WE will premise a few things concer­ning the scope, coherence, parts and explication of this text, that we may come to the instructions which of­fer themselues to be deduced from it. Our Sauiours scope is, The scope of this scrip­ture. Contraria contrarijs op­time curan­tur. The care of heauenly things a re­medy a­gainst earth­ly carefulnes by a re­vulsion to heale an inordinatenesse which was in his disciples, in caring and seeking after the things of the world. Now this he doth by prescri­bing a contrary practice, and making them a promise vpon the vse of it: and therefore, wheras they were set vpon earthly things, he commendeth to them the care [Page 2] of heauenly; whereas their hearts were full of distrust, earthly-mindednes, & vnweanednesse from the things of this life, he wishes them to endeauour after true righ­teousnes, which entring would free them more & more from these defects.

The cohe­rence. Touching the dependance of this vse on the former, it may bee conceiued as a further reason, and so a newe stroake driuing the same naile, disswading their prepo­sterous seeking earthly things, It is a new [...]eason. which was the point the former reasons did enforce: And then the argument cō ­cludeth thus: These things, w^ch while you bend your selues after heauenly maters, will flowe in vpon you of their owne accord, those you need not seeke so eagerly; but if you seek Gods kingdom, these things shall be cast you in ouer & aboue. Or rather a new precept. Ergo &c. Neuerthelesse, because of this particle (but) which maketh opposition, I doe not take it to be a farther reason, but a new precept pre­scribing a contrary exercise, by which the disease now sufficiently discouered might be healed in them.

The parts. The parts are two: 1. The duety required; 2. the rea­son. In the duety there are three things. First, The acte to bee donne, Seeke: 2. The manner, Seeke first. 3. the matter or obiect, Seeke first Gods kingdome and his righteousnes. In the reasō which is ab vtili, 3 things like­wise are obserueable: 1. the things should be giuen thē, and these things, viz. aboue-named, 2. the quantity of them, and all these things, 3. the manner of bestowing them, in that last word, shall be added vnto you. Now for the more full explication of this Scripture, The expli­cation. What see­king is. wee must knowe, that seeking is an action of diligence and care, endeuouring to finde some good, which, after posses­sion [Page 3] once had, is lost of vs, or to obteine som good thing w^ch we yet neuer enioyed. See how Mary and Ioseph sought Iesus when they missed him in their returne from Ierusalem, Beholde, (saith his mother to him) thy father and I haue sought thee with heauy harts, Luke 2.48. Seeke first, that is, in time, before other things, and with your principall strength & care. Gods kingdome is put sō ­time for that state of grace through w^ch God ruleth in the harts of his people, as, Rom. 14.17. Gods king­dome is of grace, The kingdome of God is in righteousnes, and peace, and ioie in the holy Ghost. or But from this standing in righteousnes, peace, &c. it is heere distinguished, and seemeth therefore to be taken for that heauenly kingdome of glory; of glory. in which wee must consider first, the place and glorious mansions, in which as euerlasting tabernacles we look to dwell here­after. For heauen is a place, yea, a bodily place, whose place is bodily. which shal properly receiue and measure our bodies glorified. If it be called a sp [...]rituall place, it is to be vnderstood re­spectiuely, as the body is cald spiritual, so far forth as spirituall is opposed to natural, not to corporal & substan­tiall. This heauen is not like these naturall and aspec­table heauens, which we now see, yet is a space propor­tioned to such bodies as are to be receiued and contei­ned in it. Secondly, Glory is 1. in the en­dowment of soule and body. wee are to consider the glorious e­state which shall there be reuealed, which standeth 1. in the glorious endowments of soule and body. For the glorious light of the soule shal make the body lightsom and glorious, as the candle doth the lanthorne in which it is carried. 2. 2. in our communion with God. In our communion which we shall haue with our God himself, whom we shall see as he is, thogh we cannot throughly comprehend the infinitenesse of [Page 4] him. which is the chiefe. And this is the height of our happinesse. For looke as a bride is nothing so happy in her bridall appa­rell and ornaments, as in her husband to whom shee is hand-fast: so shall it bee with vs, our glory shall bee no­thing to vs in comparison of our God.

Gods righ­teousnesse is that in Christ by faith appre­hended. Seek his righteousnes: Gods righteousnes is somtime put for that righteousnes that is in Christ our great God and Sauiour, and is by faith laid holde of by vs. Thus it is vsually taken, Rom. 1.17. For therein is the righteous­nes of God reuealed from faith to faith. And Rom. 10.3. For they being ignorant of Gods righteousnes, and going about to establish their owne righteousnes, haue not submitted them­selues to the righteousnes of God: Sometime for that righ­teousnes which God commandeth in his law being spi­rituall, Or that wrought in vs by the spirit. and which God workes in vs by his spirit, when now through faith wee haue vnion and communion with Christ. Now the lawe of opposition doth lead vs to vnderstand the righteousnes which is wrought in vs. For as those heauenly things next before vnfolded are most directly opposed to earthly: so to their distrust in Gods promises, vnweanednes, earthly mindednes, the contrary graces inhaering in vs stand in most direct op­position against them. Now the things which l [...]e are vniuersally promised, are those things which [...] na­turally seeke, Earthly cō ­forts promi­sed. or all those things which God kno [...] [...] we need, whether absolutely, or in respect of dece [...] and conueniency, all things needful to our being or [...] be­ing. Shall be added vnto you: that is, shall bee giuen you as a vantage, as a vantage. ouer and aboue those heauenly things af­ter which you endeauoured. For the word is taken frō those additaments w^ch by surplusage are cast in to some [Page 5] full number. The summe is, as if he had said, The summe I haue dis­swaded you from inordinate pursuing these outward things; now I prescribe you a contrary practice: Seek before all things, & with your principall strength, those things aboue kept in the heauens for you; endeauour your selues to get you harts stablished with true righte­ousnes, such as God commandeth in his spirituall law, and worketh by his spirit: do thus and you shall bee no loosers; For all things which are needfull for your be­ing & wel being shal as a vantage be cast on you through the faithfulnes of your heauenly father who careth for you.

