights, and depths of wiſdom, &c.

2. With worth and excellency, a beleever hath a certain propriety in this hoped for poſſeſſion; this alwaies raiſeth the price of any ſmall matter, houſe, childe, or what elſe … below; 'tis thy houſe, if but a cortage, therefore pri…ed, 'tis my childe, therefore eſteemed and look't after; 'tis my promiſe, thinks the Chriſtian, therefore I will lay it up; Chriſt is mine, and ſhall be mine, if I look well to it.

5. An act of holy purpoſe: to keep the treaſure ſafe, and 5. By holy reſolutions.make …e of it; I found him (ſaith the Spouſe) I hold him, and would not let him goe, untill I had brought him in i… my p Cant. 3. 4.Song 3:4mothers houſe, and into the chamber of her that conceived …. None ſhall take away Chriſt, or a Chriſtians treaſure from him. He is reſolved of that: And ſuch a ſecret reſolution he carrieth; and cheriſheth in his boſome daily; qqPhil. 3. 12.Phil 3:12I follow after (ſaith Paul) if that I may approhend that for which alſo I am approhended of Chriſt Ieſus. So the beleeves holds to his reſolution, as Chriſt hath prevented him, and he hath found the Pearl, he will not loſe it, but ſtudy the nature and vertue of it, enquire more into the myſtery of it; this is his purpoſe, to know, and make ſure of it; for himſelf; and well may it be ſo: For

1. He never mee with the like Treaſure before; all other pe…i… … di… and dogs meat to this; as now he … p. 137very well, and can make a vaſte difference 'tween this and them.

2. He will never meet with the like again, if he miſſe of this; there is but one of theſe Pearls to be found in all the earth, and the Heavens; and this is that only-one.

3. There are thoſe that would beguile him of it; Satan and the cheating heart, and falſe teachers, jugling ſophiſters and baſe companions, therefore he taketh care, that he may not be deprived of it; he hideth it, and holdeth it cloſe, in renewed reſolutions never to part with it; but to make it more his own by all means poſſible.

Uſe 1 Of trial.1. This hiding carriage of a beleeving ſoul, will give certain evidence for or againſt men, whether they have truly found the treaſure of the Goſpel, yea, or no: Whether they have truly beleeved and apprehended Chriſt in the Goſpel-promiſes, to be diſcovered, as theirs, and for them and their ſalvation.

Firſt, It will make againſt all thoſe, who ſay they beleeve the Goſpel, and have found, &c. but 1. are never the more humble, nay, they are proud of their knowledge, and look who ſhould extoll and commend them for it: if none will, they can make a ſhift with the Phariſee, to commend themſelves; they thank God, they are not ſo, and ſo bad as the Miniſter and others would make them: And ſo proud are many, upon profeſſion of faith, that they will not be admoniſhed, muſt not be reproved, need not be humbled, need no more repentance, after they have taſted of the promiſe, and the ſweetneſſe of mercy held out to ſinners; this is an ill ſign I Pride of opinion, pride of parts and gifts, and priviledges with Gods people, doe uſually follow a miſapprehenſion of Chriſt, and miſ-application of the promiſes. 2. If upon apprehenſion of Chriſt, and Goſpel-promiſes, the ſoul fals into a deſpondency, and a kinde of deſpair, ever to have it made ſure unto it's ſelf; if there be no hope, there is certainly no faith. As hope before faith is a preſumptuous carriage of a mans ſpirit, ſo deſpairing after faith is an odde and croſſe evidence, a contradiction indeed unto the Goſpel, and all p. 138Goſpel-beleeving. 3. If no love be ſtirring and working towards Chriſt, what faith or finding of Chriſt is there, in that heart? Now God knows many talk and dream of faith, but the love of Chriſt and his Word, is not in them. 4. If men beleeve (as they thinke) and yet have as mean and undervaluing thoughts of Chriſt as ever, and prize the Goſpel at as low a rate as ever; they can ſee no beauty in Chriſt, nor excellency in the treaſure and pearl, not they, I wonder how they can ſee their faith, and themſelves beleevers; men of God cannot, God himſelf doth not. 5. If ſuch be looſe and ſlippery in their purpoſes of making out for Chriſt, where is thy faith? There is no faith in that heart, where there is not a deſire of more; no finding of Chriſt where you are not reſolved to buy, and get him in for your own, more certainly and comfortably, then at the firſt.

Secondly, On the contrary, by the light of this truth, as the Spirit of God aſſiſteth, evidence may be given in for thee, who art a true beleever; If 1. Upon beleeving, ſenſe of thy unworthineſſe doth not weaken thy confidence; but thy apprehenſions of Chriſt (as diſcovered for thee) doth more abaſe and humble thy ſoul, and melt and break thy heart; and when thou falleſt a beleeving, thou falleſt a mourning for ſin, and confeſſing of thy ſins; and thy faith is hidden and drencht in tears; oh bleſſed art thou, &c. 2. This evidenceth for thee, that thy hopes are bred and built upon Gospel-apprehenſions, that though the things promiſed appear not to ſenſe, yet they are certainly and partiently waited for. 3. This alſo, that a firſt-love comes forth, from and with a firſt-faith, and Chriſt is entertain'd and welcom'd in the heart, by the one, as by the other, ſo as thou canſt ſay with Peter, Lord, thou knoweſt that I love thee. 4. If thou carrieſt in thy boſome thoſe high thoughts of Chriſt and his grace daily; which the world knows not of, and are ſtrangers unto, till it come to the trial; and then it ſhall, and doth appear what a price thou ſetſt upon him, whom thou haſt found, that nothing, nothing ſhall be thought too dear or coſtly for him. 5. If p. 139thou art firm and ſetled in reſolutions to keep what thou knoweſt and beleeveſt, and to give diligence to know and beleeve further, and to have more diſcoveries and aſſurances of all Chriſts wealth and worth, as thine, and for thy ſalvation; In a word, by the ſecret workings of humility and hope, of love and high eſteem of Chriſt, and holy purpoſes to make ſure of Chriſt, thou maiſt (by the fortifying evidence of the Spirit, ſhining upon his own graces) know the ſecret workings of faith in, and after this hidden and ſecret treaſure, which no man knoweth, ſaving he that findes, and hideth it.

Uſe 2 Of caution.For Caution and Counſell; to all true beleevers,

1. Beware of a bad hiding of Chriſt (while you take care to expreſſe your faith in this humble, hopefull, loving and wiſe way of hiding him) take heed of ſmoothering or concealing what God hath diſcovered to you of Chriſt and his promiſes, and free-grace, for ſo you may diſhonour God, and wrong your ſoul, and quench and hinder that good in others, which you are bound to ſeek, when you have found the treaſure; when the Diſciples aaJoh. 1 41, 43, 45.John 1:41John 1:43John 1:45had found Chriſt, they went and told it one another; when the woman of Samaria bbJoh. 4. 28, 29.John 4:28John 4:29had found Chriſt, ſhe went and told it her neighbours; when Zacheus ccLuk. 19. 8.Luke 19:8had found Chriſt, he ſtood forth, in the profeſſion of his faith and repentance, and in the proof of that profeſſion; when Paul ddAct. 9. 20.Acts 9:20had found Chriſt, he went and preached him to others (as he was called to it) ſo let every one, as he hath been prevented by grace, prevent others, and tell them what God hath taught him; but in thy knowledge or diſcovery of Chriſt,

2. Beware of boaſting in thy ſelf, or of being lifted up in deſires of thy own glory or worth; beware of a proud profeſſion, or of proud exceptions againſt Chriſt; take heed, when Chriſts worth is diſcovered to thee, thou doſt not look out for worth in thy ſelf, to apply the promiſes, as too many weak ſouls doe, and will not, dare not beleeve, becauſe of unworthineſſe; they are not rich enough to buy the pearl, nor good enough to purchaſers of the treaſure: what pride is here p. 140under a beggars coat? Cheriſh thou ſhouldſt all mean and low thoughts of thy ſelf, the more freely God doth manifeſt his grace unto thee; but attribute all the worth to the treaſure; there is worth enough in that, thou ſhalt need none of thy own, God requires it not.

3. Beware of entertaining doubts and queſtions, whether you may have Chriſt, after you have found him. Wherefore did God diſcover him? was it not that you ſhould beleeve? and beleeve yet further in his name, upon new diſcoveries? Let not the ſubtle ſerpent, and the deceitfull heart together, cheriſh a ſubtle-humble-pride, in queſtioning and complaining, to weaken thy hopes of obtaining that which is revealed in the promiſe to thee.

4. Beware of loſing your firſt-love of the Goſpel; and your firſt eſteem of this Treaſure and Pearl, with the field of precious promiſes: 'tis not ſo eaſily recovered again, when but left, or decaied. Why ſhould not our loves and eſteems be more now, then at firſt, ſeeing more of Chriſts worth and and ſufficiency is diſcovered daily? And yet thou nor I did ever hear or know of half his worth, which is further to be revealed. Get we therefore more high and capacious apprehenſions of his excellency, and hide we him in our boſome, with dearer affections then ever; he is worthy of all our love, of all our eſtimations and higheſt value, we can prize him at; he is above all we can love, or beleeve, or eſteem, or thinke of him: Get we an eſtimation of him, and affection to him, beyond expreſſion, that ſtill there may be more hidden in our hearts, then can be uttered by our tongues, or publiſhed by our pens.

5. Having found Chriſt, hold him faſt; hide him in your purpoſes, yet more cloſely and ſtrongly; it was Barnabas exhortation eeAct. 1…. 23.Acts 1:23, and it ſhall be mine, that you would all with purpoſe of heart cleave unto the Lord. Chriſt knows from the beginning, who have, who have not beleeved; who ſticketh to him, who departeth from him, by an evil heart of unbelief; an heart that purpoſeth not to live and die beleeving; beware of it, it is the firſt ſtep of Apoſtacy; be not fickle, for p. 141fits and moods of beleeving, let but there be the hidden frame of beleeving, ſet and reſolved to keep the heart cloſe to Chriſt, and Chriſt cloſe to the heart, daily, hourly, conſtantly. Lay him and the promiſes up in the heart for uſe; for a treaſure of ſuch worth, a pearl of ſuch price, is much more worthy and precious to the ſoul, as it is uſed and improved for it's ſpirituall advantage. It followeth,

And for joy thereof, &c.

Theſe words have a two-fold connexion and dependance, on the words before, When he had found; and on thoſe that follow, goeth and ſelleth, &c. From the firſt connexion ariſeth our

5. Obſervation, Every true beleever hath ſome joy (yea Doct. 5 the conceptions of great joy) in the finding of the Lord Jeſus A beleever is a joyfull man.Chriſt.

What man ever found a treaſure, and hid it for himſelf, and as his own, and joyed not at the very thoughts of it? Beleeving thoughts are joyous thoughts, and acts of beleeving, bring in habits of joy, or joyfull impreſſions, at leaſt; till they break forth in gladſome expreſſions. There be inſtances, not a few, to clear this truth.

When Chriſt hath prevented Zacheus, and Zacheus at that inſtant is called effectually to beleeve in the Lord, He receiveth Chriſt joyfully (ſaith the Text ffLuk. 19. 6.Luke 19:6) both into his heart, and into his houſe. The converts (at Peters Sermon ggAct. 2. 41.Acts 2:41) gladly receive the Word of ſalvation, and of the promiſe to them and theirs. A treaſure, a pearl in the field of the promiſe, for them and their children, this they rejoyced in, and this doe beleevers (that have right evangelicall apprehenſions in our daies) rejoyce in alſo. When this Treaſure is diſcovered to the people of Samaria hhAct. 8. 8. & 12Acts 8:8Acts 8:12, and many beleeved what Philip preached of the Kingdome of God, and the name of Ieſus Chriſt, there was great joy in that City: ſo was there in the Jailours heart and houſe iiAct 16. 31, 34Acts 16:31Acts 16:34. The Apoſtle Paul tels the Philippians, for his part, and Timothies kkPhil. 3. 3.Phil 3:3(whom he joyns with himſelf in the inſcription of the Epiſtle, cap. 1. 1.) We rejoyce in Ieſus Chriſt; and he ſpeaks in the name of all beleevers, if p. 142not there, I am ſure in his Epiſtle to the Romans llRom, 5. 11., We joy in God (reconciled) through our Lord Ieſus Chriſt. Saint Peter alſo tels the Chriſtians he writes to, that beleeving, they doe rejoyce (in Chriſt) with joy unspeakable, and full of glory.

