Heavenly merchandiseHeavenly merchandize

2. They also do as deeply deserve this reproof, that are as forward to sell the Truth as the other were backward to buy it. Truth doth not only lye upon Gods hands (as a neglected drug, and needless commodity) for want of customers, but many that have bought it are ready to turn it upon his hands again, beginning to repent of their bargain. Nor doth this reproof only reach unto such as have bought it no more than in a visible profession, and by a literal knowledge, but even those that have savingly bought too: for although there is no truly believing Soul that shall so fall from grace, as finally to relinquish the great things of Life and Salvation, yet they may, and often do unhappily pawn this or that parcel of Truth, and ⟨p. 43⟩sometimes also come too near the making of this undoing bargain; though the Holy Spirit of God doth in great faithfulness give them such a seasonable whisper, and so effectual as shall make them to revoke it again before it be throughly driven; and it is to be observed, that when the Gospel Truth hath been embraced but in a profession, it is very rare that any such do sell it again by whole sale; there are too deep impressions of it made upon the Consciences of men, to suffer them to part with it all at once: but how many such are there that retail it out in parcels, till they have very little left behind? and for a more particular discovery of those that are found guilty upon this account: Let us but observe,

2. They also do as deeply deserve this reproof, that are as forward to sell the Truth as the other were backward to buy it. Truth doth not only lye upon Gods hands (as a neglected drug, and needless commodity) for want of customers, but many that have bought it are ready to turn it upon his hands again, beginning to repent of their bargain. Nor doth this reproof only reach unto such as have bought it no more than in a visible profession, and by a literal knowledge, but even those that have savingly bought too: for although there is no truly believing Soul that shall so fall from grace, as finally to relinquish the great things of Life and Salvation, yet they may, and often do unhappily pawn this or that parcel of Truth, and ⟨p. 43⟩sometimes also come too near the making of this undoing bargain; though the Holy Spirit of God doth in great faithfulness give them such a seasonable whisper, and so effectual as shall make them to revoke it again before it be throughly driven; and it is to be observed, that when the Gospel Truth hath been embraced but in a profession, it is very rare that any such do sell it again by whole sale; there are too deep impressions of it made upon the Consciences of men, to suffer them to part with it all at once: but how many such are there that retail it out in parcells, till they have very little left behind? and for a more particular discovery of those that are found guilty upon this account: Let us but observe,