Chapter 22: Objections Answered and the Exhortation Urged

Some objections answered, and the exhortation urged.

But here come in many doubting souls with their several sad complaints and self-puzzling objections.

1. Alas, says one, I fear I have no such treasure as here is described, for I have a very ignorant head, and therefore an empty heart, these treasures enter in by the door and window of knowledge, but I know nothing yet as I ought to know; I cannot conceive aright of one truth, and how should I then have a treasure of truths?

I answer, it is well you are complaining; unsanctified knowledge puffs up with conceits of imaginary attainments, gracious souls are sensible of defects and lament their ignorance: David was a saint well-treasured, yet calls himself a beast; Agur was a wise and holy man, yet professes that he was more brutish than any man: or rather, he says, he had not the understanding of a man (Proverbs 30:2). It is a hopeful sign to hear Christians bewail their ignorance, but it does not become any man to brag of his knowledge: the lowest humility is the highest attainment: self-denial is a sign of, and means to spiritual riches: it is a sign you have profited when you discern and bewail your non-proficiency. Besides, you must know, that you are not to determine of your treasure of truths, by the number of truths known, but by the manner of your knowing them, and your estimation of them; do you value the truth so, as to buy the truth at any rate, and to sell it at no rate? Or rather, are you not willing to part with your lives rather than truth? Has not truth had efficacy in your hearts, authority over your consciences, and prevalency in your conversations? Do you give up yourselves to the truths you do know? and, walk with God according to light received? If so, then you have a treasure both of truths and graces: it is a wonder to consider how little light, and how much heat Christ's own disciples, and zealous martyrs have gone straight to heaven with. I speak not this to sooth up any in ignorance, or to patronize negligence, but to quiet the poor doubting disconsolate conscience, that is affected with a sense of its ignorance.

2. Ah, says another, Is it possible that I should have a treasure of grace that have such a treasure of sin; the Lord knows, my heart is even stuffed full of corruption, there is such a huge fardel on my back, such a monstrous body of death, that I much fear whether I have any grace at all in my heart or no, my sin bears me down like a violent torrent, lust is predominant, and can grace be prevalent?

I answer, I am glad to hear these complaints from you, it is no new thing for a Paul to cry out of a body of death: living men feel the weight of a burden, but dead men are not hurt. Do you really complain of the power of sin! then it is a tyrant, not a king in your heart? Do you sigh and fight against sin? Bless God for that light to see it, and life to oppose it: the forced young woman cleared her innocency by crying out, so does the vanquished soul evidence integrity by zealous groans to God; it is but a rape not a complete conquest, while the soul is struggling with its enemy, and gives not up the fort of the heart. But know this, that a Christian may have a large treasure of grace in his heart, and yet feel violent workings of lust, grace may be strong, yet corruption impetuous; God may give it a commission to make violent incursions upon the well-furnished soul, for wise and gracious ends: only consider whether your prayers be ardent, contests vehement, and mournings for it bitter and more than ordinary; if it be thus with you, you may have a treasure for all that, not only a principle of grace, but a large measure thereof, for opposites illustrate one another, and though there be strong lustings of the flesh against the Spirit, yet if there be also proportionable strivings of the Spirit against the flesh, the soul's condition may be safe, and for ought I know, it may be rich in grace. That is for the second objection.

3. But, says the Christian, you talk much of a treasure of comforts, but alas I know not what that means, alas comfort is far away; surely if I had had any grace I should have had peace, but I have been long under sadness and in many disconsolate fears, I fear I have no treasure of grace.

Answer: Grace and peace are not inseparable, they may be disjoined, as Scripture and experience testify, many a gracious soul has been in deep sorrows, a soul may have a hell within it, and yet at last go to heaven; a Christian may sail through a tempestuous sea to a quiet haven. Indeed, further observe, that a Christian may have a treasure of grace, yet want a treasure of joy and comfort; the reason is, because comfort is an effect of God's Spirit, which acts arbitrarily, and not by necessity, for if the Spirit shine not upon the graces of the Spirit in the soul, it shall have no comfort, though it be full of grace. Now God does sometimes suspend the comforting presence of his Spirit from the best of his servants for righteous and gracious ends: hence we find eminent servants of God (that feared God above many) complaining of the want of comfort, as Job, and David, and Heman; indeed, sometimes we find our dear Redeemer (who had a treasure of grace, and the Spirit above measure) complaining of God's forsaking him, and consequently of the absence of joy and comfort. Poor soul, do not murmur that God does not always feed you with these sweetmeats, which are the fare of the upper table, and reserved for a heavenly banquet: what though you have not always actual possession of comfort, yet you have a solid foundation for it: what if you be not continually dandled on your Father's lap, and kissed with the kisses of his mouth, yet you are a child still, and you cannot deny but sometimes he does visit your soul with heart-solacing consolations, and you might have a treasure of them if you could be ready for them, or rightly improve them.

