Sermon V
And thou shalt have treasure in heaven. - MARK 10:21. (Second Clause.)
DOCTRINE I
A VIEW of the treasure in heaven is the best expedient to sink the value of the world in the hearts of men. This is the method our Lord
takes with this man. This is the argument by which he tries to separate his heart from the world.
Reason 1. Because the heart will always hold to the world, till it see something better to which it may cleave. The heart is an empty hungry thing that must have something to feed upon. It is needless to desire it to part with husks, unless you shew it bread enough which it may have, then it will throw away the husks with goodwill. Till God effectually overbid the world, it will always keep the man's heart.
2. Because the treasures in heaven infinitely transcend the world, and all that is in it; so that when they are both seen together, the world must, as the stars, disappear before the rising sun. A man may highly value a cottage in a wilderness, but place it in a city amidst splendid buildings, and he would be ashamed of it. Therefore Satan hinders men to look upward. The world is a contemptible heap of dust, to a man who views it from among the stars, Phil. 3:20, 21.
Not to insist, but make short work, I shall come to the application of this point. And the best use which I can make of it is to try this method with your hearts, to loose them from the world and make them heavenly. I might use many motives to urge you to bid an eternal farewell to the world, that you might take up your rest in God. I might open the gates of the bottomless pit, that the smoke thereof might blind your eyes, and the flames flash in your faces, to stop you in the pursuit of these miserable vanities. I might tell you,
1. That this miserable world is the devil's bait, with which he draws men in shoals down the stream, into the sea of God's wrath, Matth. 4:9. And which is most sad, he draws many with baits made of that, who yet never taste the bait. How many have been eternally ruined, pursuing some worldly thing which they could never reach; but lost both their souls and their pains; yea and before they could get at hell,
they have got a hell within them of tormenting passions, because God would not bow to their will, and give them what they would have had. I might also tell you,
2. The sweet of the world's cup will soon be exhausted, but you will never get to the bottom of the dregs of it, Luke 16:25. There is a now thou art tormented, that will never be over. There will be a long eternity to pay the expense of this foul feast, which the heart is making on the things of the world.
3. The fire of God's wrath will loose those firm holds of the world, that the fire of God's word cannot.—The things of the world run so fast away with the hearts of men, that they cannot hear God's voice calling them to return. The lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life hang so about men now, that they cannot get looked up to behold the beauty of Christ. But the fire of hell will burn them off, and leave them to lie down naked in the flames. Dives's table is drawn now. The rich man, Luke 12 has no more to do with his barns. When Judas went to his own place, he left the thirty pieces behind him.
4. The world and all you have in it, will be in flames ere long, and you will perish in the flames, if you escape not now in time. All these things are "reserved unto fire, against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men." Be not then so fond of that which will make an ill end. Haste and escape for your life, for there is a shower of fire abiding the world and all that take it for their portion.
But I would rather open heaven's door to you, to give you a view of the treasure there, according to our Lord's method in the text, in which he teaches other two things, namely,
Doctrine 2nd. Whosoever will sell whatsoever they have in the world for Christ, they shall suffer no loss, they shall have treasure in heaven.
Doctrine 3d. But they that will needs keep their hold of the world, may bid an eternal farewell to the treasure in heaven, for they have neither lot nor portion in it. These are forcible motives indeed! O that they might take with us. For the first of these. I have been telling you of a market to be held in your hearts, where you should sell to God whatsoever you have. I come this day in his name to make an offer for whatsoever you have, that the blessed bargain may be closed.—And I intreat you all to take it to you. Let not poor persons think themselves unconcerned, because they have nothing: if it were as far from your hearts as from your hands, you would be happy people. Let none think themselves unconcerned here as if this were not their temptation. I know there are some ready to say, with a whole heart, they care not for the world and need not the exhortation to part with it. I have no hope of prevailing with these people while of that mind.
1. I believe all in the world who are exercised unto godliness, will allow you to stand alone, and tell you to reign as kings without them. For in themselves they feel a body of death that cares so much for the world, that they have much to do to keep it down, and that they find no easy work with their various worldly lusts.
2. Let me ask you, how got you that heart of yours loosed from the world? I am sure it would abide a pull of the hand of Omnipotence ere it was done: have you felt this? "For whatsoever is born of God, overcometh the world; and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?" But alas the victory of
many over the world, comes to them in a morning dream, and is itself but a dream.
3. How do you get free of the world's grasp? If this costs you hard struggling, you will not think you care not for it. If it costs you none, I will tell you the mystery of your great ease that way. "The strong man armed, still keeps the house with you."
