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 k Psal 31. 19. Oh 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 l Tit. 1. 2. of 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 â—â—stâ— therefore he hid them in his heart Psal 119. 103. with 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 miâ—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 m 2 King 7. 8. Lepers 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 St 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 yet 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 n Psal 45. 2. fairer then the children of men not money not wealth o Rev. 3. 17 18. all 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 't is thy house if but a cortage therefore priâ—ed 't is my childe therefore esteemed and look't after 't is 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 â—â—â—e of it I found him saith the Spouse I hold him and would not let him goe untill I had brought him in iâ— my p Cant. 3. 4. mothers 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 q Phil. 3. 12. I 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 peâ—iâ—◠〈◊〉 diâ—â— and dogs meat to this as now he 〈◊〉 very 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
the field of precious promises 't is 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 e Act. 1â— 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 fits 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 f Luk. 19. 6. both into his heart and into his house The converts at Peters Sermon g Act. 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 h Act. 8. 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 i Act 16. 31 34 The Apostle Paul tels the Philippians for his part and Timothies k 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 not there I am sure in his Epistle to the Romans l Rom 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 't is 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 beâ—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 go 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 m Prov. 8. 35. He that beleeveth in me saith Christ n Joh 6. 47. hath everlasting life He that hath the Sonne saith the holy Ghost in Iohn o 1 Joh. 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 p 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
this life l Armin Desp. prin The. 4â— â— 8 Arminius reckons the Word and Spirit for the proper appointed means of faith and salvation m Testard The 16â— â—â—â— 277 281 â—â—5 Testardus every where assigneth the good things of this life as means apt and in themselves sufficient where the Word and Spirit are not afforded Arminius with the â—ona the good things of this life putâ— in the mala the afflictions and corrections of Gods hand the benefit whereof is purchased for the elect is the use and benefit of life and health c. But Testardus reckons the good things temporall to be testimonies of Christ and grace by themselves which I doe not finde Arminius to averre no more then of the mala or evil events of providence by themselves but as they are elevated and sanctified beyond their proper element and sphere so they both shall work together with the proper means of salvation for good to those that love God and are loved of him and called according to his purpose Rom. 8. 28. But in these three particulars above others I finde Testardus and Arminius mainly to conspire and jump into one minde 1. That Christ did intentionally die for every singular make satisfaction to justice for all 2. They doe both exceedingly set up and magnifie nature and naturall parts which will never doe the reprobate any good for they are flesht enough in self-conceits of will and wisdome from their own hearts but it hath and will doe hurt unto and among the elect of God for a time to lose their waking thoughts and admirations of free-grace and to fall into a dream of free-will as if that were the umpire of grace and of a strange liberty unknown to a right-principled Christian as if because God leaves the non-elect in justice to their own wils therefore Gods children dealt with in rich mercy should have their wils and swinge also whence many are ready to turn the Doctrine of Grace especially of such grace and such a Doctrine into wantonnesse Not to speak of that which is so obvious trite and common yet true their putting of titles upon nature as calling it grace and a testimony of grace doe savour strongly n Naturam gratiae titule ornare aut velo ejus palltare Pela gianum est Act. â—ynod Dord par â— p. 178. of old Pelagianisme This is a wonder to me how Testardus could stile his book A Synopsis de Natura Gratia when as all along the book he confounds the one with the other but my wonder ceaseth when as I consider the title must be in his sense inconsistent as well as the contents of the book 3. They place the decree of Christs death in order of nature before the decree of election as perceiving that if redemption by Christs death be brought in as â— fruit of election then as election iâ— but of some out of the whole lump of mankinde â—o redemption must be affirmed to be but of those some or that certain number whom God had elected only with some difference Arminius frames a predestination of beleevers Testardus foundeth election upon Christ not as yet received by faith but as given and destinated of God for faith Arminius giveth that to the will of man in beleeving which Testardus gives to the efficacy of grace beyond a morall swasion and hangs not the faith of Gods elect upon the contingency of the will nor doth he make faith an antecedent condition of election as Arminius But he is me thinks as wide in another notion as Arminius in the former That Christ being first decreed to be given as a common victima or sacrifice propitiatory he represents Gods thoughts as waiting not for time but order on the courtâ—sie of the rest of the world o The. 80. Ac tandem cum pravideret Deus c. and at length or then next in order when God foreseeth all will not receive his Sonne prepared and offered for all then and not before in Testardus thoughts comes out Gods purpose of saving some and that from an absolute choice of them to faith and the fruits of it infallibly necessarily c. Absolute p The 87. because not out of fore-seen faith c. as Arminius but not so absolute as to be the foundation of our Redemption for Christ and that q The 288. with 282. as the immaculate Lambs satisfying justice is the foundation of our election and not only of election but of the whole gracious predestination as he calleth it and so he makes Christ a foundation of so much of Gods predestination as in the common Covenant call and grace which we have discovered to be inconsistent with Scripture belongs to reprobates Here are new notions that may please some mens fancies but they are very cloudy to me while I apprehend they cloud and eclipse the glory of election which although r The. 286. he saith it is purae particularis misericordia belongs to meer and speciall mercy yet the notion of the Scripture goes higher for as it excludes faith from being either cause or condition of election and brings it in as the effect thereof Act. 13. 