Reaſon 1 1. It is an unſpeakable and glorious treaſure that is found by every true beleever, the very ſight of it by faith, cannot but raviſh the heart, and might (were it narrowly viewed) tranſport it into an extaſie of joy: 'tis no common favour, nor ordinary, but rare and extraordinary, to finde a treaſure hid in a field; And as for this treaſure, few there be that finde it: As there is no other pearl of pearls, but Jeſus Chriſt; ſo none but elect veſſels of mercy doe finde him, contain or hold him; Well may every ſuch ſoul rejoyce; He that findes a treaſure, out of which he hath ſufficient to pay all his debts, and to ſtock him for trading, with the be…t of merchants and merchandize, may well rejoyce, and rejoyce again. The Chriſtian here (a bankrupt before he findes this Pearl, this Treaſure) he findeth that in Chriſt his righteouſneſſe, which ſatisfies Gods juſtice, and juſtifies his perſon, diſchargeth him of all debts and treſpaſſes, and that, in Chriſts ſpirituall graces, which affords him a ſufficient ſtock, to be trading with heaven, and to fit him for commerce and communion with Saints, and with the King of Saints in earth and heaven. Hath not he cauſe to be glad, who findes a pearl, that affords a rich dowry for the ſoul, and prefers him to a marriage with the King of heaven? That which brings him into ſonſhip preſently to God, and heirſhip to a Kingdome, and which gives him title to the crown of heaven; and ſtores him with money to maintain warres againſt the ſpirituall enemies of his ſoul, ſinne, world, Satan, Antichriſt (who would deprive him of his inheritance, and take away his Crown, Title and Dignity) over whom the Chriſtian combitant, is made more then Conquerour, through him that loved us?

2. As the worth ſo the propriety, which comes by finding of it, joyes the heart: a man may finde that which he muſt p. 143go cry in the market-place, and part with it, when the right owner is found out; which brings but little recompence and comfort to the finder: But here is a treaſure, who ſo findes it, hath it for the finding; Who ſo findeth me, findeth life, ſaith the wiſdome of God mmProv. 8. 35.Prov 8:35, He that beleeveth in me (ſaith Chriſt nnJoh 6. 47.John 6:47) hath everlaſting life; He that hath the Sonne (ſaith the holy Ghoſt in Iohn oo1 Joh. 5. 12.1 John 5:12) hath life. He hath it for his own, for his uſe, for his comfort, for his rejoycing: Ioy cannot but riſe out of faith, which inſtrumentally doth bring home all Goſpel-treaſure to the ſoul; therefore called the joy of faith ppPhil. 1. 25.Phil 1:25, being the proper right-bred childe of faith, conceived and brought forth by faith, nurſed and maintained by faith, till faith ends in viſion, and hope in fruition of what is found.

3. The beleever hath hope, or certain expectation, of the ſure and full poſſeſſion, and of the pleaſure that he ſhall have in ſuch a purchaſe and poſſeſſion; and in hope of all this, and of the glory of God, he doth and will rejoyce. Men of great and ſure hopes, cannot but be men of great joyes; and this treaſure and pearl, bringing ſo much in hand at preſent, and reaching forth ſo much in hopes for the future (as we heard in the firſt Doctrine) gives out withall no little ground of joy and rejoycing to a Chriſtians heart.

Obj. But he hid his treaſure, and that partly (as was opened in the 4. Doctrine) under mourning and tears: How comes he to rejoyce withall?

Anſw. 1. The Goſpel-treaſure is a ſecret, and the finding of it by faith, and hiding of it by repentance, humility, &c. are ſecrets to the world, and ſo is joy, The heart knoweth his own bitterneſſe, and a stranger doth not intermeddle with his joy qqProv. 14 10.Prov 14:10. If he ſeeth the outward expreſſion, he knoweth not the inward impreſſion.

2. A beleevers tears are tears of joy, or the ſeed of joy, Light is ſowen for the righteous rrPſal. 97. 11.Ps 97:11(in tears and troubles) and joy for the upright in heart.

3. Hiding of the treaſure under humble tears, was not all the hiding, we ſpake of; there is (as we heard) an hiding p. 144of hope, and there is joy hidden under hope; We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God ſſRom. 5. 2.Rom 5:2; and there is a hiding of love, and joy is hidden with love, Whom having not ſeen, ye love, ye rejoyce, &c.tt1 Pet. 1. 8.1 Pet 1:8

Which in the Uſe may ſerve,

Uſe 1 Of reproof.1. To reprove thoſe that bring an evil report upon Chriſt, and Goſpel-grace, that no ſooner, think ſome (and others ſpeak it out) ſhall a man be converted, but farewell joy, you muſt bid adieu to all mirth and chearfulnes, and entertain nothing but mopiſh melancholy, and dumpiſh ſadnes; which is a clamour both falſe and impoſſible.

1. Falſe, for you hear (if you will beleeve what you hear from Chriſts mouth) he is a joyfull man that findes the treaſure. Finding the treaſure of the Kingdome, he findes that joy, and ſweetnes, as he never felt, or had experience of before. Oh the ſweet taſte of every promiſe, and delicious dainties that he daily doth, or may feed upon at the Goſpel feaſt!

2. Impoſſible, for the faculties of the ſoul doe act and put forth according to their repreſented object; Now a Treaſure and Pearl, is the object, a preſent good, and a future good, as ſure as preſent; And where there is an apprehenſion of a preſent good, yea, and a hopefull, aſſured, future good, there is, and cannot but be joy; and the greater that good, the greater that joy; the higher and richer that good, the higher and richer that joy. Now here is the ſummum bonum, the chiefeſt good, and it cannot but produce in the heart, a ſummum gaudium, the chiefeſt joy; and it being bonum aeternum, an eternall good, here is gaudium aeternum, Everlaſting joy upon their heads uuIſa. 35. 10.Isa 35:10The Kingdome of God conſiſteth in it, Rom. 14. 17. 'tis true the poor ſinner upon his finding of Chriſt, bids farewell to joy in ſinne, but that proceeds from this true and greater joy, which baniſheth and puts out the falſe appearances of ſinfull joyes; of which in the next point. Let none therefore belie the Scripture, and blaſpheme or ſpeak evil of Chriſt and his grace, or of a true Chriſtians eſtate. What though the beleevers joy makes not ſuch a noiſe as the p. 145carnall mans, in the ears of the world? A fire of thorns will make a louder noiſe and crackling, then a fire of the beſt wood; and carnall mirth will ſooner be heard of then ſpirituall joy▪ which is better apprehended in the heart, then outwardly expreſt; when the countenance is ſober and humble, doth it follow he is melancholy and ſullen? Alas, poor blinde worldlings, who cannot judge of loo…s and colours, much leſſe of hearts, and the frame of a beleevers heart eſpecially, which ſo far as it is beleeving, it is chearfull, &c.

Uſe 2 Of Examination.For triall; it is an evidence againſt ſuch as ſay they have faith, and have found Chriſt, and yet never took any pleaſure in him, in thoughts or ſpeeches of him; rather are ever and anon excepting againſt thoſe who rejoyce in him; ſuch murmuring and grumbling at the Goſpel pearl, is an evident note of unbelief; Behold this pearl is tr…mpled upon by Swiniſh Gadarens; and it puts a poor, rich worldling into a fit of melancholy. That poor young man (rich enough in the world) Matth. 19. When he is offered treaſure in heaven, be a ſad at that ſaying; if he cannot have it upon better terms, then were propounded; had the Word taken place in his heart, as it did in Zacheus, he had preſently rejoyced, and not gone away ſorrowfull, but where Chriſt is not beleeved on, he is not rejoyced in; and upon this very reaſon, becauſe Chriſt comes to take away the pleaſures of ſinne that laſt but for a ſeaſon, although he would give eternall pleaſures in exchange, the heart will neither rejoyce, nor beleeve in him.

Ob. But there are thoſe who beleeve but for a time, and yet rejoyce, as the ſtony ground, Mat. 13. 20.

Anſw. Such a faith, ſuch a joy; God will go on with carnall men, as farre as they will go with him, where faith is temporary, there joy will be a flaſh and …way; it continueth not when triall cometh, no more than their faith; nor doth that joy ever produce right ſelf-deniall; of which anon.

2. On the contrary, Haſt truly beleeved? Thou doſt and will joy in the Lord, in whom thou haſt beleeved: Haſt found the firſt diſcovery of Chriſt to bring in ſome ſweetneſſe, the p. 146ſecond more, &c. 'Tis a true iſſue of a right-bred faith, … you may know it to be ſo (through the aſſiſting light of … Spirit) by this, 1. It is pure joy, meerly ariſing from … ſight of the treaſure. 2. It will hold out in triall and tentation; And though joy be but an acceſſory grace, it comes and goes, ebbs and flows, yet it radically continueth, of …ideth in the root, and cauſe of it; and all objects of faith are objects of joy; what feeds the one, will cheriſh the …; and if thou findeſt it ſo with thee, happy thou?

Object, But ſome poor ſoul will ſay, I dare not deny but I have found the pearl, yet cannot rejoyce.

Anſw. 1. Is it not thy deſire? and doſt not price a little joy in the Lord, above all worldly joy?

2. What is that which upholds thee againſt deſpair: in ſome promiſe or Goſpel-truth, thou haſt ſome ſecret joy, …r ſin would preſſe thee down, and ſwallow thee up with ſorrow.

3. Meaſures of joy will encreaſe upon beleeving; ſtudy but to grow in faith, and thou wilt encreaſe in joy.

Ʋſe 3. Phil. 4. 4.Phil 4:4For Exhortation to the true beleever; Rejoyce in the Lord, and again I ſay, not I but the Apoſtle, not the Apoſtle, but the Lord himſelf, rejoyce thou Chriſtian, that haſt found the pearl and treaſure; rejoyce in thy treaſure; be glad and joyfull all thy daies, for this pearl of great price. Earthly affections, worldly ſorrows, carnall joyes will come alone, of themſelves, unſent for, unſought; but we muſt ſend for; and call for, and provoke theſe heavenly affections, and glad when we can have them active, and coming; and eſpecially this of joy; Let me ſtir up my ſelf and you to joy in the Lord our treaſure, and in the knowledge of Chriſt, our Pearl, by theſe following conſiderations;

Motives to joy.1. There is joy in heaven, when a loſt ſinner is found, and ſhould there hot be ſo in thy heart, when the hidden treaſure is found? they both are found together, heaven findes the ſinner, and the beleeving ſinner findes the Pearl o… heaven, at one and the ſame time; Why ſhould not heaven and earth meet in their rejoycings, as in their findings.

p. 1472. Thou maieſt rejoyce, 'Tis thy portion, not allowed to others, but to thee, Rejoyce in the Lord ye righteous, &c. aaPſal. 97. 12.Ps 97:12The wicked and unbeleeving are never welcom'd to the feaſt of joy, if invited; nor ſhall they taſte of this ſupper of joy, while they refuſe to come to the dinner of grace. If God ſaith to the young man in the heat of his luſts, Rejoyce, Eccleſ. 11. it is but ironically ſpoken, with a ſalt check and ſerious threatning; in plain Engliſh it is, Repent; and his meſſage to ſecure ſinners is, Be afflicted, mourn and weep; or, Woe to them that have their conſolation here, for they ſhall weep, but bleſſed are they that weep now, for they ſhall laugh and leap for joy.

3. Thou art not wiſe, no more then obedient (in this) if thou doſt not take thy fill of joy; nay, 'tis a ſinne not to rejoyce upon beleeving, as, not to beleeve upon a diſcovery of Chriſt.

4. How many paſſe over the field, and ſtumble at the Word, where the Treaſure is hid, and finde it not; thou haſt it diſcovered before others, while others are left in their blindeneſſe, and given up to their blinde and wilfull ſtumblings.

5. God loves a chearfull beleever, and receiver of his Sonne, and a chearfull giver of the heart to his Sonne; and how canſt thou give thy heart acceptably, if not chearfully? Take Chriſt therefore and be thankfull, receive him and be joyfull.

How ſhall I joy, ſaith the weak heart?

Anſ. 1. Give not way to doubting whether the treaſure be Means of joy.in the field, or no; or whether the Pearl be of ſuch great worth or no, or whether it …as hid, and is now revealed for thee or no, beleeve that God hath diſcovered it, and that for thee; take it for thy own, and rejoyce: 'tis nothing but this unbelief that hinders thy joy.