Now wee come to the instructions. Instructions First, wee will consider of the duty required, Seek Gods kingdome, seek his righteousnes: Secondly, the manner of perfourming, Seeke first: From the first obserue here, 1. doctrine. Christians ought to seeke heauē. that true Chri­stians must here on earth set themselues to seek heauen and heauenly glory: Seeke Gods kingdome. So Col. 3.1. If ye be risen with Christ, seek the things that are aboue; and againe, Philip. 3.20. Our conuersation is in heauen, from whence we looke also for the Sauiour, the Lord Iesus, vvho shall change our vile body, &c. Abraham, Heb. 11.9.10 is set before vs as an example of this thing, who did coūt euen the land of promise a strange country, looking for & see­king after a city which hath a foundation, It is their place and country. whose builder and maker is God. For that kingdome aboue is their proper place and natiue country, 2. Cor. 5.2. and they are but strangers on earth, Psal. 119.19. Th [...]y haue [...]n inclinati­on toward it i [...] born a [...]ew An inclination & affection ther­fore toward heauen is giuen to euery Christian, when now he is once begotten and borne anew to God: Like as when any heauenly body is engendred heere belowe [Page 6] out of the proper place of it it hath begottē w^th it an in­clination to rise vp to that place to which it belongeth: as the fire, A [...] fire to it's spi [...]e. which here we kindle, and is engendred be­lowe here on earth, it being no earthly but a heauenly body, hath from the first being an aptnes and inclinati­on carrying it toward the sphere of fire w^ch is the pro­per place of it: so from what time we by Gods calling are begotten heauenly creatures here on eatth, we haue produced in vs an inclinatiō which doth make vs moue toward heauen and heauenly glory, the proper place & condition w^ch belongeth to vs. Would not an English man, Or an exile to his coun­try. (by any case exil'd) much long to smell the smoke of his natiue coūtry? Thus, if we be heauenly creatures, we cannot but in desire aspire thither while we are here on earth as exiles and pilgrimes from our heauenly fa­ther.

But before we come to the vse of this poynt, we will more at large branch forth this duety of seeking Gods kingdome, Gods king­dome is sought. by poynting forth the meanes and respects in regard whereof wee may performe this duety of see­king, here enioyned.

1. by seeking diuine knowledge of it▪ chiefly from the ministe­ry of the word. The first respect is, when wee seeke to get our selues informed in those things which it becommeth vs to know and to doe about this kingdome. Now wee doe this, when we come forth to be instructed by the word of God which is the word of the kingdome. Looke as a man seeketh earthly things, when he goes out to the Crier to learne of them: and, look as clients seeke their earthly inheritances, when they go forth to aduise w^th their learned counsell; thus, when we go with diligence to the ministers, proc [...]nes. who are [...] or [...], Ro. 10.14 [Page 7] that is, Criers by office, who proclaime the bringing to light of this kingdome by Christ: and when wee waite at the posts of Wisdome her gate, Pro. 8.33. like as clients doe, atten­ding on Gods ministers, who are to know the lawes of this kingdome, that men may seeke them from their lips.

2. 2. By get­ting eui­dence to shew for it, whi [...]h are the promi­ses thereof beleeued on We may seek this inheritance of Gods kingdome in getting something which we may shew for our right and title to it: Now, this we do by exercising our faith in some promises, by which God doth freely passe it vn­to vs: as Feare not little flock it is your fathers will to giue you a kingdome, Luke 12.32. If we be sonnes wee are also heires; euen heires of God, & ioynt-heires with Christ, Rom. 8.17. God gaue his son, that whosoeuer beleeueth in him, should haue euerlasting life; Iohn 3.16. We are begotten by the resurrection of Iesus Christ vnto a liuely hope, euen vn­to an inheritance immortall, vndefiled, and which fades not away, reserued in the heauens for vs, which are kept by the power of God through faith vnto saluation that is ready to be reuealed in the last time, 1. Peter 1, 3, 4, 5. Thus men seeke their earthly matters whilst they gette good co­pies for that they holde. Now, the promises of GOD laid holde on are the onely deed and instrument which can be shewed for title vnto eternall life.

