Chapter 13: What Truths a Christian Is to Treasure Up

The second head of directions is to descend more particularly to give some instructions, what the Christian is to treasure up. In opening the doctrine I told you, he is to treasure up these four rich commodities, with which he may furnish his inward man: namely, 1. Truths. 2. Graces. 3. Experiences. 4. Comforts. I shall resume a discourse of these, and give you a particular account of something in all these, with which the bosom of a Christian is to be filled and furnished.

1. For the first, a Christian is to store up all truths, the filings of gold are precious, the least star in the firmament has some influence, so all truths have their peculiar preciousness and efficacy: truth is a sacred deposit which God has committed into the hands of ministers and people, which must not be lost at any hand, for all the world cannot give a price proportionable to the least truth: for to this end was Christ born, yes, and shed his dearest blood, even to bear witness to the truth, and to purchase the publication of it. It is very dangerous to be careless of lesser truths, for there is nothing superfluous in the sacred canon, and things comparatively little may be great in their sphere, season, and consequences, and it is sad to break the golden chain of truths: yet we are especially to treasure up fundamental and seasonable truths; doctrines that we are to venture our souls upon, and such as we may have a peculiar use of, truths suitable to the day we live in. Hence it is that the Apostle would have believers established in the present truth (2 Peter 1:12), that is, say some, the doctrine of the gospel which was at this time newly revealed: or else (as others interpret it) such truths as are most opposed and contradicted. For we find that every church and age has its present errors, by which false teachers seek to undermine the truth, and seduce the professors of it, therefore should every soul be well stored with such truths as may antidote him against present prevailing corruptions in principle or practice.

There are four sorts of divine truths that I would counsel all Christians to get their heads and hearts well stocked with, which are these: namely, 1. Doctrinal truths. 2. Disciplinary truths. 3. Practical truths. 4. Experimental truths.

1. Doctrinal truths (2 Timothy 1:13): Hold fast the form of sound words. This word signifies a model or platform, a mold or frame of words, or things, methodically disposed, as printers set and compose their characters or letters in a table: thus gospel doctrine is the mold, and hearers are as the metal which takes the idea and impression that into which it is cast. A Christian is to get the body of divinity incorporated within him: it is not below the most able, knowing, and judicious person to read, yes and commit to memory catechisms, and systems of divinity. I beseech you lay this good doctrinal foundation, and you will find infinite advantage by it, through the whole course of life; this will teach you to discourse distinctly, hear profitably, and read Scriptures, and good books with judgment, being able to try all things, and reduce every thing to its proper place. Take a taste and touch of this sort of truths in these general heads: 1. That the holy Scriptures are of divine authority. 2. That God's word is the only complete supreme judge of all controversies. 3. That God is an infinite, simple, and immutable Spirit. 4. That there are three glorious persons in the unity of the Godhead. 5. That all things depend upon God's eternal decrees. 6. That man was created in perfect holiness and happiness. 7. That all mankind is polluted and ruined by Adam's apostasy. 8. That Christ, God-man, is the only mediator between God and man. 9. That Christ by doing, enduring, dying, has satisfied justice, and justified sinners. 10. That such as sincerely repent and believe are justified and accepted. 11. That Baptism and the Lord's Supper are seals of the covenant of grace. 12. That there shall be a general resurrection and day of judgment.

