are in in his hand too which he turnes as he pleaseth Mens hearts shall be opened to them not only to receive and take in the word which they bring but also to give out of their substance to assure them of it more certainely then they can be by any other meanes But when men lie still neglecting the Lords worke watching for an advantage to get some great place worth so much by the yeare this as it makes such persons low and cheape even in the eyes of good men and reflects upon the whole Ministry in the eyes of the world so also this renders the labours of many fruitlesse and insuccessfull it being a just and righteous thing with God to leave such to themselves and their carnall ends And as to those persons who have beene long in Vniversities and are not fit for any publique imployment either in Church or Common-wealth having mispent their time and improved in nothing but in Corruptions these ought to be cast out as unsavoury salt or removed as unprofitable unfruitfull trees out of the Nursery that so there may be roome for other hopefull young plants to grow and thrive in their places to be profitable Instraments in their generation And if Governours have not sufficient authority to send forth the one or to cast out the other they ought to obtaine it where it may be had Otherwise the great and maine end of Vniversities can never be attayned neither can Governours who neglect to doe this be able to make a good accompt unto God in this matter which will shortly be required of them Give an accompt of thy stewardship for thou maist be no longer steward The seventeenth Observation in Nature FRuit-trees never loose their innate or naturall properties but they abide in the Trees as long as the trees live They may and sometimes do loose all adventitious properties such as they have by the Art and industrie of men but they neuer loose their Naturall All the skill and power of men cannot rob the Trees of their Naturall properties without the destruction of the Trees This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall fruit-trees and shadowes forth unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed Saving grace or the Divine Nature in believers abides in the soule for ever but common Gifts or Graces may be lost When God gives any soule to Christ there is then a Marriage between Christ and that soule Now the Bonds and Lawes of Marriage hold and are in force so long as the parties live The Covenant between God and his people is a well ordered covenant sure and stedfast 2 Sam. 23.5 Grace in Believers is a spirituall nature or the Divine Nature And if that all naturall living Creatures retaine their Naturall vertues and properties so long as they live how much more shall the soule which is a spirituall substance hold and keep those spiritually Naturall properties habits and inclinations that God fixeth in it Holinesse is a Divine Nature or new Creature which God puts into the Soules of Beleivers and in respect of duration is like unto the Author of it who is Eternall We are kept by the power of God through faith 1 Pet. 1.5 And as God is the Author of faith so also he is the perfecter of it Heb. 12.2 All the Attributes of God are engaged for our perseverance in grace he is faithfull who also will do it 1 Thes 5.23 24. I will put my feare this new Nature into their hearts and they shall never depart from me Jer. 32.40 they shall never loose it neither shall their enemies take it from them either with power or policy it is impossible Mark 24.24 If it were possible they shall deceive the very Elect implying it is not possible Multitudes of other Scriptures might be brought to this purpose but I study brevity throughout all the worke But now such as have but Common Spirituall Gifts may and do fall away These make a Profession for a time for some selfe and sinister ends and after a while fall off and come to nothing They are as a Bough stuck in the ground without Roots that for a while in the pleasant spring will bud and Blossome like other boughes upon living Trees but in the heate of sommer it withers and dies see Observ 9. Many have excellent naturall parts in respect of their apprehension understanding Memory utterance c. Much Learning skill and acquired abilities and may be able to Preach Pray discourse c. much better then many of Gods people they may be inlightned and tast of the heavenly Gift they may receive the word of God with some liking of it and in some things conforme unto it And yet by degrees may loose all or most of these things for all these if no more come short of true grace or holinesse they are common to the Reprobate as well as to the Elect. They went out from us because they were not of us 1. Joh 2.19 such are as the stonie ground Matth. 13.21 the seed springs and dies soone after Vse 1 These things being so it highly concernes all Professours to looke well to their Principles what they have received whether true and saving graces or but only Common Gifts and Graces lest with the foolish Virgins that had Lamps but no Oyle they be such out of heaven when they expect to enter in Hence we may see the folly and weaknesse of those who labour more for spirituall gifts then for saving graces some men Vse 2 bestow more cost time and labour for accomplishments in humane Learning and Morall abilities which may be all lost then they doe for the wisdome of God and his Image which abide in the soule for ever Is not this Esau like who preferred a Messe of Pottage before a blessing How shall any be able to excuse such men from grosse spirituall folly blindnesse and want of Judgment who preferre things wherein Sathan excells them before those things which make men resemble God Surely there is no clearer Evidence of darknesse of mind then for men to labour more earnestly for Gifts than for Graces for things that perish then for Eternall Treasures The nineteenth Observation in Nature THe husbandman hath use for many Tooles and Instruments about his works in his Garden of Fruit-trees and if any of them grow dull and unserviceable for which ends they were appoynted if his knives sawes c. after often whetting and filing will not cut but become blunt and dull tooles he layes them aside or perhaps sometimes in displeasure throwes them aside and makes use of some other Instruments that have an edg He very much approves of sharp Tooles about his works This shadowes out unto us That God is well pleased with zealous and active Instruments in his works Proposition shadowed But men of dull indifferent spirits he often layes them aside and puts others in their stead God the Great Misticall husbandman hath great works in hand in his
Garden the Church Joh 5.17 My father worketh hitherto and I worke And though he can doe all his works with a word of his Mouth yet he is pleased to make use of many Instruments in carrying them on Now God doth very much approve of Zealous and active instruments in the works he sets them about their zeale being guided with wisdome and Judgment Jehu because he was Zealous and active for God in destroying Ahabs house God established him 2 Kings 10.30 and his posterity in the Throne unto the fourth generation But Saul an eminent Instrument and set up by God himselfe yet neglecting to doe the Lords work throughly which was in his power to doe God said him aside in displeasure and set up David a zealous and active Instrument in his stead to carry on the works he had to doe And Eli though a good man and an eminent Instrument in the hand of God yet when he grew dull wanted edg viz zeale to suppresse the wickednesse of his sonnes and to honour God in his Office God was exceedingly displeased with him and threw him aside in respect of making use of him any longer and chose another in his stead 1 Sam. 3. But how well was God pleased with Phinehas a man of spirit and zeale for God God himselfe stands up for him and commends him Phinehas and his sonnes were established in the Priests Office Numb 25.13 He shal have it and his seed after him even the Covenant of an everlasting Priesthood because he was zealous for his God God cannot abide indifferency and luke-warmnesse in matters concerning his honour and the interest of his sonne which he himselfe is jealous for a dull flat indifferent spirit in these things is loathsome to God he cannot beare it Rev. 3.16 Because thou art luke-warm and neither hot nor cold I will spew thee out of my mouth Men that act not for God they act against him Luk. 11.23 He that is not with me is against me Use Seeing this is so It is the safety and wisdome of all men in any place of Power higher or subordinate to lay out themselves with zeale for God to be diligent and active Instruments in the designes of God acting according to the directions and leadings of his Word and Providences The advantages will be not only the honour of God in the inlargement and establishment of the kingdome of Christ but also the honour and establishment of such Instruments God will still delight to imploy them in his great works Numb 25.13 The nineteenth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman in Autumn and Winter is Pruning of his trees and boughs and branches are scattered up and downe all the parts of the Orchard He is then digging up the earth and baring the Roots of trees transplanting some and setting others in their roomes and doing many other works which make the Garden lye rough and unhandsomely But all these works tend to the greater beauty pleasure profit in the garden afterwards in the spring and sommer This Similitude shadowes out unto us this Proposition which is cleared by Scripture That the Commotions troubles Proposition shadowed and confusions in the Church of God will end in the settlement peace and glory of it God hath a great work to doe in the world and is now about it even in our daies He hath said he will shake the heavens and the earth and the sea and the dry land That he will shake all nations and the desire of all Nations shall come Hag. 2.6.7 When were the Heavens and the Earth and the Sea so shaken as they have been of late yeares who knowes not of the overturnings and great alterations that have been among us both in Church and State It is God that changeth the times and the seasons it is he that putteth downe one and setteth up another and all these things are but in order unto the glory of his Church Yea he will still shake and overturne the Nations untill he hath established and setled his sonne Christ Lord and King over all the Earth This is his great designe now in hand Thus saith the Lord God remove the Diadem and take off the Crowne this shall not be the same exalt him that is low and abase him that is high Ezek. 21.26 I will overturne overturne overturne it and it shall be no more untill he come whose right it is I will give it him Christ alone hath right to raigne and God hath promis'd him the Heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost parts of the Earth for his possession Psal 2.8 And such as oppose him and stand out in rebellion against him though they be Kings and Monarch's and say we will not have this man to raigne over us he will break such with a rod of Iron and dash them in peeces like a Potters vessell Psal 2.9 Christ now meets with opposition in coming to enter upon his kingdome and thence are all the stirres commotions and confusions among us but he will at length prevaile and the government shall be upon his shoulders and of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end the zeale of the Lord of hosts will performe this Esay 9.7 His Kingdome shall at length be established upon the tops of the Mountaines and be exalted above the hills Mica 4.1 And after he hath rebuked the strong nations of the earth and brought them into subjection Then they shall beat their swords into plowshares and their speares into Pruning hooks and shall learne war no more but they shall sit every man under his Vine and under his Fig-tree and none shall make them afraid for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it Mica 4.3 4. and againe Esay 32.18 My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation and in sure dwellings and in quiet resting places Let all take notice of the great designe that God hath in hand Vse 1 in the enlargement of the kingdome of his sonne and establishing him in it and beware they be not found fighters against God And though men contrive and bend their strength against God yet will he carry on his work and they shall be broken Esay 8.9 Associate your selves O ye people and ye shall be broken in pieces Gird your selves and ye shall be broken in pieces Vse 2 This truth is full of Consolations to the Church of God which hath been long oppressed and kept under by the enemies thereof For surely the time of deliverance is neere As by the budding and blossoming of the Fig-tree and all other Trees we know that the Sommer is neere so the terrible shaking of the Nations declare that the redemption of Gods people drawes neere these being the last daies The day of the Churches deliverance from under the power of Antichrist hath dawned Esay 60.1 Arise and shine for the light is come and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee Whereas thou hast been forsaken and hated so that
