much Planting of Fruit-trees p. 60 Cider the most wholsome drink especially of the bect Fruits p. 60 Section 17. Fruit-trees shew forth the glory of God p. 61 Fruit-trees are ingagements to obedience p. 62 All men act according to their Natures p. 63 Fruit-trees change not their Natures ibid. All mankind have changed their Natures once and some have a double change p. 64 Section 18. Heat of the Sun needfull for Fruits p. 65 Fruit-trees have a preception of the heate of the Sunn and are refreshed by it ibid. Believers that walke closest with God bring forth the best fruits p. 66 Section 19. The Scripture saith Fruit-trees were from the beginning and shall be to the End of the world p. 67 The excellencies of all Creatures are united in God and infinitely more then all p. 67 The Excellencies and vertues of the Creatures should leade us unto God and there to rest p. 68 Section 20. Young small Trees full of good Fruits p. 68 God calls some of his people in childhood and youth others afterwards p. 69 Section 21. Grosse ignorance reproved p. 73 Most people are ignorant both of Gods word and works p. 74 Vnlearned men may read in the Book of the Creatures Section 22. An invitation and incouragement to a conference with Fruit-trees p. 76 Many things in Fruit-trees occasion admiration p. 77. 1. Tender Fruits come forth with covers upon them the more hardy without p. 77 Section 23. 2. Different substances made of one substance p 79 Different Gifts and Graces wrought by the same Spirit ibid. Every gift ought to be improved for the profit of all p. 80 Section 24. 3. Grafts and Buds assimilate the Sap of the Stocks p. 81 Section 25. 4 Every small Bud contains the Nature of the whole Tree in it selfe p. 83 5. The properties of a tree are in every seed p. 84 The same flower seed brings forth variety p. 85 6. Many kinds of Fruits upon one tree p. 86 A DIALOGVE OR FAMILIAR DISCOURSE and conference between the Husbandman and Fruittrees in his Nurseries Orchards and Gardens Trees speak to Men. HVSBANDMAN I have read in Learned and Godly mens workes and the Scriptures also declare as much that yee Fruittrees can speake and discourse with men though not with an articulate distinct voice and sound of words to the outward sence of hearing for that is proper only to rationall Creatvres Yet it is knowne yee can speake very intelligibly and convincingly to the minds and consciences of men And can Answere their Questions and speak many things to their profit and edification And that yee alwaies speake the very truth and to the glory and praise of God What Language is it that yee speake is it English or Latin Greek or Hebrew or what other Language else wherein yee discourse with men The Language of Fruittrees FRVIT-TREES We can speake all Languages We can discourse with any People or Nation in any Language whatsoever according as people please to discourse with us so we Answer them every man in his owne Language HVSBANDMAN We in this Countrey are Natives of England we will therefore speake together in our English Tongue for that we best understand Tell me then first of all Of what age are yee of what duration I speake not of these individuall Trees here Planted but of Fruittrees in generall How Long have yee been in the world The Age of Fruittrees FRVITTREES We are of a very Great Age even from the beginning of the Creation which is now according to common computation 5676. yeares or thereabouts This thou maist understand by a Token that much concernes the For we were present stood by when thou and thy wife did both of you transgresse the Command of our Creator in the Garden of Eden in that yee did eate of the Forbidden Fruit Thou had'st liberty enough given thee which was to Eate of all our Fruits throughout the whole Garden Except only of one Tree to try thy Obedience and that as freely as thou wouldest why then didst thou breake the command of God which we never yet did nor ever shall though we are much inferior to mankind Mans fall Restoring and Establishing HVSBANDMAN Herein yee speake the truth and convincingly indeed for so it was which we must acknowledge to God and be humbled for it for it was a very great transgression we lost our glory and our Happiness by it but blessed be God for ever for his free Grace he hath shewed us a meanes and way of recovery to our former state of happinesse which he did not to the Angels that sinned but a little while before us God never spake one kind word to them since nor ever will O the justice and mercy of God towards them justice but towards us Mercy and free Grace in our restoring even all that he hath chosen Yea God hath not only restored and recovered us out of our fallen state but also hath so confirmed us in it as that now we can never fall from it any more as we then did But this is a Gloriouse mistery discovered to us in the word of the Gospell of Christ wherein yee have no skill neither can yee speake as to that matter Section 2. Sympathy and Antipathy in Vegetables HVSBANDMAN It hath been