SERMON I.

THe great Apostle of the Gen­tiles, begins the Chapter withv. 1. a Remonstrance of Gods meer Mercy in calling him to the Ministry; in the faithful discharge of which, though afflicted, he will go for­ward without fear or fainting; and in this Case he commends himself and his Colleagues to the Corinthians Consci­ence; and hereby takes away all suspi­cionv. 2. of arrogancy, in that they sought not their own Gain, their own Glory, butv. 5. 2 Cor. 1. 24. Christs; not to rule over their Faith, but to relieve their Joy.

And here he seems to wipe off an Aspersion of the false Teachers, tend­ing to the contempt of his Person, and the discredit of his Preaching: They seem [Page 2] charge him as if he had not light and 2 Cor. 10. 10. sight to fit and qualifie him for the dis­pensation of the Gospel. To this St. Paul answers;

1. By way of Assertion; God hathv. 6. shined into our hearts, and given us out of his rich Treasure, Wisdom and Knowledg.

2. By a Concession; he yields, that [...]. he, and others, who were authorized by Christ to preach the Gospel, and to represent his Person, were Earthen Ves­sels.

In the words you have these Parts:

• 1. A Precious Pearl dispensed, viz. The Gospel.
• 2. The Stewards intrusted with it; The Apostles and all Faithful Pastors. We have it.
• 3. The great Proprietor that com­municates it; God who causeth Light to shine out of Darkness.
• 4. The Pots or Pipes wherein this Pearl is put; [...], in Earthen Vessels.
• 5. The End intended in it; that the Excellency of the Power may be of God, and not of us.

Herein the Apostle alludes to earthly Calvin in loc. [Page 3] Pearls which usually are not put into a costly Cabinet, but into a vile Vessel: so the Lord is pleased to make use of frail miserable men to be his Ministers to bring their brethren to Christ, that his Power hereby may be the more ap­parent.

As the Text hath reference to the foregoing Verse, it seems to be a Me­taphor taken from Lanthorns; and so the Apostles did not hide their Light, that shined into them, but let it out to enlighten others: but according to the Original Word, it may be rendred Ves­sels made of Oyster-Shells, by an allusion [...]. to the Precious Pearl that is found in Shell-fish.

Hence you may observe:

• Doct. That the Gospel is a Pearl of Price, a choice Treasure.
• 2. Christ Embassadours are Earthen Vessels intrusted with this Treasure.
• 3. The Gospel should not be in less esteem with you, because it is dispensed from, or in Earthen Vessels.

In the handling the first Point, I [Page 4] shall shew what a Treasure is, what kinds of Treasures there are; What a Treasure the Gospel is; the Reasons why it is so; and the Causes why worldly men do not so account it.

1. A Treasure is something of Price, and of account, laid up closely and charily, for future use in Chests or Ca­binets, in peace, from the pilfering of Thieves, and in War, from the plun­dering of Souldiers.

And it is either,

1. An Earthly Treasure, as Gold and Silver, Pearls, and precious Stones, Jam. 5. 3. which worldly men heap up for the last day, wherein they place their chief hap­piness; yet which shall be as fewel to put on fire the Wrath of God against them. These have their Names writ­ten Jer. 17.13. c. 41. 8. in the Earth, and their Conversation; only their Treasure is in the Field.

2. A Heavenly Treasure, viz. Christ; the Graces of the Spirit and the Gospel, which Believers hide and hoard up in their hearts, and lay out as the Mer­chant Luk. 12.33 upon Exchange doth his Money that he may receive it with advantage in another Country; so Christians that are trading in, and travelling towards Phil. 1.27. c. 3.20. [Page 5] another Country, are laying up and lay­ing out for that, where they have [...] their Burgess-ship, they live by the Laws of that Country which is Psal. 119. 11. Heavenly, and hide them in their hearts; Thy Word (saith the Prophet) have I hid in my heart. This is the Treasure I am now to treat of. More to be desired Psal. 19.10 than gold, yea than much fine gold. More precious than jewels; the price of it is Job 28.16, 17, 18. above rubies.

The Gospel is that Treasure hid in the Field, which cannot be too far Mat. 13, 44 fetcht, or too dear bought.

1. It is a precious Treasure to be pre­ferred before thousands of gold and sil­ver; Psal. 119. 72. it's better than precious Stones; Prov. 8.11. M. Bolton Job 28. 15, 16. all the Pleasures, nay all the Treasures in the world are not to be compared to it, though the Mountains were Pearl, and the whole Globe a shining Chry­solite.

2. It is a heaped Treasure, contain­ing Multum in minimo, in parvulo; I will not compare it to Homers Iliads in a Nut-shel, but prefer it before all other Books, Humane or Divine: since it Eph. 3.10. [...]. comprehends totum hominis & bonum hominis; it contains in it abundance of [Page 6] curious variety of the manifold Wisdom of God; as a Ring that hath many Jewels in it, and a Treasure that is compacted of many precious Things; for commonly a single Commodity doth doth not make a Treasure but Many.

3. The Gospel is a hoarded and hid­den Treasure; for it contains in it those Col 2. 3. Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg which are hidden from the wise and prudent men of the world, who have principium laesum, a crackt brain, that they cannot perceive things spiritual. 1 Co. 2.14. Jewels are not used to be put in places where they may be seen of every eye. What Job speaks concerning Wisdom is true of the Mysteries of wisdom and knowledg in the Gospel; The Depth Job 28. 12, 14. saith, it is not in me, the Sea it is not in me. Such who are able to search into the secrets of nature, and can fa­thom the depth of Arts and Sciences, yet are many times meer strangers to it, they know not how to dig for, or to draw out this Treasure.

4. The Gospel hath an attractive vertue in it, when preached in the power of the Holy Ghost, to penetrate the heart, and to draw it after Christ: [Page 7] As the Loadstone hath a natural force to draw Iron, and the Sun to draw up Vapours; so the Sun of the Gospel by the agency of the Spirit to attract the Heart. As the men of the world who have Treasures hid in the Earth, they count them their chief happiness, and their hearts are drawn after them; so the godly, who make the Gospel their Treasure, and their hearts are fixed to it, they will forsake all to follow it. Where your Treasure is there will your hearts be also. Veniat Verbum Domini Mat. 6.21. & submittemus sexcenta si nobis fuissent Colla, said a Dutch Divine.

Reas. 1. Because the Gospel reveals the unsearchable Riches of the Grace of God in Christ, in whom are hid all the Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg, whereby the Saints are inabled to lay up 1 Tim. 6. 19. a good Foundation for themselves, to lay up their Treasure in Heaven, and to Phil. 2.16. lay hold of eternal Life. 1 Tim. 3.9 Tit. 1. 9.

2. All things or persons that excel others in their kind, and are of greatest rate for their rarity or preciousness, these are counted Treasures; but such is the Gospel: as amongst Fishes, The Levia­than; [Page 8] and in Birds, the Eagle; and a mongst Beasts, the Lion; and Princes and Potentates among Men, they are valued of more worth than thousands of an inferiour rank: So in Books, those which are rare and fetcht from far; As 2 Sam. 18. 3. it is said, That Plato gave for three choice Books 30000 Florens; How much more is the Gospel to be prized since it came from Heaven, in whose sacred Leaves the Mysteries of Heaven in Treasures lie! Dr. Pri­deaux.

3. All other Creatures, how excel­lent soever, consume in time. Gold and Silver is subject to the rust and Jam. 5. 3. canker; the most princely Ornaments, even Crowns beset with Pearls, and precious Diamonds, perish in time; the best Books are worm-eaten; But the Word of our God, shall stand for ever. Isa. 40. 8.

