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THE
BEST TREASURE,
Or, THE WAY to be
Truly Rich.
BEING
A Difcourfe on Ephest. 3.8.
Wherein is opened and commended to Saints
and Sinners the Perfbnal and Purehafed
Riches of Chrin\as the beftTreafure,to be purfu'd,
and enfur'd by all that would be happy here and (
hereafter.
By Bartholomew AJhvpood^ Late Minifter of
the Gofpel \ Author of The Heavenly Trade.
Riches and Honour are with me, yea, durable Riches and
Rigbteoufnefs. Pro v. 8. 18.
For ye tyow the Grace of our Lord J e fits Chrift, that
though he was Rich, yet for your fak^s he became Poor ••>
that ye through his Poverty might be Rich. 2 Cor.8.p.
In Chrijio igitur fit£ funt omnes nojir£ Viviti£.
In Chrijio fit a fpes nojira glorU. Daven.
LONDON,
Printed for William Marfial*, at the Bible in
Newgate- Street, at the corner of Ivy Lane* I <58 i .
TO THE
READER
THE Wifdom and Grace of God
inChriflJefus, are frequent-
ly in the Scripture exprefedby
the name of Riches and Treafures. Thefe
it is the duty of Believers in all Ages,
diligently to fearch after, to enquire in-
to and pojfefi for themfelves. And'it
may be, more Diligence or with more
Succefi, as unto the doflrinal Revela-
tion of them, hath not been ufed in this
Enquiry in any Age, than in that
wherein we live. Butftill they conti-
nue Unfearchable, though not abfo-
lutely as unto their Truth, Reality and
Subftance, or fuch apoffeffwn of them as
may enrich m unto a Meetnefsfor the
Inheritance of the Saints in Light ; but
as
To the Reader.
ps unto their unmeafurable Dimenfions-^
their Breadth, and Lengthy and Depth,
and Height in Degrees of Fullnefi.
Wherefore, after the utmofi and mofi di-
iigerit fearch made into tbefe things by
the befl and wifefi of the Sons of men,
there is fiill and ever will be, new work.
for the Church whilfi it is in this world,
to enquire farther after and into thefe
Treafures.Nothingbut the fight of Chriji
hirnfelfin Glory, can give us a full com-
prehenfion of them. Whilfi we are here
bfkw, no man can exercife hh fiiritual
Wifdom and Faith, about a more noble,
a more ufeful, and beneficial object. They
do befl for themfelves who are mofi con-
uerfant herein, and will be found to be
the mofi fiiritual and thriving Chrifii-
ans. And therefore thofe who are not on-
ly wife for themfelves herein J>ut do more-
over communicate unto ethers the know-
ledge that they have obtained ojthefe
unfearchable Treafures, and their in-
fight
To the Reader.
fight into them, that they alfo may be
made Partakers of them,do deferve well
in an eminent manner of all that do be-
lieve. Among thefejhe reverend Author
of the enfuing Difcourfe (iflmifiakg, noPjr
doth deferve our Praife and our 7hank$
to God for him and his Labours. For as
he hath given Evidence, that he was
himfelfin a goodmeafure, admitted in-
to the enjoyment of thefe unfearchable
Riches ; fo he hath with great skill and
fpiritual wifdom, unfolded and laid them
open unto the view of others. And this he
hath donefo briefly, plainly, andpr^
Vxically, that the moji learned will find
nothing in his Difcourfe to be deffifed,
and the generality of Believers? whefe
Edification he defigned, will meet with
that which will be to their Vfe and Ad-
v ant age. Tie times alfo wherein we live,
do render this and difcourfes of the like
Nature exceeding feafonable. For the
Vtf certainty of the continuance of all
ether
To the Reader*
other Riches? (hould jlir m up to look,,
with diligence after an indefeafible In-
terest in the certain and unfearchable
Riches ofChrift. For 06 thefe alone are
jufficientfor m in every Condition? fo we
kjiow not but that ere long? they alone
will be left unto m ; bleffed are all they
who are poffe fed of them. Befides? the
Oppofition that hath been made of late
hyfomeunto thefe and the likg, Myjieries
cfthe Gofpel? doth give a value unto a
fiber Tefiimony given unto them. Of this
Nature is the enfuing Difcourfe? which
that it may be ufejul to the Reader? un-
to all the ends ivhereunto it wo* defigned
by its worthy Author? /ball be the Pray-
er of hi* Servant in the work of the
Goftel.
John Owen.
The
CO
THE
BEST TREASURE,-
From
EPHESIANS 3.2.
Unto me who am lefs than the leafi of all
Saints is this grace given , that I jhould
preach among the Gentiles the unfearchabk
riches ofChriJi.
CHAP. I.
The Ofcajton of this DifconrJe9 with an In-
troduction to the Words ^ and Explication
of tfrtm, and the main truth contained in
them.
RICHES are defired by ttioft, but true
Treafures obtained by few, ( through
the naiftaken Notion thereof. ) 'Tis
fad to fee how follicitous many are af-
ter Vanities : and ( like the Jews in Egypt ) are
fcattered abroad, through all the Land, to gather
Stubble, whilft tryed Gold lies neglected -, and the
Pearl of Price little valued. O the Projects and
vaft expence of Time and ftrength to reach things
B that
2 The befi Treafure, Or,
that are not s when the infinite Concerns of Eter-
nity, and welfare of an immortal Soul, cannot get
a room in one ferious thought ^ or a few minutes
of (hortening time to attend them. Tis lamen-
table to behold^ not only the blind World, but
thofe that profefs themfelves Wife, ( like the Spi-
der ) working out their Bowels to weave Cob-
webs, and ( with the Dog in the Fable ) letting
go the Subftance to catch at Shadows •, and run-
ning themielves out of breath to fit down in for-
row. The arTedring fenfe of this Folly hath made
me fcatter fome Balls of true Gold to prevent ( if
poflible) the dangerous hafte of fuch deceived
Souls, and to allure them to better and more un-
fearchable Treafures, that are to be found in, and
fetched from the Lord Jefus. This is the Deilgn
of the enfuing Difcourfe on this portion of Scrip-
ture, which I (hall briefly open, and then draw
forth the main C®nclufion f intend to profecute.
1 The Apoftle layes down thefe words as an Ar-
fument by which, he endeavours to ftrengthen the
aith of thofe believing EpbefufTs in, and to quick-
en their ArTe&ions to the Gofpel of Chrilt, taken
from the blelTed Advantages it brings to all that
do receive it. It makes a Difcovery and overture
of unfearchable Riches to them : let them be never
fo poor, deftitute of the affluences and good things
of this World i yet, by believing through this Go-
fpel, they (hall come to attain to ineitimable Trea-
fures j even the untearchable Riches of Chrift.
In the Words you have four parts.
Firft, A Difcovery of the admirable Love of God
to fall'n man, particularly to the blind, pei idling
Gentiles, in not only giving Chriit to fave them,
but
the Unfearchable Riches ofChrift. 3
bitf in opening Chrift to them, even his fecret and
boundlefs Treafures : The unfearchable Riches of
Chrift.
Secondly, Here's the way by which thefe aire
opened and brought to light, which is, by the Go-
fpel, in the Adminiftration thereof by his Meflen-
gers: That I (hould preach [_iva,yy*M<Td&Ai~\ ftrid-
ly taken, 'tis to preach the Gofpel, or good news,
but generally it takes in the whole work of the
Miniftry.
Thirdly, Here's the great expence of Grace the
Lord Jefus is at to bring forth his unfearchable
Riches, 'tis by the laying out of Grace to thole
that publifh it ( To me who am kfs than the leafi of
all Saint s^is this Grace given \ ) Grace, great Grace,
to the leaft of Saints, ( iKAx^ori^ ) ieifer, leaft, or
more little than the leaft *, an unufual Degradati-
on of a man's felf, and the Ghara&er of an empty
and unworthy Inftrument in his own eye,and fo*a
Subject that needed much Grace, to be meetned
for fuch high Service : and yet fuch a one did
Chrift ufe in this great Work, laying out large
Grace to prepare him for it.
Fourthly, Another confiderable part of the
words, are the Perfons for whom this Grace is
given, and to whom thefe unfearchable Treafures
are difcovered, and they were Subjects moft un-
worthy of it, ( to the Gtntilts ) the chiefeft of Sin-
ners, blind idolatrous Souls, ( h rots %f}v&tv ) the
Heathen, Perfons extremely wicked, 1 Cor. 15.32.
called Beafts, wild Beafts, Strangers to God, beyond
the Line of Communication, Eph. 2.12. Aliens
from the Commonwealth oilfraeU Strangers from
the Covenants of Promife, yea, Enemies to God
B 2 in
4 The befi Treafure, Or,
in their minds j to thofe did the Lord lay out thefe
unfearchable Treafures.
To clear up my Way to the main truth I intend
to profecute hence, and to leave no difficulty in
the words, 'tis neceffary I fpeak to three things,
by way of Explication.
Firft, In what fenfe Paul calls himfelf lefs than
the leaft of all Saints, feeing he was a Perfon fo
dignified by Grace to be a chofen VefTel to God,
an Apoftle of Chrift, fill'd with the Graces of the
Spirit, and eminent Endowments for the Miniftry,
beyond many, taken into fuch high Communion
with Chrift, let into the third Heavens to fee
things unutterable j, How then can Paul truly call
himfelf lefs than the leaft of all Saints ? Does not
Paul fpeak diffemblingly, as the Pope does, when
he calls himfelf <SVrz//tf Servorum, the Servant of Ser-
vants, and yet makes himfelf Lord over the Faith
and Conferences of others ?
T anfrvtr, Paul doth not hyperbolically debate
himfelf here, but really, and in the deep fenfe of
his former Vilenefs, before Converfion, when
he perfecuted the Church . and blafphemed
Chrift \ in the confideration of which, he thought
none like him : never fuch a Wretch as he did
God advance to fo high Dignity to be an Apoftle
of Chrift : nor doth he think that any particular
Saint was fo guilty in that kind and degree of
wickednefs as he was ; one that kick'd againft the
pricks, perfecuted Chrift in his Members, haling
Him to Prifon, feeking to draw out his very heart
blood, and to root out the profelTion of him :
Now for fuch a one as he to obtain this Grace, to
be put in truft with the Gofpel, and to have fuch
Trea-
The Unfearchable Riches of Chrift. 5
Treafures of Grace imparted to him, he thinks
that Chrift never did the like Favour to any fo vile
a Creature as he was : fo bale will a Child of God
be in his own eyes, when once the Lord fets his
Sins in order before him. PW, in another place,
calls himfelf the chiefeft of Sinners, greater than
the greateft of Sinners, but never lefs than the
leaft of Sinners. Indeed compar'd with the Pha-
rifees, his Sin feemed lefs than their Perfecution
and Blafphemy, in the degree and nature of it i
his was ignorantly, theirs was malicioufly perpe-
trated, (and fo the Sin againft the Holy Ghoft.)
and in that refpedt his Sin was lefs than theirs h
but compar'd with any that were faved, he thought
himfelf really lefs than any of them in regard of
his fmful Life before Converfion.
Secondly, What is this Grace which Paul fo
admires, and by which his Condition is fo changed,
and he enabled to preach thofe Unfearchable Rich-
es of Chrift? ■•
Anfa. Firft, By Grace here is underftood that
infinite Favour and free Grace of God to him
through Chrift, by which he was called out of the
Hate of Sin and Death into the Knowledge and
Kingdom of God •, that ever the Lord (hould pitch
on fuch a vile Wretch as he, and choofe him to
be a VefTel of Mercy, revealing his Son, with his
Unfearchable Riches, to fo poor and unworthy a
Creature, pardoning his great Tranfgrefllons, and
pouring out his infinite Treafures on him.
Secondly, By Grace in this place, fome under-
hand his Apoftleflbip which he obtained at the
hand of Chrift, and the Miniftry he received to
preach to the Gentiles thefe Unfearchable Riches
B 3 oi
6 The BeJITreafure, Or,
of Chrift : fo is it rendred Rom. I. 5. By whom we
have received Grace and Apoftlejhip.
Thirdly, Hereby is meant alfo thofe excellent
Gifts he had received for this end > thofe choice
anointings of the Spirit, and Revelation of the
Myftery, to fo poor and fcandalous a Creature
as Paul had been, and one that was fo igno-
rant of Chrift and Salvation •, that God (hould
make him fuch an able Minifter of the New Te-
ftament, and give him any door of utterance, and
Endowments rlt for fo glorious a Service. This
is that Grace by which thefe Treafures were open-
ed to the Gentiles.
The third thing to be opened here is, What are
thofe Unfearchable Riches of Chrift which Paul
preached to the Gentiles, and which are held out
in the Gofpel unto Saints and Sinners ?
Anfw. Firft, Thofe Riches which are in Chrift,
as Mediatour, with which he is enriched in him-
fel^j thofe unfpeakable Excellencies of his Perfon,
which, though they refide and inhere in himfelf,
yet they contribute abundantly to the Riches of
Believers, Col. 2. 3. In whom are bid all the Trea-
fures of Wifdom and Knowledge, ( fubjedtive ) as his
Treafures, found in him. All Treafures, created
and uncreated, are not limply placed in him, but
hid fb, that they can be known by none but thole
$0 whom they are revealed.
Secondly, Here are intended thofe Riches that
came by Chrift, the Riches of his Purchafe, the
vaft Eftate which he hath bought for all Believers,
for all that come unto him by Faith, the Eftate
which he gives, makes over, and prepares for fuch,
gnd this is called Vnfeaxcbable Riches : iydfajlm**
wteroy ,
the Unfiarchahle Riches ofChrifl. 7
srAaW, Riches that cannot be found, or traced out.
A Metaphor taken from quick fcented Houncjs,
that are yet at a lofs, and can go no farther : io
the mod illuminated Creature cannot follow home
thefe Riches of Chrift, they are fo myfterious that
they cannot be difcovered > they leave no Foot-
fteps for any to go after them ; the beft are at a
ftand and can go no farther, when they come to
wade into this Deep, fo deep and hidden are thefe
Riches of Chrift.
Objed. If the Riches of Chrifl be fo unfearchable
and paft finding out^ How then could Paul difcover
and preach them out to the Gentiles $ If they are not
to he traced out^ then Minifiers cannot open them-> nor
Hearers underfiand them.
Anfrv. Firft, They are undifcoverable by any
Humane Eye s the moft refined Light of Nature
cannot difcern them •■> they are Treafures that no
natural Abilities can reach ; the moft profound
Learning, and deepeft Studies of the wifeft men^n
Earth, can make nothing of them > they are no
way known but by Revelation and unveilings of
the Spirit j and in this fenfe are called Unfearch-
able.
Secondly, As to the fulnefs of their Worth and
Excellency, they cannot be underftood by any in
this Life •, no mortal man, no unglorified Soul can
know them a? they are : to call up the total value
of thefe Treafures, is beyond the Arithmetick of
Saints themfelves b nay, Men and Angels cannot
underfiand the things that God hath prepared, that
Chrift hath purchafed for them that love him :
Here ( fayes the Apoftle ) voe kpow 'w part, and tve
prophefie in part, 1 Cor. 13. p. We^ both you and I,
B 4 the
8 The Beji Treafttre, Or,
lhc moft elevated Light, by this fide Glory, know
nothing of thefe lock't-up Myfteries as we ought :
and on this account alfo they are Unfearchablc.
The Words being opened, and the Cabinet un-
locks, I come to the main Subjedr, and Treafurc
laid up in them ^ which you may take in this ge-
neral Do&rine and Proportion.
Dodr. There are exceeding great-, glorious, and un-
fearchable Riches in Chrijr, opened and ten-
dered to Sinners in the Gojpel.
In this Dodtrine lie three grand AfTertions to
be proved.
AfTertion I. That there are exceeding great ; glori-
ous, and unfearchable Riches in Cbrift.
AfTert. 2. Thefe vafl and hidden Treasures of
Chrifi are opened in and by the GofpeU
AfTert. 3. 'Til the mil of God that all thefe great
and glorious Treafures, which are in, and come
by Jefus Chrifi, jhould be opened and offer d to
< Sinners, yea, the chiefeft of Sinners,
I (hall fpeak to each AfTertion, but more largely
to the firft : That there are exceeding great, glorious
and unfearchable Riches in Chrijh
And here I (hall rirft prove by Scripture, That
there are great, glorious and unfearchable Riches
in Chrilr.
Secondly, Shew you ( according to the Grace
given me ) what are thofe Unfearchable Riches ot
Chrilr.
Firft, That there are fuch Riches in, and come
by Jefus Chrift, the whole Gofpel attefts, which
is a Revelation of the Excellency of Chrift, and
thofe glorious things which come by him. I fhall
give you three or four Scriptures to prove it >
Col?
the Unsearchable Riches of Chrifl. 9
Col. I. 27. Ti> whom God would mahg kpown what
U the riches ef the glory ef this myftery among the
Gentiles > which is Chrifl in you the hope of glory. In
the former verfe the Apoftle calls the Gofpel a My-
ftery hid from former Ages i the Excellency of
which he opens in this verfe3 and fets out in thele
two Epithetes,
1. Rich. 2. Glorious.
Firft, Tis a rich Myftery, in that it opens the
glorious Riches of Chrift, which are better than
the Gold otOpbir and all precious Subftance * the
Riches of his Wifdom, Grace, Righteoufnefs and
Redemption, which he calls tryed Gold, and
counfels poor Sinners to come to him for it, Rev*
3. 17.
Secondly, 3Tis a glorious Myftery > called the
Riches of his Glory, Rom. p. 23. That he might
mah? known the Riches of his Glory on the Veffels of
Mercy. Eph. 1. 18. The Riches of his Glory, &c.
The Gofpel is a glorious Myftery, becaufe it brin^
to light great and glorious things, even the Trea-
fures of unknown Glory : and what thefe Trea-
fures of Glory are, he tells you in the clofe of the
verfe, they are Chrifl in you the hope of Glory : Chrift
Jefus applied by Faith, and received into the Soul
by the Spirit, is this glorious Treafure, in that he
gives them ( in his Union with them ) an evi-
dent Right to Glory. See Prov. 8. 18, 19. Riches
and Honour are afcribed to him : Riches and Ho-
nour are with me, yea, durable Riches and Righteouf-
nefs : My Fruit is better than Gold, yea, than fine
Gold, and my Revenue than choice Silver, This is
fpoken of Chrift, the true Wifdom of God, (1 Cor.
1. 24. Chrift the Wifdom of God3 and Power
of
10 The Bcfi Treafure, Or,
of God ) who is the Subjcd of this Chapter.
And 'tis faid of him, that Riches, durable Riches,
are with him, better Treafures than Gold, than
choice Silver » Durable Treafures, which Time can-
not walk or alter •, Riches that laft to all Eternity,
which Ruft and Moth cannot contume. And Rigb-
ieottfncfs ( i. e. ) Treafure juftly gotten, Riches of
Wiidom and Grace given him by the Father, and
Riches of Righteoufnefs bought by his Blood, All
tl Treafure is in him, and offer'd by him unto
Sinner?. In Chrift mult needs be Unfearchable
f\ .ciLSj for in him dwells the fulmfs of the Godhead
bodily., Col. 2.9. that is, the Divine Nature united
to *iie Humane Natare : perfed God, as well as
perkd Man ^ the infinite Treafures of the Divine
Nature are his. He is the Heir of all things, and
therefore muft needs be rich. Heaven and Earth
arc his, Jews and Gentiles, all Perfons and Things
put under him •, in which Glory and Majeity, fet
overall the Works of Gods hands, he mounts his
Throne ( having confirmed his Title by his Blood)
and gives Gifts to men, and makes a tender of
Grace and Glory, of Thrones and Crowns, to all
that come unto him, promifing to his Servants,
that they alfo [hall inherit all things, Rev. 21.7.
and therefore he himfelf mult needs be rich. In
him are Treafures of Mercy and Goodnefs, of
Wifdom and Knowledge, Riches, exceeding Rich-
es of Grace, Epb. 2. 7. CmpGcL\Koy]a wkvtqv t»k %«'-
§t%, Riches of Strength, Honour, Glory and Blet
iing. So that the Scriptures give in full teftimony
to this Truth, That there are exceeding great, glo-
rious, and unfearchable Riches in Chritf, And
row I (hall endeavour to (hew,
Secondly,
the Unfearchable Riches of Chrift. j i
Secondly, What are thofe exceeding great and
unfearchable Riches of Chrift. But alas ! this Well
is deep, and wherewith (hall we draw > thefe
Treafures are out of fight, who can find them out*
they are boundlefs, bottomlefs, numberlefs, end-
lefs i where (hall we begin > where can we make
an end ? who can fearch them out to Perfection >
The belt of men are but Learners, the Angels are
Enquirers,thewifeft men but Fools in thefe Search-
es i we can know but in part, nor prophefie but
in part •, when the utmoft is fpoken, you have not
heard of one half of his Glory. But according to
the Revelation of Chrift, I (hall open fome of
thefe Treafures of Chrift to you, under thefe two
Heads, His
with fbme Applications and Improvements of them
as we go through thefe Deeps.
CHAP. ir.
The Per final Riches of Chrift opened, m his
Divine Nature 5 manjfefted in his At~
tributes $ with the wonderful Advantages
thereof to Believers.
PArt of thefe glorious Treafures of Chrift lies
in his Perfonal Riches, that vaft Worth and
unknown Excellency that refide in himfel£
which become the Believers Treafure alfo,by their
Relation to, their Union with, Contemplation of
1 2 The Befi Treajure^ Ory
it, with the communicated Fruits and Effects
thereof. Col. 1.27. which is Chrifi in you the hope
of glory, (i.e.) which Treafure is Chrift in you, or
Chrift united to you by Faith, and dwelling in
you by his Spirit. Chrift his Perfonal, as well as
purchafed Treafures are yours, through your Uni-
on with, your Relation to, your Enjoyment of
him, and his glorious Communications to you.
Now thefe Perfonal Treafures of Chrift are de-
monftrable, in his Natures, in his Offices, in his
fweet and gracious Difpofitions.
In his Natures feverally coniidered, and united
in his Hypoftatical and Perfonal Union. The Per-
fon of Chrift confifts of two Natures,
5 1 the true Emanuel or ( God with us )
Man ^ Goc* manifeftecl in ^e Fleft-
So J oh. 1. 14. The Word was made Flejb, and
dwelt among us, and rve beheld his Glory, the Glory cf
tbe onely begotten Son of God, full of Grace andTrutb:
That is, the Word, which was God in the Second
Perfon j The brightnefs of his Glory> and exprejs
Image of his Perfon, Heb. 1.3. took our Nature to
himfelf in one Perfon, and became Mediatour, per-
fect God, and perfect Man
Firft, Perfect God, equal with the Father in
EfTence, fob. 10. 30. I and my Father are one'^ that
is, one God, not one Perfon s 'tis not jwlct J««r^
one Perfon, but tV, one thing or Being. I am in
the Father, and the Father in me, and therefore
my Sheep are fafe, they are in my hand, and in my
Father's hand, ( here are two dilti net SubfiftencesJ
and we are the fame: I and my Father are one
God -, as God, I am equal with him, the fame
in
the Unsearchable Riches ofChrift. 15
in Subftance, equal in Power and Glory, Rom. 9.5.
Of whom concerning the Fle(h Chri{\ came, who U over
all, God blejfedfor ever : over all men, and over all
things '■> or in all, (as Vatab,) This Scripture is ge-
nerally ufed by all Interpreters to prove the Divine
Nature of Ghrift. He is God over all, and blefled
forever, in himfelf, and of himfelf : and the Author
of all thofe Bleflings his Creatures enjoy. By him art
all things created that are in Heaven, and that are in
"Earth, Vifible and Invifible, whether they be 'thrones,
or Dominions, or Principalities, or Towers, all things
were created by him and for him, ColoiT. 1. 16,
And therefore he is perfect God, this being his
peculiar Operation to create the World : By him
all things confiji '•, he upholds all things by the word
of his Power, Heb. I. 3. Supporting and ruling
them, which is another property of the Divine
Nature, the ruling and bearing up of all things in
the World, which none but everlafting Arms can
do. So he hath Power to forgive Sins, which on-
ly God can do : to raife the Dead, to judge
the World, Mark^2. 5, 7. Job. 11. 43,44. A8s
17. 31. To know the Secrets of all Hearts, Luk$
5. 22. To be the Objed of Religious Worlhip,
Heb. 1.16. All which abundantly prove the Lord
Jefus to be perfect God : and fo of infinite Perfe-
ction and Bleffednels, to inrich all that come unto
him > which will evidently appear, if we do but
a little confider thofe Perfections of the Divine
Nature, as opened in the Scriptures, all which are
in Jefus Chrift.
Firft, His Simplicity, being a moft pure EiTence
without the leaft Compofition or Diverfity of Parts
or Accidents. There is no mixture of Qualities or
Ex-
14 The beji Treajkre, Or,
Excellencies in God, but every Attribute is his en-
tire ElTence, and therefore he is a moft pure and
(imple Being,as the Names he gives himfelf import,
dpecially thefe two, Ebejeb, Exod. 3. 14. I am
batbfent me unto yon. The Word is in the future
Tenfe, I will be, batbfent me\ but in the Hebrew,
the future Tenfe exprelTeth often both the Prefent
and preterperfedt j and fo this Word holds forth
God's moft (imple, abfolute, and immutable Being
and feff Exiftence. So Jebovab, a Name which
God feems to take moft Delight in, and which
doth as it were fum up all his glorious Excellen-
cies in one word, importing his moft pure, glo-
rious, and incomprehenfible ElTence, which he
hath in and from himfelf, before all time, and
unto all Eternity, fubilfting in, and of himfelf
and giving Being to all his Creatures, and there-
fore muft needs be the moft perfect and fimple Be-
|pg. The Unity of his ElTence proves his Simpli-
city, he is one God (though three Perfons) Dent.
6, 4. Hear 0 Ifrael, tbe Lord our God vs one God h
he is the firft Being, and one undivided ElTence,
and therefore moft pure and (imple. He is altoge-
ther a moft perfect Being, in and of himfelf, who
wants nothing that is excellent, nor can have any
thing in himfelf that is evil, and therefore is a
moft (imple, pure Nature.
And if Jefus Chrift, as God, be fuch a fimple
and excellent Being, then he is a moft perfect
Treafure to his People '-> there is nothing wanting
in him to make them happy, nor can there be any-
thing in him or come from him to make them
miferable •> then he is true and faithful to Believers >
there can be no Contrarieties in him, or Contra-
dictions
The tittfe&rchabk Riches ofChriji. 1 5
dictions proceed from him *, his Love is fincere,
his Purpofes are true, there is a reality in his Ex-
preflions, for he is one, and of one mind to his
redeemed ones. O Believers ! think on the Puri-
ty of Chrift's Nature, the Perfe&ion of his BLfled-
nefs, the Integrity of his ArTe&ions, and the In-
hnitenefs of all his Perfections, to make his belo-
ved ones happy. There's no Moth, or Ruft, no
Worm or .Death, can ware out his pure ArTedions
to his People. There is no mixture in his Nature :
Compofition is the Corruption, or Imperfection
of created Beings, but in Chrift's Divine Nature
there is Unity and Simplicity, there is nothing can
alter his Thoughts and Refolutions to his fincere
ones : he is molt true, and moil full in all his Per'
fe&ions and this his Simplicity : allures Believers
of eternal and infinite BlefTednefs in their Union
with, and Relation unto him, for he is in himfelf
the molt abfolute and perfect Being, the firft and
moft (imple Being : he is moft perfed in andfof
himfelf, for he hath all his Perfections in and of
himfelf ( as God ) and all that is fufficient for his
infinite BlefTednefs, in and from himfelf, and hath
all that in him, which is fufficient for the Good
of his Creatures, and higheft Happinefs of his
People. Again, he is moft perfect, becaufe he
wants nothing from another to make him bleffed.
He needs no Creatures to contribute any thing to
him, nor doth helofe any thing by Creatures fall-
ing from him : or can have any Addition to his
Gloiy or BlefTednefs, by the accefs of men, or
Angels to him. So alfo, he doth what pleafeth
himfelf, nothing can refift his Will, or fruftrate
his Purpofesa and therefore is moll; perfect in him-
felf. And
1 6 The Bejl Treafvre, Or9
And if the Lord Jefus be fo perfect in himfelf*,
then he is the Author of Perfection to his People,
for he hath made over himfelf, his whole Perfon,
God -Man, to Believers, to be their Shield and
exceeding great Reward. Then Believer, thy cafe
is happy, thy Treafure is full and perfect, thy
Choice is a blelTed Choice, and thy Lot a perfect
Lot, fall'n in a good Ground. Then the Perfon of
thy Beloved is altogether lovely, his Accomplish-
ments being altogether perfect, not a Spot or Ble-
mi(h in him. Then all his Gifts to his Spoufe are
perfect, his Righteoufnefs is a perfect Righteouf-
neft that makes Believers in God's Account as per-
fect as Chrift himfelf, were not the robe of his
Righteoufnefs every way as large as thy Guilt
and Nakednefs, were it not long enough and
broad enough to cover all thy Deformities, and
hide all thy Imperfections from the pure and
judging Eye of the Father, it were not perfect.
B&t all his Procurements by his Blood are perfect.
His Holinefs is a perfect Holinefs, and he will make
his Peoples Graces perfect too, e"re he hath done.
He is the Roc^ his tForl^ is perfecl^ u e. He doth
perfectly fulfill his Promifes, his Works are true to
his Word, and he will perfdl that which concerns his
People. Pfal. 138. 8. i.e. He will accomplilh that
which he hath begun in me.
Let the doubting Believer know, that the Per-
fection of Chrilt is Security for Perfection in his
Graces alfo, in due time \ he that hath begun a
a good work in thy Soul, will perfect it until the
day of Jefus Chrilt i he will, e're he hath done,
bring thy weak Graces to Perfection, that when
he [hall appear to Judgment, thy Holinefs thall be
prefent-
the Vnfearchabk Riches of Chrift. \ 7
preflnted to- the Father without Spot or wrin-
kle.
Secondly, As the Godhead of Chrift, is a moft
pure and iimple Being, To is he an infinite EfTence,
both internally, without all Limitation or Dimen-
(ion of his Being *, and externally, without all
Comprehenfion of Places or Capacities * every At-
tribute of his is infinite, His Vnderjianding is infi-
nite. Pfal. 147. 5. His Wifdom, Power, Love,
Mercy, Faithfulnefs, and all his Perfections, are
one entire, infinite Being, that cannot be known
or comprifed, no Bounds or Meafures can be fet
to his divine Excellencies, The Heaven of Heavens
cannot contain bim> 1 Kings 8. 27. or compafs his
Greatnefsi how much lefs can a narrow Heart
receive his Fulnefs , his Love : and all his Attri-
butes are beyond Knowledge. Ifa. 40. 25. To
rrbom then will ye UJ^en me, or (hall I be equal, faith
the holy one. This Infinitenefs of Chrifts divine
Nature, is a my toy too deep for humane Capaci*
ty to fathom, not curioufly to be fearched out, but
humbly to be ador'd, and no way difcoverable,
but by his own Light, and according to the model
of a created underltanding. Some dark Reflections
of this vifible Glory, are difcoverable in the Glafs
of facred Scripture, which declare the Greatnefs ( f
God, both as to his incompreheniiblenefs and
Eternity i> he is every where, and yet circumfai-
bed no where, he fills all places in the World, or
without the World, but confin'd no where*, no
where included, no where excluded ; containing
all things, contained by none, his effential Prefence
is in all places, not by any Extenlion or Divition
if parts, which are not in God5 but ( as the Sow!
C in.
1 8 TheBeftTreafure.Or,
in the Body, fo is God in the Univerfe ) the whole
in the whole,and the whole in every part }He ise£-
fentially prefent in all Places \ not by imparting his
Eflence to any created Being, but by giving and
preferving the Being of thofe tilings which till up
thofe Places : fo his Power is every where, in that
all things are fubjed to his Power s his Wifdom
tills Heaven and Earth, in that all Things and Pla-
ces are manifeft in his light. And this yields,
i. Comfort to Believers.
2. Terrour to Sinners.
3. Caution to all.
Firft, Wonderful Comfort to Believers, in the
AiTurance of ChruYs Omniprefence with them, to
counfel and comfort them. The Believer can fay,
what none elfe can, Where I am, there is my
Treafure with me : In all Eftates and Places is the
Lord Jefus with his People ( while they keep with
him. ) In the Water, he wades with them •, in the
(71ames, he ftands between them, to keep off De-
itrudtion from them > when under Wants, Tem-
ptations, Dangers, he is by them at their right
hand to relieve them : he knows their Soul in
Adverfity, for he is near them : He is by, when
Corruptions infuned in them, when Satan wkh
his fiery Darts affaults them, or Enemies epprefs
them i he fees when their Fears rife and their
Tears fall : He ftands behind Efhraims back when
he is mourning, and puts his Tears into his Bottle,
and layes his Complaints upon his Heart. No foon-
er is Mary mourning for her departed Lord, but
he is by her fide to comfort her. When his Vanu
elf are thrown into the Lyons Den, he goes with
them to (hut the mouthes of devouring Lyons, or
to
the TJnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 19
to give Life in the midft of Death : When the Knife
is at the Throats of his Ifaackj, his Power is by to
hold back the murtherous hand from deftroying >
We will breaks their bands,, and cafl their cords* from
us, Pfal. 2.3. fay the Saints Enemies : Hold there,
faith Chrift, I am with them to defend them. No
cruel Edicts can exile them from his Prefence : He
was in Patmos with John, and turn'd it into a Pa-
vilion \ with Jeremiah in the Dungeon, and gave
him Goal delivery. Earthly men may be abroad,
and their Treafures at home ', but faithful Believers
carry their Treafure with them, or their Portion,
their Inheritance follows them.
Secondly, The Immenfity and Omniprefence of
Chrift fpeaks Terrour to the Wicked, in that he is
near them to behold and requite their Tranfgref-
fions i He knows their Works and their Thoughts,
all their fecret Deiigns are naked in his fight h
There's no covering from his Eye, The Varfyiefo
and Light are both alikg to him, Pfal. 13 p. 12. He
fees their Rage and Fury againft him i their hid-
den works of Darknefs : All their Plots and Pur-
pofes againft his Intereft are open to his Eye ; their
inward Thoughts, filthy Lufts, clofe Pra&ifes, are
before him *, he is behind thy back, Sinner, to hear
thy blafphemous Oaths, thy reproachful Slanders
of his wayes and People : thy malicious refolves,
thy bloody Decrees againft his poor and faithful
ones: He is before thee to obviate thy Deiigns,
to fruftrate thy Attempts, and requite thy Spighc
and Milchiefs. O you who are yet in your blood
and gore of Sin, in your confederacy with Death
and Hell, in yout fixed Wrath againft the Lord
and his Anointed, be perfwaded to believe the
C 2 great-
20 The befi Treafure, 0r->
greatnefs of your Danger before you feel it \ think
how vifible all your works of darknefs are, when
God, who is all Eye, is in every place \ and how
defperate your finful Adventures are, on the drawn
Sword of Divine Juftice at your Breafts •, how un-
fafe your fecureft ftate is, who are compafs'd with-
in the Circle of Omniprefence, and have Venge-
ance continually at your heels, yea, are taken in the
Arms of devouring Judgment.
Thirdly, The belief of Chrift's being every
where, gives a Caution to all to carry themfelves
in all Places and Undertakings, as fuch who are
ever in his fight : His Eyes run to and fro, to be-
hold the Evil and the Good : He ftands by thy
Bed fide, to infpeft thy waking Thoughts, to ob-
ferve thy unchafte Motions, thy Earthy, vain Co-
gitations s no fooner is a forbidden wilh in thy
Heart, but his Eye is there alfo : thy tow'ring
cPride, thy pale Envy, thy flaming Anger, thy
frothy Pleafure, thy luftful Defires, thy revenge-
ful Proje&s thy Earthy Thoughts,are legible Chara-
cters to his difcerning look. And (hould not the fenfe
of this advife thy rational Soul to more watch-
fulnefs over thy treacherous Heart : And furely,
were Chrifts All-feeing Eye more obferved, Per-
fons Thoughts would be more weighed, and their
Infides more regarded. O, Reader, whoever thou
art, Lodge this Truth in thy Heart, and carry this
Belief up and down with thee, wherever thou go-
eft ', The Eye of God is on thee : He that mud
fhortly be thy Judge, is now thy Recorder \ and
puts a Remark on all thy Thoughts, Words and
Wayes, for which he will bring thee into Judg-
ment. Set a watch on all the rifing motions of
thy
The TJnfiarchabk Riches ofChrift. 2 1
thy Heart h flop thy hafty words at the door, and
examine what they are, whence they come, whi-
ther they go, before thou let them pals > and mea-
fure thy deilgned Anions by the Standard of the
San&uary, e're thou let them go under thy hand >
feeing he that is thy Judge comes with his mea-
suring Line to take an Account of them, and to
render according to their nature and merit.
Thirdly, Again, As Chrifts Infinitenefs exceeds
all confines of Place, fo he pa lTes beyond all termi-
nations or Time ', being from Everlafting to Ever-
lafting, without Beginning, without End: Pfal.
£0. 2. His Duration admits of no diftin&ion of
Time, and therefore muft needs be Eternal. Time
is the meafure of Finite Beings, which are capable
of Priority and Succefrlon, but the Divine EiTence
hath no Beginning, and fo can have no End : He
is the Author of all other Beings, and therefore
cannot have a Beginning *, there being nothing be-
fore him to give him a Being : God hath his EC^
fence in and of himfelf, and fo muft needs be E-
ternal. Neither is he only Eternal, ( faith Aqui-
nas ) but he is his own Eternity, becaufe he is his
own EiTence, fubfifting in and of himfelf •, which
Effence, or Eternity of his, is the very reafon of
Eternity, and of all things contained therein : for
the Divine EiTence, fubfifting of himfelf, muft needs
be before all things that are made, as the Caufe
is before the ErTedr, and Eternity before Time h fee-
ing the things that are made are made by him,
Jok 1.3.
His Unity alio proves his Eternity, being one
uncompounded and undivided Being, and To be*
fore all, as Unity is before Multitude ; and what-
G 3 eves
22 The Befi Treasure, Or,
ever Beings are, they are derived from Unity •,
and without End, for take off Unity and nothing
remains. The Scriptures bear full witnefs to the
Eternity of Chrift : Before the Mountains wen brought
forth, or ever thou had{\ formed the Earth, and the
World, from Everlajiing to Everla\\ing thou art God,
Pfal. 90. 2. I am the firji, and I am the laft, and
bcfides me there is no God, Ifa. 44. 6. He U the Al-
fha and Omega, the beginning and the Ending, which
#, which was, and which is to comi, Rev. 1.8. He is
before all, and by him all things confiji, Col. 1. 17*
And though Chrift be called the onely begotten
Son of God, Job. 1. 14. and fo implies the Fa-
ther to be before the Son ■•> yet this priority is of
Order, not of Time-, Chrift, as God, is Eternal
with the Father, and fo before all Time, J oh. 1. 1.
and to Everlafting.
And this greatens the Believers Happinefs be-
yond all conception, that his Treafuve is Eternal :
JTime limits all the Ccmforts and Interefts of
Chriftlefs Souls, let them feerr, never fo amiable
and great (through the multiplying- glafs of
miftaken Senfe ) yet the fnortnefs of their Dura-
tion narrows up their Felicity ^ whereas the por-
tion of Heaven-born Souls exceeds all Dimenfions
and Terminations : The Moth of Time cannot
confume theh- Treafure : their Leafe can never ex-
pire : thoufands of years, that comprife the ex-
tent of Earthly Eftatts, fublira&s nothing from
that Eternity, which gives duration to the Saints
Treafure. Rcjoyce, O Believer, in the allured per-
petuity of thy belt Interefts-, here thy moft delired
Mercies are but of (hort continuance : Thy Privi-
kd^es are but Tabernacle-priviledges •, thy Enjoy-
ments
the TJnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 23
ments determinable, thy Frames are tranfient*
thy Pleafares fading, Hope, Peace, Love, Grace"1
endures but for a Seafon, but thy PolTeilions beyond
the Grave, are eternal : and as long as Chrift lives,
fhall thy Treafure laft, thy Holinefs5Happinefs, Plea-
fures, and Perfe&ions in the other World, (hall be
coexiftent with thy Soul *, and as far from expiring
as the Love that gave them was1 from beginning.
And as thy Comforts here are (hort liv'd, fo are
thy Troubles too, Sorrow enduring for a Night,
light Afflictions, and but for a moment, 2 Cor. 4.
17. Tears contained within a Bottle, Fears, Wants,
LofTes, Dangers, coniin'd within this Span of time^
and expir'drwith this (hort Vapor of Life, but thy
Confolations, Gain, Enjoyments, Peace, Safety,
fhall be eternal, no more liable to the Injury of
time \ thy wet and weary Sowings, are but for
a Seafon ■•> thy weak and wafting Duties, will be
over •, but thy reaping, thy refting (hall know no
end, but endure while the Eternity and Omnipcfc
tency of Chrift can make them good.
Fourthly, The Divine Nature of Chrift is im-
mutable alfo, above all Alteration and Change,
He is the fame Tefterday^ to ~Day^ and for ever. Heb*
13.8. Immutable is his Nature, being a moft ilm-
pie Eflence, free from parts or any Mixture, that
might render him capable of Corruption *, he is
alfo the flrft Being, and fo free from the Influence
and Difpofe of a higher Power. Change in any
thing comes, either from a Corruptiblenefs in its
Nature, or from the Will of a Superiour Power :
but God being the flrft and fupreme Caufe, is
above all, and fo unalterable in his Nature. Ifa.
44. 6. I am thefirfi and the laft. He is infinite too,
and Co comprehends all Fullnefs of Perfe&ion in
C 4 hifl>
'24 The Bejl Trcafnrc, Or,
himfelf, and cannot meet with Alteration ', they
are imperfect things, that are fubjedt to change,
old things that pafs away, but God 'is. infinitely
perfect, and therefore cannot change or be moved
from what lie is, by any external or internal
Caufe=> he cannot ceafe to be what he was, or be-
gin to be what he was not : (as to his Divine be-
ingj indeed the 7^W, the fecoiid Perfon, in time
allumes the humane Nature, into a Union with
himfelf, but then he doth not ceafe to be what he
was, that is perfect God, and fo doth not change :
and though he alters his Laws and Adminiltrations
of Worfhip, in the times of the Gofpel, yet he al-
ters not his mind, this Change was decreed from
all Eternity : God determined them to be muta-
ble, and therefore they mult change, or God
would not be immutable. And whereas it may
be urged, that God doth threaten to do what he
doth not, and promifc to perform, what he hath
tfever fulfilled, and therefore is mutable. 1 anfwer,
that God never threatens and promifes in his word
abfolutely, but conditionally, and the Condition
failing, the Act on which it depends fails : but
God doth not change his Mind, neither was this
Mutability in man, accidental to God, but forefcen
and fure, and fo Gods Purpofes thereabout, are
not alterable, but eternal. And whereas God is
faid, now to be angry, and then to Love, which
argues a Mutation : yet that Change is not in
Gods Will and ArTcclion, which is one ElTence.
with himfelf, but in his outward Difpenfation.
80 that the Divine Nature in Chriti is unchangea-
ble, both in his Nature and Will, he cannot, he
y, ill-- not vary h in him is no Variablenefs, or
Shadow
the Unsearchable Riches ofChrifi. 25
Shadow of turning', he is a Rock, and his Work
perfed: ', Time or Change in Creatures, work no
Change in God i 'tis the Miftake of Unbelief to
think that the Heart of God changes, as the poor
Eeliever doth^ like thofethat row by the Shore,
fancy the Land and Houfes on it to move, when
'tis but the Veflel changes his place.
Comfort thy Heart poor Soul (who haft (Incere-
ly chofen the Lord to be thy Portion) on this AC-
furance, that the Thoughts of God are the fame
towards thee as ever : all thy changeable Frames,
and unfaithful Dealings with him, works no more
Alteration in his Heart to thee, than the interpo-
iing Clouds, do on the eiTential Light of the Sun \
or the Provocations of the Child, on the Fathers
Relation, who is ftill a Father, how unlike foever
he carries himfelf to the Child : but thefe Inftances
are too fhort to adumbrate and fet out the Immu-
tability of God, who cannot but be Truth,though
every man be a Lye : he is faithful and cannot ck-
ny himfelf to his, though they believe not : Tis
his Faithfulnefs fecures thy Faith, and not thy
Faith makes good his Faithfulnefs. Rom. 3.3.4.
Shall their Vnbeliefmake the Faith (or Faithfulnefs)
of God, of none Effetl ? God forbid. Mat. 3 . 6. I
the Lord, change not, therefore ye Sons of Jacob are
not confumed.
Is Chrift immutable ? Then there is Ground
enough for Believers to caft Anchor on him, and
to bottom their ftrong Hopes upon his Promifes :
for faithful vt he that hath promifed. Heb. 10. 23.
He U not as man that he jhould lye, or as the Son of
man, that be Jhould repent. Numb. 23. 19. Hath
bcfpoken, and Jh all be not make it good. He cannot
alter
26 The Beji Treafure, Or,
alter the Word that is gone out of his Mouth, Hea-
' ven and Earth (nail pals away, but not one Tittle
of his Word, till all be fulltilled: For this end hath
God {hewed to the Heirs of Promife, the Immutabili*
iyof his Council (confirmed by an Oath) that by two
'immutable things (his Purpofe and Promife) in
which 'tis impojjible for God to lyejhey might have jirong
Confolation who have fled for Refuge, to lay hold on the
Hopefet before them. Heb. 6. 18. 19. O Believer, fuf-
fer not thy Soul to be toiled to and fro, with every
change of Providence without,or of thy heart with-
in, but roul thy Hopes on this Rock of Ages, on
whom the Pillars of the Earth hang for their Sted-
faftnefs, the whole Creation for its Sultentation,
by whom Winter and Summer, Day and Night
are kept within their Seafons, and all the changes
of his People, reduced into a Coniiitency with his
Covenant Fidelity.
This alfo yields encouragement to Believers,
foV perfeverance in the way of Duty, whatever
Alterations are in their Conditions and the Times
they live in : becaufe he that leads them is the
fame, in the worft, as well as the beft of Times i
and as able to fecure them, and as firm in his Af-
fections to them, feeing he changes not, and there-
fore cannot, will not leave them.
Again, To this Immutability of God in Chrift,
may gracious Souls go to get their unfteddy Hearts
1, and derive by Faith more conftancy to their
' Spirits towards God : He who is faithful hath en-
gag * to eftablidi their Hearts with Grace, and
kee| n from Evil. 2 Tbef 3. 3. But the Lord U
faithful^ who Jhall efiablijh you and fyep you from
cvii, Jiro. 20. 20. Believe God, fo jhall you be
J. As Chriit's Life is Security for the Be-
liever's
the UnfearchMe Riches ofChrifi. i y
liever's Life, J oh. 14. i p. His Power for their Pre-
servation, 2 Jim. 1. 12. fo is his Immutability for
their Stedfaftnefs, Pfal. 102. 12. The Author of
this Pfalm, under the fenfe of his weaknefs, and
the languifliing ftate of Sion, comforts himfelf in
the conflderation of Gods Immutability : But thou,
0 Lord,jhalt endure for ever : And^pon this moun-
tain of Spices raifes his hopes of Sion ( this he
takes for granted, from his unalterablenefs ) He
Jball appear in his Glory. Go, Believer, and lay ( by
Faith ) thy changeable Heart on Chrift's Conftan-
cy s as the Sbunamite did her dead Child on EU-
fhas Bed, till the received him to Life again,
2 Kings 4. 2 1. And (he faid ( when her Child
was dead J) It /hall he well, verf. 23. So in the
fame Spirit of Faith with her,Leave thy Soul with a
Faithful Jefus to be made faithful alfo. 1 Thefo.2^.
Faithful is he that callethyou, who will alfo do it.
Fifthly, The Omnifcience of Chrift is another
of his Divine Attributes, by which he doth per-
fectly, and in one Eternal and immutable Acl,
know himfelf, and all things that were,are,or (hall
be : and things that are not, that never were or ne-
ver (hall be^ things natural and voluntary,neceflary
and contingent \ things in their Caufes and Ef-
fects, acted or intended, good or evil, finite or in-
finite > all are mod clearly and fully naked and
open in his fight. He alone fully knows himfelf
and his Divine Perfections, 2 Cor. 2. 10. The Spi-
rit fearcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God,
ver. 11. For what man knoweth the things of man,
fave the Spirit ef a man, which U in man, even fo the
things of God kpowetb no man, hut the Spirit of God
So Matth. 1 1. 27. No man kgowetb the Son, but the
Fa"
2 c? The Befi Treafure, Or,
Father, neither kiiorveth any man the Father, fave the
Son : That is, No man can know the Divine Na-
ture but God himfelf, immediately and perfectly >
That knowledge which the Saints have of God, is
but a fecondary and communicated knowledge, of
Gods back parts, as revealed in his Works, Word,
and in a Mediatour, according to the meafure of
the Gift of Chrift : But God knows himfelf im-
mediately and fully as he is •: for his Knowledge
is his EfTence, and fo as Infinite as his Being is.
He is a pure Ad without any potentiality : there-
fore his Underftanding and himfelf are the fame.
He knows alfo all things elfe that are in Being and
not in Being ^ things paft, prefent, or to come, in
one eternal Ad, without any fearch into Princi-
ples or Caufes ; as Humane Understandings do, in
a difcourfive way, and by fucceflion: but hath
the Idea's of all things in himfelf, his EfTence be-
ing the Exemplar of thofe things, feeing he gives
them their Being : As the Artificer knows the
Forms of the Pieces he makes, and the Writer tta
proportion of his own Letters j fo doth God, the
£rft Caufe, know all things that receive their Na-
ture from him j they being firft in him, and fo
eternally prefent to him. Hence the knowledge
of God is mod certain and infallible, and things
are as he knows them, feeing his Knowledge
gives them their Being : which mull be under-
itood of the things that God approves of, as his
Creatures, his Providences, and Evils of Punifti-
ment, which are juft and righteous : But finful
Evils have no dependance on his Fore- knowledge,
or Influence from his EfTence. Indeed Aclions,
as they are natural, have their Being from God •,
but
the Vnfearchable Riches ofChrift. 29
but the pravity and finfulnefs of thofe Ads ( Sin
being but the privation of that good which was,
3nd {hould be in them ) is derived from the Sub-
ject whofe Ads they are : As the Motion of the
Clock is from the Art of the Artificer i but the
obliquity of the Motion is from fome defed in the
Clock it felf : Gods fore-knowledge of Sin con-
fers no Phyfical Vertue and neceffity to the Being
and fucceflion of Sin} and yet his knowledge of it
is certain *, all things being naked and manifeft in
his fight, who is Truth it felf, and cannot deceive
or be deceived : He determining to permit the Be-
ing of Sin, muft needs fore-know it '<> elfe his
Knowledge would not be per fed: : and if his
Knowledge (hould be imperfed, his EfTence would
be fo too, they being both the fame -, but this
cannot confift with the Fountain of all Perfedion :
He is the Holy One, and can do no Iniquity,
Zepb. 3. 5. His Fore- knowledge of Sin, doth^ot
offer Violence to the Nature of man, or deftroy
the natural Freedom of his Will, but forefeeing
what man would be, determined to leave him to
the natural Motion of his own Will. Judas be-
traying Chrift, as it was ilnful, was the Confe-
quent of Gods Foreknowledge, but the effed of
his own Covetoufnefs. Atts 2. 23.
All Contingencies are perfedly forefeen of God
alfo, both in himfelf as the firft Caufe, and fo they
are neceiTary to fucceed in due time \ he fees them
alfo in the fecond Caufes, in refped of which they
are faid to be contingent, for to God nothing is
accidental, although it feems lo to men, through
an Llnacquaintednefs with their Dependance on the
firft Caufe : Rcbeccah's meeting Abraham's Servant
at
So The Beft Treafnre^ Or9
at the Well, and her Difcourfe with him. Gen. 24,
15. ieem to Standers by, to be things contingent :
but look back to the former Verfe, and you will
fee them to be the anfwer of Prayer, and fo before
appointed : The like was the Midianites drawing
Jofeph out of the Pit, Gen. 37. and the Wind
blowing down the Houfe on Job's Children,
Job 1. though they look like Accidents, yet were
the Effects of Gods Permhlion and fore-appoint-
ment.
Again, God fore-knows all Contingencies, not
only as they are in their firft and fecond Caufes,
but as they are in themfelves h for all things being
prefent to him, he perfectly knows what every
Caufe will produce in time, and fo muft necefla-
rily come to pafs ', according to that Axiome » Eve-
ry thing that is, when once it is, it appears necefc
fary that it mould be: A&s 15. 18. Known unto
God are all his Wor\s? from the beginning of the
World. Heb. 4. 13. Neither is there any Creature
which is not manifefi in his fight , but all things are
tiakgd and open to the Eyes of him with whom vpe have
to do. Pfal. 56. 8. Thou t el left my wandrings? put
thou my tears into thy Bottle? are not they in thy Book,?
Pfal. 1 3 p. 2. Thou underftandeji my Thoughts afar
off: that is, before they are in Being. Prov. 15. 3.
The Eyes of the Lord are in every place? beholding the
evil and the good. This Wifdom of Chrift, as God,
is part of his Unfearchable Treafure, and (b great
a Deep, that 'tis part finding out, by his moft in-
telligent Creatures in Heaven and Earth. Rom.
11.33. ^ ^n depth* of the Kicks, both of the Wif-
dom and knowledge of God? how unfearchable are his
Judgment S) and his w ayes paji finding out.
Again,
The Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. %\
Again, as God is infinitely wife in himfelf, Co
is he the Author of all Wifdom to his Creatures -,
He enlightneth every one that cometb into the World.
Jo. i. p. This is laid down to prove the Divine
Nature of Chrift, he is the Word^ which is God*
this appears both in his making all things verfe 3.
and in his incomprehenfible ElTence, He vs the
Light Shining in Darkpefs, and the "Darkriefs compre-
hends it not: Alfo, he is the Fountain of all that
Light and Life his Creatures enjoy, and therefore
rauft needs be God. The Evangelift doth not fpeak
here of Chrift as Mediator, and fo of that faving
Light, which he gives to his Ele<S, by his Spirit *
but of his divine ElTence, which the Jews would
not own, and as a proof of it, doth inftance in his
creatorly Power : he is the Fountain of that natu-
ral Light, which all men have : all Wifdom comes
from him, who is the Father of Lights \ he is the
Fountain of Light, able to fill the Children of men
with all that Knowledge that is neceflfary, to th?ic
higheft Happinefs, to guide them with his Eye,
and lead them into all Truth.
Firft, This yields wonderful Comfort to Belie-
vers, that they have chofen fuch a Saviour, as is
able to make them wife to Salvation *, who not on-
ly knows what is beft for them, but can alfo reveal
and make out the Knowledge thereof to them,
that they might know and chufe, what makes for
their beft Good here and for ever : He is the Son
of Right eoufnefs, Mai. 4. 2. The bright Morning Star.
Rev. 22. 16. The Light of lfrael, Ifa. 10. 7. Tht
Pillar of Fire by Night. Neh. p. 1 2. To (hew them
their way, in their greateft Difficulties and Obfcu-
rity.
Second-
32 The Bejl Treafure, 0r9
Secondly, This allures gracious Souls, that he
who hath undertaken their Conduct, Supply, and
Prefervation to Glory, knows how to make it good
and finifh the work he is intruded with : he can
keep that good thing committed to him *, he can
help them in the worlt of Straits, and lead them
through the greateft Improbabilities, Weaknefles,
Dangers, yea Impoiiibilities to their defired
Reft.
Thirdly, This alfo relieves them, that they
have a Friend in Heaven, who knows their Soul in
Adverfity, and is acquainted with all their Trou-
bles, Wants, WeaknelTes, Wrongs, Fears, Dangers,
yea with all their Labours, Duties, Defires and De-
signs for him, and knows how to fuccour, com-
fort, fupport and deliver them, when all Refuge
fails them, and there is none to help -, and how
to requite, and crown all their Duties and Suffer-
ings for his Name: He knows their Corruptions,
tne Strength, and Prevalency of them, ani how
to fubdue and deftfoy them > he fees their Ways
and Infirmities, and how to heal them, he knows
the Power and Malice of their Enemies, to reftrain
them, and difcovers the molt fecret Plots againft
his innocent ones, to difappoint them, that in vain
is the Snare laid in his Sight againft them. He
obferves thy Tears Believer, thy corner Duties,
thy Bed-fide Breathings after him, though hid
from others * he takes notice of thy Innocency,
when men revile thee, and knows how to plead
thy Caufe, and bring thee to the Light.
Fourthly, This will ferve to humble the proud
Heart of men, that God is acquainted with a 1
their Vilenefs *, he fees their high, their fretfu1,
their
the Vxfearchable Riches ofChrift. 33
their vain, their unclean, their unfbund, their re-
bellious Hearts. Souls > men fee the beft of you,
your fair and fpecious Duties, but he fees your in-
fide and alt your fecret Rottennefs, when you
fit before him, as his People fit, and feem devout
in your Services > he at the fame time knows where
your Thoughts are wandring, and efpies every
vain Motion and finful glance of your deceitful
Eye : when thou prayeft with greatelt Zeal, his
Eye is upon thy clofe Hypocrifie, thy fpiritual Pride,
thy bafe ends, and thofe conceived Lufts, which
will break out, when thy Duties are over. O how
fhould this abafe thy' proud Heart, aud prevent thy
fwelling Thoughts upon conceited Excellencies in
thy felf, or fuppofed Worth in thy Duties, feeing
he knows what is in thee, and how vain man
would be wife.
This alio mould advife thy Soul to Sincerity, in
thy Profeffion, Purpofes, Promifes, Duties, be-
caufe he beholds thee, and weighs thy Path*,
fearcheth thy Heart, tries thy Reins, and will
fhortly bring thy fecret things to Judgment.
Lallly. This counfels fuch as want VVifdom, to
be looking to Jefus, and waiting at the Foun-
tain, and Spring- head, for their Inftru&ion.
Sixthly, the Omnipotency of Chrift, is ano-
ther of thofe glorious Properties of the divine na-
ture, which renders him fo vaft, and unconceiva-
ble a Treafure, to all that receive him, He is the
mighty God the everlajimg Father. If a. p. 6. who
hath infinite Strength to order and etiablilh his
Kingdom, and to exert his Government in Sion^
and over Nations : his Strength mult needs be infi-
nite, becaufe his Kingdom is eternal h no created
D humane
34 The Befi Treafure, Or,
humane arm, can fway the Scepter of the World,
and maintain an everlafting Rule over the Hearts
and Conventions of all his People, in all Ages}
and therefore, he muft be God, and the mighty
God, to tranfacT: the whole Work, that concerns
him, as Mediator, and to anfwer the Appellations
given him in Scripture. Things are afcribed to
Chrift, which cannot be performed by lefs than an
infinite Power.
Firft, His creating all things in Heaven and
Earth, Col. l. i6. By him were all things created,
that are in Heaven and that are in Earth, vifible and
invifible, whether they he "Thrones, or Dominions, or
Principalities, or Powers, all things were created by
him, and for him : He is the eternal Word, the
Exemplar, and efficient Caufe of all created Beings »
The Heavens and Earth,Angels and men,the Inhabi-
tants of the upper and nether World,were all form'd
by Jehovah,Chrift, who gave Being to all hisCrea-
Cures, as pleafed him', and therefore his Power
muft needs be Almighty, who vs the everlajling God,
the Lord, the Creator o£ the ends of the Earth, that
fainteth not, he that giveth Breath unto the People up'
on it, and Spirit to them that walkj herein. Ifa. 40,
28. chap. 42. 5.
What a potent Lord have Believers chofen,
who can fuperfede all their Difficulties, by his
Creation-help? if his whole Store-houfe of Heaven
and Earth be not full enough to fupply their
Wants, he can foon fet forth a new Edition of
Mercies by his own immediate arm ', if their way
to Glory, lye through a wafte howling Wildernefs
where no Foot-fteps can be feen to guide them, he
can create a Cloud by day, and Pillar of Fire by
Night
the Utjfiar chalk Riches ofChrift. g 5
Night to conduct them : If their Provifions fail
to relieve them in their Journey, he can rain a
Shower of Manna from his fecret Granary, and
open the Caverns of the Flinty Rock, and put
new Springs into the barren Wildernefs to refrefh
them i when they are invironed with Troops of
Death, he can, in a Moment, interpofe his fiery
Chariots and Horfe-men, and when ail their Deli-
verers fail, fend from Heaven, and fave them:
when the Vifibility ot Religion ceafes, and the
Heavens pafs away as a Scrole, when the Glory
of the Lords Houfe is difTolv'd into a Chaos, when
the Gold of the Sanctuary is become Drofs, and
the Gofpel-Church metamorphoz'd into the old
World, he can even then create a new Heaven, and
a new Earth, wherein dwelleth Righteoufnefs.
Is thy Heart, Believer, full of filthinefs \ Thy Re-
deemer can create a clean Heart : and if thy Tem-
peft-tofled Soul can find no reft, thy Lord can cre-
ate the Fruit of the Lips, Peace for thee : What is
too hard for a creating Arm to do ? Or what can
undoe that People, who havea faithful Creator to
commit themfelves, and all their Concerns un-
to?
Secondly, Another Proof of the Omnipotency
ofChrift, is the upholding all things by the Word
of his Power, Heb. 1. 4. Who being the Brzgbtnefs
of his Fathers Glory, and the exprefs Image of his
Per fin, and upholding all things by the Word of his
Tower. Here's another Royalty of the divine Na-
ture ofChrift, a new beaming out of his Glory
as God, even in the bearing up, maintaining, and
Difpofe of the whole Creation, in the former ver.
the forming of the Univerfe, and whole World,
D 2 was
36 The beji Treafore, Or?
was afcribed to Chrift : and here the Prefervation
ofitalfo, is laid upon him, as a further Evidence
of his onenefs with the Father : having begun his
Work in the Creation,he carries it on in his provi-
dential Suftentation thereof,He // before all things*
and by him all things confiftjCol. 1 . 1 7 . He is the Foun-
dation that underprops the whole Fabrick of Hea-
ven and Earth, which would foon fink down in-
to its firft nothing, if everlafting Arms were with-
drawn from beneath it, he that firft gives Being to
his Creatures, muft continue it i Confervation is
but a Continuation of the firft adt of Creation,
to preferve the World from Deftru&ion, to conti-
nue the Creatures in their peculiar Nature and
Properties, and to govern thofe Diversities in an
united Subferviency to his Will and Glory 5 and
the Well-being of the whole, is a work of infinite
Power, and needs the fame Strength, that firft
produced them. And this is the work (Ghriftians)
of your Mefliab, that perfon who is God- Man »
who by his divine power and efficacious Provi-
dence, animates, actuates, cherifties, quickens,
and fweetly difpofes of all Creatures, Adions and
Affairs in the World. He is the great Monarch
of Heaven and Earth, that changes Times and
Seafons, whofe hands are under his Wings, and
hath a wheel within the Wheels, that turns about
things as pleafeth him •> brings Light out of Dark-
nefs, Order out of Confution, Good out of Evil:
who- hath the Government on his Shoulders, and
abfolute Power in his hand, to difpofe of all per-
fons and things, as may moft further the Pleafure
of his own Will, the Advance pf his Glory, and
the Good of them that fear him.
And
The Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 37
And is not this Security enough to thofe, who
have intrufted themfelves and all their Concerns,
with this glorious Potentate, and King of Kings,
who hath the Management of all things in Heaven
and Earth, that it (hall be well at laft with the
righteous? the momentous Affairs of the world,
and ofSion, (hall iflue in the beft Good of thofc
that love his Name. How mould this calm the
tumultuous Fears of the godly into a fweet Sereni-
ty of Spirit, and (till their tempeftuous Thoughts
in a quiet Relyance on the Arm, Care, and Faith-
fulnefs of their Lord, who knows how to govern
the World, and can, and will bring about his
Work to gracious ends by all feeming Contrarie-
ties, and interfering Providences in the World.
Why art thou afraid, faith Caefar, to the Mafter of
the Ship, that began to he difturFd in his Spirits, by
reafon of the Storm and the Vartyefs of the Night?
Thou carryefi Csefar. How much more (hould Be-
lievers be fedate and quiet in their Minds, who
have embarqued Chrift. Ctfar had only fome
Command at Land, none over the Sea j he go-
vern'd the Bodies of a few men, but Chrift rules
at Land and Sea •, he fits upon the Floods, and at
the Helm of this great Veifel of the World i how
fhould this lift the Saints Heads above all their
Waters I
Thirdly, Chrift5 s working Miracles by his own
Power, proves his Omnipotency, that nothing is
too hard for him j a Miracle is fomewhat done,
which is above and befides the Power and Courfe
of Nature \ not only as the thing done, but as the
manner of doing, when the Caufe is fecret, and
unknown to us, and the thing utterly beyond all
D 3 nam-
38 TheBeJlTreafure, Or,
ral Caufes, that's a Miracle which none but God
can do, either mediately by fecondary Agents, or
immediately of himfelf. Miracles are only done
by a divine hand,becaufe none but God can change
the Order of Nature : and this Chritt did, not by
anothers, but by his own power : The Humane
Nature in Cbrift was but the Inftrument of the divine
Atlion, and the humane Atlion received ifs Vertue
from the divine Nature, faith Aquinas. It was by
his own Power, that Chrift did fuch mighty works
as no man ever did. Tis faid, Vertue went out
of him, and healed all their Difeafes who touched
him. Lukg 6, 19. It was by his word he call out
Devils, and healed them that were iick. Mat. 8. 6.
The Wind, and the Seas obey'd him. ver. 27.
With Authority he commanded the unclean Spirits
and they obey'd him. Mark- 1.27. He opened
the Eyes of them that were born blind, made the
dumb to fpeak, the dead to walk •, by which migh-
ty Works, he proves himfelf to be one with the
Father : What hefeeth the Father do, thefe alfo doth
the Son likewife h for as the Father raifeth up the
dead and quickpeth them, even Jo the Son quickpetb
whom he will. Jo. 6. 19. 24.
Neither did he (hew fuch Wonders himfelf on-
ly, but by his Power he enables his Servants alfo,
to do fuch mighty Works, as were above the
Power of lapfed Nature to do. Mark. 16. 17. 18.
And the fe Signs f) all follow them that believe in my
Name (i. e. by my Power and Authority from me.)
Shall they caji out Devils, they (hall fpeak^ with new
Tongues, they (hall take up Serpents, and if they
d'ihk^any deadly thing, it (hall not hurt them, they
Jhall lay hands on the fick^, and they Jhall recover.
And
the TJnfearchahh Riches ofChrijl. 39
And furely, if the exerted Power of Chrift by weak
Inftruments, could do fuch mighty things, above
the Capacity of natural Agents, then the efTentiai
Power of Chrift can do much more than what he
hath done.
Fourthly, That muft needs be an Almighty
Power in Chrift, that can beftow on the Saints, all
things that they (hall ask of the Father in his name :
but fuch is the Power of Chrift, Job. 14. 13.
Whatfoever ye Jhall ask^of the Father in my Name,
that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the
Son. He doth not fay, my Father (hall do it, or
that will I procure for you by my Mediation and
Intereft in the Father i though that be true alfo :
but that will I do by my own Power, as God equal
with the Father. (I will do it) this he repeats
again in the next ver. If ye Jhall as\any thing tn my
Name, I will do it, being willing to fix this glori-
ous Truth in their Minds, that as he was refolv'd
to fullfill all their juft Deiires, made in his name,
(b he was able to do it, the Father and he being
one. And this muft needs be an Almighty power,
to hear and anfwer all the RequeftXof all the Saints
on Earth, at once : what multitudes are there of
Believers in every Age, more than can be numbred,
who are alway compaffing the Throne, and fend-
ing up a Cloud of Incenfe, to the Mercy Seat dai-
ly i putting up Variety of Requefts to the Father,
through Chrift, and that not for mean things nei-
ther ? They beg for the holy Spirit, for the Shed-
dings abroad of his Love, and Shinings out oi his
■Glory •> for treading down of Satan, for fubduing
of Corruption, for Conqueft over his Enemies,
Enlargement of his Kingdom-, for an Almightinefs
D 4 to
40 The Beji Treafnre, Or,
to do, and invincible Patience to fuffer the whole
Will of God, for the Forgivenefs of great Sins,
and Multitudes of Sins, for Perfcverance in Grace,
and for an eternal Crown of Glory ; thefe aie ma-
ny things and great things, things that none but
a God can give, and yet no more than what Chrift
is engag'd to beftow on all that iincerely feek him \
and therefore muft needs be God Almighty, and
worthy of Sinners Choice, and of the Saints
Truft.
Fifthly, This alfo fets forth the Omnipotency
of Chrift, that he is able not only to do all things
for, but in his People, working all their Works
in theim the Apoftle tells us, 2 Cor. 3. 5. We art
notjufficimt of our felves^ to thinly a 'Thought that is
good '•> Neither lyiow we what to pray for as we ought.
Rom. 8. 26. In them dwells no good thing, as
they are in themfelves s Neither can they do any
thing without him : their Eyes are unto him for
all their Help, their Springs are in him : in the
Lord (hall one fay have I Righteoufnefs and
Strength \ they are dead as to any felf-fufficiency for
the lcaft thing that is good i but he is their Life,
the Soul that animates all their Faculties, the hand
that leads them, the Wifdom that directs them,
the Power that actuates them in every good thing.
Their Works mult be wrought in God or can ne-
ver be good •, 'tis he that works in them, to will,
and to do, of his good Pleafure, he teacheth them
to profit, he held Ifiael by the hand teaching him
to go : he carries his Lambs in his Arms, and
gently drives them that are with young h drawing
thofe that are indifpoied, quickening them that
are dead ; he is the Fountain that rills all their
Pits,
the TJnfearchabk Riches ofChrift. 41
Pits, the Head that gives out animal Influences to
every Member, for every Duty ; and mult not he
then be an all-fufficient God, and have an infinite
Treafury to give to all richly to enjoy, and an Al-
mighty Arm to do all the work of Saints on Earth ?
0 admire Believers, and relye on this Jefus.
Sixthly, railing the dead is an a£t of Omnipo-
tency, a peculiar Property of the divine Nature,
which hath been, is, and (hall be the Work of
Chrilt ', lam the Refurrettion and the Life. Jo. 1 1. 2 5,
i. e. He for whofe fake and by whofe Power the
dead (hall be raifed at the lalt day. Martha fufpedts
Chrifts Ability to revive" her dead Brother, (he be-
lieved indeed, he Should rife at the lalt day, and
not before-, why faith Chrilt, they that (hail then
rife from the dead, (hall rife by my Power 3 and if
1 will raife up the dead then, I can as eafily do it
now. The hour is camming in which all that arc in
their Graves, (hall hear hti Voice, and (hall come
forth, they that have done Good, unto the Refurreai-
on of Life, and they that have done evil, unto the
Refurreclion of Damnation. Joh.^.2^.2p. And I will
raife him up at the I aft day. J oh. 6. 5 4. That there
fhall be a general Refurreclion of the dead, at the
lait day ; when every Body (though now confu-
medj (hall be raifed up and reunited to the Soul,
and be brought to the final Judgment, is notque-
fiioned by thofe that believe, and know the Scrip-
tures. The f Author of this Refurre&ion is God,
as God, but the fecond Perfon, the Lord Jefus, is
delegated toaccomplifli this Work, ?whkh he (hall
do by his own Voice, (faith Chrilt himfelf) by a
Shout, by the Voice of the Arch- Angel, and with
the Trump of God, faith the Apoftle, 1 Tbef.%. 16.
with
42 The Beji Treafare, Or,
with a great Sound of a Trumpet, faith the Evan-
gelift, Mat. 24. 3 i. That is, the Lord Jefus (hall,
at that laft day, by his mighty Voice, pronounced
by the Arch-Angel, caufe all the dead, both (mail
and great, to arife in their fame Bodies, though
chang'd into an immortal State, and fuitable Ca-
pacity, to that Condition, to which they are in-
tended, to receive their Soul, and to come to Judg-
ment. And is not this a mighty Work, to quick-
en the dead, a work peculiarly afcribed to God.
2 . Cor. I . p. For we had the Sentence of Death in
our felves, that rve jhould not trull in our felves^ but
in God which rsifeth the "Dead : 'Tis the work of
God, and of none but God, to raife the dead:
3Tis a work full of Wonder and Amazement, be-
yond all Principles of created reafon, to conceive
how thofe Bodies diffolved to duft, mingled with
other Bodies in the Grave, digeited into other
Natures, by Beads, Fifties, Fowls, that have de-
voured them, fhould yet return and be feparated
from other Duft and Natures, into the fame Indi-
viduals, is fuch a Miracle as is only fit matter for
Faith, not Senfe, and a firm Foundation for the
Believers Hope and Comfort.
It may be thou feelt nothing but Deaths on thy
Graces, Frames and Capacities j thou rindelt De-
cayes in thy Soul, the Spirit of Life feems to be
departed from thee, thou canlt not pray, hear, con-
verfe,with that fweetnefs and delight as heretofore i
Comfort thy felf Believer \ He that is the Life, is
the Refurre&ion alfo : He that quickned thy Heart,
when Dead, will revive it, when decay'd : 'Tis
as eafle with him to reftore thy Spiritual Frames,
as to befiow them : He that can raife the whole
Wctld
the TJnfearchable Riches ofChrift. 43
World from their Bodily, total Death ', can eafily,
and will, in due time,cure thy Soul-dyings alfo.
Again, This will chear drooping Siort, who
faints at her Defolations, and fears what will be-
come of the deftruction on her Interefts : Tis la-
mentable to obferving Souls, to fee how Religion
goes down daily : Holinefs is departed from the
Earth : The Rod of the wicked lies on the back
of the Righteous : the wicked are exalted, and
the Righteous oppreiTed : The Houfe of David
waxes weaker and weaker, and the Houfe otSaul
waxes ftronger : This is a fad Spectacle \ yet in
this cafe Relief is to be fetch'd from an Omnipo-
tent Jefus ; who hath faid, His dead men thai!
live : who can open his Peoples graves, and revive
his decay'd Intereft, and caufe a Nation to bring
forth in a day : and Overturn, Overturn, Overturn,
till his Kingdom be eftablilhed in the Earth.
CHAP. III.
The Humane Nature of Chrift, diftinBly con-
sider d 5 it's Reality proved : His Rer fina-
lity, or the Divine and Humane Nature
in one Per fin spewing what kind of "Union
it is, and the glorious Confequents and
Advantages thereof.
w
E have a little enquired into the Divine
Nature of Chrift : the Beams of whofe
Glory^but darkly feen, yield a wonder-
ful
44 The Bejl Treafure, Or,
ful fplendor, and reviving to a believing Eye.
In the next place, let us confider his Humanity :
The Nature of Man, which the fecond Perfon,
aflumes into a Perfonal Union with himfelf: He
is perfect Man as well as God : The Woman's
Seed '•, Made of a Woman, made, under the Law,
Gal. 4. 4. Made of the Seed of David according to
the Flejh. Rom. 1.3. For be tool^ not on him the
Nature of Angels, but the Seed of Abraham. Heb. 2.
1 6. The Children being partakgrs of flefh and blood,
he likewife took^ part of the fame, ver. J 4. And was
in all things made like to his Brethren, ver. 17. Cal-
led the* Son of Man : the Man Chriit Jefus : having
the Subftante of the Humane Natures though not
the Perfonal Subfiftence thereof: He did not take
the Perfon of Man into Union with himfelf : for
then he would have had two Perfons : and fo
have been no true Mediator: The Mediator be-
ing one : I Tim, 2. 5. For there is one God, and one
Mediator between God and Man, the Man Chrifi
Jefus : But if the Lord Jefus had taken the Per-
fon of Man, then he would have confifted of two
Perfons : the Divine Subfiftence and the Humane »
and fo there would have been two Mediators, or
Perfons mediating, which is contrary to Scrip-
ture.
Neither did he take on him the vicious Quali-
ties or Accidents of the Humane Nature : being
holy, harmlefs, feparate from Sinners : the Holy
Spirit overlhadowing the Virgin Mary, and purging
the Humane Nature of all its linful dregs : forming
it of the Subitance of the Virgin.: not of his own
EfTence : whence the Holy thing begotten by the
Spirit was not God, but Man •, called the Holy
Child
the TJnfearchalle Riches ofChriJl. 45
Child Jefus: purely conceived in the Womb of a
Sinner, without the leaft participation of her
Sin, or vicious Defects of her Nature, receiving
only the perfect Subftance of Man.
Having the ElTential parts of the C Body.
Humane Nature, [ Soul.
A true and real Body, and not a Phantafme, and
Airy Vehicle, as the Marcionites and Hereticks of
old held : He had Flefti and Bones, which a Spirit
hath not, Luty 24. 3 9, Handle me and fee me, for
a Spirit hath not flefh and hones as ye fee me have :
This was after his Refurre&ion, when the Difci-
ples doubted that it was an Apparition and not
him, and even then Chrift had a real Body, palpa-
ble and vifible, the object of External Senfes.
A Natural, and not an Heavenly Body, as the
Manichees affirm'd from 1 Cor, 15. 47. The firft
man U of the Earth, Earthy-, the fecond man is the
Lord from Heaven. But to this I anfwer with Zan-
chy, The Apoftle doth not fpeak here of the ElTen-
tial Body cf Chrift •, but of his Heavenly Spiritual .
Power, which he lets out in railing the Dead *, as
in the former verfe. 'the firft man Adam was made
a living Soul, the laft Adam was made a quieting
Spirit: He fpeaks not here of the Nature, but of
the perfon of the fecond Adam, as Mediator \ the
Difference between whom was great : the firft
Adam but a Creature, this a Creator or Quickning
Spirit : the firft Adam had his Rife from the Earth,
this fecond Adam, as to his perfon, from Heaven :
whence (faith Parous) 'tis evident, the Apoftle
doth not fpeak here of the matter of Chrifts Body,,
but of the Original and Dignity of his Perfon : for
he grants in this whole Difcourfe, that ChriiVs
Body
46 The Bejl Treafere, Or,
Body is one and the fame with ours \ elfe how can
his Rcfurrection be a proof of ours : and 'tis faid,
As by man came deaths fo by man came alfo the Re-
furreBion of the Bead : I Cor. 15. 20, 2 1, 2 2. And
if Chrift had not a real, natural Body, then he
could not be the Seed of the Woman •> neither had
his Death been a real Death, or a fatisfactory Pro-
pitiation ^ if the fame Nature that finned had not
alfo iurTered : And therefore it mud needs be that
Chrift had a Natural Body : He Eat, Drank, Spake,
Walked, was weary, fmitten, bound, crucified :
which are alfo demonftrations of a Natural Body.
And as he had a perfect Body, fo had he a Soul
alfo •, contrary to the Doctrine of ApollinarU i or
elfe he could not be a perfect Man, and in all
things made like unto his Brethren : for 'tis laid,
when God made Man, He breathed into his Nofirils
the Breath of Life, and man became a living Soul,
Gen. 2.7. Hence, faith Lattantw, A Soid-lefs
Body U no Humane Body : 'Tis faid, His Soul was
exceeding forrorvful, even unto Death, Mat. 26, 38.
Had not Chrift a real Soul, he had not been a li-
ving man, nor could be faid to have died, when
he cried our, Father, into thy hands I commit my
Spirit, Luke 2 3 . 46. And having faid fo, he gave
up the Ghofi. This Spirit the Lord Jefus gave up
into his Father's hands, was not his Divine Na-
ture, for that was one with, and ever with the
Father : and therefore muft needs be his Soul i
which was his Life ', and that departing, he is faid
to dye, and give up theGhoft.
Betides, That Knowledge in which he is faid to
increafe, with tho(e Humane Affections that ma-
nifeftly appeared in him, and thole Acts of his
Na-
The Unsearchable Riches ofChriJl. 47
Natural Will, plainly proves his Soul : thefe be-
ing the EiTential Faculties of a Rational Spirit.
Neither could he have perfectly tranfa&ed the Of-
fice of a Mediator, and undergone all the Suffer-
ings that were to be borne for the Sin or Man,
had he not conlifted of a Humane Soul, as well as
Body, part of thefe Penalties, yea the greateft part
being Spiritual, and fuch as none but the Soul
could be fully fenfible of : And in point of Ju*
ftice, the Soul of man having finned, there mult
be a Soul alfo in the Redeemer to undergo Suffer-
ings i wherefore he muft needs be perfect man in
the EiTential Parts of the Humane Nature,
r Body.
1 Soul.
He had alfo the Properties of the Humane Na-
ture, both EiTential and Accidental : The EiTential
Properties of man, as well of the Soul, as Body,
were in him : The EiTential Properties, and Fa-
culties of the Soul, which are the Underftanding,
Will, Affections, were feated in his Nature ', he
had a created Understanding, that eminently (hin'd
out in his youthful years, being able, at Twelve
years old, to difpute with the Learned Doctors, of
his Day, even to the aftonifhment of his Hearers.
Lukg 2. 46 , 47. And they found him in the Temple^
fitting in the mid(i of the Doctors^ both hearing them?
and asking them Questions i and all that heard him
were aftonifhed at his Vnderftandixg and Anfwers.
And ver. 52. Jefus increafed in Wifdom and Sta-
ture.
He had likewife Natural AfTedtions, fo as with-
out fin : He loved the young man in the Gofpel,
for thofe Excellencies that were in him, Mark^
I Co 21.
48 The Beji Treafttre^ Or,
10. 21. And had a peculiar degree of AfTecVion to
John above the reit of the Difciples, Job. 19*26.
He had companion on the multitude, Mat. 5?. 36.
And was grieved for the Heart hardnefs of his
Difciples, Mar^.^. And had indignation againft
Peer's tempting him to decline his Redemption-
work. Mwfe 8. 33.
He had alfo the Elfential Properties of a Humane
Body, fuch as do flow from the ElTence thereof,
and are fo abfolutely ncceffary to it, as that with-
out thefe the Body would ceafe to be a Body : as
Quantity, Figure, Members, Dimen lions : He had
a Material Body, confiding of Flefh and Bone, with
its Lineaments and Members s Face, Hands, Feef,
he had a Stature, in which he grew, as other men
do, Lw% 2. 52. A Body circumfcribed in a place,
that rrmtf needs have a Circumference, and be in
one place at once circumfcriptively, not definitive-
ly, as Spirits are : Neither does its Union with the
Divine Nature, or its glorified ftate in Heaven, al-
ter this EiTential Property of a Body : Nor is the
Omnipotency of God a fufficient Argument to
warrant the Body of Chrift to be in Heaven, and
Earth, and in divers places at once > feeing God's
Abfolute Power never crolfeth his Actual Power,
or jnfer a contrariety to his Truth, and to the
natural Being of things. Neither did he alTume the
Parts and Elfential Properties of Man only, but
the Infirmities alfo, and accidental Properties of
the Humane Nature : though not thofe which
were Perfonal and Vicious, and procur'd by Per-
fonal Sins, or defection in their particular Natures,
as Difeafes, Blindnefs,Lamenefs, Deformity, which
were not the abfolute and univerfal Produdfs of
Ori-
the TJnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 49
Original Sin, incident to every one, but arifing
from fome particular Caufes, and peculiar to fome
Perions onely y thefe our Lord Jefus did not take
upon him 5 but fuch Infirmities as were acciden-
tal to the whole Nature, for that he bimfelfalfo is
compajfed with Infirmities^ Heb. 5. 2. not finful i
as culpable Ignorance and Errour, but Natural In-
firmities, fuch as were incident to. our Natures,
( Sin excepted ) and fuch as were the ErTedts and
Punithment of Sin : thefe Chrift took on him, as
inculpable Ignorance, Humane Pailions of Sorrow,
Fear, Anger in the Soul, Hunger, Thirft, Weari-
nefs, Pain, bloody Sweat, and Death in the Body.
Mark, 13.32. M^n.13. Math. 26. 38. Math.
9.36. Mat. 16.23. Joh. I p. 28. Joh.^.6. Heb.
5. 8. Lukg 22.44. Mat. 27. 50.
And O what enriching Priviledges, and full
Confolation, do flow to Believers, from the Words
afluming the Humane Nature into Perfonality with
himfelf ! And what glorious Excellencies are in
Jefus Chrift, as he is God-Man, in one Perfon !
infinite Treafures, which can never be traced out,
nor fully underltood by the Children of men •, as
will appear, if we conllder the kind of this Union,
and the Confequents of it.
Firfl, Coniider the kind of this Union, between
the Divine and Humane Nature of Chrift y and O
what a glorious Myftery is it !
Firft, It is a real Union : 'tis not Nominal, in
Name onely, or Metaphorical, in Shew or Simili-
tude •, but in Reality and Truth. The Divine and
Humane Nature do conftitute one Perfon, which
is Jefus Chrift. We have already proved that Je-
fus Chrift is perfect God, and perfect Man : he is
E really
5<d The Beji Treafnre, Or,
really Coin one perfon, Job. i. 14. Jhe Word was
made Flefh, and drvelt amongft us, and ws beheld
his Glory. The Iford, that is, the divine Nature,
the God-head of Chrift, was made Fleftj j that is,
united to the humane Nature, and this in a vifible
way : and dwelt amongft usy it was not a Fi&ion,
but really Chrift, God- man, dwelt amongft us,
and vpt beheld bti Glory > it was obvious to our
view, 1 Tim. 3. 16. Great is the My fiery ofGodli-
tiefs, God was, manifeft in the Flefh) juftified in the ^
Spirit, feen of Angels. If this be not real, what can
be Co ? He was manifeft in the Flefh) How ? By way
of real Union, Juftified in the Spirit) by the divine
Nature ', here's Flefh, and here's the divine Nature,
in one perfon, Jefus Chrift, God -Man, feen of
Angels, Rom. 1. 3. 4. Concerning his Son Jcfus Chrift
our Lord) which was made of the feed of David ac-
cording to the Fle(hj and declared to be the Son of
God with Power^ according to the Spirit of Holinefs^
by the RefuneUion from the Dead : Here's a Perfon
confifting of both thefe Natures, real man, born
of che Seed of David) then real God =, thus the
Divine Nature was manifefted to be in Chrift, by
the Re fur red: ion of the dead, Rom. 9. 5. And of
whom as concerning the Flefh Chrift came) who is over
alL God bleffed for ever. Here both Natures are
attributed to one Perfon •, Jefus Chrift, as concern-
ing the Flefh, defcended from Abraham^ he came
from David) that is, he received the humane Na-
ture from the Virgin Mary') and he is God over all,
bleffed for ever, the God-head is faid to dwell in
him bodily, Col. 2. $.
Secondly, It is a very near Union, the neareft
Union that poilibly can be > as the Soul and the
Body
the TJnfearchable Riches ofChriji. 5 1
Body make up one man, fo the divine and humane
Nature of Chrift, makeup one Perfotv, it is fet
forth by way of Inhabitation, Col. 2. 9. In him
dwells all the Fullnefs of the God-head bodily.
God manifeft in the Flelh, and juftified in the
Spirit makes up one entire Perfon : as the Matter
and the Form makes up one Being, fo this di-
vine and humane Nature makes up one per-
fon.
Thirdly, It is a myftical and unconceivable
Union, there's a relative Union between Man and
Wife, making one Flefh \ a real Union between
tfte Head and Members, conftituting one Body, but
this cannot reach this Union i it is unconceivable,
above all Conception, 1 Tim* 3 . 16, Great is the
My fiery of Godlinefl, God manifeft in the Flejh 5 we.
may admire it, and adore it^ but we cannot fa-
thom the depth of this Union between the divine
and humane Nature of Chrift.
Fourthly, It is a pure and unmixed Union as
to each Nature : in regard of Eflfence the divine
Nature cannot be converted into the humane, nor
the humane into the divine, but each Nature re-
mains diitind:,. and it's Properties are diftindr,
Rom. 1. 3. 4. So that there is, in Jefus Chrift, two
Natures, two Wills, a divine Will, and a humane
Will : he hath the Will and Atfe&ions of a man,
though fully ffandified and glorified: he wills
whatever the God-head wills, but Mill, as to his
humane Nature, it is with a humane Will } fo that
fomething of the workings of Chrift, are by the
divine Power, and fomething by the humane Na-
ture. This Union confifts in the Communication
of -the divine Nature with the humane^ the God-
E 2 head
5 a The beft Treafure, Or,
head, and the humane Nature agree > fo that the
divine Nature of Chrift communicates all its full-
nefs as far as may further Redemption-ends 5 for
the San&ification and Salvation of the whole body
of Chrift, and for the fulfilling of all Redemption-
Work, i ?et. 3. 1 8. This is a glorious Union, but
it is worthy to be known. Ah how little of Chrift
is known as to thefe two Natures ! how little a
portion do we know of him /
Fifthly, It is an infep arable Union, it can ne-
ver be parted more. Therein lies the Happinefs of
Believers, that Jefus Chrift is God-man, to all
Eternity, never can there be an end of this Rela-
tion > Jefus Chrift God-Man, is the fame ft\\erday,
to day, and for ever, Heb. 13. 8. He was the fame
while in his obediential Work, on Earth ••> he is
the fame in Glory, and will be the fame to all E-
ternity. This Union of Chrift's two Natures muft
be eternal, of elfe he cannot be faid ever to live
to make IntercelTion ^ But be ever lives to makg In"
terceffion, Heb. 7. 25. That which made Chrift's
Redemption infinite, was that he was God as
well as Man : Chrift the Intercede^ God-Man,
is now in Heaven, and this muft be for ever. O
what a glorious Truth is this, that there can be
no Ceffation of this Union ! could this Union be
feparated as Neftorius holds, then Redemption-
work would ceafe : He is over all, God-Man,
blejfedfor evermore, Rom. 9. 5. If the Saints Union
with Chrift be infeparable, and their Intereft in
the Love of Chrift infeparable, then Chrift is un-
alterable v but becaufe the Saints muft have an
eternal Union with him, and he is an eter-
nal Jefus, he muft be eternally God-Man,
Romans
The Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 53
Romans 8. 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 3?. jW. 17. 21.
23. 24.
Secondly, What are the Effedfo and Confe-
quents, that flow from, and iflue out of this Uni-
on between the divine and humane Nature of
Chrift >
Firft, from this Union of thefe two Natures in
Chrift, there follows a Communication of Pro-
perties \ fo that which is faid to be done by each
Nature, is applied to the whole Peifon of Chrift »
O this is a very glorious Myftery. as this, ChrifYs
Sufferings in the humane Nature, is apply ed to the
whole Perfon oL£hrift h therefore the Blood of
Chrift, which wa?but the Blood of the humane
Nature, is called the Blood of God, A&s 20. 28.
Feed the Church of God^ which he hath purchafed
with his own Blood i being of infinite Value and
Worth. So the Sufferings of the humane Nature
are afcribed fometimes to the divine Nature, and
to the whole perfon of Chrift ', fo, 1 Tim. 3. id.
God manifeft in the Flefh, and juftified in the
Spirit s yet both thefe applyed to the perfon of
Chrift : whatever the divine nature can do is ap-
plyed to the Perfon of Chrift, by a Communicati-
on of Properties, flowing from this Union.
Secondly, From this Union, flows this Conte-
quence, That there is Fullnefs of Grace plac'd in
Jefus Chrift to be given out to all his Seed. The
God-head fills the humane Nature of Chrift,
Jo. 3. 34, God hath given the Spirit by mea*
fare to him. When we read of ChriiVs receiving
any thing, underftand it of his humane Nature i
for the divine Nature cannot be capable of recei-
ving any thing •, it is as full of Grace as ever it
E 3 can
54 The BeftTreafure, Or,
can hold : And, as the Breaft is full of Milk for
the Poor Babe, fo is Jefus Chrifi full of Grace in
his Humane Nature, to diftribute to his Children :
His pity moves him to give out this, and the other
Grace to his People, and it is in him to beftow it :
He wills the bell good to all his People, and what
he wills, he is able to perform > hence 'tis faid,
Job. i. 16. Oflw Fulnefs we have all received, and
Grace for Grace : Of that Fulnefs which the Di-
vine Nature is alvvayes iffuing out to the Humane
Nature of Chrift, do Believers receive Grace for
Grace •> Grace futable to Grace in Chrift s fo that
the Humane Nature of Chrift muft needs be al-
wayes full of Grace, by reafon dPits Union with
the Divine : As the Sun fhat gives out Light is al-
wayes full of Light, and the Sea that fends forth
Waters to the River, is never vacant : This is a
glorious Myftery, of wonderful Encouragement to
Believers, to confider what a full Jefus they are re-
lated to.
Thirdly, By vertue of this Union, the Lord Je-
fus Chrift hath right to all Glory, and Adoration
of Men and Angels, as Mediatour : He is the molt
Illuftrious Perfon *, all Honour, Blefling, Praife,
Glory, Adoration is due to him. Heb. 1. 6. TVben
he bringeth in the firji-begotten into the world, he faith,
And let all the Angels of God worjhip him \ Surely
he muft be a glorious Perfon, when all the Angels
muft bow at his Feet \ Seraphims,Cherubims,and
all the Hoft of Heaven, ftoop and give Homage to
him, this due the Lord Jefus Chrift hath a proper
Right to, as he is God-Man : Fhil. 2. p. Where-
fore God hath highly exalted him, and given him a
Name above every name h Every Tongue (hall confefs
at
the Unsearchable Riches ofChriji. 55
at laft, that he is Lord, ver. 11. Rev. 1. 17. And
when Ifarv him, I fell at his Feet as dead : O the
very Viflon of Chrift is enough to ftrike a poor
Creature to the Earth, Rev. 4.5?, io, 11. The
four and twenty Elders tell down and worfhipped
this glorious Perfon that fate upon the Throne,
which is Jefus Chrift, Job. 5. 23. That all men
Jhould honour the Son, even as they honour the Father :
So that God the Son, the Second Perfon, the Me-
diatour of his People, deferves all that Divine and
Religious Worftiip which is due to God, as God :
Thrones and Principalities are made by him, and
put under him. C^i. 16. 17.
Fourthly, By WkuQ of this Union, the Lord
Jefus Chrift hath abfolute Authority, Kingfhip,
and Headftiip in his Chutch, and over all things to
the Church , Matt. 28. 18. All Forver is given to
me in Heaven and Earth : O what vaft Power is
this ! All Power on Earth, to do what he will
there -, All Power in Heaven, to do what he will
there , Eph. 1. 22. And hath put all things wider
his Feet, and gave him to he the Head over all things
to the Church \ Jefus Chrift, as God-Man, is in-
verted with all Power and Authority, to tranfadfc
the Work of a Mediator, to perform the Offices
of Prophet, Prieft, and King : The Godhead of
Chrift, working, as God, and the Manhood of
Chrift, working, as Man, yet both thefe Natures
concurr towards the management of Redemption-
work.
As a Prophet, he is able to reveal the Will of
God, for he knoweth the mind of the Spirit, be-
ing God, he is infinite in Wifdom, Job. 36*4,
Rom. 11. 33. All Knowledge comes from him, as
E 4 Medi*
56 The Beji Treafttre, Or,
Mediator : In him are hid the Treafures of Wif-
dom, Col. 2. 3. He maketh Wife to Salvation i He
giveth Wifdom, Frov. 2. 6. He openeth the Eyes
of the blind, and giveth Light to them that lit in
Darknefs,and in the Region and (hadovv of Death,
Matth. 4. 16. Lukg 2. 3 2. Minilters can but preach
to the Ear, but Chrilt can preach to the Heart :
.Minifters can but open the Scriptures, Chrift can
open the Heart : He is a full and effectual Head
to his Body, the Church, to guide, influence and
adorn it, Col. 1. 18.
