Chapter 20: The Necessity and Excellency of Having This Treasure

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 labor to attain to it, and obtain it. And for the better urging this, I shall further illustrate the usefulness 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 God's workmanship, called [illegible] (Ephesians 2:10). It is a word that's nowhere else used, it signifies an artificial facture, fabric or structure, that notable artifice, wherein the God of Heaven showed singular care and skill, as well 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; 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 Christian's greatest glory, is, in what he is Godward: gracious souls are truly precious, and such as are precious in God's sight are honorable, and of more worth than the richest princes, and largest kingdoms. Well may they be the Lord's jewels, that have a treasure of jewels locked up in their breasts: these precious sons of Zion are comparable to fine gold, though men esteem them as earthen pitchers. It is true, they seem to be of little worth to the outward view of a carnal eye, like their dear Redeemer, of whom it is said by his despisers, he has no form nor comeliness, and when we shall 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 find them all glorious within. The servants of God are like to the Tabernacle under the law, whose outside was rams skins, goats hair, and badgers skins, coarse stuff, but the inside was gold, silver, precious stones, and curious workmanship. Just so are the saints, compared therefore to the Tents of Kedar, to the Curtains of Solomon (Song of Solomon 1:5). The word Kedar does signify blackness, and Kedarens (Ishmael's second son's posterity) dwelt in tents made of haircloth; 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 believer's 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, says the text, as the Curtains of Solomon. Take but another familiar resemblance, suppose you see an earthen pot full of gold, let him that only sees the outside, and knows not what's within, be asked the price thereof, possibly he will 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 sum of money, nor must the whole be rated, according to the poor facing, but rich lining. A Christian has 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, appears, he shall appear with him in glory. The saints here are as princes, walking in disguise in a strange country, and it does not yet appear, who or what they are, but God has his time to unveil their glory, and reveal their excellency. The pearl cannot be found, till the shell of the fish be broken, and when these vile bodies are turned to dust, then this precious treasure shall be made manifest. O the excellency of a poor child of God, it would make him holily proud to consider what he is, the honor God has 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 has a monopoly of the best commodities, a rich magazine 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 says of the saints, of whom the world was not worthy, they are too good to breathe in this dirty air, and shall be translated to Heaven. Here I might far exceed bounds, for a close take brave Luther's character of a saint, he is, says he, a child 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 cheered therefore, O you trembling Christian, be provoked O you careless soul to look after a large treasure, who would not be of this number? I think it should excite all rational and intelligent creatures to a holy covetousness and ambition to be filled with these treasures, and to be clothed 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 will make him both company and melody. A Christian cannot be banished 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 has God in his mind, separate God from a child 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 has Heaven in his heart, has no cause of shame or terror. 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 yourselves. And of himself, he can say as Paul, I am ready, not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem, for the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 21:13). God has laid in a treasure in his heart, and he is willing to lay it out, whichever way the Lord shall 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 wonderfully enlarged, and these advantages countervail the smart of the affliction. This is a holy merchandise, says 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 (Hebrews 10:34). Observe it, they know in themselves, that is, 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 tell 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 Hebrews 11, and follow that blessed army of martyrs, that fruitful cloud of witnesses, and fear not man, for you shall be gainers in the result of all. A treasured soul is still 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 well as edified whatever the Lord does 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, the discourse was for the most part frothy, and beneath the dignity of such an argument. After the 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 has provided for them that love him? And then readily picked out all those passages that were any way subservient to use and profit. It was wonderful to me, says Mr. Manton, to see a holy heart could draw comfort out of anything. The sermon as Mr. Jurdain repeated to me, says he, was another kind of sermon, and seemed to be savory and spiritual. I remember with what warmth, and vigor he spoke of it, even till this day, and hope that I shall 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 saints for noble enterprises: the people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits (Daniel 11:32). When 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 will own you to do much for him, and you shall glorify God in suffering much for him. Paul's vessel was well 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 mere man did more for God than blessed Paul? Who ever traveled over so much of the world to preach the Gospel, as this unwearied Apostle? He preached all along from Jerusalem round about to Illyricum, which is, says Pareus, Sclavonia, in Europe, in a direct line 350 German miles: but he went [illegible] in a circuit, visiting circumjacent places to preach the Gospel. Indeed, a good author reckons up Paul's travels in the Lord's work to be above ten thousand miles, so that he may be called, as George Eagles, that good martyr in Queen Mary's days, Trudge-over-the-World, for he labored more abundantly than all the rest. And from where was it that Paul was in labors more abundant? It was because he had a large stock to expend, a well-furnished head and heart, and the Lord made his labors 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 trial and brings them off victorious. It was a fine speech of Queen Elizabeth's, when she was locked up close in the Tower, desiring God not to suffer her to lay her foundation upon the sands, but upon the rock, whereby all blasts of blustering weather might not prevail against her. To which she added, The skill of a pilot is unknown but in a tempest, the valor of a captain is unseen but in a battle, and the worth of a Christian is unknown but in a trial and temptation. This earthly globe, O Lord, is but a theater on which you have placed us, to get some proof from here 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, a head and heart full of Scripture truths and saving graces — will be able to vanquish the proud Goliath, or chief spiritual adversary. How did simple women encounter and conquer the learned doctors in the Marian days? The subtlest Jesuits have been puzzled and nonplussed with the solid answers of savory Christians. That precious promise is sweetly performed to God's children (Matthew 10:19-20), dictating to them what they must speak, the reason there given is, the Spirit of your Father speaks in you. Indeed, 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 taste of wonders, when Romanus (that noble martyr) had by the tormentors his tongue plucked up by the roots, he praised God, and said, He that speaks of Christ shall never want a tongue. When his cheeks were sorely rent with knives, he said, I thank you, O captain, that you have opened to me many mouths to preach my Lord Christ. So it is 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 ate about his hand, which kept fast closed, he singing, blessed be the Lord my God, which teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight, etc. 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 glorify God, silence the wicked, and comfort your hearts. I know it is the discouraging fear of trembling souls, if God calls me to sharp encounters, I shall deny my Lord, betray his truths, reveal my weakness. But poor Christian, fear not, God's grace shall be sufficient for you, your little strength shall do wonders, if you have a right treasure within, it will appear to others' amazement, and beyond your own expectation. Oh for such a treasure as is before described!

