bring forth fruits seasonably pag. 161. 81. The godly are profitable not only one to another but the wicked also fare the better for them pag. 163. 82. When men are slow in the duties of obedience God is patient towards them in the use of all good meanes waits for their fruitfulnesse pag. 164. 83. Vnregenerate persons of themselves cannot come to Christ nor bring forth one good fruit pag. 166. 84. Some Christians cheifly pursue some particular duties belonging to them and neglect others pag. 168. 85. While persons remaine in an unregenerate state all the meanes of grace is unprofitable to them pag. 170. 86. Christians by walking holily and fruitfully they bring much honour to God but if otherwise dishonour pag. 171. 87. The same things which are blessings to the Godly are curses to the wicked because of their different Principles pag. 172. 88. The best of Gods Children are guiltie of many sins and infirmities in their conversations pag. 174. 89. Carnall persons are as forward and zealous in the waies of sin as usually the godly are in the waies of holinesse pag. 176. 90. The Conditions of the people of God are much different yet God careth for them all pag. 178. 91. True and faithfull Ministers of the Gospell do diligently looke into the state of their people and deale with them accordingly pag. 179 92. God discovereth a speciall care of and love unto those of his people whose Judgment and waies concurre with his designe in their generation pag. 183. 93. God is a long time in calling the Gentiles and implanting them into Christ according to his purpose and promises pag. 187. 94. Externall Vniformity in the Churches of Christ is of small accompt with him in respect of Vnity and spirituall worship pag. 191. 95. God many times makes use of wicked and unregenerate persons for the preservation and good of his owne children pag. 197. 96. God in his infinite wisdome and goodnesse observes the fittest times in all his dispensations towards his people pag. 199. 97. Jesus Christ gives forth as constant a supply of all grace to the meanest of his people as to those who are most eminent pag. 201. 98. The people of God bring glory to him profit and edification to the body of Christ in divers respects according to the diversity of the Gifts Graces and operations of the spirit of God in them pag. 2â—2 99. There is a continuall secret supply of strength from Christ to every believer in time of desertion and temptation to preserve them from totall falling away pag. 205. 100. True Christians do communicate of their good things as freely to the poore as to the rich pag. 207. THE SPIRITUALL USE OF A GARDEN of FRUIT-TREES The first Observation in Nature THE Husbandman makes choice of what wild Plants he pleaseth to bring into his Orchards there to Graft and order to fruit-bearing from yeare to yeare He leaves other plants in the Woods and waste grounds he lets them alone and meddles not with them but takes and leaves these or those as pleaseth himselfe This is a Similitude of the State of Spirituall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That God from all eternity made choice of what Spirituall Plants he pleased to plant in his Garden the Church Proposition Shadowed and refused others God in his eternall decree chose some persons and refused others as his word clearely manifests he chose some wild plants here and there a few to plant in his Orchard to order to fruit-bearing and let others alone to grow wild and bring forth their naturall fruits and this upon his own free will and pleasure without any foresight of faith repentance good works or any thing in us This the Apostle shews Eph. 1.4 He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world Vers 5. according to the good pleasure of his will before they had done good or evill Rom. 9.13 I have loved Jacob and hated Esau and Jo. 13.18 I know whom I have chosen And our Saviour tells us Joh. 15.16 I have chosen you and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remaine The Husbandman lets other Plants alone to grow wild without the wall of his Orchard Many wicked men and women in the world which were passed by in his decree and therefore are not brought into his Church nor Ingrafted into Christ who in their generations bring forth sower bitter and poysonous fruits Rom. 9.18 He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardneth That is He giveth grace to those whom he hath chosen and denies it to others leaving them to themselves Vse Esay 61.3 The Consideration of this should be a strong and continuall motive to all those who have made their Calling and Election sure being perswaded upon good grounds that they are Trees of righteousnesse of the Lords Planting to praise and admire the free grace of God who hath chosen them to be his adopted children ingrafting them into Christ and planting them in his Garden to bring forth pleasant fruits to himselfe We were all of us wild Plants as bad by nature as the worst in the world and God hath made choice of us and left others How should this make us admire his rich and free grace in Christ to us and to shew forth his praise in our Conversations The Apostle tells us this is the very end wherefore we are Chosen 1 Pet. 2.9 Yee are a chosen Generation a Royall Priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darknesse into his marvelous light There was no moving Cause why the mysticall Husbandman should make Choice of us rather than of others as there is of materiall Plants The Husbandman looks upon their straightnesse and fitnesse in other respects it may be wherefore he chuseth them before others But the mysticall Husbandman hath all the grounds and Causes of choice within himselfe Eph. 1.5 according to the good pleasure of his will Let this therefore teach us and stirre us up to bring forth all Vse 2 good fruits unto him in abundance who hath so abounded in love and mercy towards us and hath let out his free grace in chusing of us And although we cannot recompence the Husbandman or make him the richer by our fruits yet we may please him and honour him thereby Herein is my Father glorified that ye beare much fruit Joh 15.2 The second Observation in Nature THe Husbandman doth order his young fruit-trees with more tendernesse and gentlenesse then such as are strong and well growne trees because such while they are small and tender are in more danger of breaking and brusing and other hurts then they are afterwards So that besides the great Wall or Common fence about the Orchard he makes a more speciall fence with Bushes Stakes or the like about each of them and gives
worldly advantages in the first place as most doe and match a Soule to the Earth between which there 's no likenesse nor proportion Neither are they to looke so much at likenesse in the more low and inferior respects as Person age birth friends Riches c. though care is to be had in these as to that great likenesse in Natures Manners Habits and Principles of the Mind for these are the springs and the tyes of Love therefore be not unequally yoked together 2 Cor. 6.14 The sad experience of many thousands may be a sufficient warning to others If that Love flowes according to the likenesse of natures then Vse 2 let this teach us to strive for increase of Grace to have the Image of God more and more renewed and drawn more lively upon our soules because the more like we are to God by having his Image in the Graces of his Spirit the more shall we find the love of God towards us and the more will our Love be towards God the streame of the love of God will flow more strongly into the soule which will be Rivers of pleasure unto it God will then delight in the soule and the Soule will then delight in God and this Communion will be heaven upon earth The fifth Observation in Nature THe husbandman is carefull to Engraft his Trees while they are young he then formes and fashions them by Pruning and ordering of them for he knowes when they are growen strong and bigge Trees these workes cannot be done so easily if at all it be possible therefore he sets about them while they are young-trees This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall Fruit-trees and holds forth unto us this Proposition Proposition shadowed That God calls his people for the most part in Youth and more rarely when they are old It is observed by Experience That God worketh that great worke of Repentance and Conversion of a sinner from darkenesse to light before old age generally and for the most part Most commonly in youth or full strength How seldome has it beene seene that an old person turnes to God having served Sathan and his lusts all his youth and time till old age God forbid that I should limit the boundles and infinite Mercies of God but may it not be said in this Case as of a Rich man his difficulty of being saved Matth. 19.24 It is easier for a Camell to goe through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdome of God O how hard is it for an old habituated sinner to turne to God and forsake his old waies and customes Such are setled on their Lees and frozen in their dreggs and are past feeling their hearts are hardened and consciences seared with a hot Iron Custome in sinne hath deprived them of all sence of sinning they cannot cease from sinne 2 Pet. 2.14 As soone may the Blackmore change his skinne or the Leopard his spots as old customary sinners learne to doe well Jer. 13.23 They being old ungrafted Trees growing upon the stock of corrupt Nature it s a thousand to one but they shall grow there untill the Axe be laid unto their roots to cut them downe and they be cast into the fire not to be consumed but to burne for ever God gives men warning before hand and tells them he will not accept of them hereafter though they knocke at the Gate of Mercy it shall be shut against them if they will not now accept of Mercy Prov. 1.24 25. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded c yee shall call but I will not answer I will laugh at your calamity and mock when your feare cometh c The sinner being an hundred yeares old shall be accursed Esay 65.20 This cals to all Spirituall young Plants to labour by all possible Vse 1 meanes to get this worke of Engrafting into Christ performed Now in their youth Now to be willing to be under the discipline of the husbandman who offers and desires to forme and fashion their minds according to the shape and Mould of his holy word Now therefore hearken to his voyce while it is called to day lest ye be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Heb. 3.13 The worke as to us is more easily done Now in youth then it will be hereafter The Twiggs of the corrupt stock of sinfull Nature are yet but small and slender Udum molle lutum es nunc nunc properandus acri Fingendus sine fine tota Pers sat 3. and will more easily be cut off then when they are grown old and strong The Minde will bow and bend more easily in youth to the Rules of the husbandman then it will hereafter Things are learned in time of youth with ease which in old age are difficult or impossible There is an impossibility in respect of the Lawes of nature of altering the habits in time of old age either of Body or Mind It s true With God all things are possible Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem testa diu Hor. but we are to expect the usuall and ordinary dealings of God and not to neglect the meetest seasons and meanes for effecting our greatest work in hope that God will doe it in the most difficult times because all things are alike easie to him Now because this is a thing of infinite everlasting consequence and of greatest importance of all other things whatsoever to us And that all may be stirred up to seeke after this one necessary thing to be engrafted into Christ in time of Youth I will lay downe a few Considerations as motives to it 1. The great Lord of Heaven and Earth that gave us a being 1 Consideration Gods Command our breath our time all that we have he requires our youth to himselfe and commands every one to give their first and their full strength to him he would have their Virgin Love before they be vitiated and defloured by the Creature Eccl. 12.1 Remember now thy Creator in the daies of thy Youth while the evill daies come not As under the Law God commanded them to offer in sacrifice Young Creatures Bullocks Rammes and Lambs of a yeare old young Pigeons c. And the Levites being his portion must be numbred from a Month old and upwards to signifie to us under the Gospell that God requires the beginning of our strength in his service Mica 7.1 My soule desireth the first ripe fruits 2 Consideration Vncertainty of Gods call or acceptance afterwards 2. If Youth slight God and refuse to harken to his call and command it is uncertaine whether he will call them afterwards 2 Tim. 2.25 If God peradventure will give them Repentance He that calls to men to day if you will heare his voice hath not said to morrow or hereafter I will call againe Nay God hath said the contrary Prov. 1.24 Because
