Chapter 17: How a Christian Is to Maintain and Increase His Treasure

Thus I have largely handled directions for obtaining a treasure, and particular instructions about particular treasures to furnish the poor soul. Now it is also necessary to take heed of losing or diminishing this treasure; it is a piece of wisdom to keep as well as get, to maintain as well as obtain a treasure: a little negligence loses that suddenly which had been got with much diligence. Solomon says, there is a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together, but there is no time to cast away these precious treasures — you must keep what you have and still be gathering more. Now to help you in this, take these ten practical directions:

1. Let not Satan rob or circumvent you: he is that evil one that envies a saint's treasure, he steals away the seed of the word, lest it become a treasure of divine truths. He it is that most grudges our growth in grace; the better the soul is treasured, the more assaults must he suffer from the evil one. A pirate makes most at a richly laden ship; a thief breaks not into the beggar's cottage. The Devil lets his sworn vassals live in peace, but raises a hurry in the believer's heart. This juggler will transform himself into an angel of light, that like a [reconstructed: Familiar] he may pick our pockets with more ease and less suspicion. As he foists in dangerous errors under the notion of truth, so he allures to damnable sins under the paintings of virtue: take heed of both. Observe it: new notions may eat out the heart-root of religion as well as corrupt practices. Satan may rob us of our treasure by subtle insinuations of new light as well as grosser temptations to apparent works of darkness, for these drink up the marrow of those spirits that should be laid out otherwise. Therefore take Paul's advice: refuse profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourselves rather to godliness (1 Timothy 4:7). Strivings, though they should be even about Scriptures and the law, may come to be unprofitable and vain (Titus 3:9). Great triflers are no good treasurers, and many great disputers have argued away much of their religion, or at least have filled their heads with notions rather than their hearts with saving truths or savory affections. Precious saints have complained that even necessary disputes have put their spirits out of tune. You have zeal little enough for the vitals of religion — let none run in by-channels. The Lord help you to prize more a fundamental truth, and a degree of saving grace, than a fine notion or victory over an antagonist. Take heed lest Satan cast into you a spark of false zeal and blow it up to an eager dispute for an opinion, to divert or excuse you from meddling with the more weighty matters of Christianity. O Christians, be not ignorant of Satan's various methods to get an advantage against you, that he may rob you of your treasure. You know the old serpent, when he was young, outwitted our first parents in their best estate. Now he is grown more cunning by almost six thousand years' experience, and we more foolish in this dotage of the world — we are in great danger of undoing. O let us watch and pray that we enter not into temptation: keep out of Satan's road, hold him at staves-end, suspect his wiles, resist his power, that neither his seven heads by plotting, nor his ten horns by pushing, may deprive our souls of our precious treasure.

2. Fill not your hearts with the world: carnal men have the world set in their hearts, and are therefore called the men of this world, who have their portion therein — and that is totally inconsistent with this heavenly treasure. And the more you admit the world into your hearts, the more you thrust out divine things. As the shining sun eats out the burning fire, or as the abundance of weeds sucks up the virtue of the earth that should nourish the herbs and fruit-trees — just so do riches choke the word by a wicked encroachment they have upon the heart. The love of the world jostles out the love of God (1 John 2:15). Love and royalty can endure no rivals. It is true, religion begot wealth, but the daughter devours the mother, as the proverb has it — worldly-mindedness is directly opposite to heavenly treasures. O let not your hearts be in the world, though your heads and hands be in it: the heart is to be reserved for God. If riches be placed in that closet, Christ must be thrust into the stable. If riches increase, do not set your hearts thereon. In the apostles' times, the saints cast their money and estates at the apostles' feet, thereby signifying, says an ancient, that they were fitter to be trodden upon than doted upon — or rather to be a stepping-stone to divine things, than a burden on our backs. But the truth is, these outward things are too many, rather a stumbling block to cast them down, than a footstool to lift them up. It is better to be without great estates than to have them for a snare. Tremble lest you be over-charged with the cares of the world, or be bewitched with the delights here below. Be not like that carnal cardinal, that preferred his part in Paris to his part in Paradise. But say, as that noble commander to a common soldier, 'You are not Themistocles — take this trash to you,' for so he called and accounted the Persian spoils, of richest jewels and goodliest ornaments. So do you scorn to load your noble soul with such unworthy baggage — cast out those wares that will sink the ship of your souls. One staff will help in your journey, but a bundle will be burdensome carriage. A garment fit for the body is nimble and useful, but one that is too wide, or with a long train, is in danger to be troublesome to the party that wears it and others. Not that I would have you to cast away the good mercies of God (though you must cast your bread on the waters), but cast the world out of your hearts. Let not your precious souls be like the serpent's belly, joined to the dust. If you possess much of the world, let it not possess you — fear yourselves in this most. How many Demas's are hereby shipwrecked? How many Samsons have lost their best strength by the embraces of this Delilah? Alas, thousands have been cheated of their spiritual riches by its siren songs and bewitching charms. And therefore let our souls stand at a distance from it, make no friendship with it, let us more suspect its fawnings than fear its frowns. A false friend will prejudice us more than an open foe. Let no earthly treasure take off our spirits from a heavenly treasure, lest we abate of the divine stock that our precious souls are furnished with.

