Some Objections answered, and the Exhortation urged.

But here come in many doubting souls with their several sad complaints and selfpuzzling Objections.

1.Alas, saith one, I fear I have no such treasure as here is described, for I have a very ignorant head, and therfore an empty heart, these treasures enter in by the door and window of knowledge, but I know nothing yet as I ought to know; I canot conceive aright of one truth, & how I should I then have a treasure of truths?#

I answer, 'Tis well thou art complaining; Unsanctified knowledge puffeth up with conceits of imaginary attainments, gracious souls are sensible of defects and lament their ignorance: David was a Saint wel-treasured, yet cals himself a beast; Agur was a wise and holy man, yet professeth that hee was more bruitish than any man: nay, he saith, he had not the understanding of a man, Prov 30:2. 'Tis an hopeful sign to hear Christians bewail their ignorance, but it doth not become any man to brag of his Knowledge: the lowest humility is the highest attainment: self-denial is a sign of, and means to spiritual Riches: 'tis a sign thou hast profited when thou discernest and bewailest thy non-proficiency: Besides, you must know, that you are not to determine of your treasure of truths, by the number of truths known, but by the manner of your knowing them, and your estimation of them; do you value the truth so, as to buy the truth at any rate, and to sell it at no rate? nay, are you not willing to part with your lives rather than truth? Hath not truth had efficacy in your hearts, authority over your consciences, and prevalency in your conversations? Do you give up your selves to the truths you do know? and, walk with God according to light received? if so, then you have a treasure both of truths and graces: 'tis a wonder to consider how little light, and how much heat Christs own Disciples, and zealous Martyrs have gone straight to Heaven with: I speak not this to sooth up any in ignorance, or to patronize negligence, but to quiet the poor doubting disconsolate conscience, that's affected with a sense of its ignorance.

2.Ah, saith another, Is it possible that I should have a treasure of grace that have such a treasure of sin; the Lord knows, my heart is even stuffed full of corruption, there is such a huge fardel on my back, such a monstrous body of death, that I much fear whether I have any grace at all in my heart or no, my sin bears me down like a violent torrent, lust is predominant, and can grace be prevalent?#

I answer, I am glad to hear these Complaints from thee, it is no new thing for a Paul to cry out of a body of death: living men feel the weight of a burden, but dead men are not hurt: Dost thou really complain of the power of sin! then 'tis a Tyrant, not a King in thy heart? Dost thou sigh and fight against sin? [Note 1] blesse God for that Light to see it, and Life to oppose it: the forced Damsel cleared her innocency by crying out, so doth the vanquished soul evidence integrigrity by zealous groans to God; 'tis but a Rape not a compleat Conquest, while the soul is strugling with its enemy, and gives not up the Fort of the heart: But know this, that a Christian may have a large treasure of grace in his heart, and yet feel violent workings of lust, grace may be strong, yet corruption impetuous; God may give it a commission to make violent incursions upon the wel-furnished soul, for wise and gracious ends: only consider whether thy prayers be ardent, contests vehement, and mournings for it bitter and more than ordinary; if it be thus with thee, thou mayst have a treasure for all that, not only a principle of grace, but a large measure thereof, for opposites illustrate one another, and though there be strong lustings of the flesh against the Spirit, yet if there be also proportionable struglings of the Spirit against the flesh, the souls condition may be safe, and for ought I know, it may be rich in Grace; That's for the second Object.

3.But, saith the Christian, you talk much of a treasure of comforts, but alas I know not what that means, alas comfort is far away; surely if I had had any grace I should have had peace, but I have been long under sadness and in many disconsolate fears, I fear I have no treasure of grace.#

Answ. Grace and Peace are not inseparable, they may be dis-joined, as Scripture and Experience testifie, many a gracious soul hath been in deep sorrows, a soul may have a Hell within it, and yet at last go to Heaven; a Christian may sail thorow a tempestuous Sea to a quiet Haven; Yea, further observe, that a Christian may have a treasure of grace, yet want a treasure of joy and comfort; the reason is, because comfort is an effect of Gods Spirit, which acts arbitrarily, and not by necessity, for if the Spirit shine not upon the graces of the Spirit in the soul, it shal have no comfort, though it be full of grace; Now God doth sometimes suspend the comforting presence of his Spirit from the best of his servants for righteous and gracious ends: hence we finde eminent servants of God (that feared God above many) complaining of the want of comfort, as Job, and David, and Heman; yea, sometimes we finde our dear Redeemer (who had a treasure of grace, and the Spirit above measure) complaining of Gods forsaking him, and consequently of the absence of joy and comfort: Poor soul, do not murmure that God doth not alwayes feed thee with these Sweet-meats, which are are the fare of the Upper-Table, and reserved for an heavenly Banquet: what though thou hast not always actual possession of comfort, yet thou hast a solid Foundation for it: what if thou be not continually dandled on thy Fathers lap, and kissed with the kisses of his mouth, yet thou art a childe stil, and thou canst not deny but sometimes he doth visit thy soul with heart-solacing consolations, and thou mightest have a treasure of them if thou couldest be ready for them, or rightly improve them.

