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
Discoveries of the love of God to soules prepared for Christ does hasten their closing with him p. 51. 25. A sinners repentance and closing with Christ causeth joy both in Heaven and Earth p. 54. 26. There is a sweet fellowship and communion betweene God and his people God delights in them and they delight in him p. 56. 27. Who or whatsoever hinders the enlargment of the Church of God he will certainly and sometimes with great anger take out of the way p. 60. 28. The constant enjoyment of the best things from God through corruptions makes them lesse noted and esteemed p. 63. 29. Our life growth strength and all our spirituall Acts are from Christ p. 65. 30. Humble Christians bring forth farre more and fairer fruits than such whose spirits are lifted up p. 67. 31. Jesus Christ and his people though multitudes of distinct persons are so united as that they make but one body p. 69. 32. As we have our life and all from Christ so we are continually receiving new supplies from him but can adde nothing to his infinite perfections p. 71. 33. The dispensations of God towards his Church are contrary to the judgments of most people in the world p. 73. 34. Those who have not the Sanctifying Spirit and grace of God in them are unfit for the work of the Ministry such bring more prejudice than advantage to the Church of God p. 76. 35. None but engrafted Trees grow in Gods Orchard the Church pag. 83. 36. Those fruits of spirituall fruit-trees which are harsh sharp and bitter are for the most part more profitable than such as are mild and pleasant p. 84. 37. Those persons are not like to bring forth good fruits in old age who labour not for them in the time of youth p. 86. 38. Those who do not act for God they act against him p. 87. 39. God expects greater returnes of duty from some persons than from some others and neglect thereof provokes God against them p. 88. 40. It is not the multitude nor exactnesse of performance of duties that God accepts unlesse there be sincerity and right ends in doing thereof p. 90. 41. The smalest measure of true grace in any person can never be extinguished but will certainly grow up to perfection p. 92. 42. God hath more dishonour by the sinnes of Professors than by the sinnes of others p. 93. 43. Conversion in youth is not so apparent as in elder yeares p. 95. 44. The great persons in the world who are in Christ are but few in number in respect of the meaner sort p. 96. 45. Although beleivers are shaken by the winds of temptations yet they cannot be overturned because they are fixed upon Christ p. 97. 46. Sinfull thoughts and motions in the soule are most easily supprest at their first rising p. 98. 47. The instructions of one Godly person sometimes are effectuall by the Spirit to the implanting of many into Christ p. 99. 48. Persons ingrafted into Christ do naturally bring forth good fruits p. â—â— 49. There are but a few Godly persons in the world in comparis of the number of the wicked p. 102. 50. The works of formall Hypocrites are in many things very like the works of true Christians pag. 103. 51. Some Persons are wrought upon in part in some things like to those that are ingrafted into Christ who yet never attaine to be really united to him pag. 104. 52. The meanest person in Christ brings forth better fruits than the most accomplisht unregenerate person in the world pag. 105. 53. Christ is continually ready to communicate strength and refreshings to his people and all defects thereof are from themselves pag. 106. 54. By diligent use of the meanes of Grace Christians attaine great advantages with through neglect or slight using meanes would be lost pag. 108. 55. Frequent Acts in things Good or Evill beget Habits and make all such works easy to us pag. 111. 56. Afflictions and whatsoever befalls the People of God the same works advantage to them pag. 113. 57. God for the most part useth meanes and ordinary men and meanes for effecting of the greatest works in the world pag. 114 58. The Prayers Sermons Writings Discourse and Works of some Godly men are much more spirituall than of some others pag. 118. 59. Regenerated persons have three great enemies one inward and two outward the Flesh the World and the Devill pag. 119. 60. The people of God in their conversion for the most part goe through many straits and difficulties pag. 121. 61. When the People of God bring forth good fruits God himselfe doth praise and commend them pag. 122. 62. Persons by Regeneration have a great change wrought in them pag. 123. 63. The severall Gifts and Graces in believers are wrought by the same spirit pag. 125. 64. There are exceeding many and great profits and pleasures found in the Church of God pag. 126. 65. The Church of God is encompassed and preserved by God himselfe pag. 129. 66. When God doth purge a Nation or place from persons and things that are offensive to him and brings in his people and worship â—â—ad thereof this is an evident token that God intends to dwell there pag. 130. 67. The free love and care of God is as much towards his people in the meanest outward condition as towards those who are most eminent in the world pag. 136. 68. Believers who daily walke with God having the light of his countenance and constant communion with him such are abundantly fruitfull pag. 138. 69. God doth not only engraft his people into Christ but orders them in all other respects also to make them abundantly fruitfull pag. 140. 70. The graces of believers increase daily in strength wherby they are more and more able to resist spirituall enemies pag. 142. 71. Many persons of a low ranke and but of despised parts doe yet bring forth more profitable fruits than many others eminent in gifts and outward respects pag. 144 72. God will not allow an idle person but expects every one should be profitable in his place pag. 146. 73. The life of man is very uncertaine some die in Childhood others in youth others in old age and in the roome of these others arise pag. 148. 74. According to mens Principles such are their actings and their reward according to both pag. 149. 75. Spirituall fruit-trees ingrafted into Christ are many waies profitable in their generations pag. 152. 76. The most spirituall actings of believers tast of corrupt nature which notwithstanding are acceptable unto God pag. 154. 77. There is a continuall combate betweene Grace and Nature in every regenerate person but grace prevailes pag. 155. 78. Some believers are by advantages more fruitfull than others and at some more than at other times pag. 156 79. God beares with the failings and imperfections of his people and is ever ready to take notice of and commend the good that is in them pag. 158. 80. Trees of the Lords planting
Now let it be considered What infinite advantages arise to a Christian by Early beginnings and setting forward in the waies of God betime the Priviledges are exceeding great and many These things may be great Encouragements to all young Plants to labour for them The sixt Observation in Nature WE know at the end of Sommer the sunnes influences being withdrawne in a great measure Fruit-trees cease growing their fruits and Leaves fall off and decay during the time of winter are shaken with winds pinched with Frosts and cold weather seeme to those that cannot well judg of them to be even as dead which yet when the spring of the yeare comes the spirit and sap that is naturally existing in them all winter is refreshed againe by the heat of the sunne that then approaches the branches againe begin to bud and by new supplies from the Roote grow forth and bare store of wholsome fruits This is another Similitude and shadowes out unto us this Proposition VVhich also concurres with the word and experience That When the spirit of God withdrawes Proposition shadowed then mysticall fruit-trees cease growing their leaves and Fruits fall and they indure sore conflicts for a time but at the returne of the spirit they are restored to former comforts with advantage As the sun is the efficient cause of life and growth in naturall fruit trees and all Vegetables so is the spirit of God the efficient cause of motion and growth in all spirituall fruit-trees while the spirit is sensibly present and works in the soule there is motion growth budding blossoming and bearing fruits but when the spirit withholds and withdrawes when this sunne goes afar off as to his sensible workings and effects and hides his face then the fruit-trees are at a stand and have no power in themselves to grow or beare fruits The Lord is a Sun unto his people Ps 84.11 and the face of this sun is sometimes clouded and hid from them and is as if he were afar off Esa 54.7 For a small moment have I hid my face The Church complaines in the time of this spirituall winter Cant. 5.6 My beloved had withdrawne himselfe and was gone VVhen this Sun is afar off and clouded then followes a dark and gloomy time Lam. 3.1 I am the man that have seen affliction by the rod of his wrath he hath led me and brought me into darknesse and not into light I remembred God and was troubled I complained and my spirit was overwhelmed Ps 88.16 Thy fierce wrath