The true gain more in worth then all the goods in the worldThe true gaine more in worth then all the goods in the world

Again, here we see Pauls care, yea the pitch of all his desires and his principal forecast, that he might be found of God in the day of judgement to be a member of Christ. The like must be our care and forecast now in the time of this life: yea this must be the care of all cares, that we may be knit to Christ, and so accepted of God, when we shall rise to judgement.¹ Christ bids us, watch and pray that we may stand before the Son of man: and this we cannot do, unless we be incorporate into Christ. We are bidden first to seek the kingdom of heaven: and that is indeed to be in ⟨p. 66⟩Christ. To be wise and circumspect in many matters, and yet to want forecast to compass our main and principal good, is the greatest folly of all. What is the fault of the foolish virgins? virgins they were as the wise: they carried the burning lamps of Christian profession: likewise they had oil, that is, the oil of grace: but, alas, they had not oil enough to furnish their lamps. Their fault was, that they wanted forecast to furnish themselves with oil sufficient. And there is never sufficiency of oil, till we be true and lively members of Christ. And this was their damnable folly, that they contented themselves with the name and profession of Christ, and had not a serious and special care indeed to be members of Christ. Therefore let us now diligently endeavour to be that in this life, which we desire to be found of God in the day of judgement. There be three judgements which we are to undergo, the judgement of men, of our selves, and of God. The two first we may falsify, the third we cannot. For men we may deceive, and our selves we ⟨p. 67⟩may deceive; but God we can not. It is the foundation of all good things to be engrafted into Christ: and for this cause, all the forecast of our heads, all other cares and studies should give place that this be might accomplished. Some man may hereupon demand, what he should do, that he might be in Christ. I answer, two things: first he must break off all his sins, and turn unto God: secondly, he must pray earnestly even unto the death, that his heart may be knit to Christ. Again it may be demanded, how it may be known of us, that we are in Christ.²