more fruits Iohn 15.5 Yea he is long suffering towards all looking that the riches of his goodnesse and forbearance and long suffering should lead them to Repentance Rom. 2.4 and make them to bring forth fruits worthy amendment of life Hence we should learne to be thus minded on towards another Vse 2 especially such as are Ministers of the Gospell Masters Governours Tutours they should herein be followers of God as deare children Eph. 5.1 though their expectations and desires be not answered in the profiting and growth of those under their charge yet they should not be discouraged but wait still and prune and dresse and order their young plants still waiting till their profiting appeare as the Husbandman waiteth for the fruit of the Earth and hath long patience for it James 5.7 Vse 3 If God be so patient towards us and waits on us shall not wee be content to waite on God God waiteth for the fruits of our obedience O let us wait for the performance of his promises For they that wait for him shall never be ashamed that is they shall obtaine at length above their expectation Esay 64.4 Since the beginning of the world men have not heard nor perceived by the eare neither hath the eye seene O God! besides thee what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him The eightie third Observation in Nature WIld materiall fruit-trees have no power to engraft themselves but grow from year to year according their wild nature and bring forth sower and naughty fruits neither is there any possibility that such Trees should ever be engrafted and bear good fruits without the skill and paines of the Husbandman This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed Vnregenerate persons of themselves cannot come to Christ nor bring forth one good fruit Naturally every one is dead in sin and hath no more power to come to Christ or do one good worke than a dead Carkase hath to walke or worke Joh. 6.44 No man cancome to me except the father which hath sent me draw him The Naturall fruit-tree can as soone graft it selfe as any soule move towards Christ without the power of the spirit of God The heart of man by nature hath no other but corrupt Principles in it which all the time of unregeneracy daily grow stronger and stronger which are not only altogether indisposed to all that is good but also oppose it and contradict the motions of the spirit As they are alive to all that is evill so they are dead to holinesse there is no more power in the soule by nature to move towards Christ than there is in a stone to move upwards of it selfe What is lesse than to have a good thought of or towards God and yet that we have not without the spirit 2 Cor. 3.5 Not that we are sufficient of our selves to thinke any thing as of our selves but our sufficiency is of God This shewes us the sad and wofull estate of persons out of Vse 1 Christ and out of the election of grace there is no possibility of their escaping hell they are as fast bound in the chaines of naturall corruption as the Devils are in the Chaines of darknesse in which they are reserved unto the Judgment of the great day such have their Portion in this life even all the good things they are like to have Little reason then had David or any of the people of God in their greatest sufferings to envy the prosperity of the wicked He counted himselfe foolish for so doing when he saw their end Psalm 92.7 When the wicked spring as the Grasse and the workers of iniquity do flourish it is that they shall be destroyed for ever Here also we may see the Error of those who hold free will Vse 2 that a naturall man hath power of himselfe to move and come to Christ this is contrary to the doctrine of Christ and takes away his glory from him as might be shewed at large This is and will be a continuall ground of love to God to Vse 3 all eternity in the hearts of his people they being drawn to Christ and fixed upon him by faith it is the spirit that hath donne it we contributed nothing to the worke but it is an effect of free Electing love in God therefore let us shew forth the praises of God in a holy and fruitfull Conversation for he that hath begun a good worke will perfect it unto the day of Jesus Christ Phil. 1.6 The eightie fourth Observation in Nature SOme Fruit-trees if they be not carefully lookt unto will break out and the sap will presse upwards in some few branches only or chiefely and leave other branches with little sap which grow poorely and weakly and some die whereas a well ordered Tree should spread and enlarge it selfe in all the Branches This Observation shadowes out unto us That Proposition shadowed Some Christians chiefly pursue some particular duties belonging to them and neglect others Works and actions of spirituall fruit-trees may be considered as Branches as well as seede or fruits Some persons as experience makes too manifest are very carefull and diligent about some particular duties which they carry on from day to day and it s well they do so because those things they ought to do but there are other duties perhaps equally as convenient or necessary to be done which are altogether or very much neglected they shoote forth in some branches but not in all they are content to do some small and easy things sutable to their natures and ends while they neglect great and substantiall matters our Saviour reproves such Mat. 23.23 Ye have omitted the weightier matters of the Law Judgment mercy and faith these ought ye to have done and not to leave the other undone Some Christians are all or most for publique duties and very much neglect the private they heare it may be three or foure Sermons on the Lords day in this place and often on other days and they are to be incouraged in frequent hearing the word but yet many such neglect or slightly performe private duties of Prayer meditation examination of the heart and particular application of the word without which much hearing is to little purpose The heart of man is deceitfull and Sathan is deceitfull and both will be ready enough to perswade and carry on to publique duties all the day seeing they will needs be religious that so they may be hindred of greater spirituall advantages in neglecting the private duties aforementioned which are absolutely necessary to a Christians growth in grace Some other Professors are diligent in duties publique and private in reference to themselves but neglect duties in reference to others as Exhortation Reproofe distributing to their necessities visiting them sometimes especially in their afflictions herein they faile much although these are the great and weighty duties of Christians for if we faile in the