3. 3. By en­tring posses­sion of it in a sanctified life. We may seeke this kingdome in regard of getting our selues possessed of it: which wee do by this meanes, while we labour by a sanctified course to drawe nearer it and enter it heere on earth. Men will not onely gette right vnto the things they seeke, but they will endea­uour to be possessed, to dig their turfe in that land they purchase. The more the Israelits did subdue the Cana­anites, [Page 8] the more they were possessed of Canaan. Sanctificati­on is an en­trance into glory. Thus the more we ouercome our sinnes, growe in graces, the more we growe seized of our heauenly Canaan. Ioyne (saith Peter 2. ep. 1. cap. 5.6.7.) vertue with your faith, and with vertue knowledge, & with knowledge temperance, and with temperance patience, and with patience godlinesse, and with godlinesse brotherly kindnesse, and with brotherly kindnesse loue: For as it after followeth, ver. 10.11. If these things be among you, ye shall neuer fall; For by these meanes an entring shall be ministred vnto you abundantly in­to the euerlasting kingdome of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ. The further that one did goe vp into the porch of the temple, the nearer he did come vnto the holy of holies; the further one goeth vp in the suburbs of a city, the neerer hee approcheth the citie it selfe: Thus it is herein the visible church, our state in sanctificatiō hath it selfe to glory in the same proportion that our beeing in a porch, or body of a church, to our beeing in the quire; or our beeing in the suburbs to our entring the city it selfe.

4. By procu­ring it assu­red to vs. 4. We may seeke it in regard of getting our title and possession made sure to our consciences. Thus we seek earthly inheritances, not only to be seized of them, but by strengthening our selues in them. Hence it is, that we will sue out fines and writs, which may in a manner after a certaine time put an end to all claimes w^ch may bee made by any, some few persons on iust ground ex­cepted. So we must giue all diligence to get these things ascertained vnto vs; From the promise of Gods pro­tection. which wee doe chiefly, while wee faithfully lay hold on Gods promises, w^ch promise our protection: as, that hee is our God, who will keepe vs [Page 9] from euery euil work to his heauenly kingdome; 2. Tim. 4.18 The witnes of the spirit while wee get the Spirit to witnesse to our spirits this gift of perseuerance which is bestowed on vs; while we learne to dye by faith; Christ, Faith in Ch [...]ist pre­ [...]ruing and [...]ais [...]ng vs, & God kee­ping to by his power. as the authour & finisher of our faith, and raiser of vs vp at the last day: and the Father, who is stronger than all, keeping vs in his hand euen by his almighty power, as in a strong tower vnto saluati­on. Wee can neuer be sure enough of earthly things; we desire to see the bird in the cage, and haue all things so settled as there may be no question. How much ra­ther should we not content our selues with vncertaine hopes of our heauenly inheritance, but trauaile to haue it settled on vs and throughly assured to our soules.

Finally, 5. By praier for all help [...] vnto it. wee seeke the kingdome of God in all these respects ioyntly by making petition to him. Euen as subiects by making requests get many things frō their Soueraignes: so do we, who haue no way of getting a­ny good thing, but by flying vnto his grace in Christ. Thus Christ taught vs to seeke. Lord let thy kingdome come. Mat. 6.10. Thus, The Spirit helps the faithfull with fighes and groanes that cannot be vttered. Rom. 8.26.

The vse of this is to rebuke most Christians, Vse. The re­proofe of the worldly minded who dot [...] on earth. who in­deed liue as Heathens. For, what doe they seek after, but such things as Turkes and Pagans seeke after? Ma­ny say, Who will shew vs any good? Psal. 4.6. Many there are, saith Paul, Phil. 3.18.19. of whom I haue told you of­ten, and now tell you weeping, who do minde earthly things: but the matter of Gods kingdō lies by a [...] a refuse thing quite forgotten. It is the wise merchant only, Neglect [...]ods king­dome. For want of true wisdom who see­keth precious pearles, Mat. 13.45. Worldly men wanting that wisdome from aboue are no more affected toward [Page 10] this heauenly inheritance, than those who are born de­stitute of ciuill wisdome are toward earthly. These we see, not hauing ciuil vnderstanding wherby to discerne the worth of their hopes, they neuer set their mindes vpon the faire possessions they might haue, but vanish away in trifles correspondent to their weakenes: so do al natural men, who vnderstand not the things of God; they are carelesse of this kingdome of God, and glori­ous inheritance, being wholly taken vp with a commō wealth fitting their kinde, the halfe-penny transitory things of this present life. And as the poore Israelites were scattered ouer al the land of Egypt to gather stub­ble and picke strawes, Exod. 5.12. so doe these range all the country, and are dispersed all abroad to picke & gather vp worldly things no more in comparison than stubble and strawes. Wherefore let vs not bee in the number of these fooles, worse than any who are vsual­ly begged; let vs set our harts on this heauenly inheri­tance; We are to se [...]ke out [...]e [...]u [...]nly in­heri [...]nce. By [...]ll good cou [...]s [...]s. let vs seeke to be informed about these things; let vs get sure conueiances; let vs by the conquest of all spiritual enemies enter this heauenly Canaan; let vs la­bour to get our consciences ascertained, that we shal be kept safe in this grace in which wee stand in the hope of glory. If wee haue right vnto and hope of earthly mat­ters, V [...]l [...]sse we wil [...] be more earn [...]st for earthly things th [...]n it. we will not faile to seeke after them; yea, (though we be poore, and they that detaine them mighty,) wee will sue in forma pauper is, but wee will recouer them; nay, if we haue lost but trifles, if any silly beast be strai­ed from vs, we will aske and enquire after them: And is ther any thing more worth thy care & pains in look­ing after, thā gods kingdom & thy eternal saluatiō? can [Page 11] a man bee perswaded that he hath great & goodly pos­sessions befallen him though in remote parts, S [...]w [...]ur v [...]b [...] conce [...]g [...]t. but his mind wil run much on the matter? his desire will be to heare and speake of it, to make a iourney to see it: Can wee then bee truely perswaded, that an heauenly king­dome is giuen vs, but our thoughts will be vpon it? & we shall desire in Gods good time to see it. Where your treasure is, there will your heart bee also, Mat. 6.21. Wo­men haue in their wombes not onely liuing births, but sometime also dead: An [...] [...]i­fes [...]e [...] [...]e [...]es to be [...]d Ch [...]i­s [...]s. now the former cannot liue alwaies pent in the womb, but it wil striue for greater freedom; whereas the other haue no motion in them to come forth: thus it is with the church. She doth beare in her womb and trauaile of som liuing some dead births: the liuing, they will in their time striue to come forth, cry­ing: Oh, vvho shall deliuer mee from this body of sinne? Rom. 7.24. And, I desire to be dissolued, and to be vvith Christ, Phil 1.23. whereas dead Christians they could be content to liue here alwaies, and sing their Requiem heere on earth: if they may still sit in the warme sunne, and haue wherewithall, they can easily forbeare all fur­ther happinesse.

