286 Chap. 28. anExpof tion upon the Book. of J o B. Verf.lag is theGrace of Gcd, the riches of his grace in Chrift to (inners to be valued above Rubies ? That's the treafure of which Chrif{ fpeaks ( Math. 13. 44.) The kingdom of Heaven is likeunto a treafure hidin the field,the whichwhena man bath found,he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and gab all that he loath, and buyetb that that field. That man makes a good bargain, who partswith all histreafure topurchafe the field of treafure;who parts with all that he hash, to buy that which is better then all that he hath. Again (vent; 45. ) the kingdom of Heaven is likt untoaMir- chant manfakinggoodly Pearls ; Who when bebad found one Pearl of great price,be went and fold all that be had and bought it. This Pearl of great price is a portion or an intereft in Chrift, and fjo(- pel-Grace. They are wife and happy Merchants who gex this Pearl whatSoever it coas them. Thiswas the judgement of Solo- mon the wife,or rather of awifer then Solomon, theSpirit of God by his pen, (Pro. 3.13i 14. ) Happy is the man that findetb wif- dco;""and the man thatgettetb under(fanding, for the mercbandife of it is better then the Ofercbandife offlyer, and thegain thereof then fl' e Gold ; the umore precious then Rubies. The aim of our whole lives fhould be at the gain of this wifdom, that is, fpiri- tuai wiidcm, at the gain of Jefus Chrift,which is infinitelybet- ter then the knowledge of all fecrets,and in whom are hidden all the treafures of wifdom and knowledge. And in this the pooref Saintmay be comforted., They that have Chrift, have that which is better thenGold or Silver, then Saphires or Rubies. What's the man with a Gold-ring, to the man with a gracious heart ? What's a man rich inGold, to aman rich in Faith ? There is no- thing worth the mentioning or remcmbring, when once the grace of God in Chrift ,is mentioned and remembred. And asthe riches of this world are but dung and drofs to wifdom and holy- nefs ; fo they make nomaneither wife or holy. If a man were invefl:ed with the riches of both the Indies, hecould not purchafe wifdomto find cut the bottom reafdn of the works of God. We are apt to think, rich men, wife men, asif riches had an apt- nefs to make men wife , or as if they who have riches enough muff needs be wife enough. Such was their fence who faid,Have any or therRulers beleived on, him ? But as Chrift himfelf, foour daily fad experience,hath taught us,that riches are no advantage to, but a hindrance rather of our fpirirual injoymcnts; They pat clogs
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