38. So it assigns not Christ as the fundamentall cause of election when we speak or reade of him as a Redeemer offering up himself a Sacrifice but as that gift of God Joh. 4. 10. sent as Gods great love-token for manifestation of his mercy and love to those who are the chosen people of God Math. 1. 21. and the children of Gods election whom he should by his death gather together Joh. 11. 52. And when the Scripture saith We are chosen in him Ephes 1. 4. It is neither to be understood with Arminius That he chose us as fore-seen beleevers on him nor with Testardus as redeemed first to God by Christ his sacrifice and upon fore-sight of what all the world the elect as others would doe left to themselves reject Christ and of what himself would doe for some for this is to build election upon works though they be Christs works partly for us partly in us But as blessed Baines upon that place in him as a Head The grace of election beginneth first with Christ our head and descendeth to us in him And Christ being primarily chosen as an head of men and Angels too then such men as are chosen in him being fallen as others when as none of the elect Angels fell with the rest by force of that former choice of a head to the end appointed The glory of free-grace he is secondarily chosen upon the coming in of sin unto the means of bringing many sons unto glory viz. his death and as these sons and heirs of glory were chosen in Christ to that end without a first consideration of the fall So upon a second consideration as we may so speak of their fal they are chosen in Christ to the means viz. Vocation Justification c. I shall adde as a Corollary
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 x Heb. 11. 1. vers 3. evidence 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 that beleeveth gets something in hand as a 1 Cor. 1. 30. to 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 8 hopes 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 b Rom. 16. 25 26. The 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 c 2 Tim. 1. 10 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 d Rom. 10 17. faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God preached in the Promises When Jesus walked by John Baptist e Joh 11. 36 37 John 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 f vers 40. Andrew being one of the two he findes his brother Peter and g vers 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 the 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 h â—â—t 24. 23 24 Loe 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 i Rom. 10. 24. How 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 k Gal. 1. 15 16. When 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 careerâ— 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 he must Christs out-side or shadow as he passeth by and then is he caught l Luk. 19. 5 6. Make 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 m Act. 17. 19. with 34. May 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 â—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 â—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 n Rom. 9. 20. I 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 o Joh. 6. 37. all 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 Reasons special And 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 â—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 and maist know thy faith and beleeving is noâ— 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 thâ—â— you may grow great by beleeving also with him Use 2 Exhortation three waies Secondly To come to what is yet more practicall let â—â— caution and counsell you about the great work of beleeving First Bewere of an evil heart of unbelief thou wilt ever be â—t â— 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. 'T is a same against Gospel-love it hinders the exâ—â—â—tion of Gods-election in these that are chosen then maist be among the chosen of God beleeve and thou shalt below it 3. 'T is 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. an 〈…〉 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 â—ame more then all other 〈◊〉 of spirit which yet are bad enough upon these grounds 1. 〈…〉 are in this virtually and actually pride is 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 dâ—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 mâ—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 light 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 Joâ— 3. 21. q Prov. 2. 2 3 c. If 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
and ineffectually called but as called and that effectually and according to purpose And so this Heretick is forc't being 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 convinc't and condemn'd in himself as I gather by this Use to apply his comfort to the elect alone and to that end quoted the 2. of Col. 2. The Apostles praier for them that they might have the full assurance of understanding which he interpreted to be That they might see their particular assurance of life in a generall promise and not their generall assurance in a particular promise for we desire no more then a particular and personall assurance in and from a generall promise such as Pauls 1. Tim. 1. 15. and yet this generall is not so universall as that Christ died for all the world of men But not hurting us in all this Use of Comfort hitherto at last he thought he would strike home and wound us deeply with this blow A man may preach seven years of particular Redemption and not comfort a distressed conscience to which I say two things 1. What means he by a distressed conscience a childe of light walking in darknesse or a childe of darknesse blowing up the sparks of his own fire-sticks but almost smothered and stifled with the smoke thereof 2. We preach a choice and speciall Redemption in a generall offer to what sinner soever that is distressed and will be directed As Paul Believe and thou shalt be saved and Act. 16. immediately the Jailor is comforted he staied not seven years for it His third Use was To teach us abundance of love to Examination of his third Uâ—e Christ Answ I demand whom he means by us if the people of God and the elect and believers how is this a direct inference from Christs buying the whole world if all men be meant by us how shall they love who doe not believe but if he understood Gods peculiar people because he mention'd the Spouse afterwards no wonder her love is so carried after her espoused husband Christ let him know that the hearts of the Saints are touched and taken with the speciall love of Christ it is that which constrains them to love him in a speciall manner