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
shew forth when they in their seasons flourish with Leaves Blossomes and Fruits especially considered not only as they appeare beautifull to the eye but also with all their inward beauties and perfections their virtues and uses in the life of man Both in Alimentall and Physicall respects but most of all as they are Similitudes and beare the figure and resemblance of many high and great Mysteries in the Word of God the Analogie and resemblance is very neere in many things to the most noble visible Creature MAN Fruit-trees beare the Figure and resemblance of what is of highest esteeme with God his People his Jewells his Adopted Sons yea of his Naturall Sonne as we frequently find in Scripture Likenesse and resemblance of inferior Creatures to those above them does ennoble and put some dignity upon them according to the degree of likenesse Now what Creatures beare resemblance to man in so many respects as Fruit-trees see the Observations pag. 1. 2. c. De Gen. ad Lit. Li. 15. Austin speaking of the marvelous effects of Nature that appeare in Seeds Trees and Fruits saies they wonderfully manifest the Attributes of God therefore he exhorts us to search into them Ex ipsis Operibus Dei indagare conemur consideremus ergo cujuslibet Arboris pulchritudinem in robore ramis frondibus Pomis c. Let us saith he inquire into the works of God and consider the beauty of a tree in the strength boughes leaves and fruits he saies it is wonderfull to see so great a body rise of so small a seed which seed has in it the whole Tree with the Leaves Fruits and Seed for the propagation of the kind not in their bulke and dimensions but Virtually as a Cause producing all these Illud germen ex semine in semine ergo illa omnìa fuerunt primitùs non mole corporeae magnitudinis sed vi potentiaque causaliter For In exiguo grano mirabilior praestantiorque vis est quia valuit adjacens humor commixtus terrae In this small seed there is a great and wonderfull virtue which shewes it selfe being cast into the earth which then riseth up into a body and spreads it selfe into boughes and Branches Quid enim ex Arbore illâ surgit aut pendet quod non ex quodam occulto Thesauro seminis illius extractum atque depromptum est What riseth or growes upon the Tree that is not brought or drawen out of the seed as out of a certaine Store-house or Treasury Fruit-trees discover many things of God and many things of our selves and concerning our duty to God We enquire of and discourse with Fruit-trees when we consider and meditate of them when we search out their virtues and perfections which God hath put into them when we pry into their natures and properties that is speaking to them And when we after a serious search do make some use and result of what we see in them when we collect something from them concerning the Power Wisdome Goodnesse and Perfections of God or our duty to God that is the Answer of the Fruit-trees then Fruit-trees speak to the mind and tell us many things and teach us many good lessons Our Considerations of them are the Questions we put to them and the Inferences or Conclusions are their Answers Those are the Lessons they teach us Of this see Mr Caryl his Exposition on Job chap. 12. Iob tells us of many Masters Creatures of which we may learne chap. 12. The Beasts the Fishes c. and ver 8. Speak to the Earth and it shall teach thee c. or as it is interpreted aske every slip or sprig that growes in the Earth and it shall teach thee Naturall and visible things are shadowes to us of Spirituall and the Spirit of God from things sensible and visible raiseth our minds to things spirituall and invisible The Ancients were skilled in this kind of Learning in teaching by SIMILITUDES and one of them observes that God sent us the Booke of Nature before he sent us the Book of the Scriptures The People of God in the beginning of the World were without the Scriptures for many yeares and they read many things in the Book of the Creatures Isaac went to meditate in the Feilds Gen. 24.63 And no doubt learned many Lessons from the Creatures And when the Church had some part of the Scriptures yet were they instructed for the space of two thousand yeares together by Similitudes for what was all the old administration but shadowes or Similitudes of things to come all shadowing out Christ and the things of Christ So the Apostle tells us Heb. 10 1. The law having the shadow of good things to come and Heb. 8.5 The example and shadow of heavenly things and Heb. 9.23 The Similitudes of heauenly things All their Services and Ceremonies were Similitudes of heavenly and spirituall things whereby they were taught and instructed Teaching by SIMILITUDES is the most plaine way of Teaching and makes dark things more cleare to the Vnderstanding and best to be retained in the Memory Our blessed Saviour the great Prophet and teacher of his Church who spake as never man spake he taught much by SIMILITUDES in his owne person and before his coming in the flesh by his Prophets as we see Hos 12.10 I have used Similitudes by the Ministry of the Prophets so we find in Esay Ezekiel and the rest One saies as Windowes are to a house so are SIMILITUDES to a Discourse they both let in light to see and discerne things that otherwise would be obscure Fruit-trees are a TEXT from which may be raised many profitable Doctrines and Conclusions which may be proved by Scripture and Experience Now therefore seeing many things may be learned from Fruit-trees for Spirituall profit I shall set downe some Observations which I have made upon them discovering the Nature and ordering of Naturall and Spirituall Fruit-trees in divers SIMILITUDES according to Scripture and experience speaking of most particulars very breifly As I have planted many thousands of Naturall Fruit-trees for the good of the COMMON-WEALTH so also I have taken some Spirituall Cyences or Grafts from them I meane severall Propositions drawne from Observations in Nature which are some what branched forth into Boughes and twiggs and bound them up and sent them abroad for the good of the Church of God And if men will but accept of them and be content to have them engrafted in their own Gardens their hearts and minds by the Husbandmans watering of them by his Spirit they will grow and blossome and beare much good fruit here and for ever Fruits of Faith Love Ioy Peace and other Fruits of the Spirit Bunches of Grapes For the feeding and refreshing of our Soules as we travell through the Wildernesse and the increase of our Glory hereafter in Canaan to all Eternity Which Improvement the Great Husbandman grant unto Thee together with Thy Servant in the Lord RA. AUSTEN To my deare Friend and Brother in
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
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
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
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
worldly advantages in the first place as most doe and match a Soule to the Earth between which there 's no likenesse nor proportion Neither are they to looke so much at likenesse in the more low and inferior respects as Person age birth friends Riches c. though care is to be had in these as to that great likenesse in Natures Manners Habits and Principles of the Mind for these are the springs and the tyes of Love therefore be not unequally yoked together 2 Cor. 6.14 The sad experience of many thousands may be a sufficient warning to others If that Love flowes according to the likenesse of natures then Vse 2 let this teach us to strive for increase of Grace to have the Image of God more and more renewed and drawn more lively upon our soules because the more like we are to God by having his Image in the Graces of his Spirit the more shall we find the love of God towards us and the more will our Love be towards God the streame of the love of God will flow more strongly into the soule which will be Rivers of pleasure unto it God will then delight in the soule and the Soule will then delight in God and this Communion will be heaven upon earth The fifth Observation in Nature THe husbandman is carefull to Engraft his Trees while they are young he then formes and fashions them by Pruning and ordering of them for he knowes when they are growen strong and bigge Trees these workes cannot be done so easily if at all it be possible therefore he sets about them while they are young-trees This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall Fruit-trees and holds forth unto us this Proposition Proposition shadowed That God calls his people for the most part in Youth and more rarely when they are old It is observed by Experience That God worketh that great worke of Repentance and Conversion of a sinner from darkenesse to light before old age generally and for the most part Most commonly in youth or full strength How seldome has it beene seene that an old person turnes to God having served Sathan and his lusts all his youth and time till old age God forbid that I should limit the boundles and infinite Mercies of God but may it not be said in this Case as of a Rich man his difficulty of being saved Matth. 19.24 It is easier for a Camell to goe through the eye of a needle then for a rich man to enter into the Kingdome of God O how hard is it for an old habituated sinner to turne to God and forsake his old waies and customes Such are setled on their Lees and frozen in their dreggs and are past feeling their hearts are hardened and consciences seared with a hot Iron Custome in sinne hath deprived them of all sence of sinning they cannot cease from sinne 2 Pet. 2.14 As soone may the Blackmore change his skinne or the Leopard his spots as old customary sinners learne to doe well Jer. 13.23 They being old ungrafted Trees growing upon the stock of corrupt Nature it s a thousand to one but they shall grow there untill the Axe be laid unto their roots to cut them downe and they be cast into the fire not to be consumed but to burne for ever God gives men warning before hand and tells them he will not accept of them hereafter though they knocke at the Gate of Mercy it shall be shut against them if they will not now accept of Mercy Prov. 1.24 25. Because I have called and ye refused I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded c yee shall call but I will not answer I will laugh at your calamity and mock when your feare cometh c The sinner being an hundred yeares old shall be accursed Esay 65.20 This cals to all Spirituall young Plants to labour by all possible Vse 1 meanes to get this worke of Engrafting into Christ performed Now in their youth Now to be willing to be under the discipline of the husbandman who offers and desires to forme and fashion their minds according to the shape and Mould of his holy word Now therefore hearken to his voyce while it is called to day lest ye be hardened through the deceitfulnesse of sinne Heb. 3.13 The worke as to us is more easily done Now in youth then it will be hereafter The Twiggs of the corrupt stock of sinfull Nature are yet but small and slender Udum molle lutum es nunc nunc properandus acri Fingendus sine fine tota Pers sat 3. and will more easily be cut off then when they are grown old and strong The Minde will bow and bend more easily in youth to the Rules of the husbandman then it will hereafter Things are learned in time of youth with ease which in old age are difficult or impossible There is an impossibility in respect of the Lawes of nature of altering the habits in time of old age either of Body or Mind It s true With God all things are possible Quo semel est imbuta recens servabit odorem testa diu Hor. but we are to expect the usuall and ordinary dealings of God and not to neglect the meetest seasons and meanes for effecting our greatest work in hope that God will doe it in the most difficult times because all things are alike easie to him Now because this is a thing of infinite everlasting consequence and of greatest importance of all other things whatsoever to us And that all may be stirred up to seeke after this one necessary thing to be engrafted into Christ in time of Youth I will lay downe a few Considerations as motives to it 1. The great Lord of Heaven and Earth that gave us a being 1 Consideration Gods Command our breath our time all that we have he requires our youth to himselfe and commands every one to give their first and their full strength to him he would have their Virgin Love before they be vitiated and defloured by the Creature Eccl. 12.1 Remember now thy Creator in the daies of thy Youth while the evill daies come not As under the Law God commanded them to offer in sacrifice Young Creatures Bullocks Rammes and Lambs of a yeare old young Pigeons c. And the Levites being his portion must be numbred from a Month old and upwards to signifie to us under the Gospell that God requires the beginning of our strength in his service Mica 7.1 My soule desireth the first ripe fruits 2 Consideration Vncertainty of Gods call or acceptance afterwards 2. If Youth slight God and refuse to harken to his call and command it is uncertaine whether he will call them afterwards 2 Tim. 2.25 If God peradventure will give them Repentance He that calls to men to day if you will heare his voice hath not said to morrow or hereafter I will call againe Nay God hath said the contrary Prov. 1.24 Because