I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded c. I also will laugh at your calamity and will mock when your feare cometh 3 Consid Difficulty and bitternesse of Repentance if delayed 3. The longer the worke of conversion and ingrafting into Christ is delayed the more difficult the worke will be it is more easie in youth then it will be afterwards While the Twiggs and sprouts of corruption are but young and slender they are more easily cut off bowed downe or kept under then they can be when they are growne old hard and strong Who can bend an old strong tree how hard is it to roote up a tree of many yeares growth and that in a great and firme Rock Such are the sprouts of corruption in the root or rock of corrupt nature The oftener sinnes are repeated the deeper impressions they make in the conscience although small in themselves Gutta cavat lapidem non viâ—sed saepe-cadendo Light and small drops of water falling often make an impression even in a stone What then will many great crimson and scarlet sinnes doe Many youthfull sinnes of a high nature break the bones in repentance 4 Consid Shame of coming in so late 4. Though it be not a shame to come to God in old age yet it s a shame for a man that he came no sooner Is it not a shame for a Souldier to runne from his Commander and fight against him all his youthfull time while he hath strength and abilities and to come in old age when he is lame and decrepite and offer his service Is it not a shame for a man to give his strength and marrow to the Devill and offer the dry bones to God What a shame is it for a man to begin to learne his Letters and to spell at spectacle yeares To offer the blind the lame and the sick in sacrifice will it be accepted Mal. 1.8 Offer it now unto thy Governour will he be pleased with thee or accept thy person saith the Lord of Hosts 5. Such as hearken unto Gods call early 5 Consider Clearer evidences of the love of God and in the spring of their yeares have usually most honour from God and clearer manifestations of his love than others such who give God their spring time their Virgin yeares they usually know more of the minde of God and of the Love of God than others Samuel was called of a Child 1 Sam. 3. and gave God his spring time and God manifested himselfe evidently to him he had many and cleare manifestations of the love of God The Prophet Jeremy Ch. 1.6 was called and sanctified from the womb and God revealed clearly his love to him and care of him he became a great Prophet and intimately acquainted with God God wrought upon the spirit of Joseph and ingrafted him while he was but a young twigg when he was but seaventeene yeares old he brought forth good fruit for he could not endure the the ill doings of his brethren but told his father of it Gen. 37.2 And we know what a darling Joseph was not only to his earthly father but also to his heavenly father who honoured him more then all his brethren and revealed many great secrets unto him He had not only tasts and draughts of the love of God but rather streames and rivers of it flowed in upon him all his life time Obadiah a man recorded in Scripture for one fearing God and that from his youth he was a choice and singular man in his daies he feared the Lord greatly 1 King 18.12 And the love of God towards him was seene in his love to God and his people in a time of great danger in preserving and feeding of them for none can shew forth cleare evidences of the love of God but those who are greatly belov'd of God The Prophet Daniel was a Young man when he began to feare God Dan. 1. and God shewed him manifold cleare evidences of his love God gave him knowledge and skill in all Learning and wisdome and in all visions and dreames vers 17. He had cleare revealations of the love of God in his Prayers and Praises to God immediately by his spirit and mediately by an Angell who was sent to tell him that his prayers were heard and that he was a man greatly beloved The holy Prophet David of a young Twig was ingrafted into Christ and he made God his trust from his youth Ps 71.5 Being taught of God from his youth vers 17. and thereby made a man after Gods own heart And whoever had sweeter communion with God and consequently clearer evidences of his Love then he expresseth in his Psalmes How great a Prophet was Iohn the Baptist who was filled with the Holy Ghost and sanctified from the womb a greater Prophet was never borne than he Luk. 1.15 Iohn the beloved Disciple began to follow Christ Early in his youth and Christ revealed secrets to him more immediately than to the rest of the Disciples He leaned on his breast and lay in his bosome he attained to a full assurance of the love of God which is the Consideration I here hold forth it is frequent in his Epistles We know we are of God 1 Joh. 4.13 14. 5 19 20. 1 Joh. 3.14 24. We know we are in him we know we are translated from death to life c. We know we know we know many such passages of assurance he mentions If Christians desire to enter into Heaven while they are on earth this is the way even to get into Christ early as soone as may be So we see such as are Ingrafted into Christ while they are young the love of God is more clearely and evidently discovered to them and secrets from God are revealed to them usually more than to others 6 Considerat Greater measures of grace and glory And lastly Such as are Ingrafted into Christ early in the spring of their yeares Such commonly attaine large growths and measures of grace if they live long and enjoy meanes and helps suitable A small measure of grace though but as much as a graine of Mustard seede If a man begin with it betime and husband it well according to the Counsell and wisdome of the spirit will improve and grow in many yeares to a large measure their Brook will become a River and their River will become a Sea Every Act of grace adds something to the habit so that the habits of grace are mightily confirmed by their frequent operations Such when they come to be old Disciples strong men in Christ fathers they have strong consolation full assurance Their graces increase from strength to strength from glory to glory by the spirit of the Lord. 2 Cor. 3.18 And the more their Afflictions abound the more are their graces encreased being improved by the spirit of God and consequently the greater glory is laid up for them in the life to come 2 Cor. 4.17
Now let it be considered What infinite advantages arise to a Christian by Early beginnings and setting forward in the waies of God betime the Priviledges are exceeding great and many These things may be great Encouragements to all young Plants to labour for them The sixt Observation in Nature WE know at the end of Sommer the sunnes influences being withdrawne in a great measure Fruit-trees cease growing their fruits and Leaves fall off and decay during the time of winter are shaken with winds pinched with Frosts and cold weather seeme to those that cannot well judg of them to be even as dead which yet when the spring of the yeare comes the spirit and sap that is naturally existing in them all winter is refreshed againe by the heat of the sunne that then approaches the branches againe begin to bud and by new supplies from the Roote grow forth and bare store of wholsome fruits This is another Similitude and shadowes out unto us this Proposition VVhich also concurres with the word and experience That When the spirit of God withdrawes Proposition shadowed then mysticall fruit-trees cease growing their leaves and Fruits fall and they indure sore conflicts for a time but at the returne of the spirit they are restored to former comforts with advantage As the sun is the efficient cause of life and growth in naturall fruit trees and all Vegetables so is the spirit of God the efficient cause of motion and growth in all spirituall fruit-trees while the spirit is sensibly present and works in the soule there is motion growth budding blossoming and bearing fruits but when the spirit withholds and withdrawes when this sunne goes afar off as to his sensible workings and effects and hides his face then the fruit-trees are at a stand and have no power in themselves to grow or beare fruits The Lord is a Sun unto his people Ps 84.11 and the face of this sun is sometimes clouded and hid from them and is as if he were afar off Esa 54.7 For a small moment have I hid my face The Church complaines in the time of this spirituall winter Cant. 5.6 My beloved had withdrawne himselfe and was gone VVhen this Sun is afar off and clouded then followes a dark and gloomy time Lam. 3.1 I am the man that have seen affliction by the rod of his wrath he hath led me and brought me into darknesse and not into light I remembred God and was troubled I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed Ps 88.16 Thy fierce wrath goeth over me thy terrors have cut me off Ps 38.8 The Church in this long and sharp winter the sun being a far off complaineth bitterly and is almost in dispaire Esay 49.14 This is a wofull state the greatest of all miseries on this side Hell even the want of the light of Gods countenance to him that hath sensibly enjoyed it a long time together and instead thereof to have the terrors of God fight against him and make immediate impressions upon the soule yet so it is with some of the servants of God for a time Former Evidences are then of no more strength than the strength of meat and drink is to the body after a long time of fasting when the body hath beene shut up in prison and almost starv'd for want of foode It s true indeed former Evidences might something uphold in the sense of present distresse if the soule were sure they were undoubtedly true and sound because we know true grace once received cannot be lost but there lies the doubt and the ground of feare and distrust he calls all former Evidences into question and perhaps at some times concludes against himselfe that all are nothing because of present feelings of the contrary I know a man who about Ten yeares agoe was cast under this Temptation and had Experience of this woefull state and condition he lay in it for the space of Seventeene or Eighteene Months or