Now, the second matter we are to seek after, 2. Doctrine. Gods king­dome can­not be sought [...]i [...] ­o [...] Gods righteous­nes. is Gods righteousnes: Seeke his righteousnesse. Where obserue, That all true Christians, yea, all who truely seeke the kingdome of GOD in the world to come, must seeke sound righteousnesse in this present world. These two God hath ioyned, and they may not bee seuered. For sound righteousnes is though not the cause of reigning, It [...] th [...] [...] to the k [...]g­d [...] yet the way to the kingdome. Neither can any bee said truly to seek that he may come hither or thither, when [Page 12] they doe not set a foote in the way which leadeth to the place they would come to. He that hath this hope, saith S. Iohn 1. Ioh. 3.3. in him, purgeth himself euen as God is pure. And so holy Dauid, Psa. 17.15. As for mee I vvill behold thy face in righteousnes. Hee knew no other way to come to the view of Gods blessed face, but by righteousnes.

Now, fully to open this, two things are to be consi­dered: 1. what this righteousnes is, or what it standeth in: 2. the quality of it. This righteousnes is simply in­herent righteousnes, and standeth partly in putting off the corruption of nature; partly in getting the grace of Gods Spirit strengthened and increased; It standeth 1. in putting and last of all in the integrity & perfection of spirituall actions. These three dueties are required of the godly: 1. In putting off all sin. 1. The first we are exhorted vnto, 2. Cor. 7.1. Hauing therefore such promises, beloued, let vs clense our selues from all filthinesse of the flesh and spirit, grovving vp vnto holinesse in the feare of God. For like as light cannot enter further than darkenesse is chased, nor health returne in further de­gree than sickenesse is remooued; so wee cannot for measure further growe in grace, Without which is no place for grace. Chi [...]fly natures cor­ruption. And our actuall reig­ning sins. 2. In grace strengthned & increased. than we finde corrup­tion decreasing in vs. And here we must labour chief­ly against that sinne that dwelleth in vs, as the roote and fountaine of all sinnes, to which by custome, com­plexion, company, age or any other way we feele our selues most enclined.

The second thing we are exhorted vnto, 2. Pet. cap. 3. verse 18. Grovve in grace and in the knovvledge of our Lord and Sauiour Iesus Christ: wee must neuer stint our selues to a measure of grace, but bee euer comming on [Page 13] and growing forward.

The last thing Dauid sought, 3. In the soundnes of our action [...] whilst he praied God to enlarge his heart, that hee might runne the way of his com­mandements, Psal. 119.32. And this flowes from the former. For, looke as in the eye the more euery hurt­full humour is remoued, and the more the visiue pow­er is restored, the more perfitly and easily it seeth: so it is heere: the more sinne is purged out, and grace in­creased, with the more facility and perfection wee are occupied in euery good and spirituall word and worke.

