but of all believers to labour to enlarge the kingdome of Iesus Christ and to be faithfull diligent laborers in the Lords Vineyard This is the Lords great designe and the very worke of this generation in a particular respect who so hinders or neglects it even of Gods owne people shall suffer for it who so faithfully acts in it shall meete with speciall manifestations of the Love of God towards them The ninetie fourth Observation in Nature THe husbandman does not much stand upon the outward forme of his Orchards and Gardens to have them all just of one fashon and shape either round or long or square or otherwise He having divers Orchards and gardens they are some of one forme and some of another as some are larger than others so some are of one cut or shape and some of another he accompts it not necessary that they be all Vniforme but so the inward forme be good so the trees have good Natures and properties bringing forth good fruits that 's it he values it s all in all This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Externall Vniformity in the Churches of Christ Proposition shadowed is of small accompt with him in respect of Vnity and spirituall worship Severall congregations or Churches of Christ having the spirit of Christ faith love unity of doctrine and ordinances may have divers formes and waies of outward administrations and every Church is to be left to its owne liberty therein and not to be in joyned such or such Formes Methods and waies of proceedings in the worship of God or in the discipline and goverment of the particular Churches For now in the time of the New Testament the worship of God consisteth not in Externals neither are they commanded as heretofore under the old administrations of the law But our Saviour tels us John 4.23 The houre commeth and now is when the true worshipers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth Many in the Apostles time had vaine and needlesse disputations about meat and drink and observation of daies and such like Rom. 14.1 3 5 10 13. c. he tels them vers 17. The Kingdome of God is not meat and drinke it consisteth not in any externall thing but it is righteousnesse peace and joy in the holy Ghost So that he leaves them to the using or not using of such outward things to their owne pleasures being of an indifferent Nature vers 5. let every man be fully perswaded in his owne mind Now so it is in respect of External Vniformity in Churches the worship of God being Now spirituall he leaves the externall part of it unto the choice and pleasure of his people to concurre in one way or Externall forme or to vary as they judg meete and convenient every particular Church among themselves in respect of time b As for one day in seven to be dedicated to God in worship that is the morall part of the fourth commandment and was changed from the seventh to the first day of the weeke by Christ himselfe and observed by his Apostles and Disciples place manner and forme and would not have his people to fall out and differ about tything Mynt Anise Cummin petty and indifferent things while they neglect the weighty and great matters of the Law unity and spirituall worship The Apostle Paul sharply reproves the Corinthians for standing so much upon Men Names Titles 1 Cor. 1.12 One saies I am of Paul another I am of Apollo another of Cephas another of Christ even as many in our daies they stick in the outside in Names and Formes Lutherans Calvinists some are for the Episcopall way some for the Presbiterian some for the Independent some for the Rebaptized way some reject all these as the b These people proceede further in censuring others then ever any did for they judge and condemne not only the Fortunes outward administrations of all Churches but also the whole sirituall state conditiō of all persons that are not of their way and that suddenly and rashly without knowledg of the persons contrary both to Scripture and Reason crying up a dimme Naturall light within and neglecting the true light of the word and spirit of Gods who not trying the spirits whether they be of God or not they in many things put darknesse for light and light for darknesse Quakers say their's is the way So that may we not say as the Apostle said 1 Cor. 3.3 Are ye not carnall for whereas there is among you envying and strife and divisions are ye not carnall and walke as men In as much as they differ about Names and Formes and neglect and breake love and unity they are herein carnall though there may be truth of grace in and among them yet in this thing they are weake they are carnall this is knowing and approving of men after the flesh which the Apostle Paul allowes not 2 Cor. 5.16 I suppose it may be said of this or that Forme of worship as Paul saies of Circumcision 1 Cor. 7.19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but keeping the Commandments of God and Gal. 6.15 In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but a New creature neither this or that forme or externall way of worship availeth any thing but faith love spirituall worship righteousnesse peace and joy in the holy Ghost an interest in Christ regeneration or becoming a new Creature unity and love with and towards one another walking with God in fellowship with the father and with his sonne Jesus Christ in spirituall worship these are the things that God requires of his people Not but that God cals for the service and worship of the outward man and some Externall formes and waies in his spirituall worship as well as inward worship but he ties not his people to one way or forme as men would do and stand for and make divisions amoung the Churches about it which God no where requires in his word and as for Examples in the Apostles times they vary in every Church as occasions required ther 's no one forme only established As for that Command 1 Cor 14.40 Let all things be done decently and in Order the meaning is not that the worship of God in his Ordinances or practises in all Churches should be all in one manner way or forme but that they should observe Order among themselves in every particular Church or congregation As in Cities and Townes Corporate though their Customes differ one from another yet there is Order in and among themselves in each particular place The Apostle tels us Acts 10.34 35. That in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Now in many or severall Nations there are many and severall waies and formes in and about the worship of God in the administrations of the Ordinances of Christ yet all are accepted of God when the worsh p is in spirit and in
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
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
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
the same in all but from different degrees of light and manifestations in particular things some are more renewed and changed in the spirit of their minds and have more of the Image of God and are more purged from Corruptions then others and thence it is that all cannot comprehend things alike yet is their a likenesse and resemblance in their Natures there are the same actings and movings of soule the likenings and lustings after holy and spirituall things in some measure or degree in one as in another in weake as in strong Christians A Child hath the same Members and is of the same Nature as a man at full growth So the Spirituall Man God hath promised to put this likenesse upon his people Ier. 32.39 I will give them one heart and one way God will make all of them hate the same things all the detestable things where they come Ezek. 11. vers 19. I will give them one heart The Multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soule Acts 4.32 Vse 1 Here we have a true Touchstone of an honest heart such as have a reall love and liking of spirituall things Those whose hearts secretly close with the people of God because they are his and heartily joyne with them in their most spirituall holy walkings disliking and opposing from a Principle within things that hinder the worke of grace and kingdome of Christ they may certainly conclude they are of the Elect of God because they are like and of the same stamp with the rest of his people Vse 2 This is a strong Cord to draw and tye fast together all the Children of God They are like