same folly as those who take more care about the shape and fashion of the Garment than the health and soundnesse of the body Or to use the Metaphor in hand they bring forth Leaves instead of fruits and so are unprofitable trees lyable to Gods displeasure and cutting downe every moment and also to be accompted by discerning Spirits to be such as have little or nothing of The power of godlinesse The Eighth Observation in Nature THe Fruits of trees discover plainly of what kind the Trees are the Leaves and blossomes especially of some kinds may deceive us but the fruits cannot deceive us but discover manifestly of what Nature the trees are From this Observation we learne That Proposition shadowed By the Fruits of Spirituall Trees we may conclude the Nature of the Trees The waies and Conversations of men discover what their Natures are If men of discerning Judgments will but exactly observe and try the Actions of others they may by degrees conclude from what Principles they act It s true indeede from the Actions and waies of some persons a man cannot easily conclude this vices in some are clothed in the habits of Vertues howsoever of some others this is more cleare The worke of grace in the hearts of some is so cleare and apparent in their lives and Conversations that if men will but judge according to Scripture rules the worke will be manifest So on the other side concerning Profane and scandalous persons a man may without breach of charity conclude such persons to be at present in the gall of bitternesse and bond of iniquity And though Formall Professors may for a time deceive us by their Leaves and blossoms of good words shewes Professions Formes and outward Observations Wolves may have on Sheeps clothing Yet if we tast and observe their fruits after a time we shall know them Mat. 7.16 by their fruits ye shall know them So againe Lu. 6.44 Every tree is knowne by his own fruit Vse 1 This should teach every one to try their owne fruits by the word of God for thereby will be comfort to them that feare God they may have continuall grounds of rejoycing when they observe their fruits to be good to be such as the husbandman cals for and approves of they may thence conclude that they are Trees of the Lords planting Engrafted Trees and this is a ground of joy indeed to know our names are written in heaven And here also will be grounds of conviction to unsound Christians for by a certaine knowledge of the Fruits they may have a certaine knowledge of the Trees And therefore let such seeing and considering their bad fruits give themselves no rest untill they find the nature of their fruits changed whereby they may conclude that the nature of the tree is also changed Vse 2 The thorough and serious consideration of this Proposition may be a speciall meanes to support and satisfie the spirits of Gods people who are in a doubting condition and question the truth of their graces for let such consider that hereby they may receive the best satisfaction that believers can possibly receive next unto the immediate testimony of the spirit of God to look upon and try their fruits by the word for fruits are infallible evidence of the nature of the Tree that brings them forth Therefore observe if these and such like fruits are brought forth the Tree is certainly good an ingrafted tree If there be fervent desires pantings and breathings of the soule after God delight in the word and ordinances Love to God and his people secret goings out of the soule after and closing with spirituall things disliking and hating corruptions and whatsoever is against the mind of God and opposing of it with a rising of spirit against it with zeale and indignation if there be a secret joy and cheerefullnesse in the spirit when things goe well with the people of God when holinesse and the power of godlinesse is like to be set up promoted and encouraged and sin suppressed if the spirit be stirred to pray against the dominion and power of wicked and unregenerate men not onely such as are prophane but also such as are but morally honest yea though they be accomplisht with the utmost of naturall and morall endowments prising and preferring sincerity and holinesse in any person before all gifts without grace These fruits I say are reall and infallible evidences of a good tree of a Tree ingrafted into Christ and that soule that finds them in it selfe if the spirit of God shine upon them and shew them may as certainly conclude upon the truth of grace there as if an Angell were sent from God to tell such a one that he is beloved of God It is as possible in nature for Thornes to bring forth Grapes or Thistles Figgs as for a Bad tree a person out of Christ to bring for h these fruits Let not such soules therefore so dishonour God wrong themselves and gratifie Sathan as to question the truth of grace in themselves but rejoyce evermore because their names are written in heaven Hereby we know we are translated from death to life because of these fruits 1 Joh. 3.14 The Ninth Observation in Nature THe branches of fruit-trees if cut off and stuck in the ground they will in the spring bud and blossome and be as forward as the boughes that grow upon the stock or root and will seeme to grow but when the sun drawes neere and the weather growes hot these boughes begin to decay and wither they cannot indure heat they within a while shew that they want a roote This is another Similitude of the state of spirituall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition Proposition shadowed That some persons flourish with a profession for a time but in the heat of affliction they fall off Many Christians will flourish with a profession in the time of prosperity when many showers of blessings and outward comforts fall on them but when the hot sunne of troubles and afflictions begins to scorch and the dewes and raine of temporall blessings are taken away and withheld then they shew themselves to be but as Boughes stuck in the ground and without roots which bud and blossome but can bring forth no fruit These are they spoken of in the Parable Luk. 8.13 The seede that falls upon the Rock springs up as well it may be as that on the good ground but when the sun growes hot it scorcheth it and it withers Mat. 13.21 He hath no roote in himselfe but endureth for a while and in time of persecution he is offended Such the Apostle speakes of 1 Joh. 2.19 They went out from us because they were not of us c. This shewes us the end of Hypocrites formall professors who Vse 1 have no root in Christ such as are not really ingrafted into Christ they will certainly fall away at last none can persevere but by being in Christ Job 27.10 Will he the
Hypocrite alwaies call upon God Every plant which my heavenly father hath not planted shall be rooted up Mat. 15.13 This being so it should make every one give all diligence to be Use 2 fully assured whether they be but as Boughes stuck in the ground without roots or branches of the true Vine Joh. 15.5 Such as are really ingrafted into the true Vine the hottest sun of persecution can never hurt them the gates of Hell shall not prevaile against them Such shall be as a Tree planted by the waters that spreadeth out her roots by the river and shall not see when heat commeth but her leafe shall be greene and shall not be carefull in the yeare of drought neither shall cease from yeelding fruit Jer. 17.8 The Tenth Observation in Nature WEe seek for the best kinds of fruits to engraft in our Orchards we are carefull and diligent with much labour cost and time to obtaine the most usefull and most profitable fruits though we take some paines for ordinay kinds yet we especially desire the best fruits From this Observation we are taught That VVe should bend all our desires and endeavours that the best gifts Proposition shadowed graces and Fruits may especially increase The Apostle saies 1 Cor. 12. There are diversities of gifts wrought by the same spirit all of them desirable and profitable but some are more profitable than others which he exhorts us to look after and desire especially Vers 31. Covet earnestly the best Gifts There is a precellency and greater worth in some Fruits than in some others 1 Cor. 13. I will shew you a more excellent way And Phil. 1.10 That ye may approve things that are excellent or as some read it things that differ Follow after charity and desire spirituall gifts but rather that ye may prophecy 1 Cor. 14.1 And vers 12. For as much as ye are zealous of spirituall gifts seek that ye may excell to the edifying of the Church He preferres one grace before another And now abideth faith hope and love these three but the greatest of these is love 1 Cor. 13.13 This reproves those who content themselves with the lowest Vse 1 and meanest gifts graces and fruits and strive not after the best and chiefest Many having gotten some competent abilities they goe on in a formall way running in a round or Circle making little or no progression at all no increase or growth Yea sometimes for want of exercise and improvement of their Gifts they loose what they had and become very Drones and Dunces Vse 2 We should consider and examine which are the best gifts graces and spirituall fruits that so we may apply our selves to gaine and increase them especially First then Such are best as are most usefull and profitable to our selves and others Profit and edification is the great end why the spirit of God gives gifts 1 Cor 12.7 The Apostle valued those gifts most which were most for Edification 1 Cor. 14.19 I had rather speake five words with my understanding that by my voice I might teach others than 10000 words in an unknowne Tongue Knowledge Tongues humane Learning and Parts are little worth unlesse they be used to edification What then shall we thinke of those men who use them for ostentation and to gaine admiration Secondly If we find any gift grace or spirituall fruit commended to us in speciall and particular in the word such hath the highest commendation that