goeth over me thy terrors have cut me off Ps 38.8 The Church in this long and sharp winter the sun being a far off complaineth bitterly and is almost in dispaire Esay 49.14 This is a wofull state the greatest of all miseries on this side Hell even the want of the light of Gods countenance to him that hath sensibly enjoyed it a long time together and instead thereof to have the terrors of God fight against him and make immediate impressions upon the soule yet so it is with some of the servants of God for a time Former Evidences are then of no more strength than the strength of meat and drink is to the body after a long time of fasting when the body hath beene shut up in prison and almost starv'd for want of foode It s true indeed former Evidences might something uphold in the sense of present distresse if the soule were sure they were undoubtedly true and sound because we know true grace once received cannot be lost but there lies the doubt and the ground of feare and distrust he calls all former Evidences into question and perhaps at some times concludes against himselfe that all are nothing because of present feelings of the contrary I know a man who about Ten yeares agoe was cast under this Temptation and had Experience of this woefull state and condition he lay in it for the space of Seventeene or Eighteene Months or thereabouts Having early in his youth even the first houre of the day passed through the pangs of the new birth and spirit of bondage afterwards enabled to lay hold on Christ by faith and by degrees got up to a comfortable well grounded confidence of the love of God in Christ wherein he walked chearefully many yeares together yet afterwards even about the middle of the day according to the Prophets computation Psalm 90.10 the Sun was clouded and the spirit and sap suspended so that by degrees he lost not only the sense of the light of Gods countenance towards him and the sight of the graces of his spirit but questioned all his former Evidences of his interest in Christ and especially at some times even gave all for lost And notwithstanding the dayly use of all spirituall meanes he still fell lower and lower more and more feares and terrors increased in him which were made more sharpe and heavy by many outward afflictions great crosses and disappointments at the same time which befell him in reference to his body name outward estate Calling friends and relations every one of which was a sore affliction single and of it selfe notwithstanding all came upon him in a short space and that not long after great and more then ordinary spirituall comforts evidences of the love of God in Christ which though they might have beene some ground to have upheld the soule from sinking so low yet by degrees were all weake and of no power to uphold amidst such a throng and present sense of heavy and lasting Temptations as were upon both his inward and outward man but by reason thereof the immediate succeeding desertion was the more sensible and took the deeper impression As a man that falls suddenly from a high and eminent Condition of outward comforts into great misery and want the sense of his present misery is therefore the more pressing In this sad and darke time he laboured by Prayer Fasting help of freinds and all waies of humbling himselfe to get comfort and support but still it was hâ—d from him he was by degrees cast downe very low and brought even to despair in-somuch that at some times through the violence of Temptations and apprehensions of the absence and losse of God he cryed out roared as a man in torment of body that had had some disease or burning in his Bowels At some times when he heard the word preached such terrors seased upon him that he had no rest neither in body nor mind he could neither sit still nor stand still nor rest in any posture fearefull injections thronged in upon him and such woefull apprehensions of an undone Condition were at those seasons especially represented to the mind that he was not able to expresse the horror of them And after a certaine time of the absence of the Spirit in the feeling workings of it and sence of the graces Corruptions at sometimes more especially grew strong Passions and murmurings against the righteous proceedings of God with him
strive one against the other so that it is the care of the husbandman and is or should be our continuall labour and businesse to strengthen the spirituall part against the fleshly part We find by Experience That while the spirituall part acts lively and strongly the Carnall part is downe While it is by the Spirit of God raised up to a high pitch and enlarged with delight and joy in God and Communion with him in Meditation and Prayer then all the while Corruptions are low and weake and as it were subdu'd The Apostle tells us what we must doe to keep downe Corruptions Gal. 5.16 This I say walk in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh While the soule is in a spirituall frame and hath cleare apprehensions of the love of God in Christ then it is active and lively in all the waies of God Luk. 11.21 though the flesh be as a strong man Armed yet when this spirituall man that is stronger then he riseth up and bestirs himselfe he is able to bind him and keepe him under and rules in the soule untill there be an abating and slacking of his spirituall strength and then the flesh will soone discover it selfe and stirre and act as temptations and occasions arise and then on the other side the Spirituall part acts but weakely it is downe low flat wanting life and power during such stirrings and workings of the flesh Rom. 7.23 I see a Law in my members warring against the Law of my mind and leading me captive c. This should teach us often to observe and take notice of the actings of our spirits of the frame and temper of them 1 Vse whether the stock or the Graft bud the faster what shootes the soule puts forth of what kind what the motions of our soules are whether holy and spirituall or carnall and earthly cutting off these and preserving and cherishing those If we were watchfull daily and tooke paines with our spirits to keepe them up in a spirituall frame in Communion with God then by degrees the shootes and growths of the spirituall part would become strong and the shootes of the flesh weak and feeble O that this were well weighed and practised by Christians it is the very life Spirit and power of godlinesse thus to walk with God in communion with him hereby we are enabled to doe and suffer all things for God and to resist and keep under the flesh and all Enemies This is the life of our life and heaven upon Earth The twelfth Observation in Nature THe neerer the Branches of a Tree are to the Roots the faster and firmer they are and more free from tossing and shaking by the winds Such grow more fast and steady And the farther off the Branches are from the Roote the more loose and unsteadfast they are the more they are waved and tossed by the winds and motion of the Aire This is another Similitude of the state of spirituall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed The more closely a Christian walks with God the more steadfast he is and more free from spirituall Enemies Every Mysticall Fruit-tree that beares good fruit is Ingrafted or implanted into Jesus Christ the Roote and Stock from whence all the spirituall sap and life is drawne and derived whereby the Branches grow and beare fruit And experience shewes the neerer the Boughs and Branches are unto the Roote the closer we walke with God the more Communion we have with the father and with his sonne Jesus Christ the more fixed stable and unshaken we are When the soule is a farre off from Christ it is carried and tossed about with divers and strange conceipts and Opinions doubts feares troubles and temptations is moved this way and that way as the top branches of a Tree with the wind The Prophet David walked with God and kept close unto him Psalm 16.8 I have set the Lord alwaies before me he is at my right hand I shall not be moved therefore he saies his heart was established and would not shrinke but was enabled to insult over all Vse 1 Enemies Psalm 46.2 I will not feare though the earth be moved c. As this shewes us the happinesse of those who walke with God so also we may hence see the miserable Condition of those who are out of Christ they being a far off from Christ the whole frame of their soule is unsetled they are like the raging sea that cannot rest Esay 57.20 their Condition is as was said of Reuben Gen. 59.4 unstable as water James 1.8 They are unstable in all thoir waies because a far off from Christ Let this stirre us up to a watchfull and circumspect care in our Vse 2 Conversations to get and keep close to Christ Such as walke closely with God live in another spheare in a higher Orb than the common world though they live with them And notwithstanding there be Commotions and stirs and turning of the world upside downe yet in the spirits of these all is calme and quiet their hearts are fixed and unmoved they feare not evill tydings Psal 112.7 8. because their hearts are fixed trusting in the Lord Psal 15.5 They are as Mount Syon that cannot be