and resemble one another are of one and the same nature properties and dispositions also they have all one God one father one saviour one spirit one and the same portion and inheritance Likenesse and resemblance in Naturall Morall and spirituall things is a ground of Love and Vnion The two and twentieth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman prepares in his Nursery such wild Pants as he intends to bring and plant in his Garden He plants none in his Orchard or Garden where they are to grow a long time but such as are first ingrafted prepared and growen fit for that purpose in the Nursery This shadowes out unto us That Those whom God purposeth to bring hereafter into his Celestiall Paradice he prepareth them for it here Proposition shadowed in this life The Whole Earth is Gods great Nursery where he hath Plants growing of all sorts and ages some newly sprung up wild and unmanured others well growen Engrafted and prepared for the heavenly Canaan whom he is daily removing and transplanting thither preparation for this Garden of God is absolutely necessary Now ther 's no preparation of wild Plants for a Garden without Engrafting all the Culture pruning dressing or ordering the husbandman can use is to no purpose without Engrafting either of Naturall or spirituall plants Jo. 3.3 Except a man be borne againe he cannot see the kingdome of God As to the wild Naturall Plants there is a new Nature added by Engrafting so there is also a new Nature the divine Nature put into the soule by Regeneration or Ingrafting into Christ without which there can be no preparation for glory The Apostle speaking of the glory above and that the saints groan earnestly for it saies God fits them and prepares them for this state of glory 2 Cor. 5.5 He that hath wrought us for the selfe same thing is God God squares and works these spirituall lively stones for the spirituall building as a Mason hewes and squares the stones he intends for a Materiall building Or to keepe to the similitude in hand the husbandman prepares the Plants he intends to Plant in his Garden ere he remove them thither Col. 1.12 Giving thankes to the father who hath made us meete to be pertakers of the inheritance of the saints in light As there are vessels of wrath fitted to destruction so also there are vessels of mercy prepared unto glory Rom. 9.23 This people have I formed for my selfe they shall shew forth my praise Esay 43.21 There is an absolute necessity of this preparation because might it be supposed as a thing possible that a naturall man should come to heaven it would be but even a burthen to him he would have no joy no rest nor contentment there for all things there are contrary to his Nature now nothing pleaseth but things that are according to our Nature therefore God prepareth his people by giving them another Nature the divine Nature which is sanctification or holinesse God fits and prepares his people for glory by Convincing them of their state and condition by Nature shewing them a way and meanes of getting out of it even by laying hold on Christ by faith closing with him upon the tearmes of the Gospell The Spirit of God unites them unto and by faith ingrafts them into that fruitfull living stock Iesus Christ without which none can be prepared unto glory And after this Ingrafting the Husbandman goes on to prepare his Plants by Pruning dressing and ordering of them by meanes of Ordinances Afflictions Temptations dispensations of providence and workings of his spirit in all these whereby he brings them to further degrees of Sanctification untill they have attained their measure and are fitted for glory Vse Let all that have an expectation of the glory that is to be revealed consider well this poynt it is as possible and as likely the Carpenter should take Trees newly cut downe rough and unsquared boughes and all and put them into a Building as that God should bring soules to glory the body being cut downe which he hath not fitted and prepared for glory Therefore if thou canst not upon some good grounds satisfie thy selfe that God is in a way of preparation with thee let not thine eyes sleepe neither the Temples of thine head take any rest untill thou find some good evidences of this thing And let such as find and know they are prepared for glory by Engrafting into Christ Calling Sanctification c. Rejoyce in the Lord alwaies because their a This is a cleare evidence our Names are written in heaven when the Law of God according to the New Covenant is written in our hearts that is when there are inclinations and dispositions in our hearts according to the word when there is a new Nature Holinesse or sanctification in some measure Names are written in heaven they being prepared for it shall certainly be brought unto it The three and twentieth Observation in Nature NAturall Fruit-trees increase by little and little every yeare they are not suddenly great and large trees but they increase by degrees every yeare they grow bigger and larger every way by the culture and diligence of the husbandman and influences of heaven untill they attaine their full growth This shadowes out unto us the state of spirituall Fruit-trees in this Proposition
Meeke to bind up the Broken hearted to proclaime liberty to the Captives and the opening of the Prison to them that are bound to proclaime the acceptable yeare of the Lord to comfort all that mourne c. Now the reason hereof is because soules lying under apprehensions of wrath for sin their doubt is mainely of Gods willingnesse to save them they know not his Will in the thing therefore to labour to convince them of his Love of his willingnesse and readinesse to receive and save sinners that come to him by Christ is the great businesse in case of distresse and doubting Vse 1 This being so then those who goe about to direct and comfort weary soules laden and burthened with the sense of sin and wrath are to beware how they presse the duties of the Law to such in order to settlement and peace some are ready still in such Cases to tell the partie distressed in conscience you must walke strictly take heed of Sin give not way to corruptions not so much as any motions or stirrings of them within and be diligent in all duties of hearing the word reading meditation c. and so put them on the duties of the Law or Covenant of workes whereby to get peace and acceptance with God making God appeare as a hard Master and thereby lay one burthen upon another in stead of easing of them Whereas the sweete refreshing Promises of the Covenant of grace the infinite Love of God in our pretious Lord Jesus Christ should be laid open and held forth clearely to such a weary soule that such a one might see the great workes of fulfilling the Law and satisfying divine Justice done to his hand in case he lay hold upon and close with Christ by faith This is the ready way to settle such a soule to make the Graft take hold of the stock from which it may receive life This the Apostle shewes us by a plaine instance Gal. 3.2 Received ye the spirit by the worke of the Law or by the hearing of faith as if he should say ye know this course was taken with you before ye beleived The doctrine of free grace was preached to you ye heard that Justification came not by the workes of the Law but by faith in Christ even so it is now Secondly Soules thus in distresse ought to harken to and receive offers of grace when they heare them made and not to Vse 2 put them off and neglect them as very many doe They will not or dare not close with the free promises of grace because say they I wretch am not worthie I am not fitted my heart is hard my Corruptions are strong I am full of sin my whole life is nothing but sin Why thou shalt never have it otherwise so long as thou standest off and refusest to close with Christ If thou think to get thy heart into an humble melting frame and temper and to subdue Corruptions and then to close with Christ thou wilt but deceive thy selfe that 's not the way but seeing thy want of Christ and thy sinfull undone condition without him and a true desire in thee to get out of it and to be sanctified as well as justified to be saved from sin as well as wrath let it be the very first thing thou doest to venture on him and close with him accept of his love and doe but touch him