The Spirituall use of an Orchard or Garden of FRUIT-TREES Set forth in divers Similitudes betweene Naturall and Spirituall fruit-trees in their Natures and ordering according to Scripture and Experience The second Impression with the Addition of many Similitudes By RA AUSTEN Author of the first part Hos 12.10 I have used Similitudes by the Ministrie of the Prophets Jer 17.8 He shall be as a Tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth out her Roots by the River and shall not see when heat cometh but her leafe shall be greene and shall not be carefull in the year of drought neither shall cease from yeilding fruit Rom 11.23 And they also if they abide not still in unbeleife shall be grafted in for God is able to graft them in againe Joh 15.1 2. J am the true Vine and my Father is the husbandman Every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit Cant. 2.3 Like the Apple-tree among the Trees of the forrest so is my beloved among the sonnes I sate downe under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my tast OXFORD Printed by HEN HALL Printer to the UNIVERSITY for THO ROBINSON M.DC.LVII Aug 2. 1656. Imprimatur JOHAN OWEN Vice-Can Oxon A Preface to the Reader HAVING in the first part of this work spoken at large concerning the ordering of Naturall Fruit-trees in all respects and of the great Profits Pleasures and Advantages that arise thence I shall now consider Fruit-trees upon another Accompt and endeavour to make some Spirituall use and improvement of them And this should be our care as to all creatures which we have to do with upon all occasions according to the example of our Lord and Saviour whose use it was to spiritualife Naturall and Morall things when he conversed with us in his bodily presence as we see frequently in Scripture When the Pharisees spake of washing their hands before meate Matth. 15.20 Christ instructs them thereupon about spirituall defilements when the woman of Samaria came to draw water Christ tells her of living water Joh. 4.10 When his disciples brought him Meate he tells them he had meate they knew not of it was meate and drinke to him to do his fathers will Jo. 4.34 When the man spake of having his inheritance divided Luk. 12.13 our Saviour thereupon instructs him and others at large to beware of coveteousnesse and worldly cares when the multitude followed him having eaten of the Loaves Jo. 6. Christ thereupon counsells them to labour for the meat that perisheth not for the bread of life Joh. 6.26 And many spirituall things he illustrates by Similitudes from Naturall things as we see Matth. 13. and many other places from Scede Tares Mustard-seed Leaven a Treasure in the Feild a Pearle a draw net c. So should we make a Spirituall use of Naturall things and so turne Earth as it were into heaven When we have gone through all the workes and labours to be performed in the Orchard and have received thereby a rich recompence of Temporall Profits and Pleasures in the use of the Trees and Fruits we may besides all that make a Spirituall use of them and receive more and greater Profits and Pleasures thereby Men are not wont to stint themselves at wordly Profits but why are they not willing to receive all kinds of Profits or why are they not willing to receive the greatest and best should a man chuse and preferre a Glasse-beade or Toy before some Pretious and Rich Jewell would he not be censured for a foolish man how much more foolish and unwise is he that seeks after Temporall Profits and neglects Spirituall and Eternall therefore be carefull to make a spirituall improvement of fruit-trees The World is a great Library and Fruit-trees are some of the Books wherein we may read and see plainely the Attributes of God his Power Wisdome Goodnesse c. and be instructed and taught our duty towards him in many things even from Fruit-trees for as trees in a Metaphoricall sence are Books so likewise in the same sence they have a Voyce and speak plainely to us and teach us many good lessons The Lord Bacon saies God hath two great Books which we ought to study his Word and his Works the one discovers his Will the other his Power The Apostle saies Rom. 1.20 The invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearely seene being understood by the things that are made even his Eternall Power and Godhead The Creatures of God are to be studied as Books for in them we may read the Attributes of God and observe some small resemblances and darke shadowes of his infinite Excellencies and Perfections they are seene Per speculum Creaturarum They who cannot read a line in any Printed Book may read many good lessons in the Book of the Creatures Fruit-trees though they are dumb companions yet in a sence we may discourse with them The Saints soule exalting humiliation p. 87. et p. 205. The works of God speak to the mind as his Word does to the Eare. Mr Boulton saies Our Eyes Especially on the Sabbath day ought as little Bees fall upon severall objects and from them as from so many Flowers gather hony and bring it into the hive That is sweet heavenly wholsome Meditations for magnifying the Creator in all his Attributes Fruit-trees and other Creatures do truely though without an articulate voyce Preach the Attributes and perfections of God to us And we may read divine Truthes in them as in a Book consisting of words and sentences the Creatures of God according to their natures speak out the praises of God Ps 145.10 All thy workes praise thee O Lord and among them Fruitfull Trees 148.9 Things without sense or life have a voyce and speak to us Ps 19. The Heavens declare the glory of God vers 3. Their voyces are heard in every language or Nation and vers 4. Their words go to the ends of the World So that not only rationall and irrationall but even Inanimate Creatures have a voyce and speak loudly to men and it is our duty to learne their language and hearken to them All Creatures as a holy Man saies have a teaching voyce they read us divinity Lectures of divine Providence We must be content to stoope to their way and manner of teaching as the Egyptians and others in former times who were instructed by Characters and Hyeroglyphiques by something represented to the eye Notions were conveyed to the understanding Dumbe Creatures speak virtually and convincingly to the mind and Conscience If we make use of Creatures to serve our turne only in reference to our outward man we make not halfe that use of them as we ought we should study the Creatures and learne from them to bring us nearer the Creator Climbing up by them as by steps or staires till we ascend to the highest Good How much of the goodnesse and excellencies of God do Fruit-trees
the Lord Mr. R. Austine the Author of the Treatise of Fruit-trees SIR THE benefit my selfe and others have received from your godly society and Gospell conversation heretofore may be argument enough for us thankfully to embrace your pregnant similitudes and Gospell observations I must confesse I am bound to blesse the Lord for the acquaintance and familiarity I formerly had and still have with you I seldome came to your garden but you made your trees speak something of Christ and the gospell your custome was to present your Christian friends and visitors with such clusters of gospell grapes which you now send abroad to the world It s admirable to see what spirituall improvements you have made of your Nursery the Reader if he have senses exercised to rellish and distinguish will soone taste the sweetnesse of your spirituall fruit especially considering 1. Pares cum paribus facillimè con jungantur That you take your rise from such things as are obvious and familiar to every mans Capacity which may easily set the minds of the Readers on work upon Jesus Christ duoilla nos maximè movent similitudo exemplum Cic 3. de Orat. The creatures all speak thus Qui fecit me propter te fecâ—â— te propter se Bernard 2. It s wonderfull to see so much Gospell gathered from natures Twiggs The naturall voyce of the creatures tell us that God is As Aristotle and Galen report but none ever made the creatures in so plaine and familiar a manner speak of Christ before I must acquaint the Reader that here is in your Similitudes gospell profit with soule delight and pleasure The spirituall Reader is here taught how to meete with Christ amongst the Mirtle Trees Sir we must all give you thanks for your pious explication of natures * Dicta enim Hieroglyphica apud Aegyptios sacra quaedam monumenta sculptis animalium figuris significantia Macrob. Satur. lib. 1.21 Hieroglyphicks whereby you have made the creatures speak plaine It s gospell wisedome that must make your young plants to beare such apples of gold Do men gather grapes of thornes or figs of thistles saith Christ No naturally they will not yeeld such kinds of fruit but here are spirituall grapes from natures wild trees that 's admirable 3. The Reader may observe that you make the dead to speak as well as the living Joh. 15.2.6 Mat. 15.13 Luk. 13.7 I meane your withered and unprofitable plants which you cast out of your Nursery yeelds most profitable observations The Lord will have a time to root out every tree and cut off every branch which beares no fruit not a body onely but sap not leaves but fruit which the Lord likes in professors 4. Your varieties of spirituall fruit may exceedingly please the godly Reader mens minds naturally are much delighted with variety all the similitudes in the world will not reach to that fulnesse and variety of fulnesse which is in the Lord Jesus Christ we read Revel 22.2 of a Tree that bare twelve manner of fruits which Tree is Christ Mr Diodati saith a Reverend man in his pious Annotations It s a mystery to the world that Beleivers should bring forth variety of fruits to Christ and yet receive all manner of fruits from Christ Rom. 11.36 of him and by him and through him and therefore to him be all things Our life is hid in Christ as the root our graces are all from him Coll. 3.3 our sap fruit and all therefore its observable what your drift is As Christ the Prophets and Apostles were wont to send men to Trees Consider the Lillyes how they grow Fruits and Plants for divine considerations now least men should fix too much here you strive to fetch the minds of the Readers off from them all to Christ againe and especially by the same way The good Lord open our eyes that we may follow on in your path that as we have all felt the misery following of our eating the forbidden fruit we may eat now of this Tree of life So prayes Sir Your very loving Friend and Brother in the Lord J. F. A Minister of the Gospell Decemb. 24. 1656. To the READER THE blessed God hath a speciall work to do in the world in which he imployes his faithfull servants and such oftentimes as are in comparison of others but as Babes in Christ when such as the men of the world esteeme the only wise men are rejected of the Lord. God for his owne glory is pleased to staine the pride of men to pull down such as lift up themselves and attribute that glory to themselves which is only due to God and exalts such as are of low degree Luk. 1.52 53. such as see are hartily affected with their owne emptinesse and insufficiency and are enabled to role themselves on God for wisdome and strength to do his work faithfully God hath for the most part made use of Instruments to bring about his great designes and interests both in Church and State such as have been scorned and contemned by ungodly learned men who reject the pretious truths of God because God sends and imployes such of his servants to dispence them unto men that have not such humane learning Titles and degrees as themselves the only things in a carnall Eye but poore low things in a spirituall Eye in comparison of the teachings of the spirit of God I know and do freely grant that Human Learning is a most choice and excellent gift when it is sanctifyed in any person and that which God hath made use of in his servants sometimes to carry on and promote his great workes and interests in the world And I do greatly honour such gratious learned men as improve their grace and learning for God and such persons as have a low esteeme of Learning and speak slightly of it or of Learned men because such I dare affirme such men speak evill of that which they understand not I am no enemy to Humane Learning as some in the University have affirmed and possessed others in the Country with the same opinion of me my practise can witnesse for it is well knowne that I spent many yeares in the University and Country to obtaine a little that I might be the more serviceable to God in my generation and I find that that which the Lord hath given me is very usefull unto me in the work that I am called unto by God and men But I shall intreate And do earnestly desire some Learned men both in the University and Country seriously to consider whether or no they do not greatly and apparently abuse their Learning First In preferring it before the Spirit of God and the saving knowledge of Christ Secondly In having higher thoughts of themselves than of others who it may be are more Holy and Humble and have more of the teachings of the Spirit of God than themselves Thirdly In despising and contemning their Persons Sermons Bookes
