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
and Corruptions also of other Natures brake forth from time to time which were a sting to all other Miseries that befell him and which were being improved and strongly set on by Sathan against him grounds and foundations of the most fearfull apprehensions that came into his minde The enemy pleading it against him and that from many grounds of * Such as these Heb. 6.4 It is impossible for these who were once enlightned c. and 2 Pet. 2.20 The later end is worse with them then the beginning Scripture misapplyed that no child of God did ever fall into the like and labouring to perswade him that no one guilty of the like should possibly ever recover out of such a state This was a long and tedious winter in which seldome any sunne or starrs appeared to him and then but dimly and soone clouded againe the soule was for the most part filled with stormes and tempests sad apprehensions of many present evils and feares of more and greater to come upon him The particular passages of which Condition might be related at large were it convenient But the Lord hath said he will not contend for ever neither will he be alwaies wrath lest the spirit faile before him He correcteth in measure At length the sun of righteousnesse began to arise with healing in his wings and to cast some beames of light into his darke soule which increased more and more unto the perfect day As he fell by degrees so by little and little after a time in the use of meanes he was raised up againe and restored to former comforts with great and many additions and advantages The Lord put a new song into his Mouth even praises and thanksgivings unto his God Let the father of mercies and the God of all Comforts be for ever praised for he comforteth those that are cast downe when they cry unto him in their troubles he delivereth them out of their distresse he bringeth them out of darknesse and out of the shaddow of death and breaketh their bonds asunder O that men would therefore praise the Lord for his goodnesse and declare the wonders that he doth for the Children of men Now therefore Seeing that a winter of desertion may come Let Vse 1 us wisely prepare against it by giving all diligence to make our Calling and Election sure 2 Pet. 1.10 To lay up Treasures in heaven Now in the time of plenty to store up against a time of of famine to gather now in Summer against a spending time in Winter Now to gather Evidences and sure grounds of the unchangeable love of God towards us to make sure of our interest in Christ that so we may be able to fight and conquer and to stand in the evill day and having done all to stand Eph. 6.13 This also may comfort all those that are in this case who find Vse 2 that the Sunne is withdrawne and gone a far off Let them in the use of all good meanes wait and tarry the Lords leasure he will certainly come in his time Esay 50.10 Whoso walketh in darknesse and hath no light let him trust in the name of the Lord and stay himselfe upon his God for the Sunne will againe shine forth and refresh such a soule and though comfort and deliverance tarry yet wait for it it will surely come it will not tarry Hab. 2.3 The word and promises and the Experiences of performance to others are sure grounds of hope Esa 54.7 for a small moment have I forsaken thee but with great mercies will I gather thee in a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment but with everlasting kindnesse will I have mercy on thee saith the Lord thy Redeemer The time is at hand when it shall be said to these weather beaten fruit-trees the winter is past the raine is over and gone the Fig-tree putteth forth her greene figgs the Vines with the tender Grape give a good smell Cant. 2.11 13. Then shall they Bud and blossome and bring forth abundance of Fruits pleasant to the husbandman And shall say unto him Let my beloved come into his Garden and eat his pleasant fruits Cant. 4.15 They shall dayly bring forth the fruits of Praise Love and obedience which he will like and accept of The seventh Observation in Nature FRuit-trees that bring forth the fairest and most beautifull blossomes Leaves and shootes they usually bring forth the fewest and least fruits because where Nature is intent and vigorously pressing to doe one worke spending its strength there it is at the same time weak about other workes but distinct and severall works of Nature in moderate and remisse degrees are all promoted at the same time This is another Similitude c whence we learne that Proposition shadowed Generally those persons who are excessive and most curious about the Formes of duties have least of the power of godlinesse There are some who wanting sincerity lay out their thoughts and endeavours about the outside of duties they will be as forward it may be as any about the externall parts of worship who have nothing of the truth of Grace in them Much formality little or no sincerity The Pharises were excessively carefull about the outside of Gods worship Mat. 6.2.5.16 In Preaching Praying fasting giving Almes c. their care was mainly to make cleane the outside to carry things fairly to the world that they might have the praise of men broad Phylacteries long Prayers exactnesse in tithing Mynt Annis Cummin Strictnesse in observing the Sabbath and outward Ceremonies but where was sincerity all this while they had the forme but wanted the power of godlinesse These were but Leaves buds or blossomes but no Fruits they were not profitable to them as to Eternall advantages Mat. 5.20 Except your righteousnesse exceed the righteousnesse of the Scribes and Pharises ye shall in no case enter into the kingdome of heaven So it was among us of late yeares bowing at the Name of Iesus and Communion Table Surplesse Common-Prayer c these and such like were pressed with all eagernesse and strictnesse The body of Religion was large and monstrous but without a scule or if any it was Leane and feeble These kind of persons are like the Indian Fig-tree that Pliny speakes of which had Leaves as broad as Targets but fruits no bigger then a Beane Let every one take heed of this and not suffer their spirits and Vse 1 endeavours to runne out and be spent about things of lesser moment and neglect the greater This is a foule fault among us at this day some men stand more about the formes of worship than about the power of it they looke so much after the way manner and circumstances that they almost loose the substance things which are but as husks or shels to the Kernels or as Leaves in respect of fruits Some others labour more for Gifts then for graces for humane Learning than for holinesse All these are guilty of the
