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
kingdomes coÌ„pared by him to foure severall metals Gold Silver Brasse and Iron in the 44. verse Verse 44. he tels us that in the daies of the fourth Kingdome or Monarchy the God of Heaven shall set up a Kingdome which shall never be destroyed but shall breake and consume all these kingdomes and shall stand for ever and more particularly in the seventh chapter and 13. verse Dan 7.13 hee tels us that the Ancient of dayes shall give to the Sonne of MAN a dominion everlasting and a kingdome that never shall bee destroyed yea the Saints of the most High shal take the kingdome and possesse it for ever and ever verse 18. vers 18. The Kingdom of the Messiah Of this kingdome of the Messiah prophesied of by Daniel I make no question but Iohn the Baptist the Messiahs Harbinger forerunner is to be understood when he cryed saying Repent repent for the Kingdome of Heaven is at hand Mat. 3.2 Matth. 3.2 vide Mat. 26.28 21.9 and of this Kingdome spake our Saviour in this place Againe the Kingdome of heaven is like to a Treasure hid in a field c. And this kingdome is that gracious and spirituall Regiment by which the Lord Jesus God and man What it is as King of the Church ruleth in the hearts of true Beleevers giving them those three priviledges spoken of Rom. 14.17 The Kingdome of God is righteousnesse peace and joy in the Holy Ghost And this Regiment being but one Two degrees of Christs Kingdome 1. Of Grace yet hath two degrees The first is called the kingdome of Grace by which hee communicates himselfe to the soules of the faithfull by his Spirit through the outward Ordinances of the Word and Sacraments in this life present The second degree is called the Kingdome of Glory 2. Of Glory by which hee gives them perfection of holinesse and happinesse by an immediate fellowship with the blessed Trinity for ever in the world to come This government of Christ consisting in these two degrees Three reasons of the Name is called here by the Name and Title of the Kingdome of Heaven for these three Reasons as I conceive Reason 1 First because the King here is not a mere earthly man The King came from Heaven 1 Cor. 15.47 Iohn â— 13 as other Kings are but The Lord from Heaven as Saint Paul saith Who came from heaven and is ascended thither againe and sitteth at the right hand of God in glory Reason 2 Secondly because the government of this kingdome is exercised not so much over the bodies and goods of men The government is spirituall tending to heaven but properly over their soules and consciences and consists not so much in externall things tending to outward peace and tranquility as in inward and spirituall things rending to and ending in an heavenly life this our Saviour himselfe professeth saying My Kingdome is not of this world though it be in this world Iohn 18.36 yet it is not of this world or worldly Reason 3 Thirdly it is called an * Hebrai utuntur gâ—â—â—â—â—ve vice Epithe i regnum caelorum .i. caeleste Every subiect of Christ is a King Revel 1.6 Heavenly Kingdome by way of excellency Because it excells all earthly kingdomes because it excelleth all terrene kingdomes as farre as heaven excelleth earth both in holinesse in happinesse in largenesse and in continuance As namely to instance one particular All the subjects of this kingdome are Kings to raigne here and for ever In earthly Kingdomes the King indeed is rich and glorious and honourable but the subjects may bee meane and poore enough begging their bread from doore to doore but in Christs Kingdome every Saint every beleever is a King Rev. 1.6 He hath made us Kings and Priests unto his Father saith S. Iohn Kings to raigne over sin Satan and the world and Priests to offer unto God the Father spirituall sacrifices upon the Altar of Christs merits And againe verse 9. Vers 9. I Iohn am your brother and companion in Tribulation and in the Kingdome and patience of Iesus Christ Hee is a companion with them and they with him in the Kingdome of Jesus Christ though it bee a kingdome of tribulation and therfore of patieÌ„ce according also to that which Daniel had foretold The Saints of the most High shall take the kingdome and possesse it for ever and ever Dan. 7.18 Dan. 7.18 And thus beloved you see what is meant by the Kingdome of Heaven as also the reasons of