Theperfit Paltteiñe neither five the life ofgracenoev nor the lifeof gloryhereafiei. I pray then, let vsthinketvith our fettles, what !hall becomeofa great manyofvs; put cafe the fecretsofour hearts wereas well knowne untomen, asthey ate vino God, or toourowne feluesyalas whatpoore (liters mould we be found to be ofthis heauenlycommodity. Theheart ofman is ofgreatretell, and ableto containe many things ; I know that vpon this privy fearch wee mouldnot bee found empty, buteuen pelleredrather withthe worldand the thingsthereci,andeue- ry one ofout inwardlodgings even altogether taken vp therewith : but this in the cuduoaldbe the blue, that thewordof,Chrill, thedofirineofGod, the knowledge oflaluation, theway tolife is a tneere (banger untovs, one that through a ktndoftiecellity enctethin fomctimt at the outward gareofour cara, but can neuerfinde any entertainment in our.bents. Nay, manywill be found rather tovfe meanes to keepe it our, then tomake a way torecoue it : forwhat mtaneth the ordinary andvoluntary abfenceof fomany from theChurch,their dulneifeand careleles waken they are there, theirfalling byand by to theirowne tourfes, as Toone as they aregone; but, thatmenhaue euen determinedwith themfehtes, t}sat letthe Word ofthekingdomemull where it will, lure with them it fhall not harbour, it mall knocke and knocke againe and againe at the ddoreoftheir hearts,but yet theywill notopen ro receive it. For film, ifwehad à difpolitionto make Our foulesas a theft forthe knowledge ofGod in Child tó be hid iu, wemould feeand behold better fruits thenthefe, Hethat had a mea. ning to hide themeanes of initiation in hisheart, would not hidehimfefte ina thambet, or ruder ahedge,-or in analehoule, when the famewere offeredto him ;thepublikeal%mblymtïuldben witnelleof his delre; and his diligence there, fhoulddifcouer the readineffeofhis heart, to treafurevp the knowledge ófGodwhiclils reuealedin the Scripture, But whence is it may we thinke,that men had rather affoord thevfe of theirhearts toany thing, then tothishidden treafuteof theGolpe1l l Surelyeuenfrom hence, that menhaue no feeling of their owtiefpírituall pouerty : and thereforefinding this treafwre, and meeting with it againeand againe,neither dotany thing fearethe tolfeof it, neither do they entcrtaine any fuchopinion ofthegoodneireof it,as to grow into an Mu, sninatian thereof,ROfée whether it be indeed that treafwre,whichis abletomake their lorries rich vnroetcnnlall life. For, ifthey were oncecrime fo farte attobe in feare to.lofe heauen, or to be inanydoubt and iealoufie of their owne effare, or to ineditdthe fitting and fcanning ofeuerypretended way to faluation, till they hadfoundout the truepath; then Ihould that which is heard, bee more e ffeemedof, and every little wordofcomfort bee made muchof, and heldas a iewtll of force worth: whereas nowentry man thinking his owne fouler edam frire enough, and.beingwithout all feare ofthat which isto come; this pearle is vilein niens eyes, neither doe they makeany confcìencetO hoord it vp in their hearts, but arevery willing to forgot it. Well, howfoeuer wee Banc done formerly, or whatfoeuer others doe, let vshereafter peefwsde our felues ofthe truth, again(} which Iam lurewee can make noexception, (iftheWord of Godbee true) that thevery firft fleppe to heauen, is to lay vp inour hearts the Golpell of the Ifingdoine, even that comfortable knowledge of faluati- on andetérnalllifè, which is groundedonely in Chrill Iefus. Ifwee doe not beginne heere, but affoord entertainement to any thing rather then to this, fuffering' ignorance and contempt ofgodlinelle to keepe potfeflion in vs, vnleffe wee looke that God mould worke a miracle in Inning r,, there is no Ordinary way left to bringvs vnto heauen. Thus much for thefir(t argrt. talent ofeiteemingthe treafwre offaluation; hee -that bath found the meanes bideth it. The fecond argument of deeming and valuing this heauenly treafwre,is
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