As a Prielt : And fo there's an infinite Sufficiency
in his Satisfaction and I nterceljtti, feeing he is God-
Man i In his Satisfaction c no Wfk to filence all Pleas
againft his Peoples He can arreft all the Sentences
and Executions of the Law again ft them. As an
Higlvprieft j he is a fufficient Sacrifice for the Sins
ot the People : He mas made Sin for w, that me
might be made the Rigbteeufneft of Cod in bfyn, 2 Cor.
5.21. By the Obedience of Chrilt all Believers are
made Righteous, Rom.*). 19. The Obedience of
the Saints is reprefented compleat in Chrift,
though imperfect in themfelves. Hence Believers
that are wounded with the (hortnefs of their Servi-
ces in themfelves, may lift up their Heads, when
they look upon the perfect Righteoufnefs of the
Lord jefus Chi ill. Hence, 1 Job. 2. 1, 2. If any
man Sin^ rve have an Advocate rvitb tin Father^ Je~
fus Cbrijl the Righteous : And be U the propitiation
for our Sins. Though the Saints do fin, Chrilt be-
comes a Sacrifice for them. This one Offering of
Chrift ever appears before God, when new Provo-
cations appear in his People : By one Offering be per-
feeffdfur ever them that are fanfiified> Heb. 10. 14.
By
the Unsearchable Riches ofChrift. 57
By vertue of this Union, his Blood becomes infi-
nite Blood, equally as large as the Offence : Nay,
it is more able to favc, than the Sins of Believers to
damn : It U the Blood of Chrift that cleanfeth from
all Sin, 1 Joh. 1. 7. Therefore his Obedience is
a perfect Obedience, and his Sufferings perfect
Sufferings : of more fatisfadion to Divine Juftke,
than if all the Sinners in the World had lain in
Hell to all Eternity. This Blood is fo wonderfully
precious, that it is accounted by the Father as the
Blood of God, Ads 20. 28. It Infinite can fatis-
iic Infinite, then the Father is fatisfied by the
Blood of Chrifh Jaecaufe whatever the Jufticeof
God can expedr^ne Obedience ofChrift can ful-
ly fatisfie. This Righteoufnefs to Juftification,
the perfeft Obedience and Sufferings of Chrift, re-
ceives no Addition or Diminution by the Obedi-
ence, or Difobedience of his People, Epb. 1.6. He
bath made us accepted in the Beloved. Ah ! little do
Souls know the Bottom they ftand upon : It is not
(" poor Believer ) the Ihortnefs of thy Obedience,
the multitude and greatnefs of thy Sins, can out-
match this matchlefs Righteoufnefs ofChrift. All
the Injuries and Wrongs thou haft done is but the
Injury of a Creature, but the Satisfadion of Jefus
Chrift is the Satisfaction of God ; it is the Satisfa-
ction of God the Son, prefented to God the Fa-
ther : O what a bleffed ftate are Believers in, where
there is fuch a price paid for their Sins.
Again, By vertue of this Union, There's Suffi-
ciency in the Interceflion of Jefus Chrift : He muft
need} be able to favc to the uttermoft all that come to
God by him, feeing he ever lives to makg Inter ceftxon,
Heb. 7. 24., 25, How much more Jbatt the Blood of
C!mj}?
58 TlcBefiTreafure, Or,
Chrift, who, through the Eternal Spirit, offered him*
felf without fpot to Cod^ purge your Consciences from
dead works, Heb.?. 14. The Blood of Chrift mcri-
torioufly purges the Soul from all hlthinefs, being
offered through the Eternal Spirit : God will not
deny himfclf : whatever God the Son intercedes
for, God the Father will grant ', fo that Chrift's
Interccffion muft needs be effectual. O what po-
tency hath Chrift in Heaven ! what Prevalency in
all his Addreffes to the Father! Epb. 5. 25, 26,27.
Chriji gave himfelf for his Church 5 that he might
fan&ifie and cleanfe it i and that he might prefent it
to himfelf a glorious Churchy wiriwttjpot or wrinkle :
Here's a double ErTedr. of eft's Mediatorlhip :
One is, By vertue of this Blood, the Spirit comes,
and cleanfes away the Corruption, and fubdues the
Iniquities of his People : this is that cleanfing by
San&iflcation : Then there's a prefenting the Saints
to the Father, complete in him, without fpot or
wrinkle : thus the vertue of Chrift's Interceilion,
and Righteoufnefs applied by him to the Believer i
doth prove fuch a covering for all Believers, that
it hides every fpot from God's Judicial Eye j they
are prefented lovely, and comely in Chrift, though
black and deformed in themfelves.
As a King : And fo he hath Authority to creel
a Kingdom of Grace in the World, to make Laws
for the well-being of his Church, and to require
Obedience of all Perfons : Hence the Magiftrates
of the World are call'd upon to ftoop to Chrift. ,
Ffal.2. 12. Kifs the Son left he be angry. All Au-
thority in the World is placed under Jefus Chrift,
in order to the carrying on his Mediatorly King-
dom : Hence 'tis faid, Prov. 8.15. By me Kings
Reign*
thzUnfearchable Riches ofChrifl. 50,
Reign^ and Princes decree Juftice : they have their
Power and Authority, by the Government, and dif-
pofing of Jefus Chriit: who is faid to be King of
Kings y and Lord of Lords , Rev. 19. 16. He hath ab-
folute Power over every Creature*, Every Knee
muft bow, and every Tongue confefs to him h all
muft fubjecl: to him , Pfal. 22. 2 S. For the King-
dom is the Lords, and be is the Governour among the
Nations : He Jhall have Dominion alfo from Sea to
Sea, and from the River unto the ends of the. Earth :
They that dwell in the Wildernefs Jhall how before
him, and his Enemies Jhall licl^ the duft , Pfal.
72. 8, p.
As a King, he is 'Invefled with Right and Pow-
er, to give out the Spirit of Grace for the effectu-
al fulfilling of, and compleating Obedience to all
his Laws, by his Church and People ; Obedience
to the Laws of Chrift cannot be yielded but by the
Spirit ■■> the beffc of his People are no further fub-
jedt to him, than they are Spiritual i> for the Car-
nal mind is Enmity againft God : Hence he faith,
When I go away\ I will fend the Comforter, John
16 . 7. It is an ExprelHon that notes Authority :
When I go away, when I mount my Throne, I
will fend the Spirit •, and he lhall promote Obe-
dience : He fo all lead h'vs People into all Truth,
vcr. 13. 14. Whenever he intends the flourishing
of his Kingdom in the World, he hath refidues of
the Spirit to give out : the more Holinefs there is
in Saints and Churches, the more there are of the
pourings out of the Spirit : J will pur cut my Spi-
rit upon thy Seed, and they fhaUfpring up as among
the graft, as Willows by the Water- courfes, Ha. 4 \.
3, 4. So Joel 2. 28, 2 p. I will pour out my Spirit
upton
So The Befi Treafure^ Or,
upon all Flejh, &c. In thofe days, that is, in the
time of the Gofpel, and efpecially when the Jews
are called.
Again, as King, the Lord Jefus Chrift hath fuf-
ficient Power to protect and rule his People, to
govern and fubdue his Enemies. He is altogether
compleat to enacl: his own Purpofes, and to fulfill
his own Will =, for as God, nothing is too hard
for him i He takes up the Ijles as a very little things
Ifa. 40. 15. It is an eafie thing with him to blow
off the Nations, and fubdue all the Powers that
oppofe him : He that fittetb in the Heavens fhall
laugh^ the Lordjhall have them in Verifion, Pfal. 2 . 4.
He makes nothing of all the Powers of his Ene-
mies * it is^but to look through the Clouds, and
trouble their Hofts, Exod. 14. 24. One Angel can
fuddenly deftroy thoufands of them : he hath abfo-
lute Power over all Creatures to bring down all
his Enemies, where and when he will •, and he
mud reign till he hath brought them all down^
Heb. 2.8. 'thou fh alt breast hem with a Rod of Iron,
thou Jhalt dafh them in pieces Ukg a Totters Veffel,
Tfal. 2. ?. The Saints are ready to tremble when
they conlider the Potency of their Enemies ', but
it is far eaiier for Chrift to dafti all the Powers of
the World in pieces, than for a man to break an
earthen Pitcher: He will order and efiablijh his
Kingdom with Judgment and Jujlice^ Ifa. 9.7* It
is not for want of Ability in Chrift to order and
perfect the Obedience of his Church and People,
that there are fuch Diforders found amongft them '■>
only he is pleafed to leave Irregularities for a
while, that he may come at laft with his Fan, and
purge them : So neither men nor Devils can
pluck
the Unsearchable Riches ofChriJi. 61
pluck his Sheep out of his hand, Jo. 10. 28. Ene-
mies may touch them *, Temptations may wound
and buffet them, and fometimes Captivate his
People s but they cannot remove them out of his
hand i he will ftill fupport and preferve, all that
the Father hath given him.
Fifthly, In thisperfonal Union of the Lord Je«
fus Chrift, lies his Mediatorlhip : In thefe two Na-
tures he takes upon him, and undergoes the Office
of Mediator. And this is fo great a deep,that time is
too fhort to give a full Difplay of the Glory of
Chrifi's Mediatorlhip. Heb. 8. 6. But novo he bath
obtained a more excellent Minijhy by how much alfo
he ys the Mediator of a better Covenant,
But novo &c. That is by vertue of this Union
of both Natures in the Perfon of Chrift, he is be-
come a Mediator of a better Covenant i this we
may tee, if we look back in verf. 1. The Apoftle
fpeaks of Ghrifts divine Nature, who is fet on the
right hand of the Throne of the Majefty in Heaven i
and verf 2. his humane Nature is (hewn, called
the Minifter of the San&uary, and verf.$. ordain-
ed to offer Gifts : and having fpoken of Chrift in
both his Natures, he tells us that he is now become
a Mediator, betwixt God and Man * a middle
Perfon, a days-Man, he hath a Mediety or Mid-
dlenefs of Nature, as God-Man, and is a Media-
tor in regard of his Office, in which Office, the
Lord Jefus ftands in a double Relation, fir ft, to
God, fecondly, to Man * having both Natures,
he is interefted in both parties, the Son of God,
and the Son of Man, one with God, Job. 10. 30.
I and my Father are one : of one Nature, one Will,
one Delight, having one Defign and one Glory.
AS
62 The Beji Treafure, Or,
As man he is of the fame Nature, Flefti and
Blood with falFn man, Heb. 2. 11. 14. 17. He
hath the fame Temptations, the fame Weaknefles
and Infirmities with them (Sin excepted) that he
might have a fellow feeling of the Infirmities of his
people, and put on Bowels of Companions, that he
might be capable of fulfilling all Righteoumefs,
fuffering for them, and holding Communion with
them, Heb. 5. 1. 2.
This Term Mediator, is taken iometimes in a
more large fenfe, fbmetimes in a more (hid fenfe.
Firft, This Term, as it is taken in a large Senfe,
fo the Lord Jefus Chrift is a Mediator, as he is the
Head, the middle between God and his Creatures,
fo he is the Mediator of Angels as well as men : It
is by him the Angels were made, and in him the
Eledt Angels are chofen, and by him they are pre-
ferved : for Angels cannot be thought to come to
fuch a State of Felicity, andfuch near Union with
God, but upon the account of a fecond perfon,
Col. 1. 20. in tke tixteenth verfe, Chriftis faid to
be the Creator of Angels, and in this 20. ver.
there's his Mediatorftiip for Angels : By him to re-
concile all things to himfelf^ whether they be things in
Earth or things in Heaven. This is a place of very
great Difficulty, and hath puzled many Interpre-
ters : fome conceive it is to reconcile man and An-
gels together, fuppoling the Angels were ene-
mies to tallen man, but by Jefus Chrift, brought
into a State of Amity : but it cannot be fo under-
flood here, for the Parties reconciled, are not faid
to be men and Angels, but God, and thefe
things : how then is this underltood ? Some there-
fore conceive, that this Reconciliation is to be un-
derftood by way of Proportion and Similitude,
no
The Unsearchable Riches of Chrift. 6$
not as if the Angels needed Pardon, for they ne-
ver finned-, but they Hand in need of a Mediator,
that they may not fin 5 for as Creatures, they are
mutable, and as fubjecl:, in their Nature to fin, as
the Devils were , and it is by Jefus Chrift they
are preferved, and kept in the Favour of God. It
is faid, all things in Heaven : The Heavens them-
felves are, or (hall be brought into a capacity of
meetnefs, for the prefence of God, Saints and An-
gels, by Jefus Chrift, as Mediatour : The Angels
are called Eled Angels, 1 Tim. 5. 2 1. And how ?
but as they are chofen in Chrift j for all Election
is rounded in the Lord Jefus Chrift, as a middle
Perfon, as the Head of Election, Eph. 14. Accord-
ing as be bath cbofen w in bim ', all thofe Creatures
that (hall be made, or kept holy, are plac'd in the
Lord Jefus Chrift, Like wife the Angels are caU'd
the Sons of God, Job 38. 7. When tbe Morning
Stars fang together, and all tbe Sons of God jhouted
for Joy : Now all Adoption is in the Lord Jefus
Chrift : If they are reputed as the Sons of God,
this Relation muft needs be in Chrift, who is the
onely begotten Son of God : therefore all the An-
gels muft needs have dependance upon Chrift, as
Mediator, Epb. 1. 10. Tbat in tbe difpenfation of
tbefulnefs of time, be migbt gatber together in one, all
things in Cbrifi, botb ivbicb are in Heaven, and which
are on Earth, even in bim. Some conceive it is meant
of thofe Saints that were in Heaven, before Chrift
came to fuifer \ but that cannot be, it being put
in the Neuter Gender, All things in Heaven : fo
that the Lord Jefus Chrift is the Mediator of
Angels, in that he procures for them Preferva-
tion with God : and were it not for a Medi-
ator,
64 The Bejl Treafure, Or,
ator, they would never be fecur'd from Falling.
Secondly, More ftri&ly. Chrift is called Media-
tour in refpect to God, and fallen Man, coming
betwixt them, as a middle Perfon3 to make up the
Breach, erTedt a Peace, and reconcile them together,
Heb. 9.15. He is the Mediator of the New Tefta-
mcnt, Heb. 12. 24. And to Jefus the Mediatour of
the new Covenant, John 1 4. 6, He is the Way, the
Truth, and the Life : It is through his Name alone
Salvation is to be had, Ads 4. 12. He is appointed
of God the Father to this end, Joh. 3.16. Rom.
3.25. Whom God hath fet forth to be a Propitiation
for our Sins : to be one that may reconcile God to
Man, and render him propitious and favourable
to him, AUs 2.23. 1 Pet. 1. 20. Heb. 5. 4. Job.
6. 24. For him hath God the Father fealed : He was
annointed and furnithed with all Abilities for this
end, If a. 61. 1, 2. And he is the onely Mediator,
1 Tim. 2. 5, 6. The onely Surety, Heb. 8. 6. The
onely Advocate, 1 J oh. 2. 1, 2. 'Tis God the Son,
the Second Perfon, is the only Mediator 3 'twas he
that made man, and therefore ritteft for him to
re- make him ", It would be a great derogation from
Chrift s Honour ( faith Auftin ) Jhould another mend
and reform that J foiled work, which he made. He is
fittcft to reitore man to the loft Image of God, who
himfelf is the exprefs Image of the Father : 'Tis
belt meet for him to commend the Love of God to
man, who himfelf is the Son of the Father's Love:
He is the onely begotten Son of the Father, and fo"
fit to Adopt others into a ftate of Sonfhip. As
Man alfo, Chrift hath Right to Redemption- work,
Lev. 25. 23. As God, he hath Ability 10 redeem^
As Man he was capable to furTer : As God, he was
able
the Unfearchable Riches of Chrift. 6$
able to bear up the Humane Nature under Suffer-
ings i As Man, he could bear the Punifhment of
Sin h As God, he could remove our Sins, and puri-
ne our Natures : As Man, he could companionate
his People h As God, he could help them : As Man,
he is capable to tender a Satisfaction i As God, to
render it infinite : As Man, he was able to become
a Sponfor, a Surety, to make a promife in the be-
half of his Seed •, And, as God, he could make good
his Promife : He can reveal the mind, and difclofe
the deep things of God, and pour out the Spirit
of Grace i He hath all Power in Heaven and Earth,
and is able to fave to the uttermoft : He can exalt
his Intereft, and fubjugate his Enemies under his
Feet •, He fits at the Right hand of God, and is
God with the Father, and Man with Man.
CHAR IV.
Shewing, what is the Worh^ of Jefus Chrift^
as he is Mediator.
WE come in the next place, to (hew wherein
the Office and Work of this Mediator lies :
And it will much conduce to the Gk>ry
cf Chrift, to difplay his Mediatorlhip.
Now wemuft confider him in a double Relation;
The Lord Jefus Chrift hath to deal with two dif-
ferent Parties, where there is a Breach.
i . His Work lies with refped to God the Fa-
ther.
2. His Work lies with refpeel to fallen Man.
F FirftP
66 The Bcfi Treafure, Or,
Firft, His Work lies with refpcdt to God the
Father : And here his Office lies in feveral parti-
culars.
Firft, One great part of the Work of Chrift, as
Mediator, is, to mediate in the behalf of fallen
Man, with the Father, fo as to procure terms of
Reconciliation : Thus a Mediator is to agitate with
the offended Perfon, to bring to terms of Peace;
This was the Work of Jefus Chrift, from before
ell time > He did ad: with God the Father, that
there might be a way found out for agreement be-
tween him and poor Sinners, x This was drawn up
in the Covenant between the Father and the Son,
as in If a. 42. 6, 7. I the Lord have called thee in
Rigbteoufnefs, and wiVL hold thy hand, and will kgep
thee, and give thee for a Covenant of the People, for a
Light of the Gentiles : To open the blind eyes, to bring
cut the Frifoners from the Trifon. Here's the refult
of Chrifts Mediation in the behalf of falPn Sinners :
He doth treat with the Father, that he would be
pleafed to (hew pity to fall'n man •, and the Fa-
ther returns this Anfwer, That he will confent to
the terms of Jefus Chrift, for the faving of Sinners,
that he (hall be a Covenant for the People, and
give out Salvation to perilhing Sinners : So Ifa,
49. 5. to the 10 verf. The Pcrfons for whom the
Lord Jefus Chrift mediates, are Jews and Gentiles,
and under thete are comprised all the Eled of God ;
iAnd the Father treats, and concludes with Chrift,
about the faving of thefe two Parties : In an ac-
ceptable time (faith he ) have I heard thee, and I
will give thee for a Covenant of the People. All the
Eledfc of God, both among the Jews and Gentiles,
fhail be called and faved by this Mediation of Jefus
Chrift, But
the Uvfearchable Riches of Chrift. 6j
But what are the terms upon which, the Father
contents to the Mediation of Chrift, that there (hall
be Peace for all that come to him ?
Firft, One thing concluded upon between the
Father and the Son, is, That the Lord Jefus Chrift
(hall make up the Breach of the tirii Covenant :
There's a Pughteous Covenant of God broken, by
ths: Sin of Adam, and upon the breach of this Co-
venant, God is bound, in Juftice, to lay Death upon
Adam, Condemnation upon all falln Mankind,
Now, that this Blclling may be procured, which
Chrift mediates for, the Sentence of Death is to be
reverfed i and this cannot be till the Punifhment
of the broken Covenant be borne. Now the Lord
Jefus Chrift voluntarily undertakes to do this,
Heb. 10. 7. Tbenfaid I,Loy I come. All other ways
were inerte&ual to make fatisfa&ion to the Juftice
of God for Adam'sSin. Now, when noway could
make up this Breach, then Chrift comes, and con-
lents to pay the price himfelf, to be a Sacrifice for
Sinners h Lo, I come to do thy Will. What is the
Will of God } Why, that Mercy and Juftice be
reconciled. Juftice was all for Punifhment '■> Ju-
ftice would not be fatisfied till the Penalty was ex-
ecuted ; Now Chiift muft come in the Sinners
room, and undergo the Penalty of this broken
Covenant. Sayes God, In the day thou breakgft tbh
Covenant tboujbalt dye ', therefore Chrift muft come
and dye. This is one of the terms 1 If the Lord
Jefus Chrift will be a Subftitutc in the room of
the Offender, and undergo the Punifhment, then
he will take off the Condemnation, Rom. 8.3. For
Sin condemned Sin in tbe Flefo, that is> in the Flefb
of Chrift, Juftice muft be fatisfied. The Law.
F 2 could
68 The Left Treafure^ Or?
could not do this : God fends his Son, and Re
muft undergo the curfe, Gal. 3. 13* And this the
Lord Jefus Chrift did confent unto.
Secondly, Another thing required is, That the
Lord Jefus Chrift (hould obey the Precepts of this
Covenant perfectly, in his own Perfon, in the be-
half of all his Seed ; That God might have no
Quarrel with theChildren of the Covenant, Chrift
muft dye to make up the former Breach of this Co-
venant: He muft obey, to fulfill the End of the
Covenant \ he was not only to undergo Suffer-
ings, but he was to complete all active Righteouf-
nefs : and this the Lord Jefus Chrift confented to.
Hence he faith, It beboveth its to fulfil all Righteouf-
tfe/?,Mat: 3. 15. God Jent fortb bis Son, made of a
Woman, made under the Law, Gal. 4. 4. The Lord
Jefus Chrift, as Mediator, becomes obliged to the
preceptive Law of God,and muft in his own Perfon
fulfil all the parts of this Law, and muft work out a
perfect Holinefs and Obedience, that the firft Cove-
nant might be fulfilled, if Salvation be obtained.
Thirdly, Another thing which the Father and
Jefus Chrift agree upon, about this Work of Re-
conciliation, is, That the firft Covenant, to all its
demands, being fulfilled, and there being nothing
now to lay in againft the Believer from this Cove-
nant » that Salvation may "be fure, he concludes to
make a new Covenant •, which, that it may be
faultlefs, Jefus Chrift (hould now become
the Surety of another, and better Covenant,
The firft Covenant God found fault with,
and therefore he thinks upon a fecond,
that may be effectual to all the ends of Sal-
vation-grace, Hek 8. 7,8. For if that firft Cove-
nant
The Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 69
nam had been faultlefs, then fhould no place have been
J ought fir thefecond : for, finding fault with them, he
faith. Behold, the dayes come, when I will mafy a new
Covenant with the Houfe of Ifiael and Judah. As if
the Lord (hould fay to his Son, The firft Covenant
will never anfwer thy Propofals, to fave fallen Man,
and that thy Seed may be bleffed, therefore there
(hall be a new Covenant drawn, that (hall be ef-
fectual to the ends of Salvation =, and thou (halt
be the Head and Mediator of this Covenant ^ this
was the agreement between the Father and the Son,
Now Jefus Chrift becomes the Angel of this Co-
nant : God agrees with Jefus Chrift for fallen man:
Jefus Chrift covenants with the Father, in the be-
half of all his Seed, that he will bring them to
Life : He promifes to work in them and for them
all that is required to Salvation, and that they
(hall be faved to the uttermoft, Heb. 7. 22,25.
By fo much was Jefus made a Surety of a better
Te[iament : wherefore he is able to fave to the ut-
termojh Thus he becomes an Engager to the
Father in the behalf of all Believers. O Friends !
this is a glorious Myftery \ I fear too few are in*
lighted in the glorious Work of the Mediatorfhip
of Chrift. The Lord Jefus Chrift becomes a Sure-
ty, not only to pay the Debt, but to perform the
Condition. A Surety, or a Sponfor, is one that
promifes and undertakes in the behalf of another,
to fulfill what he was bound to do. Thus the Lord
Jefus Chrift hath performed this Hrft Office of a
Mediator, by drawing up an Agreement between
God and fallen Man, by bringing the Father to
terms of Reconciliation.
Secondly, The terms being thus concluded up-
F 3 on
70 The BeftTreafure, Or,
on, the fecond part of this mediatory work of
Chrift is, that he actually fet about this Obedience
and Suffering, and make good the Agreement be-
tween the Father and himfelf, and this he did in
the fulnefs of time i he comes and actually accom-
plices all his Promifes to the Father, in point of
JMerit and Satisfaction. There are two great
things Jefus Chrift is to do, in order to the fulfil-
ling of this Promife to the Father, in behalf of his
Seed : Firft, meritorioufly procuring the things
for them-, and Secondly, efficaeioully applying
what he procures, Heb. 9. 15. And for this caufe
he is the Mediator of the newTeft ament, that by means
of Death, for the Redemption of the Trj?ifgreflions that
were under the firft Covenant, they which are called
might receive the promife of eternal Inheritance. There
could be no Redemption of them that were bound
and caft by the Statute of the firft Covenant, but by
Chrifts Sufferings-, therefore Chrift did actually lay
down his Life a Pvanfom for all his Seed. 1 Pet.3. 18.
For Chrift alfo hath once fuffered for Sinsfhe jujifor the
unjuft, that he might bring us unto God. 2 Cor. 5.21.
He hath made him to be Sin for us : By way of Sti-
pulation and Agreement, he was made a Sin-offer-
ing, he did actually undergo, all thofe Sufferings
while he was on Earth, which was a full fuffici-
cnt, equal, juft, valuable, and proportionable Sa-
tisfaction to divine Juftice, all that it could de-
mand, in foro )udkii h Juftice hath nothing more
to charge ; the Extremity and Rigour of the Law
was fulhllled i and whatever the Believer (hould
have fuftered in his own perfon, was all born by
Chrift. 1 Tim. 2. <5. Who gave himfelf a Ranfom.
dv7i?>vT?ov} as Gomariis obferves, fignities an equal
price
the Vvfearchable Riches ofChrift. 71
price of Redemption, an Eye for an Eye, a Tooth
for a Tooth, caput cafite redimo, faith Arifl. So full
is this Satisfaction made by Chrift, that God de-
clares himfelf well pleafed. Math. 3 17. So great
was the delight and Pleafure that God took in his
Sons Satisfa&ion, as that by an audible Voice from
Heaven, in the Prefence of men and Angels, hedifc
charges him, and gives him an Acquittance.
Again, This Satisfaction muft needs be full, be-
caufe upon the very Promife of this Ranfom, when"
the Conclufion was made between the Father and
the Son, did the Lord let bis Prifoner free, and
give the purchafed PofTeflion to the Seed ofChrift,
before ever Chrift did fully pay the Debt : as much
as to fay, aflbon as ever the Lord. Jefus Chrift gave
Bond for the payment of this Debt, the Father
gives out the Fruit of it, and lo all the Saints that
were faved before Chrift came, were (aved by Vir-
tue of this Promife ofChrift to the Father, fully
to pay the Debt \ and the Spirits of juft men,were
made perfed with God before Chrift came into
the World, upon the account of this compleat Sa<-
tisfadiion afterwards to be made,
; Again, A Proclamation is fent out from Heaven,
upon the Death and Refurre&ion ofChrift, that
now Peace is made for fallen man, upon the terms
of Sinners coming to and receiving ot the Lord
Jefus Chrift : now God would never have fent
forth this Proclamation from Heaven, had not the
Satisfaction Chrift made, been compleat and full.
Matt. 11. 28. Come unto me, whoever you be,
let your Burdens be never fo great, your Weary-
nefs never fo much, your Dangers never lb many,
come unto me, and I will give you reft; thus he
F 4 pro-
72 The Beji Treafure, Or,
proclaims in the great Feaft. Job. 7. 27. If any
man thirft, let him come unto me and drink^ be he
what he will, here's enough to fatiate his Soul,
if he comes i here's Redemption procur'd : And
upon this, by the joynt Agreement of the Father
and Son, a Commiilion is given to a certain num-
ber of men, to preach the Gofpel and tender Re-
conciliation to loft Sinners, Lukg 24. 47. And
that Repentance and Kemijfton of Sins jh ould be preach-
ed in bis Name among all tlations, Mark. 16 . 15.
And he [aid unto them, go ye into all the World and
preach the Gofpel to every Creature* O Friends!
Thefe are glorious things, iftjieybe but believed.
Tenders of Life mull be made to all the periftiing
World, that all may know, that this was a full
and fufrkient Ranfom which Chrift gave, and that
jhe Father was compleatly fatisried with it.
Again, Upon the Fathers adlual Acceptance of
Chrifts Redemption and Mediation, he doth give
put begun Salvation to Believers, they are admit-
ted to the a&ual Enjoyment of this purchafe*, fo
all Believers upon their Pvecepcion of Chrift, have
the Spirit of Chrift given them, which to them is
begun Salvation, a Seal of Glory, the firft fruits
pf Heaven, 2 Cor. 1.22. Who hath alfo fealed us>
and given the earneji of the Spirit in our Hearts, Now
feeing the Father, upon the receiving of this Pay-
ment made by Chrift, delivers out Grace, and
therein the Beginnings of Glory, to all that faving-
ly cloie with Chrift, therefore this price paid by '
Jefus Chrift, muft needs be compleat and full
That's the fecond thing that this Mediator doth,
he coth actually pay down the price the Faiher
demands, and this becomes a full Satisfaction to
divine
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrifi. 73
divine Juftice, for every Soul that doth favingly
clofe with Jefus Chrift.
Thirdly, Another thing the Lord Jefus Chrift
doth as Mediator, is this. By his (hed blood, he
feals to, and engages with the Father in the Behalf
of Believers, that they (hall abide with God in his
Covenant, and (hall no more wickedly depart
from him : we have (hewn before, that this was
one of thofe Terms agreed upon, between the Fa-
ther and the Son •, that Jefus Chrifi: (hould be the
Surety of another and better Covenant: and here
the Lord Jefus Chrift ftands actually bound for the
Prefer vation of all the Saints to Glory, O if Souls
had this Truth let into their Hearts, it would
wonderfully prevent many ftumbling Blocks by rea-
fon of their Unbelief: he ftands bound to the Fa-
ther, as aSponfor or Surety, in the Behalf of Be-
lievers, that he will work all in them, and for
them, that tends to the Salvation of their Souls :
for in this new Covenant, God doth not deal with
man, but by a Surety \ mans iingle Bond will ne-
ver pafs more in the Court of Heaven $ no, it was
broken in Adam's Fall, and God made no more
Covenant with man upon thefe Terms : there muft
be a Surety •, hence he is faid to be the Surety of a
better Teitament, Heb. 7. 22. So that that which
is to be wrought in and by Believers, the Lord Je-
fus Chrift undertakes to do, Rom. 8. 4. Ihat the
Rightcpupiefs of the Law might be fulfil f din us:
That is, that Righteoufnefs which the Law re-
quires, even a perfed Conformity to the will of
God, might be fully found in Chrift our Head,
for us and in us, by way of Imputation and Am-
plication through Faith > by vertue of the Union
be-
74 Tk Bejl Treafure, Or9
between Chrift and his Members, all the Rightc-
oufnefs and Obedience, which was wrought in
Chrift's own perfon, as their Head, Redeemer,
and Mediator of this new Covenant, is imputed
to them as their Obedience and Righteoufnefs, and
accepted of God the Father, as if it were done by
them => and fo it is fulfilled in Believers : fo that
the Lord Jefus Chrift ftands engaged to the Fa-
ther, for the Obedience of all his Seed, that it
fhall be wrought in them, and for them, in Truth,
and Sincerity. And he begins to place this in-
ward Conformity to God, in the Soul, when he
doth new create it in the Image of God => there
is fomething in every part and Faculty of the be-
lieving Soul, that correfponds and anfwers to the
Holinefs of God, though but in Part and Degrees,
in their Und erftand ings, fomething of the true
Light of God: in their Wills fomething of real
Conformity to the Will of God : a gracious Soul
would be holy as God is holy. O fays the poor
Believer, I cannot evidence that Holinefs I mould,
but God knows, 1 would be holy, I would call
off every Sin, I would perform every Duty in a
right manner : fo in the Affe&ions^ there is the
Seed of divine Love to God, his Will, and Holi-
nefs > there is (incere Love, though but in parr,
and imperfect : but feeing this Holinefs begun in
the Saints in Truth, is but in part, and full of
Spots i Chrift comes, in the next place,and preftnts
his fpotlefs Obedience in the Behalf of Believers,
and by Vertue of this myftical Union between Be-
lievers and Chrift, this Holinefs of Chiift is the
Holinefs of Believers, and God accepts of it as their
Holinefs : O if Souls did but fee more into this,
they
the TJnfearchable Riches of Chrift. y*
they would not take up all their ftanding upon
their own Legs, and fee their Happinefs or Mifery
lye in their compleat or incompleat Obedience,
but they would fee all Holinefs lye in Chrift ;
hence you fee the meaning of that Scripture, Row.
5. 19. By the Obedience ofone, many are made righte-
ous. God looks upon (incere Souls as prefented in
Chrift, that fofar as Chrift is holy, they are holy
in him* for all the Obedience and Holinefs of
Chrilt as Mediator, is the Obedience and Holinefs
of his People j for what he did was not for him-
felf, but for his people. And thus much of the
tirft, how this Mediator deals with God the Father
for fallen man.
Secondly, The Lord Jefus Chrift as -Mediator,
deals with men the other party too. Now this he
doth.
Firft, As an Interceder to Sinners in the Behalf
of God the Father, he comes and treats with men,
by virtue of his Mediatormip, to draw and per-
fwade them to Terms of Reconciliation, 2 Cor.
5. 18. All things are of God, who hath reconciled us
to himfelf by Jefus Chrift, and hath given us the Mini-
dry of Reconciliation. The Lord Jefus Chrift comes
as the Meflenger of the Lord, and delivers over
Counfel, and tenders God the Father to Sinners :
this he doth in his perfon : verf. ip. God in Chrilt
reconciling the World to himfelf \ By his Miniftry,
in opening the Gofpel to Sinners, difcovering thole
great Tran factions between the Father and him-
felf, and the great willingnefs of God to be re-
conciled, and inviting loft Souls to himfelf. verf.
20. We pray ym in ChrijFsftead he you reconciled to
Ged. You fee the Errand of the Gofpel to you,
(Souls)
76 The Beji Treasure, Or,
(Souls) and the Bufinefs of Chrift in every Ser-
mon, it is to bring you to a willingnefs to accept
of the Terms of Reconciliation, to come over to
God by Jefus Chrift, that you may be faved.
Secondly, By giving out the holy Ghoft, by
which Sinners are effectually called, and adopted
into the Sonfhip of God \ this is neceffary in order
to the Application of what the Lord Jefus Chrift
hath done in his own perfon, whilft on Earth : he
promifed when he left the World, to fend the Spi-
rit in his Room, feeing it is of necetfity, he muft
go away and take polfeffion of the Kingdom of
Glory for his people, and muft go within the
Veil, as the grea*t High-prieft •, therefore that this
Work might go on in his Abfence, the comforter
muft come. Jo. 16. 7. If I depart I will fend him
unto you. And what (hall he do ? He will reprove
the World of Sin, of Rigbteoufntfs, and Judgment ,
verf. 8. He will guide you into all Truths verf. if.
So that the Lord Jefus Chrift fends the Spirit in
theGofpel, to make all the Adminiftrations of it
effectual, to fuch as (hall be faved. All that Mini-
sters can do, cannot remove the thick Veil, that is,
upon the Minds of Sinners, we cannot give eyes to
fee, nor Ears to hear, it is the work of the Spirit,
it muft be an Almighty power, muft open this two
leafed gate, and let in Jefus Chrift into the Heart -•>
it muft be by the Almighty Power, and Energy
of the Spirit, that the work becomes fuccefsful to
any Soul,we rind it fo. How many precious Sermons
are caft away upon flinty Hearts, they will not bow
ncr turn till the Spirit comes •, therefore the Lord Je-
fus Chrift in the exercife of his Med iatorftiip pours
out the Spirit, Gal. 4. 6. 'that we might receive the
Tromifeofthe Spirit through FaitkGaL 3. i4»Or the
promi-
i
the Unfearchable Riches ofChrift. 77
promifed Spirit through the Word of Faith •, for
Faith cannot be had till the Spirit be had : Faith
comes by hearing i How received ye the Spirit, by
the Worlds of the Law, or by the hearing of Faith £
Gal. 3.2. There's no fuch Commiilion given at
all to the Law, to give out the Spirit } it is by
the hearing of Faith^by the opening this Box of pre-
cious Ointment,this bleiTed favour comes to Sinners:
till that be done.no Converfion- work can be done s
till the Spirit enters the Soul Jefus Chrift cannot en-
ter the Soul : the Spirit ofChrift is the harbinger,
and goes btefore,and makes way for this bleiTed Me-
diator^ come irtfo the Sinners heart: the Spirit is
tendred to all, but the Lord gives it to whom he
pleafe for it is as the Wind that blows, 70.3.8. So
is the way of the Sprit : thus the Lord Jefus Chrift
gives the Spirit to all that come to him, and by
this he carries on his Mediatory work.
Thirdly, Another thing Jefus Chrift doth with
refpeel: to men, in the exercife of his Mediatorftiip,
He applies his Redemption-work to all thofe
that do believe in him, he makes over him(el£
and all that is his, by a free Donation, to all that
receive him, Rev. 3. 20. If any man open the
door, I will come into him, and will {up with
him : The great work is to get open this bolted
door of the Heart to Jefus Chrift, and when the
door ftands open, and the Sinner confents to take
Chrift,and efteeming it a good Bargain to have him,
upon the moft coftly Terms j then he makes over
himfelf to the Soul, I will ftp with him, I will
impart my Spiritual refrefhings to him, I will give
my felf to him, he (hall feed upon my Fle(h and
Blood : wc have an Overture made. Rev. 21.6*
I will
79 The Beft Treafore9 Or,
I will give to him that U a tbirjl of the Fountain of the
Water of Life freely, So Rev.2 2.17. When once God
hath brought the Sinner to a thirft for Chrift, to a
fenfe of his Mifery without Chrift, that he cannot
live without him>when the Sinner is perfuaded to be-
lieve in* him, and give up himfelfto him*, then the
Lord Jefus gives out himielf, his Spirit, thefe Wa-
ters of Life, the Waters of Regeneration i then he
puts the Believing Soul into the pofTeflion of Life
and Righteoufnefs, of Grace, and an eameft of
Glory. He gives to fuch, a Right and Title to all
chat is his, Job. 1. 12. He gives out to them the
fruit of his Sweat and Bleeding, the fruit of his
Groans and Dying, as they are capable to receive.
He died that they might have Life, and have it :
more abundantly : He was made Sin for them, that
they might be made the Righteoufnefs of God in
him, 2 Cor. 5.21. And now he is performing this,
and (trips the poor Soul of his filthy Garments, and
takes away the tilth of Original and A&ual Sin,
and comes and cloaths the Soul with Righteouf-
nefs, and puts his fair Ornaments upon it, and
makes it as a fair Jewel in the fight of God i and
when the Soul hath befpotted his own Garments,
Chrift comes and cloaths him with pure Rayment:
So that here's alwayes Work for Chrift to do for
his People, whilft on Earth, to apply the fruits of
his Purchafe.
Fourthly, The Lord Jefus Chrift, in purfuing
his Mediatorly Work, doth take upon him the
Work of an Interceffor in Heaven, and Advocates
in the behalf of all his People => He hath done all
that was needful for him to do on Earth, and now
he is cntred into the Heavens, and fate down at
the
The Vnfearchable Riches ofChrift. 78
the Right hand of God, and ever lives to make
Interceflion for the Saints, Heb. 7.25, 27. That is
his Work now in Heaven, to perform that part of
his Prieftly Office, as is needful for him to do, as
a Mediator there,
— — ■ —
C HA P. V,
•
Wherein is opened the gloriotts Advocateship
of Chrijl, with the unfeeakable Comforts
and Advantages thereof.
THere are two parts of Chrifts Priefthood ;
(1.) His Satisfaction. (2.) His Intercefli-
on. The hrft I have fpoken to already, and
proved, That the Lord Jefus, by his Active and
PaiTive Obedience, hath fatisfied the Law of God,
and made a full Atonement for the Sins of all Be-
lievers-, that he underwent all that they were
bound to undergo, and that in their Name, Room,
and Stead, for their Sakes, Heb. 7.22. Gal. 4. 4, 5*
Rom. 5. 19. This he did by his A&ive Obedience,
and alio by his PalUve, Ifa. 5 3 . 4. to verfi 7. Gal. 3 .
13, 14. Job. I. 28, 29, And by this one Offering
of his, hath he perfected them that are fanctifted
for ever, Heb. 10. 14. by way of Merit ;> that God
hath no more now to charge on Believers, by way
of Puniihrnent for their Sins, feeing Chritt hath
borne it in his own Body tor them on the Tree,
By this he hath obtained Salvation for them : that's
the hrft part of his Prieftly Work.
But,
go The Bejl Treafure^ Or9
But, Secondly, Having difpatch'd his Expiation,
'tis needful that he carry on his Application of this
Obedience and Suffering to them > and this is done
by his interceding in Heaven for them. Now, be-
caufe fo much of the Riches of Chrift lies in this
part of his Mediatorly Work, and it is of fuch in-
finite Concernment, as to the Faith, Comfort, and
Advantage of Believers, therefore, I (hall fpeak the
more fully to this Subject, and (hall prove,
,. i. That the Lord Jefus Chrifl, God-Man, doth now
fit down at the Right Hand of God, Interceding
there in Heaven.
2. How the] Lord Chrift carries on this Wor\ of
InterceJJion in Heaven.
3. For whom he doth intercede in Heaven.
4* What he doth intercede for.
5. Why the Lord Jtfus Chrift, as a Mediator, car-
ries on this Wor}^ of InterceJJion.
6* What are the unfpeatyible Comforts andAdvan-
vantages that flow from this InterceJJion of
Chrift.
Firft, Jefus Chrift doth now fit down at the Right
Hand of God, and is entred upon the Worl^ of Inter-
ceJJion.
There are two Arguments to prove this.
Firft, The nature of the Office the Lord Jefus
Chrift hath undertaken now in Heaven : He hath
taken on him the Office of an Advocate, on the be-
half of his People. iJoh.Z.i.If any man fin, we have an
Advocate with the Father, Jefus Chrill the Righteous *
vatdiKhtiTW : This word is ordinarily rendred a
Comforter, when applied to the Holy Ghoft i but
when fpoken of Chrift (as Gomarm, and other
Learned men affirm ) it is taken for an Advocate,
01
the Vnfearchabk Riches of Chrift. 8 1
or one that undertakes the Caule of another \ an
Atturney, or Officer at Law, that appears in Court
for one that is there concerned and acculed, to
look after, and plead his Caufe : He is one that is,
by Law, deputed and fet apart to that Office, and
fo is bound to do his utmoft for his Client, as for
himfelf : Thus is Jefus Chrift fet apart, and de-
puted,by the Father, to this Office of Advocate and
Interceltor, Job. 6, 27. For him hath God the Fa-
ther fcaled. That is, appoiuted, fet apart, and con-
firmed to be Mediator and High-Prieft, Tfal.i 10.4.
That he might fatisfie foi the Sins of his People,
and fue out the Benefits of it for them.
Secondly, Chrifts Fidelity in the Performance
of this Work, proveshe is now in Heaven, inter-
ceding. He cannot be content to have a Name and
no more * he is faithful in things pertaining to
Men. The Lord Jefus Chrift did actually carry on
this Work of interceding for his People, before he
took their Nature upon him, and came into the
World, Ija. 53. 1 2. He bore the Sins of many, and
made Interceffton for the Tranfgreffors. Upon his De-
putation to this Office, and by vertue of the Sa-
crifice to be offered, he did, ever ilnce the Fall, me-
diate for his People, and put on Bowels for them.
He carried them all the dayes of Old, Ifa, 63. 9.
whilft he was in Heaven, ever (Ince Adams Fall,
affoon as he had any Seed on Earth, Again,
Chrift was faithful in this Work of Mediation and
Interceffion, whilft on Earth, Heb. 5. 7. Who in
the dayes of his Flefh, when he had offered up Prayers
and Supplications, with flrong cries and tears, Thoie
cries and tears he put up were for his People, not
for himfelf, he needed it not ; He was willing to
G be.
82 The Befi Treafure, Or,
be fubje& to his Fathers Will, to drink of the Cup
the Father gave him to drink \ But he prayed for
the converfion of thofe the Father had given him,
anc| prayes for the Salvation of his People, Joh.i'J.
I5>, 20. Luke 22. 32. And this he doth now he
is in Heaven s he carries on this Work there in his
Humane Nature : He if entred into Heaven it felf,
fare to appear in the pre fence of God for US, Heb.9.24.
It is a Metaphor taken from an Atturney, that ap-
pears in the behalf of his Clients : So Jefus Chrift
;s at the Right hand of God making interceffion,
by way of Office* When Satan or the Law doth
accufe Believers, there's Chriit at the Bar, ready to
make anfwer for them, to plead the Caufe of his
Clients, and procure their Juftihcation : the Apo-
ftle makes ufe of Chrifts Interceffion to this pur-
ppfe, Who Jhall lay any thing to the charge of God's
Elecl $ It is God that jitflifieth : Who is he that con-
demneth ? it U Chrift that died j yea rather, that is
rifen again, who ii even at the right hand of God, who
aljo maketh Interceffion for us, Rom. 8. 33, 34. So
Heb. 6. 19, 20. Which Hope we have, as an Anchor
of the Soul, both fare and ft edf aft, and winch entrethinto
that within the veil s whither the Fore-runner if for us
entred, even Jefus, made an High-Prieft for ever. By
an entrance within the veil, was typified out Hea*
ven, Glory. As the High-Prieft entred within the
veil, fo Chrift, as an High-Prieft, is now in Hea-
ven, to carry on Redemption-work : He is there
to oppofe all Defigns againft his People, and re-
cure them againft all the Impleadings of their
Enemies s He ever lives to make Interceffion, Heb.
7. 25. The word fignihes, to attain the Mark,
as an Archer dothj or he that throws Darts hits
the
the Unjkarchabh Riches ofChrijl. 8 3
the Mark, fo the Lord Jefus Chrift intercedes fo as
to prevail.
Secondly, How dotb Cbrift intercede in Heaven?
Anf. i. Negatively, Jefus Chrift doth not inter-
cede in Heaven, Figuratively, As if his InterceiHon
were no more but the vertue of his Merit/as Abet*
Blood is faid to fpeak, Heb. 12. 24. But formally
as one that takes upon him the Caufe of his fin-
ning, fuffering people.
Secondly, he doth not intercede Cbaritatively^
by way of Courtefie and Kindnefs, which he might
do or leave undone, as he pleafeth 9 but officially
by way of Office and Truft committed to him, for
fo he is our Advocate, 1 Job. 2. 1.
Thirdly, Neither doth he intercede Precarib, in
fuch an humble manner and Mode of Supplication
of bowing the Knee, and fubmitlwelntreaties with
Cries and Tears, as the Saints do, and as once he
did whilft on Earth •, for this is incontinent with
that State of Majefty and Glory, he is in at the
right hand of God, Heb. 1.3. But Authoritatively,
by way of Right and Power, as one that hath
depofitcd a fufficient Price, and now demands his
Captives, as one that hath made a Purchafc, and
now requires the thing purchafed, as one that hath
deferved what he moves for, and hath Power, as
God, to beftow :
Secondly, Affirmatively, and fo.
Firft, Chriit's InterceiHon in Heaven is, by his
appearing there for us, as our Mediator and Surety,
prefenting his perfon, God-man, as our Agent
and High-prieft, Heb. 9. 24. As the High-prieft of
eld did appear in the holyeit of all, with the
Names of the twelve Tribes on his Breaft and
G 2 Shoul-
84 The befi Treafttre^ Or,
Shoulders, for a Memorial before the Lord, Exod.
28. p. to 22. to which, fays one, the Church al-
ludes, Cant, 8. 6. Set meat a Seal on thy Hearty a
a Seal upon thy Arm, as a Manifeftation of his Love \
(b Chrift's interceding, is his appearing in the be-
half of his People, as their Advocate ; and Chrift's
fitting in Heaven, in this Relation to his people
may be called his interceding.
Secondly, By prefenting his Obedience and Suf-
ferings before the Father on their behalf, that they
might have the Benefit of it, and that God would
in Juftice, communicate the Fruits of it to all his
Seed, 1 Job. 2. 1, 2. A type of this wc might fee
in the High-prieft's bringing the blood of the Sacri-
fice within the Veil, and fprinkling it on the Mer-
cy Seat, Lev. 16. n. to 17. Firft he killed the
Sin-offering, and then brought in the Blood be-
fore the Lord within the Veil ■-> without which his
A& was not compleat. Thus Chrift firft (heds
his Blood on Earth, for his People, then enters
into Heaven, there to prefent his Blood for us,
Heb. 8. 4.
Thirdly, By declaring his Willingnefs, that his
People fhould have all that Mercy and Salvation
which they need, and that he purchafes for them.
J oh. 17. 24. Father, I will that thofe whom thou
haft given me, be where I am \ Father, I will that my
Children have their due : 'tis true, they have fin-
ned but I have furTered, they have fallen (hort but
I have fulfilled all Righteoufnefs : thou knoweft I
obeyed for them, and dyed for them, that all
which thou haft promifed might be made good to
them : and Father, I will that Juftice be done for
them in Heaven •, and I willy that this and the
other
The Vnfearchabk Riches ofChrift. 85
other Mercy be given out to them here, according
as their Neceifities and Capacities require : whilft
Chrift was on Earth, he came to do his Fathers
Will, and now he is in Heaven, he muft in all
things have his own, Job. 1 1. 42.
Thus much may be underftood by the manner
of Chrift's Interceflion in Heaven.
Thirdly, For whom doth Jefus Chrift intercede in
Heaven ?
Anfo. For all that come to God by him, Heb.
9. 27. For all that do believe in him. Job. 17.
20. Some defponding Sinners may be ready to
fay, alas ! this is not for me, I am unworthy of
fo choice a Mercy : will Chrift plead for fuch a
grace-abufing wretch as I ? Why f Sinner, if thou
art one that comeft over to Jefus Chrift, and be-
lieveft on the Son, thou mayeft lay claim to this
Advocate in Heaven, and confidently expcdfr the
Benefit of his Interceflion.
Again, The Lord Chrift intercedes for all his
People on Earth, Job. 17. n. And now I am
no more in the World^ but tbefe are in the Worlds
holy Father kgep , through thy own 2V^me, tbofe whom
thou haft given me. The Saints on Earth are the
Subjects for whom he intercedes : particularly, for
his finning people ; he made Interceflion for the
Tranfgreflors. If a. 53. 12. Some trembling Soul
may fay, Chrift's Interceflion is for them that are
holy, but 1 am vile j but know, O Soul, Chrift in-
terceeds in Heaven for his people that fin againft
him, 1 Job. 2. 2. Again, Chrift intercedes in Hea-
ven for his weak and impotent people, that are
compaft about with Clouds of Infirmities, he hath
a fpecisl Refpeci to thefe, as a tender Father hath
G 3 to
86 The Bejl Treafure, Or,
to a weak Child > Chrilt's grace was diffident for
PW,when hisovvn fail'd under the horrible Buffet-
ings of &#,/;/, 2 CV.i 2.9. Such as are weak in them-
felves, that kndw not how to pray, or wait upon
God in any holy Duty as they (hould > thefe are the
Perfons Chriit pleads for to help them, fuch as are
ready to be overcome by Temptations •, Simon, Si-
mon, Satan hath defired to have you, that he may fift
you as Wheat, hut I have frayed for thee, that thy
Faith fad not, Luke 22. 31. 32. Poor tempted
Souls, hurryed up and down, fometimes affaulted
with blafphemous Thoughts, then poyfoned by
ugly Temptations, put upon this Sin, and then
the other Sin, every day the Devil following them
with new Temptations, laying in new Batteries
againft them : Now the Lord Jefus Chrift lits at
the right hand of God, interceding for thefe.
Again, Chriit intercedes in Heaven for his fuf-
fering People, fuch as are in danger of being
overcome by their Enemies, and have no Might,
and none to intercede for them, Ifaiah 5p. 16.
Sore Judgments there were upon the People of
God, and that juftly, for their Tranfgrelilons,
no Righteoufnefs of their own to plead for them,
nothing at all that could juftly intervene between
Wrath and them : Now in this cafe Chriit fteps
in, and he intercedes, and brings Salvation.
Thefe are the perfons Chriit intercedes for in Hea-
ven.
Fourthly, What doth the Lord Jefm intercede for
in the- behalf of hti People ?
■Firit, One thing he pleads for is, for their Pre-
fervation in the World, and from the Evil of the
World, Job. 17. 15. I pay not that thou fiouldejt
1 takg
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. By
takg them out of the Worlds hut that tboujhouldfft J^ep
them from the Evil, This implies, Chriit's mind is,his
People mould continue in theWorld till their Work
be donesthat neither Sin nor Danger may cut them
off till their full time be come ^ but that they may
be kept from Evil & from the Evil of Temptation,
and the Evil of Perfecution.
Secondly, He intercedes for the Sandrification of
his People > and this is a glorious Priviledge in-
deed, Jo. 17. 17. Santlifie them through thy truth \
thy Word it truth'. By the. word of thy Truth, make
them partakers of thy Holinefs : For their fakes I
fanclifie my felf ver. 19. I fet apart my felf, now on
Earth, as an High-Prieft and Mediator: And why
fo ? That they may be fanllified through the Truth,
It may be a poor tempted Soul hath beg'd for
Grace, but finds no anfwer '■> as Paul prayed twice,
thrice , many times without return i but Jefus
Chrift intercedes, who will prevail i and becaufe
he prayes, they (hall obtain, according to the mea-
fure of Chrift, and in his time.
Thirdly, The Lord Jefus Chrift pleads in Hea-
ven, for Believers Union with himfelf, and with
one another, Jo. 17. 1 1, 21,22,23. Holy Father*
kgep, through thy own Name, thofe whom thou haft
given me, that they may be one, as we are : That they
all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in
thee, that they alfo may be one in us \ I in them, and
thou in mey that they may be made perfect in one. This
he died for, to gather his People into one, and this
he will procure in due time. Their Union with
himfelf (hall be infeparable *, their Communion
may be interrupted, but their Union can never be
broken. And it is a matter of Comfort to Believ-
G 4 cr^
88 TkcBeftTreafare, Or,
c rs, that grieve for the fad Breaches arrfcngft Saints,
how that Chrift intercedes in Heaven for their U-
nion, who cannot be denied.
Fourthly, The Lord Jefus Chrift intercedes for
his Peoples Succour, and fupport, under, and deli-
verance from Temptation, Lukg 22. 3 2. J have pray-
ed for thee, that thy Faith fail not. Ah Soul ! Art
thou followed with new Temptations every day ?
Doth the Devil vex thee, carting in wicked, vile
thoughts, that do make thee tremble, pulling and
haling thee i Fear not, fayes Chrift, the Devil (hall
not prevail. O, fayes a Soul, What (hall I do for
Faith ? I cannot take hold of this, and the other
Promife. Why, Chrift in Heaven pleads for Believ-
ers, that their Faith (hall not fail, (hall not fink
away, nor faint in the day of Temptation, He
will notfuffer you to be tempted above me a fur e^ 1 Cor.
10. 13. He will makg a tip ay to ejeape. As fure as
Chrift himfelf hath efcaped from Satan, and Dan-
gers unto Glory, fo fure (hall Believers pafs thi-
ther alfo. O Soul ! thou canft not tell how to
pray 1 this and the other wicked thought hurries
thee ••> Faith and Hope, all feem to be gone: but,
O, what a blefTed thing is this>> that there is a Me-
diator in Heaven to pray for thee !
Fifthly, Jefus Chrift intercedes in Heaven for the
Pardon of all the Sins of his People, and for the
enjoyment of his Fathers favour, If any man fin, we
have an Advocate with the Father, 1 Joh. 2. I.
That's part of Chrift's Work in Heaven, to Advo-
cate in regard of their Sins : So Joh. 1J.26. That
the Love with which thou I or eft me may be in them.
i have purchafed thy Favour for them, and Peace
with thee, by my own Blood > therefore, Father,
O
the TJnfearchabk Riches ofChrifi. 89
0 take not away thy loving kindnefs from them:
O, do not be angry with them for ever. O, what
a wonderful Priviledge is this! Chrift is not con-
tented that his Father love them with an ordina-
ry and a common Love '•> but his Will is, that the
fame Love with which the Father loved Chrift, as
Mediator, be beftowed upon them.
Sixthly, The Lord Jefus Chrift Advocates in
Heaven for the fupply of all the wants of his Peo-
ple, Phil, 4. 1 p. My Cod (hall fupply all your need^
according to the Riches of his Glory, by Jzfiu Chrift.
Obferve the ground, and meritorious caufe of all
the Supplies of the Saints Needs, is the Riches of
Chrift in Heaven 5 the Riches of Chrifts Interceili-
on. O! when the poor Believer goes mourning
under a fenfb of this, and the other Want, Chriit
in Heaven is interceding for them. O, fayes one,
1 want a (oft Heart ■■> a Heart to love God : I want
more power over Corruptions and Temptations :
More Humility, fayes another : O, my proud heart!
I want more Patience \ I am hlPd with the Fire
of Hell: I want more Purity, unclean Thoughts
lodge in my Soul : but Chrift in Heaven is inter-
ceding for them, thus. Father, There's a Child of
mine wants a foft Heart > I will that thou give it
to him : there's another goes complaining for
want of more power over Corruptions i I .will
that thou grant it to him : Another wants Bodily
fupplies i he is in ftraits in the World, and knows
not what to do •, Father, thou haft made me Heir
of all things, and I will that thou give him (brae
of mine Inheritance. O that Believers did know
this ! when they are pining away in their ftraits,
that
1
jo The Befi Treafure, 0r9
that they would look to Jefus, and by Faith fee
him interceding for them.
Seventhly, Another thing Chrift pleads in Hea-
ven for, is, the fubduing of all the Enemies of his
People : Whatever is like to endanger their well-
being, in their work of glorifying God, and in
their way to Glory with God, Chrift pleads that
it may be removed. Are the Snares of the World
like to carry away one > the Snare of Profperity, or
vain Company, like to ruin another ? Doth the
Flefh luft againft the Spirit, and ready to reduce it
into Bondage ? Chrift pleads in Heaven for the de-
struction of thefe Leviathans * and will, in his own
time, bring down all the Enemies of his People :
Yea, Gog and Magogs and all the implacable Ad-
verfaries of Sion muft be fubdued, becaufe Chrift
intercedes for it, and Reigns till he hath put down
all Enemies under his Feet, i Cor. 15. 25.
Eighthly, He intercedes for his Peoples Confo-
lation \ He feems to be much concern'd in this,
that his People be of good cheer in the World, Job.
16. 33. Be of good cbeer^ Pluck up your Spirits,
walk comfortably, 1 have overcome the World for
yon, I mil not have you comfortlefs \ I will not
leave you in danger of overwhelming : Chrift
takes care that his People be not overladen with
trouble, but that they have comfort in due time.
Ninthly, The Lord Jefus Chrift pleads for their
thorough and compkat Salvation, for their prefer-
vation in Grace, and their fure and certain en-
joyment of Glory. Wherefore be is able to fave
to the utmj{}^ becaufe he ever lives to mak$ Inter-
ceffwn, Heb. 7. 25. Whatever their dangers, ftraits,
and hazards be, Chrift intercedes in Heaven, for
their
the UnfearchMe Riches of Chrift. 9 1
their utmoft faving, thorough all, and from all.
The gracious Soul mifcarries fadly, this, and the
other time*, in this, and the other matter : he falls
dangeroully, and bruifes his Bones > but Chriit
pleads in- Heaven, that this might not prove a mor-
tal wound : Father, I will that thofe whom thou haji
gfaen me, he with me where I am, to behold my Glory,
Joh. 17. "2 4. All his Glory, that he hath purcha-
sed with his Blood, is for his People. As a Fa-
ther, if he gets a large Eitate, his Children (hall
fare the better for it, he will leave it all to them \
fo Chriit in Heaven intercedes, Father, I will that
my Children may (hare with me in my Glory \
may Pveign, and fit on Thrones, and be crowned
with Immortality with me. Where I am^ there [hall
my Servant he.
Thus you fee what Chrift intercedes for in Hea-
ven.
Fifthly, Why doth the Lord Jefm Chrift intercede
in Heaven ?
Firlt, Becaufe he hath undertaken this Work
for his People : He is their Advocate, 1 Joh. 2.1.
He is an Officer in Heaven for them, and hath un-
dertaken their Cafes \ and being bound, he will be
faithful: He is there, as their Fore-runner, and
his Fidelity lies at (take, to make their way plain
to Glory. If they come not after, how can he be
their Fore-runner ?
Secondly, Becaufe of his Intereft in them, they
are very near to him, they are his own. Having
loved his own, that were in the World, Joh. 1 3. I,
Perfons ufe to love their own. The World loves
its own j therefore is Chriit fo concem'd in the
welfare of his People, becaufe tr^ey are his Propri-
ety.
92 The Beji Trcafnre, Or,
ety •, They are his Friends, Job. 1 5. 1 4, 1 5. Te are
my Friend /, I have called you Friends, And will
not a man concern himfelf about his Friends ?
There's never a man on Earth, that hath a Friend
fo near his heart, as the Saints are to the heart of
Chrift: s They are his Brethren \ He is not afliamed
to call them Brethren, Heb. 2. II. He is their Elder
Brother, and they are younger Brethren, and he
cannot but have a tender heart towards them.
How full of Bowels was Jofepb to his Brethren,
though they had fold him, and injured him s yet
how arTe&ionately did he difcover himfelf to them,
he wept, that the Egyptians heard him > Gen. 45.
It is a moft aftefting Story, to (hew what the
heart of a Brother is, or mould be. O, how much
is Jefus Chrift concerned in the welfare of his Peo-
ple!
Again, He is their Father \ He hath the Bowels
of a Father: He pleads in Heaven, at the Right
hand of God, as a Father doth fpeak for his Chil-
dren. O ! if a man had a Child, or fome Children,
condemned to dye, how would a tender Father
fpeak for them, and weep for them, that they
might not dye! with fnch Bowels doth Jefus Chrift
plead for his People in Heaven.
Again, They are his Spoufe, his Love, his Dove,
married to him, Cant. 5. And can a tender aflfedti-
onate Husband Ihut up his Bowels towards his own
Fle(h ? So Chrift, in Heaven, accounts nothing too
dear that might be for the welfare of his People,
becaufc of their conjugal relation to him.
Thirdly, Becaufe of the great Love he bears to
them, therefore will he make Intercellion for them,
J(a. 65. 9. In bvs Love and pity be redeemed them.
Nor
the TJnfearchabk Riches ofChrijl. 93
Nor men, nor Angels can tell the Height, Depth,
Length and Breadth of the Love ofChrifU it is
Love, pailing Knowledge, Epb. 3. 18. ChrifVs
Love to his people,»is unconceivable, unchangeable :
many waters cannot quench it, all their Unkind-
nefs cannot diminish it, therefore he remembers
their Concernments, and pleads their Caufe.
Fourthly, Becaufe of the Sympathy the Lord
Jefus Chrift hath with them, he hath a fellow-
feeling of all their Infirmities and Affli&ions : as
he is their head, he cannot but fympathize, with
all the Maladies and Diftempers of every Mem-
ber i he is the high-prieft, and muft have Com-
panion, Heb* 4. 15. For vee bave not an Higb-priefi
wbkb cannot be toucbed vo'itb tbe feeling of our Infir-
mities : He cannot be capable of Infenlibility, of
the Cafes, Concerns and Conditions of his people \
Weaknefles, Sins and Wants, whatever becomes
the Burden of his People, it is near his Heart : 1c
is not his own Glory in Heaven, can take off his
Thoughts and Care of them : He that abufeth the
Saints offers Violence to Chrift's Eye, Zach. 2. 8.
He t bat tombetbyou, toucbetb tbe Apple of bis Eye.
While he was in Heaven, in the Pofleffion of the
Fathers Glory, no fooner did their Cry come up
from Mgypt, but prefently it reached his Heart \
God tells Mofes he could not ftand mil to hear
the Complaint of his poor afflided people : God in
Chrift, the fecond perfon , the Angel of the Co-
venant refents the Mileries and Affli&ions of his
people, Exod. 2. 23. 24. I bave fare ly fan tbe Ajjli-
Gions of my People rvbicb are in /Egypt, and bave
beard their Cry, and I am come dorvn to deliver tbemy
Exod. 3. 7, 8. And if he was fo pityful, as to be
foon
95 The Bcjl Treaptre9 Or,
foon affiidfed with the ArHidtiuns of his people be-
fore he afTumed the humane Nature upon him,
is he not as much now fith he hath taken our Na-
ture upon him, and frauds in Heaven cloathed
with our Body and Soul? H.b. 5. 2. Chrift carries
no Weakneffes to Heaven with him, he hath no
kind of Wants, Pains, nor Sorrows, but he is
compafTed with Infirmities, that is, a Se'nfeof the
WeaknefTes, and Remembrance of the Affli&ions
and Infirmities, whilft he was here: He knows
the Heart ofca Stranger, he knows what. it is to be
under the* Wrath of God, therefore cannot but
have a fellow-feeling of the Infirmities of his Peo-
ple. No tender Mother can be more affected with
the pain of a little fucking Child, with the Fear
of lofing it, than Chrift is witli the cafe oi his peo-
ple, therefore he pleads for them.
Fifthly, Jefus Chrilt cannot chufe but fpeak for
his People in Heaven, becaufc he hath purchafed
them, he hath bought them, and paid for them :
he thought it fit to lay down a very great price
for every believing Soul, 1 Cor, 6, 19. Ton are
bought with a price. He was willing to have his
Heart opened, and his Side opened, that he might
let out his Blood for them 3 and furely he cannot
but be willing to intercede for them, when he was
willing to dye, and bear divine Wrath for them:
he hath bought Grace and Glory for them3 and
he muft needs fpeak, that they might have what
he hath paid for. It is true, if God (hould deal
upon the account of Creature-defervings, they
would foon be totally deltitute : but though un-
worthy in themfelves, Chrift pleads his Worthy-
nefs : Father, I Will, that thou give out this and
the
The Vnfearchable Riches ofChrift. 94
the other Mercy to them, I have purchafed it for
them: it is true, they have abufed the Gofpel,
and finn'd away the Light of thy Countenance s
but I will that thou fpeak comfortably to them
for my fake-, for I have always obey'd thee, and
done thy Will.
Sixthly, Becaufe of his Promife to them, he
hath promifed he will not leave them, Jo. 14. 18.
I go away, (ays Chrift, but I will not leave you *, I
go to Heaven but it is for you '■> I carry your Names
on my Heart, that I might think upon you, when
I am in Glory : when I fee how Satan buffets and
alTaults you from day to day, then I look upon
the Palms of my hands and fee your names engra-
ven there, and will not leave you comfortlefs, I will
come again to you. He fends his Spirit to keep them
Company here on Earth, and he will come and
fetch them home at laft > he will be faithful to
them in all things, that pertain to God, and for
the Salvation of their Souls, Heb. 2. 17. and Be-
lievers may urge him with his Promife and Faiths
fulnefs, and this obliges Chrift to do all he can
for them.
Seventhly, Becaufe of the great Necefifity they
have of his pleading for them '-> He fees they
would be undone if he did not ftand up for them.
Satan would lay in his Accufations, he is the Ac-
cufer, and what ways he hath to accufe the Saints
before God, we know not : he accufed Job, and
doubtlefs he is ever and anon laying in frefh
Charges againft the people of God \ therefore
• Chrilt pleads for them : he fees they want Grace
and want Strength, therefore he cannot be fiknt :
he faw Peter had need cf Support, Lukg 22.31,32.
there-
$6 The Beji Treafurei Or,
therefore he prayed for him ; Chrift fees they (land
in need of Promifes, Experiences, Confolations
and Priviledges, therefore he pleads in Heaven for
them.
Sixthly, What are tht Comforts and Advantages
that flow from the Intercejfion of Jefus Chriji to believ*
4ng Souls ?
There's Caufe of wonderful Joy and Confolati-
on to Believers, when they caft their believing
J-ooks towards Heaven, to fee their Advocate
there.
Firft, In regard of the Excellency of this Inter-
ceflbr : O! what a glorious, mighty, and potent
Friend, have Believers to plead for them \ he is no
mean perlon, he is the Son of God, the exprefi
Image ofbk Fathers ferfon, Hek i. 3. He is one
that made the World, and upholdeth the World,
and after he had fuffered for Sin, he is gone to
Glory, and takes his Seat at the right hand of the
Majefty, on high > he doth not ftand by as a Beg-
ger, but fits down on the Throne, by the Fathers
iide, and fpeak as a Friend for them : O what a
glorious and tranfeendent perfon is he ! it is not
an Angel, it is not a Saint,but it is the Lord Je-
hovah, Jehovah Cbrifl. O when the Believer, by
Meditation, comes to reflect on his Glorious Agent
in Heaven, how he is honoured by Angels, Saints,
and every Creature, it will wonderfully confolate
his Languishing Spirit.
Secondly, Conlider the Succefsfullnefs of this
Interceflion, and it cannot but yield much Com-
fort, the Father heareth him always, Job. II. 42.
The Father and he are one, of one Nature, one
Glory, one Will; what the Son wills the Father
wills,
the Ufjfiarckabk Riches of Chrift. $f
wills * and Jefus Chrift is the Executor of his awn
Will, and hath all Power in his -hands to give out,
and perform what he pleads for : What would'ft
thou have, Soul ? Lord, fayes the Soul, I would
have more Grace, be more holy, have ftrength
againft this, and the other Temptation : I am
afraid I fhall perifti under thefe BlafphemouS
Thoughts. Oh, the horrible injections of Satan !
Lord, fupport me. Why, ( fayes Chrift ) Fear not,
Soul, In me is Everlafting ftrength, thou (halt have
it in my time, and according to my meafure.
Thirdly, Confider the extent of Chrifts Inter-
ceflion, and that will contribute wonderful Joy
to Believers : His Favour is not narrowed up to
one or two Favourites, but for all his Saints : All
that come to God by bim^ Heb.J. 25. All that be-
lieve in him. Job. 17. 20. Chrift excepts none;
In this he out-goes the Affections of all Creatures.
It is rare for the largeft Affections of Men, not to
run within fome narrow limits *, but Jefus Chrift
hath an equal refpect for all his Seed. And then he
intercedes for them in all their Matters, Ifa. 63-9*
In all tbeir Affii&ions be U afflicled : There is no part
of their Trouble but he is concerned in it : As
Chrift is an Advocate in Heaven, he is engag'd to
attend the Concerns of his People, though they
(hould neglect him, Ifa. 57. iS. He is privy to all
their Matters : How (hould this revive the Believ-
ing Soul ? It is the ufual complaint of Souls, O,
I fear Chrift will not intercede for me j I am fo
Carnal, fo full of Deceit, Hypocrifie and Back-
flidings. It is true, He takes pleafure in the Pro-
fperity of his Peoples but, I fear, I am none of his.
They that pray and plead Spiritually may hope,
H but
^8 The Befi Treajure, Or,
but I cannot pray, nor look up. But let me tell
every poor trembling Believer, There's never a
Soul that hath the Lord for his God, that Jefus
Chriftcan be unmindful of: He intercedes'for all
his People, and in all their Concernments.
Fourthly, This may yield wonderful Comfort
to Believers, to confider, That Jefus Chrift doth
not onely intercede in Heaven, in their Names,
but in tle;r very Natures : He prefents the Hu-
mane Nature in his own Perfon, glorified i and
in this Nature he pleads to God for them. He is
fet forth as the Man Cbrifi Jefus ^ I Tim. 2.5. He
cannot but be full of Pity and Companion, be-
caufe he is of the fame Nature with them : Ibey
are Members of hU Body, of bis Fle/b, and of bis
Bones^Eph. 5. 30. O, if that Scripture were but
put into the Believing Meditatinn of Believers,
what Comfort will flow from it ? O trembling
Saint ! thou mayeft objeft thy Unworthinefs and
defiled Nature •, but Jefus Chrift hath thy Na-
ture glorified now in Heaven, at the Father's right
hand.
Fifthly, The reftlefnefs and unweariednefs of
Chrifts purfuing the Bleflednefs and Salvation of
all his Seed, is that which may yield wonderful
comfort to the Believing Soul. Confider his Tem-
per and Dilpofition, whiles he was on Earth : His
Spirit Jb all notfail^ till be hath fet Judgment in tbe
Earth, Ifa. 42.4. And if Chrift was fo earneft
to undergo fuch work then, and was fo reftlefs and
a&ive till it was done j furely he muft needs be
leftlefs to carry on this Work now in Heaven : He
lives evet to makg Intercejfion, Heb. 7. 2 5. There are
Come times when men on Earth cannot agitate the
Caufe
the Unfearchable Riches of Chrift. 99
Caufe of their Friends; but Chrift is alwayes ta-
ken up about this Work of Mediation : Chrift's
Authority is capable to manage all the Affairs of
his People, were they millions of men, therefore
it muft needs be matter of wonderful Comfort to
Believers, that they have fuch a Mediator in Hea-
ven,
Sixthly, Confider the Advantages that flow from
this Interceflion of Chrift to Believers, and it will
yield matter of wonderful comfort.
Their Sins (hall be furely pardoned* G what
wonderful comfort is this ! Blejfed is the man rvbofe
Tranfgreflion is forgiven, and rvbofe Sins are -pardon*
ed, PfaL 32. 1. He is an Advocate for them, to
take away their Sins, 1 Job. 2. 1,2. 1 Job. 1.
7, 9. No Bill (hall be laid in againft them at the
Bar of God : Who dares accufe that Soul that is
covered over with the Blood of the Redeemer ?
Kom< 8. 33,34.
Their Perfons and Performances (hall furely find
acceptance with God, through this Interceflion of
Chrift,Ep/;.i.6. Wbo batb made us accepted in tbe Be-
loved. All that glorious Chain of Mercy that is made
over to,and faftned upon the Believer,hath its tye to
Jefus Chrift : Predeftination, Adoption, Juftifica-
tion, San&ification and Salvation, are all laid upon
Chrift. It is a piece of ufual weaknefs in poor Be-
lievers, or rather Doubting-fouls, to judge of their
Acceptance with God, or Non-acceptance, accord-
ing to their Defervings, or ill-deiervings, and
the nature and frame of their Spirits and Duties :
when they have been drawn out in Frames, and
wonderfully rais'd in Duties, they think now they
(hall find Favour * But it is not that which gives
H 2 your
ioo The beftTreafttre^ Or,
your Suits Entertainment in Heaven => it is as God
accepts the Soul in Chrift, notwithftanding all the
Failings and Infirmities of Believers ; they are en-
tertained with a well done good and faithful Servant?
upon the account of Chrift.
Again, They are fure to be feeur'd againft the
prevailing Power of all their Enemies •, let Beelze-
bub with all his Train and Forces be united 2gainft
them, he muft be broken to pieces j for Chrift is
at the right hand of the Father, interceding for
them : Sinjhali have no Dominion over them^ Rom.
6. 14. Godwill bruife Satan under their Feet Jh only ,
Ptom. 16. 20. Hence it is, they may be fure none
of their Enemies (hill prevail, Lk/^ i. 74.
Again, They maybe fure to receive more Grace,
and Life more abundantly, God giveth more Grace,
James 5. 6. whilft Chrift s Intereft holds in Hea-
ven, whilft he hath a Fullnefs of Grace to beftow,
Believer? may expedt more.
Accefs to the Throne of Grace at all times in
his Name, is another procured Advantage of his
Interceffion » it is by the Blood of Chrift Believers
come to God with Boldnefs, Heb. 4. 14. id. Heb.
10. 21. 22.
Hence the Blood of Chrift makes Peace, and an
open door for Believers to approach to God,
Epb. 3. 12. Becaufe he is there at the Throne of
Grace, he will open his Door to his Children,
and let them in, within the Veil : what tender
Mother would (hut the door againft her weeping
Child ?
Again, They have not only Accefs to the Throne
of Grace, but Succefsj they fhall fpeed when they
cry with all their Hearts, Job. 14. 13. 14. What-
foever
The Z)nfearchabk Riches ofChrifl. ior
foeveryou (hall as\ in my Name, that will I do, that
the Father may be glorified in the S,m : if you (hall asl^
anything in my Name, I will do it, Chrift was
leaving his Difciples, and they might tremblingly
difpond, how (hall we live when thou art gone ?
the World will perfecute us, and Satan will devout
us ? Why fays Chrilt, I will protect you then, as
well as now, and hear your Requefts : you think
it is only your Concernment, to have your Pray-
ers anfwered ; no, it is the Concernment of my
Father too, his Glory lies at ftake for It* ©!
what bold Encouragement is this Rev. 8. 3, 4, 5.
Prayers afcended up, and prefently comes down
Thunders, Noifes, Lightnings, and Earth- quakes:
as a Symbol of God's Reception : believe it,
Saints have (Till as great Potency with God, on the
Account of Chrift, as ever, and their right Pray-
ers (hall furely find an anfwer at the Throne of
Grace.
Again, They (hall certainly have Perfeverance
in Grace: for the Certainty of a Believers Graces
depend not upon his own Strength, that it mould
dye if he ceafe to exercife if, but is fecured by the
Interceffion of Chrilt, %ukg 22. 32. Jer.32. 40.
Another EfTeft of Chrilt's InterceiTion is this,
The. Saints have Onenefs with, and an Intereft in
the Love of God, Jo. 17. 21. 22. And they (hall
be fure of Grace and of Glory : they (hall have a
Maniion in Heaven, Jo. 1 4. 3. Jo. \vL 24. Father,
I mil that thofe whom thou baft given me, he with
me where J am, to behold my Glory.
H3 CHAP.
i£)3 The BeJtTreafure, Or>
CHAP. Vf.
Skewing tie Willingness of Chrift^ that Sin*
nersjhonldbe faved, the Sin and Mifery
of fuch as rcfufe Chrift 0 with Reproof t o
fever al forts ofPerfons
WE have a little opened the Tranfcendent
Glory of Chrift as Mediator, wherein fo
much of his vaft Treafury lies : we come
now to make fbme Application of this glorious
point.
Firft, By way of Information. Firft, How won-
derfully are poor Sinners indebted to the Lord fot
giving fuch a Mediator as Jefus Chrift, God- Man >
none elfe in Heaven or Earth could have procured
the Salvation of loft Sinners; had he been God on-
ly, he had had neither Right or Capacity to fuf-
fer : had he been only Man, he could never have.
born up under the dreadful weight of thefe Suited
Ings j Death would have had Dominion over him,
his Sufferings unfatisfadrory, his Intercellion reject-
ed, and all the hopes of Sinners periftied \ but now
he is able to fave all that come to Cod by him;
O admire at, and rejoyce in this Love of God, in,
giving Chrift, Jo. 3. 16. God fo loved the World*
that he gave bis only begotten Son. Life and Liberty
Health and Strength, Peace and Plenty, are excel-
lent Mercies •, but the giving of Chrift is tran-
icendenrly fuper- eminent : Can you blefs the Lord
for lower Springs > O adore thefe upper ones, this
Grace that brings Salvation,
Second-
the Dnfiarchable Riches ofChrift. 103
Secondly, Sec the Willingnefs of Chrift, that
Sinners (hould be faved, he would never elfe have
affum'd the work ot a Mediatour, nor have given
himfelf for this very end that Sinners might be
brought to God, 1 Pet. 3. 18. He would never
have undertaken the bloody way of Death, nor
drunk off fuch a bitter tremendous Cup, that Sin.
had brewed for him '-, he would not have interce-
ded with God for Terms of Reconciliation, nor
undergone fuch direful, unconceivable Torments,
had he not been willing Sinners (hould live : hath
Chrift fo carefully prepared the Miniftration of
Reconciliation, and abfolutely commanded the
Promulgation of the Gofpel to every Creature >
Markz l6* J5« Hath he laid fuch a Neceflity on
his Meffengers and AmbaiTadors,and oblig'd them,
by the Penalty of fearful Woes, to preach the Gof-
pel, and he is not willing that Sinners mould be
faved } 1 Cor.p. 1 6. See how he charges his Ser-
vants to be inftant inSeafon and out of Seafon, to
reprove, rebuke, and exhort with all Long-fuffer-
ing and Kindncfs, 2 Tim. 4. 1 . To perfwadc and
befeech men to be reconciled, 2 Cor. 5. 11.20.
And will he reject them when they come > He
would not have griev'd and mourn'd fo much at
Sinners Unbelief, and out-ftanding the day of
Grace, had he been unwilling they (hould have
liv'd, Job. 5. 40. Lukg 19. 41. 42. Behold how
he waits till the latt hour of the Day, an<l treats
his Enemies with an affectionate Kindnefs, why
will you dye, O Houfe of Ifrael ? He heaps up
Coals of Fire on their Heads, and draws them with
Cords of Love, and with the bands of a man,
Mat. 5. 45. Hof 11. 4. he offers Violence by his
H 4 Spirit
IC4 Tie Beft Treajitre, Or,
Spirit, to unwilling Souls, and attempts the mod
charming Perfuaiions to allure them to him', he
thunders and lightens, as on Mount S'uui, and
threatens them terribly if they will not come,
J oh. 3. 1 8. Ah troubled Souls, you that tremble,
lead he will no more have Mercy on you ; but re-
ject your Selves and Duties, (hut up his Bowels,
and harden his Heart againft your Cries. Ah ! do
but confider and ferioufly refledt on what Chrift
hath already done and fufTcred for you, think on
his Carriage whilft on Earth, and his tender Re-
ception of all that came to hiim he debarred none,
furely, then his Advancement in Heaven, produces
no Alteration in him : it may enlarge his Capacity
but cannot ft rai ten his Bowels to perifhing Sinners.
Honour doth not puff him up, or make him un-
mindful of their Concernments^ think upon his
Promif'es, he will cart out none that come to him,
Job. 6. 37. Let their Sins be as red as Scarlet, he
will make them as white as Wool, Tfa. 1. 18. He
knows the Heart of a Stranger, Exorl. 23. 2r?. He
remembers what 'tis to lye under the Pangs of a
troubled Soul, when he trode the Wine-prefs of
his Fathers Wrath alones and therefore cannot but
compailionate the Miferable, and thofe that are
conlumed with the Terrors of the Almighty. Ceafe
Soul, to lay thy Charge on Chriit, 'cis thy own
Unwillingnefs and Unbelief that impedes thy way
to Life, not his.
Thirdly, How fearful then is the Sin, and how
d»eadful will be the mifay of ill choTe that refufe
ttais M&Hator, will not hearken -to 'his Prophet,
Snfenf tft hfe Propofals for Salvation *. The
■ i of Men a- •! • ?i -apablehere
to
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 105
to commit an Hyperbole, nor can fuch themfelves
fufficiently conceive it, till they feel it. Ah, Sin-
ners ! Weigh a little thefe enfuing particulars, and
you will find it true.
Firft, It is a moft aggravated Sin, and hath all
the circumftances of Evil in it : There's no (in of
fo deep a Dye, and foul a Guilt.
It is a fin againft the higheft Mercy, and greatefi:
Deeps of Divine Favour. There were fome Difco-
veries of Mercy that God expended on the Gentile
World : In the times of their Ignorance God did
wink at them, feed them, and cloath them \ But
the Treafures of Grace were referved for the Ful-
nefs of Time, the Gofpel dayes. O wretched Cai-
tiff! By refufing Chrift, thou kicked: againft the
moft founding Bowels, againft rich Mercy, Epb.2.$.
Againft tender Mercy, Lukg 1. 18. Againft Free
Mercy, Eph. 2. 8.
It is a Sin againft, and a forfaking of thy own
Mercy : Thou ftabbeft thy own Soul with the fame
Dagger thou flingeft at Chrift. G wretched Sin-
ner! thou takeft pains to (but thy felf out of the
door of Mercy, and to argue thy felf into the
depth of Mifery : 0 Ifrael, thou baft deflroyed thy
felf. Oh Sinner, thou (heddeft the blood of thy
own Soul, Ha/7 13.9.
It is a lin againft the choiceft and coftlieft Re-
medy that ever God prepared : The Garment God
made to cloath thy Soul, is dip'd in Blood, and
this thou throweft from thee. How juftly will thy*
Soul rot in chains of Darknefs to all Eternity, that
refufeft fuch a chargeable Remedy hid out upon
thee ? The Law was but leading to it^ Gal. 3.24.
Had you liv'd to fee the Priefts killing the Sheep
and
jrc5 The Bejl Treafure, Or,
and Lambs, and cutting the throats of thcfe poor
Creatures, to make an Atonement for Sin, you
would have faid, furely the Antitype muft needs be
bloody : All thofe charges men were at in their
daily Sacrifices, could not take away one Sin j the
Blood of Chrift muft do it. O expcniive Mercy !
And this thy Soul defpifeth : O curfed Sin ! All
other Difpenfations could not make thofe that
ufe them perfect, Hek p. p. Nor all the World, if
fold, can pay the Debt of one Soul, or the price of
one fin.
It is a [in againft the mod glorious Ma jelly that
ever was, Phil. 2. p. Thou fpittefl in that Face
that is infinitely above all Spots and Stains ••> that
the Angels admire and adore j one Smile of which
maintains all the Life and Confolation of the Saints
in Glory •■> this Jefus thou defpifeft. O unbeliev-
ing Sinner ! where wilt thou go to hide thy felf
from the wrath of the Lamb at the laft day ?
Laftly, 3Tis a rejection of thy own Duty, a
throwing Chriit out of his own Vineyard, and
how will God deal with fuch ? He mil miferably
deftroy tbefe mtferabk men^ Mattb. 21.41. The Lord
Jefus Chrft hath Plight to rule thee, and thou rejedt-
eii the Homage thou oweil to him, and defpifeft his
lawful Right and Authority which is a moil grie-
vous Sin indeed.
Secondly, 'Tis a mod unreafonable Sin, there's
no Plea at all will bear in the Court of Reafon for
(iich a Sin > thy own Reafon will judge and con- ,
demn thy Soul. O! that ever thou (houldcil
chufe Death rather than Life, and take the Iron
Rod ot Satan ovet thee, and dcfpife the golden
Scepter of Jefus Chrift •, Ah! Sinner, there's caufc
why
the Vnfearchabk Riches of Chrift. 1 07
why thou (houldft leave thy Lufts and wicked
Companions, and depart from the Chambers of
Death, in which thy Soul hath dwelt fo long, but
none at all why thou (hould'ft not come pver to
Chrift: what doth Chrift propofe to thee that
thou can'ft cavil at } Is it to leave thy Lufts ? If
not, thefewill ruine thy Soul*, if thou had'ft Fire
in thy Bofom, thou would5!! think it reafon to
caftitcur, if Fetters upon thy Feet, and Clogs
about thy Body, to (hake them oft\ if a Serpent in
thy Bofom, to caft him out : O Sinner, lit down,
and confult with the Principles of Reafon, never
was a better Bargain offered thee. Think on ir,
What if the Gate feem Itraight, it is not fo to thy
Soul, but to thy Lufts, thou can'ft not (hun Trou-
ble, but muft meet with it either here or to all
Eternity.
Thirdly, Tis a mod condeming Sin, Job. 3.19.
This will juftirie the fevereft Doom of God, that
they might have Life, but would not : Salvaticn
came home to them, but they turn'd it off. O
Sinner, take heed how thou refufeft him that fpeaks
from Heaven, defpife not Chrift.
Secondly, As 'tis the greateft Sin fo 'tis attend-
ed with the greateft Mifery. For firft, it or ens
the Windows of Vengeance, and lets down divine
Wrath on thy Souls it takes off all Polfibility of
Salvation *, he that (huts up this door leavs none
open to Life, Atis 4. 12. Chrift is the only Way,
the Truth, and the Life, no poilibility of elcaping
Wrath to come, if thou refufe the Lord Chrift,
Heh. 2. 3. Don't flatter thy felf with Hopes of af-
ter Mercys if thou give Chrift a final Denial, all
hopes oi Mercy is gone, when once Chrift who
i$
108 The Befi Treafure, Or,
is the Blefling, is gone from thy Soul.
Secondly, There's no Acceptance of any of thy
duties, 'tis his Righteoufnefs and Interceflion makes
way fot thy Acceptance, Epb. i. 6. All Accep-
tableneis of the beft Services of any, is through
fiim, i Pet. 2. 5. None of thy Complaints or
doleful Cries, can ever enter into Gods Ears, if
they be not mixt with the Odours of his Tncenie:
Ah Sinner, thou flattereft thy felf with this, that
thou wilt pray, cry, and weep upon a Death- Bed 5
Ah ! what are all thy Cries, when God hears not ?
Thirdly, there's fure Damnation waits for thy
Soul, the Devil ftands by, and expecfts the time
when Chrift will take his final leave of thee. 0
Sinner, if once thy time be gone, and precious
Overtures of Grace do ceafe, then certain Ru-
ine follows ; as fure as the Work-man's wages
is due to him, io will Damnation be to thy Soul,
that doft live and dye in thy Refufal of Chrift", eve-
ry Soul that will not hear this Prophet (hall be de-
ftroyed,^tf/ 3. 23. PfaL 2. 12.
Fourthly, all the precious Intercefifions of Jefus
Chrift will be turn'd againft thee*, and this is a moft
doleful Coniideration, enough to make the hardeft
heart to break : now while there's hope, the blood
of Chrift pleads, Father, watt a little longer for
this Sinner =, when divine Juftice fays, ceafe inter-
ceding, that I may take Vengeance on this wretch *,
no fays the blood of Chrift, fpare this Drunkard,
a little longer, O wait one day longer, one year
longer, for this Swearer : but upon thy final Re-
fufal of Chrift, the blood of Chrift pleads another
way i Father, I will the Damnation of this Sinner,
I will that Mercy be no more tendred to him,
Lnkg
the Unsearchable Riches of Chrift, 109
Lnk$ 2 • 34- ?fe Child is fit for the Fall and Rifrng
again of many in Ifrael. Chrift is for the Fall as well
astherifing of many \ and believe it, his blood
hath as great a Vertue to heighen the Damnation
of willful Unbelievers, as ever it hath to further the
Salvation of Believers ', and O what a dreadful
thing is this, when the blood of Chrift (hall plead
againft thee. It may be upon thy Death-bed, thou
wiltery, Lord pardon me, Lord let me never go
to the place of Torment : but the Blood of Chriit
will fay, Father, damn him, he made me wait ma-
ny Days and Years, and would not let me into
his Heart, Father let him peri(h •, and whom do you
think the Father will hear? This is one of themoft
trembling Coniiderations that I know,to heighten
the Wrath of Sinners : that Soul muft needs go deep
into Hell, that the Blood of Chrift fends thither,
the blood of Chriit cries for Vengeance : Ah ! Sin-
ners think of it, what a fearful thing it is to refufe
this Mediator: the Lord open your Ears, and
the Lord work upon your Hearts that you may
turn and live while there is Hope.
Fourthly, Hence fee whence 'tis that the Prayers
of any are fo prevailing with God : what is it
that makes Faith and Prayer fo omnipotent * 'Tis
the Interceffion of Chriit in Heaven that wings our
Prayers, and makes them fo fpeedily arrive at the
Mercy-feat, and come off with an anfwer of Peace.
'Tis a Friend in the Court of Heaven that makes
the Saints Sutes io prevailing with God, Rev. 8.
3, 4, 5. 5Tis his Incenfe makes way for the Pray-
ers of the Saints, and then Fire comes out of the
Cenfer, and burns up the Enemies of Chrift:
O
1 1 o The Beft Treafire, Or,
O there's wonderful Mightinefs to the prayers of
the Saints whom Chrift favours with his Media-
tion.
Vfi 2. Of Confutation. If the Lord Jefns Chrift
be the Great and onely Mediator between God
and Man \ then this will ftrike down that dange-
rous, damnable Errour of the Papifts, Of Praying to
Saints, and fetting up other Interceders befides
Chrift, making AddrefTes to the Virgin Mary, pla-
cing her in the Throne with Chrift. If there be
but one Mediator, i Tim. 2. 5. and one thatliveth
to make InterceiHon, and that the Afliirance of
Salvation depends on this IntercelTion of Chrift,
Heb. 7. 25. Then 'tis a damnable Errour of the
Papifts to pray to the Virgin Mary, as they do in
their MifTal : one of which is thus 3 0 Virgin, the
onely cbajle Mother, loofing our Situ, give us the King-
dom, for thou art Queen of the Worlds art able to do
all things, and, with thy Son, difpofefl all things.
Another is, That God, by the Prayers and Merits of
the ever blefjcd Virgin, and of all Saints, would bring
us to the Kingdom of Heaven, Amen. Nay, they fay,
That Prayers made to, and delivered by the Saints,
are better than thofe by Chrift i So Sal. Now, if
Chrift be the only way to the Father, and Accept-
ance is through him alone, then this is a falfe
Way, and never of Gods appointing, but blafphe-
mous Sacrilege, and horrible Robbery of the very
Flower of Chrift's Crown : Nothing plucks the
Scepter out of Chrift's Hand, his Crown from his
Head, as thefe irreligious Opinions of the Papifts.
If Prayer be an aft of Worlhip, Matth. 4. 10. then
*tis onely due to God : Indeed there's a civil Wor-
i"hip due to Superiours, but Religious Adoration is
God's
The Vttfearchable Riches ofChriJl. 1 I 1
God's Prerogative. If we muft truft on him to
whom we pray, Rom. 10. 13, 14. then we muft
pray to none but God, in Chrift i for, curfed is the
man that trufteth in man, Jer. 17. 5. He to whom
we pray muft be able to know our wants, and out
Hearts > to fee our Miferies, and hear our Prayers.
Now this the Saints in Heaven cannot do: Abraham
U ignorant of «*, and Ifrael acknowledged us not^ Ife.
6%. 16. Tis Omnifciency alone can hear our Pray-
ers, and Omnipotency that can Anfwer them,
Pfal.6<$. 2. Matth. 6. 6. 8.32. Ecclef. 9. 5. Thus
we may fee the Heterodox AiTertions of the Papifts,
in making many Mediators.
Vfe 3 . For Reprehenfion to the profeffing People
of God.
Firft, To fuch as are no more afTe&ed with this
great and glorious Privilege of having an Advo-
cate with the Father. Ah ! Did Souls but know
what an Ocean of Privileges, and Fountain
of Mercies is compriled in this one Mediator, Jefus
Chrift, it would fill their Hearts with Joy, tip
their Tongues with Praifes, and make them more
glad in the Salvation of God. But, it may be, you
are more arTe&ed with your Frames, fine Expref-
(lons, and your own Duties, than with the Plead-
ings of Jefus Chrift. This deferves a (harp Re-
proof.
2dly, Such as make little Ufe of the Intercefllon
of Jefus Chrift. Alas ! how few employ^Chrift about
their Matters in Heaven, and engage him in the mo-
mentous and weighty Matters of their Souls ? May
not Chrift complain ftill,as once,on Earth, Job.^.^o.
Ton mil not come to me that you may have Life. 'Tis iad
indeed, that the Lord Jefus Chrift (hould enter up-
on
112 The Beji Treafure, Or,
on fo coftly an Office, and pay fo dear for a Right
to do thy Soul good, and thou negled: to ufe him
after all : This is the condemnation to Unbeliev-
ing Sinners, That they turn their Backs upon the
IntercetTion of Jefus Chrift. Alas, Soul ! Are not thy
wants great, and thy Sins many ? thy Provocations
and abufes of Mercy daily, and yet wilt thou not
engage Chrift for thy help, to procure thy Pardon,
and PafTage from Death to Life ? O, how juftly
miferable will thy cafe be, who mighfft be happy,
but would'ft not ! He is worthily miferable ( faith
one) thai will not be happy for the asking. Who
knows but that thy hard heart might have been
fbftened •, thy filthy heart cleanfed •> thy covetous
heart fpiritualized, and thy captivated Soul fet free
from the damning Power of Sin and Satan, had'ft
thou but improv'd a Mediator in Heaven ? Know,
Soul, if ever Life and Salvation be obtained, it muft
be by a Mediator.