4. The Saints have ever esteemed it so; for they have been content to part with all for it.

[Page 9] That's a mans Treasure, which he prefers before all other things, and will part with all rather than this; As a man will part with all he hath to save his life: Job 2. 4. He counts Life his chief Treasure.

Alphonsus King of Arragon professed, he would lose his Jewels, rather than his Books; So a Child of God will part with all, rather than the Gospel; as that Dutch Divine said, as before.

5. That is a mans Treasure, which he counts he cannot live without. Some count Riches their Treasure; for if they are robbed of them, their life is unravelled, their heart and their hopes break at once, they die in the nest as did Nabal. Some count Pleasures their Treasure; for if they be deprived once of them, they cry out with A­drian, They shall never be merry more. Some count Children their Treasure; and therefore cry out with Rachel, Give me Children or else I die. But a Child Gen. 30.1. of God makes the Gospel his Treasure, for he thinks he cannot live comfortably without it. It was a remarkable Pas­sage of Luther, who said, He could not live without the Word in Paradise, but with it, he could, even in Hell it self.

[Page 10]Object. But if the Word be so choice a Treasure, What may be the Reason why the World doth not so esteem it?

Answ. The Causes of this I conceive may be either in respect of the Organ, or of the Object.

1. In respect of the Organ: The Prince of the World hath cast a mist be­fore the eyes of these men, that the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the Image of God, shineth not in their 2 Cor. 4. 4. hearts: As for Example, The Sun is a glorious Body, full of light and lustre, yet blind eyes perceive it not; So the Gospel is a Light shining in darkness, but the blind and bruitish world discern it not, but prefer with the Cock in the Fable, a Corn of Barley before it. As one that looked intently on a curious Picture, was asked the cause why he did so? answered, If thou hadst my Nicostra­tes. eye thou wouldst no less admire it than I do; So had the world but an illumina­ted eye, they would judg of the Word as the Saints do.

2. In respect of the Object. They make not the Word of GOD, [Page 11] but the World the matter of their choice; Their Treasures are in their Fields and in their Flocks and Herds; And thus they heap up Treasures for the Jam. 5.3. last day. He that holds the World his Portion, will prefer it before any o­ther. A godly Man esteems the Word of God as his Heritage for ever; and Psal. 119. 11. therefore takes it for a greater Treasure than Chains of Pearl and Mines of Gold.

Ʋse 1. Serves to refute the folly of a generation of Men, who are wiser for Luk. 16.8. the World than for Heaven, and hoard up Treasures for themselves here in the place of their pilgrimage, and are not rich towards God: Is the Word such a Luk. 12.21. Treasure? Why do you prefer the dirt and dung of this World? The Pleasures of Sin, and the Profits that result from your Purchases and Possessions before this Pearl of Price? Could I but ac­quaint these men where they might buy a cheap Piece of Ground, or where Gold and Silver, and precious Jewels lay hid in the Earth, though it were a great way off, and hard to get, Would they not hearken to me? Oh how would [Page 12] they run or ride, dig and delve in the bowels of the Earth to get them! Bu [...] I acquaint you with a more precious Purchase, with a far more enduring Substance, and tell you it is nigh unto you, where it is hid, and how easie Rom. 10. 8 it is to be had, yet I cannot prevail with you for my life, to take a little pains to get it, or to part with a little of that which you cannot long keep, though it were to gain that you can never lose. Well, your Treasure you are for, and your Treasure (without true repentance) you will have, such Psal. 140. 10. as it is, such as you have laid in, and laid up for your selves, even Treasures of Wrath against the day of Wrath, and the Revelation of the righteous Judgment of Rom. 2. 5. God.

Ʋse 2. Which that you may avoid, let me prevail with you to make the Gospel your Choice; count it your chief Good below God and Christ. It is a Legacy left you by your dearest Lord, sealed with his precious blood; herein you have a promise of the Pardon of Sins, of Adoption of Sons, where­by (if you are not wanting to your [Page 13] selves) you may become Heirs of God, and Joint-heirs with Christ, and Par­takers of the Inheritance of the Saints; And will you not read it? Will you not heed it? at least, with as much care as a Child would his Fathers Will, to know what he hath left him; to see whether some one or other have not a Title before him to the chief Treasure. Alas beloved, Do we see it, and is it not our shame, that those Terrae-Filii Sons of the Earth, can even sweat for Silver, forbear Pleasures that they may get Profit, dig deep in Mines for Precious Mettle, and choice Jewels, storm dangers and difficulties by Land Omnis cu­piditas in illum ten­datur. and Sea; The Merchant, the Mariner, the Mathematician, the Mechanick, the Souldier, and he that studies the Philosophers-stone? And will you not take as much care, be at as much cost, use as much courage in Christianity at least, in searching into those golden Mines of the Gospel wherein are dis­covered Joh. 5.39. those hidden Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg in Christ.

St. Chrysostom saith to this purpose, In his Ho­mil. Super Orat. An­nae. Such as dig Treasures out of the Earth, though they get infinite Wealth, [Page 14] yet give not over till they have drawn the Mine dry; for this is their chief care, not to get out much, but to leave none behind. How much more should we endeavour to know the Read the Lady Jane Grays Let­ter writ­ten to her Sister. whole mind of Christ contained in the Gospel, lay out our selves about it, and labour in it day and night.

The Gospel is a pure Treasure, very pure, purity it self, free from all dross. Such as dig in Mines for Gold and o­ther Psal. 119. 140. precious Mettals are willing to work hard, though the Oar hath much dross and dirt that cleaves to it, till it be refined; but this is a pure and proved Word, pure as Silver, tried in a Furnace of Earth fined seven-fold. Psal. 12.6.

2. It is a perfect Treasure in all parts without mixture of any other alloy: nothing must be put to it or ought be taken from it. Those pre­cious things that are taken out of the Deut. 12. 32. Earth, even all Mettals have their mixture, which doth somewhat debase them; but the Word of Christ is per­fect Psal. 19.7. of it self, and compleat without the additions or traditions of men; He that addeth to, or diminisheth any thing Rev. 22. 18, 19. from it, shall have no part in the Book o [...] [Page 15] life, but shall partake of the plagues that are written it. Oh how inexcusable are the Papists, who count it imperfect, and pollute it with the mud and Mine of their vain inventions; and carnal-Gospellers, who profane it, who take not pains to read it, who heed it not, neither hoard it in their hearts!

3. It is a precious Treasure; Gold, Silver and Jewels, are precious things, and yet they are but as the Offal and Excrements of the Earth; a man may have much of them, and yet be mise­rable, and say with Caesar, Omnia fui & nihil profuit; I have been all things and never the better; but the price of Job 28. Psal. 119. 72, 127. this is above rubies, to be esteemed as gold, nay, above fine gold, even above thousands of gold and silver. Had the Lord thought these things a fit portion for his people, he would not have gi­ven them to his enemies; the barba­rous Indians have much more of these than you.

4. It is a profitable Treasure; to teach, to convince; profitable for all 2 Tim. 3. 16. things, to correct, and to instruct in righteousness. Gregory calls it the heart and soul of God. Athanasius, the food [Page 16] of the Soul. St. Augustine, the For­tress [...]. against Errors. Irenaeus, the inva­riable Rule of Truth. In a few words, it teacheth true godliness, which is profitable for all things, 1 Tim. 4. 8. for all persons whether in a publick or private capacity. 2 Tim. 3. 17.

It is profitable for men in all Duties, in all Estates and Conditions, which respect their active or passive obedi­ence: It teacheth men what they ought, and what they ought not do; how to live, and how to die; and how to suffer, and how to carry themselves in prosperity and adversity. The A­postle had never taken out that Lesson, had he not learnt it here, viz. to be content in every estate, to know how Phil. 4. 11. to want, and how to abound; and as one that had nothing, yet possessing all 2 Cor. 6. 10. things. A strange hyperbolical Speech, a Riddle to the world.