by faith and thou shalt find thy selfe healed of all thy spirituall diseases but without this course notwithstanding all thy owne strictnesse and endeavours in duties thou wilt find thy selfe to be worse and worse The five and twentieth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman having laboured and taken much paines about Engrafting his Plants when in the spring he sees they begin to bud and shoote forth when he observing of them perceives they have closed with and taken hold of the stock he is glad of it this is a ground of rejoycing to him he is very well pleas'd to see the good successe of his labours about his Fruit-trees This discovers to us That A sinners Repentance and closing with Christ causeth joy both in heaven and Earth The Lord the great husbandman is alwaies at worke labouring to draw soules to Christ by all waies and meanes And his sub-husbandmen the Ministers of the Gospell and all his people one way or other do labour in the same worke they are Co-workers fellow labourers with him in this great Gospell worke Now when they see their works and labours have good successe they rejoyce and are glad 1. The people of God rejoyce when they see unregenerate persons come in to Christ because they are renewed themselves and it 's naturall for every Creature to be glad of and rejoyce in its like Secondly they rejoyce at the conversion of others because they love God The Reason and Love is alwaies glad at that which pleaseth and makes for the beloved God hath honour hereby and therefore they rejoyce Secondly the faithfull Ministers of the Gospell rejoyce at the conversion of soules not only upon these accompts but also because they are more immediately concerned in it it is their proper worke and businesse to winne soules to Christ Now when they see the successe of their Labours they say as the Apostle 3 Epistle of John 4. I have no greater joy then to heare that my Children walke in the truth So the Apostle Paul 1 Thes 2.19 what is our hope our joy our Crowne of rejoycing are not yee c v. 20. For ye are our glory joy Thirdly The good Angels also rejoyce when sinners turne to God This our Saviour tells us Luk. 15.7 I say unto you that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth c. vers 10. There is joy in the presence of the Angels of God over one sinner that repenteth Fourthly God the father sonne and spirit rejoyce at the Repentance of sinners The spirit to speake after the manner of men is said to be greived with sin when soules reject his motions so on the contrary when they hearken to him he is well pleased Our Saviour having taught his disciples and brought them to understand and receive the things of the kingdome of God he rejoyced Luk. 10.21 In that houre Jesus rejoyced in spirit c. Also we see how God the Father is wel pleased when sinners come in to Christ this is at large made out unto us in the Parable of the Prodigall Luk. 15.20 the father seeing his sonne returning to him how glad is he of it he ran to meete him and fell on his neck and kissed him then there was Musicke and dancing and feasting c. all this is but to let us know how welcome a soule is to God when it returnes from its wandrings Esay 65.19 I will rejoyce in Jerusalem and joy in my people and Zepth 3.17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save he will rejoyce over thee with joy
Charets like a Whirle-wind vers 16. For the Lord will judg with fire and with his sword all flesh Now when shall this be even when the Lord will enlarge his Church when he will extend peace to Ierusalem as a River and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing streame Esay 66.12 When the isles a farre off shall declare his glory among the Gentiles and brethren shall be brought out of all Nations when the new heavens and the new earth shall be made the Church of God enlarged and beautified as we may see at large vers 19.20 c. The Prophet Jeremiah speakes likewise to the same purpose c. 23.19.20 Behold the tempest of the Lord goeth forth in wrath a violent whirles wind shall fall downe upon the head of the wicked and the anger of the Lord shall not returne untill he have executed and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart Now when these things shall be we see vers 20. in the latter daies when God is enlarging his Church ye shall understand it plainely This God will doe that he may glorifie himselfe in shewing forth his power and justice towards his enemies love to his people This may informe us and give some light unto us why all the Vse 1 destructions confusions and overturnings which have beene in these Nations of late yeares have come to passe and what other Nations shall shortly find also The great husbandman is about the enlarging of his Orchard according to the many Prophesies and promises in his word Now therefore who or whatsoever hinders and stands in the way shall certainely be removed 2 Thes 2.7 The Lord shall consume him Antichrist with the spirit of his mouth and destroy him with the brightnesse of his coming Vse 2 As this is unspeakable consolation to the saints who are the goodly fruit-trees in this large garden so is the same cause of trembling and astonishment to all opposers of God in this his great worke Weeds and wild Plants in a garden that 's carefully ordered are not so sure of plucking up as these persons are of a downfall for God hath said it he will plant his Garden and enlarge it upon an high mountaine and eminent and then up goe the wild trees though never so high and beautifull Ezek. 17.24 Then all the trees of the field shall know that I the Lord have brought downe the high tree have exalted the low tree have dryed up the greene tree and made the dry tree to flourish I the Lord have spoken it and have done it Vse 3 Thirdly yee that stand out and oppose the worke of God be perswaded to deliver your selves from destruction beware of hardnesse of heart in refusing to see and acknowledge the hand of God in his dispensations for as Pharaoh the inhabitants of Egypt Canaan and others were destroy'd in their opposition against the plantation of old so shall it be with all hardned sinners in these latter daies Those being but Types and shadowes of things that shall come to passe in these gospell times Heb. 10.1 The law hath a shadow of good things to come Not only as they shadow forth Jesus Christ but also the things of Christ in his Church Vse 4 And further Let this Caution Gods owne people It is to manifest and evident that even some of them doe in some respects oppose the worke of God we see what divisions and contentions there are amongst them about the things concerning the kingdome of Christ Now therefore take heed of opposing the mind of God for if he be displeased with those who help not the Lord against the mighty will he not be much more displeased with those that oppose him and are against him in any of his designes It may hinder them of much good which otherwise they might have received from God See Pag. yea it may provoke God to cut them off though his owne people The husbandman sometimes cuts off a Branch or cuts downe even a good tree when it is in his way and hinders any of his great workes so doubtlesse does the Lord with some of his owne people when through any worldly interest or corruption they oppose his designes Therefore take heede speake not neither act against God and his waies through mistakes be not unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is Eph. 5.17 The eight and twentieth Observation in Nature WHen rare and excellent fruit-trees and fruits are first knowne there being but few of them they are more valued and esteemed then afterwards when they are multiplyed and growen common though the commodities are still the same in goodnesse as at first This shadowes out unto us That The constant enjoyment of the best things from God through corruptions makes them lesse noted and esteemed Proposition shadowed The nature of man is much taken with new things which having beene a while used and enjoyed are not afterwards of so much value with us though the things remaine in their former goodnesse and worth health peace and plenty and the best good things of this life yea the Ordinances of Christ society of the saints seasons and oportunities of grace spirituall priviledges are