and that the more abundantly because they know in part and shall yet further know Christ died for them not only out of a generall love which he bears to mans nature but out of a speciall and singular love which he bears to their persons and to theirs onely Thus have we followed his Counsell to search the Scriptures and we finde them of weight for speciall Redemption and love but weighing the man and his Doctrine and Uses too of universall Redemption we have found them too light Let me but adde a few Arguments as Antidotes against the poyson which some of you may have suck't in of late and preservatives from the infection of this hereticall tenet of Christs buying the world of men and dying for them all and we have done with the Anasceuastique part of our discourse which tends to the weakning ruine and destruction Antidotes or Counter poison of so grand an errour First Gods Attributes are hereby wronged and scandalized as 1. Gods power is called into Question as if a generall benefit were merited by Christ which by reason of mans wickednesse he cannot apply 2. His wisdome is eclipsed for it puts upon him such an intention as yet by proper and direct means he attains not unto 3. His justice is rendered unjust for he receiveth a full satisfaction of his Sonne for all men and yet neither first nor last receiveth them into the favour of communion and friendship 4. His highest love is undervalued for it holds forth Gods love to give his Sonne but not so as to give them faith for whom he gave his Sonne and it speaks of Christs sweating and dying for them whom yet he lets die and perish in their sins Secondly If he died for all then he died in their stead and as their surety he discharged the whole debt and so it is not only unjust but impossible that any should perish here the Remonstrants Arminians so calling themselves at the Hague conference had a subtle distinction of Christs dying Non loco vice omnium not in the room and stead of all sed bono tantum but for their good only whereas the Scriptures which own not such a distinction hold out Christ as dying in the room and stead of sinners that they might not die eternally but live for ever so is a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Rom. 5. 6. b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 where 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is as much as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and so rendered Philem. v. 13 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that in tâ—y stead in another case and about the Question in hand the word in 1 Tim. 2. 6 is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a ransome in the room and stead of all or pro onnis ordinis electis which compared with Mat 20 28. is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for many and but for many indivduals or in stead of many singulars chosen of God one choice-singular-Jesus suffered 1 Pet. 3. 18. and other places to be understood Christ died for the wicked that is in their stead The just in the room of the unjust The good the all or any of the benefits that comes from Christs death floweth from this that he suffered in the room of those who have that good and benefit by his death and if as themselves acknowledge he died not in the room and stead of all they weave but a spiders web to say it was for their good how can the surety do the debtour any good if he neither be bound in his stead nor paies the debt in his room Thirdly If he died for all he rose again for all ascended sits at Gods right-hand and makes intercession for all for the Scriptures joyn his death and resurrection together Rom. 4. ult and his death ascension sitting interceding with the Father all together Rom. 8. 34. and more particularly with his intercession 1 Joh. 2. 1 2. and if so that he riseth ascendeth sits and pleads for all he is either heard or not heard for all if heard for all then all must be saved if not heard for all then Christ intercedeth in vain and the Father doth not hear him alwaies crosse to Scripture Joh. 11. 42. Fourthly This loose opinion puts all that hold it upon such distinctions as have no ground from Scripture but are contrary to it as 1. That but even now named or refuted of loco and bono not in stead of all but for the good of all 2. That of impetration and application which the Gospel holds forth as inseparable acts of Christs mediation to whom Christs death is or shall be applied for them he obtained remission of sinnes and for whom he did impetrate to them he applieth Isa 53. 11. Joh. 10. 15 28. Heb. 9. 12 15. Yea the Apostle inferreth
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 First 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 and 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 a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 b Isa 65. 1. light and c Joh. 6. 44 45. love 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 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 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 own 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 d Nisi fortè dicamus id tantum pollere quantum si â—u diâ—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 e Lest 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
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 Gospel-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-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 thou 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 a Joh. 1 41 43 45. had found Christ they went and told it one another when the woman of Samaria b Joh. 4. 28 29. had found Christ she went and told it her neighbours when Zacheus c Luk. 19. 8. had found Christ he stood forth in the profession of his faith and repentance and in the proof of that profession when Paul d Act. 9. 20. had 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 under 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
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 q 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 r Psal 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 of hope and there is joy hidden under hope We rejoyce in hope of the glory of God Å¿ 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. t 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 u Isa 35. 10. The Kingdome of God consisteth in it Rom. 14. 17. 't is 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 carnall 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 looâ—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 trâ—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 â—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 second more c. 'T is 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 â—â—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 â—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 Vse 3. Phil. 4. 4. For 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