3. Mortify the corruption of your hearts: cast out intestine enemies, carnal affections. Sin and grace are like two scales, as one goes up, the other goes down, or like two buckets, as the one mounts up full, so the other falls down empty: the more full the heart is of sin, the more empty it is of goodness. Sin is the thief in the candle that dims our light and comfort, it is as dirt in the channel that stops the current of grace. Sin is a great prodigal that wastes a fair revenue; Adam by one fall lost all. Sin is the canker and moth that mars all our enjoyments, it is a pull-back to high attainments, it is the only make-bait between God and the soul, which hinders communion with God and communications from God. The Devil, the world, and the flesh are the soul's mortal and mischievous enemies, but the flesh is nearest and worst, therefore these fleshly lusts are said peculiarly to fight against the soul. Divines distinguish of three sorts of temptations, Ascendant, Objected, and Injected: Ascendant temptations are such as fume up from some stirred humor or lower faculty within us, that borders next upon the sense or affection. Objected temptations are such as reflect from some outward object, baited and suited to the organ. Injected temptations are such as the Tempter immediately affects the faculty itself with; this last proceeds from Satan, the second from the world, but the first from our own hearts, which is of all others most dangerous. Except the wicked one find something in us he can have no advantage against us; our base hearts entertain little thieves within, which open the door to Satan without, that comes to spoil us of our treasure. Therefore take heed of this wily beguiling thing, touch not the forbidden fruit, admit no parley with lust, commit no sin, though however secretly, a secret way of spending has exhausted large estates. Heart-sins dallied with, delighted in, will do your souls a deadly mischief: a privy stab may let out your heart-blood; an unsuspected leak may sink a well-laden ship. And therefore let a Christian say as good Joseph, who might have committed filthiness with his mistress secretly and safely as to man, yet cries out, How shall I do this wickedness and sin against God? O sirs, consider how unsuitable and incongruous it is for a vessel of mercy to admit iniquity, it is as if a cup of gold were filled with men's excrements. O let not your precious souls be filled with the loathsome excrements of sin, remember your dignity and duty, and keep yourselves from an evil matter. Have not any fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, mortify earthly members, possess your vessel in sanctification and honor, purge out filthiness of flesh and spirit, and thereby you will not only maintain, but increase your soul's treasure.