lesse observed and prized after a long enjoyment of them then at the first Though Manna was a pleasant bread Angels foode and the people of Israel were well pleased with it for a time yet afterwards they were weary of it Numb 21.5 Our soule loatheth this light bread When the people of God see the necessity and want of good things and earnestly pray and waite for them and at length God satisfies their desires and gives out the mercy longed for then they are much taken and affected with it their affections are raised and enlarged they put a price and value upon it greatly rejoycing in it and blessing God for it But after a certaine time of enjoyment the heart is lesse upon it the streames of affections are abated and run lower there is not that frequent notice taken of it neither when the mind reflects upon it at any time are the affections stirred as at the first when the thing was new Thus it is even in respect of the best and choicest things wee receive from God in this life even the sence and evidences of the love of God pardon of sin intrest in Christ Communion with the father and the sonne through the spirit These things after an habituall long enjoyment of them are lesse noted and lesse affect the heart then upon their first discovery so that God expostulates with his people about it he takes notice of it and observes the difference of the frame of their spirits what it hath beene and what it is afterwards Jer. 22. I remember the kindnesse of thy youth the love of thine espousales c. when thou wentest after me in the wildernesse time was when we were first acquainted and thou didst take me for thy Lord and Husband thou didst expresse much love towards me and
calls and sends for that purpose Now Christ was fitted by this anointing Esay 61.1 The spirit of the Lord is upon me because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tydings c. and Esay 42.1 Behold my servant c. I have put my spirit upon him And when Christ sent forth his disciples to preach the Gospell how did he prepare them for it even by the same anointing Joh. 20.21 22. As my father sent me so send I you and he breathed on them and said receive ye the holy Ghost Thus also the Ministers of the Gospell that succeede him they have the same anointing which fits them with gifts and graces for this worke what ever humane learning they have more or lesse this anointing teacheth them and makes them learned in the great mystery of godlinesse Jesus Christ the wisdome of the father in whom all fulnesse dwells and the spirit of Christ dwells in them hereby they are made able Ministers of the new Testament Not of the Letter but of the spirit 2 Cor. 36. Carnall men though never so learned know not what they say they have the letter of the word but the spirituall sence is vailed and hid from them through the darknesse of their minds they have no insight nor Experience in what they say But every scribe that is instructed unto the kingdome of heaven is like unto a man that is an houshoulder which bringeth forth out of his Treasure things new and old Mat. 13.52 True Ministers of the Gospell are Embassadors for Christ 1 Cor. 4.20 they are also stewards of the Mysteries of God 1 Cor. 4.1 and it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful vers 2. May it not thence be concluded that unregenerate persons who cannot be faithfull are unfit to be stewards neither are entrusted by God in this great workâ— From what hath beene said will it not follow That those are Vse 1 no true Ministers of the Gospell who are ignorant of and inexperienced in the great worke and mystery of Regeneration who have not the worke of Grace upon their owne hearts They are Theeves and Robbers who enter not in by the dore which is Christ but climbe up some other way Joh. 10.1 These come to get the fleece and care not if the flock be scattered and torne by the wolves how can they teach others who were never taught themselves is he fit to lead others who is blind Now the Naturall man seeth not perceiveth not spirituall things neither can he because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 If any shall Object That Judas was an unregenerate person and yet sent to preach Object with the rest of the Apostles It is answered That is an Extraordinary Example and foretold many generations before Answ Now Extraordinary Examples are not to be pleaded in ordinary Cases it was of absolute necessity that such a one should be that the scriptures might be fulfilled Object Secondly If it be said Though men have not the spirit of God though they have not grace yet having Learning good gifts and Parts they may doe good therewith in the Church of God It is answered Although it be granted that carnall men in the Ministry having good Gifts Answ and endowments may doe some good thereby does this prove they are therefore fit for the Ministry or that they are sent of God God of his infinite wisdome and grace ordereth and over-ruleth all things for good to his owne people even the very sinnes of men and Devills But further Though some good may be done by carnall Ministers it cannot be denyed but they do much more hurt then good by their carnall Interpretations and Mis-applications of the scriptures and bad Examples Not having the spirit not being Learned in the Mysteries of godlinesse nor being taught by wisdome from above they pervert the scriptures to their owne and others destruction 2 Pet. 3.16 they cannot see the things of God 1 Cor. 2.14 so that they deceive the soules of the poore carnall people and lead them blindfold to hell when the blind lead the blind both fall into the ditch into the bottomlesse Pit so that as our Saviour bid his disciples and the multitude to take heede of the Leaven or doctrine of the Pharisees who were fooles and blind as to the spirituall understanding of the scriptures so also should we take heede of false interpretations of the scriptures by carnall men in our daies Doth not God reprove and expostulate with such for their hold undertaking in this kind Psal 50.16 What hast thou to doe to Preach my Lawes or that thou shouldest take my word in thy mouth seeing thou hatest to be reformed See also Jer. 14.14 and Jer. 23.20 This informes us That surely the time is at hand and is not the Vse 2 day dawned already when the Gospell Ministry shall be purged the drosse carnall Ministers shall be cast out and the pure mettle preserved according as was Prophesied Mal. 3.1 2 3. when the Messenger of the Covenant Jesus Christ shall come and Raigne gloriously in the Nations hee will be as a Refiners fire and shall fit as a Refiner and purifier of silver hee shall purifie the sonnes of Levi vers 3. ignorant scandalous persons who make the sacrifices of the Lord to be abhorred as Elies sonnes the Name of God and his Gospell to be blasphemed and true Ministers despised and reproached these shall be cast out as unsavory salt and a true Ministry set up and encouraged Is not this the worke of this day Let them therefore who are imployed therein take heede of doing the worke of the Lord negligently but imploy and improve their Talent of Authority faithfully and diligently for their Masters interest And let all the people of God be earnest with God to carry on the worke himselfe with his owne hand by his owne spirit otherwise Instruments may labour to no purpose in this or any other worke And that God would more and more purifie his owne people even those who are most pure for in them there is much drosse yet unpurged out Though I take this to be the most proper and genuine meaning of this place yet not with exclusion of the other This points out unto us who are the true Ministers of the Gospell Vse 3 even all who have received the anointing of the spirit are taught of God as the truth is in Jesus that are called and sent of God and approved by his Church and people to that Office and worke These are the true Ministers of the Gospell of Christ these can speake of the things they have heard and seene 1 Joh. 1.3 they have skill and experience in the things whereof they speake they have the tongue of the Learned though some it may be not much humane learning and know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary because they have a fountaine of light and truth and wisdome within them he dwells in them in whom
