The Gospel Compared to a Treasure

    THE GOSPEL COMPARED TO A TREASURE

    "But we have Treasure in earthen vessels," &c., 2Co 4:7.

    WE shall first show, that the Word and Gospel of Christ is a Treasure, yea, most choice Treasure, though it be never so much slighted by wicked men.

    Secondly, We shall run the parallel, &c.

    Argu. 1. That which is set forth by the choicest and rarest things in the whole world, must needs be a Treasure; but the Gospel is set forth by the choicest and rarest things, as gold, silver, precious stones, &c., therefore the Gospel is a Treasure.

    2. That which is of such value, that its worth cannot be known or computed, must needs be a Treasure: but the Gospel is invaluable, Ergo, &c.

    3. That by which the grace and love of God is communicated, must needs be a Treasure, or that which is of great worth: but the Gospel is that by which the grace and love of God in Christ is communicated, Ergo, &c.

    4. That which the best, wisest, and holiest men have esteemed and prized above all earthly and worldly things, must needs be a Treasure: but such have so prized the Gospel, and Word of God, Ergo, Ps 119:14,127; Job 23:12.

    5. That which good and holy men have died for, rather than to part with, must needs be a Treasure, or that which is of great worth; but holy men have rather chosen death, than to deny or part with the Gospel; Ergo, Php 1:7; Heb 10:29; 11:26; Ac 20:24.

    6. That which enriches all that really partake of it, or enjoy it, must needs be a Treasure: but the Gospel doth so, Ro 11:12, Ergo, &c.

    METAPHOR

    I. RARE or excellent Treasure is more in quality than quantity, more in worth than show.

    PARALLEL

    I. The Gospel is much in little; it hath been of that esteem, that in the time of its scarcity, a load of hay hath been given for one leaf of the epistle of James in English. See the Word of God compared to Light.

    METAPHOR

    II. Treasure enricheth those that have it.

    PARALLEL

    II. So doth the Gospel. How many, poor, miserable, wretched men and women have not only been supplied, as to their need, but enriched thereby.

    METAPHOR

    III. Treasure hath a great influence upon the hearts of the sons of men.

    PARALLEL

    III. So hath the Gospel, through the Spirit; and therefore the lip of truth said, "Where your Treasure is, there will your heart be also," Mt 6:21.

    METAPHOR

    IV. Treasure is much sought after with great care and pains; and when obtained, men are very loathe to part with it.

    PARALLEL

    IV. What pains did the holy men of old use, in seeking after a discovery of the truth of the Gospel, and of the things therein contained! And what a cloud of witnesses are there, who rather than they would part with this Treasure, parted with their lives, and all they had.

    METAPHOR

    V. Treasure is usually kept in some strong or secure place, to the end it may be safely preserved.

    PARALLEL

    V. So the Word and Gospel of God hath been preserved in the worst of times, when the great design of men and devils hath been to destroy or corrupt it: "Thy word have I hid in mine heart," Ps 119:11.

    METAPHOR

    VI. Treasure sometimes signifies store and plenty of good things, Pr 15:6.

    PARALLEL

    VI. There are store of good things held forth in the Gospel, viz., Christ, grace, glory, and every good thing else, with him and by him.

    METAPHOR

    VII. Much Treasure makes men great and honourable in the world.

    PARALLEL

    VII. Faith in the Gospel raiseth to great honour. O! what dignity ariseth from that noble birth that is from above! until which, how mean and disgraceful an object is fallen man!

    METAPHOR

    VIII. Treasure will carry a man a great way, in and through great straits, afflictions, sorrows, and sufferings.

    PARALLEL

    VIII. So the Gospel and the grace of it, how far, and through what difficulties, will it carry a man! With what contentment have Christians behaved themselves in the want of all outward enjoyments, having had a little of this Treasure!

    METAPHOR

    I. All Treasures here, be they ever so rich or rare, yet they are but earthly, or from the earth.

    DISPARITY

    I. But such is the glory of the Gospel, as that it is a Treasure from heaven, and of an heavenly product and extract.

    METAPHOR

    II. Earthly Treasures are corruptible, and many times are spoiled; they become worth little or nothing. "Lay not up Treasure on earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt," Mt 6:19,21.

    DISPARITY

    II. But the Gospel, and grace thereof, is a Treasure incorruptible, it cannnot putrify, or be spoiled; its splendour and glory is durable: "But of incorruptible, the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever," 1Pe 1:23.

    METAPHOR

    III. Earthly Treasures, though they may go far, and supply many bodily wants, yet they cannot supply soul-wants.

    DISPARITY

    III. But the Gospel, or Word of God, extendeth to the supply both of the soul and body. The Gospel heard and received by faith, makes up a full supply to the soul of whatever it needs: "My God shall supply all your wants," &c., Php 4:19.

    METAPHOR

    IV. The poor have but little of worldly Treasure, and therefore it is they are accounted poor; it is mostly in the hands of the great men of the earth.

    DISPARITY

    IV. But it is evident, that the poor receive the Gospel; and James saith expressly, that "God hath chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith," &c., Jas 2:5. The poor of this world have generally most of this sacred Treasure, and so are the rich men.

    METAPHOR

    V. Men by their natural care and industry may get worldly Treasure, and grow rich thereby.

    DISPARITY

    V. No man whatsoever, though ever so worldly wise, ingenious, careful and industrious, in laying out all his natural parts, can enrich himself with this sacred Treasure: "What hast thou which thou hast not received?"

    METAPHOR

    VI. Worldly Treasure may be taken away by thieves, as well as eaten by moths.

    DISPARITY

    VI. But the Gospel is a Treasure that cannot be taken away by thieves, nor can the moth corrupt it; it is called the everlasting Gospel, Lu 12:33; Re 14:6,

    INFERENCES.

    I. This shows who are truly rich men and women in the world, and what is indeed the true Treasure, that will make them so here, and to eternity, Jas 2:5; 3 Cor. vi. 10.

    II. It shows the folly and madness of those that slight and despise the Gospel, Heb 2:2-3; Jer 8:8-9.

    III. What strong motives might I produce in order to the getting of this Treasure?

    1. Would you have riches for ever, would you have durable riches? &c.

    2. Would you be defended, and know how to subsist another day? then get much of this Treasure!

    Quest. But is not this the way to be in the more danger? For it is not the poor that the thief cares to meddle withal, but the rich: we see what assaults they meet withal that have this Treasure, therefore it is best to be at ease and quiet, and forbear to meddle with it.

    Answ. God's power and strength is laid out for its preservation, and of the vessels in whom it is. It is God's Treasure, and the vessel too, for his people are his peculiar Treasure: "He will keep it night and day, lest any hurt it," Isa 27:3, meaning his people, whom he hath enriched with this Treasure.

    Quest. But why is this Treasure put into such earthen vessels; is it not in the greater danger therefore to be lost, they being so subject to be broken?

    Answ. 1. They are, though mean in the world's eye, and also in their own, yet, chosen and sanctified vessels, and fitted for the Lord's use; so that the Treasure can suffer no loss by the vessel.

    2. The power of God is the more manifested, in preserving this Treasure in an earthen vessel.

    Object. But these vessels may be, nay, have been, and are often broken, and turned to dust.

    Answ. Yet God never wanted a vessel for this Treasure; nay, those that are turned to dust are not destroyed; they are but dissolved, that the Treasure might be the more diffusive, and spread itself. The blood of the saints hath been the seed of the Church, 2Co 4:8-11; 1Co 6:14.