Heavenly Treasure , OR MANS chiefest GOOD . Wherein The several Workings of the heart about , and in pursuance of its Chiefest Good , are Solidly and Judiciously discovered .

By William Strong that godly , able , and faithful Minister of Christ , lately of the Abbey at Westminster .

〈…〉 by R. W. for Francis Tyton , 〈…〉 three Daggers in Fleet-street , 〈…〉 1656.

ALthough it was not my happiness to have any personal knowledge of this worthy man during his life ( having never to my remembrance , so much as seen his face ) so that I cannot speak so amply of his worth as others may that knew him personally ; Yet since his death , by a good providence , some of his Sermons , and in particular this of the Treasure being brought to mine hand , I had some real taste and experience of his worth , of whom I had heard so much before . I confess I had often heard of the great eminency of this worthy man , which made me the more greedily , and with more intentness to read what I could see of his : and this I must needs say , that which I met with , did not only answer mine expectation , but much exceed it : and the more I read , the greater was my admiration . And though I do not think my self to be such a one , from whose thoughts in such a kinde any credit or estimation should come to such a Work : Yet I think that I owe so much to him who is dead , and to some who are yet living , as to profess what I think , that there are scarce any Sermons extant wherein there is more strength of parts , depth of matter , and singular industry to be seen , then in the Labours of this reverend Man : and that the Church of God would sustain a great and invaluable loss , should his Labours be kept from publick view .

THE Box of Spikenard is broken ; no wonder ; for we have this treasure in earthen Vessels : when thou hast smelt the savour of this precious ointment , I doubt not but that thou wilt see cause to bless that Providence , which hath ordered the endeavor of them that have studied the preservation of it from loss ; In this Paper-Vessel wherein it is commended to thee . The Author was a burning and a shining Light , as these and other his Sermons do bear witness ; for they carry light into the understanding , and heat into the affections ; the light not meerly notional ; the heat like that of the Sun , quickning , and prolifical : both are such as are requisite in a man that is in pursuance of his Chiefest Good , which is the noble subject of this Treatise , that points you to it , teaches the way of attainment of it ; marks it out with such Characters as do discriminate it from false treasure ; quickens the appetite unto the prosecution and fruition of it . And in short , shews you the shortest way unto your own happiness ; whereof this is the property , that being but one , it alone makes the possessors happy , because it doth eminently comprehend in it all other particular good things whatsoever : And this he teaches not to be treasure on earth ; but that it must be laid up by you on earth , as fruit gathered in the Orchard is thrown over the wall to be taken up when you are gone out . I undertake not to write the life , but commend the Labours of the man to thee ; he was of an excellently tempered Spirit , both for humility and resolution ; one that was not afraid to follow the truth close at the heels ( though sometimes it strike out ones teeth ) but an Orthodox propugnator of it ; his stile is very familiar ; in exposition of Scripture he is acute and accurate , a great searcher of hidden Treasures ; a friend unto Free Grace , an advancer of practical holiness ; when it fell in his way to strike wicked men with reprehensions , his arrow so pierced , that it is manifest he drew a strong Bow ; when he had to deal with a wounded spirit , he shewed by his soft touch , that he had felt the wounds himself . In fine , that Aug. de Civit. lib. 19. initio . which hath been the disquisition of the Learned Sages of the world in all ages ; and yet not one of two hundred eighty eight positions , or opinions did hit upon it , because they wanted a light revealed , and so became fools in the Research of it ; I mean Mans chiefest good , that I say is so delineate in this Treatise , that I will make bold to commend it to thee as thy pocket treasure , as it commends to thee thy Heavenly Treasure , and so remain