4. Alas, says the troubled heart, if I knew my state were safe, I could be better satisfied in the want of comfort, but I have cause to call all into question, I have been so barren and unprofitable under means of grace, ordinances and providences, I may cry out my leanness, my leanness, woe to me, if there had been any real good in my soul, it would have been more increased under my long-enjoyed helps.

I answer, there is never a soul under Heaven, but has sad cause to complain under ordinances and enjoyments; where is the man that can stand forth, and say he has gathered in harvest as much as he might have done? But there is a profiting to grace, and in grace, have you experiences of the former? Have you been carried over by the boat of ordinances into Jesus Christ, to a state of grace, I hope you cannot deny this; well then, you have attained to the main proficiency, bless God for that, and for a progress in grace, examine yourself a little more strictly, is not Jesus Christ more endeared to you? Do not the things of God relish better with you? Do you not more scorn the world, and all preferments that it offers to you? Is not your prevailing purpose to cleave to God, notwithstanding oppositions, more fixed and settled in your heart, upon long experience of the ways of God? Do you not every day see more demonstrative reasons to confirm you in your choice of this better part? And let me ask you, whether you have not grown downwards in humility, self-denial, hatred of sin, love to the saints? Though you cannot say you have grown upwards in joy, faith, heavenly-mindedness, and communion with God? Do not think you are above complaint and proficiency in this life; none have attained to a perfect treasure in this valley of tears, and shadow of death; you will have cause to complain of defects and imperfections, which in your perfect Savior's complete righteousness, your God will graciously cover and cure.

5. But, says the poor soul, I think I fall very far short, not only of what I might have attained to, but what others (under the same enjoyments) have arrived to, I am out-stripped by such as set out long after me, they that were converted some years after me have attained to more treasures of gifts, graces, and abilities for edification, and I lag behind, what shall I think of myself?

I answer, you have cause to lament your non-proficiency, and bewail that you have not kept pace with others, there should be a holy emulation among Christians, and a striving which shall be richest in these good things of Heaven; but withal, comparing yourselves with others, is no good rule, (except it be to shame your negligent hearts, and excite diligent endeavors) because some have better parts, and may sooner attain to higher degrees of knowledge, and some God intends to call out to extraordinary service or suffering, others God designs to take away sooner by death, and so lays up much in a shorter time. Besides, though they may seem to have a larger treasure, yet you do not know what they may have to do with it, they may be put to it, and all they have little enough, they may have such corruptions, temptations, afflictions, desertions, as may exhaust a great treasure, possibly they put the best side out, and you see the bright side, and not the black side of the cloud; you hear their prayers, discourses, exercises among others, but you know not the dolorous griefs, and bitter complaints before the Lord in secret; could you lay your ears to their closets, you would overhear their sad sighs for their fullness of sin, emptiness of grace, and naughty frame of heart; it may be your treasure is more settled, and theirs more floating, and you see it when the tide is high; you should take in all before you judge yourselves by others, and indeed no man is a competent judge of another's frame of spirit, you may even fall below hypocrites themselves in seeming enlargements.

6. Indeed, says the soul, but I fall below others in real usefulness, if there were a treasure within, I think it would appear more to the glory of God and good of others, but I do no good in my place, I encumber the ground, and bring not forth fruit as others do, that do God a great deal more service, than I do.

