AN HELP TO the best Bargain. A Sermon on Mat. 13.46. Preached on Sunday, the 20 of Octob. 1623. in the Cathedral Church of Christ, Canterbury. By THOMAS JACKSON, Doct. of Divinity, and one of the Prebends, and Lecturer there. London Printed by NICH. OKES, for Mat. Walbanke, and are to be sold in Graies-Inne Gate. 1624. TO THE RIGHT Honourable, and most Worthy Lady, Vicountesse MAIDSTONE; grace, mercy, and peace, from GOD the Father, through JESUS CHRIST, by the HOLY-GHOST be multiplied. RIGHT NOBLE LADY, GReat is their honour in the eyes of God's Saints, whom God, and the King do honour; and great is your honour in mine eyes, whom birth, & wealth; education, and marriage; virtue, and piety; God, and King; have honoured: it behoved me, having received so many comforts and encouragements; protection, and preferment; from your thrice noble husband, and your honourable self, (in so justly occasioned common congratulation) to have gone before others in giving of honour; a Rom. 12.10 but, being with the throng of important occasions, kept back, and cast behind, yet I presume of acceptance, being assured, that I bring the best present; for, Solomon hath witnessed, there is nothing to be compared to this b Prou. 3.15. . Pearls, and Precious stones are of great esteem among Princes, and Nobles; and specially among Women, who do naturally delight in ornaments, and in curious and artificial decoration: Genus mulierum natura ornamentorum amans, et 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. Po●n. in job. 5.24 as the Ambassador of Christ; c 2 Cor. 5.20 I commend to your honour, a goodly and precious Pearl, such a Pearl as maketh the wearers of it truly honourable: The Disciple whom jesus loved (whose Gospel your soul loveth) hath said; to as many as receive it, is this privilege given, to become the sons of God d joh. 1.12. . And the Apostle witnesseth of the Bereans; they were more noble than they of Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures daily e Act. 17.11. . Well may they be esteemed, high-born, noble, and happy indeed, whose father is God f 2 Cor. 6.8. ; their brother, Christ g Rom. 8. 2●. ; their garments, righteousness h Reu. 19.8 ; their food, the hidden mannah i Reu. 2.17. ; their rings, chains, and jewels k Ezech. 16.11, 12. ; the graces and gifts of the holy Ghost; their attendants, the Angels; their inheritance, heaven l Mat. 25.34. ; and reward, the crown of Glory m 1 Pet. 5.4. : Oh, this is indeed, the true restoring of blood, the best part in Nobleman's Scutcheons, and highest stem in their Pedigree; for, be they ne'er so high, and great, and want it, they are but wretched, poor, and miserable n Reu. 3.17. : Alas, what are stately houses; rich furniture; costly apparel; delicate fare; delightful music; all possible reverence with tongue, cap, and knee; multitude of followers; great offices; larger evenues; and all earthly pleasures that heart can wish (in comparison) but very vanity, and vexation of spirit? “ Numquid in honore, sine dolore. Bern. d● quinque negot. Coll. 1718. So as Moses in nothing showed more wisdom, then refusing to be called the son of Pharaoh's Daughter; and choosing rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach for Christ, greater riches than the treasures of Egypt o Heb. 11.24 . I confess, that honour is God's ordinance; the reward of virtue * V●rtutis premium. Arist. Ethic. 4. Aquin. 2.2. quest. 129. a● 4 ; and of external good things the best: to the pure, all things are pure p Tit. 1.15. : yet in holy tongues, the same word doth signify both honour and burden▪ C hubod. Heb. Honorare & onerare. because according to the height of honour, shall be the weight of account at the last day. I doubt not (having had so many years' experience) of your Ladyship's growth in Grace, Quae hic honorant: ibi. onerant. August. Epist. 2●3. Col. 829. and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour jesus Christ q 2 Pet. 3. ult. ; yea, I am persuaded, you shall bring forth more fruit in your age: yet, considering the times, * Virtus paucorum: paucorum inquam presertim Nobilium Barn. Epist. 113 and our own corruption, in a godly jealousy r 2 Cor. 11.2. , I thought it my duty, to put you in remembrance s 2 Pet. 1.13. , and to stir up God's graces in you t 2 Tim. 1.6 , that as you have loved Christ & his Gospel in sincerity u Eph. 6. ult. so you would do so still; yea, and to do it more, not letting the Pearl lie in the heart, as in a Casket, under lock and key; but make a frontlet of it, letting the world see, you do every way seek his honour, who hath so many ways honoured you. It is now full twenty years ago, Aug. 28. 