2. Walk in this field of the Gospel; take a turn or two every morning, and at beſt leiſure, in th… meditation of the promiſes; 'tis a very pleaſant field and walk, you have none ſuch in all your grounds, orchards, or gardens: the poor-rich p. 148peny-father; comforts himſelf in telling over, and but looking upon his bags of gold in his hutch, or coffer: C…ſt Nummos contemplor in arca, &c.not thou be as wiſe to muſe and thinke upon theſe hidden riches of Chriſt? The devil, an old enemy of mans continued comfort, will interrupt thee, and ſcare thee, it may be off the ground; but regard him not, reſiſt him, ſtedfaſt in a beleeving meditation, in the ſtrength of a promiſe, and he will flee, and thou maiſt keep the field; and keep but the field, the Treaſure is there, 'tis thine, it will glad thy heart but to thinke it is there, and there for thee.

3. Quench not the Spirit of faith and hope, and the Spirit of joy will come, and will not depart; apply thy ſelf in praier upon the promiſe of joy; there is a filling up of the ſoul to the brim, with joy and peace in beleeving, to be obtained; neglect not the ordinances of comfort, Word, Sacraments, conference; ſin not againſt the light of a promiſe, no more then of a precept; live by faith, without, beyond feelings; and he that ſhall come, will come, and will not tarry beyond the fitteſt ſeaſon, wherein he will ſpeak peace, and quicken thee with joyfull conſolation.

Uſe 4 Of Admonition.For admonition, in a word, to them that be yet in unbelief, ſtrangers to true joy, becauſe ſtrangers to true faith. I do not wonder you are ſo ſad and melancholy in theſe times, theſe have been loſing times, and yet they are reforming times, both theſe conſiderations damp the carnal mans heart, and almoſt ſtrike him dead. The world goes away from them they ſee, and mens goodly pearls that they have ſought after can give them no content; and comfort they thinke there is none in a work of Reformation: Amidſt ſuch kinde of thoughts, my word of warning is, that men would be wiſe, come to themſelves (with the Prodigal) look after this Treaſure in the Goſpel, 'tis very good Treaſure in theſe chargeable times to ſtock you, and enrich you, and bear your charges to heaven, yea, and make you chearfully fruitfull in all good works; my counſel is, you would get among beleevers, they can (though their commons fall ſhort) eat their bread with ſingleneſſe, p. 149and gladneſſe of heart, with leaping joyes, as the word bbforeign.imports, Act. 2. 46.

Would you beleeve, upon the credit of my Text, and the merchants experience, that there are joyes upon joyes coming in with the adventures and merchandize of faith, you would perhaps embrace the profer of Chriſt in the Goſpel, and come in to him, who will be a Pearl of invaluable price to you: till then, we cannot ſpeak a word of peace to you; for you have nothing to rejoyce in, till you have found what the merchant here found, a Pearl, his joy was the joy thereof,

Now take theſe words in, with thoſe that follow, he goeth and ſelleth all that he hath. And thence ariſeth our

Doct. 6 6. Obſervation, The joy of a beleever, it workes him to utmost ſelf-denial; or, A joyfull Chriſtian indeed, will part Joy breeds ſelf-deniall.with all he hath for Gospel-treaſure. We have the Doctrine and Reaſon both in the point; the Doctrine by it ſelf is this, Christ-finders are ſelf-loſers. And the Reaſon is this, Goſpel joyes doe bring a ſoul to utter ſelf-deniall, and extreme poverty of ſpirit.

Firſt, We ſhall open this affair of the Kingdom, a Chriſtians ſelling all.

Secondly, Diſcover the ſtrength of the Reaſon, for joy.

For the firſt, in the kingdom of heaven, or Gospel-ſtate, there is that done, which amongſt men, you call trading, buying, ſelling, and here is a ſelling firſt, and buying afterwards.

In ſelling, two things are conſiderable;

1. The ſale it ſelf.

2. The matters vendible, and to be ſold.

1. The ſale it ſelf, and there we have conſent to part with. 1. A Chriſtian ſale. foreign, aliq…id amplius videtur ſignificare, quam foreign. Beza in locum.actuall putting off.

Firſt, Here is the beleevers conſent to part with what ſhould be parted with for Chriſt; implied in the mans going, he goeth, verſ. 44. And verſ. 46. in that 'tis ſaid of the merchant, he went. The word in v. 44. is foreign, ſubducit ſeſe, he withdrew himſelf, Clam diſcedit, as Beza noteth, he went away p. 150ſecretly, which can hold forth nothing better, nothing elſe then the tacite conſent of the minde and will, to be at any … for the purchaſe of what was found; he goeth, he is not thruſt on, and forc't, he went of his own accord, he is not driven … Such an expreſſion we have at Zacheus converſion, He ſtood forth ccLuk. 19. 8.Luke 19:8, which ſhowed his conſent and willingneſſe, before he fell upon action: And S^t Paul no ſooner hath Chriſt met with him, and he with Chriſt (upon the way to Damaſcus) but he is at that point of conſent, ddAct. 9. 6.Acts 9:6Lord, what wilt thou have me to doe?

Secondly, This conſent is brought into act, the man and the Chriſtian Merchant here, he revoketh not his conſent, or ſteps back when a going, but he gooth and ſelleth, viz. … ally p…teth with (as God calleth and enableth) what is to be parted with. This actuall ſale, is actuall ſelf-deniall, and ſoul-impoveriſhing, or ſoul-emptying; and the liberty and limits, or the free bounds of this mart, is as God proclaims it, and cals to it, and ſtrengthens in it; which in ſome things that a Chriſtian hath is preſently done, and in other things, at certain times, and by certain ſteps and degrees, as opportunity is offered; which better will be underſtood by opening.

Secondly, The matters vendible, or things here to be ſold; …. Matters vendible, or, to be ſold.that a man hath, and all that a man hath, He went and ſold all that he had; all that a man hath, is either that which is his own, from his own workings and earnings; and that is ſinne and the effects of it; or that which is given him of God, which is no part of the Treaſure or Pearl; or if it be, it is but by way of evidence and ſign, which he lets go, in ſome reſpe… for the thing it ſelf; eſpecially, when that which he hath, … but in ſuppoſition, he put's off all for Chriſt, for whom I have ſuffered (eePhil. 3. 8.Phil 3:8 ſaith Paul) the loſſe of all things, &c. that is, all things, which ſtand in direct oppoſition to, or comparative competition with the Lord Jeſus Christ; So the merchant here ſets upon ſelling.

1. All his ſinnes, he conſents to let them goe, would be rid of originall, inherent corruption, and is willing to part p. 151with all actuall iniquity, whether open or ſecret, of thought, word, or deed; and he doth endeavour hereunto (becauſe God preſently cals for it.)

1. By inward mortification of the old man, from the power or Chriſts death, through faith applied; and by grief, hatred, and ſelf-judging improved.

2. By outward ceſtation and forſaking of thoſe ſinfull waies and courſes, wherein formerly he lived and traded; as … clear in Paul, who was a perſecutour is no more ſo, 1 Tim. 1. and in the Corinthians, they wer… ſo and ſo ff1 Cor. 6 9, 111 Cor 6:91 Cor 6:11, but are waſhed ſanctified, &c. And in the Coloſſians, who had put off the body of the ſinnes of the fleſh **Col. 2. 11.Col 2:11inward habits in their regency and ſtrength, and for outward acts, they ſometimes had walked ggCol. 3. 7. withCol 3:7in fornication, uncleanneſſe, inordinate affection, evil concuplſcence and covetouſneſſe hhverſ. …. and; But now you iiverſ. 8. and 9.alſo put off all theſe (ſaith the Apoſtle) anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication, lying, ſeeing ye have put off the old man with his deeds; what they had done already in part, about ſome ſinnes more eminently, he exhorts them to go on in this work of repentance, as touching all ſin whatſoever; yea, and they are reſolved upon it, For they have put on the new man kkverſ. 10., which being acted and ſet on work, will further mortifie and diſable the old man. In every true Chriſtian, the purpoſe, love, and practice of ſinne is laid a ſide, he trades not in it, but by putting off, off, as laſt as he can; he laies not in proviſion for the fleſh to fulfill the luſts of it, as his conſent holds on, ſo his endeavours hold out to be ſelling, ſelling, all this old lumber to his dying day.

3. All his gifts of nature and morality; wit and parts, learning and knowledge, in nature, civil, or humane affaires; yea, whatſoever is beneath the knowledge of Chriſt.

1. From theſe his heart it removed, in caſe of love, confidence, or high eſteem; he do…es not upon them, affects them not, confides not in them, for one piece of his happineſſe, or that which will contribute in the leaſt to help to p. 152Chriſt, or his knowledge, but as denied and ſubordinated to him, and it.

2. He is farre from uſing them againſt the Lord, or againſt his Scripture, and the underſtanding thereof; nay,

3. He is willing that their property and uſe ſhould be …ltered and converted from himſelf to the Lord, and for the Lord; and the beſt ſervice he can doe him; with ſuch parts and gifts as he hath, now receiving a new ſtamp, by ſanctifying grace. S^t Paul is a moſt eminent example for us; He was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, emploied before his converſion (as a man of parts) againſt Chriſt; but after he hath found that Pearl, he fels all his parts and abilities to, and for Chriſt, denies his wiſdome and learning, where it oppoſeth the knowledge and ſpreading of the Goſpel: When be came to the Corinthians, He came not with excellency of speech, or of wiſdome ll1 Cor. 2. 1.1 Cor 2:1, His ſpeech and his preaching was not with the entiſing words of man… wiſdome, but in demonstration of the Spirit, and power mmverſ. 4.He preached Chriſt crucified in a crucified phraſe; he preached, not to ſhew himſelf, but the Spirit: Although when there was ſome fruitfull and neceſſary uſe of it, he could and did (to convince the ignorant, erring and gain-ſaying hearer, or inform the teachable) produce the teſtimonies of forraign Authours; as of Aratus nnAct. 17. …8.Acts 17:8, Menander oo1 Cor. 15. 33.1 Cor 15:33, and Epimenid…s ppTit. 1. 12.Titus 1:12; yet he is very rare in ſuch quotations; and when any other way men would ſet up their humane parts and abilities in competition with the plain preaching of the Goſpel, he did wholly cry them down, 1 Cor. 1. 19, 20. Yea, and as touching ſpirituall gifts of tongues and miracles, &c. when among the Corinthians ſome uſed their knowledge, and gift of tongues, in an unedifying way, he reproveth them for it, 1 Cor. 14, 26. And when ſome with their working of miracles among the Galatians, would being in another Goſpel (then that of juſtification by faith) he ſpeaks of the man and his miracles with a holy diſdain, He that miniſtreth, &c. qqGal. 3. 5.Gal 3:5as not owning the man, nor his gifts: For his part, he would have all common gifts to vale and ſtoop to the p. 153exalting and lifting up of the knowledge of Chriſt, and him crucified.