I answer, the apostle says, there are diversities of gifts, and operations, so also, all members have not the same office, and consequently not the same usefulness, some move in a higher sphere, and some in a lower, but if you be set in this heavenly orb of the Church, you have some influence, there is not a finger or toe in this body of Christ, but it is of some use, and cannot be spared, but it will be lame and defective, not a loop or pin in this tabernacle of the Church, but as it fills up a room, so it bears up some weight: the body of Christ has need of you, in fact, there is not the choicest members that can say to the meanest in the Church, I have no need of you, Paul, though a great apostle, stood in need of the prayers of the meanest Christian: an iron key may sometimes open that lock, that a silver one cannot effect; there is never a saint in the world, that knows the good that he does, nor shall it be known to others the use he is of, till he be taken away, and then the place shall feel a loss of him, a city, a country, and kingdom may be spared upon the prayers and uprightness of one righteous person. Let not more worthy members despise the ignoble, since they cannot be without them, and let not inferior members envy the more honorable, because God appoints every one his station, and accepts the meanest member's faithful service, a sweeper of chimneys may honor God in his place, as well as a pastor of souls in his: a plain Christian in a leather coat may (if faithful in his station) do God as much service, as a great doctor in his purple robes: if you be serious in the work of God, you may promote the cause of God in your family, which may reflect a luster to the whole Church.

7. But alas, says the soul, I am so far from increasing into a treasure, that I fear I am on the losing hand; I am in spending, wasting, decreasing by sinful practices, what I gain in a duty or ordinance, I lose by an act of sinning, and have much ado to recover myself, oh this inconstant, unstable spirit! what shall become of me?

I answer, the case is sad, and much to be lamented, but so it is with the best of God's children, David says, you have lifted me up, and cast me down, while we are tossed upon the fluctuating waves of the sea, we must expect mariners' motion, to mount up to heaven, and go down to the depths, to have rich enjoyments, and sadder abatements, that we may know both how to want, and how to abound in point of enlargement: sometimes our hearts are opened, as the heart of Lydia, to receive of that grace which becomes our treasure, then again our hearts are shut up, and we are in danger to shut out divine incomes; sometimes the sails of our souls are spread, to entertain the lively guests of the Holy Spirit, but how often are they contracted, and we then resist the blessed motions thereof? Let us complain of this, as our sin and shame: but thus it must be in this sublunary state, to distinguish between this vale of mutability, and the heavenly mount of unchangeable felicity: yet take notice, that the soul's treasure may be maintained, and even increased by this variety of conditions; by standing still, or falling back, he may grow more self-suspicious, penitent, vigilant, and diligent, and make the more haste after his God, to redeem the time that he has lost, and pick up his scattered crumbs: when a covetous man has wasted anything; or missed a good bargain, he will seek to make amends, by future diligence: thus will the gracious soul, so that God may improve slips, to standing faster, stumblings to a speedy motion forwards, and falls to a greater heedfulness and sensibleness. Have you not found it thus? Poor soul, have you not been a gainer by your losses? Have not these spiritual Egyptians (of raging corruptions) paid tribute to your soul, to increase your spiritual stock? Have not these Gibeonites been hewers of wood, and drawers of water, to help you in the service of the Sanctuary? I question not, but you have found these bitter enemies, as occasions at least to put you on to watch your treasure better; the Canaanites were to be to Israel, as pricks in their eyes, and thorns in their sides, just so are sins to the saints, these pricks in their eyes, make them weep more for sin, and these thorns in their sides, spur them more towards the city of refuge. There are different sorts of Christians, some are solid, sober, and more settled in their motion, that keep on a good, even pace in the ways of God, others are more uncertain, sometimes push forwards, and draw back again, yet these may be God's children, as well as the former, and sometimes it is occasioned by the natural levity, and fickleness of their spirits, or other causes, yet still the almighty arm of Jehovah is under them, and all his saints are in his hand, and though these unstable souls may not excel, yet they shall keep their hold, and every leap they take shall set them nearer to heaven, and lead them to that immutable state, where there is fullness of joy, and rivers of pleasure forevermore.

Thus much for answer to some objections: I shall now conclude all with a brief and serious exhortation, and oh that I could persuade and prevail with all to look after their share in the treasure, so largely opened to you, methinks it should be an easy thing to persuade men to embrace a treasure, but oh how hard is it to engage men to look after a treasure for their souls! I see what a wretched thing a carnal heart is, and poor souls fight against their own interest, and forsake their own mercy.