5. It is a pleasant Treasure, sweeter than Honey, yea, than the droppings Psal. 19. 10 Psal. 119. 103. Hos. 13.15. of the Honey-combs. Ephraim who was a pleasant Child in Gods account, Jer. 31. 20. yet he had the Treasure of all his pleasant things spoiled: but here is a sweetness, wherewith, as the Soul [Page 17] of man shall never be satiated, so nei­ther shall it ever be satisfied till it come to Heaven.

It is a lasting Treasure, an everla­sting Sweetness: I might add, what I before said, The Gospel is a heaped, a hoarded, a hidden and a heavenly Treasure.

Ʋse 3. And now you Sons of Pleasure, and Daughters of the Horsleach, who are so ready to cry, Give, and are never satisfied; Tell me what you would have? And where you are like to mend your selves? You are for Profit, here is Gold for you; you are for Plea­sure, and here's Honey for you. Oh how well might you be without these Earthly-sweets! Would you but drink of this Well of living Waters, where only it is the deeper the swee­ter. I cannot but wonder that Men that have Reason, and are in their right wits can hear these things, and not be (at the least) convinced, if not con­verted. Oh that the god of this World [the Devil] should be able, in things so clear and perspicuous, to put a Blind upon your Understandings, and Bribe [Page 18] your Judgments! Truly, if the Gos­pel in these Halcyon-days, be a hidden Treasure to you, it is so only to such as are lost, &c. 2 Cor. 4.4

3. Beg of God by frequent and fer­vent Prayer, that he would give you inlightned understanding, so as you Psal. 119. 18. may see a singular vertue in, and may set a superlative value upon this excel­lent Treasure, the Gospel; which is a manifestation of Gods Mind, the my­stery of his Will and Wisdom, a Copy of his Truth, a transcript of Heaven, and Happiness to the Heirs of Glory. What Aeneas Sylvius saith of Moral Vertue, may much more truly be said of the Gospel; If moral Vertue could Aeneas Sylv. in his Epist. to Sigis­mond. be beheld with mortal eyes, it would work a strange admiration in the Be­holders. But behold here you have Divine Vertue pointed out to the life Majesty and Mercy, Vertue and Verity, Righteousness and Peace kissing each o­ther; a far greater Treasure than the Ishmaelitish Merchants had of Joseph Psal. 85. 10 who became Lord-Treasurer of E­gypt; and blessed be the Lord that we should be born to behold with our eyes the things that many Prophets and Mat. 13 17. [Page 19] righteous men desired to see, and have not seen them; Paulum in Ore, Christum in Carne revelatum, were two of St. Au­gustin's great wishes: To see Paul in the Pulpit and Christ Incarnate, &c. The Queen of Sheba came from far to see Solomon and to hear his Wisdom, and parted with much precious Trea­sure for this: But behold a greater than Solomon; the great Lord-Treasu­rer of the whole world hath sent his Embassadours to publish the glad-ti­dings of Peace, and to sing that Evan­gelical Hymn, Glory to God in the high­est, on Earth Peace, good will towards Luk. 2.14. Men. And yet this Treasure sticks up­on our hand, and is vilely valued by the blind world, who see not their want, and know not the worth of a Christ.

Wisdom uttereth her Voice, and proclaims her precious Wares, and saith, How long ye simple ones, will you Prov. 1. 21▪ love simplicity, and ye scorners delight in scorning! &c. yet the Staple-treasure of the Gospel will not off; Men make light of it, who have their Treasures Mat. 22. 5. in the Fields, and will hardly step over their thresholds to gather this Man­nah.

[Page 20] Could we but once perswade you to get inlightned understandings, you would see with other eyes, and hear with other ears than you now do, and walk with other feet, and work with other hands; you would no longer lie down with the sluggard, and say, O utinam boc esset laborare! Oh that this were to labour! you would not with the hungry man barely long for this food, but labour for it; you would not only thirst as the Cove­tous Man doth after Wealth, but you would work to get it; you would wait at the Pool, and at the beautiful Gates Acts 3. 2, 10. of the Temple, and your main request to Christ would be that of the blind Man, Lord, only that mine eyes might be Mark 10. 51. opened, saith he.

Ʋse 4. With what Joy should we embrace the Gospel? Men use to re­joice when they get Treasures. The Marriage-day upon this account, is cal­led a Merry-day, because the Man ex­pects a Treasure; for on what he sets his heart and affections, that's his Trea­sure: Shall carnal Men rejoice when they find Jewels? And shall not Chri­stians, [Page 21] who have a Treasure made up Psal. 119. 14. of Jewels in the Gospel rejoice even more than in all riches? We read in the Occurrences of the Low-Countries, That a day of Festivity was kept some time for joy, that the Scriptures. were translated. But this joy lasted but for a season, like unto that of John Baptist John 5. 35. his Hearers. And indeed, what Reve­rend Moulin saith of his Countrymen, we have cause to say of ours; Time was Moul. Theoph. 2. 278. (saith he) That whiles they burnt us for reading the Scriptures, we burnt with zeal to be reading of them. Now with our liberty is b [...]ed a neglect of the Word of God; and so it is with us as in some parts of the World, where there are great store of Pearls and other pre­cious Things, the people will part with them, for such things that we here count trifles; So the Gospel is looked upon by many, as Mannah was with the Israelites but common Meat. Surely, were it to be sent to such as have not heard it, they would hear it more, be­lieve it more, rejoice in it more than we do. Alas for this poor Nation, it surfeits upon the glorious Gospel! And hence it is, so few with Joy re­ceive [Page 22] it, with Faith believe it, with their Heart embrace it. But let all that are Gods Jewels rejoice in it more than in Corn and Wine, and all earthly Comforts.

Ʋse 5. Let us come to the Preach­ing of the Gospel as unto a Treasury and Store-house of all good things, Isa. 55. 1. the Common Mart and Market of all spiritual Provision, even Treasures of Wisdom and Knowledg; Here is Bread for the hungry, Water for the thirsty, Milk for Babes, strong Meat for 1 Cor. 3.2. Psal. 104. 15. Men, Wine to make glad the Heart and Oyl to make his face shine: Her [...] you may have Gold to enrich you, [...] Rev. 3.18. Garment to cloath you; here are Ornaments for your head, Bracelets fo [...] your neck and arms, Pendents for you [...] ears, Eye-salve for your eyes, a Gird [...] for your loins, Brest-plates for you [...] hearts, and Signets for your hand [...] You have here a Cornucopia for Plenty a Catholicon for Cures; an Armory fo [...] Weapons against spiritual Wickednesses; a Library for Books, and Treasury for Jewels. What woul [...] you have? What are your Wants▪ [Page 23] Here you may have a Supply from Jesus Christ, In whom doth all fulness dwell; and from whose fulness we receive Grace for Col. 1.19. Joh. 1.14. Grace.

Are you poor in spirit? here are du­rable Prov. 8.10. Riches for you; sick? here is Physick for you; sorrowful? here's Comfort for you; tempted? here's suf­ficient Strength for you; Are you in 2 Cor. 12. 9. Bonds? here's Bale for you: Are you broken for sin? here's a precious Balm for you: Have you a hard heart? here's a suppling and a softning Oyl for you: Are you subject to fears and doubts? here Faith is begotten for you: Are you sullen or silent, and cannot pray? here you have the Spirits Promise to help your Infirmities: Would you Rom. 8.26. Eph. 6. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. know how to behave your selves in the House of God? in your own Houses, as Husbands and Wives, Parents and Children, Masters and Servants? Come Isa. 55. 1. [...]o this publick Treasury where these [...]hings are to be had: but you must know this, that these Treasures are not to be attained without digging and Christian Diligence in the use of means. It is a hard work to dig for Gold, and you must make heart-work of it. The Job 3. 21. [Page 24] Apostle minds young Timothy of this, Eccles. 1. 13. who had made it his trade from his youth, Meditate of these things, and give thy 1 Tim. 4. 15. self wholly to them, that thy profiting may appear. And Solomon saith, If thou seek­est her as Silver, and searchest for her as for hid Treasure; Then shalt thou understand Prov. 2.4, 5. the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledg of God.