4. What means the bleating of the sheep; and your other symptoms of love to the world. There is a blind generation that cannot see their own defilement, unless they be completely sunk in gross actions. They do not, they cannot view the secret outgoings of the heart after idols. What means the Buts in your desires of the world—but as much as to keep your credit—but as much as will procure an honest through-bearing and the like. Whether does your heart slip most easily away to the thoughts of God, or the world; and which of them is it easiest to keep at? Nay, does not the world many times justle out your duty to God, or at least indispose you for it? Whether looks religion or the world likest your by-hand work. Nay, nay, lay your hands on your mouths, and cry unclean, unclean. To you is this word of salvation sent, that you may make the blessed exchange. Sell all to the Lord, and you shall be happy for ever. God is asking of you whatsoever you have, that you will just now part with it to him in affection, this moment take your heart from the creature to himself, and quit it freely in affection when he calls for it.
More particularly, that you will thus quit to him whatever you have in hand of the world, be it little or much, your goods and effects, relations, pleasures, comforts, and life itself. Lay all at his feet. Also, whatever you have in heart, the lust of the eyes, the lusts of the flesh, &c. Call in your desires now that are pursuing the world, and give them to Christ.—Leave the heart pursuit of created things. And you
shall have treasure in heaven. We are allowed to offer you this in his name. We are ambassadors for Christ, and have warrant to transact this bargain with you, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you will honestly consent to it, and this moment give up with all, we declare the treasure in heaven shall be yours. And to make this offer take with you, I shall now proceed to lead your attention,
In the first place, To the nature of this treasure.—And then shall unfold to your view, its special and excellent properties. Let us then,
I. Consider the nature of this treasure in heaven.
1. It is a treasure in respect of variety and plenty. It is not one thing but many, that makes up a treasure. You are desired to part with many things, but God offers you more instead of them. What a poor scanty thing is this world. All that is in it is soon told. We have the inventory of it drawn to our hand, and it consists but of three things. "For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life." But this treasure consists of all things. "He that overcometh, shall inherit all things." Neither heart nor eye can ever reach the bottom of it.—"Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered the heart of man, to conceive the things which God hath laid up for them that love him." The apostle's arithmetic fails him to count this treasure, I will only tell you of four things which you will get in it.
1. The whole collection of the graces of the Spirit, each of them more precious than gold. These make a person all glorious within and without also; whereas the world's treasure goes but the half of the way, yea the least of the worst half too. "The king's daughter is all glorious within; her clothing is of wrought gold." If ever your eyes be opened you would give ten thousand worlds for the least of these graces, however little valued now. Now whenever the soul goes to
Christ from the world, Christ just stamps his image on that soul. When they believe they are sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.
2. The whole glorious collection of the privileges of the saints, peace, pardon, a right to heaven purchased by the blood of Christ. All is in the treasure. God will heap privileges upon you. "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things." Will you leave this cottage of the world, forget your father's house, and you shall be brought into the family above, and have a right to all the privileges of the members of the family.
3. The eternal weight of glory above. Even the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Put the world in a balance with it. O how little is it. All the angels in heaven through eternity shall never be able to count the weight of it.
Lastly, The whole Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. "Behold the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. The Father shall be your Father, Christ yours, the Spirit yours. O the infinite fulness of God, which no creature is able to comprehend, in whom the soul shall find a treasure casting up something new through all eternity.
2. It is a treasure in respect of preciousness. We do not make treasures but of things of worth. O! are not the graces of the Spirit, the privileges of the saints, the weight of glory and the enjoyment of God precious indeed. What is the world but a heap of loss and dung, according to Paul's account of it. Solomon reckous up all that is in the world, and sets down the title in two great cyphers, Eccles. 1:2. Vanity in themselves. Vexation in the getting, keeping, using and losing of them. And is this the price of your labour, sweat and cares?
Are we so mad on loss; so unsatisfied and restless in pursuit of dung; so eager on vanity and so fond of vexation. O bewitched mortals, once look above, behold, a treasure well worth your pains, a treasure of precious things.
There is no refuse in this treasure, all in it is precious. The pleasures there are perfectly pure, free of all dregs, the riches there are durable; the glory there eternal, the very streets of the city are paved with pure gold. O then "lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal."
This treasure was purchased with the precious blood of precious Christ, 1 Pet. 1:19. Silver and gold could never have bought it. O how precious must that be, that cost the blood of the Son of God, not a few drops, but a treasure of blood. He was wise, and would not pay more for it than was needful. He was just, and a Father, and would not put his son to needless expence, especially of blood.