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
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
by speciall manifestations of his love and goodnesse there more than in other places When God purposed to make the Land of Canaan his dwelling place he cast out the inhabitants of the Land and planted his own people and his worship there as we see at large in the History This Moses foretold Exod. 15.17 Thou shalt bring them in and plant them in the mountaine of thine inheritance in the place O Lord which thou hast made for thee to dwell in and Exod 29.45 I will dwell amongst the children of Issrael and will be their God When God had Mercy on Israel after a long time of trouble and desolation and comes to dwell among them againe then he brings downe and casts out their enemies and oppressors and gives his owne people authority and power over them as we see Esay 14.2 They shall take them Captives whose Captives they were and they shall rule over their oppressors It is God that putteth down one and setteth up another Psal 75.7 I the Lord have brought down the high tree and exalted the low tree have dryed up the green tree and made the dry tree to flourish I the Lord have spoken it and have done it Ezek. 17.20 when God roots up or cuts down high green flourishing trees but barren of good fruits and plants choice trees in their stead though low and despised in the eyes of the world this is that he may dwell among them and walke among them 2 Cor. 6.16 he sets his Tabernacle there Levit. 23.12 and takes pleasure in them Ps 149 4. for the Lord hath chosen Zion he hath desired it for his habitation and saith This is my rest for ever here will I dwel for I have a delight therein Ps 132.13 14. Vse 1 This being so that when God beginnes to reforme a Nation or place it s a signe he intends to dwell there this is a ground of great consolation to the people of God in England and other parts where God hath begun his great worke of Reformation notwithstanding many things are yet amisse but especially to some particular places * Universities and some other places where more remarkable evidences of his presence are manifest in removing fruitlesse unprofitable Trees and planting in their stead many fruitful trees not only in a private capacity but also in a Publique many godly Magistrates for the execution of Justice and taking part with those that fear God in stead of curbing and discouraging of them in well doing And also in respect of many faithfull ministers of the Gospell who preach Jesus Christ and declare the glorious mysteries of the Gospell in stead of blockish ignorance or els doubing with untempered morter Though all are not thus through the Nation yet it may be so said of many more now than in former times Are not such as are put in Authority and Power in the Nation of the best men is not the Magistracy of the Land of choice Persons such as are most fit and capable of the godly party at least it is the endeavour of those in supream power that it may be so And as for the Ministry of the Nation though it have beene in the generall very corrupt is so st ll in many place yet hath there not been in this a great reformation of late yeares which is still going on among us And as the Magistracy and Ministry of the Land are much changed and reformed so also are * By whom God hath wrought of late yeares even wonders in these three Nations Not to be paraleld in any Histories of former ages unlesse by the Wars of Canaan God hath eminently most remarkably appeared for us and that in a course scries of his providences not only in the sight of his people but even the enemies themselves being Judges Military men heretofore in corrupt times the souldiery were of the worst of men the most notorious desperatly wicked men under the sun whereas now they are of the best men fearing God very many of them not only Commanders and Officers but also common souldiers have been and are men of saith prayer as well as courage such as the good souldier the Centurion was mentioned Matt 8.5 whom Christ himself commended and as Cornelius another Centurion of a band of whom it is said that he was a devout man and one that feared God with all his house Act. 10.2 And as the Magistracy Ministry Souldiery are very much reformed good men amongst them all are set up encouraged and evill men removed discouraged so also persons fearing God of all rankâ— and conditions are countenanced by the Authority of the Nation having liberty freedome in the worke of the Lord whereby the Gospell the kingdome of Christ is enlarged notwithstanding all opposition or any thing that is yet amisse among us Are not all these things evidences of Gods presence among us that he is a coming neerer to us that the husbandman intends to dwell and delight himselfe in his Garden where he is thus at worke so remarkably Rejoice therefore and let all the Trees of the field clap their hands for in stead of the Thorne is come up the firetree and in stead of the Brier is come up the Mirtle tree Esay 55.12.13 Solomon saies When the righteous are in Authority the people rejoice Prov. 29.2 Certainly such as feare God do so And this by the way may serve for a tryall and touchstone of mens spirituall estates whether they are in the flesh or in the spirit Ob. But it may be Objected Do we not see rather signes of Gods departure from us than of his coming neerer to us for do we not see Errors Heresies and Blasphemies abound among us divisions and contentions in every place It is answered Answ do we not also see the Truths of the Gospell more fully and generally manifested and known than they have been formerly the Kingdome of Christ is enlarged and growes daily There are more Professors of Religion in these daies than in former times Not only Professors in Hypocrisy but also in truth and sincerity And as Errors and Heresies are more awakened so also are the Truths of God more cleared and its certaine Truth will at length prevaile silence Error Truth will suppresse Errors devoure them as Aarons Rod did the Rods of the Magicians of Egypt Exo. 7.12 And as for divisions and contentions among us let none think Vse 2 that strange for where Christ comes to take possession of a Nation or City or Family where he was not before there will certainly be divisions Matth. 10.34.35 Think not that I am come to send peace on the earth I came not to send peace but a sword For I am come to set a man at variance against his father and the daughter against her Mother and the daughter in law against her mother in law c. Flesh and spirit even in and amongst the people of God will oppose
it is like Apples of gold in pictures of silver Prov. 25.11 The husbandman lookes and calls for fruits in their season Mar. 12.2 At the season he sent a servant that he might receive of the fruits of the vineyard So Mat 21.41 We ought in private meetings to consider what discourse is most seasonable what questions exhortations reproofs are most sutable and seasonable and accordingly apply our selves our spirits at some seasons are farre more apt to receive impressions than at other times Now therefore we should be seasonable in publique and private duties but some take little heed to this when the subjects they hold forth in Sermons suite neither with persons nor things to which they ought to apply their doctrine if they will speake seasonably but are like snow in harvest or singing songs to an heavy heart Many things materially good for want of due circumstances and seasonablenesse in performance are of little worth Those doctrines in publique and discourses and duties in private which are not only agreeable to the word in generall but also concurre with and carry on Gods maine designes in the generation we live in such fruits are seasonable fruits otherwise though good in themselves they are not seasonable Also when the word is so divided as to give to every one his portion and application is made to particular and different cases and Conditions of persons then these fruits are seasonably brought forth The eightie first Observation in Nature FRuit-trees yeild forth their fruits as well to the wicked as the godly The unholy and profane do yearly eat and drinke of their fruits and have profits and advantages by them as well as the most holy This shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed That The godly are profitable not only one to another but the wicked also faire the better for them They that feare God have great and precious promises made to them concerning the good things of this life as well as of the life to come which God performeth to them as he sees is best for them of which outward good things the wicked who grow amongst them as Tares amongst the Wheate are partakers Also being partakers of the divine nature and having the spirit of their heavenly father dwelling in them they imitate God in some measure who doth good to the just and unjust and lets his raine fall and sun shine upon the wicked and the good Matth. 