the name And here I pray you to note with mee Note Grace and Glory both one Kingdome that the Kingdome of grace and the Kingdome of Glory have both one and the same name are both stiled The Kingdome of Heaven and no marvaile for Reason 1 First they have one and the same King the Lord Jesus Reason 2 Secondly all the subjects in them both are Kings Reason 3 Thirdly they both have the same government and prerogatives for substance though the one part bee yet militant and warring upon earth and the other part bee triumphant with their King in the Court of Heaven for Quid est gratia nisi gloria inchoata quid est glora nisi gratia consummata Lyra. What is grace but glory begun and what is glory but grace consummate and made perfit Hence wee gather this instruction Doct. Heaven must here be purchased or never that whosoeevr will enter into the kingdome of heaven he must doe it in this present life The Kingdome is here to bee purchased and heaven is on earth to bee obtained or else it is lost for ever hee that will raigne in that of glory must first be a subject in this of grace Rich men are charged in this life to lay a good foundation of aeternall life 1. Tim. 1.19 Here is laid the foundatioÌ„ of that building whose top reacheth up to heaven Except yee be regenerate and borne againe ye cannot enter into the Kingdome of God saith our Saviour Ioh. 3.5 implying that regeneration and the newbirth give us entrance and admission thereunto and most plainly Matth. 18.3 4. Hee that is converted and humbleth himselfe as a little childe Mat. 18.3.4 the same is the greatest in the Kingdome of heaven hee that would bee perfitly holy there Heb. 12.14 must be initially holy here he that would be perfitly happy there must begin to be blessed and happy here Rev. 20.6 In a word we must in our life time enter into the Suburbs of the New Ierusalem the City of the great King and that by the low and narrow gate of repentance and conversion if ever we looke at our death to be admitted into the City it selfe through the beautifull gate of glory Vse 1 If this be so beloved in the Lord be exhorted who ever thou art that desirest to enter into the Kingdome of Heaven Get grace if thou wilt
Earth c. but lay up for your selves Treasures in Heaven c. that is make sure in this life of grace for glory Vse 2 Secondly this lets us see the rich estate of a true beleever a sound Christian a faithfull subject of Christs Kingdome he hath a rich Treasure See the rich estate of Christs Subiect He hath faith more precious then gold he hath Christ the perfect Gaine he hath God the fountaine of all good to be his God bound to him by fatherly love by promise by covenant by oath never to faile him nor forsake him Heb. 3.5 but to provide for him in all his wants to protect him in all dangers and finally to possesse him of a Crowne and Kingdome incorruptible Poore Christians why envy ye the outward prosperity of carnall worldlings who have their portion in this Life Psa 17.14 whose belly God hath filled with his hidden Treasures saith the Psalmist meaning the hidden treasures of the earth which they are stripped of at death like that rich foole Luke 12. Why droope your spirits under outward want and pressures David could say The Lord is my portion I have goodly heritage Psal 16.5 6. Ps 23.1 Ps 16.5 6. And againe The Lord is my shepheard I shall want nothing And Paul could say of himselfe and Timothy We are as poore yet making many rich 2. Cor. 6.10 as having nothing yet possessing all things How can he want any thing which tends to true happinesse that is at the Well head All things are possible to him that beleeveth Mar. 9.23 saith our Saviour Et habet omnia qui habet habentem omnia saith a Father he hath all things at least in some sort that hath him that hath all things Saint Paul sweetly All things are yours 1 Cor. 3.22 23. and you Christs and Christ Gods God and Christ are yours and so all things are yours things present and things to come O beloved comfort your selves and one another with these words Know your happinesse you are Lord Treasurers you have the Kingdome of heaven the true Treasure The third circumstance The Place But to come to the third circumstance of the place or situation Quae regio in terris In what place is this Treasure to be found our Saviour tels vs In a Field In a