thereabouts Having early in his youth even the first houre of the day passed through the pangs of the new birth and spirit of bondage afterwards enabled to lay hold on Christ by faith and by degrees got up to a comfortable well grounded confidence of the love of God in Christ wherein he walked chearefully many yeares together yet afterwards even about the middle of the day according to the Prophets computation Psalm 90.10 the Sun was clouded and the spirit and sap suspended so that by degrees he lost not only the sense of the light of Gods countenance towards him and the sight of the graces of his spirit but questioned all his former Evidences of his interest in Christ and especially at some times even gave all for lost And notwithstanding the dayly use of all spirituall meanes he still fell lower and lower more and more feares and terrors increased in him which were made more sharpe and heavy by many outward afflictions great crosses and disappointments at the same time which befell him in reference to his body name outward estate Calling friends and relations every one of which was a sore affliction single and of it selfe notwithstanding all came upon him in a short space and that not long after great and more then ordinary spirituall comforts evidences of the love of God in Christ which though they might have beene some ground to have upheld the soule from sinking so low yet by degrees were all weake and of no power to uphold amidst such a throng and present sense of heavy and lasting Temptations as were upon both his inward and outward man but by reason thereof the immediate succeeding desertion was the more sensible and took the deeper impression As a man that falls suddenly from a high and eminent Condition of outward comforts into great misery and want the sense of his present misery is therefore the more pressing In this sad and darke time he laboured by Prayer Fasting help of freinds and all waies of humbling himselfe to get comfort and support but still it was hâ—d from him he was by degrees cast downe very low and brought even to despair in-somuch that at some times through the violence of Temptations and apprehensions of the absence and losse of God he cryed out roared as a man in torment of body that had had some disease or burning in his Bowels At some times when he heard the word preached such terrors seased upon him that he had no rest neither in body nor mind he could neither sit still nor stand still nor rest in any posture fearefull injections thronged in upon him and such woefull apprehensions of an undone Condition were at those seasons especially represented to the mind that he was not able to expresse the horror of them And after a certaine time of the absence of the Spirit in the feeling workings of it and sence of the graces Corruptions at sometimes more especially grew strong Passions and murmurings against the righteous proceedings of God with him
so 2 Cor. 4.6 By this Ingrafting there is a Transforming a change of the Mind Rom. 12.2 be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind there is a new heart and a new spirit Ezek. 36.26 Vse This being so it concernes us seriously to consider upon what grounds we build our hopes of eternall life for except this Change be wrought except a man be borne againe he cannot see the kingdome of God John 3.3 what ever we do let us give all diligence to make our calling and Election sure Many deceive themselves O what a sad thing is it to be mistaken in this great and most concerning businesse whereon depends our Eternall welfare There is no salvation out of Christ and if any man be in Christ he is a new Creature 2 Cor. 5.17 There are new Principles and dispositions in the soule contrary to those of Corrupt Nature consider it seriously and give all diligence to make your calling and Election sure The sixtie third Observation in Nature OF one matter or substance in trees are made severall distinct substances Of the sap in Fruit-trees are framed the Bark wood Pith Leaves Buds Blossoms stalks fruits and seed all of them distinct and of divers Natures yet formed by one and the same spirit and sap arising from the roote of the tree This Similitude shadowes out unto us That The severall Gifts and Graces in believers are wrought by the same spirit Proposition shadowed Gifts and Graces in the people of God differ not only in degrees but also in Nature and kind as they are distinct Gifts and Graces yet all of them framed by the spirit of God for the edifying and building up of his Church Some excell in Gifts yet are but low in Graces some others are weake in Gifts but strong in Graces They have a strong saith a fervent love much humility invincible courage and zeale and would sooner suffer for Christ than some others who excell in Gifts These things the Apostle shewes at large 1 Cor. 12.14 Now there are diversities of Gifts but the same spirit and there are diversities of administrations but the same Lord and diversities of operations but the same God who worketh all in all And as in the Materiall fruit-tree al the severall and distinct substances mutually concurre according to the Law of Nature to the increase and making up of a faire and comly fruit-tree not only for the profit of the Husbandman but also for the increase multiplying of the same species or kind so likewise do all the severall Gifts and Graces in believers wrought by the same spirit serve mutually as well for the enlarging and multiplying the branches of the Vine-tree the Church of God as the honour of the Husbandman that planted it This points out whither we should go for Gifts and Graces Vse 1 and the increase of them Jam. 1.5.17 they come downe from the father of lights Vse 2 Stronger Christians ought not to despise or neglect the lowest gifts and graces in their brethren because they are the same in kind with theirs and from the same spirit Vse 3 From hence the weakest believers may take comfort they have the same spirit dwelling in them as the strongest Members yea the same spirit that is in the head who in due time will draw all of them to himselfe The sixtie fourth Observation in Nature There are very many Profits and pleasures found in the Husbandmans Garden of fruit-trees both to himselfe and others fruit-trees bring many Profits to a mans estate Profits to his body to his Mind to his name And there are Pleasures to all the senses He also invites and bids his freinds welcome into his Garden and make them partakers with him of his Profits and pleasures This is another Similitude and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed There are exceeding many and great Profits and pleasures found in the Church of God The Church is compared to a Vineyard wherein are many choice plants Esay 5.1.2 c. It is called an Orchard and Garden of Fruit-trees Cant. 4 12.13 A garden inclosed is my sister my spouse thy plants are an Orchard of Pomegranates with pleasant fruits Mr. Bolton Now as in Vineyards Orchards Gardens c. which are as a holy man saies as the starrs and Paradises of the Earth there are many Profits and Pleasures found so are there likewise in the Church of God There are Profits to all purpose 1 Tim. 4.8 Godlinesse is Profitable to all things againe Rev. 3.18 I Councell thee to buy of me gold that thou maist be rich The people of God are made rich by Christ so that they lay up Treasures they have a treasure in their hearts Matth. 12.35 and treasures in heaven Matth. 6.20 God is their father and all his Attributes are laid out for them They have an inheritance immortall and that fadeth not away reserved in heaven for them They have infinite treasures because Christ is theirs and all his fulnesse And as there are these Profits found in the Garden of fruit-trees the Church of God so also there are Pleasures in abundance all her waies are waies of pleasantresse Prov. 3.17 As the husbandman invites his freinds into his fruit-garden to eat of his fruits and drink of his wines made of them and to partake of all his Pleasures there so does the Mysticall Husbandman invite his freinds to partake of the delights that are in his Garden Cant. 5.1 I am come into my garden my sister my spouse I have gathered my mirrhe with my spice I have eaten my hony combe with my hony I have drunk my wine with my milke-Eat O freinds drinke yea drinke abundantly O beloved And as we sit in Arbours and under the shade of trees in Gardens in sommer season and eat pleasant fruits and drinke wines made of them such delights also are in this Mysticall Garden Cant. 2.3 As the Appletree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sonnes I sate downe under his shaddow with great delight and his fruit was sweete to my rast vers 4. He brought me into the Banqueting house And in the banqueting house there are pleasant wines to cheare refresh the heart mixed wines Prov. 9.2 wine of the Pomegranate Can. 8.2 I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juyce of my Pomegranate There is both seasting and Banqueting in this Garden of fruit-trees Esay 25.6 A feast of fat things a feast of wines on the Lees of fat things full of marrow of wines on the Lees well refined There is variety of all dainties and free welcome they need not spare the Master of the feast saies freely from his heart Eat O freinds drink yea drink abundantly O beloued Cant. 5. So then we see there are variety and abundance of Profits and Pleasures in the Church of God This therefore may be improved for the invitation and encouragement Vse 1 of those that are yet out
acting so the habit improves if the Acts of grace be but seldome and but weake the Habits and Principles grow but slowly And when Acts cease for a time as in some Temptations yet the habits seeds and Principles lie secret and sure in the soule and will as heat pent up and smoothered for a time breake forth afterwards more strongly and will enable the soule to trample upon all enemies The use of this may be to discover who are really in Christ Vse As there is an increase in all the Members and parts of Children if in health so in the spirituall man Ephes 4.16 according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body As it is thus of the Church so also of every particular Member of it Now this increase is not in all alike nor at all times to be perceived in any one person but differs according to Talents of grace at first received and also according to the operations of the spirit and according to the meanes and helps that Christians have and use in the course of their lives Therefore labour to discerne an increase And lest some weake soules should stumble at this and question the truth of all because they discerne not an increase of grace in themselves but rather a decay because they find not now such vehement workings of affection nor such enlargednesse of heart as sometimes heretofore Let such consider that God sometimes withdrawes that they may be sensible of the different states tempers and frames of their spirits which may be made use of as a speciall evidence of spirituall life Secondly strength of grace consisteth not in the enlargednesse of the affections in duties which is usually most in young Christians but in a solid well grounded faith knowledg experience and cleare apprehensions of the love of God in Christ these more or lesse if we are diligent in the use of meanes grow to the last though there are in some Christians some interruptions through Trials and temptations which yet God doth order for their advantage The seventy first Observation in Nature SOme fruit-trees that are but weake crooked and uncomly Trees