asserted by Learned men That there is a sympathy and Antipathy in Plants Trees and all Vegetables some kinds will not thrive together which they impute to Antipathy and some other kinds flourish and prosper vigorously growing together which they call Sympathy or a good agreement one with another What say yee of your selves as to this matter Sympathy and Antipathy of Plants duly stated We owne the Notion if it be but rightly understood and applyed for there is such a contrariety and heterogeneous quality in some trees and other Vegetables as men speake of And also a likenesse and agreement in Nature in some others But it hath been much mistaken by some writers who have said That there is an Antipathy betweene some Plants as the Vine and the Colewort because they will not thrive together but that is not an Antipathy but rather a Sympathy Lord Baron's Nat Hist pa 101. Exp 480. Because wee Vines love the same fatt and fertill soyle as the Colewort does and thence it is that wee turne our Rootes from it because it hath exhausted the soile and made it barren But there is a real Antipathy in Nature between some trees which are of Different species therefore they will never thrive together when joyned in Grafting As the Apple-tree grafted upon a Peerestock and so on the contrary Also the Plum on the Cherry and the Cherry on the Plum They may grow 2. or 3. yeares but will never thrive to perfection there is an Antipathy in Nature and they reject each other And therefore let men in grafting observe right species and kinds in joyning us together else no profit will accrue to the Husbandman Likenesse of Natures accord best
not in to God so soone We see instances of this in Scripture in Samuel the Prophet who was called of a child 1. Sam. 3. so the Prophet Jer Ch 1.6 who was sanctified from the wombe Joseph who for bringing forth good Fruit when he was but 17. yeares of age was sold into Egipt by his brethren what remarkable favours did he receive from God all his daies Gen. 37.2 Obadiah feared God from his youth 1. Kings 18.12 a singular person in his time The Prophet Daniell began to feare God in his youth Dan. 1. And God shewed him miracles of his care and Love he had Learning and wisdome in all Visions and dreames Dan. 1 17. besides the immediate comforts of the spirit of God an Angell was sent with a spetiall message to him to tell him he was greatly belov'd of God And God wrought a Miracle in preserving him from the Lyons The Prophet David of a Young Twigg was ingrafted into Christ Psal 71.5 Taught of God from his youth ver 17. And who ever had a greater testimony from God then he a Man after Gods own Heart And who ever had clearer evidences of the love of God and consequently communion with God than he How great a Prophet was John the Baptist who was filled with the Holy Ghost and sanctified in the wombe Luke 1.15 The Apostle John called the beloved disciple began to follow Christ in his youth and had intimations of Christs love more then the rest of the Disciples he leaned on his brest and lay in his bosome he had full assurance of the love of God to him 1 Jo 4.13.14 and Ch 5.19.20 1. Jo 3.14.24 We know we are of God We know we are in him We know we are translated from Death to Life c. And besides all this such as are Engrafted into Christ whilst they are young and tender twiggs they attaine unto large growths and measures of grace If one have but a small measure of grace but as a graine of Mursterdseed if he begin with it betime in his childhood and youth it will improve and grow in many yeares to a large measure and degree their Brooke will become a River and their River will become a Sea Every Act of Grace will add to the habite of grace They shall proceede from strength to strength from Glory to Glory by the Spiritt of the Lord 2 Cor. 3.18 Section 21. HVSBANDMAN Yee have many Visitors frequently have you this familiar discourse with every one as we have at present and as often as we are disposed Grosse ignorance reproved FRVIT-TREES Many people of all sorts come from time to time and walk among us and look upon us and commend us for brave handsome Trees lovely and beautifull especially when we are in our Gallantrie full of beautifull blossoms and pleasant wholsome Fruits and some greedily pluck us and tear us and sometimes breake off some of our Branches to get our Fruits and so go their waies But speake never a word to us neither do they understand what we say to them though we are continually speaking to men and are never weary of instructing and teaching man his Duty towards God our Creator and also praising and setting forth his glory according to the Law of our Creation as thou knowest and hast often witnessed the same on our behalfe Most people are ignorant both of Gods word and Works HVSBANDMAN I believe what yee say to be true People for the greatest part of the world are ignorant of God of themselves and of all his Creatures as well as ignorant of the Scriptures Though God hath given us two great Volumes or Books