possible can be as the gift of Prophesie above other gifts 1 Cor. 14.1 Desire spirituall gifts but rather that ye may prophesie Which is a gift to be able publiquely to expound the word of God Diod. Annot. and to apply it to the edification of the Church And of Graces Love is the chiefest 1 Cor. 13.1 Now abideth Faith Hope and Love these three but the greatest of these is Love And 1 Pet. 4.8 Above all things have fervent love among your selves So for Meeknesse of Spirit God himselfe commends it to us in particular for a most speciall fruit 1 Pet. 3.4 The ornament of a meek and quiet spirit is a thing with God of a great price Thirdly those graces wherein wee most resemble God the father and Christ such are most excellent as Love Mercy Humility we are cald upon as might be shew'd at large to imitate the father and the sonne in these things especially VVhat is more sweet and amiable in the Conversations of men than Love Mercy Humility these are Graces and fruits of highest esteeme both with God and men Such as hold forth Truths in publique should bring forth the best Fruits in expounding and applying the word they ought to lay open those truths that are most suitable to Persons times and occasions and decline other things of lesser moment and in particular subjects to bring forth those things that doe most naturally arise from the word according to the genuine sense of it without straining or wresting there being such infinite variety of matter that it may be as the first and purest Liquor of Grapes or as life hony that runnes without strayning which is by far the best Men should stand most upon the Essentialls of Religion and Christianity How to get an interest in Christ and then how to improve it to grow in grace to subdue Corruptions how we may get and maintaine a constant habituall Communion with God And for our Meditations Speeches and Actions we must still looke at the best if there lye many and various duties before us and all cannot possibly be donne we ought to set our selves to consider and find out which are most convenient most necessary most profitable and best And accordingly apply our selves thereto and not to goe hand over head to any of them upon this ground for that it is a good worke it is our duty for so perhaps we shall neglect a more excellent and more profitable worke and misse of the best and choicest fruits The Eleventh Observation in Nature WE finde by experience that after a plant is engrafted both the Graft and the stock will shoote forth and if the Graft grow vigorously and strongly then the shootes of the stock are but weake but if the shoots of the stock break out strongly then the Graft growes but weakly therefore the husbandman takes paines often to cut off the shoots that grow upon the stock that so the graft may grow the better This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall Fruit-trees and shadowes forth unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed While the Spirituall part in us acts and growes strongly the fleshly part acts but weakely So also if the flesh be strong the spirit is weake In all persons Regenerate there are two Natures the one contrary to the other the Spirit and the flesh the new man and the old man the Divine Nature and Corrupt Nature these two Natures abide in us and act in us so long as we live in this earthly Tabernacle and they
no man went through thee I will make thee an eternall excellency a joy of many Generations Vers 15.20 The Lord shall be thine everlasting light and the daies of thy mourning shall be ended The twentieth Observation in Nature THe graft and stock of the fruit-tree are so joyned together as that they are the one within the other and so made one intire body The Graft is within the Stock in respect of its substance the stock incloseth some part of it And the Stock is within the Graft by its sap and moisture giving nourishment to it whereby it thrives and brings forth good fruits So they being joyned and one within the other are made one body or substance This Similitude shadowes out unto us Proposition shadowed That Believers by ingrafting into Christ doe live in him and he in them and are thereby made one with him This truth is clearely held forth unto us in Scripture It is a great Mystery not understood or comprehended by any naturall man and better understood in our own spirits by experience than expressed to others The Apostle saies 2 Cor. 4.16 Ye are the Temple of the living God as God hath said I will dwell in them and walke in them And 1 Joh. 4.16 He that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God and God in him Believers dwell in God the father and in Christ and in the spirit and God and Christ and the spirit dwell in them As the spirit is in Beleivers so they are in the spirit Gal. 5.25 If we live in the spirit let us also walke in the spirit Gal. 2.20 I live yet not I but Christ liveth in me And now 2 Cor. 13.5 by this spirituall or mysticall union between God and his people they are made one with God Not to be understood as some have said That every believer hereby is God and so advance themselves above what is meet It is true believers are made one with Christ 1 Cor. 6.17 He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit and Ephes 4.4 There is one body and one spirit And it is the prayer of our Lord Christ which is certainly heard that his people with his father and himselfe may be one Joh. 17.21 That they all may be one as thou father art in me and I in thee that they also may be one in us v. 22. And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them that they may be one even as we are one 23. I in them and thou in me that they may be made perfect in one What a wonderfull mystery is this that Believers should be united to and made one with God as the Father and the Sonne are one Not in respect of partaking of his essentiall and incommunicable properties which Creatures are uncapable of but in respect of reality and truth Believers are as truly and really joyned and united to Christ as the Branches of a Tree are unto the root As the Stock and the Graft are really joyned together and are one within the other and made one body so are Believers really united to God God dwelling in them and they in God and are made one spirit with him through Christ 1 Cor. 6.17 He that is joyned to the Lord is one spirit And againe 1 Cor. 12.13 By one spirit we are united c. Vse 1 Seeing Believers live in God and God in them and that they are made one with him This shewes us their safe Condition notwithstanding the malice and power of all their enemies They shall never be able to prevaile against Gods people or to hurt them As the hils are about Jerusalem so is the Lord round about his people Psal 125 2. The Mercy he wisdome power love and faithfulnesse of God compasseth them about for they live in God This is the Hedge that was about Job Chap. 1.10 Thou hast made an hedg about him and about all that he hath so that Sathan could not touch him without leave 2. From hence we may gather That believers shall be sure to Vse 2 presevere in grace unto the end for they live in God and from him they receive all supplies of grace Seeing Christ is risen up and dies no more believers that are in him as really as the graft in the stock they shall be fed and nourished by him continually as the stock feeds and nourishes the Graft the Roote is never dry but still gives sap to the branches both in winter and sommer so Christ is the true and living Vine the Roote and stock filled with all the fulnesse of God out of which we all receive grace for grace and are nourished with this living Sap unto Eternall life Joh. 4.14 Springing up unto Eternall life This Vnion and Onenesse between us and God the father and Vse 3 Christ should make us live a holy and a Gospell Conversation such as becomes our Relation Seeing these things are so what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy Conversation Let us therefore strive to be holy as God is holy and perfect as our heavenly father is perfect Seeing that we are so neere to God and live in God we may by eying and beholding of him be more and more changed into his Image and likenesse from one degree of glory to another 1 Cor. 3.18 and so be more and more partakers of his divine Nature and thereby dayly have more Communion and fellowship with him as two friends bring for the most part together are intimately acquainted and familiar with each other This is the top Priviledg of beleivers on this side heaven we should therefore bring forth fruit answerable to the spirit and sap that we receive from Christ our stock and Roote whereon we grow into which we are implanted The twenty first Observation in Nature FRuit-trees of the same species or kind are all like one another They resemble one another in their Natures and in their shape Colour Leaves Buds Blossomes and fruits So that they are clearely differenced hereby from other kinds men know them to be such or such kinds of trees and of one kind by their likenesse one to another Hence we learne That All Believers have a likenesse Proposition shadowed and resemblance of one another in the Image of God upon their soules The Image of God is the same upon all believers and differs not but only in the degrees of it upon some it is more beautifull and glorious then upon others yet the same in respect of the qualities and Nature of it All have a love and liking of all the objects of love as they are discoverd and made manifest And also there is in the soules of all believers an hatred or dislike of what is contrary to God and to that spirituall or divine Nature in them as the spirit of God discovers such objects to their understandings And the Cause of all Controversies and difference in Judgment amongst Gods people is not from any difference in their spirituall nature for that is
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
hee will rest in his Love he will joy over thee with singing Vse 1 O what encouragement is here unto sinners to come in and close with Christ by faith they shall be welcome freely welcome not onely so but heaven earth will as it were ring with joy at their coming in It will not be onely matter of joy unspeakable and full of glory unto themselves but also it will be joy to others Men and Angels yea the blessed God himselfe speaking to our apprehensions is said to rejoyce at it Now therefore be wise in this thy day stand not out one Moment longer wilt thou not accept of a Crowne and kingdome when it is offered thus freely if thou wilt not then know for a certainty that God who now tels thee he will be glad of thy coming in will laugh at thy destruction and mocke when thy feare comes Pro. 1.26 Secondly Let all the people of God labour in this glorious worke of winning soules to Christ that so Jerusalem the Vse 2 Church of God may not only be a quiet habitation but also filled with joy when the redeemed of the Lord shall returne and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads they shall obtaine joy and gladnesse and sorrow and sighing shall flee away Esay 35.10 This is a Touchstone for those who professe and pretend an Vse 3 interest in Christ doest thou rejoyce when thou seest or hearest of any comming in to Christ that the kingdome of Christ is daily growing and increasing in the addition of Members to his Church Does it refresh thy spirit to see and heare that holinesse and the power of godlinesse gets rooting in the hearts of many in the world that Jesus Christ is received and multitudes close with him why then this is a sound and sure evidence and ground that thine heart is upright with God that thou hast an interest in Christ and art thy selfe ingrafted