and last point is of great use in the spirituall meaning of it In the 5. duty I consider 3. particulars I pray you observe with me therein these three particulars First that we must sell all we have Secondly that we must buy the Field But thirdly not for it selfe but for the Treasures sake For the first we must sell all First We must sell all not that God is a seller of his graces or desirous to be enriched by our losses but that we our selves may be qualified for his Kingdome we must part with something nay with all that we have and those are eyther Things lawfull or things unlawfull And first we must sell all unlawfull things that is 1 Vnlawfull things We must part with all our sinnes and sinfull lusts and courses Whatsoever offends us or causes us to offend though as neare and deare as our right hand or right eye we must cut it off and plucke it out and cast it from us Matt. 5.29 Mat. 5.29 Tit. 2.11.12 The Gospel that bringeth salvation teacheth us to deny ungodlinesse and all our worldly lusts Repentance is godly sorrow for all sin Gal. 5.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Mortification is the death of all sin and Sanctification is the contrary to all sin in a word The Spirit and the Flesh are cōtrary one to the other in continual battle There is no concord betweene Christ and Belial no fellowship betweene righteousnesse and unrighteousnesse 2. Cor. 6.14 15. Grace and a setled purpose to live in any one sin 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Harmony Secondly all lawfull things are incompatible and can never stand together Secondly we must sell all our lawfull things all our worldly profits pleasures honours friends yea and life it selfe also Quest But must we indeed sell all yea say the Papists if we will enter into the state of perfection and they wrest to this purpose that precept of our Saviour to the young rich man in the 19. of Matt. ver 21. If thou wilt be perfit Matt. 19.21 goe and sell all thou hast and give to the poore and thou shalt have a Treasure in Heaven and come and follow me Ans But know beloved that was but a particular commandement of Triall to him not a generall rule for all perfect Christians As for these Popish votaries the world is awake and sees their craft in casting away a little of their owne to enjoy the plenty of other mens they professe beggery and possesse Kingdomes For our selves blessed be God we may use and enjoy the good things of the world He that sayde Thou shalt not steale Exod. 20. Rom. 13.9 Eph. 4.28 allowes us something of our owne He that said Thou shalt give almes allowes us something wherewith to doe it of our owne Our Saviour himselfe had a bagge or purse of which Iudas was the steward and Iohn the beloved Disciple took the mother of our Saviour from the Crosse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith the Text to his owne home Ioh. 19.27 Joh. 19.27 In a word it s a ruled case Acts 5.4 Act. 5.4 How we must sell all lawfull things Yet notwithstanding we must sell all part with all foure or five wayes First in the Estimation of our hearts we must incomparably preferre grace and glory before the whole world with holy Paul accounting All things doung and drosse in comparison of Christ Phil. 1.8 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Off al to dogs and with blessed Moses esteeming the rebuke of Christ and much more Christ himselfe greater Riches then the TREASVRES of Egypt Heb. 11.26 For this is a certaine truth Coelestes divitiae non nisi contemptu saeculi possidentur It is impossible to gaine spirituall riches till in our hearts we contemne Earthly Greg. Secondly we must part with them in the preparation of our hearts bringing our selves to this resolution that if times of persecution shall come so that we cannot hold these outward things without the making shipwracke of our Faith and Religion we will by the grace of God be ready and willing to lay them downe saying with blessed Paul Act. 20.24 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 I make no reckoning of them I passe not at all for these things neither is my life deare unto me so that I may fulfill my course with joy Thirdly so far as these things are a let and hindrance unto us from holy duties as prayer reading of the Word meditation and conference we must be sure to lay them aside both the things themselves out of our hands and the cares about them out of our heads and this we are to doe not onely upon the Sabbath day but even every day we rise if we will be the children of Abram who going up to Mount Maria to offer sacrifice to the Lord left