1623. on 1. Cor. 22. since preaching in your honour's house, and commending the saving knowledge of Christ, your Ladyship was pleased, to testify your gracious acceptance thereof, both by private encouragements, and by suit in my behalf, unto an honourable person, My L. Meluin. then present; which was the first stone in the foundation of my preferment; for, as he friendly promised, he faithfully performed; so, as I am bound thankfully to acknowledge, from your Ladyship's first motion it came, that now for many years, I have enjoyed my place in this Metropolitan Church, with much comfort in my calling, and particular estate. The Lord recompense an hundred fold, all the kindness I have received from you, and yours, for whose prosperity, I am your daily Orator. C.C.C. Novemb. T. I. AN HELP TO THE BEST Bargain. MAT. 13.46. Who when he had found one pearl of good price, he went and sold all that he had and bought it. AS diverse servants in the fame Shop, intending their Master's gain, though one, as the Foreman, may show the Commodity, and set the price, yet the rest will further the bargain, either by commending the goodness of the ware, or showing others that is worse, yea, naught and counterfeit, and persuading the Customer to strain to buy it: So is it my desire, this day, Coloss. 4.7. to be a fellow-servant to help to strike up the best bargain, lately offered in the eminent'st place in this Kingdom, O. Hall, to the Court at The●balds, on ●unday, Sept. ●●. 16●3. by a Reverend & worthy Divine, mine ancient Colleague 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & Contemporaneus: to whom I joyfully give the right-hand of fellowship b Gal. 2.9. ; we workers together; beseech you, receive not the grace of God in vain c 2 Cor. 6.1. . In Court and Country, the true Ministers of Christ sing but one Song; aim at one Mark, to make their hearers rich in d Luk. 12.21. God, and wise unto e 2 Tim. 3.15▪ salvation, by the purchase of truth. We are not like the Priests and jesuits, who are brethren in evil, though looking diverse ways, according to their several * Aduersis vultibus et coniunctis caudis. D▪ King, Serm. a● White-Hall, Novemb. 5. 1608. p. 11. interests, yet, like Samsons Foxes, tied by the tails, to carry Firebrands, to set God's Field on fire, & his vineyard in a general combustion: but, as the Cherubims looked face to face, and both upon the f Exod. 25.20. Ark; so, one preacheth out of the old Testament, another out of the New, both look upon Christ, who is the Creator of the Creed, and circumference of all holy Scriptures. Solomon biddeth us, buy the truth, but at no hand, sell g Prou. 23.23. it. A greater than h Mat. 12.42. Solomon biddeth us buy it, though we sell all we have for it: the one biddeth us, buy and not sell; the other biddeth us, sell that we may buy▪ both of them intend men's happiness, by purchasing one & the same truth: that was a precept, this is the practice: that we must obey, and this imitate. My Text is part of a Parable, without which, CHRIST spoke i Mar. 4.34. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. nothing; most powerful, to command attention; * Parabola, Heb. Mashal. a●●adice Mashul, regere cum imperio. Buxtorf. Plus movent figurate dicta. Aug. Epist. 119 ad lanuar. and effectual, to move devotion. A rich Parable; rich in the history, but richer in the mystery. “ Nitet in cortice dulcior in medull. I●ron. Paulin. It proponeth, a Pearl of great price; for purchase whereof, all must be sold: but, it supponeth, a jewel of inestimable price, in comparison whereof, S. Paul esteemed all goodly things to be but dross and k Philip. 3.8. dung. Parables are truly called sacred veils. “ Sacra velamina. Dion. Areopag. Myster. give me leave to draw away the veil, and let you look into the holiest of all. This Pearl is, the Truth; in Hebrew, Margerah; in the Greek, 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉; in Latin, Vnio: for, there is but one truth in the world: and this Pearl is called, a goodly Pearl, a fair Margarite: * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. For, even the naked truth of God, without welt or guard, or any enticing words of man's wisdom, * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. jakar. Heb. is most lovely, and beautiful, yea, it is a Pearl of great price: David esteems it dearer than thousands of gold and l Psal. 119.72. silver: so did Solomon esteem it, all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto m Pro. 3.15. it: This goodly precious pearl is (hid) hid from the wisdom and search of flesh and blood; CHRIST told Peter when he had found it; Flesh and blood hath not revealed this unto n Mat. 16.17. thee. And again; I thank thee Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them to o Mat. 11.25. babes. Yea, so hid, as there is no finding it without a guide: the Eunuch knew, he was in the field where the Pearl was, & wanted not for pains taking, yet, Philip ask him if he had found it, he answered; How can I without a p Act. 8.31. guide? And, there is but one Field in all the world, wherein this Pearl is hid, viz. the Word of God, which is therefore called the Word of q 2 Cor. 6.7. Truth: which precious Pearl is hid so deep in the field of the sacred Scripture, that there is no finding of it, without much search, and diging: therefore Christ biddeth us; Search the r joh. 5.39. Scriptures. And Solomon biddeth: Seek for wisdom, as for silver, and search for her as for hidden treasure; s Prou. 2.4. but as the wise Merchant, that after great search, findeth a precious Pearl, hid in a field, will sell all he hath to purchase that field, & pearl in it: so a wise Christian, by great study and meditation, hearing, reading, and praying, having found in the field of holy Scriptures, the hidden wisdom of God, for the salvation of man, by JESUS CHRIST, it is a knowledge so sweet and dear unto him, as he will easily part with all earthly things, that he may enjoy the blessing of the Word, and thereby increase in the saving knowledge of GOD's Truth. So much for the mystery. The parts of this Parable are two, viz. Division. First, the finding of this Pearl. Secondly, the procuring of it, that it may be his own that findeth it. I purpose by GOD's grace to handle the second part, it being to no purpose to find it, unless we make it our own, Non minor est virtus, quam quaerere. that we may be enriched by it. The manner how to compass it, our Saviour expresseth figuratively, by a bargain, in which bargain, there are two things done; First, Selling. Subdivision. And secondly, Buying; (He sold all that he had, and bought it. The difference betwixt heavenly & earthly purchases. ) In this world, Kings, Princes, and great rich men, are able to buy goodly precious Pearls, and not sell any thing, the overplus of their great revenues will compass them; but, in the spiritual bargain for this Pearl, there is no buying of it, but we must first sell; it is sometimes so dear, as the richest man must in action sell all: and it is never cheaper, but he that will have it, must in affection, sell all that he hath for it: CHRIST our Master, hath himself in writing set the price, and we his Servants cannot a bate an hair; If any man come to me, and hate not his father and his mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters; yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my t Luk. 14.2 Disciple: A great price, I confess; yet, lest any should either stick at it, & go away shucking the shoulders, as the rich man, that went away sorrowful, for he had great v Mat. 19.22 possessions: or, repent of their bargain, Christ hath assured, of all purchases, it is the best bargain, and the only way to be rich: Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, and the Gospels, he shall receive an hundred-fold now in this time, and in the world to come eternal w Mat. 19 penult. Mat. 10.30. life. Oh, suffer me then to provoke you in this dead time, Conclusion the Preface. wherein though truth was never cheaper, it is generally thought to be too dear amongst many cheapeners, but few buyers: GOD's servants have but cold take, it is much to be feared, if the market mend not, Christ will shut up his shop-windows, and offer his Pearl to such as will more esteem of it: Oh, buy the truth whilst you may buy it, lest it prove so scanty and dear, that it cannot be had at any rate: And that you may buy, first sell: that is the thing I purpose to press at this time. First part. In Parables, the letter hath the least part: if other have any▪ this passage needeth none, I need not provoke men to sell that they have, too many have done so, in these late and dear years, to buy bread for them & their families▪ others, in this prodigal and luxurious age, sell more than they have, both present and reversion, inheritance, and offices; and run in debt to buy wine, drink, Tobacco, & spend upon their lusts▪ we had need to read lectures of good husbandry to such, and pray them to keep that which they have, & let nothing be lost, lest they pinch with the Prodigal▪ in the end to sell all is the highway to misery. This sale, is to enable a man to buy CHRIST, yea, and heaven itself good husbands may thus sell; yea, thus to sell is the way to be rich; this is godliness, which hath the promise of this life, and of that which is to x 1 Tim. 4.8 come: all good things of this life are in God's will and Testament, entitled to such Prodigals; He that will sell all for Christ, shall enjoy all with y 1 Cor. 3. penult. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: vendidit. Christ. Mark then the words; This wiseman proposed for pattern, doth not lay up, or lend, or mortgage, retaining propriety, but doth (Sell) not superfluities, and such things as he can spare, or hath no present use of, but, (All that he hath * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉: ●●nui● quae habuit. .) The words being opened, hence we learn, Doct. that whosoever will attain to the saving knowledge of Christ, & him crucified, must ever part with all he hath. For the Illustration whereof, let it be noted, Illustration. that every godly Christian must sell these three things. First, himself. 