IT is abundantly known to the generality of the Godly throughout the Nation , though more especially about these Cities of London and Westminster , with what singular ability , full affection , and good success , the Author of the following Sermons ( now at Rest from , and enjoying the crown of all his Labours ) did spend himself , and was spent in the Service of the Gospel . He did the work of him that sent him , while it was day . The night ( he would often say ) was a coming , in which he should have no season ; and while 't was day therefore ( he would add ) that neither should the frowns , nor the flatteries of men divert him from his Work . His preaching was with very much freedom of speech , delivering the word without fear , in much boldness , and without partiality : He was not of the number of them who corrupt the word of God ; but Chief among them that preacht it , as 2 Cor. 2. 17. of sincerity , and as of God : He hath often told me , one main part of his study and prayer to God was , that in all his preaching he might not only be Led into the truth , but teach the present truth , that , that of any other , might be to them , to whom he preached , the most instantly usefull , and most seasonable truth : God in his wisdom appointed him to one place after another , where all his abilities might be tryed and shine forth in their lustre . * * He was Lecturer at Dunstans and Westminster , and one of the Reverend Assembly of Divines . His Preaching ( ye that sate under the shadow of his Ministry with great delight are the witnesses of it : His preaching ) though it was very frequent ( thrice or four times a week , for some years together when seldomest ) did not yet consist of any such thin notions , as being cloathed with ayr only would melt upon the tongue , and quickly vanish in some little sweetness . No , but in all his Sermons , the intelligent Hearer ( for he took himself to be a Debtor to as well the wise as the foolish ) might observe , that as the materials of them were full of Spirit and vigour , so the Compilement of them was close , elaborate and pithy : and though he minded more what might profit , then what might please , yet did he please as well as profit them that heard him ; Because he used to back what he did deliver with a very great strength of both harmonious and argumentative heads of Reasoning : His manner always being to compare ( or suit ) spiritual things with spiritual , and to teach , though not in the enticing words of mans wisdom , yet in the fullest demonstration of the Spirit . He was not worn away with rust , but did wear away himself with use ; the emanation of the Spirit filling his Cistern so , as made him free to do much work in a little time . * * Amplissimum vitae spatium usque ad sapientiam vivere . He understood well that the acceptance of our works follows upon the acceptance of our persons first ; and he therefore did ( to the admiration of them that heard him ) open the whole Doctrine of the Covenant , through which our persons finde acceptance with God : that Covenant of Grace , which comprehends what ever we are either by way of blessing to expect from God , or whatever we are by way of duty to return back to God again : that Covenant , I say , did he for years together labour in the opening of : had he lived to perfect , and to publish it , the Churches of Jesus Christ had received a much more special advantage , then now I fear they can have by it : but we must be content to have Elijah first taken from us , before his mantle will be given us .

He vexed his righteous soul to see how among many professors of Religion , practical Godliness did seem to wither much : what truths therefore might serve best to revive , encourage and put on to holiness of life , or circumspect walking , those to choose would he most frequently acquaint his Hearers with : He judged the power of godliness to consist not so much in mens ability to Master this or the other high-towring , speculative doctrine ( though himself was of excellent high-raised parts ) as in mens affectionate hearty closing with , and living up to those more obvious common truths ( for in facili & absoluto stat aeternitas . Aust. Enchir. ) that are the great necessary things on which mans everlasting happiness , or misery does most depend : And he would therefore ( therein following the direction Paul gave to Titus , * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . chap. 3. 8. ) earnestly exhort professors to be known most by their maintaining of good works : and that however they might somewhat differ in matters of outward order , or Church Discipline , yet that they would all agree in what was more intimately consequtive to the Spiritual man : A being rich in holy works * * Sancta & rectae vitae antistites esse . The Greek word which is a military word , taken from such as set themselves in the foreward o● front of the Battel , and march before for the encouragement of the rest of the army ; some translate it to go before others in good works . : Our works being the best ( at least most sensible ) evidence of our faith : He laboured much that parties disagreeing a little what in that part of the circumference which concerns Ecclesiasticks , might yet be one i' th center of an holy life : for indeed he knew well , that though Professors in matters possibly of less consequence , may shew what party of Christians we side with , yet holiness of life only it was that should best evince our being set apart for God . He laid it much to heart to see how slightly and ungroundedly , not a few of latter years , ( since the goodness of some in power had altered the face of times so much as that godliness was no longer now a reproach or hindrance in the way of , but the easiest step to preferment ) for one or other loaves sake only took up Religion ; ( as from the manner of their walking might be suspected ) He did therefore insist upon , and in the course of his Ministry press those doctrines of self examination , and self denial ( both which subjects thou mayst hereafter , God willing , have put into thy hands ) with much earnestness , searching power , and spiritual exactness ; that if there were any who profest Christianity out of Faction , carrying a Pagan heart under a Christian name , they might be made manifest to themselves : His insight into the Gospel was wonderfully quick and singular : his delight was to lead his Hearers within the vail , and to shew them the glory of that one Mediator , whom the Father set forth for the propitiation of our sins : great was his pains in opening those Relations ( together with their respective vertue and influence ) that he stood in to his Father , to Angels , to all Mankinde , and to the Elect in special : sundry subjects and single Sermons the Author has left behinde him , which will ( God willing ) be hastened into the Press ; what he did last , does ( herewith ) come out first ; because indeed an imperfect Copy hereof stole forth as a spurious obtrusion upon the world : Which the Authors Friends judged a great wrong unto the Publique as well as to the Author himself ; and for that reason , therefore have put the same subject first into thine hand , leaving thee to judge , how much more this Edition ( thus publisht ) hath of the signature and mark of his spirit in it , above what the former carried . Thus much premised , I shall only add by way of prayer , that the Spirit of life and power ( who alone is able ) may make the price here put into thy hand very usefull for thy souls good . We are accomptable , not only for what we hear , but for what we read ; and t is equally dangerous to be found among the number of them that are unprofitable Readers , as to be one of those that are unprofitable Hearers .