his servants and his asses at the foote of the Hill Gen. 22.5 Gen. 22.5 Yea fourthly we must actually depart with them to good uses as of piety charity and hospitality so making us friends of the Mammon of iniquity and purchasing everlasting habitations Luk. 16.9 Fiftly and lastly when the Lord shall take these outward things from us eyther one by one as in particular losses and afflictions or by whole-sale at our death We must depart with them not with grudging and complaining as the Divels that were cast out of the possessed but with willingnes joyfulnes and thankfulnes as he that sels his commodity for ready mony according to the example of S. Paul I desire to be dissolved Phil. 1.23 and of those Saints of whom he saith they tooke joyfully the spoyling of their goods Heb. 10.34 and of holy and patient Iob The Lord hath given and the Lord hath taken Heb. 10.34 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Job 1.21 now blessed be the name of the Lord Iob 1.21 And thus you see the first particular how we must sell all we have 2. We must buy the Field Of the Word In the second place As we must sell all so must we also buy the field that is as you have heard the Word of God which may further be confirmed by that precept of Salomon in plaine and expresse terms Prov. 23.23 Buy the truth and sell it not And that is to be done two or three wayes 1. Buy the Bible First literally buy the booke of God in which the Treasure lyeth hid Let not the booke of the Law depart out of thy mouth day nor night saith the Lord to Ioshua Iosh 1.8 Josh 1.8 Let it not depart out of your hands say I to you I wonder to see any house without this houshold-stuffe or any hand of him or her in the Church that is able to reade without this word of life Chrysost It was Chrysostomes usuall Exhortation O vos Laici emite Biblia O you Lay-people buy you Bibles Buy you Bibles saith Chrysostome Nay burne your Bibles say the Papists or
have glory now to become the Subject of Jesus Christ submit to the gracious regiment and scepter of his Word and Spirit Rom. 14.8 live to God not to thy selfe by faith and not by sense rule over thy lusts that would rule over thee 2. Cor 5 7. be a little King in thine owne bosome If thou art risen with Christ and ascended with Christ Phil. 3.20 thy heart and conversation is in Heaven and no question but thou shalt at the day of thy Death enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Nay happy soule take this for thy comfort thou hast an Heaven vpon earth The faithfull have eternall life already thou hast taken possession of it already Beleeve not me beleeve the holy Scriptures This is life eternall to know aright thee and him whom thou hast sent Iesus Christ Ioh. 17.2 Ioh 3.36 He that beleeveth in the Sonne hath everlasting life He hath that life begun in his soule that never shall be put out againe and by the lively fruits of faith this life may be knowne as Saint Iohn saith By this we know that we are translated from death to life 1 Ioh. 3.14 because we love the brethren a point of vnspeakable comfort to the child of God if it be well weighed Vse 2 But as for those that are slaves to sinne and Satan drudges to the world Enemies of Christ hope for heaven in vaine rebels against Christ enemies of his gracious government that say with those in the 19. of Luke ver 14 Noturnus hunc regnare We will not have this man to reigne over vs that will have their wills and fight for their lusts alas they have no grace in them have neither ability to doe good duties nor make conscience of doing them Let all such know in vaine they expect at their Death to enter into Heaven Indeed they bow their knee to Christ and call him King but in the meane season they put into his hand a Scepter of Reed and so mocke him and yet they looke when they dye to be caught up into Heaven in a whirlwind with Elias 2. Kin. 2.11 1. Cor. 4.20 But be not deceived God is not mocked The Kingdome of God is not in word but in power saith the Apostle 1 Cor. 4.20 And againe 1. Cor. 6 9. Simile The uncleane and unrighteous shall not inherit the Kingdome of God For as the Heathens so placed the two Temples of Vertue and Honour that no man could enter into that of Honour but first he must passe thorough the other of Vertue In like manner the Lord hath so placed these two parts and degrees of the Kingdome of Heaven that no man can possibly enter into that of glory but first he must passe thorough this of grace And this shall suffice for the first circumstance by which this Purchase is set foorth unto us and that is the NAME or title The Kingdome of Heaven The