Tropes and Figures — Benjamin Keach — Deadmen

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Tropes and Figures · Benjamin Keach

Saints compared to Merchants.

Mat. 13.45, 46. Again, the Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Merchant-Man, ſeeking goodly Pearls, who when he had found one Pearl of great Price, &c.

Simile.	Parallel.
A Merchant is a great Dealer in the Things of the World.	A True Chriſtian is a great Dealer in the Things of Heaven; his Affections are ſet upon thoſe Things that are above,Col. 3 1. where Chriſt fitteth at the Righthand of God.
II. The beſt and greateſt Merchants trade and deal in the richeſt and choiceſt Things on Earth, viz. Jewels, Pearls, &c.	II. The true Chriſtian deſireth, and ſeeketh after the Riches of Grace, and Riches of Glory, called Pearls, which are of the greateſt Value and Worth, in which he may be moſt happy. He ſeeketh for Pearls, but he fixeth moſt upon the Pearl of greateſt Price, Jeſus Chriſt.Mat. 13.46
III. Merchants in their firſt Trading are not ſo skilful in their Merchandize, as they are afterwards, when by commercing with other Merchants, they have found out the true Worth of their Merchandize, and the manner of their Dealings.	III. So the true Chriſtian, when he is firſt concerned in the Matters of Chriſtianity, is not ſo skilful as afterward, when he hath by Chriſtian Converſe found out the Worth of ſpiritual Things, and the Deceitfulneſs of Satan, the World, and his own Heart, together with the Faithfulneſs of God.
IV. Merchants are moſt careful of their Concerns, when they have met with ſome Loſs; then they begin to fear they ſhall be undone, if ſuch Loſſes encreaſe upon them.	IV. Chriſtians are moſt careful in their ſpiritual and eternal Concernments, when they have met with ſome ſpiritual Loſſes, and are attended with a holy Fear, leſt eternal Ruine ſhould follow.
V. Merchants that deal in precious Stones, are very careful leſt they ſhould be deceived with counterfeit Stones, which are very like the true Ones.	V. The true Chriſtian is very careful leſt he ſhould he deceived in his Spiritualities, viz. have a falſe Faith, a falſe Repentance, and a falſe Obedience, and counterfeit Grace, which may be very like the true.
VI. Merchants trade to Foreign Parts or Countries; their chief Concerns come from thence, whereby they grow rich.	VI. True Chriſtians have their chief Concerns from Heaven, whereby they grow ſpiritually rich. Heaven is called a far Country. Luke 19.
VII. Merchants have Correſpondents in thoſe Countries to which they trade, who receive their Merchandize which they ſend, and make Returns of more gainful Things.	VII. The true Chriſtian hath his Correſpondent in Heaven, who manageth all his Concerns, viz. Jeſus Chriſt the Righteous; He is their Advocate and Interceſſor, he appears in Heaven for them, Heb. 9.24. He receives their Duties, and makes Returns of Mercy; He will receive their Tears of Godly Sorrow, and return the Oil of Joy. Thou putteſt my Tears into thy Bottle, &c.
VIII. Merchants are ſtrongly engaged by the Profitableneſs of their Trade, to follow it very cloſe. O how diligent are Merchants, when they find Riches come in apace upon them!	VIII. So ſhould it be with true Chriſtians; the Gainfulneſs of Godlineſs ſhould engage them to follow the heavenly Trade more cloſely, becauſe it hath the Promiſe of the Life that now is,1 Tim. 4.8 and that which is to come; for Time and Eternity is little enough to make up the Revenues of a godly Life; what Time cannot do, Eternity ſhall.
IX. Merchants are diligent in attending the Exchange, where they have an account of their Foreign Affairs, and alſo an Opportunity to trade further, either in ſelling or buying; and they that are negligent in this Matter, do give juſt cauſe of Suſpicion, that they will ſoon fail, and ceaſe to be Merchants.	IX. True Chriſtians do make Conſcience, and exerciſe a godly Care in attending the Meetings of the Saints, in their ſolemn Worſhipping of God, whereby they get Underſtanding and Knowledge of their Affairs in Heaven, as managed by Jeſus Chriſt. And there they have the Opportunity to put off ſpiritual Duties,Heb. 10.25 and receive heavenly Bleſſings. And ſuch as do neglect this Practice, may juſtly be ſuſpected that in a little time they will ceaſe to be Chriſtians.
X. Merchants are very careful in keeping their Accompts; they are often in their Compting-Houſes. They who are wiſe, will be ſure their Books are well kept, and that their Accompts are in good Order, that ſo they may ſee a good End of their Affairs, and enjoy Comfort in the Management thereof.	X. True Chriſtians are, and ought to be very careful in keeping up their Cloſet and ſecret Communion with God, by private Prayer, and Self-Examination, that ſo they may give their Account up to God with Joy, and not with Grief; and may alſo enjoy divine Conſolation in the faithful Performance of the Duties of Chriſtianity.