grow there being ready for transplanting because such hinder many other small young plants which might be brought into the Nursery to be ingrafted and prepared if the great ones were transplanted So ought it to be in Vniversities For unlesse the ancient Students having had a convenient time to fit themselves for publique imployments doe remove many hopefull young plants will be kept out which otherwise if brought under the discipline of godly Governours and ingrafted will in due season bring forth much good fruit Thirdly If Fruit-trees after they are prepared in the Nursery for fruit-bearing be removed and transplanted abroad into severall Countries many may partake of their fruits they will be profitable from yeare to yeare which cannot be if they be kept still in the Nursery So if Vniversity men having obtained Gifts and Graces goe forth and exercise their Talents in the Church of God many may have profit and advantage by them who otherwise cannot Besides these Reasons the word requires that able and usefull men should goe forth into the Church of God Luk. 10.1 2. Our Saviour as a Master or governour of a great Society having disciplined and taught his Disciples and made them fit for the Ministrie he sent out Threescore and ten of them at one time having sent Twelve not long before Luk. 9.2 And because the harvest is great and there is need of Labourers we ought to pray the Lord of the Harvest that he would send forth more Luk. 10.2 But such as are fit yet unwilling to goe may be asked sharply by way of reproofe why stand ye here all the day idle Mat. 20.6 Many stand idle in the Market place while they might and ought to goe and labour in the Lords Vineyard Having a Talent or more they must one day be called to an account what use they have made thereof and if they have not well imployed them nor gained by them they will make but a sad reckoning Mat. 25.19 the Lord commeth and will reckon with them Vse 1 The Inference hence is in every mans eye that such whom it concernes doe consider what their duty is in this regard and accordingly apply themselves It is my humble advice with all love Let not any now as too many in former times having gotten Fellowships in Colledges account them as t were their free-hold for life having accommodations to set up their rest and say its good being here what can I expect better if I goe forth as though selfe were all a man should ayme at If any man be offended and object why should I meddle thus far I answer I am within the bounds of my Orchard and the subject at first proposed Not only to treat of Ordering Materiall Fruit-trees but also to make a spirituall use of them where I judge the Similitude apt and pregnant I am a friend and no adversary in speaking the truth in Love The Husbandman having purged his Nursery and planted therein many choice plants ingrafted into the true Vine he expects better fruits there than former ages have afforded And it may be spoken to the honour of the Husbandman and of the Reformation hitherto carried on by him that there are pleasant and wholsome fruits brought forth by many Trees of righteousnesse of his planting Oh that it might be said Esay 61.3 Jer. 2.21 Ho. 10.1 there are no Wild Vines among them bringing forth sower and bitter Grapes or empty Vines which bring forth fruit unto themselves That the adversaries of the truth might not have occasion to charge any especially such as have the name of godly persons with Pride high carriages earthly mindednesse and such like grosse corruptions which are the fowlest Blots that can light upon Professors and bring most dishonour to God to his Gospell and to themselves If men in these places have sincere and right ends in their eye and pursue them accordingly even the interest of our Lord Jesus Christ in the increase of his kingdome As they may thereby bring much honour to God happinesse to themselves edification to his Church So also the same is the right and ready way to establish and perpetuate Universities Therefore take my counsell and not mine but the Apostles 2 Tim. 1.6 stirre up the gift that is in thee and againe 1 Tim. 4.4 Neglect not the gift that is in thee Such as have Talents whereby they may profit the Church of God ought to employ them for that purpose according as God hath fitted them It is true indeed Some able men in Vniversities as godly Tutors in every Colledge besides Governours may be as profitable to the Church of God there as if they went forth but this reacheth not the generality of men in such places Therefore the exhortation may be seasonably carried on I know the best men had need of stirring up to their duties And that this may willingly be imbraced Consider what neede there is of faithfull able and painfull Teachers abroad in every Country The Harvest truly is great and such labourers are but few Multitudes Multitudes of people lye in the gall of bitternesse and bond of iniquity and would it not be a glorious worke to be instrumentall in turning them from darknesse to light and from the power of Sathan unto God yea and the worke also will make such Instruments glorious Dan. 12.3 They that be wise shall shine as the brightnesse of the firmament and they that turne many to righteousnesse as the starrs for ever and ever I shall say no more verbum sat sapientibus there are a world of Encouragements to this worke rewards and wages are in it besides infinite Treasures laid up for them to all Eternity Use 2 Secondly such as are Governours in Vniversities ought to take speciall care that men goe forth who are fitted for publique imployments and not to leave it to their wills and pleasures for although some are carried out by the spirit and spirituall Principles to spend and be spent in the work of the Lord yet some others even good men give way to selfish carnall Principles and neglect it Therefore Governours ought herein to follow Christs Example and to * by making Orders and Rules in the severall societies for that end and not to walke in this great respect by statutes made in darke corrupt times Is it likely such should be meete Rules for these Gospell times these times of light and Reformation send them forth to preach Christ It be asked whither shall they goe it Answered to preach the Gospell to every creature to all mankind wheresoever it is wanting For if they are Ministers of the Gospell a necessity lyes upon them to preach it 1 Cor. 9.16 yea woe unto them if they preach not the Gospell whether they have a setled maintenance or no If they be faithfull herein then Christ whose worke it is will certainely see they have all necessaries ministred unto them As the earth is the Lords and the fulnesse thereof so all hearts
Meeke to bind up the Broken hearted to proclaime liberty to the Captives and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound to proclaime the acceptable yeare of the Lord to comfort all that mourne c. Now the reason hereof is because soules lying under apprehensions of wrath for sin their doubt is mainely of Gods willingnesse to save them they know not his Will in the thing therefore to labour to convince them of his Love of his willingnesse and readinesse to receive and save sinners that come to him by Christ is the great businesse in case of distresse and doubting Vse 1 This being so then those who goe about to direct and comfort weary soules laden and burthened with the sense of sin and wrath are to beware how they presse the duties of the Law to such in order to settlement and peace some are ready still in such Cases to tell the partie distressed in conscience you must walke strictly take heed of Sin give not way to corruptions not so much as any motions or stirrings of them within and be diligent in all duties of hearing the word reading meditation c. and so put them on the duties of the Law or Covenant of workes whereby to get peace and acceptance with God making God appeare as a hard Master and thereby lay one burthen upon another in stead of easing of them Whereas the sweete refreshing Promises of the Covenant of grace the infinite Love of God in our pretious Lord Jesus Christ should be laid open and held forth clearely to such a weary soule that such a one might see the great workes of fulfilling the Law and satisfying divine Justice done to his hand in case he lay hold upon and close with Christ by faith This is the ready way to settle such a soule to make the Graft take hold of the stock from which it may receive life This the Apostle shewes us by a plaine instance Gal. 3.2 Received ye the spirit by the worke of the Law or by the hearing of faith as if he should say ye know this course was taken with you before ye beleived The doctrine of free grace was preached to you ye heard that Justification came not by the workes of the Law but by faith in Christ even so it is now Secondly Soules thus in distresse ought to harken to and receive offers of grace when they heare them made and not to Vse 2 put them off and neglect them as very many doe They will not or dare not close with the free promises of grace because say they I wretch am not worthie I am not fitted my heart is hard my Corruptions are strong I am full of sin my whole life is nothing but sin Why thou shalt never have it otherwise so long as thou standest off and refusest to close with Christ If thou think to get thy heart into an humble melting frame and temper and to subdue Corruptions and then to close with Christ thou wilt but deceive thy selfe that 's not the way but seeing thy want of Christ and thy sinfull undone condition without him and a true desire in thee to get out of it and to be sanctified as well as justified to be saved from sin as well as wrath let it be the very first thing thou doest to venture on him and close with him accept of his love and doe but touch him by faith and thou shalt find thy selfe healed of all thy spirituall diseases but without this course notwithstanding all thy owne strictnesse and endeavours in duties thou wilt find thy selfe to be worse and worse The five and twentieth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman having laboured and taken much paines about Engrafting his Plants when in the spring he sees they begin to bud and shoote forth when he observing of them perceives they have closed with and taken hold of the stock he is glad of it this is a ground of rejoycing to him he is very well pleas'd to see the good successe of his labours about his Fruit-trees This discovers to us That A sinners Repentance and closing with Christ causeth joy both in heaven and Earth The Lord the great husbandman is alwaies at worke labouring to draw soules to Christ by all waies and meanes And his sub-husbandmen the Ministers of the Gospell and all his people one way or other do labour in the same worke they are Co-workers fellow labourers with him in this great Gospell worke Now when they see their works and labours have good successe they rejoyce and are glad 1. The people of God rejoyce when they see unregenerate persons come in to Christ because they are renewed themselves and it 's naturall for every Creature to be glad of and rejoyce in its like Secondly they rejoyce at the conversion of others because they love God The Reason and Love is alwaies glad at that which pleaseth and makes for the beloved God hath honour hereby and therefore they rejoyce Secondly the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell rejoyce at the conversion of soules not only upon these accompts but also because they are more immediately concerned in it it is their proper worke and businesse to winne soules to Christ Now when they see the successe of their Labours they say as the Apostle 3 Epistle of John 4. I have no greater joy then to heare that my Children walke in the truth So the Apostle Paul 1 Thes 2.19 what is our hope our joy our Crowne of rejoycing are not yee c v. 20. For ye are our glory joy Thirdly The good Angels also rejoyce when sinners turne to God This our Saviour tells us Luk. 15.7 I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth c. vers 10. There is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth Fourthly God the father sonne and spirit rejoyce at the Repentance of sinners The spirit to speake after the manner of men is said to be greived with sin when soules reject his motions so on the contrary when they hearken to him he is well pleased Our Saviour having taught his disciples and brought them to understand and receive the things of the kingdome of God he rejoyced Luk. 10.21 In that houre Jesus rejoyced in spirit c. Also we see how God the Father is wel pleased when sinners come in to Christ this is at large made out unto us in the Parable of the Prodigall Luk. 15.20 the father seeing his sonne returning to him how glad is he of it he ran to meete him and fell on his neck and kissed him then there was Musicke and dancing and feasting c. all this is but to let us know how welcome a soule is to God when it returnes from its wandrings Esay 65.19 I will rejoyce in Jerusalem and joy in my people and Zepth 3.17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save he will rejoyce over thee with joy