This treasure is wrapt up in precious promises. In the holy scriptures are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises. What is it that makes them precious, but the precious treasures that are in them, Matt. 13:44, 46. O if you had the eye of faith to see into the promises, you would see them big with glory, you would see their happiness in words and syllables, eternity couched in a sentence, an eternal weight of glory wrapt in a word.
3. It is a treasure in respect of closeness. Treasures are not laid open to every one's view. This treasure is a hidden treasure, Matt. 24:44. It is bid to the most of the world, they never hear of it. It is hid to the unrenewed man, he cannot see it, no not when even the light of the gospel shines to make it visible. It is in a great measure hid to believers. For it doth not yet appear what we shall be. And even in
glory they will not see to the very end of it. But for the world its treasures are common to the worst, who often have the largest share of them. And no doubt you have a hundred times seen completely through them, that there is no satisfaction to be had in them.
Now this treasure is the Lord's offer to you, will you accept of it or not? Have you any heart for it? Say Amen to the bargain then, and go your ways home, and make a solemn resignation of all you have in heart or hand to the Lord, and take this for all, and it is yours. I am now,
II. To unfold to your view the special and excellent properties of this treasure.
1. It is a real treasure. Other treasures have but the name, not the thing of a treasure. Consider the treasure in heaven consists of the most certain realities. It is a substantial treasure. Earthly treasures are not so. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not. But the heavenly treasure is filled with substance. Hebrew. "That I may cause those which love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures." The expression is massy. Earthly treasures are not what they seem to be to their possessors. They are but gilded vanities that deceive the eyes. They make men but full and rich in a dream; "as when a hungry man dreameth, and behold he ea-teth, but he awaketh, and his soul is empty." The reputation which they have in the world they owe to men's imagination, not to themselves.
But the treasures of heaven are not only what they seem, but more than they appear to the possessors of them. They are so as spoken of in the gospel, 1 Cor. 2:9. Heaven will be a far greater surprize to the saints, than Solomon's glory was to the queen of Sheba. They are so as they appear in the glass of ordinances. The saints would not
exchange for ten thousand worlds what they thus behold, how much more when face to face, Psal. 4:6, 7. They seem great, but are greater.
Again, Earthly treasures are not in respect of stability. We may say of the treasures as of the man of the world. After all his shew "yet he passeth away, and, lo, he was not; yea, I sought him, but he could not be found." They are bound to the possessors.—They are but sojourners with, not married to them, can leave them at any time. We may as easily lay up a treasure of water in a sieve, or treasure up moments of time which are not, ere they be numbered, as a real treasure of the world. For the world passeth away and the lusts thereof, Haggai 1:6. But the treasures in heaven are fixed and stable, through eternity; we may say they are. Eternal wrath is, and will be always, the wrath to come. So likewise are the treasures in heaven. This treasure is, that is, it is married to the man that once takes it by the hand. They will always be led to them. "The Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
Earthly treasures are not comparitively. They have no reality in comparison of treasure in heaven. I am is the name of the treasure in heaven, exclusive of all other, Exod. 3:14. All the treasures on earth have more of privation, than either matter or form. There is infinitely more of nothingness, and not-being than being in them. What they are may soon be told, but what they are not can never, till we search out the Almighty to perfection. Heap together all the gold of the universe, the most exquisite pleasures, highest honours, comfortable relations, and all that ever were, or shall be in the world; add to these all the angels in heaven, united to you as one flesh, the little substance that is in all would be overwhelmed with a heap of wants, as a filing of gold under a mountain. Such are the treasures of
heaven, that all else dwindles into nothing besides them, as a taper before the sun in his meridian splendour.
2. The treasure in heaven, is a treasure of things truly precious and excellent. Earthly treasures are not so. The men of the world acknowledge this, that a treasure is only of precious substantial things. We shall find, say they, all precious substance. But they miss their mark; the godly only obtain it. What is the world and all that is in it, but loss and dung, vanity and vexation. It is but a scheme or draught of a thing.—Greek, 1 Cor. 7:31. and that a passing scheme. Heaven only is the house in which we can dwell. The Spirit of God calls all Agrippa and Bernice's pomp but a fancy, Greek, Acts 25:23. And is a heap of loss, emptiness, and fancies, the treasure with which you are so much bewitched. The best name they get is good things; but mark, they are only the wicked's good things, Luke 16:25. Well may they call them their goods, for there is nothing good in them, about them, or waiting on them, but these things. Thy good things, said Abraham to the rich man, I indeed got good things, but not my good things, they were my comforts, not my treasure.