IT is usually observed that Gods children do best in their close and last farewel ; as natural motion is slower in the beginning , and swifter in the end , so are their motions more vehement and stirring towards heaven and heavenly things , when their souls are ready to dislodge from the body , and to be at home with the Lord .

Certain I am , the Scripture puts a special mark and consideration upon the last words of the Saints , 2 Sam. 23. 1. Now these be the last words of David ; so the speeches of dying men have more weight in them ; for as we draw neer to eternity we grow wiser , and being about to return to the * * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . &c. Plotin . apud Ves . Original Divinity ( as Plotinus speaketh ) we are more Divine .

And this not only when the Lord giveth his people fair warning of their approaching end , but many times when death stealeth upon them unawares , by a strange kinde of presage their souls have been marvellously heightned in the contemplation of eternity , and wholly taken up with that blessedness into which God was about ( though unknown to themselves ) to translate them : t is one of the observations of this Treatise , That when the heart is in heaven the body will not be long out of it ; our translation is but delayed till the moneths of our purification be ended , and we by growing dead to sin , & weary of the world , are made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light .

All this is spoken , to put thee in mind that these discourses , which are now put into thy hand , were the last works of that eminent and faithful Servant of God , Mr. Will . Strong , of whom without any unsavory allusion to his name , I may truly say that he was , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , Act. 18. 24. A man eloquent and strong , or mighty in the Scriptures ; this discourse ( I say ) was the dying blaze of that burning and shining light , or his * * Cantator cygnus Funeris ipse sui ; quapropter , Plato in ●●aedone eum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , appellat . last Swan-like song , and preparation to his own death and Funerals , which unexpectedly , and alas too suddenly , as to our profit , followed the preaching of these Sermons : it was the secret instinct of the Spirit of God ( no doubt ) that engaged his thoughts to such an argument , not only for his own comfort in the agonies of death , but for our benefit who do survive him .

These Sermons were formerly surreptitiously printed by an unknown and an unskilful hand ; but as they now come forth thou maist plainly discern the own spirit of the Author in them , which in those rude & broken notes was more hidden and obscure .

I have heard of some that out of a sond superstition have been afraid in health to provide their last Will and Testament , taking it for a certain token of approaching death , the thoughts of which the carnal world cannot endure ; and therefore seek to put off that which they cannot put away . To prepare for death , doth neither hasten nor hinder it ; there 's folly in the surmise ; however this truth lyeth hid under it , that when men are ripe and ready to die , usually they are not long-lived , but are gathered in like a shock of corn in its season : I hope none are afraid to be too soon in heaven ; let us mend our pace thitherward , and get up as fast as we can , that every day our salvation may be nearer then when we first believed ; this , as it is the design of these precious Sermons , so the unfeigned desire of him , who is ,

THou hast here the first fruits of that seed which this Worthy , Reverend , Learned and Godly man sowed in the dayes of his Ministry : they were indeed in themselves , the Last crop of all his Labours , ( being the Last Sermons that ever he Preached ) but the over-hasty hand of some unskilful , if not unjust Gatherer , hath occasioned they are first Gather'd into sheaves : However it is now thy advantage ▪ Thou hast here a Treasure ; a Tryed Treasure : This Piece which is his own , compared with those Imperfect notes , Printed since his death , and unjustly bearing his name , may be to thee a Test , to discriminate the true and counterfeit Copies , if any shall yet farther in that kind , do him , and the Church of Christ so great an injury .

Know therefore , there are other things of his that follow : which that they may be his own , all care is taken , by transcription from , and comparing with his own notes : which is the onl● Cause ( it may seem possibly ) they make not hast : yet they so hast as that the engaged in this work , which their heart is in , and their hand has found to do , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , they will do it with all their might ; using therein , all possible care and diligence : Having a double earnest of their Acceptance with the Saints : The one their own spiritual senses , ( as they hope ) a little exercised therein ; Humbly conceiving , more of the secrets of God , the deep things of the Law , and the mysteries of Godliness , ( which are great , ) fetch'd out from the very Bowels of the Scripture , have not from any one mouth been communicated in these latter dayes .