3. All his own righteouſneſſe; which men have an opinion of, and confidence in, for their acceptation before God, either as it lieth in outward conformity to the commands of firſt or ſecond Table, or in the inward frame of the heart, by inherent qualifications, before, or after faith: All theſe (when God cals a man to beleeve in Chriſt alone, for juſtification and life) a true beleever (finding this treaſure in Chriſt) renounceth and diſclaimeth as any piece of his juſtifying righteouſneſſe before the Lord. S^t Paul was moſt eminent in this alſo, Touching the righteouſneſſe of the Law, he was blameleſſe rrPhil. 3. 6.Phil 3:6, before men; and for his inward conſcience, he did not ſin againſt the common light of it ſſAct. 23. 1.Acts 23:1▪ what he did againſt Chriſt, he did it ignorantly tt1 Tim. 1. 13.1 Tim 1:13: And after his converſion, he walked in his calling of the Miniſtery, moſt innocently and uprightly, and was not conſcious to himſelf of baſe ends, &c. yet did he ſell away and ſuffer the loſſe of all his Phariſaicall blameleſſe life, and renounced his innocent conſcience, yea and ſanctified converſation, and gracious frame of heart, in the point of his juſtification; I know nothing by my ſelf, yet am I not hereby juſtified uu1 Cor. 4. 4.1 Cor 4:4, I have ſuffered the loſſe of all, and doe count them but dung, that I may win Chriſt; and be found in him, not having on mine own righteouſneſſe, which is of the Law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteouſneſſe which is of God by faith xxPhil. 3. 8, 9.Phil 3:8Phil 3:9. From which Scriptures you may obſerve, he did not throw away his blameleſſe civility, but the Phariſaicall pride of it; nor did he pack up his ſanctification, and ſend it beyond ſea, as a commodity he would (in no caſe) have any dealings with; but in compariſon of Chriſts inherent righteouſnes (imputed to him by faith to his ſole and perfect juſtification) he will own none of his own adherent moralities, or inherent graces; nor, in the leaſt confide therein, or admit thereof as a co-partner with Chriſt, &c. The beſt frame of heart or life, is but for evidence to a ſoul, that he is juſtified, not any ground of beleeving, as in any piece of the cauſe, why he is juſtified.

p. 1544. All worldly comforts and advantages, and creature-engagements; they are likewiſe by conſent put away, ſit looſe from, and as God cals parted with, to inſtance

1. In worldly profits; no ſooner doth the Lord call Matthew, (not only to a Chriſtian eſtate, but to the Miniſtery of the Goſpel) but he riſeth up from the receit of cuſtome, where he had ſweet gains and comings in, and followeth Chriſt aaMat. 9 9.Matt 9:9. No ſooner doth Chriſt call Simon, and Andrew his brother, with this promiſe, to make them fiſhers of men, but ſtraightway they forſook their nets and followed him bbMar. 1. 17, 18Mark 1:17Mark 1:18. The like did James and John, Mark 1. 16, 20. Not that all who finde Chriſt, muſt preſently forſake their particular lawfull vocations and imploiments, but when ſuch a vocation and imploiment will be a diſtraction, let, and hinderance to Chriſtianity, and much more to the ſervice and work of the Miniſtery; then all ſuch ſhackling profits, and profitable imploiments are laid aſide. If Peter or any of the Apostles did afterwards goe a fiſhing upon the ſea, it was not as their particular calling, but upon the by (as we ſay) and but occaſionally. Take another inſtance or two of parting with worldly advantages, upon the finding of the Goſpel-treaſure. Zacheus you know gave away half of his goods to the poor, and if he had taken any thing from any man, by falſe accuſation, he reſtored him four-fold ccLuk. 19. 8.Luke 19:8: here is but half, you will ſay, of his eſtate, but that half is freely offered, and given before an explicite call; And again, a four-fold reſtitution of what was ſnatcht by forged cavillation (if he had much plaid the Sycophant) would take away a good ſhare of the other half of his eſtate; and for the remainder, he that prevented the poor before they askt a part, to give the half, and thoſe he had wronged, to offer ſo fair and full a reſtitution, was prepared to let goe all the reſt of his eſtate, when God called for it. As the members of the prime Church at Jeruſalem, came up to this fale of worldly eſtates and profits in the very letter, by the power of the Spirit ddAct. 2. 44, 45. 4, 34, 35.Acts 2:44Acts 2:45Acts 2:4Acts 2:34Acts 2:35; they gave, as if others had intereſt and right in their goods with themſelves, and ſold to that end, that they might put the propriety out of their hands to the common p. 155ſtock, for the Church it's maintenance; which upon ſuch a ſpeciall call, and extraordinary occaſion, by the grace of ſelf-deniall, the true Chriſtian merchant conſents ſtill unto, and would bring into act.

2. As for pleaſures of the world, and even lawfull recreations, he ſels them away alſo; conſents to none which prove a bait and a ſnare to ſin, and uſeth none, but with an indifferent minde, as the Apoſtle exhorteth eeCor. 7. 30., He rejoyceth, as if he rejoyced not.

3. As for honour, credit, favour; this alſo with Moſes ffHeb. 11. 25, 26.Heb 11:25Heb 11:26, is lightly ſet by; and the afflictions with Gods people, and the reproach of Chriſt, eſteemed and choſen before it. When both theſe, Chriſts favour and the worlds; Gods honour, and eſteem with the creature, cannot actually be held together; the later is both actually and affectionately forſaken, and the former cleaved unto.

4. As for relative engagements to friends, parents, children, wives, husbands, kinred, houſe and family; theſe are ſet by, and not known in Chriſts cauſe; yea, there is a kinde of comparative hatred of them, in reſpect of the Pearl and Treaſure. 'Tis remarkable, that when John and Iames were called by Chriſt to follow him, and to take up a new profeſſion; They left their father Zebedee in the ſhip with the hired ſervants ggMar. 1. 20.Mark 1:20: Yea, Paul, though of the ſtock of Iſrael, and of the tribe of Benjamin hhPhil. 3. 5.Phil 3:5, yet forſakes his kinred and fathers tribe and family, where they forſook Chriſt and the Goſpel. Eminent is the ſtory of that noble Marqueſſe of France, Galeacius Caracciolus, who did diſ-engage himſelf from eſtate, friends, wife, children, and all for the Goſpel ſake; and how many ſuch ſelf-denying Merchants (ſome of them noble and great) have we among the Martyrs? In the Martyrology iiM. Fox, vol. 2. p. 178., there is mention of one Galeazius Trecius, who was bound to a ſtake, and ſtood as a gazing ſtock for half the day, during which time, many came and perſwaded him to recant the truth, and if he regarded not life and countrey, goods nor poſſeſſions, yet he ſhould ſomewhat reſpect his wife, that he loved ſo well, and his young children, but p. 156nothing could ſtirre his ſetled minde, he knew he was not to know, nor own a wife in Chriſts cauſe, nor children ſmiling or crying; all is one, when the creature is laid in one ſcale, and Chriſt in the other; which, thinke you, muſt weigh down the judgement, and ſway the affections of a Chriſtian? He can, with M^r Rogers his ſelf-deniall, kkM. Fox. vol. 3. 131.paſſe by his wife, and eleven children (one whereof was ſucking on the mothers breſt) and be more unmoveable then the ſtake to which he was faſtned, till conſumed to aſhes.

5. All ſelf-ſufficiency and ſtrength for ſervice or ſufferings. When once God hath enlightned a ſoul where his ſtrength lieth, not in himſelf, but in Chriſt; and as habits are infuſed, ſo acts of grace muſt be had from him alone; and that ſtrength enough there is in Chriſt; away then with conceits of ſelf-ſtrength; for duty, or againſt ſince: When he is weak, he is ſtrong (as Paul ll2 Cor. 12. 10, 11.2 Cor 12:102 Cor 12:11) and a very nothing he is in, and of himſelf; I laboured, yet not I mm1 Cor. 15. 101 Cor 15:10, I live, yet not I nnGal. 2. 20.Gal 2:20, but Christ; this is his language, and this is the account he hath of himſelf, even as it was prophecied of one and another, of all the ſeed of Iſrael; who ſhould ſhame themſelves and glory in the Lord; Surely, in the Lord is all righteouſneſſe and ſtrength ooIſa. 15. 24.Isa 15:24, and in him I have what I have, and am what I am, in point of ſtrength, as righteouſneſſe.

6. All externall Church-priviledges, as Pauls being circumciſed the eighth day, an Hebrew of the Hebrews ppPhil. 3. 7.Phil 3:7; and in his zeal for the Jewiſh-Nationall-Church (perſecuting the Chriſtian) he was, and might have been more advantaged; but what was gain (in that as other caſes) and might have been gain to him, he counted loſſe for Christ. So, if deſcent from religious parents, and birth-priviledge, as the ſeed of beleevers, hath been reſted on, when Chriſt is diſcovered, all confidence in this and any other Church-priviledge, is rejected and put away; And if a man hath upon ſuch relations, thought himſelf to be ſome-body, he comes now in his owneſteem to be a no-body, a nothing.

7. All ſelf-ends and aims, in profeſſion of Chriſt and the p. 157Goſpel, in duties and undertakings; theſe are denied and laid aſide; yea, abhorred, when they offer to ſtep into Gods place, and would put by his glory, and the publike good, and are ever made underlings to what is for God, and the publike. A beleever now ſeeks himſelf no further, nor any other way then God allows it, that is (as one ſweetly expreſſeth it qqM. Reynolds Serm. of ſelf-denial.) ſeeking our ſelves out of our ſelves in Chriſt, and in the proſecution of his (not our own) glorious deſigns; Paul was excellent at this, 1 Theſſ. 2. 4, 5, 6. 1 Cor. 9. 22, 23. & chap. 10. ult. And ſuch a ſelf-denying ſpirit he found and diſcovered to the Philippians to be in Timothy (his naturall, true born Sonne in mortification, as in the faith) For I have no man like-minded, who will naturally care for your ſtate rrPhil. 2. 20.Phil 2:20. While every man was ſeeking himſelf and his own things to compaſſe his own ends, Timothy, is caring for the publike, and ſeeking the things of Ieſus Chriſt, and his Maſters honour and advancement; And the Apoſtle to the Corinthians ſſ2 Cor. 5. 14, 25.2 Cor 5:142 Cor 5:25profeſſeth there is a principle for it, in all true Chriſtians; Chriſts death (for us that were as dead, as others) will teach us to die to ſelf, and ſelf-ends, that we may live to him which died to us. All a beleevers ends (when he comes rightly to know Chriſt) are, that he may be to the praiſe of the glory of free grace.

8. Life and all, &c. That is not eſteemed, or thought dear ttAct. 10. 24.Acts 10:24, even that a Chriſtian is prepared, with ſome free conſent to lay down for Chriſt and Goſpel-treaſure: I am ready (ſaid that eminent patern of ſelf-deniall) not to be bound only, but alſo to die at Ieruſalem for the name of the Lord Ieſus. How many thouſands and millions, I may ſay, of the Martyrs of Ieſus have (not only conſented, but) actually parted with their lives for the treaſure of the Kingdom of heaven; Christ and eternall life? Beſides all that ſuffered in the Apoſtles times, and in the nine firſt perſecutions; in the 10^th perſecution, vvMartyr-book vol. 1. p. 10….there were certain thouſands burnt together in one Church; a hundred in one day, ſeventeen thouſand in one monethmonth; three hundred at another time in Alexandria, And p. 104.ſix thouſand ſix hundred ſixty ſix at another time; a hundred p. 158and twenty at another; three hundred ſixty at another time; when as the tormentours were wearied, and the perſecutours tired out; And Chriſtians with more greedy deſire, preſſed and ſought for martyrdome, then others did for Biſhopricks; And what a cloud of ſuch Witneſſes have been in the firmament of the Church, ſince Antichriſt acted his Tragedies, the Hiſtories of the German, French, Spaniſh, Italian and Engliſh Martyrs, doe ſufficiently evidence; that all ſuch merchants, have not loved, but ſold away their lives, unto the death.

Reaſon generall.Reaſon, In generall; is that in the Text, and Obſervation, for joy thereof; the joy of finding the treaſure, and of the Treaſure found, and the joy of the Pearl of great price, once truly found, this brings the man and merchant, to conſent to the ſelling of all, and this brings his conſent into act; For joy, he parts with his ſins, one and another, one as another, in an abſolute-hatred of them, never to have to doe with them again. For joy of the treaſure, he parts with his parts and gifts, ſo, as they ſhall be new molded and caſt, and have a new ſtamp out of the mint and treaſury of Chriſts holineſſe; For joy of the riches of Chriſts righteouſneſſe, he lets goe his own; and for joy of greater profits, ſweeter pleaſures, higher honours, and better friends, which come in by the Goſpel-pearl; he fits looſe from all worldly advantages, and creature-engagements; and for joy of inward ſpirituall priviledges, he lets go confidence in outward. For joy of Chriſt the root of all ſpirituall life, ſtrength and activeneſſe, he renounceth his own ſuppoſed ſufficiencies: For joy of the glory of free-grace, he hates his own ends, and for joy of an eternall life (which is begun in the right knowledge of God in Chriſt) he gives up this temporall life. Obſerve it in Paul, if upon rejoycing in Ieſus Chriſt, he doth not renounce confidence in the fleſh aaPhil, 3. 3., and in the Epheſians, when the name of the Lord was magnified bbAct. 19. 17.Acts 19:17(with joyfull admiration of free-grace) what followed? They came and confeſt their deeds ccver. 18., and parted with their curious gainfull arts; and though they counted the price of their books worth fifty thouſand peeces of ſilver ddver. 19,, yet that p. 159was no price to the Pearl and Treaſure of the Goſpel; their joy of that, which was ſo tranſcendently above any reckoning or arithmeticall accounts among men, conſtrains them to undervalue their old profeſſion and magicall practices, and burn all their books to aſhes.