to read and study his word and his Workes yet people generally are ignorant of both sottish children as the Prophet calls them who have no understanding wherefore he that made them will not have mercy on them and he that formed them will shew them no favour Isay 27.11 Tremble at this word yee ignorant sottish people there is not any mercy for you whilst yee remain ignorant of God of your selves of his word and of his workes Therefore learn and be instructed else ye shall surely Perish the very Trees of the Garden and all the Creatures of God will witnesse against you Vnlearned men may read in the Booke of the Creatures The illitterate man that knowes not a word or a letter in the Book and thinks to be excused because he is not learned yet he shall find it otherwise one day For this Book of the Creatures is open and legible by all men As St Paul said of the ignorant heathen Rom. 1. They shall be left without excuse Because the invisible things of God his Attributes his Wisdom Power and Goodnesse his Love Bounty and Kindnesse to all are clearly seen in the things that he hath made Therefore it concerns men to learn the voice and Language of the Creatures of God and among them the voice and language of Fruit-trees as well as of his Word and to observe their Lessons and instructions for the mind and things of God are seen clearly in them though not so clearly as in his word But being joyned and considered together we may learn our Duty to God And in the doing thereof We shall be blessed of him Section 22. An invitation and incouragement to a conference with Fruit-trees HVSBANDMAN Come my Friends let us walke into this pleasant Garden and have some further Discourse with those innocent harmlesse Companions the Fruit-trees they will bid us welcome and are still ready and at leasure to conferre with us and will be sure to teach us one good Lesson or other But We must not forget what hath been often said concerning the way and manner of their Discourse with Men That it is not audible to the outward sence of hearing in the sound of words but alwaies to the inward sence the mind and understanding And thus they will Discourse with us as long as we please And they always speake Rationally and Religiously in every thing taking Gods part speaking to his praise and glory and for the instruction of all men both for our Temporall and Spirituall Profitt Here is a very large Garden full of Faire and beautifull Fruit-trees whereby we have both Profitt and Pleasure but I have heard also there are many things amongst you occasioning admiration in men what things are they that may occasion admiration what say yee of your selves Many things in Fruit-trees occasion admiration FRVIT-TREES Thou maiest see many things in the course of our Natures that may occasion admiration of the Wisdome Power and goodnesse of God 1 if thou do but take Notice of our Originall and first springing up we then lying wrapt up in small seeds each one no biger then a graine of Wheate yet out of those came these huge and vast bodies that thou seest here above Ground each one according to its own Nature every seed keeping exactly it s own kind and Nature though many sorts
by this little Creature Deus maximus in minimis God is seen in the least of his Creatures yea go to the Oxe and the Asse thou brutish sensual man or woman consider and learn of them They know and own serve and obey their Master him that feedeth them Isay 1.3 The Oxe knoweth his owner and the Asse his Masters Crib but Israel hath not known Me saith the Lord. but thou as thou wantest grace so also thou wantest the good Nature that these poor Creatures have and shew forth to him that keeps them Thou art fed and clothed dayly and hast all things convenient for life from the hand of God and yet thou ownest him not but servest thy self and rebellest against God therefore these dull Beasts shall condemn thee Let not men make light of these things of learning from Fruit-trees and other Creatures they shall find one day and that shortly too they shall be called to an Account and be judged by the Creatures as well as by the word Therefore it concernes every one to learn their speech and language and to be instructed thereby in order to their own Duty and the glory of God O the loud cry and voyce of Naâ—ure from these very Creatures of â—he infinite wisdome Power and bounty â—f God towards Man how is it heard plainly and distinctly not only in the infinite number and kinds of Fruit-trees Flowers and vegetables in Orchards and Gardens but also in every individuall and particular Tree Consider only but one large Appleâ—ree some of them bearing many Bushels of Fruits in one year Every â—articular Fruit hath severall seeds or â—ernels in it and every seed though â—any thousands from one Tree hath â—…e Nature of the whole Tree in it â—…lf and that exacty Potentially the whole tree in that small substance many of them lesse then a graine of Wheat it hath in it the innate intrinsicall forme and vertue of the VVhole