5 25. They do good to all according to the command Gal. 6.10 and that of Matth. 5.44 Love your enemies blesse them that curse you do good to them that hate you and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you Wicked men share both of privative and positive blessings among the godly Even Sodome was spared for a time while righteous Lot was among them How many fared the better for Josephs sake David was kind to churlish Nabal in keeping his Cattle from spoile while he remained by them Laban was blessed in outward things for Jacobs sake Gen. 30.27 Potiphar and his house Pharaoh and all Egypt fared the better for Joseph Gen. 39.5 and 41. c. Also they reprove exhort and admonish the ungodly as well as the godly they give and lend and doe good not only to them that will do good and lendâ— and give to them but also to their enemies if their enemy hunger they will feede him if he thirst they will give him drinke Vse 1 Hence we may take notice of the noble and excellent nature of Gods people in that they do good to all to those who do hurt to them the ungodly are not so the righteous is more excellent than his carnall neighbour Prov. 12.26 and Prov. 17.27 He is of an excellent spirit Herein he holds forth some resemblance of the Nature of God his father who does good to the just and unjust Vse 2 We may also hence take occasion to observe the basenesse and unworthinesse of the spirits of ungodly persons who hate the righteous notwithstanding all their love they returne evill for Good Psal 109.4 for my love they are mine adversaries This is the highest aggravation of mans sin against God to sin against love against mercy and kindnesse God calls Heaven and Earth to wonder at it Esay 1.2 Here O Heavens and give eare O Earth c. I have nourished and brought up children and they have rebelled against me so in a proportion is the sin aggravated in respect of men it is the highest ingratitude to returne hate for love evill for good The eightie second Observation in Nature SOme fruit-trees are slow in bearings fruits many yeares passe ere they beare any considerable quantity of fruits but notwithstanding the husbandman does not presently cut them downe but prunes them diggs about them waters and orders them from yeare to yeare and waits for their fruits This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That When men are slow in the duties of obedience God is patient towards them Proposition shadowed and in the use of all meanes waits for their fruitfulnesse God is the great Husbandman of his Vineyard the Church and having many fruit-trees in it he prunes orders and gives them convenient culture from yeare to yeare by his word spirit Ministers Providences favours frownes Chastisements and all meanes and lookes every one should be fruit-full under all his dispensations And yet so it is that many are unfruitfull or beare but few and small fruits though God expect much they returne but little now notwithstanding God of his infinite patience tarries and waites upon them for their fruits Many yeares did the Lord waite for the fruits of Repentance from the old world 1 Pet. 3.20 The long suffering of God waited in the daies of Noah And Esay 30 18. The Lord will wait that he may be gratious He Plants and waters and prunes and dresses his fruit-trees and then waits for their fruits in their seasons Luke 13.7 These three yeares I come seeking fruit on this fig-tree God cuts not downe fruit-trees suddenly for their unfruitfulnesse but sends his word and spirit and causeth the dewes and raine of Heaven to fall upon them in manifold mercies and Providences and then waits for and expects fruits God is as the Apostle saith 2 Pet. 3.9 Long suffering to us ward not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance This should make us observe and admire the abundant kindnesse Vse 1 and love of God towards us that God who is infinite in power wisdome justice and absolute of himselfe having no neede at all of his Creatures and in a moment able to bring to nought whatsoever shall oppose him shall yet wait upon his Creatures as if he had some need of them or expected some advantage by them whereas it is for our profit and advantage he is indulgent towards his Children bearing with them Ps 103. when they beare some good fruits he purgeth and pruneth them that they may bring forth
more fruits Iohn 15.5 Yea he is long suffering towards all looking that the riches of his goodnesse and forbearance and long suffering should lead them to Repentance Rom. 2.4 and make them to bring forth fruits worthy amendment of life Hence we should learne to be thus minded on towards another Vse 2 especially such as are Ministers of the Gospell Masters Governours Tutours they should herein be followers of God as deare children Eph. 5.1 though their expectations and desires be not answered in the profiting and growth of those under their charge yet they should not be discouraged but wait still and prune and dresse and order their young plants still waiting till their profiting appeare as the Husbandman waiteth for the fruit of the Earth and hath long patience for it James 5.7 Vse 3 If God be so patient towards us and waits on us shall not wee be content to waite on God God waiteth for the fruits of our obedience O let us wait for the performance of his promises For they that wait for him shall never be ashamed that is they shall obtaine at length above their expectation Esay 64.4 Since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the eare neither hath the eye seene O God! besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him The eightie third Observation in Nature WIld materiall fruit-trees have no power to engraft themselves but grow from year to year according their wild nature and bring forth sower and naughty fruits neither is there any possibility that such Trees should ever be engrafted and bear good fruits without the skill and paines of the Husbandman This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed Vnregenerate persons of themselves cannot come to Christ nor bring forth one good fruit Naturally every one is dead in sin and hath no more power to come to Christ or do one good worke than a dead Carkase hath to walke or worke Joh. 6.44 No man cancome to me except the father which hath sent me draw him The Naturall fruit-tree can as soone graft it selfe as any soule move towards Christ without the power of the spirit of God The heart of man by nature hath no other but corrupt Principles in it which all the time of unregeneracy daily grow stronger and stronger which are not only altogether indisposed to all that is good but also oppose it and contradict the motions of the spirit As they are alive to all that is evill so they are dead to holinesse there is no more power in the soule by nature to move towards Christ than there is in a stone to move upwards of it selfe What is lesse than to have a good thought of or towards God and yet that we have not without the spirit 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to thinke any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God This shewes us the sad and wofull estate of persons out of Vse 1 Christ and out of the election of grace there is no possibility of their escaping hell they are as fast bound in the chaines of naturall corruption as the Devils are in the Chaines of darknesse in which they are reserved unto the Judgment of the great day such have their Portion in this life even all the good things they are like to have Little reason then had David or any of the people of God in their greatest sufferings to envy the prosperity of