removed but abideth fast for ever The thirteenth Observation in Nature IN Materiall fruit-trees the sower Nature of the wild Plants that are grafted upon does still continue in the stock or roote and is not taken away or lost by Engrafting it is only restrained and kept under by the Graft The Nature of the Graft is predominant in the Tree and overrules in bringing forth fruits according to its owne kind although with some small degree of the sower Nature of the stock mixed with it And the two Natures of the Graft and stock continue mixed together so long as the Tree lives This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall Fruit-trees and shadowes forth unto us this Proposition That Corrupt Nature abides in believers as long as they live Proposition shadowed and is but in part subdued by grace Corruption of Nature though it be not cast out yet it is by degrees more and more subdued restrayned and kept under Rom. 6.6 The old man is crucified with him that the body of sin might be destroyed it is destroyed as to the ruling power of it but not as to the being of it The spirit of God working Principles of Grace or the Divine Nature in the soule does curb restraine and as it were bind Corrupt Nature which of it selfe is as a strong man armed but when a stronger than he cometh he bindeth him and keeps him under Luk. 11.21 Not that he casteth him out as a Land-lord that turnes out an old Tenant when he puts in a new one The Apostle complaineth of it Rom. 7. I find a law in my members warring against the law of my minde c. The experience of all Believers proves this sufficiently Vse 1
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
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
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
Christ provides for himselfe and glorifies himselfe his Members being one with him Vse 2 From hence a spirituall eye may see a very great dignity beauty and glory put upon Believers though the meanest Vnion and onenesse with such a glorious person puts a spirituall glory upon them A great Prince marrying a meane person by that union an honour is derived upon the party according to the dignity of the Prince Now believers are married to Christ Jer. 3.14 and Rom. 7.4 and so made one with him as the husband and the wife are one so that what dignity and honour is upon the husband is also in a proportion upon the wife The two and thirtieth Observation in Nature THe Roote of a Tree does continually give up sap and nourishment to the Boughes and branches all the yeare long as well in winter to preserve life as in sommer to cause growth and increase But no sap at any time descends from the Branches to the Roote though most men upon mistaken grounds of this See pag. conceive and affirme that sap descends in Autumne into the Roote This shadowes out unto us That As we have our life and all from Christ Proposition shadowed so we are continually receiving new supplyes from him but can adde nothing to his infinite perfections Christ is the Roote as his people are the Branches and from this Roote sap continually ariseth to maintaine life and cause growth and fruitfulnesse Jer. 17.8 He shall be as a Tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth out her roots by the River and shall not see when heate cometh but her leafe shall be greene and shall not be carefull in the yeare of drought neither shall cease from yeilding fruit So. Psal 1.3 And Esay 58.11 The Lord shall guide thee continually and satisfie thy soule in drought and make fat thy bones and thou shalt be like a watered Garden whose waters faile not They shall not hunger nor thirst c. by the springs of water shall he guide them Esay 49.10 As willowes by the water courses Esay 44.4 Here we see are continuall supplyes of nourishment to the soul Rivers we know are continually running and fountaines or springs are continually springing these Gardens are watered with waters that faile not as the Prophet speaks Esay 18.11 Though the body and branches of a tree were as full of sap as the barke would hold yet would all be soone exhausted and spent and the branches would wither and dye if there were not a continuall supply from the Roote So though a man had the habituall grace of all beleivers on earth yea of all the Angels in heaven as much as a Creature is capable of yet could he not thereby persevere all would be spent without new supplyes from Christ Our Saviour tells us these supplyes never faile but are constant Joh. 4.14 Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life We see then supplyes from Christ are constant and continuall which believers draw from him By these Rivers streames and springs of water are meant the constant supplyes the believing soule drawes and receives from Christ by his spirit As we see Joh. 7 38 39. He that believeth on me out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water This spake he of the spirit And for the second part of the Proposition we can adde nothing to his infinite perfections Iob. 22.1 2. Can a man be profitable to God is it gaine to him that thou makest thy waies perfect And againe Job 35.7 If thou be righteous what givest thou him or what receiveth hee of thine hand So the Apostle Rom. 11.35 Who hath first given to him and it shall be recompenced unto him againe God is no gainer by us All his Creatures together doing theirutmost can adde nothing to his essentiall glory which is infinite and therefore admits of no additions But we are said to glorifie God when we manifest declare and set forth what he is when he is made knowne among his Creatures and worshipped Vse 1 This shewes us whither to goe for constant supplyes of wisdome strength quickning and all Gifts and graces even to Jesus Christ the store-house and Treasury of all good things For it pleased the father that in him should all fulnesse dwell Col. 1.19 There is something in Christ suteable to all and everie of the wants of his people which they may obtaine of him Vse 2 This being so it should make us low in in our owne eyes and ascribe all the glory to Christ in all the good we have in all the good we doe what hast thou that thou hast not received I live saith Paul yet not I but Christ liveth in me Gal. 2.20 So Peter and Iohn having healed the man put off the honour from themselves upon Christ Acts 3.12 why looke ye so earnestly on us his name hath made this man strong c. vers 16. The three and thirtieth Observation in Nature THe waies and Rules of the husbandman in Ordering his fruit-trees are very strange to most people they wonder to see many peeces of his husbandry in his Orchard and Garden some things seeme contrary to reason when he cuts downe or diggs up some faire large Trees beautifull to looke upon and sets small weake plants in their stead and cuts off some large tops and branches of others and grafts onely a few little twigs in their roomes wrapt about with a lump of clay when in winter he prunes his trees and laies their roots bare and scores and cuts their bodies on every side these and many such like workes are strange to most men they have other thoughts of them then the Husbandman hath This shadowes out unto us That The dispensations of God towards his Church Proposition shadowed are contrary to the Judgments of most people in the world In all ages God and his waies have beene opposed by the corrupt reasonings of men Man in his naturall estate cannot see God nor the things of God he perceiveth them not because they are spiritually discerned 1 Cor. 2.14 When God is about that great worke to bring soules out of the snare and bondage of Sathan into the glorious liberty of the sonnes of God his waies whereby he does this are very strange to most men when they see poore creatures humbled and broken in their spirits and sometimes almost distracted through feares and apprehensions of wrath or under any other great Affliction what doe most people thinke of such see say they how God plagues them for their Hypocrisy they will presently censure them for dissemblers David being under Afflictions became a wonder a monster unto many Ps 71.7 they judged God had forsaken him vers 11. Even so it is now And as it is thus in respect of particular persons so also in respect of the whole Church When God went about to