into him But if it be an indifferent thing to thee what others doe in this respect whether they come in or no if they doe not thou art not moved it grieves thee not to see men reject Christ freely tendred in the Gospell nor if they receive him and close with him neither art thou glad of it thou doest not rejoyce in it If the habituall frame and temper of thy spirit be thus I dare boldly affirme it thou hast not closed with Christ thy selfe as yet thou art not yet ingrafted into him therefore consider thy waies and make hast to get into Christ delay not a moment longer The six and twentieth Observation in Nature AS the Husbandman takes pleasure in his fruit-trees so they (a) Inanimate Creatures are said to rejoyce when they performe Naturall Acts vigorously The sun reioyceth to run his course Ps 19.5 The hills and Valleyes when aboundantly fruitfull they laugh and sing Ps 65. â—3 Proposition shadowed in a sence take pleasure in him He delights to walke among them converse with them by meditation searching out their Natures and vertues for Profits and advantages he takes pleasure in their shade in heate of summer and in their wholsome fruits in their seasons And the fruit-trees also may be said to take pleasure in the husbandmans watering dressing and manuring discovered by their increase strong and vigorous shootes pleasant Blossomes and multitudes of fruits from yeare to yeare This is another Similitude c. and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That There is a sweete fellowship communion betweene God his People God delights in them and they delight in him Believers stand in the neerest Relations to God that can be As a peculiar people unto God 1 Pet. 2.9 As children to a father Rom. 8.17 As freinds to God the father and Christ Iames 2.23 Iohn 20.17 As Branches to the roote or stock as brethren to Christ as heires and coâ—heires with Christ As a wife to the husband as members to the head 2 Cor. 6.17 Io. 15.14 Cant. 4.17 Ephe. 3.20 In all which there is a wonderfull union and neerenesse set forth betweene God and his people wherein there is delight and Communion The Apostle John speaks this for himselfe and others he tels us what their Experiences were in this 1 John 1.3 That which we have seene and heard declare we unto you that ye also may have Fellowship with us and truly our Fellowship is with the father and with his sonne Jesus Christ The people of God they walke with God Now can two walke together and not have Communion Gen. 5.22.6.9 2 Cro. 7.17 Fellowship one with another Surely there are many intercourses and sweete passages betweene freinds when they walke together There are Questions Answers resolving of doubts Communications of secrets betweene intimate freinds as they walk together Nay there are not only these Relations mentioned a friendly walking together with God but there is also a Co-habitation or dwelling together with God yea more there is an In-dwelling God dwels in his people they dwell in him So that here is a ground of Communion indeede 2 Cor. 6.16 I will dwell in them walke in them And Jo 1.4 16. He that dwelleth in Love dwelleth in God and God in him As the spirit is in believers so they are in the spirit Gal 5.25 Here then must needs be communion and fellowship From these Relations and neerenesse to and union with God springs this Communion which includes love joy and pleasure on both sides unspeakable love flowes from God unto his people yea God takes pleasure and rejoyceth in his people And they returne Love to God againe they also take pleasure and rejoyce in God the scripture is plentifull in these things Ps 147.11 The Lord taketh pleasure in them that feare him so againe Ps 149.4 The Lord taketh pleasure in his people and Zeph. 3.17 The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty he will save he will rejoyce over thee with joy he will rest in his love he will joy over thee with singing Here is the mighty God taking pleasure in his people rejoycing with joy and singing resting in his love the believing soule This joy is not the joy of ordinary freinds but of those of neerest relation the husband and the wife and that too at their espousalls Esay 62.5 As the Bride groome rejoyceth over the Bride so shall thy God rejoyce over thee Seeing there is such a fellowship between God and his people what an invitation and encouragement is this to all to come into this Garden the Church of God such who weary themselves in seeking for content and pleasures in the empty things of the world may come hither and be satisfied O say not we shall loose our pleasures if we turne to be precise and religious then farewell delights and joy then we must imbrace sadnesse and Melancholy instead of our delights O consider how much thou art mistaken that judgest thus tast and try and thou
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
enlarge his Church in the daies of the Apostles Luk. 10.1 how contrary were his waies and dispensations to the judgments of most then In sending forth a few poore plaine men two and two to preach the Gospell and win soules how did the Learned proud Pharisees and most of the people despise them and persecute them from city to city They understood not what God was about no more then the people of this generation O how contrary are the dispensations of God to the apprehensions of most in this age They speake against his waies contradicting and blaspheming Yea the waies of God are contrary to the apprehensions of many of the godly among us some of them directly oppose God and his great designe others doe not cannot put to their hand to further it for they apprehend it not they cannot close with it In their Sermons Prayers Discourses they speak nothing of it to promote it nay being darkned through interests and corruptions they oppose it and speake against it and those who carry it on The reasons hereof are cheifely these As for all naturall men they judge of things according to carnall Principles sence and Reason now when the waies of God are not suted to these they cannot see nor judge of them The naturall man cannot perceive the things of God for they have no spirituall Principles 1 Cor. 2.14 Secondly In the people of God there is much pride and self-selfe-love carnall ends interests c. which many times sway their affections much and thereby their Iudgments are darkened according to the degrees of these corruptions For as any soule growes in grace and holinesse and gets more of the divine Nature or Image of God so are the things of God more or lesse manifest to such a one Thirdly God will be seene and acknowledged in the world especially in his great dispensations therefore are his waies often so unsuted to the apprehensions of men but when they see at length that God brings about his ends by them which they thought so unlikely then they admire He will get himselfe glory in all his workings by doing his worke his strange worke and bringing to passe his Act his strang act Esay 28 21. Hence we may see the certaine downefall of Antichrist and all his partakers all the Enemies of God because the waies of God are Vse 1 contrary to them and they know them not thence it is that they doe and will oppose God and fight against him to their owne destruction Though the arme of the Lord be made bare and lifted up never so high and apparently in the world in carrying on his designes yet they will not see it nor acknowledg it they will not behold the majesty of the Lord Esay 26.10 When his hand is lifted up they will not see but they shall see and be ashamed vers 11. Hardned Pharaohs with all the blind multitude opposers of God his waies and his people shall be at last all cast as a Milstone into the midst of the sea never to rise more Are the waies of God in the sea and his pathes in the deepe waters and his footsteps not knowen and contrary to the Iudgments of most Vse 2 and is it too true that many of Gods owne people stumble at his waies and dispensations and in a sort oppose God or no way help forward his designes O then let us be earnest with God for wisdome from above and his spirit to make out the mind of God to us not only to know the things freely given to us of God but also to know what things are of God in the world to know the designe of God in our generation 1 Cor. 2.21.2 that so we may be so farre from staning out against it as that we may comply with it and help it on with all our might The foure and thirtieth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman having great Plantations in hand calleth none to helpe him in his speciall works about his Fruit-trees but such persons as have skill and experience in the severall works he sets them about for if he should imploy ignorant and unskilfull men about grafting Inoculating setting and ordering of his young trees they would doe more hurt then good therefore it is necessary his servants and under workmen should have some competent skill and experience in the works about which he imployes them This shadowes out unto us That Proposition shadowed Those who have not the sanctifying spirit and grace of God in them are unfit for the worke of the ministry such bring more prejudice then advantage to the Church of God Ministers of the Gospell they who are so indeed are Gods Husbandmen Co-workers fellow-laborers with God in his Orchards and Gardens his Churches about his spirituall fruit-trees We are laborers together with God 1 Cor. 3.9 Ye are Gods husbandry ye are Gods building I have planted Apollo watred and God have the increase 1 Cor. 3.6 They are imployed by God to open blind eyes and to turne soules from darknesse to light and from the power of Sathan unto God Acts 26.18 God gives them a Command and Commission to preach the Gospell to every creature that is to all mankind to teach all Nations and to Baptize them into the Name of God that is Instrumentally to ingraft soules into Christ to worke grace or holinesse the Nature or Image of God which is baptizing them into the Name of God the Name of God and his Nature being all one Christ and his spirit the efficient cause being in them and with them who sanctifies his people through the washing of water by the word Ephe. 5.26 In Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the Gospell 1 Cor. 4.15 Now whom God calls to this great worke he prepares and fits them in some good measure for it he powres his spirit upon them they have an unction from the holy one who teacheth them all things 1 Ioh. 2.20 Their wisdome is from above Iames. 3.17 By this anointing of the spirit men are fitted for the worke of the Ministry but without they are not fit though they have humane learning and parts which are of speciall use and advantage in the Church of God if sanctified yet without the spirit of Christ men are in darknesse and cannot see the things of God 1 Cor. 2.14 They cannot say with the true ministers of Christ who are chosen called and sent the things we have heard and seene declare we unto you 1 Joh. 1.3 Luk 12.3 When God called and sent Moses Samuel Esay Jeremy and the rest of the Prophets he fitted them for the worke The Apostles when called and sent had all a Mouth and wisdome given them Luk. 21.15 That is the spirit this anointing was powred out upon them They were indued with power from on high Luk. 24.49 As Jesus Christ the first Minister of the new Testament was fitted to preach and publish the mind of his father so are his people whom he
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