4. Observe the Spirit's pulses and impulses: yield to the genuine motions of God's blessed Spirit, grieve it not, lest it grieve or leave you, it is a delicate thing, and will deal with you as you deal with it. Christ Jesus has left the Holy Ghost to supply his place, and now the Spirit is God's great factor in the world, if it knock at your doors it has a good bargain for you. O slight not such a chapman lest you dally away your market: the Spirit never puts you upon duty, but it calls you to some profit, now it is good making hay when the sun shines, and sailing when you have wind and tide to help you. Take this advantage lest if you miss it, you be left to your own strength, and then what can you do? The Spirit is that gentle nurse, and strengthening hand that helps the infirmities of the dead or daunted child of God in prayer, O refuse not its assistance. The Spirit is that holy fire, that sets the soul in a flame for God, O do not quench it. This Holy Spirit is a queen that comes attended with a goodly train of graces and comforts, called the fruits of the Spirit; and therefore labor you to be filled with the Spirit, and then you have this blessed treasure. It is true you cannot expect it as Christ had it, beyond measure, yet your larger measure will be a treasure, and help you to maintain and increase that heavenly treasure in the heart. The incomes of the Spirit promote renewed acts of grace: as the sea ebbs and flows according to the influence of the heavenly bodies, so does grace in the heart move, according to the operations of the Spirit. The more you yield up yourselves to the guidance of the Spirit, the more you shall feel the assistance of the Spirit. This will be a preservative from sin, a preparative to duty, an evidence of your state, and an entrance into glory. Indeed, then the peace of God as well as the God of peace, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:7), [illegible] shall keep as with a guard in a garrison, that is, shall stand sentinel for you to prevent the furious assaults of your spiritual enemies, and be a safe convoy to the ship of your souls against rocks and sands, storms and pirates, till you come to the haven of heaven. Therefore O you Christians, make much of the Spirit, maintain familiarity with it, and it shall maintain your treasure, keep up intercourse with it, and it shall keep its interest in you. Allies and confederates have the same friends and foes, and if you have the Holy Ghost to take your part, you shall be kept by the power of God, through faith to salvation, if received faith cannot keep you, yet supporting power is able, never did any fall out of the hands of God. Therefore I implore you give up yourselves to the Spirit's guidance, and governance, and it shall be your guard and defense. That God that preserves his people's bones, will preserve their souls, and he that keeps the feet of his saints, will also keep the fruits of his love, in the souls of his servants. And if you thus do, he that is able to keep you from falling, will present you faultless before [reconstructed: the] presence of his glory with exceeding joy (Jude 24).

5. Carefully watch your hearts; though God has undertaken to guard you, yet you are bound to watch your own hearts: that's the command (Proverbs 4:23). Keep your heart with all diligence — in the Hebrew 'tis very full and emphatic, in or above all keepings, take care of your heart: you may and must look to other things, but above all, let your eye be most intent upon, and study be most about the frame of your heart. But why so? What great need of industry about the heart? Why he tells us, out of it are the issues of life — that is, all our treasure is there, our greatest stock and store; if that be neglected, our wealth is exposed to apparent hazard; therefore keep your heart with all diligence, lock up your treasure, and set a guard upon it, admit no strangers into this closet, let not other things make an inroad upon you, or at least a thoroughfare of you: there's no keeping a treasure in a common room. A man that fears his purse in a strange place, has always an eye upon it, dare not let it go out of his sight; in a time of great robbing a stranger suspects everyone, and goes not forth unarmed. O Sirs, consider you are strangers in this earth, many thieves are abroad, they aim at you, they have plundered many of their treasures, and cast down many strong men wounded; therefore look about you, keep strict watch, be not found asleep on the Sentinel, as the ten Virgins, or Christ's own Disciples, but gird up your loins, watch and be sober, and if drowsiness at any time seize on you, rub your eyes, shake off sloth, and awake out of sleep. And when any motions knock at your door, boldly ask who is there? From where do you come? Are you a messenger sent from God, or from Satan? Are you for me, or against me? What's your end or errand? Make your thoughts stand still, and go no further till they have undergone an impartial trial, whether they have a pass and commission under the great seal of Heaven, and be warranted by the Word, and tend to the glory of God, and the soul's eternal good. And though vain thoughts may step into your heart, yet suffer them not to lodge there, for your heart is not your own, you do but keep it for your Lord and Master; there he has laid up a treasure, and if anything be wanting through your default, you cannot give a good account, but be exposed to shame, and grief, and loss. Principally and particularly watch your heart when you are before God in duty; take heed of distractions, diversions, and excursions of spirit from God! These will waste and weaken your treasure, by running out in a wrong channel, and spilling or spoiling the soul's activity, for the narrow shallow spirit cannot mind many things at once. Besides, wandering thoughts are as a dead fly to cause this box of precious ointment to stink and putrefy; these vain cogitations obstruct the operations of grace, and insensibly steal away the affections from God; even dust may hinder the clock from going, as well as dirt. Raise up your affections Heavenwards, center and settle your hearts upon God; say to distractions, as Nehemiah to his enemies, I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down. Or as is told of John the Baptist, who being asked by his companions to play with them, when he was a child, yet answered, I am not born for sport. Thus do you say to your trifling hearts, it is not fit that I should leave the work of God, to attend upon toys; I must mind my business, or I shall go behind in my spiritual trade. That man is in danger to be on the losing hand, that stands gazing at others, or runs playing at football on the market day, when others are busy making bargains, and getting money. O Christians, you either gain something, or lose in every performance; if the heart be not fixed on God, you are on the losing hand. Every thing is beautiful in its season, do what you do with all your might, pray when you pray, work when you work, but let not these things interfere. Set not up any idols in your hearts, drive away that which may interpose between God and your soul, as Abraham drove away the fowls that sat upon the carcasses. The Jewish Rabbis say, that if a serpent bite a man by the heel, while he is at his devotions, he must not stop, nor stoop to shake her off. And heathens have recorded instances of some that have rather suffered their arms or legs to be burnt, with a coal from the Altar, than move while sacrificing. And do not Christians blush upon consideration of their slight occasions of diversion from God in duty? O learn from hence to be more instant and intent in worshiping God, whereby your treasure will be maintained and promoted. That's the fifth.