That grace in the hearts of Believers is not suddenly strong Proposition shadowed but strength is gotten by degrees Grace is compar'd to a Grain of Mustardseede which though it be very small yet by degrees it groweth very great Mark. 4.31 It is like a Graine of Mustardseed which when it is sowen in the Earth is lesse then all the seeds that be in the earth vers 32. but when it is sowen it groweth up and becometh greater then all herbs and shooteth out great Branches c. The inclinations and new dispositions which the spirit of God beginneth to worke in the soule they are then but very weake and slender scarce it may be to be perceived but afterwards they are more sensible it is as Corne sowed in the field our Saviour holds it forth by that Similitude Mark. 4.28 which bringeth forth first the blade then the Eare after that the full corne in the Eare. Corne wee know springs up at first very small and slender and scarcely to be distinguished from Grasse so the first springings of Grace in some are so small that they are scarce to be perceived nor are they easily distinguished from Morall vertues The word of God is compar'd to seede Luk. 8.11 the seed is the word c. Now the spirit of God being the efficient Cause or worker As the husbandman casteth seede into his ground which he has prepar'd for that purpose so does the spirit cast or put the word into the heart he causeth it to fasten to take hold and to make impression in the heart and conscience of believers and there he waters it and causeth it to grow he makes it take effect and to worke according to the Nature of the word And of this seede the New man is borne 1 Pet. 1.23 being borne againe not of corruptible seede but of incorruptible by the word of God c. A Child newly borne is not presently a Man but he growes up by little and little God hath Children young men and fathers in his great family the Church believers of severall ages some weake and some strong Vse 1 This being so then the sower harsh doctrine that some men often dispence without due ingredients or distinctions is not according to wisdome laying loads and burthens upon weake shoulders and giving strong meate to Babes defining faith to be a full perswasion of the love of God which is onely applicable to some strong well growne Christians and not to the weake In the discoverie of the Characters of Grace such are often held forth as whereto none attaine but the elder and stronger sort of Believers which are stumbling blocks and grounds of Temptations and doubts to the weaker Paul should be made a Patterne in this case 1 Cor. 3.2 I have fed you with milke and not with meate for hitherto ye were not able to beare it Vse 2 Let not any soule be discouraged though Graces are weake at present they will grow stronger and stronger in the diligent use of all good meanes though thou seemest to be even overturned by Sathans Temptations and thy owne Corruptions frequently yet carry this in thy Mind I shall be stronger And be sure to eye Christ all along having once got a sight of him though thy sight be but weake and dim yet take heed of loosing it and strength will come from Christ often acting of faith upon Christ will increase and strengthen the Principle or habit of faith Though thou art not able to lay fast hold upon Christ with the hand of faith yet if thou canst but touch him as it were but with the little finger of faith vertue will come from him to refresh thy soule Daily study the Promises of the New-Covenant and ye may draw Milke out of those Breasts of Consolation which will feede and strengthen all the Graces 1 Pet. 2.2 As new borne Babes desire the sincere milke of the word that ye may grow thereby But some soules Object against themselves that they doe not grow after long use of the meanes they find little or no growth in Grace It may be Answered sure thou art mistaken for those who often complaine of the want of growth which is their greife and burthen certainely such soules doe grow Their clearer sence and sight of Corruptions with bewailing of them is a plaine Evidence of growth compare what thou findest now with what hath beene aforetime and it will be more visible Fruit trees nor Branches cannot be seene to grow yet compare their breadth and bignesse now with what they were aforetime and their growth will be manifest The foure and twentieth Observation in Nature WEe see by Experience that Grafts do sooner and more generally take hold of the stocke receive sap and life from it in a mild spring when there is calme warme weather gentle showers and now and then some warme gleames of the sunne then they do in a cold spring when there are many Frosts dry harsh East winds such a season keeps back most Grafts and hinders their springing and shooting forth as they would do in calme weather This is another Similitude c. and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Discoveries of the Love of God to soules prepared for Christ does hasten their closing with him When a soule lies under convictions for sin and apprehensions of the wrath of God for it the great thing is then how to make such a soule to close with and lay hold on Christ whereby onely he shall have true peace and so proceede unto growth and bearing fruits Now if such a one live under a harsh Ministry where the Law is frequently thundred out against sinners with little mixture of the Gospell or if he meete with passages in bookes which naturally beget feares or converse with unskilfull friends who through ignorance of such a condition will be apt to censure as Jobs friends lay on more load upon his spirit such a one hereby may be kept a great while from closing with Christ and resting on him by faith Whereas cleare discoveries of the kindnesse and love of God in Christ of readinesse to receive and bid welcome such a one is the most likely meanes to bring the soule to close with Christ When the 3000 were pricked in their hearts at Peters Sermon Acts 2. the Apostle encourages them with good words and assurance of entertainment and acceptance and thereupon they believe and rest on Christ So when the Jayler was struck with terrors Paul immediately encourages him to beleive and he forthwith closeth with Christ Acts 16.31 When a soule is wounded and bruised with the sight of sin and apprehensions of wrath then the soft Oyle or Balme of the Gospell should be powred in Esay 35.4 Say to them that are of a fearefull heart be strong feare not behold your God will come with a Recompence he will come and save you This is the very Office of Christ and his Ministers Esay 61.1 To preach glad tidings to the