The quality is to be gatherd from that which here is added; his righteousnes: that is, Gods, It is super­naturall and spirituall. such as God su­pernaturally worketh in vs, such as Gods spirituall law enioyneth; not such as nature produceth, standing in e­quity & other morall parts, Not morall nor yet such as hath a tinc­ture of religion, Not formal. Which is but counter­feit. I meane a profession of an outward forme of godlinesse voide of power: for this is but a Pharisaicall righteousnes, which shall not inherit the king­dome of God, Mat. 5.20. and is but like a beautifull pic­ture, which hath nothing in it but an externall appea­rance. This thus opened lendeth light to conceiue the reason of this truth propounded. Euery thing that re­ceiueth being, nature doth giue it such an instinct, that it seeketh to preserue and bring on to perfection that beeing it hath receiued. It is the be­ing and life of a Christiā True Christians hauing in their regeneration receiued a supernaturall being, euen the diuine nature or image which standeth as in know­ledge and holinesse, so in the righteousnes here expres­sed, Which he cannot but seeke. they cannot but endeauour both to continue and take increase in this righteousnesse begunne in them. I say more, a Christian cannot but seeke this righteous­nesse [Page 14] more than heauen it selfe. Y [...] m [...] [...]. For euery thing doth more seeke that which sustaineth the beeing of it, and more declineth that which threatneth destruction to it, than it seeketh any thing which only conduceth to the more happy estate of it. Man more seeketh necessarie sustenance for his life, more laboureth to expell some deadly disease, than in following wealth, honour and the rest, which respect onely the well-being of it: thus heere it is; this righteousnes is as it were the very being of a Christian, heauenly glory is but his blissefull being, whence it is, that hee doth more seeke to get himselfe healed of sinne, the soules deadly sickenesse; more seek to haue grace sustained and increased; more seeke to haue integrity and soundnesse in those actions in which hee is exercised, than he seeketh heauen it selfe and that heauenly glory which is reserued for him. It is the speach of Anselme well agreeing to this purpose. If I had sinne set on this side of me, and on that side hell, so that necessarily I must bee plunged into one of them, I would ra­ther cast my self into hell than commit any sin: And if I had on one hand righteousnes offered vnto mee, and on the other Heauen, to take one without the other: I would much soo­ner make choise of righteousnes than heauen.

The vs [...]s [...]. to shew their vanity who [...] this [...]. N [...], [...]ho [...] [...]ers o [...] [...]t. The vse of of this is three-folde: First, it letteth vs see the vanity of such who thinke that they may seeke heauen well enough though they bee carelesse of holi­nesse, and neuer sought to God to heale their euill harts, iudging themselues and humbling themselues vnder his hand; though they neuer knocked and cried for the increase of faith, knowledge & repentance; nay, thogh they mocke at those who follow righteousnes, as men [Page 15] ouer-precise, holy, mad, forward, [...] by Satan. fondlings that know not what they would haue. The Diuell in outward things maketh men idolatrously leane to meanes; in spi­ritual things makes them presume all without meanes: Si [...] [...] w [...]hout h [...] [...]. Es [...]. 5. [...]. But without holiness none shall see God, Heb. 12.14. And, the pure in hart onely shall beholde him, Mat. 5.8. Look as those that were to stand before the Persian Monarchs in Court, were to be clothed in royall apparell; and es­pecially those virgins w^ch were to bee brought as spou­ses to them, they were first purified, perfumed, E [...]. 2.12.1 [...] trained vp and prepared in sundry kindes: so, all that shall bee married to God in Christ, or, that shall stand in the pre­sence of his glory, must by this course bee made fit for such a purpose.

This also comforteth those that seeke righteousnes. 2. To comfort the seekers of it, who are true disciples. For it is an euidence, that they are the true disciples of Christ, the best Christians; that feeling their want and weakenes of grace, the presence and strength of sinne in them, their bondage and lamenesse in spirituall actions, doe seeke for grace for the crucifying of sinne, and for their spirituall liberty. And blessed Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousnes, Mat. 5.6. Neuerthelesse, as it is cōmendable not to remēber any thing past, so, S [...] th [...]y growe on And take notice of Gods grac [...] toward thē for thank­ [...]ulnes [...]d comf [...]rt. as to growe secure and idle, not striuing to any further per­fection: so it is behoofefull to thinke how far God hath brought vs, so as to confirme our faith, and prouoke ourselues to thankesgiuing. There is a double hunger in nature: the one healthfull; the other no better than a very sickenesse: for there is a disease called the hun­gry euill: when though a man bee full, yet hauing no sense of his repletion, the stomacke doth as painefully [Page 16] and rauenously hunger, Which good soules omit to their dis­comfort. as if the man were affamished. Thus it commeth to passe in Gods children; who, not considering nor getting sense of that God hath done for them, are often as painefully hungry, as if they yet had receiued nothing at all which might stay their stomack. It is great pity that Gods children doe no more consi­der this: It is surely a fault in them very preiudicial vn­to their comfort, which they might reap by obseruing Gods worke in themselues, and grace toward them.

