Chapter 19: Bringing Forth Good Things from This Treasure

A fourth head of directions, instructing the Christian in bringing forth good things out of this good treasure.

There remains yet another part of this directory. How a good man is to bring forth good things out of the good treasure of the heart: in the explication, this has been largely insisted upon, that a Christian must lay out, and make use of his treasure in the great duties of meditation, religious performances, spiritual conferences, and in doing, and enduring much for God: no more of them: I shall only add something of the manner of improving this treasure, in the fore-mentioned duties.

A Christian's treasure must be drawn out — 1. Speedily. 2. Seasonably. 3. Sincerely. 4. Suitably.

1. The Christian is to bring forth things new, as well as old; lately obtained, as well as long since hoarded: you are to improve truths at the first rebound: many good convictions, conceptions, impressions are lost for want of speedy use; and many souls are undone by neglect and delay: (Proverbs 12:27) The slothful man roasts not that which he took in hunting, that is, he lets it lie by, and mar upon his hands, he takes pains to hunt for it, but will not take pains to roast it, that meat is best, that is fresh and new, and quickly used, it is but a folly to keep it till it be old and good for nothing: O how many such sluggards are there in spiritual matters! How many have I seen travel far to hear a sermon, and be affected under it, yet lose all before they come home, for want of following it home! Many hunt after the means of grace, and take abundance of pains to run to ordinances, (which is to be commended) but alas, make little improvement thereof, to their present advantage: their hearts were full of desires before, and of delight under the droppings of the sanctuary, but in a little time, these things grow stale, and by degrees wear out, for want of a sudden improvement: The Jews were not to keep any of the manna, till the morrow, if they did, it stank, and God's people must not so lay up the Word, as to neglect the present use thereof, for that will hinder the operation thereof; Many a choice notion is lost for want of rubbing it up in a speedy recognition: many a powerful conviction of sin and duty dies, for want of speedy observation and application: the preacher lays on the plaster, but the wound is not cured, except it be kept on by the soul's voluntary consideration; When blossoms are knit, though the flourish be gone, yet they are more secured from injury, by frosts, and winds, than before, good motions speedily brought into act, are knit, and have a due consistency, and settled continuance: O sirs, your work is not done, when public ordinances are at an end, you must (as the well-bred Bereans) try by Scripture what you hear, and see how it suits your case; A man will try a pair of gloves or shoes, how they fit him, when he first receives them, and use them afterwards, as he has occasion: and will not Christians honor the Word so far? David can do nothing with the armor that he had not proved, nor can you manage that Word that does not fit you, therefore you must first prove, then approve, and then improve truths, as you have occasion: Indeed, you must take the first season you can for it, as soon as you come home, draw out this treasure, lest a day's neglect wear it out, and so you have heard and believed in vain, as the Apostle's hearers, who was like him, that looked his natural face in a glass, and then quite forgets his own physiognomy, and then the Word is as water spilt upon the ground: Remembrance has in it apprehension, reposition, retention, and production; as a man takes a shaft in his hand, puts it in his quiver, retains it there a season, and when he would recreate himself, draws it out again, just so is treasuring any thing in the memory; The end of laying up is laying out, only let not our hearts be as leaking vessels to let slip what we hear, but let us lay hold on, lay up, and lay out for our own and others good: The best help to preserve, is to improve truths: speedy exercise helps to spiritual dexterity: speculation will never make a man an artist, a few hours practice, will do more than many days contemplation, and set on the work early, the next opportunity make it appear what you got from God the last season of grace: Let your deeds speak what David in words professes, (Psalm 119:56) This I had because I kept your precepts, so in such a conflict, let your practice and success say, this I got from God in such a duty, this I had in such an ordinance, this is by the sweet help I had in such a performance, methinks I feel the virtue of that repast: O what good will this do you? It will excite thankfulness, engage you to the like performance, accustom you to this divine trade of fetching from God and acting for God: This is the first direction, make speedy use of spiritual profit, draw out the treasure speedily.

