523 THE CHRISTIAN'S TREASURE. This sort of treasure he cannot be dispossessed of by death itself for when he quits his visible interest in all things in this lower world, he enters into a new world of spirits, which he has never seen : and yet all things in that world are his too : All things in those unknown regions, where the departing. spirit goes, are, made over to the saint, by the same covenant as the things of this world ; they shall all administer some divine profit to him, and be apart of his happiness in the world to come. HI. This treasure of achristian is ever growing, at least in the possession ; for the occurrences of every day make some ad-. dition to it ;whereas the wealth of sinners is impaired with using. The largest earthly- estate may be wasted,: Money decreases daily by procuring the supports of life ; but a christian's treasure stillimproves. He lives upon it every day, and yet it grows still. The providences of God here on earth, present us daily with some new affairs, new occurrences : Whether they be plea- sant or painful, still the spiritualman finds his interest in them ; and when he reviews his account in the evening, if his heart 'has been in a proper frame, he may Write himself gainer. He has possessed and enjoyed the very crosses and sorrows of his former days : He has treasured up a store of divine experiences, in the luideiEof plenty and Want, health and sickness : New scenes of life arise, new appearances of things ; he is still like the bee, ready to suck honeyfrom every flowerthat blows: He gathers his food and his riches from weeds that are unsavoury, as well as from the blossoms of perfume : If he is by this means adding daily to the numberand strength of his graces and virtues, he is, as it were, treasuring up a good foundation for time to come, and, shall I be bold to say, adding beauties and ornaments to his robes of glory, and lustre to his heavenly crown. . IV. This large inheritance of a christian is all sanctified, which is more than can be said of any part of a sinner's estate. The riches of this world may be abused to luxury and debauchery, to iniquity and sore vexations. Theymay be abused to profaneness and impiety, to dishonour God, and corrupt die conversation of men, and to ruin their souls for ever : But this large andexten- sive treasure of a christian, is designed-for his real happiness, as well as forthe honour of his God; whatsoever he has to do with in the world, heusesit to the glory of his God, to the honour of his Saviour, to the benefit of his fellow-creatures, and to his own sublimest advantage. And concerning this sacred treasure, it may be said, that 'it' is the property, or in the possessionof a christian, ne farther than it is sanctified to him, orthan he receives it with asanctified mind. To thepure all things arepure; Tit. i.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=