hee will rest in his Love he will joy over thee with singing Vse 1 O what encouragement is here unto sinners to come in and close with Christ by faith they shall be welcome freely welcome not onely so but heaven earth will as it were ring with joy at their coming in It will not be onely matter of joy unspeakable and full of glory unto themselves but also it will be joy to others Men and Angels yea the blessed God himselfe speaking to our apprehensions is said to rejoyce at it Now therefore be wise in this thy day stand not out one Moment longer wilt thou not accept of a Crowne and kingdome when it is offered thus freely if thou wilt not then know for a certainty that God who now tels thee he will be glad of thy coming in will laugh at thy destruction and mocke when thy feare comes Pro. 1.26 Secondly Let all the people of God labour in this glorious worke of winning soules to Christ that so Jerusalem the Vse 2 Church of God may not only be a quiet habitation but also filled with joy when the redeemed of the Lord shall returne and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtaine joy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flee away Esay 35.10 This is a Touchstone for those who professe and pretend an Vse 3 interest in Christ doest thou rejoyce when thou seest or hearest of any comming in to Christ that the kingdome of Christ is daily growing and increasing in the addition of Members to his Church Does it refresh thy spirit to see and heare that holinesse and the power of godlinesse gets rooting in the hearts of many in the world that Jesus Christ is received and multitudes close with him why then this is a sound and sure evidence and ground that thine heart is upright with God that thou hast an interest in Christ and art thy selfe ingrafted into him But if it be an indifferent thing to thee what others doe in this respect whether they come in or no if they doe not thou art not moved it grieves thee not to see men reject Christ freely tendred in the Gospell nor if they receive him and close with him neither art thou glad of it thou doest not rejoyce in it If the habituall frame and temper of thy spirit be thus I dare boldly affirme it thou hast not closed with Christ thy selfe as yet thou art not yet ingrafted into him therefore consider thy waies and make hast to get into Christ delay not a moment longer The six and twentieth Observation in Nature AS the Husbandman takes pleasure in his fruit-trees so they (a) Inanimate Creatures are said to rejoyce when they performe Naturall Acts vigorously The sun reioyceth to run his course Ps 19.5 The hills and Valleyes when aboundantly fruitfull they laugh and sing Ps 65. â—3 Proposition shadowed in a sence take pleasure in him He delights to walke among them converse with them by meditation searching out their Natures and vertues for Profits and advantages he takes pleasure in their shade in heate of summer and in their wholsome fruits in their seasons And the fruit-trees also may be said to take pleasure in the husbandmans watering dressing and manuring discovered by their increase strong and vigorous shootes pleasant Blossomes and multitudes of fruits from yeare to yeare This is another Similitude c. and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That There is a sweete fellowship communion betweene God his People God delights in them and they delight in him Believers stand in the neerest Relations to God that can be As a peculiar people unto God 1 Pet. 2.9 As children to a father Rom. 8.17 As freinds to God the father and Christ Iames 2.23 Iohn 20.17 As Branches to the roote or stock as brethren to Christ as heires and coâ—heires with Christ As a wife to the husband as members to the head 2 Cor. 6.17 Io. 15.14 Cant. 4.17 Ephe. 3.20 In all which there is a wonderfull union and neerenesse set forth betweene God and his people wherein there is delight and Communion The Apostle John speaks this for himselfe and others he tels us what their Experiences were in this 1 John 1.3 That which we have seene and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have Fellowship with us and truly our Fellowship is with the father and with his sonne Jesus Christ The people of God they walke with God Now can two walke together and not have Communion Gen. 5.22.6.9 2 Cro. 7.17 Fellowship one with another Surely there are many intercourses and sweete passages betweene freinds when they walke together There are Questions Answers resolving of doubts Communications of secrets betweene intimate freinds as they walk together Nay there are not only these Relations mentioned a friendly walking together with God but there is also a Co-habitation or dwelling together with God yea more there is an In-dwelling God dwels in his people they dwell in him So that here is a ground of Communion indeede 2 Cor. 6.16 I will dwell in them walke in them And Jo 1.4 16. He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him As the spirit is in believers so they are in the spirit Gal 5.25 Here then must needs be communion and fellowship From these Relations and neerenesse to and union with God springs this Communion which includes love joy and pleasure on both sides unspeakable love flowes from God unto his people yea God takes pleasure and rejoyceth in his people And they returne Love to God againe they also take pleasure and rejoyce in God the scripture is plentifull in these things Ps 147.11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that feare him so againe Ps 149.4 The Lord taketh pleasure in his people and Zeph. 3.17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save he will rejoyce over thee with joy he will rest in his love he will joy over thee with singing Here is the mighty God taking pleasure in his people rejoycing with joy and singing resting in his love the believing soule This joy is not the joy of ordinary freinds but of those of neerest relation the husband and the wife and that too at their espousalls Esay 62.5 As the Bride groome rejoyceth over the Bride so shall thy God rejoyce over thee Seeing there is such a fellowship between God and his people what an invitation and encouragement is this to all to come into this Garden the Church of God such who weary themselves in seeking for content and pleasures in the empty things of the world may come hither and be satisfied O say not we shall loose our pleasures if we turne to be precise and religious then farewell delights and joy then we must imbrace sadnesse and Melancholy instead of our delights O consider how much thou art mistaken that judgest thus tast and try and thou
Charets like a Whirle-wind vers 16. For the Lord will judg with fire and with his sword all flesh Now when shall this be even when the Lord will enlarge his Church when he will extend peace to Ierusalem as a River and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing streame Esay 66.12 When the isles a farre off shall declare his glory among the Gentiles and brethren shall be brought out of all Nations when the new heavens and the new earth shall be made the Church of God enlarged and beautified as we may see at large vers 19.20 c. The Prophet Jeremiah speakes likewise to the same purpose c. 23.19.20 Behold the tempest of the Lord goeth forth in wrath a violent whirles wind shall fall downe upon the head of the wicked and the anger of the Lord shall not returne untill he have executed and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart Now when these things shall be we see vers 20. in the latter daies when God is enlarging his Church ye shall understand it plainely This God will doe that he may glorifie himselfe in shewing forth his power and justice towards his enemies love to his people This may informe us and give some light unto us why all the Vse 1 destructions confusions and overturnings which have beene in these Nations of late yeares have come to passe and what other Nations shall shortly find also The great husbandman is about the enlarging of his Orchard according to the many Prophesies and promises in his word Now therefore who or whatsoever hinders and stands in the way shall certainely be removed 2 Thes 2.7 The Lord shall consume him Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth and destroy him with the brightnesse of his coming Vse 2 As this is unspeakable consolation to the saints who are the goodly fruit-trees in this large garden so is the same cause of trembling and astonishment to all opposers of God in this his great worke Weeds and wild Plants in a garden that 's carefully ordered are not so sure of plucking up as these persons are of a downfall for God hath said it he will plant his Garden and enlarge it upon an high mountaine and eminent and then up goe the wild trees though never so high and beautifull Ezek. 17.24 Then all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought downe the high tree have exalted the low tree have dryed up the greene tree and made the dry tree to flourish I the Lord have spoken it and have done it Vse 3 Thirdly yee that stand out and oppose the worke of God be perswaded to deliver your selves from destruction beware of hardnesse of heart in refusing to see and acknowledge the hand of God in his dispensations for as Pharaoh the inhabitants of Egypt Canaan and others were destroy'd in their opposition against the plantation of old so shall it be with all hardned sinners in these latter daies Those being but Types and shadowes of things that shall come to passe in these gospell times Heb. 10.1 The law hath a shadow of good things to come Not only as they shadow forth Jesus Christ but also the things of Christ in his Church Vse 4 And further Let this Caution Gods owne people It is to manifest and evident that even some of them doe in some respects oppose the worke of God we see what divisions and contentions there are amongst them about the things concerning the kingdome of Christ Now therefore take heed of opposing the mind of God for if he be displeased with those who help not the Lord against the mighty will he not be much more displeased with those that oppose him and are against him in any of his designes It may hinder them of much good which otherwise they might have received from God See Pag. yea it may provoke God to cut them off though his owne people The husbandman sometimes cuts off a Branch or cuts downe even a good tree when it is in his way and hinders any of his great workes so doubtlesse does the Lord with some of his owne people when through any worldly interest or corruption they oppose his designes Therefore take heede speake not neither act against God and his waies through mistakes be not unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is Eph. 5.17 The eight and twentieth Observation in Nature WHen rare and excellent fruit-trees and fruits are first knowne there being but few of them they are more valued and esteemed then afterwards when they are multiplyed and growen common though the commodities are still the same in goodnesse as at first This shadowes out unto us That The constant enjoyment of the best things from God through corruptions makes them lesse noted and esteemed Proposition shadowed The nature of man is much taken with new things which having beene a while used and enjoyed are not afterwards of so much value with us though the things remaine in their former goodnesse and worth health peace and plenty and the best good things of this life yea the Ordinances of Christ society of the saints seasons and oportunities of grace spirituall priviledges are lesse observed and prized after a long enjoyment of them then at the first Though Manna was a pleasant bread Angels foode and the people of Israel were well pleased with it for a time yet afterwards they were weary of it Numb 21.5 Our soule loatheth this light bread When the people of God see the necessity and want of good things and earnestly pray and waite for them and at length God satisfies their desires and gives out the mercy longed for then they are much taken and affected with it their affections are raised and enlarged they put a price and value upon it greatly rejoycing in it and blessing God for it But after a certaine time of enjoyment the heart is lesse upon it the streames of affections are abated and run lower there is not that frequent notice taken of it neither when the mind reflects upon it at any time are the affections stirred as at the first when the thing was new Thus it is even in respect of the best and choicest things wee receive from God in this life even the sence and evidences of the love of God pardon of sin intrest in Christ Communion with the father and the sonne through the spirit These things after an habituall long enjoyment of them are lesse noted and lesse affect the heart then upon their first discovery so that God expostulates with his people about it he takes notice of it and observes the difference of the frame of their spirits what it hath beene and what it is afterwards Jer. 22. I remember the kindnesse of thy youth the love of thine espousales c. when thou wentest after me in the wildernesse time was when we were first acquainted and thou didst take me for thy Lord and Husband thou didst expresse much love towards me and