Thirdly, Here's a Reproof to fuch as make Me-
diators of their Duties i that truft their Prayers
more than Chrift, and lay all their hopes of ob-
taining on the zQi of feeking. Indeed the Promife
of having is made to asking, Matth. 7. 7. but not
for asking. Thy Matters ( faith Luther ) do not
depend on the worth of thy Self, or Prayer,
but folely on the account of Chrift, Job. 14. 13.
It is Prayer in his Name : And therefore ( faith
Luther) Nulla Oratio extra Chrifium. There is no
Trayer at all out of Chrift. 'Tis the Altar that fan-
cTiries the Gift, Matt. 23. 1 p. Our very Right eouf
nejfes are as filthy Rags, l(a. 64. 6. When you have
done all, you are unprofitable Servants, Luke 17. iof
Not unto us,0 Lord, not unto nsy but to thy Name give
Glory.
the TJvfearchable Riches ofChrifl. 113
Glory, Pfal. it 5. 1. All acceptance with God is
through Chrift. To truft to thy Prayers, is to tram-
ple on the Blood of Chrifr, accounting it an unho-
ly thing, and the molt effedrual courfe to provoke
the Lord to a real abhorrency of thy Duties, and
to throw them back as Dung on thy Face.
C H A P. VII.
Shewing, what, ConfoUtion flows to Believers
from the lnttrcejfion ofChrifi.
[
IF the Lord Jefus Chrift be the onely Mediator
between God and Man, then here's Comfort
for Believers in feveral Cafes.
Firft, To weak Believers i fuch as need Mercy,
and are unable to beg it as they mould. Poor Soul*
Art thou fenlibleJ of thy urgent Neceffities? that
thy Wants are more than can be numbred ? Know-
eft thou the Hardnefs,Pride,Filthinefs,and "Ungrate-
fulnefs of thy Heart ? underftandeft thou thy need
of the Spirit of Grace, and the Gifts of Grace, but
canft not pray for fupplies fo underftandingly, fen-
fibly, afTedrionately, and believingly as thou ought-
eft, and therefore feareft, (halt never find an An-
fwer, or obtain any reviving comfort to thy Sou?,
in the believing view of Chrift's IntcrceiTion in Hea-
ven. Let me tell thee, defponding Ghriltian, thou
canft not be really poor, and pray in Faith h
thou canft not perilh for want, and have a Jefus in
Heaven interceding for thee, Heb. 7. 25. Him the
Father beareth alwayes. Job. 11. 42. If the matter
I de-
1 14 The Befi Treafure, Or,
depended upon thy own Oratory and Eloquence,
thy Cafe were fad j but there is one in Heaven that
is wife, mighty, merciful, omnifcient, who minds
thy cafe, confiders thy needs, hears thy groans,
knows thy diftreiTes, and ever liveth to make In-
terceilion for thee.
Objeft. But, (ayes a Soul, Hotvjhall I k&orv that
Chrift intercedes for we, wIto am not worthy to lye un-
der bti lable^ nor crawl at his Feet y lfear he hath
greater concernments upon his Heart than to remem-
ber me.
For Refolution in this, look back to Chap. 4.
where is fhewn for whom Chrift intercedes. He
prayes for all that believe in him, Job. 17. 15.
Art thou one that bclieveft in Chrift? Haft thou
chofen him as thy Lord and Righteoufnefs ? And
is he precious to thy Soul ? Could'ft thou be con-
tent to part with all for him > Pleafures, Profits,
and Worldly Grandeur, are they nothing, when
they come in competition with him. Canft thou
not lay, O ! None but Chrift, none but Chrift j
Chrift with Poverty, with Difgrace, with Bondage
and mifery, is far more prcferrable than Riches,
Repute, Liberty, and Mercies without him ? Doft
tix)u confent to all his terms ? and art thou wil-
ling to take up his yoke, and to learn of him } to
bear his Crofs, and follow him ? to leave all, and
come to him, and that conilderately, and from thy
whole Heart > Doit thou caft and adventure thy
Soul, and thy All, upon his Ability to fave thee ?
Believeft thou all that the Scripture reporteth con-
cerning him ? his Perfonal Excellencies, and pur-
chafed Sufficiencies ? That he is able and willing to
fave all that come to God by him, and will not
caft
the Z)nfearchable Riches of Chrift. 1 1 5
caft out any that really come ? And in this hope
art thou refolved to truft thy All upon him, and
if thou perifti, to peri(h at his Feet? Then art thou
that Soul for whom Chrift intercedes in Heaven,
L«% 10. 42. Lam. 3. 24. If a. 44. 5. Ejlb. 4. 16.
Mark ,9.2$.
Object. But I cannot pray as I ought , according to
the WtU of God. Alas I how cold, dead, fpiritUJs art
my Prayers ? and will God hear me ?
Sol. 'Tis not for thy name thou art heard, but
for the Name of Chrift * as you have already-
heard, Job. 14. 13. Rom. 8. 2 5, 27. We kriow not
what to pray for as we ought. Neither I Paul, nor
you believing Romans, know how to pray as we
ought. If thou wanteft words, yet if thou haft
fighs and groans, thy Prayers are heard through
Chrift.
Again, Thou (ayeft thou cantt not pray accord-
ing to the Will of God.
I Anfw. 1. If thy Prayers are for fuch things as
God requires, for things that concern his Glory,
and the good and Salvation of thy Soul -■> and for
thefe outward things, as God fees needful for thee:
If thou prayeft for thefe, as God promifeth them,
for Spiritual bieflings abfolutely, and for others,
with fubmiffion to his Wifdom and Will h if thou
feekeft thefe onely in the Name of Chrift, and ul-
timately for the Glory of God •, with all thy Heart,
and with all thy Strength, thou askeft aright, and
God will grant thee.
Secondly, God in his infinite Grace, through
Chrift, accounts thofe things in his People that are
not, as if they were, Rom. 4. 17. He judges his
People to be what they would be, Rev. 2* 9. I fyow
I 2 thy
ii6 The beftTrcafitre, Or^
thy Workj, and Tribulation, and Poverty, but thou art
rich. The Lord judgeth of his People, not fo much
by their Frames, inherent Qualifications, and ex-
ternal Performances, but by their real Sincerity,
and unfeigned defircs, Pfal. 38.5?. Thou complain-
ed thy Prayers be cold, and dead, heartlefs and
lifelefs, but doth this pleafe thee, or trouble thee ?
Is not this the burden of thy Soul } that which
thou mourned over, prayeft and ftriveft againd *
Doth no Prayer content thee, but what is fpiritual
and fervent, affectionate and upright ? Why, poor
Soul, chear up thy felf, God elkems thy Prayers
fuch, through Chrift, as if they were Co.
Thirdly, The Procurement of thy needed Mer-
cies, doth not depend upon thy Prayer- frames, or
the Modes and Meafures of thy Holinefs, but on
the Mediation of Jefus Chrift, Pray, weigh that
Scripture, J oh. 14. 14, \6. If you (hall ask^ any
thing in my Name, I will do it. And I mil pray
the Father. ( Any thing ) that is, any thing you
abfolutely need j Any thing that is tit for you to
ask and me to give, I will do it. He doth not fay
The Modes of your Prayers, the meafures of your
Frames and Holinefs (hall do it s but if ye ask,
though with broken Language, and troubled £x-
pretfions^ Sighs and Groans, I will do it. You
have but one Advocate with the Father, I will
word your Requeds, and perfume them with my
Incenfe \ not the Excellency of your Duties, but
the Worthinefs of my Interceilion, (hall procure
your needed Mercies.
Secondly, Here's Comfort to troubled Believers,
fuch as are in the depth of Soul-mifery, and cad
down with the light of their Sins, guilt of their
Con-
The TJtjfiarchabk Riches ofChrift. \ i j
Gonfciences, and Fears of their Condition, that
go mourning all the day long, forget to eat their
Bread, feed on Worm-wood and Gall, refufe
(with Rachel) to be comforted, becaufe their rirft
born, their Comforts, firft Love and Holinefs are
not, Jer. 31. 15. This is the cafe of fome poor
Souls from day to day b they meet with no Con-
folation, eat Allies in ftead of Bread, and mingle
their Tears with their Drink \ they go from Ordi-
nance to Ordinance, and their Fear come and go
with them ; they fed little Change by all they do,
or enjoy, their Hearts are hard, proud, vain, car-
nal, unbelieving, hence they fear they are Hypo-
crites, and mall be caft away to all Eternity.
Now here's Comfort to fuch from Chrifts Inter-
ceffion in Heaven, he is there pleading thy caufe,
and preiUng after thy cure \ thou haft provoked
God, but he is appealing his Wrath, 1 John. 2;
1.2. Thou art angrirg God every day, but he is
always pleating him for thee ', thou art making
Breaches upon the Law of God, .and he is there
doling up thofe Breaches by his Blood and Inter-
ceiTion *, thou art bufie making wounds upou the
Glory of the Father, and Chrift is there preferring
the deep Gafties, and bloody Stroaks his Juftice
laid upon him for thofe very Sins : when God is
refolv'd to be aveng'd for thy Backllidings, Chrift
is then dtfcovering his conftant Obedience, and
upright Faithfulnefs for thee, he pleads with the
Father thus, Father, Jhall thy Anger burn for ever,
and thy Vengeance always wax hot againft this Soul,
My Child h Remember what I have borne for him,
I have already fuffered for his Sin, and given a plenary
Satisfaction to the Demands of Juftice, and wilt
I 3 thou
Ii8 The BeftTreafitre, Or,
thou charge it on him ? Father, let his Sins he on me,
as David, 2 Sam. 24. 17. Let thy band I pray thee,
he againft me, theft Sheep what have they done ? *Tvi
I am tlxir Surety, and in thy Account the Offender '■>
I have anfwered for their Offences, and difcharged
their Debts, why wilt thou purfuc them in thy An-
ger ? Holy Father, hi Juftice [pare tbefe Offenders •->
behold them in my Blood, and cloathed with my Righ-
teoufnefsy Obedience, and Suffering » *tti true, their
Natures an vile, but mine U holy, and they are Mem-
bers of my Flcfh and of my Bones, they are difeafed
hut I have undertaken their Cure, and will prefent them
to thee without Spot and JVrinkje. And this Inter-
ceffionof Chrift (hall certainly prevail with God
for thee, that thy Iniquities may be pardoned and
thy Sins remembred no more, Heb. 8. 1 2. All that
is promis'd in the new Covenant, Chrift inter-
cedes for in Heaven h for he is the Angel of the
Covenant Mai. 3.1. The Mediator of the new Co-
venant, Heb. <?. 15. But the Forgivenefe of Belie-
vers Sins, is part of the new Covenant, Jer. 31.34.
Mich. 7. 18. where God forgives one Sin he for-
gives them all, Jer, 33. 8. 1 will clean fe them from
all their Iniquities, &c» He will pardon not only
Sins before, but after Grace i not only fmall but
great Sins, Pfal. 25. 11. Not only Sins that have
been once, but often committed, Jer. 3.22. Return
ye backsliding Children, and I will heal your Backsli-
ding*. He doth not fay once or twiec, but let
their Back-flidings be never fo great and many ur>
on their Return God will pardon them > nay
though they be as Scarlet, and as red as Crimfon,
Ifa. 1. 18.
Ob-
the Unfearchable Riches ofChrift. 119
Object. J did once hope that God bad pardoned aU
my Sins, but now I fear it> becaufe I have backjliden
after Mercy, and wallowed in Sin after wafhing, and
God threatens he will not forgive fuch, Jer* 14. 10.
chap, 5.7.
Sol. 1. The Reafon why God would not par-
don their Sin, was not becaufe they were too
great for Pardon, but becaufe they would not re-
turn, Jer, 15.7. / will defiroy my Feople, becauje
they return not from their Ways, Jer. 23. 14. The
Lord promifeth to fuch as have gone afidc
from his Ordinances, even from their Youth, that
if they will return to him, he will return to them,
Mai. 3. 7. Jer. 4. 1.
Secondly, If God will pardon all their Sins,
then he will pardon their Relapfes after Mercy,
be they never fo great, upon their returning to
him > God fpeaks indefinitely, I will cleanfe them
from all Iniquity, Jen 33.8.
Thirdly, If God will pardon their Sins before
Grace, much more thpfe after Grace h if he will
forgive them when Enemies, then much more be-
ing reconciled > the Apoftle ufeth the fame Ar-
gument, Rom. 5. 8. p.
Fourthly, If there be no Condemnation to them
that are in Chrift Jefus, then God will furely par-
don all their Sins, that ever they commit : for
there is never a Sin, but will condemn the Soul if
it be not pardoned > but the Soul that is in Chrift,
is never, no not one Minute of time in a condemn-
ed State, Rom* 8. 1.
Fifthly, If the Lord Jefus ha h fatisfi'd for all
the Sins of Believers, then they (hall furely be for-
given i otherwife, God would be argu'd of Inju-
X 4 i^ice
120 The Beji Treaftirc, Or^
ftice, and Chrift would (hed his blood in vain :
but the Lord Jefus hath fitisried divine Juftice to the
full, for the Sins of all his People, Jjfc. 5$. 5. 6.
The JniKVTpov or Ranfome, 1 lim. 2. 6. paid by
Chrift, was a full and fufficient price, and there*
fore his Satisfaction is compleat for all their Sins :
if this were not (o, he could not have cleansed
them from all Sin, but hecleanseth them from all
Sin, 1 Job. 1.7. Chrift could not have faved them
totheuttcrmoft that come to God byhim,werehis
Satisfaction imperfedr,but this he doth, Heb. 7. 25..
Laftly, ff the Lord (hould not pardon all the
Sins of his People, he would be unjuft and unfaith-
ful, 1 Job. 1. 9. but that he cannot be, 7,cpb. 3. 5,
He will not do Iniquity, he is the faithful one that
cannot deceive or be deceived, //#. 45. 21. Let
God be true, and every man a Lyar.
Thirdly, Here's Comfort to Believers,that are de-
jected in the fenfe of their throng Corruptions and
unfubdued Lufts -,The Body of Death in fome doth
make them doubt the truth of Grace, and iills their
Lives with Bitternefs and Terrours : The badnefs
of their Hearts, and vilenefs of their Natures,
makes fome conclude their final Ruine i But here's
Comfort to fuch.
Firftly, In that it hath been and is the cafe of
the deareft Children of God, their Corruptions,
like the Sons oiZerviah, have been too hard for
them. Abraham accounts himfelf Vuji and Afoes,
Gen, 18. 27. Job cries out I am vile. Job. 40. 4/
'David fays, Mint Iniquities au gone over my beady
as a Burden too heavy to beary Pfal. 38. 4. Ifaiab^
from a reflex View of God's Glory, concludes he
was undone becaufe a man of unclean Lips, lja. 6.
4>5-
the Unsearchable Riches ofChrift. 1 2 £
4, 5. And the Church, Ifaiah 64. 6. profefs they,
were as an unclean thing. Paul an elect Veffel, a
man of lingular Revelations, yet laments that in
him dwelt no good thing, Rom.y. 18. That he
was carnal and fold under Sin, ver. 14. and when
he would do good evil was prefent with him,
ver. 21.
Secondly, Here's Comfort, that their Corrup-
tions in them (nail not break their Covenant Rela-
tion to God, Pfal. 89. 30. to 3 5. There can be no
Forfeiture of this Promife, I will be their God, and
they (hall be my People. Thy Lye cannot make God
untrue, Rom. 3.3.4. Thy evil Eye cannot make
his Eye evil too, Mattb. 20. 15. Thy wicked
Thoughts cannot alter his gracious Thoughts, If a.
55. 8.9. Thy invincible Corruptions cannot over-
come his Mercies, nor the Enmity of thy Nature
make God thy Enemy.
Thirdly, Chrift is employed in Heaven about this
very Work of fubduing thine Iniquities, he inter-
cedes ever,and why ? That this People might be fan-
dtified by the Truth, Job.17. 17. That they might
have more Grace, and the Spiiit given out to
mortifie their Corruptions *, he reigns in Heaven
on purpofe to bring down his and their Enemies,
1 Cor. 15. 25. He carries on the work of Redemp-
tion in Heaven, and what is that but to fet his
People free indeed : he hath an affured care now in
Glory to fulfil his Promifes, one of which is that
iniquity fhall be fubdued, Mic. 7. 18. Romans
6. 14.
Fourthly, Chrift's promife to the Father, is fe-
curity for the Deftrudtion of thy Sin, he is enga-
ged to prefent his people compleat to the Father,
Ej>b.
122 The Bejl Treafure, Orf
Eph. 5. 27. and to keep them unblameable to his
heavenly Kingdom, 1 Tbcf. 5. 23.
Fifthly, His Glory and Pleafure is concerned in
the Death of thy Corruptions, J/i. 53. 10. The
Ileafure of the Lord Jh all proffer in his band. What
is this Pleafure of the Lord > It is the Redemption
of his People from the Tyranny of Sin, and the
Slavery of Satan^ into the glorious Liberty of the
firft born of Glory, 2 Thef. 1. 1 1, 12.
Laftly, Grace is of a prevailing Nature, and
mult deftroy thy Lufts at laft, and the Spirit of
Grace is in his people, Mat. 12. 20. the Intereft
of Sin and Sinners cannot always ftand before the
Intereft of God and his people, Ejiber 6. 13.
Fourthly, Here's Comfort to tempted Believers,
,fuch as are always dogged with rilthy and fright-
ing Temptations, reftlefsly haunted with vile and
blafphemous Thoughts, and miferably buffeted
with dreadful and dangerous Suggcftions : if Chrift
be interceding in Heaven, then furely he will one
day or other, put an end to all the Temptations,
and in the mean time over-rule them, that they
(hall not prevail over thee, 1 Cor. 10. 13. Heb. 2.
19. For in that be bimfelfbatbfujfered, being tempt-
ed, be is able to fuccour tbofe that are tempted. Chrift
is a merciful High-prieft, and wants neither Know-
ledge, Bowels or Abiliiy, which might render him
capable to relieve the tempted \ he hath the tempt-
ing Serpent, the roaring Lion in Chains, and will
mercifully fay to that proud one, comefo far, and
no farther.
Fifthly, Here's Comfort to Gods people under
their Affli&ions and Sufferings in the World, or by
the World > if Chrift be interceding in Heaven for
them,
the TJnfearcbable Riches of Chrift. 1 23
them, then furely he will not leave them comfort-
lefs in their Sufferings for him, Job. 14. 8. chap.
15.32.33. Then Tribulation, nor Perfection,
nor any thing elfe can feparate them from the
Love of God in Chrift, Rom. 8. 35. He that is
for them is ftronger than all that are againft
them, aerf. 3 1 . He will be with them in the Fire
and in the Water, Ifa. 43. 2. Chrift is never fweet-
er than when the World is moft bitter to a Child
of God ', Afflictions can but file away the Ruft
and fcoureaway the Filthj it cannot diminifti the,
Grace, nor injure the State of thofe that are inter-
efted in Chrift's Mediation i Chrift's Cordials are
never better, than when his people are moft faint
and languishing : Chrift in Heaven, laughs at the
vain hopes of his Enemies, and will daih all their
Attempts againft himfelf and Intereft in pieces,
Ffal. 2. 4, p. He will ftrengthen his tyred, diftref-
fed Servants under Sufferings, If a. 42. 10. 2 Cor.
1 2. p. His Arm is made bare, his Power difplay'd
and his Strength made perfect in their Weakneffes,
Pfal. 27. 14. This may be the Trouble and deje-
cting Fears of fome, how they [hall hold out in
times of Tryal. I am afraid Cfays one) I (hall ne-
ver bare Reproaches, Hatred, Bonds, Lofs of
Goods, and death for Chrift, with a magnanimous
and Gofpel Spirit : Why Soul ? It (hall be given
thee in that hour not only to believe, but to fufter
for Chrift, Fbil. 1.29. The Fury of the Adverfary
(hall not terrifie you, nor their rampent Rage de-
ject your Courage. Ifa. 3 5. 4.
Sixthly, Here's Comfort to fuch as are Mourn-
ers for Sion^ and grieve at the Afflictions of God's
People : That lament to fee Chrift's Intereft on
Foot
124 The Beji Treafurc^ Or^
foot, and the Wicked on horfe-back, Tranfgreffors
to profper, and the Godly afflicted, that weep to
behold Divine Providences thwarting his Promifes.
The Lord hath promifed, that to Chritt (hall eve-
ry Knee bow, and every Tongue cbnfefs. Men
read of glorious things fpoken of Sion \ but when
they look to the Intereft of God, they fee nothing
but matter of trouble and grief. They look to the
Earth, and behold Darknefs and Conditions •, they
look to the Church of Ghrift, and lo, Decay es and
Dyings : Now this breeds trouble to the Friends
of Chrift, to fee things run counter, and crofs to
expectation and promife : yet here is Comfort
from the Interceffion of Ghrift on this account. For,
Firft, The Lord Jefus fits at Helm, he is upon
the Throne, and reigns as King for ever •, and this
hath been the Faithfuls Refuge and Support in
the worft of Times, TfaL 10. 2. 4. 16. Pfi. 2 p. 10.
The Lord Jefus hath the Government of Nations,
as well as of Sion, on his (boulders, Ifa. 9. 6. Epb.
1.22. He rules over all, PfaL 103. 19. His King-
don ruletb over all. Men and Devils cannot wreit
the Scepter out of his hands : In fpight of all he
is King of Sion, Pjal. 2. 6. and his Government
is maintained in all the Confulions that are on the
Earth ■) and if fo, there is no caufe for the People
cf Chrift to be dejecled. Fear not, ( faid Cafor to
his Mariners in a Storm) Cafar is here. Why are ye
fo fearful, ( faid Chrift to his Difciples, when
trembling at their Dangers in a boyfterous Storm )
0 ye of little Faith, Matth%. 26. That VeiTel can-
not mifcarry that hath Chrift at Helm, and if it
could ( faid Luther ) mallem mere cum Chrijio
(juam regnare cum Ctfare. I had rather peri(h with
Chrift than reign with Ctfar. Se-
the Unsearchable Riches ofChrjfi. 125
Secondly, His Paths are in the deep waters/
Pfal. 77. I p. 'Thy way U in the Sea, t by paths are in
the deep waters, and thy foot-fteps are not kfiown.
The Pialmift alludes to that Providence of God ia
leading Ifrael through the red Sea ', when Deaths
were on every hand, God walked on thofe Wa-
ters, and made a way through them for his Peo-.
pie. So Nab. 1.3. The Lord bath bis way in the
Whirlwind^ and in the Storm and the Clouds an
the dufi of bis Feet. Thofe ways that men cannot
(land up in, are Gods ufual walks, in which he
leads on his Work and Intereft. His wayes are
above our wayes, and, In the Mount will the Lord
befeen^Gen. 22. 14. His Providences, Eze}^. 1. 16*
are like a Wheel in the middle of a wheel, and a
skain of Silk ftrangely entangled. When Ifrael was
come near the Borders of the promifed Land, they
Hiuft be turned back again into the Wildernefs,
and wander up and down forty years in the De- 1
farts : When Sion's Mercies were come to the
Birth, they provM Abortive '•> Strange indeed is the-
Womb of Divine Providence, and feemingly con-
tradictory to Humane fteafon.
Thirdly, No crofs Providences can hinder Chriit's
Work in the World : He hath purpofed, and will
perform it. Combinations of men, Pfal. 2, 1,2.
the Gates of Hell, Matth. 16. 18. and the Powers
of this World can no more impede the Succeis of
ChrilVs Work, than the Barking of Dogs can hin-
der the Moon's paiTage to its Journey end, I/a.
43 . 1 3 . I will wor}^, and who (hall let it i Who art
thou, 0 great Mountain, before Ztrubbabel ? thou Jbalt
become a plain^ Zach. 4. 7. He takgtb up the Ifles as a
very (lender thing, Ifa. 40. 15. The Lord brings in
his
125 The Beft Treafare, Or,
his mightlnefs here, to comfort Ifrael under Dis-
couragements, by reafbn of Difficulties in the way
of their Mercy. Comfort ye my People, faith the Lord,
ver. I. Tell her her warfare is accomplished, ver. 2.
The glory of the Lord (hall be revealed, ver. 5. 0 Jc-
rufalem, that hringefl good tidings, lift up thy voice
with ftrength : Be not afraid of Dangers, preach my
Word, be undaunted in my Service : Behold your
God, vei. <?. He will come, and his Reward with
him, ver. 10. He will feed his F locality a Shepherd,
v. 1 1. He will keep up his Word and Ordinances
in fpight of all oppofition. Obj. But our Enemies
are many. AnC Why, he hath meafured all the
waters of oppofition in the hollow of his hand,
verf. 1 2. Obj. But all our wifdom cannot fee how thefe
great things fhould be brought abmt. Anf. Why,
who hath directed the Spirit of the Lord $ ver. 13.
He wants not wifdom to accomplilh his Work.
Obj. But Nations and I/lands combine againfl Go£s
Ifrael. Anfw. What if they do ? they are no more
to God than the drop of a bucket, and the duft of
the Balance, ver. 15. Therefore, fear not, he will
perform his Promifes, and fulfil his Defigns. QgeCt.
Why, what hath he promifed ? Anfw. He hath pro-
mifed, that the Gone cut out of the Mountain with-
out hands, (hall become a great Mountain, and
break in pieces the Image of the Beaft, Van.2 .3 5 ,45 .
and that he will fet up the Kingdom of his Son in
the World, ver. 44. If a. 2. 2.
He hath promifed Peaceful times to the Church,
of God, when the Sword (hall be turned into Plow-
ttxaxes,Ifa. 2. 4. If a. 55. 13. Great fh all be the peace
of thy Children : Nonejhall hurt or deflroy in all God's
holy Mountain, Ifa. £5.25. Ezel^. 28. 24, Ifa. I <5.l8.
Ffal.72.9. He
The Vnfearchabk Riches ofChrift. 127
He hath promifed times of Light and Know-
ledge, Ifa.i 1.9. chap.5 2.8.^.54.13. ch.60.19,20.
He hath promifed times of Holinefs, lfa. 60. 2 1.
ch. 4.3.^.35. 8. Zeck 14.20,21.
He hath promifed times of Union, Zech. 14, 9.
Zeph.$.9.Eze}{. 37. 19.
He hath promifed times of Joy and Comfort to
his InterefT, lfa. 65.13,14. ch. 35. 10. ch.25.8.
He hath promifed Enlargement to the Church,
lfa. 2.2. ch. 60.8,9, 13.
He hath promifed Stability and Settlement, lfa,
54. 14. ch. 60. 20.
He hath promifed Activity and Livelinefs, lfa.
26. 19.
Fourthly, As thofe great and glorious things
are fpoken of £/0«,fo they (hall certainly be accom-
plifhed in due time, lfa. 60. 22. Deut. 32.35. The
Vifion is but for an appointed timet Hab. 2.3. As the
Things are appointed, fo is the Time, beyond
which God will not go one moment, Exod. 12.
41, 42. The felf-fame day v the Jewifh Doctors
fay it was mid- day, as (bon as one hundred and
thirty years was out, to an hour, God fulfiU'd his
Promife.
Laftly, God takes ufually the moft unlikely time
to fulfill his Promifes : As in Abraham, when his
Body was dead, Gen, 18. 10, 1 1. Abraham and Sa-
rah were fenfible of an utter inability and unfitness
in themfelves for fuch a Mercy, yet then was the
PromiCe fulfilled, Gen. 22. 14. So Ifiael were
brought out of Egypt ^ when all things made
againft it \ their Opprefiions increafed, Exod. 2.23.
chap. 5. 7, 8, 19. Pharaoh refolv'd not to let them
go, Exgd, 10. 27. and Mdfes charg'd to fee his face
no
128 The Befl Treaftre, Or,
no more, on pain of Death, chap. 10.28. When
Gods time was come to bring Ifraelout of Babylon^
they were as dry Bones, and faid, Our hope if loll,
we are cut off for our parts, Ezel{. 37. 1 1, 12. TfaL
126. 1 . Vent. 32.36. Mic. 4. 10. Tboujhalt go into
Babylon, and there (halt thou be delivered. Before
that glorious Salvation of the Jews in Sbufljan, un-.
der Abafuerus, they were brought under a Sentence
of Death, the Decree was feal'd, and ported away,
the time appointed for their deftrudHon, and no
poiTible hopes left of reverting it, Efib. 3. 12. to
the end, compar'd with Chap. 8. So much for the
Ufe of Confolation.
— —
CHAP. VIII.
Containing an Ufe of Exhortation to Sinners
and Saints*
IF the Lord Jefus Chrift be fuch a Glorious Me-
diator, then,
Firft, Let perifhing Sinners be perfwaded to
get ah Intereft in him : And for Motive herein,
confider thefe four or five things.
Firft, The Lord Jefus will Mediate for, and fave
none but thofe that are his. Many common Mer-
cies, Favours, and Boons he beftows on his Ene-
mies, but Salvation-blcflings are the priviledges
only of his People, Mattb. 1. 2 1. 2 Jim. 2.ip. Luke
i.68.
Secondly, Many will lay claim to Chrift, who
have no Intereft in him, Lukg 13. 25. High Pre-
tend-
the TJnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 129
tenders may belhakcn off, Hath,']. 22. chap. 25.12.
Some that (hall think themfelves fomething, may be
found nothing ;, fome that (hall be thought Saints by
others, may yet be caft away, 1 Job. 2. 15?. As Hy~
men£W and Alexander, I . Tim. 1 . 2 o. The Galdthians
and fcattered Saints, Gal. 1. 6. chap. 3. 3. 2 Pet. 1.
20. Km 8.12. Nay the very Eledf. lhall find it hard
to (land, Mattb. 24. 24*
Thirdly, There is but a time in which Chrift may
be found, I fa. 55. 6, Seek^ye the Lord while he may he
found; intimating, there is a time in which he will
not, when the door will be (hut, and Chrift will
fpeak, knock, and call no more*, There is but a day
of Grace, an hour of Salvation, O Sinner be ript wile
too late.
Fourthly, It is a moft dreadful, tremendous thing,
to leave the World without an Intereit in Chri(h to
be fummon'd to Judgment and have nothing to help
them, no Mediator to plead for them, no Righteouf-
nefs to cover them, no Duties to accompany them,
no Eye to pity them, Ifa. 57. 12. chap. 30. 13. Jer.
5. 5. This is fad indeed, when all Bowels are gone,
and boundlefs Miferies to be undergone*
Fifthly, Of all perifhing Sinners, fuch as perifti
under the Gofpel, have the moil dreadful Miferies,
Mattb. 11. 21. 22. The Heathens and Pagans, Pub-
licans and Harlots, (hall have a more tolerable place in
Hell, than fuch as refufe a tendered Jefus : Hurt? (ball
we efcape, if we neglctl fo great Salvation? Hcb. 2. 3.
O miferable Sinners ! lleight not, Salvation tenders,
defpife not, Gofpel calls, but halten away to this
Redeemer.
Secondly, Let the People of God be exhorted,
firft to blefsGod for this Mediator, Eph. 1. 3. Chrift
K is
I go The Beji Treafttrc, Or,
is the Fountain of BletTings, the Anthor of Salvation,
the Gift of God, and have you no Hof annas for the
Enjoyment of fo rich a perfon ? i Job' 4. 9, 10.
Secondly, Ply hard the Throne of Grace, find
Work for Chrilt, Heb. 4. 15, 16. Let m come boldly
to the Throne ofGrace^ make known your Requefts un-
to God, Pbil.\. 6. Confider Soul,
You have always need of Mercy *, not a Moment
but you want Supplies from God for Soul and Body :
your Corruptions are alwayes reiiiting the Spirit,
Gal. 5. 17. never at peace with Grace, but as a Bow
that is bent, are (till prefling after their former Liber-
ty, and as Waters penn'd back, are driving to force
their way •, therefore Christians, you alwayes need
the Spirit's help, and fre(h Supplies of Grace : your
Guilt is always encreating, James 3.2. The Righte-
ous falleth feven times a day, hence daily Sacrifices
were appointed, becaufe of daily Sins, Heb. 7. 27.
Your Temptations are continually renewed, 1 Pet.
5. 8. New Tryals are daily falling on you, new Dif-
ficulties are frequently occurring your Life, new
Troubles and Afflictions areconltantly betiding you.
This is God's appointed way, in which he will
give out Mercy, Ezek* 36. ^J.Matth. 7. 7. 'Tis true,
fometimes God hears before we ask, but yet prevent-
ing Mercy cloth not excufe from Duty, and we have
no ground to expedt Mercy out of the way of Duty.
You are invelied with a holy Prieit-hood, on pur-
pofe that you may be much employed in this Work,
1 Pet. 2. 5. Your Work and Offices lies in this, to
offer up daily Sacrifices to God by Chrilt.
The Lord Jefus waits in Heaven to receive your
Prayers, 'tis his Buiinefs and work in Glory, to pur-
fue your Advantages, and therefore he expe&s to
hear
the Vnjiarchabk Riches ofChriJi. X 3 1
hear from you. p. Heb. 2$. As an Agent that expe&s to
hear from his Clyent, and receive Intimation about
his Condition \ as a Friend in a forreign Country,
that is hearkning for Letters from his Friend, Chrift
in Heaven defires to heat from his People on Earth 9
not that he is ignorant of them, or needs to be put
in Remembrance,but this way are his Graces in them
exercifed, their Love and Duty maintain'd, and him-
felf glorified, Ifa.30. 18. therefore will the Lord wait
that he may be gracious. In the Original it is, he longs
and as it were, greedily and enlargedly dt fires an Oc-
cafion to be gracious *, he waits in Heaven to be put
in Remembrance to do his People good.
This way is their blefled Intercourfe maintained
betwixt Chrift in Heaven, and Believers on Earth,
by this Chrift hears from them on Earth, and they
from him in Heaven, Cant. 2. 14. chap.%. 13, 14.
Thou that dwelkfl in the Gardens, the Companions heark-
en to thy Voice, caufe me to hear it : 'Tis, in the Origi-
nal, Caufe to hear me, which occafions a twofold
reading. Firft, Caufe me to he heard, they are Chrifts
Words to his Spoufe, Let me he the Subjeft of thy ~Dif-
courfe to other's. Secondly, Caufe me to hear it, that
is, let me be fpoken to, let me hear thy Voice in
Prayer, as a man defires to hear from his Wife, when
abfenti and in the next verf. She eccho^s back the
fame Requeft to Chrift, that he would haften his Re-
turn to her, that (he might have his Company alfo;
by Prayer Chrift and Believers have fweet Intercourfe
with each other, Cant. 1. 7, 8. chap. 2. 5. 8.
The Lord Jefus is wonderfully delighted to heat
from his People, Cant. 2. 14. chap. 4. 11. chap. 6.13.
Return, Return, 0 Shulamite, &c. This word Shula-
mite comes either from Solomon, and fo her Husbands
K 2 name
1 3 2 The left Treafure, Or^
yame is named on her, or from Salem, Peace, which
h Jerusalem, (hewing her Defcent to be from Jerufa-
hm above ■■> hence Chrift defires her Company be-
caufe it was pleafurc to him to look upon her, her
Countenance was as two Armies i it is in the Origi-
nal, Mabanaim, the fame word that Jacob puts on
the place where God met him, Gen. 32. 1. 2. As if
Chrift fhould fay, thy Sight is Angelical to me, tho
thou art impure in thy felf, yet thou art fair in mine
Eye.
3Tis a mighty thriving way : there's no fuch courfe
can be taken to grow rich apace in divine Treafures i
Prayer is the Key that opens Chrift Treafury, and
fetches out the Riches of Heaven, becaufe fuch may
have of God what they will, Job. 15. 7. God is al-
ways giving where gracious Souls are rightly asking,
God's readinefs to give (hould be an Argument al-
ways to crave : as Sir VPyalter Raleigh when Q^JLliz.
ask'd him when he would leave orTbeging, anfwer-
ed, when your Majefty leaves off giving.
Thirdly, Truft to an interceding Jefus, expect all
your Mercies from him, Pfal. 5.3. In the Morning I
zrill direft my Prayer to thee, and lool^ up : the Arabick,
and fome other Verhons have it, 1 will prep are orfland
before him, and be mil fee me. But this agrees not
with the Original, where 'tis, I mil order or difpofe
my Prayer, as a General doth his Army, and will
look out as a man that watches on a Tower, to fee
what I can efpy and what Anfwer he will give. By
a Metonomy, it fignifies'to expedt or look for fome
thing, Mattb. 22. 2 1. In his Name (ball the Gentiles
truft. The Lord Jefus is the fure and certain Object
of a Believers Truft \ OChriltians! is Chrift entred
into Heaven, there to appear for his People ? O then
de-
The Z)nfearchable Riches of Chrift. 133
depend upon his Interceffion, expeft all your needed
Mercies by him, take up your Acquiefcence in his
Mediation for you, reft fatisfied (Believers) that your
cafe is good, and it lhall be well with you in every
Condition,becaufc Chrift intercedeth for you. Now to
ftrengthen your Dependance on Chrift. Conlider,
His Engagement to the Father to become your
Advocate,He£.io.p. Job. 6. 35?. His Promife to Belie-
vers to purfue their Gaufe in Heaven,^* 14. 16. And
his full Accomplishments with whatever is needful to
compleat this Work. He is infinitely wife, and
knows how to manage your Concerns and profper,
Cot. 2. 3. He hath Skill and Counfel to fintfh his
Affairs with Difcretion '<> he knows your Gales better
than your felves, and what Arguments to plead fo as
to prevail, Pfal. 103. 14. Job. 2. 24. 25. Pfal. 31.7.
Heb. 4- 13. Ifa. 40. 27. 28. He is a&ive and labori-
ous •> and quick at Work, as well as in Wifdom.
Ifa. n. 3. He is ftill unwearied in his Bufinefs, and
his Spirit never fails, Ifa. 42. 4. His Eyes are always
open, he never llumbers or ileeps, Pfal. 1 2 1. 4. 1 Kin.
8. 29. Ifa. 27, 3. Helofeth no time, but takes the
fitteft Occafion to perfedr. his Defigns, 1 Pet. 5. 6. He
is faithful in his Undertakings, and one whom you
may confide, Heb. 2.17. His .name is faithful, Rev.
19. 1 1. He is omnipotent and powerful to fulfil his
Pleafure, Heb. 7. 25. The Almighty one who can
prevail with the Father, and is one with him, Job.
1 1. 42. chap. 10. 30. Confider Chrift's Intereft in his
people, they are his own, John 13. 1. They are his
Seed, Treafure, Jewels, Members, and Sheep, Job.
10. 3. They are his Spoufe, and therefore he cannot
forget, or negledt their Concerns, Ephcfians 5. 2 p.
IJa.5%.7.
K 3 Thii k
1^4 The Bcji Tresfitre, Or,
Think on his Concernments in all the Affairs of
his InterefU by vertue of that Union betwixt Chrift
and his People, he becomes a (harcr with them in all
their Conditions, their Mercies are his Delight, PfaL
35. 27. and their Afflictions are his Trouble, Ifa.
63. p. He fympathizeth with them as the head with
the Member*, and the Husband with the Spoufe', their
lofs is his Lofs, and their Gain he reckons as his In-
tereft. Should Saints and their C< ncemments mif-
carryatlaft, Chrift himfelf would be a certain and
eternal Loofer : he would loofe his Blood, and pur-
chafe, his Obedience and Sufferings.
Laftly, Confider, Chrili's Glory confifts in the
Good and Salvation of Believers, 2 Thef. 1 . 1 2 . His
Glory is wrapt up in their Glory, and his Life in their
Life, Job. 14. J p. 2 Cor. 8. 23. Job. 17. 10.
Fourthly, acknowledge the Interceftion of Chrift
to be the procuring Caufe of all your Mercies \ in eve-
ry Reception of Mercy fee an Interceding Jefus, and
fay Lord, 'tis thy Mediation I owe thefe Enjoyments,
Priviledges, and Prayer-returns unto, Luke 22. 32.
Tfal. 115. I. Pro. 3. <5. In all tby ways acknowledge
bint. This is to pay Tribute to Chrift in Heaven, and
advance the Glory of the blelTed Mediator •, this is gi-
ving Chrift his Due, Rom. 13.7. and a facrificing to
God and not to your Dreg ', as it is Chrift in Beleliev-
ers is the Hope of Glory, fo it is Chrift in Heaven is
the Hope and Procurer of Mercy.
Fifthly, If Chrift be your Advocate in Heaven,
then follow his Inllru&ions on Earth, Mattb. 17. 5 .
He that commits his Caufe to another, commits him-
felf to his Counfel alfo to be guided by him in every
thing, that might conduce to his Succefs in it >
jphriit's work in Heaven is to order and regulate his
Peo-
the Unfearchable Riches ofChrift. 1 3 5
People on Earth, and therefore he is the Law-giver,
and King as well as Saviour, I fa, 33. 22. Jam, 4. 12.
and the Duty of all Chrift's Clyents on Earth, is to
live by his Prefcription and Order given them =, and
therefore 'tis faid, Numb. 21. 18. The Princes digged
the Well, even the Nobles of the People, digged it by the
Virettion of the Law-giver, This is fpoken of that fa-
mous Well Beer-Elim: that is, the Well of the
mighty ones, that God gave Ifrael in the Wildernefs :
it was alone the Gift of God, verfe 16. I will give
them Waters, yet they mutt dig for it, as herei and
that according to Prefcription, as Mofes gave them
from the Lord : This well was a Figure of Chrift,
as the Hebrews themfelves, in their Midrajh Koheletb
do acknowledge, as (fay they) The fir(i Redeemer caujed
a Well to faring up, fo the lad Redeemer /hall caufe Wa-
ters to faring up \ as 'tis faid, Joel 3. 18. A Fountain
(hall come forth from the Houje of the Lord, and fo all
water the Valley of Shittim i which fignified the Gra-
ces of the Spirit, that Well of Water fpringing up
to Life eternal, J oh, 4. 14.
Sixthly, Become Advocates for Chrift on Earth,
confefs his name.Row. 14. 11, chap. 1 5. 9. Phil, 2. 1 1.
Plead his caufe before men, Hof. 2. 2. Plead with
your Mother, This is fpoken to the pious in Ifrael fas
Jonathu Caldtus, Jerom, and others conceive) who
are the men, and the whole Houfe of Ifrael their
Mother, and their pious Children mult plead, that
is, expoftulate, reafon, and contend with her for
God to bring her to the Senfe of her Sin and Danger \
the Lord Jeius underwent all dangers in owning
your Caufe, fo (hould you in his: he always inter-
cedes for you, fo [hould you for him in VVord and
Deed b your Lives and Lips (hould plead for him: He
K 4 pleads
l%6 The Befi Treafttrc, Or,
He pleads effectually for you, fo (hould you labour to
be as fuccefsful as you may for him, Job. 3. 2 p. and
in order to the Difcharge of this important Duty,
confider,
That the fui table Qualifications of an Advocate
mult be acquired, you mull get VVifdom to know
Chriit and the things ct his Will, Kingdom, and
Glory, you are not likely to do much Service to
Chrifts Interelr, if you are ignorant and unacquainted
with his Laws and Concernments, Mic. 6. 8. Col. 1.
5?, 10. 2 Pet. 3. 18. Maith. 10. 16. Phil. 1. p. Epb.
1. 17. You mult be active and vigorous for God,
'Rom. 12. 1 1. Slothful Spirits are not like to be much
ferviceable, Prov. 27. 15. Ecclcf. ic. 18. chap. p. 10.
Heb. 6, n, 12. You mu(l be: faithful, and have
Truth in the inner parts, Kev. 2. 10. 1 Cor. 4. 2..
L«% 12, 42, You mult labour after Potency and
Mighrinefs through Ghrilt, that you may prevail for
him, Pbil.<\. 13. 1 Cbro, 22. 13. 1 Cor. 16. 13. Now
the way to get this Strength for Chrilr, is by Faith
to live on him, Epb. 6. 10. 2 clim. 2. 1.
You muft make a thorough and open Profeflion of
him, and of all his Truth, 1 Tim. 6. 12, 13, 14.
Heb. 4. 14. 2 Cor. p. 13. profefs him at all times,
Matth. 10. 32. profefs him openly, plainly, fmcerely,
and boldly, fo did the Apoiiles.
You mult patiently, perfevere under all Sufferings
for him, Acts 21. 13. 2 Jim. 2. 10* Heb. 10. 32.
You mull fpeak well for Chrift at all times, Mat.
11. ip. Cant. 5. 10. 1 Pet. 2. p.
You mult live out his Glory, Math. 5. 16. Phil.
2. 15. 2 Cor. p. 13.
Thus have we done with the Applicatory part of
this Point, and difpatch'd the wonderful Riches of
Chrii^as to his perfonal Union. G H AP ♦
the ZJnfearchable Riches ofCkrift. i%j
CHAP. IX.
Opening fometchat of the fweet Dijpofitions of
Chrifi, viz. His Goodnefs^ Love, and the
Riches thereof as to the kind, Fruits, and
Effecis ofh.
I Am now come to the third particular, wherein
we (hall make a Difcovery of the Riches of Ghrift,
as they confift in his excellent and fweet Difpofi-
tions as Mediator, with thofe precious Graces and
Endowments in him, which will much illuftrate the
perfonal Riches of Chiilt, and be of wonderful En-
couragement both to Saints and Sinners, to think
better of him, and to haften after a Dependance on
him.
Now the firft thing we (hall treat of, is the good-
nefs of his Nature: He is Goodnefs it felf, Pfal. 34. 8.
0 ta(i and fie that the Lord is good : This Pfalm was
penn'd by David, when he was driven from Achijh^
and was in fore danger of his Life ', in this Conditi-
on, he feeks the Lord, and found help, by reafon of
the Goodnefs of God, that is, God in Chrilt \ in-
deed there, is Creation- Goodnefs, and providential-
Goodncfs, but the choiceft is his Redemption-good-
nefs, that Goodnefs which he lets out to poor Sinners
in a Mediator. Thus is Jefus Chrift the Gift of his
belt Love, and is qualified, and difpofed to commend
the infinite Goodnefs of God to perifhing Sinners:
his Goodnefs is great. Zac.9. 17. called the Riches
of his Goodnefs, Rom, 2.4. Now this goodnefs of
Chriit appears.
Firft,
138 The Befi Treafnre, Or,
Firft, In it's Extenfivencfs* he is good to all>
Mans goodncfs is contracted and narrow, its greateft
Proportion reacheth but a few, none but Friends,
Relations, and fuch as may oblige or requite them,
are ufually Sharers in it^ but the goodnefs of Chriit
is immenfe, it reacheth to all the work of his hands,
Tfal. 145. p. The Lordti good to all, by him all things
cmfift, Col. I. 17. He npboldetb all things by the word
cfbvs Power, Heb. 1.3. The very vileft, and mofi un-
worthy Grace-abuiuig Soul have fome kind of (hare
in Ghrifts Goodnefs > he upholds his very Enemies,
and maintains the Being and Enjoyment of fuch as
oppofe him.
Secondly, In it's Invinciblenefs \ all the Provocati-
ons of his Enemies cannot impede it's deiigned cur-
rent, he is refolved they (hall have a (hare in his Mer-
cy, though they oppofe their own Mercies i nay all
the Unkindnefs of his people cannot conquer it, nor
many Waters quench it : He mal^th bti Sun to (hine
upon the good and bad, Math. 5. 45. It's ftrange to
think how rare a portion of Mercy the wicked have
in their day > he that cryed Father forgive them they
know not what they do, cries Father fpare them to
fee what they will be.
Thirdly, It's Freenefs^ 'tis not ex traded, Jbut flows
out of it's own Accord, If a. 65. 24. Before they call,
I will anfwer, Sec. It hath no Creature- merit to pro-
voke it, Exel{. 1(5. 6. J faid unto thee, when thou
waft in thy Blood, live, when there was no Beauty to
attract it, no defires to draw it forth : mans Worthy-
nefs is no ground for the Communication of Chritis
Goodnefs, what Lovelynefs had the Ephefnvis to de-
ierve it's liberal ErTuilons ? Eph* ?. 1.
Fourth-
the Unfearchable Riches of Chrift. 139
Fourthly, 'tis unwearied, enduring Goodnefs, it
hath not the Shallownefs of a (lender Veflel, which is
cafily ernptyed,but the Unfathomablenefs of the Oce-
an that can never be exhaufted ; the vaft Expences an4
Communications of it, from the Creation of ths
World to it's final Deftru&ion, will not diminifh it
one Iota *, his Anger indeed hath but a momentary
Continuance, Pfal. 30. 5. But his Goodnefs endureth
forever, Pfal. 52. 1,
Fifthly, 'Tis Communicative goodnefs, running
over, flowing down, and liberally dirTufing it felf
for the good of others *•> (0 'tis defined to be a Vertue
by which a perfon of his own accord is abundantly
prone to a&s of Benignity : Chrift's Goodnefs is tna-
nifeftative, distributive, and it's Difpenlations are as.
natural as the irradiating Beams of the Sun.
Secondly, Another excellent Difpofition in Chrift,
is his Love, not only his Phylanthropy, or good
Will he bears to all men, and the Defire he hath of
their Salvation, Ezek* 33. 1 1. But his aya,™ his fpe-
cial Love, from *y*p valde & vavopcu acquiefco, fuch an
ardent ArTedion hath the heart of Chrift, for a per-
fon adhering to him, that it greatly acquiefces in,
and is fully contented with him, Epb. 2. 4. Such is
the Sweetnefs of Chrift's Nature, that it is full of
Love, God is Love^ I John 4. 1 6. And as the Father
hath loved we, fo have I loved you^ Joh. 15. p. Now
this Love of Chrift to his people, is,
Firft, A fupreme Love, the chiefeft Love, he hath
a love of Benevolence to all, Mark^io. 2 1. He beheld
the young man and loved him \ but the Love he bears
his own, is tranfcendent, and exceeds the Love of
men and Angels, Joh. 15. 13.
Secondly, An infinite LoveD Love that partem all
Know-
140 The Beji Tnafure, Or,
Knowledge, exceedcth all Dimenfions, Eph. 3. 18.
ChifFs Love ( faith one) hath Length in it, becaufe
he loved his Eled from Eternity to Eternity s O un-
meafurable Length that hath no end ! his Love hath
Breadth in it, becaufe not the Jews only, but the
Gentiles alfo, are fharers in it j 'tis extended to the
whole World, Math. 28. 19. It hath depth in it,
becaufe it brought him down into the Deeps,not on-
ly of the Earth, but of unconceivable Sufferings: It
brought him as low as the Grave, yea to the very
Borders of Hell, Ifa. 53. 3. It hath height in it, be-
caufe it afcended far above all Heavens, that he might
fill all in all, become our Advocate there, prepare
us for it, and it for us, and at laft takes us up to him-
felf, that we may behold his Glory.
Thirdly, An eternal Love, Jer. 31.3. 1 have loved
thee with an evcrlafting Love, All Creature-affedrions
have their Beginning and End, their Rifings and
Settings, but the Love of Chrift is as himfelf, ever-
lafting, Rev. 1. 13. The tranfiency of his peoples
Love, cannot injure its permanency, for where be
loves, be loves to the end, Joh. 1 3 . I .
Fourthly, An unchangeable Love, it hath no Eb-
bhigs and Flowings, Waxings and Waneings^Riiings
and Fallings, but is the fame Yeiterday, to Day, and
for ever, Heb. 13. 8. It knows no Alteration, Additi-
on, or Diminution : the Heavens (hall wax old as a
Garment, and be changed, Hek 1. it. 12. But
Chrift and his Love is invariable, Mai. 3. <5. Tis true,
the Manifestations of his Love is mutable, ( he may •
fmile to day,and frown to morrow) but not the nature
of it •, the Cifternsrnay be dry but not the Fountain.
Fifthly, A free Love, it hath no Confideration of
Creature- merit, fore-feen Faith, or perfevering Holi-
nefsj
the Vfi fear chalk Riches ofCkrift. 141
tiefs, Hof. 14. 4. / wit heal their Backzflidings^ and lovt
them freely. What realbn can be given, that of the
fame Lump (hould be made one Veflel of Honoured
another of Dilhonour ', nay that perfons of the moft
exquifite Abilities, natural Endowments, unfpotted
Moralities, and uncontroulable Sovereignty, mould
be rejected, and left to the hardnefs of their Heart,
and the righteous Judgment of God, and that others
of the meaneft parts, inconfiderable Qualifications,
prodigioufly vitious Lives and miferable Penury,(hould
be elected to the higheft Priviledges, received into
the moft intimate Communion, and made partaker
of the higheft Glory >
Sixthly, The Spring and Fountain of all that Love
that is in Believers to God and one another, Creature-
affections are but ftreams deriv'd from this Ocean,
Candles lighted at this Sun : We love him becaufefa firft
loved us, 1 John 4. 19. The afcending Love of Saints
is a faint Reflection of thedefcending Love ofGhrifH
the fame Waters that empty themfelves into the Sea,
have their Birth from it.
Seventhly, An a&ive love, Creature- affections are
dull and fluggifh, and favour rankly pTth'eVefTel they
are in, but Chrift's are vigorous and laborious j a pa-
rental Love, that fets his Wifdom on defigning, his
Faithfulnefs on fecuring, and his Puwer on accom-
plifhing the chiefeft Concernments, and higheft good
of his Children.
Laftly, a fruitful Love, full of good Works, 'tis
commended love, Rom. 5. 8. manifefted love, 1 John
4. p. Not love in the Womb, or abortive, but love
in the Birth ; I (hall name fome of it's Fruits to his
People.
Firft, the giving of himfelf for them, Eph. 5. 25.
Who
142 The Beft Treafnre, Or,
Who loved me, and gave bimfefffor me, GaL 2.20. This
is the higheft Teftimony of his Love imaginable, he
could not have bellowed a better thing ', he that gives
himlelf, gives all. He gave himfelf to procure a pur-
chafed Treafure to enrich them, to deftroy the par-
tition Wall, and rill up that bottomlefs Gulf, that
lay in their way to glory : he gave himfelf to difcharge
their Debts, remove their Guilt, juftifie their Perfons
fulfil all Righteoufnefs, and make good the new Co-
venant.
Secondly, The opening of his heart to them, John
J5« H> *5* I have called you Friends, for all that 1
have heard of my Father, I have made known unto yon :
O! the wonderful Love and Kindnefs of Chrift to
his People, that he communicates his Secrets, and
opens to them the Thoughts of his Heart from all
Eternity •, he leads them into his retired Chambers
and fecret ReceiTes, and feafts them liberally with
hidden Manna, and excellent Difcoveries of the things
freely given them of God: Saints cannot afcend up
into Heaven, and fee the Length Depth, Breadth and
Height of thofe glorious things God hath prepared
for them, but they have the Priviledge to wade deep
into fandtuary Waters, and the Spirit of Grace is
freely given them to reveal the Depths of divine Love.
Thirdly, The Communication of all good things
to them, He will give Grace and Glory, and no good
thing will he withhold, Pfa. 84. 1 1. Tfal. 34. 10. O
bound lefs Love indeed ! he may beftow fome fublu-
nar Portions on his Enemies-, but his Children only
(hall have the Inheritance,they (hall have his Wifddm
to direct them, his Goodnefs to fupply them,his Pow-
er to protect them, and his Spirit to inftrudt them,
job. 16. 13. 74. And O what a wonderful Gift is
the
The Vn fear chalk Riches of Chrift. 143
the Spirit', he will (hew them their Duty, reprove
them for their Sin, anfwer their Doubts, clear up
their Way, and enlighten them in their Darkneis : he
will open their Hearts, enlarge their Souls, regulate
their Wills, illuminate their Minds, and fancYifie their
Perfons*, he will communicate Counfel, reveal Chrift,
difcover their Inheritance, and feal them up to the
day of Redemption,
Fourthly, His minding and purfuing all their
Concerns in Heaven, the Bufinefs Believers have in
another Country where they cannot come is very
weighty ^ they need Receptions of more Grace eve-
ry day, Strength againft Corruption, VVifdom in
their Difficulties, Patience in their Sufferings, and
Faith in their Temptatidhss now Chrift doth agitate
their Caufe, becomes their Fa&or, and difpatches
their Work, Exod. 28.29. He£. 7. 25.!/^. 49. 15. 16.
Fifthly, His gracious Prefence with them, Job. 14.
18. / will not have you comfort /e/T, Heb. 13.5. Jer. 3 2 .
40. 2 Cor. 6. 1 <5, He may hide his face for fometime,
and fufpend the gracious light of his Countenance:
he may itand behind the YVall, and ftep behind the
Curtain, yet thefe are but momentary, not continual,
and imaginary, not real.
Sixthly, His bearing with them, and forbearing of
them, 1 Cor. 13.7. Charity bearetb all things^ it can-
not eafily be overloaded : what grofs Indignities and
abufive Injuries doth Chrift patiently receive from
the hands of his People ? Amos 2. 13, Pfal.p^. 10.
Seventhly, His thinking often and well of them,
and his being a Friend to their Friends, and an Ene-
my to their Enemies : where a mans AfTecYions arc
there will his Thoughts be alfo •, the Adulterers
Thoughts are on his Uncleannefs, the wordly man's
on
144 The Bejl Treafore, Or9
on his Treafures, and the Ambitious on his Honours,
but ChrilVs are on his People, Ija. 43 . 4. They arc his
Hephziba\i% the del ig;i v this Soul, his Jewels and
Treafures, Ifa. 62.4. Mai. 3. 17. H: elteems their
Enemies as his, Exod, 23* 25?. and favours their
Friends with peculiar Blcllings,EW. 1.20. Gen. 39. 5,
Eighthly, His being troubled with their Troubles,
and delighted with their Welfare, Job. n.33-35>36.
when the Lord Jefus came to raife Lazarus from the
dead, and faw Mary weeping, and the Jews thai
were with her, 'tis (aid, He groaned in Spirit] and was
troubled : nay when he came to the place where Lazt~
rus lay, he wept \ whereupon the Jews faid, Behold
how be loved him, and his Heart is the fame now in
Heaven, If a. 63. p. Tiue love will fufTer in theTry-
als of it's Friend, Alls p. 4. hence the Afflictions of
Saints are calPd the Afflidions of Chriii, Col. 1. 24.
what Hefter faid concerning her people, may be more
truly fpoken by Chrift, Hefter. 8; 6. How can I endure
to fee the Evil that Jball come upon my people. He is
grieved at the Evil of their Sins or Sufferings, Mark.
3. 5. Epb. 4. 13, and takes wonderful Pleafure in
their Welfare, Foov. 8. 3 1. no tender parent can more
earneilly defire the Happinefs, and rejoyce in the Ad-
vantages of his Children, than Jefus "ChrilT: in his,
Pfal. 147. 1 }. If the Joy of his AmbaiTadors doth
much depend upon the Profperity of the Souls of their
Auditors, 3 Epift. Job. ver. 4. Then furely himfelf is
not altogether unconcerned.
Laftly, His preparing a Heaven for them, John 14..
2, 3. In my Fathers Hmfe are many Manfions, I go to
prepare a place for you, Sec. The Lord Jefus knows
that his departure from the World with the fad Con-
fequenccs thereof, would breed great Trouble in the
Hearts
the Vnfedrckabk Riches ofGhrifi. 1 45
Hearts of his Difciplesj therefore labours to prevent it*
by telling them oftheoccalion of his Departure, that
it was for their fakes, and in their bufinefs i and
though the World would abufe them when he was
"gone, and call them out of their. Houfe and Country,
yet he tells them," he had a Father in Heaven that
would receive them, and he was going thither to pre-
pare a place fbi them, and there was (tore of room for
them in Heaven. The word, tranflated Manfwi here,
figniries an abiding, fixed place. Here you dwell in
Tabernacles, but in Heaven are places for you, out of
which you (hall never be turned more. Don't expect
much Happinefs in the World, but look to Heaven for
all your fatisfying Comforts : There's a Re't for you,
after all your wearying Duties and Troubles *, there
are pleafant Habitations, after all your Wildernefs
Journeyings : There's 3 large dwelling-place *, here
you are thruft into corners, and may be have little
^conveniences" in your Houfes ; Here you dwell iii
Strangers, a-nd perhaps, Enemies Houfes, but there
your dwelling mall be in your Father's Houfe. 'Tis
really fo, I do not flatter you with vain hopes, or
feed you with falfe reports : if it were not fo, I would
have told you. Some might obj eel: here, That 'there
may be Houfes in Heaven, and yet they in Hell. No
( fays Chrift ) I go to prepare a place for yqil, when I
come to Heaven, I will befpeak a Houfe for you, it
(hall be your own, your own proper Right, every one
of you, and of all my People, (hall have a Houfe of their
own, and it (hall be Fee timple, theirs to all Eternity.
But fome may fay, How (hall we be fure of this, that
when we dye we (hall have a place in Glory ? Why,
faith Chrift, As fure as I go to Heaven, lhall you hive
a Maniion there-, for, 'tis one end of my going thi-
ther 5 'tis part of my buf nefs there, I go to prepare a
L place
1 46 The Beji Treafure, Or,
place for you. ( iToifxctJctt ) This word, faith Grotm,
notes a Divine Appointment, a place that God allots
and appoints for you : that you might not think it is
procured by your own Merit and labours. As if he
Ihould fay, you may be fure, my People, you (hall not
mifs of a place in my Father's Houfe, becaufe he hath
given you a houfe in Heiven, and I go to poffefs it for
you, and to make it fure : My Father hath given it,
and I have purchafed it, and now I go to take it into
my own hand for you : yea,to fit and fute your Lot in
Heaven, as may be molt meet for you, and as may bear
a full proportion to all your Labours, and Sufferings
for me. And thus the word likewife imports ( faith
Dr. Prcfton ) to fit and fafhion one, as a Veffel is fafht-
on'd and (hap'd to its proper Life. But Believers may
urge, Lord, how (hall we get thither ? the Journey is
far, the Way we know noumany Dangers lye betwixt
this and Heaven * the Prince of the Air, and all the
Devils of Hell lye betwixt this and Glory •, and how
(hall we get fafely through all thefe Dangers ? Why,
faith Chriit, I will come again and receive you, when
I have done your Work in Heaven, when I have dif-
patched my gathering, and compleating work on
Earth, when all my Saints are called and perfected,
then will 1 come again, and receive you to my felf ,
1 will come and unite your Souk and Bodies together,
and then will (hew you the way to Heaven, and lead
you into your own habitations there, and as furely
put you into polTeilion of Glory, as I am. going to
poffefs it for my felf i and in the mean time, I will
take care of you in the way, and fend my Spirit to
guide you, and bear you thorow it, and my Angels,
when you are at your Journeys end, (hall receive your
Souls, and bring them unto me, that where I am you
may be aHo, Job. 17. 24. Job. 12. 26. What greater
Love
the TJnfearchable Riches ofChriJl. 147
Love can there be than the Engagements of Chrift's
Heart, to get all his Children brought home to Hea-
ven, that they may be ever with him, and partake of
his Glory, 1 Cor. 15.22, 23.
CHAP. X.
*
Several Deductions drawn from the Love of
Ckrifi.
IF the Lord Jefus be fo full of Love and tender Af-
fection : then,
Fiiit, What reafbn have Sinners never to be qui-
et, till the Lord Jefus become their Friend, till they
have an Intercft in his fpecial Love, Alas, poor Souls f
the common Love of Chrift, though now you fare the
better for it, will fhortly be at an end : His Philan-
thropy, though precious, yet is but like a Box of Oint-
ment, which may be wafted and confuirfd, Mark^ 14,
4. But his fpecial Love is like the two Olive Trees,
Zach. 4. 1 2. always emptying out it felf through the
golden Pipes of his Ordinances to his People : Chrift's
common Love to Sinners, is like a Land-flood, that
will be drained : But his fpecial Love is compar'd to
a Fountain, a Well of Water that fpringeth up to Life
Eternal. O then labour after an Intereft in this Love
of Chrift, that brings Salvation : Put away the Evil
of thy doings, hearken to Chrift's counfel> receive him
into thy Heart by Faith » obey his Voice, take him to
fc*e thy Lord and God, and thou lhalt polfefs his love
too, PfaL 45. 10.
Secondly, Then what an abominable thing is it to
hate Chrift ? how unexcufable will Sinners Enmity
againft him be when he comes to Judgment, jf<frff»T»
L 2 Frov,
148 The bejl Treafure^ Or^
Prov. 8. 36. All tbey that bate me love Death, TJah It.
$, 9. PJjl.132. i%.Nab.i.2.
3dIy,Then why thould Believers take up fuch hard
thoughts of Chritt? lfa^0.2-j JVby fayeii tbou,0 Jacob,
my way is bid from tbe Lord, and my Judgment is faffed
ever from my God? that is, my Condition, my trouble,
my Soul is out of God's thoughts : He takes no notice
of, nor cares what becomes of me : And my Judgments
that is, God's judging my Caufe, his righting and
helping my opprefled Soul, is gone from me, or he hath
laid it afide, he will not help me in my Affliction. This
was 'Sion's complaint, and hard thoughts of God, and
this difpleafed him h Wby fayefl tbou, 0 Jacob, &c >
As if he {hould fay, what caufe haft thou, O Ifrael, my
People, to entertain fuch harfh conceptions of my
Love ? what Iniquity haft thou found in me ? what
wrong have I done thee ? Have I not born thee from
the Womb, and carried thee all the dayes of old >
Look back to the Red Sea, and to the Wildernefs, who
cared for thee there ? Call to mind the Manna,and the
Rock, the Bread and Water on the Way * I fuffered
none to do thee harm,! delivered thee out of the hands
of all thy -Enemies^ and plagued them that injured thee :
Thus have I been thy help from thy Youth up, and
why fayeit thou then, my way is hid from the Lord?
O Jacob, thou doit ill to cenfure me lb feverely i Is
this the requital of all my love and kindnefs to jhec
hitherto } Repent of thefe injurious apprehenfions,
and put more favourable conttrudtions on my waves i
Gracious Souls have no reafon to prejudge the Heart
ofChrift, and cenfure him of unkind ne(s and negli-
gence : for 'tis impoilible he (hould forget his People,
Ifa.^.i 5. He hath paid too dear for them to do fo :
They have colt his Blood, Eternal Counfels, many
Troubles, many Wonders, and will he reject them af-
ter
The Vnfearchable Riches ofChrifl. 149
ter all i. O no. He hath engraven them on the Palms
of his hands, where he cannot but fee, and mud fe~
cure their names, Ifa. 49. 1 6, 1 cannot look upon my
hands, but 1 muft remember thee : I fhould forget
my feif, (hould I forget thee: thou art fet as a Seal
upon my Heart, and thy Walls are continually, before
me: that is, though thy Protection be gone for a
time, and I have left thee to the Will of thine Ene-
mies, yet I will redeem and fecure thee, I will rai(e
up thy Walls, and re-eftablifti thy State, for thy
Walls are before me, though thou feeft them not, I
can and will preferve them i thou art Weak, but I
am ftrong, I faint not though thou fainted, I am ne-
ver weary though thou art tyred, and asfure as I have
Strength, I will give it thee \ they that wait on the
Lord (hall renew their Strength, Ifa. 40. 28. Again,
you cannot fee the way to get out of your Troubles,
your Wifdom is non-pluft, but mine is not fo \ There
is no fearcbing of my Undemanding : O then do not give
up thy Hopes O Jacob, or conclude I have forgotten
thee : He hath promifed he will not caft off his Peo-
ple, nor leave them comfortlefs, 1 Sam. 12. 22.
Job. 14. 18. And be is not as a man tbat bejhould lye^
&c. Numb. 23. 1 5?. He hath given them his Seal to
it, 2 Cor. 1. 22. Epb. 4. 30. Nothing can feparatehis
love from them, Kom. 8. 35. 38, 39.
Object. But I am afraid I am none of Chrijfs, tirr
have tbe Spirit , becaufe of the Filibinejf, Obduratmcjs,
and Irregularity of my Heart.
Anfiver, If ever thou hadft the Spirit, thou haft it
m'll, John 4. 14. If j. 5 p. 21. Gracious Souls may
fometimes feem to themfelves to be carnal, and fold
under Sin, Rom. 7. 14. They may not fee any good
thing dwell in them, i/er..i8. but be like to the flail
L 3 thac
150 The BejtTreafure, Or,
that lye in the Grave, ?fal. 88. 5. So Heman thought
himfelf one free among the dead, whom the Lord
would remember no more: in the Winter there's lit-
tle villble difference between the living and the dead
Tree j neither is there betwixt a Saint and a Sinner
in time of Defertion and Temptation : God's Chil-
dren may be led captive by Sin, and brought into
Bondage by their Lulls, Rom. 7. 23. and then 'tis
hard to fay, how unlike they are to them that ne-
ver knew God > and therefore Christian judge
not thy felf by thy changeable Frames, if thou
doftnot repent of thy Change, thy leaving thy old
Courfes and chufing God and Grace, 2 Corinth. 7,
10. If thou dolt not approve of any Sin, or fecretly
tove thy filthy ways, Romans 7, 15. 20. If thy
. Heart be difcontented with thy (fate of back-iliding,
and longeth after a return to thy refting place, then
thou art gracious, Jet. 31. 18. Fjal. 14.. 7. If thou
doft rind a War betwixt thy Members and thy Mind,
the Law of the Spirit of Life warring againft the Law
of Sin and Death, thy ftate is good, Rom. 7. 2 1, 22
'l^.GaU 5. 17. The Flejh Iujietb againfi the Spirit ,
and the Spirit again[i the Flejb^ and tbefe an contrary*
one to the other, (l^i^v^) The word notes a vehe-
ment and continued Delire, a Delire which is itill in
Action, and working till we have it accompli(ht,not
a fudden Motion or momentary PaiTion. Look how
Corruption and -Lull works againit Grace, fo doth
Grace againit Corruption, for theft trso are contrary^
(pj'TixtiTcu) the one lays Scige againit the other, as a
Souldier in a Trench againit a Fort. Now if it be
fo with thy Soul, that thou rindelt in it two parties,
as Twins in the Womb oppoimg each other, and doft
experience fometbing in. thy Will againit Sin, as well
as
, the Vnfearchable Riches ofChrifi. 1 5 1
as for it, and fomething in thy Affections, an Enemy
to thy Corruptions as well as a Friend *, if thou long-
eft as much for Freedom from Sin as from Hell, and
thy Heart cannot be at peace whilft the Body of Sin
remains in thee, then lift up thy head, O Soul, Judg-
ment (hall be brought forth to Victory, and the top
(lone (hall in due time be laid with (houting, Grace,
Grace ! to it.
Fourthly, Then you that are Chrift's, take heed
you abufe not his Love, Rom. <5. 1 5. What then ? Shall
we fin becaufe we are not under the Law hut tinder Grace ?
God forbid. That is, (hall we yield our Souls to the
Service of Sin, as verf. 16. or give a willing Confent
to the Commidion of it > God forbid > That is, far
be it from us, noting it to be a vile and abominable
thing, to Sin under Grace, and againft Grace j this
is a moft difingenuous thing to abufe love, and requite
Evil for Good : it is moft unjuft to injure him that
loveth you, 'tis a coftly Sin, and will have a bitter
reckoning at laft, 'tis a Spot notorioufly like the Spot
of Reprobation, J tide, v. 4. But if it may conlift with
Grace, yet it will break your Bones, and fcourgeyou
foundly e're God hath done i what did David, Solo-
mo?!, and Peter, get by abuimg divine Love ?
Fifthly, Admire Chrift's love, his love is admira-
ble palling Knowledge, you ufe to admire things that
are itrange, and beyond your reach, but what more
miraculous and unparellel'd than this, That the Lord
of Glory who hath Angels at his Service, (hould fet
his AfTe&ions on poor polluted Dwft and AQies, on
Fleas and Worms, as Abraham and Valid acknow-
ledged themfelves to be, that fo illuftrious a perfon
as the Lord Jefus ihould fall in love with fo deformed
a piece as man, in whom was neither Beauty n©r
L 4 Riches
152 The Beft Treafare, Or,
Riches, Vertue nor Honour, and be enamoured of
him To greatly, as to take him into his Bofom, and
a conjugal Relation with himfelf, 'tis fo ftupendious
a Miracle, that 'tis faid, he (hall be admired of all
that believe when he comes, 2 Ibef. 1, 10. O Chri-
stians gather in all your Valuations from Creatures,
' for your Creator and Redeemer, If a, 63. 1.
Sixthly, Adventure on the Love of Chrift, fwim
on thefe deep Waters, roll your (elves on thefe divine
Depths, and confide in his new Covenant, love, for
'tis unchangeable love to the end ^ many waters can-
not quench it, Cant. 8, 7. Trult his Love ( I fay )
in the way of Obedience, Job. 14. 21. 23. If his
love be free, then 'tis not for your fake, Dent. 7. 17.
Not for your Beauty or Holinefs, but for his own
good Pleafure, Of bti own Will begat be us, Jam. I.
j 8. He loves you Believers, becaufe you are his own,
Job. 13. if And becaufe it hath pleafed him to make
you his people, 1 Samf 12. 22. If he loves thofe that
Jove him, then furely he will kindly refent the Arden-
cy of thy Affections to him j O adventure on this
tove.
Seaventhly, love him who hath fo loved you,i Job.
4. 15?. Pfal. 31.23. 0 love fbc Lord all ye Im Saints.
The Reafon is laid down from the 19. verfe to this,
Q bow great is thy Goodiufs which tbou baft laid up for
tbem tb at fear thee, &c. The greatnels and Excellency
of Chrift's Love deferves yours \ O love him at all
times, and in all things, with a free, fupream, fteady,
rational, and exprefled love.
Laftly, Be full of love to others for Chrift's fake,
Epb. 5. 2. Wd\ in hove as Chriii aljb batb loved you,
i Job. 4. 1 1 . Love all men, fuch a love is in God,
he loy'd the World, Job. 3. 16, a,nd every Creature
in
the ZJnfearchable Riches ofChrifl. 153
in it •, fuch a Philanthropy is in Chrift, he would
have all men come to the Knowledge of the Truth,
that they might be faved, 1 Tim. 2:,4. Love your Ene-
mies, Mat. 5. 44. fo did Chrift : he prayed, Father
forgive them, L«% 23.34. love his Friends, 1 ]oh.
5. 1. Epb. 6. 24,
chap, xr,
The glorious Excellency of Chriji's tender Pity
opened and difplayed in thejeveral ABs ofit0
both to Saints and Sinners.
ANother Difcovery of the Sweetnefs of Ghrift's
Difpofition is,
Thirdly, His Pity, this is lookt upon as an
excellent Qualification, and that which renders a per-
fon lovely among men, Rom. 5. 7. F or fcarcely for a
righteous man mil one dye^ yet peradventure for a good
man fame would even dare to dye : for a juft man, one
that is ftrid and rigid in his Life and matters of Ju-
itice, none will dye^ but for a good man, that is,
for a bountiful, liberal man, for a Benefa&or ( faith
Beza) for a Friend (faith another) fome would even
dare to dye ^ Kindnefs and Companion renders men
lovely and amiable in the Sight of Heathens : hence
one calls a merciful man a precious thing, and ano-
ther makes him equal to God, God himfelf prefers
Mercy above Sacrifice, Mat. 9. 13. This the Lord
opened to Mofes as part of his Glory, Exod. 34. 6m
The Lord God merciful and gracious^ &c. And this
mercifulnefs is placed in the Nature of Chrift, as Me-
diator, and therefore mull needs render him glorious,
and
154 The Beji Treafure, Or^
and be part of his unfearchable Riches : now that
the Lord Jefus is fo full of Pity and Mercy in his
very Nature, the Scripture is clear. This was one
Qualification neceiTary to his Prieft-hood, Heb. 2. 17.
This was a fpecial Requifite to the Prieft under the
Law, that he (hould be one who might have Com-
panion on the Ignorant, and them that are out of
the way, Heb. 5. 2. Therefore the high-prieft muft be
a Man, not an Angel, that fo he being fubjedr. to In-
firmities, to Sins, and WeakneiTes himfelf, he might
the better have Compailion upon others in the like
eaie. The fame Argument the Lord ufeth to Ifiael,
Dent. 10. ip. Love ye therefore the Stranger, for ye
were Strangers in the Land of ^Egypt. Experience of
AfHi&ion fits a perfon for pity to others, and there-
fore, our Lord took our Nature upon him, that being
compaft with the fame Infirmities (Sin only excepted)
he might be able to have Companion on others : this
is neceiTary in that Office, for a perfon will never be
active in fuch laborious work for Sinners, as offering
of Gifts and Sacrifices for Sin, if he have not tender
Bowels towards perfons in Mifery : and therefore
Jefus Chrift muft needs be fuch a one, who can have
Compailion, &c. The word is (ignificant, 'tis in the
Original (^irpto^Hv) to have Compailion on others
according to the Meafure and Proportion of their
Mifery ; Partus renders it, to have Compailion as
much as is needful* Bcza, to be affected according
to the greatnefsofanothers Milery, and fuch is the
Compailion of Chrift, 'tis futed to the Condition of
his People : were Chrift 's Pity but one Grain lhort
of the Mifery and Condition of Sinners, he could
never fave them to the utmoft * for if he will fave
to the uttermoft, he muft ever live to make Intercclfi-
on
the Vxjearcbable Riches of Chrift . 155
on*, there's no one moment of time, in which they
don't want help, and muft have Gifts orTer'd for them:
But this Chrift will not do, if he wants Compatlion,
J am. 5.1 1. The Lord is faid to be pitiful, and of tender
mercies ( vrotomkteyxvof ) of many Bowels •» or, as Vif-
cator, multum vifceralU > much bowelful, all pitiful^
from inward deep Bowels (xoj frtfiftfe? ) The word is
to pity with the Bowels of a Mother, to be prone to
coraipaflaon : So Aeftius *, He U rich in wercy, Eph. 2.4.
Great in Quantity, and Choice in Quality, great Mer-
cy, and choice Mercy, Pfal. 5.1. According to the mul-
titude of thy tender mercies. The word Rah, multitude,
lignifies Quality as well as Quantity : many Mercies,
or weighty Mercies : Mercies I Kacbamim : 'Tis fuch
love and pity as Mothers bear to the fruit of their
Womb, which is fervent and flaming. The word hath
no lingular number, becaufe there are many works of
Mercy, faith Pifcator.
Now this Companion of Chrift lies in thefe two
things.
1. In his fympathizing with his Creatures.
2. In fupplying and Fupporting them.
Firft, Pity hath (ympathy in it : an inward Heart-
affe&ing lenfe of another's Evils, Pfal. 103. 13. Likg
as a Father pitieth his children, fo ths Lord pitietb them
that fear him, Judg. 10. 16. Hti Soul *xv as grieved for
the Children of Jfracl. The word fignifieth, His Soul
was (hort'ned,or contracted in him, by reafon of grief,
'lis fpoken by an Anthropopathy, according to the ap-
prehentions of men : As a man is rilled with grief, his
Breaft is ftraitned, that he can fcarccly breathe \ It de-
notes how much the Lord Jefus is affeded with the
miferies of his People, Heb. 4. 15. He is faid to be
touched with the Fellow-feeling of our Infirmities,
evyrrtiWmt^ furTering with us. Chrift, in Heaven, hath
fuch
r 56 The Befi Treafure, Or,
fuch a fellow-feeling of the Evils of his People, as that
he refents their troubles as his own. He is tender-
hearted, and every mifery of theirs reacheth his Soul.
But this hath been fome what treated of before.
Secondly, Readinefs to fupply, and fupport others
in their Mifery vand this is eminently manifefted in
the Lord Jefus, 7/1*. 3-8. 20. The Lord was ready to fave
me. Men fometimes have a hand, but no heart •> they
may help, but will not •> they only fay, Go and be fed,
and be cloath'd, &c. Others have a heart, but no
hand ^ they have not to fupply the needs of others *,
their Crufe of Oyl,and Barrel of Meal will reach but a
little way : befides, there may be fome Cafes in which
Men or Angels cannot help, Pfal. 142. 4. I looked on
my right hand, and behold, there was no man would know
iwe,&c.But there can be no Condition in which Omni-
potency fails to help,He&.7.2 5. Jer.3 2.27. And Chrift
is as really willing as able to fave : He is an inexhauft-
ed Fountain of all good. Sufficit omnibus ( faith Ta-
rdus ) necfufficit tantum,Jed dat liber aliffime. Dives ejl
( faith the fame Author ) fufficientia & affeVxu : He is
good, and doth good : He feeds, gathers, carriesjeads,
his poor infirm Flocks, when they molt ftand in need
of him, Ifa. 40. 11. When they are ready to faint for
want, he opens a Well, and fills their Bottles : when
they wander from their refting-place, he fends his
Dogs, and gathers them to his Fold > when they are
weary, and can go no further, he takes them into his
Arms and carries them : when they are hungry, he
feeds them, when they are naked, he cloaths them :
when they are lick, he vilits them, when they are m
Prifon, he comes to them : He giveth to his People
richly all things to enjoy, 1 Tim. 6.1 J. He exhibits5or
yields out, all things, (not fome things only) and that
richly too : plentifully, not in Title only, but in Frui-
tion
the %)nfiarchabk Riches of Chrift. 157
tion alfo, He£. 4. 16. He giveth Grace to help isn time
of need : He fends them feafonable help, help in fit
time : ( Cohfacw ) This word fignifies, to run at ones
call, to help him affoon as he cries for help jto run in
to his Succour j fo doth Chrift. He is a prefent help in
time of need, Pfal. 46.1. When they can hold out no
longer, he will relieve their Siege j when they are ready
to periQi, he will ftep in betwixt them and deftrufti-
on, 1 Cor. 10. 13. And this he doth too from a tender
heart, that feels, and (hares in their Dangers. Poor
Believer ! let thy Condition be never fo bad, the Lord
Jefus hath an open heart and hand for thy help. It
may be, men may harden their hearts againft thee,
good n en may take little notice of thee, Prieft and Le-
vitepafs thee by, and will not know thy Soul in ad-
verfity > but yet comfort thy heart, thou haft a Friend
in Heaven, that grieves with, and for thee, and will
open Treafures to fupply thee.
Now this pitiful Nature of Chrift appears in divers
particulars, both to Saints and Sinners. . To Saints.
Firft, In looking after their Concerns, Exod. 2. 22.
Tis faid, that God looked upon the Children otlfrael^
and had refpe&unto them. This is an adt of pity to
look after the welfare of another. Merciful jty?e,when
his Sons were in ianger,fent "David to look after them,
1 Sam. 17. 18. So is the heart of Chrift concern'd in
the welfare of his People, 1 Pet. 3.12. The eyes of the
Lord are over the righteous, and his Ears are open to
their Prayer : He knows their Souls in Adveriity, con-
fiders their Troubles, and looks after their Matters,
TfaL 31.7. 1 Pet. 5. 7. The want of this looking af-
ter a Perfons welfare, is an evidence of the want of
pity, Jer. 15. 5. Whojhall have pity upon thee, 0 Jeru-
salem, &c} O, what comfort is this to poor afflicted
Souls, that though men look not after them, Friends
matter
158 The Beji Treafvre, Or,
matter not what become of them, yet the Lord ca-
re th for them.
Secondly, In labouring to prevent their Evils. This
is another ad of pity, as we may fee in Mordecai and
Eftbcr. A dreadful Danger was near to Ifrael •, a De-
cree parted by the King to cut them all off in one day :
When Mordecai heard of this, how induftrioufly doth
he labour with Eftber, to improve all her Intereft in
the King to prevent it, Efth. 4. 8, 13, 14. Chrilt can-
not forefee any Dangers impending on his People5but
his Bowels ftir him up to employ his Omnipotency to
remove them. And this he doth,
Firft, By warning them of their Danger. He (ends
them alarms, and gives them notice, as a Watchman,
when their Enemies are near, Ezet^ 3. 18. Heb. 1 1. 7.
Noab being warned of God, &c.So Jofepb, Mattb. 2.13.
was warned of God in a dream to flee into Egvp/,when
Chrift was in danger of Herod's bloody butcheries.
Ezek.3 3 .1 1 . Turn you, turn you from your rvickgd wayes,
for voby will you dye, 0 boufe of Ifrael ?
Secondly, By keeping their hearts from doling with
Temptations, when they are like to prove dangerous :
§ohe dealt witk Jofepb, Gen. 3 p. p. Perhaps he may
permit their falling into fome leiTer Evils, to try, and
humble them j but when the Sin will probably occa-
lion a great difhonour to God, and endanger the final
cftate of their Souls, then ufually he will give forth
preventing Grace to direct their hearts from doling
with it.
Thirdly, By plucking them back, when on the bor-
ders of deftm&ion. Thus David's feet had well nigh
ilipt, and he was aknoft gone h and then He opens a
pafTage for him into the Sanctuary, and gracioully re-
conciles to him his feemingly contradictory Providen-
ces, l Sam. 24. 4, 5, 6. Pfal.J}. 2, 3, 17.. And Lot,
when
The Z)t?fearchable Riches ofChriji. 159
when by lingring in Sodom, he had almoft exposed
himfelf a prey to devouring Flames, the Angels fud-
denly pluckt him out, and kept him from that im-
pending ruine, Gen. 19. 10, 1 6.
Fourthly, By fore Afflictions, (matting rods, and
crofs Providences, he fometimes prevents their (ins,
and fo their deltrudtion, Pfal. up. 67. Before I was
ajflitted I went a/fray, but novo I have kept thy word.
Thus the Waters ofMarah have fometimes led to the
Waters of the Sanctuary =>and grievous Diftempers on
the Body have proved the health of the Soul. I have
read of one, that by breaking his Leg faved his Life.
Fifthly, By breaking the Snare when they are in it,
and fo making a way for their efcape, Pfal. 124. 7.
The fnare is broken, and we are efcaped. When Dj-
vid was compafs'd round by Saul, and no poftlble
way was left him to avoid the Jaws of ruine, then the
Lord fent in the Philiftims to call ofTSW, 1 Sam.2$*
24, 25,26, 27. So, when the Proteftants in France
were almoft ftarv'd with Famine, and reduced to that
extremity that all hopes of Safety, in man's judg-
ment failed them, then was God's time to come in to
their refcue, by fending in Ambafladours to call off
the Duke of An)ou to be King of Poland^ by which
means the Siege was remov'd, and upon the media-
tion of thefe Ambafladours, the Proteftants obtained
Liberty. . Thus he faved Ifaac alfo, when Abraham's
Knife was at his Throat, Gen. 22. 10,11,12,13.
Laftly, By giving them a Vomit, when the Poyfon is
taken in, that fo it may be timely ejected, before the
danger be unremoveable. This way God prevented
David's ruine, in the matter of Bathfheba^ after he had
fallen into the fin, by giving him Repentance to Sal-
vation, Pfal. 51.
Third-
l6o TbeBefiTredforeymOr9
Thirdly, Another adt of his pity is, His being foon
affe&ed with the Evils of his People, Zacb. 2. 8,9. He
that toucbetbyou, toucheth tbe Apple of mine eye. His Soul
teas grieved for tbe mifery of Ifrael, Judg. 10. 6. He pi-:
tied the poor Leper in diftreis, Mark^ 1. 41. and was
mov'd with compaflion becaufe the Jews were as
fheep without a (hepherd, Marl^ 6. 34.
Fourthly, His vifiting them in their diftrefles : this
is an ad of love and pity, Mattb. 25.36. I bave been
fick? and ye vifitedtne, Joh. 14.18. Joh. 20.15?. Exod.
3 .8. A merciful nature will (hew it felf m vifiting fuch
as are afflicted j If others be lick they will go fee them,
and condole with them : they will go rather to the
houfe of mourning, than to the houfe of feafting, £c-
clef. 7. 2 . They are companions of the diftreiTed : and
{uch is the tendernefs of Chrift's heart, that hechufeth
the company oi the miferable : If his People be in the
Water, and in the Fire, he will be with them, Z/^.43.2.
If they be call: out of the Synagogues, perfecuted, and
deferted for his fake, he will rind them out, and keep
them company, Job. 9 . 3 5 . If they be caft on fick beds,
he will fit by them h if they cannot fleep through trou-
ble, he will fit up with them ; when they are folitary
and dejected, he will come and fee them.
Fifthly, His comforting them in their Troubles :
He is the Father of Mercies, and God of allComfoit,
who comforteth us in all our Tribulations. Confola-
ting is an ad* of pity to thole that are id trouble,
1 Tbef. 3.2. So JoFs Friends, when they had heard
of all the Evil that was come upon him,theycame eve-
ry one from his place to mourn with him, and to com-
fort him. Herein lies much ofChruVs pity to his Peo-
ple, he would not have them fwallowed up of over-
much grief, 2 Cor. 2. 7. When they are calt down, he
charges his MelTengers to fpeak comfortably to them,
If*.
the Unfearchable Riches of Chriji. 161
Ifa. 40. 2. When he brings his People into the Wil-
derneis, he will fpeak comfortably to them, Hof. 2.14.
Ifa. 66. 13. chap. 57. 18. This is part of ChrifVs
Inferceilion in Heaven, that the Father would fend
theComforter to them, Job. 14. 16. And part of his
laft counfel that he left with them, was, That they
would be of good cheer, Job. 16.33. Job. 14. 1. He
began his Sermon with a Ufe of Comfort, Let not
your hearts be troubled,&c. and here he clofeth the fame
with a word of Comfort. And indeed, the whole of
Chrift's Fare-wel Sermon, was tonfolation to his
People : He would not have them be in Heavinefs
longer than need did require,i Pet.1.6. but commands
them to rejoyce evermore, 1 Tbzf. 5.16-
Sixthly, His counfelling them in all cafes, wherein
they tiand in need of his Advice : Hence they have Line
upon line, and Precept upon Precept, that they might
be wife to Salvation i, and therefore he is called the
wonderful Counfellor, Ifa. p. 6. Pfal. 1 6,7. 1 blefs the
Lor^ who hath given me counfel. Counfel ( faith Ainf-
worth ) about my Sufferings, and the Glory that (ball fol-
low. Job 26. 8, 9, 10. Adverlity fometimes is God's
Univcrfity •, and, Schola Cruets ( faith Luther ) is
Scbola Lucis : Myfterious Truths many times fpring
out of Affli&ion-depths.
Seventhly, His giving to them, and forgiving of
them. Pity hath open hands, and ftretcht out arms.
Chrift hath left a large witnefs of his liberality, 1 Tim.
6. 17. Who givetb richly all things to enjoy. Men give
fparingly, but Chrilt bountifully --> they with ftrait-
ned hearts, but he with open bowels i they fometimes
in Reveriion, but he in poffeilion. And he doth not
only give,but forgive,Mic.7.i8. Who is a Godlike unto
thee, that pardons iniquities -,&c? Exod.34.6. Pfal.%6.5.
thou Lord art good, a/idready to forgive,N\*mb.i ^.20.
M 1 Joh.
1 6 2 The Beji Treafure, Or,
i Job. 2. i. They run into debt, and he difchargeth
them : They do, as it were, write down their Iniqui-
ties, and he blots them out. Now, Are not tbefe ad-
mirable demonftrations of his Pity, and affectionate
compaffions of his tender Bowels towards his Peo-
ple ?
Secondly, He hath infinite Pity for his Enemies \
Mercy and good will for Sinners, L«%<5. 35. This
appears,
Firft, In his bearing with them, and forbearing of
them, Rom. 9. 2 2. Endured with much long-fiiffering the
veffels of wrath fitted for deftrutlion: How doth the
Lord fuffer the vileft of men to live, and that very
long ? L0, I have come thefe three years looking for fruit,
Luke 13.17. Thefe forty years have I been grieved with
thU People, Pfal.p5.10. An hundred and twenty years
did he bear with that high and uncurable wickednefs
of the firft World, and that after it was come to the
full, Gen. 6. 3. Four hundred years did God bear with
the fins of the Amorites, even after he had given Ahra^
ham their Land, Gen. 15. 13, \6. How long did the
Lord bear with the Ten Tribes after their Apoftafic
From his pure Service ? even the fpace of two hun-
dred and fifty years v in which time there were Nine-
teen Kings, and all wicked men, walking in the.fteps
of Jeroboam. O ! the flownefs of God to Anger, even
agatnit his Enemies, that dare him to his very Face,
yea, that trample his Glory under foot, and that eve-
ry day, yea hour v and yet God fpares them to old
Age many times. Alas 1 how foon are we angry at
our Enemies, and if flighted but a little, ready with
the Difciples to call for Fire from Heaven^ to confume
thofe that receive us not,L«%,p.54. But the Lord Je-
fus is not fo, he waiteth that he may be gracious, and
his long-fuffering leadcth to Salvation.
Secon d-
the Unfearchable Riches ofChrift. 1 63
Secondly, His maintaining of them, and thatfome-
timcs at the higheft rate, giving them Honour and
Puches, Profperity and Favour. Pbaroah muft have a
Kingdom, and yet an Enemy to his People : Nebu-
chadnezzar, an Empire i> Ahafuerus an hundred twen-
ty and feven Provinces h Crozfus vaft riches, and Sar-
danapalus delicate Pleafures. All the Creatures ace
prefled at their Service •> the Air, Earth, and Sea are
ranfack't to fatiate their Lulls, Hof. 11. 2, 3, 4. He
feeds and cloaths, helps and profpers his greatefi; Ene-
mies, and all to heap up Coals of Fire upon their
heads.
Thirdly, His afifc&ionate feeking their Salvation.
This was his Errand into the World, he came to fave
Sinners, 1 Tim.1.1 5. Loit Sinners, Mattb.1%.1 1. Bloo-
dy Sinners, Ezek. 16. 6. Blind Idolaters, Acts 17. 23.
Cruel Perfecu tors, Afts^ p. 4. Wicked Sorcerers, Acls,
8. p. Thefe the Lord Jefus feeks to fave ; he fends
his Gofpel, to invite them to come unto him, Mattb.
ii. 28. Yea, befeeches them, 2 Cor. 5. 20. Makes
large promifes to them, if they will return, Ifa. 55. 7.
Ad, 3. 1 p. Yea, how doth the Spirit ftrive with Sin-
ners, that they may be faved \ Reafons with them.
Why mil you dye ? Come, let us reason together, I fa. 1. 18.
Why wilt thou not fuffer me to fave thy Soul, and to make-
thee happy to all Eternity ? Poor Sinner ! I have a real
mind to do thee good, an affectionate kindnefs for thee j I
came from Heaven to fave fuel) as thee. Behold my hands
and my feet, fee bow my heart bleeds for thee : Beholdjvw
ready my pur chafe vi\ yonder U thy fair Eft ate, if thou
wilt he mine. Lift up thine eyes to thofe Manfions, Crowns
and Thrones •, all thefe (hall then be thine ; See thofe
beautiful Garments, confent to me, and thou fh alt wear
thy filthy Rags, or lye in thofe pinching ihaits no longer •,
than (halt lodge no more in thofe jl inking Kennels of thy
M 2 Lnjrn
164 The beJlTreafure, Or?
Lufis : 0 poor Sinner ! why wilt thousand in thy own
lights and flight this offer, which thou may eft never have
made thee more ? Lo, how my Bowels move towards thee,
fee how my Arms are opend to thee \ Be mine, and I will
be thine \ My Kingdom (hall be thine, my Friends will be
thine, my Servants (ball be thine : My Angels jhall pro-
tell thee, yea, attend thee > my Creatures Jhall maintain
thee, my Wifdom (hall guide thee, my Faithfulnefs (hall
kgep thee, my Tower (hall be laid out for thee, my Love
jhall delight thee, my Honour (hall adorn thee, and my
Treafurejhall enrich thee : 1 will be a loving Husband t&
thee, I will provide all good things for thee'-, I willrejoyce
over thee, I will forget the wrongs thou haft done me '-, I
mil requite thy Vnkindnefs with Kindnefs,and draw thee
with cords of Love : with cords ( faith one ) woven and
jpun out of my very Heart and Bowels. 0 miferahle Cai-
tiff ! embrace my Counfels, li(hn thine Ears to Heaven
gate, and hear the melodious Mufic\that vs there made by
refined Spirits '•> why, wilt thou rather lye with damned
howling Devils, than fing Hallelujah7 s, and the Song of
the Lamb with faved Souls ? Accept of me, and unchange-
able Glory, unfpeahjble Privil edges, and Rivers of Plea-
fures Jhall be thine. Thus doth the Lord Jefus woo
poor perifhing Souls to be happy : and is not this
Pity indeed ?