3. To ex­hort, to in­crease in it begun in vs. Th [...]t wee may differ from hypo­crites. Who wish for heauen, but neglect righteous­nes. Lastly, let vs heere bee exhorted, that if euer wee did partake in the diuine nature, we do shew it by striuing to growe in this righteousnes which is begun in vs but imperfectly. This will argue vs to bee true disciples. Such-like things as any seeketh, such is the man. Bala­am may say, Oh, that my soule might die the death of the righteous, Numbers 23.10. But what doth the heart of a Dauid-like Christian say? Oh, that my waies were so di­rected that I might keepe thy statutes, Psal. 119.5. For so Dauid beeing rauished with a viewe of the good mans blessednes, doth presently conceiue not this desire, Oh, that I had this happinesse; but rather this, Oh, that I could vse the meanes to bring mee to it; Oh, that my waies were so directed, &c. All after a sort wish and seek heauen, but seeke not righteousnes: But thou canst not seeke the one without seeking the other; and finding this righteousnes thou shalt also finde heauen, though thou dost not expressely thinke vpon it. Which will bring vs to heauen euen at vnawares. If we renew i [...]. Let a man go in this or that path, though he thinke not whither hee goeth, yet he shall finde himselfe brought to that place to which the way leadeth. We must renew this spiri­tuall beeing, as wee doe our naturall: Euen as in nature [Page 17] there is still comming vpon vs a sense of weakenes, Wh [...] [...]o the sense of inf [...] [...]it [...] do [...] t [...] [...] and feeling of burdensome superfluities, that we might bee stirred still to repaire and increase naturall strength, & expell that, which reteined would proue harmefull: so in the soule we haue weaknes euer and anon returning, that wee might neuer want a spurre to incite vs to seeke still a fresh after the continuing and augmenting of righ­teousnes in vs. Againe, if we haue some great bargaines we loue to finger some great earnest: Now, thus it is, And our better [...]ssu­r [...]nce draw vs. that the very earnest of heauen and heauenly glory pro­mised, is this spirituall righteousnesse wrought in vs. Thus much for the dewty, now for the manner.

Seeke first. Obserue heere, 3. Doctrine, Spir [...]uall things [...]re chiefly to be sought. Iohn 6. Luke 13.24 that spirituall things must be sought with our principall endeauours, we must nei­ther foreslowe them, nor be negligent in following thē. The Scripture biddes vs labour for the food that perisheth not: And, Striue (as for maistery) to enter; for many shal seeke to enter in, and not bee able. It forbideth slouth; Be not slouthfull but through faith and patience seeke to be par­takers of the promises, Heb. [...].12. It commandeth vs all diligēce: 2. Pet. 1.5, 10. Giue all diligence. According a [...] in price they pa [...]a [...]. We seek things according to our estimate of them. And indeed euery thing is to be sought more or less, as it is good more or lesse; hence it is that things of no worth wee seek not at al, we let them lie vntaken vp: things of small worth we se [...]k remissely; siluer & gold, most carefully. Now, what is more precious than grace, or mo [...]e excellent than heauenly glory? If therefore we count them before all things, let vs shew it by seeking them answereably. And we meane to sp [...] Mat. 11.1 [...] Fer­uent seekers shall finde. The kingdome of heauen suffereth violence, and the violent doe take it. And slou [...]h in Gods [Page 18] workes is accursed. Ier. 48.10. Mat. 25 26 Cursed is hee that doeth the worke of God negligently; The slothfull and euill seruant entreth not into his Maisters ioy.

Vses. 1. To blame such a [...] put off this care to the last. Many may bee hence rebuked, who beginne at the wrong end, seeking the world for the present, and re­seruing some purposes about these things in times to come.

Againe, such who though they doe not excuse, and put off the matter for the present, 2. Such as post ouer re­ligious due­ties slightly. yet they post ouer most sleightly all such dueties, as concerne their soules health, thinking it enough if the work be done, though with neuer such ouerture. These commonly are wise in their own eyes, Pro. 26.16. (like Salomons Sluggard, who thin­keth himselfe wiser than seauen who returne an answere,) much condemning the forwardnes of others: Condem­ning others forwardnes. What needeth all this adoe think they? God forbid no more should be saued but those few who are of this humour; There is a measure in euery thing; It is not our striuing, but the good mercy of God that must saue vs. Thus, men are witty to pleade for sinne, euen for that formall slouth that will slay them eternally. But let vs remem­ber this, Double dili­gence is to be vsed in heauenly things. Seek first, and awaken our selues, doubling our diligence this way. Nothing is more absurd than to bring beetle and wedges to cleaue strawes, doing trifles with superfluous labour, and to bee carelesse in matters of greatest moment. Againe, wee see no earthly things of worth wil be atchieued without labor; they must be wooed, before they bee wedded; and shall wee thinke without seeking to atteine those things which are the very vpshot and haruest of all our hopes? Thinke with thy selfe how men turne euery stone, and how many i­rons [Page 19] they wil haue in the fire at once, that they may ga­ther earthly treasure. They will haue something going in trade or stocke on their grounds, Which we m [...]y [...] of good [...] for the world. somthing by them for purchase, something out at vse, something for bar­gaine and aduenture. If wee bee thus industrious in ga­thering treasure vpon earth, which rust doth can­ker and the theefe robbe, how much more diligence should wee vse in getting heauenly treasure, enduring substance? such as grace, which shall neuer perish, which shall not be left as earthly things are, but shall follow vs and dwell with vs for euer. Now followeth the rea­son.

