Chapter 21: Five More Advantages of Having This Treasure
Five more advantages of having this treasure in the heart.
6. Consider this benefit of this heavenly treasure in the heart of a Christian: that every thing turns to the increase of this stock: it is the strange attractive property of this treasure, that it will fetch in all things to fill it up, and make it greater: like fire, it will turn every thing to its own nature: it is a divine alembic, that can extract pure spirits out of all things, according to that Catholic promise in (Romans 8:28) — We know that all things work together for good — prosperity, adversity, riches, poverty, renown, and ignominy, bondage and liberty, sickness and health, success and disappointment, satanical suggestions, violent temptations and victorious conquests, all work for good. Indeed, some extend this also to corruptions, yet these but accidentally, or being managed by the constant care of a wise, gracious and powerful physician; as poison may be turned into a remedy, or (as they say) the drinking of that wine wherein a viper has been drowned cures the leprosy; even so, God can so husband even the breakings in of temptation, and breakings out of corruption as to make it turn to good, being an occasion of deeper humiliation, and a pin to prick the bladder of spiritual pride, and a spur to promote a holy jealousy and watchfulness, and a means to work in the soul charity and sympathy towards others, to alienate our hearts from this sinning weary world, and endear our hearts to God for pardoning grace, and make us long for a sinless state in glory: these and such-like ends and uses God has and makes of sin, or else he would not suffer this dead body, or rather body of death to haunt the souls of living saints. Our wise God raised a stately structure over the ruins of Adam's fall, or he had never suffered it; God does his servants good by their sins, this uncouth experiment made good Mr. Fox to say, that his graces did him most hurt, and his sins most good, a strange paradox, but a gracious soul knows what this means, that has many a time by divine assistance fetched heaven out of hell, light out of darkness, sweet advantages from sad miscarriages. Sometimes the Christian can say, I had sinned except I had sinned, the furthest way about has proved the nearest way home, God has suffered me to break my bones by falling, that he might set them more strongly. We cannot go to heaven (says an experienced divine) by geometry, we must fetch a compass by the gates of hell, and see what news with Satan, before we be duly humbled, or can relish the promises aright. Yet mistake not, no thanks to sin or Satan for this, but to free grace, that orders all things to the best: do not let any adventure upon sin with such a conceit, for this were to sin that grace may abound, that is the devil's logic and dangerous presumption. But when the Christian has fallen thus, the Lord helps him to improve his falls for spiritual good; but much more all dispensations of providence, sweet and severe, if it go well with the treasured soul, it is drawn nearer to God by these cords of love: if ill, it is whipped further from sin and the world by these scourges of anger; he can fetch a good crop of spiritual fruit out of the barren heath of a wilderness condition; if from outward poverty he gets this advantage, to be poor in spirit, it is a rich gain, and worth a mine of gold: and so of other afflictions. The north wind is sharp and piercing, the south wind soft and cherishing, but both blow good to the Christian, and make his spices flow out, or graces break forth into lively exercises (Song of Solomon 4:16). Yet further, this treasure does in a sort consecrate all states, so that let a man have more or less, he has a sufficient treasure if he has this treasure within, godliness with contentment is not only enough, but gain, indeed great gain: it seasons all things: that man has nothing that wants it, that man that has this wants nothing: wicked men may have much, but godly men have all things. When Jacob and Esau complimented about the present, that Jacob sent to pacify his angry brother, Esau said, I have enough my brother, Jacob also said, I have enough, but in the Hebrew Esau said, I have much, and Jacob says, I have all, or, all things are to me: intimating, that Jacob's treasure was far beyond his brother's, even as the whole is more than the part. There is a secret blessing that attends this hidden treasure, which gives content with want or abundance, and if God sees good he will increase the store. However, a saint's modicum or little, amounts to more than wicked men's multum or large revenues, as the word of truth testifies (Psalm 37:16).