that have little beauty in respect of shape and colour c. they are notwithstanding more profitable and bring forth more pleasant and more usefull fruits than many faire tall and beautifull trees To instance in the Vine Ficus uvae inter fructus autumnales principatum obtinent Proposition shadowed and the fig-tree what trees are so low crooked weake of so deadish coloured outsides as they which yet yeild the most refreshing pleasant nourishment Many high strong beautifull trees are farre short of them in worth and goodnesse This Observation shadowes out unto us That Many persons of a low ranke and but of despised parts do yet bring forth more profitable fruits than many others eminent in gifts and outward respects Many of the Saints in their measure and proportion are as their Lord and Saviour of whom it is said he hath no forme nor comlinesse there is no beauty that we should desire him he is despised and rejected of men c. Esay 53.2.3 and yet who brought forth such fruits as he who besides that great and maine worke for which he was sent went daily about doing good did alwaies that which was pleasing to his father Joh. 8.29 As he was despised and rejected of men for the holinesse and spirituallnesse of his doctrine and life as well as for his meanesse in the world even so are many of his people at this day And so it was too in former times Were not the Apostles and disciples of Christ of a low ranke in the world taken from meane imployments whose naturall parts had little improvement by humane Learning which caused the proud Pharisees to despise and reject both them and their doctrine and yet who brought forth the best fruits they or the Pharisees That great fruit-tree mentioned Luk. 18.11 which was growen in his owne conceipt and its like in others too as high as heaven and spread large yet his fruits were not accepted as the fruits of the poore low despised shrub the Publican who came far short of the Pharases in outward respects That of the Apostle 1 Cor. 1.27 c. is a sufficient proofe for this point The foolish things the weake things the base things the despised thing The persons and things their Gifts and endowments their Judgments and actings that the worldly and carnall wise men and some spirituall men very carnall in their Judgments and waies account foolish weake base and altogether despise and trample on these even these are of more esteeme with God and are more profitable in his Church than many persons and things eminent in the world and of highest esteeme among men Learn then to judg and esteeme of persons and things Vse of Trees and fruits as God doth judg righteous Judgment looke upon things with a spirituall eye and tast them with a spirituall Palat God expects now that his people should be more spirituall than in former times that they should come off more from Externals whereon former ages have so much stood Gospell worship and conversation is more in the spirit than many even of the godly are yet convinced of The plaine simplicity of the Gospell in the delivery and manifestation of it to others is despised Persons who preach and publish the Gospell and cannot but speake the things they have heard and seene are neglected despised and cried downe Acts 4.20 unlesse they come adorned with eminent Gifts Humane learning and other externall qualifications which the fleshly wisdome of men eyes more than the spirituall savory well tasted fruits they bring forth to the refreshing and feeding the soules of men to eternall life One of these poore low despised spirituall trees without forme or comlinesse in a carnall eye brings forth more good and profitable fruits than an hundred of some of those who come with externall Ornaments of Titles degrees tongues excellency of speech and b It s true indeede humane learning and eminent parts are excellent and of singular use in the Church of God if sanctified if in regenerate persons especially in such who have also great measures of grace to make all subservient thereunto othewise all is used and turned for selfe and sinister ends and purposes and against Christ Humane wisdome which the Apostle who had more Learning than they car'd not for in his Ministry 1 Co. 2.1 4. My speech and my preaching was not with the enticing words of mans wisdome but in the demonstration of the spirit and of power Plaine experimentall discourses of spirituall holy men but of ordinary gifts about Christ and his kingdome are for the most part more profitable amongst the vulgar sort of people than the discourses of learned men about the same thing One reason besides the speciall presence of the spirit may be because the Matter Method and expressions
well as to another all were purchased at one and the same rate even with his owne blood The ninetie eighth Observation in Nature SOme Fruit-trees are profitable for one purpose and some for another their fruits being of severall kinds some are usefull one way and some another some are fittest for Cider others to bake or to be prepared severall waies for the Table others are eaten of themselves without any preparation some are fit for foode some for Physick some for Cordials all are good and profitable in their kinds according to their severall uses Proposition shadowed This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That The people of God bring glory to him profit and edification to the body of Christ in divers respects according to the diversity of the Gifts Graces and Operations of the spirit of God in them This is manifest from Scripture and continuall Experience Believers having severall Gifts and endowments in Nature and grace are imployed and set on worke by God in their generations according as he hath fitted them for their severall work For as the Members in the Naturall body have not all one and the same Office so neither the Mysticall body Rom. 12.6 Having then Gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us whether prophesie let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith vers 7. Or Ministry let us wait on our Ministring or he that teacheth on teaching or he that exhorteth on exhortation c. As every man hath received the gift so Minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God Let him do it as of the ability which God giveth that God in all may things be glorified through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 4.10 11. What ever his gifts or abilities be weake or strong meane or eminent they are his Talents or one at least which must not be hid but used and imployed for the glory of God and profit of himselfe and others As among the Members of the body the least and meanest is use full and profitable to the body And the eye cannot say unto the hand I have no neede of thee nor againe the head to the feete I have no need of you but such as seeme to be most feeble are necessary 1 Cor. 12.21 22. so in the body of Christ and also in the politicall body the Common-wealth the laboring husbandman and the meanest Tradesman are necessary and their labours and industries in severall and various waies are all as really in their measure conducing to the upholding and advantaging of a Nation as those in the highest imployments The Apostle shewes this truth very largely 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6. c. There are diversities of Giftes diversities of administrations diversities of operations by the same spirit vers 8. To one is given the word of wisdome to another the word of Knowledg to another faith to another the gifts of Healing to another the working of Miracles to another Prophesie to another discerning of spirits to another divers Tongues to another the interpretation of tongues All these worketh that one and the selfe same spirit dividing to every man severally as he will Seldome or never is it seene that any one man is eminent in all the faculties of the mind in all gifts and graces but if he excell in one he is defective in another If his gift lie in solidity of Iudgment and understanding it may be he is defective in his utterance or ready making out what he conceives and apprehends wherein some others excell that come short of him in Iudgment one man excells in quicknesse of apprehensions another in soundnesse of Judgment another in the gift of memory another in a facile and ready expression One is eminent in the grace of faith another in love another in humility another in patience another in zeale One man hath skill in one science another man in another One in this Art or Trade another in some other As the Members in the Naturall body have severall formes and severall uses and offices so is it in the Mysticall body the Church and also in the state or Common wealth that in various and severall respects all might bring Glory to God and benefits one to another The consideration of this should make us to admire the wonderfull Vse 1 wisdome of God in so ordering and disposing of things that one person might be helpfull and profitable to another every one usefull in his place and calling by their severall gifts graces actings and operations of severall natures and degrees among themselves and one with another that all should conduce and worke together though in severall waies and respects to bring glory to God and profit and edification each to other Vse 2 This also should teach Governours and all who have any charge over others to observe and find out what the Gift and qualification is of those over whom they have any charge that so accordingly they may designe them and dispose of them this is their duty and their wisdome And it is every ones duty in reference to himselfe before he enter upon any Calling or course of life to consider wherein cheifey his gift lies that accordingly he may apply himselfe For seeing the spirit of God divides to euery man gifts and qualifications severally as he will 1 Cor. 12.11 it is our duty to row with the streame and saile with the wind we shall make the speedier and better progresse And for want of this many men dishonour themselves their Callings God most of all by entring upon those waies and works for which they are no way fit as wanting a Gift to that purpose it lying in some other respect which they ought to have searched out and improved that so they might have brought thereby more glory to God and more profit to the body of Christ And further in this Proposition as in a glasse we may see the folly and pride of some men who being eminent in some Gifts or Vse 3 endowments and thereby also it may be answerably profitable in Church or Commonwealth upon occasion of which they despise others who are their inferious in such gifts but know O vaine man that those others may excell thee in some other Gifts and may bring glory to God and benefit to the body of Christ as much another way by their fervent prayers spirituall speeches and conferences holy and humble walking diligent improvement of Gifts Talents advantages which God hath put into their hands And therefore Christians should walke humbly though never so eminent in qualifications even upon this consideration as well as others that though they excell their brethren in these and these things yet those their brethren may go beyond them in other gifts and be profitable as much or more than themselves another way according to what God hath given them The ninetie ninth Observation in Nature All the winter long there is sap abiding in the tree and continually rising