All things should be giuen them. 4. Doctrine The best way to thriue in the world is 1. to be rich in God. Who doth promise the godly 1. protection from hurt in his seruice. Where obserue that the next way for a man to thriue in his outward state, is first to grow rich in his spirituall. Oh, that there were in you such harts to keep my cōmandemēts alwaies that it might bee well with you and yours after you for euer (saieth the Lord) Deut. 5.29. For, first God doth vndertake to keep dammage from his, while they are occupied in his seruice. Looke Exodus 34.24. When all the males should be gone to Ierusalem, and none but weake wo­men and children left at home, yet God doth vnder­take that no enemy should haue the hart to breake in on the. 2. 2. All good God promiseth to bestowe on vs euery thing that is good: Ps. 84.11. No good thing will he withhold frō them that walk vprightly. 3. 3. A cōfor­table vse of his blessings Isa. 1.17.19. God promiseth to his a cheerfull vse of all the good benefits vouchsafed them. Cease to do euill, learne to do w [...]ll, &c: If yee consent and obey, yee shall eat the good things of the land. Did not Iosiah eate and drinke and prosper while while he executed iudgement & iustice, Ier. 22.15. Godliness hath not onely the promises of [Page 20] this life, but of the life to come, 2. Tim. 4.8. He that giues the head, Will not stand for small mat­ters with them to whom hee hath giuen heauen. 1. Kin. 3.10 &c. 10 13. giues haire also: God giueth vs his kingdom and righteousnes, which are principall, (which he euer doth when we seeke them diligently,) how should hee not adde these inferiour things also which are but ac­cessary to the other? If hee did so like and recompense Salomons seeking of politicke wisdome, which might serue him to goe in and out before his people, that hee gaue him it, and also peace and wealth which hee had not sought; how much more shall he do this here promised to such as seeke his kingdome and righteousnes? Wee see earthly men, that if they haue a seruant, who is very diligent and faithfull in their businesse, Nor neglect a faithfull seruant. though he hath not the skill to licke his fingers, and bee for himselfe as many would; in such a case will not a wise and equall Master the more bestirre him to reward his seruice, by how much he discerneth him the lesse to seeke himself? how much more then shall GOD doe for his seruants, whom he doth see to bee wholly bent to his businesse? When the people followed Christ into the desert, Mat. 14.19. & [...]. & 15.32. &c. God did rather by miracle feed them, than they should want while they sought his kingdome.

Ob, concer­ning the good mans crosse [...] and the wickeds prosperity. Ans. The crosses of the godly are either chastiments of their [...]lings: Or t [...]ia [...] [...] ­the [...] [...]ng to doub [...] pro [...], O [...] [...] w [...] [...]od and [...] ­w [...] [...] 2 C [...]. [...]. Cor. 2.9. Phil. 4.1 [...]. But it may be heere obiected, that the godliest haue the most crosses and smallest measure of these earthly things; whereas the wicked are free from the crosse, & swimme with wealth.

To the fi st I answere, that the godly man is often followed with crosses, because hee hath not followed righteousnesse, and liued godlily according as God re­quireth in his couenant. If he haue done this heere en­ioyned and yet haue crosses, they are either such as end [Page 21] after­ward in a doubled prosperity like Iobs, & then this here promised is stil true or they are such as dwel with him. In which case God doth recompense the want of out­ward things with himselfe and contentation of minde. Thus Paul was in pouerty, in ieopardy, in hunger and thirst, in cold and nakednes but hee reioyced in these infir­mities, and was enabled to doe euery thing through Christ strengthening him. Now, this change is no robbery. And whereas it is said that they haue not the greatest measure of earthly things, it is cōmonly true: but their little is better than the abundance of the wicked.

For first, The subst [...]nce of the godly [...]s 1. a token of Gods [...]a [...]e, & from his owne hand. Gen. 3 [...].5.1 [...] 2 An earnest of their hea­u [...]y inhe­ritance. it is giuen them from Gods hand as a token of his fauour. God (saith Iaakob to Esau) of his grace hath giuen these children to thy seruant, and God hath had mercy on me, and therefore haue I all these things: Now an angell from the kings own hand is more esteemed than much more other money which hath no such respect.

2. It is an earnest of Gods eternall fauour in bestow­ing on them the heauenly inheritance. Now, a little money that bindeth some great bargaine is better than much more that hath no such relation.

3. It is freely bestowed; 3. I [...] f [...]e [...] giu [...]. they shall haue no reckoning to come in for it.

Now, The pros [...] ­rity of [...]he wicked is but seeming b [...]ing in­deed a curse. As that which is [...]. mix [...]d of [...] with mu [...]h disco [...]ce [...]. the prosperity of the wicked is but in appea­rance prosperity, being a pleasant poison which killeth by casting into a sweet sleep; or by mouing the person to laugh till hee fall downe dead by force of it. Euen as poyson killeth some with intolerable gripings, others with very great delight: so doth Gods curse sinners.

For the things they possesse, sometime God doth mixe them with such discontentmens that they are all [Page 22] as nothing; as is seene in Haman whom God did make the stiffe knee of Mordecai so to vexe and gall, that all he had did him no good Est. 5. And Ahab thogh a king, yet when he had the vineyard denied him grew so sick of the sullens, that hee could not so much as taste ought of his kingly prouision, 3. King. [...]1.4.

2. A sn [...]re to them. 2. If they haue the iocant vse of things, yet it is no­thing while God giueth them these things as snares to them, like as Saul gaue Michol to Dauid to bee a snare vnto him, 1. Sam. 17. Though it be not warrantable for a man in his policy demoliri honoribus, to ouerthrow men by aduancements, yet God (sinne so requiring it) may do it most iustly.