One would think that they, that are poor in the world, would be induced to consider of some treasure at last; I beseech you, let reason be heard, argue rationally, and let your souls be working in such thoughts as these, God has cast my lot to be in a mean estate, and I work hard for a bare living, I toil and travail night and day, and I can scarce get coarse clothes for my back, and food for myself and my family, I would have got something beforehand, but I see it will not do, times are hard, trading dead, I despair of growing rich, the world is like a shadow, the more I pursue it, the further it flees from me, and have I been pursuing after that which I cannot overtake? And if I should overtake it, can do me no good, may do me much hurt, and in the mean time have I neglected my immortal soul, and getting a treasure in it to make it rich and happy? These spiritual goods are the best that can be got, and these only may be got, and nothing else. O my soul, shall I be poor in this world and poor to all eternity? Must I live in misery here, and be in greater torment hereafter, oh why should I be such a perfect beggar? Doubly poor, of a poor estate and of a poor low degenerate spirit? Oh rather let me be poor in spirit that I may be an heir of a kingdom, a better than this dunghill world can afford. If I want bread for my body, Lord evermore give me the bread of life for my poor soul, the garments of Christ's righteousness to cover my nakedness, fine gold that I may be rich, though I be separated from my neighbor let me be united to the Lord, though I be despised by men, yet let my soul be owned by the Lord, although I have not a foot of land, or house of my own in this world, yet, oh that I may have a right to mansions above, and may take possession at death of the inheritance of the saints in light. Thus do you that are poor argue the case, and rest not satisfied without the true riches; if you cannot get earth, make sure of heaven, and then you make no bad bargain: keep up this trade of religion, when other trades decay, live above the world, learn to act faith, put the bond in suit, make a virtue of necessity, and if you cannot get left-hand mercies, be sure of right-hand mercies, and then you are happy forever.

Let rich men also look after a treasure above, I know it's a hard thing to persuade such as have treasures on earth, to look after treasures of Heaven, and in Heaven: it is impossible for them that trust in riches to be saved, and most men do so. Oh how apt are men of great estates to please and applaud themselves in their large possessions, especially after the malicious revilings of the poor, or the awakening convictions of God's Spirit by some heart-shaking Boanerges, they go home and thus bespeak themselves, what need I regard the vain calumnies of the sons of Belial, or the furious invectives of these bawling Priests, I've need of none, and I fear no man, I am able to live of myself, let every man look to himself, it's a hard world, and we must look to ourselves, God has blessed me with an estate, and I trust he loves me, and I shall do as well as others. Such workings are in rich men's breasts, the God of Heaven knows your secret self-flattering thoughts, but they shall be found to be vain another day, when you lie upon a death-bed, ready to breathe out your despairing souls, what will money do in the chest without grace in the heart? What are you better for hundreds and thousands a year? What are you the better for the honorable or worshipful titles of Lord, Knight, Esquire or Gentleman? I have heard of a person of quality that cried out upon his sick-bed, ten thousand pounds for a good conscience, but alas, pardon and Heaven cannot be bought with money, purity and peace of conscience are at a higher rate, they cost the precious blood of Jesus Christ, and are not bought but given in God's way and in God's time. He was a fool that pleased himself with conceits of filling his soul with his full bags and furnished houses, or fruitful fields, what are these to the immortal soul, that is of a spiritual nature? No, no, riches profit not in a day of wrath, you cannot stop the mouth of conscience in the pangs of death with a little worldly trash. Try this in lesser things, and see whether money, which answers all things, will fill your hungry bellies, cure the headache, or toothache, or remove fevers, alas it cannot, you know it cannot, how then can riches satisfy, or sanctify, or save the immortal soul? A time is coming when the careless and covetous worldling would be glad to exchange earth for heaven, and would be willing to cast all his rare commodities over ship-board to save his precious vessel of his never-dying soul, but he that esteemed the world his God, shall have no God to relieve him when he is leaving the world. He that spent his strength and time to compass his worldly ends, shall have nothing but his labor for his pains in the upshot, what has he gained, (let him brag of his bargain) when God takes away his soul? Nay, this very treasure that he has heaped up shall rise up in judgment against him, so Heinsius reads (James 5:3), as though their gold and silver should become a treasure of tormenting fire to the rich and wretched misers. And oh, what an astonishing consideration is this, that a covetous man should gather the fuel to that fire that shall torment him forever, and that his beloved idol the world, with which he has committed adultery, shall be the instrument of his torment. Indeed, some think further, that this earth where wicked men have had their heaven, shall be the place of hell-torments after the great day of judgment. Certainly this world which has bewitched sensual souls shall be burnt with fire, and how just is it, that where men have acted their pleasant comedy, they should suffer this last and everlasting tragedy? Oh sirs, think of this in good time, do but in cold blood consider whether your great estates will screen between God's flaming wrath and your sinning souls another day. Bethink yourselves in good time, whether you would have God or the world to stand your friend at death or judgment, whether you would have a heart laden with this heavenly treasure, or a conscience loaded with guilt and filled with excruciating worms, whether you would hear that sad word, Woe to you that are rich for you have received your consolation, or, come my friends, enter into your Master's joy. Remember you were forewarned of these things, look about you in good time.