Fourthly, His readinefs to receive them when they
come to him : No fooner do they open the door
but he comes in, Rev, 3. 20. If any man open the
'door, I will come in unto him. No fooner doth the Pro-
digal return, but his Father meets him ^ yea, runs to
meet him, as if he could never come foon enough at
him, Lukg 15,20. Mercy is upon the wing, when it
comes to receive returning Sinners. No fooner did
Ephraim repent, but God repented too > As foon as
he &id3 turn thou me, God laid, He (hall be turned ^
when
The Unfearchable Riches ofChrift. i 65
when he cries, Thou art the Lord my God^ prefently
God Anfwers, Is he not a pkafant Child ? So willing
is Chrift to receive returning Sinners, as that he pro-
mifeth he will in no wife caft them out, Job. 6.37.
Yea, if they cannot come unto him, he will go and
fetch them, and if they cannot go, he will draw,
them, Job. 6. 44.
Fifthly, His great Joy when he hath obtain'd them-,
The Father of the Prodigal keeps a Feaft, and makes
merry when his loft Child is found, Luk$ 15. 23,24.
Pfal. 104. 31, The Lord (hall re Joyce in his Works,
and this he doth when he hath hniftied them, H^.4.4.
But there is nothing the Lord Jefus Chrift takes more
pleafure in, than in the Redemption of Souls, Prov.
8.31. He delighted in the habitable parts of the
Earth. This you will rind further amplified in the
Parables of the loft (heep, and loft piece of Silver,
Lul{e 1 5. from verf. 4. to 1 1.
CHAP. XII.
The Improvement of the Pity of Chrift, by way
of Terr our, Encouragement, and Advice,
ARE there fuch deep, and large Bowels of Pity
in Jefus Chrift, not only towards his Friends,
but his very Enemies ? Then here is,
Firft, Terrour to Impenitent Sinners. Ah, Souls !
how fearfully great is your Sin, being a plain defi-
ance to the Mercy and pity of Chrift : Every TranC-
grelfion of yours is a kicking the very Bowels of Mer-
cy, and a ftab at the Heart of Divine Pity : O ! how
vile are your Iniquities, whilft without Chrift ! They
ajre no lefs than a defpifing of the Riches of the Mer-
M 3 cy
166 Tf.eBeJlTreafure, Or,
cy and Goodnefs of God, which would have led you
to Repentance, and a treafuring up of Wrath againft
the day of Wrath, Rom. 2. 4, 5. O Sinners ! you run
on fcOre in abuling of the highclt Mercy that ever
was, you provoke your belt Friend againll you : Alas!
Who can help you if Mercy it fdf becomes your Ene-
my? The Bowels of Chrift are your lait Afyhim, if
this door be Ihut againft you, Farcwd Souls \ and
can you hope that Mercy will plead for you, when
rejected by you, or will not God hear the Complaint
of defpifed Mercy think you } Sinners, the Compani-
on of Chrift fell come forth at the laft day, and fay,
I would have (aved that Soul, but it would not,how
often would I have gathered it,but it refilled ? Mat. 23,
37.I offered to pay it's Debts, and to get him an
Acquittance in the Court of Heaven, but he refufed
it > I would have ranfom'd him from Death to Life,
and adopted him to an Inheritance in Glory, but he
would not i I would have ihmp'd the divine Nature
on him, and brought him into the Likenefs cfthe
Lord of Glory, but lie would not ^ I would have put
down his Name in the book of Life, and fecur'd his
Title to Heaven, but he would nor, I called, he
would not anfwer '•> I perfwaded, he refufed \ I be-
feeched, he defpifed, I itrived, he refitted -, ancl now
JuiHce, into thy hands do I deliver thefe rebellious
Souls, to be dealt with according to the Threatnings
of the Gofpel and Severity of the Law, that my
Wrongs may be avenged. O ! what a terrible Com*
plaint will this be > Sinners, tremble then at the
Thoughts of your abuiing divine M.r:y.
Vf> 2. Of Encouragement to dcjc&ed Souls. If
there be fuch tender pity in the Lord Jefus, O then
take Courage hence to hope for Mercy S thefe Mercies
of Chrilt are infinite, boundlcfs and bottomlefss O
wha t.
the TJnfearchable Rkhes ofChrift. 167
what a ftock of Mercy is in him, for troubled Souls
to trade upon, what unfathomed Deeps are there in
divine Companions, enough to ferve all thy Turns
and Neceflities > have thy Sins been many ? the free
Gift U of many Offences to Jnftification^ Rom, 5. 6. Of
the Offences of many perfons, be they never fo ma-
ny, or the many Offences of oneperfon, there is ver-
tue enough in this free Gift of the Blood ofChrift for
the pardoning them all, if fuch return : he (faith one)
that had love enough to give us Chrift, hath Bowels
enough to give us pardon : believing Souk (hall never
dye for Debt5if the Bowels of Chrift hath wherewith-
al to pay it , O! what Shifts will tender Parents make
to keep their indebted Children out of Prifon? They
will beg and borrow of others, pinch themfelves, and
fpare what they can, rather than their Children (hall
be undone : and furely the Mercy ofChrift muft needs
make the moft of his Blood and Obedience, of his
Interceflion and Satisfaction, for the Pardon of his
People. And therefore Daniel joyns Mercies and For-
givenefs together, Van. p. p. Is thy Unworthinefs
great, and deferveft thou nothing but Wrath from
God, O bear up thy Sinking Spirit on the Arm of
Mercy, Mercy is in vain, and fignifies nothing, if Ju-
ftice only muft take place : haft thou abufed Mercy
and finn'd away the Favour of thy God? Thou haft
loft his Gift, but he hath not loft his giving^the Child
fpiis his Water and goes to the Well to fill his Pitch-
er again : there is more Mercy (O troubled SouU in
the deep Wells of Salvation, for thofe that feek it. Ob).
But I have provoked God to withhold Mercy. Anfl
Let me tell thee, () diftreffed Believer, there are For-
givings as well as Givings in the Bowels of Chrift,
and I know not which are greater : Are thy Wants
many ? Be of good chear, Mercy hath enough to fiip-
M $ ply
1 68 JkcBcftTreafure, Or,
ply them all, and is as free to give as able, and take
this for thy Encouragement : Mercy never gives where
there are Defervings. Are thy Griefs, Labours, Fears,
Troubles, and Burdens great > Yet comfort thy felf,
Mifery and Mercy are a Kin, Mercy lives in the Cly-
mate of Mifery, and never thrives better than in Mi-
fery's Ground ^ to do good to miferable Creatures,
is Meat and Drink to Mercy, John 4. 3 2. I have Meat
to eat that you tyww not of,
Z?fe 3. Of Exhortation. Firfr, toperifhing Sinners*,
make ufe of the Mercy of Chrilt whilft you have it •,
now is the acceptable time, the day of Grace, the
Seafon of Vititation •, now the Sun mines not only in
Sion but on Sodom •> nay it hath ftood (till on your Gi-
beon for a Seafon, Joflj. 10. 12. 13. O let not Mercy
go, and leave you in your blood, and let you lye in
your Graves 5 let not the Sun of the Gofpel fet on you,
and leave you in inner Darknefs, left outer Darknefs
ihortly feize upon you : believe it, Mercy feems to be
near a Departure, it looks as it were, about to change
Houfes, to go from Gentiles to Jews, from JFeji to
Eafl, it feems near fetting in England, in thefe JFe-
ftern parts of the World. Who knows how foon it
may arife in the Eafi } O Sinners, don't you lye a
bed in your Security, and let Mercy give you the llip.
O then you that are yet in your blood, under Wrath,
in Danger of Judgment ; be advifed to ftrike in with
Mercy, while 'tis to be had, Ifa. 55. 6. while divine
Bowels yearn towards you, weep over you, and wait
for you, Oturn in, andclofe with Mercy, whiles it's
face is unveiPd to you, it's Arms open'd to you, and
before it hath breath' d it's Ian Breath to you j believe
the Warnings and Treatnings of Mercy, bow and
fioop to the Convictions of Mercy, receive the Ten-
ders thereof, obey it's Gonnfc), and perfevere it it's
was
theVnfearchable Riches ofChrift. 169
way:, be perfwaded Sinners this day, it may be the
laft time, I may befeech you {or Mercies fake, to turn
and live : and Oh ! how doleful will it be to out-live
the day of Mercy, and poiTibility of obtaining Sal-
vation, when the Angel of the Lord (hall proclaim,
Time (hall be no more, Time was, but now h paft.
Secondly, to all Souls, both changed and unchang-
ed, if the Lord Jefus be fo pityful to you, O then be
not cruel to your own Souls, do not rob, cheat, and
cozen your own Souls, deprive them not of your own
Mercies, Jonah. 2. 8. Don't confent to thofe ways that
will rob you of all the PolTibilities and Hopes of Sal-
vation •, O ! the fwcet Comforts and Pleafures that
now you loofe for a few dirty Delights, Prov. 3. 17.
Think on the Subftance, the tryed Gold, the rich
Attire that you deprive your Souls of by refufing to
hearken to the Counfel of Chriir, Rev. 3.18. Don't
fiarve your Souls by feeding on Husks, while the bread
of Life lies before you, this is Cruelty to them indeed,
Lukg 15. i6« 17. Do not wound, rend, and tare your
Souls by cruel Lufts : he that fins hateth his own Soul,
Prov. 1 5. 32. chaf. 29. 24. Math. 16. 26. O the fad
Btuifes that Sin gives, and the defperate Gafhes it
makes in the Sinners own Soul, Ifa. 1. 6. Prov. S. 3 5.
Every Sin of thine (O carnal wretch) is a deadly blow
on thy own Soul ; all thy carnal Pleafures, thy merry
jefting Words, thy Swearing, Lying, Cheating, Op-
prefllng, and Covetoufnefs gives new Stabs to thy
Heart *, it would be a barbarous fight to behold one
unmercifully wounding another, much more to fee
a perfon torturing his own Soul h do not fell thy im-
mortal Soul for a Lie, for that which is not, which
1 will not profit in the day of Wrath, Rom. 6.21. Jet.
16.19. Thus Elijah told Ahab, 1 Kings 21. 20. That
he fold himfelf to work Wicked nefs, that is, he gave
him-
i7o Tk Beji Treafnre, Or,
himfelf wholly to the Service of Sin, as a Servant that
binds himfelf over to anothers Bufincfs, Rom. 6. 16.
Thirdly, To the Children of Mercy, whom the
Lord Jefus hath loved and wafhed in his own Blood :
you that are chofen, called, jultiticd, fan&ified and
adopted unto Glory, be exhorted.
Firft, be not hard-hearted to Chrift, requite not
his Pity with Cruelty, grieve not his Spirit, iadden
not his Heart with your fmful and unfutablc Walking
before him ; no Sins make greater Wounds on the
Heart of Chrift, than the Sins of his own Children,
Eph. 4. 30. O be not cruel to him who is fo tender of
you, do not feed him with Wormwood and Gall
who hath feaiied you with Joy and Gladnefs, yea
with his own Heart blood.
Secondly, Put on Bowels of Pity towards others,
CoL J. 12. They that are cruel to others, mail find
God cruel to them, Jam. 2. 13.
Thirdly, Adventure for God in the way of Duty,
Pfal. 5. 7. Pfal. 23. 6. PJal. 25. 10.
Fourthly, Then let the Confideration of Chrill's
Mercy comfort you under the World's Cruelty, and
your greateit Sufferings for Chriit, Pfal. 57.3. PJal.
32,7. 10. Pfal. 59. 17.
CHAP. XIII.
Wherein is opened the transcendent Humility of
Chrifl. J
A
Nother part of this total Sum of ChriiVs perfo-
nal Treafure, confifting in the Sweetnefs of his
Difpofition, is,
Fourth*
the Vfjfearchable Riches ofChrifl. 171
Fourthly, His Humility and Lowlinefs of mind,
This is an excellent Vertue, and that which the very
Heathens have efteemed at a high Rate : 'tis a rare
thing (faith Aretim) and rare things are excellent :
Cbryfofiom calls it the chiefeft Vertue, the Salt that
feafons all other Excellencies, and the Beginning of
all Good. If any (faith Auftin) fhould ask me what
is the chiefeft Vertue? I fhould fay, Humility \ what is
the next? Humility, what is the next? Humility.
The humble Soul (faith Manton) is God's fecond
Heaven, Ifa. 57. 15. Of fo great a worth is all true
Humility in any, especially in Perfons of Height and
Grandure: for thefe to come down, and humble
thcmfelvesis exceeding high and noble. O then what
is Humility in the high and lofty one, in the Lord
of Glory the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords 1
yet this is part of Chrift's Treafare, M<zf. 1 1. 29. Learn
of me, for I am mea\ and lowly. He who beft knew
himfelf, who is Truth it felf and cannot lye, hath
declared that he is lowly, and that not in Carriage,
and external Shew only,but in Heart alfo : O what a
ftupendious wonder is this, that fo glorious a perfon
as the only begotten Son of God ihould be lowly in
Heart ? I fpeak not here or his divine Nature as God,
though in that refped he is lowly too, Ifa. 57. 15.
Though he inhabiteth the higheft Heaven, yet he
dwelleth alfo in the lowelt Hearts yea 'tis wonderful
Condefcenlion in God to behold the things that are
in Heaven and Earth, PfaL 1 1 3. 5, 6. But 1 treat here
of Chrilt as Mediator, God-man, and lb he is hum-
ble and lowly in Heart, which will appear, if wecon-
(ider thefe particulars,
Firft, His Humility whilft he was on Earth.
Secondly, His Humility now he is in Heaven.
His Humility on Earth confifts. Firft,in his Willing-
nefs
* 7 2 The Beft Treafan, Or,
nefs f being God over all and Maker of all) to become
man his Creature > this is ilrange, that the Son of
God fhould be willing to be accounted, yea to become
the Son of man, Heb. 2. 16. He did not take the Na-
ture of Angels upon him, but be took^ on him the Seed of
Abraham ■•> fo verf. 14. Forafmuch then as the Children
ivere Partakers of Flefh and Blood, he likewife dlfo him-
filf tool^ part of the fame. (KWivahmt&J He did freely
receive their Communion-nature, or did freely com-
municate with them in the fame Nature: He tool^on
him the Seed 0fA|yaham, ( sTnAa/^Wew) he confented
to take their Nature, and therein to be their Avenger
and Redeemer, as the word imports: O Humility!
That this glorious Jehovah mould condefcend to fo
near a Union whitman, a Creature fo low and of fo
imall Account, If a. 2. 22. Pfal. 8. 4. A Creature fo
poor, deftitute of all Good, and deprived of its Beau-
ty, Strength, Riches, and Glory, Pfal. 140. 12. Rer.
3. 17. A Creature fo filthy and vile, that it drinketh
up Iniquity as water, Job. 15. 16. And a Creature
fo guilty before God, of Rebellion and high Treafon,
one that hath forfeited all his Mercies, and Hands
bound over to the jult Sentence of Death and Con-
demnation.
Secondly, in his Birth, He was born of mean and
obfeure Parents i Jofeph his Father was a Carpenter,
he defcended not from perfonsof the highelt Dignity,
but of low Eftate, as Mary her felf acknowledged,
Lukg 1.48. He was born in a Stable, and laid in a
Manger, Luke 2. 7. A contemptible place where bruit
Beatjs ufe tuJodge and feed •, he was worihipped by
the wife men of the E^fr, acknowledged to be King
of the Jews, and proclaimed to be Saviour of the
World by an Herauldry of Angels, and yet hath no
b tter Cradle than a Manger. O uopnelkTd Conde-
fcention! Third-
the Unsearchable Riches ofChriJi. 175
Thirdly, In his voluntary making himfelf of no
Reputation, and taking on him the Form of a Ser-
vant, Phil. 2. 7. He did, as it were, evacuate himfelf,
and fpoil himfelf of all his Glory as the word ligni-
ries i not that he ceafed to be God, or to be equal with
the Father, but he concealed all this Glory, and as
it were, depriv'd himfelf of all the Manifeftations of
it, by uniting to himfelf the form of a Servant, that
is, the humane nature in a fervile State ; he took up-
on him the Form of a Servant, Non dimittendo quod
erat, fed ajfumendo quad non erat (fays Zancby) As God
he was omnipotent, but this Omnipotency was hid
under the weaknefs of his humane Nature, his Om-
nifcience veiled underalimitted Knowledge,his Glory
clouded under Shame, his Riches concealed under
Poverty, his Majelty obfcured under Contempt, and
his Immortality cloathed with Mortality. §ue(l. What
Servant did Chrilt take on him the Form of? Anf.
Why : 1. Of the Servant of God, If a. 42. 1 . Belaid
my Servant whom I uphold. Some take it pallively, on
whom I will lean, and in whom I will trull, and
commit my whole Work unto : others adtively,whom
I will raife up and itrengthen, and carry through my
Work. Again, 2. He became the Servant of man alto,
Matth. 2©. 28. Jhe Son of man came hot to be minijired
unto, but to miru\\er.
Fourthly, In his being made under the Law, G.il.
4. 4. When the Fulnefl ef time was come Godfnt forth
his Son made under the Laiv, and therefore 'tis, (aid,
he was a Minilkr of the Circumciiion : O! What:
Humility was this ? That the Son of God ihouid ftoop
to the Paedagoge of the Law, and enter on this low
and legal Obedience.
Fifthly, In his Obedience to his Parents, and Sub.
million to their low and mean Condition, both tor
Food
174 The Beft Treafire, Or,
Food and Apparel, Lukg 2.51. And he went down
Jivitb them, and came to Nazareth, and was fubjeti to
them.
Sixthly, In his Employment, and Calling he was
pleafed to ufc, till he entred upon his Miniitry : He
continued with his Father, and (as one of the Fathers
hath it ) wrought at his Father's Trade, and there-
fore was called the Carpenter, Mark^, 6.3. Jofepb (fays
Mr. Ligbtfoot ) taught Chrift his own Trade : And
Jujiin Martyr ( an ancient Writer ) fayes, Tbat Jejus
Cbrift, before be entred upon bis Miniftry, made Plows
and Yokgs.
Seventhly, In his Company : He did not chufe the
Society of Great and Noble, but of mean and obfcure
Perfons : He fet apart Fiftiermen and Publicans to be
his Difciples, and accompanied Publicans and Sinners,
which caufed the Senate of Rome to vote him down
from being a God, becaufe all his Difciples and fol-
lowers were inconliderableand beggarly, ^£.7.48.
Eightly, In his contentment with mean things:
He had not a houfe where to lay his head,Afj»&.8.2o.
And 'tis faid, he was willing to be poor, For being
rich be made bimfelf poor, tbat we, tbrougb bis poverty,
-migbt become rich, 2 Cor. 8, 9. He was content with
any fare, Barly Bread and Fifties ■■> a broyled Fiih, and
an honey-comb, Lttfy 24.42. He was not as proud
Perfons are, nice, and choice of his Wet, but was
pleafed with any food, Job, 21. 5. Children, hive you
any meat ?
Ninthly, In his fubmiilive carriages towards, God
and men ; when the Lord bruis'd him, and made his
Soul an Offering for Sin ,, we find not one hafty or
undue ExprelYion : But, 'tis faid, He was led as a
Sheep dumb before her Shearer, If a. 53. 4, 67 7. All
that he faid, was this humble complaint, O God, my
God,
The Z)nfearchable Riches of Chrift. 1 75
God, why haft thou forfaken me ? He was rejecled
and defpifed of men, and yet maintained an humble
deportment, ver. 3. He was lowly to all Peribns, noc
only to the high and noble, but to the poor and de-
fpicable •, not only to Friends but to Enemies •, not
only abroad but at home h not enly among the meek
and humble,, but among the proud and peevilh ', not
when it was admired, but when defpifed.
Tenthly, In his doing the meaneft Services : He
condefcended to the lowefi, and mod contemptible
actions, if he might adminifter good, Mattb. 20. 28.
He girded himfelf with a Towel, as a Servant, and
wafhed his Difciples feet, Job. 13. 4, 5*
Laftly, In his patient bearing others Sins, and Suf-
ferings. Proud men cannot endure to bear another's
Fault, but Chrift was willing to be numbred amongft
TranfgreiTors, to be reckoned an Offender, and to
bear the Sins of many, even of all that come unto
him, 1 Pet. 2.24. He humbled himfelf to the Death.
Phil. 2. 8. To a (hameful Death ■■> the Death of the
greateft Malefa&ors i and to the curfed Death of the
Crofs.
Secondly, The Lord Jefus was not only humble
whilft on Earth, when he pafs'd through his ftate of
Humiliation i but even now, when he is in Heaven.
and hath entred into his Glory, he detains this low-
linefs of heart. This will be perfpicuous, if you con-
lider,
Firft, His Condefcention to behold the things on
Earth, Pfal. 1 13. 5, 6. One would have thought it
beneath the Dignity of Chrift, now advane'd above
all Glory, to take any notice of Sublunar Affairs :
but if he delighted in the habital Parts of the Earth,
before he came down to redeem them, then much
more now he hath the pofTeilion of the fruit of his
Blood among them. Se-
176 The Bcjl Treaforc, Or9
Secondly, His Converfcs with the meaneft, and
moll defpicable Per Cons on Earth, by his Spirit, Ifai
57. 17. Job. 14. 1 p. 21, 23. Be they never fo low
and poor, yet, if holy, he takes up his abode with
them, and keeps his Court amongft them.
Thirdly, His bowing down of his Ear to hear the
cryes of his poor, and defpifed People, Pfal. 10. 17.
Lord ', thou ha\i beard the deflre of the bumble, Pfal.$ 1.2.
Bow down thine Ear to hear me.
Fourthly, His gentle and kind reception of their
poor, pitiful Offerings and Services, ?fal. 51.17. The
Sacrifices of God are a broken Spirit, a broken and a con-
trite Heart, 0 God, thou wilt not defpife.
Fifthly, His owning them in the face of the
World, before Kings and Rulers, 1 Chro. 16. 2 j . 22.
He U not ajhamd to call them Brethren, Heb. 2 . 1 1 .
Sixthly, His appearing for them in Heaven, and
confeffing them before his Father's Face in Glory,
Mattb. 10. 32. Heb. p. 24.
Seventhly, His looking after their meaneft Con-
cerns, and numbring the very hairs of their head,
Matth. 10. 30.
Laftly, His flownefs to Anger. But this properly
pertains to another excellent Difpofition of the Lord
jefus Chrift, namely his Meeknefs, where you may
rind it fully handled.
Is Jefus Chrift offuchan humble, fubmiliive Dif-
pofition ? then,
Firft, Admire the greatnefs of Divine Love, in giv-
ing fuch a Saviour, of fo humble and lowly a Spirit :
Had not the Son of God been of a condefcending Na-
ture, he would never have become man i and what
then would have been the ftate of Sinners ? Had he
not been of a lowly mind, he would never have con-
fen ted to have come into the World in the form of a
Set-
the Z)t?fearchable Riches ofChrift. ijj
Servant h and then enthralled Sinners could never
have been made free : Had he not been humble, he
would never have been willing to be made under the
Law ', and then the rightcoufneis of the Law had ne-
ver been fulfilled': Had he not been lowly, he would
never hive borne our Fault and Punifhment h and
then our Sins mud have been charged upon our own
heads.
Secondly, This will ferve to (hame the proud
hearts of men, efpecially thofe that profefs Chriit :
O, fee the vilenefs of your Pride in the glafs of
Chrift's Humility !
Thirdly, Labour to be like to Chrift,and to be en-
riched with this excellent adorning Grace of Humi-
lity.
Fourthly, Here's Encouragement to humbled Sin-
ners, from the Ldwlinefs of Chriit : You tharfee your
Iniquities to be heavier than you can bear, and are
afraid becaufe of the Terrours of the Almighty ', yet
be encouraged to come to Chriit, becaufe he is humble,
Ifa. 57.15. You that fee no Worthinefs in yourfelves
to come before him, but are fearful to approach into
•his Prefencc, becaufe of your Poverty and low Eftate i
be encouraged to draw nigh to him, becaufe he is hum-
ble, Ifa. 41. 17. You that fee an Infinite diftance
•betwixt God and you, and fodare not approach him-,
let his Humility encourage you, he will not defpife
the Prayer of the deititutea Pfai. 102. 17. You that
think your Souls beneath the thoughts and care of
fuch a God, and that he will take no notice of you -,
O, confider his- Humility for your Hope, Ffal. 113.6.
Cherifh expectations from Chrift's Humility, for the
mortification of your Pride •> becaufe 'tis God's Ordi-
nance and appointment unto this end, Matth.l 1.2 9.
N CHAP.
i;8 The Befi Treasure, Or,
CHAP. XIV.
Wherein U fiervn, the transcendent Meekness and
Gentleness ofChriJl? To his Enemies, and to
his People.
' A N°tner Branch ofthefweetnefs ofChrift's DiC-
/"\ pofition and Nature, is,
Fifthly, His Meeknefs : He U meek^ and lowly.,
Mattb. 1 1. 2 p. *paos quafi pac\ that is, facil and eafie,
( as Criticks derive it ) bccaufe they that have this
Meeknefs, are of a gentle, pleafing, and affable Spirit
to others : The Latines exprefs it by Manfuetus, one
ufed to the hand, alluding to thofe wild Beafts that
are thus tamed j They are gentle, and brought to the
hand •> they are fociable and familiar, not ftrange and
harm : And fuch is the Lord Jefus * he is meek, of a
fvveet and gentle Spirit and carriage towards all,
when he opens himfelf as a Saviour to them, but efpe-
cially he is fo towards his People. Meeknefs efpecial-
ly relates to Anger, as allaying, and moderating of it v
So Arift. defines it to be the fweetning of ones Spirit,
removing its roughnefs, harftinefs, and Pailion, and
rendring it gentle, pleafing, and affable, even to them
that provoke it. Now this is an excellent Spirit, i Pet.
3. 4. Tis fpoken of Afo/ex, as one of his chiefeft Ex-
cellencies, Numb. 12.3. Nowtbe man Mofes was ve-
ry mee^. And the Lord Jefus fets forth this to be
the greateft Excellency that he prefents in himfelf for
the Imitation of his People, Mattb. 11.29. When the
Prophet Zacbary would delineate the itately Ma jelly
of Chrift, in his Kingly progrefs to his People, he dis-
play es him in the Glory of his meeknefs, Zacb. 9.9.
'Tby King comctb to tbee meek^ &c. So TfaU 45* 4» The
Glory
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. I 79
Glory of Chrift in his triumphant March in the
World, is, held forth in his Meeknefs and Truth i
this is part of Chrift's excellent Glory, as Mediator,
2 Cor. 10. I. I befeecb you by the Meeknefs ofCbrifa
Now: the Lord Jqfusis replenished with Meeknefs. .
Firft, To his Enemies, This he manifested whilft
on Earth, to fuch as hated him, abufed him, and
fought to take away his Life \ 'tis of fuch the Pro-
phet fpeaks, Zacb. $?. 9. compar'd with Math. 21.5.
Now this Meeknefs of Chrift to his Enemies appears.
Firft, In his Slownefs to Anger, Pfal. 103. 8. The
Lord isjlorv to Anger. He was not eafily provoked
whilft on Earth, under all the Provocations and Abu-
fescaftupon him, Matth. 12, 1 p. Hejball not Jhive
nor cry, neither Jh all any man bear his Voice in the Streets*
PalTionate perfons will drive to have their Will when
croft, to defend their Names, to oppofe their Adver-
faries, and to revile them that reproach them '<> but
Chrift was not fo, he ftrove not in a contentious,
quarrelling way, but being reviled, reviled not again,
1 Pet. 2. 23. Under all his Sufferings, fuch as were
able to make the meekeft man on Earth to cry out,
and to ftir up his Spirit againft them, yet Chrift was
iilent, If a. 53. 7. He teas opprejfed, he was a]jli8ed$
and yet opened not bis Mouth, be is brought as a Lamb ta>
the Slaughter, and as a Sheep before his Shearer is dumby
fo be opened not his Mouth. You (hall not find one
froward Word from Chrift in all his Sufferings, by
Jews or Gentiles \ look over the Jeers and Reproaches
that were caft upon him in his Life, and at his Death s
Is not this the Carpenter s Son, Matth. 13. 55. Is not
this the Carpenter, the Son of Mary, Mark 6, 3. They
calPd him a Wine-bibber, a Friend of Publicanes and
Sinners, and yet we find him as a Sheep, dumb before
the Shearers : The Pharisees charg'd him to be one
N 2 that
iSd The bejlTreafun,Or-
that had Correfpondence with Devils, Mattk p. 34/
bat he was fllent : another time they di\\ him a blal-
phemer, Matth. p. 3. but fee how 'mildly Chrift an-
swers them, verf. 4. Why thinkj e Evil in your Hearts f
Another time we find him fleightecl by the Samari-
tones \ lie was coming to a Village jn Samaria, ^and
fent MefTengers to provide for him, but they refu-
sed to entertain him , and take him in, becaufe
his Pace was as xhough he would go to Jerufalem,
Lukgp. 5i.e^c. becaufe he feemed to be of another'
way of Religion : they could not endure him, becaiife
he was for inftituted Worftyp, and feem'd to profefs
a ftri&er way than the Samaritanes : He looQd likg a
Turhan (faith Mr. fcumugbs) and therefore they fiut
him out of their Houfes : now this was no fmall abufe,
an orclinaty Spirit would not bear to have a door
(hut agarnilhinr, and hereupon,fome of the Difciples;
James and John, pleaded for Pvevenge, and wouM
hare had Fire from Heaven to deflxoy'them, ver. 54.
Yet' fee the Meeknefs of Chrift's Spirit under this Af-
front, ver. 55* £& turned and rebuked them, and [aid,
ye fyidw not what manner of Spirit ye are of for the Son
of man is not come to deflroymens Lives, but tofave them.
Secondly, In his mild Anfwers to them ', how mild-
ly did heanfwer the Jews, who (aid, he was a Sa-
maritan, and had a Devil, John 8. 48. 4?. All his
Anfwcr was, I have not a Devil, but I honour my Fa-
ther, krid ye difljonour me j, fee in that Chapter, how
contradictorily and crofsly they behav'd themfelves
to him,' yet with what wonderful Genttenefs he an-
fvvers them : when Judas came to betray him, Matt.
16 .' 4p. wjth what Calmnefs doth he treat him, verfe
50, Friend wherefore art thou come? Who could have
given fo gentle words to fo vile a Traytor, but the
Mirror of Meeknefs ? Lz/% hajth it thus, Judas betray
ell
The Vnfiarchable. Rkkes "ofChrifl. 181
the Soti of man with a k$? Luke. 22. 4.$.
what thou Judas my Difciple, who haft been- fo long [
with me,' known iny Kindnefs, and eat and drunk |
at my table } what thou betray the Son of man, and
combine to take awty thy Matter's life? canfi thou find ,
in thy heart to deal to treacheroufly with thy Lord?
How did he reprove Peter for touting the High-prieft's
Servant that came to take him, Mattb. 26. 5 1. to 55,
How fcomtully.did they treat him? Mattb. 26.61.
This Felloiv faith I am able to deftrsy the Temple ofGod,
and to build it in three days > but he held his Peace^.63.
The.JtW mocked him, blind- folded, and fmote him,
Lukg 26. 63. Hewd with his men of War fet him at -
nought, chap. 23. n. the Rulers derided him, faying,
others he fated, let] him faie himfelf if he be the C/yrr*
the clvfai of God, zer. 35. But lo how gently this
patient Lamb revenges thefe high Indignities, ver. 34.
Father forgive them, for tlxy kporv not what they do.
Thirdly, In the Offices of Love, he (hews them i
he went about doing Good to his very Enemies,heap-
ing Coals of Fire on their Heads, healing their tick,
feeding their hungry, and preaching the Gofpel to
their poor, Mattb. 14. 14. chap. 11. 5. His pitying
them (hews his Meeknefs, Luke 19. 41. He beheld the
City, and wept over it: now this Meeknefs ofChrilt
%s it is excellent in it felf, fo 'tis eminent in degree ',
'tis large, and abundant Meeknefs i weigh but thefe
following Considerations, and you will fay the fame.
Firit, The Greatnefs of thofe Provocations he hath
received from the qi j Sinners under the Gofpel make
light of Chriti, Mittb. 22.5. They defpife him, AVu
13.4. They reject him, Job. 1 2. 48. They rebel againf:
him, If a. 1. 20. They crucihe him. J j!j. 19. 15.
they blafpheme his Name, they belye his Truth,
abufe his Love, undervalue his Blood, trampling it
N 3 under
1 82 The BeJITreafure, Or,
under Foot, deny his Right, defraud, and injure his
Intereft, rob him of his Glory, hate his People, and
feek to hinder his Kingdom, and yet he mildly puts
up thefe high Indignities*, Oppreflion will make a
wife man mad, but cannot render Chrift ungentle.
Secondly, The Continuance of thefe Provocations i
All the day long have I ftretched out my hand to a
gain -faying people, ifi.S'f. 2. every day, If a. 52. 5.
Three years, Lukg 13. 7. Forty years, Hcb. 3. 5?. Con-
tinually, Gen. 6. 5. And it is no fmall Provocation
to have a Tryal lye on a perfons back, yet fee the
Lothnefs of Chrifr to deftroy his very Enemies •> he
waits that he may be gracious, and befeeches them
to turn and live, Job. 5. 40.
Thirdly, The greatnefs of his Perfon, he is the
Majefty on high, King of Kings, and Lord of Lords,
Rev. 19. 16. He hath Right to Service and WoruYip
from all his Creatures, To him every Knee mttji bovp^
and Tongue confefi, Phil. 2 . 9. and yet that he (hould
bear fo meekly, the Abufes, Scorns, and Contempts
of the vileft men, is wonderful : great men are foon
incenfed when their Honour and Intereft are invaded v
but the Lord Jefus is great, and yet meek, a King,
and yet lowly, Pfal. 45. 3, 4. Zach. 9. p.
Fourthly, The Defpicablenefs of the Perfons that
abufe him '-, they are his Creatures, made, and main-
tain'd by him, inferiour Worms whom he can crufh
every Moment, and ftrike dead with his Lock, Ifaiah
I. 2. chap. 45. p.
Fifthly, The great Kindnefs he hath for them,
he comes in their Errand to favc their Souls, he ftieds
his blood, that they might live, underwent the Law,
and bore his Fathers Wrath, that they might enjoy
bis Favour, and be fav'd to the uttermoft if they be-
lieve : and is not this a wonderful Difcovery of his
Meeknefs t Second*
the Vnfearchabk Riches ofChrifi. 183
Secondly, His Meeknefs to his People is exceeding
great, as I (hall illuftrate in a few particulars.
Firft, In his bearing with them, he did not only
bear their Sins for them when on the Tree, but ma-
ny Provocations and Abufes from them now in Hea-
ven i (b he bore with the Ifraelites, lfa. 3. 8. Though
their Tongue and their Doings was 3gainft the Lord
to provoke the Eyes of his Glory => this was not the
Carriage of Heathens, but of his own People *, their
Provocations was not a tingle A& from one part of
them, but the whole Body combine againft him in
Word and Deed : thefe were not fuppofed Injuries,
but real i not intermitted, but continued i not feldom
but frequent. How oft did they provoke him in the
Wildernefs, and griev'd him in the Defart, they
tempted him, limitted him, and murmured againft
him for Water, for Bread and for Flefti : they rcbell'd
againft him, againft his Inftitutions, in Mofetan&Aa-
r<w, againft his Command about gathering Manna,
fandifying the Sabbath, and going againft their Ene-
mies. They continually provok'd him to Anger, even
to his very Face, Ifaiab 65. 3. vexed and grieved his
holy Spirit, and yet he bears it in the Wildernefs for
forty years, in the Land of Canaan, eight hundred and
llxty years before the Captivity •, after this, five hun-
dred, ninety, and fix years before he caft them orT.O the
admirable length of the Patience and Meeknefs of
Chrift towards that People,in bearing with them.con-
fidering the Kind and Length of their Provocations ;
fo under the Gofpcl, he hath a people redeemed by
his Blood, fuch as avouch him for their Lord, and
tread in his Courts h now to thefe alfo he exercifeth
much Long-fufTering and Patience if you weigh,
Firft, the Multitude of their Sins, they are more
than can be numbred, more than the hairs of their
head, ?faU 40. 12. Sins pf Thoughts, Words, and
N 4 Deeds*
184 TLcBeftTrcjfore, Or,
Deeds s Sins againft Law and Gofpcl, the hxi\ and
fecohd Table •■> Sins in Duty and out of Duty ■-> Sins
every day, every moment, Gm> 6. 5. Sins to the lait
hour of their Lives, till their Tabernacle be pull'd
down, and the body of Death deihroyed i and this is
not only the Condition of one, or of a few Souls,
but of all the Eledr, every man that liveth, 1 Kingt
8. 46. "There is none that fvmcth not.
Secondly, The Aggravation of their Sins taken,
Firft, From the perfons finning, The redeemed of
God, fuch'as have been bought with a great price,
1 Cor.6 .20. 1 Pet. 1. 18. The pardon of whofe former
Sins coft fo dear,the Sons and Daughters of God, Vent.
32. 1 p. Souls loved and chofen out ot all the World,
to be his, yea they only elc&ed, and all others left,
Amos 3.2, Adopted to a glorious (late, to be Kings
and Priefts unto God, to be Heirs and Co-heirs with
Chriir, to be a name and a Glory to him i and yet for
thefe to be always grieving, always provoking, al-
ways reproaching of him, is hard indeed, but not too
hard for Chrift to bear.
Secondly, From the perfon again ft whom they tin,
they fin agairift their Father who loved them with
an evertaliingLove, drew them with the Cords of
Love, and led them in the paths of Love, who hath
given his Son for them, and to them, and fixed his
unchangeable Love upon them, imparted the royal
Priviledges of Sons to them, and yet to Sin againft
him who is the Father of Chrift, and their Father,
whofe Glory was dearer to him than his own Blood,
is an aggravated Sin indeed.
They fin againft God the Son, who gave himfelf
for them, and bought them with a great price.
They tin againft the holy Ghoft, who viiited them
in their low Efhte, and brought them the good
News
the Vnfear chalk Riches of Chrift. 185
News of Salvation •> who broke open their Prifon-
doors, and let them forth into a glorious State of Li-
berty *, who quickned, enlightned, comforted, and
helped them in all their Soul-ftraits ', now to fin againft
this God the Father, Son, and Spirit, cannot but ex-
ceedingly provoke the Soul of Chrift.
Thirdly, the State in which they fin \ O ! how in-
confiftent is this withfuch an high and glorious Con-
dition, Rom. 6. 14.. Sin (hall have no more Dominion
over you. becaufe you are not under the Law , hut under
Grace. The Sins of fuch are the works of Darknels
in the day time, Adh of Enmity in a ftate of Recon-
ciliation, and grievous Bondage in times of Liberty.
Fourthly, The dangerous ErTe&s of their Sinning*,
3Tis a corrupt Tree that brings forth fad Fruit, even
the Grapes of Sodom, and the Wine of Gomorrah i
their Sins rob God of his Glory, and bring a greater
Dilhonour to him than all the Sins of the World be-
fides, Rom. 2. 23. They grieve the Spirit of Chrift
whereby they are {eaPd up to the day of Redemption,
Ep/7.4. 30. They deprefs and load, yea break the
Heart of God, Amos 2. 13, They endeavour to fru-
ftrate divine grace, and render the Death of Chrift in
vain, Gal. 5. 4. They do (as it were) reduce the
Lord to a great ftrait, what to do to fave their Souls,
Hof. 6. 4. they Shipwrack all their Duties, and put
a Vanity upon all their Profeilion, Labours, and Suf-
ferings \ fuch run in vain, Gal. 2.2. They fadden the
Hearts, and weaken the hands of the Godly, and be-
come {tumbling blocks in their way, Pfal. 1 15?. 158.
And they do a great deal of mifchief to the wicked
in prejudicing them againft the Lord Jefus, and his
holy ways, in hindring their Reception of the Gofpel,
and depriving them of the Fruits and Labours of
Chrift towards their Converlion, in juftifying them
in
1 86 The Beji Treafnre, Or9
in their wayes, encouraging them in their Sins, and
in caufmg them to blafpheme the holy Name of
God.
Fifthly, The bkflfed Advantages they have enjoy'd
againft their Sins i they have many Obligations againfi
it, and many Experiences of the Evil of it, and yet
ftill continue in it ; O, this doth make the burden of
the Sins of the Godly exceeding heavy to Chrift, and
yet that he (hould bear them Co patiently, and not
confume them : That, though provoked daily by the
Brambles, and fcratching Abominations of his People,
yet his Fury (hould not be kindled into a terrible
Flame to burn them up, doth manifeftly demonftrate
his meeknefs to be exceeding great.
Secondly, Chrift's forbearing of his People, is ano-
ther Evidence of his Slovvnefs to Anger : He is not
eafily provoked, Neh. 9. 17. How long doth he for-
bear before he (hikes ? he firlt threatens, and then
waits, calls and exhorts, (hakes the rod, and then
ftrikes gently, Ifa. 3 o. 1 8. Therefore mil the Lord wait
that he may be graciow.
Thirdly, His readinefs to be reconciled to them,
when angry, VfaU%6.^% 7bou,Lord, art good, and ready
to forgive. O, contlder his perl wading them to Re-
pentance => how doth he labour to convince them of
their Sin, and invite them to return •, he entreats,
reafons, and befeecheth them to be reconciled, 2 Cm;
5. 19, 20. Lo, how affectionately doth he receive
them when they return ! how willingly doth he liften
his Ear to their confeffion of Sin, and bemoaning of
their condition? Jer. 31. 18.
Fourthly, The moderation of his Anger, when rai-
fed, (hews his meeknefs, Ifa. 27. 7,8. In meafure when
it fhooteth forth, thou wilt debate with it. Heftayetb bis
rough wind in the day of his Eajl-wind, Job. 1 1. 6 .
Lart-
the Vvfearchalle Riches of drift. 1 87
Laftly, His a&ual forgiving all their Iniquities,
Pfal. 103. 3. Wbd forgivetb all tbitie Iniquities, Lw%
7. 47. if*. 44. 22.
Vfe. Now, if the Lord Jefus Chrift be fofull of
meeknefs to his very Enemies, fo rich in gentlenefs,
fweetnefs of Nature, and Patience to his People, then
learn this needful LeiTon of him '•> to be of a meek and
patient Spirit. Behold, how quietly he took up his
Crofs, and bore reproaches and Indignities from the
worft of men : yea, how ftill he was under the infinite
weight of his Father's wrath. Learn meeknefs from
his Gentlenefs, as the Elephant doth from the Lamb*
when the Elephant is in his greateft Fury, fet but a
Lamb before him, and his wrath will prefently be
allay'd : Learn of Chrift to bear Injuries, to reftrain
your Anger, not to be angry, but when Duty, and the
Caufe of God calls you tp it : Tis onely Sin {hould
be the Objedt of a Chriftian's Anger. Mofes was calm
at his own Reproaches, but could not be ftill when
God was dishonoured. Learn from Chrift to mode-
rate the meafure of your Anger *, he corrects in mea-
fure : Let not your Anger exceed the defert of the
Provocation * Learn from him to time your Anger.
As a word fitly fpoken, fo Anger feafonably exerted
is beautiful : and learn from him to remove it when
the Caufe is gone. Anger (hould be as Phyfick, laid
afide when there is no need of it : True meeknefs may
eai Hy be dilcerned by its ends and grounds, it muii not
proceed from a willingnefs to be aveng'd on others^
but to amend and reform them.
CHAP.
*88 The Beft Treafnre, Or,
■
CHAP. XV.
Wherein is demonstrate A the infinite Bounty of
ChrJji to all his Creatures, with the manner ,
of his giving.
*' 1 "HiE next thing which difcovers the fweetnefs
of Chrift's Difpofition, and greatnefs o{ his
Perfonal Treafure, is,
Sixthly, His Liberality : He is of a bountiful I.) if-
pofition \ 3nd this, you know, is of an endearing Na-
ture,K.0W.5'7« Scarcely -for a righteous man will me die,
yet %er adventure for a good manfome would even dare to
dye. PfaU 13. 6. I. will fwg unto the Lord,becaufe fe
bath dealt bountifully with me. Now this Liberality of
Chrirt appears,
Firft, To all his Creatures, Pfal. 145. p. The Lord
ii gopd to all, and his tender ■ mercies are over all his
works, Ffal. 1 3 6. 2 5. PJal. 145.15. Whofe.heart is fo
large,whofe hand fo wide as thrift's l ver.16. He up-
holdeth all things by the word of his Power,He&.i.3.
And by him all things confirt, Col. 1. 1 7. There is ne-
ver a moment but he is laying out upon his Creatures,
and that mutt needs be a large Treafure that maintains
the whole World.
Secondly, To his Enemies : He doth good to thofe
that hate him : He gives large portions of this World's
goods to Efau\ : And uncharitable Dnws do many
times fare delicioufly, and are cloathed gorgeoully,by
his Bounty, Iht wicked f r offer, J er.^a^. Nay,hedoth
not only give them the fat things of this Life, but the
great things of his Kingdome. O, the Privileges and
Favours that Hypocrites enjoy as well as Saints ! He
fends his Gofpel to every Creature, and caufeth the
very
the TJ&fearchabk Rufos ofChrift. 189
very Dews of Sion to fall upon his Adverfaris.
Thirdly, Efpecially to his Children, for to thefe
he gives,
Firft, Good, things: Whatever they have of him
(hall be good, Jer. 32.40. I will not turn away from
them to do tlmn good. Their very Afflictions are fox
good : their Wormwood and Gall is good :- Rebukes
of God upon them, (tripping and humbling Providen-
ces \ nay,, their very Corruptions, by this Bounty,
prove to their advantage. \
Secondly, All good things. He gives Grace andGh*
r)», and no good thing will' be withhold from- them tba%
walk uprightly, Pfal.84. 1 1. Pfal.34. 10. All the good
God fees fit for them,' and they, are capable to receive,
fliall be diikibuted to;them.
Thirdly, Great things. r Not Common, but choice
Mercies, pafling Knowledge, Myfteries, not onely to
the World, but to themfelves ; Things unlearchafcle,
and things unutterable*, Things that cannot be known
as they are? nofr valued as they deferve. What one Na-
tion (faith David to God ) is like thy Pepple^whom God
went to redeem for a People to himfelfy t& make him m
Name, and to do for them great things and terrible, 2 Sam*
7. 23. Redemption-work brings forth great anfl ter-
rible things,' for redeemed Souls. O, the great things
that God doth, and Chrift gives to every ranfom'i
Soul, 5^,37.5. Things which we cannot compre-
hend; as you will fee, if you give but a genera} Survey
on the Inventory of Chrift's Gifts. I (hall inftance m
Tome of themoft remarkable.
Firft, That unvaluable Gift of Light. He is the
Light of the World, Job. 8.12. How Reformed is
jDarknefs, how beautiful is Light, Ecclef. 11.7. He is
[ a Light to lighten the G entiles i and the Glory, &c. Luke
2.32. He /'/ the bright Morning Star ; the Sun of Righ-
teoufneO
iga TheBeftTreafure, Or,
teoufnefs from whom the light of Life and all true
Wifdom comes > now this is a great and excellent
thing, Ecclef. 2.13. Wifdom excelletb Folly, as far as
Light excelletb Vartyiefs, and this you know is very
fir; Wifdom is preferred before Rubies, and the
moil excellent things, Prov. 8. from vet. 10. to 20.
That muu needs be great which all the World can-
not purchaie, but this is Wifdom : now all true
Wifdom comes by Jefus Chrift, he is the Wifdom of
God, 1 Cor. 1.30. So, who hath brought to light the
•n&jfaMq the hidden things of God, and that could by
no ways be known but by Revelation : No man bath
htiorvn the Father, but the Son, and he to whom the Son
Jhall reveal him, Matth. 1 1. 27. He gtveth Knowledge
and Wifdom to whom he pleafeth, that fpecial Wif-
dom which none of the Princes of this World can
attain unto, 1 Cor. 2. 7. 8.
Secondlly, Life i He hath brought Ljfi to Light by
the Go/pel, 2 'Tim. 1. 10. and is not this a great gift >
AH that a man hath will he give for his Life, Job. 2.4.
O ! then what is Life from the dead to his people,
Eph. 2. 1. He is our Life, Col. 3.3. I am come that
they may have Life, and have it more abundantly, Joh.
10. io<
Thirdly, His Love > all the World and Houfes full
of Treafures cannot be compar'd to Love, Cant. 8. 7.
Should Chrilt give all the World and withhold his
Heart, it were but a mean gift : Favours are valuable
by the love whence they come, Ifa. 6$. 9. In his
Loh and in his Pity he redeemed them, Pfal. 63.3. Veut.
33.3. All Believers are fet as a Seal upon his Heart,
Cant. 8. 6. He hath loved them with an everlafting
Love -, they have his Heart, and none elfe.
Fourthly, Himfelfj There being nothing greater
than hirafelf, to demonnrate the Largencfs of his
Heart
i
The Vnfiarcbabk Riches ofChrift. X91
Heart to his people ', he gave himfelf, Eph. 5. 25. Who
loved the Church, and gave himfdffor it ', that is, fold
himfelf to purchafe them, gave himfelf to divine Ju-
stice to fatisne the Law,and to tafte of Death for them,
all that he had as Mediator he parted with for them ;
and hath given himfelf to themalfo, Heb. 8. 10, And
I will be to them a God, and they Jh all be to me a Feo^
pie. They have his perfon, Hof. 3. 3. Thou ft alt net bt
far another, fo mil I alfo be for thee. All his Beauties
and perfonal Perfections, as defcribed, Cant. 5. ver. $.
to the end : all Believers have a Marriage right un-
to him by way oi Gift ', again,he hath given them his
Purchafe, all that he hath bought with his Blood,
Math. 26. 28. This is my Blood of the New left omenta
Jhed for you.
Fifthly, His Laws and Scepter to guide them
through the World, and to fteer out their Courfe of
Duty and Safety, and this is a great thing, Hof 8. 12.
I have written to him the great things of my Law (Ra-
bob) the excellent or honourable, things of my Law :
for this word notes .Quality as well as Quantity ; and
if the things of God's Law are fo great, what are
the Truths of the Gofpel, calkd fo great Salvation ?
Veut. 4. 8, And what Nation is fo great that hath Sta-
tutes and Judgments fo righteous I Pial. 147. 19.
Sixthly, His Spirit > This he gives to all his Peo-
ple, Rom. 8. p. If any man hath not the Spirit of Cbrift
he if none of his, I Cor. 12. 13, We are all by one Spi-
rit baptized into one body: This is promifed by the
Lordjefus, ]oh. 16.7.
Seaventhly, His Promifes > For in him are all the
Promifes of God, yea, and Amen, 2 Cor. 1. 20. That if,
they arefure and certain in Ghrift, 2 Pet. 1. 4. Where-
by are given unto us, exceeding great and precious Promt-
/ex, Gal. 3. 22,
Lafilf,
192 . TheBeJl Treafure, Or,
Laftly, His Kingdoms Col. 1. 13. And hath tranf-
lated us into the Kingdom of bis dear Son, A blelTed
Change indeed, from Sin to Grace, from Darknefs
to Light, from the Kingdom o£ Satan, to the King-
dom of Chrift, 2 Pet. r. 11. So an Entrance Jh all b?
adminiflred to yen abundantly into the Kingdom of our
Lord and Saviour Jefus Chrijt. All Believers are inveft-
ed with the glorious Priviledges of this Kingdom,
they all become Kings and Priefts unto God, Rev. 1 . 6,
Nay a Kingdom of Priefts, Exod. 1?. 6. They are en-
titled to all the royal Endowments, Inveftments, and
Favours that belong to the Children of a King s thev
all wear his royal Robes of Glory, they have noble
Entertainment, moft delicious Food, the higheft Ho-
nours and Thrones to tit on •, Chriit gives them the
Inheritance, purchafed Poffeilions and Manfions of
Glory.
Fourthly, The Liberality of Chrift appears in the
manner of his giving, now this may come under a
fix-fold Confideration.
Firft, He gives readily and propenfly: many give,
but by Conftraint, as the unjuft Judge, Luke 18. or
from fear of Shame or Reproach '•> men ufually give
with Relu&ancy, but Chrift readily, as Paul fpeaks
of the Church of Macedonia*, 2 Gr.8. 3. that they
were prone to Charity beyond their power s and of
Titus, ver. 17. that being more forward of his own
accord he went unto them •, fo it may be more truly
laid of Chrift, that he wants no external Motives or
Perfwafions to exert his Bounty. For,
Firft, Chrift's Gifts are his peoples due, they have
Right to all his Fullnefs ', Chrift is the Believers and
all that is his, John 3. 16. Cant. 6. 3. 1 am my belo-
ved's and my beloved is mine, 1 Cor. 3.21. For all
things are yours, they are purchas'd for them, andgir
ven to them. Second-
the 7Jf?fearchabk Riches of Chrift. 1 9 3
Secondly, Chrift's Office and publick Defignation
to this Work (hews it, he is fet apart for this end,
that he might be the Author of eternal Life, the Giver
of all that good that his people need, Joh. 17. 2. As
thou hafi given him Power over all Fle(h? that hejhould
give eternal Life? &c. Joh. 6. 27. Him hath God the
Father fealeds that is, deputed to this Office and
Trufr, to be the Lord keeper of his Houfe, and Dif-
penfer of his Fathers Goods. All that Chrift hath
as Mediator, is to be diftributed to his: he hath no-
thing but mult be employed for the Salvation of the
Eledr, for fuch is the Agreement betwixt the Father
and him, Joh. 17. 10. All mine are thine? and thine are
mine, and I am glorified in them.
Thirdly, He hath never the lefs for giving, and
therefore never weary of giving ', what's that makes
men foon tyred with Adts of Bounty, why becauie
the more they give the lefs they have, and fo fail at
laft in their Ability ; but 'tis not fo with Chrift, he
is Fullnefs (till, notwithftanding all the vaft Diftribu-
tions that go out of his Treafury every day, to fill up
Heaven and Earth, Men and Angels. I remember
a notable faying of a worthy Divine, Should all the
World (fays he J fet themselves to drin\free Grace? Mer-
cy, and Pardon? dry? drawing Water continually from
the Wells of Salvation? nay if they jhould fet themfdves
to draw from one fingle Promife j an Angel flanding by
and crying? dr'mkj) my Friends? drin\ abundantly? take
fo much Grace and Pardon as fhall be abundantly fuffici-
ent for the world of Sins which U in every one of you? they
would not be able to fm\ the Grace of the Promife? one
-Hairs * breath. When Beggers come to our doors,
they many times promife us, upon the Reception
of an Alms, they will trouble us no more, but this
would be an improper Expreffion to Chrii% whof
O Heare
1 94 The Beji Treafnre, Or,
Heart is fo propenfe to give, and whofe Treafures
are inexhauftiblc, Col. 2 . 9. For in him dwells all the
Fullnefs of the G od- head bodily , Col. 1. ip.
Forthly, He gets by giving \ Advantage is a fure
Agreement, all men feek their own, every man his gain
hem his Quarter ; now if giving appears to be Chrilt's
Advantage, you may be fure he will be willing to
give ■•> men laviih out their Gold for Idolatry, carnal
perfons pour out their whole Wealth upon their Lufts,
the Merchant adventures all he hath for Gain, and
can you think that Chriit only will be clofe handed *
Tfal. 6%. 1 8. Here 'tis faid, he receives Gifts, Eph. 4. 8.
Tis faid, he gave gifts : what Chrift receiv'd was not
for himfelf, but to give unto Sinners, and that in or-
der to his Dwelling amongft them v Chrift's Gifts are
to further his Service, 1 Pet. 4. ic. and his Peoples
Profit, 1 Cor. 12. 7.
Fifthly, He is never more pleafed, than when he
gives j This appears in his earneit inviting Souls to
ask of him, Job. 16. 24. Hitherto yon have askgd no-
thing in my Name^ ask^t hat your Joy may be full. Had
not the Lord Jefus a great Delight to difpenfe freely
to his People, he would not have us'd fuch Argu-
ments to perfwade them to beg', 'tis faid of Titus Vc-
Jpafij?^ that he never denyed any thing to thofe that
asked him, but would call upon them, to ask fome-
thing of him.
Lafily, This doth wonderfully greaten his Glory,
J oh. 14. 13. Whatever ye ask^in my Name, that will I
do^ that the Fat her may be glorified in the Son. This verfe
Ihews the Reafon why the Saints (hall do greater
works than thofe that Chriit did, becaufe they (hall
have the Power of Chrift to help them * he will do
for them what they ask,and give them what they feek •,
and the reafon is, becaufe hereby the divine Glory is
more
the Vttfearchabk Riches ofChrift. 195
more manifefled,, the Fathers Glory in the Sons Glo-
ry \ for the Father and he are one, and the Fathers
Glory is his Glory, the more he gives, the more the
Father is glorified, and the more the Father is glori-
fied, the more is the Son alfo.
Secondly, He gives feeely without any refpecl to
Merit or Compenfation, Rev. 21. 6. To him that is a
tbirjl, will I give to drinl^ of the Water of Life freely.
(e/Wfiap) That is,without any antecedent Caufe, Worth
or Merit, Rom. 3. 24. Being justified freely by bis Grace.
As Juftification comes freely without any Worth or
Righteoufnefs in man, Co do all the gifts of God,
Rom. 8. 32. How can he but with him freely give us
all things > 1 Cor. 2.12. Ghrift doth not fell but give
his Favours freely, according to the pleafure of his
own Will, Ifa. 55.1. This is a Truth hard to be re-
ceiv'd, becaufe 'tis beyond the reafonofmen, how
Grace (hould move without any Motives and Attra-
clives belides it felf, but yet this bounty ofChrift
hath no refped of Perfons, 2 Chron. 19. 7.
Thirdly, He gives prefently Mercies in hand, he
doth not fay as the unjuft and covetous man, go, and
come again to morrow, and I will give it thee, when
'tis by him •, he doth not delay to beftow Mercies on
his poor Creatures, one Jot beyond the due time, Tfah
145. 15. Gal. 6. p. Chrift is never at a lofs to give,
he only Hays for a fit time ", he had many things to
fay to his Difciples, but he wanted a convenient oppor-
tunity •, they were not able to bear them, Job. 16. 12,
Fourthly, He gives heartily j Jer. 32.41. I will
rejoyce over them to do them good, mth my wh.le Heart,
and with my whole Soul. He doth not pretend Kind-
nefs, and yet begrudge it in his Heart, all hisPromi-
fesarethe Intents of his Heart. Jer.^o 24* ?/<?/. 51. 18.
Do Good in thy good Fleafure to Sion,
O 2 Fifth-
i$6 The bejl Treafure, Or?
Fifthly, He gives liberally, Jam. i. 5. If any man
lackJVifdom^ let him affyt of God who givetb liberally,
(avhZi) Simply, purely, with a candid Mind and full
Intent to do good ; 'tis rendred bountifully, as Li-
berality comes from a fimple and pure Heart, he gives
many times more than we ask, as the fick man of the
Palhe came for Health, and Chrift gave him Pardon
to boot => Solomon asked Wifdom, and God gave him
more than he begged, Riches and Honour too, 1 Kin.
3. 12. 13. He gives richly to his People of all good
things to enjoy, 1 Tim. 6. 17. Sutable to his Treasures,
TbiL 4. 10. According to his Riches in Glory by
Chrift, above what we can ask or think, Epb. 3.20.
He gives a Kingdom, Luk$ 12. 22. and therefore bids
us open our Mouths wide, and he will rill them,
Ffal. 81. 10.
Laftly, He gives conftandy every day and every
moment, he is never weary of well-doing, If a. 40. 28.
The Lord faintetb not^ neither is weary \ men are foon
tyred with Adts of Bounty, to which the Apoftle al-
ludes, Gal. 6. 9. But the Lord Jefus is a Fountain
that never ceafeth running, he is always doing, there
is never a moment but he is opening his Treafures
and filling the hungry Soul, PfaL 73. 26. God is my
Fortion for ever. The Saints are always living on God,
and are ever receiving from him, His Mercies are new
every Mornings Lam. 3. 23. Yea though through
Carelefnefs they have loll their Mercies, as the Spoufe
loft the prefence of Chrift, Cant. 5. and the Talks of
his Love, verf. 2. 6. And though by Sin they have
forfeited their Mercies, and have given the Lord
«aufe to withhold them, yet he is never weary of do-
ing them good, but always communicating fome-
thing or other to them.
Vft 1.
The Unfitrchabk Riches of Chrift. 197
Vfe 1. Is Chrift fo bountiful? Then this may ferve
to convince all Chriftlefs Souls under the Gofpel of
the greatnefs of their Sin in lleighting and contemn -
ing Chrift, becaufe it is utterly oppofiteto the Streams
of his Bounty towards them} this, Sinner, will gall
thy Confcience another day, when Chrift (hall fay,
what Iniquity haft thou found in me, that thy Heart
is fet againft me ? have not I born thee all thy days,
maintain'd thee ever (ince thou waft born, and fed
thee with Food convenient ? and yet thou wilt have
none of me, butlifteft up thy heel againft me, and
crucifyeft me with thy Sins every day h fo did the
Lord plead with Ifrael, Hof. 1 1. 23. 4.
Vfe 2 :This will ferve to humble the people of Chrift.
f irft, For their great Unthankfolnefs to Chrift =, O
how great are the Obligations of Believers to Chrift,
both for upper and nether Springs, thy daily Bread
comes out of his Cupboard, all thy Comforts and Pre-
fervations are received from him, but efpecially thy
Souls Mercies are the Produces of his Bounty, thy En-
lightnings, Awakenings, Drawings and Begettings to
God, thy Pardon, Peace, and hope of glory are all from
him, and yet who renders to Chrift for all the Benefits
done to him, who returns to give Glory to God >
this is a grievous Sin, 2 Tim. 3.2.
Secondly, For their hard Thoughts of Chrift 5 hath
the Lord Jefus laid out fomuch upon thee, and hath yet
fuch Riches in Store for thee, and art thou always di-
ftrufting of him, and on every occalion jealous and fuf-
picious of his bounty > Pf 77. 7,8,9. P/I78. 22.32.
Thirdly, For their little Improvement of Chrift's
bounty, fee this in Joafh^2 Kiw.13.from zw.17.to 20.
Fourthly ,For looking to Creatures for their Supplies
more than to Chrift,7er.2.i3. This is a heathenilh Sin,
Rom. 1.2 5. They loved and ferved the Creature more than
the Creator JJ* . 5 5 . 2 . O 3 CHAP,
I$8 The Befi Treafure, Or,
CHAP. XVI.
Wherein the Faithfutnefs ofChrifl is opened, in
accompliflnng all hk Prophecies, fulfilling his
Promises to a 11 the Trttfi committed to him,and
in all the Relations hejiands to his People.
TH E Swectncfs and Excellency of Chrift's Dif-
pohtion confifts alfo.
Laftly, In his Juftice and Fidelity ', he is
righteous, true, and faithful in all he doth and under-
takes, and this argues an excellent Spirit s this was
part of that Glory, the Spirit of God puts on Mofes,
Numb. 12. 7. But my Servant Mofes U not fo, who is
faithful in all my Houfe, with him will Ifpeal^ Mouth to
Mouth : even apparently, God puts a lingular Value
on Mofes, hath a peculiar kindnefs for him, and affords
him more intimacy with himfelf than others have,be-
caufe of his Faithfulnefs : So Daniel, It was his great
Honour that his very Enemies could not fpot him, or
find any Error in him, on the account of his Unfaith-
fulncfs, Van. 6. 4. Tw« this brought Judah intofo
high an Eftimation with God, as 'tis faid, Hof n.i 2.
Judah ruled with God, and was faithful with the Saints.
Nay a faithful perfon is a Jewel fo rare, that he can
fcarcely be found, Prov. 20. 6. Every man will proclaim
his own Goodnefl,but a faithful man, who can find ? That
is, as fome render it, Ti/ a common thing for men to
talk^ of their Goodnefs, Bounty and Mercy, but °tis a rare
thing for them to be jo indeed, to be fo good as theyfeem
to be. Others comment on it thus, y7is an eafie thing
for men to promife fair, and to Jpeak, of great things they
will do, but few are found that per f.rm their word, and
are what they promife to be. Take it in either Senfe, a
faith-
the Dnfearchabk Riches ofChriji. 1 99
faithful man is a rare thing, who can find it, as fel-
dom (een almoft, as a black Swan, or a rich Jewel.
Now the Lord Jefus is thus excellent, he is true,
though every man be a Lyer, called the faithful Wit-
fiefs. Rev. i« 5. His Name as well as Nature is faith-
ful, Rev. 19. 11. The Lord Jefus gives a faithful Te-
ftimony of the love that God bears to Sinners, he lay
in the Fathers bofom, and hath given a true Revela-
tion of him, Rev. 1. 5, If a. 1 1. 5* Fahbfulmfs is the
Girdle of bis Reins. The Prophet alludes to thofe Or-
naments, Kings did ufe to wear > they wore a Girdle
as an Enfign of Honour and Power, Job 12. 18. He
loofetbthe bonds of Kings , that is, their Girdle, -by
which he means their Power and Authority, which
he removes ; now inftead of this Enfign of Honour
which Kings did wear, Chrift (hall be cloathed with
Faithfulnefs and Righteoufnefs, this (hall be his Or-
nament and Glory, Heb. 2. iJ.Heis the faithful high-
priefi.
Firft, He is faithful and juft to all men, even to his
very Enemies, he will not wrong them in the -kail: >.
he renders to every one his due, Rom. 2. 6. The very
Hypocrites (hall have theii Reward, Mattb. 6.2. The
Lord Jefus will not give caufe to any to fay at the la(t
day, that he is their Debtor, or doth them Wrong,
Mattb. 20. 13. The wicked (hall have their Portion
in this Life, all that is coming to them, as much as
they can in Juftice demand. If Abab repent he trull
have Reprieve from his Punifhment \ eternal Repen-
tance (hall obtain eternal Deliverance. If Efait pray
for the Bleifings of this life with Tears, God will
-give them to him, he cannot be a Debtor to any i his
very Enemies (hall have their due, as much as their
outward Duties or fervile Labours amount to i for the
holy one of Ifrael cannot lye, what Promife foever
O 4 God
2oo The Be ft Treafure, Or,
God makes Co any outward A&ion or Vertue,it (hall
certainly be fulfilled, he cannot defraud any ^ the Pba-
rifees (hall have their Honour, Judas Mis b^\ Vemas
the World, and Dives his Pleafures: he that com-
mands his People to render every one their due, can-
not poilibly wrong any.
Secondly, He is faithful to his People, i Pet. 4. 19.
Let them that faff er according to theJViU of God commit
the kgefing of their Souls to him in npell-doing as unto a
faithful Creator : That is, Chrili is. able to keep you in
Sufferings becaufe he made you of nothing, and he
that gave you a being when you were nothing, he can
keep you now, though all the World be fet againit
you : He can do it becaufe he created you of nothing,
and he will do it,becaufehe is faithful,and hath promi-
fed j now thisFaithfulnefsof Chriftcp his people lies.
Firft, In his exaft Accomplishment of all his Pro-
phciies, All things -written concerning him^ are fulfilled
in him^Lukc 18. 31.. A tittle of God's word (hall
not fall to the ground, all the Types and legal Figures
as they thadowed out Chrift to come, namely, the
High-prieft, the Altar, the fcape Goat, &c. were per-
fectly accomplitht in him, they were the Shadows, he
the Subftance ^ all Scripture Prophelies concerning di-
vine Providence, the . Pvefurredtion- of Sion, and the
Deftruclion of Babylon, (hall be fulfilled to one Iota,
£a%2i. 22.
Secondly in performing his Promifes, never an En-
gagement made by the Father to the Son, or by him
to his people, but he will fee it affuredly made good,
Rom. 15. 8. 1 Kings 8. 28. 2 Pet. 3. 9. The Lord is
not flac\concerning his Promifes, Tit. 1.2.2 Cor. 1.20.
All the Prom if s are in him, yea, and Amen.
Object, drift's Faithful nefs in fulfilling his Promifes
pertains only to the Heirs of the Promifes \ but I cannot
call
the TJnfear chalk Riches ofChrifi. 26l
call the Promifes mine, becaufe of my unfaithfulness to Gei.
Anfip. The Promifes of God are not made to the
Doers of the Law or Gorpel, but to Believers: nor are
they made for doing, but upon believing :'Tistrue,by
Faithfulnefs and Obedience comes th,e thing promifed,
but a Title to the Promifes is procured by believing *
pray put a diftindtion between the Promifes, and the
thing promifed, Gal. 3.22. That ihepromife by Faith
of Jefus Chrid, might be given to them that believe, Heb.
6. 17, 18. Thepromife of Grace, Healing, and Salva-
tion, depends not upon the fidelity of the faved Soul,
but upon the faithfulnefs of God, in Chrift.
Obj. But I do not find the Promifes made good to me \
God bath f aid) He xviU never leave nor forfakg his People,
but, I doubt, he bath forfabgn me \for I cannot fee bit out-
goings in the Santtuary : He hath promifed to hear the
Prayers made in his Name ^ to difpence Grace, to give out
his Spirit, and to create a new heart \ but I find not the
performance ofthefe things in me,
Anfa. Firft, If the Lord Jefus doth not fulfill his
Promifes, 'tis becaufe thou art not fit for them : God
would have brought Ifrael into Canaan, near forty
years before he did, but they were not fit for that mer-
cy : They were carnal, lufting, murmuring, rebelling,
fo that God fent them back again into the VVilder-
nefs. Chrift would have taught his People many glo-
rious Truths, but they were not able to bear them,
J oh. 16. 12. Food, yea, the choiceft Dainties, upon a
diftempered Stomach, are caft away,they feed nothing
but the Difeafe : If God accomplifh not his Word
to thee, 'tis becaufe thou art uncapable for it : Thy
Iniquities, it may be, withhold good things from
thee, Ifa.59. 1.
Secondly, Chrift may be performing his Promifes
though thou doft not fee it : For,
Firft,
2o* The BeJI Tre afore, Or,
Firft, Chrift doth fulfill his Promife, though he
doth not give the fame thing he feems to promife:
If he give thee that which is equivalent in the room
ofit: So, if the Lord doth not give his People the
Comforts of this Life, yet if he gives them Content-
ment without them, he fulfills his Promife *, So he
dealt with Paul, Phil. 4. 1 1. I have learned in every
flate to be contented s and with David, PfaU 16.6. The
Difciples had nothing, yet in the want of all, they
had all things, 2 Cor. 6. 10. If in the want of Bread,
God gives Strength and Satisfaction, he fulfills his
Word. The wicked in their Fulnefs are in Straits, Job,
2 o. 22. But the Godly in their Straits have a Fulnefs.
Secondly, Chrift doth fulfill his Promife, though he
gives not the fame thing, if he gives a better thing : If
Chrift withholds Earthly things, and gives Spiritual >
As Saul found not his Atfes.but in the room of them
met with a Kingdom : The Difciples loft their Nets
and Boats, and found a Treafure in Chrift : They loll
their taking of Fi(h, and became Fifhers of men : Paul
fufferM a Shipwrack of all his own Excellencies, and
found the Excellencies of Chrift.
Thirdly, Chrift fulfills his Promifes, though he do
not give the fame things his People would have, yet,
if he gives them futable things, fuch as he fees belt
futes and fits their prefent ftate : So the Difciples ex-
peeled a Temporal Kingdom, but Chrift gave them
a Spiritual Kingdom. It may be a little Mercy is more
futable for thee than a great deal •, Children mull have
their meat futed to their Health, not their Stomach :
Paul could not bear much Villon of God, and there-
fore muft have a Thorn in the Flelh, 2 Cor. 12.7.
Fourthly, Chrift doth fulfill his Promife," though he
doth not give thee what thou thinkeft thou dolt want,
if he gi ve thee whathe knows thou wanteft, Rom.% .2 5.
Thou
the Unfearchable Riches ofChrift. 203
Thou fuppofeft thou wanted Comforts, he with-
holds them, and gives thee humblings.
Fifthly, Chrift fulfills his Promife, though he doth
not deliver thee out of thy prefent Evils, if he there-
by preferves thee from a greater Evil : As Paul had a
thorn in the Flefh, the MelTenger of Satan to buffet
him \ left, through the abundance of Revelations,
he fhould be puffed up, and his Soul in danger of
Ruine.
Laftly, Chrift doth fulfill his Promife, if he doth it
in his own time, though he doth it not in our time.
So in Abraham \ God promifed him a Son, he expect-
ed it many years fooner, but God kept it till the mod
convenient feafon. Every thing is beautiful in its fea-
fon, Ecclef. 3. 1 1. 1 Pet. 5. 6. Mercies are Affli&ions,
when out of due time : Now, 'tis he that gives the
Mercy, can beft tell when to give it, Jer.^p. 19. Who
will appoint me the time, Lev. 2<5. 4. The Faithfulnefs
ofChrift is firm and unalterable, whatever Objections
Unbelief makes againft it. He will perform all hisPro-
mifes, Gen. 28. 15. And behold, I am with thee, and
rvill kgep thee in all places whither thou goefi, and will
bring thee again into this hand, for 1 will not leave thee^
until I have done that which I have Jpokgn td thee of. O
what a bleffed word is this ! 'Tis a promife made to
Jacob, when he was to undertake a difficult Journey y
and what things are written, arc written for our In-
ftru&ion \ Profnifes made to particular Saints, are ap-
plicable to all the Saints in the fame condition \ as we
find that dijojhns, 1.5. I will nst leave thee nor for-
fakje thee. The Apoftle makes Ufc of it, Heb. 13.5.
Now I (hall give a few Reafons to prove that Chrift
cannot fail of fulfilling his Promife. For,
Firit, He is Truth it felf, and cannot lye, 2^.3.14.
He is called, The Amen, the faithful and true Witness ;
204 The Beft Tret/are^ Or,
"I\ye Holy one oflfrael, who cannot lye : For, God is not
as man that hejhould lye, or as the Son of man, that be
jhould repent j hath he f aid, and Jhall he not do it, hath
bejpokgn, and (hall he not makg it good? Numb.23.157.
Secondly, He came to fulfill all Righteoufnefs,
Matth, 3. 15. It becometh us to fulfil all Righteoufnefs :
vzinov, It behoveth us, I ought to do it, by the Appoint-
ment and Will of my Father, as Chemnitim renders it :
Chrift came into the World to fulfill all Righteoufnefs^
Now,to perform and make good the Promifes of God,
is part of this Righteoufnefs : 'tis a debt God is en-
gag'd in, and Chrift came not only to pay Sinners debts
to the Father, but to make good the Father's Engage-
ments unto them.
Thirdly, Did not Chrift fulfill all the Promifes of
God to Believers,then the New Covenant would be an
imperfed and faulty Covenant \ were the Promifes of
the new Covenant unfulfilled, then it would be a Co-
venant of Works, and fo imperfed : But the New Co-
venant is eftablilht on better Promifes, Heh.%.6,j,&c.
Now new Covenant-promifes are better than the old,
not only as to the Matter of them, but as to the cer-
tainty of their performance. The firft Covenant-pro-
mifes were liable to be broken, Jer. 3 1. 3 1, 32. But
thefe New Covenant- promifes are fure to all the Seed.
This was the principal thing undertaken in the New
Covenant, for Believers, that the Promifes fhould be
certainly fulfilled, and therefore 'tisKalled a better
Covenant than the Old.
Fourthly, Chrift mull needs fulfill the Promifes, or
he would dieinvain,and (hed his Blood to no purpofe:
for the Blood of Chrift is the Blood of the Covenant,
Matth. 26.28. and it was (hed on purpofe to confirm
the truth of the Promife to all that believe, Ht^.p.15.
For this end he came into the World, and became a
Media tor,ftow. 15.8,9. Fifth-
the Vnfearchable Riches ofChrifl. 205
Fifthly, That he might finifh the Work the Father
gave him to do, and fo give up his Account with joy.
This is the Work God fent Chrift into the World for,
that he might be the Mediator of the New Covenant,
and make good the Will of God to all the Federates
thereof, Job.6.$%t to 41. and this Chrift cannot fail to
perform, Job.17.4. His Spirit (hall not fail,till he hath
fet Judgment on the Earth, Ifa. 42.4.
Sixthly, That he may (top the mouth of Devils,and
prove Satan a Lyar. The great work of Satan is to be-
lye God, and reprefent him to Sinners Unfaithful and
untrue. Now Chrift is to fight againft the Devil, and
deftroy his Works, 1 Job. 3. 8. and prove the Truth
of God againft all oppofers, Rom. 3.4.
Seventhly, He is fully able to do it •, He hath all Power
in his hand, both in Heaven and in Earth jMztt/?.2 8.1 8.
He is a merciful God, and fo nothing is too hard for
him : He will work, and none (hall let it v befides, he
hath all that Grace and Goodnefs that poor Souls need,
in his own hand h He hath received the Spirit without
meafure,7o/>.3.34. All Fulnefs dwells in him =, Name
any thing which thou ftandeft in need oi\ which is not
in Chrift to give thee. Doft thou want Pardon, Peace
of Confcicnce, Grace, Holinefs, Power over thy Cor-
ruptions, Vidtory over thy Temptations, Comfort un-
der thy Troubles, fatisfa&ion ot thy Doubts, quieting
of thy Fears, and remove of thy Burdens. Doft thou
want quicknings, foftnings for the hardnefs of thy
Heart : ltrengthnings under thy weaknels, htnefs for
thy Mercies and Duties, Patience under thy Sufferings,
and Humility under thy Priviledges * Doft thou want
thankfulnefs for thy Mercies, clearing up of thy Evi-
dences, Tafts of God's Love, and readinefs for Death,
Judgment, and Eternity ? Why, all this Chrift hath in
his own hand already i He is not to feek for thefe things
vyjien thou crieft after them. Again*
2o6 The Befi Treafttre, Or,
Again, As he hath Power to help thee, and fulfill!
all the Promifes of God to thee, fo he hath Right and
Authority too : He is the Angel of the Covenant, /V/*/.
3. i. He is (ent, deputed, and fealed or" God, to this
very Work, Job.6.2-]. All the Promifes upon that Re-
demption-agreement betwixt the Father and the Son,
are made over to him, and put into his hand, 2 Cor.
1.30. Now all that Chrift can do for the making good
of his Father's Word, and benefitting his People, lie
will certainly perform, for he ever liveth to make In-
terceilion, Heb.J.2 5. and is en t red into Heaven, to ap-
pear as their Advocate and Agent, Heb. 9.24.
Laftly, Chriit mult needs fulfill his Promifes, or elfe
he would weaken the Encouragement of Souls to be-
lieve in him, and fo overthrow all his own Defign in,
and by the Gofpel, which is, to bring Souls to believe
in hlm^Job. 20. 3 1. Ibefe are written t bat you may be-
lieve^ 7^,17.21. lb at the World may believe that tbott
baftfent me, Job. 1 0.3 8. No w,if Chrift fails of his Pro-
mife, how would this difcourage Souls from believing
in him ? who would truft Ghrift, (hould he not be
faithful > and the Devil would be fure to make the
moft of this Advantage, to prevent believing. Chrift
will make good his Word in his own time, way, and
meafure,A£*tt/;.5.i8. Heaven and Eartbjhall pafi away,
but not one jot or tittle of tbe Laiv^ till all be fulfilled.
All (hall be fulfilled for Believers, and in them : and If
Chrift cannot permit one Jot of the Law to fall to the
ground, furely, he will not futfer fo choice a part of
the Gofpel as the Promifes are, to be unaccomplished.
Again, as Chrift will perform all the Promifes, fo
efpecially thofe great ones, that concern the Grace and
Glory of all that believe, P/W.84.1 1. He will give grace
and glory\ 8cc. If the Lord Jefus upbraided the Phari-
fecs for ty thing Mint and Cummin, and omitting the
weigh-
The TJtifearchable Riches ofChrijt. 207
weightier matters of the Law,furely he cannot negled:
the greateft of his Gofpel- promifes to his people.
Thirdly, the Lord Jefus is faithful to the Truft com-
mitted to him \ thus was Mofes, He was faithful m
all God's Hottfe, Numb. 12.7. that is, as a Steward,
he was juft and honeft in the difcharge of that Truft;
committed to him, concerning the Work and inter-
eft of God i fo 'tis taken, Math. 25. 21. Well dorn^
thou good and faithful Servant ; Thou haft been faith-
ful in thy Stewardship in the ufe of thofe things com-
mitted to thee-, in this Senfe is Chrift faithful alfo>
in a perfed Difcharge of that Truft repofed in him,
and that both with refped to God his Father, and
with refped to his People.
Firft, In refped of that Truft committed to him
by the Father, God the Father hath entrufted him
with the great Concerns of Redemption, Grace, and
Glory, with that glorious Contrivance of Caving fallen
man, and bringing about the Recovery of loft Sin-
ners : and therefore he calls him his Servant, 2/^.49.5.
And now faith the Lord that formed mc from the Womb
to be bis Servant, to bring Jacob again to him. It fets
forth GhriftY Designation by the Father, to his me-
diatory Office, wherein God the Father calls him to
great work, commits vaft Concerns to him, about
the gathering in of loft Souls, and undertaking their
Attonement, Sanditkation, and Salvation '•> for the ac-
complishment of which, the Father commits all to the
Fidelity oi Chrift,both as to Suffering and interceding
work, and in all this the Lord Jefus is faithful: fo
the Spirit of God calls him a faithful High-prieft in
things pertaining unto God, in making Reconciliati-
on for the Sins of the People. This the Lord Jefus
undertook to the Father, that he would fatisfie his
Wrath, and remove his Difpleafure from his People,
by
2o8 The Beji Trcafare, Or9
by bearing their Sins for and from them, that God
might again take them into his Favour,asif they had
never finned i and in this he was and is faithful, nay
in all things that God hath charged him with, about
the faving of Souls, Heb. 3. 2. Who was faithful to him
that appointed him^ as affo Mofes was faithful in all
hti houfe. So that whatever the Father laid oh Chrift
in the behalf of his people to make Reconciliation for
them, and prefent them fpotlefs in his Prefence, this
he hath fully and faithfully difcharged, as I have al-
ready (hewn on this Subject.
Secondly, The Lord Jefus hath a Truft committed
to him from his People : They commit the keeping
of their Souls to him as to a faithful Redeemer, 1 Pet.
4. 19. Every believing Soul when he comes over to
Chrift firft, doth depute, accept of, chufe and entruft
the Lord Jefus to be his Redeemer, and he under-
takes the preferving of him unto Glory \ he that
comes to Chriit aright, takes him for his Wifdom,
Righteoufnefs, San&ification and Redemption, 1 Cor,
1. 30. For fo is Chrift given and tendred by the Fa-
ther, and fo do Believers receive him, and entruii
him with their Souls, that they may be made righte-
ous before God, have their Sins remov'd, and be pre-
fented before the Father, without Spot or Wrinkle,
Epb. 5. 25, 26. They truft Chrift for San<ftirication,
to be made truly, and in his*time perfectly holy, as
holy as God is holy, and as holy as God requires.
They truft Chrift for Wifdom, to be made Partakers
of divine Light, to be made wife unto Salvation, to
know all that God would have them, and that their
Natures are capable to underftand, and to have the
Image of God perfected in them, which confifts in
Knowledge as well as Righteoufnefs. They commit
themfelves to Chrift to be redeemed from every Evil,
Sin
the Unjurchahk Rkhes ofChrift. 209
Sin, or Danger, or whatever hinders their compleat Sal-
vation : thus do Believers, take Chrift, and furrender
themfelves up to him on thefe great and glorious ends,
and thus did he undertake, when he gave himfelf by his
Spirit to them, and therefore is called the Surety of the
Covenant, as hath been already (he wn,Heb. 7. 22. there-
fore'tis faid, Epk'y. 25. to 28. That Chrift gave him-
felf for the Church, that he might warn it and cleanfe it,
fan&ifie it and prefent it to the Father without Spot or
Wrinkle or any fuch thing. This he undertook when he
became a Mediator between Cod and them, 1 Tim. 2. 5.
Now he is faithful in this alto to all his Seed, Heb.10.23.
He is faithful who hath promifed, 1 Job, 1 . p. He is faith-
ful and juft to forgive them, 2 Tim. 1. 12. Ikporvrvhom
I have believed, and that he ys able to kgep that good thing
I have committed to him againft that day, 1 Thef. 5. 24.
1 Cor. 10. 13. O Souls, you that have committed your
felves to Chrift in Truth, know that he is faithful, and
will not fail you, but will certainly accomplifh and make
good alj your regular Hopes and Expectations, he can
loole nothing of all that the Father hath given him,
Job. 1 7. 1 2. Be fure, what Bargain foever he hath made
with you, what Mercies foever he hath promifed you,
he will aflfuredly fulfil and keep touch to a tittles he is
the faithful Steward, and Advocate for his People.
Fourthly, The Lord Jefus is faithful to all the Rela-
tions he ftands in to his people > Herein Fidelity appears
in holding forth, and living up to thofe Duties of Re-
lation in which a perfon itands to others \foSylva*
nm is called a faithful Brother^ 1 Vet. 5.12. zp&Tychi-
cm a faithful Minifter, Eph.6.21. In this that they
were true and juft, in holding forth all the Dirties' of
their Relation, Defe&ivenefs, in which difcoyeiss Falfe-
nefs and Treachery : but the Lord jefus is faithful in
all Relations to Believers ? he fills them up, and anfwers
P - the
210 The BeftTrcafttre, Or,
the end of them , now the Scripture fets forth the Uni-
on of Chrift to Believers, by feveral Relations.
Firft, He is their Friend, If a. 41. 8. The feed of Abra-
ham my Friend^ Job. 1 5 . 1 4. 1 5 . Te are my Friends J have
called you Friends, Joh. 1 1. 1 1. Our Frien d Lazarus fleep-
etb.Now Chrift is a faithful Friend to his people in hold~
ing forth all the Offices of true Friendfhip to them. As,
Firft, Love, Prov. 17. 17. A friend loveth at all times,
fuch a Friend is Chrift to all his, many Waters cannot
quench it, he loves his People when he hides his Face
from them, when he fpeaks (harply to them, and fe-
verely rebukes them.
Secondly, To own his Friend in all places^ times,
and conditions, fo Jonathan owned. David in his great-
eft Dangers, when his Father fought his Life, when it
was dangerous to appear for him, 1 Sam. 20. 28. 32.
fb Chrift is not afham'd to own his People before God,
tr\CU,Mattb. 10. 3 2. Wbofoever Jhall confefs me before men
him will I confefs before my Fathers Face, 1 Cor. 16,21.
He reproved Kings for their fake, fayin& touch not mitic
anointed, 8cc.
Thirdly, Pity j Job. 6. 14. Pityjhould be {hewn from
'a Friend. And in this is Chrift faithful, he hath com-
panion on the ignorant, and thofe that are out of the
way, Heb. 5. 2. He cannot hide his Eyes from his own
Flefh i he is that good Samatitane, Luk$ 10. 33.
Fourthly,Counfcl > Prov. 27.5?. Oynmentand Perfume
rejoyce the Heart, fo doth the Sweetnefs of a mans Friend
by hearty Counfel: Chrift is called the Counsellor, Ifaiah
9. £»• He will guide hU People with hit Eye, and inftrutt
them in the way they fhould go, Pfal. 32. 8. Tfougaveft
thy good Spirit to inftrutt tbem-> Neh. 9. 20.
Fifthly, Adherence \ Prov. 18. 24. There is a Friend,
*tbatftickgth clofer than a Brother, 2 Sam. 16. ij. So the
Lord Jefus he ftands by his People in time of need, Pf.
50.15. Pf 21.15. Pf. 44.3. Sixth-
the UnfeaYchable Riches cfChrift. 2 1 1
Sixthly, Comfort j> So Job's Friends, Job. 2. 1 i.Came
to mourn with him, and to comfort him, the Lord Je-
fus is faithful in this alfo, Job. 14, 18. I mil not leaveyou
comfort lefi, I fa. 61 . 2. To comfort all that mourn.
Seventhly, Communication of Secrets i Judg. 16. 15.
How canfi thou fay thou loveft me, when thy Heart U not
with me ? Now the Lord Jefus Chrift is fuch a Friend,
he will open the very Secrets of his heart to his People,
Job. 15. 15. I have called you Friends for all that I have
heard of my Father I have made tyfwn unto you? Pfal. 25.
14. O the fecret Myftericsof the Gofpel, he difclofeth to
his faithful People,that walk much with him, Joh.i^. 2,3.
Laftly, Supply of wants, Prov.iy. \"J.A Friend is bom
for 'Adverfity, So Paul tells the Theffalonians of his friend-
ly rcfpe&s to them, 1 Tbef. 2. 8. A true friend is ready
to impart any thing for his Friend > fo Jonathan ftript
himfelf to his Girdle, and Bow, and Sword, for T>avidy
1 Sam. 1 8. 4. Chrift is fuch a Friend as will fupply all
the Neceflities of his people, Phil. 4. 19. My Godjhall
fupply all your need: Such a Friend he was to Jacoh^Gen.
48. 15. The God which fed me all my Life long.
Secondly, He is faithful as a Brother, for in this Rela-
tion alfo doth he ftand to his people, Job. 20. 17. Go to
my Brethren, and fay to them, that I afcend to my Father^
and your Father, to my God and your God. Chrift and
Believers have all one Father, though in a different way,
Chrift the natural, Believers the adopted Children of
God. Now as he ftands to them in the Capacity and
State of a Brother,an elder Brother, fo his Fidtlity coniifts
- in a faithful Difchargeof the Duties of fuch a relation.As,
Firft, One Duty is Love ■■> All the Saints ftand in the re-
lation of Brethren one to another, and fo are obliged to
mutual Love, 1 Job. 3.10. Chrift fulfills this duty to
his people, he loves them as himfelf, Epb. 5.25. perfectly
with the fame love with which the Father loves him,
J oh. 1^.9. P 2 Second-
212 The Left Treafare, Or?
Secondly, Another brotherly duty is Pfty^ i Pet. 3*8,
Having Compaffton one of another, love as Brethren, be pity
fid : So Chrift can truly (ay as Eft her did of her Kindred,
Eft her 8. 6. How can I endure to fee the Evil that fh all come
unto my People, or how can I endure to fee the Veftru&ion of
my Kindred?
Thirdly, Unity is die duty of Brethren, Pfal. 133. 1.
Behold how good andpleafant U it for Brethren to dwell toge-
ther in Vnity, fo is the Lord Jefus one with his people s
This he dyed for, JoJ?. 11.52 .This he prays for, /a/?. 17.21.
Fourthly, Another brotherly duty is Peace, Gen. 13. 18.
I,ct there be no (Irife betwixt me and thee, and betwixt my
Herdfmen and thy Herdfmen, for we be Brethren. So Chrift
labours after peace for his people,and with them, Jo. 1 6.3 3 .
Fifthly, Acknowledgment is another duty of Brethren,
So Chrift, Heb. 2. 11. He is not ajhamd to call tlyem brethren.
Laftly, viliting one another, and taking hold of Op-
portunities to enquire the welfare of ^ach other, and
communicate Refreshments. Thus did Mofes, A£lsj. 23.
He vifited his Brethren, and fo doth Chrift his People-,
he gives them fpecial AcceiTes by his Spirit, he leaves them
not comfortkfs, but will come unto them, Job. 14. 18.
Thirdly, As a husband to his Spoufe, is Chrift faith-
ful to his People, If a. 54. 5. Thy Makgr is thy Husband,
2 Cor. 11. 2. i" have efyoufed you to one Husband, Hof 2.
1 p. 20. 1 will betroth thee unto me in Right eoufmfs, loving
KitJnef, and Faithfulnefs. Now Chrift performs all the
Offices of a tender Husband to them.
Firft, In loving them as himfelf, Eph. 5.25. Husbands
love your Wives, as Chrift alfo loved the Church, and gave
himfelf for it. Now Khali give you eight Proofs of
Chrilfs great love, as a husband to his People.
Firft, His high Valuation of them, heefteems them be-
yond all the World befides, nay above Heaven it felfihe
could leave the Heaven of Heavens to feek after, and to
fave
The Vnfearchable Riches ofChrift. 213
fave them, and Manfions of Glory to come down, and
betroath them : he deipifed all the offer'd Pleafures and
Grand ure of the world, when propofed to divert his
Love from them, Mattb. 4. He fets forth their excellen-
cies by terms of greateft worth, he calls them his Trea-
fure, Exod. 19. 15. A Kingdom of Prietts, verf. 6. His
Jewels, Mai. 3. 17. Cant. 1. 10. Thy Cheeks are comely
with Rows of Jewels, thy Necl^mtb Chains of Gold. Cant.
2. 2. As the Lilly among Thorns, Jo U my Love among the
Daughters : He terms them, a Fountain of Gardens^ an
Orcbyard of Pomegranates, Cant. 4. The only me of her Mo*
tber, the choice one of her that bare her. Thefe high Cha-
racters the Lord Jefus gives his Spoufe, (hews the won-
derful account he makes of her.
Secondly, His coftly purchafe of them, he fold himfelf
to^edeem them, Eph. 5. 25. 1 Pet. 1. 18, 19. He parted
with all his Glory, Treafures, Peace, Pleafures, Strength
and Life to procure a people to himfelf j had not his love
been infinitely great to all his Seed, he would never have
hought them at fo dear a rate, 1 Cor. 6. 20.
Thirdly, His great Endurings for them » Jacob tells
us of fome Hardmips he underwent to gain Rachel, Gen.
31. 40. 41. But the(e are nothing to Chrift's Endurings
for his Spouie : he bore infinite Torments for her, all
the Wrath and Vengeance of a confuming Fire, which
all the Sins of Believers did merit \ he bore temporal
Troubles, Wants, Wearinefs, Pains, Shame, Death it k\f,
with whatever the damned in Hell bear to all Eternity,
that did he endure, to get a Spoufe among the con-
demned Sons and Daughters of men.
- Fourthly, His amorous Treatments of them, and en-
dearing Converfes with them 5 fee the Exuberancy of
his ArTeclion, breathing out at his Lips to them, Cant. 4.
I . to verf. 6. Behold thou art fair my Love, behold thou art
fak) thou halt Doves Eyes. &c. ver. 7. Thou art all fair -my
P 5 Love,
214 The Bejl Treafttre, Or,
Love? there U nofpot in thee. Cant. 2. 10. Rife up my Love
my fair one, and come an? ay. chap. 4. 8. Come n>itb me from
Lebanon, My Spoufe,from Lebanon, verf. 10. Hon? fair is
thy Love, my Sifter, my Spnuje, bow much better is thy love
than Wine, chap, tf . 4. 5 . Thou art beautiful my Love as Tir-
zahyurn away tcfine Eyes from me, for they have overcome me.
Fifthly, His large Gifts and dowry to them ■, he gives
himfelf, his Spirit, his Purchafe, his Laws, his Promifes,
his Love, Life, Light, and his Kingdom, as I have alrea-
dy (hewed, and this doth difcover his large ArTedtion to
them.