The Spirituall use of an Orchard or Garden of FRUIT-TREES Set forth in divers Similitudes betweene Naturall and Spirituall fruit-trees in their Natures and ordering according to Scripture and Experience The second Impression with the Addition of many Similitudes By RA AUSTEN Author of the first part Hos 12.10 I have used Similitudes by the Ministrie of the Prophets 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 heat cometh but her leafe shall be greene and shall not be carefull in the year of drought neither shall cease from yeilding fruit Rom 11.23 And they also if they abide not still in unbeleife shall be grafted in for God is able to graft them in againe Joh 15.1 2. J am the true Vine and my Father is the husbandman Every branch that beareth fruit he purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit Cant. 2.3 Like the Apple-tree among the Trees of the forrest so is my beloved among the sonnes I sate downe under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweet to my tast OXFORD Printed by HEN HALL Printer to the UNIVERSITY for THO ROBINSON M.DC.LVII Aug 2. 1656. Imprimatur JOHAN OWEN Vice-Can Oxon A Preface to the Reader HAVING in the first part of this work spoken at large concerning the ordering of Naturall Fruit-trees in all respects and of the great Profits Pleasures and Advantages that arise thence I shall now consider Fruit-trees upon another Accompt and endeavour to make some Spirituall use and improvement of them And this should be our care as to all creatures which we have to do with upon all occasions according to the example of our Lord and Saviour whose use it was to spiritualife Naturall and Morall things when he conversed with us in his bodily presence as we see frequently in Scripture When the Pharisees spake of washing their hands before meate Matth. 15.20 Christ instructs them thereupon about spirituall defilements when the woman of Samaria came to draw water Christ tells her of living water Joh. 4.10 When his disciples brought him Meate he tells them he had meate they knew not of it was meate and drinke to him to do his fathers will Jo. 4.34 When the man spake of having his inheritance divided Luk. 12.13 our Saviour thereupon instructs him and others at large to beware of coveteousnesse and worldly cares when the multitude followed him having eaten of the Loaves Jo. 6. Christ thereupon counsells them to labour for the meat that perisheth not for the bread of life Joh. 6.26 And many spirituall things he illustrates by Similitudes from Naturall things as we see Matth. 13. and many other places from Scede Tares Mustard-seed Leaven a Treasure in the Feild a Pearle a draw net c. So should we make a Spirituall use of Naturall things and so turne Earth as it were into heaven When we have gone through all the workes and labours to be performed in the Orchard and have received thereby a rich recompence of Temporall Profits and Pleasures in the use of the Trees and Fruits we may besides all that make a Spirituall use of them and receive more and greater Profits and Pleasures thereby Men are not wont to stint themselves at wordly Profits but why are they not willing to receive all kinds of Profits or why are they not willing to receive the greatest and best should a man chuse and preferre a Glasse-beade or Toy before some Pretious and Rich Jewell would he not be censured for a foolish man how much more foolish and unwise is he that seeks after Temporall Profits and neglects Spirituall and Eternall therefore be carefull to make a spirituall improvement of fruit-trees The World is a great Library and Fruit-trees are some of the Books wherein we may read and see plainely the Attributes of God his Power Wisdome Goodnesse c. and be instructed and taught our duty towards him in many things even from Fruit-trees for as trees in a Metaphoricall sence are Books so likewise in the same sence they have a Voyce and speak plainely to us and teach us many good lessons The Lord Bacon saies God hath two great Books which we ought to study his Word and his Works the one discovers his Will the other his Power The Apostle saies Rom. 1.20 The invisible things of him from the Creation of the World are clearely seene being understood by the things that are made even his Eternall Power and Godhead The Creatures of God are to be studied as Books for in them we may read the Attributes of God and observe some small resemblances and darke shadowes of his infinite Excellencies and Perfections they are seene Per speculum Creaturarum They who cannot read a line in any Printed Book may read many good lessons in the Book of the Creatures Fruit-trees though they are dumb companions yet in a sence we may discourse with them The Saints soule exalting humiliation p. 87. et p. 205. The works of God speak to the mind as his Word does to the Eare. Mr Boulton saies Our Eyes Especially on the Sabbath day ought as little Bees fall upon severall objects and from them as from so many Flowers gather hony and bring it into the hive That is sweet heavenly wholsome Meditations for magnifying the Creator in all his Attributes Fruit-trees and other Creatures do truely though without an articulate voyce Preach the Attributes and perfections of God to us And we may read divine Truthes in them as in a Book consisting of words and sentences the Creatures of God according to their natures speak out the praises of God Ps 145.10 All thy workes praise thee O Lord and among them Fruitfull Trees 148.9 Things without sense or life have a voyce and speak to us Ps 19. The Heavens declare the glory of God vers 3. Their voyces are heard in every language or Nation and vers 4. Their words go to the ends of the World So that not only rationall and irrationall but even Inanimate Creatures have a voyce and speak loudly to men and it is our duty to learne their language and hearken to them All Creatures as a holy Man saies have a teaching voyce they read us divinity Lectures of divine Providence We must be content to stoope to their way and manner of teaching as the Egyptians and others in former times who were instructed by Characters and Hyeroglyphiques by something represented to the eye Notions were conveyed to the understanding Dumbe Creatures speak virtually and convincingly to the mind and Conscience If we make use of Creatures to serve our turne only in reference to our outward man we make not halfe that use of them as we ought we should study the Creatures and learne from them to bring us nearer the Creator Climbing up by them as by steps or staires till we ascend to the highest Good How much of the goodnesse and excellencies of God do Fruit-trees
