EPC Australia

How well may the Saviour call the Gospel a treasure! The tongue of an angel could not describe its value and preciousness. It meets and relieves every want of the soul. It blesses us with all spiritual blessings. It is the true riches. Unsearchable riches. Durable riches. It profits in the day of wrath. It delivers from death. It ennobles in the world to come.

A man may find a treasure hid in a field by accident, or by search. There is nothing casual in the salvation of a sinner, as to God; but as to himself, the event may be wholly undesigned and unlooked-for. He may have been seeking, but not for this object. Saul was searching when Samuel met him, but it was for his father's asses, and not for the kingdom. Thus the Lord is found of them that sought him not, and asked not for him. Matthew was sitting at the receipt of custom when the Saviour said, Follow me. Saul was in a journey of iniquity when the Saviour appeared to him in the way, and called him by his grace. Some have gone to the house of God, from mere custom or curiosity, or a design to ridicule, but have returned to pray, and have said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? But, says Henry, Though he is sometimes found of them that seek him not, he is always found of them that seek him. This was the case with Cornelius. He was a devout man, and feared God, with all his house; praying and giving alms always, when Peter was sent to tell him words by which he was to be saved. Nathaniel had retired beneath the fig-tree to read, and reflect, and pray, when the Saviour took knowledge of him, and said, Thou shalt see greater things than these. And there are those now, who are awakened, rather than enlightened; they feel their spiritual wants, and are using the means of grace. And whatever ignorance or legality mixes with their efforts, they are in the search, and they shall find. He who has touched the heart, and turned it from the world, will fulfil the desire of them that fear him; he also will hear their cry, and will save them. Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord.

The emotions of the finder are naturally portrayed. First, when he hath found the treasure, he hideth it. When we are anxious to secure a thing, we conceal it. The way, therefore, is here used for the end; and hiding refers not to secrecy, but safety. The allusion is to that holy jealousy recommended by the apostle, when he says, Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of us should seem to come short of it: looking diligently, lest any man fail of the grace of God. To that trembling at God's word, when we are more affected with the inviting than with the awful parts. To that solicitude to obtain, which always genders apprehension. Oh, how shall I make all this my own? Oh, if I should miss it! What must I do to be saved?

Secondly, he feels joy thereof. Not that firm and glorious joy which arises in the established Christian, from a consciousness of possession, and who can say, I know that my Redeemer liveth; but the joy that results from the discovery of the reality, the excellency, the suitableness, the all-sufficiency, the attainableness of the blessing, and is called, Rejoicing in hope. The patient, while the disease yet oppresses him, cannot feel at ease; but he is gladdened when he hears of the arrival of a physician, bringing with him a remedy that was never applied in vain.

Thirdly, he goeth — for now it is impossible for him, like many, to sit still — and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth the field; that is, he is fully determined to submit to the cost of procuring it, whatever it may be. We can offer no equivalency for the possession; nor is this the meaning of the word. In this way, were we to buy, it would be without money, and without price. But the meaning is simply exchange, as, in buying, we part with something to gain something. Hereby, we show our estimation; for what stronger proof can we give of our valuation of an object, than parting with all we have for the sake of it?

And the case here is such, that we must make a choice, and a sacrifice, to evince our preference, and attain our desire. Some things must be absolutely given up; some conditionally; and all, as to supreme regard and dependence. Are we willing, then, to part with our sins — all our sins: even our bosom lusts; the right hand; the right eye? Are we willing to part with our own wisdom, not leaning to our own understanding, but receiving the kingdom of God as little children, and becoming fools, that we may be wise? Are we willing to part with self-righteousness? not with the practice of obedience, morality, and good works, but only the substitution of them in the room of the Saviour, and reliance on them for our acceptance before God, and the pleading of them as a title to heaven, instead of saying, In the Lord have I righteousness and strength. Are we willing to part with the world; the promises of superiors, the applause of companions; the smiles of friends, the ties of the dearest relations? For "he that loveth father or mother more than me, is not worthy of me."

This is a hard saying. But every thing requires sacrifice, and every thing in proportion to the importance of the attainment. And, here, the prize is infinite. And we are more than indemnified for all we suffer or lose. "Verily, I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting."

Morning Exercises For Everyday In The Year
By Rev. William Jay