The heavenly mind has this advantage, that it can spiritualize every
business, and moralize all occurrences of life. As, then, I am this day
going to a fair, let me call to mind the comparisons, or the similitude
between this market and the market of grace.
1. From all quarters men come hither; so is it in the
market of grace.
2. None are hindered to come here to merchandise; so is
it in the market of grace.
3. All kinds of goods are to be found here; so is it in
the market of grace.
4. Parties meet here, bargains are made, and business
done; so is it in the market of grace.
5. Numbers are to be found here, who cannot tell what
brought them hither; so many attend the ordinances from custom, to see, or
to be seen.
6. The fair is by public authority; so is the market of
grace.
7. Some stand all day idle; so is it in the market of
grace.
8. Some go home with large profits; so do all they who
rightly improve the market of grace.
9. But some return immense losers; so must they, who
slight the market of grace.
10. Thieves and pick-pockets, attend here to ruin honest
folk; so Satan, sin, and worldly cares often rob us of spiritual things in
the market of grace.
11. Dealers, returning home, converse wholly on the
course of the business through the day; so they who have found the true
riches, the pearl of great price, in the market of grace, will speak, think,
and meditate much thereon ever after.
12. This fair is but of one day; so the market of grace
comes to an end, and people may outlive the day of grace; therefore,
everyone should embrace the present offer.
But how great the excellency of the one above the
other!
1. All things here are for the body; there all things are
for the soul.
2. Nothing here goes without money; but all things in the
glorious market of grace are without money, and without price.
3. If I sit my market today, I shall repent tomorrow; but
the market of grace is continued to many poor souls many years.
4. Without the one we may live; but lacking the other we
must die.
5. It is indifferent whether we buy or not here; but in
the market of grace, we must participate, or we dishonor God, and sin
against our own souls.
6. To take goods here without money, is dishonesty; but,
to offer our pelf for the merchandise of heaven, is damnable.
7. We plead and press for commodities at a low price
here; but God importunes, and presses us to buy the gold tried in the fire,
that we may be eternally rich.
But O how are the men of the world assiduous about the
affairs of life, while they neglect the great concern! Well do we know what
makes for our happiness, as to the things of time; but how careless are we
with respect to the things of eternity! A shower will excuse from walking
two miles to a sermon; but a very rainy day will not deter us from this
place of business, though three times the distance. O corrupt nature! that
counts it a great deal of happiness to meet with merry companions, to drink,
rove, ramble, see, and be seen. But how far beneath the dignity of the human
soul, to forget itself amidst the hurry of trifling concerns, for a
transitory life!
It is, indeed, the duty of all men to attend to their
business, and guide their affairs with discretion. They may meet, therefore,
on days appointed for that purpose. But, when the mind gets a wrong bias, by
the vanities that are to be seen there; is infected with a roving
disposition; and can trifle away time that is so precious—how far is this
beneath the Christian character? It should be our constant care, then,
wherever we go, whatever we do, to keep the omniscience of God in our mind,
that while we manage our business with discretion, we may serve our God with
undistracted devotion.