Selected quad for the lemma: heart_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
heart_n	bring_v	evil_a	treasure_n	9,368	5	10.7622	5	true

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A49289	An alarm to slumbring Christians, or the parable of the wise and foolish virgins and of the talents, sheep and goats; being a plain and practical exposition of the whole XXV chapter of St. Matthews gospel, calling upon all professors to a strict and constant watchfulness, lest their Lord at his certain and second coming, find them not ready, but with their lamps gone out. By Samuel Loveday	Loveday, Samuel, 1619-1677.; Gosnold, John, 1625?-1678.	1675 (1675)	Wing L3231; ESTC R216910	188,072	322

Vessels besides what was in their Lamps which Vessel must be understood the heart as I have shewed before if we look under the Law ever since God had a People or Church upon the earth in the time of the Circumcision here lay the difference some were Circumcised in the flesh and others in heart some only Circumcised in the flesh but none of them were acceptable to God but those Circumcised in heart he only had praise of God as you may read in Rom 2.28 29. For he is not a Jew which is one outwardly neither is that Circumcision which is outward in the flesh but he is a Jew which is one inwardly and circumcision is that of the heart in the Spirit and not in the better whose praise is of God and not of Men. Here lay the difference between Asa ●nd Amasiah as you may see comparing 2 Chron. 15.17 with the 25 of the same Book and the 2 ver of Asa we thus read But the high places were not taken away out of Israel nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his d●ys and of Amaziah we thus read And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart In Asa's time the high places were not pulled down yet Asa's heart was perfect with God all his days Amaziah did many good things and things right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart David thought he had some swervings from God in outward matters yet he had a clean heart Psal 73 1. Truly God is good to Israel even to such as are of a clean heart and God beareth him testimony that his heart was perfect with him but some may object Object Doth not this take us from judging men by their actions I answ This Text doth not so much respect persons profane in life as Hypocrites in Profession for those loose in their lives cannot be said to have Lamps as these and consequently some light which according to Christ Math. 5.13 the fruit of good works a constant corrupt life is inconsistent with a good or clean heart David might be overtaken with a strong temptation and yet his heart clean but if he had fallen into a course and series of sins he could not Vse the first The Use of this Doctrin if this be so that the great distinguishing Character lyeth in the heart then this doth inform us how we are to estimate all our actions of obedience doing and sufferings take notice how far the heart is in it and that for this reason because that Gods eye and estimate is there his eye is upon the heart as in 1 Sam. 16.7 For the Lord seeth not as man sect for man looketh on the outward appearance but the Lord looketh on the heart a truly godly man had rather have a defect in his life than in his heart therefore David pra●eth God to search his heart and try it and to see if there were any way of wickedness that he would purge it out and prayeth hard that God would create in him a clean hear an renew a right Spirit in him Psal 51.10 Second Vse Have a care of passing sentence upon the outward appearance for if we do so we may sometimes pass unrighteous Judgment therefore it is Prophesied of Christ as his prerogative that he shall not Judg according to the sight of his Eye but he shall Judg righteous Judgment as in Isaiah 11.4 Third Vse Thirdly let this serve for Caution to us not to trust to our own hearts Solomon saith he that trusteth to his own heart is a Fool and Jerens 17.9 The heart of man is deceitful and desperately bent to wickedness who can know it Hezekiah did not know his own heart as you may read 2 Chron. 32 31. God left him to try him that he might know all that was in his heart but I shall now proceed to the fift Doctrin Fifth Doctrin That a truly Spiritual wise Professor is one who possesseth a stock of grace within that he may supply his Lamp without he doth not only profess but possess or this Professor is then in his right frame or order when it is the fruit and product of the heart It may be said of a truly wise Professor as Bildad speaketh to Job in Job 8.10 where he counselleth him to inquire of the aged and experienced Person they saith he shall speak words out of their hearts that is their own experience which they have laid up there as one saith the difference between a wise man and a foolish man is the Fools heart is in his Mouth but the wise mans Mouth is in his heart he speaketh from his heart he keepeth something in whereas the other utters all at once the wise are like David Psal 45.1 My heart is enditing a good matter I speak of the things which I have made touching the King my tongue shall be as the Pen of a ready writer to this Solomon speaketh much see Prov. 11.33 Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding but that which is in the midst of Fools is made known also the 15.2 and the 16.23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth and addeth learning to his steps and after the same Language Christ speaketh in Math. 