IT is the good Counsel of Solomon, yea, and of a greater then Solomon, unquestionably worthy of all Acceptation, Buy the Truth, and sell it not, Prov. 23.23. Importing, that Divine Truth (respecting matters of Faith and obedience) is a good Bargain, what ever it costs; and that he will be a great loser, that suffers himself to be cheated of it, or parts from it on any Terms. One may buy Gold too dear: but Truth will pay for the purchase at any rate. The merchandise of it is better then the merchandise of silver: and the Gain thereof then fine Gold, Prov. 3.14. Truth is such an excellent commodity as will more then quit the cost of any pains and Travel in the pursuit of it, and cannot be exchanged (as wares by the Merchant) for any thing the world affords, but to great disadvantage. It was the affectionate speech, and is deservedly one of the many celebrated sayings of that happy Instrument of the Reformation, the great Martin Luther, potius ruat Caelum, quam pereat una mica veritatis. Let the Sky fall, or Heaven tumble on our head, rather then one crumb or particle of Truth perish. Which though it may be despised by irreligious Sceptics and worldly Politicians (the wise fools of the times that deride the seriousness of good men in this matter) as a rash Effort of injudicious Zeal; yet was indeed a sentence well fitted to the lips (Prov. 22.18.) of so renowned a Champion of Truth in his Generation. But what Tears then are sufficient to lament the Spirit and genius of too many Professors at this day? the wantonness, the levity, the unaccountable fickleness and folly of men, that make little difference between Truth and Error, spurn at Truth, and support themselves with their own deceivings, and can, upon very slender occasions abandon the Truth they have sometimes courted and entertained, falling in love with, and espousing those erroneous opinions about the things of God, which both Scripture and Reason, as well as the most pious, learned, and Judicious men have condemned and branded? This is matter of unspeakable sorrow, and portends very ill, to this loose and slight, evil and adulterous Generation. Whoso is wise and observes these things, will dread the Consequents, and tremble to think, what severe course the Lord (who is very jealous of the honour of his Truth) may take, to right himself and his Truth, and bring it in request again.
IT is the good Counsel of Solomon, yea, and of a greater then Solomon, unquestionably worthy of all Acceptation, Buy the Truth, and sell it not, Prov. 23.23. Importing, that Divine Truth (respecting matters of Faith and obedience) is a good Bargain, what ever it costs; and that he will be a great loser, that suffers himself to be cheated of it, or parts from it on any Terms. One may buy Gold too dear: but Truth will pay for the purchase at any rate. The merchandise of it is better then the merchandise of silver: and the Gain thereof then fine Gold, Prov. 3.14. Truth is such an excellent commodity as will more then quit the cost of any pains and Travel in the pursuit of it, and cannot be exchanged (as wares by the Merchant) for any thing the world affords, but to great disadvantage. It was the affectionate speech, and is deservedly one of the many celebrated sayings of that happy Instrument of the Reformation, the great Martin Luther, potius ruat Caelum, quam pereat una mica veritatis. Let the Sky fall, or Heaven tumble on our head, rather then one crumb or particle of Truth perish. Which though it may be despised by irreligious Scepticks and worldly Politicians (the wise fools of the times that deride the seriousness of good men in this matter) as a rash Effort of injudicious Zeal; yet was indeed a sentence well fitted to the lips (Prov. 22.18.) of so renowned a Champion of Truth in his Generation. But what Tears then are sufficient to lament the Spirit and genius of too many Professors at this day? the wantonness, the levity, the unaccountable fickleness and folly of men, that make little difference between Truth and Error, spurn at Truth, and support themselves with their own deceivings, and can, upon very slender occasions abandon the Truth they have sometimes courted and entertained, falling in love with, and espousing those erroneous opinions about the things of God, which both Scripture and Reason, as well as the most pious, learned, and Judicious men have condemned and branded? This is matter of unspeakable sorrow, and portends very ill, to this loose and slight, evil and adulterous Generation. Whoso is wise and observes these things, will dread the Consequents, and tremble to think, what severe course the Lord (who is very jealous of the honour of his Truth) may take, to right himself and his Truth, and bring it in request again.