2. Seasonably: all things are beautiful in their season, though you must draw out of your treasure speedily, yet not unseasonably — you must not be so hasty as to be preposterous; let your summer fruits be also ripe grapes. A Christian must learn to time all his actions and expressions; circumstances much vary cases, so that what may be a duty at one time is not so at another. Divines lay down this rule in expounding the Commandments: negatives bind at all times, and to all times; affirmatives bind at all times, yet not to all times. Brotherly admonition is a Christian duty, yet it is not a duty to reprove a man when he is drunk, or in a passion. Here Christian prudence interposes, and is of singular use. Though David was full of a treasure of holy thoughts, yet he knew there was as well a time to keep silence as a time to speak; therefore he kept his lips with a bridle while the wicked were present (Psalm 39:1). David here did not bind himself to perpetual silence, but to a constant watch. So we must consider when speaking may do good, and when hurt. Our Lord Jesus knew how to speak a word in season, and though he was always full of a heavenly treasure, yet sometimes he answered not a word, and waived doing a good work until he saw a fitter season, that God might be more glorified, souls edified, and his designs furthered. Some companies at some times may not be fit for holy discourses, and we must not cast pearls before swine, lest instead of receiving them, they tear us. A wise man's heart discerns time and judgment, says Solomon; and a godly man brings forth fruit in due season, says David (Proverbs 25:11). A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver — in Hebrew it is a word spoken upon its wheels; fit times are wheels to carry words at greater advantage. There is a nick of time, into which, if a word or work fall, it becomes sweet and successful; and because most men miss of this, their misery is great upon them. Ambrose observes that very many by speaking, scarce any by keeping silence fall into sin — and quotes the Son of Sirach, saying, a wise man will first spy his opportunity before he opens his mouth — and concludes, let your words be under the yoke and balance, that is, in humility and measure, and so your tongue shall be subject to your mind. Thus he. So also for self-conference, as well as discourse with others, you should draw out truths, and press them seasonably upon your own consciences — threatenings, and promises, precepts and prophecies. Oh what stead may these stand you in? To check for sin, or to cheer your hearts in the ways of God, to curb or conduct you in your motion, they may come in opportunely — as Abigail to David — to prevent a rash attempt, to rouse up your drowsy or drooping spirits, calm your quarrelsome or troubled hearts. How seasonable was Augustine's "take up and read," putting into his hands a fitting and pertinent Scripture, and effecting his ends thereby? Do you awaken your own spirits, call to remembrance your experiences and comforts at a dead lift, as David did in a like case (Psalm 77), and the Spirit of God will bring truths also to your remembrance in a fit juncture of time (John 14:26). And certainly, in those dubious workings and ambiguous debates between the carnal and spiritual part, seasonable thoughts carry it and cast the scales for God — a small grain may help to preponderate in an equal poise; Christians know what this means. O what good has a seasonable thought done many a sinking soul? On the contrary, unseasonable thoughts (though good in their own nature) have much prejudiced and distracted the soul — as when a Christian is at prayer, to have a motion to read or meditate; when hearing, to confer, etc. This is to make religious duties to interfere; God's Spirit is a Spirit of order, and this is not a methodical or seasonable bringing forth, or laying out of this treasure. All divines conclude that thoughts, though about good objects, if they be impertinent become vain thoughts, and weaken the worship of God. Take heed of those, but nourish pertinent thoughts, and make seasonable use of this heart-treasure. That's the second.

3. Sincerely, be upright in your layings out, my meaning is, make show of no more than indeed you have, profess not to have that to which you never attained: take heed of hypocrisy, there are many forth-putting professors, that talk of many things they understand not, that brag of many truths, graces, comforts and experiences, which they never felt in their own hearts, like the false prophets, that are said to steal the word every one from his neighbor: So, many steal phrases, passages, and observations, that they glean up from other Christians, which they know nothing of, but learn them by rote, and speak them like a parrot: these are just like some scholars that pretend to much learning, and acquaintance with many books, which they never saw, and though they talk much, yet if they be well-sounded, are found very shallow. Herein appears a great difference between a child of God, and a hypocrite, the latter cares not how good he makes men believe he is: the former is jealous, lest others should think too well of him, and is afraid he shall fail their expectation: his heart is broken with this one thought, that he is not such a one as Christians account him to be, he has not such a treasure as men think he has: O thinks the poor soul, by my discourses, prayers, carriage, I have given occasion to my dear friends to imagine that there is more good in me than indeed there is, they see the better side, but God and my conscience know much rottenness in these garnished tombs: this made Mr. Bradford subscribe his name with the epithet of a very painted hypocrite. Nay, this is it that lays many a good soul under a temptation, not to appear well to others, lest his treasure within him should not answer, or bear out his prayers or professions: though that may be a temptation, yet it is a good token of sincerity, when a good report even of the truth itself, does promote self-abasing humility. But that I urge to, is uprightness in words and works, let your heart and tongue be tied together, rather be good than seem good, approve your heart to God, that your praise may not be of men, but of God, profess to be what you are, and be what you profess: be sure you have that within you, which you pretend to. Uprightness is a good means to evidence and increase your treasure (Proverbs 28:10). The upright shall have good things in possession. Alas, sirs, what will fair words, and a false heart advantage you? Fine flourishes and a filthy inside will render you odious: groundless brags end in woeful disgrace; God knows what you have, and men shall know in time (Proverbs 29:23). Burning lips and a wicked heart, are like a potsherd covered with silver dross: this gilded earth makes a fair show of seeming zeal, but alas, he shall be detected, his wickedness shall be shown before the congregation, verse 26. Some men's religion is like pepper, hot in the mouth, but cold in the stomach: or like a man in a fever, whose face and outward parts burn, but his heart shakes and quivers for cold: and oh what zeal have some in external profession? but alas, want either a principle at all, or at least want that treasure or measure of grace they pretend to. Doctor Hall tells of one, that said, it is good to inure the mouth to speak well, for good speech is many times drawn into affection: But, said he, I would fear that speaking well without feeling, were the next way to draw a man to habitual hypocrisy. But let me earnestly persuade all to sincerity and simplicity, for as Bernard said, of two imperfect things, it is better to have a holy rusticity, than an offending eloquence — If our intention be upright toward God, our work will not be dark and dangerous in God's account; but they that are not chaste by righteousness, cannot be innocent by simplicity.

