Heavenly merchandiseHeavenly merchandize

5. We must not rest satisfied in measures obtained, but restlessly pursue after more: that which is a vice, and deserves a sharp reproof in the worlds trading, is a commendable virtue in this kind of Merchandise; viz. the more we have, the more to crave: and by the purchase of every parcel of Truth, to have our spiritual appetite whet up to a greater sharpness and eagerness to be adding to our purchase: it's a worthy frame of Spirit in him that hath Truth in quest, not to be contented with a little portion of it, but to be using all endeavours, to lay field to field, till there be no room in the earth. I mean, to be buying up of Truth as long as there is any to be sold, and studiously to engross it all; and not to think himself rich enough, as long as he knows but in part, though he may ⟨p. 133⟩have gotten a great deal more than many of his fellow Christians: this is Peters counsel, 2 Pet. 3. 18. grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ; and Paul professeth it to be his practice, Phil. 3. 12, 13, 14. Not that I have already obtained, &c. leaving the things that are behind, and reaching forth unto the things which are before, I press to the mark. It is a sordid spirit in spiritual things, to covet no more Truth than what will barely serve our turn as we suppose; and if we think we have gotten some of the main and fundamental Truths, to neglect the rest; and if Gods Servants are desirous to proceed further, and lead us up to those things which are more deep and mysterious, we presently cry out, these things are beyond our reach, and say, give us milk, and let them that can bear it be fed with strong meat; and care not at all for being told any thing more than what we think we know already; as if heavens wealth were not as desirable as earths, or we might be burdened with too much store of this precious and heavenly treasure: But the Truth is, we are too generally a lazy generation, that are loth to be at the pains that the purchase of these Truths will cost us.

5. We must not rest satisfied in measures obtained, but restlesly pursue after more: that which is a vice, and deserves a sharp reproof in the worlds trading, is a commendable vertue in this kind of Merchandize; viz. the more we have, the more to crave: and by the purchase of every parcel of Truth, to have our spiritual appetite whet up to a greater sharpness and eagerness to be adding to our purchase: it's a worthy frame of Spirit in him that hath Truth in quest, not to be contented with a little portion of it, but to be using all endeavours, to lay field to field, till there be no room in the earth. I mean, to be buying up of Truth as long as there is any to be sold, and studiously to engross it all; and not to think himself rich enough, as long as he knows but in part, though he may