Here I might admonish all ages and sexes to get their hearts full of this treasure, you young men begin the world with this stock, this alone will fit you for all callings, places, relations and conditions. You are entering the world, and you know not what you may pass through between this and the grave, without this treasure you are fit for nothing, this will fit you for anything. This will render you well-accomplished gentlemen, merchants, ministers. This will carry you through all companies with credit and profit. It will be an excellent guide and guard in your journeys. This will season your younger years with gravity, policy and humility, and ripen your souls for Heaven as you are ripening for the grave. Oh my brethren, set up with this stock, begin in grace and you shall end in peace, begin with this treasure, and you shall end in everlasting pleasures.

And you that are ancient, look after this treasure, old men are addicted to hoarding, why here's work for you, be hoarding up in your hearts divine truths, graces, comforts, and experiences, in malice be you children, but in understanding be you men. Give me leave to admonish old men, and fathers, to labor to know him that is from the beginning, you delight much in antiquity, here's an object for you to contemplate, even the Ancient of Days: Oh mind not toys and treasures, even the best of treasures, let your hoary heads be found in the way of righteousness, and hearts filled with these fruits of righteousness. Alas, shall you be full of days and empty of grace? Shall you be drawing to a period of your lives, and continue destitute of the end of your lives? Ah Sirs, that you should be taking your leave of the world, and yet have laid [illegible] foundation, made no preparation for a better life, alas what shall become of you? The Lord be merciful to you, and lay hands on you and pluck you as brands out of the fire. It is a monstrous sight to see a wicked old man, how unbecoming is it to hear an old man swear, to see an old man drunk, or unclean, it is a prodigious sight, such are worse because they should be better, every gray hair which should be a crown of glory, is a testimony of sloth, and monitor of approaching wrath. Ah Sirs, think not much, if at the great Day you be set on the left-hand, that have all your days made choice of left-hand blessings. The God of Heaven awaken you to provide for eternity, before the flames of hell awake you, when there's no remedy.

Let all and every one without fail, without dallying or delay, look after this treasure. Oh let your souls be furnished with a store of holy thoughts, you are always thinking, your minds are active, never idle, always in motion. O get it furnished for contemplation, bring some work to this millstone, else as Luther says, it will grind itself thinner, or as a lamp that's soon extinct without a fresh supply of oil. You can neither discourse profitably in company, nor spend your time in solitary retirements without this treasure. But I have been too tedious, let not all these words be in vain to you, or rise up in judgment against you.

