A saint or a brute the certain necessity and excellency of holiness, &c. ... / by Richard Baxter.

CHAP. VIII. Holiness is the most Gainfull way.

VVEE have certainly found out already the SAFEST Way, and the HONESEST way: We are next to en∣quire which way is most Profitable. And one would think that this should be as easily resolved as the rest. I am sure if God be wiser then man, and his holy word to be believed, the que∣stion is decided, and beyond dispute. Saith Paul, 1 Tim. 6. 5, 6. Men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, suppose that Gain is godliness,] or that it is better then Godliness, and therefore their Godliness to be suited to their worldly gain: [But (it is) Godliness with contentment which is the great Gain] Yea [God∣liness is profitable to all things, having Promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.] 1 Tim. 4. 8.

But to what end should I cite more words of Scripture, for a point which all the Scripture proveth? It is not possible that any man can be unresolved in this, that understandeth and be∣lieveth the word of God. But yet because I see that Commodity is so much lookt after in the world, and almost all are for the Gainful way, as they apprehend it, and therefore its plain that Godliness is not Practically believed to be the most gainful way (or else men would follow it as eagerly as they do their world∣ly gain;) I shall therefore open to you somewhat of that Gain that Godliness doth bring; and if you can say that any other course will prove as gainful, and make it good, then take that course: But if you cannot, consider what you have to do, and do not refuse your own Commodity.

1. The first part of our Gain, which is the sum of all the rest, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himself who is become our God, through Jesus Christ. He

is in Covenant with all the Saints, (Psalm 50. 5.) and this is the Covenant [I will be your God, and you shall be my People.] Jer. 7. 23. Ezek. 36. 28. Jer. 11. 4. & 30. 22. Lev. 26. 45. 12. Ezek. 11. 20. & 37. 23, 27. 2 Cor. 6. 16. He is a God to others as a King is a King to Traytors whom he will condemn: But he is a God to his People, as a King is related to his faithful subjects, and a Father to his dearest child. When he calleth himself [Our Father] he speaketh so much of his childrens Happiness, as is their admiration as well as their joy. But when he calleth himself [Our God] he speaks as much as much as can be spoken.

To be [our God] is to be [the Infinite, Power, Wisdom and Goodness engaged to us for our Good, and to be ours according to our necessity and capacity.]

This, O ye worldlings, is the Riches of the Saints! This is the Wealth that we will boldly boast of. Boast you of your houses and lands and money, and we will boast of our God. Have you Houses, and Towns and Countreys at command? Be it so: but the Saints have the God of the world, to be their God. Have you Kingdoms and Dominions? We have the God of all the earth; the King of Kings, and Lord of Lords. Set all your Riches in the ballance against him, and try what they will prove. Set all the world, and the Kingdoms, and Glory, and Wealth of it in the ballance, and try whether they are any more to God, then one dust or feather to all the world; yea they are nothing, and less then nothing; vanity and lighter then vanity it self. Isa. 40. 16, 17. This one Jewel containeth all our Treasure. He is ours that hath all things: What then can we need? Psal. 23. 1. He is ours that knoweth all things: Who then can overreach us, or undo us by deceit? He is ours that can do all things: What then should we fear? and what power shall prevail against us? He is ours that is Goodness and Love it self. How then can we be miserable? or what imperfection can there be in our Feli∣city?] They that trust in their wealth, and boast themselves in the multitude of their riches, none of them can by any means redeem his brother (nor himself) that he should live for ever and not see corruption.] Psalm 49. 6, 7, 9. [But God will redeem us from the power of the grave; for he shall receive us] Ver. 15. Let the workers of iniquity boast themselves a while! (Psalm 94. 4.) Let the wicked 〈…〉〈…〉 desire, and bless the cove••••••••