but Engrafted Trees grow in Gods Orchard the Church Proposition shadowed The Mysticall husbandman takes pleasure in none but such as are Engrafted Trees for before Engrafting they bring forth fruits distastfull to him therefore till that be done they are not within the Walls of his Orchard the Church invisible and soe not in his Care and Love Though many seeme to be within the Garden enclosed yet they are not And though it may in a sence be said That many are in the Church which are not of the Church That 's only in a Generall acceptance considered as visible professors yet taken strictly no ungrafted Trees are either in or of the Garden inclosed The Grafting here spoken of is Regeneration or the New birth This must necessarily be don ere any can be fit Plants for Gods Orchard Luke 13.3 Except a man be borne againe hee cannot see the kingdome of God Joh. 3.3 And againe Joh. 15.4 As the branch cannot beare fruit of it selfe except it abide in the vine noe more can ye except ye abide in me The Apostle shewes us this Engrafting in plaine tearmes Rom. 6.5 We are Planted together in the likenesse of his death and Rom. 11.24 We are Grafted contrary to Nature into a good Olive tree By this Engrafting is that Vnion that believers have with Christ whereby they doe as really and truly receive spirit sap life and power to grow and beare fruits as the branches of a Tree doe receive sap and vigour from the stock and Roote by which they increase and beare fruits The spirit on Christs part and faith on ours are the tyes and Bonds of this union we see the necessity of both without the spirit of Christ we are none of his Rom. 8.9 and without faith it is impossible to please him Rom. 14.23 so that its certaine the husbandman will not admit of any into his heavenly Orchard but such as are Ingrafted Trees Hence we may conclude that many persons deceive themselves Vse 1 who thinke they are of the Church of God when indeede they are not because they were never ingrafted they live in blindnesse and content themselves with groundlesse perswasions of their being in Christ within the wall of his Church when as yet they are ungrafted Trees they have a forme of godlinesse but want the power of it 2 Tim. 3.5 such are in a sad case for not being within the Wall of Gods inclosed Garden they are out of his care and protection otherwise then by his common providence they have none of the speciall and peculiar priviledges of his engrafted Trees O labour to get into Christ The six and thirtieth Observation in Nature SOme fruit-trees bring forth fruits rough and of a bad colour and of a harsh and sharp tast and yet these fruits are more wholsome for the body then some other fruits which are smooth beautifull to looke upon and sweete to the tast for all sharp and bitter things are abstersive and cleanse the body from dull and phlegmatique humours whereas sweete things much used stuffe up and choake the passages of the body This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed Those fruits of spirituall fruit-trees which are harsh sharp and bitter are for the most part more profitable then such as are mild and pleasant The words and dealings of Parents towards their children and of one freind towards another which are sometimes tart and sharp usually worke better effects then indulgent and smooth dealings which usually cockers up and imboldens children in licentiousnesse Pro. 29.17 correct thy sonne and he shall give thee rest yea he shall give delight to thy soule The common saying is spare the Rod and spill the Child whereas seasonable reproofes and due correction restraines corruptions from breaking forth The sad example of Elies sonnes is sufficient to prove this whose mild and indulgent behaviour towards them emboldned them in destructive courses the miserable consequences whereof were upon his whole family 1 Sam 2.30 35. So also among familiar freinds the fruit of the lips that is sometimes tart and bitter at present is found many times more profitable and of better effect than that which is mild and gentle such are most faithfull freinds as deale most plainely with us though sometimes their words reproofes and dealings may seeme harsh and tart in case of some offence or neglect of duty they are farre better freinds then such as will sooth up a man in all his waies or els be silent in respect of reproofs Prov. 28.23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour then he that flattereth with his lips And againe Pro. 27.6 faithfull are the wounds of a freind but the kisses of an enemie are deceitfull The Prophet knew these tart fruits to be best Psal 141.5 Let the righteous smite me and reprove me for that is good for me Thus it is also betweene God and us The fruits of his love in sharpe and bitter corrections do for the most part prove better and more profitable to us then pleasant and sweete prosperity Ps 119.72 It is good for me that I have beene in trouble c. We should hence learne not to judg of things according to sence and present feeling and apprehensions Vse but according to their consequences and effects knowen by the word and experience As a man values Physick not according to the tast and relish but according to the profitable effects that it works So although harsh dispensations from God and dealings from men may seeme at present not joyous but greivous yet they afterwards worke the peaceable fruit of righteousnesse Heb. 12.11 more then cherishings according to the flesh The seven and thirtieth Observation in Nature FRuit-trees beare no fruits in Autumne except they bud and Blossome in the spring The Husbandman looks not to receive a harvest of fruits from Trees that doe not prepare Buds and Blossoms and bring them forth in the spring of the yeare But such as blossome well in the spring give good hopes of fruits in their seasons Hence we learne That Proposition shadowed Those persons are not like to bring forth good fruits in old age who labour not for them in time of youth When men labour and are diligent in good Imployments in their youth there is some hopes of fruit-fulnesse in after times But what profitable fruits for the good of the Church of God Common wealth or their owne comfort can those persons bring forth in the Autumne of their life or old age who spend their youth or spring time in idlenesse and sensuall pleasures and make no preparation then by study labour and diligence in all good things for fruits afterwards whereof themselves and others might eat and be satisfied Will the Husbandman expect a Harvest without a seed time Prov. 20.4 The sluggard ploweth not c. therefore shall he begg in harvest and have nothing The foolish Virgins sleepe while they should labour and prepare Oyle therefore they
we have received that soe we may make unto God some answerable returne God looked for more and received more from him that had the five Talents than from him that had received but two Matth 42.5.23 Noe one not the lowest or meanest is freed from making returnes of duty to God though God require much from those who have received much yet the meane person who has but a little must returne of that little Eph. 4.28 Let him worke with his hands that he may have something to give to him that needeth And it will be accepted according to that a man hath and not according to that he hath not 2 Cor. 8.12 So also of the use and improvement of all other Talents gifts graces liberty Power and the rest The fortieth Observation in Nature ALthough Fruit-trees bring forth many great and beautifull fruits yet they are not esteemed except also they have a good tast it is the relish that gives the Commendation to fruits This shadowes out unto us That Proposition shadowed It is not the multitude nor exactnesse of performance of duties that God accepts unlesse there be sincerity and right ends in doing thereof The Tast of Mysticall Fruits lies in the sincerity and truth of the heart sincerity and right Ends is that which God cheifly looks at and accompts upon it accordingly Actio denominatur a fine The end denominates a worke good or bad it is the forme of every duty The great end must be the glory of God though we may have subordinate ends our owne happinesse and others being Married to Christ we must bring forth fruit unto God Rom 7.8 Trees of righteousnesse being trees of the Lords planting they bring forth fruit that he may be glorified Esay 61.3 so Joh. 15. Truth sincerity Love right ends these make fruits tast pleasantly for without Love there cannot be right ends And therefore the Apostle saith 1 Cor. 13. Though a man have all knowledg all faith though he bestow all his goods to feede the poore and doe never so many good works yet if they tast not of love they are nothing worth if there be not sincerity and right ends God accompts not of them Many are but empty Vines because they bring forth fruit to themselves fruits as good as no fruit Hos 10.1 when they have no good tast which they have not when the Ends are not right The Pharisees brought forth faire and goodly fruits to looke upon Mat. 6.2 they Preached they prayed much they gave much almes they fasted payed tithes c. but the tast of these fruits was naught they had no love to God they wanted sincerity right ends in what they did Matth. 