Sixthly, His impatient longing after them, (hews the
Greatnefs of his conjugal love to them-, Cant. 2. 14. 0
my 'Dove that art in the C lifts of the Roc^ infecret places of
the Stairs, let me fee thy Countenance and bear thy Voice,
fer. 3.14, Turn 0 backjliding Children, for I am maxryed
toyow. He ftancls at the door, knocking with the dew of
the night on his locks., faying, Open to me my Sifter, my
Sporife, my Love, my Dove, myVndefled, Cant. 5. 2. He
is troubled when he cannot fee them, and they will
not come unto him, that he might give them life.
Seventhly, His wonderful Complacency in, and re-
joycing over them, he is well pleated with ; he relts in
his love over them, Zeph. 3. 17. He takes them for his
only Portion, Seed, and Travel of his Soul, wherein he
is fathhed : And is, a Bridegroom rejoycetb over bis Bride,
fo ft all thy God n Joyce over thee, Ifa. 62.5. For the Lord dc-
iightcth in thee, and thy Land (hall be marryed, ver. 4.
4 Lafily, His utter Inability to part w7ith them, proves
his great love to them, Hof. 1 1. 8. Hon> {hall I give thee
up 0 Ephraim ? Ifa. 49. 16. Behold I have graven thee upon
the Palms of my hands, and verf. 15. A Woman may for'
get her fucking Child, but I cannot forget thee. Nay he fets
them as a Seal upon his Heart, Cant. 8. 6. You mult pluck
out his Heart before you can make him confent to let his
Spoufe
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 2 1
Spoufe go, Job. 10. 28. None fh all fluc\ them out of my
Hands. That's the firft Teftimony of his conjugal Faith-
fulnefs, his Love to all his people \ 'tis a conftant Love,
J$b. 13. 1- Having loved bis own tbat were in the World*
be loved them to tbe end.
Secondly, His Cohabitation with thenu this is ano-
ther part of the Husbands duty to his Spoufe, 1 Fet. 3.7,
Te Husbands dwell with them according to Knowledge, fuch
is the Fidelity of Chrift to his, that he takes up his abode
with them, Job. 14. 23. and walks with, and dwells
among them, 2 Cor, 6. 16. He doth not give them a
tranfient Vifit, and look upon them now and then >
however he may (bmetimes appear a (hanger, and draw
a Curtain over the light of his Countenance* yet he doth
not change his Habitation, but takes up his reft in Sion9
and dwells there, Pfal. 132. 13, 14. Heb. 13.5. He will
never leave them norfwfakp them.
Thirdly, his affectionate and intimate Converfes with
them, proves his conjugal Fidelity *, he keeps up Inter-
courfe with them •, Chrift in Heaven maintains corre-
fpondence with his people on Earth, Exod. 25. 22.
There will I meet with thee, and commune with thee, above
the Mercy Seat : that is, In my Ordinances and Appoint*
ments, I will open my heart to thee, tell thee my Love,
and impart to thee my Secrets, 1 Job. 1. 3. OurFellow-
(hip is with the Father, and 'his Son Chrift Jefus, and
this Communion is maintained by the Spirit, Job. 1 6.
13. \\.Wben the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide
you into all Truth, &c. For he will receive of mine> atidjhcw
it unto you. 'Tis a notable Scripture, and as much as if
Chrift had faid, I go to Heaven, my perfonal Prefence
(hall be in Manfions of Glory, but I will fend my Spirit
and he (hall reveal the deep things of God ^communicate
my mind unto you, and concerning you.
Fourthly >His tender Sympathy with them j In all their
P 4 Jfttti*
216 The Befi Trcafitre, Or,
Ap&ions he U afflifted, Ifaiah 63. <?. He foon feels their
Troubles, he that toucheth them, toucbeth the Apple of
his Eye \ Saul, Saul, rvbyperfecutejl thou me, A&. 9. 4. and
therefore the Sufferings of the Saints are called the (uVr
ftipiATA) theafter Sufferings of Chrift3Co/. 1.24, What is
done to them he reckons as done to him (elf. And he doth
not Only feel the?r Affli&ions, but bear their Burdens for
them, Pfal. 55. 22. Caji thy burden on the Lord, he will
fuftain thee '•> yea he helps and relieves them under all their
Afflictions, Pfal. 50. 15.
Fifthly, His patience towards them, (hews his Fidelity
as a husband,. 'tis riches of patience and long-furTering that
the Lord doth exercife towards his every day, Row. 2. 4,
Sixthly, His gracious Indulgence towards them, co-
vering their Imperfections, and pardoning their Offences
is another thing his conjugal Relation to his People, ob-
liges him to, and this he is faithful in •, he puts Honour
upon the uncomely parts and carriages of his People, by
cloathing them with the covering of his Pughteoufnefs,
Rev. 3. 18. He calls upon his people to put on their white
Rayment, that the (hame or their Nakednefs do not ap-
pear : He puts up many a wrong for them, and paiTeth by
many a weaknefs in them, concealing their Imperfections
from the view of others, aiid all becaufe he loves them,
and they are his Hepbzibatfs.
Seaventhly, His Care of them demonfl rates his conju-
gal Fidelity to them, 1 Pet. 5.7. His Eyes arc always
upon them, from one end of the year to the other, Veut.
II. 12. Commit iby w.iy to the Lord*> trufl alfo in him,and
~bejbjll bring it to pafs, Pfal 37. 5. Upon him is the care
ot all the Churches, and of every Saint, yea of all their
Cone ins. ever) their very hairs. He cares for their Bodies,
their Soul- ^ their Families, their names, their Comfort,
and their Profit : he will not leave them comfortlefs,nor
{utfer them to be tempted above what they are able, he
will
the TJnfearchabk Riches of Chrift. 217
will provide all things they (tend in need of, If a. 46.3.4.
Ffal. 65. 9' and if he withholds thefe lower things from
them here, he prepares fome better thing for them, both
here and hereafter.
Eighthly, Protection of them from their Evils and
Dangers > this is a Husbands duty to be a covering for his
Spoufe, and a Screen to her from Injury, Gen. 20.16.
So Chrift he carries his as on Eagles Wings out of the
reach of their deftroying Adverfaries, Veut. 3 2. 1 1. Exod.
I p. ^.Veut. 33. 27. The eternal God is thy Refuge, and un-
derneath are everlajiing Arms. He will keep the Feet of bis
Saints, 1 Sam. 2. p. And be, a little Sandtuary to them
in all places.
Laftly, His cleaving to them for ever, and being one
Flefti with them, 1 Sam. 12.22. For the Lord will not for-
fak$ his people j he is a preijnt help to them h in time of
Trouble always with them, never unmindful of them and
their guide unto death, Pfal. 48. 14. Yea in Death and
to all Eternity, he will be their Life and Salvation 5 here
death determines the Capacity of the moft faithful huf-
band, but Chrift will accompany his Spoufe, and be a
Salvation in and beyond the Grave.
Fourthly, As a head is the Lord Jefus Ghritf faithful
to his peoples That is, another Relation in which Chrift
ftands to believers, Col. 1. 18. He is the bead of tin Body,
the Church, &c. He is compleatly furnifhed with all Ex-
cellencies and Fullnefs for that end, to be the head of his
Body the Church,both as to natural and purchafed grace i
As God he is eternal, and fo hath all fufliciency in him »
Before all things, and is their Maker and Preferver, and
as man, he is the fir (l-born from the dead, and by his death
hath purchafed a Mediatorly Sufficiency to be the head
cf, and to prefide his Body, and perform all the Offices of
Head(hip to it,as to Honour, Government, and Influence :
And he hath not only a Fitnefs to be a head to his Church,
but a Right too j for the Father hath given him to be
tfce
2i8 The Beji Treafkre, Or,
the Head over all things to his Church, Epb.i. 22 . Cave,
(W*»u) conjlituit, faith Zancby,he appointed him and part-?
ed actually with him, and made him over to the Church,
to the whole body of Believers, and to every fwgle per-
fon, to their ufe, intent, and purpofe, that he mould be a
Head to them, a true head, a perfect head, an only head,
and an eternal head : Now in this Relation is Chrift
faithful alfo, anfwering the ends, filling up the phce,
and difcharging the Offices of it. Now in this hcadfhip
of Chrift are fix things wrapt up.
Firft, Counfel and Wifdom ^ In him are all the Trea-
fures of Wifdom, Col. 2. 3. All that Light and Knowledge
which is needful to make his people wife to Salvation >
all that Wifdom which is requifite to repair the loft Image
of man, and all that Wifdom which may render him ex-
ceeding excellent, and glorious \ for in him is the excel-
lency of Knowledge, Pbil. 3." 8. And all this Counfel he
ftands engag'd to impart to his people, as they are able to
bear it,E/>/?.i. 8, p. Wherein be batb abounded towards m in
all Wifdom and Prudence, Wherein, that is, §>ua gratia \ By
which Grace, faith Zancby\ He bath abounded towards us *
that is,hath made us to abound in.So the Scboliajl and Eraf-
mus^Ut hath plentifully imparted to us > hence 'tis enfured
to all that truly feek it of God, Jam.i.'y. He will tell them
what to do in all cafes, as Chrift did to Cornelius by'Pe-
ter, AUs 10.6. He hath all Wifdom in him, the ftone
on which is feaven Eyes, Zacb. 3. p. and will be in eve-
ry Difficulty and Danger with them. As Moksfaid to
Hobab, vpz are to encamp in the Wildernefs, but thou may-
eft be unto us inftead of Eyes ^ Numb. 10. 23. So he hath
engaged to guide them continually, Ifa. 58. 1 1. Veut. I.
33. He is as Eyes to them, where they are in a Land of
Pits and Defarts, to guide them in the Wildemefs Jour-
neys, while they are fearching out the Land of Glory.
Secondly, Care ; His Eyes and his Heart are on them
continually, 2 Cbro.y. 1 6, He is meafuring Jerufakm^ to
fee
the Unfearch&ble Riches ofChrift. *9i
fee what is the Length thereof, and what is the breadth
thereof, that (he may be built, Zacb. 2.2.
Thirdly,Condu& is the Office of a Head •, It owght to
lead and difpofe of the body and all it's Members to their
feveral Offices. So the Lord Jefus is given to his Church,
for their Leader as well as Commander, If a. 55.4. chap.
48. 17. lam the Lord thy God, which teacheib thee to profit y
which leadeth thee by the way thou Jhould^jl go. 'Tis in the
Original, making or cauiing thee to walk 5 he doth not
only Ihew them the way, but leads them by the hand,
and helps them to go, as, Hof. 11. 3. Dent. 32. 12. So
the Lord alone did leadthenu ChriA undertakes to conduct
his people thorough the World unto Glory.
Fourthly, Government is another ad: of Head (hip, A/ic.
2.13. 'their Kingjhall pafi before them, and the Lord on the
head of them : that is, The Lord (hall be their Governour
and General, Ija. p. 6, 7. The Government is upon his
Shoulders, Heb.3. 16. He is the Son over his houfe,to rule
and govern it, and this he doth, by making righteous and
perfe& Laws, and Rules, thereby to govern his Church,
Mattb. 28. 20. Atis 1. 2. Heh. 3. 1, 2, 3, And by go-
verning and fubduing the Hearts and Wills of his people
unto them, Pfal. no. 3. 2 Cor. 10. 5.
x Fifthly, Influences This comes from the Head \ all ani-
mal Influence for Sublicence, Motion, guiding and action
come from thence ^ in the Head are all theSenfes and In-
tellectuals exerted for the ufe and Service of the Body,fo
is the Lord Jefus the head of all vital Influences, to the
whole Church and every part of it, Pfal. 87. 7. All my
Springs arc i?; thee, Joh. 1 5 . 4. As the Branch cannot heart
Fruit, except it abide in the Vine, no more can ye, except ye
abide in me, Col. 3. 3, 4. chap. 2. 15?. Believers can no
longer live, than Ghriit becomes a quickning Spirit to
them v he alone animates their Souls to every good work,
anoints their Eyes, and caufcth them to fee, regulates
their Pa!ate,ai)d rmketh them to taft the Sweetnefs.of fpi-
ritual
22o The Befi Treajure, 0/»,
ritual things, open their Ears to dilcipline, caufeth them
to feel the VVeightinefs of Sin, and to fmell a fweet fa-
vour in his precious Oyntments.
Laftly, Ornament ■•> The head is the beauty of the Bo-
dy, if that be removed, the Body is but a deformed lump •,
Chrift is the Believers Excellency and Glory, he hath
the prehefninence in all things, Col. i. 18. And his glo-
ry is the Glory of the body, i Cor. 12. 24. All the Saints
Excellencies are in and from him, Pfal. 6%. 34. Pfal.
85?. 17. For thou art the Glory of their Strength^ 'tis
through his Comelinefs they are perfect, Ezek. 1 6. ver.
10. to 14.
Fifthly, Chrift is faithful in the ads of diftributive
Juftice, and renders to every one their Due, Pfalm
62. 12. Thou render 'eft to every man according to bis
Work. There is a legal and evangelical Debt v legally,
There is nothing due to the Children of men, but
Wrath and Tribulation, Rom. 2. 9. But Evangelically
all the Believers Rights are due on the account of
Ghrift. So that all what Chrift hath purchafed, or the
Father promifed to Chrift, is due to his Seed i fo that
Mercy, Grace, and Glory is as much the Believers due,
as Death and Vengeance is the Sinners, on the fcore of
his Sin, 2 Tbef. 1.6.7. Therefore the Juftice of Chrift
is laid to pawn for the pardon of Believers Sins, up-
on their penitential Confeflion, 1 John 1. 9. This is the
great Error of troubled Souls, that they make their
Worthynefs or Unworthy nets the Standard and Meafure
of all their Expectations *, this is the Impotency the vi-
olated Law of God hath left on fallen man , that
they cannot get over Mount Sinai* nor fee the Righ-
teoufnefs of Chrift, and the Equity of Salvation upon
his account i for their Sins and UnrighteoufneiTes do fo
hang in their Eye, that they cannot fee themfelves righ-
teous in the Righteoufnefs of another ^ This Tang of a
legal Spirit is a malady-Grace, is long a curing in Saints
them-
the Unsearchable Riches of Chrift. 221
theEifelves 9 the want of which robs Chrift of the do-
ty of his Grace and Righteoufnefs : But know O Believ-
ers, the Lord Jefus would be unfaithful if he render not
to thofe that live on him for San&ifkation and Salvation
all that he hath promifed in the Gofpel, and hath dyed
to purchafe for them \ but this cannot be as you have
heard abundantly, that the Lord Jefus is faithful in a&s
of Remuneration j he cannot keep back anothers due,
who would have all men to render to others their due :
But all that God hath made over in the new Covenant
to Believers, is their due, and therefore will Chrift ren-
der it in it's feafon. And thus have I opened and proved
this glorious Excellency of the Lord Jefus, even his
Faithfulnefs v it remains now, that we make fome Im-
provement of it.
Vfe 1. How great then is the Sin oTall thofe that
will not credit the Faithfulnefs of Chrift ■■> there are
none that perifti under the Miniftery of the Gofpel,
but ftumble at this ftumbling block •, they do not
judge God faithful , nor believe the report given
of Chrift, lfaiab 53. 1. Though Chrift be manifeftly
held forth to be a perfect Saviour, yet few will be-
lieve in him ^ not one of a hundred ( fays Calvin )
that hear Chrift dayly will yet believe in him : you
know it Sinners , you may fafely adventure your
Souls on Chrift , he cannot lye or fail you : you
have the whole word of God for your Affurance,
all the Scriptures teftiHe of him, John 5. 3 p. Afts
18. 28. You have the Evidences of Chrift's Faith-
fulnefs in his ftate of Humiliation, he did and fuf-
fer'd all things written of him, L«% 18. 31. He
fulrilPd all Righteoufnefs, Matth. 3. 15. His Death,
Refurre&ion , and Afcenfion , prove him faithful
in all things tending to purchafe Salvation. You
have the Teftimony of others , who have found
Chrift faithful, 1 John 1. ft, 2. All the Saints on
Record
222 The Beft Treafure, Or9
record are witnefTes of Chiift's Fidelity. Nay, you your
felves have found him faithful hitherto •<> how often hath
he made good his Promifes to you, when you have called
upon him, and trufted in him for outward Mercies. You
truft other things that are unfaithful, and yet will not
believe in Chrift : You truft your own Hearts, and they
are deceitful, Jer. 17.9. You truft in men, and yet they
are alye,Row. 3.4. You truft in Creatures,and yetthey are
vanity, Ecclef 1.2. You know, without Faith you muft
perifli to all Eternity, and yet will not believe in him.
Vfe 2. Then this reproves the People of Chrift for their
injurious Thoughts of him, Job. 1. 1 1. He came unto his
own, and bti own received him not. This is an aggravation
indeed, that ChrhTs own People, fuch as have profeiTed
him, chofen him, commended him, and born witnefs of
him, and yet wilf not adventure their All upon him. O,
this fecret Jealoulk of Chrift is a fearful Sin. This was
that our Lord reproved in Thomas, J oh. 2 0.5 . So iob. 1 4. 1 r .
Believe me, that lam in the Father, and the Father in me, or
elfe believe me for the JVorkg fakg. O the Queftions and
Doubts that Souls have about the fulfilling of Promifes !
how loth they are to truft Chrift further than they lee him.
Vfe 3 . This (hould humble Chriftians, for their great
unfaithfulnefs. Alas! how few are found faithful amongft
the Saints this day ! How may we complain with the Pfal-
mift, Ffal. 1 2 . 1 . 1 he godly man ceafeth, and the faithful fail
from among the children of men : and Chrift feems toQuere,
where he may find a faithful Steward, Luk. 1 2. 42. And
Paul fays, I know no man likp minded to Timothy jvho fo faith-
fully and naturally careth for your ft ate. O the falfnefs of
Profeffors, to the Lord Jefus, and one another ! How rare
is it to rind one that makes Confcience of Promifes and
Profeflion > one that is faithful to his Truft,to his Word,
to his Relation-duties,and indithibutiveJufticc.O,Chri-
itians, Mourn over your great unfaithfulnefs to God, and
men 5 to thofe Souls you are concerned in : Your unfaith-
fulnefs
The Vnfiarchable Riches ofChrifi. 223
fulnefs to your Children, Servants, and Neighbours*, how
little have you done for thefe to this day? Some of you are
Parents, and Matters, but where hath been your Induftry
in your Families, in teaching, reproving,and labouring to
(ave the Souls of thofe committed to you ? The Lord lay
not the negle&of this to your Charge, nor bring in the
Blood of your ignorant, prophane, periQiing Families,
Children or Servants, on your head*- I muft tell you,
Friends, it will be dreadfully heavy to bear the blood of
Souls, at the Judgment-feat of Chrift : and yet, I fear,
without Repentance, is like to be the cafe of fome that
now hear me, who have been unfaithful to the Souls of
their Relations, Husband, Wife, Children, and Servants •»
who have been too furious in reproving their Faults to-
wards them, but.fcarce ever reproved their Sin againft
God. Who can hear their Children jand Servants fwear,
take God's Reverend Name in vain, and fee them pro-
phane Sabbaths, and fpend Sacred time in Debauchery
and Idlenefs,and fcarce ever check them s that can fuifer
them to lye in Ignorance, and ready to perifh for want of
Knowledge, and never labour to catechize and inftruft
them in the knowledge of Salvation .-This is a lamentable
cafe, and will appear io> when thefe Parents and Mailers
(hall appear before God, with their garments all gor'd
and ftain'd with the blood of their Families. O cruel Ma-
ilers, and Parents, that will be tender of a Horfe or a Dog,
to feed them,and fecure them from want,butcan endure to
fee your children and Servants perifh for want of know-
ledge.
Vfe 4. Here's Comfort to Believers : Is the Lord Jefus
Faithful, then be of good cheer. For,
Firft, All the Promifes of God (hall be made good to
you in due feafon : He will not furTer a word to fall to
the ground of all that good he hath fpoken concerning
you, 1 Sam.3.19. Ifa. 55. n. 2 Cor. i.2o.Numb.2^.i^.
Then you cinnot do too much for God, you can't be
ui>
224 The BeJITrea fare, Or,
undone for him *, your Souls are fafe, your beft Interefts
are fecur'd, and all that God fees fit for you, is beyond
the reach of Men and Devils.
Secondly, All the truft committed to Chrift for you,
fhall be made good : He will perform it to a tittle : The
Father hath intruded your Souls, your Graces, your Com-
forts, your Names,your Supplies, your Strength, your In-
tereft, your Peace, your Welfare, and your Glory, with
him, who is faithful, and cannot wrong you. O Believers,
if he will not fuffer men or Devils to do you harm, fure-
ly he himfelf will not wrong you, Pfal. 105. 14.
Thirdly, All your Relation-Rights (hall be made good
to you : Look what is due to you from the Lord Jefus,as
your Friend, as your Brother, as your Husband, and as
your Head, (hall be made good to you.
Fourthly, All that is due to you upon the ftri&eft terms
of the Gofpel, (hall be communicated to you j AH that
Chrift hath purchafed, or God hath promis'd, you (hall
have in due time,Chrift can defraud no man,L»j^r 2.42.
Fifthly, Here's Comfort to you under all the wrongs
you meet with on Earth, that you have a faithful Friend
in Heaven : Here the beft of men are a Lye, they are not
what you conceive them to be, they don't anfwerthe
expe&ation you have from them : But Chrift will never
fail you of that Truft you have repofed in him •, he will
be infinitely better but cannot be worfe than your ex-
pectations.
Vfe 5. Let this exhort, firft, Sinners : If Chrift be fo
faithful, O then chufc him for your Friend : The fidelity
of your prefent Friends cannot be compared with Chrift.
Secondly, Believers, Truft in Chrift ■•> Commit your
Souls, and all your Concerns to him i Learn faithfulnefs
from him ,and labour to belike him in your fidelity to
God and Men. So much of the riift Branch, concerning
Chrift's Perfonal Riches.
CHAP-
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrifl. 2 1 1
CHAR XVtt.
Shewing that Chrift is become a Fur chafer in
the behalf of Believers ; Horn he hath made
this Turchafei and what he hath purcha*
fed
I
I Now come to the Second Branch of Chrifts
Unfearchable Treafure, which is his pur-
chased Riches : Thofe Treafures which he hath
as Mediatour procured for all that come unto
him. And in the profecutioa of this, I fhall
(hew,
1 . Tljat the Lord Jeftts became a Purchafer in
the behalf of his People,
2.' How and by what means he made this Fur-
chafe.
$. What he hath procured by this Piirchafe: And
in this I (hall ufe what brevity I may, having
fpent a greater time already on this Subject than
1 intended.
Firft, The Scriptures do hold forth the Lord
Jefus to be a Purchafer : One that hath bought
and procured great and glorioiis things by a
Price. Jtls. 20. 28. Feed the Floc^ of God
vibich he hath Fkrchafed with his own blood :
( <rkXtmlw<ja.Ti> ^ that is, which he hath acquired or
gotten to himfelf to beapecttliar People, by the
blood or cruel bloody death of his Son. So
C?r*r *W.SoHeaven is called the purchafed PofTdfi-
110, Eph.l.i+.Vntil the Redemption ofthepurthafed
foffcffion : ( hY fl^XiVpa.W W -fife^/riflf**, ) 7Tis
<t" exceeding
-' v c ^cj[ i rcjjure, Or,
exceeding fignifcant in the Original!, both words
being near of a fignification, until or to the
purchafing of the purchas'd, fo 'tis in the words-,
arrvhvTzuiris fignifies a Buying or ranfoming by a
price, yea a full fumfo much as the worth of
the thing requires: As prifoncrs are redeemed
by a full price : So Erafmus ;md Cretins. It ilg-
nifies 2lfo a full and compleat Redemption, as
the Prepofition «/** implies, being added to the
Primitive mjt§u<ts{ : & ( <&u-zroUmw ) as I have
fliewn is an obtaining bypurchafe, or anaffer-
ting or vindicating a thing to be ones Propriety
by right and purchafe, which fully proves Chrift
to be a Purchafer, fo i. Thef. 5. 9. To obtain
Salvation by our Lord Jefus Chrift ( «* tkAmiwiv )
to the getting or purchafing of Salvation by
Chrift. So 1. Cor. 6. 20. Ye are bought with a
Price. ( hy>e£&m $ wpfs. ) The word is a buy-
ing in the Market or publick place, by paying
the price demanded. So that thefe expreffions
fully Prove Chrift to be a Purchafer, one that
hath procured great things by buying them at a
Price.
Secondly , How and by what means hath Chrift
procured and pur chafed t loefe great things.
Firft ; By giving himfelf in the room and
ftead of fallen Man, to procure their Atone-
ment and Salvation. Eph. 5. 25. As Chrift
loved the Churchy and gave himfelf for it : (**$( Ja-
va) He delivered over himfelf freely, and know-
ingly- To what? See Ver. 2. E or an Offering and
Sacrifice to Ced for afxveetfmelling favour, (vr§o<r$o-
gjv £ Svaiw. ) The firft word fignifies anySa-
cr ifice,the fecond a bloody Sacrifiec,faies Zanchy:
So
the TJnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 227
So Chrift made over and delivered up himfelf
to this end to become a bloody Sacrifice for his
People, and to fulfil the Fathers Terms for the
faving of all that come to him. This he did con-
fiderately and willingly : Heb. 10. 7. This
was according to the agreement betwixt the Fa-
ther and the Son. Jfa. 49. ver. 2. to 10.
Secondly *, By a perfedt and perpetual Obe-
dience of ail thofeLaws that were or are required
of us in order to our holinefle and Salvation,
and by a fubje&ion to, and Obedience of the
fpecial Law of a Mediatour : This hath two
parts.
Firft ; His Obedience of what was required of
Man by any Law : By the Law of Nature, or
by any Instituted Law, either Moral, Cere-
monial, or Jndicial : All this did Chrift fub-
mitto and perfectly obey as in the ftead of all
Believers*, Mat. 3. 1%. It became him to fulfill
all Righteottfneffe. Whatever holinefieor Obe-
dience was required of Man in the Hate of In-
nocency, or fince his fall. And therefore 'tis
faid, Gal. 4. 4. He was made under the Law,
as a Man or Minifter, bound by his own con-
fent to the full Obedience of it
Secondly *, His obeying all thofe things that
were required of him as Mediatour, Phil. 2. 7.
That he fhould make himfelf poor, and of no re-
putation, and take upon him the form of a Ser-
vant (ttwTfo -Uivaoi) Heemptyed himfelf of his
Glory: He ftript himfelf of all his royal robes,
and made himfelf of no account. This was not
required by any Law natural or pofitive, but
by the Law of a Mediatour* Again he humbled
Q^i himfelf
1x8 The Be ft Treafure, Or,
himfelf to the death, Phil. 2. 8. He had
power or liberty, abfolntely conlidered, to lay
down his life or not to do it^ but with refpecl:
to his Mediatorfhip he had a f ommandement to
lay it down, Joh. 10. 18. Further, 'Twas by
this Law Chrift was bound to do all that he did
for his People. Joh. 17. 1 9. Only for their fakes
fantlffie I my felf. So ver. 9. / fray for them, I fray
not fer the World. So he was not to ftrive or
open his mouth, but patiently to bear what-
ever was laid upon him. If a. 42. 2. Ifa. 5 3. 7.
M*t. 12. ip. And by this Ob dience of Chrift
are believers made righteous, Rom- 5. 18, 19.
For this is neceflary to Salvation, that the Cora-
mandements be kept, Math- 19. 17. And the
Law fulfilled, Math. 5 17.
Thirdly ; By his tottering all things we were
liable to by the firft tranfgrehrion> or any actual
Sins flowing from it, Phil. 2. 8. This he did in
all the fufFerings of his Life }and at his death,
he bore the fins of believers for them, i, Pet 2.
24. He was wounded for our Tranfgreffions. Ifa. 5 \.
$.iCor- 5. 2 1. And became a Sacrifice to God for
Sin. Ifa 5 \. 10. Heb.9.26. The end of which was
atonement, Heb. 2. 17. He alfo paid the price
that God demanded for their deliyecance. 1 Cor.
7. 23. Te are bought with a price, i Pet. 1.17, 18.
Math. 20. 28. He gave himfelf a ranfomfor us,
Laftly, By his Interceflion Chrift compieats
his Purchafe, and carries on the falvation of his
people. Rom. 8. 34. Who is he that condemneth?
it is Chrift that dyed, yea rather is rifen again*
who is alfo at the right hand of Cod and maketh
Jntercejfion f$r us. Though by this he doth not
purchafe
the TJnfearchalle Riches of Chrift. * 229
purchaie for his people, yet he doth procure
and apply mercy to them : As I have largely
(hewn already, therefore fhall wave it now.
Thirdly, What are thofe great and glorious
things which Jefus Chnft hath procured by his
blood?
Firft, He hath purchafed Believers themfelves
untb God. Atts 20. 28. Feed the Vlock^of God
vchich he hath purchafed with his blood. Rev. 5. 9.
For thou waft /lain, and haft redeemed us unto God
by thy blood. Every laved iolil is part of Chrifts
purchafe: They are fetaparcfor God. Pfa. 4.
h A peculiar People to God. 1 Pet. 2. 9.
Though the Father hath ordained them to life,
yet they are not actually his till piirchas'd by
Chrift. Hence it is that Believers Converfion,
is not cafual or dependent upon Men or means,
but is the effect and fruit of Chrift's blood pure-
ly defigned, and unavoidably perfected by Re-
demption-grace : And hence alio their Salva-
tion is fure, being founded on the purchafe of
Chrift. As fure as Chrifts blood cannot be fpilt
in vain, fo fure fhall every Believer have his
Salvation perfected, becaufe it depends upon
the Obedience, Merit, and Suffering of Chrift.
Hence alfo all the Means of Salvation and the
Efficacy of them are Certain to believers, Eph.
4. 8.
Secondly, He hath Purchafed pardon of Sin,
and peace with God. Col, u 20. Having
made peace by the blood of his Croffe : Chap. 2.
13. Heb. 8. 12. Rom. $. 1. There is a full Par-
don of Sin, of all thsfias of believers, and of
every believers, purchafed by the blood of
CL * Chrift.
230 7 he Be ft freafure, Or,
Chrift. Here are four things 1 fhall fpeak to,
-Firfl:-, That there is a full Pardon of fin pro-
cured *, The Scripture fets this forth by clear
and pregnant arguments, and by feveral terms
that leave no room for the lead Sufpition to
the believing Soul . 'Tis called fometimes Re-
miflion of Sin, Luke 24. 47. And that Re-
pentance and remiffion of (ins jhould be preached in
his Name : (tfazw) it fignifies Difmiffion or
Releafing. All unchanged Souls are in Debt
to God, bound over to wrath , and laid up in
Prifon, but by Jefus Chrift there is a difcharge
of this Debt procured, the bond Cancelled,
the Prifon opened, and the Sinners fet free,
Jja. <5i. 1,
Sometimes 'tis callM not imputing fin, not
laying it to the finners charge, Pfa. 32. 1, 2. im-
ftttetk not iniquity *, that is, doth not charge, and
reckon it, and lay it on his account : As a Mer-
chant that fends his Bill to his Debtour, and
charges feveral Turns upon him : Tis true every
Believer is a Debtor in himfelf, but God charg-
eth the Debt on another, and not on them.
Sometimes 'tis termed a covering or hiding of
fin, not from the finners, but from Gods judici-
al Eye ', Pfal. S5. 2. Thou haft forgiven the iniqui-
ty of thy people, thou haft covered all their fin. Pfal.
78. 38. He being full of companion forgave their
iniquity. \Caphar~\ to cover or conceal } from
this Root is derived Caphoreth, the covering of
the Ark or Mercy- feat, in which was the Law or
knowledge of fin, but by the blood of Chrift
was covered or purged away.
Sometimes '(is expreiled by not reraembring
fin
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 131
fin any more^ Jer. 51. 34- I will remember their
fin no more: I will be propitioufly merciful , or
pacifiedly favourable to their fins, and their fin-
ful errours and unrighteoufnefs will I remem-
ber no more •, or 1 will not remember them a-
gain : Here are two Negatives which make the
denyal the more vehement. 'Tis an allufion to
men that forgive and forget, and it fignifies that
God will not upbraid or reproach them with
them any more : hence Paul challenged all the
world to lay any thing to the charge of Gods
Elect, Rom. 8- 5^.
Further, 'tis fet forth by a taking away of fin ;
Exod. 34. 7- Forgiving iniquity ^ tranfgreffion and
fin. The word in the Original is, lifting up or
taking away all forts of fins and iniquities.
Again, 'tis fignified by blotting out of fin, fo
that it (hall never be feen more *, I fa. 43. 25. /
even I am be that blotteth out thy tranfgreffiont :
Like the Merchant when the debt is paid crofT-
eth the Book, throws Ink on it, blots it out, that
it may not be read any more *7 fo God the Father
cafts the blood of Chrift on a Believer's fin, and
blots it out, fo that Juftice can lay no more to
their charge.
Again, 'tis called a calling of fin behind his
back, Ifa. 38. 17. He doth remove them out of
his fight as far as the Eaft is from the Weft, Pf.
10;. 12. He will caft all their fins into the depth
of the Sea, Mc 7. 1 8, 1 9. O the latitude of Be-
lievers pardon , and the full difcharge of all
their fin ! Sometimes God feems to be throwing
off his people, and giving them a final farewel \
but, oh ! he returns again, arid cafteth their fins,
0^4 not
ly^ The BeftTreafure, Or,
fnot them J into the depth of the Sea, where
they fhall be certainly drowned as the Egyptians
Were, never to be feen more.
Thus you fee there's a full pardon procured
for God's people, not the lea ft ground for a
Queftion left to them.
Secondly, There is not only a full pardon pro-
cured^ but a pardon of every fin. All the fins
of Gods people are forgiven : Col. 2. 13, 1 4. Ha-
ving forgiven you all trefpajfes, blotting out the
handwriting: that not one debt may be feen ^ as
a Book or Bill that is blotted out can be never
more fued againft one : 1 Job. J; 7. The blood of
Chrifi cleanfeth us from aU fin. fer. 5Q. 20. The
iniquity of lfraeljL*// be fought for > and there JhaU
he none', and the fins of Judah, and they flail not
he found^ for J will pardon them whom 1 referve 7
The molt cruel Enemy upon the ftricleft fearch
fhall not find one-, they fhall be all forgiven.
And indeed if Grace be free> there is the fanle
reafon why all fhall be pardoned as well as one:
And if the grace of God bring falvation then
all muft be forgiven or none: And the fame blood
of Chrift; can as well pardon all as one. For if
the blood of Chrift be the blood of God; then
'tis of an infinite value, and can as eafily blot
out every fin as one fin •, and as well difcharge
Talents as Pence. Ez.el^. 1 8. 22. Larga Dei pit-
tas veniam non . dimidiabit. Ant nihil ant to-
tumdabit.
Thirdly, This pardon of fin is procured for
repenting Believers, and for all of them : Atts
\o. 43. To him give all the Prophets witnefs, that
through bis nape ytyofoever belicveth in him fliaH re-
ceive
the Vnfeanhahle Riches of Chrift. 233
eeive renn(fion of (ins : Atts 13. 38. chap. 26. 18.
Faith is neccifary to pardon, becaufe it takes off
all felf-righteeufnefs, and all pretences of me-
rit. Faith carries the foul off to a dependance on
another for righteoufnefs and falvation. Faith is
afelf-denying Grace* and expects all upon the
account of the Promife« Believers, and every
Believer, have their fins pardoned, and fhallnot
perifn, Joh.$.i6, Now left fome mould pretend
to believe, who indeed do not, the Seripture
qualifies this Faith by certain Characters. Tis
alfo to repenting fouls that pardon is allured,
and therefore remiflion of fin is joined with re-
pentance, Atts 5. 31. .Luke 24. 46, 47. Ez.ek^
18. jo. But what is this repentance? Doth it
confift only in an external lorrow for fin, and
an audible begging of mercy t No, no, Judas
and Cain were thus troubled for ftfi, and yet
never arrived to found repentance : 'Tis the
mourning and returning believer to whom this
Promife is made : and to fuch,and to every one
of thefe is a full pardon procured.
Fourthly, This pardon is procured by the
blood of Chrift, and that fatisfaction made to
the Father by his faffering. It is an Opinion
fprung up of men of corrupt minds, that par-
don of Sin is the procurement of Inherent grace,
and external Righteoufnefs, but not the product
of Chrift's blood, fuffering and fatisfaction ,
which I (hall now endeavour to difprove, Math.
.30. 2g. To give his Life a Ran fome for many. Heb.
9.26«'£j£ novo oncein the end of the World}] at h he ap-
peared to put away fin by the Sacrifice cf him felf chap.
9. 12. Col. 1. 14, Thus you fee 'tis the blood of
Chrift
Z34 ^^ Beft Treqfure, Or,
Chrift offerM up to God, that procureth peace,
and removeth the guilt of fin : and indeed pardon
of fin with refpect to Gods Juftice could be no
otherway obtained. For,
Firft, Godhadpaftan irrevocable fentence,
that the Soul that finneth fhould dye, Gen. 2. 17.
Now if this penalty was not inflicted upon Tranf-
grefling Adam ; how would there be a fulfilling
of this threatning. But fome may enquire, How
conies Adams fin to be chargM on his Pofterity ?
Anfw- Adams Tranfgreflion, by the ftricl: union
there was betwixt him and all mankind, ( he
being their Head, Root, and Reprefentee) was
moft juftiy devolvM on his OfE-fpring, Rom. 5.
14, 19. And therefore God would not have beea
true to his word, had not this penalty been in-
flicted on the Debtor, or his Surety : But let
God be true, and every Man a lyar.
Secondly, Fallen Man could not pay this debt,
and make this fatisfadtion for fin : For the fin
being of an infinite Guilt, and the punifhment
being Death Eternal, Rom. 6. 23. Man could ne-
ver pay his ranfom, and fet himfclf at liberty,
and therefore fome otherway mufl: be found out,
which was only by the Lord Jefus, God-Man,
whofe God-head was able to fupport his humane
Nature under fuffering,and render hisendurings
of an Infinite value, Heb. 9. 14. ABs 20. 28.
This is the fecond Fruit of Chrift's Purchafe ;
the forgivenefs of all the fins of penitent belie-
vers, even paft, prefent, and to come, that no-
thing (hall be laid to their charge, Rom.%. 1.
Thirdly, Acceptation of their Perfons is ano-
ther Fruit of Chrift's purchafe, Eph. 1.6. Where-
in
the Vnfear chalk Riches of thrift. 23 y
in he hath made us accepted in the beloved: 'Tis
not enough to the compleating ofChrifts defign
in faving Souls, that their fins be forgiven,
and the guilt and penalty removed, and
a difcharge of all the Obligations to wrath
by reafon of fin procured. All this a
perfon may have, and yet no intereft in the full
favour of God, nor right to any faving bleffing
from him \ for 'tis not fufficient to give a Man a
Title to Glory, that he be innocent, or free from
offending, but he muft come up to the terms of
the firft Covenant, and do all things required of
him} and have a Pofitjve as well as a Negati
Righteoufhefs : There muft be in order to <m accep-
tance with God, not only a not imputing of fint but
a reckoning of Righteoufnefs (faith Dr. Owe n) \ he
muft be reputed Fully Obedient alio.. The Law
requires a perfect and perpetual Obedience,
Gal. 3.10. Should thy Soul be fet free from all
the charge of paft fins, yetthy defect of Righte-
oufnefs would undo thee for ever. They muft
be righteous that enter into Life Eternal, Math.
25.47. Even as Righteous as God is Righteous:
But this is impoflible to be attalnM by lapfed
man, In many things we offend all9 Jam. 3.2. There
is none Righteous, m. not one, Rom* 3. 10. And
therefore there muft be a Righteoufnefs procured
for, and imputed to Believers, and that is the
Righteoufnefs of Chrift : The Commutation
of his Obedience for our Difobedience, Rom. 5.
1 p. By the Obedience of one ft all many be madeRigh~
teous. This Righteoufhefs is called a white
Robe, and fine Linnen, Rev. 7. 9. Chap. 19. 8.
The fweet fmelling Garment of our Elder Bro-
ther
236 The Be ft Treafure, Or.
ther wherein God takes infinite delight and plea-
fure, Math. $.17. /jfa.42. 1. The ground of all
thatplafaure thatGodtakethin his people, is
theRighteoufnefsof his Son: not any of their
Services and duties : And look what pleafure the
Father takes in his Son as Mediatour,the fame he
takes in every Soul that truly comes unto him,
John 17. 26. That the fame love wherewith thou
haft loved me may be in them^ and I in them.
VSE.
If Believers are pardoned and accepted with
God, then hence it follows,
Firft, That God never ptinifhes them in wrath
and difpleafure. All the ftroaks of God on Be-
lievers are but fatherly ehaftifements : Not Ju-
dicial adts, Heb. 12. 6. He takes vengeanoe on
their inventions, but never on their perfons.
Punifhment always bears fome proportion to the
offence,but the fufferings of Gods people are in-
finitely lefs theft their deferts, and therefore are
the Fruit of Divine Faithftilnefs, and Covenant
Love, Pfal. 1 19. 75. Pfal. 78. jo,to 34.
Secondly, God will accept of all their fincerc
defires and fervices, though never fb mean,
through Chrifh Ifa. 58. 14. //<*• 63. 8. Exek± 20.
40,41. ?f*L%\. 17.
Thirdly, They have accefs to God with bold-
nefs at all times, Eph. $. 12. chap. 2. 8.
Fourthly , They are entred into reft, and
have peace with God, and with their own Con-
ferences. Math. 11. 28. Heb. 4. 9. Ronu 5. I.
zThef i.d,?. pfal. 1 16. 7, /f*M- I-
Fifthly,
the Vnfearchalle Rkhes of Chrifl. 2,37
Fifthly, Sin (hall never more have dominion
over them. Rom. 6. 14.
Sixthty, God will withhold no good thing
from them, Rom. 8. $2. No temporal blefling,
Math. 6. 33. No fpiritual blefling, iTi^. 4. 8,
No inftruftion, ?er. 31.33- //*• 54- 1 h Jok 14.
26. No fan&ified correction, /&&. 10. 10, 11.
Rom. 5. $,to 5. No confblation, 7/k 51. 5. 2Dr.'
1.4. No edification andincreafe in Grace, Eph.
4. 12, 16. Nay all things lhall work together for
good to them that love God, Rom 8. 28.
Laftly, They can never forfeit their ftate of
Grace, and intereft in the Favour of God, Joh.
13. 1.2 Cor. 7. 10. They fhali be fure to be kept
by the mighty power of God unto Salvation,
1 Pet. 1. 5. There is not the leaft room left for a
falling offfrom Grace : Becaufe,
Firfly Salvation ispurchafed for them; and
if the end bepurchafed, then all the means to
the end \ and God in Jufticeis bound to make
good Chrifts purchafe, and to deliver what he
bought and paid for, i Tim. 4. 8.
Secondly , Prefervation in grace is ingaged
to them. Jer. 32. 40. 1 Thef. 5. 2$, 24. The
very God of -peace fan&ific yon wholly \ and J pray
God yonr whole Spirit, Soul, and Body he preferred
blameleffe Unto the coming of our Lord Jefits Chrifl :
Faithfnlis he that calleth yctt^who alfo will do it. Here
we may fee both Sarictification and Salvation
isfecuredto all that are favingly called of God.
Salvation is the End, and fanclifkation is the
Means, and both are founded not on the will of
Man, or on his care and fidelity, but as depend-
ing on the ad and faithfolnefle of God \ not
only
i^ 8 The Befl Treafure, Or,
only the firft Aft of San&ification, but Prefer
vation -y continuance, and growth in Grace is
the work of God, and it's perfeverance is laid
upon divine prefervation $ to which God hath
bound himfelf by promife to every Soul that is
truly fan&ified, and his Faithfulnefs is engag'd to
make it good.
ThirdIy,They are put into the Hands ofChrift
on purpofe to be fecured in Grace to Glory,
JohyJQ. 28, 29. They (hall never perijh j neither jliall
any plnckthem out of my hand : They are engraven
on the palms of his hands*, their walls are
continually before him, Jfa. 49. 16. Their
Wails, that is their fafety : This was fpoken in
a rime when the Walls oijerufalem were bro-
ken down : Yet at that time God had Walls a-
boutthem to fecure them, which they faw not.
Both Believers themfelves, their Graces, and
ail the Promife are put into the hands ofChrift,
hence they canaot fall away.
Fourthly, True Grace is of an abiding nature,
1 Job. 3.9. Whofoever is born of God doth not com-
mit fin j for his feed abideth in him, and he cannot
fin, becaufe he is bom of God. <***** not at confianti
am& pcnitijfimaminhafionem, ( fait hone) 'Tis an
abiding, and conftant inhefion of Grace. Some
to evade the evidence of this Truth, would per-
vert the fenfe of it, taking it for the new Creature
which is born of God; whereas the Original is
clear againft it ms 0 y^vvnfJ.v©-% in the Mafculine
Gender, which notes a perfon, not a thing. A-
gauyt would be a lautologie to add a reafon why
fuch a one cannot fin, becaufe he is born of God,
and his feed remaineth in him, wkereas the
new
the Vnfearchabie Riches of Chrift. 239
new Creature, and the feed of God are all one,
but here they note two things •, Firft, A Perfon
Secondly, The Regenerate part of the Perfon ;
which is fully explain'd in the following ver>
where he that is born of God, or the Child of
God,is oppoied to theChild of theDevil,which is
meant of a diftinft Perfon, not a different Nature
in the fame Perfon \ and this feed of God is of an
abiding nature wherever it comes, it conies never
wholly to depart more, Ifa. 59. 21.
Fifthly, Becaufc their Life is hid in Chrift,
and therefore cannot be loft and perilh at their
pleafure, Col $. 3 , 4. The Believers Grace is fure
in the Root, however it be in the Branch, and
therefore Chrift engages to his people, that
they fhall livebecaufe he lives, Joh. 14. 19.
Laftly, They have an Infeparable union with
the Spirit of Grace that dwells in them, Rom-
8. 1 1. He that raifedup Jeftts from the dead jhall
alfo quicken your mortal Bodies by his Spirit that
dwelleth in yon. Where the Article to as one ob-
ferves, ever notes the Perfon of the HolyGhoft,
not his Graces ', fo that the Saints have
an abiding union with the Spirit of God the third
Perfon, and fo cannot perifh for want of Grace,
but are kept by the power of God through Faith
unto Salvation. He can never want Water that
may have accefs to the Fountain or Ocean } nor
can any Soul be deftitute of Grace that is united
to the Spirit of Grace. The Graces of Saints are
fure ;, their Faith, their Prefervation is fure: O
what a glorious priviledge is this that flows to
Believers, from this purchafe of Chrift, that
their Salvation is fure, and they may know it to
befo. CHAP.
240 The Beft Treafure, Or, A \
CHAR XVIII.
Sqnftification and Holinefs is purchased for
Believers, ly the Death and Sufferings of
Jefus Chrifi.
ANother part of Chrifts purchafed Treafu re
for Believers, is,
Fourthly, The Salification of their Natures
and Perfons. Here I fhall (hew,
1. That the Lord }efns hath Pur chafed Grace
and Holinefs.
2. For whom this Holinefs is purchafed.
3. What this Holinefs is he hath fur chafed.
4. That this is fart ofChrifls Treafure.
Firft, ThattheLord Jefus hath purchafed the
fanctification of the Natures and Perfonsof his
people. This I (hall prove by feveral Argu-
ments.
Firft, All the Types under the Law do imply
fornuch, and darkly open this great truth to
Believers. We find that Chrift in the non-age and
Infant ftate of his Church and People dealt with
them in Figures and Shadows : So the Laver,
and Sacrifices, the Prieftspure and white Robes
and Veftments, and the wafhing of their Gar-
ments, when they were to approach the Divine
Majefty, were Typical of this Holinefs, which
he was to procure for his people in the fulincfi
of time, fo much the Apoftle imports, Col. 2.17,
Which are a fhadoxv of things to come* hut the Bol
dy is of chnfl* Tte flaadow goes before , and
thi
the Vnfearchatie Riches of Ch rift. ±a\
the body follows :Thefe Types are precedaneous
to the coming of Chrift, and his full ac-
complishment of the things intended, and figni-
fied by them, thus Chrift is the Altar that fan&i-
fies the gift ; In him we have thofe true andflid
good things which were Jhadowed out in thofe Cere-
monies under the Law^ (faies Davcn, on the pJaceJ
Secondly ; The Names and Titles given to
Chrift import fo much : He is called Jefus, be-
caufehefljaH fave his People from their fins : Mat.
i. 21. He is called a Redeemer to deliver them
from their Bondages and hard Service • He is
termed the Sand ifier : For he that Sanctified^
and they that are Sanctifyed arc all of one*
Heb. 2. II.
Thirdly \ For this end,he was actually defigned
of God, and made over to his People in the E-
verlafting Covenant^ decrees, purpofes, and de-
terminations of God. t. Cor. I. }o. He is mads
of God unto us Wtfdom, Right eoufnefs, Sanclfica-
tion, and Redemption. He is made of God : Non
in creatione^fedin ordinatione ( faith Parous). Not
created fo according to his Divine Eflence, as
fome Hereticks afTert, but ordained and given
of God to this end to be Sanctifkation, that is
the Author ofSanctification, and therefore he
is faidto fave to the uttermoft, Heb j. 25 which
can never be accompliuYd without HoiinefTe }
For without holmeffe no man can fee the Lord^ Heb*
12. 14.
. Fourthly,For this work was theLord Jefus pro^
ftrifed by theFather to come unto Sw*,and turn a-
way ungddiinefs fcomfacob.Rom. 1 i.2 6.Thi$Scri-
pture is quoted out oil fa. 59. lo.rrom which the l-
Joftle variesifoliowing the SeptuagiotTranfiad-
R on
24^ Tbe Beft Treafure, Or,
on (then in great ufejrather than the Hebr. feeing
itretaines t^e fenfe, though different in words :
In If a. 'tis The Redeemer fliall come to Sion, and
unto them that turn from Tranfgreffion : The A-
poftle faies, He jJjall come out of Sion, and turn
away ungodlineffe from Jacob : To reconcile which,
Peter Martyr thinks the Septuagint might mi-
ftake (Lafwb) To tuwfor(Lejhabe) To them
that turn : But this is not likely thatthofe Learn-
ed Doctors could be fo miftaken in the Original,
and therefore 'tis a far better anfwer that Beza
and Grynaus do give, That the Prophet fpeak-
eth of the Effed of Chrifts coming *, which is
a turning away from Sin: And that the Apoille
fpeaks of the Caufe of their turning from Sin j
which is Chrifts taking away of Sin, for none
can turn from fin, till Chriftdo remove Sin:
And this is the end of his coming into the
World: To this end heispromifed : Mai. \.
2, 3. He fliallfit as rt finer s fire, and purify the Sons
<?/Levi. The Sons of Levi are, Firftly meant of
the Apoftles : Secondly, I fuppofe, of all the
Saints .- But fo much is clear, that the Lord Jefus
is promifed to be a refiner to his People in Gof-
pel times.and to purge away their filthand drofs,
and to make them Holy.
Fifthly •, For this end it was the Lord Jefus
Chrift: gave himfelf up to Redemption-work.
Eph. 5. 2 5, 26, 27. As Chrift alfo loved the Churchy
and gave himfelf for it \that he might Sanctify and
clean fe it with the wafting of Water by the word :
Here we have*, 1. One great end of Chrifts O*
bedience and Suffering : 'tis to make his Peo-
ple Holy. 2. Here's the efficient Caufe of this
Holinefle, that is, By the Spirit of Chrift ; The
blood
the Vnfearchahle Riches of Chrift. 143
blood of Chrift purges away the guilt of (in
Meritor ioufly, and the Spirit of Chrift purifies
the filth of fin Efficiently -y fignifyed by Water, as
'tis often us'd in Scripture. 7^.4. 10. 14. Chap.
7- 38,39/ 3- Here's the inftrumental caufe of
thisHolinefle, the means by which it is wrought
and carry ed on, and that is by the wordy the im-
mortal feed of the Soul : This he undertook,
and was intended to do in the Covenant of Re-
demption betwixt the Father and him. Jfa. 42.
*i 2, 3, 4. Hejhall not fad till he hath fa Judg-
ment in the Earthy that is Holinefs *, for ib
'tis taken, Job. 16. 8. And this work is
the Lord Jefus here engag'd to do. Some take
the word (Ethmocti) I uphold, pafiively for the
Fathers dependence, and ChriftsFaithfulnefTe:
He leans or ftays upon his undertaking this
work,and trufts to his performance of what he
undertook to do : Others take it a&ively for the
Fathers upholding and carrying Chrift through
this great work of Redemption, and Sanctifica-
tion. In both fenfes 'tis true, The Lord Jefus
ftands engaged to carry on Redemption-work,
and is throughly furnifhed with grace toaccom-
plifli it, Heb. 10. 7. Chrift readily confentsto
the fulfilling of the Fathers will -7 and what that
was you have Ija. 42. 7. To open the blind eyes,
and to bring out the Prifoners out of the Prifon,
which is meant ofthe work of Redemption* an<i
Regeneration *, and it was the will of God the
Father that Chrift mould do this, 1. Thef 4.
3. This is the mil of God even your Santtification :
And this he ftood bound to do, to promote and
perfect the power of HolinefTe in all his Chil-
R 2 dren;
244 The Beji Treafure, Or,
dren. Now what Chrift did undertake he finifh-
edMeritorioufly, whiles on Earth. Joh. 17.4.
/ have finijhed the workjhou haft given me to do : And
for the application of it, he is in Heaven to fee
it performed , and this is the work of his Intercef-
fion, J oh. 1 7. 1 7. SanBify them through thy truth ^
thy word is truth. Tr.is Chrift Intercedes for
in Heaven, and therefore 'tis the fruit of his
Purchafe ^ for he Intercedes for no more in Hea-
ven than what he dyed for on Earth.
Sixthly, His Authoritative fending the Spirit
of Holinefle to his people, (hews his right to it
by his Purchafe. Joh. 16. 7. I mil fend him to
you. That is after the finifhing of his work, and
re-inftalment in Glory, Joh. 7. 39. For the Ho.
ly Ghoft was not yet given, becaufe Ghrift
wasnotyetglorifyed.
Laftly ^ Were not holinefle purchafed for fav-
ed Souls, Chrifts Redemption-work would be
imperfect, neither could Souls ever anfwer the
ends for which he dyed. Without Holinefle were
procured and compleated by Chrift, there could
be no Salvation. For,
Firft '-, Man cannot Sanctify himfelf *, We are
all as an unclean thing and our Right eoufneffe as fil-
thy rags ^ Ifa, 64. 6. And who can bring a clean
thing out of an unclean} no not one , Job 14. 4. In-
deed the Scripture fometimes fpeaks after this
manner, Make you a clean heart, Ezek. 18. 31.
Make you a ntw heart. So lfa. 1. 16. Wafh ye,
make ye celan : But there is Mans Duty not
his power ; It fhews the fubject, not the Author
or this holinefle *, and where you find fuch Ex-
hortations, they are to lead men to Chrift for the
getting.
the Vnfearchalle Rkhes ofChrifi. 245:
getting of this Holinefs wrought in them ;as,
1 Pet. 2. 4. To whom come , as as to a living ft one t &C,
Secondly, Without this holinefs be wrought
in Believers they can never be capable of an-
fwering the ends of Redemption ^ which are,
Firft,To enjoy Union andFeliowfhip withGod,
Job. 11. 52. 1 Job, 1. i.Heb> 8. 10. Now with-
out Holinefs no Fellowfhip with God, 2 Cor. 6.
14, 15. 1 Pet. 1. 15, 1 6. For his Perfon is Holy,
and his offerings and fervices are Holy,
Secondly, To reconcile together in one all
things in Heaven and Earth, Col. 1. 20. But no
Fellowfhip with Angels or Saints in Heaven with*
out holinefs for they are holy Creatures.
Thirdly, To be brought into the neareftll-
nion, and Conformity to himfelf, Rom. 6. 4, 5.
But without Holinefs this cannot be.
. Fourthly, To be a Name and a praife unto
God, Epb. 1. 12. But without Holinefs no glo-
rifying of God .
Fifthly, To bring Souls to the poffeffion of the
pur chafed Inheritance in Glory, Bfh. 1. 14. But
nothing that defileth (hall enter within the Gate
of the new ferufilem^ Rev. 21. 27. So much for
thefirft Head, That Jefus Chrift hath Purchated
Holinefle. We fhall now enquire,
Secondly, For vehom hath the Lord Jefus Pur-
chafed Holinejfe f
Anfw. For all his feed *, for every Soul the Fa-
ther hath given him Joh. 17. 9. Chrifts Purchafe,
death, and Interceffion is only for thofe the Fa-
ther hath given him, and every one of them, for
all his fced that belong to him as the feconi
Aim. And in thlsf.jnf- is that Scriptur: to be
R $ taken
1^6 The Beft freafure, Or,
taken : Rem. 5. 18. As by the offence of one Judg-
ment came upon all Aden to Condemnation, even fe
by the Righteoufnejfe cf one the free gift came upon all
Men to J ftif cation of life. That is •, As death
came by Adams fall to all his feed, fo life comes
by Chrift to all his feed *, neither can it be ftretch-
cd farther, as the Apoftle affirms, 1 Joh. 5. 12.
He that hath the Son hath life, but he that hath
not theSon hath not life- Neither will any affirm, that
all Men are juftified unto life, nor any but thole
that believe in. Chrift, which are his feed .• The
Lord Jefus tells us, Joh. 17. 20-, 'Tisfor all them
t'iat believe on him through his word. Gal. 3. 22.
'That the Promife by Faith of JefusChrift might be gi-
ven to them that believe : The Apoftle fpeaks here
of a double Promife made to Abraham, and
through him to Believing Gentiles. 1. The Pro-
mife of Righteoufnede in Juftification, ver. 18,
.19. 2. The Promife of the Spirit in Sanclifica-
tion, ver. 14. That we might receive the Promife
of the Spirit through Faah and both thefe are made
over to Believers. You that come to Chrift in
truth, and receive him into your hearts by faith,
and take his Yoke on your moulders, obey his
Laws, fmcerelygiveupyouralltohim, and are
no more your own, but though you fee your
want of Holinefle, yet are really willing to be
Holy as God is Holy, fubmitting to all the ap^
pointments of Chrift, in order to it } you are the
feed of Chrift, the people to whom the Promife
of Holinelledoth belong.
Thirdly, What is the Holineffe Chrift hath Par-
chas d for his People, f
Anfw, Firfl: \ The truth of Grace, in oppoil-
tion
the Vnfearchahle Riches of Chrifl. 247
tion to Hypocrilie : The Lord Jems never fhed
his blood for counterfeit grace. His purchased
Treafure confifts not of Counters, but tryed
Gold, Rev. 3.17. What he offers to Sinners, that
he purchafed and dyed for •, but Chrifl: offers try-
ed gold to invited Souls. Any thing fhort of
faving grace is not worth the (bedding of the
blood of the Son of God. That which Chrifl:
Promifeth to his people is the fame with that he
hath purchafed ,but he promifeth truegrace,£^efc.
3 6. 16, 27. He Promifeth a new heart, and a
new heart is a truly fan&ified heart : 'Tis his
Spirit he will put within them; and his Spirit
is a Spirit of truth, Joh. 14. 17. There is ne-
ver a Soul whofe heart is made willing to be the
Lords \ but Jefus Chrifl: hath purchafed finceri-
ty for him •, Chrifl: never dyed for Lies and
Untruths, but feeming grace is a lye and not of
the truth. This is wonderful comfort to poor
troubled Souls that are always doubting of the
truth of their graces, and would give a thou-
fand Worlds to be fure that their gold is tryed
goldj and their graces true graces. Now if ever
thy Soul were brought to defire Chrifl in truth,
and to receive him with a lively Faith, thou may-
eft be fure thy graces are true, becaufe the Lord
Jefus hath purchased this for all Believers. Now
this truthof Grace confifts in a through change
of the Soul, even of the whole Man \ which may-
be diftinguifhed into thefe two parts. 1. The
taking away of Sin. 2. The giving of Grace ,
the delivering the Soul from the power of Satan,
and the reducing it under the power of God, and
into his Kingdom : The purging the Soul from
R 4 Luft,
248 The Befi Treafure, Or,
Lull:, and pofiefling it with Grace : the de-
ftroying the works of the Devil, and creating it
the woikmanfhip of God : In freeing the Soul
from the Ruling Power of fin in every part, and
implanting theNature and Image of God on every
Power and Faculty of it. Jtts 26. 18. 1 Cor.
6. 11. Ttt. 2. 14 Rom. 6. 14.
Secondly \ Perfeverance in Grace \ Their
continuance in a ftate of grace : And the abiding
of the feed of God in them : 1 Job. 3. 9. #*f}
'tis the fame word thatfignifies the Spirits abi-
ding with Believers,whichChrift faith (hall be for
ever, Job. 14. 16. 1 Job. 2. 27. This he hath
Promifed in the new Covenant, and therefore
this he hath purchafed, }er. 3 2. 4 o. And there-
fore the fanAified are called the preferved ii)
Jefus Chrift, Jndt ver. 1. And the Saints are
laid to be kept by the Power of God through
faith unto Salvation, 1 Pet. 1. 5. This Chrift
Hands engaged to the Father to do, Job. 17. 12.
If Jefus Chrift hath not purchafed perfeve-
rance in Grace to the end for all his people, but
leaves their continuance in the truth to their
free-will, then he leaves them in the fame ftate
in which they were under the fir ft Covenant:
For the (landing ofj4dam\n the firft Covenant
was upon his own choice and will ; but this can-
not be, becaufe Chrift hath taken away the firft
Covenant from Believers, and Eftablifhed the
fecond which makes the Commers thereunto
perfect, Heb. 8. 6. to 11. Chap. 10. 9, 10.
Thirdly \ Growth in Grace : What he calls
them to that he hath purchafed for them j for
Chnft cannot invite his people to uncertain-
ties
the VnfearchaMe Riches of Chrift. £49
ties or difappointments •, what he exhorts
them to, he promifeth to work them to, Phil.
2. 1 2, 1 3. Work-out yonr Salvation with fear and
trembling \ For "'tis Godthatworhethinyou both to
will and to do* Now he bids them to grow in
Grace, 2 Pet. 5. 18. And this he Promifeth alio,
Hof. 14 5. 7. / will be as a dew unto Ifrael, and
he JJjallgrowas the Lilly, and cafi forth his roots as
Lebanon, they that dwell nnder his (haddow jhall
revive as the Corn, and grow at the Vine. Pia. 92.
1 2. The Righteous jhall flour i^s as the Palm-Tree
and grow as the Cedars in Lebanon. What God
Promifed under the new Covenant Chrift hath
dyed for \ for this Covenant is wholly Confir-
med by blood, by the death of the Teftator,
fieb. 9. 1 4, I?-
Qiieft : Then what is the reafon Gods People
grow no more in Grace this day ?
Anfw. Firft • All are not Ifrael that are of
Ifrael ; Many pafle for Saints in the Judgment
of Men which were never fanctified in Chrift
Jefus5 nor will appear to be fo in the approba-
tion of God *, and therefore fome in whom you
fee no growth , are no contradiction to this truth
at all, they being none of the feed of Chrift.
Secondly:, The Lords Trees as well as the
Trees of the Wood have their growing times ;
The Winter is no time to grow ; no nor the
Winter of Temptation or divine defertion. Bo-
dies have their growing times, fohave Souls. Be-
liever thy growing time may be yet to come4 if
thou art Chrifts.
Thirdly ^ Souls may grow,though (lowly, and
inviflbly to thcmfelves and others ', Believers
have
z jo The Befl Treafure, Or,
have fometimes a vail on their Eyes, and cannot
difcern their flourifhing,and fometimes the fmal-
nefle of Grace renders it indifcernable to others.
There may be a growing downward in Faith,
and Humility,thofe radical Graces that ftrength-
enthe Souls adherence to Chrift, though there
be no growing upwards in fruitfulnefTe forChrift.
There is a growing in internal longings and fe-
cret defires after more of God, and in higher
valuations of Jefus Chrift,though not in fuch fen-
fible enjoyments of him. As the truth of Grace
lies beyond the view of Men, fo doth many
times the growth of grace to a Mans felf, and to
others.
Fourthly \ The People of God fhallat laft have
their growth in grace furthered by their prefent
decays in Grace. As the fickneffe of Children,
though it makes them languifh for a time, yet
it helps on their growth when 'tis over ; fothe
Winter feafon promotes the growth of Trees
and herbs when the Summer comes.
Fourthly ; The Lord Jefus hath Purchafed for
his people Perfection in Grace alfo : This is
intended by his death, that they may be made
perfect in one, J oh. 17. 2 $. This he prefleth them
to Mat. 5. 48. Be ye perfect as your Father which
is inHeaven is perfect . And what he exhorts them
to he prepares and hath redeem'd them to. For
this end he gives them Ordinances, that they may
come to a perfect Man, to the fulnefle of the
meafure of the ftature of Jefus Chrift, Eph. 4.
12, m. Heb. 10. 14. This perfection of grace
is nothing elfe but glory. 1 Cor. 1$. 10. When
that which is perfect is come} then that which is in part
the Vnfearchalle Riches of Chrift. 151
frail be done away : And this Chrift hath pur-
chased for Believers, Job. 10. 28.
Queft : If Chrift hath Purchafed perfection
in Holinefle •■> Then what* s the reafon the pro-
f effing people of Chrift arefo imperfetllyHoly, ne-
ver a day fince theGofpel^ of more light %and leffe
life^of more prof ejfion, and lefs Power ofHolinefs j
Whence comes thisfo ?
Anfw. Firft^Thefe are the laft daies, yea the
latter part of the laft daies, and the laft daies
are daies of great unholinefTe, and little grace.
O the Catalogue of fins the Scripture gives us
that will abound at that time, 2 Tim. 3. 1. In
the laft daies Terillous times jhall come, for Men
jhall be lovers of themfelves— Having a form of
Godlineffe but denying the Tower thereof. Chrift
himfelf (hews us the complexion of the laft times :
Mat. 24. 12. Then Iniquity jhall abound, and the
love of many wax told. The daies before the Com-
ing of Chrift to avenge his Elect are daies of
little Grace : When the Son of Man comes jhall he
find Faith on the Earth 1 Luke 18. 8.
Secondly } Becaufe of the abundance of Hypo-
crites that get under a profeflion, and crowd in
amongft Saints : In the laft times the grea-
teft number of Men are formalifts, as you have
heard, 2. Tim. 3. 5. Half at leaft of Virgin Pro-
feflbrs will at the coming of Chrift be found
fooii(h,and abundance of tares among the Wheat,
and Goats among the Sheep, will bedifcovered
when Chrift comes to Judgment \ and this hin-
ders the holinefle of profeflburs, when a great
number among them are rotten, and Carnal j
unfound Perfons amongft the fwcere hinder their
thriving
x$z The Befl Treafurc, Or.
thriving in Grace, by their Examples and en*
fharing Company •, thefe, as Gangreens, do eat
away all holinefs •, and as dead bodies become
contagious :, if the living touch the dead, they
are unclean, Ha& 2. i j. Can a man touch Pitch,
and not be defiled ?
Thirdly, Becaufe 'tis the hour, and power of
darknefs, Luke 22. 53. 'tis a time of great
temptation to Gods people : Satan is come down
with great wrath, Rev. 12. 1 a. This Chap, is con-
temporary with the Seals and Trumpets, and
gives us a repetition of the Churches State un-
der the firfl: and fecond Perfection •, this ver.
holds forth the fecond perfecution under Anti-
chrift, when Satan iscaft out of the true Church,
and Believers, and comes down among rotten
profeflburs, to ftir them up to perfecution, and
then the Devil hath great wrath, efpecially in
the latter part of his Reign, when he hath but a
little time ^ then by temptation as well as perfe-
cution,he labours to deftroy the Saints holinefs.
Fourthly, Gods leaving his people as a pu-
nifliment of former fins under prefent Corrup-
tions ^ for their bumbling, and driving them
nearer to himfelf. Thefe may be fome Reafons
why there is lb little holinefs ^ but however, the
time will come when Chrift will make up his
Jewels, and let holinefs in the Earth.
Fourthly, This fanftification of Believers is
pan,yea,tht choiceft part of Chrifis purchafed Trea~
jure. I have (hewn before that Riches import
two things, if Some things that were of worth
and value, men never feek great heaps of duft
or ftraw, as part of their Riches ; but Silver,
Gold,
the Vnfe arch able Riches of Chrifl. zjj
Gold, and Jewels, are things of account. 2. A-
bundance and large meafures of thefe excellent
things-Now fan&ificationis a thing of wonderful
value, and an unknown excellency in its nature ;
holinefs mufc needs be excellent becaufe it is a
fparkle of Divine Glory ', 'tis part of the Nature
and Image ofGod himfelf,2P*M.4.'Tis theGlory
ofGod,//^. 3. j. When theProphet would fet forth
Godin his Glory, hegiveshim the name of the
holy one, God tame /row Teman, and the holy one
from Mount ?2X2LViy his Glory covered the Heavens.
The Prophet here fpeaks and Prophefies of the
calling of the Jem by the Gofpel, after the
Afcenfion of Chrifl, in an allufion to his former
giving the Law on Mount Sinai, and making
them his people by that Covenant : So Teman is
a place in Idnmea, Varan in Arabia, between
Sinaiznd Seir^ from whence God gives out his
Law, and fhews out his Glory, as you may fee,
Bent. 35.3. Some take Teman for Jerufakm% and
then the meaning is thus ; As God did formerly
manifeft his Glory, by giving out his Law from
Mount Sinai % and his Holinefs in keeping and
leading his people through the Wildernefs to
Canaan and JerufaUm : So will he in Gofpei-
times, manifeft his Glory, in giving the Gofpel ^
and calling a People to himfelf; and this Glory
of his will moft eminently appear in the mani-
feftation of his Holinefs. So that Holinefs is the
Glory of God, and therefore mult needs be
moft excellent. Nay, Sanctification is the ho-
nour of the Creature, Rev. 2 1 . jo,ik The Glo-
ry of the latter Church is fet forth by its Ho~
linsfs : So Sanctification and Honour are joyned "
toge-
2J4 Tbe %eft Treafure, Or,
together, iThcf.4.. 4- Holinefs is the greateft
Treafure-, for'tislaidupinthe choiceft Trea-
fury, in Heaven, the place of Gods Holinefs,
and the Habitation of the Holy Saints and An*
gels,/fi.6 1 . 1 5-Treafures are not thePofleffion of
every one,they are given ufually but to a few.So
is Holinefs the priviledge of the feweft and leaft
number of menjfew there be that find it, Mat* 7.
13. Riches can procure the greateft things
procurable, as one faith *, Money anfwereth all
things *7 that is all thingsthat are faleable among
men*, fo Holinefs, though it cannot purchafe
Mercy, yet it fits perfons for the greateft Mer-
cies,and higheft Services. None more advanced
than holySouls;they dwell in the prefenceofGod,
Pfal. 140- 1 h They are through Chrift very po-
tent with God \ they are fit for the higheft work.
When Perfons come to dye, they fee the ex-
cellency of holinefs, and would purchafe it with
a world : This proves that Santtification is a rare
Treafure.
Again, The purchased Holinefs of Chrift hath
not only excellent worth, but large quantity *,
he hath purchased fullnefs of Grace ^ Grace for
Grace- O Believer, though thy heart be emp.
ty of grace, yet Chrift 's Treafure is full, he hath
as much as ever thou canft need or crave, to
make thee as Holy as thou wouldeft be, and that
to all Eternity.
VSE.
If Holinefs be the Purchafe of Chrift, then
'tis not the Creatures procurement, or by any
ways or means obtained fliort of the merit of
Chrift,
the Vnfe arch able Riches of Chrift. 2,55
Chrift. what the Apoftle fays of Righteoufnefs
is true of San&ification, Gal. 2.21. If Righteouf-
nefs come by the Law , thenChrift is dead m vain*
Soifholinefsbe the Fruit of Mens Purpofes,
Labours and Duties, thenChrift died in vain,
'lis too common an errour in many, to charge
Chrift with too much in fome things, and too
little in other things. In justification fome lay
too much on Chrift •, I mean by charging their
fins on him for pardon, which they were never
throughly convinc'd or repented of *, and in
fanftification charge him with too little, expect-
ing their holinefs andmeetnefs from their pur-
pofes, duties, and improvements : As if holinefs
were to grow out of the Sepulchres of their
Services^nd not out of the grave of Chrift .'Tis
true indeed theLoid Jefus hath appointed means
for the promotingofHolinefs,and given promifes
andOrdinances for theconveying and perfecting
of it,but the vertue of all depends upon his blef-
flng, 1 Cor- 3. 6, 7. Rom- 9« 1 6-
Secondly,Then howunexcufable are'perifhing
Sinners under the Gofpel, that will not come to
Chrift to be made holy. You that lye in your
blood, and from the £rown of your head to
the fole of your feet are full of filthy Ulcers, and
putrifying fores : whofe Confciences cannot but
condemn you fometimes for uncleannefle ; and
never being cleanfed by the blood of Chrift -y
how will you appear before the Holy God, a
Confuming fire, in your unpurged fins ? How ua-
juftifiable is your filthynefle who might have been
cleanfed,but would not ! What will youanfwer
in the day of Indignation, when all this tender 'd,
buc
±$6 The Beft Treafure, Or,
but refufed Grace ? [hall comeagainft yon when
you would willingly part with the whole World
if you had it to get a clean heart and a purged
Conference? How dreadful will that word be in
the day of Inquifition \ Ezek^ 22. 24. Thou art
a Land , Thou art a Soul that art not clean fed <*
How cutting will the memory be of rejected
Grace, when God fliall fay, I would have healed
youy but you a t not healed! Jer. 51.9. You might
have had your natures changed, your Confcien-
ces cleanfed, and your hearts fanctified, but
you would not : Now away thou prophane hard-
hearted wretch : Be gone thou fecret Drunkard,
Swearer, Thief, Lyer, take him Devil, go and
be filthy ftil)^ wallow in thy blood ^ there lye
curfing in torment to all Eternity *, as long as I
am God, thy blood (hall lye upon thee.
Thirdly ; Then the Holincfie of Believers is and
fliall be fure* being grounded on the Purchafe of
Chrift. 7Tis bought, and paid for(0 Believer Jfor
thee: purchased San&ification isaifuredly thine
as thou art not thine own \ The truth, Continu-
ance, growth, and perfection of Grace is pro-
cured for thee by a price : A price agreed on be-
twixt the Father and the Son.
Firft, God will not deny it, Juftice it felf can-
not with-hold thy purchased due. As fure asChrift
with-holds not one drop of his blood, or penny
of the price, fo fure will not God withhold aay
part of this Purchafe. Rom. 3. 26. That he may
he juftt and thejufiifier of them that believe in fefus :
And if the juftifier, then fure the fanctifier. Poor
doubting Believer, when thou feeft: nothing but
unworthinefsin thy felf of the leaft Grace, and
peace
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. %fy
peace from God, then think, *twas Chrift, not
I,that made this purchafe •, he who did not, can
not make a forfeit of his right \ and whofe
blood mu ft: perifh, whofe Honour and Intereft
rnuft fuffer, if one of thofe for whom Chrift
dyed ihould dye and perifh for want of HolineflT-
0 no ! this cannot be;, The Judge of all the Earth
waft do right, Sen. 18. 23.
Secondly, Jefus Chrift the believers Advo-
cate cannot fuffer to feehis poor and needy deprfc
ved of their right ; He is the Mediatour betwixt
God and his people 5 The days-Man andUnv
pire to fee truth Eftabjifhed in the Earth, and
every one tp receive his due : He will give wic-
ked Men their due, much more his Children ^
And all Power in Heaven and Earth are in his
hands, Math, 28. 20, He is the Faithful Wit*
nefTe, Holy,and Juft one, and therefore will caufc
Jthat believers fhall have the diftributions of the
due Meafuresof his Purchased Grace,
Thirdly, there id nothing in thee or without
thee that can hinder the accomplifhment of it,
1 fa. 43. 13. / mil worl^, and vpho faall let: Let
Earth and Hell, Sin and felf, combine together,
they (hall not keep back the Communications of
grace one day beyond God's time, Math. 1 %. 20.
*Tis not the ftrength of thy lufts can prevail a-
gainft the arm of God, and forces of his eterT
fial Spirit, wfto is commiflioned to bring down all
thy Enemies, and fet thee free indeed* Chrift
will Rci&a ;ti|B he brings down ati his Enemies un-
der his feet,, iCor.i^ 25. The greateft parf £f
j&hich is tig Corruptions of his |$opfe.
£ 5 &hfr
258 The Beft Treafure, Or,
CHAP. XIX.
Adoption-Grace provd to be the Fruit of
thrifts Purchafe : 7 he excellency of this
Jtate opened in fever a I particulars.
ICome now to a fifth Fruit of Chrifts Pur-
chafe, and difcovery of that glorious Re-
demption-Treafure procur'd by his death \ that
is a Hate of Adoption, thofe whom he fancti-
fies he adopts, and brings into a new Relation
tohimfelf:, to God the Father, Son, and Spi-
rit: The work of San&ification doth change
their Nature, Adoption changeth their ftate ;
they are really alterM by Sanclifying Grace, and
relatively by Adoption love. God now becomes
their Father, and they are his Sons and Daugh-
ters, 2 Cor. 6. 17, 18. Come out from amongfi
themf and touch not the unclean thing : Here's a
change in their Nature and Life: And I will be
your God, and yon fliatt be my Sons and Daughters :
there's a change in their ftate : Adoption is the
taking of perfons that are ftrangers, and unde-
fervinginthemfelves, into a ftate and Relati-
on of Sons and Heirs ', bringing them into a new
Family and Condition: And fuch is the Adopti-
on of the Sons of God, 'tis a Tranflation of
called, and fan&ified Souls out of the Family
of Satan into the Family of God, Col. 1 . 1 3. Who
hath delivered us from the power of darknefs, and
tranflatedns into the Kingdom of his dear Son, Joh. 1 .
12. To as mwy as received him, to them gave he
power
the Vnfeatchalle Riches of Chrift. zfp
po^er to become the Sons of God, I Joh. 3. 2. Now
are we the Sons of God : And this Adoption-Pri-
viledge is the Fruit of the Death of Chrift, Gal.
4. 4, 5. When the fullnefs of time was come God fent
forth his Son made of a Woman , made under the Law\
to redeem them that were under the Law, that we
plight receive the Adoption of Sons: For though
this Adoption be an act of Grace in God, to take
Souls into Sonfhip with him 5 yet 'tis by Jefus
Chrift, Eph. I. 5. Having predeftitiated us unto
the Adoption of Children, by Jefus Chrift : That is,
To be redeemed, and made fit for it by Jefus
Chrift. Now in the Adoption of Sanctified
Souls into the Family of God there are thefe five
things.
A change, 1. of Relation. 2. Of Obligati-
on. 3. Of Difpofition. 4. Of Condition. 5. Of
Duty.
Firft, There's a change of Relation *, they
were the Children of the Devil, Joh*%. 44.
Heirs of Hell, and under the Power of the God
of this World, Eph. 2.2. Who rules in the Children
of Difobedience. They were of the kindred of
Hell, of that Family whofe Head and Ruler is
Satan. This was their ftate, when Redemption-
grace found them. Now Adoption alters this
relation, and being taken out of this Family by
effectual calling,they are by Adoption entred in-
to a new Relation, and made the Sons and
Daughters of God, Gal. 4.4. Now they can
call God their Father , Chrift their Husband •,
the Saints their Brethren , verfe. 5. Eph. 2.
19. Te are no more Strangers, and Forreigners,
but Fellow Citizens with the Saints, and eft he Houf-
holdofGod. S 2, Secondly,
%6o The Beft Treafure, Or,
Secondly, A change of Obligation; they
were bound to the Law of Satan, under the
Law of Sin, and Slavery of the World, led Cap-
tive by Satan at his Will, CW. 1. 13. But when
Adoption-grace comes, it delivers them from
this Obligation, and they are brought under
the power of God, and Scepter of his Kingdom,
jitts 26. 18. Rem. 6. 14, 17, 18. Heb. 1. 8.
Thirdly, a change of Difpofition •, they have
the Nature and Spirit of Children, Gal. 4. 6.
Because ye are Sons, God hath fent forth the Spirit
of his Son into your Hearts , &c. They were by
Nature Enemies, but now are Children *, they
have a difpofition to love God, to honour and
obey him, 'tis their Meat and Drink to do his
will, Joh.q. 34. Mai. 1. 6. Toferve Chrift be-
fore was burdenfome, but now delightful:
The Love of Chrift conftrains them : yTis as
natural for them now to obey Chrift, as ever it
was to rebel againft him j they are never fatisfi'd
but when God is well pleas'd.
Fourthly, A change in their State and|Condi-
tion -? they are brought into a ftate of Glorious
Priviledges, in refpect of, 1. Liberty, 2. Rights
and Interefts. 3. Boldnefs. 4-Inftruciion. j.Cor-,
redion. 6. Provifion. 7. Protection. 8. Inhe-
ritance: Andbythefe the ftate of an Adopted
Soul appears to be a glorious ftate.
Firft, They are brought into a ftate of Free*
dom, Joh.S. 36. If the Son (hall make you free
then are you free indeed (tAtfOsp^H) The word
Imports that Freedom that is oppofed to ServU
tude, as it appears alfo by the word, ver. 33.
Chrift tells them, ver. 32. The troth JhaM make
tt9ff&
the Vnfearchahle Riches of Chrift. %6t
them free ; And they anfwered him ; We be A-
brahams feedj and were never in bondage to any
Man : So that by freedom here, Chrift intends
a delivering of them from that bondage they
were in by reafbn of fin and Satan : and he tells
them that this is that freedom that com:s by
him ; ail that are the Children of God are free
Men and Women. I Cor.j. 22. 2 Cor, 5. 17. Where
the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty: The A-
poftJe tells them,wr. 8. That the Minift ration
of the Spirit is much more glorious than that of
the Law, or letter -, that is, the Miniftry of the
Gofpel is far more Excellent than that of the
Law, which he proves by feveral arguments:
And here he tells us that the Lord is that Spirit,
that is, the Lord Jcfus is the Author of that Spirit,
or Spritual Miniftration, under the Gofpel, and
where that Spirit or Adminiftration is, or where
the Soul is brought into this Gofpel- (rate, there
is liberty, Rom. 8. 21. Now this liberty that
all theChildren ofGod are brought into is a two-
fold liberty. 1. A liberty from Servitude. 2. A
liberty to fervice. Or as a Reverend writer ex-
preffeth it: A liberty from the Family of Satan^
and liberty in the Family of God. There are feme
things which all Adopted Souls have a liberty
from, and fome things they have a liberty ino£
to.
Firft, All that are Adopted in Chrift are fet
free from that (lavery they were in under the
Law Sin, Satan, ajid the WorldThey are freed
from Bondage under the Law, from Bondage-
work, and Bondage-wrath : All that are under
the Law ofMofes^s all are who are out of Chrift,
S * are4
V6% the Be ft Treafitre, Or,
are obligM to Bondage-work, to the work of
Have; notoffr^e Men.
Firft, they are bound to do work that is above
their ftrepgrh, wh:ch they can never perform,
Rom. 8. ?• The Law was weak through the flefh,
that is, there was an impotency in fallenMan ever
to fulfil the Law, or attain life by it • The Law
required perfect, and perpetual Obedience*, but
this could never be performed by finfui Man, and
therefore legal-work, was hard work, work ne-
ver to be done by fallen Man, and this is bon-
dage-work.
Secondly ', Legal-work is mercenary work «,Do
this and live. Gal. i. 12. The Man that doth them
fiiall live in them: Like a Servant, if he doth his
work he fliali have his wages, if not he muft ex-
pect nothing; and this is hard indeed, that the
poor weak Creature that is utterly deftitute of
all ftrength, worth, and ability, muft have no
more than can deierve.
Thirdly? 'Tis rigorous work, preftbyargu-
rrentsof feverity, threatnings of death and Hell
toall tbeTranfgrefioursofit.6V. \. 10. Citrfed is
every one that contmueth not in alt things written in
the bookofthe Law to do them.
Fourthly •, 'Tis fruitiefs work, works that
cannot make the comers thereunto perfect.
Heb. 9. o.'Tis Labour in vain. Heb. 10. 1.
Fifthly •, 'lis work without Wages, no reward
at all could ever be received from it. Gal. 3.21,
22. For had there been a Law which could have gi-
*ven Life, verily Right eoufnefs had been by the Law-
Jltit the Scripture hath concluded all under /in. &G
Ihere is no Life, no Crown, no Kingdom at all
is
tie Vnfearchahle Riches of Chrifl. x 63
is the reward of all fuch labours.
Sixthly,'Tis work that will furely end in death :
Let men work never fo hard yet they muft dye,
and be damnM at laft for falling fhort, and this
is bondage-work indeed j but the Children of
God are freed from this work, Rom- 7. 6. But
now we are delivered from the Law, that being dead
wherein we are held, that we Jliouldferve in newnefs
of Spirit , and not in oldnefs of the letter .
Again, As they are freed from bondage-work,
fo are they freed from bondage-wrath.-Tne wrath
ofGod is upon all the Children of dilbbedience ;
all Chriftlefs Souls are Children of wrath, bound
over to an Inheritance of wrath, Eph.$. 6. Chap.
2. $ . Becaufe the Law worketh wrath, Rom. 4. 1 5.
1 1 brings all its Servants under wrath, under the
curfe, and under death. Rom. 6. 25. But from
thisalfo are all the Sons of God freed, Heb. 2.
14. And deflroyed him that had the power of death,
that is the Devil. And not only from theDevil,but
from the works of the Devil. 1 Job. 3.8. Rom.
6. 14. Chap. 8. 2. Gal 3.1$.
Again they are free from all yokes of bondage
laid on their Confciences by Men. Gal. 5. 1:
1 Cor* 7. l^.Teare bought with a price, be not ye
the Servants of Men : Do not give up your Faith
and Confcience to their Commands, obey not
them contrary to the Command of Chri-r. Gal.
1. 10, il. if I yet pleafed men I fhoufd not be
the Servant of Chrift. This is the firft p~rt of li-
berty the Children of Gcd are brought into,
even a liberty from Servitude.
Secondly, They have a liberty to fervice in
the Worfhip of God • Th-ir fervice of God
S 4 is
*<*4 V*e %eft ?rt4ure> 0r>
i$ free and ingenuous Service *, their offerings are
free-will Offerings. Pfa. i\9. 10S. Accept the
free-will offerings of my mouth. That is, thofe of-
ferings or vows which my mouth hath freely of-
fered- The Children of God are a willing peo-
ple, Pfa. no. 3. They ferve the Lord freely
from the heart, Kom. 6. 17. They obey from the
heart that form of Do&rine delivered to them *
They delight in the Law of God after the inner
Man, Rom. 7. 22. The ftridteft Service of God
is to them the moll dcfired liberty, the Com-
mands of God are no wayes grievous tothem ^
that is* to their inner Man, indeed fo far as
fiefh and Corruption get head, they drag heavi-
ly to duty^ when the fpring of their motion?,
even their child-like love to God is abated, and
all the Indifpofitions of a child of God flow frorn^
decaies of love to God, and fome abatement of
the Adoption-Spirit in him .* The Children of
God are never in their Element,or as they would
be, but when their hearts flow out after God,
and they can run the paths of his Commanded
ments, this they pray and labour for, Pfa. 119.
$2. / will run the Way of thy Cotom an dements when
thonfialt enlarge my heart. So ver. 69. / will keep
thy precepts with mV whole heart. Their hearts
move naturally after God when in their right
temper : As the Waters run towards the Sea,
and the Sun runs his race i Their fervice of God
comes from a new Principle, even from Faith
that works by love, and is directed to new and
higher ends, than all the fervices of Hypocrites :
Thefenfe of divine love conftrains them todu^
ty> thac they cannot buc chufe the things that
pleafe
the Vafear chalk Riches of Chrift. z6$
pleafe God, further than they are bound back by
Corruption, and Temptation^ their works are
wrought in God from a Principle of life, raif-
ed and revived by grace-, They have no mer-
cenary aimes in their Dutie5 to Attain any car-
nal felfilh end below God, but their Motives
are high and h.aveny, pure aud fpiritual,as
the Love of God, and care they hive to pi a(e
him .* They fee a beauty in Ho!mefs,and a plea-
fantnefs in the ways of God, and find a futablc-
nefs in their hearts, to love theic thovrgn un-
der never fo great difcouragements, anddifad*
vantages as to fleih and bloody hence ^tls a
Child of God carrot call; ofFGod and his Wor-
fhip, though he iee nothing of good or comfort
coming in by them, nor be perfwaded tocon-
fent to any thing that is fmful, though to fave
his purfe, pcrfon, yea life it Mt: All thethreat-
nings of Men, or vifible dangers in his way,
can't bring his heart to comply with ungodii-
nefs, or fpeak or do any thing againfl: God,
his people, or wayes, 2 Cor. 1 3. 8. We can
do nothing againfl the trHth. None but a Jhtdas
can come with a Band of men and Offic is a-
gainft Chrift to apprehend him, or his people
lor owni-ng him t Mtcaiab would ipeak nothing
againfl the truth, though to pleafe a King*
1 Kinp 22. 17. Nor Jacobs Soul enter into the
fecret'of the wicked in their iinful enterprife :
A fearful Peter may forfake the profcflingof
Chrift for a time, but he will not be feen on the
fide of thole that do oppofe him \ no, this is far
from the true Spirit of Gods Children i We
read of the Chriftians in the primitive times,
that
x66 The Beft Treafure, Or,
that left their preferments, rather than they
would be feen againft: Chriit people \ and the
whole Legion chofe rather to lay down their
fives, than to oppofe their fellow Chriftians :
Such fhufflings and Compliances are oppofed to
the Spirit of the true Children of God} they
can run after God in a Wildernefs, but cannot
be drawn againft God by all the World.
Secondly, They have new Rights and Inte-
refts ; Believers being once entred into the Fa-
mily of God by Ghrift, are prefently invefted
with new and Glorious Rights which they never
had before, nor any befides the Children of God
have or can ever have \ which will appear in thefe
fix things.
Firft, They have a right to the fpecial and blef-
fed prefence of God the Father, Son, and Spirit.
Pfa. 140. 1 3. The upright fli all dwell in thy f re fence.
The upright, that is, the faithful, the Children
of God, thefe (hall dwell in thy prefence, in thy
fpecial prefence, for ail Men and Devils are
in the general prefence of God, but the Saints
ihall be in Gods fpecial prefence ; and not Hep
into it only as ftrangers may, but continue for
ever as Sons. Job. 8. $5. Tbefervantabidethnot
in the houfe for ever, but the Son abideth every Pfa.
26. 6.
Secondly. They have a right to the purchafe
of Chrift, to all the fruit of his Obedience, and
fufferings : His blood is theirs, with all the pro-
curements of it. J fa. 53.5. He was womdedfor
our Tranfyrejfionsj he was bruifed for our Iniquities ,
the chaftifcment of our peace was upon hwj> and by his
ftripes we are healed : whatever Chrift dyed for
according
the Vnfearchahle Riches of Chrift. i6j
according to the agreement betwixt the Father
and him, is the Right of his Children, foh.
ij. 9-
Thirdly, They have right to the Promtifes,
2 Pet . 1 . 4. Whereby are given to us exceeding great
and precious promises. Whereby, that is, by the
knowledge of him, aswr. 3. Or through Faith
in him, that is, by Jefus Chrift we come to have
right to the promifes, for all the promifes are in
him Yea and Amen, iCor .1 . 20. Thepromifes of
this Life and of that which is to come, all are
theirs, 1 T/w.4.8.
Fourthly, They have Right to Communion
with, and to the blefling of the whole Family of
Chrift : Being entred into Gods Family, they
have a Right to feilowfhip with all his people,
1 Cor. 12. 1 3. For by one Sprit are we baptifed in-
to one Body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, Bond
or Freehand have been all made to drinkjnto oneSpirit.
The great defign of the Apoftle in this chap, is to
(hew that all Believers are brought into neareft
Union with Chrift, and each other, even into one
body, this he proves in this iw. by the end of
the Ordinances ofBaptifm, and the Supper,
both which do fignifie andfealup Believers in-
to the neareft Union arid Communion, by reafon
of which they have equal right to one another,
and the whole body, they have right to Com-
munion with Angels and Saints: All the Sons
and Daughters of God, have right to his Houfe •
to his Church, and all the priviledges of it,
If a. 56. 5. Ordinances and Miniftersare theirs,
1 Cor. 3.22, 23. Yea, they have right to the
bleffings of God on all: Pfalm. 3. 8. Thy
bleffing
x68 The Beft Trcafure, Or.
blcfiwg is upon thy People^ Epb. I. j.
Fifthly, They have a right to all the good
things OfthisLifc, Rev. 21.7. He that overcome
cthfnaU inherit all things : Even the good things of
this Life, Pf 37-9. They that wait on the Lord
Jhall inherit tht Earth. They arc Heirs with
Chrift, who is Heir of all things, Heh. I. 2.
They have through Chrift a Right to all the good
things of this world, ibfaras God fees it bell
for them ^ they have their right in the Second*
Adamy who is Lord of all •, thisisa New-Cove-
nant-Right ^ not oVer other mens rights to in-
vade or break the civil properties of any, but to
thofe Creatures God gives thern,and tothe good
of all things, even wants and enjoyments, and
have a fan&ified ufe of them, which none but
the Children of God have, Tit. 1. 15.'
Sixthly, They have Right to the inheritance of
Glory, Tit. 3.7. 1 Pet. 1. $,4- Heaven is the
Country, Home, and Inheritance of all Saints ;
Their Title is founded on the Purchafe of
Chrift, and Adoption of Grace .- not upon their
Merit or HolineiV, and therefore 'tis called on
the account of Chrift, the purchafed pofleflion,
Eph. 1. I4« Which is the ear nefl of our inheritance y
until the Redemption of the purchafed Pojfejfton. That
is until we are actually redeemed from Corrup-
tion, and put into the pofTeffion of purchafed
Glory i yea their Reverfion in Heaven is fo free-
ly procured for them, without any of their mo-
ney or priceT duties or obedience, further
than 'tis the way to walk in to Glory ; that Eter-
nal Life is faid to be the gift of God, Rom- 6-zi*
Death
the Vnfearchahle Rkhes of Chrift. 269
Death comes by Man's merit, but not Life and
Salvation : and isnot thisa glorious ftate, and
blefled condition, to be made Heirs, and Co-
heirs with Chrift ? Rom. 8. 17. And if Children,
then heirs, and Joynt-heirs with Chrift : partakers
of the fame Rights with him, Heirs of the
Righteoufnefs of Faith, Heb. n. 7. So was A-
braham, andfoareareall Believers ^ they have
a right to Juftification, by believing *, and a
right to the Kingdom of Glory, Jam. 2. 5. Heirs
of the Kingdom : they have as good a Title to
this by Grace, and through the purchafe of
Chrift> as any man to an Inheritance here on
Earth, yea, and far more fure of it} for men
may be turn'd out of their Rights and Proper-
ties here ; but Believers cannot be deprived of
their Title, and Inheritance through Chrift.
Seventhly, They have an intereft in Gods
love, they are upon his Heart at all times, Joh.
16. 27. For the Father himfelflovethyon : He loves
with an infinite Love, a Love palling knowledge,
and tranfcending the iove of all Creatures, Ifa.