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
wast affected with me and we walked closely together but now the case is otherwise what iniquity have ye found in me that ye are gone farre from me have walked after vanity are become vaine as vers 5. thou hast lost thy first Love Rev. 2.4 God is sometimes necessitated as we may say to take away and deprive his people of Priviledges and good things that so by a sence of the want of them they may be brought to see their unthankfulnesse and take more notice of them and prize them more when they are restored The experience of Christians make this too evident Vse 1 The consideration of this should humble us and make us greatly ashamed seeing that many kindnesses from God many acts of his Love will not draw and fasten our hearts to himselfe but that they grow cold and sluggish under the richest enjoyments Let us often reflect upon it and loath our selves for this unanswerable frame of spirit towards God men cannot beare unthankfulnesse or slighting without withdrawing the manifestations of their love Now such as cannot out of an ingenuous Principle returne love for love to God yet let the feare of loosing enjoyments make such persons value and prize them Vse 2 Secondly this hatefull frame of spirit of neglecting or undervaluing precious things from God should make us long for the state of glory when the soule will be in a constant frame frame of fervent love to God and be as much affected with enjoyments after thousands millions of yeares as at the first The nine and twentieth Observation in Nature ALL the sâ—p and nourishment that the branches of a Tree have they receive it from the Roote the boughes and branches have not one jot of sap but what arises from the Roote there would not be one Bud or blossome or shoote or leafe or fruit upon the Tree if the Roote did not give up sap to nourish and maintaine them This shadowes out unto us That Our life growth strength and all our spirituall Acts Proposition shadowed are from Christ Christ is the Roote and stock of everie believer and all spirituall life and habituall grace is from him and not only the seede habits and principles of grace but also all the workings and actings of grace are from him as at first wee were starke dead in sinnes and trespasses untill he gave us life so being quickned by the sonne who quickneth whom he will we cannot grow nor act but by influences from him 2 Cor. 3.5 We are not sufficient of our selves to think any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God A good thought is the least and lowest act of grace and yet that we cannot doe of our selves good thoughts and desires are as Buds or Blossomes upon a tree which shew themselves before the fruits Now if trees cannot bud of themselves how much lesse can they bring forth fruits Which also our Saviour plainely tels his disciples Jo. 15.5 Without me ye can doe nothing Hee doth not say without me ye cannot doe any great thing but nothing at all And Hosea 14.8 from me is thy fruit found The Spirit of Christ is the spring and Roote of all our spirituall life it is the strength and power of the soule in believers Acts 1.8 Ye shall receive power when the Holy Ghost is come upon you Paul ascribes his life and power to Act all to Christ Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the sonne of God And Phil. 4.13 I can doe all things saith he but it is through Christ that strengtheneth me Vse 1 From hence believers some more especially of more eminent parts and gifts may see cause and reason to take shame unto themselves who having performed any duties or done any thing according to the mind of Christ are ready to take the glory to themselves and thinke too well of themselves O this is a generall corruption an accursed thing in the mid'st of us this secretly workes more or lesse in every heart but in some is more apparent to themselves and others although it may be these kind of workings of heart declare not themselves plainely nor arise not up in the soule to cleare and positive assertions shewing themselves in their owne colours and proper natures yet they may be discerned to be in the heart by their fruits effects and consequences which spirituall eyes discerne in themselves and others Vse 2 Let this teach us to have an eye upon Christ in all wee doe and take heed of going about to act in our owne strength either in performance of duties or mortifying Corruptions Believers generally have recourse to Christ in reference to their salvation and deliverance from sin wrath and hell but doubtlesse there is ignorance of this point in many and a great neglect in most in respect of eying Christ and drawing vertue from him by faith as to particular actings all along in their lives were we but well instructed in this point and did but practise accordingly even to looke unto Christ with the eye of faith to fetch life strength quickning and all things needefull wee might then dye more unto sin Acts 1.8 and live more unto God and might find our selves strengthned with might in the inner man by his glorious power even the spirit of Christ Col. 1.11 which worketh in his people mightily vers 19. Vse 3 Seeing all is from Christ let therefore all be unto Christ give the glory to him seeing the life and power to Act is from him This is a thing of most speciall concernment and to be noted by every believer that as we doe all in the strength of Christ who is the efficient cause of all the good we doe so also we should doe all unto Christ as the finall Cause unto whom and for whom we doe all These two speciall things the Apostle laies downe in one verse Phil. 1.11 He prayes that they may abound in love and be filled with the fruits of righteousnesse which are by Iesus Christ unto the glory and praise of God It is the property of hypocrites temporary believers to act in their owne strength Gifts and parts and for themselves their eye is secretly upon themselves Hos 10.1 These are empty Vines they bring forth fruit to themselves their fruit is as good as no fruit because for themselves but trees of the Lords planting bring forth fruit that he may be glorified Esay 61.3 and Rom. 7.4 That we should bring forth fruit unto God The thirtieth Observation in Nature FRuit-trees that spread much and grow low neere the ground such most commonly bring forth more and larger fruits then high Trees that aspire up into the Aire some Reasons may be given for it See Lo. Ba. Nat. Hist This shadowes out unto us That Humble Christians bring forth farre more and fairer fruits Proposition shadowed then such whose spirits are
will perfect it Phil. 1.6 The two and fourtieth Observatioo in Nature THose fruit-trees about which the husbandman tryes his skill most and about which he takes most paines if these are barren or bring forth naughty fruits they discredit him more then many others This shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed That God hath more dishonour by the sinnes of Professours than by the sins of others Persons who have interest in and relation one to another bring dishonour or Reputation one upon another according as they walke a man is commonly judg'd according to his associats or Companions soe doe the waies of the people of God or those who professe themselves to be so reflect upon God either for his honour or dishonour The sin of Elies sonnes brought more dishonour to God than the sinnes of many others because of their Relation to God in respect of their Office They made even the Offerings of the Lord to to be abhorred 2 Sam. 12.14 Many Professours through their Pride earthly-mindednesse and other offensive walking bring a reproach upon the Profession of Religion and consequently upon God himselfe Rom. 2.24 The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you When the enemies of God fee Professours walke scandalously and behave themselves unanswerable to their profession these things reflect even upon God James 2.7 do not they blaspheme that worthie name by which ye are called like as the heathen did of old Ezek. 36.20 They profaned my holy name when they said to them these are the people of the Lord which are come out of his Land Even so now some say in scorne of Professors when they walk contrary to the Gospell These are the people of the Lord these are the saints the Brethren c. And hereby they profane and blaspheme the name of God and bring reproach upon his waies and his Gospell By reason of whom the way of truth shall be evill spoken of 2 Pet. 2.2 M Boulton saies That a dissolute Minister is a thousand times more pernitious than an hundred private men though practising villany in the highest degree So also in some proportion it may be said of any that make profession of the Gospell Vse 1 We may herein see the cause why God sometimes dealeth so sharply with his own people Eli David Solomon c. though eminently in the favour of God yet he punished their offences with the Rod and their iniquity with scourges which made them and their posterity smart for many generations after Vse 2 O let this move every one that nameth the name of Jesus to depart from iniquity every one that professeth the Gospell to be tender of the name of God to walk warily and circumspectly very many Professors give Offence and scandall by those two grand accursed Lusts of Pride and Earthly-mindednesse As their gifts and some outward advantages increase so usually Pride increaseth and discovers it selfe And as this filthy venomus Plant growes and increaseth in the soule it much hinders and keepes downe the Plants of grace where they are so that they become poore and feeble And as for Earthly-mindednesse which the Apostle calls Idolatry and the Roote of all evill Coll. 3.5 It is of all things most unbecoming those that professe to have their Treasure and inheritance in heaven O what a dishonour is this unto Jesus Christ as though there were not enough to be had out of the fulnesse of Christ to satisfy the soules of his people but they must come for supplyes to Creatures Out of all doubt those soules where this Lust prevailes have little or no Communion with God let them pretend what they will for love of the world is as a holy man saies the very Canker and Cut-throte of all heavenly-mindednesse So that proud earthly-minded Professors shame the Gospell and dishonour God more than others The three and fortieth Observation in Nature IF fruit-trees are Ingrafted while they are very young the worke is soone done and is scarse perceived afterwards whether it be ingrafted or no otherwise then by the fruits But if the worke be delay'd untill the trees are growen great and strong then the worke is more difficult and manifest afterwards not only by the fruits but also by some visible and apparent marks upon the tree This shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed See Obser 60. and 62. Jer. 1.5 1 Sam. 3.19 1 Kin. 18.12 2 Tim. 3.15 That Conversion in youth is not so apparent as in elder yeares Some are called the first houre of the day and some the third some the sixt and some the last houre Mat. 20.1 2. Some are sanctified from the womb some early in their youth others after many yeares Now for those in whom the spirit of God beginnes to worke by meanes of Religious education in Child-hood and youth when they come to yeares they are usually subject to doubtings and feares about their spirituall condition more than others when they heare reade of some who have gone through straits and difficulties feares and terrors in their New-birth and cannot speak of any such thing out of their own experience This is usually a ground through their own weaknesse and Sathans subtilety of questioning their Estates Because the work of grace in these is begunne insensibly and growes up by degrees hardly to be perceived Mark 4.27 It springs up and growes they know not how But such as are converted after many yeares of living in a carnal unregenerate state these are converted with greater difficulty and more remarkably one contrary discovers and sets off another clearely and a sudden change of states makes the thing more manifest Any works that have small and weake beginnings and that go on but slowly and by degrees these make no noise are scarse perceived But works that have violent beginnings and are carried on with power and speede these awaken every mans observation The Jaylors Conversion was remarkable because there was a speedy change wrought from one state to another Act. 16. So also the Conversion of S. Paul was a manifest change Act. 9. The like of many others as both Scripture and experience shew us Vse 1 This may help to satisfy those who question their Conversion chiefly upon this ground for that they cannot declare as some others can how where and when they were first wrought upon who yet are certainly ingrafted into thē Stock Jesus Christ The spirit its likely beganne early with them and cast seed into their minds while they were but of tender yeares which grew up they knew not how as our Saviour saies Mark 4.27 The husbandman bended the Twig while it was young and tender and engrafted it and pruned and ordered it unto a comely Tree and made it fruitfull And the work then was done with more ease and lesse observation then it is usually afterwards Such as these must Labour to satisfy themselves and make their Calling and Election sure chiefly by trying of their fruits examining them by
in others Atoms or Moses appeare in the Beames of the sunne but not in a dimme light Seeing we have three great enemies to encounter with this Vse 2 should make us to put on the whole Armour of God and to stand upon our Guard and watch against them The sixtieth Observation in Nature GRafts before they are joyned to the stock must endure ordinarily many difficulties under the hand of the Husbandman ai cutting off from the Tree lying by for a time it may be severall weeks or months after that cutting to the pith or heart with a sharp knife c. See Observ 62. This is another Similitude of the dare of Mysticall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That the people of God in their Conversion for the most part go through many straights Proposition shadowed and difficulties Those whom God intends to Ingraft into Christ the spirit first convinceth them of sin he inlightens their understandings to see where and in what case they are by Nature and of their utter inability to help themselves out of it And by degrees cuts them off from all things in themselves Their Reason wisdome skill Learning Gifts all their duties and performances all their own righteousnesse all put together is but as vanity and emptinesse there 's nothing in any thing of their own to help them or do them good so that the spirit becomes a spirit of bondage to them for a time letting them see nothing but terror and sad sights A strict Law or Covenant of works binding them over to Justice and wrath eternall death So that hereby they are cut to the heart and are put upon enquiring and seeking which way to get out of this Case Acts 2.37 what shall we doe Some are kept longer under feares and terrors and are cast lower than others they are brought in such a condition as that they will be glad to receive Christ upon any Conditions then the spirit of God opens their eyes to see a way out of their miseries then he holds forth Christ unto them in the tenders of the Gospell Oh how glad is such a soule to receive Christ upon any tearms upon any tearmes in the world Then the soule longs and hungers and thirsts to be satisfied with Christ and accompts all things but as dung and drosse in comparison of him Then the spirit of God leads the soule as by the hand to lay hold upon Christ to close with him and by little and little works a perswasion in the heart that Christ is his and that he is Christs upon the Accompt of that new pretious sure Covenant of grace in which are all the glorious sweete promises of the Gospell included Let Professours try themselves whether ever they found the Vse 1 case to be thus with them before they had a perswasion of the love of God least they deceive themselves Many build their house upon the sands against which when the Raine and the winds and floods beate when Temptations arise it will fall Mat. 7.27 Yet it is not with all alike in their coming to Christ some close with him upon easier tearms than some others howsoever in all that come to Christ there must be a sense and sight of their misery by sin as they are under the Covenant of works and their great neede of Christ to deliver them from it and thereupon a desire to rest upon him by faith for Justification and acceptance with God through him Of this see more at large Observation in Nature 25. The sixtie one Observation in Nature THe Husbandman upon occasion praises and commends his fruit-trees when they beare many and good fruits some for one property and some for another Proposition shadowed This shadowes out to us That When the people of God bring forth good fruits God himselfe doth praise and commend them The Lord takes pleasure in his people passing by their infirmities and taking notice of what is good in them It was a very high commendation that God gave of Abraham Gen. 18.19 I know him that he will command his Children and his household after him and they shall keepe the way of the Lord. God tooke notice of the good fruits that Phynehas brought forth and commends him and rewards him Numb 15.11.12 c. in that he was zealous for his God He said of David That he was a man after his owne heart So of Moses Num. 12.7 My servant Moses is faithfull in all mine house And Nathaniel Joh. 1.47 Behold an Israelite indeede in whom there is no guile Particulers neede not be multiplied one or two scriptures may serve for more Rom. 2.29 Their praise is not of men but of God and 2 Cor. 10.18 Not he that commendeth himselfe is approved but he that the Lord commendeth This is much for the comfort Vse and encouragement of all that are upright in heart God will commend such Though it may be their fruits are none of the fairest on the outside in the eyes of men they have not bulke nor shape nor colour to commend them unto men yet being well tasted savoury fruits having the Relish of truth sincerity Love and right ends the husbandman likes them well and will commend them even before men and Angels Matth. 25.24 Well done thou good and faithfull servant thou hast beene faithfull over a few things c. enter thou into the joy of thy Lord so againe vers 23. The sixtie two Observation in Nature THere is a great change wrought upon fruit-trees by Engrafting Before they brought forth sower and naughty fruits See Observ 43. and 60. but now pleasant This is another Similitude c. and shadows out unto us this Proposition That persons by Regeneration have a great Change wrought in them Propesition shadowed All by Nature bring forth bitter and naughty fruits sower Grapes Grapes of Gall their clusters are bitter And there is noe way possibly to bring them to beare good fruits but by engrafting them into Jesus Christ Now Regeneration or implanting into Christ works a great change throughout the whole man upon all the faculties of the soule and in Conversation The understanding which before was darke and ignorant of spirituall things then becomes by litttle and little inlightned and apprehensive of spirituall things Heb. 10.32 after ye were illuminated c The will which before was crosse and stubborne opposing the will of God becomes in some measure obedient and inclining to what is of God and to affect spirituall things as spirituall for themselves The affections which before implanting into Christ were cold and dead towards Christ and the things of God then have heat and life in them they stirre and move after spirituall things Vnregenerate persons cannot see nor judge of spirituall things no more than of visible outward objects without light but when the worke of grace comes into the soule then light shines there Ephes 5.8 Ye were sometimes darknesse but are now light in the Lord
satisfied with age Ps 91.16 Seeing our lives are so uncertaine and that wee know not when Vse 1 our Lord will come Mark 13.35 Whether in the evening or at midnight or at the dawning of the day we should therefore be alwaies ready that is to be sure that we have an interest in Christ without which there can be no preparation for death This shewes the desperate estate of all unregenerate persons they are in danger every moment of a sudden destruction and Vse 2 many times it comes in the height and fulnesse of their outward prosperity as with Herod upon the Throne of his glory Belshazzar in the midst of his feast Dan. 5.6 Haman at the Banquet of wine in his glory Hester 7.10 I have seen saith David the wicked in great power and spreading himselfe like a greene Bay-tree c. But how quickly was he gon Psal 37.35 Hence we should be stirred up to bring forth good and profitable Vse 3 fruits that so the husbandman may take care of us and nourish and prune and order his fruit-trees for many yeares according to his promise Prov. 10.27 My sonne keepe my Commandements for length of daies and long life and peace shall they adde to thee especially let us attend to the works of our generation according to the pointing out of the word and hand of providence The seventy fourth Observation in Nature WE see by experience that what kinds of seeds of fruit-trees wee sow in our Nurseries such will be the trees and consequently the fruits of those trees if the seed be good the trees and fruits will be so also if the seed be naught so will be the trees and fruits the seed containes in it the forme of the trees and fruits This is another Similitude of the state of spirituall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed According to mens Principles such are their actings and their rewards according to both Originall sin corruption of Nature is the seede that lies in the soule of all mankind which naturally springs up and growes like a plant or tree higher and larger and stronger every day branching it selfe and breaking forth in thoughts words and works now according to the Nature of this seede or these branches or trees such will be the fruits Jer. 6.19 Behold I will bring evill upon this people even the fruit of their thoughts we see what those fruits were in the following words even perishing and destruction Also Jer. 32.19 Thine eyes are upon all the waies of the sonnes of men to give everie one according to his waies and according to the fruit of his doings And againe Hos 10.13 Ye have prolonged wickednesse ye have reaped iniquity ye have eaten the fruit of lies and what the fruit was we see in the following verses dashing in peeces and utter destruction So also on the other side the seed or principles of grace in the soule springs up and growes like a tree into a body boughes and branches which bring forth good and pleasant fruits whereof we may eat not only in this life but also to all Eternity This seede springs up and branches it selfe into thoughts words actings multitudes of-waies in our conversations a wholsome tongue is a tree of life Prov. 15.3 The fruit of this Tree in Prayer Praises c. hath a sweete and acceptable tast in the account of the husbandman So also is it pleasant unto men Prov. 25.11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of Gold in pictures of silver All sorts of spirituall seede brings forth answerable fruits Gal. 6.8 He that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life everlasting The spirit of God and the habits of grace in the soule continually spring up and bring forth good fruits persons in whom these dwell act according to their Natures and fruits and rewards are accordingly dispensed Rom. 6.22 Ye have your fruit unto holinesse and the end everlasting life These things being so they call aloud to every unregenerate Vse 1 person to breake off their sinnes by Repentance thereby to cut off all the boughes and branches that spring from the seed and roote of corrupt Nature otherwise they will certainly bring forth poysonous and deadly fruits whereof they shall eat and drinke to all eternity Rom. 7.5 The motions of sin which were by the Law did worke in our Members to bring forth fruit unto death Naturall men cannot act any thing that 's good because ther 's no good seede no spirituall principles therefore it necessarily followes their fruit will be bitter Gal. 5.7 Be not deceived God is not mocked for whatsoever a man sowes that shall he also reape he that seweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption The fruit the reward is perdition eternall misery They shall eat the fruit of their owne way Prov. 1.31 so also Job 4.8 and Prov. 22.8 Men may as rationally expect pleasant Apples from Crab-seede or good wheat from Tare seede as comfort or happinesse from coâ—rupt Principles This Proposition is a ground of unspeakable comfort and encouragement Vse 2 unto all that feare God they have a seede within them 1 Joh. 3.9 his seed remaineth in him that is the vigour the workings the efficacy of the spirit Principles and habits of grace the word of God these remaine in believers which spring up grow and bring forth fruit to eternall life the fruit is according to the seede their reward according to their Principles and actings Gal. 6.8 He that now goes on his way weeping and beareth good seede shall doubtlesse come againe with joy bringing his sheaves with him Psalm 126.6 Ther 's an Emphasis in the word doubtlesse out of all question nothing more certaine we shall reap in due time if we faint not Gal. 6.9 And that we may not faint let us often make use of these cordiall promises already mentioned with this and the like wrought downe to us from the hand of God Esay 3.10 say ye to the righteous it shall goe well with them for they shall eat the fruit of their doings The seventie fifth Observation in Nature Of this see at large Obser 64. FRuit-trees are profitable many waies in the wood and boughes pruned off to burne also for Ioyners and other Tradesmen the boughes and blossomes adorne the house in the spring their odor is refreshing to the spirits and their coole shade in the heat of summer but especially profitable in their fruits whereof we eat and drink all the year long This is another Similitude and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed Spirituall Fruit-trees ingrafted into Christ are many waies profitable in their Generations Such as fear God will certainly follow some profitable course of life some lawfull calling or labour either of body or mind or both whereby they may advantage themselves and others They are also profitable in many spirituall respects by discourse reproofe counsell and admonition by Prayer Preaching