3. Not of Gods loue, but patience. Againe, they haue these things but as traitours their allowance more or lesse, from the clemency & patience of the prince, rather than his fauour to them. Now, it is better with a poore subiect that workes for 12. pence a day with the kings loue & protection, than with these haue they neuer so much.

4 Must be reckon'd for 4. For these things are not giuen them freely, as by a father to his children, but rather giuen in as by an host to his guests, for whom he keepeth a reckoning. The last dish will marre their feast.

The vses, 1. to encou­ [...]ge vs vnto godlinesse. The vse is 1. to encourage vs in this work in making conscience of it, knowing that it is not in vaine; but hath the promise euen of this present life. Hast thou labou­red to ouercome sinne, to growe in grace, to serue thy God more fruitfully and chearefully, and art thou ne­uerthelesse for the present in pouerty? Be not dismaied, God oweth thee a good turne; he will recompence his tarriance, with vse abundant. The sunne ere while is [Page 23] long in getting forth, when yet the day prooues most faire and pleasant.

2. Wee see the woefull state of many, 2. To con­uince their errour who think [...] it the way to beg­gery. who thinke this precise care of religion to bee the high way to the hospitall. If one straine curtesie at one oath, if one will not borrow with the Sabbath for furthering his owne businesse, if one will not keep lewd seruants when they are othwise gainefull, r, if one will not double with his tongue, vse his wit to circumvent, if one will not humor those from whom he may reape profit, if one will not dance to what the time pipeth, if one will not take any way to the wood, and lay about with sixe fingers coun­ting al gain that may be gotten; Christians now-adaies thinke such a man may set downe his rest for rising. Who are worse than Sadduces. O most vnchristian Christians! worse than the Sadduces; for that they did beleeue God so to prosper outwardly the keepers of his lawe, that hauing no beliefe of ano­ther life, (for they did think soules as bodies were mor­tall) yet they walked keeping the letter of the law most strictly as their name doth intimate.

3. 3. To shew the cau [...]e why euen sundry good husbands thriue not, That is t [...]eir neglect of religion. In the godly s [...]me s [...] n [...] [...]p [...]med of. Some infi [...] ­mi [...]y [...] ­cei [...]. Let vs hence take notice what doth keepe downe many in these earthly things, and clean ruinate others: What but lack of seeking heauenly things? There are some men of no lewd qualities, frugall enough, men a­ble to make their market, yet nothing will go forward with them. And this is the iust iudgement of God, be­cause they neuer haue set their hearts to matter of reli­gion. Againe, many of Gods children goe backward in these things, because they lie durtily without repentāce of some sins w^ch God would haue them iudge in them­selues; or else they discerne not their infirmities, by rea­son [Page 24] whereof wealth would be hurtfull to them, and la­bour not to get them mortified. For God holdes down many, Which w [...] [...]e [...] pr [...]pe­ [...]y. because he doth see that if they ride on the fore horse, and were aloft this way, it were for none to com neere them: Such is their pride that they would not knowe any; others to bee to contentiously giuen, that none should liue quietly by them, but would bee euer pushing and goring their brethren as buls do the wea­ker [...]artell with their hornes; others so voluptuous, that if they had wherewithall, they would runne riot into all intemperancy. Now a father will lay a knife out of the way from a child who is like to hurt himself w^th it.

Hence is also the ru­in [...] of many mens estates and how. Farther, for the want of this God doth ruinate the e­states of many by not keeping them from such courses of trusting, where what they trust shall come home w^th losse; into courses of suretiships, into suits of lawe and building, into dealing in things wherein they haue no iudgement, into the hands of vntrusty seruants (who are a backe-doore which will pull downe the greatest houses) that he may punish their not seruing him fruit­fully in the things they enioyed.

4. To sh [...] th [...]we [...]lth with [...]t go [...]linesse is no bl [...]ssing. Lastly, if thou hast not beene a seeker of righteous­nesse and GODS kingdome, do not think the things thou hast to be additaments bestowed in Gods fauour, nor yet possessions making thee happy. They are but like that Manna which gathered besides the Lords cō ­mandement did putrefie and come to nothing. So shall all these things, But a curse to greater [...]dgement. they shall increase thy condemnation and make thee one day haue the heauier reckoning, if thou goest on in impenitency. Wherefore let me coun­sell thee what to doe in this case. Didst thou hold land [Page] on such termes as would not maintaine thy title, but ra­ther expose thee to danger of accoūting for all the time that thou hadst helde them? The onely way to se­cure thy self is to turne Tenant to God. Suppose thou mightest strengthen thy self in these by turning Tenant to the true Lord; wouldst not thou readily put it in executiō? Thus it is heere: All thou enioyest with carelesnesse of Gods seruice & seeking his righteousnes, thou art sub­iect to bee brought to a heauy reckoning for it, and to haue it taken from thee in Gods iust iudgement. Tenant. Turne therefore to him who is the supreme Lord, paie this rent which heere hee requires, seeke his kingdome and his righteousnes, then thou shalt be happy in al thou possessest. To God the father, God the sonne, and God the holy Ghost, be ascribed (as it is due) all glory, honour, bles­sednes, might, maiesty & dominion, from this time forth and for euermore. Amen, Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria.