2. It is the most universal gain : 1 Cor. iii. 22, 23, ' All things are yours,' because 'ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's.' Ordinances, providences, graces, comforts, this world, and the next, death between both. Yea, with Christ we receive temporal blessings : 1 Tim. iv. 8, ' Godliness is profitable unto all things, having the promise of this life, and that which is to come.' So far forth as our wise God seeth them expedient for us, for his own glory, and the good of our souls : Eom. viii. 32, ' He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all ; how shall he not with him give us all things ? ' Protection, maintenance; if we want these comforts, it is that we may want a snare ; not out of any defect of love in God, but his abundant care and jealousy over us. A father may give his child the inheritance of an orchard, and yet deny him a green apple. God giveth us an ample portion with Christ, but he will dispense the enjoyment of these as he seeth good for us.
3. It is an everlasting gain, that will never fail us, but yield us a blessedness when the world shall be no more : Luke x. 42, ' One thing is needful, and Mary hath chosen that good part which shall never be
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taken from her.' The better part shall never be taken from us, worldly riches may fail us, but never spiritual gain. If Christ be gain now, he will be gain to you to all eternity. The world now seemeth to gratify our senses, but when you are going out of the world, you will cry out, Oh, how hath the world deceived you ! What is a little mo- mentary delight or temporalprofit to this eternal treasure that will never fail you ? Luke xii. 20, 21, ' And God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee ; and then whose shall these things be which thou hast provided ? So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich towards God ; ' Job xxvii. 8, ' What is the hope of the hypocrite, if he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul ? ' You are living on earth, and stepping into eternity ; look after that gain that will stand by you, and do you good to all eternity.
4. This gain sanctifleth us, all other corrupts us: 1 Tim. vi. 10, 1 The love of money is the root of all evil.' It is called ' filthy lucre ; ' it doth debase the soul to something that is inferior to it ; but this gain maketh you of an excellent and divine spirit.
Use 1. For reproof of two sorts of men —
1. Those that take but little or no pains to gain Christ : 'What will it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul ? ' Mat xvi. 26. What pleasure or comfort can you have in all things that you have gained, if you have not gained Christ ? How will it be found at last, when it shall be said to thee, Luke xvi. 25, ' Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things ; ' when your wealth is of no use to you, but your immortal souls must return to God, beggarly and naked as they are.
2. Those that lose Christ, and part with him for a little temporal profit or carnal satisfaction. As many forget God, and Christ, and heaven, and all, so they may have the pleasures of the present life ; ' As Esau sold his birthright for one morsel of meat,' Heb. xii. 16. These part with their bargain for trifles. So much of Christ as they have, they part with ; profession, ordinances, common graces, some taste of his love, some hopes of his glory he ofFereth, some sense of religion which formerly held them to their duty. They may go a little way with Christ, and after fall off.
Use 2. Is instruction.
1. If Christ be such gain, then you may make some losses for his sake, and part with other things for Christ's sake, if you cannot have them and Christ too. If you should part with all the world, what is this to Christ ? If you should be scorned and derided, it is more than to have worldly wealth at your dispose : Heb. xi. 26, ' Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt.' If you part with never so much for him, you can be no losers : Mark x. 29, 30, ' And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake and the gospel ; but he shall receive a hundred-fold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with per- secutions; and in the world to come life everlasting.' Those who suffer loss for Christ are gainers in the end ; and in him, and with him, all things that can make them happy. In this life the peace of a good conscience hath a hundred-fold better than all the sufferings of