12.35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth good things and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things so in Luk. 6.42 you have the same matter it may be said of a truly wise Professor in all his obedience as i● is said of those Romans in Ch. 6. v. 17. They obeyed from the heart the form of Doctrin delivered unto them In all he doth in sufferings he doth it from the heart his prayers alms fastings and then God taketh it exceeding well when it proceedeth from the heart see Exod. 35.21 compared with the 25. and the 29. it is here exprest five times for their commendations that they did what they did with a willing heart all the rest God taketh little notice of again read Judg. 5.9 My heart is towards the Governors of Israel that offered themselves willingly among the people Abrahams heart was accepted in offering up Isaac herein the wise Virgins had something that the foolish had not whereby they could bear a delay and notwithstanding their drowsiness could recruit again out of this treasury such a wise stockt Person is as David was assoon as he is awake he is with God as in Psal 139.18 which well minded must relate to this as also Psal 73. I am still with thee assoon as he is awake out of his temptation the wise Virgins are like the good ground that had depth of earth the stony ground like the foolish Now we come to the Vse of the Doctrin and first the consideration hereof may put Christians very much upon the work of inquiry how the case stands with them and it is a Christians duty to examine it was

AN ALARM To Slumbring CHRISTIANS Or the PARABLE Of the Wise and Foolish VIRGINS And of the TALENTS SHEEP and GOATS BEING A plain and practical exposition of the whole XXV Chapter of St. Matthews Gospel calling upon all Professors to a strict and constant Watchfulness lest their Lord at his certain and second Coming find them not ready but with their Lamps gone out Blessed are those Servants whom the Lord when he cometh shall find watching Be ye therefore ready also for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not Luk. 12.37.40 By Samuel Loveday LONDON Printed for Francis Smith at the Eleph●nt and Castle near the Royal-Exchange in Cor●●●● 1675. THE EPISTLE To the READER FRiend whoever thou art into whose hands this insuing piece may come I must say the rudeness of speech and unpolished stile of the ensuing Book doth necessarily not complementally call for a Prologue or Preface of Apology for it self and this I say in its behalf that it was never intended for so publick a view in the first study of it but only to be communicated to that small Congregation over which I am concerned by the providence and grace of God as a Pastor or Feeder to whom or in whose hearing these things were more largely handled for the space of one whole Year by the Author who intended so to have left it had not strong and following importunities from several who had been hearers of the matter more largely changed my mind and prevailed with me to publish it and if any by the publication receive any profit they are debters to the forenamed under God for it For my own part I am I can say truly deeply sensible of much imperfection in the management and that I shall need thy candid and favourable indulgence overlooking manner and heeding matter as it agrees with the current of Scripture The brokenness and imperfections hereof were partly occasioned by the length of time since they were delivered and partly that those notes remaining in my hands were very concise and brief being but the very heads of the matter insisted on this I only leave as a modest plea for my self knowing that truth is of age to speak for it self And so I proceed to an Introduction to the matter it self contained in the following discourse The matter before us is excellent matter though wrapt up in Parables not with a design to lock it from us but that in condescending to set forth heavenly things by earthly we might the easier come at the meaning Now this we must know that all terms and circumstances in a Parable are not for probation but illustration a Parable will not always as we say run upon all four but we must eye and observe the scope and design of a Parable and it is the work of a Gospel Minister not only to Preach but to expound and open the Scriptures and divide or cut asunder the Scriptures giving each their Portion It was the work of our Lord Christ when he was on earth not only to preach as we find him doing Math. 5. Luk. 4. but expounding the Scriptures See that remarkable place Luk. 24.27 beginning at Moses and all the Prophets he expounded unto them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself though the Scriptures do in good measure expound themselves if well observed yet the Lord in all ages appointed instruments for that work God foresaw there would be need of Interpreters When the Eunuch read the Prophet he wanted some body to guide him and God guides Philip to do this office God usually conveys light by instruments whom he first inlightens The Subject which we have before us is a heart-searching Subject if seriously heeded and as heart-work is the principal and only work which Professors are to be conversant about in this latter day so it is to be feared there is no work more superficially carried on by most some not knowing what it means others forgetful of their hearts not observing Solomons Counsel Prov. 4.23 to keep the heart with all diligence The Apostle St. Paul in his days did foresee in the last days many Professors would be loose as