with his people Secondly By looking into the particular state of their people they may speake more sutably and seasonably to them when they know their particular Lusts and corruptions their Temptations Cases doubts c. their degrees of knowledg and other graces they may then apply the word more properly and effectually than otherwise they can upon all occasions As Physitians when they have enquired into and know the state of their Patients may administer Physicke more effectually than otherwise they can So Though Ministers may speake many good things generall truthes according to the Scriptures yet they may be and are many times very much besides the particular cases and present concernments of many or most of their hearers as not knowing their particular states Use 1 By what hath beene said it is manifest that some Ministers of the Gospell even good men do but the one a See Observ 84. halfe or but a part of their work They preach the Gospell but they looke not they enquire not into the state of their people To preach the word is not to performe the Office of an Overseer nor to follow the Example of the Apostle Paul shewed in all those places afore mentioned who laid out himselfe with diligence to know the state of the people in every place where he had preached But many thinke it sufficient to be diligent in their studies composing of Sermons to preach in publique laying out their time and strength that way but greatly neglecting this other duty of enquiring and looking into the particular state of soules and applying themselves thereunto accordingly I speake it upon knowledge and experience with griefe of heart and indignation against the grosse neglects of some in this matter who have beene so farre from enquiring after the state of others as that when poore soules have come to them to acquaint them with their doubts feares and troubles of spirit they have neglected them and given them a very slight answere and sent them away much more burdned than before which opportunities they should most gladly have imbraced and have been very tender of such wounded sick and weary soules and have come and sent often to them and taken care of them as a Nurse cherisheth her Children Vse 2 Let us blesse God notwithstanding so many seeke their owne things and neglect the things of Jesus Christ Phil. 2.21 that yet we have some Paul's Timothies among us who lay out themselves diligently to looke into the particular state of soules and naturally take care for their welfare These are wise and skilfull Physitians of soules and know how to apply sutable and seasonable things to them whereas those that neglect this duty are but as Emperique Physitians who have but only some few generall notions which they apply in all Cases Let such therefore who are diligent in this worke be encouraged to go on as faithfull and wise stewards to give every one his portion in due season and they shall in due time receive a great Reward Lu. 12.44 even when the cheife Shepheard shall appeare they shall receive a Crown of glory that fadeth not away 1 Pet. 5.4 The ninetie second Observation in Nature THe husbandman values and approves most of those Trees and fruits that are most for his purpose most proper for his designe and end that he hath in his eye admit his great designe be to make wine of the fruits Cyder Perry c. then he likes those best that are fittest for that use Or if his designe be to transport them into other parts for sale then he approves most of good hard lasting fruits c. He had rather loose divers trees of other kinds than one of those which beare fruits sutable to his great end and designe This shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed That God discovereth a speciall care of and love unto those of his people whose Judgments and waies concurre with his great designes in their generation In every generation God is carrying on some particular and speciall designe or other and some of his people help on the worke more than others some rather hinder it they preach and pray and act against it through ignorance of it being darkned with some lusts or worldly interests Now though God cannot forsake any of his people though they oppose him yet they shall loose by it they shall have lesse of God than others whose Judgments and waies concurre with God in his designes Such of the people of God as are active for and with God in his designes they shall have speciall distinguishing care and love shewed towards them which others who neglect the worke of God or oppose it shall not find Nay such are in danger not only of losse but also of some visible testimonies of Gods displeasure towards them Such who fall in with Gods speciall designe in their generation shall find speciall grace kindnesse from God such distinguishing love Daniel found when he prayed and labored so earnestly for the restoring and enlargement of the Church then in Captivity Dan. 9. which was Gods great designe then in that generation he found skill and wisdome and understanding which others had not the care and love of God was eminently discovered towards him even to a miracle in preserving him in the Lyons den and an Angell was sent as a messenger from God to tell him he was a man greatly beloved Chap. 10.11 What speciall care and love did God manifest towards Moses who was eminently instrumentall for God in his generation in gods designe of bringing Israel out of Egipt and carrying them to Canaan Moses had peculiar honour above others of Gods people yea above other Prophets in his time Numb 12.6 7 8. If there be a Prophet among you I the Lord will make my selfe knowne unto him in a vision and will speake unto him in a dreame My servant Moses is not so who is faithfull in all my house with him will I speake mouth to mouth even apparently and not in darke speeches and the Similitude of the Lord shall he behold Caleb and Joshua who followed the Lord closesy and constantly in his designe which was the worke of their generation of setting Israel in the promised Land what distinguishing respect honour and love had they above others The Lord himselfe gave a testimony of them that they wholly followed him Numb 32.12 they possessed that good land when others who would not believe nor act for God in the worke of that generation were cut off Other proofes and instances might be brought Now the reasons hereof God gives out distinguishing mercy to his people that joyne with him in his great worke because thereby they most please him and honour him and give the greatest evidence of their love to him that can be God will reward the obedience of his people in the least and lowest duties they shall not kindle a fire on his altar in vaine nor give a Cup of cold water nor
