up him A con a Christian may have his rejoicing from himself. His own heart sings him a merry tune, which the threats and reproaches of the world cannot silence. This treasure of comfort is not exhausted by affliction; death itself does not destroy, but increases and advances it to an eternal triumph. O the excellency and necessity of it! Paul laid it up for a death-bed cordial; "Our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience." And Hezekiah dares hold it up to God, as well as cheer self with it, on the approach of death. science good in point of integrity, will be good also in point of tranquillity. "The righteous are bold as a lion." "Great peace have they who love Thy law, and nothing shall offend them." "If our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God." O what comfort and solace has a clear conscience! A conscientious man hath something within, to answer accusations from without. He carries ever with him a treasure so rich and full, that it will not fail in the greatest straits and hazards. In the eloquent words of Bernard, "the pleasures of a good conscience are the Paradise of souls, the joy of angels, a garden of delights, a field of blessing, the temple of Solomon, the court of God, the habitation of the Holy Spirit." CHAPTER IV. THE LAYING OUT OF HEART-TREASURE. HITHERTO the laying up of a treasure of good thoughts, by the accession of truths, graces, experiences, and comforts, has been considered. The next point to be noticed, is, how this treasure is brought forth, expended, and improved; for that treasure is in a manner useless, that is not employed. Now this treasure is brought into exercise in four ways-in meditation, in discourse, in action, and in suffering. I. The heart employs it in devout soliloquies and heavenly meditations, in cheering sentiments and elevating emotions. These keep the Christian such good company, that he is never less alone than when alone. Scripture truths are sweet and satisfying companions in all conditions, places, and stations. When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee." And what can we desire more than a guide in our way, a guard around our beds, and a sweet companion in our solitudes and serious retirements? Such are divine truths. A Christian may live upon this treasure in a wilderness, in a prison, aye, as Luther says, even in hell itself. God's statutes were David's songs in the house of his pilgrimage. Isaac went out into the fields for recreation, and took his treasure along with him, getting a solitary and savory repast of meditation. When a man is shut out from ordinances, "his soul may be satisfied as with marrow and fatness, when it meditates on God in the night watches;" yea, when dull and discouraging thoughts discompose the spirit, this treasure helps as a holy charm to raise the spirit of the believer, and drive away the evil spirit of deadness and distraction. Meditation is a kind of deliberate ecstacy; the harmonious melody of the soul's faculties within itself by a mutual and musical concert. It is the soul's self-conference heard only by itself. It is a restoring of meat formerly taken down, and diffusing it into the several veins and arteries of the soul. Meditation, in a word, is a holy concoction and digestion of divine truths, which prepares and ripens the soul for heaven. 0 the ravishing nature of a close and fixed meditation! It is a God-enjoying and self-profiting exercise. The devout soul, that is thus furnished with a treasure, can expatiate upon all things, and, like the laborious bee, fetch the honey of some comfort out of every object and subject. When grace is in the heart, knowledge in the head, and truth in the memory, the Christian, through divine assistance, will make good work of every condition and dispensation. It is both the character and the honor of a Christian to meditate on God's law day and night. He that talks much with his own heart by meditation, and takes frequent turns in Paradise by contemplation, will far transcend the rate and pace of ordinary Christians. We are commonly transformed into the dispositions and manners of those whose company we frequent. And if we keep company with a holy God by meditation, we shall be more exactly holy in all manner of conversation. II. This treasure of the heart vents itself by the lips in heavenly communications; and that in a two-fold manner. 1. A treasured soul discourses profitably with men. This, I think, is the chief design of the text; a bringing forth good things in speaking to men's edification. A gracious heart freely pours out holy expressions. "The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth." That inward spring feeds hese sweet streams, and tips the tongue with divine rhetoric. Thy lips, O my spouse, drop as the honey-comb; honey and milk are under thy tongue." Not like vain-glorious, empty scholars, or conceited, formal professors, that have got some scraps of confused notions, then set open the pack, and expose all to view, but are quickly exhausted; no, no, these well-furnished souls have an overflowing treasure of holy matter to produce upon occasion, and can speak a word in season, upon any subject, to any soul. It is said of Plato and of Ambrose, that bees swarmed in their cradles, as presages of their future eloquence. So the honeycomb of Scripture truths distinguishes the Christian. His speech is seasoned with salt, because his heart is seasoned with grace. His discourses, like honey, at once become salutary, and please the sanctified auditor. When a well-guided tongue is the interpreter of a cleansed heart, it is food and physic to him that improves it; "for the tongue of the wise is health." The same word in the Hebrew that signifies tongue, is also used, joined with another word, to denote a wedge of gold. Thus, a treasured heart finds a precious golden tongue; and nothing can be more cordial to the fainting heart, than the fruit of such choice lips. 2. This treasure is exercised in religious duties and holy performances. The root of grace in the heart brings forth these fruits of the lips in prayer and praise. The spirit of prayer sends up to heaven this divine incense. He that hath this lively liturgy in his heart, needs not to be prompted by |