Quest. But what further means must we use to get this Treasure?

Answ. You must be sure to seek it Nihil quaeritur nisi per viam su­am. in Gods ways, and in the use of the good means he hath appointed. As,

1. You must mix the Word with Faith in your hearts when you read it or when you hear it; for such as bring not Faith along with them, depart from the Word without Fruit; The Gospel Heb. 4. 2. preached, profiteth not them that hear it, who mix it not with Faith. Faith in the heart is like the sweet confection of Oyntment poured upon Christ his Head; it casts a sweet scent and savour into all the parts and powers of the Soul: it is Oyl to these wheels, and [Page 25] makes them go with agility in the ways of God.

2. Pray unto God that he would Psal. 119. 18. pour upon you the eye-salve of the Spirit; for this Treasure lyes deep, and our shallow capacities cannot com­prehend it, our understandings being not only blind, but blindness it self. Eph. 1.18. Domine velamen amove, Volumen evolve. Pray therefore that your understandings may be unvailed, that the Truths of Christ may be revealed, that neither the Organ may be dim, nor the Object dark; But of this I spake before.

3. Live under a godly Ministry, where the Word drops like pretious dew from Sion into the fertile vallies: This is the Indies where this Treasure lies; These Preachers lips preserve know­ledg, and you must seek the Law at Cant. 1.8. their mouths, feeding your kids besides the shepherds Tents. Such who are used to dig in Mines, know by the colour of the Sands, and by the taste of the Wa­ters, that run from the Mountains where the true Treasure lieth; So you may guess where, and from what sort of Men, you may get the Pearl of Price, even from such who wear the Brest­plate of Science and Conscience, whose [Page 26] care is (as it was said of Chrysostom) In vita Christ. Non aures titillare, sed corda pungere; not to tickle the ears of the Hearers, but to prick and pierce their Hearts; into whose hearts the true Light hath shi­ned.

4. Be diligent in season and out of season, and by frequent hearing of Sermons be searching for this hid Trea­sure: This is the means that God hath promised to bless when we lie with the lame man waiting at the Pool. Men John 5. 3. use to omit no opportunity to get gain; the love of Gold makes many a man not mind his meat or his sleep, but he will toil even and take pains when he should rest, and refresh nature; So he that would get this Jewel, must with the Prophets blessed man, meditate in the Psal. 1. 2. Law of God day and night.

5. Such who would get skill in searching for Earthly Treasures, must confer with others to know where the right Vein for Silver is; what tedious Job 28. 1. Horace his Epistle. Travels have been undertaken for this, Impiger extremos currit Mercator ad In­dos; So such as would have this preci­ous Pearl must read and run from one Dan. 12. 4. Amos 8. 12. Sermon to another, inquire and retire [Page 27] into themselves and converse with o­thers, Luke 24. 17.

Lastly, Learn from hence to prefer the Gospel before the most pretious things in the world, since it affords a truer Pleasure, a more induring Trea­sure. Gold is got out of the basest element the Earth, and admired only by men of earthy minds; who make it their God, and sell their Souls to the Devil for it. Oh! the misery, the mischief that the Love of it hath wrought in the world: For this cause Crates the Philosopher is said to cast his Gold into the Sea, with these words, Ego vos mergam, ne ipse Solinus, c. 68. mergar a vobis: It was never true to any that trusted in it. But the Gospel though it come from Earthen Vessels, yet it is pure and most pretious, sure and certain, established for ever in Heaven: Psal. 119. 89. Mat. 6. 19. Lay not up therefore for your selves a Trea­sure on the Earth, where rust and canker do corrupt, but lay up for your selves a Treasure in Heaven, &c.

But I proceed to the Pot into which this Treasure is put; Earthen Vessels.

SERMON II.

WE have this Treasure, Non pretio sed promisso; not by debt but by dowry; not by purchase but by Promise. I might observe other things hence, but I must proceed.

Doct. 2. That Christs Embassadours are Earthly Vessels.

A Vessel is an Instrument of use in which we do keep or carry any neces­sary 2 Tim. 2. 20. Commodity that concerns life's good.

And by a Metaphor it is transferred to men, who are so called, because they are Heirs:

[Page 29] 1. Either of Gods Election; 2. Or of his Rejection.

1. Of his Grace and Glory; Or 2ly. Rom. 9. 21. of his Anger and Indignation; For, the Potter hath power over the Clay to make one Vessel to honour, and another to disho­nour.

1. Vessels of Wood and stones, and such as are hypocrites in the visible v. 22. Church.

2. Vessels of Gold and Silver, viz. v. 23. The Elect.

Moreover, the Word is used in a ge­neral signification for any one that God 2 Tim. [...]. 22 designes to do him service in a publick or private capacity; As Cyrus, Nebu­chadnezzar, &c. in a subserviency to his providence.

And in this sense it is put for the Mi­nisters of the Gospel; and thus our A­postle Acts 9.15. is called a chosen Vessel, to bear the Name of Christ among the Gentiles. And they may be here called Earthly Ves­sels.

1. In respect of their Creation and Constitution, and the base matter of Gen. 3.19. 1 Cor. 15. 47. their making: Adam of Adamah, red Earth; The first man was of the Earth, earthly.

[Page 30] 2. In respect of their Corruption that cleaves to them whiles they remain in the earthly house of this their Taberna­cle; 2 Cor. 5.1. Acts 14. 15. being subject to many perturbati­ons and passions, and infirmities of flesh and blood; you may see it in E­lias, 2 King. 15. 14. Jam. 5. 17. in Jonah; in Peter and the rest of the Apostles: So Mini­sters in this sense are Earthen Vessels, and Satan is sensible of this; and there­fore will sift them to the bran: Can he Luke 22. 31. but get such as they to side with him in the promotion of his works of darkness, it makes much for the advancement of his Interest; As Luther said of—a great Scholar, Cupit a te ornari Diabo­lus.

3. They are Earthen Vessels, in respect of their resolution and dissolution, sub­ject to the stroke of death as well as o­thers, Za [...]. 1. 5. like water spilt upon the ground; or like Earthen Pitchers that are carried oft to the Water, but are come broken home at last; Eadem conditione mortali­tatis, & simili conditione; vobiscum, hu­manitatis afficiuntur. Budaeus:

4. They are obnoxious to crosses and changes in their outward estate in the world; they pass from prosperity to [Page 31] adversity; they suffer imprisonment, ba­nishment, Psal. 123: 3, 4. contempt and scorn, and are counted the very scum and off-scouring of all things. God is pleased many 1 Cor. 4. 13. times to empty these Vessels, and to pour them forth as Wine out of a Jer. 48.11. Cask; and they are vilely esteemed of men, as Vessels of no value.

The Reasons are such as these:

They have here many times to do with men of earthly minds, to plant Isa. 51. 16. a Heaven, and to found a Earth, or ra­ther that God may do it, by their Mini­stry, as our Translators render the Words. Now what Vessels are fitter for the Lords use, to call home the Ves­sels Deut. 5. 24, 25. of Mercy than men like themselves? The Israelites would not hear of it that Exod. 20. 19. God should speak unto them immedi­ately from Heaven, but by the Ministry of Moses, a man like themselves: So men of like passion, are men of more com­passion; such as can truly say with the Apostle, Who is weak, and I am not 2 Cor. 11. 29. weak? Who is offended, and I burn not? Likeness breedeth liking, and our own weakness, feebleness, afflictions, stir [Page 32] up affection, as it did in Calvin; of whom it is said, He was no otherwise af­fected towards the Churches, than if he Beza in vit. Calv. had born them upon his shoulders.