1. himself. Secondly, his sin. Thirdly, his substance. He that maketh this sale, selleth all, and is able to buy the Pearl. For the first: He must sell himself; Confirmation. What? to become a Bondslave? No, no, but his own natural wisdom, reason, will affections, desires: yea, & confidence in his own righteousness. This CHRIST expresseth, saying; He that will be my Disciple, let him deny z Mat. 16.24 himself. And S. Paul; If any man seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise, for the wisdom of this world is foolishness with a 1 Cor. 3.18.19. God. Yea, the carnal mind is enmity against GOD, it is not subject to the Law of GOD, neither indeed, can b Rom. 8.7. be: every imagination, and high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of GOD, must be cast down, & every thought brought into captivity, to the obedience of c 2 Cor. 10.5. Christ; and then appeareth Faith, which bringeth forth most excellent obedience, though most ridiculous in the eyes of the worldly wise. Thus Abraham; Good Examples. being called of God out of Caldeah, having sold himself, he followed God, he knew not whither d Gen. 12.1. : Again, when the Lord promised him a Son by Sarah his wife, it was much against his natural reason, he being an hundred years old, and Sarah e Gen. 17.17. ninety; but Abraham had sold himself, and therefore neither considered his own body, nor Sarah's womb, which were both as f Rom. 4.17. dead, but gave glory to God being fully persuaded, that what the Lord had promised he was also able to g Rom. 4 19 perform: when also the Lord commanded him, to take his beloved and only Son Isaac, and sacrifice him, how contrary was that to his natural reason and affection, for a Father to lay violent hands on his son, and neither spare him living, nor dead, till he was burned into ashes? Yea, what a shake was this to his Faith, that he should kill him, in whom he had received the promise, that he and his should be blessed? But, having sold himself, he rose up early to do it; for, he knew, that GOD was able to raise him up from the h Gen. 2●. 3. Heb. ●1. 19. dead; wherefore, being thus prepared, he made an happy market; he believed, & it was imputed to him for righteousness; he became the friend of God, & father of all them that i Rom. 4.3. believe. But, the Philosophers are no good Chapmen; for, Evil Examples whereas Christ hath pronounced; Blessed are they that see not, and k joh. 20.29. believe. And S. Paul saith; We live by faith, & not by l 2 Cor. 5.7. fight. They seek after m 1 Cor. 1.22 wisdom, and will believe no more than they can see, or comprehend by reason, & therefore the mysteries of the Gospel are foolish & ridiculous unto them: when S. Paul offered this Pearl to the wise Philosophers at Athens, preaching Christ, and his resurrection, they called him babbler, and mocked n Act. 17.18.32. him neither are the Philosophying Schoolmen, good Chapmen, because they have not sold themselves, but turn Theology into witty questions, and bring the hidden Mysteries of God within the compass of reason, by their subtle quiddities, and distinctions. Aggravation. Yea, we must not only sell our natural and unregenerate wills, and reason, but also all confidence in our own works, and righteousness; so our Saviour hath taught us, when we have done all we can, to say, We are unprofitable o Luk. 17.10. Servants: Good Example. thus S. Paul became a blessed Merchant, who, having so much to be proud of, and to glory in, and concerning the righteousness of the Law being unrebukable, yet, for this Pearl's sake, even the excellency of the knowledge of Christ jesus, he accounted it loss, and p Phil. 3.8. dung; & therefore made a good market, saying; I live by faith in the Son of God, who hath loved me, and given himself for q Gal. 2.20. me, And again; To me to live, is Christ, and to dye is r Phil. 1.21. gain. But the jews are no Chapmen for this market, for, Evil examples. they going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of s Rom. 10.3. GOD; in which condition were the pharisees, and are the Papists, who trusting in the merit of their own Works, and going about to establish their own inherent, home-made righteousness, cannot submit themselves to the righteousness of God: no welcome Chapmen to God's shop, but such as are humble, poor, and beggarly, that have sold themselves, their reason, and righteousness, works, and wisdom; and do altogether hunger & thirst after, rejoice and glory in Christ, and salvation by him. 2. His sins. Secondly, he that will buy the truth, must sell; and sell all his sins: whereas there are many poor and simple people in the world, that have but a small share, either in the gifts of nature, or good things of fortune: all men are exceedingly fraught with sin; & nothing may more properly be called a man's own, than his sin; a man would think he might well call such lands and inheritance his own, as he can show good evidence for, and is come unto him by diverse descents, and he hath legal writings to show for it, made in such and such a king's reign, hundreds of years ago. But no man can show such evidence for his lands, as a man may for his sins: The one can hardly go so far as William the Conqueror, not much above 500 years: but the other hath his sin by inheritance from Adam, almost 5550 years since Thirdly, there is nothing doth more beset a man, or