Prayers and Discourses because they have not so much Humane Learning as themselves Fourthly In discouraging and hindering such servants of the Lord as desire to improve their Graces and gifts for God endeavoring to commend the Lord Christ to others for their salvation Fiftly By endeavoring to prejudice the minds of men against such who yet God imployes in the work of the Ministry Sixtly In boasting of their Parts and Learning and resting thereon forgetting God who gave it Seaventhly In neglecting to use their Learning for that end for which God bestowed it on them Consider hath God given you larger opportunities and greater helps and advantages than others that you should be more idle and unfruitfull than others the Lord awaken you and make you zealous and active for your Master in this time of need many places have been a long time destitute of godly able Preachers that when he shall come he may say unto you well done good and faithfull servants enter into the joy of your Lord. Concerning the Author of the following Observations and Similitudes what ever Carnall men or the pride of Spirituall men may object as who that is zealous and active for God can escape the censures of some men it evidently appeares to me that the Spirit of God hath carried him on in this work Reject not the work because it is not done by a Publique Minister of the Gospell for many private experienced Christians have beene in this way very profitable to the Church of God These are the last times wherein God fulfills his great Gospell promise in powring out his Spirit upon all flesh and those whom God intends for any speciall service he prepares them for it by some speciall preparations I have seene a large particular Relation composed by this Author of God's dealings with him for many yeares together wherein it appeares that God began betime with him early even the first houre of the day And he hath beene exercised with many Temptations from his youth up having passed through the spirit of bondage early in the morning and by degrees came to close with Christ and to attaine a comfortable assurance of his interest in him But afterwards even about the middle of the day upon the spirits withdrawing and God's hiding of his face for some gratious ends he fell into a long and sad desertion passing through the valley of the shadow of death the paines of hell gat hold upon him and that in an extraordinary way and measure But God by degrees lifted him up out of the deepe Pit out of the Mire and Clay and set his feet upon a Rock and hath put a new song into his Mouth and made him active for God in his Generation As for his following Labours I doubt not but God will make them very usefull and profitable to the people of God what is more helpfull to the understanding and remembring of Spirituall things than plaine and pregnant SIMILITUDES of things which we are daily conversant with all these being also enlarged upon by him and improved to spirituall ends and advantages What was all the old Ceremoniall Law for many hundred yeares but teaching the People by SIMILITUDES Tipes and Ceremonies which were all shadowes of things to come Heb. 10.1 The spirit of God used SIMILITUDES by the Ministry of the Prophets Hos 12.10 yea the great Prophet of the Church frequently used SIMILITUDES in his teachings and Ministers of the Gospell in our daies find them very usefull and profitable in their teachings Wherefore Reader I recommend the following Observations and Similitudes to thy use Praying that the spirit of God may engraft every truth into thy heart and cause it to grow and bring forth much good fruit to the glory and praise of God and thy owne everlasting good STEPHEN FORD Pastor of a Church of CHRIST in CHIPPIN-NORTON Propositions Shadowed out unto us by Observations in Nature and Cleared by Scripture and Experience 1. GOd from all Eternity made choice of what Spirituall Plants he pleased to Plant in his Garden the Church and refused others pag. 1. 2. The dispensations of God towards weak Christians are more gentle than towards such as are strong p. 3. 3. Many Spirituall Fruit-trees bring forth faire and Specious fruits to Observation which yet are unpleasant to the Husbandman p. 5. 4. Persons joyned in any Relation they have comfort or affliction together according to their natures p. 6. 5. God calls his People for the most part in youth and more rarely when they are old p. 8. 6. When the Spirit of God withdrawes then Mysticall Fruit-trees cease growing their Leaves and Fruits fall and they endure sore conflicts for a time but at the returne of the Spirit they are restored to former comforts with advantage p. 13. 7. Generally those persons who are excessive and most curious about the formes of Duties have least of the power of Godlinesse p. 18. 8. By the fruits of Spirituall Trees we may conclude the Nature of the Trees p. 20. 9. Some persons flourish with a profession for a time but in the heat of affliction they fall off p. 22. 10. We should bend all our desires and endeavours that the best gifts graces and Fruits may especially encrease p. 23. 11. While the Spirituall part in us acts and growes strongly the fleshly part acts but weakly so also if the flesh be strong the Spirit is weak p. 26. 12. The more closely a Christian walks with God the more stedfast he is and more free from Spirituall enemies p. 28. 13. Corrupt nature abides in believers as long as they live and is but in part subdued by grace p. 29. 14. It is not any outward excellencies but the Image of God upon the Soul that is the glory of a person p. 30. 15. There is a firme and constant union betweene Christ and every Believer p. 32. 16. Vniversity men ought in convenient time to go forth into the service of the Church and Common-wealth except some choice persons fit for government of the Societies p. 33. 17. Saving grace or the Divine nature in Believers abides in the Soul for ever But common gifts or graces may be lost p. 37. 18. God is well pleased with Zealous and active Instruments in his Works But men of dull indifferent spirits he often layes them aside and puts others in their stead p. 39. 19. The commotions troubles and confusions in the Church of God will end in the settlement peace and glory of it p 41. 20. Believers by ingrafting into Christ do live in him and he in them and are thereby made one with him p. 43. 21. All believers have a likenesse and resemblance of one another in the Image of God upon their soules p. 45. 22. Those whom God purposeth to bring hereafter into his celestiall Paradise he prepareth them for it here in this life p. 47. 23. Grace in the hearts of believers is not suddenly strong but strength is gotten by degrees p. 49. 24.
strive one against the other so that it is the care of the husbandman and is or should be our continuall labour and businesse to strengthen the spirituall part against the fleshly part We find by Experience That while the spirituall part acts lively and strongly the Carnall part is downe While it is by the Spirit of God raised up to a high pitch and enlarged with delight and joy in God and Communion with him in Meditation and Prayer then all the while Corruptions are low and weake and as it were subdu'd The Apostle tells us what we must doe to keep downe Corruptions Gal. 5.16 This I say walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh While the soule is in a spirituall frame and hath cleare apprehensions of the love of God in Christ then it is active and lively in all the waies of God Luk. 11.21 though the flesh be as a strong man Armed yet when this spirituall man that is stronger then he riseth up and bestirs himselfe he is able to bind him and keepe him under and rules in the soule untill there be an abating and slacking of his spirituall strength and then the flesh will soone discover it selfe and stirre and act as temptations and occasions arise and then on the other side the Spirituall part acts but weakely it is downe low flat wanting life and power during such stirrings and workings of the flesh Rom. 7.23 I see a Law in my members warring against the Law of my mind and leading me captive c. This should teach us often to observe and take notice of the actings of our spirits of the frame and temper of them 1 Vse whether the stock or the Graft bud the faster what shootes the soule puts forth of what kind what the motions of our soules are whether holy and spirituall or carnall and earthly cutting off these and preserving and cherishing those If we were watchfull daily and tooke paines with our spirits to keepe them up in a spirituall frame in Communion with God then by degrees the shootes and growths of the spirituall part would become strong and the shootes of the flesh weak and feeble O that this were well weighed and practised by Christians it is the very life Spirit and power of godlinesse thus to walk with God in communion with him hereby we are enabled to doe and suffer all things for God and to resist and keep under the flesh and all Enemies This is the life of our life and heaven upon Earth The twelfth Observation in Nature THe neerer the Branches of a Tree are to the Roots the faster and firmer they are and more free from tossing and shaking by the winds Such grow more fast and steady And the farther off the Branches are from the Roote the more loose and unsteadfast they are the more they are waved and tossed by the winds and motion of the Aire This is another Similitude of the state of spirituall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed The more closely a Christian walks with God the more steadfast he is and more free from spirituall Enemies Every Mysticall Fruit-tree that beares good fruit is Ingrafted or implanted into Jesus Christ the Roote and Stock from whence all the spirituall sap and life is drawne and derived whereby the Branches grow and beare fruit And experience shewes the neerer the Boughs and Branches are unto the Roote the closer we walke with God the more Communion we have with the father and with his sonne Jesus Christ the more fixed stable and unshaken we are When the soule is a farre off from Christ it is carried and tossed about with divers and strange conceipts and Opinions doubts feares troubles and temptations is moved this way and that way as the top branches of a Tree with the wind The Prophet David walked with God and kept close unto him Psalm 16.8 I have set the Lord alwaies before me he is at my right hand I shall not be moved therefore he saies his heart was established and would not shrinke but was enabled to insult over all Vse 1 Enemies Psalm 46.2 I will not feare though the earth be moved c. As this shewes us the happinesse of those who walke with God so also we may hence see the miserable Condition of those who are out of Christ they being a far off from Christ the whole frame of their soule is unsetled they are like the raging sea that cannot rest Esay 57.20 their Condition is as was said of Reuben Gen. 59.4 unstable as water James 1.8 They are unstable in all thoir waies because a far off from Christ Let this stirre us up to a watchfull and circumspect care in our Vse 2 Conversations to get and keep close to Christ Such as walke closely with God live in another spheare in a higher Orb than the common world though they live with them And notwithstanding there be Commotions and stirs and turning of the world upside downe yet in the spirits of these all is calme and quiet their hearts are fixed and unmoved they feare not evill tydings Psal 112.7 8. because their hearts are fixed trusting in the Lord Psal 15.5 They are as Mount Syon that cannot be removed but abideth fast for ever The thirteenth Observation in Nature IN Materiall fruit-trees the sower Nature of the wild Plants that are grafted upon does still continue in the stock or roote and is not taken away or lost by Engrafting it is only restrained and kept under by the Graft The Nature of the Graft is predominant in the Tree and overrules in bringing forth fruits according to its owne kind although with some small degree of the sower Nature of the stock mixed with it And the two Natures of the Graft and stock continue mixed together so long as the Tree lives This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall Fruit-trees and shadowes forth unto us this Proposition That Corrupt Nature abides in believers as long as they live Proposition shadowed and is but in part subdued by grace Corruption of Nature though it be not cast out yet it is by degrees more and more subdued restrayned and kept under Rom. 6.6 The old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed it is destroyed as to the ruling power of it but not as to the being of it The spirit of God working Principles of Grace or the Divine Nature in the soule does curb restraine and as it were bind Corrupt Nature which of it selfe is as a strong man armed but when a stronger than he cometh he bindeth him and keeps him under Luk. 11.21 Not that he casteth him out as a Land-lord that turnes out an old Tenant when he puts in a new one The Apostle complaineth of it Rom. 7. I find a law in my members warring against the law of my minde c. The experience of all Believers proves this sufficiently Vse 1
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
lifted up Lowly Christians are like the lower grounds under hils and neere Rivers upon which when moisture descends from the heavens and from the hills it rests there and makes the ground fat and consequently fruitfull Who was a more fruitfull Christian than David the holy Prophet he was so eminently fruitfull and brought forth so much and so lovely fruits as that God himselfe commends him and saies he walked in all the commandments according to his owne heart one particular excepted and we see of what a spirit he was in respect of humility Psal 131.1.2 My heart is not haughty nor mine eyes lofty my soule is even as a weaned Child And the Apostle Paul discovers a spirit of more then ordinary humility 1 Cor. 15 9. I am the least of the Apostles that am not meete to be called an Apostle And as though that were not low enough he descends lower I am lesse then the least of all Saints Eph. 3.8 But now who among the Apostles or Saints brought forth more and greatter fruits then this lowly tree In nothing was he behind the very cheife Apostles 2 Cor. 12.11 yea he laboured more abundantly then they all 1 Cor. 15.10 and 2 Cor. 11.23 In labours more abundant The Reasons hereof are first humble Christians have more from God then others because neerer God they walke with God and Communicates himselfe to them more then to others as familiar friends communicate secrets one to another so God to the humble soule that walkes with him He giveth grace to the humble 1 Pet. 5.5 He will teach the humbe his way Ps 25.9 but he resisteth the proud and is a farre off from him Secondly Humble soules are communicative they make others partake with them of what God hath given them Children every one plucke fruit from a low Tree and he that watereth shall be watered also himselfe Prov. 11.25 the more they give out the more they have comming in the more good fruit a Tree brings forth the more will the husbandman doe for it by way of culture that it may still bring forth more fruit Thirdly Humble Christians are most fruitfull because they receive profit from all persons from all things they can learne something from everie thing from the meanest from the worst whereas proud persons thinke they have so much that they 'l learne from none so that their advantages are both from heaven and earth as materiall trees growing low neere the ground have not only the sun and raine but also some advantage by the reflection of the sunne beames from the earth which tall high Trees have not Vse 1 Let us be much in love with this pretious grace of humility and beware of pride if we would bring forth much and faire fruits let us labour to be clothed with humility and follow the most glorious Patterne herein Mat. 11.29 Learne of me for I am meek and lowly in heart Then shall wee bring forth much and great fruits whereby our father will be glorified whereof our selves and others may eat and be filled But here we may stand and take up a lamentation for what we see contrary in many of the people of God in our daies especially among those who have best parts and abilities O what shall we doe to pluck up this poysonous destructive Plant from among the good plants of grace This has a strong hold even in many of the Saints and is like that uncleane spirit Mat. 17.21 which goeth not out but by Prayer and fasting with great striving and much adoe Consider is it no Argument against it in that it puts us a farre off from God in respect of that close communion we might otherwise have with him and secondly it almost stifles and chokes our graces that they cannot act at they doe in the humble soule thirdly it blemishes and cloudes exceedingly both in the eye of God and humble soules the beauty and honour of Christians in this life and lessens their future glory and that for ever This is for the honour and praise as well as for the consolation Vse 3 of humble saints who though they be lowest perhaps in outward respects here in the world yet are they in highest esteeme with God their humility exalts them even in the accompt of God and such low spreading Trees shrubs in their owne eyes when they are transplanted into the Garden of God in Paradise shall be set upon the highest ground and be the talest Trees there farre above many of their breathren who in this life are farre above them The one and thirtieth Observation in Nature THe Roote body boughes branches and small Twigs of a Tree make but one body or substance Though the parts of a Tree are distinguished and knowne by severall names and are divided into multitude of boughes branches and twigs yet all of them are so joyned together as that they make up but one body or substance This shadowes out unto us That Jesus Christ and his people Proposition shadowed though multitudes of distinct persons yet are so united as that they make but one body Christ is the head of his Church and all believers being united to him by faith are his Members 1 Cor. 12.27 Col. 1.18 Ye are the body of Christ and members in particular Now there is not a more reall union in nature between the head and the Members in the body of a man or betweene the Roote and branches of a tree then there is betweene Christ and his people When Christ ascended up on high he gave Gifts unto men for the perfecting of the saints the body of Christ Eph. 4.12 That they may grow up into him in all things which is the head even Christ vers 15. From whom the whole body fitly joyned together and compacted by that which every joynt supplyeth according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body unto the Edifying of it selfe in love vers 16. Christ calls himselfe the Vine Joh. 15.5 that is the bottome stock or Roote of the Vine and his people are the Branches Now as the Branches being joyned and made one with the Roote doe receive all their nourishment sap and life from the roote whereupon they increase and without which they would certainly die and wither so it is betweene Christ and his people there being a reall mysticall union and onenesse betweene this head and this body life and nourishment is given from the head to the body Col. 2.19 from which head all the body by joynts and bands having nourishment ministred and knit together increaseth with the increase of God Vse 1 This is a ground of unspeakable consolation to believers for this being so Christ will certainely take care of them being joyned to Christ and one with Christ they shall have life nourishment strength wisdome righteousnesse holinesse all good things in this life out of his fulnesse and glory hereafter for ever it cannot be otherwise for in so doing
Garden The eight and fortieth Observation in Nature FRuit-trees being Ingrafted they Naturally bring forth good fruits Because a new and another Nature in the graft is joyned to the wild Plant on which it is Grafted Notwithstanding some mixture of the Nature of the wild stock yet the Graft over-rules to bring forth good fruits according to its owne Nature Proposition shadowed This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Persons ingrafted into Christ doe naturally bring forth good fruits Every regenerate person hath two natures in him the divine Nature and Corrupt Nature And these two Natures act in him all his life time But notwithstanding corrupt Principles the divine Nature prevailes in beleivers for the generall course of their lives Ye are partakers of the divine Nature saith the Apostle 2 Pet. 1.4 whereby persons ingrafted into Christ are carried out to act for God according to that Nature and soe bring forth good fruits Naturally their fruits taking their denomination from the better Nature Believers have the Image of God renewed in them and his Law written in their hearts That is knowledg dispositions and inclinations carrying them by a spiritually naturall power to what is holy just and good in some degree as Adam had in his innocency soe that they Naturally bring forth good fruits and have a Naturall propension aptnesse and inclination to the things of God as unregenerate persons have to carnall things And where this divine Principle or spirituall Nature hath attained high degrees where grace is at a high pitch and the soule in a spirituall frame there the workings of it are more cleare and apparent There is a Naturall disposition affection and inclination towards God and the things of God even to all spirituall things as spirituall Rom. 8.5 They that are after the spirit doe mind the things of the spirit Notwithstanding the crosse workings and stirrings of Corrupt nature yet for the generall the movings and workings of the spirits of Believers and the fruits they bring forth are according to this spirituall nature Rom. 8.1 They walk after the spirit and Rom. 7.25 with my mind I serve the law of God The generall course of their lives is spirituall or spiritually Naturall as springing from that Mysticall roote the spirit of Christ acting those spirituall dispositions inclinations which he hath fixed in the soule This may prove Professours whether they be found or no let them examine their Principles from which they act whether Vse 1 they are acted in the waies of God from a spirituall and divine Principle within or from motives or Considerations from without whether it be not Custome Examples Counsells or Commands of men interest in or engagements of freinds Praise of men outward advantages or at best Naturall Conscience that moves them and carries them on in Religious waies Hereby we know that the waies of God are easy and pleasant Vse 2 waies for whatsoever we do naturally we do easily and with delight It is in some degrees with the adopted sonnes of God as with his Naturall sonne in this respect to accompt it their meat and drink to doe the will of their heavenly father so that this is a great encouragement to all to give up their names to Christ Prov. 3.17 His waies are waies of pleasantnesse and all his paths are peace The nine and fortieth Observation in Nature THere are but few Ingrafted trees in a Countrie in comparison of those ungrafted there are many thousands in the woods and wast grounds of wild trees the number of which farre exceeds the number of the trees of the Garden The Proportion shadowed That there are but a few Godly persons in the world in comparison of the number of the wicked Proposition shadowed This appeares expresly Matth. 7.13 14. Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that goe in thereat Because straite is the Gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it s so againe Matth. 20.16 Many are called but few are chosen Experience makes this too manifest most imbrace this present world and but few deny themselves and follow Christ few in the world make profession of Christ in comparison of the multitudes of Idolaters in other Nations And of those who make profession how many Hypocrites to one true hearted Nathaniel The godly are in number as the gleanings of Grapes when the Vintage is done Or as the shaking of an Olive tree two or three Berries in the top of the uppermost bought foure or five in the outmost Branches thereof Esay 17.6 This is a sad Consederation and should make us take up a Vse 1 lamentation for the state of mankind This should stirr up every one to labour with all diligence Vse 2 to make their calling and election sure to know they are of the number of the little flock The fiftieth Observation in Nature SOme wild and ungraded trees beare fruits very like to thos that are Ingrafted in shape and colour so that men often mistake the one for the other This shadowes out unto as this Proposition That the works of formall hypocrites are in many things very like the worlds of true Christians Proposition shadowed Many Formall Professours have speciall eminent Gifts and abilities which it may be exceede those of some reall Christians they can Preath Pray and discourse well and can make a shift to carry themselves so as to gaine some good opinion among men yea and passe for Sincere Professors Who were more exact in their lives as to outward performances of duties then the Scribes and Pharisees in Preaching Praying giving to the Poore c. and yet our saviour charges them with Hypocrisie Matth. 28.27 28. Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye are like unto whited sepulchres which indeede appeare beautifull outwardly c. Ye outwardly appeare righteous unto-men but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity So it is at this day the fruits of many seeming Christians appeare beautifull outward as if they were the fruits of ingrafted trees whereas in truth they are but the fruits of wild Trees Vse 1 This being so we ought to set our selves to distinguish fruits that are brought forth both our owne others that we take not Crabs for Apples Let us not judg of fruits by their Bulk or substance Beauty and forme or Number but by their Nature See Observ 40. and quality their Tast A spirituall Palate is able for the most part to tast the fruits that are brought forth by men he that is spirituall judgeth all things 1 Cor. 2.15 spirituall men have the Law written in their hearts knowledg dispositions inclinations a frame and temper of spirit in some degee answerable to the mind of God This spirituall Nature in the soule by the assistance of the spirit of God together with the written word is
heart to go on in the use of meanes which be has appointed he will surely come in his owne season and make it effetcuall And for experienced well growen Christians there is no meanes to obtaine great advantages great measures of grace and glory like watching over the heart to keepe it in a spirituall frame corruptions downe and the graces active to walke closely with God daily in communion with him to be still acting faith upon Christ not only to receive and draw all supplies from him but also to give and asscribe all unto him These are fundamentall to all purposes all externall meanes without these are to little or no purpose The five and fiftieth Observation in Nature IF a young Plant or bough of a tree be often bended bowed one and the same way it will after a certaine time grow in that posture into which it is so often bended although by the course of Nature it would grow otherwise This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Frequent Acts in things good or evill beget habits Proposition shadowed and make all such works easy to us Custome is cal'd a second Nature it make things easy though at first they were difficult and such things are hardly forgotten or laid aside Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the Leopard his spots then may ye also do good that are accustomed to do evill Ier. 13.23 The Apostle Peter saies they had their hearts exercised with Covetous practisers so that they could not cease from sin 2 Pet. 2.14 So also on the other side Custome in the waies of God does strengthen habits and make them easy to us not only upon that great accompt of Communion with God in duties but also every good worke is more easy to us in respect of use and custome The waies of God are naturalized to Gods people by degrees they become spiritually naturall to them Dayly walking with God and keeping the mind much in a spirituall frame the soule will be more and more fixed and established in that frame The frequent use of things Naturall morall or spirituall will make them familiar to us when the same things to others not accustomed to them are uncouth and strange Let every one beware what customes they use especially if begun Vse 1 in youth When an ill custome is spied out either in the temper of the spirit or outward man wisdome to oppose it to alter it as soone as may be for every Act makes it more familiar and habits will steale on and be dayly confirmed Professors had best consider and beware from what Principles Vse 2 they Act lest Custome be the strongest cord that drawes them Many times when Custome has got strength it resembles both Nature and Grace Seeing Custome is so strong This should teach all as to Vse 3 beginne good customes in youth as soone as possibly may be so also to be frequent in good works and waies of holinesse that so by degrees habits may be comfirmed and such things made familiar to us And herein we should consider what things are of greatest concernment to us and be mo st frequent therein Now Experienced Christians know That watching over the heart to keep downe Corruptions or to suppresse them at their first rising And too keep the heart in a spirituall and heavenly frame and in Communion with God is a fundamentall thing and of highest concernement in our Conversation Therefore to be frequent in Prayer Meditation and other duties wherein the spirit of God usually concurrs for keeping up of the heart with God to live in God to have fellowship and Communion with the father and with his sonne Jesus Christ is the wisdome of a Christian the more pure the Fountaine is kept the more pure all the streames will be According to the temper of the spirit of a man such are those things that proceed from it Vse and Custome in these things will make them more easy to us for besides the immediate assistance of the spirit there is the power of custome superadded All the Actings of Grace as well as of Nature are mightily confirmed and improved by Custome The six and fiftieth Observation in Nature FRuit-trees having received some hurt by men Cattle or otherwise when the husbandman applies himselfe to cure such mischeifes by his labours about the Roots and Branches such Trees usually are much advantaged thereby to What they were before and may be said to have gotten by their former hurts This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That afflictions and whatsoever befalls the people of God the same works advantage to them Proposition shadowed Afflictions and Temptations do not only not destroy us but contrarywise through the wisdome power and goodnesse of God in ordering them they worke profit and advantage to us Though they are bitter and tedious for a time yet afterwards they bring the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse to them that are exercised thereby Heb. 12.11 And againe 2 Cor. 4.17 your light afflictions which are but for a moment worke for you a farre more exceeding and eternall weight of glory That great and generall promise Rom. 8.28 is full to this purpose All things worke together for good to them that love God Yea the advantage is usually in this life as well as hereafter Ioseph an eminent fruit-tree received much wrong severall waies but when the husbandman takes him in hand to heale and cure him he does not barely do it but also advance him he gets by his Banishment and imprisonment So Daniel was not only delivered from the denne of Lions but it was an occasion of his advancement The like of Shadrach Meshach and Abednego Dan. 2.49 Iob a famous fruit-tree having been broken and bruised with enemies on every side not a Branch free yet when the husbandman sets upon his cure he recovers him with an advantage he gained by his losses David was even overwhelmed with troubles but observe the issue Psalm 71.20 Thou hast shewed me great and sore troubles yet hast thou turned and refreshed me c. Thou hast increased my greatnesse and comforted me on every side Yea when the people of God declare their Experiments we usually here them say they have gotten by Afflictions sin the worst of evils is by the wisdome of God ordering it an occasion of good to them as humbling them more than all Afflictions And as Afflictions in generall worke good to the people of God so the greatest worke the greatest advantages 2 Cor. 1.5 As the sufferings of Christ abound in us so our Consolation also aboundeth by Christ Vse 1 These things being so let us be patient in Tribulation Rom. 12.12 This is a maine ground we should be so in regard great and many advantages come by them He correcteth us for our profit Heb. 12.10 that we might be pertakers of his holinesse Therefore let us joyne with God against our Corruptions and if so then we may count it all joy when we fall into
