[Chrysammoi] Golden sands, or, A few short hints about the riches of grace. Part I begun to be opened from the words of the Apostle, in Eph. 2,7 ... : dedicated to the royal bud of our English hopes, Princesse Elizabeth / by John Bachiler ...

CHAP. VI.

Of the expences which Free grace is at in maintaining of the Saints.

THe fourth channell through which the riches of Grace run unto the Saints, is its expence in maintaining of them. Consider at what a rate they live, how Prince∣like they are, as well in their breeding as in their birth.

First, for their apparel,

how sumptuous is it? Grace cloth's them all with cloth of gold,* 1.1 yea with wrought gold, and rayment of needle-work. Psal. 45.13, 14. Wrought gold supposeth some∣thing richer then gold a∣lone; as if embroydered over with pearle, or enouched with diamonds, as some Criticks would seem to understand from the Originall word, which is translated All glorious within;* 1.2 as if it came from that word, which sometimes signi∣fy's a precious stone cut with angles. M. Ainsworth

thus, Her clothing is of purled works of gold, in em∣broideries she shall be led, &c. such purled works, (saith he) or such grounds, and closures of gold, as pre∣cious stones are set in, Exo. 28.11, 14. But what ever it be, we see 'tis very brave, for what more can be said even of a Kings roabes, then that as they are most rich in their stuffe, so most costly is their make, by the very phrases here used, viz. needle-work and wrought gold, what lesse can we understand, then the ve∣ry curiosity of skill, and

the excellency of con∣trivement by the finger of grace it selfe, in ornify∣ing the suits which the Saints weare. Ezek. 16.7, 10,—13. Thou art come to excellent ornaments, saith he of his beloved Church, I clothed thee with broydered work, I gir∣ded thee about with fine linnen, and I covered thee with silk, I decked thee also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon thine hands, and a chaine on thy neck, and I put a jewel on thy forehead, and ear rings in thine eares; thus wast thou decked with gold and

silver, and thy rayment was of fine linnen and silk, and broydered work. How apt∣ly may this be applyed to our sense in hand, at least wise by way of allu∣sion? for as rich parents that have goodly children which they dearly love, are wont to put comely garments upon their backs, and bedeck them with rings, jewels, brace∣lets, with chains of pearl and diamonds, the better to set off these fondlings of theirs, to the eye of all beholders; especially if in the way of preferment, if it be wooing time, and

they have hopes of good matches for them: even so doth Grace with her darlings, set them off with best advantage, with all their finery and jewels on them. And good reason too; for now is the time of their preferment, and of their growing acquainted with that great Heire of glory which they must one day marry. Jesus Christ go's brave himself, as 'tis meet he should, for he is the Prince of heaven, Heb. 1.13. girt about the paps with a golden girdle, Mar. 9.2, 3. He was transfigured before

them, and his raiment be∣came shining, even white as snow: like unto Prin∣ces, with whom the ma∣ner was to be clad in white, Esth. 8.15. The very servants which at∣tend Princes weare gor∣geous apparell, Luk. 7.25. how much more then the favourites; yea, the Royall Consorts themselves, who are wont to live in their Soveraign's armes? Though the Sonne lov's all that the Father re∣commend's to him, none so well, and which is yet more, none else; yet he is of a curious eye, and

must be pleased. He lov's to see his beloved ones handsome in their attire, because 'tis them his heart is set upon, and which he hath chosen unto him selfe as an eternal object of his affections & sweet embraces. How was he taken at the sight of his Spouse, when she appea¦red to him with her chain about her neck? Cant. 4.9. Thou hast ravished my heart, my sister, my spouse, thou hast ravished my heart with one of thine eyes, with the chaine of thy necke. Mark the expression, 'tis not, with one of thine

eyes only, but the chaine of thy neck also. Is the per∣son of Hester set apart for the pleasure and delight of the King? Then she must have ornaments and perfumes accordingly, though it be at the King's own cost. And ve∣rily herein, if Ahasuerus was not, yet Isaac was a type of Christ, when hee sent jewels of gold, eare∣rings and bracelets to his Rebecca, Gen. 24.22. yet whatever 'tis that even Christ himselfe either send's or bring's in this kinde, to his espoused Saints, 'tis from the hand