4.Alas, saith the troubled heart, if I knew my state were safe, I could be better satisfied in the want of comfort, but I have cause to cal all into question, I have been so barren and unprofitable under meanes of grace, ordinances and providences, I may crie out my leanness, my leanness, woe unto me, if there had been any real good in my soul, it would have been more increased under my long-enjoyed helps.#

I answer, there is never a soul under Heaven, but hath sad cause to complain under ordinances and enjoyments; where is the man that can stand forth, and say he hath gathered in harvest as much as he might have done? but there is a profiting to grace, and in grace, hast thou experiences of the former? hast thou been wasted over by the boat of ordinances into Jesus Christ, unto a state of grace, I hope thou canst not denie this; wel then, thou hast attained to the main proficiencie, bless God for that, and for a progress in grace, examine thy self a little more strictlie, is not Jesus Christ more endeared to thee? do not the things of God relish better with thee? dost thou not more scorn the World, and all preferments that it offers to thee? is not thy prevailing purpose to cleave to God, notwithstanding oppositions, more fixed and setled in thy heart, upon long experience of the waies of God? dost thou not every day see more demonstrative reasons to confirm thee in thy choice of this better part? and let me ask thee, whether thou hast not grown downwards in humilitie, self-denial, hatred of sin, love to the Saints? though thou canst not say thou hast grown upwards in joy, faith, heavenly-mindedness, and communion with God? do not think thou art above complaint and proficiencie in this life; none have attained to a perfect treasure in this vally of teares, and shadow of death; you wil have cause to complain of defects and imperfections, which in your perfect Saviours compleat righteousness, your God wil graciouslie cover and cure.

5.But, saith the poor soul, methinks I fall very far short, not onlie of what I might have attained to, but what others (under the same enjoyments) have arrived to, I am out-stripped by such as set out long after me, they that were converted some years after me have attained to more treasures of gifts, graces, and abilities for edification, and I lag behinde, what shall I think of my self?#

I answer, thou hast cause to lament thy non-proficiencie, and bewaile that thou hast not kept pace with others, there should be an holie emulation amongst Christians, and a striving which shal be richest in these good things of Heaven; but withal, comparing your selves with others, is no good rule, (except it be to shame your negligent hearts, and excite diligent endeavours) because some have better parts, and may sooner attaine to higher degrees of knowledge, and some God intends to cal out to extraordinarie service or suffering, others God designs to pluck away sooner by death, and so layes up much in a shorter time.— Besides, though they may seem to have a larger treasure, yet you do not know what they may have to do with it, they may be put to it, and all they have little enough, they may have such corruptions, temptations, afflictions, desertions, as may exhaust a great treasure, possiblie they put the best side out, and you see the bright side, and not the black side of the Cloud; you hear their prayers, discourses, exercises amongst others, but you know not the dolorous griefs, and bitter complaints before the Lord in secret; could you lay your eares to their Closets, you would over-hear their sad sighs for their fulness of sin, emptiness of grace, and naughty frame of heart; it may be your treasure is more setled, and theirs more floating, and you see it when the tide is high; you should take in all before you judge your selves by others, and indeed no Man is a competent judge of anothers frame of spirit, you may even fall below hypocrites themselves in seeming inlargements.