Tree that huge and vast body that we see above ground and will if sowen produce the same in kind And not only so but likewise every small Twigg of the Tree yea the least bud of the least twigg hath also virtually the whole tree in it self and produceth the same if inoculated according to Art St Austen takes notice of these things and admires God in them Gen ad lit ch 15. and exhorts all men to study them and learn from them Ex ipsis operibus dei indagare conemur consideremus ergo cujuslibet Arboris pulcritudinem in robore ramis frondibus Pomis c. illud germen ex semine in semine ergo illa omnia fuerunt primitus non mole corporeae magnitudinis sed vipotentiaque causaliter in exiguo grano mirabilior prostantior que vis est quia valuit adiacens humor commixtus terrae quid enim ex arbore illâ surgit aut pendet quod non ex quodam occulto Thesauro seminis illius extractum atque depromptum est Job exhorts us to learn from these and all Creatures Chap. 12.7 8.9 c. Aske now the Beasts and they shall teach thee and the Foules of the Air and they shall tell thee Or speake to the earth and it shall teach thee or as it is translated speake to every Twigg or Tree that growes upon the Earth and it shall teach thee And the Fishes of the Sea shall declare unto thee Here we see are many Masters and Teachers for the instruction of Man in his duty to God Christians that have not only Reason but grace may learn from Creatures that have neither Reason nor sence Grace in the heart of a Christian improves common earthly Objects to spiritual uses and holy Ends it is spiritually the Phylosophers stone that turnes Earth into Heaven Naturall Objects into Spiritual As faith sees him that is invisible and things that are not seen so sence shewes us him that is inisible i. e. God in his workes Being as a prospective Glasse through which we may see the lively species of infinit excellencies in God First All Creatures yeild ready Obedience to God for they obey the Law of their Creation Fire and Haile Snow and vapors Stormy winds and Tempests fulfilling his word Ps 148.8 Secondly And as Creatures teach us Obedience to God in observing the Law of their Creation so also they teach us dependance upon God as we see Hose 2.21 God having betrothed Israel his people in righteousnesse in judgment in loving kindnesse in mercies in Faithfulnesse and that for ever from that time all the Creatures do strive to do them good but yet in a Chain of dependance Every one confessing their inability without help from God Israel had need of the Creatures to nourish them They cry to God for Corne VVine and Oyle These are ready and willing to nourish Israel but then the Earth must bring them forth therefore these cry to the Earth to give them rooting and nourishment the Earth would do this willingly for Israels sake but cannot except the Heavens do water it with Rain and Dewes therefore the Earth cryes to the Heavens but the Heavens though willing can give no Rain nor refreshing until God command them to do it therefore the Heavens cry unto God that he would give them Commission to water the Earth As we see Hose 2.2 I will hear saith the Lord I will hear the heavens and they shall hear the Earth and the Earth shall hear the Corne and the VVine and the Oyle and they shall heare Israel So God commanding the heavens the heavens feed the Earth and the Earth feeds the Corn VVine and Oyl and these feed Israel The eyes of all Creatures waite upon God and he giveth them their meate in due season Ps 145.15 he feedeth the young Ravens that call upon Him Ps 147.9 The Lyons roaring after their Prey do seeke their Meate of God So they all teach us the same Lesson of dependance upon God for all necessaries The Apostle Paul shewes us That there is somewhat even in inanimate Creatures that puts forth an Act of Expectation yea of Earnest Expectation for deliveraâ—ce from the bondage that the sin of man hath brought them under Rom. 8.19 The earnest expectation of the Creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God and ver 22. The whole Creation growneth and travelleth in pain together until now Thirdly We may also learn this Lesson from the Creatures even from irrationall and lifelesse Creatures not only as was said 1 Obedience to God and 2 dependance upon him but likewise 3ly to desire and long for a full freedome and deliverance from the bondage of Corruption and to attain the Glorious liberty of the sons of God for shall inanimate Creatures do this and shall not Rational and Spiritual Christians do it much more Now if any one ask this Question how may we speake to fruit-Fruit-trees or any other Creatures that are without Reason or sence that we may receive Instructions from them This Question long