Field And that Field is no other but the Word of God which is compared to a greene pasture Psal 23.2 but in this place to a Field and that for three Reasons Ager est Euangelium saith Calvia Praedicatio verbâ— saith Musc Scriptura Ierom. Hugo Reason 1 First Propter laborem for the labour In gardens and orchards is pleasure and recreation in houses and chambers is eating and drinking and amorous delights but Ager ab agendo in the field is labour and toyle Ibi foditur ibi aratur ibi sudatur there men dig and plow and harrow and sweat and toyle Ager est Scriptura saith Hugo quia agendo laborando acquiritur scientia For the labor the word is compared to a field because by labour and industry we attaine to heavenly knowledge Reason 2 Secondly Propter sterilitatem for the barrennesse of it in the conceit of carnall men For as Treasures saith Iunius are not found in rich pastures and From the barrennes and plainnes fruitfull medowes but in sterile and barren grounds so heavenly wisedome is not found in the wittie devices of Poets or subtill and profound Speculations of Philosophers but in the plaine and simple word of God Reason 3 Thirdly Propter amplitudinem for the largenesse I have seene an end of all perfection saith David For the largenesse Ps 119.96 but thy Law is exceeding broad I have seene the bounds of Townes of Kingdomes and of Countryes yea the Sea and Land hath bounds and borders but thy Word is exceeding broad For it teacheth the whole Will of God and the whole duty of Man the beginning of All things in the Creation and the end of All in the dissolution of the world the right knowledge both of God and of our selves of the mercy of God reaching as high as the highest heavens of his justice reaching downe to the nethermost Hell In a word 2 Tim. 3 17.1◠〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it is able to make the man of God perfit and absolute and to make us all wise unto salvation Aâ—oro plenitudinem Scripturae saith Tertullian I admire the largenesse and fulnesse of the Scripture Let twenty able Divines preach on this one verse yet twenty more may come after them and twenty more after them and still find a living veine of exquisite matter A large field indeed wherein long-lived Methuselah may walke all his life and yet not find out the dimensions of this field O the depth of the wisedome and knowledge of God! Rom. 11.33 how unsearchable are his judgements and his wayes past finding out Doctr. Note we then that in the Field of the Word the Treasure of Gods Kingdome is to be found By his Word the Lord is wont to worke Grace in vs and so to prepare us unto Glory For this cause is the Word in Scriptures called The Word of Grace Act. 20.32 The Word of eternall Life Ioh. 6.68 Act. 20.32 Jo. 60.68 and that we may see the correspondency of Scripture with Scripture The word of the Kingdome Mat. 13.19 in 19. verse of this chapter because in it the Kingdome is to be found Is 53.1 1. Cor. 1.18 In a word It is the Arme of God Is 53.1 and the power of God to salvation 1. Cor 1 18. Vse O then Beloved that all we that desire to finde this Treasure would delight to walk in this Field Other bookes and other words have their use but as David said of Golias sword so say I of the Word of God 1. Sam. 21.9 There is none to that for it hath pleased God by the foolishnesse of preaching to save them that beleeve 1. Cor. 1.21 As for them that despise the Word of God read and preached and delight to walke elsewhere as in wanton play-bookes poeticall fables philosophicall discourses well compiled Historyes politicke Lawes or Statutes eyther they seeke not grace and glory or at least they seeke them where they are not like to finde them and like the Sadducees They erre not knowing the Scriptures Mat. 22.29 But beloved remember ye that saying of David that the man is blessed that hath not walked in the way of sinners Ps 1.1 2. but his delight is in the Law of the Lord and therein doth he meditate day and night I say to you as Booz to Ruth Ruth 2.8 Goe not to gleane in an other field neyther goe from hence but abide ye here Walke in this field more or lesse every day especially on the Sabbath day and meditate herein day and night When many revolted and went backe from Christ he turning to his Disciples
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