The fourth use, discovering the necessity, excellency, and commodity of having in the Heart the before-described Treasure.

The last use to be made of this point concerning this Heart-treasure is partly of Consolation, and partly of Exhortation, wherein I shall both encourage those that have it, and provoke to emulation those that have it not, that they may labour to attain to it, and obtain it. And for the better urging this, I shall further illustrate the usefulnesse of this Heart-treasure in these ten Particulars.

1.A treasured soul is of great worth: a gracious Christian is the rarest piece of all Gods workmanship, called [ποίημα] Eph 2:10. It is a word that's no where else used, it signifieth an artificial facture, fabrick or structure, that notable Artifice, wherein the God of Heaven shewed singular care and skil, as wel as love and grace: this new Creature in one soul is a greater work, and of more worth, than this goodly frame of the World: a renewed soul is the Epitome of the Creation, the clearest Image of Divinity upon earth, the true Portraiture of God in man, and a blessed treasury of spiritual perfections; [Note 1] the soul of the Man, is the man, and grace is the Ornament of the soul, every Man, is so far excellent, as he is religious, a Christians greatest glory, is, in what he is God-wards: gracious souls are truly precious. and such as are precious in Gods sight are honourable, [Note 2] and of more worth than the richest Princes, and largest Kingdomes: wel may they be the Lords jewels, that have a treasure of jewels lockt up in their breasts: these precious Sons of Zion are comparable to fine gold, [Note 3] though Men esteem them as Earthen Pitchers: 'tis true, they seem to be of little worth to the outward view of a carnal eye, like their dear Redeemer, of whom 'tis said by his despisers, he hath no form nor comeliness, [Note 4] and when we shal see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him; so the Saints seem squalid and sordid, but if you could see all, you would finde them all glorious within: the Servants of God are like unto the Tabernacle under the Law, whose out-side was Rams skins, Goats hair, and Badgers skins, course stuff, but the inside was Gold, Silver, precious stones, and curious work-manship: Just so are the Saints, compared therefore to the Tents of Kedar, [Note 5] to the Curtains of Solomon, Song 1:5. The word Kedar doth signify blackness, and Kedarens (Ishmaels second Sons posterity) dwelt in Tents made of haircloath; thus the Church and particular souls are dwelling in Tents, and through afflictions, persecutions, and many corruptions in this howling Wilderness, and weary Pilgrimage, are black and unlovely to look upon, but if you could open the Tent door, and see into the secret Cabinet of a believers heart, you would discover a treasure of rarest graces truths, experiences, and comforts, that ever mortal eyes beheld; you should behold them as glorious as the beautiful hangings about Solomon's Bed, as comely, saith the Text, as the Curtains of Solomon: Take but another familiar resemblance, suppose you see all Earthen Pot ful of Gold, let him that only sees the out-side, and knows not what's within, be asked the price thereof, possibly he wil answer, not many pence, but the Pot with the treasure in it, may be worth many thousand pounds, a sorry Canvas Purse may contain a vast summe of money, nor must the whole be rated, according to the poor facing, but rich lining: A Christian hath an excellent treasure in an Earthen Vessel, you must not censure him, before you see him fully anatomized at the great day: his life is hid at present, but when Christ who is his life, [Note 6] appears, he shal appear with him in glorie: the Saints here are as Princes, walking in disguise in a strange Country, and it doth not yet appear, who or what they are, but God hath his time to unveile their glory, and reveal their excellency: the Pearl cannot be found, til the shel of the fish be broken, and when these vile bodies are turned to dust, then this precious treasure shal be made manifest: O the excellencie of a poor Childe of God, it would make him holily proud to consider what he is, the honour God hath put upon him, and treasures laid up in him, as a Man is a little World, so a Christian is a commonwealth, a Church, and a Heaven (as it were) within himself: he hath a monopolie of the best commodities, a rich magazin of precious things for the delight of God, profit of Men, and comfort of his own soul: though wicked Men do account them not worthy to live in the World, (as though this Earth were too good for them) yet God saith of the Saints, of whom the World was not worthy, they are too good to breath in this dirty Air, and shal be translated to Heaven: here I might far exceed bounds, for a close take brave Luther's Character of a Saint, he is, [Note 7] saith he, a Childe of God, an Heir of Heaven, the brother of Christ, the Companion of Angels, the Lord of the World, and partaker of the divine nature: Be cheared therefore oh thou trembling Christian, be provoked oh thou careless soul to look after a large treasure, who would not be of this number? me thinks it should excite all rational and intelligent Creatures to an holy covetousness and ambition to be filled with these treasures, and to be cloathed with all this glory.#

