Saints Compared to Merchants

    SAINTS COMPARED TO MERCHANTS

    "Again, the kingdom of "heaven is like unto a Merchant-man, seeking goodly pearls, who when he had found one pearl of great price," &c., Mt 13:45-46.

    SIMILE

    I. A Merchant is a great dealer in the things of the world.

    PARALLEL

    I. A true Christian is a great dealer in the things of heaven; his affections are set upon those things that are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, Col 3:1.

    SIMILE

    II. The best and greatest Merchants trade and deal in the richest and choicest things on earth, viz., jewels, pearls, &c.

    PARALLEL

    II. The true Christian desireth, and seeketh after the riches of grace, and riches of glory, called pearls, which are of the greatest value and worth, in which he may be most happy. He seeketh for pearls, but he fixeth most upon the pearl of great price, Jesus Christ, Mt 13:46.

    SIMILE

    III. Merchants in their first trading are not so skilful in their merchandize, as they are afterwards, when by commercing with other Merchants, they have found out the true worth of their Merchandize, and the manner of their dealings.

    PARALLEL

    III. So the true Christian, when he is first concerned in the matters of Christianity, is not so skilful as afterward, when he hath by Christian converse found out the worth of spiritual things, and the deceitfulness of Satan, the world, and his own heart together with the faithfulness of God.

    SIMILE

    IV. Merchants are most careful of their concerns, when they have met with some loss; then they begin to fear they shall be undone, if such losses increase upon them.

    PARALLEL

    IV. Christians are most careful in their spiritual and eternal concernments, when they have met with some spiritual losses, and are attended with a holy fear, lest eternal ruin should follow.

    SIMILE

    V. Merchants that deal in precious stones, are very careful lest they should be deceived with counterfeit stones, which are very like the true ones.

    PARALLEL

    V. The true Christian is very careful lest he should be deceived in his spiritual ties, viz., have a false faith, a false repentance, and false obedience, and counterfeit grace, which may be very like the true.

    SIMILE

    VI. Merchants trade to foreign parts or countries; their chief concerns come from thence, whereby they grow rich.

    PARALLEL

    VI. True Christians have their chief concerns from heaven, whereby they grow spiritually rich. Heaven is called "a far country," Lu 19:12.

    SIMILE

    VII. Merchants have correspondents in those countries to which they trade, who receive their merchandize which they send, and make returns of more gainful things.

    PARALLEL

    VII. The true Christian hath his correspondent in heaven, who manageth all his concerns, viz., Jesus Christ the righteous; he is their Advocate and Intercessor, he appears in heaven for them, Heb 9:24. He receives their duties, and makes returns of mercy; he will receive their tears of "Thou puttest my tears into thy bottle," &c.

    SIMILE

    VIII. Merchants are strongly engaged by the profitableness of their trade, to follow it very close. O how diligent are Merchants, when they find riches come in apace upon them.

    PARALLEL

    VIII. So should it be with true Christians; the gainfulness of godliness should engage them to follow the heavenly trade more closely, because it "hath the promise of the life that now is, and. that which is to come," 1Ti 4:8, for time and eternity is little enough to make up the revenues; of a godly life; what time cannot do, eternity shall.

    SIMILE

    IX. Merchants are diligent in attending the exchange, where they have an account of their foreign affairs, and also an opportunity to trade further, either in selling or buying; and they that are negligent in this matter, do give just cause of suspicion, that they will soon fail, and cease to be Merchants.

    PARALLEL

    IX. True Christians do make conscience, and exercise a godly care in attending the meetings, of the Saints, in their solemn worshipping of God, whereby they get understanding and knowledge of their affairs in heaven, as managed by Jesus Christ. And there they have the opportunity to put off spiritual duties, and receive heavenly blessings, Heb 10:25. And such as do neglect this practice, may justly be suspected that in a little time they will cease to be Christians.

    SIMILE

    X. Merchants are very careful in keeping their accounts; they are often in their counting-houses. They who are wise, will be sure their books are well kept, and that their accounts are in good order, that so they may see a good end of their affairs, and enjoy comfort in the management thereof.

    X. True Christians are, and ought to be very careful in keeping up their closet and secret communion with God, by private prayer, and self-examination, that so they may give their account up to God with joy, and not with grief; and may also enjoy divine consolation in the faithful performance of the duties of Christianity.