49- 15. A Mother may forget her Child, but
God cannot forget his : He loves at all times,
Eternally, and unchangeably : He loves his Chil-
dren ardently, when they have but little love
to him : He loves them notwithftanding their
unkindneffes and provocations, Pfal.%9' 31,
32, $$• Helovesthem when he feems to be an-
gry with them, and is forced to correft them,
Heb. 12. 6. He always thinketh on them for
good, 7*r.2Q. II. / know the thoughts I thirst o-
wards you, faith the Lord, thoughts of Peace, and
*»t<f Evil* Hew very tender of them, and hath
the
xyo The Eefl Treafurey Or,
the bowels of a Companionate Father towards
them, Pfal. 103.8, 13- Mai. 3. 17. And I will
[pare them as a man fpareth his Son that ferveth
him*
Eighthly, They have a right to the Spirit of
Grace, the Spirit is put into their Hearts*
Gal. 4. 6. Not the fpirit of Bondage, but of A-
doption, Rom. 8. 15, 16. They have union with
the Spirit never to be feperated more,?/. 1 1. they
have the Spirit of Grace and Supplication, Zach.
1 2. 10.T0 quicken, teach, influence^aflift in Duty,
and make interceflion for them, Rom. 8. 16. O
what a blefled priviledge is this to have the Spi-
rit of the Son, whereby they can go to God as
a Father, and to have the Spirit working in
them the difpofition, and working for them the
actions of Sons.
Thirdly, They have holy and reverential
boldnefs to come into the prefence of God
through his Son, Pf 26. 6. / will tyajh my hands
in innocency, and fo will I compafs thine Altar t
Eph. 2.18. For through him we both have accefs by
one Spirit unto the Father. They can come to
God at all times, and behold his Face in Righ-
teoufnefs, unlefs their (ins do caufe him to
hidehimfelfforatime, Eph. 3. 12. And plead
their caufe through Chrift with boldnefs, Heb
10. 19, 20. And they are not only free to come,
but fure tofpeed, Joh. 16.23, 24- 1 7*kj* '4>i5.
Fourthly, Inftruction is another Priviledge of
Sons, They fiiaH be taught of God, Ifa, 54. I 3.
He will teach, inftruct, and (hew them things
they know not : He will lead them into all truth,
Joh. 16. 16. The Spirit fearcheth the deep things
of
the Vnfear chalk Riches of Chrifl. zji
of God, and revealeth them to the Saints,
i Cor. 2. 20. He wll teach them all things which
they are able to bear : They (hall have the open-
ings of Chrifts mind, to fteer their courfe whiles
in this Wildernefsof the World, and (hall re-
ceive the revelation of all truths neceflary to Sal-
vation.
Fifthly, They have choice and delicate pro-
vifions, and rich maintenance-, this is the duty
of Parents to provide for their Obedient and in-
digent Children, 1 Tim. 5. 8. But if any man
■provide not for his own Houfe he hath denyed the
Faith: He cares for his Children, Mat. 6. 31,
3 2. 1 Vet. 5. 7. He that gives his Son, how can
he but with him freely give us a!! things, lfo». 8.
52. Phil. 4. 19. My God Jhall fupply all your
wants : He that gives a Kingdom at the Jour-
neys end, will not deny Bread and Water in the
way : He will provide for their Bodies and Souls,
for their Perfons and Families.
Sixthly, Correction is theirs, Pfal. 89. 52.
Heb. 12. 8. Correction is the Saints Priviledge,
and great advantage ; they have need of it, 1 Pet.
1. 6. Though for a feafon-, if need be, you are in
heavinefs, &c. And they have advantage by it>
Pfa. 1 1 9. 71. It is good for me that I have been
afflicted^ Heb. I2.io. But he for cur profit.
Seventhly, Protection is another pnviledge
of Children : He will keep them as the Apple of
his Eye, Pfa. 17 8. He will hide them in the fe-
cret of his Tabernacle, Pf. 11.20. Uc will keep
them Day and Night, If a. 27. 3. He gives bis
Angels charge concerning them, Pfa. 91. 11,
12. Heb. 1. 14.
LaftJy
zjz The Befi Treafure, Or>
Laftly, The Kingdom is theirs : O think what
reft, what joy, what holinefs, what perfection,
what immutability, and Eternity of Glory is in
Heaven ! and fay, all this is my Eftate by Adop-
tion \ I (halioneday be poflefTed of if, here I
am poor, but there 1 (hall be rich, here 1 am em-
pty and hungry, there I fhail be full : here 1 am
defpi fed, tlure I (hall be honoured ; here I have
not a houfe lay my head in, there I lhall have
a Man Hon to all Eternity, here one and another
fays, come fit at mv Foot, there (hall I fit on a
Throne^and be aCrownedKing for ever.-Here my
Comforts go,and my troubles (lay; worms breed
in all my enjoyments, but thereis no Ruft, nor
Moth-, no Decay, nor Death, O.blcffedftate
indeed that Believers are Adopted toinChrift !
Fifthly, The laft confiderable thing in Adop-
tion is, the Duties that flow from fuch a ftate,
and this is part of their pnviledge aifo, as being
the Fruit of an Adoption-ftate, and that which
they a re purchased as well asoblig'd unto by the
blood of Chrift ; all the filial duties of Believers
are the fruits of Adoption-Grace, Gal. 4. 6. Bc-
caufe ye are Sons, God hath fent forth the Spirit of
his Son into your Hearts. The Spirit of his Son
to make you really fuch, and to form in you the
Nature, and work you to the duty of Sons. So
that Adopted Souls are not only chofen of God
to be heirs with Chrift, but arc alfo begotten
ofGodintotheNature and Image ofChrift, £*/*.,
8 : 2 p. Whom he did foreknow, them he did predefti-
ftate to be conformed to the Image of his San '-,
thatas Chrift carryed himfelf as a Son, fo mould
the Children of God in their meafure, and time
the Vnfe arch able Riches of Chrijl. 2. 7 3
and that by the fame Spirit, Now thefe dutie s
which Gods Children are fpirited and engaged
to, are,
FirftyTo love God as their Father^ en from
afenfeofhis Fatherly love, 1 Job, 4, lg.We
love him becanfe he firft hved usK Deut. _6. 5. Thou,
Jhalt love the Lord thy God with all thy hearty with
all thy SohI^ and with all thy might : The Lord
thy God, becaufe he hath pleaied to make thee
his Son^and to place thee in fo near a,ad high rela-
tion to himietf, Pfa,. 5 1 . 2 $ .0 love the Lord all ye his
Saints .- You that are fet apart for him,aud Sanctifi-
ed by him ^ O you of all Ferfons from the fenfe.qf
this relation Ihould love him. This is a filial duty,
and fo elfential to Sons, as that 'tis put for the
ground of all their Obedience.^. i4»* $• Ifaman
love rne> he will keep my word, and my Father will love
hinrfitst \s,manifeft his love to himas a Father.This
is not a forced bu t a natural love to God. arifing
from that new Mature and Spirit of Adoption
in them ^ fo that a Child of God may as well ceafe
to be a Child, as ceafe to have a difpofltion to
love him : Indeed a gracious Soul may not ai-
wayes actually love God, but he hathadifpou
fition to love him, and can appeal to God that
he knows he would love him, and there is no-
thing in all the World he can value like him.
. Secondly, To obey him, 1 Fet. 1. 14. Aso-
fediext Children , not faftriming your fehes accor-
ding to former Lufts. rfis a great duty of Chil-
dre/i toobeyfcbear Parents in all things lawful
andfo they" that are Cjocls Children are niuch
more c*bIigMjfcot*bey God, whpfe relation much
$6re biads iism* Mng.ibfai: above all o£he£
a 74 Tlje Befl Treafure, Or,
relations, whofe love conftrains them, 2 Corl
5. 14. whofe Laws invite them, they being holy,
juft, and good, Rom. 7. 1 2. Whofe rewards
alfoencourageththem, there is a reward in keep-
ing them, Pfa. 1 p. 11. and a reward uponthofe
that keep them, Rev. 2. 10. Now this Child-like
obedience differs from all other obedience ^ in
that, i.'Tis the fruit of faith, Joh. 8. 47.
He that is of God beareth Gods word, that is [o-
beyeth Gods word^ but what an Obedience is
this, fee the former ver. It is an Obedience
from faith, ver. 46. If I fay the truth why do ye not
believe me ? 2. 7Tis the labour of love, 1 Thef.
I. 3. Remembring without ceafing your work^ of
Faith and labour of love. 3. 'Tis delightful
Obedience, Rom. 7. 22. I delight in the Law of
God after the inner Man.
- Thirdly, A fear of offending him, Hof. 3. 5.
And ftiall fear the Lord and his goodnefs in the
latter dates. This is a filial fear arifing from their
relation to God as their Father, 1 Pet. 1. 17.
And if you call on the Father^ &c. pafs the time
ofyourfojourning here in fear. This is a.fear fpring-
ing from and confifting with love *, there
is a fear that love cafteth out, 1 Joh. 4. 18.
perfett love cafteth out fear, that is flavifh fear :
Tis fuch a fear as keeps the Soulclofe to God,
and not drive him from him, Jer. 34. 40. 0 how
fearful is fuch a Soul of offending God, Job 34.
3 1. He will do all he can to prevent fin, Pfa.
1 19. 11. Thy Word have I hid in my heart that
I may not fin againfi thee.
Fourthly, A zeal for Gods glory, Pfa. 69.
9. The ^eal of thine houfe hath eaten me up :
That
the Vnfear challe Riches of Chrift. 27^
That is, the zeal which I have for thy houfe or
for thy pure Worlhip, againftthem that would
corrupt it, hath like fireconfumedme. Zeal is
the burning fire of love which will not bear any
thing that dishonours God : So Phinehas could
not endure to fee God difhonoured by the whore-
domes of his People, but in his zeal executes the
Law upon one of the higheft offenders, Numb.
25. 11. The want of the zeal made Laedicea in
danger of being fpued out of Gods mouth, Rev.
\, 16. and therefore God calls her to Repen-
tance, and to this zealous Spirit in his Worfhip,
ver. 19. Be jealous and Repent* This Zeal was
that Child-like temper that God commended in
Ephefus^ Rev. 2. 2. Thou canft not bear them
that are evil : A zealous Soul cannot fufferany
reproach on Gods Name, Pfa. C9. 20. Reproach
hath broken my heart. This Child-like zeal in
Crtfus dumb Son open'd his mouth when his Fa-
ther was in danger to be flain.
Fifthly, A fiducial dependence on his care and
faithfulnefs, Pfa. 2 5. l.Thc Lord is my fhepheard%
IfiiaUnot want : Rom. 8. 32. 1 Pet. 5.7. Caft-
ing all your care upon him, for he carethfor you : This
was the Child- like confidence of Job in his God,
Job 1 j. 15. Though he flay me yet will Itruft
in him : This dependence on the Fathers care
quieted Mufculus ,when he was forc'd to labour in
the Town Ditch for his Maintenance.
Eft dens in Codis qui providus omnia cnrat,
Credentes nunquam dejeruiffe pott ft.
Mat. 6. \l. Tour Heavenly Father kpows you have
need of all the fe things.
Sixthly, Humble Submiffion to him-, HA. 12.
T 2 JM
ij6 The Befl Treafure, Or,
9. Shall we not much rather be infubjeUion to the Fa-
ther of Spirits and live y CmTAyim^aty The word
notes an orderly fubje&ion,ac€ording to that or-
der and place in which God hath fet a Man, that
fubje&ion that is in anlnferiourto aSuperiour :
The fame word is ufed of Chrift, Luke 2. 51.
And he went down with them to Nazareth, and was
fubjett tc themy that is, fubmitted himfelf to that
place duty he owed to them as his Parents.
Seventhly, A carefulnefs to pleafe him, I fa.
56. 4. That chafe the things that pleafe me> to
them will 1 give within my honfe^ a place and a
Name better than of Sons and Daughters* That
is, fuch will I own for my Family, my Sons
and Daughters, that chufe the things that pleafe
me. So did the Lord Jefus evidence his filial
duty to his Father, fob. 8. 29. / do alway the
things that pleafe himy 1 Joh. 3. 22.
Eighthly, An endeavour in all things imitable
to refemble him, 1 Pet. 1. 15. Ashe that called
you is hofyyfo fa ye holy in all manner ofConverfation.
Luke 6. 36. Be ye merciful as your Father in Hea-
ven is merciful. Mat. 5. 48. Be ye per fell as your
Father in Heaven is perfect *, that is \ In the grace
of love to Enemies. Epb. 5. 1. Be ye followers tf
of God as dear Children.
Ninthly, A labouring to walk worthy of fo
high relation, and nearnefs unto God. 1 Thef.
2. 12. That you walkwould worthy ofGodwho hath
called you to his Kingdom and Glory : Worthy of fo
high a Calling, like the Children of a King *, like
Gideons Brethren, who all refembled the Child-
ren of a King \ Judges 8. 1 8. Your duty is to
live above the Children of this World, who
only
the Vnfearchabk Riches ofChrifl. 277
only are wife in their generation, £«% 16. 8.
But be ye wife in the things of God, evidence
yonr higheft wifdomto be in keeping the Law
oftheLird, Deut.^.6. Live hke them that are
Adopted Heirs of a Kingdom, even the Heaven-
ly Kingdom, thatfadethnot away.- O live a,
bove the wares and fears of tins world.
Laftly, A maintaining a real Love to your
Brethren, and an endeavour to live peaceably
with them, 1 Vet. 3- 8- Lew as Brethren, be ft.
ufitL becourteom, &C i Joh. 5- '\'Ev!'?, T
(0 that loves him that begettetbjovetb htm alfo that «
begotten, ijoh. 3- ri. Gen..i{.8. Let there be
rotlrife, I pray thee, between me and thee, between
my Herdfmen, and thy Herdfmen, for w be Bre-
thren, Chap. 45- 24- Set that yon fah not out by tht
way, 2 Cor. 13. li.
7 V S E.
Thus you fee what a glorious Treafure A-
doption-grace is j view over this Inventory
(Believer) and tell me what thou thinkeft of it.
Is it not a Treafure indeed, which al the Gold
ofOfhir cannot equalise ? Nor all the glory of
the World worthy to be compared with ? And
fee all this procured by the Sweat and Mood,
the Obedience and Death of the Son of God t.
and then fay, whether Chrift be not precious 1 m-
deed; Look upon the Children of this World
in all their Glory •, view their privileges in their
utmoft latitude 'and. extent , ^ and anfwer me
whether a Believer in rags doth not far furpafs
them. ChiiftfpeaksofSdww, ** he in* j
his Glory, was not to be compared to one Lilly
1 J
178 the Befl Treafure, Or,
in the Field. So one Saint, and Child of God
infinitely excels the Great men of this World,
in all their Grandure, and Advancements. 6
then admire the Lord Jefus on this account alfo,
for procuring Adoption grace.
I. Queft. But how may I know whether 1 have ob-
tained this Adopion-grace ?
^ Anfw. This is a point worth the enquiring
into, and fatisfa&ion in fo fundamental a point
is very neceflary.- But 'tis the Office of Gods
Spirit to feal us up to the day of Redemption,
and bear witnefs with our Spirits that we are the
Children of God, Rom. 8. 16. Men may lay down
marks, but 'tis God muft determine the Queft.
yet notwithstanding for thy refolution, (Belie-
ver) confider,
Firft, Such are partakers of the Divine Na-
ture, and are really Sons, as well as Relatively,
2 Pet. 1.4. They have the Image of God inftampt
upon their Souls : They have the feed of Hofi-
nefs, Faith,Love,Hope,Patience,and Humility in
them, 1 J oh. 1. 9. Rom. 8. 29. And they have
received of his fulnefs,GraceforGrace,^.i.i6.
Secondly, Such prize nothing in all the
world liketoRelationtoGod,/>/73.25. ijoh.3.1.
Behold what manner of Love the Father hath beftow-
ed on us, that we fljould be called the Sons of God.
Thirdly, Chrift is exceeding precious to fuch
in whom they are chofen, and by whom this
Grace comes, 1 Pet. 2. 7. To yon that believe be is
precious. None in Heaven or Earth that they va-
lue like to Chrifr, they account all things but
drofsand dung, mcomparifon of Chrifts excel-
lency, rUd 3. 8.
Fourthly,
the Vnfear chalk Riches of Chrift. 279
Fourthly, Such will employ their greateft care
to imitate God, Eph.5.1. 1 Job. j. 22.
Fifthly, fuch have a Spirit of prayer and
fupplication, Rom. 8. 1 5, 16. Gal. 4. 6. Becaufe
ye are Sons, God hath fent forth the Spirit of his
Son into your hearts, crying Abba Father'. Not
Parts, not Light, not the gifts of Prayer only,
but fuch a Soul hath the Spirit of Prayer, very
ftrongftrains of Faith and Love run through
all his Duties : He hath a Spirit of boldnefs
whereby he comes to God as to a Father. O how
earneft and unwearied are his breathings after
<§od , what wreftlings with Gcd in fecret hath
he, what pourings out of ftrong cries to him as
Chrift did in the days of his Flefb, H^.5.7. O
the ftruglings ! O the wreftlings ! O the ardent
breathings of fuch for the pardon of their fins,
for the mortifying of their lufts,and for the revi-
ving of their graces : Now where theSpirit of A-
doptionis, there is the ftate.
Sixthly, Such are enabled to bear, and profit
by affliction, Heb. 12. 7. If you endure chafiening
God dealeth with you as with Sons.
Laftly, Such have endeared affe&ions to the
people of God, 1 Joh. 5.14. We know we have
faffed from Death to Lifey becaufe we love the
Brethren.
2. Queft. What mufl we do to obtain this Adof-
tion-grace.
Anfw. This is an ad of Sovereign pleafure,and
Free-grace, Rom. 9. 15, *6, 18. It cannot be
purchafedby any thing in, or done by the Crea-
ture. You cannot with Simon Magus buy this
Relation,^. 8. 18, 19. yet there are fome ways
T 4 in
i8o The Beft Treafure, Or,
*n which Adoption-grace may be obtained •, as,
Firft, Get your Souls Feparated from fin,
2 Cor. 6. 17.
Secondly, Get jultifying Faith, Eph. 1. ijj
ip..
Thirdly, Beg the Spirit of Adoption, Gal.
4-6.
Laftly, Open the door of thy heart to the
Spirit, Pfa. 24. 7. Rev $. 20.
CHAP. XX.
The Confirmation of the new Covenant is
the Fruit of Chrifs fur chafe, provd by
fever al Arguments*
A Nother glorious Fruit of Chrifts blood, and
** purchafed Treafure for faved Souls?is, the
eftablifhment of the new Covenant, to Believers,
and Believers in the Covenant. This is the cer-
tain effect ofChrift's death, the making fure
the Covenant to all his feed : That there is no
more poffibil icy of making it void to the Heirs of
promife. This is the great thing undertaken
in the new Covenant, that it fhall be fure to all
the feed, Rom. 4. 16.
There are Eight things which fecure this to
Relievers.
Firft, This new Covenant muft needs be firm
and unalterable, becaufe the reafon why God
found fault with the old Covenant, was, becaufe
it
the Vnfearchahle Riches' ef Chrifl. 28 r
it was weak, and eottld not fecure thofe that
were within it, Heb. 8. 8, 9. Which Covenant
they brake • though I was an Husband to them, faith
iheLord^Jzr.iL $2- Now if this were th* rea-
fon why God did alter the firtt Covenant; then
the new Covenant he makes in the room of it,
mult needs be free from this Imperfection and
mutability, or elfe it would abundantly reflect
on the infinite wifdom of God to make a new
Covenant guilty of the fame errour.
Secondly, This was Gods defign in making
a new Covenant, that it might be ordered in all
things, and fare, 2 Sam. 23. 5. That it might be
firm,and eftablifhed upon better promifes, Heb-
8. 6. Why are they called better promifes ? Are
there better promifes than the promifes of Hea-
ven and Glory ? They are called better, becaufe
more pure and abfolute promifes> and becaufe
it v/asGods defign to make them fure^w.4. 1 6.
Thirdly, It is confirmed by the blood of
Chrift, and therefore the blood of Chrifl is call-
ed the blood of the Covenant, Mat. 26 28 This
is my blood of the new Teftament : ' Fis the blood of
the new Teftament., in that it feals to the fulfil-
ling of thisCovenant. The death of the Telia-
tour makes theleftament to be in full force,//^.
9.17-That now all the Promifes and Legacies are
certain, and cannot be difappointed to the Lega-
tees and Heirs of Salvation. Again, this blood
of Chrift is the blood of the Covenant, and con -^
firms it, in that it makes good all the conditions
of it, that whatever is required to make this Co-
venant good, is undertaken by Chrift, in the
behalf of ail his feed, and therefore he is called
the
i8i The Befl Treafure, Or9
thefuretyofthenew Covenant, Heb. 7. 22. By
death he hath fulfill 'd the Condition of the firft,
and undertaken for the fulfilling of this new Co-
venant, in and by Believers : Yea, his obedi-
ence is for them, to prefent them compleafc to
the Father, notwithftanding all their fail-
ings.
Fourthly, This new Covenant is fure to Be-
lievers, becaufethe Adminiftation of it is in the
hands of Chrift, Hib. 8.6. But now he hath ob-
tained a more excellent Miniftery, by how much he is
the Mediatour of a, better Covenant, The whole
truft about theAdminiftration of new- Covenant-
bleflings,is devolved on Jefus Chrift •, and there-
fore he is called the Mediator, and Minifter of
the Covenant ; So that the Covenant muft needs
be fure, feeing the difpofe thereof is by com-
pact betwixt the Father and Chrift, delivered
into his hand upon the account of his death :
Now he that is the Believers Friend, Head, and
Husband, hath all power in Heaven and Earth,
to make good the Covanent to them, Mat. 28.
18. So that the promifes of the Covenant can-
not be forfeited by Believers, being made over
to Chrift as to a Truftee for them, and their Co-
venant ftate alfo being fo furely confirmM, thac
they cannot fall from it.
Fifthly, ChrifPsfufikiencytofee new-Cove-
nant-promifes made good, and new-Covenant-
ends accomplifhed to them,is fecurity enough for
their fafety. He is an alfufficient Saviour, able
tofaveto theutmoft, all that come to God by
him, Heb. 7. 25. He is able to fee Gods part
fulfilled, having all the promifes in his hand, and
all
the Vnfearchable Riches ofChrift. 283
all the things promifed at his difpofe*, and he is
able to (e* the Believers part fulfilled alfo, for
he hath all that in him which is needful for the
making of theCondition good on their part.For,
Firit, He hath all Wifdom in him, to make
them wife to Salvation, Col. 2. 3. He is made of
Cod to bis people fVifdomy 1 Cor. 1. 30. Appoint-
ed of God to receive Wifdom for them, what-
ever they need to guide them in the way, and fit
them for Salvation : Knowledge is necefTary to
Eternal Life, Job. 17. 3. The Image of God
confifts partly in it, Col 3. 11. Without it the
heart is not good, Prov. 19. 2. No Faith with-
out Knowledge, 2 Car. 4. 4. No Obedience
without Knowledge, Pfa. 18. 44. This is need-
ful to difcernthe wiles of Satan, 2 Cor. 2. u.
The finfulnefs of ^Rom.y. 13. The precioufnefs
ofChrift, 1 Pet. 2. 7. The beauty of holinefs,P/:
1 10. j.The love ofChrift,that pafteth knowledge,
Eph. 1 . io.The hope of your calling,and the things
freely given of God, 1 Car. 2. 12. And for this
end all Wifdom is laid up in Chrift to be given
out to his people by his Spirit through his word -7
hence 'tis faid, that Believers have an Unction
from the holy one, to teach them all things,
1 Job. 2. 20, 27. And thepromife of the Spirit is
made to them, to lead them into all truth, Job.
16.13. So that whatever is needful for Saints to
fit them for Covenant-Duties and Mercies, all
this is in Chrift for them, and fo he is able to
make the Covenant good to them.
Secondly, He hath all Grace in him that tends
to the fulfilling of this Covenant in Believers and
for them: He hath received the Spirit without
mea-
a .84 The Be ft Treafure, Or,
meafure j J fa. 3. $4. And why is this ? But that
from his fullneis Believers may receive Grace
for Grace, Job. 1. 16. He is the fullnefs that fill-
eth all in all, Eph. 1.23. And therefore hath pro-
mifed Grace fufficient to his people in all their
temptations, 2 Cor. 12. p. 1 Cor. 10. 1 j. under
all their burdens, Pfa. 55.22. For all duties and
undertakings, Phil. 2. 12, 13. Chap. 4. 13- /
can do all things through Chrifi that ftrtngtheneth
me. 1
Thirdly, He hath all power in Heaven, and
Earth, put into his hand, Math. 28. 18. Power to
bruife Satan under his peoples feet, Rom. 16.20.
To fubdue Corruptions in them, Mic. 7. 19- To
vanquifla all their Enemies for them^ Joh.16. $3.
Rev. 12. 1 1. To heal all their backflidings, Hof.
14-4- To work all their works in them, and for
them, J fa. 26. 12. To give them Faith, and to h-
nifh it, Heb. 1 2. 2. To keep them faithful to the
death, 2 Thef. 2. 3. And to fecurethe promifed
Fruit of all for them, Rev. 22. 1 2. and therefore
fufficiently able to make good Covenant-Promi-
fes to them, and to fulfill Covenant-duties in
them.
Sixthly ,Chr ifts engagement to,and forhis peo-
ple,and his intereft in themfis another ground for
the fulfilling of theCovenant- C^r//? hath promifed
theFatherthat he willbringthem all toGlory,and
hath undertaken all their work for them,/&£. 10.
7. And he hath promifed to them to make good
his Covenant when he perfwaded theirhearts to
him. Heb.%.9%to 1 3. .//a.55. 1 1 .Again his own inte-
reft in them is fecurity enough : All the fruit of
his death and purchafe lies in the fulfilling of the
Cove-
r the Vnfearchalle Rkbes of Chrift, 285
Covenant -, if that he broken, he lofeth all his
hopes, and Obedience, he hath dyed in vain,
his blood and Interceffion are to no purpofe, for
herein lies all the travel of liisSoul^.5 mo, i i.
In this is the enjoyment of all his delights, if this
Covenant be not lure then no Soul can befaved,
and Chrift fhouldlofe thofe delights he had in
the habitable parts of the Earth before the
World was made. Pro. 8. a> Saved Souls are
Chrifts Crown and Glory, and how mangled and
defe&ive would ChriftsCrown be,(hould any one
Perifh who are interefted in this Covenant f Up-
on this depends all Chrifts Mediatory Glory,
J oh. 17. 4, 5. And fliould there be a failure
here, he would lofe his expe&ed Glory as Me-
diatour. So that you fee the fruit of his Fur-
chafe, the delight of his Soul, and his Eternal
Glory with the Father, are all wrapt up in the
accomplishment of this Covenant.
Seventhly, The Immutability ofGodSCoun-
fel, and the certainty of his engagement, confir-
med by an Oath, renders the new Covenant
fure, Heb. 6. 17, iS. Wherein God willing more
abundantly to flew to the heirs of promife the im-
mutability of his Counfel confirmed it by an Oath :
Thefe are two immutable things,Gods purpofe,
andhis engagment, and becaufe thefe could ad-
mit of no vanation^therefore the things Promi-
fed muft be fulfill'd indue timc.Heaven aadEarth
(hall pafs away, but the Counfel of God that
muft ftand ; 'Tis laid upon InfiniteWifdom, and
all things in order to the fuilfiling of it, are made
fo fure, that it cannot poffibly be fruftrated : He
wants notfufficient Power and faithfulnefs to
reach
a86 The Befl Treafure, Or,
reach his own defigns, and therefore what he
hath determined mult come to pafs, and upon
this purpofe of God is laid his promife : He
having firft refolved upon it, is engaged to fc
Laftly, Another reafon to prove the certainty
of the new Covenant is taken from the nature of
the promifes^they are abfolute; 'tis true there are
fome conditional promifes as the effects of the
other, but the fundamental promifes, and thofe
which compleat the Covenant of grace are alto-
gether abfolute ; 'tis true alfo, faith is a necef-
fary qualification to intereft a Perfon in thefe
promifes, but when the Soul comes to have a
propriety in them, the tenure of them then is
abfolute, Jer, 31. 33, 54- &&. 8. 9. He will
put his Spirit within them, and will caufethem
to walk in his Statutes, Eztk- 36.I25, to 28. /
will be a God to them, and they flail be my People,
Jer. 32. 40, And I will make an Everlafting Co-
venant with them, that I will not turn away from
them to do them good : But I will put my fear in
their hearts, that theyjhall not depart from me .-In
which you fee the condition is undertaken and
fecured, as well as the promife and things pro-
mifed*, had it indeed depended upon conditio-
nal promifes alone, which doubting Souls have
moft in their eye, then the failure of the condi-
tion would have forfeited the promifes, and
then they had been null'd : But you fee the pro-
mifes of the new Covenant are abfolute, and
therefore fure to all the feed, even to every
one that believeth in Jefus Chrift : Thefe ar$
the grounds of hopes the believers have, that
the Covenanted every tittle of it,(hall be made
good
the Vnfearchalk Riches of Chrift. 287
good to them •, but that which doth meritori-
oufly confirm it,is the blood of Chrift • His death
andfuffering, on which account it may belookt
on as the fealing and confirming of it, and fo
believers may lee to whom they are \ behol-
ding and oblig'd for all their new-Covenant
liability.
VSE.
From this grand and glorious truth : The
fulfilling and aflurance of the new Covenant,
flows, 1. Wonderful Comfort to all true Be*
lievers. 2. Great Obligations on them to thank-
fulnefs and Obedience.
Firft, This yeilds abundant Confolation to
Believers, on a double account.
1. From the certainty.
2. From the Excellency of this Covenant.
Firft, From the certainty of this Covenant
flows thefe ftreams of comfort. Firft, In that
all occafions of Jealoufie about the love ofGod are
cut off,for if the Covenant be fure,then Gobs love
is fure,and fecured from all mutability, and cefla-
tion, this being one great thing contained in it-
Jer. 31. }. I have loved thee with an Everlafting
love. Gods love to his People is Eternal, there-
fore fure : He doth reft in his love to them^^.
3. 17. The word is ( Jacharifi) hewillbefilent
in his love. Enter renders it Silebit cum diletta
fna : He fhall be filent in his Beloved *7 that is
( faith he J He (hall ceafe from contending with
her, being wholly delighted in her. But Monta-
na renders it in the abftracl, he fhall be filent
by reafon of his love. Trotter dileclionem (nam.
But Coccriht and other Interpreters, render the
letter
288 The Bejt Treafure, Or,
letter (Beth) In: He fljall be filent in bis love,ar
reft in his love, alluding to the wonderful excefs
of affetftion in a Per/on, that through exceed ing
amoroufnefs cannot fpeak or exprefs it for a
time : Cocceius takes it for the pardoning of
their fin, and ceafing from thofe former ftroaks
cf his difpleafure : And this I fuppofe may be
chiefly intended here ^ to xvit0 The greatnefs of
his love mtcd bv filence, and exuberant Joy,
tvitharemovcofal! tokens of his anger, and this
tobefixt and perpetual j fothe Apoftle aflures
Believers, that the love of God in Chrift is irre-
rnoveable, Rom. 8. 35. Ail the World cannot
withdraw Chrifls heart from his People, where
lie once loves he loves xo the end, Job. 13. 1.
This a believer may be allured of in the New Co-
venant, that Gods love changeth not, his heart
isftill towards his people, however his dealings
may be with them; .
Secondly, Then all the grounds of tormen-
ting fear are now removed. If the Covenant of
grace be confirmed to believers, then there's no
Juft ground for them to entertain flavifh fear ^
Rom. 8. 15. For ye have not received tbe Spirit cf
Bondage again to fear. There's no caufe for fuch
to fear, 1. That God is their Enemy, being
once reconciled to them in his Son? he can bate
them no more. 2. Their fins Jhali never Con.
demn them, Rom. 8. 1. g. God will never
totally leave them, Heb. 13- 5- 4- Theyftialjnot
wholly fall from God. Jer. 32. 40. 5. They
have no caufe to fear the wrath to come, Rom.
5. 9. Much more being juftified by his blood we
fball befavedfrom wrath throngh him. Thus you fep
ail
the Vnfearchable Riches ofChrifl. 289
all the grounds of tormenting fears are gone :
'Tistrue a Cautclous fear and circumfpection
may be maintained, but the workings of a Bon-
dage-Spirit are removed. ,
Thirdly, Then dejecting Conduflons from
felf-impotency to fulfil thisCovenant,and all feem-
fng difficulties in the way are wholly Inflgni-
ficant-, if this Covenant be confirmed by Chrift
to and for Believers, then no inefficiency iri
them to make good thefe Covenant- Duties can
render it void- BecauCe,
Firft, the Certainty of this Covena nt depends
not on the Creatures ab ili ty, but on Gods Faith-
fulnefs ; 'tis true, if this new Cov enant (as the
firft) did wholly depend upon the Integrity and
Faithfulnefs of the Soul in Covenant , then in-
deed the enjoyment of thofe mercies and prb-
mifes comprehended in it would be very du-
bious •, bur 'tis not ib, for God himfeif hath un:
dertaken the accomplishment of it, 1 Cor. u
8, 9. Whojhall alfo confirm yon to the end^ that ye
may be blamelefs in the day of cur Lord Jcfus Chrifa
God is faithful by whom ye are called to the fellow flrip
of his Son Chrift Jefus bur Lord. So 1 TheJ. f,
23, 24. So that the Saints Confirmation in ho-
linefs, and prefervatibn to glory depends on the
faithfulnefs of God in Chrilc, who having per-
fwaded their hearts to embrace his call, will
finifii Salvation-work in, and for them.
Secondly, Strength fufficient to finiili their
work, and to obtain Salvation is enfured to them.
2 Cor. 12. 9. My grace is [afficievl for thce1 hiy
fkrength is made perfeft in weaknefa. Grace in tllee
may fail, but grace in God carinoc ■ Chrift:
xp o The Bejl Treafure, Or,
hath a ftock fufficient for thee, to carry thee
through Temptations, and to lift thee above
thy Corruptions. So Ez.ek. $6. 27. / will put
my Spirit within yon, and caufe you to wall^ in my
ftatutes. The Spirit is a Fountain that will fill
up your empty veflels, fupply all your wants,
and engage your hearts to keep the way of his
Commandements.
Fourthly, Then none of the well-grounded
hopes of believers fhall be loft, Pfal. 119. 40.
Remember thy word unto thy Servant upon which
thou haft caufed me to hope. God will never for-
get to fulfil thofe promifes which he caufeth
us to confide inf for he is faithful who hath
promifed, Heb. 10. 23. Rom. 5. 6. Aid hope
makethnot ashamed. That is, byreafon of a difap-
pointment-, fhame ufually arifeth from fome
fruftrations of expectation, but this cannot be-
fall well grounded hopes, becaufe they have
their dependence upon the firm word of God
which cannot bedifappointed.
Fifthly, Then your labour (hall not be in vain
in the Lord, if the Covenant be confirmed, then
you cannot run in vain, or lofe any p?rt of
that work you do for God, 1 Cor. 15. 58.
Gal 6. 7, 8. What amanfoweththatjliallhereap.
He that foweth to the Spirit fhall reap life Ever-
lafting : O Souls, all your fincere duties will
appear again, and bring their reward with them:
All your pains in ferving God, hardfhips in
following him, dangers in owning him, and in-
duftrions labours to pleafe him, fhall be fully
and certainly recompene'd with a far more and
exceeding Many Crown of Glory.
Sixthly,
the Vnfear'chaUe Riches of thrift; zy f
Sixthly, Then zll your warrantable deilres
fhallbefatisfiedindue time: For this is part of
the Covenant-promife, Pfa. 37. 4. Delight thy
felf alfo in the Lord^ and he (hall give thee the
defires of thy hearty Tfalnu 145. 16, i p. All
the breathings of your Souls after God, and
unfeigned longings for more fpotlefs hdiinef^
more perfect vi&ory over fin, for humble fub-
miflion1 to divine pleafure, more fincerity of
heart, and raifed capacities for fervice, fiiali
certainly be fatisfied firft or laft.
Seventhly, If the Covenant of grace be fu re,
then nothing can make the believers flate mifera-
ble, indeed he may feem to be in a bad condition j
when under the power of temptation and cor-
ruption, and prelTed grievoudy with fevere and
bitter Providences, and flroaks of feeming ven-
geance, but yet his ftate is good 3 who could
have pad a favourable interpretation on the af-
flictions of Job j when on a dunghil, and on the
tryals of David when purfued by Abfaiom i yet we
find there was hony in thefe Rods, and David
could notwirManding lye down and deep in
peace, Pfa. 3. 5. So Jofiah in an evil day, when
wars and frowning providences did furround
him all about, yet dyed in peace, 2 Kwgi
22. 20.
Laftly, Then a gracious Soul is a bleflfed Soul,
both here and to all Eternity, becaufe this Co-
venant takes care for the good things of this
ife, and that which is to come : I Tim. 4. &,'
Godlinefs hath the promt ft of this life and that whiffy
is to come : Hence the Scripture doth Co often!
pronounce the Godly Man to be a bfeffcd ^an,«
11 * ffi;
2yz The Beft Treafure, Or,
Pfa. 1 19. 1. Slejfed are the unde filed in the way,
Pfa. 1 1 2.2. Pfa. 14 1.2. Thus we nave now briefly
toucht on fome grounds of Comfort that Believ-
ers may derive from the certainty of this new
Covenant •, we now com? to confider,
Secondly, The excellency of this Covenant
which the blood of Chrift fo confirms to Believ-
ers-, this new Covenant is a choice and precious
Covenant , what David faid of Goliahys Sword
may be affirmed of this *, That there is none like it,
1 Sam. 21 . 9 This would abundantly apear,could
I with confiftency to my defign here, run out at
large in the demonftration of this great truth ;
but to touch a little on fome evidences of its ex-
cellency under thefe two general confiderations.
1. The things that are promifed in this Cove-
nant.
2. The way appointed of God to attain them.
Firft, The things ftipulated in this Covenant,
are,
Firft, Great and glorious things, the pro-
duces of infinite Grace,and difcoveries of uncon-
ceivable greatnefs, foch Promifes as were ne-
ver offered in any other Covenant : In this Co-
venant God makes over himfelf to Believers to
be their God, their Sun and Shield, their exceed-
ing great reward, all that he is, and all that he
hath to be theirs, fo far as they are capable to
receive : / will be to them a God \ that's in the
Covenant .• He whom the Heaven of Heavens
cannot contain*, whom the Angels cannot de-
fine, far above the fear ches of the moft refined
Spirits, far beyond the knowledge of tfiofe that
always dwell in his light st\m invifibJe unknown
God
the 7Jn}earchable Riches of Chrtjt. 3.03
God in this Covenaat makes himfelf over to Be-
lievers : He will be theirs for ever, Heb> 8. 10.
A God in the neareft Relations that Creatures
are capable to approach to him in : He will be
a Father, Husband, Head to them, and to eve-
ry one of them in the Lord Jefus Chrift: To
love and delight in them \ to feed and cherifh
them * to care and provide for them ^ to dwell
and abide with them ^ to impart, and Commu-
nicate of all his fullnefs and fweetnefs to them,fo
far as it futes with the rneafure of Chrift, and
their belt good : Is not this a great thing indeed,
that God fhould make over himfelf to the Bef
iiever? O glorious Covenant !
Again, Another great and glorious thing en-
gaged in this Covenant is, That Believers (hall be
to him a people, a peculiar people*, his own
people, his Jewel, his Treafure, Mat. 1.17.
They (hail be the Apple of his Eye-, the de-
light of his Soul, a Seal upon his Heart : A peo-
ple near to God, Pfa. 1 48. 14. Nearer to him than
all the world befides-, nearer than the Angels,
that never finned: What a wonderful thing is
this 1 They (hall be dandled on his knee : Lye
in his Bofom; (it at his Table here 5 and fit
down on Thrones in his Kingdom to all Eterni-
ty : O what a wonderful Covenant is this !
This (hould fill the Believers heart brim full of
Joy andConfolation.
Again, He hath promifed in this Covenant,
that he will write his Law in their Hearts, and
put his truth in their inward parts, Jer. 31. 33.
They (hall be his Epiftle known and read of all
men, iCor,^ 2, 3. He will lead them into all
U 3 truth
2,94 ^je ^eft ^reafure> ®r>
truth, J oh. 1 6. 13. He will fhew them his Co-
venant, PJa. 25. 14. He will be merciful to their
unrighieoufhefles, and remember their fins no
more, Heb..$. 12. He will put his Spirit within
them, and caufe them to walk in his ways, Ez.ef^
36. 27. He will give them Grace and Glory,
and no good thing will he withold from them,
Pfa. 84. 11. He will admit them into his fpecial
prefence at all times, through the blood of his
Son, fleb. 10. 19, 20. He will give them the
Spirit of Adoption to cry Abba, Father, Rem. 3.
15. They fhall be Kings and Priefts to God,
cloathed with beautiful Garments, a right noble
feed all glorious within i and adyane'd into
intimate familiarity with God in Ghrift by the
Spirit, Rev. \. 6. They (hall be kept by his
mighty power through Faith to Salvation,
1 Pet. 4. 5. O, are not thefe great things indeed
for poor iioful Dull: and Afhes, mercy* abuflng
Creatures ! O we want Hearts to contain them,
and Tongues to cxprefs them.
Again, As this Covenant is made up of great
things, fo it contains in it all good things, ftr'.
|2. 4c. All Gods Thoughts and Refoives, are to
do them good \ ail his difpenfations are bring-
ing them in good, Rom* 8. 28. O what a Glo-
rious thing is this ! Yea they are futable things
that are wrapt up in this Covenant : Such as are
futable to their Natures*, futable to their Spiri-
tual defires-> futable to their wants, and futable
to their advantages : The new Covenant carries
nothing Hetrogeneous to the well-being of the
Saints .* O what a wonderful thing is this/
•eat things indeed are contained in this new-
Cove-
the TJnfearchalle Riches of Christ. 29 £
Covenant, that tends to the infinite content*
ment, pieafure and profit of faved Souls : Sure-
ly this mint needs fill Believers Joys, and yield
them merry days here, and prepare for them
Rivers of pieafure to ail Eternity.
Secondly, Confider the way which God hath
appointed for the attaining thofe glorious
things, and this will advance the Believers
comfort: Perfons may come at good things in.
a bad way, and that would abate much of their
confolation : But thtfe great and glorious things
contain' d in the Covenant of Grace for Be
iievers, are given outinamoft excellent way:
For,
Firit, It is in a way of Grace \ If God had
given them to be bought and fold, to be pur-
chafed by mans merit, it would not have been
fo fweet : But they are held out freely, without
money, without price, Jfa. 55. 1. It is by Grace
you are faved t not of your f elves, Eph. 2. 8. There^s
nothing for man to glory in, about his Salvation,
that is of his own .• Saved Souls are created to
their mercies : They are prepared for their
mercies, Rom- 9. 2 \. And their mercies are pre-
paid for them, 1 Cor. 2. 9. They are aifo pre-
pared for their Duties, in order to their mer-
cies .• They are Veflels of mercy fitted and pre-
pared for mercy and glory, 2 Tim. 2. 21.
Secondly, It is in a felf-humbling, and abafing
way : The more the Creature is abafed, the
more Divine Glory is exalted ; and the more
God is all in all, the more is the faved Souls
Glory, Comfort, and Joy, the more the lofti-
nefsofman is brought down, the moss God a-
U 4 lone
z<)6 The Bejl Treafure, Or,
lone is exalted, Ifa. 2. 17. And the more GocJ is
exalted, the more Believers are pleafed .; Now
God gives out thefc new-Covenant mercies in
fuchaway, as may molt abafefelf-, for he gives
them out in a way of Believing, and no Grace
more cuts offfelf than Believing; All bonding
and Self-glorying is cut off by Believing, Rom. 3.
27. Therefore God hath ordered iuch a way
for Souls to come at new-Covenant Mercies, as
may cut offall Self glorying, that fo their com-
forts may rife to the greateft meafurc, to be full
joy and Coniblation, to fee the Creature abafed,
and God exalted : There's nothing but Man's
curled feif can indeed prove a real Enemy to
his comforts: A Child of God is never more
filled with the pure Wine of Confolation, than
when he is emptied of all the Lees and Dregs
of his own vain-glory.
Thirdly, It is in a pure and clean way, that
God brings laved Souls to thefc new Covenant
mercies : ft is in a way of Holinefs: No uncir-
cumcifed fhall pafs therein : It is in that way of
Grace, and Purity, -without which none fhall
fee the Lord: It is the upright, pure in Heart,
the fincere Soul frail attain to thefe great and
glorious things : The clean Hands, and the
clean Heart, Mat. 5.8. pfa. 140. 13. Pfa. 24.
4. //*. 35.8.
Fourthly, Icisina fweet and pleafant way :
A delighful way, for fuch are all the ways of
Holinefs to gracious Souls, Tweeter than Hqny
and the Hony-comb : They take wonderful
pleafurein Holinefs, Pfa. 1 19. 17- Trov. $. 17-
Legal ways were hard and troublefome ways.
The
the Zfnfearchahk Riches of Chrifl. 2,97
The Yoke of the Law is a heavy Yoke, Att.\%.
10. But the Yoke ofChrift is an eafie Yoke,
Mat. 11.50. Othat God fiiouid confirm fuch
a Covenant as this, that contains fuch glorious
things, and all thefe en fared to Believers, and
they led to them in fuch a choice way, furely
|Shi$ mil ft needs yield wonderful comfort, and
advance the Believers Joy.
Another improvement of this grand truth is by
way of Duty,
There's nothing more ftrengthens the Believ-
vers Bond to Obedience, than the confiderati-
011 of thi certainty of the new-Covenant : Not
to mention all thole arguments that might be
urged to engage Redeemed Souls to all manner
of Holinefs from the certainty of the Covenant :
I (lull infill only on thefe two-
Firff, Theconfiderationofthat Infinite Love
of Chrift, that led him through fuch a coftly
way co make good this Covena nt : O what man-
ner of Love is this, if duty wesghed? Th2t the
Son of God fhould come down, and be made
man, take upon him the form of a Servant $
engage to the Service of the fid! Covenant, to
make a ood all the violated conditions thereof
by hisiufferings, and ail the precepts thereof
by his Obedience: That he mould be made a
Curfe, and tafte of death, and all to make this
Covenant fure : That he fhould (hed his^blood,
to make firm this Covenant in all the parts of it :
That he fhould come and melt himfelf to death,
that the feal might be put upon this new Cove-
nant. O what wonderful Love is this, for no-
thing could make it fure, but the Teftatours
blood,
302, 7 he Befl Treafure, Or,
blood, and that he would (bed his Blood to make
it fare. Now then there's no greater conftxaints
to duty, thanthefenfeof the Love of Chrift,
2 Cor. 5. 14. The Love of Chi ift conft rains m. Ar-
guments of Love are irrefillible j it filences the
Believing £oul in all his refiftances : When Argu-
ments fetchM from the Law, do only drive the
Soul to Duty ; nay fometimes bind back from
duty: Thatatiuch a time the fenfe of the Love
of Chrift doth draw, yea pod: the Soul away to
Obedience, Draw me, and We will run after thee,
Cant. 1. 4. that is, Let out the potent influences
of thy fweet Love upon me,and then 1 will haften
after thee, or further my Obedience of thee.
Secondly, Another reafon for Obedience is
taken from the certain blefled Ends, and Fruit of
new-Covenant Obedience, which is no lefs than
Eternal Life, Rom. 6. 22. All the blelTings of the
cverlafting Covenant areenfured to fuch,P/ 10 $.
17, 18. The mercy of the Lord is from cverlafting
to cverlafting upon them that fear htm *, to fitch as
keep his Covenant, to them that remember his Com-
mandments to do them : Mercies in the way, mer-
cy in the end, are all enfured to them that fear
him, to them that Evangelically keep his Cove-
nant, Ffa. 25. 10. All the paths of the Lord are
Mercy an dT ruth, unto fuch as keep his Covenant
and his Teftimonies* There's great reward in the
very keeping his Commandement's, and reward
in the latter end : O what promiies are entail' d
toGofpel-Obedience: Nay, you will not only
have the Fruit of your own Graces, but
you will have the Fruit of Chrifcs Grace,
the Fruit of his Obedience, and his Righte-
oufnefs
the Vnfcarchable Riches of Chrift. 303
oufnefs too: Therefore, O what reafon have
fuch to obey ! feeing the Covenant is made fure,
they cannot mifcarry,their labour (hailnotbeloft^
coofidering the Love of God, that fhould engage
them to Obedience, and the bleffed lflue of it. '
Thus much of the fix th Branch, and Item
of Chifc's inventory, and the Riches of his
Pur chafe-
CHAR XXI.
The Heavenly Inheritance is the Fruit of
ChrtJFs purchaje.
WE (hall briefly add one particular more
of the Purchafeof Chrift, that is,
TheConfummation,and compleating of all the
Believers happinefs, and comprehenfion of his
chiefefttreafure, which is the purchafed pof-
feftion of Glory, Eph. 1. 14. Vntil the Redemp-
tion of the purchafed Pojfeffwn, unto the praife of
his Glory: that is, umiwecome to inherit this
glory purchafed by Chrift : O what a bleffing
is this! All that have been treated of already,
are but little parcels of this total fumofa Be-
lievers happinefs .• Owhen the whole treafary
of Chrift (ball be opened, and fet forth to the
view and enjoyment of faved Souls : When all
thrift's perfonal Glory, as Mediator, fhall be
discovered to them, and become their Glory •
when all his purchafed Glory for them alfo,(hall
thenbeentredonbythem, all that he hath re-
ceived
3 co The Eefl Treasure, Or,
ccivcd for himfelf, and all he hath procured for
them,fhall all be made over to them ;This will be
a blefled Eternity indeed •, when their Crowns
of Mafly Glory fhall be fet upon their heads, and
when they alfo fhall be let down upon Thrones
of dignity, honoured with the reflections of
Chrifts Majefty, and unconceivable grandure.
This is a myftery indeed, but a real truth to all
Believers : O blefled purchafe indeed! who can
tell over this fum, when the Saints fhall be fo
enriched with the Riches of Chrift, cloathed
with the beautiful Garments of his praife ? O
wonderful Glory indeed ! Deckt with the Jewels
of the Graces of his Spirit \ and fill'd with his
holinefs brim full : When they fhall be fatiated
with his pleafures, but never tyred \ fit down
at the Well head, and drink full draughts of
pleafure:, Take in their fill of the higheft confo-
lations \ and unknown Sweetnefs, Love, and
delight from Chrift. O this mult needs be
wonderful enriching! when they be, ever, ever,
ever with the Lord \ where no clouds can dark-
en their fights, of their blefTed manfion, and
their blefled God ^ where no vail can intervene
between them and their Beloved : Where Rufl,
Moth,Worms,Time, and Death can never come
to wear out their enjoyments.O blefled Treafure
indeed ! Where Eternity fhall be the Date, Im-
menfity theBounds,and Immutability the fixation
of their happineis. But fo it fhall be with faved
Souls in Heaven, when they are got through the
Sea ofChrift's blood to Glory. O Believers, Do
not your hearts leap within you ? What no kind
of affection at all to thefe things ? Is all this as
a
the 7/nfe arch able Riches of 'Chr /ft. 301
a dream to you? Where are your Hearts? Obe
affected at this wonderful blefTednefs Chrift
hath procured in Heaven for you. O Melted,
blefled Eternity ! where faved Souls (hall wear a
Crown, that fadeth not away j where their Gar-
lands (hall be ever frefh and green ^ their joys e-
ver new \ and their enjoyments never wearing •
where all their fown feed of Spiritual-Duties and
Cofpel-fufFerings,fhallfpringupto Glory, to a
full crop of bleflednefsjto an harveft of pleafure,
proportionable to all the Love of God to them ;
to the utmoft meafures of their Graces, and ads
of their Faithfulnefs *, the large extent of divine
promifes, yeafuited to the infinite defervings of
Chrift for his faved ones, Glory, as much as can
be claimed : This will fet forth the Treafures of
Chrift to be boundlefs, bottomless, endlefs,
without all circumference ; higher then all Al-
titude, broader than all Latitude,deeper then all
profunditude : O treafures indeed ! Saints and
Angels may look into them, but can never fee
the bottom: In comparifon of which Riches in
Heaven, all the warmeft Apprehenfions, all
the fweeteft taftes, all the higheft enjoyments of
Saints here, are no more than a drop to the Oce-
an ^ like one ear of Corn compared with all the
fields in the world, cloath'd .with fruitful-
nefs^ No more then a fingle Dull, to all
the Beds of Sand in the whole Sea. O
what is glory l Chriffians, are thefe jewels fo
valuable,that you can bear about with you here ?
O what a Cabinet then is Heaven? O what
are the Treafures laid up there! O wonderful
Jarge indeed .' Weigh the utmoft nleafures,and
delight-
2Qi The Beft Treafure, Or,
delighting, ravifhing conizations that all kfe
Believers in the World can get by this fide Hea-
ven, all the graces, all the Joys of all the Saints
in theWorld put together, compared with glory,
is no more than a fingle grain to a Mafly weight
of Glory : O 'tis that which Men and Angels
cannot exprefs : All that Believers hr.ve here
of Heaven, it is but as Bread and Water in the
way, the choicer!: and richeft feafting is re-
fervd for the other World, for the Kings Ta-
ble, where are ail Varieties, all Rich Difhes,
all the choice Procurements, that may feed and
fatiatethe moft curious defires of faved Souls.-
Doft thou meet with high Comfort9 at a Sacra-
ment ? wonderful refreshings in Ordinances ?
yet they are but a Morfel or two thy Father
gives thee tochearthy Spirits, compar'd with
the varieties he hathreierv'd for thee in Heaven:
Or as the fhort allowance of fome Rich Heir
whiles in his Nonage, compared with the great
Inheritance he is to polTcfs when at full age *, or
as the firft-fruits which are inconfiderable com-
pared with the lump. This is glory, this is Hea-
ven, thereYthe place where all Chrift's Trea-
fures are laid up : O Chriftians ! could you but
get a look into glory, you would fay, O un-
iearchable riches indeed ; Treafures paft find-
ing out.
Thus have I difpatcht the firffc aflertion, and
fhewn fome what of thofe vaft riches that are in
Chrift, and though ibmetime hath been fpent
in opening them, yet it is but little of all thofe
Treafures, which are prepjr'd for them thai
are Heirs of the Promife.
CHAP.
the Vnfearchahle Riches of ' Chrifl. 293
CHAP. XXII.
Thefecond and third affertions proved : Shew*
ingthat thofe vaft treafures of Chrifl are 0-
pened in and by the Gofpel, that 'tis the
will of God they fhould be tender d to the
chiefefl of Sinners.
I Come now to demonftrate the truth of the
fecond afTertion, which is this,Tto thofe vaft
and hidden Treafures which are found in JefusChrift>
are opened in and by the Gofpel.
For the proof of which 1 (hall demonftrate
thefe three things.
Firft, That thofe treafures ofGrace and Glory,
which are in and come by Chrift., can no other-
wife be known, than by the GofpeJ, they are
deeps that cannot be fathomed by ail the grea-
ter! lengths of mans wifdom, 1 Cor- 2. 10. The
Spirit fear cheth aU things, even the deep things of God:
Things that lay deep in his breaft, which none
could know but himfelf,and Iks own Spirit. By
thefe deep things the Apoftle underftands the
hidden grace of God in Chrift, with the fruits
cf it, called ver. 12. The things freely given us
of God. Thefe are the Riches of Chrift, or that
come by Chrift, called, Rom. i'L n- The depth
tfthe riches both of the wifdom and knowledge of God :
Thefe riches of grace that come by Chrift are fo
deep, that none can know them except they be
revealed : Therefore the wifdom that makes wife
to Salvation is called hidden wifdom, 1 Cor. 2. 7.
And
304 The Be ft Treafufe, Or>
And Treafures ofwifdom arc faid to be hid in
Chrifb, called the myftery of Godlinefs, 1 Tim.
3.16. /ut/$n'e<op, from the Htb. word, Miftar, or
hidden, or fecret things : Some derive it, <&&
70 [jlihv to ^V^,from (hutting the mouth up,becaufe
fuch things muft be concea!ed,or as others think
it <©fe^ t° P&*: ^W, Shutting up the fenfcs as
well as the mouth, it being a thing hard to be
known, fuch a fecret is the great Power of Salva-
tion by Chrifc ; A religious fecret (faith onej
that cannot be Auown without fomeextraodinary
flatus, and fuch are the riches of Chrift, hidden
things, hidinGod1 Epk 3. 9. The fellow fhip
of the Myftery which from the beginning of the
World have been hid in God, and therefore
cannot be known by all the wifdom of men wixh-
out the revelation of the Spirit, Epb. 3.3,5. And
therefore it was an unfoundaflertionofMr. jobn
Goodwin : That the Sun and Moon do Preach
theGofpel, feeing it cannot be known but by
the revelation of the Spirit-
Secondly, Thefe Treafures of Ghrift are Do-
clrinalJy contain'd in the word of the GofpeJ,
there's the only difcovery of themDoctrinally, i
there's no other word can difcover them, and
thus they are fet forth, and brought to light,
1 Tim. 1 . 10. Bht now is made manifefl by the ap-
pearing ofonr Savionr Jefus Chrift, wbo batb abo- <
lifhed death, and brought life and immortality to ;
ligbt by tbe Gofpel. There are actually exhibited
to the view or Believers, all the myfteries of ji
godlinefs, fo the Gofpel is called the revelation
of the myftery which is kept fecret fince the
World began, Rom. 16. 25. The Gofpel is \
the
the Vnfear challe Riches ofChrifl. 305*
thewifdom of God that makcth wife to Salva-
tion, 2 Tim, j. 15. Ibereareali things open-
ed neceflary to Salvation : There are words
whereby we may beftved, Jtts 11. 4. In the
word of truth are all the Proprieties of Chrift,
and ofthofe great and glorious things that God
would accompiifh upon and by him, Acls $.
18. In the word are all the promifes of grace
and Glory, all things needful to life and god-
linefs, and thefe promifes are revealed in the
word of God : All the promifes ever God made
to the Sons of Men are in the word, and there-
fore the promifes are joyned with the Law, and
the fervice of God, the glory and the Cove-
nant, and all thofe royalties that in Scripture
are made over to Believers, Rom. 9. 4- There's
all that God hath fpoken by the Prophets^ Luke
24. 25. There's all difccverM that ever God
Dcclrinaliy revealed of his love to Sinners, and
the things that are freely given to them, there's
the whole Doctrine of Chrift concerning his
Perfon, Nature, Offices, Works, Excellencies,
Promifes, what he hath done for them, and pro-
cured for them \ what is laid up in him, and ihail
be laid out by him to all that come to him ;
there are tne openings of his heart,and the fecrets
of his love to them, Efh. 3. 18, 19. Therein
the RighteoufnefsofGodis revealed from faith
to faith, Rom, 1. 17. The deep things of God
1 Cor. 2. 9, 10, 12, 16. Things that eye hath*
notfeen, nor ear heard.
Thirdly, thofe great and glorious things cqh-
tain'd in the Gofpel, are opened by the Spirits
Miniftration in the Gofpel ; This is Godsap-
X pointed
306 The Bejl Treafure, Or,
pointed way to difcover and bring to light thofe
glorious things. Tit. i. 3. But hath in due time,
tn'.mfcfted his word through Preaching, which is
committed tome according to the Commandement of
God our Saviour : This is Gods way to man i feft
the deep things of the Word by Preaching :
This he hath appointed as a (landing Ordinance
in his Church through all ages, that fame mould
be fet apart for this work, to open and to difco-
ver the glorious fecrets of the Gofpel, 1 Cor* 2.
j 2, 13. 2 Cor. 4.2,6, 7. To thefethe Lord
JefusChrift reveals his truth, even themyfte-
ries of it by his Spirit, Eph. $. 5. That they
might Preach,and open them to otherstThisway
Gcci is pleafed to work * thus he taughjt the
Eunuch by Philip, jffts 8. 26. andPaul by jlna-
vias,Acls 9. 11. and Cornelius by Peter, Atts
10. 5.
3. AiTertion. It is the will of God that thofe
great and glorious Treafures ofChrifl in the
Gofpelflionldbe opened and tendred to Sinners,
yea to the chief eft of Sinners.
This is ascertain , as choice a truth, and pre-
cious news to finners. For the demonftration
of which, I (hall, u Prove ©77 by four argu-
ments. 2. The cf/or/ by four reafons.
Fir fb, That it is really true, that the Lord
Jefus Chrift is willing that all thofe unfearchable
Treafures of his fhould be tendred to Sinners, yea
the chiefefb of Sinners.
Firft, Chrift's willingnefs to fhed his blood
for Sinners, fhews he is willing his Treafures
fhould be opened and tendered to them : He that
gives the caufe, gives the effect, Caufa Canfa, eft
Caufa
the Zf.nfiarchalle Riches of Chr'ijl. 397
Caufa Cwfari y Chrifts blood is the procuring
caufeof all thofeTreafurestbatarepurcbafed for
Believers ; and that which gives a right to his
perfonal riches too, Eph. 1 7, if- Now if
Chrift be willing to give his blood for believers
fo procure thofe Treafures, then furely he is
willing to have them opened and tendered to
them, he that wills the means to the end, wills
the end too; Should not Chrift be willing that
his riches mould be oponecl and tenderd to Sin-
ners, it would lay a great reflection on his in-
tentions in dying for Sinners, and leave the
charge of unfaithfulnefs on truth itfelf ^ which
how unjuft it is let all that are rational
judge; but it is for finners Chrift hath (bed his
blood, yea for the chiefeft of finners, 1 Tim,
I. 15. Mom. 5. 6* In due time Chrift dyed for
the ungodly : £$£**» 'fis the fame word the
Apoftle ufeth to exprefs the people before the
flood by, 2 Pet. 2. 5. Mow what thefe were
Mofes tells us, Gen. 6. 5. Ignorance, Prophanefs,
Contempt of God, and the vileft abominations
were committed by thofe whom Chrift came to
redeem, yet to thefe would he have the Gofpel
ftnt, and his Treafures opened and tendred.
Secondly, His appointing and fending a Mini-
ftry on purpofe to Preach the Gofpel to finners
proves it • This was the flrft thing the Lord
Jefus Chrift did when he afcended on high, he
gave gifts to Men, that of A poftles, Prophets.,
EvangeUfts, taftors; Teachers $ and why was
this ? it was for the work of the Miniftry, Eph*
4. !0, it. 12. And what is the work of the
Miniftery* Why to open and Preach Chriit:
508 The Be ft Treasure, Or,
Crucified to the World, to difcoverrcconcilia-
tion-mercy,arid all the Treafures of Chrift con-
cernM therein, 1 Cor. 5. 18, r0. $h. 20. lijis
my Father hathfent me Jo fend 1 you : Now if the
Lord Jtfus fets. apart a Miniltery on purpofe
to attend this work, as ABs 6. 4. Then furely
he is willing Sinners fhould have thofe riches o-
pened vd tender'dto them.
Thirdly, The choice arinointings he gives
them to this end, evidenceth his willingnefs the
Gofpel (houH be Preached, and his Treafures o-
pened to the World •, as the Father hath annoin-
ted him, and given the Spirit without meafure
to him, fo hath he annointed his MeflTengers with
meafures of the Spirit for this work, 1 Cor. 12.
7, 11. But the manifl 'fiat ion of the Sprit is given
to every one to profit withal : That is the gifts of the
Spirit by a Metonymy of the effect ', and given to
every one to whom it is given, for this end to
profit withal (Co Pifottor)- The Apoftle fpeaks
here of gifted Perfons in the Church of Corinth,
whether they were ordinary or extraordinary
Teachers, they had all choice gifts imparted to
them by the Spirit to that end : All whom Chrift
ferids to Preach the Gofpel have the annointings
of his Spirit to fit them for that work, Jfa. 50.
4. The Lord hath given me the tongue of the learned,
that I fhould know how tofpeakjt word in feafon to him
that is weary : The Prophet here (faith Calvin) doth
perfonate all the Minifters of Chrift in all ages* And
tells us that all thofe Chrift fends to Preach the
Gofpel, he doth give futable endowments to
them for that end ; he doth impart his truth to
them by his Spirit that they might teach others •
This
the Vnf ear challe Riches of Chrifl. 309
This is the Reafon Chrift gives the Spirit of his
Father, Mat. 10.20. He makes them teachable,
that they might teach others'*. Hence Cyprian
faith, Non bonus eft DoEor qui non eft docihsv
Chrift reveals thofc \reafures of his to his Ser- :
vants that they might open them to others,
Mat. 10. 3. Freely ye have received freely give.
Fourthly, The charge he lays irpon his Met
fengers, demonftratesthis truth, he doth com-
mand them to gc<SAc?,preach the Gofpel to eve-
ry Creature,' AmM\k. 15. 7Tis an Hyberboli-
cal Synecdoche of the gehus^Every Creature put
for all Nations, faith Tifc&tcr. The word of re-
conciliation is commit ed to them as toAmbafla-
dours, faithfully to impart it to thofe they are
fentto: Theje'sa necefTity laid upon them to
preach the Gofpel, and a wo if they do not,
I fCvr. 9. 16. A nccefityl not- of Coaclion, but
Obligation, and divine command, faith Par am.
Secondly, The ifoV, why Chrift is fo willing
thofe Treafu res mould be tender'd to Sinners.
Firft, That fo he might give the world a
proof ofthegreatnefsofhis Love to perifhing
Sinners, and of the largenefs of his bowels to
poor mankind ^ EpV, 3 . 9 • To make all men fee what
is the Fellowfhip of the myftery, &C. Now what
was the feLlowihipof this myftery ? The Apo-
ftle tells us, <ver. 6. That the Gentiles fhould be
Fellow-heir s, and of the' fame body J and partakers of
his promife, in Chrift^ by the Gofpel. This fets
forth the wonderful love of God in Chrift to
fallen man; that God is willing the mvftery of
Sa'lvatibrffHBhldbe opened to fuch vile Crea-
ttrres as t^ife (Sentiks were*, worfhippers of 1-
Xv dols
3 10 The Befi Treafure, Or,
dols and Devils, fuch unclean and filthy Crea-
tures, the chiefelt of Tinners, Tit. i. 5. Eph. 2.
2, 3. Such were all before Converfion, they had
feliowlhip wi-thDevils, iCor. 10.20.And this com-
mends the Jove of Goq indeed, that he fhould
reveal Jefus thrift to the vHeft Tinners, and tells
the world it is by Grace any are faved, Eph. 2.8.
and of the riches of mercy, Tit- $. 5>6. ft lets
Tinners know that God is naije/jpefter of perfons,
he TavesnoiTe for any worthy jt^em, but for his
great love in Chrift, Eph. 3, ip.
Secondly, That the worft of finners might be en-
couraged to come to Chrift, and none be exempt-
ed from Salvation but thofe that exclude them-
Telves, J oh. 7. 17. This is drifts defign thereby
to draw Tinners to himfelf by the Tavour of his
dyntments, J oh* 12. 32. O the precious diTco-
veries of his excellencies are attractive *, the
riches of Chrift, and the Glory of his King-
dom have a wonderful influence to perTwade fin-
ners to him, G*l. 415. A Teen and believed
blefledneTs in the ways of Chrift, will make the
Soul part with all for him, and come on any
terms to the enjoyment of it : Terrours con-
trad the Souls affe&ions to God, 6ut mercy and
the excellency of Chrift doth cotiftrain them j
new Chrift is willing that every loft Tinner that
fees and believes in him fhould be lav-
ed.
Thirdly, That To all his Eleft that lye among
the periming world might thereby be' ga-
thered in, "job. 10. 16. The Ele&iorj muft ob-
tain, though the reft be blinded, Ronu 1 1. 7. The.
Lord Jefus Chrift cannot floTe one £out the fa-
': ■ *- ther
the Vnfearchalle Riches of Chrifl. 311
ther hath given him, they muft come in firfl or
laft-,and for their fakes, as the evil-days are fhorc-
ned, Math. 24. 22. fofhallthe Gofpel days be
continued till Chrift hath gathered all his E-
kct into union with himfelf from the four winds,
even as many as are ordained to Life : Now
there's no fuch way to fetch in Soulsxo Chrift, as
by opening thofe Treafures.
Laftly, That they who perifh under the Gof
pel might be left without excufe, Joh. 15. 22.
They have nothing to plead againft damnation,
whodefpife fo great Salvation, Heb. 2. 3. And
turn their backs on fuch tendered bleflednefs :
To leave tryed Gold for Counters, and Trea-
fures for Trifles, the portion of Saints for the
pleafuresoffin, is utterly inexcufable ; and this
isonereafon of Chrifts opening his Treafures to
the world, 'tis to juftiBe his feverity againft un-
believers, that will not come to him that they
may have life ? he will have every mouth Hop-
ped, and Che whole world of unbelieving fm-
ners become guilty before him, Rom. 3. 10,
Thus haveldifpatchM the third Allertion.
I now come to make Application of rhe
whole.
X 4 CHAP.
311 The Befl Treasure, Or,
CHAP. XXIII.
Containing, two Branches of Information:
What a great bleffing the Gofpel is :
The grcatnefs of their fin that oppofe
the Gojpe!.
IF there are great ,Glorious, and unfearchable
Riches in Chriityfitbebythe Gofpel thofe
Riches are brought forth, opened,and tender
ed to finners^O then what a mercy is it for Souls
to enjoy the Gofpel ! The Gofpel is the field in
which this treafure is hid : The Miniftery of the
Gofpel is the digging out, and laying open
this treafure : The Gofpel is the Cabinet in
-which thefe Jewels lye lock'd up : And the Mi-
niftery of the Gofpel, by the Spirit, is the o-
periing and unlocking this Tieafury and Ca-
binet: JefusChrifl: is this rreafure : The Mi-
nifters of the Gofpel are Meflengers and Am-
balfadoursofChrift, fent into the world with
news of this Treafure, and impowered to treat
with perifhing Souls about making them Rich ;
The Minifters of Chrift are Stewards of this
great Lord of Glory, cntruftcd with the tend-
ring and Minifterial difpofings of thefe vafl:
treafures, according to his inftrudtions : Thts
way God brings to light the hidden things of
the Gofpel, 2 Cor. 4. 7. We have this Treafure in
Earthen Vejfels : As if the Apoftle fliould fay :
O Corinthians , there is a treafure, there are
Riches in the Gofpel, and we have thefe Riches
the Vnfedrchalle Riches of Chrift. 313
in Earthen Veffels: The Lord commits them to
us, that we may open them, and make a ten-
der of them to periihing finners, according to
his order. Our bufinefs is to preach Chrift,
and open the treafures of Chrift, with all his
vaft Inheritance to every Soul that receives him :
O then the lingular happinefs they have, that
have the word of this Grace fent to them : Oh
what a mercy is it to live Within the day-fpring
from on high, and under the joyful found I To
hear the good news of a Saviours being born,
and offer cl to peri fhing Souls: Tohavethety-
dings of thofe Soul-enriching overtures:, O think
upon the blind perifliing world, that live with-
out the LineofCommunication,with whom Free-
Gracehblds no correfpondence about Salvati-
on/ thofe Indian: and Pagans that live without
theGofpel, and then reflect upon the privi-
ledges you enjoy, and fee what a mercy thft is •
arid then fay, who hath made you to differ ; O
why mould the Sun fhine on your borders, and
the day fpring from on high vifit your coafts ,
leaving others to perifh without regarding?
O is it not Grace that God mould vifit you with
theGofpel, and fuffer others to perfecuteit?
O thcfc are the motions of Sovereign pleafure,
and the paths of diftinguifhing mercy: O firi-
ners ! how much are you indebted to this free
unfearchable Grace, that fliould pafs by fo matfy
parts of the World, and pitch on this little ipox
of ground ? O wonderful Mercy indeed ! That
thefe f warms of Mellefluous dews and privi-
ledges mould light on your branches : That the
Cloud by day and a Pillar of Fire by night
mould
314 Tbe %eft Treafure, Or,
fhould come, and (land over you. O little do
you know what it is to lye in darknefs,and in the
Region and (hadow of Death : O ! this fhould
caufe you to value the Gofpel : who can tell
but they that feel it, what it is to be (hut up in
the Region of death, and be bound in chains of
darknefs *, to lye in a waft howling Wildernefs,
where there is none to guide their feet in the
way of peace : O what a fad judgment is this !
O Souls ! Jf ever you live to fee, the light
put out, and the Miniitery of the Go-
fpel gone from England, then you will
know what doleful mrferies are *, and will you
not prize the Gofpel then, that is fuch a wonder-
ful mercy, beyond all your Eftatcs, and all the
enjoyments of the whole world ? How will fome
mea value thofe Sciences that feed their natural
fliinds with knowledge, and feaft their Rational
defies with difcoveries of fome unknown Noti-
<$n$:And will not you love theGofpel,that brings
to Jight the glorious truths of Chrift ? How will
Tradefmen prize the Rules of their Arts, that
make them skilful! How will the Worldlings
hug thofe Counfels that help to make them rich !
And (hould not you prize the Gofpel, that comes
to make you wife to Salvation? Shall men prize
inftruftions about the obtainiug of perifhing
things ? And fhall the Counfel God gives you a-
bout the Food that endureth, be flighted? O
Souls ! what (hail I fay ? O labour to know the
worth of the Gofpel, before you feel the want
of the, Gofpel : O prize it, prize it indeed.
The Gofpel is the bell Treafure, the belt Com-
forter, the beft Friend that is in the World:
'Tis.
the Vnfe arch able Riches of Chrifl. 3 1 j
'Tis the beft Counfeller in all finners di
ties-, it mews you fliefafelt^d beft way out b(
all your Clouds ::pd darkneiV Fro. 8* 14.
felts tytne\ and found IV-, it is"rne£;\. of
Chriir. ; Coimfel to make
men wife to Sa barton, 1 15, There's
the bed Connie! to make you happy, Rev. 3. 18.
'Tis the belt interpreter in all the World to re-
folve your dark cates, and there's no fueh way
to get folution in all your d;ubts, and greateft
troubles : The Pfalmift found k fa, when he
went into the Sanctuary, Pf.js.i-j. Chriftians,
the Gofpel and Word of God tells you, what
youfhouJddoin&Hyour difficulties, Jtts 9. 6.
The Gofpel is the chiefeft comforter: O what
happy Melfenger tneminiftcry of the Gofpel is*
it brings the beftBalm to heal your wounds: Balm
of GUead to heal your foul wounds, it affords
thefweeteftConfo'Iations, Rem. 15.4. That tee
through Patience and Comfort of the Scriptures
wight have hope. Ah ! There's no fuci? pure Elixir
drops to any, as the Gofpel drops: 'Tis the
rrioft reviving Spirits imaginable : the water of
Life that come through the Gofpel : O
h6W^revjvirig how clearing are thefe to droop-
ing Souls! The Gofpel is the power of God to
Salvation, Rom. 1. 16. 'Tis the arm of Goi to
flay up the poor finking Soul: 'Tis the Wea-
pons of our Warfare which are niighty through
Gr.d to the pulling down of itrbng holds, 2 Or.
10.4. O Souls ! whatcaufe' hive you then to
be much affected with the Love of God in giving
the Gofpel? get your hearts tvarmM with the
iehTe of this mercy-, and tndre appreciative
thoughts
316 The Befl Treafure, Or,
thoughts of thefe priviledges: O, I know not
how to commend it to you : O Souls prize the
Gofpel, rate it in your efteem above the whole
World, Pja. up. 167. My Soul hath kept thy
Teftimonies, and I love them exceedingly. O reft
not till you can fay fo, 1 love the Gofpel exceed-
ingly i I prize it above gold, above tryed gold :
'Tis better than all trealures, ver- 72. Sweter,
(fays David) that Hmy, and the Hony Comb, Pfa.
19.10. IftheGofpci be IturT'd with fuch Rich:
es, who, would rot prize the Golpel? 'Tis a
rich Cabinet, b;ipangled with beauty in every
letter : 'Tis adifcovery of the manifold Wifdom
of God. and fhould not you be^frKted with tl e
Gofpel ? O teftifie your valuation of the Gof-
pel by all pofiible.demonitraticns.
Firft, Shew your valuation of the Gofpel, by
blefling God for it; O knd Clouds of In-
ce,nfe to Heaven, full ofpraifes and Hofannahi
to God for the Gofpel : /W;bIc(Teth"God that
the Phi Ilippiaus had the Gofpel, Phil. 1. 3,5. /
thank^my God upon every remembrance of you, 'fir
your fellow flup in the Gofpel, from the fir -fi d*y until
?ww. As much as to fay,that you have enjoy 'd the^
Gofpel a great while. O from' your whole hearts
blefsGodforthe Gofpel, 1 Thef. 1. 2, 5. o' I
am afraid Chriftians are not enough in this duty
ofpraifingGc^d for the Gofpel: Itdeferves (br
iemn days of Thankfgiving.
Secondly, Teftifie your valuation of. the"
Gofpel; by doing all you can to keep it with
you : A perfon that prizeth a Jewel or piece of
Gold in his hand'will hold it fall i O Chriftians !
if you prize the Gofpel, you will do all you can
to
the Vnfear chalk Riches ofChrift. $\y
to keep the Gofpel, Pro. 23. 23. Buy the Truth,
and fell it not : Lay out any thing to enjoy the
Gofpel ; part with your Lufts, part with your
Treafuresj let all go, fo you may keep the Gof-
pel : But then do not fell it : O the Gofpel is
Treafure enough, count nothing too dear for it.
Thirdly, Teftifie your valuation of the Go£
pel.- By your wiilingnefs to part with ail, or any
thing, if God call you to it for the Gofpel ; Doth
God bid you pluck out a right eye, cutoffa rigrit
hand, let it go if God call for it .• Doth he call
for your liberty, your lives for the Gofpels fake,
let them go, Atls 21. 1 3. O Souls ! bs notlike
the Gadarens to value your Swine above the Gof-
pel, and rather let the Goipel go, than part
with a little of your Eftates, Luk&,%- 37.
Fourthly, Chriftians, fhew your high efteem
of the Gofpel, by your readinefs to attend it at
all times .• To run at every call of the Gofpel,
with Mary to fit at Chrifts feet, though other
things be out of order, Luke 10. 39, 40. Will
not you part with a little of your bufinefs, and
let your Plow ftand ftill awhile, to attend upon
the Miniftry of the Gofpel ?' O Chriftians Jfhew
your prizings of the Gofpel, by your wiilingnefs
to fit down under it at all times.
Fifthly, Shew your high efteem of the Gofpel,
by the greateft improvements of it while you
have it ; Sirs, yon cannot tell hew foon it may
be taken from you, or you from it •, you fee what
attempts are made againft the Gofpel , you have
reafon then to make the molt of it while you have
it : Chrift gives this argument to his hearers to
prize it, J0h. 12. 35. ret * little while is the light
with
318 The Befi Treafure, Or,
with y ott, walk^ while you have the tight, left darhiefs
come upon y$n : Be fure at the belt, 'tis but a lit-
tle time you fhall have it, if you live out all your
time under the Gofpel, till your giafs be run e-
very duuVris but a little while you (hall fit under
the dews of this Htrmon \ntt\ the time of your life
is but a little while -, the time of your digging
in this Mine is but a little whi!e,Death will draw
the Curtain, and fet you beyond the droppings
of thefe dews and golden Oyls : O then improve
the Gofpel while you have it •, make the moft of
it, get all the good you can from it, by way of
illumination, inftruftion, Correction, Faith and
ConfoIation;Chriftians,get yourheads and hearts
fill'd with this precious fubftance what you can -7
this will be your wifdom, you will find it fo when
you come to reckoning : O fill thefe Chambers
of your Souls with precious treafures $ lay up
thofe choice fruits that may laft you in your
Winter Days*. Get the kowledge of Chrift, and
the unfearchableRiches ofChrift more and more,
while you may come under the news of it : O
draw hard at thefe breafts, that you may get
much food and nouriiliment for your Souls, that
rnayferveyou many a day.
Sixthly, Shew your high valuation of the Gof-
pel, by your believing in it, by your loving and
obeying of it: Joh. 12. $6. While you have the
light believe in the light : Thofe friends we value
much, we truft much. Souls if you value the Gofc
pel, you will believe it :The Gofpel tells you,He
that hath theSon hath life \ he that hath not theSon hath
not life : It tells yon, he that lives after thefieJJ)Jhall
<§e : O believe it ! the Gofpel faies, If yon for-
fakf
the Vnf ear chalk Riches of Chrift. 3x9
fake your evil ways, yon pall have mercy'-, if yon
hold f aft your fins yon pall dye : It tells you, you
cannot come at Salvation, but in Salvations wayes k
O believe the Gofpel j they that hpovo thy Name.
mil put their truft in thee, Pfa. 9. 10. If you did
but know the worth and truth of it, you would
believe it, you may hang all the weight of your
Souls upon the Line of the Gofpel, you may ad-
venture your immortal Souls upon the promifes
of the Gofpel .• It will bear all your weights,
then love the Gofpel : Love the truth and peace^
Zach- 8. 19. Is the Gofpel fuchagood Meffen-
ger that brings you fuch good news, and will
you not love it? O Souls i love the Miniftrati-
onsofthe Gofpel. And then obey the Gofpel ■
If you love Chrift indeed you will keep his Com-
mandements,7^. 14. 2 3. you will obey his voice.
This argues your efteem of the Gofpel, when yon
follow the inftructions ic gives you. Doth God
bid you forfake your evil wayes ? Come and
clofe with Chrift ? O ! obey thofe Counfels he
gives you in his Gofpel.
Laftly, Shew your high valuation of the Gof-
pel, by holding forth a Converfation futable to
it, Only let your Converfation be as becometh the Gof-
pel of Chrift, Phil. 1. 27. As if he fhcald fay, chief-
ly, this is the main and fum of all O l live wor-
thy of the Gofpel.
Firft, Then is your Converfation as becom-
eth the Gofpel, when you live as becomes ih t
grace of God difcoverM in the Gofpel : ?Tis
infinite grace is revealed in it ; you fhould walk ib
as to honour grace *, you fhould prefs after more
grace in your Converfations, there fhould be
grace
310 The Beji Treafure, Or,
grace in every ftep of your lives, Tit. 2.1, 12.
Secondly, Then you live futableto theGof"
pel, when you live up to thofe great and Glori-
ous things held out in it -• When the Gofpel is
opened there are choice Jewels brought forth to
fale : O moll excellent things producM by ic,
and you fhould live up futable to thefe.
There's the manifold Wifdorn of Gcd held
forth in the Gofpel, Eph. s- 10. Treafures of
wonderful wifdom are opened in the Gofpel : O
live up to thefe myfteries ; O Chriftians, lee
your lives be exact, for you have curious eyes
to look upon you, labour to hold forth much
wifdom and much light in your Converfations.
In theGofpel is held forth the m yftery of God-
linefs, 1 Ttm. $. 1 6. Great is the myftery ofgodlL
nefs. O what myfteries are here ! God Manifeft-
edin theflefh \ God.and yet cloath'd in flefh : Con-
demned for fin, and yzt juftified in the Spirit *, fe en
of Angels : Preached to the Geutiles, the worft of
Sinners in the World : Now live futable to the
myfteries of Godlinefs.
Again, the Gofpel opens the glorious pri-
vilcdges of Saints, of every faved Soul : O won-
derful priviledges ! That Enemies mould be re-
conciled, and ftrangers made nigh, that Rebels
fhould be adopted Sens and Daughters, made
the Children of God by Chrift, Rom. 8.16,17.
Cwhat a glorious. priviledge is this Believing
Souls are brought into by the Gofpel ! to a ftate
of Adoption, Gal. 4. 6. A ftate of glorious li-
berty, Eph. 5. 1. Gal. 5. 1. O live, up to thefe
glorious priviledges : Ton are Children of the lights
walkjis Children of the light, Eph. 5. 8. The Gof-
pel .
the Vnfearchable Riches tfCbriJl. 3 z 1
pel fhews you the the things freely given of God>
the infinite love of God, the wonderful Salva-
tion-Grace of God .- O then you live futable to
the Gofpel, when you live up to thofe great and
glorious things held forth in it.
Thirdly^ Then are yonr lives according to the
Goip.-l, when they arc futed to the Rules of the
Gofpil, look what the Gofpel commands ♦, and
requires that you do, Gal. 6. 16. Math. 28. 20.
Now the Gofpel requires not only Bodily, but
Spiritual worfhip •, to worfhipGod in the Spirit :
k requires not only external duties, but internal
hoiinefs : It calls for Obedience flowing from
love,and labours fpringing fromfaith^well priu-
cipled duties, whenvou endeavour thegreateft
ftricknefs in yout lives •, Thafs utable to the
Gofpel.
Fourthly, Then is your Converfation as be-
comes the Gofpel , when it is Subordinate to the
ends of it.
One end of the Gofpel is to exalt the praife of
the glory of grace, Eph. 1. 1 2. To make you vef-
fels of Mercy, for the glory of Mercy : 6 Clin-
icians live fo as you may moll advance the glory
of grace,live felf-denyingly and humbly, exclude
boafting, then you live as becomes the Gofpel.
Another great end of the Gofpel is thefancti-
fication of faved Souls, to make Souls holy,
2. Cor. 7. 1. Then you live as becometh the Go£.
pel, when you carry on Gofpel holinefs, inward
HoJinefs, outward Holinefs, iThef.4. $.
The Salvation of Souls, that's another great
end of the Gofpel, that the Promifemaybe fure
to all the feed, 2 Thef 1. 10. That he that be-
Y lieves
321 The Beft Treafwre, Or,
lieves in Chrift may have Everlafting Life ; O I
then live as you may be faved -, you muft tread
upon the World you have fo much doted upon *,
you muft account all things lofs and dung for
Chrift, if ever you be faved: O Chriftians, la- i
bour then to hold forth a Converfatiou futable
to the Gofpel. So much for the firft Inference.
Secondly, If fuch great and unfearchable trea-
fures are opened and tendered to Sinners in the
Gofpel : O then how great is their fin that op-
pofe and perfecute the Preaching of it : O this
is a black fin indeed :, this activity comes from
the Spirit of darknefs. O 'tis a dreadful thing
to oppofe, refift, and perfecute the Miniftery
of the Gofpel : For fuch do all they can to hinder
the tenders of unfearchable Richesjto the World}
they labour to keep the World poor, to hinder
the Salvation of Souls : And is not this fad work?
Again, fuch as oppofe and perfecute the
Gofpel, are of thecurfed brood and off-fpring
of the VharifceS) who do (hut up the Kingdom
of God, and neither enter in themfelves, nor
fuffer them that are entring to go in : So do
thofe that do oppofe and perfecute the Gofc
pel, and would put out the light of the Gofpel •,
they are the Children of the Devil \ thefirft-
born of Hell •, th?y do their Fathers work, Joh*
8. 4 1, 44. They that hate the light are the Chil-
dren of the Devil their deeds are evil, JW?. *.2o.
They carry the Devils mark upon their fore-
head ; wherever they go up and down, to fay
there goes the Devils Children, there goes an
Heir of Hell.
Again, They are Soul-murtherers 5 they do
hunt
the Vnfear challe 'Riches of Chr'tfl, 313
hunt Souls, and fhed the blood of Souls, Ezek.
13. 10. As well as they that hinder the Gofpel of
Life, as they that bring in falfe Doctrines, and
feed perfons with Lies, and occafion death :
They that ftarve mens Souls as well as they that
poyfonthem, both are Soul murtherers* They
fight againft Chrift in Heaven : They go up and
down with drawn Swords pointed againft Chrift
in Heaven. O bloody wretches ! that have
murthered Chrift on Earth, and now would
kill him in Heaven too, Afts. 9. 4. Sattl^ Sauly
Why perfscHteft thou me} O Souls J 'tis a fearful
thing to oppofe and perfecute the Miuiftery of
the Gofpel:, for all the blood of all the Saints*
from the beginning of the world to this day, (hall
beupontneir heads, Math. 23. 35. O 'tis a
fad thing to lye under the blood of one perfon %
but to have all the blood of all the Saints in the
world to lye upon the head of a poor Creature:
O what will that Soul do ? That Soul will go
to Hell with a vengeance, and lye tumb-
ling uuder the wrath of God to all Eter-
nity. Thus much of the Second Inference.
CHAP, XXIV.
Shewing the poor and lamentalle State &f
all Chriftlefs Souls.
IF there are fuch vaft and unfearchable trei-
furesin Chrift, tendered to finners in the
Gofpeh Hence fee theft tfee paot M4 lamefe
324 The Beft Treasure, Or,
table ft ate of all thofe Souls that are without
Chrift. O they are very beggerly Souls that
are Chriftlefs Souls : As they that are far from
the Sun, mull needs be far from Light and
Heat ; fo they that are far from Chrifr, muft
needs be far from true Riches : He that hath not
a Title to the Field, hath none to the Treafure
that lies in it : He that hath the Son hath Life, he
thA hath not the Son hath not Life. The Character
of Laodieea is the complexion of all Chriftlefs
Souls ; They are Wretched, Mtferable, Poor,
Blind y and Naked, Rev. 3. 17. They are aliens
from the Common Wealth of lirael, ftrangers to the
Covenant of fromife, without God, and without
hope, Efh. 2. 12. Tlaey have none of Chriftsper-
fonal, or purchafed treafure s to enrich them:
They have no right to his Perfon, and fo none
to his Excellency .- His glorious Attributes fig-
nifiesno good at all to them. His moft preci-
ous and fweet difpofitions, befpeaks little
comfort to them : What Chrift hath done and
fuffered, imports no advantage to them ; Chrift-
lefs Tinners are like beggers, or like poor per-
fons (hut out of the Rich mans door7 that have
Charity lock'd up from them; till they come to
Chrift, neither himfelf nor his is theirs:, they
have not any part of his fulnefs : No Treafures
of Juftification, Pardon, and Peace, are im-
parted to them.- No Riches of Sanclification
are made over to them : No Treafures of Grace,
or Glory, are the Unbelievers intereft } there-
fore he muft needs be a pitiful poor Soul : Yea,
all the Symptoms of Poverty are upon Chrift-
lefs finners. To name a few of them-
Firft,
the Vnfearchahle Riches ofChrifl. 315*
Firft, A poor Perfon is a very needy perfon :
He is full of wants:, ever and anon in diftrefs>
and extremities •, always deftitute : Poor and
needy are Synonimous terms, 7/*. 41. 17. When
the poor and needy feel^ Water. So it is with Chrift-
lefs Sou's, rheir neceflities are many-, their
wants are more than can be numbred : They
want Wifdom, Light, Grace, Glory, every
good thing: Nothing truly good is imparted to
thera : Their unbelief mars all the mercies given
to them : To the unbelieving Soul every thing is un-
clean^dffiled, Tit. 1 . 1 5. Their unregeneracy o-
verturns all their mercies. Ah ! They want
eyes to fee what is Jacking in them, and hence
'tis they go up and down ib ftcure : TJiey
want Eyes to fee, Ears to hear, a mouth to
fpeak, Legs to go, and Hands to Labour: they
want Life, and every good thing: And being
Aliens from the Common-wealth of lfrael,
Itrangers to the Covenant of promife, and alie-
nated from the Life of God j muft needs be mi-
ferably poor.
Secondly, Poor Perfons as they are needy,and
their wants great, fo they have nothing of their
owntofupply them.- A poor man may want
Bread*, but his Cupboard doth not afford it:
He may fee his wants, but hath no money in his
purfe, no treafure to repair them :, they are
poor that have no Eftates , no Barns-floar to go
to-, no Lands, no Livings, no money to help
them in time of flraits .• Chrifllefs Souls are
in this fenfe poor alfo : They have nothing to
fupply their wants, to relieve them in their
neceflities.- Their own Treafures are totally ex-
Y l hauft-
%z6 The Be ft Treafure^ Or,
haufted by fin .- Where the fountain is feaL
cd, the Citterns are dry : When the Creator
will not help, the Creature cannot, Angels
cannot, will not help: Scriptures can impart
no comfort to them, whiles out of Chrift :
Where Chrift (huts his door, no good thing gets
out to fuch Souls: They are naked of ail thofe
advantages that might enrich them, ftript of
thofe Confolaticns that might chear and re-
frefh them : Where (hall we go ? fays the Difci-
pies to Chrift, foh. 6. 68. So may poor finners
fay : Where pall )ve go ? they are like the Le-
pers that fate without the Gate of Samaria, rea-
dy to Famifh, and knew not what to do, 2 Kings
7. 3. This is the cafe of Chriftlefs Souls .-They
may have of the fat things of this Life^ but
not a jot of the Everlafting hills reacheth
them.
Thirdly, Poor men ufually fare hard; they
are much ftraitnedin their refrefhments ; they
feed on mean things, very low dyet •, Bread and
Water is great chear with them : When the
Prophet was redue'd to a ftate of poverty, he
was fed with Bread and Water, 1 Kings 18.4.
Yea, fomctimes vvorfe fare :, as the Prodigal fed
on Husks , nay, glad to have it, he looked for
forne that would give it, Luk- 15. 1 6. Nay,
fometimes feed upon Doves dung ; yea their
own fleih, 2 Kings 6. 25. O the mean, hard fare
poor peribns are brought to in a (late of Pover-
ty i they go many times with hungry Bellies .•
Poor people fometimes with Lazarus would
be glad of the Crumbs that fall from rich
Biens Tables, £/% 16. zu Such is the ftate of
Chrift-
the Vnfearchable Riches of Christ, 317
Chriftlefs Souls j their fare is bad, and very
courfe : They live upon the Carrion, the flunk-
ing Excrements of fin ^ They feed upon their
Lufts ; their fweeteil draughts are (with Barim)
dirty Waters : As the Children of God feed oil
holinefs, 'tis meat and drink to do their Fa-
thers will , fo the pleafures of (in are the dain-
ties, and fweet-meats of Chriftlefs Souls : The
forbidden Fruit is the beft chear fuch have •• No
Tree in the garden pleafeth them fo well as the
Tree of Knowledge of good and evil. Ofuch is
the meat and drink of finners, they feed upon
their own dung •, yea, they are fed with Judg-
ment, whiles Saints eat the dainties, the mar-
row and fat things of Chrifts Table : They eat
the Bone, when the Children feed on the Flefh :
Sinners come to Ordinances, and eat up Bran,
whiles the Children feed upon the fineft of the
Wheat i they have but the fhell and outfide of
Ordinances, when gracious Souls eat the kernel
and infide fweetnefs : The Friends of Chrifr
feed upon hidden Manna, when finners fill their
ftoraachs with husks, yea, gravel : The appoint-
ments of Chrift yield no fweetnefs to them:
Their Ear doth not try words, their Palate hath
loft its tafte \ it cannot difference fweet Waters
from bitter •, the Language of Canaan from the
Janguage of Jfrdod: initiations from Superfti-
tion: 7Tis all one to them what is preached :
Thepureftrainsof Gofpel truths is no other to
them \ than the dull methods of dead preaching,
juicy meat and dry Bones is all alike to them ;
O they are poor ifcdeed that fare fo hard .; If
Hypocrites feed on any thing Vis but a dream*,
Y4 if
328 The BeflTreafure, Or,
tf they have comforts, 'tis but floilen Watrrs,
when they awake they are empty ftill.- Let the
fare be never fo nourifhing, the choiceft privi-
ledges they prove not by ; they are ill favoured
Souls, and look gallly.
Fourthly, Poor Men have ufu.illy mean cloith
ing, (b John the Baptifh low t&a e in the World
was fet forch by his habit, Ma,\ 1. 6. And John
was cloathed wth Camels Hair^ And With the gir-
dle of a shm about his Loynrs : A plain and ;ordid
habit, as Calvin calls it : Ab om> iurbtno riitori &
Utititiis remotis : A man far from a (curt- like
neatnefs, either in habit? or apparel, but in a
poor and ruftick attire-, not but that John might
have been better cloathed % he was the Son of
Zacharias the Prieft, but taking on him the ftate
of Poverty, he cloathed himfelf accordingly :
Poor Men are badly clad, Job %i* 10. Some-
times they go in rags, zsSoloman faies, Pro. 23.