whom the Lord abhorreth.] Psalm 10. 3. It is the Lord that is King for ever and ever; that heareth the desires of the hamble; that prepareth our hearts, and prepareth his ear to hear. Ver. 16, 17. Our souls shall make their boast in God, Psalm. 34. 2. [O tast and see that the Lord is good! blessed is the man that trusteth in him.] But you cannot say truly [Blessed is the man that hath Lands and Lorships: Blessed is the man that hath Crowns and Kingdoms:] Yea, truly may you say, [Cursed is the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and withdraweth his heart from the Lord.] Jer. 17. 5. [Fear the Lord ye his Saints, for there is no want to them that fear him.] Psalm 34. 8, 9, 10. But when you have all the world, you cannot say that you have no want. Confounded then be the covetous Idolaters, that boast themselves of their Idols (Psalm 97. 7.) But in God will we boast all the day long, and praise his name for evermore. Psalm 44. 8. What have you but the gleanings of our harvest? and the crums that fall from the childrens table? Our God is he that giveth you your pro∣sperity: He droppeth you these leavings, from the redundancy of his Goodness, when he hath given himself, his Son and all things to his own. All that we want, and all that our souls de∣sire, is in God. We have none in heaven but him, nor any in earth that we desire besides him, Psalm 73. 25. His loving kindness is better to us then life: Psalm 63. 3. [Our flesh and our heart fail∣eth us (and all the creatures fail us) but God is the strength of our hearts and our portion for ever.] Psalm 73. 26. Verily the Riches of all the Princes of the earth is less in comparison of him that is the Treasure and Portion of the Saints, then a straw is to all the earth, or a little dung to the shining Sun.

2. Would you yet hear more of the Riches of Believers (though more then God there cannot be) The Lord Jesus Christ is their Head and Husband; their Saviour and Intercessour at Gods right hand: They are Married to him! His Merits are th••irs for all those uses to which they need them. It is he that Justifieth: Who then shall condemn them? He that spared not his own Son, but gave him up for us all, how shall be not with ••i••▪ also freely give us all things? Rom. 8. 32, 34. Christ is the Pearl of infinite valu••, for whom we have willingly sold all. Matth. 13. 45, 46. And what are all your Treasures to this Treasure? Ask ••••••l and he will tell you, that had tryed both, Phil. 3. 7, 8. His 〈…〉〈…〉 ••e counteth Loss for Christ: yea, all things he accounted

but loss and dung, for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ.] It is Love incomprehensible, surpassing knowledge, that is revealed to us in Christ, Eph. 3. 18, 19. The Riches of Christ are unsearch∣able Riches, Eph. 3. 8. It is Christ that bindeth up our broken hearts; that is the Peace-maker and Reconciler of our souls to God. What he hath done for us, and what he will do, I shall tell you anon. But the ungodly have no part in him, nor have they any such treasure, that will do for them what Christ will do for us. Their Treasure is the wrath of God, which they are heaping up against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgement of God, Rom. 2. 5. All the Treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hid. in Christ, Col. 2. 3. And he hath them for us, according to our measure: as being our Treasurie, our Head, and made of God to us Wisdom, and Righteousness, and Sanctification, and Re∣demption, 1 Cor. 1. 30. They are exceeding Riches of Grace that are shewed in the kindness of God through Jesus Christ, to all that are sanctified by that grace, Ephes. 2. 6, 7, 8. Yea, that you may see there is no comparison, even that which you abhorr in a Chri∣stians case, and account his misery and the worst of Christ, is better then the best of your condition, and then that for which you lose your souls. For the very Reproach of Christ, is greater riches then the Treasures of the world, Heb. 11. 26. And it is the reproach that we undergo for Christ, that you most abhorr, and the trea∣sures of the world that you highlyest esteem. It is greater Riches to be one of them that are scorned and derided for the sake of Christ, then to be one of them that hath the wealth of the world at his dispose. And if the Reproach of Christ be greater Riches then all yours, What then is his Life, and Love, and Benefits? his Grace and Glory?