the guide of all believers thereby they judg of good and evill fruits of wild and of Ingrafted Trees 1 Cor. 2.12 The one and fiftieth Observation in Nature SOme grafts are in part prepared by the husbandman in Order to Ingrafting and yet through neglect or unskilfulnesse in Ordering or hurts by Men Cattle hot sunnes dry winds or something els they are spoiled and never take hold of the stocks whereby they should grow to perfection This shadowes out unto us That Proposition shadowed Some Persons are wrought upon in part in somethings like to those that are Ingrafted tnto Christ who yet never attaine to be really united to him The spirit of God Convinceth the world of sin as well Reprobates as the Elect they are sometimes terrified with the apprehensions of the wrath and justice of God for sin and may for a time lye under the spirit of Bondage and common convictions of the spirit may have knowledge some common graces reforme in part make a Profession And yet after all throug negligence workings of Sathan and the world they come short of Christ The young man in the Gospell Mat. 19 had same good beginning some civill righteousnesse being by Christ told what to do more he slinks back from Christ and went his way to his earthly possessions So the hearers Luk. 8.13 they heare the word and believe for a time but in temptation fall away And many of the disciples of Christ Iohn 6.66 went back and walked noe mart with him also 1 Joh. 2.19 Gal. 5.7 Ye did run well who did hinder They went out from us c. so many in these daies having begun well after a while they fall off and with Demas imbrace this present world Vse 1 Let us not hastily conclude of any ones being in the state of grace because of some beginnings and progresse in a Profession Use 2 This should stirr up every one to go on towards perfection not to rest in beginnings but to presse forward towards the Marke And to give all possible diligence to make our Calling and Election sure and to put that great Question out of Question whether arm we are really in Christ whether we receive sap and life from that stock to grow and bring forth good fruits if so then certainly we shall persevere unto the end The two and fiftieth Observation in Nature THe least and most crooked Ingrafted tree brings forth better fruits without any artificiall helps then the fairest tree with all the art that can be used to it if ungrafted This Similitude shadowes out unto us this Proportion That the meanst person in Christ brings forth better fruits then the most accomplisht unregenerate person in the world Proposition shadowed Every believer is acted by the spirit of God and spirituall Principles and all their spirituall fruits spring from Christ their roote and thence it is that they are of such accompt with God But unregenerate persons cannot doe one good worke cannot bring forth one good fruit because they have no spirituall Principles they have not the spirit of God as to any renewing santifying operations in them but are whoiy carnall and therefore whatsoever proceeds from them is so Jo. 3.6 That which is of the flesh is flesh And Tit 1.15 To them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure but even their minds and consciences are defiled As from a muddy fountaine flowe impure streames or from a corrupt Roote spring naughty fruits so from the spirits of carnall persons proceed fleshly operations The carnall mind is enmity against God Rom. 87 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God vers 8. Their grapes are grapes of gall their Clusters are bitter Deut. 32.32 But the fruits of believers are sweete and pleasant fruits because they spring from the true Vine Joh. 15. So that the husbandman will come into his garden and eat his pleasant fruits Cant. 4.16 Hence we may see the grosse mistake of most people in the Vse 1 world who value spirituall fruits according to bulke and outward beauty The Sermons books discourse c. of great men are for the most part cryed up and had in estimation especially if they be not only eminent in Place and Office but also in learning and Gifts who yet in the meane time neglect or slight the Sermons Prayers books and discourses of persons low in the world and in Gifts and naturall endowments though these proceede from a gratious heart a renewed nature and the spirit of God though they have a tast a savour and relish of the divine Nature and have a veine of holinesse running through them which God himselfe and his people who are most spirituall are delighted with But the naturall man cannot perceive nor discerne the things of God 1 Cor. 2.14 Use 2 This may abate the pride of worldly wise men though eminent in all naturall and acquired abilities who like the proud Pharisee boast of themselves and despise others whose fruits are farre better then theirs But know O vaine man That not he that commendeth himselfe is approved but whom the Lord commendeth 2 Cor. 10.18 Use 3 This is a ground of great comfort to every gracious heart though they be never so meane and imperfect in gifts and naturall endowments yet their Graces may be eminent and their fruits pretious Though they be small as the poore widdowes mite yet they are better and of more esteeme with God then all the great fruits of formall Professours Mark 12.41 42. The three and fiftieth Observation in Nature THe thriving roots of a fruit-tree is alwaies ready to give up sap and nourishment to the Branches and if the Branches could draw sap continually the roote would continually give it The Spirituall lesson shadowed Proposition shadowed That Christ is continually ready to communicate strength and refreshing to his people and all defects thereof are from themselves Believers receive all their life and power from Christ whereby they doe any thing spiritually And when the soule findeth not strength and refreshings by reason of the strings of Corruptions and temptations from sathan and the world yet all the while Christ is ready to communicate himselfe for it is his Office as well as his Nature he is appointed of God to give out all supplyes to his people 1 Cor. 1.30 He is made unto us wisdome righteousnesse sanctification and redemption The soule is sometimes sluggish and carelesse of seeking or entertaining Christ yet Christ is ready and calls for entrance Behold I stand at the dore and knock if any man heare my voice and open the dore I will come in and sup with him and he with me Rev. 3.20 And againe Cant. 5.2 3. It is the voice of my beloved that knocketh saying open to me my love my dove my undefiled But how carelesse is the soule of entertaining Christ I have put off my Coate how shall I put it on c. The Apostle tels us
the Lord is ready Jam. 4.8 draw nigh to God and he will draw nigh to you if we aske we shall receive if we seek we shall find if we knock it shall be opened Mat. 7.7 We find by experience when we seek Christ diligently we find him refreshing the soule quickning and enlivening of it but if we neglect him our spirits are dull our affections grow cold Christ is ready to give out himselfe to those that looke after him at their first comming to him and at all times afterward Joh. 4.47 He that commeth unto me I will in no wise cast off He is the treasury of all grace and dispenseth grace to his people for all purposes quickning grace strengthning grace preventing grace teaching grace comforting grace he is the God of all grace and is still ready to communicate of the same to his people if they be but ready fit to receive it It may hereupon be objected by some under a Temptation Ob. O but I have prayed long and sought the Lord but I am not heard I am almost discouraged in praying and waiting so long It is answered The Cause is in thy selfe upon one accompt An. or other It may be thou hast displeased Christ by some prevailing lust it may be thou hast neglected and sleighted his grace and loving kindnesse towards thee aforetime not walking in any measure answerable thereunto hast thou not looked after other lovers in letting the streame of thy affections runne towards empty creatures Or Christ may withhold to prevent these things or the like which els would be that thou knowing how dear it costs thee to obtaine manifestations of his grace they may be the more prized Or thy graces have need of trying and exercising which els being unactive would be at a stand or decay there is some cause or other in thy selfe If need be ye are in heavinesse through manifold temptations 1 Pet. 1.6 so that Christ is ready to communicate of his fulnesse to his people and usually the soule being in a good healthy state and not clouded with lusts or temptations seeking of him does find him yea before his people call he will answere and while they are yet speaking he will heare Esay 65.24 Use 1 Let this teach us to take notice of the freenesse and readinesse of Christ to communicate of his fulnesse that our hearts may be engaged and enlarged towards him in love and thankfulnesse Use 2 This is a singular encouragement to every beleiving soule continually to make out after Christ in all our wants and needs for as he hath an infinite store and treasury of all grace so he is freely ready to dispence of it Let us understand our own emptinesse and insufficiency that we may goe to him and by faith receive of his fulnesse grace for grace even the same spirit and same graces that Christ hath in a measure The four and fiftieth Observation in Nature FRuit-trees being ordered with skill and diligence they become abundantly fruitfull which if neglected and nature be left to it selfe they will beare but little fruit or not so much nor so good as with due culture and ordering This is another Similitude of the state of Spirituall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That Proposition shadowed By diligent use of the meanes of grace Christians attaine great advantages which through neglect or sleight using meanes would be lost Whosoever proposeth an End unto himselfe cannot rationally expect to have it without using fit meanes for attaining of it salvation is that great and generall end that men ayme at at least pretend to it but how can they expect to find it who neglect or sleight the meanes whereby only it is attained which is the knowledg of Jesus Christ Heaven is not gotten by sitting still but by laboring and striving for it in Gods way The kingdome of heaven is taken by violence and the violent take it by force Mat. 11.12 and Luk. 13.14 strive to enter in at the strait gate Meanes must be used with diligence If we would have wisdome we must ask it of God Iames 1.5 And Pro. 22. If he incline his eare and apply his heart to it if he cry after knowledg and lift up his voice for understanding if he seeke her as silver and search for her as for hid treasures then he shall understand the feare of the Lord and find the knowledg of God Here must be inclining the eare and applying the heart here must be crying and lifting up the voice seeking searching and then shall wee find Giving all diligence adde to your faith vertue c. 2 Pet. 1.5 and againe vers 10. Give all diligence to make your calling and Election sure the diligent soule shall be made fat Prov. 13.4 But on the other side neglect of the meanes of grace or carelesse use thereof looseth these advantages many seeke to enter but shall not be able some seeke not at all others seeke but negligently and so find not In attaining degrees of Gifts and Graces we see by Experience that men of mean naturall parts by diligence use of meanes grow eminent and farre beyond others who have better naturall parts if they be negligent to improve them I know meanes are nothing of themselves without the concurrence of the spirit in them but as meanes without God can do nothing so usually God without meanes if men neglect them will do nothing The diligent soule shall be made fat Prov. 13.4 but such as neglect meanes or use them negligently they loose all and perish The desire of the slothfull killeth him Prov. 21.25 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledg because thou hast rejected knowledg I also will reject thee Hos 4.6 they rejected knowledg in rejecting and neglecting the waies and meanes of knowledg ye have set at naught all my counsells and would none of my reproofs and vers 29. they hated knowledg they would none of my Counsells that is they neglected all therefore God rejected them Vse 1 This shewes us the ignorance and folly of those who cast off Ordinances and meanes of grace though God hath commanded and appointed them as meanes of greatest advantage to his people Vse 2 This also informes us why there are so many ignorant and fruitlesse persons in the world even because they neglect or carelesly use the meanes to know God Vse 3 Let us hence be stirred up to a diligent and constant use of the meanes of grace not only as to the attayning of grace where it is not but also to the increase of grace where it is wrought Especially in childhood and youth I am perswaded not one of many would perish if Parents and such as have the education of youth themselves being Godly did use all good meanes diligently for the working of grace in their hearts It s true the use of the best meanes will not be effectuall without the concurrence of the spirit of God but where God gives an