bring forth fruits seasonably pag. 161. 81. The godly are profitable not only one to another but the wicked also fare the better for them pag. 163. 82. When men are slow in the duties of obedience God is patient towards them in the use of all good meanes waits for their fruitfulnesse pag. 164. 83. Vnregenerate persons of themselves cannot come to Christ nor bring forth one good fruit pag. 166. 84. Some Christians cheifly pursue some particular duties belonging to them and neglect others pag. 168. 85. While persons remaine in an unregenerate state all the meanes of grace is unprofitable to them pag. 170. 86. Christians by walking holily and fruitfully they bring much honour to God but if otherwise dishonour pag. 171. 87. The same things which are blessings to the Godly are curses to the wicked because of their different Principles pag. 172. 88. The best of Gods Children are guiltie of many sins and infirmities in their conversations pag. 174. 89. Carnall persons are as forward and zealous in the waies of sin as usually the godly are in the waies of holinesse pag. 176. 90. The Conditions of the people of God are much different yet God careth for them all pag. 178. 91. True and faithfull Ministers of the Gospell do diligently looke into the state of their people and deale with them accordingly pag. 179 92. God discovereth a speciall care of and love unto those of his people whose Judgment and waies concurre with his designe in their generation pag. 183. 93. God is a long time in calling the Gentiles and implanting them into Christ according to his purpose and promises pag. 187. 94. Externall Vniformity in the Churches of Christ is of small accompt with him in respect of Vnity and spirituall worship pag. 191. 95. God many times makes use of wicked and unregenerate persons for the preservation and good of his owne children pag. 197. 96. God in his infinite wisdome and goodnesse observes the fittest times in all his dispensations towards his people pag. 199. 97. Jesus Christ gives forth as constant a supply of all grace to the meanest of his people as to those who are most eminent pag. 201. 98. The people of God bring glory to him profit and edification to the body of Christ in divers respects according to the diversity of the Gifts Graces and operations of the spirit of God in them pag. 2â—2 99. There is a continuall secret supply of strength from Christ to every believer in time of desertion and temptation to preserve them from totall falling away pag. 205. 100. True Christians do communicate of their good things as freely to the poore as to the rich pag. 207. THE SPIRITUALL USE OF A GARDEN of FRUIT-TREES The first Observation in Nature THE Husbandman makes choice of what wild Plants he pleaseth to bring into his Orchards there to Graft and order to fruit-bearing from yeare to yeare He leaves other plants in the Woods and waste grounds he lets them alone and meddles not with them but takes and leaves these or those as pleaseth himselfe This is a Similitude of the State of Spirituall Fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That God from all eternity made choice of what Spirituall Plants he pleased to plant in his Garden the Church Proposition Shadowed and refused others God in his eternall decree chose some persons and refused others as his word clearely manifests he chose some wild plants here and there a few to plant in his Orchard to order to fruit-bearing and let others alone to grow wild and bring forth their naturall fruits and this upon his own free will and pleasure without any foresight of faith repentance good works or any thing in us This the Apostle shews Eph. 1.4 He hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world Vers 5. according to the good pleasure of his will before they had done good or evill Rom. 9.13 I have loved Jacob and hated Esau and Jo. 13.18 I know whom I have chosen And our Saviour tells us Joh. 15.16 I have chosen you and ordained you that ye should go and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remaine The Husbandman lets other Plants alone to grow wild without the wall of his Orchard Many wicked men and women in the world which were passed by in his decree and therefore are not brought into his Church nor Ingrafted into Christ who in their generations bring forth sower bitter and poysonous fruits Rom. 9.18 He hath mercy on whom he will have mercy and whom he will he hardneth That is He giveth grace to those whom he hath chosen and denies it to others leaving them to themselves Vse Esay 61.3 The Consideration of this should be a strong and continuall motive to all those who have made their Calling and Election sure being perswaded upon good grounds that they are Trees of righteousnesse of the Lords Planting to praise and admire the free grace of God who hath chosen them to be his adopted children ingrafting them into Christ and planting them in his Garden to bring forth pleasant fruits to himselfe We were all of us wild Plants as bad by nature as the worst in the world and God hath made choice of us and left others How should this make us admire his rich and free grace in Christ to us and to shew forth his praise in our Conversations The Apostle tells us this is the very end wherefore we are Chosen 1 Pet. 2.9 Yee are a chosen Generation a Royall Priesthood an holy nation a peculiar people that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darknesse into his marvelous light There was no moving Cause why the mysticall Husbandman should make Choice of us rather than of others as there is of materiall Plants The Husbandman looks upon their straightnesse and fitnesse in other respects it may be wherefore he chuseth them before others But the mysticall Husbandman hath all the grounds and Causes of choice within himselfe Eph. 1.5 according to the good pleasure of his will Let this therefore teach us and stirre us up to bring forth all Vse 2 good fruits unto him in abundance who hath so abounded in love and mercy towards us and hath let out his free grace in chusing of us And although we cannot recompence the Husbandman or make him the richer by our fruits yet we may please him and honour him thereby Herein is my Father glorified that ye beare much fruit Joh 15.2 The second Observation in Nature THe Husbandman doth order his young fruit-trees with more tendernesse and gentlenesse then such as are strong and well growne trees because such while they are small and tender are in more danger of breaking and brusing and other hurts then they are afterwards So that besides the great Wall or Common fence about the Orchard he makes a more speciall fence with Bushes Stakes or the like about each of them and gives
wilt find it otherwise Thy pleasures now out of Christ are but shadowes of Pleasures and there is nothing but bitternesse attending them these are reall and substantiall pleasures unspeakably more and better in the measure and nature of them and yet they are but tasts and beginnings of Eternall joyes and satisfactions All the waies and walkes in this Communion with God are waies of pleasantnesse and all the pathes are peace Prov. 3.17 Here thou maist walke or sit under the great Appletree Jesus Christ be refreshed with his shade fruits Heare what the Church saies come to her Ca. 2.3 I satedown under his shadow with great delight his fruit was sweete to my tast yea here is wine to the fruits to make up a compleat Banquet v. 4. He brought me into a Banqueting house where are mixed wines and wine of the Pomegranate Prov. 9.2 Cant. 8.2 If thou delight in feasts and Banquets here they are A feast of fat things of wine on the Lees well refined Esay 25 6. And the Master of the feast saies freely Eat O freinds drinke yea drinke abundantly O beloved Cant. 5. Therefore delay not to come that thou maist be filled with this joy in Communion with God Vse 2 Will God indeede dwell with men and have fellowship and Communion with them Does the holy and blessed God who cannot have any addition of happinesse by the society of all the Angels in heaven condescend so low as to have Communion with sinfull man and to dwell with him as Psal 132.14 This is my rest for ever here will I dwell for I have a delight there O how should we stand admiring at his free grace and love And what an Engagement is this unto us to walke humbly and holily with him Let us therefore be diligent to improve this Communion it will be our unspeakable happinesse and Glory hereby we are enabled to act for God with chearefulnesse and life all duties are easy and pleasant to us which when this is wanting we carry on but heavily This lifts us up above the reach of Temptations the flesh is downe or very much weakned Sathan is at quiet in respect of many suggestions which at other times he drives on and watches his season when he perceives the soule in another frame being in Communion with God the world is then under our feete the daintiest baits of it have no tast nor relish with us Yea the greatest outward Afflictions which when Communion is wanting doe load us and presse us downe and which break the bark or the heart of others these are but light and are easily borne By close Communion with God we live in another spheare in another world then the Common sort of Christians who improve not Communion it lifts Beleivers as it were into the third heaven where are unspeakable pleasures and contentments and the soule saies its good being here O that I might build and rest here and goe no more downe from this Mount from this Mount the soule takes a view of the holy Land and sees the beauty and glory of it the soule sees it selfe interessed in the kingdome and all the riches and Treasures of it O the Priviledges that Christ hath purchased for the beleiving soule they cannot be numbred nor conceived for God is the great everlasting Portion of his people and in him are all desirable things sutable to the soule which are plainely laid open to the eye of the soule the spirit sealing an assurance thereof unto it in this Communion which is satisfying and filling more then can be expressed Seeing such a Fellowship and communion may be had with God Vse 3 through Christ many Christians reall believers have reason to take shame unto themselves for that they looke so little after it It is cleare to the eye of discerning Christians who know by Experience what this Communion is that some have little Communion with God for their Communion is so much and so hartily with the Creature that it cannot be also with God their speeches their daily course and practises their deadnesse in duties their cold and hartlesse acting for God for the interest of Christ their starven love to the saints and their eager and serious pursuite of their owne interests in things of the world so highly prising every petty advantage as that rather then they will part with it they will let the glory of God the Gospell Religion and all Gods people suffer blemishes and disparagement These and such like things I say doe too clearely evidence and prove their Earthly mindednesse and consequently that they are at a distance from God and enjoy not this Communion For it is as possible that darknesse should abide upon the earth where the sun shines as that earthly mindednesse and Communion with God should abide together The seven and twentieth Observation in Nature WHen the Husbandman hath a plantation in hand or intends to enlarge his Orchard he does then remove and take out of the way whatsoever hinders his worke all the shrubs and bushes wild trees hedges stones Roots or whatsoever else lies in the way Hee sets himselfe and his workmen to cut them downe roote them up and remove them that so he may plant his Fruit-trees and have a large and faire Orchard This may teach us That Proposition shadowed Who or whatsoever hinders the inlargment of the Church of God he will certainely and sometimes with great anger take out of the way The workes and people of God in all ages have beene opposed by his enemies and hindred for a time but God hath ever appeared for his people and helped them and carried on his designes by them and for them and the opposers of God and his people have been brought downe When God went about to plant and enlarge his Church the people of Israell how did he cut downe and destroy their enemies that hindred and opposed them When Kings and Princes with great Nations rose up against them to stop the plantation these great Mountaines were levelled before them these tall Ceders and barren trees were hewen downe on every side Pharaoh and his great Host Syhon and Ogg with their Armies Josh 12. one and thirty Kings with much people even as the sand of the sea for multitude Iosuah 11.4 all fell before Israell If Rivers or Seas hinder their passage they shall be dried up Armies of Gyants are cut off Luk. 10.17 men and devills are made subject unto them Who art thou O great Mountaine before Zerubbabel Ezek. 21.17 thou shalt become a plaine Zecha 4.7 God will Overturne Overturne Overturne all persons and things that oppose him The husbandman will cut downe and roote up the wild Plants and trees with Anger and great fury he will come with fire and sword as the Prophet speakes Esay 66.14.15 The hand of the Lord shall be knowen among his servants and his indignation towards his enemies the Lord will come with fire and his
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