and at the cost of Grace, her purse find's all. And because Grace will be sure, that the clothing and very dresse of the Saints, shall in all points be pleasing to the eye of Christ, therefore 'tis all spun of the very same threed, cut out of the ve∣ry same piece, made up in the very same shape & fashion, that his owne garments are. Rev. 19.7. The marriage of the Lambe is come, and his wife hath made her selfe ready, (viz. in preparation for this mar∣riage day) and to her was granted that she should be

arrayed in fine linnen, clean and white, for the fine linnen is the righteousnesse of Saints: Which righte∣ousnesse of Saints, what is it else, but the righ∣teousnesse of Christ? those garments of his that smell of myrrhe, aloes and cassia, Psal. 45.8. these are the Saints robes, stately and rich indeed, the verdure of whose beauty and glory, that it might for ever keep fresh & new without the least staine and spot upon it, therefore grace hath washed them in such a lasting die, that can never

out, viz. the blood of the Lambe, Rev. 7.14. Well therefore may the Church sing as shee doth, I will greatly rejoyce in the Lord, my soule shall be joyfull in my God: for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousnesse, as a Bridegroome decketh him∣selfe with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth her self with her jewels, Esay 61.10.

Secondly, as the Saints go gorgeously at the Cost of Grace, so they eat delicately, and live

high. Answerable to their garbe is their dyet. Their very bread is the bread of Heaven. Joh. 6.51. I am the living bread which came downe from Heaven. Food for Angels, yea, and better then any they have, for Angels have not the body and blood of Jesus Christ to feed upon, as the Saints have. We find in the song of Moses, Deut. 33.14. that it was rec∣koned among the privi∣ledges of the Jewes, that they did eat of the fat of the kidneys of wheate, as they had

sweet Manna in the wil∣dernesse, so they had pure manchet in Canaan, and in both of them re∣presentative of this living bread from Heaven: such a bread as serv's not only for the Saints necessity, but for their delight. And if the very bread of the Saints be so dainty, what shall we thinke of their other vi∣ands? of the fatnesse which they meet with in God's house? Psal. 36.8. The fat things full of mar∣row, Esay 25.6. We read of Asher, that out of him, as his bread shall be fat;

so he shall yeeld royall daintyes. Gen. 49.20. we may here well allude to it. 'Tis worth the ob∣serving, Psal. 37.3, 4. what a significant terme is used, and in what con∣nexion. v. 3. saith he, Trust in the Lord and veri∣ly thou shalt be fed,* 1.3 i. e. thou needst take no care for provisions to live up∣on Or as M Ainsworth read's it feed on Faith, i.e. nourish thy selfe and live by it; for the just man li∣veth by his faith. Habak. 2.4. and then marke what follow's, Delight thy selfe also in the Lord.

v. 4. The word is excee∣ding Emphaticall,* 1.4 delight thy selfe in the Lord, that is, satiate thy self, please thy pallat, be filled with an holy gluttony, be as the hungry sensualist is at the sweet-meats and made dishes that are be∣fore him. Such a kind of pleasure 'twas that the heart of David fed upon, when he uttered those words, oh tast and see how good, or how sweet, the Lord is! Psal. 34.8. a speech which we know is usall to the next that si 's by: when a man meet's with some excel∣lent

dish w^ch he looked not for. And such dishes do the Saints meal upon continually. The very water that they drink, is it not out of springs that bubble up eternall life? Joh. 4.10. What then are their wines? yea, and their streames of honey, with the milke of the flowing breasts they suck? as their bread (we heard) is of the fat of the kidneys of wheat, so their wines are the pure blood of the grape, to al∣lude againe to that in Deuter. 32.14. yea, and over and above their

wines are spiced, mingled wines; not only brew'd out of Christs blood, but also sweetned with the sugar of his love, mingled with bowels of compas∣sion. Wines upon the lees, well refined, that are vigo∣rous, sparkling & ful of re∣vivement; they say burnt wine is a cordiall, 'tis true of this wine of the Saints, w^ch is heated with the flames of divine love; therefore well may it passe for a Royall wine, as those wines were, which we read of, in Esth 1.7. see and compare, Deuter. 32.14. Prov. 9.2. Esay