6.2 They did them to be seene of men for themselves and not for God Hence we may learne that much of the fruit that is brought Vse 1 forth in the world is not accepted of God because it wants a good tast though they are beautifull to looke upon as to the matter and substance yet they may be but as Apples of Sodome faire on the outside but rotten within of an unpleasant tast Men for the most part bring forth fruit unto themselves they aime at their owne profits honours or something mainely and cheifely if not wholly for themselves but the honour of God the interest of Christ is not in their eye their Love in their works is but selfe-Love Let us try the tast of our fruits whether we have sincere and right ends in what we doe whether they tast of Love Love to Vse 2 God and his people Let all your workes be done in Love 1 Cor. 16.14 Oh how sweete and pleasant is the tast of those fruits which spring from a principall of love to God upon the apprehension of his Love to us in Christ Seeing the tast of fruits makes them acceptable to God this is a Vse 3 ground of great comfort to every poore weake Christian whose fruits though they are but small and want outward beauty yet because they have a good tast the husbandman likes them well they are pleasant fruits in his accompt because their hearts are perfect there is truth sincerity love holy and right ends mixed with their fruits soe that the husbandman delights to come into his Garden and to eat these his pleasant fruits Cant. 4.16 The widowes two mites were but very small fruits and yet because our Lord liked the tast he said they were better and more acceptable than any or all of the Pharisees great and many fruits Math. 12.43 The one and fortieth Observation in Nature WHen Grafts begin to grow by the sap they receive from the stock they will certainely by the Law of Nature hold on untill they come to perfection The Proposition shadowed That Proposition shadowed The smallest measure of true grace in any person can never be extinguisht but will certainely grow up to perfection Grace is compared to a graine of Must-ardseede Mat. 17.20 which though it be but a very small substance yet in a while it growes to a great one Though it be but as a sparke of fire in flax it shall not be quenched Esay 42.3 it will increase to a great flame To see and be convinced of the want of Christ and to desire after him is the smallest measure of grace which yet shall certainely increase such a hungry soule shall at last be filled and satisfied with the fullnesse of Christ Mat. 5 6. If the spirit have cast the seeds and Principles of grace into the soule he will water them and cause them to grow and bud and blossome and bring forth fruits To him that hath shall be given and he shall have abundance Mat. 25 29. All the powers of hell cannot rob the soule of the least measure of grace Vse 1 This is unspeakable Consolation to all believers though never so weake in grace though they have but a drop of the water of life yet it shall be a well of water springing up to eternall life Joh. 4.14 And therefore dejected and weary soules that feare the worke of grace is not in them that long after Christ and would faine be satisfied that they have an interest in him Let such know the seede of God is in them sowen by his spirit and therefore it is that they have these desires thirstings longings c. and cannot be satisfied without Christ These motions and workings of soule are not any where but where the spirit dwels and where he hath begun the worke of grace these are sure evidences that they are united to Christ and ingrafted into him and these buds and breakings forth shew clearely to a discerning eie that they have taken hold of the stock and that they have received from it some sap and life and therefore can never be broken off nor die but they shall certainely spring up and grow to perfection and bring forth the fruits of Love joy and praise to all eternity for he who hath begun a good worke in them
Garden The eight and fortieth Observation in Nature FRuit-trees being Ingrafted they Naturally bring forth good fruits Because a new and another Nature in the graft is joyned to the wild Plant on which it is Grafted Notwithstanding some mixture of the Nature of the wild stock yet the Graft over-rules to bring forth good fruits according to its owne Nature Proposition shadowed This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Persons ingrafted into Christ doe naturally bring forth good fruits Every regenerate person hath two natures in him the divine Nature and Corrupt Nature And these two Natures act in him all his life time But notwithstanding corrupt Principles the divine Nature prevailes in beleivers for the generall course of their lives Ye are partakers of the divine Nature saith the Apostle 2 Pet. 1.4 whereby persons ingrafted into Christ are carried out to act for God according to that Nature and soe bring forth good fruits Naturally their fruits taking their denomination from the better Nature Believers have the Image of God renewed in them and his Law written in their hearts That is knowledg dispositions and inclinations carrying them by a spiritually naturall power to what is holy just and good in some degree as Adam had in his innocency soe that they Naturally bring forth good fruits and have a Naturall propension aptnesse and inclination to the things of God as unregenerate persons have to carnall things And where this divine Principle or spirituall Nature hath attained high degrees where grace is at a high pitch and the soule in a spirituall frame there the workings of it are more cleare and apparent There is a Naturall disposition affection and inclination towards God and the things of God even to all spirituall things as spirituall Rom. 8.5 They that are after the spirit doe mind the things of the spirit Notwithstanding the crosse workings and stirrings of Corrupt nature yet for the generall the movings and workings of the spirits of Believers and the fruits they bring forth are according to this spirituall nature Rom. 8.1 They walk after the spirit and Rom. 7.25 with my mind I serve the law of God The generall course of their lives is spirituall or spiritually Naturall as springing from that Mysticall roote the spirit of Christ acting those spirituall dispositions inclinations which he hath fixed in the soule This may prove Professours whether they be found or no let them examine their Principles from which they act whether Vse 1 they are acted in the waies of God from a spirituall and divine Principle within or from motives or Considerations from without whether it be not Custome Examples Counsells or Commands of men interest in or engagements of freinds Praise of men outward advantages or at best Naturall Conscience that moves them and carries them on in Religious waies Hereby we know that the waies of God are easy and pleasant Vse 2 waies for whatsoever we do naturally we do easily and with delight It is in some degrees with the adopted sonnes of God as with his Naturall sonne in this respect to accompt it their meat and drink to doe the will of their heavenly father so that this is a great encouragement to all to give up their names to Christ Prov. 3.17 His waies are waies of pleasantnesse and all his paths are peace The nine and fortieth Observation in Nature THere are but few Ingrafted trees in a Countrie in comparison of those ungrafted there are many thousands in the woods and wast grounds of wild trees the number of which farre exceeds the number of the trees of the Garden The Proportion shadowed That there are but a few Godly persons in the world in comparison of the number of the wicked Proposition shadowed This appeares expresly Matth. 7.13 14. Wide is the gate and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction and many there be that goe in thereat Because straite is the Gate and narrow is the way which leadeth unto life and few there be that find it s so againe Matth. 20.16 Many are called but few are chosen Experience makes this too manifest most imbrace this present world and but few deny themselves and follow Christ few in the world make profession of Christ in comparison of the multitudes of Idolaters in other Nations And of those who make profession how many Hypocrites to one true hearted Nathaniel The godly are in number as the gleanings of Grapes when the Vintage is done Or as the shaking of an Olive tree two or three Berries in the top of the uppermost bought foure or five in the outmost Branches thereof Esay 17.6 This is a sad Consederation and should make us take up a Vse 1 lamentation for the state of mankind This should stirr up every one to labour with all diligence Vse 2 to make their calling and election sure to know they are of the number of the little flock The fiftieth Observation in Nature SOme wild and ungraded trees beare fruits very like to thos that are Ingrafted in shape and colour so that men often mistake the one for the other This shadowes out unto as this Proposition That the works of formall hypocrites are in many things very like the worlds of true Christians Proposition shadowed Many Formall Professours have speciall eminent Gifts and abilities which it may be exceede those of some reall Christians they can Preath Pray and discourse well and can make a shift to carry themselves so as to gaine some good opinion among men yea and passe for Sincere Professors Who were more exact in their lives as to outward performances of duties then the Scribes and Pharisees in Preaching Praying giving to the Poore c. and yet our saviour charges them with Hypocrisie Matth. 28.27 28. Woe unto you scribes and Pharisees Hypocrites for ye are like unto whited sepulchres which indeede appeare beautifull outwardly c. Ye outwardly appeare righteous unto-men but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity So it is at this day the fruits of many seeming Christians appeare beautifull outward as if they were the fruits of ingrafted trees whereas in truth they are but the fruits of wild Trees Vse 1 This being so we ought to set our selves to distinguish fruits that are brought forth both our owne others that we take not Crabs for Apples Let us not judg of fruits by their Bulk or substance Beauty and forme or Number but by their Nature See Observ 40. and quality their Tast A spirituall Palate is able for the most part to tast the fruits that are brought forth by men he that is spirituall judgeth all things 1 Cor. 2.15 spirituall men have the Law written in their hearts knowledg dispositions inclinations a frame and temper of spirit in some degee answerable to the mind of God This spirituall Nature in the soule by the assistance of the spirit of God together with the written word is