4. Draw out of your treasure suitably, that is, not only acting answerably to what you have within, that your layings out be not more than your layings up, which was the last head. But you must produce holy actions, expressions in some degree proportionable — to God's — 1. Vouchsafed means, 2. Appointed ends:

1. Let your treasure within, and performances without be suitable to your receipts and advantages: where God lays out much, he looks for much, the more pains he takes, the more fruit he expects: You must bring forth good fruit, and much fruit that you may glorify God, and edify others. Wicked men express a prodigious contrariety to the Lord's tillage, but godly men should not express any disparity between their receipts and returns: enclosed grounds must not be like the barren wilderness; God's garden should be more fruitful than the common field: trees of God's planting and watering, are not to be like the trees of the forest: well-tilled souls should abound in fruits of righteousness. The Scripture compares the church to a vineyard, and particular souls to vine-trees that must bring forth grapes: and indeed a vine is good for nothing if it be not fruitful: not so much as to make a pin of, to hang a vessel upon. Now let us consider, if God have not done as much for his vineyard among us as for that in Isaiah 5, and have not our returns been parallel to theirs? the most part have brought forth wild grapes, the best have not brought forth full grapes, ripe grapes, at least not sweet grapes, but legal acts of too too constrained obedience: Have not God's children often rather acted from a spirit of bondage, than of liberty? Well now, God has a controversy with his vine, justly may he command the clouds to rain no more upon it, nay, he will cast the wild vines into eternal fire, and his own chosen vines into the fiery furnace of sharp affliction: therefore be fruitful, bring forth abundantly, answer God's call and cost, as the heavens hear the earth in sending down fructifying showers, and the earth hears the inhabitants in bringing forth abundant fruits, so let us bring forth much fruit, hear we the Lord's summons, and echo back answerable fruitfulness to the droppings of the sanctuary and the sweet showers of divine grace. The fruits you are to bring forth are those fruits of the Spirit, mentioned in Galatians 5:22. Love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, these fruits are our proficiency, as Bernard speaks, and God accounts our proficiency to be as his own fruits: that is the former, answer the means.

2. Answer God's designed and appointed ends: that is, God's glory, and the edification of your own and others' souls: Be not self-seeking, but self-denying in all your layings out, else 'tis a sign you are barren, and you lose your labor; Israel is but an empty vine, if he bring forth fruit to himself (Hosea 10:1). The vine of Eshcol will commend the land of Canaan; clusters of ripe grapes will glorify God, the chief husbandman, and evidence the fatness of the soil, even the courts of our God, gospel-ordinances: God takes himself to be glorified by our bringing forth much fruit, and is it not a blessed thing to be an instrument to glorify God? This was the end of our creation, of our redemption, of all the motions and operations of the sanctifying Spirit; awake therefore to much fruit-bearing, and let [reconstructed: God's] glory be the main thing in your eye and aim: Let the observant Christian that takes care of the vineyard of his own soul reap some comfort, but let our Solomon (Jesus Christ the Prince of peace) have the thousand pieces of silver, all the glory to himself, to whom only it belongs: A Christian must speak the language of his mother, not to us, not to us, but to your name be the praise, for God will not give his glory to another: Herod was eaten with worms, because he made a fine oration, and gave not God the glory; it's gross sacrilege to ascribe anything to ourselves: let him that glories glory in the Lord; If you be called to make a confession of your faith, and to produce your treasure before courts, and judgment-seats, speak out, be not afraid of men, or ashamed of the gospel, yet take those two rules with you (1 Peter 3:15). In the middle of the verse you have a profession required, in the beginning and the end, there's the dispositions necessary. 1. Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, there's the principle and end, see that you have grace, and do it to God's glory. 2. Be ready to give an answer with meekness and fear, there's the manner, cheerfulness, humility, without vain-boasting or ostentation. Some may speak confidently, and carry it highly, even to suffering for a good cause, and yet be the devil's martyrs, by seeking to get a repute among men, or to bear up an opinion, or please a faction, or gratify a humor, or merit something at the hands of God; the end makes or mars the action: Vain-glory spoils great achievements: yet it's a miserable thing to bear the cross, and not to follow Christ. So I may say of prayer, almsgiving, or mortifying acts, or any other excellent ways of laying out of a treasure, if they be only to be seen of men, the work is as if it were not done, and the doer in danger to be undone. Another subordinate end is, our own soul's good, and the good of others, I do all things, says Paul, for your edification, so must we. God has interwoven his glory and the good of souls, so nearly that they are both promoted together: You must make God's glory the ultimate end of all your actions and expressions in all things natural, as eating, and drinking: Civil, in buying and selling, and spiritual in praying and conferring. Take that notable text in (1 Peter 4:10-11) — As every man has received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God — that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.