25.6. Their honey, it is of the sweetest and purest straine, honey out of the rock, viz. the rock Christ Jesus, sucked immedi∣ately from thence, Deut. 32.13. and from the ho¦ney-combe of the Gospel, the blessed word of grace, which is sweeter then the honey and the honey combe, Psal. 19.10. Their milke is sincere, full of creame, battening and nourish∣ing, such as giv's both present satisfaction, and future growth. Esay 66.11. That ye may milk out and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations. 1 Pet. 2.2.

As new borne babes desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby. All these with what ever other provisi∣ons the hand of Grace ministers unto the Saints, are ministred to them in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 plentifulnesse, equall to their variety. Prov. 9.2. She furnisheth her table with full feasts, Esay. 25.6. with store and great a∣bundance, that the eaters may be abundantly satis∣fied, and drink as freely as out of rivers Psa. 36.8. They shall be abundantly sa∣tisfied with the fatnesse of thy house, and thou shalt

make them drink of the ri∣vers of thy pleasures. Grace deal's not with a sparing hand, but liberally, and with hearty welcome. Eate oh friends, drink, yea drink abundantly oh belo∣ved, Can. 5.1. drink drunk,* 1.5 as the word imports, be you filled with an holy excesse, as is intimated Ephes. 5.18. When Aha∣suerus made a feast for his Nobles, 'twas of long continuance, and according to the state of the King, Esth. 1.7. Grace doth so likewise; the ve∣ry fragments of her board would feed thousands.

Mat. 14.20. And they did all eate and were satisfied, and they took up of the frag∣ments that remained twelve baskets full. How many sweet meales might be made of the Saints lea∣vings? time was when the very crums under Grace her table, gave a full meale to a daughter of Canaan, Mat. 15.27.

Thirdly, the habitati∣on of the Saints, the very housing which Grace hath built o're their heads, in the sumptuous∣nesse thereof, is no whit inferiour to their garbe and diet. They sit in hea∣venly

places with Christ Jesus. Eph. 2.6. And hath made us sit together in hea∣venly places in Christ Je∣sus. Their habitation is on high, even within the secret of the Almighty, Psal. 91.1. Lord thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations, Psal. 90.1. As if he had said, when we have had no hole to put our heads in, no rocks to run unto, no towers to be safe in; we have found both a safe and glorious habitation with-thee, in the very secret of thy pa∣vilion; thou hast admit∣ted us even there where

thou sittest in most mag∣nificent state, and where onely thou givest accesse to the friends of thy heart. Oh how glorious a palace have they, who thus dwell in God? yet 'tis a priviledge, com∣mon even to the meanest Saint, such as scarce have cottages in this world. While their bo∣dies lodge but in houses of clay, yet even then their nobler part, viz. their mind and spirit in∣habit's higher. They have buildings in another world, (which also they dwell in at present,

(though here below) so bright and shining, that even Angels are dazled to behold them. For our conversation is in heaven, saith the Apostle, Philip. 3.20. and in an higher part of heaven then ever the Angels attained unto, even neerer God. The very first stone laid in the Saints buildings, how precious is it? 1 Pet. 2.6. He is the chief corner stone, elect and precious. 1 Cor. 3.12. Other foundation can no man lay, then that which is laid, Jesus Christ. And answerable to the founda∣tion is the whole structure,

all polished from top to bottome, most goodly to behold, so that the very spectators that passe by, Zach. 4.7. being filled with admiration at the lustre of it, lift up their shouts, and cry, Grace, grace unto it. So that all those faire colours, foun∣dations of Saphirs, windows of Agats, gates of carbun∣cles, with borders of all pleasant stones, mentioned Esay 54.11, 12. with all other the like expressi∣ons, are used but as me∣taphors, the more lively to set it out. And as this habitation of the Saints,