Cordials seasonably He is a God of Iudgment and Wisdome and he waits to be gratious Esay 30.18 He taries the time stayes till the fittest time waites for the oportunity the season to give in a mercy when it may be with most advantage to his owne glory and the good of his people As God staies till the fittest time for the punishment of wicked men when he may do it most to the glory of his Iustice so also in the dispensations of grace and mercy to his people God tarries till men have filled up the measure of their sin Gen. 15.16 The iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full And God indures with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction Rom. 9.22 so also he waits till his people be fitted for such or such a mercy as he intends to give till some corruption be more mortified and subdued and till grace have attained more strength till grace have beene tryed and thereby beene improved and increased when the soule is prepared and the season come then also the mercy will come Hab. 2.3 it will surely come it will not tarry Israels deliverance out of Egypt as a type of other mercies and deliverances to the Church and people of God in after ages it was at an appointed time and fittest time when the people were best prepared for such a dispensation Exod. 12.41 the selfe same day it came to passe So also God dealeth with others of his people according to that of the Prophet Psalm 102.13 Thou shalt arise and have mercy upon Syon for the time to favour her yea the set time is come God observes the fittest time the season in his dispensations towards his people that thereby he may lay a ground for the advantage of his owne glory for the clearer manifestation of his glorious Attributes Mercy Justice wisdome power goodnesse c. And secondly because hereby wee are the more clearely convinced of what is done and are more taken more affected with it it makes the deeper impression is set on the more strongly and a mercy in season ingages the heart more firmely and fully than otherwise it would do Peter was not delivered out of Prison at first so soone as the Church prayed for him but God chose a peculiar season even the very night before Herod intended to bring him forth to execution Acts 12. God made Hanna to wait long for a mercy yea God himselfe waited to be gratious to her at the fittest time when she was in extraordinary bitterne of spirit God gave her her hearts desire a Child of Vse 1 many Prayers and so of many mercies Hence we should learne to magnify the riches of the wisdome and grace of God towards us who not only bestowes good things upon Vse 2 us but his care is also to give them in the fittest time Doth God waite on us to dispense mercies for our best advantage and shall not we waite on God shall not we be content to tarry the Lords leasure which is alwaies the fittest time for the fulfilling of his promises and our prayers as the Prophet encourageth Vse 3 us Psalm 27.14 Wait on the Lord be of good courage and he shall strengthen thine heart wait I say on the Lord. Is God seasonable in all his dispensations towards us let us then labour to be seasonable in bringing forth fruit unto him and one towards another It is true we should beare good fruits continually but yet there are some especiall times some seasons opportunities which are advantages in our actings for God our selves and others these a Christian should watch for and wisely mannage The ninetie seventh Observation in Nature THe Roote of a tree communicates and gives up sap to all the Branches one as well as another to the smalest as well as to the greatest the least branch or Twig upon the Tree yea the least bud upon the least branch hath as constant and reall a supply of sap from the roote as the greatest bough or branch upon the Tree This shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed That Jesus Christ gives forth as constant a supply of all grace to the meanest of his people as to those who are most eminent Christ takes care of all his people he will not loose or neglect the least member John 17.12 Those that thou gavest me I have kept and none of them is lost He praies for them all Iohn 17.21 That they all may be one as thou father art in me and I in thee c. He provides milke for babes as well as strong meate for such as are better growne 1 Cor. 3.2 And chargeth Peter againe and againe as he would shew his love to him to feede his Lambs and his Sheepe Iohn 21.15 16 17. He gives a charge to all that they take heed that they offend not nor despise one of his little ones Matth. 18.10 He is the good and carefull Shepheard that takes care of all his sheep and feeds them Iohn 10. He carries the Lambs in his bosome and gently leadeth such as are young Esay 40.11 not one of his little ones shall perish Matth. 18.14 And as he writs unto the elder and stronger Christians the fathers and young men so also to his little Children 1 John 2.12 13. c. He takes care of all and communicates grace and supplyes to all to the meanest and weakest as well as the strongest Yea and rewards all that shew good will though the smalest kindnesse to the least of his Members as if they had donne it to himselfe Matth. 25.40 Verily I say unto you in as much as ye have done it unto the least of these my brethren yee have done it unto me Vse 1 This magnifies the riches of the free grace and love of Jesus Christ towards his people who though he be exalted on high and set at the right hand of God farre above all Principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named not only in this world but also in the world to come Ephe. 1.21 yet he remembers his people even every one of them as well the least and meanest as the strongest and most eminent of them as well the Lambs little Children and babes as strong men and fathers and communicates of his fulnesse grace for grace as well to one as to another in their measure as really as the Roote does sap to all the branches small and great Vse 2 This is a ground of strong and lasting consolation to all weake believers who are still under doubts and feares by reason of their weaknesse let such know and consider that Christ upholds them though they are but small and weake twigs or branches being united to the stock or Roote the same nourishes them and gives up by his spirit sure and constant supplies of sap and life unto them whereby they live and grow and beare fruit some more some sesse as really as the greatest branches His love is to one as