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
widdow Mark 12.42 that was able to make but one farthing in all the the world she and her offering was as well accompted of as King Davids Solomon or others of highest ranke he respecteth not persons 2 Cor. 19.7 and againe Rom. 2.11 There is no respect of persons with God He will take the servants part in any just cause as soon as the Masters Ephe. 6.9 He that doth wrong shall receive for the wrong that he hath done and there is no respect of Persons Col. 2 3.25 1 Pet. 1.17 God hath the same accompt of the poore as of the Rich of the Bond of the free if Believers Rom. 10.12 There is no difference between the Jew and the Greek for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him So againe Rom. 3.22 He accepteth not the persons of Princes nor regardeth the Rich more than the Poore Job 34.19 The serious consideration of this may be a good meanes to keepe the spirits of those humble who are of the highest rank Vse 1 among Believers and that they despise not nor neglect their brethren in a lower rank Though they are planted on the higher ground in the Garden of God in any place of power or authority over others and upon that accompt honour reverence and subjection as God requires is due unto them from their brethren and fellow-Members of an inferior ranke yet the the same beares no weight in the accompt of God All the Nations of the Earth are but as the drop of a bucket or as the small dust of the Ballance in the eye of God Esay 40.15 How small then are a few men of one Nation though they may be as mighty hils and Mountaines in eminency in the sight of men All men naturally have a Principle of pride in them but none are in so much danger of it as those persons though godly who are set above others in Church or Common-wealth and therefore they have the more neede to be minded of it that they may be aware of that most prevailing Corruption which puts the Creatures at a distance from God Paul himselfe had need of something to suppresse it lest he should be exalted above measure 2 Cor. 12.7 Hence we may gather That believers of the lowest ranke in outward respects have as great and as many Priviledges in all Vse 2 Church Assemblies as those of the highest ranke whether it be to speake or hear or partake of any Ordinance for their profit and edification so that due respect towards superiors be observed Thirdly Let all believers of the lowest ranke walke chearefully Vse 3 notwithstanding any sleighting or neglects from superiors Thou that are now under and below many of thy brethren for a moment maist be above them hereafter to all Eternity The eightieth Observation in Nature THose Fruit-trees which have the influence of the sunne continually they flourish with leaves blossoms and fruits continually as it is in the East a Sr Wa Rawley 1 Book 1. part Ch. 3. §. 9. 10. pag. 64. 68. Proposition shadowed and West Indies there the sun is all the yeare long giving forth his heat and warmth and never going a far off so as to make a winter as in these Northern parts of the world so that fruits-trees there flourish with leaves and blossoms green and ripe fruits all the year long This is another Similitude of the state of Spirituall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us That Believers who daily walke with God having the light of his countenance and constant communion with him such are abundantly fruit full Although every believer is ingrafted into Christ and draws sap and vertue from him and hath the countenance of God towards him and the influences of the spirit to cause fruit-fulnesse yet not all alike there is great difference in the degrees of Gods manifesting and giving out of himselfe to his people God is a sun to his people and he shines upon some but seldome and clouds himselfe againe and withdrawes for a time and then a winter comes upon that soule But he is pleased to shine upon some others more constantly and they have an habituall enjoyment of God after some sad and darke times of the spirit of bondage and desertion in the former part of their lives when they have againe laid hold on their beloved they will not let him goe and he is as willing to stay with them so that they have a constant enjoyment of God walking daily in communion with him I meane for the maine course of their life though the spirit be not alwaies in a like frame and constant temper every houre of he day which none can expect whil'st we are in the flesh Yet as to the generality of their lives the sun is neere and discovers himselfe clearly and apparently to the soule The workings of the spirit of God are manifest evident and cleare to the soule the soule acts upon God and God upon the soule there are reciprocall acts upon each other daily frequently The spirit of God witnesseth and sealeth to the soule the sure and unchangeable love of God in Christ and the soule sets to its seale also that God is true gratious pretious and saies to God with a lively faith thou art he whom my soule loveth thou art my portion my Treasure my God and Saviour my all through Christ God acts upon the soule and saies thou art mine I have chosen thee and will never leave thee nor forsake thee and the soule acts upon God againe and saies thou art mine thou hast made me to chuse thee and I will love thee and serve thee and praise thee and joy in thee for ever Thus with infinite Acts of this Nature is this Communion continued in daily walking with God whereby such soules are so revived filled and satisfied that they are abundantly fruitfull and bring forth fruits continually These trees are continually green and flourishing with leaves blossoms and fruits such a one as the Prophet saies Jer. 17.8 He shall be as a tree planted by the waters and that spreadeth out her Rootes by the River and shall not see when heat cometh but her leafe shall be greene and shall not be carefull in the year of drought neither shall cease from yeilding fruit And Psal 1.3 He is as a tree planted by the rivers of waters his Leafe shall not wither c. The righteous shall flourish like a Palm tree the most beautifull and excellent of all trees and which is continually green and fruitfull because it growes in those parts where the sun is continually neere it Now by the Rivers waters sun dewes rimes c. we are to understand the manifestations of God the influences of his spirit Hos 14.5 I will be as the dew to Israel and then it followes he shall grow as the Lilly and cast forth his roots as Lebanon vers 6. his branches shall spread and his beauty shall be as the Olive tree I will be dew and
There are motions of the spirit and motions of the flesh upon all occasions workings and inclinations in the soule towards and against good and evill Gal. 5.17 the flesh lusteth against the spirit and the spirit against the flesh and these are contrary the one to the other so that ye cannot do the things that ye would The flesh still moves against the motions of the spirit of God and principles of grace framing objections and reasonings against good motions Rom. 7.21 I find then a law that when I would do good evill is present with me The spirit is ready to every good worke but the flesh is sluggish loath backward vers 22. I delight in the Law of God concerning the inner man but I see another Law in my Members warring against the Law of my mind c. But now though it be so that the motions of the flesh oppose the motions of the spirit yet for all that the spirituall man rules in the soule for the maine and generality of our lives And Christians know by Experience that according to the promise Gal. 5.16 Walke in the spirit and ye shall not fulfill the lusts of the flesh when they walke circumspectly and watch over the heart to keepe it up in a spirituall frame in communion with God then the flesh is low and kept under Vse 1 Seeing there is a continuall combate betweene the flesh and the spirit this should make us watchfull against the flesh that it prevaile not we know the flesh never sturs but to do us hurt who would not be incensed against such an enemie now the way to prevaile against the flesh is to cherish and delight to obey the motions of the spirit as before Gal. 5.16 The seventie eighth Observation in Nature SOme fruit-trees as being of different kinds and for severall other causes bring forth more fruits than others and the same fruit-trees bring forth more fruits some yeares than they do some other yeares Experience tells us that when there comes a pleasant and mild spring with other concurrent advantages trees beare as many fruits as in 3 or 4 other yeares Proposition shadowed This shadowes out unto us That Some believers are by advantages more fruitfull than others and at some more than at other times Every Christian being engrafted into Christ brings forth some good fruits and having a Talent or more a stock of grace gifts and advantages he imployes and improves all one way or other for the honour of God but some believers have greater measures of grace and more advantages of improving them than others and therefore their returnes are greater and their fruits are more We see Matth. 