the wicked He counted himselfe foolish for so doing when he saw their end Psalm 92.7 When the wicked spring as the Grasse and the workers of iniquity do flourish it is that they shall be destroyed for ever Here also we may see the Error of those who hold free will Vse 2 that a naturall man hath power of himselfe to move and come to Christ this is contrary to the doctrine of Christ and takes away his glory from him as might be shewed at large This is and will be a continuall ground of love to God to Vse 3 all eternity in the hearts of his people they being drawn to Christ and fixed upon him by faith it is the spirit that hath donne it we contributed nothing to the worke but it is an effect of free Electing love in God therefore let us shew forth the praises of God in a holy and fruitfull Conversation for he that hath begun a good worke will perfect it unto the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1.6 The eightie fourth Observation in Nature SOme Fruit-trees if they be not carefully lookt unto will break out and the sap will presse upwards in some few branches only or chiefely and leave other branches with little sap which grow poorely and weakly and some die whereas a well ordered Tree should spread and enlarge it selfe in all the Branches This Observation shadowes out unto us That Proposition shadowed Some Christians chiefly pursue some particular duties belonging to them and neglect others Works and actions of spirituall fruit-trees may be considered as Branches as well as seede or fruits Some persons as experience makes too manifest are very carefull and diligent about some particular duties which they carry on from day to day and it s well they do so because those things they ought to do but there are other duties perhaps equally as convenient or necessary to be done which are altogether or very much neglected they shoote forth in some branches but not in all they are content to do some small and easy things sutable to their natures and ends while they neglect great and substantiall matters our Saviour reproves such Mat. 23.23 Ye have omitted the weightier matters of the Law Judgment mercy and faith these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone Some Christians are all or most for publique duties and very much neglect the private they heare it may be three or foure Sermons on the Lords day in this place and often on other days and they are to be incouraged in frequent hearing the word but yet many such neglect or slightly performe private duties of Prayer meditation examination of the heart and particular application of the word without which much hearing is to little purpose The heart of man is deceitfull and Sathan is deceitfull and both will be ready enough to perswade and carry on to publique duties all the day seeing they will needs be religious that so they may be hindred of greater spirituall advantages in neglecting the private duties aforementioned which are absolutely necessary to a Christians growth in grace Some other Professors are diligent in duties publique and private in reference to themselves but neglect duties in reference to others as Exhortation Reproofe distributing to their necessities visiting them sometimes especially in their afflictions herein they faile much although these are the great and weighty duties of Christians for if we faile in the
do the least kindnesse to any of his people in vaine but much more when they act with zeale for God in the highest greatest duties he that herein soweth plentifully his labours and diligence shall reape plentifully 2 Cor. 9.6 Seeing this is so then let us labour to find out and understand Vse 2 the designes of God in our generation that so we may joine with him and helpe to carry on the Lords worke thereby great advantages will arise unto us when through ignorance or neglect thereof or opposition thereto we may suffer losse of what else we might have in the enjoyment of God or be otherwise corrected by him Of this see Mr Tillinghast Generation worke p. 45. 46. Now therefore what are the Designes of God in this our generation for understanding whereof we must compare prophesies and promises with the visible dispensations of providence in the age we live in and observe how the actings of God in the world sute or answere to what he hath foretold or promised should come to passe also inquire observe what the most humble holy selfedenying Saints have upon their Spirits how they stand affected for God reveales his secrets to the humble not to the proud though his own people And also by frequent and much conversing with God in walking with him this is best knowne such as have close Communion and fellowship with the father and with the sonne in the spirit shall certainly know much more of his mind of his waies and designes than others of his people who through some unmortified corruptions walke at a distance from him But to touch breifly what we have grounds to believe is Gods great designe which he is now carrying on more especially in this generation it is the enlargment of the Kingdome of his sonne Jesus Christ the setting up Christ as King over the Nations more gloriously than ever heretofore according to many promises Esay 2.11 The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day and Chap. 24.23 Zach. 14.9 The Lord shall be King over all the Earth c. Now in order hereunto many other prophesies and promises must be fulfilled as those concerning the propagation of the Gospell and a great increase of the Gentile Saints together with the comming in of the Jewes Esay 60 3 4 5. c. The abundance of the Nations shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee and many other places Also union and onenesse of spirit among the people of God to serve him with one consent Zeph. 3.9 pulling downe of high and lofty things Esay 2.11 12. c. The haughtinesse of men shall be bowed downe and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Establishment of Justice Esay 60.18 I will make thine Officers peace and thine Exactours righteousnesse 5. Pouring out of greater measures of the spirit Joel 2.28 whereby will be more and clearer discoveries of Gospell truths Esay 30.26 The light of the Moone shall be as the light of the sunne and the light of the sunne seven-fold So that the exaltation of Christ and the enlargment of his Church and Kingdome being Gods great designe in this age it concernes every one of his people to labour together with God in this glorious worke such as are sincerely and zealously active herein shall find speciall distinguishing love from God Now every one of Gods people will be ready to thinke and say they are for this designe it is their daily prayer that the Kingdome of Christ may be increased but notwithstanding certaine it is that many even of Gods owne people afford God but little or no helpe herein but rather hinder and oppose the worke really and indeed through the darknesse of their Iudgments about it though in some respects they thinke they advance it for such as give no encouragement to persons and things waies and meanes little and low in their eyes which yet God hath chosen whereby to carry on his designes but rather despise them distast and speake against them such may be said to hinder the worke for he that opposeth the meanes opposeth also the End And this indeede is done through the prevailing of selfe love and worldly interests which dimme their sight such have not yet learned that great Gospell lesson of denying all for Christ they have but a small measure of the spirit that Moses Iohn Baptist and Paul had who could be content to lay downe their owne esteeme Numb 11.29 Joh. 3.30 Phil. 1.16.17.18 and interests at the feete of Christ and be willing to decrease so that Christ might increase by any waies or meanes that he shall chuse persons and things which are neglected and despised not only by carnall men but also by the carnall part of spirituall men But such shall have fewer manifestations of the love of God than others of his people that concurre with him they shall not see nor know so much of the mind of God nor find their hearts so refreshed and enlarged in communion with God nor find so much esteeme and love from his people as those that close with God in his great designes The ninetie third Observation in