great duties of love and charity towards our fellow members what do we wher 's our Religion Pure Religion and undefiled before God even the father is this to visit the fatherlesse and widdowes in their afflictions c. James 1.27 See what our Saviour saies of these duties Matth. 25.36 Magistrater ought not only to restraine and punish what is to Gods dishonour but also to contrive stand for and uphold what is acceptable to him Ministers of the Gospell ought not only to preach the Gospell in the publique congregation but also to take all occasions in private to exhort rebuke instruct and encourage the people in the things of God to be instant in season and out of season inquiring how the worke of grace goes on in the hearts of their people and to know their state which Paul so much enquired after in his owne person and by others that he might speak and write more sutable to their conditions Phil. 2.19 Col. 4.8 how Sathan works what dispensations they have from God and to learne experiences from them studying men as they study books by which course they may become wise and skillfull workmen and know those waies and workings of God of Sathan of Grace and Corruption which otherwise they can never know Pastors of congregations have a strict charge Acts 20.28 Take heed to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you Overseers Now to oversee the Church imports more than only to Preach in publique that is but a part of their worke A speciall care should be had of the different state of particular persons Vse This should put us upon Examination what works and duties God requires of us in our generall and particular Callings that knowing them we may observe one as well as another and have respect to all Gods Commands Let us not suffer one duty to justle out another which is frequent among Christians Many think if they are still doing what is good and about the worke of God they look not so much about them nor consider what is necessary besides or what is more necessary and profitable and so many times neglect the maine worke They let some branches of duties wither and dye while the sap and strength of the Tree presseth forth and spends it selfe in other branches lesse fruitfull The eightie fifth Observation in Nature WHile fruit-trees remaine ungrafted all the labour and culture the husbandman can bestow upon them will not make them bring forth good fruits though they grow in the best place of the Garden and be watred pruned and ordered never so well yet because they are ungrafted and wild trees they will beare sower and noughty fruits This is another Similitude of the state of spirituall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That While persons remaine in an unregenerate state all the meanes of grace is unprofitable to them Proposition shadowed Many make a profession who yet have nothing of the power of godlinesse they attend the Ordinances they heare the word pray have priviledges among the Saints yet bring forth no good fruit Judgments Mercies favours outward providences inward workings of the spirit by reproofes counsells inlightnings c. all is in vaine to them they cannot receive these things nor profit by them because not engrafted they reject the word Psal 50.17 Thou hatest instruction and castest my words behind thee And Heb. 4 2. The word preached did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard it And as they reject the word so also they resist the spirit Acts 7.51 Ye do alwaies resist the Holy Ghost as your fathers did so do yee Yea Judgments and punishments are ineffectuall to them Esay 9.13 The people turneth not unto him that smiteth them neither do they seeke the Lord of Hosts Amos 4 9. I have smitten you with blasting and mildew c. yet ye have not returned unto mee saith the Lord I have sent amoung you pestilence and ye have not returned unto me And vers 11. I have overthrowne some of you c. yet ye have not returned unto mee saith the Lord. So we see all that God doth for or against persons out of Christ all the meanes of grace is unprofitable to them they neglect the mercies of God reject the word spirit Judgments of God and all the reproofes admonitions Counsels Exhortations and Examples of his people Hence we see the miserable condition of persons out of Christ Vse 1 seeing nothing will do good upon them would it not be accompted a heavy curse if the Lands of some men should bring forth nothing but bryers thorns and weeds with all the good husbandry that could be bestowed on them with raine sunne and dewes when by the same meanes other mens grounds are made fruitfull this spirituall curse upon the soules of unregenerate persons is infinitely greater such without Repentance are nigh unto cursing and everlasting burnings Heb. 6.8 Labour then with all thy might to get this evidence of Regeneration Vse 2 even to thrive and profit by the meanes of grace The eightie sixt Observation in Nature FRuit-trees when they prosper well and grow in a decent comly forme and bring forth much good fruit as they do profit many so also hereby they credit the husbandman they bring some reputation to him who orders them but if they grow poorely and bring forth little they discredit their keeper This teacheth us this Lesson That Christians by walking holily and fruitfully Proposition shadowed they bring much honour to God but if otherwise dishonour Every one of the people of God that professeth Christ is as a City upon a hill as our Saviour said of his disciples and therefore their waies are seen and observed by all sorts of persons so that if they walke wisely circumspectly and fruitfully they bring honour to God and credit to their profession Matth. 5.16 Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorifie your father which is in heaven And againe 1 Pet. 2.12 having your conversation honest among the Gentiles c. they may by your good works which they shall behold glorify God in the day of visitation But if on the contrary professors walke loosely and negligently these things reflect upon God to his dishonour As a servant to a great person if he behave himselfe licentiously by drunkenesse swearing and the like it reflects in some sort upon his Master who keeps such a person in his house So it is betweene God and his people if they walke circumspectly in a holy and fruitfull conversation they glorifie the name of God to whom they have relation but if they walke vainely and loosely if they walke in pride minding earthly things the two grand sins of many professours in our times scraping and holding together the trash of the world as though there were no better things to be had in the waies of God then they cause the name of God to be