7. This treasure is safe, it is well locked up, and cannot be lost: being confident of this very thing, that he which has begun a good work in you, will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). It is true, an external profession, and mental accomplishments may be lost, but sincere saving graces shall not be lost; it is also true, a saving treasure may be obscured, but cannot be destroyed; indeed it may be weakened, but is never totally wasted. The infinite Jehovah is the keeper of Israel: he that is the portion of your cup, will maintain your lot. It is not so much the truth, nor yet the strength of grace that keeps you from falling, but it is God only who alone is able to keep you from falling, that supports the weak Christian. Received grace will not preserve without assisting grace; faith as a habit, will not carry on the soul to death, or through death, but we are kept by the power of God, through faith to salvation (1 Peter 1:5). The power of God as the efficient cause, faith as the instrument, God keeps faith, and faith keeps the soul steadfast. They that have Mary's part and Mary's spirit, shall never be poor. God will fulfill the desires of them that fear him, and will likewise fulfill the hearts of his saints with a rich treasure. My God, says Paul, shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). It is a mighty full expression, and refers to all wants, spiritual as well as physical. Our heavenly father gives his travelling children a sufficient stock to bear their charges through the world, and discharge every debt of duty to God and man, in some measure of sincerity. This is that two-pence with which the good Samaritan furnished the wounded man, as some allegorize. It is true some saints live at high rates, in great expense, in costly duties, but this very chargeable living in high and hard exercises, and enterprises of self-denial, do much increase the Christian's store. A Christian is no loser, but a gainer by flesh-displeasing performances: the more strength you lay out for God, the more you fetch in. This is one means to keep a spiritual treasure from being lost. Neither men nor devils can deprive you of it; you may take up blessed Paul's bold and triumphant challenge (Romans 8:35): Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? All the powers of darkness cannot loosen this knot between a precious savior and a gracious soul. The covenant is ordered in all things and sure, it contains the sure mercies of David, it is a covenant of salt (Isaiah 54:10). The mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed, but my kindness shall not depart from you, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, says the Lord, that has mercy on you. Grace is the seed of God that abides forever, God may repent of bestowing common gifts, but these saving gifts and this holy calling are without repentance. All the motions and commotions in the world cannot rob the believing soul of its treasure; those flames that shall burn the world cannot dissolve, but rather cement and solder the blessed union of a saint to his savior. The treasured Christian may stand upon the world's ruins, and say, I have nothing of all this huge heap to lose, I shall not be a mite poorer for the stupendous conflagration of this goodly fabric. Let brutish worldlings weep and wail over their fair houses, large demesnes, full bags, numerous cattle, and gorgeous attire, I am rich still, as rich as ever I was, and some richer, for what I had in hope and expectation, I have now in full enjoyment and possession. Augustine sweetly discourses concerning one Paulinus bishop of Nola, who prayed thus, (having lost a great estate by the invasion of the barbarians) Lord, I shall not be troubled for silver or gold, for where my all is, you know. For says Augustine, there he had his all, where he had warned him to lay it, who had forewarned the world of these approaching evils. A little after, he says that some were tortured by the barbarians to discover their riches, but says he, nec prodere nec perdere potuerunt bonum [reconstructed: quo ipsi] boni erant; they could neither betray nor lose that good by which they themselves were good; that was their graces and virtues. Oh sirs, what would you give to have your estates secured in a losing, plundering, desolating day? Here is an insuring office, the God of heaven will secure the well-laden ship, that it shall come safe to shore. Certainly this is a rich privilege in a day when we can be sure of nothing, that, that only that can make us happy, that and nothing else can be made sure.
8. God knows and owns that treasure which sometimes is hid from the possessor: this is a sweet consideration (Colossians 3:3); our life is hid with Christ in God, that is, sometimes it is hid from our own eyes, as well as from the eyes of others, but still it is hid with God, and he that hid, can find; saints are called God's hidden ones, and their life is hidden, both in respect of safety, secrecy, and obscurity. A Christian may have more of God in him, than he knows of; it's one thing to have grace, another to know that we have grace; a Child of God may have the seed and root of holiness, yet lack the bud and blossom of actual comfort. A sincere soul has always the solid foundation for, yet may at sometimes be without the actual possession of divine consolations; sometimes God withdraws the light of his countenance, and leaves the soul in darkness and desertion, he often suspends that act of the spirit, which may evidence the soul's interest and sincerity; sometimes the Christian is lazy, and uses not God's appointed means to beget assurance: or by thinking of more comfort, than God is willing to impart, may deny what he has: or by entertaining some beloved lust, or by the prevalence of melancholy, or impotency of natural parts, this treasure may be hid from the eyes of the believer himself. These and other reasons divines have laid down as causes of Christians' lack of comfort or assurance. Every saint knows this by too sad experience that he is often at a loss, and cannot tell what to make of his condition, he has his nights as well as days, a nipping winter as well as a flourishing summer. The sap of grace may retreat into the root, the herbs and flowers, and plants may shrink and disappear, and this goodly new creation may droop and lose its glorious verdure, yet life may be there, a summer may come at the return of the year, when the glorious Sun of Righteousness shall reflect beauty upon these hidden graces, and draw them forth into lively fruits of gospel obedience, whereby the saint shall live again, and know that he lives, believe, and know that he