XX. Drove finefs will cloath a man in rags'. It notes
the Poverty chat flothful Perfons are brought
into*, when James would difcribea poor man, he
fets him forth ascloath'd in vile rayment, Jam.
2. 2. And there come in a poor man in vile rayment ,
i* pWf* *Sht/j dirty bafe cloaths : The fame
word that isrendred filthly garments, Zach. $.
$. fs thedrefsofpoor men : So Chriftlefs Souls
are very poor, they go in mean rayment, they
are naked:, the Spirit of God tells the Church
of Laodicea fo, Rev. i- 17, 18. Till Souls be
cloathed with the white rayment of ChriuVs
Righteoufnefs, they be naked, and their fhame
appears; they have nothing to cover their na-
kednefc from the fight of God, Angels , and
Saints:
the Vnfearchahle Riches of Chfift. 320
Saints : They go in poor rayment ; their gar-
ments are webs of their own weaving, and their
works are their covering . They are cloathM
with ilia me, and covet M with Confufion as with
aM?ntle, Pfa. 109. 29. 0 what fad rayment do
Sinners go in JSaints are cloathed ^'ith whiteRay-
ment, and beautiful through Chrifts comelin' fs ;
adornMwith his Graces,beipangled in his Jewels-,
they go up aixl down in rich Attire: Butfinners
1/ein fordid attire,cloath?d with vile Rayment.
Fifthly, Poor men ufually have but badLodg-
ing \ They commonly live in mean Houfes :, lit-
tle Cottages : They fometimes dwell in theduft,
Pfa. 1 1 3. 7. He raifeththe poor out of the daft,
and liftcth the needy out of the duwhitt'-, So the
Propnet 1 faith describes a poor man, as one
that iscaftout, lfa.<fi. 7. The poor that be caft
out : O their Loding is hard \ they do not fpread
themfelves on Beds of Ivory •, nor lye on Cloth
of Tapeftry : The rich have their ceiled Houfes>
fair dwellings. The poor many times their
Cottages are in a Wildernefs, and Houfes that
drop through. So 'tis with Chriftlefs Souis }
they have poor Lodgings ; when Saints Lodge
in thebofom ofChrift,tiiey iye in the Arms of
Devils : They lie upon Thorns } yea ,
Spears, that will pierce them thorough :
They lye upon Stones i the Earth is their
Bed, they are Earthy Souls, and lodge in the
very bofome of the world : They dwell in ha-
bitations of cruelty \ they lye in Graves : So the
Prophet, whenhefpeaks of the Jews dead in
fin before Coverfion, he defcribes them to be in
their Graves, Ezekc 37- 12- O^d finners lye
- like
33 o The Beft Treafure, Or,
like Lawns, bound with a Napkin in their
Graves, Job. 11.44- O there's your Bed Souls,
ifoutofChrift} there you lye kept till the day
of Judgment -9 held Prifoners till a call comes to
bring you to the Bar of Chrift. O your lodging is
mean indeed! Saints dweJl in God, Pfa. pi. T
9. their habitation is in the City of God, Eph.
2. 1 s>. But all Chriftlefs finners lye without a-
mongft Devils • they dwell on pinacles, and
live upon the borders of death every moment,a-
mongftDogs,amongft the unclean:0 fee their ha-
bitation>and the place where their honour d weiJ-
tthyRev.22. 1 5. Without are dogs^and Sorcerers }and
Whoremonger sr and Murtherers, and Idolaters y and
whofoever loveth and maketbalye.Thefe are thecom-
pany Chriftlefs Souls lodgewith : they are turn'd
out of doors: O fad, doleful ftate indeed !
Sixthly, Another Character of a poor man is
this: Poor men are Friendlefs, TV*. 19. 4 Wealth
tnaketh many friends, but the poor is feparated from
his Neighbour. Every man feeketh the Rulers
Favour", every mans Cap, and Hand, and
Knee, and all is for them \ But the poor man,
his very Neighbour comes now to leave him,
who was his Friend whiles in profperity : When.
Rich men fit down in places of Honour,
poor men mull ftand at the Feet, Jam. 2. $.
They are fure to find few Friends to own them
to pity, and help them! So Chriftlefs Souls are
friendlefs; they have no true Friends in Heaven
or Earth : Thofe that feem to flatter them, are
not Friends but Foes ; they rather wound them,
and draw them into mifchief , whiles they lye in
their blood there's no eye to pity them, to
do
the Vnfe arch able Riches of Chrift. 331
do any of thefe things for them, fcfi^. 16. 5
No hand to help them, to wafh, fait, and Twad-
dle them, <ver. 4. 5. If the Father of Bowels
ftiut up his pity, Creatures can extend but little j
whiles they reject the good Samaritane, none
that pafTeth by regards them. If God will not
withdraw his anger ^ the proud helpers do fioop under
him, Job 9. is- If God be angry, who can be-
friend us? dinner^ If God frown, what is the
love of Creatures? O thy cafe is doleful, thou
thou art a poor Soul indeed, that art out of
Chrift*, if he wound, none can heal, Job 11.
loJfhe cat off, or flint Hp^or gather together ^none can
hinder him. Chriftlefs Souls are like a Gangreen
member, in danger of being cut off if a fudden
cure be not found: and who then can befriend
them ? where the Lord of hofts is a Friend,Crea-
tures are Friends : And where he is an Enemy-
Creatures are Enemies too.- If God be in Cove-
nant with a Soul, the Creatures are in Cove-
nant too. AndifGodbeagainftaSoul, all his
armies fight againft that Soul too - O finners,
who can befriend you ? fuppofe you have Rich
kindred, great acquaintance, what can they
do at the Bar of God for you ? They will not
goto the Judgment feat of Chrift, and fpeak
for you there.
Seventhly, A poor man is one that is lightly
efleemed : This David gives as a Teftimony of
a mean ftate •, when fome were fent to treat with
him about a match wirh SauPs daughter; he
modeftlyputsit off. Who I% fays he, lama
poor man, and lightly efleemed, I Sam. 18. 23.
The word is contemptible, of little, little worth.
Rich
332- The Be ft Treafure, Or,
Rich men are fure of honour-, but the poor are
little regarded : Great perfons are Courted,
when the poor are fleighted, paded by, little
efteeraed. So 'tis with Chriftlefs Souls : They
arelightly efteemed: God hath a very low ac-
count of them: The ungodly in Gods account
are like the Chaff the Wind drives away, Pfa.
1.4. So are the wicked, let them be what they
will> in greateft dignity here below ; they are
glittering ftars in the worlds Eye, but falling
Comets in God's account : The migh / King of
Babylon being W wicked man, God accounts
him but an abominable Branch, If*. 14. 19. So
Chrift calls proud Herod, a Fox, Litk^ 13. 32.
God reckons them as broken Pitchers ; Wicked
Coniah is as a broken VefTel in whom is no plea-
fure, Jer. 22. 28. No more doth God reckon of
wicAedmen, though under all the grandureof
the World : Angels do not regard them : They
do not account them worth their company, and
attendance : The Saints are guarded by Angels ;
but wicked men are let alone.* Angels are Mini-
ftring Spirits to the Heirs of Salvation -, not to
the Heirs of Hell*, they have no charge at all,
to watch over them *, but to fight againfl: them .-
They arc fet in battel array againfl them ; good
men cannot regard wicked men ; let them be
never fo high and honourable : Though they
give every man his due *> yet they cannot weigh
them in the ballance of. the Sancluary as any
thing.- They had rather conveiie with a poor
Saint, than, with the greateft perfons in the
world, if wicked, 2. Kings 3. 14. And Elifha
/aid, As the Lord ofhofls liveth, before whom I
ftand
the Vnfearchable Riches cfChr/Jl. m
ft and ♦, Surely were it not that J regarded the pre-
fence of Jehofhaphat ##>£ of Judah, / would not
look^ toward thee, nor fee thee* So lightly efteem-
ed are wicked men in the Eyes of God, Saints
and Angels.
Laftly, A poor man is liable to dangers and
fufferings *, he hath no might againfb the mighty,
but lies open to the injuries and oppreflions of
thofe that are above him, Amos 4. 1. Hear ye this
word ye hnie of Ba fh a n, which opprefs the poor^which
cr ufli the needy : Poor men lye under the feet of
the potent, and are fubjeft to their Tiranny: On
the cpprejforsfide is power, and on the oppreffeds fide
are tears, Eccl^-i* SoChriftlefs Souls are under
the ruling power of Satan, and taken Captive by
him at hiswill,2T/'^.2.26.They have nodefence a-
gainft the ftroaksof judgment^tis eafie withGod
to crufh chem every moment *, they no have pow-
er to fecure themfelves from ruining vengeance,
wicked men are no more match for God than
Bryars and Thorns,//**. 27 4. Yea they can no
more refill him than the ftubble can the fire,
MalAf. 1. Ofinner, thou art a miferable Cai-
tiffindeed ! O fee thy poverty, let this ftain thy
glory; Ofinner, look about thee, whiles thou
haft a little time : Art thou wilting to die fo
poor ? O 'tis not Houfes,nor Lands,nor Money,
nor Friends, can minifter comfort to thee then •,
Ohowwilt thou do to live for ever, if thou haft
none of Chrifts tryed Gold.
So much of the Third Inference.
CHAP.
334 ^je B?fl Treafure, Or5
CHAP. XXV.
Wherein Chrift is fet forth to firmer s, as a
Match worthy of their choice, in regard
of the excellency of his Eft ate t The
amiablenefs of his Perfon: His lovely
Difpofitions and other Confederations to
win the hearts of finners to be looking
after this lovely J ejus*
IF there are fuch vaft treafures in the Lord Je-
fus Chrift \ then this will follow hence :
That the Lord Jefus Chrift is worth the looking
after by per ifhing finners. O what a match is
Jefus Chrift for undone finners \ could they but
obtain him, how happy would they be for ever *
this is a principal thing in a woers eye^ to get a
rich match *, O Souls you cannot get a better
match than Jefus Chrift, there's none like
him.
Firft, In point of Riches: O let me commend
the Lord Jefus Chrift to you upon the account
of his wealth : Sinners, if you would have a rich
Husband *7 there's none fo rich as Chrift ) He is
wonderfully rich \ if you but confider the Na-
ture and number of his riches: If you obferve
the verity and variety of his treafures : If you
weigh the kind or degree of h is fubftance, you
will fay he is exceeding rich i Take him pofitive-
ly, or comparatively, he is vaftly rich .* he is
really fo, and fuperlatively fo .• The worlds
trea-
the Vnfearchalle Riches of Chrifl. 3 3 y
treafures are but fhadows : But he hath fub-
ftance i true folid fubfifting treafures, Pro. 8.
21. 'That I may caafe them that love me to inherit
fnbftancey and I will fill their treafures. Chrifl: V
Gold is tryed Gold, that which can bear the
hardeft touch, and abide the fire .• And he is
fuperlatively rich, none like him.- Job was a
rich man, but his riches were limitted within
the Confines of a Countrey : He was the rich-
eft, not in all the world, but of all the men
oftheEaft, Job 1.3. But Chrifl: is richeft of
all: All the Men and Angels in Heaven and Earth
put together cannot vye treafures with Chrifl: :
What was faid of the vertuous woman is true of
Chrifl:, he excels them all, Pro. 31.29. O tin-
ners, would you have a rich match, caft your
eyes on Jefus Chrifl:: He hath a very taking
Eftate, that will be wonderful attractive upon
your hearts if rightly fet. I fhall fhew in a few
particulars what an Eftate Chrifl: hath.
Firft, It is a fair Eftate, exceeding large and
full *> 'tis incomprehenfible, and paft finding
out, both as to his perfonal, and purchafed
Treafure: It is in heighth, depth, length,
breadth, pafllng knowledge, as hath been (hewn
atlarge, £ph. 3. 18, 19. Chrifts Eftate is as
large as himfelf is, and he is paft finding out.*
Who can fearch out the Almighty to ferfettion ? Jab
11. 7. All mens Eftates lie here in the lower
world, within the meafure of a fpot of ground :
But Chrift's treafure fills Heaven and Earth:
The Heavens, yea the Heaven of Heavens are
his, Neh.9.6. The Lord Jefus Chrifl: is rich e-
very way confidered : He is rich in inheritance:
Heir
3 3 6 The Bejl Treafttre, Or,
Heir of all things, Heb. i. 2. He is rich in Jew-
els, he hath abundance of choice Jewels; he
hath a day on purpofe to make up bis Jewels,
Md. 3. 17. He is rich in manfionstoo, Joh. 14.
2. In my Fathers Hoh\c are many manfions- A man-
fion for every Heir of done-* O how many
Houfes hath this Heir of all things ? How many
dwelling places in Glory ? He is rich in Crowns
and Thrones: We account that man rich that
hath two or three Kingdoms : But Jefus Chrifl
hath a multitude of Crowns ; A Crown for every
Subject, Mat. 9. 28. Every faved Soul is^a
Crowned King, orfhailbe fo to all Eternitie,
Rev. 1.6. Every overcoming Soul (hall lit on
Thrones •, and every one wearing a Crown of
Glorie, 1 Pet. 5.4. O what a yaft Potentate is
Jefus Chrifl: .• All the Angels in Heaven cannot
draw an inventory ofChriftsEftate, fonumber-
lefs are his Treasures : He that hath fo many
millions of Saints,and can give every one of them
a Kingdom : O how rich mult this Lord be ? O
finners think what a rich Jointure Chrifl; can
make you } he can fettle an Eflate upon you in-
deed. O wi il you Efpoufe Chrifl:, he hath a fair
Eftate indeed.
Secondly, Chrifl hath a free Eftatc .- Some
men may have large Eflates,but manv Mortgages
and debts upon them-, but thrift's Eflate is all
free *, no debts lies on Chrifl to leflen his Ellate *,
whatever he gives to the whole Creation, doth
no way leflen his Riches ; like the*Sun, whate-
ver light it imparts to the World, or Inferiour
Luminaries,doth not exhaust or diminifh it'sOri-
£inal fplendour^ all that the Rivers emptie from
the
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrifl. 337
the Sea, donotlefTenit, but repay its bounty
by a retribution of all thofe receptions :, fo what-
ever contributions come from Chrifl to men, ic
doth not lefTen his ability to give to his people :
The more Abraham gave to his Sons by Keturah^
the lefs he had for Ifaac : But Chrift's liberality
and Obligations do not diminiflahis treafure ;
Chrift's whole Eftate comes to every Believer,
every faved Soul hath a whole Chrifl; full of
Grace and Glory.
Thirdly, Chrifl hath a fure Eftate, exceeding
fafe , there's no defrauding of his Spoufe, no
pre-raortgage to take it away .• If Chrift's Life
could not be taken from him without his con-
fent, when he was Mediatour, Job. 10. 18.
Then all the Eftate he hath purchased with his
blood is unremoveable *, the Father hath given
it, who is greater than all, and in whofe hands
Believers are put, and their Eftates fecured for
them ; All new-Covenant promifes are fure, as
you have heard, part of which is the inheritance
of the Saints. This Eftate is fure both by dona-
tion and purchafe : The Father hath givenChrifl
and all that is his to Believers, Jfa.$ $.4*1 have gi~
ven him to be a witness to thepeopU^ a leader and com-
mander to the people : This lhews the certainty
and truth of this Covenant which is confirmed in
Chrifl, whom the Father hath given and made o-
ver to Believers to be the confirmation of his
promifes. *Tis confirmed by purchafe:, he hath
bought and paid for't ', he went and fold all to
get this pearl ; he parted with his Life, Blood,
Glory, his All, to get this Eftate for Believers •
Z The
338 The Be ft Treafure, Or,
The Father hath received every Farthing of the
money, and gives him an acquittance under
his hand, declares before men and Angels, that
Chrift ows him nothing for all the whole Eftate
he hath purchas'd for Believers, Mat \. 17.
This is my beloved Son in whom 1 am well pleafed : O
'tis a fure Eftate. A conveyance is made of it
to Chrift in the behalf of Believers, //d.49.
8. Math. 28, 1 8. All power is put into the hands
of Chrift : The Deeds are drawn, and inter-
changeably fealed between theFather andtheSon,
that the Eftate is firm and fure to all Believers;
Nay the feifure and delivery is. given, and Chrift
hath taken poflefTion of it, and lie is entered in-
to the Heavens in the behalf of Believers, and
all to make this fure. O finners will you efpoufe
Hell,and let go Jefus Chrift,wha is Heir of Life,
andGlory,that hath fuch a fure Eftate for you ?
fourthly, He hath a futable Eftate : Let a
man have a fair, free, and fine Eftate, yet if it
be not futable to his quality, neceflities, and
denies* 'tis uniatisfyiflg: But Chrift's Eftate is e-
very way iiitable both to himfelf, and to his
Bride: He hath a large inheritance futable for
his dignity, andtohisSpoufes quality: Chrift
having ftaiihed his work on Earth , being
about to drink the laft draught of the Cup; he
comes and treats with the Father about his re-
ceiving, and 'tis Glory futable to his quality .-
O Fathfr glorific thon me with thy felf, with the
glory which I had with thee before the World was,
Joh. 17. 1. to w.jf. OunreafonableSouls,that
defpUe Chrift -? O finners! had you ever fuch a
Lover ftood at your doors? No, nor never will
have
the Vnfearchalle Riches of Chrifl. j5q
have the like, if you refufe this Jefus : Yea, 'tis
a fatable Eftate to his Spoufe too : 'Tis a fit
joynture for the Kings Daughter, fufficient to
maintain her Immortality, andGlory, Lu^iz.
29. I anoint unto you a Kingdom: Now a King-
dom is a futable ftate to a Kings Daughter ; O
Souk ! wUl you fall in Love with Chrift ? he hath
Crowns, Thrones, a Kingdom of Glory for you.
Then 'tis an Eitate futable to your neceffities
too ; There's enough in Chrift to fpend upon;
and maintain you bravely, richly, here and for
ever : O finners, will you. match with Chrift ?
whatever you need is in him. My Godjhall fupr
fly all you wants, fh$L 4. 19. If a Kingdom will
doit, you mall not want it .• If a Crown of Glo-
ry will make you happy and bleiTed you (hall
not want it •, his Eftate is fullnefs that fiileth all in
all, Eph. 1.23.O Believer, it may be thou want-
eft Bread, Cioaths, Money, and thou goeit
upanddowndejecled, fad, full of fears: But
haft thou efpoufed Chrift ? O eonfider thou haft
afullnefs,0 what a vaft Eftate hath Jefus Chrift
for thee. Sinners, your wants are many,
more then you know, Sod only knows yonr
wants, Sinners, yet there's enough in Chrift's
Eftate and Patrimony to fupply them all.
Then 'tis futable alfo to their defires. Sin-
ners dehres are large ^ Owhat wandring things
are the defires • perfons may defire things to the
utmoft ends of the Earth, which they cannot
get : But all that the Believer rationally de-.
fires, Chrift's Eftate can fatisfie ; He will fulfill
the defires of them that fear h\my Pfa. 145. 19.
Yea, 'tis above their defires .- Defire as much as
54^ The Befl Treafure, Or,
thoucanft, Chrift's Eftate is above thy defires,
Pro. 3. 15. Owhatatreafure then is Chrift !
it fills every chink of the Believers defires,
with an overplus: 'Tis more than can be
defired.
Fifthly, 'Tis a pleafant Eftate, Pfa. 16. 6.
The lines are fallen to me in a pleafant place, yea,
I have a goodly herritage. The Chaldee renders
it in fweetnefs, others delightful place : A
great Eftate if it be not well fcituated, and
lye not in a pleafant place, is not half fo con-
tentful ; but Chrifts Eftate is well fcituated $ it
hath all confiderations and circumftances that
may make it defirable. Canaan, that was a type
ofit, is calPd the pleafant Land, Jer. 3. ip.'Tis
in the Original, the land of defires : So the Be-
lievers portion that is prepared for him by
Chrift •, 'tis a Land of defires •, an Inheritance of
beauty and Glory : Chrifts Riches are very
precious and pleafant Riches, Pro. 24.4. And
by knowledge jhall the Chambers be filled with all
precious and pleafant Riches* Rare, as the word
imports % delighting Riches ; The whole pof-
feflio ni of Chrift are pleafant, the way to it is
pleafant, Pro. 3- *7« The borders of Chrifts in-
tereft are made with pleafant ftones, If a. 54. 12.
And. all thy borders of pleafant fiones. The firft
fruits of Chrift's harveft is all pleafure and
delight, much more tlie lump •, the maintenance
he allows his Children here in the way is delight-
ing, much more the Eftate referved at the
Journeys end The Fruits that fall from this
Tree of Life is fweet to thofe that fit under its
Jhaddow, Cant. 2. 3. how much more to them
that
the Vnfe arch able Riches ofChrifl. 341
that climb, and crop the pleafant fruits thereof.
Their drin^is f leaf ant, Pial. 36. S. Thott Jhalt
make them drink of the Rivers of thy pleafures. And
at laft he brings them to his Right Hand, where
are pleafures for evermore, PfaL 16.11.
Sixthly, Ic is a peaceful Mate, not liable to
contefts and controverfics, as mens Eftates
oft times are here .• A man may have a great E-
ftate, but it may be a litigious Eftate ; It may
occafion many Law Suits about it : But it is not
fo in Chrift's Eftate ; 'Tis a peaceful Eftate *,
no wars grow cut of this Eftate: Chrifts Coun-
trey is called Salem'. The Land of peace, Pfa.
76. 2. And he is The King of Salem-, The King of
peace, Heb.j. 1. His Kingdom is Right eoufnefs,
and Peace ^ and Joy in the holy Ghtft, Rom* 14. 17.
He is their peace,E/>k2.i4. In him they fhall have
peace, Joh. 16. 3 3. His very Doctrine are words
of peace, Eph. 2. 1 7. He came to guide our feet
into the way of peace, Luke 1.79. He came and
Preached Peace : " O what a bleiTed Eftate hath
Chrift •, what a lovely Lord is Chrift: He be-
queaths peace to his people : Peace 1 leave with
you, my peace I give unto you, Joh* 14. 27.
They have peace with God who Efpoufe this
Chrift, Rom. 5. 1. Peace with Saints and An-
gels, Col. 1. 20. Peace with Confcience too,
Phil. 4. 7. Heb. 10. 22 The Fruits of the Spirit
is Peace, Gal. 5.22. His Riches have no for-
row annexed with them.
7thly,It is a perpetualEftate.-^ inheritance that
fadeth not awayyefervedwHeaven, 1 Pet. 1 .4-Chrifts
Riches are durable Riches, aged Riches, ftrong,
folid, Riches : Opes denfajkzt is multa & frw&y
Z 1 fays
342 The Befi Treafurey Or,
fays Mercer* they are great,ftable Riches, Pro.
8.1 8. Riches and Honour are with me,yca durable Rich-
es and Right eeufnefs. His Gold is not liable to raft.
'Tisfaid of the Cedar, worms will not breed in it ;
fure there's no worm in ChrilPsTreafure-.O Souls,
'tis a lading Eftate .• That neither time nor
changes can wait nor weaken.- AH the Saints
fpendmg upon ir to all Eternity, never detracts
from it.- Chrilts Treafares are like the deep
waters, or like the bottomlefs Ocean, that
cannot be exhaufted-, his treafure willlaft as long
as Ood,the Soul, and Eternity lafts, which is for
evers forever, forever. Some men haveout-
iivM their Leafes and their Elrates.andhavefcen
an end of their Houfes and Riches •, but the
Spoufe oFChrift can never out-live her jointure;ic
lafts to all Eternity.
Frailly, 'Tis a pofTeft eftate : Some may have
great eftates, bat it is in reverfiofl , they may
look long for it, as fome Heirs do all their days .•
But Ghrifts Eftate is all in his own hand, 'tis
actually made over to him by the Father, and
poiTeffion given him when he fate down at the
Right hand of God, Hcb.i $. He hath actually
obtained this Inheritance with the Fruits of it,
Heb< i. 4. And is actually invefted with this glo-
ry, Heb. 2.7. Thisfinners is the Eftate of that
Beloved that is tendered to you in the Gofpel
for your choice 5 he is very wealthy, he hath a
fair, free, fure, futable, pleafant, peaceful,
perpetual pofleflion '>> an Eftate you cannot fpend
or comprehend , an Inheritance you cannot Iofe
or out-!ive:riches that will not cloy,nor clog y cu$
a portion that cannot beout-vyM or matcrTd.-
Come
the Vnfearchable Rkfas of thrift. 343
Come view the Rentals of his Lands, the Inven-
tory of his Goods, and tee what a rich match
Chriftis, there's none Kke him \ where can you
mend your penny-worths ? ali the world, no nor
cheHeaven ofHeavens can yield you fuch another
bargain. Job 28, vsr. 1$. &c Manknoweth
net the yrice thereof- th* gold and the Chryftal
cannot equality and the exchange of it {hall not be for
fcweli of fine gold^&c Then Jeius Clirift is
worth a looking after if he be fo riaii as the
Scripture reports him to be, and 1 prefume
you quellion not thetruihofthis teftimony. O
flight not this bargain which will make you hap-
py to all Eternity \\i wealth will pleafe you,here's
enough, what fay you ? Have you any objection
againft his eftate ? If not \ what flick you at ?
Secondly, Doit thou diflike his perfon ?
Then it argues then kuoweft him not-, for he
is altogether Lovely, the chiefeft often thou-
fands : The faireft of the Children of Men ; O
come, behold theLamb of God : Look upon this
glorious Jehovah Chrift : O fee his Perfonal Ex-
cellency, and it will allure you , and invite you
to come tohim.-he is the brightnefsof his Fathers
Glory, and the exprefs image of his Fathers Per-
fori, Heb. 1.3. Sinners look well upon him,
view him from top to toe *, there is no blemifli in
him : O he is the molt exquiflte one* his perfects
ons are enough to pleafe you, his beauty fuftici-
ent to allure you : See his excellent lineaments ,
the fweet proportion of every part : O how
lovely is Chrift to the believing eye, in regard
of his Perfon. Confider his Natures, God Man
fweetly concentring in an intimate and Eternal
Z 4 Union,
344 The Beft Treafure, Or,
Union, pcrfed God, perfect Man in one perfon:
O where can you efpy fuch an object ! fure lie is
a Nonfuch ^ none like him in Heaven, none like
him on Earth, in regard of his Perfonal Glory as
Mediatour, God Man : look over his Characters
that his friends have given him ^ See in that
Book of Cant. Chap. 5. How theSpoufedifplays
him, and you will find him a beautiful Perfon,
ver. 11. to the end, His head is as the mo ft fine
gold: HisWifdomandGovernment is moftpure,
folid and excellent : His locks are bufty and
blacky as a Raven : Which notes not only
his lovelinefs, but his ftrength and vigour
he hath his radical moyfture, his vital heat :
He is ftrong, his vigour abides with him •, he
hath ftrength fumcient for all his undertakings,
and he is able to go through what he fets his hand
unto \ he is ftrong, vigorous, and fpritely. His
eyes are as the eyes of doves by the Rivers of Water s,wa-
fhed with Milk^ and fitly fet.Hls fight is quick, and
perfect, his underftanding is infinite.-HisCouufels
are holy, and confiftent,all well fet,hisdecrees,his
purpofes, all methodically ordered and fixed .•
His looks are gracious, his-afpects lovely, ena-
mouring the eyes of them that behold him. O
fuch a lovely Chrift is tendred to Sinners •, O
I know not how to fet him forth to your capaci-
ties, he is a molt taking object indeed. His
face is white and ruddy : Emblems of Rich Beauty,
captivating the eyes, and ravilhing the hearts
of beholders.- The purity of the divine nature,
with the pafTions of the humane, and procure-
ments of his Redemption, fets him forth as in-
finitely amiable in the eyes of Believers. His
cheeks Are- as a bed of j "pices , as fweet flowers : His
'grace
the Vnfearchahle Riches of Chrift. 345-
graces and choice difcovcries of his Excellen-
cies, doth wonderfully feed and delight the
Souls of thofe that have acquaintance and feilow-
fhip with him ; his fweet and lovely perfecti-
ons difcoverM to Believers are like a rich feaft
that ftay with them ; His lips like Lillies drop-
ping fweet fmelling Myrrhe : The impartings of
his wifdom, the droppings 01 his Doctrine,
his gracious words, his Holy Communications,
are favoury and found, pure and incorruptible,
they ftrengthen the heart, and heal the Soul of
thofe that imbrace him : His Doctrine carries
wonderful ftrength to thofe that are inweak-
nefs ; how do the words of grace revive the
fainting hearts of Believers -0 his wayes are
ftrength to the upright, like Myrrhe, they
make the heart found. His hands are as gold
rings fet with the Beryl : His works and admini-
ftrations in the World, aire full of order,
beauty, and excellency : All that he doth in
Standout ofSion, is all holy 5 every provi-
dence that feems to us fometimes to be unfeafon-
able, is in infinte wifdom difplay'd by Jefus
Chrift for the good of his people. His belly is
as bright Ivory overlaid with Saphires : His tender
Bowels, andboundlefs affections to his people,
are wonderfully lovely and delighting 5 they are
pure, firm, and fixed in their nature, and they
are chearing, and enriching in their effects ^ O
Chrifts love is not fleeting, 'tis firm as Ivory, fet
with gold, overlaid with Saphires. O how rich
are his affections, what a Treafure to thofe that
have him. His legs are as Pillars of Marble, fet
ttponfckets of fine gold. The gracious motions
and
346 7fo Be ft Treafure, Or,
and efficacious workings of his Spirit, are ex-
ceeding mighty and glorious -, full offtrength :
He hath power to bear up all thofe that follow
him : His legs are ftrong, he can carry his Lambs
that are committed to his arms \ there's no bur-
den too heavy for Clirift i his loins are flxong
he can bear what is laid upon him; the weight
of all the Saints on Earth is nothing to him : He
can carry on all his intendments and inteteft in
the World \ his legs are as Marble, abte to bear
his Body \ quick in motion : O what a lovely
Chriftisthisdifplay'dintheGofpel ! His coun-
tenance is as Labanon, excelltnt as the Cedars :
Thole difcoveries the Lord JefusChrift makes
of himfelf in his word, and works, are wonder-
ful taking^excecding enriching .- Chrift's word is
fruitfullizing : O when he fpeaks to the hearts
of his Children, what a deal ofverfue goes
through his lips :, Grace is poured out of his lips,
Milk andhony is under his tongue : His appear-
ances carries excellency, riches and glory with
them 3 His month is moft fweet, yea he is altogether
lovely : Hisdrfcourfes, the openings of his mind
is wonderful pleating : The word of Ghrift never
cloys the fpiritual part Thus you fee what a
Perfon Jefus Chrift is : O Sinners confider his
beauty \ O how lovely an object is he.' what
can you object againfthis Pcrfon,why you will
notefpoufehim ?
Thirdly, Confider his lovely difpofirjons , O
Sinners will you accept of him ? He is of an ex-
cellent Spirit,of a very fweet nature-,full of grace
and goodnefs .• His fweet difpofirions have been
largely opened already, he is full of mercy and
companions,
theVnfear chalk Riches of Chrift. 347
compaffions, meeknefs, gentlenefs, patience,
long-fuffering, flow to anger, ready to forgive,
great in kindnefs, free and bountiful, of a ge-
nerous Spirit \ true and faithful : Sinners, you
may truft him with your fecrets, you may ven-
ture your Souls upon him : He is harmfefs, and
inoffenlive ; he doth wrong to no man-, his com-
pany is lovely and defirabie : His converfes
are pleafant and profitable : O what a perfon
is Chrift ! O Sinners, never was fuch a one offer M
you as Chrift is •, why will you not come unto
him ?
Fourthly, Confider his quality and high digni-
ty, he is no mean Perfon> but a mighty Potentate,
1 Tim. 6. 1 5. The fole and only fuperintcndent
of the whole World, the King of Kings, and
Lord of Lords, Rev. 19. 16. He hath on his we-
ft are and on his thigh a nmme written^ King of Kings
and Lord of Lords : He is not only a King, but
the King, the only true Potentate from whom
ail others derive their glory^a King not only of
Men, but of Saints ; not only of Saint?, bus of
Ang*ls, of Thrones, Principalities and Powers:
Math. 26. 53. And can command them down
now he is in Heaven for the fervice of his elect,
Heb l. 14. Are they not all Mini firing Spirits fent
forth to Minifier for them whojhall be heirs of Salva-
tion. O Sinners ! fhall this prevail with you to ac-
cept of him ?
Fifthly, Take notice of his potency : He hath
power as well as honour, Math. 28. 18. All
things are put uuder his feet, Heb. 2. 8. All
the Armies of Heaven and Earth arcdeliver'd
over to him: He is Lord of Hofts : He hath
the
348 The Beft Treafure, Or,
the Keys of Heaven, Death and Hell : Rev. 1.
i3. Who then can lock out Chrift, or exclude
him from doing what he pleafeth, feeiag all
things are at his beck ? He doth whatsoever plea-
feth him in Heaven and in Earth, in the Seas and
in all deep places ', Pfa. 135. 6. He fitteth in
the Heavens, and laughs the Counfels of the
Potentates to fcorn^ he makes no reckoning of
their combinations, but derides their ambitious
attempts againft him, Pfa. 2. 4. He fhall pafs
thorow and over-flow, and break all their con-
federacies in pieces, Jfa. 8. 8, 9, 10. Let all
the fubtleties of Hell be woven together, to
make a web to catch the intereft of Chrift in \
it fhall all be as a fplders web, that can foon be
fwept away. O admire the Kingdom of Chrift *,
the glorious power of Chrift ; nothing is too
hard for him : He hath an abfolute, unlimited
and uncontroulable power : He is the fupream
over allperfons, and all things, in all places,
Lands, and Countries : O what power hath he !
not only Authority, but likewife Might, 2 Chro.
20. 6. In his hand there is power and might, and
none is able to vcithftand him : O Sinners come a-
way to Chrift, he can protect you and defend
you from dangers.
Sixthly,Obferve his wifdom too : this is taking
with fome to have a head that hath intellectuals
in him , and marry one that hath exquifite parts
and eminency of knowledge. Now all Treafures
of wifdom are in him,CW. 3. 3. His judgments
are unfearchable and paft finding out, Rom.
11. 35- His judgments, his acts in the World,
his Righteous deeds, and the way he takes to
accomplilh
the Zlnfearchalle Riches of Chrift. 349
accomplifhhis defigns *, O how wonderful deep
are they / Thefpirit of the Lordjhall reft upon him ;
the Spirit ofwifdom^and under ft anding jhe Spirit of
Counfel and might 5 the Spirit of knowledge and
of the fear of the Lord, If a. 11. 2. He is of
quick understanding, full of judgment •, called
The wonderful Co?mfelloHr,lfa. 9. 6. The only
wife God, from whom all wifdom is fetched, that
fills Men and Angels-, all the World do light
their Candles at his Torch: He is the Sun that
fills the whole Creation with beams : There's no
fearching of his underftanding 5 he can bring to
light the hidden things of darknefs : 1 Cor. 4. 5.
He hath eyes can reach where men cannot*, he
can reveal the deep things of God: 1 Cor. 2. 10.
O Sinners, what an excellent ^one is Chrift ! O
how worthy of your choice !
Seventhly, Weigh the glorious and bleiTed
effects of your doling with the Lord Jefus Chrift:
Sinners, the very day you marry Chrift he will
pay all your debts, and they are many } he will
pardon all your fins, blot out all your iniquities,
remember them no more : He will free you from
all your Bondages, deliver you from all your
fears, fecure you from all your dangers ; if you
will but efpoufe him. O the very day you marry
Chrift he will wipe offall your mame,and remove
your reproach : He will heal all your wounds
and fickneffes, he will begin to heal them im-
mediately *, and never leave till he hath perfect-
ly cured your Souls: He will ftripoff all your
filthy garments, and cloath you with broidered
rayment, he will advance you to higheft dignity,
he will lift up your heads above your fellows.
He
3 jo The Befl Treafure, Or,
He will make you Kings and Priefts to God -,
he will fet you in Heavenly places •, he will feal
your title to a Rich Joynture, he will make fore
your intereft to all the Treafures of Heaven :
He will poflefle you with grace, and allure you
of glory : O (Imiers, is not this argument e-
nough to win your Souls, and make you willing
to accept of fuch a Majefty as Jefus Chrift ?
Eighthly, Sinners think upon the greatnefs of
that love t ie Lord Jefus Chrift bears you : He
hath good-will towards Men, towards finners,
asfinners, whiles in their bloody he hath a love
of pity for you : ?Tis true till you clofe with
Chrift hecanhave no love ofacquiefcenfe in you*,
but he hath a love of good-will to your Souls, he
bath fo much love for you, as hath made him
willing to fhed his blood for you -y his love
brought him down from the Fathers Glory,
made him willing to drink the dregs of a cup of
wrath for you *, the love of Chrift to Sinners,
hathfetupa ftanding Miniftery in the World,
fent forth multitudes to publifh glad tidings : O
Sinners, did you but believe this, how attractive
would it be upon your hearts, to draw you to
Chrift. But if none of thefe arguments will pre-
vail, let me adde oae confideration more.
Laftly, The effects of your refufing Jefus
Chrift will be dreadful : if you will not accept of
this propofal •, O think what a terrible anfwer
Chrift will fend you : Such fhall not tafte of his
Supper, Luke 14. 24. Not a crumb that fall from
this Rich Table of Salvation-chear (hall fall to
the (hare of that wretched (Inner. If you will
not have his Perfon you fhall not have his pur-
chafe /
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrijl. 35-1
chafe : He hath fworn in his wrath thefe fhali
never enter into his Reft, Htb. 5. 1 u O firmer !
were there no other Hell but the lofs of Heaven,
it were enough to break thy heart in pieces : O
think upon the fad Ifliie of thy final unbelief:
When thy fins get over thy head ,and thy guile fol-
lows thee at thy heels*, WhenDeath andHeil fhali
beat thy back, and theato call and cry, and
knock at the door of mercy and not be hea*d -0
O what adoleful thing will this be! When ar-
mies of devils are round about thee, ready to
fnatch thy Soul into everlafting burnings, and
none to relieve thee j O fearful will the cafe of
thy Soul be! When thou (halt cry \ O for mer-
cies fake, Help Lord*, I am going to Hell, for
mercies fake help •, and then for the Ear of God
to be deaf, and thou not have one good word,
and the door be (hut againft thee-, O what a
doiefull cafe will this be ! for tender mercy to
ceafe j ismiferable.- But for mercy to become
cruel to you *, O fearful cafe indeed ! when ten-
der Bowels (hall become Brafs and Iron, and
there fhali be no founding at all in. it towards
thy Soul* O {inner if thou wilt not accept of
this Cbrifb, he will laugh at thy Calamity, and
mock when thy Fear cometh, Pro. i. 26. That's
terrible*, when God fhatl nor only ceafe to pity,
but deride thy mifery : Be aflLr'd, Soul, as quiet
as now thou art, a day of Calamity will corner
there will cornea time of Fears for thy poor
Soul, and then will mercy it felf be turn'd into
wrath, and laugh at thy Calamity; yet further
(Tinner J if thou wilt not accept ofChrift 5 then
will incenfed fury fend forth its army of deftrcy-
ers, and ruin% andcut offthy Soul forever,/*/**.
22.
3£x The Beft Treafttrc, Or,
22. 7. Then fhalt thou be punifhed with ever-
lafting deftruction from the prefence of God,
and from the glory of his Power, 2 Thef 1.8,9.
Then fhall vengeance glut it felf upon thy SouJf
and feize upon thee in flaming Fire : O 'tis a
dreadful thing to lye at the mercy of vengeance :
O what will not enraged fury do to its adver-
faries, when it hath them at its power ? But
what will divine vengeance do ? O firmer, when
God fhall arraign thee at the Bar of judgment
for kicking at the Bowels of mercy 5 for Crown-
ing the head of Chrift with thorns, and tramp-
ling his blood under feet , what wilt thou do
then ? (O canft thou read this and not fhakej
when thou fhalt fee Devils round about thee,and
flaming vengeance take hold of thee.- But
thus it will be. Then they that would not let
Chrift reign over them •, fhall feel Devils rend-
ing of them : Then they that fled from the Arms
of mercy, fhall fall into the Jaws of fury : Then
they that fhut their ears againft the fervent woo-
ings of Chrift fhall open their hearts to the fiery
wrath of Chrift : Then they that would not get
into the bofom of Chrift j fhall lodge in the
burnings of Hell : Then the Furnace of Hell
fhall be heated feven times hotter for thofe
whofe hearts freezed under the warm
beams of Chrift's Love : Oh dreadful
will thy ftate be, Sinner, if thou refufe Chrift.
Well finner,take the Counfei given thee: kifs
the Son left he be angry ', turn in,turn in hither j
reach out thy arms, come away toChrift-,fayLord
JefusJ am willingly thine.Sinners are you pedwa-
ded ? what anfwer fhall we return to this Lord
of Glory? Will you be his? Will you accept
of
the Vnfear chalk Riches ofChrijt. 35^
of this grace tendered to you, before it breathe
its laft to you.
CHAR XXVI.
Ohjellions anfwered. Counfels how to corns
to Chrijl.
Ifhall now endeavour to anfwer thofe Objecti-
ons which are made by doubting Souls, a-
gainfl their coming to Chrift.
1, Objection. Says a §oul: Bat will this blejfed
Potentate, this glorious King of Kings, ftoop
fo low as to look^ upon fuch an obfcare Creature,
jiicb a worthlefs worm as I am} Alas ! / am too
mean to unloofe the latchet of his Jhooes : I am
too unworthy to be the meaneft Servant in his
Houfe : lobe a dog to his Flockj. . And will he
cafi his skirt over me ? O do not flatter me into
fuch vain hopes, and fond dreams, that fuch a
King of Glory will look^ upon me : / am too low
for one afpetb of his Eye*
Anfw- Abundant Teftimony hath this Lord
given of his condefcendiug heart to tinners:
poftthou think thou art too low for fuch. a
Majefty ? When he left his Fathers Kingdom;
and came down from his Eternal Glory with the
Father, he gave abundant proof of the humility
hi his heart: when he did efpoufe thy nature,
A a (finner
354 f^e Beft Treafure, Or,
(tinner) to himfelf; and took upon him the form
of a Servant ; he (hewed his humble heart, that
he was far from contemning finners : He was
the true Jacob, who ferved a far harder bon-
dage for thy Soul, than ever Jacob did for his
Rachil \ this (hews his humility : His choofing
fuch mean perfons, fuch notorious finners for
his companions, in near eft Union and Coramuni-
with himfelf \ Matthew the Publican, PahI the
Blafphemer: Poor Fifhermen of no regard up-
onEarth ; Thefe didChrift perfonally chufe for
his neareft Converfes ; this (hews his condefcen-
fion : And 'tis not thy low ftate (Tinner) can
difcourage Chrift, if thy heart be really willing :
His preaching the Gofpel to the poor, and cal-
ling the bafe things of this world, and things
that are not, ihews hi$ lowly mind. And his
humility hath been abundantly prov'd al-
ready : He will dwell with the Lowly, If a*
57- iS-
2. Objedl. But I have no portion for Chrift: 1
am exceeding poor and beggarly *, I have no
Righteottfnefs, no Grace, no good things dwell in
me: I canbringnothingtoglorifie hint', I have no
ability at all to fervehim, I cannot pray or do
any thing that is goody and Will Chrifi accept
of me}
Anf. Chrifts defign in thefe Gofpel tenders
of himfelf to finners, is not to get, but to give
Riches : He wants no treafures for himfelf,
but he rather wants obje&s to give them to : He
Wants no goods, but (like the Rich man in the
GofpeU
the Vnfe arch able Riches of Chrifi. 33-^
GofpcJJ he wants room tobeftow his goods:
He is willing to impart his treafure to finners,
2 Cor. 3. 9. Of all perfons in the world he is
furetohearthe defires of the poor. The rich
fhall be fent empty away : but the poor that wait
on him fhall be heard, Pfa, 69. H. Art thou a
poor Soul in thy own eyes ? The Lord hath fpe-
cial regard for fuch: Thefe are the perfons he
invites to him that have no money, no price.
If a. 55. 1. The poor have the G of pel preached to
them^ Math. 11. 5. Therefore finners 'tis not
thy poverty can break the match, nor hinder thy
reception of JefusChrift, if thy heart be wit
ling.
3. Object. But lam a deformed hvelefs Qreature%
J have no beauty at all in me\ lam blacky with finr
fttll of all uncleannefsj and abominations f polluted
in my blood, wallowing in my Mire and Vomit \
fcarce fuch a naufeous Objsft as I in all the world.
O what a filthy hearts O what an unclean Soul,
O what vile affetlions have l\ and will this holy
cne caft a glance of Lave on fuch a Creature as 7 ?
/ dare not thitk^ he will endure the
fight of me 1 therefore I am afraid to IoqI^ to
him.
u4nfw. Believing finners ?though black in their
own eye, yet are comely in Chrift's Eye, Cant.
1. 5. Faith puts an amiablenefs on the believing
finner in Chrifts account : This is one of thole
eyes that raviihes his heart. Cant. 4. 9. He
looks upon them as lovely that come to him,
though unlovely in themfelves : Affections fpie
A ; a z u<£
5 j6 * The Beft Treafure, Or,
no deformity in the beloved object. Chrift*
love is lb great to fallen man, as tiiat nothing ap-
pears unlovely in him, but an unwillingnefs to
be his: He fees no iniquity in Jacob, though
there be a great deal. Ihe halt, blind, lame,
impotent are no amorous Objects ^ yet thefe
Chrift invites to his feaft, Luk* 14. 21. Others
arenot worthy, fay s Chrift, but bring thefe, they
arecompanie for me, if they will but come.
2. Let not thy deformity, and theienfeof thy
unworthinefs keep thee from Chrift, becaufe
he hath beauty enough for himfelf, and thee.
He hath comelinefs enough to cover thy naked-
nefs ■ 'tis but for fome of his beam* co reflect on
thy Soul, and thou wilt be altogether glorious ;
thy perfection lies in his, and not thy own
comelinefs : Chrift can foon fill thee with simia-
bienefsv fee, in Ez,ekz 16. what a change Grace
makes upon deformed finners: The beautie of
finners is Chrifts beautie put upon them, and
ChriftsHolinefs imparted to them, and there's
enough of it for thee. 3- Know, that Chrifts
blood is cleaning blood, it doth not only cover
fpots and deformities, but it takes away filthi-
xiefs^ if thou come to him, the blood of Chrift
clcanfeth from all fin, 1706.1.7.
4. Object. But I am a great [inner, none like mef
therefore I cannot thinks the Lord JeftiS
wi& pafs them by '■, or have thoughts of favour
for me*
Anf So was Davids, and yet found pardon,
Pfa. 25. 1 1. for thy name fake, O Lord, par-
don
the Vnfearcbahle Riches ofChrift. 35-7
«3on mine iniquities for they are great. Man*/-
feh's fins were notorious, and yet upon his Re-
pentance found favour with God, iChro. 33. 3,
4, 5, 6. He reared up Altars for Baalim^ wor-
shipped ali the hoft of Heaven, and ferved them •,
he built Altars in the Houfe of the Lord>and cauf-
ed hisChildren to pafs through the fire in theVal-
ley of the Son of Hinnom. He alio obferyed
timest and ufed Inchantments, and Witchcrafts,
and dealt with familiar Spirits, and with wiz-
ards, and when God fpake to him lie would not
hearken, wr. 10. 0 abominable fins ! One would
think here wasa man ripe for Hell ^ yet upon
his Amplication, when he was in affliction, God
heard him, and pardon'd him, ver. 12, 13. Paid
was a flagitious (inner, in his own eyes the
greateft that ever was, \Ttm. 1. 15. ABiafphe-
mer, a periecutor, injurious, but obtained
flaercy, ver. I j. Therefore 'tis not the greatnqfs
of thy fin can flandin the way of thy mercy, if
thou come over to Chrifl with all thy heart.
5. Object. But 1 have been an old (inner \ I have
been rooted infinr and livdin (in all my days \ 1
have been a continual provocation to the Lordy
for many years \ through my whole Life fin hath
touched [inland I cannot think Chrifl hath thoughts
of Love for me.
- Anfw. So did the Thief upon the Croft, he
flnn'd to the laft hour of his Life, and yet ob-
tained mercy, £#1(^23.40,41,42,43. So did
fome of thofe that were called in at the Eleventh
hour, yet embracing the call, obtained mercy^
A a \ r*-i"*i»
}j8 The Befl Treafure, Or,
Math. 20. 9, i 2. it was not the length of their
finning time excluded the Efficacie of Salvation-
mercy, when they did come in at the call of it.
1 mention not this for a Pillow to fecure fin-
ners, but for a Cordial for defponding Souls:
Now the Gofpel calls thet, nner *, if thou come
in this hour, and embrace the calls of mercy •,
'tis not the length of thy finning time, will make
void the Grace of God.
6. Object. Butfaies the Soul .• / have freighted
many calls already : J have quenched many moti-
ons cfthe Spirit : J have dtCpifcd thefirfl call : and
may I have hopes to go to Chrifi ? Will he receive
me!
-drfw.So d\d MattoJfebJ\c did reject many calls*,
pod did fpeak to him, but he would not heark-
en •, and after his rejection of the firft call, yet
mercie found him.- The ^tv/inthe wildernefs
rejected many calls of God ; yet the Lord
faid, while 'tis called to day, harden not
your hearts, Heb. $. 7, 8. Though thou .
haft been guiltie of defpiiing many calls, this
is matter for thy humbling, but not for thy de-
ipair.
7. Object. But 1 am never the better for all the
means and mercy I have enjoyed j though Jhadde-
f pi Jed the firfl calls of mercy , yr t if I had been the
better for after tenders of grace, there were fome
hope: But I am /hll the fame notxvithjlanding all
the Sermons 1 hear , and precious overtures of Sal-
vation 'j my heart is hard, and dead under all.
Jnfw.
the Vnfearchable Riches $f Chrrfl. j y o
s4tjfw. So it was with the Impotent man a great
while, he was difeafed thirty and eight years.
Job. 5. 5. He lay at the Pool's fide near the means
of cure, but never the better, ver. 6. 7. And fo
continued till Chrifts time came to cure him. So
Ifrael were barren and unfruitful, till the Lord
became a dew to them. Hof. 14. 5. Therefore
this is no difcouragement^if thou believe and
come to Chrift, God will be a dew to thee, and
thou fhalt quickly find a change.
8. Object. But faith one: 1 am not only never thz
better for all the me am of grace , but 1 am worfe
than I was before *, when I was under fir ft awaken*
ings^ my heart was more tender *, but now my heart
feems to be more brawny and hard \ I find
more unbelief than ever, more indijp option to go
to Chrift : 7 am worfe than I was.
Anfw* So was Sarah too, as to the receiving
the promifed mercy, more and more indifpofed,
fhe complaines of the deadnefs of her womb -,
(he was paft age to be the Mother of Children.,
till the time of life came, then Sarah's growing
indifpofition becomes no impediment at all to
the fulfilling of the promife. So was Ifrael, they
began to fay for their part, their hope was cut
off, and God had forfaken them, when mercy
wasneareft to them : So the woman that had a
bloody iflue twelve years, and had fper.t all
thatfhehadonPhyfitians, yet was aothing bet-
tered, but rather grew worfe, till Chrifl came
and healed her, y^ri^5.25,26.Perfons are ufually
worft in their own eyes when mercy is neareft
their doors. A a 4 Again,
3 60 The Bejl Treafure, Or,
Again, Thy not comming to Chrift is the
cauie of thy decaies and hardnings y 'tis thy un-
belief thatdeadcns thy heart, and withers thy
Sou], Chrift doth withdraw his influence from
fuch, andiefufethto do any mighty works in
them bccaufe of unbelief. O then Soul, come
away to Chrift,and this is the way to cure thee.
p. Object. But iaies the Soul : Chrift /cents to
take no notice of mey I call but he heareth me net,
I come to Ordinances, hut I cannot fee him , nay
he feems to he angry with me j every thing goes a-
gainft me, his word fpeaks bitter things to me •,
inethinks there^s never a threading bat belongs
to me \ J atn. the Hypocrite and unclean perfon ,
that God ftr ikes at in every Sermon, and his rod
lies heavy en me too, and in the way of his pro-
vidence he writes bitter things againft me*
Anfw. Soul, is this thy cafe, doth Chrift take
no notice of thee ? It isbecaufe thou takeft fo
little of him, when he unveils his beauty •, thou
doft not believe in him, when he makes a pro*
mile to thy Soul : When he fends words of Coun-
fel, thou doit not obey him.He hath called, and
thou haft not anfwered , and therefore when
thoucalieft he doth not anfwer, Zach. 7. 13.
Yet at fuch a time what follows ^ doth God make
nnendoffuchfinners? No, fee Chap. 8. 2, 3.
O Soul, if the Lord Jefus Chrift feems to take no
notice of thee, but to frown upon thee, it is to
frown thee from thy unbelief^ it is but to make
thee fen fible of thy flighting him : If thou wilt
this day accept of the Lord Jefus Chrift '•> his
frowns
the Vnjear chalk Riches of Chrlft. 361
frowns w'!? foon pafs away,as a darkCIdud doth
whenthe^unflrines-,he will remember thy Ini-
quities no more.
ic Object. But may fo me Soul fay : I would
fain c?me to Chrift, but I cannot ; I like the
terms voeS^ but, 0 my unbelieving heart \ O my
impenitent hard heart ! I cannot fenfe Salvation*
kindnefs.
Anfw. O Soul ! The affliding fenfe of thy un-
belief, is a hopeful fign of thy faith : if thou dolt
fte t"hy unbelieving heart ^ fo as to be burdened
under it, and be weary of it, the Lord reckons
itfor the beginnings of faith, Mark 9. 24- This
is the method of Salvation-Grace in begetting
faith^to convince thee of itsimpotency tobelieve,
Joh. 16. 9. Soul, is this thy wearinefs ; that
thou caaft not come to Chrift ? Wouldft thou
have a wider heart for him ?.' Thou art the Soul
he waits for that mourneft over ihy unbelief,
Markjp. 2q.
But there's one thing more may be as. a dif-
couragement to fome Souls.
1 1 • Object . 0 fates the Soul, I fear the time is pafl,
and that God will be gracious no more \ I have had
a day of grace t but that is gone : The Angel came
troubling the Waters, but 1 would not ft ep in : /
bave had the dawnings of mercy, but I refilled'.
J fear 1 have out flood my Afark^t : That J have
outflrived the Spirit fo long, that he will ftrive
no more : And this bows me down, that lam afraid
to look^ up.
Anfw.
$6z I he Bejt /reajure, Or,
Anfw. Sinner, if this be thy cafe, know that
thy fears of lofmg the day of grace, is a fign
it is not loll : The greateft fymptome of depart-
ing grace isfecurity, andfalfe peace, i Thef
5. 3. So it was with the people before tie flood :
'Noah threatned judgments, but they dreamt of
peace, Math* 24. 37. &c. Security ufher'd in
the departure of grace from them: But while
the Spirit of grace ftrives with thy Soul, the day
of grace is not paft from thee. Doth God cail
upon thee now, aud plead with thy heart f And
doft thou find fome movings,and turnings of thy
Bowels in thee, crying out, O that there might
be mercy for me \ that this day of grace may not
be paft ? If fo, then fure the Spirit ftrives yet
with thy Soul* Therefore, Soul, if now thou
wilt clofe with Chrift, none of thefe pleas can
debar thy doling with him.
Well Sinner st confider the Lordjefus Chrifl in-
vites you to come to him, once more he demands your
an freer: what fay yon, wiUyoubehisorno ? Do your
hearts accept cfhim ? Do you like hispropofals ? will
you heartily confent to be his, upon all his terms ? Jf
foy Ijhall lay down fome Connfds to diretlyou in your
right camming to Chrift.
Firft, Sinner, if thou will come to Chrift, thou
mult come as a poor needy, empty ,undone, Sin-
ner, ftript of all beauty, as having nothing at
all that may defer ve his favour : ^Tis the poor
have the Cofpel Preached to them. Math. 11. 5.
It fignifies iuch as are brought to great neceffi-
ties, and extremities ; So Be z.a renders it : Such
as are brought very low : Therefore fome derive
it from a word that iignifies, falling down at the
rich
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 3 63
rich Mens feet : As fome beggers will. Ferns in-
terprets it, the poor in Spirit, that acknowledge
themfelves mean, and zvi low in their own eyes.
Sod/*/* takes it, for them that are oppref-
fed with the (kni^e of their own wants, fuchas
feel their pinching neccffities $ that lye down
overwhelm^ with the apprehenfion of their em-
ptinefs :TheTreafuresof tbeGefpel aredefign'd
to fuch Perfons that are poor and affii&ed in
their own Spirits. There's no greater obftacle
in this Match betwen Chrift and finners, than
a fenfe of felf worthynefs : This keeps many
from feeing the beauty of Chrili: ^ their own
Righteoufnefs hangs in their eye • they are
too heavy laden with their own thick clay, [
mean the fenfe of their own worthynefs, to be
looking up to Jefus , and lifted up to him :
Sinners may be too rich for Chrift in their own
opinion, but never too poor; hence the Lord
Jefus Chrift tells us, he came not to call the
Righteous, but finners to Repentance, Math.
9- * 3- Not them that Judge themfelves Righ-
teous, but them that feel themfelvs finners : the
Rich i?e fends empty away, thofe that are Rich
in their own thoughts, when the poor and hun-
gry are fiU'd with good things : Men chufe em-
pty velTels to put their liquors in *, and low rooms
rocellar their wines, fodoth Jefus Chrift chufe
empty Souls for his good things : He choofeth
the Low plains for his walks, when the high
towring fountains are rejected /The high, arrd
lofty One comes to dwell in the low and con-
trite Spirit, If a. 57. 15. Sinner, thou muil
{trip thy felf of rhy own Ornaments, if thon
intend
364 The Beji Treafure, Or,
intend to put on Jefus Chrift .* Thou muft throw
down thy Crown at his feet •, if thou thinkeft to
wear his Crown on thy head : O Soul ! thou
mull come as a poor wretch to Chrift ', with
thy empty fack, as Jacobs Sons did to Egypt to
buy corn, and then thou fhalt haveTreafure too :
Thou muft fee thy felf an undone finner ; thou
muft come (with Lazarus') and throw thy feif
down at this Rich Kings Door ^ if ever thou
wilt be fed with his Crumbs *, nay rather feafted
with his Dainties.
Secondly, Thou muft come to Chrift as to a
full and fufficient treafure, able to fave and fa-
tisfiethee*, to pay off thy debts, and enrich thy
Sou! for ever, Heb. 7. 25. Able to fupply all
thy wants and fill all thy emptinefs, Phil. 4. 19.
We have (hewn already that his treafures are
bottomlefs, boundlefs, unfathomable, unex-
hauftible, never to be wafted or (pent : O Soul
come to Chrift as fuch a one : Meafure not
Chrift's gold by thy bufhel •, nor his plenty by
thy poverty : think not thy debts too great for
Chrift to pay, becaufe thou knoweft not where
to getmony of thy own : Think not thy ftraits
too many for him to relieve : He hath enough
for thy Soul to live upon both here and to all
Eternity j O Sinner believe this, and come to
him as fuch a one 5 fuppofe not the Fountain is
empty, becaufe thy Citterns are dry : His Rjgh*
tcoufnefs is like the great Mountains^ Pfa. 3 6. 6.
1 1 is in the Hebrew, The Mountains of God : And
his grace is without meafure, Joh. 3. 34. There-
fore thou muft look to him as having a fufticicnt
fulnefs for thy Soul.
Thirdly,
the Vnfe arch able Riches of Chrift. 3 65
Thirdly, Thou muft look to Chrift with ex-
pectation, as the poor Cripple did to Peter and
John, j4tts. 3. 5. Nowfhall a poor Creature
expect to receive fome needful futable good
from a fellow Creature \ and will not thou ex-
pect fome mercy from the Lord Jefus Chrift, thy
Creator, and Redeemer ? O fmner come with
expeditions to Chrift 5 believe that he is as
willing as able to enrich all that come to him .-
He hath paft his word for it. Hethatcomethta
me 1 will in no wife c aft out. fob. 6. 37. He that
believeth on him fhail not perifh, Joh. 3. 16.
The weary Soul that comes yea creeps to him,
(hall have reft, Math. 11. 28. The thirfty Soul
fhall befatisfied, fob. i< $7, He goes up and
down in the Miniftery of the Gofpel, feeking
to favethat which isloft^Lnke 19.10. And he is
angry with them that will not come to hina,3>k 5.
40. O (inner, do not take up hard thoughts of
Chrift:Such fufpitious thoughts of Chrift is fome
of the Devils feed that he doth fow in broken
ground. WhenChrift comes to break finners hearts
and make them fenfible of their undonenefs,then
the Devil cafts in thefe tares, and raifes up ill
thoughts of Chrift \ It was this did fp enervate
the diligence of the unprofitable Servant j fome
undue thoughts he took up of hisLords bounty. 7
knew ( faies he) thou wert an hard, and auftere
Man: Hence he puts up his Talent in a Napkin,
and his hand in his bofom, Math. 25. 24, 25.
Jealoufies ofChrifts good-will to finners are ve-
ry deftructive to Salvation- work : The Devil
hath hindred many a Soul from coming toChriiU
by calling this block in his way. O then come
with expectations-, at leaft come to Chrift, with
as
3 66 The Befl Treafnre, Or,
as great hopes as thcLepers came to the Tents of
the Jffyrians who were Enemies ; come to Chrift
the friend of Sinners. 2 Kings 7. 4. They ad-
ventured with fome hopes } we may live, and
we can but dye •, they may kill us, and they may
lave us alive : But thy cafe is not fo, if thou
come and adventure, on Chrift, thou mayeftbe
fure, he will not kill thee ! O look to Jefus
then with fome hopes 5 fay, who can tell but my
Soul may live.
Fourthly, Ck>fe firft with Jefus Chrift him-
felf, and afterwards with his Treafure : ! con-
fefs ufually fomething from Chrift draws the
Sinner's firft refpects to him .- The favor of his
oyntments, fome love-tokens, kindnelTes, appre-
henfion of neceflity •, fenfe of undonenefs may
conduce to get the firft glances of Sinners to-
wards Chrift jBut though thefe allure to Chrift,
yet the firft thing the Efpoufed Soul muft eye
ia his Match with Chrift, is Chrift himfelf ;
though thefe things draw the Soul, yet they do
not center the Affe&ions : Chrift's kindnefTes
are defign'd as motives to beget an efteemof
himfelf in finners hearts : The kuowledge of
what Jefus Chrift hath for finners, an intimati-
on of pardon, peace and Salvation for all that
come to him,may be the Prodromus or fore-run-
ner ofChrifts Per fon to finners view ^ but when
they come to fee him, they muft firft pitch
upon himfelf-, and till they come to this they
cannot have a due and orderly clofe with Chrift:
In all right and regular Matches, the Perfbn
muft be firft regarded, then the Portion : A
Soul is not fit to match with Chrift, till he comes
tor
the Vnfeat chalk Riches of Chriji. 3 67
to fee infinitely more worth in him, then in all
his gifts, and favours : It was. the excellency
of Chrift himfelf that drew Pauls higheft re-
gards to him, with refpedt to relation \ Phil.
3. 8. The excellency of the knowledge of Chrift J e-
fas my Lord : Paul fets that fore-moft \ And
then to be made conformable to his Death,
and Refurreftion* The Spoufe wa* more taken
with Chrift's Perfon then with his Gifts : Cant.i.
2, 3 -Fir ft himfelf was lovely, then his fruits.
Cant. 2. 1. David counts nothing in Heaven,
or Earth like to God in Chrift. Pfa. 73. 25.
'lis fordid love, and too unworthy of a con-
jugal State, that values the Portion mow then
the Perfon •, that Soul is too unworthy of Chrift,
who values any thing more then him : Math.
10. 37 It muft be Chrift himfelf,muft fit in the up-
ermoft feat in thySouPTis a faying otCalvwjTis
an unworthy thing not to perfer one Chrift above all :
Thofe Matches never prove comfortable where
theEftate is eyed more thenthePerfon,hence con-
jugal love is broken, when the eftate is gone',
but where true conjugal love is, it is fetled up-
on the Perfon •• Love that is fet upon fome Gifts
of Chrift, more then Chrift himfelf, when thefe
are fufpended, the others will decays but love
placed upon his Perfon will laft : Hence 'tis ma-
ny dofo eafily leave Chrift, wiienit comes to
parting with other things, becaufe their love
was fet more upon thefe things then Chrift him-
felf .- O Soul be fure 'tis Chrift himfelf thpu doft
chufe , and not another j O be not guilty of
that miftake as J*c<?& was, totakel^inftead
of Rachel : Be fure it be not a falfe Idea of
Chrift
568 Tlx Bejt Treafure, Or,
Chrift in thy thoughts,but that it be a real Chrift
thou takeft ; and then thou wilt never look for
another : Be fure give Chrift the preberainence :
The Father hath given him the preht minence,
and wilt not thou ? Phil. 2. 9.C0L 1.18. C0I.2. 9. If
Chrift muft take the belt place in Heaven, he
hathreafon to take the firft place in thy heart.
Fifthly, If thou wouldeft come to Chrift aright,
then bring thy all with thee to him \ and make
a free and full furrender of thy fel^andthy all
to him : When God would have Ifrael out of
Egypt, they muft not leave a hoof behind, Exod.
IO. 26. 2 Cor. 8. 5. They firft gave their own
{elves to the Lord : Be fure make over thy felf
firft to Chrift, and then all thy interefts* and Ca-
pacities : Come and fubfcribe to Chrift,//*. 44.$.
Onefhallfay I am the Lords, and another Jh all call
himfelfby the name of Jacob , and another ft all fub-
fcribe with his hand unto the Lord. Calvin hath a
faying upon this: AVer fan ffaies he J can ne-
ver have true faith in Chrift , till he comes to make
this teftification andconfcffion of him : In the efpou-
fing betwivt Chrift and the Soul, there is a mu-
tual refignation of each to other with all they
have. Chrift gives his Perfon and Purchafe td
Believers^and the fincere Soul gives back himfelf
and all to Chrift : To detain the leaft part
from Chnft is abominable fraud, and lying a-
gainftthe Holy Ghoft, Atts 5. $. If thou ac-
counteft any one thing too good for Chrift j He
accounts all his too good for thee.
Laftly, Be lure your acceptance of Chrift be
confidcrate and fincere, fit down firft and
count the coft, Luk. 14.28. Thou muft be no
more
the Vnfearcballe Riches of Chrift. 3 Sq
more thy own ; thou muft take up thy Yoke
and his Yoke .• Thy crofs and his Crofs : Thou
muft denie thy fdf and follow h:m • Weighty
things are not to be undertaken rafhly, Din de-
liberartdnm was an ancient Motto. Hafty match-
es feldom prove well : O Soul, be not rafh in
thy taking Chrift. The Lord Jefus Chrift Ef-
poufeth his in Judgment as well as in Faithful-
nefs, Hof.z. 19, 20. in confiderate bargains are
oft-times broken or repented of, You will never
efpoufe Chrift in Faithfulnefs, till you efpoufe
him in Judgment.- Weigh all things, confider
Marriage Articles, what they are, and whether
you are willing to perform them, Math. 16. 24.
0 Soul try, can thy heart confent to this ? O
the falfenefs of Souls pretended match to Chrift
hath undone many I You muft take whole Chi ill
with the whole heart, or eiie you will never
match aright with Chrift, You muft chufe him
never to chufe agein. You mult make him your
only choice, and let all you: other chooflngs be.
by him : ThoU fait choofe cur inheritance for its,
Pfa- 47.4. Say then, I will only chufe him j
1 will chufe his Perfon, his Laws, his Honour
and Glory; but Chrift ihall chufe all for me;
LetChrift chufe my place, and condition, high
or low : Let Chrift difpofe of me, where, and
how he will in the World, i will difpofe of
Chrift in my heart.
Somuchcfthis Fourth Inference. That Je-
fus Chrift is worth a looking after.
Rfe CHAP,
370 The Befl Treafure, Or,
CHAP. XXVII.
Skewing the folly of fuch as purfue earthly
things, with neglett of Chrift, conftdering
the Nature of thofe things ; the Terms
on which they are to be enjoyed ; The
cafualty that attends them: The guilt
Juch contract.
IF there be fuch great and glorious treafures
of Chrift tendered to finners in the Go-
fpel: Then fee the folly of thofe that purfue
earthly treafures with a neglect of Chrift : For
Souls to turn their backs on Chrift, and court
the World,and perifhing things : O folly indeed!
I fhall give fourReafons to convince fuch perfons
offolly.
The i . Taken from the things them} "elves they pur-
fue with neglett of Chrift.
2. The different terms on which Chrift and the fe
are to be enjoyed.
3. The cafualty that attends Souls attempts af-
ter Earthly things.
4. The guilt that fuch contraft, who purfue Earth
ly treafures more than Chrift*
Firft, 'Tis folly, yea madnefs to purfue
Earthly things and neglecl: Chrift becaufe the
things themfelves they chufe cannot be compared
with Chrift, which will appear in feveral par-
ticulars.
Firft, They are uncertain Riches -7 There's
no
the Vnfear chalk Riches of Chrift. 371
ho dependance upon them, 1 Tim. 6.1 j. Nor
trnft in uncertain Riches, aA»T» cLthK'wn. Riches
that are not declared, and manifefted, to be
fure and certain, for a dependance *, They
are not a fure bottom for Souls to build fo much
hope and delight upon , when it comes to a
pinch indeed ', then it appears they are vain, and
will not profit in the day of wrath. Like a broken
Staff, when you lean upon it, then it breaks:
So the Riches of this world, when Souls put
fomeftrefs upon them, then they fail; They
are uncertain *, fometimesyou enjoy them, and
anon they are removed, Pro. 23.5. Wilt thou fa
thine Eyes upon that which is not, for riches certain-
ly make themfehes wings, they fly e away as an Ea~
gle towards Heaven. They come flow lie, but get
off fwiftlie :, when they come to men, they have
leaden feet, and when they leave them, Eagles
Wings: Today they flourifh like the grafs, and
to morrow burn like an Oven : A man hath a
beautiful houfe to day, and to morrow an heap
of Afhes : O mod: uncertain Riches! All the
world runs in changes*, Today flays one) they
are for the B of cm^ and to morrow for the Befom :
To day men take them into their bofoms,to mor-
row vengeance fweeps them away.
Secondly, They are empty things, they can-
not fatisfie the Soul that feeds upon them; The
world is not filling meat to an irarnortalSoul;let a
perfon feed never fo heartily, yet he is hungry.-
The whole world cannot fill one heart-, AUx-
ander wept, that there were no more worlds rof
conquer : Nature puts bounds to the Sea -, and
all Earthly beings have thsir end, Pfa. 1 19. 9$»
yf ~l The Bejl Treafure, Or,
but fin hath made carnal defires boundlefs : It is
v;ich earthly minded men, as Solomon favs it is
with the Grave, and barren womb, and the fire
tliat fey it is not enough, Pro. 50 15 16. Where-
fore (fays the Prophet) do you fp end your money
for that which is not Bready andyonr Ubeur for that
which futisfitth?wt, Ifa. 55.2. One calls thejMole
Turkic Empire but a bone that is thrown to
dogs ; very dry meat *, fo are ail the things of this
world Riches are like meat ina dream.-An hungry
man thinks he feeds,when he dreams but when he
awakes he is emptie.Riches feed nothing but the
Eye*, hence Covetousnefs is callM the lulls of the
Eye,i Jch.2. 1 6. 0'tis a vanity indeed to look after
that which you can put in to your Eye ! it will not
feed your affections, it will not fatiate the SonUxt
will not quiet tbeConfcieiic.-Othat men fhould ad-
venture their all for that which will not fatisfie !
Thirdly, They are fading things in their Na-
ture ; not only uncertain, and liable to remove
in the event, but they are dying in their Nature j
Corruptible riches : Your Homes, Lands,what-
ever your greedy Eye covets, are but rotten
things; Your Garments are liable to the Moth,
and your Gold and Silver Subject to Ruft, Jam.
5. 2, 3. Ah poor treafure indeed! Which ruft
and Moth confume, reft that ftrengthens other
Creatures eats out thefe \ Houfes, Lands, Gold
and Jewels, are lubjeel; to wearing away, Tem-
fus teret omnia : Time will wear them out :
Hence Chrift advifes his Difciples to provide
bags which wax not old, a treafure in Heaven,
which faileth not, Luk^ 12. 33. Implying that
ail the treafures of this world are not fo ; If men
lay them up in bags, the bags will wax old, and
time
the Vnjearchatle tiicues oj cvrtjt. 37^
time will rot them*, Thieves can approach to
thefe treafures, and Moth, and Ruft can eat
them cut: 'Tisa pretty fimile one hath ot it,
who compares the Riches of the world ta hail-
ftones, that when they faii upon a tyl d Hcuie,
make a ratling noife for the present, but by
and by Hide down, and melt away to nothing.
Fourthly, The treafurcs of this world are en-
JTiaviflgtreafuies^ thev bring their owners into
bondage : as one fays ; Ducendovincmur^virxendo
ducimur : By their cunning allurements they overcome
us.and overcoming us, they lead nsCapnve : 1 hey hrit
allure the heart, and then enthrall the heart;:
They bring men into the worft bondage of any,
for they bring them into a willing bondage
Earthly men are not only led Captive by the
world at Satans wilt, but ate enflaved by
th ir own will * they content to be bound : Earth-
ly men do with Efauy iwap a bargain for
the things of the worlds they confent to let go
their birthright for a mefs of potrage-, they grve
up their birthright to their Infenours, and con-
f nit to become a (lave to their own Servants :
That word oftheWiieman is never more true,
Eccl. 10.7. then when men. are led Captive by
the love of this world; 1 have feen Servants upon
HorfatndPrinccs talking asServ.nts upon theEarth.
Neverdid/W do greater drudgery in%j?rtnen
Carnal, Earthly men do to the world: it. makes
them rife early, fit up late, and eat the bread of
forrows, and all for a few Ihaddows, Pf 117.2.
Earthly men, flays one ) are like Beafls that are fet
to draw in the Devils Teams, two draw fin With
Cart-ropes, and iniquity with Cords of Vanity : Ija.
<. 1 . Pcccata facile vemunt, fed fort iter ligtnt.
* BT> 3 fifthly,
37-i ine-tsejt Jreajure, Or,
Fifthly, The riches of this world are enfiiar
mgtoo. , Tim. 6. 9. They that mli he rick%
tnto Temp attorn andSmres : The word **yijk \\z.
nifiesfuchinares as perfons ufe ro take Birds
andBeafts w.th, and myvfa t0 faften down to
the ground as nas are that take hearts;
So Earthlymmded men the Devil ftakes then
down to the ground , They are held fall in the
cords of their own iniquity, Pro. *. 22. What a
fnarewas fi^s Go,d to B^% Q £ a
• heart to draw him againit his light, conviftions
and a D,vinc charge. The Bag prov'd a fatal
Charm to covetous Judas, it lead him to the
Halter.- Tne things of the world prov'd a fad
1 nare to Demas and led him ofF from all his Pr0-
feffion: Earthly thing, are like twigs that are
inB.rd-I.me, that hold fait thofeCL'vSouhtSJ
come at them,that they have no mind nor power
rh|ther:fMky,are fadfnaresindePed
a blShIy'„Earl:hl7nchesare defiling too: The
Apoftle calls riches filthy lucre, 1 Pet5 2. $£
jer filthy lucre: «/X{«.,j^ obfeene gain as the
O tit ddhoncft gain indeed; which ends n
the lofs of the Soul ■ Such men are the greateft
Couzeners in the world, that cheat themfelve
and loofe the.r Souls for fublunary treafures
The (R.ches 0f this world defile the Confidences
ofthofe that love them; theApoftle callsthem
the pollutions of the world, 2 Ph. 2. 20 ' r
confiderable that the Pfalmift doth ufe the word
oufnef;.7> 1 SRlRL b°th fiches and ,,nriS»*'
OUlnefs : Lo thu u th, man that made not G,d his
ftrength^ bmtr.tftedin the abundance of htsRieh
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrifl. 3 75-
und ftrengthened himfelfin his wickednefs : noting
that riches prove occafions of much evil, hurt,
and fiithinefs to them that have them.
Seventhly, They are accountable Riches, Ta-
lents that mull be reckoned for, Math. 25. 19.
After a long time, the Lord of that Servant coweth
andreckoncth with him. All Earthly interefts are
trufts committed to the fidelity of thofe that have
them, and they mult give an account for them,
Luke 16. 2. Give an account of thy Stewardflup for
thou muft be no longer Steward otwopziv) All thy un-
due purfuits of the World *, thy inordinate love
to it, thy unjuft ingroflings of it to thy fe|f,
thy penurious witbolding it, from thofe
diftributions God hath required muft fhortly be
reckoned for. o'uwop®- ah ofo©- an noufe &
vzix-Jv, thofe things which Families ufe>
Eighthly,They are afflicting 1 iches : They car-
ry more trouble then comfort with them, iTim,
6. 10. For the love of money tithe root of all evil,
which while Some coveted after — fierce t he mf elves
through with many farrows : They run themielves
through. SoBeiLA. They (tab themfelves all o-
ver from Head to Foot with darts*, So the word
imports. O how great are thofe anxieties, and
troubles the riches of this world breed for thofe
that have them ! they be troublefome things ;
They caufea great deal of pains to get them :
a great deal of care to keep them •, a great
deal of fear to loofe them *, And a great
deal of trouble when they are gone : Chrifl;
compares the love of the world to Tnorns, Mat.
15-7. Compar'd with ver- 22. Becaufe they
prick and fcratch the Confeiences, as well as
choak the word : O the many wounds they will
B b 4 fee
-$ j 6 The B eft Tre afore, Off,
fee in them one day that love the world inordi-
nate ly : Whence Gregory hath this upon it .• Let
rich men take heed how they handle Thorns, kafi
they pnek them-
Ninthly, They are damnifying riches, and
bring a great deal of lots with them: A man
can rnrdly come by much of the world, without
a fnfible detriment: Theyoccafioa the lofsof
a great deal of time that fhould be ufed about
their precious Souls : The lofs of precious
peace *, O what trouble, what carking, fretting,
rending cares have men about thefe Richer !
They loofe their natural peace many times, and
lofe their Soul quietnefs: The cares of this
world breed a great deal of guilt ; Then there's
a lofs of purity too*, they fully thy Soul, dirt
thy Conscience : befpatter thy Affections .• Ma-
ny a hopeful Soul is corrupted by them to fall
from their feeming vertue and moral excellen-
cies;, as the young man in the Gofpel, Judas
Annamas, and Dcmas. Earthlimindednefs like
the Flie in a Box of Oyntment fpoil m:ns natu-
ral and mcralVertues: They occafion the lofs
of many priviledges ; the love of the worid robs
Sou's of great advantages, fuch cannot wait on
God many times in fecret duties, family duties,
publick duties*, they have a Faim, and Oxen,
and Merchandifc to look after, and therefore
cannot come. Nay, rhey that will be rich de-
prive themfelves of the profit of thofe privi-
ledges they doer J3y • The Love of the world
takes off the good of the word, whiles it is
preached to them, Math. 1 3. 22. The things of
the world damp mens affections to Chrift, and
heaven-
the Vnfearchalle Riches of Chrift. ^jj-
heavenly things •, they tbifie mens Confciences :
It dais and blunts the edge of the Sword of the
Gofpel, and makes it rebound back again, when
it falsupon the rocky heart, hardned w;< uhe
love of the World : O they are daranifiing things:
And at hit they will fet you hard, but they will
lofe your Souls, and then you have made; a cur-
fed bargain indeed, when you have loft your
Souls.
Laftty, They are dangerous and too often
damning things", they are dangerous for they
keep the Soul from Chriifc*. As the young man
in tneGolpei, he came to the very la.it ftep,and
yet there he it ay ed, he could not pare with all for
C h r i ft that broke tn e ba rg i i n Mm. i9.2z.He vcer.t
aw zy for row ful for he had great pojfeffions : The love
of the World flood in the way of his receiving
Chrift '-, Thorns are the inciter for Serpents
and riches for many lufts, that drown men in
perdition aud deftruction .i.Tim. 6. 9. The
word in the original (ignifies a plunging over
head and ears in mine, funk to the bottom,
as one that hath a great weight upon him : One
compares rich men to a Pine Tree, of which it is
faid,thatifthebark bepIucktofFjcwill laftiong,
but while that abides it rots; riches arc as a deep
pir, into which men eafilyger, .but liar dly get
cut, and therefore Chrnt laies. itiseafier for
a Camell to go through the eye of a needle
then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom
of Heaven. Math. 19, 24.
The things of the World bar up the way to
Heaven, and open the way to Hell, and hailen
the Soul with a vengeance to deftruftioa : They
are
378 The Befl Treafure Or,
are like the Devils fleep-drench, that cafls Souls
into a deep trance, and 'till they come to the
end of their lives they never awake, and then
they awake with a vengeance : That's the firft.
Confider what the things of the world are, and
they are fools indeed that purfue them with the
negled of Chrift.
Secondly, Gonfider the different terms on
which they are to be had, and it will appear to
be folly for men to defert Heavenly things, and
chufe Earthly : If you would have the World,
it will coft you a great deal of forrow, trouble,
and pains, you muft tug hard •, Adam being
tum'd out of Paradife muft work in the fweat of
his brows for his bread. Gen. j. 10. But
Heavenly Treafures is to be received by
believing ; They come by gift. It is but
to come and take it and receive it. Ifa. 55. 1, 2.
Thirdly Confider the cafualty that attends
the perfuit of thefe Earthly things. A great
deal of cafualty whether you may have them
or no •, and a great deal of hazard that attends
them : The Marchant engages in dangerous voy-
ages, and after all, is not fure to bring home
any treafure. Eccles. 5. 14. Thefe Riches pertflj
by evil travel : Suppofe they are obtained, they
lometimes are wafted aflbon as won *, and he that
thinks he hath enough for many years, many
times leaves nothing behind 4iim : Many toy I,
and tug, eat out their bowels, and fpend their
days for that which they cannot obtain *, how
many labour to be rich, and yet dye Poor .-
Riches make themselves wings and fie away. Pro. 2^.5
Fourthly, Such as puffue Earthly things with
the neglect of Chrift, contract much guilt upon
their
the Vnfearchahle Riches of Chrifl. 3 79
their owti Souls } they violate the whole Law of
God-, for the whole Law contains fuprcamlove
to God : Love (faies the Apoftle) it the fulfilling
of the Law. Rom. I $. 10. And upon this Cem-
rntndement (faies Chrifb; hangs all the Law, and
the Prophets: Math. 22. 40 Upon fupream love
to God, and equal Jove to our neighbour, as to
our feives.- Therefore fuch as purine Earthly
things, and love the World more then God,
they break the whole Law of God. 1 Joh.i. 15.
Yea rhey violate and break the commands of
gracealfo: It makes menfalfeto all their en-
gagments, and promifes*, and to all their civil
trufts : O what horrid wickednefs will not the
love of this World put men upon ! therefore
fuch contract foul guilt upon their Souls: And
this fhews their folly.
So much for the ufe of Information.
CHAP. XXVIII.
Containing an ufe of reprehenfwn to fever a I
forts of Perfons,w/tb confolation to all found
Believers.
IF there be fuch vaft and glorious Treafures
in the Lord JefusCh rift, opened and tende-
red in the Gofpel. Then this reprooves fjch as
have or pro.fefs to have an interelt in thefevaft
and boundlefs Treafures, and yet are lb little
affected with them, and have a loweftimation
of them v O fad indeed ! That the choiceft fab-
itance
380 The Be ft Treafure, Or,
dance that ever was *, boundlefs treafure, fhould
beeftecmed nomoret! en perifhing trafh. 'Tis
a lamentable thing indeed to fee how molt Pro-
feflbrs value perifhing treafures fo much, and
Jems Chrilt fb little : Did perfons prrz- thofe
Heavenly Treafures , they would have a iefle
efteemof Earthly •, they would be more reftkfs
till they faw their Intereft in them : Purfue more
after them *, be at more pains and coft to fetui e
them .• Be more in the commendation of them,
and highly efteem rhofe that nave them.
Secondly, It reproves thofe that e.ave or feem
to have a title to this glorious Treafure, and yet
are not contented with it: O Souls, wi;l a few
handfuls of dull; pleafe you, and will nut a King-
dom, Crown, and Glory ? Will a little Cot-
tage in the world take up your delight, and
will not a Manfion and dwelling-place in Hea-
ven fatisfie you ? O Believer, hath God made
over himfelf, Father, Son; and Spirit to be thine
eternal Treafure, and is not he rich enough to
fill all thy heart, and all thy defires? fit down
and confider how groundlefs are all thy mour-
nings, how unreafonable are a'l thy frettings and
dilcontenr, who canft fay of Heaven, This is
mine ; and of God, and Chi ill, He is mine.
Thirdly, It reproves thofe that have or feem
to have a Title to thofe treafures, and yet look
after others treafures, and eagerly purfue a por-
tion in this World. O unexcufable! Like Di-
nah they wander after the things of this World,
as (he did after the people of the Land, till they
deflower their Souls : O Chriftians, have you
chofea God, and will you back to the W'orld
again ?
i nnfearchdle Riches ofChnft. 381
iTcIa deliver'd you from this pre-
again ? Hath God .i eliver V ur felvesto
fent World, and wl" Y°uJd 0UJ Prif0n Doors,
it again .' Hath grace opem a y tafted
and will Von enter f?Koflg after the world-
God tobe gf acion5,and yet long ^^ ^ ^.
lings bottle, to drink ot t un|utableis
rah O unreafonabl Sculs . u ar£
this to your ftate and cond.uo >
Saints indeed Y^. f^e„s of Heaven,'^-
15- > 9 ^ev°^^,Ss and Angels fo dig after
2.19. And would Saints and au| b?
the World tf ^^SSienpgpnepa.
'Tis contrary to you prom ndeXpe„en-
You go againft your convic , ^ fmt
ces, andby your inordinate 10 , , ^
of the World youareEnemies 1
and others Souls. . f f the pe0p!e
Fourthly, TtoreF°T£K Wfe vaft Trea-
of God, who have an intereit m tn r
their own Souls . ™mJ but the ereateft Po-
Eftates waft, Trades decay but n, ^
verty lies in Spiritual : Faith ^
felfedenyal Mortif dnefuot
fons are deftitute of thele _tmng Few ^
grace laid out, i'1^6^ few works of grace
kings of SP'"1^; *„ ioBderful Poverty
in Mens lives-, this argu « buc
inmens Souls;. I «notPov -j i[q
poverty inspirit^ ,J^'owardsGod,few
of this day i few ads ot n«y and
works ofchantytowards Mene g ^
ilfavoured are moft und« tn e » kd
are learning, and never come to of
}Sz The Befl Treafure, Or,
of the truths a ftrange vail Iyesyet upon the
minds of many : Lirtle right-kind of knowledge,
few know the meaning of the Spirit, few are
led into the myfteries of the Gofpel : Others
profefsthemfelves wife, and rokripw God, but
by works deny him, and their Poverty lies here ,
They are ful of notions, but empty of holinefs,
Earthly and vain in their Spirit .• Moll: mens Re-
ligion this day lies in the head •, little-heart-god-
linefs, little life-holinefs : Little love to God,
and Saints : Little fruits brought forth for God,
this (hews the Poverty of the times we live in:
Again, the difficultnefs of maintaining Spiri-
tual life \ hard to get to a life of faith1 and love,
hard to keep up hope, this comes from Soul Po-
verty : Hard for Perfons to live from one Ordi-
nance to another : Spiritual life decays , wafts,
languifhes-, 'tis with too many Profeflburs as it
is with ancient weak Perfons, that are grown
fo cold, Nature fo decay 'd, that they can hard-
ly keep themfelves warm, longer then by the fire:
So tis with manyChriftians,no longer then under
a warming Sermon, bnt cold prefently ; nay
'tis not ordinary Sermons will heat them: The
richeft feedings, the choiceft Cordials, icarce
keep up faith , love, and delight in God one
moment, and are not thefe poor men ? Cor-
ruptions grow, a light, vain, Earthy* frothy
Spirit abounds-, but meeknefs, favourinefs, hu-
mility, gravity, livelynefs decays.-Little ftrength
for duty, hard to hear, pray, or to manage one
duty aright *, little Spirit and Truth in moll du-
ties, and iervices : Unable to conflict with temp-
tations, corruptions, oppositions : Hard to live
Up
the Vnfearchabk Riches of thrift: 385
up to light, convictions, refolutions : How do
Souls make Ihip wrack of faith, and confcience ♦
How eafily are they overcome by their hearts
luft, pride, paffion, Earthynefs prefently car-
ries them afide. Unable to bear the leaft fnfc.
ferings : The very making of the rod will drive
fbme from duty : Perfons cannot yet digeft dif-
ficulties , and endurings for the Gofpelsfake:
How foon are many worn out by the afflicti-
ons, and perfecutions of this day : This deferves
fharp reproof.
Laftly, It reproves thofe who partake of
thofe riches of Chrift, and yet are referred to
others: O how unlike are thefe to Chrift! He
opens his Treafurcs to you, but you fhuc yours
from others; he hands out his bounty to you,
but you fhut your eyes from others : His ftreams
make glad the City of God ; your narrow heart-
ednefs makes fad the Sons of men : His bowels
are enlarged, yours fttaitned -, Milk and Honey
are under his tongue, emptinefs and vanity un-
der yours ; his fteps drop fatnefs, your hands
caufe leannefs : O Chriftians ! fee your unfuta-
blenefs to Chrift, and be aJhamcd of your ftrait-
ned bowels, and (hut hands, towards your poor
Brethren, whether as to outward or fpiritual
fupplies ! How few are the better for you in
foul or body, whofe lips blefs God k>r your
bounty? Deut. 14. 13. A clofe handed Profefibr
is a Paradox in nature, and differs from God
and the whole Creation.- The Lord is good
and doth good : Jefus Chrift afcendcd on high,
and gives gifts to men, Eph. 4. 8. He is always
doing good. The Sun dirfufeth freely of his
light
384 The Beft Treafure, Or,
light, and heat .• The clouds drop fainefs:The
Eai tn brings forth her incrtafc • the Trees yield
their fruit, and when fit for the ufe of man, lets
them fall into their bofomes •, the air communi-
cates its refrefhing^ the fire its heat, the Sea its
(tore, only man is felfifh and with the unprofita-
ble Servant hides his taknt in a Napkin: Chri-
ftians be humbled forycur nonconfoimity to
Chrift, and the little ufe you have made of your
Talents, and graces for the good ofthofe\ou
live with-
Note That this ufe of ' Rrfrehenfion was more fully
and largely composed by the Author, but the
fubftance of it is contain }d in that excellent
Treatife of the Author y calPd The Heavenly
Trade ; to which tht Reader is refer* d.
Third Vfe of Corf elation.
IftherebefuchunfearchabJe riches in Chrifl
for his people : Then here's wonderful Comfort
to tkofe that are in Chrifl: ^ fuch have caufe to
rejoyce and be exceeding glad .• For,
Firft, In your intereft in Chrift lies your right
to all thofe great and glorious treaiures of
Chrifl: : He that hath Chrifl:, all that is Chrift's
is his: All things are yours, and yon are Chrift s,
and Chrift is G eds, 1 Cor. g. 21. Such are Jcynt-
Heirs with Chrifl: put down in the fame ever-
lafting Covenant: adopted to the fame inheri-
tance, Rom 8. 27. They have a Title to all that
Chrift hath as Media^our, and that by donation
andparchafe : A title that cannot be forfeited
nor wafted : A Title to the whole inheritance
of
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. $8 $
of God. Ah Believer if f Chrift be thine then
Vis no prefumtion to lay claim to any thing thac
is his: All that have been treated of him as God-
Man Mediatour, his glorious endowments, his
perfonaldHpofitions, and excellent perfections
are all thine, i Cor. i. 30. Is not this comfort
indeed to believers, that have fucha Beloved
in Heaven, that is altogether lovely t 'Tis won-
derful reviving when a Perfon can fee fome ex-
cellency he is related to beyond what is in him-
felf-What comfort willaMother take in a beauti-
fulChild,though her fejf be deformed? What de-
light will the faithful Wife take in the excellen-
cies of her Husband, and glory in them as her
own : Such pleafure doth the Spoufe take in the
beauty of Chrift. Cant. 5. 10. And reckons them
as her comlinefs though (he was black* Cant. 1.5.
/ am black but comely : What confolation is this
to a child of God to be intitled to fuch a glorious
Jefus ? Though thou art poor yet thy beloved is
rich : Though thou art unlovely he is fair*
though thou art obfeure and vile, yet he is ho-
nourable *, and his riches, beauty, and honour are
thine \ and thy reputatioa with God, Saints, and
Angels (hall be in him, andasheis. Cant. 6, 10.
Who isfhe that looketh forth as the morning fair at
the Mom, clear as the Sun. The Lord Jefus hath a
high account of the Spoufesbeauty \ (he is bright,
fair, clear, but it is as the Morning, or Moon,
who borrow their beauty from the Sun : Com-
fort thy Hearty O drooping Believer, though
thou canft fee no worth in thy felf, yet thou haft
enough in Chrift for thee. Again, what won-
derful Comfort may a Child of God gather frorii
a feen Title to all the purchafe of Chrift, his
£ i ftigte
} 8 6 The Beft Treasure, Or,
Righteoufnefs, Graces, Priviledges,fure Cove-
r, and Salvation, when he can upon war-
rantable grounds lay claim to all this f bntfo the
Bdicvermay, \ Cor. i. 30.
iccoudiy, The time is drawing near when
they dial I have a full poflcflion of alithofe trea-
ties of Chrift, Rev 21. 7 He that evercsmeth
flhdl inherit ail things : All thofe great and glo-
rious things promiied (ball be his pofleffion, God
(tell be all in all to him, 1 Cor- 15.28. Every
tittle of his word fhall be fulfilled, though Hea-
ven and Earth p? is away, M*tb. 5. 18. Here Be-
lievers are rich Heirs under age, which differ no-
thing from a Servant, Gal 4T 1. but the day ha*
Iters when their great Eftate will fall into their
hands, and they fha!l live upon it to all Eterni-
ty y the expectation of which is caufe of com-
fort $ when veils fhall betaken away, and thy
foul ever with the Lord^ when thy filthy Gar-
ments fhall be taken off, and thy beautiful ray-
ment for ever wom*,when thou fhait live no more
at fmall allowances of Grace, but receive it with-
out meafure:, thy Table fpresd, thy Cup over-
flow ; thy feeding fhall be no more on fent por-
tions from thy Fathers Table, but fhalt fit down
inhisprefence> and feaft upon hisfulnefsto all
Eternity: Then fiiall all promifes be turned into
performances , all hopes fhaU end in fruition,
and all de fires center in delights, then fhall parts
be turned into perfections, darknefs into ddight,
changes into immutabilities, fears into joyes \
wants into fulnefs ; abf:nce into prefence; O
blcflcd Eternity ! When the Lord fhall bring
forth ail hisTreafures, open hisWard-robe, and
and p:iyoffevcryfaved Soul with an infinite ful-
nefs
the Vnfear chalk Riches of thrift. 387
nsis as much as he can receive, or defire to havfe,
t;reafures of love id God the Father, Sdri, and !
rit ; rivets of joy in the prefence of God j and ful-
nefs of grace in conformity to God. Things
which eye cannot fee^nor ear hear,, nor the hearc
df man conceiue. 1 Cor. 2. 9. And is not a cer-
aihty of theft future treaiures ground enough
for prefent comfort.
Thirdly, from an interefc in this rich Jsfds,
here's comfort to Sain, s under ail th'eirprefent
wants whether outward or inward ; fri tha:.