2. The great Shepherd of his Sheep will have it so, to humble us; that when we take notice of the Treasure we 2 Cor. 12. 7. are intrusted with, we may seem low, and little in our own eyes, and esteem of our selves Coniah, a Vessel wherein is Isa. 13. 3. Jer. 22.28. no pleasure. Flesh and blood is apt to boast in parts, in gifts, wherein happily we may esteem to excel other men: But did we but consider our own brittle im­becillity, and from whom our sufficiency comes, We would no more boast than of a borrowed Sute, or the Man of his Hatchet; Alas, Master, It was bor­rowed. 2 Kings 6. 5.

3. The Lord doth so ordain, that, this precious Treasure should pass to you through Earthen Vessels.

1. That you should not cast Con­tempt upon this holy and honourable Calling of the Ministry, because of the meanness of mens persons, parts, pa­rentage, trials, or temptations; since Gods Prophets, and even Christ and his Apostles were liable to the like.

[Page 33] Amos was neither a Prophet, nor the Amos 1.1. Son of a Prophet, but a Herd-man of Tekoah. Jesus Christ before he entred upon his Ministry, served in the mean employment of a Carpenter, his Apo­postles Mark 6. 3. were many of them, poor Fisher­men; And the Apostle Paul was sometime a Tent-maker, though indeed brought Acts 18.3. up at the feet of learned Gamaliel; and yet for all the trials and temptations that he indured, the Galatians were nothing the less indeared to him; you know, saith he, How that through the infirmity of the Gal. 4. 13, 14. flesh I preached the Gospel, and the trials of me which was in my flesh, ye despised not, neither abhorred.

2. The Lord will have it so, that, you should not have Ministers persons in admiration for any elegancy of Wit, Jude 16. excellency of Learning, strength of Me­mory, &c. Since they are but Men, and of like passions, and the Lord is pleased Acts 14. 15. many times to hide the great mysteries Mat. 11.25 1 Cor. 1. 26. of his Kingdom from the wise and pru­dent of the world; few of such are cal­led. I know well, that God distributes his Gifts variously, to some, a greater mea­sure than to other men; and such are worthy of double honour, especially [Page 34] if they labour in the Word and Do­ctrine: 1 Tim. 5. 17. But though you ow them re­verence, yet you must not have them in admiration; For this was the Original of the various Sects at Corinth, I am of Paul, and I am of Apollos, and I of Cephas: 1 Cor. 1. 12. and the Apostle is afraid, lest any one should think o him above that he seeth in him, and will rather glory in his in­firmities 2 Cor. 12. 5, 6. for this very cause.

3. That the Grace of regeneration may be ascribed, not to the preaching of Men, but to the power of God; so in the Text, and by the operation of his Spirit.

4. The Lords intent in this dispensa­tion may be to puzzle and perplex the great Wits of the world, who rest, and relie upon their carnal wisdom, and think thereby to fathom the depth of these 1 Cor. 3. 18. Mysteries; but such must empty their Vessels of this Earthly Treasure, and count it trash, before they be capable of Phil. 3. 7. conceiving of, or receiving in the Trea­sures of Wisdom and Knowledg in Christ; for, Intus existens prohibet alie­num; If any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool 1 Cor. 3. 18, 19. that he may be wise.

[Page 35] Ʋse 1. Admire the goodness and gracious condescention of God, who might have delivered his mind to you by the ministration of Angels, and in terrible things; as at the Tradition of the Law upon Mount Sinai, with Exod. 20. 18. thunder, lightning, and sound of a Trumpet, the Mountain burning, and covered with blackness, darkness Heb. 12.18. and tempest, so full of terror, that, not only the People, but, even Moses him­self Exod. 19. 16. trembled: But God was pleased to deliver his will to you, by men formed of the same clay, cut out of the same Job 33.6, 7. lump with your selves, Earthen Vessels. Well may we say with the Psalmist, Lord, What is man, sorry, sickly, mortal, misera­ble Psal. 8. 4. man, that thou shouldst be thus mindful of him? to leave thy mind to us, and Heb. 1. 1. deliver it by the Ministry of Men, As the Disciples said!

Ʋse 2. If the Apostle who was so e­minent an Instrument of Christ, and laboured more abundantly than the rest; 1 Cor. 15. 10. yet makes himself equal with others, as an Earthen Vessel; nay, in some sense in­feriour, the least of Saints, the last of A­postles, How doth this reprehend the Eph. 3.8. Pride of the Pope, who takes to him [Page 36] the most magnificent Titles, such as no meer man, without the highest blas­phemy may arrogate to himself; such as that Pastor of the Catholick Church, which he blasphemously calleth his own Ceremon. b. [...]. sect. 2. 2 Thes. 2.3 Bellarm. de Sum. Pont. l. 2. 23. Spouse; nay, arrogates to himself the Title of God, and sets himself above Princes who are petty gods, and so proves himself to be the Antichrist: and though he pretends his power from Pe­ter, yet follows not his Precepts, 1 Pet. 5. 3. and assimilates him in nothing, except in denying his Master.

3. What an excellent patern of humi­lity have we here, who are the Pastors of Christ's Flock, not to lord it over 1 Pet. 5. 3. them, but to allure them by love; shew­ing Tit. 3. 2. meekness to all men, and instructing those that oppose themselves to be very 2 Tim. 2. 25. tender of them, and apt to compassio­nate them in their sorrows and suffer­ings, since we are of the like frailty our selves! This should make us say with Moses, Who am I? If there be any Hea­venly Treasure in us, it is Christs Gift, he gave it, and let him have the glory of it; Not I, but the Grace of God which is 1 Cor. 15. 10. in me. The more any man beholds the Suns body, the less he sees, when he [Page 37] looks to the Earth; So we beholding the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ, should ascribe the excellency of the power to God, and not to our Psal. 115. 1. selves; Non nobis Domine, non nobis; sed nomini tuo da gloriam.

4. You should not value the Gospel the less vertually, but rather have it in the greater veneration, because it comes to you in or through Earthen Vessels. We are very apt, naturally, to look at the out­ward appearance of things or persons, and accordingly to prize and prefer them. For this St. James taxeth his Hearers, who in their Assem­blies had respect to him that had on a Gold Ring, and gay cloathing: So or­dinarily, Jam. 2. 3. men shew esteem to such things that are gorgeous and glorious in the eye of the world, and to such Men, such Ministers, as shew forth in their Ser­mons much humane Learning and Elo­quence; and in the mean time, neglect, and slight the godly simplicity of the Gospel, and such as preach it in the power of the Holy-Ghost; This is par­tiality in the Apostles account: Not that I speak against Learning, which is an excellent Hand-maid to Divinity; [Page 38] but the abuse of it when men darken the Truth through the mists of Philosophi­cal speculations, and preach, Magis ut Col. 2. 8. St. Aug. Multi propter arborem scientiae amittunt arborem vitae. placerent, quam docerent; to please, ra­ther than to profit. If men set such a price upon Earthly Treasures; digged out of the bowels of the Earth, and delivered with dirty hands; How much more should you value the Gospel though it come from Instruments that are Earthen Vessels?