Reaſons ſpeciall.Now the joy of the treaſure, &c. conſtrains to ſelf-ſelling three waies.

Firſt, From it's ſtrength; The joy of the Lord is his ſervants 1ſtrength; to deny their ſins, to mortifie their luſts, to caſhiere their corruptions, and abandon all wicked inclinations and acts; Spirituall joy, as it is a preſervative from falſe, carnall, ſinfull pleaſures; ſo it hath a purgative and expulſive faculty, to baniſh that which will damp and hinder it's exerciſe; where joy of the Gospel and a ſinfull luſt meet together in one heart, there will be a conflict; in which conflict ſpirituall joy will be too hard for carnall corruption, and muſt give way to it. I proteſt (ſaith Paul) that by the rejoycing which I have in Chriſt Ieſus, I die daily; that is (as worthy D^r Preſton opens the place eePreſton of mortif. p. 41.) "That ſpirituall joy which he had in Chriſt, of juſtification and remiſſion of ſins, and that ſight of glory which he ſaw by faith, mortified ſin in him, made him baſely to eſteem of his corruptions. He that findeth the Treaſure and Pearl, joyeth ſo, in the excellency and worth thereof, that he gathers and grows in a ſtrong hatred of what would deprive him of it; what ever, in ſelf, or creature, of parts, profits, honours, &c. would ſtand as competitour for a room in his heart, therewith; this heart the more riſeth up againſt it, and is alienated and weaned the more from it; for nothing (it knows) doth or can miniſter that joy, that peace, that comfort to the ſoul, which Goſpel-treaſure doth; it muſt needs therefore bid farewell to all which ſhall hinder, or interrupt this joy; In a word, there is ſtrength from this joy to doe the will of God in all points of ſelf-deniall, if there were a 1000 lives to part with for Chriſts ſake, or would the ſoul go through a 1000 deaths to enter into more joy.

Secondly, From it's free and royal nature; when the treaſure p. 160is found, and rejoyced in, the man is truly enabled, and elevated to a holy magnanimity, or greatneſſe of ſpirit, whereby he is carried above, not only baſe luſts, but all the royalties in the world, which he eſteemed out of a pure judgement, and now from a pure joy much more reckons, but as droſſe and dung, and can moſt willingly reſign up for this one pearl; you heard of Zacheus free and noble ſpirit before, whence came it? from his joyfull ffLuk. 19. 6, 8.Luke 19:6Luke 19:8entertainment of Chriſt. The Primitive Christians were full of joy, this made them empty their purſes, and ſell their lands; and the Primitive Martyrs, yea, all of them, for theſe ſixteen hundred years, have out of their royall ſpirits (filled with joy) parted with husbands, wives, children, lives and all. As the Jews when they rejoyced they could offer up more then Hecatombes, even multiplied Myriads (in Solomons gg1 King 8. 63.1 Kgs 8:63, Hezekiah's hh2 Chron. 30. 24.2 Chr 30:24, and Joſiahs ii& 35. 7, 8.time) ſo Chriſtians feaſted with the joy of the Lord, can willingly ſacrifice up multiplied and dear contentments; as God cals for them, he ſhall be honoured with wit, learning, goods and priviledges; and with whatſoever is naturally, morally, ſpiritually dear; it is all dedicated to him, and ſet apart for him.

Thirdly, From it's ſincerity, purity and holineſſe; which 3makes the ſoul willingly active and paſſive in any thing, to pleaſe him, whoſe Treaſure it is, whoſe Kingdome and pearl it is originally, Gods and Chriſts. The ſoul who findes Chriſt hath faith and hope to have the treaſure ſure his own, upon agreement with the owner of the field, the God and Father of Chriſt, who ſets out this treaſure in precious promiſes, yea and amen in Chriſt, to ſuch as come up to his terms of aſſuring it further to the ſoul; Joy, I ſay, would pleaſe him that hath pleaſed the ſoul. God hath diſcovered that which gives the beleever full content, and the beleever being contented, would give God the owner of the treaſure and field content; and that is, by coming into the poſſeſſion lawfully: ſteal he muſt not this treaſure, the field is not his, but the Lords of the Mannour; And this Lord of the Mannour is well pleaſed, if he will but ſell all that p. 161ſtands in oppoſition to, or competition with this purchaſe, he ſhall have it: Why (ſaith the ſoul) if that be all, I agree and conſent; all that I have, or can have as mine, what is it to the worth of this Pearl, this Treaſure and field? All my ſins are worſe then nothing; all my duties and qualifications (be they for duties and qualifications never ſo good and uſefull) in relation to a ſinners juſtifying righteouſneſſe they are juſt nothing; all my parts and gifts, they will ſtand me in no ſtead at all, but as refined and ſpiritualized; All my advantages in the world, ſo farre as they are hinderances to Chriſt, or baits to ſin, they are vanity and vexation; All my priviledges in profeſſion are (without Chriſt) empty things; my glory with men vain-glory; my ſtrength is weakneſſe, my wiſdome folly, my end and ſelf an idol, and I know that an idol is nothing; my life is but a vapour, a breath, a ſhadow; I ſurrender up **Non quod tā tum valet, ſed quod plus dare non poſsumus. Aug.all to thy diſpoſe and uſe, O Lord; I am willing thou ſhouldſt take my ſins, to kill and deſtroy them; Doe juſtice upon them with all ſpeed, and for all ſuppoſed worth or excellency, 'tis none at all; I have found Chriſt, and deſire only to be found in his righteouſneſſe, in his ſtrength, wiſdome, humility, &c. If any doubts ariſe; why, but is this all? God requires that a man deny himſelf, and take up his croſſe, ſell all, and follow Ieſus Chriſt? 'Tis anſwered, All, All; why then 'tis done, the bargain is concluded, as from the ſtrength and liberty; ſo the ſincerity and purity of a Chriſtians joy; I will be nothing, that Chriſt may be all; I will be poor, that Chriſts riches may appear in me; I will be fooliſh, that Christs wiſdome may ſhine in me; I will be weake, that Chriſts ſtrength may be perfected in me; I will loſe in temporals, that I may gain in ſpirituals and eternals.

Ʋſe 1. Uſe 1 Of Inſtruction two waies.For information two waies;

Firſt, See from hence one reaſon, why Satan is ſuch an enemy to true joy: He knows well enough it would put thee upon mortification, and heavenly-mindedneſſe, and holy-reformation, and poverty of ſpirit; he keeps Chriſtians p. 162therefore, what he can, and as long as he can, from rejoycing in Jeſus Christ, and from taking out the ſweet of that they have found, becauſe he would keepe their corruptions the ſtronger, and ſtave them off from a more aſſured purchaſe of the pearl and treaſure the longer time.

Secondly, we may hence learn in what order mortification and full ſelf-deniall comes forth, and is acted and encreaſed, upon, and after the joy of faith; after a ſoul hath found Chriſt, and conceived ſome ſweetneſſe in him, by beleeving: There are many who thinke, they muſt firſt ſell all, mortifie their luſts, &c. and then come to Chriſt by faith: no warrant have they to beleeve, no ground of applying a promiſe, till they have got ſuch maſtery, and victory over their luſts, as they deſire. And it may be, this is the ground and reaſon why ſome have put forth ſuch an ignorant Queſtion as this, what have we (even we beleevers) to ſell? as if all were done before faith, not after; whereas all is done (in true ſelf-deniall) with, and after the firſt beleeving; nothing before.

Uſe 2 Of trialFor Examination, and diſcovery of the truth or falſeneſſe of mens joyes at the hearing of the Goſpel, and upon any diſcovery made of the Pearl and Treaſure,

Firſt, Let me give the true Chriſtian his portion; it is more comfort to finde thy joy to be true joy, then to finde thy heart meerly joyfull. Now then it is true, when it hath ſuch ſtrength as to bring in univerſall ſelf-deniall; when it hath that free royall nature, as to deny God nothing that he cals for; when it hath that purity, as to make thee ſtudious and carefull to pleaſe God, and come up to terms of agreement and commerce with him; If it be a means to mortifie ſinne, to crucifie thee to the world, and the world to thee (as it was to Paul mmGal 6. 14.Gal 6:14, his glorying and rejoycing in the croſſe of Chriſt, brought him to ſuch a frame) then is it a true joy, and a ſanctified fruit of the Spirit; The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, &c. And when goodneſſe, meekneſſe, temperance, and other p. 163gracious acts, are the reſults of joy, it cannot be queſtioned, but thy joy is ſound, and thy ſaith ſound, and thou haſt truly found the Treaſure; the Treaſure is thine, the Pearl thine, Chriſt, and all his excellencies are for thee, &c. But

Secondly, If thy joyes and enlargements of heart, have no other fruit, but ſelf-indulgence, and favour to thy luſt, and baſe yeelding to the next temptation; they are too weak to be the birth and of-ſpring of the Spirit; Self-ſeeking joy is too low and too baſe, to be born from on high; now to be ſure, all a worldlings joy is no other, all a carnall and formall profeſſours joy is no other. Herod heard Iohn Baptiſt gladly, but could not deny himſelf in his Herodias; the temporary beleever, ſet out by the ſtony ground, heard with joy, but when it came to the point of ſelf and world-denial, he fals away.

Thirdly, If ſelf-denial be but ſmall, 'tis a ſigne a Chriſtians joy is ſmall, and faith is but weak, at the beſt; yea, it witneſſeth againſt ſome profeſſours, that they have loſt their firſt joy, and their firſt love; time was when they conſented to ſell a husband, a wife, a childe, &c. Now ſuch ſelf-relations are too near, too dear; Oh, the troubles of a wives or husbands loſſe muſt not be ſpoken of, nor the parting with a childe thought of; what is the reaſon? The creature is a Pearl in their eye, above and before Chriſt, and his truth.

Fourthly, If thy joy be in thy parts and gifts, and outward duties, thy enlargements and priviledges among Gods people, as matter of juſtification and righteouſneſſe before God; this joy would be turned into ſorrow and humiliation; repentance for ſuch a joy, will be a better evidence for thee (in it's proper place) then the cheriſhing of that, which is but a Phariſees, and a carnal mars joy: And although there is a proper comfort which flowes from true ſanctification, or inherent graces and duties of new obedience (as evidences of juſtification, and union with Chriſt) yet no further doe they comfort, or are they evidences, but as fruits p. 164of faith, and influences from the life and ſtrength of Chriſt. Look to it, that thy joy in duties, &c. be not a joy in thy ſelf; but a joy of the Pearl and Treaſure, and the faith thereof; Joy in ſelf, and joy in Chriſt, are heterogeneall, and of a contrary root and principle; And the later will and muſt (if the heart be upright) eat out, and conſume the former.

Uſe 3 Of Exhortation.3. For Exhortation, Labour to finde, cheriſh and maintain ſuch a joyfull finding of the Treaſure, as may worke thee to utter ſelf-denial, ſoul-emptyings, and creaturerenouncings in Chriſts cauſe, and upon Gods call; to encourage whereunto, take along with thee theſe three Conſiderations.

Firſt, It is moſt ſtraightly commanded that you do fell all, hate all (for Chriſt) under pain of Chriſts high diſpleaſure, Mat. 16. 24. Luk. 14. 26. As you would not be caſhier'd from his ſouldiers and followers, as you would be meet to be accounted one of his: Doe it you muſt, and yet doe it you will not freely, thorowly, except you make much of the joy of the Lord.