do the least kindnesse to any of his people in vaine but much more when they act with zeale for God in the highest greatest duties he that herein soweth plentifully his labours and diligence shall reape plentifully 2 Cor. 9.6 Seeing this is so then let us labour to find out and understand Vse 2 the designes of God in our generation that so we may joine with him and helpe to carry on the Lords worke thereby great advantages will arise unto us when through ignorance or neglect thereof or opposition thereto we may suffer losse of what else we might have in the enjoyment of God or be otherwise corrected by him Of this see Mr Tillinghast Generation worke p. 45. 46. Now therefore what are the Designes of God in this our generation for understanding whereof we must compare prophesies and promises with the visible dispensations of providence in the age we live in and observe how the actings of God in the world sute or answere to what he hath foretold or promised should come to passe also inquire observe what the most humble holy selfedenying Saints have upon their Spirits how they stand affected for God reveales his secrets to the humble not to the proud though his own people And also by frequent and much conversing with God in walking with him this is best knowne such as have close Communion and fellowship with the father and with the sonne in the spirit shall certainly know much more of his mind of his waies and designes than others of his people who through some unmortified corruptions walke at a distance from him But to touch breifly what we have grounds to believe is Gods great designe which he is now carrying on more especially in this generation it is the enlargment of the Kingdome of his sonne Jesus Christ the setting up Christ as King over the Nations more gloriously than ever heretofore according to many promises Esay 2.11 The Lord alone shall be exalted in that day and Chap. 24.23 Zach. 14.9 The Lord shall be King over all the Earth c. Now in order hereunto many other prophesies and promises must be fulfilled as those concerning the propagation of the Gospell and a great increase of the Gentile Saints together with the comming in of the Jewes Esay 60 3 4 5. c. The abundance of the Nations shall be converted unto thee the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee and many other places Also union and onenesse of spirit among the people of God to serve him with one consent Zeph. 3.9 pulling downe of high and lofty things Esay 2.11 12. c. The haughtinesse of men shall be bowed downe and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day Establishment of Justice Esay 60.18 I will make thine Officers peace and thine Exactours righteousnesse 5. Pouring out of greater measures of the spirit Joel 2.28 whereby will be more and clearer discoveries of Gospell truths Esay 30.26 The light of the Moone shall be as the light of the sunne and the light of the sunne seven-fold So that the exaltation of Christ and the enlargment of his Church and Kingdome being Gods great designe in this age it concernes every one of his people to labour together with God in this glorious worke such as are sincerely and zealously active herein shall find speciall distinguishing love from God Now every one of Gods people will be ready to thinke and say they are for this designe it is their daily prayer that the Kingdome of Christ may be increased but notwithstanding certaine it is that many even of Gods owne people afford God but little or no helpe herein but rather hinder and oppose the worke really and indeed through the darknesse of their Iudgments about it though in some respects they thinke they advance it for such as give no encouragement to persons and things waies and meanes little and low in their eyes which yet God hath chosen whereby to carry on his designes but rather despise them distast and speake against them such may be said to hinder the worke for he that opposeth the meanes opposeth also the End And this indeede is done through the prevailing of selfe love and worldly interests which dimme their sight such have not yet learned that great Gospell lesson of denying all for Christ they have but a small measure of the spirit that Moses Iohn Baptist and Paul had who could be content to lay downe their owne esteeme Numb 11.29 Joh. 3.30 Phil. 1.16.17.18 and interests at the feete of Christ and be willing to decrease so that Christ might increase by any waies or meanes that he shall chuse persons and things which are neglected and despised not only by carnall men but also by the carnall part of spirituall men But such shall have fewer manifestations of the love of God than others of his people that concurre with him they shall not see nor know so much of the mind of God nor find their hearts so refreshed and enlarged in communion with God nor find so much esteeme and love from his people as those that close with God in his great designes The ninetie third Observation in Nature WHen the husbandman intends to plant a very large Orchard out of rough unmanured grounds like a wildernesse full of bushes and wild trees where never was any before when he resolves and sets on such a huge and vast Plantation such a great worke is not presently effected but by length of time perhaps he may be many yeares about it This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That God is a long time in calling the Gentiles Proposition shadowed and implanting them into Christ according to his purpose and promises All the people of the world are either Jewes or Gentiles under these two all Nations are comprehended As we see Rom. 3.9 19. We have proved both Jewes Gentiles that they are all under sin v. 19. That all the world may become guilty before God Formerly the Jewes only were the people of God the Gentiles were strangers to God and without God in the world wholly overspread with Idolatrie as we see Rom. 1. But in due time this Wildernesse was made the Garden of the Lord. God the great husbandman of his Orchard the Church began to plant the vast wast grounds the wildernesse of the Idolatrous Nations the Gentiles above sixteene hundred yeares agoe and is still about it and will at length finish it and performe all his purpose and pleasures towards them The time when he began this great plantation was in our Saviours daies who gave light to the Gentiles that sate in darknesse but especially after his Resurrection and Ascension he set his husbandmen the Apostles and Disciples on worke Matth. 28.19 Goe teach all Nations and Mark. 13.10 the Gospell must be published among all Nations The Lord told Ananias that Paul was a chosen Vessell unto him to beare his name before the Gentiles Act. 9.15 And Paul himselfe