since is answered by St Austen 10 Book of his confessions I put the Question saith he to the Earth and to the Sea and to the rest of the Creatures and they give me an Answer Now if you would know what my Question was It was the deep intention and consideration I had in my heart about the Creatures And would you know what their Answer was their Answer was that which I collected in my Meditations from their several Natures qualities and properties So that to confer and discourse with Fruit-trees as in the ensuing Dialougue and to receive insturctions from them not only as to temporall Profits but Spiritual also it is in a Rational serious and Spiritual manner to consider them and dive and search into their Natures and Properties as we may observe and gather by Experience from year to year concerning them which every Rationall man may do more or lesse But yet the more knowledg and Experience any man has the better it is don And then the making of right conclusions upon such Considerations those are the Answeres Teachings or instructions of the Fruit-trees so of all other Creatures as was said Job 12.7 aske the Beasts and they shall teach thee docebit te unaquaque ex Bestiis docebit te The Excellencies Vertues beauties and perfections that are in the Creatures do plainly shew forth and manifest the infinite Excellencies and perfections of God his VVisdom Power Goodness Beauty Bounty c. Now when we diligently consider and search out their Natures and Vertues Beauties and Properties which God hath Stampt upon them and put into them and make right Conclusions then we confer and discourse with them The Creatures discover the Attributes of God to the Eye as his word does to the Ear and both to the Mind And this produceth or should do in every one Praise and Glory to God wonder and admiration of him for that he is the Creator and contriver of all these excellent things who being the Originall and first Cause of all these wonderful and excellent Creatures so many so good so beautifull so usefull profitable and pleasant in the lives of men it must needs be concluded that he himself is much more so in himselfe yea infinitely above better and exceeding them all and consequently to be desired and loved above them all Aquin Hujusmodi interrogatio est mentis operatio qua creaturarum perfectiones intuemur Tunc homo Creaturas interrogat quando eas diligenter considerat sed tunc interrogate respondent cum homo prospicit quod tanta ordinatio esse non possit nisi ab aliqua superiore sapientia dispensante That is When we seriously consider the nature and properties of inanimate creatures then we aske Questions of them and they being thus Questioned they return an answer unto men when we clearly perceive that their wonderfull Natures vertues and properties cannot be but from the Power and VVisdome of a superior Cause Every created being instructs us concerning our Creator of his wisdom and goodnesse and of our duty and thankfulnesse we owe unto him so that as many Creatures as are in the world so many Teachers there are in the world Therefore none shall be excused at the last day for their ignorance of God seeing we have not only the word of God but all the Creatures of God to instruct us concerning God and our duty to him So then with these breife instructions concerning discourse with Fruit-trees I commit the Ensuing Dialogue to thy use for thy profitt Who am thy Friend to serve thee in love RA AVSTEN The Contents Trees Speake to men pag. 1. The Language of Fruit-trees p 2 The Age of Fruit-trees ibid. Mans fall Restoring and Establishing p. 3 Section 2. Sympathy and Antipathy in Vegetables p. 4 Sympathy and Antipathy of Plants truly stated p ib. Likenâ—ss of Natures accord best among men p. 6 No attaining Communion with God without a new Nature ib. No cordiall fellowship between Regenerate and Vnregenerate persons p. 7. Perception in Fruit-trees in fled of sence ib. Four distinct Rankes of Creatures each Genus including many speties p. 8 All Creatures are subservient one to another p. 9 Section 3. The benefite of due Ordering of Fruit-trees p. 16 God chastneth all his people some more some lesse for their profit p. 11. Section 4. Fruittrees beautiful objects p. 13 Immoderate love to Creatures dangerous ibid. Too much love to Creatures abates love to God p. 14 Communion with Creatures calls for Communion with God p. 15. Section 5. Profits and Pleasures by Fruit-trees p. 16 Fruits of Trees mans Food ibid. Planting Fruit-trees commended by Antient and late writers p. 18 Section 6. Two things seeming discouragements in Planting p. 22. Vaine minds take up with present satisfactions p. 23 Examples of the greatest persons in Planting p. 23 Many Profits and Pleasures in planting Fruit-trees p. 27 Section 7. Great Trees in too fat soyle bear not well p. 29 Moderation is best p. 29 A just Reprooff of the carnal careless Gentrie p. 30 Skilfull ordering of Fruit-trees produceth Fruitfulnesse p. 31 Remove the Cause and the effect ceaseth p 32 A due commendation of the Pious and Religious Gentry ibid. Section 8. The voice of all Creatures to man Fruit-trees receive and loose their beauty once a year p. 35 The state of all things here below changeable p. 36 Fruit-trees are pincht and endure difficulties in winter p. 37 Fruit-trees