Secondly, In this thou ſhalt be conformable to Chriſt, who denied all, parted with all (though that be not the ſelling in the Text) he emptied himſelfe nnPhil. 2. 7. foreignPhil 2:7of glory, of comfort; denied his fame, his friends, his wealth, his honour, life and all, and that out of joy, or, For the joy ſet before him he endured the croſſe, despiſing the ſhame, &c. And indeed the joy of faith is more the joy ſet before a Chriſtian, then that which is in him for the preſent: If the little joy thou haſt, puts thee upon ſorrow for ſinne, mortification, ſelf-abhorring, ſubjection to the croſſe; more will come in; which may be a

Third conſideration, the comfort of a chearfull, ſelf-denying Chriſtian, is doubled and trebled, after acts of ſelf-denial, Conſult the Scriptures and experiences of the Saints; and you will finde it a truth, made good to all that ever acted the part of wiſe Merchants; The Apoſtles ſuffering blows and ſtripes, come off rejoycing ooAct. 5. 40, 41.Acts 5:40Acts 5:41; Paul and Barnabas perſecuted p. 165and expelled the coaſts of Piſidia, are filled with joy, and with the holy Ghoſt ppAct. 13 50, 51Acts 13:50Acts 13:51; Paul and Silas ſhut up in the priſon and ſtocks are ſinging praiſes at midnight qqCap. 16. 25.; ſuch was this grace, and high favour of God beſtowed on the Churches of Macedonia rr2 Cor. 8. 1, 2.2 Cor 8:12 Cor 8:2; that in a great triall of affliction, the abundance of their joy, and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality; hereis precious and choice checkwork, joy and ſelf-deniall, ſelf-deniall and joy, egging on, and backing each other: And S^t Paul in his ſufferings will not rejoyce alone, but will have the Philippians joy and rejoyce with him ſſPhil 2. 18.Phil 2:18; If ſelf-deniall with joy for it's antecedent, it ſhall have it, for it's concomitant and conſequent: The Theſſalonians tt1 Theſſ. 1. 6.1 Thess 1:6, and the Hebrews uuHeb. 10. 34.Heb 10:34had abundant experience of joy for their companion and attendant, in all that they ſold away for Chriſt and the Goſpel; ſo many Martyrs of Jeſus (as we read of) ſo many Witneſſes to this truth. Call we to minde, but that one inſtance aaM. Fox vol. 3 71….of Iohn Careleſſe, who was reſolved to caſt all care away upon the Lord; had his water turned into wine, and that of the beſt, filled out by the maſter of the feaſt, that he was become drunken in the joy of the Spirit, &c. And that other of Pomponius Algerius (an Italian Martyr bbVol. 3. 181, 182, 183.) who ſtiled his Leonine priſon, a delectable Orchard; where dropped the delectable dew, where flowed the pleaſant Nectar, where was milk of conſolation, and plenty of all good things; And how doth he (from the joy which himſelf felt and beleeved) call upon his dear brethren and fellow-ſervants, to rejoycing, rejoycing, in the midſt of their fals into divers tentations (according to that of the Apoſtle Iam. 1. 2. Let us take up his reſolution) I will not ſet more by my life, then by my ſoul; deny we our ſelves to the utmoſt, and we ſhall have joy to the utmoſt, lay down the price, and you ſhall have a joyfull poſſeſſion; as it followeth in the next and laſt Doctrine.

But a word of Direction, for the cloſe of this,

Would we cheriſh our joy of the Treaſure, and deniall of Means of ſelf-denying joy.our traſh;

1. Be much in beleeving; ſtrength on faith (as one of our p. 166Worthies in the faith eeM. Ward, Life of faith.) and ſtrengthen joy; and joy ſtrengthened will fortifie the ſpirit againſt fears, or loves inordinate, will more carry us off from ſelf and creature.

2. Pray, and pray earneſtly for that joy which will ſtrengthen us in the inner man; and for that Almighty, glorious power, which will ſtrengthen unto all patience and long ſuffering with joyfulneſſe, as the Apoſtle, for the Eph. 3. 16. and for the Col. 1. 9, 11.

3. Attend upon your ſealing daies; we have every Sacrament, Sabbath enough aſſured, to make us ſay with the Diſciple, Let us alſo goe that we may die with him; or with that heroick Saint, Volemus in Coelum, Let us flee into heaven: or with the Apoſtle, Let us live to him that died for us, and be no more our own, but his, living, dying, And with that Italian preacher, Let Montalchin die, and live thou, O Lord Ieſus.

7. Thorow ſelf-deniall brings forth ſuch diligence, … Doct. 7 whereby the true Chriſtian groweth up to a firm aſſurance Self-denial brings diligence and aſſurance.and clear evidence of the Kingdom-treaſure, and pearl of heaven, Chriſt and Goſpel-grace.

For the clearing and proving whereof, how it is grounded and raiſed upon theſe Parables of ſelling and buying, and how conſonant to the truth of Scripture and reaſon; I ſhall open the ſimilitude that doth illuſtrate this truth, and ſo farre as it is the ſcope of the Parables, prove it; and then by demonſtrations ſhew and confirm that it is ſo, and why it muſt needs be ſo.

In the metaphor of buying, we have Cleared from the metaphor of buying.conſiderable, 1. The act. 2. The object.

Firſt, In the act of buying there are four things obvious, whereby it will appear, that as the merchant mans buying is here ſet forth as a conſequent of his ſelling, ſo diligence unto more full aſſurance, and clear evidence of Chriſt, is a conſequent and fruit of ſelf-denial.

1. In buying, men lay out with coſt of money, much pains and diligence; it coſt the former and trades-man many a p. 167trudging journey to fairs and markets; and the merchant many a walk up and down the City, and riding from town to town in the Countrey, yea, many a hazardable voyage by, and beyond the Seas: So the ſelf-denying Chriſtian, he laieth out much coſt of pains and diligence to make his calling and his election ſure. A ſure intereſt is that the earthly and heavenly merchant labours for. There is a two-fold intereſt in, and to the Kingdom of heaven.

1. That which comes in by calling, this is the finding of the treaſure and pearl.

2. That which was given the elect from all eternity, the knowledge whereof is the effect of calling, according to purpoſe; Now by thorow-ſelf-denial a ſoul is put to diligence, and by diligence ſeeks the knowledge of both theſe intereſts. But here is the difference between worldly and ſpirituall merchandizing; the more money a man hath, the more he can carry on his trade, and merchandize in the world; but the leſſe worth a Chriſtian man hath, the more rich the merchant; when he comes without money or moneys price, he laieth out the more coſt: The more ſelf-denial in the heart, and the more empty the purſe of the ſoul is, the more diligence the Chriſtian giveth to attain what he beleeveth and hopeth for. And that a ſelf-denying ſoul, is ſuch a painfull diligent ſoul, is implied in that precept, Iſa. 55. 1. compared with ver. 2, 3. & 6. Buying with an empty purſe, is labouring, uſing the means, ſeeking in the Ordinances, by faith, hope, humility, &c. in the ſenſe of our nothingneſſe, to truſt into God, and wait upon him for all in Chriſt. And it is ſo expreſſely found true in the practice of beleevers, Matth. 19. 27. Behold, we have forſaken all, and have followed thee; here is diligent following of Chriſt, after negligent forſaking of a mans ſelf, and of all he hath; So S^t Paul having ſuffered the loſſe of all to winne Chriſt, what are his deſires? Phil. 3. 10. That I may know him more experimentally; and his diligence, what is it? verſ. 11. If by any means I might attain, &c. And ver. 12. I follow after, and verſ. 13. reaching forwards, and verſ. 14. I preſſe toward the mark; the like diligence he exhorteth p. 168the Philippians unto, v. 17. Brethren, be followers together of me, as in ſelling, ſo in buying, as in parting with your ſelves, and own righteouſneſſe, &c. So in the endeavours of a more ſure, and full poſſeſſion of Chriſt, and what is his.

2. The Merchant by his buying and trafficking, obtains what he laieth out his coſt for: He that buyeth land, takes up land: He that buyeth a houſe takes livery and ſeiſin; 'tis delivered up to him by waies of ſtrong aſſurance; he that buyeth a commodity at market, carrieth it away with him from the ſhop, and brings it home: So he that by ſelf denyal gives diligence, in the way of diligence, obtaineth what he ſeeketh for, the Treaſure, the Pearl Chriſt and Goſpel-grace; he gets ſure hold of it, and ſurer hopes of the enjoyment of it; in a graduall way, or by certain degrees; now ſome aſſurance, anon more, Matth. 19. 29. Every one that hath forſaken houſes, or brethren, or ſiſters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands for my names ſake, ſhall receive a hundred fold, of heavenly aſſurance, and ſhall inherit, what he is aſſured of, everlasting life, Heb. 6. 12. with 10. and 11. v. They that laboured with faith and patience inherit the promiſes, and ſuch as are followers of them, in the ſame diligence come to the ſame full aſſurance of hope, that they ſhall have the ſame inheritance.

3. When the field, treaſure and pearl is bought, there is a knowledge of the mans and merchants propriety, and title to be good, having bought it in a legall way: So the ſelf-denying diligent Chriſtian, obtaining in a Goſpel-way of aſſurance, what he gives diligence for, can ſay, this is mine, for I bought it upon ſuch and ſuch lawfull terms. S^t Paul is able to ſay, upon crucifying himſelf with Christ, Gal. 2. 20. and denying a life in himſelf, for the life of Christ in him, that Chriſt loved him, and gave himſelf for him.

4. What is lawfully bought, may be, and is lawfully held, kept, and for ever poſſeſt, againſt all the cheats and challenges of others: So the Chriſtian merchant, hath, by this his ſelf-denying diligence, ſuch a ſtrong and firm title given him, that none ſhall cheat him, or deprive him of it. Thus the holy p. 169Ghoſt exhorteth, Revel. 3. 11. Hold that fast which thou haſt, that no man take thy crown; and thus he aſſureth, 1 Pet. 1 3. and 5. They that are begotten to a lively hope, are kept by the power of God through faith unto ſalvation; and verſ. 4. The inheritance is reſerved in heaven for them.

Secondly, In reſpect of the Object, what is bought, the field and treaſure in it, the ſame with the Pearl; you will have an illuſtration and evidence, that ſelf-denial brings in aſſurance.

1. The field being bought (which is the ſumme of all Goſpel-promiſes, ſet forth in Goſpel-miniſtery, and ſealed up in Goſpel-Sacraments) all the treaſure hid in that field, is a mans own, and by ſelf-denying diligence made ſure to him: Having the promiſes, he is ſo farre ſure of what is promiſed, as he is ſure the promiſes are his, Heb. 11. 33. through faith in ſufferings, they obtained promiſes, that is, in ſome good accompliſhment. And 2 Pet. 1. 4. By great and precious promiſes, participation of the divine nature comes in, and all things (ver. 3.) that pertain to life and godlineſſe. And 2 Cor. 1. 20. all the promiſes, yea and amen in Chriſt; we are eſtabliſhed and ſealed by the ſpirit given, as an earneſt of that which is behinde, ver. 22. Nothing is more clear in Scripture then this, that a beleeving, ſelf-denying Chriſtian is in Covenant with God, and in conſtant dealings and tranſactions between heaven and his ſoul, who taking all upon Gods Word of promiſe, he hath all made ſure to him, upon Gods Word and ſeal.

2. The Treaſure and Pearl being bought with the field, as what the man and merchant buyeth he makes uſe of, ſo the Chriſtian hath the uſe of that grace, made over to him in the promiſe, and by the uſe of it, he comes to be more ſure of it; and hath further evidence of Chriſt as his, by the experience of the workings of God upon his ſoul, according to promiſe; hence after much ſelf-denial and ſufferings, he comes with Paul, Rom. 5. 3, 4, 5. to glory in tribulation, knowing and finding, that tribulation worketh patience, and patience p. 170more experience, and experience ſtill more hope, and hope maketh not aſhamed, becauſe the love of God is ſhed abroad in the heart, &c. Aſſurance, at laſt, comes to be a great part of the treaſure and pearl; And the Chriſtian buying all of Chriſt, as he ſold all of himſelf, he muſt needs have all.

Which yet will further be confirmed by theſe Demonſtrations.Proved: 1 That it is ſo.

Firſt, That it is ſo,

1. That which cleareth a mans right, aſſures it, amongſt men, by the confeſſion and experience of all; ſo that which cleareth the right of a Chriſtian to Chriſt, doth aſſure his right unto him: Now this ſelf denial and diligence therein, cleares his right, Matth. 5. 3. Poverty of ſpirit is a clear evidence of a bleſſed ſtate, and of our right to the Kingdome of heaven, and ſo to all the treaſure in it; and being ſuch an evidence, it is a means of great aſſurance.