afterwards gloried in this in that he was imployed about this worke of being instrumentall in this great plantation which now God was about having newly begun it of implanting or ingrafting the Gentiles into Christ the true Vine and Olive tree In as much as I am the Apostle of the Gentiles I magnifie mine office Rom. 11.13 He rejoyced greatly to foresee by faith such a huge and vast Orchard consisting of many millions of goodly fruit-trees that were to be planted in it which would bring forth abundance of good fruits to the husbandman so did Peter also and many with him rejoyce at it Acts 10.45 They were astonished because that on the Gentiles also was powred out the gift of the Holy Ghost and Acts 11.18 They glorified God saying then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life They saw this wonderfull great plantation begun and cut out of the wast and barren Wildernesse of the Gentiles and they rejoyced in it and helped to carry it on Paul planted a large peece of ground and God watered it and gave the increase for he tells us Rom. 15.19 from Jerusalem round about unto Illyricum he fully preached the Gospell of Christ he through the power of the word and spirit made wild trees barren unfruit-full trees to be engrafted fruitfull trees The Gospell containing the unsearchable riches of Christ which he preached among the Gentiles became in ingrafted word in their hearts and sprang and grew up and brought forth fruit as he tels us Col. 1.6 The Gospell which is come unto you as it is in all the world and bringeth forth fruits as it doth also in you since the day ye heard of it Now here were great and glorious beginnings and proceedings for many yeares together in the Apostles and Primitive times but afterwards the worke went on more slowly when Antichrist was revealed he that did let being taken out of the way that is the Emperour who had his seate in Rome being removed to Germany when the Pope and the whole Hierachy of Rome had gotten head and strength and credit in the world then they greatly hindred the worke though it hath beene carried on ever since yet much more slowly than at the beginning After a time there arose many and great enemies against the Church and every where persecuted the Saints The Beast out of the bottomlesse Pit the red Dragon the Beast with seven heads and ten hornes The Beast with two hornes like the Lamb the Whore of Babylon the Beast with the false Prophet c. these enemies of the Church hindred as much as in them lay the propagation of the Gospell As formerly enemies hindred the building of the Materiall Temple so have they ever since hindred the building of the spirituall Temple or according to the Similitude the great Plantation of the husbandman It is a very great Orchard there is much work to be done in it and about it and many and powerfull enemies are against it therefore the husbandman is long about it It is so large that it reacheth to the ends of the earth over every kindred and Tongue and People and Nation Rev. 5.9 And as it is large so there is much worke and but little help Matth. 9.37 The harvest truly is great and the Laborers but few There is herein a ground of exceeding great gladnesse and rejoycing Vse 1 seeing that God the great and skilfull husbandman hath undertaken this worke of Planting so large an Orchard or Garden for himselfe over all Nations though there have beene but slow proceedings in the worke for a long time yet the proceedings have beene sure God his people have been at worke ever since they began it unto this day and we have Prophesies Promises that it shall go on unto perfection yea and more speedily too in these latter daies than in former times Esay 60.3 4 5 c. Lift up thine eyes round about and see all they gather themselves together they come to thee the abundance of the sea or Nations shall be converted unto thee the forces of the gentiles shall come to thee They shall flie as doves to their windowes vers 8. Yea here is a ground of rejoycing indeede when we consider the exceeding largnesse of this Orchard which shall take in not only the wildernesse of the Gentiles but also his old decayed forsaken Orchard the Nation of the Jewes the husbandman will joyne them to it and Graffe them these decayed broken withered Branches in againe and their comming in shall be as life from the dead Rom. 11.15 it shall be a mighty advantage to the whole Church in all parts here will be a wonderfull beautifull large Orchard let us cast our eyes above as well as below and looke upon that part now already transplanted into heaven as well as that upon Earth and withall consider it with its increase that it is daily growing larger and larger Zach. 2.11 Many Nations shall be joyned to the Lord in that day what day even when the Lord shall inherit Judah his portion in the holy Land and shall chuse Jerusalem againe Here is a Prophesy of the comming in both of the Jewes and Gentiles about one time which will greatly inlarge the Church and is aground of great rejoycing to all the people of God Vse 2 Seeing God is a long time in calling of the Gentiles this should stirre up the people of God in this Nation and other Nations who are called unto continuall praises unto him for that he hath done the worke already for us many other parts of the world are yet in darknesse they are yet as the wildernesse wild trees and unmanured not yet within the compasse of this pleasant Orchard we might have beene in their case Vse 3 Thirdly Seeing the worke is great and God hath beene a long time about it and is yet going on let all that can helpe forward the worke God is able to do all works which he wills by his owne immediate hand but he is pleased to use Instruments therein The great husbandman hath subhusbandmen underworkmen in his great Plantation All his people are required to put to their hand for the enlargement of the kingdome of Christ by their Prayers exhortations reproffes instructions admonitions Examples c. according to the gifts But this is no liberty for any people under the pretence of new revelations from God and a light within to go about reaching things contrary to his word and reveled will and to condemne all Churches and Congregations persons things though never so holy that are not of their way and cast into their mould Talents they have received Especially now in this generation seeing God by his providentiall dispensations cals aloud for it having given his people â— freedome and liberty in all places and great encouragements in the worke of the Lord which in former ages they have not had It is the duty not only of Pastors and Officers of particular congregations