acting so the habit improves if the Acts of grace be but seldome and but weake the Habits and Principles grow but slowly And when Acts cease for a time as in some Temptations yet the habits seeds and Principles lie secret and sure in the soule and will as heat pent up and smoothered for a time breake forth afterwards more strongly and will enable the soule to trample upon all enemies The use of this may be to discover who are really in Christ Vse As there is an increase in all the Members and parts of Children if in health so in the spirituall man Ephes 4.16 according to the effectuall working in the measure of every part maketh increase of the body As it is thus of the Church so also of every particular Member of it Now this increase is not in all alike nor at all times to be perceived in any one person but differs according to Talents of grace at first received and also according to the operations of the spirit and according to the meanes and helps that Christians have and use in the course of their lives Therefore labour to discerne an increase And lest some weake soules should stumble at this and question the truth of all because they discerne not an increase of grace in themselves but rather a decay because they find not now such vehement workings of affection nor such enlargednesse of heart as sometimes heretofore Let such consider that God sometimes withdrawes that they may be sensible of the different states tempers and frames of their spirits which may be made use of as a speciall evidence of spirituall life Secondly strength of grace consisteth not in the enlargednesse of the affections in duties which is usually most in young Christians but in a solid well grounded faith knowledg experience and cleare apprehensions of the love of God in Christ these more or lesse if we are diligent in the use of meanes grow to the last though there are in some Christians some interruptions through Trials and temptations which yet God doth order for their advantage The seventy first Observation in Nature SOme fruit-trees that are but weake crooked and uncomly Trees that have little beauty in respect of shape and colour c. they are notwithstanding more profitable and bring forth more pleasant and more usefull fruits than many faire tall and beautifull trees To instance in the Vine Ficus uvae inter fructus autumnales principatum obtinent Proposition shadowed and the fig-tree what trees are so low crooked weake of so deadish coloured outsides as they which yet yeild the most refreshing pleasant nourishment Many high strong beautifull trees are farre short of them in worth and goodnesse This Observation shadowes out unto us That Many persons of a low ranke and but of despised parts do yet bring forth more profitable fruits than many others eminent in gifts and outward respects Many of the Saints in their measure and proportion are as their Lord and Saviour of whom it is said he hath no forme nor comlinesse there is no beauty that we should desire him he is despised and rejected of men c. Esay 53.2.3 and yet who brought forth such fruits as he who besides that great and maine worke for which he was sent went daily about doing good did alwaies that which was pleasing to his father Joh. 8.29 As he was despised and rejected of men for the holinesse and spirituallnesse of his doctrine and life as well as for his meanesse in the world even so are many of his people at this day And so it was too in former times Were not the Apostles and disciples of Christ of a low ranke in the world taken from meane imployments whose naturall parts had little improvement by humane Learning which caused the proud Pharisees to despise and reject both them and their doctrine and yet who brought forth the best fruits they or the Pharisees That great fruit-tree mentioned Luk. 18.11 which was growen in his owne conceipt and its like in others too as high as heaven and spread large yet his fruits were not accepted as the fruits of the poore low despised shrub the Publican who came far short of the Pharases in outward respects That of the Apostle 1 Cor. 1.27 c. is a sufficient proofe for this point The foolish things the weake things the base things the despised thing The persons and things their Gifts and endowments their Judgments and actings that the worldly and carnall wise men and some spirituall men very carnall in their Judgments and waies account foolish weake base and altogether despise and trample on these even these are of more esteeme with God and are more profitable in his Church than many persons and things eminent in the world and of highest esteeme among men Learn then to judg and esteeme of persons and things Vse of Trees and fruits as God doth judg righteous Judgment looke upon things with a spirituall eye and tast them with a spirituall Palat God expects now that his people should be more spirituall than in former times that they should come off more from Externals whereon former ages have so much stood Gospell worship and conversation is more in the spirit than many even of the godly are yet convinced of The plaine simplicity of the Gospell in the delivery and manifestation of it to others is despised Persons who preach and publish the Gospell and cannot but speake the things they have heard and seene are neglected despised and cried downe Acts 4.20 unlesse they come adorned with eminent Gifts Humane learning and other externall qualifications which the fleshly wisdome of men eyes more than the spirituall savory well tasted fruits they bring forth to the refreshing and feeding the soules of men to eternall life One of these poore low despised spirituall trees without forme or comlinesse in a carnall eye brings forth more good and profitable fruits than an hundred of some of those who come with externall Ornaments of Titles degrees tongues excellency of speech and b It s true indeede humane learning and eminent parts are excellent and of singular use in the Church of God if sanctified if in regenerate persons especially in such who have also great measures of grace to make all subservient thereunto othewise all is used and turned for selfe and sinister ends and purposes and against Christ Humane wisdome which the Apostle who had more Learning than they car'd not for in his Ministry 1 Co. 2.1 4. My speech and my preaching was not with the enticing words of mans wisdome but in the demonstration of the spirit and of power Plaine experimentall discourses of spirituall holy men but of ordinary gifts about Christ and his kingdome are for the most part more profitable amongst the vulgar sort of people than the discourses of learned men about the same thing One reason besides the speciall presence of the spirit may be because the Matter Method and expressions
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
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
through patience comfort of the Scriptures might have hope this is one cause why the faults and sins of the Saints of old are recorded Take heed of too much admiring the best men there is drosse Vse 4 mixed with their purest mettles It is an error therefore in some persons who take all for granted that some whom they admire deliver in their Sermons or otherwise and that follow their Judgments and Examples because theirs Let us tryall things and hold fast that which is good 1 Thes 5.2 The eightie ninth Observation in Nature WE see materiall fruit-trees that are ungrafted wild trees as forward to bring forth their sower and naughty fruits as the grafted trees are to bring forth their good fruits Crab-trees and others of the worst kinds are as forward in the spring in blossoming and shooting forth as grafted trees of the best kinds This is another Similitude of the state of spirituall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition which also concurrs with the word and Experience That Carnall persons are as forward and zealous in the waies of sin as usually the godly are in the waies of holinesse Proposition shadowed All people are carried on in those waies that are sutable to their Principles whether spirituall or carnall Papists other superstitious persons are as zealous in their waies as usually men fearing God are in Gods waies The Idolatrous people mentioned Jer. 44. were very zealous and earnest in worshiping their false gods insomuch that when the Prophet from God told them the danger thereof and that it would be no lesse than destruction to them if they continued so to provoke God their spirits rose against him they answered him boldly and stoutly with one consent vers 16.17 The word that thou hast spoken to us in the name of the Lord we will not heare it of thee but wee will doe whatsoever commeth out of our owne mouth as to burne incense to the Queene of heaven and to powre out drinke offerings unto her as wee have done both wee and our fathers our Kings and our Princes So were the worshipers of Baal earnest and forward in calling upon their Idoll cutting and lancing themselves And the people of Ephesus Acts 19. how earnest were they for upholding their Diana vers 28. They were full of wrath and cryed out saying great is Diana of the Ephesians and the whole City was full of confusion and they rushed into the Common place with one consent c. So vers 24. How vehemently earnest have we seene carnall persons for upholding the booke of Common-prayer receiving the Lords Supper at Easter c Wherein they will not be hindred an experiment whereof we had lately of some grosly ignorant persons who were prevented at one place from receiving the sacrament of the supper from the hand of a profane Minister they went after him the same day to another place wading through the waters which then by reason of great raine overflowed the banks to come to him out of their blind zeale not knowing what they did and for all superstitious customes feastings may-games merry meetings and such like who amongst the godly are more forward and ready in the waies of God than these kind of persons are in these waies of sin Now the reason of this is because the waies of sin are agreeable and sutable to the Nature of carnall persons and Secondly because Sathan workes mightily in the spirits of such persons to stirre them up and to carry them on in carnall courses especially in any thing which hath in it but the least shew of good Vse 1 