And though by their wisdome they deliver a city or do some great works yet Eccl. 9.16 the poore mans wisdome is despised and his words are not heard Upon the same accompt the wisdome and works of our Saviour were slighted and neglected though he did worke as never any did and spake as never man spake Matth. 13.55 Is not this the Carpenters sonne vers 57. They were offended in him Even so it is now with his Members But who art thou O man that replyest against God in despising and quarrelling with meane Instruments What if God willing to shew his power and wisdome in weake Instruments and meanes lay aside or let alone more eminent instruments and more likely meanes wilt thou not give him leave to do what he will with his owne is thine eye evill because he is good Hath he not said the weak things of the world shall confound the mighty hath he said it and shall he not do it yea he hath said it and done it and he will doe it untill be performe all his pleasure and chose that oppose him shall be ashamed The eight and fiftieth Observation in Nature THough there are many good fruits in an Orchard yet some are more choice and speciall fruits than some others and accordingly are of greater price And esteeme among men This Similitude shadowes out unto us this Proposition That The Prayers Sermons writings discourse and works of some godly men Proposition shadowed are much more spirituall then of some others Gods people are of severall standings and degrees of grace some have small measures some greater measures of grace some are but babes in Christ others are strong mwen some fathers 1 Joh 2. 12.13 some have their conversations much in heaven their spirits are much taken up about spirituall things they walke closely with God and have neere and sweete Communion with God they are little conversant with the things below but are most taken up with God and the things of God But now others though godly persons walke at a greater distance from God and therefore have lesse of his Image they are lesse changed than others As the Apostle saies of Bodies 1 Cor. 15.30 There an Celestiall bodies and bodies Terrestiall so it may be said of the Spirits even of such as are Godly some have their minds much in heaven by keeping watch over their hearts and walking in daily communion with God others though they have the life of grace in them yet it is very weak and feeble they are very much carnall and earthly Oh! there is much difference betweene the spirits and lives of some beleivers and some others some are filled with the spirit as Stephen Act. 6.5 A man full of faith and of the holy Ghost others have but small measures of the spirit and their faith and other graces are but weake and slender Mat. 16.8 O ye of little faith And now according to the measure and degrees of grace holinesse or Image of God in believers are all those things that proceede from them they are more or lesse spirituall As according to the Forme and Nature that is in the Materiall fruit-tree such are the fruits that it beares And thence it is that some have better fruits then some others According to the spring or fountaine such are the streames Let this stirre us up to strive and labour after higher and greater Vse 1 degrees of grace and to keepe it active by constant and close walking with God that so all that proceedeth from us may be accordingly spirituall Hereby will be unspeakable advantages to us The more holy and spirituall any soule is the more God delights in it and communicates himselfe to it And of higher accompt all the fruits of such a soule are both with God and his people that are most spirituall The spirituall man judgeth all things he hath a spirituall eye and a spirituall Palate to tast spirituall fruits of what relish they are and according to their spiritualnesse he prizeth them if his owne spirit be in a spirituall frame The husbandman prizeth a few choice and speciall apples or other fruits more than a Bushell of ordinary kinds Accordingly does the Mysticall husbandman accompt of spirituall fruits and so should we The nine and fiftieth Observation in Nature INgrafted fruit-trees have three great enemies one from within and two from with-ut first the sower sap of the stocks secondly carelesse persons thirdly bad aires Thiâ— shadowes out unto us That Regenerate persons have three great enemies one ward two outward Proposition shadowed the flesh the world and the devill Though there are very many pregnant Similitudes between Materiall and Mysticall Fruit-trees yet in this particular there is a great dissimilitude That is the stock of the Materiall fruit-tree is by Nature wild sower harsh and of a bad sap a Crab-tree or the like but the Graft is of a good Nature taken from some choice and speciall tree which being grafted upon a stock of a worse kind although it be predominant and rule in bringing forth good fruits according to its owne Nature yet it is something imbased and made worse by the badnesse of the stock Now it is contrary in the Mysticall fruit-tree There the * This is so when a believer is ingrafted into Christ but when the word is ingrafted into the heart then the Similitude holds in this particulars also in that as in the natural fruit-tree the stock is bad and the graft good The heart of man is altogether corrupt by nature but the word and seed of grace engrafted and sowen in the heart is perfectly good and pretious stock is perfectly good and pretious and the Grafts corrupt and naught Yet in these maine and principall respects as in many others the Similitude holds in that the graft receives all its nourishment from the stock and in that there are two Natures both in Materiall and Mysticall fruit-trees in the stock and Graft and both strive one with the other as all contraries joyned doe This being premised I proceede with the Proposition One of our great enemies is the flesh or Corruption of Nature this is our greatest enemie and does us most mischeife Rom. 7. 21. I find a law that When I would do good evill is present with me Gal. 5.17 the flesh lusteth against the spirit c. Secondly the world by its Commands threats persecutions Counels Perswasions Allurements and Examples is laboring to draw us from God Joh. 15.19 and 1 Joh 2.16 Thirdly the devill like a roaring Lyon goes about seeking whom Use 1 he way devoure Pet. 98. Hence we may see the grosse mistake of those who thinke and say they are free from Corruption which Paul complained of Rom. 7.17 Sin awelleth in me and vers 24. O wretched man that I am who shall deliver me from this body of death I am perswaded the more spirituall any Christians are the more clearly they see their Corruptions although they are weaker in such than
There are motions of the spirit and motions of the flesh upon all occasions workings and inclinations in the soule towards and against good and evill Gal. 5.17 the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would The flesh still moves against the motions of the spirit of God and principles of grace framing objections and reasonings against good motions Rom. 7.21 I find then a law that when I would do good evill is present with me The spirit is ready to every good worke but the flesh is sluggish loath backward vers 22. I delight in the Law of God concerning the inner man but I see another Law in my Members warring against the Law of my mind c. But now though it be so that the motions of the flesh oppose the motions of the spirit yet for all that the spirituall man rules in the soule for the maine and generality of our lives And Christians know by Experience that according to the promise Gal. 5.16 Walke in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh when they walke circumspectly and watch over the heart to keepe it up in a spirituall frame in communion with God then the flesh is low and kept under Vse 1 Seeing there is a continuall combate betweene the flesh and the spirit this should make us watchfull against the flesh that it prevaile not we know the flesh never sturs but to do us hurt who would not be incensed against such an enemie now the way to prevaile against the flesh is to cherish and delight to obey the motions of the spirit as before Gal. 5.16 The seventie eighth Observation in Nature SOme fruit-trees as being of different kinds and for severall other causes bring forth more fruits than others and the same fruit-trees bring forth more fruits some yeares than they do some other yeares Experience tells us that when there comes a pleasant and mild spring with other concurrent advantages trees beare as many fruits as in 3 or 4 other yeares Proposition shadowed This shadowes out unto us That Some believers are by advantages more fruitfull than others and at some more than at other times Every Christian being engrafted into Christ brings forth some good fruits and having a Talent or more a stock of grace gifts and advantages he imployes and improves all one way or other for the honour of God but some believers have greater measures of grace and more advantages of improving them than others and therefore their returnes are greater and their fruits are more We see Matth. 25.20 He that had five Talents he brought forth more fruits than they that had received lesse And the Apostle saies 1 Cor. 15.10 I labored more abundantly than they all Some Christians as they have greater measures of the spirit and the graces of the spirit so they have better naturall parts and more outward helps and meanes in respect of time to heare and read the word to converse with others speciall dispensations of Providence and the like advantages whereby they are enabled to bring forth more fruits than others who want such helps and means of fruitfulnesse Some are carried on with vigorous actings of spirit with a lively hope with a strong faith with fervent love and with great measures of every grace and can do and suffer more for God than other believers can Others againe having but weake naturall parts small measures of knowledge and grace wanting helps and meanes of growth and improvement having but dim evidences of the love of God their fruits are according to these fewer and smaller than some other Christians bring forth Yea the same individuall person brings forth more and better fruits at some seasons than at others At those times when the soule is in a more spirituall frame and temper in more immediate communion with God when the spirit of God sensibly actuates and quickens the Principles and habits of grace in the soule and makes them lively and vigorous when the North and south winds blow upon the Gardens then the spices thereof flow forth and fruits abound But at some other times the actings of the soule are but low and weake while the spirit withdrawes and withholds his operations if the winds blow not the ship with all its sailes moves slowly This being so let no sincere soule be discouraged and dishartned Vse 1 yeilding to a temptation to see some other Christians go beyond them in fruitfulnesse if such diligently presse on towards the marke they shall be accepted It may be others have received more from God than thou hast more Talents of Gifts Graces time and many advantages Now there being a sincere and ready mind it is accepted according to what a man hath and not according to what he hath not 2 Cor. 8.12 Vse 2 Secondly seeing we are more fruitfull at some than at other times this should teach every one of us to observe and watch over the frame of our spirits from day to day that so when they are in that low and dull temper we may endeavour what in us lies by all experienced meanes to raise them out of it into that spirituall and lively frame afore mentioned wherein we bring forth more fruits and obtaine unspeakable advantages The seventie ninth Observation in Nature THe husbandman rejects not his fruit-trees because they sometimes faile in bringing forth fruits perhaps a cold time may come when they are in blossome and spoile much or most of them or if that fruit they bring forth be somewhat imperfect by spots roughnesse chaps or the like yet if it tast well if it have a good relish he approves of the fruits and commends them makes much of the trees notwithstanding all imperfections in both Hence we learne this Lesson That God beares with the failings and imperfections of his people and is ever ready to take notice of Proposition shadowed and commend the good that is in them The Lord is pleased to beare with the failings of his people and seemes not to see them but contrariwise takes notice of what good is in them and speakes of it with commendation as if it were their owne We see this fully in the case of Job God passeth by his many and great failings and scarce takes notice of them in standing so much upon his justification and breaking out to curse the day of his birth c but on the contrary obserues and commends what is good in him Ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right as my servant Job hath and Jam. 5.11 ye have heard of the patience of Job David sinned and failed very much in many things as in purposing and going about to destroy Naball and all his house 2 Sam. 25.22 without a just cause in numbring the people and in many other things upon record all which God passeth by as if they had not