2. Additions of grace to grace in their diligent acts and exerciſes, bring forth aſſurance, as is plain, 2 Pet. 1. from ver. 5. to 10. Now ſelf-denying acts, bring on theſe additions, and ſteps of grace; when a Chriſtian comes off to ſoul-emptyings, he hath the more fillings from God, Luk. 1. 53. He hath filled the hungry with good things, when the rich he ſends empty away; He that laboureth to ſee himſelf, and all he doth to be a Cypher; Chriſt will be to him a figure: and the more ſuch Cyphers we make, the more will be our value and treaſure, when Chriſt puts to himſelf, as our figure; as to three Cyphers prefix but a figure of one, and 'tis one thouſand, to four 'tis ten thouſand, to five 'tis a hundred thouſand: He that ſhall more annihilate himſelf, ſhall finde more the creatures all in Chriſt; Chriſts all in him, for him, to him; If we be Sceletons, he will put fleſh and ſubſtance upon us, when naked, he will clothe us, when blinde he will give eye-ſalve, when poor, he will put money in our purſe, very good gold tried in the fire, and ſtampt with his own image and ſuperſcription.

Secondly, Why it muſt needs be ſo;2. Why ſo.

p. 171Reaſon 1 1. God is moſt free and bountifull, intending all the Kingdome and treaſure of it, of free gift, to beſtow it, and aſſure it upon thoſe who labour to be emptied of themſelves, and are moſt willing to take all of free-gift; Buying, according Emere quod nunc eſt mer… ri, antiqui accipiebant pro ſumere. Feſt de verb. ſignif.to an old acception of the Word in the Latine Authours, is nothing elſe but receiving, and diligent ſelf-denial doth but make the heart capacious to receive the glorious fillings of heaven; and if the Chriſtian Merchant be free and bountifull to part with all, God aſſuredly will be as free and infinitely more free and liberall to give him all again, upon a bleſſed and glorious exchange, of eternals for temporals, Ioh. 12. 25, 26. He that hateth his life in this world, ſhall keep it unto life eternall; And if any man ſerve me, him will my Father honour.

2. God is faithfull and juſt in his promiſes and dealings, when men come up to his price, to let them have what is worth their money, that is, to recompence all their diligence with full aſſurance of hope unto the end, Heb. 6. 11.

The Heathen could ſay, That the gods ſold all for ſweat; and we can ſay moſt truly of our God, That when a Chriſtian ſweats in ſelf-denial, mortification, ſufferings, &c. he ſhall have from him (as ſure as he is juſt and faithfull) what he ſweats for.

3. God is able to put a ſoul into poſſeſſion, and that everlaſtingly, of what it laies out pains and diligence for, Ioh. 10. 28, 29, 30. Chriſts and his Fathers power is united for the aſſurance of life to his ſheep, and for their preſervation unto life.

Uſe 1 Aword of confutation.Hence we inferre the certainty of ſalvation by Chriſt and Goſpel-grace, againſt all that doubting Doctours, or doubting hearts can ſay to the contrary; for it is as ſure, as any thing here can be made ſure, and more ſure then any earthly purchaſe; there being more in the ſubſtance of this parabolicall merchandize then in the ſhadow: yet every expreſſion in the ſhadowy reſemblance, ſpeaks aſſurance; a treaſure found, a treaſure hidden, a treaſure joyed in, and a treaſure p. 172bought; a pearl found and bought. That the treaſure was found hidden by God, and is hidden by God, and is hidden again by the finder, and joyed in; all this makes towards aſſurance; but when that field for the treaſures ſake, and the treaſure with the field, and the pearl and all is bought, and all ſold, that all might be bought; here is aſſurance upon aſſurance. Then is Chriſt ſurely a mans own, the propriety known, enjoyed and uſed. Are not you ſure of that which you have bought and purchaſed, and have deeds and evidences to ſhew for it, after the true title is tried and proved, and the falſe claim diſproved? The true beleever you ſee is a great purchaſer; he hath deeds and evidences in the promiſes to ſhew, and he hath the witneſſe in himſelf: Our Gospel 1 Joh. 5. 10.1 John 5:10(ſaith the Apoſtle to the Theſſalonians) came not unto you in word only, but in power, and in the holy Ghost, and in … Theſſ. 1. 5.much aſſurance; And when the tempter came to tempt them (though cap. 3. 10. there was ſomething lacking in their faith, in regard of degrees) yet ſenſible they were, and ſure of what they had, as of what they lacked and wanted. The ſame Apoſtle to the Romans ſpeaks of a double witneſſe; Rom. 8. 15.Rom 8:15Gods Spirit, witneſſing with the Spirit, or renewed conſcience of a beleever. Yea, the Apoſtle Iohn makes report of … Joh. 5. 7, 8.John 5:7John 5:8three Witneſſes in heaven, and of three upon earth, in the heart: The Spirit equall with the Father and Son in heaven, and above bloud and water on earth; ratifying the acts and reflections of faith about our juſtification ſhining upon his own work, of ſanctification, and ever teaching the ſoul, in and after ſelf-denying diligence to be aſſured (never to doubt) of what they have found, as theirs.

Object. 1 But ſome doubting Doctour will ſay, There can be no aſſurance without extraordinary revelation, Familiſts and Libertines ſay the like with the Papiſts, in effect; who are all for an immediate Teſtimony of the Spirit, without evidence of grace within them, or a life-teſtimony without them, or without Scripture-evidence and verdict upon them.

Anſw. 1 1. Aſſurance is firſt found, where it is founded, without p. 173us, in Goſpel-grace, Gods free-love, giving Chriſt, &c.

2. Faith finding aſſurance in it's object, more then in it's own acts and reflections; by cloſing with a ſure word of promiſe, an unchangable Covenant, becomes ſure in it's acts and reflexions, through the Spirit.

3. More firm and full aſſurance comes daily in, by this Chriſtian ſelling and buying; As the experience of thouſands ſpeak it. By ſelf-denial and diligent uſe of the ordinances and meanes of ſalvation, they have ordinarily obtained ſure hold, poſſeſſion, and uſe of Chriſt; have known they have had him, and ſhall be ſaved eternally by him. But with the tenets of Rome, the Doctrine of doubting agreeth well enough, viz. That a man is not juſtified by imputation of Chriſts righteouſneſſe, but by inherent holineſſe. That a man muſt make ſome temporal ſatisfaction to Gods juſtice here, and the reſt in Purgatory. That his general faith, reſolved into the teſtimony of the Church virtuall the Popes brest, is enough to ſalvation. That by the power of free-will and nature he may and muſt concur with Gods grace in converſion, &c. The Roman faith of theſe and ſuch like tenets, will never aſſure a man, that he is in the ſtate of grace, or ſhall be in the ſtate of glory. Nor will Arminian grounds bring home aſſurance, viz. That Chriſt died for all, as for one. That God hath not abſolutely elected any. That all things put into the balance, which may be conſidered in Chriſts death, yet none may be ſaved. That all operations put, which may be put in, as ingredients to converſion, yet grace may be reſiſted, and if gotten, yet loſt it may be at laſt, and put away.

But from the true Goſpel-faith preached, and the true Goſpel-treaſure in Chriſt diſcovered, infallible and abſolute promiſes, Chriſts righteouſneſſe imputed to juſtification; Faith and holineſſe wrought irreſiſtably by the Spirit, who is given to diſcover and ſeal up grace given, and glory promiſed, and who carrieth on the beleever in the means and ordinances, keepeth him to them, and makes them effectuall for the p. 174obtaining of what he ſeeks after, Aſſurance and evidence unqueſtionable, may be, is, and ſhall be had and enjoyed, for ever.

Object. 2 But ſaith the doubting heart, mans heart is deceitfull above all things, and I cannot finde ſuch and ſuch evidences, as you ſpeak of, by all the diligence, and ſelf-denying pains, that I have yet laid out for the Goſpel-pearl and Treaſure.

Anſw. 1. I am very jealous, whether thou haſt denied that deceitfull heart, from bearing any witneſſe at all about thy eſtate. If the heart be deceitfull (as it is in the beſt, ſo farre as unregenerate) good reaſon it ſhould not be heard ſpeak at all: 'tis a falſe witneſſe, and will give in falſe evidence: I agree with thee, the old deceitfull heart, and every piece of it muſt be ſold away, denied.

2. The heart, ſo farre as beleeving a faithfull promiſe; Conſcience, as juſtified by Chriſts bloud, and ſanctified by the Spirit, is not deceitfull, The Spirit is truth, and too holy to deceive, 1 Joh. 5. 6,1 John 5:6and too wiſe to be deceived in this great point of a Chriſtians aſſurance, when he certifieth Gods love, and love-tokens to the ſoul.

3. It is, and will be more ſure then any earthly purchaſe; if that may be wrangled away, this cannot, if an heir may be cheated of his inheritance in his minority, the childe of God cannot. He who ſelleth all, ſels all his deceitfull heart away, and all falſe evidences and dictates, to conſult with the Word and Spirit of truth, to hearken to Gods bargain, to read his writings, to view, and hold out to view his ſeal; And when he ſeeth all is currant and good, to buy the truth of the Goſpel-doctrine and promiſes, and of the Spirits evidences; by which he and his brethren come to know within themſelves, that they have in heaven an enduring ſubstance. Plundred Heb. 10. 34.Heb 10:34and ſpoiled they may be of what they buy in this world, or of all purchaſed treaſures here they may be cheated, diſappointed; but as for the treaſure in our Text, it can neither be taken from them, being in Gods keeping and Chriſts keeping, not they be taken from it, becauſe when they die, they goe p. 175to it, where it is reſerved for them. As they have Chriſt, and Goſpel-grace here, they goe thither to enjoy Chriſt and Goſpel-glory.

Uſe 2 A note of diſcovery, why ſome want aſſurance2. See the reaſon why ſome want evidence and aſſurance, becauſe with ſelf-denial and diligence they doe not ſeek it.

Of thoſe that are uncertain of the Goſpel-treaſure, of Chriſt the pearl of the Kingdom, and the promiſes, as theirs, there be two ſorts.

Firſt, Some who want evidence, and will never have it, nor come by it, becauſe they will not buy it, with that wherewith they ſhould buy it, all they have ſet to ſale: they will not ſo much as conſent to the letting go of ſelf-righteouſneſſe, ſin, or the creature, &c. Now ſuch as will not yeeld to a parting with what ſtands in oppoſition to, or in competition with the Lord Jeſus, neither will agree to an abſolute hatred of ſin, nor a comparative hatred of the creature for him, are not worthy, meet, or fit, to have any Chriſt or heaven aſſured to them.

Secondly, Others, who want evidence, and will want it a while, becauſe they hickle and dally, and do not ſet roundly to the work, either they are not faithfull in ſelling, or not diligent in buying.

1. Not faithfull in ſelf-ſale: 1. Some luſt is indulged, and that keeps the ſoul in the dark; 'tis deſervedly haunted with doubtings, whether Chriſt be theirs, while there is a favouring of any ſin. Or, 2. Some parts and common gifts are preferr'd before ſanctification, and a mortified, crucified uſe of them; the pin-duſt before the writing, the varniſh before the picture or poſt; beware there of a rotten poſt, which may be varniſh't over as well as a ſound. Or, 3. The man ſeeks his comfort in his duties and enlargements, or in ſome frames of heart, and will only then beleeve, and be confident, when the heart is in ſuch a frame. Many weak ſouls would make poverty of ſpirit, hungring and mourning, the cauſe and ground of their faith, and not the evidence and fruit of it. Or, 4. The creature ſteals away their affection; ſome profits, pleaſures p. 176or advancements, relations and reſpects, this and that way take up the room, that comfortable aſſurance cannot dwell there, ſcarce lodge a night in ſuch a common Inne. Or, 5. The priviledges in and with the Church viſible, are built upon more then promiſes to the Church-myſticall, and true members of Chriſt the head of the Church. Or, 6. The mans ends are not only ſtickling with Gods, but indulged very farre, and his own things ſought, not Chriſts, or before the things of Chriſt. Or, 7. The poor ſoul goeth about ſelf-denial in ſelf-ſtrength, and would mortifie and ſell all by his own power; This is as main a let to aſſurance, as the reſt.

2. Not diligent in buying of treaſure. Ordinances and means of aſſurance are neglected, graces are not acted; aſſurance is not prized; the man reſteth in the finding of the treaſure, is bidding and cheapning, and endeavouring to draw it down to a lower price, then God hath propounded; he is tempted to repent of the full bargain; and ſo God will not let him have it, as yet, but upon the juſt, free and honourable terms, as was at firſt agreed. Hence, hence ſo many doubting, ſtaggering Chriſtians, becauſe ſo much ſlothfulneſſe, and indifferency in the matter of further and ſtronger aſſurance.