2. Disciplinary truths — these in their kind and sphere are to be stored up, and contended for: it is true, these are not so fully laid down in Scripture, nor is there so much stress laid thereupon, as on doctrinal truths, at least as to every punctilio relating to circumstantials, which has occasioned many hot disputes among the strictest Christians. Yet withal, the essentials of discipline are of great use and in a sort necessary, if not to the being, yet to the well-being of the Church; our Lord Jesus is faithful in his house, and has not left every thing to human prudence, though possibly something may be said for a prudential application of general rules to particular cases. It is lost labour to enter into controversies here, much precious time and pains have been wasted herein, yet Mr. Hooker acknowledges, that although there be no necessity it should prescribe any one particular form of church government, yet touching the manner of governing in general, the precepts which the Scripture sets down are not few: and the examples many which it proposes, for all church-governors, even in particularities to follow: yes, that those things, finally, which are of principal weight in the very particular form of church polity, are in the self-same Scriptures contained. Neither are these truths to be slighted, but we are to be attentive to them, and observant and retentive of them: hence when the gospel-church is described, God says (Ezekiel 40:4), Behold with your eyes, and hear with your ears, and set your heart upon all that I shall show you. Under correction, I conceive such disciplinary truths as these are not obscurely delivered by God: as, 1. That upon Christ's shoulders lies the government of his Church. 2. That Scripture-precepts and precedents are the rule of church-administrations. 3. That church-officers are to be duly qualified and called to their work. 4. That Christ's own officers have power to dispense word and censures. 5. That holy things are for holy men, ordinances must be kept from pollution. 6. That visible, credible profession is the ground of church-communion. 7. That admonition must precede rejection and excommunication. 8. That heretical persons, and disorderly walkers are to be censured. 9. That evidence of repentance pleads for re-admittance. 10. That the magistrate's duty is to cherish, defend, and propagate the Church, ministers to oversee, and members to watch over, and admonish one another. 11. That at least there may be associations of churches by their officers, for mutual communion and consultation. 12. That synods and councils consulting about church-affairs are but companies of men subject to error, are not to have dominion over men's faith, or lord it over consciences, etc.

3. A third sort of truths to be stored up are practical truths, fundamental truths of practical concern, are in a sort the life of religion. Our religion is not a notion, Christianity lies much in the heart and life: the young candidate's question in the Gospel had mainly reference to practice; "Good Master," says he, "what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17). Socrates is accounted the wisest man, because he applied his studies and knowledge to the moral part, the squaring and ordering of men's lives. Says Doctor Hammond, and quotes an ancient saying, "The end of Christian philosophy is to make them better, not more learned, to edify, not to instruct" ([reconstructed: Practical Catechism] p. 2). The truth is, conscientious practice is both the end of knowledge, and the means of further knowledge; if we live up to his will known, we shall know more of his will that's to be done (John 7:17): if we give up ourselves to truth, we shall be made free by truth. Truths of a practical import, to deliver the soul from the bondage of sin, and deliver up the soul into the liberty of the sons of God, and makes him account God's service perfect freedom. Some truths are to be believed, others to be lived upon, others to be lived up to, and so are more practical: such as these.

1. That all creatures are made for the glory of God. 2. That the covenant of works cannot be kept by any mere man since the fall. 3. That true faith closes wholly with a whole Christ. 4. That none can expect pardon without a sincere Gospel repentance. 5. That good works are the fruits, and evidences of a lively faith. 6. That those are only good works that have a right root, rule and end. 7. That man's best duties are imperfect, and merit no good at God's hands. 8. That the moral law is a Christian's rule of obedience. 9. That God alone is to be worshipped, and that according to his will. 10. That the observation of a Sabbath is a moral and perpetual duty. 11. That magistrates are to be honored, and their lawful commands obeyed. 12. That every man is to attend upon and act, by virtue of his general or particular calling.

4. Sort of truths to be hoarded up, are experimental truths, which are vital, and vivifical, that beget and maintain good blood (as it were) in the soul: these are the sweetest solace to a sound believer, these reach and teach the very heart, bow the will, ravish the affections, awaken the conscience, and influence the whole conversation. The delightful rolling of these divine truths in the mind, help the soul to walk in the sweetest paradise of contemplation. These mysterious marrow-rich truths are like that song that none could learn but the 144,000 that are redeemed from the earth (Revelation 14:4). Or like that new name which no man knows, saving he that receives it (Revelation 2:17). Such truths are better felt than spoken, sooner experienced than expressed, indeed like those [illegible] unutterable words that Paul heard in paradise (2 Corinthians 12:4). Such truths as are hid from the wise and prudent, but revealed to babes (Matthew 11:25). This is a right knowing of the truth as it is in Jesus, a lying under the power and impression of divine revelations. Without this experience, knowledge is a cold, dull, moonlight speculation, without the clear quickening heat of the Sun of Righteousness. In fact, the choicest truths of the Gospel cannot be discerned but by experience. Divinity is not a speculative, but affective knowledge: treasure up such truths as these.

