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THESE THREE SER∣MONS FOLLOVVING, viz. the 8. 9. and 10. concerning the heauenly purchase, were preached vpon the 13. Chapter of the Gospell of Saint Matthew, vers. 44.
THE EIGHTH SERMON.
Againe, the kingdome of heauen is like vnto a treasure hid in the field, which when a man hath found, hee hideth it, and for ioy thereof departeth, and selleth all that hee hath, and buyeth that field.
THe whole scope, and drift of the holy Ghost in this place, is to shewe* 1.1 that the word of God is to the children of God, more deare than hea∣uen and earth, and that the Word is the onely treasure that God hath left vnto them, the which indeede is a hidden treasure, vnknowne vnto many, but knowne vnto the children of God, and the onely treasure which they desire: for they which doe knowe it, and perceiue the true* 1.2 vse of it, doe make such a reuerent account thereof, as that they are rea∣die to leaue all things, and to seeke for it; and when they haue found it, they are readie likewise to loose all, and to depart from all things (that may hinder it) which they haue, and to doe all things which serue as good meanes to keepe it, to the end that they may come to the full assurance and possession thereof.
Although I might make a diuision of this Text into two parts, as first, the inestimable value of the word of God: and secondly, the precious account that is to be made thereof, yet because euery word hath his weight, and the text yeeldeth a sufficient method as it lieth, I will omit the diuision, and come to the words as they lie.
Againe, the kingdome of heauen, &c. The kingdome of heauen is taken in two diuers sen∣ses,* 1.3 first, as all men doe know, it is taken for that glorious estate which the Saints and the* 1.4 children of God shall enioy, when they shal arise with Christ Iesus, and raigne after this life with God and his Angels, sinne, hell, and death being subdued; which because it is appa∣rant vnto all men, we will not stand to approue. The kingdome of heauen is also taken for the entrance which Gods children haue into Gods kingdome, in this world, which is of two sorts, partly of the meanes whereby God offereth his kingdome vnto them, & partly* 1.5 of the graces of his spirit which he offereth by the meanes: For proofe that it consisteth* 1.6 of the graces offered by the meanes, we reade that Iacob Genesis the 28. when hee saw the* 1.7 vision of God and the Angels ascending, and descending, and had the comfortable pro∣mise of saluation, and of Gods continuall presence and assistance made vnto him, then he awaking, said, Verily this is none other thing but the house of God, and this is the gate of heauen. And that it is of the meanes, it appeareth by the 16. chapter of Matthew, where our Sa∣uiour* 1.8 Christ saith vnto Peter, And vnto thee will I giue the keyes of the kingdome of heauen-and