Uſe 3 A vvord of Exhortatiō.Now let me addreſſe my ſelf to ſuch, and ſuch only who have beleeved, and prized Chriſt and Goſpel-grace, and had ſome joy therein, and have begun to deny ſomething, ye… conſented to let goe all for Chriſt; here is, I may ſay, as the Apoſtle to the Hebrews, That which accompanieth Heb. 6. 9, 11.Heb 6:9Heb 6:11ſalvation, but we deſire that every one of you may ſhew the ſame diligence to the full aſſurance of hope unto the end.

1. Be diligent from firſt to laſt.

2. Shew it as well as uſe it.

Firſt, Be diligent in all acts of ſelling, that you may buy and come in to the evidence and aſſured poſſeſſion of Chriſt, and all Goſpel-treaſure, and here let me preſent moſt needfull helps, and waies of diligence before you,

p. 1771. Let there be diligence in the meditation of promiſes, and remembrance of Scripture-grounds of Aſſurance; is God free, bountifull, willing, able, faithfull and unchangeable? Is Chriſts interceſſion, and the ſpirits preſence perpetuall? Let your thoughts be frequently fixt hereupon; think not how able you are to keep your ſelves in his love, but how able God is to keep you, not how willing you are to be Chriſts, but how willing he is to be yours; not how faithfull you are, but how faithfull he is, &c.

2. Let there be diligence in actings of Faith, and renouncings of ſelf-righteouſneſſe, and all priviledges (ſhort of Chriſt, and him crucified) which the heart would build and reſt upon for acceptance; that Chriſt for your juſtification may be your ſure, your only treaſure and pearl, your all in all. By faith 2 Cor. 1. ult. Phil. 4 12 Cor 1Phil 4:1ye ſtand, Stand faſt in the Lord.

3. Let there be diligence in all departure from iniquity. You muſt not think to be as the women, Iſa. 4. 1. to be called by Chriſts name, and eat your own bread, wear your own apparel, ſtill live upon your luſts, and goe in your rags, 2 Tim. 2. 19. Let him that nameth the name of Chriſt, depart from iniquity. God will have his people ſtand at a diſtance from the waies of ſin, who would be ſealed as his; God can endure no Hab 1. 13. Tit. 1. 14.Hab 1:13Titus 1:14iniquity. Chriſt came to redeem us from all iniquity. It is his will we ſhould be holy. He hath a privy ſeal, a ſeal of ſecrecy, He knoweth who are his; but this is his open ſeal, impreſſions of holineſſe upon the hearts and fore-heads of all profeſſours of faith. If you would have your aſſurance of Chriſt, and hold it to the end, beware of ſins againſt light, and ſins againſt profeſſion. Let careleſſe Chriſtians thinke or boaſt what they will of aſſurance. He that ſhall fall, and fall again into ſinne careleſly: So many acts of ſin, ſo many ſteps down to hell, ſo many degrees of Apoſtacy, all which will weaken and darken aſſurance; for, 1. Though ſin will not weaken Gods grounds, yet it will weaken our apprehenſion of thoſe grounds. 2. Though the light be clear in the Word, yet there is ſomething before our eye, the miſt of ſin, that we cannot ſee the Sun-beams of aſſurance. 3. Although theſe p. 178Sun-beams can, and will diſpell theſe miſts, yet God hath not promiſed to let them break forth, but as the heart breaketh for and from iniquity.

4. Let there be diligent circumſpection and watchfulneſſe againſt creature enſnarements, baits and traps of profits, pleaſures, honours, intereſts, and relations here below: theſe are no part of the Goſpel-treaſure or Pearl. Keep up and maintain a weaned affection from the creature. Let them that 1 Cor. 7. 29, 30, 31.1 Cor 7:291 Cor 7:301 Cor 7:31have wives, be as though they had none, and they that weep (for the loſſe of wife, husband, childe, eſtate, friend) be as though they wept not; and they that rejoyce (in any earthly comfort) as though they rejoyced not, and they that buy (any thing but the Goſpel-treaſure and pearl) as though they poſſeſſed not; And they that uſe this world, as not abuſing it, to hinder them of the enjoyments of the world to come. If ye be riſen with Chriſt, by the faith of the operation of God, Set your affection Col 3. 1, 2.Col 3:1Col 3:2on things above, not on things on the earth.

5. Let there be diligence in all acts of grace, or in the actings of every grace, and in all good works, which are the 2 P…t. 1. 5, &c.fruits of faith and fore-runners of glory. The more acts and actings of every grace, the more fruitfulneſſe, and the more fruitfulneſſe, the more evidence; And he that wanteth theſe things (through careleſſeneſſe) is blinde, and cannot ſee afarre off, ſo farre as heaven; nay, ſaith the Apoſtle, He hath …. 9.forgotten that he was purged from his old ſins; he hath loſt his old evidences, of a ſhare in Goſpel-treaſure; and he that is not aſſured for what is paſt and preſent, cannot in that condition, be aſſured for the future; But if you give diligence to hold faſt what you have already, Revel. 3. 3, 11. and to know your calling and election, for what is paſt and preſent, you ſhall be ſure for the future (in the ſame endeavours) never verſ. 10.to fall, nor loſe what you have and hope for, but heaven ſtands open for you, an abundant entrance ſhall be ministred unto you, into the everlaſting kingdome of our Lord and Saviour verſ. 11.Jeſus Chriſt, no bar, nor obſtacle, nor cloud in your way.

6. Let there be diligence in heart-examination and hearty trial, and that in, and about theſe three things, 1. What you p. 179have of Chriſt, whereto you have attained. 2. What you have ſold, and are yet to ſell, of ſelf and creature. 3. What you are yet to buy; what coſt to lay out for more aſſurance, evidence and peace.

Secondly, Shew your diligence, as well as uſe it. The word there in Heb. 6. 11. is emphatical; diſplay your banner, your colours; let your diligence be ſuch as may break out and manifeſt it ſelf; and according to the metaphor in the Text, Doe as buyers, goe to the owner, goe to the Market.

1. Goe to the owner, own the owner of the field, treaſure and pearl profeſſedly; the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, the great Jeweller, and Maſter of the Jewel-houſe in heaven; who dealeth, who ſelleth for himſelf and his Father too; Stand forth, as Zacheus did; take him into your Families, ſpeak, act for him.

2. Goe to the mart and market of ordinances, private, publike. Your moſt common markets for buying more of the treaſure and pearl, will be praier, the Word, Sacraments, converſe and traffique with the Saints, thoſe that are known merchants, experimentall Chriſtians; Begging of aſſurance is good buying with God, and of him, ſo you be fervent and inſtant in it; Hearing, reading and other exerciſes of the Word, will deliver over more knowledge and power of Chriſt; The Sacraments for beleevers and their ſeed, will to them (and to ſuch I now ſpeak) miniſter ſtrong evidence and conſolation, the immutable things of God (his counſel and oath) are there; See Heb. 6. 17, 18.Heb 6:17Heb 6:18and experimental Saints will tell you they never repented of their bargain, God never falſified his oath, or promiſe with them; Frequent, forſake not your aſſemblings together, as the manner of ſome (too many) Chriſtians now adaies is,

I ſhall leave with you ſome quickning ſpurs to diligence, after more aſſurance of Chriſt, and ſo winde up my work, for this Quickning ſpurs to Chriſtian diligence.time and text.

1. You may make your eyes your chapmen; you have found a treaſure, a pearl; you have ſeen it choice and precious, you p. 180have joyed in it; as being well worth all the price that is called for; with the eye of faith you found it, and with that, in the acts and operations of it, you may buy in all the poſſeſſion. O ſtir up the gift that is in you.

2. You have to deal with a faithfull God, who will not, cannot deceive; with a mercifull and bountifull God, who, if you ſeek his Kingdom and righteouſneſſe, will caſt in brown paper and thred, all outward neceſſaries, and when ever theſe things ſhall be taken from you, or you from them, you ſhall have your ſtock entire, your treaſure ſure.

3. The more coſt you lay out, the more you will buy. The more you deny, loſe of ſelf, ſinne, creature, and life for Chriſt, the more you will gain of him, and from him. It is incredible, but to thoſe to whom it is experimentall, what comings in they have, who are ſelling, and ſelling every day, and in full trading. They who doe honeſtly but turn the peny, make a ſhift to live, but great merchants are enriched to thouſands, and ten thouſands of pounds. Nothing venture ('tis moſt true here) nothing have; and yet in a true ſenſe I may ſay, you that are ſelling all, with the greateſt diligence, you venture but juſt nothing, you have, and ſhall have all for it.

4. Conſider 'tis no adventure beyond ſea (though above ſea) but a ſure exchange, and a certain return, between heaven and earth: when you firſt found the Goſpel-treaſure in the field of promiſes, it may be you ventured upon the promiſe, as upon ice; but I have told you often, and now tell you it again, there is good and ſure footing, and no ſlippery ground in a promiſe of Jeſus Chriſt: 'tis ſure to all the ſeed. And now is your ſalvation neerer, and (to every Chriſtian merchant, who holds on his commerce with heaven) ſurer, then when you firſt beleeved.Rom. 4. 16. & 13. 11.Rom 4:16Rom 13:11

5. Diligence is as commendable as gainfull; ſlothfulneſſe and ſelfiſhneſſe ſhamefull. Seeſt thou a man diligent in his buſineſſe (ſaith Solomon) he ſhall ſtand before Kings: he ſhall not ſtand before mean men. If diligence raiſeth a man to aſſured preferment amongſt men, what honour, what entertainment, p. 181preferment ſhall the diligent Chriſtian have with God? Doth he not, ſhall he not ſtand before the King of heaven, the King of Kings? be known as his favourite, have more teſtimonies of his love? whereas on the contrary? what folly and ſhame in remiſſeneſſe? Are ye ſo fooliſh? having Gal. 3. 3.Gal 3:3begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the fleſh? And again ſaith the Apoſtle, Ye did run well, who did hinder you? So as to drive you backwards. Slothfulneſſe makes up the mouths of Papiſts and Arminians, who caſt ſhame upon the doctrine of aſſurance, becauſe of ſome lazy Chriſtians.

6. Do ſomething the more for example ſake. Buy you, and others will be bidding and buying too; Sell you, and others Phil. 1. 14. 2 Cor. 9. 2.Phil 1:142 Cor 9:2will be ſelling alſo. Many of the Brethren in the Lord, waxed confident by Pauls bonds. And the zeal of the Corinthians, provoked very many. So have the zeal of the Martyrs without number.

7. How many have gotten the ſtart of you? are aſſured, and aſſuredly poſſeſſed, while you are caſt behinde? Be provoked by others forwardneſſe and ſtedfaſtneſſe, if you will not provoke others by yours. And in that ſo many have made ſure of Chriſt, ſtill the more ſure, as they have ſit looſe from the creature, and ſtuck to a promiſe of a purchaſed poſſeſſion: faint not in your mindes, flag not in your hopes, fall not off from your endeavours; double rather and treble your diligence; So run, that ye may obtain. And if you run but ſo as 1 Cor. 9. 24.1 Cor 9:24Paul, as primitive Chriſtians, as late Martyrs and Confeſſours of the truth, you ſhall obtain; and what greater encouragement, then to have ſuch fore-runners and companions, and to be ſure of the prize.

8. Remember 'tis for a treaſure, a pearl of great price, a Crown, a Kingdome. Be faithfull unto death, and I will Revel. 3. 10. 1 Cor. 15. ult.Rev 3:101 Cor 15give thee a crown of life. Be ſtedfaſt in faith, and unmoveable, in ſelf-denial, alwaies abounding in good works, and diligent uſe of Ordinances, your labour ſhall not be in vain in the Lord; you know it ſhall not be in vain, you have evidence before hand, that you ſhall have a plentifull reward of all your pains.

p. 1829. To cloſe up all, You are called to doe nothing, but in the ſtrength of him, who is a treaſure of ſtrength to you. By Goſpel-grace, we come to get Goſpel-treaſure. By Goſpel-grace we come to Goſpel-glory. All the money is put into our purſe to buy with, to deny with, to live, to die with. Our ſelling is an act of grace, and our buying is a fruit of grace, and the fulneſſe of glory attends it. There is enough in this Goſpel-treaſure and pearl to ſtock us, to trade with, and to ſpend upon to all eternity.

Tibi Domine Gloria.