Essex Remembrancer Matthew 13:44 Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to treasure hid in a field; the which when a man has found, he hides… 1. The Holy Scriptures contain an inestimable treasure — wisdom, grace, comfort, joy. 2. Many not aware of this. They are like some landowners, who can watch with delight the growth of grass, corn, and flowers in their fields, but who lose sight of the precious ore beneath the surface. Can cull a bouquet of flowers — the poetry, history, and imagery — but lack the tools (repentance, faith, hope) for delving to the rich mineral beneath. 3. This treasure can only be discovered by careful search. 4. The greater our desire for the blessings of Divine grace, the greater will be our fear lest we should fall short of them. 5. The discovery of this hid treasure should fill the believer with gladness — the Ethiopian Eunuch "went on his way rejoicing." 6. Having discovered the excellency of Divine things, we should be ready to renounce such pleasures and habits as hinder their attainment. Moses gave up the attractions of the Egyptian court, "choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God." So now the true convert will give up worldly vanities, unfair dealing, uncharitableness, insincerity, and will learn to "crucify the flesh with its affections and lusts." (Essex Remembrancer.) Parallel Verses KJV: Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. |
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