Firft, There's enough in Chrrft to fapply
them: In him dwells the fulnefs of the God- head,
Col 2. 9. Thy wants Beli W£i are b it finite, be
they never ibgrirrt; but Chrifts Fulnels ^s hrfi-
nite : Thy aecelfittts ate the needs of a Creature,
his abilitie is the power of a Creator.- The
Lord Jefus Chrifc can more ' ea'Sly fupply thy
need, then a whole Ocean can fill one pitcher -,
for betwixt theCreatures there is fome proporti-
on,but betwixt God and the' feature none at all.
Secondly, As there is enough in Ghrift to fill
all thy wants -, foall. the fulnefs that is in Chilli
Is thy own, Believer, laid up in Chriil: for thee,
made over to thee, 1 Cor- 1. $0. D:usmau&
omnia mea. And therefore may eft boldly expect
lupplies according to the meafare of CrpMJfc,
1 Cor. 12. ii. Dividing to every man fevtrtpy *s
he tvi&Thoumayeft as boldly go to the trcafey
ofChrift,as a man doth to hisPurie for moneyvor
to his Cupboard forBread,aiid as a Child doth to
his Father for necelTary fupp lies, Math^in
Laftly, The Lord Jef-iis Chriil frauds engag-
ed to fee the wants of his people fupplied, Pj-
34. 20. They that fear the Lord ft dl want no^vod
Ce 2 . tJtkH
388 The BeftTreafure, Or,
thing j Phil. 4. 19. So that thou mayfl boldly [ay
the Lord is my helper, Heb. 13.6. Doft thou
want Food, Rayment, Health, &c for thy
Body, or doft thou want Grace, Wifdom,Faith,
Love, Humility, Patience, Courage, Self de-
nial, Power over Corruptions, Succour under
thy temptations, victory over thy luft *, thou
may ft go to Chrift with expectations of all that
God fees belt for thee : feeing there are fuch
treafures of all Grace plac'd and entrufted in
Chrift for thee.
Fourthly, Comfort under all your lofTes for
Chrift-, furelyifChrift be yours, and fuch vaft
treafures are in him, he will not fee you lofers
for his fake j he can and will fave you harmlefsv
nay,requite your expenfive|love for him : all that
ftrength of aflfedion, liberty, time, talents
(Chriftians)youlayout for him, (hall be given
in again : Jefus Chrift is that good Sama-
riune> who hath paft his word to repay again
whatever is laid out for him, or upon his, at
his bidding, Lukf 10. 35* If a tender hearted
Paul would take the offences of an Onefimns on
his account, Philemon ver.lS. Much more will
Chrift take the expences for him on his account
and repay it a hundred fold in this life, with
Glory in that which is to come, Math. i* . 29.
Laftly, Comfort under all your reproaches
for Chrift: 'Tis the lot of gracious Souls manv
times to be accounted vile, and the off-
fcouringofall things by the men of this world,
1 Cor. 4. 1 1* fover. 10. We are Fools for Chrift j
fake, and defpifed: Tis part of the Crofs of
Chrift to be reproach'd for his fake, 1 Pet.4.14.
But here's Comfort in fuch a cafe in the confide-
ration
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 3 89
ration of thofe treafures of Chrift: Chriftians,
your relation to fuch a Jefus who is the Heir of
glory will wipe off all your difgrace : Think
on that account you have with God, and the
glory you fhall fhortly have in your own Coun-
trey, and that will ballance all troubles on the
account of difgrace for Chrift.
CHAR XXIX.
Containing an ufe of Examination; Chara-
cters of fuch as have an inter eft in Chrift,
and in a/lthofe glorious treafures.
CHriftians*, you that have hopes of an Inte-
reft in thefe treafures of Chrift : clear up
your title: Befureyour claim be good: Reft
not till you can have your evidences of Chrift
paft difpute, to make the matter plain
and certain to you s that you are Chrifts>- and
Chrift is yours : Adventure not at all your hopes
of fuch great and glorious things upon uncer-
tainties: ifyoumifsand fail in your propriety
to this Eftate,you are undone for ever: There's
no repairing the lofs of Chrift when you come to
dye: All your after-wit cannot mend this bad
bargain when time is paft : If you build upon the
fand,till the building time be over, you will have
an Eternitie to repent your folly .there's no room
for another adventure when the door of Heaven
is (hut : If you have toocarelefly, and ground-
lcfly laid your hopes of Chrift, and Glorie, and
andfoarefecuretillthe time be paft, you can
C c $ no
390 The Bejl Treafure* Or,
no more make tryal of a better building : O how
great wili the fa i of raiftaken hopes be at laft j
when the Hypocrir ■■ foall fay too late, wo is me,
.ivecl! all my hopes for Heaven have
Proved a Lye ; 1 d;d fuppofe my title was good,
2nd others thought io too: I could tell of Ex-
periences, and dreamt of doling with ChriXt -
1 have had my Convictions, LX fires, Taftes, Af-
fections, Parts, Priviledges, andhigh hopes of
Glorv : But alas, now I tee my building is upon
the fand 7 wo to me, all muft" down again! I
have run in vain, and now l.muft fit down in
forrow ro all eternity. O lamentable ! when
tim is ane to come to fuch a pafs : And Pure-
ly this will be thy cafe whocv- r thou art that :-.aft
not fure grounds of thy intereft in htift : 1 here-
fore, Cnriitians, twke not up upon probable
hopes, but put it out of doubt that Chrift is
yours, .and this ftace is yours.
Qaeii. But, faies the Soul; / cmfefs it will be
fad and Joleful to hear of t'. eft excellent trea-,
fares, and ?nifs of all at laft : But how might
J do to be fatf.sfird in this matter , to know that
Chrift: is mine^ and his Riches mine}
For the resolution of this Cafe 1 fhall fpeak to
four things.
i. How a^.d in what manner a title to Chrift
and thofe glorious treafuresare to be obtained.
2. Who they are that do obtain them.
5 What -is requifite towards the obtaining
of them.
4. . What are the certain and fpecifical fruits
and effects of fuch an obtaining.
. 1 . How or in what manner may the foul coihe to
have a Right to Chrift f
t Anfw. There are three ufual w;ys by which
perfons
the Vnfe arch able Riches ef Chiift. yjpf\
perfons obtain a Title to a thing: i. By Birth
2. By Purchafe, 3. By Gift.
Firft, By Birth: On this a natural Relation is-
founded: A Child comes 1:0 ha/ • a r/ht to his
Fathers Inheritance by Birth. This way the ftkfe
fin g and Birth-righc fell to the .Fir-ft-bom .• So
Ef4*, had his Title to the Birth-right and I3ief-
fing could he havekepE it, Gen'. -ij- -32-. So M*~-
najfeh had a right to tb& BJefFwg, became he was
the Finl-bora, Gen.%$. i3-
Secondly, Another way of obtaining a Titk
to a thing is b)<:Purchafe : So fceP&Mk bought
a Field; Jer. $2. 25, Thus men get a Title to
Eftates by Purchafe, when they part with a con-
siderable value for them.
Thirdly, Atoother way of- Right to a thing
is by Gift and Adoption; $0 jaetb came to m
Eftate in the Land of Gofcen, ana Jtfefh to r
Government of Egyj>t*and Mtfes the Son-in-La#
to Pharaoh Joy gift and Adoption'.? Thefe are the
three ufual ways by which an imereft is obtain
ned- By the . firft of >shefe man can lay no claim
to an intereft in CW ft :.. By Birth we are
Children of wrath,- £/>&. 2. $. By Purchafe man
can never get a itfarifti to Chrift : There's ro
buying this Pearl of price . Therefore a Title
to Chrifb muft come the laft way, by Gift. Fain
man having loft ins fir ft Eftate, with all rigl-^i
life, and capacity to regain it> b^ fulfilling the
terms in order to itr, it muft needs fcliow, that
now if ever he obtain life again k muft be en
a new account, ev^en of Grace. The breach of
the firft Covenant forfeited ail, Slid bourn'
ver the Offender to. d^ath and damnation; ffi|
which penalty be removed (which ioft man
C c 4 could
j yz The Beft Treafttre, Or,
could never dojthere cannot poflibly be any pur-
chafe made of new life and Salvation. Rom. 5.12.
Sin hath paflTedover all men,andDeath by Sin for
that all Men have finned, and by this fall all pow-
er ofdoing good is loft. Romy 7. i8-Sothatnow
of neceflity there muft be a change of the firft
term on which life was to be had, there being no
poffibility in loft man to fulfill them, and if ever
Salvation comes it muft be by grace Eph. 2. 7.
and gift ; The new Covenant gives out all his
mercies freely, Rev- 21.7. There's no place for
creature worth and merit in order to Salvation
under the Gofpel ; he that will be faved muft ac-
cept it as a gift : That's the firft, the way of ob-
taining Chrift : He is the Fathers gift, and his
own gift. Gal. 2. 20. God gives Chrift to whom
he pleafeth, not for any diftinguifhing worth in
(he Creature, but from the good pleafure of his
mil Eph. 1. 11.
2. Who are they that obtain Chrift ^ and Salvati-
on by him}
Anfw. It is they that come to, and receive
Chrift by Faith. Joh. 1. 12. To as many as recei-
ved him to them gave he power to become the Sons of
Cod: Chrift is offerd in the Gofpel by grace,
and is received by faith,the acceptance as offerM
of God is that which interefts the Soul in him;
This is called a comming to Chrift, Mat. 1 1. 28.
A letting Chrift into the heart, Eph. $. 17. A
believing in him, 1 Joh. 5. 10. He that believes
in the Son of God hath the witnefs in himfelf : That
is the witnefs of right to Chrift and life, ver. 1 1
And this is the record God hath given us^ Life Eter-
nally and all this in his Son: For where a gift is
freely tendred to all that will receive it, there
needs
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 303
needs nothing to make that Perfon fit for that
gift, but accepting the offei; as tenderd to him :
Neither doth this acceptance make a Perfon wor-
thy of the gift, but fulfills the terms in order to
an Intereft in it : If a fum of money be offered to
a poor man, and he is called to receive it, this
receiving doth not merit ic,but appropriate il:$o
that the Perfons to whom Chrift is tenderd is to
finners, to all finners, to the chiefeft of Sinners.
1 Tim. 1. 1 5. And to every one of them, If a. 55.
1. lob- 7. 37. And the terms 6n whichhe is held
out is freely without money, and without price,
and nothing is required to entitle them to this
glorious gift, but their receiving it as tendred.
$. What is neccjfary to the obtaining of Chrift, and
and fo of thofe glorioHs Treafttres in him ? Without
which Perfons cannot, will not, come to him *
Anfw. There are frerequtfites to the Souls ob-
taining of Chrift: Though they do not merit
Chrift, yet are necefiary to the receiving of
him.
Firft, That the Sinner be brought to fee his sbfo-
lute need of Chrift, and hiseverlafting undone
nefs without him : This courfe the Spirit of God
took with Laodicea. Rev. 3- 17. And with thole
Jews, Aclsi. 23, \6. Opens to them their cUrfed
damning Sin,and wretched ftate by reafon offln,
that their hearts might be pricked and wound ed.
Sothe Jaylour was this way prepared for Chrift.
Alls 1 6. 30. He was made to fee his doleful ftate.
Thus theLaw isSchool-Mafter to bring toChrift •
Gal 3. 24. To beat and wound the finner that
he may fee his need of a healing Jefus : Thus the
Spirit is promifed to convince the World of fin ,
Righteoufnefs, and Judgment. Job. 16.8. And
fo
394 The Befl Treafure Or,
fo did God deal with the unconverted under the
Gofpel. i Cor. 14. 25.
Secondly, Another requifit to the Souls get-
ting this t»tle to Chrift is this^, thattii.rebea
knowledge of the Lord Jefus Chad: j his futable-
nefs andiuiliciency tofave, his grace, and real
willingnefs to heal^aad cure all that come to him,
Hth> 1 1.0". hence, Eternal Life is faid to lie in the
knowledge of Chrift, J oh. 17. 3. that is, in the
knowledge of his fufficiencie, and willingnefs to
fave .• therefore when Pml came to obtain Chrift
in order to it, fays he ; It f leafed God to reveal his
SoninMe,GAl.i.i<),v6. TYue faun can ies know-
ledge with it: Faith is not hoodwinkt and
blind, but hath his diicerning: By faith we
come to underftand,: hence the Gofpel is to
be preached to every Creature ; what is the
Gofpel but the opening of Jefus Chrift, his
fufficiencie, and wiiiingncfs to fave iinnersj
while perfons.lie in aftate of ignorance, they
cannot come to have a true title to Jefus
Chrift.
Thirdly, 'Tis neceflary that the Soul fee the
worth and excellency of Chrift tofatisfie : That
were there no Heaven at the end^ yet Chrift
himfelf were Heaven enough : So Paul law an
excellence in Chrift, Pktl.$. 8. And the Apo-
ftlesalfo,7^. i- H- The Soul that comes to
Chrift, mult fee him to be the chieftft of ten
thoufand :, the onely defirable one, none in Hea-
ven but Chrift,and none in Earth in comparifon
of him, Pf*-li'i<5> He that only eyes Salvation
incommingto Chrift,takes him upon neceffity,
not upon choice.
Fourthly, Another requifite to thiscomming
to
the Vnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 395-
to Chrift is that the Soul hi brought to a real
and actual willignefs to part with all for him •,
yea, to a ihrowing all over board to take him
in, Phil.3-%. For wfam Iha-vefujferedthe Lofsof
aH things^ and do count them dung to win Chrift. \t
was no fmali ium thefe Converts parted with be-
fore they could clofe with Chrift, A&$. 19- 19.
They brought their Books, &nd burned them, and
counted the price, and found it fifty thoufmd pieces
of Sdver y which amounts in our money, to one
thoufand, live hundred, iixtyand two pounds,
and ten (billings .• hence 'tis laid, That he that
will be favedmuft pinck out his right Eye, and
cutoffhis right Harid Math. 5. 29,30. And the
want of which made the Young man go away
from Ch rill forrowful.
Fifthly, In order to a doling with Chrift 'lis
neceflary that the Soul fee an utter povcrty,and
inabilky in himfelfever to come to Chrift with-
out Chrift: Draw r»e^ and we will run after thee,
Gant. 1.4. No man cometh to me (fays Chrift)
except t m t aiher, which fent me , draw himr J ok. 6.
44. They muft fee thernfelves poor, that come
for fatisfaciion in Chrift, /fa. 41. 17. Thou
muft deny thy own Abilities', and Rigtepufeefs,
and fee thy fe If utterly unable, ib guuch 2s to
look to Chrift, till he give an Eye, Math. n- 5.
Laftly,The soul muft be brought to clofe with
all the terms of the Gofpel propos'd to him, ar>d
made heartily willing to take Chrift on bis own
conditions, Math. 1 6. 14. A perfon is never fit for
Chrift till he can give him a blank, and;bi4 him
write hisown terms, unfeignsdly faying, Lord
command me any thing; 1 flick at no propafals,
fo I may be thine, he that would fain beat down
the
396 The Be ft Treafure, Or,
the bargain fhall never have Chrift, Jfa. 44. 5.
now to fuch a reception of Chrift 'tis needful
that things be plainly opened, and all the
demands of Chrift be known, and confidered,
Zji^. 14. 28. So that there may be a known and
hearty ccnfent to Chrift, and a full compliance
with all his conditions.
4. What are the certain fruits j and ejfetls of the
Souls obtaining Chrift ?
Anf Firft, That Soul that hath an intereft in
Chrift is a new Creature, 2 Cor. 5. 1 7. If an) man
bemin Chrift he is a new Creature \ old things are paft
away, all things are become new. As the Lord
Chrift when he was crucifi'd, was laid in a new
Tomb ; fo when he is received he muft be lodg-
ed in a new heart : In redemption work all things
are new : there's a new Covenant,//- b.$-$. A new
Mcdiatour,the firftCovenanthad none,ffcfc.Q. 1 1.
Souls are now brought into a new ftate,ofnew and
glorious Priviledges : They were dead,but now
are made alive, Eph. 2.1. There's a new Law alio,
theLaw of the Goipel^called theLaw of the Spirit
oflife^o^.Sa.Therefore'tisnecefTane that the
Soul be renewed alfo \ this is promis'd under the
Gofpeln7/*.6$. 17. Behold I create new Heavens,
and a newEarth wherein dwellethRighteoufnefs,
fo iPet.s.j 3. there will be a wonderful change
wrought in that Perfon above what flefli and
blood can do, an inward change anew heart,and
a new Spirit, Ez.ek^i6. 26. new defires, Pf.6\.\.
Before the Soul did long after the world, plea-
fures, vanities j but now, My Soul breaks for the
bnging it hath to thy Judgments at all times, Pf. 119.
20. Pf. 42. 1,2. New affections to God, Pf 1 16. 1.
new love to Chrift, 1 Cor. 1 6,22. new love to the
Law
the Vnfearchahle Riches ofChrjfl. 397
Law of God, Pf. 1 1997, 1 2-7-new love to the peo-
ple of God, 17^.3. 14 new love to the name and
g\ovy ofGod,Pf.26.i2>Pfa.i4yi$new afft£tlons
tor the Crofs of Chriit, and reproach for his
name, GaL 2. 14. Heb> u. 26. a new will to
loath fin and cleave to God and Holinefs, Rom.
7. 19 Aft. 1 1. 23. a new Conicience, Heb. 10.27.
iTim. 1.3. and they have a new Conveiauon,fow.
6. 4. Eph. 2. 10 Phil. I. 27. They will walk in
newnefs of the Spirit, Rom. 6. 4. They are crea-
ted to good works to walk in them, Eph.1.10.
At leaft, they defign it,though they fail fhort of
it. Thus a Soul that is come to Chrifl: is a new
Creature. That Soul that hath no renewing s in
him,that hath the fame Spirit, defires, affections,
will,confcience>that ever he had, cannot prove
his intereft in Chrilt.
Secondly ,That Soul that hath receiv^cU^rift
hath received the Spirit of Chrifl:, Rotn.8.9* Iff-
ny man hath not the Spirit ofChrifirhe is none of hist
I Cor. 12.1 i» for by one Spirit we are all baptized in-
to one Body. None can receive the Son, but he muffc
have the Spirit too; for Chrifl: is not divided .•
He that hathChrift,hath theFatherand theSpirit,
for thefe three are one. Now a Soul that hath the
Spirit of Chrifl: mav know it by the effe&s of it :
The Spirit of Chrifl: is a quickening Spirit, it be-
gets a principle of Life: The Soul that was
dead to God, and holinefs *, now hath anew life,
a heart to move after God : it works from other
motives, even from love to God; Dofl: thou find
thy heartalways dead to every act of Grace ?
No heart to pray, hear, (£•<:. and is this habitual?
O then here's no fruit of Chrifts Spirit.
The Spirit of Chrift is a fln-oppofing fpirtt, al-
ways
399 Tlje &eft Treafurc, Ory
ways quarrelling with Lull \ always convincing*
troubling, humbling the Soul for fin, Gal 5. 17.
Tit.2.1 1,12. It gives no peaceable pofTdfion to it,
but always oppofes it as fire doth water : Where
the Spirit of Chrift is, 'tis a leading guiding Spi-
rit, Rom. S. 14. Chriltians,whatis uleads you?
Is it your own Spirits ? if you have received the
Spirit of God^you may know it by thofeScripture
ways ir takes to put you upon duty : fuch a one
is convinced by the word, and perfwaded, and
hefpM by the word to this and the other duty.
Again, The Spirit of Chrift is a praying Spirit:
A Soul that is in Chrift cannot live without pray-
er^hough no eye fee it,and no good come by it,
yet he cannot omit fecret prayer, Zach. 12. 10.
Rom8.i$- 'Tis not enlargement of affedions,
parts,abilities,and expreflions in prayer ; but the
inditings of the Spirit •, inward breathings,fighs
and groans of fifae Spirit : A man mary pray like a
Saint,or an Angel,and yet not have a jot of theSpi-
rit of prayer : but it is the encouragement ofthe
Spirit to wreftle wlthGod by Chrift: -, the inward
fuggeftions of hope when aSoul can go toGod as
to a Father, when the very heart goes out to God
in prayer, and when prayer is wing'd with Faith
and Love : Thefe are the effects of a Spirit of
prayer,and the fruit of aSouls reception ofChrift.
Thirdly >They that have obtain'd an intcreft in
Chrift>have crucified the fielh with the lulls there
offial. 5. 24.They,and only they that are iaChrift
have crucified the fle(h,that is,tlfe body of death,
original fin ; The general Nature of fin ; the uni.
verfil extents of fin-,come under the workings of
thisCrucifixtion.- O try Souls; hath the Axe
been ever laid to the root of fur? Have you ever
found
theVnfearcbabk Riches of Chrift. 563
found felling ftroaks upon the bodie of your
Corruptions^ e you bapciz'd into the death of
Chrift*,and as he died for fin, fo do you die to fin;
and by vertue o> bis death, and wounds, do you
fetch power,and ftrength from kirn to crucifie it?
There's a difference between the curbing , and
the crucifying of fin : fin may be chaiu'd up, im-
prifon'd, and not crucified : Hypocrites that are
under afeeming change, do reftrain, and confine
fin •, yea they may punifh fm,but do not ccucifie it:
The crucifying of fin is the giving it a deadly
mortal wound, fetch'd from the blood,snd death
of Chrift .- Faith fetches vertue from the Grave
ofChrift^todefbroy the power of fin, nothing
fo* mortally ftabs this LevUthan as a believing re-
flection on our propriety in Chrifts Crucifixcion,
and a laying hold on promifesby Faith in order
to the application of the benefit of a crucified
Chrift, Rvm. 6. 4, 6. Our old mm is crucified with
him : The putting our lulls into thefide>svounds,
and grave of ChriftjA levelling the Ax to the bo-
dy of fin, doth ftrange work to the crucifying of
it.Triethen'are your corruptions,Pride5Paflions,
Earthiinefsasftrongasever ? deceive not your
felves,this will iiever allure your intereft in- Chrift
till fin be deftroyed : 'tis true, when the wound is
given.fin doth not immediately die,but the bodie
of fin is dying, and the believing Soul finds his
corruptions hath lefs ftrength every day-, as a
man that loleth his blood weakens more and
more *,fo a Soul that crucifies Luft, finds it to
weaken day by day.
Fourthly, A nother effect of a Souls union with
Chrift is this ; There will be fome refemblance of
Chrift. 1 Joh. 4- 17. As- Ik is fo are win this
World*
400 The Befl Treafure, Or,
World. As Chrift was Crucified in the flelfy fo are
his Crucified to theflefh : And as Chrift was
rifen and juftified in the Spirit, fo are they fan&i-
ficd by the Spirit, and have the nature, and Image
ofChrifbHencc we are faid to be made conforma-
ble to the Image of his Son. Rom. 8 29. They that
areChrift's are in fome meafure of truth like
him. 1 Joh. $.3. They have fomething of Chrift's
Nature, and Spirit : Let the fame mind be in you
that im n Chrift Jefus. Phil. 2. 5. Chrift's mind
was o(Ff rom, and above the World *, and herein
iies as great an evidence of intereft in Chrift as
in any thing, that Soul is dead to, and wonderful-
ly loofe from the World. Gal 6. 14. Chrift's
mind was heavenly ,he favour'd the things above,
his meat, and drink was to do his Fathers will,
If you are Chrift's you will be of the fame mind }
nothing in the World will fo much delight you as
to do fomething for God: Chrift's mind was hea.
venly,to do his work,and haften homeland if you
are Chrift's this will be your mind to difpatch
your work, and haften home. Chrift was full of
mercy, humility, meeknefs : If you areinterefted
in Chrift, fo it will be with you.
Laftly, They that are interefted in Chrift, do intereft
Chrift inthemfelves,and in all that is theirs, rCor. 8.?.
They firjl gave themfelves to the Lofd : Such do devote, and
make over themfelves, and all to Chri(t,and glad they have
any intereft, parts, capacities, that Chrift will accept of ;
they cannot keep back a part -y no, were it athoufandtimas
dearer, Chrift fhall have all,G7f». 6\$. lam my Beloveds, and
my Beloved is mine : The keeping back of part loft Ananias ; •
and Saphirajthey were undone,and damned for ever, u4Ei.%.
If Chrift be yours ; you will entitle him t© all you are and
have. And thus arewe come to a Conclusion in. this matter :
That Soul t hat can come to feal to thole things, is a happy
Soul : O blefled Scul indeed / Then mivft thou boldly fay,
1 he Lord is my helper ; God, Chrift, the Spirit, the Pro-
mifes.the Kingdo»,and glory is minc.Thus much for the ufc
of Examination. CHAP.
the Unfearchabh Riches ofChrift. 401
CHAP. XXX.
Containing a Z)fe of Exhortion, prejjzng Be*
lievers to fever al duties.
HAving already difpatch'd Motives, Counfels,
and Directions to Sinners, about their co-
ming to this Chrift, I (hall only apply this
laft uf*e of Exhortation to thofe who are intereft-
ed in this rich, and glorious Jefus. Chriftians,
you that are made happy in your Relation to Ghrift,
and inverted with a Title to thefe glorious Trea-
lures, of all perfons \ you are moft obliged to duty,
Chriftians, be you advis'd and exhorted to thefe
feveral duties.
1 Duty.
Firft, Be exhorted to Thankfulnefs to the rich
Grace of God, for giving fuch a Treafure and
Treafury as Ghrift is > be continually offering up
Prailes and Thanlgivings to God, Flames of holy
Affe&ion, be admiring the Grace of God, as the
Fountain and Spring of thefe waters of Life, as
the deep Mine of thofe glorious Treafures : now
tolcrue up your Affections, and wind up your
Hearts to make way for holy Melody, admiring,
triumphing, and blefling God for giving Chrift,
confider thefe folio wing Particulars, as motives to
this choice duty.
Firft, Confider what you were without Chrift,
O ! Chriftians, look back, and fee what once you
were, EpL 2. n. Remembring that in times pa fc
yon were Gentiles in the Fle/h. The worft of men,
Dd an
402 The Bcjl Treafure, Or,
an idolatrous fort of men, Worlhippers of Devils,
you were wild Olives, Enemies to God in your
minds fiol. i. 2 1, hateful, and hateingonc another,
Jit, 3.3. Lying in your blood to the loathing of
your perfons, Ezek^ 16. 4, 5, 6. dead in Trefpafles
and Sins, wretched, mifcrable, poor, blind, naked,
Kev.« 3, 17. Children of Wrath, heirs of Hell, born
to Wrath, Efb. 2. 1, 2, 3. under the Curfe and
Condemnation of the whole Law, Gal. 3. 10. O
lamentable ftate ! Obnoxious to Death, liable to
everlafting DeftrudHon, every moment, no guard
about you, open to Devils, liable (o the pourings
out of divine Fury, and the openings of the deep
Treafures of infinite Vengeance, to have no fecuri-
t-y from the greateft Evils, noi; capacity ever to be
deliver'd out of them \ obnoxious every minute to
a fearful looking of a fiery Wrath and Indignation,
which (hall devour the Adverfary, Heb. 10. 27.
This was once your date Believers, you were Hub-
ble, ready for everlafting Burnings, Fuel for that
Fire that can never be quenched, and Food for the
Worm that never dycth, O! fad cafe indeed, and
was not freedom and deliverance from fuch a itate*
a Mercy worth your higheft Thanks? Had you but
lookt into the place of Torment, and dipt your
Finger into that lake of Fire and. Brimftone, you
would have wonder' d at Redemption-mercy, and
adored that Grace of God that pluckt you cut of
it : and is not your acknowledgment of preventing
Grace, as due now as it would have been to an,
adtual deliverance out of thefe Miferies ?
Secondly, Confider what you are by Grace, if
you are related to Chrift, you are brands pluckt
out of the Fire, Zach. 3. 2. Bond-llaves redeemed
from
the TJnfedrchabk Riches ofChrijl. 463
from the Pit, Zacb. p. 11. Condemned Wretches
fav'd from Wrath to come, 1 Thef. no. Tranfla-
tcd from Darkuefs to Light, and from the Power
of Satan into the Kindgdom of God, AVu 26. 18.
Col. 1. 1 3. Made Sons and Daughters to God, call-
ed to his Kingdom and Glory, 1 7hef.2. 12. Gal.
4. 6. Crown'd and inverted with a Right to his
Prefenceand moii glorious Priviledges, Epb. 2. 18;
19. Under the Eye of God, under divine Carey
infinite Grace is an Undertaker for you, 1 Pet. 5.7.
O glorious State ! Confider further, how you lye
upon the Heart of God, as a Seal and Signet there,
Cant. 8. 6. Reckoned amongft his Jewels account-
ed his peculiar Treafure, Exod. 19. 5. Mai. 3.17-
Partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light,
Col. 1. 12. Sitting in heavenly places in Chriftje-
fus, made Veffels, fitted for Mercy, mTd with Mer-
cy, devoted to Mercy, Rom. p. 23. And Heirs of
Glory, Jam. 2. 5. O wonderful, wonderful Grace y
this is matter of Praifes to God to all Eternity : Time
would fail to read over your Inventory, and to look
through your Treafury, 'tis Work for an Eternity
to do : O believe what you cannot fee, and ackriire
What you cannot know, and ftudy out what you yet
underftand not of your blelTed itate, both privative-
ly, and pofnively confider 'd, and when you have
found out a little ot your Happinefs, then look
on thofe beneath you, put your Mercies into the
fcale with the VVorld's Miferies, rate your Re-
demption-intereft with the lot of Chriftlefs Souls,
matter of the fame Lump with you, think on your
Acquaintance, Friends, Relations, Neighbours, that
have enjoyed the fame Gofpel-Priviledges with you,
and yet thefe are left to their Blindnefs, to perish
in the Error of their ways, and muii down into
Dd 2 the
404 The Befl Treajure, Or,
the deep for ever, but you are exalted, and lifted
up to Glory. O I What caufe is here for Praifes
bleflings, Thanfgivings, and Hallejuahs to him
that fits upon the Throne, and to the Lamb for
evermore.
Thirdly, Gonfider the greatnefe of that Grace
which hath made you to differ •, Ah ! Believers,
Redemption-gra«e law nothing more in you than
in Judit, Vimas, and thofe that perilh * you were
of the fame Lump, cut out of the fame piece, there
was not a Jot of Difference between you and the
damned, but only the good pleafure of Grace, on-
ly divine Mercy laid it's hand upon you: O that
afton idling word, becaufe it pleafed him to makg
you his people , i Sam. 12. 22. It was only the free
grace of God that chofe Jacob, and left Efau, Rom.
9. 13. It was not for yoUr fakes Chriitians, that the
Lot was call fo well for you : No, Be it kpown to
you 0 houfe of lirael, be ajhamed and confounded for
ever in your own Eyes, Ezek. 3d. 32. The moving
Caufe, the Wheel within the Wheel, that made
you adopted, and others rejected, was only the
good Pleafure of his Will, Eph. 1. 5.7. It was from
hence, Godfo loved the World, out of this Womb
fprung all your Mercies, it was Height of Grace,
Length, Breadth, Depth, Love palling Knowledge,
Eph. 3. 18. 19. O ye heirs of Glory, be arTedted,
altoniihed,ravi(hed with the fenfe of this rich grace
of God towards you, in giving Chrift not only for
you, but to you, and revealing him in you, and
uniting him to you by the Spirit, from the fame
Mafs of fallen man, to tingle out fomefor pardon,
and leave others for Punilhmcnt: O wonderful!
The Senfc of this made the Apoftle break out in
fuch
the Z)nfe*rchable Riches ofChriJi. 405
fuch a holy Extafie, Rom. 1 1. 33. 0 the Depth of
the Riches both sf the Wifdom and Knowledge of God,
O the depth ! A note of Exclamation, and filen-
cing wonder. O confider this Love of God to
your Souls, 'tis free Love without any Influences
from the Creature,full Love without Circumference
or Bounds, eternal Love without Beginning and
without end. Fruitful Love, abounding in the
rich Gifts and Procurements of it, OtheGifts-amd
Tokens God fends to you now, and O the large
(tore he lays up for ever for you : 'tis fympathyzing
Love, full of Bowels, delighting Love, full of plea-
fure in you, 'tis refting Love: He will reft over
them in his Love ; 'tis immutable Love without
Changes, giving Love, forgiving Love, caring
Love, (ecuring Love, returning Love, overcoming
Love. O ! where (hall I make an end ? How can
you come to the bottom of this Deep, wade a little
further, till you have loft your (elves in holy won-
der : Can you fee your brave houfes, fine Cloaths,
comfortable Relations, and have fuch high Regards,
for thefe, and no more for this Grace of God ; O
wonder more at this Love.
Fourthly, Confider how this is the great Defign
of God in this grace, that you (hould be to his praife
Eph. 1. 12. That is the end which God aimed at
in Prediftinating you to Glory, that you might be
to the Praife of his grace, that his Grace might
procure the Manifeftation of his Praife j 'tis not for
an Enlargement of his Revenue, or Advancement
of his Proric \ for man cannot be profitable to God,
Job 22. 2 2. or for any addition to his Honour be-
ing above all Praife, but that he might receive the
Tribute of his own Glory, and the returns of his,
D d 1 out-
4c6 The Bejl Treafnre, Or,
outgoing Goodnefs : Now it this be the very end
why God fets his love upon you Chriltians, then
you have reafon to glorifie his Grace, leit you en-
deavour to overturn the whole Pre jedh of Salvati-
on-kind nefs.
Fifthly, Think how delightful Praifeis to God,
Ffal. 69.31. Thti alfo JhalJ pleajc the Lord better than
an Oxe or a Bnllockjbat bath Horns and Hoofs. That
is, an Adult, and full grown Beait, which is more
fit for Sacrifice \ as K abbi V. Kimcby notes, a Beaifc
was not fit for Sacrifice under two years old *, io
that Praife is preferred here above all Sacrifice, as.
that which God takes molt delight in of any thing,
becaufe this doth moft honour him to acknowledge
him the Author of all Mercy, and God of all Grace,
Tfal. 50. 23. Wbofo oferetb Pra/fc, glorifictb wf,
That is, He doth in a lingular manner (hew forth
mine Honour, and this is pleating to him.
Sixthly, This brings Profit to your own Souls,
Tfal. 50. 23. For 'tis the means and way to obtain
the Salvation of God -, Ponit viam ant ft£barat viam,
(faith one) it opens the way f ,r Salvation to go
out to that Soul j this duty of Praife will bring you
Gain, becaufe it engageth God to give out mere
Mercy, and it leaves Influences of lpiritual Good
on your own Souls", it puts the heart into a good
Frame to love God, and delight in him, and leaves
. more obligedncfs on the Soul to fear and lerve God :
iu David after that Pfalm of Praife to God, 2 Sam.J.
was wonderfully influenced to duty to God, as you
may fee, chap. 8. 1 1. and had his Spirit abundant-
ly fwcetned to men, cbap.p. 1.
Laftly, Confidcr alfo, how pkafant this duty
cf Praife is to the Soul it fclf, it is wonderfully de-
lightful
the Unsearchable Riches ofChrift. 407
lightful, and abundantly affedfo, and ravfthes the
Heart, to have the fenfe of divine Mercy in it, PfaU
147. 1. Praife ye the Lord, for it is plea/ant, and
Praife is comely. O Believers! let me. effectually per*
(Wade youthen to thehigheft Acknowledgments of
Redemption -grace, and to the utmoft Praifcs for
this rich Jefus, who hath blefled you with all fpi-
ritual Bleifings, Epb. 1. 3.
, 2 Duty.
Secondly, You that have an Intereftin this glo*
rious Redeemer, labour to keep up a high valuati-
on of him in your Hearts '■> if he be Co rich as the
Gofpel reports of him, O then prize him accord-
ing to his excellent worth : Great men are highly
efteemed, the Cap, the Knee, the belt Room, the
chiefeft Seat are theirs, Jam. 3.3. And how much
more worthy is Chrift of your account, 1 Pet. 2.7,
To you that believe be is precious. TV» it llgnifies an
high Eftimation ofanothers Worth and Excellency,
ready to be attefted by all potlible and due De-
monftrations : four things (hould oblige Believers
to a high Efteem of Chrift.
Firft, His own tranfeendent Excellency which
iingularly refides in him, and eminently (nines out
from him, ten thoufand times brighter than the
Beams of the Sun, which in their own nature chal-
lenge the highelt Adoration of men and Angels,
efpecially of faved Souls, to whom he is moft en^
deared and moft nearly related. As the Apple-tree
excells the meaneft and moft uielefs Shrub, infinite-
ly more doth the Lord Jefus over- top al! the Glo-
ry of the world as Mediator, Cant. 2.3. He is the
chiefeft often thoufands, Cant. 5. 10. He is before
Dd $ &
4o8 The BtftTreafitre, Or,
all things, Col. i. 17. Both in dignity and time,he-
precedes all Creatures, he is the Fountain of all
Excellencies \ his divine and perfonal Perfections
make him the glory of Heaven, the adoration of
Angels, the admiration of Saints, and the object
of all Obfervance and holy Wonder, 2 Tbef 1. 10.
Secondly, The high honour the Father puts up-
on hirrr. He is his Well-beloved, Mattk 3. 17.
The object of his Delight, the Exaltation of his
right-hand, who hath put all things under his
Feet, Heb. 2. 8. Set over the works of his hands,
crowned with Glory and Honour, verf. 7. Wor-
shipped by all the Angels, by the Fathers Appoint-
ment, and fet down at the right hand of the Maje-
fty on high, Heb. 1. 3. <5. entrufted with all the
Concerns and Interefts of God, in the World,
made his plenipotentiary, to compote all Diffe-
rences betwixt himfelf and fall'n man : now, hath
the Father fuch a high Valuation of Ghrift > then
furely 'tis an unworthy thing in you, to detract:
from his Honour.
3dly, The Lord Jefus Chrift deferves your high
Eftimation, becauie he is the Fountain of all thole
Streams that do make glad your Souls, the Sun of
all thofe Beams, that warm your Hearts, the Author
of all thofe Mercies that dofupply and delight you •,
all your Excellencies and the things you moftly
value, are Derivations from his glory •, things are
ratable as they come from Chriit, he turns your
Water into VVine, fweetens your bitter Cups, and
makes them to overflow, all your graces come from
his Fullnefs, he is your Friend, your beft Friend,
jLDur old Friend, your none-fuch in Heaven and
garth, TfaL 75. 25. The Procurer of all your Mer-
cies.
the Vnfcarchabk Riches ofChrifl. 409
cies, the fweetnefs of all your Comforts, the crown
of all your Glory, and doth he not deferve your .
Eftimation ? If he hide his Face all Light goes
with him, if he fufpends the Communications of
his Favour, nothing is comfortable to you, if he
lock up his Treafures, nothing but Poverty and
wafting covers your Souls, every thing without him
is nothing, and with him, any little thing is
enough j Bread and Water is rich cheer with Chrift,
Difgrace and Reproach is Honour with Chrift i
Poverty is Riches with Chrift j O prize Chrift then,
for he puts a worth upon all things that you can
enjoy.
Fourthly, Confider the wonderful value the
Lord Jcfus Chrift puts upon you, and let this per-
fwade you to a due valuation of him, Gal. 2. 20*
Who loved me, and gave bimfelffor we, Joh. 15* l &+
O amazing, wonderful, fovereign Grace! That
the Son of God (hould let his higheft Regards up-
on loathfome Dung, fwept out of door by divine
Juftice, caft out into the open Field, pityful, loath-
fome, undone Creatures, that he (hould account
you ( Believers ) as the Apple of his Eye, who have
been as Thorns in his fide, that he (hould account
you as a Seal on his Heart, who have been fpears
to pierce through his Bowels, that he (hould value
you as the travel of his Soul, the Je wels of his
Crown, the Inhabitants of his glorious Prefence
to all Eternity, that he (hould account fuch fpotty
Worms as you worthy of his Love, his Blood, and
his Mediation, deferving his Bofom, his Kingdom
and his Throne : O what ftrange aftoniftiing Grace
is this! and will you prefer Creatures., and place
Relations in your Bofom, and kt Chrift lye out of
door.
410 The Bejl Treafure, Or,
door, O unworthy aft indeed ! Surely he deferves
your higheft Eftimation, O prize Chrift ! prize
Chrift! value him.
Firft, Above all things in Heaven and Earth,
count nothing like him, much lefs above him \ fet
him in the uppermoft Seat, enthrone him in your
Heart i Let him ride in that Chariot of yours that
is pav'd with Love ', Efteem his Perfon above all
Perfons, his Purchafe above all Purchafe : his Love
above all Affections > his help above all Aififtance:
Value him above Father, Mother, Husband, Wife,
Friends, Pleafures, Credit, Riches, or whatever is
deareft to you : Say as Mofes did, Who U % to thee?
Exod. I J. II. Thy Name alone U excellent ', thy Glo-
ry above the Heavens. Efteem his Precepts above all
the Commands of men \ His Promifes, his Privi-
ledgcs, his Comforts, his Ordinances, his People
above all : Chrift, in conjunction with other
things, accounts himfelf flighted •, He muft be
Aut C£far, ant nullus.
Secondly, Prize Chrift in all •, in all Perfons
and things, make him the Standard to meafure the
worth of all created Beings by > Reckon things as
they carry Chrift in them : when Satan or Corrup-
tion tempt you to a high efteem of any, Ask them,
as Chrift did, whofeSuperfcription and Image they
bear ? Matth. 22. 20. As the Talent of the Tem-
ple was of greateft value, fo let thy Account be of
thole things that have the Temple ftamp upon
them, in a Sacred Reflection of Jelus Chrift. Rec-
kon not much of any thing that hath not Aliqttid
Chrijii, fomething of Chrift in it.
Thirdly, Prize Chrift at all times h not only by
fits and ibrts *, not when he brings thee Loaves,
and
the Utjfearchabk Riches of Chrift. 4 1 j
and loads thee with his Favours onely, but alfb
when he hides his Face, and holds his Hand, when
he feems to take no notice of thee : Let Chrift be
thy Sun in the Day-time i let him be thy Diamond
in the Night, when all other Lights are gone, and
fhadows of Darknefs are over thee j let him be al-
wayes uppermoft in thy Account s Think meanly
of him at no time* let him lye between thy
Breafts,to fatiate thee at all times, Cant. 1. 13.
3. Duty.
Thirdly, Believers, Have all your expectations
from Chrift, ?faU 6 2. 5. My Soul waiteth only up-
on God, for my expettation U from him. If the Lord
Jefus be fo rich, then he is able to maintain you,
and fupply all your wants : There's Bread enough
in his houfe to feed you ; Light enough in him to
guide you •, Comfort enough to cheer you : Blood
enough to pardon you > Righteoufnefs enough to
juftifie you : Grace enough to fan&ifie you :
Strength enough to bear and fupport you s Trea-
fures enough to fatisrie and requite you. Hence 'tis
he calls his People to look to him, and be faved,
J/j. 45.22. And on this Belief the Saints refolved
to wait and look for him, 2/^.8.17, O Chrift ians!
exped all you need from Chrift : His fufficiency to
help you, and his willingnefs to fupply you, are
Arguments enough for your Expectation : why
ihould you look to Creatures more than to the
Creator ? to the Clay, more than to the Potter ?
to broken Pits, more than to the Fountain ? to
the Phyfician, more than unto God ? Is there not
a God in Ifiael ? why then are your eyes, Chrifti-
ans, after empty Cifterns, and things that cannot
p^oiit you ? Have you chofen Chrift to be your
Rock
412 The Bejl Treafnre, Or,
Rock, your Fountain, Life, Sufficiency, and Fulncfs?
to fill all in all j and yet run to othei things for
your Relief, as if be were not able to fupply you ?
O Souls! fatten your eyes on Chrifti expect all
you want from him, as the impotent man did on
John and Peter, A3s 3.5. Look not fo much on
Creatures and Relations, Friends, Riches, and
Wifdom, &c. left you be afhamed j but wait for
the Vifion, for it will fpeak, Hab. 2. 3. Expe6t all
you need from Chrift, for the expectation of the
poor (hall not perifti.
4. "Duty.
Fourthly, Be contented with Chrift alone, what-
ever is wanting \ and truly, 'tis fkange indeed,that
an infinite Portion cannot fatisfie a finite Being,
and a whole Ocean fill a little VefTel > Believer,
Thou haft the perfon of Chrift, who is the wonder
of Angels, the Satisfaction, and the Heaven of
glorified Saints, thedefire of all Nations, the long-
ed-for Joy of all that truly know and raft him, and
will not this content you? Paul could leave all the
World to go after Chrift, and art not thou fatis-
fyed with Chrift, without the World ? ?bn (faith
Agnes the Roman. Martyr) Even this is be, I now
confeft that 1 do love-, I mil makg hafle to meet him.
The naked prefence of Chrift hath been a Heaven to
fufjhing Saints under the want of" all things : I
have foundry ne§ of Honey (faith Algerius) in tfye En-
tralf of a Lyon, in a deep darkJJungeon, I have found
s paradife pf PUafnre, &c. And if fome glimpfes
of the prefence, fomelllapfes of the love of Chrift,
were^ enough to thefe Sufferers in the want of all
things, O unreafonable Soul, that thou (houldeft
complain, and be difTatisfycd, who haft an Intereft
in
Tfo Vnfearchable Riches tf Chrift. 413
in Chrift, and Co much of other things too. O
Chriftian ! IfChrift be thine, let it content thee,
for all is thine , his Heart is upon thee, and will
not that content thee ?' He loves thee more than
all the World, he will not leave thee, and will
not thispleafe thee? Heb. 13. 5. He will care for
thee, 1 Pet. 5. 7. Thou (halt want no good thing,
he will make up the want of creatures with him-
felf, he will fweeten bitter cups -, 'tis but a little
while, and he will take thee to himfelf, where
Wants, Sufferings, Shame, Reproaches, Griefs,
and Sin (hall trouble thee no more : O then be fa-
tisfyed with a fingle Chrift, in Heaven he muft be
thy alone Happinefs, there's no Hou(e, Land,
Husband, Wife, Parent, Children, to make up thy
Fullnefs and BlefTednefs, there God will be all in
all, and is not this God in Ghrift enough now >
5 Duty.
Fifthly, Take up your Delights in this rich and
glorious Chrift, he is the Treafure, and his mould
be the heart alfo, Math. 6. 21. There is all that
in Chrift, which thy Heart can defire, ftretch thy
Longings to the utmoft, and he is infinitely beyond
them i and if he deferves to be the object of thy
Defires, then of thy Delight, for what is Delight
but Defire in Fruition ? He is the only adequate
object of Delight: other things are unfutable to a
fpiritual Heart,and cannot pleafej empty>and cannot
fatisfie^ fading, and cannot laft ^ cloying, and foon
become burdenfome j but God in Chrift is an eter-
nal Excellency : thofe things that feem molt dele-
gable in Creatures, are but Derivations from his
Excellency, Drops of his Fullnefs, Sips of his
Svvectnefs,the imprefsof his Fingers : The precious
Ordi-
414 7%e beJiTrcajurc, Or?
Ordinances of Chritt, are but the Galleries in
which he walks, the Chariot in which he rides,
the Cabinet wherein his Jewels lye, the Citterns
through which Waters of Life pafs to faved ones »
and if thefe be fo plealant, O what then is him-
felf, and (hould not Believers then delight them-
felves in him,
§>ue(l. But how mall I do to get my Heart to this
delight in Chritt ? I find my ArTe&ions cold, and
my Spirits dead, that I cannot tatte that Sweetnefs
in Chritt, nor take that Pleafure in the Almighty
as I would.
Anfvp. Fir ft, withdraw your Hearts from all other
Delights, this courfe doth the Lord fet IJrael to
get up to a delight in himfelf, 2/4.58. 15, 14.
There is no greater Enemy to true delight in God,
than a perfons own carnal Pleafure, and delight in
things below God, Whoredom and neve Wine tafy
away the Hearty Hof. 4, 1 1. 'Tis impoflible a Soul
can take pkafure in Chritt and Sin together, Mat.
6. 24. For carnal Pleafures withdraw the Aflfedti-
ons from God, Job 2 i.ver. 1 2. to 1 5. 1 Job. 2. 1 5.
Secondly, Rett not till you have cleared up your
Interett in Chritt, and can upon good grounds ap-
prehend him as your peculiar and chief Treafure
better than all the World befides,and appropiate it
to your own Souls, Cant. 2. 3. 5. This drew the
Spoufes Heart to fo much longing after and folace
in the Lord Jefus, even the fight of his tranfeen-
dent Worth beyond all others, and her title to all
thofe Excellencies •> 'tis feen Interett in Chritt that
draws out the Heart after him, Cant. 7. 10. Doubts
of Relation to Chritt, and Fears of laying a claim
to thefe precious Treafures, damps the Soul pka-
fure in Chritt. Third-
The Vnfearchabk Riches of Chaff. 41 5
Thirdly, Be fatisfy'd about Chrift's fpeciallove
to you, and delight in you, 1 Job. 4. 19. Jealou-
sies about an In tereft in this love of God, did fo
cool the Jews Hearts towards him, Ifa. 49. 14.
But Zion faith, t be Lord batb forfakgn me, and my
God batb forgotten me : From hence they began to
flack their pace after God, and cryed out, toehold
what a wearinefs is it, and fnuffed at it, Mai. 1. 13.
cbap. 3. 14. Sufpition of Chriits Heart towards you
will ftraiten yours towards him: think well of
Chrift's Heart to you, cherifh daily a good Opini-
on of his Nature, Affection, and Faithfulneis,
Fourthly, Beg hard for heart-arTe&ing fights of
Chrift y This fo enamoured the Spoufes Heart, (he
faw the beauties of her beloved, Cant. 2.1. She be-
held him to be the rofe of Sharon, and Lilly of the
Vallies, the powrings out of his Name drew her af-
fections to h\m, Cant. 1, j« The Eye affedrs the
Heart, Lam. 3. 51. As with Sorrow fb with Joy*
3Twas David's Sight of God in the outgoings of
his Love and Glory, that made his Soul thirft after
him, Pfal. 63. 1. 2.
Fifthly, Be much in the confederation of what
Chrift hath done for you, and beftowed upon you >
this fo engaged Hczekjab's Heart to God, Ifa. 58.
17. and filled David's heart wiih fuch an Extafyof
Joy in God, 2 Sam. 7. 19, 20. Pfal. 8.
Sixthly, Get a nature and Spirit futablc to
Chrift, Simile Simili gaudet, Pfal. 17. 15. I fbaU
be fat'xfied when I awa^e with tby Likgneft. This
made the Image of Chrift glorious in the Souls eye
alfo,when once it becomes changed into it's Like-
nets, 2 Cor. 3.18. Therefore did Paul delight in the
Law of God after the inner man, Rom. 7. 22. Be-
cauft
41 6 The Beji Tnafnre, Or,
caufe he had his inner parts changed into the Image
of it-, what pleafure will wicked men take in a
wicked Caufe, from the (imilitude it hath to their
own Nature > So will the Soul in Chrift, when
once brought into a futablenefs to him.
Laftly, Be much in Communion with Chrift,
and this will beget wonderful Joy in him, Pfal.
1 1 p. i6y. David's being much converfant in God's
Laws, begat and ftrengthen'd his delight in it. So
verf. 14. 3Tis Intimacy breeds Delight, whereas
Strangenefs leflens all that Familiarity and Pleafure
we elfe might take in Perfons, Pfal. 14. 10.^
Stranger intermeddles not with bis Joy. Be not con-
tented to keep to duty, but prefs after Communi-
on with Chrift therein.
6 Duty.
Sixthly, Be not troubled at your Wants, LoiTes
and Sufferings, you undergoe in this World i Con-
fid er thefe four things.
Firft, You can want no good thing, the God
of Glory ftands bound for your Supplies, Pfal. 34.
10. They that feck^the Lord Jhall want no good things
Pfal. 23. 1. the Lord U my Shepheardj I Jhall not
want. It cannot be, that thofe who are fo much
interefted in the Heart, Care, Perfon, and Treafure
of the Lord Chrift, can be deftitute i what can you
want who are entitled to all good things ? 1 Cor.
3. 22, 23. Who are Heirs of the Proraifes, Pro-
mifes that concern the Life that now is, and that
which is to come, 1 Tim. 4. 8. You have a furer
Title to your Supplits, than they that have moft
of the World in their hands >for God hath laid up,
in the hands of Jefus Chrift, a full Allowance for
you, how Ihort foever he may fcem to keep you
for
the TJnfearchable Riches ofChrifi. 417
for a while : the Earth is your Lords, and the Full"
nefs thereof, and the Cattel on a thoufand Hills'
Tfal. 50. 10. 12. Pfal. 24. 1. Heaven, and Earth
and all things therein, are made over in the ever-
lafting Covenant for your ufe.
* Secondly , You (hall want or furTer no more than
- infinite Wifdom, and fatherly Love fees beft for
you -, 'tis impoiTible that divine Purpofes fhould be
trultrated towards you h he that will work will
work, and nothing (hall let, 'tis not Men nor De-
vils, nor the greatett injury of time, can deprive
you of your Fathers Allowance, and that is upon
infinite VVifdom and good Pleafure. The Wings
and Wheels of Gods Providence over his people,
and for them, are full of Eyes within and without,
to (hew the wife Care and Providence of God over
his, in the worft of times, and hardeft condition v
and thefe Wheels are moving for your Good, Chri-
ftians, and God fees in the darkeft Providence,
what is beft for you \ all his Dealings with his
people,arethe Fruits ofeverlafiingLove, Jer. 31.3.
God doth in infinite Wifdcm manage all your Con-
cerns *> 'tis not by Chance, or through any inad-
vertency, any Croffes or LoiTes befall you, but all
is done in wife Counfel.
3dly, The lefs you have of Creatures, the more
will God give you of himfelf, if you be looking to
him,and by Faith live uponhim.God will admit of
no Vacuums towards his people, they can want no
good things therefore if creature- fupplies be re-
mov'd, Grace comes in the* rooms as they fay,
Water will afcend to prevent a Vacuum, and
Grace will defcend to prevent Empcinefs in Be-
lievers s God comes in the room of creature-com-
E e forts ;
4 1 3 The Beft Treafure, Or,
torts : when Job was ftript of all, he had more of
the vifions of God, Job 42. 5. John had never more
Intimacy with Jefus Chriit, than when he was in
the barren Iiland ofPatmos, ftript of the Conflu-
ence of earthly Comforts^ Elijah never made abet-
ter Meal, than when he was driven into the Wil-
dernefs, and the Angel was his Cook, 1 Kin. ip. 8.
Ah Believers ! you have never better Allowance of
God, than when you are cut (hort in outward
things, if you be faithful > therefore you fhould be
quiet under all Straits and Ncceilities in the world.
The day we live in, is full of Tryals to many a gra-
cious Soul, the wants of many may be more than
many think of, and 'tis now a time to expedr
more Maintainings from the hand of God, and
from the'Spirit of Grace, when outward things are
removed. When Ifiacl was brought into the Wil-
dernefs where was no fowing nor reaping, they
had their Bread from Heaven, and 'tis God's ufual
way, to fend Meat from his own Table, when the
Tables of his Children are empty, I mean, more
fpiritual Communications from himlelf, if they
murmur not, but patiently and quietly wait for
God's Salvation.
Laftly, Gonlider, Believers, Tis not long you
mall be in the way of Wants, or Sufferings: the
time is haitning that will fet you beyond the reach
of offending Providences, nothing (hall offend you
when you get home to your own Country. O !
the time is haitning, when Moth and Ruft cannot
con fume, nor Thieves break thorough and fteal,
Mattb. 6, 20. And when aril i drive Providences can-
not injure your Treafure, if the Lord be your Trca-
furc. 'Tis not long you will be open to the Injury
of
the Uvfearchable Riches ofChrift* 41 9
of time, and to thofeCafualties that pafs upon your
Comforts. Every day (Chriitians) brings you far-
ther through the Briars, and Thickets of this
World, and through the barren Wilcfemefs, that
leads to your Canaan > you are travelling apace to-
wards a period of all your Tryals, every new hour
brings you aftep nearer to the Sight, and 1 >;rion
of your bleiTed Inheritance. Chriliian, Thin1: t
Evening, now I have a day lefs to wade through the
deep Troubles,and Red-fea of this World, and to be
kept at fuch ftrait Allowances and Supplies in this
Life: O a real Faith of this,how would it patient and
quiet Believers, under prefent Straits and (hort Al-
lowances here } O ! Think upon the coming of
the Lord, Jam. 5. 7. Be patient therefore Brethren ^un-
to the coming of the Lord, behold the Husband-man,
n>aitethfor a precious Fruit of the Earth, and hath
long patience for it : He waits a long time before
Harveit comes, and bears many a wet-day, and
{hall not a Believer wait with more Quietnefs, and
hope for a far better Treafure ? O ! Chriitians, if
you feelfome Difficulties and Straits through want
of Supplies, Comfort, Credit, Strength, Eafe^
Peace, Reft, for a little time, know, Eternity is
coming, that will make amends for all.
7 Duty.
Seaventhly, Live upon your Treafure, thefeun-
fearchable Riches in Chrilt ', for this end hath the
Father provided thofe rich Treafures, to fatisfie
you here, and to folace you hereafter, 'tis laid up
in Chri(t for you, not lockt up from you. Chri-
itians, the Lord Jems is a Fountain fealed to, not
from you, there's no Bolt between you and your
Treafures, you may go and fetch fupply at all times
E e 2 of
420 The Befi Treafure, Or,
of need, Heb. 4. 16. It hath pleafed the Father
that in Chrift (hould all Fullnefs dwell, Col. 1. 19.
For theufe of Believers, that he might give eternal
Life to all that come to him, and be the head of
the Body, the Fullnefs that filleth all in all, Epb. 1.
23. This is the work he hath undertaken to do,
and invited all his people to come to him, that they
might have Life, and have it more abundantly, he
bids them ask and ask again, that their Joy might
be full, Job. 16. 23, 24, 26. This is the Will cf
God,- that Believers mould eat their own Bread
with Quietnefs, 2 Tbej. 3. 12. And make ufe of
this Inheritance for all their Supply and Comfort:
Chriftians, you cannot make too bold with your
own, Chrift and all his Fullnefs is your Intereft :
you may wear out your Welcome with men, and
beg too often at fellow-Creatures doors, but you
cannot ask too often of free Grace, or take too
much of Redemption-treafures, if you be fure to
refer the Meafures and time to divine pleafure. In
all your need come to Chrift for whatever you
want, for the Life that now is, and that which is
to come h this anfwers the end of the everlaft ing
Covenant, and the Fathers placing this ftore in
Chrift, and Chrift's undertaking the Care, Con-
duct, and Salvation of all that come to him, and
this wonderfully pleafeth Chrift, and advanceth his
mediatory Glory : this alfo keeps up the credit and
Reputation of the ways of God in the World,
when Strangers fee Believers rich fare, and what
a Sufficiency is laid up in Chrift for them, that
Chrift maintains his own poor, that they need not
go a begging •, this commends that State and Go-
vernment, where care is taken to prevent wandring
Beg-
the Unfiarchable Riches of Chrift. 421
Beggers : Befides, otherwife the Promifes are u(e-
lefs if you come not to Chrift for all your Supplies.
Theie full Breafts will be injured if you milk them
not out, Promifes are the Bags in which this Trea-
fure is carried out to believers, which will wax old
if you ufe them not. Chrift gets nothing (Chrifti-
ans) by your Savingnefs this way, the more he
lays out upon you, the more he lays up foj
you.
8 Duty.
Eighthly, Improve your Intereft in thefe vaft
Trealures, to the enriching of your own Souls p
are there fuch Riches in Chrift, and is this Jefus
yours } Othen labour to be rich alfo. There are two
things which I iliould prefs you to be rich in, 1. In
Grace, 2. In good Works.
Firft, You that have Intereft in thefe Treafures
of Chrift, labour to be rich in Grace, be not con-
tent with the Truth of Grace, with little Meafures
of Grace, but ftrive to abound in Grace, 1 Tbef. 3.
12. For,
Firft, Grace is the beft Treafure, and moft rati-
onally defirable for it's felf.All other created Beings
are conditionally good, fo far as God fees them beft
for us, and fo far as they conduce to the great end
of Gods Glory, and our' Salvation ■■> but Grace is
abiolutely good, becaufe 'tis part of the divine Na-
ture and Image of God, 2 Pet. 1. 4. Which divine
Nature he tells us, ver. 5. 6. Lies in Faith, Vertue,
Knowledge, Temperance, Patience, Godlinefs,
and Charity. 'Tis abfolutely neceffary to the glo-
rifying of God, and being glorified with God,
Heb. il,6. Without Faith Vk impojftble to pleafe
God7 and without Holimfs no man can fee God,
E e 3 H*
42 2 The Beft Treafure, Or,
Hcb. 12. 14. Grace is the bcft Treafure, becaufe
the molt enduring Treafure, the molt potent Trea-
fure, it can procure more than alt the World can,
M^p.23. All things an pffiblc to him that belicnth.
Indeed created grace cannot, by way of Merit or
Purchafe,procure any thing ; but by way of Appro-
priation and Meekncfs, it brings that which all the
World cannot: Grace is Gods high way to Mercy
and Peace, being under a Promife of Peace, Grace
and Peace are ufually twins in gracious Souls,
2 Pet. 1. 2. Grace can quiet you undet Troubles,
ilrengthen you under Weakncfs, guide you under
Darknefs, cheer you under Sufferings, enrich you
under LofTcs, and fill you under Wants, again*
Grace is the pure'ft Treafure, earthly Treasures are
as thofe Cities Solqmon gave to Hiram, a mere Ct-
hil and dirty things, dehling rhe Souls of thofe
thatliave them,and ufe not them dr'ight , Graccis
t\\Q mod plcafant Treafure, it doth not burthen
thofe that have it, as earthly things do with wa-
fting Cares and . .tormenting fears, Further,
Grace is the bed Trea'ure, in that it will go with
the Soul into the other World \ all the Riches of
this World mult be left behind, Death puts the
Owner and his Intcreil into a, winding Sheet > no
man's Propriety to thefe out- lives himfelf, the
Grave buries all his Ptelation to thefe things, but
Grace never dies, true Holinefs goes with the Soul
to glory.
• Secondly, Labour to be rich in Grace, becaufe
if you have but little grace, you will hardly prove
the truth of grace. Though the leaft grace is grace,
ji£ a drop ot Water is Water, yet a little grace doth
f;Ot fo capacitate a Soul to fee it, 2 Fct. 1. p. He
that
the TJnfearchable Riches ofChrijl. 42 3
that wants this thriving Grace, forgets that he was
purged from his old Sins, he cannot remember or
make out' his faving Change, or putting offhis old
flare * little Grace is ever fceptical, and fubjedi to
Doubtings, Mattk 14. 31, 0 thou of little Faith%
wherefore didjl thou doubt.
Thirdly, Becauie little grace will hardly cany
a Soul through the Temptations, Duties, and Suf-
ferings of the day we live in * thefe are fome of the
hit times we are falPn upon, and the laft times are
perillous times, 2 Tim. 3.1. This is the Character
of thefe times, Abounding Iniquity, and Decay of
Love, Matth. 24. 12. And therefore a little Grace
will not carry a Soul through ftrong Corruptions >
where Sin abounds, Grace muft abound much more?
or elfe the Soul will lofe ground, 'Rom, 6. 1.
What the Apoftle fpeaks there of grace in God, 'tis
as true of grace in Saints that muft abound more
than their Sin, or elfe Sin will be too hard for them »
Judgment muft be brought forth to Vi&ory, or
elfe the bruifed Reed will break, Matth. 12. 20,
For this end the Apoftle advifeth the Epbcftans, in
his time, which were lefs liable to (uch Temptati-
ons, that they (hould put on the whole Armor of
God, and having done all, to ftand, Eph. 6. 13.
Fourthly, EUe you cannot anfwer the ends of
grace, and all the Coil of God about you > the de-
iign of grace in all the means and helps to his peo-
ple, is to further their growth in grace, and to
make them abound to all well-pleafing before God,
Ifa. 5. 2. 4. Job. 15. 2. Pfal. 92. 13, 14. To
whom much is given of them much is required,
£//% 12, 48.
E e 4 Fifth*
424 The Beji Treafure, Or,
Fifthly, That fo you may be more like to God,
who is rich to all that call upon him, Rom: 10. 12.
He is rich in Mercy, he hath abounded iivthe Riches
of grace towards all his People, Epb; 1. 7,8. Chri-
ftians (hould be Epitomies of Chritt, and Refem-
blers of his Excellency, holding forth his Vertues
in the World, 1 Pet. 2, 5?. There can be no great-
er glory to a Child of God in this World, than to
be like to Chriit, who is the glory of the Father ',
but by being rich in Grace, you will much manU
felt the Excellency of Chrift in the World.
Sixthly, By being rich in grace, you will become
more ferviceable to God and others in your Ge-
neration, you will be able to do more work for
God than others. Grace is a Talent, and the more
Talents you have, the more Incomes hath God
from you, Mattb. 25. 16, 17. Rich men have lar-
ger Capacities to honour God in the World than
others have, they can do more, and lay out more
for God, and be more ferviceable for God than
others » they can feed the Hungry, and cloath the
Naked,and take Out-cads into their houfes, they can
do more to fupport the intereli of God,than the poor,
and have more Subltance to honour God with ", fo
Souls rich in grace,have larger Abilities to ferve and
honour God with : the more Grace the more accep-
tably can they ferve God, Heb. 12.2 8. The more fpi-
ritual Services are the more acceptable to God by
Chrii^ t Ptt.2.5.For fuch the Father chufeth to ferve
him, who ferve him in Spirit aivd Truth, Job. 4.
23. PfaL 45. 12. And the Daughter of Tyre Jball
be tbere ivitb a Gifty even the ricb among the People
Jhall entreat thy Favour, lyre was a rich place as
wdl as vicious, and yet, there would God have a
Peo«
the TJnfearchabk Riches of Chrijl. 425
People, which mould honour him with their gifts
and large expences for him,and the richer the Peo-
ple,the greater will their gifts be; The ricb,ot richeft,
for 'tis the fuperlative in the Hebrew, SbaU bring
Gifts, and entreat thy Favour : noting, that thole
who are more fpiritually rich, are moreferviceable,
for, and potent with God through Chriit : thefe
can do more with God, as Noah, Daniel, and Job
were mentioned above others for their Potency
with God, Ezek* 14. 14. And Mojes and Samuel,
Jer. 15. 1. As men who had larger faith and grace,
and fo greater Intimacy with God than others,
and fuch as could do more. O Chriftians, labour
after more grace, becaufe hereby you may become
more ferviceable for God and others, you may more
prevail with God through Chrift for Mercies for the
Nation, and can be more helpful for others to teach,
counfel, and comfort them, and have more Gold,
Myrrhe and Frankincenfe in your Treafures to- of-
fer to, and for Chrift.
Seaventhly, The more rich you are in grace, the
more rich you will be in glory •, the more grace
you improve for God, the more glory (hall you re-
ceive from God, Lu\e 19. 17. ip. This is the rule
of the Lords Procedure in the day of Judgment,
he will render to every man according to his work,
2 Cor. 5 . 1 o. Though glorified Souls receive not
for their grace, yet they thall have according to the
Meafure of their graces, for grace widens the Vef-
fels of Mercy for glory. The more Liquor the Vef-
fel hath, the larger it is \ fo the more grace, the
larger is that Soul, and the more capable to take in
-glory, when grace (hall be turn'd into glory.
ghteft. But fome may fay> How may we get more
of thy fthitual Treafure ? Anfw.
426 The BeJITreafure, Or,
Anfa>. Firft, Get your Hearts more engaged to
it, Defires are the Souls Wings, that carry it over
all difficulties to it's beloved Object •■, this is one
Character the Apoftle gives of rich men,i Tifw. 6.9,
Tbey arefuch as will be rich : They have an earneft
mind, an ardent Defire to be rich, 'tis a Will and
Purpofe grounded on Counfel and Confidera-
tion. Chriftians, this will much further your ob-
taining thefe riches of grace, if you once get your
Hearts refolved for them.
Secondly, Labour for a holy skill in managing
Chriftianity to the greateft Advantage. This makes
men thrive when they have the Myitery of their
Art, and are their Crafts Matters, and understand
the Rules of their Trade*, unskillful perfons are not
like to thrive whatever their Employment be,
Frov. 4.7, 8. Prov. 3. 13. 14. Prev. 24. 3.
# Thirdly, Be diligent in the ufe of all your helps
and advantages to Soul-protit, Prov. 10.4. chop.
j 3. 4. 2 Pet. i. 5. Take all Opportunities of wait-
ing at the Pools iide^ Ifk. 55. 1. They that will be
rich in the World, take all Opportunities of get-
ting, and ply Markets and Fairs, and Seafons of
Advantage for their Intereft, and fo do Souls that
thrive in Spirituals, they are much in waiting on
God, they lofe no Seafons that will bring them in
fome Soul- advantage, Prov, 23. 23.
Fourthly, Be ltill getting in more and more
grace from Chrift, 'tis Chrilt's Treafures that en-
rich the Soul, he that will be rich muft buy try-
ed gold of Chrift,2u^. 3. 18. The graces of Chriit
are true gold, they will bear the Fire, and hold cut
in greatclt Tryals : counterfeit grace will be as re-
probate Silver when it comes to melting, it will
be
th Vnjkarchable Riches ofChrift. ^ry
be as Hay and Stubble that perith in the Fire, but
true grace will hold in tittle of Tryal, i Pet.
i. 7. In this, Gold differs from allother Mettalsin
that it lpfeth nothing by the Fire, but cbmesJbith
the more pure > fo is the grace of Chrift, 'tis as try-
ed Gold, that doth not lofe, but get in the Fire
of Affliction and Temptation. Naturalifts fay,
that Gold is more warm in the night than in the
day, fo true grace cheers the Heart more in the
night of Tribulation, than in the day of Profperity.
O Christians ! if you will be rich, get in grace From
Chrift, every day, for that is the true Cornucopia, or
the Souls plenty, Job. 1. 16. Of bis Fullnefi have t»e
received Grace for Grace. Make fome new Additions
to your graces every day, 2 Pet. 1. 5. What the
Heathen faid concerning Learning, Nulla dies fine
Linea, let the Chriftian fay concerning Grace,
Nulla dies fine Gratia. This would be a notable
way to Soul- profperity, to be getting from Ghrift
fbme more grace in every Approach to him : as are
your Receivings from Chriit, fo will your Thri-
vings be \ put often the hand of Faith into Chrifts
Treafury, and grafp large Portions of Grace for thy
Soul : Faith is the only receiving grace, Job. 1. 12.
To as rhany as received bim, to tbeni gave be Power
to become the Sons of God ', Job. 7. 3 9. Therefore 'tis
called the Subftanceof things hoped for, Heb. 1 1. U
Faith appropriates to the Believer, the Overtures
and Promifcs of grace, and by a fecret magnetick
Vertue derives in from the Fullnefs of grace need-
ed Supplies. Faith dips into the Fountain, and fills
the Soul with what it needs.
Fifthly, They that will be rich in grace, muft
be thrifty faving Souls, choice of their time, and
careful
428 The Beji Treasure, Or,
careful that they do not waft their graces, or loolc
the things that they have wrought, 2 Job. ve. 8.
So perfons that are thriving in the World, are fa-
ring of every thing, that nothing be wafte s the
lame Care is needful tofpiritual Enrichings , Prodi-
gality will foon confume great Ettates, he that is
not laving will never be wealthy : Chriftians, do
not confume your days as a Tale that is told, Pfal.
90, 9. make the mod of every hour, do your pro-
per work every day \ a wife and faithful Improve-
ment of time, would tend much to Soul-flourilh-
ings, Epb. 5. 16. Spend no words in vain: put
Time and Talents to the greateft Advantage : they
got mod for God and themfelves, who were molt
in the Improvement of their Talents ■•> hold fait al-
io the Truths you have received, Rev, 2. 25. That
is, keep and retain the Dodtrine, prefer ve and
maintain the practice of thole Truths you have re-
ceived.
Sixthly, Be much in begging grace, be always
asking fome fpiritual BlelTing from God, as Caleb's
Daughter Achfaby Judg. 1. 15* her Father had gi-
ven her one BlelTing, and (he asks another, and
'tis faid, he gave the upper and the nether Springs \
fo be not content with what you have, but ftlll be
craving for more grace; like Princes Favourites who
have their Lords Ear, will be often begging, now
this place, then that Preferment •-> fo Believers be
Cuing hard for Grace, ply the Throne of Grace dai-
ly, loofe no Opportunity wherein you may further
your fpiritual Intereft by Supplication 9 this is Gods
appointed way to the obtaining of Mercy, Ezel^
36. 37. Follow your Sutes till you obtain, let your
chiefeft Pvequelts be for Grace, and be reftlefs till
you
Tie Vnfearchable Riches ofChrift. 429
you prevail, like Jacob, who would not let God
go till he had bleft him, Ifa. 62. 7. Give him no
reft, till he eftablilh and make Jerufalem the Praife
of the Earth. Never leave begging till the Lord
Jefus hath left off giving, and that will not be
whilft he fits upon the Throne, Epb. 4. 8.
LafUy, Maintain conftant, intimate, and univer-
fal walks with God : He is the moft thriving Soul
that keeps neareft to God h as that is the fruitful-
left ground that is neareft the warm Sun, Jp.184.
Vent. 33. 14. fo is it to keep near to God : This
was that which exalted Ifrael above all Nations,
they were a People near to God, PfaL 148. 14.
This made Enoch to foon ripe for Heaven, he was
one that walkt with God, Gen. 5.24. Christians,
'tis not your fitting under God's (hadow, wiH
make you thrive, till there be a dew on youi
Souls, Hof. 14. 5. 7. Keep much in his pie-
fence, with him is the Fountain of Life, PfaL^6.p^
Be alfo conftant in thy walks with God, not bf
fits and flafhes, but drive a fteady Trade of godli-
nefs : Let thy whole courfe of Life, both in thy
Civil and Religious Duties be as one conftant
Walk with God, Gen. 17. 1. In your Callings,
Relation-Duties, in every (late, change, and un-
dertaking, keep clofe to God j this is a notable
way to fpiritual profperity, Deux. 5.33. 2Cbro*
17. from verf. 3. to 7.
Secondly, Improve your Intereft in Chrift,
towards your inriching in good Works i
Labour to be rich towards God, as well as
in your own Souls, Lukg 12. 21. 1 Timothy^
6, 18. Confider, Chriftians, the more you lay
out for God , the more are you like to
God,
43 o The Beji Treafure, Or,
God, who givctb us richly all good things^ I Tim*
6. i J. And in being rich towards God, you will
inrich your own Souls alio : for he that foweth
bountifully, fhall reap bountifully, 2 Cor. $>. 6.
Ads of Mercy and Piety are as good Seed, that
(hall not mifcarry, but {hall bring forth a fure
crop in glory, Gal. 6. 8, 9.
p. Duty.
Ninthly, Live up to your Treafure, Walk as
becomes fo high a Dignity and Relation to fo rich
a Jefus, 2 Tbef. 2. 12. This is but reafonable, if
God hath changed your State, that you (hould
change your Lives ', If your Relation be new, then
your Converfation [hould be new alfo, Eph. 5. 8.
3Tis an unfutable thing, if God hath invefted you
with new Priviledges, to retain your old Practi-
ces : You were Slaves to Sin and Satan, but the
Son hath made you free '■> how unbecoming a (late
of Liberty are Bonds and Fetters ? Grace hath giv-
en you Beauty, and, is it fit you lhould lye in
Auhes, and wear your Sack-cloth ft ill ? Chriftians,
you are arrived to your adult ftate, and to your
manly years, and will you be like Children, and
Heirs under age ? This is unfutable, How unbe-
coming is a carnal Heart to a Spiritual State?
Works of Darknefs to the Day-time? Rom. 13.
12, 13. You were poor, worth nothing, ftript of
all, deftitute, afflicted, and naked j Redemption-
Mercy hath inrich'd you, and once more intrud-
ed you with a glorious Treafure. O, how unmeet
is a low Spirit and fordid Life now ! To live on
beggarly Elements, to wear filthy Garments, to fit
in the duft, and wallow in the mire of your
Corruptions, this is moft unworthy alfo ofr the
Grace
The Unfearchabk Riches of Chrift. 43 1
Grace by which you are advanced. Hath the Loid
advanced you to Dignity and Honour, and will
you difgrace the Throne of his Glory, and walk
unbecoming his Hjghnefs and Majefty ? O Ghri-
(nans, you bring Difhonour on that King of Glo-*
ry you are related to, to live like the Subje&s of
Satan, and Inhabitants of the lower Woild ; you
difgrace his Family, into which you are adopted,
to be heterogeneous to it in your Spirit and carri-
ages : you difparage the Table you are admitted
to, and the Fare you live upon, to look Co ill-fa-
voured and lean in your Souls, as if the Lord Je-
fus kept a bad Houfe, and did not allow meat
enough to his Children : O Chriftians ! live as be-
comes your Riches, and glorious ftate into which
Free Grace hath put you. Now, 'tis becoming fuch
a change in your condition ',
Firft, Not to keep your old Company : Per-
fons advanced to high Honour, ufually caft off
their former and obfeure Companions, and con-
verfe with Psrfons fu table to their Dignity : When
David was advanced from the Sheepfold to a
Crown, he leaves his fellow Shepherds, and con-
verfes with Nobles : fo fhould you, Chriftians,
have no fellowlhip with the unfruitful works of
Darknefs, but rather reprove them, Epb. 5. 1 1. Yc
are now fellow Citizens with the Saints, and of
the Houfhold of God, and your Lives (hould be
like thole, and your intimate Converfes with
them, PfaL 1 1 p. 6%. What, a Chriftian, and yet
help on the ungodly in their way, and love them
that hate the Lord ? fit with vain Perfons, and
maintain Confederacy with Rezin and RemaliaFs
(on ? Ifa$.6. What a Chriftian, and look ftrange-
43 2 The heft Treafure^ Or,
ly on thy Brethren, and become an Alien to thy
Father's Houfe > O how unbecoming is this !
Secondly, Not to wear your old clothes : when
Elijah was mounting to a new condition of Ho-
nour, he left his Mantle behind him, 2 Kin. 2.13.
When Jojhua was advanced to higher dignity, his
filthy Garments were taken off,and he was clothed
with change of Rayment, Zach. 3. 4, 5. O Chri-
ftians ! calt off your filthy garments, your old fins,
by Repentance, put off Pride, and be clothed with
Humility, put off Guilt by Repentance, and put
on Chrift by Faith.
Thirdly, Live not on your old fare : When the
three Children were brought to Nebuchadnezzar's
Family, they were called to leave their old Pulfe
and Water, and live on the King's Table, Van.
1.5. O Chriftiansl Are you taken from your
Kindred and Father's Houfe, and brought into
the Family of Chrift •, leave then your old Garlick
and Onions, your ftollen Waters and forbidden
Fruit, and feed on the King's Table, eat and drink
abundantly of his Provifions, his fineft Wheat, and
Honey out of the Rock of Ages *, feaft on his Mar-
row and fat things, . the Bread of his Table, his
Word and Ordinances, his hidden Manna > let it
be your meat and drink to do his Will.
Fourthly, Do not your old work, caft off the
works of Darknefs, Rom. 13. 12. Leave off your
old Trade of Siir, and ferving your former Lufts
in your Ignorance, 1 Pet. 1. 14. ch. 4. 2. but carry
on a new Trade of Godlinefs, and Heavenly Con-
verfation, Phil. 1. 27.
Fifthly, Leave your old Language i fpeak no
more the Language otAjhdod, Neb. 13.24. Let no
filthy
the TJnfearchable Riches of Chrift. 433
filthy Communication drop from your Lips, nor
vain Difcourfes be found among you, but let your
Communications be holy, Epb. 4. 29. Col. 4. 6,
Perfons of Honour ufually have their Difcourfes
according to their Greatnefs^ not fo light and fa-
miliar, but more grave and (lately. O Chriltians !
labour you to live fo, that more gravity and feri-
oufnels appear in your Language and Carriage.
Laftly, Drive on new Thoughts and DelTgns 3
when Perfons are exalted from Obfcurity to Ho-
nour, they will not take up fuch old Thoughts
and Projects : So Chriftians mould now have new
Imaginations, 2 Cor. 10. 5. Grace mould bring in-
to captivity every Thought to the Obedience of
Chrift. Vain thoughts mutt now lodge no more
in you, Jer. 4. 1 4,
10 Duty.
Tenthly, If there be fuch vaft Treafures in
Chrift, then you that are the Friends of Chrift
commend him unto others '-, fo did the Spoufe,
Cant. 5. io,&c. fo will the Bridegroom's Friends
fpeak for their Friend, Job. 3. 29. compar'd with
'Pro. 9.3. Wifdom mould be juitified of her Chil-
dren, Mattk 11. 19. O Christians! fet forth the
Praifes of your Beloved, that others may be taken
with him : Do all you can to further the Match
between the Lord Jefus and Sinners : Be adviiing
your Neighbours to forfake their evil wayes, and
come to Chrift that theymay be faved : Be calling
upon, and fttrr ing up your Chrifdefs Friends, P\.c-
lations' Children and Servants, to be looking after
Chrift, that they may be delivered from tru
wrath to come. You mould be publiihing his
Praifes, and commend him to all the World : Oj
F f be
434 The Befi Treafure, Or,
be fpeaking of his Excellency, and the Glory of
his Kingdom, Pfal. 1 45. 1 1.
11 Duty.
Eleventhly, You that are interefted in this Rich
Chrift, be exhorted, above all Portions, to get
Chrift to be a Portion to your Children •> you
know what a Treafure Chrift is, you have found
him inriching your Souls > when you were as a
Syrian, ready to perifh, he came in, and took you
up j he comforted you with the Wine of his Con-
folation : O, that you would labour to provide
this Treafure for your Children ! Tis ftrange to
fee Chriftians heap up Duft for their Children,
and be fo carelefs to get Chrift for them : What
if you leave them Houfes and Lands when you
are gone, and leave them not Chrift, what doleful
Creatures will they be to all Eternity ? Time will
confume your Earthly Treafures : your Children
may out-live their Money and Lands that you may
leave them : O, let your chiefeft Provifions be for
their Souls, do what you can to get Chrift for
them : Some may be poor in the World, and
have no Portions to leave them> O, how careful
fhould fuch be to leave them a Treafure in the
Fromifes, a Portion that will not be fpent. If you
can fay, as the Martyr , Mr. Saunders told his
Wife, when he came to the Stake, he had no Por-
tion to leave her, but a Portion in the Promifes »
and furely, if you can leave your Children an In-
tereft in Chrift, you leave them the beft Por-
tion.
But , you will fay, How might we do this ?
Firft, Labour to Tntereft them in the Everlaft-
ing Covenant : Get found and faving Faith your
felves.
the TJr?fearchable Riches ofChrift* 43 5
felves, and that will appropriate new Covenant-
Mercies to your Seed, / will be a God to thee and
to thy Seed, Gen. 17. 7. This is God's ufual way
to the Heirs of Promife. Tis true, Gracious
Perfons may have Carnal Children •, but this is
God's way j Labour to have iincere Faith your
felves, and then you will leave Covenant-Promi-
(es for your children.
Secondly, Get a Treafure for your Children
that will not waiie, by your ftrong Cries to God
for them: Improve the Spirit of Grace and Sup-
plication for them : Pour out ftrong ciies and
Tears. Few are like Aitftvfs Mother, who did
daily pour out Tears for the Converiion of her
Son : JTis intfojfthle ( faid Ambrsfe to her ) that a
Son of Jo many Prayers can be loft. May be you
pray too coldly for them. O follow God Day and
Night, for your Children ! O, skrew your Suppli-
cations higher ! It may be you do not piay (o
fervently, fo believingly as you mould for your
Children. .
Thirdly, Do all you can to convince them of
their undone condition without Chrifr. Don't
daub and flatter them with falfe Promifes 5 they
mult be born again, or elfe they cannot enter into
the Kingdom of God, Job. 3,3.
Fourthly, Inftrudt them in the knowledge of
Chriit : Be opening, and commending Chriit to
them : ihew them the neceility of Faith, and what
the Grace of Faith is : Watch over their Lives v
be (trier and fevere in reproving their Sins, that
they may be found in die Faith.
Laitly, Lead a holy Converfation before them0
that by your Lives you may win them to Jefas
F f 2 Ghiiit s
43 6 The Bejl Treafure, Or,
Chrift ', O your Pride, Paflion, Carnallity, Vani-
ty, may (tumble them. Thus do all you can to get
a Portion of upper Springs for your Children.
12 Duty.
Laftly, you that have an Intereft in thefe rich
and glorious Treafures of Chrift, long to be with
Chrift, for then you (hall partake of all his Riches*,
Here you have buta little to carry you in the way,you
have but in part, but when you come home to him,
then you (hall have according to the meafure he hath
purchafed for you, you (hall fee and know, as you
are feen and known, i Cor. 13. 9, 10, 12. In hea-
ven, there you will have a Treafure without Mea-
fure, there you will fee all his Riches and Glory,
and be glorified with his glory, then you will live
at the full, you will live upon himfelf, and God
will be all in all to your Souls ; O Chriftians ! long
then to be with Chrift, there's your Treafure where
your Lord is, your Inheritance is above with the
Saints :,i Lights Chrift is gone to Heaven, and
there are all his Riches : O long then to be fit to
go home, to be with Chrift, that you may partake
of all his glory.
And thus have I now come to the further fide
of this great deep, I mean to the Conclufion of
this Subjedt •> and O that what hath been opened
of this glorious Chrift, may not be in vain ', you
have heard much of this Tree of Life, God knows
what Fruit hath been gathered : a glorious Trea-
fure hath been prcfented to your View, and offered
to you. O fee what Advantage you have gained,
how dreadful will it be, for any that have heard
fo much of this rich Chrift,to be found poor at laft?
O it will be fad for any to dye poor in a Loadicean
State,
the Unfearchabh Riches of Chrift. 43 7
State, Poor, Blind, and naked, and to be caft away.
O Sinners confider this, you that have been woo'd
and invited to get this choice, tryed Gold, Chrift
hath pleaded with you, to win your Hearts if pof-
ilble-, O take heed you dye not without an Intereft
in Jefus Chrift, you will hear all thofe Truths
brought over to you again at the Bar of Chrift :
and all the Counfeis and Helps you have had to
draw your Hearts to Chrift, will be then as burn-
ing Fire in your Bones, and as boyling Lead in your
Bowels, if you perifti without Chrift-, Therefore
take heed, take heed, that this Chrift become not
a (tumbling Stone, and a Rock of offence to your
Souls. And fuch as are Believers, mind your Duty
which hath been opened to you •, and O that
thefe Truths might be profitable to all. And thg
Lord give a Blefling to it. Amen.
FINIS.
THE
CONTENTS.
T
CHAP. I.
H E Occafwn of this "Difiqurife with an Int re-
duction to the words, and Explication of
them, and the main Truth contained in them.
Page I.
CHAP. II.
27;e per fond Riches ofChrrfi opened, in hir divine Na-
ture, manifejied in Im Attributes, with the wonder-
ful advantages thereof to Believers, p. 1 1
CHAP. III.
The humane Nature of Chrifl diftinclly considered, it's
Kealiity proved > h'vs Ferfonallrty, or the divine and
humane Nature in one perfon, jhewing what ka]nd of
Vnion it is, and the glorious Coufequcnts and Ad-
vantages thereof p. 43.
CHAP. IV.
•
Shewing what U the worl^ofjefus Chrifi, as he is Me-
diator, p. 65.
Which lies, 1 with refpea to God the Father, \>. 66.
2 with rejpeci to fallen man. p. 75.
CHAR
The Contents,
C K A P. V.
Wherein U opened the glorious Advocateship of Cbrift ^
with the unjfeakgble Comforts and Advantages
thereof, p. 75?.
CHAP. VI.
Shewing the WiUingnefs ofChrifl, that Sinners fhould
he javed, the Sin and Mifery of fuch as refufi
Cbrift, with Reproof to feveral forts of perfons.
p. 102,
CHAP. VII.
e
Shewing what Confolation flows to Believers from th
Interceffion of Cbrift. p. 1 1 3 •
1 To wea\Believers. ibid.
2 To troubled Believers in 'the depth of Soul-mifery*
p. 116.
3 *Zo Believers dejetted in thefenje of (irong Corrupti-
ons, p. 120.
4 To tempted Believers. p. 1 2 2 .
5 To fuch as are under Afflictions and Suffering, in or
by the world. ibid.
6. Tofuch as are Mourners for Sion. p. 123.
CHAP. VIII.
Containing a ufeof Exhortation to Sinners and Saints.
p. 128,
CHAP. IX.
Opening fomewhat of the fweet Dijpofitions of Cbrift >
(viz.) Hit Goodnefs, Love, and the Riches thereof
as to the Kinds, Fruits, and Effects of it. p. 137.
F f 4 CHAP.
The Contents.
CHAP. X.
il dcduUions drawn from the tovk. ofChr/jLp. I 47 §
CHAP. XI.
7 he glorious Excellency of Cbri'fs tender Pity opened
and difplaycdin the fever al acts of it? both to Saints
and Sinners. p. 153.
CHAP. XII.
7. be Improvement of the pity of Chrifl by way of Terror?
Encouragement , and Advice. p. 165.
CHAP. XIII.
Wherein is opened the tranfcc?ident Humility of Chrifl.
p. 170.
CHAP. XIV.
Wherein is (havn the iranfeendrnt Meeknefs and Gentle-
nejs of Chr if to his Enemies and to hii People? p. 1 7 8,
CHAP. XV.
IF- ierefn is demonfl rated the infinite Bounty of Chrifl to
all his Creatures? ivith the manner of his giving?
p. 188.
CHAP. XVI.
'eh the Farihfulnefjf of Chrifl is opened, in accom-
pli thi;:* ail his fro/bjefies? fulfilling his Promifes?to
ail the Trufi committed to him? and in all the Rela-
tions he jiands to his People. p. I'p8.
C H A P. XVII.
Shewing that Chrifl is become a Purchafr in the behalf
of
The Contents.
of Believers, how he hath made this purchafe, and
what he hath puechafed, p. 225.
CHAP. XVIII.
San&ificatioh and Holinefs is purchafed for Believers by
the death and Sufferings of Jefws Cbrift. p. 240.
CHAP. XIX.
Adoption-grace prov d to be the Fruit of ChriJFs Pur~
chafe, the excellency of this State opened in fever al
particulars. p. 258.
CHAP. XX.
The Confirmation of the new Covenant is the fruit of
ChrijFs Purchafe, provd by feveral Arguments*
p. 280.
CHAP, XXL
The Heavenly Inheritance is the FJ-uit of CbrijFs pur-
chafe. p. 303.
CHAR XXIL
Thefecond and third Affertions proved, Jhewing that
thofe vaji Treasures of Chrift are opened in and by the
Gofpel, that 'tis the Will of God they fhould be ten-
ded to the chiefeft of Sinners. p. 25*3,
CHAP. XXIII.
Containing two branches of Information, what a great
bUffing the Gojpel is, the greatnefs of their Sin that
oppofe the Gofpel. p. 3 1 2.
CHAP.XXIV.
Shewing the poor and lamentable ft ate of all CMttlefi
Souls. p'323*
CHAP.
The Contents.
CHAP. XXV.
JPberein Cbrift if fet forth to S inner s^ as a match wor-
thy of their choice in regard of the Excellency of his
"Efiate, the amiablenefs of his perfon, his lovely Dif-
portions, and other Considerations, to win the hearts
of Sinners to helohing after this lovely Jefus.1p.334.
CHAP. XXVI.
Qhjettions anfwered, Counfels how t& come to Cbrift*
P-353-
CHAP. XXVII.
Shewing the Folly of fuch as purfue earthly things-,
with negleft of Cbrift, confidering the nature ofthofe
things i the Terms on which they are to he enjoyed,
the Cafualty that attends them, the Guilt fuch con-
tratt. p. 370.
CHAP. XXVIII.
Containing a ufe of Reprehenfton to fever al forts of per*
fonS) with Confolation to all found Believers, p.37^.
CHAP. XXIX.
Containing a ufe of Examination, Chara&ers of fuch
as have an Interefi in Cbrift, and in all thofe glori-
ousTreafures. p. 385?
CHAP. XXX.
Containing a ufe of Exhortation prejjing Believers to
fever al Duties. p. 401.
DUTIES.
i To Thankfulnefs. ibid.
2 % \e.ep up a high Valuation of Cbrift. p. 407.
3 Have
The Contents.
3 Have all your Expectations from Chrift, p. 411.
4 Be contented with Chrijl alone. p. 4 1 2 .
5 Take up your di light in him. p. 413.
6 Be not troubled at Wants ^ Loffes, and Sufferings in
this World. p. 41^*
7 Live upon your Treafure. p. 4ipe
8 Improve your Interefi in this Treafure^ to the enrich-
ing your own Souls. p» 42 *°
9 Live up to your Treafure. p. 430.
I o. Commend Chrifi to others. p. 43 3*
I I Get Chrifi to he a portion to your Children, .p. 434*
1 2 Ltftfg *o Z?e with Chrift. p« 4369
Booh^s
-
r
Booh fold ky William Marflial.
Folio's
TOJephus's Hiftory, large folio Cuts.
J Raleigh's Hiftory of the World,
Mead's Works.
Bakps Chronicle.
WiBfons Dictionary.
Tutor's Life of Chrift.
Csril on Job, 2 Volumes,
Hsrt&ns Sermons.
Ambrofe's Works.
Vjhtfs Body of Divinity.
Claris Martyrology.
Claris Lives.
Cowley's Works.
Dahan's Country Juftice.
Farfon on the Creed.
FbUips's Englifti Dictionary.
B&w«V Maps.
Bloom's Britannia.
Roberts's Key to the Bible.
Gvrnafs compleat Armour.
Quarto's.
Goldman's Dictionary.
"Littleton's Dictionary.
Bjxtefs Saints Reft.
Vane's Meditations.
Morning exercife at Cripple-gate.
Suppliment to Morning Exercife.
Baxters Life, of Faith.
Dr. Bates on the Attributes. Garri'
Cambridge Bible.
Brown's vulgar Errors,
Tuctyeys Sermons.
Owen of Juftification. ,\
FlaviWs Fountain of Life.
FlaviVs myftical Union.
Flavtl's Husbandry.
Gilem's of Temptation.
Dr. Gibfons Sermons.
Dr. Raleigh's Sermons.
PolhilPs divine Truth.
Peirce's Sinners impleaded.
Odfovo's.
Cole's Dictionary.
Hail's Contemplations.
Coley's Aftrology.
Taylor's living and dying.
Government of the Tongue.
Ladies Calling.
Baxter's 3 2 Diverfions.
Featley's hand-maid to Devotion.
Cave's Primitive Chriftian.
Patricks Witnefs, firft and fecond part.
Puler's Moderations of the Church.
toim of Faith.
AJkwoocPs Heavenly Trade.
Stockmen's Works.
Allen's Works.
Barrow's Works.
Lockgr's Works.
Steel of Uprightnefs.
Peio on the two Covenants.
■>
Dr. Owens Catechifm*
Spiritual Warfare,
Vincent's terrible ways.
Gougis Works.
Twelve^
Duty of Man.
Tilgrims Progrefs.
Fox's end of time.
Voolittle on the Sacrament,
Dyers Cabinet of Jewels.
Dyer's Voice to London,
Riders Young man's Duty.
Great Ailize.
Pradtife of Piety.
Hugh ?eters laft Legacy.
Baxter's poor man's Family book:
Barton's Hymns on the Pfalms.
Marjhafs Epigramms.
Tool's Dialogue againit Popery.
War with the Devil.
Flavifs Saint indeed.
Flavil's Token for Mourners.
AJhwood's Groans for Sion*
FINIS.
£***
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