CHAPTER XIV.

PRESERVATION AND INCREASE OF A CHRISTIAN'S TREASURE.

HITHERTO I have considered chiefly some directions for obtaining a spiritual treasure, together with particular instructions relative to the different portions of it. But it is no less necessary to beware of losing or diminishing this treasure. is the part of wisdom to keep what is valuable, as well as to acquire it. A little negligence may lose suddenly that which has been gained with much diligence. Solomon has indeed said, "There is a time to cast away stones;" but there is no time to cast away these precious stones. You must preserve what you have, and be constantly gathering more. To assist you in so doing, ponder seriously the following directions.

1. Let not Satan rob or circumvent you. He is that evil one that envies a saint's treasure. Next to our reception of grace, he most grudges our growth in grace. He steals away "the seed of the word," lest it become a treasure of divine truths. The more a soul is fraught with good,

the more assaults will it suffer from this adversary of all good. As a pirate makes most at a richly laden ship, and as a thief breaks not into a beggar's cottage; so the Devil raises an uproar in the believer's breast, while he lets his own vassals live in peace. This juggler will "transform himself into an angel of light," that he may pick our pockets with more ease and less suspicion. As he foists in dangerous errors under the garb of truth, so he lures to damnable sins under the paintings of virtue. Beware of both. New notions may eat out the heart of religion, as effectually as corrupt practices. Satan may rob us of our treasure by subtle insinuations of new light, as well as by grosser temptations to works of darkness; for these drink up the marrow of those energies that should be laid out in spiritual exercises and duties. " Refuse, therefore, profane and old wives' fables, and exercise yourselves rather to godliness." Strivings, though they should even be about the Scriptures and the law, may come to be "unprofitable and vain." Many great disputers have argued away much of their religion; or at least have filled their heads with notions, rather than their hearts with saving truths and pious affections. Precious saints have complained that even neces sary disputes have put their spirits out of tune. You have little zeal enough for the essentials of

religion; let none be wasted on things indifferent. The Lord help you to prize more a fundamental truth, and a degree of saving grace, than a fine speculation, or victory over an antagonist. Take heed lest Satan dart into you a spark of false zeal, and blow it up into an eager flame for a mere opinion, to divert you from occupying your attention with the more weighty matters of Christianity. O be not ignorant of the various methods which he uses to get an advantage against you, that he may rob you of your treasure. The old serpent, when he was young, outwitted our first parents in their best estate; and now that he is grown more cunning by the experience of almost six thousand years, and we more foolish in this dotage of the world; there is great danger of our being undone by him. O let us watch and pray that we enter not into temptation. Keep out of Satan's road; hold him at a distance; suspect his wiles; and so resist his power, that neither his seven heads by plotting, nor his ten horns by pushing, may deprive us of our precious treasure.

Carnal

2. Fill not your hearts with the world. men are exclusively devoted to the world, and are, therefore, called, "the men of this world," that have their portion here. Such a state of mind is totally inconsistent with the possession of heavenly treasure; for the more you admit the world into

your hearts, the more you thrust out divine things. As the shining sun eats out the burning fire, or as the abundance of weeds sucks up the virtue of the earth that should nourish the plants and fruit trees; so do riches choke the word by a wicked encroachment which they make upon the heart. The love of the world jostles out the love of God. Love and royalty can endure no rivals. It is true, that religion begets wealth, but the daughter devours the mother. Worldly-mindedness is directly opposed to heavenly treasures. O let not your hearts be in the world, though your heads and hands are in it. The heart is to be reserved for God. If idols are brought into that shrine, Christ will be banished from it. When riches increase, set not your hearts upon them. In primitive times, the saints east their money and estates at the apostles' feet, thereby signifying, says an ancient writer, "that they were fitter to be trodden on, than doted on, or rather to be a step-stone to divine things, than a burden on our backs." But the sad truth is, that to many these outward things are rather a stumbling block to cast them down, than a footstool to lift them up. It is better to be without great estates, than to have them for a snare. Tremble lest you be overcharged with the cares of the world, or be bewitched with earthly delights. Be not like that

carnal Cardinal, who preferred his part in Paris to his part in Paradise; but say, as did a noble Grecian commander to a common soldier, "Thou art not Themistocles, take this trash to thee;" for so he called the Persian spoils, consisting of richest jewels and goodliest ornaments. Thus do thou scorn to load thyself with such unworthy baggage. Cast out those wares that will sink the ship of the soul. One staff will help you in your journey, but a bundle will prove a grievous burden. A garment fit for the body is easy and useful, but one that is too wide, or with a long train, is in danger of becoming troublesome both to the wearer and to others. I would not, indeed, have you despise the temporal mercies of God; yet make them not your chief portion. Install not the world in the throne of your hearts. Let not your precious souls, like the serpent, feed on dust. If you possess much of the world, let it not possess you. Here it is, that you have most cause to fear for yourselves. How many Demases are hereby shipwrecked! How many Sampsons have lost their best strength in the arms of this Delilah! Alas! thousands have been cheated of their spiritual riches by its syren songs, and bewitching charms; and, therefore, let us stand at a distance from it; and make no friendship with it. We have far more reason to dread its fawnings than its