to this main duty which makes him to predict it unto his Son Timothy 2 Tim. 3. Now as I said before the great design of our Lord here is that his Disciples waiting for him should have grace in their hearts a good inside as well as a Profession as you may perceive Christ doth loudly call for a good heart and he knew then the outside would be good also for saith Christ A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good But mistake me not I do not in the least by what I say design to slight or undervalue Profession but my design and aim is to arm you against degenerating into meer form and a Carcass of Religion without the Spirit and power of it That state is very nauseous and offensive to Gods all-seeing Eye who would have the Churches to know that he is the searcher of the heart and the tryer of the reins Rev. 2.23 The Church in Sardis was then in her Wane when she had a name to live and was dead Rev. 3.2 3. her fault was not that she had a name to live but that she had the name without the nature and what was it that gave her this name to live was it not the form Church Membership Ordinances and what was it that denominated her to be dead but want of faith love zeal yea Oyl in the heart had not these Virgins a name to live are they not called Virgins a living name but wanted life in the Root Had not these Servants of Christ a name to live whilst called Christs own Servants but they wanted love faith and zeal to Christ their Lord in his business had not these Goats a name to live were they not clean Creatures and allowed for sacrifice and was not a Kid of the Goat equally acceptable as a Lamb of the flock but all these are rejected by Christ for want of life in the root This consideration makes me in the Subject following spend so much time and pains in demonstrating sincerity from hypocrisie as you will find as you go along Oh! sincerity is the life of all a perfect heart is that which renders a weak Person although defective in many things yet acceptable with God Take notice of those two remarkable passages between Asa and Amaziah 2 Chro. 15.17 though the high places were not taken away yet the heart of Asa was perfect all his days see the contrary ● Chro. 25.2 concerning Amaziah he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord but not with a perfect heart God measures men by their hearts whether in good or evil actions no man can keep acquaintance and fellowship with God without a perfect heart though he may possibly keep fellowship with the Church yet Christ knows not such but so as to

came and sate as Gods people used to do and this is pleaded Math. 7. we have them preach in our Streets Secondly do not trust to bare faith in the Son of God that is to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God such a faith those must needs have who cast out Devils in Christs name if a faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God will do the whole nation have it nay the Devils confess Christ to be the Son of God Thirdly do not trust to thy confidence of acceptance with God for this they had Fourthly do not trust to obedience to Christs Instructions these Virgins could not want this Fifthly do not trust to your keeping clear from false worship this they had or else they could not have bourn the name of Virgins Sixthly do not trust to thy waiting and desiring for Christs coming this they had and we read of a people that desired the day of the Lord as in Amos 5.18 which should be to them a day of darkness and not of light these Virgins were gone out to meet the Bridegroom therefore trust to none of those But then may some say object what shall we then trust unto if not in these six evidences of a sure and safe estate Answer First when this consideration increaseth so doth thy holiness increase these in our Text were workers of iniquity for all their confidence true faith and hope of salvation is attended with a gradual purifying life as you may see in 1 John 3 Chap. 3. Every man that hath this hope purifieth himself even as he is pure Secondly when thou art strict in thy thoughts and affections as well as in thy words and actions so was St. Paul 2 Cor. 10.5 casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth it self against the knowledg of God and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ So also Acts 24.16 he exercised himself to have always a concience void of offence towards God and Man Thirdly when secret communion with God is thy desire and delight in all duties performed and at all times John 1 1.3 that which we have seen and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have fellowship with us and truly our Fellowship is with the Father and with his Son jesus Christ Fourthly when the visits of the Spirit maketh thee more humble thus it was with the Prophet Isaiah Chap. 6.5 Then said I woe unto me for I am undone for I am a man of unclean Lips and dwell among a people of unclean ●●ps for mine eyes have seen the King the Lords of Hosts The sight of God humbleth him Fifthly when thou hast a dear love to and a delight in the Brethren such as excel in vertue such a one was David Psal 16.3 But to the Saints that are in the Earth and to the excellent in whom is my delight Though poor and indigent Sixthly when though hast a Spirit of secret prayer upon all occasions thou canst pour out thy soul to God when no Eye sees thee and no Ear hears thee thus much for the first verse We now proceed to the second and third and fourth verses and five of them were wise and five of them Foolish 