in the Spring revive ibid. Some Christians go through great tribulations p. 38 The light of Gods Countenance refresheth the soul after darknesse p. 41 Section 9. The Opinion about descention of Sap examined p. 41 No descention of Sap in Trees p. 43 The Spirit and nature of true Christians tends upwards p. 34 Section 10. Fruit-trees are prepared in Nurseries to be transplanted p. 45 Elder trees transplanted make room for the younger p. 46 Some of the best kinds are to grow still in the Nursery p. 47 Nurseries of Materiall Fruit-trees are apt similitudes of Mystical Fruit-trees in Vniversities ibid. The Spirit and grace of God is to be prefered before all Natural and acquired abilities p. 48 Section 11. Some Fruits seem good to the Eye but are bad to the tast p. 50 Fruit-trees improved by ingrafting p. 50 No works pleasing to God without sincerity p. 51 Section 12. Mulberytrees called Sapientissima Arborum p. 52 Mulberry-trees bud late because of a tender nature ibid. Some Christians are more valiant for Christ then others p. 53 Section 13. Fruits ripen successively upon the same tree others altogether p. 54 The wisdom and bounty of God in the ripening of Fruiis p. 55 Section 14. South-Country trees prosper not in England p. 56 Plant Fruit-trees fitt for the Country ibid. Section 15. Redstreake trees formerly of little account p. 57 Redstreake Apples best for Cider p. 58 Comfort after trouble joy after sorrow ibid. Section 16. More planting of late years then formerly p. 59 Reasons for
Fruits and flourish in our beauties all the Summer Some Christians go through great tribulations HVSBANDMAN These things we find to be so according to Nature And it is a very proper and apposite similitude of the state and condition of deseried soules all along in Each particular its one of those similitudes that runs equatuor pedibus it holds in all respects for so it is with Christians but more especially with some perticular persons one time or other in their life they indure and undergo hard and difficult things great afflictionâ— Temptations and Tribulations which befall them according to the good pleasure of God who ordereth and overruleth all for their good and profit thereby purging out Corruptions and trying their graces to increase holinesse Ps 84.11 for god himselfe who is a Sunn and a shield to his people doth not only withdraw from their spiritts and hides his face and so leaves them in darknesse and they walk in darknesse Children of Light walk in darknesse some a shorter some a longer time But also he permitts many outward troubles afflictions and crosses to come upon them upon their Bodies Names Estates Relations Soule and Body all that concerns them are overwhelmed overturned broken and destroyed as to sence and appearance both to themselves and others that behold them Job 1 2 3. c. And during this long night of darknesse this hard and sharpe Winter season there is as it were a Death upon all they have for he that is the life of the Soule as the Soule is of the Body is gon their beloved is gone and hides himselfe They seek him but they cannot find him Cant. 3 2. The Poore and needy seeke water and there is none Isay 41.17 and their Tongue faileth for thirst they cry after him but he heareth not and makes as though he would never heare nor regard them any more The absence of this Sun makes all within and without darke yea more bitter then Death it selfe And more then all this the sence of the absence of God and also the apprehensions of the losse of God the irrecoverable losse of God is the same in some degree with the Torments of Hell Yea the worst and greatest of the torments of the Damned Paena damni the paine of losse is agreed by all Divines to be the greatest torment in Hell worse then the paine of sence that torments the Body though that be intollerable too Reve. 7.14 Hose 14.7 All these Temptations and great Tribulations some deserted soules go through and indure in this sharp Winter season But when this Sunn returnes and draws neere again the Fruit-trees begin to revive and spring They revive as the Corne and grow as the Vine and shoote forth their Rootes as Lebanon Then the Figg-tree putteth forth her greene Figgs and the Vine with the tender Grapes give a good smell Cant. 2.13 When this Sunn of Righteousnesse ariseth upon the Soule he refresheth and restoreth comforts to those distressed weary Soules Isay 57.18 which they are exceeding sensible of and are as it were overjoy'd As marriners at Sea when they are delivered from some Terrible Tempests and Stormes from which they were almost in dispaire to have escaped yet with much a do comming saffe to Land how are they transported with joy and gladnesse for their safe arivall at their desired Haven The light of Gods Countenance refresheth the Soule after darknesse This deliverance from these spirituall stormes and Tempests in this sharp Winter season is much more Yea more then can be expressed in words or shaddowed out by any similitude it is Joy unspeakable