3. Would you have the Riches of the Saints yet further open∣ed to you? Why the Holy-Ghost is in Covenant with them as their Sanctifier and Comforter: And he is not only theirs himself, by Covenant and Relation, but he also dwelleth in them by his gra••••s, and restoreth the image of God upon them. They are the •…•…∣ples of the Holy-Ghost which is in them, 1 Cor. 6. 19. And by the Spirit, and by Faith, Christ dwelleth in their hearts, Ephes. 3. 17. Rom. 8. 11. 1 Cor. 3. 16. God himself doth dwell in them, and con∣verse with them, and write his Law in their hearts, and teach them himself by this his Spirit. 2 Cor. 6. 16. Heb. 8. 10. & ••••. 1••. [Hereby we know that he dwelleth in us by, the Spirit which ••e 〈…〉〈…〉

given us, 1 John 3. 24. Yea he that is joyned to the Lord, is One spi∣rit, 1 Cor. 6. 17. For [the Lord is that Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.] 2 Cor. 3. 17. [We are an habitation of God through the Spirit. Ephes. 2. 22.] [Because we are sons, God hath sent the spirit of his Son into our hearts, whereby we cry Abba Father, Gal. 4. 6.] By this Spirit the Saints have ac∣cess unto the Father, Ephes. 2. 18. and by this it is that they are quickened to prayer and holy worship, and their infirmities are helpt, Ephes. 6, 18. Rom. 8. 11, 26. By this they fight against the flesh, and overcome it, Gal. 5. 17, 18. Rom. 8. 13. In this they live, and walk, and work, Rom. 8. 1, 5. Gal. 5. 16, 25. This Spirit is the Testimony of their Adoption. Rom. 8. 16. and the seal and earnest of their heavenly inheritance, 2 Cor. 1. 22. & 5. 5. Ephes. 4. 30. By this they are new born, John 3. 5, 6. And put off the old man which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be∣ing renewed in the spirit of their minds, do put on the new man, which after God is created in Righteousness and true Holiness, Ephes. 4. 22, 23, 24. By the illumination of this spirit, they have a new understanding, and are brought out of darkness into the marvellous Light of Christ, 1 Pet. 2. 9. that they may know what is the hope of the Christian Vocation, and what is the Riches of the glory of Christs inheritance in the Saints, Eph. 1. 18. In a word, by this Spirit their sins are mortified, their souls renewed, and made like to God, and they become a holy Priest-hood, a peculiar people unto Christ, and in this Spirit have Communion with him, Rom. 8. 13. Tit. 3. 5. 1 Pet. 2. 9. Tit. 2. 14. 2 Cor. 13. 14. And what is all the Riches of this world, to this Heavenly Treasure, the Spirit of the Lord? They that have this Spirit, are taught by it to set light by all your Riches, and to esteem one dayes Com∣munion with Christ, above all the Gold and Glory of this world. And that which sets the soul of man so far above Riches, is better then those Riches. As your Lands and honours do set you above the pins and points that children take for their treasure, and set as much by as you do by yours; so the Spirit of Christ and the Life of Faith, doth set the souls of true Believers a thousand∣••old more above your Riches, then you are above your childrens ••oyes.

If yet you see not the Riches of Saints, consider but the won∣derful expression, •• Pet. 1. 4. that they [have exceeding great 〈…〉〈…〉 precious promises given them▪ that by these they may be partakers

of the Divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.] And can there be more on earth bestowed on man, then to be made partakers of the Divine nature? As it would be a greater gift to a bruit, to be made a man, and have manly Riches, then to have store of Provender suited to his bru∣tishness; so is it greater Riches to the ungodly to be sanctified and made partakers of that nature that is called Divine by God him∣self, then to have provision for unmortified lusts, and to have all the contentments of a fleshly mind. It were a greater gift to an Ideot, to be made a wise and learned man, then to be furnished with feathers or sticks to play with. So is it here.