The consideration of this should make regenerate persons to take shame to themselves That they who have the Commands of God Divine Principles the holy spirit the glory of God the welfare of others an eternall inheritance c. to carry them on and encourage them should yet be no more forward and zealous in the the waies of God then ungodly ones are in the waies of sin O it should humble us g eatly that we are so dull cold and formall that we have no more zeale spirit and life in the pleasant and holy waies of God that we are no more forward to bring forth sweete wholsome and pleasant fruits to God than wicked men are to bring forth poysonous and deadly fruits It is an intollerable shame to some professors especially to see them so likewarme and unactive in the waies of God when power is in their hand to act for God and his people they move slowly and feebly in his cause wicked men are commonly more zealous and active in the service of Sathan and their lusts then Gods people are in the service of the living and true God This is a thing greatly to be bewailed by us The ninetieth Observation in Nature THere is great difference in the dimensions or bignesse of fruit-trees some are very high and large trees others but low and small some are huge strong trees others but weake and slender some growing upon poore barren grounds they can never attaine that bignesse as others that grow upon strong fertill grounds yet the husbandman ordereth and preservethall of them This is another Similitude of the state of Mysticall fruit-trees and shadowes out unto us this Proposition That The conditions of the people of God are much different yet God careth for them all Proposition shadowed The state of the children of God is very various whether we consider them in Naturall civill morall and spirituall respects some are young some old some of weake some of strong constitutions of body some but of weake and low naturall parts and abilities of mind others of eminent gifts and endowments some of poor and meane estates and live much upon contribution others are rich and great in the world some are low and weake in grace babes in Christ others are strong men fathers c. yet God careth and provideth for them all his love is towards all Rich Abraham and poore Lazarus are both beloved of God some are in great esteeme and reputation generally among the people as Cornelius Acts 10.22 A man of good report among all the Nation of the Jewes others lie in contempt and dishonour some have great measures of grace as the woman of Canaan Matth. 13.28 O woman great is thy faith so the Centurion Luk. 7.9 I have not found so great faith no not in Israel Others have but a weake faith Matth. 8.26 O ye of little faith So Matth. 16.8 O ye of little faith So Rom. 14.1 in some grace is but as a graine of Mustard-seede in some others it is growen high and strong Stephen was a man full of faith Acts 6.5 So of Love and other graces some have much others but little Simon mentioned Luk. 7.40 had but a little love to our Saviour but Mary loved much so of knowledg zeale c. We see the state of Gods people is very different in all respects yet the care
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
truth Bodily exercise profiteth little 1 Tim. 4.8 any thing whatsoever wherein the body is exercised is of little or small accompt in respect of spirituall worship it is the acting of the spirit soule exercise that God looks after and stands upon he values but little bodily exercise any thing whatsoever that is externall in his worship Now the reason why God stands not upon externals in his worship or the same customes and orders among all the Saints is because he is a spirit and spirituall worship is sutable unto him let it be clothed with this or that forme it is accepted if it be in sincerity and truth Secondly because Christ hath set his people free from the yokes of bondage Gal. 5.1 Not only from Circumcision and legall Ceremonies and formes but also from all other Rules and precepts of men which his word hath not laid downe It is true indeede in time of the Law for 2000 yeares together the Church was under formes and set praescript Rules for the externall part of worship but when Christ came he set his people free not only from sin as before his comming in the flesh but also from all those Methods and Formes Rites and Ceremonies commanded by Moses from the mouth of God Ephe. 2.15 He abolished the Law of Commandments contained in Ordinances that is the old externall administrations about the worship of God that so all his people as well Gentiles now as Jewes might worship God in spirit and in truth but no more in this or that externall forme and no other And accordingly the Church of Christ hath beene at liberty in respect of formes in the Apostles and primitive times and for many ages together afterwards untill of latter times externall Vniformitie was earnestly pressed in the Churches which Luther and other Good men opposed The Essence of the Kingdome of God is not any externall thing but righteousnesse peace and joy in the holy Ghost faith love holinesse walking with God in these things Vse 1 From what hath beene said we may conclude That to stand for Vniformity or onenesse in the externall part of the worship of God in the Ordinances or Government of Churches and for want thereof to breake off unity love and Communion with the people of God it is of the flesh and not of the spirit This hath beene and is the great sin and mistake even of many of the people of God the ground of whose differences lies in such externall things circumstances and formes as the word hath not determined or prescribed to be either so or so though men would be thought to prove their opinions in particular things as to the forme of worship and Church Government by the Scriptures The Godly of the Episcopall and Presbyterian Judgment the Independent and Rebaptized Churches and others differing from them what do they differ about Not the Essentials of Religion or worship but meerely in Ceremonies formes and Externall things which are not clearely held forth neither in the Doctrine of the Gospell nor in any constant practise of the Saints For we cannot find in all the Acts of the Apostles or primitive Christians any constant Methods and Formes in the worship of God or in Goverment of Churches but they varied in the formes and externall Acts as occasion was offered Paul preached sometimes on the Jewes Sabbath sometimes on the first day yea as occasion was every day and sometimes in the night sometimes he prayed and taught in the house sometimes in a ship sometimes by a River side sometimes in a Temple To the Iewes he became as a Jew to the Greeks as a Greeke to the strong as strong to the weake as weake he became all things to all that he might winne some he stood not upon externall formes in worship but upon the substance and Essence of it which is spirituall Our Saviour Christ sometimes he prayed long all night sometimes he was breife sometimes he stood and lift up his eyes to heaven sometimes being prostrate on the ground sometimes he taught in the Temple sometimes in a private house sometimes in a ship sometimes on the shore sometimes standing sometimes sitting The disciples of John they fasted often but Christs Disciples tooke more liberty in the use of the Creatures Christ administred the Sacrament of the supper in the evening Paul at midnight some in the Morning others at noone some Churches receive it sitting others kneeling some take the Elements from the Ministers hand others sit about the table and take the bread and wine themselves some partake of this Ordinance every weeke others every moneth some twice in a moneth others twice in the yeare or as oft as they please And as there is a liberty in the Churches to vary and no Vniformity in these Ordinances so also the Customes have beene various in respect of Baptisme some Churches Baptize with dipping others by sprinkling some Churches Baptize Infants of believing Parents others only those persons who can give an accompt of their faith and hence now ariseth the great controversie and contention amongst brethren who fall out by the way and break peace love and Communion one with another about the shadow the signe the forme though both have and hold the substance Many Members of both Churches are Baptized with the holy Ghost and with fire as Iohn 1.5 are baptized into one body by the spirit 1 Cor. 12.13 yea and have beene baptized with water also though there be not a Vniformity in their practise perhaps the difference will prove when throughly understood but a circumstantiall difference and doubtlesse no sufficient ground to breake off Communion amongst the Members of Christ Surely Jesus Christ will not take it well at their hands who refuse Communion and fellowship with those with whom he himselfe delights to have Communion and who are ashamed to call them brethren whom Christ himselfe is not ashamed to call brethren Heb 2.11 All believers are brethren not by a conformity or Vniformity in any Ceremony or externall observation but by faith in Christ All have the priviledge to be the sonnes and daughters of God who believe on his name John 1.12 all are the Children of God by faith in Christ Jesus John 3.26 Now therefore for men to refuse or neglect Communion and fellowship with their fellow Members and brethren for want of Vniformity in a Ceremony in the signe though they have the substance is it not carnall do not such walke as men Vse 2 Let us maintaine unity love and fellowship with all the Godly though they differ from us in Judgment or practise in the way and manner of administrations in the worship of God or particular practises in Government for the ground of the Churches Vnity is not Vniformity in any externall things but it is their having all but one head The Apostle most earnestly beseecheth them to maintaine Vnity upon a sevenfold ground but in them all not a word of Vniformity Ephes 4.4 There is one