calls and sends for that purpose Now Christ was fitted by this anointing Esay 61.1 The spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tydings c. and Esay 42.1 Behold my servant c. I have put my spirit upon him And when Christ sent forth his disciples to preach the Gospell how did he prepare them for it even by the same anointing Joh. 20.21 22. As my father sent me so send I you and he breathed on them and said receive ye the holy Ghost Thus also the Ministers of the Gospell that succeede him they have the same anointing which fits them with gifts and graces for this worke what ever humane learning they have more or lesse this anointing teacheth them and makes them learned in the great mystery of godlinesse Jesus Christ the wisdome of the father in whom all fulnesse dwells and the spirit of Christ dwells in them hereby they are made able Ministers of the new Testament Not of the Letter but of the spirit 2 Cor. 36. Carnall men though never so learned know not what they say they have the letter of the word but the spirituall sence is vailed and hid from them through the darknesse of their minds they have no insight nor Experience in what they say But every scribe that is instructed unto the kingdome of heaven is like unto a man that is an houshoulder which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things new and old Mat. 13.52 True Ministers of the Gospell are Embassadors for Christ 1 Cor. 4.20 they are also stewards of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 and it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful vers 2. May it not thence be concluded that unregenerate persons who cannot be faithfull are unfit to be stewards neither are entrusted by God in this great workâ— From what hath beene said will it not follow That those are Vse 1 no true Ministers of the Gospell who are ignorant of and inexperienced in the great worke and mystery of Regeneration who have not the worke of Grace upon their owne hearts They are Theeves and Robbers who enter not in by the dore which is Christ but climbe up some other way Joh. 10.1 These come to get the fleece and care not if the flock be scattered and torne by the wolves how can they teach others who were never taught themselves is he fit to lead others who is blind Now the Naturall man seeth not perceiveth not spirituall things neither can he because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 If any shall Object That Judas was an unregenerate person and yet sent to preach Object with the rest of the Apostles It is answered That is an Extraordinary Example and foretold many generations before Answ Now Extraordinary Examples are not to be pleaded in ordinary Cases it was of absolute necessity that such a one should be that the scriptures might be fulfilled Object Secondly If it be said Though men have not the spirit of God though they have not grace yet having Learning good gifts and Parts they may doe good therewith in the Church of God It is answered Although it be granted that carnall men in the Ministry having good Gifts Answ and endowments may doe some good thereby does this prove they are therefore fit for the Ministry or that they are sent of God God of his infinite wisdome and grace ordereth and over-ruleth all things for good to his owne people even the very sinnes of men and Devills But further Though some good may be done by carnall Ministers it cannot be denyed but they do much more hurt then good by their carnall Interpretations and Mis-applications of the scriptures and bad Examples Not having the spirit not being Learned in the Mysteries of godlinesse nor being taught by wisdome from above they pervert the scriptures to their owne and others destruction 2 Pet. 3.16 they cannot see the things of God 1 Cor. 2.14 so that they deceive the soules of the poore carnall people and lead them blindfold to hell when the blind lead the blind both fall into the ditch into the bottomlesse Pit so that as our Saviour bid his disciples and the multitude to take heede of the Leaven or doctrine of the Pharisees who were fooles and blind as to the spirituall understanding of the scriptures so also should we take heede of false interpretations of the scriptures by carnall men in our daies Doth not God reprove and expostulate with such for their hold undertaking in this kind Psal 50.16 What hast thou to doe to Preach my Lawes or that thou shouldest take my word in thy mouth seeing thou hatest to be reformed See also Jer. 14.14 and Jer. 23.20 This informes us That surely the time is at hand and is not the Vse 2 day dawned already when the Gospell Ministry shall be purged the drosse carnall Ministers shall be cast out and the pure mettle preserved according as was Prophesied Mal. 3.1 2 3. when the Messenger of the Covenant Jesus Christ shall come and Raigne gloriously in the Nations hee will be as a Refiners fire and shall fit as a Refiner and purifier of silver hee shall purifie the sonnes of Levi vers 3. ignorant scandalous persons who make the sacrifices of the Lord to be abhorred as Elies sonnes the Name of God and his Gospell to be blasphemed and true Ministers despised and reproached these shall be cast out as unsavory salt and a true Ministry set up and encouraged Is not this the worke of this day Let them therefore who are imployed therein take heede of doing the worke of the Lord negligently but imploy and improve their Talent of Authority faithfully and diligently for their Masters interest And let all the people of God be earnest with God to carry on the worke himselfe with his owne hand by his owne spirit otherwise Instruments may labour to no purpose in this or any other worke And that God would more and more purifie his owne people even those who are most pure for in them there is much drosse yet unpurged out Though I take this to be the most proper and genuine meaning of this place yet not with exclusion of the other This points out unto us who are the true Ministers of the Gospell Vse 3 even all who have received the anointing of the spirit are taught of God as the truth is in Jesus that are called and sent of God and approved by his Church and people to that Office and worke These are the true Ministers of the Gospell of Christ these can speake of the things they have heard and seene 1 Joh. 1.3 they have skill and experience in the things whereof they speake they have the tongue of the Learned though some it may be not much humane learning and know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary because they have a fountaine of light and truth and wisdome within them he dwells in them in whom
we have received that soe we may make unto God some answerable returne God looked for more and received more from him that had the five Talents than from him that had received but two Matth 42.5.23 Noe one not the lowest or meanest is freed from making returnes of duty to God though God require much from those who have received much yet the meane person who has but a little must returne of that little Eph. 4.28 Let him worke with his hands that he may have something to give to him that needeth And it will be accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not 2 Cor. 8.12 So also of the use and improvement of all other Talents gifts graces liberty Power and the rest The fortieth Observation in Nature ALthough Fruit-trees bring forth many great and beautifull fruits yet they are not esteemed except also they have a good tast it is the relish that gives the Commendation to fruits This shadowes out unto us That Proposition shadowed It is not the multitude nor exactnesse of performance of duties that God accepts unlesse there be sincerity and right ends in doing thereof The Tast of Mysticall Fruits lies in the sincerity and truth of the heart sincerity and right Ends is that which God cheifly looks at and accompts upon it accordingly Actio denominatur a fine The end denominates a worke good or bad it is the forme of every duty The great end must be the glory of God though we may have subordinate ends our owne happinesse and others being Married to Christ we must bring forth fruit unto God Rom 7.8 Trees of righteousnesse being trees of the Lords planting they bring forth fruit that he may be glorified Esay 61.3 so Joh. 15. Truth sincerity Love right ends these make fruits tast pleasantly for without Love there cannot be right ends And therefore the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 13. Though a man have all knowledg all faith though he bestow all his goods to feede the poore and doe never so many good works yet if they tast not of love they are nothing worth if there be not sincerity and right ends God accompts not of them Many are but empty Vines because they bring forth fruit to themselves fruits as good as no fruit Hos 10.1 when they have no good tast which they have not when the Ends are not right The Pharisees brought forth faire and goodly fruits to looke upon Mat. 6.2 they Preached they prayed much they gave much almes they fasted payed tithes c. but the tast of these fruits was naught they had no love to God they wanted sincerity right ends in what they did Matth. 6.2 They did them to be seene of men for themselves and not for God Hence we may learne that much of the fruit that is brought Vse 1 forth in the world is not accepted of God because it wants a good tast though they are beautifull to looke upon as to the matter and substance yet they may be but as Apples of Sodome faire on the outside but rotten within of an unpleasant tast Men for the most part bring forth fruit unto themselves they aime at their owne profits honours or something mainely and cheifely if not wholly for themselves but the honour of God the interest of Christ is not in their eye their Love in their works is but selfe-Love Let us try the tast of our fruits whether we have sincere and right ends in what we doe whether they tast of Love Love to Vse 2 God and his people Let all your workes be done in Love 1 Cor. 16.14 Oh how sweete and pleasant is the tast of those fruits which spring from a principall of love to God upon the apprehension of his Love to us in Christ Seeing the tast of fruits makes them acceptable to God this is a Vse 3 ground of great comfort to every poore weake Christian whose fruits though they are but small and want outward beauty yet because they have a good tast the husbandman likes them well they are pleasant fruits in his accompt because their hearts are perfect there is truth sincerity love holy and right ends mixed with their fruits soe that the husbandman delights to come into his Garden and to eat these his pleasant fruits Cant. 4.16 The widowes two mites were but very small fruits and yet because our Lord liked the tast he said they were better and more acceptable than any or all of the Pharisees great and many fruits Math. 12.43 The one and fortieth Observation in Nature WHen Grafts begin to grow by the sap they receive from the stock they will certainely by the Law of Nature hold on untill they come to perfection The Proposition shadowed That Proposition shadowed The smallest measure of true grace in any person can never be extinguisht but will certainely grow up to perfection Grace is compared to a graine of Must-ardseede Mat. 17.20 which though it be but a very small substance yet in a while it growes to a great one Though it be but as a sparke of fire in flax it shall not be quenched Esay 42.3 it will increase to a great flame To see and be convinced of the want of Christ and to desire after him is the smallest measure of grace which yet shall certainely increase such a hungry soule shall at last be filled and satisfied with the fullnesse of Christ Mat. 5 6. If the spirit have cast the seeds and Principles of grace into the soule he will water them and cause them to grow and bud and blossome and bring forth fruits To him that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance Mat. 25 29. All the powers of hell cannot rob the soule of the least measure of grace Vse 1 This is unspeakable Consolation to all believers though never so weake in grace though they have but a drop of the water of life yet it shall be a well of water springing up to eternall life Joh. 4.14 And therefore dejected and weary soules that feare the worke of grace is not in them that long after Christ and would faine be satisfied that they have an interest in him Let such know the seede of God is in them sowen by his spirit and therefore it is that they have these desires thirstings longings c. and cannot be satisfied without Christ These motions and workings of soule are not any where but where the spirit dwels and where he hath begun the worke of grace these are sure evidences that they are united to Christ and ingrafted into him and these buds and breakings forth shew clearely to a discerning eie that they have taken hold of the stock and that they have received from it some sap and life and therefore can never be broken off nor die but they shall certainely spring up and grow to perfection and bring forth the fruits of Love joy and praise to all eternity for he who hath begun a good worke in them