Observe the Exhortation of the Apo­stle, We beseech you, Brethren, know them 2 Thes. 5. 13. that labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you, and have them in singular love, for their works sake. Though there be no worthiness in the person, yet, it is a worthy work, it is high and honourable, divine and heavenly; the preparation to it, the execution of it is so, if you consider 1 Tim. 3. 1 the worth of a precious soul, by the price that was payed to purchase it; not Gold nor Silver, but the pretious Blood of Jesus Christ, and the Reward that 1 Pet. 1. 18, 18. will be given to such as are Instrumental in the work; the saving a soul from death, and the hiding a multitude of sins; and how mean soever they appear Jam. 5.20. [Page 39] in the Flesh, yet hereafter they shall shine as the Stars in the Kingdom of their Father for evermore. Dan. 12.3.

5. Admire the depth of Divine Wis­dom in this; That the Lord should make use of our weakness and unwor­thiness, for the manifestation of his mighty Power in bringing sinners from Satans Kingdom, and their sinful courses, to accept of Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. Well may the A [...]ostle say, Who is sufficient for these 2 Cor. 2. 16. things? We are not sufficient of our selves to conceive, to perceive, what is our Duty, what is the Dignity of the 2 Cor. 3.5. Ministry, much less the depth of the Mysteries of Salvation, we are to dis­pence: Our sufficiency, and your pro­ficiency, is of God; we are poor, frail, Earthen Pitchers, appointed by God, to bear this precious Treasure; if he blow upon us, How soon shall we become broken Pot-sheards? Who am I (saith) meek Moses? And who am I, 1 Sam. 18. 18. and what is my life (saith) holy David? So who am I? and what is my life? a breath, a bubble, a vapor; How un­worthy to bear a Pitcher, a Lamp with­in the Pitcher! To blow the Trumpet, Judg. 7. 16 [Page 40] Isa. 58, 1. To say, not (as they) for the Lord, and for Gideon; but for the Lord, and for Jesus Christ. Oh the depth Rom. 11. 33. both of the wisdom and knowledg of God! Here is a depth indeed, wherein a man might dwell. As Chrysostome discoursing about the Love of God in Christ, saith, Oh I am like a man digging in a deep Spring; I stand here, and the water riseth upon me, and there, and still it riseth upon me: We are not of Gods Cabinet Counsel; we have not David's Key to open this Secret, and it is not safe to be prying into this Ark; Mirari Rev. 3. 7. Mallem ignorare sine cri­mine quam sci­re cum discrimi­ne, Eucli­dis. potius quàm rimari, sapientia nostra. Let us admire, what we cannot understand; only this, What cannot God do, that is not sinful, if it please him? who makes his Power appear in our weakness, and gives you this Treasure in Earthen Ves­sels.

Ʋse 6. Endeavour to do all the good you can by, and to receive all the good, that is tendered you in the dispensation of the Gospel, since your Ministers are frail, mortal Creatures, Earthen Vessels, that will soon be broken.

It will not be long before a period be [Page 41] put to my preaching, your hearing; to all our prayers, repentance and prepa­rations for death, and for judgment; there will be no longer pardon tende­red, or graces to be attained; no know­ledg, no wisdom in the grave whither we Eccl. 9.7, 10. are going. There will be no Accounts cast up, no Counsel given or taken; no doing of work, but a receiving of wages, according to our work done. Work John 9. 4. therefore while it is day; whiles you have life, and light, and health, and strength, and time and talents; before dim eyes, and sailing hands, and feeble feet, and sainting hearts, through the infirmities of old age, come upon you. You are called Labourers, and must not loyter; Souldiers, and must fight; sea-faring Men, and must hoise up Sails, whiles the wind sits; Husbandmen, and must plow up your fallow ground; Stew­ards, and must give an account: You have your task set, and have played the truants too long already; and if you do not hasten, you will hardly have done your work before the Lord comes; Therefore while it is called to day barden not your hearts. Be not like little children that consume their Candle in play and Psal. 95.8. Heb. 3.8. [Page 42] sport, and are forced to go to bed▪ the dark.

7. Now since both the Text and the Time, leads me to it, I cannot but take notice of two Occurences of Di­vine Providence that have hapned to the Inhabitants of this Parish and to my self, as concerned herein this present Month of April.

1. The first was the Lords gracious goodness, and the Kings Royal Indul­gence in restoring me to my Ministry at this place, who w [...] before civilly dead; and here I have continued a year com­pleat, with the love, & good liking of my He [...]ers (not without the opposition and contradiction of some who are en­vious at my preaching, and cast contu­melies upon my person) but none of Acts 20. 23, 24. these things move me, Homo sum, nihil haec à me aliena puto; Only the fruits of the affliction, and the success of my service; Oh that I could see more of this! that I might not complain of running in vain; nor you of dry brests, or a miscarrying womb. My preach­ing I well know, hath been in much weakness, and in fear and trembling; 1 Cor. 2.3. [Page 43] For, as that grave Father told Libanius the Rhetorician, Non Oratorum filii su­mus, sed Piscatorum; we are not the sons of Orators, but of Fishermen. It is a suffi­cient excuse, to say what you have heard, came to you through an Earthen Vessel; and therefore pray unto God who made mans mouth, the dumb to speak, and the blind to see, that he would cause this light to shine out of darkness into your hearts; that so the excellency of the power may appear to be of God, and not of Man.

2. The second Occurrence; this Month is likewise memorable, for the Death of Reverend Mr. Hall, some-time a Preacher in this Place, but a faithful Pastor in the Parish where he served (as he said) a double Apprenticeship; of whom, though I have said something heretofore, yet I can never say enough. His Life was a Transcript of his Teach­ing; and his Soul was stored with a Treasure of many Divine Graces and Gifts which he hid not in a Napkin, or put under a Bushel, but expended for the publick good: Yet having this Treasure in an Earthen Vessel, the Lamp of [Page 44] his Life went out by enlightening o­thers; yet without waste; for the sa­vour of this Ointment hath yielded a sweet perfume in the CHURCH of GOD.

SERMON III.

IN the former Chapter the Apostle presseth the Hebrews to perseve­rance in the Faith; and here in this, by a Digression, he demon­strates the nature of this Grace, from the Effects.

1. You have the Mysteries that it contains.

2. The Histories that hold it forth.

1. The effects that declare the Pro­perties of Faith are three.

1. It begets a sure and certain Hope of the accomplishment of Gods Promises.v. 1.

1. In the substance of them: though the thing promised have no present existence or being, yet Faith makes them obvious and evident to the Be­liever; for it is the [...], the ground or confidence by putting that [Page 56] which is hoped for, as if we had it in hand, and things invisible for such as are conceived by sense.

2. The Effect of Faith is drawn from a demonstration of the Elders, that by it received an excellent Testi­monial that they pleased God▪ and were blessed partakers of the benefits of thev. 2. Messias only by believing.

3. A third Fruit of Faith is, that by it we understand things incredible to Rea­son as the Creation of the World, whichv. 3. was formed and fashioned by the Word of God, without appearance of a pre­existing matter; yet hereby having respect to Gods Omnipotency, we be­lieve it that so it was.

And this is instanced and exemplified in the following Cloud of Witnesses.

1. Of such as lived before. 2. In such as were after the Floud.

The first sort of Witnesses were, E­noch, Noah, and Abel here in my Text; v. 5.7. who was the Proto-Martyr of the world, as Cain was the first Murtherer. Adam indeed slew all his Posterity, in a spiri­tual sense; but Cain his Brother bodily and bloodily: And as Adam the com­mon Parent of mankind, was deceived [Page 57] in the Fruit of Paradise: So here he, and especially Eve was in the Fruit of Gen. 4. 1. c. 3. 15. the Promise.

For though the name Cain signifieth a Possession, and notwithstanding he built a City; yet was he of the wicked One, and was no Heir of that City, whose Builder and Maker was God: And his Mother sensible of the deception in Gen. 4. 2. the First-born when she brought forth the second Son, gave him a name suita­ble hereunto; for the Word Abel writ­ten with the Letter Aleph, imports mourning; but with He, Vanity, one Josephus Antiq. b. 1. c. 2. humbled in mind, and holding such Pos­sessions Vanity.