3d ver they that were foolish took their Lamps and took no Oyl with them 3d ver but the wise took Oyl in their Vessels with their Lamps in which three Verses we have a particular and distinct description of those Persons spoken of Verse 1 As to the number and as to the nature of the qualifications those Ten Virgins ver 1. are divided into two parts five Wise and five Foolish Secondly we have the difference of these Ten in verse the second the Foolish had some Oyl for their present use the Wise had a Vessel or Bottle containing a stock for future supply to their Lamps in case of delay in the Bridegrooms coming that the Lamp might be kept burning The whole is a Parable beareth a double acceptation in the Scripture First sometimes a Parable is understood a great wise sentence that hath power in it to rule and sway the understanding It signifies to govern as a Prince Secondly Sometimes it is taken to make like and so a Parable in this place must be understood a similitude Christ in his wisdom seeth these two to resemble each ather these ingage in the circumstances thereof bear a near parity and likeness to the State of Professors in the latter days near to Christs second coming But why five Foolish when Christ on the like occation findeth a Man Math. 22.11 without a Wedding Garment by five we are not to understand two or three precisely but as to signifie a very large indifferent number so five is to be understood many together in the external part of Religion yet many of them are bad unwise and shall be shut out But why here half and in Math. 22.11 a Man only intimating a small part I answ It is spoken of a Man to set forth the omnipotency of God that can find out one Man in such a Throng and can draw him out but in our Text it is spoken as it is in it self considered to us-wards But now for application First What is the Oyl Secondly What is the Vessel The learned tell us that the word translated Oyl is the same word that signifies Light and Noon-day sometimes by Oyl is comprehended all good things or the best of things as Prov. 21.20 There is Treasure to be desired and Oyl in the House of the wise but a foolish Man he spendeth it up There is desireable Treasure and Oyl in the House of the wise and Job meaneth when he saith the Rocks poured him out Oyl is all good things comprehensively understood as in Hosea 2. God nameth Flax an Oyl as the two only things Secondly sometimes under Oyl is set forth as in Deut 7.13 also Joel 3 1. compared with Prov. 21.17 He that loveth pleasure shall be a poor man He that loveth Wine and Oyl shall not be Rich. Thridly By Oyl sometimes is understood the Spirit of God as that which is spoken of Aaron and Christ Psal 44.7 thou lovest righteousness and hatest wickedness therefore God thy God hath anointed thee with the Oyl of Gladness above thy Fellows He is so to be anointed with the Oyl of gladness above his Fellows which must intend the Spirit of God the foolish had some of this Oyl not a stock in the heart Secondly What is here understood by the Vessel I answ Sometimes by Vessel is understood the whole man as in 2 Cor. 4.7 but we have this treasure in Earthen Vessels that is weak Man in this fence the Woman is said to be the weaker Vessel that is Person but by Vessel in this place must be understood the heart because it is supposed to the visibility of profession And in that sence it is to be understood 1 Thes 4.4 that every one of you shall know how to possess

first do in prosecution of this Doctrine shall be to shew how a true and faithful Servant of Christ when he is as Christ would have him to be doth sitly resemble the highest sort of traders Merchants in ten particulars A true Servant of Christ bears resemblance to the highest sort of traders in ten circumstances First He knows the worth of the commodity he trades in what ever others do that are out of the way of that trade he well knows the worth of the Pearl Math. 13.46 Secondly He is venturesome not timorous and fearful in laying out his money in that Commodity the skilful Merchant is as free and willing to lade his Ship as he is to unliver it Thirdly He is endued with patience to wait the return of a long Voyage he doth not repine bec●use his Ship to the Indies doth not return in Five or Six Months he hath patience to wait for a good and bear a bad return he doth not knock off trading because he hath had a loss though great but goeth on still in his trade from hence it is that the trading Woman Prov. 31.17 is said to have her loins girt w●●● strength she is not afraid of the Snow or Cold she is armed for it ver 21. Fourthly The highest sort of traders many times straiten themselves to inlarge their trade straiten their home occasions to venture largely afar he takes up goods borrows mony to cast upon the waters to send out of sight for the present Of these Merchant we read in the Parable Math. 13.44 selleth all he hath to purchase the hidden Pearl and ver 45 46. the Merchant that hath found one Pearl sells all he hath to buy it The Pearl is at a distancee yet a true Merchant a trader ventures for it a true Christian Servant of Christ may bear the name of the highest sort of Traders Merchants so called in the former Parable Fifthly Great Traders are accustomed to and acquainted with trusting they trade for time three Months six Months nine Months they trade upon Credit or Faith and such great Traders have a way of insuring what they venture this is their refuge I will say they insure and let me say this to Christians no trade like Christs