6.Yea, [Note 2] saith the soul, but I fall below others in real usefulness, if there were a treasure within, [Note 3] me thinks it would appear more to the glory of God and good of others, but I do no good in my place, I cumber the ground, and bring not forth fruit as others do, that do God a great deal more service, than I do.#

I answer, the Apostle saith, there are diversities of gifts, and operations, so also, all members have not the same office, and consequentlie not the same usefulness, some move in an higher sphear, and some in a lower, but if thou be set in this heavenlie orbe of the Church, thou hast some influence, there is not a Finger or Toe in this bodie of Christ, but 'tis of some use, and cannot be spared, but it wil be lame and defective, not a loop or pin in this Tabernacle of the Church, but as it fils up a room, so it bears up some weight: the body of Christ hath need of thee, nay, there's not the choicest members that can say to the meanest in the Church, I have no need of thee, Paul, though a great Apostle, stood in need of the prayers of the meanest Christian: an Iron Key may sometimes open that Lock, that a silver one cannot effect; there's never a Saint in the World, that knows the good that he doth, nor shal it be known to others the use he is of, til he be taken away, and then the place shal feel a loss of him, a City, a Country, and Kingdome may be spared upon the prayers and uprightness of one righteous person: Let not more worthy members despise the ignoble, since they cannot be without them, and let not inferiour members envy the more honourable, because God appointeth every one his station, and accepteth the meanest members faithful service, a sweeper of Chimneys may honour God in his place, as wel as a Pastor of souls in his: a plain Christian in a leathern Coat may (if faithful in his station) do God as much service, as a great Doctor in his purple Robes: if thou be serious in the work of God, thou mayest promote the cause of God in thy Family, which may reflect a lustre to the whole Church.

7.But alas, saith the Soul, I am so far from encreasing into a treasure, that I fear I am on the losing hand; I am in spending, wasting, decreasing by sinful practices, what I gain in a Duty or Ordinance, I lose by an act of sinning, and have much ado to recover my self, oh this inconstant, unstable spirit! what shal become of me?#

I answer, the case is sad, and much to be lamented, but so it is with the best of Gods Children, David saith, thou hast lifted me up, and cast me down, while we are tossed upon the fluctuating Waves of the Sea, we must expect Mariners motion, [Note 4] to mount up to Heaven, and go down to the depths, to have rich enjoyments, and sadder abatements, that we may know both how to want, and how to abound in point of inlargement: sometimes our hearts are opened, as the heart of Lidia, to receive of that grace which becomes our treasure, then again our hearts are shut up, and we are in danger to shut out divine incomes; sometimes the Sailes of our souls are spread, to entertain the livelie guests of the holy spirit, but how often are they contracted, and we then resist the blessed motions thereof? lets complain of this, as our sin and shame: but thus it must be in this sublunary state, to distinguish betwixt this Vale of mutabilitie, and the heavenlie Mount of unchangable felicity: yet take notice, that the souls treasure may be maintained, and even increased by this variety of conditions; by standing stil, or falling back, he may grow more self-suspicious, penitent, vigilant, and diligent, and make the more hast after his God, to redeem the time that he hath lost, and pick up his scattered crumbs: when a covetous Man hath wasted any thing; or mist a good bargain, he wil seek to make amends, by future diligence: thus wil the gracious soul, so that God may improve slips, to standing faster, stumblings to a speedy motion forwards, and fals to a greater heedfulness and sensibleness: Hast thou not found it thus? poor soul, hast thou not been a gainer by thy losses? have not these spiritual Egyptians (of raging corruptions) paid tribute to thy soul, to increase thy spiritual stock? have not these Gibeonites been hewers of Wood, and drawers of Water, to help thee in the Service of the Sanctuarie? I question not, but thou hast found these bitter Enemies, as occasions at least to put thee on to watch thy treasure better; [Note 5] the Canaanites were to be to Israel, as pricks in their eyes, and thorns in their sides, just so are sins to the Saints, these pricks in their eyes, make them weep more for sin, and these thorns in their sides, spur them more towards the City of refuge: there are different sorts of Christians, some are solid, sober, and more setled in their motion, that keep on a good, eaven pace in be ways of God, others are more uncertain, sometimes push forwards, and draw back again, yet these may be Gods Children, as wel as the former, and sometimes it is occasioned by the natural levity, and fickleness of their spirits, or other causes, yet stil the almighty Arme of Jehovah is under them, and all his Saints are in his hand, and though these unstable souls may not excel, yet they shal keep their hold, and every leap they take shal set them nearer to Heaven, and lead them to that immutable state, where there is fulness of joy, and Rivers of pleasure for ever more.

Thus much for answer to some Objections: I shal now conclude all with a brief and serious exhortation, and oh that I could perswade and prevaile with all to look after their share in the treasure, so largely opened to you, methinks it should be an easie thing to perswade Men to embrace a treasure, but oh how hard is it to ingage Men to look after a treasure for their souls! I see what a wretched thing a carnal heart is, and poor souls fight against their own interest, and forsake their own mercy.

