4. The fourth and last general observation is, that when we have parted with all, toe are to know that we are gainers. For Christ in Mark x. 30 saith — whose promises are yea and amen — that he shall have a hundred- fold in this life ; that is, so much content as shall be worth an hundredfold. For when a man's conscience can tell him. These and these things I parted with, only to obtain peace of conscience, that peace of conscience shall give him more content than the whole world can bring to him. And what can a man desire above content and comfort ? It is all we seek for here, which if we have not, all is nothing.
5. Fifthly,* He that hath Christ can be no loser ; for in him all things are eminently and fundameixtally ; for he is Lord of all, and what I lose for his sake, if it be good for me, he hath said I shall have it.
Hence we may see therefore the wisest man and the nohlest spirit. Who is the wisest man ? He that makes the best choice. It is judgment makes a man ; not he that hath confused notions swimming in his brain. Now a Christian considers things, lays them together, judges of them duly ; he therefore is the wise man. The wicked man he is a fool. He parts with an invaluable pearl for his present delight in a few idle, vain, childish baubles and toys. Who is also the most truly noble-minded ? An advised true Christian. He is able to set at nought that for which the world forget God, heaven, soul, and all for. He can despise the pleasures of a court and of a country. His eye is on his soul, on heaven, on the innumerable company of angels, on that presence where is fulness of joy. A wicked man routs f in the dirt of this world. ' See what manner of stones and building are here,' Mark xiii. 1. That is their delight, to admire the stage of this world. But had they known this gift of God, this peace of con- science, and the comfort thereof, they would look after another city and foundation, whose builder only is God.
Quest. But how shall we know whether we have made this choice or not ?
Ans. 1 answer, By these signs :
First, If a man accounts of anything, his eye and mind will he on it. If we account Christ as our gain, our hearts will be set on him continually ; if he be our treasure, our hearts will be on him.
*■ Mispriuted ' Secondly.'— G. t That is, 'digs.'— G.
92
EXPOSITION OF
Secondly^ If we have made choice of him, our hearts loill joy in Mm above all things ; as he that found the jewel went away rejoicing. ' Shew me the Hght of thy countenance ; for therein do I dehght,' saith David, Where true belief is, there is joy. Zaccheus, the jailor, and the eunuch, after they were converted, they rejoiced. This makes a covetous man not regard at all what men say of him, for he hath that which they would be glad of. So ought it to be with us ; let us be taunted, mocked, flouted at, if we have chosen Christ, all is one. We have other things to comfort us, and our eyes will be upon them.
The third note is, //' we can. ^lart with anything for Christ, and endure any hard measure, for the sense and assurance we have in Christ Jesus. Many are so far herefrom as they will not part with the least earthly pleasure for Christ. Such as these, though they say they have peace of conscience, they lie ; for they can have no more peace of conscience than they have love to Christ ; nor more love than they have an esteem of him above all things.
Fourthly, He that hath made this choice must part ivith all things ivhat- ever he loves, yea, his clearest affections and lusts; for a bird catched, though but by a wing, yet is she as surely the fowler's as if her whole body were bound ; so if we favour or like and embrace but one sin, though we think not thereof, there is a flood of sin comes in at that gate. He that is guilty of one sin is guilty of all.
Quest. But the weak Christian will object. Are we not, yea, the best of us, troubled with our personal secret infirmities ? What shall then become of us ?
Ans. I answer, ' Fear not.' For it is true, though the best child of God be thus troubled, yet he pleads against it, he hates it, he undermines it, and strives against it ; and thus opposing it, it is not accounted to him by God. But if he forsakes all sin in heart but one, the devil will suifer it and endure it well enough, for he knows he is sure enough.
The fifth note is. That such an one can he content to be at some cost, yea, loss and pains, for the irord, for the field xvherein this j)ecirl is hid. He that is not of this mind cares not for the word. It is not that men can speak well and commend it ; for many will do so, yet afterward make a mock of it, especially being in some company. But he that esteems it once will ever esteem it, and in all company will extol it. Herod, a very reprobate, may seem well afiected where there is no temptation, or while the word is preached. Can this be a plea to God at the last day, who searcheth and knows thy heart ? Many dream they have this when indeed they have nought but the shell. How few can say in truth, I have denied this or that commodity, and refused my profit for Christ's sake ! Those that have done this, let them know they have a most rich gain, and the best gain of all others. They have a universal gain, that will comfort at all times. Riches and honours cannot cure the troubled mind ; neither can they deliver in the day of wrath.