believes. In the mean time, while such a soul does walk in darkness and see no light, let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay himself upon his God, let him even cast anchor in the dark, and repose his troubled heart upon the Rock of Ages. Faith is a venture, and you must venture your all in this — use God's appointed means for obtaining comfort, improve free grace, study the promises, awake your graces, recollect experiences, renew your repentance, walk close with God, be importunate at the throne of grace, and certainly joy and comfort will spring forth speedily. Peace is the usual result of the exercise of grace, and as the striking of flint and steel together produces fire, so the lively acting of sincere grace, upon its proper object, begets the light and heat of joy and warmth. Indeed it is the observation of a good divine, that the comfort of letting out our hearts to God, is a greater comfort, than any comfort we can have in receiving anything from God. But this is sure, if you have a treasure of graces, God will in due time give you a treasure of comforts; and if he does not fill you with joy and peace in believing, yet he will maintain his interest in you, and keep you from fainting, if you have not spiritual suavities, you shall have secret sustentation, if your state be not sweet, yet it shall be sure, his grace shall be sufficient for you, and that's equivalent to the mercy desired, and the less comfort you have in the way, the more you shall have in the end. And it matters not much whether comfort come an hour before death, or an hour after, since it will certainly come, as a Man of God once said. In the mean time, approve your hearts to God, he searches the hearts, and knows what you are and have, though neither yourselves nor others know it, he sees how your principles lie within you, and knows, that is, approves the way of the righteous, and though your way be troublesome, yet your end shall be peace. And though you may be ready to misjudge your state and acts, in a hurry of temptation, yet your happiness does not depend upon your account of yourselves, but upon God's account of you in Christ. A gracious [reconstructed: soul] may not know the acts of faith, yet may be satisfied of the object of faith; he cannot say sometimes, I know that I do sincerely believe, but yet may say, I know in whom I have believed, and desire again to believe. The good soul may say, I know not how things are with me, I have lost myself in a thicket of cares and fears, yet I put my hand into his that knows the way, and can lead me out, and let him see to the safe landing of my soul in that haven of rest, and to the lodging of it in the bosom of Abraham, that in tender care of it, shed his precious blood for it. This is the next head, God will own this hidden treasure.
9. A treasured soul has a treasure in heaven, and indeed his best treasure is above: for this treasure in the heart is the counterpart of a treasure in the heavens: these are always conjoined. Never is any soul brought up to heaven, but first God brings down heaven into it; God furnishes the soul by the operations of his grace, and then takes possession of it by the earnest of his spirit, before he fills it with glory (2 Corinthians 5:5). Have you a treasure laid up in your heart? That's the first fruits of a larger vintage; light is sown for the righteous, and (I may say) in the hearts of the righteous, if gracious treasures are laid up in the temple of your souls, glorious things are laid up in the new Jerusalem for you, such things as eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor heart conceived. Happy are you, oh poor soul, or rather rich soul, poor in this world, rich in faith, and heir of a kingdom, indeed of the kingdom. You may both sigh and smile at the mad and frantic world, that weary themselves for very vanity, that torment themselves in caring and toiling for an earthly treasure; which when obtained, does rather beget torment than content, and leads at last to final desperation. It is recorded of Stigandus Archbishop of Canterbury that he lived very poorly, saying and swearing that he had nothing, no not a penny: yet by a key fastened about his neck, was found great treasures after his death, which he had hid under the ground. But alas that key would not open heaven's gates, nor would that treasure purchase glory, but the believing soul has his treasure above, and by faith he has interest in the Lord Jesus, who has indeed the Key of David, and is already entered into the Holiest, and has set heaven's gates wide open to his purchased and prepared ones, and he is gone to prepare a place for them. Oh Sirs, fear not, you that have grace shall not miss of glory, as your flesh is in heaven, so heaven is in your flesh, as it were; he will open the gates of glory to those that opened their hearts to receive the King of Glory. The treasure of grace raises the heart to this treasure above, and lays up provision for an eternal state, this stream runs to that ocean, and shall at last be swallowed up therewith, where there is fullness of joy and pleasures for evermore. And let this excite all persons to hoard up a treasure in their hearts and in heaven, which neither moth nor rust can corrupt, nor thief break through and steal it. Alas, poor creatures, if you get a treasure in the world, what will you do for a treasure when you must be gone from here? Your earthly treasures will not purchase eternal happiness, you cannot always live here; therefore lay up in store for yourselves a good foundation against the time to come, that you may lay hold of eternal life (1 Timothy 6:19). Make friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when these fail, you may be received into everlasting habitations (Luke 16:9). Like that provident King of the Spartans, who observing the people to dethrone their kings at the years' end, and thrust them into a foreign isle to live in misery, did not ruffle it out in that prodigality wherein his predecessors lived for one year, but sent a great estate before him into that country where he was to be banished, that he might live comfortably when he was degraded. Just thus must the wise and gracious Christian do, provide in the enjoyment of all things for a day of darkness in the want of all things: as time is the seedbed of eternity, so the soul is to lay up here for an eternal state hereafter. Blessed is that soul that is found with these treasures in his heart, a Crown of Righteousness is laid up for those in whose hearts is found the work of righteousness, and upon whose backs is found the robes of righteousness: let such bless God for grace, and long for glory.