trade for trusting no trade so sure as to its returns here Men have need sometimes to insure their insurers they need not do so who trade heaven-wards their insurer is able and faithful Sixthly As the highest Traders deal in large quantities of the Commodity fill Ware-houses and whole Ships So the Trader under Christ deals large large in his endeavours large in his Prayers aims and expectations When Solomon speaks of that Merchant Woman Prov. 31. he speaks of her as compassing great things she considers and buys a Field She plants a Vineyard she is not content only in her lower domestick affairs but lanches out abroad Seventhly As the highest of Traders so a Trader under Christ trades at a great distance he findeth that it is most profitable in its return though long an India Voyage saith the Merchant is better than three or four nearer Voyages a Christian drives his trade at a great distance in Heaven St. Paul was one of those Traders Phil. 3.20 his Conversation his Trade as the word will bear is in Heaven It is said of the former Merchant Woman Pro. 31. she fetcheth her food from far Eighthly As the highest sort of trades on earth to forreign parts at a great distance have their Correspondent there who trades there in their behalf who negotiates for them in their absence and sends them their effects and products even so a Christian that trades in Heaven hath his Correspondent there who is acting there for him even Jesus Christ who is entred into Heaven for that purpose Ninthly All this trade is driven with mature consideration and deliberate counsel they must be wise men that drive this great trade such as through experience are incouraged such as Solomon saith Who have their eyes in their head a fool will not be a Merchant adventurer he loves to see what he hath before him Tenthly This trade thus driven brings in great profit Are not those Merchants most rich who trade largest and furthest this trade for Christ brings thirty sixty or a hundred fold in return Merchants sometimes makes cent per cent There are three choice commodities that Christs intrusted Servants trade in vent and venture First Making known the truths of Christ in the Gospel in order to Salvation Secondly Charity and Alms. Thirdly Sufferings for Christ and the Gospel These are stable commodities which being rightly managed never fail of a profitable return A word or two to each of these First A word or two to the Talent of knowledge in the Scriptures and indeed I might be large upon this head were I not designed to be brief in the whole Now though all Christs Servants are not intrusted alike herein yet I am perswaded that there is not one living member of Christs house that is not intrusted with some measure of this kind namely a word that might be profitable though women Priscilla as well as Aquila capable to instruct an Apollos Acts 18.26 St. Paul writing to the Church of Philippi ch 2. indefinitely exhorts them to shine as lights and to hold forth the word of life and St. Peter 1 Pet. 4. exhorts as many as had received the gift he should minister therein The Apostle supposeth all had not received alike yet each had some gift of this kind which ought to be brought forth as occasion is offered Now this Talent is of great use to the world rightly managed It is true that some are by the providence of God called to larger opportunities yet each at one time or other have an opportunity if they have a heart to speak something in order to the inlightning the World and there is a duty incumbent on them to express their Charity to their neighbour and not to hide this Talent in a Napkin There is an opportunity at one time or other for more weak Christians if I may speak in the words of Elihu Job 32. to shew their opinion but we must be careful to observe our time as he did the Text faith he waited till his elders ha● Ipoken first what they had to say And see how acceptable this modest forbearance was to God Eli●● is not in the least blamed he was no forwarder There are two extreams amongst persons in this respect some will not declare what they know no not at any time either out of too much modesty or else from fear of displeasure from those they speak unto Others there are that are too forward and pragmatical to thrust forward themselves when they are not justly called to it but possibly the matter might be better managed by others If we would therefore manage and improve our Talent rightly to Gods glory and the good of others We must observe these rules in our speaking First Be sure

thou speak when if thou dost not speak for God and truth none else will It was a proverbal speech amongst the Hebrews Where there is not a man there be thou a man which may be applied to this case when truth will suffer if they be silent be sure thou speak Secondly When thou openest thy mouth to speak speak from the honesty and sincerity of thy heart not from the height of thy Spirit not out of pride and vain glory but from these ends First To instruct the ignorant Secondly To reduce those that are out of the way Thirdly To feed those that are hungry Fourthly To strengthen those that are weak Fifthly To confirm those that are feeble and doubting Sixthly To comfort those that are sorrowful Seventhly To incourage those that are fearful Eighthly To provoke those that are slothful Ninthly In all to gods Glory When these are thy ends in speaking or any one of these it is a sign of an honest heart There are grounds that commonly hinder Persons improving this Talent First Slothfulness and idleness