divers temptations Iames 1.2 Vse 2 Let these things teach us to admire the wisdome care and goodnesse of God towards us who makes the hardest things the worst things that befall his people to worke together for their good The seven and fiftieth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman makes use of ordinary and common Tooles and Instruments about his chiefest works in his Garden his knives lawes spades and other instruments are not of Gold silver or costly mettles neither are they carved or framed by any great Art but they are plaine ordinary Instruments which he makes use of to Engraft his fruit-trees and to doe his chiefest workes about them This shadowes out unto us That God for the most part useth meane and ordinary men and meanes Proposition shadowed for effecting of the greatest works in the world VVhat greater works do we reade of than the deliverance of Israel out Egypt by signes and wonders t heir passage through the Red sea and the barren wilderesse over Jordan and their conquering great nations and settlement in Canaan Now God did not use some great Monarch as his Instrument but Moses who was cald from keeping sheepe and made Instrumentall in many of these great works and having done much then Joshua Moses his servant he must doe the rest Gedeon he was but of a poore family and least in his Fathers house Judg. 6.15 being following a meane Imployment threshing corne when God cald him to make him generall of an Army to worke a great deliverance for his people which also was done by weake meanes 300 men Chap. 7.7 Elisha was taken from the Plow to be a great Prophet 1 King 19.19 David was following the sheep when God called him to be King over his people and passed by Eliah31 his brother a more likely person And also made use of this small and meane Instrument by a poore slender meanes to destroy Goliah a great Giant and consequently a great army of the Philistins 1 Sam. 16.17 Amos a heardsman was called to be a Prophet Chapt. 1.1 Shepheards were made use of to reveale the most joyfull newes that ever was made knowen to the world the birth of our Saviour Luk. 2. The Apostles and many of the disciples of Christ were meane persons and cald from low imployments to follow the greatest worke in the world to preach the Gospell They were not the learned Rabbies not Eloquent Oratours nor the disputers of this world as the Apostle speaks 1 Cor. 1. but men of low Conditions these were called to preach the Gospell for the conversion of soules Not with the inticing speech of mans wisdome but in demonstration of the spirit and of power 1 Cor. 2.4 Not with wisdome of words lest the crosse of Christ should be made of none effect 1 Cor. 1.17 God is pleased to effect this and other his greatest works in the world by meane Instruments and meanes that his owne power may be the more seene in them for if the greatest and most likely Instruments in the judgment of men were imployed in the greatest works they would take all or most of the honour to themselves and others would give it them So God should loose his honour Yea God hath destroyed and will destroy the wisdome of this world by those persons and things that the word accompts foolish 1 Cor. 1.27 God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise and God hath chosen the weake things of the world to confound the mighty things vers 28. And vile things of the world and things which are despised hath God chosen and things which are not to bring to nought things that are As God hath done so he will do still great works in the world by meane and low Instruments and meanes he hath great and mighty works to bring to passe in the Nations in bringing them into subjection to our Lord Christ He will destroy Antichrist even all that oppose him he will levell the Mountaines and enlarg the kingdome of his deare sonne and set up his Throne and put the scepter into his hand to rule the people who have beene disobedient he will build his holy City Jerusalem and make it a praise in the Earth And now How will God doe these great things what Instruments will he use will he use altogether Golden instruments carved and pollished by art the most eminent men of highest Place esteeme in the world Surely no But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the things that are mighty c. 1 Cor. 1.27 That is persons and things which carnall wise men in their Iudgment accompt weake and foolish although in the Judgment of God they are otherwise esteemed for the weaknesse and foolishnesse of God and of his people as men count weaknesse and foolishnesse are stronger and wiser than the strength and wisdome of the world vers 25. A worme shall thresh the mountaines and beate them small as Chaffe Esay 41.14.15 Surely a worme must be in the hand of some mighty one to be enabled to doe such great things Hath not God already done great things in our daies even before our eyes by Instruments and meanes time was very unlikely and of small accompt with the carnall world have not weake Instruments and meanes beene like the Cloud that Eliah's servant saw rise out of the sea at first no bigger then a mans hand but afterwards it covered the whole heavens Have not Princes Lords and the mightiest men both in Church and state yea whole Nations have they not been subdued by a handfull of men whom their adversaries slighted as Goliah did David saying in themselves and one to another we shall presently swallow them up Do not all the Trees of the field know that the Lord hath brought downe the high tree and exalted the low Tree hath dryed up the greene tree and made the dry tree to flourish Ezek. 17.24 Many Instances were it convenient might be brought of men and meanes whose beginnings were but weake and small whereby God hath brought to passe great and mighty works Beware of despising meane Instruments Vse and weake meanes which God for the most part makes use of for bringing to passe great things Despise not the day of small things Ezek. 4.10 for God will build Ierusalem not by might nor by power but by his spirit Meane and low Instruments shall be stirred up by his spirit and shall do his great works in the world And these Instruments shall be sure to have the men of the world with their wisdome to slight and despise them as Sanballat and Tobia did the Jewes Nehe. 4.1 2 3. what do these feeble Jewes c Even that which they build if a fox goe up he shall even breake downe their stone wall And one reason is besides the disagreement of flesh and spirit because the wisdome and strength and glory of the people of God is vailed under a low and meane Condition in the world
in others Atoms or Moses appeare in the Beames of the sunne but not in a dimme light Seeing we have three great enemies to encounter with this Vse 2 should make us to put on the whole Armour of God and to stand upon our Guard and watch against them The sixtieth Observation in Nature GRafts before they are joyned to the stock must endure ordinarily many difficulties under the hand of the Husbandman ai cutting off from the Tree lying by for a time it may be severall weeks or months after that cutting to the pith or heart with a sharp knife c. See Observ 62. This is another Similitude of the dare of Mysticall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That the people of God in their Conversion for the most part go through many straights Proposition shadowed and difficulties Those whom God intends to Ingraft into Christ the spirit first convinceth them of sin he inlightens their understandings to see where and in what case they are by Nature and of their utter inability to help themselves out of it And by degrees cuts them off from all things in themselves Their Reason wisdome skill Learning Gifts all their duties and performances all their own righteousnesse all put together is but as vanity and emptinesse there 's nothing in any thing of their own to help them or do them good so that the spirit becomes a spirit of bondage to them for a time letting them see nothing but terror and sad sights A strict Law or Covenant of works binding them over to Justice and wrath eternall death So that hereby they are cut to the heart and are put upon enquiring and seeking which way to get out of this Case Acts 2.37 what shall we doe Some are kept longer under feares and terrors and are cast lower than others they are brought in such a condition as that they will be glad to receive Christ upon any Conditions then the spirit of God opens their eyes to see a way out of their miseries then he holds forth Christ unto them in the tenders of the Gospell Oh how glad is such a soule to receive Christ upon any tearms upon any tearmes in the world Then the soule longs and hungers and thirsts to be satisfied with Christ and accompts all things but as dung and drosse in comparison of him Then the spirit of God leads the soule as by the hand to lay hold upon Christ to close with him and by little and little works a perswasion in the heart that Christ is his and that he is Christs upon the Accompt of that new pretious sure Covenant of grace in which are all the glorious sweete promises of the Gospell included Let Professours try themselves whether ever they found the Vse 1 case to be thus with them before they had a perswasion of the love of God least they deceive themselves Many build their house upon the sands against which when the Raine and the winds and floods beate when Temptations arise it will fall Mat. 7.27 Yet it is not with all alike in their coming to Christ some close with him upon easier tearms than some others howsoever in all that come to Christ there must be a sense and sight of their misery by sin as they are under the Covenant of works and their great neede of Christ to deliver them from it and thereupon a desire to rest upon him by faith for Justification and acceptance with God through him Of this see more at large Observation in Nature 25. The sixtie one Observation in Nature THe Husbandman upon occasion praises and commends his fruit-trees when they beare many and good fruits some for one property and some for another Proposition shadowed This shadowes out to us That When the people of God bring forth good fruits God himselfe doth praise and commend them The Lord takes pleasure in his people passing by their infirmities and taking notice of what is good in them It was a very high commendation that God gave of Abraham Gen. 18.19 I know him that he will command his Children and his household after him and they shall keepe the way of the Lord. God tooke notice of the good fruits that Phynehas brought forth and commends him and rewards him Numb 15.11.12 c. in that he was zealous for his God He said of David That he was a man after his owne heart So of Moses Num. 12.7 My servant Moses is faithfull in all mine house And Nathaniel Joh. 1.47 Behold an Israelite indeede in whom there is no guile Particulers neede not be multiplied one or two scriptures may serve for more Rom. 2.29 Their praise is not of men but of God and 2 Cor. 10.18 Not he that commendeth himselfe is approved but he that the Lord commendeth This is much for the comfort Vse and encouragement of all that are upright in heart God will commend such Though it may be their fruits are none of the fairest on the outside in the eyes of men they have not bulke nor shape nor colour to commend them unto men yet being well tasted savoury fruits having the Relish of truth sincerity Love and right ends the husbandman likes them well and will commend them even before men and Angels Matth. 25.24 Well done thou good and faithfull servant thou hast beene faithfull over a few things c. enter thou into the joy of thy Lord so againe vers 23. The sixtie two Observation in Nature THere is a great change wrought upon fruit-trees by Engrafting Before they brought forth sower and naughty fruits See Observ 43. and 60. but now pleasant This is another Similitude c. and shadows out unto us this Proposition That persons by Regeneration have a great Change wrought in them Propesition shadowed All by Nature bring forth bitter and naughty fruits sower Grapes Grapes of Gall their clusters are bitter And there is noe way possibly to bring them to beare good fruits but by engrafting them into Jesus Christ Now Regeneration or implanting into Christ works a great change throughout the whole man upon all the faculties of the soule and in Conversation The understanding which before was darke and ignorant of spirituall things then becomes by litttle and little inlightned and apprehensive of spirituall things Heb. 10.32 after ye were illuminated c The will which before was crosse and stubborne opposing the will of God becomes in some measure obedient and inclining to what is of God and to affect spirituall things as spirituall for themselves The affections which before implanting into Christ were cold and dead towards Christ and the things of God then have heat and life in them they stirre and move after spirituall things Vnregenerate persons cannot see nor judge of spirituall things no more than of visible outward objects without light but when the worke of grace comes into the soule then light shines there Ephes 5.8 Ye were sometimes darknesse but are now light in the Lord