but of all believers to labour to enlarge the kingdome of Iesus Christ and to be faithfull diligent laborers in the Lords Vineyard This is the Lords great designe and the very worke of this generation in a particular respect who so hinders or neglects it even of Gods owne people shall suffer for it who so faithfully acts in it shall meete with speciall manifestations of the Love of God towards them The ninetie fourth Observation in Nature THe husbandman does not much stand upon the outward forme of his Orchards and Gardens to have them all just of one fashon and shape either round or long or square or otherwise He having divers Orchards and gardens they are some of one forme and some of another as some are larger than others so some are of one cut or shape and some of another he accompts it not necessary that they be all Vniforme but so the inward forme be good so the trees have good Natures and properties bringing forth good fruits that 's it he values it s all in all This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Externall Vniformity in the Churches of Christ Proposition shadowed is of small accompt with him in respect of Vnity and spirituall worship Severall congregations or Churches of Christ having the spirit of Christ faith love unity of doctrine and ordinances may have divers formes and waies of outward administrations and every Church is to be left to its owne liberty therein and not to be in joyned such or such Formes Methods and waies of proceedings in the worship of God or in the discipline and goverment of the particular Churches For now in the time of the New Testament the worship of God consisteth not in Externals neither are they commanded as heretofore under the old administrations of the law But our Saviour tels us John 4.23 The houre commeth and now is when the true worshipers shall worship the father in spirit and in truth Many in the Apostles time had vaine and needlesse disputations about meat and drink and observation of daies and such like Rom. 14.1 3 5 10 13. c. he tels them vers 17. The Kingdome of God is not meat and drinke it consisteth not in any externall thing but it is righteousnesse peace and joy in the holy Ghost So that he leaves them to the using or not using of such outward things to their owne pleasures being of an indifferent Nature vers 5. let every man be fully perswaded in his owne mind Now so it is in respect of External Vniformity in Churches the worship of God being Now spirituall he leaves the externall part of it unto the choice and pleasure of his people to concurre in one way or Externall forme or to vary as they judg meete and convenient every particular Church among themselves in respect of time b As for one day in seven to be dedicated to God in worship that is the morall part of the fourth commandment and was changed from the seventh to the first day of the weeke by Christ himselfe and observed by his Apostles and Disciples place manner and forme and would not have his people to fall out and differ about tything Mynt Anise Cummin petty and indifferent things while they neglect the weighty and great matters of the Law unity and spirituall worship The Apostle Paul sharply reproves the Corinthians for standing so much upon Men Names Titles 1 Cor. 1.12 One saies I am of Paul another I am of Apollo another of Cephas another of Christ even as many in our daies they stick in the outside in Names and Formes Lutherans Calvinists some are for the Episcopall way some for the Presbiterian some for the Independent some for the Rebaptized way some reject all these as the b These people proceede further in censuring others then ever any did for they judge and condemne not only the Fortunes outward administrations of all Churches but also the whole sirituall state conditiō of all persons that are not of their way and that suddenly and rashly without knowledg of the persons contrary both to Scripture and Reason crying up a dimme Naturall light within and neglecting the true light of the word and spirit of Gods who not trying the spirits whether they be of God or not they in many things put darknesse for light and light for darknesse Quakers say their's is the way So that may we not say as the Apostle said 1 Cor. 3.3 Are ye not carnall for whereas there is among you envying and strife and divisions are ye not carnall and walke as men In as much as they differ about Names and Formes and neglect and breake love and unity they are herein carnall though there may be truth of grace in and among them yet in this thing they are weake they are carnall this is knowing and approving of men after the flesh which the Apostle Paul allowes not 2 Cor. 5.16 I suppose it may be said of this or that Forme of worship as Paul saies of Circumcision 1 Cor. 7.19 Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing but keeping the Commandments of God and Gal. 6.15 In Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing nor uncircumcision but a New creature neither this or that forme or externall way of worship availeth any thing but faith love spirituall worship righteousnesse peace and joy in the holy Ghost an interest in Christ regeneration or becoming a new Creature unity and love with and towards one another walking with God in fellowship with the father and with his sonne Jesus Christ in spirituall worship these are the things that God requires of his people Not but that God cals for the service and worship of the outward man and some Externall formes and waies in his spirituall worship as well as inward worship but he ties not his people to one way or forme as men would do and stand for and make divisions amoung the Churches about it which God no where requires in his word and as for Examples in the Apostles times they vary in every Church as occasions required ther 's no one forme only established As for that Command 1 Cor 14.40 Let all things be done decently and in Order the meaning is not that the worship of God in his Ordinances or practises in all Churches should be all in one manner way or forme but that they should observe Order among themselves in every particular Church or congregation As in Cities and Townes Corporate though their Customes differ one from another yet there is Order in and among themselves in each particular place The Apostle tels us Acts 10.34 35. That in every Nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousnesse is accepted with him Now in many or severall Nations there are many and severall waies and formes in and about the worship of God in the administrations of the Ordinances of Christ yet all are accepted of God when the worsh p is in spirit and in