Verse 18
REFLECTIONS
WHILE I behold Solomon engaged in building houses, and going as a merchantman to gather riches; Lord, I would say, make me a wise master-builder, and the true merchantman that seeketh goodly pearls, even the pearl of good price.
Upon thee, thou blessed Jesus, as the chief corner-stone God the Father hath laid in Zion, would I build both for my present, and for my eternal habitation. And Lord, do thou instruct me so to build that when the winds, and storms, and rain shall descend, being founded upon thee the rock of ages, I shall never fall, but abide on thee, and in thee, forever.
And as a goodly merchantman may I seek thee, the precious treasure hid in the field; needing not to go to Ezion-geber, and to Eloth, but may find thee at the entering in of the gates, and at the coming in of the doors. Yes! blessed Jesus, thou standest, and criest, and holdest forth thy riches, yea durable riches and righteousness, without money and without price. Oh! then, thou dearest Lord! teach my soul this precious merchandise, how a poor sinner may be eternally rich in receiving out of a full Saviour, whom the more he gives out, the more he hath to bestow; and the more impoverished insolvent sinners he receives, the more glorious he himself becomes. Here, Lord, would I for once be truly covetous, and desire to make this the gainful business of all my life. For this would I rise early, late take rest, and eat the bread of carefulness, that Jesus, with all his fullness, God with all his promises, and the Holy Spirit with all his influences, I might bring home to my house, to my heart, to my soul; and live and feast upon them forever and ever.
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