1. That by nature we are averse to good, and prone to evil. 2. That we have no free-will to saving good, but are passives in conversion. 3. That regeneration is a thorough change of the whole man, in heart and life. 4. That faith and repentance are the gifts of God's free grace. 5. That a sinner is justified only by Christ's merits imputed, not by works. 6. That conformity to God is an inseparable companion of communion with God. 7. That every child of God has the spirit of adoption, to help to pray. 8. That the best saints in this life are sanctified but in part. 9. That a Christian's best and bravest life is a life of faith. 10. That sincere saints may be assured of the truth of grace, and title to glory. 11. That a justified person cannot totally and finally fall away. 12. That some spiritual good is exhibited in, and conveyed through the seals of the covenant.

Such precious truths as these, Christians, you are to gather, and seal them up among your treasures, and you will find that such a treasure will furnish your minds with saving knowledge, fortify your hearts against errors and oppositions, satisfy your spirits in all doubts and objections; teach you to profit by God's verbal and real dispensations, and prepare you for fiery trials, and hottest persecutions: you cannot stand for truths you know not, and you will not stand for those truths that you are not for, and look not upon as your treasure: you must hold fast what you have received, and therefore must you receive that you may retain, and lay up that you may live up to, and live upon them in an evil day: as a Minister, so a member of the Church must hold fast the faithful word, as he has been taught — (Titus 1:9). He must maintain truth with all his might, struggle and contend for it, fight and die in the defense of it, truth and our souls must be married, and never divorced, there are truths that we may venture our souls upon, and must venture our lives for: that is an atheistical speech of some, that the Martyrs in Queen Mary's days died out of stubbornness, and were too prodigal of their blood, and that God requires no man to be cruel to himself for his sake: but the Saints have otherwise learned Christ, than to deny him, or his truths before men, lest they be denied by him another day: they have not otherwise learned to love him than to lay down their lives for him, if he call them to it: and thus by being overcome they do overcome, as their Savior before them: and as it is on record (Revelation 12:11), they overcame by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they loved not their lives to the death. It is the duty of every Christian to lay up such truths in the close cabinet of his heart, as he may live and die by and adhere closely and constantly to: we must do by truths, as Caesar by his books, who being to swim through a river to escape the fury of his enemies, carried his books above water with his hand, but lost his robe, so though we should be put to swim through a sea of trouble in following the Lamb, yet must we keep the Lord's Depositum, though we should lose our garments of earthly enjoyments, indeed our lives themselves, rather than part with the sacred and saving truths of God contained in this blessed book of books, the holy Scriptures, which are to be our treasures: indeed says the wise man, take fast hold of instruction; let her not go, keep her, for she is your life. Indeed some good souls have been willing to be burnt themselves, rather than willingly to burn their Bibles, and have been racked in pieces, rather than suffer themselves to be rent from truth: it is our great duty to hold fast, and hold forth the word of truth, to be witnesses to the truth actively, and for the truth passively, and if we maintain it, it shall maintain us (Revelation 3:10), because you have kept the word of my patience, I also will keep you from the hour of temptation — the word of his patience may be taken either effectively, for such a word as works a quiet, composed, submissive frame of spirit, or eventually, for that word that may put a man upon the exercise of patience, so that he may suffer great hardships for it, and lay down his life, as a sacrifice on the behalf of it. Yet must not a Christian flinch back, but in the strength of God run the greatest hazard for approved experienced truths of God: I know there is a difference in truths, and the value we are to set upon them, as in coins, says a reverend Divine, of which one piece is a farthing another no less than a pound; only take this rule in general, despise not the meanest truth, prove all things by Scripture-rules, lay up and hold fast what is consonant to it, but above all lay the greatest stress upon fundamental points of religion, and be not beat from your hold, through fear or favor.

So much for treasuring up Scripture-truths.