But the treasure in heaven is a treasure of precious things indeed. Jesus saith, "I will cause those that love me to inherit substance, and I will fill their treasures." It is a weight of glory. This world's glory is as light as a feather, soon blown away; but this is massy and weighty. If you seek for riches in it, there are durable riches and righteousness. For pleasures, then at God's right hand are pleasures for ever more. If you seek for gold, you will find it among your feet, were you at it; "For the street of the city is pure gold, as it were transparent glass." One jewel in that treasure is of more worth than all of the world, that ever hands could gather together; that ever hearts did, nay, or can conceive. "For wisdom is better than rubies, and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared with it.
3. It is a treasure for the soul. Other treasures are but for the body, the worst part of the man. Treasuring them up is but laying clay to clay. But treasure in heaven is suitable to the nature of the soul. The soul is a spirit, and this treasure is spiritual containing "all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."—The soul cannot feed on the things of the world, more than the body can do on ashes. He was a fool that thought his soul could take ease in the treasure, laid up in his barns, Luke 12:19. Debase not the high born soul, to match with things of the world. It is an unsuitable match in which there will be no comfort.—The soul is immortal, and the treasure in heaven is durable. "Riches and honour are with me, saith Jesus; yea, durable riches and righteousness." The world will not go a step with you beyond this present life, but the treasure in heaven will last for ever; as long as the soul lasts it will not waste; for it is an eternal weight of glory. The soul may go to it and take out of it eternally, it will never grow less.
Again, This treasure is suited not only to the nature, but also to the necessities of the soul, as meat is to the hungry, drink to the thirsty, and rest to the weary.—The soul hath many dismal wants, which all the world cannot supply, but the treasure in heaven can. If your bodies be naked, you can procure cloth to cover them, but you cannot purchase a righteousness to cover the naked soul. But here is white raiment to clothe it. The fruits of the earth can feed your bodies, but your starving souls cannot be supported that way. But here is heavenly food for them. My flesh, saith Jesus, is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. Do you want a price for your redemption. Riches profit not in the day of death, and the fruit of the body cannot atone for the sin of the soul. But here is laid up the precious blood of Christ. Do you want a pardon? Here is a treasure of mercy. For your comfort, here are full breasts of consolation. Yea, here is complete happiness, and here are all things suited to the soul.
It is a satisfying treasure. I have all, says the apostle, and abound. All this world cannot satisfy a soul. The world can never fill the heart, but God can. You may as soon grasp your arms full of dreams, and hug your own shadow, as draw satisfaction out of the dry breasts of the world. Esau said to Jacob, I have enough, and Jacob said to him, Because God hath dealt graciously with me, I have enough. O! what a vast difference between these two enoughs. Nay, the whole world is a bed shorter than the soul can stretch itself upon. Had we Absalom's beauty, Samson's strength, Solomon's riches and wisdom, nay Adam's paradise with the forbidden tree, which still told him his happiness was not there, they would still leave our souls dissatisfied and longing for more, as pinched with want. But,
The treasures in heaven are satisfying in themselves. Even the treasures of grace here are so, where the light of assurance shines to let a man see how rich he is.—He values what he hath in hand and in hope more than ten thousand worlds. A good man shall be satisfied from himself. From himself as united to God, in opposition to the heart that backslides from God. They have a heaven within themselves. "For they know in themselves, that they have in heaven a better and an enduring substance."
The treasures of glory are infinitely satisfactory. I shall be satisfied, says David, when I awake with thy likeness. The soul shall be made happy with the same happiness with which God himself is happy, which is the enjoyment of himself. Glorious with the same glory with which he is glorious. Satisfied from the same fountain from which he himself is satisfied, 2 Thess. 2:14. compared with Rev. 3:21.
As these treasures are satisfying in themselves, so they make worldly comforts satisfying. He that hath most of heaven, enjoys most of the earth, though others may possess more than he. "A little that a
righteous man hath, is better than the riches of many wicked." These treasures make the saint's dish of green herbs go farther than the stalled ox of others, and put more pleasure in their cup. This treasure produces in the saints mean thoughts of the things of the world, Phil. 3:8. It is because men have such high thoughts of these things, that they cannot get enough of them. But people soon get enough of what they do not care much for. Nature is content with little, grace with less, but lusts, like the grave, never have enough.
They stamp a value upon the little which the saints have of worldly things, these are additions to the treasure. "All these things, saith Jesus, shall be added unto you; for our heavenly Father knoweth that we have need of these things." That may be thankfully taken for an addition, which for the main could never satisfy. Hence the reason of the difference between the godly and the wicked in these things. This treasure makes up all the wants, and the man hath always what he needs that hath it. Who are they in the world that have most to spare, not the rich man that abounds with worldly goods, for he never hath more than he needs, nay, never so much. But the godly man, take from him all you can, he hath always enough behind.