which Free-grace at her owne proper cost and charge hath raised for them, is most richly built; so it is an huge and vast thing, and so in that sense as stately & magnificent as in the other. For the Saints are all children of the same wombe, & they love each other dearly, so dearly, that they will never by their good will be apart or dwell asun∣der. Now Grace lov's to see such a disposition in them, and therefore to suit it accordingly, she hath made one house big enough to hold them all,

that they may be all un∣der one roofe. So far & wide doth this glorious edifice enlarge it selfe (having multitudes of roomes to spare in it for new commers) that it grow's into a City, and that a mighty one; a city as big as a Kingdome. Heb. 11.16. He hath pre∣pared for them a City. Mat. 25.34. Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdome prepared for you. Prepared, it intimat's a kind of extraordinary thoughtfulnesse for the building of it; that the materials, the fashion of it,

and all that belongs to it might be sumptuous. As David speaks, 1 Chro. 29.2, 3. Moreover, saith he, because I have set my affe∣ction to the house of my God, I have prepared with all my might, gold, silver, onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistering stones, and of di∣vers colours, and all manner of precious stones, &c. so Grace did, when she built Heaven for the Saints, she knew who were to dwell there one day, and therefore she spar's neither cost nor art; she provid's her gold and pre∣cious stones to build with,

pearles so fair and goodly, that the mighty gates of the City, each of them, were but of one entire pearle; and the very streets thereof paved with no worse then pure gold, as bright as transparent glasse, Rev. 21.21. But this is not all, for that the hous shold stuffe and furniture might be suitable to the building: the very spoones and dishes, yea, the candle∣sticks and snuffers, (and that but in the type one∣ly) are all of pure gold, Exod. 25.38. And if these so rich, what then may we judge of the more

Noble utensils, of the ves∣sels of honour, and the hangings wherewith the rooms are furnished?

Fourthly, free-grace, which thus cloth's, feed's, and houseth the Saints in glory and state, is not sparing to them any other way, she put's store of mo∣ney into their purses also. Parents that love their children, and are at great expences with them o∣therwise, are not wont to pinch them in this re∣spect; but make allow∣ance to them with such a free and liberal hand, that abhorring basenesse,

they may carry it out with a generous and wor∣thy spirit. The same rule free-grace observeth al∣so, never let's the Saints want money, no not the poorest of them; she stor's them with good gold and silver, see else, Job 22.23, 24, 25. If thou returne to the Almighty, then shalt thou lay up gold as dust, and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brookes; yea the Almighty shall be thy most choise gold,* 1.6 (so Junius read's it) and thou shalt have plenty of silver. So that the Saints know no want, no not the meanest,

or youngest of them; they all have enough, as well in their Nonage as in their full age. They are rich in faith, Jam. 2.5. rich in good works, 1 Tim. 6.18. rich in precious promises, 1 Pet. 1.4. rich in the sa∣ving knowledge of the word of life, which dwel's in them richly,* 1.7 Col. 3.16. Their money is currant in heaven, though few will receive it for good coyne in this world.

Fiftly, agreeable to these things are all the rest. The very attendants upon the Saints, how high and noble are they?

a traine so glorious, that even greatest Emperours may veile unto: for An∣gels wait on them. Heb. 1.12. Are they not all mini∣string spirits, sent forth to minister unto them, who shall be heires of salva∣tion?

Doth it please the Saints at any time to ride out, and take a pro∣spect abroad in the com∣pany of that Royall lover which Grace hath espou∣sed them unto? Behold, his owne charret is ready for them, with all the equipage thereof. Cant. 3.9, 10. King Solomon

made himselfe a charret of the wood of Lebanon. He made the pillars thereof of silver, the bottome thereof of gold, the covering there∣of of purple, the midst thereof being paved with love, for the daughters of Jerusalem.