2.The treasured soul is fit for any condition: nothing can come amiss to the Christian thus furnished, he is prepared for all dispensations: nothing can make him miserable; Let Paul and Silas have their treasure with them, and they can sing in the stocks at midnight; Let David be in a Pilgrimage, his treasure wil make him both company and melodie; a Christian cannot be banisht from his treasure, he may say more truly than the Philosopher (omnia mea, mecum porto) I carry all my estate with me; when the Proconsul told Cyprian he would banish him, he answered, he is no exile that hath God in his minde, separate God from a Childe of God, and then you undo him, if you could rob him of his treasure, you might make him miserable; but not otherwise: he that is out of Hell, and hath an Heaven in his heart, hath no cause of shame or terrour; when he is under sharp trials, and others condole him, he may say, as Christ to the Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for your selves; and of himself, he can say as Paul, I am readie, not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus: Acts 21:13. God hath laid in a treasure in his heart, and he is willing to lay it out, which way soever the Lord shal call for it: by this way of laying out, the treasure is not impaired, but increased, by afflictions, truths are improved, graces exercised, experiences added, and comforts wonderfullie inlarged, and these advantages countervaile the smart of the affliction, [Note 8] this is an holie merchandize, saith an Ancient, to lose some things, that we may gain the greater: the believing Hebrews took joyfully the spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves that they had in Heaven a better, and an enduring substance: Heb 10:34. Observe it, they know in themselves, i. e. They had experience thereof in their own hearts, and now by this loss of their estates this experience was more cleared, increased, confirmed than ever before: Oh blessed exchange! to part with Earth, and get Heaven, to get riches off the heart, and to get better riches into the heart: I must tel you that one grain or degree of grace is more worth than heaps of worldly riches, and happy is that soul that endures the loss of these, to get a good share of the former: Read the#

11.of Hebrews, and follow that blessed Army of Martyrs, that fruitful Cloud of Witnesses, and fear not Man, for you shal be gainers in the result of all: a treasured soul is stil gathering more to himself in every dispensation, in word spoken, rod laid on, works done for him, the honest heart makes a good use of, and is qualified for all disposals, and satisfied with, as wel as edified whatever the Lord doth with him: But more of this anon, only observe, that a treasured soul can pick that out of a Sermon, or providence that another cannot, that's worth nothing, we read of Mr. Ignatius Jurdain (that zealous Magistrate in Exeter) that a formal Man having once preached a Sermon at the Cathedral, about Heaven, [Note 9] the discourse was for the most part frothy, and beneath the dignity of such an Argument: after Sermon Mr. Manton having occasion to visit Mr. Jurdain, after many good instructions he asked Mr. Manton if he had heard the Sermon that morning, he answered, yes, and did you not, said he, hear those wonderful things which God hath provided for them that love him? and then readily pickt out all those passages that were any way subservient to use and profit: It was wonderful to me, saith Mr. Manton, to see an holy heart could, draw comfort out of any thing: the Sermon as Mr. Jurdain repeated to me, saith he, was another kinde of Sermon, and seemed to be savoury and spiritual: I remember with what warmth, and vigour he spake of it, even til this day, and hope that I shal never forget it: thus he, O sirs, if you had a treasure, you would hear Sermons with profit, endure troubles after another manner than you ordinarily do.#