second followes and that is the value The Kingdome of Heaven is like vnto a TREASVRE The second circumstance But what is a Treasure Thesaurus saith Musculus est copia facultatum bonorum ad omnem eventum jam parata The value It is like a Treasure What a Treasure is A Treasure is the abundance of riches laid up in store for all assayes Thesaurus constat de Raris pretiosis durabilibus saith Hugo It consists of things rare not common pretious not vile durable not of small continuance In a word it is a great masse of silver gold jewels pretious stones great for quantity rich and excellent for quality containing much in a little ready for all occasions laid up as we say for a rainy day and therefore is peculiar to Kings and Princes Now Grace is a Treasure saith our Saviour Doct. yea saith Salomon The merchandize of wisedome that is of Grace is better then of Silver and the Gaine thereof then of fine Gold Grace is a Treasure Pro. 3.14 15. She is more pretious then Rubyes and all Desireable things are not to be compared to her Take triall in one or two graces A meeke and a quiet Spirit in the Hidden man of the heart is a better ornament to a woman saith Saint Peter then all outward adorning plaiting of haire wearing of gold or putting on of apparell for it is in the sight of God 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of great price and value 1. Pet. 3.4 1. Pet. 3.4 when a woman meekely submits her selfe unto her Husband as her head for the ordinance of Gods sake this one grace is worth all the outward ornaments and abiliments in the world See it in another grace The Trial of your Faith that is Bifeild your Faith which is tryed and approved is much more precious then gold that perisheth 1. Pet. 1.7 saith S. Pet. Loe Faith is precious as gold as tried gold yea more yea much more pretious thē tried gold for gold perisheth V. 8. but faith saveth Faith unites the soule to Christ Col. 2.3 Deus est summum bonum fons omnis boni in whom are hid the Treasures of divine wisedome and knowledge Col. 2.3 and by Christ it unites vs to the Father the holy Ghost it makes God the chief good and fountaine of all good to be our God and portion As for Glory that is a Treasure indeed a Treasure laid up in Heaven Glory is a Treasure also there is perfit Holinesse perfit Happinesse Aderit omne bonum aberit omne malum There is the presence of all good and the absence of all evill Augustin There is no sinne no sorrow no want no annoyance no feare of change there is more then eye hath seene 1. Cor. 2.9 eare hath heard of or mans narrow heart can comprehend In a word it is a Treasure that cannot be valued that cannot be wasted Vse 1 Is it thus Beloved that the Kingdome of Heaven is a Treasure let this set an edge upon that Exhortation of our Saviour Seeke Gods Kingdome first Mat. 6.33 Mat. 6.33 Seeke ye first the Kingdome of God and his righteousnesse Let it move us to set our first and best affections and endeavours on grace and glory We covet riches we covet Treasures Loe the onely true riches Quis nisi mentis inop◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Luke 16.11 Mat. 6.19 Pro. 10.2.11.4 and heavenly Treasure Treasure on earth cannot be secured from the Canker from the Theefe saith our Saviour but these are durable The Treasures of wicked men profit nothing neyther doe Riches availe in the day of wrath but Righteousnesse delivereth from Death Once cre ye die one graine of Faith though as small as a graine of mustard-seed will be worth all the perishing gold of India For the end of your Faith is the salvation of your soules saith Saint Peter 1. Pet. 1.8 Take therefore to heart the Exhortation of our Saviour Lay not up for your selves Treasures upon
Set them O set them upon Religion and the kingdome of heaven Had we but truly found tasted heauenly things we would easily contemne earthly things as base and vile Qui invenit coelestia contemnit saecularia And impossible it is not to love these riches Simile till we know better Can children not be in love with rattles drums hoby-horses toyes and trifles 1. Cor. 13.11 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 but after when they know better things of themselves they put away these childish follies O that we were wise and would once put away our childishnes from us Abraham left all to follow God Heb. 11.8 though he knew not whether he went nor what he should have when he came there Peter and Andrew left all to follow Christ Mat. 4.20 even Father and Ship and nets and all Matthew the Publican being called by our Saviour rose up left all Mat. 9.9 and followed him Mat. 2.11 The