June 3

PART II.—Matthew 13:46.

Now to possess this invaluable Pearl, ought to be the one great pursuit of life. And it is exceedingly consolatory to know, that if we earnestly seek, in the way of God’s appointment, we shall assuredly obtain it. But we can never secure it, without diligent and persevering effort. We must labour for the bread of life. We must strive to enter in at the straight gate. We must take the kingdom of heaven by violence, for the violent seize it by force. When we seek the Lord with all our hearts, then he will be found of us. In obtaining the Pearl of great price, sacrifices will be necessary. We shall be called to sell all that we possess. That is all that is incompatible with the love of God. All inordinate self love. All idolatrous attachments to the world. All the love of the pleasures of sense. In fact, our entire and undivided hearts must be surrendered to God, and only then can we possess the inestimable Pearl. If any man love houses or lands, or wife or children, or his own life, more than Christ, he is not worthy of him, nor can he be his disciple. Now this Pearl is only to be found in the glorious gospel of the blessed God. In the gospel, Christ is revealed and offered to men. Here he invites men to come unto him and have life. And all who receive that gospel by faith shall find Jesus, and be enriched with the unsearchable treasures of his grace. For this Pearl there is no substitute. Without it, whatever we may possess, we are poor, and blind, and miserable, and lost; with it, of whatever earthly good we may be destitute, we are rich and happy, and are heirs of God, and of eternal glory. If this Pearl is ours, how carefully we should secure it. There are malignant spirits abroad, whose business it is to rob us. Having received Christ

Jesus by faith, let us be careful to walk in him. Hold fast that which you have, and let no man take your crown. If this pearl is precious now, how much more so will it be in death, at the judgment, and through all eternity.