25.20 He that had five Talents he brought forth more fruits than they that had received lesse And the Apostle saies 1 Cor. 15.10 I labored more abundantly than they all Some Christians as they have greater measures of the spirit and the graces of the spirit so they have better naturall parts and more outward helps and meanes in respect of time to heare and read the word to converse with others speciall dispensations of Providence and the like advantages whereby they are enabled to bring forth more fruits than others who want such helps and means of fruitfulnesse Some are carried on with vigorous actings of spirit with a lively hope with a strong faith with fervent love and with great measures of every grace and can do and suffer more for God than other believers can Others againe having but weake naturall parts small measures of knowledge and grace wanting helps and meanes of growth and improvement having but dim evidences of the love of God their fruits are according to these fewer and smaller than some other Christians bring forth Yea the same individuall person brings forth more and better fruits at some seasons than at others At those times when the soule is in a more spirituall frame and temper in more immediate communion with God when the spirit of God sensibly actuates and quickens the Principles and habits of grace in the soule and makes them lively and vigorous when the North and south winds blow upon the Gardens then the spices thereof flow forth and fruits abound But at some other times the actings of the soule are but low and weake while the spirit withdrawes and withholds his operations if the winds blow not the ship with all its sailes moves slowly This being so let no sincere soule be discouraged and dishartned Vse 1 yeilding to a temptation to see some other Christians go beyond them in fruitfulnesse if such diligently presse on towards the marke they shall be accepted It may be others have received more from God than thou hast more Talents of Gifts Graces time and many advantages Now there being a sincere and ready mind it is accepted according to what a man hath and not according to what he hath not 2 Cor. 8.12 Vse 2 Secondly seeing we are more fruitfull at some than at other times this should teach every one of us to observe and watch over the frame of our spirits from day to day that so when they are in that low and dull temper we may endeavour what in us lies by all experienced meanes to raise them out of it into that spirituall and lively frame afore mentioned wherein we bring forth more fruits and obtaine unspeakable advantages The seventie ninth Observation in Nature THe husbandman rejects not his fruit-trees because they sometimes faile in bringing forth fruits perhaps a cold time may come when they are in blossome and spoile much or most of them or if that fruit they bring forth be somewhat imperfect by spots roughnesse chaps or the like yet if it tast well if it have a good relish he approves of the fruits and commends them makes much of the trees notwithstanding all imperfections in both Hence we learne this Lesson That God beares with the failings and imperfections of his people and is ever ready to take notice of Proposition shadowed and commend the good that is in them The Lord is pleased to beare with the failings of his people and seemes not to see them but contrariwise takes notice of what good is in them and speakes of it with commendation as if it were their owne We see this fully in the case of Job God passeth by his many and great failings and scarce takes notice of them in standing so much upon his justification and breaking out to curse the day of his birth c but on the contrary obserues and commends what is good in him Ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right as my servant Job hath and Jam. 5.11 ye have heard of the patience of Job David sinned and failed very much in many things as in purposing and going about to destroy Naball and all his house 2 Sam. 25.22 without a just cause in numbring the people and in many other things upon record all which God passeth by as if they had not
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
well as to another all were purchased at one and the same rate even with his owne blood The ninetie eighth Observation in Nature SOme Fruit-trees are profitable for one purpose and some for another their fruits being of severall kinds some are usefull one way and some another some are fittest for Cider others to bake or to be prepared severall waies for the Table others are eaten of themselves without any preparation some are fit for foode some for Physick some for Cordials all are good and profitable in their kinds according to their severall uses Proposition shadowed This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That The people of God bring glory to him profit and edification to the body of Christ in divers respects according to the diversity of the Gifts Graces and Operations of the spirit of God in them This is manifest from Scripture and continuall Experience Believers having severall Gifts and endowments in Nature and grace are imployed and set on worke by God in their generations according as he hath fitted them for their severall work For as the Members in the Naturall body have not all one and the same Office so neither the Mysticall body Rom. 12.6 Having then Gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us whether prophesie let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith vers 7. Or Ministry let us wait on our Ministring or he that teacheth on teaching or he that exhorteth on exhortation c. As every man hath received the gift so Minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God Let him do it as of the ability which God giveth that God in all may things be glorified through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 4.10 11. What ever his gifts or abilities be weake or strong meane or eminent they are his Talents or one at least which must not be hid but used and imployed for the glory of God and profit of himselfe and others As among the Members of the body the least and meanest is use full and profitable to the body And the eye cannot say unto the hand I have no neede of thee nor againe the head to the feete I have no need of you but such as seeme to be most feeble are necessary 1 Cor. 12.21 22. so in the body of Christ and also in the politicall body the Common-wealth the laboring husbandman and the meanest Tradesman are necessary and their labours and industries in severall and various waies are all as really in their measure conducing to the upholding and advantaging of a Nation as those in the highest imployments The Apostle shewes this truth very largely 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6. c. There are diversities of Giftes diversities of administrations diversities of operations by the same spirit vers 8. To one is given the word of wisdome to another the word of Knowledg to another faith to another the gifts of Healing to another the working of Miracles to another Prophesie to another discerning of spirits to another divers Tongues to another the interpretation of tongues All these worketh that one and the selfe same spirit dividing to every man severally as he will Seldome or never is it seene that any one man is eminent in all the faculties of the mind in all gifts and graces but if he excell in one he is defective in another If his gift lie in solidity of Iudgment and understanding it may be he is defective in his utterance or ready making out what he conceives and apprehends wherein some others excell that come short of him in Iudgment one man excells in quicknesse of apprehensions another in soundnesse of Judgment another in the gift of memory another in a facile and ready expression One is eminent in the grace of faith another in love another in humility another in patience another in zeale One man hath skill in one science another man in another One in this Art or Trade another in some other As the Members in the Naturall body have severall formes and severall uses and offices so is it in the Mysticall body the Church and also in the state or Common wealth that in various and severall respects all might bring Glory to God and benefits one to another The consideration of this should make us to admire the wonderfull Vse 1 wisdome of God in so ordering and disposing of things that one person might be helpfull and profitable to another every one