cleave more fast to a t Heb. 12.5 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. man, or man can hardly be drawn to leave, than his sin; the leaving of some sins, is as the pulling out of the right eye, & the cutting off of the right v Mat. 18.8. hand: But, righteousness, & unrighteousness cannot dwell w 2 Cor. 6.24 together, there is no remedy, he shall never have the Pearl doth not first sell all his sins. Alas, Objection. who can do so? Are we not all sinners? Was there ever any so righteous on earth, as sinned not? I answer; Solu. It is one thing to have sin dwelling, Sense. & another to have it reigning in us: this is meant of reigning sins: according to which sense, I will lay down the doctrine in plain terms, and prove it; for, in this the very life of religion, and power of godliness doth consist. Doct. Whosoever will enjoy the saving truth, with the comforts & benefits of the Gospel, must have no reigning sin; but, for ever renounce and forsake both inward delight, and outward practice of every known sin. Oh, this is a hard task: and as it keepeth a great many from market; so others that seem fair Chapmen, either to go away offended; or deceive themselves with cunning tricks and shifts: Very few but fail in one point or other of this lesson: but, Confirma● let us hearken to God's own precept; Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy soul, strength, and x Deut. might: He that doth so, cannot love any sin; for, the love of God, is the fulfilling of the y Rom. 1 law, whereof sin is the z 1 joh. 3 transgression. S. Paul biddeth all Christians to glorify God in their souls, and in their a Cor. 6. ult. bodies; & to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh, and of the b Cor. 7.1. spirit. And what he commandeth, he elsewhere prayeth for; The very God of peace sanctify you throughout: and I pray God that your soul, and spirit, and body may be kept blameless, unto the coming of our Lord jesus c Thes. 5.23. Christ. S. james also biddeth all Christians, Cleanse their hands, and purge their d ●●m. 4.8. hearts. Yea, every page in holy writ is full of such precepts, though not such full precepts. As, Let your light shine before e ●at. 5.16. men. Let not sin reign in your mortal f ●om. 6.12 bodies: Let your conversation be such as becometh the g ●hilip. ●. 27. Gospel. The Grace of God, which bringeth salvation to all men, hath appeared, and teacheth us to deny all ungodliness, and worldly Lusts, and to live righteously, godly, and soberly in this present h Tit. 2.1 world. Be ye holy in all manner of i 1 Pet. 1. conversation. Yea, what is true Repentance, but the conversion of the whole man, from all sin, unto GOD? He felleth all his sins. Such a sale holy David made, Example who had respect to all k Psal 119 God's commandments; restrained his feet from every evil way, and utterly abhorred all false l Psal 119.104. ways: And josiah turned to the Lord, with all his heart, & all his soul according to all the commandments of m 2 King 25. God. And Zacharie and Elizabeth walked in all the commandments and ordinances of God, without n Lu. 1.6 rebuke. Zacheus, having found the Pearl, sold all his sins, he stood and said; Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor, and if I have taken anything from any man, by false accusation, I restore it o Luk. 19.8. fourfold. Marry, who had been a notorious and infamous sinner, having found this Pearl, she sold all her sins, both for delight and practise, utterly forsook, and detested her former, sinful, & unchaste life; her eyes, which had been full of adultery, became as rivers of tears to wash Christ's feet; her hair, which doubtless had been plaited, and laid abroad, an enticement to sin, was made a to well to wipe his feet; her face, which had been impudent, was filled with shamefastness, and modesty, she came behind p Luk. 7. Christ: The poor Thief, finding this Pearl on the Cross, how did he sell all? What a change was there wrought? that little time he had to live, how well and godly did he spend it, in rebukes, confessions, and prayers q Luk. 23. ? The jailor, who doubtless had been the instrument of cruelty in punishing the Apostles, having found this Pearl, he sold all his sins, brought them forth of prison, washed their stripes, set meat before them, and rejoiced, that he & his household believed in r Act. 16 God. Yea, such as had used curious arts, finding this pearl, sold all their sins, and in detestation thereof burnt their books, though worth fifty thousand pieces of s ●ct. 19.19 silver. Oh, these were Merchants, and made an happy market indeed! Yea, true repentance worketh such shame and t Dan. 9 7. confusion; such zeal, indignation, and r Cor. 7.11. revenge; such beating on the breast, with the w Luk 18.13. Publican; such smiting on the thigh, with x ●erom, 1.19 the Prophet; such a change, that their old companions take notice thereof, that they will no longer run into the same excess of riot with y Pet. 4.4 them. But no marvel; for they have sold all their sins, & are become new z Cor. 