and full of glory Heb. 12.11 Then followes the peaceable Fruits of Righteousnesse all the rest of the Summer of their life with more light and Joy then if they had never been in darknesse Even as Fruit-trees after a long cold sharpe Winter when the warme spring comes on and the heate of Summer followes all flourish in their beauties and ornaments of Blossomes Leaves and Fruits Section 9. The opinion about descension of Sap Examined HVSBANDMAN Some learned men have thought and asserted that Sap in Fruit-trees doth descend in Autumne from the Branches to the Rootes which going down of the Sap causeth the Leaves and Fruits to fall off and the Branches to cease growing And Wood-men and many others receive it and hold it as their common opinion for an undoubted truth What say yee of your selves as to this matter FRVITTREES If Learned men and others are of that opinion they had best consider it againe and looke better into the grounds of their opinion secundae cogitationes meliores for we deny the thing Ther 's no going down of any of our Sap Nature is wiser then so to part with any Sap that it hath gotten our Sap is our Life it is our foode upon which we live and increase yearely and by which we are inabled to bring forth Blossomes Leaves and Fruits in Sommer yearely how come we to be of this bulke and bignesse as thou seest but by the assention of Sap and the digesting and assimulating of it into our substance of Wood Barke Leaves Blossomes and Fruits we should be glad of moâ—e Sap if we could get it but we will part with none downe againe to our Roots for our Rootes are better stored with Sap all the yeare long then we the branches And besides this necessity of keeping it and impossibility of parting with it the Naturall and innate property of our Sap is alwaies to ascend there is an active vegetative spirit in us the Nature of which is alwaies to ascend and according to the Law of our Nature can do no otherwise it being a tenuous light Body or substance of a flammeous and aerious Nature whose appetite is alwaies upwards according to the knowne Axiome omne leve sursum Nay more should we part with any of our Sap downe againe we should then fade and decay our substance would be thereby diminished that as we increase one part of the yeare by ascension of Sap so we should also decrease another part of the yeare by descension of Sap and what then would become of us Therefore there is no such thing in Nature as descension of Sap in Trees No descension of Sap in Fruit-trees HVSBANDMAN I am perswaded as ye have said That there is no such thing in Nature as descension of Sap in Fruit-trees and have severall Reasons against it besides what hath been said For no Effect can be produced without a Cause Now there is no Cause can be so much as colorably assigned for such an Effect in Nature Therefore we conclude there is no such thing for Sap when it moves alwaies ascends never descends If any man be yet unsatisfied concerning this touching the descension of Sap in Trees it being deeply radicated in their minds and an opinion of long standing he may receive further satisfaction concerning it from six perticular Arguments against it grounded upon Reason
and Experience set forth at large in a little Booke intituled a Treatise of Fruit-trees by a Practiser in the Art of Planting Fruit-trees pag. 191. 192. c. As for Leaves of Trees falling in Autumne and Rootes being better then at that time which some attribute to the descending of Sap the Cause is grosely mistaked other Causes for those Effects are easily assign'd Leaves fall off because Sap at that time hath done ascending and Rootes are best then because no sap ascends from them they are then fed and will first be served The Poet thought it an Excellent thing to find out the true Causes of things when he said felix qui potuit rerum cognoscere Causas The spirit aâ—d Nature of true Christians tend upwards But besides the Temporall Profitts and advantages that may arise from the knowledge of these things we learne some lessons and instructions for spirituall advantages If the innate spirit and Sap in Fruit-trees is still aspiring and ascending upwards and never downwards unlesse forced contrary to its Naturall propensity This teacheth us That so it should be with all Christians Nay so it is with such as are not nominally only but Christians indeed and in truth Their spirituall Nature aspires and ascends upwards the Divine Nature whereof all beleevers are pertakers more or lesse does as Naturally ascend and raise and draw the soule in it's desires affections and operations upwards Heavenwards towards Christ the life strength and Treasure of true beleevers as corrupt Nature tends downwards Earthwards and towards the Creatures so that by this Professors may try themselves and come to know what Nature or Principle dwells and prevailes in them The Tree is knowne hy it's Fruits Causes are knowne by their Effects so also in this Case Section 10. Fruit-trees prepared in Nurseries to be transplanted