by speciall manifestations of his love and goodnesse there more than in other places When God purposed to make the Land of Canaan his dwelling place he cast out the inhabitants of the Land and planted his own people and his worship there as we see at large in the History This Moses foretold Exod. 15.17 Thou shalt bring them in and plant them in the mountaine of thine inheritance in the place O Lord which thou hast made for thee to dwell in and Exod 29.45 I will dwell amongst the children of Issrael and will be their God When God had Mercy on Israel after a long time of trouble and desolation and comes to dwell among them againe then he brings downe and casts out their enemies and oppressors and gives his owne people authority and power over them as we see Esay 14.2 They shall take them Captives whose Captives they were and they shall rule over their oppressors It is God that putteth down one and setteth up another Psal 75.7 I the Lord have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree have dryed up the green tree and made the dry tree to flourish I the Lord have spoken it and have done it Ezek. 17.20 when God roots up or cuts down high green flourishing trees but barren of good fruits and plants choice trees in their stead though low and despised in the eyes of the world this is that he may dwell among them and walke among them 2 Cor. 6.16 he sets his Tabernacle there Levit. 23.12 and takes pleasure in them Ps 149 4. for the Lord hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for his habitation and saith This is my rest for ever here will I dwel for I have a delight therein Ps 132.13 14. Vse 1 This being so that when God beginnes to reforme a Nation or place it s a signe he intends to dwell there this is a ground of great consolation to the people of God in England and other parts where God hath begun his great worke of Reformation notwithstanding many things are yet amisse but especially to some particular places * Universities and some other places where more remarkable evidences of his presence are manifest in removing fruitlesse unprofitable Trees and planting in their stead many fruitful trees not only in a private capacity but also in a Publique many godly Magistrates for the execution of Justice and taking part with those that fear God in stead of curbing and discouraging of them in well doing And also in respect of many faithfull ministers of the Gospell who preach Jesus Christ and declare the glorious mysteries of the Gospell in stead of blockish ignorance or els doubing with untempered morter Though all are not thus through the Nation yet it may be so said of many more now than in former times Are not such as are put in Authority and Power in the Nation of the best men is not the Magistracy of the Land of choice Persons such as are most fit and capable of the godly party at least it is the endeavour of those in supream power that it may be so And as for the Ministry of the Nation though it have beene in the generall very corrupt is so st ll in many place yet hath there not been in this a great reformation of late yeares which is still going on among us And as the Magistracy and Ministry of the Land are much changed and reformed so also are * By whom God hath wrought of late yeares even wonders in these three Nations Not to be paraleld in any Histories of former ages unlesse by the Wars of Canaan God hath eminently most remarkably appeared for us and that in a course scries of his providences not only in the sight of his people but even the enemies themselves being Judges Military men heretofore in corrupt times the souldiery were of the worst of men the most notorious desperatly wicked men under the sun whereas now they are of the best men fearing God very many of them not only Commanders and Officers but also common souldiers have been and are men of saith prayer as well as courage such as the good souldier the Centurion was mentioned Matt 8.5 whom Christ himself commended and as Cornelius another Centurion of a band of whom it is said that he was a devout man and one that feared God with all his house Act. 10.2 And as the Magistracy Ministry Souldiery are very much reformed good men amongst them all are set up encouraged and evill men removed discouraged so also persons fearing God of all rankâ— and conditions are countenanced by the Authority of the Nation having liberty freedome in the worke of the Lord whereby the Gospell the kingdome of Christ is enlarged notwithstanding all opposition or any thing that is yet amisse among us Are not all these things evidences of Gods presence among us that he is a coming neerer to us that the husbandman intends to dwell and delight himselfe in his Garden where he is thus at worke so remarkably Rejoice therefore and let all the Trees of the field clap their hands for in stead of the Thorne is come up the firetree and in stead of the Brier is come up the Mirtle tree Esay 55.12.13 Solomon saies When the righteous are in Authority the people rejoice Prov. 29.2 Certainly such as feare God do so And this by the way may serve for a tryall and touchstone of mens spirituall estates whether they are in the flesh or in the spirit Ob. But it may be Objected Do we not see rather signes of Gods departure from us than of his coming neerer to us for do we not see Errors Heresies and Blasphemies abound among us divisions and contentions in every place It is answered Answ do we not also see the Truths of the Gospell more fully and generally manifested and known than they have been formerly the Kingdome of Christ is enlarged and growes daily There are more Professors of Religion in these daies than in former times Not only Professors in Hypocrisy but also in truth and sincerity And as Errors and Heresies are more awakened so also are the Truths of God more cleared and its certaine Truth will at length prevaile silence Error Truth will suppresse Errors devoure them as Aarons Rod did the Rods of the Magicians of Egypt Exo. 7.12 And as for divisions and contentions among us let none think Vse 2 that strange for where Christ comes to take possession of a Nation or City or Family where he was not before there will certainly be divisions Matth. 10.34.35 Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth I came not to send peace but a sword For I am come to set a man at variance against his father and the daughter against her Mother and the daughter in law against her mother in law c. Flesh and spirit even in and amongst the people of God will oppose
with his people Secondly By looking into the particular state of their people they may speake more sutably and seasonably to them when they know their particular Lusts and corruptions their Temptations Cases doubts c. their degrees of knowledg and other graces they may then apply the word more properly and effectually than otherwise they can upon all occasions As Physitians when they have enquired into and know the state of their Patients may administer Physicke more effectually than otherwise they can So Though Ministers may speake many good things generall truthes according to the Scriptures yet they may be and are many times very much besides the particular cases and present concernments of many or most of their hearers as not knowing their particular states Use 1 By what hath beene said it is manifest that some Ministers of the Gospell even good men do but the one a See Observ 84. halfe or but a part of their work They preach the Gospell but they looke not they enquire not into the state of their people To preach the word is not to performe the Office of an Overseer nor to follow the Example of the Apostle Paul shewed in all those places afore mentioned who laid out himselfe with diligence to know the state of the people in every place where he had preached But many thinke it sufficient to be diligent in their studies composing of Sermons to preach in publique laying out their time and strength that way but greatly neglecting this other duty of enquiring and looking into the particular state of soules and applying themselves thereunto accordingly I speake it upon knowledge and experience with griefe of heart and indignation against the grosse neglects of some in this matter who have beene so farre from enquiring after the state of others as that when poore soules have come to them to acquaint them with their doubts feares and troubles of spirit they have neglected them and given them a very slight answere and sent them away much more burdned than before which opportunities they should most gladly have imbraced and have been very tender of such wounded sick and weary soules and have come and sent often to them and taken care of them as a Nurse cherisheth her Children Vse 2 Let us blesse God notwithstanding so many seeke their owne things and neglect the things of Jesus Christ Phil. 2.21 that yet we have some Paul's Timothies among us who lay out themselves diligently to looke into the particular state of soules and naturally take care for their welfare These are wise and skilfull Physitians of soules and know how to apply sutable and seasonable things to them whereas those that neglect this duty are but as Emperique Physitians who have but only some few generall notions which they apply in all Cases Let such therefore who are diligent in this worke be encouraged to go on as faithfull and wise stewards to give every one his portion in due season and they shall in due time receive a great Reward Lu. 12.44 even when the cheife Shepheard shall appeare they shall receive a Crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 The ninetie second Observation in Nature THe husbandman values and approves most of those Trees and fruits that are most for his purpose most proper for his designe and end that he hath in his eye admit his great designe be to make wine of the fruits Cyder Perry c. then he likes those best that are fittest for that use Or if his designe be to transport them into other parts for sale then he approves most of good hard lasting fruits c. He had rather loose divers trees of other kinds than one of those which beare fruits sutable to his great end and designe This shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed That God discovereth a speciall care of and love unto those of his people whose Judgments and waies concurre with his great designes in their generation In every generation God is carrying on some particular and speciall designe or other and some of his people help on the worke more than others some rather hinder it they preach and pray and act against it through ignorance of it being darkned with some lusts or worldly interests Now though God cannot forsake any of his people though they oppose him yet they shall loose by it they shall have lesse of God than others whose Judgments and waies concurre with God in his designes Such of the people of God as are active for and with God in his designes they shall have speciall distinguishing care and love shewed towards them which others who neglect the worke of God or oppose it shall not find Nay such are in danger not only of losse but also of some visible testimonies of Gods displeasure towards them Such who fall in with Gods speciall designe in their generation shall find speciall grace kindnesse from God such distinguishing love Daniel found when he prayed and labored so earnestly for the restoring and enlargement of the Church then in Captivity Dan. 9. which was Gods great designe then in that generation he found skill and wisdome and understanding which others had not the care and love of God was eminently discovered towards him even to a miracle in preserving him in the Lyons den and an Angell was sent as a messenger from God to tell him he was a man greatly beloved Chap. 10.11 What speciall care and love did God manifest towards Moses who was eminently instrumentall for God in his generation in gods designe of bringing Israel out of Egipt and carrying them to Canaan Moses had peculiar honour above others of Gods people yea above other Prophets in his time Numb 12.6 7 8. If there be a Prophet among you I the Lord will make my selfe knowne unto him in a vision and will speake unto him in a dreame My servant Moses is not so who is faithfull in all my house with him will I speake mouth to mouth even apparently and not in darke speeches and the Similitude of the Lord shall he behold Caleb and Joshua who followed the Lord closesy and constantly in his designe which was the worke of their generation of setting Israel in the promised Land what distinguishing respect honour and love had they above others The Lord himselfe gave a testimony of them that they wholly followed him Numb 32.12 they possessed that good land when others who would not believe nor act for God in the worke of that generation were cut off Other proofes and instances might be brought Now the reasons hereof God gives out distinguishing mercy to his people that joyne with him in his great worke because thereby they most please him and honour him and give the greatest evidence of their love to him that can be God will reward the obedience of his people in the least and lowest duties they shall not kindle a fire on his altar in vaine nor give a Cup of cold water nor