4. Every truly sanctified man, is restored from the misery that he was brought into by sin. He hath all his sins forgiven him, and is freed from the curse of the Law, by the merits of Christ, and the promise of the Gospel. For in him we have Redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins. Col. 1. 14. And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the Law of Moses. Acts 13. 39. When we were dead in our sins, we were quickened with Christ, and had all our trespasses forgiven us, Col. 2. 13. Ask a wounded Conscience that groan∣eth under the weight of sin, and under the sense of Gods in∣dignation, Whether forgiveness of sin be a Treasure or not? I am sure they that now are past forgiveness, and feel what sin is in the bitter fruits, would give ten thousand worlds, if they had them, for the pardon of their sins; and would account forgive∣ness a greater mercy then all the Riches and Kingdoms of the world. What a heavy curse did the Spirit of God pass upon Si∣mon Magus, for thinking that money was a valuable thing to pur∣chase the Holy Ghost with! Acts 8. 20, 21. Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased by money: Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter, for thy heart is not right in the sight of God: repent therefore of this thy wickedness, &c. The name of Simon Magus is odious to us all; and yet I doubt that most among us exceed him in the sin for which he is thus cursed. For he thought the gift of the holy-Ghost to be better then his money, or else he would not have offered his money for it. But most men take their money to be better then the gift of the Holy-Ghost. If he that would have purchased the Holy-Ghost, yea a lower and less necessary gift of the spirit, was pronounced

wicked, and cursed with such a heavy curse; What are they that set more by their money then by the special gift of the Holy-Ghost, yea that hate and deride it, and plead against its Sancti∣fying work? The time is near when your Riches will fail you, and your prosperity die, and your sins will live; and then there is none of you all but will say that Pardon and Grace are greater Riches then all the world.

5. Moreover, the godly have Angels to attend them and be their guard, as I have proved to you before. And are horses, and kine, and oxen, think you, greater Riches then the Guard and Ministration of the Angels of God? Heb. 1. 14. Psalm 91. 11, 12.

6. And surely the very Communion of Saints and Ordinances of God which in the Church we here enjoy, are greater Riches then all the world. We are now no more strangers and forreigners, but fel∣low-Citizens of the Saints, and of the houshold of God. Ephes. 2. 19. We are members of that well-tempered body; where all the members are obliged and disposed to have the same care one for another, that if one suffer all suffer, and if one be honoured all re∣joyce, 1 Cor. 12. 25, 26. As weak as Christians are, and as worth∣less in your eyes, one of their hearty spiritual prayers, and one word of their holy savoury conference, doth profit us more, then all your Treasures will ever profit you. While the Divine nature is in them, somewhat Divine will proceed from their mouthes, and be seen in their lives, which is worth more then all the Riches of the world. And O how fruitful are the holy Ordinances which we partake of, both in the Churches Communion, and alone in our retirements! A poor Christian can get more in a Sermon which you sleep under, or deride, then you will get by your trades or livings while you live. He findeth greater Trea∣sures in one Chapter of the Bible, or in one good Book, then you can get out of all your lands or labours. The best of your livings will not yield you so much commodity in seven years, nor in seven thousand years, if you could so long keep them, as a believing soul can get from God in one hours prayer, even in se∣cret, where he is not by man observed. You do not believe this, that are ungodly: I know you do not heartily believe it; for else you would try it, and not continue in your ungodliness. But they that try it, know it to be true. Or else what makes them continue in it, and live upon their holy Communion with God

and his servants, more resolvedly then you do on your lands and labours. Somewhat you may conjecture they find in holy duty, that makes them so instant in it as they are.