not willing to trouble themselves Secondly Bashfulness shamefacedness want of heart and courage this is as bad as being too forward Thirdly Some out of fear lest they should bring themselves into trouble or procure ill will to themselves from others David was of another mind Psal 34.11 also Psal 66.16 He will teach and tell what God hath done for his soul St. Paul was one that declared the whole Counsel of God not fearing what might follow so did St. Peter and St. John Act. 4. We cannot but speak what we have seen and heard for we were not born for our selves or intrusted with life for our selves Rom. 14.7 no man liveth to himself If any of us be instructed with knowledg in the truths of Christ we are intrusted with a Talent and the Master expects the improvement that he may receive his own with usury A second Talent to be improved is Riches with them we are to trade for Heaven a Servant of Christ trades in charity and alms Charity to the Poor is fraighting your Ship to Sea a long Voyage for great advantage Solomen calls this casting thy Bread upon the Waters Eccl. 11.1 2. Cast thy bread upon the face of the waters and after many days thou shalt find it and that to great advantage which he expounds ver 2. to be giving a Portion to seven and eight The Merchant casts his estate upon the face of the Waters this is the trade that our Lord adviseth to under the Parable of the unjust Steward Luk. 16. So doth the Apostle St. Paul 1 Tim. 6.17 it is a trade that brings certain and large profit Thirdly Suffering for Christ and his truth is a Talent that some are called to trade in and Christs chiefest Servants have a Talent given them in this kind Phil. 1.29 To you it is given in the behalf of Christ not only to believe but to suffer for his sake it is given to you and he that gives expects improvement of this gift and not to hide it for fear These three are the stable Commodities that Christs Servants venture in and they all turn to a rich account which brings me to the second Doctrine which was this 2 Doct. That this Trade for Christ well managed turneth to great profit and advantage to Master and Servant This Doctrine I only make use of as a Motive to the former in handling this Doctrine I shall First Prove the Doctrine Secondly Instance in particulars Thirdly Answer a Question as to the time of this return Fourthly Apply the whole First For proof we have it set forth in this Parable Five Talents make Ten according to Luk. 19. One Pound makes Ten. What Solomon saith Prov. 3. is true The Merchandise hereof is better than the Merchandise of Silver or Gold that is so say in the increase of it What St. Paul saith to Timethy Tim. 4.8 is true here Godliness is great gain Secondly To instance in particulars First Improving the Talent of knowledge in Ministring light in order to Conversion Dan. 12.2 Such shall shine as Stars for ever and ever Pro. 11.30 He that winneth Souls is wise and the wise shall inherit Glory Prov. 3.35 Those that St. Paul converted are his Joy and Crown at Christs appearing 1 Thess 2.19 Secondly As to Charity a Cup of cold Water where no better is to be ●ad shall have a large reward any thing forsaken for Christ shall bring in a hundred fold I have spoken to this before Thirdly As to sufferings for Christ those that suffer with him shall reign Rev. 7. therefore are they before the Throne because they came out of great tribulations These three ventures makes great returns if rightly managed to a right end with a good design Thirdly But when is this return and increase I answer When the Voyage is made when Christ the Master comes at the Resurrection of the Just those that trade this way must trust till then and all Christs Servants have good Insurance on Gods side the reward is very sure some are apt to look for their returns too soon and to have lost all have a care of that He that believeth makes not haste I shall speak a few words briefly by way of Application to both parties Are all Christs faithful Servants Traders and is it a distinguishing Character between the faithful and slothful that the good Servant traded he went and traded 1 Use Then these considerations should put Christians upon examination and inquity into their estate Ask thy soul seriously this Question What trade dost thou drive and to what port dost thou trade to the Port of Heaven or Hell the Apostle in other words speaks the same thing Gal. 6.7 Whatever a Man sow that shall he also reap he that sow● to the flesh and he that sows to the Spirit reaps accordingly whither dost thou trade dost thou trade for Heaven Then First Thou hast thy heart concerned in the trade and not only thy hands and body it takes up thy heart Where thy treasure is saith Christ thy heart will be also those that trade this way are men of judgment and understanding in what they do it is the fruit of wildom to consider our latter end Deut. 32.29 Psal 90. and to provide for it Secondly Dost thou trade this way thou dost not think what thou venturest in this trade is lost because it is out of sight but he goeth on comfortably and believingly though the greatest part of his estate is beyond the grave The Apostle St. Paul was a worthy Merchant for Heaven do but read his frame of Spirit 2 Cor. 4 5. he speaks like a man of grea● estate though most of it ventured out but in Chap. 5. v. 7● We walk by faith and not by sight so Phil. 3. last These Me●chants are high in their Spirits though low in their Purse● they are Persons of great hope Rom. 12.12 Rejoyce in hope it is the true nature