Here then you have two Men the only Heirs of the World offering Sa­crifice to God with different Success: For,

1. Abel's Offering was more accep­table than Cain's.

2. The Cause of this; not in respect of Sacrifice it self or the matter of it; for the Fruit of the ground might have pleased God, as well as the Firstlings of the Flock; but it was Faith that made the difference.

1. God had respect to Abels person [Page 58] justified by Faith, and so to his perfor­mance Gen. 4. 4. and to his Sacrifice as a Fruit of his Faith; testifying of his Gifts, by Levit. 9. 24. some token of his favour and confirma­tion in his Faith, probably by Fire fal­ling Judg. 6. 21. upon the Sacrifice; but he had not so to Cains, which was all the ground 1 King. 18. 3. of the grudge he had against him.

This Faith of Abels is further illustra­ted:

1. By the Evidence of it; he obtained witness that he was righteous.

2. By the recompence of it; he was rewarded and regarded of God by his Faith; the Lord took care of him, a­venged Calvin up­on the Text. his Death, reputed him among his Saints, whose death is precious in his sight; His Blood cried to God, and Psal. 72. 14 Gen. 4. 10. the ground that received it, uttered a Voice, and was clamorous against the Murderer; [...], by it he, being dead, yet speaketh; or rather, as the Learned Criticks translate it, is yet spoken of, Nempe in Scriptura, saith Beza. Where-ever Abels Faith is spoken of, whether in the Scripture, or preached of and published to the world, though since he were dead; yet still there shall be a memorial of [Page 59] him, as if he were yet alive, as was said of that Woman in the Gospel by our Lord and Saviour, Where-ever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, Mat. 26.13 there shall also this, that this woman hath done, be told for a memorial of her.

Doct. That the renowned fame of the Saints, who lived by, and died in the Faith, shall be recorded as well as recompenced and rewarded after their death.

The righteous shall be had in everlasting Psal. 112.6 remembrance; their good name and re­nown shall not only be lasting when they shall be laid asleep in the dust, but it shall be for an everlasting remem­brance. Wise Solomon makes out the proof of this, by Contraries; Con­traria juxta se posita magis elucescunt: The memory of the just is blessed, and the Name of the wicked shall not. Prov. 10.7.

Abels Sacrifice shall have a savour of acceptance Maries Ointment shall smell sweet in the Nostrils of God and good Men, and Demetrius shall have a John 3. good report of all, and even of the Truth it self. When Cains Murder▪ Judas his monstrous Treason, and Ab­soloms [Page 60] Rebellion shall be an everlasting abomination. See for the further open­ing of the Point.

• 1. What it is to live by the Faith of Jesus Christ?
• 2. Who they are that do so?
• 3. How a Believer is said to speak not only living but dead?
• 4. Why a Saint is said so to do?

1. The just man is said to live by his Faith. Hab. 2. 4.

Thus the holy Apostle Paul, dead by the Law, revived by the Gospel; from the time of his Conversion to the time of his Dissolution; whilst he abode in the body of Flesh, he lived by the Faith of the Son of God; and being dead, yet Gal. 2. 2. speaketh in the lively Oracles of the Word of Life.

In allusion to this speech of the Apo­stle; Behold! (saith Reverend Dr. Ri­vet, upon his Death bed) I am dead, I am risen again; I live no more in my self, but I live in the life of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

2. To live by Faith is to seed upon a Hab. 3. 17. Promise, in the failure of outward pro­vision, and to draw out from thence [Page 61] supports and supplies to bear up the spi­rit Heb. 10. 38. 11. 38. of life in a Believer. When there is no visible appearance in the Creature, no blossom on the Fig-tree, nor fruit in the Vine, then Christ must be the Chri­stians life, breath and bread; he will interest himself in a Promise of the Word, as his present portion and pro­vision, Heb. 11.39 though he have not yet recei­ved the things promised in hand, but only hath it in hope.

And were we to pass sentence who is a rich Man, we would not so much look into his Purse to see how much Gold he hath, but into his Chest to see what Deeds and Indentures, what Bonds and Evidences he hath: So if you would see whether you are Rich and Righteous towards God, be sure search what Promises you have treasu­red up in your hearts; For as he is a rich Man who is rich in Bonds; so the Believer that can plead the Promise in prayer and put these Bonds in sute.

3. As the true Believer lives to God, so he hath laid up for him a goodly he­ritage; and though for the present he be but as the Heir under age, yet he is Psal. 16.6. Gal. 4. 1. sealed with the holy Spirit of Promise, [Page 62] which is the Earnest of the Inheritance Ephes. 1. 14. until the Redemption of the purchased Possession. Every Believer is an Heir of God, and a joint-heir with Christ, and Rom. 8. 17 hath an assurance of the heavenly Inhe­ritance here: 1. By Purchase. 2. By Promise. 3. And in the first-fruits of the Spirit, which is a part of the whole, as an Earnest is a part of payment for the Purchase.

3. A Believer is said to speak not only living but dead; 1. By his Blood. 2. By his Example. 3. By his Precept.

1. By his Blood; And in this sense the Blood of Christ is said to speak bet­ter things than the blood of Abel: it Heb. 12. 24 speaks peace, pardon, remission and re­conciliation with God; but the Blood Gen. 4. 10. of Abel cries and calleth for punishment, revenge and vengeance.

The glorified Saints cannot be said Rev. 6. 10. Rom. 12. 19. thus to speak properly; they seek not revenge, but leave it to God, whose Prerogative it is; it is meant only of the provocation of their suffering.

2. Believers may be said to speak by th [...]ir Example for the worlds imitation and admonition; not only living but 1 Cor. 10. 6, 11. Jam. 5.10. dead. So the Apostle, Take my Bre­thren [Page 63] the Prophets for an ensample in suffe­ring, who have spoken to you in the Name of the Lord. The Prophets were now dead. yet they had left such renowned Presi­dents and Examples of Patience be­hind them, that they even speak yet to us by their heroick and impregnable Faith and Fortitude, in bearing inju­ries, and forbearing enemies, in taking patiently the spoiling of their Goods, knowing this, that they had in Heaven a more induring substance.

3. Believers may be said to speak, not only living and dying, but even when dead, by the lively Precepts they left behind, after they went off the stage of this world, and were buried with their Fathers. thus they are said to speak with us at this very day.

Faith hath this mighty force and efficacy in it, that it works won­ders Isa. 26. 19. in Heaven and Earth, and in the Grave; by virtue of it many received Heb. 11. 35. their dead to life again; as the Widow of Sarepta, the Sbunamite, and the Friends of Lazarus. Faith hath a force to remove Mountains, and true justify­ing Faith is not beneath Miracles. Jesus [Page 64] Christ is the Prince and Principle of Life, and his People are the only Heirs together of the Grace of Life, and all 1 Pet. 3. 7. such as believe in him, though they were dead, yet shall they live; nay, John 11. 25, 26. they shall never die; and if they shall never die, they shall ever speak; for Life is the Principle of Speech. I shall not need to tell you how great things have been done this way by Art, if we might believe what is said in Hi­story of Mnemons Statue, recorded by Mnemonis Saxea Ef­figies vo­calem so­num red­dit. Tacitus. It is sufficient what we receive here from the Divine Oracles of the Word. Abel here, though dead so ma­ny hundred years ago, yet his Faith makes him a speaking Doctor to the Church, even to this day. Learn by his Example how to make all your Per­sons, Duties and Services acceptable to God, even by mixing them with Faith in the Blood of Christ.