Nature WHen the husbandman intends to plant a very large Orchard out of rough unmanured grounds like a wildernesse full of bushes and wild trees where never was any before when he resolves and sets on such a huge and vast Plantation such a great worke is not presently effected but by length of time perhaps he may be many yeares about it This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That God is a long time in calling the Gentiles Proposition shadowed and implanting them into Christ according to his purpose and promises All the people of the world are either Jewes or Gentiles under these two all Nations are comprehended As we see Rom. 3.9 19. We have proved both Jewes Gentiles that they are all under sin v. 19. That all the world may become guilty before God Formerly the Jewes only were the people of God the Gentiles were strangers to God and without God in the world wholly overspread with Idolatrie as we see Rom. 1. But in due time this Wildernesse was made the Garden of the Lord. God the great husbandman of his Orchard the Church began to plant the vast wast grounds the wildernesse of the Idolatrous Nations the Gentiles above sixteene hundred yeares agoe and is still about it and will at length finish it and performe all his purpose and pleasures towards them The time when he began this great plantation was in our Saviours daies who gave light to the Gentiles that sate in darknesse but especially after his Resurrection and Ascension he set his husbandmen the Apostles and Disciples on worke Matth. 28.19 Goe teach all Nations and Mark. 13.10 the Gospell must be published among all Nations The Lord told Ananias that Paul was a chosen Vessell unto him to beare his name before the Gentiles Act. 9.15 And Paul himselfe
enlarge his Church in the daies of the Apostles Luk. 10.1 how contrary were his waies and dispensations to the judgments of most then In sending forth a few poore plaine men two and two to preach the Gospell and win soules how did the Learned proud Pharisees and most of the people despise them and persecute them from city to city They understood not what God was about no more then the people of this generation O how contrary are the dispensations of God to the apprehensions of most in this age They speake against his waies contradicting and blaspheming Yea the waies of God are contrary to the apprehensions of many of the godly among us some of them directly oppose God and his great designe others doe not cannot put to their hand to further it for they apprehend it not they cannot close with it In their Sermons Prayers Discourses they speak nothing of it to promote it nay being darkned through interests and corruptions they oppose it and speake against it and those who carry it on The reasons hereof are cheifely these As for all naturall men they judge of things according to carnall Principles sence and Reason now when the waies of God are not suted to these they cannot see nor judge of them The naturall man cannot perceive the things of God for they have no spirituall Principles 1 Cor. 2.14 Secondly In the people of God there is much pride and selfe-love carnall ends interests c. which many times sway their affections much and thereby their Iudgments are darkened according to the degrees of these corruptions For as any soule growes in grace and holinesse and gets more of the divine Nature or Image of God so are the things of God more or lesse manifest to such a one Thirdly God will be seene and acknowledged in the world especially in his great dispensations therefore are his waies often so unsuted to the apprehensions of men but when they see at length that God brings about his ends by them which they thought so unlikely then they admire He will get himselfe glory in all his workings by doing his worke his strange worke and bringing to passe his Act his strang act Esay 28 21. Hence we may see the certaine downefall of Antichrist and all his partakers all the Enemies of God because the waies of God are Vse 1 contrary to them and they know them not thence it is that they doe and will oppose God and fight against him to their owne destruction Though the arme of the Lord be made bare and lifted up never so high and apparently in the world in carrying on his designes yet they will not see it nor acknowledg it they will not behold the majesty of the Lord Esay 26.10 When his hand is lifted up they will not see but they shall see and be ashamed vers 11. Hardned Pharaohs with all the blind multitude opposers of God his waies and his people shall be at last all cast as a Milstone into the midst of the sea never to rise more Are the waies of God in the sea and his pathes in the deepe waters and his footsteps not knowen and contrary to the Iudgments of most Vse 2 and is it too true that many of Gods owne people stumble at his waies and dispensations and in a sort oppose God or no way help forward his designes O then let us be earnest with God for wisdome from above and his spirit to make out the mind of God to us not only to know the things freely given to us of God but also to know what things are of God in the world to know the designe of God in our generation 1 Cor. 2.21.2 that so we may be so farre from staning out against it as that we may comply with it and help it on with all our might The foure and thirtieth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman having great Plantations in hand calleth none to helpe him in his speciall works about his Fruit-trees but such persons as have skill and experience in the severall works he sets them about for if he should imploy ignorant and unskilfull men about grafting Inoculating setting and ordering of his young trees they would doe more hurt then good therefore it is necessary his servants and under workmen should have some competent skill and experience in the works about which he imployes them This shadowes out unto us That Proposition shadowed Those who have not the sanctifying spirit and grace of God in them are unfit for the worke of the ministry such bring more prejudice then advantage to the Church of God Ministers of the Gospell they who are so indeed are Gods Husbandmen Co-workers fellow-laborers with God in his Orchards and Gardens his Churches about his spirituall fruit-trees We are laborers together with God 1 Cor. 3.9 Ye are Gods husbandry ye are Gods building I have planted Apollo watred and God have the increase 1 Cor. 3.6 They are imployed by God to open blind eyes and to turne soules from darknesse to light and from the power of Sathan unto God Acts 26.18 God gives them a Command and Commission to preach the Gospell to every creature that is to all mankind to teach all Nations and to Baptize them into the Name of God that is Instrumentally to ingraft soules into Christ to worke grace or holinesse the Nature or Image of God which is baptizing them into the Name of God the Name of God and his Nature being all one Christ and his spirit the efficient cause being in them and with them who sanctifies his people through the washing of water by the word Ephe. 5.26 In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospell 1 Cor. 4.15 Now whom God calls to this great worke he prepares and fits them in some good measure for it he powres his spirit upon them they have an unction from the holy one who teacheth them all things 1 Ioh. 2.20 Their wisdome is from above Iames. 3.17 By this anointing of the spirit men are fitted for the worke of the Ministry but without they are not fit though they have humane learning and parts which are of speciall use and advantage in the Church of God if sanctified yet without the spirit of Christ men are in darknesse and cannot see the things of God 1 Cor. 2.14 They cannot say with the true ministers of Christ who are chosen called and sent the things we have heard and seene declare we unto you 1 Joh. 1.3 Luk 12.3 When God called and sent Moses Samuel Esay Jeremy and the rest of the Prophets he fitted them for the worke The Apostles when called and sent had all a Mouth and wisdome given them Luk. 21.15 That is the spirit this anointing was powred out upon them They were indued with power from on high Luk. 24.49 As Jesus Christ the first Minister of the new Testament was fitted to preach and publish the mind of his father so are his people whom he