usefull in his place and calling by their severall gifts graces actings and operations of severall natures and degrees among themselves and one with another that all should conduce and worke together though in severall waies and respects to bring glory to God and profit and edification each to other Vse 2 This also should teach Governours and all who have any charge over others to observe and find out what the Gift and qualification is of those over whom they have any charge that so accordingly they may designe them and dispose of them this is their duty and their wisdome And it is every ones duty in reference to himselfe before he enter upon any Calling or course of life to consider wherein cheifey his gift lies that accordingly he may apply himselfe For seeing the spirit of God divides to euery man gifts and qualifications severally as he will 1 Cor. 12.11 it is our duty to row with the streame and saile with the wind we shall make the speedier and better progresse And for want of this many men dishonour themselves their Callings God most of all by entring upon those waies and works for which they are no way fit as wanting a Gift to that purpose it lying in some other respect which they ought to have searched out and improved that so they might have brought thereby more glory to God and more profit to the body of Christ And further in this Proposition as in a glasse we may see the folly and pride of some men who being eminent in some Gifts or Vse 3 endowments and thereby also it may be answerably profitable in Church or Commonwealth upon occasion of which they despise others who are their inferious in such gifts but know O vaine man that those others may excell thee in some other Gifts and may bring glory to God and benefit to the body of Christ as much another way by their fervent prayers spirituall speeches and conferences holy and humble walking diligent improvement of Gifts Talents advantages which God hath put into their hands And therefore Christians should walke humbly though never so eminent in qualifications even upon this consideration as well as others that though they excell their brethren in these and these things yet those their brethren may go beyond them in other gifts and be profitable as much or more than themselves another way according to what God hath given them The ninetie ninth Observation in Nature All the winter long there is sap abiding in the tree and continually rising
printing Bookes communicating their Talents for the good of others by their Almes and acts of charity and love to their brethren and to all by their good Examples which shine forth as lights in the world directing others They are profitable to others both in privative and positive respects wicked persons who live amongst them are often spared for their sakes the Tares are suffered to grow because amongst the Wheat yea and share of many positive outward blessings for their sakes Laban and his family shared of the blessings powred downe upon Jacob Gen. 30.27 which Laban acknowledged I have learned saith he by experience that the Lord hath blessed me for thy sake So Potiphar had many outward blessings for Iosephs sake likewise Pharaoh and all his Court fared the better because of Ioseph he and his house had a full Table when others perished with hunger Yea Godlinesse and Godly men are profitable to all purposes 1 Tim. 4.8 having the promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come Hence we may conclude the madnesse and unreasonablenesse Vse 1 of all unregenerate persons who hate the godly and persecute them continually although they are their best freinds preserving them from many Judgments and procuring to them many temporall blessings every man naturally seekes the destruction of things dangerous and deadly to him but who but unreasonable men will seek to destroy things usefull and profitable to them yea persons and things without which they cannot subsist for were the Godly taken out of the world a floud of fire would quickly consume the wicked A whole City was preserved for a time for Lots sake Gen. 19.22 I cannot do any thing till thou be come to Zoar. Vse 2 This should make every one to love and cherish these profitable Trees where ever they grow and to defend them from spoyle or hurt as much as in us lies When Onesimus was ingrafted into Christ then he became profitable both to Paul and to others Epistle to Philemon 10 11. Now profitable both to thee and me so that Paul requires of Philemon to accompt of him now not as a servant but as a brother even as of Paul himselfe vers 12. So that we should love the people of God not only because they are belov'd of God and beare his Image and are fellow brethren and fellow Members with us but also because they are so many waies profitable The seventy sixth Observation in Nature THe sower and bitter sap of the wild stocke which is ingrafted runs through all the whole tree into the body boughes branches buds leaves blossomes fruits and does something a Although the graft changes the sap of the wild stock into its owne Nature yet not totally a tang of the wild nature remaines imbase the fruits making them lesse pleasant and sweete yet the fruits are good and acceptable fruits This shadowes out unto us That Proposition shadowed The most spirituall actings of believers tast of corrupt nature which notwithstanding are acceptable unto God The soule and spirit of man is the stock into which the word of God and Principles of grace are ingrafted and these drawing and making use of the sap life strength and powers of the soule in all the faculties doe change them into their owne spirituall nature in a great measure yet not totally even as the a Of this see more pa. 119. Observ 59. naturall grafts of a good and pleasant nature do change the sap vertue and strength of the wild and sower stockes so much thereof as the Grafts draw into their owne nature in a great measure but not wholly Though Christ and his graces dwell in his people yet corruption in a measure abides there also and this corruption runs through the whole man and is mixed with all our thoughts words and actings though they proceed from the principles and habits of grace fixed in the soule by the spirit of God as some noxious or hurtfull quality in the Liver mixeth it selfe with the blood and staines it throughout all the body Spirituall acts as they proceed from the spirit of God Principles of grace and are done in love to God and directed to right ends are pure and perfect these fruits have a pleasant tast with God the husbandman yet as they proceed from us and are acted in and through the faculties of the soule where Corruptions and imperfections reside they are imperfect This mixture of corruptions with our services and duties was typified in the offerings of the people Exod 28.38 Aaron a type of Christ bore the iniquity of the holy things And the Prophet Esay upon this accompt pronounces all our best righteousnesses to be as filthy raggs Esay 64.6 The Apostle also knowing this complained of it Rom. 7.21 I find a Law that when I would do good evill is present with me All believers know and find this by continuall Experience Vse 1 This shewes the vanity and unsoundnesse of that Doctrine that maintaines good workes as meritorious and meanes of Justification but let us looke unto Christ our high Priest to beare the imperfections of our best workes The consideration of this may be a meanes to pull downe the high thoughts of such as are lifted up in looking upon their Gifts Vse 2 of Nature acquired abilities graces and best workes in regard Corruption runnes through all these and staines them our purest wine is mixt with water and our best fruits are but bitter-sweets This should make us rejoice in and admire the infinite love of Vse 3 God in Christ who notwithstanding all imperfections and failings accepts and likes yea and is delighted with the duties and services of his people Love covereth all sins Prov. 10.12 Though the Church and every believing soule be black and spotted as the Moone through the staines of Corruptions yet such is the love of Christ that he over lookes all as though nothing were amisse Can. 4.7 Thou art faire my love there is no spot in thee The seventie seventh Observation in Nature IN Fruit-trees are two Natures the one of the sower wild stock the other of the pleasant graft Now these two natures being in one body strive together as all contraries joined do to convert each other into its owne kind or nature a Even as hot water and cold being mixed these qualities strive to change each other and that which is most powerfull prevailes but the Nature of the graft is predominant and converts the sap that it drawes into its owne nature though not totally See pag. 119. This Observation shadowes out unto us That There is a continuall combate betweene grace and nature in every regenerate person but grace prevailes Every believer by engrafting into Christ Proposition shadowed receives another nature the Divine Nature 2 Pet. 1.4 which abides in the soule together w th the other the corrupt nature which it had before Now these two natures being contary oppose one another all our lives long