5.17 Creatures. So must all do that will buy the Pearl. ●●plication. But now, alas, how fearful will the condition of many be found, if we make application? Many seek for this goodly Pearl seem very desirous to have it, commend it, and the sellers of it; but, will not sell all they have. They come to the Church, hear the word diligently, respect the Ministers of the Gospel reverently, cheapen fair, and stand at offer, and proffer; but they would have the Pearl, and their sins too; they will by no means be drawn to sell all them. If you do remember, there were four things laid down in the Doctrine. First, they do sell. Secondly, all sins. Thirdly, in regard of inward delight, and outward practice. Fourthly, for ever. Against which, Examination four sorts of Chapmen do offend, who (if they reform not) shall never enjoy the Pearl. Sorte. First, are such as leave one sin, and take up another; and commonly, that they take, is worse than that they left; so, some leave prodigality, and become covetous: lukewarm Protestants, become Idolatrous Papists: some superstitious, become prophain: and many Atheists, turn Heretics▪ In a word; a great many think, they have made a fair market, when they consider what they have been, but never consider, what they are: what they have lost, but not what they have taken up; whereas in truth, they have only made an exchange, and that for the worse; whereas my Text saith; They must sell and deliver seison. Another sort there is, ● Sort. that would sell, some, yea, many, but not all their sins: such a Chapman was Herod, he did many things, but not a Mar. 6. 2 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉. all, his heart was still on Herodias; he had not gone so far as David, to have respect to all b Psal. 119. ● God's commandments; Thou shalt not commit adultery, was cast behind his c Psal. 50. ● back, he could not abide to hear of d Luk. 3.15 that: the young man such another, he offered fair, left but one e Mat. 19 thing, but would not part with that, but fell off, and missed the happy bargain. Applicatio Alas, this is the woeful condition of many, they will part with some sins, yea, not stick to part with many, but retain some one singular and beloved sin, they will pair fingers and toes to the quick; yea, lance some part till the blood gush out; but the right eye will not out, the right hand will not f Mat. 5.29. off. Such Customers the Devil liketh well enough, he careth not how many sins we part with, so he hold us fast but by one; he knoweth well, that one reigning sin overthroweth all religion. One would think it but a small sin, the sin of the tongue; yet S. james saith, If any man seem religious, and refrain not his tongue, this man's religion is g jam. 1. penul. vain. Use. exhortation. Oh, remember this Text, he that will have this Pearl, must make a full sale of all. To retain a part, is not to sell, but with Ananias to h Act. 5.3. dissemble. He that keepeth sin, in any part, looseth Grace, in whole. To loathe some sin, and love other, is but halting. One Coloquintida spilt the whole mess of i 2 King. 4. pottage. Is not a ship sunk by one leak; a besieged City lost, by one breach; a bird caught in the snare, by one foot, as well as the whole body? a man killed by one disease? He is no good Chapman in God's shop, that doth not, with David, Utterly abhor all false ways; yea, those especially, wherein he hath sometime walked with greatest delight. Oh, let us remember the Preface which Moses setteth before the Law; God spoke (All) these words and said; He spoke not the first and second, no, nor all the commandments of the first Table only, and there left, but he spoke All; gave as great a charge to keep every one, as any one: And S. james saith; He that breaketh one, is guilty of k james 2.10. all. He, that wittingly, and willingly transgresseth any one, will (if occasion serve) break every one: we see that in Herod, though he did many things, yet he made no conscience to break the seaventh command; he, having occasion, made no conscience of the third, but swore to a wanton Dancer to give what she should ask, though to the half of his kingdom: yea, made no conscience of the sixth command, but most cruelly, for his faithful dealing, persecuted to the death john the Baptist, A greater then whom was not borne of l Mat. 11.11. women▪ so dangerous a thing it is, to live in any known sin; though a man part with never so many, yet that one remaining sin will (as occasion serveth) bring all the rest again; wherefore be sure ye make a thorough sale, sell all your sins, be faithful with Moses, and leave not an hoof behind, Exodus 10.26. A third sort of Chapmen there are, that sell, and all, 3 Sort. in regard of outward and customable practice; in the mean time, there is a secret inward pleasure and delight; oh, there is still a good will borne to such and such a sin, if ability, time, and occasions did serve: the heart will not seal and confirm the bargain and sale, but doth rather grudge at it, and seek to pick holes in the evidence▪ but