The other earnest is , that Seal which therein , and thereby the Spirit of God hath fixed on their hearts , and of many others , very many , in the first hearing of them : witness that great and sad Assembly , in the day of his Funeral solemnity , when deep silence , heart . breaking sighs , and weeping eyes would have preached loud enough , had that Reverend Minister , and his dear friend been silent ; His Works that followed him , are not all dead with him , But some of them are here brought forth for thy spiritual advantage ; The good hand of God be on them : with this Tract God sealed up his Ministry , and his days , and whosoever shall observe the latter part thereof , shall find it a solemn seal . Having contemplated that Treasure which was his by choice before , he was now taken up into the full possession of it ; for he was indeed , a meet Inheritour . He had intended the next Lords day , to have entered a protest against that which is the treasure of the most of men , from that saying of our Lord , Luk. 12. 15. Take heed and beware of covetousness : but in the mean time his Master called ; Well done thou good and faithful servant ; t is enough ; if they will be covetous , let them be so still ; thou hast finished thy Testimony ; Enter , now , into the Joy of thy Lord . How much might be spoken of him , were it necessary ? But what needs it ? His works praise him in the Gate . Few of the eminent Ministers in the Nation , but he was either personally known to them , or else they had heard of his worth : His name was indeed as an Oyntment poured out ; But for such , as Rose up speaking perverse things , he was a thorn in their sides ; practising ( what himself sometimes pressed as a duty ) to love their persons , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to truth it in Love . He was a man mighty in the Scriptures therein lying a great part of his excellency , to open and explain ( quoad sensum , non quoad sonum ) dark Scripture , which we hear without profit , and read without understanding : He was frequent in preaching , for the most part 4 times weekly , sometimes many more ; in season and out of season ; besides the care that lay on him touching his Pastoral Relation ; and yet though his work was so great , who could say , that he offered to God that which cost him nothing ? There was nothing that came from him that savoured not of much labour , study and industry : He accounted himself a Debtor to the wise and to the weak ; and his care was that by his Ministry , both might receive advantage . He was powerful with the Affections , and in order thereto , He throughly dealt with the Judgement . His doctrine was Practical , and his Application Doctrinal . He was a stout Champion for Truth and Liberty ; in both , he set his face as an Adamant against the sins of the times . In a murmuring Age , he was a mourner in Sion : very conversant in dayes of Humiliation , Publique , Private ; enjoyned , not enjoyned ; and at such times , This was his complaint , It is time for thee to arise oh Lord , for men have made void thy Law . He had a spirit fitted to that work , for he seldome prayed without Tears : an Israel he was , for , he pleaded when he pray'd ; nor was he less fitted for thanksgiving , for be had vials full of odours ; he much breathed after Communion with God , and he had it , for he was strong , to hold the King in the Galleries ; often would he complain of the Imperfection of our Communion here . 'T is but ( h● was wont to say ) His back parts : Behind the wall ; and through the Lattice : that we now see him : Oh , for that Vision that is face to face , when we shall see him as he is ! The Lord hath now satisfied his des●res , and tought him ▪ ( which was much in his mouth ) what means , The souls of just men made perfect , in taking him to himself : The Lord give us the same frame of spirit , that we in due season may follow after .

1. Mans happiness out of himself . page 1 , 2

2. The words of the Text have

Both backed with two Arguments p. 3

3. The words summed up in two propositions p. 4

4. The words explained and opened .

Wherein Treasures are of two sorts , 1. Gods Treasures , and they are of four sorts , from p. 5. to 9 2. Men have their treasures p. 9. where is noted , the difference between the godly , and the men of the world p. 10

5. The doctrine explained by clearing four several Propositions from p. 11 , to 34

Wherein 1. By slinging of souls , three things noted p. 14 , 15 2. By the fear of the Lord two things meant , from p. 19. to 21 3. Treasure is said to be a mans own from p. 22. to 27. upon a threefold accompt . 4. That which a man chooses is called his Treasure , from p. 28. to 34

6. In the first Use of Examination six rules . To know whether a mans Treasure be on earth or in heaven , from p. 35 to 48

Where follows five Trials ,

To know where a mans Treasure lyeth , from p. 48 to 79

Wherein 1. To know whether we love God or no , two rules , and therein two seasons of Trial , from p. 57 to 65 2. To judge when a man seeks all things in subordination to God , two rules , from p. 66 to 72

7. In the Use of Conviction , To heighten the misery of those that misplace their chief good , six considerations , from p. 80 to 100

Wherein 1. Riches are said ( not to be ) upon a double Accompt p 83 , 84 2. Deceipt about good things fourfold ; from p. 95 to 98