6. Be most jealous after the sweetest enlargements: there's greatest danger after you have been with God, and loaded your souls with choicest treasures of refreshing incomes. I have observed almost a score of scripture instances of saints' saddest falls, suddenly after God's doing some signal thing for them, or their doing some notable thing for God: and I appeal to experienced souls, if they have not sustained saddest shakings and losses, after the sweetest gains. Dear years usually come after great plenty, a great spending follows a time of gaining, a long journey after a good bait, and a sharp winter after a pleasant summer. God in wisdom usually lets Satan loose, upon such as he has armed to the combat. Paul must have Satan's messenger to buffet him after abundant revelations. Peter acts Satan's part in dissuading Christ from suffering, after he had acted an angel's part in acknowledging him for the Messiah. The French often got that again by craft, that the English had obtained by prowess. And we know in all wars, supine negligence has undone many an army, after famous victories. This Pugna Osculana (as historians call it) is when the conquered gathered strength, and so returned upon the conquerors, when they were dividing the spoils. Just thus does Satan with God's children, when the soul has been with God, and got its vessel well fraught with spiritual riches, then it's in greatest danger of pirates. Then Satan does bestir himself most, his malice and policy takes that as the fittest season to foil and spoil the well-laden soul. And then the soul is most apt to grow secure and carnally confident, and so gives Satan greatest advantage. As a man that has run fast, or worked hard, sits down and cools suddenly, after much sweating does thereby endanger his health, and life too, by a dangerous surfeit. So when the heart has been sweetly warmed with the love of God, and is powerfully chafed in a holy duty, it's then most in danger of a spiritual ague, a chill fit of deadness. For such a one blesses himself, and thinks now he may sit still, and take his ease, and then comes a fall. This is the believer's round, this is his wheeling condition in the world. Peter confesses Christ graciously, then magnifies himself too confidently, then denies his Master shamefully, and at last goes out, and weeps bitterly, and so was kindly received by his loving Master. This, this is the Christian's round, ebbing and flowing state, up-hill and down-hill condition in this howling wilderness. But how sad is it, that a Christian should so soon forget his enlargements? And so soon return into folly, after his heart is broken, and peace is spoken to him? O why should the soul so quickly turn out of the way, wherein so lately it had such encouragements? Why should we give Satan such occasion to bid defiance to the God of Heaven, that his servants will not be hired to continue with him, for all his present rewards, and promises of future happiness? Ah sirs, is there not much reward in keeping God's commandments? Is there not more pleasure in holiness, than any sin? Why should you think to eke out your spiritual delights with sensual pleasures? Think seriously of it, be afraid to stain your milk-white souls, that are newly washed in the blood of the Lamb, by wallowing in the mud of sin. Be ashamed to dishonor God, torment yourselves, gratify your grand enemy, and lose that in an instant, that was so hardly obtained. Be not high minded, but fear, be jealous over yourselves with godly jealousy, rejoice with trembling, cast not off fear, nor restrain prayer before God, keep conscience tender, eyes open and hearts resolved for God. Pray over David's prayer for the continued settlement of those affectionate impressions upon your own hearts (1 Chronicles 29:18). For alas, the best man on earth, is no more than the Lord makes him hourly, we are like a staff, that must fall, if the hand be removed, or a stone that descends, if not carried or cast upwards. If we were as good as Paul or Peter, we should fall foully, without supporting grace. Therefore be jealous of yourselves, after enlargements, and take heed, lest by security, you become a sacrifice to the Devil, as Luther speaks.