such as will buy the Pearl, must be sure the heart sell all; for, if lust and delight reign in the heart, the sale is nought: as David saith; If I regard iniquity in my heart, God will not hear m Psal 66.18. Object. me. Oh Lord, will some say; Who can make such a sale? Who can say; Prou. 20. Solution. Mine heart is clean? I answer, That, as the sale of all sin, doth not import a not sinning at all, (for, if none but such, than none should buy the Pearl) but not an habitual & customable sinning which the Scriptures call; A committing of o joh. 8.34. sin▪ so neither doth this cleansing of the heart imports an utter freedom from sinful lusts, motions, and desires, but, a disliking, resisting, and bewailing of them with the Apostle, Oh, wretched man that I p Rom. 7. nult. am! So that if thy soul and conscience can truly witness, there is nothing more grievous, irksome and displeasing unto thee, than the corruptions of thine heart, which, as they do appear▪ thou dost check, snub, and suppress, the sale is good, and thou shalt have the Pearl. A fourth and last sort there are, 4 Sort. who sell all, both for outward practice, and inward delight, but not for ever; like Lot's wife, they look back q Gen. 19 ●● again; with Demas, they return to the world again s 2. Tim. 4.10. ; and, having once escaped the filthiness of the world, yet come to be entangled again, and are like the Dog, returning to his vomit; and the washen Sow, to wallowing in the mire t 2 Pet. 2.20. again: the consideration whereof maketh good what I said before; that, of many Chapmen, few buy this Pearl, because few make a perfect (All) of their sins, for such an one selleth All, both for outward practice, and inward delight, for ever: and yet the bargain is not made, there is a further sale yet to be made, viz. All his substance. He that will buy this Pearl, must sell all his substance, and all his worldly goods, and temporal estate he hath here. Sometimes this Pearl is so dear, as it will cost all that a man hath; his houses, lands, goods, honour, peace, liberty, and life; as in the days of the persecuting Emperors, and Princes, when goods, liberty, and all were confiscated, and they cried; Christianos ad Leones. So, truth was dear in this Land, Examples in the days of Queen Marie; there was a great famine, in her days, of corn, and they were glad to make bread of Oak corns (saith the History) but, the word of God was dearer, and the Pearl of truth more precious, so as many holy Martyrs sold all they had to buy it. Such good chapmen were the Christ▪ an Hebrews, who suffered with joy the spoil of their u Heb. 1● goods. and those of whom the same Apostle also speaketh, who for the Gospel, and a good conscience, were tried with cruel mockings and scorn, bonds and imprisonment, they were stoned and sawen asunder, tempted and slain with the sword, wandered about in Sheepskins, and Goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, and tormented; they wandered in deserts, and mountains, & in dens w Heb. 11.37. 〈◊〉 2.45. etc. And such chapmen were the believers in the primitive Church, who sold their possessions, and goods, and pauned them to all men, as they had need. Such a Chapman was S. Paul, who professed, he was not moved to know, that bonds and afflictions did abide him; yea, he did not count his life dear, that he might finish his course with x Act. 20 joy. And thus rebuked such, as with tears besought him, not to go up to jerusalem, What mean you to weep, and to break mine heart, for, I am ready, not to be bound only, but also to dye at jerusalem, for the name of the Lord y Act. 21. jesus. Such a frank Chapman was Moses, who refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's Daughter, and chose rather to suffer afflictions with the people of God, then to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a z Heb 〈…〉 season. Thus you see, the Pearl hath been, and may be so dear, that a man must indeed sell all that he hath in this world, to buy it. But, blessed be God, in these happy days, this Pearl is cheap; Application we may buy it at an easy rate: now, if ever we may say with the Prophet; Come buy without a ●●a. 55.1. money: Come, take pains to fetch it, and have it; you need not sell all, nor any thing you have for it, but keep it, and all you have: yea, many by this Pearl, have been enriched, and made happy in the world, many a man preferred to great dignity, honour, office, authority, wealth, in Church & Commonwealth, for his profession of Religion and godliness. Oh happy time! But, let me tell you; this Pearl never was, is, nor shall be cheaper, but he that will buy it, must in his affection, sell all that ever he hath. And God accepteth of affection for action, as God accepted the full purpose and resolution of Abraham, to sacrifice his Son, as if he had b Gen. 22. done it. Oh, examine your souls, Examination what is it you do chiefly mind? Are your prayers, & that in your beds by night, poured out unto God with sighs and tears, when no eye seeth, no ear heareth you, for the preservation of