To all this, what ri∣ches of Grace goe? be∣sides those incident exper∣ces that occasionally a∣rise; for as 'tis in a great family, if there be many sicke in it, or lye hurt or wounded, weake and diseased, especially if they be the prime peeces, the best beloveds, the deare

children, and those whose lives are most desireable on all sides; what cost is spared? Nay what cost is not most industrious∣ly improved, and that all the wayes that can be imagined, for the reco∣very of them? no Chi∣rurgery, Physicke, choise provisions, most helpfull attendants neglected, night or day; how many a rich man hath beggar'd himselfe in costly reme∣dies on his owne crazy body? or upon the bo∣dy of his deare wife or child? Bezar stones, dis∣solv'd gold magisteriall

pearle, with a thousand such like precious ingre∣dients have beene as common things, in such cases as these are. And just so it is among the Saints, how many of them often lye thus, sick and wounded, weake and feeble under the hand of Grace? alwayes ailing something, either heads ake, or hearts ake, this member is wounded, and that is out of joynt; the eyes are sore, the sto∣mack's ill, the spirits faint, of one or other of them continually: no∣thing but complaining

among them, and crying out for playsters, for cor∣dials, for some good thing, this or that which they may be able to di∣gest: all these free-grace hath the care and the charge of; whose very looking to, with the re∣medies that are apply'd, amount's to full as much, if not to much more, then all the disbursments upon the others that are more healthfull. When free grace com's among her wounded patients in her Christ's hospitall; she com's, with no common salves; no balmes are ap∣plyed

by her hand, but the very balmes of Hea∣ven; no others can serve the turne, to worke the cares that she mean's to make. No cordials of her administring, but what have beene pre∣pared by her owne hand and skill, in her owne A∣pothecaries shop, and ap∣plyed at the sole dire∣ction of the great Physi∣tion of soules, JESVS CHRITT.

Now lay all together, the losses, the forgivings, the ransomes, the expences of Grace in behalfe of the Saints: consider but

how much it is all these wayes out of purse, and then speak what you thinke of the riches of it.

But yet all this is no∣thing to what may be farther said, in considera∣tion of the most inestima∣ble worth of those rich & precious things, which free grace may be said to bestow upon the Saints, more properly by way of gift. A view whereof (as in one treasu∣ry where all ly's) wee shall take, by consider∣ing the love of God, and that kind heart of his, which his owne strong

and most deare affection hath so abundantly fil∣led with sweetest inclina∣tions towards, and most glorious intentions concer∣ning the Saints.

Which most precious and glorious love, that it may the more cleerly shine out unto us; it will be ne∣cessary to open the mea∣ning of those words, Eph. 2.7. In his kindnesse towards us, through Christ Jesus. Where occasion will be given to make this double enquiry.

First, what the great∣nesse of Gods love is to the Saints, as they stand,

in a kind of single relati∣on to himself, from those words, in his kindnesse to∣wards us.

Secondly, what the greatnesse of his love is to the same Saints, as they stand in a double relation, viz. both to himselfe, and to his Sonne, and how that love wrought from all eternity in behalfe of the Saints, while 1. it gave the Saints to Christ, and 2. gave Christ to them, from those words, through Jesus Christ.

A speculation most in∣effably delightful; which, it was no marvaile that

the Angels should so much desire to peep into,* 1.8 stooping down, as the Apo∣stle speak's, in allusi∣on to the Cherubims o∣ver the Mercy-seat, that they might pry into the depths of this glorious mysterie, viz. the myste∣rie of this love. Of which, if God permit, I shall speak in the next part by it selfe.

FINIS.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 In reca∣mat is. Ar. Mon. Cum phry∣gianis. Jun. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Auri ocel∣laturis vel polymitis aureis in∣duta. Ar. Mont. Fundis aureis ve∣stita. Jun.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Pascere fi∣de. Jun. i. ex fide vive.
• * 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (as some will have it) from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 pi••suit, placentas propriè.
• * 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Inebriate. Ar. Mon. Inebria∣mini. Jun.
• * 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Lectissinū aurum tuum.
• * 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Propenso collo vel in clinato capite in∣trospicere.