One would think that they, that are poor in the World, would be induced to consider of some treasure at last; I beseech you, let reason be heard, argue rationally, and let your souls be working in such thoughts as these, God hath cast my lot to be in a mean estate, and I work hard for a bare living, I toile and travel night and day, and I can scarce get course Cloaths for my back, and food for my self and my Family, I would have got something before-hand, but I see it wil not do, Times are hard, Trading dead, I despair of growing rich, the world is like a shadow, the more I pursue it, the further it flees from me, and have I been pursuing after that which I cannot overtake? and if I should overtake it, can do me no good, may do me much hurt, and in the mean time have I neglected my immortal soul, and getting a treasure in it to make it rich and happy? These spiritual goods are the best that can be got, and these only may be got, and nothing else: O my soul, shal I be poor in this world and poor to all eternity? must I live in misery here, and be in greater torment hereafter, oh why should I be such a perfect beggar? doubly poor, of a poor estate and of a poor low degenerate spirit? Oh rather let me be poor in spirit that I may be an Heir of a Kingdom, a better than this Dung-hil world can afford. If I want bread for my body, Lord evermore give me the bread of Life for my poor soul, the garments of Christs Righteousnesse to cover my nakedness, Fine gold that I may be rich, though I be separated from my neighbour let me be united to the Lord, though I be despised by men, yet let my soul be owned by the Lord, although I have not a foot of Land, or house of mine own in this world, yet, Oh that I may have a right to Mansions above, and may take possession at death of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light: Thus do you that are poor argue the case, and rest not satisfied without the true Riches; if you cannot get Earth, make sure of Heaven, and then you make no bad bargain: keep up this Trade of Religion, when other Trades decay, live above the world, learn to act Faith, put the Bond in suit, make a vertue of necessity, and if you cannot get left-hand mercies, be sure of right-hand mercies, and then you are happy for ever.

Let rich men also look after a treasure above, I know its a hard thing to perswade such as have treasures on earth, to look after treasures of Heaven, and in Heaven: it is impossible for them that trust in riches to be saved, and most men do so; Oh how apt are men of great Estates to please and applaud themselves in their large possessions, especially after the malicious revilings of the poor, or the awakening convictions of Gods Spirit by some heart-shaking Boanerges, they go home and thus bespeak themselves, what need I regard the vain calumnies of the sons of Belial, [Note 6] or the furious invectives of these bawling Priests, I've need of none, and I fear no man, I am able to live of my self, let every man look to himself, its an hard world, and we must look to our selves, God hath blessed me with an estate, and I trust he loves me, and I shall do as well as others: Such workings are in rich mens brests, the God of Heaven knows your secret self-flattering thoughts, but they shall be found to be vain another day, when you lie upon a death-bed, ready to breath out your despairing souls, what will money do in the Chest without grace in the Heart? what art thou better for hundreds and thousands a year? what art thou the better for the honourable or worshipful titles of Lord, Knight, Esquire or Gentleman? I have heard of a Person of quality that cryed out upon his sick-bed, ten thousand pounds for a good conscience, but alas, pardon and Heaven cannot be bought with money, purity and peace of conscience are at a higher rate, they cost the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and are not bought but given in Gods way and in Gods time: hee was a Fool that pleased himself with conceits of filling his soul with his full bags and furnished houses, or fruitfull Fields, what are these to the immortal soul, that is of a spiritual nature? No no, Riches profit not in a day of wrath, you cannot stop the mouth of conscience in the pangs of death with a little worldly trash: [Note 7] try this in lesser things, and see whether money, which answereth all things wil fill your hungry bellies, cure the head-ach, or tooth-ach, or remove Feavers, alas it cannot, you know it cannot, how then can Riches satisfie, or sanctifie, or save the immortal soul? A time is coming when the carelesse and covetous Worlding would be glad to exchange earth for heaven, and would be willing to cast all his Rare commodities over Ship-board to save his precious Vessel of his never-dying soul, but he that esteemed the world his God, shall have no God to relieve him when hee is leaving the world: He that spent his strength and time to compasse his worldly ends, shal have nothing but his labour for his pains in the upshot, [Note 8] what hath he gained, (let him brag of his bargain) when God taketh away his soul? Nay, this very treasure that he hath heaped up shal rise up in judgment against him, [Note 9] so Heinsius reads, James 5.3. as though their Gold and Silver should become a treasure of tormenting fire to the rich and wretched Misers: and oh, what an astonishing consideration is this, that a covetous man should gather the fuel to that fire that shal torment him for ever, and that his beloved Minion the world, with which he hath committed adultery, shal be the instrument of his torment; yea, some think further, that this earth where wicked men have had their Heaven, shal be the place of hel-torments after the great day of Judgment: certainly this world which hath bewitched sensual souls shal be burnt with fire, and how just is it, that where men have acted their pleasant Comedy, they should suffer this last and everlasting Tragedy? Oh Sirs, think of this betimes, do but in cold blood consider whether your great Estates will skreen betwixt Gods flaming wrath and your sinning souls another day: Bethink your selves betimes, whether you would have God or the world to stand your Friend at Death or Judgment, whether you would have a heart laden with this heavenly treasure, or a conscience loaden with guilt and filled with excruciating wormes, whether you would hear that sad word, Wo unto you that are rich for ye have received your consolation, or, come my Friends, enter into your Masters joy: Remember you were fore-warned of these things, look about you betimes:

Here I might admonish all Ages and Sexes to get their hearts full of this treasure, you young men begin the world with this stock, this alone wil fit you for all callings, places, Relations and Conditions; you are entring the world, and you know not what you may passe through betwixt this and the Grave, without this treasure you are fit for nothing, this wil fit you for any thing: this wil render you well-accomplisht Gentlemen, Merchants, Ministers; This wil carry you thorough all Companies with credit and profit: it wil be an excellent Guide and Guard in your Journeys; This wil season your younger years with gravitie, policie and humilitie, [Note 10] and ripen your souls for Heaven as you are ripening for the Grave: Oh my Brethren, set up with this stock, begin in Grace and you shal end in Peace, begin with this treasure, and you shal end in everlasting pleasures:

And you that are ancient, look after this treasure, old men are addicted to hoarding, why here's work for you, be hoarding up in your hearts divine Truths, Graces, Comforts, and Experiences, in malice be you children, but in understanding be ye men; Give me leave to admonish old men, and Fathers, to labour to know him that is from the beginning, [Note 11] you delight much in Antiquity, here's an object for you to contemplate, even the Ancient of Dayes: Oh mind not toys and treasures, even the best of treasures, let your hoary heads be found in the way of Righteousnesse, and hearts filled with these Fruits of Righteousness: Alas, shal you be full of days and empty of grace? Shall you be drawing to a period of your lives, and continue destitute of the end of your lives? Ah Sirs, that you should be taking your leave of the world, and yet have laid no Foundation, made no preparation for a better life, alas what shal become of you? the Lord be merciful to you, and lay hands on you and pluck you as brands out of the fire: its a monstrous sight to see a wicked old man, how unbecoming is it to hear an old man swear, to se an old man drunk, or unclean, 'tis a prodigious sight, such are worse because they should be better, every gray hair which should be a crown of glory, is a testimony of sloth, and monitor of approaching wrath: Ah Sirs, think not much, if at the great Day you be set on the left-hand, that have all your daies made choice of left-hand blessings: the God of Heaven awaken you to provide for Eternitie, before the flames of hell awake you, when there's no Remedie.

Let all and every one without fail, without dallying or delay, look after this Treasure; Oh let your souls be furnished with a store of holy Thoughts, you are alwaies thinking, your minds are active, never idle, alwaies in motion: O get it furnished for contemplation, bring some work to this Mil-stone, else as Luther saith, it will grinde it self thinner, or as a Lamp that's soon extinct without a fresh supply of Oile: You can neither discourse profitably in Companie, nor spend your time in solitarie Retirements without this Treasure. But I have been too tedious, let not all these words be in vain to you, or rise up in judgment against you:

A few words to those precious souls into whose bosome the Lord hath dropt this heavenly treasure; these I might urge to blesse God for it, live up to it, make much of it, maintain and encrease it, and be sure you do not part with it upon any terms. As to the last, I pray you to keep this treasure, and let it not be in the least impaired, wasted or prejudiced: I tell you its a greater losse to lose one grain of grace than a Mine of gold, or both the Indies, the gaining of the world cannot countervail the losse of a soul, and if your treasure be gone, your souls are gone: take fast hold of Instruction, let her not go, for she is thy life, Prov 4:13. Let all go rather than part with your treasure. Caesar swimming through a River to escape his Enemies, carried his Books above Water with his hand, but lost his Robe, so do you: though you should swim through a Sea of sorrows, yet before you keep fast the Lords depositum, make not shipwrack of Faith and a good Conscience, let neither the treasures nor pleasures of the world rob or cousen you of this glorious treasure; [Note 12] Take two famous instances of constancie in the Primitive times: the one is of a Souldier, whom the Praetor could not with torments remove from his Christian profession; at last he commanded him to be laid in a soft bed, in a pleasant Garden among flourishing Lillies and red Roses, and being left alone a beautiful Harlot came to him, and embracing him wantonly, sollicited him to lust, he resolutely opposed, at last for very vexation, and to prevent by his pain the danger of pleasure, he bit off his Tongue and spit it in her Face, as she kissed him, and so bravely overcame: This Valiant Souldier would not indanger his Treasure for the enjoyment of a little pleasure; The other Example is, of one Hormisda, a great Noblemans Son, who, for Religion was condemned to keep the King of Persia's Elephants, and to go naked. One day the King looking out, and seeing him tanned with the Sun, commanded a Shirt to be put upon him, and to bring him before him, whom the King asked if he would now deny Christ; Hormisda tore off his Shirt, saying, if you think I will deny my faith for a Shirt, have here your gift again: See here a young man stript naked of an earthly treasure, yea, will go stark naked, rather than lose his inward treasure: go you and do likewise, say as Job, Chap. 27.5,

6.Till I dye, I will not remove my integrity from me, my righteousnesse I hold fast and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live: Live upon your stock, make use of it upon all occasions, draw forth the seeds of grace, bring forth much fruits, improve your treasure for maintaining constant intercourse with God; Josephus tels us that there was a tumult raised among the Jews, [Note 13] because their holy treasure was wasted upon a Conduit, reaching the space of 300. furlongs, but if you spend your treasure in maintaining wayes of conveyance betwixt God and your hearts, it wil increase your treasure, and keep up peace with God, and peace of conscience; communion with God wil compose all mutinous insurrections in your own hearts; pay to God the constant tribute of duty and obedience, give him the glory of all, that he hath done for you; sweep the Temple of your hearts, free it from all dust and filth, prepare a cleanly lodging for this blessed guest; the holy spirit is compared to a Dove, and we know the Dove is a cleanly creature, and leaves its residence when it is defiled, so wil the spirit: be holy in all your conceptions, and in all manner of conversation, learn that blessed round, that Enoch took of walking with God, solace your souls in him, scorn any thing that the World can offer, as a temptation to divert your hearts into another Channel, ask the World what it can give, that may be a valuable consideration, for the loss of communion with God, make such a challenge, as Saul did in another case, can the Son of Jesse give you fields and Vineyards? — so can the World give me pardon of sin, peace of conscience, grace here, and glory hereafter? if it say it can, believe it not, it's a vain brag and loud lie, like that of Satan's to Christ; if it cannot, (as certainly it cannot) why shouldest thou leave the substance, and embrace the shadow, oh make not so mad, so bad a bargain; I stand the more upon this, because there is danger, lest you should be cheated out of your treasure by the World, as Dalilah beguiled Sampson, or as the Maid got the Apple out of the Giants hand by fair meanes, which the Champions could not wrest out: Do not delight in the Creature, lest it abate your content in God, be not afraid of afflictions that accompany godliness, you may get a larger increase of your treasure by trouble, than by any other meanes, as 'tis storied of Tiberius, passing by a Cross that lay upon a Marble-stone, and causing the Cross to be digged up, found a large treasure under the Cross, so may and do, gracious souls finde treasures under their crosses.#

But to draw to an end, the Lord ingage all your hearts to make sure of this treasure, and to make much of this treasure, lock it up in the in-most closet of your hearts, lay it out in waies of holiness, as the Lord gives opportunity, raise up your hearts heavenwards, improve solitariness, do all the good you can in your places, sanctifie the name of God in all things you do or receive, watch over your own spirits, be faithful unto death, and he wil give you a Crown of life: I shal conclude all with an elegant exhortation of Cyprian: thou only whom the heavenly warfare hath sealed up in these spiritual Tents, keep incorrupt, keep sober this blessed Discipline with religious vertues, be thou diligent either in praying or reading, sometimes speak thou to God, sometimes hear God speak to thee, let him instruct thee, [Note 14] dispose of thee by his precepts, whom he hath made rich, let no Man make poor, thou canst not now be subject to any penury, when thy breast is satiated with variety of all heavenly delicacies; thus he, Blessed is the soul that hath this blessed treasure, and is mounting upwards to everlasting pleasures.