| Back | Contents | Next |
{Since the Heavenly Trade Is the Best Trade…
Cause for Lamentation, Repentance, and Labor
Symptoms of the Decay of the Heavenly Trade
Decline in the Price of Heavenly Goods}
When the price of things has fallen quite low, and goods are worth little or nothing, then people say business is bad. So it is now in this heavenly trade: the value of divine things goes way down. Wisdom’s goods seem to be of little worth to many people. There was a time when heavenly wares were highly prized.267 The Word of God was precious to souls, and to saints, of far more worth than thousands of gold and silver [coins]. They could have given up all the world to enjoy God in ordinances. Compared to a place in God’s household, estate, ease, credit, and so on were nothing. One view of God’s face was better than life. Oh, how sweet were the words of His mouth. They were much sweeter than honey and the honeycomb (Psalm 19:9–10).268 People could let their own plows stand still so they could set their hands to God’s plow. Like Mary, they could neglect any business to sit at Christ’s feet (Luke 10:39).269 They would leave their appointed food and most pleasant delicacies for one drink of sanctuary water (Ezekiel 47:12)270 or even one sip of divine sweetness. They could break their rest, leave all for Christ’s company; and bear frowns, threatening, losses, and suffering with wonderful ease for some fellowship with God and His people. They would not lose a praying or sermon-hearing hour, whatever it cost them. They would not let any hardships hinder them. Price would never come between Christ and them. They would sign onto any terms and count it a cheap bargain if at any rate they might obtain grace and some spiritual good to their souls. But alas! Now things are different; few will bid much for the precious things of Zion. Even some who could have plucked out their eyes and given them to the messengers of Christ (Galatians 4:14–15),271 now think it too costly to pluck their hands out of their pockets to open the door to Christ Himself. Now privileges to the soul are worth little or nothing. The enjoyment of sermons or the society of the saints is hardly deemed worth giving up a little time, ease, business, or socializing. For most, a shop or market is better than attending solemn worship. Few can step over a straw [without picking it up] or forbear to gather a little stubble, rather than get the unsearchable treasure of Christ. This is the sad temperament of most professing Christians this day; they have lost their esteem of Christ and spiritual things. However they may talk, they do not value God above the world, Christ above rest, one day in His courts above a thousand elsewhere, or His precious Word above their necessary food. Most think it more advisable to use blocks of time for the world than for Heaven. They would rather give up many sermons than lose a little profit and opportunity, even when it is for very small worldly advantage. People think they are spiritually full and rich and have enough heavenly goods. They think they know enough already, have heard enough, and prayed enough. They do not feel a lack of, nor perceive the worth of, spiritual things. Thus, they offer so little for advantages for their souls. And this clearly shows the decay of heavenly trade.
267It was a mere 41 years before this edition of Ashwood’s book that the highly regarded Westminster Confession of Faith and Shorter and Larger Catechisms were finished.
268“The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, Yea, than much fine gold; Sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:9–10 NKJV).
269“And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet and listened to his teaching” (Luke 10:39 ESV).
270“And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing” (Ezekiel 47:12 ESV).
271“And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me” (Galatians 4:14–15 NKJV).
| Back | Contents | Next |