do the least kindnesse to any of his people in vaine but much more when they act with zeale for God in the highest greatest duties he that herein soweth plentifully his labours and diligence shall reape plentifully 2 Cor. 9.6 Seeing this is so then let us labour to find out and understand Vse 2 the designes of God in our generation that so we may joine with him and helpe to carry on the Lords worke thereby great advantages will arise unto us when through ignorance or neglect thereof or opposition thereto we may suffer losse of what else we might have in the enjoyment of God or be otherwise corrected by him Of this see Mr Tillinghast Generation worke p. 45. 46. Now therefore what are the Designes of God in this our generation for understanding whereof we must compare prophesies and promises with the visible dispensations of providence in the age we live in and observe how the actings of God in the world sute or answere to what he hath foretold or promised should come to passe also inquire observe what the most humble holy selfedenying Saints have upon their Spirits how they stand affected for God reveales his secrets to the humble not to the proud though his own people And also by frequent and much conversing with God in walking with him this is best knowne such as have close Communion and fellowship with the father and with the sonne in the spirit shall certainly know much more of his mind of his waies and designes than others of his people who through some unmortified corruptions walke at a distance from him But to touch breifly what we have grounds to believe is Gods great designe which he is now carrying on more especially in this generation it is the enlargment of the Kingdome of his sonne Jesus Christ the setting up Christ as King over the Nations more gloriously than ever heretofore according to many promises Esay 2.11 The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day and Chap. 24.23 Zach. 14.9 The Lord shall be King over all the Earth c. Now in order hereunto many other prophesies and promises must be fulfilled as those concerning the propagation of the Gospell and a great increase of the Gentile Saints together with the comming in of the Jewes Esay 60 3 4 5. c. The abundance of the Nations shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee and many other places Also union and onenesse of spirit among the people of God to serve him with one consent Zeph. 3.9 pulling downe of high and lofty things Esay 2.11 12. c. The haughtinesse of men shall be bowed downe and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Establishment of Justice Esay 60.18 I will make thine Officers peace and thine Exactours righteousnesse 5. Pouring out of greater measures of the spirit Joel 2.28 whereby will be more and clearer discoveries of Gospell truths Esay 30.26 The light of the Moone shall be as the light of the sunne and the light of the sunne seven-fold So that the exaltation of Christ and the enlargment of his Church and Kingdome being Gods great designe in this age it concernes every one of his people to labour together with God in this glorious worke such as are sincerely and zealously active herein shall find speciall distinguishing love from God Now every one of Gods people will be ready to thinke and say they are for this designe it is their daily prayer that the Kingdome of Christ may be increased but notwithstanding certaine it is that many even of Gods owne people afford God but little or no helpe herein but rather hinder and oppose the worke really and indeed through the darknesse of their Iudgments about it though in some respects they thinke they advance it for such as give no encouragement to persons and things waies and meanes little and low in their eyes which yet God hath chosen whereby to carry on his designes but rather despise them distast and speake against them such may be said to hinder the worke for he that opposeth the meanes opposeth also the End And this indeede is done through the prevailing of selfe love and worldly interests which dimme their sight such have not yet learned that great Gospell lesson of denying all for Christ they have but a small measure of the spirit that Moses Iohn Baptist and Paul had who could be content to lay downe their owne esteeme Numb 11.29 Joh. 3.30 Phil. 1.16.17.18 and interests at the feete of Christ and be willing to decrease so that Christ might increase by any waies or meanes that he shall chuse persons and things which are neglected and despised not only by carnall men but also by the carnall part of spirituall men But such shall have fewer manifestations of the love of God than others of his people that concurre with him they shall not see nor know so much of the mind of God nor find their hearts so refreshed and enlarged in communion with God nor find so much esteeme and love from his people as those that close with God in his great designes The ninetie third Observation in Nature WHen the husbandman intends to plant a very large Orchard out of rough unmanured grounds like a wildernesse full of bushes and wild trees where never was any before when he resolves and sets on such a huge and vast Plantation such a great worke is not presently effected but by length of time perhaps he may be many yeares about it This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That God is a long time in calling the Gentiles Proposition shadowed and implanting them into Christ according to his purpose and promises All the people of the world are either Jewes or Gentiles under these two all Nations are comprehended As we see Rom. 3.9 19. We have proved both Jewes Gentiles that they are all under sin v. 19. That all the world may become guilty before God Formerly the Jewes only were the people of God the Gentiles were strangers to God and without God in the world wholly overspread with Idolatrie as we see Rom. 1. But in due time this Wildernesse was made the Garden of the Lord. God the great husbandman of his Orchard the Church began to plant the vast wast grounds the wildernesse of the Idolatrous Nations the Gentiles above sixteene hundred yeares agoe and is still about it and will at length finish it and performe all his purpose and pleasures towards them The time when he began this great plantation was in our Saviours daies who gave light to the Gentiles that sate in darknesse but especially after his Resurrection and Ascension he set his husbandmen the Apostles and Disciples on worke Matth. 28.19 Goe teach all Nations and Mark. 13.10 the Gospell must be published among all Nations The Lord told Ananias that Paul was a chosen Vessell unto him to beare his name before the Gentiles Act. 9.15 And Paul himselfe
afterwards gloried in this in that he was imployed about this worke of being instrumentall in this great plantation which now God was about having newly begun it of implanting or ingrafting the Gentiles into Christ the true Vine and Olive tree In as much as I am the Apostle of the Gentiles I magnifie mine office Rom. 11.13 He rejoyced greatly to foresee by faith such a huge and vast Orchard consisting of many millions of goodly fruit-trees that were to be planted in it which would bring forth abundance of good fruits to the husbandman so did Peter also and many with him rejoyce at it Acts 10.45 They were astonished because that on the Gentiles also was powred out the gift of the Holy Ghost and Acts 11.18 They glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life They saw this wonderfull great plantation begun and cut out of the wast and barren Wildernesse of the Gentiles and they rejoyced in it and helped to carry it on Paul planted a large peece of ground and God watered it and gave the increase for he tells us Rom. 15.19 from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum he fully preached the Gospell of Christ he through the power of the word and spirit made wild trees barren unfruit-full trees to be engrafted fruitfull trees The Gospell containing the unsearchable riches of Christ which he preached among the Gentiles became in ingrafted word in their hearts and sprang and grew up and brought forth fruit as he tels us Col. 1.6 The Gospell which is come unto you as it is in all the world and bringeth forth fruits as it doth also in you since the day ye heard of it Now here were great and glorious beginnings and proceedings for many yeares together in the Apostles and Primitive times but afterwards the worke went on more slowly when Antichrist was revealed he that did let being taken out of the way that is the Emperour who had his seate in Rome being removed to Germany when the Pope and the whole Hierachy of Rome had gotten head and strength and credit in the world then they greatly hindred the worke though it hath beene carried on ever since yet much more slowly than at the beginning After a time there arose many and great enemies against the Church and every where persecuted the Saints The Beast out of the bottomlesse Pit the red Dragon the Beast with seven heads and ten hornes The Beast with two hornes like the Lamb the Whore of Babylon the Beast with the false Prophet c. these enemies of the Church hindred as much as in them lay the propagation of the Gospell As formerly enemies hindred the building of the Materiall Temple so have they ever since hindred the building of the spirituall Temple or according to the Similitude the great Plantation of the husbandman It is a very great Orchard there is much work to be done in it and about it and many and powerfull enemies are against it therefore the husbandman is long about it It is so large that it reacheth to the ends of the earth over every kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Rev. 5.9 And as it is large so there is much worke and but little help Matth. 9.37 The harvest truly is great and the Laborers but few There is herein a ground of exceeding great gladnesse and rejoycing Vse 1 seeing that God the great and skilfull husbandman hath undertaken this worke of Planting so large an Orchard or Garden for himselfe over all Nations though there have beene but slow proceedings in the worke for a long time yet the proceedings have beene sure God his people have been at worke ever since they began it unto this day and we have Prophesies Promises that it shall go on unto perfection yea and more speedily too in these latter daies than in former times Esay 60.3 4 5 c. Lift up thine eyes round about and see all they gather themselves together they come to thee the abundance of the sea or Nations shall be converted unto thee the forces of the gentiles shall come to thee They shall flie as doves to their windowes vers 8. Yea here is a ground of rejoycing indeede when we consider the exceeding largnesse of this Orchard which shall take in not only the wildernesse of the Gentiles but also his old decayed forsaken Orchard the Nation of the Jewes the husbandman will joyne them to it and Graffe them these decayed broken withered Branches in againe and their comming in shall be as life from the dead Rom. 11.15 it shall be a mighty advantage to the whole Church in all parts here will be a wonderfull beautifull large Orchard let us cast our eyes above as well as below and looke upon that part now already transplanted into heaven as well as that upon Earth and withall consider it with its increase that it is daily growing larger and larger Zach. 2.11 Many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day what day even when the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy Land and shall chuse Jerusalem againe Here is a Prophesy of the comming in both of the Jewes and Gentiles about one time which will greatly inlarge the Church and is aground of great rejoycing to all the people of God Vse 2 Seeing God is a long time in calling of the Gentiles this should stirre up the people of God in this Nation and other Nations who are called unto continuall praises unto him for that he hath done the worke already for us many other parts of the world are yet in darknesse they are yet as the wildernesse wild trees and unmanured not yet within the compasse of this pleasant Orchard we might have beene in their case Vse 3 Thirdly Seeing the worke is great and God hath beene a long time about it and is yet going on let all that can helpe forward the worke God is able to do all works which he wills by his owne immediate hand but he is pleased to use Instruments therein The great husbandman hath subhusbandmen underworkmen in his great Plantation All his people are required to put to their hand for the enlargement of the kingdome of Christ by their Prayers exhortations reproffes instructions admonitions Examples c. according to the gifts But this is no liberty for any people under the pretence of new revelations from God and a light within to go about reaching things contrary to his word and reveled will and to condemne all Churches and Congregations persons things though never so holy that are not of their way and cast into their mould Talents they have received Especially now in this generation seeing God by his providentiall dispensations cals aloud for it having given his people â— freedome and liberty in all places and great encouragements in the worke of the Lord which in former ages they have not had It is the duty not only of Pastors and Officers of particular congregations