7. Another part of our commodity by Holiness, is, the Promise and Assurance of the Love of God and of our salvation; and the Peace of Conscience that followeth hereupon. All true Believers have objective certainty: that is, the thing is certain in itself, whether they perceive it or not. And they may have subjective or Actual certainty in themselves, if they do their parts. And is not a certain Title to a Lordship or a Kingdom, a greater Treasure then the possession of a straw? Much more is Gods Promise of Everlasting Glory, a greater Treasure then all your wealth. As Heaven is infinitely better then earth, so the Promise of God is the best security. Though we be not with Abraham, Isaac and Ja∣cob, and do not yet see the face of God, yet have we a Promise that speedily we shall be there, and shall see that which they see, and enjoy all that which they enjoy. The poorest Christian hath all that in Promise under the hand of God himself, which Angels and Glorified Saints have in possession. They can shew you a better Title to Heaven, though they are unworthy in themselves, then any of you can shew to your lands or houses, in your Deeds or Leases. As poor and simple as that Godly man is whom you de∣spise, he is an Heir of Heaven, and a fellow-Heir with Christ, Rom. 8. 17. Gal. 3. 29. Heb. 1. 14. & 11. 9. When we had the washing of Regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy-Ghost, and were justified by grace, we were made the Heirs of eternal life, ac∣cording to the hope that is given us by the Gospel, Tit. 3. 5, 7. And God that hath given them those [Better things that accom∣pany salvation] is not unrighteous to forget their work and labour of love, if they do but shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end, and be not sloathful, but followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the Promises.] Heb. 6. 9, 10, 11, 12. For this cause was Christ the Mediator of the New Testa∣ment, that by means of death, for the redemption of the Transgres∣sions under the first Testament, they which are called may receive the Promise of the eternal inheritance. Heb. 9. 15. And we know that he is faithful that hath promised. And if your Bills, and Bonds, and Deeds, and Leases, be part of your Riches, we shall much more take the Promise of God, for our everlasting happiness in Heaven, to be far greater Riches.

8. And yet we may put this among our Riches, or at least as the Over-plus given us by God, that we have better advantage, even for the matters of this world, then the ungodly have. For we have a Promise that we shall lack nothing that is good for us, Psal. 34. 10. and so have not they. We have warrant to east all our care on God, who by promise is engaged to care for us, 1 Pet. 5. 7. We are commanded to be (anxiously) careful for nothing, but in all things to make known our requests to God, as little children that care not for themselves, but go to their father for what they want: Phil. 4. 6. It is enough for us whatever we want, that our heavenly Father knoweth that we want it, Matth. 6. 32. who hath charged us to disburden our minds of these vexatious cares, and to seek first his Kingdom and the Righteousness thereof, and promised us that other things shall be added to us, Mat. 6. 33. We have also a promise that all things shall work together for our good, Rom. 8. 28. And therefore we shall have more from the things of this life, then the ungodly have: Yea more by the want of them, then they by the possession. For if they do us good in our graces and communion with God, and in the matter of our salvation, they help us to that which is of far higher value then themselves. Po∣verty to a true Believer, is better then Riches to the ungodly that destroyeth himself by them, when the Believer is helped by his poverty. Imprisonment to Paul and Silas, was better then liber∣ty to their persecutors. And thus in the fruits and saving benefits, all things are ours, 1 Cor. 3. 22. We have the Love of God with what we possess, be it more or less, when the wicked have his wrath with it. And who would have their Riches on such terms?

9. Another part of the Gain of Godliness is, that it puts us in∣to a Readiness to die, and a fitness to appear before the Lord. Though all the Godly have not so great a readiness as to desire to be pre∣sently dissolved, yet all of them are in a safe condition, and are so far ready, that death shall pass them into a blessed state. For we know that if our earthly house of this Taberna••le were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with h•…•…, eternal in the heavens. And in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be cloathed upon with our house which is from heaven: And God that hath given 〈…〉〈…〉 the earnest of his Spirit, hath wrought in us; to be alwayes confi∣dent (or at least given us cause) knowing that whilest we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord (For we walk by