A few words to those precious souls into whose bosom the Lord has dropped this heavenly treasure; these I might urge to bless God for it, live up to it, make much of it, maintain and increase it, and be sure you do not part with it upon any terms. As to the last, I pray you to keep this treasure, and let it not be in the least impaired, wasted or prejudiced: I tell you it is a greater loss to lose one grain of grace than a mine of gold, or both the Indies; the gaining of the world cannot countervail the loss of a soul, and if your treasure be gone, your souls are gone. Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go, for she is your life (Proverbs 4:13). Let all go rather than part with your treasure. Caesar swimming through a river to escape his enemies, carried his books above water with his hand, but lost his robe — so do you: though you should swim through a sea of sorrows, yet hold fast the Lord's deposit, make not shipwreck of faith and a good conscience, let neither the treasures nor pleasures of the world rob or cozen you of this glorious treasure. Take two famous instances of constancy in the Primitive times: the one is of a soldier, whom the Praetor could not with torments remove from his Christian profession; at last he commanded him to be laid in a soft bed, in a pleasant garden among flourishing lilies and red roses, and being left alone a beautiful harlot came to him, and embracing him wantonly, solicited him to lust, he resolutely opposed, at last for very vexation, and to prevent by his pain the danger of pleasure, he bit off his tongue and spit it in her face, as she kissed him, and so bravely overcame. This valiant soldier would not endanger his treasure for the enjoyment of a little pleasure. The other example is, of one Hormisda, a great nobleman's son, who, for religion was condemned to keep the King of Persia's elephants, and to go naked. One day the King looking out, and seeing him tanned with the sun, commanded a shirt to be put upon him, and to bring him before him, whom the King asked if he would now deny Christ; Hormisda tore off his shirt, saying, if you think I will deny my faith for a shirt, have here your gift again. See here a young man stripped naked of an earthly treasure, who will go stark naked, rather than lose his inward treasure: go you and do likewise, say as Job, Chapter 27:5-6, 'Till I die, I will not remove my integrity from me, my righteousness I hold fast and will not let it go; my heart shall not reproach me so long as I live.' Live upon your stock, make use of it upon all occasions, draw forth the seeds of grace, bring forth much fruit, improve your treasure for maintaining constant intercourse with God. Josephus tells us that there was a tumult raised among the Jews, because their holy treasure was wasted upon a conduit, reaching the space of 300 furlongs, but if you spend your treasure in maintaining ways of conveyance between God and your hearts, it will increase your treasure, and keep up peace with God, and peace of conscience. Communion with God will compose all mutinous insurrections in your own hearts; pay to God the constant tribute of duty and obedience, give him the glory of all that he has done for you; sweep the temple of your hearts, free it from all dust and filth, prepare a clean lodging for this blessed guest. The Holy Spirit is compared to a dove, and we know the dove is a clean creature, and leaves its residence when it is defiled, so will the Spirit. Be holy in all your conceptions, and in all manner of conversation, learn that blessed round that Enoch took of walking with God, solace your souls in him, scorn anything that the world can offer, as a temptation to divert your hearts into another channel. Ask the world what it can give, that may be a valuable consideration, for the loss of communion with God, make such a challenge, as Saul did in another case, 'Can the son of Jesse give you fields and vineyards?' — so can the world give me pardon of sin, peace of conscience, grace here, and glory hereafter? If it say it can, believe it not, it is a vain boast and loud lie, like that of Satan's to Christ; if it cannot, (as certainly it cannot) why should you leave the substance, and embrace the shadow — oh, make not so mad, so bad a bargain. I stand the more upon this, because there is danger, lest you should be cheated out of your treasure by the world, as Delilah beguiled Samson, or as the maid got the apple out of the giant's hand by fair means, which the champions could not wrest out. Do not delight in the creature, lest it abate your contentment in God, be not afraid of afflictions that accompany godliness; you may get a larger increase of your treasure by trouble, than by any other means, as it is storied of Tiberius, passing by a cross that lay upon a marble stone, and causing the cross to be dug up, found a large treasure under the cross — so may and do gracious souls find treasures under their crosses.

But to draw to an end, the Lord engage all your hearts to make sure of this treasure, and to make much of this treasure, lock it up in the innermost closet of your hearts, lay it out in ways of holiness, as the Lord gives opportunity, raise up your hearts heavenward, improve solitariness, do all the good you can in your places, sanctify the name of God in all things you do or receive, watch over your own spirits, be faithful to death, and he will give you a crown of life. I shall conclude all with an elegant exhortation of Cyprian: 'You only whom the heavenly warfare has sealed up in these spiritual tents, keep incorrupt, keep sober this blessed discipline with religious virtues, be diligent either in praying or reading, sometimes speak to God, sometimes hear God speak to you, let him instruct you, dispose of you by his precepts, whom he has made rich, let no man make poor, you cannot now be subject to any poverty, when your breast is satiated with variety of all heavenly delicacies.' Thus he — Blessed is the soul that has this blessed treasure, and is mounting upward to everlasting pleasures.