4. A treasured soul is God's delight; a full treasure in the heart, of the good things of heaven is the pleasure of the Almighty: God takes delight among the sons of men, and among men the believer's heart is the Lord's highest throne, next to that in the highest heavens: and among 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 Savior a sumptuous feast, and gives him a cheerful invitation. So in Solomon's Song (Song of Solomon 4:16), she says, "Let my Beloved come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits," that is, let him enjoy content in the fruits of his own free grace; he has provided himself a sacrifice, a feast, let the graces of the Spirit delight and solace the heart of the Author, no sooner does she invite him, but he comes (Song of Solomon 1), and gathers his myrrh with his spices, and eats his honeycomb with his honey. That is, he reaps the graces and duties of the sincere soul, with as much delight as the grape-gatherers or husbandmen reap their fruits in the vineyard or field: Oh with what pleasure does the Lord accept the holy actings of a treasured saint! But he contemns the costly sacrifices of a graceless soul: he cares not for their thousands of rams or ten thousands of rivers of oil; no, a soul stored with graces is better than a house full of sacrifices; the honeycomb of human 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 mere comb of duties though artfully 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 of Solomon 7:13) — "At our gates are all manner of pleasant fruits, new and old, which I have laid up for you, 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'll bid him welcome upon all occasions, I will walk closely in my family sighing out blessed David's option, O when will you come to me! I will get upon my knees in my closet, and there I'll seek, and shall find my Father that sees in secret; I will go to his table and partake of his holy Supper, and while the king sits at his table, my spikenard sends forth the smell thereof; my bruised spices, my exercised graces shall be as pleasant odors to him, he will smell a sweet savor to my sacrifices, and my prayers and praises shall be set before him as incense, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. It is not everyone's happiness 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-furnished Christian: ordinarily, he that has the greatest treasure has 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 it's brought forth to them that use grace (see Psalm 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 (Matthew 2:11), they opened their treasures, and presented to him gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh, 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, and their souls fainting; a treasured Christian has good commons: for the Christian thus stocked has laid up that which stands him in stead in an evil day: it is true, a famine of the Word is an afflictive judgment to a child of God; ordinances are to the saints their glory, and the excellency of their strength, the desire of their eyes, and that which their souls do pity, the want of the word for a season does more grieve them, than the total loss does affect wicked men: though it concern them more, for God's 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 always 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, for God is where these are: the flowing rivers of living water, that are in the true believer's belly, and the hidden manna will make a good meal, when God himself sits at the table; they that cannot go to public assemblies may find the Lord's presence a little sanctuary, he is everywhere to be found, and can make amends in private for want of public liberty: the word opened and applied 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 a habit of Scripture knowledge and self-conference, preach to himself in the want of other preachers? Certainly an able Christian, at full age may digest strong meat though he carve for himself: one leaf of the Bible was in Luther's account worth a world; much more all a Christian's treasure whereby he is enabled to improve Scriptures: histories and tradition tell us of some good Christians, who in dark times having got a few leaves of the Bible, ran 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 God's children may seek and see God's face in private communion of saints, in conference, prayer, and praise, God may make it a 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 glass of public ordinances. I speak not this to derogate from public, it is to be preferred where God grants liberty, and where God withdraws, the want of open vision is much to be lamented, we are to be sorrowful for breaking up of solemn assemblies, and mourn sore when the gates of Zion mourn: but this I speak, when by persecution public 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, what shall they do that want the opportunity of frequenting the public ordinances? He answers, such must travel abroad, and seek far and near for them, but if they cannot find them, they must exercise themselves in religious duties at home, because, says he, the kingdom of God is within them, and because the word without the sacraments may be the power of God to salvation — and he further adds, 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! It is surely worth something to have light and plenty in a time of darkness and scarcity.