1. We must labour for it, be diligent in the search of it, dig for it as for hidden treasures. Lift up thy voice for understanding, &c. Pro. 2.2, 3, 4. Dig for it: you know there is a great deal of pains-taking, and labour used to get Worldly treasure. What will not men venture for it? they will go over Sea and Land, go through fire and water, expose themselves to all dangers for earthly treasure, make unto themselves Friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness, pass away a great deal of time, and take a great deal of care for it.
⟨image 148⟩2. Esteem this treasure, this heavenly wisdom, this Evangelical knowledge, even the Gospel of Christ: labour to understand it, and have the efficacy wrought upon your hearts.
3. Rejoice in it; how do men rejoice in earthly treasure? so should we, as the Merchant in the Gospel, when he had found the Pearl of price, rejoiced exceedingly; so we ought, as being made partakers thereof. I greatly rejoiced at thy word, even as one that had found great spoils, (saith David) so should we rejoice always in this treasure. 'Tis said of those that sate under John Baptists ministry, that they rejoiced but for a while, and that is the condition and misery of many. The City of Samaria, when they had received the Gospel, 'tis said, they had great joy, Acts 8.9.
4. Be careful to keep and preserve it, for it is a treasure, and therefore we must treasure it up in our hearts: and the rather, because it will keep us. It keeps (as Chrysostom saith) the house where it is; other treasures cannot secure us: Discretion shall preserve thee, and understanding shall keep thee, Prov. 21.11. Thus you see the excellency of this spiritual wisdom. So much for the first thing considerable in the first branch, viz. the Depositum, the Treasure.
1. We must labour for it, be diligent in the search of it, dig for it as for hidden treasures. Lift up thy voyce for understanding, &c. Pro. 2.2, 3, 4. Dig for it: you know there is a great deal of pains-taking, and labour used to get Worldly treasure. What will not men venture for it? they will go over Sea and Land, go through fire and water, expose themselves to all dangers for earthly treasure, make unto themselves Friends of the Mammon of unrighteousness, pass away a great deal of time, and take a great deal of care for it.
⟨image 148⟩2. Esteem this treasure, this heavenly wisdom, this Evangelical knowledge, even the Gospel of Christ: labor to understand it, and have the efficacy wrought upon your hearts.
3. Rejoyce in it; how do men rejoyce in earthly treasure? so should we, as the Merchant in the Gospel, when he had found the Pearl of price, rejoyced exceedingly; so we ought, as being made partakers thereof. I greatly rejoyced at thy word, even as one that had found great stoils, (saith David) so should we rejoyce alwayes in this treasure. 'Tis said of those that sate under John Baptists ministry, that they rejoyced but for a while, and that is the condition and misery of many. The City of Samaria, when they had received the Gospel, 'tis said, they had great joy, Acts 8.9.
4. Be careful to keep and preserve it, for it is a treasure, and therefore we must treasure it up in our hearts: and the rather, because it will keep us. It keeps (as Chrysostome saith) the house where it is; other treasures cannot secure us: Discretion shall preserve thee, and understanding shall keep thee, Prov. 21.11. Thus you see the excellency of this spiritual wisdom. So much for the first thing considerable in the first branch, viz. the Depositum, the Treasure.