body and one spirit even as ye are called in one hope of your calling one Lord one faith one baptisme one God and father of all who is above all and through all and in you all Here we see 1. All believers though multitudes of Members yet are but one body 2. That one body hath but one spirit As one soule animates and sets on worke all the Members of the Naturall body so does this one spirit in the mysticall body 3. There is also one hope All believeâ—s have an expectation of the enjoyment of God in glory for ever 4. They have all one Lord are fellow servants under one Lord Iesus Christ 5. So also have they but one faith believers in all ages of the world have but one faith in the same God and Saviour 6. They have but one Baptisme not baptisme of the signe but of the substance all believers are baptized with the baptisme of the spirit Iewes and Gentiles in all ages 1 Cor. 12.13 By one spirit we are all baptised into one body whether we be Jewes or Greeks 7. Believers have but one God and Father they are all borne of God are brethren in the Lord sonnes and daughters alike to the Lord Almighty Heires together of one Inheritance and Kingdome So then Here are strong bonds of Vnity and love among the Saints though Vniformity in outward things be wanting here 's no mention at all of Vniformity though they differ in their opinions in waies and formes of worship and Government yet being all one body having all one spirit one hope one Lord one faith one baptisme one God and Father these are sufficient grounds of their Vnion and love one with and to another These are the things that God stands upon having Vnity here in these things whereby they worship him in spirit and truth though they vary in many externall parts of worship and outward administrations they are dispensed withall as we see Rom. 14.18 he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men and vers 3. God hath received him or approved of him Let not men therefore disowne their brethren for differing from them in the forme in outward administrations of worship or Government when yet they worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth which if they doe it is from the carnall part and to be mortified The ninetie fifth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman often makes a hedg or fence about his Orchard and Garden with wild plants unfruitful trees or such as beare naughty unpleasant fruits as Crabtrees Thornes Bryers Okes Ashes Elmes or any such like which serve well for a mound or fence about his fruitfull Trees and preserve them from anoyances and hurts that else they are subject unto by Cattle and otherwise in many respects This shadowes out unto us That God many times makes use of wicked Proposition shadowed and unregenerate persons for the preservation and good of his owne Children Many Kings and Magistrates though wicked and carnall have beene set up for the defence of the Godly very many carnall persons though they have but only generall convictions a forme of Godlinesse common Gifts and graces yet they owne the true Religion and the professors of it notwithstanding they have no true nor cordiall love to either God makes such as an outward common fence against the breakings in of Tyrannicall and savage persons who might otherwise anoy the Church of God Yea many Morall persons are not only a meanes of defence to the Godly but they are also helpers many waies by their Gifts and Talents and outward good things which God hath given them The spirit of God doth convince the world of unregenerate persons upon this Accompt even for the good of his owne people giving to them some common light and graces and apprehensions of the things of God that so he may take off their fiercenesse and bitternesse that otherwise would naturally break out against the Godly and not only so but that also they may be helpfull and profitable to his owne people Pharaoh was convinced that God was with Ioseph and so became his freind yea and to all his brethren and his fathers house and preserved them and nourished them with the best things of the Land of Egypt Gen. 40. Laban entertained and preserved Iacob above 20 yeares together Gen. 29. c. Pharaohs daughter nourished Moses the whole Court was his freind many yeares King Nebuchadnezzar was convinced that God was with Daniel preserved and promoted Daniel so did Belshazzar And King Darius afterwards Dan. 6.3 Shadrach Meshach and Abednego were not only preserved but advanced in the Province of Babylon by King Nabuchadnezzer a heathen king There is abundant Experience of this truth in all ages especially in these times of the Gospell multitudes having common convictions of the things of God and entertaining the forme of Godlinesse though they want the power They generally if they have power preserve the people of God and Religion from overthrowes and destructions which otherwise Tyrants and barbarous enemies would bring upon them Yea and God makes them many waies usefull and helpfull to his people by their Gifts and Common graces in Naturall and Morall things Vse This discovers the speciall care and love of God the power wisdome goodnesse of God towards his owne people who maketh even their enemies to become freinds to them Enemies indeed in their Principles Natures but freinds through the overruling power of God The world all the creatures in it are ruled ordered for the good of the people of God All things are yours saith the Apostle 1 Co. 3.21.22 the world life death things present things to come all are yours God useth overruleth and ordereth all things for the advantage of them that feare him The ninetie sixth Observation in Nature THe Husbandman in Ordering of his fruit-trees observes the seasons some works are to be done at such a time of the yeare The spring is the season for Grafting the sommer for Inoculating Autumne and winter for Transplanting pruning and other workes he carefully observes the seasons for particular works This shadowes out unto us this Proposition Proposition shadowed That God in his infinite wisdome and goodnesse observes the fittest times in all his dispensations towards his people The great husbandman of his Vineyard and Garden enclosed as he gives discretion to men to order their works of husbandry Esay 28.26 doth with infinite more wisdome order his owne husbandry in respect of the matter manner and seasons of his worke Ier. 30.11 When he correcteth his people as he does it in measure so also in season when it is most likely to prevaile and take effect and when his spirit reproves the soule it is alwaies in season When he speakes to comfort and refresh the soule it is in season Esay 50.4 That I should know how to speake a word in season to him that is weary he gives his
well as to another all were purchased at one and the same rate even with his owne blood The ninetie eighth Observation in Nature SOme Fruit-trees are profitable for one purpose and some for another their fruits being of severall kinds some are usefull one way and some another some are fittest for Cider others to bake or to be prepared severall waies for the Table others are eaten of themselves without any preparation some are fit for foode some for Physick some for Cordials all are good and profitable in their kinds according to their severall uses Proposition shadowed This shadowes out unto us this Proposition That The people of God bring glory to him profit and edification to the body of Christ in divers respects according to the diversity of the Gifts Graces and Operations of the spirit of God in them This is manifest from Scripture and continuall Experience Believers having severall Gifts and endowments in Nature and grace are imployed and set on worke by God in their generations according as he hath fitted them for their severall work For as the Members in the Naturall body have not all one and the same Office so neither the Mysticall body Rom. 12.6 Having then Gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us whether prophesie let us prophesie according to the proportion of faith vers 7. Or Ministry let us wait on our Ministring or he that teacheth on teaching or he that exhorteth on exhortation c. As every man hath received the gift so Minister the same one to another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God Let him do it as of the ability which God giveth that God in all may things be glorified through Jesus Christ 1 Pet. 4.10 11. What ever his gifts or abilities be weake or strong meane or eminent they are his Talents or one at least which must not be hid but used and imployed for the glory of God and profit of himselfe and others As among the Members of the body the least and meanest is use full and profitable to the body And the eye cannot say unto the hand I have no neede of thee nor againe the head to the feete I have no need of you but such as seeme to be most feeble are necessary 1 Cor. 12.21 22. so in the body of Christ and also in the politicall body the Common-wealth the laboring husbandman and the meanest Tradesman are necessary and their labours and industries in severall and various waies are all as really in their measure conducing to the upholding and advantaging of a Nation as those in the highest imployments The Apostle shewes this truth very largely 1 Cor. 12.4 5 6. c. There are diversities of Giftes diversities of administrations diversities of operations by the same spirit vers 8. To one is given the word of wisdome to another the word of Knowledg to another faith to another the gifts of Healing to another the working of Miracles to another Prophesie to another discerning of spirits to another divers Tongues to another the interpretation of tongues All these worketh that one and the selfe same spirit dividing to every man severally as he will Seldome or never is it seene that any one man is eminent in all the faculties of the mind in all gifts and graces but if he excell in one he is defective in another If his gift lie in solidity of Iudgment and understanding it may be he is defective in his utterance or ready making out what he conceives and apprehends wherein some others excell that come short of him in Iudgment one man excells in quicknesse of apprehensions another in soundnesse of Judgment another in the gift of memory another in a facile and ready expression One is eminent in the grace of faith another in love another in humility another in patience another in zeale One man hath skill in one science another man in another One in this Art or Trade another in some other As the Members in the Naturall body have severall formes and severall uses and offices so is it in the Mysticall body the Church and also in the state or Common wealth that in various and severall respects all might bring Glory to God and benefits one to another The consideration of this should make us to admire the wonderfull Vse 1 wisdome of God in so ordering and disposing of things that one person might be helpfull and profitable to another every one usefull in his place and calling by their severall gifts graces actings and operations of severall natures and degrees among themselves and one with another that all should conduce and worke together though in severall waies and respects to bring glory to God and profit and edification each to other Vse 2 This also should teach Governours and all who have any charge over others to observe and find out what the Gift and qualification is of those over whom they have any charge that so accordingly they may designe them and dispose of them this is their duty and their wisdome And it is every ones duty in reference to himselfe before he enter upon any Calling or course of life to consider wherein cheifey his gift lies that accordingly he may apply himselfe For seeing the spirit of God divides to euery man gifts and qualifications severally as he will 1 Cor. 12.11 it is our duty to row with the streame and saile with the wind we shall make the speedier and better progresse And for want of this many men dishonour themselves their Callings God most of all by entring upon those waies and works for which they are no way fit as wanting a Gift to that purpose it lying in some other respect which they ought to have searched out and improved that so they might have brought thereby more glory to God and more profit to the body of Christ And further in this Proposition as in a glasse we may see the folly and pride of some men who being eminent in some Gifts or Vse 3 endowments and thereby also it may be answerably profitable in Church or Commonwealth upon occasion of which they despise others who are their inferious in such gifts but know O vaine man that those others may excell thee in some other Gifts and may bring glory to God and benefit to the body of Christ as much another way by their fervent prayers spirituall speeches and conferences holy and humble walking diligent improvement of Gifts Talents advantages which God hath put into their hands And therefore Christians should walke humbly though never so eminent in qualifications even upon this consideration as well as others that though they excell their brethren in these and these things yet those their brethren may go beyond them in other gifts and be profitable as much or more than themselves another way according to what God hath given them The ninetie ninth Observation in Nature All the winter long there is sap abiding in the tree and continually rising