the Gospel, and truth of God to you and yours? Do you esteem it as the greatest blessing in this world, and so, as in comparison of it, you esteem the whole world, with all the pleasures, profits, honour, and happiness thereof, as most vile, base, and contemptible; and those many good things, which with it you enjoy, and they are dear unto you, yet, for it you would ●ate and become prodigal of. Or, at least, art thou grieved and sorry in thy soul, that thou discernest weakness, and fearfulness, and want of such resolution; and dost thou unfeignedly pray to God, to give thee such love, zeal, and courage. Oh, then, be of good comfort, thou hast made a good market, thou hast gotten the Pearl, and the Devil shall not be able to rob thee of it. But, if thou bearest a fair face, makest profession of much love to the Gospel, in times of peace, and so long as it may stand with thine honour, and wealth; but, God knoweth, thou mindest earthly things, thou lovest this world; if times of trial should come, thou wilt show thyself to be but an Huckster, a Broker, a Mount bank, and Quacksalver. Oh, then, see there be truth and sincerity in the heart, Exhortation reunite your languishing, drooping, and dying zeal to the Gospel; let your never contenting preferments; your never satisfying pleasures; your never filling profits; your momentany, and ever dying lives, be esteemed as dung, in comparison of the everlasting truth of God for the salvation of your souls. Oh, Arguments that men knew how invaluable the truth of God is; one jot thereof more worth than heaven & earth! Oh, that men knew how happy they are that have it! and how rich, though never so poor in the world, Revel. 2.9. Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and getteth understanding, Prou. 3.13. And how poor, and miserable, & wretched they are that want it, though knowing no end of their worldly wealth? and so decked with Pearls, that they glister like the Sun, and dazzle men's eyes to look upon them. Oh, that ye knew this acceptable time, and that God may offer this Pearl to others: Oh, then would you become frank Chapmen, and sell all ye have to buy it. provocation. And will you not do so before Market be done, and Shop-windows shut up? Look upon the Idolater, he is a frank Chapman; he will not stick to sell all he hath, to satisfy his fleshly mind (for so S. Paul saith; Idolatry is a work of the c Gal. 5.20 flesh,) When the Children of Israel were so earnest with Aaron, to make them a God; to cool their desire, and prevent it (as some of the Fathers construe it) he bade them bring, not ordinary gold, Difficilia pre cepil: ut isto modo, ab illa intentione revocaret. Aug quaest. 141. ● Exod. in wedge or coin, but Rings, yea, their golden Earrings, that were in the ears of their wives and children; but, did they stick at that? No, (saith the Text) They did break them off, and bring d Exod. 32. them. An Idolater thinketh nothing too dear for his Idol. Look upon the Epicure, he will spend all he hath for his belly. Look upon the proud person, he, or she, will spend all they have for their backs; to be clothed gorgeously, and fantastically. These are frank chapmen indeed, and never stick at the price. What, shall the Idolater sell all he hath for his e Levit. 17.7. 2 Cron. 11.15 Ezech. 22.3 Devils, & dunghill gods (as the Scriptures disgracefully call Idols.) Shall the Epicure sell all he hath, for the fat and sweat, to sacrifice to his belly, his g Philip. 3.19 god, which remaineth there but a while, and is purged into the h Mat. 15.17. draught. Shall the proud person sell all he hath for glorious colours, lost sometimes with shining of the Sun, or a shower of rain; or, for fine apparel, which used, is quickly worn to rags; or, laid up, is eaten of Moths, and shall we pinch to sell all we have to buy the truth of God, for the eternal salvation of our souls? Shall prodigal sinners for vanity, error, falsehood, sell themselves, their states, bodies, souls and all? and we pinch at the least price, for the eternal verity of God? God forbid; then most unhappy we, that ever it was offered unto us. Oh England, Conclusion. now this pearl is offered unto thee, take heed thou foreslowest not the Market, it is more worth than mountains of Indian gold; if God in justice take it away, if every shower of rain, were a shower of gold; and every stone in the Land, as precious as the Ruby, Margarite, Topaz, or Carbuncle; or any other, by God's appointment, set in the high Priests i Exod. 28.17. Breastplate, thou wilt be poor & beggarly; herein lieth thy true wealth, for which thou art so renowned through the Christian, & heathen world. Oh, buy this Pearl, and wear it; wear it in thine ear, hear the Word diligently, and reverently, wear it in thy forehead, be zealous in the profession of the truth; wear it in thy bosom sincerely, believe and love the truth; wear it on thy fingers, obey and practise it in life and conversation; be thou a righteous Nation, keeping the truth, Esay 26.2. and the GOD of truth will keep thee. AMEN. FINIS.