faith, and not by sight) we are confident I say and willing, rather to be absent from the body and present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5. 1, 2, 8, 9. Though the abode of the godly in the flesh is usually more needful to those about them, yet to themselves their death is gain, and therefore they have cause to desire to depart, and be with Christ, as being far better, Phil. 1. 21, 23, 24. For sin which is the sting of death is mortified, and the curse of the Law which is the strength of it, is relaxed or null fied to us by the Gospel: so that the Believer may triumph and say. O death where is thy sting? O grave where is thy victory? 1 Cor. 15. 55, 56. and to give thanks to God that giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ, vers. 57. Verily I would not exchange my part (though alas too small or dark a part) in this one priviledge of true Be∣lievers, for all the wealth and dominions on earth. O the face of Death will soon make the Glory of all your greatness to vanish, and the beauty of your flourishing estates to wither; and all that you now glory in, to appear as nothing. And then how glad would you be to change Portions with the holy servants of the Lord, whom you now despise! When once you hear, [Thou fool, this night shall they require thy soul! and whose then are all those things that thou hast provided?] Luke 12. 20. then in a moment you will change your minds, and cry out of the world as nothing worth, and wish you had busied your hearts and hands in laying up a better treasure. This is one difference, O ••ngodly wretch, between a holy servant of God and thee! Death cannot undo him, but it will undo thee. It cannot take his Riches from him; for his God, his Christ, his Holiness, the Promises are his Riches: but it will separate thee and thy wealth for ever. It will put an end to all his troubles, and fears, and griefs: and it will put an end to all thy prosperity, and to all thy mirth, and hope, for ever. A godly man dare die; or if he ignorantly fear it, yet shall it be the end of all his fears: but thou darest not die, and yet thou must: or if thou ignorantly hope of a happiness after it, yet will it nevertheless end all thy hopes. O what a mer∣cy is it to be ready to die!

10. But the great unspeakable Riches of the Saints is in the Life to come. We have here the Hope and the fore-taste; but it is only there that we shall have our Portion. You see what a poor Christian is according to his outward appearance. But you see not what he will be to eternity. There is the Kingdom for which we

hope, and for which we run, and wait, and suffer. If God be true, and his Gospel true, then Heaven shall be the Portion of the sanct••fied. But if it were otherwise, then we would confess their hopes are vain: Heaven is our Riches, or we have none. There have we laid up all our Hopes; and in these Hopes we will live and die, as knowing they will not make us ashamed. Rom. 5. 5. & 9. 33. 1 John 2. 28. We believe that we shall live with Christ in glory, and shine as stars in the Firmament of our Father, and be made like to the Angels of God, and shall see his face, and praise his name, and live in his everlasting Love and Joy; For all this he himself hath promised us. 1 Thes. 4. 17. 18. Da••. 12. 3. Mat. 13. 43. Luk. 20 36. Rev. 22. 4. Mat. 25. 21.

And now, poor worldling, what is all your Gain and Riches in comparison of the least of these? Do you think in your judge∣ments that there is any comparison! Or rather doth not sin and the world even brutifie you, and make you lay by the use of your reason, and live as if you knew not what you know? Your Trea∣sure is all visible, when ours is unseen, and therefore I may bid you bring it forth, and let us see it, whether indeed it be better then the Treasure of the Saints: Let us see what that is that is better then God, and everlasting glory! What! is a little fleshly ease or mirth? a little meat, and drink, and pleasure? a little more money, or space of ground to use then your neighbours have; are these the things that you will change for Heaven, and preser before the Lord that made you? O poor miserable sinners! Are you not told that you have your good things here? but what will you have hereafter when this is gone? Luke 16. 25. When your wealth is gone, and your mirth is gone, your souls are immortal, and therefore your misery and horrour will continue, and never be gone. As the wealth of the godly is within them, and above the reach of their enemies, and surer then yours, so is it the more durable, even everlasting: When all your Riches are upon the wing, even ready to be gone, and leave you in sorrow, when you are most highly valuing them, you have it now, but it is gone to morrow. [And what is the Hope of the Hypocrite though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him? Job 27. 8, 9. Let the words of Christ decide the Controversie, if indeed you take him for your Judge. [Mat. 16. 2••, 25, 26, 27. If any man will come after we, let him deny himself, and take up his Cross, and follow me:

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it: For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of man shall come in the Glory of his Father with his Angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works.