5th and last place. The treasures are safe and sure, men may promise on the head of them for ever. They are safe and sure in themselves. Though none should offer violence to them, they will rust and corrupt of themselves. There is nothing on the earth but what has a principle of corruption in itself, and carries the seeds of death about it in its bosom. The aged world tends to a dissolution. Men are now of lower stature, less bones and strength than their forefathers, and of shorter lives. So is the strength of nature's womb decayed, that it seems she is waxing old, and weary of conceiving, Psalm 102:25, 26. So that treasures on earth are like summer fruit, that have a luscious sweetness, but they will not keep.
But the treasures in heaven are sure in themselves. Though gold will, grace will not rust. Though all the beauty in the world fades, as the leaves in harvest, yet the fields of glory are ever green. It is "an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away. It is a crown of glory, that fadeth not away." Though this world wax old, the treasures in heaven do not, Luke 12:33. There is no principle of corruption in them. These riches never fail, they are durable; the weight of glory never grows less, it is eternal.
These treasures are not only safe and sure in themselves, but are so also to the owners. Though this world were so in itself, yet it is not so to us. Its riches are uncertain. But of heavenly treasures we can never be deprived. All earthly treasures may be taken from us. We may live and see ourselves stripped naked of all we have. A Cynic called riches the vomit of fortune; and if so, like the dog she often returns and takes it again. Job saw himself both rich and poor to a proverb in his day. They are liable to an insensible consumption, as by a moth, Matth. 6:19. Prov. 23:5. When men suffer their hearts to fly out at their eyes, like a ravenous bird upon them, they oft make themselves wings and fly away.
But the heavenly treasures cannot be taken from us, Luke 10:42. God doth but lend us the world, but makes an irrevocable gift of the treasure in heaven, Rom. 11:29. The devil took away by permission Job's worldly comforts and left him nothing, Job 2:7, 8. but he could not touch his treasure of grace, verse 9th.—Nor would he himself give it away, Job 27:5. Nor his treasure of glory, chap. 19:27–35. The waters of affliction may wash off the dust, but your land is still safe.
We ourselves will be taken from the treasures on earth. Death will part them and us. All we have here, can only do as servants in an inn, who, while we are there, wait on us, but go not away with us, but
remain to serve those that come after us. We must leave what we have, and always the more there is of it, the parting is the more heavy. A man may live more conveniently, but cannot die so easily in a palace as in a cottage. And when we leave them, we know not assuredly to whom they are to be left, whether to a wise man or a fool.
But though death takes the carnal man from, it carries the saint to, his treasure. The man whose treasure is in heaven, is his own heir. Remarkable is that word, Matth. 6:10. Lay up for yourselves. You may lay up on earth, but none can answer that question. Who shall reap the fruit of thy sweet care and toil? God made the Assyrian heir to the Philistines, Micah 1:15. But it is sure that the treasure in heaven is laid up for ourselves. He that doeth the will of God abideth for ever, with his treasure, even as in the world both the lusts and the lusters perish, Rev. 14:13.
Thus you see what a treasure it is which God offers you, if you will quit the world. Give over seeking your treasure on earth, and you will get treasure in heaven.
Objection. I am in no hazard of a treasure on earth. Answer. You are mistaken. You may have enough in heart though not in hand. The Spirit of God counts upon the former, and you must give up with it as well as the latter. What the heart dwells on, that is its possessions, and that you must part with.
And now are you for this blessed bargain or not? Hath the beauty of this treasure touched your hearts. If so, I have but two words of advice to you.
4. Make it your own by selling all, and buying the field where it is, Matth. 13:44. That is renouncing the world, and closing the gospel
bargain with Christ.
2. Dig for it, Prov. 2:4, 5. You were at pains and labour on the world's treasure. Will you not be at due pains about it. Man is a busy creature, he is always doing something. We call you not to more labour, but to other labours. The watch goes as fast when it goes wrong, as when right.
If you have no such heart as to part with the world for it, I declare to you, you shall have no part nor lot in it. This was our third doctrine. You shall as soon grasp heaven and earth at once, as get both. It is dear bought earth that is bought at the rate of the loss of heaven: thus death and life are set before you.
And now if there be any asking, how they may get their heart above the world, the answer from the doctrine is plain. Set the treasure in heaven in your view. This is the best way to sink the value of the world in your hearts.