Discoveries of the love of God to soules prepared for Christ does hasten their closing with him p. 51. 25. A sinners repentance and closing with Christ causeth joy both in Heaven and Earth p. 54. 26. There is a sweet fellowship and communion betweene God and his people God delights in them and they delight in him p. 56. 27. Who or whatsoever hinders the enlargment of the Church of God he will certainly and sometimes with great anger take out of the way p. 60. 28. The constant enjoyment of the best things from God through corruptions makes them lesse noted and esteemed p. 63. 29. Our life growth strength and all our spirituall Acts are from Christ p. 65. 30. Humble Christians bring forth farre more and fairer fruits than such whose spirits are lifted up p. 67. 31. Jesus Christ and his people though multitudes of distinct persons are so united as that they make but one body p. 69. 32. As we have our life and all from Christ so we are continually receiving new supplies from him but can adde nothing to his infinite perfections p. 71. 33. The dispensations of God towards his Church are contrary to the judgments of most people in the world p. 73. 34. Those who have not the Sanctifying Spirit and grace of God in them are unfit for the work of the Ministry such bring more prejudice than advantage to the Church of God p. 76. 35. None but engrafted Trees grow in Gods Orchard the Church pag. 83. 36. Those fruits of spirituall fruit-trees which are harsh sharp and bitter are for the most part more profitable than such as are mild and pleasant p. 84. 37. Those persons are not like to bring forth good fruits in old age who labour not for them in the time of youth p. 86. 38. Those who do not act for God they act against him p. 87. 39. God expects greater returnes of duty from some persons than from some others and neglect thereof provokes God against them p. 88. 40. It is not the multitude nor exactnesse of performance of duties that God accepts unlesse there be sincerity and right ends in doing thereof p. 90. 41. The smalest measure of true grace in any person can never be extinguished but will certainly grow up to perfection p. 92. 42. God hath more dishonour by the sinnes of Professors than by the sinnes of others p. 93. 43. Conversion in youth is not so apparent as in elder yeares p. 95. 44. The great persons in the world who are in Christ are but few in number in respect of the meaner sort p. 96. 45. Although beleivers are shaken by the winds of temptations yet they cannot be overturned because they are fixed upon Christ p. 97. 46. Sinfull thoughts and motions in the soule are most easily supprest at their first rising p. 98. 47. The instructions of one Godly person sometimes are effectuall by the Spirit to the implanting of many into Christ p. 99. 48. Persons ingrafted into Christ do naturally bring forth good fruits p. â—â— 49. There are but a few Godly persons in the world in comparis of the number of the wicked p. 102. 50. The works of formall Hypocrites are in many things very like the works of true Christians pag. 103. 51. Some Persons are wrought upon in part in some things like to those that are ingrafted into Christ who yet never attaine to be really united to him pag. 104. 52. The meanest person in Christ brings forth better fruits than the most accomplisht unregenerate person in the world pag. 105. 53. Christ is continually ready to communicate strength and refreshings to his people and all defects thereof are from themselves pag. 106. 54. By diligent use of the meanes of Grace Christians attaine great advantages with through neglect or slight using meanes would be lost pag. 108. 55. Frequent Acts in things Good or Evill beget Habits and make all such works easy to us pag. 111. 56. Afflictions and whatsoever befalls the People of God the same works advantage to them pag. 113. 57. God for the most part useth meanes and ordinary men and meanes for effecting of the greatest works in the world pag. 114 58. The Prayers Sermons Writings Discourse and Works of some Godly men are much more spirituall than of some others pag. 118. 59. Regenerated persons have three great enemies one inward and two outward the Flesh the World and the Devill pag. 119. 60. The people of God in their conversion for the most part goe through many straits and difficulties pag. 121. 61. When the People of God bring forth good fruits God himselfe doth praise and commend them pag. 122. 62. Persons by Regeneration have a great change wrought in them pag. 123. 63. The severall Gifts and Graces in believers are wrought by the same spirit pag. 125. 64. There are exceeding many and great profits and pleasures found in the Church of God pag. 126. 65. The Church of God is encompassed and preserved by God himselfe pag. 129. 66. When God doth purge a Nation or place from persons and things that are offensive to him and brings in his people and worship â—â—ad thereof this is an evident token that God intends to dwell there pag. 130. 67. The free love and care of God is as much towards his people in the meanest outward condition as towards those who are most eminent in the world pag. 136. 68. Believers who daily walke with God having the light of his countenance and constant communion with him such are abundantly fruitfull pag. 138. 69. God doth not only engraft his people into Christ but orders them in all other respects also to make them abundantly fruitfull pag. 140. 70. The graces of believers increase daily in strength wherby they are more and more able to resist spirituall enemies pag. 142. 71. Many persons of a low ranke and but of despised parts doe yet bring forth more profitable fruits than many others eminent in gifts and outward respects pag. 144 72. God will not allow an idle person but expects every one should be profitable in his place pag. 146. 73. The life of man is very uncertaine some die in Childhood others in youth others in old age and in the roome of these others arise pag. 148. 74. According to mens Principles such are their actings and their reward according to both pag. 149. 75. Spirituall fruit-trees ingrafted into Christ are many waies profitable in their generations pag. 152. 76. The most spirituall actings of believers tast of corrupt nature which notwithstanding are acceptable unto God pag. 154. 77. There is a continuall combate betweene Grace and Nature in every regenerate person but grace prevailes pag. 155. 78. Some believers are by advantages more fruitfull than others and at some more than at other times pag. 156 79. God beares with the failings and imperfections of his people and is ever ready to take notice of and commend the good that is in them pag. 158. 80. Trees of the Lords planting
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
truth Bodily exercise profiteth little 1 Tim. 4.8 any thing whatsoever wherein the body is exercised is of little or small accompt in respect of spirituall worship it is the acting of the spirit soule exercise that God looks after and stands upon he values but little bodily exercise any thing whatsoever that is externall in his worship Now the reason why God stands not upon externals in his worship or the same customes and orders among all the Saints is because he is a spirit and spirituall worship is sutable unto him let it be clothed with this or that forme it is accepted if it be in sincerity and truth Secondly because Christ hath set his people free from the yokes of bondage Gal. 5.1 Not only from Circumcision and legall Ceremonies and formes but also from all other Rules and precepts of men which his word hath not laid downe It is true indeede in time of the Law for 2000 yeares together the Church was under formes and set praescript Rules for the externall part of worship but when Christ came he set his people free not only from sin as before his comming in the flesh but also from all those Methods and Formes Rites and Ceremonies commanded by Moses from the mouth of God Ephe. 2.15 He abolished the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances that is the old externall administrations about the worship of God that so all his people as well Gentiles now as Jewes might worship God in spirit and in truth but no more in this or that externall forme and no other And accordingly the Church of Christ hath beene at liberty in respect of formes in the Apostles and primitive times and for many ages together afterwards untill of latter times externall Vniformitie was earnestly pressed in the Churches which Luther and other Good men opposed The Essence of the Kingdome of God is not any externall thing but righteousnesse peace and joy in the holy Ghost faith love holinesse walking with God in these things Vse 1 From what hath beene said we may conclude That to stand for Vniformity or onenesse in the externall part of the worship of God in the Ordinances or Government of Churches and for want thereof to breake off unity love and Communion with the people of God it is of the flesh and not of the spirit This hath beene and is the great sin and mistake even of many of the people of God the ground of whose differences lies in such externall things circumstances and formes as the word hath not determined or prescribed to be either so or so though men would be thought to prove their opinions in particular things as to the forme of worship and Church Government by the Scriptures The Godly of the Episcopall and Presbyterian Judgment the Independent and Rebaptized Churches and others differing from them what do they differ about Not the Essentials of Religion or worship but meerely in Ceremonies formes and Externall things which are not clearely held forth neither in the Doctrine of the Gospell nor in any constant practise of the Saints For we cannot find in all the Acts of the Apostles or primitive Christians any constant Methods and Formes in the worship of God or in Goverment of Churches but they varied in the formes and externall Acts as occasion was offered Paul preached sometimes on the Jewes Sabbath sometimes on the first day yea as occasion was every day and sometimes in the night sometimes he prayed and taught in the house sometimes in a ship sometimes by a River side sometimes in a Temple To the Iewes he became as a Jew to the Greeks as a Greeke to the strong as strong to the weake as weake he became all things to all that he might winne some he stood not upon externall formes in worship but upon the substance and Essence of it which is spirituall Our Saviour Christ sometimes he prayed long all night sometimes he was breife sometimes he stood and lift up his eyes to heaven sometimes being prostrate on the ground sometimes he taught in the Temple sometimes in a private house sometimes in a ship sometimes on the shore sometimes standing sometimes sitting The disciples of John they fasted often but Christs Disciples tooke more liberty in the use of the Creatures Christ administred the Sacrament of the supper in the evening Paul at midnight some in the Morning others at noone some Churches receive it sitting others kneeling some take the Elements from the Ministers hand others sit about the table and take the bread and wine themselves some partake of this Ordinance every weeke others every moneth some twice in a moneth others twice in the yeare or as oft as they please And as there is a liberty in the Churches to vary and no Vniformity in these Ordinances so also the Customes have beene various in respect of Baptisme some Churches Baptize with dipping others by sprinkling some Churches Baptize Infants of believing Parents others only those persons who can give an accompt of their faith and hence now ariseth the great controversie and contention amongst brethren who fall out by the way and break peace love and Communion one with another about the shadow the signe the forme though both have and hold the substance Many Members of both Churches are Baptized with the holy Ghost and with fire as Iohn 1.5 are baptized into one body by the spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 yea and have beene baptized with water also though there be not a Vniformity in their practise perhaps the difference will prove when throughly understood but a circumstantiall difference and doubtlesse no sufficient ground to breake off Communion amongst the Members of Christ Surely Jesus Christ will not take it well at their hands who refuse Communion and fellowship with those with whom he himselfe delights to have Communion and who are ashamed to call them brethren whom Christ himselfe is not ashamed to call brethren Heb 2.11 All believers are brethren not by a conformity or Vniformity in any Ceremony or externall observation but by faith in Christ All have the priviledge to be the sonnes and daughters of God who believe on his name John 1.12 all are the Children of God by faith in Christ Jesus John 3.26 Now therefore for men to refuse or neglect Communion and fellowship with their fellow Members and brethren for want of Vniformity in a Ceremony in the signe though they have the substance is it not carnall do not such walke as men Vse 2 Let us maintaine unity love and fellowship with all the Godly though they differ from us in Judgment or practise in the way and manner of administrations in the worship of God or particular practises in Government for the ground of the Churches Vnity is not Vniformity in any externall things but it is their having all but one head The Apostle most earnestly beseecheth them to maintaine Vnity upon a sevenfold ground but in them all not a word of Vniformity Ephes 4.4 There is one
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
same folly as those who take more care about the shape and fashion of the Garment than the health and soundnesse of the body Or to use the Metaphor in hand they bring forth Leaves instead of fruits and so are unprofitable trees lyable to Gods displeasure and cutting downe every moment and also to be accompted by discerning Spirits to be such as have little or nothing of The power of godlinesse The Eighth Observation in Nature THe Fruits of trees discover plainly of what kind the Trees are the Leaves and blossomes especially of some kinds may deceive us but the fruits cannot deceive us but discover manifestly of what Nature the trees are From this Observation we learne That Proposition shadowed By the Fruits of Spirituall Trees we may conclude the Nature of the Trees The waies and Conversations of men discover what their Natures are If men of discerning Judgments will but exactly observe and try the Actions of others they may by degrees conclude from what Principles they act It s true indeede from the Actions and waies of some persons a man cannot easily conclude this vices in some are clothed in the habits of Vertues howsoever of some others this is more cleare The worke of grace in the hearts of some is so cleare and apparent in their lives and Conversations that if men will but judge according to Scripture rules the worke will be manifest So on the other side concerning Profane and scandalous persons a man may without breach of charity conclude such persons to be at present in the gall of bitternesse and bond of iniquity And though Formall Professors may for a time deceive us by their Leaves and blossoms of good words shewes Professions Formes and outward Observations Wolves may have on Sheeps clothing Yet if we tast and observe their fruits after a time we shall know them Mat. 7.16 by their fruits ye shall know them So againe Lu. 6.44 Every tree is knowne by his own fruit Vse 1 This should teach every one to try their owne fruits by the word of God for thereby will be comfort to them that feare God they may have continuall grounds of rejoycing when they observe their fruits to be good to be such as the husbandman cals for and approves of they may thence conclude that they are Trees of the Lords planting Engrafted Trees and this is a ground of joy indeed to know our names are written in heaven And here also will be grounds of conviction to unsound Christians for by a certaine knowledge of the Fruits they may have a certaine knowledge of the Trees And therefore let such seeing and considering their bad fruits give themselves no rest untill they find the nature of their fruits changed whereby they may conclude that the nature of the tree is also changed Vse 2 The thorough and serious consideration of this Proposition may be a speciall meanes to support and satisfie the spirits of Gods people who are in a doubting condition and question the truth of their graces for let such consider that hereby they may receive the best satisfaction that believers can possibly receive next unto the immediate testimony of the spirit of God to look upon and try their fruits by the word for fruits are infallible evidence of the nature of the Tree that brings them forth Therefore observe if these and such like fruits are brought forth the Tree is certainly good an ingrafted tree If there be fervent desires pantings and breathings of the soule after God delight in the word and ordinances Love to God and his people secret goings out of the soule after and closing with spirituall things disliking and hating corruptions and whatsoever is against the mind of God and opposing of it with a rising of spirit against it with zeale and indignation if there be a secret joy and cheerefullnesse in the spirit when things goe well with the people of God when holinesse and the power of godlinesse is like to be set up promoted and encouraged and sin suppressed if the spirit be stirred to pray against the dominion and power of wicked and unregenerate men not onely such as are prophane but also such as are but morally honest yea though they be accomplisht with the utmost of naturall and morall endowments prising and preferring sincerity and holinesse in any person before all gifts without grace These fruits I say are reall and infallible evidences of a good tree of a Tree ingrafted into Christ and that soule that finds them in it selfe if the spirit of God shine upon them and shew them may as certainly conclude upon the truth of grace there as if an Angell were sent from God to tell such a one that he is beloved of God It is as possible in nature for Thornes to bring forth Grapes or Thistles Figgs as for a Bad tree a person out of Christ to bring for h these fruits Let not such soules therefore so dishonour God wrong themselves and gratifie Sathan as to question the truth of grace in themselves but rejoyce evermore because their names are written in heaven Hereby we know we are translated from death to life because of these fruits 1 Joh. 3.14 The Ninth Observation in Nature THe branches of fruit-trees if cut off and stuck in the ground they will in the spring bud and blossome and be as forward as the boughes that grow upon the stock or root and will seeme to grow but when the sun drawes neere and the weather growes hot these boughes begin to decay and wither they cannot indure heat they within a while shew that they want a roote This is another Similitude of the state of spirituall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition Proposition shadowed That some persons flourish with a profession for a time but in the heat of affliction they fall off Many Christians will flourish with a profession in the time of prosperity when many showers of blessings and outward comforts fall on them but when the hot sunne of troubles and afflictions begins to scorch and the dewes and raine of temporall blessings are taken away and withheld then they shew themselves to be but as Boughes stuck in the ground and without roots which bud and blossome but can bring forth no fruit These are they spoken of in the Parable Luk. 8.13 The seede that falls upon the Rock springs up as well it may be as that on the good ground but when the sun growes hot it scorcheth it and it withers Mat. 13.21 He hath no roote in himselfe but endureth for a while and in time of persecution he is offended Such the Apostle speakes of 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us because they were not of us c. This shewes us the end of Hypocrites formall professors who Vse 1 have no root in Christ such as are not really ingrafted into Christ they will certainly fall away at last none can persevere but by being in Christ Job 27.10 Will he the
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
no man went through thee I will make thee an eternall excellency a joy of many Generations Vers 15.20 The Lord shall be thine everlasting light and the daies of thy mourning shall be ended The twentieth Observation in Nature THe graft and stock of the fruit-tree are so joyned together as that they are the one within the other and so made one intire body The Graft is within the Stock in respect of its substance the stock incloseth some part of it And the Stock is within the Graft by its sap and moisture giving nourishment to it whereby it thrives and brings forth good fruits So they being joyned and one within the other are made one body or substance This Similitude shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed That Believers by ingrafting into Christ doe live in him and he in them and are thereby made one with him This truth is clearely held forth unto us in Scripture It is a great Mystery not understood or comprehended by any naturall man and better understood in our own spirits by experience than expressed to others The Apostle saies 2 Cor. 4.16 Ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walke in them And 1 Joh. 4.16 He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him Believers dwell in God the father and in Christ and in the spirit and God and Christ and the spirit dwell in them As the spirit is in Beleivers so they are in the spirit Gal. 5.25 If we live in the spirit let us also walke in the spirit Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me And now 2 Cor. 13.5 by this spirituall or mysticall union between God and his people they are made one with God Not to be understood as some have said That every believer hereby is God and so advance themselves above what is meet It is true believers are made one with Christ 1 Cor. 6.17 He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit and Ephes 4.4 There is one body and one spirit And it is the prayer of our Lord Christ which is certainly heard that his people with his father and himselfe may be one Joh. 17.21 That they all may be one as thou father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us v. 22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one 23. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one What a wonderfull mystery is this that Believers should be united to and made one with God as the Father and the Sonne are one Not in respect of partaking of his essentiall and incommunicable properties which Creatures are uncapable of but in respect of reality and truth Believers are as truly and really joyned and united to Christ as the Branches of a Tree are unto the root As the Stock and the Graft are really joyned together and are one within the other and made one body so are Believers really united to God God dwelling in them and they in God and are made one spirit with him through Christ 1 Cor. 6.17 He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit And againe 1 Cor. 12.13 By one spirit we are united c. Vse 1 Seeing Believers live in God and God in them and that they are made one with him This shewes us their safe Condition notwithstanding the malice and power of all their enemies They shall never be able to prevaile against Gods people or to hurt them As the hils are about Jerusalem so is the Lord round about his people Psal 125 2. The Mercy he wisdome power love and faithfulnesse of God compasseth them about for they live in God This is the Hedge that was about Job Chap. 1.10 Thou hast made an hedg about him and about all that he hath so that Sathan could not touch him without leave 2. From hence we may gather That believers shall be sure to Vse 2 presevere in grace unto the end for they live in God and from him they receive all supplies of grace Seeing Christ is risen up and dies no more believers that are in him as really as the graft in the stock they shall be fed and nourished by him continually as the stock feeds and nourishes the Graft the Roote is never dry but still gives sap to the branches both in winter and sommer so Christ is the true and living Vine the Roote and stock filled with all the fulnesse of God out of which we all receive grace for grace and are nourished with this living Sap unto Eternall life Joh. 4.14 Springing up unto Eternall life This Vnion and Onenesse between us and God the father and Vse 3 Christ should make us live a holy and a Gospell Conversation such as becomes our Relation Seeing these things are so what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy Conversation Let us therefore strive to be holy as God is holy and perfect as our heavenly father is perfect Seeing that we are so neere to God and live in God we may by eying and beholding of him be more and more changed into his Image and likenesse from one degree of glory to another 1 Cor. 3.18 and so be more and more partakers of his divine Nature and thereby dayly have more Communion and fellowship with him as two friends bring for the most part together are intimately acquainted and familiar with each other This is the top Priviledg of beleivers on this side heaven we should therefore bring forth fruit answerable to the spirit and sap that we receive from Christ our stock and Roote whereon we grow into which we are implanted The twenty first Observation in Nature FRuit-trees of the same species or kind are all like one another They resemble one another in their Natures and in their shape Colour Leaves Buds Blossomes and fruits So that they are clearely differenced hereby from other kinds men know them to be such or such kinds of trees and of one kind by their likenesse one to another Hence we learne That All Believers have a likenesse Proposition shadowed and resemblance of one another in the Image of God upon their soules The Image of God is the same upon all believers and differs not but only in the degrees of it upon some it is more beautifull and glorious then upon others yet the same in respect of the qualities and Nature of it All have a love and liking of all the objects of love as they are discoverd and made manifest And also there is in the soules of all believers an hatred or dislike of what is contrary to God and to that spirituall or divine Nature in them as the spirit of God discovers such objects to their understandings And the Cause of all Controversies and difference in Judgment amongst Gods people is not from any difference in their spirituall nature for that is
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
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
printing Bookes communicating their Talents for the good of others by their Almes and acts of charity and love to their brethren and to all by their good Examples which shine forth as lights in the world directing others They are profitable to others both in privative and positive respects wicked persons who live amongst them are often spared for their sakes the Tares are suffered to grow because amongst the Wheat yea and share of many positive outward blessings for their sakes Laban and his family shared of the blessings powred downe upon Jacob Gen. 30.27 which Laban acknowledged I have learned saith he by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake So Potiphar had many outward blessings for Iosephs sake likewise Pharaoh and all his Court fared the better because of Ioseph he and his house had a full Table when others perished with hunger Yea Godlinesse and Godly men are profitable to all purposes 1 Tim. 4.8 having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Hence we may conclude the madnesse and unreasonablenesse Vse 1 of all unregenerate persons who hate the godly and persecute them continually although they are their best freinds preserving them from many Judgments and procuring to them many temporall blessings every man naturally seekes the destruction of things dangerous and deadly to him but who but unreasonable men will seek to destroy things usefull and profitable to them yea persons and things without which they cannot subsist for were the Godly taken out of the world a floud of fire would quickly consume the wicked A whole City was preserved for a time for Lots sake Gen. 19.22 I cannot do any thing till thou be come to Zoar. Vse 2 This should make every one to love and cherish these profitable Trees where ever they grow and to defend them from spoyle or hurt as much as in us lies When Onesimus was ingrafted into Christ then he became profitable both to Paul and to others Epistle to Philemon 10 11. Now profitable both to thee and me so that Paul requires of Philemon to accompt of him now not as a servant but as a brother even as of Paul himselfe vers 12. So that we should love the people of God not only because they are belov'd of God and beare his Image and are fellow brethren and fellow Members with us but also because they are so many waies profitable The seventy sixth Observation in Nature THe sower and bitter sap of the wild stocke which is ingrafted runs through all the whole tree into the body boughes branches buds leaves blossomes fruits and does something a Although the graft changes the sap of the wild stock into its owne Nature yet not totally a tang of the wild nature remaines imbase the fruits making them lesse pleasant and sweete yet the fruits are good and acceptable fruits This shadowes out unto us That Proposition shadowed The most spirituall actings of believers tast of corrupt nature which notwithstanding are acceptable unto God The soule and spirit of man is the stock into which the word of God and Principles of grace are ingrafted and these drawing and making use of the sap life strength and powers of the soule in all the faculties doe change them into their owne spirituall nature in a great measure yet not totally even as the a Of this see more pa. 119. Observ 59. naturall grafts of a good and pleasant nature do change the sap vertue and strength of the wild and sower stockes so much thereof as the Grafts draw into their owne nature in a great measure but not wholly Though Christ and his graces dwell in his people yet corruption in a measure abides there also and this corruption runs through the whole man and is mixed with all our thoughts words and actings though they proceed from the principles and habits of grace fixed in the soule by the spirit of God as some noxious or hurtfull quality in the Liver mixeth it selfe with the blood and staines it throughout all the body Spirituall acts as they proceed from the spirit of God Principles of grace and are done in love to God and directed to right ends are pure and perfect these fruits have a pleasant tast with God the husbandman yet as they proceed from us and are acted in and through the faculties of the soule where Corruptions and imperfections reside they are imperfect This mixture of corruptions with our services and duties was typified in the offerings of the people Exod 28.38 Aaron a type of Christ bore the iniquity of the holy things And the Prophet Esay upon this accompt pronounces all our best righteousnesses to be as filthy raggs Esay 64.6 The Apostle also knowing this complained of it Rom. 7.21 I find a Law that when I would do good evill is present with me All believers know and find this by continuall Experience Vse 1 This shewes the vanity and unsoundnesse of that Doctrine that maintaines good workes as meritorious and meanes of Justification but let us looke unto Christ our high Priest to beare the imperfections of our best workes The consideration of this may be a meanes to pull downe the high thoughts of such as are lifted up in looking upon their Gifts Vse 2 of Nature acquired abilities graces and best workes in regard Corruption runnes through all these and staines them our purest wine is mixt with water and our best fruits are but bitter-sweets This should make us rejoice in and admire the infinite love of Vse 3 God in Christ who notwithstanding all imperfections and failings accepts and likes yea and is delighted with the duties and services of his people Love covereth all sins Prov. 10.12 Though the Church and every believing soule be black and spotted as the Moone through the staines of Corruptions yet such is the love of Christ that he over lookes all as though nothing were amisse Can. 4.7 Thou art faire my love there is no spot in thee The seventie seventh Observation in Nature IN Fruit-trees are two Natures the one of the sower wild stock the other of the pleasant graft Now these two natures being in one body strive together as all contraries joined do to convert each other into its owne kind or nature a Even as hot water and cold being mixed these qualities strive to change each other and that which is most powerfull prevailes but the Nature of the graft is predominant and converts the sap that it drawes into its owne nature though not totally See pag. 119. This Observation shadowes out unto us That There is a continuall combate betweene grace and nature in every regenerate person but grace prevailes Every believer by engrafting into Christ Proposition shadowed receives another nature the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 which abides in the soule together w th the other the corrupt nature which it had before Now these two natures being contary oppose one another all our lives long
body and one spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling one Lord one faith one baptisme one God and father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Here we see 1. All believers though multitudes of Members yet are but one body 2. That one body hath but one spirit As one soule animates and sets on worke all the Members of the Naturall body so does this one spirit in the mysticall body 3. There is also one hope All believeâ—s have an expectation of the enjoyment of God in glory for ever 4. They have all one Lord are fellow servants under one Lord Iesus Christ 5. So also have they but one faith believers in all ages of the world have but one faith in the same God and Saviour 6. They have but one Baptisme not baptisme of the signe but of the substance all believers are baptized with the baptisme of the spirit Iewes and Gentiles in all ages 1 Cor. 12.13 By one spirit we are all baptised into one body whether we be Jewes or Greeks 7. Believers have but one God and Father they are all borne of God are brethren in the Lord sonnes and daughters alike to the Lord Almighty Heires together of one Inheritance and Kingdome So then Here are strong bonds of Vnity and love among the Saints though Vniformity in outward things be wanting here 's no mention at all of Vniformity though they differ in their opinions in waies and formes of worship and Government yet being all one body having all one spirit one hope one Lord one faith one baptisme one God and Father these are sufficient grounds of their Vnion and love one with and to another These are the things that God stands upon having Vnity here in these things whereby they worship him in spirit and truth though they vary in many externall parts of worship and outward administrations they are dispensed withall as we see Rom. 14.18 he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men and vers 3. God hath received him or approved of him Let not men therefore disowne their brethren for differing from them in the forme in outward administrations of worship or Government when yet they worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth which if they doe it is from the carnall part and to be mortified The ninetie fifth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman often makes a hedg or fence about his Orchard and Garden with wild plants unfruitful trees or such as beare naughty unpleasant fruits as Crabtrees Thornes Bryers Okes Ashes Elmes or any such like which serve well for a mound or fence about his fruitfull Trees and preserve them from anoyances and hurts that else they are subject unto by Cattle and otherwise in many respects This shadowes out unto us That God many times makes use of wicked Proposition shadowed and unregenerate persons for the preservation and good of his owne Children Many Kings and Magistrates though wicked and carnall have beene set up for the defence of the Godly very many carnall persons though they have but only generall convictions a forme of Godlinesse common Gifts and graces yet they owne the true Religion and the professors of it notwithstanding they have no true nor cordiall love to either God makes such as an outward common fence against the breakings in of Tyrannicall and savage persons who might otherwise anoy the Church of God Yea many Morall persons are not only a meanes of defence to the Godly but they are also helpers many waies by their Gifts and Talents and outward good things which God hath given them The spirit of God doth convince the world of unregenerate persons upon this Accompt even for the good of his owne people giving to them some common light and graces and apprehensions of the things of God that so he may take off their fiercenesse and bitternesse that otherwise would naturally break out against the Godly and not only so but that also they may be helpfull and profitable to his owne people Pharaoh was convinced that God was with Ioseph and so became his freind yea and to all his brethren and his fathers house and preserved them and nourished them with the best things of the Land of Egypt Gen. 40. Laban entertained and preserved Iacob above 20 yeares together Gen. 29. c. Pharaohs daughter nourished Moses the whole Court was his freind many yeares King Nebuchadnezzar was convinced that God was with Daniel preserved and promoted Daniel so did Belshazzar And King Darius afterwards Dan. 6.3 Shadrach Meshach and Abednego were not only preserved but advanced in the Province of Babylon by King Nabuchadnezzer a heathen king There is abundant Experience of this truth in all ages especially in these times of the Gospell multitudes having common convictions of the things of God and entertaining the forme of Godlinesse though they want the power They generally if they have power preserve the people of God and Religion from overthrowes and destructions which otherwise Tyrants and barbarous enemies would bring upon them Yea and God makes them many waies usefull and helpfull to his people by their Gifts and Common graces in Naturall and Morall things Vse This discovers the speciall care and love of God the power wisdome goodnesse of God towards his owne people who maketh even their enemies to become freinds to them Enemies indeed in their Principles Natures but freinds through the overruling power of God The world all the creatures in it are ruled ordered for the good of the people of God All things are yours saith the Apostle 1 Co. 3.21.22 the world life death things present things to come all are yours God useth overruleth and ordereth all things for the advantage of them that feare him The ninetie sixth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman in Ordering of his fruit-trees observes the seasons some works are to be done at such a time of the yeare The spring is the season for Grafting the sommer for Inoculating Autumne and winter for Transplanting pruning and other workes he carefully observes the seasons for particular works This shadowes out unto us this Proposition Proposition shadowed That God in his infinite wisdome and goodnesse observes the fittest times in all his dispensations towards his people The great husbandman of his Vineyard and Garden enclosed as he gives discretion to men to order their works of husbandry Esay 28.26 doth with infinite more wisdome order his owne husbandry in respect of the matter manner and seasons of his worke Ier. 30.11 When he correcteth his people as he does it in measure so also in season when it is most likely to prevaile and take effect and when his spirit reproves the soule it is alwaies in season When he speakes to comfort and refresh the soule it is in season Esay 50.4 That I should know how to speake a word in season to him that is weary he gives his
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