10. Consider yet further, treasures of glory are proportioned to treasures of grace in the heart: it is true, they that have least glory in Heaven shall want none, yet withal, it is very likely there shall be degrees of happiness, and they that have had most grace shall have most glory; my reason is, because grace does widen and capacitate the soul for larger revenues of glory: many vessels of great and small quantity cast into the Ocean are all full, but some hold more, and others less, such is the immense and inconceivable happiness of the saints above, that all shall have all, and none shall want anything to complete their felicity: as it is impossible for a soul to be in Heaven and not be happy, so there shall be no nook nor corner of a glorified soul, but it shall be filled with happiness: these clean vessels shall be filled with this new wine of glory: God shall be all in all, all good to all souls, and in all souls, indeed, such is the vast and infinite Ocean of glory that they shall enter into their Master's joy, not it into them (though they shall be as full of it as their hearts can hold): Oh how shall they bathe themselves in those rivers of pleasures? The mind shall be full of light, the will of holiness, and the affections of ravishment and satisfaction, when we awake we shall be satisfied with his image (Psalm 17:15). Nor shall there be any envying one another's happiness, (though one star differ from another in glory) but everyone shall bear his part in the lower or higher praises of God, (as one says) with a harmonious variety in perfect symphony: certainly that unfading crown of glory shall be as weighty upon every saint's head, as he is able to bear, though that weight shall be their delight, nothing is heavy in its proper element, and Heaven is the proper element of the spirits of just men made perfect. Hence it is said, the four beasts (that is, the community of the faithful) rest not day nor night, praising God (Revelation 4:8). Yet their work is their rest, only some have an instrument of six, some of eight, others sing praise to God upon an instrument of ten strings, having more enlarged faculties fitted to that angelic duty: it may seem that as there are degrees of torments in hell (for it will be more tolerable for some than for others) so there will be degrees of happiness in Heaven, by the rule of contraries: for, says Beza, that Scripture of sowing and reaping sparingly, and liberally, in 2 Corinthians 9:6, refers not only to charity and temporal advantages, but piety and eternal incomes: Thus does Calvin interpret it also; and the Parable of the Talents, whose reward was proportionable to their improvement (Luke 19:16-18). It is true, parabolic divinity is not argumentative, yet the main scope of a Parable has a demonstration in it, and it may seem probable that those whom God honors with most grace, and that honor God with most service and suffering should be most honored with glory: but nothing of merit in all this, for giving Heaven as wages for work is an act of commutative justice, but what equality is there between finite services and infinite glory? None at all, no, no, eternal life is the gift of God: let proud Papists say, they will not have Heaven gratis, let the real saint look upon Gospel blessings as fruits of free grace, and the city above as built all of this free stone, and the way paved there with the meritorious blood-shed of our dear Redeemer; and whether there be degrees of glory, or no, be sure the treasured soul shall have his share, and we shall best be able to resolve this question by experience; vision and fruition will be the best determination. Now these great things are riddles and mysteries to us, because we look but through a glass darkly, we have but faint emblems and poor glimpses of that glory which shall be revealed, but then we shall see God as he is, and know all things fit for creatures to be acquainted with, a thousand of these hard knots shall be untied, and our souls fully irradiated with the beams of divine light.