HVSBANDMAN Here is a very large Nursery of Fruit-trees some very young lately sping up some of a middle size and others very large faire Trees and of all these some are grafted and some ungrafted Methinks these that are of the biggest and eldest sort being now prepared and grown large Trees should be transplanted and removed out of the Nursery somewhere abroad into severall Countries in Orchards Gardens and Fields that so they might have roome to spread and enlarge themselves and beare store of good Fruits for the profit of many Elder Trees transplanted make roome for the Younger FRVIT-TREES Iâ—s true These that are faire large goodly Trees should be removed from the rest of the younger sort else we that are young and comming up are like to be oppressed by them for we shall not have roome to grow and enlarge And besides these great large Trees will reach and in tangle one with another and crosse fret and gall one another And therefore it is very fit and necessary that they should be removed hence for to that end they were planted here And then others will come up in their roomes and increase as they have donne and so successively be removed where they may grow and enlarge and be profitable in their Fruits for many yeares Some of the best kinds are to grow still in the Nursery HVSBANDMAN I know that the end of Planting a Nursery of Fruit-trees is to prepare them for transplanting elsewhere But yet it is very convenient and necessary too that some of the best Trees such as have the best properties in all respects should remaine still in the Nursery whereof to gather Grafts and bring forth Fruits in order to the preparation of the young ungrafted Trees that they also may be fitted for transplantation in due time Nurseries of Materiall Fruit-trees are apt similitudes of Misticall Fruit-trees in Vniversities And this if it be well considered is a very apposite Similitude of Vniversities and societies of Learning being Nurseries of Misticall Fruit-trees designed on purpose for instruction and preparation of youth that they may be Fruitfull Trees of the Lords Planting and Grafting to bring forth much good Fruit to the Husbandman that he may be glorified Isay 61.3 And to this great end every one concern'd should labour earnestly to be fitted and prepared with Gifts and Graces Learning and all endowments and qualifications of the Mind And having received Talents then to improve and imploy them for their Masters use that so they may receive a reward It is necessary as was said there should some of the chiefe and Principall Fruit-trees remaine in the Nursery for Governors and Tutors in every society to prepare the younger sort for transplantation into severall parts for publique imployment in the Church and Common-wealth The spirit and Grace of God is to be preferred before all Naturall and acquired abilities Now the maine and chiefe thing to be laboured for and most necessary to be obtayned is the Spirit and Grace â—f God humane Learning and Naturall parts and Abilities improved by Study and industrie are of singuler use and advantage and all indeavors are diligently to be used for attainment thereof but these alone are toâ— short to ayme at or attaine the highest end the glory of God For Man by Nature caâ— have no higher End then himselfe his owâ— intrests As water in its current can rise no higher of it selfe then the spring head every thing acts according to its Nature and can do no otherwise Therefore a Principle of grace is absolutely necessary This is spiritually the Philosophers Stone that turnes all Naturall attainments into Gold it uses and improves all to spirituall Ends and uses in order to the glory of God so that we must get this or we get * Si Christum discis satis est si caetera nescis Si Christum nescis nihil est si caetera discis nothing Every one should be of such a spirit as Luther who protested Earnestly that God should not put him off with worldly things or Naturall Gifts herein we should be earnest with God and take no nay no denyall Though we should aske temporall things conditionally if it be the will of God to give them yet we may and ought to aske spirituall things which are â—…olutely necessary without condition The Kingdâ—me of heauen suffereth violence and the violent take it by force Mat. 11.12 Section 11. Some Fruits seeme good to the Eye but are bad to the Tast. HVSBANDMAN I observe many Trees in this Garden which are faire large Trees to looke upon they flourish yearely with broad greene Leaves and beautifull blossomes and spring up with large shootes but they bring forth no good Fruits some Fruits they bring forth which are large in bulk and substance and have a faire and beautifull colour but their tast and relish is nought the Husbandman likes not their Tast they are of a sower sharpe bitter relish very unpleasant If yee bring forth no better Fruit hereafter yee shall be cut down and madâ— fuell for the fire 〈◊〉 should yee cumbeâ— the ground Fruit-trees improved by ingrafting FRVIT-TREES