3.This divine treasure enables the Saint for noble enterprizes: the People that do know their God shal be strong, and do exploits, Dan 11:32. When as unsound persons may be corrupted by flatteries; or chased away by threats: the greater treasure you have, and the more singular things may you do for God, the Lord wil own you to do much for him, and you shal glorifie God in suffering much for him: [Note 10] Paul's Vessel was wel fraught with this treasure (and it may be for this cause he is called a chosen Vessel and he only is so called, though doubtless others were so also) and what meer Man did more for God than blessed Paul? who ever travelled over so much of the World to preach the Gospel, as this unwearied Apostle? [Note 11] hee preacht all along from Jerusalem round about to Illyricum, which is, saith Pareus Sclavonia, in Europe, in a direct line 350 Germane miles: [Note 12] but he went [ἐν κύκλῳ] in a Circuit, visiting circumjacent places to preach the Gospel; yea, a good Author reckons up Pauls travels in the Lords work to be above ten thousand miles, so that he may be called, as George Eagles, that good Martyr in Queen Maries daies Trudge-over-the World, [Note 13] for he laboured more abundantly than all the rest: and whence was it that Paul was in labours more abundant? it was, because he had a large stock to ex-spend, a wellfurnisht head and heart, and the Lord made his labours very successful: and observe it, treasured souls are very instrumental for God: Such God calls out to be as Captains in the Warfare, and leaders in his Field to go before others in the sharpest service and most hazardous undertakings, these he puts to the tryal and brings them off victorious; It was a fine speech of Queen Elizabeths, when she was lockt up close in the Tower, [Note 14] desiring God not to suffer her to lay her foundation upon the sands, but upon the Rock, whereby all blasts of blustring weather might not prevail against her: Whereunto she added, The skil of a Pilot is unknown but in a Tempest, the valour of a Captain is unseen but in a battail, and the worth of a Christian is unknown but in a tryal and temptation: This earthly Globe, O Lord, is but a Theatre on which thou hast placed us, to get some proof from hence of our sufficiency: Thus proceeds that Peerless Princess: Oh the advantage of a well stored Christian! such a little David thus furnished with a scrip full of smooth stones of the Brook, I mean, an head and heart full of Scripture-truths and saving graces, will be able to vanquish the proud Goliah, or chiefest spiritual Adversary: How did silly women encounter and conquer the Learned Doctors in the Marian dayes? the subtillest Jesuits have been puzzled and non-plust with the solid answers of savoury Christians: that precious Promise is sweetly performed to Gods Children, Matth, 10.19, 20, dictating to them what they must speak, the reason there given is, the Spirit of your Father speaketh in you; yea, so full of matter have the treasured Saints been, that when bodily Organs have ceased, their full hearts have found a miraculous vent. Read the Churches Histories: Take a tast of wonders, when Romanus (that noble Martyr) had by the Tormentors his tongue pluckt up by the Roots, [Note 15] hee praised God, and said, He that speaketh of Christ shall never want a tongue; when his cheeks were sore rent with Knives, he said, I thank thee, O Captain, that thou hast opened to me many mouths to preach my Lord Christ; So 'tis recorded of Barlaam a Martyr, that having Fire and Frankincense put into his right hand, wherein yet he had some strength, laying him on the Altar, his enemies thinking that he by the heat of the fire would scatter some Incense on the Altar, yet the flame eat about his hand, which kept fast closed, he singing, blessed be the Lord my God, which teacheth my hands to war and my fingers to sight, &c: Sirs, if you have a treasure, fear not, it shall be produced, though you cannot expect such Miracles, yet in such a manner, and at such times as may most glorifie God, silence the wicked, and comfort your hearts: I know 'tis the discouraging fear of trembling souls, if God call me to sharp Encounters, I shal deny my Lord, betray his truths, bewray my weaknesse: But poor Christian, fear not, Gods grace shall be sufficient for thee, [Note 16] thy little strength shall do wonders, if thou hast a right treasure within, it will appear to others admiration, and beyond thine own expectation: Oh for such a Treasure as is before described!#

4.A treasured soul is Gods delight; a full treasure in the heart, of the good things of Heaven is the pleasure of the Almightie: God takes delight among the sons of men, and amongst men the Believers heart is the Lords highest Throne, next to that in the highest Heavens: and amongst sincere Christians none can make God so welcome, or give him better entertainment, than he whose heart is beautified with these blessed Ornaments: such a soul makes its Saviour a sumptuous Feast, and gives him a chearful invitation: So in Solomons Song, ch. 4.16. saith she, Let my Beloved come into his Garden and eat his pleasant fruits, i. e. Let him enjoy content in the fruits of his own Free-grace; hee hath provided himself a Sacrifice, a Feast, let the graces of the Spirit delight and solace the heart of the Author, no sooner doth she invite him, but he comes, chap.#

1.and gathers his myrrh with his Spices, and eats his Honey-comb with his Honey. i. e. Hee reaps the graces and duties of the sincere soul, with as much delight as the Grape-gatherers or Husband-men reap their fruits in the Vineyard or Field: Oh with what pleasure doth the Lord accept the holie actings of a treasured Saint! but he contemneth the costly sacrifices of a gracelesse soul: hee cares not for their thousands of Rams or ten thousands of Rivers of Oyl; No no, a soul stored with graces is better than an house full of sacrifices; the Honey-comb of humane infirmities is dispensed with, where there's store of. Honey in gracious acts, and heavenly dispositions: a little Honey is better to God than the meer comb of Duties though artificially composed, and exactly performed: Happy is the soul whom the Lord delights thus to visit, that is thus fitted to entertain the High and lofty One: O that Christians could say as the Church in Song, 7.13.—At our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for thee, O my Beloved; So the Soul should say, this grace or that disposition I will lay up for my dearest Husband Jesus Christ, and bring it forth to give him content, this smell of sweet Perfume shall meet him at his entrance, I will entertain the beloved object of my dearest affections at the doors at home, in the fields abroad, I'le bid him welcome upon all occasions, I will walk closely in my Family sighing out blessed Davids Option, [Note 17] O when wilt thou come unto me! I will get upon my knees in my Closet, and there I'le seek, [Note 18] and shall find my Father that seeth in secret; I will go unto his Table and partake of his holy Supper, and while the King sitteth at his Table, [Note 19] my Spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof; my bruised Spices, my exercised Graces shal be as pleasant Odours to him, [Note 20] he will smell a sweet savour unto my sacrifices, and my prayers and praises shall be set before him as Incense, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ; It is not every ones happinesse thus to enjoy God, to be well-pleasing to him; some may come near with Moses, when others must worship afar off: None so capable of intimate communion with God as the well-furnisht Christian: ordinarily, hee that hath the greatest treasure hath the sweetest visits: to such as bring out of their treasure the precious fruits of the Spirit, to such will God open the precious treasures of his Love: Observe it, there's much good laid up for them that have grace, but 'tis brought forth to them that use grace, see Ps 31:18. Well then, Christians, lay up much grace and draw it out, send your Lamb to this Ruler of the Land: bring your Presents to Jesus Christ: the wise-men set us an Example in that welcome they brought to Jesus in his Cradle, Matt 2:11. they opened their Treasures, and presented to him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrhe, answerable to his three Offices, of King, Priest and Prophet, no man was to come to the Lord empty-handed in the time of the Law: and if you come full-hearted with this treasure, and full-handed in drawing it out, be sure the Lord will be open-hearted to admit you, and open-handed to fill your hungry souls with ravishing incomes: You shall have Jesus Christ to lodge with you all the night of affliction in sweet embraces: Who would not have this Treasure that he may be welcome to Heaven?#