Well sirs, you that are all for Getting, and for wealth, judge now if you have not lost your Reason, whether a Holy or unholy, •• Heavenly or an Earthly life, be the more Profitable way! I would not draw you to any thing that you should lose by. If I speak not for your Gain, reject my words as contem∣ptuously as you please. But if I do, then be not against your own commodity. Will such silly Gain as the world affords you, do so much with you as it doth: and shall not the Heavenly in∣heritance do more? shall all this stir be made in the world for that which you are ready to leave behind you, and will you not lay up a Treasure in heaven, where rust and moaths corrupt not, and where you may live for ever? Matth. 6. 20. What profit now have all those millions of souls, that are gone from earth, by all the wealth they here possessed! Hear sinners, and bethink you in the name of God. You are leaving Earth, and stepping into Eternity, and where then should you lay up your Riches? Would you rather have your Portion where you must stay but a few days, then where you must dwell for ever? O Labour not for the meat that perisheth, in comparison of that which endureth to everlasting life, which Christ will give you, if you will follow him, Job. 6. 27. Make you friends of this wealth that the world abuseth to unrighteousness, that when all fails below, you may be received into the everlasting habitations, Luk. 16. 9. Make not your selves a Treasure of corruptible riches, and set not your heart on Gold and Silver, lest the rust of it be a witness against you, and eate your flesh as it were fire; and lest yee heap up another kind of treasure then you dream of, against the last days. How many of you have cause to weep and howl, for your approaching miseries, even then when you are glo∣rying in your prosperity? Jam. 5. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Are you for Commodity? Refuse not then the best Commodity? Be not enemies to them, or to those holy motions, that make for your everlasting Profit. Take but the Gainfullest 〈…〉〈…〉 selves, and we are pleased. If you know 〈…〉〈…〉

then God and Glory, and any riches that will endure any longer then Eternity, why do you not shew it us, that we may joyn with you? But if you do not, why will you not hearken to the servants of the Lord, and joy•• with them? [Wherefore, saith the Lord, do you spend money for that which is not bread: and your labour for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eate ye that which is good, and let your soul delight it self in fatness: Encline your care, come unto me, hear and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting Covenant with you,] Isa▪ 55. 2, 3. If there be not more to be Gotten by Christ, and by prayer, and by the promises, and a holy life, then there is by sin, or then there is by all your friends, or lands, or trades, or care, or labour here, then take your course,, and turn your back on God, and spare not. But if you are ashamed to say so, be ashamed to think so, or to live so.

Verily sirs, if the Gospel be true, you must be every man of you Saints or Miserable. Holiness is the only thriving way: Yea the only Saving way. If you forsake this way, you are 〈…〉〈…〉 while you are Gaining, and Losing by your Gains. You 〈…〉〈…〉 making Achans bargain, that by his Gold did purchase a ••corm of stones that dasht out his brains, Josh. 7. You are run∣ning after Gehezie's gains; that thought he had got Riches, and it proved a Leprosie. You are trading with the Devil, though you see him not, and will not believe it, even as certainly as the miserable witches, that sell him their souls for a few fair promises, and when they have done, have the miserablest life of any. You are laying up but Judas's treasures, which quickly grew too hot to hold, and too heavy for his conscience to bear: and he would fain rid his hands of it if he knew how, and because he cannot he hangs himself, and rids himself out of the ashes into the flames. O covet not such undoing gains, which you all know as sure as you breath, that you must let go. Believe but your Redeemer and you shall know, that there are greater and better things before you. Gather not stones when you may be gathering pearls. Hear me poor sinner! If God and Heaven, if Grace and Glory seem not better Riches then 〈…〉〈…〉 world, thou judgest thy self to have no part in them.