wise men of the East having found the babe Jesus opened their Treasures and present to him gold frankincense and myrrhe Luke 19.8 Zacheus found the man Jesus and presently halfe his goods he gives to the poore and makes restitution of wrongs fourefold The Primitive Saints found the Lord Jesus Act. 4.34 and they sold all their possessions and laid down the price at the Apostles feet And as S Paul tels us Heb. 11.34 Heb. 11.34 They tooke joyfully the spoiling of their goods knowing in themselves that they had in heaven a better an enduring substance The reason of all is they had found the Treasure and they held nothing too good or too deare to purchase it withall O that we were wise unto salvation and would follow the examples of these heavenly Merchants Omnes ita comparati sumus saith Musculus Musculus Pecuniam in loco negligere in lucro est ut libenter quod minus est impendamus ut acquiramus quod majus est Even nature it selfe doth teach us to part readily with a little to bring in a greater gaine Who will not part with a penny to gaine a pound who will not cast away a little seed that hee may reape a fruitfull harvest Heb. 2.3 Not caring for why should we then for vaine and transitory things neglect and lose so great salvation 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the Apostle speaketh Heb. 2.3 Let us in time bethinke our selves and with blessed Mary Luk. 10 42. Luk. 10.42 Let us chuse 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that good part which shall never be taken from us If we lay up Treasures for our selves with that rich foole Luk. 12. and be not rich to God we shall shew our selves fooles Luke 12.20 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 amâ—ns Beza as he was saith our Saviour v. 21. and speed as he did to whom it was said Thou foole this night shall they fetch away thy soule from thee and then whose shall all these things be Take to heart S. Iohns motive 1 Ioh 2 17. The world passeth and the lusts thereof but he that doth the will of God abides for ever Motive 1. Joh. 2.17 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Eccl. 12.5 All will forsake thee and thou must forsake all Thy lusts will forsake thee Concupiscence saith Salomon will flee away thy lust to meate and drinke thy lust to mirth and musicke and all Court-like delights will flee from thee as they did from aged Barzillai 2. Sam. 19.35 The world also will forsake thee it runs on orbes and wheeles and is ever passing and sliding away The old world is gone the old yeare is gone the old weeke is gone this day is in part gone and carryes with it the thread of thy life How many of our deare friends and Gods deare chidren are passed away and left us behind Onely the Word of God continues for ever 1. Pet. 1. ult 1. Pet. 1. vlt. and hee that doth the will and Word of God endures for ever 1. Ioh. 2.17 The Word of God will continue with thee to quicken and comfort thy soule grace and good conscience gotten by it will stand by thee and thy good works done according to it will follow thee after death Rev. 14.13 True Religion will bring thee true credit true prosperity true and solid comfort in life and death And when carnall and worldly men that have layd up their Treasures on earth and have gone a whoring after the world and worldly lusts shall lose heaven and the world too thou that hast made Gods Word thy Paradise and God thy portion whom to please and to enjoy thou hast esteemed thy greatest Ioy and Treasure thou shalt be sure to be well provided for for thou hast already a Treasure of grace and comfort and shalt have shortly a Treasure of Glory even Fulnes of Ioy at Gods right hand and Pleasures for evermore To conclude Psa 16 ult all those that can truly say to Christ as Peter did Mat. 19.27 Behold Lord we have forsaken all and followed thee What shall we have therefore He will undoubtedly answer them as there he did him Verily I say unto you Ver. 28. that ye which have followed me in the Regeneration shall sit on Thrones and ye that have forsaken houses or lands or friends for my Names sake shall receive an hundred fold in this life Ver 29. and in the end inherit life everlasting Now unto life everlasting he bring us that laid downe life and all for us and he give us grace to deny our selves and to lay downe life and all for him To whom with the Father and the holy Ghost be ever rendred as is ever due All honour glory prayse and thankes from this time forth for evermore Amen Amen The end of the second Sermon Soli Deo gloria I counsell thee to buy of me Gold tryed in the fire that thou mayst be rich Rev. 3.18