• 1. Your Prayers will never prevail at the Throne of Grace, if you do
  Mat. 21. 22.
  not ask in Faith.
• 2. You cannot profit by the Word preached, except you mix it with
  Heb. 4.2.
  Faith in your hearts.
• 3. The Sacramen is received without
  2 Cor. 13. 5.
  [Page 65] Faith are unfruitful. Cyprian was used to call upon those that went to the Lords Table, Non parare fauces sed fidem; Not to sharpen their Teeth, but to quicken their Faith.

Ʋse 1. It serves to shew forth the miserable state of all such who live after the flesh, and not by the Faith of the Son of God; such indeed are dead whilst they live, and are detestable when dead: they live undesired, and die unlamented; and as their sensual Gen. 16.4. lives did bespeak them bruitish; so their death shall be abominable, and their Psal. 9. 6. memorial perish with them, as that of the Beasts: and as their life was not worth a prayer, so their death shall not be worthy of a tear: As was said of Jehoiakim, None shall take up a lamentation for them, saying, Ah, my Brother, or ah, Jer. 22. 18, 19. my Sister; ah, Lord, or ah, his Glory; but they shall be buried with the burial of an Ass; and if there be any mention at all made of them, it is in contempt and detestation. Lo, this is the man, now the Monster to be pointed at; once so Psal. 52.4. mighty, now so miserable; that made not God his strength, but trusted in thev. 7. [Page 66] abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness.

Oh! that such would consider this, who are sensual in their lives, and who feast themselves without fear, and make it their main care to cater for their car­kasses, or to lay up for themselves trea­sures upon the Earth, and to build stately Tombs to be a memorial of them when they are dead. Alas, these Sepulchres will be opened, and your rottenness will be discovered before God, Angels and Men; not so much by the shew of your Countenances, as by the light of your Consciences: the guilt of which you will be no more able to abide or avoid, than Cain was the Cry of his brothers Gen. 4.10, 14. blood.

2. As you desire to leave a renowned Fame behind you in the places where you live, and a sweet perfume to your Names when you die; live much by Faith in this life. The Lord reckoneth of our life, by our belief; and so much we are said to live to God, as we believe in Christ, and no more, when we relie upon him in the use of lawful means, or in the want of Creature-comforts. Hab. 3.17.

Oh! that the blind and bruitish [Page 67] world were convinced once of the truth of this, who are apt to think that they live by their Lands, and by their Labours in their lawful Callings, and will trust God no further than they have his present pawn.

Oh! that the profane and unclean crew who live as they list, after their own wills, and ways and works, in the lusts of the flesh, and in the pleasures of sin, would but be perswaded that they are dead even whiles they live; as the prodigal and her that lived in pleasure, Luke 15. 24. are said to be.

The debauched Adulterer and your swinish swiller are deceived by Satan, to believe they have the finest life of it, because they know no better. Were you but once brought over to Jesus Christ by believing, you would never desire to turn again to your former vomit. Ah, How could you be without these bitter sweets, that have a sting in the tail of them!

You that live by your wits, and make no conscience of cozening and de­ceit in your Calling, in your buying and selling, lending or borrowing; a­las, if you were once acquainted what [Page 68] it is to live by Faith, how contentedly would you acquiesce under Gods provi­dential dispensations, without murmu­ring or seeking after unlawful means!

A Believer will live upon God when he hath nothing else to subsist by; and believe him upon his bare word of pro­mise, without sight of present provi­sion. If there be but a little Meal in the Barrel, and a little Oyl in the Cruise, when he hath only the gleaning of the Vintage, here and there a Cluster upon the upeprmost boughs or branches; nay▪ when the Figtree blossometh not, nor the Vine doth not yield her fruit, and the labour of the Olive fail, &c.

For this Abraham was honoured with God and Man; he for this cause was called, The Father of the Faithful. The Gen. 23. Hittites counted him a Prince of God and Jacob likewise was one that had princely power with God; and our Sa­viour Mat. 8. 10. not only admires and wonders at, but even commends the Faith of the Centurion, and that of the Woman o [...] Canaan; Mat. 15. 28. Oh woman, Great is thy Faith These and many more that's mentioned in the Gospel, and in particular in thi [...] Chapter, whence I take my Text, les [...] [Page 69] a good report behind them in that they lived by Faith.

Faith is as a sweet savour that refresh­eth the Soul in which it is seated, more than Musk or Civet do the senses, a­midst the stench of evil courses and companies: It is as a sweet smell to such as live by it in the midst of walking dunghils; it chears up the mind in the midst of discouragements, and clears the Conscience and comforts it; and makes men as merry as the Martyrs were under their Bonds; it even fatteneth the bones: Upon this account Demetrius had a good report of all men, and of the Prov. 15. 30. 3 Joh. 12. Truth it self.

Fabrianus the Martyr said, first bitter and then sweet; first battel and then victory; every drop of my blood shall preach Christ and set forth his praise.

I know (saith Mr. Bilny) by Sense, and Philosophy, That Fire is hot and burn­ing, is painful; but by Faith, that it shall only waste the stubble of my body, and purge my Spirit of its corruption.

One seeing a weak woman go chear­fully to prison, said; Oh you have ne­ver tasted the bitterness of death: No, (saith she) nor never shall; For Christ bath [Page] promised, that they that keep his sayings shall never see death. A Believer may feel the stroke, but not the sting of death.

Ignatius going to suffer Martyrdom, triumphed in this, that his blood should be found among the mighty Worthies; and that the Lord when he maketh in­quisition for blood, will recount from the blood of righteous Abel; not only to the blood of Zacharias, but also to the blood of mean Ignatius.

It was a sweet saying of holy Mr. Hall in time of his health; That the sweet rescent of a well-spent life, would be matter of singular comfort, at a dying day.

He would have his Hearers, learn to know, and know to do; do to die, and die to live.

In his sickness, he said, I am now go­ing where I shall have rest from Sin, Sa­tan, and from all fear, weariness, watch­ing, and from all the evils and errours of a wicked world; for I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at Job 19. 26. the last day upon the earth, &c.

Oh let my life be nothing but prayer and praises, since God had dealt bounti­fully [Page 71] with me! and even whiles he was breathing out his last breath, he spake thus; All the joys of this life are nothing; nothing to the joys that are in Jesus Christ, Come Lord Jesus.

And though he be now dead, yet he speaks to you, not by his Words, but by his Works; by Precept and by President. Oh labour to lead his life, that you may die his death; for if you tread in the footsteps of his Faith, though death bring your body to Corruption, yet shall it never bring your souls to Condemna­tion.

I am now closing up the second year of my Ministry among you; And Lord, what have I been doing here all this while, that so few of this Congregation have been brought from death to life, to embrace Christ by Faith, and to lead a holy life, and to live to him? Shall I say with the Prophet, I have spent my strength in vain, and laboured for a thing of nought? I hope better things of you; and I am perswaded better of some of you, and that I may the better prevail with you to live by Faith, Re­member who it is that speaketh to you, [Page 72] viz. one that is esteemed as dead, And will you not credit such a Witness?

It was the request of Dives to Abra­ham, Luk. 16. 30, 31. that dead Lazarus might be sent unto his five Brethren; he thought that if one came to them from the dead, they would believe and repent.

Such a sight or report indeed might work upon the fancy; but it is the Gos­pel preached that must work upon the affections: For my own part, I do be­lieve the Truth of the Gospel upon surer Grounds and upon better Authority, than if I had received it from one raised from the dead.

For such a Testimony, if it be only Humane, can beget but a humane Faith; and should it be more than this, we might see cause to question whether it were Divine or Diabolical; for even Sa­tan can transform himself into an Angel of Light. Therefore be building up your selves daily in your holy Faith, by Argu­ments drawn from the Doctrine of your Salvation, that more sure Word of Pro­phesie; and so your Faith will stand not on the Wisdom of Men, but on the Power of GOD. 1 Cor. 2. 5