5.A treasured soul can live well in a time of spiritual dearth, in the days of Famine such shall be satisfied: when others are hungry and thirsty, [Note 21] and their souls fainting; a treasured Christian hath good commons: for the Christian thus stocked hath laid up that which stands him in stead in an evil day: [Note 22] 'tis true, a famine of the Word is an afflictive judgment to a childe of God; Ordinances are to the Saints their glory, [Note 23] and the excellency of their strength, the desire of their eys, and that which their souls do pity, the want of the Word for a season doth more grieve them, than the total loss doth affect wicked men: though it concern them more, for Gods Children have that to live upon that natural men have not, they have a stock of inward strength that will carry them to the Rock of Ages, a stream of grace in their hearts that will lead them to the Fountain of grace: Real Saints are never famished but alwaies furnished: they can make a better shift to live than others can, they have something within doors: a treasure of Truths, Graces, Comforts, and Experiences makes the Saint a rich Feast, [Note 24] for God is where these are: the flowing Rivers of living Water, that are in the true Believers belly, [Note 25] and the hidden Manna will make a good meal, when God himself sits at the Table; They that cannot go to publick Assemblies may find the Lords presence a little Sanctuary, he is every where to be found, and can make amends in private for want of publick liberty: the Word opened and applyed was convincing, satisfying and edifying, well they have their Lesson still before them, the Bible in their hands, and a promise of the Spirit to bring things to their remembrance: and why may not the treasured soul, whose senses are well exercised by an habit of Scripture-Knowledge and self-conference preach to himself in the want of other Preachers? [Note 26] certainly an able Christian, at full age may digest strong meat though he carve for himself: one leaf of the Bible was in Luthers account worth a world; much more all a Christians treasure whereby hee is enabled to improve Scriptures: Histories and Tradition tels us of some good Christians, who in dark times having got a few leaves of the Bible, run with it into a corner, and either read it themselves or hired others to read, whereby they received incredible comfort, profit, and arrived at a strange degree of knowledge and courage: So likewise the souls of Gods children may seek and see Gods Face in private communion of Saints, in conference, prayer, and praise, God may make it an happy exchange to them; the private lesser glass of secret duties may represent God as clearly to the eye of their souls, as the broad glasse of publick Ordinances. I speak not this to derogate from publick, 'tis to be preferred where God grants liberty, and where God withdraws, the want of open Vision is much to be lamented, wee are to be sorrowful for breaking up of solemn Assemblies, [Note 27] and mourn sore when the gates of Zion mourn: But this I speak, when by persecution publick Teachers are driven into Corners; then the Lord may supply that want to his children some other way: But lest this be condemned as Novelty, I shall express it in the words of a learned Author: Buchanan asks the question, [Note 28] What shall they do that want the opportunity of frequenting the publick Ordinances? He Answers, Such must travel abroad, and seek far and near for them, But if they cannot finde them, they must exercise themselves in religious duties at home, Because, saith he, the Kingdome of God is within them, and because the word without the Sacraments may be the power of God to salvation; [Note 29] —And he further adds, The the faithful can never be without the matter and marrow of a Sacrament, though they may be compelled to want the visible Sign: Thus he. Oh what a blessed thing is it to have a principle of Grace, and this blessed Treasure! 'Tis surely worth something to have Light and plenty in a time of darknesse and scarcity.#