Genesis. Chap. Verse . Page . 1 1 132 6 5 285 10 9 344 Exodus. 19 5 137 Numbers. 14 24 239 Deuteronomy. 4 29 286 24 15 073 25 263 32 34 8 I.Samuel. 4 20 196 25 29 14 II.Samuel. 12 4 269 I.Kings. 13 23 290 15 10 272 II.Kings. Chap. Verse . Page . 5 25 194 10 15 300 I.Chron. 12 33 264 Esther. 3 9 293 Job. 8 15 243 13 15 63 20 15 312 Psalms. 17 3 270 14 121 18 21 185 36 4 274 10 148 39 12 261 41 6 228 62 10 196. ●02 63 8 238 73 6 12 112 8 242 116 7 11 119 37 218 Proverbs. 1 17 20 4 17 39 23 215 8 21 81 10 20 213 14 14 77.199 15 6 153 17 22 235 23 5 82 7 330 27 344 Eccles. 2 23 249 6 9 226 7 11 70 11 6 227 Canticles. 1 4 229 8 6 369 Isaiah. Chap. Verse . Page . 32 11 203 33 6 19.146 44 20 39.202 58 13 47 Jeremiah. 2 13 94.207 33 245 16 16 344 22 2 217 19 ibid. Ezekiel. 7 10 119 33 31 227 Daniel. 7 25 295 11 24 316 25 ibid. Hosea. 4 8 223 7 11 93 12 7 346 Amos. Chap. Verse . Page . 8 5 46 Habakkuk. 1 18 237 2 5 315 Haggai. 1 5 210 Zechariah. 5 8 120 Matthew. 6 19 172 20 1 & 127 22 177 33 50 10 37 55 12 43 235 19 21 141 21 25 129 Luke. 8 13 233 10 42 170 12 33 130 14 26 56 32 58 15 18 129 16 8 304 11 81 22 15 228 John. 8 21 257 44 87 12 35 339 Acts. 8 21 266 11 23 177 Romans. 10 10 192 I.Corinthians. 3 11 111 12 ibid. 5 5 167 7 29 147 15 10 355 II.Corinthians. 4 4 22 18 51 5 2 74 8 11 283 Galatians. 6 1 269 Ephesians . Chap. Verse . Page . 2 19 122 Philippians. 2 4 53 8 58 3 14 52 310 349 19 260 Colossians. 2 3 8. 30 3 1 260 I.Timothy. 6 9 220 5 23 374 II.Timothy. 6 29 91 Hebrews. Chap. Verse . Page . 6 7 102 8 ibid. 9 27 17. 18 James. 5 3 150 II.Peter. 2 14 287 I.John. 2 15 339 16 287 18 151 Revelation. 13 0 308 21 7 334

THe thing that I feared is come upon me , May the friends of this worthy Author at this time say ; for they did in his life time ( many of them ) earnestly Solicite the publishing his own notes , ( at least part of them ) by his own hand : foreseeing , that ( in the best construction ) some good affections ( out of Zeal , not according to knowledge ) might after his death thrust into the world their broken and Imperfect notes as his : or if not so , yet knowing nothing is more ordinary Quis expedivit ? venter . Persus . Prolog . then such abuses , for Advantage sake : whether the one or the other , we know not , but so it is ; That since the foregoing was committed to the Press , and this Tract fully finished , another most Imperfect , if not counterfeit Bundle , entituled , The Saints Communion with God , and Gods Communion with them in Ordinances ; Printed for George Sawbridge , and Robert Gibbs ; Bearing also his name with the former , ( touching which thou art advertised in the Epistles foregoing ) and being both Bratts ( as is probably conjectured ) brought into the world upon the knees of the same unhappy Midwife . And for Mr. John Herrings Epistles , ( with a salvo to his Person and function ) we know not what that Honourable Person , Colonel Purefoy may do , but do conceive , that neither himself nor the Readers , will give him any thanks , as knowing well that that excellent man would have been in Writing as he was in Preaching , A workman that needed not be ashamed . Onely , It is humbly enquired of Mr. Herring , whether he knew not of a Widow the deceased Author left behind him ? or had ever heard of any doing in his own notes ? or if not , whether ever he enquired ? Sure we are , in one half hour he might have received satisfaction touching both ; we wish his labours better speed , then that measure he hath meted should be met to him again : It 's onely added , that if any Person in good affection , shall endeavour the hastning of his works , 't will be acceptable service ; Provided , their labours may endure the touchstone of his notes , which are all ready for such an end ; But if not , its desired when they put them out , they would call them by their own names , not Mr. Strongs .