Heavenly merchandiseHeavenly merchandize

Isaac and Jacob continued in the same ⟨p. 69⟩Land after him, and went through the like hardships; and did they ever study after a return? The Apostle acquaints us that they had the opportunity easily to have done it, if they had had any mind to it, Heb. 11. 15. Moses was another, and he voluntarily forewent the riches and glories of a Kingdom (and that one of the most flourishing then in the World) for the Truth and that not in a pang of rain and heady zeal, without deliberation; but he did it upon a free and premeditated Choice; he laid them together weighted them in the balance, and he refused the one on purpose that he might enjoy the other; and that was not when Truth was dressed up in outward bravery, having power, prosperity and credit attending upon it, but when it was beset with all manner of difficulties and afflictions, and he saw that he must throw himself into a world of trouble for its sake, this hindered not his Election, nor discouraged his heart in it,. ver. 24. and do we find that ever he revoked it, or so much as befooled himself for being guilty of a mistake in what he had done? No, neither he, nor any other that did as he, and with the same sincerity ever repented them. The Truth hath given unto all those that have been possessed of it such plentiful satisfaction, ⟨p. 70⟩that for sweetness it outdid the Honey-Comb, and for preciousness it went beyond the most refined gold in their estimation, Psal. 19. 9, 10. and they have both verbally and practically acknowledged that it was so. If you can meet with but one true Christian in the whole World, that will upon advice asked of him, give you counsel against it, and tell you that it is to dear a pennyworth; nay, if they do not tell you that there is so much to be gotten by the purchase, and they have already experienced so much of excellency & ravishing delight in it, that they would not exchange it for the quintessence of earthly treasures; and that nothing repents them but only that they drave this Bargain no sooner, but foolishly stood off trifling so long; then let it alone and say no more; but this shall you never do.

Isaak and Jacob continued in the same ⟨p. 69⟩